نَفَحتَ مُكافِئاً عَن قَبرِ مَعنٍ

نَفَحتَ مُكافِئاً عَن قَبرِ مَعنٍ

لَنا مِمّا تَجودُ بِهِ سِجالا

لَنا مِمّا تَجودُ بِهِ سِجالا

You bestowed, in recompense on behalf of Maʿn's grave,

The fragrance wafted generously from Ma'n's grave,

upon us brimming buckets of your bounty.

To us, from your bounty of which you are liberal.

فَعَجَّلتَ العَطِيَّةَ يا اِبنَ يَحيى

فَعَجَّلتَ العَطِيَّةَ يا اِبنَ يَحيى

بِتَأدِيَةٍ وَلَم تُرِدِ المِطالا

بِتَأدِيَةٍ وَلَم تُرِدِ المِطالا

So you hastened the gift, O son of Yaḥyā,

You hastened the gift, O son of Yaḥyā,

by paying it out, and sought no delay.

With a payment, not intending any delay.

فَكافَأَ عَن صَدى مَعنٍ جَوادٌ

فَكافَأَ عَن صَدى مَعنٍ جَوادٌ

بِأَجوَدِ راحَةِ بَذَلت نَوالا

بِأَجوَدِ راحَةِ بَذَلت نَوالا

So a generous man repaid on behalf of Maʿn's shade,

So, a generous one rewarded the echo of Ma'n,

with the most generous palm ever to bestow bounty.

With the most generous tranquility you dispensed.

بَني لَكَ خالِدٌ وَأَبوكَ يَحيى

بَني لَكَ خالِدٌ وَأَبوكَ يَحيى

بِناءً في المَكارِمِ لَن يُنالا

بِناءً في المَكارِمِ لَن يُنالا

Khālid and your father Yaḥyā built for you

Khālid built for you, and your father Yaḥyā,

an edifice of noble deeds that will never be reached.

A building in virtues that will not be attained.

كَأَنَّ البَرمَكِيَّ بِكُلِّ مالٍ

كَأَنَّ البَرمَكِيَّ بِكُلِّ مالٍ

تَجودُ بِهِ يَداهُ يُفيدُ مالا

تَجودُ بِهِ يَداهُ يُفيدُ مالا

It is as though the Barmakid, with every sum of money

As if the Barmakis with all the wealth

his two hands generously bestow, acquires wealth.

Their hands generously give, will avail wealth.