كأنَّ حديثه خلسُ التشاكي

كأنَّ حديثه خلسُ التشاكي

مع الأحبابِ أو قبلُ الوداعِ

مع الأحبابِ أو قبلُ الوداعِ

As though his speech were furtive snatches of shared lament

As though his speech were stolen moments of mutual lament

with loved ones, or just before farewell;

with loved ones, or kisses of farewell.

ويُسنده فلانٌ عن فلان

ويُسنده فلانٌ عن فلان

فعطف الأرض يرقص للسماعِ

فعطف الأرض يرقص للسماعِ

and So-and-so transmits it from So-and-so—

And so-and-so transmits it on the authority of so-and-so,

then the earth’s very flank dances at the sound.

so the earth’s flank dances upon hearing it.