مَطالع سَعد قَد تَجَلَّت كَواكِبُه

مَطالع سَعد قَد تَجَلَّت كَواكِبُه

وَعزٌّ بَدَت تَجلو التَهاني مَواكِبُه

وَعزٌّ بَدَت تَجلو التَهاني مَواكِبُه

Risings of good fortune, whose stars have shone forth;

The auspicious stars of Sa'd have risen

and honor, whose processions have appeared, displaying congratulations;

And glory appears, its congratulations becoming companions

وَمَجدٌ بِهِ التَوفيق لا زالَ مسعداً

وَمَجدٌ بِهِ التَوفيق لا زالَ مسعداً

لَنا منجداً فيما لَدَيهِ نُراقِبُه

لَنا منجداً فيما لَدَيهِ نُراقِبُه

and glory, through which may success always bring happiness

And the glory of success continues to make him fortunate

and aid to us in what we await from it;

Remaining helpful for us in all that we observe of him

وَيمنٌ بِهِ غَيث الهَنا هَطلت عَلى

وَيمنٌ بِهِ غَيث الهَنا هَطلت عَلى

رِياض رُبى الآمال مِنّا سَحائبُه

رِياض رُبى الآمال مِنّا سَحائبُه

and blessing, through which bliss's rain has poured upon

And the rain of joy with him pours down

the gardens on our hopes' hills from its clouds;

Upon the gardens nurturing our hopes from his clouds

وَأمنٌ لَنا الإقبال أَنجز وَعدَه

وَأمنٌ لَنا الإقبال أَنجز وَعدَه

بِهِ فَإِلى كَم ذا الأَماني تراقبُه

بِهِ فَإِلى كَم ذا الأَماني تراقبُه

and safety: prosperity has fulfilled its promise to us

And the promise of safety fulfilled for us

through it—how much longer shall hopes await it?

To what hopes do we aspire that watch him

وَعَهدٌ لَنا حَيّا الحَيا مِنهُ مَعهَداً

وَعَهدٌ لَنا حَيّا الحَيا مِنهُ مَعهَداً

سَقانا مِن الأَفراح ما هُوَ شارِبُه

سَقانا مِن الأَفراح ما هُوَ شارِبُه

And an era for us: rain revived a dwelling within it,

And a covenant for us kept alive

giving us to drink of the joys it drinks itself;

Quenching us from joys that he drinks

وَعَيشٌ صَفا فيهِ لَنا زَمَن الصَفا

وَعَيشٌ صَفا فيهِ لَنا زَمَن الصَفا

وَرقّت مَعانيهِ وَراقَت مَشاربُه

وَرقّت مَعانيهِ وَراقَت مَشاربُه

and a life whose season of serenity grew clear for us,

And a life of purity in which for us there was an age of purity

its meanings growing delicate, its draughts delightful;

And its meanings softened and its drinks became delicious

وَبشرٌ بِهِ نجب البَشائر أَقبَلَت

وَبشرٌ بِهِ نجب البَشائر أَقبَلَت

فَيا حَبَّذا ما حُمِّلته نَجائبُه

فَيا حَبَّذا ما حُمِّلته نَجائبُه

and gladness, with which the noble camels of good tidings arrived—

And good tidings with which the choice tidings came

how welcome what its noble camels were made to bear!

So excellent is what its carriers brought

وَأنسٌ بِهِ أُنسيتُ ما أَنا نائل

وَأنسٌ بِهِ أُنسيتُ ما أَنا نائل

مِن الدَهر حَتّى اِستسمح الدَهر عاتبُه

مِن الدَهر حَتّى اِستسمح الدَهر عاتبُه

And solace, through which I was made to forget what befell me

And intimacy through which I was consoled for what I attained

from Time, until Time's reproacher begged its pardon;

From fate until fate sought pardon from its blamer

وَفَضل مِن الرَحمَن فازَ بِهِ المَلا

وَفَضل مِن الرَحمَن فازَ بِهِ المَلا

وَقَد سَعدت آرابهُ وَمَآربُه

وَقَد سَعدت آرابهُ وَمَآربُه

and bounty from the Merciful, which the people have won,

And grace from The Merciful which the sum of glories attained

their wishes and purposes having prospered.

And his ways and goals prospered

فَشُكراً لَكَ اللَهُمّ يا مَن بِشُكره

فَشُكراً لَكَ اللَهُمّ يا مَن بِشُكره

تَدوم لَنا نعماؤُهُ وَمَواهِبُه

تَدوم لَنا نعماؤُهُ وَمَواهِبُه

So thanks to You, O God, O One through gratitude to whom

So thanks to You, O God, for in thanking Him

His blessings and gifts endure for us,

His blessings and gifts to us endure

عَلى ما بِهِ أَنعَمت مِن رُتب العلا

عَلى ما بِهِ أَنعَمت مِن رُتب العلا

عَلى مَن بِهِ يَسمو العلا وَمَراتبُه

عَلى مَن بِهِ يَسمو العلا وَمَراتبُه

for the ranks of eminence with which You have favored

For the ranks of elevation which He conferred

the man through whom eminence and its ranks ascend.

Upon the one through whom glory ascends the ranks of glory

هُوَ الدُرُّ مُذ نادوهُ باِسم مُحمّد

هُوَ الدُرُّ مُذ نادوهُ باِسم مُحمّد

تَحلّى بِهِ جيد العلا وَتَرائبُه

تَحلّى بِهِ جيد العلا وَتَرائبُه

He is the pearl; since they named him Muhammad,

He is the pearl which, when called by the name Muhammad

eminence's neck and breast have been adorned with him.

Adorned itself with the beauty of necklaces

هُوَ اِبن أَمين المَجد مَن بِمَقامِهِ

هُوَ اِبن أَمين المَجد مَن بِمَقامِهِ

سَمَت فَوقَ فرق الفرقدين مَناصبُه

سَمَت فَوقَ فرق الفرقدين مَناصبُه

He is the son of Amin of glory, through whose station

He is the son of the trustee of glory, whose position

his offices rose above the crowns of the two Farqad stars.

Ascended above the positions of the shining stars

فَيا بَهجة الأَيّام ثب دَرج العُلى

فَيا بَهجة الأَيّام ثب دَرج العُلى

تَجد كُلَّ فَخرٍ دونَ ما أَنتَ واثِبُه

تَجد كُلَّ فَخرٍ دونَ ما أَنتَ واثِبُه

O joy of the days, leap up the steps of greatness:

So O joy of days, climb the stair of elevation

you will find every honor beneath the height you leap to.

You will find all pride beneath what you climb

وَسابق بخيلِ الجَدِّ في كُلِّ غايَة

وَسابق بخيلِ الجَدِّ في كُلِّ غايَة

فَما شرفت بِالسبق إِلّا سَلاهبُه

فَما شرفت بِالسبق إِلّا سَلاهبُه

And race with earnest striving's steeds toward every goal,

And race ahead in the trail of glory in every goal

for only its long-limbed steeds win honor by coming first.

None pridefully raced ahead but his horses

وَجَرِّد حسام العَزم لا فلَّ غَربهُ

وَجَرِّد حسام العَزم لا فلَّ غَربهُ

وَلا وَهنت طول الزَمان مَضارِبُه

وَلا وَهنت طول الزَمان مَضارِبُه

And unsheathe determination's sword—may its edge never be blunted,

And unsheathe the sword of resolve, may its west not weaken

nor its striking edges weaken throughout time.

Nor the length of time enfeeble its blades

وَصد مِن أبيّات النهى كُلَّ آبدٍ

وَصد مِن أبيّات النهى كُلَّ آبدٍ

وَقَيّدهُ بِالحلم الَّذي أَنتَ صاحِبُه

وَقَيّدهُ بِالحلم الَّذي أَنتَ صاحِبُه

And hunt every wild creature among reason's untamed thoughts,

And deter all shameless rebel

and bind it with the forbearance you possess.

And restrain him with the forbearance you possess

فَإِنّي أَرى البازيَّ يَعدوهُ صَيده

فَإِنّي أَرى البازيَّ يَعدوهُ صَيده

إِذا لَم تمكَّنْ مِن حشاه مَخالبُه

إِذا لَم تمكَّنْ مِن حشاه مَخالبُه

For I see the goshawk's prey escape it

For I see the falcon taking him as prey

when its talons have not gripped the prey's entrails.

If his claws do not grasp his abdomen

إِذا المَرء لَم يَستخدم الحَزم قَصَّرت

إِذا المَرء لَم يَستخدم الحَزم قَصَّرت

مَساعيهِ عَن إِدراك ما هُوَ طالِبُه

مَساعيهِ عَن إِدراك ما هُوَ طالِبُه

If a man does not employ resolve, there is failure

When a man does not employ wisdom, his efforts fall short

in his endeavors to attain what he seeks.

Of attaining what he seeks

أَرى الحلم عُنوان السَعادة لِلفَتى

أَرى الحلم عُنوان السَعادة لِلفَتى

إِذا اِستعمل الحلم الفَتى عزَّ جانبُه

إِذا اِستعمل الحلم الفَتى عزَّ جانبُه

I see forbearance as the mark of a young man's happiness;

I see forbearance as the mark of felicity for a youth

when a young man practices forbearance, his standing grows strong.

If a youth employs forbearance, his side is strengthened

أَرى خاطِبَ العَلياءِ حاطِبَ لَيلِها

أَرى خاطِبَ العَلياءِ حاطِبَ لَيلِها

إِذا فقد المِصباح فَاللَيل حاطِبُه

إِذا فقد المِصباح فَاللَيل حاطِبُه

I see the suitor of greatness gathering wood in its night:

I see the suitor of the aloof, gathering firewood by night

if he loses his lamp, night gathers him instead.

When the lamp is gone, the night gathers him

وَمَن بِالتُقى يَعتَزّ في طَلَب العلا

وَمَن بِالتُقى يَعتَزّ في طَلَب العلا

تذلُّ لَهُ هاماته وَمَناكبُه

تذلُّ لَهُ هاماته وَمَناكبُه

And whoever takes strength in piety while seeking eminence,

And he who prides in piety, seeking elevation

its summits and shoulders bow to him.

Its zeal and determination submit to him

فَدَيتك لا عَجَباً عَلَيكَ بِما بِهِ

فَدَيتك لا عَجَباً عَلَيكَ بِما بِهِ

أَتيت وَإِن لاحَت لَدَيك عَجائبُه

أَتيت وَإِن لاحَت لَدَيك عَجائبُه

I would ransom you! Feel no wonder at what

My life for you, no wonder upon you for what

I have brought, though its wonders appear before you.

With which you came, even if its wonders appeared to you

فَمِن بَحرك الطامي اِكتَسَبت جَواهِراً

فَمِن بَحرك الطامي اِكتَسَبت جَواهِراً

وَها أَنا أهدي خَير ما أَنا كاسبُه

وَها أَنا أهدي خَير ما أَنا كاسبُه

For from your surging sea I have gained jewels,

For from your boundless sea, you collected pearls

and here I offer the best of what I have earned.

And here I present the best that I attained

كَفى بِكَ فَضلاً أَنّ عِلمك وافِرٌ

كَفى بِكَ فَضلاً أَنّ عِلمك وافِرٌ

وَأَنّ تَمادي النَفس حلمك غالبُه

وَأَنّ تَمادي النَفس حلمك غالبُه

Enough merit lies in you that your learning is abundant,

Your abundant knowledge suffices as a favor

and that your forbearance overcomes the soul's excesses:

And that your forbearance prevails over the soul's transgression

نُبالَة فكر لَيسَ تخطي نِبالُهُ

نُبالَة فكر لَيسَ تخطي نِبالُهُ

فَلا غَرَض إِلّا وَسَهمك صائِبُه

فَلا غَرَض إِلّا وَسَهمك صائِبُه

a nobility of thought whose arrows never miss,

The nobility of thought whose arrows do not miss

so there is no target your arrow does not strike;

So no purpose but your arrow hits it

وَحسن بَيان طالَما طالَ ذَيله

وَحسن بَيان طالَما طالَ ذَيله

وَأَنتَ عَلى سحبان وائل ساحبُه

وَأَنتَ عَلى سحبان وائل ساحبُه

and eloquence whose train has so often stretched far,

And good rhetoric whose train is so long

which you trail over Sahban Wa'il.

While you ride the Suhayl of Wāʾil's rising star

أَرى كَرَم الأَخلاق شَرعاً وَإِنَّما

أَرى كَرَم الأَخلاق شَرعاً وَإِنَّما

سَجايا أَبيك الغُرّ هُنَّ مَذاهبُه

سَجايا أَبيك الغُرّ هُنَّ مَذاهبُه

I see noble character as a law, and only

I see the nobility of character a natural disposition

your father's radiant traits are its schools.

For your father the accomplished, they are his ways

إِذا الشبل لَم يَحمِ حِمى اللَيث أَوشَكَت

إِذا الشبل لَم يَحمِ حِمى اللَيث أَوشَكَت

لَدى الغاب أَن تَسطو عَلَيهِ ثَعالبُه

لَدى الغاب أَن تَسطو عَلَيهِ ثَعالبُه

If the cub does not defend the lion's preserve, soon

If the cub does not protect the sanctuary of the lion

the forest's foxes will set upon him.

The forest beasts will soon overpower him

تَقلّد سَيف الحَزم والدك الَّذي

تَقلّد سَيف الحَزم والدك الَّذي

سَما حَزمه فَالدَهر لَيسَ يحاربُه

سَما حَزمه فَالدَهر لَيسَ يحاربُه

Your father girded on the sword of resolve, he whose

Take up the sword of resolve, like your father whose

resolve rose so high that Time does not fight him.

Resolve the ages do not battle

تَدرّع بَأساً وَاِمتَطى صَهوة الحجا

تَدرّع بَأساً وَاِمتَطى صَهوة الحجا

فَلاحَت لَهُ مِن كُلِّ أَمرٍ عَواقبُه

فَلاحَت لَهُ مِن كُلِّ أَمرٍ عَواقبُه

He armored himself in valor and mounted reason's saddle,

Don the armor of courage, and mount the steed of glory

so the outcomes of every matter became clear to him.

So its consequences for every matter appeared to him

فَتىً هَذَّبتهُ يَقظة الحلم وَالنُهى

فَتىً هَذَّبتهُ يَقظة الحلم وَالنُهى

وَعرَّفه طَبعَ الزَمان تَجاربُه

وَعرَّفه طَبعَ الزَمان تَجاربُه

A man refined by the wakefulness of forbearance and reason,

A young man whom the wakefulness of wisdom and prohibition nurtured

whose experiences taught him Time's nature.

And the vicissitudes of time made him experienced

حَوى هِمَماً نجم السُها دونَ همِّها

حَوى هِمَماً نجم السُها دونَ همِّها

إِذا ما السُها لِلناس عزَّت مَطالبُه

إِذا ما السُها لِلناس عزَّت مَطالبُه

He possessed ambitions beneath whose reach the star Suha lies,

He contained ambitions whose star the Suhayl falls short of

though Suha is difficult for people to attain;

When the Suhayl is glorified by people's hopes

وَرَأياً يَرى ما لا تَرى أَعيُن الوَرى

وَرَأياً يَرى ما لا تَرى أَعيُن الوَرى

وَيَكشف عَن سرِّ الغَوامض ثاقبُه

وَيَكشف عَن سرِّ الغَوامض ثاقبُه

and judgment that sees what people's eyes cannot see,

And an opinion that sees what the eyes of creation do not see

whose penetrating insight uncovers the secret of obscure things.

And reveals the essence of puzzles, penetrating

كَريم إِذا اِستوهَبت ما هُوَ مالك

كَريم إِذا اِستوهَبت ما هُوَ مالك

سِوى المَجد فاِعلَم أَنَّهُ لَكَ واهبُه

سِوى المَجد فاِعلَم أَنَّهُ لَكَ واهبُه

Generous: if you ask him to give anything he owns,

Noble, if you seek what he possesses

other than glory, know that he will give it to you.

Except glory, then know that he is its granter

إِذا نَزل الراجي بِساحة فَضلِهِ

إِذا نَزل الراجي بِساحة فَضلِهِ

تَلقَّتهُ تَأهيلاته وَمَراحبُه

تَلقَّتهُ تَأهيلاته وَمَراحبُه

When a hopeful petitioner alights in the courtyard of his bounty,

When a hopeful arrives at the abode of his grace

his welcomes and greetings receive him.

His hospitality and shelters welcome him

وَيَلقى عُفاةَ الوافِدين كَأَنَّما

وَيَلقى عُفاةَ الوافِدين كَأَنَّما

عَلى طول عَهد مِنهُ وافَت حَبائِبُه

عَلى طول عَهد مِنهُ وافَت حَبائِبُه

He meets the needy among those arriving as though

And he meets newcomers as though

after long absence from him, his loved ones had come.

His loved ones of old have come to him

لَهُ الشَرَف الأَعلى الَّذي هُوَ سالب

لَهُ الشَرَف الأَعلى الَّذي هُوَ سالب

وَمنّي لَهُ الشُكر الَّذي أَنا ناهبُه

وَمنّي لَهُ الشُكر الَّذي أَنا ناهبُه

His is the highest honor, which he seizes;

To him belongs the highest glory that strips

and from me he has thanks, which I plunder.

And the thanks that I seize belong to him

إِذا أَنا لَم أُطلق لِساني بِشُكرِهِ

إِذا أَنا لَم أُطلق لِساني بِشُكرِهِ

عَلى نعم دبّت إِلَيَّ عَقاربُه

عَلى نعم دبّت إِلَيَّ عَقاربُه

If I do not set my tongue free to thank him

If I do not unleash my tongue in thanks

for favors, his scorpions would creep toward me.

For blessings that crawled to me slowly

فَتى مَدحه يَكسو الفَتى عزّ صدقهِ

فَتى مَدحه يَكسو الفَتى عزّ صدقهِ

وَمَدح سِواهُ يورث الذُلّ كاذِبُه

وَمَدح سِواهُ يورث الذُلّ كاذِبُه

A man whose truthful praise clothes the praiser in honor,

A young man whose truthfulness in praise adorns

while false praise of anyone else bequeaths disgrace.

While other's praise inherits falsehood's disgrace

لَهُ السُؤددُ السامي عَلى كُلِّ فاخر

لَهُ السُؤددُ السامي عَلى كُلِّ فاخر

وَلا فَخر إِنَّ الفَخر لَيسَ يَناسبُه

وَلا فَخر إِنَّ الفَخر لَيسَ يَناسبُه

His is lordship exalted above every boaster,

To him belongs the highest commendation over all superior

yet no boasting: boasting does not befit him.

And no pride befits him, for pride does not suit him

مُلوك بَني قَحطان كانَت جُدودهُ

مُلوك بَني قَحطان كانَت جُدودهُ

وَسادات قَوم مِن تَنوخ أَقاربُه

وَسادات قَوم مِن تَنوخ أَقاربُه

The kings of the sons of Qahtan were his forefathers,

The kings of Qahtan's descendants were his ancestors

and chiefs of a people of Tanukh are his kin.

And the masters of the people of Tanukh his relatives

هُمُ الأَصل إِلّا أَنَّه فرع سدرةٍ

هُمُ الأَصل إِلّا أَنَّه فرع سدرةٍ

نَمته إِلى أَن شرّفتها مَناقبُه

نَمته إِلى أَن شرّفتها مَناقبُه

They are the root, but he is a branch of a lote-tree

They are the origin, except that he is a branch of the lotus tree

that nurtured him until his virtues honored it.

Whose merits ennobled it

أَمير بِهِ أَعلام لُبنان شرّفت

أَمير بِهِ أَعلام لُبنان شرّفت

فَباهَت بِهِ أَعلام كِسرى مَناصبُه

فَباهَت بِهِ أَعلام كِسرى مَناصبُه

An emir through whom Lebanon's banners were ennobled,

A prince through whom the flags of Lebanon were ennobled

so his offices, through him, vied with Kisra's banners.

So the flags of Chosroes' positions paled in comparison

لَهُ اللَه مِن مَولىً عَلى الحَقّ قائِمٌ

لَهُ اللَه مِن مَولىً عَلى الحَقّ قائِمٌ

وَمُعتصم بِاللَهِ قَد عَزَّ جانبُه

وَمُعتصم بِاللَهِ قَد عَزَّ جانبُه

God be with him, a lord who stands for truth,

To him God is a protector of truth, his side strengthened

and one who clings to God, whose standing has grown strong.

And reliant on God, his stance became strong

يُراعي رَعاياه بِعدلٍ فَتَرتَعي

يُراعي رَعاياه بِعدلٍ فَتَرتَعي

مَع الأسد آرام الفَلا وَرباربُه

مَع الأسد آرام الفَلا وَرباربُه

He tends his subjects justly, so they graze—

He attends to his subjects with justice, so they graze

the desert's gazelles and its wild herds—alongside the lion.

With the lion in tranquility, its cubs and pups

فَيا ساكِني لُبنان بِالعزِّ أَبشروا

فَيا ساكِني لُبنان بِالعزِّ أَبشروا

فَطالع عَهد الذُلّ وَلَّت غَواربُه

فَطالع عَهد الذُلّ وَلَّت غَواربُه

O dwellers of Lebanon, rejoice in honor,

So O people of Lebanon, rejoice in honor

for humiliation's ascendant age has turned its back.

The era of disgrace has passed and its disadvantages left

مَحا اللَه عَنكُم ظُلمة الظُلم بَعدَ ما

مَحا اللَه عَنكُم ظُلمة الظُلم بَعدَ ما

تَمادَت بَخيل البَغي فَيكم نَوائبُه

تَمادَت بَخيل البَغي فَيكم نَوائبُه

God has erased oppression's darkness from you, after

God erased from you the darkness of injustice after

its calamities ran rampant among you with tyranny's steeds.

The pitfalls of tyranny upon you prolonged

وَأَطلع مِن بُرج السَعادة أَنجُماً

وَأَطلع مِن بُرج السَعادة أَنجُماً

بِها يَنجَلي لَيل العَنا وَغَياهِبُه

بِها يَنجَلي لَيل العَنا وَغَياهِبُه

And He brought forth stars from the constellation of happiness,

And the stars of good fortune rose from the tower of happiness

through which the night of suffering and its deep darkness clear away.

Dispelling with it the night of suffering and its darkness

هُمُ آل رَسلانَ الفَخامُ وَمَن بِهم

هُمُ آل رَسلانَ الفَخامُ وَمَن بِهم

سَما كاهل المَجد الأَثيل وَغاربُه

سَما كاهل المَجد الأَثيل وَغاربُه

They are the noble house of Raslan, those through whom

They are the House of Raselan - eminent are they

the shoulder and withers of deep-rooted glory rise.

And with them the shoulder of lasting glory reached its peak

وَإن أَمين الفَضل مِصباح هَديهم

وَإن أَمين الفَضل مِصباح هَديهم

لَدى ظُلمة الخطب الَّذي لا يُخاطبُه

لَدى ظُلمة الخطب الَّذي لا يُخاطبُه

And Amin of bounty is the lamp of their guidance

And the trustee of favor is the lantern of its guidance

amid the darkness of calamity that does not confront him.

Amidst the darkness of dire calamities that does not converse with it

تَرفَّعَ قَدراً فَضله عَن مناظِرٍ

تَرفَّعَ قَدراً فَضله عَن مناظِرٍ

فَمن ذا يُدانيهِ بِهِ أَو يُقاربُه

فَمن ذا يُدانيهِ بِهِ أَو يُقاربُه

His excellence has risen in worth beyond any rival;

His merit ascended beyond sight

who, then, can draw near or come close to him in it?

So who can equal or draw close to him?

كَتائبه في الحلِّ أَسفار كتبه

كَتائبه في الحلِّ أَسفار كتبه

وَما الكُتب في الأَسفار إِلّا كَتائبُه

وَما الكُتب في الأَسفار إِلّا كَتائبُه

His battalions at home are the volumes of his books,

Its legions in resolution are books of wisdom

and on journeys his books are nothing but his battalions.

And books of wisdom, what are they but his legions?

تَأسّى بِهِ الشِبل الكَريم مُحمَّد

تَأسّى بِهِ الشِبل الكَريم مُحمَّد

فَنالَ بِحَمد اللَهِ ما هُوَ طالِبُه

فَنالَ بِحَمد اللَهِ ما هُوَ طالِبُه

The noble cub Muhammad followed his example,

The noble cub Muhammad followed his example

and, with praise to God, attained what he sought.

And attained, praise God, what he sought

مَراتب عزٍّ ما وَفَت حَقّ قَدره

مَراتب عزٍّ ما وَفَت حَقّ قَدره

بِها الدَولة الغَرّاء إِذ جَلَّ واجبُه

بِها الدَولة الغَرّاء إِذ جَلَّ واجبُه

Ranks of honor—his worth was not fully requited

Ranks of honor did not fulfill his rightful merit

through them by the radiant state, for his due was immense.

When his obligation became serious

حبت غَيرَهُ مِمّا حَبَت ذاتهُ بِهِ

حبت غَيرَهُ مِمّا حَبَت ذاتهُ بِهِ

وَبِالضدّ يَمتازُ العلا وَمَراتبُه

وَبِالضدّ يَمتازُ العلا وَمَراتبُه

It gave others some of what it had bestowed on him,

He loved others for what he loved in himself

but eminence and its ranks are distinguished by contrast.

And through its opposite, elevation and ranks are distinguished

إِذا ما سَقى الوَسميُّ زَهر حَديقة

إِذا ما سَقى الوَسميُّ زَهر حَديقة

بِفضلته تَسقي القتادَ سَحائبُه

بِفضلته تَسقي القتادَ سَحائبُه

When autumn rain waters a garden's flowers,

If the ranks do not contain the people fit for it

its clouds water thorn bushes with what is left over.

Then no good in what strangers filled it

لِكُلّ مَقام في الأَنام مَقالة

لِكُلّ مَقام في الأَنام مَقالة

فَلا تَستَوي بِازاته وَجَنادبُه

فَلا تَستَوي بِازاته وَجَنادبُه

For every station among men there is a fitting utterance;

Wake, how long will you remain in the heedlessness of creation

its hawks and grasshoppers are not equal.

And the night of joy openly challenges its riders

وَلَيسَ الَّذي زانَ العُلى بِمَناقب

وَلَيسَ الَّذي زانَ العُلى بِمَناقب

كَمَن زينة العَلياءِ تَمحو مَثالبُه

كَمَن زينة العَلياءِ تَمحو مَثالبُه

He who adorns greatness with virtues is not

Awaken and you will see the world happy with Muhammad's glory

like one whose faults efface the adornment of greatness.

Its wonders appearing to all people

إِذا لَم تَكُن تَحوي المَراتب أَهلها

إِذا لَم تَكُن تَحوي المَراتب أَهلها

فَلا خَير فيما قَد حَوَتهُ أَجانبُه

فَلا خَير فيما قَد حَوَتهُ أَجانبُه

If ranks do not contain those worthy of them,

As though the Duja and the dawn are two armies mobilized

there is no good in what those alien to them have occupied.

The tools of each and their forces

أَصاح إِلى كَم أَنتَ في غَفلة الكَرى

أَصاح إِلى كَم أَنتَ في غَفلة الكَرى

وَلَيل الهَنا بِالعزِّ تحدي رَكائبُه

وَلَيل الهَنا بِالعزِّ تحدي رَكائبُه

O friend, how long will you linger in sleep's heedlessness,

As though the prince of night, when he saw the commotion

while honor chants onward the mounts of bliss's night?

About the horror of what transpired, his veins shook

تنبّه ترَ الدُنيا بِمَجد مُحَمّد

تنبّه ترَ الدُنيا بِمَجد مُحَمّد

سُروراً بَدَت لِلعالَمين عَجائبُه

سُروراً بَدَت لِلعالَمين عَجائبُه

Awaken, and see the world through Muhammad's glory—

As though the crescent of the horizon is a bare sword

a joy whose wonders are revealed to all creation.

Or the night a black-robed servant, its eyebrow frowning

كَأَنّ الدُجا وَالفَجر جَيشان أُعمِلَت

كَأَنّ الدُجا وَالفَجر جَيشان أُعمِلَت

عَوامل كُلٍّ مِنهُما وَقواضبُه

عَوامل كُلٍّ مِنهُما وَقواضبُه

As though darkness and dawn were two armies, with

As though the stars are a necklace of pearls scattered

the spears and keen swords of each deployed.

So its leader shone and the pearls' owner gloated

كَأَنّ نَجاشي اللَيل إِذ شاهد الوَغى

كَأَنّ نَجاشي اللَيل إِذ شاهد الوَغى

عَلى هَول ما قَد شامَ شابَت ذَوائبُه

عَلى هَول ما قَد شامَ شابَت ذَوائبُه

As though night's Negus, when he witnessed battle,

As though they are flowers blooming in the gardens

had his forelocks turn white from the horror of what he beheld.

Or the barren land, for the wanderers, fireflies appeared

كَأَنّ هِلال الأُفق عضب مُجرّد

كَأَنّ هِلال الأُفق عضب مُجرّد

أَو اللَيل عَبدٌ أَسود شابَ حاجبُه

أَو اللَيل عَبدٌ أَسود شابَ حاجبُه

As though the horizon's crescent were an unsheathed keen blade,

As though their Plough is loved that showed for us

or night a black slave whose eyebrow had turned white.

And the cupbearer roams about pouring in the goblet

كَأَنّ الدَراري عقد درٍّ تَبدّدت

كَأَنّ الدَراري عقد درٍّ تَبدّدت

فَرائده وَاِستنثر الدُرَّ صاحبُه

فَرائده وَاِستنثر الدُرَّ صاحبُه

As though the bright stars were a pearl necklace whose

As though we see a temple amidst the darkness of night

choice pearls had scattered, its owner strewing the pearls.

Beckoning to us with its lanterns, its monk

كَأَنّ النُجوم الزُهر زهر حَدائقٍ

كَأَنّ النُجوم الزُهر زهر حَدائقٍ

أَو القفر لاحَت لِلسُراة حباحبُه

أَو القفر لاحَت لِلسُراة حباحبُه

As though the brilliant stars were flowers in gardens,

As though the sun when the dinar appeared from its palm

or the wilderness, with its fireflies shining for night travelers.

For it is its eyebrow when it shows from its palm

كَأَنّ ثُريّاها الحبابُ بدا لنا

كَأَنّ ثُريّاها الحبابُ بدا لنا

وَقَد راحَ يَجلو الراح في الكاس ساكِبُه

وَقَد راحَ يَجلو الراح في الكاس ساكِبُه

As though its Pleiades were bubbles appearing to us,

As though Suhail is a lover who was reminded

while the pourer was unveiling the wine in the cup.

Of the melodies of the sanctuary of his loved ones and playgrounds

كَأَنّا نَرى مِن غاسق اللَيل معبدا

كَأَنّا نَرى مِن غاسق اللَيل معبدا

يُشير إِلَينا بِالمَصابيح راهبُه

يُشير إِلَينا بِالمَصابيح راهبُه

As though, out of night's darkness, we saw a temple

As though we see the river of the Milky Way a watering place

whose monk beckoned to us with lamps.

For which the lovely heavenly bodies quenched their thirst

كَأَنّ السُها إِذ لاحَ دينار باخل

كَأَنّ السُها إِذ لاحَ دينار باخل

إِذا ما بَدا مِن كَفِّهِ فَهوَ حاجبُه

إِذا ما بَدا مِن كَفِّهِ فَهوَ حاجبُه

As though Suha, when it appeared, were a miser's dinar:

I see the whale moving away from the sea of the Milky Way

whenever it shows from his palm, he hides it.

How astonishing, life accompanies it!

كَأَنّ سهيلاً عاشق ذكرت لَهُ

كَأَنّ سهيلاً عاشق ذكرت لَهُ

مَغاني حِمى أَحبابه وَمَلاعبُه

مَغاني حِمى أَحبابه وَمَلاعبُه

As though Suhayl were a lover reminded of

I see the Scorpion, feared in the west, tilting

the dwellings of his loved ones' preserve and its playgrounds.

Crawling with the gait of an old man, his troubles multiplied

كَأَنّا نَرى نَهر المَجرّة منهلا

كَأَنّا نَرى نَهر المَجرّة منهلا

لَهُ مِن غَواني الحَيّ أَمّت كَواعبُه

لَهُ مِن غَواني الحَيّ أَمّت كَواعبُه

As though we saw the Milky Way's river as a watering-place

As though the light of dawn is veiled love

to which full-breasted maidens among the camp's beauties had come.

As though the darkness of night a spy watching it

أَرى الحوت عَن بَحر المَجرّة نازِحاً

أَرى الحوت عَن بَحر المَجرّة نازِحاً

فَواعَجَباً كَيف الحَياة تُصاحبُه

فَواعَجَباً كَيف الحَياة تُصاحبُه

I see the Fish far removed from the Milky Way's sea:

As though the horn of the gazelle, when it appeared

how strange that life should still accompany it!

I reckoned it to be the waves of mirage undulating

أَرى العَقرَب المَحذور للغَرب مائِلاً

أَرى العَقرَب المَحذور للغَرب مائِلاً

يَدبُّ دَبيبَ الشَيخ زادَت مَتاعبُه

يَدبُّ دَبيبَ الشَيخ زادَت مَتاعبُه

I see the dreaded Scorpion leaning toward the west,

My friend, the cup of life is pure yet

creeping like an old man whose troubles have increased.

Without joy, its drinker cannot savor it

كَأَنّ ضِياء الفَجر حبٌّ محجّبٌ

كَأَنّ ضِياء الفَجر حبٌّ محجّبٌ

كَأَنّ ظَلام اللَيل واشٍ يُراقبُه

كَأَنّ ظَلام اللَيل واشٍ يُراقبُه

As though dawn's radiance were a veiled beloved,

Come, raise the flags of every delight

as though night's darkness were a talebearer watching him.

For the one whose gifts spread through the horizons

كَأنّي أَرى قرن الغَزالة مُذ بَدا

كَأنّي أَرى قرن الغَزالة مُذ بَدا

فَأَحسبُهُ تبراً تَموَّج ذائِبُه

فَأَحسبُهُ تبراً تَموَّج ذائِبُه

I seem to see the sun's horn, since it first appeared,

And with the highest rank, I repeat congratulations

and take it for gold whose molten substance ripples.

Its welcoming is the return of his gifts

خَليليّ كَأس العَيش صافٍ وَإِنَّما

خَليليّ كَأس العَيش صافٍ وَإِنَّما

بِغَير هَناءٍ لَيسَ يَلتَذّ شارِبُه

بِغَير هَناءٍ لَيسَ يَلتَذّ شارِبُه

My two friends, life's cup is clear, yet

May good fortune with his happiness continue to grow

without happiness its drinker finds no pleasure.

And the shield of joy and robes envelop him

أَلا فاِنشُرا أَعلام كُلّ مَسرّةٍ

أَلا فاِنشُرا أَعلام كُلّ مَسرّةٍ

لِمَن نُشرت في الخافِقين مَواهبُه

لِمَن نُشرت في الخافِقين مَواهبُه

Come, unfurl the banners of every joy

And may favor continue coming

for him whose gifts are spread in the East and West.

To his lofty court, its winds blow

وَبِالرُتبة العليا لِكَوكَب مَجدِهِ

وَبِالرُتبة العليا لِكَوكَب مَجدِهِ

أعيد التَهاني إِنَّهنّ رَغائِبُه

أعيد التَهاني إِنَّهنّ رَغائِبُه

And for the highest rank of his glory's star

And may he continue to herald tidings of his eminence

I renew congratulations, for they are his wishes.

The abode of joy furnished for him, its carpets spread

فَلا برحَ الإسعاد يَنمو بِسعده

فَلا برحَ الإسعاد يَنمو بِسعده

وَيَشملُهُ دِرع الهَنا وَجَلاببُه

وَيَشملُهُ دِرع الهَنا وَجَلاببُه

May happiness never cease to grow through his good fortune,

As long as the scent of his praise which diffused remains

and bliss's armor and robes enfold him.

A perfume for the breeze of the meadow given as gift

وَلا فتئ الإِقبال بالعزّ مُقبِلاً

وَلا فتئ الإِقبال بالعزّ مُقبِلاً

إِلى بابِهِ العالي تُحَثُّ جَنائِبُه

إِلى بابِهِ العالي تُحَثُّ جَنائِبُه

And may prosperity never cease to advance with honor,

As long as the poet of glory shook the standard

its led mounts urged toward his lofty gate.

Proclaiming congratulations, the writer of his glory

وَلا زالَ بِالبُشرى بشير عَلائِهِ

وَلا زالَ بِالبُشرى بشير عَلائِهِ

مهادُ الفَلا تُطوى لَهُ وَسباسِبُه

مهادُ الفَلا تُطوى لَهُ وَسباسِبُه

And may the herald of his greatness ever bring glad tidings,

And the joys cheered in the arena of joy

the desert's level expanses and wastelands folded away for him.

It sang, and the birds of hearts answered it

مَدى الدَهر ما قَد فاحَ مِن طَيب مَدحهِ

مَدى الدَهر ما قَد فاحَ مِن طَيب مَدحهِ

شَذاً لِنَسيم الرَوض تُهدى أَطايبُه

شَذاً لِنَسيم الرَوض تُهدى أَطايبُه

For all time, while from the perfume of his praise there wafts

They chant, say O for Muhammad

a fragrance, its finest scents offered to the garden breeze;

The auspicious stars of Sa'd have illuminated their processions

مَدى الدَهر ما هَزَّ اليَراعة ناشِراً

مَدى الدَهر ما هَزَّ اليَراعة ناشِراً

لِواء التَهاني شاعرُ المَجد كاتِبُه

لِواء التَهاني شاعرُ المَجد كاتِبُه

for all time, so long as the reed pen is flourished to unfurl

congratulations' banner by glory's poet and scribe;

وَما صادح الأَفراح في دَوحة الهَنا

وَما صادح الأَفراح في دَوحة الهَنا

تَغنّى وَأَطيارُ القُلوب تجاوبُه

تَغنّى وَأَطيارُ القُلوب تجاوبُه

and so long as the songbird of joys in bliss's great tree

sings, and the birds of hearts answer him,

وَتُنشده أرّخ أَلا لمحمّد

وَتُنشده أرّخ أَلا لمحمّد

مَطالع سَعد قَد أَنارَت مَواكبُه

مَطالع سَعد قَد أَنارَت مَواكبُه

and chant to him: Record the date! Behold, for Muhammad

risings of good fortune, whose processions have shone forth.