ماnot أَدرَكَattained الطَلِباتِdesired aims مِثلُlike مُصَمِّمِa resolute man
ما أَدرَكَ الطَلِباتِ مِثلُ مُصَمِّمِ
إِنif أَقدَمَتadvance أَعداؤُهُhis enemies لَمnot يُحجِمِshrink back
إِن أَقدَمَت أَعداؤُهُ لَم يُحجِمِ
None attains desired aims like a resolute man.
If his enemies advance, he does not shrink back.
تَرَكَhe left الهُوَيناleisurely ease لِلضَعيفِfor the weak مَطِيَّةًa mount
تَرَكَ الهُوَينا لِلضَعيفِ مَطِيَّةً
مَنone whose بَطشُهُhis onslaught كَقِراهُlike his hospitality لَيسَis not بِمُعتِمِdelayed
مَن بَطشُهُ كَقِراهُ لَيسَ بِمُعتِمِ
He left leisurely ease as a mount for the weak—
he whose onslaught, like his hospitality, comes without delay.
إِنif هَمَّhe resolves لَمnot يُلمِمvisits بِعَينَيهِhis eyes كَرىًdrowsiness
إِن هَمَّ لَم يُلمِم بِعَينَيهِ كَرىً
أَوor سيلَis asked لَمnot يَألَمfeels pain وَلَمand not يَتَلَوَّمِhesitates
أَو سيلَ لَم يَألَم وَلَم يَتَلَوَّمِ
If he resolves on something, no drowsiness visits his eyes;
if asked for something, he feels no pain and does not hesitate.
أَحرَزتَyou secured ماwhat أَعياbaffled المُلوكُthe kings مُصابِراًsteadfastly enduring
أَحرَزتَ ما أَعيا المُلوكُ مُصابِراً
غَيرَvicissitudes of الحَوادِثِcalamities وَاِحتِمالَand bearing المَغرَمِexpense
غَيرَ الحَوادِثِ وَاِحتِمالَ المَغرَمِ
You secured what baffled kings, steadfastly enduring
the turns of calamity and the burden of expense.
وَلَقَدand indeed تَحَقَّقَتِbecame certain العَواصِمُthe fortified cities أَنَّهاthat they
وَلَقَد تَحَقَّقَتِ العَواصِمُ أَنَّها
إِنif لَمnot تَحُزyou possess أَقطارَهاtheir territories لَمnot تُعصَمُbe protected
إِن لَم تَحُز أَقطارَها لَم تُعصَمُ
The fortified cities have indeed realized that
unless you possess their territories, they will not be protected.
حَنَتthey yearned إِلَيكَfor you عَلىdespite البِعادِthe distance فَشَوقُهاso their longing
حَنَت إِلَيكَ عَلى البِعادِ فَشَوقُها
شَوقُthe longing of الرِياضِgardens إِلىfor السَحابِthe clouds المُثجِمِpouring rain
شَوقُ الرِياضِ إِلى السَحابِ المُثجِمِ
They yearned for you despite the distance; their longing
is the gardens' longing for clouds pouring rain.
لِلَّهِto God, in wonder يَومٌa day فيin السَعادَةِhappiness واحِدٌsingle
لِلَّهِ يَومٌ في السَعادَةِ واحِدٌ
أَلوىswept away بِشِدَّةِthe hardship of أَلفِa thousand يَومٍdays أَشأَمِill-starred
أَلوى بِشِدَّةِ أَلفِ يَومٍ أَشأَمِ
What a wondrous single day of happiness,
which swept away the hardship of a thousand ill-starred days!
ياO رَحمَةًmercy بُعِثَتwas sent فَأَحيَتand so revived أُمَّةًa people
يا رَحمَةً بُعِثَت فَأَحيَت أُمَّةً
قَدindeed طالَماfor long مُنِيَتwas afflicted بِمَنwith one who لَمnot يَرحَمِshows mercy
قَد طالَما مُنِيَت بِمَن لَم يَرحَمِ
O mercy sent forth, reviving a people
long afflicted with one who showed no mercy!
جَلَّيتَyou dispelled ظُلمَthe darkness of النائِباتِcalamities كَماjust as جَلاdispelled
جَلَّيتَ ظُلمَ النائِباتِ كَما جَلا
ضَوءُthe light of الغَزالَةِthe sun جُنحَthe gloom of لَيلٍa night مُظلِمِdark
ضَوءُ الغَزالَةِ جُنحَ لَيلٍ مُظلِمِ
You dispelled calamities' darkness, as
the sunlight dispels the gloom of a dark night.
وَأَطَرتَand you sent flying طَيرَthe bird of الخَوفِfear حَتّىuntil مالَهُit had no
وَأَطَرتَ طَيرَ الخَوفِ حَتّى مالَهُ
بِالشامِin Syria مُنذُsince طَرَقتَهُyou entered it مِنany مَجثَمٍroost
بِالشامِ مُنذُ طَرَقتَهُ مِن مَجثَمٍ
You drove fear's bird to flight, until it had no
roost in Syria from the moment you entered it.
وَأَخَفتَand you frightened ذاthis الزَمَنَage المُضاعَفَredoubled جَورُهُits tyranny
وَأَخَفتَ ذا الزَمَنَ المُضاعَفَ جَورُهُ
حَتّىuntil اِتَّقاكَit guarded against you بِطاعَةِwith the obedience of المُستَخدَمِa servant
حَتّى اِتَّقاكَ بِطاعَةِ المُستَخدَمِ
You frightened this age, with its redoubled tyranny,
until it sheltered from you in a servant's obedience.
إِنَّindeed الرَعاياthe subjects فيin جَنابِكَyour protection أَمَّنَتfelt safe from
إِنَّ الرَعايا في جَنابِكَ أَمَّنَت
كَيدَthe plotting of الغَشومِthe tyrant وَفَتكَةَand the assault of المُتَغَشرِمِthe arrogant bully
كَيدَ الغَشومِ وَفَتكَةَ المُتَغَشرِمِ
Within your protection the subjects are safe from
the tyrant's plotting and the arrogant bully's assault.
لاnot يَشتَكونَthey complain إِلَيكَto you نائِبَةًof a calamity سِوىexcept
لا يَشتَكونَ إِلَيكَ نائِبَةً سِوى
تَقصيرِهِمtheir falling short عَنof شُكرِthanking for هَذيthese الأَنعُمِblessings
تَقصيرِهِم عَن شُكرِ هَذي الأَنعُمِ
They complain to you of no affliction except
their falling short of thanking you for these blessings.
فَالأَمنُthus safety لِلمُرتاعِfor the frightened وَالإِنعامُand bounty لِلfor the
فَالأَمنُ لِلمُرتاعِ وَالإِنعامُ لِل
باغيseeker of النَدىgenerosity وَالعَدلُand justice لِلمُتَظَلِّمِfor the wronged
باغي النَدى وَالعَدلُ لِلمُتَظَلِّمِ
Thus safety is for the frightened, and bounty for the
seeker of generosity, and justice for the wronged.
لاneither الظَبيَةُthe gazelle الغَيداءُgraceful تَخشىfears القَسوَرَthe lion الthe
لا الظَبيَةُ الغَيداءُ تَخشى القَسوَرَ ال
ضاريravening وَلاnor الذِمِّيُّthe protected non-Muslim حَيفَthe injustice of المُسلِمِthe Muslim
ضاري وَلا الذِمِّيُّ حَيفَ المُسلِمِ
Neither does the graceful gazelle fear the lion,
the ravening beast, nor the protected non-Muslim a Muslim's injustice.
قُدتَyou led الجُيوشَthe armies بِصِدقِby the steadfastness of بَأسِكَyour valor تَقتَديthey follow
قُدتَ الجُيوشَ بِصِدقِ بَأسِكَ تَقتَدي
وَبِهاand with them الفِجاجُthe mountain passes إِلىtoward مُرادِكَyour goal تَرتَميspeed
وَبِها الفِجاجُ إِلى مُرادِكَ تَرتَمي
You led the armies, following your steadfast valor,
and the mountain passes hurled them toward your goal.
فَتَضَمَّنَتso undertook أَبطالُهاtheir champions إِبطالَهاtheir nullifying
فَتَضَمَّنَت أَبطالُها إِبطالَها
خُدَعَthe deceits of المُنىwishful hopes وَتَوَهُّمَand the delusions of المُتَوَهِّمِthe dreamer
خُدَعَ المُنى وَتَوَهُّمَ المُتَوَهِّمِ
Their champions undertook to shatter
the deceits of wishful hopes and the dreamer's delusions,
بِالمَشرَفِيَّةِwith Mashrafi swords ماnot تُوازيcould equal دِجلَةًthe Tigris
بِالمَشرَفِيَّةِ ما تُوازي دِجلَةً
عِندَat الزِيادَةِflood stage ماwhat أَراقَتthey shed مِنof دَمِblood
عِندَ الزِيادَةِ ما أَراقَت مِن دَمِ
with Mashrafi swords; the Tigris could not match,
even in flood, the blood they shed.
وَالخَيلُand the horses يَحمِلنَcarry المَناياdeaths وَالمُنىand wishes
وَالخَيلُ يَحمِلنَ المَنايا وَالمُنى
مِنamong كُلِّevery سَلهَبَةٍtall mare وَأَجرَدَand sleek stallion شَيظَمِlong-limbed
مِن كُلِّ سَلهَبَةٍ وَأَجرَدَ شَيظَمِ
The horses carry deaths and wishes—
every tall mare and sleek, long-limbed stallion.
كَمhow often حُجِّلَتhad their legs marked بِدَمِwith the blood of الطُغاةِtyrants وَأُعجِلَتand were hurried
كَم حُجِّلَت بِدَمِ الطُغاةِ وَأُعجِلَت
فيinto نَهضَةٍan assault عَنaway from مُسرِجٍa saddler أَوor مُلجِمِa bridler
في نَهضَةٍ عَن مُسرِجٍ أَو مُلجِمِ
How often were their legs marked with tyrants' blood, and they were rushed
into action without saddler or bridler!
عَلَّمتُموهاyou taught them الصَبرَendurance وَهيَwhile they were كَليمَةٌwounded
عَلَّمتُموها الصَبرَ وَهيَ كَليمَةٌ
تَغشىthey enter الوَغىbattle وَكَأَنَّهاand as though they لَمnot تُكلَمِwere wounded
تَغشى الوَغى وَكَأَنَّها لَم تُكلَمِ
You taught them endurance while they were wounded;
they enter battle as though never wounded.
أَقدَمتَyou advanced أَمنَعَmost unassailable مُقدِمٍattacker وَغَنِمتَand you won أَوfullest (word begins)
أَقدَمتَ أَمنَعَ مُقدِمٍ وَغَنِمتَ أَو
فىfullest (word ends) مَغنَمٍspoils وَقَدِمتَand you arrived أَسعَدَmost auspicious مَقدَمِarrival
فى مَغنَمٍ وَقَدِمتَ أَسعَدَ مَقدَمِ
You advanced, the most unassailable attacker, and won the fullest
spoils, and made the most auspicious arrival.
وَلَقَدand indeed ظَفِرتَyou attained بِماwhat يَعِزُّis difficult مَرامُهُits attainment
وَلَقَد ظَفِرتَ بِما يَعِزُّ مَرامُهُ
إِلّاexcept عَلَيكَfor you فَدُمso remain عَزيزاًmighty وَاِسلَمِand be safe
إِلّا عَلَيكَ فَدُم عَزيزاً وَاِسلَمِ
You attained what is difficult to achieve
for anyone but you; remain mighty and unharmed.
كانَتit was تُعَدُّcounted مِنَamong المَعاقِلِthe strongholds بُرهَةًfor a time
كانَت تُعَدُّ مِنَ المَعاقِلِ بُرهَةً
وَسَمَتand rose بِمُلكِكَunder your rule فَهيَso it is بَعضُone of الأَنجُمِthe stars
وَسَمَت بِمُلكِكَ فَهيَ بَعضُ الأَنجُمِ
For a time it was counted among the strongholds;
under your rule it rose to become one of the stars.
فَضَلَتit surpassed عَلىover كُلِّall القِلاعِthe castles وَبَيَّنَتand made clear
فَضَلَت عَلى كُلِّ القِلاعِ وَبَيَّنَت
فَضلَthe superiority of الصَبورِthe patient man عَلىover المُمِضِّthe harrowing one المُؤلِمِthe tormentor
فَضلَ الصَبورِ عَلى المُمِضِّ المُؤلِمِ
It surpassed all the castles, and made clear
the patient man's superiority to the harrowing tormentor.
مَنwhoever ذادَdefended عَنهاon its behalf نَخوَةًout of honor لَمnot يَخشَneed fear مِنfrom
مَن ذادَ عَنها نَخوَةً لَم يَخشَ مِن
عَنَتِthe harshness of العِتابِrebuke وَلاnor مَلامِthe reproach of اللَومِblame
عَنَتِ العِتابِ وَلا مَلامِ اللَومِ
Whoever defended it out of honor need not fear
the harshness of rebuke or the reproach of blame.
وَكَذاand likewise مُسَلِّمُهاwhoever surrenders it لِتَرضىto please you آمِنٌsafe from
وَكَذا مُسَلِّمُها لِتَرضى آمِنٌ
عَضَّbiting البَنانِthe fingertips وَفِكرَةَand the brooding of المُتَنَدِّمِthe regretful man
عَضَّ البَنانِ وَفِكرَةَ المُتَنَدِّمِ
Likewise, whoever yielded it to please you is safe from
biting his fingers and a regretful man's brooding.
فَاِعرِفso acknowledge لَهُمin them مَحضَthe purity of الوِدادِaffection فَإِنَّهُمfor they
فَاِعرِف لَهُم مَحضَ الوِدادِ فَإِنَّهُم
تَرَكواrelinquished العَظيمَةَthe mighty stronghold لِلهُمامِto the noble lord الأَعظَمِthe greatest
تَرَكوا العَظيمَةَ لِلهُمامِ الأَعظَمِ
So acknowledge their sincere affection, for they
yielded the mighty stronghold to the mightiest lord.
مَنwhoever كُنتَyou are ياO فَخرَpride of المُلوكِkings ظَهيرَهُhis supporter
مَن كُنتَ يا فَخرَ المُلوكِ ظَهيرَهُ
فَبِناؤُهُthen his edifice فيin المَجدِglory لَمnot يَتَهَدَّمِcollapse
فَبِناؤُهُ في المَجدِ لَم يَتَهَدَّمِ
Whoever has you, O pride of kings, as his supporter,
his edifice of glory will not collapse.
فَاِعطِفso turn kindly عَلَيهِمtoward them عَطفَةًwith a kindness شَرَفِيَّةًnoble
فَاِعطِف عَلَيهِم عَطفَةً شَرَفِيَّةً
ماnot الظَنُّthe expectation فيof إِنعامِهاits bestowal بِمُرَجَّمِmere conjecture
ما الظَنُّ في إِنعامِها بِمُرَجَّمِ
Turn toward them with a noble kindness;
expecting its bestowal is no mere conjecture.
وَاِمنُنand show favor فَكَمfor how many لَكَyou have مِنof فَعالٍdeeds صالِحٍworthy
وَاِمنُن فَكَم لَكَ مِن فَعالٍ صالِحٍ
أَلزَمتَyou imposed upon نَفسَكَyourself فيهِin it ماwhat لَمnot يَلزَمِwas obligatory
أَلزَمتَ نَفسَكَ فيهِ ما لَم يَلزَمِ
Show favor: how many worthy deeds are yours
in which you imposed on yourself what was not required!
هُمthey مِنكَare your kin إِنif عَدَّتcounts رَبيعَةُRabi'a فَخرَهاits glories
هُم مِنكَ إِن عَدَّت رَبيعَةُ فَخرَها
وَلُبابَهاand its finest men فيat مَحفِلٍan assembly أَوor مَوسِمِa festival
وَلُبابَها في مَحفِلٍ أَو مَوسِمِ
They are your kin, when Rabi'a counts its glories
and its finest men at an assembly or festival.
لاlet not يُنكِرِresent الحُسّادُthe envious مَدحِيَmy praise of مَعشَراًa people
لا يُنكِرِ الحُسّادُ مَدحِيَ مَعشَراً
طالَتsoared بِهِمthrough them هِمَميmy aspirations وَزادَand increased تَقَدُّميmy advancement
طالَت بِهِم هِمَمي وَزادَ تَقَدُّمي
Let not the envious resent my praise of a people
through whom my aspirations soared and my advancement grew.
لَوif لَمnot أَقُلI spoke نَطَقَتwould speak صَنائِعُfavors جَمَّةٌcountless
لَو لَم أَقُل نَطَقَت صَنائِعُ جَمَّةٌ
لِأَبيهِمُfrom their father يُعلِمنَinforming مَنthose who لَمnot يَعلَمِknow
لِأَبيهِمُ يُعلِمنَ مَن لَم يَعلَمِ
Had I not spoken, countless favors would speak—
their father's, instructing those who do not know.
فَلَأُثنِيَنَّso I shall surely praise مَدىthroughout حَياتيmy life موقِناًcertain
فَلَأُثنِيَنَّ مَدى حَياتي موقِناً
أَنّيthat I مَتىwhenever أَجحَدdeny جَميلاًa kindness أَظلِمِdo wrong
أَنّي مَتى أَجحَد جَميلاً أَظلِمِ
I shall surely praise them throughout my life, certain
that whenever I deny a kindness, I do wrong.
إِنَّindeed الوَفاءَloyalty طَريقُthe path of أَسلافيmy forebears الأُلىwho
إِنَّ الوَفاءَ طَريقُ أَسلافي الأُلى
عَمَروهُkept it flourishing ماthose بَينيbetween me وَبَينَand الهَيثَمِal-Haytham
عَمَروهُ ما بَيني وَبَينَ الهَيثَمِ
Loyalty is the road of my forebears, who
kept it flourishing, all those between me and al-Haytham.
وَمَضَواand they passed away فَأَحسَنتُso I performed well النِيابَةَthe representation عَنهُمُon their behalf
وَمَضَوا فَأَحسَنتُ النِيابَةَ عَنهُمُ
فيin القَولِspeech وَالأَفعالِand deeds غَيرَnot مُذَمَّمِblameworthy
في القَولِ وَالأَفعالِ غَيرَ مُذَمَّمِ
They passed away, and I represented them well
in speech and deeds, free of blame.
وَلَقَدand indeed جَمَعتَyou gathered فَضائِلاًvirtues ماnever اِستَجمَعَتwere combined
وَلَقَد جَمَعتَ فَضائِلاً ما اِستَجمَعَت
يَفنىwill perish الزَمانُtime وَذِكرُهاwhile their memory لَمnot يَهرَمِgrows old
يَفنى الزَمانُ وَذِكرُها لَم يَهرَمِ
You have gathered virtues never before combined;
time will perish before their memory grows old.
كَرَماًa generosity يُبيحُopens حِمىthe guarded bounds of الغِنىwealth وَمَآثِراًand noble deeds
كَرَماً يُبيحُ حِمى الغِنى وَمَآثِراً
وُضُحاًradiant تُبيحُgrant بَلاغَةَeloquence لِلمُفحَمِto the speechless
وُضُحاً تُبيحُ بَلاغَةَ لِلمُفحَمِ
A generosity that opens wealth's guarded bounds, and noble deeds
so radiant they lend eloquence to the speechless.
مِنfrom صِدقِthe truthfulness of قَولِكَyour speech يَبتَديit begins وَإِلىand to فِعاyour deeds (word begins)
مِن صِدقِ قَولِكَ يَبتَدي وَإِلى فِعا
لِكَyour deeds (word ends) يَنتَهيit ends وَإِلَيكَand to you أَجمَعُall of it يَنتَميtraces its origin
لِكَ يَنتَهي وَإِلَيكَ أَجمَعُ يَنتَمي
It begins with your truthful speech and extends to your
deeds; all of it traces its origin to you.
مِثلُlike الكَلامِspeech تَفَرَّقَتbecame divided أَنواعُهُits kinds
مِثلُ الكَلامِ تَفَرَّقَت أَنواعُهُ
فِرَقاًinto groups وَتَجمَعُهُand unite it حُروفُthe letters of المُعجَمِthe alphabet
فِرَقاً وَتَجمَعُهُ حُروفُ المُعجَمِ
Like speech, whose kinds branch out
in groups, yet the alphabet's letters unite it.
أَظهَرتَyou revealed غامِضَهاtheir hidden aspects فَأَنسَيتَand made forgotten الأُلىthose who
أَظهَرتَ غامِضَها فَأَنسَيتَ الأُلى
عَزّواwere mighty وَجادواand generous فيin الزَمانِthe age الأَقدَمِearliest
عَزّوا وَجادوا في الزَمانِ الأَقدَمِ
You revealed their hidden aspects and made men forget those
who were mighty and generous in the earliest age.
فَكَأَنَّso it is as though بِسطامَBistam بنَson of قَيسٍQays لَمnever يَرُعterrified
فَكَأَنَّ بِسطامَ بنَ قَيسٍ لَم يَرُع
يَوماًever عِداهُhis enemies وَحاتِماًand Hatim لَمnever يُكرِمِshowed generosity
يَوماً عِداهُ وَحاتِماً لَم يُكرِمِ
It is as though Bistam ibn Qays had never terrified
his enemies on any day, and Hatim had never shown generosity.
وَأَراكَand I see you تَعلوrising high قائِلاًspeaking أَوor صائِلاًcharging
وَأَراكَ تَعلو قائِلاً أَو صائِلاً
بِقَراon the back of سَريرٍa throne أَوor سَراةِthe back of مُطَهَّمِa fine-built steed
بِقَرا سَريرٍ أَو سَراةِ مُطَهَّمِ
I see you rising high, whether speaking or charging,
on the back of a throne or the back of a fine-built steed.
وَهِيَand this is النَباهَةُdistinction فُرصَةُthe opportunity of العَذبِone sweet in الجَناfruit
وَهِيَ النَباهَةُ فُرصَةُ العَذبِ الجَنا
لاnot فُرصَةُthe opportunity of المُتَهَوِّرِthe reckless man المُتَهَكِّمِthe foolhardy man
لا فُرصَةُ المُتَهَوِّرِ المُتَهَكِّمِ
Such is distinction: the opportunity of the sweet-fruited man,
not the chance of the reckless, foolhardy man.
وَإِذاand when جَرىrace الكُرَماءُthe generous بَرَّزَoutstrips سابِقاًrunning ahead
وَإِذا جَرى الكُرَماءُ بَرَّزَ سابِقاً
خُلُقُthe nature of الكَريمِthe nobleman تَخَلُّقَthe affectation of المُتَكَرِّمِthe would-be generous
خُلُقُ الكَريمِ تَخَلُّقَ المُتَكَرِّمِ
When the generous race, far ahead runs
the nobleman's nature, outstripping the pretender's affectation.
كَمhow often فِضتَyou overflowed إِنعاماًwith favors وَخُضتَand you braved مَخاوِفاًterrors
كَم فِضتَ إِنعاماً وَخُضتَ مَخاوِفاً
ماnot هَولُهاtheir horror لَولاكَbut for you بِالمُتَهَجَّمِto be confronted
ما هَولُها لَولاكَ بِالمُتَهَجَّمِ
How often have you overflowed with favors and braved terrors
whose horror, but for you, none would dare confront,
مُستَنقِذاًrescuing مِنfrom كُربَةٍdistress أَوor ماتِحاًdrawing water
مُستَنقِذاً مِن كُربَةٍ أَو ماتِحاً
فيin لَزبَةٍfamine أَوor صافِحاًforgiving عَنof مُجرِمِan offender
في لَزبَةٍ أَو صافِحاً عَن مُجرِمِ
rescuing from distress, or drawing water
in famine, or pardoning an offender.
فيon يَومِthe day of قارٍQar رايَةٌa banner لَكَof yours فَهَّمَتtaught
في يَومِ قارٍ رايَةٌ لَكَ فَهَّمَت
مِنamong قادَةِthe commanders of الأَتراكِthe Turks مَنthose who لَمnot يَفهَمِunderstood
مِن قادَةِ الأَتراكِ مَن لَم يَفهَمِ
On the day of Qar, a banner of yours taught
those Turkish commanders who had not understood.
لَمّاwhen تَقاصَرَتِfell short الصَوارِمُthe swords وَالخُطىand footsteps
لَمّا تَقاصَرَتِ الصَوارِمُ وَالخُطى
حَذَرَfor fear of البَوارِdestruction وَثَبتَyou leapt وَثبَةَthe leap of ضَيغَمِa lion
حَذَرَ البَوارِ وَثَبتَ وَثبَةَ ضَيغَمِ
When swords and footsteps fell short
for fear of destruction, you leapt with a lion's leap,
فيamid عُصبَةٍa band كَعبِيَّةٍof Ka'b تَرَكواthey abandoned القَناthe spears
في عُصبَةٍ كَعبِيَّةٍ تَرَكوا القَنا
مُتَعَوِّضينَexchanging them بِكُلِّfor every أَبيَضَwhite blade مِخذَمِkeen-cutting
مُتَعَوِّضينَ بِكُلِّ أَبيَضَ مِخذَمِ
amid a band of Ka'b who abandoned their spears,
replacing them with white, keen-cutting blades.
يَلقَونَthey meet أَعراءًunarmored بِكُلِّat every كَريهَةٍhorror
يَلقَونَ أَعراءً بِكُلِّ كَريهَةٍ
يَجتابُdons فيهاin it اللَيثُthe lion ثَوبَthe robe of الأَرقَمِthe speckled serpent
يَجتابُ فيها اللَيثُ ثَوبَ الأَرقَمِ
They face every horror without armor,
where even the lion dons the speckled serpent's robe.
قَلَّلتُمُyou reduced عَدَدَthe number of العِدىthe enemies بِقَواضِبٍwith cleaving swords
قَلَّلتُمُ عَدَدَ العِدى بِقَواضِبٍ
كَثَّرنَthey multiplied أَزوادَthe provisions of النُسورِthe vultures الحُوَّمِcircling
كَثَّرنَ أَزوادَ النُسورِ الحُوَّمِ
With cleaving swords you thinned the enemy's ranks,
and multiplied provisions for the circling vultures.
مِنof مُرهَفاتٍkeen-edged blades لَمnot تَزَلceased to be أَيمانُكُمyour right hands
مِن مُرهَفاتٍ لَم تَزَل أَيمانُكُم
أَنصارَهاtheir supporters فيon كُلِّevery يَومٍday أَيوَمِdire
أَنصارَها في كُلِّ يَومٍ أَيوَمِ
Keen-edged blades, which your right hands have always
supported on every dire day.
ماnot عايَنَتهاsaw them التُركُthe Turks تَحكُمُjudging فيover الطُلىthe throats
ما عايَنَتها التُركُ تَحكُمُ في الطُلى
حَتّىuntil تَوَلَّتthey fled طائِشاتِwild with الأَسهُمِarrows
حَتّى تَوَلَّت طائِشاتِ الأَسهُمِ
No sooner did the Turks see them passing judgment on throats
than they fled, their arrows going astray.
مِنamong them a نابِذٍdiscarder لِسِلاحِهِof his weapon فاتَoutstripped الرَدىdeath
مِن نابِذٍ لِسِلاحِهِ فاتَ الرَدى
سَبقاًin flight وَمِنand some مُستَلئِمٍarmor-clad مُستَسلِمِsurrendering
سَبقاً وَمِن مُستَلئِمٍ مُستَسلِمِ
Some cast aside their weapons and outstripped death
in flight; others, armored, surrendered.
أَلوىswept away بِهِمthem صِدقُthe firmness of اِعتِزامِكَyour resolve مِثلَماjust as
أَلوى بِهِم صِدقُ اِعتِزامِكَ مِثلَما
تُلويsweep away الرِياحُthe winds العاصِفاتُtempestuous بِخَشرَمِa swarm of bees
تُلوي الرِياحُ العاصِفاتُ بِخَشرَمِ
Your firm resolve swept them away just as
tempestuous winds sweep away a swarm of bees.
فَخَصَصتَso you singled out بِالإِذلالِfor humiliation كُلَّevery مُقَلنَسٍcap-wearer
فَخَصَصتَ بِالإِذلالِ كُلَّ مُقَلنَسٍ
وَعَمَمتَand you included all بِالإِعزازِin honor كُلَّevery مُعَمَّمِturban-wearer
وَعَمَمتَ بِالإِعزازِ كُلَّ مُعَمَّمِ
You singled out every cap-wearer for humiliation,
and bestowed honor on every turbaned man.
وَبِصَدرِكَand in your breast القَلبُthe heart الَّذيthat لَمّاnot yet يُرَعbeen frightened
وَبِصَدرِكَ القَلبُ الَّذي لَمّا يُرَع
وَبِكَفِّكَand in your palm السَيفُthe sword الَّذيthat لَمnever يَكهَمِgrew blunt
وَبِكَفِّكَ السَيفُ الَّذي لَم يَكهَمِ
In your breast is the heart that has never yet felt fear,
and in your palm the sword that has never grown blunt.
ماnot شيمَwas sheathed إِلّاexcept بَعدَafter قَتلِslaying مُعَظَّمٍa mighty man
ما شيمَ إِلّا بَعدَ قَتلِ مُعَظَّمٍ
ماضيkeen الشَباof blade وَثَباتِand the securing of مُلكِa kingdom مُعَظَّمِmighty
ماضي الشَبا وَثَباتِ مُلكِ مُعَظَّمِ
It was sheathed only after the slaying of a mighty man,
keen of blade, and the securing of a mighty kingdom.
وَغَداًand tomorrow سَتُخليyou will empty الشامَSyria مِنهُمof them مِثلَماjust as
وَغَداً سَتُخلي الشامَ مِنهُم مِثلَما
أَخلَتcleared خُزاعَةُKhuza'a مَكَّةًMecca مِنof جُرهُمِJurhum
أَخلَت خُزاعَةُ مَكَّةً مِن جُرهُمِ
Tomorrow you will clear Syria of them, just as
Khuza'a cleared Mecca of Jurhum.
دونَbarring الَّذيwhat أَمَلواthey hoped for ظُبىًblades هِندِيَّةٌIndian
دونَ الَّذي أَمَلوا ظُبىً هِندِيَّةٌ
قَدalready حَكَّمَتكَhave given you mastery عَلىover العِدىthe foes فَتَحَكَّمِso exercise mastery
قَد حَكَّمَتكَ عَلى العِدى فَتَحَكَّمِ
Between them and their hopes stand Indian blades,
which have given you mastery over your foes: wield it.
أَذكَرتَهُمyou reminded them of بوقاBuqa وَبَكتاشاًand Baktash لَدُنwhen
أَذكَرتَهُم بوقا وَبَكتاشاً لَدُن
طَرَقاthe two struck البِلادَthe land وَأَهلَهاand its people بِالصَيلَمِwith devastation
طَرَقا البِلادَ وَأَهلَها بِالصَيلَمِ
You reminded them of Buqa and Baktash, when
those two struck the land and its people with devastation.
فَثَنَتهُماbut turned them both back دونَshort of المُرادِthe goal عَشيرَةٌa clan
فَثَنَتهُما دونَ المُرادِ عَشيرَةٌ
وَفَتِequaled الزَرافَةُthe small band مِنهُمُof them بِعَرَمرَمِa vast army
وَفَتِ الزَرافَةُ مِنهُمُ بِعَرَمرَمِ
A clan turned them both back short of their aim;
a small band of its men equaled a vast army.
مَنَعواthey defended ذِمارَهُمُtheir sacred charges بِكُلِّwith every مُهَنَّدٍIndian sword
مَنَعوا ذِمارَهُمُ بِكُلِّ مُهَنَّدٍ
قَدَّcut through الدِلاصَpolished armor وَعادَand returned غَيرَnot مُثَلَّمِnotched
قَدَّ الدِلاصَ وَعادَ غَيرَ مُثَلَّمِ
They defended their sacred charges with Indian swords
that cut through polished armor and returned unnotched.
يَومٌa day لَعَمرُكَby your life لَمnot تَزَلceased أَخبارُهُits tidings
يَومٌ لَعَمرُكَ لَم تَزَل أَخبارُهُ
مَسموعَةًbeing heard مِنfrom مُنجِدٍone in Najd أَوor مُتهِمِone in Tihama
مَسموعَةً مِن مُنجِدٍ أَو مُتهِمِ
A day, by your life, whose tidings are still
heard from men in Najd or Tihama.
عَزَّتgained glory بِهِthrough it عَرَبُthe Arabs of البِلادِthe land كَعِزِّهاas they gained glory
عَزَّت بِهِ عَرَبُ البِلادِ كَعِزِّها
بِالقادِسِيَّةِat al-Qadisiyya يَومَon the day of مَقتَلِthe slaying of رُستُمِRustam
بِالقادِسِيَّةِ يَومَ مَقتَلِ رُستُمِ
Through it the land's Arabs won glory, as they did
at al-Qadisiyya on the day Rustam was slain.
أَمِنَتwere safe from قَبائِلُthe tribes of عامِرٍ'Amir صَرفَthe turns of الرَدىdeath
أَمِنَت قَبائِلُ عامِرٍ صَرفَ الرَدى
وَالجَدبَand drought فيin ظِلِّthe shelter of المُعِزِّthe honor-giver المُنعِمِthe benefactor
وَالجَدبَ في ظِلِّ المُعِزِّ المُنعِمِ
The tribes of 'Amir are safe from the turns of death
and drought beneath the shelter of the honor-giving benefactor,
مُستَعصِمينَtaking refuge بِذُروَةٍin a summit لاnot تُرتَقىcan be scaled
مُستَعصِمينَ بِذُروَةٍ لا تُرتَقى
مُستَمسِكينَholding fast بِعُروَةٍto a handhold لَمnever تُفصَمِwas broken
مُستَمسِكينَ بِعُروَةٍ لَم تُفصَمِ
taking refuge on a summit none can scale,
holding fast to a handhold that has never broken.
إِنif أَجدَبواthey suffered drought لاذواthey took refuge بِغَيثٍin rain هاطِلٍpouring
إِن أَجدَبوا لاذوا بِغَيثٍ هاطِلٍ
أَوor رُوِّعواwere frightened عاذواthey sought shelter بِطَودٍin a mountain أَيهَمِinaccessible
أَو رُوِّعوا عاذوا بِطَودٍ أَيهَمِ
If drought strikes them, they take refuge in pouring rain;
if frightened, they seek shelter in an inaccessible mountain.
أَصفَيتَyou made pure لِلعَرَبِfor the Arabs المَشارِبَthe drinking places بَعدَafter أَنthat
أَصفَيتَ لِلعَرَبِ المَشارِبَ بَعدَ أَن
كانَتthey were كَرُمحٍlike a spear لاnot يُعانُaided بِلَهذَمِby a broad spearhead
كانَت كَرُمحٍ لا يُعانُ بِلَهذَمِ
You purified the Arabs' drinking places, after
they had been like a spear unaided by a broad spearhead.
لاmay not راعَتِfrighten الأَيّامُthe days مَنhim who بِفَنائِهِin his courtyard
لا راعَتِ الأَيّامُ مَن بِفَنائِهِ
كَنزُthe treasure of الفَقيرِthe poor man وَعِصمَةُand the protection of المُستَعصِمِthe refuge-seeker
كَنزُ الفَقيرِ وَعِصمَةُ المُستَعصِمِ
May the days never frighten him in whose courtyard lie
the poor man's treasure and the refuge-seeker's protection.
أَنتَyou الَّذيare he who نَفَقَfound ready sale الثَناءُpraise بِسوقِهِin his market
أَنتَ الَّذي نَفَقَ الثَناءُ بِسوقِهِ
وَجَرىand ran النَدىgenerosity بِعُروقِهِin his veins قَبلَbefore الدَمِblood
وَجَرى النَدى بِعُروقِهِ قَبلَ الدَمِ
You are he in whose marketplace praise finds ready sale,
and in whose veins generosity ran before blood.
وَتَحَقَّقَand became certain الأَملاكُthe kings طُرّاًall أَنَّهاthat they
وَتَحَقَّقَ الأَملاكُ طُرّاً أَنَّها
إِنif لَمnot تُسالِمmake peace with مُلكَهُhis rule لَمnot تَسلَمِbe safe
إِن لَم تُسالِم مُلكَهُ لَم تَسلَمِ
All kings have realized that
unless they make peace with his rule, they cannot be safe.
فَأَتاكَso he came to you بِالآمالِwith hopes غَيرَnot مُهانَةٍdishonored
فَأَتاكَ بِالآمالِ غَيرَ مُهانَةٍ
فيin ظِلِّهِhis shelter وَالمالِand wealth غَيرَnot مُكَرَّمِcherished
في ظِلِّهِ وَالمالِ غَيرَ مُكَرَّمِ
So he came to you with hopes not dishonored
beneath his shelter, and wealth not held dear.
ماضٍresolute إِذاwhen ماindeed الصارِمُthe sword الماضيkeen نَباfails
ماضٍ إِذا ما الصارِمُ الماضي نَبا
قاضٍjudging بِأَحكامِby the rulings of الكِتابِthe Book المُحكَمِfirmly established
قاضٍ بِأَحكامِ الكِتابِ المُحكَمِ
Resolute when even the keen sword fails,
judging by the rulings of the firmly established Book.
وَلَهُand he has مَخافَةَfor fear أَنthat تَضِلَّlose their way ضُيوفُهُhis guests
وَلَهُ مَخافَةَ أَن تَضِلَّ ضُيوفُهُ
بِاللَيلِat night نارٌa fire ماnever خَلَتlacked مِنany مُضرِمِkindler
بِاللَيلِ نارٌ ما خَلَت مِن مُضرِمِ
For fear his guests might lose their way,
he has at night a fire never lacking someone to kindle it.
أَبَداًalways يُشَبُّis kindled عَلىon اليَفاعِthe heights وُقودُهاits burning
أَبَداً يُشَبُّ عَلى اليَفاعِ وُقودُها
وَوَقودُهاand its fuel قِصَدُsplinters of القَناthe spears المُتَحَطِّمِshattered
وَوَقودُها قِصَدُ القَنا المُتَحَطِّمِ
Its flames are always kindled on the heights,
and its fuel is the splinters of shattered spears,
مِمّاfrom what تَحَطَّمَwas shattered فيin نُحورِthe throats of عَرامِسٍsturdy she-camels
مِمّا تَحَطَّمَ في نُحورِ عَرامِسٍ
كومِhigh الذُرىof hump أَوor فيin كَمِيٍّan armored warrior مُعلَمِwearing a battle-mark
كومِ الذُرى أَو في كَمِيٍّ مُعلَمِ
broken in the throats of sturdy she-camels,
high-humped, or in an armored warrior wearing a battle-mark.
مِنfrom مَعشَرٍa people عَمَرواrestored المَعاليthe heights of honor بَعدَafter ماthat
مِن مَعشَرٍ عَمَروا المَعالي بَعدَ ما
عَمَرَتthey stood زَماناًfor a time دارِساتِeffaced الأَرسُمِin their traces
عَمَرَت زَماناً دارِساتِ الأَرسُمِ
From a people who restored the heights of honor after
their traces had long lain effaced.
وَعَلواand they rose عَلىabove شوسِthe haughty المُلوكِkings بِغَيظِهِمdespite their anger
وَعَلوا عَلى شوسِ المُلوكِ بِغَيظِهِم
غَيظِthe anger of الوِهادِthe lowlands عَلىtoward هِضابِthe hills of يَلَملَمِYalamlam
غَيظِ الوِهادِ عَلى هِضابِ يَلَملَمِ
They towered above haughty kings, despite their anger—
the lowlands' anger at the hills of Yalamlam.
فَليَيأَسواso let them despair of الرُتَبَthe ranks العَلِيَّةِlofty إِنَّهاindeed they are
فَليَيأَسوا الرُتَبَ العَلِيَّةِ إِنَّها
لَكُمُyours وِراثَةُan inheritance خِضرِمٍa bountiful lord عَنfrom خِضرِمِa bountiful lord
لَكُمُ وِراثَةُ خِضرِمٍ عَن خِضرِمِ
Let them despair of lofty ranks: these are
yours, inherited from one bountiful lord after another.
وَالمَجدُand glory شِنشِنَةٌan inborn trait لِآلِof the house of مُسَيَّبٍMusayyab
وَالمَجدُ شِنشِنَةٌ لِآلِ مُسَيَّبٍ
ماnot كُلُّevery شِنشِنَةٍinborn trait تُناطُis attributed بِأَخزَمِto Akhzam
ما كُلُّ شِنشِنَةٍ تُناطُ بِأَخزَمِ
Glory is an inborn trait of the house of Musayyab;
not every inborn trait can be traced to Akhzam.
بَيتٌa house بَنىbuilt قِرواشُهُits Qirwash وَقُرَيشُهُand its Quraysh
بَيتٌ بَنى قِرواشُهُ وَقُرَيشُهُ
شَرَفاًa glory أَطَلَّlooked down عَلىupon مَحَلِّthe station of المِرزَمِal-Mirzam
شَرَفاً أَطَلَّ عَلى مَحَلِّ المِرزَمِ
A house whose Qirwash and Quraysh built
a glory looking down upon al-Mirzam's station.
وَاِستَخلَفاكَand they made you successor فَنَوَّهَتso exalted بِكَyou هِمَّةٌan ambition
وَاِستَخلَفاكَ فَنَوَّهَت بِكَ هِمَّةٌ
أَربىsurpassed الأَخيرُthe later man بِهاthrough it عَلىover المُتَقَدِّمِthe earlier man
أَربى الأَخيرُ بِها عَلى المُتَقَدِّمِ
They made you their successor, and ambition raised you high;
through it the later man surpassed the earlier.
فَأَبوthus Abu المَنيعِal-Mani' أَبوAbu المَعاليal-Ma'ali فيin عُلىًheights
فَأَبو المَنيعِ أَبو المَعالي في عُلىً
أَضعافُهاtheir multiples لِأَبيbelong to Abu المَكارِمِal-Makarim مُسلِمِMuslim
أَضعافُها لِأَبي المَكارِمِ مُسلِمِ
Abu al-Mani' and Abu al-Ma'ali reached heights
many times exceeded by Abu al-Makarim Muslim.
فَبَقيتَso may you remain ماas long as شِئتَyou wish البَقاءَto live مُعَظَّماًhonored
فَبَقيتَ ما شِئتَ البَقاءَ مُعَظَّماً
وَسَقىand may water الغَمامُthe clouds رَميمَthe decayed remains of تِلكَthose الأَعظُمِbones
وَسَقى الغَمامُ رَميمَ تِلكَ الأَعظُمِ
May you remain honored for as long as you wish to live,
and may clouds water the crumbled remains of those bones.
تُعطيyou give عَلىfor الشِعرِpoetry الرَغائِبَrich rewards بَعدَafter أَنthat
تُعطي عَلى الشِعرِ الرَغائِبَ بَعدَ أَن
غَنِيَتhave no need صِفاتُكَyour qualities عَنof بَيانِthe exposition of مُتَرجِمِan interpreter
غَنِيَت صِفاتُكَ عَن بَيانِ مُتَرجِمِ
You give rich rewards for poetry, although
your qualities need no interpreter's exposition.
وَالدُرُّand pearls ماnot يَنفَكُّcease to يُعرَفُbe known قَدرُهُtheir worth
وَالدُرُّ ما يَنفَكُّ يُعرَفُ قَدرُهُ
فيamong الناسِpeople مَنظوماًstrung وَغَيرَand not مُنَظَّمِstrung
في الناسِ مَنظوماً وَغَيرَ مُنَظَّمِ
A pearl's worth is always known
among people, whether strung or unstrung.
يُفضيreaches إِلىto الشَمسِthe sun العَقيمِbarren كُسوفُهاits eclipse
يُفضي إِلى الشَمسِ العَقيمِ كُسوفُها
وَنَراكَand we see you شَمساًas a sun أُفقُهاwhose horizon لَمnever يُظلِمِdarkened
وَنَراكَ شَمساً أُفقُها لَم يُظلِمِ
Eclipse befalls the barren sun,
but we see you as a sun whose horizon never darkens.
أَشرَقتَyou shone لَمّاwhen أَشرَقَتshe shone فَبَهَرتَهاand outdazzled her
أَشرَقتَ لَمّا أَشرَقَت فَبَهَرتَها
وَكَثَرتَهاand you outnumbered her فَوَلَدتَfor you begot سَبعَةَseven أَنجُمِstars
وَكَثَرتَها فَوَلَدتَ سَبعَةَ أَنجُمِ
You shone when she shone, and outdazzled her;
you outnumbered her, begetting seven stars.
حَبَسَتheld back رِكابيmy mounts عَنfrom ذَراكَyour shelter عَوائِقٌobstacles
حَبَسَت رِكابي عَن ذَراكَ عَوائِقٌ
يَحياlives الغَنِيُّthe rich man بِهاbecause of them حَياةَthe life of المُعدِمِthe destitute man
يَحيا الغَنِيُّ بِها حَياةَ المُعدِمِ
Obstacles held my mounts back from your shelter,
through which the rich man lives a pauper's life.
وَتُشَرِّدُand drive away الآباءَfathers عَنfrom أَبنائِهِمtheir children
وَتُشَرِّدُ الآباءَ عَن أَبنائِهِم
فَتَعيشُso lives ذاتُthe woman with البَعلِa husband عَيشُthe life of الأَيَّمِthe husbandless woman
فَتَعيشُ ذاتُ البَعلِ عَيشُ الأَيَّمِ
They drive fathers away from their children,
so a married woman lives as one without a husband.
لَولاwere it not for تَواليهاtheir succession لَزُرتُكَI would have visited you وافِداًas a guest
لَولا تَواليها لَزُرتُكَ وافِداً
كَوُفودِlike the arrival of حَسّانٍHassan عَلىto بنِIbn الأَيهَمِal-Ayham
كَوُفودِ حَسّانٍ عَلى بنِ الأَيهَمِ
Were it not for their succession, I would have visited you as a guest,
as Hassan came to Ibn al-Ayham.
بِغَرائِبٍwith rare verses بَينَbetween الكَلامِspeech وَبَينَهاand them
بِغَرائِبٍ بَينَ الكَلامِ وَبَينَها
كَالفَرقِlike the difference بَينَbetween مُصَرَّحٍone speaking plainly وَمُجَمجَمِand one mumbling
كَالفَرقِ بَينَ مُصَرَّحٍ وَمُجَمجَمِ
With rare verses, between which and ordinary speech
lies the difference between clear utterance and mumbling.
تَنأىthey lie far عَنِfrom الفُصَحاءِthe eloquent إِلّاexcept أَنَّهاthat they
تَنأى عَنِ الفُصَحاءِ إِلّا أَنَّها
أَدنىnearer إِلَيَّto me مِنَthan اللِسانِthe tongue إِلىto الفَمِthe mouth
أَدنى إِلَيَّ مِنَ اللِسانِ إِلى الفَمِ
They lie beyond eloquent men's reach, yet
are nearer to me than the tongue is to the mouth.
حَتّىuntil أَتاحَgranted اللَهُGod ليto me نَيلَattainment of العُلىthe heights
حَتّى أَتاحَ اللَهُ لي نَيلَ العُلى
بِقُدومِthrough the arrival of مَولىًa patron كانَwas يَرقُبُawaiting مَقدَميmy arrival
بِقُدومِ مَولىً كانَ يَرقُبُ مَقدَمي
Then God granted me attainment of the heights
through the arrival of a patron who had awaited my coming.
وَكَذاand likewise الغَمامُthe clouds يَزورُvisit مَهجورَthe forsaken الثَرىearth
وَكَذا الغَمامُ يَزورُ مَهجورَ الثَرى
أَمطارُهُtheir rains وَيَؤُمُّand they seek غَيرَnot مُيَمَّمِsought out
أَمطارُهُ وَيَؤُمُّ غَيرَ مُيَمَّمِ
So too the clouds visit forsaken earth
with their rains, seeking a place none has sought.
وَلَئِنand though حَنَتbent ظَهريmy back السِنونَthe years بِمَرِّهاin their passing
وَلَئِن حَنَت ظَهري السِنونَ بِمَرِّها
فَالرُمحُyet a spear يَنفَعُis useful وَهوَwhile it is غَيرُnot مُقَوَّمِstraightened
فَالرُمحُ يَنفَعُ وَهوَ غَيرُ مُقَوَّمِ
Though the passing years have bent my back,
a spear is useful even when not straightened.
وَلَدَيَّand I have مَدحٌpraise لاnot يُمَلُّis wearisome سَماعُهُhearing it
وَلَدَيَّ مَدحٌ لا يُمَلُّ سَماعُهُ
فَتَمَلَّso enjoy باقِيَthe remainder of عُمرِيَmy life المُستَغنَمِworth treasuring
فَتَمَلَّ باقِيَ عُمرِيَ المُستَغنَمِ
I have praise whose hearing never wearies;
so enjoy the treasured remainder of my life.
Translation model: Sol 6.1