هَل غَيرُ ظِلِّكَ لِلعُفاةِ مَقيلُ

هَل غَيرُ ظِلِّكَ لِلعُفاةِ مَقيلُ

أَم غَيرُ عَفوِكَ لِلجُناةِ مُقيلُ

أَم غَيرُ عَفوِكَ لِلجُناةِ مُقيلُ

Is there a midday refuge for petitioners other than your shade?

Are there any other shades for the sinful besides your shade?

Or anyone to absolve offenders other than your pardon?

Are there any other pardons for the guilty besides your pardon?

شَرَفَ المَعالي ظَلتَ مَفتوناً بِها

شَرَفَ المَعالي ظَلتَ مَفتوناً بِها

فَوُعورُها أَبَداً عَلَيكَ سُهولُ

فَوُعورُها أَبَداً عَلَيكَ سُهولُ

O honor of lofty virtues, you have remained enamored of them;

You were enthralled by the nobility of heights,

so their rugged heights are always easy plains for you.

So their ruggedness was always easy for you.

وَخُلِقتَ مُعتَلِياً عَلى الرُتَبِ العُلى

وَخُلِقتَ مُعتَلِياً عَلى الرُتَبِ العُلى

فَعَظيمُ ما في ناظِرَيكَ ضَئيلُ

فَعَظيمُ ما في ناظِرَيكَ ضَئيلُ

You were created to rise above the highest ranks,

You were created to ascend the highest ranks,

so even the immense is small in your eyes.

So whatever appears small in your eyes is indeed great.

ما كانَ مِثلُكَ قَطُّ في جيلٍ مَضى

ما كانَ مِثلُكَ قَطُّ في جيلٍ مَضى

فَليَفخَرَن ما شاءَ هَذا الجيلُ

فَليَفخَرَن ما شاءَ هَذا الجيلُ

Never has your like existed in any bygone generation;

None like you have ever been in a past generation,

so let this generation boast as much as it wishes.

So let this generation boast however much it wants.

كَم في سُيوفِكَ آيَةٌ قَد غادَرَت

كَم في سُيوفِكَ آيَةٌ قَد غادَرَت

مُتَأَلِّهاً مَن رَأيُهُ التَعطيلُ

مُتَأَلِّهاً مَن رَأيُهُ التَعطيلُ

How many a sign in your swords has made

How many signs there are in your swords that left

a worshipper of God out of one whose creed was denial!

Those who saw them paralyzed in awe.

بيضٌ حَقَنَّ مِنَ الدِماءِ حَرامَها

بيضٌ حَقَنَّ مِنَ الدِماءِ حَرامَها

وَحَلالُها بِشِفارِها مَطلولُ

وَحَلالُها بِشِفارِها مَطلولُ

Bright blades that spared the blood forbidden to shed,

White swords that shed forbidden blood,

while blood permitted to be shed is spilled, unavenged, by their edges.

While their allowed blood flows from their blades.

خافَت عَوادِيَكَ المُلوكُ فَرُسلُها

خافَت عَوادِيَكَ المُلوكُ فَرُسلُها

عَن رَهبَةٍ أَبَداً إِلَيكَ مُثولُ

عَن رَهبَةٍ أَبَداً إِلَيكَ مُثولُ

Kings feared your assaults, so their envoys

The kings feared your returning armies, so their envoys

stand before you continually out of dread.

Always came trembling to you out of dread.

وَلَطالَما زادَ التَخَوُّفُ فَالتُقى

وَلَطالَما زادَ التَخَوُّفُ فَالتُقى

بِجَنابِ مُلكِكَ مُرسِلٌ وَرَسولُ

بِجَنابِ مُلكِكَ مُرسِلٌ وَرَسولُ

How often fear has increased, until there met

And the more the fear increased, the more

at your royal threshold both sender and envoy.

Envoys and messengers came to your kingdom’s side.

تَأتيكَ طائِعَةً إِذا اِستَدعَيتَها

تَأتيكَ طائِعَةً إِذا اِستَدعَيتَها

وَلَها إِذا لَم تَدعُها تَطفيلُ

وَلَها إِذا لَم تَدعُها تَطفيلُ

They come to you obediently when you summon them,

They come willingly when you summon them,

and when you do not call them, they come uninvited.

And without your call, they have no excuse.

أَلهى عَدُوَّكَ عَنكَ لَحظَةُ ناظِرٍ

أَلهى عَدُوَّكَ عَنكَ لَحظَةُ ناظِرٍ

وَشُهودُ بِشرِكَ بِالنَوالِ عُدولُ

وَشُهودُ بِشرِكَ بِالنَوالِ عُدولُ

An observer's glance has distracted your enemy from you;

The glance of an enemy distracted you but for a moment,

and your smile's witnesses to your bounty are trustworthy.

While the witnessing of your partnership was just.

بِشرٌ تَكَفَّلَ بِالغِنى إيماضُهُ

بِشرٌ تَكَفَّلَ بِالغِنى إيماضُهُ

ما كُلُّ بَرقٍ بِالذَهابِ كَفيلُ

ما كُلُّ بَرقٍ بِالذَهابِ كَفيلُ

A smile whose gleam guarantees riches—

A human whose resolve guaranteed wealth,

not every lightning flash guarantees rain.

Not every lightning accompanies rain.

وَيَدٌ تَرى أَموالَها بِنَوالِها

وَيَدٌ تَرى أَموالَها بِنَوالِها

جُمَلاً تَوَلّى هَدمَها التَفصيلُ

جُمَلاً تَوَلّى هَدمَها التَفصيلُ

And a hand whose riches, through its bounty, you see

A hand that sees its wealth through its giving,

as amassed sums dismantled by distribution.

Like camels whose burden of gifts was relieved.

فَالنُجحُ يا سَيفَ الخِلافَةِ مُعوِزٌ

فَالنُجحُ يا سَيفَ الخِلافَةِ مُعوِزٌ

حَتّى يُناخَ بِبابِكَ التَأميلُ

حَتّى يُناخَ بِبابِكَ التَأميلُ

Success, O Sword of the Caliphate, is elusive

So success, O Sword of the Caliphate, is in need

until hope is brought to kneel at your door.

Until hope settles at your door.

حَرَمٌ لِإِكرامِ الوُفودِ مُؤَهَّلٌ

حَرَمٌ لِإِكرامِ الوُفودِ مُؤَهَّلٌ

فَفِناؤُهُ أَبَداً بِهِم مَأهولُ

فَفِناؤُهُ أَبَداً بِهِم مَأهولُ

A sanctuary made ready to honor delegations,

A sanctuary prepared to honor delegations

its courtyard always inhabited by them.

Whose destruction by them is never intended.

وَالظاعِنونَ مُواصِلوكَ يَدَ النَدى

وَالظاعِنونَ مُواصِلوكَ يَدَ النَدى

حَتّى كَأَنَّهُمُ لَدَيكَ نُزولُ

حَتّى كَأَنَّهُمُ لَدَيكَ نُزولُ

Those departing remain connected to your hand of bounty,

The slanderers constantly malign you

as though they were still guests staying with you.

As if they are settled around you.

مَجدٌ بِحَيثُ تَحُلُّ لَيسَ بِنازِحٍ

مَجدٌ بِحَيثُ تَحُلُّ لَيسَ بِنازِحٍ

وَحَديثُهُ في الخافِقينِ يَجولُ

وَحَديثُهُ في الخافِقينِ يَجولُ

Glory is never distant from wherever you dwell,

Glory where you reside that does not disappear

and its story roams through East and West.

And whose tales roam through hearts.

فَهَلِ الرِياحُ حَمَلنَ ذِكرَكَ فَاِستَوى

فَهَلِ الرِياحُ حَمَلنَ ذِكرَكَ فَاِستَوى

عَرضُ البَسيطَةِ عِندَهُ وَالطولُ

عَرضُ البَسيطَةِ عِندَهُ وَالطولُ

Have the winds carried your renown, making equal

Did the winds carry your mention and level

the earth's breadth and length within its reach?

The breadth of the plains and the heights?

أَخجَلتَ مُنهَمِرَ الحَيا بِمَكارِمٍ

أَخجَلتَ مُنهَمِرَ الحَيا بِمَكارِمٍ

يُخبِرنَ أَنَّكَ لِلكِرامِ سَليلُ

يُخبِرنَ أَنَّكَ لِلكِرامِ سَليلُ

You put pouring rain to shame with noble deeds

You shamed the gushing rain with your virtues

that proclaim your descent from the generous.

That inform me you are a noble scion.

ثَمَرُ الغُصونِ تُبينُ عَن أَعراقِها

ثَمَرُ الغُصونِ تُبينُ عَن أَعراقِها

أَيَكونُ مِن غَيرِ الغُيوثِ سُيولُ

أَيَكونُ مِن غَيرِ الغُيوثِ سُيولُ

The fruit of branches reveals their roots:

The fruits of branches show their roots

can torrents come from anything but rain?

Can there be floods without rain?

ما مَجدُ قَومِكَ غامِضاً وَجَميعُ ما

ما مَجدُ قَومِكَ غامِضاً وَجَميعُ ما

تَأتيهِ مِن حَسَنٍ لَهُ تَأويلُ

تَأتيهِ مِن حَسَنٍ لَهُ تَأويلُ

Your people's glory is not obscure, and everything

The glory of your people is not ambiguous as all

you do of goodness serves to explain it.

The good that comes from you has an interpretation.

لا كَالَّذي إِن عَدَّ يَوماً فَخرَهُ

لا كَالَّذي إِن عَدَّ يَوماً فَخرَهُ

فَعَلى مَآثِرِ أَوَّليهِ يُحيلُ

فَعَلى مَآثِرِ أَوَّليهِ يُحيلُ

Unlike one who, when counting his glories,

Not like one who if he counts a day of pride

refers only to his forebears' noble deeds.

Refers it to the deeds of his forefathers.

بَلَغَت بِكَ الأَمَدَ البَعيدَ فَضائِلٌ

بَلَغَت بِكَ الأَمَدَ البَعيدَ فَضائِلٌ

لِأَقَلِّها يُستَوجَبُ التَفضيلُ

لِأَقَلِّها يُستَوجَبُ التَفضيلُ

Virtues have carried you to the farthest reach;

Exalted virtues have reached you, even the least

the least of them entitles you to preeminence.

Of which deserves preference.

مِنها لَدى سوقِ الثَناءِ بَضائِعٌ

مِنها لَدى سوقِ الثَناءِ بَضائِعٌ

حَلَّت وَفي سوقِ العُفاةِ كُبولُ

حَلَّت وَفي سوقِ العُفاةِ كُبولُ

Among them, in the market of praise, are wares

From them at the market of praise are wares

that have settled there, and in the petitioners' market, fetters.

That came, while at the market of sin are bags.

وَأَرى الَّذي أَدرَكتَ وَهوَ المُنتَهى

وَأَرى الَّذي أَدرَكتَ وَهوَ المُنتَهى

مُستَصغَراً فيما إِلَيهِ تَؤولُ

مُستَصغَراً فيما إِلَيهِ تَؤولُ

I see what you have attained, though it is the utmost,

I see what you have attained, which is the utmost,

as small beside what you are yet to reach.

Belittled by what is yet to come.

كَم قَد فَصَلتَ بِلَحظَةٍ وَبِلَفظَةٍ

كَم قَد فَصَلتَ بِلَحظَةٍ وَبِلَفظَةٍ

ما الخَطبُ يَقصُرُ عَنهُ وَهوَ طَويلُ

ما الخَطبُ يَقصُرُ عَنهُ وَهوَ طَويلُ

How often, with a glance and a word, have you settled

How many things have you resolved in an instant, with a word,

what discourse falls short of resolving, however long!

That lengthy speeches fall short of, despite their length.

سَعيٌ تَبَتَّلَ لِلسُمُوِّ وَهَيبَةٌ

سَعيٌ تَبَتَّلَ لِلسُمُوِّ وَهَيبَةٌ

سَلِمَت مِنَ الأَكفاءِ فَهيَ بَتولُ

سَلِمَت مِنَ الأَكفاءِ فَهيَ بَتولُ

An endeavor wholly devoted to ascent, and an awe

An effort you undertook to ascend and a reverence

untouched by peers, and therefore virgin.

That the peers conceded, so it remained chaste.

ضَمَّنتَها أَن لا تَخافَ وَإِن نَأى

ضَمَّنتَها أَن لا تَخافَ وَإِن نَأى

عَنكَ الصَريخُ فَلا يُخافُ سَبيلُ

عَنكَ الصَريخُ فَلا يُخافُ سَبيلُ

You assured her that she need not fear; even if

You made it unafraid though support be far,

the caller for help is far from you, no road is feared.

For without your scream, no path is feared.

شَرُفَت بِوَطئِكَ أَرضُنا فَبِواجِبٍ

شَرُفَت بِوَطئِكَ أَرضُنا فَبِواجِبٍ

أَن يُستَقَلَّ لِتُربِها التَقبيلُ

أَن يُستَقَلَّ لِتُربِها التَقبيلُ

Our land was ennobled by your tread, so it is only right

Our land was ennobled by your footsteps, so it is rightfully

that even kissing its dust should be deemed too little.

Incumbent to kiss its soil.

فَدِمَشقُ لَيسَ لَها نَظيرٌ في الدُنا

فَدِمَشقُ لَيسَ لَها نَظيرٌ في الدُنا

وَكَذاكَ مالَكَ في المُلوكِ عَديلُ

وَكَذاكَ مالَكَ في المُلوكِ عَديلُ

Damascus has no counterpart in the world,

Damascus has no equal in the world,

and likewise you have no equal among kings.

And so is its king among kings, matchless.

ظَلَّت تُرَجّي أَن تَعِنَّ إِقامَةٌ

ظَلَّت تُرَجّي أَن تَعِنَّ إِقامَةٌ

حيناً وَتَخشى أَن يَعِنَّ رَحيلُ

حيناً وَتَخشى أَن يَعِنَّ رَحيلُ

She kept hoping that a stay might occur

It hoped for a stay and feared a departure,

for a while, and fearing that departure might arise.

While all it contains, far or near,

وَجَميعُ ما تَحوي تَباعَدَ أَو دَنا

وَجَميعُ ما تَحوي تَباعَدَ أَو دَنا

ما لِلخُطوبِ يَدٌ إِلَيهِ تَطولُ

ما لِلخُطوبِ يَدٌ إِلَيهِ تَطولُ

And all that she holds, whether far or near,

Is not subject to misfortunes reaching it,

lies beyond the reaching hand of calamities.

As you triumphed over events when they recurred

نَكَّلتَ بِالأَحداثِ لَمّا أَن عَدَت

نَكَّلتَ بِالأَحداثِ لَمّا أَن عَدَت

فَلِصَرفِها عَمّا حَمَيتَ نُكولُ

فَلِصَرفِها عَمّا حَمَيتَ نُكولُ

You chastised calamities when they attacked,

So remain, as the mention of you is protection

so their assaults recoil from what you protect.

For the cities, though the ravages of time are long.

فَأَقِم فَذِكرُكَ لِلعَواصِمِ عِصمَةٌ

فَأَقِم فَذِكرُكَ لِلعَواصِمِ عِصمَةٌ

يُخشى وَإِن بَعُدَ الهِزَبرُ الغيلُ

يُخشى وَإِن بَعُدَ الهِزَبرُ الغيلُ

So remain: your renown is protection for the cities.

You captivated hearts, and what you wore

The thicket is feared even when the lion is far away.

Remained dazzling before the eyelids.

رُعتَ القُلوبَ وَظَلَّ ما قُلِّدتَهُ

رُعتَ القُلوبَ وَظَلَّ ما قُلِّدتَهُ

في جَفنِهِ وَكَأَنَّهُ مَسلولُ

في جَفنِهِ وَكَأَنَّهُ مَسلولُ

You terrified hearts, and what you were girded with remained

A sword that kills but does not return to its sheath

in its scabbard, yet seemed unsheathed.

Until enmities and grudges die.

سَيفٌ يُميتُ وَلا يُعاوِدُ غِمدَهُ

سَيفٌ يُميتُ وَلا يُعاوِدُ غِمدَهُ

حَتّى تَموتَ ضَغائِنٌ وَذُخولُ

حَتّى تَموتَ ضَغائِنٌ وَذُخولُ

A sword that kills and does not return to its sheath

Others made the sword an appendage,

until rancors and hidden grudges die.

While you made the appendage a sword.

إِن غَيرُكَ اِتَّخَذَ الدِلاصَ مُذَيَّلاً

إِن غَيرُكَ اِتَّخَذَ الدِلاصَ مُذَيَّلاً

فَرَقاً فَإِنَّكَ لِلدِلاصِ مُذيلُ

فَرَقاً فَإِنَّكَ لِلدِلاصِ مُذيلُ

If others take to long-skirted coats of mail

O you whose determination matches that of his ships,

out of fear, you are the one who humbles mail.

And so they arrive even as the waves roar.

يا مَن قَواضِبُهُ تُشايِعُ عَزمَهُ

يا مَن قَواضِبُهُ تُشايِعُ عَزمَهُ

وَلِأَجلِ ذاكَ تَصِلُّ حينَ يَصولُ

وَلِأَجلِ ذاكَ تَصِلُّ حينَ يَصولُ

O you whose cutting blades support your resolve,

Below your command, nothing in the realms impedes,

for that reason they ring when you charge.

Say what you wish, for it will be done.

ما دونَ أَمرِكَ في المَمالِكِ حاجِزٌ

ما دونَ أَمرِكَ في المَمالِكِ حاجِزٌ

قُل ما تَشاءُ فَإِنَّهُ مَفعولُ

قُل ما تَشاءُ فَإِنَّهُ مَفعولُ

No barrier in the kingdoms stands before your command.

And unleash upon Iraq’s land clouds

Say whatever you wish: it shall be done.

Like the rain of doves when it pours.

وَاِنشُر عَلى أَرضِ العِراقِ سَحائِباً

وَاِنشُر عَلى أَرضِ العِراقِ سَحائِباً

غَيثُ الحِمامِ مَتى طَلَعنَ هَطولُ

غَيثُ الحِمامِ مَتى طَلَعنَ هَطولُ

Spread across the land of Iraq clouds

Their rains are the blood of enemies, their lightning

that pour down death's rain whenever they rise.

The gleam of swords, and their thunder the clashing of blades.

أَمطارُهُنَّ دَمُ العِدى وَبُروقُها

أَمطارُهُنَّ دَمُ العِدى وَبُروقُها

لَمعُ الصَوارِمِ وَالرُعودُ صَليلُ

لَمعُ الصَوارِمِ وَالرُعودُ صَليلُ

Their rains are enemies' blood, and their lightning

So perhaps the Tigris will mediate the rule of one

the flash of keen swords; their thunder is clanging.

Who bounded the Euphrates and Nile with his rule.

فَلَعَلَّ دِجلَةَ أَن تَوَسَّطَ مُلكَ مَن

فَلَعَلَّ دِجلَةَ أَن تَوَسَّطَ مُلكَ مَن

حَفَّ الفُراتَ بِمُلكِهِ وَالنيلُ

حَفَّ الفُراتَ بِمُلكِهِ وَالنيلُ

So perhaps the Tigris will lie within the realm of one

O Bani Numayr, the island is no refuge,

whose kingdom embraces the Euphrates and the Nile.

If the torrent of armies visits it.

أَبَني نُمَيرٍ ما الجَزيرَةُ مَعقِلاً

أَبَني نُمَيرٍ ما الجَزيرَةُ مَعقِلاً

إِن زارَها مِن ذي الجُيوشِ رَعيلُ

إِن زارَها مِن ذي الجُيوشِ رَعيلُ

O sons of Numayr, al-Jazira is no stronghold

Do not let your foolish one harbor betrayal with your consent,

if a contingent of the lord of armies visits it.

For the mother of traitors is most wretched.

لا يُضمِرَنَّ سَفيهُكُم بِرِضاكُمُ

لا يُضمِرَنَّ سَفيهُكُم بِرِضاكُمُ

غَدراً فَأُمُّ الغادِرينَ ثَكولُ

غَدراً فَأُمُّ الغادِرينَ ثَكولُ

Let no fool among you, with your consent, harbor

You wanted the victory of Nasr gone astray,

treachery, for the mother of traitors is bereaved.

While the truth swears he was abandoned.

فَلَقَد أَرَدتُم نَصرَ نَصرٍ ضَلَّةً

فَلَقَد أَرَدتُم نَصرَ نَصرٍ ضَلَّةً

وَالحَقُّ يُقسِمُ أَنَّهُ مَخذولُ

وَالحَقُّ يُقسِمُ أَنَّهُ مَخذولُ

For you sought, in error, to aid Nasr,

Your swords were lightning flashes at Zabibirj

while truth swears that he is forsaken.

That exposed the Ka'bi though he was slain.

كانَت سُيوفُكُمُ بَوارِقَ زِبرِجٍ

كانَت سُيوفُكُمُ بَوارِقَ زِبرِجٍ

أَجلى عَنِ الكَعبِيِّ وَهوَ قَتيلُ

أَجلى عَنِ الكَعبِيِّ وَهوَ قَتيلُ

Your swords were flashes of a thin cloud

Do your swords betray you at the encounter,

that dispersed from al-Ka'bi while he lay slain.

And do your minds betray you after fleeing?

أَتَخونُكُم عِندَ اللِقاءِ صَوارِمٌ

أَتَخونُكُم عِندَ اللِقاءِ صَوارِمٌ

وَتَخونُكُم بَعدَ الفِرارِ عُقولُ

وَتَخونُكُم بَعدَ الفِرارِ عُقولُ

Do keen swords betray you in battle,

Whom the terror did not deter when it was before his eyes,

and minds betray you after flight?

Was not turned from his resolve by intimidation.

مَن لَم يَرُعهُ الهَولُ وَهوَ بِعَينِهِ

مَن لَم يَرُعهُ الهَولُ وَهوَ بِعَينِهِ

لَم يَثنِهِ عَن عَزمِهِ التَهويلُ

لَم يَثنِهِ عَن عَزمِهِ التَهويلُ

One whom terror did not frighten when he saw it himself

Can the lightweight prepare a heavy burden?

will not be turned from his resolve by frightening threats.

One who takes the burden lightly while it is heavy?

هَل يَستَعِدُّ الخِفَّ عِبئاً مُثقَلاً

هَل يَستَعِدُّ الخِفَّ عِبئاً مُثقَلاً

مَن يَستَخِفُّ العِبءَ وَهوَ ثَقيلُ

مَن يَستَخِفُّ العِبءَ وَهوَ ثَقيلُ

Would he count a light load a crushing burden,

So avoid the horse herd of the victorious one, it is

who thinks a burden light even when it is heavy?

A blessing at the thickets of cane.

فَتَجَنَّبوا سَرحَ المُظَفَّرِ إِنَّهُ

فَتَجَنَّبوا سَرحَ المُظَفَّرِ إِنَّهُ

نَعَمٌ بِأَشطانِ القَنا مَعقولُ

نَعَمٌ بِأَشطانِ القَنا مَعقولُ

So keep away from al-Muzaffar's grazing herd: it is

Or part with the danger in firm resolve,

livestock tethered by the ropes of spears.

When hearts and resolutions change.

أَو فَاِرقُبوا وَشكَ الرَدى في عَزمَةٍ

أَو فَاِرقُبوا وَشكَ الرَدى في عَزمَةٍ

بَينَ العَزائِمِ وَالقُلوبِ تَحولُ

بَينَ العَزائِمِ وَالقُلوبِ تَحولُ

Or await imminent death in a resolve

Syfiya, 'Adawiya, Sharafiya,

that comes between hearts and their intentions:

The time is rolled up in their edges.

سَيفِيَّةٍ عَضُدِيَّةٍ شَرَفِيَّةٍ

سَيفِيَّةٍ عَضُدِيَّةٍ شَرَفِيَّةٍ

حَدُّ الزَمانِ بِحَدِّها مَفلولُ

حَدُّ الزَمانِ بِحَدِّها مَفلولُ

of Sayf, of ʿAdud, of Sharaf—

By them times are exposed as they are lanterns,

time's edge is blunted by its edge.

And in them glories are crushed though great.

تُجلى بِها الأَزمانُ وَهيَ حَنادِسٌ

تُجلى بِها الأَزمانُ وَهيَ حَنادِسٌ

وَيَدِقُّ فيها الخَطبُ وَهوَ جَليلُ

وَيَدِقُّ فيها الخَطبُ وَهوَ جَليلُ

By it, times are brightened though they are pitch-black,

Do not feel safe from the Lord of armies if they march,

and calamity dwindles, though it is immense.

For their resolve prevails over the courage of men.

لا تَأمَنوا رَبَّ الجُيوشِ إِذا غَزَت

لا تَأمَنوا رَبَّ الجُيوشِ إِذا غَزَت

فَلَها بِهاماتِ الرِجالِ قُفولُ

فَلَها بِهاماتِ الرِجالِ قُفولُ

Do not feel safe from the lord of armies when they raid:

One whom the glance suits, he carries a knight

they return with the heads of men.

Adorned, not the glance while it is black.

مَن يَطَّبيهِ الطَرفُ يَحمِلُ فارِساً

مَن يَطَّبيهِ الطَرفُ يَحمِلُ فارِساً

مُتَلَبِّباً لا الطَرفَ وَهوَ كَحيلُ

مُتَلَبِّباً لا الطَرفَ وَهوَ كَحيلُ

He is drawn to the steed that carries a rider

And the cracked sword suits him on the day of strife,

girded for battle, not to an eye darkened with kohl.

Not the cheek while it is soft.

وَيَروقُهُ الأَسَلُ المُحَطَّمُ في العِدى

وَيَروقُهُ الأَسَلُ المُحَطَّمُ في العِدى

يَومَ الوَغى لا الخَدُّ وَهوَ أَسيلُ

يَومَ الوَغى لا الخَدُّ وَهوَ أَسيلُ

He delights in spears shattered against enemies

A king who prides himself on awe and prohibition,

on the day of battle, not in a smooth cheek.

This loftiness, not the crown or wreath.

مَلِكٌ تَرَدّى بِالمَهابَةِ وَالنُهى

مَلِكٌ تَرَدّى بِالمَهابَةِ وَالنُهى

هَذي العُلى لا التاجُ وَالإِكليلُ

هَذي العُلى لا التاجُ وَالإِكليلُ

A king who robes himself in awe and reason:

One of might, if people possessed a little of it

this is eminence, not crown or diadem.

The disgraced would gain honor and the honored disgrace.

ذو البَأسِ لَو في الناسِ فُضَّ يَسيرُهُ

ذو البَأسِ لَو في الناسِ فُضَّ يَسيرُهُ

لَاِنصانَ مُبتَذَلٌ وَعَزَّ ذَليلُ

لَاِنصانَ مُبتَذَلٌ وَعَزَّ ذَليلُ

A possessor of valor: were a little of it shared among mankind,

And generosity, if they reached a tenth of his,

the demeaned would be held inviolate, and the abject become mighty.

No miser would remain among the living.

وَالجودِ لَو بَلَغوا مَدى مِعشارِهِ

وَالجودِ لَو بَلَغوا مَدى مِعشارِهِ

لَم يَبقَ بَينَ الخافِقينَ بَخيلُ

لَم يَبقَ بَينَ الخافِقينَ بَخيلُ

And of generosity: were they to reach even a tenth of it,

He is peculiar to the elite when he attains it,

no miser would remain between East and West.

Stingy while providing it and general when preventing it.

يَختَصُّ بِالعَلياءِ حينَ يَنالُها

يَختَصُّ بِالعَلياءِ حينَ يَنالُها

ضَنّاً بِها وَيَعُمُّ حينَ يُنيلُ

ضَنّاً بِها وَيَعُمُّ حينَ يُنيلُ

He reserves lofty honor for himself when he wins it,

By God, all brilliance that comes your way

jealous of it, yet when he gives, he gives to all.

In this universe is servile compared to you.

لِلَّهِ ما تَأتي فَكُلُّ نَباهَةٍ

لِلَّهِ ما تَأتي فَكُلُّ نَباهَةٍ

تَعدوكَ في ذا الخَلقِ فَهيَ خُمولُ

تَعدوكَ في ذا الخَلقِ فَهيَ خُمولُ

God bless your deeds! Every distinction

When warhorses complained of your constant raiding

that passes you by among mankind is mere obscurity.

And the speech was but neighing.

لَمّا اِشتَكَت خَيلُ الوَغى مِن بَعدِها

لَمّا اِشتَكَت خَيلُ الوَغى مِن بَعدِها

إِدمانَ رَكضِكَ وَالكَلامُ صَهيلُ

إِدمانَ رَكضِكَ وَالكَلامُ صَهيلُ

When the warhorses complained from afar

You settled them in the shade of palaces, never

of your constant galloping—their speech was neighing—

Were they, before, settled in the shade of desolation.

أَسكَنتَها ظِلَّ القُصورِ وَلَم تَزَل

أَسكَنتَها ظِلَّ القُصورِ وَلَم تَزَل

مِن قَبلُ في ظِلِّ الوَشيجِ تَقيلُ

مِن قَبلُ في ظِلِّ الوَشيجِ تَقيلُ

you lodged them in the shade of palaces; they had always

And you gave them the best of people as a guide,

before then rested at noon in the shade of clustered spears.

While you gave them the sincerest advice.

وَمَنَحتَها خَيرَ الأَنامِ مَقودَةً

وَمَنَحتَها خَيرَ الأَنامِ مَقودَةً

وَلَها مِنَ النُصحِ الصَريحِ دَليلُ

وَلَها مِنَ النُصحِ الصَريحِ دَليلُ

You bestowed them, led forth, on the best of mankind,

A blond that if the night wore its shirt

with sincere counsel as their guide.

Or mingled with it, it would still be pure.

شُقرٌ لَوَ اِنَّ اللَيلَ أُلبِسَ قُمصَها

شُقرٌ لَوَ اِنَّ اللَيلَ أُلبِسَ قُمصَها

أَو خالَطَتهُ لَعادَ وَهوَ أَصيلُ

أَو خالَطَتهُ لَعادَ وَهوَ أَصيلُ

Chestnut steeds: if night were clothed in their coats,

It was coupled with red whose color was of it,

or they mingled with it, it would turn to late afternoon.

Its stars were its pearls and beauty spots.

قُرِنَت بِدُهمٍ لَونُها مِن لَونِهِ

قُرِنَت بِدُهمٍ لَونُها مِن لَونِهِ

وَنُجومُهُ غُرَرٌ لَها وَحُجولُ

وَنُجومُهُ غُرَرٌ لَها وَحُجولُ

They were paired with black steeds whose color is night's,

The wonders of colors remained deficient

and its stars are their forehead blazes and white stockings.

In describing it, comparing it, or exemplifying it.

وَغَرائِبُ الأَلوانِ ظَلَّ مُقَصِّراً

وَغَرائِبُ الأَلوانِ ظَلَّ مُقَصِّراً

عَن وَصفِها التَشبيهُ وَالتَمثيلُ

عَن وَصفِها التَشبيهُ وَالتَمثيلُ

And marvels of color: always falling short

Their necks and veins guaranteed them victory in racing,

of describing them are comparison and analogy.

The ambitious gaze flowed copiously.

كَفَلَت لَها أَعناقُها وَعُروقُها

كَفَلَت لَها أَعناقُها وَعُروقُها

بِالسَبقِ وَالطِرفُ الطَموحُ رَسيلُ

بِالسَبقِ وَالطِرفُ الطَموحُ رَسيلُ

Their necks and bloodlines guarantee them

Decorated gray, a group by which scattered,

victory, though a proud thoroughbred is their rival.

Marked dun, a group by which crippled.

مَعنونَةٌ سِربٌ بِها مَطرودَةٌ

مَعنونَةٌ سِربٌ بِها مَطرودَةٌ

مُتَقَنَّصٌ سِربٌ بِها مَشلولُ

مُتَقَنَّصٌ سِربٌ بِها مَشلولُ

Marked are they; a herd is pursued with them,

They extended on the smooth-bodied horses,

hunted down, and a herd driven off with them.

As if a blue lizard or small camel claimed them.

طالَت عَلى الجُردِ السَلاهِبِ بَسطَةً

طالَت عَلى الجُردِ السَلاهِبِ بَسطَةً

حَتّى اِدَّعاها شَدقَمٌ وَجَديلُ

حَتّى اِدَّعاها شَدقَمٌ وَجَديلُ

In stature they surpass the sleek, long-limbed horses,

Their saddles did not suffice them the day you rallied them,

until Shadqam and Jadil claim them as their own.

So you flooded them with decoration.

لَم يَكفِها الإِسراجُ يَومَ بَعَثتَها

لَم يَكفِها الإِسراجُ يَومَ بَعَثتَها

شَرَّ العُيونِ فَعَمَّها التَجليلُ

شَرَّ العُيونِ فَعَمَّها التَجليلُ

Saddling them, the day you sent them, did not shield them from

They pranced playfully, so how many asked:

the evil of eyes, so coverings cloaked them all.

Is it a beast led, or horses ridden?

وَتَجَفَّلَت مَرَحاً فَكَم مِن قائِلٍ

وَتَجَفَّلَت مَرَحاً فَكَم مِن قائِلٍ

أَيُقادُ وَحشٌ أَم تُقادُ خُيولُ

أَيُقادُ وَحشٌ أَم تُقادُ خُيولُ

They bounded in delight; how many said,

The spoils of those you devastated among the brave fools,

“Are wild beasts being led, or are horses being led?”

Have no equal with one who gives away such plunder.

أَسلابُ مَن أَردَيتَ مِن شوسِ العِدى

أَسلابُ مَن أَردَيتَ مِن شوسِ العِدى

ما عِندَ مَن يَسخو بِتِلكَ غُلولُ

ما عِندَ مَن يَسخو بِتِلكَ غُلولُ

Spoils of the fierce enemies you brought down:

O you whom wealth humbles when asked,

one who gives these freely holds no embezzled booty.

While the asking and the asked are humiliated!

يا مَن يَذِلُّ المالُ عِندَ سُؤالِهِ

يا مَن يَذِلُّ المالُ عِندَ سُؤالِهِ

ذُلَّ السُؤالِ وَغَيرُهُ المَسؤولُ

ذُلَّ السُؤالِ وَغَيرُهُ المَسؤولُ

O you, before whom wealth is humbled when you are petitioned,

If this is a crown for the lofty,

with a beggar's abasement, though another is the one asked.

Then my embellished praises are its crown.

إِن كانَ هَذا الفَضلُ تاجاً لِلعُلى

إِن كانَ هَذا الفَضلُ تاجاً لِلعُلى

فَمَدائِحي التَرصيعُ وَالتَكليلُ

فَمَدائِحي التَرصيعُ وَالتَكليلُ

If this excellence is a crown for lofty honor,

Despite my sins, I am forbidden protection,

my praises are its gem-setting and its crowning.

This saying did not shake that saying.

إِنّي بِرَغمِ عِدايَ مَمنوعُ الحِمى

إِنّي بِرَغمِ عِدايَ مَمنوعُ الحِمى

ما هَزَّ هَذا القَيلَ هَذا القيلُ

ما هَزَّ هَذا القَيلَ هَذا القيلُ

Despite my enemies, my sanctuary is protected;

My praises of you will not cross their limit,

this talk has not shaken this prince.

Until the superior crosses the inferior.

وَلِيَ المَحامِدُ لَن يُطاوَلَ رَبُّها

وَلِيَ المَحامِدُ لَن يُطاوَلَ رَبُّها

حَتّى يَطولَ الفاضِلَ المَفضولُ

حَتّى يَطولَ الفاضِلَ المَفضولُ

The praiseworthy deeds are mine; their master cannot be rivaled

I was not adept in this speech, but

until the inferior surpasses the superior.

You taught me through your munificence how to say it.

ما كُنتُ أُحسِنُ ذا المَقالَ وَإِنَّما

ما كُنتُ أُحسِنُ ذا المَقالَ وَإِنَّما

عَلَّمتَني بِنَداكَ كَيفَ أَقولُ

عَلَّمتَني بِنَداكَ كَيفَ أَقولُ

I did not know how to fashion such speech; rather,

You made rhyming easy for me, blessing me,

your bounty taught me how to speak.

So the words are weighty and the gifts plentiful.

ذَلَّلتَ لي صَعبَ القَوافي مُنعِماً

ذَلَّلتَ لي صَعبَ القَوافي مُنعِماً

فَالقَولُ جَزلٌ وَالعَطاءُ جَزيلُ

فَالقَولُ جَزلٌ وَالعَطاءُ جَزيلُ

With kindness you tamed for me the difficulties of rhyme:

As long as you live, days are holidays for us,

the verse is weighty, and the gift abundant.

Whose veneration and esteem are obligatory.

ما عِشتَ فَالأَيّامُ أَعيادٌ لَنا

ما عِشتَ فَالأَيّامُ أَعيادٌ لَنا

فَرضٌ لَها التَعظيمُ وَالتَبجيلُ

فَرضٌ لَها التَعظيمُ وَالتَبجيلُ

As long as you live, our days are festivals,

So submit to a religion that you have guarded,

whose reverence and honoring are an obligation.

Upon it is a shade from your shade.

فَاِسلَم لِدينٍ قَد غَدَوتَ تَحوطُهُ

فَاِسلَم لِدينٍ قَد غَدَوتَ تَحوطُهُ

فَعَلَيهِ ظِلٌّ مِن سُطاكَ ظَليلُ

فَعَلَيهِ ظِلٌّ مِن سُطاكَ ظَليلُ

So remain safe for the faith you have come to guard:

And subjects whom you enriched and protected,

above it lies a deep shade cast by your might;

So their prayers for you are continuous.

وَرَعِيَّةٍ أَغنَيتَها وَحَمَيتَها

وَرَعِيَّةٍ أَغنَيتَها وَحَمَيتَها

فَدُعاؤُها بِثَنائِها مَوصولُ

فَدُعاؤُها بِثَنائِها مَوصولُ

and for subjects whom you have enriched and protected,

We climb tribulations with favors,

whose prayers are joined to their praise.

Some of which by our hands are renewed.

إِنّا نَصولُ عَلى الخُطوبِ بِأَنعُمٍ

إِنّا نَصولُ عَلى الخُطوبِ بِأَنعُمٍ

مِنها بِأَيدينا قَنىً وَنُصولُ

مِنها بِأَيدينا قَنىً وَنُصولُ

We charge against calamities with blessings

You have continued to rule people as a deputy,

that furnish our hands with spears and blades.

A kingdom that will outlast time.

لا زِلتَ تَحكُمُ في الأَنامِ مُخَوَّلاً

لا زِلتَ تَحكُمُ في الأَنامِ مُخَوَّلاً

مُلكاً يَزولُ الدَهرُ قَبلَ يَزولُ

مُلكاً يَزولُ الدَهرُ قَبلَ يَزولُ

May you never cease ruling mankind, endowed with

They live in bounty and are protected by you,

a kingdom that time itself will perish before it does.

So their praise is coupled with prayers for you.