لا تَقطعوا بِوصالِ الهَجرِ أَوصالي

لا تَقطعوا بِوصالِ الهَجرِ أَوصالي

وَوافقوني فَقَد خالَفتُ عذّالي

وَوافقوني فَقَد خالَفتُ عذّالي

Do not sever my limbs with unbroken estrangement;

Do not cut off my hopes with estrangement,

agree with me, for I have defied my reproachers.

And accept my accord, for I have disobeyed my blamer.

وَلا تَظنّوا سكوني في الغَرام بكم

وَلا تَظنّوا سكوني في الغَرام بكم

يَقضي بأنّ فُؤادي مِنكمُ خالي

يَقضي بأنّ فُؤادي مِنكمُ خالي

Do not think that my silence in my love for you

And do not think I am tranquil in passion for you,

means that my heart is empty of you.

My heart decrees that it is empty of you.

إِنّي أُسِرُّ الهَوى من لائمي ليرى

إِنّي أُسِرُّ الهَوى من لائمي ليرى

أَنّي سلَوتُ فَلا يُغرى بتعذالي

أَنّي سلَوتُ فَلا يُغرى بتعذالي

I conceal my love from my reproacher, so he may think

I conceal my love from my critic so he may see

I have forgotten, and not be tempted to rebuke me.

That I have been patient, and not fooled by blame.

وَلا تَقولوا بِأَنّي اِختَرتُ بُعدكم

وَلا تَقولوا بِأَنّي اِختَرتُ بُعدكم

كلّا وحقّ ليالي وَصلنا الغَالي

كلّا وحقّ ليالي وَصلنا الغَالي

Do not say that I have chosen distance from you;

And do not say I have chosen distance from you,

no, by the nights of our precious union!

Never, by the sanctity of our intimate nights.

لَقَد بليتُ وَبلوائي بحبّكم

لَقَد بليتُ وَبلوائي بحبّكم

تَبقى وَلا يخطر السُلوانُ بِالبالِ

تَبقى وَلا يخطر السُلوانُ بِالبالِ

I have indeed been afflicted, and my affliction through loving you

I have been tested, and my affliction by loving you

endures; forgetting never crosses my mind.

Remains, and forgetfulness does not occur to the mind.

وَكانَ حاليَ لا يَرضى بِيَوم جَفا

وَكانَ حاليَ لا يَرضى بِيَوم جَفا

فَصارَ تَعديدُ هجراني بأَحوالِ

فَصارَ تَعديدُ هجراني بأَحوالِ

My condition once could not bear a day of estrangement;

My state would not be content with a day of aloofness,

now my estrangement is counted in years.

So counting my abandonment became a habit.

كَم خُلِّفَ الميّتُ المفنى بِحَيِّكُمُ

كَم خُلِّفَ الميّتُ المفنى بِحَيِّكُمُ

مِن بَدر تَمٍّ بأفق الحسن محلالِ

مِن بَدر تَمٍّ بأفق الحسن محلالِ

How many a dead, wasted lover was left in your quarter

How many lifeless and annihilated were left behind,

by a full moon dwelling on beauty's horizon,

By the full moons of your beauty rising gracefully.

وَأَهيَفٍ جنّة المأوى بِوَجنتهِ

وَأَهيَفٍ جنّة المأوى بِوَجنتهِ

وَشهدةُ الريق فيها برءُ إِعلالي

وَشهدةُ الريق فيها برءُ إِعلالي

and a slender youth, the Garden of Refuge upon his cheek!

And tough knights, whose dwellings the gardens grace,

In the honey of his saliva lies the cure for my sickness.

And the saliva of the pure within them cures illness.

يَزيدني العَذلُ فيهِ صَبوَةً وَضنى

يَزيدني العَذلُ فيهِ صَبوَةً وَضنى

لِحلوِ ذِكراه أَهوى مُرَّ تعذالي

لِحلوِ ذِكراه أَهوى مُرَّ تعذالي

Reproach concerning him increases my ardor and wasting sickness;

Remembrance of it increases my passion and yearning,

for his memory's sweetness, I cherish bitter reproach.

For the sweetness of its memory I love bitterness of blame.

قالَ العذول أَصَحَّ الجسم منك وَما

قالَ العذول أَصَحَّ الجسم منك وَما

يَزيدُ عندك عذلي قلت بلبالي

يَزيدُ عندك عذلي قلت بلبالي

The reproacher said, 'Has your body recovered? What

Blame said my body healed of you, and with you

does my reproach increase in you?' I said, 'My anguish.'

My blame does not increase, I said in my mind:

فَلا تَسَلنيَ أَسلوهُ وَوجنتُهُ

فَلا تَسَلنيَ أَسلوهُ وَوجنتُهُ

وَذَلِكَ الثَغرُ بُستاني وَسلسالي

وَذَلِكَ الثَغرُ بُستاني وَسلسالي

Do not ask me to forget him: his cheek

Do not ask me of it, I have been patient, and its cheeks

and that mouth are my garden and my pure flowing water.

And that mouth are my garden and my necklaces.

الجَوهَرُ الفَردُ في فيهِ وَحين رَنا

الجَوهَرُ الفَردُ في فيهِ وَحين رَنا

لَقَد سبا كلّ نظّامٍ وَغَزّالِ

لَقَد سبا كلّ نظّامٍ وَغَزّالِ

The unique jewel is in his mouth; and when he gazed,

The unique pearl within it, when it rang

he captivated every verse-maker and love-poet.

Outwit every composer and gazelle.

حَدِّث عَن الجسم وَالقدّ القَويم وَلا

حَدِّث عَن الجسم وَالقدّ القَويم وَلا

تُسنِدهُ إِلّا لِصَفوانَ بن عسالِ

تُسنِدهُ إِلّا لِصَفوانَ بن عسالِ

Tell of the body and its shapely stature, and do not

Talk of the body and straight waist, do not

trace the account to anyone but Safwan ibn Assal.

Rely on this except for Safwan ibn Ussal.

وَاِروِ المسلسلَ مِن دَمعي وَعارضه

وَاِروِ المسلسلَ مِن دَمعي وَعارضه

بالأَوّليّة من عشقي وَأَغزالي

بالأَوّليّة من عشقي وَأَغزالي

Transmit the chain-linked account of my tears, and compare it

Relay the sequence from my tears, and counter it

with the first-heard tradition from my passion and my love-poems.

With the beginnings of my passion and gazelles.

أَقسمت مِنه بِلُطف في شَمائله

أَقسمت مِنه بِلُطف في شَمائله

أَيمانَ صِدق بِأَنّي لست بِالسالي

أَيمانَ صِدق بِأَنّي لست بِالسالي

I swore by the gentleness found in his qualities,

I swore to its traits sincerely

true oaths that I am not one who has forgotten.

That I am not neglectful.

رحلت عَنهُ لأسلو فاِستقدتُ جوىً

رحلت عَنهُ لأسلو فاِستقدتُ جوىً

أَستَغفِر اللَه في حلّي وَتِرحالي

أَستَغفِر اللَه في حلّي وَتِرحالي

I left him to forget, but kindled burning longing;

I traveled from it to be patient, so I gained

I ask God's forgiveness in my staying and my travels.

Closeness, I seek God's forgiveness for my state and travel.

وَكانَ إِعمالُ عيسي عَنه مُرتَحِلاً

وَكانَ إِعمالُ عيسي عَنه مُرتَحِلاً

مِن غفلَتي وَتَوالي سوء أَعمالي

مِن غفلَتي وَتَوالي سوء أَعمالي

Setting my pale camels moving, departing from him,

It was my neglect of works traveling

came from my heedlessness and my succession of evil deeds.

From heedlessness and continuous evil deeds.

العَفوُ حَسبي فَلاقوني بعزّتكم

العَفوُ حَسبي فَلاقوني بعزّتكم

إِذ لا ليَ اليَوم إِلّا فرط إِذلالي

إِذ لا ليَ اليَوم إِلّا فرط إِذلالي

Pardon is enough for me; receive me with your honor,

Forgiveness suffices me, so do not meet me with your dignity

for today I have nothing but extreme humiliation.

When today I have nothing but abundant disgrace.

وَشَمسُ سَعديَ لمّا زُرتكم طلعَت

وَشَمسُ سَعديَ لمّا زُرتكم طلعَت

فاِستَقبِلوا ضَيفكم بِرّاً بإِنزالِ

فاِستَقبِلوا ضَيفكم بِرّاً بإِنزالِ

The sun of my good fortune rose when I visited you;

The sun of my happiness rose when I visited you

so welcome your guest with kindness and lodging.

So receive your guest virtuously with hospitality.

وَاللَه ما اِشتغلَت عَن ذكركم فِكري

وَاللَه ما اِشتغلَت عَن ذكركم فِكري

إِلّا بِمَدح المَقام الناصر العالي

إِلّا بِمَدح المَقام الناصر العالي

By God, my thoughts were diverted from remembering you

By God, my mind did not forget the mention of you

only by praising al-Nasir's exalted station.

Except by praising the eminent victorious supreme state.

الناصر الملك بن الأشرف الملك ال

الناصر الملك بن الأشرف الملك ال

معروف عُرفاً بِمفضال بن مفضالِ

معروف عُرفاً بِمفضال بن مفضالِ

Al-Nasir, the king, son of al-Ashraf, the king, the

The victorious King, son of the eminent King

one known by repute as a generous giver, son of a generous giver.

Well-known, known for his merits, son of merits.

أَوعى المُلوك هدى أَوهى الملوك عدىً

أَوعى المُلوك هدى أَوهى الملوك عدىً

أَوفى المُلوك نَدىً في الحال بِالحالِ

أَوفى المُلوك نَدىً في الحال بِالحالِ

The most mindful of kings in guidance, the most destructive to foes,

The mindful of kings, the guided of kings, the most loyal

the most unstinting of kings in bounty, giving wealth at once.

Of kings, the most loyal in state by state.

مطهَّر الجيب من عيب وَمِن دنسٍ

مطهَّر الجيب من عيب وَمِن دنسٍ

حاشى مَعاليه مِن إِخلال إِجلالِ

حاشى مَعاليه مِن إِخلال إِجلالِ

His bosom is purified of fault and stain;

Purifier of the pocket from defect and from filth,

far be his lofty virtues from any breach of reverence.

His glories are protected from diminishing his majesty.

أَنسى الَّذين مَضوا يَومَ الوَغى وَبَدا

أَنسى الَّذين مَضوا يَومَ الوَغى وَبَدا

عمّال هَيجاء وَفَّى أَلفَ بَطّالِ

عمّال هَيجاء وَفَّى أَلفَ بَطّالِ

He eclipsed his predecessors on the day of battle, and appeared

He made forget those who passed in the days of turmoil,

a tireless warrior, the match of a thousand champions.

And showed up working, energetic, satisfying the idle.

أَرضى العفاة عَن الدُنيا وساكنها

أَرضى العفاة عَن الدُنيا وساكنها

وَفي رضى المعتفي سَخط عَلى المالِ

وَفي رضى المعتفي سَخط عَلى المالِ

He made supplicants content with the world and its inhabitants;

He satisfied the chaste about the life and its dweller,

and pleasing the supplicant means showing disdain for wealth.

And in satisfying the modest is anger at money.

أَضحَت بعزّتهِ الدُنيا تعزُّ وما

أَضحَت بعزّتهِ الدُنيا تعزُّ وما

زبيدُ إِلّا بِها غايات آمالي

زبيدُ إِلّا بِها غايات آمالي

Through his might, the world has gained honor, and

By his dignity the world is honored, and not

Zabid alone holds the utmost goals of my hopes.

In decline, through it the hopes of wishes.

أُمورها بِصلاح الدين قَد صَلحَت

أُمورها بِصلاح الدين قَد صَلحَت

نامَ الرَعايا مَتى ما اِستَيقظ الوالي

نامَ الرَعايا مَتى ما اِستَيقظ الوالي

Its affairs have been set right by Salah al-Din;

Its affairs by Salah al-Din have settled,

the subjects sleep whenever the ruler stays awake.

The subjects sleep whenever the ruler wakes.

سَقى الرِماحَ دمَ الأَعداءِ مُبتَدِراً

سَقى الرِماحَ دمَ الأَعداءِ مُبتَدِراً

فَكانَ إِثمارُها هامات أَبطالِ

فَكانَ إِثمارُها هامات أَبطالِ

He hastened to water the spears with enemies' blood,

He quenched the spears with enemies' blood, taking the initiative,

and their fruit became the heads of champions.

So its fruit was the perishing of heroes.

يَجني بِها النصر شُهداً وَالعدى صبراً

يَجني بِها النصر شُهداً وَالعدى صبراً

فَاِنعَت حَلاها بِمُرّانٍ وَعسّالِ

فَاِنعَت حَلاها بِمُرّانٍ وَعسّالِ

With them he reaps victory as honey, and his foes, bitter aloe;

He reaps with it victory as a witness and patience toward enemies as pride,

so describe their sweetness as ashwood and quivering spears.

So it bore its burdens with training and preparation.

مِن آل غَسانَ ساداتِ الملوك وَما

مِن آل غَسانَ ساداتِ الملوك وَما

يُقال في غيرهم ساداتُ أَقيالِ

يُقال في غيرهم ساداتُ أَقيالِ

Of Ghassan's house, the lords of kings; and

From the family of Ghassan, masters of kings, and none

of none but them is it said, 'Lords of princely chiefs.'

Is called masters of eras but them.

فَفي مَدائِح حَسّانٍ وَنابِغَةٍ

فَفي مَدائِح حَسّانٍ وَنابِغَةٍ

فيهم غَرائِبُ مِن بأسٍ وَإِفضالِ

فيهم غَرائِبُ مِن بأسٍ وَإِفضالِ

For in the praises of Hassan and Nabigha

So in the praises of Hassan and Nabigha

are marvels of their valor and generosity.

Are wonders of might and generosity about them.

هم مهّدوا الشامَ مِن ظُلمٍ وَمِن ظُلَمٍ

هم مهّدوا الشامَ مِن ظُلمٍ وَمِن ظُلَمٍ

مِن قَبلُ وَاليمَنُ الآن اِغتَدى تالي

مِن قَبلُ وَاليمَنُ الآن اِغتَدى تالي

They made Syria secure against injustice and darkness

They paved the Levant from injustice, and from oppression

in former times; now Yemen has followed.

Before, and Yemen now has transgressed consequently.

مِن كُلِّ أَروَع سامي الذكر سائِرِهِ

مِن كُلِّ أَروَع سامي الذكر سائِرِهِ

عمّالِ مكرمة حمّالِ أَثقالِ

عمّالِ مكرمة حمّالِ أَثقالِ

Each an awe-inspiring man, lofty and far-reaching in renown,

From every most honorable and lofty lineage its eminent

tireless in noble deeds, bearing heavy burdens.

Workers, carriers of burdens, bearers of loads.

صَحابَةُ الجود إِن حلّ النَزيلُ بِهِم

صَحابَةُ الجود إِن حلّ النَزيلُ بِهِم

يَرِد بحاراً وَلا يخدَع مِنَ الآلِ

يَرِد بحاراً وَلا يخدَع مِنَ الآلِ

Companions of generosity: if a guest settles among them,

Lords of generosity, if a guest arrives with them,

he reaches seas, not deceived by a mirage.

He comes as seas and is not deceived of benefits.

يَبيتُ ما شاءَ في أمنٍ وَفي دعةٍ

يَبيتُ ما شاءَ في أمنٍ وَفي دعةٍ

مفارِقَ الهمّ لا يرمى بِأَوجالِ

مفارِقَ الهمّ لا يرمى بِأَوجالِ

He spends as long as he wishes in safety and ease,

He spends the night as he wishes in security and leisure,

free of care, untouched by terrors.

Departing worries, not inflicted with concerns.

أَهلُ الفَصاحَة إِن هزُّوا سيوفهمُ

أَهلُ الفَصاحَة إِن هزُّوا سيوفهمُ

يَغدوا جُباراً لَدَيها جرحُ أَبطالِ

يَغدوا جُباراً لَدَيها جرحُ أَبطالِ

Masters of eloquence: when they brandish their swords,

Masters of eloquence, if they brandish their swords

the wounds of champions go uncompensated before them.

They attack as giants, by them the wounds of heroes are slight.

خُدّامُ بَيتِ الإِلَه الحَقّ كانَ لَهُم

خُدّامُ بَيتِ الإِلَه الحَقّ كانَ لَهُم

وَحالُهُ كانَ مِنهُم بِالحُلا حالي

وَحالُهُ كانَ مِنهُم بِالحُلا حالي

Servants of the true God's House, which was in their care,

Servants of the house of God deservedly had for them

and through them its condition was adorned with finery.

A state that was kind to them by beauty.

تَلَوا حَديث العلا عَن سيّدٍ سنَدٍ

تَلَوا حَديث العلا عَن سيّدٍ سنَدٍ

عَن سيّدٍ سندٍ بادٍ عَلى تالي

عَن سيّدٍ سندٍ بادٍ عَلى تالي

They recited the tradition of glory from a lord, a pillar of support,

They followed the hadith of the Most High from a master, a pillar,

from a lord, a pillar, predecessor above successor.

From a master, pillar scattering clouds.

فَأَحمَد ملكُ إِسماعيلَ عَنه رَوى

فَأَحمَد ملكُ إِسماعيلَ عَنه رَوى

عَن أَفضَلٍ عَن عَليٍّ خيرَةِ الآلِ

عَن أَفضَلٍ عَن عَليٍّ خيرَةِ الآلِ

Thus King Ahmad transmitted it from Ismail,

So Ahmad the King of Ishmael narrated from him,

from Afdal, from Ali, the choicest of the house,

From the best, from Ali the elite of the family.

عَن المُؤيّدِ داودَ الهزبرِ عُلاً

عَن المُؤيّدِ داودَ الهزبرِ عُلاً

عَن المظفّرِ سلطانِ الوَرى الخالي

عَن المظفّرِ سلطانِ الوَرى الخالي

from al-Mu'ayyad Dawud, the lion in glory,

From the Supported Dawood the Pure Lofty

from al-Muzaffar, the departed sovereign of mankind,

From the Conquering Sultan of realms the barren.

يَرويه عَن عمرَ المَنصور مُتَّصِلاً

يَرويه عَن عمرَ المَنصور مُتَّصِلاً

من ذا يُساويك في إِسنادك العالي

من ذا يُساويك في إِسنادك العالي

who transmits it from Umar al-Mansur in an unbroken chain.

Relaying it from Umar al-Mansur uninterruptedly

Who can match your lofty chain of transmission?

Who equals you in your elevated chain?

مِثلُ الكَواكِب أَنتُم سبعة زهُرٌ

مِثلُ الكَواكِب أَنتُم سبعة زهُرٌ

هَذا اِتّفاق لإِجلال وإِجمالِ

هَذا اِتّفاق لإِجلال وإِجمالِ

Like the stars, you are seven radiant ones;

Like stars you are seven blooms

this correspondence brings reverence and beauty.

This is an arrangement for veneration and collectiveness.

زِنتُم عَلَوتم حميتم جدتمُ كرما

زِنتُم عَلَوتم حميتم جدتمُ كرما

أَضأتمُ وَهديتم سُبلَ ضُلّالِ

أَضأتمُ وَهديتم سُبلَ ضُلّالِ

You adorned, rose high, protected, and gave generously;

You are of great weight, you have risen, you have protected, you have been generous,

you shone and guided the paths of those astray.

You have shone and guided the ways of the lost.

شارَكتُم الزهر في أَسنى الصفات وَقَد

شارَكتُم الزهر في أَسنى الصفات وَقَد

فقتُم بِقربٍ وَإِفصاحٍ وَأَشكالِ

فقتُم بِقربٍ وَإِفصاحٍ وَأَشكالِ

You shared the bright stars' loftiest qualities, yet

You have shared with flowers the finest traits, and you have

surpassed them in nearness, eloquence, and forms.

surpassed in kinship, eloquence, and forms.

عَلَوتُم زحلاً قَدراً لأَنّكم

عَلَوتُم زحلاً قَدراً لأَنّكم

بِالحاءِ أفردتم وَالميم وَالدالِ

بِالحاءِ أفردتم وَالميم وَالدالِ

You rose above Saturn in rank, for you

You have surpassed Saturn in destiny, for you

were distinguished by ha, mim, and dal.

Have singled out Haa, Meem, and Daal.

كلّ المُلوك مُلوك الأَرض دونكم

كلّ المُلوك مُلوك الأَرض دونكم

في الجود وَالنَسَب العالي الزَكي الغالي

في الجود وَالنَسَب العالي الزَكي الغالي

All kings, the kings of earth, fall beneath you

All the kings are kings of earth compared to you

in generosity and lofty, pure, precious lineage.

In generosity, lineage, high, pure, precious.

يا كَعبَةً طِفتُ في تَعظيم حرمتها

يا كَعبَةً طِفتُ في تَعظيم حرمتها

مُكَبِّراً قَدرها العالي بإِهلالي

مُكَبِّراً قَدرها العالي بإِهلالي

O Kaaba, I have circled in reverence for its sanctity,

O Kaaba, I have circled in reverence of its sanctuary

magnifying its lofty worth with my pilgrim chant.

Magnifying its high status with my submission.

أَزورها محرماً من غيرها فَإِذا

أَزورها محرماً من غيرها فَإِذا

حلَلتُ بدّل إِحرامي بإِحلالِ

حلَلتُ بدّل إِحرامي بإِحلالِ

I visit it in consecration, renouncing all others; and when

I visit it prohibited from other than it, so if

I alight, he exchanges my consecration for release.

I end mypilgrimage, I replace it with permittedness.

كانَت أَيادي المليك الأَشرف اِشتَملت

كانَت أَيادي المليك الأَشرف اِشتَملت

عَلى يَدي بِالنَدى مِن غَيرِ تسآلِ

عَلى يَدي بِالنَدى مِن غَيرِ تسآلِ

The favors of King al-Ashraf once enfolded

The hands of the eminent King have touched

my hand with bounty, without my asking.

My hands with dew without request.

قابَلتُ مرآةَ بِشرٍ مِن خَلائِقِهِ

قابَلتُ مرآةَ بِشرٍ مِن خَلائِقِهِ

صفَت فطالعتُ فيها وَجه إِقبالي

صفَت فطالعتُ فيها وَجه إِقبالي

I encountered a mirror of cheerfulness in his character;

I faced a mirror of his fine creations,

it was clear, and in it I beheld the face of my good fortune.

So I looked and saw in it the face of my hopes.

والآن يا ملك العليا قَصَدتُكَ في

والآن يا ملك العليا قَصَدتُكَ في

جبرِ اِنكساري وَفي إِصلاح أَحوالي

جبرِ اِنكساري وَفي إِصلاح أَحوالي

And now, king of the heights, I have come to you for

And now, O King of the Highness, I have aimed for you in

the mending of my brokenness and the repair of my fortunes.

Reforming my brokenness and fixing my conditions.

لدارِ ملكك مدنُ الأَرض مرجعُها

لدارِ ملكك مدنُ الأَرض مرجعُها

كالبَحر مَرجِعُ أَنهار وَأَوشالِ

كالبَحر مَرجِعُ أَنهار وَأَوشالِ

To the seat of your reign all the earth's cities return,

The lands of earth are headed for the abode of your rule,

as rivers and trickling streams return to the sea.

As rivers and valleys head towards the sea.

ما شِئت أَيّدك اللَه الكَريم جَرى

ما شِئت أَيّدك اللَه الكَريم جَرى

فَاِنهَض لما شِئت تُستقبَل بإِقبالِ

فَاِنهَض لما شِئت تُستقبَل بإِقبالِ

Whatever you wish—may generous God sustain you—comes to pass;

As you wished God supported you, so rise to what you wished, you will be met with welcome.

so rise to whatever you wish: success will greet you.

My Master, shall I complain of what you have heard of?

مَولاي هَل أَشتَكي ما قَد سَمِعتَ بِهِ

مَولاي هَل أَشتَكي ما قَد سَمِعتَ بِهِ

أَم أَكتَفي بِالَّذي قَد لاحَ مِن حالي

أَم أَكتَفي بِالَّذي قَد لاحَ مِن حالي

My lord, should I complain of what you have already heard,

Or be content with what has appeared of my condition?

or be content with what my condition has revealed?

When Timurlane plundered Damascus, fate shook my condition,

قَد ضَعضَعَ الدهر حالي عِندَما نُهِبَت

قَد ضَعضَعَ الدهر حالي عِندَما نُهِبَت

بِالشامِ أَيّامَ تَيمُرلَنكَ أَموالي

بِالشامِ أَيّامَ تَيمُرلَنكَ أَموالي

Time brought my fortunes low when plunder struck

Those were the days my money was looted.

my wealth in Syria in Timurlank's days.

And after it disasters from the hands of

وَبَعدَها بلغَت مِنّي الحَوادِث مِن

وَبَعدَها بلغَت مِنّي الحَوادِث مِن

يَد اِبن عَجلانَ ما لاقاهُ أَمثالي

يَد اِبن عَجلانَ ما لاقاهُ أَمثالي

Afterward calamities struck me through

Ibn Ajlan reached me, the like of which did not meet my peers.

the hand of Ibn Ajlan, as they struck others like me.

What remained was not transported to me completely,

وَما بَقي لَم تَصلني مِنه واصِلَةٌ

وَما بَقي لَم تَصلني مِنه واصِلَةٌ

فَلَيتَه كانَ وَصّى لي بِوَصّالِ

فَلَيتَه كانَ وَصّى لي بِوَصّالِ

Of what remained, no remittance ever reached me;

If only he willed to me his delivery.

if only he had bequeathed me someone who would keep giving.

And I have aimed by living in your shade

وَقَد قصدت بِأَن أَحيا بظلّكمُ

وَقَد قصدت بِأَن أَحيا بظلّكمُ

فَكانَ ما كانَ مِن خَوفٍ وَأَهوالِ

فَكانَ ما كانَ مِن خَوفٍ وَأَهوالِ

I had intended to live beneath your shade;

So events occurred of fear and horrors.

then came what came of fear and terrors.

My condition became stalled in my state,

فَصارَت الحال في حليٍ معطَّلةً

فَصارَت الحال في حليٍ معطَّلةً

ما في كنانةَ سَهمٌ غَير قتّالِ

ما في كنانةَ سَهمٌ غَير قتّالِ

So my fortunes in Haly were left stripped bare;

In my quiver there are no arrows but killing.

no arrow in Kinana is anything but deadly.

I returned seeking victory in events through you

وَعُدت مُستَنصِراً في الحادِثات بِكم

وَعُدت مُستَنصِراً في الحادِثات بِكم

فَأَنتَ حاشاك أَن تَرضى بإِهمالي

فَأَنتَ حاشاك أَن تَرضى بإِهمالي

I returned, seeking your aid against calamities;

You are far above neglecting me.

far be it from you to consent to my neglect.

Wealth torn in plunder and drowning,

مالٌ تمزّقَ في نهبٍ وَفي غرقٍ

مالٌ تمزّقَ في نهبٍ وَفي غرقٍ

إِن فات مالي سألقى منك آمالي

إِن فات مالي سألقى منك آمالي

Wealth scattered by plunder and drowning:

If my money is gone, I will attain my hopes from you.

if my wealth is lost, I shall find my hopes in you.

You have made me, after the misery of exile, generously

أَهَّلتني بعد تَغريب النَوى كرماً

أَهَّلتني بعد تَغريب النَوى كرماً

يا مالِكي لمَديحي قدرك العالي

يا مالِكي لمَديحي قدرك العالي

You generously made me worthy, after separation's banishment,

My source, worthy of my praise, your supreme self.

O my master, to praise your exalted worth.

You have filled my eyes and hands with awe and riches

ملأتَ طَرفي وَكَفّي هيبةً وغنىً

ملأتَ طَرفي وَكَفّي هيبةً وغنىً

حتّى تفرّغتُ للأَمداح يا مالِ

حتّى تفرّغتُ للأَمداح يا مالِ

You filled my eye and palm with awe and wealth,

So I have become free for praises, O my source.

until I was free for praises, O master.

I relay about the Approved from the overflow of your favors

أَروي عَنِ المُرتَضى مِن فيض فضلكم

أَروي عَنِ المُرتَضى مِن فيض فضلكم

أَمالياً لست أَرويها عَن القالي

أَمالياً لست أَرويها عَن القالي

I transmit from al-Murtada, from your bounty's overflow,

Hopes I do not relay based on assumptions.

dictations that I do not transmit from al-Qali.

By your life, if not for you, my self would not have patience

وَحقّ رأسك لَولا أَنتَ ما صبرَت

وَحقّ رأسك لَولا أَنتَ ما صبرَت

نَفسي عَلى فرقَتي أَهلي وَأَطفالي

نَفسي عَلى فرقَتي أَهلي وَأَطفالي

By your head, but for you there would have been no endurance

Upon my separation from my family and children.

in my soul for separation from my family and children.

You lined my eyes with the inclination of devotion when they were distant

كحّلت طَرفي بميل السهد إِذ بعدوا

كحّلت طَرفي بميل السهد إِذ بعدوا

فَالدمع مِن مُقلَتي يَجري بِأَميالِ

فَالدمع مِن مُقلَتي يَجري بِأَميالِ

I kohled my eye with sleeplessness's stick when they went far away;

So tears from my eyelids flow in rivers.

so tears stream from my eye for miles.

Return by your status to protect me and support me

فَعد بجاهك تَحميني وَتَنصرني

فَعد بجاهك تَحميني وَتَنصرني

عَلى عِدايَ بِأَقوالٍ وَأَفعالِ

عَلى عِدايَ بِأَقوالٍ وَأَفعالِ

So return with your influence to protect and aid me

Against enemies with words and actions.

against my foes, in words and deeds.

Stay, as you wish, facing what you wished in might

وَدُم كَما شِئت فيما شئتَ مُقتَبِلاً

وَدُم كَما شِئت فيما شئتَ مُقتَبِلاً

في عزّة وَسعاداتٍ وَإِقبالِ

في عزّة وَسعاداتٍ وَإِقبالِ

And endure as you wish, in whatever you wish, ever youthful,

And fortunes and prosperity.

in honor, good fortunes, and prosperity.