سَقى مَنزِلاً بَينَ الشَقيقَةِ وَالضالِ

سَقى مَنزِلاً بَينَ الشَقيقَةِ وَالضالِ

جَنا كُلِّ سَحّاحٍ مِنَ المُزنِ هَطّالِ

جَنا كُلِّ سَحّاحٍ مِنَ المُزنِ هَطّالِ

May a dwelling between al-Shaqiqah and al-Dal be watered

He watered a dwelling between the meadows and the lost,

by the yield of every raincloud pouring in torrents,

Every rugged valley sang with delight,

وَحَيّا رُسومَ العامِرِيَّةِ بِاللَوى

وَحَيّا رُسومَ العامِرِيَّةِ بِاللَوى

تَحِيَّةَ لا سالٍ هَواها وَلا قالِ

تَحِيَّةَ لا سالٍ هَواها وَلا قالِ

and may it greet the 'Amiri woman's traces at al-Liwa

And he greeted the relics of the flourishing with yearning,

with the greeting of one who neither forgets her love nor spurns her.

A greeting that neither flows spontaneously nor says.

وَلَمّا وَقَفنا بِالدِيارِ بَدَت لَنا

وَلَمّا وَقَفنا بِالدِيارِ بَدَت لَنا

أَوابِدُ مِن حيرانِ وَحشٍ وَآجالِ

أَوابِدُ مِن حيرانِ وَحشٍ وَآجالِ

When we stopped at the dwellings, there appeared to us

And when we stood in the abodes they appeared to us

wild creatures—young beasts and herds.

Desolations amid wild beasts and lairing places.

فَما خَدَعَتنا عَن حَوالٍ أَوانِسٍ

فَما خَدَعَتنا عَن حَوالٍ أَوانِسٍ

بِنافِرَةٍ مِن وَحشِ وَجرَةَ مِعطالِ

بِنافِرَةٍ مِن وَحشِ وَجرَةَ مِعطالِ

Yet they did not lure us from adorned, companionable beauties

We were not beguiled from friendly gatherings

with a skittish, unadorned doe from Wajrah's wild herds.

By an aversion to wild things and a deserted ruin.

أَلا حَبَّذا بِالبانِ مَغنىً وَمَلعَبٌ

أَلا حَبَّذا بِالبانِ مَغنىً وَمَلعَبٌ

عَصَيتُ بِهِ عَصرَ البَطالَةِ عُذّالي

عَصَيتُ بِهِ عَصرَ البَطالَةِ عُذّالي

Ah, how lovely that dwelling and playground at al-Ban,

Blessed are the cottages, a place of leisure and sport,

where, in my idle days, I defied my reproachers!

In which I while away the idleness of the unemployed.

فَكائِن لَنا مِن وَقفَةٍ في ظِلالِهِ

فَكائِن لَنا مِن وَقفَةٍ في ظِلالِهِ

وَمِن غَدَواتٍ موبِقاتٍ وَآصالِ

وَمِن غَدَواتٍ موبِقاتٍ وَآصالِ

How many a time we stood in its shade,

We will have from halting in their shade

and how many ruinous mornings and evenings!

Distressing adventures and ruinous marches.

وَهَل تَشتَكي الأَوطانَ عَمَّن تُحِبُّهُ

وَهَل تَشتَكي الأَوطانَ عَمَّن تُحِبُّهُ

وَما نَفعُ آثارٍ خَوالٍ وَأَطلالِ

وَما نَفعُ آثارٍ خَوالٍ وَأَطلالِ

And do you lament the dwellings instead of the one you love?

Does a homeland complain of one whom you love?

What use are deserted traces and ruins?

What use are ruins, night travelers, and vestiges?

وَكَيفَ تَسَلَّينا بِقُضبانِ إِسحِلٍ

وَكَيفَ تَسَلَّينا بِقُضبانِ إِسحِلٍ

وَأَحقافِ رَملٍ عَن قُدودٍ وَأَكفالٍ

وَأَحقافِ رَملٍ عَن قُدودٍ وَأَكفالٍ

How could we console ourselves with ishil-tree boughs

How could we be consoled by clubs of tamarisk

and sand dunes, in place of slender figures and rounded hips?

And sand dunes instead of fortresses and strongholds?

لَيالِيَ عودُ اللَهوِ فَينانُ مورِقٌ

لَيالِيَ عودُ اللَهوِ فَينانُ مورِقٌ

وَوِردُ الهَوى صَفوٌ وَجيدُ الصِبى حالِ

وَوِردُ الهَوى صَفوٌ وَجيدُ الصِبى حالِ

Those nights when pleasure's bough was luxuriant and leafy,

Nights of mirth when the wine is passing round,

love's draught was clear, and youth's neck adorned!

Pure wine is the tryst and the youths are in their prime.

فَلِلَّهِ ثَوبٌ مِن شَبابٍ سُلِبتُهُ

فَلِلَّهِ ثَوبٌ مِن شَبابٍ سُلِبتُهُ

وَغودِرتُ في ثَوبٍ مِنَ الشَيبِ أَسمالِ

وَغودِرتُ في ثَوبٍ مِنَ الشَيبِ أَسمالِ

Ah, the garment of youth of which I was stripped,

God’s garment of youth was stolen from me

and left in a tattered garment of gray hair!

And I was left in a coat of hoary age.

صَحِبتُ زَماني وَاِدِعَ البالِ قَلَّما

صَحِبتُ زَماني وَاِدِعَ البالِ قَلَّما

خَطَرتُ لِهَمٍّ أَو لِبُؤسٍ عَلى بالِ

خَطَرتُ لِهَمٍّ أَو لِبُؤسٍ عَلى بالِ

I kept company with my days, carefree; seldom

I accompanied my time, bade farewell to adversity,

did I cross the mind of worry or misery.

Rarely did a care or woe cross my mind,

جَديدَ سَرابيلِ الشَبيبَةِ رافِلاً

جَديدَ سَرابيلِ الشَبيبَةِ رافِلاً

مِنَ العَيشِ في ضافي المَساحِبِ ذَيّالِ

مِنَ العَيشِ في ضافي المَساحِبِ ذَيّالِ

Fresh in the robes of youth, walking proudly,

My robe of youth fluttering anew

in life's ample garment with its long, sweeping train.

From a life of ease and flowing copiousness.

وَهأَنَذا مِن بَعدِ أَمنٍ وَصِحَّةِ

وَهأَنَذا مِن بَعدِ أَمنٍ وَصِحَّةِ

مُسامِرُ أَوجاعٍ مُشاوِرُ أَوجالِ

مُسامِرُ أَوجاعٍ مُشاوِرُ أَوجالِ

But here I am, after safety and health,

Yet here am I after safety and health

keeping night-company with pains, consulting with fears.

Aching, cleaving to pains and moaning,

أُرَقِّعُ عُمراً أَخلَقَتهُ بِكَرِّها

أُرَقِّعُ عُمراً أَخلَقَتهُ بِكَرِّها

اللَيالي إِلى كَم يُرقَعُ الخَلَقُ البالي

اللَيالي إِلى كَم يُرقَعُ الخَلَقُ البالي

I patch a life worn threadbare by the turning

Patching together a lifetime ruined by its nights

of nights—how long can worn, threadbare cloth be patched?

How much can a decrepit fabric be patched?

عَزَفتُ عَنِ الدُنيا فَما أَنا طامِحٌ

عَزَفتُ عَنِ الدُنيا فَما أَنا طامِحٌ

بِطَرفي إِلى وَفرٍ عَداني وَلامالِ

بِطَرفي إِلى وَفرٍ عَداني وَلامالِ

I have turned away from the world; I no longer strain

I turned aside from this world, no more aspiring

my gaze toward riches that eluded me, nor toward wealth.

To glance at its plenty, possessing no goods or money,

وَأَعرَضتُ عَنها غَيرَ مُكتَرِثٍ لَها

وَأَعرَضتُ عَنها غَيرَ مُكتَرِثٍ لَها

وَسَيّانِ إِكثاري لَدَيَّ وَإِقلالي

وَسَيّانِ إِكثاري لَدَيَّ وَإِقلالي

I turned my back on it, caring nothing for it;

And I turned away uncaring, indifferent to it,

having much or little is all the same to me.

Leveling and decreasing have no hold over me,

وَلَم يَبقَ لي عِندَ اللَيالي لُبانَةٌ

وَلَم يَبقَ لي عِندَ اللَيالي لُبانَةٌ

كَأَنِّيَ قَد ماتَت مَعَ الشَيبِ آمالي

كَأَنِّيَ قَد ماتَت مَعَ الشَيبِ آمالي

I have no wish left to ask of the nights,

I have no radiance left during the nights,

as though my hopes had died with the coming of gray hair.

It is as though my hopes died with the grey hairs,

فَلَستُ أُبالي اليَومَ كَيفَ تَقَلَّبَت

فَلَستُ أُبالي اليَومَ كَيفَ تَقَلَّبَت

عَلى عَقِبِ الأَيّامِ وَالدَهرِ أَدوالي

عَلى عَقِبِ الأَيّامِ وَالدَهرِ أَدوالي

Today I care nothing how

Today I care not how my days and fortunes

my fortunes turn on the heels of days and time.

Have tossed and turned after their wont,

وَلَولا زَمانٌ أَخَّرَتني صُروفُهُ

وَلَولا زَمانٌ أَخَّرَتني صُروفُهُ

لَطارَت بِرَحلي كُلُّ هَوجاءَ مِرقالِ

لَطارَت بِرَحلي كُلُّ هَوجاءَ مِرقالِ

Were it not for an age whose vicissitudes held me back,

And had not time with its events kept me back

every headlong, fleet-footed she-camel would fly with my saddle.

I would have taken flight from all desolate places,

أُجَشِّمَها الأَخطارَ في غَسَقِ الدُجى

أُجَشِّمَها الأَخطارَ في غَسَقِ الدُجى

وَأُقذِفُها رَأدَ الضُحى لُجَجِ الآلِ

وَأُقذِفُها رَأدَ الضُحى لُجَجِ الآلِ

I would make her brave dangers in the darkness of night,

Braving its perils in the gloom of night,

and hurl her, at high forenoon, into seas of mirage.

Hurling them into the dark dawn's surging waves,

وَما كُنتُ أَرضى بِالقُعودِ وَإِنَّما

وَما كُنتُ أَرضى بِالقُعودِ وَإِنَّما

خُطوبٌ رَمَتني مِن أَذاها بِأَهوالِ

خُطوبٌ رَمَتني مِن أَذاها بِأَهوالِ

I was never content to sit idle; it was only

I was not content to sit idle, but misfortunes

calamities that struck me with the terrors of their harm.

Cast me with their terrors into dire straits,

وَإِنِّيَ مِن جودِ الوَزيرِ لَواثِقٌ

وَإِنِّيَ مِن جودِ الوَزيرِ لَواثِقٌ

بِأَن سَيَريشُ اليَومَ ما اِنحَطَّ مِن حالي

بِأَن سَيَريشُ اليَومَ ما اِنحَطَّ مِن حالي

Yet I am firmly confident in the vizier's generosity,

Yet I trust in the vizier's generosity,

that today he will restore my diminished fortunes.

That he will shower on me today what my state lacks,

فَيَبسُطُ آمالي وَيُنهِضُ عَثرَتي

فَيَبسُطُ آمالي وَيُنهِضُ عَثرَتي

وَيَغرَمُ ما قَد فاتَ مِن زَمَني الخالي

وَيَغرَمُ ما قَد فاتَ مِن زَمَني الخالي

He will spread out my hopes and raise me from my stumble,

He will revive my hopes and raise me from my fall,

and make amends for what my bygone years have lost.

And favor what is missing from my faded years,

سَأَجعَلُهُ لي عُدَّةً وَذَخيرَةً

سَأَجعَلُهُ لي عُدَّةً وَذَخيرَةً

أَعِزُّ بِهِ وَالعِزُّ خَيرٌ مِنَ المالِ

أَعِزُّ بِهِ وَالعِزُّ خَيرٌ مِنَ المالِ

I shall make him my support and reserve;

I will make it my reserve and store,

through him I shall gain honor, and honor is better than wealth.

Honoring myself, for honor is better than wealth,

أَصونُ بِهِ عِرضي وَأَمنَعُ جانِبي

أَصونُ بِهِ عِرضي وَأَمنَعُ جانِبي

وَمِثلُ جَلالِ الدينِ مَن صانَ أَمثالي

وَمِثلُ جَلالِ الدينِ مَن صانَ أَمثالي

Through him I shall safeguard my honor and defend my side;

Protecting my virtue and guarding my side,

one like Jalal al-Din protects men like me.

The like of Al-Malik Al-Adil, who guarded his peers,

وَإِن طَرَقَتني في الزَمانِ مُلِمَّةٌ

وَإِن طَرَقَتني في الزَمانِ مُلِمَّةٌ

نَزَلتُ بِحاجاتي عَلَيهِ وَأَثقالي

نَزَلتُ بِحاجاتي عَلَيهِ وَأَثقالي

If some misfortune comes upon me in time,

If worries beset me in my time,

I shall alight upon him with my needs and burdens.

I will unload my burdens and packs onto him,

فَأَسرَحُ في رَوضِ السَماحِ رَكائِبي

فَأَسرَحُ في رَوضِ السَماحِ رَكائِبي

وَأَسحَبُ في رَبعِ المَكارِمِ أَذيالي

وَأَسحَبُ في رَبعِ المَكارِمِ أَذيالي

Then I shall pasture my riding-camels in generosity's meadow,

I will release my mounts into the meadow of charity

and trail my hems in the abode of noble deeds.

And extend my robes in the quarter of noble deeds,

وَعِندَ عُبَيدِ اللَهِ ما أَقتَرَحتُهُ

وَعِندَ عُبَيدِ اللَهِ ما أَقتَرَحتُهُ

عَلى الدَهرِ مِن فَضلٍ عَميمٍ وَإِفضالِ

عَلى الدَهرِ مِن فَضلٍ عَميمٍ وَإِفضالِ

With Ubayd Allah is all I have asked

With Obeidallah is what I have asked of Fate

of time: abundant bounty and beneficence.

In abounding grace and lavishing favor,

وَزيرٍ كَسا دَستَ الوِزارَةِ بَهجَةً

وَزيرٍ كَسا دَستَ الوِزارَةِ بَهجَةً

وَكانَ زَماناً عاطِلاً جيدُها الحالي

وَكانَ زَماناً عاطِلاً جيدُها الحالي

A vizier who clothed the ministerial seat in splendor,

A vizier who clothed authority with splendor

whose now-adorned neck had long been bare.

When its time was fruitless and lacking fortune,

وَقامَ بِتَدبيرِ الأُمورِ فَلَم يَبِت

وَقامَ بِتَدبيرِ الأُمورِ فَلَم يَبِت

بِهِ بَينَ تَضيِيعٍ يُخافُ وَإِهمالِ

بِهِ بَينَ تَضيِيعٍ يُخافُ وَإِهمالِ

He rose to manage affairs, and no night was spent

Who conducted affairs and did not pass

under him in feared mismanagement or neglect.

A night confused between neglect feared or planned,

لَئِن غَبَرَت حيناً مِنَ الدَهرِ حائِلاً

لَئِن غَبَرَت حيناً مِنَ الدَهرِ حائِلاً

لَقَد طَرَّقَت بَعدَ الحِيالِ بِرِئبالِ

لَقَد طَرَّقَت بَعدَ الحِيالِ بِرِئبالِ

Though it remained barren for a time,

If at times clouds from fate obscured,

it has indeed given birth, after barrenness, to a lion:

Afterwards it cleared with pouring rain,

بِأَغلَبَ مَسبوحِ الذِراعَينِ باسِلٍ

بِأَغلَبَ مَسبوحِ الذِراعَينِ باسِلٍ

يُزَلزِلُ أَقدامَ العِدى أَيَّ زَلزالِ

يُزَلزِلُ أَقدامَ العِدى أَيَّ زَلزالِ

thick-necked, long of foreleg, and valiant,

With arms mighty to shake the enemies' steps,

who makes the enemy's feet quake with a mighty quaking.

However violent the earthquake and tremors,

يَخوضُ سَوادَ النَقعِ وَالبيضِ شُرَّعٌ

يَخوضُ سَوادَ النَقعِ وَالبيضِ شُرَّعٌ

بِأَيدي مَغاويرٍ كُماةٍ وَأَبطالِ

بِأَيدي مَغاويرٍ كُماةٍ وَأَبطالِ

He plunges through black dust while white swords are leveled

He takes the black and white into the fray

in the hands of raiders, armored champions, and heroes.

With hands of young warriors, heroes and braves,

هُوَ الذائِدُ الحامي إِذا اِشتَجَرَ القَنا

هُوَ الذائِدُ الحامي إِذا اِشتَجَرَ القَنا

وَإِن صَوَّحَت سَنهاءُ فَالهانِىءُ الطالي

وَإِن صَوَّحَت سَنهاءُ فَالهانِىءُ الطالي

He repels and protects when spears clash;

He wards off peril when the cane thicket stirs,

if a drought-year withers all, he anoints with healing tar.

And if the rabbits' tails bristle he is the shooer,

يَبيتُ عَزيزاً جارُهُ فَجِوارُهُ

يَبيتُ عَزيزاً جارُهُ فَجِوارُهُ

لِمُغتَرِبٍ خَيرٌ مِنَ الأَهلِ وَالمالِ

لِمُغتَرِبٍ خَيرٌ مِنَ الأَهلِ وَالمالِ

His neighbor sleeps in honor; his protection

His neighbor dwells in safety, for his neighborhood

is better for a stranger than family and wealth.

Is better for the exile than family and riches,

هُوَ المُتبِعُ القَولَ الفِعالَ تَكَرُّماً

هُوَ المُتبِعُ القَولَ الفِعالَ تَكَرُّماً

وَما كُلُّ قَوّالٍ سِواهُ بِفَعّالِ

وَما كُلُّ قَوّالٍ سِواهُ بِفَعّالِ

He generously follows words with deeds;

He follows words with action magnanimously,

not every talker besides him is a doer.

Not everyone who prates is like him in deeds,

لَهُ عَمَلٌ بِالعِلمِ يَزدادُ زينَةً

لَهُ عَمَلٌ بِالعِلمِ يَزدادُ زينَةً

وَيا رُبَّ ذي عِلمٍ وَلَيسَ بِعَمّالِ

وَيا رُبَّ ذي عِلمٍ وَلَيسَ بِعَمّالِ

His deeds gain beauty through knowledge;

His knowledge is matched by deeds to grow more beautiful

and how many have knowledge but do not act!

O how many learned yet lack accomplishment!

بَلاهُ أَميرُ المُؤمِنينَ فَلمَ يَكُن

بَلاهُ أَميرُ المُؤمِنينَ فَلمَ يَكُن

بِمُنحَرِفٍ عَن مَنهَجِ الحَقِّ مَيّالِ

بِمُنحَرِفٍ عَن مَنهَجِ الحَقِّ مَيّالِ

The Commander of the Faithful tested him, and he was not

The Commander of the Faithful tested him but found

one who strays or swerves from the path of truth.

No deviation from the path of truth or leaning,

وَحَمَّلَهُ أَعباؤَهُ فَأَقَلَّها

وَحَمَّلَهُ أَعباؤَهُ فَأَقَلَّها

بِكاهِلِ عَزمٍ لِلعَظائِمِ حَمّالِ

بِكاهِلِ عَزمٍ لِلعَظائِمِ حَمّالِ

He loaded him with his burdens, and he bore them

And burdened him with his duties but he lightened them

on the shoulder of a resolve that carries great tasks.

With the shoulder of a will equal to great tasks.

لِيَهنِكُمُ يا قالَةَ الشِعرِ أَنَّكُم

لِيَهنِكُمُ يا قالَةَ الشِعرِ أَنَّكُم

نَزَلتُم عَلى عَذبِ المَوارِدِ سَلسالِ

نَزَلتُم عَلى عَذبِ المَوارِدِ سَلسالِ

May you rejoice, O makers of verse, that you

You have descended, company of poets, upon

have alighted at sweet, gently flowing watering-places,

The sweetest springs, flowing copious and clear,

وَأَنَّكُمُ بَعدَ الإِياسِ سُقيتُمُ

وَأَنَّكُمُ بَعدَ الإِياسِ سُقيتُمُ

ظِماءً بِنَوءٍ مِن عَطاياهُ مِفضالِ

ظِماءً بِنَوءٍ مِن عَطاياهُ مِفضالِ

and that, after despair, you have been given drink,

After despair you were given to drink

in your thirst, by a lavish rainstorm of his gifts.

A draught from his gifts, pure and fresh,

فَأَثرَيتُمُ مِن بَعدِ دَهرٍ وَضيقَةٍ

فَأَثرَيتُمُ مِن بَعدِ دَهرٍ وَضيقَةٍ

وَأَخصَبتُمُ مِن بَعدِ جَدبٍ وَإِمحالِ

وَأَخصَبتُمُ مِن بَعدِ جَدبٍ وَإِمحالِ

You have grown rich after hard times and want,

You gained riches after want and hardship,

and flourished after drought and barrenness.

And fruitfulness after drought and bareness,

غَنيتُم بِهِ جَوبِ كُلِّ تَنوفَةٍ

غَنيتُم بِهِ جَوبِ كُلِّ تَنوفَةٍ

بِكَلِّ المَطايا بَينَ حِلٍّ وَتِرحالِ

بِكَلِّ المَطايا بَينَ حِلٍّ وَتِرحالِ

Through him you have no need to cross every wilderness

You all boast, roaming every region,

on weary mounts, between encampment and departure,

Between encamping and traveling with ease,

وَعَن بَرِمٍ ما زالَ يَبرَمُ بِالنَدى

وَعَن بَرِمٍ ما زالَ يَبرَمُ بِالنَدى

وَيَشغَلُهُ المَدحُ الرَخيصُ عَنِ الغالي

وَيَشغَلُهُ المَدحُ الرَخيصُ عَنِ الغالي

or to turn to a grudging man who never ceases to resent generosity,

While he who is uncouth, basely nourished,

whom cheap praise distracts from the precious,

His breast stained with sin, treachery his habit,

وَذي شَنَآنٍ مُشرَجاتٍ ضُلوعُهُ

وَذي شَنَآنٍ مُشرَجاتٍ ضُلوعُهُ

عَلى الغِلِ مَطبوعٍ عَلى الغَدرِ مُحتالِ

عَلى الغِلِ مَطبوعٍ عَلى الغَدرِ مُحتالِ

or to a hateful man whose ribs are fastened shut

Built his affair on delusion as though

over rancor, born to treachery, scheming.

Upon a dune of sand destined to collapse,

بَنا بِغُرورٍ أَمرَهُ فَكَأَنَّما

بَنا بِغُرورٍ أَمرَهُ فَكَأَنَّما

بَناهُ عَلى حِقفٍ مِنَ الرَملِ مُنهالِ

بَناهُ عَلى حِقفٍ مِنَ الرَملِ مُنهالِ

He built his cause on delusion, as though

Unaware that fate's changes flow,

he built it on a crumbling dune of sand.

And the nights last not in a single state,

وَلَم يَدرِ أَنَّ الدَهرَ تَجري صُروفُهُ

وَلَم يَدرِ أَنَّ الدَهرَ تَجري صُروفُهُ

وَأَنَّ اللَيالي لا تَدومُ عَلى حالِ

وَأَنَّ اللَيالي لا تَدومُ عَلى حالِ

He did not know that time's vicissitudes run their course,

He followed a plan that would be his ruin

and that the nights never remain in one state.

And ignited a fire that he would feed,

فَأَعمَلَ رَأياً كانَ فيهِ وَبالُهُ

فَأَعمَلَ رَأياً كانَ فيهِ وَبالُهُ

وَأَوقَدَ ناراً عادَ وَهوَ لَها صالِ

وَأَوقَدَ ناراً عادَ وَهوَ لَها صالِ

He put into action a plan that held his ruin,

Your excellent intention deluded him

and kindled a fire in which he ended up burning.

O slowness which hastens the envious!

وَغَرَّتهُ مِن حُسنِ اِرتِيائِكَ وَنِيَّةٌ

وَغَرَّتهُ مِن حُسنِ اِرتِيائِكَ وَنِيَّةٌ

وَيارُبَّ إِبطاءٍ كَفيلٍ بِإِعجالِ

وَيارُبَّ إِبطاءٍ كَفيلٍ بِإِعجالِ

A delay born of your sound judgment deceived him;

You left no remnant of enemies, but only

and many a delay guarantees a swift outcome.

Neglect and disregard remained of them,

وَما تَركُكَ الأَعداءَ بَقياً عَلَيهِمِ

وَما تَركُكَ الأَعداءَ بَقياً عَلَيهِمِ

وَلَكِنَّهُ تَركُ اِجتِيازٍ وَإِهمالِ

وَلَكِنَّهُ تَركُ اِجتِيازٍ وَإِهمالِ

Your leaving enemies alone is not out of mercy for them;

You are dressed in garments of brilliant fortune

rather, you pass them by and disregard them.

Today you don the finest of raiment,

تَمَلَّيتَها مِن خِلعَةٍ ناصِرِيَةٍ

تَمَلَّيتَها مِن خِلعَةٍ ناصِرِيَةٍ

تَسَربَلتَ مِنها اليَومَ أَفضَلَ سِربالِ

تَسَربَلتَ مِنها اليَومَ أَفضَلَ سِربالِ

May you long enjoy that Nasiri robe of honor,

Blended with light glancing from its brilliance

from which today you have donned the finest garment.

A ray like the sun's gleam dispelling sorrows,

فَمَمزوجَةٌ وَشيٌ بِها مِن ضِيائِها

فَمَمزوجَةٌ وَشيٌ بِها مِن ضِيائِها

شِعاعٌ كَبَرقِ الشَمسِ كاشِفَةُ البالِ

شِعاعٌ كَبَرقِ الشَمسِ كاشِفَةُ البالِ

Its embroidery is mingled with its own radiance:

And a flowing sleeve underneath and a turban

a ray like the sun's flash, clearing the mind.

Whose darkness amid fate's cheek is like a mole,

وَدَرّاعَةٌ مِن تَحتِها وَعِمامَةٌ

وَدَرّاعَةٌ مِن تَحتِها وَعِمامَةٌ

سَوادُهُما في وَجنَةِ الدَهرِ كَالخالِ

سَوادُهُما في وَجنَةِ الدَهرِ كَالخالِ

Beneath it are a tunic and a turban;

And the sheen of smooth composure, adorned,

their blackness is like a beauty spot on time's cheek.

The accustomed garb of kings who bequeathed it and others,

وَأَبيَضُ حالٍ بِالنُضارِ مُهَنَّدٌ

وَأَبيَضُ حالٍ بِالنُضارِ مُهَنَّدٌ

عَتادُ مُلوكٍ أَورَثوهُ وَأَقيالِ

عَتادُ مُلوكٍ أَورَثوهُ وَأَقيالِ

And a gleaming Indian-forged sword, adorned with gold,

A scion of the noble lineage of A'awaj, pure,

the equipment of kings and princes who passed it down;

Generous forebears, kin, and family,

وَمُشتَرِفٌ مِن نَسلِ أَعوَجَ خالِصُ ال

وَمُشتَرِفٌ مِن نَسلِ أَعوَجَ خالِصُ ال

نُجارِ كَريمُ الجَدِّ وَالعَمِّ وَالخالِ

نُجارِ كَريمُ الجَدِّ وَالعَمِّ وَالخالِ

and a lofty steed of A'waj's stock, pure in

Eyes delight to look upon him as though

lineage, noble in grandsire, paternal uncle, and maternal uncle.

He were a meadow of flowers, a slender doe,

تُسَرُّ بِمَرآهُ العُيونُ كَأَنَّهُ

تُسَرُّ بِمَرآهُ العُيونُ كَأَنَّهُ

عَقيلَةُ خِدرٍ كاعِبٌ ذاتُ خَلخالِ

عَقيلَةُ خِدرٍ كاعِبٌ ذاتُ خَلخالِ

Eyes rejoice at the sight of him, as though he were

He passes by the face of the earth which imagines

a noble, budding maiden in seclusion, wearing an anklet.

His gait to be droplets trickling smooth,

يَمُرُّ عَلى وَجهِ الثَرى فَتِخالُهُ

يَمُرُّ عَلى وَجهِ الثَرى فَتِخالُهُ

تَدَفَّقَ رَقراقٍ مِنَ الماءِ سَلسالِ

تَدَفَّقَ رَقراقٍ مِنَ الماءِ سَلسالِ

He passes over the earth's face, and you imagine him

He sauntered inevitably toward you though it is

the flow of shimmering, gently streaming water.

A gait of coquetry, not amorous overture,

تَبَختَرَ مَحتوماً إِلَيكَ وَإِنَّهُ

تَبَختَرَ مَحتوماً إِلَيكَ وَإِنَّهُ

لَمَشيُ دَلالٍ لا تَبَختُرُ إِدلالِ

لَمَشيُ دَلالٍ لا تَبَختُرُ إِدلالِ

He pranced toward you as destined; yet it is

Wandering with a docile gray steed as though

a walk of charm, not the strut of presumption.

Its crescents were before and behind,

يَتيهُ بِسَرجٍ عَسجَدِيٍّ كَأَنَّما

يَتيهُ بِسَرجٍ عَسجَدِيٍّ كَأَنَّما

هِلالانِ مِنهُ في المُقَدَّمِ وَالتالي

هِلالانِ مِنهُ في المُقَدَّمِ وَالتالي

He struts in a golden saddle, as though

Not as they supposed, mounted for splendor

two crescents were upon it, one in front and one behind.

But mounted for might and esteem,

وَلَيسَ كَما ظَنّوهُ مَركوبَ زينَةٍ

وَلَيسَ كَما ظَنّوهُ مَركوبَ زينَةٍ

وَلَكِنَّهُ مَركوبُ عِزٍّ وَإِجلالِ

وَلَكِنَّهُ مَركوبُ عِزٍّ وَإِجلالِ

He is not, as they thought, a mount for display,

Accompanied by a dark polished mare

but a mount of honor and grandeur.

An Iraqi, Bahriyya, mother of children,

وَمُثقَلَةٌ بِالحَلِ سَوداءُ حُرَّةٌ

وَمُثقَلَةٌ بِالحَلِ سَوداءُ حُرَّةٌ

عِراقِيَّةٌ بَحرِيَةٌ أُمُّ أَطفالِ

عِراقِيَّةٌ بَحرِيَةٌ أُمُّ أَطفالِ

And a black, noble inkwell, heavy with adornment,

Who, when they pace around her seeking her teats

Iraqi, sea-born, a mother of children.

Flow with provision which pours and runs,

إِذا مادَرَجنَ حَولَها يَرتَضِعنَها

إِذا مادَرَجنَ حَولَها يَرتَضِعنَها

جَرَينَ بِأَرزاقٍ تَدِرُّ وَآجالِ

جَرَينَ بِأَرزاقٍ تَدِرُّ وَآجالِ

When they toddle about her, suckling from her,

Formidable such that every mailed warrior fears him

they run with flowing livelihoods and appointed deaths:

Silent, scorning all who prattle idly,

فَمِن حاسِرٍ يَخشاهُ كُلُّ مُدَجَّجٍ

فَمِن حاسِرٍ يَخشاهُ كُلُّ مُدَجَّجٍ

وَمِن صامِتٍ يُزري عَلى كُلِّ قَوّالِ

وَمِن صامِتٍ يُزري عَلى كُلِّ قَوّالِ

among them an unarmored one feared by every armored warrior,

With Indian blades that mock wild beasts

and a silent one that puts every talker to shame,

Sending every bronze knight astray,

وَمِن مُرهَفاتِ الحَدِّ تَهزَأُ بِالظُبى

وَمِن مُرهَفاتِ الحَدِّ تَهزَأُ بِالظُبى

وَيَفرَقُ مِنها كُلُّ أَسمَرَ عَسّالِ

وَيَفرَقُ مِنها كُلُّ أَسمَرَ عَسّالِ

and keen-edged ones that mock sword-blades,

So many around it seeking refuge,

before which every swaying brown spear trembles.

Coming to it in delegations and requests!

فَكَم حَولَها مِن مُستَجيرِ وَعائِذٍ

فَكَم حَولَها مِن مُستَجيرِ وَعائِذٍ

وَكائِن لَدَيها مِن وُفودٍ وَسُؤالِ

وَكائِن لَدَيها مِن وُفودٍ وَسُؤالِ

How many seek refuge and shelter around her!

You were granted, Abu al-Muzaffar, a rank

How many delegations and petitioners attend her!

To which you ascended, lofty and sublime,

فَهُنِئتَها يا با المُظَفَّرِ رُتبَةً

فَهُنِئتَها يا با المُظَفَّرِ رُتبَةً

تَبَوَّأتَ مِنها مَرقَبَ الشَرَفِ العالي

تَبَوَّأتَ مِنها مَرقَبَ الشَرَفِ العالي

May you be blessed with this rank, Abu al-Muzaffar,

The possessions of the Muluk are still

through which you have gained the watchtower of lofty honor.

Branded by your sword after disregard,

وَلازالَ مَعقولاً بِسَيفِكَ شارِدُ ال

وَلازالَ مَعقولاً بِسَيفِكَ شارِدُ ال

مَمالِكِ مَوسوماً بِهِ بَعدَ إِغفالِ

مَمالِكِ مَوسوماً بِهِ بَعدَ إِغفالِ

And may your sword always tether the straying ones of the

Nor did its herds and horses diminish

kingdoms, branded by it after going unmarked.

Tribes of shepherds and governors over it,

وَلا عَدِمَت أَذوادُها وَسُروحُها

وَلا عَدِمَت أَذوادُها وَسُروحُها

قَبائِلَ مِن راعٍ عَليها وَمِن والِ

قَبائِلَ مِن راعٍ عَليها وَمِن والِ

May their camel herds and grazing flocks never lack

You filled an Eid heralding by its return

bands of shepherds to tend them and of governors.

Years which pass in cycles and seasons,

وَمُلّيتَ عيداً موذِناً بِوُفودِهِ

وَمُلّيتَ عيداً موذِناً بِوُفودِهِ

عَلَيكَ بِأَعوامٍ تَكُرُّ وَأَحوالِ

عَلَيكَ بِأَعوامٍ تَكُرُّ وَأَحوالِ

May you long enjoy a feast-day whose arrival heralds

When its clothes and musk are remade

for you, years and cycles coming round again.

Change them with fresh honor and fortune!

إِذا خَلِقَت أَثوابُهُ وَبُرودُهُ

إِذا خَلِقَت أَثوابُهُ وَبُرودُهُ

فَغَيِّر بِعِزٍّ مُستَجِدٍّ وَإِقبالِ

فَغَيِّر بِعِزٍّ مُستَجِدٍّ وَإِقبالِ

When its garments and mantles wear out,

replace them with renewed honor and prosperity.