لمّا تَراءتْ رايةُ الرّبيعِ

لمّا تَراءتْ رايةُ الرّبيعِ

وانهزَمَتْ عساكرُ الصَّقيعِ

وانهزَمَتْ عساكرُ الصَّقيعِ

When spring's banner came into view

When the banner of spring appeared

and the armies of frost were routed,

And the armies of winter were defeated

فالماءُ في مُضاعَفِ الدُّروعِ

فالماءُ في مُضاعَفِ الدُّروعِ

والنُّورُ كالأسِنّةِ الشُّروع

والنُّورُ كالأسِنّةِ الشُّروع

the water wore doubled coats of mail,

The water on the armors increased

and the blossoms were like leveled spearheads.

And the light became like the rising tongues

قد هَزَّ من أغصانه ذَوابلا

قد هَزَّ من أغصانه ذَوابلا

وسَلَّ من غُدرانهِ مَناصلا

وسَلَّ من غُدرانهِ مَناصلا

Spring shook slender spears from its branches

It shook the rain from its branches

and drew blades from its pools.

And the clouds unloaded their burdens

وبَلّغتْ ريحُ الصَّبا رَسائلاً

وبَلّغتْ ريحُ الصَّبا رَسائلاً

حينَ ثنَى العِطْفَ الشّتاءُ راحلا

حينَ ثنَى العِطْفَ الشّتاءُ راحلا

The east wind delivered messages

And the morning breeze conveyed messages

as winter turned its shoulder and departed.

When the compassion of winter departed

ونُصِبَتْ منابرُ الأشجارِ

ونُصِبَتْ منابرُ الأشجارِ

وخَطبَتْ سَواجعُ الأطيارِ

وخَطبَتْ سَواجعُ الأطيارِ

The trees' pulpits were erected,

And the pulpits of trees were erected

and the melodious birds preached.

And the beds of birds preached

واستَفْصحَتْ عِبارةُ الهِزارِ

واستَفْصحَتْ عِبارةُ الهِزارِ

فهْو لمنشورِ الرَّبيعِ قاري

فهْو لمنشورِ الرَّبيعِ قاري

The nightingale's expression grew eloquent:

And the expression of jest became eloquent

it reads aloud spring's proclamation.

It is a witness for the banner of spring

وأقبلَ النَّيروزُ مثْلَ الوالي

وأقبلَ النَّيروزُ مثْلَ الوالي

فارتَجَعَ الفضْلَ منَ اللَّيالي

فارتَجَعَ الفضْلَ منَ اللَّيالي

Nowruz approached like a governor

And Nawruz came like a governor

and reclaimed the surplus from the nights.

So excellence took back from the nights

وبَشّر النّاقصَ بالكمالِ

وبَشّر النّاقصَ بالكمالِ

فعادتِ الدُّنيا إلى اعْتِدال

فعادتِ الدُّنيا إلى اعْتِدال

It promised completion to what was lacking,

And gave good news of perfection to the deficient

and the world returned to equilibrium.

So the world returned to moderation

والدِّينُ والشّمسُ لسَعْدٍ مُؤْتنَفْ

والدِّينُ والشّمسُ لسَعْدٍ مُؤْتنَفْ

كُلٌّ به اللهُ انتهَى إلى شَرَفْ

كُلٌّ به اللهُ انتهَى إلى شَرَفْ

Faith and the sun entered renewed good fortune;

And religion and the sun belonged to Sa‘d revived

through it, God brought each to exaltation.

Each, through which God attained glory

فأصبحَ العَدْلُ مُقيماً واعتكَفْ

فأصبحَ العَدْلُ مُقيماً واعتكَفْ

وودَّعَ الجَورُ ذَميماً وانْصَرْف

وودَّعَ الجَورُ ذَميماً وانْصَرْف

Justice took up residence and remained,

So justice resided and seclusion was observed

while oppression departed, condemned and dismissed.

And injustice said farewell, condemned, and turned away

بالشّرَفَيْنِ استَسعدَ الشّمْسانِ

بالشّرَفَيْنِ استَسعدَ الشّمْسانِ

شَمسُ الضُّحى وغُرّةُ السُّلطانِ

شَمسُ الضُّحى وغُرّةُ السُّلطانِ

At their two exaltations, the two suns found good fortune:

The two glories made the two suns fortunate

the morning sun and the sultan's radiant brow,

The sun of morning and the new moon of the sultan

في أسعَدِ الأيامِ والأزمانِ

في أسعَدِ الأيامِ والأزمانِ

مُبشِّراً بالأمْنِ والأمانِ

مُبشِّراً بالأمْنِ والأمانِ

on the most fortunate of days and seasons,

In the happiest of days and times

heralding security and safety.

Giving good news of security and safety

فاعتدَلَ الأنامُ والأيّامُ

فاعتدَلَ الأنامُ والأيّامُ

وأَمِنَ الميسمُ والمُسامُ

وأَمِنَ الميسمُ والمُسامُ

Mankind and the days found their balance,

So the people and days became balanced

and branding iron and branded alike were safe.

And the marked and unmarked were safe

مُذْ طلَعا ونظَر الأنامُ

مُذْ طلَعا ونظَر الأنامُ

لم يَبقَ لا ظُلْمٌ ولا ظَلامُ

لم يَبقَ لا ظُلْمٌ ولا ظَلامُ

Since those two rose and mankind beheld them,

Since they rose and people saw

neither injustice nor darkness remained.

No more injustice or darkness remained

قد أصبحَتْ قَوسُ الزّمانِ سهْما

قد أصبحَتْ قَوسُ الزّمانِ سهْما

وقد رمَى الأرضَ به فأصْمَى

وقد رمَى الأرضَ به فأصْمَى

Time's bow has become an arrow;

The bow of time has become an arrow

Time shot the earth with it and struck it dead.

And it shot the earth so it pierced

فالكتْفُ منها بالشَّقيقِ تَدْمَى

فالكتْفُ منها بالشَّقيقِ تَدْمَى

والرُّعْبُ أضحَى للشِّتاءِ هَزْما

والرُّعْبُ أضحَى للشِّتاءِ هَزْما

Its shoulder bleeds with anemones,

The shoulder from it bleeds with berries

and terror has become winter's defeat.

And terror has become a defeat for winter

ابيضَّ قبلَ الإخضرارِ الفَنَنُ

ابيضَّ قبلَ الإخضرارِ الفَنَنُ

فشابَ من قَبلِ الشَّبابِ الغُصُنُ

فشابَ من قَبلِ الشَّبابِ الغُصُنُ

The bough whitened before turning green:

It whitened before the greening, the branches

the branch went gray before its youth.

So the branch became youthful before youth

واسوَدَّ من بَعْدِ البياضِ القُنَنُ

واسوَدَّ من بَعْدِ البياضِ القُنَنُ

فشَبَّ من بَعدِ المَشيبِ الزَّمَنُ

فشَبَّ من بَعدِ المَشيبِ الزَّمَنُ

The peaks blackened after their whiteness,

It blackened after whiteness, the stems

and Time grew young after its gray age.

So time became old after old age

قد غَنِيَ الوعدُ عنِ التّقاضي

قد غَنِيَ الوعدُ عنِ التّقاضي

وأعرضَ الغِيدُ عنِ الإعْراضِ

وأعرضَ الغِيدُ عنِ الإعْراضِ

Promises no longer needed pressing,

The promise made pleading unnecessary

and slender beauties turned away from turning away.

And the cloud turned away from turning away

وخرجَتْ بالحَدَقِ المِراضِ

وخرجَتْ بالحَدَقِ المِراضِ

تُواجِهُ الرّياضَ بالرّياضِ

تُواجِهُ الرّياضَ بالرّياضِ

They came out with languid eyes,

And laughters came out to the gardens

meeting gardens with gardens.

Meeting the gardens with gardens

قد سَئمَتْ بُيوتَها النُّفوسُ

قد سَئمَتْ بُيوتَها النُّفوسُ

وأصبَحَتْ كأنّها حُبوسُ

وأصبَحَتْ كأنّها حُبوسُ

Souls grew weary of their houses,

The flowers are an eye for the garden that winks

which came to seem like prisons.

It hugs for a while and then it opens

وأسلمَ المُنَمِّسَ التَّنْميسُ

وأسلمَ المُنَمِّسَ التَّنْميسُ

وصاحَ في جُنودِهِ إبليسُ

وصاحَ في جُنودِهِ إبليسُ

Dissembling abandoned the dissembler,

It sleeps with it sleepy and wakes up weeping

and Iblis cried out among his troops:

But it overflows with tears

أَبَحْتُ للنّاسِ دمَ الزِّقاقِ

أَبَحْتُ للنّاسِ دمَ الزِّقاقِ

في حيثُ لاقَوها منَ الآفاقِ

في حيثُ لاقَوها منَ الآفاقِ

"I permit people the blood of wineskins

The garden is in a sun that makes it dark at night

wherever they encounter them across the horizons,

And the clouds are near to it, prowling

وجَرَّها كجُثثِ المُرّاقِ

وجَرَّها كجُثثِ المُرّاقِ

وشُربَها بكأسِها الدِّهاقِ

وشُربَها بكأسِها الدِّهاقِ

and dragging them like apostates' corpses,

So whenever the slumber turns its eye

and drinking them from their brimming cups."

It smiles at it with sprinkling

إلى الجنانِ عجَباً دَعاكمُ

إلى الجنانِ عجَباً دَعاكمُ

مَن كان منها مُخرِجاً أَباكمُ

مَن كان منها مُخرِجاً أَباكمُ

How strange: he has called you to gardens,

Vigor and cloud shared in the gardens

he who once expelled your father from them,

Cutting the day with laughter and crying

يَجعلُها كَفّارةَ لِذاكمُ

يَجعلُها كَفّارةَ لِذاكمُ

فأصْحِروا لتُبصروا مأْواكمُ

فأصْحِروا لتُبصروا مأْواكمُ

making them an atonement for that.

When the south wind came, it cried in it

So go into the open and behold your dwelling.

Until when it returned north, it laughed

فالأرضُ من كفِّ الزَّمانِ حاليهْ

فالأرضُ من كفِّ الزَّمانِ حاليهْ

كجنّةٍ للنّاظرينَ عاليهْ

كجنّةٍ للنّاظرينَ عاليهْ

The earth is adorned by the hand of Time,

The atmosphere became filled with terror and alarm

like a lofty garden for all who behold it,

And the earth threw its jewels at it

من كلِّ ساقٍ عند كلِّ ساقيهْ

من كلِّ ساقٍ عند كلِّ ساقيهْ

يَجعلُ من صافٍ مِزاجَ صافيهْ

يَجعلُ من صافٍ مِزاجَ صافيهْ

with every cupbearer beside every stream

So the branch feared its overpowering troops

blending something clear into his clear wine.

Like a finger gesturing apotropaically

والشّمسُ في البُرجِ الّذي يَشْوونَهُ

والشّمسُ في البُرجِ الّذي يَشْوونَهُ

إذا غدَوْا شَرباً ويأكلونَهُ

إذا غدَوْا شَرباً ويأكلونَهُ

The sun is in the zodiacal sign they roast

Help the wind and do not care

when they go out as drinking companions, and eat it.

And do not make people aware of it in your mind

وفيهمُ قومٌ يُشاكِلونَهُ

وفيهمُ قومٌ يُشاكِلونَهُ

طُولَ الزّمانِ ويُناطِحونهُ

طُولَ الزّمانِ ويُناطِحونهُ

Among them are people who resemble it

Or stealthily in an empty place

all their lives, and butt horns with it.

Where the right hand does not know the left

بحَمَلٍ قد باعَتِ الشّمسُ الأسدْ

بحَمَلٍ قد باعَتِ الشّمسُ الأسدْ

وكان هذا عندنا الرأيَ الأسَدْ

وكان هذا عندنا الرأيَ الأسَدْ

For a Ram, the sun has sold the Lion;

Rather, He who forgives it knows

to us, this was the soundest judgment.

If you return regretfully seeking His forgiveness

فاعتاضَ طَبْعاً في الزّمانِ واستجَد

فاعتاضَ طَبْعاً في الزّمانِ واستجَد

من غضَبٍ بشَهْوةٍ كُلُّ أَحَدْ

من غضَبٍ بشَهْوةٍ كُلُّ أَحَدْ

Thus a temperament was exchanged and renewed with the season,

Even if you repeated it your whole life

from anger to desire, by everyone.

There is no sin too great for God’s pardon

حتّى غدا بعضُ بني الأشْكالِ

حتّى غدا بعضُ بني الأشْكالِ

يَقولُ قولاً ظاهرَ الإشْكالِ

يَقولُ قولاً ظاهرَ الإشْكالِ

Until one of these kindred fellows began

I do not see consuming myself without cause

to utter words plainly perplexing;

In any doctrine as permissible

لكنّه من كثرةِ البَلْبالِ

لكنّه من كثرةِ البَلْبالِ

قد قال ما قالَ ولم يُبالِ

قد قال ما قالَ ولم يُبالِ

yet, from the abundance of his turmoil,

I am a man, whether you are amazed or not

he said what he said without caring:

Worry eats me if I do not drink

كم أُوكِفُ الظَّهْرَ بطَيْلَسانِ

كم أُوكِفُ الظَّهْرَ بطَيْلَسانِ

ويُشبِهُ العِدْلَيْنِ لي كُمّانِ

ويُشبِهُ العِدْلَيْنِ لي كُمّانِ

"How long must I saddle my back with a taylasan,

An outstanding man who gathered all praise

with my two sleeves resembling two panniers,

And none found a peer or equal for him

مُستَبْضِعاً عند بني الزَّمانِ

مُستَبْضِعاً عند بني الزَّمانِ

وِقْرَ نِفاقٍ ثِقْلُهُ أَعيْاني

وِقْرَ نِفاقٍ ثِقْلُهُ أَعيْاني

peddling among the sons of this age

How many unique ones do you see in the world

a load of hypocrisy whose weight has exhausted me?"

As for the world, it has only one unique one

هل لك في حَمراءَ مثلِ الحُصِّ

هل لك في حَمراءَ مثلِ الحُصِّ

ياقوتةٍ قد شُربَتْ برُخْصِ

ياقوتةٍ قد شُربَتْ برُخْصِ

Would you care for a red draught like saffron,

Most wretched, who cannot but do good

a ruby drunk at little cost,

And a coward who fears to show cowardice

مَجلوبةٍ من مَعْدِنٍ في القُفْصِ

مَجلوبةٍ من مَعْدِنٍ في القُفْصِ

تلَوحُ في الإصبعِ مثْلَ الفَصِّ

تلَوحُ في الإصبعِ مثْلَ الفَصِّ

brought from a mine in al-Qufs,

And a benefactor who attains all desires

gleaming upon the finger like a gemstone?

The lack of a young man is his path to riches

يَسْعَى بها عليكَ يافِشِيُّ

يَسْعَى بها عليكَ يافِشِيُّ

وطَرفُه السّاحِرُ بابليُّ

وطَرفُه السّاحِرُ بابليُّ

A Yafishi brings it to you;

When he sees annihilating his confidant

his enchanting gaze is Babylonian.

You would think it is money he hoards from him

وثَغرُه ككأْسهِ رَويُّ

وثَغرُه ككأْسهِ رَويُّ

ووَرْدُه كخدِّه جَنيُّ

ووَرْدُه كخدِّه جَنيُّ

His lips, like his cup, are moist,

He buys annihilation from his confidant

and his roses, like his cheek, are freshly plucked.

Taking it from him for what he gives him

أَغْيَدُ يومُ وَصْلِه تأريخُ

أَغْيَدُ يومُ وَصْلِه تأريخُ

لصُدْغِه من نِقْسِه تَضْميخُ

لصُدْغِه من نِقْسِه تَضْميخُ

A supple youth: the day of union with him is an epoch;

His asking associate in blessings

with its ink his temple is anointed.

A judge of wonders says about his traits

والجَمرُ في خدَّيه لا يَبوخُ

والجَمرُ في خدَّيه لا يَبوخُ

كما يَحِلُّ العَقْربَ المَرِّيخُ

كما يَحِلُّ العَقْربَ المَرِّيخُ

The embers in his cheeks do not die down,

May God help him in his generosity

as Mars takes up residence in Scorpio.

In an era that encompasses the greatness of his concern

يَضْحَكُ من تَشْبيبِ عاشِقيهِ

يَضْحَكُ من تَشْبيبِ عاشِقيهِ

عن لُؤلُؤٍ لِنَظِمهم شَبيهِ

عن لُؤلُؤٍ لِنَظِمهم شَبيهِ

He laughs at his lovers' amorous verses,

Of generous character, his traits are his garden

baring pearls that resemble their strung verse.

A truth worthy of praise in reality

فلا يزالُ مُظهِراً للتّيهِ

فلا يزالُ مُظهِراً للتّيهِ

بِدُرِّ فيهِ أَو بِدُرِّ فيهِ

بِدُرِّ فيهِ أَو بِدُرِّ فيهِ

He never ceases displaying his pride

Flowing from him constantly on his path

with pearls of his mouth, or with pearls within it.

Is the generosity of one with good traits

لفُرَصِ اللَّذّاتِ كن مُنتهزاً

لفُرَصِ اللَّذّاتِ كن مُنتهزاً

ولا تَبتْ من عاذل مُحتَرِزا

ولا تَبتْ من عاذل مُحتَرِزا

Seize the opportunities for pleasure,

Who hoards money into necks (of slaves)

and do not spend the night wary of a reprover.

And stores praise for successors

فالدَّهرُ مِخلافٌ فخُذْ ما أنْجَزا

فالدَّهرُ مِخلافٌ فخُذْ ما أنْجَزا

فَرُبّما طلبْتَه فأعْوَزا

فَرُبّما طلبْتَه فأعْوَزا

Time breaks promises, so take what it has fulfilled;

Hands that calculate precisely

perhaps you will seek it later and find it lacking.

Remain while their owners are long gone

فقد تَغنَّى الطَّيرُ في الشُّروقِ

فقد تَغنَّى الطَّيرُ في الشُّروقِ

والرّيحُ دارتْ دورةَ الرَّحيقِ

والرّيحُ دارتْ دورةَ الرَّحيقِ

The birds have sung at sunrise,

Say to the aider of the debt-ridden eminent man

and the wind has gone round like circulating wine.

And honesty is the most magnificent jewelry of speech

فظَلَّ كلُّ غُصُنٍ وَريقِ

فظَلَّ كلُّ غُصُنٍ وَريقِ

للسُّكْرِ في رَقْصٍ وفي تَصْفيقِ

للسُّكْرِ في رَقْصٍ وفي تَصْفيقِ

Every leafy branch has remained

Today you tied firm the ropes of hopes

drunkenly dancing and clapping.

You were most just, appraiser of men

والزَّهْرُ للرَّوضةِ عَيْنٌ تُلْمَحُ

والزَّهْرُ للرَّوضةِ عَيْنٌ تُلْمَحُ

يَضُمُّها طَوراً وطَوراً يَفْتَحُ

يَضُمُّها طَوراً وطَوراً يَفْتَحُ

The blossoms are the meadow's visible eye,

O king whom mercy makes angelic rule

now closed, now opened.

You have ruled the zeniths of highness so you ruled

تُمسي بها قَريرةً وتُصِبحُ

تُمسي بها قَريرةً وتُصِبحُ

لكنّها منَ الدُّموعِ تَطفَحُ

لكنّها منَ الدُّموعِ تَطفَحُ

With it the meadow is content at evening and at dawn,

Not the wealthy with intertwined stars

yet it overflows with tears.

But your oppression on the celestial sphere

والرَّوضُ في شَمْسٍ سَناها يُعْشى

والرَّوضُ في شَمْسٍ سَناها يُعْشى

والسُّحْبُ بالقُرْبِ لها تَمَشِّ

والسُّحْبُ بالقُرْبِ لها تَمَشِّ

The meadow lies in sunshine whose radiance dazzles,

With a sharp sword your hands

while clouds stroll nearby.

What the kings of earth have is not like that

فكلّما أَدارَ عَيْنَ المَغْشى

فكلّما أَدارَ عَيْنَ المَغْشى

عليه جادَتْ وَجْهَه برَشِّ

عليه جادَتْ وَجْهَه برَشِّ

Whenever it rolls a swooning eye,

And it is what God made endure for you

they lavish spray upon its face.

The best of what your fathers inherited

صَحْوٌ وغَيمٌ في الرّياضِ اشْتَركا

صَحْوٌ وغَيمٌ في الرّياضِ اشْتَركا

يُقَطِّعانِ اليومَ ضَحْكاً وبُكا

يُقَطِّعانِ اليومَ ضَحْكاً وبُكا

Clear weather and cloud share the gardens,

Consider the witness among its opinions

dividing the day between laughter and weeping.

And by it gauge the absent among its views

إذا الجَنوبُ أقبلتْ فيه بكَى

إذا الجَنوبُ أقبلتْ فيه بكَى

حتّى إذا عادَتْ شَمالاً ضَحِكا

حتّى إذا عادَتْ شَمالاً ضَحِكا

When the south wind approaches, it weeps,

It is a vizier with no view higher than yours

until the wind turns northerly and it laughs.

An opinion equal to your approval in your contentment

صار الأضا في حَلَقٍ وخُوَذِ

صار الأضا في حَلَقٍ وخُوَذِ

ورَمتِ الأرضُ لها بالفِلَذِ

ورَمتِ الأرضُ لها بالفِلَذِ

The pools have donned mail rings and helmets,

If two were named Anushirvan

and the earth has hurled fragments at them.

And described with justice and beneficence

فالغُصنُ خَوفَ جُندِها المُستَحوذِ

فالغُصنُ خَوفَ جُندِها المُستَحوذِ

كإصبَعٍ تُشيرُ بالتَّعَوُّذ

كإصبَعٍ تُشيرُ بالتَّعَوُّذ

The branch, fearing their conquering army,

Then the night has two dawns

is like a finger gesturing for protection.

But the truthful among them is the second

ساعِدْ على الرّاحِ ولا تُبالِ

ساعِدْ على الرّاحِ ولا تُبالِ

والنّاسَ لا تُخْطِرهُمُ بِبالِ

والنّاسَ لا تُخْطِرهُمُ بِبالِ

Join in drinking wine and do not care;

Most just is the Master and he—we know—

do not let people enter your thoughts.

Does injustice to his money over the servants

أوِ اسْتِراقاً في مكانٍ خالٍ

أوِ اسْتِراقاً في مكانٍ خالٍ

لا تَعلمُ اليَمينُ بالشَّمالِ

لا تَعلمُ اليَمينُ بالشَّمالِ

Or drink furtively in a deserted place,

And merciful when the sinner surrenders

where the right hand knows nothing of the left.

To himself from his generosity he has no mercy

وإنّما يَعلَمُه مَن يَغْفِرُهْ

وإنّما يَعلَمُه مَن يَغْفِرُهْ

إذا رجَعْتَ نادماً تَستغفِرُهُ

إذا رجَعْتَ نادماً تَستغفِرُهُ

Only He who forgives it knows of it,

His flowing generosity tired out the clouds

when you return repentant, seeking His forgiveness.

And surpassed the acuity of his view, swords

ولو بَقِيتَ عُمُراً تُكَرِّرُهْ

ولو بَقِيتَ عُمُراً تُكَرِّرُهْ

ما عندَ عفْوِ اللهِ ذَنْبٌ يُكْبِرُهْ

ما عندَ عفْوِ اللهِ ذَنْبٌ يُكْبِرُهْ

Even if you spent a lifetime repeating it,

And emulated great masterpieces

no sin is too great for God's forgiveness.

So he pleased the nation and the Imam

لستُ أرَى مُحَلَّلاً في مَذْهَبِ

لستُ أرَى مُحَلَّلاً في مَذْهَبِ

إهْلاكيَ النَّفْسَ بغَيْرِ مُوجِبِ

إهْلاكيَ النَّفْسَ بغَيْرِ مُوجِبِ

I do not deem it lawful in any creed

He has an era where all of it is spring

to destroy my own soul without cause.

And an ambition whose rising is awe-inspiring

أنا امْرؤٌ عَجِبتَ أو لم تَعْجَبِ

أنا امْرؤٌ عَجِبتَ أو لم تَعْجَبِ

يَأكلُني الهَمُّ إذا لم أَشْرَبِ

يَأكلُني الهَمُّ إذا لم أَشْرَبِ

I am a man—whether you marvel or not—

So people in his gardens are pacified

whom worry devours when I do not drink.

And time is an obedient, listening slave

فَردٌ وفيه جُمِعَ المَحامدُ

فَردٌ وفيه جُمِعَ المَحامدُ

فلم يَجِدْ لَه نَظيراً واجِدُ

فلم يَجِدْ لَه نَظيراً واجِدُ

One alone, yet all virtues are gathered in him;

The sun of his face rains and rises

no seeker has found his equal.

His face does not become clouded and lightning

كم في الورَى من واحدٍ تُشاهِدُ

كم في الورَى من واحدٍ تُشاهِدُ

أَمَّا الورَى في واحدٍ فواحِدُ

أَمَّا الورَى في واحدٍ فواحِدُ

How many single individuals you see among mankind!

The gushing sea of his streams

But all mankind in one man—there is only one.

Engulfs description and does not drown

أَرْوعُ لا يُحسِنُ ألاّ يُحْسِنا

أَرْوعُ لا يُحسِنُ ألاّ يُحْسِنا

ومُقْدِمٌ يَجُبنُ عن أنْ يَجْبُنا

ومُقْدِمٌ يَجُبنُ عن أنْ يَجْبُنا

A splendid man who cannot do anything but good,

A sword whose realm guards its edges

a bold man too afraid to be a coward,

And religion brandished alarm on its sides

ومُنعِمٌ يُنيلُ غاياتِ المُنَى

ومُنعِمٌ يُنيلُ غاياتِ المُنَى

فَقْرُ الفتَى إليه مِيعادُ الغِنَى

فَقْرُ الفتَى إليه مِيعادُ الغِنَى

a benefactor who grants the utmost of desires:

The right hand moves it to the caliphate

a young man's poverty before him promises wealth.

Until it eliminates those who intended opposition

إذا رأى إعدامَ مُعتَفيه

إذا رأى إعدامَ مُعتَفيه

حَسِبْتَه للمالِ إذ يُقْنيهِ

حَسِبْتَه للمالِ إذ يُقْنيهِ

When he sees his suppliant's destitution,

Unfailing, and no armor sheds its scabbard

you would think, as he endows him with money,

The sultan of the world made it ready for victory

من مُعْتَفيهِ الُعدمَ يَشَتْريهِ

من مُعْتَفيهِ الُعدمَ يَشَتْريهِ

يَأخذُه منه بما يُعطيهِ

يَأخذُه منه بما يُعطيهِ

that he buys poverty from his suppliant,

While he is needless to attend at its limit

taking it away in exchange for what he gives him.

So it defeats the army with a name alone

سائلُه شَريكُه في نعْمَتِهْ

سائلُه شَريكُه في نعْمَتِهْ

يَقولُ قاضي عَجَبٍ من شِيمَتِهْ

يَقولُ قاضي عَجَبٍ من شِيمَتِهْ

His petitioner shares in his prosperity.

He has a hand whereby hands are dwarfed

One marveling at his character says:

Next to it the sea is diminished while it is magnified

أعانَه اللهُ على مَكْرُمتِهْ

أعانَه اللهُ على مَكْرُمتِهْ

بزمنٍ يَسَعُ عُظْمَ هِمَّتِهْ

بزمنٍ يَسَعُ عُظْمَ هِمَّتِهْ

"May God assist him in his generosity

Not seven from one are composed

with an age spacious enough for his immense ambition."

Except that its regions and the pen are for it

ذو كَرمٍ أخلاقُهُ حَديقَهْ

ذو كَرمٍ أخلاقُهُ حَديقَهْ

حَقيقةٌ بالحَمْدِ في الحَقيقَهْ

حَقيقةٌ بالحَمْدِ في الحَقيقَهْ

Generous, his character is a garden,

A spear whose innate nature became its blades

truly deserving of praise.

And a steed whose range became its field

يَجْري من الجودِ على طَريقَهْ

يَجْري من الجودِ على طَريقَهْ

خَليقةٍ بَمْدح ذي الخَليقَهْ

خَليقةٍ بَمْدح ذي الخَليقَهْ

He follows a path of munificence

If its reins are not held back from scope

worthy of praise for one of such character.

Its reins are between its tusks

مَن يَكْنِزُ الأموالَ في الرِّقاب

مَن يَكْنِزُ الأموالَ في الرِّقاب

ويَذْخَرُ الثّناءَ للأعْقابِ

ويَذْخَرُ الثّناءَ للأعْقابِ

He stores his wealth in people's necks

For its horses in the rock are ringing marks

and reserves praise for posterity:

For them the traces of nails are drops

أيادياً مُعييَةَ الحُسّابِ

أيادياً مُعييَةَ الحُسّابِ

تَبقَى ومُوليها على الأحقاب

تَبقَى ومُوليها على الأحقاب

benefactions that weary the reckoners,

And the parchment from its symbols without hyperbole

enduring with their giver through the ages.

Clipping the enemy’s death from what they clip

قُلْ لمُغيثِ الدّينِ ذي المَعالي

قُلْ لمُغيثِ الدّينِ ذي المَعالي

والصِّدْقُ أبهَى حلْيةِ المَقالِ

والصِّدْقُ أبهَى حلْيةِ المَقالِ

Say to Mughith al-Din, lord of high attainments—

Glory lasting with the nights growing

truth is speech's loveliest ornament—

Comes back to the originator from it the returnee

اليومَ أوثَقتَ عُرا الآمالِ

اليومَ أوثَقتَ عُرا الآمالِ

أجدْتَ يا مُنتقِدَ الرِّجالِ

أجدْتَ يا مُنتقِدَ الرِّجالِ

"Today you have secured the bonds of hope.

Conjoined—so let the envious await it

Well done, discerning judge of men!

As it is only the beginning of one and single

يا ملكاً من رأفة يَحكى مَلَكْ

يا ملكاً من رأفة يَحكى مَلَكْ

مُلّكَ غاياتِ العَلاء فَملَكْ

مُلّكَ غاياتِ العَلاء فَملَكْ

O king who resembles an angel in compassion,

Before making him rule its regions

granted the utmost heights, which he has mastered!

The Lord of the world reign in his heart

ليس الثُّريّا من نجومٍ تَشْتَبكْ

ليس الثُّريّا من نجومٍ تَشْتَبكْ

بل وَطأةٌ منكَ على ظَهْرِ الفَلَك

بل وَطأةٌ منكَ على ظَهْرِ الفَلَك

The Pleiades are not a cluster of intertwined stars,

As his heart clothed it in its blackness

but your footprint upon the firmament's back.

Before clothing it in his gowns

بَلَّتْ بسيفٍ صارمٍ يَداكا

بَلَّتْ بسيفٍ صارمٍ يَداكا

ما لملوكِ الأرضِ مثْلُ ذاكا

ما لملوكِ الأرضِ مثْلُ ذاكا

Your hands have secured a keen sword

His ennoblement was slower than his courtesy

whose like no earthly king possesses.

And if we grew impatient from awaiting him

وهْو أدام اللهُ ما آتاكا

وهْو أدام اللهُ ما آتاكا

أنْفَسُ ما وَرِثْتَه أباكا

أنْفَسُ ما وَرِثْتَه أباكا

And it—may God perpetuate what He has given you—

Informing that the greatness of his position

is your most precious inheritance from your father.

Rises above what rises with it

اُنظُرْ إلى الشّاهدِ من رُوائهِ

اُنظُرْ إلى الشّاهدِ من رُوائهِ

وقِسْ به الغائبَ من آرائهِ

وقِسْ به الغائبَ من آرائهِ

Look at what is visible of his fine appearance,

But there was no haste to ennoble

and judge by it his unseen counsels.

Except from shyness in hesitation

فهْو وزيرٌ ليس فوقَ رائهِ

فهْو وزيرٌ ليس فوقَ رائهِ

رَأْىٌ سوى رأيكِ في ارْتضائهِ

رَأْىٌ سوى رأيكِ في ارْتضائهِ

He is a minister with no judgment above his,

How can there be—when the equitable is absent—

except your judgment in choosing him.

Ennoblement of a master, which itself is nobility

إنْ سمّىَ اثْنانِ بِنُوشَروانِ

إنْ سمّىَ اثْنانِ بِنُوشَروانِ

ووُصِفا بالعَدْلِ والإحسانِ

ووُصِفا بالعَدْلِ والإحسانِ

If two men have been named Nushirwan

If ennoblement reached in exaggeration

and described as just and beneficent,

The counted saying of an ennobler

فاللّيلُ مازال له فَجْرانِ

فاللّيلُ مازال له فَجْرانِ

وإنّما الصّادِقُ فيه الثّاني

وإنّما الصّادِقُ فيه الثّاني

night has always had two dawns:

Each fulfilling the utmost hopes

the true one is the second."

It would be beneath his rare worth

أعْدَلُ مَولىً وهْو فيما نَعْلَمُ

أعْدَلُ مَولىً وهْو فيما نَعْلَمُ

لِمالهِ دونَ العبادِ يظْلِمُ

لِمالهِ دونَ العبادِ يظْلِمُ

The fairest of masters, who, as we know,

It sufficed what his Creator clothed him with

wrongs his wealth alone, not people;

Of the garb of glory and exaltation that sufficed him

وراحِمٌ إذا اسْتقالَ المُجْرِمُ

وراحِمٌ إذا اسْتقالَ المُجْرِمُ

لنَفْسِه من جودهِ لا يَرحَمُ

لنَفْسِه من جودهِ لا يَرحَمُ

merciful when an offender begs pardon,

If His approval had not included him

but merciless to himself in his generosity.

The sultan of God’s land, the Shah of Shahs

أعيَتْ رُكامُ جودهِ الغَماما

أعيَتْ رُكامُ جودهِ الغَماما

وفاق ماضي رأيهِ الحُساما

وفاق ماضي رأيهِ الحُساما

His piled-up bounty has exhausted the clouds,

O towering to the sky in loftiness

and his keen judgment has surpassed the sword.

Stepper on the crescent in highness

وتابعَ الصَّنائعَ الجِساما

وتابعَ الصَّنائعَ الجِساما

فأرضَتِ الأُمّةَ والإماما

فأرضَتِ الأُمّةَ والإماما

He has continued his mighty benefactions,

So what is the direction of the enemy’s cynosure

pleasing the community and the imam.

Have you made your praiser safe from going too far?

له زَمانٌ كُلُّه ربيعُ

له زَمانٌ كُلُّه ربيعُ

وهِمّةٌ جَنابُها مَريعُ

وهِمّةٌ جَنابُها مَريعُ

His whole season is spring,

What the minds molded about you

and his ambition has a fertile domain.

Is beneath the bracelet and crown

فالنّاسُ في رياضِها رُتوعُ

فالنّاسُ في رياضِها رُتوعُ

والدَّهرُ عَبدٌ سامعٌ مُطيعُ

والدَّهرُ عَبدٌ سامعٌ مُطيعُ

People graze freely in its gardens,

So where, O poetry, are your prime stallions?

and Time is a listening, obedient slave.

Now is the time to say, so let them speak

تُمطِرُ شَمسُ وَجههِ وتُشرِقُ

تُمطِرُ شَمسُ وَجههِ وتُشرِقُ

ولا يَغيمُ وَجهُه ويَبرُقُ

ولا يَغيمُ وَجهُه ويَبرُقُ

The sun of his face rains and shines;

How I withhold the necklaces from aspiring

his face never clouds, yet flashes lightning.

Beneath surpassing them in aspiring

وبَحرُ جَدواه الّذي يُدَفَّقُ

وبَحرُ جَدواه الّذي يُدَفَّقُ

يَستغرِقُ الوَصفَ وليس يُغْرِقُ

يَستغرِقُ الوَصفَ وليس يُغْرِقُ

The surging sea of his bounty

What I said and what you did remaining

engulfs description, but does not drown.

Both are necklaces of necks

سَيفٌ به المُلكُ حمى أطرافَهْ

سَيفٌ به المُلكُ حمى أطرافَهْ

والدِّينُ هَزَّ طَرَباً أعطافَهْ

والدِّينُ هَزَّ طَرَباً أعطافَهْ

A sword with which sovereignty guards its borders,

I presented them to reason like bangles

and faith sways its shoulders in delight;

I stripped them while the mind's limb is weakness

تَهُزُّهُ اليَمينُ للخِلافَهْ

تَهُزُّهُ اليَمينُ للخِلافَهْ

حتّى يُبيدَ مَن نَوى خِلافَهْ

حتّى يُبيدَ مَن نَوى خِلافَهْ

the right hand brandishes it for the caliphate

Condescending from me without jest

until it destroys whoever intends opposition.

Distinct superiority in scope to my superiority

ماضٍ وما تَنفكّ دِرْعٌ غِمْدَهْ

ماضٍ وما تَنفكّ دِرْعٌ غِمْدَهْ

للنّصْرِ سلطانُ الوَرى أعَدَّهْ

للنّصْرِ سلطانُ الوَرى أعَدَّهْ

Keen, with a coat of mail ever its sheath,

Far from my nature being seen in it a stamp

the sovereign of mankind prepared it for victory.

Especially after white hair and baldness

وهْو غَنِيٌّ أن يَشيمَ حَدَّهْ

وهْو غَنِيٌّ أن يَشيمَ حَدَّهْ

فيَهزِمُ الجيشَ له اسْمٌ وَحْدَهْ

فيَهزِمُ الجيشَ له اسْمٌ وَحْدَهْ

He has no need to bare its edge:

But earnestness brings what shines forth

its name alone routs an army.

Without blemish on a cheek with no innovations

له يدٌ منها الأيادي تَسْجَمُ

له يدٌ منها الأيادي تَسْجَمُ

يَصغَرُ عنها البَحْرُ وهْيَ تعظُمُ

يَصغَرُ عنها البَحْرُ وهْيَ تعظُمُ

He has a hand from which benefactions pour;

No blame in what the rouser said

the sea dwindles beside it while it grows.

Exciting the praiser of kings is more striking

ما سَبعةٌ من واحدٍ تَنتظِمُ

ما سَبعةٌ من واحدٍ تَنتظِمُ

إلاّ الأقاليمُ له والقَلَمُ

إلاّ الأقاليمُ له والقَلَمُ

No seven are ordered through a single one,

Is not Hassaan who cannot be blamed

except the climes, through him and his pen.

For his saying—it is delicious—pure

رُمحٌ غدا من نِقْسِهِ سِنانُهُ

رُمحٌ غدا من نِقْسِهِ سِنانُهُ

وفَرَسٌ في طِرْسِه مَيْدانُهُ

وفَرَسٌ في طِرْسِه مَيْدانُهُ

A spear whose point is made of its ink,

My Master, your honoring me was a beginning

and a horse whose arena is its page;

Incumbent for all to emulate you

ما إنْ يُرَدُّ عن مَدىً عِنانُهُ

ما إنْ يُرَدُّ عن مَدىً عِنانُهُ

فإنّما عِنانُه بَنانُهُ

فإنّما عِنانُه بَنانُهُ

its reins are never turned back from a goal,

And whoever refused that went astray

for its reins are his fingers.

So the shadow mimics its straightening

لخيلهِ في الصّخْرِ نوناتٌ تُخَطْ

لخيلهِ في الصّخْرِ نوناتٌ تُخَطْ

لَهنَّ آثارُ المَساميرِ نُقَطْ

لَهنَّ آثارُ المَساميرِ نُقَطْ

His horses inscribe nuns upon the rock,

For the promised stroke I came expecting

the traces of their horseshoe nails serving as dots.

But an angry chamberlain hindered me

والرُّقْشُ من أقلامهِ بلا شَطَطْ

والرُّقْشُ من أقلامهِ بلا شَطَطْ

تَقتَصُّ من هامِ العدا بما تُقَطْ

تَقتَصُّ من هامِ العدا بما تُقَطْ

The speckled ones among his pens, without injustice,

And how can one whose place is brought near

exact vengeance upon enemies' heads through their cutting.

Be veiled behind the veil of a heart?

عِزُّ على مَرِّ اللّيالي زائدٌ

عِزُّ على مَرِّ اللّيالي زائدٌ

يُربي على البادئ منه العائِدُ

يُربي على البادئ منه العائِدُ

Glory increasing as the nights pass:

Your brilliant state in its rise

its renewal exceeds its beginning.

Is like the sun or more careful in its making

مُتّصلٌ فلْيرتَقِبْهُ الحاسِدُ

مُتّصلٌ فلْيرتَقِبْهُ الحاسِدُ

فإنّما مَبدَأُ أَلْفٍ واحِدُ

فإنّما مَبدَأُ أَلْفٍ واحِدُ

Unbroken—let the envier await it—

While the sun privileges people from its rays

for a thousand begins with one.

With a screen composed from its nature

مِن قَبْلِ أنْ مَلّكَهُ بِلادَهُ

مِن قَبْلِ أنْ مَلّكَهُ بِلادَهُ

مَلّكهُ مَولَى الوَرى فُؤادَهُ

مَلّكهُ مَولَى الوَرى فُؤادَهُ

Before granting him dominion over his lands,

O honor of the debt-ridden eminent religion

the lord of mankind granted him his heart,

You were generous to hearing

كما كَساهُ قَلْبُه سَوادهَُ

كما كَساهُ قَلْبُه سَوادهَُ

من قَبل أن يَكْسُوَهُ أبْرادَهُ

من قَبل أن يَكْسُوَهُ أبْرادَهُ

as his heart clothed him in its blackness

And to intimacy and despair you were forever called

before he clothed him in his robes.

May God’s preservation from it fortify you

تَشْريفُه أبطأُ مِن تَأَدُّبِهْ

تَشْريفُه أبطأُ مِن تَأَدُّبِهْ

وإنْ ضَجِرْنا نحنُ مِنْ تَرَقُّبِهْ

وإنْ ضَجِرْنا نحنُ مِنْ تَرَقُّبِهْ

His investiture lagged behind his refinement,

From an towering palm-tree of glory spreading branches

though we grew impatient awaiting it:

A house of exaltation with firm pillars

مُخَبِّر أنّ عَظيمَ مَنْصِبِهْ

مُخَبِّر أنّ عَظيمَ مَنْصِبِهْ

يَجِلُّ عنه فَوقَ ما يَجِلُّ بهْ

يَجِلُّ عنه فَوقَ ما يَجِلُّ بهْ

a sign that his lofty office

Lasting—and may its elevated place last—

is ennobled by him more than he is by it.

Forever magnifying their ascent its sultanate

بل لم يكن من عَجَلِ المُشَرِّفِ

بل لم يكن من عَجَلِ المُشَرِّفِ

إلاّ منَ الخَجْلةِ في تَوقُّفِ

إلاّ منَ الخَجْلةِ في تَوقُّفِ

Rather, the giver of honor showed no haste

Live happily with lasting bliss and celebration

except from embarrassment at the delay:

Remaining for us in the shade of agreeable living

كيف يكونُ عندَ فَقْدِ المُنْصِفِ

كيف يكونُ عندَ فَقْدِ المُنْصِفِ

تَشريفُ مَولىً هو نَفْسُ الشّرَفِ

تَشريفُ مَولىً هو نَفْسُ الشّرَفِ

how, without an impartial assessor,

Straightening with view all bent

can one confer honor on a lord who is honor itself?

And opening with effort all confusing

لو بلَغ التّشريفُ في التّضعيفِ

لو بلَغ التّشريفُ في التّضعيفِ

مَعدودَ قَولِ قائلٍ تَشْريفي

مَعدودَ قَولِ قائلٍ تَشْريفي

Were the honors multiplied until they reached

God guaranteed—and He does not break oaths—

the numerical count of a speaker's "my investiture,"

You will remain as long as time extends

كُلٌّ على أقصَى الأماني يُوفي

كُلٌّ على أقصَى الأماني يُوفي

لكان دونَ قدْرِه المُنيفِ

لكان دونَ قدْرِه المُنيفِ

each fulfilling the utmost wishes,

Is it not in His book, so let them search:

they would still fall below his lofty worth.

“And the one who benefits, it is he who remains”

كَفاهُ ما خالِقُه كَساهُ

كَفاهُ ما خالِقُه كَساهُ

من ثَوبِ مَجْدٍ وعُلاً كفَّاه

من ثَوبِ مَجْدٍ وعُلاً كفَّاه

Sufficient is what his Creator clothed him in:

O you who predecessors shade

a robe of glory and eminence from His two hands,

With no successor to replace you

لو لم يكنْ ضمَّنَه رِضاهُ

لو لم يكنْ ضمَّنَه رِضاهُ

سُلطانُ أَرضِ اللهِ شاهَنْشاهُ

سُلطانُ أَرضِ اللهِ شاهَنْشاهُ

even had he not pledged him his favor—

You remained over the eras a sword attained

the sovereign of God's earth, the Shahanshah.

Vanquishing and enriching— discontent and approval with you

يا فارعَ السّماء بالسُّمُوِّ

يا فارعَ السّماء بالسُّمُوِّ

مُنْتعِلَ الهلالِ في العُلُوِّ

مُنْتعِلَ الهلالِ في العُلُوِّ

O you who tower above the sky in eminence,

Of state over the Guardian always extravagant

wearing the crescent as a sandal in your heights!

Its shadows and brands for the enemy

فما مَحلُّ مَفْرقِ العَدُوِّ

فما مَحلُّ مَفْرقِ العَدُوِّ

أمنْتَ مُدّاحَك من غُلُوِّ

أمنْتَ مُدّاحَك من غُلُوِّ

Where, then, does the enemy's crown stand?

Lasting—its last unattainable

You have secured your panegyrists against exaggeration.

As if your lifespan is an exhausted limit

عليكَ مِمّا صاغتِ العقولُ

عليكَ مِمّا صاغتِ العقولُ

ما دونه السِّوارُ والإكليلُ

ما دونه السِّوارُ والإكليلُ

Upon you are ornaments fashioned by minds,

beside which bracelet and crown fall short.

فأينَ يا شِعْرُ لكَ الفُحولُ

فأينَ يا شِعْرُ لكَ الفُحولُ

هذا أَوانُ القَولِ فَلْيَقولوا

هذا أَوانُ القَولِ فَلْيَقولوا

Where, O poetry, are your master poets?

This is the time for speech: let them speak.

كم أَحبِسُ العُقودَ في الحقاقِ

كم أَحبِسُ العُقودَ في الحقاقِ

دونَ تَراقيها إلى التَّراقي

دونَ تَراقيها إلى التَّراقي

How long shall I keep necklaces in their caskets,

preventing their ascent to collarbones?

ما قُلتُه وما فَعلْتَ باق

ما قُلتُه وما فَعلْتَ باق

كلاهما قلائدُ الأعناقِ

كلاهما قلائدُ الأعناقِ

What I have said and what you have done endure:

both are necklaces for people's necks.

دونكَها خَوالعاً للعُقْل

دونكَها خَوالعاً للعُقْل

أَعَرْتُها وهنّ ذَوْبُ العَقْلِ

أَعَرْتُها وهنّ ذَوْبُ العَقْلِ

Take them, loosing the fetters;

I lent them out, though they are intellect's molten essence,

تَهازُلاً منّي بغَيْرِ هَزْلِ

تَهازُلاً منّي بغَيْرِ هَزْلِ

فَضْلَ اتّساعٍ في مَجالِ فَضْلي

فَضْلَ اتّساعٍ في مَجالِ فَضْلي

in playfulness from me, yet without jest,

from the ample range of my mastery.

حاش لطَبْعي أَن يُرَى فيه طَبَعْ

حاش لطَبْعي أَن يُرَى فيه طَبَعْ

لا سِيّما من بعدِ شَيْبٍ وصَلَعْ

لا سِيّما من بعدِ شَيْبٍ وصَلَعْ

Far be it from my nature to show any rust,

especially after gray hair and baldness.

لكنَّ ما يأتي به الجِدُّ لُمَعْ

لكنَّ ما يأتي به الجِدُّ لُمَعْ

وليس في خالٍ على خَدٍّ بِدَعْ

وليس في خالٍ على خَدٍّ بِدَعْ

Yet what earnestness brings forth is flashes,

and a mole upon a cheek is nothing strange.

لا عيبَ فيما قاله مُشَبِّبُ

لا عيبَ فيما قاله مُشَبِّبُ

تَشبيبُ مُدّاح الملوكِ أَضْرُبُ

تَشبيبُ مُدّاح الملوكِ أَضْرُبُ

There is no fault in an amorous poet's words:

royal panegyrists' love preludes are of many kinds.

أَليس حَسّانُ ولا يُؤَنَّب

أَليس حَسّانُ ولا يُؤَنَّب

من قَوله فهْو حَرامٌ طَيِّبُ

من قَوله فهْو حَرامٌ طَيِّبُ

Did not Hassan say, without being reproached,

among his words, "It is forbidden, yet sweet"?

مَولايَ إكرامُك لي ابْتداءَ

مَولايَ إكرامُك لي ابْتداءَ

أَوجبَ من كلٍّ بكَ اقْتِداءَ

أَوجبَ من كلٍّ بكَ اقْتِداءَ

My lord, your honoring me unprompted

has obliged everyone to follow your example.

ومَن أَبَى ذاك فقد أَساءَ

ومَن أَبَى ذاك فقد أَساءَ

فالظِّلُّ يَحكي عُودَه اسْتِواءَ

فالظِّلُّ يَحكي عُودَه اسْتِواءَ

Whoever refuses this has done wrong:

a shadow echoes the straightness of its rod.

للمَوعِدِ المَضْروبِ جئْتُ أَرقُبُ

للمَوعِدِ المَضْروبِ جئْتُ أَرقُبُ

فحالَ دوني حاجِبٌ مُقطِّبُ

فحالَ دوني حاجِبٌ مُقطِّبُ

I came to await the appointed meeting,

but a scowling doorkeeper barred my way.

ومَن يكن مكانُه المُقَرَّبُ

ومَن يكن مكانُه المُقَرَّبُ

خلْفَ حجابِ القلبِ كيف يُحْجَبُ

خلْفَ حجابِ القلبِ كيف يُحْجَبُ

How can one whose intimate place lies

behind the heart's veil be kept outside?

دَولتُك الغَرّاءُ في ارتفاعِها

دَولتُك الغَرّاءُ في ارتفاعِها

كالشّمسِ أَو أَشملَ باصطِناعها

كالشّمسِ أَو أَشملَ باصطِناعها

Your radiant dominion, in its elevation,

is like the sun—or more encompassing in its patronage.

والشّمسُ تُحظي النّاسَ من شُعاعها

والشّمسُ تُحظي النّاسَ من شُعاعها

بحاجبٍ قد صيغَ من طِباعها

بحاجبٍ قد صيغَ من طِباعها

The sun grants people a share of its rays

through a doorkeeper fashioned from its own nature.

يا شرفَ الدّينِ كرُمْتَ سَمْعا

يا شرفَ الدّينِ كرُمْتَ سَمْعا

وللنّدى واليأسِ دُمتَ تُدْعَى

وللنّدى واليأسِ دُمتَ تُدْعَى

O Sharaf al-Din, gracious in your hearing,

may you ever be invoked for bounty and in despair.

أَدامَ حِفْظُ اللهِ عنك الدَّفْعا

أَدامَ حِفْظُ اللهِ عنك الدَّفْعا

مُظاهراً منه عليكَ دِرْعا

مُظاهراً منه عليكَ دِرْعا

May God's protection keep harm from you,

layering armor upon you from Him.

من دَوْحِ مَجْدٍ باسقٍ أَغصانُهُ

من دَوْحِ مَجْدٍ باسقٍ أَغصانُهُ

بَيتُ عُلاً ثابتةٌ أَركانُهُ

بَيتُ عُلاً ثابتةٌ أَركانُهُ

From a great tree of glory with lofty branches,

a house of eminence with firmly rooted pillars:

داموا ودام عالياً مَكانُهُ

داموا ودام عالياً مَكانُهُ

مُضاعِفاً إقبالَهمْ سُلطانُهُ

مُضاعِفاً إقبالَهمْ سُلطانُهُ

may they endure, and may its station remain high,

its sovereign doubling their prosperity.

نَورِزْ بسَعْدٍ دائماً ومَهْرِج

نَورِزْ بسَعْدٍ دائماً ومَهْرِج

وابْقَ لنا في ظِلِّ عَيْشٍ سَجْسَج

وابْقَ لنا في ظِلِّ عَيْشٍ سَجْسَج

Keep Nowruz and Mihrjan always in good fortune,

and remain for us in the shade of a temperate life,

مُقوِّماً بالرّأيِ كلَّ أَعْوَج

مُقوِّماً بالرّأيِ كلَّ أَعْوَج

وفاتحاً بالجَدِّ كُلَّ مُرْتَجِ

وفاتحاً بالجَدِّ كُلَّ مُرْتَجِ

straightening every crooked thing through judgment,

opening through good fortune every closed door.

قد ضَمِنَ اللهُ وليس يَنكُثُ

قد ضَمِنَ اللهُ وليس يَنكُثُ

أنّك ما امتدَّ الزّمانُ تَلبَثُ

أنّك ما امتدَّ الزّمانُ تَلبَثُ

God has guaranteed—and He does not break His word—

that you will remain as long as Time extends.

أَليس في كتابهِ فَلْيبْحَثوا

أَليس في كتابهِ فَلْيبْحَثوا

أَنَّ الّذي يَنفَعُ فهْوَ يَمْكُثُ

أَنَّ الّذي يَنفَعُ فهْوَ يَمْكُثُ

Is it not in His Book? Let them search:

"What benefits endures."

يا مَنْ يَظَلُّ خلَفاً عمّنْ مضَى

يا مَنْ يَظَلُّ خلَفاً عمّنْ مضَى

وليس عنه خَلَفٌ فلا انْقَضى

وليس عنه خَلَفٌ فلا انْقَضى

O you who remain a successor to those who passed,

with no successor to you—may you never pass away!

دُمتَ على الأيّامِ سَيفاً مُنتضَى

دُمتَ على الأيّامِ سَيفاً مُنتضَى

يُفْني ويُغْني السُّخْطُ منكَ والرِّضا

يُفْني ويُغْني السُّخْطُ منكَ والرِّضا

May you remain through the days an unsheathed sword:

your anger destroys, your favor enriches.

ذا دولةٍ على الوَليِّ تُسبَغُ

ذا دولةٍ على الوَليِّ تُسبَغُ

ظِلالُها وللعدوِّ تَدْمَغُ

ظِلالُها وللعدوِّ تَدْمَغُ

Possessor of a dominion that spreads over its ally

its shade, and crushes its enemy,

دائمةٍ آخِرُها لا يُبلَغُ

دائمةٍ آخِرُها لا يُبلَغُ

كأنّما عُمرُكَ طَوْقٌ مُفْرَغُ

كأنّما عُمرُكَ طَوْقٌ مُفْرَغُ

everlasting, whose end cannot be reached:

as though your lifetime were a seamless cast ring.