دَعِيlet عَزَماتِthe resolves of المستضامِthe wronged man تسيرُtravel
دَعِي عَزَماتِ المستضامِ تسيرُ
فَتُنْجِدُthen ascend to highlands فِيin عُرْضِthe expanse of الفَلاthe wilderness وتَغُورُand descend to lowlands
فَتُنْجِدُ فِي عُرْضِ الفَلا وتَغُورُ
Let the resolves of the wronged man travel,
Let your resolves march on though the jealous chide,
ascending through the wilderness's expanse and descending to its lowlands.
Advancing over the expanse of the desert they hide,
لعلَّperhaps بماthrough what أَشجاكِhas grieved you منof لوعةِthe anguish of النَّوىseparation
لعلَّ بما أَشجاكِ من لوعةِ النَّوى
يُعَزُّis honored ذليلٌan abased person أَوْor يُفَكُّis freed أَسيرُa captive
يُعَزُّ ذليلٌ أَوْ يُفَكُّ أَسيرُ
Perhaps through the anguish of parting that grieves you,
Hoping that what has fired you with blazing desire,
one abased may be honored, or a captive freed.
Might succor a wretch or loose a captive’s tied.
أَلَمْdid you not تعلَمِيknow أَنthat الثَّواءَstaying هوis التَّوىruin
أَلَمْ تعلَمِي أَن الثَّواءَ هو التَّوى
وأَنَّand that بيوتَthe homes of العاجِزينَthe helpless قُبورُare graves
وأَنَّ بيوتَ العاجِزينَ قُبورُ
Did you not know that staying is ruin,
Do you not know that passion is but a pyre,
and that the homes of the helpless are graves?
And the homes of the feeble are graves beside?
ولمand did not تزجُرِيtake omens from طَيْرَthe birds of السُّرىnight travel بِحروفِهاby their letters
ولم تزجُرِي طَيْرَ السُّرى بِحروفِها
فَتُنْبِئْكِso they inform you إِنْif يَمَّنَّthey turn right فَهْيَthen they are سُرورُjoy
فَتُنْبِئْكِ إِنْ يَمَّنَّ فَهْيَ سُرورُ
And have you not augured the birds of night travel by their letters,
Reproach not the birds of fate with magic runes—
so they tell you: if they turn right, they mean joy?
Let them disclose if blessings or curses betide.
تُخَوِّفُنِيyou frighten me طولَthe length of السِّفارِtravel وإِنَّهُand indeed it
تُخَوِّفُنِي طولَ السِّفارِ وإِنَّهُ
لتقبيلِfor kissing كفِّthe palm of العامِريّal-Amiri سَفِيرُan envoy
لتقبيلِ كفِّ العامِريّ سَفِيرُ
You frighten me with the length of travel, though it
You warn me the journey is long, but in truth,
is an envoy sent to kiss al-Amiri's palm.
Only to kiss the hand of the noble its guide.
دَعِينيlet me أَرِدْreach ماءَthe water of المفاوِزِthe wastelands آجِناًstagnant
دَعِيني أَرِدْ ماءَ المفاوِزِ آجِناً
إِلَىto حَيْثُwhere ماءُthe water of المكرُمَاتِnoble deeds نميرُpure and sweet
إِلَى حَيْثُ ماءُ المكرُمَاتِ نميرُ
Let me reach the stagnant water of the wastelands,
Let me follow the winding heights at my ease,
onward to where the water of noble deeds is pure and sweet,
To where the waters of honor and duty abide,
وأَخْتَلِسِand snatch الأَيَّامَthe days خُلْسَةَa sudden seizure فاتِكٍa bold assailant
وأَخْتَلِسِ الأَيَّامَ خُلْسَةَ فاتِكٍ
إِلَىto حَيْثُwhere ليfor me مِنْfrom غَدْرِهِنَّtheir treachery خَفِيرُa protector
إِلَى حَيْثُ لي مِنْ غَدْرِهِنَّ خَفِيرُ
and snatch the days with a bold assailant's sudden seizure,
And steal the days secretly, like a soft footfall,
onward to where a guardian shields me from their treachery.
To where for me their deceptions cannot chide.
فإِنَّfor indeed خطيراتِthe grave hazards of المهالِكِdeadly places ضُمَّنٌare guarantors
فإِنَّ خطيراتِ المهالِكِ ضُمَّنٌ
لراكِبِهاto whoever braves them أَنَّthat الجزاءَthe reward خطيرُis great
لراكِبِها أَنَّ الجزاءَ خطيرُ
For the grave hazards of deadly places guarantee
For the paths of doom—beware!—are crowded with snares,
to whoever braves them that the reward is great.
And great is the risk for those who therein ride.
ولَمَّاand when تدانَتْshe drew near للوداعِfor farewell وَقَدْand already هَفاshook
ولَمَّا تدانَتْ للوداعِ وَقَدْ هَفا
بصَبْرِيَwith my patience منهاfrom her أَنَّةٌa moan وزَفيرُand a sigh
بصَبْرِيَ منها أَنَّةٌ وزَفيرُ
And when she drew near to say farewell, and already
When we turned to bid adieu, my patience failed,
a moan and a sigh from her had shaken my patience,
And I sighed at her sighs—such grief we cried!
تناشِدُنيshe implores me by عَهْدَthe pledge of المَوَدَّةِaffection والهَوىand love
تناشِدُني عَهْدَ المَوَدَّةِ والهَوى
وَفِيand in المَهْدِthe cradle مبغومُsoftly bleating النِّداءِin his cry صَغيرُa little one
وَفِي المَهْدِ مبغومُ النِّداءِ صَغيرُ
she implored me by our pledge of affection and love,
She recalled the promise of love and desire,
while in the cradle lay a little one with a soft, bleating cry.
While an infant wept out in its cradle beside.
عِيِيٌّunable بمرجوعِat answering الخطابِspeech ولَفْظُهُyet his utterance
عِيِيٌّ بمرجوعِ الخطابِ ولَفْظُهُ
بمَوْقِعِat the place of أَهواءِthe affections of النفوسِsouls خَبيرُexpert
بمَوْقِعِ أَهواءِ النفوسِ خَبيرُ
Unable to answer speech, yet his utterance
Her words confounded me. Her phrases impart
knows just where to touch the hearts' affections.
The secrets held in the heart they deride.
تبوَّأَhe settled in ممنوعَthe guarded sanctuary of القلوبِhearts ومُهِّدَتْand were made into beds
تبوَّأَ ممنوعَ القلوبِ ومُهِّدَتْ
لَهُfor him أَذرُعٌarms محفوفَةٌencircling ونُحُورُand bosoms
لَهُ أَذرُعٌ محفوفَةٌ ونُحُورُ
He settled in the guarded sanctuary of hearts, and beds were made
She has reached realms from which hearts are denied,
for him of encircling arms and bosoms.
On all sides surrounded by bodies of pride.
فكلُّso every مُفَدَّاةِcherished الترائِبِbosom مُرْضِعٌa nursing mother
فكلُّ مُفَدَّاةِ الترائِبِ مُرْضِعٌ
وكلُّand every مُحَيَّاةِsaluted المحاسِنِcharms ظِيرُa foster-mother
وكلُّ مُحَيَّاةِ المحاسِنِ ظِيرُ
So every woman whose bosom is cherished is a nursing mother,
Each revelation of beauty a balm that heals,
and every woman whose charms are saluted is a foster-mother.
Each figure, a shield to defend and to hide.
عَصَيْتُI disobeyed شفيعَthe intercessor of النفسthe soul فِيهِfor him وقادَنِيand led me
عَصَيْتُ شفيعَ النفس فِيهِ وقادَنِي
رَوَاحٌdeparture at dusk لِتَدْآبَto ceaseless pursuit of السُّرىnight travel وبُكُورُand departure at dawn
رَوَاحٌ لِتَدْآبَ السُّرى وبُكُورُ
I disobeyed the soul's intercessor on his behalf, and was led
I refused my heart its desire and it led me astray,
by departures at dusk and dawn to ceaseless night travel.
To the soft advance of fate I did stride.
وطارَand flew جَناحُthe wing of الشَّوْقِlonging بِيwith me وَهَفَتْand fluttered بِهَاwithin her
وطارَ جَناحُ الشَّوْقِ بِي وَهَفَتْ بِهَا
جوانِحُribs منfrom ذُعْرِthe terror of الفِراقِparting تطيرُflying
جوانِحُ من ذُعْرِ الفِراقِ تطيرُ
The wing of longing flew with me, while within her fluttered
Then lifted the wings of passion and lo! bore away
ribs flying with the terror of parting.
The reason and senses that in me reside.
لئِنْif indeed وَدَّعَتْshe bade farewell منيfrom me غَيوراًa jealous man فإِنَّنِيthen indeed I
لئِنْ وَدَّعَتْ مني غَيوراً فإِنَّنِي
عَلَىover عَزْمَتِيmy resolve منagainst شَجْوِهاher grief لَغَيُورُam fiercely protective
عَلَى عَزْمَتِي من شَجْوِها لَغَيُورُ
If she bade farewell to a jealous man in me, I too
Though she left me in jealousy, yet more than she,
am fiercely protective of my resolve against her grief.
It is I by my vows made jealous and eyed.
ولوand if شاهَدَتْنِيshe saw me والصَّواخِدُwhile the scorching heats تَلْتَظِيblaze
ولو شاهَدَتْنِي والصَّواخِدُ تَلْتَظِي
عَلَيَّupon me ورقراقُand the shimmer of السرابthe mirage يَمُورُsurges
عَلَيَّ ورقراقُ السراب يَمُورُ
Had she seen me while scorching heats blazed
Had she seen me when disaster descends as a storm,
upon me, and the mirage's shimmer surged,
When the mirage ripples in currents that glide,
أُسَلِّطُI unleash حَرَّthe heat of الهاجِراتِnoontides إذَاwhen سَطَاit rages
أُسَلِّطُ حَرَّ الهاجِراتِ إذَا سَطَا
عَلَىupon حُرِّthe front of وَجْهِيmy face والأَصيلُand late afternoon هَجِيرُscorching noon-heat
عَلَى حُرِّ وَجْهِي والأَصيلُ هَجِيرُ
letting the heat of noontides, when it raged, loose
I loose the hot summer winds into my burning face,
upon the front of my face, with late afternoon a scorching noon,
While prone on the sand the fierce lions abide,
وأَسْتَنْشِقُand I inhale النَّكْباءَthe crosswind وَهْيَwhile it is بَوارِحٌfiercely hot gusts
وأَسْتَنْشِقُ النَّكْباءَ وَهْيَ بَوارِحٌ
وأَسْتَوْطِئُand I tread الرَّمْضاءَthe sun-scorched ground وَهْيَwhile it تَفُورُseethes
وأَسْتَوْطِئُ الرَّمْضاءَ وَهْيَ تَفُورُ
and breathing in the crosswind as it blew hot and harsh,
I scent the hot winds as they swell and abide,
and treading the sun-scorched ground as it seethed,
I court the sun’s fire as it glows and doth chide.
ولِلْمَوْتِand death has فِيin عيشِthe life of الجبانِthe coward تلوُّنٌchanging forms
ولِلْمَوْتِ فِي عيشِ الجبانِ تلوُّنٌ
وللذُّعْرِand terror has فِيin سَمْعِthe hearing of الجريءِthe daring man صَفيرُa whistling
وللذُّعْرِ فِي سَمْعِ الجريءِ صَفيرُ
while death takes many forms in the coward's life,
To die a coward’s death—such shifts in its form!
and terror whistles in the daring man's ear,
To fear’s piercing sounds—such range they can hide!
لَبانَit would become clear لَهَاto her أَنِّيthat I مِنَat الضَّيْمِinjustice جازِعٌam distressed
لَبانَ لَهَا أَنِّي مِنَ الضَّيْمِ جازِعٌ
وأَنِّيand that I عَلَىunder مَضِّthe sting of الخُطُوبِcalamities صَبُورُam patient
وأَنِّي عَلَى مَضِّ الخُطُوبِ صَبُورُ
she would have seen that I chafe at injustice,
It was clear I suffer the insolent fool gladly,
but bear patiently the sting of calamities.
And I meet tribulations with patience and pride.
أَمِيرٌa commander عَلَىover غَوْلِthe deadly terror of التَّنائِفِthe deserts مَاnot لَهُfor him
أَمِيرٌ عَلَى غَوْلِ التَّنائِفِ مَا لَهُ
إذَاwhen رِيعَhe is alarmed إلّاexcept المَشْرِفيَّthe Mashrafi sword وَزِيرُa minister
إذَا رِيعَ إلّا المَشْرِفيَّ وَزِيرُ
A lord over the deserts' deadly terror, who has no
A prince, though betrayed by the waver of will,
minister when alarmed but the Mashrafi sword.
Has none to console him but counselors wise.
ولوand if بَصُرَتْshe beheld بِيme والسُّرىwhile night travel جُلُّthe chief part of عَزْمَتيmy resolve
ولو بَصُرَتْ بِي والسُّرى جُلُّ عَزْمَتي
وجَرْسِيand my sound لِجِنَّانِto the jinn of الفَلاةِthe wilderness سَمِيرُa night-companion
وجَرْسِي لِجِنَّانِ الفَلاةِ سَمِيرُ
Had she beheld me, night travel my chief resolve,
Had she known my resolve and seen my soul bared,
and the sound of my passage a night-companion to the wilderness's jinn,
My bells ringing loud in the vale far and wide,
وأَعْتَسِفُand I cross tracklessly المَوْمَاةَthe wasteland فِيin غَسْقِthe deep darkness of الدُّجىnight
وأَعْتَسِفُ المَوْمَاةَ فِي غَسْقِ الدُّجى
وللأُسْدِand the lions have فِيin غِيلِthe tangled cover of الغِياضِthe woodlands زَئِيرُa roar
وللأُسْدِ فِي غِيلِ الغِياضِ زَئِيرُ
as I crossed the trackless waste in night's deep darkness,
Riding the scholar at night-fall, alone on my steed,
with lions roaring in the woodlands' tangled cover,
While the stars in the murk of the midnight collide,
وَقَدْand already حَوَّمَتْcircled زُهْرُthe bright ones among النُّجومِthe stars كَأَنَّهاas though they were
وَقَدْ حَوَّمَتْ زُهْرُ النُّجومِ كَأَنَّها
كواعِبُfull-breasted maidens فِيin خُضْرِthe green expanses of الحَدائِقِthe gardens حُورُdark-eyed beauties
كواعِبُ فِي خُضْرِ الحَدائِقِ حُورُ
while the bright stars wheeled as though they were
As the stars of the Northern sky circle its point,
full-breasted, dark-eyed maidens in green gardens,
Like a cup passing round all the tables beside,
ودارَتْand revolved نجومُthe stars of القُطْبِthe pole حَتَّىuntil كَأَنَّهاas though they were
ودارَتْ نجومُ القُطْبِ حَتَّى كَأَنَّها
كُؤوسُgoblets مَهاًcrystal والىpassed successively بِهِنَّwith them مُدِيرُa cupbearer
كُؤوسُ مَهاً والى بِهِنَّ مُدِيرُ
and the stars of the pole revolved until they seemed
As the dust of the galaxy hovers and wheels,
crystal goblets passed in succession by a cupbearer,
O’er the gloom of the night’s dusky tide,
وَقَدْand already خَيَّلَتْmade it seem طُرْقُthe paths of المَجَرَّةِthe Milky Way أَنَّهاthat they were
وَقَدْ خَيَّلَتْ طُرْقُ المَجَرَّةِ أَنَّها
عَلَىupon مَفْرِقِthe parting of الليلِnight البهيمِpitch-black قَتِيرُgray hairs
عَلَى مَفْرِقِ الليلِ البهيمِ قَتِيرُ
and the paths of the Milky Way gave the illusion
My will cuts through darkness, the stars droop and tire,
of gray hairs on the parting of pitch-black night,
And the eyes of the heavens are heavy and hide—
وثاقِبَand the piercing force of عَزْمِيmy resolve والظَّلامُwhile the darkness مُرَوِّعٌwas terrifying
وثاقِبَ عَزْمِي والظَّلامُ مُرَوِّعٌ
وَقَدْand already غَضَّlowered أَجفانَthe eyelids of النجومِthe stars فُتُورُlanguor
وَقَدْ غَضَّ أَجفانَ النجومِ فُتُورُ
and the piercing force of my resolve, though darkness was terrifying,
She knew then my wish was in reach of my hand,
and languor had lowered the stars' eyelids,
That favor had made me a man satisfied,
لَقَدْsurely أَيْقَنَتْshe became certain أَنَّthat المنىwishes طَوْعُare obedient to هِمَّتِيmy ambition
لَقَدْ أَيْقَنَتْ أَنَّ المنى طَوْعُ هِمَّتِي
وأَنِّيand that I بعطفِof the kindness of العامِريِّal-Amiri جديرُam worthy
وأَنِّي بعطفِ العامِريِّ جديرُ
she would surely have known that wishes obey my ambition,
That the mere thought of him is enough to deter
and that I deserve al-Amiri's kindness,
The misfortunes I meet—I can turn them aside,
وأَنِّيand that I بذكراهُby remembering him لِهَمِّيَagainst my sorrow زاجِرٌam a repeller
وأَنِّي بذكراهُ لِهَمِّيَ زاجِرٌ
وأَنِّيَand that I منهُfrom him للخطوبِto calamities نذِيرُam a warner
وأَنِّيَ منهُ للخطوبِ نذِيرُ
and that remembering him drives away my sorrow,
For what brave soul defends our religion and reign,
and that, through him, I am a warning to calamities.
Believes destiny’s weave may be severed and tried,
وأَيُّand what a فتىًnoble youth للدينِfor faith والملكِand kingship والنَّدىand generosity
وأَيُّ فتىً للدينِ والملكِ والنَّدى
وتَصْدِيقُand fulfilling ظَنِّthe expectation of الراغِبِينَthe hopeful نَزُورُis rare
وتَصْدِيقُ ظَنِّ الراغِبِينَ نَزُورُ
What a champion of faith, kingship, and generosity—
From Tameem and Yarbo has risen thy fame,
when fulfilling the hopeful's expectations is rare!
Like the sun wheeling over the mounts at their side,
مُجِيرُprotector of الهُدىguidance والدينِand faith منfrom كُلِّevery مُلْحِدٍheretic
مُجِيرُ الهُدى والدينِ من كُلِّ مُلْحِدٍ
وَلَيْسَand there is no عَلَيْهِagainst him لِلضَّلالِfor error مُجِيرُprotector
وَلَيْسَ عَلَيْهِ لِلضَّلالِ مُجِيرُ
He protects guidance and faith from every heretic,
A Hemyari prince, lofty of roof, drawing near,
and error has no protector against him.
Whose rain clouds pour forth water rich from inside,
تلاقَتْconverged عَلَيْهِupon him منfrom تَميمٍTamim ويَعْرُبٍand Ya'rub
تلاقَتْ عَلَيْهِ من تَميمٍ ويَعْرُبٍ
شُموسٌsuns تَلالاshine فِيin العُلاthe heights of glory وبُدُورُand full moons
شُموسٌ تَلالا فِي العُلا وبُدُورُ
In him converged, from Tamim and Ya'rub,
Whose reigns hold a fortune of ages gone by,
suns shining in the heights of glory, and full moons,
Days united in glory and prime and in pride.
منَfrom الحِمْيَرَيِّينَthe Himyarites الَّذِينَwho أَكُفُّهُمْtheir palms
منَ الحِمْيَرَيِّينَ الَّذِينَ أَكُفُّهُمْ
سحائِبُrain clouds تَهْمِيpour بالنَّدىwith generosity وبُحُورُand seas
سحائِبُ تَهْمِي بالنَّدى وبُحُورُ
from the Himyarites, whose palms
They master all life for the seeker who comes,
are clouds pouring generosity, and seas.
Though calamity threatens they lay it aside.
ذَوُوpossessors of دُوَلِdynasties of المُلْكِkingship الَّذِيwhich سَلَفَتْelapsed بِهَاin them
ذَوُو دُوَلِ المُلْكِ الَّذِي سَلَفَتْ بِهَا
لَهُمْfor them أَعصُرٌages مَوْصُولَةٌunbroken ودُهُورُand eras
لَهُمْ أَعصُرٌ مَوْصُولَةٌ ودُهُورُ
Lords of royal dynasties, under which there passed
They aided the creed and nation of Light,
for them unbroken ages and long eras.
No champions has it, their valor denied.
لَهُمْto them بَذَلَsurrendered الدهرُTime الأَبيُّdefiant قِيادَهُits reins
لَهُمْ بَذَلَ الدهرُ الأَبيُّ قِيادَهُ
وهُمْand they سَكَّنُواcalmed الأَيَّامَthe days وَهْيَthough they were نَفُورُskittish
وهُمْ سَكَّنُوا الأَيَّامَ وَهْيَ نَفُورُ
To them defiant Time surrendered its reins,
They embraced the Revelation when it came down,
and they tamed the days, though they were skittish.
While mankind but returns to its darkness and hide.
وهُمْand they ضَرَبُواtraversed الآفاقَthe horizons شرقاًeastward ومغرِباًand westward
وهُمْ ضَرَبُوا الآفاقَ شرقاً ومغرِباً
بِجَمْعٍwith an army يَسيرُmarches النَّصْرُvictory حَيْثُwherever يَسيرُit marches
بِجَمْعٍ يَسيرُ النَّصْرُ حَيْثُ يَسيرُ
They ranged across the horizons, eastward and westward,
Your virtues exceed all power to appraise,
with an army whose march victory follows.
Human thought fails even to grasp them and tried—
وهُمْand they يَستَقِلُّونَdeem little الحياةَlife لِرَاغِبٍfor a supplicant
وهُمْ يَستَقِلُّونَ الحياةَ لِرَاغِبٍ
ويَسْتَصْغِرُونَand belittle الخطْبَcalamity وَهْوَthough it is كبيرُgreat
ويَسْتَصْغِرُونَ الخطْبَ وَهْوَ كبيرُ
They deem life itself a small gift for a supplicant,
No, all other glory falls short of your worth,
and belittle calamity, though it be great.
Hope placed elsewhere is hopeless beside.
وهُمْand they نَصَرُواchampioned حِزْبَthe cause of النُّبُوَّةِprophethood والهُدىand guidance
وهُمْ نَصَرُوا حِزْبَ النُّبُوَّةِ والهُدى
وَلَيْسَand there was no لَهَاfor it فِيamong العالَمِينَall peoples نَصِيرُhelper
وَلَيْسَ لَهَا فِي العالَمِينَ نَصِيرُ
They championed the cause of prophethood and guidance,
Years and eras of bliss have rolled o’er your reign,
when it had no helper among all peoples.
Days of joy and delight and prosperity’s tide.
وهُمْand they صَدَّقُواbelieved بالوَحْيِin revelation لَمّاwhen أَتاهُمُit came to them
وهُمْ صَدَّقُوا بالوَحْيِ لَمّا أَتاهُمُ
وَمَاand not النَّاسُthe people إِلّاexcept عائِدٌone who turns back وكَفُورُand an unbeliever
وَمَا النَّاسُ إِلّا عائِدٌ وكَفُورُ
They believed in revelation when it came to them,
Your days are not cursed, no hearts are aggrieved,
when people were only those who turned back and unbelievers.
Your life is a feast, blessings spread far and wide.
مناقِبُvirtues يَعْياfails الوَصْفُdescription عَنْto reach كُنْهِthe true essence of قَدْرِهاtheir worth
مناقِبُ يَعْيا الوَصْفُ عَنْ كُنْهِ قَدْرِها
ويَرْجِعُand returns عَنْهاfrom them الوَهْمُimagination وَهْوَwhile it is حَسِيرُexhausted
ويَرْجِعُ عَنْها الوَهْمُ وَهْوَ حَسِيرُ
Virtues whose true worth description cannot fathom,
When all had assembled to hail and farewell,
and from which imagination returns exhausted.
The curtains were lifted from dawn’s glowing bride,
ألاindeed كُلُّevery مَدْحٍpraise عَنْof مَدَاكَyour reach مُقَصِّرٌfalls short
ألا كُلُّ مَدْحٍ عَنْ مَدَاكَ مُقَصِّرٌ
وكلُّand every رجاءٍhope فِيin سِواكَanyone besides you غُرُورُis delusion
وكلُّ رجاءٍ فِي سِواكَ غُرُورُ
Indeed, all praise falls short of your stature,
Rank upon rank stood swords and lances drawn,
and all hope placed in anyone but you is delusion.
Line upon line scrolls from their sheaths put aside,
تَمَلَّيْتَmay you enjoy هَذَاthis العيدَfeast عِدَّةَa number of أَعْصُرٍages
تَمَلَّيْتَ هَذَا العيدَ عِدَّةَ أَعْصُرٍ
تُوَالِيكَcome to you in succession منهاfrom them أَنعُمٌblessings وحُبُورُand joy
تُوَالِيكَ منها أَنعُمٌ وحُبُورُ
May you enjoy this feast through many ages,
They saw obedience raises man high as the stars,
with blessings and joy coming to you from them in succession.
Signs of God in their splendor displayed and descried—
ولاand may not فَقَدَتْlose أَيَّامَكَyour days الغُرَّradiant أَنفُسٌsouls
ولا فَقَدَتْ أَيَّامَكَ الغُرَّ أَنفُسٌ
حياتُكَyour life أَعيادٌis feast days لهمfor them وسُرورُand joy
حياتُكَ أَعيادٌ لهم وسُرورُ
May no souls lose your radiant days—
The sea and the moon glowed beneath the same dome,
your life is their feast days and joy.
The throne of the heavens spread out in its pride,
ولماand when تَوافَوْاthey assembled للسَّلامِfor greeting ورُفِّعَتْand were lifted
ولما تَوافَوْا للسَّلامِ ورُفِّعَتْ
عنfrom الشمسِthe sun فِيin أُفْقِthe horizon of الشُّروقِsunrise سُتورُcurtains
عن الشمسِ فِي أُفْقِ الشُّروقِ سُتورُ
And when they assembled to greet you, and were lifted
Swift to approach, though their hearts quaked in awe,
the curtains from the sun on the horizon of its rising,
Slow to draw nigh, though their eyes opened wide,
وَقَدْand already قامَstood منof زُرقِblue الأَسِنَّةِspearheads دُونَهاbefore it
وَقَدْ قامَ من زُرقِ الأَسِنَّةِ دُونَها
صفوفٌranks ومنand of بِيضِwhite السُّيوفِswords سُطُورُlines
صفوفٌ ومن بِيضِ السُّيوفِ سُطُورُ
while before it stood, of blue spearheads,
Saying in voices half silenced in dread,
ranks, and lines of gleaming white swords,
Eyes brimming with tears they could scarcely hide:
رأَوْاthey saw طاعَةَobedience to الرَّحمنِthe Merciful كَيْفَhow اعتِزازُهاits exaltation
رأَوْا طاعَةَ الرَّحمنِ كَيْفَ اعتِزازُها
وآياتِand the signs of صُنْعِthe handiwork of اللهِGod كَيْفَhow تُنيرُthey shine
وآياتِ صُنْعِ اللهِ كَيْفَ تُنيرُ
they saw how obedience to the Merciful is exalted,
“High deeds of guidance encircle your reign,
and how the signs of God's handiwork shine,
God granted you fortune and sovereignty’s pride.
وكَيْفَand how اسْتَوىstood complete بالبَحْرِwith the sea والبَدْرِand the full moon مَجْلِسٌa hall
وكَيْفَ اسْتَوى بالبَحْرِ والبَدْرِ مَجْلِسٌ
وقامَand stood بِعِبْءِunder the weight of الرَّاسِياتِfirmly rooted mountains سَريرُa throne
وقامَ بِعِبْءِ الرَّاسِياتِ سَريرُ
and how a hall stood complete with the sea and the full moon,
Your nature is giving, seeking no gain,
and a throne bore the weight of firmly rooted mountains.
And your thoughts embrace lands both far and wide.
فَسارُواso they advanced عِجالاًhastily والقُلوبُwhile the hearts خَوَافِقٌwere pounding
فَسارُوا عِجالاً والقُلوبُ خَوَافِقٌ
وأُدْنُواand were brought near بِطاءًslowly والنَّوَاظِرُwhile the eyes صُورُwere averted
وأُدْنُوا بِطاءً والنَّوَاظِرُ صُورُ
They advanced in haste, their hearts pounding,
Wherever falsehood disbands, there your truth shines forth,
but were brought near slowly, their eyes averted.
Where the Muslims attack the miscreant tribes.
يَقُولونَthey say والإِجلالُwhile reverence يُخْرِسُsilences أَلسُناًtongues
يَقُولونَ والإِجلالُ يُخْرِسُ أَلسُناً
وحازَتْand gathered عُيُونٌeyes مِلأَهاtheir fill وصُدُورُand breasts
وحازَتْ عُيُونٌ مِلأَها وصُدُورُ
They speak, though reverence silences tongues,
You humble the proud though they beg and entreat,
and eyes and hearts have taken in their fill.
Cast them out on the plains for the hills to deride.
لقَدْindeed حاطَguarded أَعلامَthe banners of الهُدىguidance بِكَthrough you حائِطٌa protector
لقَدْ حاطَ أَعلامَ الهُدى بِكَ حائِطٌ
وقَدَّرَand ordained فيكَin you المَكْرماتِnoble deeds قَدِيرُan All-Powerful One
وقَدَّرَ فيكَ المَكْرماتِ قَدِيرُ
A Protector has indeed guarded the banners of guidance through you,
Your resolve is for victory, splendid and sweet,
and an All-Powerful One has ordained noble deeds in you.
Good tidings your fortune proclaims far and wide.
مُقِيمٌremaining steadfast عَلَىin بَذْلِgiving الرَّغائِبِcoveted gifts واللُّهىand largesse
مُقِيمٌ عَلَى بَذْلِ الرَّغائِبِ واللُّهى
وفِكْرُكَand your thought فِيin أَقْصىthe farthest reaches of البِلادِthe lands يَسيرُtravels
وفِكْرُكَ فِي أَقْصى البِلادِ يَسيرُ
You remain devoted to giving coveted gifts and largesse,
They cried: O scion of lords ever righteous and wise,
while your thought travels through the farthest lands:
A servant gives thanks for your magnanimous side.
وأَيْنَand where انْتَوىheaded فَلُّthe routed remnant of الضَّلالَةِerror فَانْتَهىand halted
وأَيْنَ انْتَوى فَلُّ الضَّلالَةِ فَانْتَهى
وأَيْنَand where جُيُوشُthe armies of المسلِمينَthe Muslims تُغِيرُraid
وأَيْنَ جُيُوشُ المسلِمينَ تُغِيرُ
where the routed remnants of error have headed and finally halted,
Though needy, when you are near all is gain,
and where the Muslim armies raid.
The means to please you is all I have tried.
وحَسْبُكَand sufficient for you منof خَفْضِthe ease of النَّعِيمِluxury مُعَيِّداًcelebrating the feast
وحَسْبُكَ من خَفْضِ النَّعِيمِ مُعَيِّداً
جِهازٌwar preparations إِلَىto أَرضِthe land of العِدىthe foes ونَفِيرُand mobilization
جِهازٌ إِلَى أَرضِ العِدى ونَفِيرُ
Enough of ease and luxury for you, as you celebrate the feast, is
Without your sheltering arm I would suffer men’s harms—
preparing for the enemies' land and mustering for war.
Time’s injustice is vicious and fate heavy eyed.
فَقُدْهاso lead them إِلَىtoward الأَعداءِthe enemies شُعْثاًdisheveled كَأَنَّهاas though they were
فَقُدْها إِلَى الأَعداءِ شُعْثاً كَأَنَّها
أَرَاقِمُmottled serpents فِيin شُمِّlofty الرُّبىhills وصُقُورُand falcons
أَرَاقِمُ فِي شُمِّ الرُّبى وصُقُورُ
Lead them against the enemies, disheveled, as though they were
Your lot blocked my path, though I persevered,
mottled serpents and falcons among the lofty hills.
God’s will is a judge none can turn or misguide.
فَعَزْمُكَfor your resolve بالنَّصْرِof victory العَزِيزِmighty مُخَبِّرٌis foretelling
فَعَزْمُكَ بالنَّصْرِ العَزِيزِ مُخَبِّرٌ
وسَعْدُكَand your good fortune بالفَتْحِof triumph المُبِينِmanifest بَشِيرُis a herald
وسَعْدُكَ بالفَتْحِ المُبِينِ بَشِيرُ
Your resolve foretells mighty victory,
My thanks disappoint Nash’an’s though long I have toiled,
and your good fortune heralds a manifest triumph.
True loyalty fails when its ropes are untied.
ونادَاكَand called to you يَاO ابْنَson of المُنْعِمِينَthe benefactors ابْنُa son of عَشرَةٍten
ونادَاكَ يَا ابْنَ المُنْعِمِينَ ابْنُ عَشرَةٍ
وعَبدٌand a servant لِنُعْماكَfor your favors الجِسامِgreat شَكُورُgrateful
وعَبدٌ لِنُعْماكَ الجِسامِ شَكُورُ
A ten-year-old called to you, O son of benefactors,
So aid me against the insoluble plight,
and a servant grateful for your mighty favors,
Send me forth against lions though clawed they deride.
غَنِيٌّenriched بِجَدْوىby the bounty of واحَتَيْكَyour two oases وإِنَّهُyet he
غَنِيٌّ بِجَدْوى واحَتَيْكَ وإِنَّهُ
إِلَىin need of سَبَبٍa means يُدْنيbringing near رِضاكَyour favor فَقِيرُneedy
إِلَى سَبَبٍ يُدْني رِضاكَ فَقِيرُ
enriched by the bounty of your two oases, yet he
High names droop down in worship before you alone,
still needs a means to draw your favor near.
The doer of all deeds is only your side.
ومِنْand from دُونِbeyond سِتْرَيْthe two veils of عِفَّتِيmy restraint وتَجَمُّلِيand my dignified bearing
ومِنْ دُونِ سِتْرَيْ عِفَّتِي وتَجَمُّلِي
لَرَيْبٌtruly a misfortune وصَرْفٌand a reversal للزَّمانِof Time يَجُورُacting unjustly
لَرَيْبٌ وصَرْفٌ للزَّمانِ يَجُورُ
Beyond the two veils of my restraint and dignity
Impossibles happen, though means disappoint—
lie misfortune and a turn of Time that acts unjustly.
The arrow flies true though the bow’s frame belied.
وضاءَلَand diminished قَدْرِيmy worth فِيin ذَرَاكَyour shelter عوائِقٌobstacles
وضاءَلَ قَدْرِي فِي ذَرَاكَ عوائِقٌ
جَرَتْbefell ليَme بَرْحاًsevere hardship والقضاءُwhile fate عَسِيرُis harsh
جَرَتْ ليَ بَرْحاً والقضاءُ عَسِيرُ
Obstacles have diminished my worth within your shelter,
Your pardon is sure for the penitent soul,
bringing me hardship, while fate is harsh.
It is you who reward us, Compassionate Guide!
وَمَاand not شَكَرَgave thanks النَّخْعِيُّal-Nakha'i شُكْرِيas I have thanked ولاnor وَفىkept faith
وَمَا شَكَرَ النَّخْعِيُّ شُكْرِي ولا وَفى
وفائيَmy faithfulness إِذْwhen عَزَّbecame rare الوَفاءُfaithfulness قَصِيرُQasir
وفائيَ إِذْ عَزَّ الوَفاءُ قَصِيرُ
Al-Nakha'i did not give thanks as I have, nor did
Qasir equal my loyalty when loyalty was scarce.
فَقُدْنِيso lead me لِكَشْفِto dispel الخَطْبِthe calamity والخَطْبُwhile the calamity مُعضِلٌis intractable
فَقُدْنِي لِكَشْفِ الخَطْبِ والخَطْبُ مُعضِلٌ
وكِلْنِيand entrust me لِلَيْثِto the lion of الغابِthe thickets وَهْوَthough it is هَصُورُmauling
وكِلْنِي لِلَيْثِ الغابِ وَهْوَ هَصُورُ
Lead me to dispel the calamity, though it is intractable,
and entrust me to the thicket's lion, though it mauls.
فَقَدْfor sometimes تَخْفِضُgovern the genitive الأَسماءُnouns وَهْيَwhile they are سَوَاكِنٌmotionless
فَقَدْ تَخْفِضُ الأَسماءُ وَهْيَ سَوَاكِنٌ
ويَعْمَلُand governs فِيin الفِعْلِthe verb الصَّحيحِsound ضَمِيرُa pronoun
ويَعْمَلُ فِي الفِعْلِ الصَّحيحِ ضَمِيرُ
For nouns may govern the genitive while motionless,
and a pronoun can govern a sound verb.
وتَنْبُوand glance off الرُّدَيْنيَّاتُRudayni spears والطُّولُwhile the length وافِرٌis ample
وتَنْبُو الرُّدَيْنيَّاتُ والطُّولُ وافِرٌ
ويَنْفُذُand penetrates وَقْعُthe stroke of السَّهْمِthe arrow وَهْوَthough it is قَصِيرُshort
ويَنْفُذُ وَقْعُ السَّهْمِ وَهْوَ قَصِيرُ
Rudayni spears may glance off, though amply long,
while an arrow's stroke pierces through, though the arrow is short.
حنانَيْكَI beg your mercy فِيin غُفْرانِforgiving زَلَّةِthe lapse of تائِبٍa penitent
حنانَيْكَ فِي غُفْرانِ زَلَّةِ تائِبٍ
وإِنَّand indeed الَّذِيthe One who يَجْزِيrewards بِهِfor it لغَفورُis truly forgiving
وإِنَّ الَّذِي يَجْزِي بِهِ لغَفورُ
Have mercy: forgive a penitent's lapse,
and He who rewards that is surely forgiving.
Partial English translation: 120 of 130 Arabic lines translated.
Sol 6.1