النَجمُ أَقرَبُ مِن مَداكَ مَنالا

النَجمُ أَقرَبُ مِن مَداكَ مَنالا

فَعَلامَ يَسعى طالِبوهُ ضَلالا

فَعَلامَ يَسعى طالِبوهُ ضَلالا

The star is easier to attain than your lofty reach;

The star is closer to you than your reach,

so why do those who seek it strive astray?

So why do its seekers go astray?

ما في البَرِيَّةِ مَن يُساجِلُكَ العُلى

ما في البَرِيَّةِ مَن يُساجِلُكَ العُلى

فَتَبارَكَ المُعطيكَها وَتَعالى

فَتَبارَكَ المُعطيكَها وَتَعالى

No one among creation vies with you in loftiness;

None in the wilderness can rival your supremacy,

blessed and exalted is He who granted it to you.

So blessed is He who granted it to you, and exalted is He!

أَينَ الأُلى قَصَروا خُطىً في طُرقِها

أَينَ الأُلى قَصَروا خُطىً في طُرقِها

مِمَّن غَدَت خُطُواتُهُ أَميالا

مِمَّن غَدَت خُطُواتُهُ أَميالا

Where are those whose steps fell short upon its paths

Where are those aspirations whose steps faltered on its paths,

beside one whose strides have become miles?

While your steps became miles?

يا مانِعَ المُلكِ العَقيمِ وَحاسِمَ ال

يا مانِعَ المُلكِ العَقيمِ وَحاسِمَ ال

داءِ العُقامِ سِياسَةً وَنِصالا

داءِ العُقامِ سِياسَةً وَنِصالا

O defender of barren kingship, who cuts away the

O obstacle of barren rule, remedy of the chronic ill of governance with politics and sword,

incurable disease with statecraft and blades!

None can mount the glory that the resolute who does not ride hardships have mounted for you.

ما يَمتَطي العِزَّ الَّذي أَمطَتكَهُ ال

ما يَمتَطي العِزَّ الَّذي أَمطَتكَهُ ال

عَزَماتُ مَن لا يَركَبُ الأَهوالا

عَزَماتُ مَن لا يَركَبُ الأَهوالا

None mounts the glory on which you were set by your

Whoever disliked the life's turbid water at times of scarcity,

resolves unless he rides through terrors.

Would not want it fresh.

مَن عافَ ماءَ العَيشِ وَهوَ مُكَدَّرٌ

مَن عافَ ماءَ العَيشِ وَهوَ مُكَدَّرٌ

عِندَ الكَرائِهِ لَم يَرِدهُ زُلالا

عِندَ الكَرائِهِ لَم يَرِدهُ زُلالا

Whoever shuns life's water while it is clouded

Your swords make the countries' keys,

amid hardships will never drink it clear.

So when you open, you make them locks.

تُضحي سُيوفُكَ لِلبِلادِ مَفاتِحاً

تُضحي سُيوفُكَ لِلبِلادِ مَفاتِحاً

فَإِذا فَتَحتَ جَعَلتَها أَقفالا

فَإِذا فَتَحتَ جَعَلتَها أَقفالا

Your swords become keys to the lands;

And Aleppo gained glory through you, which

then, when you conquer, you make them locks.

Has not been worn by one who makes it a robe.

وَقَدِ اِكتَسَت حَلَبٌ بِكَ العِزَّ الَّذي

وَقَدِ اِكتَسَت حَلَبٌ بِكَ العِزَّ الَّذي

ما ذَلَّ مَن يُضحي لَهُ سِربالا

ما ذَلَّ مَن يُضحي لَهُ سِربالا

Aleppo has clothed herself through you in glory

The lands of war had been fortified against spears,

whose wearer is never brought low.

But you made them barren plains and hillocks.

كانَت لِأَرماحِ الخُطوبِ دَريئَةً

كانَت لِأَرماحِ الخُطوبِ دَريئَةً

فَجَعَلتَ جُنَّتَها ظُبىً وَإِلالا

فَجَعَلتَ جُنَّتَها ظُبىً وَإِلالا

She was a target for the spears of calamities;

You refused that eyes keep vigil

you made her shield blade-edges and spearheads.

Fearing calamities, hearts, and anguish.

وَأَبَيتَ أَن تَبقى العُيونُ سَواهِراً

وَأَبَيتَ أَن تَبقى العُيونُ سَواهِراً

حَذَرَ النَوائِبِ وَالقُلوبِ وِجالا

حَذَرَ النَوائِبِ وَالقُلوبِ وِجالا

You refused to let eyes remain sleepless

So its people came back who had intended emigration,

in fear of misfortunes, and hearts afraid.

Though its people had long intended to travel.

فَاِنتابَها أَهلُ البِلادِ وَطالَما

فَاِنتابَها أَهلُ البِلادِ وَطالَما

قَد رامَ عَنها أَهلُها التَرحالا

قَد رامَ عَنها أَهلُها التَرحالا

So people from the lands flocked to her, though often

He gave the subjects from his care all wishes,

her own people had wished to depart from her.

He who protected since long ago knew no negligence.

أَعطى الرَعِيَّةَ مِن رِعايَتِهِ المُنى

أَعطى الرَعِيَّةَ مِن رِعايَتِهِ المُنى

مَن مُذ حَمى لَم يَعرِفِ الإِهمالا

مَن مُذ حَمى لَم يَعرِفِ الإِهمالا

He gave the subjects their wishes through his care—

He made the people drink his sword's wine, or exalted them,

he who, since taking them under protection, has never known neglect.

If it took long, or fulfilled their wishes if they said.

أَجرى الوَرى إِنصالَ بَل أَعلاهُمُ

أَجرى الوَرى إِنصالَ بَل أَعلاهُمُ

إِن طالَ بَل أَوفاهُمُ إِن قالا

إِن طالَ بَل أَوفاهُمُ إِن قالا

The swiftest of mortals when charging—rather, the loftiest

Through his judgments, governance and gifts

when rising—and the truest to his word when speaking.

They felt safe from evil, injustice and the impossible.

بِمَضائِهِ وَقَضائِهِ وَعَطائِهِ

بِمَضائِهِ وَقَضائِهِ وَعَطائِهِ

أَمِنوا الرَدى وَالجَورَ وَالإِمحالا

أَمِنوا الرَدى وَالجَورَ وَالإِمحالا

Through his resolve, his judgment, and his giving,

How often you rode out on mornings to the farthest goal,

they were safe from death, oppression, and drought.

And reached before the messengers' arrival!

كَم رُمتَ في الغُدُواتِ أَبعَدَ غايَةٍ

كَم رُمتَ في الغُدُواتِ أَبعَدَ غايَةٍ

فَوَصَلتَ قَبلَ وُصولِكَ الآصالا

فَوَصَلتَ قَبلَ وُصولِكَ الآصالا

How often in the mornings you sought the farthest goal

And it is wondrous that one like you fears resolutely

and reached it before you reached the evenings!

The one who bears the burdens.

وَمِنَ العَجائِبِ أَن يَخِفَّ مُصَمِّماً

وَمِنَ العَجائِبِ أَن يَخِفَّ مُصَمِّماً

مَن كانَ مِثلَكَ يَحمِلُ الأَثقالا

مَن كانَ مِثلَكَ يَحمِلُ الأَثقالا

Among wonders is that one should move lightly, resolute,

The paths you tread narrowed, so none but you

who, like you, carries heavy burdens.

Found room in their straitness.

ضاقَت مَسالِكُ ما أَتَيتَ فَلَم يَجِد

ضاقَت مَسالِكُ ما أَتَيتَ فَلَم يَجِد

في ضَنكِها أَحَدٌ سِواكَ مَجالا

في ضَنكِها أَحَدٌ سِواكَ مَجالا

The paths of what you achieved were narrow, and none found

You humiliated your wealth without any pretense;

within their straits room to act but you.

None prevails but one who humiliates wealth.

وَأَهَنتَ مالَكَ غَيرَ ما مُتَكَلِّفٍ

وَأَهَنتَ مالَكَ غَيرَ ما مُتَكَلِّفٍ

ما عَزَّ إِلّا مَن أَهانَ المالا

ما عَزَّ إِلّا مَن أَهانَ المالا

You held your wealth cheap, without affectation;

You rejected people's opinions, and often disobeyed

none grows mighty except one who holds wealth cheap.

The rough reproachers in seeking the heights.

وَنَبَذتَ آراءَ الأَنامِ وَطالَما

وَنَبَذتَ آراءَ الأَنامِ وَطالَما

عاصَيتَ في طَلَبِ العُلى العُذّالا

عاصَيتَ في طَلَبِ العُلى العُذّالا

You cast aside the opinions of mankind, and often

If you wish to know your view is penetrating,

defied the reproachers in pursuing loftiness.

Just look at what they saw, and see what transpired!

إِن شِئتَ تَعرِفُ أَنَّ رَأيَكَ ثاقِبٌ

إِن شِئتَ تَعرِفُ أَنَّ رَأيَكَ ثاقِبٌ

لا ما رَأَوا فَاِنظُر إِلى ما آلا

لا ما رَأَوا فَاِنظُر إِلى ما آلا

If you wish to know that your judgment is piercing,

When you resolve, take your resolution, it definitely

not theirs, look at how matters turned out.

Fulfills what you desire, and leave the omen!

وَإِذا هَمَمتَ فَخُذ بِعَزمِكَ إِنَّهُ

وَإِذا هَمَمتَ فَخُذ بِعَزمِكَ إِنَّهُ

قَمِنٌ بِما تَهوى وَخَلِّ الفالا

قَمِنٌ بِما تَهوى وَخَلِّ الفالا

When you intend something, follow your resolve, for it

Use the sword that did not fail in the melee,

is fit to win what you desire; leave omens aside.

And the view that did not go wrong.

وَاِستَخدِمِ السَيفَ الَّذي ما فُلَّ في ال

وَاِستَخدِمِ السَيفَ الَّذي ما فُلَّ في ال

هَيجاءِ وَالرَأيَ الَّذي ما فالا

هَيجاءِ وَالرَأيَ الَّذي ما فالا

Employ the sword never blunted in the

The fiercest foe will not be left ambiguous,

battle, and the judgment that never faltered.

Except by one who makes the blows his debate.

لَن يَترُكَ الخَصمَ الأَلَدَّ مُجَدَّلاً

لَن يَترُكَ الخَصمَ الأَلَدَّ مُجَدَّلاً

إِلّا اِمرُؤٌ جَعَلَ الضِرابَ جِدالا

إِلّا اِمرُؤٌ جَعَلَ الضِرابَ جِدالا

None will leave the implacable adversary felled

War kept on being a skirmish in the fray,

but a man who makes sword-blows his argument.

Prolonging it corrupted rights into fighting.

وَالحَربُ ما بَرِحَت سِجالاً في الوَغى

وَالحَربُ ما بَرِحَت سِجالاً في الوَغى

مَدَداً فَغودِرَتِ الحُقوقُ قِتالا

مَدَداً فَغودِرَتِ الحُقوقُ قِتالا

War had remained an exchange of fortunes in battle

So you wrote a skirmish on the enemies' peaks,

for ages, and rights were left to be settled by combat.

With the light of the morning, lest it be a skirmish.

فَكَتَبتَ إِسجالاً عَلى قِمَمِ العِدى

فَكَتَبتَ إِسجالاً عَلى قِمَمِ العِدى

بِشَبا الظُبى أَلّا تَكونَ سِجالا

بِشَبا الظُبى أَلّا تَكونَ سِجالا

So you inscribed a decree upon your enemies' heads

That is why your victorious rule does not cease,

with the points of blades: its fortunes would no longer alternate.

It protects its protector and kills the heavy ones.

فَلِذاكَ ما يَنفَكُّ مُلكُكَ ظافِراً

فَلِذاكَ ما يَنفَكُّ مُلكُكَ ظافِراً

يَحمي حِماهُ وَيَقتُلُ الأَقيالا

يَحمي حِماهُ وَيَقتُلُ الأَقيالا

Hence your kingdom never ceases to triumph,

I knew your arrows would be victorious,

defending its sanctuary and killing chieftains.

Without doubt since you launched them.

وَلَقَد عَلِمتُ بِأَنَّ قِدحَكَ فائِزٌ

وَلَقَد عَلِمتُ بِأَنَّ قِدحَكَ فائِزٌ

لا شَكَّ مُذ أَرسَلتَها إِرسالا

لا شَكَّ مُذ أَرسَلتَها إِرسالا

Indeed, I knew your lot-casting arrow was a winner,

Badged with victory, no eye has seen before them

without doubt, since you sent them forth,

Warriors able to withstand men.

مَوسومَةً بِالنَصرِ لَم تَرَ قَبلَها

مَوسومَةً بِالنَصرِ لَم تَرَ قَبلَها

عَينٌ رِئالاً يَحتَمِلنَ رِجالا

عَينٌ رِئالاً يَحتَمِلنَ رِجالا

marked for victory; before them no

They shook the glorious attire and robes,

eye had seen ostrich chicks carrying men.

And they wore some of what rouses robes and glory.

نَضَتِ الأَجِلَّةَ وَالبَراقِعَ وَاِكتَسَت

نَضَتِ الأَجِلَّةَ وَالبَراقِعَ وَاِكتَسَت

مِمّا تُثيرُ بَراقِعاً وَجِلالا

مِمّا تُثيرُ بَراقِعاً وَجِلالا

They stripped off their saddlecloths and veils, and clothed themselves

You created in the air mountains and streets

in veils and saddlecloths from what they stirred up.

That shaded armies like mountains.

خَلَقَت جِبالاً في الهَواءِ شَوارِعاً

خَلَقَت جِبالاً في الهَواءِ شَوارِعاً

ظَلَّت تُظِلُّ مِنَ الجُيوشِ جِبالا

ظَلَّت تُظِلُّ مِنَ الجُيوشِ جِبالا

They created mountains looming in the air,

Your satisfaction leads them gently when peaceable

which kept shading mountains of armies.

And actively when warlike.

يَقتادُها مُرضيكَ عِندَ السِلمِ قَو

يَقتادُها مُرضيكَ عِندَ السِلمِ قَو

والاً وَفي يَومِ الوَغى فَعّالا

والاً وَفي يَومِ الوَغى فَعّالا

He who pleases you leads them, in peace a

And honored since you honored him with rank

man of many words, and on battle's day a man of deeds.

None rivaled glories except by being long.

وَمُعَظَّمٌ مُذ حَلَّ مِنكَ مَحَلَّةً

وَمُعَظَّمٌ مُذ حَلَّ مِنكَ مَحَلَّةً

ما طاوَلَ الأَمجادَ إِلّا طالا

ما طاوَلَ الأَمجادَ إِلّا طالا

And one honored, since he gained a place with you,

When can a raiser compete after you have clothed him

has never vied with the illustrious without surpassing them.

With veneration and majesty?

وَمَتى يُجارى رافِعٌ مِن بَعدِما

وَمَتى يُجارى رافِعٌ مِن بَعدِما

سَربَلتَهُ الإِعظامَ وَالإِجلالا

سَربَلتَهُ الإِعظامَ وَالإِجلالا

When can Rafi' ever be matched, after

You have harvested the fruit of advice, bounties

you clothed him in reverence and honor?

That surpassed kindness and favor.

أَجنَيتَهُ ثَمَرَ النَصيحَةِ أَنعُماً

أَجنَيتَهُ ثَمَرَ النَصيحَةِ أَنعُماً

قَد فاقَتِ الإِحسانَ وَالإِجمالا

قَد فاقَتِ الإِحسانَ وَالإِجمالا

You made him reap counsel's fruit: blessings

So you found the state's watchful eye

that surpassed kindness and graciousness.

That hit people with its seriousness as a proverb.

فَوَجَدتَ عَينَ الدَولَةِ العَضبَ الَّذي

فَوَجَدتَ عَينَ الدَولَةِ العَضبَ الَّذي

ضَرَبَ الأَنامُ بِجَدِّهِ الأَمثالا

ضَرَبَ الأَنامُ بِجَدِّهِ الأَمثالا

Thus you found Ayn al-Dawla the keen blade

A severe, deep-rooted sword that is not sheathed

whose good fortune people cite in proverbs.

To the chronic ill but by a cure.

سَيفٌ عَدِيٌّ أَصلُهُ لا يُنتَضى

سَيفٌ عَدِيٌّ أَصلُهُ لا يُنتَضى

لِلداءِ إِلّا أَن يَكونَ عُضالا

لِلداءِ إِلّا أَن يَكونَ عُضالا

A sword of 'Adi lineage, never drawn

Boasting is for one who counts the good deeds not

against a disease unless it is incurable.

One who counts uncles and cousins.

وَالفَخرُ فيمَن عَدَّدَ الحَسَناتِ لا

وَالفَخرُ فيمَن عَدَّدَ الحَسَناتِ لا

مَن عَدَّدَ الأَعمامَ وَالأَخوالا

مَن عَدَّدَ الأَعمامَ وَالأَخوالا

Pride belongs to him who recounts good deeds, not

So opinions of others are as they please after

to him who recounts paternal and maternal uncles.

They found your side a home and destination.

فَلتَعلُ ما شاءَت جَنابٌ بَعدَما

فَلتَعلُ ما شاءَت جَنابٌ بَعدَما

وَجَدوا جَنابَكَ مَوئِلاً وَمآلا

وَجَدوا جَنابَكَ مَوئِلاً وَمآلا

Let Janab rise as high as it wishes, now that

They dragged the tail of glory when they dragged

they have found your presence a refuge and a destination.

Towards enemies of your state the quick cable.

سَحَبوا ذُيولَ العِزِّ مُذ سَحَبوا إِلى

سَحَبوا ذُيولَ العِزِّ مُذ سَحَبوا إِلى

أَعداءِ دَولَتِكَ القَنا العَسّالا

أَعداءِ دَولَتِكَ القَنا العَسّالا

They have trailed the hems of glory since they dragged toward

You showed benignity to the sons of dogs whose

your kingdom's enemies the swaying spears.

Way you made a pasture they saw no pasture.

وَلَقَد أَبَحتَ بَني كِلابٍ مَورِداً

وَلَقَد أَبَحتَ بَني كِلابٍ مَورِداً

رَأَتِ المَوارِدَ عِندَهُ أَو شالا

رَأَتِ المَوارِدَ عِندَهُ أَو شالا

You granted Banu Kilab a watering place

So they thrived on a flood of your kindness

beside which they saw other watering places as mere trickles.

He who yesterday was a bane.

حَسُنَت إِنابَتُهُم فَشاموا وابِلاً

حَسُنَت إِنابَتُهُم فَشاموا وابِلاً

مِن جودِ مَن بِالأَمسِ كانَ وَبالا

مِن جودِ مَن بِالأَمسِ كانَ وَبالا

Their return to obedience was fair, and they glimpsed a downpour

from the bounty of one who yesterday had been a scourge.

If your might in war belied the greed

إِن كَذَّبَ الأَطماعَ بَأسُكَ في الوَغى

إِن كَذَّبَ الأَطماعَ بَأسُكَ في الوَغى

فَنَدى يَدَيكَ يُصَدِّقُ الآمالا

فَنَدى يَدَيكَ يُصَدِّقُ الآمالا

If your might in battle belied greedy ambitions,

So the outstretched hands verified hopes.

the bounty of your hands fulfills hopes.

The looters kept returning until I imagined the descent

ما زالَ يَرجِعُ مَن تَرَحَّلَ غانِماً

ما زالَ يَرجِعُ مَن تَرَحَّلَ غانِماً

حَتّى تَوَهَّمتُ النُزولَ نِزالا

حَتّى تَوَهَّمتُ النُزولَ نِزالا

Whoever journeyed to you kept returning with gains,

Was a permanent abode.

until I imagined that lodging was combat.

Today they cast their disobedience to you

وَاليَومَ قَد أَلقَوا إِلَيكَ عِصِيَّهُم

وَاليَومَ قَد أَلقَوا إِلَيكَ عِصِيَّهُم

لا زالَ رَبعُكَ لِلرَجاءِ عِقالا

لا زالَ رَبعُكَ لِلرَجاءِ عِقالا

Today they have laid their staffs before you;

While your treatment is still hope's rein.

may your abode always tether hope.

He who coercively seeks richness in your field is disappointed

خابَ الَّذي يَبغي بِساحَتِكَ الغِنى

خابَ الَّذي يَبغي بِساحَتِكَ الغِنى

قَسراً وَفازَ المُبتَغيهِ سُؤالا

قَسراً وَفازَ المُبتَغيهِ سُؤالا

He failed who sought wealth in your court

While the asking attains his pursuit.

by force; he succeeded who sought it by asking.

The leopards saw your anger is fleeting

وَرَأَت نُمَيرٌ أَنَّ سُخطَكَ عارِضٌ

وَرَأَت نُمَيرٌ أَنَّ سُخطَكَ عارِضٌ

إِن لَم يُداوُوهُ بِعَفوِكَ غالا

إِن لَم يُداوُوهُ بِعَفوِكَ غالا

Numayr saw that your wrath was an affliction

Unless your pardon cures it, so it is arduous.

that would destroy them unless they cured it with your pardon.

So they came to resolve the arduous fatal ailment

فَأَتَوا لِحَسمِ العارِضِ القَتّالِ مَن

فَأَتَوا لِحَسمِ العارِضِ القَتّالِ مَن

يَعرو فَكُنتَ العارِضَ الهَطّالا

يَعرو فَكُنتَ العارِضَ الهَطّالا

So they came to eradicate the affliction that kills whomever

From its knower, so you were the healer.

it besets; and you became a cloud pouring rain.

Your lightning bolts almost struck them, but when they yielded

أَردَت صَواعِقُهُ فَلَمّا أَذعَنوا

أَردَت صَواعِقُهُ فَلَمّا أَذعَنوا

والى مَواطِرَهُ عَلى مَن والا

والى مَواطِرَهُ عَلى مَن والا

Its thunderbolts had killed; then, when they submitted,

And incline to your rain, whoever it rains on.

it sent shower after shower upon those who offered loyalty.

You have not attained obedience and tribute

ما قَد أَنَلتَ مُطاعِناً وَعَطِيَّةً

ما قَد أَنَلتَ مُطاعِناً وَعَطِيَّةً

يُدني شَبيباً رَغبَةً وَثِمالا

يُدني شَبيباً رَغبَةً وَثِمالا

The spear-thrusts and gifts you have bestowed

That bring youth closer out of greed and value.

draw Shabib near in hope and seeking refuge.

So let them come and find the restful place expanded

فَليَدنُوا يَجِدا المَقيلَ مُوَسَّعاً

فَليَدنُوا يَجِدا المَقيلَ مُوَسَّعاً

بِجَميلِ رَأيِكَ وَالعِثارَ مُقالا

بِجَميلِ رَأيِكَ وَالعِثارَ مُقالا

Let the two draw near; they will find a spacious resting place

By the goodness of your view and stumbling condoned.

through your gracious judgment, and their stumbling forgiven.

A returning man whom suspicions make hope

راجٍ أَحالَتهُ الظُنونُ عَلى سِوى

راجٍ أَحالَتهُ الظُنونُ عَلى سِوى

نُعماكَ ظَلَّ عَلى المُحالِ مُحالا

نُعماكَ ظَلَّ عَلى المُحالِ مُحالا

A hopeful man whose suppositions direct him toward anything but

In other than your bounty remains impossible.

your favors remains referred to the impossible.

It is by your strike the hopes' mothers are bereaved,

بِذَراكَ أُمّاتُ الرَجاءِ مَطافِلٌ

بِذَراكَ أُمّاتُ الرَجاءِ مَطافِلٌ

وَحِيالَ غَيرِكَ ما تَزالُ حِيالا

وَحِيالَ غَيرِكَ ما تَزالُ حِيالا

In your shelter the mothers of hope have young;

While others' wiles are always wiles.

before anyone else they remain barren.

You have led many hardships of fine character

كَم قُدتَ مِن شَطَنِ الجَميلِ مَصاعِباً

كَم قُدتَ مِن شَطَنِ الجَميلِ مَصاعِباً

أَعيَت عَلى كُلِّ المُلوكِ إِفالا

أَعيَت عَلى كُلِّ المُلوكِ إِفالا

How many unruly camels you have led with kindness's halter-rope,

That exhausted for all kings sending 1.

which, even as calves, defied every king!

Your bounties made the generous forget, and your rule

أَنسَت مَكارِمُكَ الكِرامَ وَمُلكُكَ ال

أَنسَت مَكارِمُكَ الكِرامَ وَمُلكُكَ ال

مُتَمَلِّكينَ وَبَأسُكَ الأَبطالا

مُتَمَلِّكينَ وَبَأسُكَ الأَبطالا

Your generosity made the generous forgotten, your kingship the

The rulers, and your might the brave.

claimants to kingship, and your might the heroes.

You have reached in the world a rank, so the truth of

وَعَلَوتَ قَدراً في الوَرى فَليَعتَمِد

وَعَلَوتَ قَدراً في الوَرى فَليَعتَمِد

صِدقَ الأَلِيَّةِ مَن بِقَدرِكَ آلا

صِدقَ الأَلِيَّةِ مَن بِقَدرِكَ آلا

You rose in rank among mankind; let him rely upon

My allegory is proven by your rank.

the truth of his oath who swears by your stature.

You have spread arts of noble character

شَرَفَ المَعالي قَد عَمَمتَ صَنائِعاً

شَرَفَ المَعالي قَد عَمَمتَ صَنائِعاً

ظَلَّت عَلى ظَهرِ الثَناءِ ثِقالا

ظَلَّت عَلى ظَهرِ الثَناءِ ثِقالا

O honor of lofty deeds, you have spread benefactions

That weighed heavy on the back of praise.

that remain heavy upon the back of praise.

They are like necklaces on throats, so if those

هِيَ كَالقَلائِدِ في النُحورِ فَإِن صَغَت

هِيَ كَالقَلائِدِ في النُحورِ فَإِن صَغَت

تِلكَ النُحورُ أَحَلتَها أَغلالا

تِلكَ النُحورُ أَحَلتَها أَغلالا

They are like necklaces upon necks; but if

Throats narrow, you make them shackles.

those necks turn aside, you turn them into fetters.

No people have been more disgraced by a man of power

ما أَشرَفَ الأَقوامُ إِذلالاً عَلى

ما أَشرَفَ الأَقوامُ إِذلالاً عَلى

ذي قُدرَةٍ إِلّا جَنَوا إِذلالا

ذي قُدرَةٍ إِلّا جَنَوا إِذلالا

No peoples ever looked down, seeking to humiliate

Except they collect disgrace.

one possessed of power, without reaping humiliation.

You have the resolves by which you drive the sinners,

وَلَكَ العَزائِمُ لَم تَزَل تُردي بِها ال

وَلَكَ العَزائِمُ لَم تَزَل تُردي بِها ال

فُجّارَ أَو تَهدي بِها الضُلّالا

فُجّارَ أَو تَهدي بِها الضُلّالا

Yours are resolves with which you continually slay the

Or guide the misguided.

wicked, or guide the misguided.

If you wish, be planets that remove darkness,

إِن شِئتَ كُنَّ كَواكِباً تَجلو الدُجى

إِن شِئتَ كُنَّ كَواكِباً تَجلو الدُجى

أَو شِئتَ كُنَّ مَناصِلاً وَنِصالا

أَو شِئتَ كُنَّ مَناصِلاً وَنِصالا

If you wish, they become stars dispelling darkness;

Or if you wish, be swords and blades.

or, if you wish, they become swords and blade-points.

Kings bowed to your blaze and the beasts

ذَلَّت لِهَيبَتِكَ المُلوكُ وَلَم تَزَل

ذَلَّت لِهَيبَتِكَ المُلوكُ وَلَم تَزَل

كُلُّ الوُحوشِ تَخَوَّفُ الرِئبالا

كُلُّ الوُحوشِ تَخَوَّفُ الرِئبالا

Kings were humbled before your awe, and ever

Always dreaded the awe.

all wild beasts fear the lion.

You never ceased to be more fertile for them in impossibilities

ما زِلتَ في الإِمحالِ أَخصَبَ مِنهُمُ

ما زِلتَ في الإِمحالِ أَخصَبَ مِنهُمُ

رَبعاً وَأَنكا في العَدُوِّ مِحالا

رَبعاً وَأَنكا في العَدُوِّ مِحالا

Throughout drought you have remained more fertile than they

While being barren in the enemy's impossibility.

in dwelling, and more devastating against the enemy in stratagem.

When they were defiant secretly, you were defiant publicly,

وَإِذا سَطَوا خَتلاً سَطَوتَ مُصَرِّحاً

وَإِذا سَطَوا خَتلاً سَطَوتَ مُصَرِّحاً

وَإِذا نَخَوا قَولاً نَخَوتَ فِعالا

وَإِذا نَخَوا قَولاً نَخَوتَ فِعالا

When they attack by stealth, you attack openly;

And when they hinted at a saying, you hinted at action.

when they boast in words, you boast in deeds.

Damascus is a fortress protected by al-Muṣʿab

فَالشامُ ذَودٌ ذادَ عَنهُ مُصعَبٌ

فَالشامُ ذَودٌ ذادَ عَنهُ مُصعَبٌ

قَطِمٌ تَصِلُّ البيضُ إِن هُوَ صالا

قَطِمٌ تَصِلُّ البيضُ إِن هُوَ صالا

Al-Sham is a camel herd defended by an untamed stallion,

Who joins ties if they are severed.

in rut; the bright blades clang whenever he charges.

I see your realms in Iraq and elsewhere

وَأَرى مَمالِكَ بِالعِراقِ وَغَيرِهِ

وَأَرى مَمالِكَ بِالعِراقِ وَغَيرِهِ

تَشكو إِلَيكَ الجَدبَ وَالإِمحالا

تَشكو إِلَيكَ الجَدبَ وَالإِمحالا

I see kingdoms in Iraq and elsewhere

Complain to you of drought and barrenness.

complaining to you of barrenness and drought.

The Sultan's hand has enriched some people from his realms

أَغنَت يَدُ السُلطانِ مِن أَملاكِها

أَغنَت يَدُ السُلطانِ مِن أَملاكِها

قَوماً يُعَدُّ حُضورُهُم إِخلالا

قَوماً يُعَدُّ حُضورُهُم إِخلالا

The sultan's hand enriched from their possessions

Whose presence is seen as plunder.

men whose presence is reckoned dereliction.

They have suckled thereby the abode which they have not

رَضَعوا بِها الدَرَّ الَّذي لَم يَدرَؤوا

رَضَعوا بِها الدَرَّ الَّذي لَم يَدرَؤوا

عَنهُ خُطوباً ما تَزالُ تَوالا

عَنهُ خُطوباً ما تَزالُ تَوالا

They suckled there the milk from which they never warded

Warded calamities that keep befalling off.

off calamities that keep coming in succession.

Whenever you separate from the capitals towards them

وَمَتى فَصَلتَ مِنَ العَواصِمِ نَحوَهُم

وَمَتى فَصَلتَ مِنَ العَواصِمِ نَحوَهُم

لِتُبيرَهُم كانَ الفُصولُ فِصالا

لِتُبيرَهُم كانَ الفُصولُ فِصالا

Whenever you depart from al-Awasim toward them

To dispossess them, the seasons are separation.

to destroy them, your departure will be their weaning.

Take them by force not deceitfully, for this destruction

خُذها مِصاعاً لا اِختِداعاً قَد كَفى

خُذها مِصاعاً لا اِختِداعاً قَد كَفى

ذا المُلكَ هَذا الفَتكُ أَن يَغتالا

ذا المُلكَ هَذا الفَتكُ أَن يَغتالا

Take it by swordplay, not trickery; enough

Suffices that state, so do not take by betrayal.

of such treachery has this kingdom suffered, preyed upon

Of everyone with a sword whose generosity

مِن كُلِّ ذي سَيفٍ يَقِلُّ نِجادُهُ

مِن كُلِّ ذي سَيفٍ يَقِلُّ نِجادُهُ

عَن أَن يَكونَ لِما اِحتَذَيتَ قِبالا

عَن أَن يَكونَ لِما اِحتَذَيتَ قِبالا

by every sword-bearer whose baldric is too mean

Falls short of receiving what you donned.

to be a strap on the sandal you wear.

So when do jackals defend you after

فَمَتى تُدافِعُكَ الثَعالِبُ بَعدَ ما

فَمَتى تُدافِعُكَ الثَعالِبُ بَعدَ ما

رَأَتِ الضَراغِمَ تُسلِمُ الأَغيالا

رَأَتِ الضَراغِمَ تُسلِمُ الأَغيالا

When can the foxes resist you, after

Hyenas have surrendered to lions?

seeing the lions surrender their lairs?

They have busied themselves with your preoccupation from them

فَرَغوا لِلَهوِهِمُ بِشُغلِكَ عَنهُمُ

فَرَغوا لِلَهوِهِمُ بِشُغلِكَ عَنهُمُ

فَاِجعَل لَهُم بِنُفوسِهِم أَشغالا

فَاِجعَل لَهُم بِنُفوسِهِم أَشغالا

They were free for amusement because you were occupied elsewhere;

So preoccupy them with their souls, and leave them occupied.

make them preoccupied with their own lives.

That they may hear from the impact of what has busied you

كَي يَسمَعوا مِن وَقعِ ما قُلِّدتَ ما

كَي يَسمَعوا مِن وَقعِ ما قُلِّدتَ ما

يُنسيهُمُ الأَهزاجَ وَالأَرمالا

يُنسيهُمُ الأَهزاجَ وَالأَرمالا

Let them hear in the clash of what you have been girded with a sound

What makes them forget fun and leisure.

that makes them forget hazaj and ramal songs.

The abode of Constantine has the most naked disgrace

وَلَدارُ قُسطَنطينَ أَكشَفُ عَورَةً

وَلَدارُ قُسطَنطينَ أَكشَفُ عَورَةً

مِمَّن ذَكَرتُ أَجَل وَأَكسَفُ بالا

مِمَّن ذَكَرتُ أَجَل وَأَكسَفُ بالا

Constantine's realm is still more exposed

Of whom I mentioned - greater and more disappointing.

than those I mentioned—yes, and gloomier in spirit.

Had the goodwill of your approval not repelled thereby

لَو لَم يَذُد بِرِضاكَ عادِيَةَ الرَدى

لَو لَم يَذُد بِرِضاكَ عادِيَةَ الرَدى

عَن أَرضِهِ لَم يَأمَنِ الزِلزالا

عَن أَرضِهِ لَم يَأمَنِ الزِلزالا

Had he not, through your goodwill, warded off death's onslaught

The villainy from its land, it would not have felt safety from earthquake.

from his land, he would not have felt safe from earthquake.

I think after seven years it is a convulsion

وَأَظُنُّها مِن بَعدِ سَبعٍ نُهزَةً

وَأَظُنُّها مِن بَعدِ سَبعٍ نُهزَةً

ما اِغتَرَّ مَن أَوسَعتَهُ إِمهالا

ما اِغتَرَّ مَن أَوسَعتَهُ إِمهالا

I think it will be ripe for seizure after seven have passed;

That will not spare who you gave respite.

no one you grant ample respite should be deluded.

It has remained short with him for fear of what

ظَلَّت قِصاراً عِندَهُ مِن خَوفِ ما

ظَلَّت قِصاراً عِندَهُ مِن خَوفِ ما

تَأتي وَعِندَ المُسلِمينَ طِوالا

تَأتي وَعِندَ المُسلِمينَ طِوالا

They remained short to him, for fear of what

Comes while to the Muslims it is long.

you would bring, but long to the Muslims.

So the abased ambitions must beware in the land

فَلتَحذَرِ الهِمَمُ المُذالَةُ في الثَرى

فَلتَحذَرِ الهِمَمُ المُذالَةُ في الثَرى

هِمَماً تَجُرُّ عَلى السُهى أَذيالا

هِمَماً تَجُرُّ عَلى السُهى أَذيالا

Let ambitions dragged in the dust beware

Of ambitions that drag disgrace on the distinguished.

of ambitions trailing their skirts over Suha.

Al-Muẓaffar in praise is made victorious,

خُلِقَ المُظَفَّرُ بِالثَناءِ مُظَفَّراً

خُلِقَ المُظَفَّرُ بِالثَناءِ مُظَفَّراً

وَصَلَ المُنى أَو قَطَّعَ الأَوصالا

وَصَلَ المُنى أَو قَطَّعَ الأَوصالا

Al-Muzaffar was created triumphant in praise,

Whether he reaches his wishes or severs limbs.

whether he fulfills wishes or severs limbs.

He bends with your might those whose disorder you manifested,

يُثني بِبَأسِكَ مَن أَبَحتَ ذِمارَهُ

يُثني بِبَأسِكَ مَن أَبَحتَ ذِمارَهُ

وَبِفَيضِ كَفِّكَ مَن مَنَحتَ نَوالا

وَبِفَيضِ كَفِّكَ مَن مَنَحتَ نَوالا

He whose sanctuary you laid open praises your might,

And with the outpouring of your palm those you granted fortune.

and he whom you gave a gift praises your hand's profusion.

An instant of your time does not pass

لَيسَت تَقَضّى مِن زَمانِكَ لَحظَةٌ

لَيسَت تَقَضّى مِن زَمانِكَ لَحظَةٌ

حَتّى تَزيدَكَ رِفعَةً وَجَلالا

حَتّى تَزيدَكَ رِفعَةً وَجَلالا

Not a moment of your time passes

Except increasing your elevation and majesty.

without increasing your elevation and majesty.

Through you the prolonged fate has fulfilled its promises

بِكَ أَنجَزَ الدَهرُ المَطولُ عِداتِهِ

بِكَ أَنجَزَ الدَهرُ المَطولُ عِداتِهِ

مِن بَعدِ ما كانَ المِطالُ مُطالا

مِن بَعدِ ما كانَ المِطالُ مُطالا

Through you, ever-delaying Time fulfilled its promises,

After it had been prolonging.

after its delay had long been prolonged.

You continually clothe it in complete beauties

ما زِلتَ تُلبِسُهُ مَحاسِنَ جَمَّةً

ما زِلتَ تُلبِسُهُ مَحاسِنَ جَمَّةً

حَتّى مَشى مِن تيهِهِ مُختالا

حَتّى مَشى مِن تيهِهِ مُختالا

You kept clothing it in countless beauties,

Until it walked proudly from its perplexity.

until it walked proudly, swaggering in its conceit.

So enjoy your feast after the former, and do not let

فَاِسعَد بِعيدِكَ بَعدَ سابِقِهِ وَلا

فَاِسعَد بِعيدِكَ بَعدَ سابِقِهِ وَلا

نَظَرَت لِذا الظِلِّ العُيونُ زَوالا

نَظَرَت لِذا الظِلِّ العُيونُ زَوالا

Rejoice in your festival after its predecessor; may no

Eyes see the decline of this shadow.

eyes ever see this shade depart.

Two feasts of one feast and opening before it

عيدَينِ مِن عيدٍ وَفَتحٍ قَبلَهُ

عيدَينِ مِن عيدٍ وَفَتحٍ قَبلَهُ

زادا زَمانَكَ نَضرَةً وَجَمالا

زادا زَمانَكَ نَضرَةً وَجَمالا

Two festivals—a feast and a conquest before it—

Increased your time's prosperity and beauty.

have added freshness and beauty to your time.

That is why Ramadan is nobler in souls and has not ceased

وَلَذاكَ أَشرَفُ في النُفوسِ وَلَم يَزَل

وَلَذاكَ أَشرَفُ في النُفوسِ وَلَم يَزَل

رَمَضانُ يَفضُلُ دائِماً شَوّالا

رَمَضانُ يَفضُلُ دائِماً شَوّالا

That one is nobler in men's hearts; and ever

To always surpass Shawwal.

Ramadan surpasses Shawwal.

Had you not been comfortable with praise and its people,

لَولا اِرتِياحُكَ لِلثَناءِ وَأَهلِهِ

لَولا اِرتِياحُكَ لِلثَناءِ وَأَهلِهِ

لَم يُصبِحِ الأَدَبُ المُذالُ مُذالا

لَم يُصبِحِ الأَدَبُ المُذالُ مُذالا

Were it not for your delight in praise and those who offer it,

Debased literature would still be debased.

the abased art of letters would not have become freely lavished.

You expanded for eloquent poets virtues,

أَوسَعتَ قُوّالَ القَريضِ فَضائِلاً

أَوسَعتَ قُوّالَ القَريضِ فَضائِلاً

فَلِذاكَ مَن أَثنى عَلَيكَ أَطالا

فَلِذاكَ مَن أَثنى عَلَيكَ أَطالا

You lavished favors upon the speakers of verse;

So whoever praises you makes it long.

hence whoever praises you speaks at length.

When I saw your unmatched supremacy,

لَمّا رَأَيتُ عُلاكَ لا مِثلٌ لَها

لَمّا رَأَيتُ عُلاكَ لا مِثلٌ لَها

أَيقَنتُ أَنَّكَ ما اِقتَفَيتَ مِثالا

أَيقَنتُ أَنَّكَ ما اِقتَفَيتَ مِثالا

When I saw that your loftiness had no equal,

I was certain you did not follow an example.

I knew that you had followed no model.

If transcending deeds is your entire deed,

وَلَئِن عَلا الأَفعالَ فِعلُكَ كُلُّهُ

وَلَئِن عَلا الأَفعالَ فِعلُكَ كُلُّهُ

فَلَقَد عَلَوتُ بِمَدحِكَ الأَقوالا

فَلَقَد عَلَوتُ بِمَدحِكَ الأَقوالا

And if every deed of yours surpasses other deeds,

Then I have transcended in your praise words.

then with my praise of you I have surpassed other words.