إذا كان التغزل شان شعري

إذا كان التغزل شان شعري

فمدح عزيز مصر زان قدري

فمدح عزيز مصر زان قدري

If love poetry has marred my verse,

If eulogizing is a poetic affair,

praising Egypt's mighty ruler has adorned my standing.

Then praising the noble Egypt is my concern.

فمن يك عاذلا فليطو عذلي

فمن يك عاذلا فليطو عذلي

ومن يك عاذرا فليبد عذري

ومن يك عاذرا فليبد عذري

So let whoever reproaches me put away his blame,

So let he who is a critic wander in his criticism,

and let whoever excuses me make my excuse known.

And let he who excuses reveal my excuse.

مليك قد تفرد بالمعالي

مليك قد تفرد بالمعالي

روايتها تدوم لكل عصر

روايتها تدوم لكل عصر

A sovereign unequaled in lofty deeds,

A king who excelled in nobility,

whose recounting endures through every age.

Whose virtues remain for every age.

لبحر عطائه مد فاعظم

لبحر عطائه مد فاعظم

ببحر غير موصوف بجزر

ببحر غير موصوف بجزر

His bounty's sea has a rising tide—how grand

For the sea of his giving has ebbed, so it flooded,

a sea never described as ebbing!

With a boundless sea not described with islands.

مدائحه تزيد الشعر حسنا

مدائحه تزيد الشعر حسنا

ومنه قد جرت في كل بحر

ومنه قد جرت في كل بحر

Praises of him add beauty to poetry,

His praises add beauty to poetry,

and from him have flowed in every sea of verse.

And verses about him flowed in every sea,

وحل مرامها في كل صدر

وحل مرامها في كل صدر

وجال نظامها في كل فكر

وجال نظامها في كل فكر

Their meaning has settled in every breast,

And fulfilled their purpose in every heart,

and their ordered verse has ranged through every mind.

And its prose shone in every mind.

وما شيء باعجب من مليك

وما شيء باعجب من مليك

بمصر ومدحه في كل مصر

بمصر ومدحه في كل مصر

Nothing is more wondrous than a sovereign

And nothing is more wondrous than a king

in Egypt, yet praised in every city.

Who praised Egypt in every Egypt.

الم تر كل ملك بات ضيفا

الم تر كل ملك بات ضيفا

لديه باء وهو حليف شكر

لديه باء وهو حليف شكر

Have you not seen how every king who lodged as a guest

Have you not seen every king become a guest

with him returned bound to gratitude?

To him, while he is a grateful ally?

وودوا لو على تيجانهم من

وودوا لو على تيجانهم من

جواهر لفظه شذرات در

جواهر لفظه شذرات در

And they wished their crowns bore some of

They wished that from his crown would fall

his speech's jewels: fragments of pearls.

Some particles of his words like pearls and seeds.

لئن لم يحكهم في لبس تاج

لئن لم يحكهم في لبس تاج

فقد حاكاهم في لبس فخر

فقد حاكاهم في لبس فخر

Though he did not emulate them in wearing a crown,

If he did not weave them crowns to wear,

he indeed matched them in wearing glory.

He crowned them with pride and honor.

وكان على تفاخرهم مبرا

وكان على تفاخرهم مبرا

باحسان ومعروف وبر

باحسان ومعروف وبر

And he surpassed their rivalry in honor

And he was gracious in their boasting

through beneficence, kindness, and goodness.

With benevolence, kindness and righteousness.

له عن جابر اكسير راي

له عن جابر اكسير راي

احال تراب مصر عين تبر

احال تراب مصر عين تبر

He has, from Jabir, an elixir of judgment

He had an elixir-like opinion from Jabir

that turned Egypt's soil into pure gold.

That turned the sand of Egypt into gold dust.

وابدل حرها في ناجريها

وابدل حرها في ناجريها

بجنات وروضات ونهر

بجنات وروضات ونهر

And he replaced its heat in its two scorching months

And replaced its heat in its rivers

with gardens, meadows, and a river.

With gardens, meadows and streams.

واجرى النيل حيث اراد حتى

واجرى النيل حيث اراد حتى

كأن بامره الاقدار تجرى

كأن بامره الاقدار تجرى

He made the Nile flow wherever he wished, so that

And made the Nile flow wherever he wanted

destinies themselves seemed to flow at his command.

As if by his command destiny flowed.

لاسماعيل آية فلق بر

لاسماعيل آية فلق بر

وآية آي موسى فلق بحر

وآية آي موسى فلق بحر

Ismail has a miracle: the cleaving of land;

To Ismail was the miracle of splitting land

and a sign among Moses' signs was the cleaving of a sea.

And to Moses the miracle of splitting sea

ففلق البركان لمحض نفع

ففلق البركان لمحض نفع

وفلق البحر كان لبعض ضر

وفلق البحر كان لبعض ضر

The cleaving of land was purely for benefit,

So he split the volcano for pure benefit

whereas the cleaving of the sea caused some harm.

While the sea was split for some harm.

فهل ابصرتم من قبل ملكا

فهل ابصرتم من قبل ملكا

تطوع له العناصر طوع اسر

تطوع له العناصر طوع اسر

Have you ever before seen a king

Have you ever seen a king before

to whom the elements yield in captive submission?

Whom the elements obeyed like captives?

بعيد الصيت دانى العرف يرجى

بعيد الصيت دانى العرف يرجى

لدفع ملمة ونوال وفر

لدفع ملمة ونوال وفر

Far famed, near in kindness, he is looked to

Of far-reaching fame, closest in friendship, hoped for

to ward off calamity and bestow abundant bounty,

To repel adversity, and gain grace.

وفتح ممالك وسداد ثغر

وفتح ممالك وسداد ثغر

وضبط سياسة وصلاح امر

وضبط سياسة وصلاح امر

to conquer kingdoms and secure a frontier,

To open kingdoms and fortify frontiers,

to order governance and set affairs right.

To establish order and reform affairs.

عظيم الجد في نفع البرايا

عظيم الجد في نفع البرايا

رشيد الراي مامون التحرى

رشيد الراي مامون التحرى

Great in his diligence for mankind's benefit,

Greatly resolute in benefiting people,

sound in judgment, trustworthy in his discernment.

Wise in opinion, protected in investigation.

اذا ما قال لم يترك مجالا

اذا ما قال لم يترك مجالا

لقوال وان يك حرف جر

لقوال وان يك حرف جر

When he speaks, he leaves no room

When he speaks he leaves no room

for a talker—not even for a preposition.

For other speakers, even if eloquent.

وللدنيا وللدين افتخار

وللدنيا وللدين افتخار

بافعال له تبدو كزهر

بافعال له تبدو كزهر

The world and the faith both take pride

He is pride of world and religion

in deeds of his that appear like blossoms.

Through deeds that shine like flowers

على طرف الثمام ندى يديه

على طرف الثمام ندى يديه

وفي الفلك الاثير ثناه يسرى

وفي الفلك الاثير ثناه يسرى

On the tips of thumam grass lies the dew of his hands,

At the edge of the turban, the blessings of his hands,

and through the ethereal sphere his praise travels.

And in the highest heaven, his praise flows.

ورب صنيعة منه لراج

ورب صنيعة منه لراج

تكون لمعشر اذخار دهر

تكون لمعشر اذخار دهر

And many a favor from him to a hopeful seeker

O king of generosity, I do not exaggerate,

becomes a lifetime's provision for a whole community.

O pride of all people, I do not deny.

وليل يخلص الداعي دعاه

وليل يخلص الداعي دعاه

له فيه يساوى الف شهر

له فيه يساوى الف شهر

And a night when a supplicant makes his prayer sincere

You have burdened us with great favors

for him is worth a thousand months.

As if you were Zayd and Amr to us all.

ومن لم يدع فاحسبه كفورا

ومن لم يدع فاحسبه كفورا

لنعماه وذلك شر كفر

لنعماه وذلك شر كفر

Whoever does not pray for him, reckon him ungrateful

It is shameful to flatter one who is unkind,

for his bounty; that is the worst ingratitude.

And to compliment him with poetry is despised.

غدت ايامه الغر الليالي

غدت ايامه الغر الليالي

مواسم للورى حفت بسر

مواسم للورى حفت بسر

His days, radiant in their nights, have become

The best poetry is its most truthful saying,

festivals for mankind, encompassed by joy.

And honest words are the trait of every freeman.

ومن بركانها نشرت دروس

ومن بركانها نشرت دروس

تعاورها دروس أي نشر

تعاورها دروس أي نشر

And from their volcano, teachings were revived,

We find in your attributes every praise,

which effacement had repeatedly overtaken—what a revival!

And we have repeated it secretly and publicly.

وبثت في اقاصي الارض طرا

وبثت في اقاصي الارض طرا

مدارس حاويات كل حبر

مدارس حاويات كل حبر

And throughout earth's farthest reaches were spread

And we do not claim your traits are confined

schools housing every scholar.

Through times in prose or verse.

وزاد الازهر المعمور فضلا

وزاد الازهر المعمور فضلا

ينافس فيه من للفضل يدرى

ينافس فيه من للفضل يدرى

And flourishing al-Azhar grew in distinction,

May God perpetuate your glory in perfection,

where those known for excellence compete.

And empower you to support the caliphate.

وفي السودان قد نبغت الوف

وفي السودان قد نبغت الوف

وصاروا اهل عرفان وقدر

وصاروا اهل عرفان وقدر

And in Sudan thousands have distinguished themselves,

And may you remain supporting it, and through you its prestige

and become people of knowledge and standing.

Continues through fine arms and help.

فمن يك قد راى من قبل معسرا

فمن يك قد راى من قبل معسرا

يقل ما ذاك الا فعل سحر

يقل ما ذاك الا فعل سحر

So whoever had previously seen a man in poverty

And may regiments around you remain

will say: 'That is nothing but the work of magic.'

As stars around the full moon.

ستسدك بالنجاشي عن قريب

ستسدك بالنجاشي عن قريب

ندامته ويصلى نار قهر

ندامته ويصلى نار قهر

Soon the Negus will be gripped

Eid al-Fitr brought you distant good tidings,

by his remorse, and burn in the fire of subjugation.

And Eid al-Adha will come to you with news.

لقد انذرته يوما عصيبا

لقد انذرته يوما عصيبا

فظن الحرب اكل كشي بتمر

فظن الحرب اكل كشي بتمر

You did indeed warn him of a grievous day,

You remain still, with success and honor,

but he thought war was eating kashi with dates.

And veneration and glorification and pride.

ايزعم قرنه فيها غبازى

ايزعم قرنه فيها غبازى

فيرميه ويلطأ خلف صخر

فيرميه ويلطأ خلف صخر

Does he suppose his opponent in it is Gobeze,

so he can shoot at him and hide behind a rock?

سيصلى من مدافع جيش مصر

سيصلى من مدافع جيش مصر

وربك ما يفوق صلى جمر

وربك ما يفوق صلى جمر

From the cannons of Egypt's army he will suffer

—by your Lord—a scorching worse than burning embers.

فان الله يخذل كل باغ

فان الله يخذل كل باغ

ويشمل من بغى الحسنى بنصر

ويشمل من بغى الحسنى بنصر

For God forsakes every aggressor,

and embraces with victory whoever seeks goodness.

ولست الوم ذا وجه قبيح

ولست الوم ذا وجه قبيح

اذا ما عاب ذا الوجه الاغر

اذا ما عاب ذا الوجه الاغر

I do not blame one with an ugly face

when he faults the man of radiant countenance.

ولكن جاحد النعمى مليم

ولكن جاحد النعمى مليم

وفي تاديبه احراز اجر

وفي تاديبه احراز اجر

But one who denies a kindness deserves blame,

and disciplining him earns a reward.

ولا سيما جحود عطاء ملك

ولا سيما جحود عطاء ملك

اجل ميمم واعز بر

اجل ميمم واعز بر

Especially denial of a king's bounty:

the most august patron sought, the most honored benefactor.

الم يكرم له وفدا توخوا

الم يكرم له وفدا توخوا

بلاد الانكليز وهم بعسر

بلاد الانكليز وهم بعسر

Did he not honor a delegation of his that sought

the land of the English while they were in hardship?

وانزلهم لديه خير نزل

وانزلهم لديه خير نزل

وذلك دابه مع كل سفر

وذلك دابه مع كل سفر

And lodge them with him in the finest accommodations?

Such is his practice with every traveling party.

باية حجة قد رام قاصا

باية حجة قد رام قاصا

عبيدا ويله من ارض مصر

عبيدا ويله من ارض مصر

On what grounds did he seek to carry off

slaves—woe to him!—from the land of Egypt?

واي ملوك هذا العصر يلفى

واي ملوك هذا العصر يلفى

له ردءا على بغى وغدر

له ردءا على بغى وغدر

And which of this age's kings could be found

to aid him in aggression and treachery?

بدآة امره هوج وطيش

بدآة امره هوج وطيش

وعقباه الى فشل وخسر

وعقباه الى فشل وخسر

His undertaking begins in rashness and folly,

and ends in failure and loss.

وملك ابي الفداء يزيد عزا

وملك ابي الفداء يزيد عزا

بتوفيق الإله المستمر

بتوفيق الإله المستمر

And Abu al-Fida's realm grows in might

through God's unceasing favor.

له عين العناية كل حين

له عين العناية كل حين

تقيه سالما من كل ضر

تقيه سالما من كل ضر

Providence's eye is on him at every moment,

keeping him safe from every harm.

حمايته امان من زمان

حمايته امان من زمان

يظل الحر فيه اسير حذر

يظل الحر فيه اسير حذر

His protection gives security against an age

when the free man remains captive to fear.

وطاعته لدى الرحمن زلفى

وطاعته لدى الرحمن زلفى

تفيز بكل ميمنة ويسر

تفيز بكل ميمنة ويسر

Obedience to him brings closeness to the Merciful,

winning every good fortune and ease.

ايا ملك الكرام ولا احاشى

ايا ملك الكرام ولا احاشى

ويا فخر الانام ولا اورى

ويا فخر الانام ولا اورى

O king of the noble—I except no one—

and O pride of mankind—I do not equivocate—

لقد قلدتنا مننا كبارا

لقد قلدتنا مننا كبارا

كفتنا المين في زيد وعمرو

كفتنا المين في زيد وعمرو

you have hung great favors about our necks,

sparing us falsehoods concerning Zayd and Amr,

وعارا من تملق ذي جفاء

وعارا من تملق ذي جفاء

ومن اطراؤه بالشعر يزرى

ومن اطراؤه بالشعر يزرى

and the shame of flattering a churlish man,

and one whose praise in verse demeans us.

فخير الشعر اصدقه مقالا

فخير الشعر اصدقه مقالا

وقول الصدق شيمة كل حر

وقول الصدق شيمة كل حر

For the best poetry is the truest in speech,

and telling the truth is every free man's trait.

اجدنا في صفاتك كل مدح

اجدنا في صفاتك كل مدح

وكررناه في سر وجهر

وكررناه في سر وجهر

We have excelled in every praise of your qualities,

and repeated it in private and in public.

ولسنا ندعي لحلاك حصرا

ولسنا ندعي لحلاك حصرا

مدى الازمان في نظم ونثر

مدى الازمان في نظم ونثر

We do not claim to exhaust your graces

through all time, in verse and prose.

ادام الله مجدك في كمال

ادام الله مجدك في كمال

وعزك للخلافة شد ازر

وعزك للخلافة شد ازر

May God keep your glory ever perfect,

and your might, which strengthens the caliphate's back.

ودمت تمدها وبك ابتدار

ودمت تمدها وبك ابتدار

الى الحسنى باسلحة ونضر

الى الحسنى باسلحة ونضر

May you continue to sustain it; through you comes the eager advance

toward goodness, with arms and gold.

ودامت حولك الانجال تبدو

ودامت حولك الانجال تبدو

كما تبدو الكواكب حول بدر

كما تبدو الكواكب حول بدر

And may your sons keep shining around you,

as stars appear around a full moon.

لكم وافت بعيد الفطر بشرى

لكم وافت بعيد الفطر بشرى

وعيد النحر ياتيكم ببشر

وعيد النحر ياتيكم ببشر

Glad tidings have reached you on Eid al-Fitr,

and Eid al-Nahr comes to you with joy.

فلا زلتم باقبال وعز

فلا زلتم باقبال وعز

وتبجيل وإجلال وفخر

وتبجيل وإجلال وفخر

May you never cease to enjoy prosperity and honor,

reverence, veneration, and glory.