أَماIndeed وَمَناقِبٍby noble virtues عَزَّتwere hard to attain مَراماas a goal
أَما وَمَناقِبٍ عَزَّت مَراما
وَمَجدٍand by glory شامِخٍlofty أَعياbaffled الأَناماhumankind
وَمَجدٍ شامِخٍ أَعيا الأَناما
Indeed, by virtues beyond attainment,
With noble traits that raise aspirations aloft,
and lofty glory that has baffled humankind,
With towering glory that dazzles all people,
لَقَدindeed هَمَّتaspired نُفوسٌsouls بِالمَعاليto high honors
لَقَد هَمَّت نُفوسٌ بِالمَعالي
فَمُنذُso since هَمَمتَyou aspired لَمnot تَترُكyou left هُماماa champion
فَمُنذُ هَمَمتَ لَم تَترُك هُماما
souls have indeed aspired to high honors,
Souls have aspired to greatness before,
but since you aspired, you have left no champion unoutdone.
But since you aspired, you have not ceased your resolve.
وَكُلٌّand everyone ضارِبٌcasting فيهاin them بِسَهمٍan arrow
وَكُلٌّ ضارِبٌ فيها بِسَهمٍ
وَلَكِنbut فازَwon مَنwhoever جَمَعَgathered السِهاماthe arrows
وَلَكِن فازَ مَن جَمَعَ السِهاما
Each has cast an arrow for a share in them,
Each shoots an arrow towards it,
but he who gathered all the arrows won.
But only prevails he who gathers all arrows.
خُصِصتَyou were singled out بِرُتبَةٍfor a rank عَلَتِsurpassed الثُرَيّاthe Pleiades
خُصِصتَ بِرُتبَةٍ عَلَتِ الثُرَيّا
وَخَلَّتand left لِلمُحاوِلِهاfor whoever seeks it الرَغاماthe dust
وَخَلَّت لِلمُحاوِلِها الرَغاما
You were singled out for a rank above the Pleiades,
You were endowed with a rank beyond high stations,
which left only dust for whoever would attain it.
Leaving the steep passes to those who attempt them.
عَلَتit rose high وَغَلَتand grew costly عَلىfor مُتَطَلِّبيهاits seekers
عَلَت وَغَلَت عَلى مُتَطَلِّبيها
لِتَأمَنَso it may be safe أَنfrom being تُسامىrivaled in height أَوor تُساماbid for
لِتَأمَنَ أَن تُسامى أَو تُساما
It rose high and grew too costly for its seekers,
It rose high above those who seek it
safe from being rivaled or bargained for.
So it would be safe from being competed for or rivaled.
فَماso not أَبدَتit displayed لِمُستامٍto a bidder خِداماanklets
فَما أَبدَت لِمُستامٍ خِداما
وَلاnor فَضَّbroke open الزَمانُtime لَهاits خِتاماseal
وَلا فَضَّ الزَمانُ لَها خِتاما
It showed no anklets to a bidder,
It has never shown submission to any rival
nor has time broken its seal.
Nor has time unlocked its conclusion.
وَكَيفَand how يَرومُcan aspire to شَأوَكَyour reach رَبُّa possessor of عَزمٍresolve
وَكَيفَ يَرومُ شَأوَكَ رَبُّ عَزمٍ
إِذاwhen ماemphatic particle باشَرَhe entered الهَيجاءَbattle خاماhe quailed
إِذا ما باشَرَ الهَيجاءَ خاما
How could a man of resolve aspire to your reach,
How can one with little resolve hope to rival your stature
if he quails when he enters battle?
When you undertake matters prolifically?
يَرىhe considers طَلَبَpursuing المَعاشِa livelihood أَجَلَّthe greatest غُنمٍgain
يَرى طَلَبَ المَعاشِ أَجَلَّ غُنمٍ
فَقَدfor indeed أَفنىhe exhausted الحَياةَhis life بِهِover it اِهتِماماin concern
فَقَد أَفنى الحَياةَ بِهِ اِهتِماما
He deems pursuing a livelihood the greatest gain,
He sees seeking livelihood as the best bounty,
and has consumed his life in caring for it.
For he has wasted his life preoccupied with it.
وَرائِدُand the seeker بِرِّهِof his bounty يُعصىis refused وَيُقصىand is driven away
وَرائِدُ بِرِّهِ يُعصى وَيُقصى
وَوارِدُand one coming to بَحرِهِhis sea يَشكوcomplains of الأُواماburning thirst
وَوارِدُ بَحرِهِ يَشكو الأُواما
The seeker of his bounty is refused and driven away,
The guide of righteousness is disobeyed and outcast,
and whoever comes to his sea complains of burning thirst.
While the novice of its sea complains of drowning.
وَيَرضىand he accepts مَنسِمَthe hoof of العَلياءِeminence تاجاًas a crown
وَيَرضى مَنسِمَ العَلياءِ تاجاً
إِذاwhen لَمdid not تَرضَaccept أَخمَصُكَyour foot's arch السَناماthe hump
إِذا لَم تَرضَ أَخمَصُكَ السَناما
He accepts the hoof of eminence as a crown,
And he who holds the noble's reins is pleased with a crown
while the arch of your foot will not accept its hump.
If your sole does not please the stirrups.
أَرىI see المُلكَkingship العَقيمَbarren حَمىhas guarded حِماهُits domain
أَرى المُلكَ العَقيمَ حَمى حِماهُ
بِأَروَعَthrough a formidable man يَحسِمُwho eradicates الداءَthe disease العُقاماincurable
بِأَروَعَ يَحسِمُ الداءَ العُقاما
I see barren kingship guarding its domain
I see the barren kingdom---its protector preserved it
through a formidable man who eradicates incurable disease.
With the finest strategy that defeats affliction.
ثَنىhe turned away الأَزَماتِcrises بِالعَزَماتِwith firm resolves عَنّاfrom us
ثَنى الأَزَماتِ بِالعَزَماتِ عَنّا
وَكَفَّand checked بِحَدِّهاwith their edge الكُرَبَafflictions العِظاماgreat
وَكَفَّ بِحَدِّها الكُرَبَ العِظاما
He turned crises away from us with firm resolves,
You have folded the tribulations with strong will,
and checked great afflictions with their sharp edge.
And with its very essence warded off major woes from us.
فَلاso may they not زالَتcease to be لِجاحِمِهاfor their blazing foe خُموداًextinction
فَلا زالَت لِجاحِمِها خُموداً
وَلاand may they not بَرِحَتcease to be لِجامِحِهاfor their unruly foe لِجاماa bridle
وَلا بَرِحَت لِجامِحِها لِجاما
May they always quench what blazes against them,
So it remains forcing its aggressors into submission
and always bridle what runs wild against them.
And stays busy against its assailants.
مَنيعٌsecure جارُهُhis neighbor إِنif حَلَّhe settles in أَرضاًa land
مَنيعٌ جارُهُ إِن حَلَّ أَرضاً
جَلاhe dispelled الإِظلامَdarkness عَنهاfrom it وَالظَلاماand oppression
جَلا الإِظلامَ عَنها وَالظَلاما
His neighbor is secure; if he settles in a land,
A neighbor whose alliance promises security---
he clears away its darkness and oppression.
Darkness and shadows recede from the land he settles.
فَقَدfor indeed وَدَّwished المُلوكُthe kings عَلىdespite التَنائيdistance
فَقَد وَدَّ المُلوكُ عَلى التَنائي
لَوِif only اِسطاعواthey could لِراحَتِهِupon his palm التِثاماbestow a kiss
لَوِ اِسطاعوا لِراحَتِهِ التِثاما
Kings, despite their distance, have wished
Kings have wished privacy from him
they could bestow a kiss upon his palm.
If they could find a way to distance themselves.
سَخَواthey gave generously لَمّاwhen اِنتَشَواthey became drunk وَهَمىand poured forth نَداهُhis bounty
سَخَوا لَمّا اِنتَشَوا وَهَمى نَداهُ
وَماthough not عَرَفَhe knew النِدامَdrinking companions وَلاnor المُداماwine
وَما عَرَفَ النِدامَ وَلا المُداما
They gave freely when drunk, while his bounty rained down
They were defiant when they rebelled, and his threat loomed,
though he knew neither drinking companions nor wine.
But they have not known regret or remorse.
يَعُمُّhe includes بِهِwith it الأَدانِيَthose nearby وَالأَقاصيand those far away
يَعُمُّ بِهِ الأَدانِيَ وَالأَقاصي
إِذاwhile لَمdid not يَعدُgo beyond رِفدُهُمُtheir gifts النَداماdrinking companions
إِذا لَم يَعدُ رِفدُهُمُ النَداما
With it he embraces the near and the far,
It spreads to both nearby and distant lands
while their gifts go no further than their drinking companions.
If his aid no longer reaches them.
وَإِنand if قَرَنواthey coupled بِبُخلِهِمُwith their stinginess عُبوساًa scowl
وَإِن قَرَنوا بِبُخلِهِمُ عُبوساً
قَرَنتَyou coupled بِجودِكَwith your generosity السَجمِpouring اِبتِساماa smile
قَرَنتَ بِجودِكَ السَجمِ اِبتِساما
And if they pair their stinginess with a scowl,
And if they combine austerity with their scowls,
you pair your pouring generosity with a smile.
You combine your smiles with generosity.
يَمينٌa right hand بَرَّحَتdealt harshly بِالمالِwith wealth حَتّىuntil
يَمينٌ بَرَّحَت بِالمالِ حَتّى
حَسِبناwe thought وَفرَكَyour abundant wealth اِقتَرَفَhad committed اِجتِراماa crime
حَسِبنا وَفرَكَ اِقتَرَفَ اِجتِراما
A right hand has dealt so harshly with wealth that
A hand that has comforted with wealth until
we thought your abundance had committed a crime.
We deemed it enough---so cease overindulgence!
وَتَأبىand it refuses أَنto let يُجاوِرَهاit dwell beside it فُواقاًfor an instant
وَتَأبى أَن يُجاوِرَها فُواقاً
لِعِلمِكَbecause you know أَنَّthat جارَكَyour neighbor لَنwill never يُضاماbe wronged
لِعِلمِكَ أَنَّ جارَكَ لَن يُضاما
It refuses to let wealth dwell beside it for an instant,
It refuses to be neighboring wastefulness
for you know your neighbor will never be wronged.
For you know your neighbor will not be wronged.
وَكانَand was الدينُthe faith مُعتَصِماًsafeguarded وَلَكِنbut
وَكانَ الدينُ مُعتَصِماً وَلَكِن
بِنَصرِكَthrough your support زادَهُincreased its اللَهُGod اِعتِصاماsecurity
بِنَصرِكَ زادَهُ اللَهُ اِعتِصاما
The faith was already safeguarded, but
Religion was a shelter, but by your victory
through your support God made it more secure.
God has increased its fortification.
عَزائِمُresolves أَخفَرَتinvalidated ذِمَمَpledges of protection الأَعاديof the enemies
عَزائِمُ أَخفَرَت ذِمَمَ الأَعادي
وَلَمand did not يَخفِرviolate لَهاof theirs أَحَدٌanyone ذِماماa protective pledge
وَلَم يَخفِر لَها أَحَدٌ ذِماما
Resolves that shattered the enemies' guarantees of safety,
Your resolves have staved the enemies' attacks,
though no one has violated a pledge of protection of theirs.
And none has weakened their onslaught like you.
وَكَمand how many مِنa غارَةٍraid أَرسَلتَyou sent فيهاin it
وَكَم مِن غارَةٍ أَرسَلتَ فيها
إِلىto طُرَدائِكَthose you pursued المَوتَdeath الزُؤاماswift and deadly
إِلى طُرَدائِكَ المَوتَ الزُؤاما
How many a raid in which you sent
How many raids have you launched
a swift, deadly death to those you pursued,
In which you sent lethal death to your foes!
بِبيضٍwith gleaming swords ماnot شَحَذتَyou sharpened لَهاfor them غِراراًan edge
بِبيضٍ ما شَحَذتَ لَها غِراراً
وَخَيلٍand horses ماnot شَدَدتَyou tightened لَهاfor them حِزاماa girth
وَخَيلٍ ما شَدَدتَ لَها حِزاما
with gleaming swords whose edges you had not whetted,
With cavalry whose blades were not sharpened
and horses whose girths you had not tightened!
And horses whose girths were not tightened.
وَكَمand how often أَغنىavailed وَعيدُكَyour threat فيagainst عَدُوٍّan enemy
وَكَم أَغنى وَعيدُكَ في عَدُوٍّ
غَناءًwith an efficacy يُعجِزُthat surpasses الجَيشَthe army اللُهاماmassive
غَناءً يُعجِزُ الجَيشَ اللُهاما
How often your threat has worked upon an enemy
How your threats have sufficed your enemies---
with an efficacy beyond a mighty army's reach!
Songs that bewilder the most ferocious armies!
تَوَلَّجَit slipped فيinto مَسامِعِهِمtheir ears كَلاماًas words
تَوَلَّجَ في مَسامِعِهِم كَلاماً
وَصارَand passed إِلىinto قُلوبِهِمُtheir hearts كِلاماas wounds
وَصارَ إِلى قُلوبِهِمُ كِلاما
It entered their ears as words,
It echoes in their ears as discourse
and passed into their hearts as wounds.
And settles into their hearts as discourse.
لَغُرّواthey were indeed deceived بِالسَكينَةِby the calm مِنكَfrom you جَهلاًthrough ignorance
لَغُرّوا بِالسَكينَةِ مِنكَ جَهلاً
وَرُبَّand many a سَكينَةٍcalm جَرَّتhas brought عُراماfierce violence
وَرُبَّ سَكينَةٍ جَرَّت عُراما
They were indeed deceived by your calm, through ignorance,
They were deluded by your tranquility into ignorance---
yet many a calm has brought fierce violence.
Many a tranquility has drove nudity!
نَسَختَyou replaced تَليدَthe ancestral عِزَّهِمُmight of theirs بِذُلٍّwith humiliation
نَسَختَ تَليدَ عِزَّهِمُ بِذُلٍّ
أَوانَwhen مَسَختَyou transformed أُسدَهُمُtheir lions نَعاماinto ostriches
أَوانَ مَسَختَ أُسدَهُمُ نَعاما
You replaced their ancestral might with abasement
You have replaced their legendary glory with disgrace
when you transformed their lions into ostriches.
When you transformed their lions into ostriches.
فَظَنَّso thought القَومُthe people مَحياهُمtheir life مَماتاًto be death
فَظَنَّ القَومُ مَحياهُم مَماتاً
وَنَحنُwhile we نَظُنُّthink يَقظَتَناour wakefulness مَناماa dream
وَنَحنُ نَظُنُّ يَقظَتَنا مَناما
So those people thought their living was death,
So those people deemed their lives as death,
while we think our wakefulness a dream.
While we deem our awakening as but a dream!
وَقَدand already مَرَنَتhave grown accustomed عَلىto قَذعٍabuse وَجَدعٍand nose-cutting
وَقَد مَرَنَت عَلى قَذعٍ وَجَدعٍ
مَوارِنُnose-tips قَطُّever ماnot عَرَفَتknew خِطاماa halter
مَوارِنُ قَطُّ ما عَرَفَت خِطاما
Now inured to abuse and mutilation are
The paws of a cat that never knew a muzzle
noses that had never known a halter.
Have endured cutting and sawing.
وَنادَيتَand you called المَمالِكَthe kingdoms فَاِستَجابَتso they responded
وَنادَيتَ المَمالِكَ فَاِستَجابَت
لِطاعَتِكَto obey you اِعتِياماًby choice وَاِغتِناماand as a gain
لِطاعَتِكَ اِعتِياماً وَاِغتِناما
You called the kingdoms, and they answered,
You have called upon the kingdoms, and they obeyed
choosing obedience to you and embracing it as a gain.
Your rule instinctively and opportunistically.
تَيَقَّنُthey are certain أَنَّthat أَخذَكَهاyour taking them صَلاحٌis beneficial
تَيَقَّنُ أَنَّ أَخذَكَها صَلاحٌ
كَفاهاit spared them أَنfrom تُحيطَyou surrounding بِهاthem اِصطِلاماin annihilation
كَفاها أَن تُحيطَ بِها اِصطِلاما
They are certain that your taking them is their welfare,
They are certain that your conquest brings prosperity,
sparing them your encirclement and annihilation.
It is enough that they are enveloped by your domination.
فَأَلحِقso join شَرقَهاtheir east بِالغَربِto the west قَسراًby force
فَأَلحِق شَرقَها بِالغَربِ قَسراً
كَحَوزِكَas your taking قِبلَةًa southern region مِنهاof them وَشاماand al-Sham
كَحَوزِكَ قِبلَةً مِنها وَشاما
So join their east to the west by force,
So annex their East to the West by force--
as you took their south and al-Sham.
Like your Mecca, make it their qibla and destination!
غِياثَO succor of المُسلِمينَthe Muslims كَفَفتَyou warded off عَنهُمfrom them
غِياثَ المُسلِمينَ كَفَفتَ عَنهُم
عَظائِمَcalamities تَسلُبُthat strip اللَحمَflesh العِظاماthe bones
عَظائِمَ تَسلُبُ اللَحمَ العِظاما
O succor of the Muslims, you have warded off from them
Savior of the Muslims, you have spared them
calamities that strip flesh from bones.
Great troubles that tear flesh from the bones.
يَهونُis easy عَلَيكَfor you إِحياءُkeeping alive اللَياليthe nights
يَهونُ عَلَيكَ إِحياءُ اللَيالي
وإِنeven if طالَتthey grow long إِذاwhen باتواthey spend the night نِياماasleep
وإِن طالَت إِذا باتوا نِياما
Keeping nights alive in vigil is easy for you,
It is easy for you to stay up nights
however long they are, when they lie asleep.
Even if they are long while your followers sleep.
سَهِرتَyou stayed awake لِكَيso that تُنيمَهُمُyou let them sleep وَقِدماًand long ago
سَهِرتَ لِكَي تُنيمَهُمُ وَقِدماً
تَوَلّىmanaged الأَمرَthe affairs مَنone who سَهِرواthey stayed awake وَناماand he slept
تَوَلّى الأَمرَ مَن سَهِروا وَناما
You stayed awake so that you might let them sleep; long ago,
You have stayed up that you may lull them to sleep,
their affairs were ruled by one who slept while they stayed awake.
While the responsible have undertaken the matter whether awake or asleep.
وَماand not سَلَّdrew الكَهامَthe blunt blade عَلىagainst عِداهُhis foes
وَما سَلَّ الكَهامَ عَلى عِداهُ
غَداةَon the morning of الرَوعِterror مَنone who وَجَدَfound الحُساماthe keen sword
غَداةَ الرَوعِ مَن وَجَدَ الحُساما
No blunt blade was drawn against his foes
Regret has not crept in after the initial shock
on the morning of terror by one who found a keen sword.
For he who found the swords.
لَقَدindeed وَطَّدتَyou established firmly بِالآراءِthrough counsels أَمراًan order
لَقَد وَطَّدتَ بِالآراءِ أَمراً
لِغَيرِكَto anyone else ماnot اِستَقادَit submitted وَلاnor اِستَقاماheld firm
لِغَيرِكَ ما اِستَقادَ وَلا اِستَقاما
With sound counsels you firmly established an order
You have established with opinions a matter
that for others neither submitted nor held firm.
That none else could have favorably persisted.
عُقودٌbonds بِالتُقىwith piety وَالعَدلِand justice شُدَّتwere tightened
عُقودٌ بِالتُقى وَالعَدلِ شُدَّت
أَطَعتَyou obeyed اللَهَGod فيهاin them وَالإِماماand the Imam
أَطَعتَ اللَهَ فيها وَالإِماما
Bonds tightened by piety and justice:
Ties bound by piety and justice---
in them you obeyed God and the Imam.
You have obeyed God and the Imam in them.
فَماso does not يَخشىfear الوَلِيُّthe ally لَهاfor them اِنفِصالاًseparation
فَما يَخشى الوَلِيُّ لَها اِنفِصالاً
وَلاnor يَرجوhopes for العَدُوُّthe enemy لَهاfor them اِنفِصاماa rupture
وَلا يَرجو العَدُوُّ لَها اِنفِصاما
Your ally fears no sundering of them,
So the guardian cannot fear their separation,
nor does your enemy hope they will snap.
Nor can the enemy hope for their split.
دَعَتprayed لَكَfor you بِالبَقاءِfor lasting life وَقَدand indeed أُجيبَتwas answered
دَعَت لَكَ بِالبَقاءِ وَقَد أُجيبَت
حَزائِقُcompanies أَمَّتِthat headed for البَيتَthe House الحَراماSacred
حَزائِقُ أَمَّتِ البَيتَ الحَراما
They prayed for your lasting life, and their prayer was answered—
Pilgrims in holy sites beseech God
the companies who journeyed to the Sacred House.
For your state’s protection and permanence.
بِجَمعٍwith a host تَلبَسُwears الخَضراءُthe sky مِنهُfrom it
بِجَمعٍ تَلبَسُ الخَضراءُ مِنهُ
تَرَحَّلَit marched أَوor ثَوىstayed غَيماًa cloud رُكاماheaped up
تَرَحَّلَ أَو ثَوى غَيماً رُكاما
With a host that clothes the heavens,
You have adorned your efforts with steadfastness,
marching or camped, in heaped-up clouds.
So time has not systemized its flow.
إِذاwhen ماemphatic particle حَلَّit camped ظَلَّلَهاit shaded it دُخاناًwith smoke
إِذا ما حَلَّ ظَلَّلَها دُخاناً
وَإِنand if هُوَit سارَmarched طَبَّقَهاit covered it قَتاماwith dust
وَإِن هُوَ سارَ طَبَّقَها قَتاما
When it camps, it shades the heavens with smoke,
You have revived its longevity to persevere—
and when it marches, it blankets them with dust.
Thus, year after year passes by.
وَيَمنَعُand it prevents مَنwhoever تَحَدّاهُchallenged it حُدوداًboundaries
وَيَمنَعُ مَن تَحَدّاهُ حُدوداً
بِعِزِّby the might of المَشرَفِيَّةِMashrafi swords أَنfrom being تُقاماerected
بِعِزِّ المَشرَفِيَّةِ أَن تُقاما
It prevents anyone who challenges it from setting bounds,
Tested in precarious and lofty conditions
through the might of Mashrafi swords.
Whose tribulations leave no room for appeal.
حَمَيتَهُمُyou protected them مِنَfrom النَكَباتِcalamities طُرّاًall
حَمَيتَهُمُ مِنَ النَكَباتِ طُرّاً
وَمِثلُكَand one like you عَنon behalf of وُفودِthe delegations of اللَهِGod حاماdefended
وَمِثلُكَ عَن وُفودِ اللَهِ حاما
You protected them all from calamities,
Partners to steadfastness—they have reached its extent,
and one like you guards the delegations of God.
Its banks, without quite reaching maturity.
يُقِرُّacknowledges بِذاكَthat مَنwhoever صَلّىprayed وَضَحّىand offered sacrifice
يُقِرُّ بِذاكَ مَن صَلّى وَضَحّى
وَيَشهَدُand bears witness كُلُّeveryone مَنwho شَهِدَwitnessed المَقاماthe Station
وَيَشهَدُ كُلُّ مَن شَهِدَ المَقاما
All who prayed and offered sacrifice acknowledge this,
They have shouldered your burden thus found it easy,
and everyone who witnessed the Station bears witness.
And have known your path thus staying straight.
مَواقِفُstations يَسأَلونَthey ask اللَهَGod فيهاat them
مَواقِفُ يَسأَلونَ اللَهَ فيها
لِدَولَتِكَfor your reign الحِراسَةَprotection وَالدَواماand perpetuity
لِدَولَتِكَ الحِراسَةَ وَالدَواما
At those stations they ask God
They have brought good and justice to the land,
to guard your reign and make it endure.
So remain for its people, forever and ever!
لَقَدindeed حَلِيَتwere adorned بِسُؤدُدِكَwith your nobility المَساعيthe endeavors
لَقَد حَلِيَت بِسُؤدُدِكَ المَساعي
فَلاso may it not حَلَّunravel الزَمانُtime لَهاtheir نِظاماstring
فَلا حَلَّ الزَمانُ لَها نِظاما
Your nobility has indeed adorned all striving;
When poets boast emptily,
may time never undo its string.
I do not aspire, save in praising you.
حَيِيتَmay you live حَياتَهُits life-span الطولىthe longest تَقَضّىpass away
حَيِيتَ حَياتَهُ الطولى تَقَضّى
كَذاthus أَعوامُهُits years عاماًone year فَعاماthen another year
كَذا أَعوامُهُ عاماً فَعاما
May you live time's long life, while
My memory is not passion I have reaped
its years pass thus, year after year,
Any fruits from, even if I loved it intensely.
مُوَقّىًsafeguarded فيin respect of الخَطيرِal-Khatir وَذيand Dhu المَعاليal-Ma'ali
مُوَقّىً في الخَطيرِ وَذي المَعالي
نَوائِبَmisfortunes ماnot تَرَكتَyou left لَهاto them اِحتِكاماdominion
نَوائِبَ ما تَرَكتَ لَها اِحتِكاما
protected, in al-Khatir and Dhu al-Ma'ali, against
I have attributed with a natural disposition, no blame in it,
misfortunes to which you have left no dominion.
Reminding of a natural disposition that earned blame.
قَريناtwo companions in سُؤدُدٍnobility بَلَغاthey both reached مَداهُits utmost extent
قَرينا سُؤدُدٍ بَلَغا مَداهُ
وَجاراهُand they kept pace with it وَماthough not بَلَغاthey both reached الفِطاماweaning
وَجاراهُ وَما بَلَغا الفِطاما
Two companions in nobility have reached its utmost limit
My state has slept, and dissipated is reforming my body
and kept pace with it before they were even weaned.
In a land whose stay I cannot handle.
لَقَدindeed نَهَضاthey both rose بِعِبئِكَwith your burden فَاِستَقَلّاand bore it unaided
لَقَد نَهَضا بِعِبئِكَ فَاِستَقَلّا
وَقَدand indeed عَرَفاthey both knew سَبيلَكَyour path فَاِستَقاماso they both went straight
وَقَد عَرَفا سَبيلَكَ فَاِستَقاما
They took up your burden and sustained it,
And had the Quran not prohibited it,
and knew your path and kept to it.
I would have chosen your proximity, even with poor health!
وَعَمّاand they both filled الأَرضَthe earth إِحساناًwith beneficence وَعَدلاًand justice
وَعَمّا الأَرضَ إِحساناً وَعَدلاً
فَدُمتَso may you endure لِأَهلِهاfor its people أَبَداًforever وَداماand may they both endure
فَدُمتَ لِأَهلِها أَبَداً وَداما
They spread beneficence and justice throughout the earth;
I will be forced, against leaving you, with resolve
may you endure forever for its people, and they endure.
To where the reigns pull me towards you.
إِذاwhen الشُعَراءُthe poets بِالتَشبيبِin love preludes فاهواspoke
إِذا الشُعَراءُ بِالتَشبيبِ فاهوا
فَلَستُthen I am not بِغَيرِwith anything other than مَدحِكَyour praise مُستَهاماenamored
فَلَستُ بِغَيرِ مَدحِكَ مُستَهاما
When poets speak in amorous preludes,
So the finest poetry has paid you a fleeting visit—
I am enamored of nothing but your praise.
I lack fleetingness and sins in it!
وَماand why ذِكريmy recounting هَوىًa passion لَمnot أَجنِI reap مِنهُfrom it
وَما ذِكري هَوىً لَم أَجنِ مِنهُ
وَإِنeven though أَحبَبتُهُI loved it إِلّاexcept غَراماtorment
وَإِن أَحبَبتُهُ إِلّا غَراما
Why speak of a love from which I harvested nothing,
Residing in your company, none has thrown him
though I loved it, but torment?
Even if the countries, because of him, became coveted.
نَسَبتُI sang a love prelude بِصَبوَةٍof a yearning لاno لَومَblame فيهاin it
نَسَبتُ بِصَبوَةٍ لا لَومَ فيها
تُذَكِّرُthat recalls صَبوَةًa yearning جَلَبَتthat brought مَلاماreproach
تُذَكِّرُ صَبوَةً جَلَبَت مَلاما
I sang of a yearning in which there is no blame,
Rising above the peaks of bliss proudly,
recalling a yearning that brought reproach.
Even the fine pearls are beneath him.
نَمَتgrew حاليmy condition وَعَزَّand became difficult صَلاحُthe recovery of جِسميmy body
نَمَت حالي وَعَزَّ صَلاحُ جِسمي
بِأَرضٍin a land لاnot أُطيقُI can bear بِهاin it مُقاماa stay
بِأَرضٍ لا أُطيقُ بِها مُقاما
My condition worsened, and my body's recovery proved difficult,
Lofty peaks amongst the peaks have brought us joy,
in a land where I cannot bear to stay.
And your mention, O noble one, has delighted us!
وَلَولاand were it not for ماwhat نَهىforbade القُرآنُthe Qur'an عَنهُagainst it
وَلَولا ما نَهى القُرآنُ عَنهُ
إِذاthen لَاِختَرتُI would surely choose قُربَكَnearness to you وَالسَقاماand illness
إِذا لَاِختَرتُ قُربَكَ وَالسَقاما
But for what the Qur'an forbids,
No wonder that some noses have been preoccupied
I would have chosen nearness to you, and sickness.
With the fragrance of musk, disregarding stench.
سَأُكرِهُI shall compel فيin رَحيليmy departure عَنكَfrom you عَزماًa resolve
سَأُكرِهُ في رَحيلي عَنكَ عَزماً
إِلَيكَto you سَرىtraveled by night يُجاذِبُنيit contests with me الزِماماthe reins
إِلَيكَ سَرى يُجاذِبُني الزِماما
In leaving you, I shall compel a resolve
The most honorable garb a generous man wears
that traveled to you by night and wrestles me for the reins.
Is praise carried over from glory he has erected.
فَزارَكَso visited you مِنfrom بَديعِexquisite الشِعرِpoetry زَورٌa company of visitors
فَزارَكَ مِن بَديعِ الشِعرِ زَورٌ
عَدِمتُmay I lack الزَورَfalsehood فيهِin it وَالأَثاماand sins
عَدِمتُ الزَورَ فيهِ وَالأَثاما
So a company of exquisite poetry has visited you—
Your gifts have not waned for those who receive it,
may I be without falsehood or sin within it.
Raising my hopes—so complete them!
مُقيمٌdwelling فيin جَنابِكَyour presence لَمnot يَرِمهُit leave it
مُقيمٌ في جَنابِكَ لَم يَرِمهُ
وَإِنeven if غَدَتِcame to be البِلادُthe lands بِهِwith it تَراماpassing it around
وَإِن غَدَتِ البِلادُ بِهِ تَراما
It dwells in your presence and has never left it,
But convey to me a purpose—decorate it
though the lands have come to pass it from one to another.
By granting my ambitious wishes!
عَلاit rose above قِمَمِthe summits of النَعائِمِthe Na'a'im stars مُستَطيلاًtowering
عَلا قِمَمِ النَعائِمِ مُستَطيلاً
وَسارَand traveled وَمِنand among قَلائِصِهِits she-camel mounts النُعاماostriches
وَسارَ وَمِن قَلائِصِهِ النُعاما
It rose, towering, above the summits of the Na'a'im stars,
May God intensify the envy of your envious enemies
and traveled with ostriches among its she-camel mounts.
Even if their lives have been preserved.
قَوافٍrhymes فيin الفَيافيthe wastelands آنَسَتناkept us company
قَوافٍ في الفَيافي آنَسَتنا
وَأَنسَتناand made us forget بِذِكراكَthrough remembering you الكِراماnoble men
وَأَنسَتنا بِذِكراكَ الكِراما
Rhymes that kept us company in the wastelands,
Were it not for their ignorance, hearts would have cooled
and made us forget noble men through remembering you.
Realizing your glory can never be attained.
وَلاand no عَجَبٌwonder إِذاwhen شُغِلَتare occupied أُنوفٌnoses
وَلا عَجَبٌ إِذا شُغِلَت أُنوفٌ
بِعَرفِby the fragrance of المِسكِmusk عَنaway from نَشرِthe scent of الخُزاماlavender
بِعَرفِ المِسكِ عَن نَشرِ الخُزاما
It is no wonder if noses are occupied
Hearts whose streams of despair have overflowed,
by musk's fragrance rather than lavender's scent.
And their fires refuse to be extinguished.
وَأَفخَرُand the proudest ماwhat تَسَربَلَهُhe wore as a robe كَريمٌa noble man
وَأَفخَرُ ما تَسَربَلَهُ كَريمٌ
ثَناءٌpraise سارَthat traveled عَنfrom مَجدٍglory أَقاماthat remained
ثَناءٌ سارَ عَن مَجدٍ أَقاما
The proudest robe a noble man has donned
So the clouds cannot alleviate the burning anguish
is praise that journeys forth from glory that abides.
Of one who saw your generosity and the clouds dissipated.
وَماand not نَقَصَتfell short عَطاياكَyour gifts اللَواتيwhich
وَما نَقَصَت عَطاياكَ اللَواتي
عَلَتsurpassed أَمَليmy hope فَأَسأَلَكَso I ask you التَماماcompletion
عَلَت أَمَلي فَأَسأَلَكَ التَماما
Your gifts have not fallen short—those gifts
With noble traits that raise aspirations aloft,
that surpassed my hopes—so that I should ask you to complete them.
With towering glory that dazzles all people
وَلَكِنbut عَنَّoccurred ليto me غَرَضٌa purpose فَطَرِّزso embroider
وَلَكِن عَنَّ لي غَرَضٌ فَطَرِّز
بِتَبليغيهِby enabling me to attain it أَنعُمَكَyour favors الجِساماgreat
بِتَبليغيهِ أَنعُمَكَ الجِساما
But a purpose has occurred to me; so embroider
your mighty favors with its fulfillment for me.
أَماتَmay cause to die الحاسِديكَthose envying you اللَهُGod غَيظاًof rage
أَماتَ الحاسِديكَ اللَهُ غَيظاً
وإِنeven though كانَتwas حَياتُهُمُtheir life حِماماdeath
وإِن كانَت حَياتُهُمُ حِماما
May God make those who envy you die of rage,
though their very lives are death.
فَلَولاbut were it not for جَهلُهُمtheir ignorance بَرَدَتwould cool قُلوبٌhearts
فَلَولا جَهلُهُم بَرَدَت قُلوبٌ
تَحَقَّقُthat are certain أَنَّthat مَجدَكَyour glory لَنwill never يُراماbe attained
تَحَقَّقُ أَنَّ مَجدَكَ لَن يُراما
But for their ignorance, hearts would cool
that know your glory can never be attained.
قُلوبٌhearts فاضَoverflowed سَيلُthe torrent of اليَأسِdespair فيهاin them
قُلوبٌ فاضَ سَيلُ اليَأسِ فيها
وَتَأبىyet refuses نارُهاtheir fire إِلّاanything but اِضطِراماblazing
وَتَأبى نارُها إِلّا اِضطِراما
Hearts in which despair's torrent has overflowed,
yet their fire insists on nothing but blazing.
فَلاso may they not نَقَعَslake الغَمامُthe clouds غَليلَthe burning thirst of صادٍa thirsty man
فَلا نَقَعَ الغَمامُ غَليلَ صادٍ
رَأىwho saw جَدواكَyour bounty وَاِنتَجَعَand sought provision from الغَماماthe clouds
رَأى جَدواكَ وَاِنتَجَعَ الغَماما
May the clouds never slake a thirsty man's burning thirst,
who saw your bounty and sought provision from the clouds.
Partial English translation: 132 of 142 Arabic lines translated.