قَدِمتَyou arrived سَعِيداًfortunate فائِزاًvictorious خَيرَthe best مَقدَمِarrival
قَدِمتَ سَعِيداً فائِزاً خَيرَ مَقدَمِ
وَأُبتَand you returned حَمِيداًpraised غانِماًwinning spoils كُلَّevery مَغنَمِspoil
وَأُبتَ حَمِيداً غانِماً كُلَّ مَغنَمِ
You arrived fortunate and victorious—the finest arrival;
You came happy, successful, with the best arrival,
and returned praised, winning every spoil.
And you came commendable, victorious, with all spoils.
تُظِلُّكَshade you راياتُthe banners of السُعُودِgood fortune كَأَنَّهاas though they were
تُظِلُّكَ راياتُ السُعُودِ كَأَنَّها
مِنَamong الطَيرِbirds إِلّاexcept أَنَّهاthat they are غَيرُnot حُوُّمِcircling
مِنَ الطَيرِ إِلّا أَنَّها غَيرُ حُوُّمِ
The banners of good fortune shade you, as though
The flags of Saud shade you as if they were
they were birds, except that they do not circle.
Birds but they are not like vultures.
إِذاwhen سِرتَyou marched أَخفَيتَyou concealed النَهارَdaylight بِقَسطَلٍwith a dust cloud
إِذا سِرتَ أَخفَيتَ النَهارَ بِقَسطَلٍ
يَلُفُّكَwraps you فيin جُنحٍa wing مِنَof اللَيلِnight مُعتمِdark
يَلُفُّكَ في جُنحٍ مِنَ اللَيلِ مُعتمِ
When you march, you hide the daylight with a cloud of dust
When you travel you hide the day with a dome
that wraps you in a dark wing of night.
That wraps you in wings of the night, in darkness.
كَأَنَّكَas though you were فِيهِwithin it وَالقَناand the spears تَزحَمُcrowd against القَناthe spears
كَأَنَّكَ فِيهِ وَالقَنا تَزحَمُ القَنا
هِلالُa crescent of سَماءٍthe sky طالِعٌrising بَينَamong أَنجُمِstars
هِلالُ سَماءٍ طالِعٌ بَينَ أَنجُمِ
Within it, while spears crowd against spears, you seem
As if you are in it and the spear pierces the spear,
a crescent rising in the sky among stars.
A crescent in the sky rising between stars.
وَهَلand are أَنتَyou إِلّاanything but رَونَقُthe radiance of الصُبحِmorning مُذsince بَداit appeared
وَهَل أَنتَ إِلّا رَونَقُ الصُبحِ مُذ بَدا
غَداbecame كُلُّevery فَجٍّravine مُظلمٍdark غَيرَnot مُظلِمِdark
غَدا كُلُّ فَجٍّ مُظلمٍ غَيرَ مُظلِمِ
Are you not the morning's radiance? Since it appeared,
Are you not the radiance of dawn since it appeared?
every dark ravine has ceased to be dark.
Making every dark, gloomy valley bright.
وَمُذand since غِبتَyou were absent غابَvanished الخَيرُgoodness عَنfrom كُلِّevery مَوطِنٍland
وَمُذ غِبتَ غابَ الخَيرُ عَن كُلِّ مَوطِنٍ
وَغابَand vanished الكَرىsleep عَنfrom كُلِّevery جَفنٍeyelid مُهَوِّمِdrowsing
وَغابَ الكَرى عَن كُلِّ جَفنٍ مُهَوِّمِ
Since you were absent, goodness vanished from every land,
Since you disappeared, good disappeared from every homeland,
and sleep vanished from every drowsing eyelid.
And sleep disappeared from every worried eye.
وَماand not التَذَّsavored حَتّىuntil عُدتَyou returned خَلقٌany creature بِمَشرَبٍa drink
وَما التَذَّ حَتّى عُدتَ خَلقٌ بِمَشرَبٍ
ولاnor التَذَّsavored حَتّىuntil عُدتَyou returned خَلقٌany creature بِمَطعَمِfood
ولا التَذَّ حَتّى عُدتَ خَلقٌ بِمَطعَمِ
Until you returned, no creature savored a drink,
People did not enjoy life until you returned to a familiar spirit,
nor, until you returned, did any creature savor food.
Nor did they enjoy life until you returned to a familiar taste.
إِذاif مَرَّpasses يَومٌa day لاnot أَراكَI see you مُمَثّلاًpresent
إِذا مَرَّ يَومٌ لا أَراكَ مُمَثّلاً
بِهِin it كانَwas مَحسُوباًreckoned بِحَولٍas a year مُحَرَّمِdeprived
بِهِ كانَ مَحسُوباً بِحَولٍ مُحَرَّمِ
If a day passes in which I do not see you present,
If a day passed without seeing you embodied in it
it is reckoned as a year of deprivation.
It would be considered a forbidden misfortune.
تَضِيقُgrows narrow عَلَيَّaround me الأَرضُthe earth حَتّىuntil كَأَنَّهاas though it were
تَضِيقُ عَلَيَّ الأَرضُ حَتّى كَأَنَّها
إِذاwhen غِبتَyou were absent عَنfrom عَينَيَّmy two eyes فيwithin دَورِthe circumference of دِرهَمِa dirham
إِذا غِبتَ عَن عَينَيَّ في دَورِ دِرهَمِ
The earth grows narrow around me, until it seems,
The earth feels tight to me when you are absent from my eyes
when you vanish from my sight, to fit within a dirham's rim.
As if it is a dirham's orbit when you disappear.
فِدىًa sacrifice لِمَطاياكَfor your mounts العُيونُthe eyes وَقَدand indeed سَرَتthey journeyed
فِدىً لِمَطاياكَ العُيونُ وَقَد سَرَت
ثِقالاًheavily laden تُباريoutstripping مَعلَماًa landmark بَعدَafter مَعلَمِa landmark
ثِقالاً تُباري مَعلَماً بَعدَ مَعلَمِ
May eyes be sacrificed for your mounts, which journeyed
My eyes are ransom for your horses which walked
heavily laden, outstripping landmark after landmark,
Heavily rivaling milestones after milestones.
بِأَسَعدِwith the most fortunate رَكبٍriders رائِحٍtraveling in the afternoon وَمُهَجِّرٍand traveling at midday
بِأَسَعدِ رَكبٍ رائِحٍ وَمُهَجِّرٍ
وَأَكرَمِand the noblest سَفرٍtravelers ظاعِنٍjourneying وَمُخَيِّمِand encamping
وَأَكرَمِ سَفرٍ ظاعِنٍ وَمُخَيِّمِ
bearing the most fortunate riders, traveling in the afternoon and at midday,
With the happiest caravan departing and settling,
and the noblest travelers, journeying and encamping.
And the most generous travel gathering and camping.
تَمَنَّيتُI wished لَوif only أَنّيthat I نَزَلتُdismounted كَرامَةًin honor
تَمَنَّيتُ لَو أَنّي نَزَلتُ كَرامَةً
فَقَبَّلتُand then kissed مِنهاof them كُلَّevery خُفٍّpadded foot وَمَنسِمِand toe
فَقَبَّلتُ مِنها كُلَّ خُفٍّ وَمَنسِمِ
I wished I had dismounted to honor them,
I wish I had dismounted to kiss
and kissed each of their padded feet and toes,
Every hoof and every footprint.
وَصَيَّرتُand made خَدِّيmy cheek فيin التَنُوفَةِthe wilderness مَبرَكاًa kneeling-place
وَصَيَّرتُ خَدِّي في التَنُوفَةِ مَبرَكاً
وَطِيئاًsoft لِأَعضادِfor the forelegs of المَطِيِّthe mounts المُحَرَّمِrevered
وَطِيئاً لِأَعضادِ المَطِيِّ المُحَرَّمِ
and made my cheek in the wilderness a kneeling-place,
And I made my cheek a blessing in the saddlecloth,
soft for the forelegs of those revered mounts.
And a pillow for the forbidden horse's shanks.
لَقَدindeed كَرُمَتwere ennobled تِلكَthose الرِكابُriding camels وَرَكبُهاand their riders
لَقَد كَرُمَت تِلكَ الرِكابُ وَرَكبُها
وَحازَتand earned جَميلَfair الذِكرِremembrance مِنfrom كُلِّevery مُسلِمِMuslim
وَحازَت جَميلَ الذِكرِ مِن كُلِّ مُسلِمِ
Those riding camels and their riders were indeed ennobled,
That caravan was generous and its riders
and earned fair remembrance from every Muslim.
Attained the beauty of mention from every Muslim.
تَوَلَّتthey departed وَخَلَّتand left قَلبَthe heart of رَحبَةRahbat مالِكٍMalik
تَوَلَّت وَخَلَّت قَلبَ رَحبَة مالِكٍ
لِفُرقَتِهاthrough their parting قَلبَthe heart of الشَجِيِّthe sorrowful man المُتَيَّمِenslaved by love
لِفُرقَتِها قَلبَ الشَجِيِّ المُتَيَّمِ
They departed, leaving the heart of Rahbat Malik,
It left and emptied the heart of Rabia Malik
at their parting, the heart of a grieving, love-enslaved man.
For its separation, the heart of the affectionate complainant.
وَأَضحَتand by morning were مِنَfrom الضاحِيthe sunlit open country تَبِضُّstreaming forth كَأَنَّماas though
وَأَضحَت مِنَ الضاحِي تَبِضُّ كَأَنَّما
قِسِيٌّbows رَمَتshot أَكبادُهاtheir bellies حُرَّfine أَسهُمِarrows
قِسِيٌّ رَمَت أَكبادُها حُرَّ أَسهُمِ
By morning they streamed from the sunlit open country, as though
The land became teary from the Clear
bows whose bellies had loosed the finest arrows,
as if it is an archer who shot its livers with hot arrows.
مُيَمِّمَةًheading toward فيat كُلِّevery مُمسىًdusk وَمُصبَحٍand dawn
مُيَمِّمَةً في كُلِّ مُمسىً وَمُصبَحٍ
مِنَof الوَطَنِthe homeland التاجِيِّTaji خَيرَthe best مُيَمَّمِdestination
مِنَ الوَطَنِ التاجِيِّ خَيرَ مُيَمَّمِ
heading, at every dusk and every dawn,
Heading every evening and morning
toward the finest destination in the Taji homeland.
To the crowned homeland, the best destination.
وَلَمّاand when عَلَتthey climbed نَشرَthe heights of الرُصافَةِal-Rusafa بُشِّرَتwere given glad tidings
وَلَمّا عَلَت نَشرَ الرُصافَةِ بُشِّرَت
بِعارِضِof a bank of مُزنِrainclouds باكِرِearly in bringing الوَبلِheavy rain مُثجِمِsteadily pouring
بِعارِضِ مُزنِ باكِرِ الوَبلِ مُثجِمِ
When they climbed the heights of al-Rusafa, they received glad tidings
When it raised the banner of departure it was given good news
of a bank of rainclouds bringing an early, unceasing downpour.
Of the aspect of dawn's early clouds thundering.
تَباشَرَrejoiced together أَهلُthe people of الشامِSyria حَتّىuntil كَأَنَّهُمas though they were
تَباشَرَ أَهلُ الشامِ حَتّى كَأَنَّهُم
سَوامٌgrazing herds أَحَسَّتsensed بِالرَبِيعِspring المُوَسَّمِrain-blessed
سَوامٌ أَحَسَّت بِالرَبِيعِ المُوَسَّمِ
The people of Syria rejoiced together, until they seemed
The people of Levant rejoiced as if they are
grazing herds that sensed rain-blessed spring.
Thirsty camels who sensed the seasoned spring.
أَغاثbrought relief to بِكَthrough you اللَهُGod البِلادَthe lands وَأَهلَهاand their people
أَغاث بِكَ اللَهُ البِلادَ وَأَهلَها
وَرَدَّكَand restored you رَدَّwith the restoration of المُفضِلِthe benefactor المُتَكَرِّمِthe generous one
وَرَدَّكَ رَدَّ المُفضِلِ المُتَكَرِّمِ
Through you God brought relief to the lands and their people,
May God help the countries and its people through you
and restored you with a generous benefactor's grace.
And return you like the generous, honorable return.
رَأَوكَthey saw you فَضَجُّواso they cried out بِالدُعاءِin prayer كَماjust as دَعاcalled upon
رَأَوكَ فَضَجُّوا بِالدُعاءِ كَما دَعا
إِلىto اللَهِGod حُجاجُthe pilgrims of الحَطِيمِal-Hatim وَزَمزَمِand Zamzam
إِلى اللَهِ حُجاجُ الحَطِيمِ وَزَمزَمِ
They saw you and cried aloud in prayer, as do
They saw you and clamored with supplication as pilgrims supplicated
the pilgrims of al-Hatim and Zamzam when calling upon God.
To God, the pilgrims of Hateem and Zamzam.
فَبُورِكَso may be blessed شَهرٌa month أَنتَyou فِيهِin which مُسَلَّماًkept safe
فَبُورِكَ شَهرٌ أَنتَ فِيهِ مُسَلَّماً
وَلَكِنَّbut بَيتَthe house of المالِmoney غَيرُnot مُسَلَّمِspared
وَلَكِنَّ بَيتَ المالِ غَيرُ مُسَلَّمِ
Blessed be the month in which you are kept safe,
So blessed is the month you are safe in
though the treasury is not spared.
Though the treasury is not safe.
تَضاعَفَتِmultiplied الأَعيادُthe festivals فِيهِin it فَقَدfor indeed غَداhas become
تَضاعَفَتِ الأَعيادُ فِيهِ فَقَد غَدا
لَناfor us عَيدُthe festival of فِطرٍbreaking the fast تابِعاًfollowing عِيدَthe festival of مَقدَمِarrival
لَنا عَيدُ فِطرٍ تابِعاً عِيدَ مَقدَمِ
The festivals have doubled within it, for now
The holidays doubled in it as it became
our Eid al-Fitr follows the festival of your arrival.
An Eid of Fitr subsequent to the Eid of your arrival.
جَزىmay reward اللَهُGod خَيراًwith good هِمَّةًa resolve لَكَof yours لَمnot تَزَلhas ceased
جَزى اللَهُ خَيراً هِمَّةً لَكَ لَم تَزَل
تَضُرُّinflicts harm بِأَطرافِwith the tips of الوَشِيجِspear-shafts المُقَوَّمِstraightened
تَضُرُّ بِأَطرافِ الوَشِيجِ المُقَوَّمِ
May God reward well your resolve, which has never ceased
May God reward your determination which did not stop
to inflict harm with the points of straightened spears.
Inflicting the edges of the crooked calamity.
حَمَلتyou carried بِهاwith it الأَثقالَthe burdens فيin كُلِّevery حادِثٍcrisis
حَمَلت بِها الأَثقالَ في كُلِّ حادِثٍ
وَخُضتَand you braved بِهاwith it الأَهوالَthe terrors فيin كُلِّevery صَيلَمِdevastating battle
وَخُضتَ بِها الأَهوالَ في كُلِّ صَيلَمِ
With it you carried burdens in every crisis,
You carried the burdens in every incident
and with it braved terrors in every devastating battle.
And plunged into terrors in every formidable darkness.
وَماand not زِلتَyou have ceased كَسّاباًever winning بِهاwith it العِزَّglory مُتعِباًexhausting
وَما زِلتَ كَسّاباً بِها العِزَّ مُتعِباً
بِهاwith it كُلَّevery يَعبُوبٍswift steed مِنَof الخَيلِthe horses شَيظَمِtall and powerful
بِها كُلَّ يَعبُوبٍ مِنَ الخَيلِ شَيظَمِ
With it you have ever won glory, exhausting
You never stopped gathering honor, tired
with it every swift, towering horse.
Of taming every stubborn horse.
إِذاwhen اشتَدَّتِgrew severe اللأواءُhardship نَفَّستyou relieved كَربَهاits distress
إِذا اشتَدَّتِ اللأواءُ نَفَّست كَربَها
بِهِمَّةِwith the resolve of لاوانٍone not flagging وَلاnor مُتَلَوِّمِhesitating
بِهِمَّةِ لاوانٍ وَلا مُتَلَوِّمِ
When hardship grew severe, you relieved its distress
When hardships intensified, your determination relieved its distress
with the resolve of one neither faltering nor hesitant.
With determination that does not weaken or complain.
يَزِيدُكَincreases you in مَرُّthe passage of الدَهرِtime أَيداًmight وَقُوَّةًand strength
يَزِيدُكَ مَرُّ الدَهرِ أَيداً وَقُوَّةً
كَأَنَّكَas though you لَمnot تُخلَقwere created مِنَfrom اللَحمِflesh وَالدَمِand blood
كَأَنَّكَ لَم تُخلَق مِنَ اللَحمِ وَالدَمِ
The passage of time increases your might and strength,
The passage of time increases your support and strength
as though you had not been made of flesh and blood.
As if you were not created from flesh and blood.
أَرىI see الناسَpeople لاnot يَسعَونَstrive مَسعاكَyour striving لِلعُلىfor the heights
أَرى الناسَ لا يَسعَونَ مَسعاكَ لِلعُلى
وَلاnor يَفعَلُونَthey do الخَيرَgood فِعلَin the manner of التَكَرُّمِgenerosity
وَلا يَفعَلُونَ الخَيرَ فِعلَ التَكَرُّمِ
I see that people do not strive toward the heights as you strive,
I see people cannot match your ascendance to glory
nor do good in the spirit of generosity.
And cannot do good deeds like your generosity.
وَماand not يَركَبُconfronts الأَخطارَdangers فيin كُلِّevery حادِثٍcrisis
وَما يَركَبُ الأَخطارَ في كُلِّ حادِثٍ
وَيَكشِفُهاand dispels them غَيرُother than الخَطِيرِthe eminent man الغَشَمشَمِthe dauntless warrior
وَيَكشِفُها غَيرُ الخَطِيرِ الغَشَمشَمِ
None confronts dangers in every crisis
Who dares ride dangers in every incident
and dispels them but the eminent, dauntless warrior,
And reveal them except the audacious hero?
كَأَنتَlike you وَمَنand whoever يَفعَلdoes فَعالَكَyour deeds يَتَّخِذacquires
كَأَنتَ وَمَن يَفعَل فَعالَكَ يَتَّخِذ
جَميلاًsomething noble وَمَنand whoever يَحفَظpreserves حِفاظَكَyour loyal defense يَغنَمِgains
جَميلاً وَمَن يَحفَظ حِفاظَكَ يَغنَمِ
like you. Whoever performs your deeds wins
You and whoever does your deeds takes
nobility; whoever defends honor as you do reaps gain.
Goodness and whoever safeguards your protection gains.
خُلِقتَyou were created كَرِيماًgenerous لاnot نَداكَyour bounty مُقَصِّرٌfalling short
خُلِقتَ كَرِيماً لا نَداكَ مُقَصِّرٌ
وَلاnor غَيثُكَyour rain الهامِيpouring عَلَيناupon us بِمُنجِمِceasing
وَلا غَيثُكَ الهامِي عَلَينا بِمُنجِمِ
You were created generous; your bounty never falls short,
You were created generous with no failing equal
nor does your pouring rain upon us cease.
And your pouring cloud does not fail us with rainfall.
وَهَيهاتَand far beyond reach أَنthat يَعلوshould rise عُلُوَّكَto your height مَنwhoever سَعىstrives
وَهَيهاتَ أَن يَعلو عُلُوَّكَ مَن سَعى
لِيَعلُوto rise high وَلَوeven if نالَhe reached السَماءَthe sky بِسُلَّمِwith a ladder
لِيَعلُو وَلَو نالَ السَماءَ بِسُلَّمِ
Far beyond reach is your height for anyone striving
Far from it that one who aspires
to rise, even if he reached the sky with a ladder.
Reaches your glory even if he climbed the sky with a ladder.
مَكارِمُnoble virtues لاneither ذُوthe bearer of التاجِthe crown كِسرىKisra بنُson of هُرمُزٍHurmuz
مَكارِمُ لا ذُو التاجِ كِسرى بنُ هُرمُزٍ
حَواهاpossessed them وَلاnor أَقيالُthe chieftains of عادٍ'Ad وَجُرهُمِand Jurhum
حَواها وَلا أَقيالُ عادٍ وَجُرهُمِ
Such noble qualities neither crowned Kisra, son of Hurmuz,
Virtues that neither Kisra Anushirwan possessed,
possessed, nor the chieftains of 'Ad and Jurhum.
Nor the kings of ‘Aad and Jurhum contained.
وَماand not حاتِمٌHatim عِندِيin my view بِنِدٍّa peer أَقِيسُهُI compare him
وَما حاتِمٌ عِندِي بِنِدٍّ أَقِيسُهُ
إِلَيكَwith you وَلاnor كَعبٌKa'b وَلاnor ابنُIbn مُكَدَّمِMukaddam
إِلَيكَ وَلا كَعبٌ وَلا ابنُ مُكَدَّمِ
In my eyes, Hatim is no peer I can compare
In my view, neither Hatim nor Ka’b are your equals
with you—nor Ka'b, nor Ibn Mukaddam.
Nor the son of Mukaddam.
لِأَنَّbecause أَباAbu العُلوانِal-Ulwan إِنeven if كانَhe was آخِراًlast
لِأَنَّ أَبا العُلوانِ إِن كانَ آخِراً
فَقَدthen indeed حازَhe attained شأوَthe furthest reach of الفارِطِthe forerunner المُتَقَدِّمِthe foremost
فَقَد حازَ شأوَ الفارِطِ المُتَقَدِّمِ
For Abu al-Ulwan, though he came last,
Because the father of glory even if he came later
has attained the furthest reach of the foremost forerunner.
Attained the rank of the preceding excellent.
كَذاthus النارُfire أُولاهاits beginning شَرارَةُthe spark of قابِسٍa fire-kindler
كَذا النارُ أُولاها شَرارَةُ قابِسٍ
وَآخِرُهاand its end وَهجُthe glow of السَعِيرِthe blaze المُضَرَّمِfiercely kindled
وَآخِرُها وَهجُ السَعِيرِ المُضَرَّمِ
So it is with fire: its beginning is a fire-kindler's spark,
So fire, its first is an igniting spark
and its end the glow of a fiercely kindled blaze.
And its last is the blaze of hellfire flaming.
أُعِيذُكَI seek protection for you بِاللَهِin God السَميعِthe All-Hearing وِبالقَناand in the spears
أُعِيذُكَ بِاللَهِ السَميعِ وِبالقَنا
تَشَعشَعَglittered فيat أَطرافِهاtheir tips كُلُّevery لَهذَمِkeen spearhead
تَشَعشَعَ في أَطرافِها كُلُّ لَهذَمِ
I seek protection for you in God, the All-Hearing, and in the spears
I seek refuge for you in The All-Hearing God and the spear
at whose tips every keen blade glitters.
That glistened at its edges with every polished blade.
فَأَنتَfor you are جَمالٌan adornment كُنتَyou were فيat صَدرِthe head of مَجلِسٍa council
فَأَنتَ جَمالٌ كُنتَ في صَدرِ مَجلِسٍ
لَدىduring السَلمِpeace أَوor فيat صَدرِthe head of جَيشٍan army عَرَمرَمِvast
لَدى السَلمِ أَو في صَدرِ جَيشٍ عَرَمرَمِ
You are an adornment, whether at the head of a council
You are beauty whether you were in the heart of a council
in peace, or at the head of a vast army.
Near the turban or in the heart of an army clamoring.
إِذاwhen نَظَرَتlooked at عَينايَmy two eyes وَجهَكَyour face مُقبِلاًapproaching
إِذا نَظَرَت عَينايَ وَجهَكَ مُقبِلاً
تَأَمَّلتُI contemplated وَجهَthe face of الرِزقِsustenance فيin وَجهِthe face of ضَيغَمِa lion
تَأَمَّلتُ وَجهَ الرِزقِ في وَجهِ ضَيغَمِ
When my eyes see your face approaching,
When my eyes see your face approaching,
I behold the face of sustenance in a lion's face.
I envision the face of sustenance in your glowing face.
أَهابُكَI stand in awe of you حَتّىuntil لَيسَnot يَمتَدُّextends ناظرِيmy gaze
أَهابُكَ حَتّى لَيسَ يَمتَدُّ ناظرِي
إِلَيكَtoward you وَلاnor يَستَأنِسُfeels at ease النُطقُspeech فيin فَمِيmy mouth
إِلَيكَ وَلا يَستَأنِسُ النُطقُ في فَمِي
I stand in such awe of you that my gaze cannot reach
I am awed by you until my sight cannot
toward you, nor does speech feel at ease within my mouth.
Stretch to you and speech stammers in my mouth.
فَواso, oh عَجَباًwonder أَنّيthat I إِذاwhen قُمتُI rose مُنشِداًreciting poetry
فَوا عَجَباً أَنّي إِذا قُمتُ مُنشِداً
أَمامَكَbefore you لَمnot أَحصَرI become tongue-tied وَلمand not أَتَلَعثَمِI stammer
أَمامَكَ لَم أَحصَر وَلم أَتَلَعثَمِ
How astonishing, then, that when I rise to recite
How strange that when I stand reciting poetry
before you, I am neither tongue-tied nor stammering.
In your presence I do not falter or stutter.
وَلَكِنَّbut قَلبِيmy heart واثِقٌtrusting بِكَin you عالِمٌknowing
وَلَكِنَّ قَلبِي واثِقٌ بِكَ عالِمٌ
بِكُلِّof every جَمِيلٍkindness مِنكَfrom you غَيرِnot مُعَتِّمِslow to come
بِكُلِّ جَمِيلٍ مِنكَ غَيرِ مُعَتِّمِ
Yet my heart trusts in you and knows
But my heart is confident in you, knowledgeable
every kindness from you, never slow to come.
Of all your goodness without darkness.
خَدَمتُكَI served you وَالفَودانِand the temple-locks سُحمٌjet-black كَأَنَّهاas though they were
خَدَمتُكَ وَالفَودانِ سُحمٌ كَأَنَّها
حَياةُthe life of مُعادِيكَyour enemy الشَقِيِّwretched المُذَمَّمِreviled
حَياةُ مُعادِيكَ الشَقِيِّ المُذَمَّمِ
I served you when my temple-locks were jet-black, like
the life of your wretched, reviled enemy.
Serving you and the necklaces are white, shining beads
وَهاand behold هِيَthey بِيضٌwhite ناصِعاتٌgleaming كَأَنَّهاas though they were
وَها هِيَ بِيضٌ ناصِعاتٌ كَأَنَّها
بَياضُthe whiteness of ثَناياthe front teeth of دَهرِكَyour fortune المُتَبَسِّمِsmiling
بَياضُ ثَنايا دَهرِكَ المُتَبَسِّمِ
And now they are gleaming white, like
As if they are the wretched life of your frowning enemy.
the white front teeth of your smiling fortune.
The whiteness of the folds of your smiling time.
فَلَمso not أَرَI saw أَندىmore generous مِنكَthan you كَفّاًof hand بِنائِلٍwith a gift
فَلَم أَرَ أَندى مِنكَ كَفّاً بِنائِلٍ
جَسِيمٍgreat وَلاnor أَقوىstronger عَلىat حَملِbearing مَغرَمِa financial burden
جَسِيمٍ وَلا أَقوى عَلى حَملِ مَغرَمِ
I have seen no hand more generous than yours in giving
So I did not see a hand more generous than yours
great gifts, nor stronger in bearing a financial burden.
In attaining a formidable prize or stronger at bearing burdens.
فَتَحتَyou opened عَلَيَّto me الرِزقَsustenance مِنfrom كُلِّevery وِجهَةٍdirection
فَتَحتَ عَلَيَّ الرِزقَ مِن كُلِّ وِجهَةٍ
وَأَنقَذتَنِيand you saved me مِنfrom كُلِّevery فَجٍّravine وَمَخرِمِand mountain pass
وَأَنقَذتَنِي مِن كُلِّ فَجٍّ وَمَخرِمِ
You opened sustenance to me from every direction,
You opened sustenance to me from every direction
and saved me from every ravine and mountain pass.
And saved me from every pit and destruction.
وَأَغنَيتَنِيand you made me independent عَمَّنof anyone سِواكَother than you فَلَمso not أَبِتI spent the night
وَأَغنَيتَنِي عَمَّن سِواكَ فَلَم أَبِت
بِنُعماكَthrough your favors مُحتاجاًin need إِلىof فَضلِthe bounty of مَنعِمِa benefactor
بِنُعماكَ مُحتاجاً إِلى فَضلِ مَنعِمِ
You made me need none but you; thus I have not passed a night,
You made me needless of any besides you so I did not sell
thanks to your favors, needing another benefactor's bounty.
Your bounties while needing the favor of a benefactor.
وَإِنand if نالَنِيreached me خَيرٌgood فَمِنكَthen from you أَساسُهُits foundation
وَإِن نالَنِي خَيرٌ فَمِنكَ أَساسُهُ
وَماand not النَبتُvegetation إِلّاexcept بِالغَمامِthrough clouds المُدَيِّمِsteadily raining
وَما النَبتُ إِلّا بِالغَمامِ المُدَيِّمِ
If some good has reached me, its foundation comes from you,
If any good befell me, you are its foundation,
for plants grow only through clouds of continuing rain.
As vegetation is only because of lasting clouds.
وَواأَسَفاand alas أَنّيthat I تَخَلَّفتُI stayed behind لَمnot أَقُمI fulfilled
وَواأَسَفا أَنّي تَخَلَّفتُ لَم أَقُم
بِحَقٍّa duty وَلَمand not أَنشُرI spread ثَناءًpraise بِمَوسِمat a festive gathering
بِحَقٍّ وَلَم أَنشُر ثَناءً بِمَوسِم
Alas that I stayed behind and did not fulfill
Alas that I lagged, did not stand
a duty, nor spread your praise at a festive gathering.
With truth or spread praise in its season.
وَلَكِنbut عَدانِيkept me away سُوءُthe ill of حَظّيmy fortune وَعاقَنِيand hindered me
وَلَكِن عَدانِي سُوءُ حَظّي وَعاقَنِي
عَنِfrom الواجِبِthe duty المَفروضِprescribed فَرطُexcess of التَأَلُّمِsuffering
عَنِ الواجِبِ المَفروضِ فَرطُ التَأَلُّمِ
But my ill fortune kept me away, and I was hindered
But my misfortune turned me away
from my prescribed duty by overwhelming suffering.
And excessive pain prevented me from obligation.
وَهَلand are أَنتَyou إِلّاanything but الشَمسُthe sun ماnot انضَرَّwas diminished نُورُهاits light
وَهَل أَنتَ إِلّا الشَمسُ ما انضَرَّ نُورُها
بِصَمتِيby my silence وَلاnor زادَتit grew عُلىًhigher بِتَكَلُّميthrough my speech
بِصَمتِي وَلا زادَت عُلىً بِتَكَلُّمي
Are you not the sun? Its light was not diminished
Are you not the sun whose light was not dimmed
by my silence, nor was it raised higher by my speaking.
By my silence or increased by my speaking?
لَقَدindeed عَزَّgained honor قَومٌa people وَاصَلُوكَkept ties with you وَحاوَلُواand sought
لَقَد عَزَّ قَومٌ وَاصَلُوكَ وَحاوَلُوا
دنُوَّكَnearness to you حَتّىuntil مازَجُواthey mingled الدمَblood بِالدَمِwith blood
دنُوَّكَ حَتّى مازَجُوا الدمَ بِالدَمِ
A people gained honor who kept ties with you and sought
Some people associated with you and tried
nearness to you, until they mingled blood with blood.
To be close to you until they mixed blood with blood.
نَصَرتَهُمُyou supported them حَتّىeven بِرَأيِكَwith your counsel فاتِحاًopening
نَصَرتَهُمُ حَتّى بِرَأيِكَ فاتِحاً
لَهُمfor them كُلَّevery مُستَدٍّclosed مِنَof الأَمرِthe matter مُبهَمِobscure
لَهُم كُلَّ مُستَدٍّ مِنَ الأَمرِ مُبهَمِ
You supported them even with your counsel, opening
You supported them until with your opinion their conqueror
for them every closed and obscure matter.
Unravelled every ambiguous matter.
وَماand nothing is خِندِفٌKhindif إِلّاbut نُجُومٌstars زَواهِرshining
وَما خِندِفٌ إِلّا نُجُومٌ زَواهِر
تَخَيَّرتَyou chose مِنهاfrom them بَيتَthe house of غَفرٍGhafr وَمِرزَمِand Mirzam
تَخَيَّرتَ مِنها بَيتَ غَفرٍ وَمِرزَمِ
Khindif is nothing but shining stars;
Khundif is but shining stars
from them you chose the house of Ghafr and Mirzam.
From which you chose the houses of Ghafar and Mirzam.
وَكانُواand they were يَرَونَseeing الفَخرَglory قَبلَكَbefore you غائِراًsinking
وَكانُوا يَرَونَ الفَخرَ قَبلَكَ غائِراً
فَفُزتَso you triumphed وَفازُواand they triumphed بِالفَخارِin glory المُتَمَّمِmade complete
فَفُزتَ وَفازُوا بِالفَخارِ المُتَمَّمِ
Before you, they used to see glory sinking,
They saw glory before you waning
but you triumphed, and they triumphed in perfected glory.
So you won and they won the perfected pride.
إِذاwhen مُضَرٌMudar طالَتrose tall بِذِكراكthrough remembrance of you أَشرَفَتit towered
إِذا مُضَرٌ طالَت بِذِكراك أَشرَفَت
عَلىabove الناسِpeople إشرافَlike the towering of الذُرىthe peaks مِنof يَلَملَمِYalamlam
عَلى الناسِ إشرافَ الذُرى مِن يَلَملَمِ
When Mudar rises tall through remembrance of you, it towers
When Muḍar is mentioned, your mention
above mankind as the peaks of Yalamlam tower.
Rises above people like the ascent of a laden camel.
هَنيئاًmay it bring joy لَكَto you التَوفِيقُsuccess فابقَso remain مُوَفَّقاًfavored with success
هَنيئاً لَكَ التَوفِيقُ فابقَ مُوَفَّقاً
طَوالَthroughout اللَيالthe nights وَاعلُand rise high فيin المُلكِsovereignty واسلَمِand remain safe
طَوالَ اللَيال وَاعلُ في المُلكِ واسلَمِ
May success bring you joy; remain favored with success
Congratulations on your success so remain successful
throughout the nights; rise high in sovereignty, and stay safe.
With long nights and sublime in kingdom and safety.
فَإِنfor indeed بَنِيthe children of الدُنياthis world وَإِنَّكَand indeed you فِيهِمُamong them
فَإِن بَنِي الدُنيا وَإِنَّكَ فِيهِمُ
لَكاsurely like لغُرَّةِthe forehead blaze البَيضاءِwhite فيon وَجهِthe face of أَدهَمِa black steed
لَكا لغُرَّةِ البَيضاءِ في وَجهِ أَدهَمِ
For among the children of this world, you are
The people of the world even if you are among them
surely like the white blaze on the face of a black steed.
Are like the cunning in an African's face.
Partial English translation: 117 of 118 Arabic lines translated.