أَلا ماءَ إِلّا فَوقَ نَصلٍ يُجَرَّدُ

أَلا ماءَ إِلّا فَوقَ نَصلٍ يُجَرَّدُ

وَلا ظِلَّ إِلّا تَحتَ رُمحٍ يُسَدَّدُ

وَلا ظِلَّ إِلّا تَحتَ رُمحٍ يُسَدَّدُ

Is there no water save on a blade drawn bare,

Water flows only from the point of a spear,

and no shade save beneath a leveled spear,

And shade rests only beneath a leveled lance.

وَلا غَيمَ إِلّا قَسطَلٌ ثارَ أَقتَمٌ

وَلا غَيمَ إِلّا قَسطَلٌ ثارَ أَقتَمٌ

وَلا بَرقَ إِلّا أَشقَرٌ جالَ تَجرَدُ

وَلا بَرقَ إِلّا أَشقَرٌ جالَ تَجرَدُ

and no cloud save a dusky dust-cloud rising,

Clouds gather only as warring parties rise in arms,

and no lightning save a sleek chestnut horse wheeling?

And lightning flashes only when a blade is bared.

وَلا سَيرَ إِلّا فَوقَ ظَهرِ تَنوفَةٍ

وَلا سَيرَ إِلّا فَوقَ ظَهرِ تَنوفَةٍ

يُراعُ سَرابُ القاعِ فيها فَيُرعَدُ

يُراعُ سَرابُ القاعِ فيها فَيُرعَدُ

Nor any journey save across the back of a trackless waste,

Travel occurs only atop a swift she-camel,

where the plain's mirage takes fright and trembles,

Who startles at mirages, trembling as she strides.

وَخَرقٍ سَحيقٍ يَملَأُ الصَدرَ وَحشَةً

وَخَرقٍ سَحيقٍ يَملَأُ الصَدرَ وَحشَةً

بِرَجعِ صَهيلِ الطِرفِ فيهِ وَيوقِدُ

بِرَجعِ صَهيلِ الطِرفِ فيهِ وَيوقِدُ

and through a far-flung wilderness that fills the breast with dread,

Her flanks are scarred from the whip’s repeated lashes,

with the echo of a courser's neighing within it, and sets it aflame,

Her pace quickened by the jangling bells about her neck.

طِلاباً لِأَمرٍ يَركَعُ الرُمحُ عِندَهُ

طِلاباً لِأَمرٍ يَركَعُ الرُمحُ عِندَهُ

طَويلاً وَيَهوي المَشرَفِيُّ فَيَسجُدُ

طَويلاً وَيَهوي المَشرَفِيُّ فَيَسجُدُ

in pursuit of an aim before which the spear bows

Seeking glory at which all bow down,

for long, and the Mashrafi sword falls and prostrates itself;

The long spears kneel and brows touch earth.

وَحَوماً عَلى ماءٍ تَدانى بِهِ المُنى

وَحَوماً عَلى ماءٍ تَدانى بِهِ المُنى

وَيَنأى بِهِ المَسرى فَيَدنو وَيَبعُدُ

وَيَنأى بِهِ المَسرى فَيَدنو وَيَبعُدُ

and circling water where hopes draw near,

Circling waters by which dreams draw near,

but night-travel carries it far away: it nears and recedes.

Then fade as wishful thinking veers from truth.

طَوَيتُ بِهِ تَحتَ الضُلوعِ سَريرَةً

طَوَيتُ بِهِ تَحتَ الضُلوعِ سَريرَةً

سَيُفصِحُ عَنها السَيفُ وَهوَ مُجَرَّدُ

سَيُفصِحُ عَنها السَيفُ وَهوَ مُجَرَّدُ

Concerning it, I folded away a secret beneath my ribs,

In my heart I harbor a secret,

which the sword will disclose when drawn bare.

Which naked blades will reveal in time.

وَقَد فَلَّهُ طولُ الجِلادِ كَأَنَّما

وَقَد فَلَّهُ طولُ الجِلادِ كَأَنَّما

يُضاحِكُ مِنهُ مَفرِقَ الفَرقِ أَدرَدُ

يُضاحِكُ مِنهُ مَفرِقَ الفَرقِ أَدرَدُ

And long combat has already notched it, as though

Lashing her flanks, the wind goads her to frenzy,

a toothless man were grinning from it at a frightened man's crown;

Frothing, she rears back, bolting without bridle or rein.

وَطولُ اِعتِناقِ المَجدِ كُلِّ ثَنِيَّةٍ

وَطولُ اِعتِناقِ المَجدِ كُلِّ ثَنِيَّةٍ

تُمَدُّ إِلى لَمسِ السَماءِ بِها يَدُ

تُمَدُّ إِلى لَمسِ السَماءِ بِها يَدُ

and long embraces of glory at every mountain pass,

Either to a noble death my soul aspires,

where a hand stretches out to touch the sky.

Or to glory’s summit my deeds ascend.

عَلَيها وِشاحٌ لِلعَقيقَةِ مُذهَبٌ

عَلَيها وِشاحٌ لِلعَقيقَةِ مُذهَبٌ

يَجولُ وَبُردٌ لِلغَمامَةِ أَربَدُ

يَجولُ وَبُردٌ لِلغَمامَةِ أَربَدُ

Upon it a gilded sash of lightning

Though jealous eyes may glare in enmity,

sways, and a dusky mantle of cloud.

Like the sun they illuminate, though blind they remain.

وَأَخضَرَ عَجّاجٍ تُدَرِّجُهُ الصَبا

وَأَخضَرَ عَجّاجٍ تُدَرِّجُهُ الصَبا

فَتُتهِمُ فيهِ العَينُ طَوراً وَتُنجِدُ

فَتُتهِمُ فيهِ العَينُ طَوراً وَتُنجِدُ

And a turbulent green sea, rolled by the east wind,

Let not the patient think those clouds harmless,

where the eye now descends to lowlands, now climbs to heights,

For from their calm surface lightning may spark.

كَأَنَّ فُؤاداً بَينَ جَنبَيهِ راجِفاً

كَأَنَّ فُؤاداً بَينَ جَنبَيهِ راجِفاً

يَقومُ بِهِ نَأيُ الحَبيبِ وَيَقعُدُ

يَقومُ بِهِ نَأيُ الحَبيبِ وَيَقعُدُ

as though a trembling heart between its flanks

Nor spurn the rain clouds in ingratitude,

were lifted and lowered by the beloved's absence.

Lest thunderbolts strike those who scorn their gift.

سَأَركَبُ مِنهُ ظَهرَ أَدهَمَ رَيِّضٍ

سَأَركَبُ مِنهُ ظَهرَ أَدهَمَ رَيِّضٍ

مَروعٍ بِسَوطِ الريحِ يَرتَدُّ يُزبِدُ

مَروعٍ بِسَوطِ الريحِ يَرتَدُّ يُزبِدُ

I shall ride upon it the back of a well-trained black steed,

Long has forbearance whetted my sword’s sharp edge,

startled by the wind's whip, recoiling and foaming,

Keen now to reap the heads of the insolent.

وَأَمضي فَإِمّا بَيتُ نَفسٍ كَريمَةٍ

وَأَمضي فَإِمّا بَيتُ نَفسٍ كَريمَةٍ

يُهَدُّ وَإِمّا بَيتُ عِزٍّ يُشَيَّدُ

يُهَدُّ وَإِمّا بَيتُ عِزٍّ يُشَيَّدُ

and press onward: either the house of a noble soul

Should a storm wind stir my rage to action,

is demolished, or a house of honor is built high.

Dire calamity will roar and crash upon them.

وَإِن غُضَّ يَوماً دونَهُ طَرفُ حاسِدٍ

وَإِن غُضَّ يَوماً دونَهُ طَرفُ حاسِدٍ

فَإِنَّهُما شَمسٌ تُنيرُ وَأَرمَدُ

فَإِنَّهُما شَمسٌ تُنيرُ وَأَرمَدُ

And if an envier's gaze should ever lower before it,

But in Ibrahim’s rage remains a trace of mercy,

the two are a shining sun and a sore-eyed man.

Returning always to wisdom and restraint.

فَلا يَغتَرِر بِالحِلمِ قَومٌ فَرُبَّما

فَلا يَغتَرِر بِالحِلمِ قَومٌ فَرُبَّما

تَصَدَّعَ عَن سَقطٍ مِنَ النارِ جَلمَدُ

تَصَدَّعَ عَن سَقطٍ مِنَ النارِ جَلمَدُ

Let no people be deceived by forbearance, for sometimes

No tyrant he, but a sheltering mountain,

a hard rock splits open to reveal a spark of fire.

Whose streams of grace flow gentle, yet sustained.

وَلا يَكفُروا نُعمى الغَمامِ فَرُبَّما

وَلا يَكفُروا نُعمى الغَمامِ فَرُبَّما

تَدَلَّت عَلَيهِم صَعقَةٌ تَتَوَقَّدُ

تَدَلَّت عَلَيهِم صَعقَةٌ تَتَوَقَّدُ

And let them not deny the cloud's bounty, for sometimes

Upright is the path his vision tread,

a blazing thunderbolt descends upon them.

His steps made firm by faith and heaven’s aid.

فَقَصرُ أَناةِ الحِلمِ عَضَّةُ سَطوَةٍ

فَقَصرُ أَناةِ الحِلمِ عَضَّةُ سَطوَةٍ

تُقيمُ صَغا تِلكَ القَنا وَتُسَوِّدُ

تُقيمُ صَغا تِلكَ القَنا وَتُسَوِّدُ

For the limit of patient forbearance is the bite of might,

Noble traits has he joined in union,

which straightens those leaning spears and bestows mastery.

Bearing virtue’s burdens with steadfast strength.

وَإِن عَصَفَت يَوماً بِهِم ريحُ زَجرَةٍ

وَإِن عَصَفَت يَوماً بِهِم ريحُ زَجرَةٍ

وَلَفَّهُمُ خَطبٌ تَقَعقَعَ مُرعِدُ

وَلَفَّهُمُ خَطبٌ تَقَعقَعَ مُرعِدُ

And if one day the wind of a rebuke lashes them,

In glory’s orbit his wisdom shines,

and a clattering, thunderous calamity enfolds them,

Adorned with achievements’ glittering array.

فَإِنَّ لِإِبراهِمَ فَيأَةَ رَأفَةٍ

فَإِنَّ لِإِبراهِمَ فَيأَةَ رَأفَةٍ

تَعودُ بِعَطفِ الحِلمِ وَالعَودُ أَحمَدُ

تَعودُ بِعَطفِ الحِلمِ وَالعَودُ أَحمَدُ

Ibrahim has a compassionate turning back,

He rises like a star serene in course,

which restores forbearance's tenderness—and the return is more praiseworthy.

While base envy sets in darkness and dismay.

وَما اِبنُ عِصامٍ غَيرَ هَضبَةِ عِصمَةٍ

وَما اِبنُ عِصامٍ غَيرَ هَضبَةِ عِصمَةٍ

تُجيرُ وَسُقيا رَحمَةٍ تَتَجَدَّدُ

تُجيرُ وَسُقيا رَحمَةٍ تَتَجَدَّدُ

And Ibn Isam is nothing but a mountain of protection,

In him converge splendid origin and character,

which grants shelter, and a rain of mercy ever renewed.

And clear mind with nature pure and bright.

يَسيرُ بِهِ في الحَقِّ رَأيٌ مُسَدَّدٌ

يَسيرُ بِهِ في الحَقِّ رَأيٌ مُسَدَّدٌ

عَلى مَنهَجِ التَقوى وَعَزمٌ مُؤَيَّدُ

عَلى مَنهَجِ التَقوى وَعَزمٌ مُؤَيَّدُ

Sound judgment guides him in truth,

For you words and lines suffice as ornament,

along the path of piety—and so does a fortified resolve.

Detailing your lofty deeds in rhyme.

فَما تُرعِدُ الأَسيافُ إِلّا مَهابَةً

فَما تُرعِدُ الأَسيافُ إِلّا مَهابَةً

لِمُؤتَمِرٍ في اللَهِ يَنهى وَيَنهَدُ

لِمُؤتَمِرٍ في اللَهِ يَنهى وَيَنهَدُ

The swords tremble only in awe

God grant his pen triumph in every verse,

of one who heeds God's command, forbids, and advances.

White lines that blacken the page and give it light!

وَلا تُكسَفُ الأَقمارُ إِلّا حَسادَةً

وَلا تُكسَفُ الأَقمارُ إِلّا حَسادَةً

لِمُضطَلِعٍ بِالمَجدِ يَسعى فَيَسعَدُ

لِمُضطَلِعٍ بِالمَجدِ يَسعى فَيَسعَدُ

And the moons are eclipsed only out of envy

A gifted scribe whose sharp nib slashes foes,

of one who shoulders glory, strives, and prospers.

His spear-shaft ample for apt reply.

وَيُذكي وَراءَ اللَيلِ عَيناً حَديدَةً

وَيُذكي وَراءَ اللَيلِ عَيناً حَديدَةً

يَنامُ بِها الدينُ اِحتِراساً وَيَسهَدُ

يَنامُ بِها الدينُ اِحتِراساً وَيَسهَدُ

And he keeps a keen eye alight behind the night,

His marks besmirch the slanderers’ cheeks, though he

by which faith sleeps secure while he keeps vigil.

But reddens the script, white upon the page.

وَيَحلَمُ لاعَن ذِلَّةٍ وَلَرُبَّما

وَيَحلَمُ لاعَن ذِلَّةٍ وَلَرُبَّما

سَطا أَسَدٌ مِنهُ وَأَطرَقَ أَسوَدُ

سَطا أَسَدٌ مِنهُ وَأَطرَقَ أَسوَدُ

He is forbearing, not from abasement; and often

Unprompted he gives; his silence needs no vows.

a lion in him has pounced, and a black serpent lowered its head.

Wronged, yet he bides his time, and will not threaten.

أَما وَسِراطٍ بَينَ عَينَيهِ لِلهُدى

أَما وَسِراطٍ بَينَ عَينَيهِ لِلهُدى

لَقَد شادَ أَركانَ الهُدى مِنهُ سَيِّدُ

لَقَد شادَ أَركانَ الهُدى مِنهُ سَيِّدُ

Indeed, by the path of guidance between his eyes,

He has a glory that is healing and profound,

a lord in him has raised the pillars of guidance,

Quenching the fires lit by vile tongues.

وَأَلَّفَ أَشتاتَ الفَضائِلِ أَروَعٌ

وَأَلَّفَ أَشتاتَ الفَضائِلِ أَروَعٌ

وَقامَ بِأَعباءِ المَكارِمِ أَيِّدُ

وَقامَ بِأَعباءِ المَكارِمِ أَيِّدُ

and an imposing man has united the scattered virtues,

The shade of branches spread above revives you,

and a mighty man has borne the burdens of noble deeds.

As doves coo softly amidst the leaves.

وَدارَ بِهِ في مُقلَةِ المَجدِ ناظِرٌ

وَدارَ بِهِ في مُقلَةِ المَجدِ ناظِرٌ

وَأَشرَقَ في حَليِ المَساعي مُقَلَّدُ

وَأَشرَقَ في حَليِ المَساعي مُقَلَّدُ

And with him a pupil turns within glory's eye,

By the light of his wisdom one could see in the dark,

and a necklace-adorned neck gleams amid the ornaments of endeavor.

And under canopies find gentle repose.

وَسارَ مَسيرَ النَجمِ هَدياً وَرِفعَةً

وَسارَ مَسيرَ النَجمِ هَدياً وَرِفعَةً

فَغارَ بِهِ رَأيٌ وَأَنجَدَ سودَدُ

فَغارَ بِهِ رَأيٌ وَأَنجَدَ سودَدُ

He travels like a star, in guidance and elevation,

By his noble courage streams of honor overflow,

so judgment leads him through lowlands, and lordship through highlands.

Meandering through valleys of renown.

فَطابَقَ مِنهُ مَنظَراً راقَ مَخبَرٌ

فَطابَقَ مِنهُ مَنظَراً راقَ مَخبَرٌ

وَظاهَرَ فيهِ مَولِداً طابَ مَحتِدُ

وَظاهَرَ فيهِ مَولِداً طابَ مَحتِدُ

Thus a pleasing inner character matches his outward appearance,

In the cradle of wisdom his words gently sway,

and fine ancestry supports his birth.

Solving knots, then binding ties anew.

وَحَسبُكَ مِن لَفظٍ وَخَطٍّ قِلادَةٌ

وَحَسبُكَ مِن لَفظٍ وَخَطٍّ قِلادَةٌ

تُفَصِّلُ لِلعَليا وَوَشيٌ مُعَمَّدُ

تُفَصِّلُ لِلعَليا وَوَشيٌ مُعَمَّدُ

Enough for you, in speech and script, are a necklace

Beside faith, his judgments form a fortress,

fashioned for exalted rank, and striped brocade.

Halting wrongs that on injustices ride.

فَلِلَّهِ طِرسٌ كُلَّما اِسوَدَّ أَسطُراً

فَلِلَّهِ طِرسٌ كُلَّما اِسوَدَّ أَسطُراً

تَأَلَّق لَفظاً فَهوَ أَبيَضُ أَسوَدُ

تَأَلَّق لَفظاً فَهوَ أَبيَضُ أَسوَدُ

Glory to God for a page that, whenever it blackens with lines,

Without fear a sword is but lifeless steel,

shines in its wording: it is white and black.

A spear just carved wood that will rot.

وَنَدبٌ لَبيبٌ يَمشُقُ الطَعنَ كاتِباً

وَنَدبٌ لَبيبٌ يَمشُقُ الطَعنَ كاتِباً

وَيَكفيهِ أُنبوبٌ مِن الرُمحِ أَملَدُ

وَيَكفيهِ أُنبوبٌ مِن الرُمحِ أَملَدُ

And a gallant, discerning man dashes off spear-thrusts as a scribe,

Oh rider who folds the miles beneath your horse’s hooves,

and a smooth section of spear-shaft suffices him.

Sheathing the lightning blade, replacing it upside down.

يُسَوِّدُ أَطرافَ اليَراعِ وَإِنَّما

يُسَوِّدُ أَطرافَ اليَراعِ وَإِنَّما

يُحَمِّرُ سُمرَ الخَطِّ حينَ يُسَوِّدُ

يُحَمِّرُ سُمرَ الخَطِّ حينَ يُسَوِّدُ

He blackens the tips of reed pens, but in truth

Dragging trails of clouds over hilltops,

he reddens the brown spears of al-Khatt whenever he writes in black.

You gather scattered pearls of dew.

تَبَرَّعَ لَم يَلجَأ إِلى الوَعدِ صَمتُهُ

تَبَرَّعَ لَم يَلجَأ إِلى الوَعدِ صَمتُهُ

وَعاقَبَ لَم يُقعِدهُ ضَعفٌ فَيوعِدُ

وَعاقَبَ لَم يُقعِدهُ ضَعفٌ فَيوعِدُ

He gave freely: his silence never took refuge in promises,

Bear to the Final Judge my greetings,

and punished: no weakness held him back to mere threats.

Camping always at his door through the night.

لَهُ شيمَةٌ تَندى فَتَشفي مِنَ الصَدى

لَهُ شيمَةٌ تَندى فَتَشفي مِنَ الصَدى

وَتَنقَعُ أَحشاءَ الهَجيرِ فَيَبرُدُ

وَتَنقَعُ أَحشاءَ الهَجيرِ فَيَبرُدُ

He has a dew-fresh disposition that cures thirst,

They alight like perfume at dawn in a meadow,

and soaks the entrails of midday heat until it cools.

Sweetened by the moisture on kindling set ablaze.

تَمُدُّ عَلَيكَ الظِلَّ سَرحَةُ أَبطَحٍ

تَمُدُّ عَلَيكَ الظِلَّ سَرحَةُ أَبطَحٍ

بِها وَيُغنيكَ الحَمامُ المُغَرِّدُ

بِها وَيُغنيكَ الحَمامُ المُغَرِّدُ

A tree of the gravelly valley spreads its shade over you

Bowing down before the Noble One’s throne,

through it, and the warbling doves enrich you.

Prostrating oneself before the summit of glory.

فَمِن نورِ رَأيٍ لَو تَراءى لِناظِرٍ

فَمِن نورِ رَأيٍ لَو تَراءى لِناظِرٍ

لَلاحَ بِهِ تَحتَ الدُجُنَّةِ فَرقَدُ

لَلاحَ بِهِ تَحتَ الدُجُنَّةِ فَرقَدُ

It comes from the light of judgment: if it appeared to an observer,

a Farqad star would gleam by it beneath the gloom;

وَمِن حُرِّ نُبلٍ قَد أَفاضَتهُ هِمَّةٌ

وَمِن حُرِّ نُبلٍ قَد أَفاضَتهُ هِمَّةٌ

فَساحَ بِهِ في سَفحِ ثَهلانَ مَورِدُ

فَساحَ بِهِ في سَفحِ ثَهلانَ مَورِدُ

and from pure nobility poured forth by high aspiration,

so a water-source flows with it along Thahlan's slope;

وَقَولٍ لَهُ في مَعقَدِ الحِلمِ حِكمَةٌ

وَقَولٍ لَهُ في مَعقَدِ الحِلمِ حِكمَةٌ

يُحَلُّ بِها في اللَهِ طَوراً وَيَعقُدُ

يُحَلُّ بِها في اللَهِ طَوراً وَيَعقُدُ

and from speech with wisdom at the knot of forbearance,

by which, in God's cause, he sometimes loosens and binds;

وَحُكمٍ لَهُ دونَ الدِيانَةِ سَورَةٌ

وَحُكمٍ لَهُ دونَ الدِيانَةِ سَورَةٌ

تُقيمُ عَلى جَمرِ العِقابِ وَتَقعُدُ

تُقيمُ عَلى جَمرِ العِقابِ وَتَقعُدُ

and from judgment with a vehemence in defense of faith,

which makes one stand and sit upon punishment's coals.

وَما السَيفُ لَولا الخَوفُ إِلّا حَديدَةٌ

وَما السَيفُ لَولا الخَوفُ إِلّا حَديدَةٌ

وَلا الرُمحُ إِلّا خوطَةٌ تَتَأَوَّدُ

وَلا الرُمحُ إِلّا خوطَةٌ تَتَأَوَّدُ

Without fear, the sword is only a piece of iron,

and the spear only a slender twig that bends.

فَيا عارِضاً يَطوي السُرى طَيَّ رَهبَةٍ

فَيا عارِضاً يَطوي السُرى طَيَّ رَهبَةٍ

فَيَستَلُّ سَيفَ البَرقِ طَوراً وَيُغمَدُ

فَيَستَلُّ سَيفَ البَرقِ طَوراً وَيُغمَدُ

So, O raincloud that folds the night-road in a sweep of dread,

drawing the sword of lightning at times, which then is sheathed,

وَيَسحَبُ أَذيالَ الرَبابِ عَلى الرُبى

وَيَسحَبُ أَذيالَ الرَبابِ عَلى الرُبى

فَيَلقَطُ مِن دُرِّ النَدى مايُبَدَّدُ

فَيَلقَطُ مِن دُرِّ النَدى مايُبَدَّدُ

and trailing the skirts of low clouds over the hills,

gathering the scattered pearls of dew:

تَحَمَّل إِلى قاضي القُضاةِ تَحِيَّةً

تَحَمَّل إِلى قاضي القُضاةِ تَحِيَّةً

تَبيتُ بِمَلقى رَحلِهِ تَتَرَدَّدُ

تَبيتُ بِمَلقى رَحلِهِ تَتَرَدَّدُ

carry a greeting to the chief of judges,

to spend the night echoing where his saddle rests,

تَضوعُ كَما فاحَت مَعَ الفَجرِ رَوضَةٌ

تَضوعُ كَما فاحَت مَعَ الفَجرِ رَوضَةٌ

وَطابَ بِريحِ المَندَلِ الرَطبِ مَوقِدُ

وَطابَ بِريحِ المَندَلِ الرَطبِ مَوقِدُ

wafting fragrance as a garden breathes scent at dawn,

and a brazier grows sweet with the scent of fresh aloeswood,

وَتُهوي إِلى لَثمِ البِساطِ وَإِنَّما

وَتُهوي إِلى لَثمِ البِساطِ وَإِنَّما

تُصَلّي إِلى رُكنِ المَعالي فَتَسجُدُ

تُصَلّي إِلى رُكنِ المَعالي فَتَسجُدُ

and descending to kiss the carpet—yet in truth

it prays toward the pillar of high honors, and falls prostrate.