نَزلَsettled الأحبّةُthe beloved خِطّةَthe territory of الأعداءِthe enemies
نَزلَ الأحبّةُ خِطّةَ الأعداءِ
فغداso became لقاءٌan encounter منهمُwith them بلِقاءِwith armor
فغدا لقاءٌ منهمُ بلِقاءِ
The beloved settled in the enemies’ territory,
The loved ones descended with the stratagem of enemies,
so meeting them became an encounter with armor.
So a meeting of them became with meeting.
كمhow many طعنةٍa spear-thrust نَجْلاءَgaping تَعرِضُconfronts بالحِمىَat the sanctuary
كم طعنةٍ نَجْلاءَ تَعرِضُ بالحِمىَ
منbefore دونreaching نَظْرةِa glance of مُقلةٍan eye نَجْلاءwide
من دون نَظْرةِ مُقلةٍ نَجْلاء
How many a gaping spear-thrust confronts one at the sanctuary
How many clear stabs expose feverishly,
before a glimpse of a wide-eyed gaze!
Without the glance of a clear doe eye.
ياO مَعْهدَhaunt of الرَشأthe fawn الأغَنّnasal-voiced كعَهْدِناas we knew
يا مَعْهدَ الرَشأ الأغَنّ كعَهْدِنا
بالجْزعِat the valley bend تحتbeneath البانةِthe ban-tree الغَنّاءleafy
بالجْزعِ تحت البانةِ الغَنّاء
O haunt of the nasal-voiced fawn, as we knew you
O habitat of soft most verdant youth, like our covenant
at the valley bend beneath the leafy ban-tree!
With composure beneath the melodious arch.
بكwithin you أصبَحتْhas become سَمْراءُa tawny one وهيwhile it منَis among القناthe spear-shafts
بك أصبَحتْ سَمْراءُ وهي منَ القنا
فيin ظلِّthe shade of كلِevery طويلةٍtall one سَمْراءtawny
في ظلِّ كلِ طويلةٍ سَمْراء
Within you a tawny shaft, one of the spears, now stands
By you, Samra became brown, though she is from Qina,
in the shade of every tall, tawny beauty.
In the shadow of each long brown one.
هلwill تُبلِغانِyou two convey ليَfor me الغداةَthis morning تحيّةًa greeting
هل تُبلِغانِ ليَ الغداةَ تحيّةً
تُهدَىis delivered علىwith حَذَرٍcaution منَagainst الأحياءthe tribes
تُهدَى على حَذَرٍ منَ الأحياء
Will you two convey a greeting for me this morning,
Will you two convey to me in the morning a greeting,
delivered with caution against the encamped tribes?
Sent carefully from the living?
إنْif تبلُغاyou two reach شَرَفَthe heights of العُذَيبِal-Udhayb عشيةًat evening
إنْ تبلُغا شَرَفَ العُذَيبِ عشيةً
فَتيامناَthen turn right, you two عنهaway from it إلىtoward الوعساءal-Wa'sa'
فَتيامناَ عنه إلى الوعساء
If you reach the heights of al-Udhayb at evening,
If you convey it by nightfall to Al-Udhayb,
turn right from there toward al-Wa'sa'.
We will avoid it towards Al-Wa’sa.
وقِفاand halt, you two لصائدةِbefore the huntress of الرّجالmen بدَلّهاwith her coy charm
وقِفا لصائدةِ الرّجال بدَلّها
فَصفاthen describe, you two جِنايةَthe crime of عينهاher eye الحوراءdark-rimmed
فَصفا جِنايةَ عينها الحوراء
And halt before her who hunts men with her coy charm;
Stand in place of the hunter of men instead of her,
describe the crimes of her dark-rimmed eye.
Describe the crime of her doe eyes.
وتَحدَّثاand converse, you two سِرّاًsecretly فحولَfor around قبابهاher domed tents
وتَحدَّثا سِرّاً فحولَ قبابها
سُمرُthe tawny shafts of الرّماحِthe spears يَمِلنَlean للإصغاءto listen
سُمرُ الرّماحِ يَمِلنَ للإصغاء
Speak in secret, for around her domed tents
And talk secretly, so the horsemen of its domes
the tawny spears lean over to listen—
Incline their spears to listen.
منamong كلِّevery باكيةٍweeping one دماًblood منin دُونهاher defense
من كلِّ باكيةٍ دماً من دُونها
يومَon the day of الطّعانspear-thrusting بمُقلةٍthrough an eye زرقاءblue
يومَ الطّعان بمُقلةٍ زرقاء
each one weeping blood in her defense
From every weeping woman, blood without her,
on the day of thrusting, through a blue eye,
The day of stabbing with a blue doe eye.
وسميعةٍand a keen hearer of صوتَthe voice of الصّريخِthe cry for help وإنalthough غدَتْit has become
وسميعةٍ صوتَ الصّريخِ وإن غدَتْ
مَدعوَّةًcalled بالصعدةa straight spear الصمّاءdeaf; solid
مَدعوَّةً بالصعدة الصمّاء
and keenly hearing the cry for help, though it has come
And Samira, the voice of screaming, even if she becomes,
to be called a deaf, solid spear.
Invited by deaf ridge.
ياO دُميةًimage of beauty منbefore دونِreaching رَفعِthe raising of سُجوفهاher curtains
يا دُميةً من دونِ رَفعِ سُجوفها
خوْضُthe plunging of الفتىthe youth بالخيلِwith the horses بحْرَinto a sea of دِماءblood
خوْضُ الفتى بالخيلِ بحْرَ دِماء
O image of beauty, before your curtains can be raised,
O doll without raising her insides,
a youth must plunge with his horses into a sea of blood.
The plunging of the young man with horses in a sea of blood.
خَوفيmy fear لإقصاءِof keeping away الرّقيبِthe watcher لوَif أنّنيI
خَوفي لإقصاءِ الرّقيبِ لوَ أنّني
أَجدُfind الحبيبَthe beloved يَهُمُّintends بالإدناءto draw near
أَجدُ الحبيبَ يَهُمُّ بالإدناء
My fear would be of the watcher’s keeping me away, if only I
My fear of the watcher's eviction, if I
found the beloved intent on drawing me near.
Find the beloved intending proximity.
لوif ساعدَhelped الأحبابُthe beloved قلتُI would say تجلُّداًwith fortitude
لو ساعدَ الأحبابُ قلتُ تجلُّداً
أَهوِنْhow easy عليّfor me برِقبةِthe watching of الأعداءthe enemies
أَهوِنْ عليّ برِقبةِ الأعداء
If the beloved would help, I would say with fortitude:
If the loved ones helped, I would say with composure,
How lightly I would bear the enemies’ watch!
The enemies' necks are easier for me.
ولئنand even if صدَدْتِyou turn away فلستُI am not أوّلَthe first خاطيءٍmistaken man
ولئن صدَدْتِ فلستُ أوّلَ خاطيءٍ
يَتوقَّعُexpects الإحسانَkindness منfrom حسناءa beautiful woman
يَتوقَّعُ الإحسانَ من حسناء
And if you turn away, I am not the first mistaken man
And if you refuse, I am not the first sinner
to expect kindness from a beauty.
Who expects kindness from a beautiful one.
هلwill تأذنينyou permit لمُغرمٍa lovesick man فيin زَورةٍa little visit
هل تأذنين لمُغرمٍ في زَورةٍ
فلعلّهاfor perhaps it تَشفيwill cure منof البُرحاءsevere torment
فلعلّها تَشفي من البُرحاء
Will you permit a lovesick man a little visit?
Do you allow an infatuated one a visit?
Perhaps it will cure his torment.
Maybe it will heal him from distress.
فلقدfor indeed ملكْتِyou have controlled عنِaway from السُّلوِّforgetting مقادتيmy reins
فلقد ملكْتِ عنِ السُّلوِّ مقادتي
وحشوتand you filled منwith نارِthe fire of الجوىlove's anguish أحشائيmy entrails
وحشوت من نارِ الجوى أحشائي
You have held my reins away from forgetting,
For you have led me away from comfort,
and filled my entrails with the fire of love’s anguish.
And filled my insides with the fire of passion.
وصبَرْتُand I endured عَشراًten days عنكِwithout you مُذْsince شَطَّgrew distant النّوىseparation
وصبَرْتُ عَشراً عنكِ مُذْ شَطَّ النّوى
والعِشْرُand ten days أقصىthe furthest غايةِlimit of الإظماءkeeping thirsty
والعِشْرُ أقصى غايةِ الإظماء
I have endured ten days without you since separation stretched far,
And I have endured ten years without you, since the bending of An-Nawa,
and ten days are the furthest limit of thirst.
And ten is the utmost extent of endurance.
ولقدand indeed كَتَمتُI concealed عنِfrom العَذولthe reproacher صَبابتيmy longing
ولقد كَتَمتُ عنِ العَذول صَبابتي
لكنّbut دَمْعيَmy tears لَجَّpersisted فيin الإفشاءِrevealing
لكنّ دَمْعيَ لَجَّ في الإفشاءِ
I concealed my longing from the reproacher,
And I have concealed my love sickness from the censurers,
but my tears persisted in revealing it.
But my tears have burst forth in disclosure.
فلْيهنأِso may it please الغَيرانَthe jealous man أنّthat صدودَهاher aversion
فلْيهنأِ الغَيرانَ أنّ صدودَها
مِمّاis among what يُروّحُcheers مَعشراًa group of people وبكائيand my weeping
مِمّا يُروّحُ مَعشراً وبكائي
Let the jealous man rejoice: her aversion
So let the jealous ones rejoice that her rejection
cheers some people, as does my weeping.
Of me is what comforts a group, while my crying distresses them.
قُولاtell, you two لخائفةٍher who fears عليناfor us رِقْبةًsurveillance
قُولا لخائفةٍ علينا رِقْبةً
ووِشايةًand slander منfrom معشرٍa group of people بُعَداءestranged
ووِشايةً من معشرٍ بُعَداء
Tell her who fears for us the watching
Say to a watcher over us, suspicious
and slander of estranged people:
And gossipy from a group of enemies:
دَمْعيmy tears وبُخْلُكِand your withholding يَسلُكانِboth follow طريقةًa course
دَمْعي وبُخْلُكِ يَسلُكانِ طريقةً
تُغْنِيdispenses عنِwith الواشينَthe slanderers والرُّقَباءand the watchers
تُغْنِي عنِ الواشينَ والرُّقَباء
My tears and your withholding follow a course
My tears and your frugality follow a path
that leaves no need for slanderers or watchers.
That makes observers and guardians needless.
وبمَسْقِطِand at the foot of العلَمَيْنِthe two landmarks منon طُررِthe fringes of الَّلوىal-Liwa
وبمَسْقِطِ العلَمَيْنِ من طُررِ الَّلوى
دِمَنٌcamp-remnants شكَوْنَcomplained of تَطاوُلَthe prolonging of الإقواءabandonment
دِمَنٌ شكَوْنَ تَطاوُلَ الإقواء
At the foot of the two landmarks, on the fringes of al-Liwa,
And in the place where the two banners fell from the folds of passion,
camp-remnants complained of their long abandonment.
There are blood stains complaining of the aggression of enemies.
كَررّتُI repeatedly turned ألحاظيmy glances إلىtoward عَرَصاتهاtheir courts
كَررّتُ ألحاظي إلى عَرَصاتها
وذكَرتُand I remembered عهْدَthe days of أولئكthose القُرناءcompanions
وذكَرتُ عهْدَ أولئك القُرناء
I turned my gaze again and again toward their courts,
I glanced repeatedly at its yards,
and remembered the days of those companions.
And remembered the era of those companions.
وسقَيْتُand I watered صاديَthe thirsty part of تُرْبِهاtheir dust بمَدامعٍwith tears
وسقَيْتُ صاديَ تُرْبِها بمَدامعٍ
تَنهلُّpour down مثْلَlike الدِيمةِthe steady rain الوطْفاءthick-clouded
تَنهلُّ مثْلَ الدِيمةِ الوطْفاء
I watered their thirsty dust with tears
And I gave its attacker's soil my tears to drink,
pouring like steady rain from a thick cloud.
That flow like the still dew.
والدّمعةُand the tear البيضاءُwhite قَلّتْproved insufficient عندَهاfor them
والدّمعةُ البيضاءُ قَلّتْ عندَها
فمَطرتُهاso I rained upon them بالدّمْعةِwith the tear الحَمراءred
فمَطرتُها بالدّمْعةِ الحَمراء
White tears proved too little for them,
And the white teardrop diminished there,
so I rained red tears upon them.
So I watered it with the red teardrop.
فكَمِso how much التجَرُّعُswallowing of bitterness للتّحسُّرِin grief أنthat خلاwas deserted
فكَمِ التجَرُّعُ للتّحسُّرِ أن خلا
منby ساكنيهِits inhabitants مُنحنَىthe bend of الجَرْعاءal-Jar'a
من ساكنيهِ مُنحنَى الجَرْعاء
How much bitterness to swallow in grieving that
So how much anguished drinking for grief when it was empty
the bend of al-Jar'a lies empty of its inhabitants!
Of its inhabitants, the bend of Al-Jur’a.
صبْراًpatience وإنْeven if رحَلdeparted الخليطُthe companions فإنّماfor indeed
صبْراً وإنْ رحَل الخليطُ فإنّما
ذُخِرَwas stored العَزاءُsolace لساعةfor the hour of الأرزاءcalamities
ذُخِرَ العَزاءُ لساعة الأرزاء
Patience, even if the companions depart: indeed,
Patience, even if the mixed company departed,
solace was stored for the hour of calamities.
For solace is stored for the time of funerals.
واسألْand ask عِتاقthe noble ones among العيسِthe pale camels إنif ثَوّرْتَهاyou rouse them
واسألْ عِتاق العيسِ إن ثَوّرْتَها
سَيراًfor a journey يمزّقُthat rends بُردةَthe cloak of البيداءِthe desert
سَيراً يمزّقُ بُردةَ البيداءِ
And ask the noble pale camels, if you rouse them,
And ask the knights of Jesus if you provoked them,
for a journey that rends the desert’s cloak.
It will tear the garment of the white desert.
فعَسىso perhaps المطاياthe mounts أنwill يُجدِّدَrenew وخْدُهاtheir swift stride
فعَسى المطايا أن يُجدِّدَ وخْدُها
لكfor you سَلوةًconsolation بزيارةِthrough visiting الزَّوراءِal-Zawra'
لك سَلوةً بزيارةِ الزَّوراءِ
Perhaps the mounts’ swift stride will renew
Maybe the horses will renew their affection for you
your consolation through a visit to al-Zawra'.
With a visit to Az-Zawra.
فوسَمتُso I branded أغفالَthe unmarked parts of المهامةِthe wastes واطئاًtreading
فوسَمتُ أغفالَ المهامةِ واطئاً
وجَناتِهاtheir cheeks بمناسمِwith the footpads of الوجنْاءthe stout she-camel
وجَناتِها بمناسمِ الوجنْاء
So I branded the unmarked wastes, treading
So I marked the ignorances of Mahama silently,
their cheeks with the footpads of a stout she-camel,
And its gardens with the signs of tattooing.
حتّىuntil أُنيخَI make kneel بشّطِّon the bank of دجلةَthe Tigris أَينُقىmy she-camels
حتّى أُنيخَ بشّطِّ دجلةَ أَينُقى
والجَوُand the sky فيwithin سمْكٍa vault منof الظّلماءdarkness
والجَوُ في سمْكٍ من الظّلماء
until I made my she-camels kneel on the Tigris bank,
Until An-Nukha was laid to rest at the shore of the Tigris,
while the sky lay in a vault of darkness.
And the atmosphere was thick with darkness.
والجسْرُand the bridge تَحسَبُهyou imagine it طِرازاًan embroidered stripe أسْوداًblack
والجسْرُ تَحسَبُه طِرازاً أسْوداً
قدhas لاحappeared فوقupon مُلاءةٍa sheet بيضاءwhite
قد لاح فوق مُلاءةٍ بيضاء
The bridge seemed to you a black embroidered stripe
And the bridge you'd think is a black thread
appearing upon a white sheet.
That appeared over a white scarf.
والّليلُand night قدhad نَسخcopied الكواكبَthe stars نُسخةًa copy
والّليلُ قد نَسخ الكواكبَ نُسخةً
للأرضِfor the earth غيرnot سقيمةِfeeble in الأضواءbrightness
للأرضِ غير سقيمةِ الأضواء
Night had made a copy of the stars
And the night copied the planets a copy
for the earth, with undiminished lights.
For the earth, imperfect in illumination.
والأصلand the original للخضراءbelongs to the green heaven فهْوَand it is بِكَفّهاin its hand
والأصل للخضراء فهْوَ بِكَفّها
وبهِand with it تُقابِلُit compares نُسخةَthe copy of الغَبراءthe dust-colored earth
وبهِ تُقابِلُ نُسخةَ الغَبراء
The original belongs to the green heaven, held in its hand;
For the green one has the original, so it is in her hand,
with it, it compares the copy of the dust-colored earth.
And with it she meets the copy of dust.
فكأنّماas though الفَلَكthe celestial sphere المُدارrevolved بمَشْقِهاby tracing it
فكأنّما الفَلَك المُدار بمَشْقِها
أبدىdisplayed كتابتَهits handwriting لعَيْنِto the eye of الرائيthe beholder
أبدى كتابتَه لعَيْنِ الرائي
As though the revolving sphere, through its transcription,
So it is as if the revolving heavens have displayed
had displayed its handwriting to the beholder’s eye.
Their writing to the beholder's eye.
أًمسىreached evening وقدhaving نسخَcopied السّماءَthe heavens جميعَهاall of them
أًمسى وقد نسخَ السّماءَ جميعَها
منthrough حِذْقِهits skill فيon صَفحةٍa page للماءof water
من حِذْقِه في صَفحةٍ للماء
At evening, it had copied all the heavens
It made the entire sky a copy,
through its skill onto a page of water,
From its skill on a page of water.
كيso that يَخْدُمَit may serve المولَىthe lord المُعينal-Mu'in; the helper لوif ارتضَىhe consented
كي يَخْدُمَ المولَى المُعين لو ارتضَى
بالنسْخِthrough copying فيin ديوانِthe bureau of الاستيفاءaccounting
بالنسْخِ في ديوانِ الاستيفاء
to serve the lord al-Mu'in, should he consent,
So that it may serve the Helper Master if He wished,
as a copyist in the bureau of accounts.
With copying in the diary of requitals.
ولوand if ارتَضاهhe accepted it خادماًas a servant لرأىit would see لهfor it
ولو ارتَضاه خادماً لرأى له
ماذاhow much يُضاعَفُis multiplied منof سناًradiance وسنَاءand exalted rank
ماذا يُضاعَفُ من سناً وسنَاء
And if he accepted it as a servant, it would see
And if He accepted him as a servant, He would see for him
how its radiance and exalted rank were multiplied.
What multiplies from year to year.
مَنhe who ظَلَّremained بينbefore يدْيهِhis hands أدنىthe lowliest كاتبٍscribe
مَن ظَلَّ بين يدْيهِ أدنى كاتبٍ
تَلْقاهyou find him واطىءtreading هامةِthe crown of الجوزاءal-Jawza'
تَلْقاه واطىء هامةِ الجوزاء
He whose lowliest scribe stands in his presence—
Who has remained between His hands lesser than any scribe,
you find that scribe treading the crown of al-Jawza'.
You will find him with bowed forehead.
مَنhe who بلَّغbrought الأقلامَthe pens فوقbeyond مدىthe reach of القناthe spears
مَن بلَّغ الأقلامَ فوق مدى القنا
للمُلْكِfor the realm يومَon the day of تَطاعُنِthe clash of الآراءِopinions
للمُلْكِ يومَ تَطاعُنِ الآراءِ
He who brought pens beyond the reach of spears
Who conveyed the pens beyond the span of the spear
for the realm, on the day when opinions clash;
For the kingdom the day of conflicting opinions.
مَنhe who حَلَّattained منamong درَجِthe ranks of الكِفايةcompetence غايةًa summit
مَن حَلَّ من درَجِ الكِفاية غايةً
أَعياmade impossible تَمَنّيهاaspiring to it علىfor الأكْفاءpeers
أَعيا تَمَنّيها على الأكْفاء
he who attained a summit in the ranks of competence
Who has surpassed the degree of competence, a limit
that his peers could scarcely even aspire to,
The equally matched cannot wish for.
بخلائقٍwith qualities خُلِقَتْfashioned لإدْراكto attain العُلاhigh honor
بخلائقٍ خُلِقَتْ لإدْراك العُلا
وطَرائقٍand ways حَظيَتْthat won بكُلّevery ثناءpraise
وطَرائقٍ حَظيَتْ بكُلّ ثناء
with qualities fashioned to attain high honor
With morals created for attaining the heights,
and ways that won every praise;
And ways endowed with all praise.
ويدٍand a hand تَشِحُّthat begrudges بذرّةٍan atom إنif حاسبَتْit reckons
ويدٍ تَشِحُّ بذرّةٍ إن حاسبَتْ
وببذرةٍand with a seed منهاfrom it أقَلُّthe least سَخاءgenerosity
وببذرةٍ منها أقَلُّ سَخاء
and a hand that begrudges an atom when reckoning,
And a hand that is stingy with a seed if it reckoned,
yet a seed from it is its least generosity.
And stingier than it with a seed if it dispersed.
إنْif لمnot ُيُسامِحْhe grants a concession ثَمّthere فاطْلُبْthen seek رِفْدَهhis bounty
إنْ لم ُيُسامِحْ ثَمّ فاطْلُبْ رِفْدَه
لِيُريكto show you كيفhow سَماحةُthe generosity of السَّمحاءthe generous
لِيُريك كيف سَماحةُ السَّمحاء
If he allows no concession there, seek his bounty,
If he doesn't forgive, then seek his grace,
that he may show you the generosity of the generous.
To show you the generosity of the forgiving ones.
مَلِكٌa king يَشُبُّwho kindles لبأَسِهfor his might ولجودِهِand for his generosity
مَلِكٌ يَشُبُّ لبأَسِه ولجودِهِ
ناريْنِtwo fires فيat الإصباحdawn والإمساءand dusk
ناريْنِ في الإصباح والإمساء
A king who kindles, for his might and his bounty,
A king who in his might and generosity
two fires at dawn and dusk.
Resembles two fires in the morning and evening.
قَسمتْdivided يَداهhis two hands عُداتَهhis enemies وعُفاتَهand his supplicants
قَسمتْ يَداه عُداتَه وعُفاتَه
قسمْينِinto two groups للإغْناءfor enrichment والإفناءand annihilation
قسمْينِ للإغْناء والإفناء
His hands divided his enemies and his supplicants
His hands have apportioned his weapons and pardons
into two groups: for enrichment and annihilation.
In two portions, for enriching and annihilating.
ذوpossessor of هِمّةٍlofty purpose تَلْقىyou find معَالمَthe precincts of دارِهِhis house
ذو هِمّةٍ تَلْقى معَالمَ دارِهِ
مَعمورةًthronged أبداًalways منwith العُلماءscholars
مَعمورةً أبداً من العُلماء
A man of lofty purpose, whose household you find
One whose ambition finds the landmarks of his abode
ever thronged with scholars.
Ever inhabited by the learned.
تتناثَرُscatter الدُّررُthe pearls الثّمينةُprecious وسْطَهاwithin it
تتناثَرُ الدُّررُ الثّمينةُ وسْطَها
قُدّامَهُbefore him بتَناظُرِthrough the debates of النُّظراءpeers
قُدّامَهُ بتَناظُرِ النُّظراء
Precious pearls scatter within it
Precious pearls are scattered amidst it
before him, through the debates of peers.
Before him with the gazing of peers.
وكأنّand as though بدراًa full moon فيwithin أسرّةthe lines of وجْهِهhis face
وكأنّ بدراً في أسرّة وجْهِه
للنّاظرِينfor the beholders يُمدُّهمsupplies them بضياءwith light
للنّاظرِين يُمدُّهم بضياء
As though a full moon within the lines of his face
And it is as if a full moon in the privacy of his face
supplied the beholders with light.
Provides illumination for onlookers.
تَتزعزعtremble الأعطافُthe sides of the body منهof him هِزّةًwith a thrill
تَتزعزع الأعطافُ منه هِزّةً
عندupon استماعhearing تلاوِةthe recitation of القُرّاءthe reciters
عند استماع تلاوِة القُرّاء
His sides tremble with a thrill
Shoulders shake from him a shudder
upon hearing the reciters’ recitation.
When hearing the recitation of readers.
فمسائلand the questions of الفقهاءthe jurists مُنشَدةٌare recited علىon
فمسائل الفقهاء مُنشَدةٌ على
آثارهنَّtheir heels مدائحthe praises of الشُّعراءthe poets
آثارهنَّ مدائح الشُّعراء
The jurists’ questions are recited, with
So the jurists' issues are chanted over
the poets’ praises following in their wake.
Their traces, like the poets' praises.
هذيthese المكارمُare the noble deeds والمعاليand lofty achievements الغُرُّshining لاnot
هذي المكارمُ والمعالي الغُرُّ لا
شدوthe singing of القيانthe songstresses وضجّةand the clamor of الندماءboon companions
شدو القيان وضجّة الندماء
These are noble deeds and shining heights, not
These noble traits and lofty principles do not
the singing of songstresses and the clamor of boon companions.
Rouse the singing of singers and clamor of callers.
للهGod bless مختصthe confidant of الملوكthe kings فلمand never تزلhas ceased
لله مختص الملوك فلم تزل
تَختَصُّto devote itself هِمَّتُهhis ambition بكُلِّto every علاءeminence
تَختَصُّ هِمَّتُه بكُلِّ علاء
God bless the kings’ confidant! Never has
To God belongs the exclusive right of kings, so the ambition
his ambition ceased to claim every eminence.
Of his soul continues to opt for the highest.
منfrom دوحةٍa spreading tree للمجدِof glory عاليةِlofty in الذُّراits crowns
من دوحةٍ للمجدِ عاليةِ الذُّرا
يومon the day of الفخارِproud rivalry مديدةَlong in الأفياءits shadows
يوم الفخارِ مديدةَ الأفياء
He springs from a tree of glory with lofty crowns,
From a lofty palm for glory, high of branches,
casting long shadows on the day of proud rivalry.
On the day of pride, extensive of shade.
كلٌّeveryone رأىsaw كَسْبَacquiring الثّراءwealth غنيمةًas a prize
كلٌّ رأى كَسْبَ الثّراء غنيمةً
فأَبتْbut refused يداهhis two hands غيرanything but كَسْبِacquiring ثنَاءpraise
فأَبتْ يداه غير كَسْبِ ثنَاء
Everyone saw acquiring wealth as a prize,
Everyone saw acquiring wealth as spoils,
but his hands refused anything but acquiring praise.
But his hands refused anything but praise.
ولأحمدَand Ahmad has بنِson of الفضلِal-Fadl شيمةُa disposition of سُؤْددٍlordly honor
ولأحمدَ بنِ الفضلِ شيمةُ سُؤْددٍ
وقفَتْreserved عليهfor him مَحامِدthe praises of الفُضلاءthe virtuous
وقفَتْ عليه مَحامِد الفُضلاء
Ahmad ibn al-Fadl has a disposition of lordly honor
And Ahmad ibn Al-Fadl has the traits of glory,
that has reserved for him the praises of the virtuous.
Which the virtuous have lauded in praise of him.
قدhas أصبحbecome ابنَthe son of الفضلal-Fadl; excellence فهْوand he يبرُّهhonors him
قد أصبح ابنَ الفضل فهْو يبرُّه
برَّthe dutifulness of البنينsons لماto the (word fragment) جِدِnoble (word fragment) الآباءfathers
برَّ البنين لما جِدِ الآباء
He has become the son of al-Fadl, and honors him
Ibn Al-Fadl has become a dutiful son, so he deals kindly with him
as sons dutifully honor noble fathers.
Like the dutifulness of sons to fathers.
ويَظَلُّand he continually يكرِمhonors مَنwhoever إليهtoward him يَنتحيturns
ويَظَلُّ يكرِم مَن إليه يَنتحي
مِنamong زائريهhis visitors كرامَةَwith the honor accorded to النُّسباءkinsmen
مِن زائريه كرامَةَ النُّسباء
He continually honors those who turn toward him
And he continues to honor whoever seeks refuge with him
among his visitors, as he would honor kin.
Of his visitors, with the nobility of Genealogists.
فالفضلُso al-Fadl قَرَّتْwas gladdened عَينُهhis eye بكby you ياO ابنَهhis son
فالفضلُ قَرَّتْ عَينُه بك يا ابنَه
إذsince كنتَyou were منamong أبنائهhis sons النجباءnoble
إذ كنتَ من أبنائه النجباء
Al-Fadl’s eye is gladdened by you, O his son,
So virtue has delighted him through you, O son,
since you are among his noble sons.
Since you were of his respectable sons.
ياO مُحسناًone who excels بيَدِwith the hand of النّدىbounty بينamong الورىmankind
يا مُحسناً بيَدِ النّدى بين الورى
تَقليدat adorning with a necklace جيدِthe neck of الهمّةِambition العَلياءlofty
تَقليد جيدِ الهمّةِ العَلياء
O you who excel, with bounty’s hand among mankind,
O you who have been charitable with the hand of bounty among mankind,
at placing a necklace upon lofty ambition’s neck!
Following the excellent ambition of the Sublime.
للهِGod bless درُّكyou منas فتَىًa young man علْياهwhose eminence فيis on
للهِ درُّك من فتَىً علْياه في
وجهِthe face of الزّمانtime كغُرّةِlike the forehead blaze of الدَّهْماءa black mare
وجهِ الزّمان كغُرّةِ الدَّهْماء
God bless you, young man, whose eminence on
By God, your worth among the people of the time,
the face of time is like the blaze of a black mare.
Is like the pearl in the sea foam.
ياO مَنyou who إلىto بيتٍa house تَحُلُّdwell in فناءهits courtyard
يا مَن إلى بيتٍ تَحُلُّ فناءه
يُمسىat evening ويُصبحand morning حَجُّis the pilgrimage of كُلِّevery رجاءhope
يُمسى ويُصبح حَجُّ كُلِّ رجاء
O you to whose house, in whose courtyard you dwell,
O you whose house courtyard
every hope makes pilgrimage evening and morning!
Becomes every morning and evening crowded with all hopes.
أضحَىhas become الرّجاءُhope إلىtoward ذُراكyour heights وجُوههits faces
أضحَى الرّجاءُ إلى ذُراك وجُوهه
مَصروفَةًturned منfrom سائرall الأرجاءquarters
مَصروفَةً من سائر الأرجاء
Hope now has its faces turned toward your heights
Hopes have become focused on your abode,
from every quarter.
Diverted from all other places.
ومنand among العجائبِthe wonders أنَّis that كَفَّكyour hand لمnever تزلْhas ceased
ومن العجائبِ أنَّ كَفَّك لم تزلْ
كالبحرِto be like the sea يومَon the day of الجُودِgenerosity فَرْطَin profusion of عطاءgiving
كالبحرِ يومَ الجُودِ فَرْطَ عطاء
Among the wonders is that your hand has ever been
And among the wonders is that your palm has never
like the sea on the day of generosity, in profusion of gifts.
Ceased being like the sea in day of generosity, overflowing in gifts.
والبحرand the sea أسماءnames لهhas معروفةwell-known
والبحر أسماء له معروفة
والكَفand the hand لمnot تَكُwas قطُّever فيamong الأسماءthe names
والكَف لم تَكُ قطُّ في الأسماء
The sea has its well-known names,
Yet the sea has well-known names,
yet “hand” was never among those names.
While the palm has never been among names.
أمّاas for جَداكَyour bounty فمِنfrom فِنائكyour courtyard قدhas سَرىtraveled
أمّا جَداكَ فمِن فِنائك قد سَرى
حتّىuntil أتانيit reached me نازلاًalighting بِفنائيin my courtyard
حتّى أتاني نازلاً بِفنائي
As for your bounty, it traveled from your courtyard
As for your grandfather, from your courtyard he travelled,
until it reached me, alighting in mine,
Until he came down, visiting my courtyard.
وأناwhile I بأرضِيin my land للمُقامِfor residence مُخَيمٌam encamped
وأنا بأرضِي للمُقامِ مُخَيمٌ
وركائبيand my riding-camels مَعقولةٌare hobbled بإزائيbeside me
وركائبي مَعقولةٌ بإزائي
while I remained encamped in my own land,
And I was in my land, camped for residence,
my riding-camels hobbled beside me.
With my mounts tied next to me.
فَبِكَمْthen by how much علىupon صِلَةٍa gift أجيءُI come وراءهاin pursuit of it
فَبِكَمْ على صِلَةٍ أجيءُ وراءها
تُربِيwould it increase إذاwhen صلةٌa gift تَجِىءcomes ورائيin pursuit of me
تُربِي إذا صلةٌ تَجِىء ورائي
By how much would a gift I go in pursuit of
So with what, after a connection, should I come following,
increase, when a gift comes in pursuit of me?
When a connection comes following me?
والذِّكْرُand remembrance منكfrom you علىduring المغيبِabsence مُفرِّحىgladdens me
والذِّكْرُ منك على المغيبِ مُفرِّحى
والمالُand money أصغَرُis the smallest نائلِgift of الكُبَراءgreat men
والمالُ أصغَرُ نائلِ الكُبَراء
Your remembrance of me in my absence gladdens me,
And your mention of the absent one gladdens me,
and money is the least of great men’s gifts.
While wealth is lesser than the greatest.
فلأَشكُرنّكَso I shall surely thank you ماfor what صنَعْتَyou have done مُواصِلاًcontinually
فلأَشكُرنّكَ ما صنَعْتَ مُواصِلاً
شُكْرَwith the gratitude of الرّياضِgardens صنائعَfor the favors of الأنواءrain-bearing stars
شُكْرَ الرّياضِ صنائعَ الأنواء
I shall surely thank you continually for what you have done,
So I will thank you, maintaining gratitude
as gardens thank the favors of rain-bearing stars.
Like the gratitude of meadows for the work of clouds.
ولأّحبُوّنّكَand I shall surely bestow on you منfrom حِبائكَyour gift جازياًrepaying
ولأّحبُوّنّكَ من حِبائكَ جازياً
بسَماعِwith the hearing of كُلّevery قصيدةٍode غَناءmelodious
بسَماعِ كُلّ قصيدةٍ غَناء
I shall surely give to you from your own gift, repaying you
And I will love you among your loved ones, reciprocating
with the hearing of every melodious ode.
With listening to every poem of singing.
غَنّىsang بهاit راوٍa reciter وأغنىand enriched مُنِعمٌa benefactor
غَنّى بها راوٍ وأغنى مُنِعمٌ
فاستُطرِبَتْso it was found delightful لِغنىًfor richness لهاin it غَرّاءradiant
فاستُطرِبَتْ لِغنىً لها غَرّاء
A reciter sang it, and a benefactor enriched him,
Sung by a reciter, and enriched by a benefactor,
so that radiant ode delighted through its richness.
So it was fascinated by singing for it of a charming voice.
أناI ألأمُam the vilest of اللُّؤماءthe vile إنif لمnot أجتهِدْI strive
أنا ألأمُ اللُّؤماء إن لم أجتهِدْ
فيfor حُسْنِthe excellence of مدحةِpraising أكرمِthe most generous of الكرماءthe generous
في حُسْنِ مدحةِ أكرمِ الكرماء
I am the vilest of the vile if I do not strive
I would be most cowardly if I did not strive
to praise well the most generous of the generous.
In a praise poem for the most generous of generous ones.
ياO بادِئاًinitiator بالمكرماتِof noble deeds وفعْلُهwhose action
يا بادِئاً بالمكرماتِ وفعْلُه
فيin العَوْدِrepetition أكرَمُis nobler منهthan it فيin الإبداءinitiation
في العَوْدِ أكرَمُ منه في الإبداء
O initiator of noble deeds, whose action
O you who initiate generosity, and his action
in repeating them is nobler than in beginning them!
In returning is more generous than in initiating.
ماnothing فوقَabove يَومكَyour day فيin الجَلالِgrandeur لدىamong الوَرىmankind
ما فوقَ يَومكَ في الجَلالِ لدى الوَرى
إلاّexcept الغَدُtomorrow المأمُولُhoped for للعلياءfor lofty achievements
إلاّ الغَدُ المأمُولُ للعلياء
Nothing surpasses your present day in grandeur among mankind
Nothing above your day in might among mankind,
except tomorrow, whose lofty achievements are hoped for.
Except the hoped-for tomorrow of the Sublime.
فاسلَمْso remain safe لأبناءfor the children of الرّجاءhope سلامةًwith a safety
فاسلَمْ لأبناء الرّجاء سلامةً
مَوْصولةًjoined بتَظاهُرِto the mutual reinforcement of النّعْماءblessings
مَوْصولةً بتَظاهُرِ النّعْماء
Remain safe for the children of hope, with a safety
So submit to the sons of hope in safety,
joined to blessings that reinforce one another.
Continuous with the gathering of bounties.
أرضَيْتَyou pleased بالنُّصْحِthrough sincere counsel الإمامَthe Imam وإنّماand indeed
أرضَيْتَ بالنُّصْحِ الإمامَ وإنّما
يُرضِيpleases الأئمّةَthe Imams طاعةُthe obedience of النُّصَحاءfaithful counselors
يُرضِي الأئمّةَ طاعةُ النُّصَحاء
You pleased the Imam through sincere counsel; indeed,
You have pleased the Leader with advice, and indeed
the obedience of faithful counselors pleases Imams.
Advisors' obedience pleases leaders.
وبَلاكَand tested you سلطانُthe sovereign of الأنامِmankind فماand not رأىhe found
وبَلاكَ سلطانُ الأنامِ فما رأى
لكto you مُشْبِهاanyone resembling ياO أَعظَمَgreatest of الأُمَناءtrusted men
لك مُشْبِها يا أَعظَمَ الأُمَناء
The sovereign of mankind tested you and found
And you have been appointed by the Sultan of mankind, so he has not seen
none resembling you, O greatest of trusted men.
For you an equal, O greatest of trustees!
ولئنand though غدوْتَyou have become وأنتwhile you are مالكmaster of دولةٍa state
ولئن غدوْتَ وأنت مالك دولةٍ
فلقدyou had indeed سَبقْتَpreceded لهاfor it إلىin الإحياءِreviving
فلقد سَبقْتَ لها إلى الإحياءِ
And though you have become master of a state,
And if you have become, while possessing a state,
you had already been first to bring it to life.
You had preceded it in revival.
المُلْكkingship مَغْنىًis a dwelling أنتyou آهِلُare the inhabitant of رَبْعهِits precinct
المُلْك مَغْنىً أنت آهِلُ رَبْعهِ
لامَلَّmay it never tire يوماًone day منكof you طُولُthe length of ثَواءresidence
لامَلَّ يوماً منك طُولُ ثَواء
Kingship is a dwelling whose precinct you inhabit;
Kingship is dispensable, while you are the adorner of its abode,
may long residence never grow weary of you.
Never coveting a day of rest.
والدّهرُand time كالعِقْدِis like a necklace المُفصَّلِinterspersed نَظمُهits stringing
والدّهرُ كالعِقْدِ المُفصَّلِ نَظمُه
نَسَقاًin ordered succession منof البيضاءِthe white beads والسّوداءِand the black beads
نَسَقاً من البيضاءِ والسّوداءِ
Time is like a necklace whose stringing is interspersed
And time is like a threaded necklace, its arrangement
with an ordered succession of white and black beads.
An order of white and black beads.
فبَقيِتَso may you remain واسطةًa central jewel لهfor it لتَزينَهto adorn it
فبَقيِتَ واسطةً له لتَزينَه
ولكَيْand so that تُحاكِيَهyou may match it امتدادَin length of بَقاءendurance
ولكَيْ تُحاكِيَه امتدادَ بَقاء
May you remain its central jewel, to adorn it,
So you remained an intermediate for it to adorn it,
and to match it in the length of your endurance.
And so you emulate its eternal extension.
Sol 6.1