وقصر به جمع المعالي ممنع ال

وقصر به جمع المعالي ممنع ال

جناب عن الأعداء عالي الجوانب

جناب عن الأعداء عالي الجوانب

And a palace where all lofty virtues gather, well defended,

A palace in which the heights of glory are gathered

its precinct beyond enemies’ reach, its sides towering.

Whose side is inaccessible to enemies, lofty of aspect

فبانيه قد ساس الأمور وأسست

فبانيه قد ساس الأمور وأسست

مبانيه من فوق القنا والقواضب

مبانيه من فوق القنا والقواضب

For its builder has governed affairs, and foundations were laid

Its builder laid down affairs and founded

for its buildings atop lances and keen-edged swords.

Its structures above springs and riverbeds

سمونا به فوق الكواكب رفعة

سمونا به فوق الكواكب رفعة

ولا سيما بالفاضل ابن الكواكبي

ولا سيما بالفاضل ابن الكواكبي

Through it we rose in eminence above the stars,

We ascended through it above the stars in loftiness

especially through the virtuous Ibn al-Kawakibi.

Especially through the excellent Ibn Al Kawaakibi

تملكه من آل سيفا ممدح

تملكه من آل سيفا ممدح

على السجايا حاتمي المواهب

على السجايا حاتمي المواهب

A man acquired it from the house of Sayfa, much praised

It is ruled by the House of Saif, ones praised

for his character, Hatim-like in his gifts.

For manners, endowed with talents

رعى الله دهراً قادني لجنابه

رعى الله دهراً قادني لجنابه

وفرق ما بيني وبين أقاربي

وفرق ما بيني وبين أقاربي

May God bless the time that led me to his presence

May God long preserve the one who led me to its side

and separated me from my relatives,

And separate what is between me and my kin

وحيا خطوباً ضمنه ونوائبا

وحيا خطوباً ضمنه ونوائبا

فلم القه لولا حلول النوائب

فلم القه لولا حلول النوائب

and bless the hardships and calamities within it;

And protect it from sorrows contained therein and disasters

for I would not have met him but for the onset of calamities.

So I did not face them were it not for disasters befalling

فلا زال يبقى سالماً فبقاؤه

فلا زال يبقى سالماً فبقاؤه

دروع تقينا صائبات المصائب

دروع تقينا صائبات المصائب

May he ever remain safe, for his survival

For it remains safe, so its survival

is armor shielding us from calamities that strike true.

Are shields protecting us from terrible calamities