Sol 6.1

  1. The eagle's breath sends the hawks fleeing.

    And with it, dear brother, he narrows the open wastes.

  2. The lion—at his breath, any beast other than

    Him flees in fear, seeking escape.

  3. This vizier, master of tall spears and eminence,

    And white, keen-edged swords and raids.

  4. The sun of the vizierate, the light of its beauty,

    Never sets at any time.

  5. The pivot of high honors, the full moon of their good fortune,

    Visible without clouds or halos.

  6. The gallant, noble lord, who has become

    The glory of lordship, the pride of lords.

  7. The august Abd Allah, for whom were built

    The loftiest houses above the Milky Way.

  8. The most glorious, reaching al-Simak in his glory,

    Who rises toward al-Suha above all heads.

  9. A sea of mercies, noble deeds, and generosity,

    Surging with kindness and compassion.

  10. An Ahnaf in forbearance, an Antarah of battle,

    Resolute in purpose, an Asaf in high ambition.

  11. In sound judgment, in keen discernment,

    In fine character and noble qualities.

  12. The fierce lion, the mighty lion, the lion who

    Has taken awe as the most impregnable of thickets.

  13. The dauntless horseman, the hero who

    Lays armies low by launching his raids.

  14. The glory of lions, son of their valor, when

    At the cry for help they seek reinforcements.

  15. His renown shatters and unhinges the backs

    Of men of ascendancy and men of might.

  16. And renown, in striking terror, may surpass

    An army of five divisions, skilled in repeated charges.

  17. The lion in the thickets—his renown is feared

    By those who do not witness his leaps.

  18. And judgment: swords cannot do in battle

    What judgment accomplishes in subduing foes.

  19. Have you not, then, heard what occurred in the Shuf through

    This vizier of unerring judgment?

  20. When his feelings turned against

    Its rulers, and he struck it with tremors,

  21. Because of that, its two Bashirs fled upon

    The steed of wandering, toward a desolate land.

  22. The two went seeking escape, beyond all doubt,

    Without battle—no, nor any blows.

  23. Since they fled, they were like the hands of Saba,

    Dispersed in poverty, then scattered far apart.

  24. He took possession of the Shuf, freed from them both,

    And it lay in the grasp of his palms.

  25. Its people obeyed him without battle,

    Willingly, rendering obedience in all things.

  26. No vizier before him had attained this,

    Among the mighty men who came before.

  27. No predecessor equaled him, according to

    Reports of the trustworthy and the untrustworthy alike.

  28. Over it he appointed whomever he desired and chose,

    To govern justly, forsaking partiality.

  29. And to it he sent an army like lions,

    Which encamped there, unfurling banners.

  30. And over it he recited the surah of manifest victory,

    For its triumph, from the firmly established verses.

  31. May the lions forever, at a breath of his,

    Find the vast wilderness narrowed around them.

  32. I congratulate him on this manifest victory,

    For it is among the finest good deeds.

  33. May he ever attain his desire, just as he wishes,

    And may the signs of blessings guide him.

  34. Nay, may he remain girded by his Lord,

    Forever with the sword of victory and awe.

  35. And may God, my Lord, bestow upon him His favor,

    Closeness to Him and elevation in rank.

  36. May his Master grant him the most comfortable life,

    And enduring health and a long life.

  37. May his Master protect him from terrors in

    The two abodes, and from infirmities and calamities.

  38. May He shield him always on every side,

    And keep him in the best of states.

  39. May He help him and always turn toward him,

    And watch over him in motion and at rest.

  40. As long as gardens bloom and branches sway,

    As long as birds sing their sweetest melodies,

  41. As long as al-Fath recites praise, closing his verse,

    And keeps seeking to give thanks through prostrations.

Sol 6.1