إلى المُعتلي عالَيتُ هَمَّي طَالِباً

إلى المُعتلي عالَيتُ هَمَّي طَالِباً

لِكَرَّتِه إنَّ الكَريمَ يَعودُ

لِكَرَّتِه إنَّ الكَريمَ يَعودُ

Toward al-Muʿtali I raised my hopes, seeking

To the one mounted aloft, I raise my worries

his return—for the generous man returns.

Seeking his generosity, for the generous returns

هُمامٌ أَراه جُودُه سُبُل العُلا

هُمامٌ أَراه جُودُه سُبُل العُلا

وَعَلَّمَهُ الإِحسانَ كَيفَ يَسودُ

وَعَلَّمَهُ الإِحسانَ كَيفَ يَسودُ

A high-minded man, whose generosity showed him the paths to greatness,

Ambitions I see, his munificence paves the way to glory

and benevolence taught him how to rule.

And taught him benevolence, how it prevails

نَفَى الذَمّ عَنهُ أن طي برُوده

نَفَى الذَمّ عَنهُ أن طي برُوده

عَفافٌ عَلَى سِن الشَّباب وجودُ

عَفافٌ عَلَى سِن الشَّباب وجودُ

Reproach was banished from him, for in the folds of his robes

He dispelled the blame from him, his cool composure

are chastity in youth and generosity.

Chastity upon the prime of youth and munificence

تُؤدِّى إِلَينا أَنه سِبطُ أَحمدٍ

تُؤدِّى إِلَينا أَنه سِبطُ أَحمدٍ

مَخايِلُ فيهِ لِلهُدى وَشُهودُ

مَخايِلُ فيهِ لِلهُدى وَشُهودُ

That he is a descendant of Ahmad is conveyed to us

He fulfills for us that he is the grandson of Ahmed

by signs of guidance within him, and testimonies.

Michael in him for guidance and witnesses

حنَانَيكَ إِنَّ الماءَ قَد بَلَغَ الزُّبى

حنَانَيكَ إِنَّ الماءَ قَد بَلَغَ الزُّبى

وأنحَت رَزايا ما لَهُنَّ عَديدُ

وأنحَت رَزايا ما لَهُنَّ عَديدُ

Mercy, mercy! The water has already reached the hilltops,

Your tenderness, indeed the water has reached the flowers

and calamities beyond counting have assailed me.

And bent branches without number

ظَمِئتُ إِلَى صافِي الهَواءِ وَطَلقِهِ

ظَمِئتُ إِلَى صافِي الهَواءِ وَطَلقِهِ

فَهَل لي يَوماً في رِضاكَ ورُودُ

فَهَل لي يَوماً في رِضاكَ ورُودُ

I have thirsted for pure, open air;

I thirst for the clear, open air

will I one day reach the waters of your favor?

So will I have a day in your acceptance and return?

ولي حرمةٌ حاشا لِمِثلك أن يُرى

ولي حرمةٌ حاشا لِمِثلك أن يُرى

مضيعاً لها وهو الغداة شهيدُ

مضيعاً لها وهو الغداة شهيدُ

And I have a claim to respect—far be it from one like you to be seen

I have a sanctity, it cannot be for the likes of you

neglecting it, while he himself is a witness this morning.

To be seen neglecting it, while at dawn still living

فلا يَعرَ من رُحماكمُ مَن عليكمُ

فلا يَعرَ من رُحماكمُ مَن عليكمُ

مطارف مما حاكَهُ وبرودُ

مطارف مما حاكَهُ وبرودُ

So let him not go bare of your mercy, who has clothed you

So none who relies on your mercies is denied

in bordered cloaks and striped robes of his own weaving—

Diversion from what worries and bothers him

جَواهِر شعرٍ شاكلَ المَجدَ درها

جَواهِر شعرٍ شاكلَ المَجدَ درها

كَما شاكَلت جيدَ الفتاةِ عُقودُ

كَما شاكَلت جيدَ الفتاةِ عُقودُ

jewels of verse whose pearls befitted glory,

Jewels of poetry, resembling glory in its pearls

as necklaces befit a maiden's neck.

As resembling the necklace the neck of the maiden