لِيَهنِكَ ما شادَت لَكَ الهِمَمُ العُلا

لِيَهنِكَ ما شادَت لَكَ الهِمَمُ العُلا

وَهُنّيتَ مَجداً لَم يَجِد عَنكَ مَعدِلا

وَهُنّيتَ مَجداً لَم يَجِد عَنكَ مَعدِلا

May what lofty aspirations have built for you bring you joy.

May gladness lead to what noble aspirations built for you,

And may you be congratulated on glory that found no turning away from you.

And you took pride in glory no equal could find

إِلَيكَ اِرتَقى إِذ كُنتَ مُذ كُنتَ فَوقَهُ

إِلَيكَ اِرتَقى إِذ كُنتَ مُذ كُنتَ فَوقَهُ

وَغَيرُكَ ما يَنفَكُّ يَرقى إِذا عَلا

وَغَيرُكَ ما يَنفَكُّ يَرقى إِذا عَلا

It rose to you, for you have been above it since you first were,

You rose up high when you were already high above

while others keep climbing whenever it rises.

While others only rise high when they ascend

تَحَلّى أُناسٌ بِالمَديحِ لِيَشرُفوا

تَحَلّى أُناسٌ بِالمَديحِ لِيَشرُفوا

فَأَمّا مَنِ اِستَولى عَلى ذا المَدى فَلا

فَأَمّا مَنِ اِستَولى عَلى ذا المَدى فَلا

Some adorn themselves with praise to gain nobility;

Some adorned themselves with praise to gain esteem

but one who has attained this height does not.

But those upon that plateau gained nothing

تَأَوَّلَ أَعداءُ المُلوكِ عَلَيهِمُ

تَأَوَّلَ أَعداءُ المُلوكِ عَلَيهِمُ

فَوالَيتَ إِحساناً كَفاكَ التَأَوُّلا

فَوالَيتَ إِحساناً كَفاكَ التَأَوُّلا

The enemies of kings read hostile meanings into their deeds,

Enemies of kings misinterpreted things against them

but your continual kindness spared you such readings.

Yet you did them good - your interpretation was enough

فَلَو وَصَلَت أَبواعُهُم ما تَطاوَلَت

فَلَو وَصَلَت أَبواعُهُم ما تَطاوَلَت

إِلَيهِ مُناهُم كانَ فِترُكَ أَطوَلا

إِلَيهِ مُناهُم كانَ فِترُكَ أَطوَلا

If their armspans reached what

Had their abuses reached him, their necks would not have

their hopes aspire to, your finger-span would still be longer.

Had their crowns suited you as ornaments, they could not have overstepped ruin

وَلَو صَلَحَت تيجانُهُم لَكَ زينَةً

وَلَو صَلَحَت تيجانُهُم لَكَ زينَةً

إِذاً ما اِستَطاعَت أَن تَعَدّى المُخَلخَلا

إِذاً ما اِستَطاعَت أَن تَعَدّى المُخَلخَلا

And if their crowns were fit to adorn you,

Though you spend the night pursuing their rear-guards

they could not reach beyond your ankle.

You would be the first of them when excellence is first

وَإِن باتَ في أُخراهُمُ مُتَعَقِّباً

وَإِن باتَ في أُخراهُمُ مُتَعَقِّباً

تَكُن أَوَّلاً مِنهُم إِذا الفَضلُ أَوَّلا

تَكُن أَوَّلاً مِنهُم إِذا الفَضلُ أَوَّلا

Even if placed at their rear, following behind,

You surpass white blades completely in cutting and penetrating

you would be first among them when merit grants precedence.

And excel in beautiful forgiveness and turning away

تَفوقُ النُصولَ البيضَ قَطعاً وَهِزَّةً

تَفوقُ النُصولَ البيضَ قَطعاً وَهِزَّةً

وَتَسبِقُ بِالصَفحِ الجَميلِ التَنَصُّلا

وَتَسبِقُ بِالصَفحِ الجَميلِ التَنَصُّلا

You surpass bright blades in cutting power and vigor,

You still accept the fault, apologizing for it,

and your gracious pardon precedes any plea of excuse.

So you forgive it at length and your forbearance increases

وَما زِلتَ تَلقى الذَنبَ مُعتَذِراً لَهُ

وَما زِلتَ تَلقى الذَنبَ مُعتَذِراً لَهُ

فَتَغفِرُهُ طَولاً وَتَندى تَطَوُّلا

فَتَغفِرُهُ طَولاً وَتَندى تَطَوُّلا

You have always met a fault by finding an excuse for it,

Until we reckon each who slips accountable

forgiving it out of bounty and giving magnanimously,

For what their hands earned - seeking intercession

إِلى أَن حَسِبنا كُلَّ صاحِبِ زَلَّةٍ

إِلى أَن حَسِبنا كُلَّ صاحِبِ زَلَّةٍ

بِما كَسَبَت مِنها يَداهُ تَوَسَّلا

بِما كَسَبَت مِنها يَداهُ تَوَسَّلا

until we thought that every person guilty of a slip

You turned away from the flatterers’ words with majesty

had used his own wrongdoing to seek your favor.

Until we thought them lacking in generosity

وَأَعرَضتَ عَن قَولِ السُعاةِ جَلالَةً

وَأَعرَضتَ عَن قَولِ السُعاةِ جَلالَةً

إِلى أَن حَسِبناهُم عَلى الجودِ عُذَّلا

إِلى أَن حَسِبناهُم عَلى الجودِ عُذَّلا

In your majesty, you turned away from the informers' words,

No blame in gaining praise for one who inclined to it

until we thought them reproachers of generosity.

But blame for one who asked.

وَلا لَومَ في كَسبِ الثَناءِ لِمَن صَبا

وَلا لَومَ في كَسبِ الثَناءِ لِمَن صَبا

إِلَيهِ وَلَكِنَّ المَلامَ لِمَن سَلا

إِلَيهِ وَلَكِنَّ المَلامَ لِمَن سَلا

There is no blame in earning praise for one who longs

Your shade denies refusal to every seeker in it

for it; blame belongs instead to one indifferent to it.

So you sufficed those praising you their seeking

نَفى ظِلُّكَ الإِمحالَ عَن كُلِّ لائِذٍ

نَفى ظِلُّكَ الإِمحالَ عَن كُلِّ لائِذٍ

بِهِ فَكَفَيتَ المادِحيكَ التَمَحُّلا

بِهِ فَكَفَيتَ المادِحيكَ التَمَحُّلا

Your shade banished drought from everyone seeking refuge

Your gifts left no religious duty or tradition of generosity -

beneath it, sparing your praisers the need for contrivance.

They gave freely in supererogation

مَواهِبُ لَمّا لَم تُغادِر فَريضَةً

مَواهِبُ لَمّا لَم تُغادِر فَريضَةً

وَلا سُنَّةً في الجودِ جادَت تَنَفُّلا

وَلا سُنَّةً في الجودِ جادَت تَنَفُّلا

Gifts that, having left no duty unfulfilled,

When they took life from your enemies with their arrows

nor customary act of generosity, gave beyond all obligation.

They returned seeking to take life again

إِذا ما أَصابَت مِن عُداتِكَ مَقتَلاً

إِذا ما أَصابَت مِن عُداتِكَ مَقتَلاً

بِأَسهُمِها عادَت تَطَلَّبُ مَقتَلا

بِأَسهُمِها عادَت تَطَلَّبُ مَقتَلا

Whenever they strike a mortal spot in one of your foes

If a conjecture is known, certainty is supposed

with their arrows, they return to seek another mortal spot.

If cavalry of reality are seen, imagination

وَإِن عُلِمَت ظُنَّ اليَقينُ تَظَنِّياً

وَإِن عُلِمَت ظُنَّ اليَقينُ تَظَنِّياً

وَإِن رُؤِيَت خيلَ العِيانُ تَخَيُّلا

وَإِن رُؤِيَت خيلَ العِيانُ تَخَيُّلا

Even when known, certainty about them is taken for conjecture;

The living shine if they are not lasting

even when seen, direct sight is thought a fantasy.

The stars and flowers shine if they do not fade

فَهُنَّ الحَيا لَو كُنَّ غَيرَ دَوائِمٍ

فَهُنَّ الحَيا لَو كُنَّ غَيرَ دَوائِمٍ

وَهُنَّ النُجومُ الزُهرُ لَو كُنَّ أُفَّلا

وَهُنَّ النُجومُ الزُهرُ لَو كُنَّ أُفَّلا

They would be life-giving rain, were they not everlasting,

Are you not of those who gained glory

and brilliant stars, were they capable of setting.

That was not slight, and aimed high

أَلَستَ مِنَ القَومِ الَّذينَ تَقَيّلوا

أَلَستَ مِنَ القَومِ الَّذينَ تَقَيّلوا

مِنَ العِزِّ ظِلّاً لَم يَكُن مُتَقَيَّلا

مِنَ العِزِّ ظِلّاً لَم يَكُن مُتَقَيَّلا

Are you not of the people who took their noonday rest

And gave abundantly until meeting no delays

in a shade of honor where none had rested before?

And excelling until finding none hoped

وَطالوا إِلى أَن لَم يُلاقوا مُطاوِلاً

وَطالوا إِلى أَن لَم يُلاقوا مُطاوِلاً

وَجادوا إِلى أَن لَم يُصيبوا مُؤَمِّلا

وَجادوا إِلى أَن لَم يُصيبوا مُؤَمِّلا

They rose until they encountered no rival in stature,

If registers were written for the benefactors

and gave until no hopeful petitioner remained.

None but yours would stand in them

فَلَو سُطِرَت لِلمُنعِمينَ جَرائِدٌ

فَلَو سُطِرَت لِلمُنعِمينَ جَرائِدٌ

لَما ثَبَتَت فيها لِغَيرِكُمُ حِلا

لَما ثَبَتَت فيها لِغَيرِكُمُ حِلا

If registers were drawn up for benefactors,

The flag of glory loved your shining feats

no distinctions would be recorded there for anyone but you.

Giving you praise that will never cease

هَوى عَلَمُ المَجدِ الأَجَلُّ مَآثِراً

هَوى عَلَمُ المَجدِ الأَجَلُّ مَآثِراً

أَفادَتهُ حَمداً لَن يَزالَ مُؤَثَّلا

أَفادَتهُ حَمداً لَن يَزالَ مُؤَثَّلا

The noblest banner of glory cherished great deeds

One who is perceptive sees the ground as high when he seeks the highest point

that won him praise forever firmly rooted.

Others see the high point in its market as low

يَرى الصابَ أَرياً حينَ يَطلُبُ غايَةً

يَرى الصابَ أَرياً حينَ يَطلُبُ غايَةً

يَرى غَيرُهُ في سوقِها الأَريَ حَنظَلا

يَرى غَيرُهُ في سوقِها الأَريَ حَنظَلا

He counts bitter sap as honey when pursuing a goal

He gives up a precious soul, not for religion

whose pursuit makes others count honey as colocynth.

Too dear for the noble that it be sacrificed

وَيَبذُلُ دونَ الدينِ نَفساً نَفيسَةً

وَيَبذُلُ دونَ الدينِ نَفساً نَفيسَةً

عَزيزٌ عَلى العَلياءِ أَن تُتَبَذَّلا

عَزيزٌ عَلى العَلياءِ أَن تُتَبَذَّلا

And he gives a precious life in defense of the faith,

When an order perturbed the Sultan

a life that high honor finds it painful to see spent.

And he returned to the advisors’ view relied upon

إِذا حَرِجَ السُلطانُ صَدراً بِأَمرِهِ

إِذا حَرِجَ السُلطانُ صَدراً بِأَمرِهِ

وَعادَ إِلى رَأيِ الكُفاةِ مُعَوِّلا

وَعادَ إِلى رَأيِ الكُفاةِ مُعَوِّلا

When the ruler's breast is constricted by his affairs,

His highest signature informs that he

and he turns to rely on the counsel of capable men,

In all matters relies on God and trusts Him

فَتَوقيعُهُ الأَعلى يُخَبِّرُ أَنَّهُ

فَتَوقيعُهُ الأَعلى يُخَبِّرُ أَنَّهُ

عَلى اللَهِ في كُلِّ الأُمورِ تَوَكُّلا

عَلى اللَهِ في كُلِّ الأُمورِ تَوَكُّلا

his exalted rescript tells that he

So he brought out what was hidden long ago

has trusted in God in all affairs.

Made easy what was hard before it was eased

فَأَبدى لَهُ ما كانَ قِدماً مُغَيَّباً

فَأَبدى لَهُ ما كانَ قِدماً مُغَيَّباً

وَسَهَّلَ صَعباً قَبلَهُ ما تَسَهَّلا

وَسَهَّلَ صَعباً قَبلَهُ ما تَسَهَّلا

So he revealed to him what had long been hidden,

Created non-existent, tamed the unruly

and eased hardships never eased before him;

Brought close the distant, clarified the ambiguous

وَأَوجَدَ مَعدوماً وَذَلَّلَ جامِحاً

وَأَوجَدَ مَعدوماً وَذَلَّلَ جامِحاً

وَقَرَّبَ مِنزاحاً وَأَوضَحَ مُشكِلا

وَقَرَّبَ مِنزاحاً وَأَوضَحَ مُشكِلا

he brought the nonexistent into being and subdued the unruly,

So the finest qualities appear in the cheer of his face

brought the distant near and clarified the obscure,

Urging eyes to contemplate before being turned away

لِأَروَعَ يَبدو في أَسِرَّةِ وَجهِهِ

لِأَروَعَ يَبدو في أَسِرَّةِ وَجهِهِ

سَناً يُعجِلُ الأَبصارَ أَن يُتَأَمَّلا

سَناً يُعجِلُ الأَبصارَ أَن يُتَأَمَّلا

for an awe-inspiring man, in whose facial lines appears

He rages so the armored one becomes torn apart

a radiance that overwhelms eyes before they can contemplate it.

He protects so the eminent one becomes rolled up

يَصولُ فَيُضحي السابِرِيُّ مُمَزَّقاً

يَصولُ فَيُضحي السابِرِيُّ مُمَزَّقاً

وَيَحمي فَيَثني المَشرَفِيَّ مُفَلَّلا

وَيَحمي فَيَثني المَشرَفِيَّ مُفَلَّلا

He attacks, and Sabiri mail is torn apart;

In awe of God he wears armor that will not be removed

he defends, sending the Mashrafi sword back chipped.

If he meets privately - cloaks that will not be taken off

وَمُدَّرِعٍ مِن خَشيَةِ اللَهِ في المَلا

وَمُدَّرِعٍ مِن خَشيَةِ اللَهِ في المَلا

مَلابِسَ لا يُنزَعنَ عَنهُ إِذا خَلا

مَلابِسَ لا يُنزَعنَ عَنهُ إِذا خَلا

And he dons in public, through fear of God,

I swear by Him without whom his delegation would not have come to him

garments never removed from him when he is alone.

Urging on their riding beasts brought down

حَلَفتُ بِمَن لَولاهُ ما سارَ وَفدُهُ

حَلَفتُ بِمَن لَولاهُ ما سارَ وَفدُهُ

إِلَيهِ يَحُثّونَ الرِكابَ المُذَلَّلا

إِلَيهِ يَحُثّونَ الرِكابَ المُذَلَّلا

I swore by him, without whom his delegation would not have traveled

They gained favors and praises until it was amazing they could bear it

toward him, urging on their docile riding beasts.

You advanced their travel time so they could journey safely under your auspices - long has the journey been hastened

لَقَد أوقِروا مِن أَنعُمٍ وَمَحامِدٍ

لَقَد أوقِروا مِن أَنعُمٍ وَمَحامِدٍ

فَأَعجِب بِهِم كَيفَ اِستَطاعوا تَحَمُّلا

فَأَعجِب بِهِم كَيفَ اِستَطاعوا تَحَمُّلا

They were indeed laden with favors and causes for praise;

You gave them ample space from every desolate plain

marvel at them—how could they bear such a load?

Matching the wilderness in red plains

وَقَدَّمتَ ميقاتَ المَسيرِ لِيَأمَنوا

وَقَدَّمتَ ميقاتَ المَسيرِ لِيَأمَنوا

بِيُمنِكَ سَيراً طالَما كانَ مُعجَلا

بِيُمنِكَ سَيراً طالَما كانَ مُعجَلا

You advanced the appointed departure so they might travel safely,

Bracelets if the rider is prohibited

through your blessing, on a journey so often hurried.

Spears if the rider is resisted

وَأَوسَعتَهُم مِن كُلِّ دَهماءَ شَطبَةٍ

وَأَوسَعتَهُم مِن كُلِّ دَهماءَ شَطبَةٍ

تُعارِضُ بِالبَيداءِ أَدماءَ عَيطَلا

تُعارِضُ بِالبَيداءِ أَدماءَ عَيطَلا

You furnished them amply with every sleek black mare

If they passed through an awesome wasteland

that paces beside a tall, tawny she-camel across the desert:

Your fine speech interceded with none

سَوارٍ إِذا سارَ المَطِيُّ مُحَرَّماً

سَوارٍ إِذا سارَ المَطِيُّ مُحَرَّماً

صَوافِنُ إِن باتَ المَطِيُّ مُعَقَّلا

صَوافِنُ إِن باتَ المَطِيُّ مُعَقَّلا

traveling by night when the riding camels journey under sacred protection,

Permitting them where there is no pasture

standing poised when the camels spend the night hobbled.

And bringing out water where there is no spring

إِذا سَلَكوا رَبعاً جَديباً مُرَوِّعاً

إِذا سَلَكوا رَبعاً جَديباً مُرَوِّعاً

شَفَعتَ لَهُم حُسنَ الكَلاءَةِ بِالكَلا

شَفَعتَ لَهُم حُسنَ الكَلاءَةِ بِالكَلا

When they traverse a barren, frightening tract,

It is the effort pleasing the Majestic and His creation

you join good protection with pasture for them,

May it forever be a veil over the people, poured down

مُبيحاً لَهُم في حَيثُ لا رَعيَ مُرتَعىً

مُبيحاً لَهُم في حَيثُ لا رَعيَ مُرتَعىً

وَمُستَنبِطاً في حَيثُ لاماءَ مَنهَلا

وَمُستَنبِطاً في حَيثُ لاماءَ مَنهَلا

granting them grazing grounds where no grazing exists,

God did not disappoint their prayers

and bringing forth a watering place where there is no water.

Good fortune for God’s religion that it be accepted

هُوَ السَعيُ أَرضى ذا الجَلالِ وَخَلقَهُ

هُوَ السَعيُ أَرضى ذا الجَلالِ وَخَلقَهُ

فَدُم أَبَداً سِتراً عَلى الخَلقِ مُسبَلا

فَدُم أَبَداً سِتراً عَلى الخَلقِ مُسبَلا

This is endeavor that pleased the Lord of Majesty and His creation;

You gathered the pilgrims of Iraq, and they left

remain forever a covering spread over creation.

Places fear had shaken

وَلا خَيَّبَ اللَهُ الكَريمُ دُعائَهُم

وَلا خَيَّبَ اللَهُ الكَريمُ دُعائَهُم

فَحَظٌّ لِدينِ اللَهِ أَن يُتَقَبَّلا

فَحَظٌّ لِدينِ اللَهِ أَن يُتَقَبَّلا

May generous God never disappoint their prayers;

You are the aid of the Muslims, so be for them

their acceptance is a blessing for God's religion.

Shelter, even if their homelands moved far from you

وَأَمَّكَ حُجّاجُ العِراقِ وَخَلَّفوا

وَأَمَّكَ حُجّاجُ العِراقِ وَخَلَّفوا

مَواطِنَ قَد أَلقى بِها الخَوفُ كَلكَلا

مَواطِنَ قَد أَلقى بِها الخَوفُ كَلكَلا

The pilgrims of Iraq sought you, leaving behind

No excuse for horses long pent up

homelands on which fear had laid its crushing breast.

If they did not stir up trouble in the land of Baghdad

وَأَنتَ غِياثُ المُسلِمينَ فَكُن لَهُم

وَأَنتَ غِياثُ المُسلِمينَ فَكُن لَهُم

وإِن نَزَحَت أَوطانُهُم عَنكَ مَوئِلا

وإِن نَزَحَت أَوطانُهُم عَنكَ مَوئِلا

You are the succor of Muslims, so be for them,

Steeds when hostility intensifies in a land

even when their homelands lie far from you, a refuge.

They see you excite skirmishing, rushing wildly

فَلا عُذرَ لِلخَيلِ الَّتي طالَ حَبسُها

فَلا عُذرَ لِلخَيلِ الَّتي طالَ حَبسُها

إِذا لَم تُثِر في أَرضِ بَغدادَ قَسطَلا

إِذا لَم تُثِر في أَرضِ بَغدادَ قَسطَلا

There is no excuse for horses so long confined

Racing with horsemen who double their hands

if they do not stir up dust in the land of Baghdad.

When hands become feet from fear

جِيادٌ إِذا اِشتَدَّت بِأَرضٍ مُخالِفٍ

جِيادٌ إِذا اِشتَدَّت بِأَرضٍ مُخالِفٍ

أَرَتكَ مُثارَ النَقعِ هاماً وَجَندَلا

أَرَتكَ مُثارَ النَقعِ هاماً وَجَندَلا

Noble steeds that, when they race across an enemy's land,

Headbands that do not doubt except their certainty

show you skulls and rocks in the swirling dust.

When others doubt the smooth-haired weakling

تَجارى بِفُرسانٍ تُضاعِفُ أَيدَها

تَجارى بِفُرسانٍ تُضاعِفُ أَيدَها

إِذا صارَتِ الأَيدي مِنَ الرُعبِ أَرجُلا

إِذا صارَتِ الأَيدي مِنَ الرُعبِ أَرجُلا

They race with horsemen who double their strength

O Master of al-Za‘rā’ you summoned resolves

when terror turns hands into feet.

Thought went astray in trying to interpret them

عَصائِبُ لا تَجتابُ غَيرَ يَقينَها

عَصائِبُ لا تَجتابُ غَيرَ يَقينَها

إِذا غَيرُها اِجتابَ الدِلاصَ المُذَيَّلا

إِذا غَيرُها اِجتابَ الدِلاصَ المُذَيَّلا

Bands that wear nothing but their certainty

Ghiyathiya, Tajiya, Nasiriya

when others put on long-skirted, gleaming mail.

If theyadvance, they will not accept any halt in the horizon

فَيا مالِكَ الزَوراءِ حُزتَ عَزائِماً

فَيا مالِكَ الزَوراءِ حُزتَ عَزائِماً

جَرى الفِكرُ في آياتِهِنَّ مُضَلَّلا

جَرى الفِكرُ في آياتِهِنَّ مُضَلَّلا

O lord of al-Zawra, you possess resolves

How often you left behind in a predicament one who turned aside

among whose wonders thought wanders bewildered:

And left behind him hostility and enmity

غِياثِيَّةً تاجِيَّةً ناصِرِيَّةً

غِياثِيَّةً تاجِيَّةً ناصِرِيَّةً

إِذا ما سَمَت لَم تَرضَ في الأُفقِ مَنزِلا

إِذا ما سَمَت لَم تَرضَ في الأُفقِ مَنزِلا

Ghiyathi, Taji, Nasiri,

O Master of the nearby fire whose flames are dying down

which, when they rise, accept no dwelling on the horizon.

Beware the fire for which no kindling is prepared

وَكَم أَخلَفَت في مَأزِقٍ ظَنَّ مارِقٍ

وَكَم أَخلَفَت في مَأزِقٍ ظَنَّ مارِقٍ

وَكَم خَلَّفَت فيهِ سِناناً وَمُنصُلا

وَكَم خَلَّفَت فيهِ سِناناً وَمُنصُلا

How often they confounded a renegade's expectations in a strait,

Its fuel is linen, white cotton, and thin silk

and how often they left spearhead and sword there!

Though deemed perfumes of wreaths

وَيا صاحِبَ النارِ القَريبِ خُمودُها

وَيا صاحِبَ النارِ القَريبِ خُمودُها

حَذارِ مِنَ النارِ الَّتي لَيسَ تُصطَلا

حَذارِ مِنَ النارِ الَّتي لَيسَ تُصطَلا

O owner of the fire whose extinction is near,

You were always qualified for significant matters

beware the fire beside which none can warm himself.

And empowered for firm kingship

مِنَ السُمرِ وَالبيضِ الرِقاقِ وَقودُها

مِنَ السُمرِ وَالبيضِ الرِقاقِ وَقودُها

وَإِن ظُنَّ مِن طيبِ التَضَوُّعِ مَندَلا

وَإِن ظُنَّ مِن طيبِ التَضَوُّعِ مَندَلا

Its fuel is brown spears and slender, bright swords,

Clear modes of expression pronounced their essence initially

though its sweetly spreading fragrance might suggest sandalwood.

So none missed their meaning who contemplated

وَما زِلتَ لِلأَمرِ العَظيمِ مُؤَهَّلا

وَما زِلتَ لِلأَمرِ العَظيمِ مُؤَهَّلا

قَديماً وَلِلمُلكِ العَقيمِ مُؤَهِّلا

قَديماً وَلِلمُلكِ العَقيمِ مُؤَهِّلا

You have always been fitted for great affairs,

Resolve refusing in dangerous times except burning strong

from of old, and one who makes others fit for kinless kingship.

Effort refusing in pride except picking the best

عُرىً أَعرَبَت عَن ذاتِها في اِبتِدائِها

عُرىً أَعرَبَت عَن ذاتِها في اِبتِدائِها

فَلَم يَخفَ مَغزاها عَلى مَن تَأَمَّلا

فَلَم يَخفَ مَغزاها عَلى مَن تَأَمَّلا

Bonds that declared their nature at their inception,

So the ties were loosened and the knots undone

so their purpose was not hidden from anyone who reflected.

Exhausting the land - what it knotted and what it unknotted

وَعَزمٌ أَبى في الخَطبِ إِلّا تَوَقُّداً

وَعَزمٌ أَبى في الخَطبِ إِلّا تَوَقُّداً

وَسَعيٌ أَبى في الفَخرِ إِلّا تَوَقُّلا

وَسَعيٌ أَبى في الفَخرِ إِلّا تَوَقُّلا

A resolve that admitted nothing in crisis but blazing ardor,

Virtues the time’s shade remained fragrant from

and an endeavor that admitted nothing in glory but ascent.

Never ceasing to take pride in them

فَحَلَّ رُباهُ وَاِجتَلى بِعُقودِهِ

فَحَلَّ رُباهُ وَاِجتَلى بِعُقودِهِ

فَأَعيا الوَرى ما اِحتَلَّ مِنها وَما اِجتَلا

فَأَعيا الوَرى ما اِحتَلَّ مِنها وَما اِجتَلا

He settled on its heights and adorned himself with its necklaces;

It competed with the risky affairs of the kingdom - its pure one

what he occupied there and what he wore left mankind powerless.

Never flagging one day or pausing

فَضائِلُ ظَلَّ الدَهرُ مِنها مُعَطَّراً

فَضائِلُ ظَلَّ الدَهرُ مِنها مُعَطَّراً

فَلا عادَ مِن فَخرٍ بِهِنَّ مُعَطَّلا

فَلا عادَ مِن فَخرٍ بِهِنَّ مُعَطَّلا

Virtues that have kept time itself perfumed:

Two famous resolves proceeded together

may it never again be bereft of pride in them.

On a path to supremacy not deviating

وَجارى خَطيرَ المُلكِ فيها صَفِيُّهُ

وَجارى خَطيرَ المُلكِ فيها صَفِيُّهُ

فَلَم يَنِيا يَوماً وَلَم يَتَمَهَّلا

فَلَم يَنِيا يَوماً وَلَم يَتَمَهَّلا

In these, his chosen companion vied with the realm's eminent lord;

Of praiseworthy natures molded from justice and piety

neither ever slackened, nor did they delay.

Through them given greatness among the devout and sanctity

هُمامانِ مَعلومانِ قَد سَلَكا مَعاً

هُمامانِ مَعلومانِ قَد سَلَكا مَعاً

طَريقاً إِلى العَلياءِ لَيسَ بِأَميَلا

طَريقاً إِلى العَلياءِ لَيسَ بِأَميَلا

Two renowned, high-spirited men who traveled together

If they determine, gentle with parents

a road to high honor that does not bend aside.

If forbearing, you see pleasure and decay

ذَوا شِيَمِ صيغَت مِنَ العَدلِ وَالتُقى

ذَوا شِيَمِ صيغَت مِنَ العَدلِ وَالتُقى

بِها عُظِّما في الخافِقينَ وَبُجِّلا

بِها عُظِّما في الخافِقينَ وَبُجِّلا

Possessors of traits fashioned from justice and piety,

If they make firm the days’ tyranny, it passes away

through which both were exalted and revered in east and west.

If they judge by the revelation sent down

إِذا قَدِرا فَالوالِدانِ تَرَفُّقاً

إِذا قَدِرا فَالوالِدانِ تَرَفُّقاً

وَإِن حَلِما عايَنتَ رَضوى وَيَذبُلا

وَإِن حَلِما عايَنتَ رَضوى وَيَذبُلا

When powerful, they are two parents in their gentleness;

They never matched the open-handed except to surpass them

when forbearing, you behold Radwa and Yadhbul.

Or excelled glories except to be preferred

وَإِن أَحكَما الأَيّامَ زالَ جِماحُها

وَإِن أَحكَما الأَيّامَ زالَ جِماحُها

وَإِن حَكَما أَمّا الكِتابِ المُنَزَّلا

وَإِن حَكَما أَمّا الكِتابِ المُنَزَّلا

When they govern the days, their unruliness disappears;

They did not turn from these renowned qualities

when they judge, they turn to the revealed Book.

Or remove from might what they wore

وَلا جاوَدا الأَجوادَ إِلّا وَأَربَيا

وَلا جاوَدا الأَجوادَ إِلّا وَأَربَيا

وَلا فاضَلا الأَمجادَ إِلّا وَفُضِّلا

وَلا فاضَلا الأَمجادَ إِلّا وَفُضِّلا

They never competed with the generous without surpassing them,

To delight the Imam in his unshakable bond

nor with the noble without being judged superior.

Strengthened - never to be undone

وَلا نَزَعا عَن هَذِهِ عُرِفا بِها

وَلا نَزَعا عَن هَذِهِ عُرِفا بِها

وَلا نَزَعا مِن عِزَّةٍ ما تَسَربَلا

وَلا نَزَعا مِن عِزَّةٍ ما تَسَربَلا

They never turn away from these traits for which they are known,

You celebrated a feast whose joy rises above it

nor strip off the glory in which they have clothed themselves.

Leaving it among us when you departed

لِتَهنِ مَساعيكَ الإِمامَ

لِتَهنِ مَساعيكَ الإِمامَ

بِعُروَتِهِ الوُثقى قُوىً لَن تُحَدَّلا

بِعُروَتِهِ الوُثقى قُوىً لَن تُحَدَّلا

May your endeavors gladden the Imam.

Whoever turned from hopes in you, I see

At his firmest bond are strengths that will never be weakened.

Every ocean since I saw you a stream

وَهُنّيتَ عيداً ظَلتَ تَعلوهُ بَهجَةً

وَهُنّيتَ عيداً ظَلتَ تَعلوهُ بَهجَةً

وَتَخلُفُهُ فينا إِذا ما تَرَحَّلا

وَتَخلُفُهُ فينا إِذا ما تَرَحَّلا

May you be congratulated on a festival you surpass in joy,

You fulfilled wishes so mine were obstructed

and whose place you take among us when it departs.

Leaving me no access to you

وَمَن جادَ بِالآمالِ عَنكَ فَإِنَّني

وَمَن جادَ بِالآمالِ عَنكَ فَإِنَّني

أَرى كُلَّ بَحرٍ مُذ رَأَيتُكَ جَدوَلا

أَرى كُلَّ بَحرٍ مُذ رَأَيتُكَ جَدوَلا

Whoever turns his hopes away from you, for my part,

I have grown accustomed to disappointment after

every sea has seemed a brook since I saw you.

Your splendor prohibited I make excuses

وَوالَيتَ آلاءً فَسُدَّت مَطامِعي

وَوالَيتَ آلاءً فَسُدَّت مَطامِعي

فَلَم تَتَّرِك لي عَن جَنابِكَ مَزحَلا

فَلَم تَتَّرِك لي عَن جَنابِكَ مَزحَلا

You bestowed favor upon favor until my desires were satisfied,

An amusement whose door of desire I entered

leaving me no room to withdraw from your presence.

Though it had been a door I could find no way into

وَأَلفَيتُ إِخلافَ المَواعيدِ مُعوِزاً

وَأَلفَيتُ إِخلافَ المَواعيدِ مُعوِزاً

لَدَيكَ وَأَخلافَ المَكارِمِ حُفَّلا

لَدَيكَ وَأَخلافَ المَكارِمِ حُفَّلا

I found broken promises nowhere to be found

My hopes pastured there on every fertile meadow

with you, and the udders of noble bounty brimming.

Though long left to wither with neglected herbage

وَأَنشَرتَ في قَحطانَ أَوساً وَحاتِماً

وَأَنشَرتَ في قَحطانَ أَوساً وَحاتِماً

وَأَنشَرتَ في قَيسٍ زِياداً وَجَروَلا

وَأَنشَرتَ في قَيسٍ زِياداً وَجَروَلا

You brought Aws and Hatim back to life in Qahtan,

I see embarrassment overtaking me in my pauses

and Ziyad and Jarwal back to life in Qays.

And I never feared to speak and then regret it

وَكُنتَ لِحُكمِ الدَهرِ فِيّ مُناقِضاً

وَكُنتَ لِحُكمِ الدَهرِ فِيّ مُناقِضاً

وَلَيسَ بِبِدعٍ أَن يَجورَ وَتَعدِلا

وَلَيسَ بِبِدعٍ أَن يَجورَ وَتَعدِلا

You contradicted time's judgment concerning me;

Nothing but that describing you makes me

it is no novelty that it wrongs while you act justly.

Slow-witted, though I am given speech and words

وَلا غَروَ أَن تُعطي أَمانِيَّ طالِبٍ

وَلا غَروَ أَن تُعطي أَمانِيَّ طالِبٍ

يَراكَ بِتَصديقِ المُنى مُتَكَفِّلا

يَراكَ بِتَصديقِ المُنى مُتَكَفِّلا

Nor is it strange that you grant the wishes of a seeker

No excuse for falling short, for I am

who sees you as the guarantor of fulfilled hopes:

Like news of the sword meeting the joint

مُصيخٍ إِذا اِستَدعَيتَهُ جاءَ مُسرِعاً

مُصيخٍ إِذا اِستَدعَيتَهُ جاءَ مُسرِعاً

إِلَيكَ وَإِن لَم تَدعُ جاءَ مُطَفِّلا

إِلَيكَ وَإِن لَم تَدعُ جاءَ مُطَفِّلا

an attentive listener who, when summoned, comes swiftly

And even if you show me incapacity, there remains

to you, and, when not invited, comes unbidden.

When published, nothing for me but preference

وَمالِيَ أَرضى بِالتَعَلُّلِ بَعدَما

وَمالِيَ أَرضى بِالتَعَلُّلِ بَعدَما

نَهاني نَداكَ الغَمرُ أَن أَتَعَلَّلا

نَهاني نَداكَ الغَمرُ أَن أَتَعَلَّلا

Why should I be content with consoling hopes after

My praise inspires my listeners as if

your overflowing bounty forbade me to live on hopes?

I turn upon them from it twisting chains

لُهىً فَتَحَت بابَ المُنى فَدَخَلتُهُ

لُهىً فَتَحَت بابَ المُنى فَدَخَلتُهُ

وَقَد كانَ باباً لَم أَجِد فيهِ مَدخَلا

وَقَد كانَ باباً لَم أَجِد فيهِ مَدخَلا

Gifts opened the door of wishes, and I entered it,

So witticisms are not ransacked in your presence

though it had been a door in which I found no entrance.

Nor do brides cease to be coupled

رَعى أَمَلي فيها بِكُلِّ خَميلَةٍ

رَعى أَمَلي فيها بِكُلِّ خَميلَةٍ

وَكانَ قَديماً مُجدِبَ الرَعيِ مُهمَلا

وَكانَ قَديماً مُجدِبَ الرَعيِ مُهمَلا

My hope grazed through them in every lush meadow,

having long been neglected, with barren grazing.

أَرى خَجَلاً يَعتادُني في مَواقِفي

أَرى خَجَلاً يَعتادُني في مَواقِفي

وَما كُنتُ أَخشى أَن أَقولَ فَأَخجَلا

وَما كُنتُ أَخشى أَن أَقولَ فَأَخجَلا

I find embarrassment returning to me when I stand to speak,

though I never feared that speaking would shame me.

وَما ذاكَ إِلّا أَنَّ وَصفَكَ جاعِلي

وَما ذاكَ إِلّا أَنَّ وَصفَكَ جاعِلي

بَليداً وَإِن أوتيتُ قَولاً وَمِقوَلا

بَليداً وَإِن أوتيتُ قَولاً وَمِقوَلا

That is only because describing you makes me

inarticulate, though gifted with speech and an eloquent tongue.

وَلا عُذرَ في التَقصيرِ عَنهُ فَإِنَّني

وَلا عُذرَ في التَقصيرِ عَنهُ فَإِنَّني

نَبَوتُ نُبُوَّ السَيفِ صادَفَ مَفصِلا

نَبَوتُ نُبُوَّ السَيفِ صادَفَ مَفصِلا

There is no excuse for falling short of it, for I

have rebounded like a sword that struck a joint.

وَعِندي وَإِن أَوضَحتَ عَجزاً بَقِيَّةٌ

وَعِندي وَإِن أَوضَحتَ عَجزاً بَقِيَّةٌ

إِذا نُشِرَت لَم أُلفَ إِلّا مُفَضَّلا

إِذا نُشِرَت لَم أُلفَ إِلّا مُفَضَّلا

Yet I retain, though you have exposed my inability, something

which, when displayed, will show me to be outstanding.

ثَنائِيَ يُنشي سامِعيهِ كَأَنَّني

ثَنائِيَ يُنشي سامِعيهِ كَأَنَّني

أُديرُ عَلَيهِم مِنهُ صَهباءَ سَلسَلا

أُديرُ عَلَيهِم مِنهُ صَهباءَ سَلسَلا

My praise intoxicates its hearers, as though I

were passing around smooth, reddish wine from it.

فَلا بَرِحَت مِنهُ غَرائِسُ تُجتَنى

فَلا بَرِحَت مِنهُ غَرائِسُ تُجتَنى

لَدَيكَ وَلا زالَت عَرائِسُ تُجتَلا

لَدَيكَ وَلا زالَت عَرائِسُ تُجتَلا

May plantings of it never cease to yield their harvest

in your presence, nor its brides cease to be unveiled.