أَمّا وَظِلُّكَ مِمّا خِفتُهُ وَزَرُ

أَمّا وَظِلُّكَ مِمّا خِفتُهُ وَزَرُ

يُجِنُّني فَلتُدِم غاراتِها الغِيَرُ

يُجِنُّني فَلتُدِم غاراتِها الغِيَرُ

Indeed, your shade is a refuge from what I feared,

Your protection relieves me of what I feared, though the strange vicissitudes afflict me.

sheltering me; let fortune's changes keep up their raids.

May its storms last long as long as your generosity rests me.

إِذا ظَفِرتُ بِأَن يَرتاحَ جودُكَ لي

إِذا ظَفِرتُ بِأَن يَرتاحَ جودُكَ لي

فَما لِنائِبَةٍ نابٌ وَلا ظُفُرُ

فَما لِنائِبَةٍ نابٌ وَلا ظُفُرُ

If I win the eager favor of your generosity,

If I succeed in making your generosity comfortable for me, reversals have neither triumph nor success.

no calamity has a fang or claw.

Though you left me no wealth to covet, my feelings make me needy for your affections.

إِنّي وَإِن لَم تَدَع لي في غِنىً أَرَباً

إِنّي وَإِن لَم تَدَع لي في غِنىً أَرَباً

إِلى عَواطِفَ تُدني مِنكَ مُفتَقِرُ

إِلى عَواطِفَ تُدني مِنكَ مُفتَقِرُ

Though you have left me no need for wealth,

Eyes accustomed to honors have slept neglecting all glorious deeds, though longing for them sleeplessly.

I still need kindnesses that draw me near you.

They asked for glory, loving life, but failed to attain it. The most wretched in misery climbed its dangerous slopes.

نامَت عُيونُ الوَرى عَن كُلِّ مَكرُمَةٍ

نامَت عُيونُ الوَرى عَن كُلِّ مَكرُمَةٍ

تَرنو إِلَيها بِعَينٍ دَأبُها السَهَرُ

تَرنو إِلَيها بِعَينٍ دَأبُها السَهَرُ

Mankind's eyes sleep, heedless of every noble deed;

Had they been fair, following the rain of your bounty, they would have sung and not left a king without support.

you gaze upon it with an eye accustomed to wakefulness.

When the two armies met it would have been a blow destroying the jawbones of the accursed.

سَلَوا عَنِ العِزِّ حُبّاً لِلحَياةِ فَلَم

سَلَوا عَنِ العِزِّ حُبّاً لِلحَياةِ فَلَم

يَجنوهُ أَقعَسَ في حَيثُ القَنا شَجِرُ

يَجنوهُ أَقعَسَ في حَيثُ القَنا شَجِرُ

They forgot glory out of love for life, and did not

As in their day at ‘Azzāz when they marched on until each thousand of them became a mere handful.

win it, unassailable, where spears stand tangled.

That stand for victory is a manifest sign not given before it to nomad or settler alike.

وَهَوَّنَ الحَمدَ عِزُّ المالِ عِندَهُمُ

وَهَوَّنَ الحَمدَ عِزُّ المالِ عِندَهُمُ

فَعَزَّ عِندَكَ حَتّى هانَتِ البِدَرُ

فَعَزَّ عِندَكَ حَتّى هانَتِ البِدَرُ

The value they set on wealth made praise seem cheap to them;

And the glory you inherited has redoubled, as vegetation redoubles when watered by the rain.

to you it was precious, until moneybags grew cheap.

You have warded off raids from the Muslim frontiers with a blade whose cutting edges are sure death and gaping wounds.

فَما أَخَذتَ مِنَ الإِحمادِ ما تَرَكوا

فَما أَخَذتَ مِنَ الإِحمادِ ما تَرَكوا

حَتّى وَصَلتَ مِنَ الإِنعامِ ما هَجَروا

حَتّى وَصَلتَ مِنَ الإِنعامِ ما هَجَروا

You did not gain the praise they forsook

You have obeyed the path of a religion you champion, so destiny makes it run as you desire.

until you renewed the beneficence they abandoned.

And the Byzantine emperors treat you with caution—fruitless caution when the hissing sword is unsheathed!

خافوا وَمِن دونِ إِدراكِ العُلى خَطَرٌ

خافوا وَمِن دونِ إِدراكِ العُلى خَطَرٌ

يَذودُ عَن نَيلِهِ مَن مالَهُ خَطَرُ

يَذودُ عَن نَيلِهِ مَن مالَهُ خَطَرُ

They feared, for danger stands before the attainment of high honors,

You have a resolved intent whose sharp blades do not shy from the enemy when the bright sword flashes.

driving away from them anyone without standing.

With the valor of those in whose character is sagacity you have set upright those warped by caprice.

إِنَّ العَواصِمَ مُذ جادَت يَداكَ بِها

إِنَّ العَواصِمَ مُذ جادَت يَداكَ بِها

في كُلِّ يَومٍ إِلَيها لِلمُنى سَفَرُ

في كُلِّ يَومٍ إِلَيها لِلمُنى سَفَرُ

Indeed, since your hands lavished bounty upon al-Awasim,

For its sake they have surrendered their hoarded wealth, and if you wished, would make lawful to you what they have stored up.

hopes journey there every day.

Can they refrain from anything you order? Some of your supporters are triumph and victory.

مَحَلَّةُ الأَمنِ لا خَوفٌ يُمازِجُها

مَحَلَّةُ الأَمنِ لا خَوفٌ يُمازِجُها

وَمَوطِنُ العَيشِ ما في صَفوِهِ كَدَرُ

وَمَوطِنُ العَيشِ ما في صَفوِهِ كَدَرُ

An abode of safety, untouched by fear,

So let them keep to the pure wine if they desire safety—your resolution is not to be intoxicated!

and a home of life whose clarity holds no murk.

Fears keep away from the precincts of a kingdom protected by the defender of the faith, victorious.

أَمَّنتَها بَعدَ أَن مَرَّت لَها حِقَبٌ

أَمَّنتَها بَعدَ أَن مَرَّت لَها حِقَبٌ

وَمَركَبا أَهلِها التَغريرُ وَالخَطَرُ

وَمَركَبا أَهلِها التَغريرُ وَالخَطَرُ

You made it secure after ages had passed over it

And prosperity settles in a land where the crown of kings arrives, even if no rain waters it.

when recklessness and danger were its people's two mounts.

The lord of munificence is not wearied by tedium, nor the eloquent prisoner by confinement.

وَجَدتَ مُجدِبِها حَتّى لَقَد طَلَعَت

وَجَدتَ مُجدِبِها حَتّى لَقَد طَلَعَت

بَعدَ الأُفولِ الثُرَيّا وَالثَرى خَضِرُ

بَعدَ الأُفولِ الثُرَيّا وَالثَرى خَضِرُ

You lavished bounty on its barren land, until there rose

Steadfastness rests where patience leads it to sweet springs.

the Pleiades after setting, and the soil was green.

If it tends to war, your resolves hold it back from what wrong and evil invite it to.

وَفاحَ عَرفُكَ فيها فَاِكتَسَت أَرَجاً

وَفاحَ عَرفُكَ فيها فَاِكتَسَت أَرَجاً

نَسيمُها أَبَداً مِن نَشرِهِ عَطِرُ

نَسيمُها أَبَداً مِن نَشرِهِ عَطِرُ

Your fragrance spread within it, clothing it in sweetness;

And if it invites brilliance, your gifts run to meet it, with no excuse or impediment.

its breeze is forever scented by that fragrance.

They are a band who have often with every battle lit a fire whose sparks are the heads of their enemies,

فَلَيسَ يُدرى أَشابَ المِسكُ تُربَتَها

فَلَيسَ يُدرى أَشابَ المِسكُ تُربَتَها

أَم باتَ يوقَدُ في أَرجائِها القُطُرُ

أَم باتَ يوقَدُ في أَرجائِها القُطُرُ

None can tell whether musk has mingled with its soil,

And endured war, belying those who said that Qais grew weary of fighting.

or fragrant aloeswood burns throughout its quarters.

Whenever one whose zeal is roused draws his sword, its tracks are praiseworthy traces.

لِلمَجدِ كُلُّ سَبيلٍ أَنتَ سالِكُهُ

لِلمَجدِ كُلُّ سَبيلٍ أَنتَ سالِكُهُ

وَلِلمَحامِدِ ما تَأتي وَما تَذَرُ

وَلِلمَحامِدِ ما تَأتي وَما تَذَرُ

Every path you travel leads to glory,

They are exalted. The people obey their command but do not obey kings if they command.

and all you do or leave undone deserves praise.

Those they defended and those they subdued are neither frightened nor abused.

وَفي زَمانِكَ خَلّى الدَهرُ عادَتَهُ

وَفي زَمانِكَ خَلّى الدَهرُ عادَتَهُ

وَعادَ مِن فِعلِهِ المَذمومِ يَعتَذِرُ

وَعادَ مِن فِعلِهِ المَذمومِ يَعتَذِرُ

In your time, Time abandoned its habit

Out of nobility they matched benevolence with beneficence until deeds and forms became as one.

and returned apologizing for its blameworthy deeds.

You are the staunchest neighbor of them, the furthest ranging, the sweetest named when they are named.

وَما تَقَدَّمتَ أَهلَ الأَرضِ قاطِبَةً

وَما تَقَدَّمتَ أَهلَ الأَرضِ قاطِبَةً

حَتّى نَهَضتَ بِما أَعيا بِهِ البَشَرُ

حَتّى نَهَضتَ بِما أَعيا بِهِ البَشَرُ

You did not surpass all the earth's inhabitants

Despite the enmity of foes your fame has spread through the world. They try to belie it but it grows.

until you shouldered what had defeated humankind.

Do Solomon’s winds course through the lands? Or does the verdant breeze spread your name?

وَالبيضُ لَو لَم تُمَيِّزها مَضارِبُها

وَالبيضُ لَو لَم تُمَيِّزها مَضارِبُها

بِالقَطعِ ما قَصَّرَت عَن قَدرِها الزُبَرُ

بِالقَطعِ ما قَصَّرَت عَن قَدرِها الزُبَرُ

If bright swords were not distinguished by their striking edges

Your days are most noble, so through them this age glories over other times.

in cutting, iron blocks would not fall short of their worth.

Security, justice, pardon—enmity is checked, wrong stilled, and sin forgiven.

أَبوكَ أَنسى بَني قَحطانَ حاتِمَهُم

أَبوكَ أَنسى بَني قَحطانَ حاتِمَهُم

جوداً وَجَدُّكَ مَن عَزَّت بِهِ مُضَرُ

جوداً وَجَدُّكَ مَن عَزَّت بِهِ مُضَرُ

Your father's generosity made the sons of Qahtan forget their Hatim,

The heavens of glory have brightened since there rose in them stars of your gifts like blossoms.

and your grandfather is the one through whom Mudar grew mighty.

Rain does not attain the farthest limit of a land when showering, nor does it gain its full extent when pouring down.

ما لُمتُ قَومَيهِما إِلّا لِأَنَّهُمُ

ما لُمتُ قَومَيهِما إِلّا لِأَنَّهُمُ

إِذ حانَ يَومُهُما قَلّوا وَإِن كَثُروا

إِذ حانَ يَومُهُما قَلّوا وَإِن كَثُروا

I blamed their two peoples only because,

Clouds of your munificence pour down bounty in showers. Their soil is gardens of praise which thought waters.

when their day came, they were few, however numerous.

With them you have wiped out mention of earlier generous ones, for the torrent does not drown despite its flood.

لَم يَحفَظوا الحَقَّ مِن ماضٍ وَمُقتَبَلٍ

لَم يَحفَظوا الحَقَّ مِن ماضٍ وَمُقتَبَلٍ

حَتّى كَأَنَّهُمُ غابوا وَإِن حَضَروا

حَتّى كَأَنَّهُمُ غابوا وَإِن حَضَروا

They upheld no rightful claim, past or future,

Souls that, if mean with you, deemed it infidelity to ransom you with them—your swords have warded off every affliction from them, untouched by sun or moon.

so that they seemed absent, though present.

Through your innocence the barking dog has been silenced toward nations—had you not lived, the sight of them would have been unbearable.

قَومٌ رَقَوا هَضَباتِ البَغيِ مِن حَسَدٍ

قَومٌ رَقَوا هَضَباتِ البَغيِ مِن حَسَدٍ

وَمَصعَدُ البَغيِ لَو يَدرونَ مُنحَدَرُ

وَمَصعَدُ البَغيِ لَو يَدرونَ مُنحَدَرُ

A people who climbed the hills of wrongdoing out of envy;

Is not your healing a mercy to them? Let them thank God and fulfill their vows.

the ascent of wrongdoing, could they know it, is a descent.

When the nights alternate during their cycle, and each occurrence comes with what the days bring,

لَو أَنصَفوا تَبِعوا غَيثاً بِصَيِّبِهِ

لَو أَنصَفوا تَبِعوا غَيثاً بِصَيِّبِهِ

غَنوا وَلَم يَخذُلوا مَلكاً بِهِ نُصِروا

غَنوا وَلَم يَخذُلوا مَلكاً بِهِ نُصِروا

Had they been just, they would have followed a rain-cloud whose downpour

The Muslims thrive so long as you are there for them, with both weal and woe in your hands.

enriched them, and not forsaken a king through whom they were aided.

So long as you repel the tyrannous attacks—those not deterred by signs and warnings—they will not lack protectors.

وَكانَ لَمّا اِلتَقى الجَمعانِ بَينَهُما

وَكانَ لَمّا اِلتَقى الجَمعانِ بَينَهُما

ضَربٌ بِهِ حَلَقُ الماذِيِّ يَنتَثِرُ

ضَربٌ بِهِ حَلَقُ الماذِيِّ يَنتَثِرُ

When the two armies met, between them there were

The secure thrive in peace and ease. But for the unjust there is dismay.

blows that scattered the rings of fine chainmail.

You have eased my task for me until I take on the impossible; my genius deserts me when rhetoric fails.

كَيَومِهِم بِعَزازٍ إِذ مَضَوا قُدُماً

كَيَومِهِم بِعَزازٍ إِذ مَضَوا قُدُماً

حَتّى ثَنى كُلَّ أَلفٍ مِنهُمُ نَفَرُ

حَتّى ثَنى كُلَّ أَلفٍ مِنهُمُ نَفَرُ

As on their day at Azaz, when they pressed forward,

You have made my hopes bear fruit. Had they aimed at any but you they would have withered, lacking fruit.

until a handful turned back each thousand of them.

Let those who seek my praise despair of their quest—for it aims solely at those whose generosity has relieved my need.

ذاكَ المَقامُ لِنَصرٍ آيَةٌ ظَهَرَت

ذاكَ المَقامُ لِنَصرٍ آيَةٌ ظَهَرَت

لَم يُؤتَها قَبلَهُ بَدوٌ وَلا حَضَرُ

لَم يُؤتَها قَبلَهُ بَدوٌ وَلا حَضَرُ

That stand was a marvel made manifest for Nasr,

They thought to gain your bounty through me, but it is forbidden that starlings eat what eagles eat!

granted before him to neither nomads nor townspeople.

I will not hoard praise with any but you. He who wins the whole has no use for scraps.

وَقَد تَضاعَفَ عِزٌّ أَنتَ وارِثُهُ

وَقَد تَضاعَفَ عِزٌّ أَنتَ وارِثُهُ

كَما تَضاعَفَ نَبتٌ جادَهُ المَطَرُ

كَما تَضاعَفَ نَبتٌ جادَهُ المَطَرُ

The glory you inherit has multiplied,

I will not incline to success however much I am thronged, for with the load you have laid on me, how could I bend?

as plants multiply when watered by rain.

It suffices that when I boast to all the world, I glory in serving this king.

وَقارَعَت عَن ثُغورِ المُسلِمينَ قَناً

وَقارَعَت عَن ثُغورِ المُسلِمينَ قَناً

سُمرٌ مَوارِدُها اللَبّاتُ وَالثُغَرُ

سُمرٌ مَوارِدُها اللَبّاتُ وَالثُغَرُ

And spears fought in defense of the Muslims' frontiers—

I scorn every gaudy coquette and all the traits of comely singers and charming girls.

brown shafts whose watering-places are upper chests and throat hollows.

Of wonders across the world, your achievements collect more than all books contain,

أَطَعتَ شارِعَ دينٍ أَنتَ ناصِرُهُ

أَطَعتَ شارِعَ دينٍ أَنتَ ناصِرُهُ

فَصارَ يَجري بِما أَحبَبتَهُ القَدَرُ

فَصارَ يَجري بِما أَحبَبتَهُ القَدَرُ

You obeyed the lawgiver of a faith you champion,

Filling pages—musk is their fragrance, not what the ink and script contain.

and fate began to run according to your wishes.

Though falling short of what you deserve, it is not for me to attain the heights of glory—you know how I fail to reach them!

وَصانَعَتكَ مُلوكُ الرومِ حاذِرَةً

وَصانَعَتكَ مُلوكُ الرومِ حاذِرَةً

خَطباً إِذا ما عَرا لَم يَنفَعِ الحَذَرُ

خَطباً إِذا ما عَرا لَم يَنفَعِ الحَذَرُ

The kings of the Romans courted you, fearing

Your gifts surpass all I can say. If I seem prodigal in thanks, I am told it is too brief.

a calamity against which caution is useless once it strikes,

How can I requite the gifts you have allowed me, when my praise is paltry by their side?

وَعَزمَةً لَكَ لا تَنبو مَضارِبُها

وَعَزمَةً لَكَ لا تَنبو مَضارِبُها

عَنِ العِدا حينَ يَنبو الصارِمُ الذَكَرُ

عَنِ العِدا حينَ يَنبو الصارِمُ الذَكَرُ

and a resolve of yours whose cutting edges never glance aside

Lasting as long as festivals cycle round, may your kingship be prolonged, your life eternal!

from foes, even when the hard-tempered sword glances aside.

None but you deserves the praise of singers—see how the lines of some envious foe denounce this piece.

أَلوَت بِنَخوَةِ مَن في طَرفِهِ خَزَرٌ

أَلوَت بِنَخوَةِ مَن في طَرفِهِ خَزَرٌ

وَقَوَّمَت زَيغَ مَن في خَدِّهِ صَعَرُ

وَقَوَّمَت زَيغَ مَن في خَدِّهِ صَعَرُ

It swept away the pride of those with sidelong looks

Your fame has spread through the world despite the enmity of those who try to pervert it, but it spreads.

and straightened the crookedness of those who tilt their cheeks in arrogance.

Do Solomon's winds blow it through every land? Or does the verdant breeze carry your name?

مِن أَجلِها سَلَّموا ما أودِعوا فَرَقاً

مِن أَجلِها سَلَّموا ما أودِعوا فَرَقاً

وَلَو تَشاءُ أَباحوكَ الَّذي اِدَّخَروا

وَلَو تَشاءُ أَباحوكَ الَّذي اِدَّخَروا

Because of it, they surrendered in fear what they had been entrusted with;

if you wished, they would yield you what they had hoarded.

وَهَل يَحيدونَ عَن شَيءٍ أَمَرتَ بِهِ

وَهَل يَحيدونَ عَن شَيءٍ أَمَرتَ بِهِ

وَبَعضُ أَنصارِكَ التَأيِيدُ وَالظَفَرُ

وَبَعضُ أَنصارِكَ التَأيِيدُ وَالظَفَرُ

Can they turn aside from anything you command,

when support and victory are among your helpers?

فَليَلزَموا اللَقَمَ الوَضّاحَ إِن طَلَبوا

فَليَلزَموا اللَقَمَ الوَضّاحَ إِن طَلَبوا

أَمناً فَحَزمُكَ لا يُمشى لَهُ الخَمرُ

أَمناً فَحَزمُكَ لا يُمشى لَهُ الخَمرُ

Let them keep to the clear main road if they seek

safety, for your vigilance admits no covert approach.

تَنأى المَخاوِفُ عَن أَكنافِ مَملَكَةٍ

تَنأى المَخاوِفُ عَن أَكنافِ مَملَكَةٍ

بِناصِرِ الدينِ تَستَعدي وَتَنتَصِرُ

بِناصِرِ الدينِ تَستَعدي وَتَنتَصِرُ

Fears withdraw from the borders of a kingdom

that seeks aid and triumph through Nasir al-Din.

وَيَسكُنُ الخِصبُ في أَرضٍ يَحُلُّ بِها

وَيَسكُنُ الخِصبُ في أَرضٍ يَحُلُّ بِها

تاجُ المُلوكِ وَإِن لَم يَسقِها المَطَرُ

تاجُ المُلوكِ وَإِن لَم يَسقِها المَطَرُ

Fertility inhabits any land where dwells

Taj al-Muluk, even if rain does not water it.

رَبُّ السَماحَةِ لا يَعتادُها مَلَلٌ

رَبُّ السَماحَةِ لا يَعتادُها مَلَلٌ

وَذو الفَصاحَةِ لا يَعتاقُها حَصَرُ

وَذو الفَصاحَةِ لا يَعتاقُها حَصَرُ

Master of generosity, which weariness never visits,

and possessor of eloquence, which no faltering hinders.

ثَبتُ الجَنانِ بِحَيثُ الصَبرُ يُلجِئُهُ

ثَبتُ الجَنانِ بِحَيثُ الصَبرُ يُلجِئُهُ

إِلى مَوارِدَ يَحلو عِندَها الصَبِرُ

إِلى مَوارِدَ يَحلو عِندَها الصَبِرُ

Steadfast of heart, where endurance drives him

to watering-places beside which bitter aloes taste sweet.

إِن هَمَّ بِالحَربِ صَدَّتهُ عَزائِمُهُ

إِن هَمَّ بِالحَربِ صَدَّتهُ عَزائِمُهُ

عَمّا دَعاهُ إِلَيهِ الظُلمُ وَالأَشَرُ

عَمّا دَعاهُ إِلَيهِ الظُلمُ وَالأَشَرُ

If he intends war, his firm resolves turn him away

from what injustice and insolence invite him to.

وَإِن دَعاهُ النَدى لَبَّت مَواهِبُهُ

وَإِن دَعاهُ النَدى لَبَّت مَواهِبُهُ

وَلَم يَحُل دونَها مَطلٌ وَلا عُذُرُ

وَلَم يَحُل دونَها مَطلٌ وَلا عُذُرُ

If generosity calls him, his gifts answer,

and neither delay nor excuses stand in their way.

مِن مَعشَرٍ طالَما شَبّوا بِكُلِّ وَغىً

مِن مَعشَرٍ طالَما شَبّوا بِكُلِّ وَغىً

ناراً رُؤوسُ أَعاديهِم لَها شَرَرُ

ناراً رُؤوسُ أَعاديهِم لَها شَرَرُ

From a people who have long kindled in every battle

a fire whose sparks are their enemies' heads.

وَصابَروا الحَربَ تَكذيباً لِقائِلِهِم

وَصابَروا الحَربَ تَكذيباً لِقائِلِهِم

وَقَيسُ عَيلانَ مِن عاداتِها الضَجَرُ

وَقَيسُ عَيلانَ مِن عاداتِها الضَجَرُ

They endured war patiently, disproving the one who said of them:

'And Qays Aylan counts impatience among its habits.'

مِن كُلِّ مَن تَنتَضي مِنهُ حَفيظَتُهُ

مِن كُلِّ مَن تَنتَضي مِنهُ حَفيظَتُهُ

سَيفاً لَهُ الأَثَرُ المَحمودُ وَالأُثُرُ

سَيفاً لَهُ الأَثَرُ المَحمودُ وَالأُثُرُ

Each is a man whose protective zeal draws from him

a sword with praiseworthy effect and watered markings.

مُعَظَّمونَ يُطيعُ الناسُ أَمرَهُمُ

مُعَظَّمونَ يُطيعُ الناسُ أَمرَهُمُ

وَلا يُطيعونَ لِلأَملاكِ إِن أَمَروا

وَلا يُطيعونَ لِلأَملاكِ إِن أَمَروا

Held in honor, people obey their commands,

while they do not obey kings when commanded.

وَلا يُخَوَّفُ مَن راعوا وَمَن مَنَعوا

وَلا يُخَوَّفُ مَن راعوا وَمَن مَنَعوا

وَلا يُعَنَّفُ مَن راعوا وَمَن قَهَروا

وَلا يُعَنَّفُ مَن راعوا وَمَن قَهَروا

None whom they care for or shelter is threatened,

and none whom they frighten or subdue is treated harshly.

هُم قارَنوا الحُسنَ بِالإِحسانِ عَن كَرَمٍ

هُم قارَنوا الحُسنَ بِالإِحسانِ عَن كَرَمٍ

حَتّى تَشابَهَتِ الأَفعالُ وَالصُوَرُ

حَتّى تَشابَهَتِ الأَفعالُ وَالصُوَرُ

From nobility, they joined beauty with beneficence

until their deeds resembled their forms.

وَأَنتَ أَمنَعُهُم جاراً وَأَبعَدَهُم

وَأَنتَ أَمنَعُهُم جاراً وَأَبعَدَهُم

مَدىً وَأَطيَبُهُم ذِكراً إِذا ذُكِروا

مَدىً وَأَطيَبُهُم ذِكراً إِذا ذُكِروا

You protect neighbors best among them and reach the farthest

in scope, and have the finest name whenever they are mentioned.

قَد شاعَ ذِكرُكَ في الدُنيا بِرَغمِ عِدىً

قَد شاعَ ذِكرُكَ في الدُنيا بِرَغمِ عِدىً

يَطوُونَهُ ما اِستَطاعوا وَهوَ يَنتَشِرُ

يَطوُونَهُ ما اِستَطاعوا وَهوَ يَنتَشِرُ

Your fame has spread throughout the world despite enemies

who conceal it as best they can, while it spreads.

فَهَل رِياحُ سُلَيمانٍ تَجوبُ بِهِ ال

فَهَل رِياحُ سُلَيمانٍ تَجوبُ بِهِ ال

بِلادَ أَم باتَ يَسري بِاِسمِكَ الخَضِرُ

بِلادَ أَم باتَ يَسري بِاِسمِكَ الخَضِرُ

So do Solomon's winds roam with it through the

lands, or does al-Khidr journey by night in your name?

أَيّامُكَ الغُرُّ زادَت بَهجَةً فَبِها

أَيّامُكَ الغُرُّ زادَت بَهجَةً فَبِها

هَذا الزَمانُ عَلى الأَزمانِ يَفتَخِرُ

هَذا الزَمانُ عَلى الأَزمانِ يَفتَخِرُ

Your radiant days have grown more joyful; through them

this age boasts above all other ages.

أَمنٌ وَعَدلٌ وَعَفوٌ فَالعِدى حَرَضٌ

أَمنٌ وَعَدلٌ وَعَفوٌ فَالعِدى حَرَضٌ

وَالظُلمُ مُرتَدِعٌ وَالذَنبُ مُغتَفَرُ

وَالظُلمُ مُرتَدِعٌ وَالذَنبُ مُغتَفَرُ

Security, justice, pardon: foes waste away,

wrongdoing is deterred, and sin forgiven.

وَقَد أَضاءَت سَماءُ المَجدِ إِذ طَلَعَت

وَقَد أَضاءَت سَماءُ المَجدِ إِذ طَلَعَت

مِن مُكرُماتِكَ فيها أَنجُمٌ زُهُرُ

مِن مُكرُماتِكَ فيها أَنجُمٌ زُهُرُ

Glory's sky has shone, as there rose

within it, from your noble deeds, bright stars.

لا يَبلُغُ الغَيثُ غِبَّ المَحلِ غايَتَها

لا يَبلُغُ الغَيثُ غِبَّ المَحلِ غايَتَها

وَلا يَنالُ مَداها وَهوَ مُنهَمِرُ

وَلا يَنالُ مَداها وَهوَ مُنهَمِرُ

No rain after drought can reach their height,

nor attain their extent, however torrential.

تُزجي سَحائِبَ جودٍ جودَها مِنَنٌ

تُزجي سَحائِبَ جودٍ جودَها مِنَنٌ

تَسقي رِياضَ ثَناءٍ تُربُها الفِكَرُ

تَسقي رِياضَ ثَناءٍ تُربُها الفِكَرُ

You drive clouds of generosity whose downpour is blessings,

watering gardens of praise whose soil is thought.

مَحَوتَ ذِكرَ الكِرامِ الأَوَّلينَ بِها

مَحَوتَ ذِكرَ الكِرامِ الأَوَّلينَ بِها

وَالسَيلُ ما غَرِقَت في فَيضِهِ الغُدُرُ

وَالسَيلُ ما غَرِقَت في فَيضِهِ الغُدُرُ

Through them you erased the memory of the generous men of old;

a torrent is that whose overflow engulfs the pools.

تَفديكَ أَرواحُ أَقوامٍ مَتى بَخِلوا

تَفديكَ أَرواحُ أَقوامٍ مَتى بَخِلوا

أَن يَفتَدوكَ بِها لُؤماً فَقَد كَفَروا

أَن يَفتَدوكَ بِها لُؤماً فَقَد كَفَروا

May the souls of peoples ransom you; whenever they begrudge

ransoming you with them out of baseness, they are ungrateful.

جَلَت سُيوفُكَ عَنهُم كُلَّ داجِيَةٍ

جَلَت سُيوفُكَ عَنهُم كُلَّ داجِيَةٍ

لَم يَجلُها عَنهُمُ شَمسٌ وَلا قَمَرُ

لَم يَجلُها عَنهُمُ شَمسٌ وَلا قَمَرُ

Your swords dispelled from them every darkness

that neither sun nor moon could dispel.

بِبُرئِكَ اِنجابَتِ اللَأواءُ عَن أُمَمٍ

بِبُرئِكَ اِنجابَتِ اللَأواءُ عَن أُمَمٍ

لَولا حَياتُكَ لَم يَحسُن لَها النَظَرُ

لَولا حَياتُكَ لَم يَحسُن لَها النَظَرُ

With your recovery, hardship lifted from nations

whose prospects, but for your life, would not have been fair.

وَهَل شِفاؤُكَ إِلّا رَحمَةٌ لَهُمُ

وَهَل شِفاؤُكَ إِلّا رَحمَةٌ لَهُمُ

فَليَشكُروا اللَهَ وَليوفوا بِما نَذَروا

فَليَشكُروا اللَهَ وَليوفوا بِما نَذَروا

Is your healing anything but mercy for them?

Let them thank God and fulfill their vows.

إِذا عَدَتكَ اللَيالي في تَصَرُّفِها

إِذا عَدَتكَ اللَيالي في تَصَرُّفِها

فَكُلُّ حادِثَةٍ جاءَت بِها هَدَرُ

فَكُلُّ حادِثَةٍ جاءَت بِها هَدَرُ

If the nights spare you amid their shifting turns,

every calamity they bring is of no account.

وَالمُسلِمونَ بِخَيرٍ ما سَلِمتَ لَهُم

وَالمُسلِمونَ بِخَيرٍ ما سَلِمتَ لَهُم

يُرجى وَيُخشى لَدَيكَ النَفعُ وَالضَرَرُ

يُرجى وَيُخشى لَدَيكَ النَفعُ وَالضَرَرُ

The Muslims fare well as long as you remain safe for them;

from you benefit is hoped for and harm is feared.

لا يَعدَموا سَطَواتٍ طالَما رَدَعَت

لا يَعدَموا سَطَواتٍ طالَما رَدَعَت

مَن لَيسَ يَردَعُهُ الآياتُ وَالنُذُرُ

مَن لَيسَ يَردَعُهُ الآياتُ وَالنُذُرُ

May they never lack those strokes of might that so often restrained

those whom signs and warnings do not restrain.

أَهلُ السَلامَةِ في أَمنٍ وَفي دَعَةٍ

أَهلُ السَلامَةِ في أَمنٍ وَفي دَعَةٍ

ما حُطتَهُم وَلِأَهلِ الظُلمِ مُزدَجَرُ

ما حُطتَهُم وَلِأَهلِ الظُلمِ مُزدَجَرُ

The peaceable live in security and ease

as long as you guard them, while wrongdoers have a deterrent.

ذَلَّلتَ لي الخَطبَ حَتّى صِرتُ أَذعَرُهُ

ذَلَّلتَ لي الخَطبَ حَتّى صِرتُ أَذعَرُهُ

وَحدي إِذا عَجَزَت عَن حَربِهِ الأُسَرُ

وَحدي إِذا عَجَزَت عَن حَربِهِ الأُسَرُ

You tamed adversity for me until I came to frighten it

alone, when clans were powerless to fight it.

وَأَثمَرَت فيكَ آمالي وَلَو قَصَدَت

وَأَثمَرَت فيكَ آمالي وَلَو قَصَدَت

سِواكَ كانَت غُصوناً مالَها ثَمَرُ

سِواكَ كانَت غُصوناً مالَها ثَمَرُ

My hopes bore fruit in you; had they sought

anyone else, they would have been branches without fruit.

فَليَيأَسِ الطالِبو مَدحي فَمَطلَبُهُ

فَليَيأَسِ الطالِبو مَدحي فَمَطلَبُهُ

إِلّا عَلى مَن كَفاني بَذلَهُ عَسِرُ

إِلّا عَلى مَن كَفاني بَذلَهُ عَسِرُ

Let those seeking my praise despair: obtaining it

is difficult except for him whose bounty has sufficed me.

ظَنّوا نَوالَهُمُ قَصدي وَمُمتَنِعٌ

ظَنّوا نَوالَهُمُ قَصدي وَمُمتَنِعٌ

أَن يَأكُلَ البازُ مِمّا يَأكُلُ النُغُرُ

أَن يَأكُلَ البازُ مِمّا يَأكُلُ النُغُرُ

They thought their gifts were my aim; yet it is impossible

for the goshawk to eat what the finch eats.

لَن أَجعَلَ الحَمدَ ذُخراً عِندَ غَيرِكَ لي

لَن أَجعَلَ الحَمدَ ذُخراً عِندَ غَيرِكَ لي

مَن فازَ بِالغَمرِ لَم يَصلُح لَهُ الغُمَرُ

مَن فازَ بِالغَمرِ لَم يَصلُح لَهُ الغُمَرُ

I shall not store my praise with anyone but you;

whoever has gained the deep sea has no use for a little cup.

وَلَن أَخِفَّ إِلى جَدوى وَإِن كَثُرَت

وَلَن أَخِفَّ إِلى جَدوى وَإِن كَثُرَت

أَنّى وَظَهري بِما حَمَّلتَني وَقِرُ

أَنّى وَظَهري بِما حَمَّلتَني وَقِرُ

I shall not hasten after bounty, however abundant;

how could I, when my back is burdened with what you loaded upon me?

حَسبي إِذا أَنا فاخَرتُ الوَرى حَسَباً

حَسبي إِذا أَنا فاخَرتُ الوَرى حَسَباً

أَنّي بِخِدمَةِ هَذا المَلكِ أَفتَخِرُ

أَنّي بِخِدمَةِ هَذا المَلكِ أَفتَخِرُ

When I vie with mankind in pride of lineage, it suffices me

that I take pride in serving this king.

بِكُلِّ عَذراءَ يُطغيها تَبَرُّجُها

بِكُلِّ عَذراءَ يُطغيها تَبَرُّجُها

وَمِن صِفاتِ الحِسانِ الخُرَّدِ الخَفَرُ

وَمِن صِفاتِ الحِسانِ الخُرَّدِ الخَفَرُ

With every virgin ode made overbold by her display of beauty—

though modesty is a trait of lovely maidens.

مِنَ السَوائِرِ في الآفاقِ قَد جَمَعَت

مِنَ السَوائِرِ في الآفاقِ قَد جَمَعَت

مِن مَأثُراتِكَ ما لا تَجمَعُ السِيَرُ

مِن مَأثُراتِكَ ما لا تَجمَعُ السِيَرُ

An ode roaming the horizons, she has gathered

from your noble deeds what chronicles cannot contain.

تَحوي الصَحائِفَ مِنها كُلَّما كُتِبَت

تَحوي الصَحائِفَ مِنها كُلَّما كُتِبَت

عَرفاً هُوَ المِسكُ لا ما تَضمَنُ العِتَرُ

عَرفاً هُوَ المِسكُ لا ما تَضمَنُ العِتَرُ

Whenever she is written, the pages hold from her

a fragrance that is musk, not what perfume vessels contain.

إِن قَصَّرَت دونَ ما تولي فَلَيسَ بِها

إِن قَصَّرَت دونَ ما تولي فَلَيسَ بِها

وَأَنتَ تَعلَمُ عَن نَيلِ السُهى قِصَرُ

وَأَنتَ تَعلَمُ عَن نَيلِ السُهى قِصَرُ

If she falls short of what you bestow, she does not lack

the reach to attain Suha, as you know.

فاقَت هِباتُكَ أَوفى ما أَقولُ فَما

فاقَت هِباتُكَ أَوفى ما أَقولُ فَما

أَسرَفتُ في الشُكرِ إِلّا قيلَ مُختَصِرُ

أَسرَفتُ في الشُكرِ إِلّا قيلَ مُختَصِرُ

Your gifts surpass the fullest I can say; however

lavish my thanks, I am still called sparing.

مَتى أُكافِيءُ ما خَوَّلتَ مِن نِعَمٍ

مَتى أُكافِيءُ ما خَوَّلتَ مِن نِعَمٍ

وَالمَدحُ في جَنبِ ما خَوَّلتَ مُحتَقَرُ

وَالمَدحُ في جَنبِ ما خَوَّلتَ مُحتَقَرُ

When shall I repay the blessings you bestowed,

when praise is paltry beside what you have given?

بَقيتَ ما دامَتِ الأَعيادُ عائِدَةً

بَقيتَ ما دامَتِ الأَعيادُ عائِدَةً

مُخَلَّدَ المُلكِ مَمدوداً لَكَ العُمُرُ

مُخَلَّدَ المُلكِ مَمدوداً لَكَ العُمُرُ

May you endure as long as festivals return,

your kingship everlasting and your life prolonged.

وَلا عَداكَ ثَناءُ المادِحينَ فَكَم

وَلا عَداكَ ثَناءُ المادِحينَ فَكَم

قَدَّت فَقارَ حَسودٍ هَذِهِ الفِقَرُ

قَدَّت فَقارَ حَسودٍ هَذِهِ الفِقَرُ

May the praise of poets never pass you by; how often

have these verses cleft an envier's spine!