أَأَنتَ أَم أَنا أَم ما نِلتَ مِن رُتَب

أَأَنتَ أَم أَنا أَم ما نِلتَ مِن رُتَب

أَولى بِنَيل التَهاني يا اِبنَ خَير أَبِ

أَولى بِنَيل التَهاني يا اِبنَ خَير أَبِ

Are you, or I, or the ranks you have attained

Are you or am I more deserving of congratulations, O son of the best father,

Most deserving of congratulations, O son of the finest father?

For the ranks you have attained?

لَم أَدرِ مَن ذا أُهنّي فَالهَناءُ لَهُ

لَم أَدرِ مَن ذا أُهنّي فَالهَناءُ لَهُ

من نَفسِهِ بِكَ ما بِالمَجد مِنهُ وَبي

من نَفسِهِ بِكَ ما بِالمَجد مِنهُ وَبي

I knew not whom to congratulate, for his joy

I know not whom to congratulate, so congratulations to him!

In himself through you matches glory's joy through him and me.

He has congratulated himself through you and through the glory associated with you.

أَنا المُهَنّا بِما أُوليتَ مِن منحٍ

أَنا المُهَنّا بِما أُوليتَ مِن منحٍ

بِنَيل أَضعاف ما قَد نِلت مِن أَرَبِ

بِنَيل أَضعاف ما قَد نِلت مِن أَرَبِ

I am the one to be congratulated for the gifts bestowed on you,

I am the one congratulating you for the gifts you have received,

Gaining many times the desires you have attained.

For attaining a multiple of what you have already attained in nobility.

يا واحِداً ما ثَناهُ عَن مَقاصِدهِ

يا واحِداً ما ثَناهُ عَن مَقاصِدهِ

ثانٍ وَلا عاقَهُ المَقدور عَن طَلَبِ

ثانٍ وَلا عاقَهُ المَقدور عَن طَلَبِ

O peerless one, never turned from his aims

O peerless one, nothing has distracted you

By another, nor hindered by destiny in his quest;

From your purposes—no second opinion and no inability.

بِرَغمِ كُلّ حَسودٍ ما حُبيتَ بِهِ

بِرَغمِ كُلّ حَسودٍ ما حُبيتَ بِهِ

مِن المَناقب وَالعَلياء وَالرُتَبِ

مِن المَناقب وَالعَلياء وَالرُتَبِ

In defiance of every envier are the gifts bestowed on you:

Despite every envious person, you have been granted

Virtues, eminence, and ranks.

Eminence, sublimity, and rank.

إِن لَم تَكُن لِلعُلى أَهلاً فَلَيسَ لَها

إِن لَم تَكُن لِلعُلى أَهلاً فَلَيسَ لَها

في الناس أَهلٌ وَلا في السَبعة الشُهبِ

في الناس أَهلٌ وَلا في السَبعة الشُهبِ

If you are not worthy of eminence, then it has none worthy

If the eminent were not worthy of it, there would be

Among people, nor among the seven bright stars.

No people worthy of it on earth or in the seven orbits.

أَنتَ اِبن مَن لَو رَأتهُ الشَمس لاِحتجبت

أَنتَ اِبن مَن لَو رَأتهُ الشَمس لاِحتجبت

مِنَ الجَلال عَن الأَعيان في حجبِ

مِنَ الجَلال عَن الأَعيان في حجبِ

You are the son of one whom, were the sun to see him, it would veil itself

You are the son of one at whose sight the sun would veil itself

From his majesty, hiding from eyes behind veils.

In awe before all creatures from his tremendousness.

مِن خَير بَيتٍ سَما عِزُّ الأَنامِ بِهم

مِن خَير بَيتٍ سَما عِزُّ الأَنامِ بِهم

مُنذُ اِصطَفى مِنهُمُ الرَحمَن خَير نَبي

مُنذُ اِصطَفى مِنهُمُ الرَحمَن خَير نَبي

From the finest house, through whom mankind's honor rose

You are from the best house whose honor

Since the Most Merciful chose from them the finest prophet.

Elevated all people since the Merciful chose the best prophet from them.

بَنو لُؤَيٍّ لِواء الفَخر قَد نَشَروا

بَنو لُؤَيٍّ لِواء الفَخر قَد نَشَروا

عَلى الخَلائق مِن عُجمٍ وَمِن عربِ

عَلى الخَلائق مِن عُجمٍ وَمِن عربِ

The sons of Lu'ayy have unfurled the banner of pride

The tribe of Lu’ayy spread the banner of pride

Over all people, non-Arabs and Arabs.

Over non-Arabs and Arabs alike.

إِن كانَ فَخر بَني العَلياء في نَسَب

إِن كانَ فَخر بَني العَلياء في نَسَب

فَنَحنُ مَفخَر ذاكَ الفَخر وَالنَسَبِ

فَنَحنُ مَفخَر ذاكَ الفَخر وَالنَسَبِ

If the pride of the sons of eminence lies in ancestry,

If ancestral glory lies in lineage,

Then we are the pride of that pride and ancestry.

We pride ourselves in that pride and lineage.

مَنِ المفاخرُ أَبناءَ الرَسول وَقَد

مَنِ المفاخرُ أَبناءَ الرَسول وَقَد

جاءَت مَحامِدهم في منزلِ الكُتُبِ

جاءَت مَحامِدهم في منزلِ الكُتُبِ

Who can rival the Messenger's sons in glory, when

Who would not boast of being descendants of the Messenger when

Their praises appear in the revealed scriptures?

Their praises have been recorded in scriptures?

كُنّا وَكانَت يَد الأَقدار تَمنَعُنا

كُنّا وَكانَت يَد الأَقدار تَمنَعُنا

حَظّاً بِمَجدين مَوروث وَمُكتَسَبِ

حَظّاً بِمَجدين مَوروث وَمُكتَسَبِ

We lived while the hand of fate denied us

We were deprived by the hand of fate

A share in two glories, inherited and earned,

Of our inherited and earned glory.

حَتّى قَضى اللَه أَن نَبني الَّذي دَرَست

حَتّى قَضى اللَه أَن نَبني الَّذي دَرَست

مِن مجدِنا عَثَرات الدَهر وَالنوبِ

مِن مجدِنا عَثَرات الدَهر وَالنوبِ

Until God decreed that we rebuild what had been effaced

Until God decreed that we rebuild

Of our glory by time's setbacks and calamities.

What misfortunes in time had destroyed of our glory.

سُدنا فَشدنا بِحَمد اللَهِ بَيت تقىً

سُدنا فَشدنا بِحَمد اللَهِ بَيت تقىً

تَسمو بِهِ لبناتُ العِزِّ لا الذَهبِ

تَسمو بِهِ لبناتُ العِزِّ لا الذَهبِ

We attained lordship, then, praise be to God, built a house of piety,

We have, praise God, rebuilt a house of piety

Through which rise bricks of honor, not of gold.

In which the bricks are cemented by morality, not gold.

بَيت سِوى الفَضل لَم يَرفَعهُ مِن عمدٍ

بَيت سِوى الفَضل لَم يَرفَعهُ مِن عمدٍ

وَلَم يُثبّتهُ غَير البرّ مِن طنبِ

وَلَم يُثبّتهُ غَير البرّ مِن طنبِ

A house no pillars but virtue raised,

A house raised by merit alone,

And no ropes but righteousness secured.

Supported by righteousness alone, not columns.

لِلّهِ درُّ اللَيالي في تَقَلُّبِها

لِلّهِ درُّ اللَيالي في تَقَلُّبِها

كَم فَرَّجت عَن ذَوي الأَخطار مِن كربِ

كَم فَرَّجت عَن ذَوي الأَخطار مِن كربِ

How wondrous are the nights in their changing!

Bless the nights in their alternations!

How often they have relieved men of high standing of distress!

How often they relieve those beset with perils and sorrows!

تُبين لِلعَين ما في الناس مِن خدعٍ

تُبين لِلعَين ما في الناس مِن خدعٍ

حَتّى تَرى عَجَباً يَبدو مِنَ العَجَبِ

حَتّى تَرى عَجَباً يَبدو مِنَ العَجَبِ

They reveal to the eye the deceit within people,

They show clearly the deceits that people harbor

Until you see marvels emerging from wonder.

Until wonders unfold from wonders.

سوءُ السَريرة لَم يَترك لِصاحبه

سوءُ السَريرة لَم يَترك لِصاحبه

ستراً فَيا شَرَّ مَصحوب وَمُصطَحبِ

ستراً فَيا شَرَّ مَصحوب وَمُصطَحبِ

Evil inwardness left its bearer

Vicious natures leave their owners no veil,

No veil—how vile the companion and its keeper!

So evil the company they keep!

بَليّتي وَالعَنا مِن مَعشَرٍ سمجٍ

بَليّتي وَالعَنا مِن مَعشَرٍ سمجٍ

كَأَنّ أَنبلهم ثَورٌ بِلا ذَنبِ

كَأَنّ أَنبلهم ثَورٌ بِلا ذَنبِ

My affliction and suffering come from a vile company,

Woe to me from a rabble, base and boorish,

Whose noblest seems a bull without a tail.

Whose best is but an ox with no crime!

كَأَنّ بزَّة كُلٍّ فَوقَ جثّته

كَأَنّ بزَّة كُلٍّ فَوقَ جثّته

غمد نضار عَلى نَصلٍ مِن الخشبِ

غمد نضار عَلى نَصلٍ مِن الخشبِ

The fine attire of each upon his body seems

The cloak of each rests atop his frame

A golden sheath over a wooden blade.

Like a scabbard on a blade of wood.

هوان كُلّ كَليم بَينَهُم لسن

هوان كُلّ كَليم بَينَهُم لسن

هَوان كُلّ كَليم القَلب مُغتَربِ

هَوان كُلّ كَليم القَلب مُغتَربِ

Abasement for every eloquent speaker among them,

Mean is each stingy soul among them,

Abasement for every wounded-hearted stranger.

Wretched each heart in exile.

يا عُصبة لَيسَ فيهم مَن وَفيت لَهُ

يا عُصبة لَيسَ فيهم مَن وَفيت لَهُ

بِخالص الودِّ إِلّا راح يَغدر بي

بِخالص الودِّ إِلّا راح يَغدر بي

O band, none among them to whom I have been faithful

O band in whom I trusted to find

In sincere affection has failed to betray me.

A true friend—all betrayed me!

كُلُّ اِمرئٍ بِالأَذى مِنهُم أَبو لَهَبٍ

كُلُّ اِمرئٍ بِالأَذى مِنهُم أَبو لَهَبٍ

وَكُلُّ أُنثى بِهم حمّالة الحَطَبِ

وَكُلُّ أُنثى بِهم حمّالة الحَطَبِ

Every man among them is an Abu Lahab in causing harm,

Each is a father of flames in his malevolence,

And every woman among them a carrier of firewood.

And every female shoulders the firewood.

إِنّي لأَرحم إِخوان الزَمان بِما

إِنّي لأَرحم إِخوان الزَمان بِما

بِهِ اِبتلوا مِن قَبيح الزور وَالكَذِبِ

بِهِ اِبتلوا مِن قَبيح الزور وَالكَذِبِ

Indeed, I pity the brethren of this age for what

I pity the people of my time for the ugly lies and fraud

Afflicts them of ugly falsehood and lying.

They suffer—no consent made them acquire such traits.

لا عَن رضىً قامَ فيهم ما بِهِ اِتَّصَفوا

لا عَن رضىً قامَ فيهم ما بِهِ اِتَّصَفوا

وَإِنَّما داؤُهُم ضَرب مِن الوَصَبِ

وَإِنَّما داؤُهُم ضَرب مِن الوَصَبِ

What marks them did not arise in them by choice;

Rather, their ailment is a kind of delirium.

Their malady is simply a kind of sickness.

My soul, emulate the prophets! Arm yourself with patience,

يا نَفس لي أسوة بِالرُسل فاِدّرعي

يا نَفس لي أسوة بِالرُسل فاِدّرعي

بِالصَبر وَاِعتَصِمي بِاللَهِ وَاِحتَسِبي

بِالصَبر وَاِعتَصِمي بِاللَهِ وَاِحتَسِبي

O soul, I have an example in the messengers, so arm yourself

Seek help from God, persevere—

With patience, hold fast to God, and seek His reward.

Soon my people will know the one they ignored is their jewel.

لَسَوفَ يَعلم قَومي أَنّ مَن جَهلوا

لَسَوفَ يَعلم قَومي أَنّ مَن جَهلوا

مِقداره هُوَ فيهم دُرّة اليلبِ

مِقداره هُوَ فيهم دُرّة اليلبِ

My people will surely learn that the man whose

When one has nothing but wealth his pedigree,

Worth they ignored is among them a pearl amid armor.

The fragrance of my mention is enough lineage for me.

مَن كانَ لَيسَ لَهُ إِلّا الغِنى حَسبا

مَن كانَ لَيسَ لَهُ إِلّا الغِنى حَسبا

فَإِنّ عاطر ذِكري بِالثَنا حَسبي

فَإِنّ عاطر ذِكري بِالثَنا حَسبي

Whoever has no claim to honor but wealth—

O you who presumed of me what faults you saw!

My fragrant remembrance in praise is my claim to honor.

I am the sun—look to your own shadows in me.

يا ذا الَّذي ظَنَّ بي ما فيهِ مِن عوج

يا ذا الَّذي ظَنَّ بي ما فيهِ مِن عوج

إِنّي أَنا الشَمس فاِنظر ظلَّ نَفسك بي

إِنّي أَنا الشَمس فاِنظر ظلَّ نَفسك بي

O you who thought me guilty of the crookedness within you,

I am he whose origin and pride is that

I am the sun: see your own shadow in me.

My mother is virtuous and my father valorous,

أَنا الَّذي ساد أَصلاه وَمفتخري

أَنا الَّذي ساد أَصلاه وَمفتخري

أَنّ اليَراعَةَ أُمِّي وَالحُسام أَبي

أَنّ اليَراعَةَ أُمِّي وَالحُسام أَبي

I am he whose two ancestral lines held sway; my pride

And that the best youth among his people in nature

Is that the reed pen is my mother and the keen sword my father,

Is my brother, of purest morals, above any doubt—

وَأَنّ خَير فَتىً في قَومِهِ شيماً

وَأَنّ خَير فَتىً في قَومِهِ شيماً

أَخي وأنزه أَخلاقاً عَن الرِيَبِ

أَخي وأنزه أَخلاقاً عَن الرِيَبِ

And that the finest youth among his people in character

One whose lofty title “His Excellency” captures his nobility

Is my brother, whose morals are most free of suspicion.

And refuses any title lacking the merits that it implies.

من لَقّبتهُ المَعالي رفعة وَأَبَت

من لَقّبتهُ المَعالي رفعة وَأَبَت

تَلقيبه بِسوى ما فيهِ مِن نسَبِ

تَلقيبه بِسوى ما فيهِ مِن نسَبِ

Whom noble deeds named 'Eminence,' and refused

Muhammad! If praise were to find him,4 I would say

To title with anything but his inherent noble lineage.

O best endowed with the best name and title!

مُحمّدٌ لَو وَفاه الحَمد قُلت لَهُ

مُحمّدٌ لَو وَفاه الحَمد قُلت لَهُ

يا خَير مَن حازَ خَير الإِسمِ وَاللَقَبِ

يا خَير مَن حازَ خَير الإِسمِ وَاللَقَبِ

Muhammad—if praise could do him justice, I would tell him:

O you whose thirsty sword flows from its scabbard

O finest bearer of the finest name and title!

And whose prolific lance gushes from its case!

يا مورِداً سَيفَهُ الظَمآن مِن عَلَق

يا مورِداً سَيفَهُ الظَمآن مِن عَلَق

وَمصدراً رُمحَه الرَيّان مِن لببِ

وَمصدراً رُمحَه الرَيّان مِن لببِ

O you who brings his thirsty sword to drink of clotted blood,

O you who stood alone in his tremendousness

And withdraws his thirst-quenched spear from upper chests;

Before a large assembled host or a looming army—

وَقائِماً وَهوَ فَرد مِن جَلالته

وَقائِماً وَهوَ فَرد مِن جَلالته

في مَحفَلٍ حاشِدٍ أَو جَحفل لَجِبِ

في مَحفَلٍ حاشِدٍ أَو جَحفل لَجِبِ

Who stands, though alone, in his majesty,

Extending a generous hand, some of whose fingers

In a thronging assembly or a clamorous army;

Take the place of clouds and rainfalls.

وَباسِطاً يَدَ جودٍ بَعض أُنمُلَةٍ

وَباسِطاً يَدَ جودٍ بَعض أُنمُلَةٍ

مِنها يَنوبُ عَن الأَنواءِ وَالسُحُبِ

مِنها يَنوبُ عَن الأَنواءِ وَالسُحُبِ

Who extends a hand of bounty, a mere part of one fingertip

O you who freely risked his precious soul, self-sacrificing,

Of which suffices in place of rain-bearing stars and clouds;

Called to safeguard the sanctity of the sublime.

وَباذِلاً نَفسَ حرٍّ باسِلٍ أَنفٍ

وَباذِلاً نَفسَ حرٍّ باسِلٍ أَنفٍ

نَدبٍ لِصَون حِمى العَلياء مُنتَدبِ

نَدبٍ لِصَون حِمى العَلياء مُنتَدبِ

Who offers the life of a free, brave, proud man,

A stalwart—when the neighing of steeds thunders in his ears,

Gallant and volunteering to guard the sanctuary of eminence;

Ecstasy makes his body quiver.

فَتىً إِذا ما صَهيل الخَيل طَنَّ عَلى

فَتىً إِذا ما صَهيل الخَيل طَنَّ عَلى

آذانِهِ رَنَّحَتهُ هَزَّةُ الطَرَبِ

آذانِهِ رَنَّحَتهُ هَزَّةُ الطَرَبِ

A youth who, when the neighing of horses rings upon

He who does not dread death—if his sharp sword were unleashed

His ears, sways with a thrill of delight.

The world would be too narrow for death to escape.

لا يرهبُ المَوتَ مَن لو سلَّ صارمهُ

لا يرهبُ المَوتَ مَن لو سلَّ صارمهُ

لِلمَوت ضاقَت بِهِ الدُنيا عَن الهَرَبِ

لِلمَوت ضاقَت بِهِ الدُنيا عَن الهَرَبِ

He fears not death: were he to draw his keen sword

He who does not fear devastation—if devastation took form to face him,

Against death, the world would be too narrow for its flight.

It would cry out in misery and war.

وَلا يَهاب الرَدى مَن لَو تمثّل لِلر

وَلا يَهاب الرَدى مَن لَو تمثّل لِلر

رَدى لِنادى بِهِ بِالوَيل وَالحَربِ

رَدى لِنادى بِهِ بِالوَيل وَالحَربِ

Nor does he fear doom: were he to appear before

A bold horseman—when the arrow of his ideas takes flight

Doom, it would cry out at him in woe and ruin.

In the battleground of opinions, it does not go astray or miss.

شَهمٌ إِذا طاشَ سَهم الفكر في مَلأ

شَهمٌ إِذا طاشَ سَهم الفكر في مَلأ

آراؤُهُ لَم تَطِش سَهماً وَلَم تَخِبِ

آراؤُهُ لَم تَطِش سَهماً وَلَم تَخِبِ

A gallant man: when thought's arrow misses in an assembly,

The pride of warriors and protectors are because of him—

His judgments send no arrow astray and never fail.

The Samhari steeds, the Indians, and the sturdy Kataib horses.6

فَخر السراة وَعزُّ الصافِنات بِهِ

فَخر السراة وَعزُّ الصافِنات بِهِ

وَالسَمهَريّة وَالهنديّة القضبِ

وَالسَمهَريّة وَالهنديّة القضبِ

Pride of the noble chiefs; through him are honored poised steeds,

The full moon of glory among his kin appears,

Sturdy spears, and keen Indian swords.

Eclipsing any other unveiled moon.

يَسري وَبَدر المَعالي مِن أسرَّتهِ

يَسري وَبَدر المَعالي مِن أسرَّتهِ

يَبدو فَيحجب بَدراً غَير مُحتجبِ

يَبدو فَيحجب بَدراً غَير مُحتجبِ

He travels by night, and the full moon of eminence from his brow

He reins in steeds galloping with brave regiments

Appears, eclipsing a moon otherwise unobscured.

Of noble Salab and refined Mahri steeds—

وَيَزجر الخَيل تَعدو بِالكَتائِبِ مِن

وَيَزجر الخَيل تَعدو بِالكَتائِبِ مِن

جُردِ السَلاهب وَالمهريّة النجُبِ

جُردِ السَلاهب وَالمهريّة النجُبِ

He urges on the horses, racing with battalions of

All gray-coated, marked beasts

Sleek, long-bodied steeds and noble Mahri mounts,

Who charge valiantly but do not approach traps;

من كُلِّ وَجناء غَرّاءٍ مُسوَّمةٍ

من كُلِّ وَجناء غَرّاءٍ مُسوَّمةٍ

تَعدو فَتَقوى فَلا تَدنو مِن النَصبِ

تَعدو فَتَقوى فَلا تَدنو مِن النَصبِ

Each a stout-cheeked, white-blazed, marked mount,

Lofty, tall, very swift,

Racing and growing stronger, never nearing weariness.

Short-bodied, muscular, and supple.

طَويلَة الباع وَالأَعناق في سَعَةٍ

طَويلَة الباع وَالأَعناق في سَعَةٍ

قَصيرةِ الصُلبِ وَالمَصفود وَالعسبِ

قَصيرةِ الصُلبِ وَالمَصفود وَالعسبِ

Long of reach, their necks ample in breadth,

They carry the brave whose equals they are—

Short of back, fetter-bearing legs, and tailbone;

Unwavering and unterrified.

من الجِياد عَلَيها كُلُّ مُعتَقل

من الجِياد عَلَيها كُلُّ مُعتَقل

بِمثلِهِ غَير مِذهالٍ وَلا وَعِبِ

بِمثلِهِ غَير مِذهالٍ وَلا وَعِبِ

Of noble steeds, each bearing a mounted warrior

Of every gelding keeping away from wildness

Paired with his equal, neither distracted nor fainthearted;

And every stallion drawing near to passion.

مِن كُلِّ قِرنٍ عَن الفَحشاء مُبتعدٍ

مِن كُلِّ قِرنٍ عَن الفَحشاء مُبتعدٍ

وَكُلِّ قرمٍ إِلى الهيجاءِ مقتربِ

وَكُلِّ قرمٍ إِلى الهيجاءِ مقتربِ

Each a champion keeping far from indecency,

Their hooves make plains weep whenever he smiles

And each a lord drawing near to battle.

With his palm, and good tidings shine through his anger.

يُبكي المَواضي نَجيعاً كُلَّما اِبتَسَمَت

يُبكي المَواضي نَجيعاً كُلَّما اِبتَسَمَت

بِكَفِّهِ فَيَلوح البشرُ في الغَضَبِ

بِكَفِّهِ فَيَلوح البشرُ في الغَضَبِ

He makes keen blades weep blood whenever they smile

When armies meet on the battlefield,

In his palm, so cheer gleams amid anger.

His prowess makes double-edged swords redundant.

بَأسٌ إِذا ما اِلتَقى الجَمعان في رَهجٍ

بَأسٌ إِذا ما اِلتَقى الجَمعان في رَهجٍ

أَغناهُ عَن مُرهَف الحَدَّين ذي شطَبِ

أَغناهُ عَن مُرهَف الحَدَّين ذي شطَبِ

Such valor, when the two hosts meet amid dust,

God bless the market of war where our heroes played

Makes him need no keen, two-edged, grooved sword.

Games unlike child’s play!

لِلّهِ يَوم بِسوق الحَرب إِذ لَعِبَت

لِلّهِ يَوم بِسوق الحَرب إِذ لَعِبَت

أَبطالُنا بِمَجالٍ لَيسَ بِاللَعبِ

أَبطالُنا بِمَجالٍ لَيسَ بِاللَعبِ

What a day in war's marketplace, when they played—

A day in which calamities stand in shock

Our champions—in an arena that was no game!

And the sun runs recklessly astray;

يَومٌ بِهِ تَقِفُ النَكباءُ مِن دَهش

يَومٌ بِهِ تَقِفُ النَكباءُ مِن دَهش

وَالشَمس تَجري فَتَعيا فيهِ مِن لَغبِ

وَالشَمس تَجري فَتَعيا فيهِ مِن لَغبِ

A day when the crosswind stood still in amazement,

Horses stumble upon bodies as if they are

And the sun ran, then grew weary with fatigue.

Palm trees felled in eras past.

وَالخَيل تَعثر بِالقَتلى كَأَنَّهُمُ

وَالخَيل تَعثر بِالقَتلى كَأَنَّهُمُ

أَعجاز نَخل خَوَت في سالف الحقبِ

أَعجاز نَخل خَوَت في سالف الحقبِ

The horses stumbled over the slain, as though they were

Each carcass atop a horse just like it,

Palm trunks fallen in ages long past.

Clad in coats of mail the steeds can barely escape with.

مِن كُلِّ علج عَلَيهِ مِثل جثَّتِهِ

مِن كُلِّ علج عَلَيهِ مِثل جثَّتِهِ

سَوابِغٌ حَملها أَعياهُ عَن هَرَبِ

سَوابِغٌ حَملها أَعياهُ عَن هَرَبِ

Each a hulking warrior, bearing a mass like his own body:

Whenever the fires of war blaze,

Ample coats of mail, whose burden left him too spent to flee,

The iron melts onto bodies out of fear.

منَ الحَديد مَتى نار الوَغى اِضطَرَمَت

منَ الحَديد مَتى نار الوَغى اِضطَرَمَت

كادَت تَذوب عَلى الأَجساد مِن رَهبِ

كادَت تَذوب عَلى الأَجساد مِن رَهبِ

Of iron, which, when the fire of battle flared,

Still he thrusts them forward with his truncheon

Almost melted on their bodies out of dread.

As the Sharifi leads them from one post to the next—

ما زالَ يَطعَن بِالأَعقابِ عامله

ما زالَ يَطعَن بِالأَعقابِ عامله

وَالمشرفيُّ يَذكّيهم عَلى النُصُبِ

وَالمشرفيُّ يَذكّيهم عَلى النُصُبِ

His spearhead never ceased stabbing at their heels,

Every dark-skinned hero with shapely figure,

And the Mashrafi sword slaughtered them upon altar stones.

Every fair and ruddy cheek adorned;

من كُلِّ أَسمر زاهي القَدِّ مُعتَدلٍ

من كُلِّ أَسمر زاهي القَدِّ مُعتَدلٍ

وَكُلِّ أَبيضَ باهي الخَدّ مُختضبِ

وَكُلِّ أَبيضَ باهي الخَدّ مُختضبِ

Every dusky spear, splendid in stature and straight,

An orator whose eloquence on the pulpits

And every white blade, bright-cheeked and blood-dyed—

Utters the most moving speeches.

قاضٍ عَلى مِنبرِ الهاماتِ في يَدِهِ

قاضٍ عَلى مِنبرِ الهاماتِ في يَدِهِ

بِالخَطبِ نَسمَع مِنهُ أَبلَغ الخُطَبِ

بِالخَطبِ نَسمَع مِنهُ أَبلَغ الخُطَبِ

A judge on the pulpit of skulls in his hand;

Until he left no shelter for fugitives

Through dire deeds, we hear from it the most eloquent sermons.

Among the fighters or onlookers;

حَتّى إِذا لَم يَدَع عَوناً لِمُلتَجئٍ

حَتّى إِذا لَم يَدَع عَوناً لِمُلتَجئٍ

مِن الكماةِ وَلا عَيناً لِمُرتَقِبِ

مِن الكماةِ وَلا عَيناً لِمُرتَقِبِ

Until, when he left no helper for one seeking refuge

He drew his sword and satisfied the birds’ every pecking

Among the armored warriors, nor an eye for a watcher,

And the beasts’ every ferocious bite.

سَطا فَأَشبَع ما في الطَير مِن خمصٍ

سَطا فَأَشبَع ما في الطَير مِن خمصٍ

مِنهُم وَأنقع ما في الوَحش مِن سَغبِ

مِنهُم وَأنقع ما في الوَحش مِن سَغبِ

He struck, filling the hunger of the birds

Say to my critic: Cease your ignorant claim!

With them, and sating the hunger of wild beasts.

Does any fool butt horns with the sun?

قُل لِلمُناظِرِ دَع ما تَدّعي سَفهاً

قُل لِلمُناظِرِ دَع ما تَدّعي سَفهاً

فَهَل يُناطح قرن الشَمس غَير غَبي

فَهَل يُناطح قرن الشَمس غَير غَبي

Tell the rival: abandon your foolish claims;

Suppose you both gained fine fruits;

Who but a fool butts against the sun's horn?

Far apart are date syrup and fresh dates!

هَب أَنَّ ما حزتما صنوان مِن ثَمَرٍ

هَب أَنَّ ما حزتما صنوان مِن ثَمَرٍ

شَتّانَ ما بَينَ بُسرِ النَخل وَالرطبِ

شَتّانَ ما بَينَ بُسرِ النَخل وَالرطبِ

Suppose what you two have gained are twin fruits;

O blossom of the vine, you have babbled nonsense

How far apart are unripe dates and ripe ones!

And are not made for sorrel or grapes.

يا زَهرة الكَرم قَد ذَبَّبتَ عَن حَمق

يا زَهرة الكَرم قَد ذَبَّبتَ عَن حَمق

وَلَست مِن حصرمٍ يَوماً وَلا عنبِ

وَلَست مِن حصرمٍ يَوماً وَلا عنبِ

O blossom of the vine, you have swatted flies in folly,

The fool aspires, hoping to attain tranquility,

Yet you have never been an unripe grape, nor a ripe one.

Though his peace is filled with toil.

يَسعى الجهولُ فَيَرجو نَيل راحَتِهِ

يَسعى الجهولُ فَيَرجو نَيل راحَتِهِ

وَقَد مَلا راحَتيهِ الجَهل بِالتَعَبِ

وَقَد مَلا راحَتيهِ الجَهل بِالتَعَبِ

The ignorant strives, hoping to attain his rest,

How often the fool’s hopes lead him

Though ignorance has filled both his palms with toil.

To where safety is impossible!

وَطالَما طمعُ المُغتَرِّ أَوردهُ

وَطالَما طمعُ المُغتَرِّ أَوردهُ

مِمّا السَلامَةُ فيهِ مورد العطبِ

مِمّا السَلامَةُ فيهِ مورد العطبِ

How often the deluded man's greed has led him

Like children wistfully dreaming of water

From where safety lay to the watering-place of ruin!

While thirsty in Aleppo and water lies in Egypt.

كَالآلِ يَجهدُ ظَمآناً يُيمّمهُ

كَالآلِ يَجهدُ ظَمآناً يُيمّمهُ

وَالماءُ في مِصرَ وَالظَمآن في حَلَبِ

وَالماءُ في مِصرَ وَالظَمآن في حَلَبِ

Like a mirage exhausting a thirsty man who seeks it,

Like lightning tempting every fanciful soul

While the water is in Egypt and the thirsty man in Aleppo.

With its water, immune from anything but flames.

وَخُلَّبُ البَرق يُغري كُلَّ ذي هَوَسٍ

وَخُلَّبُ البَرق يُغري كُلَّ ذي هَوَسٍ

بِمائِهِ وَهوَ عافٍ مِن سِوى اللَهبِ

بِمائِهِ وَهوَ عافٍ مِن سِوى اللَهبِ

Deceptive lightning entices every frenzied soul

Like clouds sailing angrily as they say:

With its water, though it has nothing but flame.

Not every udder holds milk for the milkmaid!

وَالسحبُ تَجري جهاماً وَهيَ قائِلَة

وَالسحبُ تَجري جهاماً وَهيَ قائِلَة

ما كُلُّ ضرعٍ بِهِ دَرٌّ لِمحتلبِ

ما كُلُّ ضرعٍ بِهِ دَرٌّ لِمحتلبِ

The clouds pass rainless, saying:

Vain hopes are like wishful dreams,

Not every udder holds milk for the milker.

Deluding souls with the deceptions of vanity.

هِيَ الأَمانيُّ كَالأَحلام تخدعُ بِال

هِيَ الأَمانيُّ كَالأَحلام تخدعُ بِال

أَوهام آمالَ نَفسِ الخادع الوَربِ

أَوهام آمالَ نَفسِ الخادع الوَربِ

Such are wishes, like dreams, deceiving through

O Master, O He in Whose days we delight,

Illusions the hopes of a crafty deceiver's soul.

Ever unchanging in His best transformations!

مَولايَ يا مَن نَرى أَيّامنا سَعُدت

مَولايَ يا مَن نَرى أَيّامنا سَعُدت

بِهِ فَلا اِنقَلَبت عَن خَير مُنقلبِ

بِهِ فَلا اِنقَلَبت عَن خَير مُنقلبِ

My lord, O you—we see our days made happy

O gem of Beirut, the equal of which is needed

Through you; may they never turn from their finest course!

To counterbalance the glory of other frontiers.

يا جَوهَراً ثَغر بَيروت يُزانُ بِهِ

يا جَوهَراً ثَغر بَيروت يُزانُ بِهِ

كَما تُزانُ ثُغورُ الغيدِ بِالشنَبِ

كَما تُزانُ ثُغورُ الغيدِ بِالشنَبِ

O jewel adorning the seaport of Beirut,

You have exposed and removed dishonor,

As graceful women's mouths are adorned with pearly teeth;

Donned the jewelry of refinement and literary eloquence.

عرت خلالكَ عَن عارٍ فَأَلبَسَها ال

عرت خلالكَ عَن عارٍ فَأَلبَسَها ال

باري حُلى الأَشرَفين الحلم وَالأَدَبِ

باري حُلى الأَشرَفين الحلم وَالأَدَبِ

Your traits were free of shame, and were clothed by the

You ascended to the throne of virtues

Creator in the two noblest ornaments: forbearance and refinement,

Through good conduct, not wealth or rank,

حَتّى اِستَوَيتَ عَلى عَرش الفَضائِلِ في

حَتّى اِستَوَيتَ عَلى عَرش الفَضائِلِ في

حُسنِ الشَمائل لا بِالمال وَالنشبِ

حُسنِ الشَمائل لا بِالمال وَالنشبِ

Until you sat upon the throne of virtues in

Becoming the best youth for that lofty position,

The beauty of your character, not through wealth and possessions.

Attuned to glory, harvesting praise.

فَكُنت لِلرُتبةِ الغَرّاءِ خَير فَتىً

فَكُنت لِلرُتبةِ الغَرّاءِ خَير فَتىً

لِلمَجد مُنتَبِهٍ لِلحَمد مُنتَهبِ

لِلمَجد مُنتَبِهٍ لِلحَمد مُنتَهبِ

Thus you were the finest youth for the radiant rank,

To you the choicest fruits of thought were presented

Alert to glory, a plunderer of praise.

When she drew aside her most delightful veils.

إِلَيكها مِن بَناتِ الفكر قَد بَرَزَت

إِلَيكها مِن بَناتِ الفكر قَد بَرَزَت

مِن سِجفِها وَأَماطَت أَلطَف النُقبِ

مِن سِجفِها وَأَماطَت أَلطَف النُقبِ

Here she is for you, a daughter of thought, now emerged

A father who makes the Arabized Arabs seem lowly

From her curtain, casting aside the most delicate veils.

Compared to the true Arab stock—every lineage.

خودٌ مِن العرب المستعربين أَباً

خودٌ مِن العرب المستعربين أَباً

يَسمو مِن العربِ العرباءِ كُلّ أَبِ

يَسمو مِن العربِ العرباءِ كُلّ أَبِ

A beautiful maiden of the Arabized Arabs through a father

A chaste woman proud of her descent

Who rises above every father of the pure Arabs;

Which she sees rooted in mighty ancestors.

عَذراءُ تَفخر في أحسابها وَتَرى

عَذراءُ تَفخر في أحسابها وَتَرى

أَنسابها مُنتمى عِزٍّ لِمُنتَسبِ

أَنسابها مُنتمى عِزٍّ لِمُنتَسبِ

A virgin proud of her ancestral honors, who sees

She guarded the sanctuary of your Qurayshi lineage;

Her lineages as a source of honor for whoever claims kinship.

No pretender star has risen except her own.

أَمّت حمى قُرشيٍّ شَمسُ غُرَّتهِ

أَمّت حمى قُرشيٍّ شَمسُ غُرَّتهِ

ما أَدرَكَت نجم مُغترٍّ فَلَم يَغبِ

ما أَدرَكَت نجم مُغترٍّ فَلَم يَغبِ

She sought the sanctuary of a Qurashi whose forehead's sun

She was free with you, bestowing upon you

Never overtook a conceited man's star without making it set.

The finest encomiums for the finest chosen one—

رَقَّت فَكانَت لَديهِ حرَّة فَأَتَت

رَقَّت فَكانَت لَديهِ حرَّة فَأَتَت

بِكُلِّ مُنتَخَبٍ في مَدحِ مُنتَخبِ

بِكُلِّ مُنتَخَبٍ في مَدحِ مُنتَخبِ

She grew delicate, yet was freeborn before him, and offered

Every refined concept, humanly attained,

Every choice expression in praise of a chosen man:

And every expression, safe from barbarity.

مِن كُلِّ مَعنىً مِن الإنسيِّ مُجتَلَبٍ

مِن كُلِّ مَعنىً مِن الإنسيِّ مُجتَلَبٍ

وَكُلِّ لَفظ عَن الوَحشيِّ مُجتَنَبِ

وَكُلِّ لَفظ عَن الوَحشيِّ مُجتَنَبِ

Every meaning drawn from the familiar,

She gave herself to you, including the train

And every word kept far from the obscure.

Of the proudest one, brighter than Suhban to Jarir.

جَرَت إِلَيكَ وَجَرَّت ذَيل مُفتَخرٍ

جَرَت إِلَيكَ وَجَرَّت ذَيل مُفتَخرٍ

أَبهى جَرير عَلى سحبانَ منسحبِ

أَبهى جَرير عَلى سحبانَ منسحبِ

She hastened to you, trailing a train of pride—

Bless the most high in every generous deed!

A Jarir at his most splendid, sweeping over Sahban.

Its cosmos revolves around your celestial pole.

لِلّهِ درّ العُلى في كُلِّ مكرمَةٍ

لِلّهِ درّ العُلى في كُلِّ مكرمَةٍ

أَفلاكها مِنكَ قَد دارَت عَلى قُطبِ

أَفلاكها مِنكَ قَد دارَت عَلى قُطبِ

How wondrous is eminence! In every noble deed,

Look—the age obeys your command!

Its spheres have turned upon a pole that is you.

See how excellent its obedience is.

فَأمر زَمانك وَاِنظُر حُسن طاعَتِهِ

فَأمر زَمانك وَاِنظُر حُسن طاعَتِهِ

وَاِزجره يَخضَع وَقُل يَسمَع وَسَل يُجبِ

وَاِزجره يَخضَع وَقُل يَسمَع وَسَل يُجبِ

Command your age and see how well it obeys;

Chastise it, make it bow low, say “It hears,” order “It answers.”

Rebuke it: it submits; speak: it listens; ask: it answers.

Surrender to the undying sun of glory—it never sets!

وَاِسلم وَدُم شَمسَ عِزٍّ لا مَغيبَ لَها

وَاِسلم وَدُم شَمسَ عِزٍّ لا مَغيبَ لَها

يا مَن مَتى تَلقه شَمسُ الضُحى تَغبِ

يا مَن مَتى تَلقه شَمسُ الضُحى تَغبِ

Be safe, and remain a sun of honor that never sets,

O heir to one the morning sun itself dims before.

O you whom the morning sun meets only to set.