فَتَحَتْopened سُعُودُكَyour lucky stars كُلَّevery بَابٍdoor مُبْهَمٍsealed
فَتَحَتْ سُعُودُكَ كُلَّ بَابٍ مُبْهَمٍ
وَجَلاand dispelled يَقينُكَyour certainty كُلَّevery خَطْبٍordeal مُظْلِمِdark
وَجَلا يَقينُكَ كُلَّ خَطْبٍ مُظْلِمِ
Your lucky stars opened every sealed door,
Your good fortune opened every ambiguous door,
And your certainty dispelled every dark ordeal.
And your certainty illuminated every dark affair.
وَجَنَيْتَand you plucked غَضَّfresh الْفَتْحِconquest مِنْfrom وَرَقِthe foliage of الظِّبَاsword-edges
وَجَنَيْتَ غَضَّ الْفَتْحِ مِنْ وَرَقِ الظِّبَا
وَالنَّصْرَand victory مِنْfrom غَرْسِthe planting of الْقَنَاspears الْمُتَحَطِّمِsplintered
وَالنَّصْرَ مِنْ غَرْسِ الْقَنَا الْمُتَحَطِّمِ
And you plucked fresh conquest from the foliage of sword-edges,
You reaped the unripe fruits of victory
And victory from the planting of splintered spears.
And triumph from the broken spears.
فَانْهَدْso advance بِسَعْدِكَwith your good fortune قَبْلَbefore جُنْدِكَyour troops لِلْعِدَىagainst the foes
فَانْهَدْ بِسَعْدِكَ قَبْلَ جُنْدِكَ لِلْعِدَى
وَابْعَثْand send forth بِرُعْبِكَwith your terror قَبْلَbefore جَيْشِكَyour army تَهْزِمِyou will rout
وَابْعَثْ بِرُعْبِكَ قَبْلَ جَيْشِكَ تَهْزِمِ
So charge the foe with your good fortune ahead of your troops,
So destroy your enemies with your fortune before your army,
And send your terror ahead of your army: you will rout them.
And rout them with your might before your conquering troops.
وَاحْفَظْand guard بِحَزْمِكَwith your prudence كُلَّevery سِرْبٍflock غَافِلٍheedless
وَاحْفَظْ بِحَزْمِكَ كُلَّ سِرْبٍ غَافِلٍ
وَاكْلأْand protect بِسُهْدِكَwith your wakefulness جَفْنَthe eyelid of كُلِّevery مُهَوِّمِslumberer
وَاكْلأْ بِسُهْدِكَ جَفْنَ كُلِّ مُهَوِّمِ
And with your prudence guard every heedless flock,
And protect with your wisdom every heedless flock,
And with your wakefulness protect every slumberer's eyelid.
And soothe with your calm every anxious eye.
فَالْحَتْفُfor death فَوْقَupon غِرَارِthe edge of سَيْفِكَyour sword يَلْتَظِيblazes
فَالْحَتْفُ فَوْقَ غِرَارِ سَيْفِكَ يَلْتَظِي
وَالرِّزْقُand bounty بَيْنَbetween بَنَانِthe fingertips of كَفِّكَyour hand يَنْهَمِيpours down
وَالرِّزْقُ بَيْنَ بَنَانِ كَفِّكَ يَنْهَمِي
For death blazes upon the edge of your sword,
For heads lie above the edges of your sword, awaiting
And bounty pours down between the fingertips of your hand.
And sustenance flows between your palms, to be seized.
يَاعِصْمَةَO protector of الثَّغْرِthe frontier الَّذِيwhich دَارَتْcircled بِهِaround it
يَاعِصْمَةَ الثَّغْرِ الَّذِي دَارَتْ بِهِ
أَعْدَاؤُهُits foes دَوْرَlike the circling of السِّوَارِa bracelet بِمِعْصَمِaround a wrist
أَعْدَاؤُهُ دَوْرَ السِّوَارِ بِمِعْصَمِ
O protector of the frontier, around which there circled
O guardian of the land for which enemies
Its foes, as a bracelet circles a wrist.
Surrounded like bangles around a wrist.
يَاقَائِدَO leader of الْخَيْلِthe horses الْمُغِيرَةِraiding بِالضُّحَىin the forenoon
يَاقَائِدَ الْخَيْلِ الْمُغِيرَةِ بِالضُّحَى
وَمُزِيرَand you who bring to visit رَبْعِthe abode of الْكُفْرِunbelief كُلَّevery مُطَهَّمِfinely formed steed
وَمُزِيرَ رَبْعِ الْكُفْرِ كُلَّ مُطَهَّمِ
O leader of the horses that raid in the forenoon,
O leader of the cavalry who raid at dawn
And bringer of every splendid steed to unbelief's abode,
And shake the quarters of unbelief.
مِنْof كُلِّevery بَرْقٍlightning bolt بِالأَهِلَّةِwith crescents مُسْرَجٍsaddled
مِنْ كُلِّ بَرْقٍ بِالأَهِلَّةِ مُسْرَجٍ
قَيْدِa fetter for الأَوَابِدِwild beasts بِالثُّرَيَّاwith the Pleiades مُلْجَمِbridled
قَيْدِ الأَوَابِدِ بِالثُّرَيَّا مُلْجَمِ
Each a lightning bolt saddled with crescents,
With every steed furnished for battle,
A fetter for wild beasts, bridled with the Pleiades:
Tethered in place by strong tent pegs.
مِنْof أَخضَرٍa dark horse كالحِبْرِlike ink أَوْor مِنْof أَشْقَرٍa chestnut horse
مِنْ أَخضَرٍ كالحِبْرِ أَوْ مِنْ أَشْقَرٍ
كَالتِّبْرِlike raw gold أَوْor مِنْof أَحْمَرٍa red horse كَالْعَنْدَمِlike dragon's-blood dye
كَالتِّبْرِ أَوْ مِنْ أَحْمَرٍ كَالْعَنْدَمِ
A dark horse like ink, or a chestnut
Some green like ink, others blond like wheat,
Like raw gold, or a red horse like dragon's-blood dye,
Or red like coral, dappled and spotty,
أَوْor أَشْهَبٍa gray horse إِنْif لاَحَit gleams فِيin غَسَقِthe darkness of الدُّجَىnight
أَوْ أَشْهَبٍ إِنْ لاَحَ فِي غَسَقِ الدُّجَى
فَكَأَنَّمَاthen as though هُوَit غُرَّةٌa white forehead-blaze فِيon أَدْهَمِa black horse
فَكَأَنَّمَا هُوَ غُرَّةٌ فِي أَدْهَمِ
Or a gray horse that, if it gleams in the darkness of night,
Or gray—when it shines in the dusk of night
Seems a white forehead-blaze on a black horse.
It seems a rain cloud in gathered darkness.
قَطَعَتْcut through سُيُوفَكَyour swords كُلَّevery حُكْمٍdecree قَاطِعٍdecisive
قَطَعَتْ سُيُوفَكَ كُلَّ حُكْمٍ قَاطِعٍ
وَقَضَتْand pronounced judgment سُعُودُكَyour lucky stars قَبْلَbefore كُلَّevery مُنَجِّمِastrologer
وَقَضَتْ سُعُودُكَ قَبْلَ كُلَّ مُنَجِّمِ
Your swords cut through every decisive decree,
Your swords cut every firm decree,
And your lucky stars pronounced judgment before every astrologer.
And your fortunes decide before any astrologer.
وَإِذَاand when الْخُطُوبُcalamities جَهِلْتَyou failed to understand لَحْنَthe implied sense of خِطَابِهَاtheir speech
وَإِذَا الْخُطُوبُ جَهِلْتَ لَحْنَ خِطَابِهَا
كَانَwas الْحُسَامُthe sword الصَّلْتُunsheathed خَيْرَthe best مُتَرْجِمِinterpreter
كَانَ الْحُسَامُ الصَّلْتُ خَيْرَ مُتَرْجِمِ
And when you fail to understand the sense of calamities' speech,
And when events are confused in their discourse,
The unsheathed sword is the best interpreter.
The keen blade is the best translator.
كَمْhow many a فَتْكَةٍdeadly onslaught لَكَof yours فِيagainst الْعِدَىthe foes مَشْهُورَةٍfamed
كَمْ فَتْكَةٍ لَكَ فِي الْعِدَى مَشْهُورَةٍ
يُزْرِيputs to shame حَدِيثُthe tale of تَلِيدِهَاits ancient glory بِالأَقْدَمِthe most ancient deeds
يُزْرِي حَدِيثُ تَلِيدِهَا بِالأَقْدَمِ
How many a famed deadly onslaught of yours against the foe,
How many famous killings credited to you
The tale of its ancient glory shames the most ancient deeds!
Whose oft-told tales revive the ancient days!
وَكَتِيبَةٍand many a battalion قَرَأَتْread ظُباكَyour blade-edges كِتَابَهَاits book
وَكَتِيبَةٍ قَرَأَتْ ظُباكَ كِتَابَهَا
فَعَلِمْتَso you learned مِنْهَاfrom it كُلَّall مَاthat لَمْnot يُعْلَمِwas known
فَعَلِمْتَ مِنْهَا كُلَّ مَا لَمْ يُعْلَمِ
And many a battalion whose book your blade-edges read,
And what band recited your auguries
So you learned from it all that had been unknown.
So you knew of them all that was unknown!
وَلَكَand yours are الْجَوَارِيthe ships الْمُنْشَآتُlofty سَوَابِحاًswimming
وَلَكَ الْجَوَارِي الْمُنْشَآتُ سَوَابِحاً
فِيin الْيَمِّthe sea أَمْثَالَlike الصُّقُورِfalcons الْحُوَّمِcircling
فِي الْيَمِّ أَمْثَالَ الصُّقُورِ الْحُوَّمِ
And yours are the lofty ships, swimming
You have slave girls diving beneath the waves
Through the sea like circling falcons,
Like hawks into the sea, plunging with purpose.
فَتْخُbroad الْقَواَدِمِflight-feathers لِلْفَنَاfor destruction قَدْalready أَبْرَمَتْsealed
فَتْخُ الْقَواَدِمِ لِلْفَنَا قَدْ أَبْرَمَتْ
أَمْراًa decree بِهَاthrough them كَفُّthe hand of الْقَضَاءِfate الْمُبْرِمِall-decreeing
أَمْراً بِهَا كَفُّ الْقَضَاءِ الْمُبْرِمِ
With broad flight-feathers; for destruction has been sealed
Every ship equipped for battle
A decree through them by the hand of all-decreeing fate.
Whose sails cling to the mast tops in the wind.
مِنْof كُلِّevery مُنْصَاعٍswift-moving ship كَأَنَّas though شِرَاعَهُits sail
مِنْ كُلِّ مُنْصَاعٍ كَأَنَّ شِرَاعَهُ
قِطَعُfragments of السَّحَابِclouds سَرَتْdrifted بِنَوْءِwith the rains of المرْزَمِal-Marzim
قِطَعُ السَّحَابِ سَرَتْ بِنَوْءِ المرْزَمِ
Each swift-moving ship, as though its sail
The sails billow white beneath wings
Were cloud-fragments drifting with al-Marzim's rains.
That you’d think, in the gloom, were black ravens.
سَاحَspread الْبَيَاضُwhiteness الْبَحْتُpure تَحْتَbeneath جَنَاحِهِits wing
سَاحَ الْبَيَاضُ الْبَحْتُ تَحْتَ جَنَاحِهِ
فَتَراهُso you see it فِيin شِيَةِthe markings of الْغُرَابِthe crow الأَعْصَمِwhite-marked
فَتَراهُ فِي شِيَةِ الْغُرَابِ الأَعْصَمِ
Pure whiteness spread beneath its wing,
Those diving slave girls, their dowry is
So you see it in the markings of a white-marked crow.
The enemy dead, and they are created from blood.
تِلْكَthose الْجَوَارِيships الْمُنْشآتُlofty صَدَاقُهَاtheir bridal dower
تِلْكَ الْجَوَارِي الْمُنْشآتُ صَدَاقُهَا
مُهَجُthe lifeblood of الْعِدَىthe foes وَخَلُوقُهُنَّand their saffron perfume مِنَfrom الدَّمِblood
مُهَجُ الْعِدَى وَخَلُوقُهُنَّ مِنَ الدَّمِ
Those lofty ships—their bridal dower
Their anklets are of twisted rope without
Is the lifeblood of foes, and their saffron perfume is blood.
Any gold or silver links.
وَحِجَالُهُنَّand their bridal canopies مِنَfrom الْبُنُودِbanners فَلاَso do not تَرُمْseek
وَحِجَالُهُنَّ مِنَ الْبُنُودِ فَلاَ تَرُمْ
وَصْلاًunion بِدِينَارٍfor a dinar لَهُنَّwith them وَدِرْهَمِand a dirham
وَصْلاً بِدِينَارٍ لَهُنَّ وَدِرْهَمِ
And their bridal canopies are made of banners; do not seek
They came to aid Allah’s servants—
Union with them for a dinar and a dirham.
Exalted is His Majesty—and the people of Christ and Mary.
نَصَرَتْthey aided عِبَادَthe servants of اللهِGod جَلَّexalted is جَلاَلُهُHis majesty
نَصَرَتْ عِبَادَ اللهِ جَلَّ جَلاَلُهُ
وَسَطَتْand assailed بِعُبَّادِthe worshipers of الْمَسِيْحِthe Messiah وَمَرْيَمِand Mary
وَسَطَتْ بِعُبَّادِ الْمَسِيْحِ وَمَرْيَمِ
They aided God's servants—exalted be His majesty—
You launched them though water was at hand,
And assailed the worshipers of the Messiah and Mary.
Slaying the foe, and that was the best ablution.
يَمَّمْتَهَاyou directed them وَالْمَاءُwhile water مُوْجُودٌwas available لَهَاto them
يَمَّمْتَهَا وَالْمَاءُ مُوْجُودٌ لَهَا
نَحْرَtoward the breast of الْعَدُوِّthe foe فَكَانَso it was خَيْرَthe finest تَيَمُّمِaiming; dry ablution
نَحْرَ الْعَدُوِّ فَكَانَ خَيْرَ تَيَمُّمِ
You aimed them, though water was available to them,
They carried men like battle-hungry lions
At the foe's breast—the finest dry ablution.
Steadfast against the piercing of lances.
حَمَلَتْthey carried رِجَالاًmen كَاللُّيُوثِlike lions مَصَاعِباًformidable
حَمَلَتْ رِجَالاً كَاللُّيُوثِ مَصَاعِباً
صُبُراًsteadfast عَلَىunder لَفْحِthe scorching heat of الْمِصَاعِcombat الْمُضْرَمِkindled
صُبُراً عَلَى لَفْحِ الْمِصَاعِ الْمُضْرَمِ
They carried men like lions, formidable,
With purpose they sailed the Sea of Suez,
Steadfast beneath the scorching heat of kindled combat.
Baring blades, without wavering.
قَصَدَتْset out بِهِمْwith them بَحْرَthe sea of الزُّقَاقِthe Strait عَزِيمَةٌa resolve
قَصَدَتْ بِهِمْ بَحْرَ الزُّقَاقِ عَزِيمَةٌ
قَدْalready جَرَّدَتْhad unsheathed أَسْيَافَهَاits swords لَمْnot تَكْهَمِfaltered
قَدْ جَرَّدَتْ أَسْيَافَهَا لَمْ تَكْهَمِ
A resolve set out with them for the Sea of the Strait,
Until their auspicious faces rose
It had unsheathed its swords and never faltered.
White against the great darkness.
حَتَّىuntil إِذَاwhen طَلَعَتْrose وُجُوهُthe faces of سُعُودِهَاits lucky stars
حَتَّى إِذَا طَلَعَتْ وُجُوهُ سُعُودِهَا
بِيضاًwhite عَلَىabove ذَاكَthat السَّوادِdark multitude الأَعْظَمِgreatest
بِيضاً عَلَى ذَاكَ السَّوادِ الأَعْظَمِ
Until, when the faces of its lucky stars rose,
As if the rainbow were among their ranks
White above that vast dark host,
And those with braided locks were the arrows.
وَكَأَنَّand as though قَوْسَthe bow of الْغَيْمِthe clouds بَعْضَone of قِسيِّهَاits bows
وَكَأَنَّ قَوْسَ الْغَيْمِ بَعْضَ قِسيِّهَا
وَذَووand those bearing الذَّوَائِبِtails بَعْضَsome of تِلْكَthose الأَسْهُمِarrows
وَذَوو الذَّوَائِبِ بَعْضَ تِلْكَ الأَسْهُمِ
And the bow of the clouds seemed one of its bows,
The tongue of victory cried out, articulating:
And comets some of those arrows,
“O kin of the true religion, be resolute!”
نَادَىcried out لِسَانُthe tongue of النَّصْرِvictory يُفْصِحُexpressing clearly نَاطِقاًspeaking
نَادَى لِسَانُ النَّصْرِ يُفْصِحُ نَاطِقاً
يَاO أُسْرَةَfamily of الِّدينِthe faith الْحَنِيفِupright تَحَكَّمِيtake command
يَا أُسْرَةَ الِّدينِ الْحَنِيفِ تَحَكَّمِي
The tongue of victory cried out, speaking clearly:
How many banners of conquest waved over them!
O family of the upright faith, take command!
How many realms were designated for the sword!
كَمْhow many a رَايَةٍbanner لِلْفَتْحِof conquest فَوْقَabove رُؤُوسِهِمْtheir heads
كَمْ رَايَةٍ لِلْفَتْحِ فَوْقَ رُؤُوسِهِمْ
خَفَقَتْfluttered وَكَمْand how many an مَلْكٍangel هُنَاكَthere مُسَوَّمِmarked for battle
خَفَقَتْ وَكَمْ مَلْكٍ هُنَاكَ مُسَوَّمِ
How many a banner of conquest above their heads
They left the hordes of the cross as if
Fluttered, and how many an angel there was battle-marked!
They'd feasted on sealed wine mixed with blood.
فَتَرَكْنَso they left أَحْزَابَthe factions of الصَّلِيبِthe Cross كَأَنَّمَاas though
فَتَرَكْنَ أَحْزَابَ الصَّلِيبِ كَأَنَّمَا
ثَمِلُواthey were drunk بِمَخْتُومِon sealed الرَّحِيقِpure wine مُفَدَّمِdeep-red
ثَمِلُوا بِمَخْتُومِ الرَّحِيقِ مُفَدَّمِ
So they left the factions of the Cross as though
Their ships belch them as if sleeping at sea,
They were drunk on sealed pure wine, deep red.
Not with decay, but slumbering tranquilly,
تَفْلِيpick through مَفَارِقَهَاtheir hair-partings الْمِيَاهُthe waters كَأَنَّهَاas though they
تَفْلِي مَفَارِقَهَا الْمِيَاهُ كَأَنَّهَا
فِيin الْبَحْرِthe sea نَائِمَةٌasleep وَلَيْسَyet they are not بِنُوَّمِsleepers
فِي الْبَحْرِ نَائِمَةٌ وَلَيْسَ بِنُوَّمِ
The waters pick through their hair-partings, as though they
Strewn as carrion upon the sandy shore,
Were asleep in the sea, though they are no sleepers.
A feast for whales, birds, or crawling creatures.
صَرْعَىslain عَلَىupon عَفْرِthe dust of الرِّمَالِthe sands وَلِيمَةًa feast
صَرْعَى عَلَى عَفْرِ الرِّمَالِ وَلِيمَةً
لِلْحُوتِfor fish أَوْor لِلطَّيْرِfor birds أَوْor لِلضَّيْغَمِfor the lion
لِلْحُوتِ أَوْ لِلطَّيْرِ أَوْ لِلضَّيْغَمِ
Slain upon the dust of the sands, a feast
You called them wretched heretics, but were not surprised—
For fish, or birds, or the lion.
This outcome suits that fateful epoch.
نَادَيْتَهَاyou proclaimed it الْجَفْلاَءِas an open feast غَيْرَnot عَجِيبَةٍsurprising
نَادَيْتَهَا الْجَفْلاَءِ غَيْرَ عَجِيبَةٍ
هَذَاthis الصَّنِيعُbanquet لِمِثْلِfor the like of ذَاكَthat الْمَوْسِمِoccasion
هَذَا الصَّنِيعُ لِمِثْلِ ذَاكَ الْمَوْسِمِ
You proclaimed a feast for all—no wonder,
From each withdrawer wearing trailing robes,
Such a banquet suits such an occasion:
Hiding serpents under a viper’s skin.
مِنْfrom كُلِّevery مُنْسَحِبِone trailing السَّوَابِغِample coats of mail مُضْمِرٍconcealing
مِنْ كُلِّ مُنْسَحِبِ السَّوَابِغِ مُضْمِرٍ
سُمَّthe venom of الأَفَاعِيvipers تَحْتَbeneath جِلْدِthe skin of الأَرْقَمِa speckled serpent
سُمَّ الأَفَاعِي تَحْتَ جِلْدِ الأَرْقَمِ
From every man trailing ample mail and concealing
Rolled up in a turban that revealed its core,
Vipers' venom beneath a speckled serpent's skin,
And wrapped in a fringed cloak.
وَمُلَفَّفِand one wrapped فِيin الْعَصْبِstriped cloth أَعْرَتْthey bared مَتْنَهُhis back
وَمُلَفَّفِ فِي الْعَصْبِ أَعْرَتْ مَتْنَهُ
وَكَسَتْهُand they clothed it حَاشِيَةَwith the border of الرِّدَاءِthe mantle الْمُعْلَمِpatterned
وَكَسَتْهُ حَاشِيَةَ الرِّدَاءِ الْمُعْلَمِ
And one wrapped in striped cloth, whose back they bared
Or bearing arms but unable to defend himself,
And clothed with the border of a patterned mantle;
So he surrendered to you, admitting defeat.
أوor بالسلاحwith weapons لمnot يستطعhe could manage عنfrom نفسهhimself
أو بالسلاح لم يستطع عن نفسه
دَفْعاًdefense فَمَدَّso he extended لَهَاto them يَدَthe hand of الْمُسْتَسْلِمِone surrendering
دَفْعاً فَمَدَّ لَهَا يَدَ الْمُسْتَسْلِمِ
Or one who, with his weapons, could not secure his own
You emptied the enemies’ lands of inhabitants
Defense, and so held out to them a surrenderer's hand.
Destroying them, and filled Hell with their souls.
أَقْفَرْتَyou emptied رَبْعَthe abode of الْكُفْرِunbelief مِنْof سُكَّانِهِits inhabitants
أَقْفَرْتَ رَبْعَ الْكُفْرِ مِنْ سُكَّانِهِ
بِهَلاَكِهِمْby destroying them وَعَمَرْتَand you peopled رَبْعَthe abode of جَهَنَّمِHell
بِهَلاَكِهِمْ وَعَمَرْتَ رَبْعَ جَهَنَّمِ
You emptied unbelief's abode of its inhabitants
You gave them to drink the cup of misery
By destroying them, and peopled the abode of Hell.
Mixed with viper venom and bitter aloe.
وَسَقَيْتَهُمْand you made them drink كَأْسَthe cup of الرَّدَىdeath مَمْزُوجَةًmixed with
وَسَقَيْتَهُمْ كَأْسَ الرَّدَى مَمْزُوجَةً
سُمَّthe venom of الأَسَاوِدِblack serpents فِيin نَقِيعِan infusion of الْعَلْقَمِbitter colocynth
سُمَّ الأَسَاوِدِ فِي نَقِيعِ الْعَلْقَمِ
And made them drink the cup of death, mixed with
You kindled fire over water, raising flames,
Black serpents' venom in an infusion of bitter colocynth.
And spilled blood over the sea, an ocean of gore.
وَقَدَحْتَand you struck فَوْقَabove المَاءِthe water نَاراًa fire تَلْتَظِيblazing
وَقَدَحْتَ فَوْقَ المَاءِ نَاراً تَلْتَظِي
وَسَفَحْتَand you poured فَوْقَover البَحْرِthe sea بَحْراًa sea مِنْof دَمِblood
وَسَفَحْتَ فَوْقَ البَحْرِ بَحْراً مِنْ دَمِ
And struck a blazing fire above the water,
As if the horizon cast waves atop it
And poured over the sea a sea of blood.
With hands of wind, from fresh blood.
فَكَأَنَّso as though صَفْحَthe surface of الْبَحْرِthe sea مَدَّتْspread فَوْقَهُover it
فَكَأَنَّ صَفْحَ الْبَحْرِ مَدَّتْ فَوْقَهُ
أَيْدِيthe hands of الرِّيَاحِthe winds مَطَارِفاًmantles مِنْof عَنْدَمِdragon's-blood dye
أَيْدِي الرِّيَاحِ مَطَارِفاً مِنْ عَنْدَمِ
As though over the surface of the sea there had been spread
The edifice of unbelief was fortified in its foundations—
By the hands of the winds mantles of dragon's-blood dye.
It would have never fallen but for God’s defense.
بُنْيَانُan edifice of كُفْرِunbelief وُطِّدَتْwere fortified أَسَاسُهُits foundations
بُنْيَانُ كُفْرِ وُطِّدَتْ أَسَاسُهُ
لَوْلاَbut for دِفَاعُthe intervention of اللَّهِGod لَمْnot يَتَهَدَّمِit would crumble
لَوْلاَ دِفَاعُ اللَّهِ لَمْ يَتَهَدَّمِ
An edifice of unbelief whose foundations were fortified,
From a day when its power was swollen
But for God's intervention, it would not have crumbled.
To every passing, advancing day.
لِلَّهِby God مِنْwhat a يَوْمٍday تَعَاظَمَgrew immense قَدْرُهُits worth
لِلَّهِ مِنْ يَوْمٍ تَعَاظَمَ قَدْرُهُ
فِيamong كُلِّall يَوْمٍdays ذَاهِبٍgone by مُتَقَدِّمِpreceding
فِي كُلِّ يَوْمٍ ذَاهِبٍ مُتَقَدِّمِ
By God, what a day, towering in its worth
He revived the peninsula after the tightness of its bonds,
Among all the bygone days that came before!
And protected the Muslims trapped within.
نَعَشَrevived الْجَزِيرَةَthe peninsula بَعْدَafter شَدِّthe tightening of وَثَاقِهَاher bonds
نَعَشَ الْجَزِيرَةَ بَعْدَ شَدِّ وَثَاقِهَا
وَأَجَارَand sheltered مَنْwhoever حَفَّتْshe encircled بِهِaround him مِنْof مُسْلِمِa Muslim
وَأَجَارَ مَنْ حَفَّتْ بِهِ مِنْ مُسْلِمِ
It revived the peninsula after her bonds were tightened,
The first fruits of your opening successes
And sheltered every Muslim whom she encompassed.
Unveiled themselves before you after long concealment.
بِكْرُthe maiden of الْفُتُوحِconquests نَضَتْcast off لَدَيْكَbefore you نِقَابَهَاher face-veil
بِكْرُ الْفُتُوحِ نَضَتْ لَدَيْكَ نِقَابَهَا
مِنْfrom بَعْدِafter طُولٍlong تَقَنُّعٍveiling وَتَلَثُّمِand covering the face
مِنْ بَعْدِ طُولٍ تَقَنُّعٍ وَتَلَثُّمِ
The maiden of conquests cast off her face-veil before you,
The footfalls of your mounted warriors, when ghosts whisper to them,
After long veiling and covering of her face.
From a restless soul on earth or an anxious one.
سَمَرُthe night-talk of الرِّكَابِriding camels إِذَاwhen تَعَاوَرَهَاpass over them in turn السُّرَىnight journeys
سَمَرُ الرِّكَابِ إِذَا تَعَاوَرَهَا السُّرَى
مِنْamong مُنْجِدٍa highland traveler فِيin الأَرْضِthe land أَوْor مِنْamong مُتْهِمِa lowland traveler
مِنْ مُنْجِدٍ فِي الأَرْضِ أَوْ مِنْ مُتْهِمِ
The night-talk of camel-riders, when night marches pass over them,
And from the stranger of fate whose traces
Whether traversing the highlands or the lowlands;
Are obscured between ruins and holy Zamzam.
وَغَريبَةٍand a marvel of الزَّمَنِthe age الَّتِيwhich آثَارُهَاits deeds
وَغَريبَةٍ الزَّمَنِ الَّتِي آثَارُهَا
مَتْلُوَّةٌare recited بَيْنَbetween الْحَطِيمِal-Hatim وَزَمْزَمِand Zamzam
مَتْلُوَّةٌ بَيْنَ الْحَطِيمِ وَزَمْزَمِ
And a marvel of the age, whose deeds
Rejoice in it, beautiful work, and anticipate
Are recited between al-Hatim and Zamzam.
Even greater feats to come.
فَاهْنَأso rejoice بِهِin it صُنْعاًas an achievement جَمِيلاًbeautiful وَارْتَقِبْand await
فَاهْنَأ بِهِ صُنْعاً جَمِيلاً وَارْتَقِبْ
مِنْfrom بَعْدِهِafter it إِتْيَانَthe coming of صُنْعٍan achievement أَعْظَمِgreater
مِنْ بَعْدِهِ إِتْيَانَ صُنْعٍ أَعْظَمِ
So rejoice in it, a fair achievement, and await
God, like Joseph, gathered the far reaches of the world
The coming, after it, of a greater achievement.
And doubled the yields, while dearth gaped.
جَمَعَunited الإِلَهُGod بِيُوسُفٍthrough Yusuf شَمْلَthe company of الْوَرىhumankind
جَمَعَ الإِلَهُ بِيُوسُفٍ شَمْلَ الْوَرى
وَثَنَىand repelled النَّوَائِبِcalamities وَهْيَwhile they were فَاغِرَةُgaping الْفَمِthe mouth
وَثَنَى النَّوَائِبِ وَهْيَ فَاغِرَةُ الْفَمِ
God united humankind through Yusuf,
Calm spirits when events are grave,
And repelled calamities as they gaped open-mouthed.
Smiling at the threatening circumstance.
ثَبْتsteadfast in الْجَنَانِheart إِذَاwhen الْخُطُوبُcalamities تَعَاظَمَتْgrew immense
ثَبْت الْجَنَانِ إِذَا الْخُطُوبُ تَعَاظَمَتْ
مُتَبَسِّمٌsmiling فِيamid الْحَادِثِthe calamity الْمُتَجَهِّمَscowling
مُتَبَسِّمٌ فِي الْحَادِثِ الْمُتَجَهِّمَ
Steadfast of heart when calamities grow immense,
He follows through with resolute winds, not procrastinating,
Smiling in the face of a scowling calamity.
And observes opinions after their disarray.
يُمْضِيsends forth رِيَاحَthe winds of الْعَزْمِresolve غَيْرَwithout being مُسَوِّفٍa procrastinator
يُمْضِي رِيَاحَ الْعَزْمِ غَيْرَ مُسَوِّفٍ
وَيُلاَحِظُand considers الآرَاءَopinions بَعْدَafter تَلَوُّمdeliberation
وَيُلاَحِظُ الآرَاءَ بَعْدَ تَلَوُّم
He sends forth the winds of resolve without delay,
Thus you see him, in days of vigor, the last to doubt,
And considers opinions after taking time to reflect.
And in days of resolve, the first to advance.
فَتَرَاهُso you see him يَوْمَon the day of الْحَزْمِprudence آخِرَthe last مُرْتَئٍto deliberate
فَتَرَاهُ يَوْمَ الْحَزْمِ آخِرَ مُرْتَئٍ
وَتَرَاهُand you see him يَوْمَon the day of الْعَزْمِresolve أَوَّلَthe first مُقْدِمِto advance
وَتَرَاهُ يَوْمَ الْعَزْمِ أَوَّلَ مُقْدِمِ
So you see him, on the day of prudence, the last deliberator,
You are from a noble Sa’dian line
And you see him, on the day of resolve, the first to advance.
That attained glory—so excellent is their attainment.
تَنْمِيهِgives him his lineage مِنْfrom أَبْنَاءِthe sons of سَعْدٍSa'd أُسْرَةٌa family
تَنْمِيهِ مِنْ أَبْنَاءِ سَعْدٍ أُسْرَةٌ
كَرُمَتْit was noble فَنِعْمَhow excellent الْمُنْتَمَىthe lineage وَالْمُنْتَمِيand its descendant
كَرُمَتْ فَنِعْمَ الْمُنْتَمَى وَالْمُنْتَمِي
He springs from a family of the sons of Sa'd,
Critics, though none can criticize them,
Noble—how excellent the stock and its descendant!
And benefactors, though none can do them good.
الطَّاعِنُونَthe spear-thrusters وَمَاand there is no بِهَاagainst them مِنْany طَاعِنٍdetractor
الطَّاعِنُونَ وَمَا بِهَا مِنْ طَاعِنٍ
وَالْمُطْعِمُونَand the feeders وَمَاand there is no بِهَاfor them مِنْany مُطْعِمِfeeder
وَالْمُطْعِمُونَ وَمَا بِهَا مِنْ مُطْعِمِ
The spear-thrusters, with none to impugn them;
Passionate to attain the highest aspirations, enamored
And the feeders, with none to feed them.
With the prime of virtues, immersed in generosity.
كَلِفٌpassionately devoted بإِدْرَاكِto attaining الْمَعَالِيlofty honors هَائِمٍlove-maddened
كَلِفٌ بإِدْرَاكِ الْمَعَالِي هَائِمٍ
صَبٍّa passionate lover بِأَبْكَارِwith the virgins of الْمَكَارِمِnoble deeds مُغْرَمِenamored
صَبٍّ بِأَبْكَارِ الْمَكَارِمِ مُغْرَمِ
Passionately seeking lofty honors, love-maddened,
Thus you find him in days of steely resolve
A lover enamored of the virgins of noble deeds.
And days of pardoning the offenses of a criminal.
فَتَرَاهُso you see him بَيْنَbetween عَزِيمَةٍa resolve تَفْرِيthat severs الطُّلَىthroats
فَتَرَاهُ بَيْنَ عَزِيمَةٍ تَفْرِي الطُّلَى
يَوْماًone day وَعَفْوٍand pardon عَنْfor جَرِيمَةِthe crime of مُجْرِمِa criminal
يَوْماً وَعَفْوٍ عَنْ جَرِيمَةِ مُجْرِمِ
So you see him between a resolve that severs throats
I swear by your munificence—and it is the loftiest of oaths—
One day, and pardon for a criminal's crime.
And by the glory of your kingdom—the sublimest of all sworn.
قَسَماًI swear بِجُودِكَby your generosity وَهْوَand it is أَيُّwhat an أَلِيَّةٍoath
قَسَماً بِجُودِكَ وَهْوَ أَيُّ أَلِيَّةٍ
وَبِعِزِّand by the glory of مُلْكِكَyour rule وَهْوَand it is أَسْمَىthe highest مُقْسَمِobject of an oath
وَبِعِزِّ مُلْكِكَ وَهْوَ أَسْمَى مُقْسَمِ
I swear by your generosity—what an oath that is!—
The remembrance of youthful days after their passing
And by the glory of your rule, the highest object of an oath:
Is naught, nor riches for the destitute pauper.
مَاnot ذِكْرُthe memory of أَيَّامِthe days of الشَّبَابِyouth وَقَدْthough already مَضَىit has passed
مَا ذِكْرُ أَيَّامِ الشَّبَابِ وَقَدْ مَضَى
أَوْor مَاnot الْغِنَىwealth عِنْدَto الْفَقِيرِthe poor man الْمُعْدِمِdestitute
أَوْ مَا الْغِنَى عِنْدَ الْفَقِيرِ الْمُعْدِمِ
Neither the memory of youth's days, now past,
I prize an instant gazing on your face
Nor wealth to a destitute pauper,
More precious than my praise spoken from my mouth.
بِأَجَلَّmore exalted مِنْthan نَظَرِيmy gazing لِوَجْهِكَat your face سَاعَةًfor an hour
بِأَجَلَّ مِنْ نَظَرِي لِوَجْهِكَ سَاعَةً
عِنْدِيto me وَأَحْلَىand sweeter مِنْthan ثَنَائِكَpraise of you فِيin فَمِيmy mouth
عِنْدِي وَأَحْلَى مِنْ ثَنَائِكَ فِي فَمِي
Is grander than an hour of my gazing at your face,
My lord, take it as an unblemished Arabian gift
To me, or sweeter than praise of you in my mouth.
Adorned with a necklace of your sublime traits.
مَوْلاَيَmy lord خُذْهَاreceive her غَادَةًa graceful maiden عَرَبِيَّةًArab
مَوْلاَيَ خُذْهَا غَادَةً عَرَبِيَّةً
تُزْهَىshe glories بِعِقْدٍin a necklace مِنْof عُلاَكَyour eminence مُنَظَّمِstrung
تُزْهَى بِعِقْدٍ مِنْ عُلاَكَ مُنَظَّمِ
My lord, receive her, a graceful Arab maiden,
When I set out to praise you, it became clear
Glorying in a necklace strung from your eminence.
How necessary it is to thank the Bestower.
لَمَّاwhen اعْتَزَيْتُI pledged myself إِلَىto ثَنَائِكَpraising you بَانَbecame clear لِيto me
لَمَّا اعْتَزَيْتُ إِلَى ثَنَائِكَ بَانَ لِي
فِيin الْعَقْلِreason كَيْفَhow وُجُوبُthe obligation of شُكْرِthanking الْمُنْعِمِthe benefactor
فِي الْعَقْلِ كَيْفَ وُجُوبُ شُكْرِ الْمُنْعِمِ
When I pledged myself to praising you, it became clear to me
If an aging Zuhair had composed the likes of this,
How, in reason, gratitude to a benefactor is obligatory.
Age wears on but his remembrance does not fade.
لَوْhad قَالَspoken فِيabout هَرِمٍHarim زُهَيْرٌZuhayr مِثْلَهَاa poem like it
لَوْ قَالَ فِي هَرِمٍ زُهَيْرٌ مِثْلَهَا
هَرِمَwould have aged الزَّمَانُtime وَذِكْرُهُand his memory لَمْnot يَهْرَمِwould have aged
هَرِمَ الزَّمَانُ وَذِكْرُهُ لَمْ يَهْرَمِ
Had Zuhayr spoken such a poem of Harim,
Or if Antara had passed by them, he would not say
Time would have aged, but his memory would not have aged.
“Have the poets who came before passed away?”
أَوor مَرَّhad passed عَنْتَرَةٌAntarah عَلَيْهَاby it لَمْnot يَقُلْwould have said
أَو مَرَّ عَنْتَرَةٌ عَلَيْهَا لَمْ يَقُلْ
هَلْhave? غَادَرَleft الشُّعَرَاءُthe poets مِنْany مُتَرَدَّمِplace to patch
هَلْ غَادَرَ الشُّعَرَاءُ مِنْ مُتَرَدَّمِ
Or had Antarah passed by it, he would not have said:
Have the poets left any place to patch?
Partial English translation: 120 of 122 Arabic lines translated.