إِذا لم يُعِنْ قولَ النصيحِ قَبولُ

إِذا لم يُعِنْ قولَ النصيحِ قَبولُ

فإنَّ معاريضَ الكلامِ فُضُولُ

فإنَّ معاريضَ الكلامِ فُضُولُ

If acceptance does not support the counselor's words,

If good counsel is not accepted,

then indirect turns of speech are needless.

Then superfluous talk is useless.

أقِلَّا خِلافِي وهو مما يسوؤُني

أقِلَّا خِلافِي وهو مما يسوؤُني

وليس لمن يهوَى الخلافَ خليلُ

وليس لمن يهوَى الخلافَ خليلُ

You two, oppose me less—it is something that pains me;

My friend, let us stop this dispute which pains me,

one who loves opposition has no friend.

For those who love conflict have no true friend.

ومن شِيَمي رَدُّ النصيحِ بغيظِهِ

ومن شِيَمي رَدُّ النصيحِ بغيظِهِ

وتركي وعورَ القولِ وهي سُهولُ

وتركي وعورَ القولِ وهي سُهولُ

Among my habits is sending the counselor away angry,

It is my way to reject advice angrily

and leaving speech's rugged paths even when they are smooth.

And to ignore insults - that is easy for me.

خُذا في حديثٍ غيرِ لومي فإنَّهُ

خُذا في حديثٍ غيرِ لومي فإنَّهُ

وربِّ الهدايا المُشعَراتِ ثقيلُ

وربِّ الهدايا المُشعَراتِ ثقيلُ

You two, take up some conversation other than reproaching me, for it,

Let our talk be free of blame, for verily

by the Lord of the marked sacrificial beasts, is burdensome.

Weighty oaths are difficult to bear.

إِذا كان رأيي غيرَ ما تريانِهِ

إِذا كان رأيي غيرَ ما تريانِهِ

فأضْيَعُ شيءٍ ما يقولُ عَذولُ

فأضْيَعُ شيءٍ ما يقولُ عَذولُ

If my opinion differs from what you two see,

If my opinion differs from yours,

then nothing is more wasted than a reproacher's words.

Then nothing said by the stubborn will change it.

أيا أثلاتِ القاعِ أمّا عروقُها

أيا أثلاتِ القاعِ أمّا عروقُها

فَريَّا وأمَّا ظِلُّها فبليلُ

فَريَّا وأمَّا ظِلُّها فبليلُ

O tamarisks of the lowland, as for their roots,

O sisters of the tomb, though your roots decay

they are well-watered; and their shade is cool and moist.

And your shade is little,

لكِ اللّهُ هل مرَّتْ بقُربكِ رُفقةٌ

لكِ اللّهُ هل مرَّتْ بقُربكِ رُفقةٌ

وأنضاءُ عِيسٍ سيرُهنَّ ذميلُ

وأنضاءُ عِيسٍ سيرُهنَّ ذميلُ

God keep you! Has a company passed near you,

Has any caravan passed near you, O blessed one,

with worn-out white camels moving at a brisk trot?

With soft-stepping camels journeying on?

إِذا هبَّ عُلويُّ الصَّبَا فرقابُهمْ

إِذا هبَّ عُلويُّ الصَّبَا فرقابُهمْ

إليه وأعناقُ النواعجِ مِيْلُ

إليه وأعناقُ النواعجِ مِيْلُ

When the upland east wind blows, their necks turn

When the lofty northern wind blows,

toward it, and the swift camels' necks incline.

Their necks incline toward it,

فمن كل نضوٍ حنَّةٌ وتشوّقٌ

فمن كل نضوٍ حنَّةٌ وتشوّقٌ

ومن كلِ صَبٍّ رنَّةٌ وعويلُ

ومن كلِ صَبٍّ رنَّةٌ وعويلُ

From every weary camel comes a plaintive cry and longing,

And every lover moans with desire

and from every lovesick lover a ringing lament and wailing.

And each separated one cries in anguish.

ويا نُغْبةً بالأجرع الفردِ عَذْبَةً

ويا نُغْبةً بالأجرع الفردِ عَذْبَةً

أراكِ ولكنْ ما إليكِ سبيلُ

أراكِ ولكنْ ما إليكِ سبيلُ

And O sweet draught in the solitary sandy waste,

O inaccessible one, sweet and remote,

I see you, but there is no way to reach you.

I see you but cannot reach you.

ويا ليلُ حتى الشُّهبُ فيكَ مريضةٌ

ويا ليلُ حتى الشُّهبُ فيكَ مريضةٌ

وحتَّى نسيمُ الفجر فيكَ عليلُ

وحتَّى نسيمُ الفجر فيكَ عليلُ

And O night, even the bright stars within you are sick,

O night, even the shooting stars in you are sick

and even the dawn breeze within you is ailing.

And even the morning breeze in you is frail.

ويا جِيرتي بالجِزْعِ جسميَ بعدكُمْ

ويا جِيرتي بالجِزْعِ جسميَ بعدكُمْ

نحيلٌ وطرفي بالسُّهاد كحيلُ

نحيلٌ وطرفي بالسُّهاد كحيلُ

And O my neighbors at the valley bend, since your departure my body

O my neighbors in sorrow, after you left

is wasted, and my eye is kohled with sleeplessness.

My body grew thin and my eyelids dull.

عهِدتُ به غصنَ الشبيبةِ مورِقاً

عهِدتُ به غصنَ الشبيبةِ مورِقاً

فخانَ وخنتمْ والوفاءُ قليلُ

فخانَ وخنتمْ والوفاءُ قليلُ

There I once knew youth's bough flourishing,

I knew youth's branch once verdant,

but it betrayed me, and you betrayed me; fidelity is scarce.

But it betrayed me while loyalty is so rare.

وأودعتُكم قلبي فلما طلبتُهُ

وأودعتُكم قلبي فلما طلبتُهُ

مَطلتمْ وشرُّ الغارمينَ مَطُولُ

مَطلتمْ وشرُّ الغارمينَ مَطُولُ

I entrusted my heart to you, but when I asked for it,

I entrusted you my heart but when I sought it

you delayed repayment; the worst debtor is a habitual delayer.

You delayed while deceivers are so slow to return.

فإنْ عُدْتمُ يوماً تُريدونَ مُهْجَتِي

فإنْ عُدْتمُ يوماً تُريدونَ مُهْجَتِي

تمنَّعتُ إلا أنْ يُقامَ كفيلُ

تمنَّعتُ إلا أنْ يُقامَ كفيلُ

If you return one day seeking my lifeblood,

If someday you want my love again

I shall refuse unless a guarantor is appointed.

I will refuse unless a sponsor vouches for you.

ويا أيُّها الغادي تحمَّلْ رسالةً

ويا أيُّها الغادي تحمَّلْ رسالةً

على ما بِها إنَّ الحديثَ طويلُ

على ما بِها إنَّ الحديثَ طويلُ

And O morning traveler, carry a message,

O you who are leaving, carry my message

despite all it holds; the tale is long.

Though it be long, for the tale is great.

وقلْ لِلأُلى حلُّوا الحِمى سقى الحِمَى

وقلْ لِلأُلى حلُّوا الحِمى سقى الحِمَى

عزاكمْ فإنَّ العامريَّ قتيلُ

عزاكمْ فإنَّ العامريَّ قتيلُ

And tell those who settled in the protected pasture—may the pasture be watered—

And say to the family, let them prepare the abode,

take consolation, for al-Amiri is slain.

Grief has come for their protector is slain,

به غُلَّةٌ لا يملِكُ الماءُ بردَها

به غُلَّةٌ لا يملِكُ الماءُ بردَها

وشجوٌ سِوى ما تعلمونَ دخيلُ

وشجوٌ سِوى ما تعلمونَ دخيلُ

He has a burning thirst that water cannot cool,

A burning grief quenched only by revenge,

and an inward grief beyond what you know.

Though they know that. More has stealthily occurred,

ألا حبّذا شَدُّ الركائبِ ضَحْوةً

ألا حبّذا شَدُّ الركائبِ ضَحْوةً

وللظِلِّ في أخفافهِنَّ مَقِيلُ

وللظِلِّ في أخفافهِنَّ مَقِيلُ

Ah, how lovely to saddle the riding camels at midmorning,

How excellent it would be to ready the riding camels at dawn

while the shade finds its noon resting place beneath their hooves,

And rest their forelocks on the shade.

ومُذْقَةُ ظِلٍّ بين غُصْنَي أراكةٍ

ومُذْقَةُ ظِلٍّ بين غُصْنَي أراكةٍ

وقد كادَ مِيزانُ النهارِ يميلُ

وقد كادَ مِيزانُ النهارِ يميلُ

and a sip of shade between an arak tree's two branches,

To taste the shade between two arching branches

when the day's balance has almost begun to tip,

When the scale of daylight starts to dip.

ومن شِيحِ نجدٍ نفحةٌ سَحَريةٌ

ومن شِيحِ نجدٍ نفحةٌ سَحَريةٌ

تساهَمَ فيها شَمْأَلٌ وقَبُولُ

تساهَمَ فيها شَمْأَلٌ وقَبُولُ

and a predawn waft from Najd's wormwood,

A magic breath from aromatic Najd,

shared by the north wind and the east wind,

In which wild thyme and erigeron mingle.

ومرتجزٌ بالرعدِ يرضِعُ دَرُّهُ

ومرتجزٌ بالرعدِ يرضِعُ دَرُّهُ

نباتَ رياضٍ مسَّهُنَّ ذُبولُ

نباتَ رياضٍ مسَّهُنَّ ذُبولُ

and a cloud chanting thunder, whose milk nurses

A downpour whose rolling wetness

the plants of gardens touched by wilting.

Waters the plants of the meadows, withering them.

وعاجمةٍ عودي ولم تدرِ أنَّهُ

وعاجمةٍ عودي ولم تدرِ أنَّهُ

صليبٌ يرُدُّ النابَ وهو كليلُ

صليبٌ يرُدُّ النابَ وهو كليلُ

And a woman testing my wood with her teeth did not know it

And a foreign woman unaware it is

was hard, turning the fang back blunted.

A cross that wards off calamity and brings blessings.

تُخوِّفُني ريبَ الزمانِ وأنَّهُ

تُخوِّفُني ريبَ الزمانِ وأنَّهُ

شروبٌ لأشلاءِ الكِرامِ أكُولُ

شروبٌ لأشلاءِ الكِرامِ أكُولُ

She frightens me with time's vicissitudes, saying it

You warn me of the treachery of Time

drinks greedily and ravenously devours the limbs of noble men.

That drinks the blood of the generous and is insatiable,

وتأمرني بالمال أوكي عِيابَهُ

وتأمرني بالمال أوكي عِيابَهُ

وهيهاتَ مني أن يقالَ بخيلُ

وهيهاتَ مني أن يقالَ بخيلُ

She bids me bind my sacks of wealth shut;

And command me to gather riches

but far be it from me to be called a miser.

Whence it is known I am no miser.

وكيف أخافُ الدهرَ يَحْرُقُ نابَهُ

وكيف أخافُ الدهرَ يَحْرُقُ نابَهُ

ورأيُ عماد الدين فِيَّ جميلُ

ورأيُ عماد الدين فِيَّ جميلُ

And how can I fear time, gnashing its fang,

Why should I fear Time burning my fangs

when Imad al-Din's regard for me is favorable?

When the judgment of Imād al-Dīn about me is good?

إِذا امتَحْتُ يوماً جَمَّةً من نوالِه

إِذا امتَحْتُ يوماً جَمَّةً من نوالِه

سقانيَ سَجْلٌ من نَداهُ سجيلُ

سقانيَ سَجْلٌ من نَداهُ سجيلُ

If one day I draw a deep pool from his bounty,

When I gain glory from its giving

a brimming bucket of his generosity gives me drink.

It gives me a draft of clear wine from its cup,

رواءٌ كإيماضِ الغَمامةِ مونقٌ

رواءٌ كإيماضِ الغَمامةِ مونقٌ

وبِشرٌ كصدرِ المشرفيِّ صقيلُ

وبِشرٌ كصدرِ المشرفيِّ صقيلُ

A comely presence, lovely as a cloud's lightning,

A draft as the raincloud's downpour, pure,

and cheerfulness polished like the breast of a Mashrafi sword;

And good news like the polished chest of a nobleman,

وعزمةُ مطرود الرُّقادِ يدُلُّهُ

وعزمةُ مطرود الرُّقادِ يدُلُّهُ

على الغيب رأيٌ ما يكادُ يَفيلُ

على الغيب رأيٌ ما يكادُ يَفيلُ

and the resolve of one from whom sleep is banished, whom

And the firmness of one who spurns sleep, it guides him

a judgment that hardly falters guides toward the unseen,

With an opinion almost unerring

إلى أن ينالَ المجدَ إلّا تغلُّباً

إلى أن ينالَ المجدَ إلّا تغلُّباً

وبعضُهمُ عند الطِلابِ ذليلُ

وبعضُهمُ عند الطِلابِ ذليلُ

until he attains glory by conquest alone,

Until he attains glory only by striving,

while some are abased in its pursuit.

While others in need are disgraced.

وشاغبَ ريبَ الدهرِ وهو يَضيمُهُ

وشاغبَ ريبَ الدهرِ وهو يَضيمُهُ

وكلُّ كريمٍ يُستَضامُ صَؤولُ

وكلُّ كريمٍ يُستَضامُ صَؤولُ

He battled time's vicissitudes when they oppressed him;

He chided the doubt of fickle Time

every noble man under oppression attacks fiercely.

Though it oppressed him, for all generous souls bear adversity.

وغارَ على مُلكٍ مُضاعٍ وكاشحٍ

وغارَ على مُلكٍ مُضاعٍ وكاشحٍ

مطاعٍ يردُّ الأمرَ وهو سحيلُ

مطاعٍ يردُّ الأمرَ وهو سحيلُ

He grew jealous over a neglected kingdom and a spiteful foe,

He was jealous for a wasted and vain kingdom,

obeyed by others, who turned affairs back while their thread was weak.

Disobeyed, which rejects wise counsel,

ورشَّحَ مشبوحَ الذارعينِ ضَيْغَماً

ورشَّحَ مشبوحَ الذارعينِ ضَيْغَماً

له في ظِلال السَّمْهريّةِ غِيْلُ

له في ظِلال السَّمْهريّةِ غِيْلُ

And he put forward a lion with outspread forearms,

And nominated one driven from the fields, an outcast,

whose thicket lies in the shade of hard spears.

For him are the shade and shelter of S̲h̲amkhiriyya.

غلائِلُه أدراعُه وكؤوسُهُ

غلائِلُه أدراعُه وكؤوسُهُ

مخوف عِداهُ والنجيعُ شَمولُ

مخوف عِداهُ والنجيعُ شَمولُ

His tunics are his coats of mail, and his cups

The horsemen are his troops, and his drinking cups

are the terror of his foes; fresh blood is his wine.

His coats of mail, feared is his attack and destructive his raid.

له هَيبةٌ تسري أمامَ جُنودِه

له هَيبةٌ تسري أمامَ جُنودِه

ورأيٌ بمُستنِّ الغُيوبِ يجولُ

ورأيٌ بمُستنِّ الغُيوبِ يجولُ

An awe travels ahead of his armies,

He has such awe that it precedes his soldiers

and his judgment ranges through the racecourse of the unseen.

And a vision that roams the hidden realm.

وجُرْدٌ على أكتافِها المُرْدُ جُثَّمٌ

وجُرْدٌ على أكتافِها المُرْدُ جُثَّمٌ

فُحولٌ على أكبادِهنَّ كُهولُ

فُحولٌ على أكبادِهنَّ كُهولُ

And sleek horses, with beardless youths crouched on their shoulders—

A troop of steeds on whose shoulders javelins rest,

stalwarts, mature men astride their flanks;

Stalwart heroes whose hearts and livers are seasoned warriors.

وعوجٌ لها بين الضُّلوعِ أزاملٌ

وعوجٌ لها بين الضُّلوعِ أزاملٌ

وبيضٌ لها فوقَ الرُؤوسِ صَلِيلُ

وبيضٌ لها فوقَ الرُؤوسِ صَلِيلُ

and curved bows with deep twangs between their ribs,

The horses have forelocks between their chests,

and bright swords ringing above heads;

And white blazes on their heads like turbans.

ونقعٌ صفيقُ الطُّرَّتينِ كأنَّما

ونقعٌ صفيقُ الطُّرَّتينِ كأنَّما

على صفحاتِ الشمس منه سُدُولُ

على صفحاتِ الشمس منه سُدُولُ

and battle-dust, thick at both edges, as though

Their hooves clatter as if

curtains of it lay across the sun's face.

pebbles were scattered on the sun's disk.

يَرُدُّ على وَجْهِ الصَّبَاحِ لِثَامَهُ

يَرُدُّ على وَجْهِ الصَّبَاحِ لِثَامَهُ

إِذا حانَ من صبغِ الظلام نُصُولُ

إِذا حانَ من صبغِ الظلام نُصُولُ

It restores its veil to morning's face

They turn back the cheek of dawn with their faces,

when the dye of darkness is about to fade.

When it is time for the darkness' dye to fade.

فقلْ للذين استعذبوا الغَدْرَ مشرَبَاً

فقلْ للذين استعذبوا الغَدْرَ مشرَبَاً

رويداً فَرعْيُ الغادرينَ وبيلُ

رويداً فَرعْيُ الغادرينَ وبيلُ

So tell those who found treachery a sweet drink:

Tell those who have grown accustomed to treachery

easy now—the traitors' pasture is deadly.

To walk slowly, for the treacherous have come to defeat.

أديروا كُؤوسَ الرَّاحِ إنَّ وراءَها

أديروا كُؤوسَ الرَّاحِ إنَّ وراءَها

كُؤوساً من السمّ الذُعافِ يغُولُ

كُؤوساً من السمّ الذُعافِ يغُولُ

Pass round the cups of wine; indeed, behind them

Pass the cups of comfort, for after them

lie cups of lethal poison that destroys.

Are cups of deadly hemlock that ferments.

وجُرُّوا ذيولَ الخفضِ حتى تزورَكُمْ

وجُرُّوا ذيولَ الخفضِ حتى تزورَكُمْ

مُشَمِّرةٌ ليست لهنَّ ذُيولُ

مُشَمِّرةٌ ليست لهنَّ ذُيولُ

And drag the trains of ease until there visit you

Drag the trailing robes of humility until

girded-up hosts, with no trailing hems.

Bareheaded warriors come to you,

جنودٌ طلاع الأرضِ يحمي لواءَها

جنودٌ طلاع الأرضِ يحمي لواءَها

قَؤولٌ لما قال الكِرامُ فعولُ

قَؤولٌ لما قال الكِرامُ فعولُ

Armies filling the earth, whose banner is defended by

Soldiers whose feet tread the horizons guard its banner,

one eloquent in noble men's words and mighty in deeds.

When the generous have said what should be done.

فلا أرضَ إلا طبَّقَتْهَا حوافرٌ

فلا أرضَ إلا طبَّقَتْهَا حوافرٌ

ولا جوَّ إلا جَلَّلَتْهُ نُصولُ

ولا جوَّ إلا جَلَّلَتْهُ نُصولُ

No land remains but hooves have covered it,

No land but their hooves will tread it,

and no sky but spearheads have blanketed it.

No atmosphere but their blades will fill it.

ستغرى بأطرافِ البنان نواجِذُ

ستغرى بأطرافِ البنان نواجِذُ

إِذا التفَّ يوماً بالرعيلِ رعيلُ

إِذا التفَّ يوماً بالرعيلِ رعيلُ

Molars will fasten on fingertips

They will take the hilltops' shoulders by surprise

when one day troop becomes entangled with troop.

When companies of the convoy converge.

وتطفحُ أحناءُ الشِعابِ عليكمُ

وتطفحُ أحناءُ الشِعابِ عليكمُ

بسَيْلٍ له هامُ الكُماةِ حميلُ

بسَيْلٍ له هامُ الكُماةِ حميلُ

And the bends of ravines will overflow upon you

The ravines' lips will overflow upon you

with a flood carrying armored warriors' heads as debris.

With a torrent whose violence matches the violence of fate.

وكلُّ قَرارٍ بالجَماجمِ تلعةٌ

وكلُّ قَرارٍ بالجَماجمِ تلعةٌ

وكلُّ مَغيضٍ بالدِّماءِ مَسِيلُ

وكلُّ مَغيضٍ بالدِّماءِ مَسِيلُ

Every hollow rises into a mound of skulls,

Every skull will be split with skulls

and every drainage hollow becomes a watercourse of blood.

And every enraged one will have blood pouring forth.

فإنْ سئِمتْ حملَ الرؤوسِ رقابُها

فإنْ سئِمتْ حملَ الرؤوسِ رقابُها

فبالبيضِ شوقٌ نحوَها وغليلُ

فبالبيضِ شوقٌ نحوَها وغليلُ

If necks grow weary of carrying their heads,

If their necks grow weary of bearing heads

then bright swords long for them with burning thirst.

Then for the white blades passion and anguish.

فلوذوا بحَقو العفوِ منه فإنَّه

فلوذوا بحَقو العفوِ منه فإنَّه

جوادٌ به حتى يُقالَ غَفُولُ

جوادٌ به حتى يُقالَ غَفُولُ

So cling to the girdle of his pardon, for he

So take refuge in the sanctuary of pardon, for He

is so lavish with it that he is called heedless.

Is generous, even when called neglectful.

وإنْ غلبتكم شِقْوةُ الجَدِّ فاعلموا

وإنْ غلبتكم شِقْوةُ الجَدِّ فاعلموا

بأن ديارَ الناكثينَ طُلولُ

بأن ديارَ الناكثينَ طُلولُ

And if ill fortune overcomes you, then know

And if your bad fortune prevails, know

that the dwellings of oath-breakers are ruins.

The lands of the oath-breakers are humiliation.

أحقّاً هممتمْ باللِّقاءِ لعلَّكُمْ

أحقّاً هممتمْ باللِّقاءِ لعلَّكُمْ

بدا لكُمُ أنَّ الطِباعَ تحولُ

بدا لكُمُ أنَّ الطِباعَ تحولُ

Did you truly intend to meet in battle? Perhaps

Truly, you thought to meet them, perhaps

it seemed to you that natures change,

You saw the natures were changing.

فتُمسي البُغاثُ الكُدْرُ وهي جوارحٌ

فتُمسي البُغاثُ الكُدْرُ وهي جوارحٌ

وتُضحي اللّقاحُ الخُورُ وهي فحولُ

وتُضحي اللّقاحُ الخُورُ وهي فحولُ

so dusky, feeble birds become raptors at dusk,

The carrion-eating crows would become rapacious birds,

and weak milch-camels become stallions by morning.

The cowardly quails would become fierce and bold.

فعزماً غياثَ الدولةِ اليومَ إنَّهم

فعزماً غياثَ الدولةِ اليومَ إنَّهم

فرائسُ منهم مُقْعَصٌ وأكِيلُ

فرائسُ منهم مُقْعَصٌ وأكِيلُ

So show resolve today, Ghiyath al-Dawla, for they

So resolve today to rescue the state, for they

are prey: some slain outright, others devoured.

Are prey - some have fled and some been captured.

همُ جَلبُوا الخيلَ العِتاقَ وأجلبُوا

همُ جَلبُوا الخيلَ العِتاقَ وأجلبُوا

عليك فحَشْوُ الخافِقَيْنِ صَهِيلُ

عليك فحَشْوُ الخافِقَيْنِ صَهِيلُ

They brought thoroughbred horses and massed noisily

They have summoned steeds for war

against you, so both horizons are filled with neighing.

And brought upon you the loud roar of the two flanks.

ولاذُوا بأكراد البوادي وعُرْبهم

ولاذُوا بأكراد البوادي وعُرْبهم

ومن كلِّ جيلٍ أمةٌ وقبيلُ

ومن كلِّ جيلٍ أمةٌ وقبيلُ

They took refuge with the Kurds of the deserts and their Arabs,

They have sought aid from the nomads of the desert and its Bedouin

and with a nation and a tribe from every stock.

And all the tribes and peoples.

هُمُ ذخَرُوا الأعمارَ والمالُ عندَهمْ

هُمُ ذخَرُوا الأعمارَ والمالُ عندَهمْ

لكفِّك تُفنِي ذخرَهمْ وتُنيلُ

لكفِّك تُفنِي ذخرَهمْ وتُنيلُ

They stored up their lives, and the wealth they hold

Their lives and wealth are stored with them

is for your hand, which exhausts their reserves and gives freely.

For you to destroy their wealth and plunder it.

هدايا لحدِّ المرهفاتِ مسوقةٌ

هدايا لحدِّ المرهفاتِ مسوقةٌ

فهل عندَ حدِّ المرهفاتِ قَبولُ

فهل عندَ حدِّ المرهفاتِ قَبولُ

Gifts driven to the edges of keen blades—

Gifts for the keen blades are brought forth,

but is there acceptance at the edges of keen blades?

But do the keen blades accept them?

عدوُّكَ بين العار والسيفِ واقفٌ

عدوُّكَ بين العار والسيفِ واقفٌ

يميلُ مع الإِدبارِ حيثُ يميلُ

يميلُ مع الإِدبارِ حيثُ يميلُ

Your enemy stands between disgrace and the sword,

Your enemy stands between shame and the sword,

following retreat wherever it turns.

Inclining to retreat wherever he inclines.

فإنْ فرَّ لم يَعْدَمْ شِفاءً وإن ثَوى

فإنْ فرَّ لم يَعْدَمْ شِفاءً وإن ثَوى

فأمُّ الذي يبغي الثَّواءَ ثكُولُ

فأمُّ الذي يبغي الثَّواءَ ثكُولُ

If he flees, he will not lack a cure; and if he stays,

If he flees, he will find no remedy, and if he rebels,

the mother of him who seeks to stay will be bereaved.

What rebel seeking rebellion is successful?

كأنَّهمُ لم يشهدوا أمسِ مشهداً

كأنَّهمُ لم يشهدوا أمسِ مشهداً

تشابَه فيه مُقْصِرٌ ومُطِيلُ

تشابَه فيه مُقْصِرٌ ومُطِيلُ

As though they had not witnessed yesterday a scene

It is as if yesterday they did not witness

in which those who did little and those who did much fared alike.

A scene in which attackers and pursuers were equal.

يقاتلُ عنك الرأيُ لا الرمحُ بلَّهُ

يقاتلُ عنك الرأيُ لا الرمحُ بلَّهُ

نجيعٌ ولا بالباتراتِ فُلولُ

نجيعٌ ولا بالباتراتِ فُلولُ

Your judgment fights for you: no spear was wetted

Wisdom, not spears, battles for you - no, not spears!

by fresh blood, nor were the cutting swords nicked.

The empty wilderness has no reinforcements or squads.

ولا بُرقِعَتْ بالقَسْطلِ الجَون غُرَّةٌ

ولا بُرقِعَتْ بالقَسْطلِ الجَون غُرَّةٌ

ولا غُيِّبتْ بين الدِماء حُجولُ

ولا غُيِّبتْ بين الدِماء حُجولُ

No white forehead blaze was veiled in dark battle-dust,

No red tent was pitched on the hillside

nor were white fetlock markings hidden amid blood.

Nor any ram offered among the blood.

سرى كيدُكَ اليقظانُ والنجمُ راقِدٌ

سرى كيدُكَ اليقظانُ والنجمُ راقِدٌ

تُجابُ سهولٌ نحوَهمْ وهجولُ

تُجابُ سهولٌ نحوَهمْ وهجولُ

Your wakeful stratagem traveled by night while the star slept;

Your cunning flowed, while the stars slept,

plains and broad valleys were crossed toward them.

Plains were covered toward them, and they were confused.

وأدركتَ ثأرَ الدينِ من متمرِّدٍ

وأدركتَ ثأرَ الدينِ من متمرِّدٍ

طغَى وهو شَخْتُ المنصبينِ ضئيلُ

طغَى وهو شَخْتُ المنصبينِ ضئيلُ

And you exacted the faith's vengeance from a rebel

You took vengeance for the faith from one who rebelled,

who grew insolent, though meager in both lines of descent and insignificant.

Who transgressed while the least of officials.

تُقِرُّ وتمحو المُلْكَ حيث تُريدُهُ

تُقِرُّ وتمحو المُلْكَ حيث تُريدُهُ

وأنتَ مُديلٌ مرةً ومُذيلُ

وأنتَ مُديلٌ مرةً ومُذيلُ

You establish and erase sovereignty wherever you wish,

You give and take away kingship wherever you wish,

granting victory at one turn and humiliation at another.

One time gathering and another dispersing.

تميلُ إِلى ذِي دولةٍ فتُعِزُّها

تميلُ إِلى ذِي دولةٍ فتُعِزُّها

وتعدِلُ عن ذِي دولةٍ فتُزيلُ

وتعدِلُ عن ذِي دولةٍ فتُزيلُ

You favor a ruler and strengthen his dynasty;

You incline toward one whose state you strengthen

you turn from a ruler and bring his dynasty down.

And turn away from one whose state you erase.

أعِزَّة أملاكِ البلادِ أذِلَّةٌ

أعِزَّة أملاكِ البلادِ أذِلَّةٌ

لديكَ وصعبُ الحادثات ذَلولُ

لديكَ وصعبُ الحادثات ذَلولُ

The mightiest kings of the lands are abased

The mighty of the lands' kingdoms are humiliated before you

before you, and harsh events are docile.

And harsh events are submissive to you.

فما غرّهمْ واللّهُ ناصرُ حزبِهِ

فما غرّهمْ واللّهُ ناصرُ حزبِهِ

بأبيضَ طاغي الحدِّ حينَ يصولُ

بأبيضَ طاغي الحدِّ حينَ يصولُ

What deluded them, when God supports His party

Why were they deluded while God supports his party,

with a bright sword, its edge raging when it strikes?

By the overflowing cup of the transgressor when it rages?

فإنْ أعجبتهمْ نوبة سلفتْ لهم

فإنْ أعجبتهمْ نوبة سلفتْ لهم

فأنتَ لأُخرى ضامنٌ ووكيلُ

فأنتَ لأُخرى ضامنٌ ووكيلُ

If a past turn of fortune in their favor pleased them,

If the former raid enchanted them,

you are guarantor and overseer of another.

Then for another you are their guarantor and champion.

إليكَ عِمادَ الدين غرّاءَ طلقةً

إليكَ عِمادَ الدين غرّاءَ طلقةً

تنافَسُ فيها أعينٌ وعقولُ

تنافَسُ فيها أعينٌ وعقولُ

To you, Imad al-Din, a radiant, smiling ode,

To you, Imād al-Dīn, the daring come charging,

for which eyes and minds compete.

Eyes and minds compete regarding it.

إِذا أُنشدتْ حُلّ الحُبَى طَرباً لها

إِذا أُنشدتْ حُلّ الحُبَى طَرباً لها

وأصغَى إليها عالمٌ وجَهُولُ

وأصغَى إليها عالمٌ وجَهُولُ

When it is recited, knee-bindings are loosened in delight,

When its solutions to love's confusions are recited

and learned men and ignorant alike listen attentively.

The refined and ignorant are moved by it.

وما أبتغِي إلا رِضَاكَ ثوابَها

وما أبتغِي إلا رِضَاكَ ثوابَها

وذاك ثوابٌ لو علمتَ جَزيلُ

وذاك ثوابٌ لو علمتَ جَزيلُ

I seek only your satisfaction as its reward,

I desire only your approval as its reward,

and that, if you knew, is an abundant reward.

And that is an ample reward, if you but knew!

فأنتَ الذي جلَّلتني منكَ أنْعُماً

فأنتَ الذي جلَّلتني منكَ أنْعُماً

لها موقعٌ بين الأنامِ جَليلُ

لها موقعٌ بين الأنامِ جَليلُ

For you are the one who clothed me in blessings from you,

For you are the one who has honored me with favors,

whose standing among humankind is exalted.

Which have a lofty place among all people.

منيلٌ إِذا ما كان منِّيَ خدمةٌ

منيلٌ إِذا ما كان منِّيَ خدمةٌ

وإن سبقتْ لي عثرةٌ فمُقِيلُ

وإن سبقتْ لي عثرةٌ فمُقِيلُ

You give when I render service,

I am indebted, whenever I do you service,

and pardon if a stumble has come from me.

And if I stumble before, you gently reprove me.

وخبَّرني تقليبيَ الناسَ بُرهةً

وخبَّرني تقليبيَ الناسَ بُرهةً

بأنك فردٌ والأنامُ شُكُولُ

بأنك فردٌ والأنامُ شُكُولُ

My examining people for a time has taught me

And the turning of people's favor showed me clearly,

that you are unique, while others resemble one another.

That you are unique, while people are fickle.

وما يستوي وُدُّ المقلّدِ والذي

وما يستوي وُدُّ المقلّدِ والذي

له حُجَّةٌ في ودِّهِ ودليلُ

له حُجَّةٌ في ودِّهِ ودليلُ

The imitator's affection is not equal to that of one

The love of an imitator and one who has proof

who has a reason and evidence for his affection.

For his love, and evidence, are not equal.

فعُدْ بي إِلى اللُّطفِ الذي كنتَ واصِلاً

فعُدْ بي إِلى اللُّطفِ الذي كنتَ واصِلاً

جَناحي به إن الكريمَ وَصُولُ

جَناحي به إن الكريمَ وَصُولُ

So restore me to the kindness with which you used to support

So return your kindness to me, for you were faithful

my wing; for the noble man maintains his bonds.

In keeping my wings uplifted - the generous keep their vows.

وعِشْ سالماً في باعِ ملككَ بسطةٌ

وعِشْ سالماً في باعِ ملككَ بسطةٌ

تدومُ وفي أيامِ عمرِك طُولُ

تدومُ وفي أيامِ عمرِك طُولُ

And live unharmed, with breadth in your kingdom's reach

And live in peace, empowered in your kingdom; its expanse

that endures, and length in the days of your life.

Endures, and length of days in your life.