أَبِقْتُ لِصَحْوِي مِن عَلاقَتِها نَشْوَى

أَبِقْتُ لِصَحْوِي مِن عَلاقَتِها نَشْوَى

رَمَتنِي بِسَهْمِ اللَّحْظِ عَمْداً فَما أَشْوَى

رَمَتنِي بِسَهْمِ اللَّحْظِ عَمْداً فَما أَشْوَى

She left in my sobriety an intoxication born of attachment to her.

I sought respite from her relationship in my sobriety

She deliberately shot me with the arrow of her glance, and did not miss.

She aimed the arrow of her glance intentionally at me so I was struck

وَهمْتُ بِوادٍ يُنْبِتُ السِّدْرَ وَالغَضَى

وَهمْتُ بِوادٍ يُنْبِتُ السِّدْرَ وَالغَضَى

سُلُوّا لِرَوْض يُنْبِتُ الرَّنْدَا والسَّروَا

سُلُوّا لِرَوْض يُنْبِتُ الرَّنْدَا والسَّروَا

I became enamored of a valley growing lote trees and ghada shrubs,

I thought of a valley growing lotus trees and myrtle

Seeking solace from a garden growing laurel and cypress.

Ask the garden where the oleander and cypress grow

إِذَا لاعَبَتْ فيهِ المِيَاهُ ظِلالَهُ

إِذَا لاعَبَتْ فيهِ المِيَاهُ ظِلالَهُ

تَبَدَّتْ لآلِي الدَّوِّ فيهِنَّ وَالرّوَا

تَبَدَّتْ لآلِي الدَّوِّ فيهِنَّ وَالرّوَا

When its waters played with its shadows,

When water plays in its shadows

Pearls of the desert and beauty appeared within them.

The bending branches seem to dance in it

لَجاجَةُ مَنْ خاضَ الصَّبَابَة لُجَّةً

لَجاجَةُ مَنْ خاضَ الصَّبَابَة لُجَّةً

فَخَلَّتْهُ إِلا منْ تَباريحه خِلْوَا

فَخَلَّتْهُ إِلا منْ تَباريحه خِلْوَا

The obstinacy of one who plunged into passion as into a deep sea,

Stubborn is he who contends with destiny fiercely

Which left him empty except for its torments.

It left him nothing but his sighs of anguish

وَلا غَرْو أنْ أَصْبَحْتُ مُغْرَى فَإنَّهُ

وَلا غَرْو أنْ أَصْبَحْتُ مُغْرَى فَإنَّهُ

بِأُخْتِ بَلِيٍّ فِي الهَوَى عَمَّت البَلْوَى

بِأُخْتِ بَلِيٍّ فِي الهَوَى عَمَّت البَلْوَى

No wonder I have become infatuated, for

It’s no wonder I'm infatuated, for through a sister of affliction in love spread the infatuation

Through a sister of Baliy, love's affliction has spread everywhere.

I appeared uncouth, though I did not spurn; and the uncouth may spurn etiquette if he dwells in the desert

بَدَوْتُ ولَكِنْ مَا جَفَوْتُ وَرُبَّما

بَدَوْتُ ولَكِنْ مَا جَفَوْتُ وَرُبَّما

تَجَافَى عَن الآدابِ مَنْ سَكَن البَدْوَا

تَجَافَى عَن الآدابِ مَنْ سَكَن البَدْوَا

I took to the desert, but did not become uncouth; yet often

I admired a bedouin girl whose abode is the open country

Those who inhabit the desert stray from good manners.

Who summers in Najd and winters in Huzwa

وَعلّقتُ أَعْرابِيَّة دارُها الفَلا

وَعلّقتُ أَعْرابِيَّة دارُها الفَلا

تَصيفُ علَى نَجْدٍ وَتَشْتُو علَى حُزْوَى

تَصيفُ علَى نَجْدٍ وَتَشْتُو علَى حُزْوَى

I fell in love with a Bedouin woman whose home is the wilderness;

Accustomed to capturing souls and killing them

She summers in Najd and winters in Huzwa.

She has never confronted an army or known a raid

مُعَوَّدَةً سَبْيَ النفُوسِ وَقَتْلَها

مُعَوَّدَةً سَبْيَ النفُوسِ وَقَتْلَها

وَمَا عَرَضَتْ جَيْشاً وَلا عَرَفَتْ غَزْوَا

وَمَا عَرَضَتْ جَيْشاً وَلا عَرَفَتْ غَزْوَا

Accustomed to capturing souls and killing them,

Except that she is of the noble Mudar tribe

Though she has never mustered an army or known a raid.

Who fears the braves whose morning raid is destruction

خَلا أَنَّها مِنْ أُسْرَةٍ مُضَرِيَّةٍ

خَلا أَنَّها مِنْ أُسْرَةٍ مُضَرِيَّةٍ

تَهاب الدَّياجِي صُبْحَ غَارَتِها الشَّعْوَى

تَهاب الدَّياجِي صُبْحَ غَارَتِها الشَّعْوَى

Except that she comes from a family of Mudar,

When she comes out of her tent or turns about

Whose sweeping raid's dawn the darkness fears.

Neither the bright full moon nor the delicate branch are more beautiful

إِذا طَلَعَتْ مِنْ خِدْرِها أَو تَلَفَّتَت

إِذا طَلَعَتْ مِنْ خِدْرِها أَو تَلَفَّتَت

فَمَا القَمَرُ الأَبْهَى وَما الرَّشَأُ الأَحْوَى

فَمَا القَمَرُ الأَبْهَى وَما الرَّشَأُ الأَحْوَى

When she emerges from her secluded chamber or turns her gaze,

The eyelids of passionate hearts obey her eyes

What is the brightest moon, and what the dark-eyed fawn?

As if she has power over her own dominion

تُطِيعُ شِغافاتُ القُلوبِ جُفُونَها

تُطِيعُ شِغافاتُ القُلوبِ جُفُونَها

كَأنَّ لَها مُلكاً عَلَى مِلكِها يَقوَى

كَأنَّ لَها مُلكاً عَلَى مِلكِها يَقوَى

The innermost hearts obey her eyelids,

The landmarks of her guidance went astray, then straightened

As though she wielded a dominion secure over what she owns.

By its guidance to sincerity and turned towards righteousness

ضَلالاً لِحادِيها ظَعائِنُ أَسْلَمَتْ

ضَلالاً لِحادِيها ظَعائِنُ أَسْلَمَتْ

بإِرْشادِهِ الخَلْصاءَ واسْتَقبَلتْ قَوَا

بإِرْشادِهِ الخَلْصاءَ واسْتَقبَلتْ قَوَا

Perdition to their camel-driver! The women's litters abandoned

I passed by the ruins of loved ones, weeping,

Al-Khalsa at his direction and headed toward a desolate waste.

As my tears flowing copiously watered them

مَرَرْتُ بِأَطْلالِ الأَحِبَّة باكِياً

مَرَرْتُ بِأَطْلالِ الأَحِبَّة باكِياً

فَدَهْدَهَ مَطْلُولُ الدُّمُوعِ بِها المَرْوَا

فَدَهْدَهَ مَطْلُولُ الدُّمُوعِ بِها المَرْوَا

I passed the ruins of my loved ones, weeping,

The stars gathered and life was delayed

And the drizzle of tears rolled the flint stones there.

So I complain of a torrent from them that terrifies the frightened

وَقَدْ كانَ أَخْوَى النَّجْمُ واحتَبَسَ الحَيا

وَقَدْ كانَ أَخْوَى النَّجْمُ واحتَبَسَ الحَيا

فَشَكْواً لِسَيْلٍ مِنهُ يُرعِبُ مَنْ أَخْوَى

فَشَكْواً لِسَيْلٍ مِنهُ يُرعِبُ مَنْ أَخْوَى

The star had failed to bring rain, and the showers were withheld;

If my tears were like the violent rainclouds

Yet I complain of a torrent from it that frightens anyone camped in the open.

They would see in them no ebb and flow

وَلَو أَنَّ لِلسُحْبِ السِّفاحِ مَدامِعِي

وَلَو أَنَّ لِلسُحْبِ السِّفاحِ مَدامِعِي

لَما أَبْصَرُوا مِنْها جَهَاماً وَلا نَجْوَا

لَما أَبْصَرُوا مِنْها جَهَاماً وَلا نَجْوَا

If the pouring clouds possessed my tear ducts,

It's as if vessels from my eyelids were emptied

No one would see among them a rainless cloud or one spent of rain.

So it's no wonder they don't recognize the emptying and the bucket

كأَنَّ دِلاءً مِنْ جُفونِيَ أُفْرِغَتْ

كأَنَّ دِلاءً مِنْ جُفونِيَ أُفْرِغَتْ

فَلا نُكْرَ إِنْ لَمْ يَعْرِفُوا الفَرْغَ وَالدَّلوَا

فَلا نُكْرَ إِنْ لَمْ يَعْرِفُوا الفَرْغَ وَالدَّلوَا

It was as though buckets had been emptied from my eyelids;

The rain watered the flanks of Udhayb and Barraq

No wonder, then, if they did not recognize al-Fargh and al-Dalw.

And quenched the thirst of my loved one wherever she wished

سَقَى الغَيْثُ أَكْنَافَ العُذَيْبِ وَبارِقٍ

سَقَى الغَيْثُ أَكْنَافَ العُذَيْبِ وَبارِقٍ

وَرَوَّى بِهَامِي صَوْبه حَيْثُما أَرْوَى

وَرَوَّى بِهَامِي صَوْبه حَيْثُما أَرْوَى

May rain water the surroundings of al-Udhayb and Bariq,

My vows desire to break their pledges

And drench with its streaming downpour wherever Arwa dwells.

How could that be when desire has flooded whom I desire

مَعَاهِدُ أَهْوَى أَنْ تَكُرَّ عُهُودُها

مَعَاهِدُ أَهْوَى أَنْ تَكُرَّ عُهُودُها

وأَنَّى وَقَدْ شَطَّ المَزَارُ بِمَنْ أَهوَى

وأَنَّى وَقَدْ شَطَّ المَزَارُ بِمَنْ أَهوَى

Haunts whose former days I long to see return—

I reconciled destiny and old age as is its due

But how, when the abode of the one I love has grown distant?

By God, a purposeful bowing in prayer makes amends for heedlessness

قَدَرْتُ الصِّبَا فيها مَعَ الشَّيْبِ قَدْرَهُ

قَدَرْتُ الصِّبَا فيها مَعَ الشَّيْبِ قَدْرَهُ

ويَا رُبَّ عَمْدٍ في السُّجودِ تَلا السَّهْوَا

ويَا رُبَّ عَمْدٍ في السُّجودِ تَلا السَّهْوَا

There I gave youthful passion its due, despite my gray hair;

Among what saddens me is a night bird warbling

How often intention in prostration has followed forgetfulness!

As it stretches its melodies to me in the darkness, listening

وَمِمَّا شَجَانِي ساجِعٌ فَوقَ سَرْحَة

وَمِمَّا شَجَانِي ساجِعٌ فَوقَ سَرْحَة

أَطَلَّتْ إلَى أَلْحَانِهِ في الدُّجَى صَغْوَا

أَطَلَّتْ إلَى أَلْحَانِهِ في الدُّجَى صَغْوَا

Among the things that saddened me was a cooing bird above a tree

It recalls me under the darkness repeatedly

That leaned attentively toward its melodies in the darkness.

Making me hear its song and me making it hear my lament

يُرَاجِعُنِي تَحتَ الظَّلامِ مُرَاجِعاً

يُرَاجِعُنِي تَحتَ الظَّلامِ مُرَاجِعاً

فَيُسْمِعُنِي شَدْواً وأُسْمِعُهُ شَجْوَا

فَيُسْمِعُنِي شَدْواً وأُسْمِعُهُ شَجْوَا

It exchanges replies with me beneath the darkness:

Though I am bold when battle flares up

It lets me hear its song, and I let it hear my sorrow.

Terrifying in separation when it is intended

وَإنِّي لَمِقْدَامٌ إِذَا الحَرْبُ سَعَّرَتْ

وَإنِّي لَمِقْدَامٌ إِذَا الحَرْبُ سَعَّرَتْ

لَظَاهَا وَمِجْزَاعٌ مِنَ البَيْنِ إِذْ يُنْوَى

لَظَاهَا وَمِجْزَاعٌ مِنَ البَيْنِ إِذْ يُنْوَى

I am indeed bold when war has kindled

And I like to blame the one I love

Its blaze, but deeply fearful when separation is intended.

So that the sincerity of passion can be distinguished from pretense

وَيُعْجِبُنِي عَذْلُ العَواذِلِ فِي التِي

وَيُعْجِبُنِي عَذْلُ العَواذِلِ فِي التِي

أَخِفُّ لَهَا شَوْقاً بِمَا ثَقُلَتْ خَطْوَا

أَخِفُّ لَهَا شَوْقاً بِمَا ثَقُلَتْ خَطْوَا

I delight in the reproaching women's blame concerning her

I must praise bounty and dew

For whom longing makes me light, while her steps grow heavy.

For they continue to nourish me with satisfaction

فَأَسْتَعْذِبُ الهِجْرَانَ أدْهَى مِنَ الرَّدى

فَأَسْتَعْذِبُ الهِجْرَانَ أدْهَى مِنَ الرَّدى

وَأَسْتَفْظِعُ السُّلوَانَ أَشْهَى مِنَ السَّلْوَى

وَأَسْتَفْظِعُ السُّلوَانَ أَشْهَى مِنَ السَّلْوَى

I savor estrangement, more disastrous than death,

Bestowing hands held back what I feared

And dread forgetting, more delectable than honey.

So I do not accept any limit in praising them as recompense

حَبِيبٌ إِليَّ اللَّوْمُ فِيمَنْ أُحِبُهُ

حَبِيبٌ إِليَّ اللَّوْمُ فِيمَنْ أُحِبُهُ

لِيَمْتَازَ صِدْقُ العِشْقِ فِيهِ مِنَ الدَّعْوَى

لِيَمْتَازَ صِدْقُ العِشْقِ فِيهِ مِنَ الدَّعْوَى

Blame concerning the one I love is dear to me,

It deemed me shallow while it surges like an ocean

So that true love for that beloved may be distinguished from mere claims.

So its currents drowned me and there was no escape

وَحَتْمٌ عَلَيَّ الحَمْدُ لِلْجُودِ وَالنَّدَى

وَحَتْمٌ عَلَيَّ الحَمْدُ لِلْجُودِ وَالنَّدَى

فَمَازَالَ يَغْذُونِي الرِّضَى بِهِمَا غَذْوَا

فَمَازَالَ يَغْذُونِي الرِّضَى بِهِمَا غَذْوَا

Praise of generosity and bounty is incumbent upon me,

Just so, one who foolishly aims for the sky

For contentment in both has never ceased to nourish me.

His desire leads him away from ascension

أَيَادٍ كَفَتْ مَا أَتَّقِي وَاكِفَاتُه

أَيَادٍ كَفَتْ مَا أَتَّقِي وَاكِفَاتُه

فَلا أَرْتَضِي حَدَّ الثَنَاءِ لَهَا كُفْوَا

فَلا أَرْتَضِي حَدَّ الثَنَاءِ لَهَا كُفْوَا

Favors—his flowing bounty shielded me from what I feared;

The flint I strike with thoughts praising her excellence upon excellence

I cannot accept the utmost praise as their equal.

Has become cold, kindled by her gifts coming unasked

سَمَا بِي خِبَاباً وَهي تَطْفَحُ أَبْحُراً

سَمَا بِي خِبَاباً وَهي تَطْفَحُ أَبْحُراً

فَأَغْرَقَنِي تَيَّارُهُنَّ وَلا غُرْوَى

فَأَغْرَقَنِي تَيَّارُهُنَّ وَلا غُرْوَى

Praise bore me upward at a trot, while the gifts overflowed as seas,

The sweetest hands are those that came willingly

And their current drowned me—no wonder.

Spreading purity, however much discord occurred

كَذَلِكَ مَنْ رَامَ السَّمَاءَ سَفَاهَةً

كَذَلِكَ مَنْ رَامَ السَّمَاءَ سَفَاهَةً

عَدَاهُ عَنِ المَرْقَى إِلَى نَيْلِهَا المَهْوَى

عَدَاهُ عَنِ المَرْقَى إِلَى نَيْلِهَا المَهْوَى

Likewise, whoever foolishly seeks the sky

Thus days bring purity out of bitterness

Is diverted by a plunge from the ascent toward attaining it.

From a reviling drunkard and a swimming woman gracefully gliding

لَقَدْ صَلدَ الزَّنْدُ الذِي أنَا قَادِحٌ

لَقَدْ صَلدَ الزَّنْدُ الذِي أنَا قَادِحٌ

مِنَ الفِكْرِ فِي تَقْرِيظِ جَدْوَى عَلَى جَدْوَى

مِنَ الفِكْرِ فِي تَقْرِيظِ جَدْوَى عَلَى جَدْوَى

The fire-stick I strike has indeed failed to spark,

Indicating thereby her voluptuous undulating gait

The fire-stick of thought, praising bounty upon bounty.

And her lofty nobility rising high

أَتَى وَفْدُهَا عَفْواً فَصَانَ عُفَاتَها

أَتَى وَفْدُهَا عَفْواً فَصَانَ عُفَاتَها

وَأَحْلى الأَيَادِي مَوْقِعاً ما أَتَى عَفْوَا

وَأَحْلى الأَيَادِي مَوْقِعاً ما أَتَى عَفْوَا

Its delegation came unasked, safeguarding its supplicants;

However she wills, she possesses charm and a gait

The sweetest favors in their effect are those that come unasked.

That puts the fast she-camels to shame when she runs

وَسَوَّغَ صَفْوَ العَيْشِ غِبَّ تَكَدُّرٍ

وَسَوَّغَ صَفْوَ العَيْشِ غِبَّ تَكَدُّرٍ

وَقَدْ تُحْدِثُ الأَيَّامُ فِي الكَدَرِ الصَّفْوَا

وَقَدْ تُحْدِثُ الأَيَّامُ فِي الكَدَرِ الصَّفْوَا

It let me enjoy life's clarity after its clouding;

Her breed was once among the steeds of Himyar for a while

Days can indeed bring clarity out of murk.

The Himyaris kept it distinct, enveloping it

فَمِنْ صاهِلٍ ضَافِي السَّبِيبِ مُطَهَّم

فَمِنْ صاهِلٍ ضَافِي السَّبِيبِ مُطَهَّم

وَسَابِحَةٍ تَرْدِي عَلَى إثْرِه سَفْوَا

وَسَابِحَةٍ تَرْدِي عَلَى إثْرِه سَفْوَا

Among the gifts, a neighing, splendidly formed steed with flowing hair,

The haughtiness of the steed refused shelter in its essence

And a fleet mount pounding along behind him in a sweeping gallop.

Not leaving its rider any shelter

تُدِلُّ بِهَذِي فِي النَّجابَةِ دُلْدُلٌ

تُدِلُّ بِهَذِي فِي النَّجابَةِ دُلْدُلٌ

وَتَعْلُو بِهَذَا فِي عَتَاقَتِهِ عَلوَى

وَتَعْلُو بِهَذَا فِي عَتَاقَتِهِ عَلوَى

Duldul boasts of this one in noble breeding,

She kept away from strangers, so she is unique

And Alwa rises through this one's pure lineage.

Rising high, and honor her with high regard

لَهَا شِيَةٌ مَا شِئت حُسْناً وَمِشْيَةً

لَهَا شِيَةٌ مَا شِئت حُسْناً وَمِشْيَةً

تَبُذُّ الجِيادَ السَّابِقَاتِ بِهَا عَدْوَا

تَبُذُّ الجِيادَ السَّابِقَاتِ بِهَا عَدْوَا

Hers are markings as beautiful as you could wish, and a gait

Through granted land, my shoulder bore

With which she outruns the foremost steeds in racing.

An obligation, so my thanks strive to repay it

سَرَى نَوْعُها فِي سَرْوِ حِمْيَرَ بُرْهَةً

سَرَى نَوْعُها فِي سَرْوِ حِمْيَرَ بُرْهَةً

وَذاكَ خُصُوصٌ طالَمَا عَمَّهَا سَرْوَا

وَذاكَ خُصُوصٌ طالَمَا عَمَّهَا سَرْوَا

Her breed moved for an age among the nobles of Himyar;

How many gifts conferred wealth on my hand

That special distinction long ennobled the whole breed.

To a nation that made my bosom its haven

أَبَتْ خُيلاءُ الخَيْلِ بَأْواً بِذَاتِها

أَبَتْ خُيلاءُ الخَيْلِ بَأْواً بِذَاتِها

عَنِ الكِبْرِ لَمْ يَتْرُكْ لِرَاكِبِها بَأْوَا

عَنِ الكِبْرِ لَمْ يَتْرُكْ لِرَاكِبِها بَأْوَا

She scorned the swagger of horses, proud of herself,

Gifts the generous one gives unstintingly

Above conceit; she left her rider no pride to claim.

That exhausted the steeds of poetry when it expanded

وَجَلَّتْ عَنِ الأَغيَارِ فَهْيَ وَسِيطَةٌ

وَجَلَّتْ عَنِ الأَغيَارِ فَهْيَ وَسِيطَةٌ

مُنَاسِبَةٌ تَسْمُو وَأَكْرِمْ بِهَا عِلْوَا

مُنَاسِبَةٌ تَسْمُو وَأَكْرِمْ بِهَا عِلْوَا

She stands above other kinds, and is of noble stock,

It saved me from complaining of fate and blaming it

Well-matched in lineage, rising high—how noble her elevation!

So I have nothing left but inability to thank it

وَفِي صِلَةِ الإقْطَاعِ مَا آدَ كاهِلِي

وَفِي صِلَةِ الإقْطَاعِ مَا آدَ كاهِلِي

حَبَاءً فَهذَا الشكْرُ يَسْعَى لَهُ حَبْوَا

حَبَاءً فَهذَا الشكْرُ يَسْعَى لَهُ حَبْوَا

The gift of a land grant weighed upon my shoulders

Felicity took me to the highest horizon

With bounty, so this gratitude crawls toward it.

And the presence of Yahya the Desired is the highest horizon

وَكَمْ بَدْرَةٍ بادَرَتْ بِالغِنَى يَدِي

وَكَمْ بَدْرَةٍ بادَرَتْ بِالغِنَى يَدِي

إِلَى إِمَّةٍ قَدْ يَمَّمَتْ كَنَفِي مَثْوَى

إِلَى إِمَّةٍ قَدْ يَمَّمَتْ كَنَفِي مَثْوَى

How many a purse hurried my hand into wealth,

I embarked upon the sea though its waves foamed

Into a life of ease that had chosen my side as its dwelling.

Aspiring, but it flowed back from reaching it

رَغَائِبُ يُسْدِيهَا السَّماحُ غَوَائِبٌ

رَغَائِبُ يُسْدِيهَا السَّماحُ غَوَائِبٌ

أَكَلَّتْ جِيادَ الشِّعْرِ إِذْ رَحُبَتْ شَأْوَا

أَكَلَّتْ جِيادَ الشِّعْرِ إِذْ رَحُبَتْ شَأْوَا

Wondrous gifts that generosity bestows

I dwelled splendidly in it as an honorable man

Have wearied poetry's steeds, so broad is their course.

And was granted a dwelling in the garden of the abode

وَقَتْنِيَ مِنْ شَكْوَى الزَّمَانِ وَذَمِّهِ

وَقَتْنِيَ مِنْ شَكْوَى الزَّمَانِ وَذَمِّهِ

فَمَا لي غَيْر العَجْزِ عَنْ شُكْرِهَا شَكْوَى

فَمَا لي غَيْر العَجْزِ عَنْ شُكْرِهَا شَكْوَى

They shielded me from complaining of time and blaming it;

My life flourished therein and its growth began

I have no complaint except my inability to thank them.

So no era's storm or harm harmed it

إلَى الغَايَةِ القُصْوَى سَمَتْ بِيَ أَسْعدِي

إلَى الغَايَةِ القُصْوَى سَمَتْ بِيَ أَسْعدِي

وَحَضْرَةُ يَحْيَى المُرْتَضَى الغَايَةُ القُصْوَى

وَحَضْرَةُ يَحْيَى المُرْتَضَى الغَايَةُ القُصْوَى

My good fortunes raised me to the furthest goal,

The days fulfilled a debt which they undertook

And Yahya al-Murtada's court is that furthest goal.

And the debt of death, in the precinct of truth, cannot be deferred

رَكِبْتُ إِلَيْها البَحْرَ يَزْخَرُ مَوْجُهُ

رَكِبْتُ إِلَيْها البَحْرَ يَزْخَرُ مَوْجُهُ

طُمُوحاً وَلَكِنْ عادَ فِي قَصْدِها رَهْوَا

طُمُوحاً وَلَكِنْ عادَ فِي قَصْدِها رَهْوَا

I crossed the sea toward it, its waves swelling

An imam succeeded his father and grandfather

High; yet, on the journey there, it became calm.

Thus every imam in succession remains his successor

فَسُوِّغْتُ فِيها السَّلْسَبِيلَ عَوَارِفاً

فَسُوِّغْتُ فِيها السَّلْسَبِيلَ عَوَارِفاً

وَبُوِّئْتُ مِنْها مَنْزِلاً جَنّةَ المَأْوَى

وَبُوِّئْتُ مِنْها مَنْزِلاً جَنّةَ المَأْوَى

There I was given Salsabil to drink as benefactions,

He is humble in humility and mighty in majesty

And through it was granted a dwelling—the Garden of Refuge.

If royalty lies in the adornment of a king, then marvel!

بِهَا اخْضَرَّ عَيْشِي وَاسْتَهَلَّ نَبَاتُهُ

بِهَا اخْضَرَّ عَيْشِي وَاسْتَهَلَّ نَبَاتُهُ

فَلَمْ يُبْلِهِ إِعْصَارُ عَصْرٍ وَلا أَذْوَى

فَلَمْ يُبْلِهِ إِعْصَارُ عَصْرٍ وَلا أَذْوَى

There my life grew green, and its growth began to sprout;

To him belong religion and worldly life, glory and sublimity

No whirlwind of the age wore it away or caused it to wither.

Health and remaining life, righteousness and piety

وأَنْجَزَتِ الأَيَّامُ دَيْناً لَوَتْ بِهِ

وأَنْجَزَتِ الأَيَّامُ دَيْناً لَوَتْ بِهِ

وَدَيْنُ المُنَى فِي مَقطَعِ الحَقِّ لا يُلْوَى

وَدَيْنُ المُنَى فِي مَقطَعِ الحَقِّ لا يُلْوَى

The days discharged a debt they had deferred,

He is happily forgiving when they commit sins

And hopes' debt is not deferred at the tribunal of right.

To be profusely pardoning whenever they are profligate in passion

إمَامٌ تَلا سَبْقاً أباهُ وَجَدَّهُ

إمَامٌ تَلا سَبْقاً أباهُ وَجَدَّهُ

فكُلُّ إِمَامٍ لا يَزَالُ لَهُ تِلْوَا

فكُلُّ إِمَامٍ لا يَزَالُ لَهُ تِلْوَا

An imam who followed his father and grandfather in preeminence,

If the sanctity of religion is violated in the land

While every imam remains a follower of him.

His steel sword that subjugates extends to the transgressor

تَوَاضَعَ إِخْبَاتاً وَعَزَّ جَلالةً

تَوَاضَعَ إِخْبَاتاً وَعَزَّ جَلالةً

فَإِنْ يَكُ مَلْكٌ فِي حُلَى مَلَكٍ فَهْوَا

فَإِنْ يَكُ مَلْكٌ فِي حُلَى مَلَكٍ فَهْوَا

He humbled himself in devotion and rose in majesty;

Through him the valor of religion which prevailed and ascended

If there is a king adorned as an angel, it is he.

So you see in it no villainy or empty ostentation

لَهُ الدِّينُ والدُّنْيا لَهُ المَجْدُ والعُلَى

لَهُ الدِّينُ والدُّنْيا لَهُ المَجْدُ والعُلَى

لَهُ الصُّحُ وَالبُقيا لَهُ البر والتَقْوَى

لَهُ الصُّحُ وَالبُقيا لَهُ البر والتَقْوَى

His are religion and the world; his are glory and the heights.

Blessed is what he conceals and declares, established

His are soundness and clemency; his are righteousness and piety.

In the responsibilities of God's cause both openly and in secret

يُسَرُّ سُرُوراً بِالجُنَاةِ وَمَا جَنَوا

يُسَرُّ سُرُوراً بِالجُنَاةِ وَمَا جَنَوا

لِيُسْرِف عَفْواً كُلَّما أَسْرَفُوا هَفْوَا

لِيُسْرِف عَفْواً كُلَّما أَسْرَفُوا هَفْوَا

He rejoices in offenders and what they have done,

Obviously in what is undertaken he is insightful

To lavish pardon whenever they lavish wrongdoing.

Nullifying what others dictated and related

وَإِنْ تُنْتَهَكْ للدِّينِ فِي الأَرْضِ حُرْمَةٌ

وَإِنْ تُنْتَهَكْ للدِّينِ فِي الأَرْضِ حُرْمَةٌ

يَطُلْ سَيْفُهُ المَاضِي بِمَنْ ضَامَهُ سَطْوَا

يَطُلْ سَيْفُهُ المَاضِي بِمَنْ ضَامَهُ سَطْوَا

If religion's sanctity on earth is violated,

Destiny guaranteed victory for his standard

His keen sword reaches whoever wronged it with its onslaught.

If he wished he would not have needed the cavalry

بِهِ كَرُم الدِّينُ الذِي سَادَ وَاعْتَلَى

بِهِ كَرُم الدِّينُ الذِي سَادَ وَاعْتَلَى

فَما تبْصِرُ الدّهمَاءَ فيهِ وَلا الحَشْوَا

فَما تبْصِرُ الدّهمَاءَ فيهِ وَلا الحَشْوَا

Through him, the faith that ruled and rose high grew noble;

Nor would his arrogance have taken upon itself

You see no rabble or riffraff within it.

The swarthy fierce and the whitish wave

مُبارَكُ مَا يُخْفِي وَيُعْلِنُ قَائِمٌ

مُبارَكُ مَا يُخْفِي وَيُعْلِنُ قَائِمٌ

بِأَعباء أَمْرِ اللَّهِ فِي الجَّهرِ وَالنَّجْوَى

بِأَعباء أَمْرِ اللَّهِ فِي الجَّهرِ وَالنَّجْوَى

Blessed in all he hides and proclaims, he undertakes

His might alone suffices to subdue Arabs and non-Arabs

The burdens of God's command, openly and in secret counsel.

No wonder the lion captures the evasive gazelle

بَدِيهَتُهُ فيما يُدارُ مُلِمَّةٌ

بَدِيهَتُهُ فيما يُدارُ مُلِمَّةٌ

بِإِبطَالِ مَا أَمْلَى سِواهُ وَمَا رَوَّى

بِإِبطَالِ مَا أَمْلَى سِواهُ وَمَا رَوَّى

His ready judgment in matters under discussion comes

His brilliance like a full moon dawned on the kingdom's horizon

To overturn what another has dictated or carefully considered.

And the magnificence of authority illuminated the regions

وَقَدْ ضَمِنَ المِقْدَارُ نَصْرَ لِوَائِهِ

وَقَدْ ضَمِنَ المِقْدَارُ نَصْرَ لِوَائِهِ

فَلَوْ شَاءَ لَمْ يَسْتَتْبِع الفَيْلقَ الجَأْوَى

فَلَوْ شَاءَ لَمْ يَسْتَتْبِع الفَيْلقَ الجَأْوَى

Destiny has guaranteed his banner's victory;

Looking out over the realms, watching for their conquest

If he wished, he would not call the dark-armored host to follow,

As a vigilant victor looked out from a high vantage point

وَلا حَمَلَتْ عَلْيَاؤُهُ وَتَقَلَّدَتْ

وَلا حَمَلَتْ عَلْيَاؤُهُ وَتَقَلَّدَتْ

لَها الأَسمَر الخَطَّار وَالأَبْيَضَ المَهْوَا

لَها الأَسمَر الخَطَّار وَالأَبْيَضَ المَهْوَا

Nor would his lofty majesty carry and gird on

Whenever the excited army lines up its ranks

For its sake the swaying brown lance and the keen white sword.

He moves towards it until he annihilates it completely

كَفِيلٌ بِقَهْرِ العُرْبِ وَالعُجْمِ بَأْسُهُ

كَفِيلٌ بِقَهْرِ العُرْبِ وَالعُجْمِ بَأْسُهُ

وَلا عَجَبٌ أَن يَقْنِصَ الأَجْدَلُ الصَّعْوَا

وَلا عَجَبٌ أَن يَقْنِصَ الأَجْدَلُ الصَّعْوَا

His might guarantees the subjugation of Arabs and non-Arabs;

And turns the steeds of his munificence to retreat

No wonder a falcon should hunt sparrows.

So they recoil in fright backwards in hasty flight

تَجَلَّى بِأُفْقِ المُلْكِ بَدْراً بَهَاؤُهُ

تَجَلَّى بِأُفْقِ المُلْكِ بَدْراً بَهَاؤُهُ

وأُبَّهَةُ السُّلْطَانِ قَدْ نَوَّرَ البَهْوَا

وأُبَّهَةُ السُّلْطَانِ قَدْ نَوَّرَ البَهْوَا

His splendor appeared as a full moon on the horizon of kingship,

It's as if his gifts are hosts that guaranteed

And the grandeur of sovereignty has illuminated the hall.

To provide generously for whoever the calamities address

مُطِلاً عَلَى الأَمْلاكِ يَرْقُبُ كَسْرَها

مُطِلاً عَلَى الأَمْلاكِ يَرْقُبُ كَسْرَها

كَمَا أَشْرَفَتْ مِنْ مَرْقَبٍ كَاسِرٌ شَغْوَا

كَمَا أَشْرَفَتْ مِنْ مَرْقَبٍ كَاسِرٌ شَغْوَا

Looking down upon kings, watching for their defeat,

His rule directs the course of fate among the people

Like a hooked-beaked bird of prey looking down from its perch.

If he is guided aright he surely thwarts misguidance

أَقَامَ صَغَا التَّوحيدِ صِدْقَ عَزِيمَةٍ

أَقَامَ صَغَا التَّوحيدِ صِدْقَ عَزِيمَةٍ

وَبَاشَرَ مُرَّ المَوْتِ فِي نَصْرِهِ حُلْوَا

وَبَاشَرَ مُرَّ المَوْتِ فِي نَصْرِهِ حُلْوَا

He straightened the leaning of divine unity with true resolve,

The east and west of the country yield to him

And met death's bitterness as sweetness in its defense,

So that his dominion reaches wherever it extends

عَلَى حِينِ باتَ النَّجْمُ يُرعَدُ خِيفَةً

عَلَى حِينِ باتَ النَّجْمُ يُرعَدُ خِيفَةً

وَهَمَّتْ بأَنْ تَنْهَدَّ مِنْ خَشْيَة رَضْوَى

وَهَمَّتْ بأَنْ تَنْهَدَّ مِنْ خَشْيَة رَضْوَى

At a time when the stars spent the night trembling in fear,

There is Tlemcen, Miliana, and Tripoli

And Radwa nearly collapsed from dread.

Terrified anew, their pasture restored

إِذا خَطَّتِ الهَيْجَاءُ أَسْطُرَ جَيشِها

إِذا خَطَّتِ الهَيْجَاءُ أَسْطُرَ جَيشِها

خَطا نَحْوَها حَتَّى يُقَوِّضَها مَحْوَا

خَطا نَحْوَها حَتَّى يُقَوِّضَها مَحْوَا

When battle writes out the lines of its army,

Lands where the tyrants drank deep the cups

He steps toward them until he tears them down, erasing them.

Of their deaths, a punishment for oppression

ويُلوِي إلَى اللاوَاءِ أَجْيَادَ جُودِهِ

ويُلوِي إلَى اللاوَاءِ أَجْيَادَ جُودِهِ

فَتَنْكُص مِنْ ذُعرٍ عَلَى العَقِبِ اللأْوَا

فَتَنْكُص مِنْ ذُعرٍ عَلَى العَقِبِ اللأْوَا

Toward distress he turns the necks of his generosity,

In his words their wretches became happy

And hardship recoils in terror upon its heels.

And their furthest reaches settled joyously

كَأَنَّ عَطَايَاهُ أُسَاةٌ تَكَفَّلَت

كَأَنَّ عَطَايَاهُ أُسَاةٌ تَكَفَّلَت

بِمَنْ تَكْلُمُ البَأْسَاءُ تُوسِعُهُ أَسْوَا

بِمَنْ تَكْلُمُ البَأْسَاءُ تُوسِعُهُ أَسْوَا

It is as though his gifts were healers pledged

Congratulations on the rise of the imam of justice's state

To those whom hardship wounds, lavishing cures upon them.

For which days excitedly sway

يُصَرِّفُ صَرْفَ الدَّهْرِ فِي النَّاسِ حُكْمُهُ

يُصَرِّفُ صَرْفَ الدَّهْرِ فِي النَّاسِ حُكْمُهُ

فَإِنْ عَصَمَ الأَهْدَى لَقَدْ قَصَمَ الأَغْوَى

فَإِنْ عَصَمَ الأَهْدَى لَقَدْ قَصَمَ الأَغْوَى

His judgment directs fate's vicissitudes among people;

A new year dawns, auspicious, with good omens

If it protects the best-guided, it shatters the most wayward.

The scrolls of victory in it unfold and do not close

وَيُزْوَى لَهُ شَرْقُ البِلادِ وَغَرْبُها

وَيُزْوَى لَهُ شَرْقُ البِلادِ وَغَرْبُها

لِيَبْلُغَ مِنْهَا مُلْكُهُ كُلَّ ما يُزوَى

لِيَبْلُغَ مِنْهَا مُلْكُهُ كُلَّ ما يُزوَى

East and west of the lands are gathered together for him,

And may the heir apparent continue pleasing you as regent

So his dominion may reach every part gathered together.

Just as the tender moon took the radiant sun's place

فَتِلْكَ تِلِمْسَانٌ وَمَلْيَانَةٌ إلَى

فَتِلْكَ تِلِمْسَانٌ وَمَلْيَانَةٌ إلَى

طَرَابُلْسٍ رُوعاً مجَدَّدَةً رَعْوَى

طَرَابُلْسٍ رُوعاً مجَدَّدَةً رَعْوَى

There are Tlemcen and Miliana, stretching to

Without you two, rectitude and guidance would not be protected

Tripoli, in dread, with submission renewed.

And without you two, clear judgment and eloquence would not be known

بِلادٌ سَقَتْ فِيهَا الطُغَاةَ سُعُودُهُ

بِلادٌ سَقَتْ فِيهَا الطُغَاةَ سُعُودُهُ

كُؤُوسَ مَنَايَاهَا جَزَاءً عَلَى الطَّغْوَى

كُؤُوسَ مَنَايَاهَا جَزَاءً عَلَى الطَّغْوَى

Lands where his good fortune made the tyrants drink

The cups of their deaths, in recompense for tyranny.

لَقَدْ سَعِدَتْ فِي لَفْظِهَا أَشْقِياؤُها

لَقَدْ سَعِدَتْ فِي لَفْظِهَا أَشْقِياؤُها

وَقَرَّتْ عَلَى التَّمْهِيدِ أَرْجَاؤُها دَحْوَا

وَقَرَّتْ عَلَى التَّمْهِيدِ أَرْجَاؤُها دَحْوَا

Their wretched ones indeed found fortune in being cast out,

And their regions settled in peace, spread out level.

هَنِيئاً إِمَامَ العَدْلِ إِقْبَالُ دَوْلَةٍ

هَنِيئاً إِمَامَ العَدْلِ إِقْبَالُ دَوْلَةٍ

تَهُزُّ لَها الأَيَّامُ أَعْطَافَها زَهْوَا

تَهُزُّ لَها الأَيَّامُ أَعْطَافَها زَهْوَا

Congratulations, Imam of justice, on the advent of a reign

For which the days sway their flanks in pride,

وَعامٌ جَدِيدٌ بِالمَيَامِنِ طَالِعٌ

وَعامٌ جَدِيدٌ بِالمَيَامِنِ طَالِعٌ

تُنَشَّرُ صُحفُ الفَتْحِ فَيهِ وَلا تُطْوَى

تُنَشَّرُ صُحفُ الفَتْحِ فَيهِ وَلا تُطْوَى

And a new year rising with auspicious signs,

When the scrolls of victory are unfolded, not rolled shut.

ودَامَ وَلِيُّ العَهْدِ يُرْضِيكَ نائِباً

ودَامَ وَلِيُّ العَهْدِ يُرْضِيكَ نائِباً

كَمَا نَابَ عَنْ شَمْسِ الضُّحَى القَمَرُ الأَهْوَى

كَمَا نَابَ عَنْ شَمْسِ الضُّحَى القَمَرُ الأَهْوَى

May the heir apparent endure, pleasing you as your deputy,

As the lovelier moon stands in for the forenoon sun.

فَلَولاكُما لَمْ يُعْصَمِ الرشْدُ وَالهُدَى

فَلَولاكُما لَمْ يُعْصَمِ الرشْدُ وَالهُدَى

وَلَولاكُما لَمْ يَعْلَمِ النَّصُّ وَالفَحْوَى

وَلَولاكُما لَمْ يَعْلَمِ النَّصُّ وَالفَحْوَى

Without you both, sound judgment and guidance would not be protected;

Without you both, neither explicit wording nor implied meaning would be understood.