أَهَلَّcried out بالبَيْنِat separation فانْهَلَّتْso poured forth مدَامِعُهُhis tears
أَهَلَّ بالبَيْنِ فانْهَلَّتْ مدَامِعُهُ
وآنسand perceived النَّفرَthe departure فاستكَّتْso were deafened مسامِعُهُhis ears
وآنس النَّفرَ فاستكَّتْ مسامِعُهُ
He cried out at separation, and his tears poured forth.
He bid farewell, so his tears flowed,
He perceived the departure, and his ears were deafened.
And he found comfort in his companions, so their ears perked up,
وَوَدَّعَand bade farewell to المَنزِلَthe dwelling الأَعلىthe loftiest فأَوْدَعَهُso it left him
وَوَدَّعَ المَنزِلَ الأَعلى فأَوْدَعَهُ
فِيin القَلبِthe heart لاعِجَa burning pain بثٍّof grief لاnot يُوادِعُهُgrants him peace
فِي القَلبِ لاعِجَ بثٍّ لا يُوادِعُهُ
He bade the loftiest dwelling farewell, and it left him
He left the highest abode, so it nestled
a burning grief within his heart that grants him no peace.
In his heart—no aimless sojourn—that will not bid it adieu,
ياO معهداًdwelling لَمْdid not يُضِعْneglect عَهدَthe pledge الوفاءِof fidelity لَهُto it
يا معهداً لَمْ يُضِعْ عَهدَ الوفاءِ لَهُ
مُكسَّفُeclipsed النورِin light عافيeffaced القدْرِin worth ضائِعُهُwith it lost
مُكسَّفُ النورِ عافي القدْرِ ضائِعُهُ
O dwelling, the pledge of fidelity to you was not neglected
O pillar that never broke its pact of loyalty,
by one whose light is eclipsed, whose worth is effaced and lost.
Whose light is eclipsed, whose worth forlorn,
ولاnor ثَنىturned aside عَبَراتيmy tears عنْfrom تَذَكُّرِهِremembering it
ولا ثَنى عَبَراتي عنْ تَذَكُّرِهِ
دَهْرٌtime تَقارَعُclash فِيin صدريmy breast قوارِعُهُits calamities
دَهْرٌ تَقارَعُ فِي صدري قوارِعُهُ
Nor did time turn my tears away from remembering it—
Nor do my laments cease remembering him,
time whose calamities clash within my breast.
While my innermost self is battered by piercing sorrows,
حَسبيenough for me ضُلوعٌribs ثَوَتsettled فِيهَاwithin them مَصائِبُهُits afflictions
حَسبي ضُلوعٌ ثَوَت فِيهَا مَصائِبُهُ
وَمُقلَةٌand an eye رَبَعتْdwelt in spring فِيهَاwithin it مَرابعهُits springtime haunts
وَمُقلَةٌ رَبَعتْ فِيهَا مَرابعهُ
Enough for me are ribs within which its afflictions settled,
My ribs that endured his calamities suffice me,
and an eye in which its springtime haunts took up residence.
And my eyelids that swelled with his tears,
سَقاكَmay water you مثلُthe like الَّذِيof that which عفَّىeffaced رُباكَyour hills عسىperhaps
سَقاكَ مثلُ الَّذِي عفَّى رُباكَ عسى
يُنبيكَmay tell you كيْفَhow غريبُa stranger الرَّحْلِfrom home شاسِعُهُfar from it
يُنبيكَ كيْفَ غريبُ الرَّحْلِ شاسِعُهُ
May rain like that which effaced your hills water you; perhaps
May you be given drink like what stoked your passion,
it will tell you how the stranger fares, far from home:
That alerts you to how the traveler yearns,
صباًan east wind كَتَصعيدِlike the rising أَنفاسيof my breaths وصوبُand a downpour حياًof rain
صباً كَتَصعيدِ أَنفاسي وصوبُ حياً
تُريكَshow you عبْرةَthe tears أَجْفانِيof my eyelids مَدامِعُهُits streaming drops
تُريكَ عبْرةَ أَجْفانِي مَدامِعُهُ
an east wind like the rising of my breaths, and a downpour
My youth like the crumbling of my sighs, and my prime,
whose streaming drops show you the tears of my eyelids.
Like the cooing of the doves nesting in my orchard,
سحٌّa torrent إذَاwhen شَفَّwore thin صحنَthe surface الخدِّof the cheek ضائِرُهُits harm
سحٌّ إذَا شَفَّ صحنَ الخدِّ ضائِرُهُ
شفىhealed تباريحَthe agonies مَاof what فِيin القلبِthe heart نافِعُهُits benefit
شفى تباريحَ مَا فِي القلبِ نافِعُهُ
A torrent: when its harm wears thin the surface of the cheek,
How often has my night shortened its stretches
its benefit heals the agonies of what lies within the heart.
Foolishly, and my morn knit not its stitches,
للهGod's is منsuch a وَطَنٍhomeland قلبيmy heart لَهُfor it وطنٌa homeland
لله من وَطَنٍ قلبي لَهُ وطنٌ
يَبلىit wears away وأَبلىand I wear away وَمَاyet not تبلىwear away فجائِعُهُits calamities
يَبلى وأَبلى وَمَا تبلى فجائِعُهُ
God! What a homeland, for which my heart is a homeland!
How often have orchards around me ripened,
It wears away, and I wear away, yet its calamities never fade.
Though life was crude, the garden's bliss beguiling,
لاnot يسأَمُtires الدَّهْرُtime منof شَوقٍlonging يُطالِعُنيvisiting me
لا يسأَمُ الدَّهْرُ من شَوقٍ يُطالِعُني
مِنهُfrom it ومنand of زَفرةٍa sigh منِّيfrom me تُطالِعُهُvisiting it
مِنهُ ومن زَفرةٍ منِّي تُطالِعُهُ
Time never tires of a longing that visits me
How often my siesta place was shaded amongst its trees,
from it, or of a sigh from me that visits it.
By every branch, the doves' cooing was spellbinding.
فطالَماfor how often قَصَّرَتْshortened لَيليmy night مَقاصِرُهُits chambers
فطالَما قَصَّرَتْ لَيلي مَقاصِرُهُ
لَهواًin pleasure وَمَاand not صَنَّعتfashioned صُبحيmy dawn مَصانِعُهُits fountains
لَهواً وَمَا صَنَّعت صُبحي مَصانِعُهُ
How often its chambers shortened my nights
If your groves' lament brought you joy today,
with pleasure; its fountains did not fashion my dawn.
Then how much my longing helped appease your craving,
وطالماand how often أَيْنعتْripened حولِيaround me حدائِقُهُits gardens
وطالما أَيْنعتْ حولِي حدائِقُهُ
والعيشُwhile life غضٌّfresh أَنينُthe sigh الرَّوضِof the garden يانِعُهُits ripened fruit
والعيشُ غضٌّ أَنينُ الرَّوضِ يانِعُهُ
How often its gardens ripened around me,
How oft in it I was graced by a beloved,
while life was tender, and the garden's sigh was its ripened fruit.
For whom I shed my chastity—he who claimed it—
وكمand how often أُظِلَّwas shaded مَقِيليmy midday resting place وَسْطَamid جَنَّتِهِits garden
وكم أُظِلَّ مَقِيلي وَسْطَ جَنَّتِهِ
بكُلِّby every فرعbranch حَمامُdoves الأَيكِof the thicket فارِعُهُperching atop it
بكُلِّ فرع حَمامُ الأَيكِ فارِعُهُ
How often my midday resting place was shaded amid its garden
A meadow delightful to the eye of passion,
by every branch upon which the woodland doves perched.
And a place of drink fine to the youth,
إِنْif تُسعِدِaid اليومَtoday أَشجانيmy sorrows نوائِحُهُits mourning birds
إِنْ تُسعِدِ اليومَ أَشجاني نوائِحُهُ
فكمthen how often وكمْand how often ساعَدَتْshared شَجْويmy yearning سَواجِعُهُits cooing birds
فكم وكمْ ساعَدَتْ شَجْوي سَواجِعُهُ
If its mourning birds now aid my sorrows,
How oft I cracked the heart of night of a moon,
how often, how very often, its cooing birds shared my yearning!
For whom my soul pined—right in its core,
وكمand how many وَفىkept faith ليَwith me فِيهِthere منof حبيبِa beloved هوىًof passion
وكم وَفى ليَ فِيهِ من حبيبِ هوىً
خَلَعتُI cast off فِيهِfor him عِذاريmy bridle فَهوfor he is خالِعُهُits remover
خَلَعتُ فِيهِ عِذاري فَهو خالِعُهُ
How many a beloved in passion kept faith with me there,
I eyed unresting eyes, while my composure,
for whom I cast off my bridle—he was the one who loosened it.
Downcast of gaze upon me slumbering,
رَوْضٌa meadow لعَيْنfor the eye الهوىof desire راقَتْdelighted أَزاهِرُهُits flowers
رَوْضٌ لعَيْن الهوى راقَتْ أَزاهِرُهُ
ومَشرَبٌand a drinking place للصَّبَاfor youthful folly طابَتْwere sweet مَشارِعُهُits watering places
ومَشرَبٌ للصَّبَا طابَتْ مَشارِعُهُ
A meadow whose flowers delighted the eye of desire,
My whip of fellowship ahead, my bridle of intimacy,
and a drinking place for youthful folly, whose watering places were sweet.
Drawing me to it—knotting, embracing me,
وكمand how often صَدَعْتُI split فؤادَthe heart اللَّيلِof night عنto reveal قَمرٍa moon
وكم صَدَعْتُ فؤادَ اللَّيلِ عن قَمرٍ
لَهُhis is هَوىًa passion فِيin صميمِthe core القلبِof the heart صادِعُهُsplitting it
لَهُ هَوىً فِي صميمِ القلبِ صادِعُهُ
How often I split the heart of night to reveal a moon
I never ventured past the edge of death swaggering,
whose love splits the very core of my heart.
Except my tender branch, pliant, came barking
خالَستُI stole past فِيهِthere عيوناًeyes غيرَnot هاجِعةٍsleeping
خالَستُ فِيهِ عيوناً غيرَ هاجِعةٍ
والحَزمُwhile prudence عنِّيaway from me غضيضُdowncast الطرفِin gaze هاجِعُهُwith it asleep
والحَزمُ عنِّي غضيضُ الطرفِ هاجِعُهُ
There I stole past eyes that did not sleep,
My greetings to him, kisses and hugging
while prudence, absent from me, kept its gaze lowered and asleep.
That his twisting knot about me kept tugging,
وفيand at نِجادِيmy sword-belt جريُّa bold one الإِلفِin companionship مُقْدِمُهُits advancing champion
وفي نِجادِي جريُّ الإِلفِ مُقْدِمُهُ
وَفِيand at عِنانيmy rein مُشيحُa vigilant one الجذْلِof joy دارِعُهُits armored champion
وَفِي عِناني مُشيحُ الجذْلِ دارِعُهُ
At my sword-belt was a bold companion, ever advancing,
I never shed armor, save when its links
and at my rein a vigilant champion of joy, armored for it.
Were split by my breast—all its passions keeping,
فماso never تجاوَزْتُdid I cross قَرْنَthe horn الموتِof death مُعتسفاًrecklessly
فما تجاوَزْتُ قَرْنَ الموتِ مُعتسفاً
إِلّاexcept وقِرنيwith my adversary رخيمsoft الدَّلِّin coquetry بارِعُهُexcelling in it
إِلّا وقِرني رخيم الدَّلِّ بارِعُهُ
Never did I recklessly cross the horn of death
Nor feared I any arrow from his gazing,
without my adversary being soft and exquisite in coquetry.
Melting my blade, its target my heart seeking.
تَحِيَّتيmy greeting منهfrom him تَقبيلٌkissing ومُعتنَقٌand an embrace
تَحِيَّتي منه تَقبيلٌ ومُعتنَقٌ
يَشدُّنِيbinds me غُلُّهُhis fetter فِيهِto him وجامعُهُand his shackle
يَشدُّنِي غُلُّهُ فِيهِ وجامعُهُ
My greeting from him was kissing and an embrace;
A limb who tasted the bliss—never
his fetter and shackle bound me to him.
Would it embrace a pearl save cleaving it,
لمnot أخلَعِI removed الدِّرعَthe armor إِلّاexcept حِينَwhen شَقَّقَهُrent it
لم أخلَعِ الدِّرعَ إِلّا حِينَ شَقَّقَهُ
عنaway from صفحِthe broad surface صَدريَof my chest مَاwhat تَحويcontain مدارِعُهُhis garments
عن صفحِ صَدريَ مَا تَحوي مدارِعُهُ
I did not remove my armor until it was rent
The smooth tenderness of braids beneath the curtain,
from the breadth of my breast by what his garments held.
The swaying of the curls above the choker clipping,
ولاnor تَوَقَّيتُdid I ward off سَهماًan arrow مِنْfrom لَواحِظِهِhis sidelong glances
ولا تَوَقَّيتُ سَهماً مِنْ لَواحِظِهِ
يُذيبُmelting سَيفيmy sword وَفِيand in قَلبيmy heart مَواقِعُهُits points of impact
يُذيبُ سَيفي وَفِي قَلبي مَواقِعُهُ
Nor did I ward off an arrow from his sidelong glances
It leans a while, drunk with allure drawing me,
that melted my sword and lodged within my heart.
Then it curves, the curtain's folds exposing,
غُصنٌa branch تَجرَّعَdrank deeply أَنداءَthe dews النَّعيمِof bliss فماand never
غُصنٌ تَجرَّعَ أَنداءَ النَّعيمِ فما
يُطوَّقُis encircled with الدُّرَّpearls إِلّاexcept وهوwhile it is جارِعُهُdrinking them
يُطوَّقُ الدُّرَّ إِلّا وهو جارِعُهُ
A branch that drank deeply of the dews of bliss, never
So my waist disgorged sand dunes separating us,
garlanded with pearls without drinking them in.
While my chest sprouted pomegranates repulsing it,
غَضُّtender القباطِيِّin Coptic linens تَحْتَbeneath الوَشيbrocade ناعِمُهاsoft in them
غَضُّ القباطِيِّ تَحْتَ الوَشي ناعِمُها
مُخلخَلُslender الجيدِof neck فَوْقَabove العقدِthe necklace رادِعُهُits perfume stain
مُخلخَلُ الجيدِ فَوْقَ العقدِ رادِعُهُ
Tender in Coptic linens, soft beneath brocade;
My cheeks' channels bring pain when ravaged,
slender-necked, with a perfume stain above the necklace.
Their shape preserves musk—thus preventing it,
يَميسُhe sways طَوْراًat times وسُكرُand intoxication الدَّلِّof coquetry عاطِفُهُbending him
يَميسُ طَوْراً وسُكرُ الدَّلِّ عاطِفُهُ
وتارَةًand at times وانثناءُand the folding الوَشيِof brocade لاذِعُهُstinging him
وتارَةً وانثناءُ الوَشيِ لاذِعُهُ
At times he sways, bent by the intoxication of coquetry,
I spend the night under the portico of darkness,
and at times by the sting of folding brocade.
Yearning is my companion, intimacy is third,
فاستفرَغَso hollowed out الخَصرُthe waist كُثباناsand dunes تُباعِدُهُstanding away from it
فاستفرَغَ الخَصرُ كُثبانا تُباعِدُهُ
وأنبتَand sprouted الصدْرُthe breast رُمَّاناًpomegranates تُدافِعُهُpressing against it
وأنبتَ الصدْرُ رُمَّاناً تُدافِعُهُ
The waist grew hollow beside sand dunes that spread away from it,
Dawn's magic is countered by words challenging me,
and the breast sprouted pomegranates that pressed against it.
Musk's fragrance by a cup I vie.
وفيand on السوالِفِthe cheeks خوْفُfear الصُّدغِof the sidelock يَجرحُهُwounding him
وفي السوالِفِ خوْفُ الصُّدغِ يَجرحُهُ
تِمثالُthe likeness صُدْغَيهِof his two sidelocks مِسكاًin musk فهوso it is مانِعُهُhis protector
تِمثالُ صُدْغَيهِ مِسكاً فهو مانِعُهُ
On the cheeks is fear of the sidelock wounding him;
At peace extending hands the light of comfort,
the likeness of his two sidelocks, in musk, protects him.
Had it no bashfulness, her fingers would have reached him,
فَبِتُّso I spent the night تَحْتَbeneath رِوَاقِthe canopy اللَّيلِof night ثانِيَهُhis second
فَبِتُّ تَحْتَ رِوَاقِ اللَّيلِ ثانِيَهُ
والشوقُand longing ثالثُهُhis third والوَصْلُand union رابعُهُhis fourth
والشوقُ ثالثُهُ والوَصْلُ رابعُهُ
So I spent the night beneath night's canopy, second beside him,
As if the roses of his cheek it melted,
with longing the third companion, and union the fourth.
And his saliva—sweetened wine—it mixed,
والسحرُand magic يسحرُenchants منfrom لفظٍspeech يُنازِعُنيhe exchanges with me
والسحرُ يسحرُ من لفظٍ يُنازِعُني
والمِسكُand musk يَعبقُwafts منfrom كَأْسٍa cup أُنازِعُهُI share with him
والمِسكُ يَعبقُ من كَأْسٍ أُنازِعُهُ
Magic enchants through the words he exchanges with me,
Fruits of life, though hopes of me expired,
and musk wafts from a cup I share with him:
And greed lost appetite, hither came to gratify me,
راحاًwine يَمُدُّenhances سناهاits radiance نُورُthe light رَاحتهِof his palm
راحاً يَمُدُّ سناها نُورُ رَاحتهِ
لولاwere it not for المهاthe crystal لجرَتْwould have flowed فِيهَاinto it أَصابعُهُhis fingers
لولا المها لجرَتْ فِيهَا أَصابعُهُ
wine whose radiance the light of his palm enhances.
Its storer ransacked musk, camphor unstored,
Were it not for the crystal, his fingers would have flowed into it.
Prodigal with roses, apples sold cheaply.
كَأَنماas though ذابmelted فِيهَاinto it وردُthe rose وَجْنتهof his cheek
كَأَنما ذاب فِيهَا وردُ وَجْنته
وشجَّهاand diluted it ريقُهاher saliva المعسولhoneyed مائعُهُits liquid
وشجَّها ريقُها المعسول مائعُهُ
It was as though the rose of his cheek had melted into it,
So guide the stars of night whose moon is lost,
and the liquid of her honeyed saliva diluted it.
While in my lap his crescent lay safely,
جنىthe fruit حياةٍof life دَنتْdrew near مِنِّيto me مطاعِمُهُits tastes
جنى حياةٍ دَنتْ مِنِّي مطاعِمُهُ
منfrom بعدِafter مَاthat قَدْhad نَأتْgone far عنِّيfrom me مطامِعُهُits hopes
من بعدِ مَا قَدْ نَأتْ عنِّي مطامِعُهُ
The fruit of life, whose tastes drew near to me
And guide the yearning of wild deer bereft,
after hopes of it had gone far from me.
While in my meadow their gazelle grazed freely,
قَدْindeed أَنهَبَgave freely المِسكَmusk والكافورَand camphor خازِنُهُits keeper
قَدْ أَنهَبَ المِسكَ والكافورَ خازِنُهُ
وأرخَصَand cheapened الوَرْدَroses والتفاحَand apples بائِعُهُits seller
وأرخَصَ الوَرْدَ والتفاحَ بائِعُهُ
Its keeper had given musk and camphor freely,
My eyes' expanse—how far did their gazes wander!
and its seller had cheapened roses and apples.
My breast's heat—how much did its bones contain!
فياso O ضَلالَbewilderment نُجومِof the stars اللَّيلِof night إِذْwhen عَدِمَتْthey lacked
فيا ضَلالَ نُجومِ اللَّيلِ إِذْ عَدِمَتْ
بَدْرَthe full moon السماءِof heaven وَفِيwhile in حِجريmy lap مَضاجِعُهُhis resting places
بَدْرَ السماءِ وَفِي حِجري مَضاجِعُهُ
How bewildered the stars of night were when they lacked
My eyes are mirrors I use to deduce dawn,
heaven's full moon, whose resting place was in my lap!
When its first rays are too shy to shine plainly,
وياand O حَنينَlonging ظِباءِof the gazelles القفْرِof the wilderness إذwhen فَقدَتْthey lost
ويا حَنينَ ظِباءِ القفْرِ إذ فَقدَتْ
غَزَالَهُنَّtheir gazelle وفيwhile in رَوْضيmy meadow مَرَاتِعُهُhis grazing places
غَزَالَهُنَّ وفي رَوْضي مَرَاتِعُهُ
How the gazelles of the wilderness yearned when they lost
A madness that intensifies night's gloom for the sentinel,
their gazelle, whose grazing places were in my meadow!
And provokes the morn's first light to rise hastily,
مَجالُthe field طَرْفِيof my gaze وَمَاand what حازَتْencompassed لواحِظُهُits glances
مَجالُ طَرْفِي وَمَا حازَتْ لواحِظُهُ
وحرُّand the warmth صَدريof my breast وَمَاand what ضَمَّتْenfolded أَضالِعُهُits ribs
وحرُّ صَدري وَمَا ضَمَّتْ أَضالِعُهُ
The field of my gaze, and all its glances encompass,
So he wondered at a doe challenging me,
the warmth of my breast, and all its ribs enfold.
While I wrestled a lion—his equal in might,
وَالطِّرْفُand the steed مرْآةُthe mirror عينيof my eye أَستَدِلُّI discern بِهِby him
وَالطِّرْفُ مرْآةُ عيني أَستَدِلُّ بِهِ
عَلَىof الصَّباحِdawn إذَاwhen مَاindeed خِيفَis feared ساطِعُهُits gleam
عَلَى الصَّباحِ إذَا مَا خِيفَ ساطِعُهُ
The steed is my eye's mirror; by him I discern
He never saw a horn I hugged
the dawn whenever its gleam is feared.
Save having bid farewell to a soul never retracting,
جَوناًdark-hued أزيدُI increase بهwith him لَيلَthe night الرَّقيبِof the watcher دُجىًin darkness
جَوناً أزيدُ به لَيلَ الرَّقيبِ دُجىً
ويستثيرُand awakens ليَfor me الإِصباحَthe dawn لامِعُهُhis gleam
ويستثيرُ ليَ الإِصباحَ لامِعُهُ
Dark-hued, with him I deepen the watcher's night with darkness,
Until first light emerged, its braids combed,
while his gleam awakens dawn for me.
Chasing night, its ringlets disheveling,
فباتَso he spent the night يَعجبُmarveling منat ظبيٍa gazelle يُصارِعُنيwrestling with me
فباتَ يَعجبُ من ظبيٍ يُصارِعُني
وَقَدْwhile indeed يحِنُّhe feels pity عَلَىfor لَيثٍa lion أُصارِعُهُI wrestle with
وَقَدْ يحِنُّ عَلَى لَيثٍ أُصارِعُهُ
He spent the night marveling at a gazelle wrestling with me,
As if a band of strays met their fate,
though he would feel pity for a lion I wrestled.
And you, O Mansur, were locked with them fighting,
وَمَاand never رأَىhe saw قبلَهاbefore it قِرْناًan adversary أُعانِقُهُI embrace
وَمَا رأَى قبلَها قِرْناً أُعانِقُهُ
إِلّاexcept وَوَدَّعَas he bade farewell to نفساًa soul لاnot تُراجِعُهُreturning to him
إِلّا وَوَدَّعَ نفساً لا تُراجِعُهُ
Never before that night had he seen an adversary I embraced
Or like the brandishing of spears—you unfurled them
without that foe bidding farewell to a soul that would not return.
Through the door of outright conquest—you facilitated it,
حَتَّىuntil بَداappeared الصُّبحُdawn مُشمَطّاًgrizzled ذَوائِبُهُits forelocks
حَتَّى بَدا الصُّبحُ مُشمَطّاً ذَوائِبُهُ
يُطارِدُchasing اللَّيلَnight مَوْشِيّاًembroidered أكارِعُهُits legs
يُطارِدُ اللَّيلَ مَوْشِيّاً أكارِعُهُ
Until dawn appeared, its forelocks flecked with gray,
An army stirred by deadly rumbling led
pursuing night, whose legs were embroidered.
By fate grim unto your enemies marching,
كَأَنَّas though جَمْعَa host ضلالٍof error حانَhad come مَصرَعُهُits fall
كَأَنَّ جَمْعَ ضلالٍ حانَ مَصرَعُهُ
وأنتَand you بالسيفِwith the sword يَاO مَنصورُMansur صارِعُهُits slayer
وأنتَ بالسيفِ يَا مَنصورُ صارِعُهُ
As though a host of error had reached the hour of its fall,
Dawn of brilliant star—but for its glare,
and you, O Mansur, were its slayer with the sword;
And night of billowing wave—but for its foam,
أَوْor كاشتِجَارِlike the crossing رِماحٍof spears أنتَyou مُشْرعُهاleveling them
أَوْ كاشتِجَارِ رِماحٍ أنتَ مُشْرعُها
فِيat بابِthe gate فتحٍof victory مُبينٍclear أَنتَyou شارِعُهُopening it
فِي بابِ فتحٍ مُبينٍ أَنتَ شارِعُهُ
or like the crossing of spears that you level
Omens of fortune in the horizon its guides,
at the gate of a clear victory that you open.
And fortune's stars heralding with good tidings,
جَيشٌan army يَجيشُsurges برَعْدِwith the thunder المَوْتِof death يقدُمُهُpreceding it
جَيشٌ يَجيشُ برَعْدِ المَوْتِ يقدُمُهُ
إِلَىtoward عِدَاكَyour foes قضاءٌa doom حُمَّdecreed واقِعُهُits occurrence
إِلَى عِدَاكَ قضاءٌ حُمَّ واقِعُهُ
An army surging with the thunder of death, preceded
You held the standard's lead—God elevated it,
toward your foes by a doom whose coming is decreed.
To a promise assured—its consequences unseen,
صباحُa dawn بارِقةٍof lightning لولاwere it not for عَجاجَتُهُits dust cloud
صباحُ بارِقةٍ لولا عَجاجَتُهُ
وَليلُand a night هابيةٍof dusty haze لولاwere it not for لوامِعُهُits flashes
وَليلُ هابيةٍ لولا لوامِعُهُ
A dawn of lightning, were it not for its dust cloud,
In trade honest—its goods never adulterated,
and a night of dusty haze, were it not for its flashes.
Pairing of struggle and fasts—resolve accompanied it,
دلائِلُsigns اليُمْنِof good fortune فِيin الهَيجاbattle أَدِلَّتُهُits guides
دلائِلُ اليُمْنِ فِي الهَيجا أَدِلَّتُهُ
وأَنجُمُand stars السَّعدِof luck بالبشرىwith glad tidings طَلائِعُهُits scouts
وأَنجُمُ السَّعدِ بالبشرى طَلائِعُهُ
Signs of good fortune are its guides in battle,
Patience flanked it. No darkness of stillness you dwelled,
and stars of luck are its scouts bearing glad tidings.
Nor daylight of cave you sought refuge,
يُهدىit is guided بِهَدْيِby the guidance لِواءٍof a banner أَنتَyou عاقِدُهُbinding it
يُهدى بِهَدْيِ لِواءٍ أَنتَ عاقِدُهُ
للهِfor God واللهُand God بِالتأْييدِwith support رافِعُهُraising it
للهِ واللهُ بِالتأْييدِ رافِعُهُ
It follows the guidance of a banner that you have bound
You roamed the land seeking a fort to inhabit,
for God, and that God raises with His support,
And combed the wilderness for an army to combat,
لِمَوْعِدٍtoward a promise غيرِnot مكذوبٍbelied عواقِبُهُin its outcomes
لِمَوْعِدٍ غيرِ مكذوبٍ عواقِبُهُ
فِيin مَتْجَرٍa market غَيرِnot مُزْجاةٍpaltry بضائِعُهُits wares
فِي مَتْجَرٍ غَيرِ مُزْجاةٍ بضائِعُهُ
toward a promise whose outcome will not prove false,
Until you wrecked the noses of polytheism altogether
in a market whose wares are not paltry.
With the side of the citadel of disbelief—you split it,
مَثنىa pair جِهادٍof jihad وصوْمٍand fasting ضمَّunited شملَهُماtheir company
مَثنى جِهادٍ وصوْمٍ ضمَّ شملَهُما
عَزْمٌresolve يُسايرُهُaccompanying it صَبرٌpatience يشايِعُهُsupporting it
عَزْمٌ يُسايرُهُ صَبرٌ يشايِعُهُ
A pair—jihad and fasting—brought together
Vanished the dark lion who misled the lost,
by resolve, accompanied and supported by patience.
Deceiving God—while he deceiving it,
فلاso no ظَلامُdarkness قَرارٍof repose أَنتَyou ساكِنُهُdwelling in it
فلا ظَلامُ قَرارٍ أَنتَ ساكِنُهُ
ولاnor نَهارُdaytime مُغارٍof raiding أَنتَyou وادعُهُat ease in it
ولا نَهارُ مُغارٍ أَنتَ وادعُهُ
No dark hour of repose finds you settled in it,
If its utmost outskirts your lips split,
nor a day of raiding finds you at ease.
Then you split its hinterlands—sealing its fate,
تَهيمُyou roam فِيthrough الأَرْضِthe land عنin search of حِصنٍa fortress تُنازِلُهُyou besiege
تَهيمُ فِي الأَرْضِ عن حِصنٍ تُنازِلُهُ
وتَخرِقُand you cleave البيدَthe deserts عنin search of جيشٍan army تُقارِعُهُyou battle
وتَخرِقُ البيدَ عن جيشٍ تُقارِعُهُ
You roam the land in search of a fortress to besiege,
If the emigrant from home takes caution of you,
and cleave the deserts in search of an army to battle,
Then foes took caution—on a day you were its caution,
حَتَّىuntil جَدَعْتَyou cut off أُنُوفَthe noses الشِّركِof polytheism قاطِبةًaltogether
حَتَّى جَدَعْتَ أُنُوفَ الشِّركِ قاطِبةً
بأَنفِthrough the nose مَعقلِof a stronghold كُفرٍof unbelief أَنتَyou جادِعُهُcutting it off
بأَنفِ مَعقلِ كُفرٍ أَنتَ جادِعُهُ
until you cut off the noses of polytheism altogether
You left it from the gales of victory a tempest,
by severing the nose of an unbelieving stronghold:
Whereafter no subsidence or sinking remained,
غابُthe thicket الأُسودِof lions الَّذِيwhich غُرَّwas deceived الضَّلالُerror بِهِby it
غابُ الأُسودِ الَّذِي غُرَّ الضَّلالُ بِهِ
فَخادَعَso it tried to deceive اللهَGod منهُfrom it وهوَwhile He خادِعُهُdeceives it
فَخادَعَ اللهَ منهُ وهوَ خادِعُهُ
a lion-thicket in which error was deceived into trust,
As if the one who blows death's trumpet laid them low,
from which it tried to deceive God, while He deceived it.
Toppling its lofty walls—their structures crumbling,
فإِنْand if شَجتْwounded ثغرَكَyour frontier الأَقصىfurthest مَرابصُهُits lairs
فإِنْ شَجتْ ثغرَكَ الأَقصى مَرابصُهُ
فقدthen indeed شَجتْwounded أَرْضَهits land القصوىfurthest مَصارِعُهُits places of slaughter
فقد شَجتْ أَرْضَه القصوى مَصارِعُهُ
If its lairs wounded your furthest frontier,
So the calf refusing to drink its milk,
its places of slaughter have wounded its furthest land.
The infant forgetful of the breast that nursed it,
وإِنْand if يَرُعْit frightens نازِحَone far away الأَوْطانِin homelands عَنكَfrom you فقدْthen indeed
وإِنْ يَرُعْ نازِحَ الأَوْطانِ عَنكَ فقدْ
راعَfrightened العدىthe foes منهُfrom it يومٌa day أَنتَyou رائعُهُmaking it fearsome
راعَ العدى منهُ يومٌ أَنتَ رائعُهُ
If it alarms one whose homeland lies far from you, already
They roamed under the lightning of death—every coward
a day made fearsome by you there has terrified the foes.
And valiant warrior: the lion cub's guardian, its hunter,
صَبَّحتَهُyou assailed it at dawn منfrom رِياحِthe winds النَّصرِof victory عاصفةًas a storm
صَبَّحتَهُ من رِياحِ النَّصرِ عاصفةً
لاnot تتَّقيward off بَعدَهاafter it خَسفاًcollapse بَلاقِعُهُits wastelands
لا تتَّقي بَعدَها خَسفاً بَلاقِعُهُ
You struck it at dawn with a storm from the winds of victory,
One meets it with despair—so it submits,
after which its barren wastes cannot avert collapse.
The other meets it with harmony—so he aids it,
كَأَنَّas though نافخthe blower صُورِof the trumpet الموتِof death أَصعقَهُstunned it
كَأَنَّ نافخ صُورِ الموتِ أَصعقَهُ
فَهدَّso demolished أَسوارَهُits walls العلياlofty صَواقِعُهُhis thunderbolts
فَهدَّ أَسوارَهُ العليا صَواقِعُهُ
As though the blower of death's trumpet had stunned it,
With steeds whose fast gait you adorned them,
and his thunderbolts brought down its lofty walls.
An army—its calamities therein contained,
فَمقعَصٌand one slain outright ناشِزٌwithdrawn عنهُfrom him حلائِلُهُhis wives
فَمقعَصٌ ناشِزٌ عنهُ حلائِلُهُ
ومُرْضَعٌand a suckling ذاهِلٌheedless عنهُof him مَراضِعُهُhis nurses
ومُرْضَعٌ ذاهِلٌ عنهُ مَراضِعُهُ
One lies slain, his wives withdrawing from him;
You brought them to Egypt, and eyes aspired
and a suckling, his nurses oblivious to him.
To witness the like of what your Lord created,
وهامَand wandered تَحْتَbeneath بُرُوقِthe flashes المَوْتِof death كلُّevery رَشاًfawn
وهامَ تَحْتَ بُرُوقِ المَوْتِ كلُّ رَشاً
اللَّيثُthe lion كافِلُهُhis guardian والليثُand the lion فاجِعُهُhis bereaver
اللَّيثُ كافِلُهُ والليثُ فاجِعُهُ
Every fawn wandered beneath the lightning flashes of death,
The earth wears them at times, at others divests them,
a lion its guardian, and a lion its bereaver.
The bridge carries them perforce—then dumps them,
هذاthis one مُعانِقهُembraces him يأْساًin despair فَمُسلِمُهُthen gives him up
هذا مُعانِقهُ يأْساً فَمُسلِمُهُ
وذاand that one مُعانِقهُembraces him إِلفاًin affection فَشافِعُهُthen intercedes for him
وذا مُعانِقهُ إِلفاً فَشافِعُهُ
This one embraces him in despair, then gives him up;
A surging host—its summit and depth billowing,
that one embraces him in affection, then intercedes for him.
A torrential flood—its onslaughts successive,
عواطِلاًunadorned women أَنتَyou حَلَّيتَadorned الخُيولَthe horses بِهَاwith them
عواطِلاً أَنتَ حَلَّيتَ الخُيولَ بِهَا
جيشاًas an army غدائِرُهاtheir tresses فِيهِwithin it بَراقِعُهُits veils
جيشاً غدائِرُها فِيهِ بَراقِعُهُ
Unadorned women, with whom you adorned the horses,
The sun wearing from it a cloak of darkness,
an army in which their tresses were its veils.
Though day's face shone radiant and beaming,
أَورَدتهاyou brought them to المِصرَthe city والأَبصارُwhile eyes طامِحةٌlooked eagerly
أَورَدتها المِصرَ والأَبصارُ طامِحةٌ
لِصنعِat the work مَاthat which لَكَfor you ربُّthe Lord العرشِof the Throne صانِعُهُperforming it
لِصنعِ مَا لَكَ ربُّ العرشِ صانِعُهُ
You brought them into the city, while eyes looked eagerly
By the auspice of your fortunate brow, its flight,
at what the Lord of the Throne was accomplishing for you.
And the luck of your blessed leader—its ascent,
والأَرضُand the earth تَلبسُهُwears it طَوْراًat times وتَخلعُهُand takes it off
والأَرضُ تَلبسُهُ طَوْراً وتَخلعُهُ
والجِسرُand the bridge حامِلُهُbears it كَرْهاًunwillingly فواضِعُهُthen sets it down
والجِسرُ حامِلُهُ كَرْهاً فواضِعُهُ
The earth wore it at one moment, then cast it off,
You brought him forth matching his namesake, long live you through him,
and the bridge bore it unwillingly, then set it down.
A venerable sage, strong resolve binding him,
طوْدٌa mountain منَof الخيلِhorses أَعلاهُits upper part وأَسفلُهُand its lower part
طوْدٌ منَ الخيلِ أَعلاهُ وأَسفلُهُ
بَحْرٌa sea منof السَّيلِfloodwater مُلتجٌّsurging دَوافِعُهُits currents
بَحْرٌ من السَّيلِ مُلتجٌّ دَوافِعُهُ
Its upper part a mountain of horses, its lower part
Who bestows life on those you spared sharing it,
a sea of floodwater, its currents surging.
And drinks lethal poison to those you fought against.
والشَّمسُand the sun لابسةٌwears منهُfrom it قِناعَa veil دُجىًof darkness
والشَّمسُ لابسةٌ منهُ قِناعَ دُجىً
واليومُwhile the day أَزْهرُradiant وَجهِin the face الجوِّof the sky ماتِعُهُits high point
واليومُ أَزْهرُ وَجهِ الجوِّ ماتِعُهُ
The sun wore a veil of darkness drawn from it,
He fulfilled the raiment of forbearance, wearing it,
though the day stood high, bright-faced in the sky,
And adorned him with the wraps of war, nursing it,
بيُمنِthrough the good fortune حاجِبِكَof your chamberlain الميمونِblessed طائِرُهُin his omen
بيُمنِ حاجِبِكَ الميمونِ طائِرُهُ
وَسَعدِand the luck قائِدِكَof your commander المسعودِfortunate طالعُهُin his rising star
وَسَعدِ قائِدِكَ المسعودِ طالعُهُ
through the good fortune of your chamberlain, blessed in his omen,
Whom noble traits shone through his qualities,
and the luck of your commander, fortunate in his rising star.
And the efforts he exhausted built up his merit,
أَنجبتَهُyou begot him noble كاسْمِهِtrue to his name تَحياlives عُلاكَyour glory بِهِthrough him
أَنجبتَهُ كاسْمِهِ تَحيا عُلاكَ بِهِ
كَهلُmature التجارِبِin experience شَرْخُyouthful prime العزْمِof resolve يافِعُهُits youth
كَهلُ التجارِبِ شَرْخُ العزْمِ يافِعُهُ
You begot him noble, true to his name; your glory lives through him:
So glories handed down the ancients he inherited
mature in experience, in the youthful prime of resolve.
With a name certified by deeds matching it,
ساقِيgiver of drink الحياةِof life لمنْto those whom سالَمْتَyou made peace with مُطعِمُهاfeeding it to them
ساقِي الحياةِ لمنْ سالَمْتَ مُطعِمُها
ذُعافَdeadly draught سُمٍّof poison لِمَنْfor those whom حارَبتَyou warred against ناقِعُهُsteeping it
ذُعافَ سُمٍّ لِمَنْ حارَبتَ ناقِعُهُ
He pours out life for those you befriend, feeding them it,
And if the world narrowed for an outcast,
and steeps potent, deadly poison for those you fight.
Then the magnanimity of his soul is broader than it,
أَوْفىbrought to perfection بِهِhim فِيin رِداءِthe cloak الحِلمِof forbearance لابسُهُits wearer
أَوْفى بِهِ فِي رِداءِ الحِلمِ لابسُهُ
وَعَلَّهُand nourished him repeatedly بلِبانِwith the milk الحَرْبِof war راضِعُهُits suckler
وَعَلَّهُ بلِبانِ الحَرْبِ راضِعُهُ
The wearer of forbearance's mantle brought him to perfection,
If darkness befell one day the hopeful,
and one who suckled war's milk nourished him upon it:
Then the sovereign of leadership, clear of night, outshone it,
مَنْone whose أَشرَقَتْshone بسجاياهُthrough his traits مَقاوِلُهُhis chieftains
مَنْ أَشرَقَتْ بسجاياهُ مَقاوِلُهُ
وأَعرَقَتْand struck deep roots فِيin مَساعيهِhis achievements تبابعُهُhis Tubba kings
وأَعرَقَتْ فِي مَساعيهِ تبابعُهُ
one whose chieftains shone through his character,
And but for him, ties are cut off,
and whose Tubba kings struck deep roots in his achievements.
Advocates rejected, cases refuted,
وقَلَّدَتْهُand adorned him with تُجيبٌTujib حَلْيَthe jewels سابقهاof its foremost one
وقَلَّدَتْهُ تُجيبٌ حَلْيَ سابقها
حَتَّىuntil غداbecame السابقَthe leader المتبوعَthe followed one تابعُهُits follower
حَتَّى غدا السابقَ المتبوعَ تابعُهُ
Tujib adorned him with the jewels of its foremost man,
Without him, hopes are utterly dashed,
until its follower became the leader whom others follow.
And without him, needs are too paltry to mend,
واحْتازَand inherited إِرْثَthe legacy الأُلىof those who آوَوْاgave shelter وَهُمْand they نَصرُواgave aid
واحْتازَ إِرْثَ الأُلى آوَوْا وَهُمْ نَصرُوا
باسمٍwith a name يُصدِّقُهُconfirming it فِعلٌa deed يُضارِعُهُmatching it
باسمٍ يُصدِّقُهُ فِعلٌ يُضارِعُهُ
He inherited the legacy of those who sheltered and gave aid,
He who inclines his ear is as though
with a name confirmed by a deed that matches it.
His acts unto his enemies take place,
فإِنْso if تضايَقَتِgrew narrow الدُّنياthe world بمُغتَربٍfor an exile
فإِنْ تضايَقَتِ الدُّنيا بمُغتَربٍ
فَمُنذِرٌthen Mundhir بعدُstill رَحْبُspacious الصدرِof breast واسِعُهُbroad in it
فَمُنذِرٌ بعدُ رَحْبُ الصدرِ واسِعُهُ
If the world grows narrow for an exile,
And God placed in his hands, for Islam to keep,
Mundhir's breast remains spacious and broad.
Sublimities preserved—therein deposits placed—
وإِنْand if دَجاdarkened فلَقٌdaybreak يوْماًone day بذيfor one with أَمَلٍhope
وإِنْ دَجا فلَقٌ يوْماً بذي أَمَلٍ
فَذُوthen the lord of الرِّياساتِhigh offices طَلقُclear الليلِof night ناصِعُهُradiant in it
فَذُو الرِّياساتِ طَلقُ الليلِ ناصِعُهُ
If daybreak darkens one day for a hopeful man,
O you who joined by dew what God joined!
the Lord of High Offices has a night clear and radiant.
And you who severed by hail what God severed!
ومنand who سواهbesides him لمقطوعٍfor one severed أَواصِرُهُin his bonds
ومن سواه لمقطوعٍ أَواصِرُهُ
ومنand who سواهbesides him لمردودٍfor one rejected شَوافِعُهُin his intercessors
ومن سواه لمردودٍ شَوافِعُهُ
Who but he is there for one whose bonds are severed?
Rejoice in a pride and instinct you harvested,
Who but he is there for one whose intercessors are rejected?
From the righteousness of conquest and fasts you sowed!
ومنand who سواهُbesides him لخطبٍfor a calamity جَلَّgreat فادِحُهُin its crushing weight
ومن سواهُ لخطبٍ جَلَّ فادِحُهُ
ومَنand who سواهُbesides him لِخرقٍfor a rent قلَّfew راقِعُهُits menders
ومَن سواهُ لِخرقٍ قلَّ راقِعُهُ
Who but he is there for a calamity of crushing weight?
And a place of worship you rose for prayers,
Who but he is there for a rent that few can mend?
Radiant as the moon you emerged from it praying,
ومنand who يُسيمُsets grazing نَداهُhis bounty فِيin خزائِنهِhis treasuries
ومن يُسيمُ نَداهُ فِي خزائِنهِ
كَأَنَّهas though it were فِيagainst أَعاديهِhis enemies وَقائِعُهُhis battles
كَأَنَّه فِي أَعاديهِ وَقائِعُهُ
Who else lets his bounty graze through his treasuries
Amidst an army of might and help—you stirred it,
as though it were his battles against his enemies?
Gathering religion and world—you brought together,
واسْتودَعَand entrusted اللهُGod للإِسلامِfor Islam فِيin يدِهِhis hand
واسْتودَعَ اللهُ للإِسلامِ فِي يدِهِ
مكارِماًnoble virtues حُفظتْwere safeguarded فِيهَاwithin them ودائعُهُHis trusts
مكارِماً حُفظتْ فِيهَا ودائعُهُ
God entrusted, for Islam, to his hand
Revered of might in visions—dazzling,
noble virtues within which His trusts were kept.
Lowering your gaze to the Merciful—humbled,
ياO واصِلاًone joining بالندىwith bounty مَاwhat اللهُGod وَاصِلُهُjoins it
يا واصِلاً بالندى مَا اللهُ وَاصِلُهُ
وقاطِعاًand one cutting بالظُّبىwith sword edges مَاwhat اللهُGod قاطِعُهُcuts it
وقاطِعاً بالظُّبى مَا اللهُ قاطِعُهُ
O you who join with bounty what God joins,
And a stand for you the supplicants elevated,
and sever with sword edges what God severs,
To the heavens—its Witness and Hearer,
اسْعدْrejoice بفخرٍin glory وفِطرٍand the breaking of the fast أنتyou حاصِدُهُreaping it
اسْعدْ بفخرٍ وفِطرٍ أنت حاصِدُهُ
مِنْfrom برِّthe goodness فتحٍof victory وصَوْمٍand fasting أَنتَyou زارِعُهُsowing it
مِنْ برِّ فتحٍ وصَوْمٍ أَنتَ زارِعُهُ
rejoice in the glory and breaking of the fast that you reap
For you the sermon was commenced therewith,
from the goodness of victory and fasting that you sowed,
And the worshipper prostrating did not reveal his secret,
ومَشهدٍand a gathering لِلْمُصلَّىat the prayer ground قَدْindeed طَلَعتَyou appeared لَهُfor it
ومَشهدٍ لِلْمُصلَّى قَدْ طَلَعتَ لَهُ
كالبدرِlike the full moon مُشرِقَةًradiant مِنهُfrom it مطالعُهُits risings
كالبدرِ مُشرِقَةً مِنهُ مطالعُهُ
and in a gathering at the prayer ground, for which you rose
And they exchanged greetings of Eid and conveyed to you
like the full moon, radiant in its rising.
The finest salutations disseminating far reaching,
فيin جيشِan army عزٍّof glory ونصرٍand victory أَنتyou غُرَّتُهُits bright forefront
في جيشِ عزٍّ ونصرٍ أَنت غُرَّتُهُ
وشملِand the company دينٍof religion ودُنياand worldly life أَنتَyou جامِعُهُuniting it
وشملِ دينٍ ودُنيا أَنتَ جامِعُهُ
Amid an army of glory and victory, you are its bright forefront,
A throng racing to your palace, praise driving it,
uniting the company of religion and worldly life.
And praise reining it. Where virtues are upheld,
مُعظَّمُexalted القَدْرِin rank فِيin الأَبصارِeyes باهِرُهُdazzling in it
مُعظَّمُ القَدْرِ فِي الأَبصارِ باهِرُهُ
وخافِضُand lowering الطَّرْفِthe gaze للرَّحمنِbefore the Merciful خاشِعُهُhumble in it
وخافِضُ الطَّرْفِ للرَّحمنِ خاشِعُهُ
Exalted in stature, dazzling to the eyes,
The banners of faith kept lofty,
yet lowering your gaze humbly before the Merciful,
Brilliance of religion inhabited, its laws preserved,
ومَوقفٍand a station لَكَfor you فِيamong الدَّاعينَthe supplicants رَفَّعَهُraised it
ومَوقفٍ لَكَ فِي الدَّاعينَ رَفَّعَهُ
إِلَىto السمواتِthe heavens رائيهِits beholders وسامِعُهُand its hearers
إِلَى السمواتِ رائيهِ وسامِعُهُ
and in a station among those praying, raised
Succession of kingship protected with its seal,
to the heavens by those who saw and heard it.
From the clay of glory—God is its Shaper.
بكَwith you استُهِلَّwas begun بِهِin it فصلُthe decisive part الخطابِof the address وَمَاand what
بكَ استُهِلَّ بِهِ فصلُ الخطابِ وَمَا
أَسَرَّwhispered ساجِدُهُits prostrating worshipper الدَّاعِيthe supplicant وراكِعُهُand its bowing worshipper
أَسَرَّ ساجِدُهُ الدَّاعِي وراكِعُهُ
With you began there the decisive address, and what
So submit to them and those whose hopes
the praying worshippers whispered in prostration and bowing.
Death came to claim—towards your auspice competing,
وسَلَّمواand they ended with salutation منfrom صَلاةِthe prayer العيدِof Eid وافتتَحواand began
وسَلَّموا من صَلاةِ العيدِ وافتتَحوا
إِليكَto you أَزْكىthe purest سَلامٍgreeting شاعَspread شائِعُهُits proclamation
إِليكَ أَزْكى سَلامٍ شاعَ شائِعُهُ
They closed the Eid prayer with salutation, then began
Sorrows mount the mountains in piles,
the purest greetings to you, widely proclaimed,
Spurred by sincerity—its hardship apparent,
جَمعاًas a throng يؤُمُّheading إِليكَtoward you القصرَto the palace مُستَبِقاًracing ahead
جَمعاً يؤُمُّ إِليكَ القصرَ مُستَبِقاً
الحَمدُpraise قائدُهُits leader والحَمدُand praise وازِعُهُits marshal
الحَمدُ قائدُهُ والحَمدُ وازِعُهُ
a throng racing toward you at the palace,
Many a turbulent sea beneath a sea of gloom,
praise their leader, and praise their marshal,
Roared towards your billowing sea—its sources,
حَيْثُwhere المكارمُnoble virtues مَرفوعٌraised معالمُهاin their standards
حَيْثُ المكارمُ مَرفوعٌ معالمُها
ونَيِّرُand the light الدينِof religion معمورٌflourishing شَرائِعُهُin its ordinances
ونَيِّرُ الدينِ معمورٌ شَرائِعُهُ
where the standards of noble virtues are raised,
And of your remarkable qualities—innovations sublime,
and religion's light has its laws flourishing,
The land came to request of you—its wonders,
وتالِدُand the ancestral inheritance المُلكِof kingship محفوظٌprotected بخاتَمِهِby its seal
وتالِدُ المُلكِ محفوظٌ بخاتَمِهِ
منfrom طينةِthe clay المَجدِof glory والرَّحمنُand the Merciful طابعُهُits stamper
من طينةِ المَجدِ والرَّحمنُ طابعُهُ
and the ancestral inheritance of kingship is guarded by its seal,
No worth then did you reduce, you who raise it,
made from the clay of glory, with the Merciful as its stamper.
No worth then did you raise, you who demote it,
واسْلَمْand remain safe لَهمْfor them ولمنْand for one whom أَوْفَىbrought near بِهِhim أَمَلٌhope
واسْلَمْ لَهمْ ولمنْ أَوْفَى بِهِ أَمَلٌ
فاتَoutstripped المناياdeaths إِلَىtoward يُمناكَyour right hand نازِعُهُhis yearning
فاتَ المنايا إِلَى يُمناكَ نازِعُهُ
Remain safe for them, and for one whom hope brought near,
So prosper by a pride and merit you reaped,
whose yearning outstripped death toward your right hand,
From the harvest of conquest and fasts you sowed!
يعلُوhe climbs الجِبالَthe mountains بأَمثالِwith the likes الجبالِof mountains أَسىًin grief
يعلُو الجِبالَ بأَمثالِ الجبالِ أَسىً
يَحدوهُdriving him جدٌّresolve عَثورُstumbling الجَدِّin fortune ظالِعُهُlimping in it
يَحدوهُ جدٌّ عَثورُ الجَدِّ ظالِعُهُ
climbing mountains with mountain-sized grief,
urged on by resolve, while his fortune stumbles and limps.
وَرُبَّand many a لُجَّةِdeep surge بحرٍof a sea تَحْتَbeneath بَحرِa sea دُجىٌof darkness
وَرُبَّ لُجَّةِ بحرٍ تَحْتَ بَحرِ دُجىٌ
قاسىbraved إِلَىtoward بحرِكَyour sea الطَّاميoverflowing يَنابِعُهُhis wellsprings
قاسى إِلَى بحرِكَ الطَّامي يَنابِعُهُ
Many a sea's deep surge beneath a sea of darkness
his wellsprings braved to reach your overflowing sea.
وَمِنْand from شمائِلِكَyour character المُعييoverwhelming بَدائِعُهاin its wonders
وَمِنْ شمائِلِكَ المُعيي بَدائِعُها
فِيon الأَرْضِthe earth جَاءَتْكَcame to you تستَمليseeking dictation بدائِعُهُhis wonders
فِي الأَرْضِ جَاءَتْكَ تستَملي بدائِعُهُ
And from your character, whose wonders leave one helpless,
his wonders have come to you on earth, seeking dictation.
فلاso may not تَواَضعَbe humbled قَدرٌa rank أَنتَyou رافِعهُraising it
فلا تَواَضعَ قَدرٌ أَنتَ رافِعهُ
وَلاnor may تَرْفَّعَbe exalted قَدْرٌa rank أَنتَyou واضِعُهُlowering it
وَلا تَرْفَّعَ قَدْرٌ أَنتَ واضِعُهُ
May no rank you raise be humbled,
and no rank you lower be exalted.
Partial English translation: 182 of 190 Arabic lines translated.
Sol 6.1