بِكَthrough you اِقتَضىexacted الدينُreligion دَيناًa debt كانَhad been قَدalready وَجَباdue
بِكَ اِقتَضى الدينُ دَيناً كانَ قَد وَجَبا
وَأَنجَزَand fulfilled اللَهُGod وَعداًa promise كانَhad been مُرتَقَباawaited
وَأَنجَزَ اللَهُ وَعداً كانَ مُرتَقَبا
Through you, religion exacted a debt already due,
and God fulfilled a promise long awaited.
فَعاوَدَso returned to الجَدبُdrought خِصباًfertility وَالمُباحُand the unprotected حِمىًa sanctuary
فَعاوَدَ الجَدبُ خِصباً وَالمُباحُ حِمىً
وَالأَمنُand security مُستَوطِناًa settled resident وَالخَوفُand fear مُغتَرِباan exile
وَالأَمنُ مُستَوطِناً وَالخَوفُ مُغتَرِبا
Drought returned to plenty, and the unprotected became a sanctuary,
security a settled resident, and fear an exile.
أَنارَshone رَأيُكَyour judgment وَالأَيّامُwhile the days داجِيَةٌwere dark
أَنارَ رَأيُكَ وَالأَيّامُ داجِيَةٌ
فَأَشرَقَتso they brightened وَجَلاand dispelled تَأثيرُكَyour influence الكُرَباthe troubles
فَأَشرَقَت وَجَلا تَأثيرُكَ الكُرَبا
Your judgment shone while the days were dark,
so they brightened, and your influence dispelled their troubles.
قَرَنتَyou joined نوراًlight وَتَأثيراًand influence بِمَنزِلَةٍto a station
قَرَنتَ نوراً وَتَأثيراً بِمَنزِلَةٍ
لاnot تُرتَقىattainable فَثَمَنتَso you made eight السَبعَةَthe seven الشُهُباbright stars
لا تُرتَقى فَثَمَنتَ السَبعَةَ الشُهُبا
You joined light and influence to a station
beyond all reach: thus you made the seven bright stars eight.
ذُدتَyou repelled الأُلىthose who قَهَرواoverpowered الأَملاكَthe kings وَاِنتَزَعواand wrested away
ذُدتَ الأُلى قَهَروا الأَملاكَ وَاِنتَزَعوا
ماwhat اِستَحقَبَتهُthey had amassed it بِأَطرافِwith the tips of القَناspears حُقُباfor ages
ما اِستَحقَبَتهُ بِأَطرافِ القَنا حُقُبا
You repelled those who overpowered kings and wrested away
what those kings had amassed at spearpoint over ages.
ضَراغِمٌlions تَفرِسُprey on الأَبطالَchampions شَرَّدَهاdrove them away
ضَراغِمٌ تَفرِسُ الأَبطالَ شَرَّدَها
عَمّاfrom what أَرادَتthey sought هِزَبرٌa mighty lion يَفرِسُpreys on النُوَباcalamities
عَمّا أَرادَت هِزَبرٌ يَفرِسُ النُوَبا
Lions that prey on champions—a mighty lion drove them
from what they sought, a lion that preys on calamities.
لَقَدindeed حَمىhe guarded مُلبِداًwhile crouching أَكنافَthe reaches of غابَتِهِhis thicket
لَقَد حَمى مُلبِداً أَكنافَ غابَتِهِ
فَماso what تَظُنُّdo you think بِهِof him الأَعداءُthe enemies لَوif وَثَباhe sprang
فَما تَظُنُّ بِهِ الأَعداءُ لَو وَثَبا
He guarded the reaches of his thicket while crouching;
what would his enemies think of him if he sprang?
جَذَّhe severed الرِقابَnecks وَماand did not إِنeven سَلَّdraw صارِمَهُhis sharp sword
جَذَّ الرِقابَ وَما إِن سَلَّ صارِمَهُ
وَاِستَنزَلَand brought down الخَطبَcalamity مَقهوراًdefeated وَمارَكِباand did not mount
وَاِستَنزَلَ الخَطبَ مَقهوراً وَمارَكِبا
He severed necks without even drawing his sharp sword,
and brought calamity down defeated without riding forth.
وَأَمَّنَand made safe الناسَthe people ماخافوهُwhat they feared مِنof فِتَنٍstrife
وَأَمَّنَ الناسَ ماخافوهُ مِن فِتَنٍ
ضاقَgrew constricted الزَمانُtime بِأَدناهاby the least of them وَإِنeven though رَحُباit was spacious
ضاقَ الزَمانُ بِأَدناها وَإِن رَحُبا
He made the people safe from the strife they feared,
whose slightest outbreak cramped time, spacious though it was.
لَمnot تُغنِavail فيهاamid them عَنِfor المُثرينَthe wealthy ثَروَتُهُمtheir wealth
لَم تُغنِ فيها عَنِ المُثرينَ ثَروَتُهُم
بَلrather ذوone with الحَليلَةِa wife مِنهُمamong them يَحسُدُenvies العَزَباthe bachelor
بَل ذو الحَليلَةِ مِنهُم يَحسُدُ العَزَبا
The wealthy gained no protection from their wealth amid it;
rather, the married man among them envied the bachelor.
فَكَيفَso how كَشَّفتَyou dispelled مَحجوباًwhile secluded حَنادِسَهاtheir pitch darkness
فَكَيفَ كَشَّفتَ مَحجوباً حَنادِسَها
وَالبَدرُand the full moon لاdoes not يَكشِفُdispel الظَلماءَthe darkness مُحتَجِباwhile veiled
وَالبَدرُ لا يَكشِفُ الظَلماءَ مُحتَجِبا
How, then, did you dispel its deepest darkness while secluded,
when a veiled full moon cannot dispel the dark?
وَلَوand if يَكونونَthey were أَكفاءًequals بَرَزتَyou would have gone forth لَهُمto face them
وَلَو يَكونونَ أَكفاءً بَرَزتَ لَهُم
بُرُوزَthe going-forth of جَدِّكَyour grandfather لَمّاwhen نَكَّسَhe cast down الصُلُباthe crosses
بُرُوزَ جَدِّكَ لَمّا نَكَّسَ الصُلُبا
Had they been your equals, you would have gone forth against them,
as your grandfather went forth when he cast down the crosses.
لَكِنbut قَعَدتَyou stayed seated وَأَغرَيتَand set الخُطوبَcalamities بِهِمupon them
لَكِن قَعَدتَ وَأَغرَيتَ الخُطوبَ بِهِم
مُذَلِّلاًsubduing مِنamong صُروفِthe reversals of الدَهرِtime ماwhat صَعُباwas difficult
مُذَلِّلاً مِن صُروفِ الدَهرِ ما صَعُبا
Instead, you stayed seated and set calamities upon them,
subduing the hardest of time's reversals.
فيon أَيِّwhich يَومِday of نَزالٍcombat حارَبوكَthey fought you فَماand did not
في أَيِّ يَومِ نَزالٍ حارَبوكَ فَما
دارَتcirculate كُؤوسُthe cups of المَناياdeath فيهِمُamong them نُخُباdraughts
دارَت كُؤوسُ المَنايا فيهِمُ نُخُبا
On what day of combat did they fight you without
the cups of death going round among them, draught after draught?
حَتّىuntil مَضىdeparted مَلِكُهُمtheir king يَشكوlamenting وَغىًwarfare بَلَغَتthat attained
حَتّى مَضى مَلِكُهُم يَشكو وَغىً بَلَغَت
فيهِagainst him رِضاكَyour satisfaction وَلَمand did not يَبلُغattain بِهاthrough it أَرَباan aim
فيهِ رِضاكَ وَلَم يَبلُغ بِها أَرَبا
At last their king departed, lamenting warfare that had attained
your satisfaction against him, while he gained no aim through it:
شَكوىthe lament of الجَريحِthe wounded man الَّذيwho أَعيَتproved unattainable سَلامَتُهُhis recovery
شَكوى الجَريحِ الَّذي أَعيَت سَلامَتُهُ
لاnot مِثلَlike ماhow يَتَشَكّىcomplains of الغارِبُthe camel's withers القَتَباthe packsaddle
لا مِثلَ ما يَتَشَكّى الغارِبُ القَتَبا
the lament of a wounded man whose recovery proved beyond reach,
not like a camel's withers complaining of the packsaddle.
وَماand not نَجاescaped تُركُمانٌTurkuman إِذwhen نَدَبتَyou called up لَهُagainst him
وَما نَجا تُركُمانٌ إِذ نَدَبتَ لَهُ
مِنfrom عامِرٍAmir عُصَباًbands أَعزِزhow mighty بِهاwith them عُصَباas bands
مِن عامِرٍ عُصَباً أَعزِز بِها عُصَبا
Nor did Turkuman escape when you called up against him
bands from Amir—how mighty those bands!
وَلَوand had تَمَهَّلَdelayed مُرديهِhis slayer أَتَوكَthey would have come to you بِهِwith him
وَلَو تَمَهَّلَ مُرديهِ أَتَوكَ بِهِ
إِتيانَthe coming of جِنِّthe jinn of سُلَيمانٍSolomon بِعَرشِwith the throne of سَباSheba
إِتيانَ جِنِّ سُلَيمانٍ بِعَرشِ سَبا
Had his slayer delayed, they would have brought him to you
as Solomon's jinn brought the throne of Sheba.
وافىhe came to بِلادَكَyour lands مُغتَرّاًdeluded بِمالِكِهاabout their ruler
وافى بِلادَكَ مُغتَرّاً بِمالِكِها
جَهلاًin ignorance وَحَيناًand doom فَلاقىso he met دونَهاshort of them العَطَباruin
جَهلاً وَحَيناً فَلاقى دونَها العَطَبا
He came to your lands, deluded about their ruler,
through ignorance and doom, and met ruin short of them.
وَكانَتِand were التُركُthe Turks بِالأَعرابِabout the Bedouins جاهِلَةًignorant
وَكانَتِ التُركُ بِالأَعرابِ جاهِلَةً
حَتّىuntil أَتَحتَyou made possible لَهاfor them أَنthat تَعرِفَthey know العَرَباthe Arabs
حَتّى أَتَحتَ لَها أَن تَعرِفَ العَرَبا
The Turks knew nothing of the Bedouins
until you gave them occasion to know the Arabs.
لَاقَوهُمُthey met them بِرِماحٍwith spears طالَماso often اِنحَطَمَتwere shattered
لَاقَوهُمُ بِرِماحٍ طالَما اِنحَطَمَت
وَاِستَخلَفَتand left as successors فيagainst العِدىthe foe الهِندِيَّةَthe Indian القُضَباcutting swords
وَاِستَخلَفَت في العِدى الهِندِيَّةَ القُضَبا
They met them with spears that so often shattered,
leaving cutting Indian swords to succeed them against the foe.
وَماand did not ثَناهاturn them back وَإِنeven though أَغمادُهاtheir scabbards خَلِقَتwere worn out
وَما ثَناها وَإِن أَغمادُها خَلِقَت
صَوارِمٌsharp swords حُلِّيَتwere adorned أَغمادُهاtheir scabbards ذَهَباwith gold
صَوارِمٌ حُلِّيَت أَغمادُها ذَهَبا
Nor were those blades turned back, though their scabbards were worn,
by sharp swords whose scabbards were adorned with gold.
جَحافِلٌmassed armies قَيَّضَordained اللَهُGod البَوارَdestruction لَهاfor them
جَحافِلٌ قَيَّضَ اللَهُ البَوارَ لَها
مَنwhoever نَكَّبَforsook الحَقَّthe truth فيin أَحكامِهِhis judgments نُكِباwas brought low
مَن نَكَّبَ الحَقَّ في أَحكامِهِ نُكِبا
Massed armies for which God ordained destruction:
whoever forsakes truth in his judgments is brought low.
وَلَمand did not يَفُتescape مِنهُمُfrom among them إِلّاexcept أُغَيلِمَةٌyoung lads
وَلَم يَفُت مِنهُمُ إِلّا أُغَيلِمَةٌ
نَجَتescaped بِهِمwith them مُقرَباتٌprized steeds تَحمِلُcarrying الأُرَباthe shrewd
نَجَت بِهِم مُقرَباتٌ تَحمِلُ الأُرَبا
None of them escaped save a few young lads,
borne to safety by prized steeds carrying the shrewd.
تَنعىannounce the death of إِلىto القَومِthe people مَنhim whom ظَنّواthey supposed بِمَقدَمَهِthrough his arrival
تَنعى إِلى القَومِ مَن ظَنّوا بِمَقدَمَهِ
وَالبَغيُand aggression مَصرَعُهُhis downfall أَنthat يَملِكواthey would rule حَلَباAleppo
وَالبَغيُ مَصرَعُهُ أَن يَملِكوا حَلَبا
They bore to the people death-news of the man through whose coming they expected
to rule Aleppo—aggression was his downfall.
غُرابُa crow of بَينٍparting صَموتٌsilent قَبلَbefore مَقتَلِهِhis slaying
غُرابُ بَينٍ صَموتٌ قَبلَ مَقتَلِهِ
حَتّىuntil إِذاwhen ما(emphatic) أَتاهُcame to him حَينُهُhis appointed death نَعَباhe cawed
حَتّى إِذا ما أَتاهُ حَينُهُ نَعَبا
A crow of parting, silent before his slaying,
until, when his appointed end came, he cawed.
رَجواthey hoped بِهِthrough him الغايَةَthe goal القُصوىfarthest فَلاso no عَجَبٌwonder
رَجوا بِهِ الغايَةَ القُصوى فَلا عَجَبٌ
أَنِthat اِستَطارَتflew apart عَصاهُمtheir staff بَعدَهُafter him شُعُباinto fragments
أَنِ اِستَطارَت عَصاهُم بَعدَهُ شُعُبا
Through him they hoped to reach the farthest goal; no wonder
that after him their staff flew apart into fragments.
كَأَنَّas though أَنفُسَهُمtheir souls أَتباعُfollowers of مُهجَتِهِhis lifeblood
كَأَنَّ أَنفُسَهُم أَتباعُ مُهجَتِهِ
وَصِدقَand the genuineness of إِقدامِهِمtheir daring مِنamong بَعضِsome of ماwhat سُلِباhe was robbed of
وَصِدقَ إِقدامِهِم مِن بَعضِ ما سُلِبا
It was as though their souls followed his lifeblood,
and their genuine daring was among what he was robbed of.
وَالنارُand fire تَخبوdies down إِذاwhen ما(emphatic) غابَis absent موقِدُهاits kindler
وَالنارُ تَخبو إِذا ما غابَ موقِدُها
وَالزَندُand the fire-stick إِنif لَمnot يُعِنهُhelp it القَادِحونَthe spark-strikers كَباit failed to spark
وَالزَندُ إِن لَم يُعِنهُ القَادِحونَ كَبا
Fire dies down when its kindler is absent,
and the fire-stick fails unless the spark-strikers lend their aid.
فَليُترَكِso let be left البَأسُvalor لِلأَولىto the most entitled بِنِسبَتِهِto claim its lineage
فَليُترَكِ البَأسُ لِلأَولى بِنِسبَتِهِ
فَالبَأسُfor valor لاno شَكَّdoubt كَعبِيٌّKa'bi إِذاwhen اِنتَسَباit names its ancestry
فَالبَأسُ لا شَكَّ كَعبِيٌّ إِذا اِنتَسَبا
So let valor be left to the one most entitled to claim its lineage:
valor, beyond doubt, is Ka'bi when it names its ancestry.
إِنif ضَيَّعواthey lost الحَزمَprudence لَمّاwhen نازَلواthey fought حَلَباAleppo
إِن ضَيَّعوا الحَزمَ لَمّا نازَلوا حَلَبا
فَقَدthen indeed أَصابوهُthey found it لَمّاwhen أَزمَعواthey resolved on هَرَباflight
فَقَد أَصابوهُ لَمّا أَزمَعوا هَرَبا
If they lost their prudence when they fought Aleppo,
they found it when they resolved to flee.
غَداةَon the morning وَلَّواthey turned away عَلىon جُردٍsleek steeds تَشُدُّgalloping بِهِمwith them
غَداةَ وَلَّوا عَلى جُردٍ تَشُدُّ بِهِم
وَهُمwhile they يَظُنّونَthought خَوفاًout of fear شَدَّهاtheir gallop خَبَباa trot
وَهُم يَظُنّونَ خَوفاً شَدَّها خَبَبا
On the morning they turned away on sleek steeds galloping with them,
in their fear they thought the horses' gallop a mere trot.
عَنfrom هَيبَةٍawe لَكَof you لَمnot تُؤمَنwere deemed safe بَوائِقُهاits perils
عَن هَيبَةٍ لَكَ لَم تُؤمَن بَوائِقُها
لَوif أَنَّهاit were فيin الزُلالِclear water العَذبِsweet ماnot شُرِباwould be drunk
لَو أَنَّها في الزُلالِ العَذبِ ما شُرِبا
They fled an awe of you whose perils offered no safety:
had it lain in clear, sweet water, that water would not have been drunk.
دونَbefore الغَنيمَةِthe booty أَهوالٌterrors تُكَدِّرُهاthat sour it
دونَ الغَنيمَةِ أَهوالٌ تُكَدِّرُها
وَفيand in الهَزيمَةِdefeat مَنجاةٌdeliverance لِمَwhy هَرَباdid he flee
وَفي الهَزيمَةِ مَنجاةٌ لِمَ هَرَبا
Before the spoils lie terrors that sour them,
and in defeat lies deliverance—why did he flee?
طَودٌa mountain مِنَof العِزِّmight مازالَتceaselessly تَهُبُّblew بِهِupon it
طَودٌ مِنَ العِزِّ مازالَت تَهُبُّ بِهِ
رِياحُthe winds of عَزمِكَyour resolve حَتّىuntil صَيَّرَتهُthey made it هَباdust
رِياحُ عَزمِكَ حَتّى صَيَّرَتهُ هَبا
A mountain of might, upon which ceaselessly blew
the winds of your resolve, until they turned it to dust.
سَمَواthey aspired إِلىto مُرتَقىًa height صَعبٍdifficult فَعاقَهُمُbut thwarted them
سَمَوا إِلى مُرتَقىً صَعبٍ فَعاقَهُمُ
جِدٌّearnest resolve رَأَواthey saw جِدَّهُمtheir earnestness فيat جَنبِهِits side لَعِباplay
جِدٌّ رَأَوا جِدَّهُم في جَنبِهِ لَعِبا
They aspired to a difficult height, but were thwarted
by earnest resolve beside which they saw their earnestness as play.
وَالنَجمُand a star لَيسَis not بِمُعلٍable to raise نَجمَthe star of صاحِبِهِits possessor
وَالنَجمُ لَيسَ بِمُعلٍ نَجمَ صاحِبِهِ
ماso long as لَمnot يُؤَيِّدهُsupport it جِدٌّresolve يَخرُقُpiercing الحُجُباthe veils
ما لَم يُؤَيِّدهُ جِدٌّ يَخرُقُ الحُجُبا
A star cannot exalt the star of its possessor
unless supported by resolve that pierces the veils.
جَماعَةٌa company عَدِمَتdeprived of دُنياthis world وَآخِرَةًand the next
جَماعَةٌ عَدِمَت دُنيا وَآخِرَةً
ماnot كُلُّeveryone مَنwho ساءَfared badly مَحياًin life ساءَfared badly مُنقَلَباin the final return
ما كُلُّ مَن ساءَ مَحياً ساءَ مُنقَلَبا
A company deprived of this world and the next—
not all who fare ill in life fare ill in their final return.
وَحَيثُand wherever حَلَّتthey settle فَماthen do not تَنفَكُّyou cease تُطرِقُهاsend them a night-visitor
وَحَيثُ حَلَّت فَما تَنفَكُّ تُطرِقُها
جَيشاًan army مِنَof الرُعبِterror لَمnot تَسمَعthey hear لَهُfrom it لَجَباclamor
جَيشاً مِنَ الرُعبِ لَم تَسمَع لَهُ لَجَبا
Wherever they settle, you never cease sending them by night
an army of terror whose clamor they have never heard.
كَفَفتَyou held back عَنهُمfrom them وَلَوand if شِئتَyou wished اِجتِياحَهُمُtheir annihilation
كَفَفتَ عَنهُم وَلَو شِئتَ اِجتِياحَهُمُ
لَمnot تَتَّرِكwould you leave مِنهُمُamong them رَأساًa head وَلاذَنَباnor a tail
لَم تَتَّرِك مِنهُمُ رَأساً وَلاذَنَبا
You held back from them; had you wished to annihilate them,
you would have left neither head nor tail among them.
فَهَلso did تَعَمَّدتَyou deliberately choose بُقياthe sparing of أُمَّةٍa people شَهِدَتwho witnessed
فَهَل تَعَمَّدتَ بُقيا أُمَّةٍ شَهِدَت
ثَباتَthe steadfastness of جَأشِكَyour heart حَتّىso that تُنذِرَthey could warn الغَيَباthe absent
ثَباتَ جَأشِكَ حَتّى تُنذِرَ الغَيَبا
Did you deliberately spare a people who had witnessed
your steadfast heart, so they might warn the absent?
إِنif أَقلَعَتwithdrew غِيَرُthe reversals of الأَيّامِthe days راغِمَةًunwillingly
إِن أَقلَعَت غِيَرُ الأَيّامِ راغِمَةً
فَبَعدَthen after أَنthat أَكثَرَتthey multiplied مِنat صَبرِكَyour patience العَجَباwonder
فَبَعدَ أَن أَكثَرَت مِن صَبرِكَ العَجَبا
If the reversals of the days withdrew unwillingly,
it was only after marveling often at your patience.
لَمnot يَطرُقواthey entered الشامَSyria إِلّاexcept بَعدَafter أَنthat جَمَعواthey gathered
لَم يَطرُقوا الشامَ إِلّا بَعدَ أَن جَمَعوا
مِنَfrom العَشيرَةِthe tribe مُختاراًthe willing وَمُغتَصَباand the conscripted
مِنَ العَشيرَةِ مُختاراً وَمُغتَصَبا
They did not enter Syria until they had gathered
from the tribe both the willing and the conscripted.
مَكايِدٌstratagems أَوهَمَتهُمmade them imagine أَنthat تُكادَyou could be ensnared بِهاby them
مَكايِدٌ أَوهَمَتهُم أَن تُكادَ بِها
كانَتwere لِآسادِهِمfor their lions عِندَat النِزالِbattle زُبىlion-pits
كانَت لِآسادِهِم عِندَ النِزالِ زُبى
Stratagems that made them imagine you could be ensnared by them
became lion-pits for their own lions when battle came.
وَنارُand a fire of حَربٍwar شَوَواthey roasted فيهاin it الوَرىmankind زَمَناًfor an age
وَنارُ حَربٍ شَوَوا فيها الوَرى زَمَناً
فَحينَthen when قارَعتَهُمyou clashed with them صارواthey became لَهاfor it حَطَباfirewood
فَحينَ قارَعتَهُم صاروا لَها حَطَبا
A fire of war in which they had roasted mankind for an age—
when you clashed with them, they became its firewood.
بِأَيِّماfor what سَبَبٍreason تَخَشىyou fear سَعادَتَهُمtheir good fortune
بِأَيِّما سَبَبٍ تَخَشى سَعادَتَهُم
أَنّىhow وَقَدwhen already ذَهَبَتit has gone فيin ضِمنِthe midst of ماwhat ذَهَباdeparted
أَنّى وَقَد ذَهَبَت في ضِمنِ ما ذَهَبا
For what reason could you fear their good fortune?
How, when it has gone with all that has departed?
أَبِالسُيوفِis it with the swords الَّتيwhose فَلَّلتَyou blunted قاطِعَهاtheir cutting edge
أَبِالسُيوفِ الَّتي فَلَّلتَ قاطِعَها
أَمor بِالقُلوبِwith the hearts الَّتيwhich أَسكَنتَهاyou lodged in them الرُعُباterror
أَم بِالقُلوبِ الَّتي أَسكَنتَها الرُعُبا
Because of the swords whose cutting edges you blunted,
or the hearts in which you lodged terror?
لَولاwere it not for كِلابٌKilab لَماwould not جاسَتhave roamed جُيوشُهُمُtheir armies
لَولا كِلابٌ لَما جاسَت جُيوشُهُمُ
هَذيthese البِلادَlands وَلاnor مَدّواstretched بِهاin them طُنُباtent-ropes
هَذي البِلادَ وَلا مَدّوا بِها طُنُبا
Were it not for Kilab, their armies would not have roamed
these lands, nor stretched tent-ropes here.
رامواthey sought المَوَدّاتِaffection مِنfrom أَعدىthe fiercest of عُداتِهِمُtheir enemies
راموا المَوَدّاتِ مِن أَعدى عُداتِهِمُ
وَذاكَand that رَأيٌa judgment إِلىtoward غَيرِother than الصَوابِrightness صَباinclined
وَذاكَ رَأيٌ إِلى غَيرِ الصَوابِ صَبا
They sought affection from the fiercest of their foes,
a judgment that inclined away from right.
فَقارَعواso they battled عارِضاًa raincloud عَمَّتspread everywhere مَواطِرُهُits showers
فَقارَعوا عارِضاً عَمَّت مَواطِرُهُ
وَيَمَّمواand headed toward لَمعَthe flash of بَرقٍlightning طالَماso often كَذَباthat deceived
وَيَمَّموا لَمعَ بَرقٍ طالَما كَذَبا
Thus they battled a raincloud whose showers reached everywhere,
and headed toward the flash of lightning that had so often deceived.
كَطارِدٍlike one driving away إِبلَهُhis camels وَالأَرضُwhile the land مُخصِبَةٌis fertile
كَطارِدٍ إِبلَهُ وَالأَرضُ مُخصِبَةٌ
يَبغيseeking سِباخاًsalt flats يُرَجّيhoping for عِندَهاthere العُشُباgrass
يَبغي سِباخاً يُرَجّي عِندَها العُشُبا
Like one driving his camels away while the land is fertile,
seeking salt flats where he hopes to find grass.
حَتّىuntil إِذاwhen كَذَبَتproved false فيهِمconcerning them ظُنونُهُمُtheir suppositions
حَتّى إِذا كَذَبَت فيهِم ظُنونُهُمُ
فاؤواthey returned إِلَيكَto you بِظَنٍّwith an expectation جانَبَavoiding الكَذِباfalsehood
فاؤوا إِلَيكَ بِظَنٍّ جانَبَ الكَذِبا
Then, when their expectations of those men proved false,
they returned to you with an expectation free of falsehood.
فَرَدَّso restored قُربُكَyour closeness عِزّاًhonor كانَthat had been مُنتَزِحاًfar removed
فَرَدَّ قُربُكَ عِزّاً كانَ مُنتَزِحاً
عَنهُمfrom them وَأَطلَعَand raised نَجماًa star كانَthat had قَدalready غَرَباset
عَنهُم وَأَطلَعَ نَجماً كانَ قَد غَرَبا
Your closeness restored an honor that had drifted far
from them, and raised a star that had already set.
حَلّواthey settled on بِهِthrough it الذِروَةَthe summit العُلياhighest وَعاضَهُمُand compensated them
حَلّوا بِهِ الذِروَةَ العُليا وَعاضَهُمُ
مِنَin place of النُبوِّbluntness مَضاءًkeenness وَالوِهادِand valleys رُباheights
مِنَ النُبوِّ مَضاءً وَالوِهادِ رُبا
Through it they reached the highest summit, and it gave them in exchange
keenness for bluntness, and hills for valleys.
وَصادَفواand they found وَلَداًa son بَرّاًdutiful بِكَهلِهِمُtoward their elders
وَصادَفوا وَلَداً بَرّاً بِكَهلِهِمُ
وَلِلمُراهِقِand for the adolescent مِنهُمamong them وَالِداًa father حَدِباaffectionate
وَلِلمُراهِقِ مِنهُم وَالِداً حَدِبا
They found a son devoted to their elders,
and a caring father to their adolescents:
مَنone who يُجزِلُlavishes العُرفَbounty إِذwhen يَرجونَهُthey hope in him رَغَباًeagerly
مَن يُجزِلُ العُرفَ إِذ يَرجونَهُ رَغَباً
وَيَبذُلُand offers العَفوَpardon إِذwhen يَخشَونَهُthey fear him رَهَباin dread
وَيَبذُلُ العَفوَ إِذ يَخشَونَهُ رَهَبا
one who lavishes bounty when they look to him in hope,
and offers pardon when they fear him in dread.
إِذاwhen وَحىrecord الحِقدُrancor وَالشَحناءُand enmity ماwhat اِجتَرَمواthey committed
إِذا وَحى الحِقدُ وَالشَحناءُ ما اِجتَرَموا
مَحاerase تَجاوُزُهُhis forbearance وَالصَفحُand forgiveness ماwhat كَتَباthe two wrote
مَحا تَجاوُزُهُ وَالصَفحُ ما كَتَبا
When rancor and enmity record the crimes they committed,
his forbearance and forgiveness erase what those two wrote.
وَإِنand if سَطاhe strikes فَالمَناياthen deaths بَعضُsome of أَسهُمِهِhis arrows
وَإِن سَطا فَالمَنايا بَعضُ أَسهُمِهِ
وَإِنand if عَفاhe forgives خِلتَهُyou would think him لاnot يَعرِفُto know الغَضَباanger
وَإِن عَفا خِلتَهُ لا يَعرِفُ الغَضَبا
If he strikes, deaths are only some of his arrows;
if he forgives, you would think he knew no anger.
مَنone who رَدَّrestored مَيتَthe dead of المُنىhopes حَيّاًalive وَذاوِيَهاand their withered ones
مَن رَدَّ مَيتَ المُنى حَيّاً وَذاوِيَها
غَضّاًfresh وَلاءَمَand repaired شَعبَthe breach in المُلكِsovereignty فَاِنشَعَباso it healed
غَضّاً وَلاءَمَ شَعبَ المُلكِ فَاِنشَعَبا
One who restored dead hopes to life, and their withered ones
to freshness, and mended sovereignty's breach until it healed.
رَبُّmaster of العَزائِمِresolves لَوif كانَتthey were مُجَسَّمَةًembodied
رَبُّ العَزائِمِ لَو كانَت مُجَسَّمَةً
لَظَنَّهاwould take them for كُلُّevery طَرفٍeye ناظِرٍwatching شُهُباshooting stars
لَظَنَّها كُلُّ طَرفٍ ناظِرٍ شُهُبا
Master of resolves which, if embodied,
every watching eye would take for shooting stars.
تَزدادُthey grow إِنif قَصَّرَfalls short الخَطِّيُّthe Khatti spear عَنof غَرَدٍa target
تَزدادُ إِن قَصَّرَ الخَطِّيُّ عَن غَرَدٍ
طولاًin length وَتَمضيand advance إِذاwhen حَدُّthe edge of الحُسامِthe sword نَباfails to bite
طولاً وَتَمضي إِذا حَدُّ الحُسامِ نَبا
If the Khatti spear falls short of a target, they grow
longer, and press onward when the sword's edge fails.
حَلَّhe reached السِماكَal-Simak وَماwhile not yet حُلَّتwere untied تَمائِمُهُhis amulets
حَلَّ السِماكَ وَما حُلَّت تَمائِمُهُ
عَنfrom جيدِهِhis neck وَحَباand gave gifts to العافينَpetitioners مُنذُsince حَباhe first crawled
عَن جيدِهِ وَحَبا العافينَ مُنذُ حَبا
He reached al-Simak before his amulets were untied
from his neck, and gave to petitioners from the time he first crawled.
إِنif صالَhe attacks كَفَّhe restrains اللَياليthe nights عَنfrom إِرادَتِهاtheir will
إِن صالَ كَفَّ اللَيالي عَن إِرادَتِها
قَهراًby force وَإِنand if قالَhe speaks طالَhe surpasses الأَلسُنَthe tongues الذُرُباsharp
قَهراً وَإِن قالَ طالَ الأَلسُنَ الذُرُبا
When he attacks, he turns the nights from their will
by force; when he speaks, he surpasses the sharpest tongues.
حَوىhe possessed مِنَof الفَضلِexcellence مَولوداًfrom birth بِلاwithout تَعَبٍeffort
حَوى مِنَ الفَضلِ مَولوداً بِلا تَعَبٍ
أَضعافَmany times ماwhat أَعجَزَbaffled الطُلّابَthe seekers مُكتَسَباto acquire
أَضعافَ ما أَعجَزَ الطُلّابَ مُكتَسَبا
From birth he possessed, without effort, excellence
many times what seekers failed to acquire.
صَغاit inclined إِلَيهِtoward him إِلىuntil أَنthat صارَhe became مَوطِنَهُits home
صَغا إِلَيهِ إِلى أَن صارَ مَوطِنَهُ
فَلوso if عَداهُit passed beyond him وَلَنand never will يَعدوهُit pass beyond him ماnot اِغتَرَباwould it be in exile
فَلو عَداهُ وَلَن يَعدوهُ ما اِغتَرَبا
Excellence inclined toward him until he became its home;
were it to pass beyond him—and it never will—it would not be in exile.
وَأَظهَرَتand revealed غامِضَthe obscure part of المَعنىmeaning بَديهَتَهُhis ready wit
وَأَظهَرَت غامِضَ المَعنى بَديهَتَهُ
فَفاتَso he surpassed مَنthose who أَتعَبَwearied الأَفكارَtheir thoughts مُقتَضِباimprovising
فَفاتَ مَن أَتعَبَ الأَفكارَ مُقتَضِبا
His ready wit brought obscure meanings to light,
and, improvising, he surpassed those who wearied their minds.
وَراءَكَbehind you الخَلقُall creation فيin فَضلٍexcellence وَفيand in كَرَمٍgenerosity
وَراءَكَ الخَلقُ في فَضلٍ وَفي كَرَمٍ
فَقُلso tell لِسَعيكَto your striving مَهلاًgently تَربَحِyou save التَعَباthe toil
فَقُل لِسَعيكَ مَهلاً تَربَحِ التَعَبا
All creation trails you in excellence and generosity;
tell your striving, 'Gently!' and spare yourself the toil.
وَقِفand stop لِذاat this الأَمَدِlimit الأَقصىfarthest فَإِنَّكَfor you are مَنone who
وَقِف لِذا الأَمَدِ الأَقصى فَإِنَّكَ مَن
هَوىdesired مِنَof المَجدِglory أَضعافَmany times الَّذيwhat طَلَباhe sought
هَوى مِنَ المَجدِ أَضعافَ الَّذي طَلَبا
Stop at this farthest limit, for you are one
who desired many times the glory he sought.
مَجدٌglory تَفَرَّدتَyou stood alone ياO عِزَّPride المُلوكِof Kings بِهِin it
مَجدٌ تَفَرَّدتَ يا عِزَّ المُلوكِ بِهِ
لِلحَمدِof praise مُجتَنِياًa reaper لِلذَمِّof blame مُجتَنِباan avoider
لِلحَمدِ مُجتَنِياً لِلذَمِّ مُجتَنِبا
Glory yours alone, O Izz al-Muluk,
reaping praise and keeping clear of blame.
إِنَّindeed الإِلَهَGod حَباكَbestowed upon you المُلكَsovereignty مَوهِبَةًas a gift
إِنَّ الإِلَهَ حَباكَ المُلكَ مَوهِبَةً
مِنهُfrom Him وَلَنand never will يَستَرِدَّreclaim اللَهُGod ماwhat وَهَباHe gave
مِنهُ وَلَن يَستَرِدَّ اللَهُ ما وَهَبا
God bestowed sovereignty upon you as a gift
from Him, and God will never reclaim what He gave.
إِنif عَنَّarises ذِكرُكَmention of you فيin بَدوٍthe desert وَفيand in حَضَرٍsettled lands
إِن عَنَّ ذِكرُكَ في بَدوٍ وَفي حَضَرٍ
فَدَأبُهُمthen their habit غَضُّlowering أَبصارٍeyes وَفَضُّand loosening حُباknee-bands
فَدَأبُهُم غَضُّ أَبصارٍ وَفَضُّ حُبا
If mention of you arises in desert or settled lands,
their habit is to lower their eyes and loosen their knee-bands.
فَأَذعَنَso submitted الدَهرُtime حَتّىuntil ماwhatever أَتَيتَyou did أَتىit did
فَأَذعَنَ الدَهرُ حَتّى ما أَتَيتَ أَتى
وَماand whatever أَبَيتَyou refused وَإِنeven though سيئَتwere vexed عِداكَyour foes أَباit refused
وَما أَبَيتَ وَإِن سيئَت عِداكَ أَبا
Time submitted, until it did whatever you did,
and refused whatever you refused, though your foes were vexed.
إِنّيindeed I أَنَختُmade kneel رِكابيmy riding-camels فيin ذَرىthe shelter of مَلِكٍa king
إِنّي أَنَختُ رِكابي في ذَرى مَلِكٍ
لَمnot يُبقِhe left ليfor me فيin بِلادِthe lands of اللَهِGod مُضطَرَباa place to roam
لَم يُبقِ لي في بِلادِ اللَهِ مُضطَرَبا
I made my riding-camels kneel in the shelter of a king
who left me nowhere else in God's lands to roam.
ماnot شابَtainted إِنعامَهُhis favors مَنٌّreminders of favors وَلاnor عِدَةٌa promise
ما شابَ إِنعامَهُ مَنٌّ وَلا عِدَةٌ
تَجُرُّbringing مَطلاًdelay فَلَولاso, but for البِشرُcheerfulness ماnot قَطَباhe mixed
تَجُرُّ مَطلاً فَلَولا البِشرُ ما قَطَبا
No reminder of favors tainted his giving, nor any promise
bringing delay; but for good cheer, he would mix nothing in.
طَلقُradiant المُحَيّاin countenance إِذاwhen ما(emphatic) زُرتَyou visit مَجلِسَهُhis gathering
طَلقُ المُحَيّا إِذا ما زُرتَ مَجلِسَهُ
حُزتَyou gain العُلاhigh distinction وَالغِنىand wealth وَالجاهَand standing وَالأَدَباand refinement
حُزتَ العُلا وَالغِنى وَالجاهَ وَالأَدَبا
Radiant in countenance: when you visit his gathering,
you gain high distinction, wealth, standing, and refinement.
مازالَhe kept يَسمَعُhearing أَشعاريmy poems وَيَمدَحُهاand praising them
مازالَ يَسمَعُ أَشعاري وَيَمدَحُها
حَتّىuntil عَدَدتُI reckoned عَطاياهُhis gifts الجِسامَmighty رِباinterest
حَتّى عَدَدتُ عَطاياهُ الجِسامَ رِبا
He kept hearing my poems and praising them,
until I reckoned his mighty gifts as interest.
لاnot أَستَزيدُكَI ask you for more نُعمىfavor بَعدَafter وَصفِكَyour praise ليof me
لا أَستَزيدُكَ نُعمى بَعدَ وَصفِكَ لي
حَسبيenough for me اِنتِهائيmy reaching إِلىto هَذاthis المَدىheight حَسَبَas nobility
حَسبي اِنتِهائي إِلى هَذا المَدى حَسَبَ
I ask you for no further favor after your praise of me;
it is nobility enough for me to have attained this height.
بَرَّحتَyou excelled فَضلاًin merit وَإِفضالاًand generosity فَلاso may they never بَرِحَتcease
بَرَّحتَ فَضلاً وَإِفضالاً فَلا بَرِحَت
تَزينُadorn أَوصافُكَyour qualities الأَشعارَpoems وَالخُطَباand orations
تَزينُ أَوصافُكَ الأَشعارَ وَالخُطَبا
You have excelled in merit and generosity; may
your qualities never cease to adorn poems and orations.
فَخرُthe pride of المَدائِحِpanegyrics أَنis to تُهدىbe offered إِلَيكَto you كَماjust as
فَخرُ المَدائِحِ أَن تُهدى إِلَيكَ كَما
فَخرُthe pride of الفَضائِلِvirtues أَنis that تُدعىyou are called لَهُنَّfor them أَباfather
فَخرُ الفَضائِلِ أَن تُدعى لَهُنَّ أَبا
The pride of panegyrics is to be offered to you, just as
the pride of virtues is that you are called their father.
Sol 6.1