أبَعدَis it after الشَّيبِgray hair تَبكِىyou weep بالدِّيَارِat the dwellings
أبَعدَ الشَّيبِ تَبكِى بالدِّيَارِ
وَيشجِيكَand grieves you التَّنَائِىseparation مِنfrom نوَارِNawār
وَيشجِيكَ التَّنَائِى مِن نوَارِ
After your hair has grayed, do you weep at the dwellings,
After gray hair, you weep for the abodes
and does separation from Nawār grieve you,
And separation grieves you from the lights
ويُورِىand kindles فيin الحَشَاthe inner heart بُرَحَاءَthe torment of وَجدٍlonging
ويُورِى في الحَشَا بُرَحَاءَ وَجدٍ
لهاit has زَندٌa fire-stick عَلَىdespite العِلاَّتimpediments وَارِsparking
لها زَندٌ عَلَى العِلاَّت وَارِ
and kindle in your heart the torment of longing,
And shows in the wilderness a desolate love
whose fire-stick sparks despite all impediments?
With a branch over the high sands
وتَجفُوand you shun النَّومَsleep مِنfrom تَعتَابِthe repeated flashing of بَرقٍlightning
وتَجفُو النَّومَ مِن تَعتَابِ بَرقٍ
وَيكسُوكَand clothes you in الجَوَىheartache نَوحُthe lament of القَمَارِيthe turtledoves
وَيكسُوكَ الجَوَى نَوحُ القَمَارِي
Do you shun sleep at lightning's repeated flashes,
And sleep is driven away by the winking of lightning
while the turtledoves' lament clothes you in heartache?
And the atmosphere covers you, the sobbing of gamblers
وتستَبكِىand you summon to weep الرِّفَاقَthe companions عَلَىover طُلُولٍruins
وتستَبكِى الرِّفَاقَ عَلَى طُلُولٍ
بِهَاin them أحلَولَىgrew sweet الجِوَارُdwelling nearby مِنَbecause of الجَوَارِيthe maidens
بِهَا أحلَولَى الجِوَارُ مِنَ الجَوَارِي
And do you summon your companions to weep over ruins
And you cry for friends over ruins
where dwelling nearby grew sweet because of the maidens?
With which the neighborhood was more beautiful than maidens
عَفَتهَاerased them نَائِحَاتُthe wailing blasts of المَورِwindblown dust إلاَّexcept
عَفَتهَا نَائِحَاتُ المَورِ إلاَّ
أثَافيhearthstones كَالحَمَائِمِlike doves أوor أوَارِيtethering places
أثَافي كَالحَمَائِمِ أو أوَارِي
The wailing dust-winds erased them, save
Their chastity mourners of ostriches or gazelles
hearthstones like doves, or tethering places,
Circling their braids, both tight and loose
وآنَاءًand vessels وأرمِدَةًand ashes وَوَدًّاand a stake
وآنَاءً وأرمِدَةً وَوَدًّا
شَجِيجاًsplit بَتَّsevered أمرَاصَthe cords of اصطِبَارِيmy endurance
شَجِيجاً بَتَّ أمرَاصَ اصطِبَارِي
and vessels, ashes, and a stake,
My lamentation became incessant with grief
split, that severed the cords of my endurance.
As if the bangles had confined them and the bracelets
كَأنَّas though مُرَجَّعاتِretraced marks of الوَشمِtattooing ماwhat
كَأنَّ مُرَجَّعاتِ الوَشمِ ما
أسَارَتleft behind منهاof them الغَوادِىthe morning rains والسَّوَارِيand the night rains
أسَارَت منها الغَوادِى والسَّوَارِي
Like retraced tattoo marks was what
And the maidens' weeping in the morning
the morning and night rains had left of them.
With it the skills of the dexterous flow like maidens
وَتسبِيكَand captivate you الجواريthe maidens بَاكِرَاتٌsetting out at dawn
وَتسبِيكَ الجواري بَاكِرَاتٌ
بِهاbearing them بُزلُmature camels المَهَارَىthe Mahri camels كَالجَوَارِيlike ships
بِها بُزلُ المَهَارَى كَالجَوَارِي
And the maidens captivate you; at dawn depart
And it kindles the dormant passions
the mature Mahri camels bearing them, like ships.
As if the heart is a worshipper with fire
وتُذكِىand rekindle خَامِدَthe dormant part of الأشجَانِthe sorrows حَتَّىuntil
وتُذكِى خَامِدَ الأشجَانِ حَتَّى
كَأنَّas though القَلبَthe heart مَصلِىٌّroasted بِنَارِin a fire
كَأنَّ القَلبَ مَصلِىٌّ بِنَارِ
And they rekindle dormant sorrows, until
Yes, the enemies on the day they turned
the heart seems roasted in a fire.
Upon sorrows provoked my commemoration
بَلَىyes إنَّindeed الظَّعَائِنَthe women in litters يَومَon the day وَلَّتthey departed
بَلَى إنَّ الظَّعَائِنَ يَومَ وَلَّت
عَلَىon الأحدَاجِthe howdahs هِجنَthey stirred لِىَfor me ادِّكَارِيmy recollections
عَلَى الأحدَاجِ هِجنَ لِىَ ادِّكَارِي
Yes, the women, on the day they departed
Does the light of tears from your eyes visit
in their howdahs, stirred my recollections.
At the pilgrimage of the tomb?
أأِنis it because زَارَتshe visited عَلًىdespite شَحطِthe distance of المَزَارِthe place visited
أأِن زَارَت عَلًى شَحطِ المَزَارِ
نِوَارُNawār الدَّمعُthe tears مِنfrom عَينَيكَyour eyes جَارِflowing
نِوَارُ الدَّمعُ مِن عَينَيكَ جَارِ
Is it because she visited, despite her far-off dwelling—
And your breath a mass of sighs in agony
Nawār—that tears flow from your eyes,
And your heart confused with the intention of lights
وَنَفسُكَand your soul جَمَّةُabounding in الزَّفراتِsighs شَجواًin grief
وَنَفسُكَ جَمَّةُ الزَّفراتِ شَجواً
وقَلبُكَand your heart هَائِمٌdistraught لِنَوَىat the departure of نَوارِNawār
وقَلبُكَ هَائِمٌ لِنَوَى نَوارِ
and your soul abounds in sorrowful sighs,
And your eyelid is permanent in devotion out of longing
and your heart is distraught at Nawār's departure,
And your night gloomy, evident in vigil
وجَفنُكand your eyelid دَائمُconstant in التَّسهِيدِsleeplessness شَوقاًfrom longing
وجَفنُك دَائمُ التَّسهِيدِ شَوقاً
ولَيلُكَand your night مُظلِمٌdark بَادِىshowing إعتِكَارِdeepening gloom
ولَيلُكَ مُظلِمٌ بَادِى إعتِكَارِ
and your eyelid is ever sleepless with longing,
Your morning nap is a tender gazelle appearing
and your night is dark, its thickening gloom plain?
The freshness of her face is like vegetation
سَبَتكَcaptured you خَرِيدَةٌa shy maiden حَورَاءُdark-eyed تَبدُوappears
سَبَتكَ خَرِيدَةٌ حَورَاءُ تَبدُو
نَضارَةُthe freshness of وَجِهَهَاher face مِثلَlike النُّضَارِpure gold
نَضارَةُ وَجِهَهَا مِثلَ النُّضَارِ
A shy, dark-eyed maiden captured you; there shines
She has a mouth, its sprouts therein
the freshness of her face, like pure gold.
Far from sleep, mixed with perfume
لَهَاshe has ثَغرٌa mouth شَتِيتَspaced in النَّبتِtooth growth فِيهِin it
لَهَا ثَغرٌ شَتِيتَ النَّبتِ فِيهِ
بُعيَدَshortly after النَّومِsleep مَمزوجٌmingled العُقَارِwine
بُعيَدَ النَّومِ مَمزوجٌ العُقَارِ
She has a mouth with spaced teeth; within it,
It reminds me of the radiance of acacias
just after sleep, is mingled wine.
And the scent of its aroma the scent of sweet basil
يُذَكِّرِنِيهِreminds me of it نُوَّارُthe blossoms of الأقَاحِىdaisies
يُذَكِّرِنِيهِ نُوَّارُ الأقَاحِى
ورَيَّاand the sweetness of عرفِهِits scent رَيَّاthe fragrance of العُرَارِʿarar flowers
ورَيَّا عرفِهِ رَيَّا العُرَارِ
Daisy blossoms remind me of it,
A twig dripping and flowing
and ʿarar's fragrance recalls its sweet scent.
And the eye of a tender and delicate gazelle
وفَرعٌand hair مُسبَكَرٌlong and flowing مُسبَطِرٌluxuriantly spread
وفَرعٌ مُسبَكَرٌ مُسبَطِرٌ
وعَينُand an eye وجِيدُand a neck خَاذِلةِof a gazelle apart from الصُّوَارِthe herd
وعَينُ وجِيدُ خَاذِلةِ الصُّوَارِ
And she has long, luxuriantly flowing hair,
Her braids are twisting
and the eye and neck of a gazelle apart from the herd.
Both tight and loose, and her ringlets
غَدَائِرُهُits braids مَضَلاتٌbewildering tangles
غَدَائِرُهُ مَضَلاتٌ
مُثنَّاهَاtheir coiled strands ومُرسِلُهَاand their loose strands المَدَارِيthe combs
مُثنَّاهَا ومُرسِلُهَا المَدَارِي
Its braids are labyrinths—
A smooth, gentle, and waving tendril
coiled or loose—for combs.
Pure in color, full of bracelets
وَقَدٌand a figure لَينٌsupple رَخصٌtender وغَيلٌand a plump forearm
وَقَدٌ لَينٌ رَخصٌ وغَيلٌ
نَقِىُّunblemished in اللَّونِcolor مُمتَلِىءُfilling السِّوَارِthe bracelet
نَقِىُّ اللَّونِ مُمتَلِىءُ السِّوَارِ
And a soft, supple figure, and a plump forearm,
O you who makes the chaste women white, leave the chaste ones
clear-skinned, filling its bracelet.
For you have no share among the chaste maidens
أمُبيَضَّO you with whitened العِذَارِsideburns دَعِleave العَذَارَىthe maidens
أمُبيَضَّ العِذَارِ دَعِ العَذَارَى
فَمَالَكَso you have no مِنof نَصِيبٍshare فيamong العَذَارِيthe maidens
فَمَالَكَ مِن نَصِيبٍ في العَذَارِي
O you with whitened sideburns, leave the maidens!
Does the peerless one in the law tend
You have no share among the maidens.
To the chaste maiden making the chaste white?
وهَلand is there فيin الشَّرعَةِthe sacred law المُثلَىthe noblest تَصَدَّىcourting
وهَل في الشَّرعَةِ المُثلَى تَصَدَّى
إلىtoward العَذَرَاءِthe virgin مُبيَضِّof one with whitened العِذَارِsideburns
إلى العَذَرَاءِ مُبيَضِّ العِذَارِ
Does the noblest sacred law allow the approach
So you have no excuse regarding her or
to a virgin of one with whitened sideburns?
Your transgression, frightening the young women
فَلَستَso you are not بِمُعذِرٍexcused فِيهَاin it ولاَnor فيin
فَلَستَ بِمُعذِرٍ فِيهَا ولاَ في
تَعَسُّفِكyour reckless traversing المَخَاوِفَdangers بِالبَرَارِيin the wildernesses
تَعَسُّفِك المَخَاوِفَ بِالبَرَارِي
You are not excused in this, nor in
Nor in your wandering the wild plains however much
your venturing blindly through dangers in the wilds,
The eyelids of the night were darkened with kohl
وَلاَnor فيin جَوبِكَyour crossing الفَلَواتِthe wastes مَهمَاwhenever
وَلاَ في جَوبِكَ الفَلَواتِ مَهمَا
جُفُونُthe eyelids of اللَّيلِnight قَدalready كُحِلَتhave been lined with kohl ِبِقَارِwith pitch
جُفُونُ اللَّيلِ قَد كُحِلَت ِبِقَارِ
nor in your traversing the wastes, when
Nor your union with the slender gazelles
night's eyelids have been lined with pitch,
In the presence of gazelles overcome by hunting
ولاnor إنضَائِكَyour wearing out القُلَصَthe young she-camels النَّواجِىthe swift ones
ولا إنضَائِكَ القُلَصَ النَّواجِى
حَيَالَfacing قَلاَئِصٍyoung she-camels غُلبِthick at الدِّفَارِيthe napes
حَيَالَ قَلاَئِصٍ غُلبِ الدِّفَارِي
nor in your wearing out swift young she-camels,
We did not excuse the guided one to us
facing young she-camels thick at the nape.
After declaring war with insult
كَمَأjust as لَمnot يُعذَرِwas excused المُهدِىthe sender إِليناto us
كَمَأ لَم يُعذَرِ المُهدِى إِلينا
هِجَاءًa satire بَعدَafter إعلاَنِproclaiming الجُؤَارِthe outcry
هِجَاءً بَعدَ إعلاَنِ الجُؤَارِ
Just as there was no excuse for the one who sent us
And after his crying from their affront to him
a lampoon, after loudly crying out,
And after the crying of the bereaved women of shame
وَبعدَand after بُكئهhis weeping مِنbecause of هَجوِthe satire of نَاهُNāh
وَبعدَ بُكئه مِن هَجوِ نَاهُ
وبَعدَand after بُكَاthe weeping of أرَامِلَةِthe widows of العُوَارِdisgrace
وبَعدَ بُكَا أرَامِلَةِ العُوَارِ
and after his weeping at Nāh's satire,
And after the standing of his caller for a time
and after the weeping of disgrace's widows,
His tears on his cheeks neighbors
وَبَعدَand after مُقامَstaying in نَادِيهِhis assembly زَمَاناًfor a time
وَبَعدَ مُقامَ نَادِيهِ زَمَاناً
علىon خَدَّيهِhis cheeks أدمُعُهhis tears جوارflowing
على خَدَّيهِ أدمُعُه جوار
and after he had stood awhile in his assembly,
I followed insulting us painfully
with tears streaming over his cheeks.
To distinguish between your night and day
اتَبعتُdid you pursue بِالهِجَاءِwith satire لَنَاtoward us ألَمَّاhave you not yet
اتَبعتُ بِالهِجَاءِ لَنَا ألَمَّا
تُمَيِّزyou distinguish بَينَbetween لَيلِكَyour night والنَّهَارِand the day
تُمَيِّز بَينَ لَيلِكَ والنَّهَارِ
Have you pursued us with satire, when you have not yet
And you appear in singing wherever we leaned
distinguished your night from the day?
To poetry, you were a brother in hiding
وَتبدُوand you appear فيin الغِنَاءِsinging وَحَيثُand whenever مِلنَاwe turn
وَتبدُو في الغِنَاءِ وَحَيثُ مِلنَا
إلَىto الأَشعَارِpoetry كُنتَyou were أخَاone given to إستِتَارِconcealment
إلَى الأَشعَارِ كُنتَ أخَا إستِتَارِ
You show yourself in song, but whenever we turn
So you have no helper from your tribe
to poetry, you hide away.
To strengthen your intoxicated unstable side
فَماso there is no لَكَfor you مِنfrom قُبَيلِكَyour tribe مِنany مُعِينٍhelper
فَما لَكَ مِن قُبَيلِكَ مِن مُعِينٍ
يُقويto strengthen طِرفَكَyour steed الجَمَّfrequent in العِثَارِاstumbling
يُقوي طِرفَكَ الجَمَّ العِثَارِا
You have no helper from your tribe
Leave poetry, you have a tribe
to strengthen your ever-stumbling steed.
Of eloquent and articulate people with honor
دَعِleave الأشعَارَpoetry إِنَّindeed لَكُمyou have قَبَيِّلاًa little tribe
دَعِ الأشعَارَ إِنَّ لَكُم قَبَيِّلاً
مِنَof الفُصَحَاءِeloquent speakers والبُلغَاءِand accomplished rhetoricians عَارِdevoid
مِنَ الفُصَحَاءِ والبُلغَاءِ عَارِ
Leave poetry: yours is a little tribe
Oh House of Ahmad, awake, awake
devoid of eloquent and accomplished speakers.
For we are the family of Ahmad like warriors
ألاَيَاlisten, O ألَclan of حُمَّوهَḤummūh استَفِيقُواwake up
ألاَيَا ألَ حُمَّوهَ استَفِيقُوا
فَإِنَّاfor we are آلَthe clan of أحمَدَAḥmad كَالدَّارَارِيlike shining stars
فَإِنَّا آلَ أحمَدَ كَالدَّارَارِي
Listen, clan of Ḥummūh: awake!
In the severity of confusion, they are saviors
For we, the clan of Aḥmad, are like shining stars.
At the curves a lighthouse to all the elite
لُيُوثُlions فيin لَظَىthe blaze of الهَيجَاbattle غُيُوثٌlife-giving rains
لُيُوثُ في لَظَى الهَيجَا غُيُوثٌ
لَدَىamid اللاوَىhardship مَنَارَةٌa beacon for كُلِّevery سَارِnight traveler
لَدَى اللاوَى مَنَارَةٌ كُلِّ سَارِ
Lions in battle's blaze, life-giving rains
There is aloofness and fortitude towards people in us
in hardship, a beacon for every night traveler.
Our resolutions are soft like glass
لَنَأwe have فيamong النَّاسِpeople اعرَاضٌreputations صِقَالٌpolished
لَنَأ في النَّاسِ اعرَاضٌ صِقَالٌ
عَزَائِمُنَاour resolves مَوَاضٍkeen كَالشِّفَارِlike blades
عَزَائِمُنَا مَوَاضٍ كَالشِّفَارِ
Our reputations among men are burnished bright;
Our natures are loyal and Euphrates
our resolves are keen as blades.
So no dust stuck to them
قَرَائِحُنَاour poetic gifts صَوافٍclear وَفِرَاتabundant
قَرَائِحُنَا صَوافٍ وَفِرَات
فَلَمso has not يَعلَقclung بِهَاto them رَينُthe tarnish of الغُبَارِdust
فَلَم يَعلَق بِهَا رَينُ الغُبَارِ
Our poetic gifts are clear and abundant;
We besiege with rhymes those who reviled us
no tarnish of dust has clung to them.
And we are the foremost in competition
نُطوِّقُwe collar بالقَوافيwith rhymes مَنwhoever هَجاناsatirized us
نُطوِّقُ بالقَوافي مَن هَجانا
ونَحنُand we are السَّابِقُونَthe foremost لَدَىin التَّبَارِيcompetition
ونَحنُ السَّابِقُونَ لَدَى التَّبَارِي
We collar with rhymes whoever lampoons us,
We spurned pottery and those seeking money did not blame us
and we are foremost when rivals compete.
From seeking pottery
تَرَدَّينَاwe clothed ourselves in الفَخَارَglory وَمَاand did not عَدَانَاdivert us
تَرَدَّينَا الفَخَارَ وَمَا عَدَانَا
طلابُthe pursuit of المَالِwealth عنfrom طَلبِthe pursuit of الفَخَارِglory
طلابُ المَالِ عن طَلبِ الفَخَارِ
We clothed ourselves in glory, and were not diverted
And during peace our love was not permitted
by the pursuit of wealth from the pursuit of glory.
While we are of tranquility and dignity
وعِندَand in السِّلمِpeace لَمnot تُحَلَلwere untied حُبَانَاour knee-bands
وعِندَ السِّلمِ لَم تُحَلَل حُبَانَا
ونَحنand we are ذويpossessors of السَّكِينَةِserenity والوَقَارِand dignity
ونَحن ذوي السَّكِينَةِ والوَقَارِ
And in peace, our knee-bands are not untied,
So this is it - you broke the covenants
for we possess serenity and dignity.
And you won with every betrayal and shame
فَهَذَاthis, then والعُهُودُand the covenants نَقَضتُمُوهَاyou broke them
فَهَذَا والعُهُودُ نَقَضتُمُوهَا
وقَدand indeed فُزتُمyou gained بِكُلِّwith every خَنىًindecency وَعَارِand disgrace
وقَد فُزتُم بِكُلِّ خَنىً وَعَارِ
This, then—while you have broken the covenants,
Prayers on the Guided one will not cease
and have gained every indecency and disgrace.
From the sobbing of the short embracers
علىupon الهَادِىthe Guide صَلاَةٌa blessing ماas long as تَلَظَّتblazed
على الهَادِى صَلاَةٌ ما تَلَظَّت
نِيَارُthe fires of الوَجدِlonging مِنfrom نَوحِthe lament of القَصَارِيthe qaṣārī birds
نِيَارُ الوَجدِ مِن نَوحِ القَصَارِي
Blessings upon the Guide, as long as blaze
Yes, between the enemies that day they turned
the fires of longing at the lament of the qaṣārī birds.
Upon sorrows, my recollection was provoked
نَعَمyes بَينُthe departure of الظَّعَائِنَthe women in litters يَومَon the day وَلَّتthey departed
نَعَم بَينُ الظَّعَائِنَ يَومَ وَلَّت
علىon الأحدَاجِthe howdahs هَاجَstirred لِىَfor me ادِّكَارِيmy recollections
على الأحدَاجِ هَاجَ لِىَ ادِّكَارِي
Yes, the women's departure, on the day they turned away
It is as if you are denied meeting the Intercessor
in their howdahs, awakened my recollections.
The father of lights, the gatherer of honor
كَانَّكَas though you قَدindeed حُرِمتَwere denied لِقَاmeeting المُفَدَّىthe cherished one
كَانَّكَ قَد حُرِمتَ لِقَا المُفَدَّى
أبَاAbū (father of) الأنوَارِal-Anwār (the lights) مُجتَمَعَthe gathering place of الفَخَارِglory
أبَا الأنوَارِ مُجتَمَعَ الفَخَارِ
As though you had been denied meeting the cherished one,
So repent O servant, you carry the mark
Abū al-Anwār, in whom glories gather.
Of your ancestors, so it is disgracing warriors
فَتَانَاour young man عَبدُʿAbd إِنَّindeed عَلَيكَupon you سِيمَاthe mark of
فَتَانَا عَبدُ إِنَّ عَلَيكَ سِيمَا
جُدُودِكَyour forefathers فَهىَso it is مُخجِلَةُputting to shame الدَّرَارِيthe shining stars
جُدُودِكَ فَهىَ مُخجِلَةُ الدَّرَارِي
Our young man, ʿAbd, you bear the mark
Yes O servant, you carry the mark
of your forefathers, and it puts the shining stars to shame.
Of your ancestors, so it is disgracing warriors
أَلاlisten ياO عَبدُʿAbd إِنَّindeed عَلَيكَupon you سِيماthe mark of
أَلا يا عَبدُ إِنَّ عَلَيكَ سِيما
جُدودكyour forefathers فهيso it is مُخجِلَةُputting to shame الدَّراريthe shining stars
جُدودك فهي مُخجِلَةُ الدَّراري
O ʿAbd, indeed you bear the mark
A clear light shines on your bright face
of your forefathers, and it puts the shining stars to shame.
Inherited from your great elders
يَلُوحُshines بِوَجهِكَin your face الوَضَّاحِthe radiant نُورٌa light
يَلُوحُ بِوَجهِكَ الوَضَّاحِ نُورٌ
تُوِوِرِثَwas passed down عَنfrom أكَابِرِكَyour elders الكِبَارِthe great
تُوِوِرِثَ عَن أكَابِرِكَ الكِبَارِ
A light shines in your radiant face,
So if your envious envious neighbor harmed you
passed down from your great elders.
And insulted you with humiliation and pettiness
فَإِنso if جَارَاكَvied with you مِنout of حَسَدِenvy حَسُودٌan envious man
فَإِن جَارَاكَ مِن حَسَدِ حَسُودٌ
وَسامَكَand subjected you بِالمَذَلَّةِto abasement والصَّغَارِand humiliation
وَسامَكَ بِالمَذَلَّةِ والصَّغَارِ
If an envious man vies with you out of envy,
And wanted your highest, most valuable position
and seeks to subject you to abasement and humiliation,
With the severity of hatred and declared harm
وَرامَand sought مَقَامَكَyour station اthe (article fragment) لأعلَىhighest وأغلَىand made boil
وَرامَ مَقَامَكَ ا لأعلَى وأغلَى
لَظَىthe blaze of الشَّحنَاrancor وأَعلَنَand openly declared بِالضِّرَارِharmful intent
لَظَى الشَّحنَا وأَعلَنَ بِالضِّرَارِ
and covets your highest station, and stokes
Then do not blame, for you are the adornment of plains
the blaze of rancor, and openly seeks to harm,
A lighthouse for every confused and elite one
فلاthen do not تَعتَبreproach فَأنتَfor you are حَلىًthe ornament of النَّوَادِىassemblies
فلا تَعتَب فَأنتَ حَلىً النَّوَادِى
مَنَارَةُa beacon for كُلِّevery حَيرَانٍbewildered person وَسَارِand night traveler
مَنَارَةُ كُلِّ حَيرَانٍ وَسَارِ
do not reproach, for you adorn assemblies,
My father of injustice whose traits are scattered
a beacon for every bewildered soul and night traveler.
The dear neighbor, protector of the vile
أبيrefusing الضَّيمِoppression مَبثُوثُwidely displayed in المَزَايَاvirtues
أبي الضَّيمِ مَبثُوثُ المَزَايَا
عَزِيزُhonored الجَارِthe neighbor مَحمِىُّprotected الذَّمَارِhonor and dependents
عَزِيزُ الجَارِ مَحمِىُّ الذَّمَارِ
Unbowed by oppression, your virtues spread abroad,
The state of affairs says about you to whoever intends
your neighbor honored, your honor protected.
And examines your distinction in competition
تَقُولُsays الحَالُthe condition فِيكَregarding you لِمَنَّto whoever يُنَاويacts as an adversary
تَقُولُ الحَالُ فِيكَ لِمَنَّ يُنَاوي
ومَنand whoever يَأتَمُّfollows شَاوَكَyour course فيin التَّبَارِىcompetition
ومَن يَأتَمُّ شَاوَكَ في التَّبَارِى
Your very state says to anyone who opposes you,
My rival O servant, did you not know
and whoever follows your course in competition:
Whom you compete with or rival?
مُجَارِيa rival of عَبدُʿAbd كَنتَyou were ألَستَare you not تَدرِىaware of
مُجَارِي عَبدُ كَنتَ ألَستَ تَدرِى
مَحامِدَthe virtues of مَنthe one whom تُسَابِقُyou race أوor تجَارِىyou rival
مَحامِدَ مَن تُسَابِقُ أو تجَارِى
You were ʿAbd's rival—do you not know
Do you not know that he has traits
the virtues of the man you race or rival?
Before which even the honorable fall short?
ألَمdid you not تَعَلَمknow بِأنَّthat لَهُhe has خِصَالاًqualities
ألَم تَعَلَم بِأنَّ لَهُ خِصَالاً
تَوَانَتfell short دُونَهُنَّof them أُولُوpossessors of الفَخَارِglory
تَوَانَت دُونَهُنَّ أُولُو الفَخَارِ
Did you not know that he possesses qualities
The humility of a pure mystic knowing God
before which men of glory faltered?
More chaste than modesty and honor
تَوَاضُعَthe humility of عَارِفٍa knower باللهof God صَافٍpure
تَوَاضُعَ عَارِفٍ بالله صَافٍ
أَغَرَّradiant مِنَof الخَنَاindecency والعَارِand disgrace عَارِfree
أَغَرَّ مِنَ الخَنَا والعَارِ عَارِ
The humility of one who knows God, pure,
The ally of generosity, the radiance of his hands
radiant, free of indecency and disgrace.
Upon his visitors and neighbor a neighbor
حَلِيفan ally of المَكرُمَاتِnoble deeds نَدَىthe dew of يَدَيهِhis hands
حَلِيف المَكرُمَاتِ نَدَى يَدَيهِ
عَلىupon زُوَّارِهِhis visitors والجَارِand the neighbor جَارِflowing
عَلى زُوَّارِهِ والجَارِ جَارِ
An ally of noble deeds, the dew of his hands
He succeeded in the position of his father in truth
flows upon his visitors and his neighbor.
A reader, reciter, residing, and dignified
تَخَلَّفَsucceeded فيin مقَامِthe station of أبِيهِhis father حقًّاtruly
تَخَلَّفَ في مقَامِ أبِيهِ حقًّا
قِرىًhospitality وقِرَاءةًand recitation قَارٍa host وقَارِand a reciter
قِرىً وقِرَاءةً قَارٍ وقَارِ
He truly took his father's place,
He abandoned politeness walking politely
in hospitality and recitation—a host and a reciter.
And appeared with tranquility and dignity
تَرَدَّىhe clothed himself in سُندَسَthe fine silk of الآدَابِgood manners دَاباًhabitually
تَرَدَّى سُندَسَ الآدَابِ دَاباً
وظَاهَرَand layered it بالسَّكِينَةِwith serenity والوَقَارِand dignity
وظَاهَرَ بالسَّكِينَةِ والوَقَارِ
He ever wore the fine silk of good manners,
So if he does not stop, it is sweeter and more beloved
and overlaid it with serenity and dignity.
Than pleasure highlighted with perfume
فَإِنso if لاَيَنتَهُyou treat him gently أَحلَىsweeter وأشهَىand more delightful
فَإِن لاَيَنتَهُ أَحلَى وأشهَى
مِنَthan المَاذِىِّpure white honey شُعشِعَmingled بالعُقَارِwith wine
مِنَ المَاذِىِّ شُعشِعَ بالعُقَارِ
If you treat him gently, he is sweeter and more delightful
And he is bitterer to the enemy, a resistant bite
than pure white honey mingled with wine.
So he is intimidating to the brave
وَهُوَّand he is عَلَىtoward العَدُوِّthe enemy أمَرُّthe bitterest صَابٍspurge
وَهُوَّ عَلَى العَدُوِّ أمَرُّ صَابٍ
وصِبرٍand aloe فَهوَso he is مَرهُوبُfeared for الشِّفَارِthe blades
وصِبرٍ فَهوَ مَرهُوبُ الشِّفَارِ
Yet to the foe he is the bitterest spurge
A young man whose nature and origin are delicate
and aloe; his blades are dreaded.
So he became with praiseworthy traits arrayed
فَتىًa young man رَقَّتgrew tender طَبِيعَتُهhis nature ورَاقَتand grew pleasing
فَتىً رَقَّت طَبِيعَتُه ورَاقَت
فَأصبَحَso he became بالمَحَامِدِwith virtues ذَاpossessed of ائتزَارِgirding
فَأصبَحَ بالمَحَامِدِ ذَا ائتزَارِ
A young man whose nature grew tender and pleasing,
And his carpenter improved so he increased in goodness
and so he became girded with virtues.
And the goodness of the branch is from the goodness of the carpenter
وَطَابَand grew good نَجارُهُhis lineage فازدَادَso he increased in طِيباًgoodness
وَطَابَ نَجارُهُ فازدَادَ طِيباً
وطِيبُand the goodness of الفَرعِthe branch مِنfrom طِيبِthe goodness of النِّجَارِthe stock
وطِيبُ الفَرعِ مِن طِيبِ النِّجَارِ
His lineage was noble, and he grew nobler still,
He smiles when delegations come to him dispersed
for a branch's goodness comes from the goodness of its stock.
And he honors with his right and left hand
يَهَشُّhe beams إِذَاwhen الوُفُودُthe delegations أتَتهُcome to him شَتَّىin diverse groups
يَهَشُّ إِذَا الوُفُودُ أتَتهُ شَتَّى
ويُكرِمُand gives generously بِاليَمِينِwith the right hand وبِاليَسَارِand with the left hand
ويُكرِمُ بِاليَمِينِ وبِاليَسَارِ
He beams when delegations come to him from many quarters,
May God reward him with the best recompense
and gives generously with his right hand and his left.
With which he rewards the elite of the elite
جَزَاهُmay He reward him اللهُGod أحسَنَthe finest of مَاwhat يُجَارِىbefits
جَزَاهُ اللهُ أحسَنَ مَا يُجَارِى
بِهِwith it غُرَرَthe foremost of الخِيَارِthe best منamong الخِيارِthe best
بِهِ غُرَرَ الخِيَارِ من الخِيارِ
May God reward him with the finest recompense befitting
And appoint him obeyed, straightforward
the foremost of the best among the best,
Upon the enlightened upright religion
وَعمَّرَهُand grant him long life مُطَاعاًobeyed مُستَقِيماًupright
وَعمَّرَهُ مُطَاعاً مُستَقِيماً
عَلَىupon الدِّينِthe faith القَوِيمِthe true المُستَنَارِthe illumined
عَلَى الدِّينِ القَوِيمِ المُستَنَارِ
and grant him long life, obeyed and upright,
By the status of the Chosen Best of Creations
upon the true, illumined faith,
And the status of the Household and noble comrades
بِجَاهِthrough the standing of المُصطفيthe Chosen One خَيرِthe best of البَرَايَاcreation
بِجَاهِ المُصطفي خَيرِ البَرَايَا
وجَاهِand the standing of الآلِthe family والصَّحبِand the companions الدَّرَارِىthe shining stars
وجَاهِ الآلِ والصَّحبِ الدَّرَارِى
through the standing of the Chosen One, the best of creation,
Upon him from the Throne prayers
and the standing of his family and companions, the shining stars.
As long as the waves of the seas surge
عَلَيهِupon him منfrom العَرشِthe Throne أَسنَىthe most radiant
عَلَيهِ من العَرشِ أَسنَى
صَلاَةٍa blessing مَاas long as أرتَمَىsurged مُوجُthe waves of البِحَارِthe seas
صَلاَةٍ مَا أرتَمَى مُوجُ البِحَارِ
Upon him, from the Throne, the most radiant
blessings, as long as the waves of the seas surge.
Partial English translation: 128 of 130 Arabic lines translated.