ما حاجَةٌ أَولى بِنُجحٍ عاجِلٍ

مِن حاجَةٍ عَلِقَت أَبا تَمّامِ

What need is more deserving of swift success

What need is more deserving of urgent fulfillment

Than a need that clings to Abū Tammām's robe?

Than a need that has attached itself to Abu Tammam?

فَرعٌ تَمَكَّنَ مِن أَرومِ عِمارَةٍ

بَقِيَت مَناقِبُها عَلى الأَيّامِ

A branch that took root in a lofty palace

A branch firmly established in the roots of 'Imarah,

Whose glories remain through the days.

Whose virtues have remained throughout the days.

لَمّا نَدَبتُكَ لِلمُهِمِّ أَجَبتَني

لَبَّيكَ وَاِستَعذَبتَ ماءَ كَلامي

When I called on you for the important task, you answered me,

When I summoned you for a grave matter, you answered me,

"I am at your service," and found sweet my words.

Saying 'At your service,' and finding the water of my speech sweet.

فَدَعِ المَواعِدَ الَّتي أَلحَقتُها

حَتّى يَكونَ نِتاجُها لِتَمامِ

Leave aside the promises I have made

So let the promises that I have appended

Until their fruits are for completion.

Reach their fruition and come to completion.

فَإِذا بَسَطتَ يَداً إِلَيَّ بِغَوثَةٍ

فَلَقَد هَزَزتُكَ هَزَّةَ الصَمصامِ

So if you extend a hand to help me,

For if you extend a hand to me with succor,

I have shook you with the shaking of battle.

Then I have truly brandished you as one brandishes a sharp sword.

كَم نارِ حَربِ ضَلالَةٍ أَطفَأتَها

وَرُضاعِ جَهلٍ كِدتَهُ بِفِطامِ

How many fires of straying wars you've doused,

How many fires of the war of error have you extinguished,

And weaned the suckling of ignorance.

And the suckling of ignorance you have cured with weaning!

إِنَّ المُلوكَ رَأَوا أَباكَ بِأَعيُنٍ

قَد كُحِّلَت بِمَراوِدِ الإِعظامِ

Kings have seen your father with eyes

Indeed, kings have beheld your father with eyes

Painted with the musk of veneration.

That were lined with the kohl of reverence.

وَاِستَودَعوا تيجانَهُم تِمثالَهُ

وَاللَهُ يَعلَمُهُ مَعَ الأَقوامِ

And they entrusted their crowns to his statue—

And they entrusted his image to their crowns,

God knows him among the throngs of people.

And God knows his true station among the peoples.