أَلتَّاجُthe crown تَاجُcrown مُمَلَّكِينَenthroned kings عِظَامِgreat
أَلتَّاجُ تَاجُ مُمَلَّكِينَ عِظَامِ
صَوْغُfashioning النَّدَىgenerosity وَالحَزْمِand resolve وَالإِقْدَامِand boldness
صَوْغُ النَّدَى وَالحَزْمِ وَالإِقْدَامِ
The crown is the crown of mighty, enthroned kings,
The crown is the crown of glorious kings,
fashioned from generosity, resolve, and boldness.
The embodiment of wisdom, resolve, and valor.
أُوتِيتَهُyou were given it خَلَفاًas successor لأَسْلافٍto forebears مَضَوْاwho passed on
أُوتِيتَهُ خَلَفاً لأَسْلافٍ مَضَوْا
فَأَلبَسْهُso wear it أَحْسَنَthe finest لِبْسَةٍmanner of dress لِدَوامِfor permanence
فَأَلبَسْهُ أَحْسَنَ لِبْسَةٍ لِدَوامِ
You were given it as successor to forebears who passed on;
You have been granted it as an heir of forebears now gone,
so wear it in the finest fashion, that it may endure.
So adorn yourself with its finest raiment to last,
وَتَقَلَّدِand gird yourself with السَّيْفَthe sword الَّذِيwhich إِنْif يَدْعُهُcalls it
وَتَقَلَّدِ السَّيْفَ الَّذِي إِنْ يَدْعُهُ
دَاعِيthe herald of الحَقِيقَةِtruth لَمْnot يَكُنْbe بكَهَامِblunt
دَاعِي الحَقِيقَةِ لَمْ يَكُنْ بكَهَامِ
And gird yourself with the sword which, if called
And gird yourself with the sword which, if the voice
by truth's herald, will never be blunt.
Of truth calls it, will never be sheathed.
سَتَرَاهُyou will see it أَقْوَىthe strongest عُدَّةٍequipment لِكَرِيهَةٍfor battle
سَتَرَاهُ أَقْوَى عُدَّةٍ لِكَرِيهَةٍ
وَتَرَاهُand see it لأَقْوَىindeed the strongest عُدَّةٍequipment لِسَلامِfor peace
وَتَرَاهُ لأَقْوَى عُدَّةٍ لِسَلامِ
You will find it the strongest equipment for battle,
You will find it the firmest weapon against the vile
and indeed the strongest equipment for peace.
And the firmest weapon for peace.
لِحُسَامِto the sword of جَدِّكَyour grandfather حِينَwhen أَسَّسَhe founded مُلكَهُhis kingdom
لِحُسَامِ جَدِّكَ حِينَ أَسَّسَ مُلكَهُ
عَنَتِbowed الرِّقَابُthe necks وَدَانَand yielded كُلُّevery حُسَامِsword
عَنَتِ الرِّقَابُ وَدَانَ كُلُّ حُسَامِ
Before your grandfather's sword, when he founded his kingdom,
It belonged to your valorous grandfather when he laid the foundations of his kingdom;
necks bowed, and every sword yielded.
Necks bowed down before him and every sword bowed before his.
فَتَحَhe won الفُتُوحَconquests بِهِwith it وَبَثَّand dispatched جُيُوشَهُhis armies
فَتَحَ الفُتُوحَ بِهِ وَبَثَّ جُيُوشَهُ
مَنْصُورَةًvictorious مَرْفُوعَةَraised الأَعْلامِthe banners
مَنْصُورَةً مَرْفُوعَةَ الأَعْلامِ
With it he won conquests and dispatched his armies,
With it he opened wide the gates of conquest,
victorious, with banners raised.
his armies flying proud banners held high.
وَاليَوْمَand today تُلْفِيهِyou find it نَدىًdew مُتَمَاسِكاًheld solid
وَاليَوْمَ تُلْفِيهِ نَدىً مُتَمَاسِكاً
مِنْfrom بَعْدِafter أَنْthat نَصَلَfaded الخِضَابُthe dye الدَّامِيbloody
مِنْ بَعْدِ أَنْ نَصَلَ الخِضَابُ الدَّامِي
Today you find it dew made solid,
And today it comes to you polished and unblemished
after the bloody dye has faded.
after the blood-red patina has dried.
أَبْقَىhe left لِرَأْيِكَto your judgment أَنْthat تُصَرِّفَyou direct أَمْرَهُits affairs
أَبْقَى لِرَأْيِكَ أَنْ تُصَرِّفَ أَمْرَهُ
وَالرَّأْيُand judgment قَدْmay يُغْنِيsuffice عَنِin place of الصَّمْصَامِthe sharp sword
وَالرَّأْيُ قَدْ يُغْنِي عَنِ الصَّمْصَامِ
He left its use for your judgment to direct;
It is best for your judgment to manage its affairs,
and judgment may dispense with the sharp sword.
and judgment can often render the sword superfluous.
هَلْis there? فِيin العُلَىthe heights مُتَبَوَّأًa seat لَكَfor you بَعْدَafter أَنْthat
هَلْ فِي العُلَى مُتَبَوَّأً لَكَ بَعْدَ أَنْ
بُوِّئْتَyou were installed عَنْthrough إِرْثٍinheritance أَعَزَّthe noblest سَنَامِsummit
بُوِّئْتَ عَنْ إِرْثٍ أَعَزَّ سَنَامِ
Is there a further seat for you in the heights, after
Are you not the most worthy in virtue after
you were installed by inheritance upon the noblest summit?
inheriting the noblest heritage?
هَيْهَاتَfar from it يُجْزِيءُcan suffice تَالِدٌinherited glory عَنْin place of طَارِفٍnewly won glory
هَيْهَاتَ يُجْزِيءُ تَالِدٌ عَنْ طَارِفٍ
وَمَعَand with الإِصَالَةِnoble lineage فِيكَin you نَفْسُthe spirit of عِصَامِ'Isam
وَمَعَ الإِصَالَةِ فِيكَ نَفْسُ عِصَامِ
Far from it: inherited glory cannot replace newly won glory,
Never! A scion can never measure up to an ancestor,
and alongside noble lineage, you have the spirit of 'Isam.
though moral perfection dwells in you.
عَرْشٌa throne أَقِيمَwas established فَلَمْso did not يَتِمَّbe completed بِنَاؤُهُits construction
عَرْشٌ أَقِيمَ فَلَمْ يَتِمَّ بِنَاؤُهُ
حَتَّىuntil انْقَضَتْelapsed مِئَةٌa hundred مِنَof الأَعْوَامِyears
حَتَّى انْقَضَتْ مِئَةٌ مِنَ الأَعْوَامِ
A throne was established, but its construction remained unfinished
A throne established whose construction took
until a hundred years had passed.
a hundred years to complete,
وُلِّيتَهُyou were entrusted with it فِيat مَبْدَأِthe beginning of اسْتِقْلالِهِits independence
وُلِّيتَهُ فِي مَبْدَأِ اسْتِقْلالِهِ
وَلَهُand it has مِنَfrom الشورَىconsultation أَشَدthe strongest دِعَامِsupports
وَلَهُ مِنَ الشورَى أَشَد دِعَامِ
You were entrusted with it at the outset of its independence,
You came to at the start of its independence,
and consultation provides its strongest supports.
with the council Its strongest pillar.
مَاhow أَكْرَمَdear الشورَىconsultation عَلَىto مَلِكٍa king يَرَىwho believes
مَا أَكْرَمَ الشورَى عَلَى مَلِكٍ يَرَى
أَلاَّnot to يَسُوقَdrive الشَّعْبَthe people سَوْقَthe driving of سَوَامِgrazing livestock
أَلاَّ يَسُوقَ الشَّعْبَ سَوْقَ سَوَامِ
How dear consultation is to a king who believes
How honorable is the council to a king who sees
he should not drive the people like grazing livestock!
that the people must not be driven like sheep!
جَمَعَتْit gathered حَوَالَيْكَaround you القُلُوبَhearts وَخَيْرُand the best مَاof what
جَمَعَتْ حَوَالَيْكَ القُلُوبَ وَخَيْرُ مَا
جَمَعَgathers القلُوبَhearts العَدْلُjustice فِيin الأحْكَامِjudgments
جَمَعَ القلُوبَ العَدْلُ فِي الأحْكَامِ
It gathered hearts around you, and the best thing that
It draws hearts around you, and what brings hearts together
gathers hearts is justice in judgments.
better than justice in governance?
إِمَّاif حَلَفْتَyou swore لَهَاto it وَوَعْدُكَand your promise صَادِقٌis true
إِمَّا حَلَفْتَ لَهَا وَوَعْدُكَ صَادِقٌ
فَلِمِثْلِهَاthen for its like التَّوْكِيدُconfirmation بالأقْسَامِby oaths
فَلِمِثْلِهَا التَّوْكِيدُ بالأقْسَامِ
If you pledged yourself to it—and your promise is true—
You have sworn to it - your promise is honest -
such a cause deserves confirmation through oaths.
so it is right to confirm it with oaths.
يَاO بَدْرَfull moon of مِصْرَEgypt وَمَاand not بَرِحَتْhave you ceased to be هِلالَهَاher crescent
يَا بَدْرَ مِصْرَ وَمَا بَرِحَتْ هِلالَهَا
عَجَبa wonder تَمَامُكَyour fullness قَبْلَbefore آنِthe time of تَمَامِfullness
عَجَب تَمَامُكَ قَبْلَ آنِ تَمَامِ
O Egypt's full moon, though still her crescent,
O moon of Egypt! Its crescent has never ceased
how wondrous your fullness before the hour of fullness!
to marvel - your perfection before your time is full.
تؤْتَىare granted المُلُوكkings الحَزْمَresolve بَعْدَafter تَجَارِبٍexperiences
تؤْتَى المُلُوك الحَزْمَ بَعْدَ تَجَارِبٍ
وَكَأَنَّمَاand as though تُؤْتَاهُyou are granted it بِالإِلْهَامِby inspiration
وَكَأَنَّمَا تُؤْتَاهُ بِالإِلْهَامِ
Kings are granted resolve after experience,
Kings gain wisdom through experience,
while you seem to receive it through inspiration.
yet you seem to gain it through inspiration.
تِلْكَthose البَوَاكِيرُearly blooms الَّتِيwhich أَبْدَيْتَهَاyou displayed them
تِلْكَ البَوَاكِيرُ الَّتِي أَبْدَيْتَهَا
بَهَرَتْdazzled حِلاهَاtheir beauties وَهْيَwhile they فِيin الأكْمَامِthe buds
بَهَرَتْ حِلاهَا وَهْيَ فِي الأكْمَامِ
Those early blooms which you displayed—
Those first fruits you displayed,
their beauties dazzled while still within their buds.
their splendor dazzled, though buds in their sheaths.
فَلَقَدْfor indeed شَهِدْنَاwe witnessed مِنْكَin you كُلevery فَضِيلَةٍvirtue
فَلَقَدْ شَهِدْنَا مِنْكَ كُل فَضِيلَةٍ
شَفَّتْdisclosed عَنِof الغَدِtomorrow مِنْthrough أَرَقِّthe thinnest لِثَامِveil
شَفَّتْ عَنِ الغَدِ مِنْ أَرَقِّ لِثَامِ
For we have witnessed in you every virtue,
For we have seen in you every virtue
revealing tomorrow through the thinnest veil.
that reveals the future from behind the flimsiest veil.
أَدَبٌrefinement تَشَربُهُdrink it in النُّفُوسُsouls فَتَنْتَشِيso become enraptured
أَدَبٌ تَشَربُهُ النُّفُوسُ فَتَنْتَشِي
حَتىuntil تَخِفَّthey grow light وَمَاand not انْتَشَتْbecame intoxicated بِمُدَامِwith wine
حَتى تَخِفَّ وَمَا انْتَشَتْ بِمُدَامِ
Refinement that souls drink in, becoming enraptured,
Manners imbibed by souls to give them cheer
until they grow light, though no wine has intoxicated them.
till they relax, not drugged by wine.
مَلأَتْfilled مَحَاسِنُهُits beauties العُيُونَthe eyes وَنَوَّرَتْand illuminated
مَلأَتْ مَحَاسِنُهُ العُيُونَ وَنَوَّرَتْ
كَأَزَاهِرِlike blossoms of الغُصْنِthe branch النَّضِيرِfresh النَّامِيgrowing
كَأَزَاهِرِ الغُصْنِ النَّضِيرِ النَّامِي
Its beauties filled the eyes and brightened them,
Their beauty fills eyes and illuminates
like blossoms on a fresh and growing branch.
like flowers on a delicate, tender branch.
جُودٌgenerosity يَصِحُّis apt الوَصْفُthe description فِيin تَشْبِيهِهِlikening it
جُودٌ يَصِحُّ الوَصْفُ فِي تَشْبِيهِهِ
بِالمِّبلِto drenching rain أَوْor بِالعَارِضِto the cloud السَّجَّامِpouring
بِالمِّبلِ أَوْ بِالعَارِضِ السَّجَّامِ
Generosity aptly likened
Generosity whose description is true
to drenching rain or a pouring cloud.
if likened to clouds or torrential rain.
شَمِلَencompassed النَّوَاحِيthe regions فَهْيَso they رَاوِيَةٌare well watered بِمَاby what
شَمِلَ النَّوَاحِي فَهْيَ رَاوِيَةٌ بِمَا
تَلْقَاهُthey receive it مِنْof صَوْبِthe downpour of النَّوَالِbounty الهامِيpouring
تَلْقَاهُ مِنْ صَوْبِ النَّوَالِ الهامِي
It encompassed the regions, leaving them well watered by what
It covers all regions, satisfied by what pours
they receive of the pouring rain of bounty.
forth from your clouds of bounty.
حِلْمٌforbearance وَمَاand not شَرْخُthe bloom of الشَّبَابِyouth مَحَلُّهُits place
حِلْمٌ وَمَا شَرْخُ الشَّبَابِ مَحَلُّهُ
رَدَّreturned الأُولَىthose who سَفِهُواacted foolishly إِلَىto الأَحْلامِsound judgment
رَدَّ الأُولَى سَفِهُوا إِلَى الأَحْلامِ
Forbearance, though the bloom of youth is not its usual home,
Clemency - though rashness lies in youth -
brought those who acted foolishly back to sound judgment.
that sends the foolish back to their senses.
رَأَبَmended الصُّدُوعَthe rifts المُوهِيَاتِweakening بِوَصْلِهِby its reconnecting
رَأَبَ الصُّدُوعَ المُوهِيَاتِ بِوَصْلِهِ
مَاwhat انْبَتَّwas severed حَوْلَaround العَرْشِthe throne مِنْof أَرْحَامِkinship ties
مَا انْبَتَّ حَوْلَ العَرْشِ مِنْ أَرْحَامِ
It mended weakening rifts by reconnecting
It mends rifts that undermine,
the kinship ties severed around the throne.
however many generations spawn them.
إِنْif كَانَit was عَفْوَspontaneity of الطَّبْعِnature أَوْor عَنْfrom حِكْمَةٍwisdom
إِنْ كَانَ عَفْوَ الطَّبْعِ أَوْ عَنْ حِكْمَةٍ
فَبِهِthen through it يَسُودُrule أَعَاظِمُthe greatest الحُكَّامِrulers
فَبِهِ يَسُودُ أَعَاظِمُ الحُكَّامِ
Whether it springs naturally from temperament or from wisdom,
Whether innate or out of wisdom,
through it the greatest rulers attain mastery.
it makes mightiest rulers triumphant.
دِينٌfaith بِهِwith it زِنْتَyou adorned الحَيَاةَlife وَصُنْتَهَاand protected it
دِينٌ بِهِ زِنْتَ الحَيَاةَ وَصُنْتَهَا
مِنْfrom كُلِّevery شَيْنٍblemish نَتَّقِيهِwe guard against it وَذَامِand reproach
مِنْ كُلِّ شَيْنٍ نَتَّقِيهِ وَذَامِ
Faith with which you adorned life and protected it
A faith that gives life meaning and protects it
from every blemish we avoid and every reproach.
from all shameful flaws we shun.
كَمْhow much فِيهِin it مِنْof بُشْرَىgood tidings تَوَسَّمُهَاdiscern it المُنَىhopes
كَمْ فِيهِ مِنْ بُشْرَى تَوَسَّمُهَا المُنَى
لِفَخَارِfor the glory of مِصْرَEgypt وَعِزَّةِand the honor of الإِسْلامِIslam
لِفَخَارِ مِصْرَ وَعِزَّةِ الإِسْلامِ
How much glad promise hopes discern in it
What blissful tidings it foretells for Egypt's pride
for Egypt's glory and Islam's honor!
and the glory of Islam!
عِلْمٌlearning وَرَدْتَyou reached العَذْبَthe sweet water مِنْfrom يَنْبُوعِهِits spring
عِلْمٌ وَرَدْتَ العَذْبَ مِنْ يَنْبُوعِهِ
وَنَهِلْتَand drank deeply مَاwhat فِيهِin it شِفَاءَa cure for أُوَامِburning thirst
وَنَهِلْتَ مَا فِيهِ شِفَاءَ أُوَامِ
Learning—you reached the sweet water of its spring
Knowledge you have tasted the sweetest springs of
and drank what holds a cure for burning thirst.
and drunk your fill of what cures all ills.
شَمِلَencompassed الثَّقَافَاتِthe cultures الرَّفِيعَةَlofty وَانْتَحَىand pursued
شَمِلَ الثَّقَافَاتِ الرَّفِيعَةَ وَانْتَحَى
أَرْقَthe most refined مَنَاحِيهَاtheir paths مِنَof الإِحْكَامِmastery
أَرْقَ مَنَاحِيهَا مِنَ الإِحْكَامِ
It embraced the highest cultures and pursued
It encompasses the noblest cultures, distilling
their most refined paths of mastery.
their most fragrant, exquisite extractions.
حِسّاًin sense وَمَعْنىًand meaning لَمْnot تَدَعْyou neglected مَاwhat تَقْتَضِيrequires
حِسّاً وَمَعْنىً لَمْ تَدَعْ مَا تَقْتَضِي
مِنْهَاof them العُلَىthe heights لِمُقَوِّمِfor the guide of القُوَّامِthe governors
مِنْهَا العُلَى لِمُقَوِّمِ القُوَّامِ
In sense and thought, you neglected none of what
In spontaneity and meaning it leaves nothing out
greatness demands of these for the guide of governors:
that the sublime demands for perfect order.
أَلمَرْجِعُthe authority الأَسْمَىhighest بِحِكْمَتِهِthrough his wisdom لِمَاfor what
أَلمَرْجِعُ الأَسْمَى بِحِكْمَتِهِ لِمَا
فِيin الأَمْرِaffairs مِنْof نَقْضٍrevocation وَمِنْand of إِبْرَامِconfirmation
فِي الأَمْرِ مِنْ نَقْضٍ وَمِنْ إِبْرَامِ
the supreme authority, whose wisdom resolves what
The higher the source of its wisdom, the better
in affairs is to be undone or confirmed.
it mends flaws and bindsFast what is resolved.
تَتَجَشَّمُyou shoulder الأَعْمَالَtasks مَهْمَاhowever تَخْتَلِفْthey differ
تَتَجَشَّمُ الأَعْمَالَ مَهْمَا تَخْتَلِفْ
رُتَباًin ranks لِمَعْنىًfor a purpose فَوْقَهَاabove them مُتَسَامِsoaring
رُتَباً لِمَعْنىً فَوْقَهَا مُتَسَامِ
You shoulder tasks, however they differ
You take up tasks however difficult,
in rank, for a purpose soaring above them.
for the sake of a principle above you.
وَتُمَارِسُand confront الآفَاتِafflictions لاِسْتِبْطَانِهَاto probe their depths
وَتُمَارِسُ الآفَاتِ لاِسْتِبْطَانِهَا
وَتُحَقِّقُand verify النَّظَرَاتِobservations بِالإِنْعَامِthrough close scrutiny
وَتُحَقِّقُ النَّظَرَاتِ بِالإِنْعَامِ
And you confront afflictions to probe their depths,
You tackle vices to uncover their secrets,
and verify your observations through close scrutiny.
ascertaining insights by conferring favor.
تَفْدِيwould ransom الفِرَاسَةُdiscernment فِيamong الغَرَانِيقِthe cranes العُلَىlofty
تَفْدِي الفِرَاسَةُ فِي الغَرَانِيقِ العُلَى
دَرْباًone practiced عَلَىat الإِسْرَاجِsaddling وَالإِلْجَامِand bridling
دَرْباً عَلَى الإِسْرَاجِ وَالإِلْجَامِ
Discernment would give its life, among the lofty cranes,
Far-sightedness in the highest offices
for one practiced in saddling and bridling,
finds passage by shedding light and spurring on.
وَمُرَوِّضاًand a tamer of خَيْلَthe horses of البُخَارِsteam يَحُثُّهَاhe urges them on
وَمُرَوِّضاً خَيْلَ البُخَارِ يَحُثُّهَا
بِهُدَىwith the guidance of البَصِيرِthe keen-sighted وَجُرْأَةِand the boldness of المُتَرامِيthe headlong adventurer
بِهُدَى البَصِيرِ وَجُرْأَةِ المُتَرامِي
and a tamer of steam-horses who urges them on
And, guiding the steeds of Bukhara, you rouse them
with a keen-sighted man's guidance and a daredevil's boldness.
with the vision of the wise and daring of the ambling camel.
إِنْif يَخْتَدِمْhe employs servants فَلَهُthen his الفَخَارُglory وَكُلُّand every ذِيpossessor of
إِنْ يَخْتَدِمْ فَلَهُ الفَخَارُ وَكُلُّ ذِي
قَدْرٍstanding لِسُدَّتِهِat his threshold مِنَamong الخُدَّامِthe servants
قَدْرٍ لِسُدَّتِهِ مِنَ الخُدَّامِ
If he employs servants, his is the glory, and every man of
If they race, yours is the pride - all people of worth
standing is among the servants at his threshold.
are your stewards.
أَوْor يَرْكَبِhe rides into الأَخْطَارَdangers فَهْوَthen he كَمِيُّهَاis their champion
أَوْ يَرْكَبِ الأَخْطَارَ فَهْوَ كَمِيُّهَا
هَلْcan? تُدْرِكُbe mastered الأَخْطَارُdangers بِالإِحْجَامِby holding back
هَلْ تُدْرِكُ الأَخْطَارُ بِالإِحْجَامِ
Or, if he ventures into dangers, he is their champion.
Or if you dare perils, you are their measure -
Are dangers mastered by holding back?
can perils be avoided by hanging back?
تِلْكَthose الفَضَائِلُvirtues هَيَّأَتْهُprepared him يَافِعاًas a youth
تِلْكَ الفَضَائِلُ هَيَّأَتْهُ يَافِعاً
لِيَكُونَto become أَرْشَدَthe wisest عَاهِلٍsovereign وِإِمَامِand leader
لِيَكُونَ أَرْشَدَ عَاهِلٍ وِإِمَامِ
Those virtues prepared him in his youth
These are the virtues that as a youth made you
to become the wisest sovereign and leader,
the wisest sovereign and imam.
وَيُقِرُّand establishes مَمْلَكَةًa kingdom إِلَيْهِto him أَمْرُهَاits affairs
وَيُقِرُّ مَمْلَكَةً إِلَيْهِ أَمْرُهَا
بَيْنَamong المَمَالِكِkingdoms فِيin أَجَلِّthe most exalted مَقَامِstation
بَيْنَ المَمَالِكِ فِي أَجَلِّ مَقَامِ
and to establish the kingdom whose affairs rest with him
A kingdom whose affairs are yielded to you
among kingdoms in the most exalted station.
among realms, in the finest place.
هَيْهَاتَfar from it أَنْthat تُنْسَىbe forgotten فَوَاتِحُهُhis first deeds الَّتِيwhich
هَيْهَاتَ أَنْ تُنْسَى فَوَاتِحُهُ الَّتِي
حَسْنَتْproved beautiful وَرَاءَbeyond مَطَامِحِaspirations of الأَوْهَامِimaginations
حَسْنَتْ وَرَاءَ مَطَامِحِ الأَوْهَامِ
Far be it that his first deeds should be forgotten, which
Never shall those first fruits be forgotten
proved beautiful beyond imagination's aspirations,
that flourished beyond imagination's vaulting ambitions.
وَبَدَتْand appeared لأَهْلِto the people of الغَرْبِthe West فِيduring إِلْمَامِهِhis visit
وَبَدَتْ لأَهْلِ الغَرْبِ فِي إِلْمَامِهِ
للهِGod's is حِكْمَةُthe wisdom of ذَلِكَthat الإِلْمَامِvisit
للهِ حِكْمَةُ ذَلِكَ الإِلْمَامِ
and were revealed to the people of the West during his visit.
To Western eyes your mastery first shone -
God's is the wisdom of that visit!
by God's wisdom shone that mastery.
زَارَvisited الفِرنْجَةَthe Franks شِبْلُthe lion cub of مِصْرَEgypt فَأَبْصَرَتْso they saw
زَارَ الفِرنْجَةَ شِبْلُ مِصْرَ فَأَبْصَرَتْ
مَاwhat سَوْفَwill تَبْلُوهُthey experience it مِنَof الضِّرْغَامِthe fierce lion
مَا سَوْفَ تَبْلُوهُ مِنَ الضِّرْغَامِ
Egypt's lion cub visited the Franks, and they saw
The cub of Egypt visited the Franks
what they would one day experience of the full-grown lion.
and they saw what thick gloom he would dispel.
فَمُلُوكُهَاso their kings وَشُعُوبُهَاand their peoples يَلْقَوْنَهُgreet him
فَمُلُوكُهَا وَشُعُوبُهَا يَلْقَوْنَهُ
بِأَعَزِّwith the dearest مَاof what ادَّخَرُواthey stored up مِنَof الإكْرَامِhonoring
بِأَعَزِّ مَا ادَّخَرُوا مِنَ الإكْرَامِ
Their kings and peoples therefore greeted him
So their kings and peoples greeted him
with the dearest honors they had stored.
with their most prized treasures of honor.
قَطَفَتْthey plucked بَوَاكِيرَthe earliest الوُرُودِroses وَقَلَّمَتْand trimmed
قَطَفَتْ بَوَاكِيرَ الوُرُودِ وَقَلَّمَتْ
أَشْوَاكَهَاtheir thorns لِتَحِيَّةٍfor greeting وَسَلامِand welcome
أَشْوَاكَهَا لِتَحِيَّةٍ وَسَلامِ
They plucked the earliest roses and trimmed
They culled the first flowers of roses, trimming
their thorns, for greeting and welcome.
their thorns for greetings and peace.
وَجَرَتْand ran بِأَشْفَىwith something more soothing مِنْthan رَبِيعِيِّspringtime النَّدَىdew
وَجَرَتْ بِأَشْفَى مِنْ رَبِيعِيِّ النَّدَى
فَوْقَover الطُّرُوسِthe pages أَسِنَّةُthe spearpoints of الأَقْلامِpens
فَوْقَ الطُّرُوسِ أَسِنَّةُ الأَقْلامِ
And, with something more soothing than springtime dew,
They poured with sweeter than a spring downpour
the spearpoints of pens ran over the pages.
over pageants the eloquence of pens.
نَاهِيكَenough for you بِالزِّينَاتِwith the decorations مِمَّاfrom what أَبْدَعَتْcreated
نَاهِيكَ بِالزِّينَاتِ مِمَّا أَبْدَعَتْ
كَفُّthe hand of الصَّنَاعِthe artisan وَفِطْنَةُand the ingenuity of الرَّسَّامِthe painter
كَفُّ الصَّنَاعِ وَفِطْنَةُ الرَّسَّامِ
How splendid the decorations, creations of
The marvels of adornment - how artistry's creation
the artisan's hand and the painter's ingenuity!
and painters' genius outdid themselves!
عَجَبَانِtwo marvels فَوْقَabove مَوَاقِعِthe places of الأَبْصَارِthe eyes مِنْof
عَجَبَانِ فَوْقَ مَوَاقِعِ الأَبْصَارِ مِنْ
حُسْنٍbeauty وَتَحْتَand beneath مَوَاطِيءِthe treading-places of الأَقْدَامِfeet
حُسْنٍ وَتَحْتَ مَوَاطِيءِ الأَقْدَامِ
Two marvels: above, where eyes fall upon
Wonders over the range of sights, in beauty below,
beauty, and below, where feet tread.
and scenes at every step, sublime.
كَانَتْthey were مَشَاهِدَscenes لَمْnot تَرِدْentered أَشْبَاهُهَاtheir like
كَانَتْ مَشَاهِدَ لَمْ تَرِدْ أَشْبَاهُهَا
فِيin فِكْرِthe thought of مُسْتَمِعٍa listener وَلاnor مُسْتَامِa seeker
فِي فِكْرِ مُسْتَمِعٍ وَلا مُسْتَامِ
They were scenes whose like had never entered
Spectacles never witnessed by listener or viewer -
the mind of a listener or a seeker.
the magnificent guest was gladdened and, in his spirit,
قَدْindeed سَرَّتْdelighted الضَّيفthe guest العَظِيمَgreat وَدُونَهَاand apart from them
قَدْ سَرَّتْ الضَّيف العَظِيمَ وَدُونَهَا
فِيin كُنْهِthe essence of مَاwhat يَرْمِيhe aims إِلَيْهِtoward it مَرَامِa goal
فِي كُنْهِ مَا يَرْمِي إِلَيْهِ مَرَامِ
They delighted the great guest, but apart from them
saw vistas beyond those before his eyes:
lay a deeper goal within what he sought.
the Nile, the Pyramids loomed ahead.
صُوَرٌimages بِعَيْنَيْهِbefore his eyes بَدَتْappeared وَوَرَاءهَاand beyond them
صُوَرٌ بِعَيْنَيْهِ بَدَتْ وَوَرَاءهَا
صُوَرٌimages بَدَتْappeared لِلنَّيلِfor the Nile وَالأَهْرَامِand the Pyramids
صُوَرٌ بَدَتْ لِلنَّيلِ وَالأَهْرَامِ
Images appeared before his eyes, and beyond them
What did he harbor, his concerns still remote?
appeared images for the Nile and the Pyramids.
Grandeur guarded him and his ward from vulgar mobs.
مَاذَاwhat يَرُومُdoes he seek وَلاand not يزَالُcease لِدَاتُهُhis peers
مَاذَا يَرُومُ وَلا يزَالُ لِدَاتُهُ
يَلْهُونَplay مِنْof أَمْرٍa matter بَعِيدِfar-reaching مَرَامِin aim
يَلْهُونَ مِنْ أَمْرٍ بَعِيدِ مَرَامِ
What does he seek, while his peers are still
See him in museums asking about an exhibit
at play—a matter with so far-reaching an aim?
of their treasures from bygone days,
تَنْهَىrestrains الجَلالَةُmajesty رَبَّهَاits master وَرَبِيبَهَاand its ward
تَنْهَى الجَلالَةُ رَبَّهَا وَرَبِيبَهَا
عَنْfrom كُلِّevery مَوْقِفِstation of سُوقَةٍcommoners وَطَغَامِand rabble
عَنْ كُلِّ مَوْقِفِ سُوقَةٍ وَطَغَامِ
Majesty restrains its master and its ward
Or in shops on some personal errand,
from every station of commoners and rabble.
where self-respect is not purchased with money,
فَانْظُرْso look إِلَيْهِat him فِيin المَتَاحِفِthe museums سَائلاًasking
فَانْظُرْ إِلَيْهِ فِي المَتَاحِفِ سَائلاً
عَنْabout حَادِثٍsomething recent مِنْof ذُخْرِهَاtheir treasures وَقُدَامِand something ancient
عَنْ حَادِثٍ مِنْ ذُخْرِهَا وَقُدَامِ
So look at him in museums, asking
Or in factories and farms investigating
about their treasures, recent and ancient;
the means of prospering his people.
أَوْor فِيin المَتَاجِرِthe shops وَهْوَwhile he طَالِبُis seeking حَاجَةٍsomething needed
أَوْ فِي المَتَاجِرِ وَهْوَ طَالِبُ حَاجَةٍ
نَفُسَتْbecame precious فَلَيْسَتْso is not تُشْتَرَىbought بِسَوَامِby bargaining
نَفُسَتْ فَلَيْسَتْ تُشْتَرَى بِسَوَامِ
or in shops, seeking something
A care dwelling in him for his nation’s revival
so precious it cannot be bought by bargaining;
at every halt and sojourn.
أَوْor فِيin المَصَانِعِthe factories وَالمَزَارِعِand the farms بَاحِثاًsearching
أَوْ فِي المَصَانِعِ وَالمَزَارِعِ بَاحِثاً
عَنْfor مَبْعَثِthe source of الإِثْرَاءِwealth لِلأَقْوَامِfor nations
عَنْ مَبْعَثِ الإِثْرَاءِ لِلأَقْوَامِ
or in factories and farms, searching
No privation distracts him from his burdens
for the source of wealth for nations.
but the heart’s heat and spirit’s fervor.
هَمٌّa concern يُسَاوِرُهُbesets him لِنَهْضَةِfor the advancement of شَعْبِهِhis people
هَمٌّ يُسَاوِرُهُ لِنَهْضَةِ شَعْبِهِ
فِيin كُلِّevery مُرْتَحَلٍdeparture وَكُلِّand every مُقَامِstay
فِي كُلِّ مُرْتَحَلٍ وَكُلِّ مُقَامِ
A concern besets him for his people's advancement
That visit to parliament was no leisure trip -
at every departure and every stay.
it paved the way for hopes now bearing fruit.
لاnot يَسْتَقِلcan shoulder بِهِit عَلَىwith أَعْبَائِهِits burdens
لا يَسْتَقِل بِهِ عَلَى أَعْبَائِهِ
إِلاَّexcept حِجَىthe mind of دَرِبٍa practiced man وَقَلْبُand the heart of هُمَامِa valiant man
إِلاَّ حِجَى دَرِبٍ وَقَلْبُ هُمَامِ
None can shoulder it, with all its burdens,
Egypt’s pride encountered there
but a seasoned mind and a valiant heart.
figures world powers had molded.
ذَاكَthat الطَّوَافُtour بِمُنْتَرَايَin Muntaray
ذَاكَ الطَّوَافُ بِمُنْتَرَايَ
وَلَمْand not تَكُنْwas it مَكَانَa place of تَرَوُّحٍrecreation وَجَمَامِand rest
وَلَمْ تَكُنْ مَكَانَ تَرَوُّحٍ وَجَمَامِ
That tour in Muntaray,
It uncovered the unknowns of destiny
which was no place for recreation and rest,
and matched the strengths of minds there.
مَهَدَpaved السَّبِيلَthe way فَكَانَso it was أَيْمَنَthe most auspicious طَالِعٍomen
مَهَدَ السَّبِيلَ فَكَانَ أَيْمَنَ طَالِعٍ
لِنَجَاحِfor the success of آمَالٍhopes هُنَاكَthere جِسَامِgreat
لِنَجَاحِ آمَالٍ هُنَاكَ جِسَامِ
paved the way and proved the most auspicious omen
And your Lord granted victory to those who spoke
for the success of great hopes there.
for Egypt, above all speech.
أَعْلامُthe leading men of مِصْرَEgypt لَقُواmet بِهَاin it فِيin حَلْبَةٍan arena
أَعْلامُ مِصْرَ لَقُوا بِهَا فِي حَلْبَةٍ
مَنْthose whom وَجَّهَتْsent دُوَلٌstates مِنَof الأَعْلامِthe eminent men
مَنْ وَجَّهَتْ دُوَلٌ مِنَ الأَعْلامِ
Egypt's leading men met there in an arena
They broke shackles bound by expired causes
the eminent men whom other states had sent.
patched up, not made to last.
فَتَكَشَّفَتْso were uncovered فِيهَاin it خَفِيَّاتُthe hidden aspects of المُنَىhopes
فَتَكَشَّفَتْ فِيهَا خَفِيَّاتُ المُنَى
وَتَسَاجَلَتْand vied فِيهَاin it قُوَىthe powers of الأَفْهَامِunderstanding
وَتَسَاجَلَتْ فِيهَا قُوَى الأَفْهَامِ
There hidden hopes were uncovered,
By her honor and independence
and the powers of understanding vied with one another.
they escaped the grasp of tyrants.
وَأَتَاحَand granted رَبُّكَyour Lord لِلَّذِينَto those who تَكَلَّمُواspoke
وَأَتَاحَ رَبُّكَ لِلَّذِينَ تَكَلَّمُوا
عَنْfor مِصْرَEgypt نَصْراًa victory فَوْقَbeyond كُلِّevery كَلامِword
عَنْ مِصْرَ نَصْراً فَوْقَ كُلِّ كَلامِ
And your Lord granted those who spoke
Conquests were completed from when you took up
for Egypt a victory beyond all words.
a dear land whose fortune none had shared.
فَكُّواthey loosened قُيُوداًbonds أُبْرِمَتْwere tightly twisted أَسْبَابُهَاtheir cords
فَكُّوا قُيُوداً أُبْرِمَتْ أَسْبَابُهَا
وَعَلَىand despite التَّقَادُمِlong passage of time لَمْnot تَكُنْwere they بِرِمَامِrotted scraps
وَعَلَى التَّقَادُمِ لَمْ تَكُنْ بِرِمَامِ
They loosened bonds whose cords had been tightly twisted,
Her holidays vied as if her risings
and, despite their age, had not become rotten.
were dream-like respites from sleep.
وَنَجَوْاand brought to safety بِعِزَّتِهَاwith her honor وَبِاسْتِقْلالِهَاand with her independence
وَنَجَوْا بِعِزَّتِهَا وَبِاسْتِقْلالِهَا
مِنْfrom حَوْزَةِthe domain of الآسَادِthe lions الآجَامِthe thickets
مِنْ حَوْزَةِ الآسَادِ الآجَامِ
And they brought her honor and independence safely out
Her dawns drowned her nights, shielding her
of the domain of the thickets' lions.
from darkness blanketing.
تَمَّتْwere achieved فُتُوحٌconquests مُذْsince وَلِيتَyou took power عَزِيزَةٌrare
تَمَّتْ فُتُوحٌ مُذْ وَلِيتَ عَزِيزَةٌ
لَمْnot تَتَّسِقْcame together لِمُوَفَّقٍfor a favored man فِيin عَامِa year
لَمْ تَتَّسِقْ لِمُوَفَّقٍ فِي عَامِ
Rare conquests have been achieved since you took power,
Her days competed with finery
never gathered for a favored man within one year.
as if brides adorned for their day.
فَتَتَابَعَتْso followed one another أَعْيَادُهَاher festivals وَكَأَنَّهَاand as though they
فَتَتَابَعَتْ أَعْيَادُهَا وَكَأَنَّهَا
يَقَظَاتُهَاher waking moments خُلَسٌsnatches مِنَfrom الأَحْلامِdreams
يَقَظَاتُهَا خُلَسٌ مِنَ الأَحْلامِ
So her festivals followed one another, as though they were
But your accession is the utmost joy,
her awakenings, snatches stolen from dreams.
worthiest of grandeur and majesty.
غَمَرَتْflooded صَبَاحَتُهَاher beauty لَيَالِيَهَاher nights فَلَمْso not
غَمَرَتْ صَبَاحَتُهَا لَيَالِيَهَا فَلَمْ
تَقَعِfell اللِّحَاظُglances بِهَاin her عَلَىupon إِظْلامِdarkness
تَقَعِ اللِّحَاظُ بِهَا عَلَى إِظْلامِ
Her beauty flooded her nights, so that
The feast of crowns came like a singular bloom
no glance fell upon darkness within her.
succeeding that first bloom, equal in its marvelous laws.
وَتَنَافَسَتْand competed بِحُلِيِّهَاin their adornments أَيَّامُهَاher days
وَتَنَافَسَتْ بِحُلِيِّهَا أَيَّامُهَا
فَكَأَنَّهُنَّso as though they عَرَائِسُthe brides of الأَيَّامِdays
فَكَأَنَّهُنَّ عَرَائِسُ الأَيَّامِ
Her days competed in their adornments,
Two holidays that declared openly
as though they were the brides of days.
what had been whispered in proclamations.
أَمَّاas for جُلُوسُكَyour accession فَهْوَthen it is أًَوْفَىthe fullest بَهْجَةٍjoy
أَمَّا جُلُوسُكَ فَهْوَ أًَوْفَى بَهْجَةٍ
وَأَحَقُّand most deserving بِالإِكْبَارِof reverence وَالأَفْخَامِand exaltation
وَأَحَقُّ بِالإِكْبَارِ وَالأَفْخَامِ
As for your accession, it is the fullest joy
How fine your return is, while yearning
and most deserving of reverence and exaltation.
for your radiant visage grips the land!
وَافَىarrived وَعِيدُand the festival of التَّاجِthe crown شِبْهُlike فَرِيدَةٍa precious pearl
وَافَى وَعِيدُ التَّاجِ شِبْهُ فَرِيدَةٍ
تَتْلُوfollowing الفَرِيدَةَthe pearl فِيin بَدِيعِa wondrous نِظَامِstring
تَتْلُو الفَرِيدَةَ فِي بَدِيعِ نِظَامِ
It arrived, and the crown's festival was like a precious pearl,
Eyes and hearts bore to you their fervent
following another pearl in a wondrous string.
welcome for your blessed, lofty arrival.
عِيدَانِtwo festivals أَعْلَنَتِdeclared السَّرَائِرُinnermost hearts فِيهِمَاin them both
عِيدَانِ أَعْلَنَتِ السَّرَائِرُ فِيهِمَا
مَاwhat أَضْمَرَتْهُthey concealed it بِأَبْلَغِwith the most eloquent الإِعْلامِexpression
مَا أَضْمَرَتْهُ بِأَبْلَغِ الإِعْلامِ
Two festivals in which the innermost hearts declared
We were young together and played together,
what they had hidden, in the most eloquent expression.
finding joy pure, not base.
يَاO حُسْنَthe beauty of عَوْدِكَyour return وَالبِلادُwhile the country يَشُفُّهَاis worn thin
يَا حُسْنَ عَوْدِكَ وَالبِلادُ يَشُفُّهَا
ظَمأٌa thirst لِطَلْعَةِfor the sight of وَجْهِكَyour face البَسَّامِsmiling
ظَمأٌ لِطَلْعَةِ وَجْهِكَ البَسَّامِ
How lovely your return, while the country is worn thin
Our joking yielded delight
by thirst for the sight of your smiling face!
to those of taste sound and wise.
حَمَلَتْshe carried إِلَيْكَto you عُيُونَهَاher eyes وَقُلُوبَهَاand her hearts
حَمَلَتْ إِلَيْكَ عُيُونَهَا وَقُلُوبَهَا
جَذْلَىrejoicing بِمَقْدَمِكَat your arrival السَّعِيدِhappy السَّامِيexalted
جَذْلَى بِمَقْدَمِكَ السَّعِيدِ السَّامِي
She carried her eyes and hearts to you,
He donned the first down of youth
rejoicing in your happy, exalted arrival.
and that soft fuzz lent him prestige,
شَبَبْنَاwe grew up مَعاًtogether وَلَعِبْنَاand played مَعاًtogether
شَبَبْنَا مَعاً وَلَعِبْنَا مَعاً
وَطَابَand was pleasant لَنَاfor us اللَّهْوَplay إِلاَّexcept ذَمِيمَاwhat was shameful
وَطَابَ لَنَا اللَّهْوَ إِلاَّ ذَمِيمَا
We grew up together and played together,
His beard lending him gravity
and play delighted us, except what was shameful.
without diminishing his mildness.
وَكَانَand was الجَنَىthe fruit مِنْof دُعَابَاتِنَاour jests
وَكَانَ الجَنَى مِنْ دُعَابَاتِنَا
فُكَاهَةَthe humor of مَنْone who ذَاقَtasted ذَوْقاًa taste سَلِيمَاsound
فُكَاهَةَ مَنْ ذَاقَ ذَوْقاً سَلِيمَا
And the fruit of our jests was
Thus he passed through life's struggle,
the humor of someone with sound taste.
plunging into gloom with persistence and resolve.
تَحَلَّمَhe assumed maturity وَهْوَwhile he نَضِيرُfresh in الصِّبَاyouth
تَحَلَّمَ وَهْوَ نَضِيرُ الصِّبَا
فَجَلَّلَso he veiled ذَاكَthat المُحَيَّاface الوَسِمَاhandsome
فَجَلَّلَ ذَاكَ المُحَيَّا الوَسِمَا
He assumed grave maturity while still fresh in youth,
He withstands turmoil and suffers estrangement,
and veiled that handsome face.
while refusing to bow down submissively to injustice.
يَخَالُhe imagines لِلِحْيَتِهِfor his beard هَيْبَةًan imposing dignity
يَخَالُ لِلِحْيَتِهِ هَيْبَةً
وَلَحْيَتُهُand his beard لاnot تُنَفِّرُrepels فِيهِin him حَلِيمَاa gentle man
وَلَحْيَتُهُ لا تُنَفِّرُ فِيهِ حَلِيمَا
He imagined his beard inspired awe,
He finds amusement however much he suffers,
yet his beard repelled no gentle man from him.
and life has not been merely bleak.
كَذَاكَthus مَضىhe went on فِيin كِفَاحِthe struggle of الحَيَاةِlife
كَذَاكَ مَضى فِي كِفَاحِ الحَيَاةِ
وَخَاضَand plunged into الغِمَارَthe deep waters دَؤُوباًtireless عَزُومَاresolute
وَخَاضَ الغِمَارَ دَؤُوباً عَزُومَا
So he went on through life's struggle,
Hardships beset him but never soured him,
and plunged into its deep waters, tireless and resolute.
nor made him forget his old smile.
يُسَامُhe is subjected to اضْطِراباًturmoil وَيَشْقَىand suffers اغْتِراباًexile
يُسَامُ اضْطِراباً وَيَشْقَى اغْتِراباً
وَيَأْبَىand refuses عَلَىunder الضَّيْمِoppression أَنْto يَسْتَنِيمَاsubmit meekly
وَيَأْبَى عَلَى الضَّيْمِ أَنْ يَسْتَنِيمَا
He is subjected to turmoil and suffers exile,
News of your engagement enthralled the land,
and refuses to submit meekly to oppression.
for you were its caring, wise physician.
يَجِدhe is earnest وَيَمْزَحُand jokes مَهْمَاwhatever يُجَشَّمْhe is made to bear
يَجِد وَيَمْزَحُ مَهْمَا يُجَشَّمْ
وَلَمْand not يَكُwas he فِيin العَيْشِlife إِلاَّexcept غَرِيمَاan adversary
وَلَمْ يَكُ فِي العَيْشِ إِلاَّ غَرِيمَا
He is earnest and jokes, whatever he is made to bear,
and in life was never anything but an adversary.
أَلَحَّتْpressed relentlessly فَمَاbut not عَبَّسَتْهُmade him frown الخُطُوبُcalamities
أَلَحَّتْ فَمَا عَبَّسَتْهُ الخُطُوبُ
وَلَمْand not تُنْسِهِmade him forget الاِبْتِسَامَthe smile القَدِيمَاold
وَلَمْ تُنْسِهِ الاِبْتِسَامَ القَدِيمَا
Calamities pressed relentlessly, but never made him frown,
nor made him forget the smile of old.
أَمَحْجُوبُO Mahjub خَطْبُكَyour calamity رَاعَterrified البِلادَthe land
أَمَحْجُوبُ خَطْبُكَ رَاعَ البِلادَ
وَقَدْand indeed كُنْتَyou were فِيهَاin it الطَّبِيبَthe physician العَلِيمَاlearned
وَقَدْ كُنْتَ فِيهَا الطَّبِيبَ العَلِيمَا
O Mahjub, your calamity has terrified the land,
where you had been the learned physician.
Partial English translation: 160 of 166 Arabic lines translated.