لِلَّهِto God ثُمَّthen لَكَto you المَحَلُّthe station الأَعظَمُthe highest
لِلَّهِ ثُمَّ لَكَ المَحَلُّ الأَعظَمُ
وَإِلَيكَand to you يَنتَسِبُtraces its lineage العَلاءُeminence الأَقدَمُthe most ancient
وَإِلَيكَ يَنتَسِبُ العَلاءُ الأَقدَمُ
To God, then to you, belongs the highest station;
For Allah, then for you is the greatest station
and the most ancient eminence traces its lineage to you.
And the highest lineage is attributed to you
وَلَكَand yours is التُراثُthe inheritance مِنَfrom النَبِيِّthe Prophet مُحَمَّدٍMuhammad
وَلَكَ التُراثُ مِنَ النَبِيِّ مُحَمَّدٍ
وَالبَيتُand the House وَالحَجَرُand the Stone العَظيمُthe great وَزَمزَمُand Zamzam
وَالبَيتُ وَالحَجَرُ العَظيمُ وَزَمزَمُ
Yours is the inheritance from the Prophet Muhammad,
And the heritage from the Prophet Muhammad belongs to you
and the House, the great Stone, and Zamzam.
As well as the House, the Great Stone, and Zamzam
ماas long as ناقَلَتpress onward رَكبُcaravans of الرِكابِriding-camels إِلىto مِنىًMina
ما ناقَلَت رَكبُ الرِكابِ إِلى مِنىً
وأَراقَand pours out مِنof عَلَقِclots of الدِماءِblood المَوسِمِthe pilgrimage season
وأَراقَ مِن عَلَقِ الدِماءِ المَوسِمِ
So long as camel-caravans press on to Mina,
What the riding camels carried to Mina
and the pilgrimage season pours out clotted blood.
And what was shed there from blood during the rituals
خَطَرٌeminence مِنَof الدُنياthis world يَجُلُّgrows great وَسورَةٌand power
خَطَرٌ مِنَ الدُنيا يَجُلُّ وَسورَةٌ
تَعلوrises وَقَدرٌand worth زائِدٌincreasing يَتَقَدَّمُadvances
تَعلو وَقَدرٌ زائِدٌ يَتَقَدَّمُ
An eminence in this world that grows great, and a power
A risk from this world passes by while glory
that rises, and increasing worth that presses forward.
Rises and abundant fate moves forward
تَمضيpass away المُلوكُthe kings وَأَنتَwhile you are طَودٌa mountain ثابِتٌsteadfast
تَمضي المُلوكُ وَأَنتَ طَودٌ ثابِتٌ
يَنجابُfall back عَنكَbefore you مُتَوَّجٌa crowned man وَمُعَمَّمُand a turbaned man
يَنجابُ عَنكَ مُتَوَّجٌ وَمُعَمَّمُ
Kings pass away, while you are a steadfast mountain;
Kings pass while you are a firm, towering mountain
crowned and turbaned men fall back before you.
A crowned and turbaned leader comes from you
ماnot ذاكَthat إِلّاexcept أَنَّthat غَربَكَyour edge مِنهُمُthan theirs
ما ذاكَ إِلّا أَنَّ غَربَكَ مِنهُمُ
أَمضىsharper وَأَنَّand that عُلُوَّthe height of مَجدِكَyour glory أَعظَمُis greater
أَمضى وَأَنَّ عُلُوَّ مَجدِكَ أَعظَمُ
That is only because your edge, compared with theirs,
That is only because their setting from you
is sharper, and your glory's height is greater.
Is deeper while the height of your glory is greater
إِنَّindeed الخِلافَةَthe caliphate مُذsince نَهَضتَyou shouldered بِعِبئِهاits burden
إِنَّ الخِلافَةَ مُذ نَهَضتَ بِعِبئِها
هَدَأَgrew calm الضَميرُthe mind بِهاwithin it وَنامَand slept النُوَّمُthe sleepers
هَدَأَ الضَميرُ بِها وَنامَ النُوَّمُ
Since you shouldered the burden of the caliphate,
Since you took on the burden of the Caliphate
the mind has found peace in it, and sleepers have slept.
Conscience was calmed by it and sleepers slept
قَدindeed كانَhad مِنبَرُهاits pulpit تَضاءَلَshrunk خيفَةًin fear
قَد كانَ مِنبَرُها تَضاءَلَ خيفَةً
وَاِستَلَّand withdrew مِنهُfrom it الهِزبَرِيُّthe lion الأَعظَمُthe mightiest
وَاِستَلَّ مِنهُ الهِزبَرِيُّ الأَعظَمُ
Its pulpit had shrunk in fear,
Its pulpit had diminished out of fear
and its mightiest lion had withdrawn from it,
And the great orator took control of it
حَتّىuntil تَخَمَّطَbellowed defiantly مِنكَfrom you فَوقَabove سَراتِهِits crest
حَتّى تَخَمَّطَ مِنكَ فَوقَ سَراتِهِ
وَالأَرضُwhile the earth راجِفَةٌwas trembling فَنيقٌa pampered camel-stallion مُقرَمُkept for breeding
وَالأَرضُ راجِفَةٌ فَنيقٌ مُقرَمُ
until, in you, there bellowed above its crest—
Until he emerged above its heights
while earth trembled—a pampered camel-stallion kept for breeding.
While the ground quaked, gentle and broken
لِلَّهِby God أَيُّwhat a مُقامِstand for دينٍfaith قُمتَهُyou took it
لِلَّهِ أَيُّ مُقامِ دينٍ قُمتَهُ
وَالأَمرُwhile the affair مَردودُwas contested in القَضِيَّةِjudgment مُبرَمُtightly knotted
وَالأَمرُ مَردودُ القَضِيَّةِ مُبرَمُ
By God, what a stand for faith you took,
By Allah! What a station of faith you assumed
when judgment was contested and the affair tightly knotted!
And the matter is concluded and firmly decided
فَكَأَنَّماso it was as though كُنتَyou were النَبِيَّthe Prophet مُناجِزاًdoing battle
فَكَأَنَّما كُنتَ النَبِيَّ مُناجِزاً
بِالقَولِwith words أَوor بِلِسانِهِwith his tongue تَتَكَلَّمُyou speak
بِالقَولِ أَو بِلِسانِهِ تَتَكَلَّمُ
It was as though you were the Prophet, doing battle
It is as if you were the Prophet himself
with words, or speaking with his tongue,
Speaking either by word or by his tongue
أَيّامَin the days when طَلَّقَهاhe divorced it المُطيعُal-Muti وَأَوحَشَتand it grew desolate
أَيّامَ طَلَّقَها المُطيعُ وَأَوحَشَت
مُذsince زالَdeparted عَنfrom ذاthis الغابِthicket ذاكَthat الضَيغَمُlion
مُذ زالَ عَن ذا الغابِ ذاكَ الضَيغَمُ
in the days when al-Muti divorced it, and it grew desolate
Days which the obedient one made pleasant
once that lion departed from this thicket.
Since the departure from the mount of that young man
فَمَضىso he departed وَأَعقَبَand left as successor بَعدَهُafter him مُتَيَقِّظاًa vigilant one
فَمَضى وَأَعقَبَ بَعدَهُ مُتَيَقِّظاً
سِجلاهُhis two buckets بوسىhardship فيin الزَمانِtime وَأَنعُمُand blessings
سِجلاهُ بوسى في الزَمانِ وَأَنعُمُ
He departed, leaving behind him a vigilant successor,
So he left while the vigilant one followed after him
whose two buckets in time are hardship and blessings:
Recording his traits in time and being blessed
كَالغَيثِlike rain يَخلُفُهُsucceeds it الرَبيعُspring وَبَعضُهُمand some of them
كَالغَيثِ يَخلُفُهُ الرَبيعُ وَبَعضُهُم
كَالنارِlike fire يَخلُفُهاsucceeds it الرَمادُthe ashes المُظلِمُdark
كَالنارِ يَخلُفُها الرَمادُ المُظلِمُ
like rain succeeded by spring; but some of them
Some of them like rain followed by spring, and some
are like fire succeeded by dark ashes.
Like fire followed by dark ashes
لاnot تَهتَديfind their way نُوَبُthe vicissitudes of الزَمانِtime لِدَولَةٍto a state
لا تَهتَدي نُوَبُ الزَمانِ لِدَولَةٍ
اللَهُGod فيهاis within it وَالنَبِيُّand the Prophet وَأَنتُمُand you all
اللَهُ فيها وَالنَبِيُّ وَأَنتُمُ
Time's vicissitudes cannot find their way to a state
Eras are not guided to a state
where God, the Prophet, and you abide.
In which is Allah, the Prophet, and you
شَرَفاًwhat honor بَنيO sons of العَبّاسِal-Abbas مَدَّspread رِواقَهُits canopy
شَرَفاً بَني العَبّاسِ مَدَّ رِواقَهُ
وَعُلىًand heights تُسانِدُهاsupport them القَناthe lances وَالأَنجُمُand the stars
وَعُلىً تُسانِدُها القَنا وَالأَنجُمُ
What honor, sons of al-Abbas, has spread its canopy,
Nobility, O Banu Abbas, whose corridor he extended
and what heights are upheld by lances and stars!
And a height which the Pleiades and stars support
كَمhow many a مَهمَهٍtrackless waste لَبِسَتdonned إِلَيكَtoward you رِكابُناour riding-camels
كَم مَهمَهٍ لَبِسَت إِلَيكَ رِكابُنا
وَالأَرضُwhile the earth بُردٌa mantle بِالمُنونِwith death مُسَهَّمِarrow-striped
وَالأَرضُ بُردٌ بِالمُنونِ مُسَهَّمِ
How many a waste our riding-camels donned on their way to you,
How often have our riding camels borne fatigue to you
while earth was a mantle arrow-striped with death,
While the ground is cool from dew and spears
حَتّىuntil تَراعَفَتِstreamed blood المَناسِمُthe hooves وَالذُرىand the humps
حَتّى تَراعَفَتِ المَناسِمُ وَالذُرى
فَسَواءٌso alike are الأَعلىthe top دَماًin blood وَالمِنسَمِand the hoof
فَسَواءٌ الأَعلى دَماً وَالمِنسَمِ
until their hooves and humps streamed blood,
Until lineages and offspring multiplied
their tops and hooves alike in blood.
So the highborn and the web-spinner are equal in blood
هُنَّthey are القِسِيُّbows مِنَfrom النُحولِleanness فَإِنbut if سَماrises
هُنَّ القِسِيُّ مِنَ النُحولِ فَإِن سَما
طَلَبٌa quest فَهُنَّthen they are مِنَthrough النَجاءِswiftness الأَسهُمُarrows
طَلَبٌ فَهُنَّ مِنَ النَجاءِ الأَسهُمُ
They are bows in their leanness; but when a quest
They are the strong, skinny horses, so if destiny desires,
rises, they become arrows in their swiftness.
they are
يَضمَنَّthey carry أَمراًa charge ماnot تَضَمَّنَcarried مِثلَهُits like
يَضمَنَّ أَمراً ما تَضَمَّنَ مِثلَهُ
أَيّامَin days أَيّامَdays الجَديلُal-Jadil وَشَدقَمُand Shadqam
أَيّامَ أَيّامَ الجَديلُ وَشَدقَمُ
They carry a charge whose like was never carried
From the rescued, swift arrows
in days—bygone days—by al-Jadil and Shadqam.
They guarantee a matter that its like
فيin حَيثُa place where لاnot وِردُthe draught of العَطاءِbounty مُصَرَّدٌstinted
في حَيثُ لا وِردُ العَطاءِ مُصَرَّدٌ
أَبَداًever وَلاand not فِعلُthe conduct of الزَمانِtime مِذَمَّمُblamed
أَبَداً وَلا فِعلُ الزَمانِ مِذَمَّمُ
Where the draught of bounty is never stinted,
Was never guaranteed in the days of Judayl and Shadqam
at any time, nor is time's conduct blamed.
Where the bestowal of gifts cease to flow
وَأَناand I am النَذيرُthe warner لِمارِقٍto a renegade يَمَّمتُهُI approach him
وَأَنا النَذيرُ لِمارِقٍ يَمَّمتُهُ
مِنfrom ضَوءِthe light of نارٍa fire لِلطُغاةِfor tyrants مُضَرَّمُkindled
مِن ضَوءِ نارٍ لِلطُغاةِ مُضَرَّمُ
And I am the warner to a renegade whom I approach,
Forever and the actions of time are never blamed
kindled by the light of a fire for tyrants:
And I am the warner against a transgressor I determined
حَمراءُred جاهِلَةُwild in الشَرارِthe sparks مَهولَةٌterrifying
حَمراءُ جاهِلَةُ الشَرارِ مَهولَةٌ
لِلناظِرينَto onlookers لَهاit has دُخانٌsmoke أَدهَمُpitch-black
لِلناظِرينَ لَها دُخانٌ أَدهَمُ
red, wild in its sparks, terrifying
With the light of a burning fire for the tyrants
to onlookers, with pitch-black smoke.
The red foolishness of evil is fearful
وَمُلَملِمٌand a massed host يَرميstrikes العَدُوَّthe enemy بِرُكنِهِwith its bulk
وَمُلَملِمٌ يَرمي العَدُوَّ بِرُكنِهِ
ماضٍdriving onward كَفِهرِlike the stone of المِنجَنيقِthe catapult مُلَملِمُrounded
ماضٍ كَفِهرِ المِنجَنيقِ مُلَملِمُ
And a massed host strikes the enemy with its bulk,
To onlookers, with dark smoke for them
driving on like a rounded catapult-stone,
And a destroyer who throws the enemy with his pillar
فيin مَعرَكٍa battlefield فُقِدَwas lost التَكَلُّمُspeech تَحتَهُbeneath it
في مَعرَكٍ فُقِدَ التَكَلُّمُ تَحتَهُ
لِلرَوعِfrom terror إِلّاexcept أَزمَلٌa din وَتَغَمغُمُand muffled cries
لِلرَوعِ إِلّا أَزمَلٌ وَتَغَمغُمُ
in a battlefield beneath it where speech is lost
Advancing like the stone thrower of a catapult destroying
from terror, save a din and muffled cries.
In a battle in which speech under it was lost
كَثُرَabounds الحَديدُiron بِهِin it فَبَعضٌso some يَتَّقيward off
كَثُرَ الحَديدُ بِهِ فَبَعضٌ يَتَّقي
كَلمَthe wounds of الطِعانِlance-thrusts بِهاwith it وَبَعضٌand some يُكلَمُare wounded
كَلمَ الطِعانِ بِها وَبَعضٌ يُكلَمُ
Iron abounds there: some ward off
Due to awe except for muteness and mumbling
the wounds of lance-thrusts with it, while others are wounded,
Much iron was there so some avoid
مِنof كُلِّevery ضاحِكَةِsmiling with القَتيرِmail-studs كَأَنَّهاas though it were
مِن كُلِّ ضاحِكَةِ القَتيرِ كَأَنَّها
بُردٌa mantle أَعارَكَهُlent it to you الشُجاعُthe serpent الأَرقَمُspeckled
بُردٌ أَعارَكَهُ الشُجاعُ الأَرقَمُ
with every mail-coat smiling with studs, as though it were
The words of the stabbing with it and some are stabbed
a mantle lent you by the speckled serpent,
From every laughing short spear as if it
وَطَويلِand one long in سالِفَةِthe neck of السِنانِthe spearhead يَؤودُهُbends it
وَطَويلِ سالِفَةِ السِنانِ يَؤودُهُ
خَطِلُthe swaying of الكُعوبِthe joints وَفيand amid الضُلوعِthe ribs يُقَوَّمُis straightened
خَطِلُ الكُعوبِ وَفي الضُلوعِ يُقَوَّمُ
and every spear long-necked beneath its point, bent
Was hail lent to the brave and scarred warrior
by swaying joints, but straightened among ribs;
And the long preceding tooth takes him
وَمُرَقرَقِand one shimmering on الغَربَينِboth edges إِلّاexcept for كُلفَةًa dark stain
وَمُرَقرَقِ الغَربَينِ إِلّا كُلفَةً
مِمّاfrom what يُطَبِّقُsevers joints دائِماًcontinually وَيُصَمِّمُand cleaves bone
مِمّا يُطَبِّقُ دائِماً وَيُصَمِّمُ
and every sword with shimmering edges, save a dark stain
On the leg joints and pierces in the ribs
from ceaselessly severing joints and cleaving bone,
And the two shining swords except when meeting
فيamong فِتيَةٍyoung men رَكِبواmounted العُلىthe heights مِنof هاشِمٍHashim
في فِتيَةٍ رَكِبوا العُلى مِن هاشِمٍ
يَرمونَthey shoot at أَقطارَthe flanks of العَدُوِّthe enemy كَماas رُمواthey were shot at
يَرمونَ أَقطارَ العَدُوِّ كَما رُموا
among youths of Hashim who have mounted the heights,
What it always wraps and determines
shooting at the enemy's flanks as they themselves are shot at.
In some young men who rode the heights of Hashim
يَجريflows الحَياءُmodesty الغَضُّfresh فيin قَسَماتِهِمtheir features
يَجري الحَياءُ الغَضُّ في قَسَماتِهِم
فيat حينَthe time when يَجريflows فيin أَكُفِّهِمُtheir palms الدَمُblood
في حينَ يَجري في أَكُفِّهِمُ الدَمُ
Fresh modesty flows through their features
Throwing the regions of the enemy as they threw them
while blood flows in their palms.
Shyness runs naturally in their personalities
فَإِذاso when غَضِبتَyou grow angry فَأَنتَthen you are أَنتَyourself شُجاعَةٌa courage
فَإِذا غَضِبتَ فَأَنتَ أَنتَ شُجاعَةٌ
توفيtowers عَلىabove عَضبِthe keen blade of الرَدىdeath وَهُمُand they are هُمُthemselves
توفي عَلى عَضبِ الرَدى وَهُمُ هُمُ
When you grow angry, you are truly yourself—a courage
While blood runs in their palms
that towers above death's keen blade; and they are truly themselves.
So when you get angry, you are you, courage
بِحَمائِلِwith the sword-belts of المَلِكِthe King الجَليلِthe glorious مُقَلَّدٌgirded
بِحَمائِلِ المَلِكِ الجَليلِ مُقَلَّدٌ
وَبِخاتَمِand with the signet of النَبَإِthe tidings العَظيمِthe mighty مُخَتَّمُwearing a signet
وَبِخاتَمِ النَبَإِ العَظيمِ مُخَتَّمُ
Girded with the sword-belts of the glorious King,
Faithful in rebuffing depravity and they are them
and wearing the signet of the mighty tidings.
Entrusted with the burdens of the Majestic King
وَعَظُمتَand you are too great قَدراًin worth أَنfor يَروقَكَto please you مَغنَمٌspoils
وَعَظُمتَ قَدراً أَن يَروقَكَ مَغنَمٌ
أَوor أَنfor يَصِرَّto clink عَلىupon بَنانِكَyour fingertips دِرهَمُa dirham
أَو أَن يَصِرَّ عَلى بَنانِكَ دِرهَمُ
You are too great in worth to be delighted by spoils,
And sealed by the ring of the Great Tiding
or for a dirham to clink upon your fingertips.
Your rank became too high to be pleased by spoils
هِيَit is راحَةٌa palm ماnever تَستَفيقُsobers مِنَfrom النَدىgenerosity
هِيَ راحَةٌ ما تَستَفيقُ مِنَ النَدى
أَبَدَthroughout الزَمانِtime وَبَدرَةٌand a money-purse لاnever تُختَمُis sealed
أَبَدَ الزَمانِ وَبَدرَةٌ لا تُختَمُ
It is a palm that never sobers from generosity,
Or for a single coin to be poured onto your platforms
through all time, and a money-purse never sealed.
It is comfort which does not awaken from slumber
مَلِكٌa king تَلاعَبَmake a plaything بِالهَوىof desire عَزَماتُهُhis resolves
مَلِكٌ تَلاعَبَ بِالهَوى عَزَماتُهُ
بُعداًfar removed بِهِbe he عَمّاfrom what يَقولُsay اللُوَّمُthe faultfinders
بُعداً بِهِ عَمّا يَقولُ اللُوَّمُ
A king whose resolves make a plaything of desire—
For eternity and a full moon never waning
far be he from what the faultfinders say!
A king whose ambitions played with passions
عالٍexalted عَلىabove نَظَرِthe gaze of الزَمانِtime مُبَرَّأٌexempt
عالٍ عَلى نَظَرِ الزَمانِ مُبَرَّأٌ
مِمّاfrom what يَمُنُّconfers favor بِهِwith it الزَمانُtime وَيَثلِمُand mars
مِمّا يَمُنُّ بِهِ الزَمانُ وَيَثلِمُ
Exalted above time's gaze, exempt
Keeping him far from what blamers say
from the favors time bestows and the wounds it deals.
Exalted above the perspective of time, exonerated
بَيناwhile يُضيءُhe shines عَلىupon الزَمانِtime فَيَنجَليand it clears
بَينا يُضيءُ عَلى الزَمانِ فَيَنجَلي
حَتّىthen يُغيرُhe raids عَلىupon الضِياءِthe light فَيُظلِمُand it darkens
حَتّى يُغيرُ عَلى الضِياءِ فَيُظلِمُ
One moment he shines upon time, and it grows clear,
From what time favors and frowns upon
then he assails the light, and it grows dark.
While you light up time so it becomes illuminated
النَفعُbenefit وَالإِضرارُand harm شُغلُthe occupation of لِسانِهِhis tongue
النَفعُ وَالإِضرارُ شُغلُ لِسانِهِ
لِيُراشَso one may be enriched عافٍa supplicant أَوor يُضَعضَعَbe brought low مُجرِمُa criminal
لِيُراشَ عافٍ أَو يُضَعضَعَ مُجرِمُ
Benefit and harm occupy his tongue,
Until the brightness overwhelms so it darkens
to enrich a supplicant or bring a criminal low.
Benefit and harm occupy his tongue
وَيَروحُand depart عَنهُfrom him وَلِيُّهُhis friend وَعَدُوُّهُand his enemy
وَيَروحُ عَنهُ وَلِيُّهُ وَعَدُوُّهُ
هَذاthis one يَزيدُincreases in غِنىًwealth وَهَذاand that one يَعدَمُbecomes destitute
هَذا يَزيدُ غِنىً وَهَذا يَعدَمُ
His friend and his enemy depart from him:
In order to pave well-being or shatter a criminal
this one grows richer, and that one becomes destitute.
And his patron and his enemy depart from him
فَعَلىso for المُقارِبِone who draws near مَطلَعٌa dawn مُتَبَلِّجٌradiant
فَعَلى المُقارِبِ مَطلَعٌ مُتَبَلِّجٌ
وَعَلىand for المُجانِبِone who shuns عارِضٌa cloud مُتَجَهِّمُscowling
وَعَلى المُجانِبِ عارِضٌ مُتَجَهِّمُ
For one who draws near, he is a radiant dawn;
This one increases in wealth and that one perishes
for one who shuns him, a scowling cloud.
Upon the devoted is a radiant prospect
فيon كُلِّevery يَومٍday خالِعٌa rebel مُتَأَخِّرٌlagging behind
في كُلِّ يَومٍ خالِعٌ مُتَأَخِّرٌ
يَردىperishes وَجَدٌّand fortune غالِبٌtriumphant مُتَقَدِّمُadvancing
يَردى وَجَدٌّ غالِبٌ مُتَقَدِّمُ
Each day a lagging rebel
While over the estranged looms a frowning one
perishes, while triumphant fortune presses onward.
Every day a retreating deposer
وَفُتوحُand conquests of أَمصارٍcities تَروحُcome in the evening وَتَغتَديand come in the morning
وَفُتوحُ أَمصارٍ تَروحُ وَتَغتَدي
عَفواًeffortlessly إِلَيكَto you وَغَيرُهاwhile others like them يُتَجَشَّمُare won with toil
عَفواً إِلَيكَ وَغَيرُها يُتَجَشَّمُ
And conquests of cities come evening and morning,
Collapses while a victorious earnest one moves forward
freely to you, while others like them are won with toil.
And the openings of cities come and go comfortably to you
لَولاكَbut for you لَمnot يَكُwould be مِثلُهاtheir like ماwhat يُرتَقىis climbed
لَولاكَ لَم يَكُ مِثلُها ما يُرتَقى
عُلواًin height وَلَمand not يَكُwould be مِثلُهاtheir like ماwhat يُغنَمُis won as spoils
عُلواً وَلَم يَكُ مِثلُها ما يُغنَمُ
Without you, no such heights could be climbed,
While others are treated harshly
nor could any such lofty prizes be won.
Were it not for you, the like of which would not be attained
ماnot كانَwas يَوميmy day دونَwithout مَدحِكَpraising you أَنَّنيthat I am
ما كانَ يَومي دونَ مَدحِكَ أَنَّني
صَبٌّa passionate lover بِغَيرِof anything but جَلالِthe majesty of وَجهِكَyour face مُغرَمُenamored
صَبٌّ بِغَيرِ جَلالِ وَجهِكَ مُغرَمُ
My passing a day without praising you does not mean that I am
In height nor would the like of which be gained in spoils
a lover enamored of anything but your face's majesty.
My day does not pass without your praise, for I
لَكِنَّهاbut it is نَفسٌa soul تُصانُkept safe لِتُنتَضىto be unsheathed
لَكِنَّها نَفسٌ تُصانُ لِتُنتَضى
وَتُجَمَّand is rested مِنfrom طولِthe length of المَقالِspeech فَتُفعَمُso it is filled
وَتُجَمَّ مِن طولِ المَقالِ فَتُفعَمُ
Rather, it is a soul kept safe to be unsheathed,
Am passionately in love with the majesty of your face
and rested from long speech, so that it fills anew.
But it is a soul that is preserved to be transported
أَنتَyou are العُلىloftiness فَلِقَصدِهاso for seeking it ماwhat أَقتَنيI acquire
أَنتَ العُلى فَلِقَصدِها ما أَقتَني
مِنof جَوهَرٍjewels وَلِمَدحِهاand for praising it ماwhat أَنظِمُI string
مِن جَوهَرٍ وَلِمَدحِها ما أَنظِمُ
You are loftiness: for its pursuit is all I gather
And folded from the length of words so it is stuffed
of jewels, and for its praise all I string.
You are most high, so however much intrinsicness I gained
ماnot حَقُّthe due of مِثليone like me أَنto يُضاعَbe neglected وَقَولُهُwhile his verse
ما حَقُّ مِثلي أَن يُضاعَ وَقَولُهُ
باقيenduring in العِمادِtent-poles عَلىover الزَمانِtime مُخَيِّمُencamped
باقي العِمادِ عَلى الزَمانِ مُخَيِّمُ
It is not right for one like me to be neglected, while his verse
And whichever praise I construct is for its aim
endures, its tent-poles standing, encamped over time.
It is not befitting for the likes of me that my words
وَأَجَلُّand the noblest of ماwhat أَبقىleft behind الرِجالُmen فَضيلَةٌan excellence
وَأَجَلُّ ما أَبقى الرِجالُ فَضيلَةٌ
تَمتاحُهاdraws it up أُذُنٌan ear وَيودِقُهاand rains it down فَمُa mouth
تَمتاحُها أُذُنٌ وَيودِقُها فَمُ
The noblest thing men leave behind is an excellence
Remain forever as pillars over time
that an ear draws up and a mouth rains down.
And the best thing men transmit is a merit
وَأَناand I am القَريبُthe kinsman قَرابَةًby kinship مَعلومَةًwell-known
وَأَنا القَريبُ قَرابَةً مَعلومَةً
وَالعِرقُand the vein يَضرِبُpulses وَالقَرائِبُand kinships تُلحَمُare knit together
وَالعِرقُ يَضرِبُ وَالقَرائِبُ تُلحَمُ
And I am near to you by well-known kinship:
That an ear borrows and a mouth passes on
the vein pulses, and kinships are knit together.
And I am the close relative, a known kinship
إِنّيI indeed لَأَرجوsurely hope مِنكَfrom you أَنthat سَيَكونَthere will be ليfor me
إِنّي لَأَرجو مِنكَ أَن سَيَكونَ لي
يَومٌa day أَغيظُI enrage بِهِthrough it الأَعاديthe enemies أَيوَمُmomentous
يَومٌ أَغيظُ بِهِ الأَعادي أَيوَمُ
I do hope from you that there will be for me
And lineage courses and relatives bond
a momentous day on which I enrage my enemies;
I do hope to have a day from you I angry enemies in
وَأَنالُand I attain عِندَكَwith you رُتبَةًa rank مَصقولَةًpolished
وَأَنالُ عِندَكَ رُتبَةً مَصقولَةً
إِنif عايَنَbehold الأَعداءُthe enemies رَونَقَهاits brilliance عَمواthey are blinded
إِن عايَنَ الأَعداءُ رَونَقَها عَموا
and that I attain with you a polished rank,
And attain from you a polished position
whose brilliance, if enemies saw it, would blind them.
If enemies behold its splendor they go blind
إِنّيI indeed وَإِنeven if ضَرَبَstrikes الحِجابُthe screen بِطَودِهِwith its mountain
إِنّي وَإِن ضَرَبَ الحِجابُ بِطَودِهِ
أَوor حالَstands between دونَكَbefore reaching you يَذبُلٌYadhbul وَيَلَملَمُand Yalamlam
أَو حالَ دونَكَ يَذبُلٌ وَيَلَملَمُ
Indeed, even if the screen thrusts up its mountain,
Even if obstruction comes between you and I, melancholy and worn out
or Yadhbul and Yalamlam bar the way to you,
I will see you in the mirror of your generosity just as
لَأَراكَsurely see you فيin مِرآةِthe mirror of جودِكَyour bounty مِثلَماjust as
لَأَراكَ في مِرآةِ جودِكَ مِثلَما
يَلقىencounters العِيانَdirect sight الناظِرُthe observer المُتَوَسِّمُdiscerning
يَلقى العِيانَ الناظِرُ المُتَوَسِّمُ
I surely see you in the mirror of your bounty,
The onlooker sees what he imagines
as a discerning observer sees things before his eyes.
Indeed, an adviser from Ali obeyed you
وَلَقَدand indeed أَطاعَكَhas obeyed you مِنfrom عَلِيٍّAli ناصِحٌa loyal counselor
وَلَقَد أَطاعَكَ مِن عَلِيٍّ ناصِحٌ
ماضيresolute of الجَنانِheart إِذاwhen أَظَلَّكَovershadows you مُغرَمُa burdensome obligation
ماضي الجَنانِ إِذا أَظَلَّكَ مُغرَمُ
From Ali, a loyal counselor has indeed obeyed you,
Walking steadily, impassioned if he meets you
resolute of heart when a crushing burden overshadows you.
His appearance satisfies you and within his chest
يُرضيكَpleases you ظاهِرُهُhis outward conduct وَبَينَand between ضُلوعِهِhis ribs
يُرضيكَ ظاهِرُهُ وَبَينَ ضُلوعِهِ
قَلبٌa heart بِماby whatever يُدنيbrings near إِلَيكَto you مُتَيَّمُenthralled
قَلبٌ بِما يُدني إِلَيكَ مُتَيَّمُ
His outward conduct pleases you, and between his ribs
Is a heart inclined towards what brings you nearer
is a heart enthralled by whatever brings him near you.
So strengthen your hands with him, for you a rescinding ally
فَاِشدُدso clasp firmly يَدَيكَyour two hands بِهِupon him يَدُمhe will remain لَكَfor you ناقِضٌan unraveler
فَاِشدُد يَدَيكَ بِهِ يَدُم لَكَ ناقِضٌ
فيماin whatever يَؤُدُّweighs heavily مِنَof الأُمورِaffairs وَمُبرَمُand a binder
فيما يَؤُدُّ مِنَ الأُمورِ وَمُبرَمُ
So hold him fast with both hands: yours will always be one who loosens,
In carrying out commands and decisive matters
and binds, the knots of burdensome affairs.
With knowledge I say what is clear and well-known
عِلماًwith knowledge أَقولُI speak بَديهَةًextempore وَرَوِيَّةًand after reflection
عِلماً أَقولُ بَديهَةً وَرَوِيَّةً
وَيَضَلُّand loses his way عِندَكَbefore you قائِلٌa speaker لاnot يَعلَمُknows
وَيَضَلُّ عِندَكَ قائِلٌ لا يَعلَمُ
With knowledge I speak, extempore and after reflection,
While the one who speaks without knowledge goes astray before you
while a speaker without knowledge loses his way before you:
With poetry I provoke al-Ajjaj with boldness
شِعراًpoetry أُثيرُI stir up بِهِwith it العَجاجَbattle-dust بَسالَةًin valor
شِعراً أُثيرُ بِهِ العَجاجَ بَسالَةً
كَالطَعنِlike a thrust يُدميdraws blood وَالقَناwhile the spears يَتَحَطَّمُshatter
كَالطَعنِ يُدمي وَالقَنا يَتَحَطَّمُ
poetry with which I bravely stir up battle-dust,
Like stabbing that makes blood flow and the spear shatter
like a thrust that draws blood while spears shatter;
And eloquence that, were it not for shyness, would
وَفَصاحَةٌand eloquence لَولاbut for الحَياءُmodesty لَهَجَّنَتwould have shamed
وَفَصاحَةٌ لَولا الحَياءُ لَهَجَّنَت
أَعلامَthe masterpieces of ماwhat قالَsaid الوَليدُal-Walid وَمُسلِمُand Muslim
أَعلامَ ما قالَ الوَليدُ وَمُسلِمُ
and eloquence that, but for modesty, would shame
Provoke the standards of what al-Walid and Muslim said
the finest of what al-Walid and Muslim said;
And rhetoric which preoccupies the hearing in its contexts
وَخَطابَةًand oratory لِلسَمعِfor the ear فيin جَنَباتِهاits expanses
وَخَطابَةً لِلسَمعِ في جَنَباتِها
شُغلٌan occupation يَعُقُdistracts عَنِfrom الَّذيthe one who يَتَرَنَّمُsings
شُغلٌ يَعُقُ عَنِ الَّذي يَتَرَنَّمُ
and oratory whose expanses give the ear
From what the chanter says immersed in it
an occupation that distracts it from whoever sings.
So towards what my ultimate goal hastens me
فَعَلىso for ماwhat? يَطلُبُseeks غايَتيmy goal مُتَسَرِّعاًhastily
فَعَلى ما يَطلُبُ غايَتي مُتَسَرِّعاً
غُلُقُclosed الجَنانِof heart أَقولُI say ماwhat لاnot يَفهَمِhe understands
غُلُقُ الجَنانِ أَقولُ ما لا يَفهَمِ
Why, then, does he hasten to seek my goal,
The doors of heavens, I say what cannot be understood
that man of closed heart? I say what he cannot understand.
Alas! Did lowliness detain you from
هَيهاتَfar from it! أَقعَدَكَhas seated you الحَضيضُthe low ground مُؤَخِّراًlagging
هَيهاتَ أَقعَدَكَ الحَضيضُ مُؤَخِّراً
عَنّيbehind me وَجاوَرَنيand has neighbored me السُهاal-Suha وَالمِرزَمُand al-Mirzam
عَنّي وَجاوَرَني السُها وَالمِرزَمُ
Far from it! The low ground has seated you, lagging
Granting me access while difficult terrain and sickness dwelled with me
behind me, while al-Suha and al-Mirzam are my neighbors.
I increase in thinking about time so my finger
أَزدادُI increase in فِكراًthought فيabout الزَمانِtime فَإِصبَعيso my finger
أَزدادُ فِكراً في الزَمانِ فَإِصبَعي
لِنَواجِذيto my molars أَبَدَthroughout اللَياليthe nights تَرأَمُclings
لِنَواجِذي أَبَدَ اللَيالي تَرأَمُ
I ponder time ever more; and so my finger
Becomes mutilated from my biting night after night
clings to my molars through all the nights.
And I see the forbearing person being denied his aloofness
وَأَرىand I see الحَليمَthe forbearing man يُنالُis assailed مِنbecause of إِعراضِهِhis turning away
وَأَرى الحَليمَ يُنالُ مِن إِعراضِهِ
وَيَسُلَّand unsheathes مِقوَلَهُhis tongue السَفيهُthe fool فَيَعظُمُand grows mighty
وَيَسُلَّ مِقوَلَهُ السَفيهُ فَيَعظُمُ
I see the forbearing man assailed for turning away,
While the fool imposes his words so they are regarded highly
while the fool unsheathes his tongue and grows mighty.
The feared of men has his purpose easily attained
يَقتادُleads captive مَخشِيَّthe one feared by الرِجالِmen مُرادَهُhis desire
يَقتادُ مَخشِيَّ الرِجالِ مُرادَهُ
عَفواًeffortlessly وَيُظلَمُand is wronged كُلُّeveryone مَنwho لاnot يَظلِمُdoes wrong
عَفواً وَيُظلَمُ كُلُّ مَن لا يَظلِمُ
The man whom others fear wins his desire
While the one who does no injustice is treated unjustly
effortlessly; everyone who does no wrong is wronged.
A heart that makes events tolerable and with it
قَلبٌa heart يُسيغُswallows الحادِثاتِcalamities وَعِندَهُand with it
قَلبٌ يُسيغُ الحادِثاتِ وَعِندَهُ
عَزمٌa resolve عَلىagainst نُوَبِthe vicissitudes of الزَمانِtime مُصَمِّمُsteadfast
عَزمٌ عَلى نُوَبِ الزَمانِ مُصَمِّمُ
A heart that swallows calamities, and with it
Is determination against the cycles of time
a resolve steadfast against time's vicissitudes.
O time! Compared to you the lowly became prosperous
ياO دَهرُtime دونَكَtake heed! قَدindeed تَماثَلَhas recovered مُدنَفٌa wasting sufferer
يا دَهرُ دونَكَ قَد تَماثَلَ مُدنَفٌ
وَاِقتَصَّand has taken redress مُهتَضَمٌa wronged man وَأَورَقَand has put forth leaves مُعدِمُa destitute man
وَاِقتَصَّ مُهتَضَمٌ وَأَورَقَ مُعدِمُ
O time, take heed: the wasting sufferer has recovered,
And the wronged got retribution and the destroyed became verdant
the wronged has taken redress, and the destitute has put forth leaves.
I swear if you fill up with rage from
إِنّيI indeed عَلَيكَagainst you إِذاwhen اِمتَلَأتَyou fill حَمِيَّةًwith fury
إِنّي عَلَيكَ إِذا اِمتَلَأتَ حَمِيَّةً
بِنَدىby the bounty of أَميرِthe Commander of المُؤمِنينَthe Faithful مُحَرَّمُmade inviolable
بِنَدى أَميرِ المُؤمِنينَ مُحَرَّمُ
Against you, when you fill with fury, I am
The dew of the Commander of the Faithful, I am forbidden (to attack you)
made inviolable by the Commander of the Faithful's bounty.
And since you dressed in his bestowal and demise
وَمُذِand since اِدَّرَعتَyou donned as armor عَطاءَهُhis gifts وَفِناءَهُand his courtyard
وَمُذِ اِدَّرَعتَ عَطاءَهُ وَفِناءَهُ
أَرميI shoot وَيَرمينيand shoots at me الزَمانُtime فَأَسلَمُyet I am unscathed
أَرمي وَيَرميني الزَمانُ فَأَسلَمُ
And since donning his gifts and his courtyard as armor,
I throw (attacks) and time throws them back so I submit
I shoot, and time shoots at me, yet I emerge unscathed.
When the Imam lends fervor to my heart
وَإِذاand when الإِمامُthe Imam أَعارَlends قَلبِيَmy heart هِمَّةًresolve
وَإِذا الإِمامُ أَعارَ قَلبِيَ هِمَّةً
فَالأَمرُthen command أَمريis mine وَالمَعاطِسُand the noses تُرغَمُare rubbed in dust
فَالأَمرُ أَمري وَالمَعاطِسُ تُرغَمُ
And when the Imam lends my heart resolve,
The matter becomes my own and opponents are subjugated
then command is mine, and noses are rubbed in the dust.
Partial English translation: 141 of 142 Arabic lines translated.
Sol 6.1