تهنَّ بغرة العام الجديد

ودم من كل خير في مزيدِ

Rejoice in the first light of the new year,

and remain ever increasing in every good.

رأيتك أبسط الكرماء باعا

وأنجزهم لوعدِ أو وعيدِ

I have seen you the most far-reaching of generous men,

and the surest to fulfill a promise or a threat.

لقد أصبحت نقمة كل عات

ونعمة كل عاف مستفيدِ

You have become the scourge of every insolent tyrant,

and a blessing to every seeker who departs enriched.

فلا برحت رباعك آهلات

ملاذ مؤمل وحمى طريدِ

May your dwellings never cease to teem with people—

a refuge for the hopeful, a sanctuary for the fugitive.

عقيد الجود أنت بغير شك

فلا عدم ارتياحك من عقيدِ

You are the commander of generosity, beyond all doubt;

may no captive ever be denied your compassion.

لقد قربت بالإحسان ممن

يؤمّك مطلب الأمل البعيدِ

Through beneficence you have brought near whoever

comes to you seeking hope’s farthest prize.

فجودك جود متلاف وهوب

وعودك حين تفخر خير عودِ

Your largesse is that of a prodigal, unstinting giver,

and your lineage, when lineages are vaunted, is the finest stock.

ورأيك مشرق كالشمس يجلو

دجى نوب من الحدثان سودِ

Your judgment shines like the sun, dispelling

the black gloom of calamities.

ألا بأبي خلائقك اللواتي

خلقن أغض من روض مجودِ

Ah, may my father ransom those qualities of yours,

created fresher than a rain-drenched meadow,

وحسن شمائل لطفت فزينت

بما توليه من كرم وجودِ

and the beauty of gracious traits, refined and adorned

by all the generosity and bounty you bestow.

بذلت لنا لهاك وما طريف

حباؤل بالطريف وبالتليدِ

You lavished upon us—may it delight you—new-won treasure;

your gifts embrace both new wealth and inherited.

لقد شتت شمل العدم فينا

وأظهرت السماح إلى الوجودِ

You scattered the gathered host of want among us,

and brought liberality forth into being.

فكم ضبع جعلت الليث طمعا

لديه بثعلب الرمح المبيدِ

How many a hyena have you made see the lion as prey,

with the spear’s death-dealing “fox” at its side!

وكم بيض أعدت غداة حرب

ورادا لونها بدم الوريدِ

How many white blades, on the morning of battle,

have you returned red with blood from the veins!

فيا عضد الهدى والدين حقا

لقد احبيت آمال الوفودِ

O true pillar of right guidance and the faith,

you have revived the hopes of visiting delegations—

ذكور أنت للمعروف يسدي

وناس للضغائن والحقود

mindful whenever a kindness is rendered,

forgetful of rancors and grudges.

إذا عقمت أكف القوم لذنا

بكف منك للنعمى ولودِ

When the people’s hands prove barren, we seek refuge

in your hand, prolific with blessings.

وإن كانت عطاياهم نسايا

حصلنا من نداك على نقودِ

Though their gifts are promises of deferred payment,

from your bounty we receive ready cash.

فخذ من جوهر الألفاظ نظما

كوشي الزهر أو وشي البرودِ

Then take a strand of verse from the jewels of words,

like the embroidery of flowers or patterned robes,

أرق من الدموع دموع صب

وفي الإيراد من ورد الخدودِ

more delicate than tears—the tears of a lovesick man—

and, in its utterance, touched with the roses of cheeks.

فلست تزال ذا بر جديد

ولست أزال ذا شكر جديد

May you never cease to possess fresh beneficence,

and may I never cease to offer fresh thanks.

بقيت محسد العلياء تفني

عصور الدهر بالعمر المديدِ

May you remain, envied for your loftiness, outlasting

the ages of time with a life prolonged.