جُعلتthey were made منagainst الحدثانtime's vicissitudes أحصنthe strongest أدرعcoats of mail
جُعلت من الحدثان أحصن أدرع
فلقدfor indeed سُننَّthey were put on علىupon الكريمthe noble man الأرْوعِthe splendid
فلقد سُننَّ على الكريم الأرْوعِ
They were made the strongest armor against time's vicissitudes,
I have been made of armor the most impregnable
for they were fitted upon the noble, splendid man.
For I have been fashioned for the most honorable
شرفتthey were ennobled علىabove شرفthe honor of اللبوسarmor فغودرتso they were left
شرفت على شرف اللبوس فغودرت
فلكاًan orbit لشمسfor a sun عُلاًof greatness حميدِpraiseworthy المَطْلعِin its rising
فلكاً لشمس عُلاً حميدِ المَطْلعِ
Honored beyond the honor of armor, they became
I excelled in honor over honored garments
an orbit for a sun of greatness, praiseworthy in its rising.
So I became a sphere for a splendid ever-rising sun
زُرَّتْthey were fastened علىupon طودa mountain الأناةof composure وضُمنتand enclosed
زُرَّتْ على طود الأناة وضُمنت
بحرa sea النَّدىof generosity وحوتand contained شراسthe fierceness الأدرعof the dark-fronted lion
بحر النَّدى وحوت شراس الأدرع
They were fastened upon a mountain of composure and enclosed
I was adorned on the hill of patience and guaranteed
a sea of bounty, and held the fierceness of a dark-fronted lion.
The sea of dew and contained the fiercest armors
حسدenvied اللباسُthe apparel العبقريexquisite مقامهاtheir place
حسد اللباسُ العبقري مقامها
منupon ماجدٍa noble man فيin نُسكهِhis devotion مُتورِّعِscrupulous
من ماجدٍ في نُسكهِ مُتورِّعِ
Exquisite apparel envied their place
The honored clothes envied my position
upon a noble man, scrupulous in his devotions,
From a glorious one in his devotion, restrained
نضرِradiant النعيمin prosperity يكادalmost ساحبُthe one trailing ذيلهِhis hem
نضرِ النعيم يكاد ساحبُ ذيلهِ
يخضرُّgrows green منهfrom him ثَرىthe soil of الجديبthe barren land المُدقعِimpoverished
يخضرُّ منه ثَرى الجديب المُدقعِ
radiant in prosperity: as he trails his hem, almost
The prosperity of bliss, its train's edge
the dust of barren, impoverished land grows green from him.
Almost greens the soil of the rugged plain
يختالhe walks proudly فيin شرفينtwo honors شأوthe reach of علاهُماtheir greatness
يختال في شرفين شأو علاهُما
لبنيfor the sons of المناقبِnoble deeds سامقٌtowering لمnot يُفْرعِhas been surpassed
لبني المناقبِ سامقٌ لم يُفْرعِ
He walks proudly in two honors whose lofty reach
It prides itself on two noble glories
is towering for men of noble deeds, never surpassed:
For the people of virtues, towering, unmatched
نجْرٌlineage كمنبلجlike the breaking of الصَّباحdawn يزينهُadorns it
نجْرٌ كمنبلج الصَّباح يزينهُ
مسعىًendeavor كعرفlike the fragrance of الروضةِthe garden المُتضوعِsweetly fragrant
مسعىً كعرف الروضةِ المُتضوعِ
a lineage like the breaking dawn, adorned
A stream like the gleam of dawn adorned
by endeavor like a garden's spreading fragrance.
With the fragrance of a blossoming meadow
ماwithin the range بينbetween إرثٍan inheritance لمnot يكنwas بمقلَّدٍborrowed
ما بين إرثٍ لم يكن بمقلَّدٍ
محضٍpure وكسبٍand earned achievement لمnot يكنwas بتضرُّعِthrough supplication
محضٍ وكسبٍ لم يكن بتضرُّعِ
Between an inheritance that was no borrowed ornament,
Between an inheritance that was unparalleled
pure, and achievement won without supplication,
Pure and earning that was without pleading
حِيزwas gathered الكمالُperfection لراجحٍfor a preeminent man منfrom هاشمٍHashim
حِيز الكمالُ لراجحٍ من هاشمٍ
غَمْرٍoverflowing خلائقهُin his qualities كريمِnoble المرْضعِin nurture
غَمْرٍ خلائقهُ كريمِ المرْضعِ
perfection was gathered for a preeminent son of Hashim,
The sphere of perfection belongs to the prominent Hashimite
overflowing in character, noble in his nurture:
Whose nature is generous like a suckling infant
ليمينfor the right hand of دولةthe state of هاشمٍHashim تسطوit strikes بهthrough him
ليمين دولة هاشمٍ تسطو به
فيin الحادثاتcrises إذاwhen الظُّبىsword-edges لمnot تقطعِcut
في الحادثات إذا الظُّبى لم تقطعِ
the right hand of Hashim's state, which strikes through him
By the right hand of Hashimite rule it prevails
in crises when sword-edges fail to cut.
When attackers do not cease
جمُّabundant in البسالةِvalor والنَّوالِand bounty مبيتهُhis night's lodging
جمُّ البسالةِ والنَّوالِ مبيتهُ
ماwithin the range بينbetween حامٍa protector للطَّريدof the outcast ومشبعِand one who feeds to fullness
ما بين حامٍ للطَّريد ومشبعِ
Abundant in valor and bounty, he passes the night
It spends the night in courage and help
between sheltering the outcast and feeding to fullness.
Between supporter of the exiled and fulfiller of needs
يسْتافinhales مادحُthe praiser فضيضَthe opened contents of لطيمةٍa perfume cargo
يسْتاف مادحُ فضيضَ لطيمةٍ
منfrom مدحهhis praise لكنهاbut it بالمَسْمعِis through the ear
من مدحه لكنها بالمَسْمعِ
His praiser inhales a cargo of perfumes broken open
It starts the morning for the needy most listening
in praising him—but through the ear.
And ends for the living as if it had not heard
عدِمَhe lacks المعابfault فلوso if تمحَّلcontrived كاشِحٌa spiteful enemy
عدِمَ المعاب فلو تمحَّل كاشِحٌ
فيهin him لناداهُwould call to him الكمالُperfection ألاcome now أربعdesist
فيه لناداهُ الكمالُ ألا أربع
He has no fault; should a spiteful foe contrive one
So the blamer, the bundled up, is incoherent
in him, Perfection would cry: 'Enough—desist!'
And the silent scowler, most eloquent
يلقىhe meets العواذلَthe reproachers فيconcerning الندىgenerosity وعُفاتهُand his petitioners
يلقى العواذلَ في الندى وعُفاتهُ
ماwithin the range بينَbetween عاصٍdisobedient عندin ذاكَthat case وطيِّعِand compliant
ما بينَ عاصٍ عند ذاكَ وطيِّعِ
He meets reproachers of his bounty and its seekers,
A tear that criticizes a gift for no reason
defiant toward the former, compliant toward the latter.
His hands rebuffed it and his aid by donating
يغدوhe rises لذيfor those with الحاجاتneeds أسمعthe keenest-hearing منصتٍattentive listener
يغدو لذي الحاجات أسمع منصتٍ
ويروحُand he leaves للاحيthe reproacher كأنْas though لمnot يسمعِhe had heard
ويروحُ للاحي كأنْ لم يسمعِ
For those in need he rises the keenest, most attentive listener,
The offenders felt safe with his forbearance
and leaves the reproacher as though he had not heard.
Fearing his power with frightening security
فاللائمُso the blamer المِنْطيقُeloquent أعجمُthe most inarticulate قائلٍspeaker
فاللائمُ المِنْطيقُ أعجمُ قائلٍ
والمصرْمُand the pauper السِكِّيتُsilent أفصحُthe most eloquent مُسْمعِspeaker
والمصرْمُ السِكِّيتُ أفصحُ مُسْمعِ
Thus the eloquent blamer is the most inarticulate speaker,
While you see the farthest of them pleading
and the silent pauper the most eloquent voice.
Hopes extended to him near the intercessor
خِرقٌan adept يعيبُwho deems faulty عطيَّةًa gift بوسيلةٍthrough intercession
خِرقٌ يعيبُ عطيَّةً بوسيلةٍ
فندىso the bounty of يديهhis hands ونصْرهand his help بتبرُّعِare freely given
فندى يديه ونصْره بتبرُّعِ
An adept who deems a gift through intercession a flaw,
Fearing the Lord if his hours struggled
so his hands' bounty and his help come freely.
Between the narrow paths, he would not panic
أنسَtook comfort الجُناةُthe wrongdoers بحلمهِin his forbearance فملاهُمُso he filled them
أنسَ الجُناةُ بحلمهِ فملاهُمُ
منagainst خوفfear of قدرتهhis power بأمنٍwith security مُفزعِawe-inspiring
من خوف قدرته بأمنٍ مُفزعِ
Wrongdoers took comfort in his forbearance; he filled them
The act of God against his enemies satisfies him
with awe-inspiring security against fear of his power.
Without a wavering opinion and scattered vengeance
بيناwhile ترىyou see أقصاهُمthe farthest of them مستشفعاًseeking intercession
بينا ترى أقصاهُم مستشفعاً
بُسطتْwere unfolded لهfor him الآمالُhopes قربnear مُشفَّعِan accepted intercessor
بُسطتْ له الآمالُ قرب مُشفَّعِ
While you see the farthest of them seeking intercession,
The tongues of fate are sharper against them
his hopes unfold near one whose intercession is accepted.
Than spears without the minister's unsheathed sword
خشيانfearful منof ذيthe Lord of العرشthe Throne لوif خاضتplunged him into battle بهhim
خشيان من ذي العرش لو خاضت به
ساعاتُهhis hours بينamong القناthe lances لمnot يجْزعِwould he falter
ساعاتُه بين القنا لم يجْزعِ
Fearful of the Lord of the Throne, yet if his hours plunged him
The kind acts of his creation have made him pleased
among the lances, he would not falter.
Rather than plotting against them on his bed at night
يُغنيهspares him فعلُthe deeds of اللهِGod فيagainst أعدائهhis enemies
يُغنيه فعلُ اللهِ في أعدائه
عنfrom رأيthe schemes of مُختَتِلٍa deceiver وفتكand the onslaught of مُشيَّعِa daring man
عن رأي مُختَتِلٍ وفتك مُشيَّعِ
God's deeds against his enemies spare him
And his clarity of character quenched their cunning
the schemes of a deceiver and the onslaught of a daring man.
To God in his solitude and gathering
فأسنةُfor the spearheads of المقدورdestiny أطعنُare more piercing فيهمagainst them
فأسنةُ المقدور أطعنُ فيهم
دونَwithout الوزيرthe minister منthan الرماحِthe lances الشُّرَّعِleveled
دونَ الوزير من الرماحِ الشُّرَّعِ
For destiny's spearheads pierce them more deeply,
When the winds blow fiercely in the evening
without the minister's intervention, than leveled lances.
Between the howling of gusts and shaking
رغبتspared بهhim ألْطافthe kindnesses of محسنthe One who perfected خلْقهhis creation
رغبت به ألْطاف محسن خلْقه
عنfrom أنthat يبيتhe spend the night لهمon their account مُقضَّtroubled المضجعِin his bed
عن أن يبيت لهم مُقضَّ المضجعِ
The kindnesses of Him who fashioned him well spared him
A ally it's as if its pieces
lying sleepless on their account in a troubled bed.
Are knots of quicksand or cavalry of Tubba
وسقاهمُand made them drink كيدَthe plots of الخطوبmisfortunes صفاؤهhis sincerity
وسقاهمُ كيدَ الخطوب صفاؤه
للهِtoward God فيin خلواتهhis solitude والمَجْمعِand the assembly
للهِ في خلواته والمَجْمعِ
His sincerity gave them the plots of misfortune to drink—
The thunder almost ruptures nearby
sincerity toward God, in his solitude and in public.
While the scholar dies and the infant wails
وإذاand when جرتran هوجُthe violent blasts of الرياحthe winds عشيَّةًat evening
وإذا جرت هوجُ الرياح عشيَّةً
ماwithin the range بينbetween نكْباءِoblique الهُبوبِblowing وزعزعand a tempest
ما بين نكْباءِ الهُبوبِ وزعزع
And when violent winds run at evening,
So take example, every dark eyed gazelle
between an oblique blast and a tempest,
The turmoil in the muddy watering hole
فرَطاًas forerunners لمُؤتلفٍto a gathering cloud كأنَّas though رُكامَهُits piled mass
فرَطاً لمُؤتلفٍ كأنَّ رُكامَهُ
فيin جمِّهِits abundance عَقِداتُclustered mounds رملِof sand الأجرعِon bare sandy ground
في جمِّهِ عَقِداتُ رملِ الأجرعِ
as forerunners to a gathering cloud, whose piled mass seems
Submissive, almost a wild beast grazing in its midst
in its abundance like clustered dunes on sandy ground,
And the cub's paw touches it
أوor موقراتٌladen ones منamong ركائبَriding camels بُزَّلٍfull-grown
أو موقراتٌ من ركائبَ بُزَّلٍ
ترْغوbellowing بمعتلجِin the crowded turmoil of المُناخِthe kneeling-ground الجعجعِhard and barren
ترْغو بمعتلجِ المُناخِ الجعجعِ
or laden mounts—full-grown camels—
Consecutive, collective, as if its clouds
bellowing amid the throng of a hard kneeling-ground,
Were battalions of Caesar or the entourage of Tubba
فاقْتدْنَso they led منهfrom it كلevery أكحلَdark cloud داجنٍdocile
فاقْتدْنَ منه كل أكحلَ داجنٍ
هوْلِterrible التصاخبin its tumult بالمكانover the place البلْقعِbarren
هوْلِ التصاخب بالمكان البلْقعِ
they lead from it each dark, docile cloud,
The roar of thunder nearly tears it apart
terrible in its uproar over the barren land,
When the Lord of Might desires and the weaned infant dies
دانٍlow-hanging يكادalmost الوحشthe wild beasts يكرعُdrink وسطهwithin it
دانٍ يكاد الوحش يكرعُ وسطه
وتَمسُّهُand touches it كفُّthe palm of الوليدِthe child المُرضَعِbeing suckled
وتَمسُّهُ كفُّ الوليدِ المُرضَعِ
so low the wild beasts almost drink within it,
So my worries threw down their belongings
and a suckling child's palm can touch it;
Pouring like the downpour of heavy rain
مُتَتابعٍunceasing جَمٍّabundant كأنَّas though سَحابهُits clouds
مُتَتابعٍ جَمٍّ كأنَّ سَحابهُ
كبَّاتُbattalions قيصَرof Caesar أوor سراياcompanies تُبَّعِof Tubbaʿ
كبَّاتُ قيصَر أو سرايا تُبَّعِ
unceasing, abundant, its clouds seem
And the continents equaled from its floods
Caesar's battalions or Tubbaʿ's companies,
The high plateau like the lowland
زجلِloud with الرُّعودthunder يكادalmost يخْدجmiscarry عندهat it
زجلِ الرُّعود يكاد يخْدج عنده
شاءُthe sheep المَلاof the open plain ويموتُand dies سخْلُthe lamb المُرضِعِof a nursing ewe
شاءُ المَلا ويموتُ سخْلُ المُرضِعِ
loud with thunder, at which almost miscarry
The mirage of the lowland became a real sea
the sheep of the open plain, and a nursing ewe's lamb dies.
As if for certainty it was not deceived
فَهميthen it poured فألقىand cast بالعراءِupon the open ground بَعاعَهُits burden
فَهمي فألقى بالعراءِ بَعاعَهُ
سحّاًin torrents كمندفعlike the rush of الآتيِّthe oncoming flood المُتْرعِbrimming
سحّاً كمندفع الآتيِّ المُتْرعِ
Then it pours, casting its burden upon the open ground,
Brawling, taking the beasts' places forcibly
in torrents like a rushing, brimming flood.
Its currents so the monkeys neighbor the jerboas
فتساوتِso became level الأقطارُthe regions منthrough أمْواهِهِits waters
فتساوتِ الأقطارُ من أمْواهِهِ
فالقارةُso the hill العلْياءُlofty مثلُis like المَدفعِthe watercourse
فالقارةُ العلْياءُ مثلُ المَدفعِ
The regions become level beneath its waters,
The minister Zainabi excelled in his generosity
the lofty hill like the low watercourse.
That dew truly without ostentation
وغداand became سرابthe mirage of القاعthe plain بحرa sea حقيقةٍof reality
وغدا سراب القاع بحر حقيقةٍ
فكأنهso it is as though it لتيقُّنٍthrough certainty لمnot يخْدَعِhad deceived
فكأنه لتيقُّنٍ لم يخْدَعِ
The plain's mirage becomes a real sea,
His generosity arrives at the utmost frugality
as though, now certain, it had never deceived.
And his gifts strike the honorable targets
مُتغطمطاًroaring غصبseized الوحوشthe wild beasts مكانهاtheir haunts
مُتغطمطاً غصب الوحوش مكانها
تيَّارهُits current فالضبُّso the lizard جارُis the neighbor الضِّفْدعِof the frog
تيَّارهُ فالضبُّ جارُ الضِّفْدعِ
Roaring, it wrests the wild beasts' haunts away—
You meet him in two manners never deviating
its current does—so the lizard is the frog's neighbor.
From justice or placing something undeserved
فضلsurpassed الوزيرُthe minister الزينبيُّal-Zaynabi بجودهthrough his generosity
فضل الوزيرُ الزينبيُّ بجوده
ذاكَthat النَّدىrain حقاًtruly بغيرwithout توسُّعِexaggeration
ذاكَ النَّدى حقاً بغير توسُّعِ
The minister al-Zaynabi, through his generosity, surpasses
If he becomes serious the resolves of his solemnity
that rain, truly and without exaggeration.
Are not degraded or his nonsense soured in vain
يغذوnourishes علىat حدِّthe edge of الخصاصةdestitution جودهُhis bounty
يغذو على حدِّ الخصاصة جودهُ
وتُصيبُand find أنْعمهُhis favors كريمَa worthy المَوقعِplace
وتُصيبُ أنْعمهُ كريمَ المَوقعِ
His bounty feeds those on the brink of destitution,
The shadow of exile, its helpers weakened
and his favors find a worthy place.
And the poor became rich and the desperate rescued
تلقاهُyou find him فيin خُلُقينtwo dispositions لمnot يتنكَّباdid they deviate from
تلقاهُ في خُلُقين لم يتنكَّبا
عدْلاًjustice ولاnor وضَعاًdid they place لغيرin other than الموضعِthe proper place
عدْلاً ولا وضَعاً لغير الموضعِ
You find him in two dispositions that never stray
And the settled upon the saddlebags, honor
from justice, nor put anything out of place.
Distinguishes them from the despondent souls
إنْif جَدَّhe is earnest لمnot يُهجنhe demeans محاورthe interlocutor in جِدِّهhis earnestness
إنْ جَدَّ لم يُهجن محاور جِدِّه
أوor أحمضتْturned piquant عبثاتُهhis jests لمnot يُقْذعِhe speaks obscenely
أو أحمضتْ عبثاتُه لم يُقْذعِ
When earnest, he does not demean his earnest interlocutor;
Disheveled as if above the mounts
when his jests turn piquant, he is never obscene.
Were ghuls competing with the ostrich
ظلُّthe shelter الطَّريدof the outcast تخاذلتْhave failed أنصارهُhis supporters
ظلُّ الطَّريد تخاذلتْ أنصارهُ
وغنىand the wealth الفقيرof the poor ونجدةُand the rescue المُستفزعِof one seeking aid
وغنى الفقير ونجدةُ المُستفزعِ
He is the outcast's shade when his supporters fail him,
They excelled in emaciation so the farthest zeal
the poor man's wealth, the rescue of one crying for aid.
Quenched them and even if not hurting
ومُسهَّدينand sleepless men علىon الرحالِthe saddles يميزُهمdistinguishes them
ومُسهَّدين على الرحالِ يميزُهم
شرفُthe loftiness of الرجاءhope عنfrom النفوسthe souls الهُجَّعِsleeping
شرفُ الرجاء عن النفوس الهُجَّعِ
And sleepless men upon their saddles, distinguished
They flapped their sleeves upon their necks
by lofty hope from souls sunk in sleep,
Flapping of prostration in bowed prayers
شُعْثٌdisheveled كأنas though علىupon الركائبthe mounts منهُمُof them
شُعْثٌ كأن على الركائب منهُمُ
غولاًa ghoul تجارىracing بالنَّعامon ostriches الأجْدعِmaimed
غولاً تجارى بالنَّعام الأجْدعِ
disheveled, seem upon their mounts
Domination by the reins of sleepiness
a ghoul racing on maimed ostriches.
Renounced the obedience of rest or a finger
نحلواthey grew gaunt علىon شعبthe forks of الرحالthe saddles فأشْبهتso resembled
نحلوا على شعب الرحال فأشْبهت
أعوادهاtheir wooden frames منهمof the men عَريقَthe flesh-stripped الأضلعِribs
أعوادها منهم عَريقَ الأضلعِ
They waste away upon the saddles' forks, until
Darkness concealed and the land secret their travel
their timbers resemble the men's flesh-stripped ribs.
Dawn of the place disclosed it, shining
وتفاضلواand they differed شحباًin pallor فأبْعدُso the farthest-reaching هِمَّةٍin aspiration
وتفاضلوا شحباً فأبْعدُ هِمَّةٍ
أوْفاهُمُthe fullest among them وصبَاًin weariness وإنْeven though لمnot يوجعِhe feels pain
أوْفاهُمُ وصبَاً وإنْ لم يوجعِ
They differ in pallor: the farthest-reaching in aspiration
Their determination carved their riding animals' souls
is richest in weariness, though not in pain.
So the slowest was like the fast gallop
خفَقواthey nodded بهامِهُمُwith their heads علىupon أكْوارهاtheir saddles
خفَقوا بهامِهُمُ على أكْوارها
خفْقَlike the swaying السُّجودِof the prostrating منin الصلاةِprayer الركَّعِbowed worshippers
خفْقَ السُّجودِ من الصلاةِ الركَّعِ
Their heads nod upon their saddles,
They trotted away from the settlements on the lands
like the swaying of worshippers bowed and prostrate in prayer.
And tread its expanses, wide
وطغتْand became unruly بأنجادwith the auxiliaries of النعاسِdrowsiness أزِمَّةٌreins
وطغتْ بأنجاد النعاسِ أزِمَّةٌ
فخلعنso they cast off طاعةَobedience to راحةٍa palm أوor إصْبعِa finger
فخلعن طاعةَ راحةٍ أو إصْبعِ
Reins run wild, aided by drowsiness's troops,
Seeking the barren lands and glory
casting off obedience to palm or finger.
Whose passions the song of affliction satisfies
كَتَمَconcealed الدُّجىthe darkness والقاعُand the plain سرَّthe secret of سُراهمُtheir night march
كَتَمَ الدُّجى والقاعُ سرَّ سُراهمُ
فأباحهso revealed it صُبحُthe dawn of المكانthe place المُتْلِعِelevated
فأباحه صُبحُ المكان المُتْلِعِ
Darkness and the plain conceal their night march's secret,
The minister's generosity called them so they descended
but dawn on the rising ground reveals it.
After defiance, upon fertile thickets
ونحتْand guided عزائمهمtheir resolves نفوسthe spirits مطيِّهمof their mounts
ونحتْ عزائمهم نفوس مطيِّهم
فأشدهاso the greatest of them بُطءًin slowness فُوَيْقَa little beyond المُسرِعِthe swift one
فأشدها بُطءً فُوَيْقَ المُسرِعِ
Their resolves guide their mounts' spirits,
With openhandedness, without stinginess
so even the slowest is a little swifter than the swift.
And paucity of excuses, without openhandedness
ونزحنand they strayed بالدهناءin al-Dahna عنaway from جَدَدthe firm tracks of السُّرىthe night march
ونزحن بالدهناء عن جَدَد السُّرى
فوطئنso they trod فيupon يربوعهاits jerboa المتقصِّعِtaking to its burrow
فوطئن في يربوعها المتقصِّعِ
At al-Dahna they stray from the night march's firm tracks,
A hill, if the clamor of events roused
and trample its burrowing jerboa.
A head, and harm in the excitement, burning
يبغونthey seek مُشْكيthe reliever of المُجدباتbarren lands وماجداًand a noble man
يبغون مُشْكي المُجدبات وماجداً
تُغنيsuffice رغائبهhis generous gifts غناءas do الهُمَّعِpouring rainclouds
تُغني رغائبه غناء الهُمَّعِ
They seek the reliever of barren lands, a noble man
The Imam Al-Fadl learned the virtue of his position
whose gifts suffice like pouring rainclouds.
So the elite's glory made it most honorable
ناداهُمُcalled them كرمُthe generosity of الوزيرthe minister فأنْزِلواso they were lodged
ناداهُمُ كرمُ الوزير فأنْزِلوا
بعدafter التَّماحلhardship بالخصيبin fertile ground المُمرعِlush
بعد التَّماحل بالخصيب المُمرعِ
The minister's generosity calls them, and they are lodged,
Fates destined for him a natural disposition
after hardship, amid rich and verdant ground,
By which thoughts became inclined to the terrifying
بموسِّعwith one who expands المعروفkindness غيرِnot مُضَيِّقٍrestricting it
بموسِّع المعروف غيرِ مُضَيِّقٍ
ومُضيقand one who narrows الأعْذارexcuses غيرnot مُوسِّعِexpanding them
ومُضيق الأعْذار غير مُوسِّعِ
with one who expands kindness, never narrows it,
He excelled with what he originated, a sharpened sword
and narrows excuses, never expands them.
And without its scabbard, the sword would not cut
طودٌa mountain إذاwhen ضوضاءthe tumult of خطبٍa calamity أجلبتْrises in clamor
طودٌ إذا ضوضاء خطبٍ أجلبتْ
رأسٍsteadfast وضرٌand a lion فيin الهياجbattle's tumult سرعرعِbold
رأسٍ وضرٌ في الهياج سرعرعِ
A mountain when a calamity's tumult rises,
So its Originator endowed him with a gleaming blade
steadfast, and a bold lion amid battle's tumult.
Striking splits in the adversary, harvested
خبرَrecognized الإمامُthe Imam الفضلُal-Fadl فضلthe excellence of مقامهhis station
خبرَ الإمامُ الفضلُ فضل مقامه
فأحلَّهso he placed him at شرفthe summit of العَلاءglory الأرفعِthe loftiest
فأحلَّه شرف العَلاء الأرفعِ
The Imam al-Fadl recognized the excellence of his station,
Lonely in the scabbard but comforted
and placed him at glory's loftiest height.
By clashes in battle and struggle
سنَّتْhoned لهfor him الأقدارُthe fates شيمْtraits بنيَّةٍof innate constitution
سنَّتْ له الأقدارُ شيمْ بنيَّةٍ
فغدتso proceeded بهwith him الأفكارُthoughts نحوtoward المهيعِthe broad road
فغدت به الأفكارُ نحو المهيعِ
Fate honed the traits of his nature for him,
Smiling before the strikes and though
and his thoughts took him toward the open road.
After its fatality, pouring tears
وجلاand polished بماwith what أبْداhe revealed فِرِنْدَthe damask pattern of مُهنَّدٍan Indian-forged sword
وجلا بما أبْدا فِرِنْدَ مُهنَّدٍ
والسيفُand the sword لولاbut for قَيْنُهُits smith لمnot يقطعwould cut
والسيفُ لولا قَيْنُهُ لم يقطع
By what he revealed, he polished an Indian blade's damask,
A lightning added to the clouds of fingers
and without its smith, a sword would not cut.
And lightning without its clouds does not shine
فحباهso he bestowed on him منهfrom himself بصارمٍa sword ذيpossessing روْنقٍluster
فحباه منه بصارمٍ ذي روْنقٍ
ماضيkeen المضاربin its striking edges فيagainst الضرائبthings struck مِقْصَعِdeadly at a stroke
ماضي المضارب في الضرائب مِقْصَعِ
So he bestowed on him, from himself, a gleaming sword,
But a stream in the meadow of resolute mountain
keen-edged, deadly against whatever it strikes,
Whose surroundings are fingers' sea, gushing
مُستوحشٍlonely فيin الغمدِthe scabbard لكنbut أُنسهits comfort
مُستوحشٍ في الغمدِ لكن أُنسه
باللِّيتِin the side of the neck منof بطلa champion الوغىof battle والأخْدعِand the jugular vein
باللِّيتِ من بطل الوغى والأخْدعِ
lonely in its scabbard, yet finding comfort
The lack of unsheathing, its cover, as if
in a battle champion's neck and jugular.
Without resolute intention, it was not cast
مُتبسمٌsmiling قبلbefore الضِّرابِthe striking وإنهyet it
مُتبسمٌ قبل الضِّرابِ وإنه
منfrom بعدafter فتكتهits deadly blow غزيرُabundant in الأدمُعِtears
من بعد فتكته غزيرُ الأدمُعِ
It smiles before the striking, yet
High virtue carried him to the zenith of ascent
after its deadly blow, its tears flow thick.
Its milestones apparent upon the lofty stars
بَرْقٌlightning أضيفَjoined إلىto سحابِa cloud of أناملٍfingers
بَرْقٌ أضيفَ إلى سحابِ أناملٍ
والبرقand lightning لولاbut for سُحبهُits clouds لمnot يلمعِwould flash
والبرق لولا سُحبهُ لم يلمعِ
Lightning joined to a cloud of fingers—
In it, if fates tested and gripped him
and without its clouds, lightning would not flash.
Two calamities from havoc and deafness
بلrather جدولٌa stream فيon رعنthe spur of طوْدِa mountain أْهمٍdark and massive
بل جدولٌ في رعن طوْدِ أْهمٍ
حوليهaround it بحرُa sea أناملٍof fingers مُتدفِّعِsurging
حوليه بحرُ أناملٍ مُتدفِّعِ
Rather, a stream upon the spur of a dark, massive mountain,
Spacious repeated invocation, as if the color of its gathering
surrounded by a surging sea of fingers.
A horizon that donned the cloak of departing clouds
عدمlacks النُبُوِّfailure to cut غِرارهُits edge فكأنهُso it is as though
عدم النُبُوِّ غِرارهُ فكأنهُ
منfrom غيرother than حِدَّةِthe sharpness of عزمهhis resolve لمnot يُطبعِit was forged
من غير حِدَّةِ عزمه لم يُطبعِ
Its edge knows no failure, as though
Citing Ali in courage to the heights
forged from nothing but the sharpness of his resolve.
So exceeding the effort of the outstretched
وعلَتْand rose بهwith him نُعْماهُhis favor صهوةَonto the back of سابحٍa fleet horse
وعلَتْ به نُعْماهُ صهوةَ سابحٍ
نهدٍpowerfully built مراكلُهin its spur-touched flanks عَلَنْدىmassive جُرْشُعِbroad-bellied
نهدٍ مراكلُه عَلَنْدى جُرْشُعِ
His favor raised him onto the back of a swift steed,
And the two noble parents, between harmful
powerful in the flanks, massive and broad-bellied,
Feared omens, and beneficial
ساميlofty التَّليلin the neck كأنّas though أعلىthe top of رَوْقِهِits forehead
سامي التَّليل كأنّ أعلى رَوْقِهِ
يبغيseeks مناطاًa tethering-place بالنجومamong the stars الطُّلَّعِrising
يبغي مناطاً بالنجوم الطُّلَّعِ
high-necked, as though the crown of its head
To her dark complexion were two sharp teeth so it worried
sought a tethering-place among the rising stars.
The fair lineages, the open refuge
فيهin it إذاwhen تَبْلوyou test قَراهُits back وشدَّهُand its gallop
فيه إذا تَبْلو قَراهُ وشدَّهُ
شَبَهانtwo likenesses منof ضِرغامةٍa lion وسمعْمعِand a fleet wolf
شَبَهان من ضِرغامةٍ وسمعْمعِ
When you test its back and its gallop, it bears
She grew so when forced, she contained virtue
two likenesses: a lion's and a fleet wolf's.
And despair for the fortunate, a brighter hope
رحْبُbroad اللَّبانِin the chest كأنَّas though لونَthe color of إِهابهِits hide
رحْبُ اللَّبانِ كأنَّ لونَ إِهابهِ
شفقٌsunset glow تجلَّلenveloped قشْعthe remnants of غيمٍa cloud مُقْلِعclearing away
شفقٌ تجلَّل قشْع غيمٍ مُقْلِع
Broad-chested, its hide's color seems
She became firm so her life in her death
sunset glow enveloping the remnants of a clearing cloud.
And the glories of lineage after death
يتلوit follows علياًAli فيin الوجيفِswift galloping إلىtoward العُلىthe heights
يتلو علياً في الوجيفِ إلى العُلى
فيفوتُso it outstrips شدَّthe gallop of السابقthe frontrunner المُتوسعِwide-striding
فيفوتُ شدَّ السابق المُتوسعِ
It follows Ali, galloping toward the heights,
For the next life showed us
and outstrips the gallop of the wide-striding frontrunner.
The infidelity of the unbeliever and the wrong perception
وشريفةand noble الأبوينِin both parents بينbetween مُضِرَّةٍa harmful one
وشريفة الأبوينِ بين مُضِرَّةٍ
تُخشىare feared بوادرهاits sudden onslaughts وبينand between مُنَفِّعِa beneficent one
تُخشى بوادرها وبين مُنَفِّعِ
And one noble in both parents, between a harmful nature
As if she, her bedding, and her jewelry
whose sudden attacks are feared, and a beneficent one:
For the certain person, O brother of insightful heart
كانتit was لأسمرهاfor its dusky bearer سِناناًa spearpoint فاغْتدَتْbut became
كانت لأسمرها سِناناً فاغْتدَتْ
للأبيضfor the man unstained الأنسابin lineage مأوىa home for الشُرَّعِleveled lances
للأبيض الأنساب مأوى الشُرَّعِ
it was a spearpoint for its dusky bearer, but became
A light upon darkness left behind it
a home for leveled lances for the man of unstained lineage.
The remainder of a family's illumination not yet gone
نحمتْit bellowed فلماthen when ألجِمَتْit was bridled حوتit contained العلىgreatness
نحمتْ فلما ألجِمَتْ حوت العلى
واليأسُand despair للمحظوظِfor the fortunate أكرمthe noblest مطمعِhope
واليأسُ للمحظوظِ أكرم مطمعِ
It bellowed; when bridled, it embraced greatness,
Oh son of Al-Jahhaf from the clan of Hashim
and for the fortunate, despair is the noblest hope.
The people of dew, the questioned and donating
وثوتْand it lay still فكانso was حياتُهاits life فيin موتهاits death
وثوتْ فكان حياتُها في موتها
ومفاخرand the glories of الأشرافnoble men بعدafter المَصْرعِthe fall
ومفاخر الأشراف بعد المَصْرعِ
It lay still, and its life was in its death;
And those who plunge into every hardship
noble men's glories come after their fall.
Startling with the courageous pigeons
فالنشأةُso the birth الأخرىsecond لهاof it أبدتْrevealed لناto us
فالنشأةُ الأخرى لها أبدتْ لنا
كُفْرَthe unbelief of الكفورthe unbeliever وسوءand the unsoundness of رأيthe judgment of المُبدعِthe innovator
كُفْرَ الكفور وسوء رأي المُبدعِ
Its second birth has revealed to us
And those who make their passions like their shields
the unbeliever's unbelief and the innovator's unsound judgment.
On the day of battle, so the covers are masked
وكأنهاand as though it وبِساطَهاand its carpet وحُلِيَّهاand its ornaments
وكأنها وبِساطَها وحُلِيَّها
للمستبينto the discerning أخيpossessor of الفؤادِa heart الأصْمعِkeen
للمستبين أخي الفؤادِ الأصْمعِ
And it seems, with its carpet and ornaments,
Brandishing over the pigeons and fearing
to the discerning man of keen heart,
Their domination, the repulsion of poisoned arrows
نورٌlight علىupon غسقٍdusk تخلَّفَlingered عندهُbeside it
نورٌ على غسقٍ تخلَّفَ عندهُ
باقيthe remaining شُعاعradiance of عشيرةٍa clan لمnot يُقلعِrecede
باقي شُعاع عشيرةٍ لم يُقلعِ
light upon dusk, beside which lingered
From every listening ear, the greeting of its guests
a clan's remaining radiance, not withdrawn.
If its eyelids delayed, they were not hastened
ياO ابنson of الجحاجحgreat lords منfrom ذؤابةthe crest of هاشمٍHashim
يا ابن الجحاجح من ذؤابة هاشمٍ
أهلِpeople of النَّدىbounty المسؤولrequested والمُتبرَّعِand freely given
أهلِ النَّدى المسؤول والمُتبرَّعِ
O son of great lords, from the crest of Hashim,
The soil drowned from the surplus of its eyelids
men of bounty, both requested and freely given,
Parading in the most fragrant praise
والخائضينand those plunging into غِمارَthe depths of كلevery كريهةٍordeal
والخائضين غِمارَ كل كريهةٍ
روْعاءterrifying تفْهقُoverwhelming بالحِمامwith death الأشجعِthe bravest
روْعاء تفْهقُ بالحِمام الأشجعِ
who plunge into the depths of every ordeal,
Whose abundant wealth its richness does not conceal
terrible, engulfing the bravest in death,
During winter for its tattered clothes
والجاعلينَand those making شغوفهمْtheir hearts' coverings كدروعهمlike their armor
والجاعلينَ شغوفهمْ كدروعهم
يومon the day of النزالbattle فحاسرٌso a bareheaded man كمُقنَّعِis like a helmeted one
يوم النزال فحاسرٌ كمُقنَّعِ
who make their hearts' coverings like their armor
If the live coal touched the eyelids, you would meet it
on battle's day, so the bareheaded is like the helmeted;
For the guest, between smoothening and cooing
يتغطرفونَthey swagger علىagainst الحِمامِdeath ويَتَّقِيand guards against
يتغطرفونَ على الحِمامِ ويَتَّقِي
سطواتهمtheir assaults دُفَعُsurges السِّمامof poisons المُنْقعِdeadly
سطواتهم دُفَعُ السِّمام المُنْقعِ
they swagger against death, while
My passion for loving you, its yearning honed my elegy
surges of deadly venom guard against their assaults.
And the foliage without its fervor would not ignite
منof كلeach مُسمعone who makes hear ناصفاتِthe serving maids of ضيوفهhis guests
من كل مُسمع ناصفاتِ ضيوفه
إِنْif أبْطأتْthey delay بجفانهاwith their bowls لمnot تُسرعِyou have hurried
إِنْ أبْطأتْ بجفانها لم تُسرعِ
Each makes his guests' serving maids hear:
And it makes me excel in praising you, reminding me
if they delay with their bowls, 'You have not hurried!'
I am called in the prime of an era and its conclusion
غمرflooding الثَّرىthe earth منwith فاضلاتِthe leftovers of جِفانهِhis bowls
غمر الثَّرى من فاضلاتِ جِفانهِ
تختالُthey strut فيin أرجِthe fragrance of الثَّناءpraise الأضْوعِmost fragrant
تختالُ في أرجِ الثَّناء الأضْوعِ
Earth is flooded by the leftovers from his bowls,
And if I fell short for your excessive generosity, that I
which strut in the sweetest fragrance of praise.
Without it bear a thought divided
باديmanifest الغِنىin wealth لاnot يستسرُّis hidden ثَراؤُهُhis riches
بادي الغِنى لا يستسرُّ ثَراؤُهُ
عندduring الشتاءwinter لِشوْلهfor his scant-milking camels لمnot يكْسعِleave milk unmilked
عند الشتاء لِشوْله لم يكْسعِ
His wealth is manifest, his riches never hidden;
The aid spread and I, from it, ceased like wounds
in winter he withholds none of his scant-milking camels' milk.
Opposing the stallion haunches, gushing
إنْif أنْهَدbrings forth الحيthe tribe الجِفانَthe platters لَقيتَهُyou find him
إنْ أنْهَد الحي الجِفانَ لَقيتَهُ
للضيفfor the guest بينbetween مُسغْسِغٍfeeding richly ومُدعْدِعِand plying with food
للضيف بين مُسغْسِغٍ ومُدعْدِعِ
When the tribe brings forth its platters, you find him
It transcended to the lowly position with an intercessor
lavishing food upon the guest and plying him with more.
So attract with the paw, my brother of virtues, encourage
شغفيmy passion بحبكَin loving you سنَّhoned فيكabout you بلاغتيmy eloquence
شغفي بحبكَ سنَّ فيك بلاغتي
والوُرْقُand gray doves لولاbut for وجدهاtheir longing لمnot تسْجعِwould coo
والوُرْقُ لولا وجدها لم تسْجعِ
My passionate love for you has honed my eloquence about you,
I am not satisfied by its pinnacle in your loyalty
and without longing, gray doves would not coo.
Without conveying to me the heights, you will not appease
وتدرُّand practice بيby me بالمدحِin praising فيكconcerning you أعادنيhas made me
وتدرُّ بي بالمدحِ فيك أعادني
أُدعىI am called بمفلقِa brilliant poet of عصرهhis age والمِصْقعِand an eloquent orator
أُدعى بمفلقِ عصره والمِصْقعِ
My practice in praising you has made me
be called my age's brilliant poet and eloquent orator.
ولئنand though جذِلتُI rejoiced لفرطat the excess of جودِكَyour bounty أننيthat I
ولئن جذِلتُ لفرط جودِكَ أنني
بسواهُconcerning something else حاملُbearing خاطرٍa mind مُتوزِّعِdistracted
بسواهُ حاملُ خاطرٍ مُتوزِّعِ
Though I rejoice in your overwhelming generosity, I
bear a distracted mind concerning something else.
عمَّbecame universal النَّوالُbounty ورحتُand I went away منهfrom it كشائمٍlike one watching for rain
عمَّ النَّوالُ ورحتُ منه كشائمٍ
صادٍthirsty بأعْقارat the edges of الحياضthe watering pools مُدفَّعِdriven away
صادٍ بأعْقار الحياض مُدفَّعِ
Bounty has spread to all, yet I leave like one watching for rain,
thirsty, thrust away from the edges of the watering pools.
وسماand rose إلىto الرُّتبranks الدنيُّthe lowly بشافعٍthrough an intercessor
وسما إلى الرُّتب الدنيُّ بشافعٍ
فاجذبso draw up بضبعby the upper arm أخيthe possessor of الفضائلvirtues واشجعِand be bold
فاجذب بضبع أخي الفضائل واشجعِ
The lowly rises to ranks through an intercessor;
so take the man of virtues by the upper arm, and be bold.
ماnot أقنعتنيhas satisfied me فيin ولائكmy devotion to you غايةٌany goal
ما أقنعتني في ولائك غايةٌ
فبدونِso, short of تبليغيbringing me to العُلىthe heights لاdo not تُقْنِعِcontent me
فبدونِ تبليغي العُلى لا تُقْنِعِ
No goal has satisfied me in my devotion to you;
so do not content me with less than raising me to the heights.
Partial English translation: 166 of 176 Arabic lines translated.