تَمضيgoes forth العُلىglory وَإِلىand to ذَراكُمyour summits تَرجِعُreturns
تَمضي العُلى وَإِلى ذَراكُم تَرجِعُ
شَمسٌa sun تَغيبُsets لَكُمfor you وَأُخرىand another تَطلُعُrises
شَمسٌ تَغيبُ لَكُم وَأُخرى تَطلُعُ
Glory goes forth, and to your summits it returns.
The heights pass on while to your abodes they return
One sun sets for you, and another rises.
A sun sets for you while another sun rises
إِنَّindeed الصَفاthe rock العاديَّage-old يُقرَعُis battered بِالأَذىby affliction
إِنَّ الصَفا العاديَّ يُقرَعُ بِالأَذى
مِنamong غَيرِكُمothers than you وَصَفاكُمُand your rock لاnot يُقرَعُis battered
مِن غَيرِكُم وَصَفاكُمُ لا يُقرَعُ
The age-old rock is battered by affliction
Verily the usual harmony is afflicted with harm
Among others; your rock is never battered.
By others, while your harmony is not afflicted
مُتَداوِلينَtaking turns لِباسَwearing أَثوابِthe robes of العُلىglory
مُتَداوِلينَ لِباسَ أَثوابِ العُلى
هَذاthis one يُجابُis cut out لَهُfor him وَهَذاand that one يُنزَعُis stripped off
هَذا يُجابُ لَهُ وَهَذا يُنزَعُ
You take turns donning the robes of glory:
Taking turns wearing the garb of the heights
For this one a robe is cut; from that one it is stripped.
This one is answered while that one is stripped
فيin كُلِّevery يَومٍday لِلنَواظِرِbefore watching eyes مِنكُمُfrom among you
في كُلِّ يَومٍ لِلنَواظِرِ مِنكُمُ
أَعلامُstandards of عَلياءٍhigh glory تُحَطُّare lowered وَتُرفَعُand are raised
أَعلامُ عَلياءٍ تُحَطُّ وَتُرفَعُ
Each day, before watching eyes, from among you
Every day for the onlookers among you
Standards of high glory are lowered and raised.
High standards rise and fall
لاno مِثلَequal of مَنthe one who مَلَكَpossessed العُلىglory مُستَقبَلٌis welcomed
لا مِثلَ مَن مَلَكَ العُلى مُستَقبَلٌ
فيناamong us وَمَنand the one whom طَوَتِenfolded المَنونُdeath مُوَدَّعُis bid farewell
فينا وَمَن طَوَتِ المَنونُ مُوَدَّعُ
No equal of glory's master is welcomed
No equal to one who holds the heights in the future
Among us; he whom death enfolded is bid farewell.
Among us and one the fates bid farewell
عَينانِtwo eyes عَينٌone eye لِلمَزيدِat the increase قَريرَةٌgladdened
عَينانِ عَينٌ لِلمَزيدِ قَريرَةٌ
مِنّاof ours وَعَينٌand one eye لِلنَقيصَةِat the loss تَدمَعُweeps
مِنّا وَعَينٌ لِلنَقيصَةِ تَدمَعُ
Two eyes: one gladdened by the gain
Two eyes - one joyous at success
Among us, and one that weeps for the loss.
While another tearful at loss
وَإِذاand if اِطمَأَنَّbecame restful مِنَfrom العَطِيَّةِthe gift مَضجَعٌa bed
وَإِذا اِطمَأَنَّ مِنَ العَطِيَّةِ مَضجَعٌ
يَوماًone day أَقَضَّbecame uncomfortable مِنَfrom الرَزِيَةِthe calamity مَضجَعُa bed
يَوماً أَقَضَّ مِنَ الرَزِيَةِ مَضجَعُ
And if a bed is eased by a gift
When a resting place is content with bounty
One day, another is made restless by calamity.
A day fulfilling more than fate's portion
فَلَئِنso if indeed فَرِحناwe rejoiced إِنَّindeed ذَلِكَthat مُفرِحٌgladdening
فَلَئِن فَرِحنا إِنَّ ذَلِكَ مُفرِحٌ
وَلَئِنand if indeed جَزِعناwe grieved إِنَّindeed ذَلِكَthat مُجزِعُdistressing
وَلَئِن جَزِعنا إِنَّ ذَلِكَ مُجزِعُ
So if we rejoice, that truly brings joy;
Whether we rejoice or grieve both affect us
And if we grieve, that truly brings grief.
Glory has for some a scent, while others it breaks
لِلمَجدِfor glory مِنfrom عَلياكُمُyour eminence وَمَصابِكُمand your loss
لِلمَجدِ مِن عَلياكُمُ وَمَصابِكُم
أَنفٌa nose بِهِin it شَمَمٌproud height وَآخَرُand another أَجدَعُmutilated
أَنفٌ بِهِ شَمَمٌ وَآخَرُ أَجدَعُ
From your eminence and your loss, glory has
My sorrows and joys came in succession as though
One proudly raised nose, and another mutilated.
Tears were made to follow in their tracks
بُؤسىwoe وَنُعمىand blessing أَعقَبَتfollowed فَكَأَنَّماso it was as though
بُؤسى وَنُعمى أَعقَبَت فَكَأَنَّما
رُدَّتwere turned back عَلىupon أَعقابِهِنَّtheir heels الأَدمُعُthe tears
رُدَّت عَلى أَعقابِهِنَّ الأَدمُعُ
Woe, and then blessing followed, as though
Were it not for the most honorable Abu Shuja
The tears had been turned back on their heels.
Calamities could scarcely be mended
لَولاbut for الأَعَزُّthe most honored أَبوAbu (father of) شُجاعٍShuja لَمnot يَكُنwould be
لَولا الأَعَزُّ أَبو شُجاعٍ لَم يَكُن
وَهِيَthe breach النَوائِبِcalamities عَنwithin قَليلٍa little while يُرقَعُbe patched
وَهِيَ النَوائِبِ عَن قَليلٍ يُرقَعُ
But for the most honored Abu Shuja, never would
Without him, neither the broken restored nor the grieved eye's
The breach made by calamities be patched so soon.
Lid nor the deeply sorrowful's chain would heal
لَولاهُbut for him ماnot اِنجَبَرَmended الكَسيرُthe broken وَلاnor سَماrose
لَولاهُ ما اِنجَبَرَ الكَسيرُ وَلا سَما
طَرفُthe gaze of الحَسيرِthe weary وَلاnor سَلاfound solace المُتَفَجِّعُthe grief-stricken
طَرفُ الحَسيرِ وَلا سَلا المُتَفَجِّعُ
Without him, the broken would not mend, nor rise
After their ordeals the lofty ones would not
The weary one's gaze, nor would the mourner find solace.
Without him accept replacements
ماnot كانَتِwould be العَلياءُglory بَعدَafter مَصابِهاits calamity
ما كانَتِ العَلياءُ بَعدَ مَصابِها
لَولاهُbut for him بِالبَدَلِwith the replacement المُجَدَّدِnewly provided تَقنَعُbe content
لَولاهُ بِالبَدَلِ المُجَدَّدِ تَقنَعُ
After its calamity, glory would not,
They erected pillars of their glory and chose
Without him, be content with its new replacement.
The straightest pillars that will not be removed
نَثَلواthey emptied كَنائِنَthe quivers of مَجدِهِمtheir glory فَتَخَيَّرواand then chose
نَثَلوا كَنائِنَ مَجدِهِم فَتَخَيَّروا
مِنهُنَّfrom them أَقوَمَthe straightest نَصلَةٍarrowhead لاnot تُنزَعُbe drawn out
مِنهُنَّ أَقوَمَ نَصلَةٍ لا تُنزَعُ
They emptied the quivers of their glory and chose
He shot an arrow that hit the heights' target
From them the straightest arrowhead, never to be drawn out:
When in the bow of great deeds no arrows remained
سَهماًan arrow رَمىshot at غَرَضَthe target of العُلىglory مِنfrom بَعدِماafter
سَهماً رَمى غَرَضَ العُلى مِن بَعدِما
لَمnot يَبقَremained فيin قَوسِthe bow of المَعاليgreatness مَنزَعُa further draw
لَم يَبقَ في قَوسِ المَعالي مَنزَعُ
An arrow shot at glory's target, after
Enemies cannot hope his rising place will appear
No further draw remained in the bow of greatness.
Since that rising is too narrow except for him
لاnot يَطمَعُaspire to الأَعداءُthe enemies مَطلَعَthe ascent to نَجدِهِhis highland
لا يَطمَعُ الأَعداءُ مَطلَعَ نَجدِهِ
قَدalready ضاقَgrew narrow إِلّاexcept عَنهُfor him ذاكَthat المَطلَعُascent
قَد ضاقَ إِلّا عَنهُ ذاكَ المَطلَعُ
Enemies have no hope of ascending his highland;
Their columns rushed anxiously to you
That ascent has grown narrow for all but him.
Until the firmest pillars settled with them
طَلَبَتكَit sought you قَدalready قَلِقَتgrew restless إِلَيكَfor you نُصولُهاits blades
طَلَبَتكَ قَد قَلِقَت إِلَيكَ نُصولُها
حَتّىuntil اِستَقَرَّsettled firmly بِهاin them النِصابُthe hilt الأَمنَعُthe strongest
حَتّى اِستَقَرَّ بِها النِصابُ الأَمنَعُ
It sought you, its blades restless in longing for you,
Thirsty for you - and how can they turn from you
Until the strongest hilt settled firmly into them.
While the pasture is with you, as are rest and meadow
ظَمأىthirsty إِلَيكَfor you وَأَينَand where عَنكَaway from you مَحيدُهاits turning aside
ظَمأى إِلَيكَ وَأَينَ عَنكَ مَحيدُها
وَالرَعيُand grazing عِندَكَwith you وَالرُواand drink وَالمَرتَعُand pasture
وَالرَعيُ عِندَكَ وَالرُوا وَالمَرتَعُ
Thirsty for you—where could it turn away from you,
Never did their setting place mount or mold
When grazing, drink, and pasture are with you?
Except with you - days that will not change
ماnot كانَwas غارِبُهاits withers بِغَيرِكَby anyone but you يُمتَطىmounted
ما كانَ غارِبُها بِغَيرِكَ يُمتَطى
يَوماًon any day وَطينَتُهاand its clay بِغَيرِكَby anyone but you تُطبَعُmolded
يَوماً وَطينَتُها بِغَيرِكَ تُطبَعُ
Its withers could not be mounted by anyone but you,
Hearts' allegiance came before hands' oath
On any day, nor its clay molded by anyone but you.
Of one obedient, while consciences are more obedient
سَبَقَتoutstripped بِبَيعَتِكَin allegiance to you القُلوبُthe hearts أَكُفَّهاtheir palms
سَبَقَت بِبَيعَتِكَ القُلوبُ أَكُفَّها
أَيدٍhands أَطَعنَكَobeyed you وَالضَمائِرُand consciences أَطوَعُmore obedient
أَيدٍ أَطَعنَكَ وَالضَمائِرُ أَطوَعُ
In pledging allegiance to you, hearts outstripped their palms.
Than one whose passion is hidden, no bending in him
Hands obeyed you; consciences were more obedient still.
Or falsely swearing, with no turning back
مِنfrom مُضمَرٍa hidden heart يَخشىfears الهَوىdesire لاnot يَنثَنيwavers
مِن مُضمَرٍ يَخشى الهَوى لا يَنثَني
أَوor صافِقٍone clasping hands بِيَدِwith the hand of الرِدىdeath لاnot يَرجِعُturns back
أَو صافِقٍ بِيَدِ الرِدى لا يَرجِعُ
From a hidden heart that fears desire and does not waver,
Souls relinquished their imaginations, yet a hand might give
Or one clasping death's hand who never turns back.
While its conscience refuses
أَعطَتgave تَخايُلَهاtheir pride الصُدورُthe breasts وَرُبَّماand often
أَعطَت تَخايُلَها الصُدورُ وَرُبَّما
تُعطيgives يَدٌa hand وَلَهاwhile it has ضَميرٌa conscience يَمنَعُwithholds
تُعطي يَدٌ وَلَها ضَميرٌ يَمنَعُ
Breasts yielded their pride, though often
God supported your rule, raising high
A hand gives while its conscience withholds.
The glory of foundations and most lofty structure
اللَهُGod أَيَّدَstrengthened مُلكَكُمyour rule وَسَماand rose بِهِthrough it
اللَهُ أَيَّدَ مُلكَكُم وَسَما بِهِ
مَجدُthe glory of القَواعِدِthe foundations وَالبِناءُand the edifice الأَرفَعُthe loftiest
مَجدُ القَواعِدِ وَالبِناءُ الأَرفَعُ
God strengthened your rule, and through it rose
A house with heaven its ceilings and eaves
The glory of the foundations and the loftiest edifice.
Feared by hovering doves obscured from view
بَيتٌa house يُسَقَّفُis roofed بِالسَماءِwith heaven رِواقُهُits portico
بَيتٌ يُسَقَّفُ بِالسَماءِ رِواقُهُ
وَتَهابُand fear ذُروَتَهُits summit الحَمامُthe doves الوُقَّعُthat alight
وَتَهابُ ذُروَتَهُ الحَمامُ الوُقَّعُ
A house whose portico is roofed with heaven,
The coils of its dome are the Pleiades' clusters
And whose summit the alighting doves fear.
And the shadows of its eaves, polished meadows
أَطنابُthe guy-ropes of قُبَّتِهِits dome أَنابيبُthe shafts of القَناspears
أَطنابُ قُبَّتِهِ أَنابيبُ القَنا
وَسُجوفُand the curtains of ظِلَّتِهِits canopy المَواضيthe keen swords اللُمَّعُglittering
وَسُجوفُ ظِلَّتِهِ المَواضي اللُمَّعُ
The guy-ropes of its dome are spear shafts,
If foundations quake, its pillar rises over them
And the curtains of its canopy are glittering, keen swords.
Or the structure shakes, it will not quiver
إِنif ساخَتِsink الأَركانُthe pillars أَشرَفَstands high رُكنُهُits pillar
إِن ساخَتِ الأَركانُ أَشرَفَ رُكنُهُ
أَوor ضُعضِعَis shaken البُنيانُthe structure لاnot يَتَضَعضَعَis shaken
أَو ضُعضِعَ البُنيانُ لا يَتَضَعضَعَ
If the pillars sink, its pillar stands tall;
How often has an unruly camel, released from its tether
Or if the structure is shaken, it remains unshaken.
Continued under the riders' feet, straight and ascending
كَمhow many مُصعَبٍan unruly camel مَنَعَrefused الخِطامَthe halter تَرَكتَهُyou left it
كَم مُصعَبٍ مَنَعَ الخِطامَ تَرَكتَهُ
تَحتَunder الرَحالَةِthe saddle يَستَقيمُobeys وَيَظلَعُand limps
تَحتَ الرَحالَةِ يَستَقيمُ وَيَظلَعُ
How many an unruly camel, refusing the halter, have you left
Or a rebel whose hands fell short of the heights
Beneath the saddle, obedient and limping!
An adversity befalling you, cutting off necks and arms
أَوor خالِعٍa rebel قَصُرَتfell short يَداهُhis two hands عَنِof العُلىglory
أَو خالِعٍ قَصُرَت يَداهُ عَنِ العُلى
بوعٌarm-spans لَكُمyours تَقِصُcut off الرِقابَnecks وَأَذرُعُand arms
بوعٌ لَكُم تَقِصُ الرِقابَ وَأَذرُعُ
Or a rebel whose hands fell short of glory—
You preceded while the spine's vertebrae bent under it
Yours are spans and arms that sever necks.
As the coward's back was stamped with talons
فَسَبَقتُمُso you outstripped وَكَباand brought down بِهِhim مِنfrom جَدِّهِhis fortune
فَسَبَقتُمُ وَكَبا بِهِ مِن جَدِّهِ
دونَshort of المُنىthe hopes قَصفُa shattering of الفَقارِthe spine مُوَقَّعُforcefully inflicted
دونَ المُنى قَصفُ الفَقارِ مُوَقَّعُ
So you outstripped him, and by his fortune he was felled
Their plots are hidden while your domination appears
Short of his hopes by a shattering blow to his spine.
Ants bite, while the white oryx gore
تَخفىare hidden مَكائِدُهhis schemes وَيَظهَرُand is manifest سَطوُكُمyour onslaught
تَخفى مَكائِدُه وَيَظهَرُ سَطوُكُم
الذَرُّtiny ants يَقرُصُnip وَالأَراقِمُand speckled serpents تَلسَعُsting
الذَرُّ يَقرُصُ وَالأَراقِمُ تَلسَعُ
His schemes lie hidden, while your onslaught is manifest:
No equal are the Buwayhid throne's sons, for they are
Tiny ants nip, while speckled serpents sting.
The peril of virtues and most unchaste of chests
لاmay not ثُلَّbe toppled عَرشُthe throne of بَنَيthe sons of بُوَيهٍBuwayh أَنَّهُمfor they
لا ثُلَّ عَرشُ بَنَي بُوَيهٍ أَنَّهُم
غُدُرُpools of المَكارِمِgenerosity وَالجَنابُand the domain الأَمرَعُthe lushest
غُدُرُ المَكارِمِ وَالجَنابُ الأَمرَعُ
May the throne of Banu Buwayh never be toppled, for they
Over their pastures predators circle
Are pools of generosity and the lushest domain.
While fingers point accusingly towards their pastures
فَعَلىso over رُوائِهِمُtheir abundant waters يَحومُcircles المُعتَفيthe seeker of bounty
فَعَلى رُوائِهِمُ يَحومُ المُعتَفي
وَإِلىand toward رُوائِهِمُtheir splendor تُشيرُpoints الإِصبَعُthe finger
وَإِلى رُوائِهِمُ تُشيرُ الإِصبَعُ
So the seeker of bounty circles over their waters,
Whether brought near, they are deadly adversaries
And the finger points toward their splendor.
Or if they refuse, they are poisonous adders
إِنif قارَبواthey draw near فَهُمُthen they are الشِهادُhoney المُجتَنىgathered
إِن قارَبوا فَهُمُ الشِهادُ المُجتَنى
وَإِذاand when أَبواthey refuse فَهُمُthen they are السِمامُpoison المُنقَعُsteeped
وَإِذا أَبوا فَهُمُ السِمامُ المُنقَعُ
If they draw near, they are gathered honey;
Their hands are the paths of dew and their brows
And if they refuse, they are steeped poison.
More radiant than crowns - or rather more brilliant
أَيديهِمُtheir hands طُرُقُpaths of النَدىbounty وَجِباهُهُمand their brows
أَيديهِمُ طُرُقُ النَدى وَجِباهُهُم
أَبهىfairer مِنَthan التيجانِcrowns لاno بَلrather أَلمَعُbrighter
أَبهى مِنَ التيجانِ لا بَل أَلمَعُ
Their hands are the paths of bounty, and their brows
Thus they are the refuge in days of perils
Are fairer than crowns—no, brighter still.
And hope in days of virtues
فَهُمُso they are لِأَيّامِfor days of الحَفائِظِdefending honor مَفزَعٌa refuge
فَهُمُ لِأَيّامِ الحَفائِظِ مَفزَعٌ
وَهُمُand they are لِأَيّامِfor days of المَكارِمِgenerous deeds مَطمَعُa source of hope
وَهُمُ لِأَيّامِ المَكارِمِ مَطمَعُ
They are a refuge in days of defending honor,
The lofty ones called out to them until their shouts reached
And they are a source of hope in days of generosity.
The furthest goals, so the despised people panicked and hastened -
هَتَفَcalled العَلاءُglory بِهِمto them إِلىtoward غاياتِهِits goals
هَتَفَ العَلاءُ بِهِم إِلى غاياتِهِ
فَتَضَرَّعَso humbled themselves القَومُthe people اللِئامُthe ignoble وَأَسرَعواand hastened
فَتَضَرَّعَ القَومُ اللِئامُ وَأَسرَعوا
Glory called them toward its furthest goals;
I am your plant while the branch is soft and youth
So the ignoble people humbled themselves and hastened.
Pliable, and leadership of the docile, smoothest
أَناI غَرسُكُمyour seedling وَالغُصنُand the branch لَدنٌsupple وَالصِباand youth
أَنا غَرسُكُم وَالغُصنُ لَدنٌ وَالصِبا
غَضٌّtender وَلِلعيسِand for the pale camels القِيادُthe rein الأَطوَعُthe most compliant
غَضٌّ وَلِلعيسِ القِيادُ الأَطوَعُ
I am your seedling; the branch is supple, and youth
I launched my arrows at the enemy, yet you left
Is tender; the pale camels yield most readily to the reins.
My feet to follow the highest goals
رِشتُمyou fletched سِهاميmy arrows لِلعِدىfor the foes وَتَرَكتُمُand you let
رِشتُم سِهامي لِلعِدى وَتَرَكتُمُ
قَدَميmy foot إِلىtoward أَمَدِthe goal of المَعاليgreatness تَتبَعُfollow
قَدَمي إِلى أَمَدِ المَعالي تَتبَعُ
You fletched my arrows for the foes, and let
You spurred my fortune to catch up with your glory
My foot follow toward the goal of greatness.
Until it persisted while others' fell short
وَحَثَثتُمُand you spurred حَظّيmy fortune لِيَلحَقَto catch up with شَأوَكُمyour pace
وَحَثَثتُمُ حَظّي لِيَلحَقَ شَأوَكُم
حَتّىuntil اِستَمَرَّit moved onward وَحَظُّwhile the fortune of غَيريanother besides me يُقدَعُis restrained
حَتّى اِستَمَرَّ وَحَظُّ غَيري يُقدَعُ
And you spurred my fortune to catch your pace,
You acted, so I recognized your deeds' value
Until it sped onward, while another's fortune was checked.
Though sometimes the artisan errs on the path
وَصَنَعتُمُand you bestowed kindness فَعَرَفتُso I recognized قَدرَthe worth of صَنيعِكُمyour kindness
وَصَنَعتُمُ فَعَرَفتُ قَدرَ صَنيعِكُم
وَلَرُبَّماand often indeed غَلِطَmistook الطَريقَthe road المُصنِعُthe benefactor
وَلَرُبَّما غَلِطَ الطَريقَ المُصنِعُ
You bestowed kindness, and I knew the worth of your deed;
I safeguarded your favors you entrusted me with
And often a benefactor mistakes the road.
Loyalty is a trust that must be safeguarded
وَحَفِظتُand I preserved ماwhat اِستَودَعتُI laid in trust مِنof نِعمائِكُمyour blessings
وَحَفِظتُ ما اِستَودَعتُ مِن نِعمائِكُم
إِنَّindeed الوَفاءَloyalty أَمانَةٌa trust تُستَودَعُplaced in safekeeping
إِنَّ الوَفاءَ أَمانَةٌ تُستَودَعُ
And I guarded what I had stored of your blessings;
O builder of established glory where
Loyalty is indeed a trust placed in safekeeping.
Eyes cannot perceive nor hands reach
ياO بانِيَbuilder of الشَرَفِhonor المُوَطَّدِfirmly founded حَيثُwhere لاnot
يا بانِيَ الشَرَفِ المُوَطَّدِ حَيثُ لا
تَصِلُreach العُيونُthe eyes وَلاnor تَنالُattain الأَذرُعُthe arms
تَصِلُ العُيونُ وَلا تَنالُ الأَذرُعُ
O builder of firmly founded honor, where no
Scion of the protected lofty cradle - in her lap
Eyes can reach, nor arms attain,
A treasure kept safe, and by her full moon nurtured
وَسَليلَand scion of مُحصَنَةِthe chaste lady of العُلىglory فيin حِجرِهاher lap
وَسَليلَ مُحصَنَةِ العُلى في حِجرِها
مُستَودَعٌentrusted وَبِدَرِّهاand with her milk مُستَرضَعُsuckled
مُستَودَعٌ وَبِدَرِّها مُستَرضَعُ
And scion of chaste Glory, in her lap
Kings incline tenderly around him from all sides
Entrusted, and suckled with her milk.
Like a heart, ribs inclining toward it
تَحنوbend tenderly المُلوكُthe kings عَلَيهِover him مِنfrom جَنَباتِهِhis sides
تَحنو المُلوكُ عَلَيهِ مِن جَنَباتِهِ
كَالقَلبِlike the heart حانِيَةٌbending عَلَيهِover it الأَضلُعُthe ribs
كَالقَلبِ حانِيَةٌ عَلَيهِ الأَضلُعُ
Kings bend over him from every side,
Rise above misfortunes with resolve or felicity
As ribs curve around the heart.
Each breach has a mender
أَرتِقmend لَهاfor her فَتقَthe rent of النَوائِبِcalamities بِالنَدىwith bounty
أَرتِق لَها فَتقَ النَوائِبِ بِالنَدى
أَوor بِالقَناwith spears وَلِكُلِّand for every خَرقٍtear مَرقَعُa patch
أَو بِالقَنا وَلِكُلِّ خَرقٍ مَرقَعُ
Mend for her the rent made by calamities with bounty,
Follow your father's path, for his path
Or with spears; for every tear there is a patch.
Is sustenance leading to glorious deeds
وَاِسكُكand tread سَبيلَthe path of أَبيكَyour father إِنَّindeed سَبيلَهhis path
وَاِسكُك سَبيلَ أَبيكَ إِنَّ سَبيلَه
لَقَمٌa clear highway يُجيزُleads across إِلىto المَناقِبِnoble deeds مَهيَعُbroad and open
لَقَمٌ يُجيزُ إِلى المَناقِبِ مَهيَعُ
And tread your father's path, for his path
Seek his days and gallant steeds
Is a broad, open highway leading to noble deeds.
With yearning that rebukes the critics
وَاِطلُبand seek عَلىbeyond أَيّامِهِhis days وَجِيادُهُwhile his steeds
وَاِطلُب عَلى أَيّامِهِ وَجِيادُهُ
حَسرىexhausted يَرِدنَcome عَلىto الطِعانِspear-fighting وَظُلَّعُand lame
حَسرى يَرِدنَ عَلى الطِعانِ وَظُلَّعُ
And strive to surpass his days, while his steeds,
Dust rises upon dust as if
Exhausted and lame, come to the spear-fight,
Swelling floodwaters stirred by a dreadful quake
تَدِقُhammer الغِوارَraids عَلىupon الغِوارِraids كَأَنَّهاas though they were
تَدِقُ الغِوارَ عَلى الغِوارِ كَأَنَّها
وَطغاءُa vast cloud تَحفِزُهاdrives it on بَليلٌa moist wind زَعزَعُblustering
وَطغاءُ تَحفِزُها بَليلٌ زَعزَعُ
Hammering raid upon raid, as though they were
While dawn tears off its shirt
A vast cloud driven by a moist, blustering wind.
As the first light dispels the darkest gloom
وَالصِبحُand dawn مُنقَدُّtorn open القَميصِthe shirt كَماas جَلاbared
وَالصِبحُ مُنقَدُّ القَميصِ كَما جَلا
عَنfrom حُرِّthe noble part of مَفرَقِهِhis crown البُجالُthe stately elder الأَنزَعُreceding-haired
عَن حُرِّ مَفرَقِهِ البُجالُ الأَنزَعُ
And dawn's shirt is torn open, as when
Face days without wild beasts
A stately, receding-haired elder bares his noble crown.
With reins yoked by you made obedient
وَاِستَقبِلِand greet الأَيامَthe days غَيرَnot جَوامِحٍrunning wild
وَاِستَقبِلِ الأَيامَ غَيرَ جَوامِحٍ
يَثنيturns إِلَيكَtoward you بِهاthem عِنانٌa rein طَيِّعُpliant
يَثني إِلَيكَ بِها عِنانٌ طَيِّعُ
And greet the days, not running wild,
Hardships surrender humbled at your feet
A pliant rein turning them toward you.
After struggle, with cheeks rubbled in the dust
تَعنولِأَخمَصِكَbow to the arch of your foot الخُطوبُcalamities ذَليلَةًmeekly
تَعنولِأَخمَصِكَ الخُطوبُ ذَليلَةً
بَعدَafter العِراكِthe struggle وَخَدُّهُنَّand their cheek الأَضرَعُmost humbled
بَعدَ العِراكِ وَخَدُّهُنَّ الأَضرَعُ
Calamities bow meekly to the arch of your foot
If your past brought joy, your day surpasses it
After the struggle, their cheek most abased.
Yet future days may bring less than expected
إِنif سَرَّdelighted أَمسُكyour yesterday كانَwas يَومُكَyour today فَوقَهabove it
إِن سَرَّ أَمسُك كانَ يَومُكَ فَوقَه
وَيَقِلُّand dwindles عِندَbeside غَدٍtomorrow لِماbecause of what يُتَوَقَّعُis expected
وَيَقِلُّ عِندَ غَدٍ لِما يُتَوَقَّعُ
If your yesterday pleased you, your today surpasses it,
And pales beside tomorrow, for what is expected.
Partial English translation: 102 of 104 Arabic lines translated.