نجم القاضي الشرف الفلكي — Alshaghouri

The star of Judge Sharaf al-Falaki

is in the most auspicious sign in the celestial sphere.

And his countenance is the Sun, and Mercury

attended his birth, so he is clever.

If the Lion on high opposed him,

he would drive it back with its jaw shattered.

And if the Fish disobeyed him, it would come

thrashing in the net.

If he wished, he would cast the two Eagles from the

highest horizon into the midst of the snare.

So whoever rivals him in glory competes

with purebred stallions on common mares.

Master of judgments that are mantled

in certainty concerning closely interwoven affairs.

And he has a pen that fells horsemen

by thrusting with it on the battlefield.

It flows on the page with the rhymed prose of al-Qadi

al-Fadil, in tangled affairs,

and with Ibn al-Bawwab's letters, when

they follow paths never before traversed.

Of no avail to the champions, when

it struck through, were their interlinked coats of mail.

And his fingertips pour forth for those

who seek him, like the pipes of pools.

And the sky of his lofty attainments was adorned

with his meanings, rich in woven patterns.

O Time, be gentle! How often I am assailed

by your injustice, with an obstinate judgment.

I weep because of him in grief, and he sees

my plight, then guffaws with laughter.

So the people have Amr, while Abu

Musa has become yours, O my soul.

A third of the regular stipend has been seized,

scant as it is, by a despoiler's hand.

If the stream's water is drained,

wrong is done to the fish within it.

I am the servant of the benefactor, Abd al-Muhsin;

I have not feared reaching the lowest depths.

So, by the tomb of Isma'il, an ally

of learning and devotion, held in honor,

look into my plight, for the servant

hopes for the king's favor.

O you who were created a human,

yet in whom we see an angel's character.

My honor is now safeguarded, but my wealth is squandered

by a man whose honor is in tatters.

So remain safe, prosper, rejoice, and be merry,

and prevail over the deceitful adversary.

Little verses have come to you at the gallop of horses,

safe from the blemish of weak diction.

So they found you sharing your wealth,

but with no one sharing your glory.