يا عاقِداً وُضُنَ الجمالِ البُزَّلِ

يا عاقِداً وُضُنَ الجمالِ البُزَّلِ

اِحْللْ أصبت الرَّأي أنْ لم ترحلِ

اِحْللْ أصبت الرَّأي أنْ لم ترحلِ

O you tying the girths of full-grown camels,

O you who tied the knots of perfect beauty,

untie them: you chose wisely not to depart.

You did well if you did not set out on a journey.

شِمْ ما انْتضيتَ من العزائم للسُّرى

شِمْ ما انْتضيتَ من العزائم للسُّرى

وارْغد فإنَّك بالخصيب المُخْضِل

وارْغد فإنَّك بالخصيب المُخْضِل

Sheathe the resolves you drew for night travel,

Smell the resolve with which you were inspired,

and live in plenty, for you are on fertile, well-watered ground.

And relax, for you are in fertile and rainy terrain.

إنَّ الوزارةَ أذعَنتْ مُنْقادَةً

إنَّ الوزارةَ أذعَنتْ مُنْقادَةً

لأغَرَّ رحْبِ الحلم رحب المَنْزلِ

لأغَرَّ رحْبِ الحلم رحب المَنْزلِ

Indeed, the ministry submitted obediently

The ministry has surrendered, led,

to a radiant man of ample forbearance and a spacious home,

To the vastness of wisdom, the vastness of the abode.

لمُعَظَّمٍ مَلأَ الزَّمانَ مَهابَةً

لمُعَظَّمٍ مَلأَ الزَّمانَ مَهابَةً

ذَلَّتْ لخيفَتها صُدورُ الذُبَّلِ

ذَلَّتْ لخيفَتها صُدورُ الذُبَّلِ

to an exalted man who filled the age with awe,

To the august one who filled time with reverence,

before whose terror the points of slender lances bowed,

Hearts bowed down to his awe, even the deluded ones.

بصَرامةٍ كالسيف سُنَّ غِرارهُ

بصَرامةٍ كالسيف سُنَّ غِرارهُ

ولَطافَةٍ فضلَتْ بَرودَ السَّلسل

ولَطافَةٍ فضلَتْ بَرودَ السَّلسل

with firmness like a sword whose edge is whetted,

With firmness like the sword, the excellence of his principles,

and gentleness surpassing the coolness of sweet-flowing water;

And gentleness excelling the coolness of a chain.

لمُحمَّدٍ مجْدِ المُلوك فتى النَّدى

لمُحمَّدٍ مجْدِ المُلوك فتى النَّدى

والبأسِ مأوى المُرْمِلين العُيَّلِ

والبأسِ مأوى المُرْمِلين العُيَّلِ

to Muhammad, glory of kings, champion of generosity

For Muhammad, the glory of kings and gallant of munificence,

and valor, refuge of the destitute burdened with dependents;

And valor, abode of the heavily armed stalwarts.

منْ لمْ يزلْ صدراً مُشاراً في العلى

منْ لمْ يزلْ صدراً مُشاراً في العلى

مَسْعىً وارِثاً إنْ جهلتهما سَلِ

مَسْعىً وارِثاً إنْ جهلتهما سَلِ

who has always been foremost, renowned in exalted rank,

One whose breast did not cease to be lofty,

through striving and as an heir—if you know neither, ask.

A protected and inherited path if they were unknown.

تلقاهُ في يوميْ رضاهُ وسُخْطِهِ

تلقاهُ في يوميْ رضاهُ وسُخْطِهِ

صَبْرُ الجبال له وحَدُّ المُنْصُلِ

صَبْرُ الجبال له وحَدُّ المُنْصُلِ

You meet him in the two days of his favor and his wrath:

Patience of mountains meets him on days of his pleasure and anger,

his are the patience of mountains and the sharp edge of a sword.

And sharpness of an unsheathed sword.

كالريحِ بأساً والنَّسيمِ لَطافَةً

كالريحِ بأساً والنَّسيمِ لَطافَةً

نفْعُ الجنوبِ له ورَوْحُ الشَّمْأل

نفْعُ الجنوبِ له ورَوْحُ الشَّمْأل

Like the wind in might, and the breeze in gentleness,

With valor like the wind and gentleness like a breeze,

his are the south wind's benefit and the north wind's refreshment.

Benefit of the south wind and spirit of the north.

وإذا الرياحُ تناوحَتْ مَسْعورةً

وإذا الرياحُ تناوحَتْ مَسْعورةً

هُوجاً تَراجَمُ بالحَصى والجنْدَلِ

هُوجاً تَراجَمُ بالحَصى والجنْدَلِ

And when the winds blew against one another, frenzied,

When the winds clash in fury,

raging, pelting one another with pebbles and rocks,

Colliding rocks and pebbles in rage and fervor.

عُقمتْ فلم تُنش السَّحاب وجفَّلت

عُقمتْ فلم تُنش السَّحاب وجفَّلت

ما تدَّعيه من المُسَِّفِّ الأكْحَلِ

ما تدَّعيه من المُسَِّفِّ الأكْحَلِ

they grew barren, produced no clouds, and drove away

They are sterile, they do not form clouds, and dry up

the low-hanging, dark clouds they claimed,

What they claim of abundant pouring rain.

وأعاضت الجوَّ الفسيحَ عن النَّدى

وأعاضت الجوَّ الفسيحَ عن النَّدى

بالقُرِّ وخَّازاً كَحَدِّ المِعْبَلِ

بالقُرِّ وخَّازاً كَحَدِّ المِعْبَلِ

and exchanged the spacious sky's moisture

They make the vast sky avoid dew,

for cold that pricked like a broad-headed arrow's point;

With an easterly and piercing north wind.

خَبت المواقِدُ والبُروق فما اهتدت

خَبت المواقِدُ والبُروق فما اهتدت

للقصْدِ أعْناقُ الرِّكابِ الضُّلَّل

للقصْدِ أعْناقُ الرِّكابِ الضُّلَّل

fires and lightning died out, and no longer could

The watchfires are extinguished and lightening loses the way,

the necks of straying riding-camels find their course;

The necks of beasts stumble confused.

وطوى النَّعيمُ رداءه عن مُتْرَفٍ

وطوى النَّعيمُ رداءه عن مُتْرَفٍ

فمَطاعمُ المُثْري هَبيدُ الحَنْظَل

فمَطاعمُ المُثْري هَبيدُ الحَنْظَل

and ease folded its cloak away from the pampered,

Bliss rolls up its carpet away from luxury,

so the wealthy man's fare was colocynth seed;

The banquets of the wealthy are like scattered crumbs.

طَرد الوزيرُ المحْل وهو مُصرِّحٌ

طَرد الوزيرُ المحْل وهو مُصرِّحٌ

طَرْدَ الوَسائقِ بالخميسِ الجحفل

طَرْدَ الوَسائقِ بالخميسِ الجحفل

the minister drove away drought when it was plainly manifest,

The minister expelled the court and he declares

as plundered herds are driven off by a mighty army.

Expelling the caravans on a perilous Thursday.

فقَرى ولا قارٍ وجادَ ولا نَدَىً

فقَرى ولا قارٍ وجادَ ولا نَدَىً

وكفى ضَريكَ الحيِّ شيْمَ الهُطَّل

وكفى ضَريكَ الحيِّ شيْمَ الهُطَّل

He hosted when there was no host, and gave when there was no dew,

So settlements and none settling, generosity and no munificence,

and spared the clan's destitute the watching of rain-laden clouds.

And enough evil for the living, traits of scoundrels.

للّهِ ربِّ العرشِ دَرُّ خليفَةٍ

للّهِ ربِّ العرشِ دَرُّ خليفَةٍ

أدْناكَ منْ شرفِ المَقامِ الأفْضلِ

أدْناكَ منْ شرفِ المَقامِ الأفْضلِ

To God, Lord of the Throne, be praise for a caliph

For God, Lord of the throne, how excellent a successor

who drew you near to the honor of the highest station.

He brought you near to the most noble station.

ناداكَ يا عَضُداً لدينِ مُحَمَّدٍ

ناداكَ يا عَضُداً لدينِ مُحَمَّدٍ

فعَضدْته عند الشَّديدِ المُعْضِل

فعَضدْته عند الشَّديدِ المُعْضِل

He called you, 'O supporting arm of Muhammad's faith!'

He called you, O pillar of the religion of Muhammad,

So you supported him amid grave, intractable trouble.

So you supported it in time of distress.

فاسْتَلَّ منك مُهنَّداً ذا رَوْنَقٍ

فاسْتَلَّ منك مُهنَّداً ذا رَوْنَقٍ

غاني الحديدةِ عن جلاء الصَّيْقل

غاني الحديدةِ عن جلاء الصَّيْقل

Thus he drew from you an Indian-forged sword of brilliant luster,

He drew from you well-guided, of beautiful grace,

whose steel needed no burnishing by a sword-polisher.

Singer of praises louder than the ringing of polished swords.

لَقيَ العُلى عند اخْتيارِكَ آمِناًُ

لَقيَ العُلى عند اخْتيارِكَ آمِناًُ

خَجَلَ العِتابِ بِجحفلٍ وبمحْفِلِ

خَجَلَ العِتابِ بِجحفلٍ وبمحْفِلِ

He attained glory in choosing you, safe from

The exalted felt safe in your selection,

the shame of reproach, amid a mighty army and in an assembly.

Shamed by any criticism in gatherings and councils.

زجِلَ الزَّمانُ بشُكْر ما أوليْته

زجِلَ الزَّمانُ بشُكْر ما أوليْته

أبْناءهُ منْ نِعْمةٍ وتَفَضُّلِ

أبْناءهُ منْ نِعْمةٍ وتَفَضُّلِ

The age rang out in thanks for what you bestowed

The times sang anthems of thanks for what you bestowed

on its children of blessing and generosity.

On its children of blessings and grants.

رحَل الحجيجُ مُعَرِّفين بسامِقٍ

رحَل الحجيجُ مُعَرِّفين بسامِقٍ

يَرْجونَ عاطِفَةَ القديمِ الأوَّل

يَرْجونَ عاطِفَةَ القديمِ الأوَّل

The pilgrims journeyed to stand at Arafat on a lofty height,

The pilgrims set out extolling your loftiness,

hoping for the compassion of the Eternal, the First.

Seeking your considerate olden care.

أنْشرتَ أموات المحابس إذْ غدوا

أنْشرتَ أموات المحابس إذْ غدوا

رِمَماً مُمزَّقةً بسوءِ المَنْزِلِ

رِمَماً مُمزَّقةً بسوءِ المَنْزِلِ

You revived the dead of the prisons, when they had become

You brought life to the dead gatherings when they came

torn remains through the wretchedness of their lodging.

As bodies torn by the evil of the abode.

وكففْتَ عاديةَ الخَراج وشَرَّه

وكففْتَ عاديةَ الخَراج وشَرَّه

عن كُلِّ أرْمَلَةٍ ومُقْوٍ مُرْمل

عن كُلِّ أرْمَلَةٍ ومُقْوٍ مُرْمل

And you kept the land tax's oppression and its harm

You held back the harm of taxes and their wickedness

from every widow and impoverished man without provisions.

From every widow and every weary crippled one.

ووضعت أثْقال المكوس وقد وهَتْ

ووضعت أثْقال المكوس وقد وهَتْ

منها الكَواهِلُ وانْتهتْ للمقْتل

منها الكَواهِلُ وانْتهتْ للمقْتل

And you lifted the burdens of tolls; already enfeebled

You removed the burdens of the imposts that had

by them were shoulders, brought to the point of death.

Exhausted the shoulders and led to destruction.

فرددتْها وضَّاحَةً عُمَرِيَّة

فرددتْها وضَّاحَةً عُمَرِيَّة

غَرَّاءَ مثلُ حديثها لم يُنْقَلِ

غَرَّاءَ مثلُ حديثها لم يُنْقَلِ

So you restored it bright and Umar-like,

You returned them refreshed, Umarid,

radiant—no story like its own has been handed down.

Radiant, the like of which was never transported.

فضُلَتْ على سِيَرِ الكرام وأشْهدت

فضُلَتْ على سِيَرِ الكرام وأشْهدت

بالفضلِ آياتِ الكِتابِ المُنْزَلِ

بالفضلِ آياتِ الكِتابِ المُنْزَلِ

It surpassed the conduct of noble men, and called as witnesses

They surpassed the ways of the generous and testified

to its excellence the verses of the revealed Book.

To preference with verses of the revealed Book.

أنا مَدُّكُمْ آلَ المُظَفَّرِ والذي

أنا مَدُّكُمْ آلَ المُظَفَّرِ والذي

مَدْحي لكمْ كالعاشِقِ المُتَغَزِّل

مَدْحي لكمْ كالعاشِقِ المُتَغَزِّل

I am your support, House of al-Muzaffar, and the one whose

I extend praise to you, O house of al-Muzaffar, and the one

praise of you is like a lover's song of love.

Whose praise of you is like a love smitten poet.

سارتْ لكُم سير الرِّياحِ مدائحي

سارتْ لكُم سير الرِّياحِ مدائحي

منْ مُشْئمٍ أو مُعْرِقٍ أو مجبل

منْ مُشْئمٍ أو مُعْرِقٍ أو مجبل

My praises have traveled for you as the winds travel,

My odes to you flowed like the winds,

among those bound for al-Sham, Iraq, or the mountains.

From auspicious, comfortable, or resolute.

ولقد وَثِقْتُ بحُسن عهد محمدٍ

ولقد وَثِقْتُ بحُسن عهد محمدٍ

وَوَلاي في إِدْراكِ كلِّ مُؤمَّلِ

وَوَلاي في إِدْراكِ كلِّ مُؤمَّلِ

And indeed I trusted in Muhammad's faithful pledge

I was certain of the fidelity of Muhammad’s covenant

and my allegiance, to attain every hoped-for thing.

And the attainment of every wish and hope.

فوَفى وزادَ على الوَفاءِ بفَضْلهِ

فوَفى وزادَ على الوَفاءِ بفَضْلهِ

كالغيث يفْضُلُ عنْ جناب المُمْحل

كالغيث يفْضُلُ عنْ جناب المُمْحل

He fulfilled his pledge and exceeded fulfillment in his generosity,

He fulfilled and exceeded in his goodness,

like rain spilling beyond the bounds of drought-stricken land.

Like rain that exceeds the afternoon downpour.