لاNo وَمَرْأىand by the sight of جَمَالِكَyour beauty الْمَسْعُودِيauspicious
لا وَمَرْأى جَمَالِكَ الْمَسْعُودِي
مَاnot سَقَىwatered مَاthe water of النَّعِيمِbliss بَعْدَكafter you عُودِيmy branch
مَا سَقَى مَا النَّعِيمِ بَعْدَك عُودِي
No, by the sight of your auspicious beauty,
No pleasure in life after seeing your beauty
the water of bliss has not watered my branch since you left.
My soul is not revived after you are gone
وَوَحَقِّand by the right of الهَوَىlove وَطَاعَةِand the obedience of جَفْنِيmy eyelid
وَوَحَقِّ الهَوَى وَطَاعَةِ جَفْنِي
لِوَلِيّto the master of الدُّمُوعِtears وَالتَّسْهِيدِand sleeplessness
لِوَلِيّ الدُّمُوعِ وَالتَّسْهِيدِ
And by the right of love, and my eyelid's obedience
By the right of passion and obedience of my eyelids
to the master of tears and sleeplessness,
To the master of tears and lamentation
لَمْnot أبِحْdid I yield مُهْجَتِيmy lifeblood لِغَيْرِكَto anyone but you فَامْحَقْso efface
لَمْ أبِحْ مُهْجَتِي لِغَيْرِكَ فَامْحَقْ
بِنَهَارِwith the daylight of الوِصَالِunion لَيْلَthe night of الصُّدُودِestrangement
بِنَهَارِ الوِصَالِ لَيْلَ الصُّدُودِ
I have not yielded my heart to anyone but you; so efface
I have not opened my inner self to anyone but you so erase
the night of estrangement with the daylight of union.
The night of estrangement with the day of reunion
إنَّindeed يَوْماًa day تَرَاكَsee you فِيهِin it عُيُونِيmy eyes
إنَّ يَوْماً تَرَاكَ فِيهِ عُيُونِي
هُوَit عِيدٌa festival أَجَلُّgreater مِنْthan كُلّevery عِيدِfestival
هُوَ عِيدٌ أَجَلُّ مِنْ كُلّ عِيدِ
Indeed, a day on which my eyes see you
Whenever my eyes see you it is a celebration
is a festival greater than every festival.
Greater than any feast
لَسْتُI am not أرْضَىcontent with سِوَاكَanyone but you مَوْلىًas a master وَعزِيّand my pride
لَسْتُ أرْضَى سِوَاكَ مَوْلىً وَعزِيّ
أنْto تَسُمْنِيcall me بِيَاwith 'O' أقَلَّleast of العَبِيدِthe slaves
أنْ تَسُمْنِي بِيَا أقَلَّ العَبِيدِ
I accept no master but you, and my pride
I do not accept anyone but you as my master and pride
is that you call me, 'O least of slaves.'
Even if you call me the lowest of slaves
يَاO حَيَاتِيmy life وَمَنْand you whom أرَاهُI deem him سَمِيعاًa listener
يَا حَيَاتِي وَمَنْ أرَاهُ سَمِيعاً
هَلْis there لِدَهْرٍfor an age قَدْalready انْقَضَىhas passed مِنْany مُعِيدِrestorer
هَلْ لِدَهْرٍ قَدْ انْقَضَى مِنْ مُعِيدِ
O my life, and you whom I deem a listener,
O my life, is there anyone who hears
is there anyone to restore an age already gone?
Of a past time that can be brought back?
لَمْnot أهَبْكَdid I give you الفُؤَادَthe heart غَصْباًunder compulsion وَلَكِنْbut
لَمْ أهَبْكَ الفُؤَادَ غَصْباً وَلَكِنْ
عَنْout of طَوَاعِيَةٍwillingness وَبِرَand kindness وَجُودِand generosity
عَنْ طَوَاعِيَةٍ وَبِرَ وَجُودِ
I did not give you my heart under compulsion, but
I did not take your love by force but
willingly, with kindness and generosity.
By willingness, loyalty, and generosity
فَالْوِso turn away عَنْfrom قَوْلِthe words of حَاسِدِيَّmy enviers فَإنِّيfor I
فَالْوِ عَنْ قَوْلِ حَاسِدِيَّ فَإنِّي
لَمْnot أطِعْdid I heed فِيin هَوَاكَmy love for you قَوْلَthe words of حَسُودِan envier
لَمْ أطِعْ فِي هَوَاكَ قَوْلَ حَسُودِ
So turn away from my enviers' words, for I
So turn away from the words of my enviers
have not heeded an envier's words in loving you.
I did not obey anyone's disapproval of my love for you
أنْتَyou أشْهَىmore desirable مِنَthan المَنَامِsleep لِعَيْنِيto my eye
أنْتَ أشْهَى مِنَ المَنَامِ لِعَيْنِي
وَمِنَand than الأمْنِsafety لِلْفُؤَادِto the heart العَمِيدِlove-stricken
وَمِنَ الأمْنِ لِلْفُؤَادِ العَمِيدِ
You are more desirable to my eye than sleep,
You are dearer to my eyes than sleep
and than safety to the love-stricken heart.
And safety for my sheltering heart
يَاO عَذُولاًreproacher أطَالَwho prolonged شَرْحَthe exposition of عِتَابِيreproaching me
يَا عَذُولاً أطَالَ شَرْحَ عِتَابِي
أقْصِرِcut short العَذْلَthe reproach فَهْوَfor it is غَيْرُnot حَمِيدِpraiseworthy
أقْصِرِ العَذْلَ فَهْوَ غَيْرُ حَمِيدِ
O reproacher who prolonged his account of reproaching me,
O one who prolongs reproach! Shorten your disapproval that brings no good
cut short your reproach, for it is not praiseworthy.
There is no comfort for the impassioned, restless lover
لَيْسَthere is not فِيin اللَّوْمِblame رَاحَةٌcomfort لِمُحِبّfor a lover
لَيْسَ فِي اللَّوْمِ رَاحَةٌ لِمُحِبّ
هَائِمِwandering in الفِكْرِthought دَائِمِconstant in التَّشْرِيدِbeing driven astray
هَائِمِ الفِكْرِ دَائِمِ التَّشْرِيدِ
There is no comfort in blame for a lover
The law of love forbids me from heeding
wandering in thought, forever driven astray.
The stubborn, blameful critic
إنَّindeed شَرْعَthe law of الهَوَىlove نَهَانِيَforbade me أنْto لاَnot
إنَّ شَرْعَ الهَوَى نَهَانِيَ أنْ لاَ
وألْقِىَand to lend السَّمْعَan ear لِلْعَذُولِto the reproacher العَنِيدَobstinate
وألْقِىَ السَّمْعَ لِلْعَذُولِ العَنِيدَ
Indeed, love's law has enjoined me not
So forsake blame and avoid it
to lend an ear to the obstinate reproacher.
My ears cannot stand ornamental censure
فَاْطرَحِso cast aside العَذْلَreproach وَاجْتَنِبْهُand avoid it فَسَمْعِيfor my hearing
فَاْطرَحِ العَذْلَ وَاجْتَنِبْهُ فَسَمْعِي
لَمْnot تَلِجْهُdid enter it زَخَارِفُthe ornaments of التَّفْنِيدِfault-finding
لَمْ تَلِجْهُ زَخَارِفُ التَّفْنِيدِ
So cast aside reproach and avoid it, for my hearing
I have a noble soul and a heart
has admitted none of the ornaments of fault-finding.
Purer than a cluster of grapes
لِيَI have نَفْسٌa soul رَفِيعَةٌlofty وَفُؤَادٌand a heart
لِيَ نَفْسٌ رَفِيعَةٌ وَفُؤَادٌ
هُوَit أصْفَىpurer مِنْthan ابْنِةِthe daughter of العُنْقُودُthe grape-cluster
هُوَ أصْفَى مِنْ ابْنِةِ العُنْقُودُ
I have a lofty soul and a heart
Every new day renews my passion
purer than the daughter of the grape-cluster.
Oh my heart, with new, intense ardor
كُلُّevery يَوْمٍday يَجِدُّis renewed فِيهِin it غَرَامِيmy passion
كُلُّ يَوْمٍ يَجِدُّ فِيهِ غَرَامِي
وَيْحَalas for قَلْبِيmy heart مِنَfrom الغَرَامِpassion الجَدِيدِnew
وَيْحَ قَلْبِي مِنَ الغَرَامِ الجَدِيدِ
Every day my passion is renewed;
My streaming tears, melting ecstasy,
alas for my heart, with this new passion!
And my heart says is there yet more?
مَدْمَعٌa tear-stream سَائِلٌflowing وَوَجْدٌand yearning مُذِيبٌmelting
مَدْمَعٌ سَائِلٌ وَوَجْدٌ مُذِيبٌ
وَفُؤَادٌand a heart يَقُولُsaying هَلْis there مِنْany مَزِيدِmore
وَفُؤَادٌ يَقُولُ هَلْ مِنْ مَزِيدِ
A flowing tear-stream and a melting yearning,
While others sleep, I am kept awake by my thoughts
and a heart that says, 'Is there any more?'
May God reward your efforts
مَاتَdied نَوْمِيmy sleep وَعَاشَand lived حَيُّthe living force of سُهَادِيmy sleeplessness
مَاتَ نَوْمِي وَعَاشَ حَيُّ سُهَادِي
يُعْظِمmay increase اللَّهُGod أجْركُمْyour reward فيfor الجُهُودِthe efforts
يُعْظِم اللَّهُ أجْركُمْ في الجُهُودِ
My sleep has died, while my living sleeplessness thrives;
Grief has befallen me, I almost hid
may God increase your reward for your efforts.
My presence and did not proclaim my being
وَبَرَانِيand wore me down الضَّنَىwasting illness فَكِدتُso I nearly أوَارَىwas hidden
وَبَرَانِي الضَّنَى فَكِدتُ أوَارَى
عَنْfrom شُهُودِيmy witnessing وَلَمْand not أقُلْdid I affirm بِوُجُودِيmy existence
عَنْ شُهُودِي وَلَمْ أقُلْ بِوُجُودِي
Wasting sickness wore me down until I nearly vanished
O you whose glance destroys my eyes
from my own sight, and claimed no existence.
Be my protection from the black-eyed gazes
يَاO مُبِيدِيmy destroyer بِالبِيضwith white swords مِنْfrom مُقْلَتَيْهِhis two eyes
يَا مُبِيدِي بِالبِيض مِنْ مُقْلَتَيْهِ
كُنْbe مُجِيرِيَmy protector مِنَfrom العُيُونِthe eyes السُّودِblack
كُنْ مُجِيرِيَ مِنَ العُيُونِ السُّودِ
O my destroyer, with the white swords of his two eyes,
When he knitted his brows, we understood
be my protector against those black eyes.
A ferocious gazelle spying the darkness of lions
وسَطاand assailed جفنَهhis eyelid الكلَيلlanguid فهْمَناso we fell in love
وسَطا جفنَه الكلَيل فهْمَنا
فيwith غزَالٍa gazelle يَريَكwho shows you بأسِthe might of الأسُودِlions
في غزَالٍ يَريَك بأسِ الأسُودِ
His languid eyelid assailed us, and we fell in love
The black-eyed beauties have made my heart fall
with a gazelle who shows you the might of lions.
Into an abyss, leading every wise man astray
إنَّindeed سُودَthe black ones of العُيُونِeyes أوْقَعْنَcast قَلْبِيmy heart
إنَّ سُودَ العُيُونِ أوْقَعْنَ قَلْبِي
فِيinto مَهَاوٍabysses أضْلَلْنَthat led astray كُلَّevery رَشِيدِright-minded person
فِي مَهَاوٍ أضْلَلْنَ كُلَّ رَشِيدِ
Indeed, black eyes have cast my heart
Whenever I say greetings of love to my heart
into abysses that led every prudent person astray.
The glances of the tender gazelle show only war
كُلَّمَاwhenever قُلْتُI said سَالَمَmade peace with الحُبَّlove قَلْبِيmy heart
كُلَّمَا قُلْتُ سَالَمَ الحُبَّ قَلْبِي
أظْهَرَتْrevealed حَرْبَهُwar against it لحَاظthe glances of الغيدِlovely women
أظْهَرَتْ حَرْبَهُ لحَاظ الغيدِ
Whenever I said, 'My heart has made peace with love,'
When every cheek turns it is
the glances of lovely women declared war on it.
Like a sun rising in the darkest night
كُلُّevery خُودٍfair maiden إذَاwhen انْثَنَتْshe bent وَتَبَدَّتْand appeared
كُلُّ خُودٍ إذَا انْثَنَتْ وَتَبَدَّتْ
خِلْتَyou imagined شَمْساًa sun تَلُوحُshining فيin أمْلُودِa supple branch
خِلْتَ شَمْساً تَلُوحُ في أمْلُودِ
Whenever a fair maiden bends and comes into view,
They provoke and entice in their coldness
you imagine a sun shining in a supple branch.
Adorned with the jewels of beauty, pure whiteness
يَتَهَادَيْنَthey sway فِيin بُرُودrobes تَحَلَّتْadorned
يَتَهَادَيْنَ فِي بُرُود تَحَلَّتْ
بِحُلَىwith the ornaments of الحُسْنِbeauty فَهْيَso they are أبْهَىthe loveliest بُرُودِrobes
بِحُلَى الحُسْنِ فَهْيَ أبْهَى بُرُودِ
They sway in robes adorned
Among earrings, rings, bracelets
with beauty's ornaments—the loveliest robes.
Veils, ornaments, necklaces and chokers
بَيْنَbetween قُرْطٍan earring وَخَاتَمٍand a ring وَسِوَارٍand a bracelet
بَيْنَ قُرْطٍ وَخَاتَمٍ وَسِوَارٍ
وَوِشَاحٍand a sash وَدُمْلُجِand an armlet وَعُقُودِand necklaces
وَوِشَاحٍ وَدُمْلُجِ وَعُقُودِ
Among earrings, rings, and bracelets,
With bodies like spears
sashes, armlets, and necklaces,
Tipped with the keenest blades
بِقُدُودٍwith figures كَأنَّهُنَّas though they were رِمَاحٌspears
بِقُدُودٍ كَأنَّهُنَّ رِمَاحٌ
قَدْalready عَلَتْهَاrose upon them أسِنَّةٌspearheads مِنْof نُهُودِbreasts
قَدْ عَلَتْهَا أسِنَّةٌ مِنْ نُهُودِ
with figures as though they were spears
And eyes like swords
topped with spearheads of breasts,
Sheathed at dawn by their lids
وَعُيُونٍand eyes كَأنَّهُنَّas though they were صِفَاحٌbroad swords
وَعُيُونٍ كَأنَّهُنَّ صِفَاحٌ
أصْبَحَتْbecame بِالْجُفُونِthrough eyelids ذَاتpossessed of غُمُودِsheaths
أصْبَحَتْ بِالْجُفُونِ ذَات غُمُودِ
and eyes as though they were broad swords
How many glances have they shot
given sheaths by their eyelids.
That pierce hearts before striking skin
كَمْhow many أرَاشَتْhave they feathered بِالهُدْبِwith eyelashes مِنْهَاfrom them سِهَاماًarrows
كَمْ أرَاشَتْ بِالهُدْبِ مِنْهَا سِهَاماً
وَقْعُهَاtheir striking فِيin القُلُوبِhearts قَبْلَbefore الجُلُودِskins
وَقْعُهَا فِي القُلُوبِ قَبْلَ الجُلُودِ
How many arrows they have feathered with their lashes,
They are arrows let loose, not needing bows
striking hearts before skins!
And white blades that cut without iron
فَهْيَso they are نَبْلٌarrows تَصُولُthat strike لاَnot بِنُصُولٍwith arrowheads
فَهْيَ نَبْلٌ تَصُولُ لاَ بِنُصُولٍ
وَهْيَand they are بِيضٌwhite swords تَفْرِيthat cleave بِغَيْرِwithout حَدِيدِiron
وَهْيَ بِيضٌ تَفْرِي بِغَيْرِ حَدِيدِ
They are arrows that strike without arrowheads,
Beauty itself was depicted and we saw
and white swords that cleave without iron.
The full moon in the blackest night
وَيْحَalas for مَنْwhoever حَبَّكُمْloved you أيَنْعَمُcan he be happy بَالاًin mind
وَيْحَ مَنْ حَبَّكُمْ أيَنْعَمُ بَالاً
فِيin رِضَاthe acceptance of الحُبّlove بِالْعَذَابِwith torment الشَدِيدِsevere
فِي رِضَا الحُبّ بِالْعَذَابِ الشَدِيدِ
Alas for whoever loves you! Can he find peace of mind
While his heart hardened, we felt
when love accepts such grievous torment?
A body of water against solid iron
لَيْسَnot يَنْفَكُّdoes he cease بَيْنَbetween مُغْرٍan enticer وَنَاهٍand a forbidding one
لَيْسَ يَنْفَكُّ بَيْنَ مُغْرٍ وَنَاهٍ
وَرَقِيبٍand a watcher وَشَامِتٍand a gloater وَحَسُودِand an envier
وَرَقِيبٍ وَشَامِتٍ وَحَسُودِ
He is forever caught between an enticer and a forbidding voice,
If his lone glance attacks my lonely heart, it suffices
a watcher, a gloater, and an envier.
That my heart professes unity
وَبِرُوحِيand with my soul مُحَبَّبlovely of الثَّغْرِmouth ألْمَىdark-lipped
وَبِرُوحِي مُحَبَّب الثَّغْرِ ألْمَى
رَكَّبَset الدُّرَّpearls فِيin العَقِيقِthe carnelian النَّضِيدِarrayed
رَكَّبَ الدُّرَّ فِي العَقِيقِ النَّضِيدِ
With my soul I ransom the dark-lipped one with the lovely mouth,
Or if his gaze captures the things of wonder, my salvation
who set pearls within arrayed carnelian.
Is in praise of the supported, victorious king
هَلَّrose فِيin أفْقِthe horizon of شَعْرِهِhis hair فَعَجِبْنَاso we marveled
هَلَّ فِي أفْقِ شَعْرِهِ فَعَجِبْنَا
أنْto َتَرىsee الشَّمْسَthe sun فيin اللَّيَالِيthe nights السُّودِblack
أنْ َتَرى الشَّمْسَ في اللَّيَالِي السُّودِ
He rose on the horizon of his hair, and we marveled
A sovereign whose might the people dread
to see the sun amid black nights.
Unique among the distinguished kings
ظَبْيُa gazelle of إنْسٍhumankind يَصِيدُwho hunts إنْif رمْتَyou seek أنْساًcompanionship
ظَبْيُ إنْسٍ يَصِيدُ إنْ رمْتَ أنْساً
وَهَلِand is there الأنْسُcompanionship مِنْfrom غَزَالٍa gazelle شَرُودِfleeing
وَهَلِ الأنْسُ مِنْ غَزَالٍ شَرُودِ
A gazelle in human form who hunts you if you seek companionship—
Of exalted rank in every virtue
but is companionship found with a fleeing gazelle?
Undertaken by the prosperous station
قَلَّدَتْهُgirded him عُيُونُهُhis eyes سَيْفَwith a sword of فَتْكٍdeadly violence
قَلَّدَتْهُ عُيُونُهُ سَيْفَ فَتْكٍ
فَهُوَso he is الْيَوْمtoday صَاحِبُthe holder of التَّقْلِيدِinvestiture
فَهُوَ الْيَوْم صَاحِبُ التَّقْلِيدِ
His eyes girded him with a deadly sword,
Walking the most virtuous path
so today he holds that investiture.
With efforts exhausting every mighty opponent
وَلَوَىand twisted صُدْغَهُhis temple-lock المُزَرَّدَchain-linked كَيْمَاso that
وَلَوَى صُدْغَهُ المُزَرَّدَ كَيْمَا
يَفْتنَhe might bewitch القَلْبَthe heart بِاللِّوَىwith al-Liwa وَزَرُودِand Zarud
يَفْتنَ القَلْبَ بِاللِّوَى وَزَرُودِ
He twisted his chain-linked temple-lock so
His firmness was molded by clemency and mercy
as to bewitch the heart with al-Liwa and Zarud.
Silencing slander with confirmation
خَطَّwrote فِيon خَدّهِhis cheek العِذَارُthe cheek-down حُرُوفاًletters
خَطَّ فِي خَدّهِ العِذَارُ حُرُوفاً
حَسَّنَتْbeautified شَكْلَهَاtheir shape يَدُthe hand of التَّجْوِيدِmastery
حَسَّنَتْ شَكْلَهَا يَدُ التَّجْوِيدِ
His cheek-down wrote letters upon his cheek,
Both his might and gifts are feared and hoped for
whose forms the hand of mastery beautified.
Thus in both cases aided and victorious
غَيْرُnot يِدْعٍa novelty أنْthat أكَّدَstrengthened الحُبَّlove فِيهِfor him
غَيْرُ يِدْعٍ أنْ أكَّدَ الحُبَّ فِيهِ
لامُthe lam of صُدْغٍa temple-lock فَاللاَّمُfor lam لِلتَّوْكِيدِis for emphasis
لامُ صُدْغٍ فَاللاَّمُ لِلتَّوْكِيدِ
It is no wonder that love for him was strengthened
Whenever the times grow darker
by the lam of his temple-lock: lam is for emphasis.
His bright face appears like the full fortunate moon
فَهْوَso he is بَدْرٌa full moon يُرَىseen قَرِيباًnear بَعِيداًfar
فَهْوَ بَدْرٌ يُرَى قَرِيباً بَعِيداً
وَيْحَalas for قَلْبِيmy heart مِنَfrom القَرِيبِthe near one البَعِيدِfar away
وَيْحَ قَلْبِي مِنَ القَرِيبِ البَعِيدِ
He is a full moon seen near, yet far;
Befriending him on feast days forebodes fortune
alas for my heart, with one so near and far!
In his rising he brings good tidings
حَدَّدَsharpened الطَّرْفَthe gaze إذْwhen نَضَاهُhe unsheathed it لِقَلْبِيagainst my heart
حَدَّدَ الطَّرْفَ إذْ نَضَاهُ لِقَلْبِي
وَابَلاَئِيoh my affliction مِنَfrom الحُسَامِthe sword الحَديدِsharp
وَابَلاَئِي مِنَ الحُسَامِ الحَديدِ
He sharpened his gaze as he unsheathed it against my heart;
The ship of bounty flows from his clouds
oh, my affliction from that keen sword!
And rises above the sea of generosity
وَسَبَىand captivated فَرْقُهُhis hair-parting السَّعِيدُauspicious فُؤَادِيmy heart
وَسَبَى فَرْقُهُ السَّعِيدُ فُؤَادِي
وَاشَقَائِيoh my misery منfrom الهِلاَلِthe crescent السَّعِيدِauspicious
وَاشَقَائِي من الهِلاَلِ السَّعِيدِ
His auspicious hair-parting carried off my heart;
Terror of the public lies under the shade
oh, my misery from that auspicious crescent!
Of his vast care spread above them
أشْبَهَتْهُresembled him البُدُورُthe full moons فَرْقاًin hair-parting وَخَدَّاand cheek
أشْبَهَتْهُ البُدُورُ فَرْقاً وَخَدَّا
فَسَبَاهَاbut he captivated them بِأعْيُنٍwith eyes وَنُهُودِand breasts
فَسَبَاهَا بِأعْيُنٍ وَنُهُودِ
The full moons resembled him in hair-parting and cheek,
Each day gaining more glory
but he captivated them with eyes and breasts.
With additional achievements atop the past
وَحَكَتْهُand imitated him الغُصُونُthe branches لِيناًin softness وَعَطْفاًand bending
وَحَكَتْهُ الغُصُونُ لِيناً وَعَطْفاً
فَاْزدَرَاهَاso he scorned them بِسَالِفٍwith a neck وَخُدُودِand cheeks
فَاْزدَرَاهَا بِسَالِفٍ وَخُدُودِ
The branches imitated his softness and bending,
He persevered, saying increase!
but he scorned them with his neck and cheeks.
And excel! to virtues, decrease! and desist! to sins
صَوَّرَfashioned الحُسْنُbeauty ذَاتَهُhis form فَشَهِدْنَاso we beheld
صَوَّرَ الحُسْنُ ذَاتَهُ فَشَهِدْنَا
قَمَرَthe moon of التَّمّfullness فَيin لَيَالِيthe nights of السُّعُودِgood fortune
قَمَرَ التَّمّ فَي لَيَالِي السُّعُودِ
Beauty fashioned his form, and we beheld
He is rain in drought, help for the desperate
the full moon on nights of good fortune.
A lion in combat, refuge of the pillar
وَقَسَاand hardened قَلْبُهُhis heart ولاَنَand he softened فَخِلْنَاso we imagined
وَقَسَا قَلْبُهُ ولاَنَ فَخِلْنَا
جِسْمَa body of مِاءٍwater عَلَىover فُؤَادٍa heart of حَدِيدِiron
جِسْمَ مِاءٍ عَلَى فُؤَادٍ حَدِيدِ
His heart grew hard while he was soft, and we imagined
The door of hope, treasure of the hopeful
a body of water over a heart of iron.
Garden of wishes, center of necklaces
إنْif غَزَاhe invades قَلْبِيmy heart الوَحِيدَsolitary فَحَسْبِيit suffices me
إنْ غَزَا قَلْبِي الوَحِيدَ فَحَسْبِي
أنَّthat قَلْبِيmy heart يَقُولُprofesses بِالتَّوْحِيدِoneness
أنَّ قَلْبِي يَقُولُ بِالتَّوْحِيدِ
If he invades my solitary heart, it suffices me
Treasure of wealth, horizon of sublimity
that my heart professes oneness.
Star of height, dawn of prosperity
أوْor سَبَىcaptivated لَحْظُهُhis glance الحَشَاthe inmost heart فَخَلاَصِيthen my deliverance
أوْ سَبَى لَحْظُهُ الحَشَا فَخَلاَصِي
بِمَدِيحِthrough praise of المُؤَيَّدal-Mu'ayyad, the supported المَسْعُودِal-Mas'ud, the fortunate
بِمَدِيحِ المُؤَيَّد المَسْعُودِ
Or if his glance captures my inmost heart, my deliverance lies
Embodying gentleness, firmness, generosity,
in praising al-Mu'ayyad al-Mas'ud.
Piety, honesty, insight and sound opinion
مَلِكٌa king لآذَتِsought refuge الوَرَىmankind مِنْbecause of عُلاَهُhis loftiness
مَلِكٌ لآذَتِ الوَرَى مِنْ عُلاَهُ
بِوَحِيدٍin one unique مِنَamong المُلُوكِkings فَرِيدِpeerless
بِوَحِيدٍ مِنَ المُلُوكِ فَرِيدِ
A king whose loftiness makes mankind take refuge
Brilliance in munificence, intellect, and calm
in one unique and peerless among kings.
Tranquility, vigilance, and exertion
ذُوpossessor of المَقَامِthe station الحَمِيدِpraiseworthy فيin كُلّevery فَضْلٍexcellence
ذُو المَقَامِ الحَمِيدِ في كُلّ فَضْلٍ
يَتَعَاطَاهُhe pursues it ذُوpossessor of المَقَامِthe station السَّعيدِauspicious
يَتَعَاطَاهُ ذُو المَقَامِ السَّعيدِ
Possessed of a praiseworthy station in every excellence
However the nights darken with gloom
that this lord of auspicious station pursues.
He returns them to the darkness of their clouds
سَالِكٌfollowing أحْمَدَthe most praiseworthy المَسَالِكِpaths نَهْجاًas a course
سَالِكٌ أحْمَدَ المَسَالِكِ نَهْجاً
بِمَسَاعٍthrough endeavors أعْجَزْنَthat rendered powerless كُلَّevery شَدِيدِmighty one
بِمَسَاعٍ أعْجَزْنَ كُلَّ شَدِيدِ
He follows the most praiseworthy paths as his course,
When he investigates matters we witness
with endeavors that left every mighty man powerless.
The determination to hunt with sharpened blades
قَوَّمَتْstraightened عُودَهُhis stem الإمَالَةُinclination وَالرُّمْand the spear (first part)
قَوَّمَتْ عُودَهُ الإمَالَةُ وَالرُّمْ
حُspear (completion) يُقِيمmakes effective الطِّعَانَthrusting بِالتَّأوِيدِthrough bending
حُ يُقِيم الطِّعَانَ بِالتَّأوِيدِ
Inclination straightened his stem, while the spear—
Moving like stars in a night like a feast day
—makes thrusting effective through bending.
Adorned for celebration with moon crescents
يُخْتَشَىis feared بَأسُهُhis might وَيُرْجَىand is hoped for نَدَاهُhis bounty
يُخْتَشَى بَأسُهُ وَيُرْجَى نَدَاهُ
فَهْوَso he is فِيin الحَالَتَيْنِboth states ذُوpossessed of التَّأيِيدِsupport
فَهْوَ فِي الحَالَتَيْنِ ذُو التَّأيِيدِ
His might is feared and his bounty hoped for;
He gathered all yet stands apart most high
in both states he enjoys support.
None can compare, no equal, no likeness
كُلَّمَاwhenever أظْلَمَgrew dark الزَّمَانُtime تَجَلَّىshone forth
كُلَّمَا أظْلَمَ الزَّمَانُ تَجَلَّى
وَجْهُهُhis face الطَّلْقُopen مِثْلَlike بَدْرِa full moon سَعِيدِauspicious
وَجْهُهُ الطَّلْقُ مِثْلَ بَدْرِ سَعِيدِ
Whenever time grows dark, there shines
The caliphate sought him as the most worthy
his open face, like an auspicious full moon.
Of earning glory and honor
سَعْدُgood fortune for صَحْبٍcompanions وَسَعْدُand fortune in ذَبْحِslaughtering أعَادٍenemies
سَعْدُ صَحْبٍ وَسَعْدُ ذَبْحِ أعَادٍ
فَهْوَso he is فِيin مَطْلَعَيْهhis two risings سَعْدُSa'd, fortune of السُّعُودِal-Su'ud, fortunes
فَهْوَ فِي مَطْلَعَيْه سَعْدُ السُّعُودِ
Good fortune to companions, fortune in slaughtering enemies;
He spreads justice or grants gifts
in both his risings he is Sa'd al-Su'ud.
Filling eyes and hearts to the brim
قَدْindeed جَرَىsailed مَرْكَبُthe vessel of النَّدَىgenerosity بِنَدَاهُupon his bounty
قَدْ جَرَى مَرْكَبُ النَّدَى بِنَدَاهُ
فَاسَتَوىthen settled منْfrom يَدَيْهِhis two hands فَوْقَabove الجُودِىal-Judi
فَاسَتَوى منْ يَدَيْهِ فَوْقَ الجُودِى
The vessel of generosity has sailed upon his bounty,
Subduing enemies by might
then, from his hands, settled above al-Judi.
Bringing joy to friends with plenty
أصْبَحَتْhave become خُوَّفُthe fearful of الرَّعِيَّةِthe subjects مِنْهُthrough him
أصْبَحَتْ خُوَّفُ الرَّعِيَّةِ مِنْهُ
تَحْتَunder ظِلّa shade مِنَof الهَنَاhappiness مَمْدُودِoutspread
تَحْتَ ظِلّ مِنَ الهَنَا مَمْدُودِ
Through him, the fearful among his subjects have come
Laying tyranny low beneath all that is low
under an outspread shade of happiness.
Raising justice high atop all that is high
مُسْتَزِيدٌgaining more فِيin كُلّevery يَوْمٍday ثَنَاءًpraise
مُسْتَزِيدٌ فِي كُلّ يَوْمٍ ثَنَاءً
بِنَوَالٍthrough bounty لِمَاover what مَضَىhas passed مُسْتَعِبدِholding sway
بِنَوَالٍ لِمَا مَضَى مُسْتَعِبدِ
Each day he gains still more praise
So foes are in hellfire
through bounty that subdues all that came before.
While friends are in eternal gardens
طَالَlong مَاas قَالَhe said لِلْمَكَارِهِto hardships قِلِّيdiminish
طَالَ مَا قَالَ لِلْمَكَارِهِ قِلِّي
بِاصْطِنَاعٍthrough kindness وَلِلْمَكَارِمِand to noble deeds زِيدِيincrease
بِاصْطِنَاعٍ وَلِلْمَكَارِمِ زِيدِي
Long has he said to hardships, 'Diminish,'
When his palm grasped power we said
through kindness, and to noble deeds, 'Increase.'
What a fortunate celestial sphere in a prosperous horizon!
فَهْوَso he is غَيْثُthe rain of النَّدَىbounty وَغَوْثُand the relief of المُنَادِيthe caller
فَهْوَ غَيْثُ النَّدَى وَغَوْثُ المُنَادِي
وَهْوَand he is لَيْثُthe lion of الوَغَىbattle وَكَهْفُand the refuge of العَمِيدِthe afflicted
وَهْوَ لَيْثُ الوَغَى وَكَهْفُ العَمِيدِ
He is the rain of bounty and relief to the caller;
What abundant superior virtue in his might
he is the lion of battle and refuge of the stricken.
And munificence, guided in both by success
وَهْوَand he is بَابُthe gate of الرَّجَاhope وَذُخْرُand the treasure of المُرَجيِّthe hopeful
وَهْوَ بَابُ الرَّجَا وَذُخْرُ المُرَجيِّ
وَهْوَand he is رَوْضُthe garden of المُنَىwishes وَوُسْطَىand the central gem of العُقُودِnecklaces
وَهْوَ رَوْضُ المُنَى وَوُسْطَى العُقُودِ
He is the gate of hope and the treasure of the hopeful;
I, without you, would not have gained
he is the garden of wishes and the central jewel of necklaces.
A time that was ruined by the sullen age
وَهْوَand he is كَنْزُthe treasure of الغِنَىwealth وَأفْقُand the horizon of المَعَالِيhigh deeds
وَهْوَ كَنْزُ الغِنَى وَأفْقُ المَعَالِي
وَهْوَand he is نَجْمُthe star of العُلَىeminence وَصُبْحُand the dawn of السُّعُودِgood fortune
وَهْوَ نَجْمُ العُلَى وَصُبْحُ السُّعُودِ
He is the treasure of wealth and the horizon of high deeds;
And dark nights stretched over me
he is the star of eminence and the dawn of good fortune.
When I did not yield to praise and effort
حَازَpossessed لِيناًgentleness وَشِدَّةًand firmness وَسَخَاءًand generosity
حَازَ لِيناً وَشِدَّةً وَسَخَاءً
وَتَقىًand piety يُرْغِمُونَthat humble كُلَّevery حَسُودِenvier
وَتَقىً يُرْغِمُونَ كُلَّ حَسُودِ
He possesses gentleness, firmness, and generosity,
Yet with your wise opinion my ancestor
and piety, which humble every envier.
Made glory manifest my being
وَاسْتَجَابَتْand answered لَهُhim مَنَاقِبُvirtues شَتَّىdiverse
وَاسْتَجَابَتْ لَهُ مَنَاقِبُ شَتَّى
لَمْnot تَجُلْdid occur فِيin مُخَيِّلاَتِthe imaginings of الوُجُودِexistence
لَمْ تَجُلْ فِي مُخَيِّلاَتِ الوُجُودِ
Diverse virtues have answered his call,
And provided me shelter in ample prosperity
never before imagined in existence.
Bestowing continuous plenty
بِعُلاًwith eminence حَافِلٍabundant وَأصْلٍand lineage كَرِيمٍnoble
بِعُلاً حَافِلٍ وَأصْلٍ كَرِيمٍ
وَبَهاًand splendor بَاسِلٍvaliant وَبَأسٍand might شَدِيدِformidable
وَبَهاً بَاسِلٍ وَبَأسٍ شَدِيدِ
With abundant eminence and noble lineage,
I have taken comfort under your protection
valiant splendor and formidable might,
In a land unlike the Nile or Euphrates
وَحِمىًand protection كَامِلٍcomplete وَقَوْلٍand speech صَدُوقٍtruthful
وَحِمىً كَامِلٍ وَقَوْلٍ صَدُوقٍ
وَنَدىًand generosity مُرْتَضٍapproved وَرَأيٍand judgment سَدِيدِsound
وَنَدىً مُرْتَضٍ وَرَأيٍ سَدِيدِ
complete protection and truthful speech,
It is my armor when the arrow of fate
approved generosity and sound judgment,
Strikes with precise aim and rising intensity
وَبَهاand splendor فِيin سَمَاحَةٍliberality وَحَرَاكٍand movement
وَبَها فِي سَمَاحَةٍ وَحَرَاكٍ
فِيwithin سُكُونٍstillness وَيَقْظَةٍand wakefulness فِيwithin هُجُودِsleep
فِي سُكُونٍ وَيَقْظَةٍ فِي هُجُودِ
and splendor joined to liberality, and movement
My tie to your nobility
within stillness, and wakefulness within sleep.
Is like my tie to your lasting shade
كُلَّمَاwhenever جَرَّدَhe unsheathed الظُّبَىthe blades مِنْfrom غُمُودٍsheaths
كُلَّمَا جَرَّدَ الظُّبَى مِنْ غُمُودٍ
رَدَّهَاhe returned them مِنْfrom طُلاَthe necks of العِدَىenemies فِيinto غُمُودِsheaths
رَدَّهَا مِنْ طُلاَ العِدَى فِي غُمُودِ
Whenever he draws blades from their sheaths,
You clothed me in garments of bounty
he returns them from enemies' necks into their sheaths.
And adorned my neck with necklaces
وَإذَاand when دَبَّرَhe ordered الأمُورَaffairs شَهِدْنَاwe witnessed
وَإذَا دَبَّرَ الأمُورَ شَهِدْنَا
عَزْمَةَthe resolve of الصّيدِnoble chiefs فِيwith مَضَاءِthe sharpness of الحَديِدِiron
عَزْمَةَ الصّيدِ فِي مَضَاءِ الحَديِدِ
And when he orders affairs, we witness
By my life, were it not for you
the resolve of noble chiefs with the cutting force of iron.
I would be hunted by the predatory age
سَائِرَاتٍgoing forth كَأنَّهُنَّas though they were نُجُومٌstars
سَائِرَاتٍ كَأنَّهُنَّ نُجُومٌ
فِيin زَمَانٍa time كَأنَّهُas though it were يَوْمُa day of عِيدِfestival
فِي زَمَانٍ كَأنَّهُ يَوْمُ عِيدِ
They proceed as though they were stars,
And by your mention I know for certain
in a time as though it were a festival day.
My fame exceeds that of Labid
جَمَعَgathered النَّاسَmankind وَالْعُلَىand eminence مِنْهُin him شَخْصٌone person
جَمَعَ النَّاسَ وَالْعُلَى مِنْهُ شَخْصٌ
عَزَّwas exalted عَنْbeyond مُشْبِهٍa likeness لَهُto him وَنَدِيدِand a peer
عَزَّ عَنْ مُشْبِهٍ لَهُ وَنَدِيدِ
His single person gathers mankind and eminence,
I guarded my thoughts from kings and poetry
far beyond any likeness or peer.
Forbidden is their reward and my ode
خَطَبَتْهُsought him خِلاَفَةٌa caliphate وَجَدَتْهُand found him
خَطَبَتْهُ خِلاَفَةٌ وَجَدَتْهُ
فِيin اكْتِسَابِwinning الثَّنَاpraise أجَلَّthe greatest مُجِيدِmaster
فِي اكْتِسَابِ الثَّنَا أجَلَّ مُجِيدِ
A caliphate sought him, having found him
I extract pearls from the seas of eloquence
the greatest master of winning praise.
Making praise the spirit of the ode
يَنْشُرُhe spreads العَدْلَjustice أوْor يَبُثُّdistributes العَطَايَاgifts
يَنْشُرُ العَدْلَ أوْ يَبُثُّ العَطَايَا
فَهْوَso he is مِلْءُfilling العُيُونُthe eyes مِلْءُfilling الكُبُودِthe hearts
فَهْوَ مِلْءُ العُيُونُ مِلْءُ الكُبُودِ
He spreads justice or distributes gifts,
Gleaming with charm when it turns sweet
filling eyes and hearts alike.
Its recovered drops at the recital
مُرْغِمٌhumbling بِالنِّضَالِthrough combat أنْفَthe nose of المُعَادِيthe enemy
مُرْغِمٌ بِالنِّضَالِ أنْفَ المُعَادِي
مُضْحِكٌmaking smile بِالنَّوَالِthrough gifts ثَغْرَthe mouth of الوَدُودِthe loving friend
مُضْحِكٌ بِالنَّوَالِ ثَغْرَ الوَدُودِ
He humbles his enemy's nose through combat,
So take it, live commendably, for my praise
and makes his loving friend's mouth smile through gifts.
Cannot match your lauded deed
وَاضِعُplacing الظُّلْمِoppression تَحْتَbeneath كُلّevery حَضِيضٍlow place
وَاضِعُ الظُّلْمِ تَحْتَ كُلّ حَضِيضٍ
رَافِعُraising العَدْلِjustice فَوْقَabove كُلّevery عَمُودِpillar
رَافِعُ العَدْلِ فَوْقَ كُلّ عَمُودِ
He sets oppression beneath every low place,
And congratulate this fortunate celebration
and raises justice above every pillar.
As you are greeted by the prosperous face
فَمُعَادِيهِso his enemy فِيis in سَعِيرِthe blaze of جَحِيمٍhell
فَمُعَادِيهِ فِي سَعِيرِ جَحِيمٍ
وَمُوَالِيهِand his ally فِيis in جِنَانِgardens of خُلُودِeternity
وَمُوَالِيهِ فِي جِنَانِ خُلُودِ
His enemy is in the blaze of hell,
Remain, guiding the lofty, wise of character
and his ally in gardens of eternity.
Sagacious of praise, joyous of lineage
حَكَمَتْmastered كَفُّهُhis hand اليَرَاعَthe reed pen فَقُلْنَاso we said
حَكَمَتْ كَفُّهُ اليَرَاعَ فَقُلْنَا
حَبَّذَاhow splendid كَوْكَبٌa star بِأفْقٍin a horizon سَعِيدِauspicious
حَبَّذَا كَوْكَبٌ بِأفْقٍ سَعِيدِ
His hand mastered the reed pen, and we said,
Noblest station, bountiful granter
'How splendid a star in an auspicious sky!'
Apparent banner, guardian of borders
يَاO لَهُfor him مِنْof يَرَاعِa reed of فَضْلٍexcellence وَفَضْلٍand bounty
يَا لَهُ مِنْ يَرَاعِ فَضْلٍ وَفَضْلٍ
خُصَّwas distinguished فِيin حَالَتَيْهِits two states بِالتَّسْدِيدِby sure aim
خُصَّ فِي حَالَتَيْهِ بِالتَّسْدِيدِ
What a reed of excellence and bounty,
No loving protector has fulfilled covenants
distinguished in both its states by unerring aim!
Saying, I will break covenants, after dying
مُصْدِرُsending back البِيضِwhite swords مِنْfrom دَمِthe blood of الزُّرْقِthe blue-eyed حُمْراًred
مُصْدِرُ البِيضِ مِنْ دَمِ الزُّرْقِ حُمْراً
بَيْنَamong سُمْرِthe brown shafts of القَنَاspears وَصُفْرِand the yellow of البُنُودِbanners
بَيْنَ سُمْرِ القَنَا وَصُفْرِ البُنُودِ
Sending white swords back red with the blood of the blue-eyed,
among brown spear-shafts and yellow banners.
هَكَذَاthus هَكَذَاthus وَإلاor else فَلاَthen no لاno
هَكَذَا هَكَذَا وَإلا فَلاَ لا
لَيْسَnot شَأوُthe reach of المُلُوكِkings شَأوَthe reach of العَبِيدِslaves
لَيْسَ شَأوُ المُلُوكِ شَأوَ العَبِيدِ
Thus, thus—or else no, no!
The reach of kings is not the reach of slaves.
لَوْif حَبَاendowed اللَّهُGod خَلْقَهُHis creatures بِالتَّسَاوِيequally
لَوْ حَبَا اللَّهُ خَلْقَهُ بِالتَّسَاوِي
لَوَجَدْنَاwe would find الثِّمَارَfruits فِيon كُلّevery عُودِbranch
لَوَجَدْنَا الثِّمَارَ فِي كُلّ عُودِ
Had God endowed His creatures equally,
we would find fruit on every branch.
يَاO مَلِيكاًking إذَاwhen الْوُفُودُthe delegations أتَوْهُcame to him
يَا مَلِيكاً إذَا الْوُفُودُ أتَوْهُ
بَلَغُواthey attained مِنْهُfrom him غَايَةَthe utmost المَقْصُودِaim
بَلَغُوا مِنْهُ غَايَةَ المَقْصُودِ
O king, when delegations come to him,
they attain from him their utmost aim.
لَكَyou have فِيin الحُكْمِrule وَالسَّخَاءِand generosity طَرِيقٌa path
لَكَ فِي الحُكْمِ وَالسَّخَاءِ طَرِيقٌ
ضَلَّstrayed عَنْهُfrom it الْمَأمُونُal-Ma'mun إيْنُson of الرَّشِيدِal-Rashid
ضَلَّ عَنْهُ الْمَأمُونُ إيْنُ الرَّشِيدِ
In rule and generosity you have a path
that al-Ma'mun, son of al-Rashid, failed to find.
وَاعْتِزَمٌand a resolve يَوْمَon the day of الكَرِيهَةbattle أمْضَىsharper
وَاعْتِزَمٌ يَوْمَ الكَرِيهَة أمْضَى
مِنْthan شَبَاthe edge of السَّيْفِthe sword عِنْدَwhen حَزّsevering الوَرِيدِthe jugular
مِنْ شَبَا السَّيْفِ عِنْدَ حَزّ الوَرِيدِ
And your resolve on the day of battle is sharper
than the sword's edge when severing the jugular.
سِيرَةٌconduct مِنْكَfrom you لاَmay not طَوَىfold away اللَّهُGod مِنْهَاfrom it
سِيرَةٌ مِنْكَ لاَ طَوَى اللَّهُ مِنْهَا
مَاwhat يُرَجَّىis hoped for مِنْof نَشْرspreading فَضْلٍexcellence مَزِيدِever greater
مَا يُرَجَّى مِنْ نَشْر فَضْلٍ مَزِيدِ
Such conduct is yours—may God never fold away
the hoped-for spread of still greater excellence.
أنْتَyou مِنْare from مَعْشَرٍa people كِرَامِnoble in المَسَاعِيendeavors
أنْتَ مِنْ مَعْشَرٍ كِرَامِ المَسَاعِي
شَيَّدُواthey built المَجْدَglory بِالثَّنَاءِwith praise المَجِيدِillustrious
شَيَّدُوا المَجْدَ بِالثَّنَاءِ المَجِيدِ
You come from a people noble in their endeavors,
who built glory through illustrious praise.
ضَارِبٌrooted فِيin الصَّمِيمِthe very heart مِنْهُمْof them إلىback to خَيْbest (first part)
ضَارِبٌ فِي الصَّمِيمِ مِنْهُمْ إلى خَيْ
رbest (completion) أبٍa father قَدْwho has سَمَاrisen بِخَيْرِthrough the best جُدُودِforebears
ر أبٍ قَدْ سَمَا بِخَيْرِ جُدُودِ
Rooted in their very heart, back to the best
of fathers, exalted through the best of forebears.
كالْمَصَابِيحِlike lamps فِيin دِجِنَّةthe darkness of أفْقٍa horizon
كالْمَصَابِيحِ فِي دِجِنَّة أفْقٍ
تَتَلاَلاَgleam بِهَاin it أهِلَّةُcrescents of عِيدِa festival
تَتَلاَلاَ بِهَا أهِلَّةُ عِيدِ
Like lamps in the darkness of a sky
where festival crescents gleam.
فَهُمُso they are فِيin سَمَاthe heaven of المَعَالِيhigh deeds شُمُوسٌsuns
فَهُمُ فِي سَمَا المَعَالِي شُمُوسٌ
وَيُدُورٌand full moons بَدَتْappeared بِأْوجِat the zenith of سُعُودِgood fortune
وَيُدُورٌ بَدَتْ بِأْوجِ سُعُودِ
They are suns in the heaven of high deeds,
and full moons appearing at fortune's zenith,
وَأسُودٌand lions تَسُودُwho lord over كُلَّevery هُمَامٍchampion
وَأسُودٌ تَسُودُ كُلَّ هُمَامٍ
عَزَّexalted قَدْراًin rank فَيَالَهُمْso what they are مِنْof أسُودِlions
عَزَّ قَدْراً فَيَالَهُمْ مِنْ أسُودِ
and lions who lord it over every champion
of lofty standing—what lions they are!
هُمْthey سَرَاةٌnoble chiefs يُعْزَوْنَare traced فَخْراًproudly إلَىto الفَاal-Faruq (first part)
هُمْ سَرَاةٌ يُعْزَوْنَ فَخْراً إلَى الفَا
رُوقِal-Faruq (completion) نَجْمِstar of الهُدَىguidance وَلَيْثِand lion of الصّيدِnoble chiefs
رُوقِ نَجْمِ الهُدَى وَلَيْثِ الصّيدِ
They are noble chiefs, proudly descended from al-Faruq,
star of guidance and lion among noble chiefs.
فَاهْنَأواso rejoice يَاO بَنِيsons of العُلَىeminence بِانْتِسَابٍin descent
فَاهْنَأوا يَا بَنِي العُلَى بِانْتِسَابٍ
لأبِيfrom Abu حَفْصٍHafs الرّضَىapproved المَحْمُودِpraised
لأبِي حَفْصٍ الرّضَى المَحْمُودِ
Rejoice, O sons of eminence, in descent
from Abu Hafs, the approved and praised.
طُلْتُمُyou excelled عُنْصُراًin lineage وَطِبْتُمْand were pure نُفُوساًin soul
طُلْتُمُ عُنْصُراً وَطِبْتُمْ نُفُوساً
وَعَلَوْتُمْand rose عَلَىupon مَرَاقِيthe steps of الصُّعُودِascent
وَعَلَوْتُمْ عَلَى مَرَاقِي الصُّعُودِ
You excel in lineage and are pure in soul,
and have risen up the steps of ascent.
يَاO مَلِيكاًking قَدْwho has قَلَّدَinvested الدَّهْرَtime مَجْداًwith glory
يَا مَلِيكاً قَدْ قَلَّدَ الدَّهْرَ مَجْداً
أنْتَyou فِيin النَّصْرِvictory صَاحِبُthe holder of التَّقْلِيدِinvestiture
أنْتَ فِي النَّصْرِ صَاحِبُ التَّقْلِيدِ
O king who has invested time with glory,
you hold victory's investiture.
صِرْتَyou became بِالفَضْلِthrough excellence فِيin الزَّمَانِtime حَدِيثاًa tale
صِرْتَ بِالفَضْلِ فِي الزَّمَانِ حَدِيثاً
قَدْindeed رَوَاهُrecounted it لِسَانُthe tongue of كُلّevery مَجِيدِmaster
قَدْ رَوَاهُ لِسَانُ كُلّ مَجِيدِ
Through excellence you have become a tale within time,
recounted by the tongue of every master.
حَاطَكَmay guard you اللَّهُGod مِنْas an مُقِيمِestablisher of عِمَادٍpillars
حَاطَكَ اللَّهُ مِنْ مُقِيمِ عِمَادٍ
هُوَhe بِالدّينِthrough faith دَائِمُcontinually التَّشْيِيدِbuilds up
هُوَ بِالدّينِ دَائِمُ التَّشْيِيدِ
May God guard you, such an establisher of pillars,
who ceaselessly builds in the cause of faith.
أنَاI لَوْلاَكَbut for you مَاnot صَفَالِيَbecame clear for me وَقْتٌa time
أنَا لَوْلاَكَ مَا صَفَالِيَ وَقْتٌ
كَدَّرَتْهُclouded it يَدُthe hand of الزَّمَانِtime الحَقُودِspiteful
كَدَّرَتْهُ يَدُ الزَّمَانِ الحَقُودِ
Were it not for you, no moment would have been clear for me,
clouded as it was by the hand of spiteful time.
وَأطَالَتْand lengthened عَلَيَّupon me فِيهِin it لَيَالٍnights
وَأطَالَتْ عَلَيَّ فِيهِ لَيَالٍ
لاِمْتِنَاعِيbecause I was kept عَنِfrom الهَنَاhappiness واَلهُجُودِand sleep
لاِمْتِنَاعِي عَنِ الهَنَا واَلهُجُودِ
And it lengthened nights upon me
because I was kept from happiness and sleep.
كَمْhow often سَمَاrose لِيfor me بِحُسْنِthrough the soundness of رَأيِكِyour judgment جَدُّfortune
كَمْ سَمَا لِي بِحُسْنِ رَأيِكِ جَدُّ
صَيَّرَmade الْمَجْدَglory مَظْهَراًa manifestation لِوُجُودِيof my existence
صَيَّرَ الْمَجْدَ مَظْهَراً لِوُجُودِي
How often, through your sound judgment, my fortune rose,
making glory the outward sign of my existence.
وَأوَانِيand sheltered me فِيin ظِلّa shade of بَسْطٍease طَوِيلٍlong
وَأوَانِي فِي ظِلّ بَسْطٍ طَوِيلٍ
وَحَبَانِيand endowed me بِوَفْرِwith abundant مَالٍwealth مَدِيدِenduring
وَحَبَانِي بِوَفْرِ مَالٍ مَدِيدِ
It sheltered me beneath a long-spread shade of ease,
and endowed me with abundant, enduring wealth.
وَتَوَالَتْand came in succession عَلَيَّto me مِنْكَfrom you أيَادٍfavors
وَتَوَالَتْ عَلَيَّ مِنْكَ أيَادٍ
سَالَمَتْهَاmade peace with them يَدُthe hand of الزَّمَانِtime الحَمِيدِkindly
سَالَمَتْهَا يَدُ الزَّمَانِ الحَمِيدِ
Favors from you came to me in succession,
with which the hand of kindly time made peace.
قَدْindeed تَرَبَّعْتُI settled فِيin حِمَاكَyour protection بِوَادٍin a valley
قَدْ تَرَبَّعْتُ فِي حِمَاكَ بِوَادٍ
لَيْسَnot كَالنِّيلِlike the Nile لاَno وَلاَnor كَزَرُودِlike Zarud
لَيْسَ كَالنِّيلِ لاَ وَلاَ كَزَرُودِ
I have settled in your protection in a valley,
not like the Nile—no—nor like Zarud.
هُوَit لِيfor me جُنَّةُa shield إذَاwhen رَشَقَshot الخَطْcalamity (first part)
هُوَ لِي جُنَّةُ إذَا رَشَقَ الخَطْ
بُcalamity (completion) بِسَهْمِwith an arrow of التَصْوِيبِdownward aiming وَالتَّصْعِيدِand upward aiming
بُ بِسَهْمِ التَصْوِيبِ وَالتَّصْعِيدِ
It is my shield when calamity lets fly
an arrow aimed downward or upward.
فَانْتِسَابِيso my affiliation إلَىwith جَنَابِthe court of عُلاَهُhis eminence
فَانْتِسَابِي إلَى جَنَابِ عُلاَهُ
كَانْتِسَابِيis like my affiliation لِظِلِّهِwith his shade المَمْدُودِoutspread
كَانْتِسَابِي لِظِلِّهِ المَمْدُودِ
My affiliation with the court of his eminence
is like my affiliation with his outspread shade.
أنْتَyou ألْبَسْتَنِيclothed me مَلاَبِسَin garments of نُعْمَىblessing
أنْتَ ألْبَسْتَنِي مَلاَبِسَ نُعْمَى
قَلَّدَتْadorned بِالعُقُودِwith necklaces صَفْحَةَthe surface of جِيدِيmy neck
قَلَّدَتْ بِالعُقُودِ صَفْحَةَ جِيدِي
You clothed me in garments of blessing
that adorned the surface of my neck with necklaces.
وَلَعَمْرِيand by my life لَوْلاَكَbut for you مَاnot كُنْتُwould I have been إلاexcept
وَلَعَمْرِي لَوْلاَكَ مَا كُنْتُ إلا
فِيin طِرَادٍjousting مَعَwith الزَّمَانِtime الطَّرِيدِfugitive
فِي طِرَادٍ مَعَ الزَّمَانِ الطَّرِيدِ
By my life, without you I would have been only
jousting with fugitive time.
وَبِذِكْرَاكَand by remembering you قَدْindeed عَلِمْتُI knew يَقِيناًwith certainty
وَبِذِكْرَاكَ قَدْ عَلِمْتُ يَقِيناً
أنَّthat ذِكْرِيmy renown يَفُوقُsurpasses ذِكْرَthe renown of لَبِيدِLabid
أنَّ ذِكْرِي يَفُوقُ ذِكْرَ لَبِيدِ
Through remembrance of you I know with certainty
that my renown surpasses Labid's.
صُنْتُI kept فِكْرِيmy thought عَنِaway from المُلُوكِkings وَشِعْرِيand my poetry
صُنْتُ فِكْرِي عَنِ المُلُوكِ وَشِعْرِي
فَحَرَامٌso forbidden are نَوَالُهُمْtheir gifts وَقَصيدِيand my verse
فَحَرَامٌ نَوَالُهُمْ وَقَصيدِي
I kept my thought and my poetry apart from kings;
their gifts and my verse are forbidden to one another.
أجْلُبُI bring الدُّرَّpearls مِنْfrom بِحَارِseas of قَرِيضٍpoetry
أجْلُبُ الدُّرَّ مِنْ بِحَارِ قَرِيضٍ
صَيَّرَmade المَدْحَpraise رُوحَthe soul of بَيْتِthe verse of القَصِيدِthe poem
صَيَّرَ المَدْحَ رُوحَ بَيْتِ القَصِيدِ
I bring pearls from seas of poetry
that made praise the soul of the poetic verse.
يَتَبَاهَىit glories بِرَوْنَقٍin splendor حِينَwhen يَحْلُوbecomes sweet
يَتَبَاهَى بِرَوْنَقٍ حِينَ يَحْلُو
قَطْرهُits shower المُسْتَعَادcalled for again عِنْدَat النَّشِيدِrecitation
قَطْرهُ المُسْتَعَاد عِنْدَ النَّشِيدِ
It glories in brilliance whenever sweet is
its shower, called for again in recitation.
فَاقْتَنِيهِso treasure it وَعِشْand live حَمِيداًpraised فَمَدْحِيfor my praise
فَاقْتَنِيهِ وَعِشْ حَمِيداً فَمَدْحِي
لاnot يُوَفِّيdoes justice بِفِعْلِكَto your deed المَحْمُودِpraiseworthy
لا يُوَفِّي بِفِعْلِكَ المَحْمُودِ
So treasure it and live praised, for my praise
cannot do justice to your praiseworthy deeds.
وَاهْنَand rejoice بِالْعِيدِin the festival فَهْوَfor it is عِيدٌa festival سَعيدٌhappy
وَاهْنَ بِالْعِيدِ فَهْوَ عِيدٌ سَعيدٌ
إذْsince تَهَنَّاit was gladdened بِوَجْهِكَby your face المَسْعُودِauspicious
إذْ تَهَنَّا بِوَجْهِكَ المَسْعُودِ
Rejoice in the festival, for it is a happy festival,
made glad by your auspicious face.
وَابْقَand remain هَادِيthe guide of العُلَىeminence رَشِيدَupright in السَّجَايَاcharacter
وَابْقَ هَادِي العُلَى رَشِيدَ السَّجَايَا
عَبْقَرِيَّmatchless in الثَّنَاpraise سَعِيدَfortunate in الجُدُودِfortunes
عَبْقَرِيَّ الثَّنَا سَعِيدَ الجُدُودِ
Remain the guide of eminence, upright in character,
matchless in praise, fortunate in your fortunes,
أشْرَفِيَّAshrafi in المَقَامِstation مَهْدِيMahdi in العَطَايَاgifts
أشْرَفِيَّ المَقَامِ مَهْدِي العَطَايَا
ظَاهِرِيَّZahiri in اللِّوَاbanner نَصِيرَdefender of الحُدُودِthe bounds
ظَاهِرِيَّ اللِّوَا نَصِيرَ الحُدُودِ
Ashrafi in station, Mahdi in gifts,
Zahiri in banner, defender of the sacred bounds,
مَاas long as وَفَىkeeps faith بِالْعُهُودِwith pledges صَبٌّan ardent lover مُحِبٌّloving
مَا وَفَى بِالْعُهُودِ صَبٌّ مُحِبٌّ
لَوْeven if يَمُتْhe dies لَمْnot يَقُلْwould he consent بِنَقْضِto breaking العُهُودِpledges
لَوْ يَمُتْ لَمْ يَقُلْ بِنَقْضِ العُهُودِ
as long as an ardent, loving lover keeps his pledges,
who, even were he to die, would not consent to break his pledges.
Partial English translation: 154 of 228 Arabic lines translated.