ثَغرmouth التَهانيcongratulations بِالأَمانيwith wishes باسمُsmiling
ثَغر التَهاني بِالأَماني باسمُ
وَالسَعدand good fortune للصدرfor the grand vizier المؤيدthe aided one خادمُa servant
وَالسَعد للصدر المؤيد خادمُ
The mouth of congratulations smiles with wishes,
The mouth smiles with wishes in your name
and good fortune serves the favored grand vizier.
And good fortune for the supported, aided chest
حَيثwhen الخَليفةthe caliph قَدalready دَعاهsummoned him وَحَولهand around him
حَيث الخَليفة قَد دَعاه وَحَوله
بَحرُa sea العِداthe foes أَمواجُهits waves تَتَلاطمcrash together
بَحرُ العِدا أَمواجُه تَتَلاطم
When the caliph had summoned him, and around him
Where the Caliph has called him and around him
lay the sea of foes, its waves crashing together,
The sea of enemies, its waves clash
فَأَجابso he answered دَعوتهhis summons بقوّةwith the strength مفردa lone man
فَأَجاب دَعوته بقوّة مفرد
لِلجَمعagainst the host بِالرَأيwith judgment السَديدsound يُقاومhe resists
لِلجَمع بِالرَأي السَديد يُقاوم
he answered his call with a lone man's strength,
So he answered his call with the strength of one
resisting the host with sound judgment.
To face the group with wisdom that resists
وَأَتىand he came عَلىin عجلhaste ليخمدto extinguish جمرةًan ember
وَأَتى عَلى عجل ليخمد جمرةً
فيat الأَصلthe beginning منشؤهاits source الوَخيمbaleful تَفاقمgrew worse
في الأَصل منشؤها الوَخيم تَفاقم
And he came in haste to extinguish an ember
And he came in a hurry to extinguish the embers
whose baleful source had worsened from the outset.
That originated from the terrible, growing crisis
وَيَقومand he stands للدينfor the faith الحَنيفيupright and monotheistic حسبةas a pious duty
وَيَقوم للدين الحَنيفي حسبة
لِلّهfor God مِنهُon his part بِماwith what لَديهِhe possesses يلائمis fitting
لِلّه مِنهُ بِما لَديهِ يلائم
And he upholds the upright faith as a pious duty
And he stands for the Hanifi religion as a defender
to God on his part, as befits the means he has.
Suitable for Allah from him for what he has
وَيؤيدand he strengthens الملكthe realm العَظيمgreat بِمالهwith what he possesses
وَيؤيد الملك العَظيم بِماله
مِنof حسنgood تَدبيرgovernance كَماas هُوَit is لازمrequired
مِن حسن تَدبير كَما هُوَ لازم
And he strengthens the great realm with what he has
And he supports the great king with his money
of sound governance, as is required.
From good management as is necessary
وَيخففand he lightens الأَثقالthe burdens عَنfrom أَبنائهhis children
وَيخفف الأَثقال عَن أَبنائه
فيin مَوقفa stand فيهِin it يخيبfails مخاصمan adversary
في مَوقف فيهِ يخيب مخاصم
And he lightens the burdens of his children,
And he lightens the burdens off his sons
in a stand where any adversary fails.
In a stance in which the adversary fails
وَيذودand he wards off عَنهُمfrom them كُلّevery غرٍّfool همهhis concern
وَيذود عَنهُم كُلّ غرٍّ همه
سَلبplunder وَنَهبand pillage زائدexcessive وَمغارمand exactions
سَلب وَنَهب زائد وَمغارم
And he wards off from them every fool intent on
And he protects them from every harm that worries them
plunder, excessive pillage, and exactions.
Of extra plunder, loss and expenses
وَبفطنةand through acumen توميpoints إِلَيهِto him بسبقهby his preeminence
وَبفطنة تومي إِلَيهِ بسبقه
عَنهُمfrom them تُماطare removed مِنof العَناءaffliction تَمائمamulets
عَنهُم تُماط مِن العَناء تَمائم
And through an acumen that signals his preeminence,
And with his insight that guides him ahead of them
the amulets of affliction are stripped from them.
Charms protecting from hardship are drawn from them
لاno غروwonder فهوfor he بِذاكfor that مَشهورrenowned كَماas
لا غرو فهو بِذاك مَشهور كَما
ظهرتappeared لَهُfor him مِنfrom قبلbefore فيهِin him عَلائمsigns
ظهرت لَهُ مِن قبل فيهِ عَلائم
No wonder: he is renowned for this, as
No wonder he is known for that as
signs of it had appeared in him before.
Signs of it appeared in him before
وَبتونسand in Tunis الخَضراءthe green قَدalready نشرواthey unfurled لهfor him
وَبتونس الخَضراء قَد نشروا له
علماًa banner بِهِthrough it تَحياcome alive هُناكthere نَسائمbreezes
علماً بِهِ تَحيا هُناك نَسائم
And in green Tunis they unfurled for him
And in green Tunisia they raised a flag for him
a banner through which the breezes there come alive.
With which winds come alive there
وَلَهُand he has بهاin it فيin كُلevery وادvalley شاسعvast
وَلَهُ بها في كُل واد شاسع
تَبدوappear عَلىthroughout طُولthe span الزَمانof time معالمlandmarks
تَبدو عَلى طُول الزَمان معالم
And there, in every vast valley, he has
And he has in every valley there a wide
landmarks visible throughout the span of time.
Landmark that shows throughout time
فَاللَهso God يَلحظهwatches over him بِعَينwith an eye عِنايةcare
فَاللَه يَلحظه بِعَين عِناية
وَبِهِand through him يَزولvanish عَنfrom العِبادthe servants صَواكمcrushing blows
وَبِهِ يَزول عَن العِباد صَواكم
So may God watch over him with an eye of care,
So Allah watches him with the eye of care
and through him may crushing blows be lifted from His servants;
And through him the hardship on the servants passes
وَيعينهand help him فيin أَمرهمtheir affairs بِشَهامةwith valor
وَيعينه في أَمرهم بِشَهامة
مِنهاthrough it تَلينgrow pliant مِنof الخصومthe foes شَكائمbridle-bits
مِنها تَلين مِن الخصوم شَكائم
and help him in their affairs with a valor
And aids him in their matter with bravery
that softens the bridle-bits of his foes;
With which the stubborn enemies soften
وَلَهُand for him يسهِّلmake easy كُلَّevery صَعبٍdifficulty حَملُهُbearing it
وَلَهُ يسهِّل كُلَّ صَعبٍ حَملُهُ
مِنهُfrom it اِستَقالَتsought release عُربُهاits Arabs وَأَعاجمand non-Arabs
مِنهُ اِستَقالَت عُربُها وَأَعاجم
and ease for him every burden hard to bear,
And for him facilitates every difficult burden
from which its Arabs and non-Arabs sought release;
For which the Arabs and non-Arabs yielded
وَيَمدّهand supply him مِنهُfrom Him بِنَصرwith victory عاجلswift
وَيَمدّه مِنهُ بِنَصر عاجل
تَنقادyield فيهِin it لِمَنto whomever يُحبHe loves قَشاعمgreat, aged eagles
تَنقاد فيهِ لِمَن يُحب قَشاعم
and grant him from Himself a swift victory,
And supports him with immediate victory
in which mighty eagles yield to whomever He loves;
In which those he loves are subdued
وَيُحققand fulfill الآمالthe hopes فيهِin him مِنof الألىthose who
وَيُحقق الآمال فيهِ مِن الألى
وَثقواthey trusted بِهِin him وَالخَطبand the crisis فيهِwithin it عَظائمgrave calamities
وَثقوا بِهِ وَالخَطب فيهِ عَظائم
and fulfill the hopes placed in him by those
And in him the hopes of the noble ones come true
who trusted him, though the crisis held immense calamities.
Who trusted in him while he has great affairs
فَهُوَfor he المرجىthe hoped-for one لاندفاعfor the removal شدائدhardships
فَهُوَ المرجى لاندفاع شدائد
عَنfrom دارهمtheir abode وَهُوَand he الهزبرthe lion الحاسمthe decisive one
عَن دارهم وَهُوَ الهزبر الحاسم
For he is the one they hope will drive hardships
So he is the one hoped for to drive away the calamities
from their abode, and he is the lion who settles matters.
From their homes, and he is the decisive victor
وَلدولةand for the state الإِسلامof Islam مِنهُfrom him ناصرa defender
وَلدولة الإِسلام مِنهُ ناصر
بِالعَدلthrough justice يَخشاهfears him مبيدٌa destroyer ظالمtyrannical
بِالعَدل يَخشاه مبيدٌ ظالم
And the state of Islam finds in him a defender;
And for the state of Islam he is a supporter
through justice, he is feared by the tyrannical destroyer.
With justice, feared by an unjust destroyer
وَبحزمهand by his resolve عزglory الخلافةof the caliphate جاءَهاcame to it
وَبحزمه عز الخلافة جاءَها
يَسعىhastening فذلّso was humbled لَهاbefore it أَبيٌّa defiant one حاطمa crusher
يَسعى فذلّ لَها أَبيٌّ حاطم
And by his resolve, glory came to the caliphate,
And with his rationality the pride of the caliphate came to it
hastening, and the defiant crusher was humbled before it.
Struggling, so a stubborn father submitted
وَعلاand rose over الصَدارةَthe grand vizierate مِنfrom ضياءradiance سَدادهhis sound judgment
وَعلا الصَدارةَ مِن ضياء سَداده
نورٌa light بهِthrough it اِبتَهجrejoiced الإِمامُthe imam القائمreigning
نورٌ بهِ اِبتَهج الإِمامُ القائم
And over the grand vizierate, from his judgment's radiance, rose
And he rose to premiership from the light of his integrity
a light that gladdened the reigning imam.
A light with which the upright Imam brightened
وَالمؤمنونand the believers لَهُfor him بِطالعat the ascendant سَعدهof his good fortune
وَالمؤمنون لَهُ بِطالع سَعده
فَرحواthey rejoiced وَهنَّوهand congratulated him فغصso choked السادمthe brooding one
فَرحوا وَهنَّوه فغص السادم
And the believers, at the rise of his fortunate star,
And the believers rejoiced for the fortune of his rising
rejoiced for him and congratulated him, so the brooding one choked.
And congratulated him, so the envier was angry
وَتضرّعواand they prayed humbly بِدَوامهfor his continuance فيin مسندa seat of office
وَتضرّعوا بِدَوامه في مسند
هُوَhe أَهلُهis worthy of it وَهُوَand he النبيلthe noble one الحازمthe resolute one
هُوَ أَهلُه وَهُوَ النبيل الحازم
And they prayed humbly for his continuance in a seat
And prayed for his continuance in position
that he merits—he, the noble and resolute.
He is its most rightful and he is the wise decisive one
وَهوَand he الأَمينthe trustworthy one المؤمنthe believer الشهمthe gallant one الَّذيwho
وَهوَ الأَمين المؤمن الشهم الَّذي
للملكfor the realm وَالإِسلامand Islam مِنهُfrom him مَغانمbenefits
للملك وَالإِسلام مِنهُ مَغانم
And he is the trustworthy believer, the gallant man who
And he is the trusted, faithful, brave believer
brings benefits to the realm and Islam.
Who brings gains for the king and Islam
وَبِهِand through him اِستَقامwas straightened عَلىalong صِراطa path عَدالةof justice
وَبِهِ اِستَقام عَلى صِراط عَدالة
كُلُّevery اعوجاجٍcrookedness للحفيظةof the sense of honor قاصمshattering
كُلُّ اعوجاجٍ للحفيظة قاصم
And through him, along the path of justice, was straightened
And with him straightness on the path of justice
every crookedness that shattered the sense of honor.
Every crookedness to the protector breaks
وَبيقظةand through vigilance عمريةUmar-like فيهاin it نَشاhe grew up
وَبيقظة عمرية فيها نَشا
فَرّfled المنافقthe hypocrite وَاسقرّand stood secure الحاكمthe ruler
فَرّ المنافق وَاسقرّ الحاكم
And through an Umar-like vigilance in which he grew up,
And with Umar-like vigilance in it triumphant
the hypocrite fled and the ruler stood secure.
The hypocrite escapes and the ruler settles
وَعلىand over رؤوسthe heads الخائنينof traitors حسامهhis sword
وَعلى رؤوس الخائنين حسامه
مِنهُfrom him عَلَيهاabove them فيfor المَصالحthe public good حائمhovering
مِنهُ عَلَيها في المَصالح حائم
And over the traitors' heads, his sword
And on the heads of the traitors is his sword
hovers above them at his behest, for the public good.
With which for interests he resolutely aims
فمَنso whoever اِرتَشىtook a bribe دارَتcircled عَلَيهِaround him دَوائرٌcalamities
فمَن اِرتَشى دارَت عَلَيهِ دَوائرٌ
مِنbecause of فعلهhis deed وَرمىand pelted قَفاهthe back of his neck الراجمthe stone-thrower
مِن فعله وَرمى قَفاه الراجم
So whoever takes a bribe, calamities circle round him
So whoever is bribed, cycles turn against him
for his deed, and the stone-thrower pelts his nape.
For his deed, and the sentencing strikes his nape
وَمَنand whoever اِعتَدىtransgressed وَطَغىand tyrannized وَخالفand disobeyed أَمرهhis command
وَمَن اِعتَدى وَطَغى وَخالف أَمره
يُنفَىis banished إِذاif لَمnot يَلتقطهsnatches him up الصارمthe sharp sword
يُنفَى إِذا لَم يَلتقطه الصارم
And whoever transgresses, tyrannizes, and disobeys his command
And whoever transgresses, tyrannizes, defies his order
is banished if the sharp sword has not snatched him away.
Is exiled, if not caught by the executioner first
وَمَنand whoever اِمتَطىmounted للاختلاسfor embezzlement مطيةًa mount
وَمَن اِمتَطى للاختلاس مطيةً
قذفتit hurled بِهِhim فيinto الهُلكِruin حينَwhen يُحاكَمhe is tried
قذفت بِهِ في الهُلكِ حينَ يُحاكَم
And whoever mounts a beast for embezzlement,
And whoever mounts to embezzle
it hurls him into ruin when he is tried.
It throws him into doom when tried
وَمَنand whoever اِنتَهىdesisted عَنfrom غيهhis waywardness فيin سيرهhis conduct
وَمَن اِنتَهى عَن غيه في سيره
وَنَوىand resolved فَأَخلصthen was sincere لَمnot يَلمهreproach him اللائمthe reproacher
وَنَوى فَأَخلص لَم يَلمه اللائم
And whoever abandons his waywardness in his conduct
And whoever stops his confusion in conduct
and resolves, then acts sincerely, no reproacher blames him.
And intends and devotes sincerely, no blamer blames
وَمَنand whoever اِقتَدىfollowed فيin نصحهhis sincere counsel لإمامهto his imam
وَمَن اِقتَدى في نصحه لإمامه
بِهداهby his guidance فَهوَthen he المستقيمthe upright one الغانمthe successful one
بِهداه فَهوَ المستقيم الغانم
And whoever, in sincere counsel to his imam, follows
And whoever follows his advice to his Imam
his guidance is upright and successful.
With his guidance, then he is the winner on the straight path
وَاللَهand God قيَّضهappointed him لنصرةto champion ملةa faith
وَاللَه قيَّضه لنصرة ملة
نجحتsucceeded لَهُfor him فيماin what تَرومit seeks عَزائمfirm resolves
نجحت لَهُ فيما تَروم عَزائم
And God appointed him to champion a faith;
And Allah appointed him to help a nation
his firm resolves succeeded in fulfilling its aspirations.
That succeeded for him in what it aspires
فَلهاso it has بهthrough him البُشرىgood tidings عَلىthroughout طُولthe span المَدىof time
فَلها به البُشرى عَلى طُول المَدى
فَهوَfor he الملاذthe refuge لَهاfor it وَنعمand excellent is الراحمthe merciful one
فَهوَ الملاذ لَها وَنعم الراحم
So through him it has good tidings for all time,
So for it is the good news for the long term
for he is its refuge—and an excellent merciful man.
That he is its refuge and best merciful one
وَلَهاand it has الرَجاhope المَقرونjoined فيin تَدبيرهhis governance
وَلَها الرَجا المَقرون في تَدبيره
بِالفَوزto success حَيثsince هُوَhe التقيّthe devout one العالمthe learned one
بِالفَوز حَيث هُوَ التقيّ العالم
And in his governance it has hope joined
And for it the hope combined with his management
to success, since he is devout and learned.
Of winning, where he is the devout scholar
وَسَتنجليand will clear عَنهاfrom it غَياهبُdark depths كربةٍof distress
وَسَتنجلي عَنها غَياهبُ كربةٍ
حلَّتbefell بِهاupon it وَالكلwhile everyone عَنهاheedless of it نائمasleep
حلَّت بِها وَالكل عَنها نائم
And the dark depths of distress will clear from it,
And the gloom of worries that afflicted it will clear
distress that befell it while all slept heedless of it.
While everyone around it sleeps
وَلَهاand to it تَعودreturns كَماas يَشاءhe wishes فَخارُهاits glory
وَلَها تَعود كَما يَشاء فَخارُها
وَالأَنفand the nose مِنof أَعدىthe most hostile عِداهاof its foes راغمrubbed in dust
وَالأَنف مِن أَعدى عِداها راغم
And its glory will return to it as he wishes,
And its pride will return however he wishes, and the nose
while the nose of its bitterest foe is rubbed in dust.
Of its harshest enemies reluctantly bending
ياO عالَماًa world فيin واحدone man ياO خَيرbest منthose whom
يا عالَماً في واحد يا خَير من
يُثنيspeaks praise عَلَيهِof him فيin المحافلassemblies ناظمa poet
يُثني عَلَيهِ في المحافل ناظم
O world embodied in one man, O best of those
O brilliant in one, best one who
whom a poet praises in assemblies!
Is praised in gatherings by a composer
ياO جابرmender العَثراتof stumbles بِالهممthrough lofty resolves الَّتيwhich
يا جابر العَثرات بِالهمم الَّتي
عَنهاbefore them يكلّfalls short الدَهرTime وَهوَeven though it is مسالمpeaceable
عَنها يكلّ الدَهر وَهوَ مسالم
O mender of stumbles, through lofty resolves
O mender of slips with the resolves
before which Time falls short, even when at peace!
Against which the days and nights relent
ياO مَنyou who يُعَدّis reckoned لَديهِbeside him أَوّلَforemost باخلٍmiser
يا مَن يُعَدّ لَديهِ أَوّلَ باخلٍ
معنٌMa'n وَكَعبٌand Ka'b وَالمقدّمُand foremost حاتمHatim
معنٌ وَكَعبٌ وَالمقدّمُ حاتم
O you beside whom foremost among misers are reckoned
The one at whose side the first eloquent
Ma'n and Ka'b, with Hatim at their head!
Are Ma'n, Ka'b and Hatem the foremost
ياO مَنyou who بِلاwithout سؤلٍa request يفيضpours forth عَلىupon الوَرىhumankind
يا مَن بِلا سؤلٍ يفيض عَلى الوَرى
مِنfrom راحَتيهِhis two palms كَماlike البحارthe seas مَكارمgenerous gifts
مِن راحَتيهِ كَما البحار مَكارم
O you who, unasked, pour upon humankind
O one from whom goodness overflows unto creation
from your two palms, like the seas, generous gifts!
From his comfort like the abundant seas rewards
ياO مَنyou who بِتُونسin Tunis وَالبقاعand the regions جَميعهاall of them
يا مَن بِتُونس وَالبقاع جَميعها
عمَّتspread everywhere لَهُfor him فيthroughout العالمينthe worlds مَراحمmercies
عمَّت لَهُ في العالمين مَراحم
O you who, in Tunis and every land,
O one with whom Tunisia and all its lands
have mercies that spread throughout the worlds!
Were filled with kindness throughout existence
ياO مَنyou who يُجيبanswers إِذاwhen دُعيcalled upon وَبعدلهand through his justice
يا مَن يُجيب إِذا دُعي وَبعدله
مِنfrom غَيرother than تَسويفdelay تُرَدّare redressed مَظالمwrongs
مِن غَير تَسويف تُرَدّ مَظالم
O you who answer when called, and by whose justice
O one who answers when called and with his justice
wrongs are redressed without delay!
Oppression without delay is repelled
ياO مَنyou whom كَساهclothed him اللَهGod حلةَa robe هَيبةٍof awe
يا مَن كَساه اللَه حلةَ هَيبةٍ
خضعتbowed لَهاbefore it فيin الخافقينthe East and West ضَراغمlions
خضعت لَها في الخافقين ضَراغم
O you whom God has clad in a robe of awe,
O one whom Allah clothed with a robe of awe
before which lions in East and West have bowed!
To which hearts in the cosmos bowed
وَعَلَيهِand concerning him أَجمعتunanimously agreed الخَلائقall creatures أَنَّهُthat he
وَعَلَيهِ أَجمعت الخَلائق أَنَّهُ
هُوَhe فيin مَقامthe station الصَدرof grand vizier لَيسَis not يُزاحمrivaled
هُوَ في مَقام الصَدر لَيسَ يُزاحم
And all creatures agree concerning him that
And it was agreed upon that indeed he
he is unrivaled in the station of grand vizier.
Is supreme in position, having no rival
بُشراكgood tidings to you بِالعامfor the year الجَديدthe new فَإِنَّهُfor it
بُشراك بِالعام الجَديد فَإِنَّهُ
لَكَto you بِالنَجاحwith success كماas تؤمّلyou hope قادمcoming
لَكَ بِالنَجاح كما تؤمّل قادم
Good tidings to you for the new year, for it
I congratulate you with the new year, as it is
comes to you with success, just as you hope!
Coming to you with success that you anticipate
وَاقبلand accept مَدائحpraises مخلصof a sincere man بِكَthrough you أَصبحتhave become
وَاقبل مَدائح مخلص بِكَ أَصبحت
قمراًa moon مَنازلُهُits mansions لَديكbeside you نَعائمNa'a'im (the Ostriches stars)
قمراً مَنازلُهُ لَديك نَعائم
And accept a sincere man's praises, which through you have become
And accept the praises of a devotee who in you became
a moon whose mansions beside you are the Na'a'im stars.
A star whose mansions are joys with you
وَأجزهand reward him جائزةَthe prize الرضاof approval فَهِيَfor it الَّتيthat which
وَأجزه جائزةَ الرضا فَهِيَ الَّتي
يَسموrises بِهاthrough it فَوقَabove السماكthe star al-Simak منادمa boon companion
يَسمو بِها فَوقَ السماك منادم
And reward him with the prize of approval, for it is that
And reward him with the reward of content, for it is
by which a boon companion rises above al-Simak.
What raises one high above the highest layers
لاmay you not زلتcease فيin دستthe seat الصدارةof the grand vizierate فائِزاًtriumphant
لا زلت في دست الصدارة فائِزاً
بِمناكin attaining your wish ماas long as صَلَّىprays وَلبَّىand chants 'At Your service!' صائمa fasting man
بِمناك ما صَلَّى وَلبَّى صائم
May you ever triumph in the seat of the grand vizierate,
You still remain in the hand of premiership wining
attaining your wish as long as a fasting man prays and chants, 'At Your service!';
With your achievement, as long as caller and faster prayed
أَوor قالsays مجديMajdi فيin الهَناءcongratulation مؤرخاًcomposing a chronogram
أَو قال مجدي في الهَناء مؤرخاً
بِالصَدرwith the grand vizier خَيرKhayr الدينal-Din جاهprestige دائمenduring
بِالصَدر خَير الدين جاه دائم
or Majdi says in congratulation, composing a chronogram:
Or Majdi says in eulogy recording
'With Grand Vizier Khayr al-Din, prestige endures.'
The chest of the religion, always lasting glory