مَوَدَّتُهُ عهْدٌ وصوْبُ بَنانِهِ

مَوَدَّتُهُ عهْدٌ وصوْبُ بَنانِهِ

إذا صرَّحَ المحْلُ الشَّنيعُ عِهادُ

إذا صرَّحَ المحْلُ الشَّنيعُ عِهادُ

His affection is a covenant, and the rain from his fingertips,

His affection is a covenant and the excellence of his character

when hideous drought reveals itself, is shower upon shower.

When the ugly situation becomes explicit, bonds are broken

وطوْدُ أناةٍ وهو في عَزَماتِهِ

وطوْدُ أناةٍ وهو في عَزَماتِهِ

قواضبُ تُمْهيها الوَغى وحِدادُ

قواضبُ تُمْهيها الوَغى وحِدادُ

And he is a mountain of forbearance, yet in his resolves

And the firmness of composure while he determines his path

he is cleaving swords that battle sharpens, and keen blades.

Ships that clamor and mourning distract him

ونارُ سَمومٍ أوْقَدتْها حفيظَةٌ

ونارُ سَمومٍ أوْقَدتْها حفيظَةٌ

وعند الرِّضا عذب الورود بُرادُ

وعند الرِّضا عذب الورود بُرادُ

And the fire of a scorching wind, kindled by indignation;

And a fire of poisons kindled by rage

but when pleased, sweet to drink from and cool.

And beside acceptance, roses in goblets are sweet

يسيل على القاعَيْن طِرْسٍ ومعركٍ

يسيل على القاعَيْن طِرْسٍ ومعركٍ

بسَلْمٍ وفي حرْبٍ دَمٌ ومِدادُ

بسَلْمٍ وفي حرْبٍ دَمٌ ومِدادُ

Across the two expanses—a page and a battlefield—flow

It flows upon the valleys a clashing and battle

in peace and in war, blood and ink.

With peace, and in war, blood and ink

فتنْصُرهُ ما بينَ قانٍ وحالِكٍ

فتنْصُرهُ ما بينَ قانٍ وحالِكٍ

مَزابرُ جَمٌّ فَضْلُها وصِعادُ

مَزابرُ جَمٌّ فَضْلُها وصِعادُ

Thus, between crimson and pitch-black, he is supported

So he is victorious between subduing and perishing

by pens of abundant merit and straight spears.

Tombs overflowing, their superiority and loftiness

وزيرٌ كأنَّ الصُّبح غُرَّة وجهه

وزيرٌ كأنَّ الصُّبح غُرَّة وجهه

إذا ما خطوبٌ قَطَّبَتْ وشِدادُ

إذا ما خطوبٌ قَطَّبَتْ وشِدادُ

A vizier, as though dawn were the radiance of his face,

A minister whose face the dawn is bashful of

when calamities and dire hardships frown.

When anxieties furrow and hardships press

تخافُ الكُماةُ والكُفاةُ صِيالَهُ

تخافُ الكُماةُ والكُفاةُ صِيالَهُ

إذا ما دَعاهُ حُجَّةٌ وجِلادُ

إذا ما دَعاهُ حُجَّةٌ وجِلادُ

Armored warriors and capable men fear his onslaught

Archers and swordsmen fear his determination

when argument and combat summon him.

If an argument and combat call him

فَرعْلاءُ فيها للشُّجاعِ تَعَجُّبٌ

فَرعْلاءُ فيها للشُّجاعِ تَعَجُّبٌ

وغَرَّاءُ فيها للَّبيبِ سَدادُ

وغَرَّاءُ فيها للَّبيبِ سَدادُ

Then a gaping wound at which the brave marvel,

So glory among them is wondrous for the brave

and a brilliant proof that guides the discerning aright.

And cunning among them is guidance for the wise

فلا بَرِحَتْ تاجَ الملوك مَناقِبٌ

فلا بَرِحَتْ تاجَ الملوك مَناقِبٌ

أبا جعفرٍ يُبْدا بها وتُعادُ

أبا جعفرٍ يُبْدا بها وتُعادُ

So may noble deeds never forsake the crown of kings,

The crown of kings did not stop boasting

O Abu Ja'far—deeds one begins with and recounts anew;

Abu Ja'far whose glories are initiated and repeated

ودامَ مُطاعاً ما تَغَنَّتْ حَمامَةٌ

ودامَ مُطاعاً ما تَغَنَّتْ حَمامَةٌ

وما أحْرَزَ الشأوَ البَعيدَ جَواد

وما أحْرَزَ الشأوَ البَعيدَ جَواد

and may he remain obeyed as long as a dove sings,

And his authority remained obeyed, for as long as a dove cooed

and as long as a swift steed reaches the far-off goal.

And a steed kept the distant endeavor