أَدْرِكْ بِخَيْلِكَ خَيْلِ اللَّهِ أندلُسَاً

أَدْرِكْ بِخَيْلِكَ خَيْلِ اللَّهِ أندلُسَاً

إنَّ السَّبِيلَ إلَى مَنْجاتِها دَرَسَا

إنَّ السَّبِيلَ إلَى مَنْجاتِها دَرَسَا

Rescue al-Andalus with your cavalry, the cavalry of God;

Reach out with your cavalry to the cavalry of Allah in al-Andalus

for the path to her deliverance has been effaced.

The path to its deliverance has certainly worn away

وَهَبْ لهَا مِنْ عَزيزِ النَّصْرِ مَا الْتَمَسَتْ

وَهَبْ لهَا مِنْ عَزيزِ النَّصْرِ مَا الْتَمَسَتْ

فَلَمْ يَزَلْ مِنْكَ عزُّ النَّصْر مُلْتَمَسا

فَلَمْ يَزَلْ مِنْكَ عزُّ النَّصْر مُلْتَمَسا

And grant her the mighty victory she has sought;

Bestow upon it from your mighty victory that which it seeks

for victory's might has always been sought from you.

For mighty victory from you has never ceased being sought

وَحاش مِمَّا تُعانِيهِ حُشَاشَتهَا

وَحاش مِمَّا تُعانِيهِ حُشَاشَتهَا

فَطَالَما ذَاقَتِ البَلوَى صَبَاحَ مَسَا

فَطَالَما ذَاقَتِ البَلوَى صَبَاحَ مَسَا

And shield her lingering life from what she endures;

Save it from the woes that afflict it

for long has she tasted affliction, morning and evening.

For it has long tasted misfortune at dawn and eve

يَا للجَزيرَةِ أَضْحَى أَهلُها جَزَراً

يَا للجَزيرَةِ أَضْحَى أَهلُها جَزَراً

لِلحَادِثَاتِ وأَمْسَى جَدُّهَا تَعَسا

لِلحَادِثَاتِ وأَمْسَى جَدُّهَا تَعَسا

Alas for the peninsula! Her people have become slaughtered prey

O land that has become islands for its people

to calamities, and her fortune has turned to misery.

Due to calamities while its glory has become debased

في كُلِّ شارِقَةٍ إِلْمَامُ بَائِقَةٍ

في كُلِّ شارِقَةٍ إِلْمَامُ بَائِقَةٍ

يَعُود مَأتَمُها عِندَ العِدَى عُرُسا

يَعُود مَأتَمُها عِندَ العِدَى عُرُسا

With every sunrise comes the onset of a calamity;

In every rising star, an imam shines

her mourning becomes a wedding feast among her foes.

Whose funeral upon hostility returns to celebration

وكُلِّ غَارِبَةٍ إِجْحَافُ نائِبَةٍ

وكُلِّ غَارِبَةٍ إِجْحَافُ نائِبَةٍ

تَثْنِي الأَمَانَ حِذاراً والسرُور أَسَى

تَثْنِي الأَمَانَ حِذاراً والسرُور أَسَى

And with every sunset comes a calamity's ravaging,

And every setting star, an injustice appears

turning safety into fear, and joy into sorrow.

That bows safety in caution and joy in sorrow

تَقَاسَمَ الرومُ لا نَالَتْ مَقَاسِمُهُم

تَقَاسَمَ الرومُ لا نَالَتْ مَقَاسِمُهُم

إِلا عَقَائِلَها المَحْجوبَةَ الأُنُسَا

إِلا عَقَائِلَها المَحْجوبَةَ الأُنُسَا

The Romans shared out—may their portions gain no

The Romans divided it yet their divisions

protection—her veiled, gentle noblewomen.

Claimed nothing but its veiled clans

وَفِي بَلَنْسِيةٍ مِنْها وَقُرْطُبَةٍ

وَفِي بَلَنْسِيةٍ مِنْها وَقُرْطُبَةٍ

ما يَنْسِفُ النَّفسَ أَو ما يَنزِفُ النَّفَسا

ما يَنْسِفُ النَّفسَ أَو ما يَنزِفُ النَّفَسا

And in her Valencia and Córdoba

In Valencia thereof and Cordoba

is what shatters the soul, or what drains the breath.

That which agonizes the soul or which bleeds the soul

مَدائِنٌ حَلَّها الإشْرَاكُ مُبْتَسِماً

مَدائِنٌ حَلَّها الإشْرَاكُ مُبْتَسِماً

جَذْلانَ وارتَحَلَ الإِيمانُ مُبْتَئِسا

جَذْلانَ وارتَحَلَ الإِيمانُ مُبْتَئِسا

Cities where polytheism settled, smiling,

Cities conquered by the polytheists smiling

jubilant, while faith departed in sorrow.

While faith migrated dejected

وَصَيَّرَتْها العَوادِي العَابِثاتُ بِها

وَصَيَّرَتْها العَوادِي العَابِثاتُ بِها

يَسْتَوحِشُ الطَّرْفُ مِنْها ضِعْفَ ما أَنِسا

يَسْتَوحِشُ الطَّرْفُ مِنْها ضِعْفَ ما أَنِسا

The ravages that toyed with her have made her

And the roaming destroyers among them

twice as desolate to the eye as once she was familiar.

Made its glances desolate over what was intimate

فَمِنْ دَسَاكِرَ كانَتْ دُونَهَا حَرَساً

فَمِنْ دَسَاكِرَ كانَتْ دُونَهَا حَرَساً

وَمِنْ كَنَائِسَ كَانَتْ قَبْلَها كُنُسا

وَمِنْ كَنَائِسَ كَانَتْ قَبْلَها كُنُسا

Some are country estates that once stood guard before her,

Of citadels that were beneath it protection

and churches that formerly were gazelles' retreats.

And churches that were before it churches

يَا للْمَساجِدِ عَادَتْ للعِدَى بِيَعاً

يَا للْمَساجِدِ عَادَتْ للعِدَى بِيَعاً

ولِلنِّداءِ غَدَا أَثْناءَها جَرَسا

ولِلنِّداءِ غَدَا أَثْناءَها جَرَسا

Alas for the mosques, turned into churches for the foe,

O mosques that returned to the enemies for sale

and for the call to prayer, now a bell within them!

And the call to prayer that became bells during its times

لَهْفِي عَلَيها إلَى استِرجَاعِ فائِتِها

لَهْفِي عَلَيها إلَى استِرجَاعِ فائِتِها

مَدارِساً لِلْمَثانِي أصبَحَتْ دُرُسا

مَدارِساً لِلْمَثانِي أصبَحَتْ دُرُسا

How I grieve for her and long to recover what she has lost:

My fervor for its lost restoration is intense

schools for the Oft-Repeated Verses, now effaced ruins,

What were religious schools became schools of deviance

وَأَربعا نمْنمَتْ يُمْنَى الرَّبيعِ لَها

وَأَربعا نمْنمَتْ يُمْنَى الرَّبيعِ لَها

ما شِئت مِنْ خِلَعٍ مَوْشِيَّةٍ وكُسى

ما شِئت مِنْ خِلَعٍ مَوْشِيَّةٍ وكُسى

and dwellings for which Spring's right hand embroidered

Four realms prospered to its right in spring

all you could wish of brocaded robes and garments.

Whatever you wished of fine garb, coverings, and thrones

كانَتْ حدَائِقَ للأَحْدَاقِ مؤنِقَةً

كانَتْ حدَائِقَ للأَحْدَاقِ مؤنِقَةً

فَصَوَّحَ النَّضْرُ مِن أَدْواحِها وَعَسا

فَصَوَّحَ النَّضْرُ مِن أَدْواحِها وَعَسا

They were gardens delighting the eyes,

They were gardens comforting gazes

but the greenery of their great trees withered and dried.

So vegetation yellowed and withered from its branches

وَحَالَ ما حَوْلَهَا مِنْ منْظَرٍ عَجَبٍ

وَحَالَ ما حَوْلَهَا مِنْ منْظَرٍ عَجَبٍ

يَسْتَجْلِسُ الرَّكْب أَوْ يَسْتَرْكِبُ الجُلُسا

يَسْتَجْلِسُ الرَّكْب أَوْ يَسْتَرْكِبُ الجُلُسا

And the wondrous scenery around her changed,

And whatever surrounding sights were wondrous

which drew riders to sit, or those sitting to mount.

Where caravans rested or convoys lodged

سُرْعَانَ ما عاثَ جَيْشُ الكُفْرِ واحَرَبا

سُرْعَانَ ما عاثَ جَيْشُ الكُفْرِ واحَرَبا

عَيْثُ الدَّبَى في مَغَانِيهَا التِي كَبَسا

عَيْثُ الدَّبَى في مَغَانِيهَا التِي كَبَسا

How swiftly unbelief's army ravaged her—alas, the ruin!—

Soon the army of disbelief wreaked havoc and war

like locust hatchlings ravaging the dwellings it overran.

Like beasts corrupting its treasures that it amassed

وَابْتَز بِزَّتَهَا مِمَّا تَحيَّفَها

وَابْتَز بِزَّتَهَا مِمَّا تَحيَّفَها

تحَيفَ الأَسَدِ الضَّارِى لِما افتَرَسا

تحَيفَ الأَسَدِ الضَّارِى لِما افتَرَسا

And it stripped away her raiment as it despoiled her,

And seized its glory from what confiscated it

as a ravenous lion ravages what it has seized.

With the seizure of a vicious lion upon its prey

فأَيْنَ عَيْشٌ جَنَيْنَاهُ بِها خَضِراً

فأَيْنَ عَيْشٌ جَنَيْنَاهُ بِها خَضِراً

وَأيْنَ غُصنٌ جَنَيْناهُ بِها سَلِسا

وَأيْنَ غُصنٌ جَنَيْناهُ بِها سَلِسا

Where is the verdant life we harvested there?

So where is the life we flourished, once green?

And where the supple bough we gathered there?

And where is the branch we flourished, once supple?

مَحَا مَحَاسِنَها طاغٍ أُتِيحَ لَها

مَحَا مَحَاسِنَها طاغٍ أُتِيحَ لَها

مَا نامَ عَن هَضْمِهَا حِيناً وَلا نَعَسا

مَا نامَ عَن هَضْمِهَا حِيناً وَلا نَعَسا

A tyrant unleashed upon her erased her beauties;

An overpowering transgressor enabled against it

he never rested from oppressing her, sleeping or dozing even a moment.

Erased its beauties, never sleeping or tired

وَرَجَّ أَرْجَاءَهَا لمَّا أحاطَ بِها

وَرَجَّ أَرْجَاءَهَا لمَّا أحاطَ بِها

فَغادَر الشُمَّ مِنْ أَعْلامِها خُنُسا

فَغادَر الشُمَّ مِنْ أَعْلامِها خُنُسا

He shook her every quarter when he surrounded her,

And shook its outskirts when it surrounded it

leaving the lofty peaks of her mountains cowering.

So the banners of its flags were left desolate

خلالَهُ الجوُّ فَامْتَدَّتْ يَداهُ إلَى

خلالَهُ الجوُّ فَامْتَدَّتْ يَداهُ إلَى

إِدْراك ما لَمْ تَطَأْ رِجْلاهُ مُخْتَلِسا

إِدْراك ما لَمْ تَطَأْ رِجْلاهُ مُخْتَلِسا

The air lay clear for him, so his two hands reached out to

The atmosphere betrayed it, so its hands reached

seize stealthily what his two feet had not trodden.

To obtain what its feet had not stealthily seized

وأكْثَرَ الزَّعْمَ بالتَّثْلِيثِ مُنْفَرِداً

وأكْثَرَ الزَّعْمَ بالتَّثْلِيثِ مُنْفَرِداً

وَلَوْ رَأَى رأيَةَ التَّوحِيدِ مَا نَبَسا

وَلَوْ رَأَى رأيَةَ التَّوحِيدِ مَا نَبَسا

Alone, he multiplied his assertions of the Trinity;

And he multiplied false claims of divine incarnation

had he seen the banner of God's oneness, he would not have uttered a word.

Though had he seen the banner of divine oneness, he would not have dared

صِلْ حَبْلَها أَيُّها المَوْلَى الرَّحيمُ فَما

صِلْ حَبْلَها أَيُّها المَوْلَى الرَّحيمُ فَما

أَبقَى المِراسُ لَها حَبْلاً وَلا مَرَسا

أَبقَى المِراسُ لَها حَبْلاً وَلا مَرَسا

Join her cord, O merciful lord, for

O Lord, mend its rope for the agreeable have not

strife has left her neither cord nor rope.

Left a rope for it or one to keep its ropes tied

وَأَحْي مَا طَمَستْ مِنْهُ العُداةُ كَمَا

وَأَحْي مَا طَمَستْ مِنْهُ العُداةُ كَمَا

أَحيَيْتَ مِن دَعوَةِ المَهْدِيِّ ما طُمِسا

أَحيَيْتَ مِن دَعوَةِ المَهْدِيِّ ما طُمِسا

Revive what the foes effaced of it, just as

And revive what the enemies erased among it

you revived what had been effaced of the Mahdi's call.

As you revived what was erased of the call of the Mahdi

أَيَّامَ سِرْتَ لِنَصْرِ الحَقِّ مُسْتَبِقاً

أَيَّامَ سِرْتَ لِنَصْرِ الحَقِّ مُسْتَبِقاً

وَبتَّ مِن نُورِ ذاكَ الهّدْي مُقْتَبِسا

وَبتَّ مِن نُورِ ذاكَ الهّدْي مُقْتَبِسا

In the days when you marched, hastening to champion truth,

Days you set out to preemptively champion the truth

and spent the night drawing from that guidance's light,

And by that enlightened guidance, you were illuminated

وَقُمتَ فيها بِأَمْرِ اللَّهِ مُنتَصِراً

وَقُمتَ فيها بِأَمْرِ اللَّهِ مُنتَصِراً

كَالصَّارِمِ اهتَزَّ أَو كالعارِضِ انبَجَسا

كَالصَّارِمِ اهتَزَّ أَو كالعارِضِ انبَجَسا

you rose in that cause, at God's command, victorious,

You stood by God's command, victoriously

like a keen sword brandished, or a raincloud bursting forth.

Like an unsheathed sword or a polished blade

تَمحُو الذِي كَتَبَ التَّجْسيمُ مِن ظُلَمٍ

تَمحُو الذِي كَتَبَ التَّجْسيمُ مِن ظُلَمٍ

وَالصُّبْحُ مَاحِيةٌ أَنْوارُهُ الغَلَسا

وَالصُّبْحُ مَاحِيةٌ أَنْوارُهُ الغَلَسا

You efface the darkness that corporealism inscribed,

You erase what false incarnation has inscribed of darkness

while dawn's lights wipe away the predawn gloom.

As the dawn's lights erase gloom

وَتَقْتَضِي المَلِكَ الجبَّارَ مُهجَتَهُ

وَتَقْتَضِي المَلِكَ الجبَّارَ مُهجَتَهُ

يَومَ الوَغَى جَهْرَةً لا تَرقُبُ الخُلَسا

يَومَ الوَغَى جَهْرَةً لا تَرقُبُ الخُلَسا

And you exact the tyrant king's lifeblood

And you take from the Compeller His due

openly on battle's day, not awaiting stealthy chances.

Publicly on the day of battle, not fearing secrecy

هَذِي وَسائِلُها تَدْعوكَ مِنْ كَثَبٍ

هَذِي وَسائِلُها تَدْعوكَ مِنْ كَثَبٍ

وَأَنْتَ أفْضَلُ مَرجُوٍّ لِمَنْ يَئِسا

وَأَنْتَ أفْضَلُ مَرجُوٍّ لِمَنْ يَئِسا

These are her pleas, calling you from close at hand;

These are its means calling you from yearning

you are the best hope for those who have despaired.

While you are the best resort for one in despair

وَافَتْكَ جارِيَةً بالنُّجْحِ رَاجِيَةً

وَافَتْكَ جارِيَةً بالنُّجْحِ رَاجِيَةً

مِنكَ الأمِيرَ الرِّضَى والسَّيِّد النَّدِسا

مِنكَ الأمِيرَ الرِّضَى والسَّيِّد النَّدِسا

She has come to you, sailing and hopeful of success

Intercede with good tidings seeking the amiable Prince's pleasure and the generous Master's intimacy

from you, the gracious prince and discerning lord.

It has plunged into the green of youth which his brilliance raises and lowers

خَاضَت خُضَارَةَ يُعْلِيهَا ويُخْفِضُها

خَاضَت خُضَارَةَ يُعْلِيهَا ويُخْفِضُها

عُبَابُهُ فَتُعانِي اللِّينَ والشَّرَسا

عُبَابُهُ فَتُعانِي اللِّينَ والشَّرَسا

She braved the green sea, lifted and lowered

And it suffers softness and ferocity from his clouds

by its surging waves, enduring gentleness and roughness.

And it occasionally floats while the winds blow fiercely

ورُبَّما سَبَحتْ والرِّيحُ عَاتِيَةٌ

ورُبَّما سَبَحتْ والرِّيحُ عَاتِيَةٌ

كَمَا طَلَبْتَ بِأَقْصَى شَدِّه الفَرَسا

كَمَا طَلَبْتَ بِأَقْصَى شَدِّه الفَرَسا

At times she swam while the wind raged,

As you have sought with your utmost exertion the steed

like a horse you pursue at its utmost gallop.

It visits Yahya ibn Abd al-Wahid ibn Abi

تَؤُمّ يَحْيَى بْنَ عَبْدِ الوَاحِد بْنِ أَبِي

تَؤُمّ يَحْيَى بْنَ عَبْدِ الوَاحِد بْنِ أَبِي

حَفْصٍ مُقَبِّلةً مِن تُربِهِ القُدُسا

حَفْصٍ مُقَبِّلةً مِن تُربِهِ القُدُسا

Bound for Yahya ibn Abd al-Wahid ibn Abi

Hafs reverently from his burial place in Jerusalem

Hafs, kissing the sacred dust of his soil.

A king whom the kingdoms have submitted to

مَلْكٌ تَقَلَّدتِ الأَمْلاكُ طَاعَتَه

مَلْكٌ تَقَلَّدتِ الأَمْلاكُ طَاعَتَه

دِيناً ودُنْيا فَغَشَّاها الرِّضَى لِبَسا

دِيناً ودُنْيا فَغَشَّاها الرِّضَى لِبَسا

A king to whom other kings wear obedience as a necklace

Willingly in religion and worldly affairs, enveloping them in contentment

in religion and worldly life; contentment clothed them in a robe.

From every departing to his right taking charge

مِنْ كُلِّ غَادٍ عَلَى يُمنَاه مُستَلِماً

مِنْ كُلِّ غَادٍ عَلَى يُمنَاه مُستَلِماً

وَكُلّ صَادٍ إلَى نُعْمَاهُ مُلْتَمسا

وَكُلّ صَادٍ إلَى نُعْمَاهُ مُلْتَمسا

Among them, every morning visitor saluting his right hand,

And every arriving seeking his bounty

and every thirsty man seeking his bounty.

Supported such that if he shot a star he would fix it

مُؤَيَّدٌ لَو رَمَى نَجْماً لأَثْبَتَهُ

مُؤَيَّدٌ لَو رَمَى نَجْماً لأَثْبَتَهُ

وَلَوْ دَعَا أفُقاً لَبَّى وَما احتَبَسا

وَلَوْ دَعَا أفُقاً لَبَّى وَما احتَبَسا

Divinely aided: were he to shoot at a star, he would transfix it;

And if he called to a horizon it would obey, not holding back

were he to summon a horizon, it would answer without delay.

By Allah, he whom hopes of glory are anticipated for

تاللَّهِ إِنَّ الذِي تُرجَى السعودُ لَهُ

تاللَّهِ إِنَّ الذِي تُرجَى السعودُ لَهُ

مَا جَالَ فِي خلَدٍ يَوماً وَلا هَجَسا

مَا جَالَ فِي خلَدٍ يَوماً وَلا هَجَسا

By God, the good fortune hoped for him

Has not wandered aimlessly in eternity, ever

has never crossed a mind nor stirred in thought.

An emirate whose standard is borne by destiny

إِمارَةٌ يَحْمِلُ المِقْدَارُ رايَتَها

إِمارَةٌ يَحْمِلُ المِقْدَارُ رايَتَها

ودَوْلَةٌ عِزُّها يَسْتَصْحِبُ القَعَسا

ودَوْلَةٌ عِزُّها يَسْتَصْحِبُ القَعَسا

A dominion whose banner destiny carries,

And a state whose honor accompanies auspiciousness

and a state whose glory goes hand in hand with steadfast strength.

The day manifests some of its light through it

يُبْدِي النَّهَارُ بِها مِنْ ضَوْئِهِ شَنَباً

يُبْدِي النَّهَارُ بِها مِنْ ضَوْئِهِ شَنَباً

ويُطْلِعُ الليلُ مِنْ ظَلْمَائِهِ لَعَسا

ويُطْلِعُ الليلُ مِنْ ظَلْمَائِهِ لَعَسا

Day shows through her its light's gleaming teeth,

And the night reveals some of its darkness for it

and night brings forth from its darkness the dusky hue of lips.

Unwavering in determination while the days have betrayed

ماضِي العَزيمَةِ والأَيَّامُ قَدْ نَكَلَتْ

ماضِي العَزيمَةِ والأَيَّامُ قَدْ نَكَلَتْ

طَلْقُ المُحَيَّا ووَجْهُ الدَّهْرِ قَدْ عَبَسا

طَلْقُ المُحَيَّا ووَجْهُ الدَّهْرِ قَدْ عَبَسا

His resolve is unflinching, though the days have faltered;

The freely flowing and the time has frowned

his face is cheerful, though Time's face has frowned.

It is as though he is the full moon and the heights are his

كَأَنَّهُ البَدْرُ والعَليَاءُ هالَتُهُ

كَأَنَّهُ البَدْرُ والعَليَاءُ هالَتُهُ

تَحُفُّ مِن حَولِهِ شُهْبُ القَنَا حَرَسا

تَحُفُّ مِن حَولِهِ شُهْبُ القَنَا حَرَسا

He is like the full moon, with eminence as his halo;

Surrounded by the mane of glory protecting him

the blazing stars of spears encircle him as guards.

His planning encompassed the world though it did not encompass him

تَدْبِيرُهُ وَسِعَ الدُّنيا وَما وَسِعَتْ

تَدْبِيرُهُ وَسِعَ الدُّنيا وَما وَسِعَتْ

وعُرْفُ مَعْرُوفِهِ وَاسَى الوَرَى وَأَسا

وعُرْفُ مَعْرُوفِهِ وَاسَى الوَرَى وَأَسا

His governance encompasses the world and all it holds;

And the reputation of his virtues covered people and consoled them

the fragrance of his kindness comforts mankind and heals.

His call was established upon justice and benevolence

قَامَتْ عَلَى العَدلِ وَالإحسانِ دَعْوَتُهُ

قَامَتْ عَلَى العَدلِ وَالإحسانِ دَعْوَتُهُ

وأَنْشَرَتْ مِنْ وُجُودِ الجُودِ ما رُمِسا

وأَنْشَرَتْ مِنْ وُجُودِ الجُودِ ما رُمِسا

His call rests upon justice and beneficence,

And it spread the generosity of generosity that was folded

and revives, through generosity's presence, what lay buried.

Blessed is his guidance each morning, his tranquility pervasive

مُبَارَكٌ هَدْيُهُ بادٍ سَكينَتُهُ

مُبَارَكٌ هَدْيُهُ بادٍ سَكينَتُهُ

مَا قامَ إِلا إلَى حُسْنَى وَلا جَلَسا

مَا قامَ إِلا إلَى حُسْنَى وَلا جَلَسا

Blessed is his conduct, manifest his serenity;

Not arising except for the best and never sitting

he neither rises nor sits except for a noble purpose.

Allah illuminated his insight with piety

قَد نَوَّرَ اللَّهُ بِالتَّقوَى بَصِيرَتَهُ

قَد نَوَّرَ اللَّهُ بِالتَّقوَى بَصِيرَتَهُ

فَمَا يُبالي طُروقَ الخَطْبِ مُلتَبِسا

فَمَا يُبالي طُروقَ الخَطْبِ مُلتَبِسا

God has illuminated his insight with piety,

So he does not care for the complexities of events, confused

so no baffling crisis arriving by night troubles him.

He saw the disobedient and cared for the obedient, so say

بَرَى العُصاةَ وَرَاشَ الطائِعِينَ فَقُلْ

بَرَى العُصاةَ وَرَاشَ الطائِعِينَ فَقُلْ

في اللَّيْثِ مُفْتَرِساً والغَيثِ مُرْتَجِسا

في اللَّيْثِ مُفْتَرِساً والغَيثِ مُرْتَجِسا

He wore down rebels and enriched the obedient; speak, then,

Regarding the lion, ferocious, and the rain, flowing

of the lion devouring, and the rain thundering.

He did not neglect a plain or mountain

ولَم يُغَادِر علَى سَهْلٍ وَلا جَبَلٍ

ولَم يُغَادِر علَى سَهْلٍ وَلا جَبَلٍ

حَيَّا لقاحاً إِذا وَفَّيْتَهُ بَخَسا

حَيَّا لقاحاً إِذا وَفَّيْتَهُ بَخَسا

He has left, on neither plain nor mountain,

Without enlivening it if you entrusted it to him depleted

an independent tribe that wrongs you when you give it its due.

For many prey you do not find prey like it

فَرُبَّ أَصْيَدَ لا تُلفِي بِهِ صَيَداً

فَرُبَّ أَصْيَدَ لا تُلفِي بِهِ صَيَداً

وَرُبَّ أشْوَسَ لا تَلْقَى لَهُ شَوسا

وَرُبَّ أشْوَسَ لا تَلْقَى لَهُ شَوسا

Many a proud lord shows no trace of haughtiness,

And many pursuits you do not find a pursuit like it

and many a fierce warrior shows no scowling.

He is nurtured into the angels and kings together

إلَى المَلائِكِ يُنْمَى والمُلوكِ مَعاً

إلَى المَلائِكِ يُنْمَى والمُلوكِ مَعاً

فِي نَبْعةٍ أَثْمَرَتْ لِلمَجْدِ ما غَرَسا

فِي نَبْعةٍ أَثْمَرَتْ لِلمَجْدِ ما غَرَسا

His lineage is traced to angels and kings alike,

In a source that produced for glory what was planted

in a tree that bore for glory what he planted.

Allah formed his essence from radiant light

مِنْ سَاطِعِ النُّورِ صَاغَ اللَّهُ جَوهَرَهُ

مِنْ سَاطِعِ النُّورِ صَاغَ اللَّهُ جَوهَرَهُ

وَصَانَ صِيغَتَهُ أنْ تَقْرُبَ الدَّنَسا

وَصَانَ صِيغَتَهُ أنْ تَقْرُبَ الدَّنَسا

From shining light God fashioned his essence,

And protected his constitution from approaching lowliness

and guarded his form from drawing near to defilement.

For him are the land and throne, two paths so none

لَهُ الثَّرَى والثُّريَّا خُطَّتانِ فَلا

لَهُ الثَّرَى والثُّريَّا خُطَّتانِ فَلا

أَعَزّ مِنْ خُطَّتَيْهِ ما سَما وَرَسا

أَعَزّ مِنْ خُطَّتَيْهِ ما سَما وَرَسا

Earth and the Pleiades are his two realms; nothing

More honorable than his two paths has mounted or settled

that rises or rests is more glorious than his two realms.

The one who sold himself in dangers riding them

حَسْبُ الذِي بَاعَ في الأَخْطَارِ يَرْكَبُها

حَسْبُ الذِي بَاعَ في الأَخْطَارِ يَرْكَبُها

إلَيْهِ مَحْيَاهُ أنَّ البَيْعَ مَا وُكِسا

إلَيْهِ مَحْيَاهُ أنَّ البَيْعَ مَا وُكِسا

Enough for one who sold, amid perils he braves,

Considers it sufficient for his life that the sale not be rescinded

his life to reach him, that the bargain suffered no loss.

Indeed fortunate is one who throws his staff aside

إِنَّ السَّعيدَ امْرُؤٌ أَلقَى بِحَضرَتِهِ

إِنَّ السَّعيدَ امْرُؤٌ أَلقَى بِحَضرَتِهِ

عَصَاهُ مُحْتَزِماً بالعَدْلِ مُحْتَرِسا

عَصَاهُ مُحْتَزِماً بالعَدْلِ مُحْتَرِسا

The fortunate man is one who, in his presence, laid down

While being cautious of justice and vigilant

his staff, girt with justice and protected.

He dwelt making sanctuaries from its corners

فَظَلَّ يُوطِنُ مِنْ أَرْجَائِها حرَماً

فَظَلَّ يُوطِنُ مِنْ أَرْجَائِها حرَماً

وبَاتَ يُوقِدُ مِنْ أضْوائِهَا قَبَسا

وبَاتَ يُوقِدُ مِنْ أضْوائِهَا قَبَسا

He then made his home in a sanctuary within its precincts,

And stayed kindling from its lights a flame

and spent the night kindling a flame from its lights.

Good tidings to a servant who approached the Bountiful Door

بُشْرَى لِعَبدٍ إلَى البَابِ الكَريمِ حَدَا

بُشْرَى لِعَبدٍ إلَى البَابِ الكَريمِ حَدَا

آمالهُ ومِنَ العَذْبِ المَعينِ حَسا

آمالهُ ومِنَ العَذْبِ المَعينِ حَسا

Good tidings to a servant who drove toward the noble gate

With hopes and drew from the sweet well

his hopes, and sipped from sweet, flowing water.

As though riding the oaths that accompany him

كأَنَّمَا يَمْتَطِي واليُمْنِ يَصحَبُه

كأَنَّمَا يَمْتَطِي واليُمْنِ يَصحَبُه

مِنَ البِحارِ طَرِيقاً نَحْوَهُ يَبَسا

مِنَ البِحارِ طَرِيقاً نَحْوَهُ يَبَسا

As though he rides, with good fortune beside him,

A path from the seas toward it dried

a dry path through the seas toward him.

So he was met with happiness, its floods greeting him

فاسْتَقْبَل السعدَ وضَّاحا أسرَّتُه

فاسْتَقْبَل السعدَ وضَّاحا أسرَّتُه

من صَفْحَةٍ غَاضَ مِنها النورُ فانعَكَسا

من صَفْحَةٍ غَاضَ مِنها النورُ فانعَكَسا

He met good fortune, its features radiant,

From a horizon whose light overflowed and reflected

from a face from which light ebbed and then rebounded.

And before generosity, its downpours met him

وَقَبل الجُودَ طفَّاحاً غَوارِبُهُ

وَقَبل الجُودَ طفَّاحاً غَوارِبُهُ

مِن رَاحَةٍ غاصَ فيها البَحرُ فانغَمَسا

مِن رَاحَةٍ غاصَ فيها البَحرُ فانغَمَسا

And kissed generosity, its crests overflowing,

From serenity in which the sea delved and submerged

from a palm in which the sea sank and was submerged.

O victorious King, you are for it

يَا أَيُّها المَلِكُ المَنْصُورُ أنْتَ لَهَا

يَا أَيُّها المَلِكُ المَنْصُورُ أنْتَ لَهَا

عَليَاءُ تُوسِعُ أَعْداءَ الهُدَى تَعَسا

عَليَاءُ تُوسِعُ أَعْداءَ الهُدَى تَعَسا

O victorious king, you are for her

Heights that expand the enemies of guidance miserably

a lofty eminence that heaps misery upon guidance's foes.

And reports have circulated that you are one who

وقَدْ تَواتَرتِ الأَنْبَاء أَنَّكَ مَنْ

وقَدْ تَواتَرتِ الأَنْبَاء أَنَّكَ مَنْ

يُحْيِي بِقَتْلِ مُلوك الصُّفْرِ أَنْدَلُسا

يُحْيِي بِقَتْلِ مُلوك الصُّفْرِ أَنْدَلُسا

Reports have come one after another that you are the one

Revives by killing the yellow kings of al-Andalus

who revives al-Andalus by slaying the kings of the yellow folk.

Purify your country of them, they are impure

طَهِّرْ بِلادَك مِنْهُم إِنَّهُم نَجَسٌ

طَهِّرْ بِلادَك مِنْهُم إِنَّهُم نَجَسٌ

وَلا طَهَارَةَ ما لَم تَغْسِل النَّجَسا

وَلا طَهَارَةَ ما لَم تَغْسِل النَّجَسا

Cleanse your lands of them: they are defilement;

And no purity unless you wash the impure

there is no purity until you wash away defilement.

And tread the mighty regiments upon their land

وَأَوْطِئ الفَيْلَقَ الجَرَّارَ أرضَهُمُ

وَأَوْطِئ الفَيْلَقَ الجَرَّارَ أرضَهُمُ

حتَّى يُطَأطِئَ رَأْساً كُلُّ مَنْ رَأْسا

حتَّى يُطَأطِئَ رَأْساً كُلُّ مَنْ رَأْسا

Make the vast army tread their land,

Until it bows the heads of all who have heads

until every chief lowers his head.

And aid worshippers in its furthest east who have turned

وانْصُر عَبِيداً بأَقْصَى شَرْقِها شَرِقَتْ

وانْصُر عَبِيداً بأَقْصَى شَرْقِها شَرِقَتْ

عُيُونُهم أدْمُعاً تهْمِي زَكاً وخَسا

عُيُونُهم أدْمُعاً تهْمِي زَكاً وخَسا

And aid servants in her farthest east: choked

Their eyes with tears flowing purely and muddily

are their eyes with tears, pouring in pairs and singly.

They are followers of the creed and it is the abode that has been shaken

هُمْ شِيعَةُ الأَمْرِ وَهْيَ الدَّارُ قَد نُهِكَتْ

هُمْ شِيعَةُ الأَمْرِ وَهْيَ الدَّارُ قَد نُهِكَتْ

دَاءً وَمَا لَمْ تُبَاشِرْ حَسْمَهُ انْتَكَسا

دَاءً وَمَا لَمْ تُبَاشِرْ حَسْمَهُ انْتَكَسا

They are followers of the cause; their homeland has been exhausted

With an illness that will not be cured unless addressed decisively

by sickness, which will relapse unless you undertake to root it out.

So fill its realm triumphantly with cavalry brandishing swords

فَامْلأ هَنِيئاً لَكَ التَّمْكِينُ سَاحَتها

فَامْلأ هَنِيئاً لَكَ التَّمْكِينُ سَاحَتها

جُرْداً سَلاهِبَ أوْ خَطِّيَّةً دُعُسا

جُرْداً سَلاهِبَ أوْ خَطِّيَّةً دُعُسا

Fill her plain—may your power bring you joy—

Or infantrymen with spears, joyous

with sleek, long-limbed steeds or piercing Khatti spears.

And make it a promise of conquest which it awaits

واضْرِب لهَا مَوْعِداً بِالفَتْحِ تَرْقُبُهُ

واضْرِب لهَا مَوْعِداً بِالفَتْحِ تَرْقُبُهُ

لَعَلَّ يوْمَ الأَعادِي قَدْ أَتَى وعَسَى

لَعَلَّ يوْمَ الأَعادِي قَدْ أَتَى وعَسَى

And set her a date for victory that she may await;

Perhaps the day of enemies has come and perhaps is near

perhaps the enemies' day has come—may it be so!