وَلِيُّheir العَهْدِthe succession أَمْor عَهْدُthe pledge of الوَلِيِّthe guardian
وَلِيُّ العَهْدِ أَمْ عَهْدُ الوَلِيِّ
أَتَىcame يُروِيwatering البَسِيطَةَthe earth كَالأَتِيِّlike an onrushing flood
أَتَى يُروِي البَسِيطَةَ كَالأَتِيِّ
Is it the heir apparent, or the guardian's pledge,
The Crown Prince or the Prince's oath
that has come to water the earth like an onrushing flood?
Came to quench the thirst of the desert like one who comes
وَغُرَّتُهُand his brow المُنِيرَةُthe radiant ماwhat تَجَلَّىappeared
وَغُرَّتُهُ المُنِيرَةُ ما تَجَلَّى
لَنَاto us أَمْor غُرَّةُthe brow of الصُّبْحِthe dawn الجَلِيِّthe shining
لَنَا أَمْ غُرَّةُ الصُّبْحِ الجَلِيِّ
And is his radiant brow what has appeared
And his radiant face shone when it appeared
to us, or the brow of the shining dawn?
Was it for us or the dawn’s radiance manifest?
أَلاLo! سِرُّthe secret of الهِدَايَةِguidance فيهِin him بادٍmanifest
أَلا سِرُّ الهِدَايَةِ فيهِ بادٍ
لسَبَّاقِfor one foremost in العِنَايَةِprovidential favor فيat البَدِيِّthe outset
لسَبَّاقِ العِنَايَةِ في البَدِيِّ
Lo, the secret of guidance is manifest in him,
Behold, the secret of guidance in him is evident
for one foremost in providential favor from the outset.
For the forerunner of Providence in creation
فَمَاso whatever أَحْبَبتَyou love مِنْof خُلُقٍcharacter رَضِيّpleasing
فَمَا أَحْبَبتَ مِنْ خُلُقٍ رَضِيّ
ومَاand whatever أحْبَبتَyou love مِنْof خَلْقٍform وَضِيِّradiant
ومَا أحْبَبتَ مِنْ خَلْقٍ وَضِيِّ
There is all you love of pleasing character,
So whatever trait you loved that was agreeable
and all you love of radiant form.
And whatever nature you loved that was gentle
عَلَىupon نَفَحاتِهِhis gifts تُبْنَىare built الأَمانِيhopes
عَلَى نَفَحاتِهِ تُبْنَى الأَمانِي
كَمَاas يُبْنَىis built القَريضُverse عَلَىupon الرَوِيِّthe rhyme consonant
كَمَا يُبْنَى القَريضُ عَلَى الرَوِيِّ
Upon his gifts hopes are built,
On his breath desires are built
as verse is built upon its rhyme consonant.
As poems are built on well-chosen rhyme
تَطَلَّعَhe shone forth مِنْfrom سَمَاحٍgenerosity واتِّضَاحٍand brilliance
تَطَلَّعَ مِنْ سَمَاحٍ واتِّضَاحٍ
بِنُورِwith the light of البَدْرِthe full moon فِيamid جُودِthe bounty of الحَبِيِّthe rain-laden cloud
بِنُورِ البَدْرِ فِي جُودِ الحَبِيِّ
He shone forth in generosity and brilliance,
He looked with generosity and clarity
with the full moon's light amid a rain cloud's bounty.
In the light of the full moon in the bounty of the loved one
وأَمّand he sought ذَرىthe summits of الإِمامَةِthe imamate نَحْوَtoward مَولىًa lord
وأَمّ ذَرى الإِمامَةِ نَحْوَ مَولىً
بِمِلْءِwith the filling of الأَرْضِthe earth مَعْدلةًwith justice مَلِيِّable
بِمِلْءِ الأَرْضِ مَعْدلةً مَلِيِّ
And he sought the summits of the imamate, approaching a lord
And the seeds of the Imamate towards the Master
able to fill the earth with justice.
Filled the earth, regulated, complete
تَخَيَّرَهُhe chose him حِمىًas a bulwark لِلْمُلْكِfor the kingdom لَمَّاwhen
تَخَيَّرَهُ حِمىً لِلْمُلْكِ لَمَّا
جَلاهُhe revealed him أَجَلَّthe noblest ذَاpossessor of أَنْفٍpride حَمِيِّardent
جَلاهُ أَجَلَّ ذَا أَنْفٍ حَمِيِّ
He chose him as a bulwark for the kingdom when
He chose him as the protector of the kingdom when
he revealed him as the noblest man of ardent pride.
He revealed him, of excellent lineage, protecting
وَأَبْصَرَهُand he saw him علَىto التَّوْفِيقِdivinely granted success وَقْفاًwholly devoted
وَأَبْصَرَهُ علَى التَّوْفِيقِ وَقْفاً
يُقَرْطِسُhe hits the mark حينَwhen يَنْزَعُhe draws the bow فِيin الرَّمِيِّshooting
يُقَرْطِسُ حينَ يَنْزَعُ فِي الرَّمِيِّ
And he saw him wholly devoted to divinely granted success,
And saw him adhering to success, pausing
hitting the mark whenever he draws to shoot.
To shoot accurately when tensions rise
وَلَمْand did not يُؤْثِرْهُhe favor him بالتَّأْمِيرِwith appointment to command لكِنْbut
وَلَمْ يُؤْثِرْهُ بالتَّأْمِيرِ لكِنْ
بِهِhim for itself مُسْتَأثِرُclaiming exclusively الأَمْرِthe command العَلِيِّthe exalted
بِهِ مُسْتَأثِرُ الأَمْرِ العَلِيِّ
He did not favor him with appointment to command; rather,
And did not prefer him with appointment but
the exalted command itself has claimed him.
The command, exalted, is his preserve
تَسَنَّنَhe followed the established way ماwhat اقْتَضَتْهُrequired it لَهُfor him الْمَعَالِيhigh distinctions
تَسَنَّنَ ما اقْتَضَتْهُ لَهُ الْمَعَالِي
بِمَنْصِبِهِthrough his office ومَنْسِبِهِand his lineage السَّنِيِّthe illustrious
بِمَنْصِبِهِ ومَنْسِبِهِ السَّنِيِّ
He followed the path that high distinction required for him,
What the sublimities required for him were observed
through his office and his illustrious lineage.
In his position and his elevated lineage
وَنَادَىand called الْحَقُّTruth حَيْعَلاcome! بِشَهْمٍfor a noble-spirited man
وَنَادَى الْحَقُّ حَيْعَلا بِشَهْمٍ
تَحَقَّقَhe embodied بِالكَمَالِperfection اليَحْيَوِيِّassociated with Yahya
تَحَقَّقَ بِالكَمَالِ اليَحْيَوِيِّ
And Truth sounded its summons for a noble-spirited man
And the truth called out proudly
who embodied Yahya's perfection.
Embodied in perfection, Yaḥyāwī
إلَىto الفارُوقِal-Faruq تَنْمِيهِtrace him السَّجَايَاinnate virtues
إلَى الفارُوقِ تَنْمِيهِ السَّجَايَا
سَمِيُّnamesake of أَبِيهِhis father يَاO لَكَto you مِنْwhat a سَمِيِّnamesake
سَمِيُّ أَبِيهِ يَا لَكَ مِنْ سَمِيِّ
His innate virtues trace him to al-Faruq;
To al-Fārūq—may his qualities grow—
his father's namesake—what a namesake he is!
His father's namesake, O what a namesake!
وَحَسْبُكَand enough for you ماwhat هَداهُguided him مِنْof الوَصَاياcounsels
وَحَسْبُكَ ما هَداهُ مِنْ الوَصَايا
عَنِfrom المَهْدِيِّal-Mahdi مِنْof آلِthe house of الوَصِيِّal-Wasi, the designated successor
عَنِ المَهْدِيِّ مِنْ آلِ الوَصِيِّ
Enough for you are the counsels that guided him,
And enough for you is the guidance he gave him
from al-Mahdi, of the house of al-Wasi.
From the Mahdi, from the household of the successor
أَغَرُّradiant مِنَof الخِلافَةِthe caliphate فِيin مَحَلٍّa station
أَغَرُّ مِنَ الخِلافَةِ فِي مَحَلٍّ
تَبَحْبَحَhe dwelt at ease فِيin الإنَافَةِeminence والرُّقِيِّand ascent
تَبَحْبَحَ فِي الإنَافَةِ والرُّقِيِّ
Radiant, he occupies a station in the caliphate
More prideful than the caliphate in any case
where he dwells at ease in eminence and ascent.
Luxuriating in comfort and decency
كَفَىhe protected التَّوحيدmonotheism ماwhat أَنْحَىassailed فَأَضْحَىso he became
كَفَى التَّوحيد ما أَنْحَى فَأَضْحَى
وَحِيداًunique فِيamong المُلوكِkings بِلاwithout كَفِيِّan equal
وَحِيداً فِي المُلوكِ بِلا كَفِيِّ
He warded off what assailed monotheism, becoming
The uniqueness of oneness sufficed him, so he became
unique among kings, without an equal.
Unique among kings, without peer
وَلَمْand not يَكُcould be مَنْone whose أَبُوAbu حَفْصٍHafs أَبُوهُhis father
وَلَمْ يَكُ مَنْ أَبُو حَفْصٍ أَبُوهُ
لِيُلْفَىto be found غَيْرَother than شَيْحَانٍa towering, spirited man أَبِيِّunbowed
لِيُلْفَى غَيْرَ شَيْحَانٍ أَبِيِّ
One whose father is Abu Hafs could never
And none was Abu Ḥafṣ’s father but
be found other than a towering, unbowed man.
Shaykhān his protector and mentor
تَأَخَّرَfell behind مَنْthose who تَقَدَّمَhad gone ahead حِينَwhen أَجْرَىhe raced
تَأَخَّرَ مَنْ تَقَدَّمَ حِينَ أَجْرَى
مِنَfrom العَلْيَاthe heights إِلَىtoward الأَمَدِthe goal القَصِيِّthe farthest
مِنَ العَلْيَا إِلَى الأَمَدِ القَصِيِّ
Those once ahead fell behind when he raced
He who went first lagged when He brought forth
from the heights toward the farthest goal.
From the Highest to the Distant Irresistible
وَأَشْرَقَتِand shone الليَالِيthe nights مِنْfrom حُلاهُhis adornments
وَأَشْرَقَتِ الليَالِي مِنْ حُلاهُ
فَلاحَتْso they appeared كَالحَلائِلِlike wives فِيin الحُلِيِّjewelry
فَلاحَتْ كَالحَلائِلِ فِي الحُلِيِّ
And the nights shone with his adornments,
And the nights shone from his adornment
appearing like wives arrayed in jewels.
Radiant like brides in their finery
مُبَارَكُblessed in مَولِدٍbirth مَيْمُونُauspicious in سَعْيendeavor
مُبَارَكُ مَولِدٍ مَيْمُونُ سَعْي
مُؤَيَّدُsupported in عزْمَةٍresolve مَعْدُومُdevoid of سِيِّan equal
مُؤَيَّدُ عزْمَةٍ مَعْدُومُ سِيِّ
Blessed in birth, auspicious in endeavor,
Blessed birth, auspicious endeavor
supported in resolve, without a peer.
Supported resolve, untainted by evil
وَمَاand not طِيبُthe goodness of الأَرُومَةِthe stock مِنْهُin him بِدْعاًa novelty
وَمَا طِيبُ الأَرُومَةِ مِنْهُ بِدْعاً
زَكَاةُthe excellence of الفَرْعِthe branch لِلأَصْلِbelongs to the root الزَّكِيِّthe excellent
زَكَاةُ الفَرْعِ لِلأَصْلِ الزَّكِيِّ
The goodness of his stock is nothing strange;
And the perfume of the basil is no innovation from him
the branch's excellence is owed to its excellent root.
But the purity of the branch for the immaculate root
تَفُوزُwin قِدَاحُthe arrows of مَنْwhoever يَأْوِيtakes shelter إِلَيْهِwith him
تَفُوزُ قِدَاحُ مَنْ يَأْوِي إِلَيْهِ
فَسيَّانso alike are المَرِيشُthe feathered shaft مَعَwith النَّضِيِّthe bare shaft
فَسيَّان المَرِيشُ مَعَ النَّضِيِّ
The arrows of anyone who shelters with him prevail,
The cups of those who resort to him are victorious
so the feathered shaft and the bare shaft are alike.
While the feathers of the ostrich and the ostrich vie
أَجَدَّrenewed بَشَاشَةَthe gladness of الأَيَّامِthe days نُصْبٌan appointment
أَجَدَّ بَشَاشَةَ الأَيَّامِ نُصْبٌ
لأَوْحَدَfor a peerless man فِيin النِّصابِthe stock الأَوْحَدِيِّthe peerless
لأَوْحَدَ فِي النِّصابِ الأَوْحَدِيِّ
An appointment renewed the gladness of the days,
The joy of days saddened the matchless one
for a peerless man of peerless stock.
At the height of glory, the singular one
بِكَthrough you الليلthe night استَنَارshone سَناًin radiance وَطِيباًand fragrance
بِكَ الليل استَنَار سَناً وَطِيباً
وَمِنْand from وَرْدِthe roses of الضُّحَىthe forenoon وَرْسُthe yellow dye of العَشِيِّthe evening
وَمِنْ وَرْدِ الضُّحَى وَرْسُ العَشِيِّ
Through you the night shone with radiance and fragrance,
By you the night was illuminated as it passed gently
and evening's yellow dye came from the roses of forenoon.
And from the roses of dawn and eve's bouquet
نَتَائِجُoutcomes of نَضْرَةٍfresh splendor لِمُقَدّماتٍfrom premises
نَتَائِجُ نَضْرَةٍ لِمُقَدّماتٍ
مُمَوَّهَةٍgilded بِمَنْظَرِهِby his appearance البَهِيِّthe magnificent
مُمَوَّهَةٍ بِمَنْظَرِهِ البَهِيِّ
Outcomes of fresh splendor, from premises
Consequences of flourishing for excellent beginnings
gilded by his magnificent appearance.
Cloaked in their splendid appearance
تَخَالُyou imagine الأَرْضَthe earth قَدْalready مُلِئَتْhas been filled جِنَاناًwith gardens
تَخَالُ الأَرْضَ قَدْ مُلِئَتْ جِنَاناً
بِمَاwith what الْتَحَفَتْit wrapped itself in مِنَof الزَّهْرِthe blossoms الجَنِيِّfresh for plucking
بِمَا الْتَحَفَتْ مِنَ الزَّهْرِ الجَنِيِّ
You would imagine the earth filled with gardens,
You would think the land filled with gardens
from the fresh blossoms in which it has wrapped itself.
From the flowers that adorned it, freshly plucked
وَتَحْسَبُهاand you reckon it إِذاwhen يَغْزُوhe campaigns بِحَاراًseas
وَتَحْسَبُها إِذا يَغْزُو بِحَاراً
زَواخِرَsurging بِالخُيُولِwith horses وبِالمَطِيِّand with riding camels
زَواخِرَ بِالخُيُولِ وبِالمَطِيِّ
And when he campaigns, you would reckon it seas
And when he raids with an army
surging with horses and riding camels.
You'd think it coursers and steeds in full gallop
يَضِيقُgrows cramped الرَّحْبُthe open land عَنهَاfor them مِنْwith هِضابٍhills
يَضِيقُ الرَّحْبُ عَنهَا مِنْ هِضابٍ
لأَعْوَجَof A'waj steeds أَوor لأَحْدَبَof a humped أَرْحَبِيِّArhabi camel
لأَعْوَجَ أَو لأَحْدَبَ أَرْحَبِيِّ
The wide land is cramped by their hill-like masses,
The open plain is too narrow for them
of A'waj steeds or humped Arhabi camels.
For one humpbacked or crooked of the wide open spaces
حَياةُthe life of الدِّينِfaith وَالدُّنْيَاand worldly life بِكَفَّيْin the two hands of
حَياةُ الدِّينِ وَالدُّنْيَا بِكَفَّيْ
أَبِيAbu يَحْيَىYahya الهِزَبْرِthe lion الهِبْرِزِيِّthe noble lord
أَبِي يَحْيَى الهِزَبْرِ الهِبْرِزِيِّ
The life of faith and worldly life lies in the two hands
The life of religion and worldly affairs in your two hands
of Abu Yahya, the lion, the noble lord.
O Abu Yaḥya al-Hizbar the eloquent
تَقَسَّمَتَاthe two apportioned العُلاglory صَوْلاًas might وَطَوْلاًand largesse
تَقَسَّمَتَا العُلا صَوْلاً وَطَوْلاً
أُعِدَّاboth were prepared لِلْعَدُوِّfor the enemy وَلِلْوَلِيِّand for the ally
أُعِدَّا لِلْعَدُوِّ وَلِلْوَلِيِّ
They apportioned glory as might and largesse,
Dividing the heights in extension and duration
both readied for enemy and ally.
Prepared for the enemy and the ally
يُخافُhe is feared ويُرْتَجَىand hoped for أَثْنَاءَamid بَأسٍvalor
يُخافُ ويُرْتَجَى أَثْنَاءَ بَأسٍ
خُزيْمِيٍّKhuzaym-like وبَذْلٍand generosity خَازِمِيِّKhazim-like
خُزيْمِيٍّ وبَذْلٍ خَازِمِيِّ
He is feared and hoped for amid valor
Feared and hoped for in fierce fighting
like Khuzaym's, and generosity like Khazim's.
Like a Khazrami and generous like a Khuza'i
أَعَنْis it from سَدْويكِشٍSadwikish تَنْبَوrecoil ظُبَاهُhis sword-edges
أَعَنْ سَدْويكِشٍ تَنْبَو ظُبَاهُ
وَمِنْand among عَادَاتِهاtheir habits فَرْيُperforming الفَرِيِّprodigious feats
وَمِنْ عَادَاتِها فَرْيُ الفَرِيِّ
Do his sword-edges recoil from Sadwikish,
Will the lions of Sadd wa-Yakīsh roar
when prodigious cleaving is their habit?
And attack according to their wont, violently?
إِذَاwhen غَرِيَتْthey fasten eagerly وَقَدْand already عَرِيَتْthey are bared بِحَيٍّupon a tribe
إِذَا غَرِيَتْ وَقَدْ عَرِيَتْ بِحَيٍّ
تَجدَّفَrushed headlong نَحْوَtoward مَصْرَعِهِits place of death الدَّمِيِّthe bloody
تَجدَّفَ نَحْوَ مَصْرَعِهِ الدَّمِيِّ
When, already unsheathed, they fasten upon a tribe
When they are enraged and stripped for war
that rushed toward its bloody place of death.
The bloody place of their death is hastened
عِبِدَّىslaves غَرَّهاdeceived them حِلْمُthe forbearance of المَوالِيthe masters
عِبِدَّى غَرَّها حِلْمُ المَوالِي
فَعَرَّضتِso they exposed البِشَارَةَglad tidings للنَّعِيِّto news of death
فَعَرَّضتِ البِشَارَةَ للنَّعِيِّ
Slaves whom their masters' forbearance deceived
My obedient servants, their patience deluded them
thus exposed glad tidings to tidings of death.
So they put glad tidings to lamentation
أَرَاغَتْthey sought ضِلَّةًin error مَاwhat عَنْهُaway from it زَاغَتْthey had turned aside
أَرَاغَتْ ضِلَّةً مَا عَنْهُ زَاغَتْ
وَزَأْرُand the roar of الليْثِthe lion لَيْسَis not مِنَfrom الصَّبِيِّa child
وَزَأْرُ الليْثِ لَيْسَ مِنَ الصَّبِيِّ
In error they sought what they had turned away from;
They strayed, not straying from him,
and a lion's roar is no child's.
And the lion's roar is not that of a boy
وَعاذَتْand they sought refuge بِالذَّرَىin the heights تَأْوِيsheltering إِلَيْهاin them
وَعاذَتْ بِالذَّرَى تَأْوِي إِلَيْها
فَهَلْbut did وَجَدَتْthey find عَنaway from السَّنَنِthe course السَّوِيِّthe straight
فَهَلْ وَجَدَتْ عَن السَّنَنِ السَّوِيِّ
They sought refuge in the heights, sheltering there;
And they sought refuge in the vile
but did they find escape from the straight course?
Did they find, deviating from the excellent paths?
وَلَمْand did not تَدَعthey abandon التَّهَالُكَrecklessness فيin شَقَاهَاtheir misery
وَلَمْ تَدَع التَّهَالُكَ في شَقَاهَا
لِتَهْلُكَةِbecause of the destruction of ابنِIbn إِسْحاقَIshaq الشَّقِيِّthe wretched
لِتَهْلُكَةِ ابنِ إِسْحاقَ الشَّقِيِّ
Nor did they abandon recklessness in their misery,
They did not abandon self-destruction in their misery
on account of the destruction of wretched Ibn Ishaq.
Like the destruction of Ibn Isḥāq the wretched
تَحَرَّشَhe provoked بِالوَغَىwar دَهْراًfor an age فَدَهْراًthen another age
تَحَرَّشَ بِالوَغَى دَهْراً فَدَهْراً
لِجَاحِمِهاbefore its blazing fire المُؤَجَّجِthe fiercely kindled فِيin صُلِيِّa roasting
لِجَاحِمِها المُؤَجَّجِ فِي صُلِيِّ
He provoked war age after age,
It charged confusedly, ages on end,
roasting before its fiercely kindled blaze.
With its raging confounded in evil
وَأَحسَنُهاand the finest of it ابتِدَاءًat the beginning وانتِهاءًand at the end
وَأَحسَنُها ابتِدَاءً وانتِهاءً
كَسَاهُclothed him الدِّرْعُthe mail دُونَrather than الأَتْحَمِيِّAthami fabric
كَسَاهُ الدِّرْعُ دُونَ الأَتْحَمِيِّ
And its finest, in beginning and end,
The best beginning and end for it
clothed him in mail rather than Athami fabric.
Was that the coat of mail spared the spine
ضَحُوكاًlaughing وَالحُسامُwhile the sword العَضْبُthe keen يَبْكِيweeps
ضَحُوكاً وَالحُسامُ العَضْبُ يَبْكِي
نَجِيعاًgore لانْقِصادِat the breaking of السَّمْهَرِيِّthe hardened spear
نَجِيعاً لانْقِصادِ السَّمْهَرِيِّ
Laughing, while the keen sword weeps
While the smiling sword weeps blood
gore at the breaking of the hardened spear.
Silenced by the death of al-Samhari
وَقَدْand indeed خَبأَتْhad concealed لهُfor him الأَقْدَارُfates مِنْهُfrom him
وَقَدْ خَبأَتْ لهُ الأَقْدَارُ مِنْهُ
فَتىًa youth وافَاهُmet him بالحَيْنِwith doom الجَنِيِّripe for harvest
فَتىً وافَاهُ بالحَيْنِ الجَنِيِّ
And fate had kept hidden for him, from that man,
And the fates had concealed from it
a youth who met him with doom ripe for harvest.
A young man who met it at the decisive moment
فَمَاso not أَغْنَىavailed ابنُIbn غَانِيَةٍGhaniya فَتِيلاًa whit
فَمَا أَغْنَى ابنُ غَانِيَةٍ فَتِيلاً
وَمَاand not أَجْدَىhelped ذوُوهُhis kinsmen بَنُوthe sons of عَلِيِّAli
وَمَا أَجْدَى ذوُوهُ بَنُو عَلِيِّ
Ibn Ghaniya availed him not a whit,
So what did the son of Ghaniya's wick avail
nor did his kinsmen, the sons of Ali, help.
Or his supporters, the sons of ‘Ali?
وَأَحكَامُand the decrees of الليالِيthe nights جَارِيَاتٌrun their course
وَأَحكَامُ الليالِي جَارِيَاتٌ
عَلَىover المَنْخُوبِthe fearful قَلباًat heart والجَرِيِّand the bold
عَلَى المَنْخُوبِ قَلباً والجَرِيِّ
The decrees of the nights run their course
And the judgments of nights go on
over the fainthearted and the bold alike.
Against the dejected heart and the spurned
فَإِنْso if كانَتْwas لَهُfor him الهَيْجَاءُbattle شِرْباًan allotted drink
فَإِنْ كانَتْ لَهُ الهَيْجَاءُ شِرْباً
فَقَدْthen indeed ذادَتْهُdrove him away أَطرَافُthe tips of العَصِيِّthe shafts
فَقَدْ ذادَتْهُ أَطرَافُ العَصِيِّ
If battle had been his allotted drink,
If excitement was its drink
the tips of the shafts have driven him away.
The edges of the staff kept it at bay
وَإِنْand if تَكُنِwas الشَّقاوَةُmisfortune أَنْسَأَتْهُreprieved him
وَإِنْ تَكُنِ الشَّقاوَةُ أَنْسَأَتْهُ
فَلَمْthen not يَكُhe was لِلسعَادَةِto good fortune بِالنَّسِيِّone forgotten
فَلَمْ يَكُ لِلسعَادَةِ بِالنَّسِيِّ
And if misfortune had granted him a reprieve,
And if misery made it forget
then good fortune had not forgotten him.
It had no happiness to make it forget
وَكَيْفَand how رَجَاhoped ابْنُIbn سَوَّاقٍSawwaq نَجَاةًfor escape
وَكَيْفَ رَجَا ابْنُ سَوَّاقٍ نَجَاةً
ولَيسَand was not لِماfrom what عَنَاهُbeset him بِالنَّجِيِّa survivor
ولَيسَ لِما عَنَاهُ بِالنَّجِيِّ
And how did Ibn Sawwaq hope for escape,
How could the son of Sawaq hope for salvation
when he could not escape what beset him?
When there was none to save him?
إِذَاwhen الإِقْصافُviolent shattering بِالعِيدانِupon the branches أَوْدَىdestroyed
إِذَا الإِقْصافُ بِالعِيدانِ أَوْدَى
فَمَاso what يَعْدُوهُdiverts it عَنfrom قَصفِbreaking الوَدِيِّthe young palms
فَمَا يَعْدُوهُ عَن قَصفِ الوَدِيِّ
When shattering lays the branches low,
When burning brands bring destruction
what turns it aside from breaking the young palms?
What can save him from the searing of the valley?
أُحِيطَwas encircled بِهِaround him فَأَذْعَنَso he submitted عَنin صغارٍhumiliation
أُحِيطَ بِهِ فَأَذْعَنَ عَن صغارٍ
يَذُمُّhe condemns عَواقِبَthe consequences of المَرْعَىthe pasture الوَبِيِّthe pestilent
يَذُمُّ عَواقِبَ المَرْعَى الوَبِيِّ
He was surrounded and submitted in humiliation,
He was surrounded so he bent to petty matters
condemning the outcome of that pestilent pasture.
Cursing the consequences of the treacherous pasture
وأَلْحَفَand he pressed insistently فِيfor الأَمانِsafe-conduct عَلَىwith اهْتِداءٍguidance
وأَلْحَفَ فِي الأَمانِ عَلَى اهْتِداءٍ
إِلَىtoward اسْتِنقاذِrescuing مَعْشَرِهِhis people الغَوِيِّthe misguided
إِلَى اسْتِنقاذِ مَعْشَرِهِ الغَوِيِّ
And he pressed for safe-conduct, guided
And clung to security, rightly-guided,
toward saving his wayward people.
To rescue his misguided people
وَهَانَand it became easy عَلَيْهِfor him أَنْthat وَهَنَتْhad weakened قِوَاهُhis powers
وَهَانَ عَلَيْهِ أَنْ وَهَنَتْ قِوَاهُ
ليُمْسِكَso he might grasp مِنْهُfrom him بِالسَّبَبِonto the cord القَوِيِّthe strong
ليُمْسِكَ مِنْهُ بِالسَّبَبِ القَوِيِّ
It mattered little to him that his strength had weakened,
And it was slight to him that his strength weakened
so he might grasp the strong cord from him.
That he might hold fast to the strong tie
أَفَاقَhe regained his senses وَكَانَand he had been لاnot يَصْحُوsobering فُوَاقاًfor an instant
أَفَاقَ وَكَانَ لا يَصْحُو فُوَاقاً
رُكُوناًtrusting مِنْfrom هَواهُhis own desire إِلَىin الرَبِيِّthe lookout
رُكُوناً مِنْ هَواهُ إِلَى الرَبِيِّ
He regained his senses, though he had not sobered for an instant,
He regained consciousness though he did not wake to consciousness
trusting, as his fancy led him, in the lookout.
Slumbering in his passion, to the Lord
وَخَوَّلَهُand granted him الرِّضَىfavor ماwhat لَمْnot يَخَلْهُhe had imagined it
وَخَوَّلَهُ الرِّضَى ما لَمْ يَخَلْهُ
وَكَمْand how many نَطِفٍa tainted man لهُfor him فَلَجُthe victory of البَرِيِّthe innocent man
وَكَمْ نَطِفٍ لهُ فَلَجُ البَرِيِّ
And favor granted him what he had never imagined;
And contentment gave him what did not leave him
how many a guilty man wins an innocent man's vindication!
Though many a wave lashed the land
وَلَوْلاand but for الصَّفْحُpardon أَسْقَتْهُmade him drink المَنَايَاdeaths
وَلَوْلا الصَّفْحُ أَسْقَتْهُ المَنَايَا
صِفَاحُthe broad blades of الهِنْدِIndia فيon يَوْمٍa day قَسِيِّcruel
صِفَاحُ الهِنْدِ في يَوْمٍ قَسِيِّ
But for pardon, they would have made him drink death—
And had it not been for forgiveness, the deaths
India's broad blades, on a cruel day.
Would have given him a draught of Indian steel one harsh day
إِذاwhen حَفَّsurrounds الحِمامُdeath بِمُستَمِيتٍaround one resolved to die
إِذا حَفَّ الحِمامُ بِمُستَمِيتٍ
فَلاthen let him not يَيْأَسْdespair مِنَof اللطْفِgrace الخَفِيِّthe hidden
فَلا يَيْأَسْ مِنَ اللطْفِ الخَفِيِّ
When death surrounds one resolved to die,
When pigeons surround one determined to die
let him not despair of hidden grace.
Let him not despair of unseen kindness
أَلاLo! للَّهِto God أَوَّاهa fervent supplicant مُطِيعٌobedient
أَلا للَّهِ أَوَّاه مُطِيعٌ
يُدَوِّخُhe subdues كُلَّevery جَبَّارٍtyrant عَصِيِّrebellious
يُدَوِّخُ كُلَّ جَبَّارٍ عَصِيِّ
Lo, a fervent supplicant, obedient to God,
Behold! Obedient to God, he subdues
who subdues every rebellious tyrant.
Every stubborn rebel
تَسَامَىhe rose high فِيin مَراقِيthe ascending ranks of الفَضْلِvirtue حَتَّىuntil
تَسَامَى فِي مَراقِي الفَضْلِ حَتَّى
أَبَرَّhe surpassed حُلىًin adornments مِنَbeyond البَرِّthe righteous man التَقِيِّthe God-fearing
أَبَرَّ حُلىً مِنَ البَرِّ التَقِيِّ
He rose through the ascending ranks of virtue until
He rose in the meadows of virtue until
he surpassed the righteous, God-fearing man in his adornments.
He demonstrated a adornment of righteousness
وَأَقْسَمَand he swore لاnot يُرَىhe is seen إِلاexcept مُكِبَّاdevoted
وَأَقْسَمَ لا يُرَى إِلا مُكِبَّا
عَلَىto الإِحْسَانِdoing good لِلرَّجُلِto the man المُسِيِّwho does wrong
عَلَى الإِحْسَانِ لِلرَّجُلِ المُسِيِّ
And he swore that he would be seen only devoted
And swore to only be seen leaning
to kindness toward the man who does wrong.
Upon benevolence to the deviant man
وَمَاand not عَدِمَlacked اكْتِهَالاًmaturity واكْتِمَالاًand completeness
وَمَا عَدِمَ اكْتِهَالاً واكْتِمَالاً
حِجَاهُhis intellect وهْوَwhile he فيwas in حِجَجِthe years of الصَّبِيِّboyhood
حِجَاهُ وهْوَ في حِجَجِ الصَّبِيِّ
Neither maturity nor completeness was lacking
And in completeness and perfection as a young man
in his mind, even in his boyhood years.
His face veiled as the faces of boys
رَبِيءُthe lookout of الحَرْبِwar أَوْسَعَهاhe lavished on it غَناءًuseful service
رَبِيءُ الحَرْبِ أَوْسَعَها غَناءً
فأَغْنَتْهُso it spared him الخِزَامَةُthe nose-ring عَنْthe need for رَبِيِّa lookout
فأَغْنَتْهُ الخِزَامَةُ عَنْ رَبِيِّ
War's lookout, he rendered it ample service,
Abundant in war, its gains enriched him
and the nose-ring spared him the need for a lookout.
So the treasury made him needless of income
يَبينُis apparent عَلَيْهِin him مَيْلٌan inclination لِلْعَوالِيtoward tall spears
يَبينُ عَلَيْهِ مَيْلٌ لِلْعَوالِي
إِذَاif لَحِظتهُyou glance at him مِنْwith طَرْفٍa glance خَفِيِّfurtive
إِذَا لَحِظتهُ مِنْ طَرْفٍ خَفِيِّ
An inclination toward tall spears is evident in him,
A inclination for the heights shows in him
if you watch him with a furtive glance.
When a hidden glance beholds him
وَيَسْتَدْعِيand he seeks مُغَازَلَةflirtation with المَوَاضِيthe keen blades
وَيَسْتَدْعِي مُغَازَلَة المَوَاضِي
مُقنَّأةًreddened كأَعْطافِlike the curved limbs of القِسِيِّbows
مُقنَّأةً كأَعْطافِ القِسِيِّ
And he seeks flirtation with keen blades,
And courting the wilds calls
reddened like the curved limbs of bows.
Covered like the folds of the woven
وَلاand not يَدَعُhe abandons اقْتِنَاءَacquiring العِلْمِknowledge وَقْتاًfor a moment
وَلا يَدَعُ اقْتِنَاءَ العِلْمِ وَقْتاً
فَهَاso here هُوَhe is مِنهُfrom it فِيin شِبَعٍsatiety وَرِيِّand slaked thirst
فَهَا هُوَ مِنهُ فِي شِبَعٍ وَرِيِّ
He never for a moment ceases acquiring knowledge,
He leaves no time without acquiring knowledge
and here he is, sated and quenched by it.
For here he is, sated and watered by it
سَماhe rose لِلمَجْدِtoward glory فِيthrough كَدْحٍtoil وَقَدْحٍand striking sparks
سَما لِلمَجْدِ فِي كَدْحٍ وَقَدْحٍ
بِزَنْدٍwith a firestick مِنْfrom قَرِيحَتِهِhis native genius وَرِيِّquick to kindle
بِزَنْدٍ مِنْ قَرِيحَتِهِ وَرِيِّ
He rose toward glory through toil and striking sparks,
He took a lofty path to glory, in exertion and struggle
with a readily kindling firestick drawn from his genius.
With talent flowing from his mind
وَأَحْرَزَand he secured فِيin المَعَالِيlofty qualities وَالمَعَانِيand meanings
وَأَحْرَزَ فِي المَعَالِي وَالمَعَانِي
وِرَاثَتَهاtheir inheritance عَنِfrom السَّلَفِthe forebears الرَّضِيِّthe worthy
وِرَاثَتَها عَنِ السَّلَفِ الرَّضِيِّ
And in lofty qualities and meanings he secured
And he gained as inheritance, in the heights and meanings
their inheritance from worthy forebears.
From the pleasing predecessors
تَسَلَّمَهاhe received them بِحَقٍّby right أَلْمَعِيّاًkeen-witted
تَسَلَّمَها بِحَقٍّ أَلْمَعِيّاً
نِقَاباًdiscerning عَنْfrom نِقابٍa discerning man أَلْمَعِيِّkeen-witted
نِقَاباً عَنْ نِقابٍ أَلْمَعِيِّ
He received them by right, keen-witted,
Receiving it in brilliant propriety
discerning, from a discerning, keen-witted man.
A mask over a brilliant mask
يُشَرِّفُhe ennobles ماwhat تُصَرِّفُwield راحَتاهُhis two palms
يُشَرِّفُ ما تُصَرِّفُ راحَتاهُ
فَلِلْقَلَمِso the pen has افْتِخَارُthe pride of المَشْرَفِيِّthe Mashrafi sword
فَلِلْقَلَمِ افْتِخَارُ المَشْرَفِيِّ
He ennobles whatever his two palms wield,
Whatever his two hands steer
so the pen has the pride of the Mashrafi sword.
The pen takes pride in the noble
ولايَتُهُhis rule لَناfor us غَوثٌsuccor وَغَيثٌand rain
ولايَتُهُ لَنا غَوثٌ وَغَيثٌ
عَلَىabove الوَسمِيِّthe first autumn rain سامٍrising والوَلِيِّand the following rain
عَلَى الوَسمِيِّ سامٍ والوَلِيِّ
His rule is for us both succor and rain,
His rule over us is help and rain
surpassing the first seasonal rain and its successor.
Upon the branded, of high and low station
وَمَثْواهُand his dwelling بِدَارِin the abode of المُلْكِkingship فَوْزٌa triumph
وَمَثْواهُ بِدَارِ المُلْكِ فَوْزٌ
بِصَفْوِwith the serenity of العَيْشِlife وَالبالِand the mind الرَّخِيِّthe untroubled
بِصَفْوِ العَيْشِ وَالبالِ الرَّخِيِّ
And his dwelling in the royal abode is a triumph,
And his abode in the House of the Kingdom a victory
with serene living and an untroubled mind.
In the choicest life and comfortable state
فَرِدْso come to drink at بَحْرَthe sea of النَّدَىbounty عَذْباًsweet فُرَاتاًfresh
فَرِدْ بَحْرَ النَّدَى عَذْباً فُرَاتاً
وَطَالِعْand behold ناهِداًrising high بَدْرَthe full moon of النَّدِيِّthe assembly
وَطَالِعْ ناهِداً بَدْرَ النَّدِيِّ
So approach the sea of bounty, sweet and fresh,
So turn the sea of dew fresh and sweet
and behold the assembly's full moon, rising high.
And appear shedding light, shining moon
وَفَيْتُI fulfilled بِماwhat استَطَعْتُI could مِنin امْتِدَاحٍpraise
وَفَيْتُ بِما استَطَعْتُ مِن امْتِدَاحٍ
فَهَلْso is there لِلْحُرِّfor the noble man مَعْذِرَةُan excuse for الوَفِيِّthe faithful one
فَهَلْ لِلْحُرِّ مَعْذِرَةُ الوَفِيِّ
I have fulfilled all the praise I could;
I have discharged in the praise I could manage
will the noble man excuse one who has been faithful?
Is the eloquent excused?
وَأَرْجُوand I hope أَنْthat يُسَوِّغَنِيhe grants me قَبُولاًacceptance
وَأَرْجُو أَنْ يُسَوِّغَنِي قَبُولاً
بِهِwith it أُهْدِيI offer المَدِيحَةَthe panegyric كالهَدِيِّlike a sacrificial offering
بِهِ أُهْدِي المَدِيحَةَ كالهَدِيِّ
And I hope he will grant me acceptance,
And I hope acceptance makes me welcome
with which I offer this panegyric like a sacrificial offering.
By which I present the eulogy like a gift
Claude 2 is inferred from the historical translator configuration. The original record does not identify its model.