زِدْincrease عُلُوّاًin loftiness فيin كلِّevery يومٍday ورِفْعَهْand elevation
زِدْ عُلُوّاً في كلِّ يومٍ ورِفْعَهْ
ياO شهاباًmeteor منamong أَيمَنِmost auspicious الشُّهْبِthe meteors طَلْعَهْin rising
يا شهاباً من أَيمَنِ الشُّهْبِ طَلْعَهْ
Increase in loftiness and elevation every day,
Keep ascending each day and rising
O meteor, among the most auspicious meteors in rising!
O star of auspicious meteors in its ascent
ياO شهاباًmeteor للدّينِfor the faith أصبحَhas arisen منهof him
يا شهاباً للدّينِ أصبحَ منه
واحدٌone فاكتفَىand so sufficed وللأُفْقwhile the horizon has سَبْعهseven
واحدٌ فاكتفَى وللأُفْق سَبْعه
O meteor of the faith, of whom
O star that has become one for the religion
one has arisen and sufficed, while the horizon has seven.
Sufficient alone while for the horizon seven
وهْوand he منfrom دونهاapart from them المُدْبِّرُthe director للمُلْof the kingdom (first part)
وهْو من دونها المُدْبِّرُ للمُلْ
كِkingdom (completion) إذاwhen جادَpoured generously رأْيُهhis judgment بالأشِعّهwith rays
كِ إذا جادَ رأْيُه بالأشِعّه
He, apart from them, directs the kingdom
And it is below them the arranger of the realm
when his judgment generously pours forth rays.
When its view is generous with rays
يَقِظٌwakeful ماnot يزالُceases يُمْسيpasses the evening بجَفْنٍwith an eyelid
يَقِظٌ ما يزالُ يُمْسي بجَفْنٍ
للعُلاfor greatness ماno لجَنْبهfor his side الدَّهرَever ضَجْعهa reclining
للعُلا ما لجَنْبه الدَّهرَ ضَجْعه
Wakeful, he ever passes the evening with an eye
Awake, it does not cease to spend the night with an eyelid
on greatness; his side never lies down.
High, next to which time has no slumber
ماجدٌnoble للسُّؤالِfor petitions فيin مِسْمَعَيْهِhis two ears
ماجدٌ للسُّؤالِ في مِسْمَعَيْهِ
لمnot تَزَلْhas ceased لَذّةٌdelight وللعَذْلِand for reproach لَذْعهa sting
لم تَزَلْ لَذّةٌ وللعَذْلِ لَذْعه
A noble man: petitions, in his ears,
Majid to asking in his hearing
have always held delight, and reproach a sting.
Remained a pleasure while for censure a sting
أَطلقَتfreed كَفُّهhis palm لسانَthe tongue القوافيof rhymes
أَطلقَت كَفُّه لسانَ القوافي
بعدَماafter شَدَّهbound it اللِّئامُthe ignoble بنَسْعَهwith a leather strap
بعدَما شَدَّه اللِّئامُ بنَسْعَه
His palm freed the tongue of rhymes
His palm unchained the tongue of meters
after the ignoble had bound it with a leather strap.
After the vile had tied it in fetters
أَنطَقتْنيmade me speak بشُكْرِهنَّin gratitude for them أياديfavors
أَنطَقتْني بشُكْرِهنَّ أيادي
هhis وفيand within الطّوقِthe neck-ring للحمامةِfor the dove سَجْعهa coo
ه وفي الطّوقِ للحمامةِ سَجْعه
His favors made me speak in gratitude for them,
My hands were loosed by praising them
and within its neck-ring the dove has a coo.
And for the dove in the neck-ring a cooing
مدْحَةٌa panegyric بعدafter مِدحةٍa panegyric أَنتَقيهاI select it
مدْحَةٌ بعد مِدحةٍ أَنتَقيها
وكذاand likewise الفَرْضُthe obligatory prayer رَكْعةٌa prayer-unit بعدَafter رَكْعهa prayer-unit
وكذا الفَرْضُ رَكْعةٌ بعدَ رَكْعه
One panegyric after another I select,
A praise after a praise I choose
just as obligatory prayer is one prayer-unit after another.
And so is the duty, a cycle after a cycle
مُذْsince تَحلَّىwas adorned بذِكْرِهwith mention of him الشِّعْرُpoetry أَضحَتْhas become
مُذْ تَحلَّى بذِكْرِه الشِّعْرُ أَضحَتْ
صَنعةُthe craft الشِّعْرِof poetry وهْيand it is أَشرفُthe noblest صَنعهcraft
صَنعةُ الشِّعْرِ وهْي أَشرفُ صَنعه
Since poetry was adorned with mention of him,
Since poetry adorned itself with his mention
the craft of poetry has become the noblest craft.
The craft of poetry became the noblest craft
هلdo تَرىyou see ماwhat رأَىconceived منof الرّأْيِcounsel سُلطاsovereign (first part)
هل تَرى ما رأَى من الرّأْيِ سُلطا
نُsovereign (completion) الوَرىof mankind صادعاًcleaving حشاthe innards الخَصْمِof the adversary صَدْعهa cleft
نُ الوَرى صادعاً حشا الخَصْمِ صَدْعه
Do you see the counsel the sovereign
Do you see what he saw of prudence the peer
of mankind devised, cleaving his adversary's innards with a cleft?
Of realms, challenger, cleaving the opponent's cleft
خَلعَتْbestowed robes كَفُّهhis palm علىupon القومِthe people أَلواcolors (first part)
خَلعَتْ كَفُّه على القومِ أَلوا
ناًcolors (completion) وكُلٌّand each فيهin it لعَمْرُكby your life رِفْعهelevation
ناً وكُلٌّ فيه لعَمْرُك رِفْعه
His palm bestowed robes of many colors upon the people,
His palm stripped the people of banners while for each, by your life, is its hoisting
and each, by your life, confers elevation.
And he refused to be but the heart's sincerity to you for glory its mantle
وأَبَىand he refused أنthat يكونَthere should be إلاّexcept سَوادَthe dark core الthe
وأَبَى أن يكونَ إلاّ سَوادَ ال
قلبِheart منهfrom him عليكupon you للعزِّfor honor خِلْعهa robe of honor
قلبِ منه عليك للعزِّ خِلْعه
Yet he would have only the dark core
A cloak of purity from passion, not embroidered
of his heart serve you as a robe of honor from him.
With any flaws of ostentation or repute
ثَوبُa robe صَفْوٍpurity منof الهَوىlove لمnot يُطَرَّزْbe embroidered
ثَوبُ صَفْوٍ من الهَوى لم يُطَرَّزْ
بمَشوبَيْنِwith two adulterants منof رِياءٍhypocrisy وسُمْعهand ostentation
بمَشوبَيْنِ من رِياءٍ وسُمْعه
A robe of pure love, unembroidered
Dazzling with splendor, brings evening to the eyes of people
with the two taints of hypocrisy and ostentation.
Flying, had its glimmer appeared from it, its gleam
باهِرٌdazzling بالضِّياءwith radiance يُعْشيblinds عُيونَthe eyes الthe
باهِرٌ بالضِّياء يُعْشي عُيونَ ال
خَلقcreation طُرّاًall لوْif قدindeed بدَتْappeared منهfrom it لَمْعهa flash
خَلق طُرّاً لوْ قد بدَتْ منه لَمْعه
Dazzling in radiance, it would blind the eyes
And a shirt, the vicissitudes of days cannot
of all creation, were but one flash of it to appear.
Nor its changing away from you, tear
وقَميصٌand a shirt لاnot تستطيعُcan يَدُthe hand الدَّهْof time (first part)
وقَميصٌ لا تستطيعُ يَدُ الدَّهْ
رtime (completion) ولاnor صَرْفُهits vicissitudes لهof it عنكfrom you نَزْعهa stripping away
ر ولا صَرْفُه له عنك نَزْعه
And a shirt that the hand of time cannot
Firmly woven, never ceasing wealthy
strip from you, nor can its vicissitudes.
Its warp, that it be patched from it with patches
مُحكَمُfirm النَّسْجِin weaving لاnot يَزالُceases to be غَنيّاًfree from need
مُحكَمُ النَّسْجِ لا يَزالُ غَنيّاً
جَدُّهits freshness أنto يُشانَbe marred منهof it برُقْعهby a patch
جَدُّه أن يُشانَ منه برُقْعه
Firmly woven, it remains beyond any need
And if genuflection of the heart from it
for its freshness to be marred by a patch.
Is a tradition, genuflection of palms is innovation
وإذاand if كانwas خِلْعةُthe robe of honor القَلْبِof the heart منهfrom him
وإذا كان خِلْعةُ القَلْبِ منه
سُنّةًan established tradition كانwas خِلْعُةthe robe of honor الكَفِّof the palm بِدْعهan innovation
سُنّةً كان خِلْعُة الكَفِّ بِدْعه
If the robe bestowed by his heart is
And if the discourse were hostile
an established tradition, the robe from his palm is an innovation.
The sensible would barely heed its hearing
وإذاand when ماindeed (emphatic) الحَديثُthe talk كانis مُعاداًrepeated
وإذا ما الحَديثُ كان مُعاداً
لاnot يكادُalmost اللّبيبُthe discerning man يُرعيهِlends it سَمْعهhis hearing
لا يكادُ اللّبيبُ يُرعيهِ سَمْعه
And when talk is repeated,
And but for he who will be sated, a draft
the discerning man scarcely lends it his ear.
From it, the first drink quenches hot bile
وسوىand other than مَنone who يكونُis رَيّانَquenched يَشْفيcures
وسوى مَن يكونُ رَيّانَ يَشْفي
غُلّةًthirst منهfrom him نَيلُobtaining أَوّلِthe first كَرعهdraught
غُلّةً منه نَيلُ أَوّلِ كَرعه
And anyone not already quenched finds relief
The time has been too long for souls of people
from thirst in the first draught received from him.
Who have not attained from the cup of your vicinity a sip
فوقَتْكso may they shield you الرَّدىdeath نفوسُthe souls أُناسٍof people
فوقَتْك الرَّدى نفوسُ أُناسٍ
لمnot ينالواthey obtain منfrom كأْسِthe cup قُربِكَof your closeness جُرْعهa sip
لم ينالوا من كأْسِ قُربِكَ جُرْعه
So may the souls of those people shield you from death
What hopes for delusion tarries for the arrogant
who have never gained one sip from the cup of your closeness.
While at the end expected for him is his stamping down
ياO غديراًpool ملآْنَbrimming ماnot إنat all (emphatic) يُباليcares
يا غديراً ملآْنَ ما إن يُبالي
جادَrained generously أوor لمnot يَجُدْهُwaters it للغَيثِof rain دُفْعهa burst
جادَ أو لم يَجُدْهُ للغَيثِ دُفْعه
O brimming pool, it matters nothing to you
Whenever he sought elevation for the head
whether a burst of rain replenishes you or not.
He increases in lowness as if he were the flame of a candle
خُلِقَتْwere created أَنفُسٌsouls لجُودٍfor generosity وبأْسٍand valor
خُلِقَتْ أَنفُسٌ لجُودٍ وبأْسٍ
ونُفوسٌand souls لرَيّةٍfor quenching thirst ولشَبْعهand for a full meal
ونُفوسٌ لرَيّةٍ ولشَبْعه
Some souls were created for generosity and valor,
They disputed your excellence, the pretenders, but
and others for drinking and eating their fill.
Their firesticks and your spring are different in source
رُتَبٌranks لمnot تُبِتْmake spend the night حَسودَكyour envier إلاّexcept
رُتَبٌ لم تُبِتْ حَسودَك إلاّ
ساهراًwakeful ماnot تَخيطُstitches shut عَينَيْهِhis two eyes هَجْعهa slumber
ساهراً ما تَخيطُ عَينَيْهِ هَجْعه
Ranks that leave your envier spending the night only
You surpassed each, for you are to the atmosphere a star
awake, with no slumber stitching his eyes shut.
And none can equal your ascent in the horizons
ماwhat لشانِيكَwith your hater يَلْتظيblazes منfrom غُرورٍdelusion
ما لشانِيكَ يَلْتظي من غُرورٍ
ولهand for him آخِراًin the end تُرَقَّبُis awaited قَمْعهa crushing
وله آخِراً تُرَقَّبُ قَمْعه
Why does your hater blaze with delusion,
The excellence of realms was like an ayah of night
when his final crushing is awaited?
Erased by the daylight with its spreading
كُلّماwhenever رامَsought منهthrough it للرّأسِfor the head رَفْعاًa raising
كُلّما رامَ منه للرّأسِ رَفْعاً
زادَincreased خَفْضاًin lowering كأنّهas though he were نارُthe flame شَمْعهof a candle
زادَ خَفْضاً كأنّه نارُ شَمْعه
Whenever he seeks through it to raise his head,
The sensible has not equated you to the moon in light
he sinks still lower, like a candle's flame.
Who sees a pearl will it be equated to a little stone?
ساجلَتْrivaled فضْلَكَyour excellence الكُفاةُthe capable men ولكنْbut
ساجلَتْ فضْلَكَ الكُفاةُ ولكنْ
غَرَبٌwillow عُودُهمْtheir wood وعُودُكَand your wood نَبْعهnabʿ wood
غَرَبٌ عُودُهمْ وعُودُكَ نَبْعه
The capable men rivaled your excellence, but
But you and the gazelle are equal in worth
their wood is willow, and yours is nabʿ wood.
The likeness of a ruby next to dry timber
فُقْتَyou surpassed كُلاًّeveryone فانتso you are للجوِّin the sky نَجمٌa star
فُقْتَ كُلاًّ فانت للجوِّ نَجمٌ
ومُباريand the rival of عُلاكَyour greatness فيin القاعِthe plain فَقْعهa truffle
ومُباري عُلاكَ في القاعِ فَقْعه
You surpassed them all: you are a star in the sky,
Dazzled the eyes of realms by the meteoric light
while your rival in greatness is a truffle on the plain.
Of the religion from the sheen of his serene face
كانwas فَضْلُthe excellence الورَىof mankind كآيةِlike the sign لَيلٍof night
كان فَضْلُ الورَى كآيةِ لَيلٍ
فمَحاهاso it effaced it عنكfor you النّهارُdaylight بمَتْعهwith its rising height
فمَحاها عنك النّهارُ بمَتْعه
Others' excellence was like the sign of night,
An opening for the pen in his hands
but daylight, rising high, effaced it for you.
In the time of an arduous address, binding and placing
لمnot يَقِسْكَcompares you اللّبيبُthe discerning man بالبَدْرِto the full moon نُوراًin radiance
لم يَقِسْكَ اللّبيبُ بالبَدْرِ نُوراً
مَنwho رأَىhas seen دُرّةًa pearl تُقاسُbeing compared بوَدْعَهwith a cowrie
مَن رأَى دُرّةً تُقاسُ بوَدْعَه
The discerning man did not compare your radiance to the full moon;
It is sincerely for the realm an opening as conquests
who has seen a pearl compared with a cowrie?
And it is in support of the religion, uprooting of strongholds
إنّماonly أَنتyou والغزالةُand the sun قَدْراًin worth
إنّما أَنت والغزالةُ قَدْراً
مثلُlike ياقوتةٍa ruby إلىat جَنْبِthe side جَزْعهof an onyx bead
مثلُ ياقوتةٍ إلى جَنْبِ جَزْعه
In worth, you beside the sun are
And if it one day borrows camphor of paper
like a ruby beside a bead of onyx.
From the musk of china, to drive away its odor
بهَرتْdazzled أعينَthe eyes الورَىof mankind لشهابِof Shihab الدْal-Din (first part)
بهَرتْ أعينَ الورَى لشهابِ الدْ
دَينDin (completion) منfrom نُورِthe light وَجْهِهof his face الطّلْقِcheerful سَطْعهa blaze
دَين من نُورِ وَجْهِه الطّلْقِ سَطْعه
Mankind's eyes were dazzled by Shihab al-Din's
The community conceded precedence in merit to him
burst of light from his cheerful face.
Without arbitration by the drawing of lots
فَتْحةٌan opening للدّواةِof the inkwell بينَbefore يدَيْهِhis two hands
فَتْحةٌ للدّواةِ بينَ يدَيْهِ
عندat خَطْبٍa crisis صَعْبٍdifficult يُلَمُّarises ووَضْعهand its setting down
عند خَطْبٍ صَعْبٍ يُلَمُّ ووَضْعه
The opening of an inkwell before him,
A fruitful pen in his right by which he vanquished
when a difficult crisis arises, and its setting down,
More than white Indian swords in the hands of the valiant
هيit نُصْحاًin loyal service للمُلْكِto the kingdom فَتْحٌa victory كفَتْحlike a conquest
هي نُصْحاً للمُلْكِ فَتْحٌ كفَتْح
وهْيand it نَصراًin support للدِّينِof the faith قَلْعٌan uprooting لقَلْعهof a fortress
وهْي نَصراً للدِّينِ قَلْعٌ لقَلْعه
is, in loyal service to the kingdom, a victory equal to conquest,
Of soft expression, yet it is, in generosity, like the lightning, swift
and, in aid of the faith, the uprooting of a fortress.
The eye testifies it is lightning in its speed
وإذاand when ماindeed (emphatic) أَعارَlent كافورةَthe camphor whiteness القرof the paper (first part)
وإذا ما أَعارَ كافورةَ القر
طاسِpaper (completion) يوماًone day منfrom مِسكةِthe musk النِّقْسِof ink رَدْعهa stain
طاسِ يوماً من مِسكةِ النِّقْسِ رَدْعه
Whenever he lends the camphor-white paper
It cut off the cunning nose, and shortly before it
a stain from the musk of ink,
Claimed vengeance for a realm by cutting it off
سَلَّمyielded الأُمّةُthe community التّقدُّمَprecedence فيin الفَضْexcellence (first part)
سَلَّم الأُمّةُ التّقدُّمَ في الفَضْ
لِexcellence (completion) إليهto him منwith غيرِno تَحكيمِrecourse to قُرْعهdrawing lots
لِ إليه من غيرِ تَحكيمِ قُرْعه
the community yields precedence in excellence
And it shows you paper whitened like a cheek
to him, without recourse to drawing lots.
Then in secret from it, darkened by tears
قَلَمٌa pen ناحلٌslender بيُمْناهُin his right hand أَمضَىsharper
قَلَمٌ ناحلٌ بيُمْناهُ أَمضَى
منthan سُيوفٍswords بيضٍbright بأيمانِin the right hands شِجْعهof brave men
من سُيوفٍ بيضٍ بأيمانِ شِجْعه
A slender pen in his right hand is sharper
Working miracles, in it the exceptional of the epochs believed
than bright swords in the right hands of brave men.
Flying, and for merit drafting its legislation
ذوpossessing ائْتلاقٍbrilliance معْdespite أَنّهits being الوَدْقُthe rain جُوداًin generosity
ذو ائْتلاقٍ معْ أَنّه الوَدْقُ جُوداً
تَشْهَدُtestifies العَينُthe eye أَنّهthat it is البَرْقُlightning سُرْعهin speed
تَشْهَدُ العَينُ أَنّه البَرْقُ سُرْعه
Brilliant, though in generosity it is rain,
How many western armies its pens overturned
the eye attests that in speed it is lightning.
And by its banners exalted hardship and engagement
جَدَعَcut off الأنفَthe nose ماكراًscheming وقَصيرٌand Qasir
جَدَعَ الأنفَ ماكراً وقَصيرٌ
قَبلَهُbefore it نالَobtained ثأْرَvengeance for مَلْكٍa king بجَدْعهby cutting off his nose
قَبلَهُ نالَ ثأْرَ مَلْكٍ بجَدْعه
It cunningly cut off its nose; Qasir,
How abundant in men and steeds became frightened
before it, avenged a king by cutting off his own.
When the screaming of war made them shake in dread
ويُريكَand it shows you القرطاسَthe paper مُبْيَضَّwhite خَدٍّof cheek
ويُريكَ القرطاسَ مُبْيَضَّ خَدٍّ
ثُمَّthen بالسِّرِّthrough the secret منهfrom it مُسْوَدُّblackened دَمْعهa tear
ثُمَّ بالسِّرِّ منه مُسْوَدُّ دَمْعه
It shows you the paper with a white cheek,
Each pink and roan is like a night
then, through its secret, with a blackened tear.
On which a piece of dawn has gleamed
مُعْجِزٌmiraculous آمنَتْbelieved بهin it فُضَلاءُthe eminent men الدْof the age (first part)
مُعْجِزٌ آمنَتْ به فُضَلاءُ الدْ
دَهْرِage (completion) طُرّاًall لهfor it وللفَضْلِand for excellence شِرْعهa sacred law
دَهْرِ طُرّاً له وللفَضْلِ شِرْعه
A wonder believed in by the eminent men
His neck is like a palm tree but the
of the age, all of them; it and excellence share a sacred law.
Face reveals a bloom, like its spadix
كمhow often بأقلامهwith his pens ثَنىturned back غَرْبَthe fury جَيْشٍof an army
كم بأقلامه ثَنى غَرْبَ جَيْشٍ
وبأعلامِهand with his banners جلاdispelled كَرْبَthe anguish وَقْعهof a battle
وبأعلامِه جلا كَرْبَ وَقْعه
How often his pens have turned back an army's fury,
It outstripped lightning when it raced with it
and his banners dispelled the anguish of battle!
But from it sparks on its fetlocks clung
رُبَّmany a غُرٍّbright one منamong غِلمةٍyouths وجيادٍand noble steeds
رُبَّ غُرٍّ من غِلمةٍ وجيادٍ
أَنwhen أَتتْهcame to him منfrom صارخِthe crier الحَيِّof the tribe فَزْعهan alarm
أَن أَتتْه من صارخِ الحَيِّ فَزْعه
Many are the bright youths and noble steeds,
O brother of excellence, the vicissitudes of fate assailed
when an alarm comes to him from the tribe's crier.
Rapping at the heart with despair its rap
كُلُّevery وَرْدٍbay horse وأَدهمٍand black horse مثْلlike ليلٍnight
كُلُّ وَرْدٍ وأَدهمٍ مثْل ليلٍ
لمعَتْgleamed قطعةٌa fragment منof الصُّبْحِdawn قِطْعهa patch
لمعَتْ قطعةٌ من الصُّبْحِ قِطْعه
Every bay and black steed is like a night
Trust in God as protector, and know
in which a piece of dawn glimmers as a patch.
That for fate an antidote exists after its bite
جِيدُهits neck مثْلُlike نَخْلةٍa palm tree غيْرَexcept أنّthat الthe
جِيدُه مثْلُ نَخْلةٍ غيْرَ أنّ ال
وَجْهَface يُبديreveals عنfrom غُرّةٍa white forehead blaze مثْلِlike طَلْعهa palm blossom
وَجْهَ يُبدي عن غُرّةٍ مثْلِ طَلْعه
Its neck is like a palm tree, except that its
And hold fast in the world to the rope of one noble
face displays a white blaze like a palm's blossom.
The vile have no pasturing in honor their grazing
سبَقَoutstripped البرقَlightning حينwhen جاراهraced it لكنْbut
سبَقَ البرقَ حين جاراه لكنْ
عَلِقتclung منهfrom it بالقوائمِto the legs لُمْعهa gleam
عَلِقت منه بالقوائمِ لُمْعه
It outran lightning when it raced it, yet
And go to him thanking with encomium
a gleam of lightning clung to its legs.
For praise of the generous is the most profitable merchandise
ياO أخاpossessor of فَضْلٍmerit اعتدَىassailed صَرْفُthe vicissitude دَهْرٍof time
يا أخا فَضْلٍ اعتدَى صَرْفُ دَهْرٍ
قَرعstruck القلبَthe heart منهfrom it باليأْسِwith despair قَرْعهa blow
قَرع القلبَ منه باليأْسِ قَرْعه
O man of merit, assailed by time's vicissitudes,
O peer of the noble, imam
which struck your heart a blow of despair,
Whose nature on generosity is stamped
ثِقْtrust منَfrom اللهِGod بالإدالةِin fortune's reversal واعلَمْand know
ثِقْ منَ اللهِ بالإدالةِ واعلَمْ
أنّthat للدَّهرِtime has رُقْيةًa healing charm بعدَafter لَسْعهa sting
أنّ للدَّهرِ رُقْيةً بعدَ لَسْعه
trust in a reversal of fortune from God, and know
Grant your supplicant from your loftiness a share
that time has a healing charm after its sting.
For near the meteors for the destitute are bowls
واعتصِمْand hold fast فيamong الورَىmankind بحَبْلِto the rope كريمٍof a generous man
واعتصِمْ في الورَى بحَبْلِ كريمٍ
ليسthere is no للذّمِّfor blame منهof him فيin العرضِhonor رَتْعهa pasture
ليس للذّمِّ منه في العرضِ رَتْعه
And among men cling to the rope of a generous man
It is unbecoming for me and the kept covenants
whose honor offers blame no grazing ground.
To show to other than you submission
وَاغْدُand go forth at dawn مُستَبضِعاًbearing merchandise إليهto him ثَناءًpraise
وَاغْدُ مُستَبضِعاً إليه ثَناءً
فثناءُfor praising الكرامِthe generous أَربَحُthe most profitable سِلْعَهmerchandise
فثناءُ الكرامِ أَربَحُ سِلْعَه
Go to him carrying praise as your merchandise,
Elevate my words and bounty me
for praise of the generous is the most profitable wares.
For your bow's string has sufficed me from pulling
ياO هُماماًvaliant man للأكرمينَfor the noblest إماماًa leader
يا هُماماً للأكرمينَ إماماً
طُبعَتْwas imprinted نَفسُهhis soul علىupon الجُودِgenerosity طَبْعهan imprint
طُبعَتْ نَفسُه على الجُودِ طَبْعه
O valiant man, leader of the noblest,
Spread above me from the shade of your banner an edge
whose soul was stamped with generosity!
And water my land from the clouds of your palm a pouring
اِقْرِoffer hospitality to راجيكَone who hopes in you منof عُلاكَyour greatness نَصيباًa share
اِقْرِ راجيكَ من عُلاكَ نَصيباً
فلَدىfor among الشُّهْبِthe stars للمساكينِfor the poor قَصْعهa bowl
فلَدى الشُّهْبِ للمساكينِ قَصْعه
Give one who hopes in you a share of your greatness,
Bestow benefits, then will form the sanctity of the suckling
for among the stars the poor have a bowl.
From it, it does not prohibit the nursing of milk
أَنَفاًout of proud disdain ليfor me وللعهودِand for the pledges المَواضيpast
أَنَفاً لي وللعهودِ المَواضي
أنthat تَرانيyou see me أُبديdisplaying لغَيرِكto another than you خَضْعهsubmission
أن تَراني أُبدي لغَيرِك خَضْعه
Let pride on my behalf, and for our former pledges, forbid
And may its benevolence increase over the beginning, light
your seeing me display submission to another.
As after the new crescent is its full orb
فَوِّقِnock القولَthe words ليfor me وقَرطِسْand hit the target مَراميmy aims
فَوِّقِ القولَ لي وقَرطِسْ مَرامي
فكفَتْنيfor it suffices me منfrom مثْلِthe like قَوسِكof your bow نَزْعهone draw
فكفَتْني من مثْلِ قَوسِك نَزْعه
Nock your words for me, and hit the mark of my desires;
The shoulder of earth from the downpour of rain
one draw from a bow like yours is enough for me.
Dons the meadow all at once after its downpour
مُدَّspread فَوقيabove me منfrom ظلِّthe shade جاهِكof your standing ذَيلاًa hem
مُدَّ فَوقي من ظلِّ جاهِك ذَيلاً
واسْقِand water أَرضيmy land منfrom سُحْبِthe clouds كَفّكof your palm هَمْعهa shower
واسْقِ أَرضي من سُحْبِ كَفّك هَمْعه
Spread a hem of your prestige's shade above me,
It came to us illuminating while the raven of night
and water my land with a shower from the clouds of your palm.
In its folds from the dawn are patches
تابِعِcontinue الرِفدthe bounty تَنعَقِدْwill be established حُرمَةُthe sacred bond الرّاof the suckling (first part)
تابِعِ الرِفد تَنعَقِدْ حُرمَةُ الرّا
ضعِsuckling (completion) منهthrough it فماfor not تُحَرِّمُmakes marriage forbidden رَضْعهone nursing
ضعِ منه فما تُحَرِّمُ رَضْعه
Continue your bounty, so the suckling's sacred bond
A king for spring with a verdant banner
is established through it; one nursing does not forbid marriage.
That has never stooped without your meeting, stooping
ولْيَزِدْand let increase عَودُهits renewal علىbeyond البَدْءِthe beginning نُوراًin radiance
ولْيَزِدْ عَودُه على البَدْءِ نُوراً
مثْلماjust as بعْدَafter غُرّةِthe beginning الشّهْرِof the month دُرْعهits bright-ended nights
مثْلما بعْدَ غُرّةِ الشّهْرِ دُرْعه
Let its renewal surpass its beginning in radiance,
Binding for the meadow garlands, one after another
as the month's bright-ended nights follow its first crescent.
And for it from the gems of light, its studding
مَنكِبُthe shoulder الأرضِof the earth منfrom نِثارِthe scattering الغَواديof morning rains
مَنكِبُ الأرضِ من نِثارِ الغَوادي
يَكتسيputs on الرَّوضَthe meadow دَفعةًa burst بعدَafter دَفْعهa burst
يَكتسي الرَّوضَ دَفعةً بعدَ دَفْعه
The shoulder of the earth, from the scattering of morning rains,
So protect us through its demarcation, unlike the deceitful
puts on meadows, shower after shower.
Turning for sadness its thorn towards it, piercing
قدindeed أَتاناcame to us مُصَبِّحاًat dawn وغُرابُwhile the raven الْthe
قد أَتانا مُصَبِّحاً وغُرابُ الْ
لَيلِnight فيلَونهin its color منof الصُّبْحِmorning بُقْعهa patch
لَيلِ فيلَونه من الصُّبْحِ بُقْعه
It came to us at dawn, while the raven
And with a sword from its water each valley
of night bore a patch of morning in its color.
And with a shield from its grass each summit
مَلكٌa king للربيعِof spring ذوbearing رايةٍa banner خَضْgreen (first part)
مَلكٌ للربيعِ ذو رايةٍ خَضْ
راءَgreen (completion) ماnot كَعَّshrank back منfrom دونbefore لُقْياكَmeeting you كعّهa single flinch
راءَ ما كَعَّ من دون لُقْياكَ كعّه
A king of spring, bearing a green
With a weapon by which we menaced
banner, who never once shrank from meeting you.
And killed worries, and war is deceit
عاقدٌbinding للرُّباfor the hills أَكاليلَgarlands رَوْضٍof greenery
عاقدٌ للرُّبا أَكاليلَ رَوْضٍ
ولهاand for them منof جواهرِthe jewels النَّوْرِof blossoms رَصْعهa setting
ولها من جواهرِ النَّوْرِ رَصْعه
Binding garlands of greenery upon the hills,
So remain alive and well until you see for radiant spring
and setting them with the jewels of flowers.
In the realm thus forever its return
فاتّقاناso it warded us off بخُوطِهwith its twig بدَلَinstead of الخَطْthe Khatti spear (first part)
فاتّقانا بخُوطِه بدَلَ الخَطْ
طِيّKhatti spear (completion) يُوليdeals قِرْنَthe adversary الأسىsorrow منهwith it صَرْعهa fall
طِيّ يُولي قِرْنَ الأسى منه صَرْعه
So it warded us off with its bough instead of a Khatti
In your flowering youths, O origin
spear, throwing down its adversary, sorrow, with it.
Of glory whose branches God has not lopped
وبسَيفٍand with a sword منof مائهِits water كُلُّevery وادٍvalley
وبسَيفٍ من مائهِ كُلُّ وادٍ
وبتُرْسٍand with a shield منof عُشْبهاits grass كُلُّevery تَلْعهrise
وبتُرْسٍ من عُشْبها كُلُّ تَلْعه
Every valley bore a sword of its water,
Bringing delight to the epochs, one after another
and every hillside a shield of its grass.
While your adversaries, sorrow after sorrow
بسلاحٍwith weapons بهwith which أَشَرْنَthey gestured إليناtoward us
بسلاحٍ به أَشَرْنَ إلينا
وقَتلْنَand they slew الهمومَworries والحَرْبُand war خُدْعهdeception
وقَتلْنَ الهمومَ والحَرْبُ خُدْعه
With these weapons they gestured toward us
The realm has become, and it is the abode of settlement
and slew our cares—war is deception.
For you glory, and for the enemy, abode of eradication
فابْقَso live on واسلَمْand remain safe حتّىuntil تَرَىyou see للرّبيعِof spring الطْcheerful (first part)
فابْقَ واسلَمْ حتّى تَرَى للرّبيعِ الطْ
طَلْقِcheerful (completion) فيin المُلكِthe kingdom هكذاlike this أَلفَa thousand رَجْعهreturns
طَلْقِ في المُلكِ هكذا أَلفَ رَجْعه
So live on and remain safe until you see cheerful spring
For you in every assembly of my prayers
return like this a thousand times within your kingdom,
That which the orator observes in every assembly
فيamong بنيكَyour sons الغُرِّillustrious الأكارمِmost noble ياO أَصْroot (first part)
في بنيكَ الغُرِّ الأكارمِ يا أَصْ
لاًroot (completion) لمَجْدٍof glory لاmay not شَذَّبَprune اللهُGod فَرعهits branch
لاً لمَجْدٍ لا شَذَّبَ اللهُ فَرعه
among your illustrious, noble sons, O root
For you remembrance in every land established
of glory—may God never prune its branch!
And freshness traversing the heights regardless of measure
تُتحفُyou present الدَّهْرَtime طَربةًa delight بعدَafter أُخْرىanother
تُتحفُ الدَّهْرَ طَربةً بعدَ أُخْرى
وأَعاديكand your enemies فَجعةًa calamity بعدَafter فَجْعهa calamity
وأَعاديك فَجعةً بعدَ فَجْعه
You present time with one delight after another,
It is devoid of neither, just as no place
and your enemies with one calamity after another.
Lacks rays of the sun or gloom of night, patches
أَصبحَhas become المُلْكُkingship وهْوand it is دارُa home قَرارof permanence
أَصبحَ المُلْكُ وهْو دارُ قَرار
لكfor you عِزّاًglory وللعداand for the enemies دارُa home قُلْعهof eviction
لك عِزّاً وللعدا دارُ قُلْعه
Kingship, an abiding home, has become
For may they ransom you from every setback
glory for you, and an abode of eviction for your enemies.
When praise was not provided the enjoyment of its hearing
لكَfor you فيin كُلِّevery مَجْمَعٍassembly منfrom دُعائيmy prayers
لكَ في كُلِّ مَجْمَعٍ من دُعائي
ماwhat يُقيمُoffers الخَطيبُthe preacher فيon كُلِّevery جُمعهFriday
ما يُقيمُ الخَطيبُ في كُلِّ جُمعه
In every gathering my prayers for you include
Divorced liberality his palm, like the number of stars
what the preacher offers every Friday.
Not content for it, by swooping down with palms
لكfor you ذِكْرٌremembrance بكُلِّin every أَرْضٍland مُقيمٌabiding
لك ذِكْرٌ بكُلِّ أَرْضٍ مُقيمٌ
وندىًand generosity يَذْرَعُstrides across العُلاthe heights أَيَّwhat a ذِرْعهstride
وندىً يَذْرَعُ العُلا أَيَّ ذِرْعه
Your remembrance abides in every land,
For in the religion of his liberality, devoid of stinginess
and your bounty strides mightily across the heights.
To follow separation with return
ماnot خَلتْhas been empty منهماof them both كماjust as ليسnot تَخْلوis empty
ما خَلتْ منهما كما ليس تَخْلو
منof سَناthe radiance الشّمسِof the sun أوor دُجىthe darkness اللّيلِof night بُقْعهa spot
من سَنا الشّمسِ أو دُجى اللّيلِ بُقْعه
No place is without them, just as none is ever free
Most fortunate of people, most fortunate is he who desires it
of the sun's radiance or the night's darkness.
So be relieved by it of your discontent, its relief
ففَداكُمْso may ransom you all منfrom الرّدىdeath كُلُّevery نِكْسٍbase fellow
ففَداكُمْ من الرّدى كُلُّ نِكْسٍ
حينwhen لمnot يُؤْتَis given بالمدائحِthrough panegyrics مُتْعهa recompense
حين لم يُؤْتَ بالمدائحِ مُتْعه
May every base fellow ransom you all from death,
Everyone who obtains from it a glad tiding
when praise brings no gift in return.
Is not pleased but with the riches of time, its place of sleep
طَلّقdivorced الجُودَgenerosity كفُّهhis palm عدَدَas many times as الأنthe stars (first part)
طَلّق الجُودَ كفُّه عدَدَ الأن
جُمِstars (completion) لمnot تَقتَنعْwas content لهfor it بالهَقْعهwith al-Haqʿah
جُمِ لم تَقتَنعْ له بالهَقْعه
His hand divorced generosity as many times
May the Lord of the mighty throne make lasting
as there are stars, not content with al-Haqʿah alone.
Your lifetime in the shade of glory and bounty
فَهْوso he فيin دِينthe creed جُودِهof his generosity عادِمُlacking الرُّخْpermission (first part)
فَهْو في دِين جُودِه عادِمُ الرُّخْ
صةِpermission (completion) أَنto يُعقِبَfollow الطّلاقَthe divorce برَجْعهwith a taking back
صةِ أَن يُعقِبَ الطّلاقَ برَجْعه
So, under his generosity's creed, he has no license
Uniting your cohesion, and that is worthier
to follow divorce by taking it back.
Than the cohesion of a realm, that God makes it lasting
أَسعَدُthe happiest النّاسِof people أَسعَدٌAsʿad والذّيand the one who يَرْhopes (first part)
أَسعَدُ النّاسِ أَسعَدٌ والذّي يَرْ
جوهُhopes in him (completion) فانقَعْso quench بهthrough him غليلَكَyour burning thirst نَقْعهa full quenching
جوهُ فانقَعْ به غليلَكَ نَقْعه
The happiest of men is Asʿad, and the one who hopes
in him; so quench your burning thirst fully through him.
كلُّevery مَنone who شامglimpsed منهfrom him بارقَa flash بِشْرٍof cheerfulness
كلُّ مَن شام منه بارقَ بِشْرٍ
ليسَnot يَرضَىis content سوىwith anything but غِنَىwealth الدَّهرِfor all time نُجْعهas sought pasture
ليسَ يَرضَى سوى غِنَى الدَّهرِ نُجْعه
Everyone who glimpses a flash of his cheerful welcome
will accept no pasture but lifelong abundance.
دامmay endure رَبُّthe Lord العَرشof the Throne العظيمِmighty مُديماًcontinually prolonging
دام رَبُّ العَرش العظيمِ مُديماً
عُمْرَكمْyour lives فيin ظلالِthe shade عِزٍّof honor ومِنْعهand protection
عُمْرَكمْ في ظلالِ عِزٍّ ومِنْعه
May the Lord of the mighty Throne ever prolong
your lives in the shade of honor and protection,
جامعاًuniting شَملَكُمyour company وذلكand that أَوْلىmost deserving
جامعاً شَملَكُم وذلك أَوْلى
شَمْلِcompany مُلْكٍof a kingdom أَنthat يُخْلِدَmake everlasting اللهُGod جَمْعهits union
شَمْلِ مُلْكٍ أَن يُخْلِدَ اللهُ جَمْعه
keeping you united: yours is the most deserving
royal fellowship for God to make its union everlasting.
Partial English translation: 146 of 154 Arabic lines translated.
Sol 6.1