بُدُورُ خُدُودٍ لَيْلُهُنَّ الضَّفَائِرُ

بُدُورُ خُدُودٍ لَيْلُهُنَّ الضَّفَائِرُ

وَبَان قُدُودٍ وَجْهُهُنَّ المَآزِرُ

وَبَان قُدُودٍ وَجْهُهُنَّ المَآزِرُ

Full moons of cheeks whose night is their braids;

Buds with soft cheeks, their braids the night,

And ban-tree figures whose fronts are waist-wraps;

Appearing are slender waists and faces like the full moon.

وَغِيدُ رِيَاضٍ أبْرَزَت لَحَظَاتُهَا

وَغِيدُ رِيَاضٍ أبْرَزَت لَحَظَاتُهَا

أسُودَ عُيُونٍ غَابُهُنَّ المَحَاجِرُ

أسُودَ عُيُونٍ غَابُهُنَّ المَحَاجِرُ

And supple beauties of gardens whose glances revealed

The meadows have brought out their moments,

Lions of eyes whose thickets are their sockets.

Dark eyes whose depths have disappeared.

نَفَرنَ وَلاَ غَيْرَ العُيُونِ أوَانِسٌ

نَفَرنَ وَلاَ غَيْرَ العُيُونِ أوَانِسٌ

وَصَلْنَ وَلاَ غَيْرَ الجُفِونِ كَوَاسِرُ

وَصَلْنَ وَلاَ غَيْرَ الجُفِونِ كَوَاسِرُ

They shied away, though only their eyes were companionable;

They walked, with nothing but their eyes as companions,

And they pounced, though only their eyelids were predators;

And reached, with nothing but their eyelids as breakers.

وَطِبنَ وَلاَ غَيْرَ النُّهُودِ أزَاهِرٌ

وَطِبنَ وَلاَ غَيْرَ النُّهُودِ أزَاهِرٌ

وَلُحْنَ وَلاَ غَيْرَ القُدُودِ زَوَاهِرُ

وَلُحْنَ وَلاَ غَيْرَ القُدُودِ زَوَاهِرُ

And they were sweet, though only their breasts were blossoms;

They were radiant, with nothing but their breasts as flowers,

And they shone, though only their figures were radiant blooms.

And soft, with nothing but their bodies as blossoms.

مَهاً دُعَجٌ الأجْفَانِ ضَامِرَةُ الحَشَا

مَهاً دُعَجٌ الأجْفَانِ ضَامِرَةُ الحَشَا

عِذَابُ اللَّمَى لُدنُ القٌدٌودٍ جًآذٍرٌ

عِذَابُ اللَّمَى لُدنُ القٌدٌودٍ جًآذٍرٌ

Oryxes with dark eyelids and slender waists,

For a while the lids were languid, the eyes faded,

Sweet in their dusky lips, supple of figure—fawns.

The torment of yearning in tender waists unyielding.

جَاذِرُ تَصْطَادُ الأسُودَ حِبَالُهَا

جَاذِرُ تَصْطَادُ الأسُودَ حِبَالُهَا

وَيَا كَيْفَ تَصْطَادُ الأسُودَ الجَآذِرُ

وَيَا كَيْفَ تَصْطَادُ الأسُودَ الجَآذِرُ

Fawns whose snares hunt lions—

Harsh ones that hunt lions, their ropes,

Oh, how can fawns hunt lions!

How can the harsh ones hunt lions, when they are but lionesses?

نَوَافِرُ لَمْ يَأنَسْنَ يَوْماً لِرِيبَةٍ

نَوَافِرُ لَمْ يَأنَسْنَ يَوْماً لِرِيبَةٍ

وَلاَ عَجَبٌ إنَّ الظِّبَاءَ نَوَافِرُ

وَلاَ عَجَبٌ إنَّ الظِّبَاءَ نَوَافِرُ

Shy creatures, never once at ease with impropriety;

Ones swimming away, never once feeling fear,

No wonder: gazelles are shy.

No wonder the gazelles are swimming away.

تَهَادَيْنَ لَمَّا أنْ هَدَتْهُنَّ غَادَةٌ

تَهَادَيْنَ لَمَّا أنْ هَدَتْهُنَّ غَادَةٌ

لَهَا النُّورُ جِسْمٌ وَالظَّلاَمُ غَدَائِرُ

لَهَا النُّورُ جِسْمٌ وَالظَّلاَمُ غَدَائِرُ

They walked swaying when a graceful maiden led them,

Swaying when a melody greeted them,

Whose body is light and whose tresses are darkness.

To it belongs the light, and to the darkness curtains.

هَضِيمَةُ بَحْرِ البُنْدِ أمَّا وِشَاحُها

هَضِيمَةُ بَحْرِ البُنْدِ أمَّا وِشَاحُها

فَصَادٍ وَأمَّا ردْفُهَا فَهْوَ صَادِرُ

فَصَادٍ وَأمَّا ردْفُهَا فَهْوَ صَادِرُ

Slender at the waistband's sea; as for her sash,

Passionate love, the night has veiled its sun,

It is thirsty, while her rump returns from water.

Will the caves conceal it despite its brilliance?

مَحَا مِلَّةَ السُّلْوَانِ مَبْعَثُ حُسْنِهَا

مَحَا مِلَّةَ السُّلْوَانِ مَبْعَثُ حُسْنِهَا

فَكُلُّ لِدِينِ الحُبّ فِيهَا مُؤَازِرُ

فَكُلُّ لِدِينِ الحُبّ فِيهَا مُؤَازِرُ

The advent of her beauty erased the creed of forgetting;

When it appeared, the beauty hid all lamps,

So everyone champions the religion of love for her.

And it is true that two lamps together dim each other.

لَهَا نَاظِرٌ كَالنَّرْجِسِ الغَضّ ذَابِلٌ

لَهَا نَاظِرٌ كَالنَّرْجِسِ الغَضّ ذَابِلٌ

وَقَدٌّ كَغُصْنِ البَانِ رَيَّانُ نَاضِرُ

وَقَدٌّ كَغُصْنِ البَانِ رَيَّانُ نَاضِرُ

She has a languid eye like a tender narcissus,

If she sulks, how can the sun of her beauty be hidden?

And a figure like a ban-tree branch, well-watered and fresh;

The caves whisper of what is beneath them.

وَثَغْرٌ كَفَرقِ الصُّبْحِ أبْيَضُ نَاصِعٌ

وَثَغْرٌ كَفَرقِ الصُّبْحِ أبْيَضُ نَاصِعٌ

وَشَعْرٌ كَفَرْعِ اللَّيْلِ أسْوَدُ عَاكِرُ

وَشَعْرٌ كَفَرْعِ اللَّيْلِ أسْوَدُ عَاكِرُ

And a mouth like the cleft of dawn, pure, gleaming white;

And if she travels, how can the people find love’s path?

And hair like night's bough, black and murky;

The wandering full moons make her lovers go astray.

وَلَحْظٌ إذَا مَا جَالَ في صَرْحِ جَفْنِه

وَلَحْظٌ إذَا مَا جَالَ في صَرْحِ جَفْنِه

تَيَقَّنْتَ أنَّ اللَّيْثَ فِي الغَابِ كَاشِرُ

تَيَقَّنْتَ أنَّ اللَّيْثَ فِي الغَابِ كَاشِرُ

And a glance that, when it roams its eyelid's palace,

The moon hints of it, an observer sees,

Makes you certain a lion in the thicket bares its teeth.

An idea occurs, and a bird chirps.

يُضْلُّ بِدَعْوَاهُ الوَرَى وَهْوَ مُنْذِرٌ

يُضْلُّ بِدَعْوَاهُ الوَرَى وَهْوَ مُنْذِرٌ

وَيَهْدِي إلَى دِينِ الهُدَى وهو سافِرُ

وَيَهْدِي إلَى دِينِ الهُدَى وهو سافِرُ

It misleads mankind with its summons, though it gives warning,

I task my mind describing her, and it wanders,

And guides to the faith of right guidance when unveiled.

While failing to fully grasp some of what I commanded it.

يَقُولُونَ جَانِبْ لَحْظَهَا فَهْوَ فَاتِكٌ

يَقُولُونَ جَانِبْ لَحْظَهَا فَهْوَ فَاتِكٌ

وَقَلْبُكَ خَفَّاقٌ وَصَبْرُكَ غَادِرُ

وَقَلْبُكَ خَفَّاقٌ وَصَبْرُكَ غَادِرُ

They say, 'Avoid her glance, for it is deadly,

Neighbors! The springtime salutes your meadows,

And your heart flutters, while your patience betrays you.'

Though we are far, and the neighbors absent.

وَمَا عَلِمُوا أنَّ القُلُوبَ كَمَائِمُ

وَمَا عَلِمُوا أنَّ القُلُوبَ كَمَائِمُ

وَأنَّ العُيُونَ الفَاتِكَاتِ أزَاهِرُ

وَأنَّ العُيُونَ الفَاتِكَاتِ أزَاهِرُ

They did not know that hearts are flower-sheaths,

Greetings to the living in those meadows and its plains,

And murderous eyes are blossoms.

With a soft drizzle of promises and downpours.

وَلاَحَتْ فَأخْفَى حُسْنُهَا كُلَّ نَيِّرٍ

وَلاَحَتْ فَأخْفَى حُسْنُهَا كُلَّ نَيِّرٍ

وَقَدْ صَحَّ أنَّ النَّيِّرَيْنِ ضَرَائِرُ

وَقَدْ صَحَّ أنَّ النَّيِّرَيْنِ ضَرَائِرُ

She appeared, and her beauty eclipsed every shining light;

Meadows where when night grows dark, their horizons shine

It is confirmed: the two luminaries are rival wives.

With those glowing stars like flowers.

إذا أعْجَرَت كَيْ تَخْتَفِي شَمْسُ حُسْنِهَا

إذا أعْجَرَت كَيْ تَخْتَفِي شَمْسُ حُسْنِهَا

نَمَمْنَ عَلَى مَا تَحْتَهُنَّ المَعَاجِرُ

نَمَمْنَ عَلَى مَا تَحْتَهُنَّ المَعَاجِرُ

When she wraps her head to hide her beauty's sun,

As if they were archers and they like statues,

The head-wraps betray what lies beneath them.

Bent over their bows, their eyes intently gazing.

وَإنْ سَفَرَتْ كَيْ يَهْتَدِي رَكْبُ حُبِّهَا

وَإنْ سَفَرَتْ كَيْ يَهْتَدِي رَكْبُ حُبِّهَا

أضَلَّتْ مُحِبِّيهَا البُدُورُ السَّوَافِرُ

أضَلَّتْ مُحِبِّيهَا البُدُورُ السَّوَافِرُ

And if she unveils to guide the caravan of her love,

My two friends, arise and listen to my murmurs,

The unveiled full moons lead her lovers astray.

For I expose what my heart conceals.

يَلُوحُ بِهَا بَدْرٌ وَيَلْحَظُ شَادِنٌ

يَلُوحُ بِهَا بَدْرٌ وَيَلْحَظُ شَادِنٌ

وَيَخْطُرُ خُطَّافٌ وَيَصْدَحُ طَائِرُ

وَيَخْطُرُ خُطَّافٌ وَيَصْدَحُ طَائِرُ

A full moon shines in her, and a fawn casts a glance;

Do not tire of my long speech, for it is sweetened

A swallow sways, and a bird sings.

When the absent beloved one speaks.

أكَلِّفُ ذِهْنِي وَصْفَهَا وَهْوَ حَائِرٌ

أكَلِّفُ ذِهْنِي وَصْفَهَا وَهْوَ حَائِرٌ

وَعَنْ بَعْضِ مَا كَلَّفْتُهُ الفّهْمَ قَاصِرُ

وَعَنْ بَعْضِ مَا كَلَّفْتُهُ الفّهْمَ قَاصِرُ

I charge my mind with describing her, though it is bewildered,

Do not make the ghost of memories dreary,

And its understanding falls short of some of what I ask.

For imagination visits my eyes like a friend.

أجِيرَاننَا حَيَّا الرَّبِيعُ رُبُوعَكُمْ

أجِيرَاننَا حَيَّا الرَّبِيعُ رُبُوعَكُمْ

وَإنْ بَعُدَ المَسْرَى وَغَابَ المُجَاوِرُ

وَإنْ بَعُدَ المَسْرَى وَغَابَ المُجَاوِرُ

O our neighbors, may spring greet your dwellings,

Do not deny the memory of ‘Aqeeq and lightning,

Though the night journey is far and the neighbor absent.

For I still recall the shore, remembering.

وَحَيَّا الحَيَا تِلْكَ الرُّبُوعِ وَجَادَهَا

وَحَيَّا الحَيَا تِلْكَ الرُّبُوعِ وَجَادَهَا

بِلَثً مِنَ الوَسْمِيّ هَامٍ وَهَادِرُ

بِلَثً مِنَ الوَسْمِيّ هَامٍ وَهَادِرُ

And may rain greet those dwellings and drench them

Do not despair of the spirit of affection’s era,

With unceasing autumn showers, pouring and roaring.

For neither is the pact forgotten, nor affection fleeting.

رُبُوع إذَا مَا اللَّيْلُ أظْلَمَ أشْرَقَتْ

رُبُوع إذَا مَا اللَّيْلُ أظْلَمَ أشْرَقَتْ

بِآفَاقِهَا تِلْكَ النُّجُومُ الزَّوَاهِرُ

بِآفَاقِهَا تِلْكَ النُّجُومُ الزَّوَاهِرُ

Dwellings where, when night grows dark, there shine

But the path of love is a heart I left,

On their horizons those radiant stars.

One evening when chests were stifled by throats.

كَأنَّ بِهَا نَبْلا وَهُنَّ كَنَائِنٌ

كَأنَّ بِهَا نَبْلا وَهُنَّ كَنَائِنٌ

عَلَيْهِ وَالْحَاظاً وَهُنَّ مَحَاجِرُ

عَلَيْهِ وَالْحَاظاً وَهُنَّ مَحَاجِرُ

As though arrows lay within them, and they were quivers

The winds of separation blew, they were cloaks,

For them—and glances, and they were eye-sockets.

And the swords of departure flashed, they were gazes.

خَلِيلَيَّ قُومَا وَاسْمَعَا مَا أبُثُّهُ

خَلِيلَيَّ قُومَا وَاسْمَعَا مَا أبُثُّهُ

فَإنِّي لِمَا يطْوِي الفُؤَادُ لَنَاشِرُ

فَإنِّي لِمَا يطْوِي الفُؤَادُ لَنَاشِرُ

My two friends, rise and hear what I pour out,

Where the atmosphere stirred the clash’s echo,

For I unfold what the heart enfolds.

And the gloom’s darkness had settled.

وَلاَ تَسْأمَا طُولَ الحَدِيثِ فَإنَّمَا

وَلاَ تَسْأمَا طُولَ الحَدِيثِ فَإنَّمَا

يَطِيبُ إذَا طَابَ الخَلِيلُ المُسَافِرُ

يَطِيبُ إذَا طَابَ الخَلِيلُ المُسَافِرُ

Do not tire of the lengthy tale, for it only

No flag of night retreated in the west,

Grows sweet when the traveling companion is congenial.

And no dawn rebelled in the east.

وَلاَ تُوحِشَا طَيْفَ الخَيَالَ فَإنَّهُ

وَلاَ تُوحِشَا طَيْفَ الخَيَالَ فَإنَّهُ

يَقَرُّ بِعَيْنَيَّ الخَيَالُ المُزَاوِرُ

يَقَرُّ بِعَيْنَيَّ الخَيَالُ المُزَاوِرُ

Do not frighten off the phantom vision, for

I turn my gaze upon the horizons, imagining

The visiting apparition delights my eyes.

Them as gardens while they are but stars.

وَلاَ تُنْكِرَا ذِكْرَ العَقِيقِ وَباَرِقٍ

وَلاَ تُنْكِرَا ذِكْرَ العَقِيقِ وَباَرِقٍ

فَإنِّي وَمَا أنْسِيتُ لِلشطّ ذَاكِرُ

فَإنِّي وَمَا أنْسِيتُ لِلشطّ ذَاكِرُ

Do not reject mention of al-Aqiq and Bariq,

So neither does a meteor plunge in the Milky Way’s river by my will,

For I remember the shore and have not forgotten.

Nor does the Milky Way’s sea disappear by my command.

وَلاَ تَيْأسَا مِنْ روْحِ عَهْدِ مَوَدَّةٍ

وَلاَ تَيْأسَا مِنْ روْحِ عَهْدِ مَوَدَّةٍ

فَلاَ العَهْدُ مَنْسِيُّ وَلاَ الوُدُّ دَائِرُ

فَلاَ العَهْدُ مَنْسِيُّ وَلاَ الوُدُّ دَائِرُ

Do not despair of the comfort of a pledge of affection;

Sleep has fled my eyelids, so for this reason,

The pledge is not forgotten, nor is love effaced.

My eyelids in the darkness revolve.

ألاَ سَبِيلِ الحُبّ قَلْبٌ تَركْتُهُ

ألاَ سَبِيلِ الحُبّ قَلْبٌ تَركْتُهُ

عَشيَّةَ غَصَّتْ بِالْقُلُوبِ الحَنَاجِرُ

عَشيَّةَ غَصَّتْ بِالْقُلُوبِ الحَنَاجِرُ

Lo, a heart I left upon love's path,

O morning star, you have dazzled creation,

On the evening when hearts choked throats,

And proof of my sincerity is your evident splendor.

وَجَالَتْ رِيَاحُ الخَطّ وَهْيَ مَعَاطِفٌ

وَجَالَتْ رِيَاحُ الخَطّ وَهْيَ مَعَاطِفٌ

وَهَبَّت سُيُوفُ الهُدْبِ وَهْيَ نَوَاظِرُ

وَهَبَّت سُيُوفُ الهُدْبِ وَهْيَ نَوَاظِرُ

And winds of Khatt roamed, though they were swaying figures,

Your eyes entrusted my heart with secrets,

And swords of eyelashes rose, though they were eyes,

And the rule of passion is to not divulge secrets.

بِحَيْثُ أثَارَ الجَوُّ نَقْعَ دُجَائِهِ

بِحَيْثُ أثَارَ الجَوُّ نَقْعَ دُجَائِهِ

وَقَدْ صَارَ زِنْجِيُّ الظَّلاَمِ المُغَاوِرُ

وَقَدْ صَارَ زِنْجِيُّ الظَّلاَمِ المُغَاوِرُ

Where the air stirred the dust of its darkness,

By my soul, your cheeks were springtime at first,

And darkness's raiding Zanj had come forth.

Then followed another springtime from your coquetry.

وَلاَ هُزِمَتْ لِلَّيْلِ فِي الغَرْبِ رَايَةٌ

وَلاَ هُزِمَتْ لِلَّيْلِ فِي الغَرْبِ رَايَةٌ

وَلاَ قَام لِلإصْبَاحِ فِي الشَّرْقِ ثَائِرُ

وَلاَ قَام لِلإصْبَاحِ فِي الشَّرْقِ ثَائِرُ

No banner of night had been defeated in the west,

These tears of passion like pearls

Nor had a champion of morning risen in the east.

Were scattered on the plains of my cheek.

أقَلِّبُ في الأفْلاَكِ طَرْفاً يَخَالُهَا

أقَلِّبُ في الأفْلاَكِ طَرْفاً يَخَالُهَا

رِيَاضَ بَهاً وَهْيَ النُّجُومُ أزَاهِرُ

رِيَاضَ بَهاً وَهْيَ النُّجُومُ أزَاهِرُ

I turn my gaze through the heavens, imagining them

Lightning on the horizon’s edge has riled me,

Gardens of beauty, with the stars as blossoms.

As a bird in the nest’s pulpit excites me.

فَلاَ الشهْبُ فِي نَهْرِ المَجَرَّةِ تَنْطَفِي

فَلاَ الشهْبُ فِي نَهْرِ المَجَرَّةِ تَنْطَفِي

بِرُغْمِي وَلاَ بَحْرُ المَجَرَّة غَائِرُ

بِرُغْمِي وَلاَ بَحْرُ المَجَرَّة غَائِرُ

Yet the bright stars in the Milky Way's river will not go out,

For pleasant moments between an observer and the observed,

To my dismay, nor does the Milky Way's sea recede.

Making pleasurable, as the cupbearer and onlooker do.

وَقَدْ فَرَّ مِنْ جَفْنِي الكَرَى فَلأجْلِ ذَا

وَقَدْ فَرَّ مِنْ جَفْنِي الكَرَى فَلأجْلِ ذَا

عَلَيْهِ جُفُونِي فِي الظَّلاَمِ دَوَائِرُ

عَلَيْهِ جُفُونِي فِي الظَّلاَمِ دَوَائِرُ

Sleep has fled my eyelid, and because of this

I spent with them hours of leisure, as if

My eyelids circle after it in the darkness.

Time had overlooked them while it slumbered awake.

أيَا كَوْكَبَ الصُّبْحِ الذِي بَهَرَ الوَرَى

أيَا كَوْكَبَ الصُّبْحِ الذِي بَهَرَ الوَرَى

وَبُرْهَانُ صِدْقِي أنَّ حُسْنَكَ بَاهِرُ

وَبُرْهَانُ صِدْقِي أنَّ حُسْنَكَ بَاهِرُ

O morning star that dazzled mankind—

In a garden the clouds shaded its meadows,

The proof of my truth is your dazzling beauty.

With a youthful springtime’s embroidery and flowers.

لَقَدْ أوْدَعَتْ عَيْنَاكَ قَلْبِي سَرَائِراً

لَقَدْ أوْدَعَتْ عَيْنَاكَ قَلْبِي سَرَائِراً

وَحُكْمُ الهَوَى أنْ لا تُذَاعَ السَّرَائِرُ

وَحُكْمُ الهَوَى أنْ لا تُذَاعَ السَّرَائِرُ

Your eyes have indeed deposited secrets in my heart,

Where the sword of dawn drew its blade,

And love's decree is that secrets must not be divulged.

And the proud sun of morning rose.

بِرُوحِي رَبِيعاً مِنْ خُدُودِكَ أوَّلاً

بِرُوحِي رَبِيعاً مِنْ خُدُودِكَ أوَّلاً

تَلاَهُ رَبِيعٌ مِنْ عِذَارِكَ آخِرُ

تَلاَهُ رَبِيعٌ مِنْ عِذَارِكَ آخِرُ

I would ransom with my soul a first spring of your cheeks,

And where the messenger of day pounded its glad tidings,

Followed by a later spring of your cheek-down.

Announcing good news with those tidings.

أمَا وَعَقِيقٍ مِنْ دُمُوعٍ كَأنَّهَا

أمَا وَعَقِيقٍ مِنْ دُمُوعٍ كَأنَّهَا

عَلَى صَحْنِ خَدّي لُؤْلُؤٌ مُتَنَاثِرُ

عَلَى صَحْنِ خَدّي لُؤْلُؤٌ مُتَنَاثِرُ

Ah, by an agate stream of tears, as though they were

And where the breeze tilted the branches of acacia,

Scattered pearls across the surface of my cheek:

Upon them hearts, like birds, soared.

لَقَدْ شَاقَنِي فِي غَيْهَبِ الأفْقِ بَارِقٌ

لَقَدْ شَاقَنِي فِي غَيْهَبِ الأفْقِ بَارِقٌ

كَمَا هَاجَنِي فِي مِنْبَرِ الأيْكِ طَائِرُ

كَمَا هَاجَنِي فِي مِنْبَرِ الأيْكِ طَائِرُ

A flash in the horizon's darkness made me yearn,

And where the doves of the nest, eloquent speakers,

As a bird upon the grove's pulpit stirred me,

Yearn for the subtlety of speech from the pulpit.

لأوْقَاتِ أنْسٍ بَيْنَ شَادٍ وَشَادِنٍ

لأوْقَاتِ أنْسٍ بَيْنَ شَادٍ وَشَادِنٍ

كَمَا اقْتَرَحَ اللَّذَّاتِ صَاغٍ وَنَاظِرُ

كَمَا اقْتَرَحَ اللَّذَّاتِ صَاغٍ وَنَاظِرُ

For hours of intimacy between a singer and a fawn,

And where narcissus eyes wander,

As listener and onlooker called for pleasures.

As mouths of buds gape.

قَضَيْتُ بِهَا أوْطَارَ لَهْوٍ كَأنَّمَا

قَضَيْتُ بِهَا أوْطَارَ لَهْوٍ كَأنَّمَا

غَفَا الدَّهْرُ عَنْهَا فَهْوَ وَسْنَانُ سَاهِرُ

غَفَا الدَّهْرُ عَنْهَا فَهْوَ وَسْنَانُ سَاهِرُ

There I fulfilled desires for amusement, as though

And where the river flows rapidly having thinned,

Time dozed, heedless of them, drowsy yet wakeful.

As it did for the blessed one's settling of the dust.

لَدَى رَوْضَةٍ وَشَّى السَّحَابُ رُبُوعَهَا

لَدَى رَوْضَةٍ وَشَّى السَّحَابُ رُبُوعَهَا

بِوَشْيِ رَبِيعٍ دَبَّجَتْهُ الأزَاهِرُ

بِوَشْيِ رَبِيعٍ دَبَّجَتْهُ الأزَاهِرُ

Beside a garden whose grounds the clouds embroidered

A sovereign ascended, atop glories of rule,

With spring's embroidery, brocaded by blossoms;

For its grandeur, even great kings submitted.

بِحَيْثُ نَجَاشِيُّ الدُّجَى سَلَّ سَيْفَهُ

بِحَيْثُ نَجَاشِيُّ الدُّجَى سَلَّ سَيْفَهُ

وَقَدْ جَالَ خَاقَانُ الصَّبَاحِ المُفَاخِرُ

وَقَدْ جَالَ خَاقَانُ الصَّبَاحِ المُفَاخِرُ

Where the Negus of darkness drew his sword,

And a lord whose traits of justice correspond,

And the boastful Khagan of morning ranged forth;

Warning against evil, while commanding good.

وَحَيْثُ الضّيَا دُقَّتْ بَشَائِرُ وَفْدِهِ

وَحَيْثُ الضّيَا دُقَّتْ بَشَائِرُ وَفْدِهِ

وَقَدْ أعْلَنَتْ بِالبِشْرِ تِلْكَ البَشَائِرُ

وَقَدْ أعْلَنَتْ بِالبِشْرِ تِلْكَ البَشَائِرُ

Where glad tidings of light's arrival were drummed,

A full moon rising in horizons of fortune,

And those heralds proclaimed gladness;

And a rain from the sustenance of creation, pouring down.

وَحَيْثُ أمَالَ الرِيحُ أعْرَافَ بَانِهِ

وَحَيْثُ أمَالَ الرِيحُ أعْرَافَ بَانِهِ

عَلَى مِثْلِهَا فَهْيَ القُلُوبُ طَوَائِرُ

عَلَى مِثْلِهَا فَهْيَ القُلُوبُ طَوَائِرُ

Where the wind bent the crests of its ban trees

And a sea whose essence of being is clear to the eye,

Toward others like them: they were hearts in flight;

And it's no wonder that gems are purified in the sea.

وَحَيْثُ حَمَامُ الأيْكِ أفْصَحُ خَاطِبٍ

وَحَيْثُ حَمَامُ الأيْكِ أفْصَحُ خَاطِبٍ

تَحِنُّ لِفَحْوَى النُّطْقِ مِنْهُ المَنَابِرُ

تَحِنُّ لِفَحْوَى النُّطْقِ مِنْهُ المَنَابِرُ

Where the grove's dove was the most eloquent preacher,

A path of guidance to be guided, though perceptions

And pulpits yearned for the tenor of its speech;

Among the blind have failed.

وَحَيْثُ عُيُونُ النَّرْجسِ الغَضّ نُظَّرٌ

وَحَيْثُ عُيُونُ النَّرْجسِ الغَضّ نُظَّرٌ

تَجُولُ وَأفْوَاهُ الأقَاحِ فَوَاغِرُ

تَجُولُ وَأفْوَاهُ الأقَاحِ فَوَاغِرُ

Where the eyes of tender narcissi were gazers

A brother of might and bounty, thus either fervent zeal,

Roaming, while the mouths of daisies stood agape;

Or tolerant and shady, bountiful.

وَحَيْثُ اطِّرَادُ النَّهْرِ قَدْ سَلَّ مُرْهَفاً

وَحَيْثُ اطِّرَادُ النَّهْرِ قَدْ سَلَّ مُرْهَفاً

كَمَا سُلَّ لِلْمَسْعُودِ في النَّقْعِ بَاتِرُ

كَمَا سُلَّ لِلْمَسْعُودِ في النَّقْعِ بَاتِرُ

Where the river's flowing course drew a keen blade,

He established a star of fortune's sake in the kingdom's horizon,

As a cleaving sword was drawn for al-Masud in battle-dust.

And his traits are processions between the two honorable ones.

مَلِيكٌ عَلاَ فَوْقَ المَعَالِي بِرُتْبَةٍ

مَلِيكٌ عَلاَ فَوْقَ المَعَالِي بِرُتْبَةٍ

لِعِزَّتِهَا ذَلَّ المُلُوكُ الأكَابِرُ

لِعِزَّتِهَا ذَلَّ المُلُوكُ الأكَابِرُ

A king who rose above exalted ranks to a station

He dominated the protection of eminence with white and spears,

Before whose might the greatest kings bowed;

And with white and line, glories are built.

وَمَوْلىً صِفَاتُ العَدْلِ فِيهِ تَطَابَقَتْ

وَمَوْلىً صِفَاتُ العَدْلِ فِيهِ تَطَابَقَتْ

عَلَى الشَرّ نَاهٍ وَهْوَ بِالخَيْرِ آمِرُ

عَلَى الشَرّ نَاهٍ وَهْوَ بِالخَيْرِ آمِرُ

And a lord in whom the qualities of justice accorded,

Ask the war about him, while swords shine

Forbidding evil while commanding good;

And spears are carved, unsheathed.

وَبَدْرٌ بِآفَاقِ السَّعَادَةِ طَالِعٌ

وَبَدْرٌ بِآفَاقِ السَّعَادَةِ طَالِعٌ

وَغَيْثٌ بِأرْزَاقِ البَرِيَّةِ مَاطِرُ

وَغَيْثٌ بِأرْزَاقِ البَرِيَّةِ مَاطِرُ

And a full moon rising on the horizons of happiness;

And around him are his clan of Hafs, a band

And rain showering sustenance upon creation;

Of dark lions over steeds like islands.

وَحَبْرٌ تُرِيهِ قَبْلَ مَا هُوَ كَائِنٌ

وَحَبْرٌ تُرِيهِ قَبْلَ مَا هُوَ كَائِنٌ

بَصِيرَتُهُ أضْعَافَ مَا هُوَ بَاصِرُ

بَصِيرَتُهُ أضْعَافَ مَا هُوَ بَاصِرُ

And a sage who, before things come to be, is shown

When they establish reproof in war, addressing it,

By his insight many times what his eyes behold;

The plumes of heroes' turbans become pulpits.

وَبَحْرٌ صَفَا لِلْعَيْنِ جَوْهَرُ ذَاتِهِ

وَبَحْرٌ صَفَا لِلْعَيْنِ جَوْهَرُ ذَاتِهِ

وَلاَ بِدْعَ إذْ في البَحْرِ تَصْفُو الجَوَاهِرُ

وَلاَ بِدْعَ إذْ في البَحْرِ تَصْفُو الجَوَاهِرُ

And a sea whose essential jewel is clear to the eye—

They are the people, possessing the glory and ascension,

No marvel, for jewels grow pure in the sea.

Does not ascendance return to them, along with glories?

سَبِيلُ هُدىً يُهْدَى بهِ كُلُّ مُبْصِرِ

سَبِيلُ هُدىً يُهْدَى بهِ كُلُّ مُبْصِرِ

إذَا عَمِيَتْ بالْمُصِرِينَ البَصَائِرُ

إذَا عَمِيَتْ بالْمُصِرِينَ البَصَائِرُ

A path of guidance by which everyone with sight is guided

Obeyed when they draw swords,

When insight grows blind among the obstinate;

And obeyed when the scabbard entices dispute.

أخُو البَأسِ وَالنُّعْمَى فَإمَّا حَمَاسَةٌ

أخُو البَأسِ وَالنُّعْمَى فَإمَّا حَمَاسَةٌ

وَإمَّا سَمَاحٌ وَارِفُ الظِّلّ وَافِرُ

وَإمَّا سَمَاحٌ وَارِفُ الظِّلّ وَافِرُ

A brother to valor and blessing: now martial courage,

They rise high where they travel the heights, and disappear,

Now abundant generosity, broad in its shade.

While their honor is abundant; no treasures are withheld.

أقَامَ بِأفْقِ المُلْكِ نَجْماً لِسَعْدِهِ

أقَامَ بِأفْقِ المُلْكِ نَجْماً لِسَعْدِهِ

وَأوْصَافُهُ فِي الخَافِقَيْنِ سَوَائِرُ

وَأوْصَافُهُ فِي الخَافِقَيْنِ سَوَائِرُ

He raised a star of his good fortune on kingship's horizon,

When they disappear, we say: rising stars,

And his qualities travel through east and west.

And when they appear, we say: shining suns.

وَسَادَ حِمَى العَلْيَاءِ بِالبِيضِ وَالْقَنَا

وَسَادَ حِمَى العَلْيَاءِ بِالبِيضِ وَالْقَنَا

وَبِالبِيضِ وَالخِطِّيّ تُبْنَى المَفَاخِرُ

وَبِالبِيضِ وَالخِطِّيّ تُبْنَى المَفَاخِرُ

He ruled the sanctuary of eminence with white swords and spears;

Their perfume is like ambergris, and it is

With white swords and Khatt spears, glories are built.

The fragrance of a soft breeze, mingling with flowers.

سَلِ الحَرْبَ عَنْهُ وَالسُّيُوفُ بَوَارِقٌ

سَلِ الحَرْبَ عَنْهُ وَالسُّيُوفُ بَوَارِقٌ

تَألَّقُ وَالأرْمَاحُ رُقْشٌ نَوَاشِرُ

تَألَّقُ وَالأرْمَاحُ رُقْشٌ نَوَاشِرُ

Ask war about him, while swords are flashes

Lions, when the clash excites their seas,

Glittering, and spears are speckled serpents unfurling;

The islands walk beneath their saddles.

وَبِالأفْقِ للِنَّقْعِ المُثَارِ سَحَائِبٌ

وَبِالأفْقِ للِنَّقْعِ المُثَارِ سَحَائِبٌ

هَوْامِلُ لَكِنْ بِالدّمَاءِ هَوَامِرُ

هَوْامِلُ لَكِنْ بِالدّمَاءِ هَوَامِرُ

And on the horizon raised battle-dust forms clouds,

A lion leading them when hardship befalls them,

Drifting, yet pouring torrents of blood.

Bold, the hardship’s boldness, combatting.

وَلِلرُّمْحِ أمْرٌ فِي الكَتَائِبِ عَادِلٌ

وَلِلرُّمْحِ أمْرٌ فِي الكَتَائِبِ عَادِلٌ

وَللِسَّيْفِ حُكْمٌ في المَقَاسِمِ جَائِرُ

وَللِسَّيْفِ حُكْمٌ في المَقَاسِمِ جَائِرُ

The lance has a just command among the battalions,

When the fire of his rage ignites in his eyes,

And the sword an unjust judgment in dividing.

You see demise frequenting souls.

وَمِنْ حَوْلِهِ مِنْ آلِ حَفْصٍ عِصَابَةٌ

وَمِنْ حَوْلِهِ مِنْ آلِ حَفْصٍ عِصَابَةٌ

أسُودُ وَغىً فَوْقَ الجِيَادِ كَوَاسِرُ

أسُودُ وَغىً فَوْقَ الجِيَادِ كَوَاسِرُ

Around him stands a band from the house of Hafs,

The sun and its lightning frighten them,

Lions of battle, fierce predators upon steeds.

While they are but his darknesses and flashes.

إذَا مَا أقَامُوا العَضْبَ في الحَرْبِ خَاطِباً

إذَا مَا أقَامُوا العَضْبَ في الحَرْبِ خَاطِباً

فَهَامَاتُ أبْطَالِ الكُمَاةِ مَنَابِرُ

فَهَامَاتُ أبْطَالِ الكُمَاةِ مَنَابِرُ

When they appoint the sharp sword as war's preacher,

Demise disappears from them while he is absent,

The heads of champion warriors become pulpits.

And attends to his swords while he is present.

هُمُ القَوْمُ حَازُوا حَوْزَةَ الفَخْرِ وَالْعُلَى

هُمُ القَوْمُ حَازُوا حَوْزَةَ الفَخْرِ وَالْعُلَى

ألَيْسَ لَهُمْ تُعْزَى العُلَى وَالمَفَاخِرُ

ألَيْسَ لَهُمْ تُعْزَى العُلَى وَالمَفَاخِرُ

They are the people who secured the realm of glory and heights;

He ridicules burdens, while they are heavy,

Are not high deeds and glories attributed to them?

And trivializes champions, while they are great.

مَطَاعِيمُ إنْ حَلَّتْ بِمَغْنَاهُمُ السُّرَى

مَطَاعِيمُ إنْ حَلَّتْ بِمَغْنَاهُمُ السُّرَى

مَطَاعِينُ إنْ حَثَّ القِنَاءَ المُشَاجِرُ

مَطَاعِينُ إنْ حَثَّ القِنَاءَ المُشَاجِرُ

Generous feeders when night travelers alight in their abode;

He humiliated the transgression, after its glory, and oft

Fearsome piercers when a combatant urges on the spears.

The transgressor was humiliated by him, as the dweller was honored.

عَلَوْا حَيْثُ سَارُوا في المَعَالِي وَأدْلَجُوا

عَلَوْا حَيْثُ سَارُوا في المَعَالِي وَأدْلَجُوا

وَأعْرَاضُهُمْ مَوْفُورَةٌ لاَ الذَّخَائِرُ

وَأعْرَاضُهُمْ مَوْفُورَةٌ لاَ الذَّخَائِرُ

They rose wherever they traveled through high deeds by day or night;

So days do not defeat the resolute one,

Their honor remains intact, not their stores.

Nor do days empower the defeated one.

إذَا أدْلَجُوا قُلْنَا نُجُومٌ ثَوَاقبٌ

إذَا أدْلَجُوا قُلْنَا نُجُومٌ ثَوَاقبٌ

وَإنْ أسْفَرُوا قُلْنَا شُمُوسٌ بَوَاهِرُ

وَإنْ أسْفَرُوا قُلْنَا شُمُوسٌ بَوَاهِرُ

When they travel by night, we call them piercing stars;

Nor do fates aid the abandoning one,

When they travel at dawn, we call them dazzling suns.

Nor do fates abandon the aiding one.

يَضُوعُ شَذَاهُمْ كَالعَبِيرِ وَإنَّهُ

يَضُوعُ شَذَاهُمْ كَالعَبِيرِ وَإنَّهُ

لَعَرْفُ نَسِيمٍ صَافَحَتْهُ الأزَاهِرُ

لَعَرْفُ نَسِيمٍ صَافَحَتْهُ الأزَاهِرُ

Their fragrance spreads like perfume, and truly

His well-wisher is lavish in fortune’s garb,

It is the scent of a breeze that blossoms have greeted.

While his adversary stumbles in misery’s hem.

ليُوثٌ إذَا مَا النَّقْعَ هَاجَتْ بحُورُهُ

ليُوثٌ إذَا مَا النَّقْعَ هَاجَتْ بحُورُهُ

تَسِيرُ بِهِمْ تَحْتَ السُّرُوجِ الجَزَائِرُ

تَسِيرُ بِهِمْ تَحْتَ السُّرُوجِ الجَزَائِرُ

Lions, when the seas of battle-dust surge,

His protection is an impenetrable shield upon us,

Borne along by islands beneath their saddles.

Between his protection and events, a deterrent.

يَؤُمُّهُمُ لَيْثٌ إذَا الخَطْبُ غَالَهُمْ

يَؤُمُّهُمُ لَيْثٌ إذَا الخَطْبُ غَالَهُمْ

جَلاَهُ وَنَابُ الخَطْبِ بِالخَطْبِ كَاشِرُ

جَلاَهُ وَنَابُ الخَطْبِ بِالخَطْبِ كَاشِرُ

A lion leads them who, when calamity assails them,

He has a way in virtues that compete,

Dispels it, though calamity bares its fang in the crisis.

Its first competing with its lasts.

إذَا الْتَهَبَتْ فِي لَحْظِهِ نَارُ غَيْظِهِ

إذَا الْتَهَبَتْ فِي لَحْظِهِ نَارُ غَيْظِهِ

رَأيْتَ المَنَايَا لِلنُّفُوسِ تُزَاوِرُ

رَأيْتَ المَنَايَا لِلنُّفُوسِ تُزَاوِرُ

When the fire of his rage blazes in his glance,

He is the sea except his generosity’s spring

You see deaths visiting souls.

Is its conduit, and its conduits have flowed.

تَرُوُعُهُمُ شَمْسُ السَّمَاءِ وَبَرْقُهَا

تَرُوُعُهُمُ شَمْسُ السَّمَاءِ وَبَرْقُهَا

وَمَا هِيَ إلا سُمْرُهُ وَالْبَوَاتِرُ

وَمَا هِيَ إلا سُمْرُهُ وَالْبَوَاتِرُ

The sky's sun and lightning terrify them,

A generosity that heals mankind of its afflictions,

Yet these are only his brown spears and cleaving swords.

While good news of generosity upon him is recurrent.

تَغِيبُ المَنَايَا عَنْهُمُ وَهْوَ غَائِبٌ

تَغِيبُ المَنَايَا عَنْهُمُ وَهْوَ غَائِبٌ

وَتَحْضُرُ فِي أسْيَافِهِ وَهْوَ حَاضِرُ

وَتَحْضُرُ فِي أسْيَافِهِ وَهْوَ حَاضِرُ

Deaths are absent from them when he is absent,

And wisdom firmly nailed to the heavens’ thickness,

And present in his swords when he is present.

And resolve steadfast upon the star of stars.

وَيَسْتَهْجِنُ الأقْيَالَ وَهْيَ ضَرَاغِمٌ

وَيَسْتَهْجِنُ الأقْيَالَ وَهْيَ ضَرَاغِمٌ

وَيَسْتَصْغِرُ الأبْطَالَ وَهْيَ أكَابِرُ

وَيَسْتَصْغِرُ الأبْطَالَ وَهْيَ أكَابِرُ

He deems princes ignoble, though they are lions,

For every tender branch, he has a season from him,

And heroes small, though they are mighty.

And in every neighborhood, a flower blooms for him.

أذَلَّ العِدَى مِنْ بَعْد عِزّ وَطَالَمَا

أذَلَّ العِدَى مِنْ بَعْد عِزّ وَطَالَمَا

أُذِلَّ بِهِ البَاغِي وَعَزَّ المُجَاوِرُ

أُذِلَّ بِهِ البَاغِي وَعَزَّ المُجَاوِرُ

He humbled enemies after their might; how often

So neither is the moon except flourishing through his life,

Through him the aggressor was humbled and the neighbor exalted!

Nor is the sea except abundant by his hands.

فَلاَ تَكْسِرُ الأيَّامُ مَنْ هُوَ جَابِرٌ

فَلاَ تَكْسِرُ الأيَّامُ مَنْ هُوَ جَابِرٌ

وَلاَ تَجْبُرُ الأيَّامُ مَنْ هُوَ كَاسِرُ

وَلاَ تَجْبُرُ الأيَّامُ مَنْ هُوَ كَاسِرُ

Time cannot break one whom he restores,

Precedence in virtues he has, and succession,

Nor restore one whom he breaks.

An interior realm of glory, and manifest.

وَلاَ تَنْصُرُ الأقْدَارُ مَنْ هُوَ خَاذِلٌ

وَلاَ تَنْصُرُ الأقْدَارُ مَنْ هُوَ خَاذِلٌ

وَلاَ تَخْذُلُ الأقْدَارُ مَنْ هُوَ نَاصِرُ

وَلاَ تَخْذُلُ الأقْدَارُ مَنْ هُوَ نَاصِرُ

Fate cannot support one whom he abandons,

When describing the traits of praise for his eminence,

Nor abandon one whom he supports.

Tribes have congratulated whom they were congratulated upon.

فَعَافِيهِ فِي ثَوْبِ السَّعَادَةِ رَافِلٌ

فَعَافِيهِ فِي ثَوْبِ السَّعَادَةِ رَافِلٌ

وَعَادِيهِ فِي ذَيْلِ الشَّقَاوَةِ عَاثِرُ

وَعَادِيهِ فِي ذَيْلِ الشَّقَاوَةِ عَاثِرُ

His petitioner trails in the robe of happiness,

To God belongs the secret in his ascending heights,

And his enemy stumbles in misery's hem.

Each clear in the meaning of that secret, perplexed.

حِمَايَتُهُ دِرْعٌ عَلَيْنَا حَصِينَةٌ

حِمَايَتُهُ دِرْعٌ عَلَيْنَا حَصِينَةٌ

وَبَيْنَ حِمَاهُ وَالْحَوَادِثِ زَاجِرُ

وَبَيْنَ حِمَاهُ وَالْحَوَادِثِ زَاجِرُ

His protection is strong armor upon us,

So astonishing that I attempt praising him,

And a deterrent stands between his sanctuary and calamities.

While minds struggle to praise his ascendance.

لَهُ مَذْهَبٌ في المَكْرُمَاتِ تَسَابَقَتْ

لَهُ مَذْهَبٌ في المَكْرُمَاتِ تَسَابَقَتْ

أوَائِلُهُ إذْ لاَحَقَتْهَا الأوَاخِرُ

أوَائِلُهُ إذْ لاَحَقَتْهَا الأوَاخِرُ

He has a course in noble deeds whose beginnings raced

O you whose kind deeds immersed the lands equally,

When their endings came pursuing them.

The deserts and settlements became equal through them.

فَغَيْثُ النَّدَى يُحْيَى بِخَالِدِ فَضْلِهِ

فَغَيْثُ النَّدَى يُحْيَى بِخَالِدِ فَضْلِهِ

وَتُنْسَى بِمَا تُولِي يَدَاهُ الجَعَافِرُ

وَتُنْسَى بِمَا تُولِي يَدَاهُ الجَعَافِرُ

The rain of generosity is revived through his enduring bounty,

Your father is the head of glory’s body, and its heart,

And the Ja'fars are forgotten beside what his hands bestow.

While you are the aid of the eye’s right in the head.

وَلَوْ لَمْ يَكُنْ في الجُودِ لِلنَّاسِ خَاتِماً

وَلَوْ لَمْ يَكُنْ في الجُودِ لِلنَّاسِ خَاتِماً

لَمَا انْعَقَدَتْ مِنَّا عَلَيْهِ الخَنَاصِرُ

لَمَا انْعَقَدَتْ مِنَّا عَلَيْهِ الخَنَاصِرُ

Were he not mankind's seal in generosity,

Hopes gather around you, the orbits crowned,

Our little fingers would not have curled to count him.

So you expand them generously, and your plenty suffices.

هُوَ البَحْرُ إلاَّ أنَّ مَنْهَلَ جُودِهِ

هُوَ البَحْرُ إلاَّ أنَّ مَنْهَلَ جُودِهِ

مَوَارِدُهُ رَاقَتْ بِهِ وَالْمَصَادِرُ

مَوَارِدُهُ رَاقَتْ بِهِ وَالْمَصَادِرُ

He is the sea, except that the watering-place of his bounty—

And the heights disdain your ascendance

Its arrivals and departures alike delight through him.

So your continuity gains them despite it.

سَخَاءٌ يَشِفُّ البِشْرُ مِنْ جَنَبَاتِهِ

سَخَاءٌ يَشِفُّ البِشْرُ مِنْ جَنَبَاتِهِ

وَبِشْرٌ عَلَيْهِ لِلسَّخَاءِ أمَائِرُ

وَبِشْرٌ عَلَيْهِ لِلسَّخَاءِ أمَائِرُ

Generosity through whose sides good cheer shines,

Neither does your vigilance sleep from them,

And good cheer bearing generosity's signs;

Nor does your resolute courage fall short of them.

وَحَزْمٌ عَلَى سَمْكِ السَّمَاءِ مُسَامِرٌ

وَحَزْمٌ عَلَى سَمْكِ السَّمَاءِ مُسَامِرٌ

وَعَزْمٌ عَلَى نَجْمِ النُّجُومِ مُحَاوِرُ

وَعَزْمٌ عَلَى نَجْمِ النُّجُومِ مُحَاوِرُ

And prudence conversing by night at heaven's height,

I praised you honoring my opinion, so my poetry

And resolve conversing with the star of stars.

Was nourished praising you, competing in the heights.

عَلَى كُلّ نَادٍ لِلنَّدَى مِنْهُ مَيْسَمٌ

عَلَى كُلّ نَادٍ لِلنَّدَى مِنْهُ مَيْسَمٌ

وَفِي كُلّ حَيّ لِلْوَلاَ مِنْهُ زَاهِرُ

وَفِي كُلّ حَيّ لِلْوَلاَ مِنْهُ زَاهِرُ

In every assembly his generosity leaves a mark,

I swear by the house which you are its pillar,

And in every tribe his loyalty leaves a radiant sign.

And the towering heights which destiny engraved.

فَمَا البَدْرُ إلاَّ مِنْ مُحَيَّاهُ زَاهِرٌ

فَمَا البَدْرُ إلاَّ مِنْ مُحَيَّاهُ زَاهِرٌ

وَمَا البَحْرُ إلاَّ مِنْ أيَادِيهِ زَاخِرُ

وَمَا البَحْرُ إلاَّ مِنْ أيَادِيهِ زَاخِرُ

The full moon shines only from his countenance,

If the poets fall short praising you, which

And the sea brims only from his benefactions.

I partake in lengthening, sharing.

لَهُ سَابِقٌ فِي المَكْرُمَاتِ وَلاَحِقٌ

لَهُ سَابِقٌ فِي المَكْرُمَاتِ وَلاَحِقٌ

وَبَاطِنُ مَجْدٍ فِي المَعَالِي وَظَاهِرُ

وَبَاطِنُ مَجْدٍ فِي المَعَالِي وَظَاهِرُ

He has noble deeds that precede and follow,

I will compose for your lofty aspects a necklace of eulogies

And inward and outward glory among exalted ranks.

Solidarity in generosity, and congruity.

إذَا ذُكِرَتْ أوْصَافُ مَدُحِ عُلاَئِهِ

إذَا ذُكِرَتْ أوْصَافُ مَدُحِ عُلاَئِهِ

لِذِي مَعْشَرٍ أثْنَتْ عَلَيْهِ العَشَائِرُ

لِذِي مَعْشَرٍ أثْنَتْ عَلَيْهِ العَشَائِرُ

When the qualities praising his loftiness are recounted

And I will reveal, from the metaphors’ stock, brides

To a man of any clan, the clans praise him.

Upon them, from delicate diction, veils.

فَلِلَّهِ سِرُّ فِي مَعَالِيهِ ظَاهِرٌ

فَلِلَّهِ سِرُّ فِي مَعَالِيهِ ظَاهِرٌ

وكُلٌّ بِمَعْنَى ذَلِكَ السِّرّ حَائِرُ

وكُلٌّ بِمَعْنَى ذَلِكَ السِّرّ حَائِرُ

God has a secret manifest in his high deeds,

You are whom without, no mouth would speak for me,

And everyone is bewildered by that secret's meaning.

No palm wrote, and no thought occurred.

فَوَاعَجَباً مِنِّي أحَاوِلُ مَدْحَهُ

فَوَاعَجَباً مِنِّي أحَاوِلُ مَدْحَهُ

وَفِي مَدْحِ عَلْيَاهُ تَحَارُ الخَوَاطِرُ

وَفِي مَدْحِ عَلْيَاهُ تَحَارُ الخَوَاطِرُ

How strange that I should attempt to praise him,

So be generous to the son of Khuluww for he

When minds are bewildered in praising his eminence!

Is grateful for your praised deed, family and friends.

أيَا مَالِكاً غَمرَ الوَرَى بِمَكَارِمٍ

أيَا مَالِكاً غَمرَ الوَرَى بِمَكَارِمٍ

تَسَاوَى البَوَادِي عِنْدَهَا وَالحَوَاضِرُ

تَسَاوَى البَوَادِي عِنْدَهَا وَالحَوَاضِرُ

O sovereign who flooded mankind with noble favors,

And remain in the heights of your ascension, O star of its fortune,

In which deserts and cities share equally:

For your glory is aided and your grandfather, victorious.

أبُوكَ لِجِسْمِ المَجْدِ رَأسٌ وَمُقْلَةٌ

أبُوكَ لِجِسْمِ المَجْدِ رَأسٌ وَمُقْلَةٌ

وَأنْتَ لِيُمْنَى العَيْنِ فِي الرَّأسِ نَاصِرُ

وَأنْتَ لِيُمْنَى العَيْنِ فِي الرَّأسِ نَاصِرُ

Your father is the head and eye of glory's body,

So the orators live as long as a rider halts,

And you support the right eye within that head.

And the entertainers live as long as a night-visitor appears.

تَلُمُّ بِكَ الآمَالُ مَوْقُورَةَ الذُّرَى

تَلُمُّ بِكَ الآمَالُ مَوْقُورَةَ الذُّرَى

فَتُوسِعُهَا رِفْداً وَرِفْدُكَ وَافِرُ

فَتُوسِعُهَا رِفْداً وَرِفْدُكَ وَافِرُ

Hopes come to you, their summits heavy-laden,

And you lavish support upon them; your support is abundant.

وَتُضْحِي المَعَالِي عَنْ عُلاَكَ أبِيَّةً

وَتُضْحِي المَعَالِي عَنْ عُلاَكَ أبِيَّةً

فَيَغْتَادُهَا عَنْكَ النَّدَى المُتَوَاتِرُ

فَيَغْتَادُهَا عَنْكَ النَّدَى المُتَوَاتِرُ

High deeds may resist your loftiness,

But your unceasing generosity leads them captive on your behalf.

فَلاَ حَزْمُكَ اليَقْظَانُ عَنْهُنَّ نَائِمٌ

فَلاَ حَزْمُكَ اليَقْظَانُ عَنْهُنَّ نَائِمٌ

وَلاَ عَزْمُكَ المِقْدَامُ عَنْهُنَّ قَاصِرُ

وَلاَ عَزْمُكَ المِقْدَامُ عَنْهُنَّ قَاصِرُ

Your wakeful prudence never sleeps concerning them,

Nor does your bold resolve fall short of them.

مَدَحْتُكَ تَشْرِيفاً لِنَظْنِيَ فَاغْتَدَى

مَدَحْتُكَ تَشْرِيفاً لِنَظْنِيَ فَاغْتَدَى

بِمَدْحِكَ نَظْمِي فِي المَعَالِي يُفَاخِرُ

بِمَدْحِكَ نَظْمِي فِي المَعَالِي يُفَاخِرُ

I praised you to ennoble my verse, and it came to be

That through praising you my verse boasts among lofty deeds.

وَأقْسِمُ بِالْبَيْتِ الَّذِي أنْتَ رُكْنُهُ

وَأقْسِمُ بِالْبَيْتِ الَّذِي أنْتَ رُكْنُهُ

وَمَا قَدْ حَكَتْ تِلْكَ العُلَى وَالمَشَاعِرُ

وَمَا قَدْ حَكَتْ تِلْكَ العُلَى وَالمَشَاعِرُ

I swear by the House whose cornerstone you are,

And by what those heights and sacred sites have recounted:

لَئِنْ قَصَّرَ النُّظَّامُ فِي مَدْحِكَ الذِي

لَئِنْ قَصَّرَ النُّظَّامُ فِي مَدْحِكَ الذِي

أسَاهِمُ فِي تَطْوِيلِهِ وَأشَاطِرُ

أسَاهِمُ فِي تَطْوِيلِهِ وَأشَاطِرُ

If poets fall short in that praise of you which

I help to lengthen and share,

لأنْظُم فِي عَلْيَاكَ عقدَ مَدَائِحٍ

لأنْظُم فِي عَلْيَاكَ عقدَ مَدَائِحٍ

تُرَابِطُ فِي بَذْلِ الثَّنَا وَتُشَاعِرُ

تُرَابِطُ فِي بَذْلِ الثَّنَا وَتُشَاعِرُ

I shall string for your eminence a necklace of praises

That stand guard in offering acclaim and vie in verse.

وَأبْرِزُ مِنْ حِرْزِ المَعَانِي عَرَائِساً

وَأبْرِزُ مِنْ حِرْزِ المَعَانِي عَرَائِساً

عَلَيْهَا مِنَ اللَّفْظِ الرَّقِيقِ سَتَائِرُ

عَلَيْهَا مِنَ اللَّفْظِ الرَّقِيقِ سَتَائِرُ

I shall bring forth brides from the sanctuary of meanings,

Veiled in delicate words.

وَأنْتَ الَّذِي لَوْلاهُ مَا فَاهَ لِي فَمٌ

وَأنْتَ الَّذِي لَوْلاهُ مَا فَاهَ لِي فَمٌ

وَلاَ كَتَبَتْ كَفُّ وَلاَ جَالَ خَاطِرُ

وَلاَ كَتَبَتْ كَفُّ وَلاَ جَالَ خَاطِرُ

You are he without whom no mouth of mine would speak,

No hand would write, nor any thought roam.

فَجُدْ بِالوَفَا لابْنِ الخلُوف فَإنَّهُ

فَجُدْ بِالوَفَا لابْنِ الخلُوف فَإنَّهُ

عَلَى فِعْلِكَ المَحْمُودِ آلٍ وَشَاكِرُ

عَلَى فِعْلِكَ المَحْمُودِ آلٍ وَشَاكِرُ

So grant fidelity to Ibn al-Khuluf, for he

Swears by your praiseworthy deeds and gives thanks.

وَدُمْ في عُلاَ عَلْيَاكَ يَا نَجْمَ سَعْدِهِ

وَدُمْ في عُلاَ عَلْيَاكَ يَا نَجْمَ سَعْدِهِ

فَمَجْدُكَ مَنْصُورٌ وَجَدُّكَ نَاصِرُ

فَمَجْدُكَ مَنْصُورٌ وَجَدُّكَ نَاصِرُ

Endure in the heights of your eminence, O star of its good fortune;

Your glory is supported, and your fortune supports.

لِيَحْدُو بِكَ السُّفَّارُ مَا شُدَّ رَاحِلٌ

لِيَحْدُو بِكَ السُّفَّارُ مَا شُدَّ رَاحِلٌ

وَيَحْيَا بِكَ السُّمَّارُ مَا لاَحَ سَامِرُ

وَيَحْيَا بِكَ السُّمَّارُ مَا لاَحَ سَامِرُ

So travelers may chant of you whenever a mount is saddled,

And night companions be enlivened by you whenever a night-talker appears.