لَمّاwhen تَراءَتappeared رايَةُthe banner الرَبيعِof spring
لَمّا تَراءَت رايَةُ الرَبيعِ
وَاِنهَزَمَتand were routed عَساكِرُthe armies الصَقيعِof frost
وَاِنهَزَمَت عَساكِرُ الصَقيعِ
When the banner of spring appeared,
When the banner of spring appeared
and the armies of frost were routed,
And the armies of winter were routed,
فَالماءُso the water فيin مُضاعَفِdouble-layered الدُروعِarmor
فَالماءُ في مُضاعَفِ الدُروعِ
وَالنورُand the blossoms كَالأَسِنَّةِlike spearheads الشُروعِleveled
وَالنورُ كَالأَسِنَّةِ الشُروعِ
the water wore double-layered armor,
Water poured from the joints of armor
and the blossoms were like leveled spearheads.
And light gleamed like bared swords.
قَدindeed هَزَّshook مِنfrom أَغصانِهِits branches ذَوابِلاًslender spears
قَد هَزَّ مِن أَغصانِهِ ذَوابِلاً
وَسَلَّand drew منfrom غُدرانِهُits pools مَناصِلاblades
وَسَلَّ من غُدرانِهُ مَناصِلا
Spring shook slender spears from its branches,
It shook down showers from its branches
and drew blades from its pools.
And sent forth gentle rains.
وَبَلَغَتand delivered ريحُthe wind الصَّباthe east wind رَسائِلاًmessages
وَبَلَغَت ريحُ الصَّبا رَسائِلاً
حينَwhen ثَنىturned العِطفَthe side الشتاءُwinter راحِلاdeparting
حينَ ثَنى العِطفَ الشتاءُ راحِلا
The east wind delivered messages
The zephyr breeze carried missives
as winter turned aside and departed.
When winter turned away defeated.
وَنُصِبَتand were raised مَنابِرُthe pulpits الأَشجارِof the trees
وَنُصِبَت مَنابِرُ الأَشجارِ
وَخَطَبَتand preached سَواجِعُthe warblers الأَطيارِamong birds
وَخَطَبَت سَواجِعُ الأَطيارِ
The pulpits of the trees were raised,
The trees raised their pulpits
and the warbling birds delivered sermons.
And the birds preached eloquent sermons,
وَاِستَفصَحَتand grew eloquent عِبارَةًin expression الهِزارِthe nightingale
وَاِستَفصَحَت عِبارَةً الهِزارِ
فَهوَso it لمَنشورِof the proclamation الرَبيعِof spring قاريa reader
فَهوَ لمَنشورِ الرَبيعِ قاري
The nightingale grew eloquent in expression,
Clarifying with brilliant metaphors
reading aloud the proclamation of spring.
To the manifesto of spring they paid heed.
وَأَقبَلَand approached النَيروزNowruz مِثلَlike الواليthe governor
وَأَقبَلَ النَيروز مِثلَ الوالي
فَارتَجَعَso reclaimed الفَضلَthe bounty مِنَfrom اللَياليthe nights
فَارتَجَعَ الفَضلَ مِنَ اللَيالي
Nowruz approached like a governor,
And New Year's came like a new governor
and reclaimed the bounty from the nights.
Who restored what nights had diminished.
وبشِّرand give glad tidings to الناقِصَthe imperfect بِالكَمالِof perfection
وبشِّر الناقِصَ بِالكَمالِ
فَعادَتِso returned الدُنياthe world إِلىto اِعتِدالِbalance
فَعادَتِ الدُنيا إِلى اِعتِدالِ
And give the imperfect tidings of perfection:
It gave good tidings to the deficient of perfection
the world has returned to balance.
That the world had returned to balance.
وَالدينُand faith وَالشَمسُand the sun لِسَعدٍto good fortune مُؤتَنَفrenewed
وَالدينُ وَالشَمسُ لِسَعدٍ مُؤتَنَف
كُلٌّeach بِهِthrough him اللهُGod اِنتَهىreached إِلىto شَرَفexaltation
كُلٌّ بِهِ اللهُ اِنتَهى إِلى شَرَف
Faith and the sun enter a fresh auspicious season;
Religion and sun shone for Sa'd with glory.
God has brought each, through him, to exaltation.
Each raised by God to nobility,
فَأَصبَحَso became العَدلُjustice مُقيماًresident وَاِعتَكَفand remained
فَأَصبَحَ العَدلُ مُقيماً وَاِعتَكَف
وَوَدَّعَand bade farewell الجَورُoppression ذَميماًdisgraced وَاِنصَرَفand departed
وَوَدَّعَ الجَورُ ذَميماً وَاِنصَرَف
Justice took up residence and remained,
Bestowing security and peace.
while oppression bade farewell, disgraced, and departed.
From that auspicious time began prosperity.
بِالشَرَفَينِthrough two exaltations اِستَسعَدَfound felicity الشَمسانِthe two suns
بِالشَرَفَينِ اِستَسعَدَ الشَمسانِ
شَمسُthe sun الضُحىof morning وَغُرَّةُand the radiant brow السُلطانِof the sultan
شَمسُ الضُحى وَغُرَّةُ السُلطانِ
Through two exaltations the two suns found felicity:
Mankind and days again grew moderate,
the morning sun and the sultan's radiant brow,
Muslim and nonbeliever both secure.
فيin أَسعَدِthe happiest الأَيّامِdays وَالأَزمانِand seasons
في أَسعَدِ الأَيّامِ وَالأَزمانِ
مُبَشِّراًheralding بِالأَمنِsecurity وَالأَمانِand safety
مُبَشِّراً بِالأَمنِ وَالأَمانِ
on the happiest of days and seasons,
Since they rose and shone for people
heralding security and safety.
No injustice or darkness did endure.
فَاِعتَدَلَso found balance الأَنامُhumankind وَالأَيّامُand the days
فَاِعتَدَلَ الأَنامُ وَالأَيّامُ
وَأَمِنَand became safe المُسيمُthe herder وَالمُسامُand the grazed herd
وَأَمِنَ المُسيمُ وَالمُسامُ
Humankind and the days found balance,
The bow of Time let fly an arrow
and the herder and the herd were safe.
That struck and pierced the earth.
مُذsince طَلَعاthe two rose وَنظَرَand beheld الأَنامُhumankind
مُذ طَلَعا وَنظَرَ الأَنامُ
لَمnot يَبقَremained لاneither ظُلمٌinjustice وَلاnor ظَلامُdarkness
لَم يَبقَ لا ظُلمٌ وَلا ظَلامُ
Since the two rose and humankind beheld them,
The shoulder bled from its point
neither injustice nor darkness remained.
And terror was routed in the fight.
قَدindeed أَصبَحَتbecame قَوسُthe bow الزَمانِof Time سَهماan arrow
قَد أَصبَحَت قَوسُ الزَمانِ سَهما
وَقُدand indeed رَمىshot الأَرضَthe earth بِهِwith it فَأَصمىand struck dead
وَقُد رَمى الأَرضَ بِهِ فَأَصمى
Time's bow has become an arrow;
Blossoms whitened before leaves turned green
it shot the earth with it and struck it dead.
And branches grew youthful before the bloom.
فَالكَتفُso the shoulder مِنهاof it بِالشَقيقِwith anemones تَدمىbleeds
فَالكَتفُ مِنها بِالشَقيقِ تَدمى
وَالرُعبُand terror أَضحىbecame لِلشِتاءِfor winter هَزماa rout
وَالرُعبُ أَضحى لِلشِتاءِ هَزما
The earth's shoulder bleeds with anemones,
Pots blackened after baking bread
and terror became winter's rout.
And time itself regained its youth.
اِبيَضَّwhitened قَبلَbefore الإِخضِرارِturning green الفَنَنُthe bough
اِبيَضَّ قَبلَ الإِخضِرارِ الفَنَنُ
فَشابَso grew gray مِنfrom قَبلِbefore الشَبابِyouth الغُصُنُthe branch
فَشابَ مِن قَبلِ الشَبابِ الغُصُنُ
The bough whitened before it grew green;
The promise made withdrawal needless,
the branch grew gray before its youth.
The clouds no longer held back rain.
وَاِسوَدَّand blackened مِنfrom بَعدِafter البَياضِwhiteness القُنَنُthe peaks
وَاِسوَدَّ مِن بَعدِ البَياضِ القُنَنُ
فَشَبَّso grew young مِنfrom بَعدِafter المَشيبِgray age الزَمَنُTime
فَشَبَّ مِن بَعدِ المَشيبِ الزَمَنُ
The peaks blackened after their whiteness,
From the orbits leaped forth the gazelles
and Time grew young after growing gray.
To meet the meadows with their train.
قَدindeed غَنِيَhad no need الوَعدُthe promise عَنِfor التَقاضيdemands for fulfillment
قَد غَنِيَ الوَعدُ عَنِ التَقاضي
وَأَعرَضَand turned away الغيدُthe graceful beauties عَنِfrom الإِعراضِaloofness
وَأَعرَضَ الغيدُ عَنِ الإِعراضِ
Promises no longer needed demands for fulfillment,
Joy and sadness both shared the garden,
and the graceful beauties abandoned their aloofness.
Breaking up the day with laughing and crying.
وَخَرَجَتand came out بِالحَدَقِwith eyes المِراضِlanguishing
وَخَرَجَت بِالحَدَقِ المِراضِ
تُواجِهُfacing الرِياضَthe gardens بِالرِياضِwith gardens
تُواجِهُ الرِياضَ بِالرِياضِ
They came out with languishing eyes,
When the south wind blew it brought crying,
facing gardens with gardens of their own.
But when it shifted northward, laughing.
قَدindeed سَئِمَتgrew weary of بُيوتَهاtheir houses النُفوسُthe souls
قَد سَئِمَت بُيوتَها النُفوسُ
وَأَصبَحَتand became كَأَنَّهاas though they حُبوسُprisons
وَأَصبَحَت كَأَنَّها حُبوسُ
Souls have grown weary of their houses,
The land took on the aspect of threat
which have come to seem like prisons.
And pelted its invaders with hailstones.
وَأَسلَمَand abandoned المُنَمِّسَthe dissembler التَنميسُdissembling
وَأَسلَمَ المُنَمِّسَ التَنميسُ
وَصاحَand cried out فيamong جُنودِهِhis troops إِبليسُIblis
وَصاحَ في جُنودِهِ إِبليسُ
Dissembling abandoned the dissembler,
In fear the branch gestured apotropaically
and Iblis cried out among his troops:
Like a finger making signs to ward off evil.
أَبَحتُI permitted لِلنسِto humankind دَمَthe blood الزِقاقِof wineskins
أَبَحتُ لِلنسِ دَمَ الزِقاقِ
فيin حَيثُwherever لاقوهاthey encountered them مِنَamong الآفاقِthe horizons
في حَيثُ لاقوها مِنَ الآفاقِ
I have permitted humankind the blood of wineskins,
Help your friend achieve his desire
wherever they encounter them throughout the world,
Without worrying people or secret trysts.
وَجَرَّهاand dragging them كَجُثَثِlike corpses المُرّاقِof rebels
وَجَرَّها كَجُثَثِ المُرّاقِ
وَشُربَهاand drinking them بِكَأسِهاfrom their cup الدِهاقِbrimming
وَشُربَها بِكَأسِها الدِهاقِ
and dragging them like the corpses of rebels,
Better none knows but the Forgiving Lord
and drinking them from brimming cups.
Who when you return repentant will forgive.
إِلىto الجِنانِthe gardens عَجَباًhow strange دَعاكُمُcalled you
إِلى الجِنانِ عَجَباً دَعاكُمُ
مَنthe one who كانَwas مِنهاfrom them مُخرِجاًexpelling أَباكُمُyour father
مَن كانَ مِنها مُخرِجاً أَباكُمُ
How strange: he calls you to gardens,
Though you repeat the sin your whole life
the one who drove your father out of them!
If you ask God's pardon no sin is too great.
يَجعَلُهاhe makes it كَفّارَةan atonement لِذاكُمُfor that
يَجعَلُها كَفّارَة لِذاكُمُ
فَأَصحِرواso go into the open لِتُبصِرواto behold مَأواكُمُyour abode
فَأَصحِروا لِتُبصِروا مَأواكُمُ
He makes this an atonement for that;
I see no law permitting wastefulness
so go into the open and behold your abode.
Or heedless destruction without good cause.
فَالأَرضُso the earth مِنfrom كَفِّthe hand الزَمانِof Time حاليهadorned
فَالأَرضُ مِن كَفِّ الزَمانِ حاليه
كَجَنَّةٍlike a garden لِلناظِرينَfor beholders عالِيَهlofty
كَجَنَّةٍ لِلناظِرينَ عالِيَه
The earth is adorned by the hand of Time,
I'm one who, whether you're shocked or not,
like a lofty garden for those who behold it,
Is eaten by cares unless he drinks wine.
مِنfrom كُلِّevery ساقٍcupbearer عِندَbeside كُلِّevery ساقِيَهstream
مِن كُلِّ ساقٍ عِندَ كُلِّ ساقِيَه
يَجعَلُmakes مِنfrom صافٍclear water مِزاجَa mixture صافِيَهfor pure wine
يَجعَلُ مِن صافٍ مِزاجَ صافِيَه
with every cupbearer beside every stream
I who shed my own blood in camaraderie
blending clear water into pure wine.
Cannot bear to see a friend distressed.
وَالشَمسُand the sun فيin البُرجِthe zodiacal sign الَّذيwhich يَشوونَهُthey roast
وَالشَمسُ في البُرجِ الَّذي يَشوونَهُ
إِذاwhen غَدَواthey go out شَرباًa drinking party وَيَأكُلونَهُand eat it
إِذا غَدَوا شَرباً وَيَأكُلونَهُ
The sun is in the sign that they roast
So I revive my friend's drooping soul
and eat when they go out as a drinking party.
With the life blood coursing in my veins.
وَفيهِمُand among them قَومٌpeople يُثاكِلونَهُvie with it in bereavement
وَفيهِمُ قَومٌ يُثاكِلونَهُ
طولَthroughout الزَمانِTime وَيُناطِحونَهُand butt heads with it
طولَ الزَمانِ وَيُناطِحونَهُ
Among them are folk who vie with it in bereavement
I said: My friend leave off excess generosity
all their lives, and butt heads with it.
Do not exceed proper bounds of virtue.
بِحَملٍfor Aries قَدindeed باعَتِtraded الشَمسُthe sun الأَسَدLeo
بِحَملٍ قَد باعَتِ الشَمسُ الأَسَد
وَكانَand was هَذاthis عِندَناin our view الرَأيَthe judgment الأَسَدsoundest
وَكانَ هَذا عِندَنا الرَأيَ الأَسَد
The sun has traded Leo for Aries,
I've no appetite for total intoxication
and this, to us, was the soundest judgment.
Save what increases wisdom in people.
فَاِعتاضَso exchanged طَبعاًa temperament فيin الزَمانِthe season وَاِستَجَدand acquired anew
فَاِعتاضَ طَبعاً في الزَمانِ وَاِستَجَد
مِنfrom غَضَبٍanger بِشَهوَةٍfor desire كُلُّevery أَحَدperson
مِن غَضَبٍ بِشَهوَةٍ كُلُّ أَحَد
So a temperament was exchanged in this season and renewed:
My share of manners is fairest fortune.
each man took desire in place of anger.
Eloquence and poetry are not within my grasp.
حَتَىuntil غَداbegan بَعضُone بَنيof the sons الأَشكالِof like kinds
حَتَى غَدا بَعضُ بَني الأَشكالِ
يَقولُsaying قَولاًwords ظاهِرَplain in الإِشكالِperplexity
يَقولُ قَولاً ظاهِرَ الإِشكالِ
Until one of our fellows began
Nor does daughterly kindness lie in my gaze.
to speak words plainly perplexing.
God has not endowed me with her love.
لَكِنَّهُbut he مِنfrom كَثرَةِthe abundance البَلبالِof distress
لَكِنَّهُ مِن كَثرَةِ البَلبالِ
قَدindeed قالَsaid ماwhat قالَhe said وَلَمand did not يُبالِcare
قَد قالَ ما قالَ وَلَم يُبالِ
Yet, from the abundance of his distress,
So I've become a comrade of my lord
he said what he said and did not care:
The most noble, the just, of perfect virtues,
كَمhow long أوكِفُI saddle الظَهرَthe back بِطَيلَسانِwith a mantle
كَم أوكِفُ الظَهرَ بِطَيلَسانِ
وَيُشبِهُand resemble العِدلَينِthe two panniers ليfor me كُمّانِtwo sleeves
وَيُشبِهُ العِدلَينِ لي كُمّانِ
How long must I saddle my back with a mantle,
The ascetic free of blemishes,
with my two sleeves resembling two panniers,
Who makes hearts and souls flourish.
مُستَبضِعاًoffering merchandise عِندَamong بَنيthe sons الزَمانِof the age
مُستَبضِعاً عِندَ بَني الزَمانِ
وِقرَa load نِفاقٍof hypocrisy ثِقلُهُits weight أَعيانيexhausted me
وِقرَ نِفاقٍ ثِقلُهُ أَعياني
offering to the sons of this age
I toast his cup while he drinks,
a load of hypocrisy whose weight has exhausted me?
I speak praise while he is raptured,
هَلwould لَكَyou care فيfor حَمراءَa red wine مِثلَlike الحُصِّsaffron
هَل لَكَ في حَمراءَ مِثلَ الحُصِّ
ياruby (first fragment) قوتَةٍruby (second fragment) قَدindeed شُرِبَتwas drunk بِرُخصِcheaply
يا قوتَةٍ قَد شُرِبَت بِرُخصِ
Would you care for a red wine like saffron,
I beg bounties while he freely grants,
a ruby drunk at little cost,
Gifts beyond all numbering tire me.
مَجلوبَةٍbrought مِنfrom مَعدِنٍa mine فيin القُفصِal-Qufs
مَجلوبَةٍ مِن مَعدِنٍ في القُفصِ
تَلوحُgleams فيupon الإِصبَعِthe finger مِثلَlike الفَصِّa ringstone
تَلوحُ في الإِصبَعِ مِثلَ الفَصِّ
brought from a mine in al-Qufs,
The minister's habit and mine as well
gleaming upon the finger like a ringstone?
Is to drink of customary propriety,
يَسعىhastens بِهاwith it عَلَيهِto him ياYa (unclear fragment) فِشِيُّFishi (unclear fragment)
يَسعى بِها عَلَيهِ يا فِشِيُّ
وَطَرفُهُand his gaze الساحِرُenchanting بابِلِيُّBabylonian
وَطَرفُهُ الساحِرُ بابِلِيُّ
Ya Fishi hastens to him with it,
And to admire most the concord
his enchanting gaze Babylonian,
Between patron and companions.
وَثَغرُهُand his mouth كَكَأسِهِlike his cup رَوِيُّwell-watered
وَثَغرُهُ كَكَأسِهِ رَوِيُّ
وَوَردُهُand his rose كَخَدِّهِlike his cheek جَنِيُّfreshly plucked
وَوَردُهُ كَخَدِّهِ جَنِيُّ
his mouth, like his cup, well-watered,
Our pleasure is only the lawful,
and his rose, like his cheek, freshly plucked.
Not what fogs the mind.
أَغيَدُa supple youth يَومُthe day وَصلِهِof union with him تَأريخُa memorable date
أَغيَدُ يَومُ وَصلِهِ تَأريخُ
لِصُدغِهِfor his temple-lock مِنfrom نِقسِهِits ink تَضميخُan anointing
لِصُدغِهِ مِن نِقسِهِ تَضميخُ
A supple youth, the day of union with him a date to remember;
People's minds are nourished on it
his temple-lock is anointed with its ink.
And the generous intoxicated by its cup.
وَالجَمرُand the ember فيin خَدَّيهِhis cheeks لاnot يَبوحُreveals itself
وَالجَمرُ في خَدَّيهِ لا يَبوحُ
كَماas يَحِلُّinhabits العَقرَبُScorpio المَرّيخُMars
كَما يَحِلُّ العَقرَبُ المَرّيخُ
The ember in his cheeks does not betray itself,
The religion's face grew radiant
as Mars takes up residence in Scorpio.
And the state took on perfect order.
يَضحَكُhe laughs مِنat تَشبيبِthe amorous verse عاشِقيهِof his lovers
يَضحَكُ مِن تَشبيبِ عاشِقيهِ
عَنrevealing لُؤلُؤٍpearls لِنَظمِهِمto their strung verse شَبيهِsimilar
عَن لُؤلُؤٍ لِنَظمِهِم شَبيهِ
He laughs at his lovers' amorous verses,
A Divine blessing dazzling to behold
revealing pearls resembling their strung verse.
Too lofty for creation's thanks.
فَلاso not يَزالُceases مُظهِراًdisplaying لِمَّتّيهِhis two locks
فَلا يَزالُ مُظهِراً لِمَّتّيهِ
بِدُرِّwith pearls فيهِof his mouth أَوor بِدُرٍّwith pearls فيهِabout him
بِدُرِّ فيهِ أَو بِدُرٍّ فيهِ
Thus he never ceases to display his two locks,
A unique man in whom all praise combined,
with pearls of his mouth, or pearls spoken of him.
The peerless one for whom none qualified.
لفُرَصِfor opportunities اللذاتِof pleasures كُنbe مُنتَهِزاًone who seizes
لفُرَصِ اللذاتِ كُن مُنتَهِزاً
وَلاand do not تَبتspend the night مِنof عاذِلٍa reproacher مُحتَرِزاwary
وَلا تَبت مِن عاذِلٍ مُحتَرِزا
Seize the opportunities for pleasure,
However many excellent ones exist
and do not spend the night wary of a reproacher.
All excellence is focused in this one.
فَالدهرُfor Time مِخلافٌa promise-breaker فَخُذso take ماwhat أُنجِزاwas fulfilled
فَالدهرُ مِخلافٌ فَخُذ ما أُنجِزا
فَرُبَّماfor perhaps طَلَبتَهُyou sought it فَأَعوَزاand it was unavailable
فَرُبَّما طَلَبتَهُ فَأَعوَزا
Time breaks its promises: take what has been fulfilled,
Nobility itself, he only does good.
for perhaps you will seek it and find it unavailable.
Generous one who never acts mean.
فَقَدfor indeed تَغَنّىsang الطَيرُthe birds فيat الشُروقِsunrise
فَقَد تَغَنّى الطَيرُ في الشُروقِ
وَالريحُand the wind دارَتcirculated دَورَةَthe circulation الرَحيقِof wine
وَالريحُ دارَت دَورَةَ الرَحيقِ
The birds have sung at sunrise,
Bestower of all that one could wish for,
and the wind has circulated like wine.
For him the cure of poverty is granting wealth.
فَظَلَّso remained كُلُّevery غُصُنٍbranch وَريقِleafy
فَظَلَّ كُلُّ غُصُنٍ وَريقِ
لِلسكرِfrom drunkenness فيin رَقصٍdancing وَفيand in تَصفيقِclapping
لِلسكرِ في رَقصٍ وَفي تَصفيقِ
Every leafy branch remained
Seeing a supplicant in need
dancing and clapping in drunkenness.
You'd think it his money he expends.
وَالزهرُand the blossom لِلروضَةِfor the garden عَينٌan eye تُلمَحُbeheld
وَالزهرُ لِلروضَةِ عَينٌ تُلمَحُ
يَضُمُّهاit closes it طَوراًat times وَطَوراًand at times يَفتَحُopens
يَضُمُّها طَوراً وَطَوراً يَفتَحُ
The blossom is a visible eye for the garden,
What he takes from him he gives him
which closes it at times and at times opens it.
In exchange for what he brings.
تُمسىpasses evening بِهاwith it قَريرَةًsoothed وَتُصِبحُand passes morning
تُمسى بِها قَريرَةً وَتُصِبحُ
لَكِنَّهاbut it مِنَwith الدُموعِtears تَطفَحُoverflows
لَكِنَّها مِنَ الدُموعِ تَطفَحُ
With it the garden passes evening and morning soothed,
The beggar shares with him his wealth.
yet that eye overflows with tears.
A wonder to say of his sublime nature.
وَالرَوضُand the garden فيin شَمسِa sun سَناهاits radiance يُعشىis dazzled
وَالرَوضُ في شَمسِ سَناها يُعشى
وَالسُحبُand the clouds بِالقُربِnearby لَهاbeside it تَمَشِّmove
وَالسُحبُ بِالقُربِ لَها تَمَشِّ
The garden is dazzled by a sun of blinding radiance,
God aids his noble disposition
and the clouds move close beside it.
In an age encompassing his ambition.
فَكُلَّماso whenever أَدارَit rolls عَينَthe eye المَغشيof one overcome
فَكُلَّما أَدارَ عَينَ المَغشي
عَلَيهِupon him جادَتlavished وَجهَهُhis face بِرَشِّwith sprinkling
عَلَيهِ جادَت وَجهَهُ بِرَشِّ
Whenever it rolls the eye of someone swooning,
Of generous spirit are his ways.
they generously sprinkle his face.
Truly magnificent, thanks deserved.
صَحوٌclear weather وَغَيمٌand cloud فيin الرِياضِthe gardens اِشتَرَكاshared
صَحوٌ وَغَيمٌ في الرِياضِ اِشتَرَكا
يُقَطِّعانِthey divide اليَومَthe day ضَحكاًinto laughter وَبُكاand tears
يُقَطِّعانِ اليَومَ ضَحكاً وَبُكا
Clear weather and cloud shared the gardens,
Kindness flows in its course from him
dividing the day between laughter and tears.
Worthy of praise for his moral fiber.
إِذاwhen الجَنوبُthe south wind أَقبَلَتapproached فيهِwithin it بَكىit wept
إِذا الجَنوبُ أَقبَلَت فيهِ بَكى
حَتّىuntil إِذاwhen عادَتit returned شَمالاas a north wind ضَحِكاit laughed
حَتّى إِذا عادَت شَمالا ضَحِكا
When the south wind approached, the garden wept,
Who hoards wealth cares only for riches
until the north wind returned, and it laughed.
And amasses glory for his heirs.
صارَbecame الأَضاthe pools فيin حَلَقٍrings of mail وَخُوَذِand helmets
صارَ الأَضا في حَلَقٍ وَخُوَذِ
وَرَمتِand cast الأَرضُthe earth لَهاtoward them بِالفِلَذِfragments
وَرَمتِ الأَرضُ لَها بِالفِلَذِ
The pools became rings of mail and helmets,
While his palm provides prolonged aid
and the earth cast fragments toward them.
Outlasting him and his tombstone.
فَالغُصنُso the branch خَوفَin fear of جُندِهاtheir host المُستَحوِذِconquering
فَالغُصنُ خَوفَ جُندِها المُستَحوِذِ
كَإِصبَعٍlike a finger تُشيرُpointing بِالتَعَوُّذِin seeking refuge
كَإِصبَعٍ تُشيرُ بِالتَعَوُّذِ
So the branch, fearing their conquering host,
Say to the defender of the faith, so lofty:
is like a finger pointing in a plea for refuge.
Truth is the finest jewelry for words.
ساعِدjoin in عَلىin drinking wine الراحِand do not وَلاcare about تُبالِanything
ساعِد عَلى الراحِ وَلا تُبالِ
وَالناسَand people لاdo not تُخطِرُهُمbring them بِبالِto mind
وَالناسَ لا تُخطِرُهُم بِبالِ
Join in drinking wine, and do not care;
Today you've tied firm the ropes of hope.
do not let people cross your mind.
You've proven, discerning man, to be the best of all.
أَوِor اِستِراقاًsecretly فيin مَكانٍa place خالِempty
أَوِ اِستِراقاً في مَكانٍ خالِ
لاnot تَعلَمُknows اليَمينُthe right hand بِالشَمالِof the left
لا تَعلَمُ اليَمينُ بِالشَمالِ
Or drink secretly in an empty place,
O king whose mercy itself enacts kingship,
where the right hand knows nothing of the left.
Your footsteps eclipse even heavens' spheres,
وَإِنَّماand only يَعلَمُهُknows it مَنthe One who يَغفِرُهforgives it
وَإِنَّما يَعلَمُهُ مَن يَغفِرُه
إِذاwhen رَجَعتَyou return نادِماًrepentant تَستَغفِرُهseeking His forgiveness
إِذا رَجَعتَ نادِماً تَستَغفِرُه
Only the One who forgives it knows of it,
Not like stars' overlapping alignment
when you return repentant and seek His forgiveness.
But eclipsing highest celestial spheres.
وَلَوeven if بَقيتَyou remained عُمُراًa lifetime تُكَرِّرُهrepeating it
وَلَو بَقيتَ عُمُراً تُكَرِّرُه
ماno عِندَbefore عفوِthe pardon اللَهِof God ذَنبٌsin يُكبِرُهHe deems too great
ما عِندَ عفوِ اللَهِ ذَنبٌ يُكبِرُه
Even if you spent a lifetime repeating it,
With your fierce sword you protected the corners
no sin is too great for God's pardon.
Of your realm while Religion shook out its robes.
لَستُI do not أَرىsee مُحَللاًsanctioned فيin مَذهَبِa doctrine
لَستُ أَرى مُحَللاً في مَذهَبِ
إِهلاكِيَmy destroying النَفسَthe soul بِغَيرِwithout موجِبِdue cause
إِهلاكِيَ النَفسَ بِغَيرِ موجِبِ
I see no sanction in any doctrine
May your auspicious reign endure
for destroying my own life without due cause.
Vanquishing any who envy your throne.
أَناI اِمرُؤٌa man عَجِبتَyou marveled اَوor لَمdid not تَعجَبِmarvel
أَنا اِمرُؤٌ عَجِبتَ اَو لَم تَعجَبِ
يَأكُلُنيdevours me الهَمُّsorrow إِذاwhen لَمnot أَشرَبِI drink
يَأكُلُني الهَمُّ إِذا لَم أَشرَبِ
I am a man—whether you marvel or not—
Your unrelenting sword brings victory.
whom sorrow devours when I do not drink.
The Sultan of the World it's might established.
ماwhatever كانَwas مِنof دُرّيmy pearls وَمِنand of عَقيقيmy agates
ما كانَ مِن دُرّي وَمِن عَقيقي
نَزَفتُهُI drained it فيin فُرقَةِseparation الفَريقِfrom the company
نَزَفتُهُ في فُرقَةِ الفَريقِ
Whatever pearls and agates I possessed,
Though independent, within proper bounds
I drained away in separation from my companions.
routing an army by your name alone.
فَمِنso from دَمthe blood الكَرمِof the vine أُيعضسunclear verb عُروقيmy veins
فَمِن دَم الكَرمِ أُيعضس عُروقي
تُحيِyou revive بِهِwith it نَفسَthe soul أَمرِئٍof a man صَديقِfaithful
تُحيِ بِهِ نَفسَ أَمرِئٍ صَديقِ
So, with the vine's blood, I [unclear verb] my veins;
You've a hand beside which all hands are small,
with it, revive the soul of a faithful friend.
Next to which even the sea seems scant.
فَقُلتُso I said خَلِّleave عَنكَoff ياO خَليليmy dear friend
فَقُلتُ خَلِّ عَنكَ يا خَليلي
تَجاوُزَpassing beyond الفَضلِexcellence إِلىinto الفُضولِmeddling
تَجاوُزَ الفَضلِ إِلى الفُضولِ
I said: Leave off, my dear friend,
Not seven oceans compare to one of your hands
passing beyond excellence into meddling.
Except as all the lands you've spanned.
فَلَيسَfor there is not ليfor me مَيلٌan inclination إِلىtoward الشَمولِwine
فَلَيسَ لي مَيلٌ إِلى الشَمولِ
إِلّاexcept الَّتيthat which تَزيدُincreases فيin العُقولِunderstanding
إِلّا الَّتي تَزيدُ في العُقولِ
I have no inclination toward wine
A spear whose point springs forth from its essence.
except that which increases understanding.
A stallion fully in control of its arena.
حَظّيmy share مِنَof الآدابِliterature أَسنىthe most splendid حَظِّshare
حَظّي مِنَ الآدابِ أَسنى حَظِّ
وَالراحِand wine ماwhat رَوَّقتُهُI clarified مِنfrom لَفظيmy words
وَالراحِ ما رَوَّقتُهُ مِن لَفظي
My share of literature is the most splendid share;
Reining it in never diminishes its extent.
my wine is what I have clarified from my words.
Its reins are inherent to its being.
وَماand not اِبنَةُthe daughter الكَرمِof the vine بِمَرمىwithin the range لَحظيof my gaze
وَما اِبنَةُ الكَرمِ بِمَرمى لَحظي
وَلاand not لَهاto her اللَهُGod بِحُبّيwith my love مُحظِgranting favor
وَلا لَها اللَهُ بِحُبّي مُحظِ
The vine's daughter is not within my gaze,
Your horses carved trails in the rock,
nor has God favored her with my love.
Their shoes leaving imprints like nails.
لِذاكَfor that أَصبَحتُI became مَنيعَunassailable الجانِبِin position
لِذاكَ أَصبَحتُ مَنيعَ الجانِبِ
نَديمَthe companion مَولاناof our lord الأَجَلِّmost august الصاحِبِthe Sahib
نَديمَ مَولانا الأَجَلِّ الصاحِبِ
For this I have become unassailable,
Their brash galloping in the stone
the companion of our most august lord, the Sahib,
Chasing down wild asses without fail.
العادِلِthe just الكامِلِthe perfect فيin المَناقِبِnoble qualities
العادِلِ الكامِلِ في المَناقِبِ
وَالناسِكِand the devout التارِكِthe abandoning لِلمَثالِبِof faults
وَالناسِكِ التارِكِ لِلمَثالِبِ
just and perfect in noble qualities,
Your dominion waxes across the nights,
devout and abandoning every fault.
Vanquishing all who sought to prevail.
أَسقىI serve كُؤوسَcups المَدحِof praise وَهوَand he يَشرَبُdrinks
أَسقى كُؤوسَ المَدحِ وَهوَ يَشرَبُ
وَأُسمِعُand I recite الثَناءَencomiums وَهوَand he يَطرَبُdelights
وَأُسمِعُ الثَناءَ وَهوَ يَطرَبُ
I serve cups of praise, and he drinks;
Continuous, endless is your reign.
I recite encomiums, and he delights.
As if your lifetime were eternity's chain.
وَأَسَلُand I ask (text unclear) الأَمساكَwithholding وَهوَand he يَهَبُbestows
وَأَسَلُ الأَمساكَ وَهوَ يَهَبُ
مَواهِباًgifts تَعدادُهاtheir enumeration ليfor me مُتعِبُexhausting
مَواهِباً تَعدادُها لي مُتعِبُ
I ask him to withhold, while he bestows
O heavens piercer, soaring in sublimity,
gifts whose enumeration exhausts me.
Crescent banner lifted to zenith,
دَأَبُthe practice الوَزيرِof the minister هَكَذاthus وَدابيand my practice
دَأَبُ الوَزيرِ هَكَذا وَدابي
الشُّربُdrinking مِنfrom سُلافَةِthe choicest essence الآدابِof literature
الشُّربُ مِن سُلافَةِ الآدابِ
Such is the minister's practice and mine:
None can penetrate your armies' defense
drinking the choicest essence of literature.
So praise without hyperbole your poet.
وَمُعجِبٌand astonishing نِهايَةَto the utmost الإِعجابِastonishment
وَمُعجِبٌ نِهايَةَ الإِعجابِ
تَناسُبُthe harmony المَصحوبِof the companion وَالأَصحابِand the company
تَناسُبُ المَصحوبِ وَالأَصحابِ
A thing astonishing beyond all astonishment
Of your nobility, what minds have wrought
is the harmony between the companion and his company.
Falls short of your true bracelet and crown.
مُدامُناour wine الحَلالُlawful لاnot الحَرامُforbidden
مُدامُنا الحَلالُ لا الحَرامُ
ماwhat خَلَّصَrefined اللِسانُthe tongue لاnot الفِدامُthe straining cloth
ما خَلَّصَ اللِسانُ لا الفِدامُ
Our wine is lawful, not forbidden:
So where, O Poetry, are your heroes?
what the tongue has refined, not the straining cloth.
Speak now of what you will, let them declaim!
تَغذوnourishes بِهاwith it عُقولَهاits minds الأَنامُhumankind
تَغذو بِها عُقولَها الأَنامُ
وَتَنتَشيand grow exhilarated بِكَأسِهاby its cup الكِرامُthe noble
وَتَنتَشي بِكَأسِها الكِرامُ
With it humankind nourishes its minds,
How I've withheld these pearls from threading
and the noble grow exhilarated by its cup.
Though they would make a brilliant train.
قَدindeed عادَreturned وَجهُthe face الدينِof faith وَهوَand it أَزهَرُradiant
قَد عادَ وَجهُ الدينِ وَهوَ أَزهَرُ
وَعادَand returned لِلمُلكِto the kingdom النِظامُthe order الأَكبَرُgreatest
وَعادَ لِلمُلكِ النِظامُ الأَكبَرُ
The face of faith has returned radiant,
Yet what I've said and what you've done
and the greatest order has returned to the kingdom.
Both embellish creation's array.
نِعمَةُa blessing رَبٍّfrom a Lord لِلعُقولِto minds تَبهَرُdazzles
نِعمَةُ رَبٍّ لِلعُقولِ تَبهَرُ
تَجِلُّis too great عَنfor شُكرِthe gratitude الوَرىof mankind وَتُشكَرُand is thanked
تَجِلُّ عَن شُكرِ الوَرى وَتُشكَرُ
A blessing from a Lord, dazzling to minds,
To you, my lord, they are humble gifts
too great for mankind's gratitude, yet gratefully praised.
That fail to match a rational mind.
فَردٌّunique وَفيهِand in him جُمعَwere gathered المَحامِدُpraiseworthy qualities
فَردٌّ وَفيهِ جُمعَ المَحامِدُ
فَلَمso not يَجِدfound لَهُfor him نَظيراًan equal واجِدُany seeker
فَلَم يَجِد لَهُ نَظيراً واجِدُ
A unique man in whom all praiseworthy qualities are gathered;
So I present them imperfectly
no seeker has found his equal.
Lacking invention, but with sincerity.
كَمhow many فيamong الوَرىmankind مِنof واحِدٍsingle men تُشاهِدُyou behold
كَم في الوَرى مِن واحِدٍ تُشاهِدُ
أَمّاbut as for الوَرىmankind فيin واحِدٍone man فَواحِدُonly one
أَمّا الوَرى في واحِدٍ فَواحِدُ
How many single men you behold among mankind!
Far be it from my nature to pretend
But all mankind in one man—only one!
Passion in verse, especially so late in years.
أَروعُformidable لاnot يُحينُcauses death إِلّاexcept يُحسِناto do good
أَروعُ لا يُحينُ إِلّا يُحسِنا
وَمُقدِمٌand bold يَجبُنُis afraid عَنof أَنthat يَجبُناhe be afraid
وَمُقدِمٌ يَجبُنُ عَن أَن يَجبُنا
A formidable man, who brings death only to do good;
But authentic passion permits one to play
a bold man, afraid only of being afraid;
There's no shame for an old cheek to feign a tear.
وَمُنعِمٌand a benefactor يُنيلُgrants غاياتِthe utmost المُنىwishes
وَمُنعِمٌ يُنيلُ غاياتِ المُنى
فَقرُthe poverty الفَتىof a man إِلَيهِbefore him ميعادُan appointment الغِنىwith wealth
فَقرُ الفَتى إِلَيهِ ميعادُ الغِنى
a benefactor who grants the utmost wishes:
No blame to a poet who feigns the ardor
a man's poverty before him is an appointment with wealth.
Of one who praises a king, it's understood.
إِذاwhen رَأىhe sees إِعدامَthe destitution مُعتَفيهِof his petitioner
إِذا رَأى إِعدامَ مُعتَفيهِ
حَسِبتَهُyou would think him لِلمالِfor wealth إِذwhen يُقنيهِhe furnishes it
حَسِبتَهُ لِلمالِ إِذ يُقنيهِ
When he sees the destitution of one seeking his bounty,
Wasn't Hassān beyond all reproach
you would think, as he furnishes him with wealth,
Though he said what makes others blush?
مِنfrom مُعتَفيهِhis petitioner العُدمَpoverty يَشتَريهِbuying it
مِن مُعتَفيهِ العُدمَ يَشتَريهِ
يَأخُذُهُhe takes it مِنهُfrom him بِماwith what يُعطيهِhe gives him
يَأخُذُهُ مِنهُ بِما يُعطيهِ
that he is buying poverty from his petitioner,
My lord, your honoring me was a gift
taking it from him in exchange for what he gives.
That obligated all to follow course.
سائِلُهُhis petitioner شَريكُهُhis partner فيin نَعمَتِهhis bounty
سائِلُهُ شَريكُهُ في نَعمَتِه
يَقولُsays قاضيone expressing عَجَبٍwonder مِنat شيمَتِهhis character
يَقولُ قاضي عَجَبٍ مِن شيمَتِه
His petitioner is his partner in his bounty.
Whoever declines to do the same
One expressing wonder at his character says:
Has erred. A shadow reveals its source.
أَعانَهُmay He help him اللَهُGod عَلىin مَكرُمَتِهhis noble generosity
أَعانَهُ اللَهُ عَلى مَكرُمَتِه
بِزَمَنٍwith an age يَسَعُaccommodating عُظمَthe greatness هِمَّتِهof his ambition
بِزَمَنٍ يَسَعُ عُظمَ هِمَّتِه
May God help him in his noble generosity
I came expectant on promised day
with an age spacious enough for his lofty ambition.
But a scowling guard blocked my way.
ذوpossessor of كَرَمٍgenerosity أَخلاقُهُhis character حَديقَهa garden
ذو كَرَمٍ أَخلاقُهُ حَديقَه
حَقيقَةٌdeserving بِالحَمدِof praise فيin الحَقيقَهtruth
حَقيقَةٌ بِالحَمدِ في الحَقيقَه
A generous man whose character is a garden,
How can one granted special access
truly deserving of praise.
Be veiled by a heart's thin screen?
يَجريhe proceeds مِنَin الجُودِgenerosity عَلىalong طَريقَهa course
يَجري مِنَ الجُودِ عَلى طَريقَه
خَليقَةٍworthy بِمَدحِof praise ذيfor the possessor الخَليقَهof such character
خَليقَةٍ بِمَدحِ ذي الخَليقَه
In generosity he follows a course
Your brilliant state, in its towering ascent
worthy of praise for one of such character.
Is like the sun, or more inclusively
مَنone who يَكنِزُstores الأَموالَwealth فيin الرِقابِnecks
مَن يَكنِزُ الأَموالَ في الرِقابِ
وَيَذخَرُand lays up الثَناءَpraise لِلأَعقابِfor posterity
وَيَذخَرُ الثَناءَ لِلأَعقابِ
One who stores his wealth in people's necks,
The sun indulges people through its rays
and lays up praise for posterity:
While, by your nature, you've raised a screen.
أَيادِياًfavors مُعييَةَexhausting الحُسّابِthe reckoners
أَيادِياً مُعييَةَ الحُسّابِ
تَبقىendure وَمُوليهاand their giver عَلىthrough الأَحقابِthe ages
تَبقى وَمُوليها عَلى الأَحقابِ
favors that exhaust the reckoners,
O honor of Faith, you have guarded a name,
enduring through ages along with their giver.
Are summoned for aid and times of strife.
قُلsay لِمُغيثِto Mughith الدينِal-Din ذيpossessor of المَعاليlofty merits
قُل لِمُغيثِ الدينِ ذي المَعالي
وَالصَدقُand truth أَبهىthe fairest حَليَةِadornment المَقالِof speech
وَالصَدقُ أَبهى حَليَةِ المَقالِ
Say to Mughith al-Din, possessor of lofty merits—
May God perpetuate protection for you,
truth being the fairest adornment of speech—
Displaying constantly armor from Him.
اليَومَtoday أَوثَقتَyou secured عُراthe bonds الآمالِof hopes
اليَومَ أَوثَقتَ عُرا الآمالِ
أَجَدتَyou chose well ياO مُنتَقِدَdiscerning judge الرِجالِof men
أَجَدتَ يا مُنتَقِدَ الرِجالِ
Today you have secured the bonds of hope;
A towering palm tree, steadfast of trunk,
you have chosen well, O discerning judge of men.
A household of elevation, pillars intact.
ياO ملكاًking مِنthrough رَأفَةٍcompassion يَحكيresembles مَلَكan angel
يا ملكاً مِن رَأفَةٍ يَحكي مَلَك
بَلrather وَطأَةٌa footprint مِنكَof yours عَلىon ظَهرِthe back الفَلَكof the heavens
بَل وَطأَةٌ مِنكَ عَلى ظَهرِ الفَلَك
O king who, through compassion, resembles an angel!
May they endure, their place ever exalted,
Rather, a footprint of yours on the back of the heavens.
Fortune's flood reinforced by their reign.
ليسnot الثرياthe Pleiades منof نُجومٍstars تَشتَبِكinterwoven
ليس الثريا من نُجومٍ تَشتَبِك
بلbut وطأَةٌa footprint منكof yours علىon ظَهرthe back الفَلكof the heavens
بل وطأَةٌ منك على ظَهر الفَلك
The Pleiades are not a cluster of interwoven stars,
Rejoice in Sa'd. Remain ever blessed.
but a footprint of yours on the back of the heavens.
Let us rest in untroubled life.
بَلَّتgrew moist بِسَيفٍwith a sword صارِمٍkeen يَداكاyour two hands
بَلَّت بِسَيفٍ صارِمٍ يَداكا
ماnot لِمُلوكِfor the kings الأَرضِof the earth مِثلُanything like ذاكاthat
ما لِمُلوكِ الأَرضِ مِثلُ ذاكا
Your hands grew moist with a keen sword;
Upholding truth, straightening the crooked,
the kings of the earth possess nothing like it.
opening by effort all knotted and contorted.
وَهوَand it أَدامmay He preserve اللَهُGod ماwhat آتاكاHe gave you
وَهوَ أَدام اللَهُ ما آتاكا
أَنفَسُthe most precious ماof what وَرِثتَهُyou inherited أَباكاfrom your father
أَنفَسُ ما وَرِثتَهُ أَباكا
And it—may God preserve what He has given you—
God has promised and His word is bond
is the most precious thing you inherited from your father.
You will not expire as long as time continues.
اُنظُرlook إِلىat الشاهِدِthe visible مِنof رُوائِهِhis handsome bearing
اُنظُر إِلى الشاهِدِ مِن رُوائِهِ
وَقِسand judge بِهِby it الغائِبَthe unseen مِنof آرائِهِhis counsel
وَقِس بِهِ الغائِبَ مِن آرائِهِ
Look at what is visible of his handsome bearing,
Is it not in His Book? Let them search!
and judge by it the unseen qualities of his counsel.
What benefits endures, never vanishes.
فَهوَfor he وَزيرٌa minister لَيسَnot فَوقَabove رائِهِhis judgment
فَهوَ وَزيرٌ لَيسَ فَوقَ رائِهِ
رَأىa judgment سِوىexcept رَأيِكَyour judgment فيin اِرتِضائِهِhis approval
رَأى سِوى رَأيِكَ في اِرتِضائِهِ
He is a minister above whose judgment there is
O you who rule enduring after those now gone
no judgment he approves except your own.
With none to take your place or erase your trace.
إِنif سُمِّيَwere named اِثنانِtwo بَنواas Nu- (name fragment) شَروانِshirwan (name fragment)
إِن سُمِّيَ اِثنانِ بَنوا شَروانِ
وَوُصِفاand were described بِالعَدلِwith justice وَالإِحسانِand beneficence
وَوُصِفا بِالعَدلِ وَالإِحسانِ
If two have been named Nushirwan,
Remain Time's unveiled sword destroying and sustaining
and described as just and beneficent,
Annoyance and content with you and by you.
فَاللَيلُfor night مازالَhas always لَهُhad فَجرانِtwo dawns
فَاللَيلُ مازالَ لَهُ فَجرانِ
وَإِنَّماbut only الصادِقُthe true فيهِamong them الثانيthe second
وَإِنَّما الصادِقُ فيهِ الثاني
night has always had two dawns,
A state whose shaded protection is sublime,
but only the second is the true one.
Lasting endless, no limit to its time.
أَعدَلُthe most just مَولىًlord وَهوَand he فيهِof him نَعلَمُwe know
أَعدَلُ مَولىً وَهوَ فيهِ نَعلَمُ
لِمالِهِhis wealth دونَrather than العِبادِthe servants يَظلِمُhe wrongs
لِمالِهِ دونَ العِبادِ يَظلِمُ
The most just of lords, and, as we know of him,
As if your life were a poured ring
he wrongs his wealth alone, not his servants.
Encircling perpetuity's revolving sphere.
وَراحِمٌand merciful إِذاwhen اِستَقالَbegs release المُجرِمُthe offender
وَراحِمٌ إِذا اِستَقالَ المُجرِمُ
لِنَفسِهِto himself مِنthrough جودِهِhis generosity لاnot يَرحَمُshows mercy
لِنَفسِهِ مِن جودِهِ لا يَرحَمُ
Merciful when the offender begs release,
in his generosity he shows himself no mercy.
أَعيَتexhausted رُكامُthe piled clouds جودِهِof his bounty الغَماماthe clouds
أَعيَت رُكامُ جودِهِ الغَماما
وَفاقَand surpassed ماkeen (first fragment) ضيkeen (second fragment) رَأيِهِhis judgment الحُساماthe sword
وَفاقَ ما ضي رَأيِهِ الحُساما
The piled clouds of his bounty exhausted the clouds,
and the keenness of his judgment surpassed the sword.
وَتابَعَand followed with more الصَنائِعَthe benefactions الجِساماgreat
وَتابَعَ الصَنائِعَ الجِساما
فَأَرضَيتِso you pleased الأُمَّةَthe community وَالإِماماand the imam
فَأَرضَيتِ الأُمَّةَ وَالإِماما
He followed great benefactions with more;
thus you pleased the community and the imam.
لَهُfor him زَمانُa time كُلُّهُall of it رَبيعُspring
لَهُ زَمانُ كُلُّهُ رَبيعُ
وَهِمَّةٌand an ambition جَنابُهاits grounds مُريعُfertile
وَهِمَّةٌ جَنابُها مُريعُ
His time is spring throughout,
and his ambition has fertile grounds.
فَالناسُso people فيin رِياضِهاits gardens رُتوعُgrazing freely
فَالناسُ في رِياضِها رُتوعُ
وَالدَهرُand Time عَبدٌa servant سامِعٌlistening مُطيعُobedient
وَالدَهرُ عَبدٌ سامِعٌ مُطيعُ
People graze freely in its gardens,
and Time is a listening, obedient servant.
تُمطِرُrains شَمسُthe sun وَجهِهِof his face وَتُشرِقُand shines
تُمطِرُ شَمسُ وَجهِهِ وَتُشرِقُ
وَلاand not يَغيمُclouds over وَجهُهُhis face وَيَبرُقُand flashes
وَلا يَغيمُ وَجهُهُ وَيَبرُقُ
The sun of his face rains and shines;
his face does not cloud over, yet flashes.
وَبَحرُand the sea جَدواهُof his bounty الَّذيwhich يُدَفَّقُsurges
وَبَحرُ جَدواهُ الَّذي يُدَفَّقُ
يَستَغرِقُengulfs الوَصفَdescription وَلَيسَand does not يغرِقُdrown
يَستَغرِقُ الوَصفَ وَلَيسَ يغرِقُ
The surging sea of his bounty
engulfs description, yet drowns no one.
سَيفٌa sword بِهِwith which المُلكُthe kingdom حَمىdefended أَطرافَهُits borders
سَيفٌ بِهِ المُلكُ حَمى أَطرافَهُ
وَالدينُand faith هَزَّswayed طَرَباًin delight أَعطافَهُits sides
وَالدينُ هَزَّ طَرَباً أَعطافَهُ
A sword by which the kingdom defended its borders,
and faith swayed its sides in delight.
تَهُزُّهُbrandishes it اليَمينُthe right hand لِلخِلافَهof the caliphate
تَهُزُّهُ اليَمينُ لِلخِلافَه
حَتّىuntil يُبيدَit destroys مَنwhoever نَوىintended خِلافَهُopposition to it
حَتّى يُبيدَ مَن نَوى خِلافَهُ
The right hand of the caliphate brandishes it
until it destroys whoever intends opposition.
ماضٍsharp وَماand not تَنفَكُّceases to be دِرعٌarmor غِمدَهits sheath
ماضٍ وَما تَنفَكُّ دِرعٌ غِمدَه
لِلنَصرِfor victory سُلطانُthe sovereign الوَرىof mankind أَعَدَّهprepared it
لِلنَصرِ سُلطانُ الوَرى أَعَدَّه
Sharp, with armor never ceasing to be its sheath,
the sovereign of mankind prepared it for victory.
وَهوَغَنِيٌّand he has no need أَنto يَشيمَdraw حَدَّهُits edge
وَهوَغَنِيٌّ أَن يَشيمَ حَدَّهُ
فَيَهزِمُso routs الجَيشَthe army لَهُits اِسمٌname وَحدَهُalone
فَيَهزِمُ الجَيشَ لَهُ اِسمٌ وَحدَهُ
He has no need to draw its edge:
its name alone routs an army.
لَهُhe has يَدٌa hand مِنهاfrom which الأَياديfavors تَسجُمُpour
لَهُ يَدٌ مِنها الأَيادي تَسجُمُ
يَصغَرُis small عَنهاbeside it البَحرُthe sea وَهيَwhile it تَعظُمُgrows great
يَصغَرُ عَنها البَحرُ وَهيَ تَعظُمُ
He has a hand from which favors pour;
the sea is small beside it, while it grows great.
ماnot سَبعَةٌseven مِنfrom واحِدٍone تَنتَظِمُare ordered
ما سَبعَةٌ مِن واحِدٍ تَنتَظِمُ
إِلّاexcept الأَقاليمُthe regions لَهُunder him وَالقَلَمُand the pen
إِلّا الأَقاليمُ لَهُ وَالقَلَمُ
No seven are ordered by a single one,
except the regions under him and the pen.
رُمحٌa spear غَداbecame مِنfrom نَفسِهِitself سِنانُهُits point
رُمحٌ غَدا مِن نَفسِهِ سِنانُهُ
وَفَرَسٌand a horse فيin طِرسِهِits parchment مَيدانُهُits arena
وَفَرَسٌ في طِرسِهِ مَيدانُهُ
A spear whose point is fashioned from itself,
and a horse whose arena is its parchment.
ماnot إِنindeed يُرَدُّis turned back عَنfrom مَدىًa reach عِنانُهُits rein
ما إِن يُرَدُّ عَن مَدىً عِنانُهُ
فَإِنَّماfor only عِنانُهُits rein بَنانُهُhis fingers
فَإِنَّما عِنانُهُ بَنانُهُ
Its rein is never turned back from any reach,
for its rein is his fingers.
لِخَيلِهِfor his horses فيin الصَخرِrock نوناتٌnoon-shaped marks تُخَطُّare inscribed
لِخَيلِهِ في الصَخرِ نوناتٌ تُخَطُّ
لَهُنَّupon them آثارُthe marks المَساميرِof nails تُقَطare dotted (text unclear)
لَهُنَّ آثارُ المَساميرِ تُقَط
His horses inscribe noon-shaped marks in rock,
with the nail marks upon them serving as dots.
وَالرُقشُand the speckled ones مِنamong أَقلامِهِhis pens بِلاwithout شَطَطexcess
وَالرُقشُ مِن أَقلامِهِ بِلا شَطَط
تَقتَصُّexact vengeance مِنon هامِthe heads العِداof enemies بِماwith what نُقَطwas dotted
تَقتَصُّ مِن هامِ العِدا بِما نُقَط
The speckled ones among his pens, without excess,
exact vengeance on enemies' heads with their dots.
عِزُّglory عَلىwith مَرِّthe passing اللَيليof nights زائِدُincreasing
عِزُّ عَلى مَرِّ اللَيلي زائِدُ
يُربيsurpasses عَلىbeyond البادِئِthe first مِنهof it العائِدُthe returning
يُربي عَلى البادِئِ مِنه العائِدُ
Glory increasing as the nights pass:
what returns surpasses what came first.
مُتَّصِلٌunbroken فَلso let يَرتَقِبهُwatch for it الحاسِدُthe envious man
مُتَّصِلٌ فَل يَرتَقِبهُ الحاسِدُ
فَإِنَّماfor only مَبدَأُthe beginning أَلفٍof a thousand واحِدُone
فَإِنَّما مَبدَأُ أَلفٍ واحِدُ
Unbroken—so let the envious man watch for it;
a thousand begins with one.
مِنfrom قَبلِbefore أَنthat مَلَكَهُhe gave him rule over بِلادَهُhis lands
مِن قَبلِ أَن مَلَكَهُ بِلادَهُ
مَلَّكَهُgave him possession of مَولىthe lord الوَرىof mankind فُؤادَهُhis heart
مَلَّكَهُ مَولى الوَرى فُؤادَهُ
Before he gave him rule over his lands,
the lord of mankind had given him his heart,
كَماjust as كَساهُclothed him قَلبُهُhis heart سوادهin its blackness
كَما كَساهُ قَلبُهُ سواده
منfrom فبلbefore (apparent typo) أنthat يكسٌوَهhe clothes him أبرادهin his robes
من فبل أن يكسٌوَه أبراده
just as his heart clothed him in its blackness
before clothing him in his robes.
تشريفهhis investiture أبطأُlater منthan تأدبهhis refinement
تشريفه أبطأُ من تأدبه
وَإِنalthough ضَجِرناwe grew weary نَحنُwe مِنof تَرَقُّبِهawaiting it
وَإِن ضَجِرنا نَحنُ مِن تَرَقُّبِه
His investiture came later than his refinement,
though we grew weary of awaiting it,
مُخَبِّراًdeclaring أَنَّthat عَظيمَthe greatness مَنصِبِهof his office
مُخَبِّراً أَنَّ عَظيمَ مَنصِبِه
يَجِلُّgains dignity عَنهُfrom him فَوقَbeyond ماwhat يَجِلُّgains dignity بِهthrough it
يَجِلُّ عَنهُ فَوقَ ما يَجِلُّ بِه
declaring that his lofty office
owes more dignity to him than it confers on him.
بَلrather لَمnot يَكُنwas مِنfrom عَجَلِthe haste المُشَرِّفِof the giver of honors
بَل لَم يَكُن مِن عَجَلِ المُشَرِّفِ
إِلّاexcept مِنَfrom الخَجلَةِembarrassment فيin تَوَقُّفِhesitation
إِلّا مِنَ الخَجلَةِ في تَوَقُّفِ
Any haste on the part of the giver of honors
came only from embarrassment at hesitating.
كَيفَhow يَكونُcan be عِندَwith فَقدِthe absence المُنصِفِof the fair appraiser
كَيفَ يَكونُ عِندَ فَقدِ المُنصِفِ
تَشريفُthe honoring مَولىًof a lord هُوَwho نَفسُthe very essence الشَرَفِof honor
تَشريفُ مَولىً هُوَ نَفسُ الشَرَفِ
How, in the absence of a fair appraiser, can there be
an honoring of a lord who is honor itself?
لَوif بَلَغَreached التَشريفُthe honoring فيin التَضعيفِmultiplication
لَو بَلَغَ التَشريفُ في التَضعيفِ
مَعدودَthe numerical value قَولِof the saying قائِلٍof someone saying تَشريفيmy investiture
مَعدودَ قَولِ قائِلٍ تَشريفي
If honors, multiplied, reached
the numerical value of someone's saying, 'my investiture,'
كُلٌّeach علىto أَقصىthe furthest الأَمانيwishes يوفيfulfills
كُلٌّ على أَقصى الأَماني يوفي
لَكانَit would be دونَbelow قَدرِهِhis worth المُنيفِlofty
لَكانَ دونَ قَدرِهِ المُنيفِ
each fulfilling the furthest reach of wishes,
they would still fall short of his lofty worth.
كَفاهُsufficed him ماwhat خالِقُهُhis Creator كَساهُclothed him in
كَفاهُ ما خالِقُهُ كَساهُ
مِنof ثوبِa robe مَجدٍof glory وَعُلاًand eminence كَفّاهُHis two hands
مِن ثوبِ مَجدٍ وَعُلاً كَفّاهُ
What his Creator clothed him in would have sufficed:
a robe of glory and eminence from His two hands,
لَوeven if لَمnot يَكُنhad ضَمَّنَهُassured him رِضاهُhis favor
لَو لَم يَكُن ضَمَّنَهُ رِضاهُ
سُلطانُthe sultan أَرضِof the earth اللَهِof God شاهِنشاهُthe Shahanshah
سُلطانُ أَرضِ اللَهِ شاهِنشاهُ
even had his favor not been assured him by
the sultan of God's earth, the Shahanshah.
ياO فارِعَone overtopping السَماءِthe sky بِالسُمُوِّin loftiness
يا فارِعَ السَماءِ بِالسُمُوِّ
مُنعِلَtaking as a sandal الهِلالِthe crescent فيin العُلُوِّheight
مُنعِلَ الهِلالِ في العُلُوِّ
O you who overtop the sky in loftiness,
taking the crescent for a sandal in your height:
فَماthen what مَحَلُّthe station مَفرِقِof the crown العَدُوِّof the enemy's head
فَما مَحَلُّ مَفرِقِ العَدُوِّ
أَمَنتَyou safeguarded مُداحَكَyour panegyrists مِنfrom غُلُوِّexaggeration
أَمَنتَ مُداحَكَ مِن غُلُوِّ
where, then, stands the crown of your enemy's head?
You have spared your panegyrists exaggeration.
عَلَيكَfor you مِمّاfrom what صاغَتِfashioned العُقولُminds
عَلَيكَ مِمّا صاغَتِ العُقولُ
ماthat which دونَهُfalls below it السِوارُthe bracelet وَالإِكليلُand the diadem
ما دونَهُ السِوارُ وَالإِكليلُ
For you, from what minds have fashioned,
is that beside which bracelet and diadem fall short.
فَأَينَso where ياO شِعرُpoetry لَكَare your الفُحولُmaster poets
فَأَينَ يا شِعرُ لَكَ الفُحولُ
هَذاthis أَوانُthe time القَولِof speech فَليَقولواso let them speak
هَذا أَوانُ القَولِ فَليَقولوا
Where, O poetry, are your master poets?
This is the time to speak: let them speak!
كَمhow long أَحبِسُI imprison العُقودَthe necklaces فيin الحَقاقِthe caskets
كَم أَحبِسُ العُقودَ في الحَقاقِ
دونَpreventing تَراقيهاtheir ascent إِلىto التَراقيcollarbones
دونَ تَراقيها إِلى التَراقي
How long shall I imprison necklaces in their caskets,
preventing their ascent to collarbones?
ماwhat قُلتُهُI said وَماand what فَعَلتَyou did باقِenduring
ما قُلتُهُ وَما فَعَلتَ باقِ
كِلاهُماboth of them قَلائِدُnecklaces الأَعناقِfor necks
كِلاهُما قَلائِدُ الأَعناقِ
What I have said and what you have done endure;
both are necklaces for the neck.
دونَكَهاtake them خَوالِعاًcasting off لِلعُقلِthe fetters
دونَكَها خَوالِعاً لِلعُقلِ
أَعَرتُهاI lent them وَهُنَّwhile they ذَوبُthe distilled essence العَقلِof reason
أَعَرتُها وَهُنَّ ذَوبُ العَقلِ
Take them, casting off the fetters;
I lent them—though they are reason's distilled essence—
تَهازُلاًin playfulness مِنّيfrom me بِغَيرِwithout هَزلِfrivolity
تَهازُلاً مِنّي بِغَيرِ هَزلِ
فَضلَthe merit اِتِّباعٍof following فيin مَجالِthe field فَضليof my merit
فَضلَ اِتِّباعٍ في مَجالِ فَضلي
in playfulness from me, but without frivolity,
the merit of following convention within my field of merit.
حاشَfar be it لِطَبعيfrom my nature أَنthat يُسرىshould creep فيهِinto it طَبَعrust
حاشَ لِطَبعي أَن يُسرى فيهِ طَبَع
لاnot سِيَّماespecially مِنfrom بَعدِafter شَيبٍgray hair وَصَلَعand baldness
لا سِيَّما مِن بَعدِ شَيبٍ وَصَلَع
Far be it from my nature that rust should creep into it,
especially after gray hair and baldness.
لَكِنَّbut ماwhat يَأَتىbrings بِهِwith it الجِدُّearnestness لُمَعflashes
لَكِنَّ ما يَأَتى بِهِ الجِدُّ لُمَع
وَلَيسَand there is not فيin خالٍa mole عَلىupon خَدٍّa cheek بِدَعanything novel
وَلَيسَ في خالٍ عَلى خَدٍّ بِدَع
Yet what earnestness brings forth has its flashes,
and a mole upon a cheek is nothing novel.
لاno عَيبَfault فيماin what قالَهُhe said مُشَبِّبُan amorous poet
لا عَيبَ فيما قالَهُ مُشَبِّبُ
تَشبيبُthe love preludes مُدّاحِof panegyrists المُلوكِof kings أَضرُبُvarieties
تَشبيبُ مُدّاحِ المُلوكِ أَضرُبُ
There is no fault in what an amorous poet says;
the love preludes of kings' panegyrists take many forms.
أَلَيسَis not حَسّانُHassan وَلاand not يُؤَنَّبreproached
أَلَيسَ حَسّانُ وَلا يُؤَنَّب
مِنamong قَولِهِhis words فَهوَit is حَرامٌforbidden طَيَّبُpleasant
مِن قَولِهِ فَهوَ حَرامٌ طَيَّبُ
Was not Hassan, without reproach,
the one who said, 'It is forbidden, yet pleasant'?
مَولايَmy lord إِكرامُكَyour honoring ليof me ابتِداءَunprompted
مَولايَ إِكرامُكَ لي ابتِداءَ
أَوجَبَmade obligatory مِنfrom كُلٍّeveryone بِكَof you اِقتِداءَimitation
أَوجَبَ مِن كُلٍّ بِكَ اِقتِداءَ
My lord, your freely offered honor to me
made everyone obliged to follow your example.
وَمَنand whoever أَبىrefused ذاكَthat فَقَدhas indeed أَساءَdone wrong
وَمَن أَبى ذاكَ فَقَد أَساءَ
فَالظِلُّfor the shadow يَحكيmirrors عودَهُits staff اِستِواءَin uprightness
فَالظِلُّ يَحكي عودَهُ اِستِواءَ
Whoever refuses that has done wrong:
a shadow mirrors its upright staff.
لِلمَوعِدِfor the appointment المَضروبِappointed جِئتُI came أَرقُبُawaiting
لِلمَوعِدِ المَضروبِ جِئتُ أَرقُبُ
فَحالَso stood دونيin my way حاجِبٌa chamberlain مُقَطِّبُscowling
فَحالَ دوني حاجِبٌ مُقَطِّبُ
I came to await the appointed meeting,
but a scowling chamberlain stood in my way.
وَمَنand whoever يَكُنhas مَكانُهُhis place المُقَرَّبُintimate
وَمَن يَكُن مَكانُهُ المُقَرَّبُ
خَلفَbehind حِجابِthe veil القَلبِof the heart كَيفَhow يُحجَبُis barred
خَلفَ حِجابِ القَلبِ كَيفَ يُحجَبُ
One whose intimate place is
behind the heart's veil—how can he be barred?
دَولَتُكَyour dominion الغَرّاءُradiant فيin اِرتِفاعِهِماtheir elevation
دَولَتُكَ الغَرّاءُ في اِرتِفاعِهِما
كَالشَمسِlike the sun أَوor أَشمَلَmore encompassing بِاِصطِناعِهاin its favors
كَالشَمسِ أَو أَشمَلَ بِاِصطِناعِها
Your radiant dominion, in their elevation,
is like the sun—or wider in the reach of its favors.
وَالشَمسُand the sun تُحظيgrants a share to الناسَpeople مِنof شُعاعِهاits rays
وَالشَمسُ تُحظي الناسَ مِن شُعاعِها
بِحاجِبٍthrough a chamberlain قَدindeed صيغَfashioned مِنfrom طِباعِهِماtheir nature
بِحاجِبٍ قَد صيغَ مِن طِباعِهِما
The sun grants people a share of its rays
through a chamberlain fashioned from their nature.
ياO شَرَفَSharaf الدينِal-Din كَرُمتَyou are generous سَمعاًin listening
يا شَرَفَ الدينِ كَرُمتَ سَمعاً
وَلِلنَدىand for bounty وَالبَأسِand valor دُمتَmay you remain تُدعىinvoked
وَلِلنَدى وَالبَأسِ دُمتَ تُدعى
O Sharaf al-Din, generous in your listening,
may you always be invoked for bounty and valor.
أَدامَmay it perpetuate حِفظُthe protection اللهof God عنكfrom you الدفعاthe warding off
أَدامَ حِفظُ الله عنك الدفعا
مُظاهِراًdoubling مِنهُfrom Him عَلَيكَover you دِرعاa shield
مُظاهِراً مِنهُ عَلَيكَ دِرعا
May God's protection always ward harm away from you,
doubling over you a shield from Him.
مِنfrom دَوحِa great tree مَجدٍof glory باسِقٍlofty أَغصانُهُits branches
مِن دَوحِ مَجدٍ باسِقٍ أَغصانُهُ
بيتُa house عُلاof eminence ثابِتَةٌfirm أَركانُهُits pillars
بيتُ عُلا ثابِتَةٌ أَركانُهُ
From a great tree of glory whose branches rise high,
a house of eminence whose pillars stand firm.
دامواmay they endure وَدامَand may remain عالِياًlofty مَكانُهُits station
داموا وَدامَ عالِياً مَكانُهُ
مُضاعِفاًmultiplying إِقبالَهُمtheir good fortune سُلطانُهُits sovereign
مُضاعِفاً إِقبالَهُم سُلطانُهُ
May they endure, and its station remain lofty,
its sovereign multiplying their good fortune.
نَورِزcelebrate Nowruz بِسَعدٍin good fortune دائِماًalways وَمَهرِجِand celebrate Mihragan
نَورِز بِسَعدٍ دائِماً وَمَهرِجِ
وَاِبقَand remain لَناfor us فيin ظِلِّthe shade عَيشٍof a life سَجسَجِtemperate
وَاِبقَ لَنا في ظِلِّ عَيشٍ سَجسَجِ
Always celebrate Nowruz and Mihragan in good fortune,
and remain for us in the shade of a temperate life,
مُقَوِّماًstraightening بِالرَأيِthrough judgment كُلَّevery أَعوَجِcrooked thing
مُقَوِّماً بِالرَأيِ كُلَّ أَعوَجِ
وَفاتِحاًand opening بِالجَدِّthrough good fortune كُلَّevery مُرتَجِbolted thing
وَفاتِحاً بِالجَدِّ كُلَّ مُرتَجِ
straightening every crooked thing through sound judgment,
and opening every bolted door through good fortune.
قَدindeed ضَمِنَguaranteed اللَهُGod وَلَيسَand does not يَنكُثُbreak His promise
قَد ضَمِنَ اللَهُ وَلَيسَ يَنكُثُ
أَنَّكَthat you ماas long as اِمتَدَّextends الزَمانُTime تَلبَثُremain
أَنَّكَ ما اِمتَدَّ الزَمانُ تَلبَثُ
God has guaranteed—and He does not break His promise—
that you will remain as long as Time extends.
أَلَيسَis it not فيin كِتابِهِHis Book فَليَبحَثواso let them search
أَلَيسَ في كِتابِهِ فَليَبحَثوا
أَنَّthat الَّذيwhatever ينَفعُbenefits فَهوَit يَمكُثُremains
أَنَّ الَّذي ينَفعُ فَهوَ يَمكُثُ
Is it not in His Book? Let them search:
that whatever benefits remains.
ياO مَنone who يَظَلُّremains خَلفاًa successor عَمَّنto those who مَضىpassed
يا مَن يَظَلُّ خَلفاً عَمَّن مَضى
وَلَيسَand there is not عَنهُafter him خَلَفٌa successor فَلاso may he not اِنقَضىend
وَلَيسَ عَنهُ خَلَفٌ فَلا اِنقَضى
O you who remain a successor to those who have passed,
yet have no successor yourself—may you never end!
دُمتَmay you endure عَلىthrough الأَيّامِthe days سَيفاًa sword مُنتَضىdrawn
دُمتَ عَلى الأَيّامِ سَيفاً مُنتَضى
يُفنيdestroys وَيُغنيand enriches السُخطُanger مِنكَfrom you وَالرِضاand favor
يُفني وَيُغني السُخطُ مِنكَ وَالرِضا
May you endure through the days as a drawn sword:
your anger destroys, and your favor enriches.
ذاpossessing دَولَةٍa dominion عَلىover الوَلِيِّthe ally تُسبَغُis lavished
ذا دَولَةٍ عَلى الوَلِيِّ تُسبَغُ
ظِلالُهاits shade وَلِلعَدُوِّand the enemy تَدمَغُit crushes
ظِلالُها وَلِلعَدُوِّ تَدمَغُ
Possessing a dominion that lavishly spreads over the ally
its shade, while crushing the enemy,
دائِمَةٍenduring آخِرُهاits end لاnot يُبلَغُis reached
دائِمَةٍ آخِرُها لا يُبلَغُ
كَأَنَّماas though عُمرُكَyour life طَوقٌa ring مُفَرَغُcast in one piece
كَأَنَّما عُمرُكَ طَوقٌ مُفَرَغُ
enduring, its end never reached,
as though your life were a ring cast in one piece.
Partial English translation: 202 of 320 Arabic lines translated.