شاقَstirred longing الحَمَامُthe dove إليكfor you لمّاwhen ناحاit lamented
شاقَ الحَمَامُ إليك لمّا ناحا
صَباًa lovesick man تَذكَّرremembered إلْفَهُhis beloved فارتاحاand yearned
صَباً تَذكَّر إلْفَهُ فارتاحا
The dove, when it lamented, stirred longing for you
The dove longed for you when it cooed,
In a lovesick man who remembered his beloved and yearned.
A youth remembering its companion and so finding solace.
ليتَwould that الحَمامَthe dove أتَمَّcompleted ليfor me إحسانهits kindness
ليتَ الحَمامَ أتَمَّ لي إحسانه
فأعارنيand lent me أيضاًalso إليهto him جَناحاa wing
فأعارني أيضاً إليه جَناحا
Would that the dove had completed its kindness to me
Would that the dove might complete its kindness to me
And lent me, too, a wing to reach him.
By lending me its wings as well.
ياO نازِحاًdistant one لمnot يَنقَطعْceased ذِكْرِيmy remembrance لهof him
يا نازِحاً لم يَنقَطعْ ذِكْرِي له
لوif only أنّthat ذاكthat يُقربُbrings closer النُزّاحاthe distant ones
لو أنّ ذاك يُقربُ النُزّاحا
O distant one, my remembrance of him has never ceased—
O you who migrate but whose memory of me does not fade,
If only that could bring the distant closer!
If only the one you miss would come closer!
أَتَظُنُّdo you think أنّيthat I صابِرٌam patient وجوانحيwhile my inner breast
أَتَظُنُّ أنّي صابِرٌ وجوانحي
مَمْلوءةٌis filled للبُعْدِbecause of distance منكfrom you جِراحاwith wounds
مَمْلوءةٌ للبُعْدِ منك جِراحا
Do you think I am patient, when my breast
Do you think I can be patient when my wings
Is filled with wounds from being far from you?
Are filled with wounds from being far from you?
شَوقيmy longing إليكfor you علىdespite البِعادِthe distance قدِhas indeed اغتدَىbecome
شَوقي إليك على البِعادِ قدِ اغتدَى
بَرَحاًtorment لوَif only أنّيI أستطيعُcould manage بَراحاan escape
بَرَحاً لوَ أنّي أستطيعُ بَراحا
My longing for you across the distance has become
My longing for you from afar has grown
Torment—if only I could find escape!
To a vast desert—if only I could cross it!
قَسَماًI swear لقدindeed كتَمconcealed اللّسانُthe tongue هواكُمُlove for you all
قَسَماً لقد كتَم اللّسانُ هواكُمُ
لكنَّbut دمعيmy tears بالسّرائرabout the secrets باحاspoke openly
لكنَّ دمعي بالسّرائر باحا
I swear, the tongue has concealed my love for you,
By God, my tongue concealed its passion for you
But my tears have divulged the secrets.
But my tears in private betrayed it.
عَزَّbecame difficult العزاءُconsolation عليَّfor me لمّاwhen أنْthat جَلاhe revealed
عَزَّ العزاءُ عليَّ لمّا أنْ جَلا
يومَon the day of الرّحيلِdeparture معَwith الصّباحthe morning صَباحاa dawn
يومَ الرّحيلِ معَ الصّباح صَباحا
Consolation became hard for me when he revealed,
Comfort was difficult when at the break of dawn
On departure day, a dawn beside the morning.
On the day we parted, morning bid morning farewell.
وعلىand on الجيادِfine steeds مُعارِضينَriding alongside فوارسٌhorsemen
وعلى الجيادِ مُعارِضينَ فوارسٌ
فوقabove الكَوائبِunclear word: al-kawa'ib عارِضينَdisplaying رِماحاspears
فوق الكَوائبِ عارِضينَ رِماحا
And on steeds, riding alongside, were horsemen,
Valiant horsemen on thoroughbred steeds
Above [an unclear word], displaying spears.
Raced their lances over the dunes.
لوif قاتَلواthey fought بَدَلَinstead of الظُّبَىblade-edges بلِحاظِهاwith her glances
لو قاتَلوا بَدَلَ الظُّبَى بلِحاظِها
كانواthey would be إذنْthen أمضىmost piercing الأنامِamong mankind سِلاحاin weaponry
كانوا إذنْ أمضى الأنامِ سِلاحا
Had they fought with her glances instead of blades,
Had they fought the gazelles instead with their swords,
They would have had mankind's most piercing weapons.
They would have been the most expert wielders of weapons.
ومُرنَّحُand a swaying one الأعطافِof flanks تَحسَبُyou think صُدْغَهhis temple-lock
ومُرنَّحُ الأعطافِ تَحسَبُ صُدْغَه
ليلاًnight وتَحسَبُand you think خَدَّهhis cheek مِصْباحاa lamp
ليلاً وتَحسَبُ خَدَّه مِصْباحا
And one with swaying flanks, whose temple-lock you would think
The one with languid limbs—you’d think his cheek
Was night, and whose cheek you would think a lamp:
Was a lamp, his temple a torchlight in the dark of night.
صَلِفٌhaughty لهhe has سلطانُthe sovereignty of حُسْنٍbeauty قاهرٌoverpowering
صَلِفٌ له سلطانُ حُسْنٍ قاهرٌ
يأبَىrefuses إذاwhen مَلَكhe masters الفَتىإسجاحاthe youth; leniency
يأبَى إذا مَلَك الفَتىإسجاحا
Haughty, possessing beauty's overpowering sovereignty,
He has an irresistible beauty and charm,
He refuses leniency when he masters a youth.
Refusing to bow down though the youth is master.
بِتْناwe spent the night نَدِيمَيْas two companions خَلْوةٍof seclusion فيin عِفّةٍchastity
بِتْنا نَدِيمَيْ خَلْوةٍ في عِفّةٍ
مُتَساقِيَيْنِgiving each other drink ولاwith no زجاجةَbottle راحاof wine
مُتَساقِيَيْنِ ولا زجاجةَ راحا
We spent the night as companions alone together, chastely,
We were intimate friends in chaste seclusion,
Giving each other drink, without a bottle of wine:
Communing without need for goblets of wine.
راحاًwine تَعاطاهاexchanged it السُّقاةُthe cupbearers نفوسَهاits souls
راحاً تَعاطاها السُّقاةُ نفوسَها
منّاfrom us ولمand not تُمْددwas stretched إليهاtoward it راحاa hand
منّا ولم تُمْدد إليها راحا
Wine whose very essence the cupbearers exchanged,
Wine which the cupbearers had tasted themselves—
From us, though no hand was stretched toward it.
We avoided it while they had not.
للهِhow wondrous أحبابٌbeloved ones تأوَّبَreturned at night طَيْفُهمtheir phantom
للهِ أحبابٌ تأوَّبَ طَيْفُهم
ليُزيحَto dispel عنfrom عَينيmy eye الكرَىsleep فأزاحاand dispelled it
ليُزيحَ عن عَيني الكرَى فأزاحا
How wondrous those beloveds whose phantom returned at night
God has beloveds whose apparitions came
To dispel sleep from my eye—and dispelled it!
To dispel sorrow from my eyes, so removing it.
غدَرواthey betrayed ففيso to الأسماعthe ears ماnot مَلَحواwere they charming وإنalthough
غدَروا ففي الأسماع ما مَلَحوا وإن
سَفَرواthey unveiled فكانواand they were فيin العُيونِthe eyes مِلاحاbeautiful
سَفَروا فكانوا في العُيونِ مِلاحا
They betrayed me, so to the ear they had no charm; yet,
They betrayed me, so their words turned bitter in my hearing,
When they unveiled, they were lovely to the eyes.
And when they traveled away, they remained sharp thorns in my eyes.
فكأنّماso as though داعٍa caller دعاcalled فأجَبْتُand I answered الal- (incomplete fragment)
فكأنّما داعٍ دعا فأجَبْتُ ال
لازالَmay never cease أفعالُthe deeds of الحسانِthe beautiful ones قِباحاto be ugly
لازالَ أفعالُ الحسانِ قِباحا
As though a caller called, and I answered [fragment]:
So it was as if someone had called me and I’d answered,
May the beautiful ones' deeds forever remain ugly!
Though acts of kindness still seemed ugly to me.
كمhow much كانthere was منof عُسْرٍhardship ومِنand of يُسرٍease
كم كان من عُسْرٍ ومِن يُسرٍ
فماyet not ألفِيتُwas I found مِجْزاعاًoverly anguished ولاnor مِفراحاoverly joyous
فما ألفِيتُ مِجْزاعاً ولا مِفراحا
How many hardships there have been, and eases,
How much hardship and ease there was,
Yet I proved neither greatly distraught nor overjoyed.
Yet I found no shrinking coward or exulting victor.
خاطَبْتُI addressed كلَّevery مَعاشرٍcompany بلُغاتهمin their languages
خاطَبْتُ كلَّ مَعاشرٍ بلُغاتهم
زَمناًfor a time مُخاطبةَas the addressing of الصّدَىthe echo مَنwhoever صاحاcried out
زَمناً مُخاطبةَ الصّدَى مَن صاحا
I addressed every company in its own language
I conversed with each group in their own language
For a time, as the echo answers whoever cries out.
For a time, like someone shouting into an echoing void.
ومنَعْتُand I withheld نفسيmyself قولَthe utterance of كلِّevery بديعةٍwondrous verse
ومنَعْتُ نفسي قولَ كلِّ بديعةٍ
عِطْفُthe side of الكريمthe generous man لهاat it يُهَزُّis shaken مِراحاwith delight
عِطْفُ الكريم لها يُهَزُّ مِراحا
And I withheld myself from uttering every wondrous verse
I held back my soul from praising every eloquent woman—
At which a generous man's side shakes with delight.
For the noble one’s affection makes the litters lurch.
أضحىَbecame لعِجْلِof the calf of اللُّؤْمِbaseness كُلٌeveryone عابداًa worshipper
أضحىَ لعِجْلِ اللُّؤْمِ كُلٌ عابداً
جَهْلاًin ignorance فألقَىso cast down شِعْريَmy poetry الألواحاthe tablets
جَهْلاً فألقَى شِعْريَ الألواحا
Everyone became a worshipper of the calf of baseness
Calf-worshippers have now become the idol of every fool—
In ignorance; so my poetry cast down the tablets.
So my poetry threw away its tablets.
حتىuntil صدَرْتُI set forth إليكto you ياO صدْرَforemost of الورىmankind
حتى صدَرْتُ إليك يا صدْرَ الورى
بمَطالبيwith my aspirations العُلْياthe highest بكthrough you استِنْجاحاseeking success
بمَطالبي العُلْيا بك استِنْجاحا
Until I set forth to you, O foremost of mankind,
Until I came to you, O heart of the world,
With my highest aspirations, seeking success through you.
With my lofty requests, hoping for success through you.
ورأيتُand I saw مَمدوحاًa man worthy of praise كماas رَضِيَapproved العُلاloftiness
ورأيتُ مَمدوحاً كما رَضِيَ العُلا
فَرضيِتُso I was content أنthat أُسْمَىI be called لهhis مَدّاحاpanegyrist
فَرضيِتُ أن أُسْمَى له مَدّاحا
And I saw a man to praise whom loftiness itself approved,
I saw one praised as even the exalted were pleased with him,
So I was content to be called his panegyrist.
So I was content to be his panegyrist.
تُفْدَىmay be sacrificed الصدورُthe chiefs لصدْرِfor the chief of دَهرٍan age لمnot يَزلْhas ceased
تُفْدَى الصدورُ لصدْرِ دَهرٍ لم يَزلْ
طَلِباًeagerly seeking إلىtoward فُضَلائهits men of merit مُرْتاحاdrawn with delight
طَلِباً إلى فُضَلائه مُرْتاحا
May all chiefs ransom the chief of an age, who has always
Hearts are ransomed for the heart of a time
Sought its men of merit, eagerly drawn to them:
That never ceased to yearn for its superior minds.
فيin القُرْبِnearness مُرتاحاًdelighted إذاwhen لاقاهُمُhe meets them
في القُرْبِ مُرتاحاً إذا لاقاهُمُ
وعلىand despite البِعادِdistance إليهمُtoward them مُلْتاحاburning with longing
وعلى البِعادِ إليهمُ مُلْتاحا
Delighted in their nearness when he meets them,
At ease with them when near, and longing for them
And, far away, burning with longing for them.
When far away—always yearning.
منone who أصبحَhas come to be الإسلامُIslam وهْوwhile he لبيتهِfor its house
من أصبحَ الإسلامُ وهْو لبيتهِ
ركْنٌa pillar عُلاهits height أعيَتِdefeated المُساحاthe measurers
ركْنٌ عُلاه أعيَتِ المُساحا
Through him, Islam now has for its house
The pillar of Islam’s house since the day he entered it
A pillar whose height has defeated all measurers.
Was a man whose life the centuries failed to wear away.
ولمَسْحِهand for his touch كَفَّthe hand of الثريّاthe Pleiades عُمْرَهاthroughout its life
ولمَسْحِه كَفَّ الثريّا عُمْرَها
بَقِيَتْremained كذاthus مَبْسوطةًoutstretched إلحاحاinsistently
بَقِيَتْ كذا مَبْسوطةً إلحاحا
And for his touch, the Pleiades' hand, throughout its life,
Because of him, Yathrib prospered continuously—
Has remained thus outstretched, insistently.
He expanded it further and further.
أقضَىmost discerning قُضاةٍof judges فيin الممالكِthe realms كُلِّهاall of them
أقضَى قُضاةٍ في الممالكِ كُلِّها
مِمَّنamong those who غَداgo forth at morning يَبْغيseek العلاloftiness أوor راحاgo at evening
مِمَّن غَدا يَبْغي العلا أو راحا
The most discerning judge in all the realms,
The most judicious of judges in every kingdom,
Among those seeking loftiness morning or evening:
Whether seeking glory or comfort.
يّقْظانُwakeful صاغَfashioned اللهُGod ثاقِبَthe penetration of فَهْمِهhis understanding
يّقْظانُ صاغَ اللهُ ثاقِبَ فَهْمِه
لُطْفاًgraciously لقُفْلِfor the lock of غُيوبهِHis mysteries مِفْتاحاa key
لُطْفاً لقُفْلِ غُيوبهِ مِفْتاحا
Wakeful, whose penetrating understanding God fashioned,
Awake—God made his keen insight
By His grace, into a key to the lock of His mysteries.
Subtle, to unlock the secrets of the unseen.
ماnot قِسْتُhave I compared عِلْمَthe knowledge of بنيthe sons of الزّمانthe age بِعِلْمِهwith his knowledge
ما قِسْتُ عِلْمَ بني الزّمان بِعِلْمِه
مَنwho قائِسٌwould compare بغُطامِطٍto a surging sea ضَحْضاحاa shallow pool
مَن قائِسٌ بغُطامِطٍ ضَحْضاحا
I have not compared the knowledge of this age's sons with his:
I cannot measure the knowledge of people today against his knowledge,
Who would compare a shallow pool to a surging sea?
Like one measuring pitch-dark night against the bright dawn.
وَرِثَinherited from الأئمَةَthe imams كابراًa great ancestor عنfrom كابرٍa great ancestor
وَرِثَ الأئمَةَ كابراً عن كابرٍ
ولوِرْثِهand to his inheritance جَعَلَgave العُلاloftiness الارجاحاadded weight
ولوِرْثِه جَعَلَ العُلا الارجاحا
He inherited from the imams, great ancestor after great ancestor,
He inherited erudite forefathers one after another,
And loftiness gave added weight to his inheritance.
And because of his inheritance, excellence outweighed all else.
مَطرَواrained down bounty هُمُthey ومضواand passed on كراماًnobly فيamong الورىmankind
مَطرَوا هُمُ ومضوا كراماً في الورى
فثَوىso he remained غديراًa pool بَعْدَهمafter them طفَّاحاoverflowing
فثَوى غديراً بَعْدَهم طفَّاحا
They rained down bounty and passed nobly among mankind;
They passed away as noble souls, and after them
He remained after them, an overflowing pool.
Only a sparkling pool was left in the valley.
حسُنتْbecame fair وطابَتْand pleasing فيamong الورىmankind أخبارُهhis reports
حسُنتْ وطابَتْ في الورى أخبارُه
وأصَحَّهاand authenticated them راويthe narrator of العُلاlofty deeds إصحاحاfully
وأصَحَّها راوي العُلا إصحاحا
His reports became fair and pleasing among mankind,
His virtues were beautiful and pure in the world—
And the narrator of lofty deeds fully authenticated them.
And the narrator of great deeds recounted them flawlessly.
وكأنّand as though دُرًّاpearls فاهuttered راوىthe narrator of مَدْحِهhis praise
وكأنّ دُرًّا فاه راوى مَدْحِه
لمّاwhen رَوىhe narrated وكأنّand as though مِسْكاmusk فاحاwafted
لمّا رَوى وكأنّ مِسْكا فاحا
The narrator of his praise seemed to utter pearls
When the narrator of his praise recites,
When he recounted it, and musk seemed to waft.
It is as though fresh, fragrant musk exudes.
مَلِكٌa king سَرىmarched العلماءُthe scholars تحتbeneath لوائهhis banner
مَلِكٌ سَرى العلماءُ تحت لوائه
فغَداso became حريمُthe protected domain of بنيthe sons of الضَّلالerror مُباحاopen
فغَدا حريمُ بني الضَّلال مُباحا
A king beneath whose banner the scholars marched,
A king under whose banner scholars walked—
So the protected domain of error's sons lay open.
So the sanctuaries of the misguided became permitted.
قدindeed سَخَّرsubjected الأرواحَthe souls خالِقُهاtheir Creator لهto him
قد سَخَّر الأرواحَ خالِقُها له
إنif لمnot يكُنْHe has قدalready سَخّرsubjected الأرواحاthe winds
إن لم يكُنْ قد سَخّر الأرواحا
Their Creator has subjected souls to him,
The Creator subjugated spirits to him,
Even if He has not already subjected the winds.
Even if He had not subjugated spirits.
وإذاand when أشارَhe signaled بعَقْدِthe fixing of مَوْعدِthe time of مَجْلسٍa gathering
وإذا أشارَ بعَقْدِ مَوْعدِ مَجْلسٍ
شَوْقاًin longing إليهfor him تُعاوِدُthey return to الأشباحاthe bodies
شَوْقاً إليه تُعاوِدُ الأشباحا
And whenever he calls for fixing a gathering's time,
Whenever he signals to hold a majlis,
Longing for him, they return to their bodies.
The apparitions return eagerly with yearning for him.
أمّاas for المُلوكُthe kings فلَثْمُthen kissing ماwhat هوhe واطِيءٌtreads upon
أمّا المُلوكُ فلَثْمُ ما هو واطِيءٌ
شَوْقاًin longing إليهfor him يَطْمحَونَthey aspire طِماحاardently
شَوْقاً إليه يَطْمحَونَ طِماحا
As for kings, to kiss whatever he treads on,
As for kings, they long to kiss what his feet tread
They aspire ardently, longing for him.
Out of yearning for him.
تَمْتارُdraw provisions منfrom آرائهhis counsels راياتُهمtheir banners
تَمْتارُ من آرائه راياتُهم
نَصْراًvictory مُتاحاًgranted للِعداagainst the foes مُجْتاحاdevastating
نَصْراً مُتاحاً للِعدا مُجْتاحا
Their banners draw provisions from his counsels:
They cull opinions and insights from his wisdom
A granted victory, devastating to the foes.
To gain accessible victory over aggressors.
ويَروْنَand they see إنif فَسَدَbecomes corrupt الزّمانُthe age وأهلُهand its people
ويَروْنَ إن فَسَدَ الزّمانُ وأهلُه
للدينfor religion والدّنياand the world بهِthrough him اسِتصْلاحاrestoration
للدين والدّنيا بهِ اسِتصْلاحا
And when the age and its people grow corrupt, they see
They see that when the time and its people decayed,
Through him, restoration for religion and the world.
He set right religious and worldly affairs.
إنّindeed المعاليَthe lofty virtues كُنَّwere سَرْحاًa grazing herd رائعاًsplendid
إنّ المعاليَ كُنَّ سَرْحاً رائعاً
ألفاهُfound it عصْرُكyour age عازِباًstraying فأراحاand brought it home
ألفاهُ عصْرُك عازِباً فأراحا
The lofty virtues were a splendid grazing herd;
Your deeds surpassed those of our ancestors
Your age found it astray and brought it home.
When you made heads fly and toppled others.
وحديثُand new glory مَجْدٍwith the old بالقديمyou joined it وصَلْتَهglory
وحديثُ مَجْدٍ بالقديم وصَلْتَه
إذfor كانَwas حُبُّكyour love للزّمانِfor the age لِقاحاfertilization
إذ كانَ حُبُّك للزّمانِ لِقاحا
And new glory you joined to old,
Your arguments accomplished what their swords did,
For your love brought fertility to the age.
Spilling blood and clearing the land.
أسلافُناour forefathers البيِضُthe fair ones اليَمانونَthe Yemenis الأُلَىthose who
أسلافُنا البيِضُ اليَمانونَ الأُلَى
كانواlived وكانand was نداهمtheir bounty فضَّاحاputting others to shame
كانوا وكان نداهم فضَّاحا
Our fair Yemeni forefathers, those
May a jealous rival who envies what you attained
Who lived, whose bounty put others to shame:
Be your ransom against the trickery of fate—
وإذاand when وقواthey guarded against شحthe stinginess of النفوسsouls بمالهمwith their wealth
وإذا وقوا شح النفوس بمالهم
كانواthey were بأعراضٍover reputations كَرُمْنَthat were noble شِحاحاjealous
كانوا بأعراضٍ كَرُمْنَ شِحاحا
When they warded off souls' stinginess with their wealth,
A foe who stands on tiptoes,
They jealously guarded their noble honor.
Hoping to pluck a shining star from the sky.
وغدَتْand became فوارسُhorsemen للفوارسِagainst horsemen فيِهمُamong them
وغدَتْ فوارسُ للفوارسِ فيِهمُ
أبداًalways تُعوَّدُare trained للصِفاحِto sword-blades صِفاحاfaces
أبداً تُعوَّدُ للصِفاحِ صِفاحا
And among them were horsemen opposing horsemen,
Beyond you he desires—though you appeared to his eyes
Their faces ever trained to meet sword-blades.
By God!—the ignorant are so insolent.
سَبقواthey were first بنَصْرِin supporting الدينِthe faith دينِthe faith of مُحمَّدٍMuhammad
سَبقوا بنَصْرِ الدينِ دينِ مُحمَّدٍ
حتّىuntil انجَلَىcleared ليلُthe night of الهُدىguidance إصباحاinto dawn
حتّى انجَلَى ليلُ الهُدى إصباحا
They were first to support the faith, Muhammad's faith,
Next to the sun at dawn he rubs his eyes,
Until the night of guidance cleared into dawn.
Blindly seeking daylight with the dim light of stars.
وشَرعْتَand you began أنتyou اليومَtoday نَصْراًa defense مِثْلهlike it
وشَرعْتَ أنت اليومَ نَصْراً مِثْله
فأزالَso it removed عادِيةَthe aggression of العِداthe foes وأزاحاand drove it away
فأزالَ عادِيةَ العِدا وأزاحا
And today you began a like defense,
You were the one who elucidated for the nation of Ahmad
Which removed the foes' aggression and drove it away.
The shining path of Ahmad’s religion.
فَعَلتْaccomplished فُصولُكyour pronouncements فوقbeyond فِعْلِthe deeds of نُصولِهمtheir blades
فَعَلتْ فُصولُك فوق فِعْلِ نُصولِهم
لمّاwhen أطارَsent flying جَماجِماًskulls وأطاحاand hurled down
لمّا أطارَ جَماجِماً وأطاحا
Your pronouncements surpassed the deeds of their blades,
When they saw your magnanimity was like a raincloud,
When those sent skulls flying and hurled them down.
They raced toward you on swift steeds.
وأتىَand accomplished جِدالُكyour disputation ماwhat أتَواthey accomplished بجِلادِهمwith their sword-fighting
وأتىَ جِدالُك ما أتَوا بجِلادِهم
حتّىuntil أسالَmade flow دِماءهمtheir blood وأساحاand made it stream
حتّى أسالَ دِماءهم وأساحا
Your disputation accomplished what their sword-fighting did,
So when will my eyes gain tranquility
Until it made their blood flow and stream.
By seeing the sun of your kingship draw near?
ففَداكَso may ransom you مِنfrom رَيْبِthe hazards of الحوادثِcalamities حاسدٌan envier
ففَداكَ مِن رَيْبِ الحوادثِ حاسدٌ
يغدوgoes forth إلىtoward ماwhat نِلْتَهyou attained طَمّاحاcovetous
يغدو إلى ما نِلْتَه طَمّاحا
May an envier ransom you from the hazards of calamity,
When will I listen to the gems of your speech with my ears,
One who goes coveting what you have attained:
As your proximity enlivens my spirit even more?
عاوٍa howler يَقومُwho stands علىon أناملِthe tips of رِجْلِهhis foot
عاوٍ يَقومُ على أناملِ رِجْلِه
لتنَالso that might reach منهfrom him الكَفُّthe hand نَجْماًa star لاحاthat shone
لتنَال منه الكَفُّ نَجْماً لاحا
A howler who stands on the tips of his toes,
Khuzestan was desolate until God clothed it
So his hand might reach a star that shone.
Through you with a robe of honor.
يَرجوhe hopes for سِواكَsomeone other than you وقدthough already طَلَعْتَyou have risen لعَيْنهِbefore his eye
يَرجو سِواكَ وقد طَلَعْتَ لعَيْنهِ
قَسَماًI swear لقدindeed خُلِقَwas created الجَهولُthe ignorant man وَقاحاshameless
قَسَماً لقد خُلِقَ الجَهولُ وَقاحا
He hopes for someone other than you, though you have risen before his eye.
Do not disregard its conquest due to its small size—
I swear, the ignorant man was created shameless!
I urge you by the life of your eminent father!
فيat جَنْبِthe side of شَمْسِa sun of صُحىًmorning brightness (unclear spelling) يُقلِّبُhe turns عَيْنَهhis eye
في جَنْبِ شَمْسِ صُحىً يُقلِّبُ عَيْنَه
أعمىَblind لِيَطْلُبَto seek بالسُّهاfrom Suha استِصْباحاillumination
أعمىَ لِيَطْلُبَ بالسُّها استِصْباحا
Beside a morning sun, he turns his eye,
It was the encampment of your grandfather Al-Muhallab
Blind, seeking illumination from Suha.
In the days his armies thrust with spears.
ألسانَO tongue of أُمةِthe community of أحمدٍAhmad أنتَyou الّذيare the one who
ألسانَ أُمةِ أحمدٍ أنتَ الّذي
أوضَحْتَclarified مِلّةَthe faith of أحمدٍAhmad لَمّاحاkeenly discerning
أوضَحْتَ مِلّةَ أحمدٍ لَمّاحا
O tongue of Ahmad's community, you are the one
He forcibly expelled the Kharijites from its lands—
Who clarified Ahmad's faith with keen discernment.
Exile which brought lamentations over them.
لمّاwhen رأوكَthey saw you منَof السّماحِgenerosity غمامةًa cloud
لمّا رأوكَ منَ السّماحِ غمامةً
رَكِبوُاthey rode إليكto you منof المَطِيِّthe mounts رِياحاwinds
رَكِبوُا إليك من المَطِيِّ رِياحا
When they saw you as a cloud of generosity,
Likewise, pursue their trail in the kingdoms,
They rode to you on steeds like winds.
Pursuing corruption so that integrity spreads.
فمتىso when تَنالُwill gain العَيْنُthe eye منّيof mine قُرّةًdelight
فمتى تَنالُ العَيْنُ منّي قُرّةً
بلِقاءِby meeting شَمْسِthe sun of المُلْكِsovereignty منكَin you كِفاحاface to face
بلِقاءِ شَمْسِ المُلْكِ منكَ كِفاحا
When will my eye find delight
If I saw a humbled nation in the wilderness
In meeting you, the sun of sovereignty, face to face?
And I could make it prosper, joy would depart.
ومتىand when أُقَرِّطُshall I adorn with earrings دُرَّthe pearls of لفظِكyour speech مِسْمَعيmy ear
ومتى أُقَرِّطُ دُرَّ لفظِك مِسْمَعي
ويَزيدُand increases قُرْبُكyour nearness روحِيَmy soul اسْترواحاin ease
ويَزيدُ قُرْبُك روحِيَ اسْترواحا
And when shall I adorn my ear with your speech's pearls,
While you avoid indignity through the likes of it—
And your nearness give my soul greater ease?
May God ennoble you!—since nobility comes easily to you.
قدonce كانwas خُوزِستانُKhuzistan عُطْلاًunadorned عِطْفُهاits flank
قد كان خُوزِستانُ عُطْلاً عِطْفُها
حتّىuntil كساهاclothed it اللهُGod منكَwith you وِشاحاas a sash
حتّى كساها اللهُ منكَ وِشاحا
Khuzistan's flank once wore no ornament,
Whenever I ordered the virgins of my poetry to praise,
Until God clothed it with you as a sash.
They refused, aspiring only for your match.
لاdo not تَحقِرَنَّdespise قَضاءهاits judgeship منas خِطَةan office
لا تَحقِرَنَّ قَضاءها من خِطَة
نُصْحاًas counsel لعَمْرُby the life of أبيthe father of عُلاكَyour glory صُراحاfrank
نُصْحاً لعَمْرُ أبي عُلاكَ صُراحا
Do not look down on its judgeship as an office:
So rouse in them some praise whose prerequisites
Frank counsel, by the life of the father of your glory!
Were fulfilled by the downpour of your generosity.
فَهيfor it is المُعسْكرُthe encampment للمُهلّبِof Muhallab جَدكمyour ancestor
فَهي المُعسْكرُ للمُهلّبِ جَدكم
أيامَin the days when جرَّdragged جُيوشُهhis armies الأرْماحاthe spears
أيامَ جرَّ جُيوشُه الأرْماحا
For it was the encampment of Muhallab, your ancestor,
I postponed my compositions so I could be
In the days when his armies dragged their spears.
One who offers his service before the delegations.
فَنفَىso he expelled الخوارجَthe Kharijites عنْوةًby force عنfrom أرضِهاits land
فَنفَى الخوارجَ عنْوةً عن أرضِها
نَفْياًa banishment أقامَthat set عليِهمُover them النُّوّاحاthe mourners
نَفْياً أقامَ عليِهمُ النُّوّاحا
He drove the Kharijites by force from its land,
Out of love for myself—not myself, so that
A banishment that set the mourners wailing over them.
I may one day see it heading off to you.
فاتْبَعْso follow كذلكَlikewise فيin الممالِكthe realms إثْرَهُhis footsteps
فاتْبَعْ كذلكَ في الممالِك إثْرَهُ
تَعْقُبْmake succeed فَساداًcorruption عَمَّهنّthat engulfed them صَلاحاreform
تَعْقُبْ فَساداً عَمَّهنّ صَلاحا
Follow his footsteps likewise through the realms,
My feet envy my pen if I prepare it
And make reform follow the corruption that engulfed them.
To compose and improve writing.
لوif أرىI see المُهَّنىthe congratulated one فيon البسيطةِthe earth أمْةٌa community
لو أرى المُهَّنى في البسيطةِ أمْةٌ
وُلِّيتُهاI was appointed over it فَتهادَتِand it exchanged الأفراحاjoys
وُلِّيتُها فَتهادَتِ الأفراحا
If I see the one congratulated on earth—a community [wording unclear]—
If I were able, I would speak of it and outrace it,
Over which I was appointed, and which exchanged joys.
Traveling to meet you at dusk and dawn.
وتَجِلُّand you are exalted أنتyou عنbeyond الهَناءِcongratulation بمِثْلِهاfor the like of it
وتَجِلُّ أنت عن الهَناءِ بمِثْلِها
شَرَفاًin honor لكَfor you اللهُGod الكريمthe Generous أتاحاgranted
شَرَفاً لكَ اللهُ الكريم أتاحا
And you are too exalted to be congratulated for the like of it,
Rather, if I were able—and I cannot journey—
In the honor God, the Generous, granted you.
Due to the vicissitudes of fate that caused me to stray.
أبكارُthe maiden verses of مَدْحيmy praise كلّماwhenever استأمَرْتُهاI sought their consent
أبكارُ مَدْحي كلّما استأمَرْتُها
تأبَىthey refuse لكُفْوءٍto a fitting match غيرِكَother than you الإنكاحاbeing given in marriage
تأبَى لكُفْوءٍ غيرِكَ الإنكاحا
Whenever I seek the consent of my praise's maiden verses,
I would make the dot under the letter ba of “In the name of”
They refuse marriage to any fitting match but you.
Yearn to gaze upon my book when it begins.
فأصِخْso give ear لهاto it منas مِدحةٍa praise poem حاآتُهاits [unclear word]
فأصِخْ لها من مِدحةٍ حاآتُها
وحياضُand the pools of جُودِكَyour bounty رَوَّتِquenched المُدّاحاthe panegyrists
وحياضُ جُودِكَ رَوَّتِ المُدّاحا
Give ear to this praise poem—[text unclear]—
So it might see the face of a human—my eyes first—
While the pools of your bounty have quenched the panegyrists.
Before reading, radiant through your splendor.
أخّرتُI delayed كتُبْيmy letters كيso that أكونَI might be مُقدّماًpresenting
أخّرتُ كتُبْي كي أكونَ مُقدّماً
منّيfrom me إليكto you معَwith الوفودِthe delegations رَداحاa weighty poem
منّي إليك معَ الوفودِ رَداحا
I delayed my letters so that I might present
Respond to my service with a noble answer,
From me to you, among the delegations, a weighty poem.
Rewarding fine initiatives by clothing them in light.
حُبّاًout of love لنَفْسيfor my soul لاnot بنفسيwith my own self أنْthat أرىI might see
حُبّاً لنَفْسي لا بنفسي أنْ أرى
منّيfrom me الغداةَthis morning لهاfor it إليكto you سَراحاrelease
منّي الغداةَ لها إليك سَراحا
Out of love for my soul—not in person—I wish to see
The least right I have is that when I come to your doorstep
It released from me to you this morning.
And rub my cheek upon it, I find acceptance.
قَدَمِيmy foot تَغارُis jealous عليكover you منof قَلَميmy pen إذاwhen
قَدَمِي تَغارُ عليك من قَلَمي إذا
أصلَحْتُهI prepared it لِكتابةٍfor writing إصلاحاthoroughly
أصلَحْتُه لِكتابةٍ إصلاحا
My foot is jealous of my pen over you whenever
Neither has the darkness of my youth’s night
I ready it thoroughly for writing.
Shaded my cheek, while today white hair has crowned it.
ولوِand if استَطَعْتُI could حكَيْتُهI would imitate it وسبَقْتُهand outrun it
ولوِ استَطَعْتُ حكَيْتُه وسبَقْتُه
مَغْدىًa morning journey إليكto you بمَفْرِقِيon the crown of my head ومُراحاand an evening journey
مَغْدىً إليك بمَفْرِقِي ومُراحا
If I could, I would imitate it and outrun it,
So I went from white to white serving you,
Journeying to you morning and evening on the crown of my head.
Hoping to prosper through this lifelong devotion.
بلindeed لوif قَدِرتI could وقدthough already عَجَزْتI am unable عنto السرىtravel by night
بل لو قَدِرت وقد عَجَزْت عن السرى
لصُروفِbecause of vicissitudes of دَهرٍan age قدthat indeed أهَدَّhas crushed جِماحاdefiance
لصُروفِ دَهرٍ قد أهَدَّ جِماحا
Indeed, if I could, though I am unable to travel by night
Now is the time! Hear my call swiftly
Because of an age's vicissitudes that have crushed my defiance,
To help me—my life under duress has strayed.
لَجَعْلتI would make نقطةَthe dot of باءِthe letter bā of بسمٍbism ('in the name') ناظريmy eye
لَجَعْلت نقطةَ باءِ بسمٍ ناظري
مُتشَوِّقاًyearning لِكتابِيَfor my letter اسِتفتاحاas an opening
مُتشَوِّقاً لِكتابِيَ اسِتفتاحا
I would make my eye the dot of the bā in 'bism',
Nothing remains of me but the evils of fate,
Yearning to make it my letter's opening,
Unless your generosity rescues me from ruin.
فعسىso perhaps يَرىmight see إنسانَthe pupil of عَيْنيmy eye أوّلاًfirst
فعسى يَرى إنسانَ عَيْني أوّلاً
قبلَbefore القراءةِthe reading وَجْهكyour face الوَضّاحاradiant
قبلَ القراءةِ وَجْهك الوَضّاحا
So perhaps the pupil of my eye might first see,
You owe it to Muhalib and the Prophet’s helpers—
Before the reading, your radiant face.
When you examine it—an obligation made clear.
فأجِبْso answer جَوابَwith the answer of مُشرَفٍa noble man عنconcerning خِدْمتيmy service
فأجِبْ جَوابَ مُشرَفٍ عن خِدْمتي
حَسَنِof fine السّوابقِpast deeds لُبسهاwearing them أوضاحاas shining ornaments
حَسَنِ السّوابقِ لُبسها أوضاحا
Then give a noble man's answer concerning my service,
Your generosity surpasses the bounty of the heavens—
With fine past deeds worn as gleaming ornaments.
That you might bestow without effort a wing upon me.
وأقَلُّand the least of حَقّيmy claim إنif طَرقْتُI knock at فِناءكمyour court
وأقَلُّ حَقّي إن طَرقْتُ فِناءكم
وأنخْتُand kneel أنضائيmy weary camels إليهthere طِلاحاexhausted
وأنخْتُ أنضائي إليه طِلاحا
And my least claim, if I knock at your court
So permit my hopes which I request,
And kneel my weary camels there, exhausted—
O son of the lofty ones who were generous to kings!
والخَدُّand the cheek لمnot يّظلْلِهshaded it ليلَthe night of شَبيبتيmy youth
والخَدُّ لم يّظلْلِه ليلَ شَبيبتي
واليومَand today جَلّلَهcovered it المَشيبَgray hair صَباحاas dawn
واليومَ جَلّلَه المَشيبَ صَباحا
My cheek was unshaded by the night of my youth,
Bear the importuning of the one who relies upon you,
And now gray hair has covered it with dawn—
For they saw the paths to your aid are smooth.
فمِنَso from البياضِwhiteness إلىto البياضِwhiteness خدمتكُمI served you all
فمِنَ البياضِ إلى البياضِ خدمتكُم
خِدماًservices بهاthrough which يوماًone day رجَوْتُI hoped for فَلاحاsuccess
خِدماً بها يوماً رجَوْتُ فَلاحا
From whiteness to whiteness, I have served you,
Grant me honor in response to my advice,
In services through which I once hoped for success.
And strike the envious soul with terror.
واليومَand today ذاكis that اليومday فاسْعَso hasten مُبادِراًswiftly
واليومَ ذاك اليوم فاسْعَ مُبادِراً
نَصْرِيto aid me فدَهْرِيfor my age فيin العِنادِstubbornness أشاحاturned away
نَصْرِي فدَهْرِي في العِنادِ أشاحا
Today is that day: hasten swiftly
Spite an envier in you who becomes
To help me, for my age has turned stubbornly away.
A container of the urine of time, dripping forever.
لمnot يَبْقَremains منّيof me غيرexcept سُؤْرِthe remnant of حَوادثٍcalamities
لم يَبْقَ منّي غير سُؤْرِ حَوادثٍ
إنif لمnot تَدَاركْهyou rescue it بِجُودِكَwith your generosity طاحاit falls
إن لم تَدَاركْه بِجُودِكَ طاحا
Nothing remains of me but a remnant left by calamities;
Do not heed every sincere adviser’s advice,
Unless you rescue it with your bounty, it will fall.
Listening in order to ascertain the truth.
لِمُهَلّبٍfor Muhallab بكُمthrough you all وأنْصارِand the Helpers of النّبِيthe Prophet
لِمُهَلّبٍ بكُم وأنْصارِ النّبِي
حَقٌa right إذاif استَوضَحْتَهyou investigate it استيضاحاthoroughly
حَقٌ إذا استَوضَحْتَه استيضاحا
Muhallab, through you, and the Prophet's Helpers have
Weigh people in the scale of reverence for God’s law;
A right, if you examine it thoroughly,
Lead mature men and Lords of the Mace.
يَقْضىrequires علىof كرمِthe nobility of العناصرِorigins منكَfrom you أنْthat
يَقْضى على كرمِ العناصرِ منكَ أنْ
تُهْدِيyou bestow بلاwithout سَعْيٍstriving إلىto جَناحاa wing
تُهْدِي بلا سَعْيٍ إلى جَناحا
Which requires, by your noble origins, that you
Strike the flint of reason—do not yourself
Bestow a wing without any striving.
Kindle the spreading of ignorance and folly.
فاسَمحْso be generous بمأموليwith what I hope for الذيwhich أناI طالبٌam seeking
فاسَمحْ بمأمولي الذي أنا طالبٌ
ياO ابنَson of الأُلىَthose who فضَلُواsurpassed المُلوكَthe kings سَماحاin generosity
يا ابنَ الأُلىَ فضَلُوا المُلوكَ سَماحا
Grant what I hope for, what I am seeking,
Offer praise persistently, making its defects overflow,
O son of those who surpassed kings in generosity.
For that is the most profitable deal, with much gain.
واحْمِلْand bear تَدلُّلَthe familiarity of آمِيلكَyour hopeful petitioners فقدfor indeed رأواthey have seen
واحْمِلْ تَدلُّلَ آمِيلكَ فقد رأوا
طُرُقَthe paths of الرّجاءِhope إلىto نَداكَyour bounty فِساحاspacious
طُرُقَ الرّجاءِ إلى نَداكَ فِساحا
And bear your hopeful petitioners' familiarity, for they have seen
Stay constant to the lofty as long as a loving companion remains,
The paths of hope to your bounty lying broad.
An ardent lover racing with the night.
فإليَّso to me أُهْدِbestow الإقْتراحَthe requested gift كرامةًas an honor
فإليَّ أُهْدِ الإقْتراحَ كرامةً
وإلىand to فؤادِthe heart of الحاسدthe envier الأقراحاthe wounds
وإلى فؤادِ الحاسد الأقراحا
So bestow my requested gift upon me as an honor,
The spring made the birds speak until their inarticulate chatter
And wounds upon the envier's heart.
Became, in thanking it, eloquent language.
أرغِمْhumble حسوداًan envious man فيكَof you يُصبحُwho becomes بالقِلَيfilled with hatred
أرغِمْ حسوداً فيكَ يُصبحُ بالقِلَي
عُمرَthroughout the lifetime of الزمانِtime إناؤهhis vessel رَشَاحاleaking
عُمرَ الزمانِ إناؤه رَشَاحا
Humble a man envious of you, who fills with hatred;
For all time, his vessel keeps oozing.
لاdo not تُرْعَينْlend كلَّevery امْرىءٍman مُتَنَصّحٍprofessing good counsel
لا تُرْعَينْ كلَّ امْرىءٍ مُتَنَصّحٍ
سَمْعَthe ear of المُصدِقِّone who believes قولَهُhis words استِنْصاحاseeking advice
سَمْعَ المُصدِقِّ قولَهُ استِنْصاحا
Do not lend to every man professing good counsel
The ear of one who believes his words and seeks his advice.
وزِنِand weigh الوَرىmankind وَزْناًa weighing بقِسطاسِby the balance of النُّهىreason
وزِنِ الوَرى وَزْناً بقِسطاسِ النُّهى
وانْقُدْand scrutinize رِجالَthe men of الاسْطِناعِpatronage رَجاحاfor sound worth
وانْقُدْ رِجالَ الاسْطِناعِ رَجاحا
Weigh mankind upon the balance of reason,
And scrutinize the men you favor for their worth.
واقدَحْand strike زِنادَthe flint of الرّأيِjudgment منكَfrom yourself ولاand do not تَكُنْbe
واقدَحْ زِنادَ الرّأيِ منكَ ولا تَكُنْ
فيماin what عنَىconcerns نَشْرَthe spreading of الحَياlife-giving rain قَدّاحاa detractor
فيما عنَى نَشْرَ الحَيا قَدّاحا
Strike the flint of your own judgment, and do not be
A detractor where spreading life-giving rain is concerned.
واشْرِand buy المحامِدَpraiseworthy deeds مُغْلياًpaying dearly أثماَهاtheir prices (unclear spelling)
واشْرِ المحامِدَ مُغْلياً أثماَها
فلَتلْكَfor that is أعظَمُthe greatest صفَقْةٍtransaction أرباحاin profits
فلَتلْكَ أعظَمُ صفَقْةٍ أرباحا
And buy praiseworthy deeds, paying their prices dearly;
For that is the transaction yielding the greatest profits.
دُمْendure للعلاfor glory ماas long as جادpours generously صُبْحاًat dawn دِيمةٌa steady shower
دُمْ للعلا ما جاد صُبْحاً دِيمةٌ
وسرىand travels بلَيْلٍby night بارِقٌlightning وألاحاand gleams
وسرى بلَيْلٍ بارِقٌ وألاحا
Endure for glory while a steady shower pours at dawn,
And lightning travels by night and gleams,
واستَنْطَقَand gave voice to الطّيرَthe birds الرّبيعُspring فأصبحَتْso they became
واستَنْطَقَ الطّيرَ الرّبيعُ فأصبحَتْ
فيin شُكْرِهthanks to it عُجْمُthe speechless ones among الطيورِthe birds فِصاحاeloquent
في شُكْرِه عُجْمُ الطيورِ فِصاحا
And spring gives the birds a voice, so they become
Eloquent in thanks to it, though speechless birds.
Partial English translation: 166 of 180 Arabic lines translated.