ماnot كانَthere was قَبلَكَbefore you فيin الزَمانِtime الخاليbygone
ما كانَ قَبلَكَ في الزَمانِ الخالي
مَنanyone يَسبِقُprecedes الأَقوالَwords بِالأَفعالِwith deeds
مَن يَسبِقُ الأَقوالَ بِالأَفعالِ
Before you, in bygone times, there was none
who made deeds precede words,
حَتّىuntil أَتَيتَyou performed مِنِfrom اِرتِياحِكَyour eager generosity ماwhat كَفىaverted
حَتّى أَتَيتَ مِنِ اِرتِياحِكَ ما كَفى
ذُلَّhumiliation السُؤالِof asking وَخَيبَةَand disappointment الآمالِof hopes
ذُلَّ السُؤالِ وَخَيبَةَ الآمالِ
until, in your eager generosity, you did enough to avert
the shame of asking and the disappointment of hopes.
لَمnot يَكفِكَsuffice you الشَرَفُhonor الَّذيwhich وُرِّثتَهُyou were bequeathed it
لَم يَكفِكَ الشَرَفُ الَّذي وُرِّثتَهُ
حَتّىuntil شَفَعتَyou paired مَعالِياًlofty honors بِمَعاليwith lofty honors
حَتّى شَفَعتَ مَعالِياً بِمَعالي
The honor you inherited did not suffice you
until you joined lofty honors to lofty honors.
وَنَسَختَand you superseded سيرَةَconduct آلِthe family of بَرمَكَBarmak مُنعِماًbestowing favors
وَنَسَختَ سيرَةَ آلِ بَرمَكَ مُنعِماً
فيin الشَدِّheadlong running ماwhat عَفّىeclipsed عَلىover الإِرقالِswift trotting
في الشَدِّ ما عَفّى عَلى الإِرقالِ
You eclipsed the conduct of Barmak's house, bestowing favors
in a headlong run that eclipsed swift trotting.
أَعطَواthey gave مِنَfrom الإِكثارِabundance وَالدُنياand the world لَهُمwas theirs
أَعطَوا مِنَ الإِكثارِ وَالدُنيا لَهُم
دونَless than الَّذيwhat تُعطيyou give مِنَfrom الإِقلالِscarcity
دونَ الَّذي تُعطي مِنَ الإِقلالِ
They gave from abundance, with the world theirs,
less than you give from scarcity.
وَعَلَواand they rose بِأَنby جَعَلواthey made السُؤالَasking وَسيلَةًa means
وَعَلَوا بِأَن جَعَلوا السُؤالَ وَسيلَةً
وَنَداكَand your bounty مُنهَمِرٌpouring down بِغَيرِwithout سُؤالِasking
وَنَداكَ مُنهَمِرٌ بِغَيرِ سُؤالِ
They rose by making asking a means,
while your bounty pours down without request.
وَبَواجِبٍand rightly أَنthat أَعدَمَتكَdeprived you مِنَamong الوَرىmankind
وَبَواجِبٍ أَن أَعدَمَتكَ مِنَ الوَرى
مَثَلاًa peer عُلىًlofty glories بُنِيَتwere built بِغَيرِwithout مِثالِa model
مَثَلاً عُلىً بُنِيَت بِغَيرِ مِثالِ
And rightly have you been denied, among mankind,
a peer, by heights of glory built without a model.
حامَيتَyou defended عَنهاit بِالنَزاهَةِwith integrity وَالنَدىand generosity
حامَيتَ عَنها بِالنَزاهَةِ وَالنَدى
وَحَمَيتَهاand you protected it بِالفَضلِthrough excellence وَالإِفضالِand beneficence
وَحَمَيتَها بِالفَضلِ وَالإِفضالِ
You defended that glory with integrity and generosity,
and protected it through excellence and beneficence.
وَمَهَرتَهاand you gave it a dowry بَأساًcourage وَجوداًand generosity كَذَّباboth belied
وَمَهَرتَها بَأساً وَجوداً كَذَّبا
فيهاregarding it مُنىhopes الجُبَناءِof cowards وَالبُخّالِand misers
فيها مُنى الجُبَناءِ وَالبُخّالِ
You gave it courage and generosity as a dowry, which belied
the hopes of cowards and misers regarding it.
حاوَلتَهاyou sought it قِدماًlong ago وَكُلٌّand everyone عاشِقٌenamored
حاوَلتَها قِدماً وَكُلٌّ عاشِقٌ
وَبَلَغتَand you attained غايَتَهاits utmost goal وَكُلٌّand everyone سالِno longer enamored
وَبَلَغتَ غايَتَها وَكُلٌّ سالِ
You sought it long ago, while all were enamored,
and attained its utmost goal, while all had forgotten their love.
طُرُقاتُهاits paths إِلّاexcept لَدَيكَfor you بَعيدَةٌdistant
طُرُقاتُها إِلّا لَدَيكَ بَعيدَةٌ
وَمُهورُهاand its dowries إِلّاexcept عَلَيكَfor you غَوالِcostly
وَمُهورُها إِلّا عَلَيكَ غَوالِ
Its pathways are distant, except for you,
and its dowries costly, except for you.
نَظَرواthey looked إِلَيهاat it مِنfrom حَضيضٍlow ground هابِطٍlow-lying
نَظَروا إِلَيها مِن حَضيضٍ هابِطٍ
وَأَتَيتَهاand you approached it مِنfrom مَرقَبٍa lookout مُتَعالِlofty
وَأَتَيتَها مِن مَرقَبٍ مُتَعالِ
They looked toward it from low-lying ground,
while you approached it from a lofty lookout.
وَحَرَستَand you guarded بِالإِنجازِthrough fulfillment وَالإيجازِand concision ماwhat
وَحَرَستَ بِالإِنجازِ وَالإيجازِ ما
راموهُthey sought it بِالإِمهالِthrough delay وَالإِهمالِand neglect
راموهُ بِالإِمهالِ وَالإِهمالِ
You guarded, through fulfillment and concision, what
they sought through delay and neglect.
وَلَوَand even if اِنَّهُمthey جُدّواwere favored by fortune وَجَدّواand strove فاتَهُمwould elude them
وَلَوَ اِنَّهُم جُدّوا وَجَدّوا فاتَهُم
جَدٌّfortune عُرِفتَyou were known بِهِfor it وَجِدٌّand diligence عالِlofty
جَدٌّ عُرِفتَ بِهِ وَجِدٌّ عالِ
Even had they enjoyed good fortune and striven, they would lack
the fortune you are known for, and your lofty diligence.
وَمَتىand when يُحاوِلُcould attempt أَهلُthe people عَصرِكَof your age ذاthis المَدىreach
وَمَتى يُحاوِلُ أَهلُ عَصرِكَ ذا المَدى
أَينَwhere الثِمادُscant pools مِنَcompared with الحَياrain الهَطّالِpouring
أَينَ الثِمادُ مِنَ الحَيا الهَطّالِ
When could the people of your age attempt this reach?
What are scant pools beside pouring rain?
أَجزَلتَyou lavished أَثمانَrewards المَديحِfor praise وَزِدتَهُand you increased it
أَجزَلتَ أَثمانَ المَديحِ وَزِدتَهُ
لَمّاwhen بَغَواthey sought حَمداًpraise بِغَيرِwithout نَوالِgiving
لَمّا بَغَوا حَمداً بِغَيرِ نَوالِ
You lavished rich rewards for praise and increased them,
while they sought acclaim without giving.
فَإِذاso when لَبِستَyou wore مِنَof الثَناءِpraise مَلابِساًgarments
فَإِذا لَبِستَ مِنَ الثَناءِ مَلابِساً
جُدُداًnew رَضواthey settled بِمَلابِسٍfor garments أَسمالِtattered
جُدُداً رَضوا بِمَلابِسٍ أَسمالِ
So, when you put on garments of praise,
new ones, they settled for tattered garments.
وَإِذاand when هُمُthey لَمnot يَبلُغواreached شَأوَthe height العُلىof glory
وَإِذا هُمُ لَم يَبلُغوا شَأوَ العُلى
عَدَلواthey turned إِلىto الأَعمامِpaternal uncles وَالأَخوالِand maternal uncles
عَدَلوا إِلى الأَعمامِ وَالأَخوالِ
When they failed to attain the heights of glory,
they turned to paternal and maternal uncles.
هُمthey ضَيَّعوهاsquandered it ثُمَّthen رامواsought حِفظَهاits preservation
هُم ضَيَّعوها ثُمَّ راموا حِفظَها
مِنfrom أَعظُمٍbones تَحتَbeneath التُرابِthe earth بَوالِdecayed
مِن أَعظُمٍ تَحتَ التُرابِ بَوالِ
They squandered it, then sought its preservation
from bones decaying beneath the earth.
خَصَّsingled out الإِلَهُGod مُحَمَّداًMuhammad مِنfrom بَينِكُمamong you
خَصَّ الإِلَهُ مُحَمَّداً مِن بَينِكُم
لاmay not زالَcease مَحروساًguarded بِأَكرَمِby the noblest آلِfamily
لا زالَ مَحروساً بِأَكرَمِ آلِ
God singled out Muhammad from among you;
may he ever be guarded by the noblest family.
وَبَراكُمُand He fashioned you مِنfrom طينَةٍclay مِسكِيَّةٍmusky
وَبَراكُمُ مِن طينَةٍ مِسكِيَّةٍ
لَمّاwhen بَرىHe fashioned ذاthese الخَلقَcreatures مِنfrom صَلصالِringing clay
لَمّا بَرى ذا الخَلقَ مِن صَلصالِ
He fashioned you from musky clay
when He fashioned these creatures from ringing clay.
وَأَبوand the father الرَسولِof the Messenger فَجَدُّكُمthen your forefather أَولىhas greater claim بِهِto him
وَأَبو الرَسولِ فَجَدُّكُم أَولى بِهِ
مِنfrom دونِapart from إِخوَتِهِhis brothers بِلاwithout إِشكالِdoubt
مِن دونِ إِخوَتِهِ بِلا إِشكالِ
The Messenger's father—your forefather is closer to him
than his brothers are, beyond all doubt.
أَنّىhow يَكونُcan be شَريكُهُhis partner فيin عَمِّهِhis paternal uncle
أَنّى يَكونُ شَريكُهُ في عَمِّهِ
كَشَريكِهِlike his partner فيin عَمِّهِhis paternal uncle وَالخالِand the maternal uncle
كَشَريكِهِ في عَمِّهِ وَالخالِ
How can one related to him through a paternal uncle
equal one related through both paternal and maternal uncles?
نَسَبٌa lineage بَنوsons العَلّاتِof different mothers عَنهُfrom it بِمَعزِلٍapart
نَسَبٌ بَنو العَلّاتِ عَنهُ بِمَعزِلٍ
وَبِذاكَand thus تَقضيrules سورَةُthe surah الأَنفالِAl-Anfal
وَبِذاكَ تَقضي سورَةُ الأَنفالِ
A lineage from which sons of different mothers stand apart;
thus rules the surah Al-Anfal.
شَمَخَتsoared بِفَخرِthrough Fakhr الدَولَةِal-Dawla الهِمَمُambitions الَّتيwhich
شَمَخَت بِفَخرِ الدَولَةِ الهِمَمُ الَّتي
حازَتattained مَدىthe utmost extent الإِعظامِof reverence وَالإِجلالِand veneration
حازَت مَدى الإِعظامِ وَالإِجلالِ
Through Fakhr al-Dawla soared the ambitions that
attained the utmost reverence and veneration.
رَحبُbroad الجَنابِin welcome تَضَمَّنَتencompassed آلاؤُهُhis favors
رَحبُ الجَنابِ تَضَمَّنَت آلاؤُهُ
فَوزَsuccess العُفاةِof supplicants وَخَيبَةَand disappointment العُذّالِof reproachers
فَوزَ العُفاةِ وَخَيبَةَ العُذّالِ
Generous in welcome, his favors encompass
supplicants' success and reproachers' disappointment.
فَإِذاso when تُمَلُّgrow tiresome المَكرُماتُnoble deeds فَعِندَهُthen with him
فَإِذا تُمَلُّ المَكرُماتُ فَعِندَهُ
لَغَرائِبُindeed wonders الإِحسانِof kindness وَالإِجمالِand graciousness
لَغَرائِبُ الإِحسانِ وَالإِجمالِ
Even when noble deeds grow tiresome, he possesses
wonders of kindness and graciousness.
وَصلٌunion بِغَيرِwithout قَطيعَةٍrupture وَرِضىًand contentment بِغَيwithout (first part)
وَصلٌ بِغَيرِ قَطيعَةٍ وَرِضىً بِغَي
رِcompletes 'without' تَسَخُّطٍresentment وَهَوىًand love بِغَيرِwithout مَلالِweariness
رِ تَسَخُّطٍ وَهَوىً بِغَيرِ مَلالِ
Union without rupture, and contentment without
resentment, and love without weariness.
يَبدوappears فِرِندُwatered pattern السَيفِof the sword بَعدَafter صِقالِهِits polishing
يَبدو فِرِندُ السَيفِ بَعدَ صِقالِهِ
وَفِرِندُهُand his watered pattern بادٍvisible بِغَيرِwithout صِقالِpolishing
وَفِرِندُهُ بادٍ بِغَيرِ صِقالِ
A sword's watered pattern appears after polishing;
his watered pattern is visible without polishing.
وَحَياًand rain لِصَيِّبِهِfor his downpour بِكُلِّat every ثَنِيَّةٍmountain pass
وَحَياً لِصَيِّبِهِ بِكُلِّ ثَنِيَّةٍ
أَثَرٌa trace يَعيشُlives بِهِthrough it الهَشيمُdry brush الباليwithered
أَثَرٌ يَعيشُ بِهِ الهَشيمُ البالي
And rain: on every mountain pass his downpour leaves
a trace that gives withered brush life.
لاnot تَأمَنُis safe الأَموالُwealth بَطشَthe assault هِباتِهِof his gifts
لا تَأمَنُ الأَموالُ بَطشَ هِباتِهِ
هَلdoes يَأمَنُfeel safe المَصروفُthe dismissed official بَطشَthe assault الواليof the governor
هَل يَأمَنُ المَصروفُ بَطشَ الوالي
Wealth is never safe from the assault of his gifts;
is a dismissed official safe from a governor's assault?
كَمhow often أَرضَعَتsuckled أَمَلاًa hope شَكاcomplained إِجرارَهُits denial of suckling
كَم أَرضَعَت أَمَلاً شَكا إِجرارَهُ
دَرَّflowing milk النَوالِof bounty وَلَمand not يُرَعwas frightened بِفِصالِby weaning
دَرَّ النَوالِ وَلَم يُرَع بِفِصالِ
How often have they suckled a hope that lamented being denied suckling,
on the flowing milk of bounty, never frightened by weaning.
وَمُريدُهاand one seeking them مِنfrom غَيرِهِsomeone other than him كَمُطالِبٍlike one asking
وَمُريدُها مِن غَيرِهِ كَمُطالِبٍ
عَيرَthe wild ass الفَلاةِof the desert بِصَولَةِfor the charge الريبالِof a lion
عَيرَ الفَلاةِ بِصَولَةِ الريبالِ
One seeking such gifts from another is like one asking
the desert's wild ass for a lion's charge.
لَكِنَّbut خَيرَbest الناسِof mankind بَعدَafter مُحَمَّدٍMuhammad
لَكِنَّ خَيرَ الناسِ بَعدَ مُحَمَّدٍ
وَأَشَدَّهُمand fiercest of them بَأساًin might بِكُلِّin every نِزالِcombat
وَأَشَدَّهُم بَأساً بِكُلِّ نِزالِ
But, best of mankind after Muhammad,
and fiercest of them in every combat,
بِكَthrough you لاmay not اِنطَوَتwithdraw عَنّاfrom us ظِلالَكَyour shades أُنجِزَتwas fulfilled
بِكَ لا اِنطَوَت عَنّا ظِلالَكَ أُنجِزَت
عِدَةُthe promise اللَياليof the nights بَعدَafter طولِlengthy مِطالِdelay
عِدَةُ اللَيالي بَعدَ طولِ مِطالِ
through you—may your shades never withdraw from us—was fulfilled
the nights' promise, after long delay.
وَبِقُربِكَand through your nearness اِنقَشَعَتdispersed غَمائِمُclouds لَمnot يَزَلceased
وَبِقُربِكَ اِنقَشَعَت غَمائِمُ لَم يَزَل
ماءُthe water الحَياةِof life بِهِنَّwithin them غَيرَnot زُلالِsweet and clear
ماءُ الحَياةِ بِهِنَّ غَيرَ زُلالِ
Through your nearness dispersed clouds in which
the water of life had never been sweet and clear.
فَالدَهرُso time مِنof تِلكَthose المَساويevils عاطِلٌbare
فَالدَهرُ مِن تِلكَ المَساوي عاطِلٌ
مُذsince ذُدتَهُyou checked it وَبِذيand with these المَحاسِنِbeauties حاليadorned
مُذ ذُدتَهُ وَبِذي المَحاسِنِ حالي
Time is bare of those evils,
since you checked it, and adorned with these beauties.
كَمhow often غَرَّتِdeceived الآمالُhopes مِنthrough تَكذيبِهاtheir proving false
كَم غَرَّتِ الآمالُ مِن تَكذيبِها
فَأَعَرتَهاso you lent them فيin سائِماتِgrazing herds المالِof wealth
فَأَعَرتَها في سائِماتِ المالِ
How often hopes deceived by proving false;
so you lent them substance in wealth of grazing herds.
وَسَبَقتَand you preceded قَولَكَyour words بِالفَعالِwith deeds وَلَمand not تَدَعyou leave
وَسَبَقتَ قَولَكَ بِالفَعالِ وَلَم تَدَع
شَرَفاًglory لِقَوّالٍfor an eloquent speaker وَلاnor فَعّالِa doer
شَرَفاً لِقَوّالٍ وَلا فَعّالِ
Your deeds preceded your words, and you left
no glory for any eloquent speaker or man of action.
وَلَكَand yours are العَزائِمُresolves لاnot يَقومُtakes مَقامَهاtheir place
وَلَكَ العَزائِمُ لا يَقومُ مَقامَها
ماwhatever فيon البَسيطَةِthe earth مِنof ظُبىًblades وَعَواليand spearheads
ما في البَسيطَةِ مِن ظُبىً وَعَوالي
Yours are resolves that nothing can replace—
no blades or spearheads upon the earth.
وَمَنائِحٌand gifts كَسَبَتwon مَدائِحَpraises هَدَّمَتdemolished
وَمَنائِحٌ كَسَبَت مَدائِحَ هَدَّمَت
ماwhat شادَتِbuilt الأَقوالِwords لِلأَقيالِfor kings
ما شادَتِ الأَقوالِ لِلأَقيالِ
And gifts that won praises demolishing
what words had built for kings.
فَاِفخَرso boast فَإِنَّكَfor you are غُرَّةٌradiant pride فيin أُسرَةٍa family
فَاِفخَر فَإِنَّكَ غُرَّةٌ في أُسرَةٍ
ذَهَبواcarried off بِكُلِّall نَباهَةٍdistinction وَجَلالِand majesty
ذَهَبوا بِكُلِّ نَباهَةٍ وَجَلالِ
Boast, for you are the radiant pride of a family
that has carried off all distinction and majesty.
تَتَزَلزَلُshakes الدُنياthe world إِذاwhen غَضِبواthey grow angry فَإِنbut if
تَتَزَلزَلُ الدُنيا إِذا غَضِبوا فَإِن
بَلَغواthey attain الرِضىcontentment أَمِنَتit is safe مِنَfrom الزِلزالِupheaval
بَلَغوا الرِضى أَمِنَت مِنَ الزِلزالِ
The world shakes when they grow angry; but if
they attain contentment, it is safe from upheaval.
نُزُلٌdwellers عَلىunder حُكمِthe decree الرَجاءِof hope وَأَهلِهِand its people
نُزُلٌ عَلى حُكمِ الرَجاءِ وَأَهلِهِ
حَتّىuntil إِذاwhen دَعَتِcalled الكُماةُarmored champions نَزالِto battle!
حَتّى إِذا دَعَتِ الكُماةُ نَزالِ
They abide at the command of hope and its people,
until the armored champions cry, 'To battle!'
سَبَقواthey outstripped السُروجَthe saddles مُسارِعينَhastening إِلىto قَرىbacks
سَبَقوا السُروجَ مُسارِعينَ إِلى قَرى
ذَيّالَةٍa long-tailed mare جَرداءَsleek أَوor ذَيّالِa long-tailed stallion
ذَيّالَةٍ جَرداءَ أَو ذَيّالِ
They outstripped the saddles, hastening to the backs
of long-tailed, sleek mares or long-tailed stallions.
حَتّىuntil إِذاwhen طارَتflew بِهِمwith them مُقوَّرَةًlean-bellied
حَتّى إِذا طارَت بِهِم مُقوَّرَةً
شَرُفَwas honored الوَجيهُal-Wajih بِهاthrough them وَذوand Dhu العُقّالِal-'Uqqal
شَرُفَ الوَجيهُ بِها وَذو العُقّالِ
Until, when the lean-bellied steeds flew with them,
al-Wajih and Dhu al-'Uqqal gained honor through them.
خَلَعواthey bestowed عَلىupon الإِصباحِthe morning أَردِيَةَrobes الدُجىof darkness
خَلَعوا عَلى الإِصباحِ أَردِيَةَ الدُجى
وَتَغَشمَرواand they overwhelmed الأَهوالَterrors بِالأَهوالِwith terrors
وَتَغَشمَروا الأَهوالَ بِالأَهوالِ
They clothed the morning in robes of darkness,
and overwhelmed terrors with terrors.
وَإِذاand when اِمتَطَوهاthey mounted them فيin نِزالٍcombat خِلتَهُمyou would think them
وَإِذا اِمتَطَوها في نِزالٍ خِلتَهُم
آسادَlions غابٍof forests فيon ظُهورِbacks رِئالِof young ostriches
آسادَ غابٍ في ظُهورِ رِئالِ
When they mounted them in combat, you would think them
lions of the forest on the backs of young ostriches.
ماnever أَورَدوهاthey led them in قَطُّever إِلّاexcept أُصدِرَتthey were brought out
ما أَورَدوها قَطُّ إِلّا أُصدِرَت
جَرحىwounded الصُدورِin their chests سَليمَةَsound الأَكفالِin their rumps
جَرحى الصُدورِ سَليمَةَ الأَكفالِ
Never did they lead them into battle but they brought them out
with wounded chests and unscathed rumps.
أُسدٌlions إِذاwhen صالواthey charge صُقورٌfalcons إِنif عَلَواthey soar
أُسدٌ إِذا صالوا صُقورٌ إِن عَلَوا
وَلَرُبَّماand sometimes كَمَنواthey lurked كُمونَthe lurking صِلالِof vipers
وَلَرُبَّما كَمَنوا كُمونَ صِلالِ
Lions when they charge, falcons when they soar,
and sometimes they lurk as vipers lurk.
لُدٌّfierce contenders إِذاwhen شوسُfierce-eyed الكُماةِchampions تَجالَدواtrade blows
لُدٌّ إِذا شوسُ الكُماةِ تَجالَدوا
وَتَجادَلواand disputed بِالضَربِwith blows أَيَّwhat a جِدالِdispute
وَتَجادَلوا بِالضَربِ أَيَّ جِدالِ
Fierce contenders when the fierce-eyed champions trade blows,
and dispute with strokes—what a dispute!
لاno عِزَّhonor إِلّاexcept كَسبُthe gain of أَبيَضَa bright sword صارِمٍcutting
لا عِزَّ إِلّا كَسبُ أَبيَضَ صارِمٍ
ماضيkeen الشَباin edge أَوor أَسمَرٍa dark spear عَسّالِquivering
ماضي الشَبا أَو أَسمَرٍ عَسّالِ
No honor exists save what a bright, cutting sword earns,
keen-edged, or a dark, quivering spear;
لاnot ماwhat يُسَوِّلُهُmakes it enticing وَيُبعِدُand makes distant نَيلَهُits attainment
لا ما يُسَوِّلُهُ وَيُبعِدُ نَيلَهُ
حِرصُgreed الحَريصِof the covetous وَحيلَةُand the craft المُحتالِof the schemer
حِرصُ الحَريصِ وَحيلَةُ المُحتالِ
not what is made enticing, yet harder to attain, by
the covetous man's greed and the schemer's craft.
قَدindeed سَدَّدَتaimed عَزَماتُهُمtheir resolves أَرماحَهُمtheir spears
قَد سَدَّدَت عَزَماتُهُم أَرماحَهُم
حَتّىuntil عَرَفنَthey knew مَقاتِلَthe vital points الأَقيالِof kings
حَتّى عَرَفنَ مَقاتِلَ الأَقيالِ
Their resolves have aimed their spears
until they knew the kings' vital points.
وَإِذاand when اِنجَلَتlifted عَنهُمfrom them دَياجيرُdark veils الوَغىof battle
وَإِذا اِنجَلَت عَنهُم دَياجيرُ الوَغى
عَدَلواthey turned بِقَتلِهِمُtheir killing إِلىupon الأَموالِwealth
عَدَلوا بِقَتلِهِمُ إِلى الأَموالِ
When the dark veils of battle lift from them,
they turn their killing upon their wealth.
فَلَهُمso they have بِكُلِّin every مَفازَةٍdesert مَرّواthey passed بِهاthrough it
فَلَهُم بِكُلِّ مَفازَةٍ مَرّوا بِها
آثارُtraces صَوبِof the downpour المُزنِof rainclouds فيduring الإِمحالِdrought
آثارُ صَوبِ المُزنِ في الإِمحالِ
In every desert they have passed through, they leave
the traces of rainclouds' downpour amid drought.
عَمريby my life لَقَدindeed فاتواthey surpassed الأَنامَmankind وَفُتَّهُمand you surpassed them
عَمري لَقَد فاتوا الأَنامَ وَفُتَّهُم
فيon كُلِّevery يَومِday نَدىًof generosity وَيَومِand day نِضالِof combat
في كُلِّ يَومِ نَدىً وَيَومِ نِضالِ
By my life, they surpassed mankind, and you surpassed them
on every day of generosity and every day of combat,
بِطَرائِقٍby paths أَبطَلتَyou annulled مُذonce أَوضَحتَهاyou clarified them
بِطَرائِقٍ أَبطَلتَ مُذ أَوضَحتَها
لِلسالِكينَfor travelers مَعاذِرَthe excuses الضُلّالِof those astray
لِلسالِكينَ مَعاذِرَ الضُلّالِ
through paths by which you abolished, once you made them clear
to travelers, the excuses of those astray.
أَلّاwhy not اِهتَدَواthey took guidance بِكَfrom you فيin المَكارِمِnoble deeds مِثلَماjust as
أَلّا اِهتَدَوا بِكَ في المَكارِمِ مِثلَما
هُدِيَwas guided الوَرىmankind بِأَبيكَby your father بَعدَafter ضَلالِstraying
هُدِيَ الوَرى بِأَبيكَ بَعدَ ضَلالِ
Why did they not follow your guidance in noble deeds, just as
mankind was guided by your father after straying?
ثَقُلَتwere weighty وَإِنalthough خَفَّتwere light عَلَيكَupon you فَأَصبَحَتand became
ثَقُلَت وَإِن خَفَّت عَلَيكَ فَأَصبَحَت
فيthroughout الخافِقَينِEast and West عَزيزَةَscarce الحُمّالِin bearers
في الخافِقَينِ عَزيزَةَ الحُمّالِ
They were burdensome, though light for you, and became
burdens few could carry throughout East and West.
أَمّاas for الصِيامُfasting فَقَدindeed أَظَلَّكَovershadowed you شَهرُهُits month
أَمّا الصِيامُ فَقَد أَظَلَّكَ شَهرُهُ
مُستَعصِماًseeking protection بِذَراكَin your shelter غَيرَnot مُذالِhumiliated
مُستَعصِماً بِذَراكَ غَيرَ مُذالِ
As for fasting, its month has now drawn over you,
seeking protection in your shelter, unhumiliated.
كَمhow often زارَvisited غَيرَكَsomeone other than you وَهوَwhile it was مُغضٍdowncast سادِمٌgrieving
كَم زارَ غَيرَكَ وَهوَ مُغضٍ سادِمٌ
وَأَتاكَand came to you يَمشيwalking مِشيَةَwith the gait المُختالِof one strutting
وَأَتاكَ يَمشي مِشيَةَ المُختالِ
How often it visited others, downcast and grieving,
but came to you walking with a proud man's stride.
وَقَّرتَهُyou honored it لَمّاwhen أَتىit came وَإِذاand when مَضىit departed
وَقَّرتَهُ لَمّا أَتى وَإِذا مَضى
أَوقَرتَهُyou loaded it مِنwith صالِحِrighteous الأَعمالِdeeds
أَوقَرتَهُ مِن صالِحِ الأَعمالِ
You honored it when it came, and when it departs,
you will have laden it with righteous deeds.
فَبَقيتَso may you endure مَحروسَguarded الفِناءِin your courtyard مُهَنَّأًblessed with happiness
فَبَقيتَ مَحروسَ الفِناءِ مُهَنَّأً
فيthrough سائِرِall الأَعوامِyears وَالأَحوالِand circumstances
في سائِرِ الأَعوامِ وَالأَحوالِ
So may you endure, your courtyard guarded, blessed,
through every year and circumstance,
ماas long as دامَcontinues شَعبانٌSha'ban يَجيءُcoming أَمامَهُbefore it
ما دامَ شَعبانٌ يَجيءُ أَمامَهُ
أَبَداًforever وَماand as long as أَفضىit leads إِلىinto شَوّالِShawwal
أَبَداً وَما أَفضى إِلى شَوّالِ
as long as Sha'ban comes before it,
forever, and it passes into Shawwal.
لاnot أَرتَجيI hope for خَلقاًa mortal سِواكَother than you لِأَنَّنيbecause I
لا أَرتَجي خَلقاً سِواكَ لِأَنَّني
مَنone who لاnot يَبيعُsells حَقيقَةًreality بِمُحالِfor impossibility
مَن لا يَبيعُ حَقيقَةً بِمُحالِ
I hope for no mortal but you, for I am
one who will not sell reality for impossibility.
لاmay not دَرَّyield milk دَرُّthe milk مَطامِعيof my ambitions إِنif نَكَّبَتturned away from
لا دَرَّ دَرُّ مَطامِعي إِن نَكَّبَت
بَحراًan ocean وَأَفضَتand led بيme إِلىto أَوشالِtrickles
بَحراً وَأَفضَت بي إِلى أَوشالِ
May my ambitions yield no milk if they forsake
an ocean and lead me to mere trickles.
فَمَتىso when أَمُدُّshould I stretch يَديmy hand إِلىto طَلَبٍasking وَقَدwhen already
فَمَتى أَمُدُّ يَدي إِلى طَلَبٍ وَقَد
أَثرَيتُI grew rich مِنin جاهٍstanding لَدَيكَwith you وَمالِand wealth
أَثرَيتُ مِن جاهٍ لَدَيكَ وَمالِ
When, then, should I stretch out my hand to ask, having
grown rich in standing with you and in wealth?
صَدَّقتَyou confirmed ظَنّيmy belief فيكَin you ثُمَّتَthen زِدتَنيyou gave me more
صَدَّقتَ ظَنّي فيكَ ثُمَّتَ زِدتَني
ماwhat لَيسَdoes not يَخطُرُoccur لِلرَجاءِto hope بِبالِin mind
ما لَيسَ يَخطُرُ لِلرَجاءِ بِبالِ
You confirmed my faith in you, then gave me more—
what never crossed hope's mind.
وَسَنَنتَand you opened ليfor me طُرُقَpaths الثَناءِof praise بِأَنعُمٍthrough favors
وَسَنَنتَ لي طُرُقَ الثَناءِ بِأَنعُمٍ
واصَلنَcontinued بِالغَدَواتِin the mornings وَالآصالِand evenings
واصَلنَ بِالغَدَواتِ وَالآصالِ
You opened the roads of praise for me with favors
that continued morning and evening.
فَإِذاso when المَعاليlofty honors أَعجَزَتdefeated رُوّادَهاtheir seekers
فَإِذا المَعالي أَعجَزَت رُوّادَها
مِنfrom بَعدِafter طولِprolonged تَطَلُّبٍpursuit وَكَلالِand exhaustion
مِن بَعدِ طولِ تَطَلُّبٍ وَكَلالِ
When lofty honors defeat those who seek them,
after long pursuit and exhaustion,
ذَلَّلتَyou tamed جامِحَهاtheir unruly one بِغَيرِwithout شَكيمَةٍa bit
ذَلَّلتَ جامِحَها بِغَيرِ شَكيمَةٍ
وَحَبَستَand you held شارِدَهاtheir runaway بِغَيرِwithout عِقالِa tether
وَحَبَستَ شارِدَها بِغَيرِ عِقالِ
you tame their unruly steed without a bit,
and hold their runaway without a tether,
إِلّاexcept بِإِهدائيthrough my offering المَديحَpraise لِحَضرَةٍto a court
إِلّا بِإِهدائي المَديحَ لِحَضرَةٍ
أَعدَتimbued غَرائِبُmarvels مَجدِهاof its glory أَقواليmy words
أَعدَت غَرائِبُ مَجدِها أَقوالي
save through my offering praise to a court
whose marvels of glory have passed into my words.
فَجَليلُهاso its great qualities مُتَعالَمٌknown to all وَدَقيقُهاand its subtleties
فَجَليلُها مُتَعالَمٌ وَدَقيقُها
قَدindeed أَلحَقَmade equal العُلَماءَscholars بِالجُهّالِwith the ignorant
قَد أَلحَقَ العُلَماءَ بِالجُهّالِ
Its great qualities are known to all, while its subtleties
have made scholars the equals of the ignorant.
جادَتgave abundantly سَماؤُكَyour sky ليto me وَماand not اِستَسقَيتُهاI asked it for rain
جادَت سَماؤُكَ لي وَما اِستَسقَيتُها
بِالغَيثِwith rain إِلّاexcept أَنَّهُthat it مُتَوالِunceasing
بِالغَيثِ إِلّا أَنَّهُ مُتَوالِ
Your sky freely gave me, though I never asked it,
rain, with the difference that it never ceases.
وَسَرَحتُand I let roam طَرفيmy gaze فيover خِضَمٍّa vast sea ماؤُهُwhose water
وَسَرَحتُ طَرفي في خِضَمٍّ ماؤُهُ
عَذبٌsweet وَكانَand it was مُوَكَّلاًbound بِالآلِto mirages
عَذبٌ وَكانَ مُوَكَّلاً بِالآلِ
I let my gaze roam over a vast sea whose water
is sweet; my gaze had once been bound to mirages.
وَأَفَدتَنيand you taught me أَنَّthat الإِقامَةَstaying لِلفَتىfor a young man
وَأَفَدتَني أَنَّ الإِقامَةَ لِلفَتى
ذُلٌّhumiliation وَأَنَّand that العِزَّhonor فيin التَرحالِtravel
ذُلٌّ وَأَنَّ العِزَّ في التَرحالِ
You taught me that, for a young man, staying is
humiliation, and that honor lies in travel,
مِنfrom بَعدِafter أَنthat كَلَّتbecame blunt وَذَلَّتand became humbled إِذعَراwhen there befell
مِن بَعدِ أَن كَلَّت وَذَلَّت إِذعَرا
بَعضُsome الخُطوبِcalamities صَوارِميmy swords وَرِجاليand my men
بَعضُ الخُطوبِ صَوارِمي وَرِجالي
after they grew blunt and abased, when
some calamities befell my swords and my men.
وَلَقَدand indeed تَخَيَّرتُI selected carefully المَواهِبَgifts مُغرِباًturning far away
وَلَقَد تَخَيَّرتُ المَواهِبَ مُغرِباً
عَنfrom وَصلِattachment ذيof one possessing مِقَةٍlove وَهِجرَةِand estrangement قالِof one who hates
عَن وَصلِ ذي مِقَةٍ وَهِجرَةِ قالِ
Indeed I chose gifts carefully, turning far away
from a lover's attachment and a hater's estrangement.
فَبَغَيتُso I sought مِنهاamong them ماwhat يُعَدُّis counted قَلائِداًnecklaces
فَبَغَيتُ مِنها ما يُعَدُّ قَلائِداً
وَصَدَفتُand I turned away عَمّاfrom what عُدَّwas counted فيamong الأَغلالِchains
وَصَدَفتُ عَمّا عُدَّ في الأَغلالِ
I sought among them those counted as necklaces,
and shunned those counted as chains.
أَوضَحتَyou made clear ليfor me نَهجَthe path القَريضِof poetry بِنائِلٍwith a gift
أَوضَحتَ لي نَهجَ القَريضِ بِنائِلٍ
رَخُصَتbecame inexpensive بِهِthrough it فَقرُphrases الكَلامِof speech الغاليprecious
رَخُصَت بِهِ فَقرُ الكَلامِ الغالي
You made the path of poetry plain to me with a gift
that made the phrases of precious speech inexpensive.
فَهَمىso it poured عَلَيكَupon you وَكَمand how many بَغاهُsought it مَعشَرٌa company
فَهَمى عَلَيكَ وَكَم بَغاهُ مَعشَرٌ
لَمnot يَظفَرواthey obtained مِنfrom بَحرِهِits sea بِبِلالِany moisture
لَم يَظفَروا مِن بَحرِهِ بِبِلالِ
So it poured down upon you; how many a company sought it,
yet gained not a drop from its sea.
أَغنَيتَنيyou freed me from need عَنهُمof them كَماjust as أَغنىrenders needless القَناspears
أَغنَيتَني عَنهُم كَما أَغنى القَنا
عِندَduring الكَريهَةِbattle عَنof عِصِيِّsticks الضالِof wild lote trees
عِندَ الكَريهَةِ عَن عِصِيِّ الضالِ
You freed me from needing them, as spears make
wild lote-wood sticks needless in the hour of battle.
وَلَطالَماand how often وَصَلَتreached يَدَيَّmy two hands صِلاتُهُمtheir gifts
وَلَطالَما وَصَلَت يَدَيَّ صِلاتُهُم
فَأَبَتbut refused يَمينيmy right hand قَبضَهاto grasp them وَشِماليand my left
فَأَبَت يَميني قَبضَها وَشِمالي
Many a time their gifts reached my two hands,
but my right hand and my left refused to grasp them.
وَأَرىand I hold القَوافِيَrhymes إِنif أَتَتthey bring بِبَدائِعٍmarvels
وَأَرى القَوافِيَ إِن أَتَت بِبَدائِعٍ
فَالحَمدُthen praise فيfor إِبداعِهاtheir creation لَكَbelongs to you لاليnot to me
فَالحَمدُ في إِبداعِها لَكَ لالي
I hold that, if my rhymes bring marvels,
the praise for creating them belongs to you, not me.
لاno لَومَblame يَلزَمُهاattaches to them إِذاif قَصَرَتshortened خُطىًsteps
لا لَومَ يَلزَمُها إِذا قَصَرَت خُطىً
مِنfrom فَرطِthe excess ماof what حَمَلَتthey bore مِنَof الأَثقالِburdens
مِن فَرطِ ما حَمَلَت مِنَ الأَثقالِ
No blame attaches to them if their steps grow short,
from the excess of burdens they have borne.
أَوقَرتَهاyou loaded them مِنَناًfavors فَأَوسِعso grant generously رَبَّهاtheir master
أَوقَرتَها مِنَناً فَأَوسِع رَبَّها
عُذراًpardon إِذاif جاءَتكَthey come to you غَيرَnot عِجالِhasty
عُذراً إِذا جاءَتكَ غَيرَ عِجالِ
You loaded them with favors, so grant their master
ample excuse if they come to you without haste.
حَرَّمتُهاI forbade them زَمَناًfor a time فَمُنذُbut since خَطَبتَهاyou sought their hand
حَرَّمتُها زَمَناً فَمُنذُ خَطَبتَها
حَلَّلتُهاI made them lawful وَالسِحرُthough sorcery غَيرُnot حَلالِlawful
حَلَّلتُها وَالسِحرُ غَيرُ حَلالِ
I kept them forbidden for a time; since you sought their hand,
I made them lawful, though sorcery is not lawful.
وَكَأَنَّand as though مُهدَيهاtheir presenter غَداةَthe morning أَتىhe came بِهاwith them
وَكَأَنَّ مُهدَيها غَداةَ أَتى بِها
مَزَجَmixed الشَمولَwine بِبارِدٍwith cool water سَلسالِsweet-flowing
مَزَجَ الشَمولَ بِبارِدٍ سَلسالِ
It is as though their presenter, the morning he brought them,
mixed wine with cool, sweet-flowing water.
مِنof كُلِّevery ثاوِيَةٍabiding لَدَيكَwith you مُقيمَةٍsettled
مِن كُلِّ ثاوِيَةٍ لَدَيكَ مُقيمَةٍ
جَوّالَةٍroaming فيthrough الأَرضِthe earth كُلَّevery مَجالِrange
جَوّالَةٍ في الأَرضِ كُلَّ مَجالِ
Each one abides with you, settled,
yet roams through every reach of the earth.
وَكَثيرَةِand abundant الأَمثالِin proverbial sayings إِلّاexcept أَنَّهاthat they
وَكَثيرَةِ الأَمثالِ إِلّا أَنَّها
فيin ذاthis الزَمانِage قَليلَةُfew الأَمثالِin equals
في ذا الزَمانِ قَليلَةُ الأَمثالِ
Abundant in proverbial sayings, yet
in this age possessing few equals.
لَمnot تُحشَwere stuffed حوشِيَّuncouth الكَلامِspeech فَقَدand indeed أَتَتthey came
لَم تُحشَ حوشِيَّ الكَلامِ فَقَد أَتَت
مَعدومَةَdevoid الأَشكالِof counterparts وَالإِشكالِand ambiguity
مَعدومَةَ الأَشكالِ وَالإِشكالِ
They were not stuffed with uncouth words, and so came
without counterparts or ambiguity.
وَتَتيهُand they strut إِدلالاًin coquettish confidence وَلَيسَand it is not بِمُنكَرٍstrange
وَتَتيهُ إِدلالاً وَلَيسَ بِمُنكَرٍ
أَنthat توصَفَbe described الحَسناءُthe beauty بِالإِدلالِas coquettish
أَن توصَفَ الحَسناءُ بِالإِدلالِ
They strut with coquettish confidence, and it is no strange thing
for a beauty to be described as coquettish.
وَإِذاand when أَتىbrings غَيريsomeone else بِحَولِيّاتِهِhis year-polished poems
وَإِذا أَتى غَيري بِحَولِيّاتِهِ
أَربَتthey surpassed عَلَيهاthem وَهيَthough they are بِنتُa daughter لَيالِof nights
أَربَت عَلَيها وَهيَ بِنتُ لَيالِ
When another brings his year-polished poems,
mine surpass them, though born of mere nights.
وَمِنَand among الأَنامِmankind مُبَرِّزٌone outstanding وَمُبَهرَجٌand one counterfeit
وَمِنَ الأَنامِ مُبَرِّزٌ وَمُبَهرَجٌ
وَمِنَand among الكَلامِspeech جَنادِلٌrough stones وَلَآليand pearls
وَمِنَ الكَلامِ جَنادِلٌ وَلَآلي
Among mankind are the outstanding and the counterfeit;
among words are rough stones and pearls.
Translation model: Sol 6.1