أَهيَAre they الجِبالُthe mountains رَستanchored بهاby them الغبراءُthe dust-colored earth
أَهيَ الجِبالُ رَست بها الغبراءُ
أَمOr أَنجمٌstars حرسَتguarded بِهاby them الخضراءُgreen heaven
أَم أَنجمٌ حرسَت بِها الخضراءُ
Are these mountains by which the dust-colored earth is anchored?
Are these mountains darkened by dust,
Or stars by which green heaven is guarded?
Or stars guarding the green land?
شمٌّlofty تَهولinspire awe علىdespite نضارةِthe freshness of حُسنِهاtheir beauty
شمٌّ تَهول على نضارةِ حُسنِها
فيحspacious كأنّas though رِحابهاtheir courtyards الدهماءُthe dark expanse
فيح كأنّ رِحابها الدهماءُ
Lofty, awe-inspiring despite the freshness of their beauty;
An awe inspiring beauty, smooth and radiant,
Spacious, their courtyards seem the dark expanse of earth.
As if its vastness were clouded skies.
تَبدوappears عَليهاupon them لِلحُصونِof fortresses ركانةٌsolidity
تَبدو عَليها لِلحُصونِ ركانةٌ
ويَروقُand delights منهاfrom them لِلقُصورِof palaces رواءُbeauty
ويَروقُ منها لِلقُصورِ رواءُ
The solidity of fortresses appears upon them,
It appears solidly fortified,
And the beauty of palaces shines delightfully from them.
Yet pleasing to palaces.
قَدindeed أَغربتproved extraordinary فيin وَضعهاtheir design وَتطوّقتand girded themselves
قَد أَغربت في وَضعها وَتطوّقت
سوراًa wall وَهلand can تتطوّقbe girdled العنقاءُthe phoenix
سوراً وَهل تتطوّق العنقاءُ
Their design is wondrous, and they have girded themselves
Its unique structure is odd,
With a wall—but can the phoenix be girdled?
Would the noblest of necks bear an enclosure?
لوif ضمّهاgathered them بينَamong المحافلِthe assemblies محفلٌan assembly
لو ضمّها بينَ المحافلِ محفلٌ
وَهَوىand would fall الخورنقal-Khawarnaq وَاِستحَتand would blush صنعاءُSanaa
وَهَوى الخورنق وَاِستحَت صنعاءُ
Were a gathering to bring them among the assemblies,
Were it hosted among assemblies,
Al-Khawarnaq would fall, and Sanaa would blush.
Even Sana'a would be humbled.
وَلَقامَand would rise سندادٌSindad يسدّدupholding أَمرهاtheir cause
وَلَقامَ سندادٌ يسدّد أَمرها
وَالحضرand al-Hadr يَشهدtestifies فيهto it والزهراءُand al-Zahra
وَالحضر يَشهد فيه والزهراءُ
Sindad would rise to uphold their claim,
May its affairs be directed by Sindbad,
With al-Hadr and al-Zahra bearing witness to it.
While the Hijaz bears witness.
وَاِهتزّand would shake مِنof أهرامِthe pyramids of مِصرEgypt قواعدٌfoundations
وَاِهتزّ مِن أهرامِ مِصر قواعدٌ
وَاِبتزّand would be stripped منfrom إيوانthe vaulted hall of كسرىKhosrow بهاءُsplendor
وَاِبتزّ من إيوان كسرى بهاءُ
Foundations of Egypt's pyramids would shake,
The foundations of Egypt's pyramids would shake,
And splendor would be stripped from Khosrow's vaulted hall.
And the brilliance of Ctesiphon's arch would fade.
هَذيthese عَلىupon تَقوىpiety تأسّسwas founded مَجدُهاtheir glory
هَذي عَلى تَقوى تأسّس مَجدُها
وَعلىand upon الضّرارِharm أَشادتbuilt القدماءُthe ancients
وَعلى الضّرارِ أَشادت القدماءُ
Their glory is founded upon piety,
Its glory is founded on piety,
While the ancients built upon harm.
As lauded by ancients.
ملئتwas filled بآسادِwith lions of الكفاحِcombat وغابُهاand their thickets
ملئت بآسادِ الكفاحِ وغابُها
وَزَئِيرهاand their roar البارودُgunpowder والهيجاءُand battle
وَزَئِيرها البارودُ والهيجاءُ
Filled with lions of combat, whose thickets
Filled with heroes of struggle and its gloom,
And roars are gunpowder and battle.
With the blaze of gunpowder and tumult.
ومدافعٌand cannons لاnot يستهلُّgives its first cry جنينُهاtheir offspring
ومدافعٌ لا يستهلُّ جنينُها
إِلّاexcept إِذاwhen اِهتزّتshook لهfor it الغبراءُthe dust-colored earth
إِلّا إِذا اِهتزّت له الغبراءُ
And cannons whose offspring gives no first cry
Its formidable cannons will not be fired,
Unless the dust-colored earth shakes for it.
Unless the dusty hills tremble at their blast.
ماnever أطرقتbowed لِمَخاضِهاfor their labor إلّاexcept وَقَدand already
ما أطرقت لِمَخاضِها إلّا وَقَد
صُعِقَتwere struck down بنفخةِby the blast of صورهits trumpet الأحياءُthe living
صُعِقَت بنفخةِ صوره الأحياءُ
Never did they bow for their labor, but already
None could endure the load,
The living were struck down by the blast of its trumpet.
Except by its will, did the green land carry it.
ماnever أبرَقتflashed lightning أَوor أَرعَدتthundered إلّاexcept رَمَتhurled
ما أبرَقت أَو أَرعَدت إلّا رَمَت
شهباًmeteors لَهنّfor them منof الدخانِsmoke سماءُa sky
شهباً لَهنّ من الدخانِ سماءُ
Never did they flash or thunder without hurling
Do not approach the green land, for its missiles
Meteors that have a sky of smoke.
Are aimed, and you are within range of the dusty hills.
قُلsay للّذيto him who جَهلَfailed to know الأميرthe prince مقامهُhis station
قُل للّذي جَهلَ الأمير مقامهُ
لكنّbut إِفراطexcess of الظهورِvisibility خَفاءُconcealment
لكنّ إِفراط الظهورِ خَفاءُ
Tell him who is ignorant of the prince's station—
If you refuse, expect lightning bolts,
Yet excessive visibility is concealment.
Not just showers to extinguish their flames.
يَختالُstrides proudly بينَamid طَريفهِhis newly acquired wealth وتليدهِand his inherited wealth
يَختالُ بينَ طَريفهِ وتليدهِ
وَتَجولُand roams فيwithin أعطافِهِhis flanks العلياءُhigh glory
وَتَجولُ في أعطافِهِ العلياءُ
He strides proudly amid his newly won and inherited wealth,
They will come when the land is too narrow,
And high glory moves within his flanks.
Only to recede when the earth is vacant.
جَمعgathered النظامُthe regular army مفاخِرَthe glories of الدولِthe states الأُلىthe former
جَمع النظامُ مفاخِرَ الدولِ الأُلى
فَتقلّدتهاand so wore them as a necklace الدولَةُthe state الحسناءُthe beautiful
فَتقلّدتها الدولَةُ الحسناءُ
The regular army gathered the glories of former states,
A lion will confront you with its equals,
And the beautiful state wore them as a necklace.
Fighting them at noon when it is dark.
سَتعودُwill return للإسلامِto Islam كلُّevery فضيلةٍvirtue
سَتعودُ للإسلامِ كلُّ فضيلةٍ
وَالعودُand the return أحمدُmore praiseworthy ماnot لهfor it شركاءُpeers
وَالعودُ أحمدُ ما له شركاءُ
Every virtue shall return to Islam,
It is protected on all sides,
And the return is more praiseworthy, without a peer.
Its sublime deeds shielded.
ملكa king منابرُهُhis pulpits رؤوسُthe heads of عداتهِhis enemies
ملك منابرُهُ رؤوسُ عداتهِ
وَسيوفهand his swords منfrom فوقهاabove them خطباءُpreachers
وَسيوفه من فوقها خطباءُ
A king whose pulpits are his enemies' heads,
The Motto forgot its pact,
And whose swords are preachers above them.
And the Emblem refused turning red, so it is dyed with blood.
يُغنيهِspares him خوفهfear of him أَنfrom تسلَّbeing drawn سُيوفهhis swords
يُغنيهِ خوفه أَن تسلَّ سُيوفه
لَكِنّهاbut they أَغمادهاtheir scabbards الأحشاءُentrails
لَكِنّها أَغمادها الأحشاءُ
Dread of him spares him the drawing of his swords,
A judge who, when witnessing battle against an absent foe,
Yet their scabbards are entrails.
Still passes judgement - even if it will not hold.
شَرُفتwas honored بهِthrough him الخضراءُgreen heaven واِنبَسَطتand spread out لهfor him
شَرُفت بهِ الخضراءُ واِنبَسَطت له
مُنقادةًyielding فكأنّهاso it is as though الغبراءُthe dust-colored earth
مُنقادةً فكأنّها الغبراءُ
Green heaven is honored through him and unfolds before him,
He tells stories of all battles,
Yielding, as though it were the dust-colored earth.
While his opponents are still foes.
مَلكa king أُعزَّwas ennobled بهِthrough him السلاحُweaponry وأهلهُand its people
مَلك أُعزَّ بهِ السلاحُ وأهلهُ
والعِلمُand learning ثمّthen أذيلتِwere abased الأشياءُthings
والعِلمُ ثمّ أذيلتِ الأشياءُ
A king through whom weaponry and its people were ennobled,
He is my patron in battle, but his rule
And learning too; then all things were brought low.
Is over the righteous.
وَرَأتand saw محاسنهhis virtues الملوكُthe kings فأَذعَنتand so submitted
وَرَأت محاسنه الملوكُ فأَذعَنت
لكنّهاbut they بِعيونهمin their eyes أقذاءُirritating motes
لكنّها بِعيونهم أقذاءُ
The kings saw his virtues and submitted,
They are accustomed to arms, so if tasked
Yet those virtues are irritating motes in their eyes.
With discarding them, it would prove difficult.
خَطبواacclaimed بهِhim فوقَupon الدسوتِthe thrones وباِسمِهمand in their names
خَطبوا بهِ فوقَ الدسوتِ وباِسمِهم
فَوقَupon المنابرِthe pulpits تخطبُpreach الخطباءُthe preachers
فَوقَ المنابرِ تخطبُ الخطباءُ
They acclaimed him upon their thrones, while in their names
They were provoked until a greeting between them
The preachers preach from pulpits.
Became an honor if they so willed.
وَلَهand he has مزاياthe distinctions of الملكِkingship مُنفرداًalone بِهاpossessing them
وَلَه مزايا الملكِ مُنفرداً بِها
وَلِغَيرِهand others have الألقابُthe titles والأسماءُand the names
وَلِغَيرِه الألقابُ والأسماءُ
He alone possesses the distinctions of kingship,
They employ death as a wish and purpose,
While others have the titles and the names.
As if part of their being.
وتكادand nearly تنطقspeak فيin مديحpraise of صفاتهhis attributes
وتكاد تنطق في مديح صفاته
عجمspeechless creatures وكادتand nearly تخرسfall mute الفصحاءُthe eloquent
عجم وكادت تخرس الفصحاءُ
In praise of his attributes, almost speaking are
A people who, when grasping rifles, lunge
The speechless, while the eloquent almost fall mute.
Recklessly shedding blood copiously.
تكسوclothe محاسنهhis virtues القريضpoetry جمالهاin their beauty
تكسو محاسنه القريض جمالها
فتكادand so nearly لاnot تتفاضلsurpass one another الشعراءُthe poets
فتكاد لا تتفاضل الشعراءُ
His virtues clothe poetry in their beauty,
Brave horsemen in the heat of frightful events,
So poets almost cease to surpass one another.
Advance uphill though swords are thirsty.
ويكادand almost يغفرis forgiven فيin قوافيthe rhymes of مدحهhis praise الthe (continued word)
ويكاد يغفر في قوافي مدحه ال
إكفاءrhyme-consonant mismatch والإقواءand rhyme-vowel mismatch والإيطاءُand repeated rhyme-words
إكفاء والإقواء والإيطاءُ
And in the rhymes of his praise, one could almost forgive the
Daring ones whose coats of mail
Mismatched consonants, mismatched vowels, and repeated rhyme-words.
Are white, not rust or stained.
ويجيءand brings بالمعنىthe meaning الغريبunusual مشاهدthe observer of الthe (continued word)
ويجيء بالمعنى الغريب مشاهد ال
أمرdeed العجيبwondrous إذاif أعانassisted ذكاءُintelligence
أمر العجيب إذا أعان ذكاءُ
And the observer brings a rare meaning from the
They arranged their rifles systematically
Wondrous deed, if intelligence lends its aid.
And fought with flames, not pebbles or embers.
ملكa king يريهshows him الحزمprudence أنthat منامهhis sleep
ملك يريه الحزم أن منامه
خطأan error فليسand so there is no لعينهfor his eye إغفاءُslumber
خطأ فليس لعينه إغفاءُ
A king whose prudence shows him that his sleep
Keen observers angry when weapons grumble,
Is an error, so his eye knows no slumber.
Quieting them until satisfied.
ويكادand nearly رأيهhis judgment أنto يباريrival رؤيةsight
ويكاد رأيه أن يباري رؤية
فتلوحand so appear قبلbefore وجودهاtheir existence الأشياءُthings
فتلوح قبل وجودها الأشياءُ
His judgment almost rivals sight,
Steadfast charging steeds they lead
So things appear before they exist.
By resolve, not pulling or slackening the reins.
ولقدand indeed تواضعhumbled himself أنso that يكونshould be سريرهhis throne
ولقد تواضع أن يكون سريره
فيon الأرضthe earth وهوwhile he مكانهhis place الخضراءُgreen heaven
في الأرض وهو مكانه الخضراءُ
He has humbled himself by placing his throne
When their neighing rumbles,
On earth, though green heaven is his place.
The living are shocked by blasts.
ملكa king إذاwhen نبتfailed to cut السيوفthe swords فحكمهthen his judgment
ملك إذا نبت السيوف فحكمه
عزماتهhis firm resolves وسلاحهand his weapon الآراءُcounsels
عزماته وسلاحه الآراءُ
A king: when swords fail, his judgment is
They subdued the winds to convey them
His firm resolves, and his weapons are his counsels.
Should the terrain prevent passage.
لمnot تحملbore الغبراءthe dust-colored earth قبلbefore وجودهhis existence
لم تحمل الغبراء قبل وجوده
أحداanyone تطيقcould bear لحملهbearing him الخضراءُgreen heaven
أحدا تطيق لحمله الخضراءُ
Before his existence, the dust-colored earth never bore
They stormed you galloping upon them, then wheeled
Anyone whom green heaven could bear.
Swimmingly while your blood trickled.
لاdo not تَقربواapproach الخضراءgreen heaven إنّindeed رجومهاits missiles
لا تَقربوا الخضراء إنّ رجومها
موصودةsealed fast وكفتكمand has sufficed you الغبراءُthe dust-colored earth
موصودة وكفتكم الغبراءُ
Do not approach green heaven: its missiles
Wearing black, they signaled battle,
Are sealed fast; the dust-colored earth suffices you.
The black night outshone the white.
وإذاand if أبيتمyou refuse فابشرواthen rejoice بصواعقٍin thunderbolts
وإذا أبيتم فابشروا بصواعقٍ
غيرunlike الّتيthose that يطفيextinguishes لظاهاtheir blaze الماءُwater
غير الّتي يطفي لظاها الماءُ
And if you refuse, rejoice in thunderbolts
With one voice they resembled each other,
Unlike those whose blaze water extinguishes.
Before the echo returned.
تأتيcome وقدwhen already ضاقتgrew narrow بكمfor you أرجاؤهاits expanses
تأتي وقد ضاقت بكم أرجاؤها
وتعودand return لماwhen تقفرbecome deserted الأرجاءُthe expanses
وتعود لما تقفر الأرجاءُ
They come when its expanses have grown too narrow for you,
Uniform in form,
And return when those expanses lie deserted.
Of one spirit said the wise.
أسدlions توافيكمcome against you علىon أمثالهاtheir like
أسد توافيكم على أمثالها
شاكيfully equipped with السلاحweapons نهارهمtheir day ظلماءُdarkness
شاكي السلاح نهارهم ظلماءُ
Lions come against you, mounted on their like,
The rhymes of ignorance arranged their swords
Fully armed; their day is darkness.
In a composition made brilliant by order.
منfrom كلّevery منطيقeloquent one بنونwith a nūn وقايةprotection
من كلّ منطيق بنون وقاية
حفظتpreserved بهwith it أفعالهاits deeds العلياءُhigh glory
حفظت به أفعالها العلياءُ
From every eloquent blade with a protective nūn,
They admitted defeat while preserving valor,
With which high glory has preserved its deeds.
Merely overwhelmed by his light.
ألفgrew familiar with الطلاnecks حتّىuntil تناسىforgot عهدهits former state
ألف الطلا حتّى تناسى عهده
وأبىand refused البياضwhiteness فخضبتهso dyed it دماءُblood
وأبى البياض فخضبته دماءُ
It grew familiar with necks until it forgot its former state,
A generation of French marked by decadence,
And refused whiteness, so blood dyed it.
Yet zealous in guarding Islam.
قاضa judge إذاwhen شهدattends النزالcombat لغائبfor an absent one
قاض إذا شهد النزال لغائب
يمضيpasses sentence ولاand not يمضيis passed عليهagainst it قضاءُjudgment
يمضي ولا يمضي عليه قضاءُ
A judge who, when present at battle for one absent,
Would our land shake with such trembling
Passes sentence, with no judgment passed upon it.
And destruction were he not a foundation?
يرويnarrates أحاديثthe accounts of الملاحمgreat battles كلهاall of them
يروي أحاديث الملاحم كلها
عمنfrom those whom يجرحهمit wounds وهمthough they خصماءُadversaries
عمن يجرحهم وهم خصماءُ
It narrates the accounts of all great battles
We name it 'the system', how many
From those it wounds, though they are adversaries.
Thousands of stabs has it systematically organized?
هوit مالكيMaliki فيin القتالcombat وحكمهand its judgment
هو مالكي في القتال وحكمه
لكنbut مواليهits masters منamong الحنفاءُupright monotheists
لكن مواليه من الحنفاءُ
It is Maliki in combat and in its judgment,
The hordes of French are like sand
Yet its masters are among the upright monotheists.
Blown about, or like clouds of dust.
ألفواgrew familiar with السلاحweapons فأنتso you لوif كلفتهمcharged them with
ألفوا السلاح فأنت لو كلفتهم
إلقاءهcasting it aside لتعسرwould prove difficult الإلقاءُthe casting aside
إلقاءه لتعسر الإلقاءُ
They grew familiar with weapons: were you to charge them with
Tell the encroaching French,
Casting them aside, the casting aside would prove difficult.
Our lions have gored before whatever they dare.
هزّوهthey shook it حتّىeven للتحيّةfor greeting بينهمamong themselves
هزّوه حتّى للتحيّة بينهم
وبهand with it غداbecame إكرامهمtheir honoring إنif شاؤواthey wished
وبه غدا إكرامهم إن شاؤوا
They shook them even in greeting one another,
But these are passed illusions,
And through them offered honor, if they wished.
Whose interpretations will be revealed in good time.
واِستَخدمواand put to service منهthrough it المناياdeaths والمنىand wishes
واِستَخدموا منه المنايا والمنى
فَكأنّهso it is as if لِجسومهمfor their bodies أعضاءُlimbs
فَكأنّه لِجسومهم أعضاءُ
They made deaths and wishes serve them through them,
They mistook heedlessness for folly and took advantage,
As though they were limbs of their bodies.
Deeming people equal.
قومmen إِذاwhen اِعتقلواcouched البنادقthe rifles طاعنواthrust at one another
قوم إِذا اِعتقلوا البنادق طاعنوا
مستلحمينplunging into close combat وإنand if جلتthey gleam فدماءُthen blood
مستلحمين وإن جلت فدماءُ
Men who, when they couch their rifles, thrust and stab,
Restraining the reins was disgraceful on our part,
Plunging into close combat; if they gleam, it is blood.
Though they are stupid.
شوسfierce-eyed إذاwhen وردواentered غمارthe depths of كريهةdire battle
شوس إذا وردوا غمار كريهة
نهلواdrank a first draught وعلواand drank again والسيوفwhile the swords ظماءُthirsty
نهلوا وعلوا والسيوف ظماءُ
Fierce-eyed, when they enter the depths of dire battle,
Were it said to be gracious,
They drink once and again, while swords remain thirsty.
They proved unworthy, ignoble.
الحاسرونthe unarmored men شهامةout of gallantry فدروعهمso their armor
الحاسرون شهامة فدروعهم
بيضbright الظبىblade-edges لاnot الزغفsupple chain mail والحرباءُand armor studs
بيض الظبى لا الزغف والحرباءُ
Unarmored out of gallantry, their armor is
If before invasion, another
Bright sword-edges, not supple mail and armor studs.
We would have said the motives were boldness and resolve.
نظمواarrayed البنادقthe rifles بالزجاجwith spear-ferrules وناضلواand fought
نظموا البنادق بالزجاج وناضلوا
بالشهبwith meteors لاnot قذذarrow-fletchings ولاnor سمراءُa brown lance
بالشهب لا قذذ ولا سمراءُ
They arrayed their rifles with spear-ferrules and fought
They advance not out of courage, rather
With meteors, not arrow-fletchings or brown lances.
The coward proceeds except in war.
رصدwatchful guards إذاwhen غضبgrew angry السلاحweaponry تذمرواthey growled
رصد إذا غضب السلاح تذمروا
حتىuntil يعودreturns إلىto السلاحweaponry رضاءُcontentment
حتى يعود إلى السلاح رضاءُ
Watchful men: when their weapons grow angry, they growl
Upon them is the burden of carrying and sharpening swords,
Until contentment returns to their weapons.
While pride and nobility are ours.
ثبتواheld firm علىupon الجردsleek-coated الجيادthoroughbred steeds تقودهاguiding them
ثبتوا على الجرد الجياد تقودها
عزماتهمtheir firm resolves لاnot القبضtightening the reins والإرخاءُand loosening them
عزماتهم لا القبض والإرخاءُ
They held firm upon sleek-coated thoroughbred steeds, guided by
Our pride is what gunpowder produces, not
Their resolves, not the tightening and loosening of reins.
What tools and desires yield.
دهمdark steeds إذاwhen ماever زمجرتthundered بصهيلهاwith their neighing
دهم إذا ما زمجرت بصهيلها
صعقتwas struck senseless بنفخةby the blast of صورهits trumpet الأدماءُthe tawny earth
صعقت بنفخة صوره الأدماءُ
Dark steeds: whenever their neighing thunders,
He who exceeds his bounds will meet
The tawny earth is stunned by the blast of its trumpet.
The same fate as the misguided fool who mocking earned derision.
قدindeed سخرواharnessed منهاfrom them الرياحthe winds تقلهمcarrying them
قد سخروا منها الرياح تقلهم
إنif حالintervened أخدودa trench ولاحand appeared نجاءُescape
إن حال أخدود ولاح نجاءُ
They have made of them winds that carry them
Your senses are frozen, yet shall melt
If a trench intervenes and escape appears.
In the fires of havoc, as if wise.
طرقوكمcame upon you ركضاgalloping عليهاupon them وانثنواand turned back
طرقوكم ركضا عليها وانثنوا
سبحاswimming وصوبwhile the downpour of دمائكمyour blood دأماءُa vast sea
سبحا وصوب دمائكم دأماءُ
They come upon you galloping on them and turn back
We disdained your tyranny, avoiding
Swimming, as your pouring blood becomes a vast sea.
Killing you as you lack equals.
لبسواwore السوادblack وأعلمواand marked themselves بأهلةwith crescents
لبسوا السواد وأعلموا بأهلة
وعلاand rose above الأسودthe lions الليلةthe night القمراءُmoonlit
وعلا الأسود الليلة القمراءُ
They wore black and marked themselves with crescents,
You tossed into the sea embers of your rage,
And a moonlit night rose above the lions.
And blew. Is this wisdom?
فإذاand when أهيبwas called بهمupon them بصوتin a voice واحدsingle
فإذا أهيب بهم بصوت واحد
مثلواappeared ولماand not yet ترجعreturn الأصداءُthe echoes
مثلوا ولما ترجع الأصداءُ
When they are called with a single voice,
Our hands have grown weary, and from your mouths
They appear before the echoes return.
Blows - miserable blowing and wailing.
متناسقيsynchronized in الحركاتmovements فيin أشخاصهمtheir persons
متناسقي الحركات في أشخاصهم
روحone spirit كماas قدindeed قالتsaid الحكماءُthe sages
روح كما قد قالت الحكماءُ
Synchronized in movement, within their persons is
We will make you taste the water of swords mixed
One spirit, as the sages have said.
With the blood of victims, as if silver nectar.
نظمتstrung قوافيthe napes of الجاهلينthe ignorant سيوفهمtheir swords
نظمت قوافي الجاهلين سيوفهم
عقداa necklace زهتgloried بنظامهin its arrangement العلياءُhigh glory
عقدا زهت بنظامه العلياءُ
Their swords strung the napes of the ignorant
The Prince in his forbearance thought
Into a necklace in whose arrangement high glory exulted.
To deter the likes of you through grace.
ولقدand indeed أقرواconceded حاسرينunarmored وإنماand only
ولقد أقروا حاسرين وإنما
أعياهمbaffled them فيconcerning نورهits light الإطفاءُextinguishing
أعياهم في نوره الإطفاءُ
They have conceded, unarmored; what alone
But now in his might and fierce resolve,
Baffled them was extinguishing its light.
Both living and dead rightfully dread him.
جيلa host علىupon الإفرنجthe Franks منهfrom it ضلةbewilderment
جيل على الإفرنج منه ضلة
ولحوزةand for the domain of الإسلامIslam منهfrom it حماءُprotection
ولحوزة الإسلام منه حماءُ
A host that brings bewilderment upon the Franks,
This is Abu Al-Abbas whose reign
And protection to Islam's domain.
Has honored the green and dusty lands.
أتراهdo you suppose همتintended أرضناour land بتزلزلa trembling
أتراه همت أرضنا بتزلزل
مؤذharmful فأعجلهاand swiftly overtook it بهthrough it الإرساءُanchoring
مؤذ فأعجلها به الإرساءُ
Did our earth, you wonder, intend a trembling
The restorer whom wisdom has revived
Harmful, only to be swiftly anchored by this host?
Religion and life - exemplars.
جيلa host نسميهwe call it النظامthe regular army فكمso how often بهthrough it
جيل نسميه النظام فكم به
نظمتstrung together ألوفاthousands طعنةa thrust نجلاءُwide and deep
نظمت ألوفا طعنة نجلاءُ
A host we call the regular army: how often through it
Reviver of knowledge after its decline,
A wide, deep thrust has strung thousands together!
Annihilator of what enemies introduced.
إنindeed الفرنجthe Franks علىdespite تكاثفthe density of عدهمtheir numbers
إن الفرنج على تكاثف عدهم
كالرملlike sand إذwhen لعبتtossed بهit النكباءُthe crosswind
كالرمل إذ لعبت به النكباءُ
The Franks, despite their densely gathered numbers,
This supported by soldiers - revered legions -
Are like sand when the crosswind tosses it.
Guided under policies of enlightened rule.
بلrather كالهباءlike floating dust إذsince الرمالsand لربماmay sometimes
بل كالهباء إذ الرمال لربما
كانتwere بهاthrough it فيin الأعينthe eyes الأقذاءُirritating motes
كانت بها في الأعين الأقذاءُ
Rather, like floating dust, for sand may sometimes
Judicious, prudent, complete, glorious, eloquent, gentle fatherly aide giver.
Produce irritating motes in the eyes.
Bestowing generously.
قلsay للفرنسيسto the Frenchman المجاورneighboring أرضناour land
قل للفرنسيس المجاور أرضنا
ماnever قبلكمbefore you نطحتbutted أسوداlions شاءُsheep
ما قبلكم نطحت أسودا شاءُ
Tell the Frenchman neighboring our land:
And graciousness, might, bravery,
Before you, sheep never butted lions.
Discernment, perception, and cunning.
لكنهاbut they are أحلامdreams of سلمpeace قدalready مضتpassed
لكنها أحلام سلم قد مضت
ستريكمwill show you تأويلهاtheir interpretation الهيجاءُbattle
ستريكم تأويلها الهيجاءُ
But these are dreams of peace now passed;
Bravery with composure, valor,
Battle will show you their interpretation.
Succor, protection, and loyalty.
ظنواmistook التغافلdeliberate disregard غرةheedlessness فتطعمواand so grew greedy
ظنوا التغافل غرة فتطعموا
وتوهمواand imagined أنthat الرجالmen سواءُequal
وتوهموا أن الرجال سواءُ
They mistook deliberate disregard for heedlessness and grew greedy,
Perfectly combined, herein is the date
And imagined that all men were equal.
Of his work and prior excellence.
قدindeed كانwas إرخاءloosening العنانthe reins حقارةcontempt
قد كان إرخاء العنان حقارة
مناfrom us لهمfor them لكنهمbut they بلداءُdullards
منا لهم لكنهم بلداءُ
The loosening of the reins was contempt
Frightening both literate and illiterate alike,
From us for them, but they are dullards.
Each aspect has tidings.
وعلىand as التنزلa concession لوif نقولwe say كرامةgenerosity
وعلى التنزل لو نقول كرامة
فلقدyet indeed أبوهاrejected it إنهمindeed they لؤماءُbase men
فلقد أبوها إنهم لؤماءُ
And, conceding the point, were we to call it generosity,
On the 15th of Ramadan constructed
They have rejected it: they are base men.
A great work - lofty and sublime!
لوif كانwere منthe one who قبلundertook الإغارةthe raid غيرهsomeone other than him
لو كان من قبل الإغارة غيره
قلناwe would say البواعثthe motives جرأةdaring وإباءُand defiance
قلنا البواعث جرأة وإباءُ
Had someone other than him undertaken the raid,
Blood, prosper, delight, triumph, open, block,
We would have called its motives daring and defiance.
Judge days however you desire!
لاnot للشجاعةout of courage يقدمونthey advance وإنماbut only
لا للشجاعة يقدمون وإنما
فيin غيرthe absence of حربwar يقدمadvance الجبناءُcowards
في غير حرب يقدم الجبناءُ
They do not advance out of courage; rather,
O you who sees the unseen consequences
Cowards advance where there is no war.
Minds cannot fathom or discern.
فعليهمso theirs is حملcarrying السيوفthe swords وصقلهاand polishing them
فعليهم حمل السيوف وصقلها
ولناand ours is بهنthrough them الفخرpride والعلياءُand high glory
ولنا بهن الفخر والعلياءُ
Theirs is the carrying and polishing of swords,
How can words match a eulogy of you
And ours, through them, are pride and high glory.
When will poets describe you adequately?
وفخارناand our glory ماwhat تنتجproduces الهيجاءbattle لاnot
وفخارنا ما تنتج الهيجاء لا
ماwhat تنتجproduce الآلاتtools والأهواءُand whims
ما تنتج الآلات والأهواءُ
Our glory is what battle produces, not
Eulogies follow well-trodden paths
What tools and whims produce.
Yet glorifying you is the untrodden way.
إنindeed المجاوزone who exceeds طورهhis bounds يلقىmeets الذيwhat
إن المجاوز طوره يلقى الذي
لاقىmet يسارYasar غرهdeceived him استهزاءُmockery
لاقى يسار غره استهزاءُ
Whoever exceeds his bounds meets what
Minds are humbled and fail,
Yasar met, deceived by mockery.
The eloquent and inarticulate equal.
جمدتfroze قرائحكمyour mental gifts وسوفand soon يذيبهاwill melt them
جمدت قرائحكم وسوف يذيبها
نارthe fire of الوغىbattle فكأنكمas though you were عقلاءُrational men
نار الوغى فكأنكم عقلاءُ
Your mental gifts have frozen, and soon they shall be melted by
I devote them to you, if you wished to rebuff
The fire of battle—as though you were rational men.
The green and dusty lands would intercede for them.
ولقدand indeed تثاقلناwe held back علىdespite طغيانكمyour tyranny
ولقد تثاقلنا على طغيانكم
عنfrom قتلكمkilling you إذsince ماno بكمamong you أكفاءُequals
عن قتلكم إذ ما بكم أكفاءُ
Despite your tyranny, we have held back
There is no limit but what we see of your glory,
From killing you, since none among you are our equals.
Though things all have limits.
أقذفتمdid you cast فيinto البحرthe sea جمرةthe ember of غيظكمyour wrath
أقذفتم في البحر جمرة غيظكم
ونفختمand blew هلare أنتمyou عقلاءُrational men
ونفختم هل أنتم عقلاءُ
Did you cast the ember of your wrath into the sea
And blow upon it? Are you rational men?
أيديكمyour hands أوكتtied shut ومنand from أفواهكمyour mouths
أيديكم أوكت ومن أفواهكم
نفخblowing فبئسhow wretched النفخthe blowing والإيكاءُand the tying shut
نفخ فبئس النفخ والإيكاءُ
Your own hands tied it shut, and from your own mouths
Came the blowing: wretched blowing, wretched tying!
سنذيقكمwe shall make you taste ماءthe water of السيوفswords ممازجاmingled
سنذيقكم ماء السيوف ممازجا
لدمwith blood of الطلىnecks فكأنهas though it were الصهباءُtawny wine
لدم الطلى فكأنه الصهباءُ
We shall make you taste the water of swords, mingled
With blood from necks, as though it were tawny wine.
قدindeed كانthere was فيin حلمthe forbearance of الأميرthe prince وصفحهand his pardon
قد كان في حلم الأمير وصفحه
ردعrestraint يظنis thought لمثلكمby your like إغراءُenticement
ردع يظن لمثلكم إغراءُ
In the prince's forbearance and pardon there was
Restraint, which your like mistake for enticement.
والآنand now فيin بطشthe onslaught of الأميرthe prince وبأسهand his might
والآن في بطش الأمير وبأسه
ماthat which يختشيdread الأمواتthe dead والأحياءُand the living
ما يختشي الأموات والأحياءُ
And now, in the prince's onslaught and might, there is
That which the dead and living dread.
هذاthis أبوAbu العباسal-Abbas والملكand the king الذيwho
هذا أبو العباس والملك الذي
فخرتgloried بهin him الخضراءgreen heaven والغبراءُand the dust-colored earth
فخرت به الخضراء والغبراءُ
This is Abu al-Abbas, the king in whom
Green heaven and the dust-colored earth have gloried.
هذاthis المجددthe renewer قدindeed أعيدwas restored بحزمهthrough his resolve
هذا المجدد قد أعيد بحزمه
للدينto religion والدنياand worldly life سنىradiance وسناءُand eminence
للدين والدنيا سنى وسناءُ
This is the renewer, through whose resolve were restored
To religion and worldly life, radiance and eminence.
محييreviver of رسومthe traces of العلمlearning بعدafter دروسهاtheir effacement
محيي رسوم العلم بعد دروسها
ومميتand destroyer of ماwhat قدindeed أحدثintroduced الأعداءُthe enemies
ومميت ما قد أحدث الأعداءُ
Reviver of the traces of learning after their effacement,
And destroyer of what the enemies introduced.
هذاthis المؤيدthe supported one فيamid جنودarmies of مهابةawe
هذا المؤيد في جنود مهابة
عمريةUmar-like راياتهاtheir banners الآراءُcounsels
عمرية راياتها الآراءُ
This is the supported one, amid armies of awe,
Umar-like, whose banners are counsels.
الحازمthe resolute الفطنthe discerning الكميthe valiant warrior الماجدthe noble السthe (continued word)
الحازم الفطن الكمي الماجد الس
سفطgenerous الأبيthe proud المنجدthe succoring المعطاءُthe lavish giver
سفط الأبي المنجد المعطاءُ
Resolute, discerning, a valiant warrior, noble, the
Generous, proud, succoring, lavish giver.
فرحابةthus broad graciousness ومهابةand majesty وشجاعةand courage
فرحابة ومهابة وشجاعة
وفطانةand discernment وفراسةand insight ودهاءُand astuteness
وفطانة وفراسة ودهاءُ
Thus broad graciousness, majesty, and courage,
And discernment, insight, and astuteness,
وشجاعةand courage بسكينةwith composure وشهامةand gallantry
وشجاعة بسكينة وشهامة
وإغاثةand succor وحمايةand protection ووفاءُand fidelity
وإغاثة وحماية ووفاءُ
And courage with composure and gallantry,
And succor, protection, and fidelity.
أكملتyou completed جامعهاits mosque فهاso here is تاريخهits chronogram
أكملت جامعها فها تاريخه
هوit والمقدمand the preceding one فيin الصنيعthe work سواءُequal
هو والمقدم في الصنيع سواءُ
You have completed its mosque; here is its chronogram:
It and the earlier one for the work are equal.
منfrom أخيفينtwo mixed-script texts لكلto each نصفhalf منهماof the two
من أخيفين لكل نصف منهما
ولمهملand undotted letters have ولمعجمand dotted letters have أنباءُmessages
ولمهمل ولمعجم أنباءُ
From two mixed-script texts, half from each,
With messages in the undotted and dotted letters.
بالنصفat the midpoint منof رمضانRamadan نسقordered جامعاa mosque
بالنصف من رمضان نسق جامعا
عملاa deed ببرof piety ذاكthat فهوso it is علاءُexaltation
عملا ببر ذاك فهو علاءُ
At Ramadan's midpoint he ordered a mosque,
A deed of piety: that is exaltation.
دمendure وارقand rise واسعدand prosper وانتصرand triumph وافتحand conquer وسدand rule
دم وارق واسعد وانتصر وافتح وسد
واحكمand govern علىover الأيامthe days كيفhowever تشاءُyou wish
واحكم على الأيام كيف تشاءُ
Endure, rise, prosper, triumph, conquer, and rule,
And govern the days however you wish.
ياO أيهاyou الرائيthe seer of الغيوبunseen things عواقباas outcomes
يا أيها الرائي الغيوب عواقبا
لاnot تهتديcan find لصدورهاtheir beginnings الآراءُjudgments
لا تهتدي لصدورها الآراءُ
O you who see unseen things as outcomes
Whose beginnings judgments cannot find!
أنىhow تفيsuffice الأقوالwords منكof you بمدحةfor a eulogy
أنى تفي الأقوال منك بمدحة
ومتىand when تقومcan undertake بوصفكdescribing you الشعراءُthe poets
ومتى تقوم بوصفك الشعراءُ
How can words suffice for a eulogy of you?
And when can poets undertake to describe you?
إنindeed المديحpraise مناهجpaths مسلوكةwell-traveled
إن المديح مناهج مسلوكة
لكنbut علاكyour loftiness طريقةa path عذراءُvirgin
لكن علاك طريقة عذراءُ
Praise follows well-traveled paths,
But your loftiness is a virgin path.
ولقدand indeed تضاءلتdwindled العقولminds بغايةat a limit
ولقد تضاءلت العقول بغاية
فالعيso the tongue-tied فيهاin it والفصيحand the eloquent سواءُequal
فالعي فيها والفصيح سواءُ
Minds have dwindled at a limit,
Where the tongue-tied and the eloquent are equal.
وكلتare entrusted إليكto you فلوso if هممتyou intended بدفعهاto turn them away
وكلت إليك فلو هممت بدفعها
شفعتwould intercede لهاfor them الخضراءgreen heaven والغبراءُand the dust-colored earth
شفعت لها الخضراء والغبراءُ
They are entrusted to you; should you wish to turn them away,
Green heaven and the dust-colored earth would intercede for them.
لاno حدّdefinition إلّاexcept ماwhat نرىwe see منof مجدكمyour glory
لا حدّ إلّا ما نرى من مجدكم
وَلَقدand indeed تحدّare defined فَتدركand thus comprehended الأشياءُthings
وَلَقد تحدّ فَتدرك الأشياءُ
No definition is there, save the glory we behold in you;
For things can be defined, and thus comprehended.
Partial English translation: 150 of 194 Arabic lines translated.