طَلَّتْshed unavenged نَجِيعِيَmy lifeblood أطْلاءٌyoung gazelles وأَطْلالُand ruined dwellings
طَلَّتْ نَجِيعِيَ أطْلاءٌ وأَطْلالُ
بِحَيْثُwhere يُعْقَدُis enacted إحْرَامٌconsecration وَإِحْلالُand release from consecration
بِحَيْثُ يُعْقَدُ إحْرَامٌ وَإِحْلالُ
Young gazelles and ruined dwellings have shed my blood unavenged.
My destinations have all become ruins,
Where consecration and release from it are enacted.
Where ihram is donned and ihlaal concluded.
مَنازِلٌdwellings كَانَتwere الأقْمارُthe moons تَنْزلُهاdescending into them
مَنازِلٌ كَانَت الأقْمارُ تَنْزلُها
بِالخِيفِat al-Khayf خَفَّتْsped away بِهِمْwith them نُوقٌshe-camels وَأَجْمالُand male camels
بِالخِيفِ خَفَّتْ بِهِمْ نُوقٌ وَأَجْمالُ
Dwellings where the moons used to alight,
Abodes where the moons used to alight,
At al-Khayf, she-camels and male camels sped away with them.
Softly, gently, with them the she-camels and beautiful ones tread.
جَرَّdragged البِلَىdecay فَوْقَهُover it أذْيَالَهُits skirts وَجَرَىand came to pass
جَرَّ البِلَى فَوْقَهُ أذْيَالَهُ وَجَرَى
لِشُهْبِهِfor its bright stars بالأُفُولِwith setting الرّاهنِlasting الفَالُthe omen
لِشُهْبِهِ بالأُفُولِ الرّاهنِ الفَالُ
Decay dragged its skirts over it, and there came
Time has dragged its train over it and flowed
For its bright stars the omen of a lasting setting.
To its decline this present era.
وَكَمْand how often عَزَيْتُI related حَدِيثَthe conversation of الآنِساتِthe friendly maidens بِهاin them
وَكَمْ عَزَيْتُ حَدِيثَ الآنِساتِ بِها
ولِيand I had إلىtoward الأُنْسِcompanionship إغْذَاذٌhaste وَإرْقالُand swift strides
ولِي إلى الأُنْسِ إغْذَاذٌ وَإرْقالُ
How often there I related the talk of the friendly maidens,
And how often I have consoled myself with tales of its charming ones,
While I pressed toward companionship with haste and swift strides.
While I have sustenance and a resting place for friendliness.
أَيَّامَin days when لاno كَدَرٌmurkiness فيin الصّفْوِserenity مُعْتَرِضٌintruding
أَيَّامَ لا كَدَرٌ في الصّفْوِ مُعْتَرِضٌ
ولاand no لإِلْفٍfor a beloved عَلىtoward الإعْرَاضِturning away إِقْبَالُinclination
ولا لإِلْفٍ عَلى الإعْرَاضِ إِقْبَالُ
In days when no murkiness intruded upon serenity,
Days wherein no turbidity mars the clear water
And no beloved had an inclination to turn away.
Nor inclination for an accustomed state turns away.
يَاoh لَلْعَلاقَةِalas for the attachment نِيطَتْwas fastened بِيto me عَلَيَّagainst me فَماso never
يَا لَلْعَلاقَةِ نِيطَتْ بِي عَلَيَّ فَما
يُغادِرُleaves كَسْفَthe gloom of البَالِthe mind بِلْبَالُturmoil
يُغادِرُ كَسْفَ البَالِ بِلْبَالُ
Oh, the attachment fastened to me, to my hurt! Never
O binding pact that was tied around me, so it does not
Does turmoil leave my darkened mind.
Leave the sorrow of affliction without releasing its knot.
وللْعَوَاذِلand as for the reproaching women عَنَّانيtormented me تَصَنُّعُهَاtheir affectation
وللْعَوَاذِل عَنَّاني تَصَنُّعُهَا
كَماas تُعَنِّيburden الخُصُورَthe waists الهِيفَslender أكْفالُhaunches
كَما تُعَنِّي الخُصُورَ الهِيفَ أكْفالُ
The reproaching women's affected airs tormented me,
And the coquettish ones have busied me with their pretentiousness,
As haunches burden slender waists.
As the slender waists busy the hands of the ardent lover.
هَيْهاتfar from it أُعْذَلُI am reproached فيin بَيْتِthe house of الهَوَىlove نَسَبيmy lineage
هَيْهات أُعْذَلُ في بَيْتِ الهَوَى نَسَبي
فَفيمَso why يَكْثُرُmultiply لُوَّامٌblamers وعُذَّالُand reproachers
فَفيمَ يَكْثُرُ لُوَّامٌ وعُذَّالُ
How futile to reproach me: my lineage is in love's house!
Far from it! I will not be chided in the abode of love for my lineage,
Why, then, do blamers and reproachers multiply?
So why do the blamers and chiders increase?
وكيفَand how يُوجِدُنِيcan give me السّلْوانُforgetfulness مَعْذِرَةan excuse
وكيفَ يُوجِدُنِي السّلْوانُ مَعْذِرَة
وعُذْرَةٌand 'Udhra لِيَfor me أعْمَامٌpaternal uncles وأَخْوَالُand maternal uncles
وعُذْرَةٌ لِيَ أعْمَامٌ وأَخْوَالُ
How can forgetfulness give me an excuse,
How can the smooth rocks find me an excuse,
When my paternal and maternal uncles are of 'Udhra?
While for me there are paternal and maternal uncles?
كَأنَّas though قَلْبِيmy heart فَرَاشٌa moth فيin تَقَحُّمِهِits plunging
كَأنَّ قَلْبِي فَرَاشٌ في تَقَحُّمِهِ
نَاراًa fire لَهَاfor which بِأَكُفِّby the hands of الغِيدِgraceful women إشْعَالُkindling
نَاراً لَهَا بِأَكُفِّ الغِيدِ إشْعَالُ
My heart is like a moth in its plunging into
As if my heart is a moth in its restless roving,
A fire kindled by the hands of graceful women.
Kindling with its palms a fire having brands for lighting.
أمَّاas for قَتُولُQatul التيwhom أهْوىI desire تَدَانِيَهَاher nearness
أمَّا قَتُولُ التي أهْوى تَدَانِيَهَا
فَدُونَهاso before her منْfrom سرَاةِthe chiefs of الحَيِّthe clan أَقْتَالُrival champions
فَدُونَها منْ سرَاةِ الحَيِّ أَقْتَالُ
As for Qatul, whose nearness I desire,
As for the slaying of her whom I love being brought close,
Before her stand rival champions from the clan's chiefs.
Before it are ranks of the living for killing.
أُدِيرُI turn طَرْفِيmy gaze إلىtoward دَرَاتِهاher dwellings كَلِفاًenamored
أُدِيرُ طَرْفِي إلى دَرَاتِها كَلِفاً
ومِلْءُand the fullness of قَلْبِيَmy heart آمَالٌhopes وآجَالُand appointed deaths
ومِلْءُ قَلْبِيَ آمَالٌ وآجَالُ
I turn my gaze toward her dwellings, passionately enamored,
I turn my glance to her abodes wretchedly,
And my heart is filled with hopes and death's appointed times.
While my heart is filled with hopes and terms.
هيshe الثُّرَيَّاthe Pleiades وَعيوقٌand Capella يَحُفُّsurrounds بِهاaround her
هي الثُّرَيَّا وَعيوقٌ يَحُفُّ بِها
غَيْرَانَjealous يَكْفُلُguards مِنْهاin her الظَّبْيَthe gazelle رِئْبَالُa lion
غَيْرَانَ يَكْفُلُ مِنْها الظَّبْيَ رِئْبَالُ
She is the Pleiades, and Capella surrounds her,
She is the doe and a wide enclosure surrounds her,
Jealous—a lion guards the gazelle that she is.
Other than it, the gazelle takes from it the wolf cub.
غزَالةٌa gazelle كُلَّماwhenever أَغْزَتْsent raiding لَوَاحِظَهَاher glances
غزَالةٌ كُلَّما أَغْزَتْ لَوَاحِظَهَا
آبَتْshe returned وأفْئِدَةُand the hearts of العُشَّاقِthe lovers أنْفَالُspoils
آبَتْ وأفْئِدَةُ العُشَّاقِ أنْفَالُ
A gazelle: whenever she sent her glances raiding,
A gazelle, whenever she is amorous with her glances,
She returned with lovers' hearts as spoils.
Hearts are captivated and those of the lovers are plunder.
ظَلَّتْshe kept تُقَلِّصُshortening عُمْريmy life وَهْيَwhile she فيin حُجُبٍveils
ظَلَّتْ تُقَلِّصُ عُمْري وَهْيَ في حُجُبٍ
تَضْفُوspread amply عَلَيْهَاover her لِسُمْرِof the brown spears of الخَطِّal-Khatt أظْلالُshadows
تَضْفُو عَلَيْهَا لِسُمْرِ الخَطِّ أظْلالُ
She kept shortening my life, though hidden behind veils,
She remained diminishing my life while being veiled,
The shadows of brown al-Khatt spears spreading over her.
Casting with her cheek’s marking shadows.
تَعَجَّبَتْshe marveled منْat حَيَاتيmy life إذْwhen رَأَتْshe saw دَنَفيmy wasting sickness
تَعَجَّبَتْ منْ حَيَاتي إذْ رَأَتْ دَنَفي
وَفِيwhile in يَدَيْهَاher two hands شِفَاءٌhealing ليfor me وإبْلالُand recovery
وَفِي يَدَيْهَا شِفَاءٌ لي وإبْلالُ
She marveled that I lived when she saw my wasting sickness,
She wondered at my life when she saw my emaciation,
While in her hands lay healing and recovery for me.
While in her hands are my remedy and renewal.
مَعسولَةُhoney-sweet الرّيقin saliva لمdid not أنْكِرI deny وقدand already وُصِفَتْshe was described
مَعسولَةُ الرّيق لم أنْكِر وقد وُصِفَتْ
أنْthat قيلَit was said فيof قَدِّهَاher figure الميَّالِswaying عَسَّالُpliant and quivering
أنْ قيلَ في قَدِّهَا الميَّالِ عَسَّالُ
Honey-sweet of saliva, she was described, and I did not deny
The sweet-lipped honey, I did not deny when she was described,
The saying that her swaying figure was pliant and quivering.
That it was said about her bending stature, supple.
كَأنَّas though أسْنَىthe brightest اللآليpearls فيon تَرَائِبِهَاher upper chest
كَأنَّ أسْنَى اللآلي في تَرَائِبِهَا
مِمّاfrom what تَلأَلأَglittered حُسْناًin beauty وَهْيَthough she مِعْطَالُunadorned
مِمّا تَلأَلأَ حُسْناً وَهْيَ مِعْطَالُ
As though the brightest pearls were on her breast,
As if the gleam of lightning in its flashing,
From the beauty that glittered there, though she wore no jewels.
From that which sparkled in beauty while slackening,
يُقِلُّbears مِنهاof her قَضِيبَthe bough of البَانِthe ban tree مُعْتَدِلاًupright
يُقِلُّ مِنها قَضِيبَ البَانِ مُعْتَدِلاً
دِعْصٌa sand dune منof الرِّدْفِthe haunches مِنْهارcrumbling ومِنهَالُand cascading
دِعْصٌ من الرِّدْفِ مِنْهار ومِنهَالُ
Her upright ban-tree bough is borne
Reduces from it the rod of the excellent Ban, extended,
By a dune of hips, crumbling and cascading.
A branch from its shedding, pouring forth abundantly.
مَكَثْتُI remained فِيهَاwith her عَلىon عَهْدِيmy pledge وَماbut not مَكَثَتْshe remained
مَكَثْتُ فِيهَا عَلى عَهْدِي وَما مَكَثَتْ
لِلْحُبِّfor love حَالٌone state وَلِلْمَحْبُوبِand for the beloved أَحْوالُmany states
لِلْحُبِّ حَالٌ وَلِلْمَحْبُوبِ أَحْوالُ
I kept my pledge to her, but she did not keep hers;
I remained in it true to my covenant and she did not remain
Love has one state, the beloved many.
For love there is a state, and for the beloved one there are states.
والسَّيْفُand the sword والرُّمْحُand the spear لاnot أرْجُوI hope for دفاعَهُمَاtheir defense
والسَّيْفُ والرُّمْحُ لا أرْجُو دفاعَهُمَا
إذاwhen تَمَرَّسَgrapples بيwith me قلْبٌa bracelet وخلْخَالُand an anklet
إذا تَمَرَّسَ بي قلْبٌ وخلْخَالُ
I hope for no defense from sword or spear
The sword and the spear, I do not hope for their defence
When a bracelet and an anklet assail me.
When a heart armours itself against me and fist.
لَولاwere it not for اتِّصاليmy connection بِسُلْطَانِto the authority of الأميرِthe prince لَقَدْsurely
لَولا اتِّصالي بِسُلْطَانِ الأميرِ لَقَدْ
لاقَتْmet بِهَاthrough her القدّsevering آرابٌlimbs وَأَوْصَالُand joints
لاقَتْ بِهَا القدّ آرابٌ وَأَوْصَالُ
Were it not for my bond with the prince's authority, surely
Were it not for my connection to the authority of the prince, indeed
My limbs and joints would have suffered dismemberment through her.
The bows would have met with it and the sinews.
مَلْكٌa king تَمَهَّدَتِwas brought to rest الدّنْيَاthe world بِدَوْلَتِهunder his reign
مَلْكٌ تَمَهَّدَتِ الدّنْيَا بِدَوْلَتِه
وَقَدalthough already تَحَيَّفَهَاhad ravaged it للْحَيْفِof oppression زِلْزَالُan earthquake
وَقَد تَحَيَّفَهَا للْحَيْفِ زِلْزَالُ
A king whose reign brought the world to rest,
A dominion the world prostrated to its rule
Though an earthquake of oppression had ravaged it.
And it had convulsed it for oppression with an earthquake.
وَأَلْبَسَتْهاand clothed it السَّنىin radiance الوَضَّاحَbrilliant غُرَّتُهُhis brow
وَأَلْبَسَتْها السَّنى الوَضَّاحَ غُرَّتُهُ
فأصْبَحَتso it became فيin بُرودِthe mantles of الحُسنِbeauty تَختالُstrutting
فأصْبَحَت في بُرودِ الحُسنِ تَختالُ
His brow clothed it in brilliant radiance,
And affliction made its shining youth hoary,
So it strutted in the mantles of beauty.
So it became one who walks with pride in the cold of beauty.
عَلَىupon حَفَائِظِهِhis protective zeal حِفْظُthe preservation of الوُجودِexistence وَإِنْeven if
عَلَى حَفَائِظِهِ حِفْظُ الوُجودِ وَإِنْ
آدَتْهُweighed him down للْحَرْبِof war أوْزَارٌburdens وأثْقَالُand weights
آدَتْهُ للْحَرْبِ أوْزَارٌ وأثْقَالُ
Upon his protective zeal rests the preservation of existence, even if
Over its coasts is the protection of existence, even if
The burdens and weights of war weighed him down.
The burdens of war, its loads, and its packing exhausted it.
مُؤَيَّدٌsupported كُلَّماwhenever حَلَّتْsettled كَتَائِبُهhis battalions
مُؤَيَّدٌ كُلَّما حَلَّتْ كَتَائِبُه
بِسَاحَةٍin a field آذَنَwarns الأعْمَارَlifespans تَرْحالُdeparture
بِسَاحَةٍ آذَنَ الأعْمَارَ تَرْحالُ
Upheld and aided, whenever his battalions settle
Supported, whenever its battalions descended
In a field, departure gives warning to men's lives.
Into a plain, it heralded the emigration of lifetimes.
سَرَتْtraveled by night سَرَايَاهhis raiding companies فيthrough أرْضِthe land of العِدَىthe foes فَغَداso there came
سَرَتْ سَرَايَاه في أرْضِ العِدَى فَغَدا
لِلْحُزْنِfor sorrow فِيهِنَّamong them إحْزَانٌcrossing rough ground وإسْهَالُand crossing level ground
لِلْحُزْنِ فِيهِنَّ إحْزَانٌ وإسْهَالُ
His raiding companies crossed the enemy's land by night; then
Its encampments travelled in the land of enemies, so
Sorrow ranged among them over rough ground and smooth.
In them, for grief, there are griefs and pouring forth.
آراؤُهُhis counsels كالسَّنَىlike radiance مَرْآهits appearance نَيِّرَةٌbright
آراؤُهُ كالسَّنَى مَرْآه نَيِّرَةٌ
أَضْحَتْthey became مَفاتِيحَkeys والآفَاقُwhile the horizons أقْفَالُlocks
أَضْحَتْ مَفاتِيحَ والآفَاقُ أقْفَالُ
His counsels are bright, like radiance to behold;
Its views are like the brilliant sun, its mirror is radiant,
They became keys, while the horizons are locks.
Which has become keys by which the horizons are locked.
مَهْماwhenever أطَلَّتْloomed عَلىover التَّجْسيمِattributing a body to God رَايَتُهُhis banner
مَهْما أطَلَّتْ عَلى التَّجْسيمِ رَايَتُهُ
فَلِلْفُتُوحِthen conquests have عَلىin support of التَّوحيدِdivine unity إِطْلالُan appearance
فَلِلْفُتُوحِ عَلى التَّوحيدِ إِطْلالُ
Whenever his banner loomed over corporealism,
No matter how long its banner remains unfurled over embodiment,
Conquests appeared in support of divine unity.
To divine oneness there is an exposure.
هَدىhe guided إِلىtoward السَّمْحَةِthe tolerant faith البَيْضاءِthe radiant فيin زَمَنٍan age
هَدى إِلى السَّمْحَةِ البَيْضاءِ في زَمَنٍ
أبْنَاؤُهُits sons فيamid الخُطُوبِcalamities السُّودِblack ضُلالُastray
أبْنَاؤُهُ في الخُطُوبِ السُّودِ ضُلالُ
He guided toward the tolerant, radiant faith in an age
It has guided to sincere whiteness in an age
Whose sons strayed amid dark calamities.
Whose sons are in the gloomy afflictions, lost.
فَقَدْfor indeed شَفَىhealed الدينَreligion والدّنياand the world مُهَنَّدُهُhis Indian-steel sword
فَقَدْ شَفَى الدينَ والدّنيا مُهَنَّدُهُ
كَماas شَفَىrelieved مِنfrom صَدَىthe thirst of الإمْحالِdrought هَطَّالُpouring rain
كَما شَفَى مِن صَدَى الإمْحالِ هَطَّالُ
For his Indian-steel sword healed religion and the world,
So its helper has cured the religion and the world,
As pouring rain relieves the thirst of drought.
As the echo of determination cured he who is resolute.
وَقَدْand indeed أَذَلَّتْhumbled مُلوكَthe kings of الأَرْضِthe earth عِزّتُهُhis might
وَقَدْ أَذَلَّتْ مُلوكَ الأَرْضِ عِزّتُهُ
وقَوَّمَتْهُمْand straightened them قَناهُhis spear عِنْدَمَاwhen مالُواthey bent
وقَوَّمَتْهُمْ قَناهُ عِنْدَمَا مالُوا
His might humbled the kings of the earth,
His crimes covered those whom the majesty of a kingdom whose
And his spear straightened them when they bent astray.
Occupation is benevolence covered when they inclined.
أَينَwhere الجَبَابِرَةُthe tyrants اسْتَوْلَوْاruled إلَىuntil أَمَدٍa term
أَينَ الجَبَابِرَةُ اسْتَوْلَوْا إلَى أَمَدٍ
فَاسْتَأصَلَتْهُمْthen uprooted them عَوالِيهِhis spearheads بِماbecause صَالُواthey assaulted
فَاسْتَأصَلَتْهُمْ عَوالِيهِ بِما صَالُوا
Where are the tyrants who ruled for a span,
In it there is deliberation and respite, in it there is nobility
Then his spearheads uprooted them for their aggression?
And there is no neglect along with respite.
آلَتْbecame قِوَاءًdesolate مَغانِيthe dwellings of آلِthe house of غانِيَةٍGhaniya
آلَتْ قِوَاءً مَغانِي آلِ غانِيَةٍ
بِهِthrough him وغَالَتْهُمُand destroyed them لِلدَّهْرِof time أَغْوالُghouls
بِهِ وغَالَتْهُمُ لِلدَّهْرِ أَغْوالُ
The dwellings of the house of Ghaniya became desolate
It pardons and overlooks as is the wont of the Divine Self,
Through him, and Time's ghouls destroyed them.
Just as it is generous, clement, the Bestower who separates.
وَصُدَّتْand were driven back الصِّيدُthe proud nobles مِنْof عُجْمٍnon-Arabs ومِنْand of عَرَبٍArabs
وَصُدَّتْ الصِّيدُ مِنْ عُجْمٍ ومِنْ عَرَبٍ
بِسَطْوِby the assault of سُلْطَانِهِhis authority فَالكُلُّso all أَجْفالُfleeing in terror
بِسَطْوِ سُلْطَانِهِ فَالكُلُّ أَجْفالُ
The proud nobles, non-Arab and Arab, were driven back
As for Abu Zakariyya the Imam, upon
By the assault of his power; all fled in terror.
The highest ideals, he is speaker and doer.
وَتِلْكَand that عَادَتُهhis custom دامَتْmay endure سَعَادَتُهُhis good fortune
وَتِلْكَ عَادَتُه دامَتْ سَعَادَتُهُ
يَغْشَىovertakes بِهاthrough it سَوْرَةَthe fury of الأَبْطَالِthe heroes إبْطَالُundoing
يَغْشَى بِها سَوْرَةَ الأَبْطَالِ إبْطَالُ
Such is his custom—may his good fortune endure—
In his right hand is the command of valor and munificence,
Through it, undoing overtakes the heroes' fury.
Striking, stabbing, beneficence, and embrace.
عَادُواthey became عَبَادِيدَscattered bands عِبْدَاناًslaves لِشِدَّتِهِto his might
عَادُوا عَبَادِيدَ عِبْدَاناً لِشِدَّتِهِ
وَهُمْthough they إِذاwhen تُحْسَنُare esteemed الأَحْسابُpedigrees أقْيالُprinces
وَهُمْ إِذا تُحْسَنُ الأَحْسابُ أقْيالُ
They became scattered bands, slaves to his might,
As if his auburn steed and his sword he sends
Though, when pedigrees are esteemed, they are princes.
Against the enemy, a millstone for death, crushing.
أَعْجِبْmarvel بِهِمْat them طُلَّقاًreleased لَكِنْyet تمسِّكُهُمْholds them
أَعْجِبْ بِهِمْ طُلَّقاً لَكِنْ تمسِّكُهُمْ
مِنَby الْمَهَابَةِawe أَقْيَادٌfetters وَأَغْلالُand shackles
مِنَ الْمَهَابَةِ أَقْيَادٌ وَأَغْلالُ
Marvel at them, released, yet held fast
Since his wondrous exploits stood, no arrow
By fetters and shackles of awe.
Has hit its mark, nor has one thrown wide of the target.
جَلَّتْwere grave جَرَائِمُهُمْtheir crimes عَمَّنْbeyond anyone who تَغَمَّدَهَاpardoned them
جَلَّتْ جَرَائِمُهُمْ عَمَّنْ تَغَمَّدَهَا
جَلالُthe majesty of مَلْكٍa king لهُwho has فيin البرِّgoodness إِيغالُfar-reaching zeal
جَلالُ مَلْكٍ لهُ في البرِّ إِيغالُ
Their crimes were too grave for anyone to pardon—
The people slept on the bed of security with what
Save the majesty of a king who goes far in goodness.
He deluded them with ease, strolling, and wandering.
فيهِin him أنَاةٌpatience وإِمْهالٌand reprieve بِهِthrough him شَرُفاboth ennobled
فيهِ أنَاةٌ وإِمْهالٌ بِهِ شَرُفا
وَلَيْسَand there is no مِنْهُfrom him مَعَwith الإمْهالِreprieve إِهْمالُneglect
وَلَيْسَ مِنْهُ مَعَ الإمْهالِ إِهْمالُ
In him are patience and reprieve, both ennobled through him;
The opposite is necessarily made distinct by its opposite,
Yet his reprieve entails no neglect.
And does ambiguity remain with elucidation?
يَعْفُوhe forgives وَيَصْفَحُand overlooks offenses فيfor ذاتِthe sake of الإلهِGod كَماjust as
يَعْفُو وَيَصْفَحُ في ذاتِ الإلهِ كَما
يَسْخُوhe gives generously ويَسْمَحُand freely والمِفضالُand the lavish giver مِفْصَالُa mighty cleaver
يَسْخُو ويَسْمَحُ والمِفضالُ مِفْصَالُ
He forgives and overlooks offenses for God's sake, just as
The garden of grief did not smile with its laughter
He gives generously and freely; the lavish giver is also a mighty cleaver.
Until the valleys of grief became desolate.
أمَّاas for أَبوAbu زَكَرِياءَZakariya الإمامُthe imam عَلىin
أمَّا أَبو زَكَرِياءَ الإمامُ عَلى
وَفْقِaccord with المَعاليlofty virtues فَقَوّالٌhe speaks abundantly وَفَعَّالُand acts abundantly
وَفْقِ المَعالي فَقَوّالٌ وَفَعَّالُ
As for Abu Zakariya, the imam, in
Blessed, he did not cease to follow his father the father
Accord with lofty virtues, he is a man of words and deeds.
Of Muhammad ibn Abi Hafs and did not decline.
لِلْبَأسِfor valor والجُودِand generosity فيin يُمْناهhis right hand حُكْمُهُماtheir rule
لِلْبَأسِ والجُودِ في يُمْناه حُكْمُهُما
ضَرْبٌstriking وَطَعْنٌand thrusting وإِحْسَانٌand kindness وَإِجْمَالُand gracious dealing
ضَرْبٌ وَطَعْنٌ وإِحْسَانٌ وَإِجْمَالُ
Valor and generosity have their sway in his right hand:
From the secrets of his conduct there spread
Striking and thrusting, kindness and gracious dealing.
To creation, by God’s blessing, completion and perfection.
كأنَّمَاas though سُمْرُهُhis brown spears والصَّولُwhile assault يُرْسِلُهَاsends them forth
كأنَّمَا سُمْرُهُ والصَّولُ يُرْسِلُهَا
عَلىagainst العِدَىthe foes بِرَحىًin a mill لِلمَوْتِof death أَصْلالُvipers
عَلى العِدَى بِرَحىً لِلمَوْتِ أَصْلالُ
As though his brown spears, sent forth by assault
The era before him was brutish, but by him it appeared
Against the foe in death's grinding mill, were vipers.
Adorned with beauty and equipped with burdens.
مَاnot صَابَstruck لِلْمَلْكat the king مُذْsince قَامَتْrose صَوائِبُهُhis sure shots
مَا صَابَ لِلْمَلْك مُذْ قَامَتْ صَوائِبُهُ
سَهمٌan arrow ولاnor صَامَfasted خَطِّيٌّa Khatt spear وقُصَّالُand a keen sword
سَهمٌ ولا صَامَ خَطِّيٌّ وقُصَّالُ
Since his sure shots rose, none has struck the king—
All seasons in his state are spring,
No arrow; nor have Khatt spear and keen sword fasted.
And the land, for what it yields, is a garden.
نامَslept الأَنَامُmankind عَلىupon فَرْشِthe bedding of الأَمَانsafety بِماbecause
نامَ الأَنَامُ عَلى فَرْشِ الأَمَان بِما
أَغْرَاهُlured him بالسُّهْدِinto sleeplessness تَجْوَابٌfar-ranging journeys وتَجْوَالُand wandering
أَغْرَاهُ بالسُّهْدِ تَجْوَابٌ وتَجْوَالُ
Mankind slept upon the bedding of safety, because
Its beneficial elements equated its essence,
Far-ranging journeys and wanderings lured him into sleeplessness.
So the epoch altogether is enchantment and roots.
لابُدَّthere must be للضِّدِّfor an opposite مِنْof ضِدٍّan opposite يُمَيِّزُهُdistinguishing it
لابُدَّ للضِّدِّ مِنْ ضِدٍّ يُمَيِّزُهُ
وَهَلْand can يَقِرُّremain مَعَwith الإِيضَاحِclarity إِشْكَالُambiguity
وَهَلْ يَقِرُّ مَعَ الإِيضَاحِ إِشْكَالُ
An opposite must have an opposite to distinguish it;
O Lord, by him the existence came to have an eid
Can ambiguity remain alongside clarity?
For which one performing hajj in it and Shawwal circles it.
وَرَوْضَةُand the garden of الحَزْنrugged upland لَمْdid not يَبْهَجْdelight تَضَاحُكُهاits smiling
وَرَوْضَةُ الحَزْن لَمْ يَبْهَجْ تَضَاحُكُها
حَتَّىuntil سَجَاsubsided لِغَوادِيof the early showers of المُزْنِrainclouds إعْوَالُwailing
حَتَّى سَجَا لِغَوادِي المُزْنِ إعْوَالُ
The upland garden's smile gave no delight
At ease in stride in the confined terrain, proceeding,
Until the wailing of the morning rainclouds subsided.
The zealous passions being plucked and the terms cut off.
مُبَارَكٌblessed لَمnot يَزَلْceased يَتْلُوfollowing أَباهُhis father أبَاAbu
مُبَارَكٌ لَم يَزَلْ يَتْلُو أَباهُ أبَا
مُحَمَّدِMuhammad بنِson of أبيAbi حَفْصٍHafs ولَمْand not يَالُslackened
مُحَمَّدِ بنِ أبي حَفْصٍ ولَمْ يَالُ
Blessed, he has never ceased following his father, Abu
Its news in sublimity and glory is ongoing,
Muhammad ibn Abi Hafs, and never slackened.
As if, for nonesuch similitude, they are similitudes.
عَمَّembraced all البَريَّةَcreation مِنْfrom أسْرَارِthe hidden virtues of سِيرَتِهhis conduct
عَمَّ البَريَّةَ مِنْ أسْرَارِ سِيرَتِه
لِنِعْمَةof the blessing of اللّهِGod إتْمَامٌfulfillment وإِكْمَالُand completion
لِنِعْمَة اللّهِ إتْمَامٌ وإِكْمَالُ
Through the hidden virtues of his conduct, all creation was embraced
From his lofty attributes, knowledge gushed forth
By the fulfillment and completion of God's blessing.
As the brook flows down the meadow’s center.
كَانَwas الزّمَانُtime بَهيماًdark and unmarked قَبلهbefore him فبَدَاthen appeared
كَانَ الزّمَانُ بَهيماً قَبله فبَدَا
عليهِupon it لِلحُسْنِof beauty أوْضاحٌwhite blazes وأَحْجالُand white stockings
عليهِ لِلحُسْنِ أوْضاحٌ وأَحْجالُ
Time was dark and unmarked before him; then appeared
And the flowing of gifts poured from his fingers
Upon it beauty's white blazes and white stockings.
As the torrents surged from the rains.
كُلُّall الفُصولِseasons رَبِيعٌspring فيunder إِيالَتِهِhis governance
كُلُّ الفُصولِ رَبِيعٌ في إِيالَتِهِ
والأرْضُand the earth رَبْعٌa dwelling لِمَاfor what يُولِيهِhe bestows مِحْلالُever hospitable
والأرْضُ رَبْعٌ لِمَا يُولِيهِ مِحْلالُ
Every season is spring under his governance,
It is as if his favours favour unceasingly, it did not breach
And earth a dwelling ever hospitable to what he bestows.
The fact that to it the parched ones and family come.
ساوَتْequaled أَعاصِرُهُhis epochs طِيباًin sweetness عَنَاصِرُهُhis origins
ساوَتْ أَعاصِرُهُ طِيباً عَنَاصِرُهُ
فالدَّهْرُso time أَجْمَعُall of it أَسْحارٌdawns وآصالُand late afternoons
فالدَّهْرُ أَجْمَعُ أَسْحارٌ وآصالُ
His epochs equaled his origins in sweetness,
So each day the delegation visits his noble presence,
So all of time is dawns and late afternoons.
Casting themselves to it, ships and cargo.
ياoh ربَّhow many أضْحَىa Feast of Sacrifice وفِطْرٍand a Feast of Breaking Fast للوُجودِfor existence بهِthrough him
يا ربَّ أضْحَى وفِطْرٍ للوُجودِ بهِ
يَحُجُّmakes pilgrimage ذوDhu حِجَّةٍal-Hijja فيهِin him وشَوَّالُand Shawwal
يَحُجُّ ذو حِجَّةٍ فيهِ وشَوَّالُ
How many Feasts of Sacrifice and Breaking Fast he brings the world!
His boons pointed to him, the vestiges of his blessings,
In him Dhu al-Hijja and Shawwal make pilgrimage.
As vestiges point to what is to come in the present.
رَحْبُbroad الخُطَىin stride فيin المَجَالِthe field الضَّنْكِconstricted مُتَّئِدٌdeliberate
رَحْبُ الخُطَى في المَجَالِ الضَّنْكِ مُتَّئِدٌ
والهَامُwhile heads تُقْطَفُare plucked والآجَالُand lifespans تُغْتَالُare stolen away
والهَامُ تُقْطَفُ والآجَالُ تُغْتَالُ
Broad in stride and deliberate in the constricted field,
He attained for his forefathers in gracious deeds a lofty structure
While heads are plucked and lives stolen away.
Whose minarets reached high, just as they attained elevation.
أَنْبَاؤُهُhis tidings فيof العُلىeminence والمَجْدِand glory سائِرَةٌtraveling
أَنْبَاؤُهُ في العُلى والمَجْدِ سائِرَةٌ
كأَنَّهَاas though they لانْعِدامِfor lack of المِثْلِan equal أمثَالُproverbs
كأَنَّهَا لانْعِدامِ المِثْلِ أمثَالُ
His tidings of eminence and glory travel far,
So in the horizon of ideals, or their highest point,
As though, for lack of any equal, they were proverbs.
They are worthy ones who dazzled with light and lion cubs.
تَفَجَّرَburst forth العِلْمknowledge مِنْfrom عَلْياthe loftiness of شَمائِلِهِhis qualities
تَفَجَّرَ العِلْم مِنْ عَلْيا شَمائِلِهِ
كَماas يَسُحُّpours بِوَسْطِthrough the midst of الرّوْضِthe garden سِلْسالُa clear stream
كَما يَسُحُّ بِوَسْطِ الرّوْضِ سِلْسالُ
Knowledge burst forth from the loftiness of his qualities,
From each depended on for glory, united,
As a clear stream pours through the garden's midst.
Through him the essence and family ascend to the sky.
وانْهَلَّand poured سَيْبُthe flood of العَطاياgifts مِنfrom أَنامِلِهِhis fingertips
وانْهَلَّ سَيْبُ العَطايا مِن أَنامِلِهِ
كَماas ألجَّpersisted مِنَfrom الأَمْطَارِrain أَسْيَالُtorrents
كَما ألجَّ مِنَ الأَمْطَارِ أَسْيَالُ
And the flood of gifts poured from his fingertips,
In the forearm of the intrepid, he is one who charges,
As rain-fed torrents persist in their flow.
Upon him for generosity are the ornate saddle cloth.
كأنَّas though آلاءهُhis favors آلَتْswore فَماand never حَنِثَتْbroke their oath
كأنَّ آلاءهُ آلَتْ فَما حَنِثَتْ
أنْthat يُمْتَطَىbe ridden نَحْوَهُtoward him الدَّأْمَاءُthe dark sea والآلُand the mirage
أنْ يُمْتَطَى نَحْوَهُ الدَّأْمَاءُ والآلُ
It is as though his favors swore and never broke their oath—
Abu Yaḥyá the Prince circles, and they
That the dark sea and the mirage be ridden toward him.
Before him are like the brilliant stars, similitudes.
فكُلّso every يومٍday يَؤُمُّheads toward الوَفْدُthe delegation حَضْرَتَهhis presence
فكُلّ يومٍ يَؤُمُّ الوَفْدُ حَضْرَتَه
تَرمِيcast إلَيهَاtoward it بِهِمthem فُلْكٌships وأَجْمالُand camels
تَرمِي إلَيهَا بِهِم فُلْكٌ وأَجْمالُ
So every day delegations seek his presence,
They are arranged in the system of dominion four,
Ships and camels casting them toward it.
As the order of a necklace's composition is arranged gems.
دَلَّتْguided عَلَيْهِto him المُنَىhopes آثارُthe traces of أنْعُمِهhis favors
دَلَّتْ عَلَيْهِ المُنَى آثارُ أنْعُمِه
كمّاًjust as تَدُلُّpoints عَلَىtoward المُسْتَقْبَلِthe future الحالُthe present
كمّاً تَدُلُّ عَلَى المُسْتَقْبَلِ الحالُ
The traces of his favors guided hopes to him,
He granted them the highest of ranks and authorized them with
As the present points toward the future.
A dominion by which dominions were rendered powerless.
أَسْمَىhe raised لآبائِهِfor his fathers فيin المَكْرُمَاتِnoble deeds بُنىًstructures
أَسْمَى لآبائِهِ في المَكْرُمَاتِ بُنىً
طالَتْrose ذُؤابَتُهاtheir pinnacle عزّاًin honor كَماas طالُواthey rose
طالَتْ ذُؤابَتُها عزّاً كَما طالُوا
He raised for his fathers structures of noble deeds,
My Master, you are the recourse of the worlds, and in
Whose pinnacles rose in honor as they themselves rose.
Kissing your two hands are glory and wealth.
فَهُمْso they بِأُفْقِat the horizon of المَعاليlofty virtues أَوor بِغَايَتِهَاat their utmost limit
فَهُمْ بِأُفْقِ المَعالي أَو بِغَايَتِهَا
أَهِلَّةٌcrescents بَهَرَتْdazzling نُوراًwith light وَأَشْبالُand lion cubs
أَهِلَّةٌ بَهَرَتْ نُوراً وَأَشْبالُ
At the horizon of lofty virtues, or at their utmost limit, they are
Take them, mentioning you, as an ode made sweet,
Crescents dazzling with light, and lion cubs.
As the brooks are made to flow through the meadow.
مِنْfrom كُلِّevery مُعْتَمَدٍtrusted pillar فيin المَجْدِglory مُتَّحِدٍunited
مِنْ كُلِّ مُعْتَمَدٍ في المَجْدِ مُتَّحِدٍ
تَسْمُوrise بِهِthrough him لِلسَّماءِto the sky الذاتُthe self والآلُand the family
تَسْمُو بِهِ لِلسَّماءِ الذاتُ والآلُ
Each a trusted pillar, united in glory,
The servant has no preoccupation but gratitude to his Master,
Whom his own worth and lineage lift to the sky.
Even if occupations divert him from days.
يَفُتُّbreaks فيin عَضُدِthe arm of البَأساءِadversity مِنْهُfrom him فَتىًa youth
يَفُتُّ في عَضُدِ البَأساءِ مِنْهُ فَتىً
عَلَيهِupon him للكَرَمِof generosity الوضَّاحِradiant سِرْبالُa garment
عَلَيهِ للكَرَمِ الوضَّاحِ سِرْبالُ
A youth from him shatters adversity's arm,
Were it not for your sublime nature, its lineage,
Clad in a garment of radiant generosity.
Verse would have debility and convulsions.
يَلْتاحُshines بَدْراًas a full moon أبوAbu يَحْيَىYahya الأمِيرُthe prince وَهُمْwhile they
يَلْتاحُ بَدْراً أبو يَحْيَى الأمِيرُ وَهُمْ
إزَاءهُbeside him كالنّجومِlike the stars الزُّهْرِradiant أمْثالُpeers
إزَاءهُ كالنّجومِ الزُّهْرِ أمْثالُ
The prince Abu Yahya shines as a full moon, while they
Through you my poetry regained its power after its subjugation,
Are his peers beside him, like the radiant stars.
And the mouth and hands humbled to little speech.
قَدalready رُتِّبُواwere arranged فيin نِظَامِthe order of المُلْكِkingship أرْبَعَةًfour
قَد رُتِّبُوا في نِظَامِ المُلْكِ أرْبَعَةً
كَماas يُرَتَّبُare arranged نَظْمَin the stringing of العقْدِthe necklace لأالُpearls
كَما يُرَتَّبُ نَظْمَ العقْدِ لأالُ
Four of them were arranged in the order of kingship,
My past youth declined and my vigor bent,
As pearls are arranged in the stringing of a necklace.
And in your blessings the afflicted one comes to delight.
أَنالَهُمْgranted them رُتَبَthe ranks of العَلْياhigh station وَخَوَّلَهُمْand endowed them
أَنالَهُمْ رُتَبَ العَلْيا وَخَوَّلَهُمْ
مَلْكٌa king لِمَاof what أعْجَزَdefeated الأَمْلاكَthe kings نَيَّالُa great attainer
مَلْكٌ لِمَا أعْجَزَ الأَمْلاكَ نَيَّالُ
He granted them ranks of high station and endowed them—
I took shade under your all-encompassing shadow and to
A king who attains what other kings cannot.
The bosom of Tawfil's progeny the infants turned.
مَوْلايَmy lord أَنْتَyou مَآلُthe ultimate resort of العالَمينَthe worlds وفِيand in
مَوْلايَ أَنْتَ مَآلُ العالَمينَ وفِي
تَقْبِيلِkissing كِلْتاboth يَدَيْكَyour hands الجَاهُrank وَالمالُand wealth
تَقْبِيلِ كِلْتا يَدَيْكَ الجَاهُ وَالمالُ
My lord, you are the refuge of the worlds, and in
To the point that praise from your bounty to me is a gift
Kissing both your hands lie rank and wealth.
From me a composition, and from your sublimity, dictation.
خُذْهاaccept it بِذِكْرِكَby your mention فيهاwithin it مِدْحَةًa panegyric عَذُبُتْgrew sweet
خُذْها بِذِكْرِكَ فيها مِدْحَةً عَذُبُتْ
كَماas تُدارُis passed around خِلالَamid الرّوْضِthe garden جِرْيَالُred wine
كَما تُدارُ خِلالَ الرّوْضِ جِرْيَالُ
Accept this praise, made sweet by your mention within it,
So pour forth, O Sea, familiarity and knowledge,
As red wine is passed around amid the garden.
You know and see the echo of passionate love and ardour.
لاno شُغْلَoccupation لِلعَبْدِfor the servant إلاexcept شُكْرُgratitude to سَيِّدِهِhis master
لا شُغْلَ لِلعَبْدِ إلا شُكْرُ سَيِّدِهِ
وَإِنْeven if عدَتْهُdistracted him مِنَfrom الأَيَّامِthe days أَشْغَالُcares
وَإِنْ عدَتْهُ مِنَ الأَيَّامِ أَشْغَالُ
The servant has no occupation but gratitude to his master,
The servant has no occupation but thanking his Master,
Though the days distract him with cares.
Even if days preoccupy him with matters.
لَوْلاwere it not for جِبِلَّتُكَyour nature العُلْيَاlofty عَشيرَتُهَاits close kin
لَوْلا جِبِلَّتُكَ العُلْيَا عَشيرَتُهَا
لَكانَthere would be لِلشِّعرِfor poetry إِكْدَاءٌbarrenness وإِجْبَالُand falling silent
لَكانَ لِلشِّعرِ إِكْدَاءٌ وإِجْبَالُ
Were your lofty nature not its close kin,
Were it not for Your sublime nature and lineage,
Poetry would run dry and fall silent.
Poetry would have feebleness and convulsions.
بكَthrough you اسْتَقَلَّrose again قَريضِيmy verse بَعْدَafter كَبْوَتِهits stumble
بكَ اسْتَقَلَّ قَريضِي بَعْدَ كَبْوَتِه
وكُبَّand was flung down لِلْفَمupon the mouth والكَفَّيْنِand both hands إقْلالُpoverty
وكُبَّ لِلْفَم والكَفَّيْنِ إقْلالُ
Through you my verse rose again after its stumble,
Through You my poetry regained its power after its subjugation,
And poverty was flung down on mouth and both hands.
And the mouth and hands were lowered to little speech.
وآبَand returned ماضِيthe bygone part of شَبابيmy youth وانْثَنَتْand came back جِدَتيmy wealth
وآبَ ماضِي شَبابي وانْثَنَتْ جِدَتي
وَثَابَand returned يَنْعُمُrejoicing فيamid نَعْمَائِكyour bounty البالُthe mind
وَثَابَ يَنْعُمُ في نَعْمَائِك البالُ
My bygone youth returned, and my wealth came back,
My past youth declined and my vigor bent,
And my mind returned to joy amid your bounty.
And in Your blessings the afflicted comes to delight.
وَظِلَّكَand your shade الوارِفَspreading اسْتَغْشَيْتُهُI sought shelter beneath it وإلىand to
وَظِلَّكَ الوارِفَ اسْتَغْشَيْتُهُ وإلى
ذرَىthe heights of طَفيلٍTafil أَوَىtook refuge مِنْكَin you الأُطَيْفالُthe little children
ذرَى طَفيلٍ أَوَى مِنْكَ الأُطَيْفالُ
I sought shelter beneath your spreading shade, and to
I sought shade under Your all-encompassing shadow and the
Tafil's heights in you my little children came for refuge.
Infants of Tawfil's progeny took refuge in Your bosom,
حَتَّىeven المَدَائِحُthe panegyrics مِنْfrom جَدْواكَyour bounty ليto me هِبَةٌa gift
حَتَّى المَدَائِحُ مِنْ جَدْواكَ لي هِبَةٌ
مِنِّيfrom me كِتابٌwriting ومنand from عَلْيَاكَyour exalted worth إِمْلالُdictation
مِنِّي كِتابٌ ومن عَلْيَاكَ إِمْلالُ
Even my panegyrics are a gift to me from your bounty:
To the extent that praise from Your grace is a gift to me,
The writing is mine, the dictation from your exalted worth.
From me a composition, and from Your sublimity, dictation.
فِضْoverflow أيُّهَاO البَحْرُsea مَعْرُوفاًwith kindness ومَعْرِفَةًand knowledge
فِضْ أيُّهَا البَحْرُ مَعْرُوفاً ومَعْرِفَةً
تَعْلَمmay learn وَتَرْوِand be quenched صَدىthe thirst of هِيمٍthe parched وجُهَّالُand the ignorant
تَعْلَم وَتَرْوِ صَدى هِيمٍ وجُهَّالُ
Overflow, O sea, with kindness and knowledge,
So pour forth, O Sea, cordiality and knowledge,
So the ignorant may learn, and the parched have their thirst quenched.
You know and see the echo of fervor and passion.
Claude 2 is inferred from the historical translator configuration. The original record does not identify its model.