1. حمل الفؤاد على الهوى وتحمّلا

    فأساء لي من بعد ما قد أجملا

    He drove my heart to passion, then departed,

    wronging me after he had treated me kindly.

  2. واقتاد أهواء النفوس فما ترى

    إلاَّ حجا ماض وعشقاً مقبلا

    He led souls' desires captive, so you see

    only reason departing and passion approaching.

  3. من كلِّ من يفني الظلام مململا

    في حب من يفني النَّهار تدللا

    Of every one who wears the darkness away, tossing restlessly,

    loving one who spends the daylight in coyness:

  4. ظبي حكى الآس المنضَّد وفرةً

    والورد خدا والأقاح مقبّلا

    a gazelle whose locks resemble clustered myrtle,

    whose cheek resembles roses, whose kissing-mouth resembles daisies.

  5. فمتى أراد تنزّها في روضة

    وازى المراة بوجهه وتأملا

    Whenever he wishes to stroll in a garden,

    he sets his face before the mirror and contemplates.

  6. وإذا بدا خلت الهلال وإن خطا

    خلت القضيب وإن رنا خلت الطلا

    When he appears, you imagine the crescent; when he steps,

    a supple bough; when he gazes, a gazelle fawn.

  7. في كل عضو منه حسن مفردٌ

    ما حلَّ طرف ظرفه فترحَّلا

    In every limb of his is a beauty all its own;

    no glance alights upon his grace and then departs.

  8. يرمي ويصمي حيث شاء كأنه

    في كلِّ جارحة يصادف مقتلا

    He shoots and strikes dead wherever he wishes, as though

    in every limb he finds a mortal spot.

  9. فيرى اللقا وهو الحلال محرما

    ويرى الأسى وهو الحرام محللا

    He deems a meeting, though lawful, forbidden,

    and grief, though forbidden, lawful.

  10. كانت مقاساة الهوى في قربه

    شهدا فلما صدَّ عادت حنظلا

    Enduring passion in his presence was

    honey; when he turned away, it became colocynth.

  11. ما باله والعدل سيمى قدِّه

    يابى وقد حكّمته أن يعدلا

    What ails him? Though straightness marks his stature,

    he refuses justice, though I have made him judge.

  12. يا أيها الواري عليَّ لأنني

    أرخصت نفسي في الهوى لما علا

    O you who rage at me because

    I cheapened myself in love when it rose high:

  13. غيرتني طول السُّهاد كأنما

    أنسيت من قبلي الصدود الأطولا

    you changed me through long sleeplessness, as though

    you made me forget the longer estrangement before me.

  14. أيدت دمعي بالنحول شهادة

    لي بالغرام فقال لي لن يقبلا

    I supported my tears with wasting, as testimony

    to my passion; he told me, “Neither will be accepted.”

  15. ورأى ادعائي في المحبة دعوة

    أنَّى ولي نسب يبكت داغلا

    He took my claim to love for a spurious claim of lineage.

    How so, when mine is a lineage that silences impostors?

  16. قل ما تشاء فإنني لك طائع

    إنَّ المحبَّ بمن يحب لمبتلي

    Say what you wish, for I am obedient to you;

    the lover is surely tried by the one he loves.

  17. ما حال من سبك الفؤاد مدامعا

    وأماله وجداً عليك وماسلا

    What is the state of one who melted his heart into tears,

    and bent it toward you in longing, finding no solace?

  18. مرهت جفوني مذ صددت وإنما

    كحل الجفون لدائها كحل الجلا

    My eyelids have grown sore since you turned away; yet

    the kohl for their sickness is the kohl that clears the sight.

  19. إني وقد افنى اصطباري حبَّه

    أفني الزمان بذكره متعللا

    Though love of him has consumed my endurance,

    I spend my days recalling him, seeking consolation.

  20. في ذكر من تهوى وفي آثاره

    أنسٌ ومن عَدِمَ المثال تمثلا

    In recalling the one you love, and in his traces,

    there is comfort; whoever lacks the likeness imagines it.

  21. وإذا المحب ألمَّ بالدار التي

    نزل الحبيب بها أحبَّ المنزلا

    When the lover visits the house in which

    his beloved stayed, he loves the dwelling.

  22. لله أيامُ الوصال فإنما

    كان الزمان بها أغرَّ محجَّلا

    God bless the days of union! For

    time then bore a white blaze and white stockings.

  23. إن نحن لم ينعب غرابٌ بيننا

    نقصي الوشاةَ بنا ونعصي العذّل

    When no raven croaked between us,

    we drove our tale-bearers away and disobeyed reprovers,

  24. ونديرها حمراء ياقوتية

    لم تُبقِ إلاًَّ وصفَها أيدي البل

    and passed around ruby-red wine,

    of which the hands of decay had left only its qualities.

  25. رقَّت لطول العهد حتى خِلتَهَا

    دمعاً وخلت الدَّن جفناً أكحلا

    Long age made it so delicate that you would imagine it

    tears, and the wine-jar a kohl-dark eyelid.

  26. ما إن رأيت ولا سمعتُ لمثلها

    جسماً يعود وجوده متخيلا

    Never have I seen or heard of anything like it:

    a substance whose existence becomes mere imagining.

  27. فَضَّ الختام فقلت صفحٌ مُذهَبُ

    خَطَّ الحبابُ عليه خطا مُشكِلا

    He broke the seal, and I said, “A gilded page,

    on which the bubbles have traced a pointed script.”

  28. أهدت لنا طرَفُ الربيع بدائعا

    أضحى لها وجه الثرى متهلِّلا

    Spring's delights bestowed wonders upon us,

    and the face of the earth beamed with them.

  29. قد أنبتت في كلِّ سهل روضةً

    مذ أنبطت في كلِّ حزن جدولا

    They made a garden grow upon every plain,

    since they brought a brook gushing from every rugged tract.

  30. كست الفجاج غلائلاً من سندس

    تلقى بها الريح البليل تبدلا

    They clothed the broad paths in robes of fine silk,

    in which the moist breeze finds a change of dress.

  31. والنُّور بين مدنَّرٍ ومدرهم

    حيث التفتّ رأيته ملء الملا

    The blossoms, some dinar-like, some dirham-like,

    filled the open country wherever you turned.

  32. والريح تلعب بالغصون كأنها

    أيد تقلّب في طراد ذُلَّلا

    The wind plays with the branches, as though it were

    hands turning pliant lances in a joust.

  33. والغيم قد حجب السماء بمطرف

    نسجته كفُّ الريح نسجاً هلهلا

    The cloud has veiled the sky with a mantle

    woven loosely by the wind's own hand.

  34. وافي يجر ذيوله متبخترا

    فعل الهَدِيِّ يَسِيرُ سَيراً مثقلاً

    It arrives dragging its skirts, strutting,

    like a sacrificial beast walking heavily burdened.

  35. خاف النسيم على تألف شمله

    فاستل من برق عليه منصلا

    Fearing the breeze would scatter its gathered folds,

    it drew against it a blade of lightning.

  36. فكأنه والبرق يخفق فوقه

    كفٌ تُصَرِّفُ في حساب أنملا

    With lightning flickering above it, it seemed

    a hand moving fingers in calculation.

  37. حتى إذا استوفى تَكَونّ درّه

    ألقاه في حجر الفلا ثم انجلا

    Then, when its pearls had fully formed,

    it cast them into the wilderness's lap and cleared away.

  38. فتخاله من رعده في برقه

    متبسماً حيناً وحيناً معولا

    With its thunder and its lightning, you would imagine it

    smiling one moment, wailing the next.

  39. ينحى على صدأ الهباء كأنه

    فيما انتحى للأرض أصبح صيقل

    It attacks the rust of dust, as though

    in its work upon the earth it had become a polisher.

  40. وكأنه أثرا حبيبٌ خاطب

    وكانه زهراً عروسٌ تجتلي

    In its effects, it is like a beloved suitor;

    in its blossoms, like a bride unveiled.

  41. نطقت بشكر الغيث فيما أودعت

    نشر النّسيم وما تحرك مقولا

    The earth voiced thanks for rain through what she entrusted

    to the breeze's fragrance, though she moved no tongue.

  42. والقضبُ في الوشي المنمق تنثني

    تيهاً محلاة المفارق والطلا

    The boughs bend in embroidered finery,

    proudly, their crowns and necks adorned.

  43. نظمت حبابَ الطَلِّ في نورانها

    فكأن إكليل اللُّجين مكلَّلا

    They strung dew-beads among their blossoms,

    as though crowned with a silver diadem.

  44. قامت بها سوق المجون وقلَّما

    ألفيتني إلاَّ لها متأثلا

    There the market of revelry sprang up; rarely

    have you found me other than firmly established there.

  45. فترى الغمام مساقيا وترى الحما

    م مغنيا وترى النسيم مولولا

    You see the clouds serving drinks, and the doves—

    —singing, and the breeze lamenting.

  46. ما حُسن ذاك الفصل إلا أنه

    بالقائد الأعلى يروم تمثلا

    That season's beauty is nothing but its attempt

    to resemble the supreme commander:

  47. بالأوحد الفذّ الذي وسع الورى

    بأساً وجوداً هيبة وتطولا

    the peerless, matchless one who embraces all mankind

    in valor and generosity, awe and beneficence.

  48. سيف الإمام ورمحه ومحبه

    والحربُ نار غير أن لا تصطلي

    The imam's sword and lance, and his beloved;

    war is fire, but not one at which to warm yourself.

  49. الرئاسة وهي ما هي خطة

    قطب الجزيرة وهي ما هي منزلا

    Leadership—what a mighty office it is!

    The island's axis—what a mighty dwelling it is!

  50. ظمنت له الذِّكرَ الجميلا معجلا

    جدواهُ والأجر الجزيلَ مؤجلا

    Fair renown at once is guaranteed him

    by his bounty, and abundant reward deferred.

  51. نِيطَت به عُظمَى الأمور فلم يدع

    فيها بحمدالله أمراً مغفلا

    The greatest affairs were entrusted to him; he left

    none of them neglected, praise be to God.

  52. وشفى النفوس من العدا في مأزق

    يقتات أرواح الكماة تآكلا

    He healed souls of their enemies in a battle's strait

    that feeds ravenously upon the souls of armored warriors.

  53. مستوجبٌ شيم العلاء وغَيرُهُ

    يغدو على أوصافها متطفِّلا

    He deserves the virtues of eminence, while another

    becomes a parasite upon their qualities.

  54. راموا اللحاق به فجاءوا آخرا

    شدُّوا وأقبل سابقاً متهللا

    They sought to catch him, but came last;

    they charged, and he came foremost, beaming.

  55. وإذا كبا في محفل وإذا احتبى

    أبصرته كاليم جاوز يذبلا

    When he bows in an assembly, or sits with knees clasped,

    you see him like a sea surpassing Yadhbul.

  56. ولرب يوم للمنية فوقه

    سحب مكفكفة دعافاً مسبلا

    How many a day has death spread above it

    massed clouds pouring deadly venom!

  57. طير تحوم على الرؤوس يحثُّها

    موتٌ يروم إلى النفوس توصلا

    Birds circle over heads, urged onward by

    death, seeking access to souls.

  58. يَذَرُ الكميّ معفراً والسمهر

    ي مقصفاً والمشرفي مفلّلا

    It leaves the armored champion dust-stained, the slender lance—

    —splintered, and the Mashrafi sword notched.

  59. جلَّى به الغمرات ليثٌ محدر

    يحذي رؤوس الدارعين الأرجلا

    A brawny lion cleared its depths of peril,

    shodding feet with the heads of mail-clad warriors.

  60. ومثلثٌ شام الحسام بكفِّه

    والموت يمسح جانبيه فهللا

    A Trinitarian beheld the sword in his hand,

    and death brushing his sides, and proclaimed God's oneness.

  61. أمسى ولم تطرقه خيلك ملحداً

    جهلاً وأصبح مسلماً متبتلا

    He spent the evening an unbeliever, before your horsemen reached him,

    in ignorance; by morning he was a devout Muslim.

  62. في موقف أما أسنته فمف

    طرة وأما أعوجيته فلا

    In a field where his spearheads break their fast—

    —while his A‘waji steeds do not.

  63. جمع البسالة والندى فقد اغتدى

    ناراً مضرّمة وماء سلسلاً

    He united courage and generosity, becoming

    a blazing fire and smoothly flowing water.

  64. فإذا احتمى كان الغضنفر صولة

    وإذا انتمى كان المعمّ المخولا

    When he defends his honor, his onslaught is a lion's;

    when he declares his lineage, both his parents' lines are noble.

  65. أدى فرائض جوده مبرورة

    ثم استدام أداءه متنفلا

    He piously fulfilled the obligations of his generosity,

    then continued giving as a voluntary offering.

  66. يلقي الكمي إذا تقدم رامحاً

    ويحيد عنه إذا تأخر أعزلا

    He confronts the champion when he advances with a lance,

    and turns aside from him when he retreats unarmed.

  67. متصرف في الحرب كيف تصرفت

    متنقل بالجود حيث تنقلا

    He adapts in war however it changes,

    taking generosity with him wherever he moves.

  68. سل عنه عُبَّاد الصليب تسل به

    غرض المذلة موثقا ومجدلا

    Ask the cross-worshippers about him, and you ask those he made

    targets of humiliation, bound captive and laid low.

  69. لا يرفعون إلى منادٍ ناظرا

    ذُلاً ولا يلفون خوفاً معقلا

    They raise no eye toward a caller,

    in humiliation, and find no refuge from fear.

  70. ما أسلموا أوطانهم حتى رأوا

    ضرب الطُّلي عطفاً على طعن الكلي

    They did not surrender their homelands until they saw

    the striking of necks added to the piercing of kidneys.

  71. خضعوا له فاسترجعوا أرماقهم

    منه ومن وجد القبول تنصَّلا

    They submitted to him and recovered their remaining breaths

    from him; whoever found acceptance won release.

  72. يا ابن الصناديد الذين عليهم

    وقفت نهايات النهي وحلا العلا

    O son of mighty chiefs, upon whom

    the utmost reason and the ornaments of eminence came to rest:

  73. من كلِّ وضاح الجبين تخاله

    في هفوة الهيجاء عصباً مفصلا

    each one bright of brow, whom you would imagine

    in battle's frenzy a jointed sinew.

  74. لك يا أبا عبدالإله مناقبٌ

    تُرضي إلاهك والنبي المرسلا

    You, Abu ‘Abd al-Ilah, have virtues

    that please your God and the Prophet sent by Him.

  75. وكُلت بالأعداء قلباً لم يزل

    مستسلماً في أمره متوكلا

    You charged a heart with facing foes, a heart always

    surrendered in its affairs and trusting in God.

  76. فتركتَ مجهل كلَّ فضل معلماً

    وتركت معلم كل جهل مجهلا

    You made the uncharted ground of every virtue a landmark,

    and every landmark of ignorance uncharted ground.

  77. فشجاعةٌ كانت وراءك معقلا

    ومهابةٌ صارت وراءك جحفلاً

    Courage has been a fortress at your back,

    and awe has become an army behind you.

  78. يا قائد الأُسدِ الغضاب وشبَّهت

    بالأُسد لمّا كنت فيه الأولا

    O leader of wrathful lions—I likened them

    to lions because you were foremost among them.

  79. يهنيك إن لم تبق روعاً في حشى

    يُعزَى إليك ولا محلا ممحلا

    Rejoice that you have left no fear in any heart

    that is counted yours, nor any dwelling barren.

  80. بهرت معاليك العراق ففارساًُ

    فالشام فالفسطاط ثم الموصلا

    Your lofty deeds dazzled Iraq, then Persia,

    then Syria, then Fustat, and then Mosul.

  81. قل للذي الحديث عن الن

    دي رفقاً فلستُ أرى الحديث المرسلا

    Say to the one recounting tales of gener—

    —osity: gently! I accept no unlinked report.

  82. هاك السّماح عن العيان وخلِّ ما

    نسب السَّماعُ بذكره فيما خلا

    Here is generosity seen directly; leave aside what

    hearsay has reported of it in bygone times.

  83. وإليكها يا ابن الكرام لوافد

    لم يرض غيرك للوفادة منزلا

    Here is a poem for you, son of noble men, from a visitor

    who chose no other host for his coming.

  84. يثني بما آليت قبلُ بمقول

    أرويته براً لصاغ قرنفلا

    He praises what you pledged before, with a tongue

    you drenched with kindness—it would fashion cloves.

  85. حيَّا على شحط المزار وليته

    كان القصيد فنال ما قد أمَّلا

    He sends greetings from afar; would that he

    were the poem, and thus attained his hope!

  86. حسب المخيّم في ذُرَاك فضيلةً

    وكفاه فخراً مجتلى تلك الحلى

    It is distinction enough for one encamped in your shelter,

    and pride enough, to behold those adornments.

  87. أعيت حبيباً والوليد وقبله

    أعيت جريراً والبعيث وجندلا

    They baffled Habib and al-Walid, and before him

    baffled Jarir, al-Ba‘ith, and Jandal.

  88. أمَّلت بسطاً في الثناءِ وغايتي

    أن أنثر الأمداح نثراً مجملا

    I hoped to speak at length in praise, yet my utmost

    is to scatter praises in a brief scattering.

  89. لا زلتَ في برٍّ وقَدرٍ معتل

    متملئاً سعداً وجداًّ مقبلا

    May you ever dwell in goodness and exalted rank,

    filled with happiness and advancing fortune,

  90. ما أمَّ أرضك رائحاً ومبكراً

    متقلل فرجعته متمولا

    as long as someone comes to your land, at evening or at dawn,

    poor in means, and you send him back enriched;

  91. ونقلت فضلك حيث يخلد نقله

    بالوعي فاتصل الحديث مسلسلا

    and I transmit your bounty where its telling endures

    in memory, the account continuing in an unbroken chain.