ياO لِلرِجالِmen, to the rescue لِنَظرَةٍagainst a glance سَفَكَتshed دَماblood
يا لِلرِجالِ لِنَظرَةٍ سَفَكَت دَما
وَلِحادِثٍand against an ordeal لَمnot أَلقَهُI faced it مُستَلئِماclad in armor
وَلِحادِثٍ لَم أَلقَهُ مُستَلئِما
O men, help against a glance that shed blood,
O men, for a glance that shed blood,
and against an ordeal I did not meet clad in armor.
And an event I did not face with composure,
وَأَرىand I see السِهامَthe arrows تَؤُمُّseek مَنthe one who يُرمىis shot at بِهاwith them
وَأَرى السِهامَ تَؤُمُّ مَن يُرمى بِها
فَعَلامَso why سَهمُthe arrow اللَحظِof the glance يُصميkills outright مَنthe one who رَماshot it
فَعَلامَ سَهمُ اللَحظِ يُصمي مَن رَما
I see arrows seek the one at whom they are shot;
And I see arrows striking whoever is targeted,
so why does the glance's arrow kill the one who shot it?
So why does the arrow of a glance deafen whoever it hits?
ياO آمِريyou who command me بِتَجَلُّدٍto show fortitude لَمnot أُعطَهُI was granted it
يا آمِري بِتَجَلُّدٍ لَم أُعطَهُ
ماnot نَمَّbetrayed دَمعيmy tears بِالجَوىof inner anguish حَتّىuntil نَماit grew
ما نَمَّ دَمعي بِالجَوى حَتّى نَما
O you who bid me show fortitude not granted me,
O you who order patience I was not granted,
my tears did not betray my anguish until it grew.
My tears did not sleep from anguish until they slept.
وَلَقَدand indeed وَقَفتُI stood بِدارِat the dwelling of زَينَبَZaynab مَوهِناًlate at night
وَلَقَد وَقَفتُ بِدارِ زَينَبَ مَوهِناً
وَالوَجدُand longing يَأبىrefuses أَنthat أَقولَI speak فَأُفهِماand so make myself understood
وَالوَجدُ يَأبى أَن أَقولَ فَأُفهِما
Indeed, I stood at Zaynab's dwelling late at night,
And I stood at the abode of Zainab humiliated,
while longing would not let me speak and make myself understood.
While grief refuses that I speak and make myself understood.
مُستَخبِراًseeking news عَنهاof her فَلَمbut not أَرَI saw مَعلَماًa landmark
مُستَخبِراً عَنها فَلَم أَرَ مَعلَماً
مِنهاof it بِأَخبارِabout the news of الأَحِبَّةِthe loved ones مُعلِماgiving information
مِنها بِأَخبارِ الأَحِبَّةِ مُعلِما
Seeking news of her, I saw no landmark
Asking about her but I did not find a guide,
there that could tell me news of loved ones.
Among her, knowledgeable of the news of loved ones.
أَبكيI weep وَيَمنَعُنيand prevents me from تَناسيforgetting ماwhat مَضىhas passed
أَبكي وَيَمنَعُني تَناسي ما مَضى
ماwhat يَمنَعُprevents الأَطلالَthe ruins أَنfrom تَتَكَلَّماspeaking
ما يَمنَعُ الأَطلالَ أَن تَتَكَلَّما
I weep, and I am kept from forgetting what has passed
I cry but forgetfulness of what passed prevents me,
by what keeps the ruins from speaking.
What prevents ruins from speaking?
فَعَذَلتُso I reproached قَلبِيَmy heart إِذwhen أَطاعَit obeyed غَرامَهُits passion
فَعَذَلتُ قَلبِيَ إِذ أَطاعَ غَرامَهُ
وَعَصىand defied التَسَلِّيَconsolation بَعدَهاafter her وَاللُوَّماand the reproachers
وَعَصى التَسَلِّيَ بَعدَها وَاللُوَّما
So I reproached my heart for obeying its passion
So I scolded my heart when it obeyed its passion,
and defying consolation after her departure, and the reproachers.
And disobeyed solace after it and blame.
وَاللَومُand reproach مِثلُlike الريحِthe wind يَذهَبُgoes ضَلَّةًto waste
وَاللَومُ مِثلُ الريحِ يَذهَبُ ضَلَّةً
وَيَزيدُand increases نيرانَthe fires of المُحِبِّthe lover تَضَرُّماin blazing
وَيَزيدُ نيرانَ المُحِبِّ تَضَرُّما
Reproach, like the wind, goes to waste
And blame is like the wind, it goes astray,
and makes the lover's fires blaze more fiercely.
And increases the fires of the lover blazing.
وَخَطيطَةٍand many a rain-missed tract ضَنَّbegrudged الغَمامُthe clouds بِرَيِّهاwatering it
وَخَطيطَةٍ ضَنَّ الغَمامُ بِرَيِّها
خَلَّفتُهاI left it خَلفيbehind me وَسِرتُand I traveled مُيَمِّماheading toward
خَلَّفتُها خَلفي وَسِرتُ مُيَمِّما
And many a dry tract the clouds refused to water
And a beautiful woman whose clouds rained with generosity,
I left behind me, and traveled toward
I left behind and traveled on determined.
أَرضاًa land إِذاwhen ماever التُربُthe soil أَجدَبَgrew barren أَخصَبَتbecame fertile
أَرضاً إِذا ما التُربُ أَجدَبَ أَخصَبَت
بِنَدىًwith bounty إِذاwhen ماever الغَيثُthe rain أَنجَمَceased أَثجَماpoured abundantly
بِنَدىً إِذا ما الغَيثُ أَنجَمَ أَثجَما
a land that thrives whenever the soil grows barren,
A land that when dust becomes barren, it is fertile
with bounty that pours whenever the rain has ceased.
With dew when rain pours in abundance.
يَلقىfind بِهاin it الرُوّادُthe pasture-seekers رَوضاًa meadow مُزهِراًin bloom
يَلقى بِها الرُوّادُ رَوضاً مُزهِراً
وَيُصادِفُand find الوُرّادُthose seeking water حَوضاًa pool مُفعَماbrimming
وَيُصادِفُ الوُرّادُ حَوضاً مُفعَما
There pasture-seekers find a meadow in bloom,
In it the visitors find a blossoming meadow,
and those seeking water find a brimming pool.
And the excursionists find a brimming pond.
وَتَرىand you see بِهاin it أُمَّthe mother of المُدامَةِwine عاقِراًbarren
وَتَرى بِها أُمَّ المُدامَةِ عاقِراً
أَبَداًforever وَأُمَّand the mother of الحَمدِpraise حُبلىpregnant مُتئِماbearing twins
أَبَداً وَأُمَّ الحَمدِ حُبلى مُتئِما
There you see the mother of wine barren,
And you see in it the mother of abstinence always barren,
forever, and the mother of praise pregnant with twins.
And the mother of praise ever pregnant.
أَضحَتit became بِإِحسانِthrough the beneficence of المُظَفَّرِal-Muzaffar كَعبَةًa Kaaba
أَضحَت بِإِحسانِ المُظَفَّرِ كَعبَةً
لِلطالِبينَfor seekers وَلِلمَكارِمِand for noble deeds مَوسِماa gathering-place
لِلطالِبينَ وَلِلمَكارِمِ مَوسِما
Through al-Muzaffar's beneficence it has become a Kaaba
It has become, by the benevolence of the Victorious, a Kaaba
for seekers, and a gathering-place for noble deeds.
For seekers, and for noble deeds, a season.
مَلِكٌa king إِذاwhen سُئِلَhe is asked for الرَغائِبَprecious gifts وَاللُهىand largesse
مَلِكٌ إِذا سُئِلَ الرَغائِبَ وَاللُهى
أَعطىhe gives وَإِنand if لاقىhe meets الكَتائِبَthe battalions أَقدَماhe advances
أَعطى وَإِن لاقى الكَتائِبَ أَقدَما
A king who, when asked for precious gifts and largesse,
A king who when asked for wishes and desires,
gives; and when he meets battalions, advances.
Gives even if he meets with sorrows, he moves forward.
يُربيhe exceeds عَلىbeyond القَدَرِthe fate المُتاحِallotted إِذاwhen سَطاhe strikes
يُربي عَلى القَدَرِ المُتاحِ إِذا سَطا
وَيُجاوِدُand vies in generosity with الجَودَthe abundant rain السَحاحَpouring copiously إِذاwhen هَماit falls
وَيُجاوِدُ الجَودَ السَحاحَ إِذا هَما
When he strikes, he surpasses allotted fate,
He nurtures with what is available when it is scarce,
and vies in bounty with pouring rain when it falls.
And competes in generosity when resolute.
أَوفىmore abundant مِنَthan الشَمسِthe sun المُنيرَةِshining بَهجَةًin splendor
أَوفى مِنَ الشَمسِ المُنيرَةِ بَهجَةً
وَأَشَفُّand loftier مَنزِلَةًin station وَأَبعَدُand farther مُرتَماin reach
وَأَشَفُّ مَنزِلَةً وَأَبعَدُ مُرتَما
Fuller in splendor than the shining sun,
More fulfilling than the shining sun in delight,
and loftier in station, farther in reach.
And a more sublime station and farther reaching.
مَنَعَhe barred اللَيالِيَthe nights أَنfrom تَبيتَpassing the night as مَوانِعاًwithholders of
مَنَعَ اللَيالِيَ أَن تَبيتَ مَوانِعاً
ماwhat رامَhe sought أَوor مُستَبذِلاتٍviolators of ماwhat حَماhe protected
ما رامَ أَو مُستَبذِلاتٍ ما حَما
He has barred the nights from ever withholding
He prevented nights from spending obstructed,
what he seeks, or violating what he guards.
What it desires or worthless nights from protecting.
يَأبىhe rejects الغَوانِيَbeautiful women وَالغِناءَand song وَيَنتَشيand grows intoxicated
يَأبى الغَوانِيَ وَالغِناءَ وَيَنتَشي
طَرَباًwith delight إِذاwhen كانَis الصَليلُthe clang of steel تَرَنُّماa melody
طَرَباً إِذا كانَ الصَليلُ تَرَنُّما
He rejects fair women and song, but grows intoxicated
It refuses singing and amusement and walks
with delight when the clang of steel becomes his melody.
Restlessly when the tinkling of anklets murmurs.
هِمَمٌaspirations عَلَونَhave risen عَلىabove السِماكِal-Simak وَإِنَّماand only
هِمَمٌ عَلَونَ عَلى السِماكِ وَإِنَّما
بِالجودِthrough generosity وَالإِقدامِand daring يَسموrises مَنwhoever سَماrises high
بِالجودِ وَالإِقدامِ يَسمو مَن سَما
Aspirations have risen above al-Simak; and only
Aspirations that rose above the highest, and only
through generosity and daring does anyone rise.
Through generosity and daring does one ascend who rose.
وَمَناقِبٌand virtues أَعياdefeated الأَعادِيَthe enemies كَتمُهاconcealing them
وَمَناقِبٌ أَعيا الأَعادِيَ كَتمُها
وَالشَمسُand the sun أَظهَرُtoo manifest أَنto تُسَرَّbe hidden وَتُكتَماand be concealed
وَالشَمسُ أَظهَرُ أَن تُسَرَّ وَتُكتَما
And virtues whose concealment defeats his enemies—
And virtues the enemies wearied concealing,
the sun is too manifest to be hidden and concealed.
While the sun is most apparent that it beams and is concealed.
وَمَواهِبٌand gifts راجيone hoping for جَداهاtheir bounty لَمnot يَخِبbe disappointed
وَمَواهِبٌ راجي جَداها لَم يَخِب
مِنهُby him وَراضِعُand one suckling دَرِّهاtheir milk لَنwill never يُفطَماbe weaned
مِنهُ وَراضِعُ دَرِّها لَن يُفطَما
And gifts whose hopeful seeker has never been disappointed
And bestowals whose nobility he hopes for never
by him, and whoever suckles their milk will never be weaned.
Fails him and the suckling of its pearls will not be weaned.
غَدَتِhave become الجُيوشُthe armies عَزيزَةًmighty بِأَميرِهاthrough their commander
غَدَتِ الجُيوشُ عَزيزَةً بِأَميرِها
وَالدَهرُand the age مَحموداًpraiseworthy وَكانَand it had been مُذَمَّماreviled
وَالدَهرُ مَحموداً وَكانَ مُذَمَّما
The armies have become mighty through their commander,
The armies became mighty through their prince,
and the age praiseworthy, though it was once reviled;
And time became praiseworthy though it was dispraised.
وَالأَمنُand security جَمّاًabundant وَالرَجاءُand hope مُصَدَّقاًfulfilled
وَالأَمنُ جَمّاً وَالرَجاءُ مُصَدَّقاً
وَالحَقُّand truth أَبلَجَradiant وَالهُدىand guidance مُستَعصِماsecurely protected
وَالحَقُّ أَبلَجَ وَالهُدى مُستَعصِما
security abundant, hope fulfilled,
And security entirely, and hope realized,
truth radiant, and guidance securely protected.
And truth radiant, and guidance preserved.
لِلَّهِto God belongs دَرُّكَyour excellence فيagainst طُغاةِthe tyrants of قَبائِلٍtribes
لِلَّهِ دَرُّكَ في طُغاةِ قَبائِلٍ
أَنصَفتَyou won justice for مِنهاagainst them الدينَthe faith حينَwhen تَظَلَّماit complained of wrong
أَنصَفتَ مِنها الدينَ حينَ تَظَلَّما
God bless your prowess against the tyrants of tribes:
Allah bless you among the tyrants of tribes,
you won justice from them for the faith when it complained of wrong.
You were just to religion when it complained.
فَلَكَمso how often جَنَيتَyou inflicted أَذىًharm حَسَمتَyou ended بِهِby it أَذىًharm
فَلَكَم جَنَيتَ أَذىً حَسَمتَ بِهِ أَذىً
وَلَكَمand how often سَفَكتَyou spilled دَماًblood حَقَنتَyou spared بِهِby it دَماblood
وَلَكَم سَفَكتَ دَماً حَقَنتَ بِهِ دَما
How often you inflicted harm that put an end to harm,
So how much harm you eradicated, thereby eradicating harm,
and spilled blood by which you spared blood.
And how much blood you shed, thereby stemming blood.
لَمّاwhen أَزَرتَهُمُyou sent to visit them الظُبىthe blades مَصقولَةًpolished
لَمّا أَزَرتَهُمُ الظُبى مَصقولَةً
وَالخَيلَand horses قُبّاًlean-bellied وَالوَشيجَand spear-shafts مُقَوَّماstraightened
وَالخَيلَ قُبّاً وَالوَشيجَ مُقَوَّما
When you sent them polished blades as visitors,
When you supported them, their youth energetic,
and lean horses and straightened spear-shafts,
And the horses gathered, and the warriors steadfast.
ظَنّوكَthey thought you مَنlike those whom لاقَواthey had faced فَحينَthen when قَرَعتَهُمyou struck them
ظَنّوكَ مَن لاقَوا فَحينَ قَرَعتَهُم
صارواthey became وَقَدand indeed كانواthey had been حَديداًiron حَنتَماearthenware jars
صاروا وَقَد كانوا حَديداً حَنتَما
they thought you like those they had faced; when you struck them,
They thought of you as one they had not met, but when you clashed with them,
they became earthenware jars, though they had been iron.
They became, though they had been iron, soft.
قَهَرواthey subdued الوَرىhumankind زَمَناًfor a time فَمُذthen once حارَبتَهُمyou fought them
قَهَروا الوَرى زَمَناً فَمُذ حارَبتَهُم
طَمَّengulfed الأَتِيُّthe oncoming torrent عَلَيهِمُover them لَمّاwhen طَماit swelled
طَمَّ الأَتِيُّ عَلَيهِمُ لَمّا طَما
They subdued humankind for a time; once you fought them,
They conquered the land for a time but since you battled them,
the oncoming torrent engulfed them as it swelled.
Misfortune befell them when it befell.
وَهُمُand they حُماةُdefenders amid الرَوعِterror إِلّاexcept أَنَّهُمthat they
وَهُمُ حُماةُ الرَوعِ إِلّا أَنَّهُم
فَرّواfled لَعَمرُكَby your life حينَwhen فَرّواthey fled from الأَرقَماthe speckled serpent
فَرّوا لَعَمرُكَ حينَ فَرّوا الأَرقَما
They were defenders amid terror, except that they
And they are the protectors of might except that,
fled—by your life, when they fled, from the speckled serpent.
By your life, when they fled, the lame fled.
ثُمَّthen اِنثَنَيتَyou turned إِلىtoward سَراياthe war-bands of طَيِّئٍTayyi'
ثُمَّ اِنثَنَيتَ إِلى سَرايا طَيِّئٍ
تَقتادُleading أَرعَنَa vast army كَالخِضَمِّlike the vast sea عَرَمرَماteeming
تَقتادُ أَرعَنَ كَالخِضَمِّ عَرَمرَما
Then you turned toward the war-bands of Tayyi',
Then you returned to the pavilions of Tayy’
leading a vast, teeming host like the sea,
Herding the lively camels like pearls threaded.
مُتَنائِيَfar apart in الأَقطارِits reaches زادَincreased قَتامُهُits dust
مُتَنائِيَ الأَقطارِ زادَ قَتامُهُ
فَغَداso became بِهِthrough it وَجهُthe face of النَهارِday مُلَثَّماveiled
فَغَدا بِهِ وَجهُ النَهارِ مُلَثَّما
far-flung in its reaches; its dust grew thicker,
Extending horizons, their darkness intensified,
until it veiled the face of day.
So the face of daylight through it became veiled.
تَبدوappear بَوارِقُهُits flashes فَتَحسَبُso you think ضَوءَهاtheir light
تَبدو بَوارِقُهُ فَتَحسَبُ ضَوءَها
بَرقاًlightning تَأَلَّقَgleaming فيin سَحابٍa cloud أَظلَماgrown dark
بَرقاً تَأَلَّقَ في سَحابٍ أَظلَما
Its flashes appear, and you take their light
Their lightning appears so you’d think its light
for lightning gleaming in a darkened cloud.
A flash of lightning in a darkness that gathered.
وَتَخالُand you think نَقعَthe dust of الأَعوَجِيَّةِthe A'waji steeds دونَهُbefore it
وَتَخالُ نَقعَ الأَعوَجِيَّةِ دونَهُ
سِتراًa curtain بِلَمعِwith the gleam of القَعضَبِيَّةِthe Qa'dabi swords مُعلَماpatterned
سِتراً بِلَمعِ القَعضَبِيَّةِ مُعلَما
You think the dust of the A'waji steeds before it
And the clamor of curved swords beneath it
a curtain patterned with the gleam of the Qa'dabi swords.
A veil with the shining of straight swords adorned.
حَتّىuntil إِذاwhen أَنشَيتَهُمyou intoxicated them بِسُلافَةٍwith choicest wine
حَتّى إِذا أَنشَيتَهُم بِسُلافَةٍ
وَالحينُand death يَعجَبُmarvels مِنهُمُat them مُتَبَسِّماsmiling
وَالحينُ يَعجَبُ مِنهُمُ مُتَبَسِّما
Until, when you made them drunk with choicest wine,
Until you roused them with early morning greetings,
while death marveled at them, smiling,
And now you watch them smiling.
ظَنّواthey thought الطَلائِعَthe advance scouts كُلَّevery مَنone who يَأتيهِمُcame to them
ظَنّوا الطَلائِعَ كُلَّ مَن يَأتيهِمُ
فَتَثَبَّتواso they stood firm لِلداءِbefore the malady حَتّىuntil اِستَحكَماit took firm hold
فَتَثَبَّتوا لِلداءِ حَتّى اِستَحكَما
they took everyone coming to them for advance scouts,
They thought every scout that came to them
and stood fast before the malady until it took firm hold.
So they waited for the disease until it became chronic.
لَمّاwhen أَتَيتَyou came فَكُنتَthen you were ريحاًa wind عاصِفاًraging
لَمّا أَتَيتَ فَكُنتَ ريحاً عاصِفاً
تُلويsweeping away بِماwhatever لاقَتit met وَكانواand they were خَشرَماa swarm of bees
تُلوي بِما لاقَت وَكانوا خَشرَما
When you came, you were a raging wind
When you came you were a raging wind
sweeping away what it met, while they were a swarm of bees.
Bending what it met, and they had been defiant.
لَمnot تَلقَyou met إِلّاexcept عارِياًan unarmored man سَبَقَتcarried ahead بِهِwith him
لَم تَلقَ إِلّا عارِياً سَبَقَت بِهِ
رَوعاءُa spirited mare أَوor مُستَلئِماًan armored man مُستَسلِماsurrendering
رَوعاءُ أَو مُستَلئِماً مُستَسلِما
You met only an unarmored man borne swiftly away
You met no one except barefoot outpaced by,
by a spirited mare, or an armored man surrendering.
Fright or acquiescent surrendering.
وَالعِزُّand glory حَيثُwhere تَرىyou see الدِماءَthe blood مُراقَةًspilled
وَالعِزُّ حَيثُ تَرى الدِماءَ مُراقَةً
تَرويwatering الثَرىthe soil وَالسَمهَرِيَّand the stout spear مُحَطَّماshattered
تَروي الثَرى وَالسَمهَرِيَّ مُحَطَّما
Glory is where you see blood spilled,
And might where you see blood flowing
watering the soil, and the stout spear shattered.
Watering the land and the wrist bleeding shattered.
وَالوَهدُand the hollow أَدوَنُtoo low أَنto يَنالَreach مُتالِعاًMutali'
وَالوَهدُ أَدوَنُ أَن يَنالَ مُتالِعاً
وَالذِئبُand the wolf أَهوَنُtoo paltry أَنto يَروعَfrighten الضَيغَماthe lion
وَالذِئبُ أَهوَنُ أَن يَروعَ الضَيغَما
The hollow is too low to reach Mutali',
And hyenas more trivial than gaining high ground,
and the wolf too paltry to frighten the lion.
And wolves more trivial than frightening a cub.
مَلَكواthey ruled فَجارواthen judged unjustly فيin القَضاياjudgments وَاِعتَدَواand transgressed
مَلَكوا فَجاروا في القَضايا وَاِعتَدَوا
وَعَدَلتَand you dealt justly فيهِمwith them إِذwhen غَدَوتَyou became مُحَكَّماan appointed arbiter
وَعَدَلتَ فيهِم إِذ غَدَوتَ مُحَكَّما
They ruled, judged unjustly, and transgressed;
They ruled so they transgressed in judgements and tyrannized,
you dealt justly with them when you became their arbiter.
And you were just with them when you were the arbiter.
فَمَنَحتَهُمso you granted them جَبَليthe two mountains of أَبيهِمtheir father إِرثَهُمtheir inheritance
فَمَنَحتَهُم جَبَلي أَبيهِم إِرثَهُم
عَنهُfrom him وَساءاand those two were wretched مَنزِلاًas a dwelling وَمُخَيَّماand as a camp
عَنهُ وَساءا مَنزِلاً وَمُخَيَّما
You granted them their father's two mountains, their inheritance
So you granted them the two mountains of their father,
from him; wretched are those two as dwelling and camp.
An inheritance from him, an evil lodging and campground.
فَهُمُso they بِبيدٍin deserts يَصطَلونَburn بِماfor what جَنَواthey perpetrated
فَهُمُ بِبيدٍ يَصطَلونَ بِما جَنَوا
فيهاin them إِذاwhen حَمِيَgrew intense الهَجيرُthe noonday heat جَهَنَّماhell
فيها إِذا حَمِيَ الهَجيرُ جَهَنَّما
So in deserts they burn for what they have done,
So they are in the Pit, shaded by what they reaped in it,
in hell, when the noonday heat blazes there.
When the heat of Hellfire blazes.
مِنthan سائِرِall other الطُرَداءِoutcasts أَبعَدُfarther مَشرَباًfrom water
مِن سائِرِ الطُرَداءِ أَبعَدُ مَشرَباً
وَأَرَثُّand more ragged أَطماراًin garments وَأَخبَثُand fouler مَطعَماin food
وَأَرَثُّ أَطماراً وَأَخبَثُ مَطعَما
Farther from water than all other outcasts,
Of all outcasts, most remote of drinking places,
more ragged in their rags, fouler in their food.
And most cunning of traitors, and most rotten of food.
وَحَرَمتَهُمand you denied them طيبَthe sweetness of الكَرىsleep حَتّىuntil لَقَدindeed
وَحَرَمتَهُم طيبَ الكَرى حَتّى لَقَد
ظَنّواthey thought الرُقادَslumber عَلىupon الجُفونِeyelids مُحَرَّماforbidden
ظَنّوا الرُقادَ عَلى الجُفونِ مُحَرَّما
You denied them the sweetness of sleep, until indeed
And you deprived them of the pleasures of towns, to the extent
they thought slumber forbidden to their eyelids.
They thought sleep on eyelids forbidden.
عَمريby my life لَقَدindeed وَجَدواthey found اِصطِناعَكَyour favor سالِفاًformerly
عَمري لَقَد وَجَدوا اِصطِناعَكَ سالِفاً
أَرياًhoney وَقَدand indeed وَجَدواthey found اِجتِياحَكَyour ravaging عَلقَماbitter colocynth
أَرياً وَقَد وَجَدوا اِجتِياحَكَ عَلقَما
By my life, they found your favor in former days
By my life, they found your making peace before,
honey, and they found your ravaging bitter colocynth.
Devious, and they found your conquest biting.
فَرَأَوكَso they saw you عِندَin times of السِلمِpeace بَحرَa sea of مَواهِبٍgifts
فَرَأَوكَ عِندَ السِلمِ بَحرَ مَواهِبٍ
يُغنيthat enriches وَفيand in الهَيجاءِbattle عَضباًa sharp sword مِخذَماkeenly cleaving
يُغني وَفي الهَيجاءِ عَضباً مِخذَما
They saw you in peace as a sea of gifts
So they saw you when at peace, a sea of bounty
that enriches, and in battle as a sharp, cleaving sword.
That enriches, and in war, blazing anger.
وَرَجَعتَand you returned تَنظُرُoverseeing فيin البِلادِthe lands بِرَأيِwith the judgment of ذيone possessed of
وَرَجَعتَ تَنظُرُ في البِلادِ بِرَأيِ ذي
عَزمٍresolve يَرُدُّthat sends back المَشرَفِيَّthe Mashrafi sword مُثَلَّماnotched
عَزمٍ يَرُدُّ المَشرَفِيَّ مُثَلَّما
You returned to oversee the lands with the judgment of one
And you returned, considering the lands with the opinion of one,
whose resolve sends the Mashrafi sword back notched.
With resolve returning the devious mended.
حَصَّنتَyou fortified شاسِعَهاtheir distant reaches بِرَأيٍwith judgment لَوif حَمىit protected
حَصَّنتَ شاسِعَها بِرَأيٍ لَو حَمى
بَدرَthe full moon of السَماءِthe sky عَنِfrom النَواظِرِgazing eyes لَاِحتَماit would be protected
بَدرَ السَماءِ عَنِ النَواظِرِ لَاِحتَما
You fortified their distant reaches with judgment that, had it guarded
You fortified its vastness with an opinion that if,
the sky's full moon from gazing eyes, the moon would have been safe.
It protected the full moon from sights, it would conceal.
وَعَمَرتَand you made flourish غامِرَهاtheir wastelands بِجِدٍّwith diligence لَمnot يَزَلceased
وَعَمَرتَ غامِرَها بِجِدٍّ لَم يَزَل
يَأبىrefusing لِماfor what تَبنيهِyou build it أَنto يَتَهَدَّماcollapse
يَأبى لِما تَبنيهِ أَن يَتَهَدَّما
You made their wastelands flourish with diligence that never
And you rebuilt its prosperity with diligence that never
allows what you build to collapse.
Ceases to build what you erected from crumbling.
أَنّىhow could يُشارِكُكَshare with you الوَرىhumankind فيin رُتبَةٍa rank
أَنّى يُشارِكُكَ الوَرى في رُتبَةٍ
أَدلَجتَyou set out by night تَطلُبُهاseeking it وَباتواand they spent the night نُوَّماasleep
أَدلَجتَ تَطلُبُها وَباتوا نُوَّما
How could humankind share with you a rank
How can the world share with you a rank,
you set out by night to seek, while they spent the night asleep?
You strove for, while they slept?
حَمَّلتَyou burdened نَفسَكَyourself غَيرَnot مُكتَرِثٍconcerned بِهِby it
حَمَّلتَ نَفسَكَ غَيرَ مُكتَرِثٍ بِهِ
أَمراًwith a task يَؤودُweighing down يَرَمرَماًYaramram وَيَلَملَماand Yalamlam
أَمراً يَؤودُ يَرَمرَماً وَيَلَملَما
Untroubled by it, you burdened yourself with
You tasked yourself without concern for it,
a task that would weigh down Yaramram and Yalamlam.
A matter that exhausts the sturdy and the frail.
فَبَغَتso sought مَطالِعَكَyour heights المُلوكُthe kings فَقَصَّرَتbut fell short
فَبَغَت مَطالِعَكَ المُلوكُ فَقَصَّرَت
وَرَأىand saw وَقائِعَكَyour battles الزَمانُTime فَأَحجَماso recoiled
وَرَأى وَقائِعَكَ الزَمانُ فَأَحجَما
Kings sought your heights, but fell short,
So your ambitions took kings by surprise so they fell short,
and Time saw your battles and recoiled.
And time saw your events so it recoiled.
مَهلاًgently فَماfor not أَبقىleft نِزالُكَyour fighting خائِفاًanyone fearing
مَهلاً فَما أَبقى نِزالُكَ خائِفاً
خَطباًa calamity وَلاnor أَبقىleft نَوالُكَyour largesse مُعدِماanyone destitute
خَطباً وَلا أَبقى نَوالُكَ مُعدِما
Ease up! Your battles have left no one fearing
Wait! Neither has your fighting left a coward,
calamity, nor has your bounty left anyone destitute.
Nor has your bestowal left one made destitute.
لاdo not تَكذَبَنَّever falter فَماfor no أَمامَكَahead of you غايَةٌlimit
لا تَكذَبَنَّ فَما أَمامَكَ غايَةٌ
فَاِنظُرso look مَلِيّاًat length هَلwhether تَرىyou see مُتَقَدَّماanyone ahead
فَاِنظُر مَلِيّاً هَل تَرى مُتَقَدَّما
Do not falter: no limit lies before you;
Do not believe, for there is no limit ahead of you,
so look at length: do you see anyone ahead?
So look carefully, do you see one surpassed?
ناهيكَsufficient for you مِنof كَرَمٍgenerosity يَفوقُhe surpasses بِهِwith it الحَياthe rain
ناهيكَ مِن كَرَمٍ يَفوقُ بِهِ الحَيا
سَبقاًin racing وَمِنand of بَأسٍmight يَفوتُoutstrips الأَنجُماthe stars
سَبقاً وَمِن بَأسٍ يَفوتُ الأَنجُما
What generosity, with which he outruns the rain,
Let alone generosity that surpassed mortals precedence,
in racing, and what might, outstripping the stars!
And might that overtakes stars.
وَعَزائِمٍand resolves حَشَتِfilled القُلوبَhearts أَسِنَّةًwith spearheads
وَعَزائِمٍ حَشَتِ القُلوبَ أَسِنَّةً
مِثلَlike الخَناجِرَdaggers وَالحَناجِرَand throats أَسهُماwith arrows
مِثلَ الخَناجِرَ وَالحَناجِرَ أَسهُما
And resolves that filled hearts with spearheads,
And resolves that terrify hearts, sharpened
like daggers, and throats with arrows.
Like daggers, and throats like arrows.
فَقَضَتso decreed لِذِكرِكَfor your fame أَنthat يَسيرَit travel مُفَوِّزاًcrossing deserts
فَقَضَت لِذِكرِكَ أَن يَسيرَ مُفَوِّزاً
وَقَضَتand decreed لِذُكرِكَfor your renown أَنthat يَجِلَّit be august وَيَعظُماand grow great
وَقَضَت لِذُكرِكَ أَن يَجِلَّ وَيَعظُما
Thus they decreed that your fame should journey across deserts,
So it was destined for your mention to travel gloriously,
and decreed that your renown should grow august and great.
And it was destined for your fame to be majestic and great.
يَهنيmay it gladden الخِلافَةَthe caliphate أَنَّthat عُدَّتَهاits mainstay شَجىa choking bone in
يَهني الخِلافَةَ أَنَّ عُدَّتَها شَجى
حَلقِthe throat of العَدُوِّthe enemy وَسَيفَهاand its sword لَنwill never يَكهَماgrow blunt
حَلقِ العَدُوِّ وَسَيفَها لَن يَكهَما
May the caliphate rejoice that its mainstay is a choking bone
It brings glory to the Caliphate that its knights are,
in the enemy's throat, and its sword will never grow blunt.
The throats of enemies, and its sword will not be blunt.
وَلِيَهنِكَand may it gladden you العيدُthe feast السَعيدُhappy مُضاعِفاًmultiplying
وَلِيَهنِكَ العيدُ السَعيدُ مُضاعِفاً
لَكَfor you أَجرَthe reward of مَنwhoever صَلّىprayed وَصامَand fasted وَأَحرَماand entered pilgrim consecration
لَكَ أَجرَ مَن صَلّى وَصامَ وَأَحرَما
May the happy feast gladden you, multiplying
And your blessed Feast doubly,
for you the reward of whoever prayed, fasted, and entered pilgrim consecration.
Rewards you like one who prayed, fasted, and performed pilgrimage.
إِنّيindeed I لَأَشعَرُsurely the finest poet مَنof those رَأَيتَyou have seen وَإِنَّنيand indeed I
إِنّي لَأَشعَرُ مَن رَأَيتَ وَإِنَّني
أَصبَحتُhave become عَنfrom إِدراكِattaining وَصفِكَyour description مُفحَماunable to compose verse
أَصبَحتُ عَن إِدراكِ وَصفِكَ مُفحَما
I am indeed the finest poet you have seen; yet I
I truly feel from seeing you, and truly,
have been struck speechless, unable to describe you fully.
I become at a loss in describing you.
وَلَقَدand indeed أَرَحتُI drove at evening الخَيلَthe horses نَحوَكَtoward you ضُمَّراًlean
وَلَقَد أَرَحتُ الخَيلَ نَحوَكَ ضُمَّراً
وَالعيسُand pale camels يَحمِلنَcarry القَريضَpoetry المُحكَماfinely wrought
وَالعيسُ يَحمِلنَ القَريضَ المُحكَما
I have driven lean horses toward you at evening,
And I have set out horses toward you briskly,
while pale camels carry finely wrought verse.
And the stallion carries the articulate poem.
يَحمِلنَthey carry مِنهُof it مُفَصَّلاًfinely detailed وَمُنَظَّماًand well ordered
يَحمِلنَ مِنهُ مُفَصَّلاً وَمُنَظَّماً
وَمُحَبَّراًand embellished وَمُوَشَّحاًand sash-adorned وَمُسَهَّماand arrow-patterned
وَمُحَبَّراً وَمُوَشَّحاً وَمُسَهَّما
They carry it finely detailed and well ordered,
He carries it detailed, composed,
embellished, sash-adorned, and arrow-patterned.
Illuminated, titled, and authorized.
مَدحٌpraise كَزَهرِlike the blossoms of الرَوضِthe meadow إِلّاexcept أَنَّهُthat it
مَدحٌ كَزَهرِ الرَوضِ إِلّا أَنَّهُ
يَبقىendures إِذاwhen زَهرُthe flowers of الرِياضِgardens تَصَرَّماhave faded
يَبقى إِذا زَهرُ الرِياضِ تَصَرَّما
Praise like the meadow's blossoms, except that it
Praise like the blossoms of a meadow, except
endures when the garden flowers have faded.
It remains when the blossoms of gardens wither.
إِنّيindeed I كَتَمتُconcealed الشِعرَpoetry فيin طَيِّthe folds of المُنىhopes
إِنّي كَتَمتُ الشِعرَ في طَيِّ المُنى
فِعلَas would اِمرِىءٍa man لَمnot يَرضَaccept ماwhat is دونَbelow السَماthe sky
فِعلَ اِمرِىءٍ لَم يَرضَ ما دونَ السَما
I kept poetry hidden in the folds of my hopes,
I have concealed poetry, an act of one who did not accept,
like a man who accepts nothing below the sky.
Less than the heavens.
لاnot أَسأَلُI ask الرَحمَنَthe Merciful حَظّاًa share فَوقَbeyond ماwhat
لا أَسأَلُ الرَحمَنَ حَظّاً فَوقَ ما
أَعطىHe gave فَقَدfor indeed أَولىHe bestowed الجَميلَkindness وَأَنعَماand granted favors
أَعطى فَقَد أَولى الجَميلَ وَأَنعَما
I ask the Merciful for no share beyond what
I do not ask the Merciful for a portion beyond what,
He gave, for He has bestowed kindness and favor.
He gave me, for He did the beautiful and bestowed favor.
حَسبيenough for me اِمتِداحُكَpraising you رُتبَةًas rank وَنَباهَةًand renown
حَسبي اِمتِداحُكَ رُتبَةً وَنَباهَةً
وَذَراكَand your shelter مُعتَصَماًas a refuge وَقُربُكَand nearness to you مَغنَماas a prize
وَذَراكَ مُعتَصَماً وَقُربُكَ مَغنَما
Praising you is rank and renown enough for me,
It is enough that I praise you, a rank and eminence,
and your shelter a refuge, your nearness a prize.
And suffice that you are protected and your proximity a bounty.
Sol 6.1