هَلِwas it? الشمسُthe sun خِيلَتْwas imagined مِنْfrom خِلاَلِamid السَّحَائِبِthe clouds
هَلِ الشمسُ خِيلَتْ مِنْ خِلاَلِ السَّحَائِبِ
أمِor الخُودُthe lovely maiden لاَحَتْappeared بَيْنَamong تِلْكَthose الذَّوَائِبِtresses
أمِ الخُودُ لاَحَتْ بَيْنَ تِلْكَ الذَّوَائِبِ
Was it the sun that seemed to show through the clouds,
Did the sun peek through the clouds
Or the maiden appearing among those tresses?
Or did her cheek gleam between the tresses?
أمِor الخَالُthe mole فَوْقَabove الصدْغِthe temple ضَاعَdiffused عَبِيرُهُits perfume
أمِ الخَالُ فَوْقَ الصدْغِ ضَاعَ عَبِيرُهُ
أمِor النَّاظِرُthe eye الفَتَّانُthe enchanting مِنْfrom تَحْتِbeneath حَاجِبِan eyebrow
أمِ النَّاظِرُ الفَتَّانُ مِنْ تَحْتِ حَاجِبِ
Or did the mole above her temple spread its perfume,
Or did the mole above her temple lose its scent
Or was it the enchanting eye beneath an eyebrow?
Or the bewitching glance below her eyebrow?
وَبِيand I am smitten with غَادَةٌa graceful maiden لَوْif أنَّthat صِبْغَةَthe dye of شَعْرِهَاher hair
وَبِي غَادَةٌ لَوْ أنَّ صِبْغَةَ شَعْرِهَا
لِفَرْعِto the tresses of الدجَىnight's darkness أمْسَىwould become يُرَىseen غيرَnot شَائِبِgray-haired
لِفَرْعِ الدجَى أمْسَى يُرَى غيرَ شَائِبِ
I am smitten with a maiden: were the dye of her hair
My darling, with hair as dark as night
Given to night's tresses, they would appear without gray.
Were it the shade of a lush branch, it would have no white.
لَهَاshe has مَبْسَمٌa smiling mouth مِنْهُfrom it حَكَىcopied كلevery بَارِقٍlightning flash
لَهَا مَبْسَمٌ مِنْهُ حَكَى كل بَارِقٍ
وَطَرْفٌand an eye رَوَىrecounted عَنْfrom صَادِهِits letter ṣād كُلevery كَاتِبِwriter
وَطَرْفٌ رَوَى عَنْ صَادِهِ كُل كَاتِبِ
She has a smiling mouth copied by every lightning flash,
With a smile narrated by every lightning
And an eye from whose letter ṣād every writer has taken his account.
And a glance related by every writer's pen.
علىupon عَرْشِthe throne of خَدَّيْهَاher two cheeks اسْتَوىsat enthroned الخَالُthe mole فَاهْتَدَىand found its way
على عَرْشِ خَدَّيْهَا اسْتَوى الخَالُ فَاهْتَدَى
لِطُورِto the Sinai of سَنَاهَاher radiance القلبُthe heart مِنْfrom كُلّevery جَانِبِside
لِطُورِ سَنَاهَا القلبُ مِنْ كُلّ جَانِبِ
On her cheeks' throne the mole sat enthroned, and there found its way
The beauty spot took the throne on her cheeks
The heart, from every side, to the Sinai of her radiance.
So the heart found its target from every side.
وَنَاجَتْهُand she whispered to it بِالألْحَانِin melodies فِيin حَانِthe tavern of سِرّهَاher secret
وَنَاجَتْهُ بِالألْحَانِ فِي حَانِ سِرّهَا
فَهَامَso it grew lovesick اشْتِيَاقاًwith longing عِنْدَat حَدْوِthe driving-song of الرَّكَائِبِriding camels
فَهَامَ اشْتِيَاقاً عِنْدَ حَدْوِ الرَّكَائِبِ
And she whispered to it in melodies, in the tavern of her secret,
She whispered to it in melodies in the intimacy of her secret
So it went mad with longing at the chant that urged the mounts.
So it swooned in yearning at the ridge of ruins.
لُذِعْتُI was stung بِصُدْغَيْهَاby her two temple-locks علىfrom البُعْدِa distance فَاعْتَرَىand afflicted
لُذِعْتُ بِصُدْغَيْهَا على البُعْدِ فَاعْتَرَى
فُؤَادِيmy heart الضَّنَىwasting sickness مِنْfrom سُمّthe venom of لَذْعِthe stinging of العَقَارِبِscorpions
فُؤَادِي الضَّنَى مِنْ سُمّ لَذْعِ العَقَارِبِ
I was stung by her temple-locks from afar, and affliction fell
Her cheek stung me from afar
Upon my heart: wasting sickness from the venom of scorpions' stings.
So my heart was afflicted with the poison of scorpions.
وَلَمْand did not أدْرِI know هَلْwhether تَسْطُوassail عَلَيَّme لِحَاظُهَاher glances
وَلَمْ أدْرِ هَلْ تَسْطُو عَلَيَّ لِحَاظُهَا
بِسُودِwith black جفُونٍeyelids أمْor بِيِضِwith white قَوَاضِبِcutting swords
بِسُودِ جفُونٍ أمْ بِيِضِ قَوَاضِبِ
I did not know whether her glances assailed me
I do not know if her glances conquer me
With black eyelids or white, cutting swords.
With black eyelids or white blinking.
أمَاindeed وَحُمَيَّاby the intoxication of ثَغْرِهَاher mouth وَرُضَابِهَاand her sweet saliva
أمَا وَحُمَيَّا ثَغْرِهَا وَرُضَابِهَا
لَقَدْindeed فَقَدَlost الظَّمْآنُthe thirsty one صَفْوَthe purity of المَشَارِبِdraughts
لَقَدْ فَقَدَ الظَّمْآنُ صَفْوَ المَشَارِبِ
Ah, by the intoxication of her mouth and her nectar,
By her bashfulness and dimples
The thirsty one has indeed lost the clearest draughts.
The thirsty lost the purest of drinks.
وَلَيْلَتِنَاand by our night وَالْعَيْشُwhile life غَضٌّfresh جَنَابُهُits domain
وَلَيْلَتِنَا وَالْعَيْشُ غَضٌّ جَنَابُهُ
وَأفْنِيَّةُand the courtyards of الأيَّامِthe days خُضْرُgreen الجَوَانِبِon their sides
وَأفْنِيَّةُ الأيَّامِ خُضْرُ الجَوَانِبِ
And by our night, when life's domain was fresh,
Our night and living vigorously in its prime
And the courtyards of the days were green on every side,
With sides green like youth.
وَحَيّand by a camp طَرَقْنَاهُwe visited it by night وَقَدْand already غَرَّبَhad set الضّيَاthe light
وَحَيّ طَرَقْنَاهُ وَقَدْ غَرَّبَ الضّيَا
وَمَاwhile not الشَّوْقُlonging مِنْfrom قَلْبِthe heart of المُحِبّthe lover بِغارِبِsetting
وَمَا الشَّوْقُ مِنْ قَلْبِ المُحِبّ بِغارِبِ
And by a camp we visited when the light had already set,
The neighborhood we frequented
Though longing had not set in the lover's heart.
As the evening grew dark but yearning never faded from a lover's heart
بِحُمْرِwith red الحُلَىornaments سُودِblack اللِّحَاظِglances نَوَاصِعِgleaming white الthe (continued)
بِحُمْرِ الحُلَى سُودِ اللِّحَاظِ نَوَاصِعِ ال
مَبَاسِمِsmiling mouths خُضْرِgreen الوَشْيِembroidery بِيضِwhite التَّرَائِبِupper chests
مَبَاسِمِ خُضْرِ الوَشْيِ بِيضِ التَّرَائِبِ
With women red in ornament, dark in glance, dazzling in
With red jewels, black eyeliner, white smiling,
Their smiles, green in embroidery, white in their bosoms.
Green moles, and white necklaces.
تَسَرْبَلْنَthey robed themselves فيin الدُّيْجُورِdeep darkness حَتَّىuntil إذَاwhen اغْتَدَىit began
تَسَرْبَلْنَ في الدُّيْجُورِ حَتَّى إذَا اغْتَدَى
يُظِلُّit overshadows السُّرَىthe night journey أرْدَفْنَهُthey made follow it بِالكَوَاكِبِstars
يُظِلُّ السُّرَى أرْدَفْنَهُ بِالكَوَاكِبِ
They robed themselves in deep darkness, until, when it began
They were dressed in ornaments until, when too adorned,
To shroud the night journey, they made stars follow it.
The Pleiades followed with planets.
بُرُوقُflashes of سُيُوفٍswords فِيamid بُرُوقِflashes of مَبَاسِمٍsmiling mouths
بُرُوقُ سُيُوفٍ فِي بُرُوقِ مَبَاسِمٍ
مَطَالِبُsought-after treasures of دُرّpearls مَاnot انْتُخِبْنَthey were selected لِطَالِبِfor a seeker
مَطَالِبُ دُرّ مَا انْتُخِبْنَ لِطَالِبِ
Flashes of swords amid flashes of smiles,
Swords gleamed in smiling flashes
Treasures of pearls, never chosen for a seeker.
Seeking the pearls chosen for the suitor.
صَدَرْنَthey departed وَلَمْand did not يَرْوِslake الهَوَىlove كَشْحَthe flank of كَاشِحٍa hater
صَدَرْنَ وَلَمْ يَرْوِ الهَوَى كَشْحَ كَاشِحٍ
وَبِنَّand they parted وَلَمْand did not يَدْعُsummon النَّوَىseparation نَعْبَthe croaking of نَاعِبِa raven
وَبِنَّ وَلَمْ يَدْعُ النَّوَى نَعْبَ نَاعِبِ
They departed, and love had not slaked a hater's flank;
They captivated but did not let passion make them emaciated
And they parted, and separation had not called forth a raven's croak.
They allured but did not let calling make them wailers.
وَمُذْand since قَرَّحَulcerated البَيْنُseparation المُشِتthe scattering حُشَاشَتِيmy life's last spark
وَمُذْ قَرَّحَ البَيْنُ المُشِت حُشَاشَتِي
تَحَقَّقْتُI knew for certain أنthat البينَparting إحْدَىone of المَصَائِبِthe calamities
تَحَقَّقْتُ أن البينَ إحْدَى المَصَائِبِ
And since scattering separation ulcerated my life's last spark,
Since separation wounded my enflamed passion
I have known for certain that parting is one of the calamities.
I knew that separation is one of the afflictions.
أأحْبَابَنَاO our loved ones مَنْwho بِالدّيَارِin the dwellings لِسَائِلfor a questioner
أأحْبَابَنَا مَنْ بِالدّيَارِ لِسَائِل
يُلِمvisits بِهَاthem غَيْرَother than البُرُوقِthe lightning flashes الخَوَالِبِthe deceptive
يُلِم بِهَا غَيْرَ البُرُوقِ الخَوَالِبِ
O our loved ones, who is in the dwellings for a questioner
Are there any loved ones in the abodes for a questioner
Who visits them, besides the deceptive flashes of lightning?
Other than lightning wounds made by departing?
مَنَازِلُdwellings تُمْلِينَاdictate to us أحَادِيثَtales of شَجْوِهَاtheir grief
مَنَازِلُ تُمْلِينَا أحَادِيثَ شَجْوِهَا
أسَانِيدُchains of transmission of أنْفَاسِthe breaths of الصَّبَاthe east wind وَالجَنَائِبِand the south winds
أسَانِيدُ أنْفَاسِ الصَّبَا وَالجَنَائِبِ
Dwellings whose tales of grief are dictated to us
Dwellings that whisper to us the laments of their abandonment,
By the testimony of the east wind's breaths and the south winds.
Chains of the breaths of zephyrs and tempests.
مَعَالِمُhaunts of أحْبَابٍloved ones وَمَغْنَىand a dwelling of حَمَائِمٍdoves
مَعَالِمُ أحْبَابٍ وَمَغْنَى حَمَائِمٍ
وَدَوْحَةُand a great tree of أغْصَانٍbranches وَسِرْبُand a herd of رَبَارِبِwild antelopes
وَدَوْحَةُ أغْصَانٍ وَسِرْبُ رَبَارِبِ
Haunts of loved ones, and a dwelling of doves,
Signs of loved ones and shelter for doves,
And a great branching tree, and a herd of wild antelopes,
An orchard of branches and a flock of grackles.
وَمَنْبَعُand a source of أنْهَارٍrivers وَحَانَةُand a tavern of قَهْوَةٍwine
وَمَنْبَعُ أنْهَارٍ وَحَانَةُ قَهْوَةٍ
وَرَوْضَةُand a garden of أزْهَارٍflowers وَأفْقُand a horizon of كَوَاكِبِstars
وَرَوْضَةُ أزْهَارٍ وَأفْقُ كَوَاكِبِ
And a source of rivers, and a tavern of wine,
A spring of rivers and a coffeehouse
And a garden of flowers, and a horizon of stars.
A garden of flowers and a horizon of stars.
سَقَىmay water الرَّوْضَةَthe garden الفَيْحَاءَthe spacious وِجْهَةَthe direction of رَوْضِهَاits meadows
سَقَى الرَّوْضَةَ الفَيْحَاءَ وِجْهَةَ رَوْضِهَا
سَحَابُthe cloud of دُمُوعِيmy tears لاَnot دُمُوعُthe tears of السَّحَائِبِclouds
سَحَابُ دُمُوعِي لاَ دُمُوعُ السَّحَائِبِ
May the spacious garden, in the direction of its meadows, be watered
My tears’ clouds watered the blooming garden
By the cloud of my tears, not the tears of clouds.
Not the tears of rainclouds.
فَكَمْfor how many لَيْلَةٍa night قَدْindeed بِتI spent the night فِيهَاin it مُنَعَّماًin bliss
فَكَمْ لَيْلَةٍ قَدْ بِت فِيهَا مُنَعَّماً
بِرَشْفِby sipping رُضَابٍsweet saliva مِنْfrom مَرَاشِفِthe lips of كَاعِبِa full-bosomed maiden
بِرَشْفِ رُضَابٍ مِنْ مَرَاشِفِ كَاعِبِ
For many a night I have spent there in bliss,
How many nights have I blissfully spent
Sipping nectar from the lips of a full-bosomed maiden!
On the pillows of cheeks, resting on a lover’s bosom!
تَزُورُshe visits وَتَسْرِيand travels by night فِيthrough سَحَابِclouds of غَلاَئِلٍgauzy robes
تَزُورُ وَتَسْرِي فِي سَحَابِ غَلاَئِلٍ
وَأنْجُمِand stars of أقْرَاطٍearrings وَلَيْلِand a night of ذَوَائِبِtresses
وَأنْجُمِ أقْرَاطٍ وَلَيْلِ ذَوَائِبِ
She visits, moving by night through clouds of gauzy robes,
You would visit in clouds’ tresses
And stars of earrings, and a night of tresses.
With earrings’ stars in the darkness of night.
فَيَاso O صُبْحَdawn of لَيْلِnight of الفَرْعِtresses فِيat فَلَقِthe break of الضحَىmorning light
فَيَا صُبْحَ لَيْلِ الفَرْعِ فِي فَلَقِ الضحَى
وَيَاand O نُورَlight of صُبْحِdawn of الفَرْقِthe hair-parting بَيْنَamid الغَيَاهِبِdeep darkness
وَيَا نُورَ صُبْحِ الفَرْقِ بَيْنَ الغَيَاهِبِ
So O dawn of her tresses' night, at the break of morning,
O morning of the night of those branches in the horizon of daybreak!
And O light of her hair-parting's dawn amid the deepest darkness!
O light of the dawn of parting between glooms!
تُدَافِعُshe defends عَنْon behalf of ألْحَاظِهَاher glances بِجُفُونِهَاwith her eyelids
تُدَافِعُ عَنْ ألْحَاظِهَا بِجُفُونِهَا
وَقَدْand may تَمْنَعُprotect الأجْفَانُscabbards دُونَon behalf of القَوَاضِبِcutting blades
وَقَدْ تَمْنَعُ الأجْفَانُ دُونَ القَوَاضِبِ
She defends her glances with her eyelids,
She defends herself with her eyelids from her glances
And scabbards may shield the cutting blades.
Though eyelids cannot restrain winking.
إذَاwhen حُورِبَتْshe is attacked صَالَتْshe charges بِنَبْلِwith the arrows of جُفُونِهَاher eyelids
إذَا حُورِبَتْ صَالَتْ بِنَبْلِ جُفُونِهَا
وَإنْand if سُولِمَتْshe is treated peaceably صَادَتْensnare قِسِيbows of حَوَاجِبِeyebrows
وَإنْ سُولِمَتْ صَادَتْ قِسِي حَوَاجِبِ
When war is made on her, she charges with her eyelids' arrows;
When warded off, she pounces with the arrows of her eyelids
And when she is treated peaceably, her eyebrow-bows ensnare.
If agreed with, she rebels with frowning eyebrows.
سَقَتْنِيshe gave me to drink حُمَيَّاthe intoxication of الحُبّlove فيin حَانِthe tavern of قُرْبِهَاher nearness
سَقَتْنِي حُمَيَّا الحُبّ في حَانِ قُرْبِهَا
بِكَأسِwith a cup of عِتَابٍreproach رَاقَwas delightful بَيْنَbetween الحَبَائِبِlovers
بِكَأسِ عِتَابٍ رَاقَ بَيْنَ الحَبَائِبِ
She gave me love's intoxicating fervor in the tavern of her nearness,
Her bashfulness gave me the wine of love in her intimacy
With a cup of reproach that delights between lovers.
From a cup of coquetry, which flows between ruins.
وَبَاتَتْand she spent the night تُعَاطِينِيexchanging with me الأحَادِيثَstories فيin دُجىًdarkness
وَبَاتَتْ تُعَاطِينِي الأحَادِيثَ في دُجىً
كَأنَّas though الثُّرَيَّاthe Pleiades فِيهِin it كَأسٌa cup لِشَارِبِfor a drinker
كَأنَّ الثُّرَيَّا فِيهِ كَأسٌ لِشَارِبِ
And she spent the night exchanging stories with me in a darkness
She conversed with me in the darkness of night
Where the Pleiades seemed a cup for a drinker,
As if the Pleiades were a cup for the drinker.
لَدَىbeside رَوْضَةٍa garden تَفْتَرpart in smiles عُجْباًin pride ثُغُورُهَاits mouths
لَدَى رَوْضَةٍ تَفْتَر عُجْباً ثُغُورُهَا
إذَاwhen مَاever بَكَتْwept أجْفَانُthe eyelids of سُحْبِclouds سَوَاكِبِpouring rain
إذَا مَا بَكَتْ أجْفَانُ سُحْبِ سَوَاكِبِ
Beside a garden whose mouths part in proud smiles
Near a garden whose buds boast
Whenever the eyelids of pouring clouds weep.
When the clouds' eyelids weep with planets' sorrows,
كَأنَّas though النَّدَىthe dew إذْwhen كَلَّلَcrowned الوَرْدَthe roses دُرهُits pearls
كَأنَّ النَّدَى إذْ كَلَّلَ الوَرْدَ دُرهُ
دُمُوعtears of التَّصَابِيyouthful dalliance فيon خُدُودِthe cheeks of الكَوَاعِبِfull-bosomed maidens
دُمُوع التَّصَابِي في خُدُودِ الكَوَاعِبِ
As though the dew, when its pearls crowned the roses,
As if the dew, crowning the roses with pearls,
Were tears of youthful dalliance on maidens' cheeks.
Were tears of dawn in the cheeks of willowy brides.
كَأنَّas though النُّجُومَthe stars الزهْرَthe radiant فيin لَيْلِthe night of دَجْنِهَاits cloud-darkness
كَأنَّ النُّجُومَ الزهْرَ في لَيْلِ دَجْنِهَا
قَلاَئِدُnecklaces of دُرّpearls كَلَّلَتْcrowned مُسْحَthe sackcloth of رَاهِبِa monk
قَلاَئِدُ دُرّ كَلَّلَتْ مُسْحَ رَاهِبِ
As though the bright stars in its cloud-dark night
As if the stars were necklaces of pearls adorning
Were pearl necklaces crowning a monk's sackcloth.
The flowers’ cheeks in the night’s slumber.
كَأنَّas though ضِيَاءَthe light of الْبَدْرِthe full moon فيin غَسَقِthe deep dusk of الدجَىnight
كَأنَّ ضِيَاءَ الْبَدْرِ في غَسَقِ الدجَى
بَيَاضُthe whiteness of العَطَايَاgifts فِيamid سَوَادِthe blackness of المَطَالِبِpetitions
بَيَاضُ العَطَايَا فِي سَوَادِ المَطَالِبِ
As though the full moon's light in night's deepest dusk
As if the moonlight in the darkness of dusk
Were the whiteness of gifts amid the blackness of petitions.
Was the gifts’ whiteness in the blackness of demands.
كَأنَّas though ثَنَايَاthe front teeth of الصبْحِdawn عِنْدَat ابْتِسَامِهِits smile
كَأنَّ ثَنَايَا الصبْحِ عِنْدَ ابْتِسَامِهِ
سَنَاthe radiance of طَلْعَةِthe face of المَسْعُودِal-Masʿūd بَيْنَamong الْكَتَائِبِthe battalions
سَنَا طَلْعَةِ المَسْعُودِ بَيْنَ الْكَتَائِبِ
As though dawn's front teeth, when it smiles,
As if the horizons’ folds at daybreak’s smile
Were the radiance of al-Masʿūd's face among the battalions.
Were good omens between calamities.
إمَامٌan imam غَدَاbecame لِلْجُودِto generosity وَالْمَجْدِand glory وَارِثاًan heir
إمَامٌ غَدَا لِلْجُودِ وَالْمَجْدِ وَارِثاً
عَنِfrom السَّادَةِthe lordly الآبَاforefathers الكِرَامِthe noble الأطَايِبِthe virtuous
عَنِ السَّادَةِ الآبَا الكِرَامِ الأطَايِبِ
An imam who has become heir to generosity and glory
A leader inheriting generosity and glory
From lordly forefathers, noble and virtuous.
From the noble forefathers, the finest lineage,
وَذُوand a man of النَّسَبِlineage المَرْفُوعِexalted إسْنَادُthe tracing of فَضْلِهِhis excellence
وَذُو النَّسَبِ المَرْفُوعِ إسْنَادُ فَضْلِهِ
إلىto عُمَرʿUmar الفَارُوقِal-Fārūq مِنْfrom آلِthe house of غَالِبِGhālib
إلى عُمَر الفَارُوقِ مِنْ آلِ غَالِبِ
And one of exalted lineage, whose excellence is traced
With elevated ancestry tracing his virtues
To ʿUmar al-Fārūq, of the house of Ghālib.
To Umar Al-Farooq from the victorious family of Ghalib
لَهُhe has قَدَمٌa footing فِيin الفَخْرِhonor تَعْلُوrises above بِمَجْدِهَاthrough its glory
لَهُ قَدَمٌ فِي الفَخْرِ تَعْلُو بِمَجْدِهَا
سَنَامَthe crest of العُلَىgreatness فَوْقَabove الذرَىthe peaks وَالْقَوَارِبِand those drawing near
سَنَامَ العُلَى فَوْقَ الذرَى وَالْقَوَارِبِ
He has a footing in honor that rises, through its glory, above
With a stepping stone to pride, its minarets towering
The crest of greatness, above the peaks and those drawing near.
Above all others however high they rise.
أخُوa master of الحَزْمِresolve قَدْindeed سَاسَgoverned الأمُورَaffairs بِعَزْمَةٍwith determination
أخُو الحَزْمِ قَدْ سَاسَ الأمُورَ بِعَزْمَةٍ
رِوَايَتُهَاits account مِنْfrom مُحْكَمَاتِthe firm lessons of التَّجَارِبِexperience
رِوَايَتُهَا مِنْ مُحْكَمَاتِ التَّجَارِبِ
A master of resolve, he has governed affairs with a determination
The resolute brother managed affairs with determination
Whose account comes from the firm lessons of experience.
Tested through the trials of experience.
أدِلاؤُهُhis guides فِيin الخَطْبِthe crisis إنْif كَانَit is مُشْكِلاًperplexing
أدِلاؤُهُ فِي الخَطْبِ إنْ كَانَ مُشْكِلاً
بَدِيهَاتُprompt intuitions of حَزْمِresolve كَالنُّجُومِlike the stars الثَّوَاقِبِthe piercing
بَدِيهَاتُ حَزْمِ كَالنُّجُومِ الثَّوَاقِبِ
His guides in a crisis, if it proves perplexing,
His proofs in speech, if complicated,
Are prompt intuitions of resolve, like piercing stars.
Are intuitions of wisdom, piercing like stars.
رَكُوبٌa master rider لأعْنَاقِupon the necks of الأمُورِaffairs بِهِمَّةٍwith high resolve
رَكُوبٌ لأعْنَاقِ الأمُورِ بِهِمَّةٍ
يُسَيِّرُهَاhe drives them سَيْرَthe gait of الذَّلُولِthe docile الرَّوَاكِبِriding mounts
يُسَيِّرُهَا سَيْرَ الذَّلُولِ الرَّوَاكِبِ
He rides the necks of affairs with high resolve,
Riding the steeds of command with ambition
Driving them as docile riding mounts are driven.
Galloping smoothly like racing camels.
طَلُوبٌa relentless seeker لأقْصَىof the furthest end of الأمْرِthe matter حَتَّىuntil يَنَالَهُhe attains it
طَلُوبٌ لأقْصَى الأمْرِ حَتَّى يَنَالَهُ
وَمُغْرىand enamored بِغَايَاتِof the utmost reaches of الحَقَائِقِtruths رَاغِبِeager
وَمُغْرى بِغَايَاتِ الحَقَائِقِ رَاغِبِ
He pursues an affair to its furthest end until he attains it,
Seeking the furthest reaches of the matter until grasping it,
And is enamored of truth's utmost reaches, eager to attain them.
And aspiring for the limits of truths, desiring them.
أبِيٌّunyielding إذَاwhen حَامَتْhover يَدَاهُhis two hands عَلَىover العُلَىthe heights
أبِيٌّ إذَا حَامَتْ يَدَاهُ عَلَى العُلَى
يُثَبِّتُهُholds him firm فِيهَاthere نَبِيهُdistinguished المَذَاهبways
يُثَبِّتُهُ فِيهَا نَبِيهُ المَذَاهب
Unyielding, when his two hands hover over the heights,
My father - when his hands take to supremacy
His distinguished ways hold him firmly there.
His prophet establishes him in it with principles.
عَلَىabove السَّبْعَةِthe seven السَّيَّارَةِwandering planets امْتَازَhe excelled فيin العُلَىloftiness
عَلَى السَّبْعَةِ السَّيَّارَةِ امْتَازَ في العُلَى
مَشَارِقُهَاtheir rising places مَوْصُولَةٌare joined بِمَغَارِبِto setting places
مَشَارِقُهَا مَوْصُولَةٌ بِمَغَارِبِ
He surpasses the seven wandering planets in loftiness;
Supreme over the seven planets
Their rising places are joined to places of setting.
Their rising connected to their setting.
أمَاتَhe killed رِيَاحwinds of الشُّحّavarice وَهْيَwhile they were عَوَاصِفٌtempests
أمَاتَ رِيَاح الشُّحّ وَهْيَ عَوَاصِفٌ
وَأحْيَاand revived بِرُوحِwith the spirit of الجُودِgenerosity مَيْتَthe dead among المَطَالِبِpetitions
وَأحْيَا بِرُوحِ الجُودِ مَيْتَ المَطَالِبِ
He slew the winds of avarice while they raged as tempests,
He ended the winds of misery - raging storms -
And with generosity's spirit revived dead petitions.
And revived the dead of demands with the spirit of generosity.
أمَاindeed وَالَّذِيby Him who أنْشَاcreated السَّحَابَthe clouds وكَفَّهُand restrained it
أمَا وَالَّذِي أنْشَا السَّحَابَ وكَفَّهُ
لَقَدْindeed أعْجَزَتْoutstripped كَفَّاهُhis two hands جُودَthe generosity of السَّحَائِبِclouds
لَقَدْ أعْجَزَتْ كَفَّاهُ جُودَ السَّحَائِبِ
Indeed, by Him who created the clouds and held them back,
I swear by the One who created clouds and folded them
His two hands have indeed outdone the generosity of clouds.
His palms surpassed the rainclouds’ generosity.
وَمَاand not خُلِقَتْwere created كَفَّاهُhis two hands إلاexcept لِستَّةٍfor six things
وَمَا خُلِقَتْ كَفَّاهُ إلا لِستَّةٍ
لِدَفْعِto repel مُلِمَّاتٍcalamities وَقَرْعand strike كَتَائِبِbattalions
لِدَفْعِ مُلِمَّاتٍ وَقَرْع كَتَائِبِ
His two hands were created for only six things:
His palms were created for only six tasks:
To repel calamities and strike battalions,
Repelling disasters, defeating troops,
وَتَقْبِيلِand being kissed by أفْوَاهٍmouths وَقَبْضِand grasping أعِنَّةٍreins
وَتَقْبِيلِ أفْوَاهٍ وَقَبْضِ أعِنَّةٍ
وَتَبْدِيدand scattering أعْدَاءٍenemies وَبَذْلِand bestowing رَغَائِبِdesired gifts
وَتَبْدِيد أعْدَاءٍ وَبَذْلِ رَغَائِبِ
For mouths to kiss, and for grasping reins,
Kissing mouths, grasping help,
To scatter enemies and bestow desired gifts.
Dispersing enemies, and sacrificing treasures.
مَحَاhe erased الْجَدْبَdrought عَنْfrom وَجْهthe face of البَرَايَاhumankind بِأنْمُلٍwith fingers
مَحَا الْجَدْبَ عَنْ وَجْه البَرَايَا بِأنْمُلٍ
إلَيْهَاto them الحَيَاrain يَغْدُوcomes حَدِيثَa novice in المَوَاهِبِgiving
إلَيْهَا الحَيَا يَغْدُو حَدِيثَ المَوَاهِبِ
He wiped drought from the face of humankind with fingers
With fingers he erased barrenness from the face of the land
To which rain comes as a novice in giving.
To it, life returns with fresh endowments.
تُؤَمَّلُis hoped for نُعْمَاهُhis bounty وَيُخْشَىand is feared انْتِقَامُهُhis vengeance
تُؤَمَّلُ نُعْمَاهُ وَيُخْشَى انْتِقَامُهُ
لِرَاجٍfor a hopeful man مُوَالٍloyal أوْor لِبَاغٍfor a rebel مُحَارِبِat war
لِرَاجٍ مُوَالٍ أوْ لِبَاغٍ مُحَارِبِ
His bounty is hoped for, and his vengeance feared,
His favors are hoped for and his vengeance feared
By a hopeful loyalist, or a rebel at war.
By an ally or an enemy combatant.
وَيَبْتَدِرُand hasten الرَّاؤُونَthe onlookers مِنْهُfrom him إذَاwhen بَدَاappears
وَيَبْتَدِرُ الرَّاؤُونَ مِنْهُ إذَا بَدَا
سَنَاthe radiance of كَوْكَبٍa star مِنْfrom سُدْفَةِthe dusk of المُلكِkingship ثَاقِبِpiercing
سَنَا كَوْكَبٍ مِنْ سُدْفَةِ المُلكِ ثَاقِبِ
And onlookers hasten when there appears from him
From him, the destitute hope when his sunlight appears
The radiance of a star piercing the dusk of kingship.
Like a star in the royal throne’s canopy.
هَجُومٌassailing عَلَىagainst الأعْدَاءِenemies مِنْfrom كُلّevery وِجْهَةٍdirection
هَجُومٌ عَلَى الأعْدَاءِ مِنْ كُلّ وِجْهَةٍ
رَؤُوفٌcompassionate عَلَىtoward الأصْحَابِcompanions مِنْfrom كُلّevery جَانِبِside
رَؤُوفٌ عَلَى الأصْحَابِ مِنْ كُلّ جَانِبِ
He storms his enemies from every direction,
Assaulting enemies from every direction,
Compassionate toward companions on every side.
And kind to comrades from all sides.
يَدٌa hand لأمِيرٍfor the commander of المُؤْمِنِينَthe faithful وِعُدَّةٌand a resource
يَدٌ لأمِيرٍ المُؤْمِنِينَ وِعُدَّةٌ
إذَاwhen اسْوَدَّdarkens خَطْبٌa crisis مِنْamid دَيَاجِيthe black nights of المَصَائِبِcalamities
إذَا اسْوَدَّ خَطْبٌ مِنْ دَيَاجِي المَصَائِبِ
A hand and a resource for the Commander of the Faithful,
A hand for the Commander of the Faithful and a weapon
When a crisis darkens amid calamity's black nights.
When the address darkens with the afflictions of fate.
يُبِيدُhe destroys الأعَادِيfoes فِيin سَمَاءٍa sky عَجَاجَةٍswirling dust
يُبِيدُ الأعَادِي فِي سَمَاءٍ عَجَاجَةٍ
أسِنَّتُهُhis spearheads تَبْدُوappear بِهَاin it كَالْكَوَاكِبِlike the stars
أسِنَّتُهُ تَبْدُو بِهَا كَالْكَوَاكِبِ
He destroys his foes in a sky of swirling dust,
He destroys enemies in a ferocious sky
Where his spearheads appear like stars.
His sharp tongues appearing like planets.
يُلاَقِيhe meets بِهَاwith them الخَطْبَthe crisis الجَلِيلَthe mighty فَيَنْثَنِيthen he returns
يُلاَقِي بِهَا الخَطْبَ الجَلِيلَ فَيَنْثَنِي
بِمُقَّتِدwith fiery الآرَاءِcounsels مَاضِيkeen المَضَارِبِstriking edges
بِمُقَّتِد الآرَاءِ مَاضِي المَضَارِبِ
With them he meets the mighty crisis, then returns
They meet the mighty ordeal, bending
With fiery counsels and keen striking edges.
To the old expert of opinions and courses.
إذَاwhen ارْتَادَhe ventures into لَيْلَthe night of الحَرْبِwar لَيْلاًas night يَرُدهُhe turns it
إذَا ارْتَادَ لَيْلَ الحَرْبِ لَيْلاً يَرُدهُ
نَهَاراًinto day بِأضْوَاءِwith the lights of السُّيُوفِthe swords الضَوَارِبِthe striking
نَهَاراً بِأضْوَاءِ السُّيُوفِ الضَوَارِبِ
When he ventures into war's night as night, he turns it
If the night of war seemed like night, he turns it
To day with the light of striking swords.
To day with the illuminations of striking swords.
طَلَعْنَthey rose شُمُوساًas suns وَالْغُمُودُand the scabbards مَشَارِقٌrising horizons
طَلَعْنَ شُمُوساً وَالْغُمُودُ مَشَارِقٌ
وَغِبْنَand they set بِهَامَاتِin the heads of الأعَادِيthe foes القَوَارِبِdrawing near
وَغِبْنَ بِهَامَاتِ الأعَادِي القَوَارِبِ
They rise as suns, with scabbards as their dawn-horizons,
They rose as suns while the clouds were horizons
And set in the heads of the advancing enemies.
And set with the browbands of the enemies’ steeds.
يَجُرhe draws along قَناًlances مِثْلَlike النَّشَاوَىdrunkards يَهُزهَاshakes them
يَجُر قَناً مِثْلَ النَّشَاوَى يَهُزهَا
صَلِيلٌa clang بِأطْرَافِat the tips of القَوَاضِيdecisive blades القَوَاضِبِcutting blades
صَلِيلٌ بِأطْرَافِ القَوَاضِي القَوَاضِبِ
He draws along lances like drunkards, shaken
He drags his spear, shaking it,
By the clang at the tips of decisive, cutting blades.
With the clattering edges of splitting blades.
لَهُhe has هِمةٌhigh resolve عَمَّencompassed البَرِيَّةَcreation عَدْلُهَاits justice
لَهُ هِمةٌ عَمَّ البَرِيَّةَ عَدْلُهَا
فَأضْحَىso became لَدَيْهِwith him آمِناًsafe كُلevery رَاهِبِfearful person
فَأضْحَى لَدَيْهِ آمِناً كُل رَاهِبِ
He has a high resolve whose justice encompasses creation,
His ambition encompassed the land, its justice
So every fearful soul is safe with him.
Making all, even monks, safe with him.
يَصُولُhe charges بِحَدّwith a keen edge حِينَwhen يَسْمُوhe rises بِجِدّهِby his earnestness
يَصُولُ بِحَدّ حِينَ يَسْمُو بِجِدّهِ
عَشِيَّةَon an evening of فَخْرٍglory أوْor غَدَاةَon a morning of تَجَاربِtrials
عَشِيَّةَ فَخْرٍ أوْ غَدَاةَ تَجَاربِ
He charges with a keen edge as he rises by his earnestness,
He rages with the blade when honorable ambition rises
On an evening of glory or a morning of trials.
In the eve of pride or morn of trials.
مَلِيكٌa king حَوَىattained شَأوَthe course of الْكَوَاكِبِthe stars فيin العُلَىloftiness
مَلِيكٌ حَوَى شَأوَ الْكَوَاكِبِ في العُلَى
وَجَاوَزَand surpassed غَايَاتِthe utmost limits of العُلَىloftiness بِمَرَاتِبِby degrees
وَجَاوَزَ غَايَاتِ العُلَى بِمَرَاتِبِ
A king who attains the stars' course in loftiness
A sovereign encompassing the prestige of stars on high
And surpasses the utmost heights by many degrees;
And exceeding the limits of sublimity by degrees.
وَلَيْثُand a lion of وَغىًbattle خَاضَplunged into المَنَايَاdeaths بِصَارِمٍwith a trenchant sword
وَلَيْثُ وَغىً خَاضَ المَنَايَا بِصَارِمٍ
يُزِيحُdispels سَنَاهُits radiance خَطْبَthe peril of لَيْلِthe night of القَوَاضِبِcutting swords
يُزِيحُ سَنَاهُ خَطْبَ لَيْلِ القَوَاضِبِ
And a lion of battle who plunges into deaths with a trenchant sword
A lion plunging into deaths with a sword
Whose radiance dispels the peril of the night of blades;
Whose sharp edge clears the night of blinking stars.
وَذُوand a master of الْقَلَمِthe pen الرَّاقِيcharming سَحَائِبَclouds of أنْمُلٍfingers
وَذُو الْقَلَمِ الرَّاقِي سَحَائِبَ أنْمُلٍ
يُرِيكَshows you رِيَاضَgardens of الخَطّscript زَاهِيradiant الجَوَانِبِon every side
يُرِيكَ رِيَاضَ الخَطّ زَاهِي الجَوَانِبِ
And a master of the pen that charms the clouds of fingers,
The writer of sublime calligraphy with fingers
He shows you gardens of script, bright on every side.
Showing you gardens of script flourishing and vivid.
إذَاwhen وَشَّعَhe adorns القِرْطَاسَthe page خِلْتَyou imagine سُطُورَهُits lines
إذَا وَشَّعَ القِرْطَاسَ خِلْتَ سُطُورَهُ
عُقُوداًnecklaces عَلَىupon بِيضِwhite الطُّلَىnecks وَالتَّرَائِبِand upper chests
عُقُوداً عَلَى بِيضِ الطُّلَى وَالتَّرَائِبِ
When he adorns the page, you imagine its lines
When he unfurls the parchment, you will find its lines
As necklaces upon white necks and bosoms.
Like necklaces on the paper’s whiteness and clearness.
وَإنْand if وَعَدَhe promises ارْفَضَّتْpour forth عَطَاءًas gifts عِدَاتُهُhis promises
وَإنْ وَعَدَ ارْفَضَّتْ عَطَاءً عِدَاتُهُ
بِرَاحَةِfrom a palm مَسْبُولٍoutstretched علىover الجُودِgenerosity غَالِبِprevailing
بِرَاحَةِ مَسْبُولٍ على الجُودِ غَالِبِ
And if he promises, his promises pour forth as gifts
If he promises, his gifts pour forth
From an outstretched palm, surpassing generosity itself.
From a relaxed palm overwhelming in generosity
وَإنْand if أعْرَبَparses المُثْنِيthe praiser مَنَاصِبَthe ranks of مَجْدِهِhis glory
وَإنْ أعْرَبَ المُثْنِي مَنَاصِبَ مَجْدِهِ
فَنَصْباًthen in the accusative عَلَىas التَّمْيِيزِgrammatical specification بَيْنَamong المَنَاصِبِranks
فَنَصْباً عَلَى التَّمْيِيزِ بَيْنَ المَنَاصِبِ
And if a praiser parses the ranks of his glory,
If he declaims the dual form, it shows the positions of his glory
Then the accusative of specification distinguishes them among ranks.
As nominative case indicating distinction between positions.
وَإنْand if رُمْتُI seek مَدْحاًpraise فِيهِof him أمْلَتْdictate صِفَاتُهُhis qualities
وَإنْ رُمْتُ مَدْحاً فِيهِ أمْلَتْ صِفَاتُهُ
عَلَيَّto me مَعَانِيmeanings أسْفَرَتْlifted the veil عَنْfrom غَرَائِبِmarvels
عَلَيَّ مَعَانِي أسْفَرَتْ عَنْ غَرَائِبِ
And if I seek to praise him, his qualities dictate
If I set out to praise him, his attributes
To me meanings that lift the veil from marvels.
Suggest meanings exposing wonders to me.
وَلاَand no غَرْوَwonder إنْif قَصَّرْتُI fall short فِيin مَدْحِpraising وَصْفِهِhis character
وَلاَ غَرْوَ إنْ قَصَّرْتُ فِي مَدْحِ وَصْفِهِ
فَقَدْfor indeed أعْجَزَتْbaffled أوْصَافُهُhis qualities كُلَّevery حَاسِبِreckoner
فَقَدْ أعْجَزَتْ أوْصَافُهُ كُلَّ حَاسِبِ
It is no wonder if I fall short in praising his character,
I do not exaggerate if I fall short in praising and describing him
For his qualities have baffled every reckoner
For his attributes have defeated every enumerator.
مِنَamong الْقَوْمِthe people فُرْسَانِknights of البَلاَغَةِeloquence وَالْوَغَىand battle
مِنَ الْقَوْمِ فُرْسَانِ البَلاَغَةِ وَالْوَغَى
عَلَىalthough أنَّهُمْthey are خَيْرُthe best of الرّجَالِmen الأغَالِبِthe mighty victors
عَلَى أنَّهُمْ خَيْرُ الرّجَالِ الأغَالِبِ
Among the people, knights of eloquence and battle,
Among the people are the horsemen of eloquence and valor
Although they are the best of men, mighty victors.
Recognized as the best and most victorious of men.
إذَاwhen أسْرَةُthe family of الفَارُوقِal-Fārūq قَامَتْrises لِمَفْخَرٍto claim glory
إذَا أسْرَةُ الفَارُوقِ قَامَتْ لِمَفْخَرٍ
أقَرَّتْacknowledge لِعَلْيَاهَاits supremacy سَرَاةُthe leaders of المَوَاكِبِthe processions
أقَرَّتْ لِعَلْيَاهَا سَرَاةُ المَوَاكِبِ
When the family of al-Fārūq rises to claim a glory,
When the family of Al-Farooq rises for pride
The leaders of the processions acknowledge its supremacy.
The processions of planets concede their loftiness.
لَهُمْtheirs كُلevery فَخْرٍglory فيin السِّيَادَةِsovereignty وَالعُلَىand loftiness
لَهُمْ كُل فَخْرٍ في السِّيَادَةِ وَالعُلَى
أحَادِيثُtales تَرْوِيَهاrecount them سرَاةُthe foremost of العَجَائِبِwonders
أحَادِيثُ تَرْوِيَها سرَاةُ العَجَائِبِ
Every glory in sovereignty and loftiness is theirs,
Theirs is all pride of supremacy and sublimity
Tales recounted by the foremost of wonders.
Tales reciting their wonders and miracles.
وَآيَاتُand signs of جُودٍgenerosity تِلْوَهُنَّfollowing them عَجَائِبٌmarvels
وَآيَاتُ جُودٍ تِلْوَهُنَّ عَجَائِبٌ
فَيَاoh, then لِغَوَالٍwhat precious feats أيِّدَتْwere strengthened بِغَوَالِبِby victorious powers
فَيَا لِغَوَالٍ أيِّدَتْ بِغَوَالِبِ
And signs of generosity followed by marvels—
Wondrous generosity reciting wonders
Oh, precious feats sustained by victorious powers!
So long live the supporter supported by victors!
أمَوْلاَيَO my lord يَابْنَO son of المَالِكِينَrulers وَمَنْand you whose غَدَتْbecame
أمَوْلاَيَ يَابْنَ المَالِكِينَ وَمَنْ غَدَتْ
مَنَاكِبُهُhis shoulders فِيin الجُودِgenerosity أعْلَىthe highest of المَنَاكِبِshoulders
مَنَاكِبُهُ فِي الجُودِ أعْلَى المَنَاكِبِ
O my lord, son of rulers, and you whose
O bestower whose palms habitually rose highest in generosity
Shoulders in generosity have become the highest shoulders,
You combined dew, might, asceticism, and dignity
جَمَعْتَyou united النَّدَىbounty وَالْبَأسَand valor وَالزهْدَand asceticism والحِجَىand wisdom
جَمَعْتَ النَّدَى وَالْبَأسَ وَالزهْدَ والحِجَى
فَجُدْso give generously وَتَوَرَّعْand be scrupulous ثُمَّthen سَادِدْaim rightly وَقَارِبِand approach the mark
فَجُدْ وَتَوَرَّعْ ثُمَّ سَادِدْ وَقَارِبِ
You unite bounty, valor, asceticism, and wisdom;
So be generous, pious, steadfast, and draw near!
So give, be scrupulous, then aim rightly and draw near the mark.
May God grant you - from Abi Hafs is your origin -
لَكَfor you اللَّهGod فَرْعاًas a branch مِنْfrom أبِيAbū حَفْصَḤafṣ أصْلُهُits root
لَكَ اللَّه فَرْعاً مِنْ أبِي حَفْصَ أصْلُهُ
يَشِبgrows بِرَوْضٍin a garden مُثْمِرٍfruitful فِيin المَنَاقِبِnoble virtues
يَشِب بِرَوْضٍ مُثْمِرٍ فِي المَنَاقِبِ
God bless you—a branch whose root is from Abū Ḥafṣ,
A branch growing in a fertile meadow of virtues.
Growing in a garden fruitful in noble virtues.
I praised you elevating my praise
مَدَحْتُكَI praised you تَشْرِيفاًas an honor لِمَدْحِيَto my praise فَاغْتَدَىso came to be
مَدَحْتُكَ تَشْرِيفاً لِمَدْحِيَ فَاغْتَدَى
بِمَدْحِكَthrough praising you نَظْمِيmy verse فِيin أجَلّthe loftiest of المَرَاتِبِranks
بِمَدْحِكَ نَظْمِي فِي أجَلّ المَرَاتِبِ
I praised you to ennoble my praise; thus there came to stand
So through your praise my poem reached the highest rank.
My verse, through praising you, in the loftiest ranks.
I wished for your streaming rewards, hoping to attain them
وَأمَّلْتُand I hoped for جَدْوَاكَyour beneficence المُرَجَّىawaited نَوَالُهَاits gifts
وَأمَّلْتُ جَدْوَاكَ المُرَجَّى نَوَالُهَا
وَمَاand not الآمِلُthe hopeful one الرَّاجِيwho hopes for نَدَاكَyour bounty بِخَائِبِdisappointed
وَمَا الآمِلُ الرَّاجِي نَدَاكَ بِخَائِبِ
And I hoped for your beneficence, whose gifts are awaited,
For no hopeful petitioner of you is disappointed.
And the hopeful man awaiting your bounty is not disappointed.
So be generous in accepting, never ceasing to be hoped for
فَجُدْso give generously بِقَبُولٍwith acceptance لاmay you never بَرِحْتَcease to be مُؤَمَّلاًone relied on
فَجُدْ بِقَبُولٍ لا بَرِحْتَ مُؤَمَّلاً
لِقَرْعِfor striking الأعَادِيenemies وَاصْطِنَاعِand providing الرَّغَائِبِdesired gifts
لِقَرْعِ الأعَادِي وَاصْطِنَاعِ الرَّغَائِبِ
So grant acceptance; may you ever remain one in whom hope is placed
To battle enemies and acquire treasures.
For striking enemies and providing desired gifts.
Partial English translation: 151 of 152 Arabic lines translated.
Sol 6.1