سَل الركبَ إن أعطاك حاجتَك الرَّكبُ

سَل الركبَ إن أعطاك حاجتَك الرَّكبُ

مَن الكاعبُ الحسناءُ تمنعها كعبُ

مَن الكاعبُ الحسناءُ تمنعها كعبُ

Ask the caravan, if the caravan grants you what you seek:

Ask the caravan, if you are granted your wish, will the caravan give it to you?

Who is the beautiful, budding maiden whom Ka'b protects?

The pretty anklet prevents it, though her delicate ankle is vanquished by its softness,

قضى أنها مغلوبةٌ لِينُ عطفها

قضى أنها مغلوبةٌ لِينُ عطفها

وحصَّنها أن تُملَك الأُسُدُ الغُلْبُ

وحصَّنها أن تُملَك الأُسُدُ الغُلْبُ

The softness of her flank decreed that she be conquered,

And it fortifies her against being possessed by the overpowering lion.

but mighty, thick-necked lions fortified her against possession.

They protected her, melting away, lest she be shot at, but they did not protect the hearts in love from her glances, nor did they melt away.

حموْها وذابُّوا أن تُرامَ وما حَمَوا

حموْها وذابُّوا أن تُرامَ وما حَمَوا

قلوبَ الهوى من مقلتيها ولا ذَبُّوا

قلوبَ الهوى من مقلتيها ولا ذَبُّوا

They guarded her and defended her from pursuit, but did not guard

And they shook the deadly lance and the swords around her, so who is the suitor when the obstacle is spears and blows?

the hearts of passion against her two eyes, nor defend them.

They fear the voice of dishonor, lest it makes them a talk in the mornings, and the mouths of the seasons blame them.

وهزّوا القنا الخطّار والبيضَ دونها

وهزّوا القنا الخطّار والبيضَ دونها

فمَن طالبٌ والمانع الطعنُ والضربُ

فمَن طالبٌ والمانع الطعنُ والضربُ

They brandished swaying spears and bright swords in her defense:

Dishonor is nothing but that the hearts of lovers lie between their houses, plundered and robbed.

Who would seek her when spear-thrusts and sword-blows bar the way?

If they find fault with her for being visited, between us are covenants: the distance of the house if it is observed as near,

يخافون صوتَ العار أن يُصبحوا بها

يخافون صوتَ العار أن يُصبحوا بها

حديثاً وأفواه المواسم تَستَبُّ

حديثاً وأفواه المواسم تَستَبُّ

They fear the outcry of disgrace, lest through her they become

And if she is veiled while the wind lays bare between us, the whispers of our hearts are not bothered by the veil.

a tale told while mouths at the seasonal fairs trade insults.

In her house, for the beholder, are the smiles of the moonlight that clouds negate.

وما العارُ إلا أنّ بين بيوتِهم

وما العارُ إلا أنّ بين بيوتِهم

قلوبَ المحبينَ السلائبُ والنَّهبُ

قلوبَ المحبينَ السلائبُ والنَّهبُ

Yet disgrace is only that among their tents

And from it and from her companions in the land of cares are glances that the morning breeze sends to me and motes.

the hearts of lovers lie as spoils and plunder.

I stood while my companions were in the twistings, so my standing stopped them until I stood while there were no companions.

لئن أشحطوها أن تُزارَ فبيننا

لئن أشحطوها أن تُزارَ فبيننا

مواثيقُ بُعدُ الدار إن رُعِيَتْ قربُ

مواثيقُ بُعدُ الدار إن رُعِيَتْ قربُ

Even if they set her too far away to visit, between us

I converse with the mirror of my day about its people, so it complains what I complain and pours as I pour.

are covenants: if honored, a distant dwelling becomes near.

I did not reckon the ruins would be subdued by pining, nor that the body of the desert encampment would be undone by love.

وإن حُجبتْ والريح تَسفِرُ بيننا

وإن حُجبتْ والريح تَسفِرُ بيننا

بنجوَى فؤادَيْنا فما ضَرَّت الحُجْبُ

بنجوَى فؤادَيْنا فما ضَرَّت الحُجْبُ

And if she is veiled, while the wind acts as our messenger

Speak, O lightning of the land of care, of what you have seen, for you are a narrator not accused of lying.

with our two hearts' secret whispers, the veils have done no harm.

And say, about a breast burning from her heat and fluttering, you have learned what pours forth perils and bubbles up.

وفي دارها بالروضتيْن لناظرٍ

وفي دارها بالروضتيْن لناظرٍ

شفائفُ ضوءِ البدرِ تكفُره السحب

شفائفُ ضوءِ البدرِ تكفُره السحب

At her house in al-Rawdatayn, a beholder finds

And about a body that desire has not ceased to denude, and its ribs to join rib,

delicate gleams of full-moon light concealed by clouds.

That if it were in the eyelid of a pregnant gazelle, instead of a speck, it would not be cast out by blinking.

ومنها ومن أترابها في ثرى الحمى

ومنها ومن أترابها في ثرى الحمى

عبائقُ تَهديها الصَّبا لِيَ والتربُ

عبائقُ تَهديها الصَّبا لِيَ والتربُ

From her and her companions in the sanctuary's soil

Yet this body and heart of mine are stingy toward her, so how would it be if my heart were in my body?

come lingering scents that the east breeze and earth bring me.

I was created with the clay of loyalty and its religion, so my soul inclines to it instinctively.

وقفتُ وصَحبي في اللِّوى فأملَّهم

وقفتُ وصَحبي في اللِّوى فأملَّهم

وقوفِيَ حتّى وقفتُ ولا صحبُ

وقوفِيَ حتّى وقفتُ ولا صحبُ

I stood with my companions at al-Liwa, and wearied them

How many a sleeper from me, whose bedding is down, while my side for him from the softness of his bedding comes alive!

with my standing, until I stood without companions.

I patiently spend the night with him until I provoke him, so that my eyelids envy my wakefulness in the dawn.

أُذاكرُهُ مَرآةَ يَومِي بأهله

أُذاكرُهُ مَرآةَ يَومِي بأهله

فيشكو الذي أشكو ويصبو كما أصبو

فيشكو الذي أشكو ويصبو كما أصبو

I recall with it the image of my day among its people;

And I am amazed by what I told him, that a truce a knight concluded, in which the noble Arabs were disgraced.

it laments what I lament and yearns as I yearn.

My excuse for the days has soured for me and the places of sweet drinking have become bitter.

ولم أحسَب الأطلالَ تُخضعها النّوى

ولم أحسَب الأطلالَ تُخضعها النّوى

ولا أنّ جسم الربع يُنحِلهُ الحبُّ

ولا أنّ جسم الربع يُنحِلهُ الحبُّ

I had not thought separation could subdue the ruins,

A people whose roughness and foolishness alternate with me, and my share of their livelihood is barrenness.

nor that love could waste the campsite's body.

I relinquish to them her bounty and riches, so I am content without humiliation with what exasperated sinews.

تحدَّثْ بما أبصرتَ يا بارقَ الحمى

تحدَّثْ بما أبصرتَ يا بارقَ الحمى

فإنك راوٍ لا يُظَنُّ بك الكذِبُ

فإنك راوٍ لا يُظَنُّ بك الكذِبُ

Tell what you have seen, O lightning of the sanctuary:

And I leave her with the abandonment of a reconciler, able to make peace with her while she is forever war to me.

you are a narrator whom no one suspects of lying.

And how I complained of fate if it were a complainant, and reproached the injustice of fortune if reproach were of use.

وقلْ عن حشىً من حَرّها وخفوقها

وقلْ عن حشىً من حَرّها وخفوقها

تعلَّمتَ ما تنزو خِطاراً وتشتبُّ

تعلَّمتَ ما تنزو خِطاراً وتشتبُّ

Tell of a heart from whose heat and throbbing

Yes, in my hands, not ungrateful to God, are a side of honor in which are amplitude and breadth.

you learned your darting leaps and your blaze;

And a spring of generosity that if I were content, its pouring water would quench my thirst and remedies lead to recovery.

وعن بَدنٍ لم يبرح الشوقُ مُعرِياً

وعن بَدنٍ لم يبرح الشوقُ مُعرِياً

وشَائظَهُ حتى التقى الجنبُ والجنبُ

وشَائظَهُ حتى التقى الجنبُ والجنبُ

and of a body whose longing never ceased baring

My atmosphere is accustomed to its clouds and breeze, and I am pleased it thrives and grows upon it.

its ribs, until flank met flank.

Save me from delusion, O seeker of heights, and from laboring my hopes to arise or fall.

فلو أنه في جِفن ظبيةِ حابلٍ

فلو أنه في جِفن ظبيةِ حابلٍ

مكانَ القَذى ما كان يَلفظُه الهُدبُ

مكانَ القَذى ما كان يَلفظُه الهُدبُ

Were it in the eyelid of a hunter's gazelle,

If it were not for the merciful dew, the gentle rain, no water would have flowed to my abode, nor would dust have greened for me.

in place of a speck, the eyelashes would not cast it out.

The people are forgetful of me and the time is theirs. My springtime and earnings are their approval - that is the earning.

وهذا ضنا جسمي وقلبي عندها

وهذا ضنا جسمي وقلبي عندها

فكيف به لو كان في جسدي قلبُ

فكيف به لو كان في جسدي قلبُ

Such is my body's wasting while my heart is with her:

I made myself at home with them and outfitted myself with their feathers, so my nest is wherever the water and vegetation are equal.

how would it fare if my body held a heart?

And sufficient for me, rich or poor, is that their sea and master in calamities are enough for me.

فُطرتُ على طينِ الوفاء ودِينهِ

فُطرتُ على طينِ الوفاء ودِينهِ

فنفسي إليه بالغريزة تنصبُّ

فنفسي إليه بالغريزة تنصبُّ

I was fashioned from the clay of fidelity and its creed,

To the honor of religion we hastened, grasping its ropes which hug during the shaking of the path and intertwine.

so my soul pours toward it by instinct.

The tethers of what the two verdant ones have strained, and greyhounds have won it while dogs have ascended.

فكم نائمٍ عنّي وثيرٍ مِهادُهُ

فكم نائمٍ عنّي وثيرٍ مِهادُهُ

وجنبي له عن لين مَضجَعه ينبو

وجنبي له عن لين مَضجَعه ينبو

How many a sleeper, heedless of me, has soft bedding,

The daughters of distinction and wind - every beautiful woman - the straight winds and sidewinds come to her.

while for his sake my side recoils from a soft resting-place.

Like the course of an outstretched staff - if its holes were threaded, no hole would be too narrow for it.

أصابرُ فيه الليلَ حتى أغيظَهُ

أصابرُ فيه الليلَ حتى أغيظَهُ

فتحسُدَ أجفاني على السهر الشهبُ

فتحسُدَ أجفاني على السهر الشهبُ

For him I outlast the night until I anger it,

It curbs the curb in the curb from the twistings, and if it is struck smooth with filing, you say it is the filing.

and the stars envy my eyelids their wakefulness.

It comes up to it while it is a heart from the twistings, and it is ridden away from while it is a clenched fist.

وأعجبُ ما حدِّثتُهُ أنّ ذمّةً

وأعجبُ ما حدِّثتُهُ أنّ ذمّةً

وفَتْ فارسٌ فيها وخاسَت بها العُرْبُ

وفَتْ فارسٌ فيها وخاسَت بها العُرْبُ

The strangest thing I have been told is that a pledge

To a king whom fear does not conquer in his breast with fluttering, nor does distress overcome his opinion.

was kept by Persia and betrayed by the Arabs.

He is not pleased by confusion in his miracles when the intoxication of the bewildered overwhelms him with self-admiration.

عذيرِي من الأيّام أوخمن مرتعي

عذيرِي من الأيّام أوخمن مرتعي

ورنَّقنَ لي من حيثُ يُستعذبُ الشُّربُ

ورنَّقنَ لي من حيثُ يُستعذبُ الشُّربُ

Who will vindicate me against the days? They poisoned my pasture

Awe-inspiring when pleased, disregarding anger - speech does not attain what the eloquent fluent one attains.

and muddied my drink where sweetness should be found.

Encompassing the horizons of perception with his opinion intuitively, while the people's opinion is obscured and stupid.

تُناوبُ قوماً غَضَّها وهشيمَها

تُناوبُ قوماً غَضَّها وهشيمَها

وكلُّ نصيبي من معيشتها الجدبُ

وكلُّ نصيبي من معيشتها الجدبُ

For some, they alternate green growth and dry stalks,

When its curtains are lifted for permission, radiance is for the eyes and fresh scent for the nostrils.

while all my share of their livelihood is barrenness.

A place where blessings and beloved terror meet, and sobriety and awe come together.

أُخلِّي عليهم عفوَها وُدرورَها

أُخلِّي عليهم عفوَها وُدرورَها

فأرضَى بلا ذلٍّ بما كدَّه العصبُ

فأرضَى بلا ذلٍّ بما كدَّه العصبُ

I leave their easy bounty and abundant flow to others,

If you command it once angrily, its rejection of you is of refined, gentle nature.

content, without abasement, with what my sinews earn by toil.

It imagines from excellence, forbearance, and attainment, so in the hand are the full moon, sea, and lion.

وأتركُها تَرْكَ المسالمِ قادراً

وأتركُها تَرْكَ المسالمِ قادراً

لأسلمَ منها وهي لي أبداً حربُ

لأسلمَ منها وهي لي أبداً حربُ

Though capable, I leave them as one making peace,

Among the people, no protection money was imposed on them, nor did any but their Creator subjugate them.

to escape them safely, though they are forever at war with me.

The breasts of brave hearts in the sittings and commotion - when they are wide open they overflow, and when ignited they blaze.

وكم قد شكوتُ الدهرَ لو كان مُشْكِياً

وكم قد شكوتُ الدهرَ لو كان مُشْكِياً

وعاتبتُ جَورَ الحظّ لو نفع العتبُ

وعاتبتُ جَورَ الحظّ لو نفع العتبُ

How often I complained of time—if only it remedied complaints—

The pillar of the state extended power firmly, so the man of strikes told of hitting the heights while the necks strike.

and reproached fortune's tyranny—if only reproach availed.

The mother of planets did not know before it and before them that the crescent belongs to it or it has a consequence.

بلى في يدي لا أكفُرُ اللّهَ جانبٌ

بلى في يدي لا أكفُرُ اللّهَ جانبٌ

من العز لي فيه الوسيعة والرَّحبُ

من العز لي فيه الوسيعة والرَّحبُ

Yet in my hand—I am not ungrateful to God—is a share

That the rising of the sun will end through them to a king in whose breast are East and West.

of honor in which I find expanse and spaciousness;

I saw the kingdom after decline - its channels stood firm and its people clung to it after the people dispersed.

ومنبعُ جُود لو قَنعتُ كفى الغنى

ومنبعُ جُود لو قَنعتُ كفى الغنى

وبلَّ غليلي ماؤه العَلَلُ السَّكْبُ

وبلَّ غليلي ماؤه العَلَلُ السَّكْبُ

and a spring of generosity that, were I content, would suffice as wealth,

For you the pure white flood - if its dawn dies while the relief is in your hands if distress binds.

its lavish water, draught upon draught, quenching my burning thirst.

The mother of ministries knew that if you are absent, its palace will be bereaved of tears and lamentations.

تعوّد جوِّي غيمَهُ ونسيمَهُ

تعوّد جوِّي غيمَهُ ونسيمَهُ

وأرضِيَ أن تزكو عليه وأن تربو

وأرضِيَ أن تزكو عليه وأن تربو

My air grew accustomed to its clouds and breeze,

And it fans the hopes of the wishful groom for marrying it - hopes that exhaust him while you are the suitor.

and my land to flourishing and growing through it.

They crept scorpions for it in the darkness, and if they had reckoned the treading of the insignificant, they would not have crept.

أقِلْني من التغرير يا طالبَ العلا

أقِلْني من التغرير يا طالبَ العلا

ومن كدِّيَ الآمالَ تنهضُ أو تكبو

ومن كدِّيَ الآمالَ تنهضُ أو تكبو

Release me from risk-taking, O seeker of high rank,

And when they saw your immediate care for it, hastily they donned clothes and feet while nimble jumping wears out feet.

and from straining my hopes, whether they rise or stumble.

You surmounted the thorns of their criticism with the virtue of forbearance, so the viper died while the garment was mended.

فلولا الندَى العِدُّ الرحيميُّ ما جرى

فلولا الندَى العِدُّ الرحيميُّ ما جرى

إلى أيكتي ماءٌ ولا اخضرَّ لي تربُ

إلى أيكتي ماءٌ ولا اخضرَّ لي تربُ

Were it not for Rahimi bounty, that perennial spring,

They poisoned it when they plotted, so they were punished, while your view of them is good, and they are the withered grass.

no water would reach my grove, nor would my soil turn green.

And they attempted what only breach approves, while the girdle and clothing reject it, deceptively.

هم الناس ناسي والزمانُ زمانُهم

هم الناس ناسي والزمانُ زمانُهم

ربيعي وكسبي من رضاهم هو الكسبُ

ربيعي وكسبي من رضاهم هو الكسبُ

They are the people—my people—and the age is their age,

Apart from it, it is more likely for the lion to request a truce from the wolf or the wolf to cry from thirst.

my springtime; the gain I reap from their favor is true gain.

Their dreams tell the deluded of wishes that its back is for riding, but they lie when they rage.

تملَّحْتُ فيهم والتحفتُ بريشهم

تملَّحْتُ فيهم والتحفتُ بريشهم

فوكرِي بهم حيث استوى الماءُ والعشبُ

فوكرِي بهم حيث استوى الماءُ والعشبُ

I gained grace among them and wrapped myself in their plumage;

Reconcile it, for no part of its day is wretched for you, while you are the pole for it.

through them my nest lies where water and grass are equally abundant.

It has not ceased to drag honorably among you, robes that clouds do not conceal its tatters.

وحسْبي غنىً أو سُودَداً أنَّ بحرَهم

وحسْبي غنىً أو سُودَداً أنَّ بحرَهم

وسيِّدهم عند الملمات لي حَسْبُ

وسيِّدهم عند الملمات لي حَسْبُ

For wealth or lordship, it suffices me that their sea,

You brought together the scattered domain of the kingdom after its diffusion, and furnished it safely when the flocks panicked.

their master, is enough for me when calamities strike.

You continue to render its ruggedness easy with management until the easy and rugged were equal.

إلى شَرفِ الدين انتشطنا حبالَها

إلى شَرفِ الدين انتشطنا حبالَها

تُعانِقُ في نفض الطريق وتختبُّ

تُعانِقُ في نفض الطريق وتختبُّ

Toward Sharaf al-Din we drew up their reins;

Those in fear of you in obedience love you affectionately, and the strangest thing is fear combined with love.

they gallop and trot, shaking up the road.

If hearts recoiled from you, your tongue - this sweet one - or your juicy face would return them.

سلائلُ ما صفَّى الغَضينُ وداحِسٌ

سلائلُ ما صفَّى الغَضينُ وداحِسٌ

وحازت كلابٌ رهنَها واعتلت كلبُ

وحازت كلابٌ رهنَها واعتلت كلبُ

Descendants of the finest stock bred by al-Ghadin and Dahis,

There is no eyelid but you are its blackness, no liver but you are its cover.

whose stakes Kilab won, and through whom Kalb rose high;

As for rhymes, since you have pastured them, they are the interiors of a valley whose years are fertile.

بناتُ الفلا والريحِ كل حسيرة

بناتُ الفلا والريحِ كل حسيرة

إليها الرياحُ المستقيماتُ والنُّكْبُ

إليها الرياحُ المستقيماتُ والنُّكْبُ

daughters of wilderness and wind; all are wearied

Its shoulders are vegetation and its drinking places are meadows. Its lisps are young and its fluent parts are springy.

beside them—the straight winds and the crosswinds.

Pure of smoothness like paint, and our custom with them among a people while they are rough and mange-covered.

كَسَيرِ العصا المقدودِ لو سُلكتْ بها

كَسَيرِ العصا المقدودِ لو سُلكتْ بها

ثُقوبُ الخروت لم يضق دونها ثَقْبُ

ثُقوبُ الخروت لم يضق دونها ثَقْبُ

Like a staff's cut leather thong; were they passed through

And how many virgin ones I have led for your praise whose chastity then failed, which are audacious and insolent by nature.

needle-eyes, no hole would be too narrow for them.

They come to you on days of celebration with their caravans repeating garments, while deformation and bending weaken them.

تُخالُ عِناناً في العنان من الطَّوَى

تُخالُ عِناناً في العنان من الطَّوَى

وإن شُطِبتْ بالسو قلتَ هي الشَّطبُ

وإن شُطِبتْ بالسو قلتَ هي الشَّطبُ

You would think them reins in the clouds, so lean are they;

Tidings of a kingdom whose sincerity in you is not unknown to have a pillar or minaret shortened for it.

if striped with the lash, you would call them slender strips.

And that the outstretched hand of God is a canopy protecting you and making the partisans of good fortune a party for you.

تُحَطُّ إليه وهي قُلْبٌ من الطَّوَى

تُحَطُّ إليه وهي قُلْبٌ من الطَّوَى

وتُركَبُ عنه وهي مُجفَرَةٌ قُبُّ

وتُركَبُ عنه وهي مُجفَرَةٌ قُبُّ

Unloaded before him, they are bracelets from their leanness;

My heart visits you through it like my speech, so there is no cheating feared for it nor stupidity.

ridden away from him, they are broad-flanked and slender-bellied.

And I praise one who gave to you from his tongue and pleased you - the one whose heart pours for you.

إلى مَلِكٍ لا يملِكُ الخوفُ صدرَه

إلى مَلِكٍ لا يملِكُ الخوفُ صدرَه

خُفوقاً ولا يغشَى على رأيه الخطبُ

خُفوقاً ولا يغشَى على رأيه الخطبُ

Toward a king whose breast fear cannot master

So do not deprive them of unveiled brides, for which your hands have necklaces or hearts.

with fluttering, nor can calamity cloud his judgment.

When peers walked around a bargain, so I singled her out in beauty - she has no like.

ولا يطيَّبه التيهُ في معجزاته

ولا يطيَّبه التيهُ في معجزاته

إذا هامةُ المفتون أسكرها العُجبُ

إذا هامةُ المفتون أسكرها العُجبُ

Vanity does not intoxicate him amid his wonders,

I am passionate about it while nature runs its course through it, the sweetness of delicate gurgling that appears to be play.

when conceit intoxicates the head of the infatuated.

While others suspect me, if I praise it, knowing it is not permitted to usurp it.

مهيبِ الرضا مستصفَحِ السخطِ بالغٍ

مهيبِ الرضا مستصفَحِ السخطِ بالغٍ

به القولُ ما لا يبلغ الباتر العضبُ

به القولُ ما لا يبلغ الباتر العضبُ

Awe-inspiring in favor, implored for pardon in anger; through him

I raise it through action if it were an actor, though the Lord debased it from its deficiency.

speech reaches what the keen, severing sword cannot.

It is as if by praise I insult it - by my father's life, hypocrisy itself is insult.

مُحيطٍ بآفاق الإصابة رأيُهُ

مُحيطٍ بآفاق الإصابة رأيُهُ

بديهاً ورأيُ الناسِ مختمرٌ غِبُّ

بديهاً ورأيُ الناسِ مختمرٌ غِبُّ

His judgment encompasses every horizon of rightness

at once, while others' judgment ripens only later.

إذا رَفَعتْ للإذن سَجْفاً رواقُهُ

إذا رَفَعتْ للإذن سَجْفاً رواقُهُ

فللأعين الإشراقُ والآنِف التربُ

فللأعين الإشراقُ والآنِف التربُ

When his pavilion lifts a curtain to permit admission,

eyes receive radiance, and noses dust.

مَقامٌ تُلاقِي عنده النِّعمُ السُّطَا

مَقامٌ تُلاقِي عنده النِّعمُ السُّطَا

ويجتمع الرُّغْبُ المحبَّبُ والرُّعْبُ

ويجتمع الرُّغْبُ المحبَّبُ والرُّعْبُ

A station where blessings meet blows of might,

and cherished desire joins with dread.

إذا أَمَرتهُ مُرَّةً من حفيظةٍ

إذا أَمَرتهُ مُرَّةً من حفيظةٍ

تسوءُ نهاه خُلْقه الباردُ العذبُ

تسوءُ نهاه خُلْقه الباردُ العذبُ

When a bitter fit of wrath commands him

to do harm, his cool, sweet nature restrains him.

تصوّرَ من حُسنٍ وحلمٍ ونائلٍ

تصوّرَ من حُسنٍ وحلمٍ ونائلٍ

ففي الدَّستِ منه البدرُ والبحرُ والعضبُ

ففي الدَّستِ منه البدرُ والبحرُ والعضبُ

He was formed of beauty, forbearance, and bounty:

on the dais he is full moon, sea, and keen sword.

من القوم لم تُضرَبْ عليهم إتاوةٌ

من القوم لم تُضرَبْ عليهم إتاوةٌ

ولم يَعتبِدْهم غيرَ خالِقهم ربُّ

ولم يَعتبِدْهم غيرَ خالِقهم ربُّ

From a people upon whom no tribute was levied,

whom no lord but their Creator enslaved.

صدورُ قلوبٍ في المجالسِ والوغَى

صدورُ قلوبٍ في المجالسِ والوغَى

إذا رشَحوا فاضوا وإن قدَحوا شبُّوا

إذا رشَحوا فاضوا وإن قدَحوا شبُّوا

Foremost among hearts in council and battle:

if they drip, they overflow; if they strike sparks, they blaze.

ومدَّ عميدُ الدولة العِرضَ راسخاً

ومدَّ عميدُ الدولة العِرضَ راسخاً

فحدَّثَ عن ضَربِ العلا الرجلُ الضَّربُ

فحدَّثَ عن ضَربِ العلا الرجلُ الضَّربُ

Amid al-Dawla extended honor, firmly rooted,

and the lean, hardy man proclaimed the stamp of nobility.

وما علمتْ أمُّ الكواكبِ قبلَه

وما علمتْ أمُّ الكواكبِ قبلَه

وقبلهُمُ أن الهلالَ لها عَقْبُ

وقبلهُمُ أن الهلالَ لها عَقْبُ

The mother of the stars had not known, before him

or before them, that the crescent was her offspring,

وأنَّ شروقَ الشمس عنهم سينتهِي

وأنَّ شروقَ الشمس عنهم سينتهِي

إلى مَلِكٍ في صدره الشرقُ والغربُ

إلى مَلِكٍ في صدره الشرقُ والغربُ

nor that the sun's rising from them would culminate

in a king whose breast holds East and West.

ارى المُلك بعد المَيْل قامت قناتهُ

ارى المُلك بعد المَيْل قامت قناتهُ

ولُوحِمَ منه بعد ما انصدعَ الشَّعبُ

ولُوحِمَ منه بعد ما انصدعَ الشَّعبُ

I see kingship's spear-shaft stand straight after leaning,

and its rift welded together after it split.

لك البُلجة البيضاءُ إن مات فجرُهُ

لك البُلجة البيضاءُ إن مات فجرُهُ

وفي يدك التفريجُ إن غَشِيَ الكربُ

وفي يدك التفريجُ إن غَشِيَ الكربُ

Yours is the white dawn-light if its dawn dies;

in your hand is relief when distress overspreads.

وقد علِمتْ أمّ الوزارة أنها

وقد علِمتْ أمّ الوزارة أنها

إذا غبتَ ثَكلَى قَصْرُها الدمعُ والندبُ

إذا غبتَ ثَكلَى قَصْرُها الدمعُ والندبُ

The mother of the vizierate has learned that

when you are absent she is bereaved, confined to tears and lamentation.

وتُطمِعُ مخدوعَ المنى في نكاحِها

وتُطمِعُ مخدوعَ المنى في نكاحِها

مَطامع كدَّتها وأنت لها خِطْبُ

مَطامع كدَّتها وأنت لها خِطْبُ

A man deceived by wishes is tempted to marry her

by ambitions that wore her down, while you are her suitor.

ودبُّوا لها تحت الظلام عقارباً

ودبُّوا لها تحت الظلام عقارباً

ولو حسبوا وطء الأخامِص ما دبُّوا

ولو حسبوا وطء الأخامِص ما دبُّوا

They crept toward her beneath the darkness like scorpions;

had they reckoned with the tread of feet, they would not have crept.

ولمّا رأَوا عنها التفاتَك عاجلوا

ولمّا رأَوا عنها التفاتَك عاجلوا

وُثوباً وقِدْماً طاح بالقَدَمِ الوثْبُ

وُثوباً وقِدْماً طاح بالقَدَمِ الوثْبُ

When they saw you turn away from her, they hastened

to leap—and of old the leap has brought the foot to ruin.

رَقَيْتَ بفضل الحلم شَوكَةَ لَسْبِهم

رَقَيْتَ بفضل الحلم شَوكَةَ لَسْبِهم

فقد ماتت الأفعَى وقد برأَ اللَّسبُ

فقد ماتت الأفعَى وقد برأَ اللَّسبُ

With the virtue of forbearance you charmed the barb of their sting:

the viper has died, and the sting has healed.

هُمُ عقروها إذ تعاطَوا فعُذِّبوا

هُمُ عقروها إذ تعاطَوا فعُذِّبوا

ورأيُك فيهم صالحٌ وهُم السَّقبُ

ورأيُك فيهم صالحٌ وهُم السَّقبُ

They hamstrung her when they dared the deed, and were punished;

your judgment of them is sound, and they are the camel-calf.

وراموا التي يَرضى بها الخُرقُ وحدَهُ

وراموا التي يَرضى بها الخُرقُ وحدَهُ

خِداعاً وتأباها الحزامةُ واللُّبُّ

خِداعاً وتأباها الحزامةُ واللُّبُّ

They sought, deceitfully, what folly alone

accepts, and prudence and reason reject.

ومن دونهاأن يخطبَ الليثُ هُدنةً

ومن دونهاأن يخطبَ الليثُ هُدنةً

من الذئب أو يبكي من العطش الضبُّ

من الذئب أو يبكي من العطش الضبُّ

An easier thing would be for a lion to seek a truce

from a wolf, or a desert lizard to weep from thirst.

تُحدِّثُهم أحلامُهم أنَّ ظهرَها

تُحدِّثُهم أحلامُهم أنَّ ظهرَها

رَكوبٌ ولكن يُكْذَبون إذا هَبُّوا

رَكوبٌ ولكن يُكْذَبون إذا هَبُّوا

Their dreams tell them that her back

is fit to ride, but they are proved wrong when they wake.

صِلُوها فما يشقَى من اليوم سعدُها

صِلُوها فما يشقَى من اليوم سعدُها

عليكم ولا تَذْوَى وأنتم لها قطبُ

عليكم ولا تَذْوَى وأنتم لها قطبُ

Keep your bond with her: from today her good fortune shall not turn ill

against you, nor shall she wither while you are her axis.

ولا برحتْ فيكم تَجُرُّ عزيزةً

ولا برحتْ فيكم تَجُرُّ عزيزةً

سرابيلَ لا يُخفِي ذلاذِلَها السَّحْبُ

سرابيلَ لا يُخفِي ذلاذِلَها السَّحْبُ

May she never cease among you, honored, trailing

robes whose hems the clouds cannot conceal.

ضَممتَ عزيبَ الملك بعد انتشارِهِ

ضَممتَ عزيبَ الملك بعد انتشارِهِ

وأفرشتَه أمناً وقد ذُعِرَ السِّربُ

وأفرشتَه أمناً وقد ذُعِرَ السِّربُ

You gathered the strayed parts of kingship after their scattering,

and spread security beneath it when the flock was frightened.

وما زلتَ بالتدبير تَركبُ صعبَه

وما زلتَ بالتدبير تَركبُ صعبَه

إلى سهله حتى استوى السهلُ والصعبُ

إلى سهله حتى استوى السهلُ والصعبُ

Through governance you kept mastering its difficulty

toward ease, until easy and difficult became alike.

أَحَبَّك ودّاً مَن يخافُك طاعةً

أَحَبَّك ودّاً مَن يخافُك طاعةً

وأعجبُ شيءٍ خِيفةٌ معَها حُبُّ

وأعجبُ شيءٍ خِيفةٌ معَها حُبُّ

He who fears you in obedience loves you with affection:

the strangest thing is fear accompanied by love.

ولو نشَزتْ عنك القلوبُ لردَّها

ولو نشَزتْ عنك القلوبُ لردَّها

لسانُك هذا الحلوُ أو وجهُك الرّطْبُ

لسانُك هذا الحلوُ أو وجهُك الرّطْبُ

Were hearts to rebel against you, they would be brought back

by this sweet tongue of yours, or your fresh, gracious face.

فما مُقلةٌ إلا وأنتَ سوادُها

فما مُقلةٌ إلا وأنتَ سوادُها

ولا كبِدٌ إلا وأنت لها خِلبُ

ولا كبِدٌ إلا وأنت لها خِلبُ

There is no eye whose pupil you are not,

nor a liver whose covering you are not.

وأما القوافي فهي منذ رعيتَها

وأما القوافي فهي منذ رعيتَها

بطائنُ وادٍ أعوامِه خِصبُ

بطائنُ وادٍ أعوامِه خِصبُ

As for the rhymes, since you tended them they have been

big-bellied she-camels in a valley whose years are fertile.

يكائفها نبتاً ويعدبُ مَشَرباً

يكائفها نبتاً ويعدبُ مَشَرباً

فلسّاتُها خَضْمٌ ورشفاتُها عَبُّ

فلسّاتُها خَضْمٌ ورشفاتُها عَبُّ

It feeds them abundant growth and sweetens their drinking-place:

their little licks are full mouthfuls, their sips deep draughts.

صحائحَ مُلْساً كالدِّهانِ وعهدُنا

صحائحَ مُلْساً كالدِّهانِ وعهدُنا

بها عند قومٍ وهي مُجفِلةٌ جُرْبُ

بها عند قومٍ وهي مُجفِلةٌ جُرْبُ

Healthy and sleek as oil, though we remember

them among others, skittish and mangy.

وكم بَكَْرةٍ منها لمدحك قُدتُها

وكم بَكَْرةٍ منها لمدحك قُدتُها

فقرّت ومن أخلاقها الغَشْمُ والشَّغْبُ

فقرّت ومن أخلاقها الغَشْمُ والشَّغْبُ

How many a young she-camel among them I led to praise you,

and she settled, though roughness and unruliness were her traits.

تغاديك أيام التهاني بوفدها

تغاديك أيام التهاني بوفدها

مكرِّرةً لُبساً وهنّ بها قُشْبُ

مكرِّرةً لُبساً وهنّ بها قُشْبُ

They greet you at dawn on days of congratulations with their delegation,

repeating their attire, yet remaining fresh in it.

بشائرُ ملكٍ صدقهُ فيكَ لا يهى

بشائرُ ملكٍ صدقهُ فيكَ لا يهى

له رُكُنٌ ولا يقصِّرْ له طُنْبُ

له رُكُنٌ ولا يقصِّرْ له طُنْبُ

Glad tidings of kingship whose truth in you shall not weaken:

no pillar of it fails, nor does its tent-rope fall short.

وأنَّ يَدَ اللّهِ البسيطةَ جُنَّةٌ

وأنَّ يَدَ اللّهِ البسيطةَ جُنَّةٌ

تقيكم وأحزاب السعودِ لكم حزبُ

تقيكم وأحزاب السعودِ لكم حزبُ

And that God's outstretched hand is a shield

protecting you, and the hosts of auspicious stars are your allies.

يزوركُمُ قلبي بها مثلَ منطقي

يزوركُمُ قلبي بها مثلَ منطقي

فلا الغِشُّ مَخشِيٌّ عليها ولا الخِبُّ

فلا الغِشُّ مَخشِيٌّ عليها ولا الخِبُّ

My heart visits you through them, just as my speech does;

neither deceit nor guile need be feared in them.

وأمدحُ مَن أعطاكُمُ مِن لسانِهِ

وأمدحُ مَن أعطاكُمُ مِن لسانِهِ

وأرضاكُمُ مَن قلبُه بِكُمُ صبُّ

وأرضاكُمُ مَن قلبُه بِكُمُ صبُّ

The best praiser among those who give you words from their tongues,

and most pleasing to you, is he whose heart adores you.

فلا تعدَموا منها عرائسَ عُطَّلاً

فلا تعدَموا منها عرائسَ عُطَّلاً

لها من أياديكم قَلائدُ أو قُلْبُ

لها من أياديكم قَلائدُ أو قُلْبُ

May you never lack unadorned brides among them,

with necklaces or bracelets from your benefactions.

إذا مشتِ الأقران حولَ خريدةٍ

إذا مشتِ الأقران حولَ خريدةٍ

فَوحدتُها في الحسنِ ليس لها تِربُ

فَوحدتُها في الحسنِ ليس لها تِربُ

When her peers walk around a secluded maiden,

she stands alone in beauty, without an equal.

أجُدُّ بها والطبعُ يُجرِي خلالَها

أجُدُّ بها والطبعُ يُجرِي خلالَها

طُلاوةَ رَقراقٍ تُرِي أنها لِعْبُ

طُلاوةَ رَقراقٍ تُرِي أنها لِعْبُ

I am earnest with them, while natural talent lets flow through them

the sheen of shimmering water, making them seem mere play.

وغيرُمُ يرتاب بي إن مدحتُه

وغيرُمُ يرتاب بي إن مدحتُه

لعرفانه ألاّ يحِلَّ لها الغصبُ

لعرفانه ألاّ يحِلَّ لها الغصبُ

Another suspects me when I praise him,

knowing that they may not lawfully be taken by force.

فأرفعهُ بالفعِل لو كان فاعلاً

فأرفعهُ بالفعِل لو كان فاعلاً

وقد خَفَضَتْهُ من نقيصتِهِ رُبُّ

وقد خَفَضَتْهُ من نقيصتِهِ رُبُّ

I would raise him by action, were he a doer,

though 'many a' has brought him low through his shortcomings.

يُساءُ كأني بالثناء أسبُّهُ

يُساءُ كأني بالثناء أسبُّهُ

لعمرُ أبي إنّ النفاقَ هو السبُّ

لعمرُ أبي إنّ النفاقَ هو السبُّ

He is offended, as though with praise I insult him:

by my father's life, hypocrisy is the true insult.