حَدِيثٌa report عَلَىagainst رَغْمِthe will of الْعُلاَgreatness غَيْرُnot كَاذِبٍfalse
حَدِيثٌ عَلَى رَغْمِ الْعُلاَ غَيْرُ كَاذِبٍ
يَغَصُّchoke النَّوَادِيthe gathering halls عِنْدَهat it بالنَّوادِبِwith mourning women
يَغَصُّ النَّوَادِي عِنْدَه بالنَّوادِبِ
A report, against greatness's will, yet no lie:
At it, the gathering halls choke with mourning women.
وللهِand, by God مِنْwhat an سَهْمٍarrow عَلَىacross الْبُعْدِthe distance صَائِبٍstriking true
وللهِ مِنْ سَهْمٍ عَلَى الْبُعْدِ صَائِبٍ
رمىstruck ثغرةthe throat of المجدglory الصريحpure المناسبwell-born
رمى ثغرة المجد الصريح المناسب
And, by God, what an arrow, striking true from afar!
It struck the throat of glory, pure and well-born.
أياO صاحِبيtwo companions of نجوايَmy confidences دعوةُa plea from صاحِبٍa friend
أيا صاحِبي نجوايَ دعوةُ صاحِبٍ
أَطَافَتْsurrounded بِهِhim الأَشْجَانُsorrows مِنْfrom كُلِّevery جَانِبٍside
أَطَافَتْ بِهِ الأَشْجَانُ مِنْ كُلِّ جَانِبٍ
O my two confidants—this is a friend's plea,
Whom sorrows have surrounded on every side.
أَلِمَّاdraw near, you two بِأَحْدَاثِto the calamities of الْعُلَىgreatness وَالْمَنَاقِبِand noble deeds
أَلِمَّا بِأَحْدَاثِ الْعُلَى وَالْمَنَاقِبِ
تُحَيِّmay revive ثَرَاهَاtheir soil وَاكِفَاتُthe dripping ones of السَّحَائِبِthe clouds
تُحَيِّ ثَرَاهَا وَاكِفَاتُ السَّحَائِبِ
Draw near, you two, to the calamities of greatness and noble deeds;
May dripping clouds revive their soil.
أَلاَah فَابْكِيَاthen weep, you two رَوْضَthe garden of الْجَلاَلِmajesty الَّذِيthat ذَوَىwithered
أَلاَ فَابْكِيَا رَوْضَ الْجَلاَلِ الَّذِي ذَوَى
عَلَىat حِينَthe time when هَزَّتْهُstirred it السَّمَاحَةُgenerosity وَاسْتَوَىand it grew full
عَلَى حِينَ هَزَّتْهُ السَّمَاحَةُ وَاسْتَوَى
Ah, weep, you two, for the garden of majesty that withered,
Just when generosity stirred it and it stood full-grown,
وَجَادَتْهُand lavishly watered it أَخْلاَفُthe udders of الْخِلاَفَةِthe caliphate فَاْرْتَوَىso it drank its fill
وَجَادَتْهُ أَخْلاَفُ الْخِلاَفَةِ فَاْرْتَوَى
وَنُوحَاand lament, you two عَلَىover نَجْمِthe star of الْعَلاَءِeminence الَّذِيthat هَوَىfell
وَنُوحَا عَلَى نَجْمِ الْعَلاَءِ الَّذِي هَوَى
And the caliphate's udders drenched it till it drank its fill.
And lament the star of eminence that fell,
فَأَبْرَزَthus revealed شَمْسَthe sun of الْجَوِّthe sky فِيin خلْعَةِa robe of الْجَوَىanguish
فَأَبْرَزَ شَمْسَ الْجَوِّ فِي خلْعَةِ الْجَوَى
فَلِلَّهِso, by God مِنْwhat a دِيَوانِrecord of فَضْلٍexcellence قَدِalready انْطَوَىhas been closed
فَلِلَّهِ مِنْ دِيَوانِ فَضْلٍ قَدِ انْطَوَى
Thus revealing the sky's sun in a robe of anguish.
So, by God, what a record of excellence has been closed!
وَعُوجَاand turn aside, you two بِأَكْنَافِto the precincts of الضَّرِيحthe tomb الَّذِيthat حَوَىcontained
وَعُوجَا بِأَكْنَافِ الضَّرِيح الَّذِي حَوَى
مِنَof الْجُودِgenerosity وَالإفْضَالِand beneficence أَسْنَىthe loftiest of الْمَرَاتِبِranks
مِنَ الْجُودِ وَالإفْضَالِ أَسْنَى الْمَرَاتِبِ
And turn aside to the precincts of the tomb that contained
The loftiest ranks of generosity and beneficence.
أَقِيمَاhold, you two بِحَقٍّas is due مَأَتَمَa mourning assembly for الْبَأْسِvalor وَالنَّدَىand bounty
أَقِيمَا بِحَقٍّ مَأَتَمَ الْبَأْسِ وَالنَّدَى
وَلاَand do not تَقِفَاhalt, you two خَيْلَthe horses of الدُّمُوعِtears إِلىat مَدَىa limit
وَلاَ تَقِفَا خَيْلَ الدُّمُوعِ إِلى مَدَى
Hold, as is due, a mourning assembly for valor and bounty,
And do not halt the horses of tears at any limit,
لِبَدْرٍfor a full moon جَلاَdispelled جُنْحَthe wing of الدُّجَىdarkness لِمَنِfor whoever اهْتَدَىfound guidance
لِبَدْرٍ جَلاَ جُنْحَ الدُّجَى لِمَنِ اهْتَدَى
وَغُصْنِand a branch ذَوَىwithered حِينَwhen اسْتَوَىit grew straight وَتَأَوَّدَاand swayed gracefully
وَغُصْنِ ذَوَى حِينَ اسْتَوَى وَتَأَوَّدَا
For a full moon that dispelled the wing of darkness for whoever found guidance,
And a branch that withered just as it grew straight and swayed,
وَسَيْفِand a sword of إِمَامِan imam أَغْمَدَتْهُsheathed it يَدُthe hand of الرَّدَىdeath
وَسَيْفِ إِمَامِ أَغْمَدَتْهُ يَدُ الرَّدَى
وَلاَand do not تَأنَسَاtake comfort, you two مَاas long as رَاحَsets out in the evening رَكْبٌa caravan وَمَاand as long as غَدَاsets out in the morning
وَلاَ تَأنَسَا مَا رَاحَ رَكْبٌ وَمَا غَدَا
And an imam's sword that the hand of death sheathed.
And take no comfort while caravans depart at evening and morning.
أَلاَah فَابْكِيَاthen weep, you two غَيْثَthe rain of الْمَوَاهِبِgifts وَالْجَدَىand bounty
أَلاَ فَابْكِيَا غَيْثَ الْمَوَاهِبِ وَالْجَدَى
وَلَيْثَand the lion of الشَّرىal-Shara نَجْلَthe scion of السُّرَاةِthe nobles الأَطَايبِthe finest
وَلَيْثَ الشَّرى نَجْلَ السُّرَاةِ الأَطَايبِ
Ah, weep, you two, for the rain of gifts and bounty,
And the lion of al-Shara, scion of the finest nobles.
هَوُit is الدَّمْعُtears إِنْif شَحَّتْwere stingy لِخَطْبٍat a calamity عُيُونُهُtheir eyes
هَوُ الدَّمْعُ إِنْ شَحَّتْ لِخَطْبٍ عُيُونُهُ
عَلَىfor ابْنِthe son of أَبيthe father of عَمْروAmr يُذَالُis freely spent مَصُونُهُtheir guarded reserve
عَلَى ابْنِ أَبي عَمْرو يُذَالُ مَصُونُهُ
Such are tears: if their eyes are sparing at a calamity,
For Ibn Abi Amr, their guarded reserve is freely spent.
فتىa youth حركstirred الأرجازrajaz verses حزناًwith sorrow سكونُهhis stillness
فتى حرك الأرجاز حزناً سكونُه
وغالتand snatched away قَصِياتthe remotest الأمانيhopes منونُةhis death
وغالت قَصِيات الأماني منونُة
A youth whose stillness stirred rajaz verses with sorrow,
Whose death snatched away the remotest hopes.
فَحُثَّاso urge on, you two سَحَابَthe clouds of الدَّمْعِtears تَهْمِيstream هَتُونُهُtheir torrents
فَحُثَّا سَحَابَ الدَّمْعِ تَهْمِي هَتُونُهُ
عَلَيْهِupon him كَمَاas كَانَتْused to تَصُوبُpour down يَمِينُهُhis right hand
عَلَيْهِ كَمَا كَانَتْ تَصُوبُ يَمِينُهُ
So urge on the clouds of tears, their torrents streaming
Upon him, as his right hand once poured forth.
وَجُودَاand lavish, you two بِوَبْلِa downpour of الدَّمْعِtears تَهْمِيstream شُؤونُهُtheir tear ducts
وَجُودَا بِوَبْلِ الدَّمْعِ تَهْمِي شُؤونُهُ
كَمَاas هَمَلَتْpoured down مُزْنُthe clouds of الْغُيُوثِrains السَّوَاكِبِcascading
كَمَا هَمَلَتْ مُزْنُ الْغُيُوثِ السَّوَاكِبِ
And lavish a downpour of tears, their ducts streaming,
As the clouds of cascading rain poured down.
وَقُولاَand say, you two لِمَنْto whoever شُدَّتْwere tightened إِلَيْهِtoward him نُسُوعُهُhis saddle-straps
وَقُولاَ لِمَنْ شُدَّتْ إِلَيْهِ نُسُوعُهُ
يُؤَمِّلُhoping for مِنْهُfrom him النَّصْرَaid فِيمَاin whatever يَرُوعُهُfrightens him
يُؤَمِّلُ مِنْهُ النَّصْرَ فِيمَا يَرُوعُهُ
And tell whoever had his saddle-straps tightened to reach him,
Hoping for his aid against whatever frightened him,
فَيُصْرِخُهُso he aids him إِنْif ضَاقَgrew constricted بِالَّروْعِwith terror رُوعُهُhis heart
فَيُصْرِخُهُ إِنْ ضَاقَ بِالَّروْعِ رُوعُهُ
هُوَit is الْقَدَرُfate الْمَحْتُومُinevitable حُمَّwas decreed وُقُوعُهُits occurrence
هُوَ الْقَدَرُ الْمَحْتُومُ حُمَّ وُقُوعُهُ
Who would succor him if terror constricted his heart:
It is inevitable fate, whose occurrence was ordained.
وَبَدْرُand the full moon of اللَّيَالِيthe nights لاَnot يُرَجَّىis hoped for طُلُوعُهُits rising
وَبَدْرُ اللَّيَالِي لاَ يُرَجَّى طُلُوعُهُ
وَقَلْبُand the heart of الْمَعَالِيnoble heights أَسْلَمَتْهُsurrendered it ضُلُوعُهُits ribs
وَقَلْبُ الْمَعَالِي أَسْلَمَتْهُ ضُلُوعُهُ
And the full moon of the nights—its rising is no longer hoped for.
And the heart of noble heights—its ribs have surrendered it.
وَنُوحَاand lament, you two فَإِنَّfor indeed الْمَجْدَglory أَقْوَتْlay deserted رُبُوعُهُits dwellings
وَنُوحَا فَإِنَّ الْمَجْدَ أَقْوَتْ رُبُوعُهُ
وَزُلْزِلَand was shaken مِنْهُof it مُشْمَخُّرِthe towering summit of الأَهَاضِبmountain masses
وَزُلْزِلَ مِنْهُ مُشْمَخُّرِ الأَهَاضِب
And lament, for glory's dwellings lie deserted,
And the loftiest of its mountain masses have been shaken.
هَصَرْتَyou plucked ثِمَارَthe fruits of الْعِزِّhonor طَيِّبَةَsweet in الْجَنَىthe gathering
هَصَرْتَ ثِمَارَ الْعِزِّ طَيِّبَةَ الْجَنَى
وَشَيَّدْتَand you built مَثْوَىthe dwelling of الْفَخْرpride مُسْتَحْكمfirm in الْبنَاconstruction
وَشَيَّدْتَ مَثْوَى الْفَخْر مُسْتَحْكم الْبنَا
You plucked honor's fruits, sweet in the gathering,
And built pride's dwelling, firm in construction,
وَخَلَّفْتَand you left فِيthroughout الأَرْجوthe regions مِنْof ذَائِعِwidely spread الثَّنَاpraise
وَخَلَّفْتَ فِي الأَرْجو مِنْ ذَائِعِ الثَّنَا
فَضَائِلَvirtues لاَnot يَغْتَالُهَاcan snatch them away طارِقthe night-visitor of الْفناextinction
فَضَائِلَ لاَ يَغْتَالُهَا طارِق الْفنا
And left across the lands, with praise spread far and wide,
Virtues that extinction's night-visitor cannot snatch away.
وَصَيَّرْتَand you made صَعْبَthe hardships of الشَّرْقِthe East لِلْغَرْبِfor the West هَيِّناًeasy
وَصَيَّرْتَ صَعْبَ الشَّرْقِ لِلْغَرْبِ هَيِّناً
وَكُنْتَand you were مُسِرّاًsecretly professing لِلْخُلُوصِsincerity وَمعْلِنَاand openly proclaiming
وَكُنْتَ مُسِرّاً لِلْخُلُوصِ وَمعْلِنَا
And made the East's hardships easy for the West,
And bore sincerity in secret and proclaimed it openly.
وَمَاand not كُنْتَyou were إِلاَّanything but الْبَحْرَthe sea وَالطَّوْدَand the mighty mountain وَالسَّنَاand the radiance
وَمَا كُنْتَ إِلاَّ الْبَحْرَ وَالطَّوْدَ وَالسَّنَا
تُضِيءُyou shine ضِيَاءَwith the light of الزَّاهِرَاتِthe radiant stars الثَّوَاقِبِthe piercing ones
تُضِيءُ ضِيَاءَ الزَّاهِرَاتِ الثَّوَاقِبِ
You were nothing but the sea, the mighty mountain, and the radiance,
Shining with the light of radiant, piercing stars.
أَلَهْفاًalas عَلَيْهَاfor them مِنْof خَلالٍqualities كَرِيمَةٍnoble
أَلَهْفاً عَلَيْهَا مِنْ خَلالٍ كَرِيمَةٍ
كَرَوْضِlike the gardens of الرُّبَاthe hills تَفْتَرُّsmiling فِيin أَرْضِa land of دِيمَةsteady gentle rain
كَرَوْضِ الرُّبَا تَفْتَرُّ فِي أَرْضِ دِيمَة
Alas for those noble qualities!
Like hillside gardens smiling in a land of steady, gentle rain,
تَرفُّglistens جَنَاهَاtheir fruit عَنْfrom أُصُولroots قَدِيمَةٍancient
تَرفُّ جَنَاهَا عَنْ أُصُول قَدِيمَةٍ
وَدُرَّةand a pearl of مَجْدٍglory لاَnot تُقَاسُis measured بِقِيمَةby a price
وَدُرَّة مَجْدٍ لاَ تُقَاسُ بِقِيمَة
Their fruit glistens from ancient roots.
And a pearl of glory beyond all price,
تَذُودُyou ward off عَنِfrom الأَحْرَارِthe freeborn كُلَّevery هَضِيمَةٍindignity
تَذُودُ عَنِ الأَحْرَارِ كُلَّ هَضِيمَةٍ
وَكَمْand how many مِنْof مَعَالٍheights of honor قَدْindeed حَوَيْتَyou attained عَظِيمَةgreat
وَكَمْ مِنْ مَعَالٍ قَدْ حَوَيْتَ عَظِيمَة
You shield the freeborn from every indignity.
And how many great heights of honor you attained!
وَمَاand not كُنْتَyou were إِلاَّanything but حَائِزاًpossessing كُلَّevery شيمةvirtue
وَمَا كُنْتَ إِلاَّ حَائِزاً كُلَّ شيمة
منof الفخرglory سباقاًforemost لبذلin bestowing الرغائبprized gifts
من الفخر سباقاً لبذل الرغائب
You were nothing less than the possessor of every virtue
Of glory, foremost in bestowing prized gifts.
إذاwhen ذكرare mentioned الحُجَّابُthe chamberlains فيin كُلِّevery مَشهَدٍassembly
إذا ذكر الحُجَّابُ في كُلِّ مَشهَدٍ
وَأَمْلاَكُهُمْand their kings مِنْof كُلِّevery هَادٍHadi (guide) ومُهْتَدِيand Muhtadi (guided one)
وَأَمْلاَكُهُمْ مِنْ كُلِّ هَادٍ ومُهْتَدِي
When chamberlains are recalled in every assembly,
And their kings, every Hadi and Muhtadi,
ومُعْتَمِدand Mu'tamid (reliant one) مِنْfrom بَعْدِهِمafter them ومُؤَيَّدand Mu'ayyad (supported one)
ومُعْتَمِد مِنْ بَعْدِهِم ومُؤَيَّد
وَعُدِّدَتِand were enumerated الآثَارُthe achievements مِنْof كُلِّevery أَوْحَدِpeerless man
وَعُدِّدَتِ الآثَارُ مِنْ كُلِّ أَوْحَدِ
And Mu'tamid after them, and Mu'ayyad,
And the achievements of every peerless man are recounted,
كَمَاas زِينَwas adorned نَحْرٌa neck بِالْفَريدِwith choice pearls الْمُقَلَّدِstrung around it
كَمَا زِينَ نَحْرٌ بِالْفَريدِ الْمُقَلَّدِ
وَكَانُواand they were نُجُوماًstars فِيin الزَّمَانِthe age لِمُهْتَدِيfor one finding the way
وَكَانُوا نُجُوماً فِي الزَّمَانِ لِمُهْتَدِي
As a neck is adorned with choice pearls strung around it,
And they were stars in their age for those who found their way,
فَمَاyet never اخْتَصَّتِsingled out الأَمْلاَكُkings مِثْلَanyone like مُحَمَّدٍMuhammad
فَمَا اخْتَصَّتِ الأَمْلاَكُ مِثْلَ مُحَمَّدٍ
وَمَاand never افْتَخَرَتْboasted طُولَthroughout الزَّمَانِtime بِحَاجِبِof a chamberlain
وَمَا افْتَخَرَتْ طُولَ الزَّمَانِ بِحَاجِبِ
Yet kings never singled out anyone like Muhammad,
Nor in all time boasted of such a chamberlain.
مُحَمَّدُMuhammad أَحْرَزْتَyou attained الْعَلاَءَeminence الْمُكَمَّلاcomplete
مُحَمَّدُ أَحْرَزْتَ الْعَلاَءَ الْمُكَمَّلا
فَعُلْيَاكَso your eminence قَدْindeed حَطَّتْbrought low سِوَاكَanyone besides you وَإِنْeven if عَلاَhe rose high
فَعُلْيَاكَ قَدْ حَطَّتْ سِوَاكَ وَإِنْ عَلاَ
Muhammad, you attained eminence in its perfection,
So your height brought others low, however high they rose.
فكُنْتَthus you were الْحَيَاlife-giving rain وَالْبَدْرَand the full moon جُوداًin generosity وَمُجْتَلَىand in appearance
فكُنْتَ الْحَيَا وَالْبَدْرَ جُوداً وَمُجْتَلَى
وَسَيْفاًand a sword طَرِيرَkeen الْحَدِّof edge مُنْتَظِمَarrayed with الْحُلاَornaments
وَسَيْفاً طَرِيرَ الْحَدِّ مُنْتَظِمَ الْحُلاَ
Thus you were life-giving rain in bounty, the full moon to behold,
And a keen-edged sword with ornaments arrayed.
بَلَغْتَyou reached الَّتيِthe rank that مَاnothing فَوْقَهَاis above it مُتَمَهِّلاًunhurriedly
بَلَغْتَ الَّتيِ مَا فَوْقَهَا مُتَمَهِّلاً
وَمَاand not بَالَغَoverstated الإِطْنَابُlengthy praise فِيكَabout you وَإِنْeven if غَلاَit went to excess
وَمَا بَالَغَ الإِطْنَابُ فِيكَ وَإِنْ غَلاَ
You reached the rank above which nothing stands, without haste,
And lengthy praise did not overstate you, even when extravagant.
وَمَاand not نَالَتِattained الأَشْرَافُthe nobles مَاwhat نِلْتَyou attained مِنْof عُلاَeminence
وَمَا نَالَتِ الأَشْرَافُ مَا نِلْتَ مِنْ عُلاَ
وَلاَand no لَكَfor you نِدٌّpeer فِيin الْعُلاَgreatness وَالْمَنَاقِبِand noble deeds
وَلاَ لَكَ نِدٌّ فِي الْعُلاَ وَالْمَنَاقِبِ
The nobles never attained the heights you attained,
Nor have you a peer in greatness and noble deeds.
لأَبْدَيْتَindeed you displayed فِيin التَّدْبِيرgovernance كُلَّevery عَجيبَةٍwonder
لأَبْدَيْتَ فِي التَّدْبِير كُلَّ عَجيبَةٍ
بِآراءِwith the counsels of كَهْلٍa mature man فِيin ثِيَابِthe garments of شَبِيبَةyouth
بِآراءِ كَهْلٍ فِي ثِيَابِ شَبِيبَة
Indeed, you displayed every wonder in governance,
With a mature man's counsels in the garments of youth.
فأَعْجَزْتَthus you outdid حُجَّابَthe chamberlains of الْعُلاَgreatness بِضِريبَةٍthrough a disposition
فأَعْجَزْتَ حُجَّابَ الْعُلاَ بِضِريبَةٍ
مِنَto اللهِGod وَالْخُلْقِand character الْحَمِيدِpraiseworthy قِريبَةclose
مِنَ اللهِ وَالْخُلْقِ الْحَمِيدِ قِريبَة
Thus you outdid greatness's chamberlains through a disposition
Close to God and to praiseworthy character,
وَنَفْسٍand a soul إِلَىto دَاعِيthe call of الْكَمَالِperfection مُجِيبَةٍresponsive
وَنَفْسٍ إِلَى دَاعِي الْكَمَالِ مُجِيبَةٍ
تَذُوبُmelts حَيَاءًwith modesty وَهْيَthough it is غَيْرُnot مُرِيَبةdubious
تَذُوبُ حَيَاءً وَهْيَ غَيْرُ مُرِيَبة
And a soul responsive to the call of perfection.
It melts with modesty, though beyond suspicion.
وَإِنْand if خُصَّwas distinguished مِنْهُمْamong them مَاجِدٌa noble man بِنَقِيبَةٍby a virtue
وَإِنْ خُصَّ مِنْهُمْ مَاجِدٌ بِنَقِيبَةٍ
فَقَدْthen indeed حُزْتَyou possessed فِيin الْعلْيَاthe highest rank جَميِعَall الْمَنَاقِبِnoble qualities
فَقَدْ حُزْتَ فِي الْعلْيَا جَميِعَ الْمَنَاقِبِ
And if a noble among them was singled out for one virtue,
You gathered all noble qualities at the highest rank.
كَمُلْتَyou became perfect فَلَمْso did not تَلْحَقْovertake عُلاَكَyour eminence النَّقَائِصُdefects
كَمُلْتَ فَلَمْ تَلْحَقْ عُلاَكَ النَّقَائِصُ
سَمَوْتَyou rose high فَلَمْso did not يُدْرِكْreach مَحَلَّكَyour station شَاخِصُone looking upward
سَمَوْتَ فَلَمْ يُدْرِكْ مَحَلَّكَ شَاخِصُ
You became perfect; no flaws overtook your eminence.
You soared, and no upward gazer could reach your station.
وَحُثَّتْand were urged on لِمَغْنَاكَto your dwelling الرَّحِيبِspacious الْقَلاَئِصُyoung she-camels
وَحُثَّتْ لِمَغْنَاكَ الرَّحِيبِ الْقَلاَئِصُ
وَرُدَّتْand were repelled بِكَthrough you الأَهْوَالُterrors وَهْيَwhile they were نَوَاكِصُretreating
وَرُدَّتْ بِكَ الأَهْوَالُ وَهْيَ نَوَاكِصُ
And young she-camels were urged toward your spacious abode,
And through you terrors were driven back in retreat.
فَإِنْso if شِئْتَyou wished إِخْلاَصاًsincerity فُؤَادُكَyour heart خَالِصٌpure
فَإِنْ شِئْتَ إِخْلاَصاً فُؤَادُكَ خَالِصٌ
وَيَاand O دُرَّةًpearl مَاnot حَازَهَاpossessed it قَطُّever غَائِصُa diver
وَيَا دُرَّةً مَا حَازَهَا قَطُّ غَائِصُ
So if you wished for sincerity, your heart was pure.
And, O pearl that no diver ever possessed!
نَمتْكَraised you إِلَىto الْمَجْدِglory الأَصِيلِdeep-rooted خَصَائِصٌqualities
نَمتْكَ إِلَى الْمَجْدِ الأَصِيلِ خَصَائِصٌ
يُقَصِّرُfalls short عَنْهَاof them نَجْلُthe offspring of زَيْدٍZayd وَحَاجِبِand Hajib
يُقَصِّرُ عَنْهَا نَجْلُ زَيْدٍ وَحَاجِبِ
Qualities raised you to deep-rooted glory,
Which the offspring of Zayd and Hajib fall short of.
هوit is الْبَيْنُparting حَتْماًinevitably لاَnot لَعَلَّperhaps وَلاَnor عَسَىmaybe
هو الْبَيْنُ حَتْماً لاَ لَعَلَّ وَلاَ عَسَى
وَمَاذَاand what عَسَىcould يُغْنِيavail الْوَلِيُّa friend وَمَاand what عَسَىcould
وَمَاذَا عَسَى يُغْنِي الْوَلِيُّ وَمَا عَسَى
It is certain parting, no 'perhaps' and no 'maybe'.
And what could a friend avail—what could he do?
وَلَوْand if كَانَwere يُجْدِيof use الْحُزْنُsorrow أَوْor يَنْفَعُbrought benefit الأَسَىgrief
وَلَوْ كَانَ يُجْدِي الْحُزْنُ أَوْ يَنْفَعُ الأَسَى
لَمَاwould not have وَجَدَتْfound أَنْفَاسُنَاour breaths مُتَنَفَّسَاbreathing space
لَمَا وَجَدَتْ أَنْفَاسُنَا مُتَنَفَّسَا
Had sorrow been of use, or grief of benefit,
Our breaths would have found no breathing space.
فَكَمْso how great بَيْنَthe gulf between مَنْthe one who هَدَّdemolished الْبِنَاءَthe building وَأسَّسَاand founded
فَكَمْ بَيْنَ مَنْ هَدَّ الْبِنَاءَ وَأسَّسَا
وَلَيْسَand it is not سَوَاءًthe same أَحْسَنَdid good الدَّهْرُtime أَمْor أُسَاdid ill
وَلَيْسَ سَوَاءً أَحْسَنَ الدَّهْرُ أَمْ أُسَا
What a gulf between the one who demolished the building and the one who founded it!
It is not the same whether time does good or ill.
ظَعَنْتَyou departed عَنِfrom الدُّنْيَاthis world حَمِيداًpraised مُقَدَّسَاsanctified
ظَعَنْتَ عَنِ الدُّنْيَا حَمِيداً مُقَدَّسَا
وَسِرْتَand you went بَرِيئاًfree مِنfrom ذَمِيمshameful الْمَثَالِبfaults
وَسِرْتَ بَرِيئاً مِن ذَمِيم الْمَثَالِب
You departed this world, praised and sanctified,
And went forth free of shameful faults.
كَذَاthus الْبَثُّanguish لاَnot يُشْفَىis healed بِلَيْتَby 'if only' وَعَلَّنِيand 'perhaps I'
كَذَا الْبَثُّ لاَ يُشْفَى بِلَيْتَ وَعَلَّنِي
أُعَالِجُI grapple with أَشْجَانِيmy sorrows إِذَاwhen اللَّيْلُnight جَنَّنيenfolds me
أُعَالِجُ أَشْجَانِي إِذَا اللَّيْلُ جَنَّني
Such anguish is not healed by 'if only' and 'perhaps I...'.
I wrestle with my sorrows when night enfolds me,
وَأَنْهَلَنِيand gives me a first drink وِرْدَa draught of الدَّمُوعِtears وَعَلَّنِيand gives me a second
وَأَنْهَلَنِي وِرْدَ الدَّمُوعِ وَعَلَّنِي
وَمَاand not أَنَاI عَنْfrom حُزْنِيmy grief عَلَيْكَfor you بِمُنَثنِيturning away
وَمَا أَنَا عَنْ حُزْنِي عَلَيْكَ بِمُنَثنِي
And gives me a first draught of tears, then a second.
And I will not turn away from my sorrow for you.
فَلَمْso did not يُلْهِنِيdistract me مَاwhat طَابَwas sweet مِنْof عَيْشِيَmy life الْهَنِيpleasant
فَلَمْ يُلْهِنِي مَا طَابَ مِنْ عَيْشِيَ الْهَنِي
أَقُولُI say لِمَنْto whoever يَبْغِيseeks سُلُوِّيmy consolation خلّنيleave me
أَقُولُ لِمَنْ يَبْغِي سُلُوِّي خلّني
So nothing sweet in my pleasant life distracted me.
I tell whoever seeks to console me: 'Leave me.'
فَبِاللهِso, by God مَاnot دَمْعِيmy tears بِرَاقٍceasing وَإِنَّنِيand indeed I
فَبِاللهِ مَا دَمْعِي بِرَاقٍ وَإِنَّنِي
أَكَفْكِفُI wipe away مِنْهُsome of them كَالْعِهَادِlike successive rains السَّوَاكِبِpouring
أَكَفْكِفُ مِنْهُ كَالْعِهَادِ السَّوَاكِبِ
So, by God, my tears do not cease; indeed, I
Keep wiping them away, like successive cascading rains.
لبِستyou wore الرضىapproval فيin بَدأَةٍa beginning وتَتِمَّةٍand an ending
لبِست الرضى في بَدأَةٍ وتَتِمَّةٍ
وَدَافَعْتَand you defended عَنْon behalf of مَوْلاَكَyour master كُلَّevery مُلِمَّةcalamity
وَدَافَعْتَ عَنْ مَوْلاَكَ كُلَّ مُلِمَّة
You were clothed in approval from beginning to end,
And defended your master against every calamity.
بَقِيتَyou remained إِذَاwhenever اسْتكْفَاكَhe asked you to handle كُلَّevery مُهمَّةٍweighty task
بَقِيتَ إِذَا اسْتكْفَاكَ كُلَّ مُهمَّةٍ
وَلَمْand did not تَأَلُfall short فيin صِيتٍrenown بَعِيدٍfar-reaching وَهِمَّةand resolve
وَلَمْ تَأَلُ في صِيتٍ بَعِيدٍ وَهِمَّة
You stayed steadfast whenever he entrusted you with a weighty task,
And spared no effort for far-reaching renown and resolve.
وَكُنْتَand you were أَحَقَّthe most deserving الْمُخْلِصينَamong the devoted بِنِعْمَةٍof a favor
وَكُنْتَ أَحَقَّ الْمُخْلِصينَ بِنِعْمَةٍ
فَقُدِّسْتَso may you be hallowed مِنْin آلٍa person كَريمٍnoble وَرمَّةand mortal remains
فَقُدِّسْتَ مِنْ آلٍ كَريمٍ وَرمَّة
And were the most deserving of favor among the devoted.
So may you be hallowed, in your noble person and your mortal remains,
وَغَمَّدَكَand may He enfold you الرَّحْمَنُthe All-Merciful مِنْهُfrom Him بِرَحْمَةٍin mercy
وَغَمَّدَكَ الرَّحْمَنُ مِنْهُ بِرَحْمَةٍ
تُبَلِّغُكَbringing you to الزُّلْفَىnearness to God وَأَقْصَىand the utmost of الْمَآرِبِdesires
تُبَلِّغُكَ الزُّلْفَى وَأَقْصَى الْمَآرِبِ
And may the All-Merciful enfold you in His mercy,
Bringing you nearness to Him and the utmost of your desires.
تَرَحَّلْتَyou departed عَنْfrom رَبْعٍan abode عَلِمْتَyou knew غُرُورَهُits deception
تَرَحَّلْتَ عَنْ رَبْعٍ عَلِمْتَ غُرُورَهُ
وَفَارَقْتَand you left مَغْنَاهُits dwelling وَأَخْلَيْتَand you emptied دُورَهُits houses
وَفَارَقْتَ مَغْنَاهُ وَأَخْلَيْتَ دُورَهُ
You left an abode whose deception you knew,
And parted from its dwelling, leaving its houses empty,
وَرَافَقْتَand you accompanied وِلْدَانَthe youths of الْجِنَانِParadise وَحُورَهُand its houris
وَرَافَقْتَ وِلْدَانَ الْجِنَانِ وَحُورَهُ
وَمَنْand whoever قَدَّمَsent ahead الْخَيْرَgood اسْتَطابَfound sweet وجُورهُhis draught
وَمَنْ قَدَّمَ الْخَيْرَ اسْتَطابَ وجُورهُ
And joined Paradise's youths and houris.
And whoever sends good ahead finds his draught sweet.
فَضَاعَفَso may He multiply فِيin مَثْوَاكَyour resting place رَبُّكَyour Lord نُورَهُits light
فَضَاعَفَ فِي مَثْوَاكَ رَبُّكَ نُورَهُ
وَنَضْرَتَهُand its freshness لَقَّاكَهَاmay He grant it to you وَسُرُورَهand its joy
وَنَضْرَتَهُ لَقَّاكَهَا وَسُرُورَه
So may your Lord multiply the light within your resting place,
And grant you its freshness and its joy,
وَبَوَّاكَand may He house you مَنْfrom أَعْلَىthe highest of الْجِنَانِParadise's gardens قُصُورَهُits palaces
وَبَوَّاكَ مَنْ أَعْلَى الْجِنَانِ قُصُورَهُ
تُحَيِّيكَgreet you فِيهَاtherein مُسْبَلاتُthose letting down الذَّوَائِبِthe tresses
تُحَيِّيكَ فِيهَا مُسْبَلاتُ الذَّوَائِبِ
And house you in the palaces of Paradise's highest gardens.
Maidens with flowing tresses greet you there.
عَلَىover مثْلهِone like him ثُكْلاًin bereavement تَشِيبُgrow gray الْمَفَارِقُthe hair-partings
عَلَى مثْلهِ ثُكْلاً تَشِيبُ الْمَفَارِقُ
وَهَلْand do تُخْطِيءmiss الْمَرْءَa person الْخُطُوبُcalamities الطَّوَارِقُthat come unbidden
وَهَلْ تُخْطِيء الْمَرْءَ الْخُطُوبُ الطَّوَارِقُ
The partings of the hair grow gray from losing one like him.
And do unbidden calamities ever miss a man?
لَقَدْindeed شَاقَنِيaroused my longing مِنْكَin you الْحَبِيبُthe beloved الْمُفَارِقُdeparted
لَقَدْ شَاقَنِي مِنْكَ الْحَبِيبُ الْمُفَارِقُ
فَقَلْبيso my heart وَأَجْفَانيِand my eyelids الْعَقيقُal-Aqiq وَبَارِقُand Bariq
فَقَلْبي وَأَجْفَانيِ الْعَقيقُ وَبَارِقُ
Indeed, I long for you, the beloved who has departed.
So my heart and my eyelids are al-Aqiq and Bariq.
أُصِبْتُI was stricken بِذُخْريin my treasure مِنْكَin you والدَّهْرُand time سَارقٌa thief
أُصِبْتُ بِذُخْري مِنْكَ والدَّهْرُ سَارقٌ
سَاَصْحَبُI shall keep company with فِيكَfor you الْوَجْدَgrief مَاas long as ذَرّbreaks forth شَارقُa rising sun
سَاَصْحَبُ فِيكَ الْوَجْدَ مَا ذَرّ شَارقُ
I have been bereaved of my treasure in you, and time is a thief.
I shall keep grief for you as my companion as long as the sun rises.
عَلَيْكَupon you سَلاَمُthe peace of اللهِGod مَاas long as لاَحَflashes بَارِقُlightning
عَلَيْكَ سَلاَمُ اللهِ مَا لاَحَ بَارِقُ
وَمَاand as long as سَجَعَتْcoo وُرْقُthe gray ones of الْحَمَامِdoves النَّوَادِبِmourning
وَمَا سَجَعَتْ وُرْقُ الْحَمَامِ النَّوَادِبِ
God's peace be upon you as long as lightning flashes,
And as long as mourning gray doves coo.
Sol 6.1