بَعدَafter حَمدpraise لِلّهto God جَلَّexalted is سَناهُHis radiance
بَعدَ حَمد لِلّه جَلَّ سَناهُ
وَثَناءٍand praise لَهُof Him أَضاءshone سَناهُHis radiance
وَثَناءٍ لَهُ أَضاء سَناهُ
After praise to God, exalted is His radiance,
After praising God, whose glory is sublime,
and praise of Him whose radiance shines,
And sending blessings upon the noble Prophet,
وَصَلاةand blessings عَلىupon نَبيٍّa prophet كَريمٍnoble
وَصَلاة عَلى نَبيٍّ كَريمٍ
جاءَcame بِالدينwith the faith وَالإِلَهand God اِصطَفاهchose him
جاءَ بِالدين وَالإِلَه اِصطَفاه
and blessings upon a noble Prophet
Who brought us the religion and God chose him,
who brought the faith, whom God chose,
And upon his family and companions, especially
وَعَلىand upon الآلthe family وَالصحابand the companions خُصوصاًespecially
وَعَلى الآل وَالصحاب خُصوصاً
دَولةcompany/rule الراشدينthe rightly guided مِنamong خُلَفاهhis successors
دَولة الراشدين مِن خُلَفاه
and upon his family and companions, especially
The rightly guided caliphs who succeeded him,
the company of his rightly guided successors,
Like the truthful Abu Bakr and then Umar
كَالإِمامsuch as the imam الصدّيقal-Siddiq ثُمَthen أَبيAbu حفHaf- (Hafs)
كَالإِمام الصدّيق ثُمَ أَبي حف
ص-s (Hafs) الَّذيwhose عمspread everywhere عَدلُهhis justice وَتُقاهand his piety
ص الَّذي عم عَدلُه وَتُقاه
such as Imam al-Siddiq, then Abu Hafs,
Whose justice and piety spread,
whose justice and piety spread everywhere,
And Uthman who compiled the Holy Quran,
وَاِبنand son of عَفانAffan الَّذيwho جَمعgathered القرthe Qur- (Qur'an)
وَاِبن عَفان الَّذي جَمع القر
آن-an (Qur'an) فيin مصحفa codex تَعالَتrose high ذُراهits heights
آن في مصحف تَعالَت ذُراه
and Ibn Affan, who gathered the Qur'an
And Ali the Prophet’s in-law who unsheathed
into a codex whose heights rose high,
His sword against polytheism.
وَعليّand Ali صهرson-in-law النَبيthe Prophet الَّذيwho شاbrandished (continued)
وَعليّ صهر النَبي الَّذي شا
مbrandished (completion) عَلىagainst الشُركpolytheism سَيفهhis sword وَانتضاهand unsheathed it
م عَلى الشُرك سَيفه وَانتضاه
and Ali, the Prophet's son-in-law, who brandished
The humble Saleh said, may God reform him
his sword against polytheism and unsheathed it—
And guide him, and in this life and the next
قالَsaid ذوpossessor of العَجزhelplessness صالحSalih وَهوَand he is مَجديMajdi
قالَ ذو العَجز صالح وَهوَ مَجدي
أَصلحmay amend اللَهGod حالَهُhis condition وَهَداهand guide him
أَصلح اللَه حالَهُ وَهَداه
Salih, the powerless one, who is Majdi, said:
Fulfill his hopes and answer his prayers,
May God amend his condition and guide him;
And give him on the Day of Judgment to drink
وَبِدُنياهand in his world هَذِهِthis وَبِأُخرىand in another
وَبِدُنياه هَذِهِ وَبِأُخرى
نالَmay he attain ماwhat رامhe desired وَاستجيبand may be answered دُعاهhis prayer
نالَ ما رام وَاستجيب دُعاه
and in this world of his and in the next,
From the Pool of the best of creation, a drink that will quench his thirst.
may he attain his wishes and his prayer be answered;
The wise, most generous cub desired
وَسَقاهand give him drink مِنfrom حَوضthe pool of خَيرthe best of البَراياcreation
وَسَقاه مِن حَوض خَير البَرايا
فيon غَدٍthe morrow شُربةًa draught تبلُّthat quenches صَداهhis thirst
في غَدٍ شُربةً تبلُّ صَداه
and may He give him drink from the best of creation's pool,
To adorn the beautiful manuscript with a pearl necklace.
tomorrow, a draught that quenches his thirst.
So I responded readily to what the prince wished for
قَدindeed أَرادdesired الحَليمthe forbearing one أَكرمُnoblest شبلlion-cub
قَد أَراد الحَليم أَكرمُ شبل
زانَهُadorned him فيin زَمانهhis age أَصغراهhis heart and tongue
زانَهُ في زَمانه أَصغراه
The forbearing one, noblest lion-cub, wished—
And his assembly of companions sought.
his heart and tongue adorned him in his age—
I set about composing poetry though I don’t count myself among the poets.
أَنthat أَحلِّيI adorn جيدthe neck of الطُروسthe written pages بعقدwith a necklace
أَن أَحلِّي جيد الطُروس بعقد
درُّهُits pearls يَزدَهيglory بحسنِin the beauty of نَقاهtheir purity
درُّهُ يَزدَهي بحسنِ نَقاه
that I adorn the neck of the pages with a necklace
Rather, I spurred the steeds of my thoughts
whose pearls glory in their fair purity.
Alongside thoroughbreds whose rider was noble
فَأَجبتso I answered الأَميرthe prince طَوعاًwillingly إِلىto ماwhat
فَأَجبت الأَمير طَوعاً إِلى ما
يَتَمنّىhe wishes وَتَبتَغيand seek جُلَساهhis companions
يَتَمنّى وَتَبتَغي جُلَساه
So I willingly answered the prince's wish
And they bolted, gushing like rain from my hands
and what his companions sought.
About this intrepid hero, Muhammad Khurshid,
وَتصدّيتand I undertook لِلقَريضpoetry وَإِنيalthough I
وَتصدّيت لِلقَريض وَإِني
ماnot أَرانيconsider myself أُعَدُّcounted مِنamong شُعَراهits poets
ما أَراني أُعَدُّ مِن شُعَراه
And I undertook poetry, although
The sun of this age though still in his teens.
I do not consider myself numbered among its poets.
He came to Egypt when he was about nine years old
بَيدyet أَنيI أَطلقتreleased أَفراسthe horses of فكريmy thought
بَيد أَني أَطلقت أَفراس فكري
مَعwith جِيادٍnoble steeds فُرسانهاtheir riders أُدَباهits men of letters
مَع جِيادٍ فُرسانها أُدَباه
Yet I released the horses of my thought
A Circassian with no doubt.
alongside steeds whose riders are its men of letters.
And the Khedive Muhammad became his guardian in this land
فَجَرتso they galloped بيwith me فيin ذكرmentioning شَهمٍa gallant man نَبيلٍnoble
فَجَرت بي في ذكر شَهمٍ نَبيلٍ
فاضَpoured forth كَالغَيثlike rain مِنfrom يَديهِhis hands نَداهhis bounty
فاضَ كَالغَيث مِن يَديهِ نَداه
They carried me galloping in praise of a noble, gallant man
And chose him after buying him like Joseph while still a child
whose bounty poured from his hands like rain.
Whom fate had exiled from his home.
هوَhe هَذاthis محمدMuhammad خورشيدKhurshid
هوَ هَذا محمد خورشيد
شَمسthe sun of هَذاthis الزَمانage فيamong قُرَناهhis peers
شَمس هَذا الزَمان في قُرَناه
He is this Muhammad Khurshid,
He preferred him after seeing he was bright,
the sun of this age among his peers.
Prudent, lofty among his peers.
جاءَcame مصراًto Egypt وَعمرُهand his age نَحوَabout تسعٍnine
جاءَ مصراً وَعمرُه نَحوَ تسعٍ
وَهوَand he was جرجيGeorgian وَلَيسَand there is not فيهِabout him اِشتِباهdoubt
وَهوَ جرجي وَلَيسَ فيهِ اِشتِباه
He came to Egypt when about nine years old,
Surpassing in Arabic, Turkish and excellent in speaking Roman.
and he was Georgian, without any doubt.
He was graced with handsome stature under the full moon,
وَالخديويand the khedive محمدMuhammad رَبlord of مصرEgypt
وَالخديوي محمد رَب مصر
صارَbecame مَولىa master لَهُto him بِهاthere وَاجتَباهand selected him
صارَ مَولى لَهُ بِها وَاجتَباه
And Khedive Muhammad, lord of Egypt,
Good manners and dignity prevailed over him,
became his master there and selected him.
Languid eyes, a generous chest
وَاشتراهُand purchased him كَيوسفٍlike Joseph وَهوwhile he was طفلٌa child
وَاشتراهُ كَيوسفٍ وَهو طفلٌ
دَهرُهhis fate عَنfrom دِيارهhis homeland قَدhad نَفاهexiled him
دَهرُه عَن دِياره قَد نَفاه
He purchased him, like Joseph, while he was a child
And a radiant brow shining with light.
whom fate had exiled from his homeland.
So he accompanied the Governor on a journey to Hejaz
وَاصطفاهand chose him لماwhen رآهhe saw him لَبيباًdiscerning
وَاصطفاه لما رآه لَبيباً
عاقِلاًintelligent سامياًrising above عَلىover رُفَقاهhis companions
عاقِلاً سامياً عَلى رُفَقاه
He chose him when he saw him discerning,
And rode the steeds of war so bravely
intelligent, rising above his companions,
That even lions feared his might at the start of his youth.
فَائِقاًexcellent فيin لِسانthe tongue of عُرْبٍArabs وَتُركٍand Turks
فَائِقاً في لِسان عُرْبٍ وَتُركٍ
مُحسِناًproficient فيin لِسانthe tongue of رومٍGreeks حَواهhe mastered it
مُحسِناً في لِسان رومٍ حَواه
excellent in the tongues of Arabs and Turks,
And how not when, whenever an enemy sought war with him
proficient in the Greek tongue he had mastered.
He met them with unwavering courage as God willed.
قَدindeed تَحلَّىwas adorned بِقامةٍwith a stature تَحتَbeneath بَدرٍa full moon
قَد تَحلَّى بِقامةٍ تَحتَ بَدرٍ
حسنbeautiful الخَلقin form وَالوَقارand dignity علاهcovered him
حسن الخَلق وَالوَقار علاه
He was graced with a stature beneath a full-moon face,
He waged war while still only ten years old
handsome in form, with dignity upon him,
With great vigor and managed military affairs.
وَعُيونand eyes دُعجٌdeeply dark وَصدرٌand a chest رَحيبٌbroad
وَعُيون دُعجٌ وَصدرٌ رَحيبٌ
وَجَبينand a forehead كَالصبحlike morning زاهٍradiant زهاهits brilliance
وَجَبين كَالصبح زاهٍ زهاه
dark eyes and a broad chest,
His sword flashed decapitating body after body
and a forehead radiant as morning, whose brilliance adorned him.
As he washed in their blood.
فسعىso he traveled بعدafter ساعةa short time فيin ركابthe retinue of الthe (continued)
فسعى بعد ساعة في ركاب ال
داوريsovereign للحجازto the Hijaz دامmay endure بَقاهhis life
داوري للحجاز دام بَقاه
Soon afterward he traveled in the retinue
And like a deadly snake he would dart
of the sovereign to the Hijaz—may his life endure.
Swiftly with his rifle taking perfect aim.
وَاِمتَطىand mounted صَهوةthe backs of الجِيادnoble steeds فَهابَتso feared
وَاِمتَطى صَهوة الجِياد فَهابَت
بَطشَهhis might الأُسدُthe lions فيin مباديthe beginnings of صِباهhis youth
بَطشَه الأُسدُ في مبادي صِباه
He mounted the backs of noble steeds, and lions feared
And oh how many times in battle he felled
his might in the first days of his youth.
A ferocious brute whom all feared!
كَيفَhow لاnot وَهوَwhen he is قَسوَرٌa lion لاnot يجارَىrivaled
كَيفَ لا وَهوَ قَسوَرٌ لا يجارَى
فيin حُروبٍwars كَماas أَرادwilled الإِلَهGod
في حُروبٍ كَما أَراد الإِلَه
How could they not, when he was an unrivaled lion
And oh how many times displaying excellent marksmanship
in warfare, as God had willed?
He hit his target perfectly!
مارسpracticed الحَربwar وَهوَwhile he was فيat سنِّthe age of عشرٍten
مارس الحَرب وَهوَ في سنِّ عشرٍ
باجتهادٍdiligently وَساسَهاand directed it بحجاهwith his intelligence
باجتهادٍ وَساسَها بحجاه
He practiced war at ten years of age,
And oh how often he plunged amidst raging seas of war
diligently, and directed it with his intelligence.
As obscure as the darkest nights!
وَاِنتَضىand unsheathed سَيفهhis sword فَطارَتso flew رُؤسٌheads
وَاِنتَضى سَيفه فَطارَت رُؤسٌ
عَنfrom جُسومbodies وَمِنand from دِماهاtheir blood رَواهhe slaked it
عَن جُسوم وَمِن دِماها رَواه
He unsheathed his sword, and heads flew
All this he witnessed in Nejd and beyond
from bodies; with their blood he slaked it.
When meeting his opponents face to face.
وَالردينيْand the Rudayni spear كَحيةٍlike a serpent مِنهُfrom him تَسعىdarting
وَالردينيْ كَحيةٍ مِنهُ تَسعى
لَهزبرtoward a lion بِهِwith it سَريعاًswiftly رَماهhe struck him
لَهزبر بِهِ سَريعاً رَماه
His Rudayni spear darted from him like a serpent
And as the Governor observed and heard about him
toward a lion at which he swiftly cast it.
He was overjoyed and held him dear.
فَلَكمso how many بِالرَصاصwith bullets أَهلكhe destroyed مِنof لَيli- (lion)
فَلَكم بِالرَصاص أَهلك مِن لَي
ثٍ-on (lion) عَبوسٍgrim-faced يَهابهfears him مَنwhoever يَراهsees him
ثٍ عَبوسٍ يَهابه مَن يَراه
How many a lion he destroyed with bullets,
Those were his feats though not yet twenty years old,
grim-faced, feared by whoever saw it!
Still beardless but filled with courage.
وَلَكمand how often فيat مَواقفthe stations of الرَميshooting أَلقىhe brought down
وَلَكم في مَواقف الرَمي أَلقى
هَدفاًa target قَدindeed أَصابَهُhe struck it فَبَراهand pierced it
هَدفاً قَد أَصابَهُ فَبَراه
How often, at the shooting grounds, he brought down
After the opening of Hejaz he came to Egypt
a target he struck and pierced!
In the Governor’s entourage seeking his patronage.
وَلَكمand how often خاضhe plunged into فَوقَupon مَتنthe back of كُمَيتٍa bay horse
وَلَكم خاض فَوقَ مَتن كُمَيتٍ
بَحرَa sea of حربwar كَاللَيلlike night عَمّspread everywhere دُجاهits darkness
بَحرَ حرب كَاللَيل عَمّ دُجاه
How often, upon a bay horse's back, he plunged
And he took charge of all the soldiers
into a sea of war whose darkness spread like night!
Once he had earned the right to promotion.
كُلall هذاthis رآهsaw it مِنهُfrom him بِنَجدin Najd
كُل هذا رآه مِنهُ بِنَجد
وَسِواهاand elsewhere عِندَat اللِّقاthe encounter خُصَماهhis adversaries
وَسِواها عِندَ اللِّقا خُصَماه
All this his adversaries saw from him in Najd
He was justly rewarded for his honesty and loyalty
and elsewhere when they met in battle.
By the King who was never disappointed in him.
وَالخديويand the khedive يَرىsees وَيَسمَعُand hears عَنهُabout him
وَالخديوي يَرى وَيَسمَعُ عَنهُ
ماwhat بِهِby it سُرَّwas gladdened لبُّهhis mind وَحَشاهand his heart
ما بِهِ سُرَّ لبُّه وَحَشاه
And the khedive saw and heard of him
He rose by merit to Amirlay without contention,
what gladdened his mind and heart.
With the “laam” (ل), the “raa” (ر), and the “ayn” (ع) of his success.
تِلكَthose أَفعالهhis deeds وَماand not جاوزpassed العشtwen- (twenty)
تِلكَ أَفعاله وَما جاوز العش
رين-ty (twenty) عاماًyears وَماand not بَداappeared شارباهhis mustache
رين عاماً وَما بَدا شارباه
Such were his deeds, though he had not passed twenty
He became the third-in-command of the infantry,
years, nor had his mustache appeared.
Obedient to the ferocious lion who feeds them.
وَأَتىand came مصرَto Egypt بَعدafter فَتحthe conquest of حِجازٍthe Hijaz
وَأَتى مصرَ بَعد فَتح حِجازٍ
فيin رِكابthe retinue of العَزيزthe mighty ruler يَرجوseeking وَلاهhis favor
في رِكاب العَزيز يَرجو وَلاه
He came to Egypt after the conquest of the Hijaz,
And after the “laam” and “raa” came the rank
in the mighty ruler's retinue, seeking his favor.
Of Liwa for the purity which he attained.
فَتولىso assumed charge أَمرthe affairs of المَماليكthe mamluks جَمعاًall together
فَتولى أَمر المَماليك جَمعاً
مُذwhen لَدىwith المالكthe master اِستَحقhe earned اِرتَقاهhis advancement
مُذ لَدى المالك اِستَحق اِرتَقاه
He assumed charge of all the mamluks
The third and eighth infantry became his
when he earned advancement with his master.
As subordinates under his banner.
وَعَلىand for الصدقtruthfulness وَالأَمانةand trustworthiness جوزيhe was rewarded
وَعَلى الصدق وَالأَمانة جوزي
مِنby مَليكa sovereign ماnot خابَwas disappointed فيهِin him رَجاهhis hope
مِن مَليك ما خابَ فيهِ رَجاه
For truthfulness and trustworthiness he was rewarded
He then assumed responsibility for guarding
by a sovereign in whom his hope was not disappointed.
The royal treasure for which the Magnificent built a citadel.
وَترقىand rose أَميرلايَto amiralay بحاءٍat ha'
وَترقى أَميرلايَ بحاءٍ
لامِlam راءٍra' وَالغينُand ghayn عينُthe essence of غِناهhis wealth
لامِ راءٍ وَالغينُ عينُ غِناه
He rose to amiralay in ha',
And with him affairs went smoothly and justly
lam, ra'—and ghayn was the essence of his wealth.
While around it wolves and beasts felt safe.
وَغَداand became ثالثُthe Third المشاةInfantry مُطيعاًobedient
وَغَدا ثالثُ المشاة مُطيعاً
لِأَميرto a commander لَحمُthe flesh of الأُسودlions غِذاهhis food
لِأَمير لَحمُ الأُسود غِذاه
The Third Infantry became obedient
Those who resided in its vicinity settled without fear
to a commander whose food was lions' flesh.
Around its walls that towered with might.
وَلطاءٍand at ta' مِنfrom بَعدafter لامٍlam وَراءٍand ra'
وَلطاءٍ مِن بَعد لامٍ وَراءٍ
جُندُthe troops of مُوراMorea طَغىrebelled وَأَبدىand displayed قِلاهtheir hatred
جُندُ مُورا طَغى وَأَبدى قِلاه
At ta', following lam and ra',
Afterwards he also took charge of protecting
the troops of Morea rebelled and displayed their hatred.
Manzala where he stayed for a year,
فَاِستعدّتso prepared لَهُagainst them عَساكرُthe armies of مَصرٍEgypt
فَاِستعدّت لَهُ عَساكرُ مَصرٍ
وَأَرادَتand sought بَوارَهtheir destruction وَفَناهand their annihilation
وَأَرادَت بَوارَه وَفَناه
Egypt's armies prepared against them
And there coexisted with crocodiles in harmony!
and sought their destruction and annihilation.
Then he relinquished control over the soldiers
وَألايand the regiment of الأَميرthe prince قَدindeed كانَwas فيهمamong them
وَألاي الأَمير قَد كانَ فيهم
وَهوَand he يَمشيmarches أَمامهbefore it وَوَراهand behind it
وَهوَ يَمشي أَمامه وَوَراه
The prince's regiment was among them,
And went wherever he desired like a gentle breeze.
and he marched before it and behind it.
And after the “meem”, in the year of "daal waw meem" (1386 AH)
فَلَكمso how many فيin الوَغىbattle مِنof الرُومthe Greeks أَفنىhe destroyed
فَلَكم في الوَغى مِن الرُوم أَفنى
كُلَّevery قرنٍchampion غَريمُهhis rival قَدindeed رَثاهmourned him
كُلَّ قرنٍ غَريمُه قَد رَثاه
How many Greeks he destroyed in battle,
He assumed rule over the coastal fortress which they proudfully built,
every champion mourned by his rival,
Where for a year at the Alexandria harbor
بِحسامwith a sharp sword أَعدّهhe prepared it لِجهادٍfor holy struggle
بِحسام أَعدّه لِجهادٍ
فيin سَبيلthe path of الإِلَهGod يَبغيseeking رُضاهHis approval
في سَبيل الإِلَه يَبغي رُضاه
with a sharp sword he had prepared for holy struggle
He settled affairs shedding light amid its misery.
in God's path, seeking His approval,
Commanding the tenth and twelfth infantry
وَرِماحٍand spears ماnot أَخطأتmissed صَدرَthe chest of باغٍa rebel
وَرِماحٍ ما أَخطأت صَدرَ باغٍ
مُلحدunbelieving جاحدdenying أَطاعَobeyed هَواهhis desire
مُلحد جاحد أَطاعَ هَواه
and spears that never missed the chest of a rebel,
With wisdom for which his judgement was sought.
a denying unbeliever who obeyed his desires,
Then he was summoned to guard Mecca
وَسِهامٍand arrows تُصميmortally strike فُؤادthe heart of عَنيدa stubborn foe
وَسِهامٍ تُصمي فُؤاد عَنيد
غرّهdeceived him جَهلُهhis ignorance لِفَرطthrough excessive عَماهhis blindness
غرّه جَهلُه لِفَرط عَماه
and arrows that mortally struck the heart of a stubborn foe
When he surpassed there all his contemporaries.
deceived by his ignorance through excessive blindness,
He managed affairs judiciously for the year
وَشَواظٍand flames مِنfrom البَنادقthe muskets يَشويscorches
وَشَواظٍ مِن البَنادق يَشوي
أَوجهَthe faces of الرُومthe Greeks فيin النِزالcombat لَظاهtheir blaze
أَوجهَ الرُوم في النِزال لَظاه
and flames from muskets whose blaze scorched
After “meem” and “maaj” (1387 AH) while its seas raged.
the Greeks' faces in combat,
Then he returned with glory and axe haughty tribesmen
وَبِرَأيand with judgment فيin كُلevery أَمرmatter سَديدsound
وَبِرَأي في كُل أَمر سَديد
مَعwith حَزمresolve وَالنَصرand victory مِنamong حُلَفاهhis allies
مَع حَزم وَالنَصر مِن حُلَفاه
and sound judgment in every matter,
To Egypt which he now considered home.
with resolve, and victory among his allies,
There he was commissioned with overseeing
وَاِهتِمامand diligence وَيَقظةand vigilance وَاِكتِراثand concern
وَاِهتِمام وَيَقظة وَاِكتِراث
وَهُجومand an assault عَلىupon عَدوّan enemy غزاهhe attacked him
وَهُجوم عَلى عَدوّ غزاه
and diligence, vigilance, and concern,
All the King’s armies blanketed by his banner.
and assaults upon an enemy he attacked,
He tended to matters private and public
وَثَباتand steadfastness تلاهfollowed it فَتحa victory مُبينmanifest
وَثَبات تلاه فَتح مُبين
بَعدafter خَمسfive وَمَصرwhile Egypt تَشكوlaments جَفاهhis absence
بَعد خَمس وَمَصر تَشكو جَفاه
and steadfastness followed by manifest victory
Adorned in faithfulness and loyalty.
after five years, while Egypt lamented his absence.
For this he was established firmly
ثُمَthen عادَreturned الأَميرthe prince بِالنَصرwith victory للأوto the home- (homeland)
ثُمَ عادَ الأَمير بِالنَصر للأو
طان-land (homeland) يَسعىhastening وَالشُكرand gratitude كانَwas جَزاهhis reward
طان يَسعى وَالشُكر كانَ جَزاه
Then the prince returned victorious
In the year of “taa meem” (1388 AH) with prestige
to his homeland, hastening; gratitude was his reward.
As rightful owner of an office that commanded attention -
وَتَرقىand rose فيin عامthe year of دالٍdal وَميمٍand mim
وَتَرقى في عام دالٍ وَميمٍ
رُتبةa rank لِلِّواءof major general تَحكيreflecting صَفاهhis purity
رُتبة لِلِّواء تَحكي صَفاه
He rose in the year of dal and mim
The Egyptian Army’s Registry which he reformated.
to the rank of major general, reflecting his purity.
He remained there for two years as poets craved
وَلَهُand for him ثالثthe Third المشاةInfantry مَعwith الثاthe eigh- (eighth)
وَلَهُ ثالث المشاة مَع الثا
من-th (eighth) صاراboth became فيamong الجُندthe troops تَحتَunder لِواهhis banner
من صارا في الجُند تَحتَ لِواه
The Third Infantry and the Eighth
To praise him and bestow their sweetest words.
both came under his banner among the troops.
And he saw to founding during that time
وَتولّىand undertook بِرَهطهwith his men حفظَguarding تَختٍa capital
وَتولّى بِرَهطه حفظَ تَختٍ
جَوهَرٌJawhar قائدُcommander of المُعِزِّal-Muizz بَناهbuilt it
جَوهَرٌ قائدُ المُعِزِّ بَناه
With his men he undertook guarding a capital
An office for the infantry which he resolved to strengthen
built by Jawhar, al-Muizz's commander.
And strove to further develop and teach
فَاِستَقامَتso were set right فيهِin it الأَمُورaffairs بِعَدلٍthrough justice
فَاِستَقامَت فيهِ الأَمُور بِعَدلٍ
مَعَهُunder it عاشَتlived ذِئابُهاits wolves وَالشِياهand the sheep
مَعَهُ عاشَت ذِئابُها وَالشِياه
Its affairs were set right through justice,
Mamalik cadets whom he replenished.
under which its wolves and sheep lived together.
In the year of “noon baa hamza” (1392 AH) he was promoted
وَاِطمَأنتand felt secure مِنfrom المَخاوفfears قَومpeople
وَاِطمَأنت مِن المَخاوف قَوم
نَزَلواsettled آمِنينsafely حَولaround فِناهhis precinct
نَزَلوا آمِنين حَول فِناه
People were reassured against their fears
To Mir-Miran further raising his status.
and settled safely around his precinct.
And the Amir assisted his friend Mir Mukhtar
وَتَولَّىand undertook مِنfrom بَعدafter ذَلِكَthat أَيضاًalso
وَتَولَّى مِن بَعد ذَلِكَ أَيضاً
حفظguarding مَنصورةٍMansura لِأَمرٍby an order أَتاهthat reached him
حفظ مَنصورةٍ لِأَمرٍ أَتاه
After that he also undertook
In secretly establishing the School of Languages which he supported.
guarding Mansura, by an order that reached him.
Thus through it enlightenment prevailed, and ignorance faded,
وَبِهاand there أَحكمperfected السِياسةgovernance عاماًfor a year
وَبِها أَحكم السِياسة عاماً
فيهِduring it أَلفىfound أَخوthe sufferer of العِضالintractable illness دَواهhis cure
فيهِ أَلفى أَخو العِضال دَواه
There he perfected governance for a year,
As we gained knowledge and education bloomed.
during which the sufferer of an intractable ailment found his cure.
And my thoughts meandered further in praise
وَتَخلَّىand withdrew عَنfrom العَساكرthe military فيهاthere
وَتَخلَّى عَن العَساكر فيها
وَسَرىand traveled كَالنَسيمlike the breeze حَيثas حَكاهhe resembled it
وَسَرى كَالنَسيم حَيث حَكاه
There he left the military behind
Of him when he suppressed revolt in Assiut,
and traveled like the breeze, which he resembled.
Incited by an ungrateful subordinate who betrayed the High State
وَلِواوٍand at waw مِنfrom بَعدِafter ميمٍmim تَولَّىhe undertook
وَلِواوٍ مِن بَعدِ ميمٍ تَولَّى
حفظguarding ثَغرa port تَفاخَرواthey took pride فيin بِناهits buildings
حفظ ثَغر تَفاخَروا في بِناه
At waw following mim, he undertook
Though they once pardoned his misconduct.
guarding a port whose buildings inspired pride.
He disobeyed seeking to wage war
وَبِثَغرand in the port of الإِسكَندريةAlexandria هَذاthis
وَبِثَغر الإِسكَندرية هَذا
قامَadministered عاماًfor a year بِالأَمرthe affairs يَجلوclearing قَذاهtheir blemishes
قامَ عاماً بِالأَمر يَجلو قَذاه
In this port of Alexandria
Prompting the King to summon the Governor of Egypt
he administered affairs for a year, clearing away their blemishes.
To quell the transgressor who threatened his peaceful reign.
وَعَلىand over عاشرthe Tenth المشاةInfantry وَثانيand the second
وَعَلى عاشر المشاة وَثاني
عَشرِهِمof their tens كانَwas حُكمُهhis command وَنَداهand his bounty
عَشرِهِم كانَ حُكمُه وَنَداه
Over the Tenth Infantry and the Twelfth
The King obediently dispatched Ismail
extended his command and bounty.
With an army to subdue the defector's lies.
ثُمthen نُودِيwas summoned لِحفظto guard مَكةَMecca لَمّاwhen
ثُم نُودِي لِحفظ مَكةَ لَمّا
سادَexcelled فيamong قَومِهِhis people عَلىover نُظَراهhis peers
سادَ في قَومِهِ عَلى نُظَراه
Then he was summoned to guard Mecca, when
But he deemed the matter difficult
he had surpassed his peers among his people.
And complained to the King of tribulations he faced.
وَبِهاand there دَبَّرdirected الأُمورaffairs لِزايat zay
وَبِها دَبَّر الأُمور لِزاي
بَعدَafter ميمmim وَماجand surged بَحرُthe sea of سَخاهhis generosity
بَعدَ ميم وَماج بَحرُ سَخاه
There he directed affairs at zay
So the King summoned urgently the opener of Hejaz
following mim, and the sea of his generosity surged.
To drop the affair of Assiut and head there at once,
وَاِنتَحىand turned نَحوَtoward مَصرهhis Egypt بَعدafter عامa year
وَاِنتَحى نَحوَ مَصره بَعد عام
بِوَقارwith dignity وَسُؤددand mastery أَلِفاهhe was familiar with them
بِوَقار وَسُؤدد أَلِفاه
After a year he turned toward his Egypt,
After equipping the veteran Ibrahim
with dignity and mastery familiar to him.
To immediately wage war upon it and prepare Kubri Pasha.
وَبِهاand there قَلّدوهthey entrusted him with تَفتيشَinspecting كُلِّall
وَبِها قَلّدوه تَفتيشَ كُلِّ
مِنof جُنودthe troops of العَزيزthe mighty ruler عَمَّتspread everywhere جُداهhis bounty
مِن جُنود العَزيز عَمَّت جُداه
There they entrusted him with inspecting all
He ordered his bold nephew
the mighty ruler's troops—whose bounty spread everywhere.
To punish those misguided by arrogance.
فَاِعتَنىso attended بِالأُمورto affairs سِراًprivately وَجَهراًand publicly
فَاِعتَنى بِالأُمور سِراً وَجَهراً
وَتَحلَّىand adorned himself مِنfrom الوَفاfidelity بِحُلاهwith its ornaments
وَتَحلَّى مِن الوَفا بِحُلاه
He attended to affairs privately and publicly
Thus the brave knight of Jeddah received the command
and adorned himself with fidelity's ornaments.
And readily pledged compliance to the order.
وَلِهَذاand for this أُقيمwas appointed فيin طاءta' ميمmim
وَلِهَذا أُقيم في طاء ميم
كَأَصيلas a permanent holder بِمَنصبof an office فيهِin it جاهprestige
كَأَصيل بِمَنصب فيهِ جاه
For this he was appointed in ta', mim,
Hoping to counter the enemy with mercy, not vengeance
as the permanent holder of a prestigious office:
Then set out promptly from Mecca
هوit is ديوانthe bureau of جُندthe troops of مَصرEgypt الَّذيwhich كاwas (continued)
هو ديوان جُند مَصر الَّذي كا
نwas (completion) لِهَذاfor this الأَميرprince فيهِin it اِنتِباهvigilance
ن لِهَذا الأَمير فيهِ اِنتِباه
the Egyptian army's bureau, in which
To face the despots who came vilifying him falsely
this prince showed vigilance.
Assuming vulnerability as allies abandoned his side.
وَبِهِand in it قَدindeed أَقامremained عامينtwo years وَالأَلand the tong- (tongues)
وَبِهِ قَد أَقام عامين وَالأَل
سنُ-ues (tongues) تُطريlavish praise فيin مَدحِهpraising him وَالشِفاهand the lips
سنُ تُطري في مَدحِه وَالشِفاه
He remained there two years, while tongues
They prepared to attack though never testing him in battle before
and lips lavished praise upon him.
Thus went astray and were scattered by his blows.
وَقَدand indeed اهتمّapplied himself فيهماduring them حَيثas أَنشاhe established
وَقَد اهتمّ فيهما حَيث أَنشا
مَكتَباًa school كانَwas لِلمشاةto the infantry اِعتَزاهits affiliation
مَكتَباً كانَ لِلمشاة اِعتَزاه
During them he applied himself, establishing
The rebels appealed for safety from his might
a school affiliated with the infantry.
And complied involuntarily to the King’s rule though they scoffed.
وَسَعىand worked فيon تَجديدrenewing آخرanother للبيfor the veter- (veterinarian)
وَسَعى في تَجديد آخر للبي
طار-inarian (veterinarian) فيهِin it تَعليمُهits instruction ماwhat اِشتَهاهhe desired
طار فيهِ تَعليمُه ما اِشتَهاه
He worked to renew another school for veterinary study,
Woe to them! Unlike all others when faced by the Amir in war -
where its instruction fulfilled what he desired.
A valiant lion with courage equal to great knights of history
وَبَنونٍand at nun وَهَمزةٍand hamza قَدindeed تَرقَّىrose
وَبَنونٍ وَهَمزةٍ قَد تَرقَّى
رُتبةَto the rank of الميرمرانmirimiran زادَincreased علاهhis eminence
رُتبةَ الميرمران زادَ علاه
At nun and hamza, he rose
Like Amr, Antara and Shubaib.
to the rank of mirimiran, increasing his eminence.
He marched unfazed through the harshest terrains
وَأَعانand aided الأَميرthe prince مُختارMukhtar فيin السرsec- (secret)
وَأَعان الأَمير مُختار في السر
رِ-ret (secret) عَلىin فَتحopening مَكتَبٍa school أَملاهhe proposed it
رِ عَلى فَتح مَكتَبٍ أَملاه
He secretly aided Prince Mukhtar
With ease whenever traversing its roads.
in opening a school he had proposed.
And when opponents battled him
هُوَit لِلأَلسُنِto the languages الغَريبةِforeign يُعزَىis affiliated
هُوَ لِلأَلسُنِ الغَريبةِ يُعزَى
وَبِهِand through it أَدرَكreached الفَخارُglory مَداهits utmost extent
وَبِهِ أَدرَك الفَخارُ مَداه
It was devoted to foreign languages,
It dismayed them to meet on the field.
and through it glory reached its utmost extent.
Continuing after Hajj and Umrah he marched to Taif
وَلِهَذاand for this كانَwas الأَميرthe prince جَديراًworthy
وَلِهَذا كانَ الأَمير جَديراً
بِمَديحof praise لَهُfor him الأَديبthe man of letters اِنتَقاهselected it
بِمَديح لَهُ الأَديب اِنتَقاه
Thus the prince was worthy
To mobilize troops and raid their lands,
of praise a man of letters selected for him,
Invading Nejd, terrorizing communities and families there
حَيثsince عَنّاfrom us بِسَعيهِthrough his efforts زالَdeparted جَهلٌignorance
حَيث عَنّا بِسَعيهِ زالَ جَهلٌ
وَكِلاناand both of us بِالعلمthrough learning نالَattained مُناهhis wishes
وَكِلانا بِالعلم نالَ مُناه
since through his efforts ignorance departed from us,
Then trudging through rugged mountains with no water source for travelers
and both of us attained our wishes through learning.
And persevering until they reached Ismail
وَبِميدانand in the arena of أَلسنlanguages وَفنونand arts
وَبِميدان أَلسن وَفنون
جالَroamed فكريmy thought فيin مَدحهpraising him وَثَناهand commending him
جالَ فكري في مَدحه وَثَناه
In the arena of languages and arts,
Who hid among Riyadh’s armies that threatened his blood.
my thought roamed in his praise and commendation.
Fearful and besieged, he cried out pleading:
وَعَسيرٌand Asir لَماwhen تَمرَّدَrebelled فيهاwithin it
وَعَسيرٌ لَما تَمرَّدَ فيها
عَبدُa servant of سُوءٍevil أَضرَّdid harm مِنهُfrom him اِعتَداهhis aggression
عَبدُ سُوءٍ أَضرَّ مِنهُ اِعتَداه
And Asir—when there rebelled within it
“O despots, cease this unjust assault!
an evil servant whose aggression did harm,
Show mercy, do not oppress me so,
وَعَصىand disobeyed الدَولةَthe State العَليةَSublime بغياًdefiantly
وَعَصى الدَولةَ العَليةَ بغياً
مُذafter لهfor him حَسَّنواthey beautified قَبيحَthe ugliness of خُطاهhis steps
مُذ له حَسَّنوا قَبيحَ خُطاه
who defiantly disobeyed the Sublime State
Perhaps the flames of anger may subside.”
after others beautified his ugly steps for him,
“My people, can we not resist the enemy tide?
وَرَأىand saw أَوحَدُthe peerless of السَلاطينsultans ناراًa fire
وَرَأى أَوحَدُ السَلاطين ناراً
أَحرَقَتburned فيin دِيارهhis domains أَولياهhis loyal followers
أَحرَقَت في دِياره أَولياه
and the peerless sultan saw a fire
Can we not survive when flooded on all fronts?”
that burned his loyal followers in his domains—
Thus he wailed feeling trapped and isolated
أَلزمcharged الداوريَّthe sovereign صاحبَthe ruler of مصرٍEgypt
أَلزم الداوريَّ صاحبَ مصرٍ
بِهَلاكwith destroying الَّذيthe one who أَرادhe wished غزاهto attack him
بِهَلاك الَّذي أَراد غزاه
he charged the sovereign, Egypt's ruler,
While soldiers mounted feeble resistance outside.
with destroying the man he wished to attack.
The rebel leader swore to capture him without delay
فَأَجابso answered العَزيزthe mighty ruler بِالسَمعwith attentiveness وَالطاand obe- (obedience)
فَأَجاب العَزيز بِالسَمع وَالطا
عَةِ-dience (obedience) مَولىa master تَبَّتmay perish يَداthe hands of مَنwhoever عَصاهdisobeys him
عَةِ مَولى تَبَّت يَدا مَن عَصاه
The mighty ruler answered with attentive obedience
As he cowered willing to surrender to safety.
to a master—may the hands of whoever disobeys him perish.
Just then the dreaded commander’s army appeared
وَاِهتَدىand was guided لانتِخابto select صاحبthe subject of هَذاthis الthe (continued)
وَاِهتَدى لانتِخاب صاحب هَذا ال
ذكرaccount إِذas رَأيُهhis judgment السَديدsound اِقتَضاهrequired him
ذكر إِذ رَأيُه السَديد اِقتَضاه
He was guided to select the subject of this account,
Putting an end to their wickedness and lies.
as his sound judgment required.
The Amir blazed with fury and ferociously attacked
وَلَقَدand indeed كانَwas قَبلُpreviously بَينbefore يَديهِhim
وَلَقَد كانَ قَبلُ بَين يَديهِ
فَرَمانٌa decree فيwithin طَيِّهِits contents مُشتَهاهwhat he desired
فَرَمانٌ في طَيِّهِ مُشتَهاه
Already before him there had been
Massacring the evil mob with his band.
a decree containing what he desired,
The Governor scurried to safety
فرمانٌa decree حَوىcontained وِلايةَgovernorship of أَرضٍa land
فرمانٌ حَوى وِلايةَ أَرضٍ
حصنُهاits fortress أَحكَمstrengthened المجيدal-Majid اِبتَناهits construction
حصنُها أَحكَم المجيد اِبتَناه
a decree granting governorship of a land
Relieved from the agony he was experiencing.
whose fortress al-Majid had built with strength.
The Amir continued searching relentlessly
فَلِهَذاso for this ماnot سارَtraveled لِلشامto Syria يَرعىto govern
فَلِهَذا ما سارَ لِلشام يَرعى
حَلباًAleppo وَهيَwhile it لاnot تَرومdesires سِواهanyone but him
حَلباً وَهيَ لا تَروم سِواه
For this reason he did not travel to Syria to govern
Until clashing again after another battle.
Aleppo, which desired none but him.
Helpless, the prince and his frightened men
بَلrather تَخلَّىrelinquished لِذلكfor that الأَمرtask عَنهاit
بَل تَخلَّى لِذلك الأَمر عَنها
وَبِبَيتand at the House of الإِلهGod أَلقىlaid down عَصاهhis staff
وَبِبَيت الإِله أَلقى عَصاه
Rather, for that task he relinquished it
Fled to caves which he prepared for hiding.
and laid down his staff at God's House.
The rebel leader pursued him closely
وَتَولىand undertook حَربَthe war of الجَديدةal-Jadida وَالصَفand al-Saf- (al-Safra)
وَتَولى حَربَ الجَديدة وَالصَف
راء-ra (al-Safra) وَالنَصرُand victory أَمَّهُpreceded him وَتَلاهand followed him
راء وَالنَصرُ أَمَّهُ وَتَلاه
He undertook the war of al-Jadida and al-Safra,
Across all paths determined to seize him.
with victory preceding and following him.
He besieged like an impenetrable fortress
وَتَغنىand sang بِشُكرهhis thanks كُلُّevery حادcamel-driver
وَتَغنى بِشُكره كُلُّ حاد
أَطربdelighted السامِعينthe listeners حسنُthe beauty of حداهhis camel-driving chant
أَطرب السامِعين حسنُ حداه
Every camel-driver sang his thanks,
Standing firmly whenever assaulted.
his lovely chant delighting the listeners.
Surrounding him, they probed each route
وَزَعيمand the leader of الخَوارجthe rebels الشَهمthe gallant سَعدSaad بi- (ibn)
وَزَعيم الخَوارج الشَهم سَعد ب
نُ-bn (ibn) جزاءٍJaza زلَّتslipped بِهِbeneath him قَدَماهhis feet
نُ جزاءٍ زلَّت بِهِ قَدَماه
The gallant leader of the rebels, Saad
Till the prince escaped humbled under cover of darkness
ibn Jaza, lost his footing.
To seek amnesty and comply to authority.
وَبِهِand upon him حَلّتbefell الخُطوبcalamities فَأَضحىso he became
وَبِهِ حَلّت الخُطوب فَأَضحى
نادِماًremorseful سادماًsorrowful عَلىover ماwhat جَناهhe committed
نادِماً سادماً عَلى ما جَناه
Calamities befell him, and he became
The Amir confined securely the cowardly fox,
remorseful and sorrowful over what he had done.
Once proud and haughty, now humiliated and tamed,
وَرَأىand saw أَنَّهُthat he إِذاif رامَsought يَلقىto meet
وَرَأى أَنَّهُ إِذا رامَ يَلقى
قائدthe commander of الجَيشthe army كانَwould be مِنamong قَتلاهhis slain
قائد الجَيش كانَ مِن قَتلاه
He saw that, if he sought to meet
To the Amber Fort which was strangely his refuge!
the army's commander, he would be among his slain.
A bastion it was of resilience and composure
فَاِختَفىso hid بَعدafter شدّةhardship وَعَناءand suffering
فَاِختَفى بَعد شدّة وَعَناء
وَأَتىand came يَطلُبseeking الرضاapproval عُرَفاهhis chiefs
وَأَتى يَطلُب الرضا عُرَفاه
So he hid after hardship and suffering,
With abundant officers supporting relentless defense.
and his chiefs came seeking approval.
He placed it under siege for ninety days, bombarding the fort
وَاِبنُand the son of مَحمودٍMahmud المقاتلُthe warrior زَيدٌZayd
وَاِبنُ مَحمودٍ المقاتلُ زَيدٌ
أَسَروهthey captured him فيin اللَيلthe night قَبلَbefore اِنزِواهhis withdrawal
أَسَروه في اللَيل قَبلَ اِنزِواه
The warrior Zayd, son of Mahmud,
Until those inside despaired and withered, their strength fading.
they captured at night before he could withdraw.
Victorious, the bold general captured the feeble prince
وَطَريقُand the road of الحَجيجthe pilgrims بِالفَتحthrough the conquest أَمسىbecame
وَطَريقُ الحَجيج بِالفَتح أَمسى
خالياًfree مِنof فَسادهhis corruption وَوباهand his scourge
خالياً مِن فَساده وَوباه
Through the conquest, the pilgrims' road became
Binding him in shackles once high and mighty, now enchained.
free of his corruption and scourge.
He was escorted in utter disgrace back to Egypt
وَبِهِand upon it نامَslept آمِناًsafely بَعدafter خَوفfear
وَبِهِ نامَ آمِناً بَعد خَوف
كُلُّevery غادoutgoing traveler وَرائحand returning traveler قَصَداهwho took it
كُلُّ غاد وَرائح قَصَداه
Upon it, after fear, slept safely
After glory and ease turned into misery and pain.
every traveler coming and going who took that road.
The administrator, Salim, then came from Egypt
فَسيُجزَىso shall be rewarded هَذاthis الأَميرُprince عَلىfor ماwhat
فَسيُجزَى هَذا الأَميرُ عَلى ما
قَدّمتهhave offered it مِنof الأَياديbenefactions يَداهhis hands
قَدّمته مِن الأَيادي يَداه
This prince shall be rewarded for what
To aid and facilitate affairs though bedouins loathed him.
his hands have offered in benefactions.
They opposed the injustice and excess they witnessed,
وَبِهَذاand through this الجِهادholy struggle يَجعلهshall make him اللَGo- (God)
وَبِهَذا الجِهاد يَجعله اللَ
هُ-d (God) عَزيزاًhonored فيin الخُلدeternity مَعwith أَصفياهHis chosen ones
هُ عَزيزاً في الخُلد مَع أَصفياه
Through this holy struggle, God shall make him
Together with loyalists serving remote areas.
honored in eternity among His chosen ones.
Negligence ruined administration till residents
فَهَنيئاًso blessed be لَهُhe بِتضعيفِwith doubling أَجرٍrecompense
فَهَنيئاً لَهُ بِتضعيفِ أَجرٍ
وَثَوابٍand reward لاnot يَنقضيends بِانقِضاهwith his ending
وَثَوابٍ لا يَنقضي بِانقِضاه
Blessed be he with doubled recompense
Bemoaned the bitterness of random policy.
and reward that does not end when his life ends.
So he returned after two years in isolated areas
وَبأمِّand in the Mother of القُرىCities تَشرَّفgained honor لَمّاwhen
وَبأمِّ القُرى تَشرَّف لَمّا
مَهَّدsecured الدَربَthe road وَاِنمَحَتand vanished سُفَهاهits foolish troublemakers
مَهَّد الدَربَ وَاِنمَحَت سُفَهاه
He gained honor in the Mother of Cities when
While order returned with justice reigning again.
he secured the road and its foolish troublemakers vanished.
The Amir afterwards busied himself with construction
وَاِبتَغىand sought مِنfrom عَميدthe chief of نَجدٍNajd جِمالاًcamels
وَاِبتَغى مِن عَميد نَجدٍ جِمالاً
لِعَسيرfor Asir تَسيرto travel قَبلbefore شِتاهits winter
لِعَسير تَسير قَبل شِتاه
He sought camels from Najd's chief
Extending sway to the Arabian Sea coast with resolve.
to travel to Asir before winter,
The nomads grew accustomed and compliant to him
وَهيَand they إمّاeither بِأُجرةٍfor hire أَوor شِراءًby purchase
وَهيَ إمّا بِأُجرةٍ أَو شِراءً
لاnot اِغتِصاباًby seizure كَماas العَميدthe chief اِدّعاهalleged it
لا اِغتِصاباً كَما العَميد اِدّعاه
either hired or purchased,
And he became renowned for his generosity.
not seized, as the chief alleged.
All peoples favored him for his benevolence
فَأَبىbut refused أَنto يَكونbe إِلاexcept عصيّاًdisobedient
فَأَبى أَن يَكون إِلا عصيّاً
وَمُثيراًand stirring up لِلحَربwar مَعwith أَشقِياهhis wretched followers
وَمُثيراً لِلحَرب مَع أَشقِياه
But he insisted on being nothing but disobedient,
And cherished being graced by his shade.
stirring up war with his wretched followers.
The Europeans said: “Would that we hadn’t
وَالخديويand the khedive مِنfrom مَصرEgypt أَرسلsent إسماIsma- (Ismail)
وَالخديوي مِن مَصر أَرسل إسما
عيل-il (Ismail) فيwith عَسكرan army يردّto rebut اِفتراهhis falsehood
عيل في عَسكر يردّ اِفتراه
From Egypt the khedive sent Ismail
Descended upon Nejd or tread its sand!
with an army to rebut his falsehood.
Would that he remained ruler over it
فَاِستَطالso overpowered العَميدthe chief هَذاthis عَلَيهِhim
فَاِستَطال العَميد هَذا عَلَيهِ
فيin الفَيافيthe wilderness بِبطشهthrough his violence وَاِجتَراهand his audacity
في الفَيافي بِبطشه وَاِجتَراه
This chief overpowered him
Administering justice throughout the land!”
in the wilderness through his violence and audacity.
A consummate prince of finest traits
وَرَآهand saw him مجرّداًdevoid عَنof ثَباتٍsteadfastness
وَرَآه مجرّداً عَن ثَباتٍ
وَسَدادٍand sound judgment وَهمةٍand zeal فَاِزدَراهso despised him
وَسَدادٍ وَهمةٍ فَاِزدَراه
He saw him lacking steadfastness,
That the most eloquent poet would fail to enumerate.
sound judgment, and zeal, and despised him.
In him lies wisdom, compassion and chastity,
وَأَميرand the commander of اللواthe brigade رَأىsaw الأَمرthe matter صَعباًdifficult
وَأَمير اللوا رَأى الأَمر صَعباً
فَاِشتَكىso complained لِلعَزيزto the mighty ruler ماof what قَدhad دَهاهbefallen him
فَاِشتَكى لِلعَزيز ما قَد دَهاه
The major general found the matter difficult
Loyalty, judiciousness amid peace and war.
and complained to the mighty ruler of what had befallen him.
He aids neighbors in times of need
فَاِستفزَّso summoned العَزيزُthe mighty ruler فاتحَthe conqueror of دَربthe road of الthe (continued)
فَاِستفزَّ العَزيزُ فاتحَ دَرب ال
حجِّpilgrimage فَوراًimmediately وَعَنand from عَسيرAsir نَهاهforbade him
حجِّ فَوراً وَعَن عَسير نَهاه
The mighty ruler immediately summoned the conqueror
And receives strangers, whoever comes to his abode.
of the pilgrimage road and forbade him to proceed to Asir,
The bedouins saw his wealth was always spent
بَعدafter ماhe had جهَّزdispatched المجرّبَthe experienced إِبراIbra- (Ibrahim)
بَعد ما جهَّز المجرّبَ إِبرا
هيمَ-him (Ibrahim) حالاًimmediately لحربهاfor its war وَاِصطَلاهand entering its flames
هيمَ حالاً لحربها وَاِصطَلاه
after promptly dispatching the experienced Ibrahim
On those who imported horses, purchasing their yield.
to wage its war and enter its flames.
So traders flocked to him from the valleys
وَأَعدَّand prepared اِبنَthe son of أختهhis sister الشَهمَthe gallant هَذاthis
وَأَعدَّ اِبنَ أخته الشَهمَ هَذا
لِعقابto punish الَّذيthe one whom الغرورarrogance غَواهmisled
لِعقاب الَّذي الغرور غَواه
He prepared this gallant nephew of his
To bargain and profit from this passion of his.
to punish the man whom arrogance had misled.
He bought enormous stock at steep prices
فَتلقَّىso received فَتىthe hero of الجديدةal-Jadida هَذاthis الthe (continued)
فَتلقَّى فَتى الجديدة هَذا ال
أمرَcommand بِالامتثالwith obedience حَيثُas عَناهit concerned him
أمرَ بِالامتثال حَيثُ عَناه
The hero of al-Jadida received this
Until generations flourished, none exceeding their number!
command obediently, since it concerned him.
They flowed like lightning under his guard,
وَتَمنَّىand wished أَنthat لاnot يَكونbe عَلىby غَيoth- (other)
وَتَمنَّى أَن لا يَكون عَلى غَي
ر-er (other) يَديهِhis hands لِلخَصمfor the enemy إِلاexcept عَفاهhis annihilation
ر يَديهِ لِلخَصم إِلا عَفاه
He wished that by no hands
Their ground-devouring gallop defied the eye’s limit!
but his own should the enemy meet annihilation.
With them all desires and ambitions were attained
ثُمَthen مِنfrom مَكةٍMecca تجرّدset out حالاًimmediately
ثُمَ مِن مَكةٍ تجرّد حالاً
لطغاةagainst tyrants بالإفكwith falsehood جاؤاthey came وفاهواand spoke
لطغاة بالإفك جاؤا وفاهوا
Then from Mecca he immediately set out
Against the enemy who fled seeking survival.
against tyrants who came speaking falsehood.
Oh how many chestnut steeds plunged into fiery warfare
زَعمواthey claimed أَنَّهُthat he كَمَنlike those whom عارَضوهthey opposed
زَعموا أَنَّهُ كَمَن عارَضوه
فيin مَضيقa narrow pass وَاِنحلَّand came undone حبلُthe cord of وِكاهhis fastening
في مَضيق وَاِنحلَّ حبلُ وِكاه
They claimed he was like those they had opposed
Consuming them within its inferno!
in a narrow pass, his fastening cord undone.
Oh how many gray chargers raced swifter than the wind
فَاِستعدّواso prepared لَهُagainst him وَماand not جَرَّبوهtested him
فَاِستعدّوا لَهُ وَما جَرَّبوه
فيin قِتالٍbattle لِذاكfor that reason ضَلّواthey strayed وَتاهواand lost their way
في قِتالٍ لِذاك ضَلّوا وَتاهوا
They prepared against him, having never tested him
Soaring weightless, their hooves unfelt touching earth!
in battle; thus they strayed and lost their way.
Oh how many bay coursers battled intensely through the night
وَسَطاand assaulted سَطوةwith the assault of الأُسودlions عَلَيهمthem
وَسَطا سَطوة الأُسود عَلَيهم
فَاِستجارواso sought refuge مِنfrom بَأسهhis might وَدَهاهand his cunning
فَاِستجاروا مِن بَأسه وَدَهاه
He sprang upon them with the assault of lions,
Tireless amid the darkest veil!
and they sought refuge from his might and cunning.
Oh how many handsome roans the army pursued
وَأَطاعواand obeyed رَغمdespite الأُنوفtheir noses/pride وَذلّواand submitted
وَأَطاعوا رَغم الأُنوف وَذلّوا
لِعَزيزto a mighty man تَخافهfear him غُرَماهhis adversaries
لِعَزيز تَخافه غُرَماه
They obeyed despite themselves and submitted
Assuming they were Dawn’s very sons!
to a mighty man feared by his adversaries.
Oh how many red racers dragged ranks of men
لَهُمُfor them الوَيلwoe ماnot الأَميرthe prince لَدَيهمamong them
لَهُمُ الوَيل ما الأَمير لَدَيهم
كَسواهlike another إِذاwhen العَدوthe enemy غَشاهdescended upon him
كَسواه إِذا العَدو غَشاه
Woe to them! The prince among them was not
Toppling them, though they tightly held their reins!
like another when the enemy descended upon him.
Oh how many black-stripped Bookhara stallions
هُوَhe لَيثٌa lion لَهُhis is بَسالةُthe valor of عَمروٍAmr
هُوَ لَيثٌ لَهُ بَسالةُ عَمروٍ
وَشَبيبٍand Shabib وَعَنترٍand Antar فيin لِقاهhis encounter
وَشَبيبٍ وَعَنترٍ في لِقاه
He was a lion with Amr's valor,
Stormed audaciously into the fray bought at highest value!
and Shabib's and Antar's, in combat.
Oh how many beautifully marked gray mares
وَسُلوكand traveling الدروبthe roads وَهيَwhile they are صِعابdifficult
وَسُلوك الدروب وَهيَ صِعاب
كانَwas سَهلاًeasy عَليهِfor him عِندَduring سُراهhis night journey
كانَ سَهلاً عَليهِ عِندَ سُراه
Traveling roads, though they were difficult,
Outpaced the best of studs in their charge!
was easy for him during his night journeys.
When finally the herd grew and expanded
لِمَwhy لاnot وَهوَwhen he كُلَّماwhenever رامsought خَصمٌan adversary
لِمَ لا وَهوَ كُلَّما رام خَصمٌ
مِنهُwith him حَرباًwar يَهولهterrifies him مُلتَقاهmeeting him
مِنهُ حَرباً يَهوله مُلتَقاه
Why not, when whenever an adversary sought
He brought them back to Egypt, securing stables he erected
war with him, their meeting terrified that adversary?
At Anbaba and Kafr Hakim then multiplied
وَنَحاand turned نَحوَtoward طيبةٍTayba بَعدafter حَجٍّpilgrimage
وَنَحا نَحوَ طيبةٍ بَعد حَجٍّ
وَاِعتِمارٍand umra وَبَعدَand after رَميcasting حَصاهhis pebbles
وَاِعتِمارٍ وَبَعدَ رَمي حَصاه
He turned toward Tayba after pilgrimage
Until no other stables compared, pure breds all her fillies!
and umra, and after casting his pebbles.
For he was first to provide Egypt with means
وَبِهاand there جنَّدmustered الجُنودthe troops وَنادىand called
وَبِها جنَّد الجُنود وَنادى
بادرواhasten against فَيصَلاًFaisal وَصيدواand hunt ظِباهhis gazelles
بادروا فَيصَلاً وَصيدوا ظِباه
There he mustered troops and called:
To acquire what brought splendor and awe.
Hasten against Faisal, and hunt his gazelles!
And his rule extended equally throughout the land
وَادخلواand enter نَجدهhis Najd وَصولواand assail عَلَيهاit
وَادخلوا نَجده وَصولوا عَلَيها
وَاِفجَعواand bereave فيهِof him أَهلَهhis family وَنِساهand his women
وَاِفجَعوا فيهِ أَهلَه وَنِساه
Enter his Najd and assail it;
East and west, his command blanketed all its corners.
bereave his family and women of him!
Even Baghdad came to hear of his justice and clemency
ثُمَthen جَدّواpressed on مِنfrom خَلفهbehind him فيthrough جِبالmountains
ثُمَ جَدّوا مِن خَلفه في جِبال
لَيسَthere is not فيهاin them لِلواردينfor arriving travelers مِياهwater
لَيسَ فيها لِلواردين مِياه
Then they pressed on behind him through mountains
And all its notables sought to meet him.
where travelers found no water.
They yearned to enjoy his equitable reign
وَاِستَمَرُّواand continued عَلىon المَسيرthe march إِلىuntil أَنthat
وَاِستَمَرُّوا عَلى المَسير إِلى أَن
أَدرَكواthey reached إِسماعيلIsmail عِندduring بِلاهhis ordeal
أَدرَكوا إِسماعيل عِند بِلاه
They continued marching until
And poured out their hopes only restrained by distance.
they reached Ismail in his ordeal.
Saddened that circumstances kept their aspirations remote,
أَدرَكوهthey reached him وَفيwhile in الرِياضRiyadh تَوارىhe hid
أَدرَكوه وَفي الرِياض تَوارى
مِنfrom جُنودtroops هَمّواintended بِسفكto spill دِماهhis blood
مِن جُنود هَمّوا بِسفك دِماه
They reached him while he hid in Riyadh
He mercifully made a truthful promise to the sick -
from troops bent upon spilling his blood.
That should they come he would cure their affliction.
وَهوَand he مِنfrom رَوعهhis terror هُنالكthere يَشكوcomplains
وَهوَ مِن رَوعه هُنالك يَشكو
ضيقَthe straitness of حَصرٍa siege أَضناهwore him down فيهِduring it بكاهhis weeping
ضيقَ حَصرٍ أَضناه فيهِ بكاه
There, in his terror, he complained
But the Khedive summoned the noble prince,
of a straitening siege, his weeping wearing him down.
Deeming it imperative to abandon other prospects.
وَيُناديand cries ياO عصبةband of الشرevil كفُّواdesist
وَيُنادي يا عصبة الشر كفُّوا
عَنfrom سَقيمa sick man قَدindeed طارَfled عَنهُfrom him كَراهhis sleep
عَن سَقيم قَد طارَ عَنهُ كَراه
He cried: O band of evil, desist
He responded immediately though his chieftains protested
from a sick man whose sleep has fled!
And returned with his immaculate company.
وَاِرحَموهand have mercy on him وَلاand do not تَجورواoppress عَلَيهِhim
وَاِرحَموه وَلا تَجوروا عَلَيهِ
فَعَسىso perhaps يَخمدwill subside اللَهيبthe blaze عَساهperhaps it will
فَعَسى يَخمد اللَهيب عَساه
Have mercy on him; do not oppress him;
Had his rule there extended but a month,
perhaps the blaze will subside—perhaps!
All their dreams would have come to full fruition!
ياO لَقَوميmy people هَلis there مِنany سَبيلway إِلىto كَسbreak (continued)
يا لَقَومي هَل مِن سَبيل إِلى كَس
رbreak (completion) عَدّوٍan enemy تَعدَّدتmultiplied نُصَراهhis supporters
ر عَدّوٍ تَعدَّدت نُصَراه
O my people, is there a way to break
But providence does not always favor one’s endeavor,
an enemy whose supporters have multiplied?
Not all hopes conceived reach safe delivery.
ياO لَقَوميmy people هَلis there مِنany نَجاةdeliverance وَقَدand already ساpoured (continued)
يا لَقَومي هَل مِن نَجاة وَقَد سا
لَpoured (completion) عَلَيناover us سَيلa torrent of العَفاruin منfrom جباهhis heights
لَ عَلَينا سَيل العَفا من جباه
O my people, is there deliverance, now that
He ruled over Nejd five years completely
a torrent of ruin has poured over us from his heights?
Shepherding the land with great mastery.
كُلall هَذاthis يَقولهhe says it داخلinside الحَيthe settle- (settlement)
كُل هَذا يَقوله داخل الحَي
ي-ment (settlement) بضعفfeebly وَجُندُهand his troops بِإزاهfacing him
ي بضعف وَجُندُه بِإزاه
All this he said within the settlement,
In 1325 AH he came proudly back to Egypt
feebly, with his soldiers facing him.
Flanked by his governors and deputies.
وَزَعيمand the leader of العصاةthe rebels أَقسمswore أَنthat لاnot
وَزَعيم العصاة أَقسم أَن لا
يَتَوانىhe would slacken عَنin أَسرهcapturing him وَاِستباهand taking him prisoner
يَتَوانى عَن أَسره وَاِستباه
The rebels' leader swore that he would not
And Damietta, having witnessed firsthand his capability
slacken in capturing and taking him prisoner.
Preferred him over all other overseers.
وَبأثناءand during ذَلكthat الخَطبِcalamity وافىarrived
وَبأثناء ذَلك الخَطبِ وافى
عَسكرthe army of القائدthe commander المبيدdestroying عِداهhis enemies
عَسكر القائد المبيد عِداه
Amid that calamity there arrived
Boasting of the prosperity he secured
the army of the commander who destroyed his foes.
By reviving her neglected space.
فَاِستشاطso blazed الأَميرthe prince غَيظاًwith anger وَبِالجمand in short (continued)
فَاِستشاط الأَمير غَيظاً وَبِالجم
لةin short (completion) أَدمىshed blood وَاِشتَدand intensified جمرُthe embers of غَضاهhis wrath
لة أَدمى وَاِشتَد جمرُ غَضاه
The prince blazed with anger; in short,
And during his directorship he blessed it
he shed blood, and the embers of his wrath burned fiercely.
With a bountiful Nile channel dug by his order.
وَأَبادand destroyed الأَعداthe enemies بِطَعنwith thrusts مَهولterrible
وَأَباد الأَعدا بِطَعن مَهول
فرّقscattered الجَمعthe host عَنaway from عَنيفthe fierceness of ظُباهhis blades
فرّق الجَمع عَن عَنيف ظُباه
He destroyed the enemies with terrible thrusts
It flowed irrigating the breadth of its expanse
that scattered their host from his fierce blades.
And enriching soil once barren as granite.
وَأَميرand the commander of اللواthe brigade تَخلَّصescaped مِمّاfrom what
وَأَمير اللوا تَخلَّص مِمّا
كانَhe was فيهِin it مِنof بُؤسهhis misery وَشقاهand his wretchedness
كانَ فيهِ مِن بُؤسه وَشقاه
The major general escaped from
By God, thriving green now spread across its fields
the misery and wretchedness in which he had been.
By his grace and tireless efforts to improve the land!
ثُمَthen إِنindeed الأَميرthe prince صاحshouted عَلىat القَوthe peo- (people)
ثُمَ إِن الأَمير صاح عَلى القَو
م-ple (people) فَفرّواso they fled عِندَupon اِستِماعhearing صَداهhis echo
م فَفرّوا عِندَ اِستِماع صَداه
Then the prince shouted at the people,
So the Lord of Egypt granted him
and they fled upon hearing his echo.
Eighty estates pressureless, an endowment for his toil.
وَاِقتَفىand pursued أَثرَthe tracks of فيصلٍFaisal بَعدafter حَربa war
وَاِقتَفى أَثرَ فيصلٍ بَعد حَرب
شَيَّبturned gray-haired الطفلَthe child مِنfrom أَليمthe painfulness of عَناهits suffering
شَيَّب الطفلَ مِن أَليم عَناه
He pursued Faisal's tracks after a war
With them artesian wells were established powering irrigation channels
whose painful suffering turned a child's hair gray.
Thus enlivening dead tracts of land.
وَغَشاهand fell upon him فيin وَقعةan encounter بَعدafter أُخرىanother
وَغَشاه في وَقعة بَعد أُخرى
وَهُوَwhile he لاnot يَستَطيعcan يحميprotect أَخاهhis brother
وَهُوَ لا يَستَطيع يحمي أَخاه
He fell upon him in one encounter after another,
This is what the chronicles documented of his brilliant path,
while Faisal could not protect his brother.
And I have conveyed from it a glimpse that sufficed.
بَلrather يولِّيturns away وَيَختفيand hides فيin كُهوفcaves
بَل يولِّي وَيَختفي في كُهوف
مِنamong رَواسfirm mountains أَعدّهاhe prepared them لاختفاهfor his concealment
مِن رَواس أَعدّها لاختفاه
Instead, he turned away and hid in caves
Though time’s tumultuous tides deterred me,
within firm mountains prepared for his concealment.
I wish people for ages extolled his glory!
وَهوَand he مَعwith جُندهhis troops يَجولranges عَلَيهِagainst him
وَهوَ مَع جُنده يَجول عَلَيهِ
فيalong جَميعall الدُروبthe roads مَهماwhenever رَآهhe saw him
في جَميع الدُروب مَهما رَآه
With his soldiers, the prince ranged against him
He walked upon the path of comfort and relief,
along every road, wherever he saw him.
God enveloped him in His infinite mercy.
وَلَقدand indeed ظَلcontinued يَقتفيهِpursuing him إِلىuntil أَنthat
وَلَقد ظَل يَقتفيهِ إِلى أَن
عاقَهُthwarted him عَنfrom مَرامهhis aim وَالتقاهand met him
عاقَهُ عَن مَرامه وَالتقاه
He continued pursuing him until
In the month of Safar, thirteen days before the end
he thwarted his aim and met him.
Of Rabi 1299 AH, his Lord summoned him.
فَالتجاso sought refuge مِنهُfrom him بَعدَafter هَولterror بحيّin a settlement
فَالتجا مِنهُ بَعدَ هَول بحيّ
هوَhe وَالخائِفونand the frightened مِنamong شُرَكاهhis allies
هوَ وَالخائِفون مِن شُرَكاه
After terror, he sought refuge from him in a settlement,
So for this Jannani inscribed the date mourning his benefactor,
with the frightened men among his allies.
The sun around which three Ibrahims revolved eclipsing their glow.
هُوَit بِالنَصaccording to the account وَالأَدلةand evidence حيthe settlement of الal- (continued)
هُوَ بِالنَص وَالأَدلة حي ال
دلمDilam الموحشdesolate المخوفfeared خلاهits wilderness
دلم الموحش المخوف خلاه
According to the account and evidence, it was the settlement
He was the wise, most virtuous scion,
of al-Dilam, whose wilderness was desolate and feared.
Who championed truth after him and carefully tended the land.
وَكأنand as though الَّذيthe one who اِبتَناهbuilt it بِخطin the district of الal- (continued)
وَكأن الَّذي اِبتَناه بِخط ال
خرجKharj لِلحفظfor protection وَالأَمانand safety رصاهfortified it
خرج لِلحفظ وَالأَمان رصاه
It was as though its builder, in the district
Though young he wore the cloak of perfection
of al-Kharj, had fortified it for protection and safety.
And was guided in all affairs by discernment.
وَهوَand it كالحصنlike a fortress فيin الرصانةsolidity وَالوَضand lay- (layout)
وَهوَ كالحصن في الرصانة وَالوَض
ع-out (layout) معينٌhelping عَلىtoward مَزيدincreased اِحتَماهits defensibility
ع معينٌ عَلى مَزيد اِحتَماه
It resembled a fortress in solidity and layout,
He outshone the rest like a full moon
which helped increase its defensibility.
But his wisdom and brilliance exceeded the moon!
وَبِهِand into it اِنحازwithdrew صاغِراًhumbled شيخُthe chief of نَجدٍNajd
وَبِهِ اِنحاز صاغِراً شيخُ نَجدٍ
مَعwith ذَويهhis family وَطالَand grew prolonged فيهِin it اِشتَكاهhis lamentation
مَع ذَويه وَطالَ فيهِ اِشتَكاه
Najd's chief withdrew there, humbled,
A shining sun emanating rays
with his family, and his lamentation there grew prolonged.
That illuminated the darkness blanketing each star.
وَأَحاطَتand surrounded بِهِhim الفَوارسُthe horsemen فَازداso increased (continued)
وَأَحاطَت بِهِ الفَوارسُ فَازدا
دincreased (completion) شُجوناًin sorrows وَقلّand dwindled مِنهُfrom him عَزاهhis consolation
د شُجوناً وَقلّ مِنهُ عَزاه
The horsemen surrounded him, and he grew
God gave us in this rightly guided excellent Emir
more sorrowful, while his consolation dwindled.
A sincere, sharp mind and protective ally to his brethren -
وَاِمتَلاand filled قَلبُهُhis heart مِنwith الرُعبterror حَتّىuntil
وَاِمتَلا قَلبُهُ مِن الرُعب حَتّى
كادَnearly ينفلّbroke عُمرُهhis life وَشباهand his youthful vigor
كادَ ينفلّ عُمرُه وَشباه
His heart filled with terror until
A compassionate doer of good toward the unjust
his life and youthful vigor nearly broke.
Proffering amnesty whoever sought it repentant of sin.
وَالرَئيسand the commander الكميّarmored قَدindeed جَدّpressed on فيin الزَحthe advan- (advance)
وَالرَئيس الكميّ قَد جَدّ في الزَح
ف-ce (advance) عَلَيهِagainst him بِالجُندwith the troops بَعدَafter التِجاهhis taking refuge
ف عَلَيهِ بِالجُند بَعدَ التِجاه
The armored commander pressed on in advancing
Valiant, resolute, and lionhearted Qami
against him with the troops after his taking refuge.
Whom time’s caprice could not unsettle.
وَلَهُand against him أَظهرdisplayed العَجائبwonders فيin الحرwar (continued)
وَلَهُ أَظهر العَجائب في الحر
بwar (completion) وَمنand whoever حاوَلattempted البرازsingle combat نكاهhe wounded him
ب وَمن حاوَل البراز نكاه
He displayed wonders against him in war,
Most deserving he was of Thought’s bride, the poem I made,
and wounded whoever attempted single combat.
Which, an unsolicited gift, I presented with utmost regard.
وَإِذاand whenever ماindeed أَتىcame مِنfrom البدوthe Bedouins آتٍa comer
وَإِذا ما أَتى مِن البدو آتٍ
يَطلبseeking الحيthe settlement صدّهhe repelled him وَصراهand restrained him
يَطلب الحي صدّه وَصراه
Whenever a Bedouin came
Not seeking reward save his gratitude
seeking the settlement, he repelled and restrained him.
And commendation at its accomplished recital.
وَدناand approached مِنهُhim فيon المَجالthe field فَولّىso he fled
وَدنا مِنهُ في المَجال فَولّى
راجِياًhoping لِلنَجاةfor escape مِماfrom what اِعتَراهovertook him
راجِياً لِلنَجاة مِما اِعتَراه
He approached him on the field, and the man fled,
May he enjoy increased glory and dignity,
hoping to escape what had overtaken him.
Exalted through dawn and dusk!
فَإِذاbut if كانَhe was فيin الوَغىbattle ذاpossessing ثباتٍsteadfastness
فَإِذا كانَ في الوَغى ذا ثباتٍ
حزَّsevered بِالسَيفwith the sword رَأسَهhis head أَوor سباهcaptured him
حزَّ بِالسَيف رَأسَه أَو سباه
If he stood steadfast in battle,
No turtle-dove gladdened a branch by cooing
he severed his head with the sword or captured him.
Nor did the nightingale trill the sweetest melody,
وَأَقامand maintained الحِصارthe siege تِسعينninety يَوماًdays
وَأَقام الحِصار تِسعين يَوماً
حَولَهaround him بِالجُنودwith the troops مَعwith نُقَباهhis officers
حَولَه بِالجُنود مَع نُقَباه
He maintained the siege for ninety days
No voice proclaimed: “O Abraham! We have conferred upon thee
around him, with troops and his officers.
An august opening on a luminous morn!”
وَرَماهُand bombarded him بِالبُمبِwith bombs فيin الحيّthe settlement حَتّىuntil
وَرَماهُ بِالبُمبِ في الحيّ حَتّى
ضاقَbecame narrow ذرعاًin endurance حَيثُas اضمحلّتdwindled قِواهhis strength
ضاقَ ذرعاً حَيثُ اضمحلّت قِواه
He bombarded him in the settlement until
Nor did Saleh greet saying: “I have composed in your honor
he lost endurance as his strength dwindled.
On this occasion verses to add to your praise!”
وَعَلَيهِand over him تَغلَّبprevailed الشَهمُthe gallant man قَهراًforcibly
وَعَلَيهِ تَغلَّب الشَهمُ قَهراً
فيin ظَلامthe darkness of الدُجىnight وَصَكَّand struck قَفاهhis nape
في ظَلام الدُجى وَصَكَّ قَفاه
The gallant man forcibly overcame him
As I say: My prince! Receive tidings glad!
in the darkness of night and struck his nape.
Pleasant is your company wherever your assembly gathers.
وَإِلىand to مَصرَEgypt قادَهُled him فيin حِبالthe bonds of الthe (continued)
وَإِلى مَصرَ قادَهُ في حِبال ال
ذلِّhumiliation مِنfrom بعدafter عزِّهhis honor وَهَناهand his ease
ذلِّ مِن بعد عزِّه وَهَناه
He led him to Egypt in the bonds
Rule the glorious state with wisdom instantly
of humiliation, after his honor and ease.
In an era where your enemies are few.
وَسَليمand Salim مِنfrom مَصرEgypt أَقبلcame للحفto safe- (safeguard)
وَسَليم مِن مَصر أَقبل للحف
ظ-guard (safeguard) وَتَسهيلand facilitate ماwhat يرامis sought اِغتَذاهits provisioning
ظ وَتَسهيل ما يرام اِغتَذاه
Salim came from Egypt to safeguard
And trust in God, for whoever relies on God, He suffices him,
and facilitate the provisioning that was sought.
Protecting from the bitterest of adversity.
لَكنbut البَدوthe Bedouins ماnot رَأوsaw فيهِin him كَالقاlike the comman- (commander)
لَكن البَدو ما رَأو فيهِ كَالقا
ئد-der (commander) عَدلاًjustice فَبالَغواso went to extremes فيin أَذاهharming him
ئد عَدلاً فَبالَغوا في أَذاه
But the Bedouins did not find in him the commander's
As if time itself submitted obedient and calm
justice, and greatly increased their harassment of him.
After having reared up refusing the reins.
وَعَلىand in response to الكبرarrogance قابَلوهthey met him بِسخطٍwith indignation
وَعَلى الكبر قابَلوه بِسخطٍ
وَاِجتراهمand their defiance عَنfrom جورهhis oppression ماnot جَلاهdispelled it
وَاِجتراهم عَن جوره ما جَلاه
They met his arrogance with indignation,
Remain then in growing fortune and gratitude
and their defiance did not dispel his oppression.
As long as the crescent shines fulfilling its curve.
وَكَذاand likewise حزبهhis contingent المحافظguarding لِلأَطthe outlying dis- (districts)
وَكَذا حزبه المحافظ لِلأَط
راف-tricts (districts) مَعهwith him قَدindeed مَلَّهwearied of him وَلحاهand reproached him
راف مَعه قَد مَلَّه وَلحاه
Likewise, his contingent guarding the outlying
And send ample peace and prayers upon the best of worshippers
districts with him wearied of him and reproached him.
Whose beloved fragrance brings joy wherever it spreads.
التَدبيرplanning أَدبرturned away عَنهُfrom him
التَدبير أَدبر عَنهُ
سَعدُهhis good fortune فيin اللقاbattle وَكُلٌّand everyone قلاهloathed him
سَعدُه في اللقا وَكُلٌّ قلاه
In his planning, there turned away from him
his fortune in battle, and everyone loathed him.
وَإِلىand to مَصرEgypt عادَreturned وَهوَwhile he was
وَإِلى مَصر عادَ وَهوَ
بَعدَafter عزكانَglory, was رداهhis downfall
بَعدَ عزكانَ رداه
He returned to Egypt, being,
after glory, brought low.
وَاستعدّand prepared الأَميرthe prince مِنfrom بَعدafter هَذاthis
وَاستعدّ الأَمير مِن بَعد هَذا
لعمارfor rebuilding كانَhad مَحاهerased it
لعمار كانَ مَحاه
After this the prince prepared
to restore prosperity that had been erased.
وَإِلىand to بَحرthe sea of فارسPersia حُكمهhis rule امتدextended (continued)
وَإِلى بَحر فارس حُكمه امتد
دَextended (completion) سريعاًswiftly بحزمهthrough his resolve وَنُهاهand his wisdom
دَ سريعاً بحزمه وَنُهاه
His rule extended to the Persian Sea,
swiftly, through his resolve and wisdom.
وَجَميعand all الأَعرابthe Bedouins قَدindeed أَلفوهgrew attached to him
وَجَميع الأَعراب قَد أَلفوه
وَاِستَقامواand became upright فَأَصبَحواso became نُدَماهhis companions
وَاِستَقاموا فَأَصبَحوا نُدَماه
All the Bedouins grew attached to him
and became upright, then his companions.
وَعَلىand above سائرall الوَرىmankind فَضّلوهpreferred him
وَعَلى سائر الوَرى فَضّلوه
لسخاهُfor his generosity وَاِستَمسَكواand clung بعراهto his bonds
لسخاهُ وَاِستَمسَكوا بعراه
They preferred him above all mankind
for his generosity, and clung to his bonds.
وَاِستَظلواand sheltered بظلهin his shade فَاطمأنواso felt secure
وَاِستَظلوا بظله فَاطمأنوا
وَتَوالىand continued سُرورُهمtheir joy بِعَطاهthrough his gifts
وَتَوالى سُرورُهم بِعَطاه
They sheltered in his shade and felt secure;
their joy continued through his gifts.
وَتَمنّواand wished أَنto يَمكثواremain أَلفَa thousand عامٍyears
وَتَمنّوا أَن يَمكثوا أَلفَ عامٍ
تَحتَunder حُكمa rule بِماءwith the water of حلمforbearance سَقاهhe watered it
تَحتَ حُكم بِماء حلم سَقاه
They wished to remain a thousand years
under a rule he watered with forbearance.
وَالأَورباويونand the Europeans قالواsaid بِنَجدٍin Najd
وَالأَورباويون قالوا بِنَجدٍ
لَيتَناwould that we لَمnot نَزَلceased بِهاin it نُزَلاهbeing his guests
لَيتَنا لَم نَزَل بِها نُزَلاه
The Europeans in Najd said:
Would that we could remain his guests here!
لَيتَهُwould that he لَمnot يَزَلceased لِنَجدٍfor Najd أَميراًbeing governor
لَيتَهُ لَم يَزَل لِنَجدٍ أَميراً
يَنشُرspreads العَدلjustice فيover رُباهاits hills قَضاهhis judgments
يَنشُر العَدل في رُباها قَضاه
Would that he might always be Najd's governor,
his judgments spreading justice over its hills!
فَهوَfor he شَهمa gallant man فيهِin him بَديعُwondrous صِفاتqualities
فَهوَ شَهم فيهِ بَديعُ صِفات
حارَwere baffled فيin حَصرِهاenumerating them لَهُfor him بُلَغاهhis eloquent admirers
حارَ في حَصرِها لَهُ بُلَغاه
He was a gallant man with wondrous qualities
whose enumeration baffled his eloquent admirers.
فيهِin him حلمforbearance وَرَأفةand compassion وَعَفافand integrity
فيهِ حلم وَرَأفة وَعَفاف
وَسَدادand sound judgment فيin سلمهhis peace وَوَغاهand his warfare
وَسَداد في سلمه وَوَغاه
In him were forbearance, compassion, and integrity,
and sound judgment in peace and war,
وَذمامand protection لِجارهfor his neighbor وَاِحتِفالand solicitous care
وَذمام لِجاره وَاِحتِفال
بِغَريبfor a stranger لَمnot يَنصرفdeparted عَنfrom قُراهhis hospitality
بِغَريب لَم يَنصرف عَن قُراه
protection for his neighbor, and solicitous care
for a stranger who did not leave his hospitality.
وَرَأىand saw البَدوُthe Bedouins أَنهُthat he يَبذلoffers الماmon- (money)
وَرَأى البَدوُ أَنهُ يَبذل الما
ل-ey (money) لِمَنto whoever بِالجِيادwith noble steeds وافىcame to حِماهhis domain
ل لِمَن بِالجِياد وافى حِماه
The Bedouins saw that he offered money
to whoever brought noble steeds to his domain.
فَتجارواso raced إِلَيهِto him مِنfrom كُلevery فَجٍّmountain pass
فَتجاروا إِلَيهِ مِن كُل فَجٍّ
بِكرامٍwith noble horses لِبَيعهfor his selling وَشِراهand his buying
بِكرامٍ لِبَيعه وَشِراه
They raced to him from every mountain pass
with noble horses for his buying and selling.
فَاِشتَرىso purchased جملةًa great number بِمالwith money جَزيلabundant
فَاِشتَرى جملةً بِمال جَزيل
ضاقَbecame crowded مِنfrom نَسلِهاtheir offspring فَسيحthe spaciousness of رُباهhis hills
ضاقَ مِن نَسلِها فَسيح رُباه
He bought a great number with abundant money;
their offspring crowded his spacious hills.
فَهيَso they مِنfrom تَحتهbeneath him تَمرُّpass كبرقٍlike lightning
فَهيَ مِن تَحته تَمرُّ كبرقٍ
لاnot تَكادscarcely الأَبصارthe eyes مِنهاbecause of them تراهsee him
لا تَكاد الأَبصار مِنها تراه
Beneath him they passed like lightning,
so swiftly that eyes could scarcely see him.
تنسفblast الأَرضthe ground فيin الوَقائعbattles نَسفاًutterly
تنسف الأَرض في الوَقائع نَسفاً
وَبِهاand on them يُدرَكone reaches السُهاal-Suha فيin سماهits sky
وَبِها يُدرَك السُها في سماه
They blasted the ground in battles,
and on them one could reach al-Suha in its sky.
وَبِهاand on them يَبلغattains الأَمانيwishes كميٌّan armored warrior
وَبِها يَبلغ الأَماني كميٌّ
مِنagainst عَدوّan enemy قَدalready فَرّfled يَبغيseeking نَجاهhis escape
مِن عَدوّ قَد فَرّ يَبغي نَجاه
On them an armored warrior attained his desires
against an enemy who fled seeking escape.
فَلَكمso how many أَشهبٍa gray horse إِلىinto نارthe fire of حَربٍwar
فَلَكم أَشهبٍ إِلى نار حَربٍ
ساقَهُhe drove it فيinto لَهيبهاits blaze وَاِصطَلاهand entered its flames
ساقَهُ في لَهيبها وَاِصطَلاه
How many a gray horse into war's fire
he drove, entering its blaze!
وَلَكمand how often فَوقupon أَشقَرa chestnut horse سابقoutstripping الريthe win- (wind)
وَلَكم فَوق أَشقَر سابق الري
ح-d (wind) فَماso not أَثَّرتleft an impression بِأَرضon ground خُطاهits footfalls
ح فَما أَثَّرت بِأَرض خُطاه
How often he rode a chestnut swifter than the wind,
whose footfalls left no impression on the earth!
وَلَكمand how many أَدهَمٍa black horse كَليلlike night بَهيمpitch-dark
وَلَكم أَدهَمٍ كَليل بَهيم
ضاقَbecame narrow فيduring رَكضهits galloping عَلَيهِfor it فَضاهits open space
ضاقَ في رَكضه عَلَيهِ فَضاه
How many a black horse, like a pitch-dark night,
found its open space too narrow when galloping!
وَلَكمand how many أَبلقٍa piebald horse بِهِon it بادرhe assailed الجَيthe ar- (army)
وَلَكم أَبلقٍ بِهِ بادر الجَي
ش-my (army) فأَمسىso became فيin أَسرهhis captivity أَقوياهits strongest men
ش فأَمسى في أَسره أَقوياه
How many a piebald horse he rode against an army,
whose strongest men became his captives!
وَلَكمand how many أَحمَرٍa red horse بِهِon it يَطلُبhe pursues الأُسthe li- (lions)
وَلَكم أَحمَرٍ بِهِ يَطلُب الأُس
دَ-ons (lions) فَيُرديso brings down مِنfrom بَينِهاamong them ماwhat اِقتَفاهhe tracked
دَ فَيُردي مِن بَينِها ما اِقتَفاه
How many a red horse he rode in pursuit of lions,
bringing down whichever of them he tracked!
وَلَكمand how often فَوقَupon أَجردa sleek horse أَورثcaused الخَصthe ene- (enemy)
وَلَكم فَوقَ أَجرد أَورث الخَص
م-my (enemy) خبالاًconfusion وَشَكَّهand pierced him فيin كلاهhis kidneys
م خبالاً وَشَكَّه في كلاه
How often, upon a sleek horse, he drove the enemy
to confusion and pierced him through the kidneys!
وَلَكمand how many مِنof مُحَجَّلٍa white-stockinged horse فيamong المذاكيmature steeds
وَلَكم مِن مُحَجَّلٍ في المذاكي
طَلقfleet يمنىauspicious للاقتحامfor charging اِقتَناهhe acquired it
طَلق يمنى للاقتحام اِقتَناه
How many a white-stockinged horse among mature steeds,
fleet and auspicious, he acquired for the charge!
وَلَكمand how many فيamong كرامهاtheir noble stock مِنof أَغرٍّa white-blazed horse
وَلَكم في كرامها مِن أَغرٍّ
قيلit was said لِلصُبحto morning إِنَّهُthat it اِبنthe offspring of ذكاهits sun
قيل لِلصُبح إِنَّهُ اِبن ذكاه
How many a white-blazed horse among their noble stock,
of which morning was told: It is the offspring of your sun!
وَلَكمand how many مِنof مُضمَّرa lean-trained horse ضَمَّرَmade lean الجُنthe ar- (army)
وَلَكم مِن مُضمَّر ضَمَّرَ الجُن
دَ-my (army) عَلَيهِupon it وَاِقتَصَّand exacted vengeance مِنfrom رُؤَساهits leaders
دَ عَلَيهِ وَاِقتَصَّ مِن رُؤَساه
How many a lean-trained horse he rode to waste the army
away and exact vengeance upon its leaders!
وَلَكمand how many أَعوجيةٍan Awaj-bred mare فيamid غبارdust
وَلَكم أَعوجيةٍ في غبار
صارَbegan يَسطوassailing بِهاon it عَلىagainst كُمَناهhis ambushers
صارَ يَسطو بِها عَلى كُمَناه
How many an Awaj-bred mare, amid dust,
he rode to assail those lying in ambush!
وَلَكمand how many فيamong حجورهاtheir mares عادِياتracing mares
وَلَكم في حجورها عادِيات
أَلقَتcast الضدّthe foe فيinto مَهاويthe abysses of رداهhis destruction
أَلقَت الضدّ في مَهاوي رداه
How many racing mares among his mares
cast the foe into the abysses of his destruction!
ثُمَthen لَماwhen نَمَتmultiplied وَجلَّتand exceeded عَنbeyond الحَصcoun- (counting)
ثُمَ لَما نَمَت وَجلَّت عَن الحَص
ر-ting (counting) إِلىto مَصرEgypt ساقَهاdrove them أُمَناهhis trusted men
ر إِلى مَصر ساقَها أُمَناه
Then, when they multiplied beyond counting,
his trusted men drove them to Egypt.
وَبأنبابةٍand at Anbaba وَكفرِand Kafr حَكيمٍHakim
وَبأنبابةٍ وَكفرِ حَكيمٍ
شادbuilt ثَمَّthere اِصطبلاتِهاtheir stables وُكَلاهhis agents
شاد ثَمَّ اِصطبلاتِها وُكَلاه
At Anbaba and Kafr Hakim,
his agents built their stables there.
فَبمصرso in Egypt تَناسَلَتbred وَتجلَّتand appeared in splendor
فَبمصر تَناسَلَت وَتجلَّت
كَعَروسٍlike a bride زُفَّتwas escorted لَهاto them مِنfrom خِباهhis tent
كَعَروسٍ زُفَّت لَها مِن خِباه
In Egypt they bred and appeared in splendor
like a bride brought forth from his tent.
وَهيَand they للقطرfor the country غرّةa white blaze وَجَميعand all الthe (continued)
وَهيَ للقطر غرّة وَجَميع ال
خيلhorses فيهِin it وَفيand in سِواهelsewhere جباهforeheads
خيل فيهِ وَفي سِواه جباه
They were the country's white blaze, while all
its other horses, and those elsewhere, were mere foreheads.
وَلَهُand his is الفَضلthe credit فَهوَfor he أَوّلthe first مَنwho أَتpresen- (presented)
وَلَهُ الفَضل فَهوَ أَوّل مَن أَت
حف-ted (presented) مَصراًEgypt بِماwith what يَزينadorns اِقتِناهits possession
حف مَصراً بِما يَزين اِقتِناه
The credit was his: he was the first to present
Egypt with what adorned its possessions.
وَلَقَدand indeed كانَhad عَدلُهhis justice سارَtraveled فيthrough الأقthe re- (regions)
وَلَقَد كانَ عَدلُه سارَ في الأق
طار-gions (regions) وَاِمتدّand spread فيthrough جَميعall قُراهtheir villages
طار وَاِمتدّ في جَميع قُراه
His justice had traveled throughout the regions
and spread through all their villages.
وَسَرىand traveled فيthrough البِلادthe lands شَرقاًeastward وَغَرباًand westward
وَسَرى في البِلاد شَرقاً وَغَرباً
وَفَشاand spread أَمرُهits fame لكشفthrough lifting غطاهits veil
وَفَشا أَمرُه لكشف غطاه
It journeyed through the lands east and west;
its fame spread as its veil was lifted.
وَبِبَغدادand in Baghdad شاعَbecame known أَيضاًalso فَتاقتso it yearned
وَبِبَغداد شاعَ أَيضاً فَتاقت
لِلقاهُfor meeting him وَحلمهِand his forbearance وَلُهاهُand his gifts
لِلقاهُ وَحلمهِ وَلُهاهُ
In Baghdad too it became known, and the city yearned
for meeting him, his forbearance, and his gifts.
وَإِلَيهِand to him مَشىcame كِبارthe leading بَنيهاof its sons
وَإِلَيهِ مَشى كِبار بَنيها
بَعدَafter ماindeed أَيدendorsed الجَميعeveryone اِنتَقاهhis selection
بَعدَ ما أَيد الجَميع اِنتَقاه
Its leading sons came to him
after everyone endorsed his selection.
وَاِشتَهىand desired أَهلُهاits people التَمتعَenjoying بِالعدjus- (justice)
وَاِشتَهى أَهلُها التَمتعَ بِالعد
ل-tice (justice) وَكُلٌّand everyone إِلَيهِto him بَثَّpoured out جواهhis anguish
ل وَكُلٌّ إِلَيهِ بَثَّ جواه
Its people desired to enjoy justice,
and each poured out his anguish to him.
فَرَثىso felt pity قَلبُهhis heart وَرَقَّand grew tender لِقَومٍtoward people
فَرَثى قَلبُه وَرَقَّ لِقَومٍ
أَمّلواhoped for قُربهhis presence وَرامواand sought اِجتباهhis selection
أَمّلوا قُربه وَراموا اِجتباه
His heart felt pity and tenderness for people
who hoped for his presence and sought to choose him.
وَلَهمand upon them أَنعمbestowed الأَميرthe prince بِوَعدٍa promise
وَلَهم أَنعم الأَمير بِوَعدٍ
صادقtruthful لِلعَليلfor the afflicted فيهِin it شِفاهhis cure
صادق لِلعَليل فيهِ شِفاه
The prince favored them with a promise,
a truthful one containing a cure for the afflicted.
لَكنbut الداوريthe sovereign رَأىdeemed عَودةthe return of الشَهthe gal- (gallant man)
لَكن الداوري رَأى عَودة الشَه
مِ-lant man (gallant man) مِنamong الواجِباتthe duties قَبلbefore اِنتِحاهhis departure
مِ مِن الواجِبات قَبل اِنتِحاه
But the sovereign deemed the gallant man's return
a duty before his departure toward them.
وَدَعاهand summoned him إِلىto القُدومcome فَلباso answered (continued)
وَدَعاه إِلى القُدوم فَلبا
هhim (completion) سَريعاًswiftly وَآبand returned مَعwith نُجباهhis distinguished men
ه سَريعاً وَآب مَع نُجباه
He summoned him to come, and he answered
him swiftly, returning with his distinguished men.
وَلَوand had اِمتَدcontinued حُكمُهhis rule نَحوَabout شَهرٍa month
وَلَو اِمتَد حُكمُه نَحوَ شَهرٍ
لتجلَّىwould have appeared ماwhat رامَهُhe desired بانتِهاهby its end
لتجلَّى ما رامَهُ بانتِهاه
Had his rule continued about a month,
what he desired would have appeared by its end.
بَيدyet أَنthat الأَقدارdestiny قَدmay لاnot تَعينassist الthe (continued)
بَيد أَن الأَقدار قَد لا تَعين ال
مرءperson يَوماًone day عَلىin الَّذيwhat قَدindeed نَواهhe intended
مرء يَوماً عَلى الَّذي قَد نَواه
Yet destiny may not assist a person
one day in what he has intended.
وَبِنجدand in Najd أَقامremained فيin الحُكمcommand خَمساًfive
وَبِنجد أَقام في الحُكم خَمساً
كامِلاتcomplete وَراعَهاand alarmed it بِنواهby his departure
كامِلات وَراعَها بِنواه
In Najd he remained in command for five
complete years, and alarmed it by his departure.
وَلواوٍand at waw مِنfrom بَعدafter نُونٍnun أَتىcame مصEg- (Egypt)
وَلواوٍ مِن بَعد نُونٍ أَتى مص
رَ-ypt (Egypt) بِعزٍّin honor وَحَولَهُand around him حُكَماهhis wise men
رَ بِعزٍّ وَحَولَهُ حُكَماه
At waw following nun he came to Egypt
in honor, with his wise men around him.
وَالدَقهليةand Dakahlia الَّتيwhich جرّبتهhad tried him
وَالدَقهلية الَّتي جرّبته
رَجَّحتpreferred حُكمَهhis rule عَلىover مَنwhoever عَداهwas other than him
رَجَّحت حُكمَه عَلى مَن عَداه
Dakahlia, which had tried him,
preferred his rule to anyone else's.
وَتَباهَتand boasted بِهِof him عَلىabove كُلevery وادvalley
وَتَباهَت بِهِ عَلى كُل واد
عَمَّهpervaded it الخَصبfertility باعتِناthrough the care of نُبَلاهits noble men
عَمَّه الخَصب باعتِنا نُبَلاه
It boasted of him above every valley
made fertile by the care of its noble men.
وَحَباهاand bestowed upon it وَهوَwhile he was المُديرthe director عَلَيهاover it
وَحَباها وَهوَ المُدير عَلَيها
بِنُهيرٍa small canal مِنfrom نَيلthe Nile of مَصرEgypt اِبتَداهhe began it
بِنُهيرٍ مِن نَيل مَصر اِبتَداه
As its director, he bestowed upon it
a small canal he began from Egypt's Nile,
بِنهيرwith a small canal يَجريflowing فَيَرويand watering رُباهاits hills
بِنهير يَجري فَيَروي رُباها
وَالتَوابيتand the water-lifting boxes حازَهاheld them شاطِئاهits two banks
وَالتَوابيت حازَها شاطِئاه
a flowing canal that watered its hills,
whose two banks held water-lifting boxes.
وَلعمريand by my life إِنindeed الخُصوبةfertility أَضحَتbecame
وَلعمري إِن الخُصوبة أَضحَت
تَزدَهيglorying بَهجةًjoyfully بِحُسنin the excellence of اِعتِناهhis care
تَزدَهي بَهجةً بِحُسن اِعتِناه
By my life, fertility came
to glory joyfully in his excellent care.
وَبِهَذاand for this أَعطاهgave him صاحبُthe ruler of مَصرEgypt
وَبِهَذا أَعطاه صاحبُ مَصر
ماwhat تَمنىhe desired فَاِمتازso stood apart عَنfrom أُمَراهhis commanders
ما تَمنى فَاِمتاز عَن أُمَراه
For this, Egypt's ruler gave him
what he desired, distinguishing him from his commanders.
وَثَمانينand eighty ضَيعةestates قَدindeed حَواهاhe acquired them
وَثَمانين ضَيعة قَد حَواها
كَالتزامٍas a tax-farm إِلَيهِto him صارbecame اِنتِماهits affiliation
كَالتزامٍ إِلَيهِ صار اِنتِماه
He acquired eighty estates,
which became affiliated with him as a tax-farm.
وَبِهاand there أَنشأestablished البوابيرَthe steam engines للريfor irriga- (irrigation)
وَبِها أَنشأ البوابيرَ للري
يِ-tion (irrigation) فَأَحياso revived مَواتَهاtheir wastelands بِحَياهwith his life-giving rain
يِ فَأَحيا مَواتَها بِحَياه
There he established steam engines for irrigation,
reviving their wastelands with his life-giving rain.
هَكَذاthus فيin التاريخthe history قَدindeed نَصexpressly recorded عَنهُof him
هَكَذا في التاريخ قَد نَص عَنهُ
وَاِقتَصرناand we confined ourselves مِنهُfrom it عَلىto ماwhat رَواهit related
وَاِقتَصرنا مِنهُ عَلى ما رَواه
Thus the history expressly records of him,
and we have confined ourselves to what it relates.
وَصُروفand the vicissitudes of الزَمانtime قَدindeed عاندتناopposed us
وَصُروف الزَمان قَد عاندتنا
فيهِconcerning him لَيتwould that الأَنامmankind كانواhad been فِداهhis ransom
فيهِ لَيت الأَنام كانوا فِداه
The vicissitudes of time opposed us
in his loss—would that mankind had ransomed him!
وَإِلىand to جَنةa garden وَراحٍand wine وروحٍand repose
وَإِلى جَنة وَراحٍ وروحٍ
سارَdeparted وَاللَهand God بِالنَعيمwith bliss حباهfavored him
سارَ وَاللَه بِالنَعيم حباه
To a garden, wine, and repose
he departed, and God bestowed bliss upon him.
وَلتسعٍand on the ninth مِنfrom بَعدafter عشرينtwenty أَيthat is مِنof
وَلتسعٍ مِن بَعد عشرين أَي مِن
صفرٍSafar رَبُّهhis Lord إِلَيهِto Himself دَعاهcalled him
صفرٍ رَبُّه إِلَيهِ دَعاه
On the ninth after the twentieth, that is,
of Safar, his Lord called him to Himself.
وَلِهَذاand for this رضوانُهاits Ridwan قالsaid أَرّخrecord the date
وَلِهَذا رضوانُها قال أَرّخ
بِجنانيin my gardens خورشيدKhurshid حازَattained بَهاهhis splendor
بِجناني خورشيد حازَ بَهاه
Thus its Ridwan said: Record the date:
In my gardens Khurshid attained his splendor.
وَلَئنand though ماتَhe died فَالثَلاثةthen the three إِبراIbra- (Ibrahim)
وَلَئن ماتَ فَالثَلاثة إِبرا
هيم-him (Ibrahim) مِنهُمamong them بِالفَضلthrough merit يحييrevives أَباهhis father
هيم مِنهُم بِالفَضل يحيي أَباه
Though he died, of the three, Ibrahim
revives his father through merit.
هُوَhe هَذاthis الحَليمforbearing one خَيرthe finest وَليدٍson
هُوَ هَذا الحَليم خَير وَليدٍ
أَيدupheld الحَقtruth بَعدَهُafter him وَرَعاهand tended it
أَيد الحَق بَعدَهُ وَرَعاه
He is this forbearing one, the finest son,
who upheld truth after him and tended it.
وَاِكتَسىand donned حلةthe robe of الكَمالperfection صَغيراًwhile young
وَاِكتَسى حلة الكَمال صَغيراً
وَاِهتَدىand was guided فيin أَمورهhis affairs بِهُداهby his guidance
وَاِهتَدى في أَموره بِهُداه
He donned perfection's robe while young
and followed his guidance in his affairs.
فَهوَfor he بَينamong الجَميعall بَدرa full moon ولَكنbut
فَهوَ بَين الجَميع بَدر ولَكن
لَيسَthere is not فيin البَدرthe full moon حلمهhis forbearance وَذَكاهand his intelligence
لَيسَ في البَدر حلمه وَذَكاه
Among them all he is a full moon, yet
the moon lacks his forbearance and intelligence.
وَهوَand he شَمسa sun تمدّsupplies بِالنُورwith light مِنهاfrom itself
وَهوَ شَمس تمدّ بِالنُور مِنها
كُلَّevery نَجمٍstar ظَلامُهits darkness قَدindeed كَساهclothed it
كُلَّ نَجمٍ ظَلامُه قَد كَساه
He is a sun, supplying its light
to every star clothed in darkness.
فَلَهُso God bless him اللَهGod مِنwhat a أَميرprince رَشيدrightly guided
فَلَهُ اللَه مِن أَمير رَشيد
وَافرabundant in العَقلintellect صادقsincere فيin إِخاهhis brotherhood
وَافر العَقل صادق في إِخاه
God bless him—what a rightly guided prince,
abundant in intellect, sincere in brotherhood,
مؤمنbelieving مُحسنbenevolent لِكُلtoward every مسيءwrongdoer
مؤمن مُحسن لِكُل مسيء
جاءَcame بِالعذرwith an excuse عَنfor نَكيرthe grievousness of جِناهhis offense
جاءَ بِالعذر عَن نَكير جِناه
believing, benevolent toward every wrongdoer
who offers an excuse for his grievous offense,
ضَيغمa lion هاصرcrushing همامvaliant كميّarmored
ضَيغم هاصر همام كميّ
دَهرهhis age لاnot يَروعهfrightens him إِنif جَفاهit treats him harshly
دَهره لا يَروعه إِن جَفاه
a crushing lion, valiant and armored,
whom his age cannot frighten even if it treats him harshly!
هُوَhe أَحرىworthiest ببنتof a daughter of فكرٍthought عَروسٍa bride
هُوَ أَحرى ببنت فكرٍ عَروسٍ
ساقَهاbrought her خدمةًas service إِلَيهِto him فَتاهhis servant
ساقَها خدمةً إِلَيهِ فَتاه
He is worthiest of a bride, a daughter of thought,
whom his servant has brought to him in service.
هِيَshe منيfrom me هَديةٌa gift لَستI do not أَرجوseek
هِيَ مني هَديةٌ لَست أَرجو
مَهرَهاher dowry مِنهُfrom him غَيرَother than حُسنِthe graciousness of وَفاهhis fidelity
مَهرَها مِنهُ غَيرَ حُسنِ وَفاه
She is my gift; I seek
no dowry from him beyond his gracious fidelity.
زادَهُmay increase him اللَهGod هَيبةawe وَوَقاراًand dignity
زادَهُ اللَه هَيبة وَوَقاراً
وَعَلوّاًand eminence فيin صُبحهhis morning وَمَساهand his evening
وَعَلوّاً في صُبحه وَمَساه
May God increase his awe and dignity
and eminence morning and evening,
ماas long as تَغنتsings حَمامةٌa dove فَوقupon غُصنٍa branch
ما تَغنت حَمامةٌ فَوق غُصنٍ
أَوor شَداwarbles بُلبلٌa nightingale فَلذso delights غِناهits song
أَو شَدا بُلبلٌ فَلذ غِناه
as long as a dove sings upon a branch,
or a nightingale warbles and its song delights,
أَوor تَلاrecites لإِبراهيمto Ibrahim إِناindeed We فَتَحناhave granted victory
أَو تَلا لإِبراهيم إِنا فَتَحنا
لَكَto you فَتحاًa victory فيin لَيلهhis night وَضُحاهand his morning
لَكَ فَتحاً في لَيله وَضُحاه
or someone recites to Ibrahim, 'Indeed, We have granted
you a victory,' by night and morning,
أَوor غَداcomes صالحSalih يَقولsaying اِبتِكاراًfreshly composed words
أَو غَدا صالح يَقول اِبتِكاراً
لَكَto you فيin محفلa gathering سَماrose high فُضَلاهits noble men
لَكَ في محفل سَما فُضَلاه
or Salih comes to speak freshly composed words
to you in a gathering whose noble men rise high:
ياO أَميريmy prince لَكَyours is البشارةthe glad tidings باكرseek early
يا أَميري لَكَ البشارة باكر
لذةthe pleasure of الأُنسcompanionship حَيثwhere طابَbecame sweet جِناهits fruit
لذة الأُنس حَيث طابَ جِناه
O my prince, glad tidings are yours; seek early
the pleasure of companionship, where its fruit is sweet.
وَاعلand mount فَوراًat once مَتنَthe back of العُلاeminence بِرَشادٍwith sound guidance
وَاعل فَوراً مَتنَ العُلا بِرَشادٍ
فيin زَمانan age أَعداؤهits enemies عُقلاهits wise men
في زَمان أَعداؤه عُقلاه
Mount at once the back of eminence with sound guidance,
in an age whose enemies are its wise men.
وَتَوَكلand trust عَلىin الإِلَهGod فَماfor there is not منany
وَتَوَكل عَلى الإِلَه فَما من
واثقٍone trusting بِالإِلهin God إِلاexcept كَفاهHe suffices him
واثقٍ بِالإِله إِلا كَفاه
Trust in God, for there is no one
who trusts in God whom He does not suffice.
وَكَأَنيand it is as though I بِالدَهرsee time سالمmaking peace وَانقاand yielded (continued)
وَكَأَني بِالدَهر سالم وَانقا
دyielded (completion) مُطيعاًobediently وَقَدalthough عَصىdefied رُقَباهits watchers
د مُطيعاً وَقَد عَصى رُقَباه
It is as though time has made peace and yielded,
obedient, though it defied those watching it.
فَاِبقso remain فيin نعمةblessing تَزيدincreasing وَشُكرٍand gratitude
فَاِبق في نعمة تَزيد وَشُكرٍ
ماas long as هِلالٌa crescent بَداappeared وَتمَّand grew full ضِياهits light
ما هِلالٌ بَدا وَتمَّ ضِياه
Remain in increasing blessing and gratitude
as long as a crescent appears and its light grows full.
وَعَلىand upon أَفضلthe best of العِبادservants صَلاةblessings
وَعَلى أَفضل العِباد صَلاة
وَسَلامand peace يَفوحwafts مِنهُfrom it شَذاهits fragrance
وَسَلام يَفوح مِنهُ شَذاه
Upon the best of servants be blessings
and peace from which its fragrance wafts.
Partial English translation: 332 of 494 Arabic lines translated.
Sol 6.1