صِلوا حبل ودّي يا كِرام وَزوروا

صِلوا حبل ودّي يا كِرام وَزوروا

فَإِنّ شَهادات العَواذل زورُ

فَإِنّ شَهادات العَواذل زورُ

Join the cord of my affection, noble ones, and visit.

Connect the rope of affection, O honorable people, and visit,

For the reproachers' testimonies are false.

For the testimonies of evildoers are falsehoods.

وَبالنَفس منّي مَن لَنا مِن صدودهم

وَبالنَفس منّي مَن لَنا مِن صدودهم

تصاعد أَنفاس لَهُنَّ زَفيرُ

تصاعد أَنفاس لَهُنَّ زَفيرُ

My own soul would ransom those whose shunning brings us

And I care for whoever blocks our way to them,

Rising breaths filled with anguished sighs.

Rising breaths for them is but a groan.

أكلّف دَمع العَين إِطفاء لَوعَتي

أكلّف دَمع العَين إِطفاء لَوعَتي

وَهَيهات إِخماد السَعير عَسيرُ

وَهَيهات إِخماد السَعير عَسيرُ

I charge my eyes' tears with extinguishing my anguish.

I task the tears of my eyes with extinguishing my agony,

But alas, extinguishing the blaze is difficult.

And alas, extinguishing the raging fire is difficult.

وَمَلعَب آرام كَأَنّ رُبوعه

وَمَلعَب آرام كَأَنّ رُبوعه

سَماءٌ حلاها أَنجُم وَبُدورُ

سَماءٌ حلاها أَنجُم وَبُدورُ

And a gazelles' playground, whose quarters seem

The meadows of Ārām are a playground as if

A sky adorned with stars and full moons.

Its open spaces were adorned with stars and full moons.

فَأَمّا غَرامي فَهوَ كَالدَمع مُطلق

فَأَمّا غَرامي فَهوَ كَالدَمع مُطلق

لَدَيها وَأَمّا خاطِري فَأَسيرُ

لَدَيها وَأَمّا خاطِري فَأَسيرُ

As for my passion, it flows unrestrained like tears

As for my passion, it flows like tears before her,

In their presence; as for my mind, it is captive.

While my mind is her captive.

وَأَما سلوّي فَهوَ لا رَيب أنَّهُ

وَأَما سلوّي فَهوَ لا رَيب أنَّهُ

عَسير وَقَتلي في الغَرام يَسيرُ

عَسير وَقَتلي في الغَرام يَسيرُ

As for my forgetting, there is no doubt that it is

As for my consolation, it is undoubtedly

Difficult, while killing me in love is easy.

Difficult, while dying of love is easy.

وَبي ظبي سرب فاتر الطَرف فاتن

وَبي ظبي سرب فاتر الطَرف فاتن

عَزيزٌ غَزير التيه وَهوَ غريرُ

عَزيزٌ غَزير التيه وَهوَ غريرُ

I am smitten with a gazelle of the herd, languid-eyed, enchanting,

In me is a gazelle, a wan herd with languid eyes and charming,

Inaccessible, full of conceit, yet innocent.

Dear, profuse in wandering, though disdainful of being excessively petted.

تغازله الغزلانُ وَهيَ أَوانس

تغازله الغزلانُ وَهيَ أَوانس

فَيعروه مِن فَرط الدَلال نُفورُ

فَيعروه مِن فَرط الدَلال نُفورُ

The gazelles flirt with him, companionable,

The other gazelles flirt with him as intimate friends,

So aversion seizes him through excessive coyness.

But he spurns them due to being overly indulged.

وَأَحور أَمّا لَحظه فَهوَ صارِمٌ

وَأَحور أَمّا لَحظه فَهوَ صارِمٌ

صَحيحٌ وَأَمّا طَرفه فَكَسيرُ

صَحيحٌ وَأَمّا طَرفه فَكَسيرُ

And a dark-eyed one: his glance is a keen blade,

As for his glances, they are penetrating

Unbroken, while his gaze is languid.

And direct, while his eyes are alluring.

لَهُ آية السحر الَّتي جاءنا بِها

لَهُ آية السحر الَّتي جاءنا بِها

عَلى فَترة مِن داعجيه نَذيرُ

عَلى فَترة مِن داعجيه نَذيرُ

His is the sign of sorcery, brought to us

He has the mark of magic that came to us

In a lull by a warning herald from his dark eyes.

As a warner, during a respite from his alluring ways.

وَأحوى حوى مِن كُلّ ما يَبعَث الجَوى

وَأحوى حوى مِن كُلّ ما يَبعَث الجَوى

وَيَعبث بِالمُشتاق مِنهُ أمورُ

وَيَعبث بِالمُشتاق مِنهُ أمورُ

And a dark-lipped one, possessed of all that awakens heartache,

Most fascinating is he, with everything that stirs desire

Whose charms toy with the yearning lover.

And toys with the longing lover and his affairs.

كَأَنَّ عذاريه وَوَرد خُدودهِ

كَأَنَّ عذاريه وَوَرد خُدودهِ

سَلاسل قَد عدّت لَنا وَسَعيرُ

سَلاسل قَد عدّت لَنا وَسَعيرُ

As though his cheek-locks and his cheeks' roses

As if his cheeks and rose petal lips

Were reckoned for us as chains and blazing fire.

Are chains that have been forged for us, and heated rods.

نَعيم لَنا بَعد الشَقاء لِأَنَّهُ

نَعيم لَنا بَعد الشَقاء لِأَنَّهُ

كلا وَجنتيهِ جَنّة وَحَريرُ

كلا وَجنتيهِ جَنّة وَحَريرُ

Bliss is ours after misery, for

Delightful to us, after hardship, for he

Both his cheeks are paradise and silk.

Is a paradise, with both of his gardens being luxurious brocade.

يُرنّحُ مِنهُ عجبه غُصن بانَةٍ

يُرنّحُ مِنهُ عجبه غُصن بانَةٍ

نَضيراً وَلَكن ما حَكاهُ نَظيرُ

نَضيراً وَلَكن ما حَكاهُ نَظيرُ

His self-admiration sways a ban-tree bough in him,

A bough in his prime preens from this,

Fresh and green, yet no equal has resembled him.

Unique, though what he related has no peer.

كَأَنَّ قُلوب العاشِقين إِذا اِنثَنى

كَأَنَّ قُلوب العاشِقين إِذا اِنثَنى

عَلَيهِ حَمامات لَهُنَّ هَديرُ

عَلَيهِ حَمامات لَهُنَّ هَديرُ

As though the lovers' hearts, when he bends,

As if when he bends over the hearts of lovers,

Were doves upon him, cooing.

Doves are murmuring over them with their cooing.

كَأَنّي وَالورقاء في رَوضة الحِمى

كَأَنّي وَالورقاء في رَوضة الحِمى

حَليفا هِيامٍ مُطربٌ وَسَميرُ

حَليفا هِيامٍ مُطربٌ وَسَميرُ

As though I and the gray dove in the sanctuary's garden

As if I and al-Waraqāʾ were in the sanctuary of infatuation,

Were allies in longing—a singer and a night companion.

Boon companions lost in passionate love, and singers.

ألا يا صبا ربع لَهُ القَلب قَد صَبا

ألا يا صبا ربع لَهُ القَلب قَد صَبا

وَعَهد التَصابي بَهجَةٌ وَحبورُ

وَعَهد التَصابي بَهجَةٌ وَحبورُ

Ah, east breeze of a dwelling for which my heart has yearned,

Oh gentle morning breeze! The heart has inclined to a meadow

And the days of youthful dalliance were delight and joy,

Whose memory stirs delight and early gifts.

عَلى ذَلِكَ النادي تَحيّة مُغرم

عَلى ذَلِكَ النادي تَحيّة مُغرم

لَهُ الصَبر يَحلو وَالبعاد مَريرُ

لَهُ الصَبر يَحلو وَالبعاد مَريرُ

Upon that gathering-place be a lovesick lover's greeting,

To that companion goes the greeting of a passionate lover,

For whom patience is sweet, but separation bitter.

Patient in separation though it is bitter.

وَلي عَجَب مِن عادل القَدّ ظالمٍ

وَلي عَجَب مِن عادل القَدّ ظالمٍ

يَجور وَما لي مِن جَفاه مجيرُ

يَجور وَما لي مِن جَفاه مجيرُ

I marvel at one balanced in stature yet unjust,

I wonder at fair of stature but unjust in his tyranny,

Who wrongs me, with none to shield me from his coldness,

Wronging me though he has no justification.

سِوى حرم من حلّه فَهوَ آمِنٌ

سِوى حرم من حلّه فَهوَ آمِنٌ

وَمن أَمّهُ بِالمكرماتِ جَديرُ

وَمن أَمّهُ بِالمكرماتِ جَديرُ

Except a sanctuary where whoever alights is safe,

Except the sanctuary of one whose resolution is safety,

And whoever seeks it deserves noble gifts.

And one who has graced him with favors is deserving.

نَزلنا بِهِ فَوق السماكين رفعةً

نَزلنا بِهِ فَوق السماكين رفعةً

قُصورَ عَلاءٍ ما بِهنَّ قُصورُ

قُصورَ عَلاءٍ ما بِهنَّ قُصورُ

There we lodged, higher in rank than the two Simak stars,

We visited him atop the celestial spheres loftily,

In lofty palaces with no shortcomings.

Palaces of the eminent that have no equals.

لَدى أسدٍ تَستنفر الأسد خَيلَه

لَدى أسدٍ تَستنفر الأسد خَيلَه

وَتَستَألف الأَبطال حينَ تُغيرُ

وَتَستَألف الأَبطال حينَ تُغيرُ

With a lion whose horses startle lions,

With a lion whose cavalry the lions spur to battle,

And befriend champions when they charge.

And whose champions, when stirred, he rallies.

لَدى مَن دعاه المَجد في كُلّ سُؤدد

لَدى مَن دعاه المَجد في كُلّ سُؤدد

أَميناً عَلى العَلياءِ فَهوَ أَميرُ

أَميناً عَلى العَلياءِ فَهوَ أَميرُ

With one whom glory has called, in every noble station,

With one whom glory called in every calamity,

Its trusted guardian over eminence, and so he is a prince.

Trustworthy of the noble deeds, thus he is the prince.

لَدى مَن لَديهِ الوَفد أَغرَقه النَدى

لَدى مَن لَديهِ الوَفد أَغرَقه النَدى

عَلى أَنَّ كِلتي راحَتيهِ بُحورُ

عَلى أَنَّ كِلتي راحَتيهِ بُحورُ

With one whose bounty has drowned the visiting delegation,

With one whom at his abode the delegation overwhelmed withdew,

For both his palms are seas.

Though both my hands are filled with his oceans.

لَدى من رُفات الجُود أَحيت هِباتهُ

لَدى من رُفات الجُود أَحيت هِباتهُ

كَأَن قَد دَعاها لِلقِيام نُشورُ

كَأَن قَد دَعاها لِلقِيام نُشورُ

With one whose gifts have revived generosity's remains,

With one whom revived generosity made his gifts seem

As though resurrection had summoned them to rise.

As if he called upon the deceased to be resurrected.

لَدى فرقد العَلياء لا ثانياً لَهُ

لَدى فرقد العَلياء لا ثانياً لَهُ

وَقطب رحى الهَيجاء حينَ تَدورُ

وَقطب رحى الهَيجاء حينَ تَدورُ

With the Farqad star of eminence, who has no peer,

With unmatched eminent and famed one when the millstones turn,

And the axle of war's mill when it turns.

He took charge of the people’s affairs and he, by their state,

تَولّى أُمور الناس وَهوَ بِحالِها

تَولّى أُمور الناس وَهوَ بِحالِها

عَليم وِبالسرّ المَصون خَبيرُ

عَليم وِبالسرّ المَصون خَبيرُ

He governs people's affairs, and of their condition he is

Is knowing and privy to the guarded secret.

Knowledgeable, and well informed about guarded secrets.

When the matter’s complexities confounded its unraveling,

إِذا غامضات الأَمر أعجز كَشفها

إِذا غامضات الأَمر أعجز كَشفها

فَلَيسَ لَها إِلّا إِلَيهِ مَصيرُ

فَلَيسَ لَها إِلّا إِلَيهِ مَصيرُ

When the mysteries of an affair defy discovery,

Then only to him is their course bound.

They have nowhere to turn but to him.

His is discernment and pardoning, with forbearance and ability,

لَهُ النَقد وَالإِغضاء حِلماً وَقُدرة

لَهُ النَقد وَالإِغضاء حِلماً وَقُدرة

وَأَيُّ قَديرٍ في الأَنام غَفورُ

وَأَيُّ قَديرٍ في الأَنام غَفورُ

His are scrutiny and overlooking faults, through forbearance and power;

And which Lord among the people is more forgiving?

And what powerful man among mortals is forgiving?

He is high-minded, while his clemency is abundant,

هُوَ الشَهم أَمّا حلمه فَهوَ وافر

هُوَ الشَهم أَمّا حلمه فَهوَ وافر

مَديدٌ وَأَمّا عِلمهُ فَغَزيرُ

مَديدٌ وَأَمّا عِلمهُ فَغَزيرُ

He is the noble-hearted one: his forbearance is abundant,

Enduring, and his knowledge vast.

Far-reaching, while his knowledge is copious.

He is the full moon, not so the moon whose light wanes,

هُوَ البَدر لا فَالبَدر يَنقص نوره

هُوَ البَدر لا فَالبَدر يَنقص نوره

وَهَذا لعمري كامِلٌ وَمُنيرُ

وَهَذا لعمري كامِلٌ وَمُنيرُ

He is the full moon—no, the full moon's light wanes,

And this one, by my life, is complete and luminous.

While he, by my life, is complete and radiant.

He is the sea, not so the sea whose water is agitated,

هُوَ البَحر لا فَالبَحر لا شَكَّ ماؤُهُ

هُوَ البَحر لا فَالبَحر لا شَكَّ ماؤُهُ

أجاج وَهَذا سائِغٌ وَنَميرُ

أجاج وَهَذا سائِغٌ وَنَميرُ

He is the sea—no, the sea's water is surely

While this one is gentle and limpid.

Briny, while he is palatable and pure.

Through his bounty the horizons are filled as if

بِجدواه قَد عَمَّ المَلا فَكَأَنَّما

بِجدواه قَد عَمَّ المَلا فَكَأَنَّما

عَلَيهِ دُيون أَو عَلَيهِ نذورُ

عَلَيهِ دُيون أَو عَلَيهِ نذورُ

His bounty has embraced all people, as though

Obligated to him or vows upon him.

He owed debts or had vows to fulfill.

As if the dew were treasure with none but

كَأَنّ النَدى كنز وَلَيسَ عَلى سوى

كَأَنّ النَدى كنز وَلَيسَ عَلى سوى

يَديهِ لَهُ بَين الأَنام ظُهورُ

يَديهِ لَهُ بَين الأَنام ظُهورُ

As though generosity were a treasure, revealed through none but

His hands having appearance among the people.

His two hands among mankind.

Though his wealth complains of his charity, in truth

شَكا مالهُ مِن بَذلِهِ بيد أَنَّهُ

شَكا مالهُ مِن بَذلِهِ بيد أَنَّهُ

لَهُ كُلّ قَلب حامِدٌ وَشَكورُ

لَهُ كُلّ قَلب حامِدٌ وَشَكورُ

His wealth complained of his lavish spending, yet

Every heart grateful and content belongs to him.

Every heart praises him and is grateful.

When all the people speak of his generosity and his treasuries

إِذا ما الوَرى قالوا بِجود وَحرفت

إِذا ما الوَرى قالوا بِجود وَحرفت

خَزائنه قالَت أراه يَجورُ

خَزائنه قالَت أراه يَجورُ

Whenever people speak of generosity, and the wording is twisted,

Are emptied, they say, “He is doing wrong!”

His coffers say, 'I see him dealing unjustly.'

For him are the glad tidings in the delegation of lovers, just as

لَهُ البشر في وفد المُحبّين مِثلَما

لَهُ البشر في وفد المُحبّين مِثلَما

لَها الخَير جمٌّ وَالهَناء وَفورُ

لَها الخَير جمٌّ وَالهَناء وَفورُ

He smiles upon the visiting admirers, just as

Goodness, bliss, and abundance belong to it.

For them, good is abundant and happiness plentiful.

I sought refuge in the sanctuary of his eminence, so he gave me

حللتُ حِمى عَليائه فَأَقامَني

حللتُ حِمى عَليائه فَأَقامَني

مَقاماً يردُّ الطَرف وَهوَ حَسيرُ

مَقاماً يردُّ الطَرف وَهوَ حَسيرُ

I entered the sanctuary of his eminence, and he raised me

A status that turns eyes away, and it is difficult.

To a station that sends the gaze back weary.

So the tongue of circumstance sang in verse, saying,

فَأَمسى لِسان الحال يُنشد قائِلاً

فَأَمسى لِسان الحال يُنشد قائِلاً

جِوارك مِن جورِ الزَمان يُجيرُ

جِوارك مِن جورِ الزَمان يُجيرُ

Then the voice of circumstance began to chant:

“Your shelter protects me from the tyranny of time.”

'Your protection shields one from time's injustice.'

We returned while the masters of hearts are honored

وَردنا وَأَرباب الصُدور أَعزّةٌ

وَردنا وَأَرباب الصُدور أَعزّةٌ

لَدَيهِ فَما لي عَن عُلاه صُدورُ

لَدَيهِ فَما لي عَن عُلاه صُدورُ

We arrived, and men of high station are honored

In his presence, so I have no revealing my love for his loftiness.

Before him; I have no turning away from his eminence.

Oh how a life without the like of it for the likes of me

ألا إنّ عَيشاً لَيسَ في باب مِثلِهِ

ألا إنّ عَيشاً لَيسَ في باب مِثلِهِ

لِمثليَ بَينَ العالمين مَريرُ

لِمثليَ بَينَ العالمين مَريرُ

Indeed, a life not spent at the door of one like him,

Between the two worlds is bitter!

For one like me among all peoples, is bitter.

A life whose length is not spent praising him

وَإِن حَياة لا تقضى بِحَمدهِ

وَإِن حَياة لا تقضى بِحَمدهِ

وَتمداحه تِلكَ الحَياة غُرورُ

وَتمداحه تِلكَ الحَياة غُرورُ

And a life not spent in thanking him

And lauding him, that life is but delusion.

And praising him—that life is a delusion.

He has the most steadfast and broad chest when it comes

همام لَهُ صَدر العُلى وَهوَ قَلبه

همام لَهُ صَدر العُلى وَهوَ قَلبه

إِذا عُدَّ لِلمَجد الرَفيع صُدورُ

إِذا عُدَّ لِلمَجد الرَفيع صُدورُ

A noble man, foremost in eminence and its very heart,

To the most lofty glory, if the eminent in rank were chests.

Whenever the leaders of lofty glory are counted.

He came late in time yet he is foremost in merit,

تَأَخّر عَهداً وَهوَ بِالفَضل أَوّل

تَأَخّر عَهداً وَهوَ بِالفَضل أَوّل

وَعَهد إمام المُرسلين أَخيرُ

وَعَهد إمام المُرسلين أَخيرُ

Late in time, yet first in merit,

And the era of the Seal of the Messengers is the last.

And the leader of the messengers was likewise last in time.

He is rain and lion with dread, none stand against his command,

هُوَ الغَيث وَاللَيث المقاد لأَمرهِ

هُوَ الغَيث وَاللَيث المقاد لأَمرهِ

مِن الذُعر جمٌّ لا ينال غفيرُ

مِن الذُعر جمٌّ لا ينال غفيرُ

He is life-giving rain, and the lion led at his command

An overwhelming mass that no great throng can attain.

Is vast in terror, unapproachable, mighty.

You would think them, when seen atop the lofty naked mountains,

عَلى صَهوات الصافِنات تَخالهم

عَلى صَهوات الصافِنات تَخالهم

أُسوداً لَها فَوق الصُقور زَئيرُ

أُسوداً لَها فَوق الصُقور زَئيرُ

On the backs of proud-standing steeds, you would deem them

Lions with a roar greater than eagles for them.

Lions whose roar rises above the falcons.

Galactic stars above them whose riders

سَوابق لَو سابقنَ سرباً من القَطا

سَوابق لَو سابقنَ سرباً من القَطا

هَوى وارداً لِلماء وَهيَ صُدورُ

هَوى وارداً لِلماء وَهيَ صُدورُ

Racers: were they to race a flock of sandgrouse

Almost cause the fixed stars to waver.

Descending to water, the steeds would already be returning.

When they stomp the slain foe, it is as if

عَلَيها النُجُوم السارِيات فَوارس

عَلَيها النُجُوم السارِيات فَوارس

تَكاد لَهُنَّ الراسيات تَمورُ

تَكاد لَهُنَّ الراسيات تَمورُ

Upon them ride the night-roaming stars as horsemen;

They are prey pounced on by hungry eagles.

Before whom the rooted mountains almost sway.

Their hooves make the towering mountains quake, shedding

إِذا أَوطؤوها عاصما خلت أَنَّهُ

إِذا أَوطؤوها عاصما خلت أَنَّهُ

فَريسٌ قَد اِنقَضَّت عَلَيهِ نُسورُ

فَريسٌ قَد اِنقَضَّت عَلَيهِ نُسورُ

When they make their steeds tread upon a defender, you would think him

Their peaks that call out with the shrieking of females.

Prey upon which vultures have swooped.

They race the ostrich with strides, every battlefield

تزلزل مِنها الشامِخات فطورها

تزلزل مِنها الشامِخات فطورها

أطير وَنادى بِالثبور ثَبيرُ

أطير وَنادى بِالثبور ثَبيرُ

The lofty mountains quake before them, and their Tur

Becoming knightly with banners adorning them.

Is sent flying, while Thabir cries out for ruin.

When they raise high the felled enemy with their blades,

تَخطّ بِخطّيّ القَنا كلّ معرك

تَخطّ بِخطّيّ القَنا كلّ معرك

طُروساً بِها قَد زانَهنّ سُطورُ

طُروساً بِها قَد زانَهنّ سُطورُ

They inscribe every battlefield with Khatti spear-shafts,

The blades have a shrill hiss for them.

As parchments adorned there by written lines.

Foremost troops, with that vanguard ahead of them

إِذا ما عَلوا هام الصَريع مِن العِدا

إِذا ما عَلوا هام الصَريع مِن العِدا

فَللهامِ مِن أَقلامهنَّ صَريرُ

فَللهامِ مِن أَقلامهنَّ صَريرُ

When they surmount the heads of fallen enemies,

Is for the enemies a warning host.

The heads resound with the scratching of their pens.

They kiss the honored sword then melt

أَمقدام ذا الجَيش المقدَّم دونهُ

أَمقدام ذا الجَيش المقدَّم دونهُ

مِن الرُعب جَيش لِلعداة نَذيرُ

مِن الرُعب جَيش لِلعداة نَذيرُ

O champion of this army, ahead of which is sent

The polished Indian sword.

An army of terror, a warning to the foe!

Above a diminishing indescribable shadow, though

يقبّل مِنكَ المشرفيَّ غضنفر

يقبّل مِنكَ المشرفيَّ غضنفر

وَيصهر قَدَّ السَمهريّ صهورُ

وَيصهر قَدَّ السَمهريّ صهورُ

A lion kisses the Mashrafi sword you wield,

Can mysteries be described when they are hidden?

And a fierce lion melts the Samhari spear's shaft.

I was amazed by his towering mountains whose peaks

عَلى ضامر لا وَصف يُدرك شَأوه

عَلى ضامر لا وَصف يُدرك شَأوه

وَهَل توصف الأَسرار وَهيَ ضَميرُ

وَهَل توصف الأَسرار وَهيَ ضَميرُ

On a lean steed whose pace no description can reach,

Reached the sea, though can peaks surpass mountains?

And can secrets be described while hidden within?

They stirred turbulent seas that none but

عَجبت لَهُ طَوداً رَسى البَحر فَوقَهُ

عَجبت لَهُ طَوداً رَسى البَحر فَوقَهُ

وَهَل فَوق أَطواد تقرّ بُحورُ

وَهَل فَوق أَطواد تقرّ بُحورُ

I marveled at it, a mountain on which the sea had settled;

The enemies lusted for when aroused.

Do seas ever rest upon mountains?

Thus the people were amazed by you and started

أَثار عَجاجاً لَم يَكُن طُلَّ مِن دَم

أَثار عَجاجاً لَم يَكُن طُلَّ مِن دَم

بِهِ لِسِوى الأَعداء حينَ يَثورُ

بِهِ لِسِوى الأَعداء حينَ يَثورُ

It raised battle-dust; no blood went unavenged

To point to you with the words of the elders.

There but the enemies', when it swirled.

More wondrous is that the swords and spears

لِذا عَجبت مِنكَ الأَنام فَأَصبَحَت

لِذا عَجبت مِنكَ الأَنام فَأَصبَحَت

إِلَيكَ بِقَول الأَقدَمين تُشيرُ

إِلَيكَ بِقَول الأَقدَمين تُشيرُ

For this, mankind marveled at you and came

Are cradled in the hands of the warriors when they are males.

To point to you with the words of the ancients:

Even more wondrous is that they blaze in their palms

وَمِن عجب أَنّ الصَوارم وَالقَنا

وَمِن عجب أَنّ الصَوارم وَالقَنا

تَحضن بِأَيدي القَوم وَهيَ ذُكورُ

تَحضن بِأَيدي القَوم وَهيَ ذُكورُ

'And one wonder is that swords and spears

A fire though palms are seas.

Brood in men's hands, though they are male.

The eminent are jealous that other than you be seen

وَأَعجَب مِنها أَنَّها في أَكُفِّهم

وَأَعجَب مِنها أَنَّها في أَكُفِّهم

تُؤَجّجُ ناراً وَالأَكُفّ بُحورُ

تُؤَجّجُ ناراً وَالأَكُفّ بُحورُ

Stranger still is that, in their palms,

As their prince, for the lover is jealous.

They kindle fire, though those palms are seas.'

Had the people opposed them in the least, the land would have

تَغار العُلى مِن غَير ذاتك أَن تَرى

تَغار العُلى مِن غَير ذاتك أَن تَرى

أَميراً لَها إِن المُحبّ غيورُ

أَميراً لَها إِن المُحبّ غيورُ

Eminence is jealous of seeing anyone but you

Nearly collapsed before shifting.

As its prince; the lover is jealous.

To you, trustee of glory, a maiden strides freely

وَلو غايرتها الناس طرّاً لَأَوشَكَت

وَلو غايرتها الناس طرّاً لَأَوشَكَت

بِها الأَرض لَما أَن تغير تَغورُ

بِها الأَرض لَما أَن تغير تَغورُ

Were all mankind to vie with it in jealousy, then almost

With the awesome beauty of her face as her guard.

The earth would sink with it whenever it grew jealous.

She trails the train of her gown’s hem with eloquence

إِلَيكَ أَمين المَجد عَذراء غادَةً

إِلَيكَ أَمين المَجد عَذراء غادَةً

لَها خَفرُ الوَجه البَديع خَفيرُ

لَها خَفرُ الوَجه البَديع خَفيرُ

For you, trusted guardian of glory, a tender virgin maiden,

So where can the likes of Jarīr rival her to you?

With the modesty of her wondrous face as her guard.

She strung choice pearls into a necklace for her smooth neck,

تَجرّ عَلى سحبان ذَيل فَصاحة

تَجرّ عَلى سحبان ذَيل فَصاحة

فَأَنّى يُجاريها إِلَيك جَريرُ

فَأَنّى يُجاريها إِلَيك جَريرُ

She trails her robe of eloquence over Sahban,

Pulled from it in places by her breasts.

So how could Jarir rival her in addressing you?

My patron, the month of fasting departed in farewell,

نَظمت الدَراري عقد درّ لجيدها

نَظمت الدَراري عقد درّ لجيدها

تجاذبه مِنهُ طُلىً وَنُحورُ

تجاذبه مِنهُ طُلىً وَنُحورُ

I strung the bright stars into a pearl necklace for her neck,

separating from a beloved, though the lover ispatient.

Which necks and bosoms vie to tug from hers.

It suffices you what was counted in it of piety,

أَمَولايَ شَهر الصَوم سارَ مُوَدّعاً

أَمَولايَ شَهر الصَوم سارَ مُوَدّعاً

وَداعَ حَبيب وَالمُحبّ صَبورُ

وَداعَ حَبيب وَالمُحبّ صَبورُ

O my master, the fasting month departed, bidding farewell

Uncountable gifts for you and rewards.

As a beloved bids farewell, while the lover is patient.

Yes, it is the month of good while few are the people ofgood,

وَحَسبكَ ما قَد عُدَّ فيهِ مِن التُقى

وَحَسبكَ ما قَد عُدَّ فيهِ مِن التُقى

مَواهب لا تُحصى لَكُم وَأُجورُ

مَواهب لا تُحصى لَكُم وَأُجورُ

Sufficient for you is the piety counted in it:

Though those who fast are many.

Uncountable gifts and rewards for you.

It saddens us if we did not have as consolation

أَجل هُوَ شَهر الخَير وَالخَير أَهله

أَجل هُوَ شَهر الخَير وَالخَير أَهله

قَليل وَأَما الصائِمون كَثيرُ

قَليل وَأَما الصائِمون كَثيرُ

Yes, it is the month of goodness; the truly good are

Your strength, a returning feast and joy.

Few, while those who fast are many.

It is the feast, not any feast but what in it

يَعزُّ عَلَينا ذاكَ لَو لَم يَكُن لَنا

يَعزُّ عَلَينا ذاكَ لَو لَم يَكُن لَنا

بعزّك عيد عائد وَسُرورُ

بعزّك عيد عائد وَسُرورُ

We would grieve at that, were there not for us

Is our joy, while the joy of enviers is misfortune.

Through your glory, a returning feast and joy.

As for our worldly lives, through you, and our faith,

هُوَ العيد لا عيد سِوى ما بِهِ الهَنا

هُوَ العيد لا عيد سِوى ما بِهِ الهَنا

لَنا وَسُرور الحاسِدين شُرورُ

لَنا وَسُرور الحاسِدين شُرورُ

It is the feast: no feast exists save what brings happiness

Their defining moments have bloomed and emerged.

To us; the envious take delight in misfortunes.

We congratulate you at holidays for they

وَأَما لدنيانا بكم وَلديننا

وَأَما لدنيانا بكم وَلديننا

فَآصال أَفراح زَهَت وَبُكورُ

فَآصال أَفراح زَهَت وَبُكورُ

And for our worldly life, through you, and for our faith,

Are most deserving, so the months do not diminish.

Evenings and mornings of joy have flourished.

If it is said the sun’s light aged it, then

نهنّي بِكَ الأَعياد وَهيَ أَهلّة

نهنّي بِكَ الأَعياد وَهيَ أَهلّة

فَلا تَختشي الأهصار وَهيَ بُدورُ

فَلا تَختشي الأهصار وَهيَ بُدورُ

We congratulate the feasts through you, while they are crescents,

From the radiance of your face, the sun has light.

So they fear no breaking when they are full moons.

May God return to us the like of you,

لَئن قيلَ نور الشمس أَكسبها سناً

لَئن قيلَ نور الشمس أَكسبها سناً

فَللشَمس مِن إِشراق وَجهِكَ نورُ

فَللشَمس مِن إِشراق وَجهِكَ نورُ

If it is said the sun's light gave them radiance,

In delight for your eminence, its place set.

The sun itself gains light from your face's brilliance.

O delight of days, you remain unharmed

أَعادَ عَلَينا اللَهُ أمثال مثله

أَعادَ عَلَينا اللَهُ أمثال مثله

سُروراً لعلياكم عَلَيهِ سَريرُ

سُروراً لعلياكم عَلَيهِ سَريرُ

May God bring us again occasions like this one,

That years be happy for us and months.

In joy, with a throne upon it for your eminence.

So long as the morning breeze of youth breathes

وَيا بَهجة الأَيّام لا زلت سالِماً

وَيا بَهجة الأَيّام لا زلت سالِماً

لِتسعد أَعوامٌ لَنا وَشُهورُ

لِتسعد أَعوامٌ لَنا وَشُهورُ

O delight of the days, may you ever remain safe,

And the fragrance of your beauty remains,

So our years and months may be happy.

The return of the auspicious feast in its arrival

مَدى الدَهر ما قَد هَينمت نسمة الصِبا

مَدى الدَهر ما قَد هَينمت نسمة الصِبا

وَقَد فاحَ طيب مِن ثَناك عَطيرُ

وَقَد فاحَ طيب مِن ثَناك عَطيرُ

Through all time, while the breeze of youth still murmurs,

To you is not with the best wishes marked.

And sweet fragrance wafts from praise of you.

And its years chant to you upon return:

وَما عائد العيد السَعيد قُدومه

وَما عائد العيد السَعيد قُدومه

إِلَيكُم بِخَير التَهنئات يشيرُ

إِلَيكُم بِخَير التَهنئات يشيرُ

And while the returning feast, happy in its arrival,

“Connect the rope of affection, O honorable people, and visit.”

Gestures to you with the finest congratulations,

وَتُنشدكم أَعوامه عِندَ عوده

وَتُنشدكم أَعوامه عِندَ عوده

صلوا حَبل ودّي يا كِرام وَزوروا

صلوا حَبل ودّي يا كِرام وَزوروا

And its years, upon its return, sing to you:

'Join the cord of my affection, noble ones, and visit.'