ألِمَّا بأَشْلاء العُلى والمَكَارِمِ

ألِمَّا بأَشْلاء العُلى والمَكَارِمِ

تُقَدُّ بأَطْرَافِ القَنَا والصَّوَارِمِ

تُقَدُّ بأَطْرَافِ القَنَا والصَّوَارِمِ

Pause, you two, beside the torn limbs of high honor and noble deeds,

When the noble heroes were led forth with spears

cut apart by the points of spears and sharp swords.

As their steeds were urged on with slender swords,

وعُوجا عَلَيها مأْرَباً وَحفَاوَةً

وعُوجا عَلَيها مأْرَباً وَحفَاوَةً

مَصَارِعَ غَصَّتْ بالطُّلى والجَماجِمِ

مَصَارِعَ غَصَّتْ بالطُّلى والجَماجِمِ

And turn aside to them with longing and reverent care,

And bent over them was a tribe from Ma'rib, and Khaulan,

to slaughter-sites choked with necks and skulls.

Whose battlefields were strewn with skulls and bodies,

نُحَيِّي وُجُوهاً في الجِنَانِ وَجيهَةً

نُحَيِّي وُجُوهاً في الجِنَانِ وَجيهَةً

بمَا لَقِيَتْ حُمْراً وُجُوهَ المَلاحِمِ

بمَا لَقِيَتْ حُمْراً وُجُوهَ المَلاحِمِ

We greet faces honored in the gardens of Paradise,

We salute the venerable faces in Paradise

for meeting, blood-red, the faces of fierce battles;

Which met red death in the heat of battle,

وَأجْسَادَ إيمانٍ كَساها نَجيعُهَا

وَأجْسَادَ إيمانٍ كَساها نَجيعُهَا

مَجاسِدَ منْ نَسْجِ الظُّبَى واللهاذِمِ

مَجاسِدَ منْ نَسْجِ الظُّبَى واللهاذِمِ

and bodies of faith whose own gore clothed them

And the bodies of faith which were all clothed

in crimson robes woven by sword-edges and keen spearheads.

In the raiment of stallions charging in attack,

مُكَرَّمَةٌ حَتَّى عَنِ الدّفْنِ في الثَّرَى

مُكَرَّمَةٌ حَتَّى عَنِ الدّفْنِ في الثَّرَى

وَما يُكْرِمُ الرَّحْمَنُ غَيْرَ الأَكَارِمِ

وَما يُكْرِمُ الرَّحْمَنُ غَيْرَ الأَكَارِمِ

Honored even above burial in the earth,

They were honored even in burial in the earth

and the All-Merciful honors none but the noble.

For God honors none but the noblest of men,

هُمُ القَوْمُ رَاحُوا للشَّهادَةِ فاغْتَدَوا

هُمُ القَوْمُ رَاحُوا للشَّهادَةِ فاغْتَدَوا

وَما لَهُم في فَوْزِهِم مِنْ مُقَاوِمِ

وَما لَهُم في فَوْزِهِم مِنْ مُقَاوِمِ

They are the men who went forth to martyrdom and rose at dawn,

They are the people who went forth unto martyrdom, and so they attained it,

with none to rival them in their triumph.

And none could resist them in their victory,

تَسَاقَوْا كُؤُوسَ الْمَوْتِ في حَوْمَةِ الوَغَى

تَسَاقَوْا كُؤُوسَ الْمَوْتِ في حَوْمَةِ الوَغَى

فَمَالَتْ بِهمْ مَيْلَ الغُصونِ النَّواعِمِ

فَمَالَتْ بِهمْ مَيْلَ الغُصونِ النَّواعِمِ

They passed among themselves death's cups in the thick of battle,

They sipped from cups of death in the tumult of battle,

and those cups swayed them as tender branches sway.

So they inclined to it gently, like the swaying branches.

مَضَوْا في سَبيلِ اللَّهِ قُدْماً كَأنَّما

مَضَوْا في سَبيلِ اللَّهِ قُدْماً كَأنَّما

يَطِيرُونَ في إقْدَامِهِمْ بقَوادِمِ

يَطِيرُونَ في إقْدَامِهِمْ بقَوادِمِ

They advanced in God's path as though

They went forth in God's cause as though they were flying

flying in their bold advance on flight feathers.

In their daring, on the backs of racing steeds,

يَرَوْنَ جِوَارَ اللَّهِ أكْرَمَ مَغْنَمٍ

يَرَوْنَ جِوَارَ اللَّهِ أكْرَمَ مَغْنَمٍ

كَذَاكَ جِوارُ اللَّهِ أسْنَى المَغانِمِ

كَذَاكَ جِوارُ اللَّهِ أسْنَى المَغانِمِ

They saw nearness to God as the noblest prize;

They see nearness to God as the greatest spoils -

indeed, nearness to God is the highest of prizes.

Thus is nearness to God the finest gain -

عَظَائِمُ رامُوها فَخَاضُوا لِنَيْلها

عَظَائِمُ رامُوها فَخَاضُوا لِنَيْلها

ولا رَوْعَ يَثْنيهِم صُدُورَ العَظَائِمِ

ولا رَوْعَ يَثْنيهِم صُدُورَ العَظَائِمِ

Great deeds they sought, and to attain them they plunged

Sublime goals they sought, and plunged in to attain them,

into the breasts of great perils, undeterred by fear.

While no fear could deter their valiant hearts,

وهَانَ عَلَيْهِم أنْ تَكُونَ لُحُودُهُم

وهَانَ عَلَيْهِم أنْ تَكُونَ لُحُودُهُم

مُتُونَ الرَّوابِي أو بُطُونَ التَّهائِمِ

مُتُونَ الرَّوابِي أو بُطُونَ التَّهائِمِ

It mattered little to them whether their graves were

And they cared not if their bodies fed the beasts

the backs of hills or the bellies of lowlands.

Or lay in the bellies of wild animals.

أَلا بِأبِي تِلكَ الوُجُوه سَوَاهِماً

أَلا بِأبِي تِلكَ الوُجُوه سَوَاهِماً

وَإنْ كُنَّ عِنْدَ اللَّهِ غَيْرَ سوَاهِمِ

وَإنْ كُنَّ عِنْدَ اللَّهِ غَيْرَ سوَاهِمِ

Ah, may my father ransom those wan faces,

Nay! By the Father of those youths, singling them out -

though in God's presence they are not wan.

Though with God they are no different than others -

عَفا حُسْنُها إلا بَقايَا مَبَاسِمٍ

عَفا حُسْنُها إلا بَقايَا مَبَاسِمٍ

يَعِزُّ عَليْنا وَطْؤُها بالمَنَاسِمِ

يَعِزُّ عَليْنا وَطْؤُها بالمَنَاسِمِ

Their beauty has faded, save for remnants of smiling mouths,

Only the remnants of their smiles remain

whose trampling under camel feet pains us;

Which we find too painful to behold,

وسُؤْرُ أسَاريرٍ تُنيرُ طَلاقَةً

وسُؤْرُ أسَاريرٍ تُنيرُ طَلاقَةً

فَتَكْسِفُ أنوارَ النُّجومِ العَواتِمِ

فَتَكْسِفُ أنوارَ النُّجومِ العَواتِمِ

and remnants of features shining with cheer,

And the splendor of their radiant faces

eclipsing the lights of dim stars.

That outshone the glowing stars at night,

لَئِنْ وَكَفَتْ فيها العُيونُ سَحَائِباً

لَئِنْ وَكَفَتْ فيها العُيونُ سَحَائِباً

فَعَنْ بَارِقَاتٍ لُحْنَ مِنْها لِشَائِمِ

فَعَنْ بَارِقَاتٍ لُحْنَ مِنْها لِشَائِمِ

If eyes have poured like rainclouds over them,

Were the clouds to withhold rain from those faces

it was for lightning-flashes from them, glimpsed by a watcher.

Flashes of lightning would scold the miserly skies,

ويَا بِأبِي تلْكَ الجُسوم نَواحِلاً

ويَا بِأبِي تلْكَ الجُسوم نَواحِلاً

بإِجْرائِها نَحْوَ الأجُورِ الجَسائِمِ

بإِجْرائِها نَحْوَ الأجُورِ الجَسائِمِ

And ah, may my father ransom those emaciated bodies,

And O Father of those bodies, slender as gazelles

driven toward immense rewards.

Racing with purpose to earn great reward -

تَغَلْغَلَ فيها كُلُّ أسْمَرَ ذَابلٍ

تَغَلْغَلَ فيها كُلُّ أسْمَرَ ذَابلٍ

وجَدَّلَ منْها كُلَّ أبْيَضَ نَاعِمِ

وجَدَّلَ منْها كُلَّ أبْيَضَ نَاعِمِ

Every slender brown spear pierced them deeply

In them the dark-skinned and fair dissolved together

and felled each fair, delicate body among them.

And braided as one, the rugged with the smooth,

فَلا يُبْعِدِ اللَّهُ الذينَ تَقَرَّبُوا

فَلا يُبْعِدِ اللَّهُ الذينَ تَقَرَّبُوا

إلَيهِ بإِهْدَاءِ النُّفوسِ الكَرائِمِ

إلَيهِ بإِهْدَاءِ النُّفوسِ الكَرائِمِ

May God never cast far away those who drew near

So may God not distance those who drew near

to Him by offering their noble souls.

By sacrificing lives most precious,

مَواقِفُ أبْرارٍ قَضَوْا مِنْ جِهَادِهِمْ

مَواقِفُ أبْرارٍ قَضَوْا مِنْ جِهَادِهِمْ

حُقُوقاً عَلَيْهِمْ كَالفُرُوضِ اللوازِمِ

حُقُوقاً عَلَيْهِمْ كَالفُرُوضِ اللوازِمِ

These are the stands of righteous men who, through their struggle, discharged

They are stops of righteous men who fulfilled with their striving

duties incumbent upon them, like binding obligations.

Obligations that were like ordained duties,

أصيبُوا وكانُوا في العِبَادَةِ أُسْوَةً

أصيبُوا وكانُوا في العِبَادَةِ أُسْوَةً

شَبَاباً وشيباً بالغَوَاشِي الغَوَاشِمِ

شَبَاباً وشيباً بالغَوَاشِي الغَوَاشِمِ

They were struck down, though models of devotion,

Afflicted while they were exemplars of worship

young and gray-haired alike, by ruthless, overwhelming assaults.

Youth and elders, at dawn and eve,

فَعَامِلُ رُمْحٍ دُقَّ في صَدْرِ عامِلٍ

فَعَامِلُ رُمْحٍ دُقَّ في صَدْرِ عامِلٍ

وقَائِمُ سَيْفٍ قَرَّ في رَأسِ قَائِمِ

وقَائِمُ سَيْفٍ قَرَّ في رَأسِ قَائِمِ

Thus a spearhead was driven into a devout worker's breast,

So the spear-bearer lies pierced in the chest by a spear-bearer

and a sword-hilt lodged in the head of one standing in prayer.

And the swordsman lies beheaded by a swordsman.

وَيا رُبَّ صَوَّامِ الهَواجِرِ وَاصِلٍ

وَيا رُبَّ صَوَّامِ الهَواجِرِ وَاصِلٍ

هُنَالِكَ مَصْرومُ الحَياةِ بصَارِمِ

هُنَالِكَ مَصْرومُ الحَياةِ بصَارِمِ

And how many a man who fasted through scorching noons, continuing his fast,

O Lord of vigils by night, and selfless giving at noon,

had his life severed there by a sharp sword!

There life was cut short by the blades of swords,

ومُنْقِذ عَانٍ في الأَداهِمِ راسِفٍ

ومُنْقِذ عَانٍ في الأَداهِمِ راسِفٍ

يَنُوءُ بِرِجْلَيْ راسِفٍ في الأداهِمِ

يَنُوءُ بِرِجْلَيْ راسِفٍ في الأداهِمِ

And a rescuer of a captive shuffling in black fetters

The rescuer of the weak lay fallen into the fray

now staggers on the legs of one shuffling in black fetters.

Toppled in the midst of the battle's rage,

أَضَاعَهُم يَوْمَ الخَميسِ حِفاظُهُم

أَضَاعَهُم يَوْمَ الخَميسِ حِفاظُهُم

وكَرهُمُ في المَأزَقِ المُتَلاحِمِ

وكَرهُمُ في المَأزَقِ المُتَلاحِمِ

Their defense of honor destroyed them on Thursday,

They were lost on that fateful Thursday when they lost

and their countercharges in the tightly locked melee.

Their comrades, and met their end in the deadly trap,

سَقَى اللَّهُ أَشْلاءً بِسَفْحِ أَنِيشَةٍ

سَقَى اللَّهُ أَشْلاءً بِسَفْحِ أَنِيشَةٍ

سَوَافِحَ تُزْجِيها ثِقَالُ الغَمائِمِ

سَوَافِحَ تُزْجِيها ثِقَالُ الغَمائِمِ

May God water the torn limbs on the slope of Anisha

God watered their mangled limbs on the plain of Anishah

with pouring rains driven by heavy clouds;

With downpours from heavily laden clouds,

وصَلَّى عَلَيها أنْفُساً طَابَ ذِكْرُها

وصَلَّى عَلَيها أنْفُساً طَابَ ذِكْرُها

فَطَيَّبَ أنْفَاسَ الرِّيَاحِ النَّواسِمِ

فَطَيَّبَ أنْفَاسَ الرِّيَاحِ النَّواسِمِ

and bless them—souls whose remembrance was sweet,

And He prayed upon them, souls whose mention is blessed,

perfuming the breaths of gently blowing winds.

Sweetening thereby the gales that blow soft,

لقَد صَبروا فيها كِراما وصَابَرُوا

لقَد صَبروا فيها كِراما وصَابَرُوا

فَلا غَرْو أن فَازُوا بِصَفْو المكَارِمِ

فَلا غَرْو أن فَازُوا بِصَفْو المكَارِمِ

Indeed, they endured there nobly and vied in endurance;

They showed patience - and such patience! - therein, and we can only

no wonder they won the purest of honors.

Respond by letting fall our eyelids and biting our lips,

وما بَذَلُوا إلا نُفُوساً نَفِيسَةً

وما بَذَلُوا إلا نُفُوساً نَفِيسَةً

تَحِنُّ إلى الأُخْرَى حَنِينَ الرَّوائِمِ

تَحِنُّ إلى الأُخْرَى حَنِينَ الرَّوائِمِ

They offered nothing but precious souls

I have spent the nights in darkness on their account, as though I am

yearning for the hereafter like mother camels for their young.

Wounded by spears or bitten by snakes,

ولا فارَقوا والمَوْتُ يُتْلِعُ جِيدَهُ

ولا فارَقوا والمَوْتُ يُتْلِعُ جِيدَهُ

بِحَيْثُ التَقَى الجَمْعَانِ صِدْقَ العَزائِمِ

بِحَيْثُ التَقَى الجَمْعَانِ صِدْقَ العَزائِمِ

Nor did they abandon, while death stretched out its neck,

I consort with ever-growing anguish, not tiring,

their steadfast resolve where the two hosts met.

And meet with the most prolific weeping, not bored,

بِعَيْشِكَ طَارِحْنِي الحَدِيثَ عن التي

بِعَيْشِكَ طَارِحْنِي الحَدِيثَ عن التي

أُراجَعُ فيها بالدُّمُوعِ السَّوَاجِمِ

أُراجَعُ فيها بالدُّمُوعِ السَّوَاجِمِ

By your life, exchange with me talk of that

I gaze upon the radiant stars, sleepless,

concerning which I am answered with streaming tears.

Yet they set away from me, slumbering,

وَما هِيَ إِلا غادِياتُ فَجائِعٍ

وَما هِيَ إِلا غادِياتُ فَجائِعٍ

تُعَبِّرُ عَنْها رَائِحاتُ مآثِمِ

تُعَبِّرُ عَنْها رَائِحاتُ مآثِمِ

It is nothing but morning visitations of calamities,

I complain unto the days of their evil works,

voiced by evening visitations of sins.

But my complaint is to one who lacks mercy.

جَلائِلُ دَقَّ الصّبْرُ فيها فَلَمْ نُطِقْ

جَلائِلُ دَقَّ الصّبْرُ فيها فَلَمْ نُطِقْ

سِوَى غَضِّ أجْفانٍ وعَضِّ أبَاهِمِ

سِوَى غَضِّ أجْفانٍ وعَضِّ أبَاهِمِ

Immense afflictions before which patience dwindled; we could bear

Calamities whose blows have rendered patience limp,

only closing our eyelids and biting our thumbs.

And tribulations have come one after another.

أَبِيتُ لَها تَحْتَ الظَّلامِ كَأَنَّنِي

أَبِيتُ لَها تَحْتَ الظَّلامِ كَأَنَّنِي

رَمِيُّ نِصَالٍ أو لَديغُ أراقِمِ

رَمِيُّ نِصَالٍ أو لَديغُ أراقِمِ

I spend the night because of them beneath darkness, as though I were

Even if the Sultan were to soothe my burning anguish,

a target of arrowheads or one bitten by spotted vipers.

I would still freely choose the gloom of wild beasts,

أُغازِلُ مِنْ بَرْحِ الأَسى غَيْرَ بَارِحٍ

أُغازِلُ مِنْ بَرْحِ الأَسى غَيْرَ بَارِحٍ

وأَصْحَبُ مِنْ سامِي البُكَا غَيْرَ سائِمِ

وأَصْحَبُ مِنْ سامِي البُكَا غَيْرَ سائِمِ

I court sorrow's torment, which never departs,

But what Sultan is there for me, who might cheer me

and keep company with soaring lamentation, never wearying.

With a cup of wine circled by songs?

وأَعْقدُ بالنَّجْمِ المُشَرِّق نَاظِري

وأَعْقدُ بالنَّجْمِ المُشَرِّق نَاظِري

فَيَغْرُب عَنِّي سَاهِراً غَيْرَ نَائِمِ

فَيَغْرُب عَنِّي سَاهِراً غَيْرَ نَائِمِ

I fix my gaze upon the rising star,

Among the sand dunes and meadows are maidens

and it sets beyond me while I remain wakeful and unsleeping.

Whose scent has mingled with the pleasant breeze,

وأَشْكُو إِلى الأيامِ سُوءَ صَنِيعِها

وأَشْكُو إِلى الأيامِ سُوءَ صَنِيعِها

ولَكِنَّها شَكْوى إِلى غَيْرِ رَاحِمِ

ولَكِنَّها شَكْوى إِلى غَيْرِ رَاحِمِ

I complain to the days of their evil treatment,

The stalwarts wept for them as they exerted themselves fully,

but it is a complaint to one without mercy.

But none shares in kindness save the equally kind.

وَهَيْهاتَ هَيْهاتَ العَزَاءُ ودُونَهُ

وَهَيْهاتَ هَيْهاتَ العَزَاءُ ودُونَهُ

قَواصِمُ شَتَّى أرْدِفَتْ بِقَواصِمِ

قَواصِمُ شَتَّى أرْدِفَتْ بِقَواصِمِ

Far, far away is consolation; barring it

I poured upon them copious tears, crimson and flowing,

are diverse crushing blows, followed by more crushing blows.

As though hands had scattered rubies and pearls,

ولَوْ بَرَّدَ السُّلْوانُ حَرَّ جَوانِحِي

ولَوْ بَرَّدَ السُّلْوانُ حَرَّ جَوانِحِي

لآثَرْتُ عَنْ طَوْعٍ سُلُوَّ البَهائِمِ

لآثَرْتُ عَنْ طَوْعٍ سُلُوَّ البَهائِمِ

Were forgetfulness to cool the heat within my ribs,

And I joined the bereaved women, sleepless with elegy,

I would gladly choose the oblivion of beasts.

Who stir the most delicate leaves at night,

وَمَنْ لِي بسُلْوان يَحُلُّ مُنَفِّراً

وَمَنْ لِي بسُلْوان يَحُلُّ مُنَفِّراً

بِجاثٍ مِن الأَرْزاءِ حَوْليَ جاثِمِ

بِجاثٍ مِن الأَرْزاءِ حَوْليَ جاثِمِ

Who can bring me oblivion, alighting to drive away

And I shared in carrying the bier with their people -

a crouching mass of losses squatting around me?

But none bears goodness like those who bear it too.

وبَيْنَ الثَّنايَا والْمَخَارِمِ رِمَّةٌ

وبَيْنَ الثَّنايَا والْمَخَارِمِ رِمَّةٌ

سَرَى في الثَّنايا طِيبُها والمَخَارِمِ

سَرَى في الثَّنايا طِيبُها والمَخَارِمِ

Between mountain passes and clefts lies a corpse,

So alas for the religion whose wound festers!

whose fragrance spread through those passes and clefts.

And whose remedy is not seized by a decisive healer,

بَكَتْها المَعَالي والْمَعَالِمُ جهدَها

بَكَتْها المَعَالي والْمَعَالِمُ جهدَها

فَلَهْفَ المَعَالِي بَعْدَها والمَعَالِمِ

فَلَهْفَ المَعَالِي بَعْدَها والمَعَالِمِ

High honors and landmarks wept for it with all their might;

And alas for knowledge, whose hills lie barren!

alas for high honors and landmarks after it!

Its pillars fallen and its foundations destroyed!

سَعيدٌ صَعيدٌ لَمْ تَرُمْهُ قَرَارَة

سَعيدٌ صَعيدٌ لَمْ تَرُمْهُ قَرَارَة

وأعْظمْ بِها وَسْطَ العِظامِ الرّمائِمِ

وأعْظمْ بِها وَسْطَ العِظامِ الرّمائِمِ

Blessed is the ground that no hollow has claimed,

The bearer of the legacy of the line of Ya'rub has died,

and how great that corpse among decaying bones!

And the protector of the guidance of the Chosen Hashimi,

كَأَنَّ دَماً أذْكَى أَديم تُرَابِها

كَأَنَّ دَماً أذْكَى أَديم تُرَابِها

وقَدْ مَازَجَتْهُ الرّيحُ مِسْكُ اللطائِمِ

وقَدْ مَازَجَتْهُ الرّيحُ مِسْكُ اللطائِمِ

It is as though the blood that perfumed the skin of its soil,

The guiding planet has set, so the morning is darkened,

mingled there by the wind, were musk from perfume caravans.

And we grope confusedly in a night of overwhelming ignorance,

يَشُقُّ علَى الإسْلامِ إسْلامُ مِثْلِها

يَشُقُّ علَى الإسْلامِ إسْلامُ مِثْلِها

إلَى خَامِعَاتٍ بِالفلا وقَشَاعِمِ

إلَى خَامِعَاتٍ بِالفلا وقَشَاعِمِ

It pains Islam to surrender such a one

And the hopes of the listeners are ruined by his death,

to limping hyenas and aged vultures in the wilderness.

As he willed on that terrible, momentous day.

كَأَنْ لَمْ تَبِتْ يَغْشَى السُّراةُ قِبَابَها

كَأَنْ لَمْ تَبِتْ يَغْشَى السُّراةُ قِبَابَها

ويَرْعَى حِماها الصِّيدُ رَعْيَ السَّوائِمِ

ويَرْعَى حِماها الصِّيدُ رَعْيَ السَّوائِمِ

As though it had never had nobles throng its pavilions at night,

What brilliance has set, never to rise?!

and proud chiefs graze in its sanctuary like pasturing herds.

What glory has vanished, never to return?!

سَفَحْتُ عَلَيْهَا الدّمْعَ أحْمَرَ وارِساً

سَفَحْتُ عَلَيْهَا الدّمْعَ أحْمَرَ وارِساً

كَمَا نَثَرَ الياقُوتَ أيْدِي النَّواظِمِ

كَمَا نَثَرَ الياقُوتَ أيْدِي النَّواظِمِ

I poured tears over it, red and stained with wars dye,

Peace upon the world, now that it lacks

as the hands of necklace-stringers scattered rubies.

The living presence of Suleiman bin Musa bin Salem!

وَسامَرْتُ فيها الباكِياتِ نَوادِباً

وَسامَرْتُ فيها الباكِياتِ نَوادِباً

يُؤَرِّقْنَ تَحْتَ الليْلِ وُرْقَ الحَمَائِمِ

يُؤَرِّقْنَ تَحْتَ الليْلِ وُرْقَ الحَمَائِمِ

I kept night company over it with weeping women lamenting,

Without him, is there any joy left in my life,

who kept gray doves wakeful beneath the night.

When sorrows have overwhelmed me like an advancing army?

وَقاسَمْتُ فِي حَمْلِ الرّزِيَّة قَوْمَها

وَقاسَمْتُ فِي حَمْلِ الرّزِيَّة قَوْمَها

ولَيْسَ قَسيمُ البرِّ غَيْرَ المُقاسِمِ

ولَيْسَ قَسيمُ البرِّ غَيْرَ المُقاسِمِ

I shared with its people the burden of the calamity,

So here I am, fearing the times of war,

for none shares in kindness but one who shares the burden.

When once in times of peace I was secure!

فَوا أسَفَا للدِّينِ أعْضَلَ دَاؤُهُ

فَوا أسَفَا للدِّينِ أعْضَلَ دَاؤُهُ

وأَيْأَسَ مِنْ آسٍ لِمَسْرَاهُ حَاسِمِ

وأَيْأَسَ مِنْ آسٍ لِمَسْرَاهُ حَاسِمِ

Ah, alas for religion, whose illness has grown incurable,

O brother of might, mature and young!

leaving no hope of a healer to check its spread!

His peers range from agreeable to stubborn.

وَيا أَسَفا لِلْعِلْمِ أقْوَت رُبوعُهُ

وَيا أَسَفا لِلْعِلْمِ أقْوَت رُبوعُهُ

وأصْبَحَ مَهْدُودَ الذُّرَى والدَّعائِمِ

وأصْبَحَ مَهْدُودَ الذُّرَى والدَّعائِمِ

And alas for learning, whose dwellings have emptied,

He was matchless in his knowledge and excellence,

whose heights and supports have been demolished!

And for one so lofty, it suffices that he is a knowing celestial body,

قَضَى حَامِلُ الآثارِ مِنْ آلِ يَعْربٍ

قَضَى حَامِلُ الآثارِ مِنْ آلِ يَعْربٍ

وَحامِي هُدى المُخْتارِ مِن آلِ هاشِمِ

وَحامِي هُدى المُخْتارِ مِن آلِ هاشِمِ

The bearer of traditions, of Ya'rub's line, has died,

His resting place was above the heights, his visions expansive,

the guardian of the guidance of the Chosen One of Hashim's line.

His gifts outpoured before the tying of amulets,

خَبا الكَوْكَبُ الوَقَّادُ إذْ مَتَعَ الضُّحَى

خَبا الكَوْكَبُ الوَقَّادُ إذْ مَتَعَ الضُّحَى

لِنَخْبطَ في لَيْلٍ مِنَ الجَهْلِ فاحِمِ

لِنَخْبطَ في لَيْلٍ مِنَ الجَهْلِ فاحِمِ

The blazing star went out just as the morning rose high,

His reach is far, his path cannot be obscured -

leaving us to stumble in a coal-black night of ignorance.

Once resolved, his magic overwhelms like a firm spell,

وَخابَتْ مَساعِي السامِعينَ حَديثَه

وَخابَتْ مَساعِي السامِعينَ حَديثَه

كَما شاءَ يَوْم الحادِثِ المُتَفَاقِمِ

كَما شاءَ يَوْم الحادِثِ المُتَفَاقِمِ

The endeavors of those who heard his teaching failed,

His speech is smooth and gently rounded,

as the day of the worsening calamity willed.

Yet if you shoot at it you meet rugged precipices.

فَأَيُّ بَهاءٍ غارَ لَيْسَ بِطالِعٍ

فَأَيُّ بَهاءٍ غارَ لَيْسَ بِطالِعٍ

وأَيُّ سَناءٍ غابَ ليسَ بِقادِمِ

وأَيُّ سَناءٍ غابَ ليسَ بِقادِمِ

What splendor has sunk, never to rise!

He has a sorcery of eloquence that surpasses all speakers,

What radiance has vanished, never to return!

Leaving them humiliated and regretful.

سَلامٌ علَى الدُّنْيا إِذا لَم يَلُح بِها

سَلامٌ علَى الدُّنْيا إِذا لَم يَلُح بِها

مُحَيَّا سُلَيْمَانَ بْنِ موسى بن سالِمِ

مُحَيَّا سُلَيْمَانَ بْنِ موسى بن سالِمِ

Farewell to the world if there no longer shines in it

Neither meadow, graced with his flowing pearls of dew,

the face of Sulayman ibn Musa ibn Salim.

Nor chilling hailstones can match him.

وهَلْ في حَياتي مُتْعَةٌ بعدَ مَوْتِهِ

وهَلْ في حَياتي مُتْعَةٌ بعدَ مَوْتِهِ

وَقَد أسْلَمَتْنِي للدَّواهِي الدَّواهِمِ

وَقَد أسْلَمَتْنِي للدَّواهِي الدَّواهِمِ

Is there any joy in my life after his death,

With the most wondrous beauty in his writings

when it has surrendered me to dark, overwhelming calamities?

Penned by his pen in the finest calligraphy,

فَهَا أَنا ذَا في خَوْفِ دَهْرٍ مُحَارِبٍ

فَهَا أَنا ذَا في خَوْفِ دَهْرٍ مُحَارِبٍ

وكُنْتُ بِهِ في أمْنِ دَهرٍ مُسَالِمِ

وكُنْتُ بِهِ في أمْنِ دَهرٍ مُسَالِمِ

Here I am, afraid of a hostile age,

A Yemeni, his gifts were nurtured

though through him I was secure in an age at peace.

To completeness before the tying of protective charms

أَخو العِزَّةِ القَعْساء كَهْلاً وَيافِعاً

أَخو العِزَّةِ القَعْساء كَهْلاً وَيافِعاً

وأكْفاؤُهُ مَا بَيْنَ راضٍ وَراغِمِ

وأكْفاؤُهُ مَا بَيْنَ راضٍ وَراغِمِ

Possessed of unyielding honor, in maturity and in youth,

He pleases palace assemblies in every scene

with his peers either consenting or bowing unwillingly.

And looks handsome at the time of festivals,

تَفَرَّدَ بِالعَلْياءِ عِلْماً وسُؤْدَدا

تَفَرَّدَ بِالعَلْياءِ عِلْماً وسُؤْدَدا

وحَسْبُكَ مِنْ عالٍ عَلى الشُّهْبِ عالِمِ

وحَسْبُكَ مِنْ عالٍ عَلى الشُّهْبِ عالِمِ

He stood alone in eminence, in learning and lordship;

His unique traits proliferate in the immensities of splendor,

enough for you: a scholar towering above the stars.

Like the perfection of virtues or the beauty of resistance.

مُعَرَّسُه فَوْقَ السُّهى ومَقِيلُهُ

مُعَرَّسُه فَوْقَ السُّهى ومَقِيلُهُ

ومَوْرِدُهُ قَبْلَ النُّسورِ الحَوائِمِ

ومَوْرِدُهُ قَبْلَ النُّسورِ الحَوائِمِ

His night-encampment and noon-rest lay above Suha,

Curse on a stumbling time that broke his might

and he reached water before the circling vultures.

With a misfortune that befell his glorious state!

بَعيدٌ مَداهُ لا يُشَقُّ غُبارُهُ

بَعيدٌ مَداهُ لا يُشَقُّ غُبارُهُ

إِذا فَاهَ فاضَ السِّحْرُ ضَرْبةَ لازِمِ

إِذا فَاهَ فاضَ السِّحْرُ ضَرْبةَ لازِمِ

Distant was his reach; none could cleave his dust.

He was called to the Abode of Peace, to its hospitality -

When he spoke, enchantment poured forth unfailingly.

At it the maidens cry `Oh, the caller! Oh, the called!'

يُقَوِّضُ مِنه كُلَّ نادٍ ومنْبَرٍ

يُقَوِّضُ مِنه كُلَّ نادٍ ومنْبَرٍ

إلَى ناجِحٍ مَسْعاهُ في كُلِّ ناجِمِ

إلَى ناجِحٍ مَسْعاهُ في كُلِّ ناجِمِ

Through it he moves every gathering and pulpit

But he came to it guided, not turning back,

toward one whose efforts succeed in every arising affair.

Seeking God's welcome, everlasting,

مَتَى صادَمَ الخَطْبَ المُلِمَّ بِخُطْبَةٍ

مَتَى صادَمَ الخَطْبَ المُلِمَّ بِخُطْبَةٍ

كَفَى صادِماً مِنْهُ بأكْبَر صادِمِ

كَفَى صادِماً مِنْهُ بأكْبَر صادِمِ

Whenever he confronted an impending calamity with a speech,

As leader of the religion or pillar of the state -

he repelled its attack with a greater attack.

His work was completed, no critic could blame him,

لَهُ مَنْطِقٌ سَهْلُ النَّواحي قَريبُها

لَهُ مَنْطِقٌ سَهْلُ النَّواحي قَريبُها

فَإْن رُمْتَه ألْفَيْتَ صَعْبَ الشَكَائِمِ

فَإْن رُمْتَه ألْفَيْتَ صَعْبَ الشَكَائِمِ

His speech was easy and approachable in its reaches,

And if his jealous enemies find fault in him,

but if you sought to master it, you found it hard to bridle.

Does not the beautiful always have those who blame her?

وسِحْرَ بَيَانٍ فاتَ كُلَّ مُفَوَّهٍ

وسِحْرَ بَيَانٍ فاتَ كُلَّ مُفَوَّهٍ

فباتَ عَلَيه قارِعاً سِنَّ نادِمِ

فباتَ عَلَيه قارِعاً سِنَّ نادِمِ

And his magic of eloquence surpassed every fine speaker,

By your life! His affliction among the enemies does not wear away,

leaving each to gnash his teeth over it in regret.

Though the heroes have dragged the hem of defeat!

وَمَا الرّوْضُ حَلاهُ بِجَوْهَرِهِ النَّدَى

وَمَا الرّوْضُ حَلاهُ بِجَوْهَرِهِ النَّدَى

ولا البُرْدُ وَشَّتْهُ أكُفُّ الرّوَاقِمِ

ولا البُرْدُ وَشَّتْهُ أكُفُّ الرّوَاقِمِ

Neither a meadow jeweled by the dew,

By Allah, none forgets his stance in battle

nor a mantle embroidered by the hands of stitchers,

Save a denier who hides the radiance of glory!

بِأبْدَع حُسْناً من صَحائِفِهِ التِي

بِأبْدَع حُسْناً من صَحائِفِهِ التِي

تُسَيِّرُها أقْلامُهُ في الأَقالِمِ

تُسَيِّرُها أقْلامُهُ في الأَقالِمِ

is more wondrously beautiful than his pages,

You met catastrophe with a beaming face,

which his pens send traveling through the regions.

So blessings be upon your beaming face at the catastrophe!

يَمَانٍ كلاعِيٌّ نَماهُ إلى العُلَى

يَمَانٍ كلاعِيٌّ نَماهُ إلى العُلَى

تَمامٌ حَواهُ قَبْلَ عَقْدِ التَّمائِمِ

تَمامٌ حَواهُ قَبْلَ عَقْدِ التَّمائِمِ

A Yemeni, a Kala'i, raised to high honor

And you were protected until you attained the highest paradise,

by a perfection he possessed before amulets were tied.

So you won the fragments of bliss, the spoils of the victorious.

يَرُوقُ رُواقَ المُلْكِ في كُلِّ مَشْهَدٍ

يَرُوقُ رُواقَ المُلْكِ في كُلِّ مَشْهَدٍ

ويَحْسُنُ وَسْماً في وُجوهِ المَواسِمِ

ويَحْسُنُ وَسْماً في وُجوهِ المَواسِمِ

He delighted the royal pavilion at every gathering,

You had your fill of happy life or martyrdom -

and shone as an adornment on the faces of festivals.

You saw nothing else as sinful deeds.

وَيَكْثُرُ أعْلامَ البَسيطَةِ وَحْدَهُ

وَيَكْثُرُ أعْلامَ البَسيطَةِ وَحْدَهُ

كَمَالَ مَعَالٍ أو جَمالَ مقَاوِمِ

كَمَالَ مَعَالٍ أو جَمالَ مقَاوِمِ

Alone he outnumbered the great men of the earth

You attained the Gardens of Bliss and everlasting,

in perfection of lofty virtues or beauty of stature.

Were a dweller in al-Thurayya before it and its bliss.

لَعاً لِزَمانٍ عاثِرٍ من جَلالِهِ

لَعاً لِزَمانٍ عاثِرٍ من جَلالِهِ

بِواقٍ منَ الجُلَّى أُصيبَ بوَاقِمِ

بِواقٍ منَ الجُلَّى أُصيبَ بوَاقِمِ

May the stumbling age recover; in his majesty it had

You did not cease to live in satisfaction or die a martyr -

a shield against disaster, yet was struck by a crushing blow.

The best of the two abodes for the God-fearing without end.

مُنادىً إلى دارِ السَّلام مُنادِمٍ

مُنادىً إلى دارِ السَّلام مُنادِمٍ

بِها الحُورُ واهاً لِلْمُنادِي المُنادِمِ

بِها الحُورُ واهاً لِلْمُنادِي المُنادِمِ

Summoned to the Abode of Peace, a boon companion

O you whose place is solicitude, who is sufficient ransom

there of the houris—ah, for the caller and companion!

From our masters? Every servant of yours!

أَتاهُ رَداهُ مُقْبِلاً غَيْرَ مُدْبِرٍ

أَتاهُ رَداهُ مُقْبِلاً غَيْرَ مُدْبِرٍ

لِيَحْظَى بِإقْبالٍ مِنَ اللَّهِ دائِمِ

لِيَحْظَى بِإقْبالٍ مِنَ اللَّهِ دائِمِ

Death came upon him advancing, not retreating,

O you whose work is sealed with victory - know that

so that he might win God's enduring favor.

Only deeds are considered in the final judgment.

إِماماً لِدين أو قِواماً لِدَوْلَةٍ

إِماماً لِدين أو قِواماً لِدَوْلَةٍ

تَقَضَّى ولَم تَلْحَقْهُ لَوْمَةُ لائِمِ

تَقَضَّى ولَم تَلْحَقْهُ لَوْمَةُ لائِمِ

A leader of religion or a mainstay of a state,

Congratulations for what is beautiful from God!

he passed away untouched by any reproacher's blame.

It shades every devout one, permanently.

وإنْ عابَهُ حُسَّادُهُ شَرقاً بهِ

وإنْ عابَهُ حُسَّادُهُ شَرقاً بهِ

فلَم تَعْدَمِ الحَسنَاءُ ذاماً لِذائِمِ

فلَم تَعْدَمِ الحَسنَاءُ ذاماً لِذائِمِ

Though his enviers faulted him, choking on his presence,

I find that you do not slow your rage against

the fair woman never lacked a flaw for a faultfinder.

Any roar I cure through ceaseless perseverance,

فَيَا أيُّها المَخدومُ عالٍ مَحَلُّهُ

فَيَا أيُّها المَخدومُ عالٍ مَحَلُّهُ

فِدىً لكَ من سَاداتِنا كُلُّ خادِمِ

فِدىً لكَ من سَاداتِنا كُلُّ خادِمِ

O you who were served, whose station is lofty,

Nor after today do you promise a gift

may every servant among our lords be your ransom.

Of sleep to transport me to the state of the dreamer.

ويا أيُّها المَخْتُومُ بالفَوْزِ سَعْيُهُ

ويا أيُّها المَخْتُومُ بالفَوْزِ سَعْيُهُ

ألا إنَّما الأعْمَالُ حُسْنُ الخَواتِمِ

ألا إنَّما الأعْمَالُ حُسْنُ الخَواتِمِ

O you whose striving was sealed with triumph,

How quickly you pulled away, fleeing,

truly, deeds are only as good as their endings.

And traveled the paths you blazed, not following others!

هَنِيئاً لَكَ الحُسْنَى منَ اللَّهِ إنَّها

هَنِيئاً لَكَ الحُسْنَى منَ اللَّهِ إنَّها

لِكُلِّ تَقِيٍّ خيمُهُ غَيْرُ خَائِمِ

لِكُلِّ تَقِيٍّ خيمُهُ غَيْرُ خَائِمِ

May God's finest reward be yours with joy; indeed, it belongs

You left behind one who hopes for your defense, in despair

to every pious man whose nature is not cowardly.

Of victory during calamities overwhelming,

تَبَوَّأْتَ جَنَّاتِ النَّعيمِ وَلَمْ تَزَلْ

تَبَوَّأْتَ جَنَّاتِ النَّعيمِ وَلَمْ تَزَلْ

نَزيلَ الثُّرَيَّا قَبْلَهَا والنَّعَائِمِ

نَزيلَ الثُّرَيَّا قَبْلَهَا والنَّعَائِمِ

You have settled in the Gardens of Bliss, having always been

As though, for my deep sorrows, beyond consolation

before them a guest of the Pleiades and Na'a'im.

Were the attacks of adversaries relentlessly invading,

وَلَمْ تَألُ عَيْشاً رَاضِياً أَو شَهادَةً

وَلَمْ تَألُ عَيْشاً رَاضِياً أَو شَهادَةً

تَرَى مَا عَدَاها مِنْ عِدَادِ المَآثِمِ

تَرَى مَا عَدَاها مِنْ عِدَادِ المَآثِمِ

You spared no effort for a contented life or martyrdom,

I lost you - none can equal you if present! -

regarding all else as numbered among sins.

So farewell glory of the absent and disgrace of loss!

لَعَمْرُكَ ما يُبْلَى بَلاؤُكَ في العِدَى

لَعَمْرُكَ ما يُبْلَى بَلاؤُكَ في العِدَى

وَقَدْ جَرَّتِ الأَبْطَالُ ذَيْلَ الهَزَائِمِ

وَقَدْ جَرَّتِ الأَبْطَالُ ذَيْلَ الهَزَائِمِ

By your life, your valor against the foes will never fade,

I sought you - unattainable is your abode! -

while champions dragged the trailing hem of defeat.

Who seeks the like of you but the blameworthy?!

وَتاللَّهِ لا يَنْسَ مَقَامَكَ في الوَغَى

وَتاللَّهِ لا يَنْسَ مَقَامَكَ في الوَغَى

سِوَى جاحِدٍ نُورَ الغَزالَةِ كاتِمِ

سِوَى جاحِدٍ نُورَ الغَزالَةِ كاتِمِ

By God, none forgets your stand in battle

My heart is wounded, its sickness incurable,

save one who denies and conceals the sun's light.

Unlike one whose heart is reconciled to your loss,

لَقِيتُ الرَّدَى في الرَّوْعِ جَذْلانَ بَاسِماً

لَقِيتُ الرَّدَى في الرَّوْعِ جَذْلانَ بَاسِماً

فبُورِكْتَ من جَذْلانَ في الرَّوْعِ بَاسِمِ

فبُورِكْتَ من جَذْلانَ في الرَّوْعِ بَاسِمِ

I met death amid terror, joyful and smiling;

I have an ardent longing to meet you

so blessed are you, joyful and smiling amid terror!

That tosses me about atop the waves of emotion,

وحُمْتَ عَلى الفِرْدَوسِ حَتَّى وَرَدْتَهُ

وحُمْتَ عَلى الفِرْدَوسِ حَتَّى وَرَدْتَهُ

فَفُزْتَ بأَشتَاتِ المُنَى فَوْزَ غَانِمِ

فَفُزْتَ بأَشتَاتِ المُنَى فَوْزَ غَانِمِ

You hovered about Paradise until you entered it,

By Allah, your memory in my heart eternally

and won manifold wishes like a victor gathering spoils.

Remains, not the memory of one immoral!

أجِدّكَ لا تَثْنِي عَنَاناً لأَوْبَةٍ

أجِدّكَ لا تَثْنِي عَنَاناً لأَوْبَةٍ

أُداوِي بِها بَرْحَ الغَليلِ المُدَاوِمِ

أُداوِي بِها بَرْحَ الغَليلِ المُدَاوِمِ

Truly, will you not turn your rein to return,

If there were room in my heart for solace

that I might soothe the torment of unceasing thirst?

I would be solaced - but no consolation for the distraught!

وَلا أَنْتَ بَعْدَ اليَوْمِ واعِدَ هَبَّةٍ

وَلا أَنْتَ بَعْدَ اليَوْمِ واعِدَ هَبَّةٍ

مِنَ النَّوم تَحْذُوني إلى حالِ حالِمِ

مِنَ النَّوم تَحْذُوني إلى حالِ حالِمِ

Nor, after today, will you promise an awakening

I wrong you if I do not fulfill your boons in full,

from sleep that leads me to a dreamer's state.

But one like me does not wrong in its like!

لَسُرْعانَ مَا قَوَّضْتَ رَحْلَكَ ظاعِناً

لَسُرْعانَ مَا قَوَّضْتَ رَحْلَكَ ظاعِناً

وَسِرْتَ عَلى غَيْرِ النَّواجِي الرَّواسِمِ

وَسِرْتَ عَلى غَيْرِ النَّواجِي الرَّواسِمِ

How swiftly you packed up your gear and departed,

Loyalty demands of me the utmost with regards to you,

and traveled on something other than swift, trotting camels!

I have preserved it, honoring those days.

وخَلَّفْتَ مَنْ يَرْجُو دِفَاعَكَ يَائِساً

وخَلَّفْتَ مَنْ يَرْجُو دِفَاعَكَ يَائِساً

مِنَ النَّصْرِ أَثْنَاءَ الخُطُوبِ الضَّوَائِمِ

مِنَ النَّصْرِ أَثْنَاءَ الخُطُوبِ الضَّوَائِمِ

You left whoever hoped for your defense despairing

I weep for a beloved in the wild, as Ziyad wept

of victory amid oppressive trials.

For a grave between Basra and Jasim,

كأنِّيَ لِلأَشْجَانِ فَوْقَ هَوَاجِرٍ

كأنِّيَ لِلأَشْجَانِ فَوْقَ هَوَاجِرٍ

بِما عاَدَنِي مِنْ عادِياتٍ هَوَاجِمِ

بِما عاَدَنِي مِنْ عادِياتٍ هَوَاجِمِ

In my grief I seem suspended above scorching noons,

And I wish that eulogizers would excel me

through the hostile calamities that revisited me, attacking.

In glorifying Qais ibn al-Asim.

عَدِمْتُكَ مَوْجوداً يَعِزُّ نَظِيرُهُ

عَدِمْتُكَ مَوْجوداً يَعِزُّ نَظِيرُهُ

فيا عِزَّ مَعْدُومٍ ويا هُونَ عَادِمِ

فيا عِزَّ مَعْدُومٍ ويا هُونَ عَادِمِ

I have lost you, a presence whose equal was rare;

With these elegies I have carried out their custom,

how precious the lost one, how abased the one who lost him!

Contributing the effort of one who shares,

ورُمْتُكَ مَطْلُوباً فَأَعْيا مَنَالهُ

ورُمْتُكَ مَطْلُوباً فَأَعْيا مَنَالهُ

وكيفَ بِما أَعْيا مَنالاً لِرائِمِ

وكيفَ بِما أَعْيا مَنالاً لِرائِمِ

I sought you as my goal, but reaching it proved impossible;

So extend to them a hand that receives

and how can a seeker attain what cannot be attained?

And press to them a mouth that is silent.

وإنِّي لَمَحْزُونُ الفُؤَادِ صَديعُهُ

وإنِّي لَمَحْزُونُ الفُؤَادِ صَديعُهُ

خِلافاً لِسَالٍ قَلْبُهُ عَنْك سالِمِ

خِلافاً لِسَالٍ قَلْبُهُ عَنْك سالِمِ

My heart is indeed sorrowful and split,

unlike one who has forgotten, whose heart is unhurt by your loss.

وَعِنْدِي إلى لُقْيَاكَ شَوْقٌ مُبَرِّحٌ

وَعِنْدِي إلى لُقْيَاكَ شَوْقٌ مُبَرِّحٌ

طَوَانِيَ مِنْ حَامي الجَوى فَوْقَ جَاحِمِ

طَوَانِيَ مِنْ حَامي الجَوى فَوْقَ جَاحِمِ

I have a tormenting longing to meet you,

which has wasted me with yearning's heat, hotter than blazing fire.

وَفي خَلَدِي واللَّهِ ثكلك خالِدٌ

وَفي خَلَدِي واللَّهِ ثكلك خالِدٌ

أَلِيَّةَ بَرٍّ لا ألِيَّةَ آثِمِ

أَلِيَّةَ بَرٍّ لا ألِيَّةَ آثِمِ

By God, the loss of you is everlasting in my heart,

an oath of a righteous man, not a sinner's oath.

ولَوْ أنَّ في قلْبِي مَكاناً لِسَلْوَةٍ

ولَوْ أنَّ في قلْبِي مَكاناً لِسَلْوَةٍ

سَلَوْتُ ولَكِنْ لا سُلُوَّ لِهَائِمِ

سَلَوْتُ ولَكِنْ لا سُلُوَّ لِهَائِمِ

If there were a place in my heart for consolation,

I would find solace; but there is no solace for one distraught.

ظَلَمْتُكَ إنْ لَمْ أقْضِ نُعْمَاكَ حَقَّهَا

ظَلَمْتُكَ إنْ لَمْ أقْضِ نُعْمَاكَ حَقَّهَا

ومِثْلِيَ في أمْثَالِهَا غَيْرُ ظَالِمِ

ومِثْلِيَ في أمْثَالِهَا غَيْرُ ظَالِمِ

I would wrong you if I did not pay your kindness its due,

and one like me is no wrongdoer in such things.

يُطَالِبُنِي فيكَ الوَفَاءُ بِغَايَةٍ

يُطَالِبُنِي فيكَ الوَفَاءُ بِغَايَةٍ

سَمَوْتُ لَها حِفْظاً لِتِلْكَ المَوَاسِمِ

سَمَوْتُ لَها حِفْظاً لِتِلْكَ المَوَاسِمِ

Loyalty demands of me, concerning you, an utmost goal,

which I have aspired to, preserving those marks of favor.

وأَبكِي لِشِلْوٍ بالعَرَاءِ كَمَا بَكَى

وأَبكِي لِشِلْوٍ بالعَرَاءِ كَمَا بَكَى

زِيادٌ لِقَبْرٍ بَيْنَ بُصْرَى وجاسِمِ

زِيادٌ لِقَبْرٍ بَيْنَ بُصْرَى وجاسِمِ

I weep for a torn limb in the open, as

Ziyad wept for a grave between Busra and Jasim.

وأعْبَدُ أن يَمْتَازَ دُونِيَ عَبْدَةٌ

وأعْبَدُ أن يَمْتَازَ دُونِيَ عَبْدَةٌ

بِعَلْيَاءَ في تأْبِينِ قَيْسِ بْنِ عَاصِمِ

بِعَلْيَاءَ في تأْبِينِ قَيْسِ بْنِ عَاصِمِ

I disdain that 'Abda should surpass me

in excellence in his elegy for Qays ibn 'Asim.

وَهَذِي المَراثِي قَد وَفَيْتُ بِرَسْمِهَا

وَهَذِي المَراثِي قَد وَفَيْتُ بِرَسْمِهَا

مُسهمَةً جُهْدَ الوَفِيِّ المُسَاهِمِ

مُسهمَةً جُهْدَ الوَفِيِّ المُسَاهِمِ

These elegies—I have fulfilled their prescribed form,

offered as my share, with a loyal contributor's full effort.

فَمُدَّ إلَيْهَا رافِعاً يَد قابِلٍ

فَمُدَّ إلَيْهَا رافِعاً يَد قابِلٍ

أكَبَّ عَلَيها خَافِضاً فَمَ لاثِمِ

أكَبَّ عَلَيها خَافِضاً فَمَ لاثِمِ

So stretch toward them, raising an accepting hand,

bending over them and lowering a mouth to kiss.