إِباءٌ أَقامَ الدَهرَ عَنّي وَأَقعَدا

إِباءٌ أَقامَ الدَهرَ عَنّي وَأَقعَدا

وَصَبرٌ عَلى الأَيّامِ أَنأى وَأَبعَدا

وَصَبرٌ عَلى الأَيّامِ أَنأى وَأَبعَدا

Defiance that made Time rise and sit on my account,

A resolve that has kept time away from me and made it sit still,

and patience with the days that drove them farther away.

And patience over days that have become remote and distant,

وَقلَبٌ تَقاضاهُ الجَوانِحُ أَنَّةً

وَقلَبٌ تَقاضاهُ الجَوانِحُ أَنَّةً

إِذا راحَ مَلآناً مِنَ الهَمِّ أَو غَدا

إِذا راحَ مَلآناً مِنَ الهَمِّ أَو غَدا

And a heart from which the ribs demanded a groan

And a heart that passionate souls crave to be gentle,

when it went forth at evening, full of grief, or at dawn.

When it is filled with worries or when morning comes,

أَخوذٌ عَلى أَيدي المَطامِعِ بِالنَوى

أَخوذٌ عَلى أَيدي المَطامِعِ بِالنَوى

نِزاعاً وَما يَزدادُ إِلّا تَبَعُّدا

نِزاعاً وَما يَزدادُ إِلّا تَبَعُّدا

Restraining the hands of covetous hopes through departure,

Seized by greedy hands with determination,

yearning, yet growing only farther away.

Quarrelling, and only growing further apart,

إِذا رَكِبَت آمالُهُ ظَهرَ نِيَّةٍ

إِذا رَكِبَت آمالُهُ ظَهرَ نِيَّةٍ

رَأَيتَ غُلاماً غائِرَ الشَوقِ مُنجِدا

رَأَيتَ غُلاماً غائِرَ الشَوقِ مُنجِدا

When his hopes mount the back of a resolve,

When its hopes ride on the back of an intention,

you see a youth whose longing seeks the lowlands and the heights.

You see a young man plunged in passion giving help,

غَذِيَّ زَماعٍ لا يَمَلُّ كَأَنَّما

غَذِيَّ زَماعٍ لا يَمَلُّ كَأَنَّما

يَرى اللَيلَ كَوراً وَالمَجَرَّةَ مِقوَدا

يَرى اللَيلَ كَوراً وَالمَجَرَّةَ مِقوَدا

Nurtured on determination, never tiring, as though

A vigilant warrior who never tires, as though

he sees night as a camel-saddle and the Milky Way as a rein.

He sees the night as a plain and the galaxy as a guide,

يُلَثِّمُ عِرنينَ الحُسامِ بِهِمَّةٍ

يُلَثِّمُ عِرنينَ الحُسامِ بِهِمَّةٍ

تُكَلِّفُهُ خَوضَ اللَيالي مُجَرَّدا

تُكَلِّفُهُ خَوضَ اللَيالي مُجَرَّدا

He kisses the nose of the sword with an ambition

He dedicates himself to the clashing of swords with determination

that makes him plunge through the nights stripped bare.

That makes him dare to plunge into the nights undressed,

أَيا خاطِباً وُدّي عَلى النَأيِ إِنَّني

أَيا خاطِباً وُدّي عَلى النَأيِ إِنَّني

صَديقُكَ إِن كُنتَ الحُسامَ المُهَنَّدا

صَديقُكَ إِن كُنتَ الحُسامَ المُهَنَّدا

O you who court my friendship from afar, I

O you whose love I seek from afar, I am indeed

am your friend if you are the sharp, Indian-forged sword.

Your friend if you are the sharpened sword,

فَإِنّي رَأَيتُ السَيفَ أَنصَرَ لِلفَتى

فَإِنّي رَأَيتُ السَيفَ أَنصَرَ لِلفَتى

إِذا قالَ قَولاً ما ضِياً أَو تَوَعَّدا

إِذا قالَ قَولاً ما ضِياً أَو تَوَعَّدا

For I have found the sword a stronger ally to a man

For I have seen the sword aid the young man

when he speaks a decisive word or issues a threat.

When he speaks a word, whether plain or threatening,

أَرى بَينَ نيلِ العِزِّ وَالذُلِّ ساعَةً

أَرى بَينَ نيلِ العِزِّ وَالذُلِّ ساعَةً

مِنَ الطَعنِ تَقتادُ الوَشيجَ المُقَصَّدا

مِنَ الطَعنِ تَقتادُ الوَشيجَ المُقَصَّدا

I see between attaining honor and abasement one hour

I see between attaining honor and disgrace an instant

of spear-thrusts, driving shattered shafts onward.

Of stabbing that leads the lance to the intended spot,

فَمَن أَخَّرَتهُ نَفسُهُ ماتَ عاجِزاً

فَمَن أَخَّرَتهُ نَفسُهُ ماتَ عاجِزاً

وَمَن قَدَّمَتهُ نَفسُهُ ماتَ سَيّدا

وَمَن قَدَّمَتهُ نَفسُهُ ماتَ سَيّدا

Whoever his own spirit holds back dies powerless,

So one whom his soul delays dies unsuccessful

and whoever his own spirit sends forward dies a lord.

While one whom his soul puts first dies a master,

إِذا كانَ إِقَدامُ الفَتى ضائِراً لَهُ

إِذا كانَ إِقَدامُ الفَتى ضائِراً لَهُ

فَما المَجدُ مَطلوباً وَلا العِزُّ مُفتَدى

فَما المَجدُ مَطلوباً وَلا العِزُّ مُفتَدى

If a man's bold advance does him harm,

If a young man’s daring brings harm to him

then glory is not to be sought, nor honor redeemed by sacrifice.

Glory is not sought nor is honor ransomable,

فِدىً لِاِبنِ عُبّادِ ضَنينٌ بِنَفسِهِ

فِدىً لِاِبنِ عُبّادِ ضَنينٌ بِنَفسِهِ

إِذا نَقَضَ الرَوعُ الطِرافَ المُمَدَّدا

إِذا نَقَضَ الرَوعُ الطِرافَ المُمَدَّدا

Let one who hoards his life be ransom for Ibn ʿAbbād,

Ransom for the son of 'Ubbad, a grudge in his soul,

when terror tears down the outstretched leather tent

When alarm breaks the outstretched guy-ropes,

وَدَبَّرَ أَطرافَ الرِماحِ وَإِنَّما

وَدَبَّرَ أَطرافَ الرِماحِ وَإِنَّما

يُدَبِّرُ قَبلَ الطَعنِ رَأياً مُسَدَّدا

يُدَبِّرُ قَبلَ الطَعنِ رَأياً مُسَدَّدا

and turns the spearpoints back; he, however, only

And he organizes the tips of the lances but rather

devises a well-directed plan before the thrusting.

Before stabbing he plans a well-aimed opinion,

بِهِ طالَ مِن خَطوي وَكُنتُ كَأَنَّني

بِهِ طالَ مِن خَطوي وَكُنتُ كَأَنَّني

مَشَيتُ إِلى نَيلِ المَعالي مُقَيَّدا

مَشَيتُ إِلى نَيلِ المَعالي مُقَيَّدا

Through him my stride grew longer; before, it was as though I

With it I walked my steps and it was as though

walked in fetters toward attaining the heights.

I walked to achieve heights bound,

وَمَن ماتَ في حَبسِ المَذَلَّةِ قَلبهُ

وَمَن ماتَ في حَبسِ المَذَلَّةِ قَلبهُ

رَأى العِزَّ في دارِ المَذَلَّةِ مَولِدا

رَأى العِزَّ في دارِ المَذَلَّةِ مَولِدا

One whose heart has died in humiliation's prison

And whoever dies in the captivity of disgrace, his heart

sees honor's birthplace in humiliation's house.

Sees honor born in the abode of disgrace,

يَسُرُّ الفَتّى حَملُ النَجادِ وَرُبَّما

يَسُرُّ الفَتّى حَملُ النَجادِ وَرُبَّما

رَأى حَتفَهُ في صَفحَتي ما تَقَلَّدا

رَأى حَتفَهُ في صَفحَتي ما تَقَلَّدا

A youth rejoices in carrying the sword-belt, yet sometimes

A young man rejoices bearing weapons, and perhaps

sees his death in the two faces of the blade he wears.

He will see his death in the blade he carries,

لَنالَ المَعالي مَن يُدِلُّ بِنَفسِهِ

لَنالَ المَعالي مَن يُدِلُّ بِنَفسِهِ

وَلا يَذخَرُ الآباءَ مَجداً مُوَطَّدا

وَلا يَذخَرُ الآباءَ مَجداً مُوَطَّدا

Surely one who takes pride in himself attains the heights,

One attains heights who risks himself

and does not store his forefathers up as established glory.

And does not hoard ancestral glory made firm,

وَما يُستَفادُ العِزِّ مِن شَيمَةِ الفَتى

وَما يُستَفادُ العِزِّ مِن شَيمَةِ الفَتى

إِذا كانَ في دينِ المَعالي مُقَلِّدا

إِذا كانَ في دينِ المَعالي مُقَلِّدا

No honor is gained from a man's character

Glory is not gained from the noble manners of a youth

if he merely imitates in the creed of noble aspirations.

If he is an imitator in the religion of heights.

أَبا قاسِمٍ هَذا الَّذي كُنتُ راجِياً

أَبا قاسِمٍ هَذا الَّذي كُنتُ راجِياً

لِأُرغِمَ أَعداءً وَأَكبِتَ حُسَّدا

لِأُرغِمَ أَعداءً وَأَكبِتَ حُسَّدا

Abū Qāsim, this is what I had hoped for:

O Abu Qasim, this is what I hoped for

to rub my enemies' noses in the dust and confound the envious.

To subdue enemies and humble the envious,

إِذا جَزِعَت أَيّامُنا كُنتَ مَعقِلاً

إِذا جَزِعَت أَيّامُنا كُنتَ مَعقِلاً

وَإِن ظَمِئَت أَمالُنا كُنتَ مَورِدا

وَإِن ظَمِئَت أَمالُنا كُنتَ مَورِدا

When our days panic, you are a refuge,

If our days are shaken you are a refuge

and when our hopes thirst, you are a watering place.

And if our hopes are thirsty you are a watering place,

وَلَمّا رَأَيتُ الثَوبَ يُعفي قَرينَهُ

وَلَمّا رَأَيتُ الثَوبَ يُعفي قَرينَهُ

لَبِستُ إِلَيكَ الشَرعَبيَّ المُعَضَّدا

لَبِستُ إِلَيكَ الشَرعَبيَّ المُعَضَّدا

When I saw one garment wear away its companion,

And when I saw a robe shield its counterpart

I donned for my journey to you the striped Sharʿabī cloth.

I donned the striped cloak reaching to you,

وَلَو كانَ لا يَجني عَلى المَرءِ بَأسُهُ

وَلَو كانَ لا يَجني عَلى المَرءِ بَأسُهُ

لَدَرَّعَني العَزمُ الدِلاصَ المُسَرَّدا

لَدَرَّعَني العَزمُ الدِلاصَ المُسَرَّدا

If a man's prowess brought him no harm,

And if harming a man with one's might were not possible

resolve would have armored me in polished, interlinked mail.

My resolve would have clothed me in an impenetrable coat of mail,

وَلَيلٍ دَفَعناهُ إِلَيكَ كَأَنَّما

وَلَيلٍ دَفَعناهُ إِلَيكَ كَأَنَّما

دَفَعنا بِهِ لُجّاً مِنَ اليَمِّ مُزبِدا

دَفَعنا بِهِ لُجّاً مِنَ اليَمِّ مُزبِدا

Many a night we pushed through toward you, as though

And a night we handed over to you as though

in it we pushed through a foaming ocean deep.

We pushed away with it a surging sea wave,

وَشَمسٍ خَلَعناها عَليكَ مَريضَةً

وَشَمسٍ خَلَعناها عَليكَ مَريضَةً

وَكُنّا لَبِسناها رِداءً مَوَرَّدا

وَكُنّا لَبِسناها رِداءً مَوَرَّدا

And many a sun we took off before you, pale,

And a sun whose robe we stripped for you while sick

though we had worn it as a rose-red cloak.

When we would have worn it as a flowing garment,

وَمَلِكٍ إِنفنا أَن نُقيمَ بِبابِهِ

وَمَلِكٍ إِنفنا أَن نُقيمَ بِبابِهِ

فَزَوَّدنا زادَ اِمرِىءٍ ما تَزَوَّدا

فَزَوَّدنا زادَ اِمرِىءٍ ما تَزَوَّدا

And many a king at whose gate we scorned to stay

And a king—we disdained to stay at his gate

gave us the provisions of one who had taken none.

So we took provisions like a scorned man not provisioning,

وَأَمرَدَ حَيٍّ مُلتَحِ بِلِثامِهِ

وَأَمرَدَ حَيٍّ مُلتَحِ بِلِثامِهِ

يَطولُ جَواداً قادِحَ السِنِّ أَجرَدا

يَطولُ جَواداً قادِحَ السِنِّ أَجرَدا

And a beardless tribesman, bearded by his veil,

And a lively gray horse, masked with his headcloth,

outstrips a noble steed, full-toothed and sleek.

Running long, striking sparks with his teeth when he runs,

رَأى أَرجُلَ الخوصِ الحِماصٍ كَأَنَّما

رَأى أَرجُلَ الخوصِ الحِماصٍ كَأَنَّما

تُسالِبُ أَيديها النَجاءَ العَمَرَّدا

تُسالِبُ أَيديها النَجاءَ العَمَرَّدا

He saw the hindlegs of lean, narrow-eyed camels as though

Who saw the legs of the white-footed ostrich as though

they were vying with their forelegs for powerful speed.

Its hands were stripping the naked sand grouse,

تَركنا لِأَيدي العيسِ ما خَلفَ ظَهرِها

تَركنا لِأَيدي العيسِ ما خَلفَ ظَهرِها

وَمَن ذَلَّ في دارٍ رَأى البُعدَ أَحمَدا

وَمَن ذَلَّ في دارٍ رَأى البُعدَ أَحمَدا

We left to the pale camels' forelegs what lay behind their backs,

We left behind for the hands of enemies what was behind them,

and whoever is humbled in a home finds distance more praiseworthy.

And whoever is humiliated in a land sees remoteness as more beloved,

وَسِرنا عَلى رُغمِ الظَلامِ كَأَنَّنا

وَسِرنا عَلى رُغمِ الظَلامِ كَأَنَّنا

بُدورٌ تُلاقي مِن جَنابِكَ أَسعُدا

بُدورٌ تُلاقي مِن جَنابِكَ أَسعُدا

We traveled in defiance of the darkness, as though we were

And we traveled against the darkness happily as though

full moons meeting auspicious stars from your domain.

We were bedouin meeting your side, more fortunate,

تَرَكتُ إِلَيكَ الناسَ طُرّاً كَأَنَّني

تَرَكتُ إِلَيكَ الناسَ طُرّاً كَأَنَّني

أَرى كُلَّ مَحجوبٍ بَعيراً مُعَبَّدا

أَرى كُلَّ مَحجوبٍ بَعيراً مُعَبَّدا

I left all people behind for you, as though I

I left people as a treasure to you as though

saw every secluded man as a tar-smeared camel.

I saw each hidden thing as a camel marked,

فَيا لَيتَ رُعيانَ القَضيمَةِ خَيَّروا

فَيا لَيتَ رُعيانَ القَضيمَةِ خَيَّروا

بَأَنّي رَعَيتُ العِزَّ غَضّاً مُجَدَّدا

بَأَنّي رَعَيتُ العِزَّ غَضّاً مُجَدَّدا

If only the herdsmen of dry fodder were told [uncertain reading]

Would that the people of Qasim had let me choose

that I have grazed on honor, fresh and renewed.

That I shepherd glory renewed and replenished!

فَلِلَّهِ نورٌ في مُحَيّاكَ إِنَّهُ

فَلِلَّهِ نورٌ في مُحَيّاكَ إِنَّهُ

يُمَزِّقُ جِلباباً مِنَ اللَيلِ أَربَدا

يُمَزِّقُ جِلباباً مِنَ اللَيلِ أَربَدا

God be praised for the light in your face: it

For God, there is light in your smile, it

tears apart night's dusky cloak.

Rips apart a cloak of night that is ice cold,

وَلِلَّهِ ما ضَمَّت ثَناياكَ إِنَّها

وَلِلَّهِ ما ضَمَّت ثَناياكَ إِنَّها

ثَنايا جِبالٍ تُطِلعُ اليَأسَ وَالنَدى

ثَنايا جِبالٍ تُطِلعُ اليَأسَ وَالنَدى

And God be praised for what your front teeth enclose: they

And for God, what your cheeks contain, they

are mountain passes bringing forth despair and bounty.

Are mountain slopes that make hope and dew appear,

أَغِر ضَوءَها يا قِبلَةَ المَجدِ إِنَّني

أَغِر ضَوءَها يا قِبلَةَ المَجدِ إِنَّني

أَرى غُرَرَ الآمالِ نَحوَكَ سُجَّدا

أَرى غُرَرَ الآمالِ نَحوَكَ سُجَّدا

Dim their light, O qibla of glory; I

Ignite their glow, O pinnacle of glory, I see

see the bright brows of hopes prostrate toward you.

The brightest of hopes bowing down toward you,

وَأَنتَ الَّذي ما اِحتَلَّ في الأَرضِ مَقعَداً

وَأَنتَ الَّذي ما اِحتَلَّ في الأَرضِ مَقعَداً

مِنَ الحَدِّ إِلّا اِشتَقَّ في الجَوِّ مَصعَدا

مِنَ الحَدِّ إِلّا اِشتَقَّ في الجَوِّ مَصعَدا

You are he who never took a seat upon the earth

It is you whom, when he gained a seat on earth

within its bounds without carving an ascent into the air.

From limit to limit, ascended into the heavens,

إِذا ظَمِئَت عيسٌ إِلَيكَ فَإِنَّما

إِذا ظَمِئَت عيسٌ إِلَيكَ فَإِنَّما

حَقائِبُها تَروي لُجَبناً وَعَسجَدا

حَقائِبُها تَروي لُجَبناً وَعَسجَدا

When pale camels thirst on their way to you, it is

When enemies are thirsty for you, their saddlebags

their saddlebags that drink silver [uncertain reading] and gold.

Quench a lowland and a plain grown with herbage,

تُكَتِّمُكَ الأَسرارُ حَزماً وَفِطنَةً

تُكَتِّمُكَ الأَسرارُ حَزماً وَفِطنَةً

وَتَفَضَحُكَ الآراءُ عِزّاً وَسُؤدُدا

وَتَفَضَحُكَ الآراءُ عِزّاً وَسُؤدُدا

Secrets keep you concealed in prudence and discernment,

Secrets keep you judiciously and wisely

while your judgments reveal you in honor and lordship.

While opinions expose you gloriously and loftily,

وَما كُنتَ إِلّا السَيفَ يُعرَفُ مُنتَضىً

وَما كُنتَ إِلّا السَيفَ يُعرَفُ مُنتَضىً

وَيُنكَرُ في بَعضِ المَواطِنِ مُغمَدا

وَيُنكَرُ في بَعضِ المَواطِنِ مُغمَدا

You are nothing but the sword, recognized when drawn,

You were only the sword, known when unsheathed

and unrecognized in some places when sheathed.

And unknown in some situations when sheathed,

وَحَيٍّ جُلالٍ قَد صَبَحتَ بِغارَةٍ

وَحَيٍّ جُلالٍ قَد صَبَحتَ بِغارَةٍ

مِنَ الخَيلِ يَستاقُ النَعامَ المُشَرَّدا

مِنَ الخَيلِ يَستاقُ النَعامَ المُشَرَّدا

Many a mighty tribe you struck at dawn with a raid

And a noble, dignified day you made with a raid

of cavalry driving the scattered ostriches onward.

Of horses driving away the scattered ostriches,

وَيومٍ مِنَ الأَيّامِ شَوَّهتَ وَجهَهُ

وَيومٍ مِنَ الأَيّامِ شَوَّهتَ وَجهَهُ

بِأَغبَرَ كَدَّ الطَيرَ حَتّى تَبَلَّدا

بِأَغبَرَ كَدَّ الطَيرَ حَتّى تَبَلَّدا

And many a day whose face you disfigured

And a day you made ugly by covering its face

with a dust-gray host that wearied the birds until they grew bewildered.

With the dust of war until the birds molted,

رَمَت بِكَ أَقصى المَجدِ نَفسٌ شَريفَةٌ

رَمَت بِكَ أَقصى المَجدِ نَفسٌ شَريفَةٌ

وَقَلبٌ جَريءٌ لا يَخافُ مِنَ الرَدى

وَقَلبٌ جَريءٌ لا يَخافُ مِنَ الرَدى

A noble spirit cast you to the farthest reach of glory,

A noble soul cast you to the furthest glory

and a daring heart that does not fear death,

And a bold heart fearing no harm,

وَهِمَّةُ مِقدامٍ عَلى كُلِّ فَتكَةٍ

وَهِمَّةُ مِقدامٍ عَلى كُلِّ فَتكَةٍ

يُفارِقُ فيها طَبعُهُ ما تَعوَّدا

يُفارِقُ فيها طَبعُهُ ما تَعوَّدا

and the ambition of one bold in every deadly assault,

And the determination of a daring man against every struggle

in which his nature departs from its accustomed ways.

Where his nature departs from what it was accustomed to,

مُقيمٌ بِصَحراءِ الضَغائِنِ مُصحِراً

مُقيمٌ بِصَحراءِ الضَغائِنِ مُصحِراً

إِذا أَخمَدَت مِن نارِها الحَربُ أَوقَدا

إِذا أَخمَدَت مِن نارِها الحَربُ أَوقَدا

Dwelling in the desert of rancors, out in the open,

Remaining in the desert of grudges, staying up at night

when war extinguishes some of its fire, he kindles it anew.

When the war dampened its fire or kindled it,

لَكَ القَلَمُ الماضي الَّذي لَو قَرَنتَهُ

لَكَ القَلَمُ الماضي الَّذي لَو قَرَنتَهُ

بِجَريِ العَوالي كانَ أَجرى وَأَجوَدا

بِجَريِ العَوالي كانَ أَجرى وَأَجوَدا

Yours is the incisive pen that, if you matched it

To you belongs the dominant pen which, if coupled

against racing spear-tips, would be swifter and more bountiful.

With the flow of feats, would be the most flowing and generous,

إِذا اِنسَلَّ مِن عَقدِ البَنانِ حَسَبتهُ

إِذا اِنسَلَّ مِن عَقدِ البَنانِ حَسَبتهُ

يَحوكُ عَلى القُرطاسِ بُرداً مُعَمَّدا

يَحوكُ عَلى القُرطاسِ بُرداً مُعَمَّدا

When it slips free from the fingers' clasp, you would think it

If it escapes from the knot of fingers you would think

weaves a striped mantle on the paper.

It sews on paper an embroidered coat of mail,

يُغازِلُ مِنهُ الخَطُّ عَيناً كَحيلُةً

يُغازِلُ مِنهُ الخَطُّ عَيناً كَحيلُةً

إِذا عادَ يَوماً ناظِرُ الرَمحِ أَرمَدا

إِذا عادَ يَوماً ناظِرُ الرَمحِ أَرمَدا

The script issuing from it flirts with a kohl-darkened eye,

The writing coquets with it flirtatiously

if one day the spear's eye grows inflamed.

If the observer of the lance returns one day bleary-eyed,

وَإِن مَجَّ نَصلٌ مِن دَمِ الصِربِ أَحمَراً

وَإِن مَجَّ نَصلٌ مِن دَمِ الصِربِ أَحمَراً

أَراقَ دَماً مِن مَقتَلِ الخَطبِ أَسوَدا

أَراقَ دَماً مِن مَقتَلِ الخَطبِ أَسوَدا

And if a blade spits red blood from the troop,

And if the point of a reddened sword from enemy blood flows

the pen pours black blood from calamity's mortal wound.

It spills the blackened blood of stirring events,

إِذا اِستَرعَفَتهُ هِمَّةٌ مِنكَ غادَرَت

إِذا اِستَرعَفَتهُ هِمَّةٌ مِنكَ غادَرَت

قَوادِمَهُ تَجري وَعيداً وَمَوعِدا

قَوادِمَهُ تَجري وَعيداً وَمَوعِدا

When an ambition of yours makes it bleed, it leaves

If a resolve from you provokes it, it unleashes

its foremost feathers streaming threats and promises.

Its arrivals, running with threats and appointments,

سَأُثني بِأَشعاري عَليكَ فَإِنَّني

سَأُثني بِأَشعاري عَليكَ فَإِنَّني

رَأَيتُ مَسودَ القَومِ يُطري المُسَوَّدا

رَأَيتُ مَسودَ القَومِ يُطري المُسَوَّدا

I shall praise you in my poems, for I

I will praise you in my poetry, for I have seen

have seen the ruled among a people extol their ruler.

The blackened person sing praises of the blackened one,

فَما عَرَفتني الأَرضُ غَيرَكَ مُطلَباً

فَما عَرَفتني الأَرضُ غَيرَكَ مُطلَباً

وَلا بَلَغَتني العيسُ إِلّاكَ مَقصَدا

وَلا بَلَغَتني العيسُ إِلّاكَ مَقصَدا

The earth has known no object of my quest but you,

For I have known none but you as my quest

nor have pale camels brought me to any destination but you.

And no horses have taken me to any destination but you,

أَلا إِنَّ تَركَ الحَمدِ تَبخيلُ مُحسِنٍ

أَلا إِنَّ تَركَ الحَمدِ تَبخيلُ مُحسِنٍ

وَما بَذَلَ المِعطاءُ إِلّا لِيُحمَدا

وَما بَذَلَ المِعطاءُ إِلّا لِيُحمَدا

Indeed, withholding praise brands a benefactor as miserly,

Lo, withholding praise is miserliness by one who bestows kindness,

and the generous giver gives only to be praised.

And none gives gifts but to be praised,

لَئِن كُنتُ في مَدحِ العُلى فاغِراً فَماً

لَئِن كُنتُ في مَدحِ العُلى فاغِراً فَماً

فَأنّي إِلى غَيرِ النَدى باسِطٌ يَدا

فَأنّي إِلى غَيرِ النَدى باسِطٌ يَدا

Though I open my mouth in praise of lofty deeds,

If I am open-mouthed in praising the sublime, I have not

my hand is outstretched for something other than largesse.

Stretched my hand to other than bounty,

خَطَبتُ إِلَيكَ الوُدَّ لا شَيءَ غَيرَهُ

خَطَبتُ إِلَيكَ الوُدَّ لا شَيءَ غَيرَهُ

وَوُدُّ الفَتى كَالبِرِّ يُعطى وَيُجتَدى

وَوُدُّ الفَتى كَالبِرِّ يُعطى وَيُجتَدى

I courted your friendship, and nothing else;

I have sought your affection, nothing else,

a man's friendship, like kindness, is given and sought.

And the affection of a young man is given and ransomed,

دَعاني إِلَيكَ العِزُّ حَتّى أَجَبتُهُ

دَعاني إِلَيكَ العِزُّ حَتّى أَجَبتُهُ

وَمَن طَلَبَتهُ جُمَّةُ الماءِ أَورَدا

وَمَن طَلَبَتهُ جُمَّةُ الماءِ أَورَدا

Honor called me to you until I answered it,

Honor called me to you until I answered it,

and whoever is summoned by a brimming pool goes down to drink.

And whoever the whole of water sought gave to drink,

وَإِنّي لَأَرجو مِن جِوارِكَ فَعلَةً

وَإِنّي لَأَرجو مِن جِوارِكَ فَعلَةً

أَغيظُ بِها الحُسّادَ مَثنىً وَمَوحَدا

أَغيظُ بِها الحُسّادَ مَثنىً وَمَوحَدا

I indeed hope, through your protection, for a deed

And I hope to annoy the envious with a feat

with which to enrage the envious, in pairs and singly.

From being your neighbor, doubly and singularly,

وَمَدحُكَ هَذا بِكرُ مَدحٍ مَدَحتُهُ

وَمَدحُكَ هَذا بِكرُ مَدحٍ مَدَحتُهُ

وَكُنتُ أُروضُ القَولَ حَتّى تَسَدَّدا

وَكُنتُ أُروضُ القَولَ حَتّى تَسَدَّدا

This praise of you is the first praise I have composed,

And this praise of you is the first praise I praised,

and I had been taming my words until they ran straight.

And I trained speech until it was precise,

وَلَو عَلِقَت مِنّي بِغَيرِكَ مَدحَةٌ

وَلَو عَلِقَت مِنّي بِغَيرِكَ مَدحَةٌ

لَكُنتُ كَمَن يَعتاضُ بِالماءِ جَلمَدا

لَكُنتُ كَمَن يَعتاضُ بِالماءِ جَلمَدا

Had a praise of mine fastened upon anyone but you,

And had any praise of others clung to me

I would be like one who exchanges water for a hard rock.

I would be like one who strains the frozen water,

وَلَستُ بِراضٍ هَذِهِ لَكَ تُحفَةٌ

وَلَستُ بِراضٍ هَذِهِ لَكَ تُحفَةٌ

أُضَمِّنُها فيكَ الثَناءَ المُخَلَّدا

أُضَمِّنُها فيكَ الثَناءَ المُخَلَّدا

I am not satisfied with this as a gift to you,

I am not pleased that this alone is a gift to you

in which I enclose everlasting praise of you.

In which I include eternal praise,

فَإِن كانَ شِعري فاتَكَ اليَومَ آبِياً

فَإِن كانَ شِعري فاتَكَ اليَومَ آبِياً

عَلَيَّ فَإِنّي سَوفَ أُعطيكَهُ غَدا

عَلَيَّ فَإِنّي سَوفَ أُعطيكَهُ غَدا

If my verse has eluded you today, rebelling

For if my poetry missed you today, refusing,

against me, I shall give it to you tomorrow.

I shall give it to you tomorrow,

وَلَولاكَ ما أَومى إِلى المَدحِ شاعِرٌ

وَلَولاكَ ما أَومى إِلى المَدحِ شاعِرٌ

يَعُدُّ عَلِياً لِلعُلى وَمُحَمَّدا

يَعُدُّ عَلِياً لِلعُلى وَمُحَمَّدا

Were it not for you, no poet would have gestured toward praise

And were it not for you, no poet would gesture

who counts ʿAlī and Muḥammad as sources of high honor.

To praise, counting lofty ‘Ali and Muhammad,

أَبوهُ أَبوهُ المُستَطيلُ بِنَفسِهِ

أَبوهُ أَبوهُ المُستَطيلُ بِنَفسِهِ

عَلى العِزِّ مَصروفاً بِهِ وَمُقَلَّدا

عَلى العِزِّ مَصروفاً بِهِ وَمُقَلَّدا

His father—his father—towers by his own worth

His father, his father is tall in himself

above honor, devoted to it and garlanded with it.

Dedicated to honor, mandated by it and conforming,

فَتىً سَنُّهُ عَن خَمسَ عَشَرَةَ حِجَّةً

فَتىً سَنُّهُ عَن خَمسَ عَشَرَةَ حِجَّةً

تُرَبّي لَهُ فَضلاً وَمَجداً وَمَحتِدا

تُرَبّي لَهُ فَضلاً وَمَجداً وَمَحتِدا

A youth whose age, past fifteen years,

A youth whose age surpasses fifteen years

nurtures excellence, glory, and noble lineage for him.

Cultivating for him superiority, glory, and resolve,

فَتِيُّ الصِبا كَهلُ الفَضائِلِ ما مشى

فَتِيُّ الصِبا كَهلُ الفَضائِلِ ما مشى

إِلى العُمرِ إِلّا اِحتَلَّ في الفَضلِ مَقعَدا

إِلى العُمرِ إِلّا اِحتَلَّ في الفَضلِ مَقعَدا

Youthful in age, full-grown in virtues, he never advances

The youth of youth but the sage of merits—he did not walk

in age without taking a seat in excellence.

To old age unless he assumed virtue’s seat,

تَفَرَّدَ لا يُفشي إِلى غَيرِ نَفسِهِ

تَفَرَّدَ لا يُفشي إِلى غَيرِ نَفسِهِ

حَديثاً وَلا يَدعو مِنَ الناسِ مُنجِدا

حَديثاً وَلا يَدعو مِنَ الناسِ مُنجِدا

He stands alone, disclosing to no one but himself

Independent, not confiding to other than himself

a word, nor calling anyone to his aid.

A conversation, nor calling people for help,

وَلا طالِباً مِن دَهرِهِ فَوقَ قُوَتِهِ

وَلا طالِباً مِن دَهرِهِ فَوقَ قُوَتِهِ

كَفاني مِنَ الغُدرَانِ ما نَقَعَ الصَدى

كَفاني مِنَ الغُدرَانِ ما نَقَعَ الصَدى

Nor seeking from his time more than his sustenance:

Nor asking his time for more than his strength,

enough for me from the pools is what quenches thirst.

What sufficed me from betrayals fell within earshot,

سَأَحمَدُ عَيشاً صانَ وَجهي بِمائِهِ

سَأَحمَدُ عَيشاً صانَ وَجهي بِمائِهِ

وَإِن كانَ ما أَعطى قَليلاً مُصَرَّدا

وَإِن كانَ ما أَعطى قَليلاً مُصَرَّدا

I shall praise a life whose water keeps my face unshamed,

I will praise a living that protected my face with its water

even if its gift is little, doled out sparingly.

Even if what it gave was frugal and sparse,

وَقالوا لِقاءُ الناسِ أُنسٌ وَراحَةٌ

وَقالوا لِقاءُ الناسِ أُنسٌ وَراحَةٌ

وَلَو كُنتُ أَرضى الناسَ ماكُنتُ مُفَردا

وَلَو كُنتُ أَرضى الناسَ ماكُنتُ مُفَردا

They said, 'Meeting people is companionship and ease';

And they said: mingling with people is intimacy and comfort,

if I were satisfied with people, I would not be alone.

But had I been pleased with people, I would not have isolated myself,

طَرِبتُ إِلى الفَضلِ الَّذي فيكَ وَاِنتَشى

طَرِبتُ إِلى الفَضلِ الَّذي فيكَ وَاِنتَشى

لِذِكرِكَ شِعري راقِداً وَمُسَهَّدا

لِذِكرِكَ شِعري راقِداً وَمُسَهَّدا

I thrilled to the excellence in you, and drunken rapture seized

I longed for the merit in you, revived

my verse at your mention, asleep or sleepless.

By your mention, my poetry fallen asleep and slumbering,

وَما كِنتُ إِلّا عاشِقاً ضاعَ شَجوُهُ

وَما كِنتُ إِلّا عاشِقاً ضاعَ شَجوُهُ

فَأَصبَحَ يَستَملي الحَمامَ المُغَرِّدا

فَأَصبَحَ يَستَملي الحَمامَ المُغَرِّدا

I was only a lover whose lament was lost,

And I was none but a lover whose passion strayed

so he began taking dictation from the singing doves.

Who now entreats the singing dove,

وَلَيسَ عَجيباً إِن طَغى فيكَ مِقوَلٌ

وَلَيسَ عَجيباً إِن طَغى فيكَ مِقوَلٌ

رَآكَ حَقيقاً في المَعالي فَجَوَّدا

رَآكَ حَقيقاً في المَعالي فَجَوَّدا

It is no wonder if a tongue overflows in your praise:

Nor is it strange if one carried away speaks of you,

it saw you worthy of the heights, and so excelled.

Seeing you truly at the heights, so he gave generously,

بَعُدتُ عَنِ الإِنشادِ مِن غَيرِ رَغبَةٍ

بَعُدتُ عَنِ الإِنشادِ مِن غَيرِ رَغبَةٍ

وَلَكِنَّني اِستَخلَفتُ نُعماكَ مُنشِدا

وَلَكِنَّني اِستَخلَفتُ نُعماكَ مُنشِدا

I have stayed away from reciting, though not by choice,

I distanced myself from singing without desire,

but have appointed your favors to recite in my stead.

But I came after your favors, singing your praise,

فَمُرني بِأَمرٍ قَبلَ مَوتي فَإِنَّني

فَمُرني بِأَمرٍ قَبلَ مَوتي فَإِنَّني

أَرى المَرءَ لا يَبقى وَإِن بَعُدَ المَدى

أَرى المَرءَ لا يَبقى وَإِن بَعُدَ المَدى

Command me a task before my death, for I

So command me before my death, for I see

see that no man endures, however long the span.

Man does not remain, even if the distance is far,

وَما المَيتُ إِلّا راحِلٌ كَرِهَ النَوى

وَما المَيتُ إِلّا راحِلٌ كَرِهَ النَوى

وَأَعجَلَهُ المِقدارُ أَن يَتَزَوَّدا

وَأَعجَلَهُ المِقدارُ أَن يَتَزَوَّدا

The dead man is only a traveler who hated departure,

The dead is only a traveller who disliked provisions

whom fate hurried before he could take provisions.

And fate hurried him to provision himself,