أَقِلّا مَلامي فَالحَديثُ طَويلُ

أَقِلّا مَلامي فَالحَديثُ طَويلُ

وَمِن عادَةٍ أَلّا يُطاعَ عَذولُ

وَمِن عادَةٍ أَلّا يُطاعَ عَذولُ

Lessen your reproach of me, you two—the tale is long.

Blame me less, for talk would be prolonged,

Lessen your reproach of me, for the story is long,

And it is customary for a reproacher to go unheeded.

And the obstinate are not wont to comply,

And it is not the custom that a scold be obeyed.

إِذا المَرءُ لَم يَفرِج لَهُ الشَكَّ عَزمُهُ

إِذا المَرءُ لَم يَفرِج لَهُ الشَكَّ عَزمُهُ

وَلَم يَستَبِدَّ الأَمرَ فَهوَ ضَئيل

وَلَم يَستَبِدَّ الأَمرَ فَهوَ ضَئيل

If a man's resolve does not dispel his doubt,

When a man's will does not dispel his doubts,

If a man's resolve does not dispel his doubt,

And he does not take command of affairs, he is feeble.

Nor does he take the matter into his hands, his endeavour is puny,

And he does not take command of the matter, he is diminished.

وَما اِستَنزَلَتني صَبوَةٌ عَن صِيانَةٍ

وَما اِستَنزَلَتني صَبوَةٌ عَن صِيانَةٍ

وَلكِنَّني مَع عِفَّتي سَأَقول

وَلكِنَّني مَع عِفَّتي سَأَقول

No youthful passion has drawn me away from chastity,

No downpour has made me fail to protect my honour,

Youthful passion did not drag me down from my dignity,

Yet, for all my chastity, I shall speak.

But I will say, together with my chastity:

But I, despite my chastity, shall speak.

رَعى اللَهُ جيرانَ الشَبابِ وَعَهدَهُ

رَعى اللَهُ جيرانَ الشَبابِ وَعَهدَهُ

وَرَوّاهُ مِن نوءِ السِماكِ سَجيلُ

وَرَوّاهُ مِن نوءِ السِماكِ سَجيلُ

May God guard the companions of youth and its days,

May God protect the neighbours of youth and its pact,

May God guard the neighbors of my youth and its covenant,

And may abundant rain from al-Simak's season water it.

Watering it from the evil of cold stars.

And may the pouring rain of the Spica star quench its thirst.

فَقَد كانَ لي فيهِ إِلى الأُنسِ مَسرَحٌ

فَقَد كانَ لي فيهِ إِلى الأُنسِ مَسرَحٌ

وَقَد كانَ لي فيهِ سُرىً وَمَقيلُ

وَقَد كانَ لي فيهِ سُرىً وَمَقيلُ

For there I had free scope for delight,

It has been to me a place of joy for company

For I used to have therein a pasture for intimacy,

And there I had night journeys and noon repose.

And a resting place for me has it been, and a harbour.

And I used to have therein night journeys and midday rest.

مَعاهِدُ أَفراحٍ وَمَوطِنُ لَذَّةٍ

مَعاهِدُ أَفراحٍ وَمَوطِنُ لَذَّةٍ

إِذِ العَيشُ غَضٌّ وَالزَمانُ غفولُ

إِذِ العَيشُ غَضٌّ وَالزَمانُ غفولُ

Places of joy, a dwelling of pleasure,

Abode of joys and seat of pleasure

Abodes of joy and a homeland of pleasure,

When life was fresh and time heedless.

When living is fresh and time heedless.

When life was fresh and time was unmindful of us.

فَدَع ذِكرَ أَيّامِ الشَبابِ وَطيبِهِ

فَدَع ذِكرَ أَيّامِ الشَبابِ وَطيبِهِ

فَما حالَةٌ إِلّا وَسَوفَ تَحولُ

فَما حالَةٌ إِلّا وَسَوفَ تَحولُ

So leave the memory of youth's days and its sweetness;

Then leave talk of the days of youth and its goodness,

So leave the mention of the days of youth and its sweetness,

For no condition exists but will change.

Every state but turns over.

For there is no state but that it will eventually change.

وَقُل حَبَّذا وَخدُ الرَكائِبِ بِالضُحى

وَقُل حَبَّذا وَخدُ الرَكائِبِ بِالضُحى

إِذا اِخرَوَّطَت بَعدَ الحُزونِ سُهول

إِذا اِخرَوَّطَت بَعدَ الحُزونِ سُهول

And say: how lovely the camels' swift stride in the forenoon,

And say how excellent are the cheeks of riders at dawn

And say: How lovely is the trot of camels in the forenoon,

When plains stretch out beyond the rugged ground.

When they swarm after gloom over the plateau!

When the plains extend rapidly after the rugged terrain.

وَيا حَبَّا تَهويمَةٌ تَحتَ ضالَةٍ

وَيا حَبَّا تَهويمَةٌ تَحتَ ضالَةٍ

إِذا قيلَ فيءُ الظُهرِ كادَ يَميلُ

إِذا قيلَ فيءُ الظُهرِ كادَ يَميلُ

And how lovely a brief doze beneath a wild lote-tree,

And O love! A delirium under a straying

And how lovely is a light slumber beneath a wild lote tree,

When it is said: the noon shadow is about to slant.

When it is said the noonSiesta draws nigh.

When it is said the afternoon shadow is about to slant.

وَتَمزيقُ جَلباتِ الظَلامِ إِذا سَجى

وَتَمزيقُ جَلباتِ الظَلامِ إِذا سَجى

بِعيسٍ نَماها شَدقَمٌ وَجَديلُ

بِعيسٍ نَماها شَدقَمٌ وَجَديلُ

And rending the shrouds of darkness when it settles,

And the rending of the veils of darkness when night comes,

And the tearing of the cloaks of darkness when it settles,

On pale camels sired by Shadqam and Jadil.

Stirred by a lively youth made slender by love!

By white camels bred by the sires Shadqam and Jadil.

تُناهِبُ أَجوازَ الفَلا بِمَناسِمٍ

تُناهِبُ أَجوازَ الفَلا بِمَناسِمٍ

لِصُمِّ الحَصى مِن وَقعِهِنَّ صَليلُ

لِصُمِّ الحَصى مِن وَقعِهِنَّ صَليلُ

They race across the heart of the wastes on padded feet,

They snatch the horses of valour with festivals

They vie to cross the desert centers with their pads,

Whose impact makes the hard pebbles ring.

At the stillness of the pebbles from their hooves ringing.

Making the hard pebbles ring from their impact.

يُفَضِّضُ مُرفَضُّ اللُغامِ خُدودَها

يُفَضِّضُ مُرفَضُّ اللُغامِ خُدودَها

كَما ذَهَّبَت أَخفافُهُنَّ هُجول

كَما ذَهَّبَت أَخفافُهُنَّ هُجول

Their scattered foam silvers their cheeks,

The bared one of the stallions bares their cheeks,

The scattered foam silvers their cheeks,

As their padded feet have gilded the broad hollows.

As their swift mares pace along unheld.

Just as the barren lands have gilded their hooves.

نَؤُمُّ بِها البَيتَ الحَرامَ لَعَلَّهُ

نَؤُمُّ بِها البَيتَ الحَرامَ لَعَلَّهُ

يُحَطُّ بهِ وِزرٌ هُناكَ ثَقيل

يُحَطُّ بهِ وِزرٌ هُناكَ ثَقيل

We head on them toward the Sacred House, hoping that

By them we gain merit towards the Sacred House; haply

We aim with them toward the Sacred House, that perhaps

There, through it, a heavy burden of sin may be lifted.

A heavy crime there may be pardoned.

A heavy burden of sin may be lifted there.

هُوَ الحرَمُ الأَمنُ الذي مَن يَحُلُّهُ

هُوَ الحرَمُ الأَمنُ الذي مَن يَحُلُّهُ

فَلَيسَ لِذي حِقدٍ عَلَيهِ سَبيلُ

فَلَيسَ لِذي حِقدٍ عَلَيهِ سَبيلُ

It is the sanctuary of safety; whoever dwells in it,

It is the inviolate sanctuary wherein whoso enters

It is the secure Sanctuary; whoever settles within it,

No man of rancor has any power over him.

No foeman has means of access unto him.

No man of malice has any way against him.

فَكَم عَثرَةٍ فيهِ تُقالُ وَتائِبٍ

فَكَم عَثرَةٍ فيهِ تُقالُ وَتائِبٍ

يُحَطُّ مِنَ الأَوزارِ عَنهُ حُمولُ

يُحَطُّ مِنَ الأَوزارِ عَنهُ حُمولُ

How many a stumble there is pardoned, and a penitent

How many a stumbling whereat "Forgive!' is said

How many a slip is forgiven therein, and from a repentant one,

Has loads of sin lifted from him.

And the burdens are lifted from the sinner.

Loads of sins are lifted away.

وَكَم عَبرَةٍ فيهِ تُذالُ وَزَفرَةٍ

وَكَم عَبرَةٍ فيهِ تُذالُ وَزَفرَةٍ

لَها وَهَجٌ بَينَ الضُلوعِ دَخيلُ

لَها وَهَجٌ بَينَ الضُلوعِ دَخيلُ

And how many a tear is shed there, and a sigh

And how many a weeping whereat firm resolve dissolves

And how many a tear is shed therein, and a sigh

Whose heat lies lodged between the ribs.

And sighs that in the breast smoulder!

That holds an inner burning between the ribs.

فَمُنَّ إِلهي بِالقَبولِ عَلى الذي

فَمُنَّ إِلهي بِالقَبولِ عَلى الذي

أَتى زائِراً فَالفَضلُ مِنكَ جِزيلُ

أَتى زائِراً فَالفَضلُ مِنكَ جِزيلُ

So grant acceptance, my God, to the one

Then, my God, be gracious in accepting him that comes

So grant, my God, acceptance to the one

Who comes as a visitor, for Your bounty is abundant.

A visitant; for grace is from Thee plenteous.

Who came visiting, for Your bounty is abundant.

وَحُط دينَنا وَاِنصُرهُ نَصراً مُؤَيَّداً

وَحُط دينَنا وَاِنصُرهُ نَصراً مُؤَيَّداً

بِمَن رَايُهُ في المُسلِمينَ جَميلُ

بِمَن رَايُهُ في المُسلِمينَ جَميلُ

And guard our religion, and grant it firmly sustained victory

And guard our faith, and aid it with confirmed aid

And protect our religion and grant it a supported victory,

Through one whose regard for Muslims is benevolent,

Through him whose banner to the Muslims is comely;

Through one whose repute among the Muslims is beautiful.

بِمَن كانَ لِلدُنيا وَلِلدّينِ راعِياً

بِمَن كانَ لِلدُنيا وَلِلدّينِ راعِياً

بِسُمرِ العَوالي حَيثُ قامَ دَليلُ

بِسُمرِ العَوالي حَيثُ قامَ دَليلُ

Through one who tended worldly life and religion,

Through him who of world and religion has been guardian,

Through one who has been a shepherd to the world and the faith,

With tawny lances wherever a guiding proof stood.

At the sublime heights where evidence arose.

With brown spears standing as proof where he stood.

أَصيلُ الحِجى ماضي العَزيمَةِ مالَهُ

أَصيلُ الحِجى ماضي العَزيمَةِ مالَهُ

إِذا هَمَّ إِلّا المَشرَفِيُّ خَليلُ

إِذا هَمَّ إِلّا المَشرَفِيُّ خَليلُ

Sound of mind, firm in resolve, he has

Sincere of proof, resolved in his resolve, none gainsays him

Of noble intellect, sharp determination; he has

When he sets his purpose, no companion but the Mashrafi sword.

Save by his decree the Friend.

No close friend when he intends a deed but the Mashrafiyya sword.

يُجاهِدُ دونَ الخَلقِ في اللَهِ طالِباً

يُجاهِدُ دونَ الخَلقِ في اللَهِ طالِباً

رِضاهُ وَيَعفو عَنهُمُ وَيُنيلُ

رِضاهُ وَيَعفو عَنهُمُ وَيُنيلُ

He strives in defense of mankind in God's cause, seeking

He struggles in God's way claiming but His good pleasure,

He strives in defense of creation for the sake of God, seeking

His pleasure, and pardons them and gives generously.

pardoning them; unto them He gentle is.

His pleasure, pardoning them and bestowing gifts.

وَيَركَبُ أَخطارَ المَهلِكِ عالِماً

وَيَركَبُ أَخطارَ المَهلِكِ عالِماً

بِأَنَّ المَعالي دونَهُنَّ وُحولُ

بِأَنَّ المَعالي دونَهُنَّ وُحولُ

And he braves deadly perils, knowing

And dares the deadly perils knowing that beyond them

He rides the dangers of destruction, knowing

That quagmires lie before lofty attainments.

Glory lies;-all else here below is false.

That high honors are surrounded by mire.

أَقامَ مَنارَ الشَرعِ في الشَرقِ وَاِغتَدَت

أَقامَ مَنارَ الشَرعِ في الشَرقِ وَاِغتَدَت

إِلى الغَربِ مِنهُ هِمَّةٌ وَصُؤولُ

إِلى الغَربِ مِنهُ هِمَّةٌ وَصُؤولُ

He raised the beacon of sacred law in the east, and at dawn set out

He founded the standard of law in the East,and valour

He established the lighthouse of Law in the East, and there went

Westward from him, high purpose and fierce attack.

From him towards the West extended aspiring.

Toward the West, from him, ambition and assault.

وَجَلَّلَ وَجهَ وَجهَ الأَرضِ خُفّاً وَحافِراً

وَجَلَّلَ وَجهَ وَجهَ الأَرضِ خُفّاً وَحافِراً

نُجومُ سَماهُ ذُبَّلٌ وَنُصولُ

نُجومُ سَماهُ ذُبَّلٌ وَنُصولُ

And he covered the face—the face of the earth—with padded feet and hooves;

And he gave the faces of earth's surface honour and pride By his steeds and his swords white banners bore.

He covered the face of the earth with camel pads and hooves;

The stars of his sky are slender spears and blades.

So he came at the religion's vengeance 'gainst every rebel,

The stars of his sky were spearheads and arrow tips.

فَأَدرَكَ ثَأَرَ الدينِ مِن كُلِّ مارِقٍ

فَأَدرَكَ ثَأَرَ الدينِ مِن كُلِّ مارِقٍ

وَأَحيا رُسومَ المَجدِ وَهيَ طُلولُ

وَأَحيا رُسومَ المَجدِ وَهيَ طُلولُ

Thus he avenged the religion upon every renegade,

and revived the forms of glory now past and gone

He exacted the vengeance of religion from every renegade,

And revived glory's traces when they were ruins.

And cleansed God's House from each heretic's taint;

And revived the traces of glory which had become ruins.

وَطَهَّرَ بَيتَ اللَهِ مِن كُلَّ بِدعَةٍ

وَطَهَّرَ بَيتَ اللَهِ مِن كُلَّ بِدعَةٍ

أَكَبَّ عَلَيها مُدَّعٍ وَجَهولُ

أَكَبَّ عَلَيها مُدَّعٍ وَجَهولُ

And cleansed God's House of every religious innovation

Upon them fuIminates scholar and ignorant.

He purified the House of God from every innovation

To which a pretender and an ignorant man had devoted themselves.

Thus the face of truth shone bright while error's visage

To which pretenders and the ignorant were devoted.

فَأَصبَحَ وَجهُ الحَقِّ جَذلانَ باسِماً

فَأَصبَحَ وَجهُ الحَقِّ جَذلانَ باسِماً

وَأَصبَحَ في وَجهِ الضَلالِ ذُبول

وَأَصبَحَ في وَجهِ الضَلالِ ذُبول

So truth's face became glad and smiling,

paled;

So the face of Truth became joyful and smiling,

And withering appeared upon the face of error.

Right was firm, wrong failed.

And in the face of Error appeared a withering.

وَمَن يَكُ دينُ اللَهِ سائِسَ أَمرِهِ

وَمَن يَكُ دينُ اللَهِ سائِسَ أَمرِهِ

وَيَنبَعُ قالَ اللَهُ قالَ رَسولُ

وَيَنبَعُ قالَ اللَهُ قالَ رَسولُ

And whoever has God's religion govern his affairs,

Whoso makes God's law govern his rule, and says only

For whoever makes the religion of God the manager of his affair,

And whose wellspring is 'God said' and 'the Messenger said,'

"God saith" and "The Apostle has spoken in truth

And follows 'God said' and 'The Messenger said,'

فَأَحرِ بِهِ أَن يَبلُغَ السُؤلَ وَالمُنى

فَأَحرِ بِهِ أَن يَبلُغَ السُؤلَ وَالمُنى

وَيَحظى بِدارِ الخُلدِ حينَ يَؤولُ

وَيَحظى بِدارِ الخُلدِ حينَ يَؤولُ

How worthy he is to attain his desire and hopes,

Has a guidance vouchsafed him shall lead to salvation

How worthy is he to attain his request and desires,

And win the abode of eternity when he returns.

And the House of Eternity ere he die shall enjoy.

And to enjoy the Abode of Eternity when he returns.

لَكَ اللَهُ يا عَبدَ العَزيزِ بنَ فَيصَلٍ

لَكَ اللَهُ يا عَبدَ العَزيزِ بنَ فَيصَلٍ

مُعينٌ عَلى نَصرِ الهُدى وَوَكيلُ

مُعينٌ عَلى نَصرِ الهُدى وَوَكيلُ

God is for you, O Abd al-Aziz ibn Faisal,

God be thy Helper, 0 Abd al-'Aziz ibn Faysal,

God is with you, O Abdulaziz bin Faisal,

A helper in upholding guidance, and a guardian.

In upholding the guidance and gaining the goal!

A helper in the victory of guidance and a guardian.

فَأَنتَ الذي أَيَّدتَ سُنَّةَ أَحمدٍ

فَأَنتَ الذي أَيَّدتَ سُنَّةَ أَحمدٍ

وَأَحكَمتَ حَبلَ الدينِ وَهوَ سَحيلُ

وَأَحكَمتَ حَبلَ الدينِ وَهوَ سَحيلُ

For you are the one who strengthened Ahmad's tradition,

Thou it wast reinforced Muhammad's law, and its way

For you are the one who supported the Sunnah of Ahmad,

And tightened religion's cord when it was single-stranded.

Made straight; a cable God's Book to save from severance.

And tightened the rope of religion when it was unraveled.

وَأَعلَيتَ بَيتَ المَكرُماتِ الذي بهِ

وَأَعلَيتَ بَيتَ المَكرُماتِ الذي بهِ

ظِلالٌ يَكُنُّ المُسلِمينَ ظَليلُ

ظِلالٌ يَكُنُّ المُسلِمينَ ظَليلُ

And raised the house of noble deeds, where

Thou exaltedst the House of magnification that in it

You raised the house of noble deeds which possesses

Deep shade shelters the Muslims.

For all Muslims shall ever a refuge remain;

Shadows that shelter the Muslims with deep shade.

مَحامِدُ كانَت في سَما المَجدِ أَنجُماً

مَحامِدُ كانَت في سَما المَجدِ أَنجُماً

ثَوابِتَ لا يَعرو لَهُنَّ أُفولُ

ثَوابِتَ لا يَعرو لَهُنَّ أُفولُ

Virtues that were stars in glory's sky,

Lauds high as the sky is in glory a star.

Praiseworthy traits that were stars in the sky of glory,

Fixed, never touched by setting.

Shining bright, never soiling, still rise to their goal;

Fixed stars that are never afflicted by setting.

تَسيرُ مَسيرَ الريحِ في كُلِّ وُجهَةٍ

تَسيرُ مَسيرَ الريحِ في كُلِّ وُجهَةٍ

وَتُصغِيَ آذانٌ لَها وَعُقولُ

وَتُصغِيَ آذانٌ لَها وَعُقولُ

They travel like the wind in every direction,

Running their course through all regions like wind.

They travel the path of the wind in every direction,

And ears and minds listen to them.

and attentive ears inclining towards them in awe.

And ears and minds listen closely to them.

فَبِالمَشرِقِ الأَقصى بِهِنَّ مَفاخِرٌ

فَبِالمَشرِقِ الأَقصى بِهِنَّ مَفاخِرٌ

وَبِالمَغرِبِ الأَقصى لَهُنَّ قَبيلُ

وَبِالمَغرِبِ الأَقصى لَهُنَّ قَبيلُ

In the farthest east, they are sources of pride,

In farthest East are they pride, in farthest West

In the farthest East they are objects of pride,

And in the farthest west, they have a following.

To tribes of them is glory and high renown.

And in the farthest West they find acceptance.

وَإِن ثارَ حَربٌ لا يُنادي وَليدُها

وَإِن ثارَ حَربٌ لا يُنادي وَليدُها

شَروبٌ لِأَشلاءِ الكِرامِ أَكول

شَروبٌ لِأَشلاءِ الكِرامِ أَكول

And if war erupts whose infant goes uncalled,

And if war be stirred, and to flesh-rending they proceed.

If a war erupts whose infant does not cry out,

A great drinker, a devourer of noble men's limbs,

Others than wine shall slake then the thirsty swords' drought.

Voracious, drinking the remains of the noble ones,

أَقَمتَ لَها سوقاً مِنَ النَقعِ قاتِماً

أَقَمتَ لَها سوقاً مِنَ النَقعِ قاتِماً

بِهِ ذاكَ مَجروحٌ وَذاكَ قَتيل

بِهِ ذاكَ مَجروحٌ وَذاكَ قَتيل

You raised for it a marketplace dark with battle-dust,

There set them up a market of lancesRTCurved, gleaming,

You established a market for it from the dark dust,

Where this man is wounded and that man slain.

Where this one is hurt and that one stricken and killed,

In which this one is wounded and that one is slain.

بِجُردٍ يُعالِكنَ الشَكيمَ عَوابِساً

بِجُردٍ يُعالِكنَ الشَكيمَ عَوابِساً

لَها مَرَحٌ تَحتَ القَنا وَصَهيلُ

لَها مَرَحٌ تَحتَ القَنا وَصَهيلُ

With sleek horses champing their bits, grim-faced,

With brown blades baring the throats, snorting chargers

With short-haired horses chewing their bits, frowning,

They prance and neigh beneath the lances.

Joyfully browsing 'neath their bridles’ restraint.

Possessing spirit under the spears and a whinny.

مَتى ما تُصَبِّح دارَ قَومٍ بِغارَةٍ

مَتى ما تُصَبِّح دارَ قَومٍ بِغارَةٍ

فَفي دارِ قَومٍ آخَرينَ تَقيلُ

فَفي دارِ قَومٍ آخَرينَ تَقيلُ

Whenever they raid one people's home at dawn,

When their dwellings thou raidest at morn, another day

Whenever they attack the home of a people in the morning,

They rest at noon in another people's home.

Seest them in yet other dwellings take rest.

Then in the home of another people they take their noon rest.

عَلَيهِنَّ مِن عُليا رَبيعَةَ فِتيَةٌ

عَلَيهِنَّ مِن عُليا رَبيعَةَ فِتيَةٌ

فُروعٌ أَجادَت غَرسَهُنَّ أُصولُ

فُروعٌ أَجادَت غَرسَهُنَّ أُصولُ

Upon them ride youths of the noblest Rabi'ah,

Against them the banners' ombre closely o’ershadow

Upon them are youths from the nobility of Rabi'ah,

Branches whose roots have planted them well.

The steeds that ever the valiant clans have fed.

Branches whose roots produced them well.

هُمُ يَستَطيبونَ المَنايا كَأَنَّما

هُمُ يَستَطيبونَ المَنايا كَأَنَّما

يَهُزُّهُمُ نَحوَ الطِعانِ شَمولُ

يَهُزُّهُمُ نَحوَ الطِعانِ شَمولُ

They relish death, as though

Then say unto such as fain change what is decreed,

They find death sweet, as if

Wine stirred them toward the thrusting of spears.

"Gently! the mead of the wicked is but loss."

Fine wine stirs them toward the thrusting of spears.

فَكَم فَرَّجَت مِن غُمَّةِ لَم يَكُن لَها

فَكَم فَرَّجَت مِن غُمَّةِ لَم يَكُن لَها

سِوى اللَهِ ثُمَّ المَشرَفِيِّ مُزيلُ

سِوى اللَهِ ثُمَّ المَشرَفِيِّ مُزيلُ

How many a distress they have relieved, which had

Full inwardness of the matter shalt thou learn if thou seek

How many a distress have you relieved that had no

No remover but God, then the Mashrafi sword.

And be thyself humbled and brought to thy knee.

Remover except God, and then the Mashrafiyya sword.

إِذا ما رَمى الشَأوَ البَعيدَ ذَرَعنَهُ

إِذا ما رَمى الشَأوَ البَعيدَ ذَرَعنَهُ

بِهِ ناجِياتٌ سَيرُهُنَّ ذَميلُ

بِهِ ناجِياتٌ سَيرُهُنَّ ذَميلُ

Whenever he aims for a distant goal, they traverse it,

How ignorant the man who takes the booby for a noble hawk.

When the distant goal is aimed at, they cover it

With him—swift she-camels whose gait is a rapid trot.

And steeds the jousting knights ride compares with geldings!

With swift camels whose pace is a fast trot.

جَحافِلُ يَترُكنَ الرَوابي سَباسِباً

جَحافِلُ يَترُكنَ الرَوابي سَباسِباً

يَسوقُ الرَعيلَ المُسبَطِرَّ رَعيلُ

يَسوقُ الرَعيلَ المُسبَطِرَّ رَعيلُ

Vast armies that leave the hills as level plains;

There he Imagined, as his fancy dictated,

Armies that leave the hills as flat plains,

One troop drives the long-drawn troop ahead.

Safe in his mountain fastness, secure from alarm;

One column driving the extended column ahead.

تَظَلُّ عَلَيهِنَّ القَشاعِمُ عُكَّفاً

تَظَلُّ عَلَيهِنَّ القَشاعِمُ عُكَّفاً

لِما عُوِّدَت أَنَّ القَبيلَ أَكيلُ

لِما عُوِّدَت أَنَّ القَبيلَ أَكيلُ

Old vultures stay clustered above them,

Saying, "When comes that Imam's army then of a truth

The vultures remain hovering over them,

For they are accustomed to the opposing band being prey.

By my hands and my sharp-ground sword shall they fall."

Because they are accustomed to the tribe becoming a feast.

فَقُل لِلذي يَبغي خِلافَ الذي مَضى

فَقُل لِلذي يَبغي خِلافَ الذي مَضى

رُوَيداً فَمَرعى الناكِثينَ وَبيلُ

رُوَيداً فَمَرعى الناكِثينَ وَبيلُ

So tell whoever seeks to oppose what has gone before:

But when he saw them move as locusts swarming

So say to the one who seeks the opposite of the past:

Easy now—the pasture of oath-breakers is deadly.

With a terror the pulse making direly to quail,

"Slowly! For the pasture of the promise-breakers is unhealthy."

سَتَعلمُ غِبَّ الأَمرِ إِن كُنتَ فاعِلاً

سَتَعلمُ غِبَّ الأَمرِ إِن كُنتَ فاعِلاً

بِما سَوفَ تَلقاهُ وَأَنتَ ذَليلُ

بِما سَوفَ تَلقاهُ وَأَنتَ ذَليلُ

You will learn the outcome, if you act,

He turned and wished the solid ground might swallow his frame

"You will know the outcome of the matter if you do it,"

From what you will encounter, while you are abased.

With brow bespattered by cold sweat and cries of despair.

"By what you will encounter while you are humiliated."

فَكَم جاهِلٍ ظَنَّ البُغاثَ جَوارِحاً

فَكَم جاهِلٍ ظَنَّ البُغاثَ جَوارِحاً

وَأَنَّ الخَواويرَ العِشارَ فُحولُ

وَأَنَّ الخَواويرَ العِشارَ فُحولُ

How many a fool mistook weak birds for raptors,

So God give thee noble virtues, O Ibn al-Akrams twain,

For how many ignorant ones thought the small birds were hawks,

And thought feeble pregnant she-camels were breeding males.

Whose glory still grows and more high shall rise!

And that the weak camels were breeding stallions.

فَظَلَّ يُلَوّي ليتَهُ مُتَمَتِّعاً

فَظَلَّ يُلَوّي ليتَهُ مُتَمَتِّعاً

عَلى زَعمِهِ في حِصنِهِ وَيَقولُ

عَلى زَعمِهِ في حِصنِهِ وَيَقولُ

So he kept twisting his neck, taking his pleasure,

And left us in thee no wise bereft one defensive still,

So he remained twisting his neck, enjoying himself,

As he claimed, within his fortress, saying:

Zealous, protector of heroes' seed though they die.

According to his claim, within his fortress, saying:

مَتى يَأتِني جَيشُ الإِمامِ فَإِنَّهُ

مَتى يَأتِني جَيشُ الإِمامِ فَإِنَّهُ

بِكَفَّيَّ ماضي الشَفرَتَينِ صَقيلُ

بِكَفَّيَّ ماضي الشَفرَتَينِ صَقيلُ

When the Imam's army comes to me, there is

Curb of glory—but slacken thy grip thereon—

"When the Imam's army comes to me, indeed,"

In my two hands a polished sword, keen on both edges.

And torrent of bounty and gifts flooding free!

"In my hands is a sharp, polished sword."

فَلَمّا رَآها كَالجَرادِ مُغيرَةً

فَلَمّا رَآها كَالجَرادِ مُغيرَةً

لَها رَهَجٌ في الخافِقَينِ يَهولُ

لَها رَهَجٌ في الخافِقَينِ يَهولُ

But when he saw them raiding like locusts,

Gentle of habit to kindly men, but poison active

But when he saw them raiding like locusts,

Their dust terrifying across both horizons,

To the foeman that brings evil and breaks his oath.

Raising a dust cloud in the horizons that terrifies,

تَوَلّى يَوَدُّ الأَرضَ ساخَت بِجِسمِهِ

تَوَلّى يَوَدُّ الأَرضَ ساخَت بِجِسمِهِ

قُصارى جَداهُ زَفرَةٌ وَعَويلُ

قُصارى جَداهُ زَفرَةٌ وَعَويلُ

He fled, wishing the earth would swallow his body;

Fearless resolve is he that rides the steed of high emprise,

He turned away, wishing the earth would swallow his body;

All he could muster was a sigh and a wail.

Spurring to death and wounds though blood run at its pace!

The utmost of his ability was a sigh and a wail.

فَلِلَّهِ يَاِبنَ الأَكرَمينَ فَضائِلاً

فَلِلَّهِ يَاِبنَ الأَكرَمينَ فَضائِلاً

حَوَيتَ وَمَجداً ذِكرُهُ سَيَطولُ

حَوَيتَ وَمَجداً ذِكرُهُ سَيَطولُ

God be praised, O son of the noblest, for the virtues

Saud, God continue thy fortunes’ fair field! Rise high! Rise high! With lofty steps mount to heaven’s place!

To God belongs your merit, O son of the noble ones, for virtues

You have won, and glory whose remembrance will endure.

There shalt thou win God's good pleasure in wisdom's debate,

You have gathered, and glory whose mention will be long.

وَخُلِّفتَ فينا لا عَدِمناكَ حازِماً

وَخُلِّفتَ فينا لا عَدِمناكَ حازِماً

هُماماً لِخَلّاتِ الكِرامِ فَعولُ

هُماماً لِخَلّاتِ الكِرامِ فَعولُ

And you were left among us—may we never lose you—resolute,

Though wordy wranglers little shall speak to the point.

You have left among us—may we never lack you—a resolute one,

High-hearted, performing the deeds of noble men.

There shalt thou win it in reason sound, though men offer

A magnanimous chief who performs the deeds of the noble.

زِمامُ عُلاً لكِن بِكَفِّكَ ثَنيُهُ

زِمامُ عُلاً لكِن بِكَفِّكَ ثَنيُهُ

وَثَجّاجُ جودٍ مِن نداكَ يَسيلُ

وَثَجّاجُ جودٍ مِن نداكَ يَسيلُ

The reins of eminence—yet their loop is in your palm;

other Solutions foolish, and the wise word little esteem.

The reins of highness, though in your hand is its guiding rope,

And a torrent of bounty flows from your generosity.

So brace thou with him the Caliphate's bond, verily

And a pouring rain of generosity flows from your dew.

هُوَ الأَريُ لِلعافينَ ليناً وَشيمَةً

هُوَ الأَريُ لِلعافينَ ليناً وَشيمَةً

وَسُمٌّ ذُعافٌ لِلعَدُوِّ يَغولُ

وَسُمٌّ ذُعافٌ لِلعَدُوِّ يَغولُ

He is honey to supplicants, in gentleness and nature,

Worthy the choice for which we have named him heir.

He is honey to the seekers of favor in softness and character,

And deadly poison that destroys the enemy.

Thus in him we shall ever find traits to delight us, his fame

And a deadly poison to the enemy that destroys.

رَكوبٌ لِأَثباجِ المَعالي بِعَزمَةٍ

رَكوبٌ لِأَثباجِ المَعالي بِعَزمَةٍ

تَخوضُ المَنايا وَالدِماءُ تَسيلُ

تَخوضُ المَنايا وَالدِماءُ تَسيلُ

A rider of the crests of eminence, with a resolve

Still rising to earth's farthest end shall unfold.

A rider of the high crests of matters with a resolve

That wades through death as blood flows.

Now all men from East to West have I tried and sifted.

That wades through death while blood flows.

سُعودٌ أَدامَ اللَهُ سَعدَكَ وَاِرتَقى

سُعودٌ أَدامَ اللَهُ سَعدَكَ وَاِرتَقى

بِعَلياهُ حَظٌّ باسِقٌ وَقُبولُ

بِعَلياهُ حَظٌّ باسِقٌ وَقُبولُ

Saud—may God prolong your good fortune—and there has risen

My judgment on them directing with care manaifold.

Saud: may God perpetuate your happiness and may there ascend

Through his eminence, towering fortune and favor.

But my assay eliminating, proving, testing them all

By his highness a towering fortune and acceptance.

سَتَرضاهُ في الهَيجا اِشتَجَرَ القَنا

سَتَرضاهُ في الهَيجا اِشتَجَرَ القَنا

وَقَلَّ المُحامي وَالحِفاظُ قَليلُ

وَقَلَّ المُحامي وَالحِفاظُ قَليلُ

You will approve him in battle when the lances clash,

Showed me in thee the sound metal, in them but base dross.

You will be pleased with him in war when spears tangle,

And defenders are few, with little steadfastness.

Next, glib cheap orators, easy of phrase, form alone

And defenders are few and protection is scarce.

وَتَرضاهُ في الرَأيِ المُصيبِ إِذا هَفَت

وَتَرضاهُ في الرَأيِ المُصيبِ إِذا هَفَت

حُلومٌ وَرُدَّ الرَأيُ وَهوَ كَليلُ

حُلومٌ وَرُدَّ الرَأيُ وَهوَ كَليلُ

And you will approve him for sound judgment, when

Dragon-like soaring through every land at their pleasure

And you will be pleased with him in right opinion if minds err,

Minds falter and counsel is rejected, being dull.

Boasting of thee in all quarters thy votaries

And opinion is rejected while it is dull.

فَشُدَّ بِهِ أَزرَ الخِلافَةِ إِنَّهُ

فَشُدَّ بِهِ أَزرَ الخِلافَةِ إِنَّهُ

جَديرٌ بِما رَشَّحتَهُ وَكَفيلُ

جَديرٌ بِما رَشَّحتَهُ وَكَفيلُ

So strengthen the caliphate's back through him, for he

Be they vow long or short, they praise to the full.

So strengthen with him the back of the Caliphate, for he is

Is worthy of what you have chosen him for, and equal to it.

For thou hast clad me in bounty of thine attributes

Worthy of what you nominated him for, and a guarantor.

فَفيهِ وَلا نَعدَمكَ مِنكَ مَخايِلٌ

فَفيهِ وَلا نَعدَمكَ مِنكَ مَخايِلٌ

سَيَعلو لَهُ ذِكرٌ بِها وَيَطولُ

سَيَعلو لَهُ ذِكرٌ بِها وَيَطولُ

For in him—may we never lose you—are traits of yours,

Rankling deep in the jealous breast with their smart.

In him—and may we not lack you—are signs from you;

Through which his fame shall rise and endure.

Herald repeats it in regions far and listeners hear

His mention will rise because of them and endure.

وَجَرَّبتُ هذا الناسَ شَرقاً وَمَغرِباً

وَجَرَّبتُ هذا الناسَ شَرقاً وَمَغرِباً

أُحَدِّدُ فيهِم فِكرَتي وَأُجيلُ

أُحَدِّدُ فيهِم فِكرَتي وَأُجيلُ

And I have tested these people, east and west,

Rushing on like the winds, welcomed and loved.

I have tested these people, East and West,

Sharpening my thought upon them and turning it over.

Now should my years prolong, from thee the like they'd hear

Sharpening my thought regarding them and examining.

فَمَحَّضَني تَقليبُهُم وَاِختِبارُهُم

فَمَحَّضَني تَقليبُهُم وَاِختِبارُهُم

بِأَنَّكَ فَردٌ وَالأَنامُ شُكولُ

بِأَنَّكَ فَردٌ وَالأَنامُ شُكولُ

Thus examining and testing them convinced me

With life and high fortune thine such glories enfold!

Their testing proved to me purely

That you are unique, while other men are alike.

And, my God, bless Thy Chosen One, while the leaves stir

That you are unique, and the rest of mankind are but shadows.

وَدونَكَها مَحبوكَةَ اللَفظِ طَلقَةً

وَدونَكَها مَحبوكَةَ اللَفظِ طَلقَةً

تَظَلُّ بِأَقطارِ البِلادِ تَجولُ

تَظَلُّ بِأَقطارِ البِلادِ تَجولُ

And take it: tightly woven in wording, free-flowing,

Or clouds pace on earth watering its hillslopes and dales!

So take this poem, tightly woven in wording, flowing,

Ever roaming through the regions of the land.

Bless Thy Chosen and bless his elect Companions all,

Remaining to roam through the regions of the lands.

تُباهي بِكَ الشُعّارَ في كُل مَوطِنٍ

تُباهي بِكَ الشُعّارَ في كُل مَوطِنٍ

سَواءٌ لَدَيها مُقصِرٌ وَمُطيلُ

سَواءٌ لَدَيها مُقصِرٌ وَمُطيلُ

It vies with poets through you in every place;

And them that walk in the path by his guidance made plain!

Boasting of you against the poets in every homeland,

To it, concise and prolix poets are alike.

Equal before it are the concise poet and the prolix one.

فَأَنتَ الذي أَلبَستَني مِنك نِعمَةً

فَأَنتَ الذي أَلبَستَني مِنك نِعمَةً

لَها في قُلوبِ الحاسدينَ غَليلُ

لَها في قُلوبِ الحاسدينَ غَليلُ

For you are the one who clothed me in a favor from you,

For you are the one who clothed me with a favor from you,

Which leaves burning resentment in the hearts of the envious.

Which causes burning thirst in the hearts of the envious.

يُحَدِّثُ عَنها سامِعٌ وَمُبَلِّغٌ

يُحَدِّثُ عَنها سامِعٌ وَمُبَلِّغٌ

وَتَسري كَما تَسري صَباً وَقُبولُ

وَتَسري كَما تَسري صَباً وَقُبولُ

A hearer and a bearer of news speak of it,

A listener and a messenger speak of it,

And it journeys as the saba and qabul winds journey.

And it travels as the east wind and acceptance travel.

فَإِن تُبقِني الأَيّامُ تَسمَع بِمِثلِها

فَإِن تُبقِني الأَيّامُ تَسمَع بِمِثلِها

وَفي عُمرِكَ الباقي وَعِزِّكَ طولُ

وَفي عُمرِكَ الباقي وَعِزِّكَ طولُ

If the days spare me, you will hear its like,

If the days keep me alive, you will hear the likes of it,

And may your remaining life and honor be long.

And in your remaining life and glory is length.

وَصَلِّ إِلهي ما شَدا الوُرقُ أَو هَمى

وَصَلِّ إِلهي ما شَدا الوُرقُ أَو هَمى

عَلى الأَرضِ رَجّاسُ السَحابِ هُمولُ

عَلى الأَرضِ رَجّاسُ السَحابِ هُمولُ

And bless, my God, as long as gray doves sing or rain falls

And bless, my God, as long as the pigeons sing or rain pours

Upon the earth from thunderous clouds in torrents,

Upon the earth from thundering, pouring clouds,

عَلى المُصطَفى وَالآلِ الصَحبِ كُلِّهِم

عَلى المُصطَفى وَالآلِ الصَحبِ كُلِّهِم

وَمَن بِهُداهُ يَهتَدي وَيَقولُ

وَمَن بِهُداهُ يَهتَدي وَيَقولُ

The Chosen One, his family, and all his companions,

Upon the Chosen One and all his Family and Companions,

And whoever follows his guidance and speaks.

And whoever is guided by his guidance and speaks of it.