جِوَارُكَyour protection منْfrom جَوْرِthe tyranny of الزَّمَانِtime يُجِيرُgrants refuge
جِوَارُكَ منْ جَوْرِ الزَّمَانِ يُجِيرُ
وَبِشْرُكَand your cheerfulness لِلرَّاجِيto the one hoping for نَداكَyour bounty بَشِيرُa bearer of glad tidings
وَبِشْرُكَ لِلرَّاجِي نَداكَ بَشِيرُ
Your protection shelters us from the tyranny of time.
Your neighborhood protects from tyranny of time,
Your cheerful countenance brings glad tidings to whoever hopes for your bounty.
And your good tidings bring joy to those hoping in you.
فَضَلْتَyou surpassed بَنِيthe sons of الدُّنياthe world فَفَضلُكَso your excellence أَوَّلُis foremost
فَضَلْتَ بَنِي الدُّنيا فَفَضلُكَ أَوَّلُ
وَأَوَّلُand the foremost فضلِexcellence of الأَوَّلِينَthe earlier ones أخِيرُis last
وَأَوَّلُ فضلِ الأَوَّلِينَ أخِيرُ
You surpassed the people of this world; your excellence comes first,
You have excelled all people so your excellence is first,
While the foremost excellence of earlier men comes last.
The first of the excellencies of the ancients is last.
وَأنتَand you هُمَامٌa resolute lord دَبَّرَgoverned المُلْكَthe kingdom رَأْيُهُhis judgment
وَأنتَ هُمَامٌ دَبَّرَ المُلْكَ رَأْيُهُ
خَبِيرٌexperienced بِأحْوَالِin the conditions of الزَّمَانِthe age بَصِيرُdiscerning
خَبِيرٌ بِأحْوَالِ الزَّمَانِ بَصِيرُ
You are a resolute lord whose judgment governs the kingdom,
You are a wise counsel who arranged the kingdom,
Experienced and discerning in the conditions of the age.
Experienced in the changing ways of time, all-seeing.
إذَاwhen المَلِكُthe king المَنْصُورُal-Mansur حَاوَلَsought نَصْرَهَhis victory
إذَا المَلِكُ المَنْصُورُ حَاوَلَ نَصْرَهَ
كَفَىsufficed المَلِكَthe king المَنْصُورَal-Mansur منكfrom you نَصِيرُa champion
كَفَى المَلِكَ المَنْصُورَ منك نَصِيرُ
When King al-Mansur seeks his victory,
When al-Malik al-Mansur sought his aid,
A champion in you suffices King al-Mansur.
For al-Malik al-Mansur, you alone sufficed as helper.
فلاso let not تُنسِهِmake him forget الأَيَّامُthe days ذِكْرَكَyour remembrance إنَّهُindeed he
فلا تُنسِهِ الأَيَّامُ ذِكْرَكَ إنَّهُ
بهin it فَرِحٌrejoicing بينَamong الملوكِthe kings فخُورُproud
به فَرِحٌ بينَ الملوكِ فخُورُ
Let the days never make him forget you, for he
So let not the days make you forget, for he
Rejoices in your remembrance and boasts of it among kings.
Rejoices in you among the kings, proud.
إذاwhen مَرَّhe passed فيthrough أَرْضٍa land بِجَيْشٍwith an army عَرَمْرَمvast
إذا مَرَّ في أَرْضٍ بِجَيْشٍ عَرَمْرَم
تكادُalmost لهُbefore him أُمُّthe mother of النُّجُومِthe stars تَمُورُreels
تكادُ لهُ أُمُّ النُّجُومِ تَمُورُ
When he passes through a land with a vast army,
When he passes through a land with a magnificent army,
The mother of the stars almost reels before him.
The stars' mother almost totters and stirs.
وَتَحْسِبُهُand you imagine him قدalready سارَhaving marched يَرْمِيstriking بُرُوجَهَاits towers
وَتَحْسِبُهُ قد سارَ يَرْمِي بُرُوجَهَا
بِخَيْلٍwith horses عليهاagainst it كالبروجِlike towers يُغيرُhe charges
بِخَيْلٍ عليها كالبروجِ يُغيرُ
You imagine he has marched to strike its celestial towers
You’d think his towers attack the stars’ mansions
With horses like towers, charging against them.
With horses that like the mansions plunder and raid.
وَماand not قَلْبُهاits heart مِمَّاamong those whose يَقَرُّsettles خُفُوقُهُits fluttering
وَما قَلْبُها مِمَّا يَقَرُّ خُفُوقُهُ
وَلاnor طَرْفُهاits eye حتىuntil يعودَhe returns قَرِيرُcomforted
وَلا طَرْفُها حتى يعودَ قَرِيرُ
Its heart cannot still its fluttering,
Yet the stars feel no restlessness from his troops' clatter,
Nor can its eye find comfort until he returns.
No glance of theirs until they return, mild.
سواءٌalike عليهto him خَيْلُهُhis horses وَرِكابُهُand his riding camels
سواءٌ عليه خَيْلُهُ وَرِكابُهُ
وَسَرْجٌand a horse-saddle إذاwhen جابَhe traversed الفَلاةَthe wilderness وَكُورُand camel-saddles
وَسَرْجٌ إذا جابَ الفَلاةَ وَكُورُ
His horses and riding camels are alike to him,
His cavalry and riders the same over plainswandering,
As are horse-saddles and camel-saddles when he crosses the wilderness.
And saddles when roaming the deserts remote.
لقدindeed جَهِلَتْdid not know دَاوِيَّةُthe Templars of الكُفْرِunbelief بَأسَهُhis might
لقد جَهِلَتْ دَاوِيَّةُ الكُفْرِ بَأسَهُ
وَغَرَّهُمand deluded them بالمسلمينَconcerning the Muslims غَرورُa deceiver
وَغَرَّهُم بالمسلمينَ غَرورُ
The Templars of unbelief did not know his might,
The fortresses of unbelief knew not his might
And a deceiver deluded them concerning the Muslims.
And were fooled about Muslims, so sure and smug.
فلاso not بُورِكُواmay they be blessed مِنْas إِخْوَةٍbrothers إنَّindeed أُمَّهُمْtheir mother
فلا بُورِكُوا مِنْ إِخْوَةٍ إنَّ أُمَّهُمْ
وَإنْand though كَثُرَتْwere numerous منهاfrom her البَنُونَthe sons نَزُورُscant of offspring
وَإنْ كَثُرَتْ منها البَنُونَ نَزُورُ
No blessing upon them as a brotherhood! Their mother,
No blessing upon siblings whose mother –
Though many sons are born of her, is scant of offspring.
Though many her sons – is mean and cheap.
فَإنْso if غَلُظَتْgrew thick مِنْهُمْamong them رِقَابٌnecks لِبُعْدِهِbecause of his distance
فَإنْ غَلُظَتْ مِنْهُمْ رِقَابٌ لِبُعْدِهِ
فَماyet not انْحَطَّfell away عَنْهاfrom them لِلْمَذَلَّةِof humiliation نِيرُa yoke
فَما انْحَطَّ عَنْها لِلْمَذَلَّةِ نِيرُ
If their necks have grown thick because he is distant,
When their necks were rigid with alienation,
The yoke of humiliation has not fallen from them.
No yoke upon them for humiliation bent.
أَلَمْdid not تَعْلَمُواyou know أنَّاthat we نُواصِلُmaintain ties إنْif جَفَواthey shun
أَلَمْ تَعْلَمُوا أنَّا نُواصِلُ إنْ جَفَوا
وَأنَّاand that we علىdespite بعدthe distance of المزارthe journey نَزُورُvisit
وَأنَّا على بعد المزار نَزُورُ
Did you not know that we maintain ties when they shun us,
Do you not know we keep ties though they shun,
And visit despite the distance of the journey?
And though the graves are far, we visit friends?
يَظُنُّونَthey suppose خَيْلَthe horses of المُسلمينَthe Muslims يَصُدُّهاkeeps them back
يَظُنُّونَ خَيْلَ المُسلمينَ يَصُدُّها
عَنِfrom العَدْوِcharging فيin أرضِthe territory of العَدُوِّthe enemy دُحُورُrepulse
عَنِ العَدْوِ في أرضِ العَدُوِّ دُحُورُ
They think the Muslims' horses are kept
They thought the Muslim cavalry would be held back
From charging in enemy territory by repulse.
From the enemy in enemy lands barred.
أماwas it not زُلْزِلَتْshaken بالعادياتِby charging steeds وَجاءهاand came to it
أما زُلْزِلَتْ بالعادياتِ وَجاءها
مِنَfrom التُّرْكِthe Turks جَمٌّa multitude لاnot يُعَدُّcounted غَفِيرُteeming
مِنَ التُّرْكِ جَمٌّ لا يُعَدُّ غَفِيرُ
Was it not shaken by charging steeds, and did there not come to it
But it shook them with sudden raids,
An innumerable, teeming multitude of Turks?
And countless Turks came, wave upon wave poured.
أتَوْاthey came بِطِمرَّاتٍwith swift mares مِنَamong الجُرْدِthe sleek-coated horses سُيِّرَتْdriven onward
أتَوْا بِطِمرَّاتٍ مِنَ الجُرْدِ سُيِّرَتْ
وَرَجْلٍand foot soldiers لهُمْof theirs مِثْلُlike الجَرادِlocusts طُمُورُleaping
وَرَجْلٍ لهُمْ مِثْلُ الجَرادِ طُمُورُ
They came with swift, sleek-coated mares driven onward,
They brought assembled regiments, their feet
And foot soldiers who leap like locusts.
Like locusts, countless, massed and horde upon horde.
فَلَمْso not يَرْقُبواdid they heed مِنْfrom صَرْحٍthe tower of هامانَHaman مَرْقَباًa lookout
فَلَمْ يَرْقُبوا مِنْ صَرْحٍ هامانَ مَرْقَباً
بهامَتِهِat its summit بَرْدُthe hail of السَّحابِthe clouds بَكُورُarriving early
بهامَتِهِ بَرْدُ السَّحابِ بَكُورُ
They heeded no lookout in Haman's tower,
They eyed no fortress’ outlook, so towering and high,
Whose summit the clouds' hail visits early.
Its battlements not chilled by the clouds so cold.
وصُبَّand was poured عليهمupon them عارضٌa rain cloud مِنْof حِجَارةٍstones
وصُبَّ عليهم عارضٌ مِنْ حِجَارةٍ
ونَبْلٍand arrows وكُلٌّand each بالعَذابِwith torment مَطِيرُraining
ونَبْلٍ وكُلٌّ بالعَذابِ مَطِيرُ
A cloudburst of stones was poured upon them,
And down upon them poured a storm of boulders,
And arrows; each shower rained torment.
Arrows and spears, raining punishment untold.
وسامُوهُand they subjected it to خَسْفاًdestruction مِنْthrough ثُقُوبٍopenings كأنَّهاas though they were
وسامُوهُ خَسْفاً مِنْ ثُقُوبٍ كأنَّها
أثافٍhearthstones لهاfor them تلْكَthose البُرُوجُtowers قُدُورٌcooking pots
أثافٍ لها تلْكَ البُرُوجُ قُدُورٌ
They subjected it to destruction through openings resembling
They raced them with caves, as if cauldrons
Hearthstones, with those towers as their cooking pots.
Whose lids are the fixed stars in heaven's domes.
فَذاَقُواso they tasted بهthere مُرَّthe bitterness of الحِصَارِsiege فأصْبَحُواand became
فَذاَقُوا به مُرَّ الحِصَارِ فأصْبَحُوا
لهمfor them ذلكthat الحِصْنُfortress الحَصِينُimpregnable حَصِيرُa prison
لهم ذلك الحِصْنُ الحَصِينُ حَصِيرُ
There they tasted the bitterness of siege, and found
So they tasted the bitterness of siege, and their fortress,
That impregnable fortress had become their prison.
Once so impregnable, became a flimsy enclosure.
يَصِيحونَthey cry out أعلىatop السُّورِthe wall خوْفاًin fear كصافِنٍlike a standing horse
يَصِيحونَ أعلى السُّورِ خوْفاً كصافِنٍ
نَفَىdrove away عنهfrom it نَوْمَthe sleep of المُقْلَتَيْنِthe two eyes صَفِيرُa whistle
نَفَى عنه نَوْمَ المُقْلَتَيْنِ صَفِيرُ
They cried atop the wall in fear, like a standing horse
They cry from the parapets in fright, like scrawny
Whose eyes a whistle has deprived of sleep.
Goats whose bleating denies the weary rest.
وماذاand what يَرُدُّwards off السُّورُthe wall عنهمfrom them وخلفَهُand beyond it
وماذا يَرُدُّ السُّورُ عنهم وخلفَهُ
مِنَof الخَيْلِhorses سُورٌa wall والصَّوارِمِand of sharp swords سُورُa wall
مِنَ الخَيْلِ سُورٌ والصَّوارِمِ سُورُ
What can the wall ward off from them, when beyond it
What use are walls, while behind are horsemen and blades,
Stands a wall of horses and a wall of sharp swords?
Wall upon wall, and sword upon keening sword?
فلماthen when أحَسُّواthey felt بَأْسَthe might of أغْلَبَa lion هِمَّةًin resolve
فلما أحَسُّوا بَأْسَ أغْلَبَ هِمَّةً
غَدُوٌّcoming in the morning إليهمagainst them بالرَّدَىwith death وبَكُورُand arriving early
غَدُوٌّ إليهم بالرَّدَى وبَكُورُ
When they felt the might of a lion in resolve,
When they sensed a might that crushed their vigor,
Coming early against them with death,
They called for safety, and the robe of life tore.
دعَوْهُthey called to him وشمْلُand the fabric of النَّصْرِvictory منهمamong them مُمَزَّقٌtorn apart
دعَوْهُ وشمْلُ النَّصْرِ منهم مُمَزَّقٌ
أماناًfor safe conduct وجلْبابُand the garment of الحياةِlife بَقِيرُrent open
أماناً وجلْبابُ الحياةِ بَقِيرُ
They called to him, their fabric of victory torn apart,
The Frank lent them that trick, for he saw
For safe conduct, their garment of life rent open.
A borrower who would restore it intact, fool no more.
أعارَهُمُlent them افْرَنْسِيسُAfransis تِلْكَthat وَسِيلَةًas a means
أعارَهُمُ افْرَنْسِيسُ تِلْكَ وَسِيلَةً
رأىhe saw مُسْتَعيراًblazing غِبَّهاin its aftermath وسَعيرُand a blaze
رأى مُسْتَعيراً غِبَّها وسَعيرُ
Afransis lent them that as a means of escape;
He ransomed himself with wealth, family and fled,
He had seen a blaze flaring in its wake.
His birds all flown from their incoming death.
فَدَىhe ransomed نفسَهُhimself بالمالِwith wealth والآلِand family وَانثَنَىand turned away
فَدَى نفسَهُ بالمالِ والآلِ وَانثَنَى
تَطِيرُfly بهwith him مِنْfrom حيثُwhere جاءَhe came طُيُورُbirds
تَطِيرُ به مِنْ حيثُ جاءَ طُيُورُ
He ransomed himself with wealth and family, then turned away,
So speak no more of what they were yesterday,
Birds flying off with him from where he had come.
For it stirs the rancor lying in swords that slay.
فلاso do not تَذْكُرُواmention ماwhat كانَhappened بالأمْسِyesterday منهمُfrom them
فلا تَذْكُرُوا ما كانَ بالأمْسِ منهمُ
فذاكَfor that لأَحْقادِof the grudges of السُّيُوفِthe swords مُثِيرُa stirrer
فذاكَ لأَحْقادِ السُّيُوفِ مُثِيرُ
Do not mention what they did yesterday:
Had the Sultan of the Plains wished, their blood
That would stir the swords' old grudges.
Would have swelled the Nile, wave after crimson wave.
فلوso had شاءَhe wished سُلْطَانُthe sovereign of البَسِيطَةِthe earth ساقَهُمْhe would have driven them
فلو شاءَ سُلْطَانُ البَسِيطَةِ ساقَهُمْ
لِمِصْرٍto Egypt وتَحْتَand beneath الفارِسَيْنِthe two horsemen بَعِيرُa camel
لِمِصْرٍ وتَحْتَ الفارِسَيْنِ بَعِيرُ
Had the sovereign of the earth wished, he would have driven them
Like the Feast of Sacrifice, how fine the sight -
To Egypt, with one camel beneath every two horsemen.
Fatted calves strewn, as offerings freely given.
تُبَشّرُgives glad tidings to مِصْرEgypt دائماًalways بِقُدُومِهِمْof their arrival
تُبَشّرُ مِصْر دائماً بِقُدُومِهِمْ
إذاwhen فَصَلَتْset out منهمfrom them لِغزَّةfor Gaza عِيرُa caravan
إذا فَصَلَتْ منهم لِغزَّة عِيرُ
Egypt is always given glad tidings of their arrival
But in his forbearance and power lies pardon
Whenever a caravan of theirs sets out for Gaza.
For grievous sins, Most Forgiving, Gentle and Kind.
تَسُرُّهُمْdelights them عندupon القُفولِthe return بِضاعَةmerchandise
تَسُرُّهُمْ عند القُفولِ بِضاعَة
وَتَحْفَظُand keeps منهمْfrom among them إِخْوَةًbrethren وَتَمِيرُand supplies provisions
وَتَحْفَظُ منهمْ إِخْوَةً وَتَمِيرُ
Merchandise delights them on their return,
He spared them but for the like, wise ruler
While it keeps brethren of theirs and supplies provisions.
Whose view is sound, in judgments most fair and just.
ولوand had شاءَhe wished مَدَّswollen النِّيلَthe Nile سَيْلُa torrent of دمائِهِمْtheir blood
ولو شاءَ مَدَّ النِّيلَ سَيْلُ دمائِهِمْ
وَزَفَّتْand sent rushing نُحُورٌthroats ماءَهُits water وسُحُورُand lungs
وَزَفَّتْ نُحُورٌ ماءَهُ وسُحُورُ
Had he wished, a torrent of their blood would have swollen the Nile,
His pen shows favor, with blessings it flows,
And throats and lungs would have sent its water rushing,
While for traitorous tyrants, it harsh justice bestows.
بِعِيدٍin a festival كَعِيدِlike the Feast of النَّحْرِSacrifice ياoh حُسْنَthe beauty of ماwhat يُرَىis seen
بِعِيدٍ كَعِيدِ النَّحْرِ يا حُسْنَ ما يُرَى
بهthere مِنْof عُلوجٍforeign warriors كالعُجُولِlike calves جَزُورُslaughtered
به مِنْ عُلوجٍ كالعُجُولِ جَزُورُ
In a festival like the Feast of Sacrifice—how fine the sight
Let not the workers covet riches, for he
Of foreign warriors slaughtered there like calves!
Is zealous for the treasury of all Muslims.
وَلكنَّهbut he مِنْthrough حِلمِهِhis forbearance وَاقتِدَارِهِand his power
وَلكنَّه مِنْ حِلمِهِ وَاقتِدَارِهِ
عَفُوٌّpardoning عَنِof الذَّنْبِthe sin العظيمgreat غفورُforgiving
عَفُوٌّ عَنِ الذَّنْبِ العظيم غفورُ
But through his forbearance and his power,
His justice makes the sentence for criminals long,
He pardons and forgives even the greatest sin.
And the lifetime of betrayers fleetingly short.
وَلَمْand not يُبْقِهِمْdid he preserve them إِلَّاexcept خَمِيراًas leaven لِمِثْلِهاfor another like it
وَلَمْ يُبْقِهِمْ إِلَّا خَمِيراً لِمِثْلِها
مَلِيكٌa king يَجُبُّcuts through الرَّأْيَcounsel وَهْوَwhile he خَبِيرُis well informed
مَلِيكٌ يَجُبُّ الرَّأْيَ وَهْوَ خَبِيرُ
He preserved them only as leaven for another such occasion—
With wisdom, piety and knowledge threefold combined,
A king who cuts through counsel, well informed.
Do the aspects of his great buildings point and remind.
يَرَىhe regards الرَّأْيَjudgment مُزَّas sharp الرَّاحِwine يهْوَىhe loves عَتيقهُits aged vintage
يَرَى الرَّأْيَ مُزَّ الرَّاحِ يهْوَى عَتيقهُ
وَيَكْرَهُand dislikes منهof it الحُلْوُthe sweetness وَهْوَwhile it عَصِيرُis fresh juice
وَيَكْرَهُ منه الحُلْوُ وَهْوَ عَصِيرُ
He regards judgment as sharp wine, loving its aged vintage,
A minaret piercing the darkening gloom,
And disliking its sweetness while it is still fresh juice.
Flooded with guidance for all peoples, brilliant and bright.
فَوَلَّوْاso they turned away وَسوءُand the ill الظَّنِّsuspicion يَلْوِيtwists وُجُوهَهُمْtheir faces
فَوَلَّوْا وَسوءُ الظَّنِّ يَلْوِي وُجُوهَهُمْ
فَتَحْسِبُهاso you think them صُوراًwry-necked وماand not هِيَthey صُورُwry-necked
فَتَحْسِبُها صُوراً وما هِيَ صُورُ
They turned away, suspicion twisting their faces,
Wherever you turn your face towards it,
So you think them wry-necked, though wry-necked they are not.
It meets you with vividness and delight.
وقدand indeed شَغَرَتْbecame empty مِنهمْof them حُصونٌfortresses أَواهِلٌpopulous
وقد شَغَرَتْ مِنهمْ حُصونٌ أَواهِلٌ
وماand not راعهاalarmed them مِنْfrom قبلbefore ذاكthat شُغُورُemptiness
وما راعها مِنْ قبل ذاك شُغُورُ
Populous fortresses were emptied of them,
The envious glance at it ruefully,
Though never before had emptiness alarmed those forts.
Their eyes return downcast, humbled in their spite.
فللَّهِhow wondrous سلطانُthe sovereign of البسيطَةِthe earth إنَّهُindeed he
فللَّهِ سلطانُ البسيطَةِ إنَّهُ
مَليكٌa king يَسِيرُtravels النَّصْرُvictory حيثُwherever يسيرُhe travels
مَليكٌ يَسِيرُ النَّصْرُ حيثُ يسيرُ
How wondrous is the sovereign of the earth! He is
How the stars envied its towering height,
A king whom victory follows wherever he goes.
The full moons jealous of its perfect light!
ويُغْمِدُand he sheathes فيin هامِthe heads of الملوكِkings حُسامَهُhis sword
ويُغْمِدُ في هامِ الملوكِ حُسامَهُ
ويَرْهَبُand fears منْamong هامِthe heads of المُلوكِkings غَفيرُa multitude
ويَرْهَبُ منْ هامِ المُلوكِ غَفيرُ
He sheathes his sword in the heads of kings,
When the muezzin stands calling God's name therein,
And a multitude of royal heads fears him.
He seems but a companion to the heavenly stars.
ويَجْمَعُand he gathers مِنْfrom أَشْلائِهِمْtheir limbs مُتَفَرِّقاًwhat is scattered
ويَجْمَعُ مِنْ أَشْلائِهِمْ مُتَفَرِّقاً
بِصارِمهِwith his sharp sword جَمْعَas the gathering of الهَشِيمdry brush حَظيرُan enclosure-builder
بِصارِمهِ جَمْعَ الهَشِيم حَظيرُ
He gathers their scattered limbs
So for people, his call and prayers mean predawn meals
With his blade, as an enclosure-builder gathers dry brush.
And meals after sunset, when the echoes return.
فَأَخْلِقْhow fitting بأنْthat يَبْقَىhe endure وَيَبْقَىand endure لِمُلْكِهِfor his reign
فَأَخْلِقْ بأنْ يَبْقَى وَيَبْقَى لِمُلْكِهِ
ثَناءٌpraise حَكاهُimitated it عَنْبَرٌambergris وعَبيرُand perfume
ثَناءٌ حَكاهُ عَنْبَرٌ وعَبيرُ
How fitting that he endure, and that his reign retain
The dome of the hospital is without flaw,
Praise whose fragrance ambergris and perfume imitate!
Though time continues its relentless flow.
وتأتيهand comes to him خَيْلُthe cavalry of اللَّهِGod منfrom كَلِّevery وِجْهَةٍdirection
وتأتيه خَيْلُ اللَّهِ من كَلِّ وِجْهَةٍ
يُؤَيَّدُis reinforced منهاfrom it بالنفيرِby a host نفيرُa host
يُؤَيَّدُ منها بالنفيرِ نفيرُ
God's cavalry comes to him from every direction,
Pure air that revives souls with its breath,
One host reinforced by another.
A place of rest, and for brittle bones, life anew.
وَيَحْمِلَand may he bear كَلَّthe burden of المُلْكِkingship عنهfor him وإصْرَهُand its load
وَيَحْمِلَ كَلَّ المُلْكِ عنه وإصْرَهُ
حَرِيٌّone fit بِتَدْبيرِto direct الأُمورِaffairs جَدِيرُworthy
حَرِيٌّ بِتَدْبيرِ الأُمورِ جَدِيرُ
And may the burden of kingship and its load be borne for him
It exhales, each spirit finds its body,
By one fit and worthy to direct affairs.
As if the Breath of Life, blowing the Trumpet of Dread.
أَخُوa man of عَزَماتٍfirm resolves فالبَعِيدُso the distant منَof العُلاthe heights of glory
أَخُو عَزَماتٍ فالبَعِيدُ منَ العُلا
لَدَيْهِto him قرِيبٌnear والعسيرُand the difficult يَسيرُeasy
لَدَيْهِ قرِيبٌ والعسيرُ يَسيرُ
A man of firm resolves: the distant heights of glory
If bodies knew its dust grants life again to flesh,
Are near to him, and difficulty is ease.
In illness and death, they would flock to it ahead.
تَكادُalmost إذاwhen ماever أُبْرِمَتare firmly settled عَزَماتُهُhis resolves
تَكادُ إذا ما أُبْرِمَت عَزَماتُهُ
لهاbefore them الأرضُthe earth تُطْوَىis folded وَالجِبالُand the mountains تَسيرُmove
لها الأرضُ تُطْوَى وَالجِبالُ تَسيرُ
When his resolves are firmly settled,
No tomb would wear down the dead,
The earth almost folds before them, and the mountains move.
No sickbed hear complaints from one abed.
دَعَانِيinvited me إلَىto مَغْنَاهُhis residence داعٍa caller وَليسَand there is not لِيfor me
دَعَانِي إلَى مَغْنَاهُ داعٍ وَليسَ لِي
جَنانٌa heart عَلَىbefore ذاكَthat الجَنابِaugust presence جَسورُbold
جَنانٌ عَلَى ذاكَ الجَنابِ جَسورُ
A caller invited me to his residence, but I have no
In its garden, leaves whispering water between them,
Heart bold enough to approach that august presence.
Yearning murmurs, soft rustling sounds.
فقلتُso I said لهto him دَعْنِيleave me وَسَيْرِيand my journey لِماجِدٍtoward a noble man
فقلتُ له دَعْنِي وَسَيْرِي لِماجِدٍ
لَهُfor him اللَّهُGod فيin كُلِّall الأُمورِaffairs يُجِيرُgrants protection
لَهُ اللَّهُ في كُلِّ الأُمورِ يُجِيرُ
I told him: leave me to my journey toward a noble man
People told me of its wonders, descriptions
Whom God protects in every affair.
Like faces of nymphs unveiled, perfect and pure.
إذاwhen جِئْتُهُI come to him وَحْدِيalone يقُومُrise بِنُصْرَتيto support me
إذا جِئْتُهُ وَحْدِي يقُومُ بِنُصْرَتي
قبائلُtribes مِنْfrom إقبالِهِhis favor وعَشيرُand a clan
قبائلُ مِنْ إقبالِهِ وعَشيرُ
When I come to him alone, there rise to support me
Its beauties called to me, nothing else,
Tribes and a clan formed from his favor.
As if a doe, not people, cried out for them, stirred.
فَتىًa man أَبْدَتِrevealed الدُّنياthe world عواقِبَهاits consequences لَهُto him
فَتىً أَبْدَتِ الدُّنيا عواقِبَها لَهُ
وَأَفْضَتْand disclosed بماwhat فيهاis within it لَدَيْهِbefore him صُدُورُhearts
وَأَفْضَتْ بما فيها لَدَيْهِ صُدُورُ
A man to whom the world has revealed its consequences,
My heart imagined its charms all night, displaying them
And hearts have disclosed to him what lies within it.
Before my eyes, though deep in sweet sleep laid.
فَغَفْلَتُهُso his heedlessness مِنْthrough شدَّةِthe strength of الحَزْمِvigilance يَقْظَةٌwakefulness
فَغَفْلَتُهُ مِنْ شدَّةِ الحَزْمِ يَقْظَةٌ
وَغَيْبَتُهُand his absence عَمَّاfrom what يُريدُhe seeks حُضورُpresence
وَغَيْبَتُهُ عَمَّا يُريدُ حُضورُ
His heedlessness, through the strength of his vigilance, is wakefulness;
Beauty cannot be described unless the one portraying
His absence from what he seeks is presence.
Adores the one portrayed, enamored and obsessed.
وماand not كلُّevery فضلٍexcellence فيهin him إِلَّاexcept سَجِيَّةٌan innate disposition
وما كلُّ فضلٍ فيه إِلَّا سَجِيَّةٌ
يُشاركُshares فيهاin it ظاهرٌthe outward self وضميرُand the inward heart
يُشاركُ فيها ظاهرٌ وضميرُ
Every excellence in him is an innate disposition
A pretentious hack appeared, his serpent's tongue
Shared by his outward self and inward heart.
Hissing hidden venom in verses he addressed.
فليسso there is not لهfor him عندَat النَّزالِcombat مُحَرِّضٌan instigator
فليس له عندَ النَّزالِ مُحَرِّضٌ
وليسand there is not لهfor him عندat النَّوالِgiving سفيرُan intermediary
وليس له عند النَّوالِ سفيرُ
He needs no instigator at the hour of combat,
Seeing me, he shunned and diminished me,
Nor an intermediary at the hour of giving.
As if I am deep down in a bottle, sealed!
هُوَhe السَّيْفُthe sword فاحذرْso beware صَفْحَةًa flat side لِغِرَارِهِbeside its sharp edge
هُوَ السَّيْفُ فاحذرْ صَفْحَةً لِغِرَارِهِ
فَبَيْنَهُماfor between the two لِلَّامِسِينَfor those touching غُرورُdeception
فَبَيْنَهُما لِلَّامِسِينَ غُرورُ
He is the sword: beware its flat, for its sharp edge;
He admired his own plumpness, and that I
Between the two lies deception for those who touch.
Am thin, pleasing eyes that spot flowing faults.
مَهيبٌawe-inspiring وَهوبٌlavish in giving لِلْمُحاوِلِto the one seeking جُودَهُhis generosity
مَهيبٌ وَهوبٌ لِلْمُحاوِلِ جُودَهُ
جَوادٌmunificent ولِلَّيثِand toward the lion الهَصُورِcrushing هَصُورُa crusher
جَوادٌ ولِلَّيثِ الهَصُورِ هَصُورُ
Awe-inspiring and lavish to whoever seeks his generosity,
He knew not that pearls are small in size,
He is munificent, and a crusher of the crushing lion.
Yet priceless still, cherished by kings of prestige.
إشاراتُهُhis gestures فيماin what يَرومُhe seeks صَوارمٌsharp swords
إشاراتُهُ فيما يَرومُ صَوارمٌ
وساعاتُهُand his hours عماfor what يَسَعْنَthey encompass دُهُورُages
وساعاتُهُ عما يَسَعْنَ دُهُورُ
His gestures in pursuit of his aims are sharp swords;
A perceptive soul aided me against him,
His hours, for what they encompass, are ages.
Clement, though mild, in calm dignity composed.
إذاwhen هَجرَabandoned الناسُpeople الهجيرَthe midday heat لكَرْبِهِمْbecause of their distress
إذا هَجرَ الناسُ الهجيرَ لكَرْبِهِمْ
يَلَذُّis delightful لهُto him أَنَّthat الزَّمانَthe age هَجيرُis scorching
يَلَذُّ لهُ أَنَّ الزَّمانَ هَجيرُ
When people abandon the midday heat in their distress,
No injustice stains his judgments, but still
He delights that the age itself is scorching.
Against traitorous tyrants, harsh justice he imposed.
وَهلْand would يَتَّقِيshun حَرَّthe heat of الزَّمانِtime ابنُthe son of غادَةٍa graceful woman
وَهلْ يَتَّقِي حَرَّ الزَّمانِ ابنُ غادَةٍ
جَليلٌnoble عَلَىunder حَرِّthe heat of الزَّمانِtime صَبُورُpatient
جَليلٌ عَلَى حَرِّ الزَّمانِ صَبُورُ
Would the son of a graceful woman shun the heat of time—
For workers, their wealth alone draws their gaze,
A noble man, patient under time's heat?
While for the Muslims' treasury he is fiercely protective.
يُحاذِرُهُfears him المَوْتُdeath الزُّؤَامُdeadly إذاwhen سطاhe strikes
يُحاذِرُهُ المَوْتُ الزُّؤَامُ إذا سطا
ولكنهbut he مِنْof أنْbeing يُلامَblamed حَذُورُwary
ولكنه مِنْ أنْ يُلامَ حَذُورُ
Deadly death itself fears him when he strikes,
His pen writes what will be, while what they scheme
Yet he is wary of incurring blame.
Is but hours flitting without achievement, ever-fugitive.
وتَسْتَهْوِنُand makes light of الأهوالَterrors فيin المَجْدِglory نَفْسُهُhis soul
وتَسْتَهْوِنُ الأهوالَ في المَجْدِ نَفْسُهُ
وَتَسْتَحْقِرُand deems small المَوْهُوبَthe gift وهْوَthough it خَطيرُis immense
وَتَسْتَحْقِرُ المَوْهُوبَ وهْوَ خَطيرُ
His soul makes light of terrors in pursuit of glory,
Gladly he accepts time's abandonment, when people despair,
And deems his gifts small, though they are immense.
Son of Ghadah, lofty in adversity, steadfast and brave.
مَكَارِمُهُhis generous deeds لَمْnot تُبْقِleft فَقْراًpoverty ورَأْيُهُand his judgment
مَكَارِمُهُ لَمْ تُبْقِ فَقْراً ورَأْيُهُ
إلىfor بعضِهsome of it أغنَىthe wealthiest of الملوكِkings فقيرُin need
إلى بعضِه أغنَى الملوكِ فقيرُ
His generous deeds have left no poverty, while his judgment—
Does the son of Muqlah fear death's specter when it looms?
Even the wealthiest king needs some share of it.
Nay, he fears only to be blamed when graves await.
كَفَتْهُspared him سُطاهُhis might أَنْhaving to يُجَهِّزَmuster عَسْكَراًan army
كَفَتْهُ سُطاهُ أَنْ يُجَهِّزَ عَسْكَراً
وآراؤُهُand his judgments أَنْhaving to يُسْتَشارَbe consulted وَزِيرُa minister
وآراؤُهُ أَنْ يُسْتَشارَ وَزِيرُ
His might spares him the need to muster an army,
His soul scorns terrors for glory’s sake,
And his judgments spare him the consultation of a minister.
And spurns gifts, though precious and direly craved.
فواطَنَso settled in أَطْرافَthe ends of البَسِيطَةِthe earth ذِكْرُهُhis renown
فواطَنَ أَطْرافَ البَسِيطَةِ ذِكْرُهُ
وصِينَتْand were protected حُصُونٌfortresses باسمِهِby his name وثُغُورُand frontier posts
وصِينَتْ حُصُونٌ باسمِهِ وثُغُورُ
His renown has settled at the ends of the earth,
No innate merit in him, but qualities shared –
And fortresses and frontier posts are protected by his name.
Outward and inner self both partake and achieve.
مُحَيَّاهُhis face طَلْقٌcheerful باسِمٌsmiling رَوْضُthe garden of كَفِّهِhis hand
مُحَيَّاهُ طَلْقٌ باسِمٌ رَوْضُ كَفِّهِ
أرِيضٌlush وَماءُand the water of البِشْرِcheerfulness منهfrom him نمِيرُwholesome
أرِيضٌ وَماءُ البِشْرِ منه نمِيرُ
His face is cheerful and smiling; the garden of his hand
No war drives him; no peace lures him.
Is lush, and the water of his cheerfulness is wholesome.
His sword suffices; warnings are vain.
حَكَىhe mirrored البحرَthe sea وصْفاًin description مِنْthrough طهارَةِthe purity of كَفِّهِhis hand
حَكَى البحرَ وصْفاً مِنْ طهارَةِ كَفِّهِ
فقيلso it was said لهُof him مِنْfor أَجْلِthe sake of ذاكthat طَهُورُpurifying
فقيل لهُ مِنْ أَجْلِ ذاك طَهُورُ
He mirrored the sea in the purity of his hand;
Overpowering in its flash, yet a slick surface
Thus, for that reason, he was called purifying.
Hides its edge, no grip for fools to naively grasp.
وَماand not هُوَhe إِلَّاexcept كِيمياءُthe alchemy of سعادةٍhappiness
وَما هُوَ إِلَّا كِيمياءُ سعادةٍ
وَوَصْفِيand my description لتلكَof that الكِيمياءalchemy شُذُورُscattered fragments
وَوَصْفِي لتلكَ الكِيمياء شُذُورُ
He is nothing but the alchemy of happiness,
Awe-inspiring, terrifying the daring assailant,
And my description of that alchemy is scattered fragments.
Generous, fierce against the daring predator.
بهاthrough it قامَattained شِعْرِيmy verse لِلْخَلاصِpurity فماso not أَرَىI see
بها قامَ شِعْرِي لِلْخَلاصِ فما أَرَى
لِشِعْرِيfor my verse امْتِحانَthe testing of الناقِدِينَthe critics نَصيرُa champion
لِشِعْرِي امْتِحانَ الناقِدِينَ نَصيرُ
Through it my verse attained purity, yet I see no
His hints at what he intends are swords unsheathed,
Champion for my verse against the critics' testing.
His times unknown, spanning ages.
وَرُبَّand many a أَدِيبٍman of letters ذِيpossessing لِسانٍa tongue كَمِبْرَدٍlike a file
وَرُبَّ أَدِيبٍ ذِي لِسانٍ كَمِبْرَدٍ
بَدَاappeared مِنْfrom فَمٍa mouth كالكِيرِlike bellows أَوْor هُوَit كِيرُis bellows
بَدَا مِنْ فَمٍ كالكِيرِ أَوْ هُوَ كِيرُ
Many a man of letters has a tongue like a file,
When people shun the outcast in his woe,
Protruding from a mouth like bellows—or itself bellows.
He delights that time is likewise forlorn.
أَرادَhe intended امْتحاناًa test لِيfor me فَزَيَّفَso debased لَفْظَهُhis wording
أَرادَ امْتحاناً لِي فَزَيَّفَ لَفْظَهُ
نَتانٌa stench بَدَاemerged مِنْfrom نَظْمِهِhis verse وخَرِيرُand gurgling
نَتانٌ بَدَا مِنْ نَظْمِهِ وخَرِيرُ
He intended to test me, but his wording was debased by
Can the son of Ghadah fear time's heat?
A stench and gurgling that emerged from his verse.
Sublime over time's cruelty, patient and serene.
إذَاwhen ماever رَآنيhe sees me عَافَنِيhe loathes me وَاسْتَقَلَّنِيand belittles me
إذَا ما رَآني عَافَنِي وَاسْتَقَلَّنِي
كأنِّيَas though I فيin قَعْرِthe bottom of الزُّجَاجَةِthe bottle سُورُdregs
كأنِّيَ في قَعْرِ الزُّجَاجَةِ سُورُ
Whenever he sees me, he loathes and belittles me,
He avoids death's specter when it looms,
As though I were dregs at the bottom of a bottle.
Yet dreads not to be blamed when the end draws near.
وَيُعْجِبُهُand pleases him أَنّيthat I نَحِيفٌam thin وأَنّهand that he
وَيُعْجِبُهُ أَنّي نَحِيفٌ وأَنّه
سَمِينٌis fat يَسُرُّdelights الناظِرينَonlookers طَرِيرُhandsome
سَمِينٌ يَسُرُّ الناظِرينَ طَرِيرُ
It pleases him that I am thin, and that he
Were it not for his generosity,
Is fat, handsome, and pleasing to onlookers.
The Prince would not grant us miracles, revered.
وَلَمْand not يَدرِdid he know أَنَّthat الدُّرَّthe pearl يَصْغُرُis small جِرْمُهُits body
وَلَمْ يَدرِ أَنَّ الدُّرَّ يَصْغُرُ جِرْمُهُ
وَمقدارُهُand its worth عندamong الملوكِkings خطيرُimmense
وَمقدارُهُ عند الملوكِ خطيرُ
He does not know that a pearl is small in body,
For his piety, knowledge and wisdom -
Yet its worth among kings is immense.
The three aspects of his buildings point to their source.
فقامَso rose بِنَصْرِيto support me دونَهُagainst him ذَوa man of نَباهَةٍdistinction
فقامَ بِنَصْرِي دونَهُ ذَو نَباهَةٍ
حَلِيمٌforbearing إذاwhen خَفَّloses composure الحَلِيمُthe forbearing man وَقُورُdignified
حَلِيمٌ إذا خَفَّ الحَلِيمُ وَقُورُ
Against him, a man of distinction rose to support me—
So a minaret pierces the darkening gloom,
Forbearing and dignified when even the forbearing lose composure.
Flooding the world with guidance and light.
وَلاand no جَوْرَinjustice فيin أحْكَامِهِhis judgments غَيْرَexcept أَنهthat he
وَلا جَوْرَ في أحْكَامِهِ غَيْرَ أَنه
عَلَىagainst الخائِنِينَthe traitors الجَائرِينَthe oppressors يَجُورُdeals harshly
عَلَى الخائِنِينَ الجَائرِينَ يَجُورُ
There is no injustice in his judgments, except that
Turn to it from any direction,
He deals harshly with treacherous oppressors.
Its vividness and joy to you will alight.
فلاso let not تنْظُرِcast their eyes العُمَّالُthe officials لِلْمالِupon wealth إنَّهُindeed he
فلا تنْظُرِ العُمَّالُ لِلْمالِ إنَّهُ
عَلَىover بَيْتِthe house of مالِwealth of المُسْلِمينَthe Muslims غَيُورُa jealous guardian
عَلَى بَيْتِ مالِ المُسْلِمينَ غَيُورُ
Let officials not cast their eyes on wealth, for he
The envious glance in bitter despair,
Jealously guards the Muslims' treasury.
Their eyes turn down, humbled in their spite.
وأنَّand that عَذابَthe punishment of المُجْرِمِينَcriminals بِعَدْلِهِunder his justice
وأنَّ عَذابَ المُجْرِمِينَ بِعَدْلِهِ
طويلٌlong وعُمْرand the lifespan of الخائِنِينَtraitors قَصِيرُshort
طويلٌ وعُمْر الخائِنِينَ قَصِيرُ
Under his justice, the punishment of criminals
How the stars envied its towering height,
Is long, and the lives of traitors are short.
The full moons jealous of its perfect light!
لهhe has قَلَمٌa pen بالبأْسwith might يَجْرِيflows وَبالنَّدَىand with generosity
له قَلَمٌ بالبأْس يَجْرِي وَبالنَّدَى
فَفِيso on جانِبَيْهِits two sides جَنَّةٌparadise وَسَعِيرُand blazing fire
فَفِي جانِبَيْهِ جَنَّةٌ وَسَعِيرُ
He has a pen that flows with might and generosity;
When the muezzin stands calling God's name therein,
On its two sides are paradise and blazing fire.
He seems but a companion to the heavenly stars.
تُحَلِّيadorn الطَّرُوسَthe pages العاطِلاتunadorned سطورُهاtheir lines
تُحَلِّي الطَّرُوسَ العاطِلات سطورُها
كماas تَتحلَّىare adorned بالعُقُودِwith necklaces نُحُورُthroats
كما تَتحلَّى بالعُقُودِ نُحُورُ
Its lines adorn the unadorned pages,
His call reminds people of dawn and dusk prayers,
As necklaces adorn throats.
Echoes return when the sun sets and rises.
أُجَلّيI let roam لِحَاظِيmy eyes فيthrough خمائِلِthe groves of حُسْنِهِits beauty
أُجَلّي لِحَاظِي في خمائِلِ حُسْنِهِ
فَمِنْso from حَيْرَةٍbewilderment لَمْnot تَدْرِdid they know كيفَhow تَحُورُto return
فَمِنْ حَيْرَةٍ لَمْ تَدْرِ كيفَ تَحُورُ
I let my eyes roam through the groves of its beauty;
The hospital dome lacks flaws over time,
Bewildered, they do not know how to return.
As years flow on relentlessly, it defies.
عَلاsurpassed بعضُهُsome of it فيin القَدْرِdistinction بعضاًother parts كماas علاrose
عَلا بعضُهُ في القَدْرِ بعضاً كما علا
مَعَamid الحُسْنِbeauty زَهْرٌa blossom فيin الرِّياضِthe gardens نَضِيرُfresh
مَعَ الحُسْنِ زَهْرٌ في الرِّياضِ نَضِيرُ
Some parts surpass others in distinction, as there rises
Pure air revives souls with its breath,
A fresh blossom amid the beauty of gardens.
A place of rest, broken bones anew will rise.
حَكَىit resembled حَسَناتٍgood deeds فيin صحائِفِthe records of مُؤْمِنٍa believer
حَكَى حَسَناتٍ في صحائِفِ مُؤْمِنٍ
يُسَرُّis delighted كَبِيريٌّan elder بهاby them وَصَغِيرُand a younger one
يُسَرُّ كَبِيريٌّ بها وَصَغِيرُ
It resembles good deeds in a believer's records,
It exhales, each soul finds its body again,
Delighting elder and younger alike.
As if the Trumpet's breath blows, stirring graves.
فكانتْso it became شُكُولاًvaried forms منهfrom it زانَتْadorned حروفُهُits letters
فكانتْ شُكُولاً منه زانَتْ حروفُهُ
حِساباًan account قَلَتْscorned منهof it الصِّحاحَthe whole numbers كُسورُfractions
حِساباً قَلَتْ منه الصِّحاحَ كُسورُ
It took varied forms; its letters adorned
People told me of its wonders, descriptions
An account whose fractions scorned its whole numbers.
Like unveiled nymphs, perfect, pure.
فقلتُso I said وَقدwhen already راعَتْawed بِفَصْلِby the decisiveness of خِطَابِهِhis discourse
فقلتُ وَقد راعَتْ بِفَصْلِ خِطَابِهِ
وراقَتْand delighted عُيُونَthe eyes of الناظِرِينَonlookers سُطُورُlines
وراقَتْ عُيُونَ الناظِرِينَ سُطُورُ
I spoke when the decisiveness of his discourse had awed,
Its beauty called me, nothing less,
And its lines had delighted the eyes of onlookers:
As if a doe, not people, cried for it, stirred.
لَئِنif indeed جاءَهُمcame to them كَالغيثِlike rain مِنهُfrom it مُبَشِّراًa herald
لَئِن جاءَهُم كَالغيثِ مِنهُ مُبَشِّراً
فَقَدthen indeed جاءَهُمcame to them كَالموتِlike death مِنهُfrom it نَذيرُa warner
فَقَد جاءَهُم كَالموتِ مِنهُ نَذيرُ
If a herald came to them from it like rain,
My heart imagined its charms all night,
A warner also came to them from it like death.
Displaying them before my eyes in sweet sleep's mirth.
فوَيْلٌso woe لِقَوْمٍto a people مِنْfrom يَراعٍa reed pen كأنّهas though it
فوَيْلٌ لِقَوْمٍ مِنْ يَراعٍ كأنّه
خِلالٌa toothpick يَرُوعُterrifies الأُسْدَthe lions منهfrom it صَرِيرُscratching
خِلالٌ يَرُوعُ الأُسْدَ منه صَرِيرُ
Woe to a people from a reed pen resembling
No description, unless the one portraying
A toothpick, whose scratching terrifies lions!
Adores the one portrayed, obsessed from their birth.
وَلِمْand why لاnot وَآسادُwhen the lions of العرِينِthe lair لِداتُهُare its peers
وَلِمْ لا وَآسادُ العرِينِ لِداتُهُ
يَكُونُthere is لهfor it مثلُlike الأسودِthe lions زَئيرُa roar
يَكُونُ له مثلُ الأسودِ زَئيرُ
And why not, when the lions of the lair are its peers?
A pretentious hack appeared, envy in his soul,
It has a roar like that of lions.
His words' venom masked by poetic grace.
يَغُضُّlowers لَدَيْهِbefore it مُقْلَتَيْهِhis two eyes ابنُIbn مُقْلَةٍMuqla
يَغُضُّ لَدَيْهِ مُقْلَتَيْهِ ابنُ مُقْلَةٍ
كماas غضَّlowered مَنْone فِيin مُقْلَتَيْهِwhose two eyes بُثُورُpustules
كما غضَّ مَنْ فِي مُقْلَتَيْهِ بُثُورُ
Ibn Muqla lowers his two eyes before it,
Seeing me, he shunned and diminished me,
As one lowers eyes afflicted with pustules.
As if I'm deep in a sealed bottle, displaced!
وَأَنَّىand how could لُهُhe have لوeven if نالَهُreached him مِنْfrom تُرابِهِits dust
وَأَنَّى لُهُ لو نالَهُ مِنْ تُرابِهِ
ليَكْحَلَto anoint منهwith it مُقْلَتَيْهِhis two eyes ذَرُورُa powder
ليَكْحَلَ منه مُقْلَتَيْهِ ذَرُورُ
How could he obtain, even if its dust reached him,
He admired his own plumpness, while I
A powder from it to anoint his two eyes?
Am thin, in his eyes sorely thin and effaced.
وَقدand indeed كَفَّwithdrew عنْfrom كوفِيَّةٍKufic writing كَفَّthe retreat of عاجِزٍa helpless man
وَقد كَفَّ عنْ كوفِيَّةٍ كَفَّ عاجِزٍ
وفيهand in it نَظِيمٌstrung دُرُّهُits pearls ونَثِيرُand scattered
وفيه نَظِيمٌ دُرُّهُ ونَثِيرُ
He withdrew from Kufic writing with a helpless man's retreat,
Little he knew pearls are small in size,
While in this writing its pearls are strung and scattered.
Yet cherished by kings, their brilliance encased.
وَوَدَّand wished العَذارَىthe maidens لوْthat يُعَجِّلُit hasten نِحْلةًa gift
وَوَدَّ العَذارَى لوْ يُعَجِّلُ نِحْلةً
إليهنَّto them مِنْfrom تلكَthose الحُروفِletters مُهُورُdowries
إليهنَّ مِنْ تلكَ الحُروفِ مُهُورُ
Maidens wished that it would hasten a gift
A perceptive soul came to my aid,
To them: dowries from those letters.
Clement, though mild, composed in his place.
رَأَىhe saw ماwhat يَرُوقُdelights الطَّرْفَthe eye بلْrather ماwhat يَرُوعُهُterrifies it
رَأَى ما يَرُوقُ الطَّرْفَ بلْ ما يَرُوعُهُ
فَخَارَso he faltered وَذُوand one possessing القَلْبِa heart الضعيفِweak يَخُورُfalters
فَخَارَ وَذُو القَلْبِ الضعيفِ يَخُورُ
He saw what delights the eye—rather, what terrifies it—
No injustice in his fair judgments, unless
And faltered; one weak of heart will falter.
Against betrayers, his justice mills their grains to paste.
بَنىhe built ماwhat بَنَىbuilt كِسْرَىKisra وعادٌand Ad وَتُبَّعٌand Tubba
بَنى ما بَنَى كِسْرَى وعادٌ وَتُبَّعٌ
وليسَand are not سواءًequal مُؤْمِنٌa believer وَكَفُورُand an unbeliever
وليسَ سواءً مُؤْمِنٌ وَكَفُورُ
He built what Kisra, Ad, and Tubba built,
For workers, wealth alone draws their gaze,
But a believer and an unbeliever are not equal.
While for Muslims' treasury his care embraces.
ودَلَّand testified علىto تَقْوَىreverence for الإلهِGod أَساسُهُits foundation
ودَلَّ على تَقْوَى الإلهِ أَساسُهُ
كماas دَلَّtestified بالواديin the valley المُقَدَّسِsacred طُورُMount Tur
كما دَلَّ بالوادي المُقَدَّسِ طُورُ
Its foundation testified to reverence for God,
He built what Kisra never achieved,
As Mount Tur testified in the sacred valley.
Nor Aad's towers matched his splendid edifice.
حِجازِيَّةُHijazi السُّحْبِclouds الثِّقالِheavy يَسُوقُهاdrive them
حِجازِيَّةُ السُّحْبِ الثِّقالِ يَسُوقُها
عَلَىin عَجَلٍhaste سَوْقاًa driving صَباًthe east wind وَدَبُورُand the west wind
عَلَى عَجَلٍ سَوْقاً صَباً وَدَبُورُ
Heavy clouds from the Hijaz are driven
Guided by piety its foundation,
In haste by the east wind and the west wind.
As the blessed Mount points to the Hajj's rituals and place.
ومنهاand among them نُجومٌstars فيin بُروجِthe towers of مَجَرَّةٍa Milky Way
ومنها نُجومٌ في بُروجِ مَجَرَّةٍ
عَلَىupon الأرضِthe earth تَبْدُوappear تارَةًat times وتَغُورُand sink away
عَلَى الأرضِ تَبْدُو تارَةً وتَغُورُ
Among them are stars in the towers of a Milky Way,
Clouds from the Hejaz, their bulks lofty,
Appearing upon the earth at times, then sinking away.
Fast winds drive, passing through while they race.
تَضِيقُgrow narrow بهاwith them السُّبلُthe roads الفِجَاجُbroad فلاso not يُرَىis seen
تَضِيقُ بها السُّبلُ الفِجَاجُ فلا يُرَى
بهاthere للرِّياحِfor the winds العاصفاتِtempestuous مَسيرُa path
بها للرِّياحِ العاصفاتِ مَسيرُ
The broad roads grow narrow with them, so no
Some form astral mansions circling the earth,
Path for tempestuous winds can be seen there.
Now appearing, now hiding from sight in their chase.
فكَمْso how many صَخْرَةٍa rock عاديَّةٍancient like Ad قَذَفَتْhurled بهاit
فكَمْ صَخْرَةٍ عاديَّةٍ قَذَفَتْ بها
إليهtoward him سُهُولٌplains جَمَّةٌabundant وَوُعُورُand rugged heights
إليه سُهُولٌ جَمَّةٌ وَوُعُورُ
How many an ancient, Ad-like rock was hurled
The paths are narrow, the gales cannot pass,
Toward him by abundant plains and rugged heights!
No track for winds' raging and chase.
وَمنْand of عُمُدٍcolumns فيin هِمَّةِthe resolve of الدَّهرِTime قُوَّةٌstrength
وَمنْ عُمُدٍ في هِمَّةِ الدَّهرِ قُوَّةٌ
وَفيand in باعِهِits reach مِنْbecause of طُولِهنَّtheir height قُصُورُshortcoming
وَفي باعِهِ مِنْ طُولِهنَّ قُصُورُ
And columns that strain the strength of Time's resolve,
How many boulders rolled down the hill,
While its reach falls short of their height!
Plains heaping them before him in place!
أَشارَhe signaled لهاto them فانْقادَso yielded سَهْلاًeasily عَسِيرُهاtheir difficulty
أَشارَ لها فانْقادَ سَهْلاً عَسِيرُها
إليهto him وَماand no أَمْرٌmatter عليهfor him عسيرُdifficult
إليه وَما أَمْرٌ عليه عسيرُ
He signaled to them, and their difficulty yielded easily
Columns stood like years his reign accrued,
To him; nothing is difficult for him.
Yet not a year passed with its months running apace.
أَتَتْهُbrought him بِهاthem أَنْدَىthe most dewy of الرِّياحِwinds وَدونَand beneath مَاwhat
أَتَتْهُ بِها أَنْدَى الرِّياحِ وَدونَ مَا
أَتَتْهُbrought him بهاthem أَنْدَىthe most dewy of الرِّياحِwinds ثَبِيرُThabir
أَتَتْهُ بها أَنْدَى الرِّياحِ ثَبِيرُ
The most dewy wind brought them to him; beneath what
Structures divulged the perfection of his vision,
The most dewy wind brought him stands Thabir.
Stonecourses proclaim firm foundations in place.
وماand not كانَwould there have been لَولاwere it not for ماwhat لَهُhe has مِنْof كَرَامَةٍdivine favor
وما كانَ لَولا ما لَهُ مِنْ كَرَامَةٍ
لِيَأْتِينَاto bring us بالمُعْجِزاتِmiracles أَميرُan emir
لِيَأْتِينَا بالمُعْجِزاتِ أَميرُ
Had he not possessed such divine favor,
Celestial, its corners made me think
No emir would have brought us miracles.
Silken banners adorned it with artful grace.
لِماto what فيهis in him مِنْof تَقْوَىreverence وَعِلْمٍand learning وَحِكْمَةٍand wisdom
لِما فيه مِنْ تَقْوَى وَعِلْمٍ وَحِكْمَةٍ
بِحُرِّthrough the nobility of مَبَانِيهِhis buildings الثَّلاثُthe three تُشِيرُpoint
بِحُرِّ مَبَانِيهِ الثَّلاثُ تُشِيرُ
To his reverence, learning, and wisdom,
My eyes fancied its pavements were brocades,
His three noble buildings point.
Its marble paintings, all fringed and lace.
فَمِئْذَنَةٌso a minaret فيin الجوِّthe air تُشْرِقَshines فيin الدُّجَىdarkness
فَمِئْذَنَةٌ في الجوِّ تُشْرِقَ في الدُّجَى
عليهاupon it هُدىًguidance لِلْعَالمينَfor all worlds وَنُورُand light
عليها هُدىً لِلْعَالمينَ وَنُورُ
A minaret high in the air shines in darkness;
Surpassing creation in gorgeousness,
Upon it are guidance and light for all worlds.
Reality illusions replace.
وَمِنْand from حَيْثُمَاwherever وَجَّهْتَyou turn وَجْهَكَyour face نَحْوَهاtoward it
وَمِنْ حَيْثُمَا وَجَّهْتَ وَجْهَكَ نَحْوَها
تَلَقَّتْكَmeets you مِنهاfrom it نَضْرَةٌfresh beauty وسُرُورُand delight
تَلَقَّتْكَ مِنها نَضْرَةٌ وسُرُورُ
From wherever you turn your face toward it,
So glory to the day foregathered leaders
Fresh beauty and delight meet you from it.
Their oceans of knowledge pour and grace!
يَمُدُّstretches إليهاtoward it الحاسدُthe envious man الطَّرْفَhis gaze حَسْرَةًin regret
يَمُدُّ إليها الحاسدُ الطَّرْفَ حَسْرَةً
فَيَرْجِعُso returns عنهاfrom it الطَّرْفُthe gaze وهْوَwhile it حَسيرُis exhausted
فَيَرْجِعُ عنها الطَّرْفُ وهْوَ حَسيرُ
The envious man stretches his gaze toward it in regret,
The suns of honor from Quran and Sunnah
And his gaze returns from it exhausted.
Upon people shed the Word's shining rays.
فكَمْso how many حَسَدَتْهاenvied it فيin العُلُوِّheight كواكبٌstars
فكَمْ حَسَدَتْها في العُلُوِّ كواكبٌ
وغارَتْand grew jealous عليهاof it فيin الكمالِperfection بُدُورُfull moons
وغارَتْ عليها في الكمالِ بُدُورُ
How many stars have envied its height,
In our tongue, their wisdom's treasures unfold,
And full moons grown jealous of its perfection!
Abundant the merit our gain in its embrace.
إذاwhen قامَstood يَدْعُوinvoking اللَّهGod فيهاthere مُؤَذِّنٌa muezzin
إذا قامَ يَدْعُو اللَّه فيها مُؤَذِّنٌ
فماthen not هُوَhe إِلَّاexcept للنُّجومِto the stars سَمِيرُa nighttime companion
فما هُوَ إِلَّا للنُّجومِ سَمِيرُ
When a muezzin stands there invoking God,
You honored an auspicious birth, sublimest of all,
He is nothing but a nighttime companion to the stars.
A most noble infant, by virtue and grace.
فللنَّاسِso for the people مِنْfrom تذكارِهِhis remembrance وأذانِهِand his call to prayer
فللنَّاسِ مِنْ تذكارِهِ وأذانِهِ
فَطُورٌa fast-breaking meal عَلَىto رَجْعِthe returning الصَّدَىecho وَسَحُورُand a predawn meal
فَطُورٌ عَلَى رَجْعِ الصَّدَى وَسَحُورُ
From his remembrance and his call, the people have
Muslims rejoiced in it, yet for unbelievers
A fast-breaking meal and a predawn meal to the returning echo.
In it loomed perdition and woe in its place.
وقُبَّةُand the dome of مارستانَa hospital ليسَthere is not لِعِلَّةٍfor an illness
وقُبَّةُ مارستانَ ليسَ لِعِلَّةٍ
عليهover it وإنand though طالَgrew long الزَّمانَtime مُرُورُpassage
عليه وإن طالَ الزَّمانَ مُرُورُ
And the hospital's dome: no illness
We read the unchanging Quran within its walls,
Passes over it, however long time runs.
While Gospels and Psalms faded in its rays.
صَحِيحُwholesome هَواءٍair للنُّفوسِfor souls بِنَشْرِهِthrough its spreading breeze
صَحِيحُ هَواءٍ للنُّفوسِ بِنَشْرِهِ
مَعادٌrestoration وَلِلعَظْمِand for the bone الرَّمِيمِdecayed نُشُورُresurrection
مَعادٌ وَلِلعَظْمِ الرَّمِيمِ نُشُورُ
Its air is wholesome; through its spreading breeze, souls find
The chambers multiplied the Prophet's traditions,
Restoration, and decayed bones resurrection.
Each scholar well-versed in his noble ways.
يَهُبُّit blows فَيَهْدِيand guides كلَّevery رُوحٍsoul بِجِسْمِهِto its body
يَهُبُّ فَيَهْدِي كلَّ رُوحٍ بِجِسْمِهِ
كأنَّas though صَباهُits east wind حِينَwhen يَنْفُخُit blows صُورُa trumpet
كأنَّ صَباهُ حِينَ يَنْفُخُ صُورُ
It blows and guides every soul to its body,
Thrice believers pray, praising the One God,
As though its east wind, when it blows, were the resurrection trumpet.
Thankful for divine blessings, remembrance in place.
فَلَوso if تَعْلَمُknew الأجسامُbodies أنthat تُرابَهُits soil
فَلَو تَعْلَمُ الأجسامُ أن تُرابَهُ
مِهادُa bed of حَياةٍlife لِلْجُسومِfor bodies وَثيرُsoft
مِهادُ حَياةٍ لِلْجُسومِ وَثيرُ
If bodies knew that its soil
For the Sultan it is but good fortune,
Was a soft bed of life for their forms,
Reward everlasting for his works shall take place.
لَسَارَتْwould travel بِمَرْضاهاbearing their sick إليهِto it أسِرَّةbeds
لَسَارَتْ بِمَرْضاها إليهِ أسِرَّة
وصارتْand would come بموْتاهاbearing their dead إليهِto it قُبُورُgraves
وصارتْ بموْتاها إليهِ قُبُورُ
Beds would travel to it bearing their sick,
A wise and venerable mentor invited me,
And graves would come to it bearing their dead.
Judicious in counsel, dignified in his place.
وماand not عادَcontinued يُبلِيto consume بعدَafter ذلكthat مَيِّتاًa dead person
وما عادَ يُبلِي بعدَ ذلك مَيِّتاً
ضَرِيحٌa tomb وَلاnor يَشْكُوcomplains of المَرِيضَthe sick person سَرِيرُa bed
ضَرِيحٌ وَلا يَشْكُو المَرِيضَ سَرِيرُ
Thereafter no dead person would be consumed by
Is there among earth’s rulers or caliphs
A tomb, nor would a bed complain of a sick man.
One whose buildings can compare and keep pace?
بِجَنَّتِهِin its garden وُرْقٌgray doves تُراسِلُexchange calls with ماءَهُits water
بِجَنَّتِهِ وُرْقٌ تُراسِلُ ماءَهُ
يَشُوقُawakens longing هَدِيلٌcooing منهماfrom the two وَهَدِيرُand rushing sound
يَشُوقُ هَدِيلٌ منهما وَهَدِيرُ
In its garden, gray doves exchange calls with its water;
To what he built seven heavens do bow,
Their cooing and rushing sound awaken longing.
Though like the seven-tiered sky embellished in lace!
وَقدand indeed وَصَفَتْdescribed لِيto me الناسpeople منهاof it عَجائِباًwonders
وَقد وَصَفَتْ لِي الناس منها عَجائِباً
كأَوْجُهِlike the faces of غِيدٍgraceful women ماnot لَهُنَّfor them سُفُورُunveiling
كأَوْجُهِ غِيدٍ ما لَهُنَّ سُفُورُ
People have described wonders of it to me,
He who sees it must think the one who raised its height
Like the faces of graceful women never unveiled.
Did what exhausted all kings by his grace.
محاسِنهاits beauties اسْتَدْعَتْcalled forth نَسِيبِيmy love poetry ومَاand not دَعَاcalled forth
محاسِنها اسْتَدْعَتْ نَسِيبِي ومَا دَعَا
نَسِيبِيmy love poetry غزالٌa gazelle قبلَbefore ذاكthat غرِيرُinnocent
نَسِيبِي غزالٌ قبلَ ذاك غرِيرُ
Its beauties called forth my love poetry, though no
That a minaret standing tall by its side
Innocent gazelle had called forth my love poetry before.
Points to the Prince's overflowing grace.
وباتَand spent the night بهاwith it قَلْبيmy heart يُمَثِّلُportraying حُسْنَهاits beauty
وباتَ بها قَلْبي يُمَثِّلُ حُسْنَها
لِعَيْنِيto my eyes وَنَوْمِيand my sleep بالسُّهادِin sleeplessness غَزِيرُabundant
لِعَيْنِي وَنَوْمِي بالسُّهادِ غَزِيرُ
My heart spent the night portraying its beauty
As if the minaret of Alexandria
To my eyes, while my sleep abounded in sleeplessness.
A delicate bud, its door a slender crease!
وَلاand no وَصْفَdescription إِلَّاunless أنْthat يَكُونَthere be لِواصِفٍfor a describer
وَلا وَصْفَ إِلَّا أنْ يَكُونَ لِواصِفٍ
وُرُودٌarrival عَلَىat مَوْصُوفِهِwhat he describes وصُدُورُand departure
وُرُودٌ عَلَى مَوْصُوفِهِ وصُدُورُ
There is no true description unless the describer has
Built by Sa'id in happy lands, therein
Come to the thing described and departed from it.
Homes thrived before schools spread in their place.
بَدَتْit appeared فَهْيَso it عندَbeside الصَّالِحِيَّةِal-Salihiyya جِلَّقٌJilliq
بَدَتْ فَهْيَ عندَ الصَّالِحِيَّةِ جِلَّقٌ
وفيand in تلْكَthat one جَنَّاتٌgardens وتلكَand that one قُبُورُgraves
وفي تلْكَ جَنَّاتٌ وتلكَ قُبُورُ
It appeared: beside al-Salihiyya, it is Jilliq;
A city of knowledge, schools surround it,
The one has gardens; the other has graves.
Villages or bright stars, their full moons shine upon its face.
وَلَوand if فَتَحَتit opened أَبْوابَهاits doors لَتَبَادَرَتْwould hasten
وَلَو فَتَحَت أَبْوابَها لَتَبَادَرَتْ
مِنَof الدُّرِّpearl وِلدانٌyoung attendants إلَيْهِto him وحُورُand houris
مِنَ الدُّرِّ وِلدانٌ إلَيْهِ وحُورُ
Were it to open its doors, there would hasten
It dawned, dimming the visible, its light obscured
To him young attendants and houris made of pearl.
The stars, for they cannot shine in its rays.
ومَدْرَسَةٌand a school وَدَّwished الخَورْنَقُal-Khawarnaq أَنّهthat it
ومَدْرَسَةٌ وَدَّ الخَورْنَقُ أَنّه
لَدَيْهَاbeside it حَظِيرٌan enclosure والسَّدِيرُand al-Sadir غَدِيرُa pond
لَدَيْهَا حَظِيرٌ والسَّدِيرُ غَدِيرُ
And a school: al-Khawarnaq wished that it
A hive's geometry shapes its plan,
Were merely an enclosure beside it, and al-Sadir a pond.
Molten wax poured, solid bricks in its place.
مَدِينَةُa city of عِلمٍlearning وَالمَدَارِسُand the schools حَوْلَهاaround it
مَدِينَةُ عِلمٍ وَالمَدَارِسُ حَوْلَها
قُرىًvillages أَوْor نُجُومٌstars بَدْرُهُنَّtheir full moon مُنِيرُshining
قُرىً أَوْ نُجُومٌ بَدْرُهُنَّ مُنِيرُ
A city of learning, with the schools around it
Erected by a wise man, his resolve is firm,
As villages, or stars whose full moon shines.
Neither weakness in him, nor in his works' foundation creased.
تَبَدَّتْit appeared فأَخْفَىso concealed الظَّاهِرِيَّةَal-Zahiriyya نُورُهاits light
تَبَدَّتْ فأَخْفَى الظَّاهِرِيَّةَ نُورُها
وليسَand there is not بِظُهْرٍat noon للنُّجُومِfor the stars ظُهورُappearance
وليسَ بِظُهْرٍ للنُّجُومِ ظُهورُ
It appeared, and its light concealed al-Zahiriyya;
Strong in might, unique in his time,
Stars do not appear at noon.
Ages passed ere one like him took life's race.
بِناءٌa building كَأنَّas though النَّحلَthe bees هَندَسَdesigned شَكلَهُits form
بِناءٌ كَأنَّ النَّحلَ هَندَسَ شَكلَهُ
وَلانَتand softened لَهُfor it كَالشَّمعِlike wax مِنهُfrom it صُخورُrocks
وَلانَت لَهُ كَالشَّمعِ مِنهُ صُخورُ
A building whose form seems designed by bees,
Not even Aad's architects achieved the like,
And whose rocks softened for it like wax.
Nor did palaces rival it, though high they raised.
بَناهاbuilt it حَكِيمٌa wise man لَيْسَthere is not فيin عَزَماتِهِhis resolves
بَناها حَكِيمٌ لَيْسَ في عَزَماتِهِ
فتُورٌslackness وَلاnor فيماin what بناهhe built فُتُورُfrailty
فتُورٌ وَلا فيما بناه فُتُورُ
A wise man built it; in his resolves there is no
Eight pillars up to heaven bear its throne,
Slackness, nor any frailty in what he built.
Each supporting the other, interlaced.
بَناهاbuilt it شَدِيدُfierce in البَأْسِmight أَوْحَدُthe unique man of عَصْرِهِhis age
بَناها شَدِيدُ البَأْسِ أَوْحَدُ عَصْرِهِ
خَلَتْpassed حِقَبٌepochs مِنْwithout مِثْلِهِhis like وعُصُورُand ages
خَلَتْ حِقَبٌ مِنْ مِثْلِهِ وعُصُورُ
A man of fierce might built it, unique in his age;
Who sees it must think the one who raised it
Epochs and ages have passed without his like.
Did what exhausted all kings by his grace.
فماso not صَنَعَتْmade عادٌAd مَصانِعَstructures مِثلَهُlike it
فما صَنَعَتْ عادٌ مَصانِعَ مِثلَهُ
وَلاnor طاوَلَتْهُrivaled it فيin البِناءِbuilding قُصُورُpalaces
وَلا طاوَلَتْهُ في البِناءِ قُصُورُ
Ad made no structures like it,
That a towering minaret by its side
Nor did palaces rival it in building.
Signals the Prince's overflowing grace.
ثَمَانِيَةٌeight فيin الجَوِّthe air يَحْمِلُbear عَرْشَهاits throne
ثَمَانِيَةٌ في الجَوِّ يَحْمِلُ عَرْشَها
وبعضٌand some لبعضٍfor others فيin البناءِthe structure ظَهيرُa support
وبعضٌ لبعضٍ في البناءِ ظَهيرُ
Eight bear its throne high in the air,
As if Alexander's Lighthouse minaret,
Each supporting another in the structure.
A delicate bud, its door a slender crease!
يَرَىperceives مَنْwhoever يَراهاsees it أَنَّthat رافِعَthe raiser of سَمْكهَاits roof
يَرَى مَنْ يَراها أَنَّ رافِعَ سَمْكهَا
عَلَىof فِعْلِdoing ماwhat أعْياexhausted المُلوكَkings قَدِيرُcapable
عَلَى فِعْلِ ما أعْيا المُلوكَ قَدِيرُ
Whoever sees it perceives that the raiser of its roof
Built by Sa'id in happy lands, therein
Can accomplish what exhausted kings.
Homes thrived before schools spread in their place.
وَأَنَّand that مَناراًa minaret قائماًstanding بإزائهاbeside it
وَأَنَّ مَناراً قائماً بإزائها
بَنانٌa finger إلىtoward فضلِthe excellence of الأَمِيرِthe emir تشيرُpointing
بَنانٌ إلى فضلِ الأَمِيرِ تشيرُ
And that a minaret standing beside it
When the muezzin calls to prayer therein,
Is a finger pointing toward the emir's excellence.
He seems a companion to stars in space.
كَأَنَّas though مَنارَthe lighthouse of اسْكَنْدَرِيَّةَAlexandria عندهbeside it
كَأَنَّ مَنارَ اسْكَنْدَرِيَّةَ عنده
نَواةٌa date stone بَدَتْappeared والبابُand the doorway فيهِin it نَقِيرُa tiny pit
نَواةٌ بَدَتْ والبابُ فيهِ نَقِيرُ
Beside it, Alexandria's lighthouse seems
So God's Houses became palaces in its reign,
A date stone, its doorway a tiny pit.
Kings' abodes, though to teachers they ceded their place.
بناهاbuilt it سعيدٌa fortunate man فيon بِقاعٍground سعيدَةٍfortunate
بناها سعيدٌ في بِقاعٍ سعيدَةٍ
بهاthere سَعِدَتْprospered قَبْلَbefore المَدَارِسِthe schools دُورُhouses
بها سَعِدَتْ قَبْلَ المَدَارِسِ دُورُ
A fortunate man built it on fortunate ground,
We spoke of the Nasr Dome, none dare mention it,
Where houses prospered before the schools.
Even eagles take flight, too shy to face.
إذاwhen قامَstood يَدْعوinvoking اللَّهَGod فيهاthere مُؤَذِّنٌa muezzin
إذا قامَ يَدْعو اللَّهَ فيها مُؤَذِّنٌ
فماthen not هُوَhe إِلَّاexcept للنُّجُومِto the stars سَمِيرُa nighttime companion
فما هُوَ إِلَّا للنُّجُومِ سَمِيرُ
When a muezzin stands there invoking God,
If attributed to the Nasr, the intended is he
He is nothing but a nighttime companion to the stars.
With celestial cycle and stellar place.
فصارتْso became بُيوتُthe houses of اللَّهِGod آخِرَat the end of عُمْرِهَاtheir lives
فصارتْ بُيوتُ اللَّهِ آخِرَ عُمْرِهَا
قُصُورٌpalaces خَبَتْgrew dim مِنْbereft of سادةٍmasters وخُدُورُand secluded chambers
قُصُورٌ خَبَتْ مِنْ سادةٍ وخُدُورُ
Thus the houses of God, at the end of their lives, became
Else, how many on earth bowed before it,
Dimmed palaces bereft of masters, and secluded chambers.
Eagles and hawks swooping down in its space!
ذَكَرْناwe mentioned لَدَيْهَاbeside it قُبَّةَthe Dome of النَّسْرِthe Eagle مَرَّةًonce
ذَكَرْنا لَدَيْهَا قُبَّةَ النَّسْرِ مَرَّةً
فماso scarcely كادَcould نَسْرٌan eagle لِلْحَياءِfor shame يَطِيرُfly
فما كادَ نَسْرٌ لِلْحَياءِ يَطِيرُ
Once, beside it, we mentioned the Dome of the Eagle;
I examined its mihrab, appearing thus,
The eagle could scarcely fly for shame.
Statues of nymphs, all perfectly shaped in their place.
فإنْso if نُسِبَتْit is attributed لِلنَّسرِto the eagle فالطائرُthen the bird الَّذيwhich
فإنْ نُسِبَتْ لِلنَّسرِ فالطائرُ الَّذي
لَهُhas فيamong البُروجِthe constellations الثَّابِتاتِfixed وُكُورُnests
لَهُ في البُروجِ الثَّابِتاتِ وُكُورُ
If it is attributed to an eagle, it must be the bird
Some dressed richly bejeweled,
Whose nests lie among the fixed constellations.
Long hair dangling underneath, publicly on display.
وإِلَّاand otherwise فَكَمْhow many فيon الأرضِthe earth قدindeed مالَbowed دونَهاbefore it
وإِلَّا فَكَمْ في الأرضِ قد مالَ دونَها
إلىtoward الأرضِthe earth عِقْبَانٌeagles هَوَتْfallen ونُسُورُand vultures
إلى الأرضِ عِقْبَانٌ هَوَتْ ونُسُورُ
Otherwise, how many have bowed low before it
Pillars mixed among them showing their years,
Toward the earth—fallen eagles and vultures!
Yet not a year passed with its months running apace.
تَبيَّنتُI discerned فيin مِحرابِهاits prayer niche وَهْيَwhile they كالدُّمَىlike sculpted figures
تَبيَّنتُ في مِحرابِها وَهْيَ كالدُّمَى
قُدُودَthe forms of غَوانٍbeauties كُلُّهُنَّall of them خُصُورُwaists
قُدُودَ غَوانٍ كُلُّهُنَّ خُصُورُ
In its prayer niche I discerned, like sculpted figures,
Structures that proclaim the vision's extent,
The forms of beauties, all slender waists.
Stone courses affirming foundations firmly in place.
وقدand indeed حُلِّيَتْwere adorned منهاof them صُدُورٌbreasts بِعَسْجَدٍwith gold
وقد حُلِّيَتْ منها صُدُورٌ بِعَسْجَدٍ
وَلُفَّتْand were wound لَهاfor them تَحْتَbeneath الحُلِيِّthe ornaments شُعُورُhair
وَلُفَّتْ لَها تَحْتَ الحُلِيِّ شُعُورُ
Their breasts were adorned with gold,
And beneath their ornaments their hair was wound.
بهاin it عُمُدٌcolumns كاثَرْنَrivaled in number أيَّامَthe days of عامِهاits year
بها عُمُدٌ كاثَرْنَ أيَّامَ عامِها
وَمِنْand of عامِهاits year لَمْnot يَمْضِhad passed بعدُyet شُهُورُmonths
وَمِنْ عامِها لَمْ يَمْضِ بعدُ شُهُورُ
Its columns rivaled the days of its year in number,
Though months of that year had not yet passed.
مَبانٍbuildings أبانَتْproclaimed عَنْconcerning كمالِthe perfection of بِنائِهاits construction
مَبانٍ أبانَتْ عَنْ كمالِ بِنائِها
وأَعْرَبَand declared عَنْconcerning وَضْعِthe laying of الأَساسِthe foundation هَتُورُHatur
وأَعْرَبَ عَنْ وَضْعِ الأَساسِ هَتُورُ
Buildings proclaimed the perfection of its construction,
And Hatur declared the laying of the foundation.
سَمَاوِيَّةٌheavenly أَرْجَاؤُهاits expanses فكأَنَّهاso as though it
سَمَاوِيَّةٌ أَرْجَاؤُها فكأَنَّها
عليهاover it منof الوَشْيِbrocade البَديعِexquisite سُتُورُcurtains
عليها من الوَشْيِ البَديعِ سُتُورُ
Its expanses are heavenly, as though
Curtains of exquisite brocade hung over them.
تَوَهَّمَimagined طَرْفِيmy eye أَنَّthat تَجْزِيعَthe variegation of بُسْطِهاits floor-coverings
تَوَهَّمَ طَرْفِي أَنَّ تَجْزِيعَ بُسْطِها
رُقُومٌembroidered patterns وَتَلْوِينَand the coloring of الرُّخامِmarble حَريرُsilk
رُقُومٌ وَتَلْوِينَ الرُّخامِ حَريرُ
My eye imagined that the variegation of its floor-coverings
Was embroidery, and the marble's coloring silk.
وكمand how often جَاوَزَsurpassed الإِبْدَاعُinvention فيin الحُسْنِbeauty حَدَّهُits limit
وكم جَاوَزَ الإِبْدَاعُ في الحُسْنِ حَدَّهُ
فَأَوْهَمَناso made us imagine أَنَّthat الحَقيقَةَreality زُورُillusion
فَأَوْهَمَنا أَنَّ الحَقيقَةَ زُورُ
How often invention surpassed all bounds of beauty,
Making us imagine that reality was illusion!
فَللَّهِhow wondrous يَوْمٌa day ضَمَّhe gathered فيهon it أَئمَّةًleaders
فَللَّهِ يَوْمٌ ضَمَّ فيه أَئمَّةً
تَدَفَّقَpoured forth منهمfrom them لِلعلومِof learning بُحورُoceans
تَدَفَّقَ منهم لِلعلومِ بُحورُ
How wondrous the day on which he gathered leaders,
From whom oceans of learning poured forth!
وشمسُand the sun of المَعاليlofty virtues مِنْfrom كِتابٍthe Book وسُنَّةٍand Sunna
وشمسُ المَعالي مِنْ كِتابٍ وسُنَّةٍ
عَلَىupon النَّاسِthe people مِنْfrom لَفْظِthe utterance of الكلامِdiscourse تُديرُpours forth
عَلَى النَّاسِ مِنْ لَفْظِ الكلامِ تُديرُ
And the sun of lofty virtues, from the Book and Sunna,
Poured spoken discourse upon the people.
وقدand indeed أَعْرَبَتْproclaimed للنّاسِto the people عَنْconcerning خَيْرِthe finest مَوْلِدٍbirth
وقد أَعْرَبَتْ للنّاسِ عَنْ خَيْرِ مَوْلِدٍ
عَرُوبٌa loving one بهdevoted to it والفضلُand virtue فيهin it كثيرُabundant
عَرُوبٌ به والفضلُ فيه كثيرُ
And there proclaimed to the people the finest birth
A loving one, devoted to it; abundant was its virtue.
فأَكْرِمْhow noble بِيَوْمٍa day فيهin it أَكْرَمُthe noblest مَوْلِدٍbirth
فأَكْرِمْ بِيَوْمٍ فيه أَكْرَمُ مَوْلِدٍ
لأَكْرَمِof the noblest مَوْلُودٍnewborn نَمَتْهُnurtured him حُجُورُlaps
لأَكْرَمِ مَوْلُودٍ نَمَتْهُ حُجُورُ
How noble a day containing the noblest birth
Of the noblest newborn ever nurtured in laps!
يُطالِعُهُgreets him للمسلمينَfor the Muslims مَسَرَّةٌgladness
يُطالِعُهُ للمسلمينَ مَسَرَّةٌ
ولكِنْbut بهthrough it للكافِرينَfor the unbelievers ثُبورُruin
ولكِنْ به للكافِرينَ ثُبورُ
Its dawning brings gladness to the Muslims,
But through it the unbelievers meet ruin.
قَرَأْناwe read بهاthere القرآنَthe Quran غيرَnot مُبَدَّلٍaltered
قَرَأْنا بها القرآنَ غيرَ مُبَدَّلٍ
فغارَتْso grew jealous أناجيلٌGospels وغارَand grew jealous زَبُورُthe Psalms
فغارَتْ أناجيلٌ وغارَ زَبُورُ
We read the Quran there, unaltered;
The Gospels grew jealous, and the Psalms grew jealous.
وَثَنَّتْand followed secondly بأخبارِwith accounts of النبيِّthe Prophet رُواتهاtheir narrators
وَثَنَّتْ بأخبارِ النبيِّ رُواتها
وكلّand each بأخْبَارِin accounts of النبيِّthe Prophet خَبِيرُwell versed
وكلّ بأخْبَارِ النبيِّ خَبِيرُ
Its narrators followed with accounts of the Prophet,
Each well versed in the Prophet's accounts.
وثَلَّثَand came third يدعوinvoking اللَّهَGod فيهاthere مُوَحِّدٌa believer in God's oneness
وثَلَّثَ يدعو اللَّهَ فيها مُوَحِّدٌ
ذَكُورٌmindful لِنَعْمَاءِof the blessings of الإِلهِGod شَكُورُgrateful
ذَكُورٌ لِنَعْمَاءِ الإِلهِ شَكُورُ
Third, a believer in God's oneness invoked God there,
Mindful of God's blessings and grateful.
وماand not تلكَthat للسلطانِfor the sultan إِلَّاexcept سعادَةٌgood fortune
وما تلكَ للسلطانِ إِلَّا سعادَةٌ
يَدُومُendures لهُfor him ذِكْرٌremembrance بهاthrough it وأُجُورُand rewards
يَدُومُ لهُ ذِكْرٌ بها وأُجُورُ
That is nothing but good fortune for the sultan,
Through which his remembrance and rewards endure.
دَعاهاcalled it إليهto him وافِرُone rich in الرَّأْيjudgment والحِجَاand intellect
دَعاها إليه وافِرُ الرَّأْي والحِجَا
يَزِينُadorns الحِجَىwisdom والرَّأْيُand judgment منهُfrom him وَقُورُdignified
يَزِينُ الحِجَى والرَّأْيُ منهُ وَقُورُ
One rich in judgment and intellect called it to him,
Adorning wisdom, his judgment dignified.
فَهَلْso is there فيamong مُلوكِthe kings of الأرضِthe earth أَوْor خُلفائهاits caliphs
فَهَلْ في مُلوكِ الأرضِ أَوْ خُلفائها
لهُfor him فيin الّذِيwhat شادتْraised يَداهُhis two hands نَظِيرُan equal
لهُ في الّذِي شادتْ يَداهُ نَظِيرُ
Among the earth's kings or caliphs, is there
His equal in what his hands have raised?
عَلَىalthough أَنَّهمthey فيbeside جَنْبِwhat ماhe raised شادَof مِنْlofty achievements عُلاًbeside
عَلَى أَنَّهم في جَنْبِ ما شادَ مِنْ عُلاً
ولوand even if كانَit were كالسَّبْعِlike the seven الطِّباقِlayered heavens حَصيرُconfined
ولو كانَ كالسَّبْعِ الطِّباقِ حَصيرُ
Yet beside the heights he raised, they are—
Even if like the seven layered heavens—hemmed in.
Partial English translation: 276 of 312 Arabic lines translated.