عاذَsought refuge بِالصَفحِin pardon مَنwhoever أَحَبَّloved البَقاءَsurvival
عاذَ بِالصَفحِ مَن أَحَبَّ البَقاءَ
وَاِحتَمىand sought shelter جاعِلُone who makes الخُضوعِsubmission وِقاءَa shield
وَاِحتَمى جاعِلُ الخُضوعِ وِقاءَ
Whoever loved survival sought refuge in pardon,
He who loved survival sought refuge in forgiveness
and whoever made submission a shield found shelter.
And made humility his protection
فَلتَنَمso let sleep أُمَّةُthe community المَسيحِof Christ طَويلاًlong
فَلتَنَم أُمَّةُ المَسيحِ طَويلاً
كَفَّdesisted مَنhe who يَمنَعُdenies العِدىthe foes الإِغفاءَslumber
كَفَّ مَن يَمنَعُ العِدى الإِغفاءَ
So let the people of Christ sleep long:
So let the community of the Messiah sleep long
he who denied foes their slumber has desisted.
Enough withholding aggression from dozing off
مَلِكٌa king يَطلُبُseek المُلوكُthe kings رِضاهُhis favor
مَلِكٌ يَطلُبُ المُلوكُ رِضاهُ
مِثلَماjust as يَطلَبُseeks العَليلُthe sick man الشِفاءَhealing
مِثلَما يَطلَبُ العَليلُ الشِفاءَ
A king whose favor kings seek,
A king whose pleasure other kings seek
just as the sick man seeks healing.
As the ill seek healing
قَسَمَتapportioned راحَتاهُhis two palms جوداًgenerosity وَفَتكاًand slaughter
قَسَمَت راحَتاهُ جوداً وَفَتكاً
فيamong الأَنامِmankind السَرّاءَprosperity وَالضَرّاءَand adversity
في الأَنامِ السَرّاءَ وَالضَرّاءَ
His two palms apportioned, through generosity and slaughter,
He divided his comfort, generosity and ferocity
prosperity and adversity among mankind.
Between happy and dire times
ماnot بَهَرتَyou dazzled العُقولَminds ياO مُعجِزَsurpasser of الآthe signs (start)
ما بَهَرتَ العُقولَ يا مُعجِزَ الآ
ياتِsigns (end) إِلّاexcept لِتَجمَعَto unite الأَهواءَinclinations
ياتِ إِلّا لِتَجمَعَ الأَهواءَ
You dazzled minds, O surpasser of miraculous signs,
You did not dazzle minds, O miracle of verses
only to bring all hearts together.
Except to reconcile passions
هُدنَةٌa truce بَقَّتِpreserved النُفوسَlives عَلىfor الروthe Romans (start)
هُدنَةٌ بَقَّتِ النُفوسَ عَلى الرو
مِRomans (end) فَكانواso they were بِشُكرِهاof thanking it أَملِياءَwell capable
مِ فَكانوا بِشُكرِها أَملِياءَ
A truce spared the Romans their lives,
A truce that kept souls hopeful
and they were amply able to thank it.
So they were full of thanks for it
وَإِنِand though اِستَعجَمَbecame unintelligible المَقالُspeech فَذيthen these الأَفthe deeds (start)
وَإِنِ اِستَعجَمَ المَقالُ فَذي الأَف
عالُdeeds (end) قَدindeed أَصبَحَتhave become بِهِthrough it فُصَحاءَeloquent
عالُ قَد أَصبَحَت بِهِ فُصَحاءَ
Though speech be unintelligible, these deeds
If speech was hasty, then the man of deeds
have become eloquent through it.
Became eloquent through them
لَمdid not يُفِدfail رَأيُthe judgment مَنof whoever يُصانِعُconciliates بِالشَيwith a thing (start)
لَم يُفِد رَأيُ مَن يُصانِعُ بِالشَي
ءِthing (end) رَجاءًhoping أَنthat يَمنَعَhe might preserve الأَشياءَthe things
ءِ رَجاءً أَن يَمنَعَ الأَشياءَ
The judgment of one who conciliates with a little did not fail,
The view of one who pretends for something’s sake
hoping thereby to preserve everything else.
Hoping to prevent things, was of no use
أَمِنواthey became safe بِالإِهداءِthrough gift-giving ماwhat خيفَwas feared مِنfrom هَthese (start)
أَمِنوا بِالإِهداءِ ما خيفَ مِن هَ
ذيthese (end) العَوادِيassaults حَتّىuntil لَظُنَّit was indeed thought اِهتِداءَsound guidance
ذي العَوادِي حَتّى لَظُنَّ اِهتِداءَ
Through gifts they gained safety from the feared
Trust in making peace what roused fear
assaults, until gift-giving itself seemed sound guidance.
Lest you think it right to set out
نَظَرٌa policy ثَبَّتَsecured المَمالِكَthe kingdoms فيهِمamong them
نَظَرٌ ثَبَّتَ المَمالِكَ فيهِم
رُبَّmany a أَخذٍtaking تَخالُهُyou think it إِعطاءَa giving
رُبَّ أَخذٍ تَخالُهُ إِعطاءَ
A policy that kept their kingdoms in their hands:
A look that stabilized realms in them
many a taking you would think a giving.
Much taking, imagining it giving
لاlet them not يَعُدّواcount هَذيthese المَنائِحَgifts خُسراًa loss
لا يَعُدّوا هَذي المَنائِحَ خُسراً
إِنَّماonly الخُسرُthe loss لَوif عَزَمتَyou resolved لِقاءَan encounter
إِنَّما الخُسرُ لَو عَزَمتَ لِقاءَ
Let them not count these gifts a loss;
They should not count these expenses as losses
the loss would come if you resolved to confront them.
But the loss would be if you intended meeting
لَنwill not يُريدَseek الَجزاءَrecompense مِنكَfrom you عَلَيهاfor them
لَن يُريدَ الَجزاءَ مِنكَ عَلَيها
مَلكُهُمtheir king حَسبُهُenough for him رِضاكَyour favor جَزاءَas recompense
مَلكُهُم حَسبُهُ رِضاكَ جَزاءَ
Their king will seek no recompense from you for them;
Their king does not want any reward from you for them
your favor is recompense enough for him.
Your pleasure with him is enough reward
سَلَّdrew مِنهُfrom it سَيفاًa sword عَلىagainst غَيرِother than الأَيTime's days (start)
سَلَّ مِنهُ سَيفاً عَلى غَيرِ الأَي
يامِdays (end) وَاِجتابَand donned نَثرَةًa coat of mail حَصداءَtightly woven
يامِ وَاِجتابَ نَثرَةً حَصداءَ
From it he drew a sword against foes other than Time,
Ask from him a sword for other than the appointed times
and donned a tightly woven coat of mail.
And bestow a scattered harvest
ياO مُبيدَdestroyer of الأَحقادِrancors أَعظَمُgreatest طَبٍّmedicine
يا مُبيدَ الأَحقادِ أَعظَمُ طَبٍّ
واحِدٌone عَمَّencompassed نَفعُهُits benefit الأَعضاءَthe limbs
واحِدٌ عَمَّ نَفعُهُ الأَعضاءَ
O destroyer of rancors, the greatest medicine
O killer of grudges, the greatest good
is one remedy whose benefit embraces every limb.
Whose benefit covered all limbs
وَبِرَأيٍand through counsel رَدَّturned العَداوَةَenmity فيin الديreligion (start)
وَبِرَأيٍ رَدَّ العَداوَةَ في الدي
نِreligion (end) وِداداًinto affection وَاِستَأصَلَand eradicated الشَحناءَrancor
نِ وِداداً وَاِستَأصَلَ الشَحناءَ
Through counsel that turned religious enmity
With an opinion, he returned enmity to amity in religion
into affection and uprooted rancor,
And uprooted discord
وَبِعَفوٍand through pardon أُنيلَwas granted فَاِستَملَكَso it won over الأَحthe freeborn (start)
وَبِعَفوٍ أُنيلَ فَاِستَملَكَ الأَح
رارَfreeborn (end) عَفواًeffortlessly وَاِستَنقَذَand rescued الأُسَراءَthe captives
رارَ عَفواً وَاِستَنقَذَ الأُسَراءَ
and through pardon bestowed, which won free men
With pardoning he gained control of bitterness
without effort and rescued captives,
Pardoning and rescuing prisoners
حُزتَyou gained حُكمَthe authority الجُيوشِof armies فيهِمover them وَماand did not جَهyou equipped (start)
حُزتَ حُكمَ الجُيوشِ فيهِم وَما جَه
هَزتَyou equipped (end) جَيشاًan army وَلاnor عَقَدتَyou raised لِواءَa banner
هَزتَ جَيشاً وَلا عَقَدتَ لِواءَ
you gained the authority of armies over them, without
You won command of armies over them and did not mobilize
equipping an army or raising a banner.
An army or raise a banner
فَأَقِمso remain وادِعاًat ease فَماfor what نِلتَyou gained بِالآthrough counsel (start)
فَأَقِم وادِعاً فَما نِلتَ بِالآ
راءِcounsel (end) تُفنيyou annihilate العِدىthe foes وَتُبقيand preserve العِداءَenmity
راءِ تُفني العِدى وَتُبقي العِداءَ
So dwell at ease with what you gained through counsel,
So remain peaceful, for you have not, with views
annihilating foes while leaving enmity alive.
Eliminated enemies but perpetuated enmity
وَعَظَتهُمadmonished them آياتُكَyour signs اللائيwhich حَطَّتlifted
وَعَظَتهُم آياتُكَ اللائي حَطَّت
عَنfrom رِجالِthe men الخِلافَةِof the caliphate الأَعباءَthe burdens
عَن رِجالِ الخِلافَةِ الأَعباءَ
Your signs admonished them, those that lifted
And your verses that relieved
the burdens from the men of the caliphate.
The men of succession of burdens admonished them
قَتَلَتkilled مَنwhoever دَناdrew near مِنَto الحَربِwar جَهلاًignorantly
قَتَلَت مَن دَنا مِنَ الحَربِ جَهلاً
وَأَخافَتand frightened أَخبارُهاreports of them مَنwhoever تَناءَىstayed far away
وَأَخافَت أَخبارُها مَن تَناءَى
They killed whoever ignorantly approached war,
You killed whoever ignorantly drew near war
and reports of them frightened those far away.
And reports of them frightened whoever held back
وَكِلابٌand Kilāb إِذwhen صَبَّحَتهُمyou assailed them at dawn بيَومٍwith a day
وَكِلابٌ إِذ صَبَّحَتهُم بيَومٍ
أَكثَرَmultiplied القَتلَkilling فيهِمُamong them وَالسِباءَand captivity
أَكثَرَ القَتلَ فيهِمُ وَالسِباءَ
And Kilāb, when you assailed them at dawn with a day
They were dogs—when it gave them a day
that multiplied killing and captivity among them,
In which there was much killing and captivity
فيamong كُماةٍwarriors تَمشيwalking البَراحَin the open إِلىtoward المَوdeath (start)
في كُماةٍ تَمشي البَراحَ إِلى المَو
تِdeath (end) إِذاwhen دَبَّتِcrept الكُماةُthe warriors الضَراءَthrough cover
تِ إِذا دَبَّتِ الكُماةُ الضَراءَ
amid warriors who walk openly toward death
In a blizzard, the sails walk toward death
when other warriors creep through cover.
When the blizzard turns dire
كَيفَhow يَقوىis strong enough عَلىfor مُحارَبَةِfighting الطاthe pursuer (start)
كَيفَ يَقوى عَلى مُحارَبَةِ الطا
رِدِpursuer (end) مَنone who لاdoes not يُواجِهُface الطُرَداءَthe fugitives
رِدِ مَن لا يُواجِهُ الطُرَداءَ
How can one be strong enough to fight the pursuer
How can one who does not withstand expulsion
who will not even face the fugitives?
Resist fighting off someone repelled?
كانَwas إِقدامُthe advance عامِرٍof ʿĀmir لَكَfor you إِضراan incitement (start)
كانَ إِقدامُ عامِرٍ لَكَ إِضرا
ءًincitement (end) وَقَدand indeed أَحسَنواthey excelled in هُناكَthere البَلاءَthe trial of battle
ءً وَقَد أَحسَنوا هُناكَ البَلاءَ
ʿĀmir’s advance was an incitement for you,
The recklessness of ‘Amir was harmful to you
and they acquitted themselves well there.
And they behaved well there through testing
عَجَباًa wonder لِلَّذيat him who حَوىwon مَفخَرَthe glory الفَتof conquest (start)
عَجَباً لِلَّذي حَوى مَفخَرَ الفَت
حِconquest (end) وَلَمّاwhile not yet يُشاهِدِhe witnessed الهَيجاءَbattle
حِ وَلَمّا يُشاهِدِ الهَيجاءَ
Marvel at the man who won the glory of conquest
Wondrous is he who contained the pride of the conquest
without yet witnessing battle!
And did not witness tumult
فَأَقامَتso they remained وَلَوand had أَقَمتَyou persisted عَلىin السُخdispleasure (start)
فَأَقامَت وَلَو أَقَمتَ عَلى السُخ
طِdispleasure (end) لَجاءَتthey would have come فيfor أَهلِهاtheir people شُفَعاءَas intercessors
طِ لَجاءَت في أَهلِها شُفَعاءَ
So they remained; had you persisted in displeasure,
So it stood, but had you been violent
they would have come as intercessors for their people.
Intercessors would have come among its people
حينَwhen راؤاthey saw السُيوفَthe swords لَمdid not تُغنِavail شَيئاًanything
حينَ راؤا السُيوفَ لَم تُغنِ شَيئاً
أَغمَدوهاthey sheathed them وَجَرَّدواand unsheathed الآراءَtheir counsels
أَغمَدوها وَجَرَّدوا الآراءَ
When they saw that swords availed them nothing,
When they saw swords, they were of no use
they sheathed them and unsheathed their counsels.
They sheathed them and bared views
رَهِبواthey feared أَنthat يَكونَmight be حَربُكَyour warfare لِلمُلfor kingship (start)
رَهِبوا أَن يَكونَ حَربُكَ لِلمُل
كِkingship (end) اِنتِهاءًan end فَاِستَعطَفوكَso they sought your favor اِبتِداءَat the outset
كِ اِنتِهاءً فَاِستَعطَفوكَ اِبتِداءَ
They feared your warfare would bring their kingship
They feared your war would mean
to an end, so they sought your favor at the outset.
The end of the kingdom, so they placated you at first
وَأَناخواand tethered بِكَwith you المُنىtheir hopes حينَwhen أَلفَواthey found
وَأَناخوا بِكَ المُنى حينَ أَلفَوا
فيin يَدَيكَyour two hands الآراءَthe counsels وَالإِجراءَand execution
في يَدَيكَ الآراءَ وَالإِجراءَ
They tethered their hopes with you when they found
And pinned hopes on you when they found
both counsel and execution in your hands.
In your hands views and actions
فَسَقَيتَso you watered المُنىthe hopes مِنَfrom الأَمنِsafety رَيّاًto fullness
فَسَقَيتَ المُنى مِنَ الأَمنِ رَيّاً
وَرَكَزتَand planted القَناthe spears اللِدانَsupple ظِماءَthirsty
وَرَكَزتَ القَنا اللِدانَ ظِماءَ
You watered their hopes with safety to their fill,
So you watered their hopes with security
and planted the supple spears still thirsty.
And implanted springs in the barren
هَبكَsuppose you أَعطَيتَهُمgave them أَماناًsafety أَعَدَّيdid you extend (start)
هَبكَ أَعطَيتَهُم أَماناً أَعَدَّي
تَyou extended (end) إِلىto أَشرَفِthe noblest الخِلالِvirtues العَطاءَthe giving
تَ إِلى أَشرَفِ الخِلالِ العَطاءَ
Granted that you gave them safety—did you extend
Your gift gave them safety—you prepared
your giving to the noblest virtues?
Them for the noblest traits of giving
مِنَّةًa favor عَلَّمَتtaught ذَويthose possessing البَخَلِmiserliness الجوgenerosity (start)
مِنَّةً عَلَّمَت ذَوي البَخَلِ الجو
دَgenerosity (end) وَسَنَّتand prescribed لِلعادِمينَfor those lacking الوَفاءَfidelity
دَ وَسَنَّت لِلعادِمينَ الوَفاءَ
A favor that taught misers generosity
A blessing that taught the stingy generosity
and prescribed fidelity for those who lacked it.
And exemplified loyalty for the destitute
فَعَلواthey did ماwhat حَبَاكَendowed you with مَجداًglory فَلَمand I did not أَذknow (start)
فَعَلوا ما حَبَاكَ مَجداً فَلَم أَذ
رِknow (end) اِعتِماداًdeliberately أَبَوهُthey intended it أَمor إِخطاءَmistakenly
رِ اِعتِماداً أَبَوهُ أَم إِخطاءَ
They did what endowed you with glory; I do not know
So they did what brought you glory—I have not
whether they aimed at it deliberately or by mistake.
Discerned reliance or mistake in it
حينَwhen فَكّواthey freed أَسرىcaptives فَأَحرَزتَso you earned أَجراًa reward
حينَ فَكّوا أَسرى فَأَحرَزتَ أَجراً
وَأَنالواand bestowed وَفراًabundance فَخُزتَso you gained ثَناءَpraise
وَأَنالوا وَفراً فَخُزتَ ثَناءَ
When they freed captives, you earned a reward;
When they released prisoners, you gained reward
when they bestowed wealth, you gained praise.
And they attained advantage, so you gained praise
فَلِهذاso for this أَطلَقتَهُمyou released them مِنfrom إِسارِthe bonds الthe
فَلِهذا أَطلَقتَهُم مِن إِسارِ ال
خَوفِfear بَعضاًsome مَنّاًas a favor وَبَعضاًand some فِداءَas ransom
خَوفِ بَعضاً مَنّاً وَبَعضاً فِداءَ
That is why you released them from the bonds of
So for this you released them from captivity of fear
fear: some as a favor, others for ransom.
Some as favor, some as ransom
فَاِشكُرِso give thanks الآنَnow لِلمَساعيfor the endeavors اللَواتيwhich
فَاِشكُرِ الآنَ لِلمَساعي اللَواتي
جَعَلَتmade فيin إِسارِكَyour captivity الطُلَقاءَthe freed men
جَعَلَت في إِسارِكَ الطُلَقاءَ
Now give thanks for the endeavors
Thank now for the efforts that
that made freed men your captives.
Made the emancipated yours
وَإِذاand when رُمتَyou sought غايَةًan aim بَعدَتwas distant نَيin attainment (start)
وَإِذا رُمتَ غايَةً بَعدَت نَي
لاًattainment (end) أَخَذتَyou took الظُبىsword-edges بِهاfor it كُفَلاءَas guarantors
لاً أَخَذتَ الظُبى بِها كُفَلاءَ
When you seek an aim far beyond attainment,
And if you seek a distant goal
you take sword-edges as its guarantors.
You take zebras to reach it as mounts
لَوif تَيَمَّمتَyou headed for أَرضَthe land خَفّانَof Khaffān يَوماًone day
لَو تَيَمَّمتَ أَرضَ خَفّانَ يَوماً
لَأَحَلتَyou would turn الزَئيرَthe roaring فيهاin it عِواءَinto howling
لَأَحَلتَ الزَئيرَ فيها عِواءَ
If you headed one day for the land of Khaffān,
Had you one day resolved on Khaffan’s land
you would turn its roaring into howling.
You would have let out roaring there
عَطَفواthey swayed دَهرَهُمtheir fortune بِعَطفِكَthrough your favor عِلماًknowing
عَطَفوا دَهرَهُم بِعَطفِكَ عِلماً
أَنَّهُthat it لَنwould not يَشاءَwill حَتّىuntil تَشاءَyou will
أَنَّهُ لَن يَشاءَ حَتّى تَشاءَ
They swayed their fortune through your favor, knowing
They adapted their lives by your care, knowing
it would not will until you willed.
It will not want until you want
عَرَفَknew الناسُthe people مِنهُمُin them الحَزمَresolve قِدماًlong ago
عَرَفَ الناسُ مِنهُمُ الحَزمَ قِدماً
فَلِهَذاso for this سَمَّوهُمُthey called them حُكَماءَwise men
فَلِهَذا سَمَّوهُمُ حُكَماءَ
People have long known their resolve;
People recognized wisdom in them long ago
that is why they called them wise men.
So for this they named them sages
لَمnot تَزَلyou ceased تَقَهرُconquering العِدىthe foes فَلِهَذاso for this
لَم تَزَل تَقَهرُ العِدى فَلِهَذا
كُلَّماwhenever أَنجَبواthey excelled اِستَزَدتَyou gained more سَناءَglory
كُلَّما أَنجَبوا اِستَزَدتَ سَناءَ
You have never ceased to conquer foes; hence,
You never ceased subduing enemies—for this,
whenever they excel, you gain still greater glory.
Whenever they sired, your glory increased
يُحرِزُونَthey attain المَدىthe goal وَتَذهَبُand you carry away بِالحَمthe praise (start)
يُحرِزُونَ المَدى وَتَذهَبُ بِالحَم
دِpraise (end) فَماso not يَربَحونَthey gain إِلّاexcept العَناءَtoil
دِ فَما يَربَحونَ إِلّا العَناءَ
They reach the goal, but you carry off the praise;
They seize extent, while you take away praise
they gain nothing but the toil.
So they profit only fatigue
أَيُّwhat حَيفٍinjustice وَلِلخِلافَةِwhen the caliphate has سَيفٌa sword
أَيُّ حَيفٍ وَلِلخِلافَةِ سَيفٌ
تَستَمِدُّdraw السُيوفُthe swords مِنهُfrom it المَضاءَcutting power
تَستَمِدُّ السُيوفُ مِنهُ المَضاءَ
What injustice can remain, when the caliphate has a sword
What injustice that the caliphate has a sword
from which all swords draw their cutting power?
From which swords derive sharpness!
فَلتُفاخِرso let it boast بِحَدِّهِof its edge بَعدَafter عِلمٍknowing
فَلتُفاخِر بِحَدِّهِ بَعدَ عِلمٍ
أَنَّthat صَفوَthe sweetness الحَياةِof life مِمّاis from what أَفاءَit brought as spoils
أَنَّ صَفوَ الحَياةِ مِمّا أَفاءَ
Let it boast of that edge, knowing
So boast of its blade, knowing
that life's sweetness is among the spoils it brought.
The essence of life is what it yielded
ماnot تَخَلَّفتَyou held back عَنfrom صَلاحٍthe welfare لِهَذاof this الthe
ما تَخَلَّفتَ عَن صَلاحٍ لِهَذا ال
دينِreligion مُذsince ظَلتَyou began تَخلُفُstanding in for الخُلَفاءَthe caliphs
دينِ مُذ ظَلتَ تَخلُفُ الخُلَفاءَ
You have never held back from serving this religion,
You never failed goodness for this religion
since you began to stand in the caliphs’ stead.
Since you continued to succeed the successors
رُقتَهُمyou captivated them بِالإِباءِthrough proud resolve وَالنُصحِand sincere counsel فَالآso the fathers (start)
رُقتَهُم بِالإِباءِ وَالنُصحِ فَالآ
باءُfathers (end) مِنهُمamong them توصيcommend بِكَyou الأَبناءَto the sons
باءُ مِنهُم توصي بِكَ الأَبناءَ
You captivated them by proud resolve and sincere counsel; their fathers
You cared for them with coercion and advice—so
commend you to their sons.
Fathers from them advise sons about you
وَأَبَنتَand showed الغِنىself-sufficiency لَهُمto them عَنfrom جَميعِall الthe
وَأَبَنتَ الغِنى لَهُم عَن جَميعِ ال
خَلقِcreation مُذsince صادَفواthey found لَدَيكَin you الغَناءَeffective help
خَلقِ مُذ صادَفوا لَدَيكَ الغَناءَ
You showed them they could dispense with all creation,
You made independence from all people available
once they found in you the help they needed.
Since they found with you self-sufficiency
تُوقَدُis kindled النارُfire فيin الظَلامِdarkness وَلَكِنbut
تُوقَدُ النارُ في الظَلامِ وَلَكِن
لَيسَnot يَجلوdispels الهَزِيعَthe night-watch كَاِبنِlike the son of ذُكاءَDhukāʾ, the sun
لَيسَ يَجلو الهَزِيعَ كَاِبنِ ذُكاءَ
Fire is kindled in darkness, yet
Fires blaze in darkness but
nothing dispels the night like Dhukāʾ’s son.
A keen mind does not illuminate gloom like high intelligence
ماnot سَبَقتَyou outstripped الكُفاةَthe capable فيtoward الأَمَدِthe goal الأَبthe farthest (start)
ما سَبَقتَ الكُفاةَ في الأَمَدِ الأَب
عَدِfarthest (end) إِلّاexcept لِتِعدَمَso you would lack الأَكفاءَequals
عَدِ إِلّا لِتِعدَمَ الأَكفاءَ
You outstripped the capable toward the farthest goal,
You never preceded averages in the farthest future
only to leave yourself without equals.
Except to eliminate peers
خابَwas disappointed راجيone hoping for العُلُوِّeminence ياO عَضُدَʿAḍud, Arm الدَوal-Dawla, the State (start)
خابَ راجي العُلُوِّ يا عَضُدَ الدَو
لَةِal-Dawla (end) مُذsince أَحرَزَتsecured يَداكَyour two hands العَلاءَloftiness
لَةِ مُذ أَحرَزَت يَداكَ العَلاءَ
Whoever hopes for eminence is thwarted, O ʿAḍud al-Dawla,
Who hopes for greatness—O pillar of the state—has failed
since your hands have secured all loftiness.
Since your hands seized the heights
وَلِمَنand for whoever يَبتَغىseeks عُقوقُكَdisloyalty to you ظَنٌّan expectation
وَلِمَن يَبتَغى عُقوقُكَ ظَنٌّ
عَوَّدَتهُhave accustomed it to صِفاتُكَyour qualities الإِكداءَdisappointment
عَوَّدَتهُ صِفاتُكَ الإِكداءَ
Whoever seeks to betray you has an expectation
Whoever seeks to wrong you, qualities
that your qualities have accustomed to disappointment.
Accustomed him to biting misfortune
مَنwhoever بَغىseeks أَنto يَعِزَّbecome mighty سِلماًin peace وَحَرباًand war
مَن بَغى أَن يَعِزَّ سِلماً وَحَرباً
فَليُقارِعthen let him strike قِراعَكَas you strike الأَعداءَthe enemies
فَليُقارِع قِراعَكَ الأَعداءَ
Whoever seeks might in peace and war
Whoever craves esteem in peace and war
should strike his enemies as you strike them.
Must take up arms against your enemies
ياO أَميرَcommander الجُيوشِof armies لاmay not عَدِمَتthey lack مِنin
يا أَميرَ الجُيوشِ لا عَدِمَت مِن
كَyou أَميراًa commander يَستَخدِمُwho employs الأَمَراءَcommanders
كَ أَميراً يَستَخدِمُ الأَمَراءَ
O commander of armies, may they never lack in you
O commander of armies—you never lacked
a commander who takes commanders into his service.
A commander employing commanders
فَإِذاand when ماindeed الأَصحابُretainers خامَتfalter عَنِin defending الأَرthe lords (start)
فَإِذا ما الأَصحابُ خامَت عَنِ الأَر
بابِlords (end) كانواthey are بِسَيفِهِby his sword عُتَقاءَfreed
بابِ كانوا بِسَيفِهِ عُتَقاءَ
When retainers fail their lords,
So whenever the loyal peers decline
those lords are freed by his sword.
His sword will emancipate them
أَنتَyou are غَيثٌrain إِذاwhen اِعتَرىafflicts الأَرضَthe earth مَحلٌdrought
أَنتَ غَيثٌ إِذا اِعتَرى الأَرضَ مَحلٌ
وَدَواءٌand a remedy إِذاwhen اِشتَكىsuffered الدينُreligion داءَa disease
وَدَواءٌ إِذا اِشتَكى الدينُ داءَ
You are rain when drought afflicts the earth,
You are a rain when dearth befalls the land
and a remedy when religion suffers a disease.
And a cure if religion ails
فِضتَyou overflowed حَتّىeven عَلىupon التُرابِthe dust نَوالاًin bounty
فِضتَ حَتّى عَلى التُرابِ نَوالاً
وَفَكَكتَand you freed العُناةَthe captives حَتّىeven الماءَwater
وَفَكَكتَ العُناةَ حَتّى الماءَ
Your bounty overflowed even upon the dust,
You have poured on the ground rennet
and you freed captives—even water.
And drained springs until the water
أَفَعيناًis it a spring حَفَرتَyou dug أَمor هُوَis it بَحرٌa sea
أَفَعيناً حَفَرتَ أَم هُوَ بَحرٌ
بانَappeared لَمّاwhen كَشَفتَyou removed عَنهُfrom it الغِطاءَthe covering
بانَ لَمّا كَشَفتَ عَنهُ الغِطاءَ
Did you dig a spring, or is it a sea
Were they snakes that you dug up?
revealed when you lifted away its covering?
Or was it a sea that surfaced when you lifted its veil?
لَمnot نَخَلwe imagined قَطُّever أَنَّthat فيin العَزمِresolve سَيلاًa torrent
لَم نَخَل قَطُّ أَنَّ في العَزمِ سَيلاً
تَذهَبُdrift away الراسِياتُthe firm mountains فيهِin it جُفاءَas scum
تَذهَبُ الراسِياتُ فيهِ جُفاءَ
We never imagined resolve could hold a torrent
We never supposed resolve had a torrent
in which firm mountains drift away like scum.
Sweeping away towering things into nothingness
فَمِنَand among الناسِpeople مَنone who يَقولُsays تَعالَتexalted is
فَمِنَ الناسِ مَن يَقولُ تَعالَت
هِمَّةٌan ambition تَترُكُthat leaves الجِبالَthe mountains هَباءَdust
هِمَّةٌ تَترُكُ الجِبالَ هَباءَ
Some people say, “Exalted is
Of people one says, “High ambitions that leave
an ambition that turns mountains to dust!”
Mountains as dust,”
وَمِنَand among الناسِpeople قائِلٌone saying لَيسَnot يُستَنis surprising (start)
وَمِنَ الناسِ قائِلٌ لَيسَ يُستَن
كَرُis surprising (end) أَنthat تُجرِيَmake flow البِحارُthe seas النِهاءَthe pools
كَرُ أَن تُجرِيَ البِحارُ النِهاءَ
Others say, “It is no wonder
And one says, “It cannot be denied oceans might be made to flow”
that seas should make pools flow.”
A legacy—though ages pass
أَثَرٌa monument سَوفَwill تَنقَضيpass away حِقَبُthe ages الدَهof Time (start)
أَثَرٌ سَوفَ تَنقَضي حِقَبُ الدَه
رِTime (end) وَلَمand not تَستَطِعthey could لَهُfor it إِخفاءَconcealment
رِ وَلَم تَستَطِع لَهُ إِخفاءَ
A monument: the ages of Time will pass
It cannot be concealed
without being able to conceal it.
Kings have seen your view and, falling short,
قَدindeed رَأَتconsidered رَأيَكَyour plan المُلوكُthe kings وَعَجزاًand through incapacity
قَد رَأَت رَأيَكَ المُلوكُ وَعَجزاً
تَرَكواthey abandoned ماwhat أَتَيتَyou accomplished لاnot إِلغاءَthrough disregard
تَرَكوا ما أَتَيتَ لا إِلغاءَ
Kings had considered your plan, but through incapacity
They have left what you came for untouched
they left undone what you achieved, not through disregard.
Were it not for what you watered, winter would envy
لَأَفَضتَyou certainly poured forth الأَمواهَthe waters حَتّىuntil لَخيلَindeed seemed الthe
لَأَفَضتَ الأَمواهَ حَتّى لَخيلَ ال
صَيفُsummer مِمّاfrom what سَقَتthey watered فَرَوَّتand saturated شِتاءَwinter
صَيفُ مِمّا سَقَت فَرَوَّت شِتاءَ
You poured forth the waters, until summer itself
Even horses in summer for the watering you brought it
seemed winter from their drenching irrigation.
How many plateau around Damascus
كَمhow many بِقُطرَيaround دِمَشقَDamascus مِنof قَفرَةٍa barren tract حَصstony (start)
كَم بِقُطرَي دِمَشقَ مِن قَفرَةٍ حَص
صاءَstony (end) صارَتbecame خَميلَةًa meadow خَضراءَgreen
صاءَ صارَت خَميلَةً خَضراءَ
How many a barren, stony tract around Damascus
Were rough gravel—now verdant meadows!
has become a green meadow!
Its people enjoyed the water’s yield
جادَهاwatered it مِنfrom جَميلِthe beauty رَأَيِكَof your judgment نَوءٌa rain-cloud
جادَها مِن جَميلِ رَأَيِكَ نَوءٌ
قَدindeed كَفاهاspared it أَنfrom تَرقُبَwatching الأَنواءَthe rain-stars
قَد كَفاها أَن تَرقُبَ الأَنواءَ
A rain-cloud from your fine judgment watered it,
Surely irrigating land yields riches
freeing it from watching for the rain-stars.
So let others endure clouds—you created
فَجَنىso harvested أَهلُهاits people مِنَfrom الماءِwater مالاًwealth
فَجَنى أَهلُها مِنَ الماءِ مالاً
إِنَّindeed رَيَّwatering الثَرىthe soil يُفيدُyields الثَراءَriches
إِنَّ رَيَّ الثَرى يُفيدُ الثَراءَ
Its people harvested wealth from water;
In the land an everlasting tap
watering the soil indeed brings riches.
One blessing covered the lands
فَليَشِمso let watch غَيرُناothers than us السَحابَthe clouds فَقَدfor indeed أَنyou raised (start)
فَليَشِم غَيرُنا السَحابَ فَقَد أَن
شَأتَyou raised (end) فيupon الأَرضِthe earth ديمَةَa steady rain-cloud وَطفاءَdense
شَأتَ في الأَرضِ ديمَةَ وَطفاءَ
Let others watch the clouds: you have raised
And another in the son of Saif covered the living
upon the earth a dense, steady rain-cloud.
Ask and it would be set loose even if
نِعَمةٌa blessing عَمَّتِencompassed البِلادَthe lands وَأُخرىand another
نِعَمةٌ عَمَّتِ البِلادَ وَأُخرى
فيconcerning اِبنِIbn سَيفٍSayf قَدindeed عَمَّتِencompassed الأَحياءَthe clans
في اِبنِ سَيفٍ قَد عَمَّتِ الأَحياءَ
One blessing embraced the land; another,
Not for you, the seeker would endure a long time
concerning Ibn Sayf, embraced all the clans.
And if adversity went on in repelling adversity
فَاِنكَفاso he returned مُطلَقاًfreed وَلَوand had غَيرُكَanyone but you الطاthe seeker (start)
فَاِنكَفا مُطلَقاً وَلَو غَيرُكَ الطا
لِبُseeker (end) إِطلاقَهُof his release لَطالَhe would have stayed long ثَواءَin residence
لِبُ إِطلاقَهُ لَطالَ ثَواءَ
He returned set free; had anyone but you sought
And weakened, you remedied it with a hint
his release, his stay would have been long.
What you lavished on enemies so surpassed kindness
وَإِذاand when الخَطبُthe crisis طالَgrew long فيin دَفعِهِaverting it الخَطthe speeches (start)
وَإِذا الخَطبُ طالَ في دَفعِهِ الخَط
بُspeeches (end) وَأَعياand proved intractable فَصَلتَهُyou settled it إيماءَwith a gesture
بُ وَأَعيا فَصَلتَهُ إيماءَ
When speeches run long in warding off a crisis
Clouds withdrew from them—excelling boons
and fail, you settle it with a gesture.
Every day you offer them a white hand
مِنَّةٌa favor فيfor عَدِيَّʿAdiyy قَدindeed جَلَّتِdispelled الغَمthe gloom (start)
مِنَّةٌ في عَدِيَّ قَد جَلَّتِ الغَم
ماءَgloom (end) عَنهُمfrom them وَفاقَتِand surpassed النَعماءَblessings
ماءَ عَنهُم وَفاقَتِ النَعماءَ
A favor to ʿAdiyy dispelled their gloom
That twists with black crisis
and surpassed all blessings.
So return his verbal injury with kindness and pardon
عَظُمَتwas great مَوقِعاًin impact وَماand not زِلتَyou ceased بِالآwith favors (start)
عَظُمَت مَوقِعاً وَما زِلتَ بِالآ
لاءِfavors (end) قِدماًlong ago تُطَرِّزُembroidering الآلاءَfavors
لاءِ قِدماً تُطَرِّزُ الآلاءَ
Great was its impact; you have long adorned
Doing good even if he does evil
favors with yet more favors.
Matching kindness with the traits
كُلَّevery يَومٍday تُسديyou bestow إِلَيهِمupon them يَداًa hand بَيwhite (start)
كُلَّ يَومٍ تُسدي إِلَيهِم يَداً بَي
ضاءَwhite (end) تُلويthat sweeps away بِأَزمَةٍa calamity سَوداءَblack
ضاءَ تُلوي بِأَزمَةٍ سَوداءَ
Each day you bestow on them a white hand of favor,
Of a dog—so the living would be equal
sweeping away a black calamity.
A king called out at adversity
فَتَغَمَّدso enfold سَمِيَّهُhis namesake مَنكَfrom you بِالرَأin compassion (start)
فَتَغَمَّد سَمِيَّهُ مَنكَ بِالرَأ
فَةِcompassion (end) وَالعَفوِand pardon مُحسِناًshowing kindness إِنif أَساءَhe erred
فَةِ وَالعَفوِ مُحسِناً إِن أَساءَ
So enfold his namesake in your compassion
With a call, so respond to the call
and pardon, showing kindness even if he has erred,
So remedy recklessness which time’s circumstances
مُلحِقاًjoining بِالإِحسانِthrough kindness مَعناًMaʿn بِكَلبٍwith Kalb
مُلحِقاً بِالإِحسانِ مَعناً بِكَلبٍ
لَيَكونَso that may be الحَيّانِthe two tribes فيهِin it سَواءَequal
لَيَكونَ الحَيّانِ فيهِ سَواءَ
joining Maʿn with Kalb in your beneficence,
Have left with only blame
so the two tribes may share it equally.
If his crimes exhausted mercy
قَدindeed أَصَمَّdeafened الخُطوبَcalamities مِنfrom حَيثُwhere نادىhe called
قَد أَصَمَّ الخُطوبَ مِن حَيثُ نادى
مَلِكٌa king بِالنَدىwith bounty يُجيبُanswers النَداءَthe appeal
مَلِكٌ بِالنَدى يُجيبُ النَداءَ
He has deafened calamities wherever he calls—
Then pardon with protective zeal and refusal
a king who answers appeals with bounty.
This king is not pleased that Romans are seen
فَتَدارَكso rescue حُشاشَةًa remnant of life لَمnot تَدَعhave left مِنof
فَتَدارَك حُشاشَةً لَم تَدَع مِن
هاit صُروفُvicissitudes الزَمانِof Time إِلّاexcept ذَماءَa last breath
ها صُروفُ الزَمانِ إِلّا ذَماءَ
So rescue a remnant of life, of which
As guards among Arabs after them
the turns of Time have left only a last breath.
Kings succeeded you over them but
وَإِنَand if اِستَنفَدَتhave exhausted جَرائِمَهُhis crimes الرَحmercy (start)
وَإِنَ اِستَنفَدَت جَرائِمَهُ الرَح
مَةَmercy (end) فَاِصفَحthen pardon حَميَّةًfrom noble zeal وَإِباءَand proud resolve
مَةَ فَاِصفَح حَميَّةً وَإِباءَ
If his crimes have exhausted mercy,
As darkness succeeds light
then pardon him from noble zeal and proud resolve.
Your deeds distinguished you from the world’s savant
لَيسَnot ذاthis المُلكُrealm راضِياًconsenting أَنthat تُرىbe seen الروthe Romans (start)
لَيسَ ذا المُلكُ راضِياً أَن تُرى الرو
مُRomans (end) لِعُربٍfor Arabs مِنfrom بَعدِهاafter it خُفَراءَas protectors
مُ لِعُربٍ مِن بَعدِها خُفَراءَ
This realm will not consent to see the Romans
So no wonder you won heaven
become, after it, the Arabs’ protectors.
Have you continued to be creative out of inspiration
خَلَفَتكَsucceeded you المُلوكُthe kings فيهِمamong them وَلَكِنbut
خَلَفَتكَ المُلوكُ فيهِم وَلَكِن
مِثلَماjust as يَخلُفُsucceeds الظَلامُdarkness الضِياءَlight
مِثلَما يَخلُفُ الظَلامُ الضِياءَ
Kings have succeeded you among them,
Or has transcendence become your allotted share?
but as darkness succeeds the light.
Or did the one who taught Adam names
لَمnot تَزَلyou ceased مُبدِعاًinnovating فَلَمand I did not أَدرِknow إِلهاby inspiration (start)
لَم تَزَل مُبدِعاً فَلَم أَدرِ إِلها
ماًinspiration (end) عَرَفتَyou learned الإِعجازَwonder-working أَمor إيحاءَby revelation
ماً عَرَفتَ الإِعجازَ أَم إيحاءَ
You have always wrought wonders; I cannot tell whether by inspiration
Teach you then to ride trainable zebras?
you mastered the miraculous, or by revelation,
Deeds singled you out from the earth’s folk
أَمor أَصارَmade السُمُوَّloftiness قِسمَكَyour allotted portion مَنHe who عَلtaught (start)
أَم أَصارَ السُمُوَّ قِسمَكَ مَن عَل
لَمَtaught (end) مِنfrom قَبلُbefore آدَمَAdam الأَسماءَthe names
لَمَ مِن قَبلُ آدَمَ الأَسماءَ
or whether He allotted you loftiness who taught
So no wonder if you gain heaven
Adam the names before.
Your generosity’s boons overwhelmed me
فَتَجاوَزso go beyond رُكوبَriding جُردِsleek المَذاكيmature steeds
فَتَجاوَز رُكوبَ جُردِ المَذاكي
أَنَفاًout of disdain مِنهُfor it وَاِمتَطِand mount الجَوزاءَal-Jawzāʾ
أَنَفاً مِنهُ وَاِمتَطِ الجَوزاءَ
So leave behind the riding of sleek, mature steeds,
Leaving me no hopes in either world
disdaining it, and mount al-Jawzāʾ.
So I shunned creation, with none to blame,
مَيَّزَتكَdistinguished you الأَفعالُdeeds عَنfrom عالَمِthe world الأَرof earth (start)
مَيَّزَتكَ الأَفعالُ عَن عالَمِ الأَر
ضِearth (end) فَلاso no غَروَwonder أَنthat تَنالَyou attain السَماءَthe sky
ضِ فَلا غَروَ أَن تَنالَ السَماءَ
Your deeds distinguish you from the earthly world;
Abandoning aspiration when I achieved fullness
no wonder, then, that you should reach the sky.
May my life in your presence continue happily!
غَمَرَتنيoverwhelmed me آلاءُthe favors جودِكَof your bounty حَتّىuntil
غَمَرَتني آلاءُ جودِكَ حَتّى
لَمnot تَدَعthey left ليfor me فيin العالَمينَall the worlds رَجاءَa hope
لَم تَدَع لي في العالَمينَ رَجاءَ
The favors of your bounty overwhelmed me,
So let my poetry thrive happily in your yards!
leaving me nothing more to hope for in all the worlds.
Your efforts look beautiful in eyes
فَرَفَضتُso I rejected الوَرىmankind وَغَيرُand not مَلومٍblamed
فَرَفَضتُ الوَرى وَغَيرُ مَلومٍ
تارِكُone leaving الرَشحِseepage مَنwhoever أَصابَhas found الرَواءَa full draught
تارِكُ الرَشحِ مَن أَصابَ الرَواءَ
So I rejected mankind; he is not to blame
And reports of you became good among people
who leaves mere seepage after finding a full draught.
God created in you such superiority
دامَhas remained عَيشيmy life فيin ذاthis الجَنابِprecinct هَنيئاًpleasant
دامَ عَيشي في ذا الجَنابِ هَنيئاً
فَليَدُمso may remain فيin ذَراهُits shelter شِعريmy poetry هَناءَa delight
فَليَدُم في ذَراهُ شِعري هَناءَ
My life has remained pleasant in this precinct;
So let each praiser say what he wants!
may my poetry remain a delight in its shelter.
You filled the earth entirely with justice
حَسُنَتwere beautiful فيto العُيونِthe eyes مَرأىًin appearance مَساعيendeavors
حَسُنَت في العُيونِ مَرأىً مَساعي
كَyour وَطابَتand were sweet بَينَamong الوَرىmankind أَنباءَas tidings
كَ وَطابَت بَينَ الوَرى أَنباءَ
Your endeavors were fair to the eyes in their appearance,
So its inhabitants filled the heavens with prayer
and sweet as tidings among mankind.
You protected us from evils in every way
خَلَقَcreated اللَهُGod فيكَin you ماwhat شِئتَyou wished فَضلاًof excellence
خَلَقَ اللَهُ فيكَ ما شِئتَ فَضلاً
فَليَقُلso let say كَلُّevery مادِحٍpanegyrist ماwhat شاءَhe wishes
فَليَقُل كَلُّ مادِحٍ ما شاءَ
God created in you whatever excellence you wished;
He who protected us from evils by your nearness
let every panegyrist say whatever he wishes.
قَدindeed مَلَأتَyou filled الأَرضَthe earth القَريضَةَthe ravaged عَدلاًwith justice
قَد مَلَأتَ الأَرضَ القَريضَةَ عَدلاً
فَمَلاso filled أَهلُهاits people السَماءَheaven دُعاءَwith prayers
فَمَلا أَهلُها السَماءَ دُعاءَ
You have filled the ravaged earth with justice,
and its people have filled heaven with prayers.
فَوَقاناso may He spare us الأَسواءَharms فيكَin your person جَميعاًall together
فَوَقانا الأَسواءَ فيكَ جَميعاً
مَنHe who وَقاناspared us بِقُربِكَthrough nearness to you الأَسواءَharms
مَن وَقانا بِقُربِكَ الأَسواءَ
May He spare us all any harm befalling you,
who has spared us harm through nearness to you.
Partial English translation: 177 of 182 Arabic lines translated.