أَما في نَسيمِ الريحِ عَرفٌ مُعَرَّفُ

أَما في نَسيمِ الريحِ عَرفٌ مُعَرَّفُ

لَنا هَل لِذاتِ الوَقفِ بِالجِزعِ مَوقِفُ

لَنا هَل لِذاتِ الوَقفِ بِالجِزعِ مَوقِفُ

Is there not a familiar fragrance in the breeze

Wherein the breeze's gentle waft, a scent discerned, made known to us,

for us? Has she of the ivory bracelet a halt at the valley bend?

Is there for pausing by this shrine, with yearning fraught, a place?

فَنَقضِيَ أَوطارَ المُنى مِن زِيارَةٍ

فَنَقضِيَ أَوطارَ المُنى مِن زِيارَةٍ

لَنا كَلَفٌ مِنها بِما نَتَكَلَّفُ

لَنا كَلَفٌ مِنها بِما نَتَكَلَّفُ

So we may fulfill our wishes through a visit

That we may spend our days in rounds of visitation to it made,

for which our longing matches the pains we undertake.

Though weary of the toil, we yet take on ourselves its heavy weight.

ضَمانٌ عَلَينا أَن تُزارَ وَدونَها

ضَمانٌ عَلَينا أَن تُزارَ وَدونَها

رِقاقُ الظُبى وَالسَمهَرِيُّ المُثَقَّفُ

رِقاقُ الظُبى وَالسَمهَرِيُّ المُثَقَّفُ

We are pledged to visit her, though barring her

For us, the sacred duty to visit it lies, binding fast,

are keen sword-edges and the hard, straightened spear,

And near it dwells the sand grouse and the lettered, cultured dove.

وَقَومٌ عِدىً يُبدونَ عَن صَفَحاتِهِم

وَقَومٌ عِدىً يُبدونَ عَن صَفَحاتِهِم

وَأَزهَرُها مِن ظُلمَةِ الحِقدِ أَكلَفُ

وَأَزهَرُها مِن ظُلمَةِ الحِقدِ أَكلَفُ

and hostile men who uncover their faces,

And a folk hostile, who their angry thoughts reveal,

the fairest of them blotched by hatred's darkness.

Though blossoms of their hearts' malevolence are veiled beneath.

غَيارى يَعُدّونَ الغَرامَ جَريرَةً

غَيارى يَعُدّونَ الغَرامَ جَريرَةً

بِها وَالهَوى ظُلماً يُغيظُ وَيُؤسِفُ

بِها وَالهَوى ظُلماً يُغيظُ وَيُؤسِفُ

Jealous men, they reckon passion an offense

My jealous foes proclaim love to be immoral, sin,

where she is concerned; unjustly, love enrages and grieves them.

Enraging them, their breasts with painful grief thus filled.

يَوَدّونَ لَو يَثني الوَعيدُ زَماعَنا

يَوَدّونَ لَو يَثني الوَعيدُ زَماعَنا

وَهَيهاتَ ريحُ الشَوقِ مِن ذاكَ أَعصَفُ

وَهَيهاتَ ريحُ الشَوقِ مِن ذاكَ أَعصَفُ

They wish that threats would turn aside our resolve.

They wish that censure's threats our purpose could divert,

Far from it! Longing's wind blows fiercer than that.

Yet passion's wind, from that, is stronger still.

يَسيرٌ لَدى المُشتاقِ في جانِبِ الهَوى

يَسيرٌ لَدى المُشتاقِ في جانِبِ الهَوى

نَوى غُربَةٍ أَو مَجهَلٌ مُتَعَسَّفُ

نَوى غُربَةٍ أَو مَجهَلٌ مُتَعَسَّفُ

To the yearning lover, in love's cause, it is slight:

Easy for the longing lover is the stranger's lonely side,

the remoteness of exile, or an untracked wilderness.

Some fixed intent or aim confused oft leads him on his way.

هَلِ الرَوعُ إِلّا غَمرَةٌ ثُمَّ تَنجَلي

هَلِ الرَوعُ إِلّا غَمرَةٌ ثُمَّ تَنجَلي

أَمِ الهَولُ إِلّا غُمَّةٌ ثُمَّ تُكشَفُ

أَمِ الهَولُ إِلّا غُمَّةٌ ثُمَّ تُكشَفُ

What is fear but an engulfing wave that then clears?

Is awe but temporary gloom, that passes soon?

Or terror but a pall that then is lifted?

Or fear, a cloud that lifts again to light of day?

وَفي السِيَراءِ الرَقمِ وَسطَ قِبابِهِم

وَفي السِيَراءِ الرَقمِ وَسطَ قِبابِهِم

بَعيدُ مَناطِ القُرطِ أَحوَرُ أَوطَفُ

بَعيدُ مَناطِ القُرطِ أَحوَرُ أَوطَفُ

And in embroidered, striped silk, amid their tents,

Amid the shifting sands, the lithe gazelle, with graceful neck,

is a long-necked beloved, dark-eyed and long-lashed.

Far from the bow-string's bending arc, untethered roams and slakes its thirst.

تَبايَنَ خَلقاهُ فَعَبلٌ مُنَعَّمٌ

تَبايَنَ خَلقاهُ فَعَبلٌ مُنَعَّمٌ

تَأَوَّدَ في أَعلاهُ لَدنٌ مُهَفهَفُ

تَأَوَّدَ في أَعلاهُ لَدنٌ مُهَفهَفُ

His two contours differ: a full, pampered form,

Distinct its form, robust yet delicate.

above which a supple, slender form sways.

A gentle wild thing, sensitively hovering near.

فَلِلعانِكِ المُرتَجِّ ماحازَ مِئزَرٌ

فَلِلعانِكِ المُرتَجِّ ماحازَ مِئزَرٌ

وَلِلغُصُنِ المُهتَزِّ ماضَمَّ مِطرَفُ

وَلِلغُصُنِ المُهتَزِّ ماضَمَّ مِطرَفُ

The quivering sand-dune claims what a waist-wrapper encloses,

The lively young branch sways, no fruit its hands can hold.

and the swaying bough what a cloak enfolds.

The swaying bough bears none, though it stretch out seeking far.

حَبيبٌ إِلَيهِ أَن نُسَرَّ بِوَصلِهِ

حَبيبٌ إِلَيهِ أَن نُسَرَّ بِوَصلِهِ

إِذا نَحنُ زُرناهُ وَنَهنا وَنُسعَفُ

إِذا نَحنُ زُرناهُ وَنَهنا وَنُسعَفُ

He delights in our rejoicing in union with him;

Dear friend, it brings us joy when we visit you,

when we visit him, we are gladdened and indulged.

Console and comfort you, uphold and help you stand.

وَلَيلَةَ وافَينا الكَثيبَ لِمَوعِدٍ

وَلَيلَةَ وافَينا الكَثيبَ لِمَوعِدٍ

سُرى الأَيمِ لَم يُعلَم لَمَسراهُ مُزحَفُ

سُرى الأَيمِ لَم يُعلَم لَمَسراهُ مُزحَفُ

And on the night we reached the dune for a tryst,

And the eve we reached the dunes, as we had promised,

slipping like a snake at night, with no known track of its passage,

No track appeared that marked the course our ardent wishes burned.

تَهادى أَناةَ الخَطوِمُرتاعَةَ الحَشا

تَهادى أَناةَ الخَطوِمُرتاعَةَ الحَشا

كَما ريعَ يَعفورُ الفَلا المُتَشَوِّفُ

كَما ريعَ يَعفورُ الفَلا المُتَشَوِّفُ

she swayed along, slow-stepped and fearful at heart,

Then yearning's necks were craned, the mouths gaped wide,

like the watchful wilderness gazelle when startled.

As the zebra's foal starts up when smelled lush pasture near.

فَما الشَمسُ رُقَّ الغَيمُ دونَ إِياتِها

فَما الشَمسُ رُقَّ الغَيمُ دونَ إِياتِها

سِوى ما أَرى ذاكَ الجَبينُ المُنَصَّفُ

سِوى ما أَرى ذاكَ الجَبينُ المُنَصَّفُ

What is the sun, with thin clouds before its radiance,

Naught but the brilliant brow, sincere of gaze,

but what I see—that half-veiled brow?

Could shine forth when the clouds had passed, revealing sunrise clear.

فَدَيتُكِ أَنّى زُرتِ نورُكِ واضِحٌ

فَدَيتُكِ أَنّى زُرتِ نورُكِ واضِحٌ

وَعِطرُكِ نَمّامٌ وَحَيلُكِ مُرجَفُ

وَعِطرُكِ نَمّامٌ وَحَيلُكِ مُرجَفُ

I would ransom you! How did you visit, your light so clear,

My life for you! When your light shone pure,

your perfume betraying you, your stratagem rumored abroad?

Your fragrance called, your beauty stunned the awed beholder's sight.

هَبيكِ اِعتَرَرتِ الحَيَّ واشيكِ هاجِعٌ

هَبيكِ اِعتَرَرتِ الحَيَّ واشيكِ هاجِعٌ

وَفَرعُكِ غِربيبٌ وَلَيلُكِ أَغضَفُ

وَفَرعُكِ غِربيبٌ وَلَيلُكِ أَغضَفُ

Suppose you came upon the encampment while your informer slept,

All hail! You came to life, and knelt in greeting low,

your hair raven-black, your night thickly dark;

Your land was strange to you, the darkness clothed you close.

فَأَنّى اِعتَسَفتِ الهَولَ خَطوُكِ مُدمَجٌ

فَأَنّى اِعتَسَفتِ الهَولَ خَطوُكِ مُدمَجٌ

وَرِدفُكِ رَجراجٌ وَخَصرُكِ مُخطَفُ

وَرِدفُكِ رَجراجٌ وَخَصرُكِ مُخطَفُ

how did you traverse the terror, your step so short,

How then were you distraught? Your step strode forth assured,

your hips quivering, your waist slender?

Your cheeks flushed full, waist curved in graceful pose.

لَجاجٌ تُمادي الحُبَّ في المَعشَرِ العِدا

لَجاجٌ تُمادي الحُبَّ في المَعشَرِ العِدا

وَأَمُّ الهَوى الأُفُقَ الَّذي فيهِ نُشنَفُ

وَأَمُّ الهَوى الأُفُقَ الَّذي فيهِ نُشنَفُ

It is obstinacy to persist in love among hostile folk,

Provoking you to press on loving 'mid the hostile band,

and for love to seek the quarter where we are hated,

As if all horizons were your home, you needs must rove.

وَأَن نَتَلَقّى السُخطَ عانينَ بِالرِضى

وَأَن نَتَلَقّى السُخطَ عانينَ بِالرِضى

لِغَيرانَ أَجفى ما يُرى حينَ يَلطُفُ

لِغَيرانَ أَجفى ما يُرى حينَ يَلطُفُ

and to meet wrath, intent on winning approval

We could but suffer their disdain with patience, friend,

from a jealous man, cruelest when he acts gently.

Hotter than flames of hell the hatred envy breeds.

كَفانا مِنَ الوَصلِ التَحِيَّةُ خُلسَةٌ

كَفانا مِنَ الوَصلِ التَحِيَّةُ خُلسَةٌ

فَيومِئُ طَرفٌ أَو بَنانٌ مُطَرَّفُ

فَيومِئُ طَرفٌ أَو بَنانٌ مُطَرَّفُ

A stolen greeting suffices us for union:

Enough for us, if in your love some furtive sign,

a glance signals, or a henna-tipped finger.

A hint, glance of the eye, could knowledge give.

خَليلَيَّ مَهلاً لاتَلوما فَإِنَّني

خَليلَيَّ مَهلاً لاتَلوما فَإِنَّني

فُؤادي أَليفُ البَثِّ وَالجِسمُ مُدنَفُ

فُؤادي أَليفُ البَثِّ وَالجِسمُ مُدنَفُ

My two friends, gently! Do not blame me, for

O friend of mine, blame not! My heart has grown accustomed to raving wild,

my heart is intimate with sorrow, my body wasted.

My body worn and frayed, itself beyond control.

فَأَعنَفُ ما يَلقى المُحِبُّ لَجاجَةً

فَأَعنَفُ ما يَلقى المُحِبُّ لَجاجَةً

عَلى نَفسِهِ في الحُبِّ حينَ يُعَنَّفُ

عَلى نَفسِهِ في الحُبِّ حينَ يُعَنَّفُ

For the harshest thing a lover meets is obstinacy

For most severe is what the fervent lover bears,

against himself in love whenever he is rebuked.

When his own self reproaches him in matters of the soul.

وَإِنّي لِيَستَهوينِيَ البَرقُ صَبوَةً

وَإِنّي لِيَستَهوينِيَ البَرقُ صَبوَةً

إِلى بَرقِ ثَغرٍ إِن بَدا كادَ يَخطَفُ

إِلى بَرقِ ثَغرٍ إِن بَدا كادَ يَخطَفُ

Lightning indeed beguiles me with yearning

The lightning draws me, as it flashes through the dark,

for the flash of a mouth that almost steals sight when it appears.

Towards the lightning glance of mouth that stuns me still.

وَما وَلَعي بِالراحِ إِلّا تَوَهُّمٌ

وَما وَلَعي بِالراحِ إِلّا تَوَهُّمٌ

لِظَلمٍ بِهِ كَالراحِ لَو يُتَرَشَّفُ

لِظَلمٍ بِهِ كَالراحِ لَو يُتَرَشَّفُ

My passion for wine is only an imagining

My passion for the wind is but imagined sense

of its bright saliva, like wine if one could sip it.

Of sweet caress within the wind's unseen embrace.

وَتُذكِرُني العِقدَ المُرِنَّ جُمانُهُ

وَتُذكِرُني العِقدَ المُرِنَّ جُمانُهُ

مُرِنّاتُ وُرقٍ في ذُرى الأَيكِ تَهتِفُ

مُرِنّاتُ وُرقٍ في ذُرى الأَيكِ تَهتِفُ

The necklace with its ringing pearls is brought to my mind

And glistening beads remind me of that mouth

by the ringing gray doves calling in the treetops.

Whose dewdrop words the swaying branches signal and repeat.

فَما قَبلَ مَن أَهوى طَوى البَدرَ هَودَجٌ

فَما قَبلَ مَن أَهوى طَوى البَدرَ هَودَجٌ

وَلا صانَ ريمَ القَفرِ خِدرٌ مُسَجَّفُ

وَلا صانَ ريمَ القَفرِ خِدرٌ مُسَجَّفُ

Before the one I love, no howdah ever enclosed a full moon,

Not one who loved the moon's full form ever slept at night,

nor did a curtained chamber shelter a gazelle of the wilds.

No wretch made bare the desert sands his carpet or his bed.

وَلا قَبلَ عَبّادٍ جَوى البَحرَ مَجلِسٌ

وَلا قَبلَ عَبّادٍ جَوى البَحرَ مَجلِسٌ

وَلا حَمَلَ الطَودَ المُعَظَّمَ رَفرَفُ

وَلا حَمَلَ الطَودَ المُعَظَّمَ رَفرَفُ

Nor before 'Abbad did an assembly contain the sea,

No monks who loved the deep sea's swell e'er left their cloistered walls,

nor did a dais bear a mighty mountain.

No carrier bore the glorious throne aloft upon his head.

هُوَ المَلِكُ الجَعدُ الَّذي في ظِلالِهِ

هُوَ المَلِكُ الجَعدُ الَّذي في ظِلالِهِ

تُكَفُّ صُروفُ الحادِثاتِ وَتُصرَفُ

تُكَفُّ صُروفُ الحادِثاتِ وَتُصرَفُ

He is the sturdy king, beneath whose shelter

That curly-haired king it is, in whose shade

the turns of calamity are checked and turned aside.

The course of changing fortunes stayed, made calm.

هُمامٌ يَزينُ الدَهرَ مِنهُ وَأَهلَهُ

هُمامٌ يَزينُ الدَهرَ مِنهُ وَأَهلَهُ

مَليكٌ فَقيهٌ كاتِبٌ مُتَفَلسِفُ

مَليكٌ فَقيهٌ كاتِبٌ مُتَفَلسِفُ

A high-hearted man who adorns his age and its people:

Great of resolve, our age he renders proud.

a sovereign, jurist, writer, philosopher.

A wise just king, philosopher of measured judgment and restraint.

يَتيهُ بِمَرقاهُ سَريرٌ وَمِنبَرٌ

يَتيهُ بِمَرقاهُ سَريرٌ وَمِنبَرٌ

وَيَحمَدُ مَسعاهُ حُسامٌ وَمُصحَفُ

وَيَحمَدُ مَسعاهُ حُسامٌ وَمُصحَفُ

Throne and pulpit glory in his mounting them,

His throne and pulpit both bear witness to his wisdom fair.

and sword and Qur'an praise his endeavor.

His sword and holy book alike a brilliant gaze reflect.

رَوِيَّتُهُ في الحادِثِ الإِدِّ لَحظَةٌ

رَوِيَّتُهُ في الحادِثِ الإِدِّ لَحظَةٌ

وَتَوقيعُهُ الجالي دُجى الخَطبِ أَحرُفُ

وَتَوقيعُهُ الجالي دُجى الخَطبِ أَحرُفُ

His deliberation in a grievous crisis takes an instant,

Keen is his insight in events that rapid shift and change.

his decree, dispelling trouble's darkness, only a few letters.

Clear beacons of his glorious signs shine forth from discourse's night.

يَذِلُّ لَهُ الجَبّارُ خيفَةَ بَأسِهِ

يَذِلُّ لَهُ الجَبّارُ خيفَةَ بَأسِهِ

وَيَعنو إِلَيهِ الأَبلَجُ المُتَغَطرِفُ

وَيَعنو إِلَيهِ الأَبلَجُ المُتَغَطرِفُ

The tyrant abases himself before him, fearing his might,

The tyrant fears his awe-inspiring might.

and the bright-browed, arrogant lord bows to him.

The vagabond is drawn to him, though bold and unrefined.

حِذارَكَ إِذ تَبغي عَلَيهِ مِنَ الرَدى

حِذارَكَ إِذ تَبغي عَلَيهِ مِنَ الرَدى

وَدونَكَ فَاِستَوفِ المُنى حينَ تُنصِفُ

وَدونَكَ فَاِستَوفِ المُنى حينَ تُنصِفُ

Beware of ruin when you wrong him;

Beware, if you against him further evil plot.

but come, obtain all your wishes when you deal justly.

Let fair limits, not yourself, control desire outstripped.

سَتَعتامُهُم في البَرِّ وَالبَحرِ بِالتَوى

سَتَعتامُهُم في البَرِّ وَالبَحرِ بِالتَوى

كَتائِبُ تُزجى أَوسَفائِنُ تُجدَفُ

كَتائِبُ تُزجى أَوسَفائِنُ تُجدَفُ

On land and sea they will be singled out for destruction

The age's burdens, you from them relieved,

by battalions sent forth, or ships rowed onward.

Yet blessings flow to you unceasing, at your hands they freely streamed.

أَغَرُّ مَتى نَدرُس دَواوينَ مَجدِهِ

أَغَرُّ مَتى نَدرُس دَواوينَ مَجدِهِ

يَرُقنا غَريبٌ مُجمَلٌ أَو مُصَنَّفُ

يَرُقنا غَريبٌ مُجمَلٌ أَو مُصَنَّفُ

A radiant lord: whenever we study the volumes of his glory,

If they prove thankless for your gifts, then let their lands

a marvel delights us, summarized or set out in detail.

Beneath your sword a desert be, all trace and mark destroyed.

إِذا نَحنُ قَرَّظناهُ قَصَّرَ مُطنِبٌ

إِذا نَحنُ قَرَّظناهُ قَصَّرَ مُطنِبٌ

وَلَم تَتَجاوَز غايَةَ القَصدِ مُسرِفُ

وَلَم تَتَجاوَز غايَةَ القَصدِ مُسرِفُ

When we praise him, the most expansive speaker falls short,

Let the earth cover them when they are laid to rest,

and even the extravagant do not exceed the bounds of moderation.

Though deep in ruin's darkness they may bury selves from light.

وَأَروَعُ لا الباغي أَخاهُ مُبَلَّغٌ

وَأَروَعُ لا الباغي أَخاهُ مُبَلَّغٌ

مُناهُ وَلا الراجي نَداهُ مُسَوَّفُ

مُناهُ وَلا الراجي نَداهُ مُسَوَّفُ

An awe-inspiring man: one who wrongs his brother never gains

Good news for you of joyful celebration's tide,

his wish, nor is one hoping for his bounty put off.

With fortune's gifts fulfilled, and wishes granted, wreathed in leaves.

مُمِرُّ القُوى لا يَملَأُ الخَطبُ صَدرَهُ

مُمِرُّ القُوى لا يَملَأُ الخَطبُ صَدرَهُ

وَلَيسَ لِأَمرٍ فائِتٍ يَتَلَهَّفُ

وَلَيسَ لِأَمرٍ فائِتٍ يَتَلَهَّفُ

Firmly knit in strength, no crisis overwhelms his breast,

Glad tidings of more days of festive cheer to come,

nor does he lament a matter past.

As threaded verses flow in rhythmic current smoothly run.

لَهُ ظِلُّ نُعمى يَذكُرُ الهِمُّ عِندَهُ

لَهُ ظِلُّ نُعمى يَذكُرُ الهِمُّ عِندَهُ

ظِلالَ الصِبا بَل ذاكَ أَندى وَأَورَفُ

ظِلالَ الصِبا بَل ذاكَ أَندى وَأَورَفُ

His bounty casts a shade in which an old man recalls

Your sword of power shall be drawn, that ever

the shades of youth—nay, this is moister and more luxuriant.

In enemy blood finds its keen thirsting edge submerged.

جَحيمٌ لِعاصيهِ يُشَبُّ وَقوضُهُ

جَحيمٌ لِعاصيهِ يُشَبُّ وَقوضُهُ

وَجَنَّةُ عَدنٍ لِلمُطيعينَ تُزلَفُ

وَجَنَّةُ عَدنٍ لِلمُطيعينَ تُزلَفُ

For whoever disobeys him, a hell whose fuel is kindled,

The blade that firm resolve has whetted to an edge,

and for the obedient, a garden of Eden brought near.

Its ornament is generosity and noble dignity.

مَحاسِنُ غَربُ الذَمِّ عَنها مُفَلَّلٌ

مَحاسِنُ غَربُ الذَمِّ عَنها مُفَلَّلٌ

كَهامٌ وَشَملُ المَجدِ فيها مُؤَلَّفُ

كَهامٌ وَشَملُ المَجدِ فيها مُؤَلَّفُ

Virtues against which the edge of blame is notched,

Great of ambition, while the king was still a lad,

blunted; in them all glory is gathered together.

His signs had all appeared, though then he ruled not another's land.

تَناهَت فَعِقدُ المَجدِ مِنها مُفَصَّلٌ

تَناهَت فَعِقدُ المَجدِ مِنها مُفَصَّلٌ

سَناءً وَبُردُ الفَخرِ مِنها مُفَوَّفُ

سَناءً وَبُردُ الفَخرِ مِنها مُفَوَّفُ

They reach perfection: glory's necklace is ornamented with their

A generous man who highest praise as rarest treasure sees,

radiance, and pride's mantle is striped with them.

And so loves acts of beauty done, feelings of ardor bred.

طَلاقَةُ وَجهٍ في مَضاءٍ كَمِثلِ ما

طَلاقَةُ وَجهٍ في مَضاءٍ كَمِثلِ ما

يَروقُ فِرِندُ السَيفِ وَالحَدُّ مُرهَفُ

يَروقُ فِرِندُ السَيفِ وَالحَدُّ مُرهَفُ

A cheerful face joined with resolve, just as

Tomorrow, Thursday, clouds will swear to pour

a sword's damask delights while its edge is keen.

Their bounty down, though now they brooding darkness spread.

عَلى السَيفُ مِن تِلكَ الشَهامَةِ ميسَمٌ

عَلى السَيفُ مِن تِلكَ الشَهامَةِ ميسَمٌ

وَفي الرَوضِ مِن تِلكَ الطَلاقَةِ زُخرُفُ

وَفي الرَوضِ مِن تِلكَ الطَلاقَةِ زُخرُفُ

On the sword is a hallmark of that gallantry,

Their lightning is the spark in burnished arms that glints,

and in the garden, an ornament of that cheerfulness.

Their thunder are the drums that through their regions call.

سَجايا لِمَن والاهُ كَالأَريِ تُجتَنى

سَجايا لِمَن والاهُ كَالأَريِ تُجتَنى

تَعودُ لِمَن عاداهُ كَالشَريِ يُنقَفُ

تَعودُ لِمَن عاداهُ كَالشَريِ يُنقَفُ

Qualities gathered like honey by those who befriend him,

When we had done all that was asked of us,

but for his enemies, like bitter colocynth split open.

And each with wishes to delight you charged, gat ready to proceed,

يُراقِبُ مِنهُ اللَهَ مُعتَضِدٌ بِهِ

يُراقِبُ مِنهُ اللَهَ مُعتَضِدٌ بِهِ

يَدَ الدَهرِ يَقسو في رِضاهُ وَيَرأَفُ

يَدَ الدَهرِ يَقسو في رِضاهُ وَيَرأَفُ

Mu'tadid, supported by Him, is mindful of God,

We joined with praises to God your praises too,

throughout time, stern and merciful in seeking His pleasure.

For that is surest way those praises to be heard on high.

فَقُل لِلمُلوكِ الحاسِديهِ مَتى اِدَّعى

فَقُل لِلمُلوكِ الحاسِديهِ مَتى اِدَّعى

سِباقَ العَتيقِ الفائِتِ الشَأوِ مُقرِفُ

سِباقَ العَتيقِ الفائِتِ الشَأوِ مُقرِفُ

Tell the kings who envy him: when has a crossbred claimed

And we returned unto the palace, that like Kaaba shrine

to outrun a thoroughbred that leaves all others far behind?

Attracts the gazing eye, the outstretched hand of each who passes by.

أَلَيسَ بَنو عَبّادٍِ القِبلَةَ الَّتي

أَلَيسَ بَنو عَبّادٍِ القِبلَةَ الَّتي

عَلَيها لِآمالِ البَرِيَّةِ مَعكَفُ

عَلَيها لِآمالِ البَرِيَّةِ مَعكَفُ

Are not the sons of 'Abbad the qibla

And when we faced it, and the horizon donned its splendor's robes,

toward which all mankind's hopes turn devotedly?

The earth beneath the hooves of horses shook and trembled in refrain,

مُلوكٌ يُرى أَحياؤُهُم فَخرَ دَهرِهِم

مُلوكٌ يُرى أَحياؤُهُم فَخرَ دَهرِهِم

وَيَخلُفُ مَوتاهُم ثَناءٌ مُخَلَّفُ

وَيَخلُفُ مَوتاهُم ثَناءٌ مُخَلَّفُ

Kings whose living are seen as the pride of their age,

We saw you there atop the highest house of prayer,

while enduring praise succeeds their dead.

As though from David's prayer niche, fair Yusuf's self looked down.

بِهِم باهَتِ الأَرضُ السَماءَ فَأَوجُهٌ

بِهِم باهَتِ الأَرضُ السَماءَ فَأَوجُهٌ

شُموسٌ وَأَيدٍ مِن حَيا المُزنِ أَو كَفُ

شُموسٌ وَأَيدٍ مِن حَيا المُزنِ أَو كَفُ

Through them earth has vied in pride with heaven: faces

And when we came, as servant heralds gave assent,

are suns, and hands pour more freely than the clouds' rain.

The time itself your humble slave, decreed affairs its agent true.

أَشارِحَ مَعنى المَجدِ وَهوَ مُعَمَّسٌ

أَشارِحَ مَعنى المَجدِ وَهوَ مُعَمَّسٌ

وَمُجزِلَ حَظِّ الحَمدِ وَهوَ مُسَفسِفُ

وَمُجزِلَ حَظِّ الحَمدِ وَهوَ مُسَفسِفُ

O you who explain glory's meaning when it is obscure,

We entered and we kissed the dew-drop from your hand,

and enlarge praise's share when it is paltry:

With which vast wealth dissolves as drops of rain and flows away.

لَعَمرُ العِدا المُستَدرِجيكَ بِزَعمِهِم

لَعَمرُ العِدا المُستَدرِجيكَ بِزَعمِهِم

إِلى غِرَّةٍ كادَت لَها الشَمسُ تُكسَفُ

إِلى غِرَّةٍ كادَت لَها الشَمسُ تُكسَفُ

By the life of those enemies who thought to lure you

Such care you took, lest any feel distress,

into heedlessness at which the sun was almost eclipsed,

And trusted, lest some frightened thought stir in a heart its nest.

لَكالوكَ صاعَ الغَدرِ لُؤمَ سَجِيَّةٍ

لَكالوكَ صاعَ الغَدرِ لُؤمَ سَجِيَّةٍ

وَكيلَ لَهُم صاعُ الجَزاءِ المُطَفَّفُ

وَكيلَ لَهُم صاعُ الجَزاءِ المُطَفَّفُ

they measured you a measure of treachery, from innate baseness,

Without you, no smooth path would fortune tread,

and received a short measure of requital in return.

None bowed down low, no cloak folded back, fabric crimped and creased.

لَقَد حاوَلوا العُظمى الَّتي لا شَوى لَها

لَقَد حاوَلوا العُظمى الَّتي لا شَوى لَها

فَأَعجَلَهُم عَقدٌ مِنَ الهَمِّ مُحصَفُ

فَأَعجَلَهُم عَقدٌ مِنَ الهَمِّ مُحصَفُ

They attempted the enormity that allows no mere flesh wound,

For you is good, wherever it may lead or stand. How can I thank you, when my debts to you have no surcease?

but a tightly woven knot of resolve forestalled them.

What power have I to fulfill duty you are owed?

وَلَمّا رَأَيتَ الغَدرَ هَبَّ نَسيمُهُ

وَلَمّا رَأَيتَ الغَدرَ هَبَّ نَسيمُهُ

تَلَقّاهُ إِعصارٌ لِبَطشِكَ حَرجَفُ

تَلَقّاهُ إِعصارٌ لِبَطشِكَ حَرجَفُ

When you saw the breeze of treachery begin to blow,

All bounty you bestow, while I receive, made rich with gifts.

a freezing whirlwind of your might met it.

You helped restrain my youthful pride, rash ignorance,

أَظَنَّ الأَعادي أَنَّ حَزمَكَ نائِمٌ

أَظَنَّ الأَعادي أَنَّ حَزمَكَ نائِمٌ

لَقَد تَعِدُ الفَسلَ الظُنونُ فَتُخلِفُ

لَقَد تَعِدُ الفَسلَ الظُنونُ فَتُخلِفُ

Did the enemies suppose your vigilance asleep?

And settled him in your abode, a place of comfort, rest.

Assumptions promise the worthless man, then fail him.

So many gifts you clothed me in, like raiment fair,

دَواعي نِفاقٍ أَنذَرَتكَ بِأَنَّهُ سَيَشرى

دَواعي نِفاقٍ أَنذَرَتكَ بِأَنَّهُ سَيَشرى

وَيَذوي العُضوُ مِن حَيثُ يَشأَفُ

وَيَذوي العُضوُ مِن حَيثُ يَشأَفُ

Signs of hypocrisy warned you that it would fester,

Whose robes in every hour wrapped around me smooth.

and a limb withers where infection takes root.

Open-handed one's unstinting gifts, as though they poured

تَحَمَّلتَ عِبءَ الدَهرِ عَنهُم وَكُلُّهُم

تَحَمَّلتَ عِبءَ الدَهرِ عَنهُم وَكُلُّهُم

بِنُعماكَ مَوصولُ التَنَعُّمِ مُترَفُ

بِنُعماكَ مَوصولُ التَنَعُّمِ مُترَفُ

You bore the burden of time for them, while every one

Forth from the rain's own store, or from the sea were lifted up.

lived in uninterrupted ease through your bounty, indulged.

Though I a slave whose hands you clasped in your command,

فَإِن يَكفُروا النُعمى فَتِلكَ دِيارُهُم

فَإِن يَكفُروا النُعمى فَتِلكَ دِيارُهُم

بِسَيفِكَ قاعٌ صَفصَفُ الرَسمِ تُنسَفُ

بِسَيفِكَ قاعٌ صَفصَفُ الرَسمِ تُنسَفُ

If they deny your blessings, those dwellings of theirs

My state you raised up high, made joyful, set above.

will be blown away by your sword, their traces a flat, bare plain.

وَطَيَّ الثَرى مَثوىً يَكونَ قُصارَهُم

وَطَيَّ الثَرى مَثوىً يَكونَ قُصارَهُم

وَإِن طالَ مِنهُم في الأَداهِمِ مَرسَفُ

وَإِن طالَ مِنهُم في الأَداهِمِ مَرسَفُ

A resting place folded in the earth will be their final end,

however long they shuffle in black iron fetters.

وَبُشراكَ عيدٌ بِالسُرورِ مُظَلَّلٌ

وَبُشراكَ عيدٌ بِالسُرورِ مُظَلَّلٌ

وَبِالحَظِّ في نَيلِ المُنى مُتَكَنَّفُ

وَبِالحَظِّ في نَيلِ المُنى مُتَكَنَّفُ

And glad tidings to you: a feast shaded by joy,

surrounded by good fortune in the gaining of wishes,

بَشيرٌ بِأَعيادٍ تُوافيكَ بَعدَهُ

بَشيرٌ بِأَعيادٍ تُوافيكَ بَعدَهُ

كَما يَنسُقُ النَظمَ المُوالي وَيَرصُفُ

كَما يَنسُقُ النَظمَ المُوالي وَيَرصُفُ

heralding feast days that will come to you after it,

as a stringer arranges and sets pearls side by side.

تُجَرِّدُ فيهِ سَيفَ دَولَتِكَ الَّذي

تُجَرِّدُ فيهِ سَيفَ دَولَتِكَ الَّذي

دِماءُ العِدى دَأباً بِغَربَيهِ تُظلَفُ

دِماءُ العِدى دَأباً بِغَربَيهِ تُظلَفُ

On it you draw the sword of your dynasty, whose

two edges ever shed the enemies' blood unavenged.

هُوَ الصارِمُ العَضبُ الَّذي العَزمُ حَدُّهُ

هُوَ الصارِمُ العَضبُ الَّذي العَزمُ حَدُّهُ

وَحِليَتُهُ بَذلُ النَدى وَالتَعَفُّفُ

وَحِليَتُهُ بَذلُ النَدى وَالتَعَفُّفُ

It is the sharp, cutting blade whose edge is resolve,

whose ornament is lavish generosity and restraint.

هُمامٌ سَما لِلمُلكِ إِذ هُوَ يافِعٌ

هُمامٌ سَما لِلمُلكِ إِذ هُوَ يافِعٌ

وَتَمَّت لَهُ آياتُهُ وَهوَ مُخلِفُ

وَتَمَّت لَهُ آياتُهُ وَهوَ مُخلِفُ

A high-hearted youth who rose to kingship while still young,

its signs perfected in him while he was scarcely grown.

كَريمٌ يَعُدُّ الحَمدَ أَنفَسَ قِنيَةٍ

كَريمٌ يَعُدُّ الحَمدَ أَنفَسَ قِنيَةٍ

فَيولَعُ بِالفِعلِ الجَميلِ وَيُشغَفُ

فَيولَعُ بِالفِعلِ الجَميلِ وَيُشغَفُ

A noble man who counts praise his most precious possession,

and so delights in noble deeds, passionately devoted.

غَدا بِخَميسٍ يُقسِمُ الغَيمُ أَنَّهُ

غَدا بِخَميسٍ يُقسِمُ الغَيمُ أَنَّهُ

لَأَحفَلُ مِنها مُكفَهِرّاً وَأَكثَفُ

لَأَحفَلُ مِنها مُكفَهِرّاً وَأَكثَفُ

He set out at dawn with an army, and the clouds swear that it

is fuller than they, more lowering and more dense.

هُوَ الغَيمُ مِن زُرقِ الأَسِنَّةِ بَرقُهُ

هُوَ الغَيمُ مِن زُرقِ الأَسِنَّةِ بَرقُهُ

وَلِلطَبلِ رَعدٌ في نَواحيهِ يَقصِفُ

وَلِلطَبلِ رَعدٌ في نَواحيهِ يَقصِفُ

It is the cloud: its lightning comes from blue spearheads,

and the drum's thunder crashes through its quarters.

فَلَمّا قَضَينا ما عَنانا أَداؤُهُ

فَلَمّا قَضَينا ما عَنانا أَداؤُهُ

وَكُلٌّ بِما يُرضيكَ داعٍ فَمُلحِفُ

وَكُلٌّ بِما يُرضيكَ داعٍ فَمُلحِفُ

When we had fulfilled the duty whose performance concerned us,

each entreating what would please you, earnestly insistent,

قَرَنّا بِحَمدِ اللَهِ حَمدَكَ إِنَّهُ

قَرَنّا بِحَمدِ اللَهِ حَمدَكَ إِنَّهُ

لَأَوكَدُ ما يُحظى لَدَيهِ وَيُزلَفُ

لَأَوكَدُ ما يُحظى لَدَيهِ وَيُزلَفُ

we joined your praise to God's praise, for it

is the surest means to favor and nearness to Him.

وَعُدنا إِلى القَصرِ الَّذي هُوَ كَعبَةٌ

وَعُدنا إِلى القَصرِ الَّذي هُوَ كَعبَةٌ

يُغاديهِ مِنّا ناظِرٌ أَو مُطَرَّفُ

يُغاديهِ مِنّا ناظِرٌ أَو مُطَرَّفُ

We returned to the palace, which is a Kaaba,

visited each morning by an onlooker or passing guest among us.

فَإِذ نَحنُ طالَعناهُ وَالأُفقُ لابِسٌ

فَإِذ نَحنُ طالَعناهُ وَالأُفقُ لابِسٌ

عَجاجَتَهُ وَالأَرضُ بِالخَيلِ تَرجُفُ

عَجاجَتَهُ وَالأَرضُ بِالخَيلِ تَرجُفُ

When we came in sight of it, the horizon wearing

its dust-cloud and the earth trembling with horses,

رَأَيناكَ في أَعلى المُصَلّى كَأَنَّما

رَأَيناكَ في أَعلى المُصَلّى كَأَنَّما

تَطَلَّعَ مِن مِحرابِ داوُدَ يوسُفُ

تَطَلَّعَ مِن مِحرابِ داوُدَ يوسُفُ

we saw you at the highest point of the prayer ground, as though

Joseph had looked forth from David's sanctuary.

وَلَمّا حَضَرنا الإِذنَ وَالدَهرُ خادِمٌ

وَلَمّا حَضَرنا الإِذنَ وَالدَهرُ خادِمٌ

تُشيرُ فَيُمضي وَالقَضاءُ مُصَرِّفُ

تُشيرُ فَيُمضي وَالقَضاءُ مُصَرِّفُ

When we attended the granted audience, time was a servant:

you gesture, and it executes, while fate directs affairs.

وَصَلنا فَقَبَّلنا النَدى مِنكَ في يَدٍ

وَصَلنا فَقَبَّلنا النَدى مِنكَ في يَدٍ

بِها يُتلَفُ المالُ الجَسيمُ وَيُخلَفُ

بِها يُتلَفُ المالُ الجَسيمُ وَيُخلَفُ

We reached you and kissed generosity itself in a hand

that spends vast wealth and replenishes it.

لَقَد جُدتَ حَتّى ما بِنَفسٍ خَصاصَةٌ

لَقَد جُدتَ حَتّى ما بِنَفسٍ خَصاصَةٌ

وَأَمَّنتَ حَتّى ما بِقَلبٍ تَخَوُّفُ

وَأَمَّنتَ حَتّى ما بِقَلبٍ تَخَوُّفُ

You have given until no soul is in want,

and granted safety until no heart is afraid.

وَلَولاكَ لَم يَسهُل مِنَ الدَهرِ جانِبٌ

وَلَولاكَ لَم يَسهُل مِنَ الدَهرِ جانِبٌ

وَلا ذُلَّ مُقتادٌ وَلا لانَ مَعطِفُ

وَلا ذُلَّ مُقتادٌ وَلا لانَ مَعطِفُ

Without you, no aspect of time would be easy,

nor anything led become tractable, nor any flank grow supple.

لَكَ الخَيرُ أَنّى لي بِشُكرِكَ نَهضَةٌ

لَكَ الخَيرُ أَنّى لي بِشُكرِكَ نَهضَةٌ

وَكَيفَ أُؤَدّي فَرضَ ما أَنتَ مُسلِفُ

وَكَيفَ أُؤَدّي فَرضَ ما أَنتَ مُسلِفُ

Blessings be yours! How can I rise to thank you,

and how discharge the debt of all you have advanced?

أَفَدتَ بَهيمَ الحالِ مِنِّيَ غُرَّةً

أَفَدتَ بَهيمَ الحالِ مِنِّيَ غُرَّةً

يُقابِلُها طَرفُ الجَموحِ فَيُطرَفُ

يُقابِلُها طَرفُ الجَموحِ فَيُطرَفُ

You gave the unmarked darkness of my plight a white forehead-blaze,

which the eye of the untamed faces, and is dazzled.

وَبَوَّأتَهُ دُنياكَ دارَ مُقامَةٍ

وَبَوَّأتَهُ دُنياكَ دارَ مُقامَةٍ

بِحَيثُ دَنا ظِلٌّ وَذُلِّلَ مَقطِفُ

بِحَيثُ دَنا ظِلٌّ وَذُلِّلَ مَقطِفُ

And you lodged it in your world as a home of permanence,

where shade draws near and fruit is brought within reach.

وَكَم نِعمَةٍ أُلبِستُها سُندُسِيَّةٍ

وَكَم نِعمَةٍ أُلبِستُها سُندُسِيَّةٍ

أُسَربَلُها في كُلِّ حينٍ وَأُلحَفُ

أُسَربَلُها في كُلِّ حينٍ وَأُلحَفُ

How many blessings of fine silk have I been clothed in,

wearing them as tunics at every hour, wrapped in them as mantles!

مَواهِبُ فَيّاضِ اليَدَينِ كَأَنَّما

مَواهِبُ فَيّاضِ اليَدَينِ كَأَنَّما

مِنَ المُزنِ تُمرى أَو مِنَ البَحرِ تُغرَفُ

مِنَ المُزنِ تُمرى أَو مِنَ البَحرِ تُغرَفُ

Gifts from one whose two hands overflow, as though

milked from rainclouds or scooped from the sea.

فَإِن أَكُ عَبداً قَد تَمَلَّكتَ رِقَّهُ

فَإِن أَكُ عَبداً قَد تَمَلَّكتَ رِقَّهُ

فَأَرفَعُ أَحوالي وَأَسنى وَأَشرَفُ

فَأَرفَعُ أَحوالي وَأَسنى وَأَشرَفُ

If I am a slave whose bondage you possess,

then that is my highest, brightest, noblest state.