قُل لِلمَعالي تُرَطِّبُ مَسمَعي طَرَبا

قُل لِلمَعالي تُرَطِّبُ مَسمَعي طَرَبا

بِذَكرِ مَن قَدَّرَهُ مَتنَ العُلا رَكبا

بِذَكرِ مَن قَدَّرَهُ مَتنَ العُلا رَكبا

Bid lofty honors refresh my hearing with delight,

Say to the eminent one who delights my hearing with joy

By naming him whose worth has mounted the back of glory.

By mentioning one whom the heights of glory made a mount to ride

وَاِسمَع مَناقِبَ ما كُنّا نُصَدِّقُها

وَاِسمَع مَناقِبَ ما كُنّا نُصَدِّقُها

لَو لَم تَكُن قَد أَتَتمَوثوقَةَ بِنَبا

لَو لَم تَكُن قَد أَتَتمَوثوقَةَ بِنَبا

And hear of virtues we would not have believed,

And hear the virtues we never would have believed

Had they not come confirmed by tidings.

Had they not come reliably confirmed as news

وَلا تَقُل أَينَ ذا أَو كَيفَ مَن عَجِبَ

وَلا تَقُل أَينَ ذا أَو كَيفَ مَن عَجِبَ

بَل قُل تَبارَكَ مَن أَعطى وَمَن وَهَبا

بَل قُل تَبارَكَ مَن أَعطى وَمَن وَهَبا

Do not ask in wonder, 'Where is this, or how?'

Do not say where or how or who is astonished

Rather say, 'Blessed is He who gave and bestowed.'

Rather say blessed is He who gave and bestowed

وَلِلزَمانِ عِناياتٌ وَإِن نُدِرَت

وَلِلزَمانِ عِناياتٌ وَإِن نُدِرَت

حَبلى اللَيالي بِها كَم أولِدَت عَجَبا

حَبلى اللَيالي بِها كَم أولِدَت عَجَبا

Time has its favors, though they are rare;

For time has its favors though they are rare

The nights are pregnant with them—how many wonders they have borne!

The nights are pregnant with them however much they give birth to wonders

وَفي السُوَيدا رِجالُ شَأنِهِم جَلَلِ

وَفي السُوَيدا رِجالُ شَأنِهِم جَلَلِ

ما شانُهُم زَلَلُ طَوعاً وَلا رَهبا

ما شانُهُم زَلَلُ طَوعاً وَلا رَهبا

In Suwayda are men whose standing is great,

Among the men of Suwayda are those of mighty stature

Whom no lapse has blemished, willingly or out of fear.

Whose stature is no mere fancy or awe

لَهُم مَكارِمُ كَم فاضَت مَناهِلُها

لَهُم مَكارِمُ كَم فاضَت مَناهِلُها

وَعادَ خَصباً بِها ما كانَ قَبلُ هَبا

وَعادَ خَصباً بِها ما كانَ قَبلُ هَبا

They possess noble virtues whose springs have so often overflowed,

They have generosities how many springs have overflowed from them

And through them what once was dust has become fertile.

And what before was desolate turned fertile through them

مِن نُخبَةِ العَصرِ قَد حازوا سَنا وَثَنا

مِن نُخبَةِ العَصرِ قَد حازوا سَنا وَثَنا

بِحُسنِ خُلقٍ وَعِزٌّ باذِخٌ وَإِبا

بِحُسنِ خُلقٍ وَعِزٌّ باذِخٌ وَإِبا

Among the age's elite, they have attained radiance and praise,

Of the elite of the age they have won praise and glory

Through fine character, towering honor, and proud dignity.

With excellent morals, resplendent honor, and seemliness

مِنهُم أَخَصَّ جَليلَ القَدرِ أَكمَلُهُ

مِنهُم أَخَصَّ جَليلَ القَدرِ أَكمَلُهُ

خُلاصَةَ الشَرقِ إِن فَضِلا وَإِن أَدَبا

خُلاصَةَ الشَرقِ إِن فَضِلا وَإِن أَدَبا

Among them I single out the exalted in worth, the most accomplished,

Among them most distinguished, of exalted worth, the most perfect

The quintessence of the East in excellence and refinement:

Quintessence of the East, whether in virtue or etiquette

الفارِسُ الشَهمُ قاصي الشَاوِ مَن سَبَقَت

الفارِسُ الشَهمُ قاصي الشَاوِ مَن سَبَقَت

جِيادُ آلائِهِ الأَجيادَ وَالنُجُبا

جِيادُ آلائِهِ الأَجيادَ وَالنُجُبا

The gallant knight, far-reaching in the race, whose

The valiant, magnanimous horseman of the furthest Syria

Steeds of beneficence have outstripped the steeds and noble mounts.

Whose steeds outstripped steeds, and the select

الفائِقُ البِرِّ لا مِنّا وَلا رَيَّةِ

الفائِقُ البِرِّ لا مِنّا وَلا رَيَّةِ

الصادِقِ البِرِّ فيما قالَ أَو كَتَبا

الصادِقِ البِرِّ فيما قالَ أَو كَتَبا

Unsurpassed in kindness, without reminders of favors or ostentation,

The surpassing in righteousness, no doubt or suspicion

Sincere in goodness in whatever he said or wrote:

The truthful in righteousness, whether he spoke or wrote

خَليل باشا الوَفي الخَيّاطِ مَن نَسَجَت

خَليل باشا الوَفي الخَيّاطِ مَن نَسَجَت

لَهُ المَعالي ثِياباً حاكَتِ الشُهُبا

لَهُ المَعالي ثِياباً حاكَتِ الشُهُبا

Khalil Pasha al-Khayyat, the faithful, for whom

Khalil Pasha al-Wafi the weaver, for whom eminence

Lofty honors wove robes resembling shooting stars.

Has woven garments, the venerable ones have spun

ذاكَ الأَميرُ الَّذي باهى الزَمانُ بِهِ

ذاكَ الأَميرُ الَّذي باهى الزَمانُ بِهِ

وَطالِعُ اليَمَنِ عَن يُمناهُ ما غَرَبا

وَطالِعُ اليَمَنِ عَن يُمناهُ ما غَرَبا

That prince in whom Time took pride,

That prince who time boasted of

At whose right hand the star of good fortune never set.

With auspicious stars unsetting in his sky

مَن أَخلَصَ السَعدُ إيفاءً بِخِدمَتِهِ

مَن أَخلَصَ السَعدُ إيفاءً بِخِدمَتِهِ

وَلَم يُفارِق لَهُ طولَ المَدى عَتبا

وَلَم يُفارِق لَهُ طولَ المَدى عَتبا

One whom good fortune faithfully served to the full,

One most loyal in his service

Never forsaking his threshold throughout the years.

Never leaving his side the length of ages

فَلَو تَمِسُّ أَجاجَ الضَنكِ أَنمُلَهُ

فَلَو تَمِسُّ أَجاجَ الضَنكِ أَنمُلَهُ

بِقُدرَةِ اللَهِ أَمسى مُلِحُّهُ ضَرَبا

بِقُدرَةِ اللَهِ أَمسى مُلِحُّهُ ضَرَبا

For if his fingertips touched the bitter brine of hardship,

So were the pangs of distress to prick his fingers

By God's power its salt would become white honey.

By God's decree its brine would turn to honey

أَو أَنَّ نَعلَيهِ إِطلالُ الضَنا وَطِئَت

أَو أَنَّ نَعلَيهِ إِطلالُ الضَنا وَطِئَت

لَخِلتُ في التُربِ تِبراً وَالحَصا ذَهَبا

لَخِلتُ في التُربِ تِبراً وَالحَصا ذَهَبا

Or if his sandals trod the ruins of affliction,

Or were the slippers of poverty and distress to tread him

I would deem the soil gold dust, and the pebbles gold.

I would find in the dust gold and the pebbles silver

إيهٍ أَخا الوُدِّ أَن تَطلُبَ لَهُ مَثَلا

إيهٍ أَخا الوُدِّ أَن تَطلُبَ لَهُ مَثَلا

فَاِذكُر وَفا النيلِ وَاِستَشهِد بِطيبِ رُبى

فَاِذكُر وَفا النيلِ وَاِستَشهِد بِطيبِ رُبى

Come, brother in affection, if you seek his equal,

Alas O brotherly love were you to seek a peer for him

Recall the Nile's fullness, and call the hills' fragrance to witness.

Remember the Nile’s loyalty, cite excellent fragrance

وَقُل لَهُ ما تَشا وَاِعدُد فَضائِلَهُ

وَقُل لَهُ ما تَشا وَاِعدُد فَضائِلَهُ

لا يَعرِفُ الفَضلَ إِلّا مَن إِلَيهِ صَبا

لا يَعرِفُ الفَضلَ إِلّا مَن إِلَيهِ صَبا

Tell him what you will, and number his virtues;

And say to him whatever you wish, enumerate his merits

None knows virtue but one who inclines toward it.

None knows merit save one whose nature tends toward it

وَاِشرَح وَفَصِّل لِما يُسديهِ مِن نِعَمِ

وَاِشرَح وَفَصِّل لِما يُسديهِ مِن نِعَمِ

وَما لَهُ مِن مَسامِعِ شُكرِها وَجَبا

وَما لَهُ مِن مَسامِعِ شُكرِها وَجَبا

Explain and detail the blessings he bestows,

Expound and detail the favors he bestows

And the gratitude for them that ought to reach his ears.

And the hearing that thanks are due them, a duty

فَيا لَها مِن فِعالٍ كُلُّها حُكمٌ

فَيا لَها مِن فِعالٍ كُلُّها حُكمٌ

وَيا لَهُم مِن حَكيمٍ في الثَنا رَغِبا

وَيا لَهُم مِن حَكيمٍ في الثَنا رَغِبا

What deeds these are, all filled with wisdom!

What excellent deeds, all wisdom

And what a sage they have, desirous of praise!

And what a wise one deserving praise

قَد زايَلَ الشامَ تَبكي بَعدَهُ أَسَفَا

قَد زايَلَ الشامَ تَبكي بَعدَهُ أَسَفَا

وَغَرَسَ خَيراتِهِ فيها اِزدَهى وَرَبا

وَغَرَسَ خَيراتِهِ فيها اِزدَهى وَرَبا

He departed al-Sham, leaving it weeping in sorrow,

He bid farewell to Damascus, which weeps for him in sorrow

While the good he planted there flourished and grew.

And planted its bounties; they grew more lush

وَحَلَّ مِصرَ فَحَلا ثَغرُها فَحلاً

وَحَلَّ مِصرَ فَحَلا ثَغرُها فَحلاً

بِما اِنتَقى مِن جَميلِ الصُنعِ وَاِنتَخَبا

بِما اِنتَقى مِن جَميلِ الصُنعِ وَاِنتَخَبا

He settled in Egypt, and its mouth grew sweet [ending unclear],

He settled in Egypt, and its splendor shone

Through the fine deeds he selected and chose.

With the excellent work and fine things he chose there

وَهَكَذا كُلُّ حَيٍّ رامَ يُسعِدُهُ

وَهَكَذا كُلُّ حَيٍّ رامَ يُسعِدُهُ

بِحَيث أَصبَحَ لِلحُسنى أَخاً وَأَبا

بِحَيث أَصبَحَ لِلحُسنى أَخاً وَأَبا

So too every living soul he sought to gladden,

And so wherever he headed he made prosperous

Until he became both brother and father to goodness.

So that goodness became his sister and father

أَما تَراهُ أَدامَ الَهُ طَلعَتُهُ

أَما تَراهُ أَدامَ الَهُ طَلعَتُهُ

وَمَدَّ في عُمرِهِ طولَ المَدى حِقَبا

وَمَدَّ في عُمرِهِ طولَ المَدى حِقَبا

Do you not see him—may God preserve his countenance,

Do you not see his fortune everlasting

And prolong his life through age upon age—

And the length of days extended in his life

بِأَكمَلِ العِزِّ مُذ وافى سَعادَتُهُ

بِأَكمَلِ العِزِّ مُذ وافى سَعادَتُهُ

دارُ السَعادَةِ يَبغي زَورَةً وَحَبا

دارُ السَعادَةِ يَبغي زَورَةً وَحَبا

In fullest honor, since His Excellency came

With most perfect glory since his prosperity called on him

To the Abode of Happiness, seeking a visit and gifts?

At the abode of joy he sought no increase or portion

أَجادَ صُنعاً بِما أَولاهُ مِ مِنَنٍ

أَجادَ صُنعاً بِما أَولاهُ مِ مِنَنٍ

بِها تَخَلَّدَ ذِكري جودَهُ عَقِبا

بِها تَخَلَّدَ ذِكري جودَهُ عَقِبا

He acted nobly in the favors he bestowed upon him,

He was excellent in his work with the gifts he was granted

Through which the memory of his generosity endures among posterity.

By which the memory of his munificence lived on in posterity

وَكانَ ما كانَ مِن حَمدٍ وَحُسنِ رِضا

وَكانَ ما كانَ مِن حَمدٍ وَحُسنِ رِضا

مِنَ المَليكِ وَإِقبالٌ بِهِ اِقتَرَبا

مِنَ المَليكِ وَإِقبالٌ بِهِ اِقتَرَبا

And there was such praise and gracious approval

What occurred of praise and pleasure

From the sovereign, and favor that brought him near.

From the King, and royal favor drawing near

فَزيدَ مَجداً عَلى مَجدٍ وَتَمَّ لَهُ

فَزيدَ مَجداً عَلى مَجدٍ وَتَمَّ لَهُ

مِن وافِرِ الحَظِّ ما لَم يَأتِهِ طَلَبا

مِن وافِرِ الحَظِّ ما لَم يَأتِهِ طَلَبا

So glory was added to his glory, and he received

So his glory increased upon glory, and the amplest fortune was completed for him

Abundant good fortune that came to him unsought.

That no effort came to

وَحازَ فَخراً عَلى مَجدٍ وَتَمَّ لَهُ

وَحازَ فَخراً عَلى مَجدٍ وَتَمَّ لَهُ

مِن أَوفَرِ الحَظِّ ما لَم يَأتِهِ طَلَبا

مِن أَوفَرِ الحَظِّ ما لَم يَأتِهِ طَلَبا

He gained distinction upon glory, and he received

He won superiority with it, his brilliance doubled

The fullest good fortune that came to him unsought.

So it was light upon light, radiance and captivation

وَحازَ فَخراً بِهِ أَنوارُهُ اِزدَوَجَت

وَحازَ فَخراً بِهِ أَنوارُهُ اِزدَوَجَت

فَكانَ نوراً عَلى نورٍ زَها وَسَبى

فَكانَ نوراً عَلى نورٍ زَها وَسَبى

And he gained an honor that doubled his radiance,

With a rank, its limit the highest inflated

Making him light upon light, splendid and captivating,

Its banner in the lofty heights erected

بِرُتبَةٍ قَدرُها عالٍ مُفَخَّمَةٍ

بِرُتبَةٍ قَدرُها عالٍ مُفَخَّمَةٍ

لِواؤُها في ذُرى العَلياءِ قَد نَصَبا

لِواؤُها في ذُرى العَلياءِ قَد نَصَبا

Through a magnificent rank of lofty worth,

Field Marshall, though it outstrips this nobility in merit

Whose banner was raised on the summits of exaltation:

And though its esteem surpasses in worth

رَومَلي بيلَر ناهيكُم بِها شِرَفا

رَومَلي بيلَر ناهيكُم بِها شِرَفا

وَإِن يَكُن قَدرُهُ قَد فاقَها حَسَبا

وَإِن يَكُن قَدرُهُ قَد فاقَها حَسَبا

Rumeli Beyler—sufficient honor indeed!

And as for our mother, we thank her, her care for him unceasing

Though his worth had already surpassed it in nobility.

Heaven and stars at her service and sway

وَأُمَّنا بَعدَ مَشكوراً وَما بَرَحَت

وَأُمَّنا بَعدَ مَشكوراً وَما بَرَحَت

لَهُ العِنايَةُ فَلَكا وَالسَهيُ طَنَبا

لَهُ العِنايَةُ فَلَكا وَالسَهيُ طَنَبا

Then he came to us, acclaimed, and never ceased

So ask not the reason for sadness that has afflicted a heart distraught with grief

Providential care to be his firmament, and al-Suha his tent-rope.

For he who intends must pursue the means

فَلا تَسَل ما اِعتَرى أَسَلاً مَبولَ مِن أَسَفِ

فَلا تَسَل ما اِعتَرى أَسَلاً مَبولَ مِن أَسَفِ

إِذ لِلنَوى قَد نَوى مُستَتَبِعُ السَبَبا

إِذ لِلنَوى قَد نَوى مُستَتَبِعُ السَبَبا

Do not ask what sorrow overtook Islambol,

Nor ask us, as news has arrived

When he resolved upon departure, pursuing its cause.

Of his fine return, which delights the soul

وَلا تَسَلنا إِذِ الأَنباءِ قَد وَرَدَت

وَلا تَسَلنا إِذِ الأَنباءِ قَد وَرَدَت

بِحُسنِ عودٍ لَهُ شَوقاً لِلقا طَرَبا

بِحُسنِ عودٍ لَهُ شَوقاً لِلقا طَرَبا

Nor ask us, when the news arrived

We all said, congratulations!

Of his happy return, about our longing to meet him and our delight.

You date it, with fortune, in the heights of ranks

وَكُلُّنا قالَ تَبريكاً

وَكُلُّنا قالَ تَبريكاً

يُؤَرِّخُهُ عُدتُم بِيُمنٍ في العُلا رُتَبا

يُؤَرِّخُهُ عُدتُم بِيُمنٍ في العُلا رُتَبا

And all of us offered congratulations,

Rejoicing we reciprocate the good tidings

Dating them thus: 'You returned with good fortune, exalted in rank.'

And drink deep of wishes in his company

وَالعودُ أَحمَدٌ بِالبُشرى نُقابِلُهُ

وَالعودُ أَحمَدٌ بِالبُشرى نُقابِلُهُ

وَنَشرَبَنَّ المُنى في أُنسِهِ نُخبا

وَنَشرَبَنَّ المُنى في أُنسِهِ نُخبا

His return is all the more welcome; we greet him with glad tidings,

O ultimate aim in truth, and attainment in truth

And in his company we shall drink our wishes as toasts.

Cream of glory, truly, and pride of fathers

يا غايَةَ القَصدِ جَدا وَالنَوالُ جَدا

يا غايَةَ القَصدِ جَدا وَالنَوالُ جَدا

وَصَفوةُ المَجدِ جِدّاً وَالفِخارَ أَبا

وَصَفوةُ المَجدِ جِدّاً وَالفِخارَ أَبا

O ultimate goal of seeking, generous in gift and bounty,

There my congratulations I present

Truly the essence of glory, and a father to noble pride,

Hoping by them a share of your affection

هاتيكَ تَهنِئةً مِنّي أَقدَمَها

هاتيكَ تَهنِئةً مِنّي أَقدَمَها

أَرجو بِها مِن حَظايا وُدِّكُم نَسَبا

أَرجو بِها مِن حَظايا وُدِّكُم نَسَبا

Here is a congratulation I offer you,

Before it was a promotion, granted by the Caliph

Hoping through it for kinship among those favored by your affection.

God preserve him, a gift of His love

وَقَبلَها كانَ ما أَومى لِتَرقِيَةٍ

وَقَبلَها كانَ ما أَومى لِتَرقِيَةٍ

بِها الخَليفَةُ حَيّاهُ الإِلهُ حَبا

بِها الخَليفَةُ حَيّاهُ الإِلهُ حَبا

Before it came the sign of a promotion

Thank your God, make use of His gifts

With which the Caliph—may God preserve him—honored him.

Keep to goodness, never lacking its saplings

فَاِشكُر إِلَهَكَ تَستَغنِم مَواهِبَهُ

فَاِشكُر إِلَهَكَ تَستَغنِم مَواهِبَهُ

وَلا زِمِ الخَيرَ لا تَعدِم بِهِ نَشَبا

وَلا زِمِ الخَيرَ لا تَعدِم بِهِ نَشَبا

So thank your God, and you will gain His gifts;

And look with the eye of acceptance on a poem I composed

And cleave to goodness: through it you will not lack wealth.

My love for you was the reason for it

وَاِنظُر بِعَينِ الرِضا شِعراً أَتَيتَ بِهِ

وَاِنظُر بِعَينِ الرِضا شِعراً أَتَيتَ بِهِ

مُحبَتى فيكَ قَد كانَت لَهُ السَبَبا

مُحبَتى فيكَ قَد كانَت لَهُ السَبَبا

Look with approval on the verse I have brought,

And defend me from those who fault it

For my affection for you was its cause.

I am no poet, but love for you prevailed

وَرَدَّ عَنّي دِفاعاً مَن يَعيبُ لَهُ

وَرَدَّ عَنّي دِفاعاً مَن يَعيبُ لَهُ

فَلَستُ شاعِرٌ لَكِن حُبَّكُم غَلَبا

فَلَستُ شاعِرٌ لَكِن حُبَّكُم غَلَبا

And ward off, in my defense, anyone who finds fault with it;

And to my love hold fast if you wish

For I am no poet, but love for you prevailed.

For love in me is sweeter than sap

وَكُن لِوُدّي إِذا ما شِئتَ مُحتَفِظاً

وَكُن لِوُدّي إِذا ما شِئتَ مُحتَفِظاً

فَعِندي الوُدُّ أَحلا مِن نَوى وَصَبا

فَعِندي الوُدُّ أَحلا مِن نَوى وَصَبا

Preserve my affection, if you will,

Forever, whatever your state, and in future

For to me affection is sweeter than separation and yearning.

Fortune guarantees, and favor is your due

وَدُم وَرُم ما تَشا حالاً وَمُقتَبِلاً

وَدُم وَرُم ما تَشا حالاً وَمُقتَبِلاً

فَاليُمنُ يَضمَنُ وَالحُسنى لَكَ الأَدَبا

فَاليُمنُ يَضمَنُ وَالحُسنى لَكَ الأَدَبا

Live on, and seek whatever you wish, now and in the future,

For good fortune and goodness guarantee you refinement.