زارت سعاد وثوب الليل مسدول

زارت سعاد وثوب الليل مسدول

فما الرقيب بغير النشر مدلول

فما الرقيب بغير النشر مدلول

Suad visited while the robe of night hung down.

Saad visited while the night's robe was trailing,

The watcher was guided by nothing but her wafting fragrance.

So the watcher had nothing but hints to unveil,

وما سعاد وقد زارت باسكن من

وما سعاد وقد زارت باسكن من

ظباء وجرة تهديها مطافيل

ظباء وجرة تهديها مطافيل

Nor was Suad, when she visited, any calmer than

And Saad, when she visited, wore nothing

Wajrah's gazelles, guided by does with their young.

But the does and the pitcher that gave her plenty,

ترمى سعاد بسهم عن حواجبها

ترمى سعاد بسهم عن حواجبها

ففي الخليين مجروح ومقتول

ففي الخليين مجروح ومقتول

Suad shoots an arrow from her eyebrows,

Saad shot me with a glance from her eyebrows,

and among the fancy-free are the wounded and the slain.

So my heart was wounded and slain among the two camps,

وشاحها مثل قلبي لم يزل قلقا

وشاحها مثل قلبي لم يزل قلقا

وزندها اخرس الدملوج مجدول

وزندها اخرس الدملوج مجدول

Her sash, like my heart, is ever restless,

Her scarf was like my restless heart, folded,

and her rounded forearm silences its armlet.

And her wrists were silent, chained and fettered,

يا ليلة قصرت بالعتب احسبها

يا ليلة قصرت بالعتب احسبها

من لامها العتب او من يائها الطول

من لامها العتب او من يائها الطول

O night shortened by reproach! I reckon

O short night with reproach, I think it

the blame comes from its letter lām, or the length from its yā.

Shortened by her blame or lengthened by her height,

طال التشاكي بنا حتى كان تبا

طال التشاكي بنا حتى كان تبا

شير الصباح وقد لاحت تهاويل

شير الصباح وقد لاحت تهاويل

Our mutual lamenting went on until the first signs

My night talks with her continued until the

of dawn, when they appeared, were fearful apparitions.

Dawn broke and the warblers began their song,

نقابها سالفها فهي غانية

نقابها سالفها فهي غانية

عن النقاب وبعض النقب مبذول

عن النقاب وبعض النقب مبذول

Her side-locks are her veil; she has no need

Her veil and her voice, she cared not for the veil,

of a veil, though some veils are freely given.

And some of the veil was surrendered and given,

غراء من غرة او غرة فنق

غراء من غرة او غرة فنق

يقعدها الحلى عند المشي عطبول

يقعدها الحلى عند المشي عطبول

Radiant with a bright brow—or pampered innocence—

Smooth from smoothness or smoothness itself,

a long-necked beauty whose jewels weigh her down as she walks.

By her ankles the anklets at a walk do jingle,

ما ان ترى اللين الا من معاطفها

ما ان ترى اللين الا من معاطفها

وليس يعقب منها الملث تنويل

وليس يعقب منها الملث تنويل

You see softness only in the curves of her body,

You see nothing in her but gentleness from her cloak,

yet her soothing promises are followed by no favor.

No harshness comes from her, nor twist and bend,

لم اعرف الهم الا مذ كلفت بها

لم اعرف الهم الا مذ كلفت بها

وصار في وصلها للنفس تسويل

وصار في وصلها للنفس تسويل

I knew no sorrow until I became enamored of her,

I knew no sorrow until I fell for her,

and union with her became my soul's temptation.

And making peace with her brought woes untold,

لم اخل من حاسد عند الوصال وان

لم اخل من حاسد عند الوصال وان

نات فاني لفرط الوجد معذول

نات فاني لفرط الوجد معذول

I was never free of an envier when we were joined; and if

I found no critic in love but one foolish,

she withdrew, I was reproached for my excessive longing.

Who knew not love adorns a man with grace,

ما عاذلي في هواها غير ذي سفه

ما عاذلي في هواها غير ذي سفه

لم يدر ان الهوى للمرء تجميل

لم يدر ان الهوى للمرء تجميل

My censurer in my love for her is nothing but a fool,

Is it fit for love but one of courtesy,

who does not know that love adorns a person.

In faithfulness and keeping troth well-bred?

وهل يليق الهوى الا بذي ادب

وهل يليق الهوى الا بذي ادب

على الوفاء وحفظ العهد مجبول

على الوفاء وحفظ العهد مجبول

And does love befit anyone but a person of refinement,

Or how can words help that youth has spoiled,

naturally inclined to fidelity and keeping a pledge?

When reason rules and passion lies dead?

ام كيف ينجع قول في شج ذهبت

ام كيف ينجع قول في شج ذهبت

به الصبابة حيث العقل معقول

به الصبابة حيث العقل معقول

Or how can words avail a sorrowing lover whom

A man in love has two hearts busy with it,

passion has carried where reason is fettered?

Another, for a time, from it withdrawn,

ما لامرء في الهوى قلبان مشتغل

ما لامرء في الهوى قلبان مشتغل

به وآخر طورا عنه مشغول

به وآخر طورا عنه مشغول

No one in love has two hearts—one absorbed

No warning of my graying hair can sway me

in it, and another at times occupied elsewhere.

From loving her, though I wished to feign,

ما بعد انذار شيبي ما يحولني

ما بعد انذار شيبي ما يحولني

عن حبها لو بدا لي عنه تحويل

عن حبها لو بدا لي عنه تحويل

After the warning of my gray hair, nothing can turn me

Love is but youth’s feast, fulfilled and perfected,

from her love, even if a way to turn away appeared to me.

Before, a transfer, then cause and reason,

ما الحب الاغذاء الصب مكتهلا

ما الحب الاغذاء الصب مكتهلا

وقبل ذلك نقل ثم تعليل

وقبل ذلك نقل ثم تعليل

Love is only nourishment for the lover in middle age;

Worthier for one who knows and masters a thing,

before then, a snack, and then a diversion.

To make it sweet, with zeal and labor filled,

اجدر بمن قد درى شيا واتقنه

اجدر بمن قد درى شيا واتقنه

ان يطيبه له حرص وتحصيل

ان يطيبه له حرص وتحصيل

How fitting for one who knows a thing and has mastered it

Saad's company has troubled me, the passion

to find it sweetened by zeal and attainment.

Grows with remembrance and imagination stirred,

قد شاقني من سعاد انس معهدها

قد شاقني من سعاد انس معهدها

والشوق ينشئه ذكر وتخييل

والشوق ينشئه ذكر وتخييل

The familiar charm of Suad's dwelling has stirred my longing;

And the lone doves of the battlefield have maddened me,

remembrance and imagining give rise to longing.

Complaining when the night brings heavy dew,

وهاجني من حمام الايك ساجعة

وهاجني من حمام الايك ساجعة

تشكو اذا الليل اصبى منه تطفيل

تشكو اذا الليل اصبى منه تطفيل

And a cooing dove among the grove's doves has stirred me,

As though she sees in my love no substitute,

lamenting when night's onset arouses longing.

Though to replace lovers is simple and slight,

كأنها لا ترى من الفها بدلا

كأنها لا ترى من الفها بدلا

ان شاق الفا من العشاق تبديل

ان شاق الفا من العشاق تبديل

As though she sees no substitute for her mate,

Or she decided we're related in poetry

even if a change entices a thousand lovers.

In rhyme and passion where hearts are chained,

أو انها الهمت ان بيننا نسب

أو انها الهمت ان بيننا نسب

في السجع والوجد حيث القلب متبول

في السجع والوجد حيث القلب متبول

Or she was inspired to know that kinship lies between us

But in praise, I have specified Ahmad,

in rhyming and yearning, where the heart is love-stricken.

Whose glory the sayings recite,

أما المديح فإني قد خصصت به

أما المديح فإني قد خصصت به

في وصف احمد ما تتلى اقاويل

في وصف احمد ما تتلى اقاويل

As for praise, I have reserved it

He is the King time sought, to enthrone and perfect,

for describing Ahmad, as long as words are recited.

One said in praise or lauded his shade,

هو المليك الذي طلب الزمان به

هو المليك الذي طلب الزمان به

وزانه منه تمليك وتكميل

وزانه منه تمليك وتكميل

He is the sovereign through whom the age made its quest,

Say of him, or say, a King who mends when fate does wrong,

and his kingship and perfection adorned it.

So one who calls him has help like a neighbor,

من قال في مدحه او ظله بلغ الاقوال

من قال في مدحه او ظله بلغ الاقوال

شانا فقولوا فيه او قيلوا

شانا فقولوا فيه او قيلوا

Whoever speaks his praise or rests in his shade raises words

He gives generously at first, while apologizing

to distinction; so speak of him, or take your midday rest.

That lavish praise is insignificant,

ملك يجبر اذا دهر يجور فمن

ملك يجبر اذا دهر يجور فمن

ناداه كان له كالجار تنفيل

ناداه كان له كالجار تنفيل

A king who makes amends when fate oppresses; whoever

The people are between the aura of his palm

calls on him receives bounty like a protected neighbor.

And the dew of his hand, while he rules both states,

يعطى الجزيل ابتداء وهو معتذر

يعطى الجزيل ابتداء وهو معتذر

حتى الكثير من الاطراء تقليل

حتى الكثير من الاطراء تقليل

He gives lavishly without being asked, yet apologizes,

When his rising glowed on France,

so that even abundant praise is an understatement.

And his hands showered them with new moons,

الناس ما بين راج باسه وندى

الناس ما بين راج باسه وندى

كفيه وهو على الحالين موول

كفيه وهو على الحالين موول

People look either to his might or to the bounty

The serpents envied him until their chieftain said:

of his hands; in either case he is their refuge.

"We have two accountable and responsible clouds,"

لما بدا بفرنسا نور طلعته

لما بدا بفرنسا نور طلعته

ومن يديه لهم سحت اهاليل

ومن يديه لهم سحت اهاليل

When the radiance of his countenance appeared in France,

If holding great splendor back gave him peace,

and from his hands showers poured upon them,

The land's praises of him would not cease,

غار الحيا منه حتى قال قائلهم

غار الحيا منه حتى قال قائلهم

لنا سحابان مسؤول ومملول

لنا سحابان مسؤول ومملول

the rain grew jealous of him, until one of them said,

In his fair morals, the signs have purified them,

“We have two clouds: one sought, the other wearisome.”

Contemplate; and from benevolence, lessons,

لو كان امسك اجلالا لراحته

لو كان امسك اجلالا لراحته

لما عدا من نداها الارض تجليل

لما عدا من نداها الارض تجليل

Had the rain held back in reverence for his palm,

He kept with them a rank that enlightened,

that palm's bounty would still have clothed the earth.

Each busied spreading his qualities,

في حسن اخلاقه اللآي زكت لهم

في حسن اخلاقه اللآي زكت لهم

تامل ومن الاحسان تاميل

تامل ومن الاحسان تاميل

In the beauty of his character, which they found pure, is

Until he rose great though young, and glorified

cause for reflection; in his beneficence, cause for hope.

Though their elder, preferring the last first,

ولم يزل عندهم شان له نبها

ولم يزل عندهم شان له نبها

كل ببث المزايا عنه مشغول

كل ببث المزايا عنه مشغول

His standing among them has ever been illustrious;

No one remained in East or West,

each is busy spreading word of his virtues.

Whose praise of him was not conveyed and told,

حتى غدا مكبرا صغرى مآثرا

حتى غدا مكبرا صغرى مآثرا

كبيرهم آثرا ما منه منحول

كبيرهم آثرا ما منه منحول

Until, extolling even the smallest of his noble deeds,

And excellent poetry cannot match a King,

their chief prized whatever he bestowed.

In praise generally or in detail,

لم يبق في الشرق او في الغرب من احد

لم يبق في الشرق او في الغرب من احد

الا وعنه مديح فيه منقول

الا وعنه مديح فيه منقول

No one remained in the East or the West

The least of his signs cannot be matched

without praise of him being reported from them.

By long praises composed and spun,

وما يفي من بديع القول في ملك

وما يفي من بديع القول في ملك

او في على المدح اجمال وتفصيل

او في على المدح اجمال وتفصيل

No exquisite speech can suffice for a king

To share names with others, yet his surplus of merit

who rises above praise, in summary and detail [text uncertain].

Made sure no one shared superiority,

اقل آلائه لا يستقل به

اقل آلائه لا يستقل به

من الثنا ما به لم يول تطويل

من الثنا ما به لم يول تطويل

Even his least favor cannot be fully conveyed

In his praise the Arabic poets I preferred,

by praise that has not been extended at length.

Above Persian philosophers where verse is weak,

ان يشرك الناس في الاسماء فهو بما

ان يشرك الناس في الاسماء فهو بما

له من الفضل لم يشركه تفضيل

له من الفضل لم يشركه تفضيل

Though he shares names with others, through

Whoever in verse is conventional and seeks him

his excellence he has a distinction none can share.

Bears his rhymes, so the convention bears the burden,

في مدحه شعراء العرب قد فضلت

في مدحه شعراء العرب قد فضلت

فلاسف العجم حيث الشعر مفضول

فلاسف العجم حيث الشعر مفضول

In praising him, the Arab poets have surpassed

He never ceased in his folk, successive in praise,

the philosophers of non-Arabs, though poetry is held inferior.

Bearing adversity, resolve fulfilled,

من كان في النظم موضوعا ولاذ به

من كان في النظم موضوعا ولاذ به

تحمل قوافيه فالموضوع محمول

تحمل قوافيه فالموضوع محمول

Whoever was lowly in verse and sought refuge with him

He ruled the lands with justice, not distracted

finds his rhymes borne aloft: the lowly is lifted.

By vanity and falsehood’s empty noises,

ما زال في قومه تالي مدائحه

ما زال في قومه تالي مدائحه

مقدما عنه حد العسر مفلول

مقدما عنه حد العسر مفلول

Among his people, the reciter of his praises remains

He stood by religion and the world, so they never

honored, with hardship's edge blunted for him.

Ceased, prosperous, with no deceits imposed,

ساس البلاد بعدل ليس يصرفه

ساس البلاد بعدل ليس يصرفه

لهو المعيشة عنه والاباطيل

لهو المعيشة عنه والاباطيل

He governs the land justly; he is not distracted from it

He never rose up except on wealth he freely gave,

by life's amusements or vain pursuits.

And rose up, people and family to support,

وقام بالدين والدنيا فما برحا

وقام بالدين والدنيا فما برحا

به سعيدين لا يعدوهما سول

به سعيدين لا يعدوهما سول

And he upholds religion and worldly life; both remain

If the sword and scroll were equal, they would not differ,

happy through him, with no wish left unfulfilled.

And would balance, with his decree today amended,

ما عال الا على مال يجود به

ما عال الا على مال يجود به

وعال ذا عيلة وخا تعويل

وعال ذا عيلة وخا تعويل

He is unjust only to the wealth he lavishes,

Or if the people made peace with age’s orbit,

and supports the destitute and those dependent on him.

Generation would greet generation in his gift,

لو جاز تسوية الصر عين ما اختلفا

لو جاز تسوية الصر عين ما اختلفا

تعادلا كان منه اليوم تعديل

تعادلا كان منه اليوم تعديل

If equalizing the two verse-halves were permitted, they would not differ;

O green Tunisia, his presence has filled you,

they would balance: he would set them right today.

As long as on earth there is rain, ever-flowing,

او لو تهادى الورى بالعمر عن مقة

او لو تهادى الورى بالعمر عن مقة

لكان يهديه جيل بعده جيل

لكان يهديه جيل بعده جيل

Or if humankind exchanged gifts of lifespan out of love,

If Egypt prides the Nile's flooding seasons,

generation after generation would bestow it on him.

In you, always, are his rains of plenty,

مليت يا تونس الخضراء حضرته

مليت يا تونس الخضراء حضرته

ما دام في الارض قطر وهو ما هول

ما دام في الارض قطر وهو ما هول

May you long enjoy his presence, O green Tunis,

As if you are Persia boasting of its lands,

as long as any inhabited region remains on earth.

When all pride is contained in your heavens,

إن كان في مصر يرحى النيل آونة

إن كان في مصر يرحى النيل آونة

ففيك في كل آن جوده نيل

ففيك في كل آن جوده نيل

If in Egypt the Nile is awaited at certain times,

Praise for his blessed return he presents,

then in you his bounty is a Nile at every moment.

Might and victory, glorification and esteem,

أو ان تكن عجم تزهى بأرضهم

أو ان تكن عجم تزهى بأرضهم

ففي سمائك كل الفخر مشمول

ففي سمائك كل الفخر مشمول

Or if non-Arabs glory in their land,

He did not leave a land but grants when he comes

in your sky all glory is gathered.

Abundance, ease therein secured,

حمدا على عوده الميمون يقدمه

حمدا على عوده الميمون يقدمه

عز ونصر وتعظيم وتبجيل

عز ونصر وتعظيم وتبجيل

Praise for his auspicious return, preceded by

In the West, his brilliance, and all the earth,

might, victory, exaltation, and reverence.

Praise him, prayers always linked,

ما غاب عن بلد الا ونائله

ما غاب عن بلد الا ونائله

فيه مقيم به الايسار مكفول

فيه مقيم به الايسار مكفول

He has never left a land without his bounty

He is God's shadow, his substitute, and his sword

remaining there, guaranteeing prosperity.

To vanquish enemies, its sharpness whetted,

في الغرب حضرته والأرض قاطبة

في الغرب حضرته والأرض قاطبة

ثناؤه بالدعاء الدهر موصول

ثناؤه بالدعاء الدهر موصول

His presence is in the West; throughout the whole earth,

Would he be opposed but by the most wretched, whose

praise of him is joined to prayer for all time.

Rush to doom before victory was hurried?

ظل الآله وداعيه ونائبه

ظل الآله وداعيه ونائبه

وسيفه لاجتياح الضد مسلول

وسيفه لاجتياح الضد مسلول

God's shadow, His herald, and His deputy,

His determination is supported, God grants triumph,

and His sword, unsheathed to sweep away the foe.

Wisdom guided, and fate a mystery,

وهل يناويه إلا الأخسرون ومن

وهل يناويه إلا الأخسرون ومن

لهم إلى الحتف قبل الفتح تعجيل

لهم إلى الحتف قبل الفتح تعجيل

And who opposes him except the greatest losers and those

If he wills a thing, its sequel fulfills his aim,

for whom death is hastened before victory?

Or ordains a thing, by success brought about,

مؤيد العزم والرحمن ناصره

مؤيد العزم والرحمن ناصره

مسدد الراي والمقدور مجهول

مسدد الراي والمقدور مجهول

His resolve is strengthened, and the Merciful is his helper;

Of refined throat, of praised deeds,

his judgment is guided aright, and destiny is unknown.

Majestic, his satisfaction is to please God,

إن ينو أمرا فإن لاحق مقصده

إن ينو أمرا فإن لاحق مقصده

أو يقض أمرا فبالتوفيق مفعول

أو يقض أمرا فبالتوفيق مفعول

If he intends a thing, he surely attains his aim;

May God eternally grant him pride of all,

or if he decrees a thing, it is accomplished with success.

And crowns on the foreheads from his hands,

مهذب الحلق محمود الفعال

مهذب الحلق محمود الفعال

جليل القدر مرضاته لله توسيل

جليل القدر مرضاته لله توسيل

Refined in character, praiseworthy in deeds,

And may he remain happy, his time joyous through him

lofty in rank; pleasing him is a means of drawing near to God.

As long as a reciter recites revelation,

أدامه الله فخرا للورى وعلى

أدامه الله فخرا للورى وعلى

هاماتهم من أياديه أكاليل

هاماتهم من أياديه أكاليل

May God preserve him as a pride to humankind, and upon

For the believer, after prayer for him,

their heads may there be crowns of his favors.

Is a believer, and through him ruin is denied.

ودام مبتهجا هذا الزمان به

ودام مبتهجا هذا الزمان به

ما ان تلا قارى حم تنزيل

ما ان تلا قارى حم تنزيل

And may this age remain rejoicing in him,

as long as a reader recites the “Ha Mim” revelation.

إن المؤمن من بعد الدعاء له

إن المؤمن من بعد الدعاء له

مؤمن وبه الاهلال تهليل

مؤمن وبه الاهلال تهليل

Indeed, whoever says “Amen” after a prayer for him

is a believer; acclaiming him is proclaiming God's oneness.