عاصىdefied الشَبابَyouth فَراحَthen went forth غَيرَnot مُفَنَّدِjudged foolish
عاصى الشَبابَ فَراحَ غَيرَ مُفَنَّدِ
وَأَقامَand settled بَينَbetween عَزيمَةٍresolve وَتَجَلُّدِand fortitude
وَأَقامَ بَينَ عَزيمَةٍ وَتَجَلُّدِ
He defied youth and went forth without being judged foolish,
and settled between resolve and fortitude.
مُتَحَيِّراًbewildered طَلَعَتrose لَهُfor him شَمسُthe sun of النُهىreason
مُتَحَيِّراً طَلَعَت لَهُ شَمسُ النُهى
فَمَشىso he walked عَلىalong سَنَنِthe course of الطَريقِthe road الأَقصَدِstraightest
فَمَشى عَلى سَنَنِ الطَريقِ الأَقصَدِ
Bewildered, he saw the sun of reason rise for him,
and walked along the course of the straightest road.
دَرَجَcrept الكَرىsleep فيinto مُقلَتَيهِhis two eyes وَرُبَّماand often
دَرَجَ الكَرى في مُقلَتَيهِ وَرُبَّما
مُنِيَwas afflicted الكَرىsleep مِنهُby him بِلَيلَةِwith a night of أَرمَدِone with sore eyes
مُنِيَ الكَرى مِنهُ بِلَيلَةِ أَرمَدِ
Sleep crept into his eyes, though often
sleep had suffered from him a sore-eyed man's night,
أَيّامَin the days when يَعتَلِجُseethed الصِباyouthful passion فيin صَدرِهِhis breast
أَيّامَ يَعتَلِجُ الصِبا في صَدرِهِ
بِرِضىwith delight in المُدامَةِwine وَالخِدالِand full-figured women النُهَّدِfull-breasted
بِرِضى المُدامَةِ وَالخِدالِ النُهَّدِ
in days when youthful passion seethed within his breast,
delighting in wine and full-figured, full-breasted women.
إِنَّindeed الصِباyouthful passion وَعَرَتgrew rough عَلَيكَfor you سَبيلُهُits path
إِنَّ الصِبا وَعَرَت عَلَيكَ سَبيلُهُ
فَتَنَكَّبَتso it turned aside بِكَwith you عَنfrom وِصالِunion with الخُرَّدِbashful maidens
فَتَنَكَّبَت بِكَ عَن وِصالِ الخُرَّدِ
Indeed, youthful passion's path has grown rough for you,
and turned you away from union with bashful maidens.
قَعَدَrestrained النُهىreason بِكَyou عَنfrom تَقاذُفِthe tossing of صَبوَةٍyouthful desire
قَعَدَ النُهى بِكَ عَن تَقاذُفِ صَبوَةٍ
خَطَرَتthat stirred بِرَيعانِin the bloom of الشَبابِyouth الأَغيَدِsupple
خَطَرَت بِرَيعانِ الشَبابِ الأَغيَدِ
Reason restrained you from the tossing of a youthful desire
that stirred in the bloom of supple youth.
فَاِعمَدso direct yourself بِحَزمِكَwith your prudence نَحوَtoward أَمرٍa purpose واحِدٍsingle
فَاِعمَد بِحَزمِكَ نَحوَ أَمرٍ واحِدٍ
وَقُدِand lead العَزيمَةَresolve بِالعَزيمَةِwith resolve تَنقَدِit will yield
وَقُدِ العَزيمَةَ بِالعَزيمَةِ تَنقَدِ
Direct your prudence, then, toward a single purpose,
and lead resolve with resolve: it will yield.
لَولاwhy not تُثيرُكَrouse you عَنfrom مَقامِكَyour station هِمَّةٌan ambition
لَولا تُثيرُكَ عَن مَقامِكَ هِمَّةٌ
يَنجوtakes flight بِهاthrough it كَلَبُthe frenzy of الهُمومِcares العُوَّدِrecurring
يَنجو بِها كَلَبُ الهُمومِ العُوَّدِ
Why not let ambition rouse you from your station,
one through which the frenzy of recurring cares takes flight?
جَهَلَacted foolishly الزَمانُtime وَعادَand returned فيto عاداتِهِits habits
جَهَلَ الزَمانُ وَعادَ في عاداتِهِ
فَلَبِستُهُso I wore it بِتَجَمُّلٍwith graceful patience وَتَغَمُّدِand forbearance
فَلَبِستُهُ بِتَجَمُّلٍ وَتَغَمُّدِ
Time acted foolishly and returned to its old ways,
so I wore it with graceful patience and forbearance,
حَتّىuntil خَرَجتُI emerged مِنَfrom الحَوادِثِcalamities لَمnot أَنَلI acquired
حَتّى خَرَجتُ مِنَ الحَوادِثِ لَم أَنَل
طَبعاًrust وَلَمand did not أَقدَحstrike fire بِزَندٍwith a fire-stick مُصلَدِsparkless
طَبعاً وَلَم أَقدَح بِزَندٍ مُصلَدِ
until I emerged from calamities untouched
by rust, nor striking with a sparkless fire-stick.
خَلَّفتُI left behind وارِدَةَthe incoming tide of الهُمومِcares وَرُبَّماand often
خَلَّفتُ وارِدَةَ الهُمومِ وَرُبَّما
لَحِقَتthey caught مُعَرَّسَthe night-camp of مَربَعيmy spring abode أَوor مَورِديmy watering-place
لَحِقَت مُعَرَّسَ مَربَعي أَو مَورِدي
I left the incoming cares behind, though often
they caught my night's camp at my spring abode or watering-place.
أَلقىhe cast الدُجىdarkness عَنfrom مَنكِبَيهِhis shoulders بِرَوحَةٍwith an evening march
أَلقى الدُجى عَن مَنكِبَيهِ بِرَوحَةٍ
نَبَذَتthat flung بِهِhim onward عَنfrom فَدفَدٍa barren waste فيinto فَدفَدِa barren waste
نَبَذَت بِهِ عَن فَدفَدٍ في فَدفَدِ
He cast darkness from his shoulders with an evening march
that flung him from one barren waste into another.
أَمّاas for النَهارُdaytime فَإِنَّهُit indeed لِمَضَلَّةٍbelongs to a trackless waste
أَمّا النَهارُ فَإِنَّهُ لِمَضَلَّةٍ
بَيداءَa desert صادِقَةِtrue in الهَواجِرِnoonday heats صَيخَدِblazingly hot
بَيداءَ صادِقَةِ الهَواجِرِ صَيخَدِ
As for daytime, it belonged to a trackless waste,
a blazing desert whose noonday heats were true.
وَإِذاand when الدُجىdarkness اِلتَبَسَتwrapped itself فَأَوَّلُthen the first طالِعٍto rise
وَإِذا الدُجى اِلتَبَسَت فَأَوَّلُ طالِعٍ
فيin وَجهِهاits face مِنfrom جَيبِهاits bosom المُتَوَقِدِblazing
في وَجهِها مِن جَيبِها المُتَوَقِدِ
And when darkness wrapped itself around, he was the first to rise
against its face, from its blazing bosom.
يَغدوhe sets out at dawn وَقَدhaving already أَسرىtraveled by night السُرىthe night journey وَكَأَنَّماand as though
يَغدو وَقَد أَسرى السُرى وَكَأَنَّما
غاداهُmet him at dawn بِالدُلُجاتِwith night journeys لَيلُthe night of الرُقَّدِsleepers
غاداهُ بِالدُلُجاتِ لَيلُ الرُقَّدِ
He sets out at dawn after traveling through the night, as though
the sleepers' night had greeted him with its night journeys.
رَكِبَhe rode through الضُحىthe forenoon حَتّىuntil إِذاwhen اِعتَنَقَhe embraced الدُجىdarkness
رَكِبَ الضُحى حَتّى إِذا اِعتَنَقَ الدُجى
وَاِفتَرَّهاand opened it عَنto reveal مُغرَبٍa sunset مُتَوَقِّدِblazing
وَاِفتَرَّها عَن مُغرَبٍ مُتَوَقِّدِ
He rode through the forenoon until he embraced the darkness
and opened it to reveal a blazing sunset.
حَطَّhe halted الرِكابَthe mounts إِلىat جَنابِthe precinct of مُحَمَّدٍMuhammad
حَطَّ الرِكابَ إِلى جَنابِ مُحَمَّدٍ
مِنfrom جُنحِthe dusk of لَيلٍa night كَالغَمامَةِlike a cloud أَربَدِash-gray
مِن جُنحِ لَيلٍ كَالغَمامَةِ أَربَدِ
He halted the mounts in Muhammad's precinct
out of a night's dusk, ash-gray as a cloud.
تَخديthey stride swiftly العِرَضنَةَwith a swaying gait قَدalready تَقَسَّمَdivided طَرفَهاtheir gaze
تَخدي العِرَضنَةَ قَد تَقَسَّمَ طَرفَها
وَضَحُthe white track of الطَريقِthe road وَخَوفُand fear of مَسِّthe touch of المُحصَدِthe tightly twisted lash
وَضَحُ الطَريقِ وَخَوفُ مَسِّ المُحصَدِ
They stride swiftly with a swaying gait, their gaze divided
between the road's white track and fear of the tightly twisted lash's touch.
نَهَضَrose اِبنُthe son of مَنصورٍMansur فَأَدرَكَand reached غايَةًa goal
نَهَضَ اِبنُ مَنصورٍ فَأَدرَكَ غايَةً
قَعَدَتheld back مَآثِرُهاits glories بِكُلِّevery مُسَوَّدِacknowledged chief
قَعَدَت مَآثِرُها بِكُلِّ مُسَوَّدِ
Ibn Mansur rose and reached a goal
whose glories held every acknowledged chief back.
مَلِكٌa king إِذاwhen الغاياتُthe goals مَدَّتextended شَأوَهُhis course
مَلِكٌ إِذا الغاياتُ مَدَّت شَأوَهُ
سَبَقَhe outstripped الجِيادَthe steeds وَفاتَand surpassed كُلَّevery مُقَلَّدِgarlanded champion
سَبَقَ الجِيادَ وَفاتَ كُلَّ مُقَلَّدِ
A king: when the goals extended his course,
he outstripped the steeds and surpassed every garlanded champion.
أَعطىhe gave فَماand does not تَنفَكُّcease تُنزَعُto be drawn هِمَّةٌan ambition
أَعطى فَما تَنفَكُّ تُنزَعُ هِمَّةٌ
أَمَلاًin hope إِلَيهِtoward him مِنَfrom المَحَلِّthe place الأَبعَدِfarthest
أَمَلاً إِلَيهِ مِنَ المَحَلِّ الأَبعَدِ
He gave, and ambition never ceases to be drawn
hopefully toward him from the farthest place.
سَبَقَتanticipated عَطِيَّتُهُhis gift مُنىthe wishes of مُرتادِهاits seeker
سَبَقَت عَطِيَّتُهُ مُنى مُرتادِها
وَاِستَحدَثَتand awakened هِمَماًambitions لِمَنin those who لَمdid not يَرتَدِseek
وَاِستَحدَثَت هِمَماً لِمَن لَم يَرتَدِ
His gift anticipated its seeker's wishes
and awakened ambitions in those who had not sought it.
تِلكَthose العُلاheights of glory حُكِّمنَwere given authority فيover أَموالِهِhis wealth
تِلكَ العُلا حُكِّمنَ في أَموالِهِ
فَأَعَضنَهُso they compensated him مِنهاin exchange for it جِوارَwith proximity to الفَرقَدِthe Farqad star
فَأَعَضنَهُ مِنها جِوارَ الفَرقَدِ
Those heights of glory were given command over his wealth,
and in exchange gave him a place beside the Farqad star.
زادَadded to الزِيادِيِّينَthe Ziyadis جودُthe bounty of مُحَمَّدٍMuhammad
زادَ الزِيادِيِّينَ جودُ مُحَمَّدٍ
شَرَفَthe honor of الحَديثِthe new مَعَbeside القَديمِthe ancient الأَتلَدِmost ancestral
شَرَفَ الحَديثِ مَعَ القَديمِ الأَتلَدِ
Muhammad's bounty added to the Ziyadis
fresh honor beside their oldest ancestral glory.
حَلّواthey settled بِرابِيَةِupon the hill of العُلاglory وَتَفَرَّعواand branched
حَلّوا بِرابِيَةِ العُلا وَتَفَرَّعوا
مِنfrom هاشِمٍHashim فَرعاًas a branch أَشَمَّlofty مُوَطَّدِfirmly rooted
مِن هاشِمٍ فَرعاً أَشَمَّ مُوَطَّدِ
They settled upon the hill of glory and branched
from Hashim as a lofty, firmly rooted bough:
بَيتاًa house تَطَنَّبَstretched its tent-ropes بِالنُجومِto the stars بِناؤُهُits structure
بَيتاً تَطَنَّبَ بِالنُجومِ بِناؤُهُ
فيin ناطِحٍone butting against سَقفَthe roof of السَماءِheaven مُشَيَّدِloftily built
في ناطِحٍ سَقفَ السَماءِ مُشَيَّدِ
a house whose structure stretched its tent-ropes to the stars,
in a towering edifice butting against heaven's roof.
ماnot زالَتِceased الأَيّامُthe days تَرفَعraising شَأوَهُhis lead
ما زالَتِ الأَيّامُ تَرفَع شَأوَهُ
وَيَزيدُand increases عَودُthe return of السابِقِthe front-runner المُتَزَيَّدِever-improving
وَيَزيدُ عَودُ السابِقِ المُتَزَيَّدِ
The days have kept increasing the distance of his lead,
and each return of the ever-improving champion adds to it,
حَتّىuntil إِذاwhen بَلَغَhe reached المَدىthe farthest limit عارَضنَهُthey drew alongside him
حَتّى إِذا بَلَغَ المَدى عارَضنَهُ
فَمَسَحنَthen they stroked غُرَّةَthe forehead-blaze of سابِقٍa front-runner لَمnot يَجهَدِstrained
فَمَسَحنَ غُرَّةَ سابِقٍ لَم يَجهَدِ
until, when he reached the farthest limit, they drew alongside him
and stroked the forehead-blaze of a front-runner never strained.
أَغنىmade independent عَنِof البُخَلاءِthe misers مُبتَدِرَone hastening toward الغِنىwealth
أَغنى عَنِ البُخَلاءِ مُبتَدِرَ الغِنى
وَكَفىand spared المُقَصِّرَthe lagging seeker مِنحَةَthe gift of المُتَجَوِّدِthe would-be generous
وَكَفى المُقَصِّرَ مِنحَةَ المُتَجَوِّدِ
He freed the man hastening toward wealth from need of misers,
and spared the lagging seeker a would-be generous man's gift.
لاnot يَدفَعُhe puts off الأَمَلَthe hope القَريبَnearby لِعَودِهِuntil its return
لا يَدفَعُ الأَمَلَ القَريبَ لِعَودِهِ
فيat حينِthe time of دَفعِthe repelling by الغَيثِrain حَمدَthe praise of الرُوَّدِpasture-seekers
في حينِ دَفعِ الغَيثِ حَمدَ الرُوَّدِ
He does not send a nearby hope away to return again,
even when rain turns away the praise of pasture-seekers.
يَتَجَنَّبُhe avoids الهَفَواتِmissteps فيin خَلَواتِهِhis private moments
يَتَجَنَّبُ الهَفَواتِ في خَلَواتِهِ
عَفُّpure السَريرَةِof inward nature غَيبُهُhis unseen conduct كَالمَشهَدِlike his public conduct
عَفُّ السَريرَةِ غَيبُهُ كَالمَشهَدِ
He avoids missteps in his private moments;
pure in inward nature, his unseen conduct matches his public conduct.
أَخَذَhe grasped الأُمورَaffairs بِعَينِهِwith his eye وَضَميرِهِand his mind
أَخَذَ الأُمورَ بِعَينِهِ وَضَميرِهِ
حَتّىuntil أَقامَhe established لَهُنَّfor them قَصَدَa direct course to المَورِدِthe watering-place
حَتّى أَقامَ لَهُنَّ قَصَدَ المَورِدِ
He grasped affairs with his eye and mind
until he established for them a direct course to water.
وَلَهُand he has إِذاwhen فَنِىَare exhausted السُؤالُrequests مَذاهِبٌways
وَلَهُ إِذا فَنِىَ السُؤالُ مَذاهِبٌ
فيin الجودِgenerosity تَبحَثُthat seek عَنout سُؤالِthe request of المُجتَديthe supplicant
في الجودِ تَبحَثُ عَن سُؤالِ المُجتَدي
When requests are exhausted, he has ways
of generosity that seek out the supplicant's request.
وَإِذاand when تُخُوِّفَتare feared الأُمورُaffairs يَرىhe devises لَهاfor them
وَإِذا تُخُوِّفَت الأُمورُ يَرى لَها
رَأياًa plan يَشُقُّhe breaks بِهِwith it اِعتِزامَthe determination of الأَصيَدِthe haughty man
رَأياً يَشُقُّ بِهِ اِعتِزامَ الأَصيَدِ
And when affairs are feared, he devises for them
a plan with which he breaks the haughty man's determination.
مُتَفَتِّقُabounding in الآراءِcounsels فيwithin جَمعِthe unity of الهَوىpurpose
مُتَفَتِّقُ الآراءِ في جَمعِ الهَوى
يَخرُجنَthey emerge مِنfrom نَجوىthe secret converse of ضَميرٍa mind أَوحَدِunequaled
يَخرُجنَ مِن نَجوى ضَميرٍ أَوحَدِ
His counsels unfold within a single purpose;
they issue from the secret converse of an unequaled mind.
يَفحَصنَthey probe عَنinto رَجمِthe random casting of الظُنونِconjectures وَتارَةًand sometimes
يَفحَصنَ عَن رَجمِ الظُنونِ وَتارَةً
يَأخُذنَthey seize بِالكَيدِwith cunning اِختِيالَthe conceit of الأَكيَدِthe most cunning
يَأخُذنَ بِالكَيدِ اِختِيالَ الأَكيَدِ
They probe conjectures cast at random, and at times
seize through cunning the conceit of the most cunning.
يَتَغَمَّدُhe bears with الأَيّامَthe days فيin نَزَواتِهاtheir caprices
يَتَغَمَّدُ الأَيّامَ في نَزَواتِها
ثَبتُsteadfast المَقامِin standing عَلىunder اِقتِراحِthe demands of السُؤدَدِlordship
ثَبتُ المَقامِ عَلى اِقتِراحِ السُؤدَدِ
He bears with the days in their caprices,
steadfast beneath the demands of lordship.
لاnot يَشتَكيhe complains of أَلَمَthe pain of السِنينَthe years وَلاnor يُرىis he seen
لا يَشتَكي أَلَمَ السِنينَ وَلا يُرى
قَنِعاًcontent بِمَكرُمَةٍwith an honor إِذاif لَمnot يَزدَدِhe gains more
قَنِعاً بِمَكرُمَةٍ إِذا لَم يَزدَدِ
He does not complain of the years' pain, nor is he seen
content with an honor unless he gains still more.
وَالناسُand people أَدنىlower مِنهُthan he أَوor مُتَخَلِّفٌone lagging
وَالناسُ أَدنى مِنهُ أَو مُتَخَلِّفٌ
عَنbehind شَأوِهِhis reach مُتَقَدِّمٌearlier فيin المَولِدِbirth
عَن شَأوِهِ مُتَقَدِّمٌ في المَولِدِ
People are beneath him; or a man trails
behind his reach, though earlier-born.
جَدَّstrove الكِرامُnoble men فَلَمbut did not يَنالواreach سَعيَهُhis endeavor
جَدَّ الكِرامُ فَلَم يَنالوا سَعيَهُ
كَثرَتهُمُoutnumbered them هِمّاتُthe ambitions of مَنone who لَمdid not يَجدِدِstrain himself
كَثرَتهُمُ هِمّاتُ مَن لَم يَجدِدِ
Noble men strove but could not match his endeavor;
the ambitions of one who did not strain outnumbered them.
ماnot اِستَوقَفَheld اللَحَظاتِthe glances مَذهَبُa course of فِكرَةٍthought
ما اِستَوقَفَ اللَحَظاتِ مَذهَبُ فِكرَةٍ
إِلّاexcept وَفيهِwith in it صَنيعَةٌa benefaction لِمُحَمَّدِof Muhammad
إِلّا وَفيهِ صَنيعَةٌ لِمُحَمَّدِ
No course of thought ever held the eyes
without some benefaction of Muhammad being there.
يَستَصغِرُhe considers small الدُنياthe world إِذاwhen عَرَضَتit presents itself لَهُto him
يَستَصغِرُ الدُنيا إِذا عَرَضَت لَهُ
فيin هِمَّةٍan aspiration أَوor نائِلٍa gift أَوor مَوعِدِa promise
في هِمَّةٍ أَو نائِلٍ أَو مَوعِدِ
He considers the world small when it presents itself to him
in an aspiration, a gift, or a promise.
غَمرُabundant البَديهَةِin ready wit يُستَعَدُّpreparations are made بِرَأيِهِthrough his counsel
غَمرُ البَديهَةِ يُستَعَدُّ بِرَأيِهِ
لِبَديهَةِfor the sudden onset of الحَدَثِthe event الَّذيthat لَمnot يُعدَدِwas prepared for
لِبَديهَةِ الحَدَثِ الَّذي لَم يُعدَدِ
Abundant in ready wit, his counsel makes provision
for the sudden event for which no provision was made.
يَضَعُsets العُيونَwatchers عَلىover المَطالِبِneeds جودُهُhis generosity
يَضَعُ العُيونَ عَلى المَطالِبِ جودُهُ
حَتّىso that يَكونَis لَهُfor it السُؤالُthe request بِمَرصَدِunder watch
حَتّى يَكونَ لَهُ السُؤالُ بِمَرصَدِ
His generosity sets watchers over people's needs,
until every request lies within its watch.
وَلَرُبَّand many a مُشتَمِلٍman wrapped up عَلىon دُكانِهِhis raised bench
وَلَرُبَّ مُشتَمِلٍ عَلى دُكانِهِ
راضٍcontent بِفَضلِwith the surplus of الزادِprovisions مِنfrom مُتَزَوِّدِone carrying provisions
راضٍ بِفَضلِ الزادِ مِن مُتَزَوِّدِ
And many a man wrapped up on his raised bench,
content with leftover provisions from someone carrying food,
وَسِنٍdrowsy إِذاwhen غَدَتِset out at dawn الوُفودُthe delegations كَأَنَّماas though
وَسِنٍ إِذا غَدَتِ الوُفودُ كَأَنَّما
كَلَأَwatched over الكَواكِبَthe stars لَيلُهُhis night لَمnot يَرقُدِslept
كَلَأَ الكَواكِبَ لَيلُهُ لَم يَرقُدِ
drowsy when delegations set out, as though
his night had watched the stars and never slept,
مُتَعَذِّرِthwarted in الهِمّاتِambitions مُنقَطِعِcut off from الغِنىwealth
مُتَعَذِّرِ الهِمّاتِ مُنقَطِعِ الغِنى
إِلّاexcept for مُقارَعَةَcontending with الزَمانِtime الأَنكَدِill-starred
إِلّا مُقارَعَةَ الزَمانِ الأَنكَدِ
thwarted in ambition, cut off from wealth,
with nothing but contention against ill-starred time,
يُضحيhe spends the day إِذاwhen سَنَحَتappears لَهُto him إِحدىone of المُنىthe wishes
يُضحي إِذا سَنَحَت لَهُ إِحدى المُنى
قَنِعاًcontent بِخَطرَتِهاwith its passing thought وَإِنeven if لَمnot يورِدِit brings him to water
قَنِعاً بِخَطرَتِها وَإِن لَم يورِدِ
spends the day, when one of his wishes appears,
content with its passing thought, though it brings him no water.
لَمّاwhen رَأىhe saw الآمالَhopes نَحوَكَtoward you شُرَّعاًcoming to drink
لَمّا رَأى الآمالَ نَحوَكَ شُرَّعاً
يَصدُرنَdeparting عَنكَfrom you بِمِثلِwith the like of عَودِthe return of المُبتَديa first-time seeker
يَصدُرنَ عَنكَ بِمِثلِ عَودِ المُبتَدي
When he saw hopes coming toward you to drink,
departing from you like a first-time seeker returning,
شَرَعَتventured forth لَهُwithin him نَفسٌa soul فَطالَعَso he approached هِمَّةًan ambition
شَرَعَت لَهُ نَفسٌ فَطالَعَ هِمَّةً
رَجَعَتهُthat sent him back مَضموناًguaranteed ثَناءَthe praise of الوُفَّدِthe delegations
رَجَعَتهُ مَضموناً ثَناءَ الوُفَّدِ
his soul ventured forth, and he approached an ambition
that sent him back assured of the delegations' praise.
زِدتَyou added to الأَكارِمَthe noblest men فيamong المَكارِمِnoble qualities شيمَةًa trait
زِدتَ الأَكارِمَ في المَكارِمِ شيمَةً
تَستَلُّthat plucks out فيin الأَزَماتِhardships غِلَّthe rancor of الحُسَّدِthe envious
تَستَلُّ في الأَزَماتِ غِلَّ الحُسَّدِ
You added among the noblest men's virtues a trait
that plucks out the envious men's rancor in hardships.
وَلَرُبَّماand often أَعطَيتَyou gave شانِئَكَyour hater الرِضىsatisfaction
وَلَرُبَّما أَعطَيتَ شانِئَكَ الرِضى
فَغَداso he departed بِغُلَّةِwith the burning thirst of حاسِدٍan envier لَمnot يَجحَدِdenying
فَغَدا بِغُلَّةِ حاسِدٍ لَم يَجحَدِ
And often you have given your hater satisfaction,
so he departed with an envier's burning thirst, unable to deny it.
تَأتيovercome عَلىcompletely هَفَواتِهِhis lapses عَنfrom a position of قُدرَةٍpower
تَأتي عَلى هَفَواتِهِ عَن قُدرَةٍ
بَدَراتُthe swift impulses of راجِحِweighty حِلمِكَyour forbearance المُستَأسِدِlion-like
بَدَراتُ راجِحِ حِلمِكَ المُستَأسِدِ
His lapses are overcome, though you hold power,
by the swift impulses of your weighty, lion-like forbearance.
لاmay not يَبعَدَنperish مالٌwealth رَبَيتَyou nurtured بِهِwith which العُلىgreatness
لا يَبعَدَن مالٌ رَبَيتَ بِهِ العُلى
فَحَصِدتَand you reaped فيهِin it وَقُلand say لِعاذِلِكَto your reproacher اِبعَدِbe gone!
فَحَصِدتَ فيهِ وَقُل لِعاذِلِكَ اِبعَدِ
May no wealth perish through which you nurtured greatness
and reaped its harvest; tell your reproacher, 'Be gone!'
فَلَأَنتَfor you indeed أَمضىare more forceful فيin الكَفاءِmatching valor وَفيand in النَدىbounty
فَلَأَنتَ أَمضى في الكَفاءِ وَفي النَدى
مِنthan باسِلٍa fierce lion وَردٍtawny وَغادٍand a morning cloud مُرعِدِthundering
مِن باسِلٍ وَردٍ وَغادٍ مُرعِدِ
For you are more forceful in matching valor and in bounty
than a tawny, fierce lion and a thundering morning cloud.
وَطِأَتhave trampled بِكَthrough you القَصَراتِthe necks فَهيَso they are ذَليلَةٌhumbled
وَطِأَت بِكَ القَصَراتِ فَهيَ ذَليلَةٌ
هِمَمٌambitions مَدَدنَthat stretched إِلَيكَtoward you طَرفَthe gaze of الأَقوَدِa long-necked steed
هِمَمٌ مَدَدنَ إِلَيكَ طَرفَ الأَقوَدِ
Through you, necks have been trampled and humbled
by ambitions that stretched toward you a proud steed's gaze.
أَعطَيتَyou gave حَتّىuntil مَلَّtired of سائِلُكَyour petitioner الغِنىwealth
أَعطَيتَ حَتّى مَلَّ سائِلُكَ الغِنى
وَعَلَوتَand you rose حَتّىuntil ماnot يُقالُis said لَكَto you اِزدَدِrise higher!
وَعَلَوتَ حَتّى ما يُقالُ لَكَ اِزدَدِ
You gave until your petitioner tired of wealth,
and rose so high none says to you, 'Rise higher!'
ماno قَصّرَتfell short بِكَwith you غايَةٌgoal عَنof غايَةٍanother goal
ما قَصّرَت بِكَ غايَةٌ عَن غايَةٍ
فَاليَومَso today مَجدُكَyour glory مِثلُequals مَجدِكَyour glory فيin غَدِtomorrow
فَاليَومَ مَجدُكَ مِثلُ مَجدِكَ في غَدِ
No goal of yours ever fell short of another;
today your glory equals your glory tomorrow.
قُصِرَتwas devoted عَلىto الإِسرافِlavishness مِنكَin you طَبيعَةٌa nature
قُصِرَت عَلى الإِسرافِ مِنكَ طَبيعَةٌ
بَسَقَتtowered عَلىabove ذيthe possessor of الجودِgenerosity وَالمُتَجَوِّدِand the would-be generous
بَسَقَت عَلى ذي الجودِ وَالمُتَجَوِّدِ
A nature in you was devoted to lavishness,
towering above both the generous and the would-be generous.
عَكَفَتfastened عَلىupon الصَفصافِal-Safsaf مِنكَof yours عَزيمَةٌa resolve
عَكَفَت عَلى الصَفصافِ مِنكَ عَزيمَةٌ
مِنfrom رَأيِthe counsel of مُكتَنِفٍone enfolded بِنَصرٍin victory أَيِّدِmighty
مِن رَأيِ مُكتَنِفٍ بِنَصرٍ أَيِّدِ
A resolve of yours fastened upon al-Safsaf,
born of counsel enfolded in mighty victory.
أَقدَمتَyou charged وَالمُهَجاتُwhile lives تُلفَظُwere cast out وَالرَدىand death
أَقدَمتَ وَالمُهَجاتُ تُلفَظُ وَالرَدى
مُتَحَيِّرٌbewildered بَينَamong الأَسِنَّةِthe spearheads مُهتَدِfinding its way
مُتَحَيِّرٌ بَينَ الأَسِنَّةِ مُهتَدِ
You charged while lives were being cast out and death
was bewildered among the spearheads, yet finding its way.
وَالخَيلُand the horses طاوِيَةُfolding up العَجاجِthe dust نَواشِرٌspreading forth
وَالخَيلُ طاوِيَةُ العَجاجِ نَواشِرٌ
جُردٌsleek تَشاوَلُraising their tails فيin المَكَرِّthe charging-ground الأَجرَدِbare
جُردٌ تَشاوَلُ في المَكَرِّ الأَجرَدِ
The horses, folding up the dust, spread forth:
sleek steeds raising their tails on the bare charging-ground.
تَمضيyou advance عَلىalong نَهجِthe course of الإِمامِthe Imam وَتارَةًand sometimes
تَمضي عَلى نَهجِ الإِمامِ وَتارَةً
تَستَنُّyou race فيin الغاراتِraids غَيرَnot الأَحيَدِone who swerves
تَستَنُّ في الغاراتِ غَيرَ الأَحيَدِ
You advance along the Imam's course, and at times
race through raids, never swerving away,
حَتّىuntil اِفتَرَعتَyou broke through بِهاwith them السِهامَthe arrows وَدونَهاwith before them
حَتّى اِفتَرَعتَ بِها السِهامَ وَدونَها
طَعنٌthrusting بِأَعجازِwith the butts of القَناthe lances المُتَقَصِّدِsplintering
طَعنٌ بِأَعجازِ القَنا المُتَقَصِّدِ
until you broke through the arrows with them, before which lay
thrusts from the butts of splintering lances.
وَتَنافَسَتكَand competed for you رِجالُهاits men وَنِساؤُهاand its women
وَتَنافَسَتكَ رِجالُها وَنِساؤُها
مِنfrom بَينِamong مَسلوبٍone stripped وَبَينَand among مُصَفَّدِone shackled
مِن بَينِ مَسلوبٍ وَبَينَ مُصَفَّدِ
Its men and women competed for you,
some stripped of all, and others bound in chains.
وَأَشَمَّand a proud بِطريقٍpatrician كَأَنَّas though صَليفَهُthe side of his neck
وَأَشَمَّ بِطريقٍ كَأَنَّ صَليفَهُ
عُقِدَتwere bound مَفاصِلُهُits joints وَإِنalthough لَمnot تُعقَدِbound
عُقِدَت مَفاصِلُهُ وَإِن لَم تُعقَدِ
And a proud patrician, as though the side of his neck
had its joints bound, though they were unbound,
مُستَسلِمٍsurrendering لِلمَوتِto death يَعلَمُknowing أَنَّهُthat he
مُستَسلِمٍ لِلمَوتِ يَعلَمُ أَنَّهُ
إِنif لَمnot يَذُقهُhe tastes it اليَومَtoday غَيرُnot مُخَلَّدِimmortal
إِن لَم يَذُقهُ اليَومَ غَيرُ مُخَلَّدِ
surrendered to death, knowing that,
if he did not taste it today, he was not immortal.
عَجِلَتhastened يَداكَyour two hands لَهُtoward him بِضَربَةِwith a blow of خُلسَةٍstealth
عَجِلَت يَداكَ لَهُ بِضَربَةِ خُلسَةٍ
سَبَقَتthat outstripped بِحَدِّwith the edge of السَيفِthe sword حَدَّthe edge of المُجسَدِthe saffron-dyed robe
سَبَقَت بِحَدِّ السَيفِ حَدَّ المُجسَدِ
Your hands hastened toward him with a stealthy blow
that outstripped, with the sword's edge, the edge of his saffron-dyed robe.
فَكَتِلكَso like that one لاnot تِلكَthat one الَّتيwhich ضاقَتproved unequal بِهاto it
فَكَتِلكَ لا تِلكَ الَّتي ضاقَت بِها
كَفُّthe hand of الفَرَزدَقِal-Farazdaq إِذwhen يُقالُwas said لَهُto him قَدِcut!
كَفُّ الفَرَزدَقِ إِذ يُقالُ لَهُ قَدِ
A stroke like that—not that one to which
al-Farazdaq's hand proved unequal when told, 'Cut!'
ماnot نالَhe won حَمدَpraise القَولِin speech بَعدَafter قِيامِهِhis standing
ما نالَ حَمدَ القَولِ بَعدَ قِيامِهِ
فيهاfor it وَسَلِّand drawing المَشرَفِيِّthe Mashrafi sword المُغمَدِsheathed
فيها وَسَلِّ المَشرَفِيِّ المُغمَدِ
He won no words of praise after standing
to it and drawing the sheathed Mashrafi sword.
وَأَبوكَand your father يَومَon the day of القَيرَوانِQayrawan وَقَدwhen already جَرَتflowed
وَأَبوكَ يَومَ القَيرَوانِ وَقَد جَرَت
مُهَجُthe lifeblood of المُلوكِkings عَلىupon سُيوفِthe swords of الجُحَّدِdeniers
مُهَجُ المُلوكِ عَلى سُيوفِ الجُحَّدِ
And your father on the day of Qayrawan, when
kings' lifeblood flowed upon the swords of deniers,
سَدَّsealed الثُغورَthe frontiers بِهاthere وَقَدalthough already فَغَرَتthey gaped لَهُat him
سَدَّ الثُغورَ بِها وَقَد فَغَرَت لَهُ
بِالمَوتِwith death بَينَbetween مُبَيِّضٍa white-clad man وَمُسَوِّدِand a black-clad man
بِالمَوتِ بَينَ مُبَيِّضٍ وَمُسَوِّدِ
sealed the frontiers there, though they had gaped at him
with death, between wearers of white and wearers of black:
يَوماًa day هَفَتfaltered فيهِon it الأَعاجِمُthe non-Arabs وَاِحتَسىand drank
يَوماً هَفَت فيهِ الأَعاجِمُ وَاِحتَسى
جُرَعَdraughts of الحِمامِdeath الفَضلُal-Fadl غَيرَwithout مُعَرِّدِfleeing
جُرَعَ الحِمامِ الفَضلُ غَيرَ مُعَرِّدِ
a day when the non-Arabs faltered, and al-Fadl drank
draughts of death without turning to flee.
نَهَضَتrose بِهِمagainst them عُقَبُthe reversals of الزَمانِtime فَأَنجَدَتand aided
نَهَضَت بِهِم عُقَبُ الزَمانِ فَأَنجَدَت
سَيفَthe sword of الدَليلِthe guide عَلىagainst الأَغَرِّthe illustrious one الأَنجَدِthe valiant one
سَيفَ الدَليلِ عَلى الأَغَرِّ الأَنجَدِ
Time's reversals rose against them and aided
the guide's sword against the illustrious, valiant man,
لَمّاwhen تَمَخَّضَتِlabored المَنونُDeath لِثَمِّهاto mend it
لَمّا تَمَخَّضَتِ المَنونُ لِثَمِّها
وَتَعَضَّلَتand grew intractable بِالناكِثِthrough the oath-breaker المُتَمَرِّدِrebellious
وَتَعَضَّلَت بِالناكِثِ المُتَمَرِّدِ
when Death labored to mend it
and grew intractable through the rebellious oath-breaker.
ماnot غابَhe departed حَتّىuntil آبَreturned تَحتَbeneath لِوائِهِhis banner
ما غابَ حَتّى آبَ تَحتَ لِوائِهِ
رَأبُthe mending of الثَأىthe breach وَصَلاحُand the setting right of أَمرِthe affairs of المُفسِدِthe corrupter
رَأبُ الثَأى وَصَلاحُ أَمرِ المُفسِدِ
He did not depart until beneath his banner returned
the mending of the breach and the setting right of the corrupter's affairs.
دَعَمَsupported الإِمامُthe Imam بِهِthrough him قَواعِدَthe foundations of مُلكِهِhis kingdom
دَعَمَ الإِمامُ بِهِ قَواعِدَ مُلكِهِ
وَلَقَدalthough indeed تَطَرَّقَهاhad penetrated them اِنتِكاثُthe treachery of المُلحِدِthe impious rebel
وَلَقَد تَطَرَّقَها اِنتِكاثُ المُلحِدِ
The Imam supported the foundations of his kingdom through him,
though the impious rebel's treachery had penetrated them.
زَحَفَتadvanced لَهُمagainst them آراؤُهُhis counsels بِمَكيدَةٍwith a stratagem
زَحَفَت لَهُم آراؤُهُ بِمَكيدَةٍ
مِنfrom تَحتِbeneath سَطوَةِthe onslaught of لَيثِa lion غابٍof the thicket مُلبِدِmatted-maned
مِن تَحتِ سَطوَةِ لَيثِ غابٍ مُلبِدِ
His counsels advanced against them with a stratagem
beneath the onslaught of a matted-maned lion of the thicket.
يَقضيhe destroys عَلىutterly مُهَجِthe lifeblood of النُفوسِsouls وَإِنeven if نَأَتthey are distant
يَقضي عَلى مُهَجِ النُفوسِ وَإِن نَأَت
بِصَريمَةٍwith a firm decision مِنfrom عَزمِthe resolve of رَأيٍcounsel مُحصَدِtightly woven
بِصَريمَةٍ مِن عَزمِ رَأيٍ مُحصَدِ
He destroys the very lifeblood of souls, however distant,
with a firm decision born of tightly woven, resolute counsel.
جَنَبَhe led at his side الجِيادَthe steeds مِنَfrom العِراقِIraq شَوازِباًlean-flanked
جَنَبَ الجِيادَ مِنَ العِراقِ شَوازِباً
يَقرَعنَthey strike هاماتِthe crowns of الصَفاhard rock بِالجَلمَدِwith stone-hard hooves
يَقرَعنَ هاماتِ الصَفا بِالجَلمَدِ
He led the steeds from Iraq at his side, lean-flanked,
striking the crowns of hard rock with stone-hard hooves:
مِنof كُلِّevery سامِيَةِhigh القَذالِof poll طِمِرَّةٍbounding mare
مِن كُلِّ سامِيَةِ القَذالِ طِمِرَّةٍ
عَجلٍswift تَرَوُّحُهاin her going وَإِنeven if لَمnot تُطرَدِshe is driven
عَجلٍ تَرَوُّحُها وَإِن لَم تُطرَدِ
each a bounding mare, high of poll,
swift in her going even when not driven,
حَتّىuntil وَرَدنَthey reached القَيرَوانَQayrawan وَدونَهُwith before it
حَتّى وَرَدنَ القَيرَوانَ وَدونَهُ
مَغدىthe morning's march of الضُحىthe forenoon وَمَبيتُand the lodging of لَيلِthe night of الهُجَّدِsleepers
مَغدى الضُحى وَمَبيتُ لَيلِ الهُجَّدِ
until they reached Qayrawan, with before it
the forenoon's march and lodgings through sleepers' nights.
أَنهَجنَthey opened فيthrough جَورِthe deviations of السُهولَةِlevel ground مَنهَجاًa path
أَنهَجنَ في جَورِ السُهولَةِ مَنهَجاً
وَعَرَكنَand wore down مَخزَنَةَthe roughness of الطَريقِthe road الأَقصَدِstraightest
وَعَرَكنَ مَخزَنَةَ الطَريقِ الأَقصَدِ
They opened a path through the deviations of level ground
and wore down the roughness of the straightest road.
أَطلَقنَthey freed مِنfrom أَيديthe hands of الخُطوبِcalamities أَسيرَهاtheir captive
أَطلَقنَ مِن أَيدي الخُطوبِ أَسيرَها
وَشَرَدنَand ranged far فيin جَمعِgathering القُلوبِhearts الشُرَّدِfugitive
وَشَرَدنَ في جَمعِ القُلوبِ الشُرَّدِ
They freed calamities' captive from their hands
and ranged far to gather fugitive hearts.
لَمّاwhen رَآهُsaw him المَغرِبِيُّthe Maghribi وَنارُهُand his fire
لَمّا رَآهُ المَغرِبِيُّ وَنارُهُ
شَعواءُraging widely مُطفِئَةٌextinguishing لِنارِthe fire of المَوقِدِthe kindler
شَعواءُ مُطفِئَةٌ لِنارِ المَوقِدِ
When the Maghribi saw him, with his fire
raging widely, extinguishing the kindler's fire,
وَالخَيلُand the horses تَشتَرِفُlook out toward الحِمامَdeath وَبَينَهاand among them
وَالخَيلُ تَشتَرِفُ الحِمامَ وَبَينَها
رَأيٌa plan تَسورُspring up بِهِthrough it ظُباتُthe edges of مُهَنَّدِan Indian-steel sword
رَأيٌ تَسورُ بِهِ ظُباتُ مُهَنَّدِ
and the horses looking out toward death, with among them
a plan through which Indian-steel blades sprang up,
خافَhe feared المَنِيَّةَdeath فَاِتَّقاهُso he warded him off بِنَفسِهِwith his own person
خافَ المَنِيَّةَ فَاِتَّقاهُ بِنَفسِهِ
فيin الغُلِّthe shackle مَلطومَstruck السَوالِفِon the neck-sides بِاليَدِby the hand
في الغُلِّ مَلطومَ السَوالِفِ بِاليَدِ
he feared death and warded him off by yielding himself,
in fetters, the sides of his neck struck by the hand.
طَلَبَhe sought الأَمانَsafe-conduct وَماwhile not تَفَرَّقَhad scattered جَمعُهُhis army
طَلَبَ الأَمانَ وَما تَفَرَّقَ جَمعُهُ
وَسُيوفُهُand his swords مَشهورَةٌdrawn لَمnot تُغمَدِsheathed
وَسُيوفُهُ مَشهورَةٌ لَم تُغمَدِ
He sought safe-conduct before his army had scattered,
while his swords were drawn and not yet sheathed.
زَحَفَتadvanced بِهِwith him الأَيّامُthe days فَاِنقادَتso yielded لَهُto him
زَحَفَت بِهِ الأَيّامُ فَاِنقادَت لَهُ
بِزِمامِهاwith their reins نَخَواتُthe proud spirits of كُلِّevery مُقَوِّدِleader
بِزِمامِها نَخَواتُ كُلِّ مُقَوِّدِ
The days advanced with him, and there yielded to him,
with their reins, the proud spirits of every leader.
وَغَدَتand came بِهِwith him رِدفاًin succession مَطالِعُauspicious risings لَمnot تَزَلceased
وَغَدَت بِهِ رِدفاً مَطالِعُ لَم تَزَل
تَجريbringing لِمَنصورٍto Mansur بِطَيرِthe bird of الأَسعَدِhappiest fortune
تَجري لِمَنصورٍ بِطَيرِ الأَسعَدِ
With him came successive auspicious risings that had always
brought Mansur the bird of happiest fortune.
لَبِسَput on الأَمانَsafety بِهِthrough him المُخافُthe frightened man وَأَطرَقتand lowered their gaze
لَبِسَ الأَمانَ بِهِ المُخافُ وَأَطرَقت
هِمَمُthe ambitions of المُريبِthe suspect man وَثابَand returned كُلُّevery مُشَرَّدِoutcast
هِمَمُ المُريبِ وَثابَ كُلُّ مُشَرَّدِ
Through him the frightened man put on safety, and lowered their gaze
the suspect man's ambitions; every outcast returned.
Sol 6.1