خيرُthe best المَواطِنِdwelling places حَيثُwhere هَذاthis الأَروَعُawe-inspiring man
خيرُ المَواطِنِ حَيثُ هَذا الأَروَعُ
وَأَجَلُّand the noblest قَولٍspeech ماwhat أَقولُI say وَيَسمَعُand he hears
وَأَجَلُّ قَولٍ ما أَقولُ وَيَسمَعُ
The best dwelling places are where this awe-inspiring man is.
The best of citizens where this most wondrous one abides,
And the noblest speech is what I say and he hears.
And the highest speech is what I say as he hears.
أَجهَدتُI strained نَفسيmyself فيin المَديحِpraise فَلَمyet did not أَجِدfind
أَجهَدتُ نَفسي في المَديحِ فَلَم أَجِد
ماwhat قَدalready صَنَعتُI composed مُجازِياًmatching in recompense ماwhat يَصنَعُhe does
ما قَد صَنَعتُ مُجازِياً ما يَصنَعُ
I strained myself in praise, yet did not find
I strove in praise but found naught I did
What I composed a fitting recompense for what he does.
Could repay what he does, though I tried every approach.
وَأَضَعتُand I wasted مَدحيmy praise قَبلَهُbefore him فيon غَيرِهِsomeone other than him
وَأَضَعتُ مَدحي قَبلَهُ في غَيرِهِ
إِنَّindeed المَدائحَpraises فيon سِواهُanyone besides him تُضيَّعُare wasted
إِنَّ المَدائحَ في سِواهُ تُضيَّعُ
And before him I wasted my praise on others;
I put my praises before him aside for others -
Praise bestowed on anyone else is wasted.
For praises elsewhere are but wasted.
يُثنىhe is praised عَلَيهِabout him بِدونِwith less than ماwhat فيis in طَبعِهِhis nature
يُثنى عَلَيهِ بِدونِ ما في طَبعِهِ
كَالمِسكِlike musk أَسيرُهُits imprisoned portion الَّذيwhich يَتَضَوَّعُdiffuses fragrance
كَالمِسكِ أَسيرُهُ الَّذي يَتَضَوَّعُ
He is praised with less than his nature deserves,
He's praised sans what's in his nature
Like musk, whose imprisoned portion still diffuses fragrance.
Like musk made captive by what makes it exude.
وَيُزارُand he is visited بِالمَدحِwith praise السَنِيِّthe lofty وَقَدرُهُyet his worth
وَيُزارُ بِالمَدحِ السَنِيِّ وَقَدرُهُ
أَعلاhigher مِنَthan المَدحِpraise السَنِيِّthe lofty وَأَرفَعُand more exalted
أَعلا مِنَ المَدحِ السَنِيِّ وَأَرفَعُ
He is approached with lofty praise, yet his worth
He's visited with praise that is outstripped
Is higher than lofty praise, and more exalted.
By his worth; he's higher than such praise, loftier.
خِدَعٌdevices جَعَلناهاwe made them إَلَيكَto you وَسائِلاًmeans of approach
خِدَعٌ جَعَلناها إَلَيكَ وَسائِلاً
إِنَّindeed الكَريمَthe generous man بِكُلِّby every شَيءٍthing يُخدَعُcan be beguiled
إِنَّ الكَريمَ بِكُلِّ شَيءٍ يُخدَعُ
These are devices we have made our means of reaching you;
Ruses we made to reach you - for the noble
The generous man can be beguiled by anything.
Can by all things be tricked to draw near.
شَفِعَتinterceded إِلَيكَwith you نَفاسَةٌnobility مِنfrom نَفسِهِhis own soul
شَفِعَت إِلَيكَ نَفاسَةٌ مِن نَفسِهِ
أَغنَتspared ذَويthose with الحاجاتِneeds عَمَّنanyone who يَشفَعُintercedes
أَغنَت ذَوي الحاجاتِ عَمَّن يَشفَعُ
A nobility from his own soul interceded with you,
Something of his soul interceded for us,
Sparing those in need any other intercessor.
Enriching the needy beyond any intercessors.
سَهلٌgentle وَفيهِyet in him عَلىtoward العَدوِّthe enemy شَراسَةٌfierceness
سَهلٌ وَفيهِ عَلى العَدوِّ شَراسَةٌ
كَالسَيفِlike a sword مَلمَسُهُits touch يَلينُis smooth وَيَقطَعُyet it cuts
كَالسَيفِ مَلمَسُهُ يَلينُ وَيَقطَعُ
He is gentle, yet fierce toward the enemy,
Gentle, yet harshly vigorous against the foe
Like a sword, smooth to the touch, yet cutting.
Like a sword, soft to the touch yet cutting swift.
إِنif سَرَّhe delights ضَرَّhe harms وَتِلكَand that شَيمَةُthe character of مِثلِهِhis like
إِن سَرَّ ضَرَّ وَتِلكَ شَيمَةُ مِثلِهِ
وَابنُand the son of الكَريمَةِthe noble woman مَنone who يَضُرُّharms وَيَنفَعُand benefits
وَابنُ الكَريمَةِ مَن يَضُرُّ وَيَنفَعُ
If he delights, he also harms: such is the character of his like;
If he approves he harms, and such is his ilk,
A noble woman's son is one who harms and benefits.
A noble's son harming or benefiting as he desires.
مِثلُlike الغَمامِthe raincloud المُستَغاثِsought for relief بِدَرِّهِthrough its abundant rain
مِثلُ الغَمامِ المُستَغاثِ بِدَرِّهِ
فِيهِin it الصَواعِقُthunderbolts وَالغُيوثُand rains الهُمَّعُthe pouring
فِيهِ الصَواعِقُ وَالغُيوثُ الهُمَّعُ
Like a cloud whose abundant rain is sought for relief,
Like a cloud laden with its scattering lightning,
He holds both thunderbolts and pouring rains.
Its thunderbolts and pouring rain contained within.
لَوif أَنَّهُhe بارىraced الرِياحَthe winds لَقَصَّرتthey would fall short
لَو أَنَّهُ بارى الرِياحَ لَقَصَّرت
عَنof بُعدِthe distance of غايَتِهِhis goal الرِياحُthe winds الأَربَعُthe four
عَن بُعدِ غايَتِهِ الرِياحُ الأَربَعُ
Were he to race the winds, they would fall short
If he let forth the winds they would grow short
Of his distant goal—all four winds.
Of reaching his limit though they're four.
وَلَرَدَّهاand he would send them back حَسرىexhausted in الهُبوبِblowing كَليلَةًweary
وَلَرَدَّها حَسرى الهُبوبِ كَليلَةً
حَتّىuntil تَرىyou see أَنَّthat البَطيئَthe slow one الأَسرَعُthe fastest
حَتّى تَرى أَنَّ البَطيئَ الأَسرَعُ
And he would send them back, spent in their blowing and weary,
And he would drive them back, chagrined, at night
Until you thought the slow one was the fastest.
Till the slowest seemed the swiftest steed.
يَتَقَلَّدُhe girds on العَضبَthe sharp blade الحُسامَthe cutting sword وَتَحتَهُand beneath it
يَتَقَلَّدُ العَضبَ الحُسامَ وَتَحتَهُ
قَلبٌa heart أَحَدُّsharper مِنَthan الحُسامِthe sword وَأَقطَعُand more cutting
قَلبٌ أَحَدُّ مِنَ الحُسامِ وَأَقطَعُ
He girds on the sharp, cutting sword, and beneath it
He girds on his blade and under it a heart
Is a heart sharper than the sword and more cutting.
Sharper than the blade and more trenchant.
وَيَرىand he considers التَوَقّيprotection بِالسَنَوَرِwith armor ذِلَّةًhumiliation
وَيَرى التَوَقّي بِالسَنَوَرِ ذِلَّةً
وَالدِرعُand armor يَكرَهُهُhe scorns it الهِزَبرُthe lion الأَروَعُthe awe-inspiring
وَالدِرعُ يَكرَهُهُ الهِزَبرُ الأَروَعُ
He considers protection with armor a humiliation;
He sees caution with armor as baseness
The awe-inspiring lion scorns a coat of mail.
While the coat of mail seems to him the brighter war gear.
جَنبَbeside الجِيادَthe noble steeds كَأَنَّas though أَنصافَthe halves of القَناthe lances
جَنبَ الجِيادَ كَأَنَّ أَنصافَ القَنا
ماwhat is بَينَbetween أَذرُعِهاtheir forelegs الخَضيبَةِthe blood-dyed أَذرُعُforelegs
ما بَينَ أَذرُعِها الخَضيبَةِ أَذرُعُ
Alongside the steeds, the halves of the lances seem
He reined in the steeds as if loins of lances
Like forelegs among their blood-dyed forelegs.
Were between their bloodied withers.
وَالبيضُand bright blades تَنثرُscatter لَحمَthe flesh of كُلِّevery مُدَرَّعٍarmored man
وَالبيضُ تَنثرُ لَحمَ كُلِّ مُدَرَّعٍ
فَتَعودُthen again تَنظِمُهُstring it together الرِماحُthe lances الشُرَّعُthe leveled
فَتَعودُ تَنظِمُهُ الرِماحُ الشُرَّعُ
Bright blades scatter the flesh of every armored man;
The whites scatter the flesh of every armored one
Then the leveled lances string it together again.
Till the spears reassemble what they rend apart.
فيon كُلِّevery مُنبَسِطِbroad stretch of الفِجاجِthe passes كَأَنَّهُas though it
في كُلِّ مُنبَسِطِ الفِجاجِ كَأَنَّهُ
قَزَعٌscattered clouds بِوارِقُهُwhose lightning flashes السُيوفُthe swords اللُمَّعُthe gleaming
قَزَعٌ بِوارِقُهُ السُيوفُ اللُمَّعُ
On every broad stretch of the passes, it seems
On each outspread expanse of desolation
Like scattered clouds whose lightning flashes are gleaming swords.
He's like a torrent with its flashing swords.
أَبدىbared نَواجِذَهُhis molars الكَمِيُّthe armored warrior مُكَلّحاًgrimacing
أَبدى نَواجِذَهُ الكَمِيُّ مُكَلّحاً
فيهِin it كَماas كَلَحَgrimaced الأَزَلُّthe lean-haunched one الأَجلَعَthe bare-fanged one
فيهِ كَما كَلَحَ الأَزَلُّ الأَجلَعَ
The armored warrior bared his molars, grimacing
The tribesman showed his prowess clad in full mail
There, like the lean-haunched, bare-fanged wolf.
As primal time showed its Treasures long buried.
وَتَناثَرَتand were scattered فيهِin it الجَماجِمُskulls وَالطُلىand necks
وَتَناثَرَت فيهِ الجَماجِمُ وَالطُلى
حَتّىuntil تَعاثَرَتِstumbled المَذاكيthe full-grown steeds المُزَّعُthe swift
حَتّى تَعاثَرَتِ المَذاكي المُزَّعُ
Skulls and necks were scattered there,
The skulls and missiles all flew around him
Until the swift, full-grown steeds stumbled over them.
Till the battle sites were strewn with scattered debris.
مَنwho مُبلِغُwill tell الأَتراكِthe Turks أَنَّthat أَمامَهُمbefore them
مَن مُبلِغُ الأَتراكِ أَنَّ أَمامَهُم
بَحراًa sea يُغَرِّقُdrowns مَوجُهُits waves مَنwhoever يَشرَعُenters the water
بَحراً يُغَرِّقُ مَوجُهُ مَن يَشرَعُ
Who will tell the Turks that before them
"Who will tell the Turks before them lies
Lies a sea whose waves drown whoever enters?
A sea whose waves will drown any who dare cross?"
أَمُّواthey headed toward it وَهَمّواand intended بِالوُرودِto reach the water فَراعَهُمbut terrified them
أَمُّوا وَهَمّوا بِالوُرودِ فَراعَهُم
مِنbefore دونِهِreaching it هَذاthis الهُمامُvaliant man الأَروَعُthe awe-inspiring
مِن دونِهِ هَذا الهُمامُ الأَروَعُ
They headed toward it and meant to reach its waters, but were terrified
They then feared and fancied entering - this valiant hero
Before reaching it, by this valiant, awe-inspiring man.
Beyond them made them realize the Syria and its people
وَتَيَقَّنواand they knew certainly أَنthat الشآمَSyria وَأَهلَهُand its people
وَتَيَقَّنوا أَن الشآمَ وَأَهلَهُ
أَحمىbest defended بِلادِlands of الخافِقينِthe two horizons وَأَمنَعُand most impregnable
أَحمى بِلادِ الخافِقينِ وَأَمنَعُ
And they knew for certain that Syria and its people
Are the hottest core of those who draw the sword, invincible.
Were the best defended and most impregnable across both horizons,
One whose cloak bears no disdain, as if within its folds
بِمُوَقَّرٍthrough a dignified man لاnot يُستَخَفُّto be shaken كَأَنَّماas though
بِمُوَقَّرٍ لا يُستَخَفُّ كَأَنَّما
فيwithin بُردَتَيهِhis two cloaks مُتالِعٌMutaliʿ أَوor صَلفَعُSalfaʿ
في بُردَتَيهِ مُتالِعٌ أَو صَلفَعُ
Through a dignified, unshakable man, as though
Lurked a lion or towering camel.
Within his two cloaks stood Mutaliʿ or Salfaʿ.
If he weighed his greatness against his forbearance
لَوif وازنَhe weighed against الطَودَthe mountain الأَشَمَّthe towering بِحِلمِهِhis forbearance
لَو وازنَ الطَودَ الأَشَمَّ بِحِلمِهِ
لانحَطَّit would sink وَاِرتَفَعَand rose الأَشَمُّthe towering one الأَرفَعُthe loftier one
لانحَطَّ وَاِرتَفَعَ الأَشَمُّ الأَرفَعُ
Were he to weigh the towering mountain against his forbearance,
The forbearing would sink and the greatest ascend.
The mountain would sink, while he, the loftier summit, rose.
The path to munificence was difficult while his
ضاقَnarrowed الطَريقُthe road إِلىto النَدىbounty وَطَريقُهُyet his road
ضاقَ الطَريقُ إِلى النَدى وَطَريقُهُ
سَهلٌeasy إِلىto ابنِthe son of أَبيAbu عَليٍّAli مَبيَعُsold; unclear here
سَهلٌ إِلى ابنِ أَبي عَليٍّ مَبيَعُ
The road to bounty has narrowed, yet his road
Was easy to the son of Abu 'Ali Mabaya.
Is easy to Ibn Abi Ali [last word unclear].
A king - we've heard of kings and their deeds,
مَلِكٌa king الطَريقُthe road إِلىto النَدىbounty وَطَريقُهُand his road
مَلِكٌ الطَريقُ إِلى النَدى وَطَريقُهُ
سَهلٌeasy إِلىto ابنِthe son of أَبيAbu أَبيAbu عَليٍّAli مَبيَعُsold; unclear here
سَهلٌ إِلى ابنِ أَبي أَبي عَليٍّ مَبيَعُ
A king—the road to bounty, and his road
Yet his actions belittle what we have heard.
Is easy to Ibn Abi Abi Ali [last word unclear].
I created new expressions on seeing him
مَلِكٌa king سَمِعناwe heard بِالمُلوكِof kings وَفِعلِهِمand their deeds
مَلِكٌ سَمِعنا بِالمُلوكِ وَفِعلِهِم
وَأَتىand he appeared فَصَغَّرَthen diminished فِعلُهُhis deeds ماwhat تَسمَعُyou hear
وَأَتى فَصَغَّرَ فِعلُهُ ما تَسمَعُ
A king: we have heard of kings and their deeds,
Give generously, excelling whomsoever gives excellently.
Yet he appeared, and his deeds diminished all you hear.
And I complained of being unable, so he briskly
أَبدَعتُI fashioned marvels فيهِabout him القَولَthe verse حينَwhen رَأَيتُهُI saw him
أَبدَعتُ فيهِ القَولَ حينَ رَأَيتُهُ
يُعطيhe gives فَيُبدِعُand works wonders فيin غِنىthe wealth of مَنwhoever يُبدِعُworks wonders
يُعطي فَيُبدِعُ في غِنى مَن يُبدِعُ
I fashioned wondrous verse about him when I saw him
Made me draw near when his noble self embraced me.
Giving, and working wonders in enriching those who work wonders.
To the point I prefer what he granted me
وَشَكَوتُand I complained of إِمحاليmy barrenness فَأَمرَعَthen became lush جانِبيmy surroundings
وَشَكَوتُ إِمحالي فَأَمرَعَ جانِبي
مُذsince ضَمَّنيembraced me هَذاthis الجَنابُprecinct المُمرِعُthe fruitful
مُذ ضَمَّني هَذا الجَنابُ المُمرِعُ
I complained of my barrenness, and my surroundings grew lush
To the robe of honor he bestowed on me.
Since this fruitful precinct embraced me.
O son of kings, none can keep you
حَتّىuntil لَقَدindeed أَفضَلتُI had a surplus مِمّاof what نالَنيreached me
حَتّى لَقَد أَفضَلتُ مِمّا نالَني
مِنfrom فَضلِهِhis bounty مِمّاfrom what يَخلَعhe bestows as robes
مِن فَضلِهِ مِمّا يَخلَع
Until I even had a surplus of what reached me
From the game though kings vie and are kept at bay.
From his bounty, from the robes he bestows.
Your hands, in what they attained, found a place
يابنَO son of المُلوكِthe kings الصِيدِthe proud-necked غَيرَnot مُدافَعٍdriven back
يابنَ المُلوكِ الصِيدِ غَيرَ مُدافَعٍ
عَمّاfrom what يُحاوِلُهُthey seek it المُلوكُthe kings فَيُدفَعُbut are repulsed
عَمّا يُحاوِلُهُ المُلوكُ فَيُدفَعُ
O son of proud kings, never driven back
Wherein the stars before you have no place.
From what kings seek, only to be repulsed.
A nobility the steps of Caesar fall short of,
نالَتattained يَداكَyour two hands بِماthrough what أَنالَتthey bestowed مَوضِعاًa station
نالَت يَداكَ بِما أَنالَت مَوضِعاً
ماno لِلكَواكِبِfor the stars فيهِin it عِندَكَbeside you مَوضِعُplace
ما لِلكَواكِبِ فيهِ عِندَكَ مَوضِعُ
Through what they bestowed, your hands attained a station
A munificence those in your wake strive to follow.
Where, beside you, even the stars have no place:
You graced us with the joyous feast - we only
شَرَفاًan honor تُقَصِّرُfalls short عَنهُof it خُطوَةُthe stride of قَيصَرٍCaesar
شَرَفاً تُقَصِّرُ عَنهُ خُطوَةُ قَيصَرٍ
وَنَدىًand a bounty تَتَبَّعَfollowed فيهِin it إَثرَكَyour footsteps تُبَّعُTubbaʿ
وَنَدىً تَتَبَّعَ فيهِ إَثرَكَ تُبَّعُ
An honor beyond the reach of Caesar's stride,
Delight in your beautiful face, nothing else.
And a bounty in which Tubbaʿ followed your footsteps.
A headland left devoid of dwellers -
هُنيتَmay you be felicitated بِالعيدِon the feast السَعيدِthe happy فَإِنَّناfor we
هُنيتَ بِالعيدِ السَعيدِ فَإِنَّنا
بِجِمالِin the beauty of وَجهِكَyour face لاnot بِهِin it نَتَمَتَّعُwe delight
بِجِمالِ وَجهِكَ لا بِهِ نَتَمَتَّعُ
May you enjoy the happy feast, for we
For us passions surged in knowing it was his.
Delight in the beauty of your face, not in it.
My heart guaranteed affection for it and its people -
رَبعٌa dwelling خَلاwas emptied بِالغَورِin al-Ghawr مِنof سُكانِهِits inhabitants
رَبعٌ خَلا بِالغَورِ مِن سُكانِهِ
هاجَتwere stirred لَناwithin us الحُرُقاتُburning griefs مِنfrom عِرفانِهِrecognizing it
هاجَت لَنا الحُرُقاتُ مِن عِرفانِهِ
A dwelling in al-Ghawr lies empty of its inhabitants;
So for it and them the guarantee was fulfilled.
Recognizing it stirred burning grief within us.
We mixed potions with it - its zephyr then blew,
ضَمِنَpledged الجَوىheartache قَلبيmy heart لَهُto it وَلِأَهلِهِand to its people
ضَمِنَ الجَوى قَلبي لَهُ وَلِأَهلِهِ
فَوَفىand fulfilled لَهُto it وَلِأَهلِهِand to its people بِضَمانِهِits pledge
فَوَفى لَهُ وَلِأَهلِهِ بِضَمانِهِ
My heart pledged heartache to it and its people,
Reminding me of its meadows and bait.
And fulfilled its pledge to it and its people.
I feared the caravan's blame had I not
عُجناwe turned aside الطَيَّthe journey بِهِat it وَهَبَّand blew نَسيمُهُits breeze
عُجنا الطَيَّ بِهِ وَهَبَّ نَسيمُهُ
فَذَكرتُthen I recalled رَيّاهُits fragrance بِرَيّاthrough the fragrance of بانِهِits ben trees
فَذَكرتُ رَيّاهُ بِرَيّا بانِهِ
We turned our journey aside there, and its breeze blew;
Curbed my tears from flooding forth.
Then I recalled its fragrance through the scent of its ben trees.
A headland whose forenoons lacked a settled person,
وَخَشيتُand I feared لَومَthe reproach of الرَكبِthe caravan لَولاhad it not been that أَنَّنيI
وَخَشيتُ لَومَ الرَكبِ لَولا أَنَّني
نَهنَهتُI restrained غَربَthe surge of الدَمعِtears عَنfrom سَيَلانِهِtheir flowing
نَهنَهتُ غَربَ الدَمعِ عَن سَيَلانِهِ
I would have feared the caravan's reproach, had I not
Their riders leaning away from its sand dunes.
Restrained the surge of tears from flowing.
They sleep in the shade of the shrubs, does in a herd,
رَبعٌa dwelling خَلَتwere emptied عَرَصاتُهُits courtyards مِنof نُهَّدٍfull-bosomed women
رَبعٌ خَلَت عَرَصاتُهُ مِن نُهَّدٍ
رَجَحَتoutweighed رَوادِفُهُنَّtheir rounded hips عَنbeyond كُثبانِهِits dunes
رَجَحَت رَوادِفُهُنَّ عَن كُثبانِهِ
A dwelling whose courtyards are empty of full-bosomed women,
You'd think they fell from its boughs as they lean.
Whose rounded hips outweighed its dunes.
Around it the oryx of Wishaah turned,
يَرقُدنَthey sleep فيin ظِلِّthe shade of الأَراكِthe arak trees قَوائِلاًtaking noon naps
يَرقُدنَ في ظِلِّ الأَراكِ قَوائِلاً
فَتَخالُهُنَّand you imagine them سَقَطنَto have fallen مِنfrom أَغصانِهِits branches
فَتَخالُهُنَّ سَقَطنَ مِن أَغصانِهِ
They slept at noon beneath the arak trees,
From its lower to upper hills wandering every direction.
And you would imagine they had fallen from their branches.
Gazelles of men fled it, instead it was thronged
مِنof كُلِّevery جائِلَةِhaving a loose الوِشاحِsash تَدَيَّرَتmade her home
مِن كُلِّ جائِلَةِ الوِشاحِ تَدَيَّرَت
مِنfrom غَورِهِits Ghawr الأَدنىthe nearer إِلىto جَولانِهِits Jawlan
مِن غَورِهِ الأَدنى إِلى جَولانِهِ
Every loose-sashed woman who made her dwelling
With wild beasts, gazelles of its glens.
From its nearer Ghawr to its Jawlan.
They ask after the lover's state - ask not of him
غِزلانُgazelles إِنسhuman بِنّthey departed عَنهُfrom it وَعُوِّضَتand were given in exchange
غِزلانُ إِنس بِنّ عَنهُ وَعُوِّضَت
عَرَصاتُهُits courtyards بِالوَحشِwith wild beasts مِنغِزلانِهِin place of its gazelles
عَرَصاتُهُ بِالوَحشِ مِنغِزلانِهِ
Human gazelles departed from it, and in exchange
Or his condition; do not ask.
Its courtyards received wild gazelles in place of their own.
Passion overflowed the stream beds - openly it declared for you,
يَسألنَthey ask عَنabout شَأنِthe condition of المُحِبِّthe lover عَلىdespite النَوىseparation
يَسألنَ عَن شَأنِ المُحِبِّ عَلى النَوى
لاdo not تَسأَلواask عَنهُabout him وَلاnor عَنabout شانِهِhis condition
لا تَسأَلوا عَنهُ وَلا عَن شانِهِ
They ask about the lover's condition despite separation;
So the distance made it declare all the more intensely.
Do not ask about him or his condition.
It hid its love in patience until it could find
شَطَّgrew distant المَزارُthe place of visitation أَعلَنَhe disclosed فيin هَواكَlove for you بِسِرِّهِhis secret openly
شَطَّ المَزارُ أَعلَنَ في هَواكَ بِسِرِّهِ
فَالبينُfor separation أَحوَجَهُmade him need إِلىto إِعلانِهِreveal it
فَالبينُ أَحوَجَهُ إِلى إِعلانِهِ
The place of visitation grew distant; he disclosed his secret love for you,
No more patience or composure to conceal it.
For separation forced him to reveal it.
You claimed I forgot my pledges - blame no person
كَتَمَconcealed الهَوىlove صَبراًpatiently إِلىuntil أَنthat لَمnot يَجِدhe found
كَتَمَ الهَوى صَبراً إِلى أَن لَم يَجِد
صَبراًpatience وَلاnor جَلَداًendurance عَلىfor كِتمانِهِconcealing it
صَبراً وَلا جَلَداً عَلى كِتمانِهِ
He patiently concealed his love until he found
For what he forgets, no blame on him for his lapses.
Neither patience nor endurance for concealing it.
The Iraqi lightning flashed - it stirred in me for you
وَزَعَمتُمُand you claimed أَنّيthat I نَسيتُforgot عُهودَكُمyour pledges
وَزَعَمتُمُ أَنّي نَسيتُ عُهودَكُم
لاno لَومَblame لِلإِنسانِfor a person فيin نِسيانِهِhis forgetting
لا لَومَ لِلإِنسانِ في نِسيانِهِ
And you claimed that I had forgotten your pledges;
In Syria a tenderness from remembering its radiance.
A person is not to blame for forgetting.
It left the stone beds as if agate
وَلَقَدand indeed سَرىtraveled by night بَرقُthe lightning of العِراقِIraq فَهاجَand stirred ليin me
وَلَقَد سَرى بَرقُ العِراقِ فَهاجَ لي
بِالشامِin Syria وَجداًlonging مِنfrom سَناthe radiance of لَمَعانِهِits flashing
بِالشامِ وَجداً مِن سَنا لَمَعانِهِ
The lightning of Iraq traveled by night, stirring in me
Melted on the heads of its channels.
In Syria, longing from the radiance of its flash.
It appears to your eye in darkness as if
تَرَكتleft عَقيقَتُهُits lightning bolt الأَحَصَّal-Ahass كَأَنَّماas though
تَرَكت عَقيقَتُهُ الأَحَصَّ كَأَنَّما
ذابَmelted العَقيقُcarnelian عَلىupon رَؤُوسِthe tops of قُنانِهِits peaks
ذابَ العَقيقُ عَلى رَؤُوسِ قُنانِهِ
Its lightning bolt left al-Ahass as though
The slim musk willow, rustling with its tongue.
Carnelian had melted upon the tops of its peaks.
Richly laden, it tells the sleepless one from the glass vessel
يَبدوappears لِعَينِكَto your eye فيin الظَلامِdarkness كَأَنَّهُas though it
يَبدو لِعَينِكَ في الظَلامِ كَأَنَّهُ
صِلُّa venomous snake الكَثيبِof the dune مُنضنِضاًflicking بِلِسانِهِwith its tongue
صِلُّ الكَثيبِ مُنضنِضاً بِلِسانِهِ
It appears to your eye in the darkness like
The date syrup spilling over it in its sweetness.
A serpent of the dune flicking its tongue,
It and night cloaked in shadowy gloom appear
مُتَبَوِّجاًflaring broadly يَحكيresembles الأَصَمَّthe solid-shafted one مِنَamong القَناthe lances
مُتَبَوِّجاً يَحكي الأَصَمَّ مِنَ القَنا
سالَstreamed النَجيعُdark blood عَلَيهِupon it فيin عَسَلانِهِits quivering
سالَ النَجيعُ عَلَيهِ في عَسَلانِهِ
Flaring broadly, resembling a solid-shafted lance
Like the goats' fire over the back of the pens.
Down which dark blood streamed as it quivered.
A king - when his banner flutters
فَكَأَنَّهُso as though it وَاللَيلُwhile the night مُعتَكِرُis thick with الدُجىdarkness
فَكَأَنَّهُ وَاللَيلُ مُعتَكِرُ الدُجى
نارُthe fire of المُعِزِّal-Muizz عَلىupon مُتونِthe ridges of رِعانِهِhis hills
نارُ المُعِزِّ عَلى مُتونِ رِعانِهِ
As though, while night thickens with darkness,
Men's hearts flutter at its fluttering.
It were al-Muizz's fire upon his hilltops.
Fair of repute - his absence like his presence,
مَلِكٌa king إِذاwhen خَفَقَfluttered اللِواءُthe banner وَراءَهُbehind him
مَلِكٌ إِذا خَفَقَ اللِواءُ وَراءَهُ
خَفَقَتfluttered قُلوبُthe hearts of الإِنسِhumankind مِنfrom خَفَقانِهِits fluttering
خَفَقَت قُلوبُ الإِنسِ مِن خَفَقانِهِ
A king: when the banner flutters behind him,
His talk like seeing him before you plainly.
Human hearts flutter from its fluttering.
It killed wild beasts who by morning were counted
حَسَنُfine in الثَناءِpraise مَغيبُهُhis absence كَشُهودِهِlike his presence
حَسَنُ الثَناءِ مَغيبُهُ كَشُهودِهِ
بَينَamong المَلاthe people وَحَديثُهُand accounts of him كَعِيانِهِlike seeing him
بَينَ المَلا وَحَديثُهُ كَعِيانِهِ
Fairly praised, his absence is like his presence
Among those its guests kill before it.
Among the people; reports of him equal seeing him.
So the beasts learned of abodes from its bramblings
قاتَfed الوُحوشَthe wild beasts فَأَصبَحَتso they became مَحسوبَةًcounted
قاتَ الوُحوشَ فَأَصبَحَت مَحسوبَةً
فيمَنamong those who يُقاتُare fed لَدَيهِin his presence مِنamong ضيفانِهِhis guests
فيمَن يُقاتُ لَدَيهِ مِن ضيفانِهِ
He fed the wild beasts, and they came to be counted
And mankind learned of abodes from its smoke.
Among the guests who are fed in his presence.
Do not feel safe from time and its caprice
فَالوَحشُso wild beasts قَدalready عَرَفَhave learned القِرىhospitality بِعَجاجِهِthrough his battle-dust
فَالوَحشُ قَد عَرَفَ القِرى بِعَجاجِهِ
وَالإِنسُand humankind قَدalready عَرَفَhave learned القَرىhospitality بِدُخانِهِthrough his smoke
وَالإِنسُ قَد عَرَفَ القَرى بِدُخانِهِ
Wild beasts have learned hospitality through his battle-dust,
If you do not cling to the cord of its security.
And people have learned hospitality through his smoke.
And a band confused the dark with matchsticks,
لاdo not تَأَمَننَّever feel secure مِنَfrom الزَمانِtime وَرَيبِهِand its vicissitudes
لا تَأَمَننَّ مِنَ الزَمانِ وَرَيبِهِ
إِنif أَنتَyou لَمnot تَعلَقcling بِحَبلِto the rope of أَمانِهِhis protection
إِن أَنتَ لَم تَعلَق بِحَبلِ أَمانِهِ
Never feel secure against time and its vicissitudes
Not known in the waste lands from their gloom.
Unless you cling to the rope of his protection.
They dye the white serviettes crimson at banquets
وَعِصابَةٍand a band خَبَطواbeat through الظَلامَthe darkness بِأَينُقٍon she-camels
وَعِصابَةٍ خَبَطوا الظَلامَ بِأَينُقٍ
فيin البيدِthe deserts لاnot يُنكرنَfind strange مِنamong ظُلمانِهِtheir ostriches
في البيدِ لا يُنكرنَ مِن ظُلمانِهِ
And a band that beat through the darkness on she-camels,
From the elongated revelry of its red drink.
Across the wastes, unstartled by their ostriches,
An evil gang whose villainy, once concealed, concealed them
يَخضِبنَthey stain مُبيَضَّthe white الحَصاgravel بِمَناسِمٍwith hoof-pads
يَخضِبنَ مُبيَضَّ الحَصا بِمَناسِمٍ
طالَgrew long السُرىnight travel فَدَمينَso they bled مِنfrom إِدمانِهِits persistence
طالَ السُرى فَدَمينَ مِن إِدمانِهِ
Staining the white gravel with hoof-pads:
Until a hand destroyed the riders in its twisting paths.
Night travel lengthened, and they bled from its persistence.
From each unsheathed swordbelt it made
خُوصُnarrow in الأَحِجَّةِthe eye-sockets ماnot اِنطَوَتthey folded themselves حَتّىuntil طَوَتthey traversed
خُوصُ الأَحِجَّةِ ما اِنطَوَت حَتّى طَوَت
بِيداًdeserts تُبيدُdestroy الرَكبَthe riders فيin غيطانِهِtheir hollows
بِيداً تُبيدُ الرَكبَ في غيطانِهِ
Narrow-eyed, they did not fold themselves until they had folded away
The dust of its desert gut like an interior.
Deserts that destroy riders in their hollows.
From beneath the buttoned shirt its sword -
مِنof كُلِّevery مُغتَرِضِbroad across الأَريكَةِthe saddle-back صَيَّرَتmade
مِن كُلِّ مُغتَرِضِ الأَريكَةِ صَيَّرَت
غُبرُthe dusty الفَيافيwastes بَطنَهُits belly كَبِطانِهِlike its girth
غُبرُ الفَيافي بَطنَهُ كَبِطانِهِ
Of every broad saddle-backed mount, reduced by
Its edge keener than its tongue's edge.
The dusty wastes to a belly as thin as its girth.
It hopes for wealth from every unmatched one; it did not fear
مِنfrom تَحتِbeneath مُنقَدِّtorn at القَميصِthe shirt بِسَيفِهِin his sword
مِن تَحتِ مُنقَدِّ القَميصِ بِسَيفِهِ
حَدُّan edge وَأَمضىand keener مِنهُthan it حَدُّthe edge of لِسانِِa tongue; ending unclear
حَدُّ وَأَمضى مِنهُ حَدُّ لِسانِِ
Beneath a torn-shirted man, whose sword
To disappoint those who sought its aid after God.
Has an edge, though a tongue's edge is keener.
It brings life to the legacy of the house of 'Amir
يَرجُوhe hopes for الغِنىwealth مِنfrom كُلِّevery أَروَعawe-inspiring lord لَمnot يَخَفfears
يَرجُو الغِنى مِن كُلِّ أَروَع لَم يَخَف
راجيهِone who hopes in him بَعدَafter اللَهِGod مِنof حِرمانِهِhis denial
راجيهِ بَعدَ اللَهِ مِن حِرمانِهِ
He hopes for wealth from every awe-inspiring lord whose
Where kings of earth lived in its benevolence.
Supplicant, after God, need not fear his denial.
Tempted by lack of funds, though it is a wealth
وَيَؤُمُّand he heads toward أَبلَجَa radiant-faced man مِنfrom ذُؤابَةِthe elite of عامِرٍAmir
وَيَؤُمُّ أَبلَجَ مِن ذُؤابَةِ عامِرٍ
عاشَتlived مُلوكُthe kings of الأَرضِthe earth فيin إِحسانِهِhis bounty
عاشَت مُلوكُ الأَرضِ في إِحسانِهِ
And he heads toward a radiant-faced man of Amir's elite;
Where praise increases in its lessening.
The kings of the earth have lived on his bounty.
Though many are its generous ones,
مُغرىًintent بِنَقصِon diminishing المالِwealth إِلّاexcept أَنَّهُthat it
مُغرىً بِنَقصِ المالِ إِلّا أَنَّهُ
مالٌwealth يَزيدُincreases الحَمدُpraise فيin نُقصانِهِits diminution
مالٌ يَزيدُ الحَمدُ في نُقصانِهِ
Intent on diminishing wealth, except that it is
None more generous than Abu 'Ulwan.
Wealth whose diminution increases praise.
A sea whose angers overflowed - only it is
إِنَّindeed الزَمانَthe age كَثيرَةٌnumerous كرَماؤُهُits generous men
إِنَّ الزَمانَ كَثيرَةٌ كرَماؤُهُ
لَكنbut أَكرَمَهُمtheir most generous أَبُوAbu عُلوانِهِits Ulwan
لَكن أَكرَمَهُم أَبُو عُلوانِهِ
The age has many generous men,
A sea from whose depths we saw the sea.
But its most generous is Abu Ulwan.
Going gently, if fate grew harsh, leading,
بَحرٌa sea شَطونُfar-distant in العِبرshore إِلّاexcept أَنَّهُthat he
بَحرٌ شَطونُ العِبر إِلّا أَنَّهُ
بَحرٌa sea رَأَيناwe have seen البَحرَthe sea مِنamong خُلجانِهِhis inlets
بَحرٌ رَأَينا البَحرَ مِن خُلجانِهِ
A sea with far-distant shores, except that he is
Its foes unsafe from its hostility.
A sea of which we have seen the sea as one inlet.
It disdained realms until they were
ماضيresolute of الجَنانِheart إِذاwhen تَقَلَّدَhe girded on صارِماًa keen sword
ماضي الجَنانِ إِذا تَقَلَّدَ صارِماً
لَمnot يَمضِprove keen صارِمُهُhis sword مَضاءَwith the keenness of جَنانِهِhis heart
لَم يَمضِ صارِمُهُ مَضاءَ جَنانِهِ
Resolute of heart, when he girds on a keen sword,
Subject to its blows and stabbings.
His sword does not match the keenness of his heart.
As the lion disdains to pound prey
شَرُفتgrew exalted مَناقِبُهُhis virtues إِلىuntil أَنthat رُصِّعَتthey were set as jewels
شَرُفت مَناقِبُهُ إِلى أَن رُصِّعَت
عِوَضاًinstead عَنِof الياقوتِrubies فيin تيجانِهِhis crowns
عِوَضاً عَنِ الياقوتِ في تيجانِهِ
His virtues grew so exalted that they were set as jewels
Not come between its paw and grip.
In his crowns instead of rubies.
Or a steed known for its quality
وَالمأثُراتُand glorious deeds الغُرُّthe illustrious أَشرَفُnobler قيمَةًin value
وَالمأثُراتُ الغُرُّ أَشرَفُ قيمَةً
فيin تاجِهِhis crown المَعقودِthe fashioned مِنthan عِقيانِهِits pure gold
في تاجِهِ المَعقودِ مِن عِقيانِهِ
His illustrious deeds are nobler in value
From souls spilt by its slashing.
In his fashioned crown than its pure gold.
Like the rivulet, obedient - only
قابَلتُI faced فيin الإِيوانِthe iwan سُنَّةَthe features of وَجهِهِhis face
قابَلتُ في الإِيوانِ سُنَّةَ وَجهِهِ
فَسَلَوتُso I forgot عَنabout كِسرىKisra وَعَنand about إِوانِهِhis iwan
فَسَلَوتُ عَن كِسرى وَعَن إِوانِهِ
In the iwan, I looked upon the features of his face,
It cannot be sheathed to curb its flow.
And forgot Kisra and his iwan.
Or a blade bearing a fiery coal,
وَرَأيتُand I saw حينَwhen رَأيتُI saw أَحسَنَone better in سيرةconduct
وَرَأيتُ حينَ رَأيتُ أَحسَنَ سيرة
فيناamong us وَأَعدَلand more just مِنthan أَنوAnu-; name beginning شِروانِهِits -shirwan; name ending
فينا وَأَعدَل مِن أَنو شِروانِهِ
And when I saw him, I saw one finer in conduct
Its gleam showing between its teeth.
Among us, and more just than its Anushirwan.
In the hands of one most wondrous - each time the war
أَنسىmade forget البَرِيَّةَmankind عَدلَthe justice of ذاكَthat one بِعَدلِهِthrough his justice
أَنسى البَرِيَّةَ عَدلَ ذاكَ بِعَدلِهِ
فَكَأَنَّهُمso it is as though they فيin عَصرِهِhis age وَأَوانِهِand his time
فَكَأَنَّهُم في عَصرِهِ وَأَوانِهِ
Through his justice he made mankind forget that one's justice,
Drew near and the frightened ones approached their likes.
As though they were living in his age and time.
Like the goat yet where can its equal be found
لَوif حَلَّhe descended دونَbelow مَحَلِّهِhis station مِنin قَدرِهِhis rank
لَو حَلَّ دونَ مَحَلِّهِ مِن قَدرِهِ
ماnot كانَwould be يُبصَرُseen مِنbecause of عُلوِّthe height of مَكانِهِhis position
ما كانَ يُبصَرُ مِن عُلوِّ مَكانِهِ
Were he to descend below his rightful station,
Save rarely among the kings of its time?
He would still be unseen because of his lofty position.
Formidable when fate was difficult to tame,
تَأبىrejects المَمالِكَkingdoms نَفسُهُhis soul ماso long as لَمnot تَكُنthey are
تَأبى المَمالِكَ نَفسُهُ ما لَم تَكُن
مَملوكَةًwon into possession بَضرابِهِby his sword-strikes وَطِعانِهِand his spear-thrusts
مَملوكَةً بَضرابِهِ وَطِعانِهِ
His soul rejects kingdoms unless they are
Its foes unsafe from its aggression.
Won by his sword-strikes and spear-thrusts.
When I weighed the two worlds I found them
كَالليثِlike the lion يأنَفُdisdains أَنto يَدُقَّcrush فَريسَةًprey
كَالليثِ يأنَفُ أَن يَدُقَّ فَريسَةً
لَمnot تَثوِlie بَينَbetween مَلاطِهِhis flank وَجِرانِهِand his throat
لَم تَثوِ بَينَ مَلاطِهِ وَجِرانِهِ
Like a lion, he disdains to crush prey
Not outweighing it in its scale.
That has not lain between his flank and throat.
More devout, if breaking its fast, than the pious
رَبِحَgained الثَناpraise بِخَسارَةٍthrough a loss مِنof مالِهِhis wealth
رَبِحَ الثَنا بِخَسارَةٍ مِن مالِهِ
فَأَتاهُso came to him ربحُthe profit of الحَمدِpraise مِنfrom خُسرانِهِhis loss
فَأَتاهُ ربحُ الحَمدِ مِن خُسرانِهِ
He gained praise through a loss of his wealth;
Or, fasting for God, in Ramadan.
The profit of praise came to him through his loss.
It surpassed the generous of old in munificence,
حاميprotector of الذِمارِwhat must be defended وَلِلمَنِيَّةِand for death مَورِدٌa watering-place
حامي الذِمارِ وَلِلمَنِيَّةِ مَورِدٌ
خُلِقَتwere fashioned رِماحُthe spears of الخَطِّal-Khatt مِنfrom أَشطانِهِhis well-ropes
خُلِقَت رِماحُ الخَطِّ مِن أَشطانِهِ
Protector of what must be defended, and a watering-place for death,
Preceding the aged palm on the day of its race.
From whose well-ropes the spears of al-Khatt were fashioned.
O King who restored life to munificence among us
إِذwhen لاnot يَرىsees البَطَلُthe hero الشُجاعُthe brave لِنَفسِهِfor himself
إِذ لا يَرى البَطَلُ الشُجاعُ لِنَفسِهِ
وَزَراًa refuge حَصيناًsecure غَيرَother than ظَهرِthe back of حِصانِهِhis horse
وَزَراً حَصيناً غَيرَ ظَهرِ حِصانِهِ
When the brave hero sees for himself
And justice to life in its lands!
No secure refuge but the back of his horse,
Pride of rule founded what it built
أَوor مُرهَفٍa sharpened blade عُرِفَتwas recognized نَفاسَةُthe preciousness of قَدرِهِits worth
أَو مُرهَفٍ عُرِفَت نَفاسَةُ قَدرِهِ
مِنfrom أَنفُسِlives سالَتflowed عَلىover سِيلانِهِits tang
مِن أَنفُسِ سالَت عَلى سِيلانِهِ
Or a sharpened blade whose precious worth was known
While you built, surpassing its building.
From lives that flowed over its tang,
You established the pillar of rule after disasters
كَالجَدوَلِlike the stream المُنقادِthe smoothly flowing إِلّاexcept أَنَّهُthat it
كَالجَدوَلِ المُنقادِ إِلّا أَنَّهُ
لاnot يُحتَشىcan be packed فيin الغِمدِthe sheath مِنbecause of جَرَيانِهِits flowing
لا يُحتَشى في الغِمدِ مِن جَرَيانِهِ
Like a smoothly flowing stream, except that
That had overturned it, so it leaned from its pillars.
Its flow cannot be packed into a sheath,
You sought your vengeance, thereby spurring fate
أَوor مارِنٍa supple spear-shaft فيin الصِلِّthe serpent حامِلِbearing جَذوَةٍan ember
أَو مارِنٍ في الصِلِّ حامِلِ جَذوَةٍ
يَبدُوappears سَناهاits radiance مِنfrom بَريقِthe gleam of سِنانِهِits spearhead
يَبدُو سَناها مِن بَريقِ سِنانِهِ
Or a supple shaft within a serpent, bearing an ember
Against those who persisted in tyranny against you.
Whose radiance appears in the gleam of its spearhead,
And you contained what was emptied - disdaining it
فيin كَفِّthe palm of أَروَعَan awe-inspiring man كُلَّماwhenever اشتَجَرَclashed القَناthe lances
في كَفِّ أَروَعَ كُلَّما اشتَجَرَ القَنا
وَدَناand he drew near فيamid الرَوعِbattle's terror مِنto أَقرانِهِhis peers
وَدَنا في الرَوعِ مِن أَقرانِهِ
In the hand of an awe-inspiring man whenever the lances clash
As a gift you found for your boy servants.
And he draws near his peers amid battle's terror.
You ruled your inheritance with resolve
مِثلُlike المُعِزِّal-Muizz وَأَينَand where يُوجَدis found مِثلُهُhis like
مِثلُ المُعِزِّ وَأَينَ يُوجَد مِثلُهُ
إِلّاexcept قَليلاًrarely فيamong مُلوكِthe kings of زَمانِهِhis time
إِلّا قَليلاً في مُلوكِ زَمانِهِ
Like al-Muizz—and where is his like found,
That led the reigns of rule after its defiance.
Except rarely among the kings of his time?
So enjoy your feast absent no happiness
صَعبٌunyielding إِذاwhen صَعُبَgrew difficult الزَمانُthe times قِيادهُtheir guidance
صَعبٌ إِذا صَعُبَ الزَمانُ قِيادهُ
لاnot يَأمَنُfeel safe الأَعداءُthe enemies مِنfrom عُدوانِهِhis onslaught
لا يَأمَنُ الأَعداءُ مِن عُدوانِهِ
Unyielding when the times become hard to guide,
In time, lasting through its eras.
His enemies are not safe from his onslaught.
For might has equipped you with its steed's back,
لَمّاwhen وَزَنتُI weighed العالمينَall creation وَجَدتُهُمI found them
لَمّا وَزَنتُ العالمينَ وَجَدتُهُم
لاnot يَرجَحونَoutweigh عَلَيهِhim فيin ميزانِهِhis scale
لا يَرجَحونَ عَلَيهِ في ميزانِهِ
When I weighed all creation, I found that they
And kingship equipped you with the excess of its reins.
Did not outweigh him in his scale.
أَتقىmost God-fearing of البَرِيَّةِmankind مُفطِراًbreaking his fast مِنafter صَومِهِhis fasting
أَتقى البَرِيَّةِ مُفطِراً مِن صَومِهِ
أَوor صائِماًfasting لِلّهِfor God فيin رَمَضانِهِhis Ramadan
أَو صائِماً لِلّهِ في رَمَضانِهِ
The most God-fearing of mankind, whether breaking his fast
Or fasting for God in Ramadan.
سَبَقَoutstripped الكِرامَthe generous السابِقينَthose foremost إِلىin النَدىbounty
سَبَقَ الكِرامَ السابِقينَ إِلى النَدى
سَبقَwith the lead of العَتيقِthe thoroughbred النَهدِthe powerfully built يَومَon the day of رِهانِهِits race
سَبقَ العَتيقِ النَهدِ يَومَ رِهانِهِ
He outstripped the generous who were foremost in bounty,
As a powerfully built thoroughbred takes the lead on race day.
ياO أَيُّهاyou المَلِكُthe king الَّذيwho أَحياrevived النَدىbounty
يا أَيُّها المَلِكُ الَّذي أَحيا النَدى
فيناamong us وَأَحياand revived العَدلَjustice فيin بُلدانِهِhis lands
فينا وَأَحيا العَدلَ في بُلدانِهِ
O king who revived bounty
Among us, and revived justice in his lands,
قَدalready كانَhad فَخرُFakhr; pride المُلكِal-Mulk; kingship شَيَّدَraised high ماwhat بَنىhe built
قَد كانَ فَخرُ المُلكِ شَيَّدَ ما بَنى
وَبَنَيتَand you built أَنتَyou فَزِدتَand surpassed عَنbeyond بُنيانِهِhis building
وَبَنَيتَ أَنتَ فَزِدتَ عَن بُنيانِهِ
Fakhr al-Mulk had raised high what he built,
And you built, surpassing his building.
وَأَقَمتَand you established رُكنَthe pillar of المُلكِkingship بَعدَafter نَوائِبٍcalamities
وَأَقَمتَ رُكنَ المُلكِ بَعدَ نَوائِبٍ
مالَتbore down عَلَيهِupon it فَمالَso it tilted مِنin أَركانِهِits pillars
مالَت عَلَيهِ فَمالَ مِن أَركانِهِ
You established the pillar of kingship after calamities
Bore down upon it, tilting its pillars.
وَطَلَبتَand you sought ثَأرَكَyour vengeance فاستَثارَand stirred up لَكَfor you الرَدىdeath
وَطَلَبتَ ثَأرَكَ فاستَثارَ لَكَ الرَدى
مِمَّنagainst one who أَلَحَّpersisted عَلَيكَagainst you فيin طُغيانِهِhis tyranny
مِمَّن أَلَحَّ عَلَيكَ في طُغيانِهِ
You sought your vengeance, stirring up death on your behalf
Against one relentless toward you in his tyranny.
وَحَوَيتَand you took possession of ماwhat خَلّىhe left فَلَمbut did not تَحفِلtake heed بِهِof it
وَحَوَيتَ ما خَلّى فَلَم تَحفِل بِهِ
كَرَماًout of generosity وَجُدتَand you bestowed بِهِit عَلىupon غِلمانِهِhis servants
كَرَماً وَجُدتَ بِهِ عَلى غِلمانِهِ
You took possession of what he left, but paid it no heed,
And generously bestowed it on his servants.
وَمَلَكتَand you secured إِرثَكَyour inheritance مِنfrom أَبيكَyour father بِهِمَّةٍwith resolve
وَمَلَكتَ إِرثَكَ مِن أَبيكَ بِهِمَّةٍ
قادَتled زِمامَthe reins of المُلكِkingship بَعدَafter حِرانِهِits stubborn refusal
قادَت زِمامَ المُلكِ بَعدَ حِرانِهِ
You secured your inheritance from your father with a resolve
That led the reins of kingship after its stubborn refusal.
فَاسعَدso rejoice بِعيدِكَin your feast لاmay you not عَدِمتَbe deprived of سَعادَةًhappiness
فَاسعَد بِعيدِكَ لا عَدِمتَ سَعادَةً
فيin الدَهرِtime باقِيَةًlasting عَلىthroughout أَزمانِهِits ages
في الدَهرِ باقِيَةً عَلى أَزمانِهِ
So rejoice in your feast; may you never lack happiness
Lasting through time and all its ages.
فَالعِزُّfor glory قَدhas أَمطاكَmounted you upon ظَهرَthe back of جَوادِهِits steed
فَالعِزُّ قَد أَمطاكَ ظَهرَ جَوادِهِ
وَالمُلكُand kingship قَدhas أَنطاكَgiven you فَضلَthe slack of عِنانِهِits reins
وَالمُلكُ قَد أَنطاكَ فَضلَ عِنانِهِ
For glory has mounted you on its steed's back,
And kingship has given you the slack of its reins.
Partial English translation: 169 of 190 Arabic lines translated.