روحهاcheered her on الحاديthe camel-driver وقدand already لاحappeared العلمthe landmark
روحها الحادي وقد لاح العلم
ونجمتْand appeared ذوDhu (possessor of) سلمSalam ذاتpossessing السلمacacia trees
ونجمتْ ذو سلم ذات السلم
The camel-driver cheered her on as the landmark came into sight.
Her spirit was my guide when the banner appeared,
And Dhu Salam appeared, with its acacia trees.
And the star with a ladder, the ladder-marked one, shone.
دعهاleave her وماand not قوليmy saying دعهاleave her منّةًa favor
دعها وما قولي دعها منّةً
كمhow often وحدتshe went alone شوقاًlonging إلىtoward تلكthose الأكمhills
كم وحدت شوقاً إلى تلك الأكم
Leave her be; my saying "leave her" is no favor.
Let her be - though to say "Let her be" is no favor -
How often she went alone, longing for those hills!
How often has she awakened longing for those hills!
وكمand how often رماهاconfronted her الليلُthe night بابنwith a son of همَّةٍresolve
وكم رماها الليلُ بابن همَّةٍ
كظبةِlike the edge of السيفِthe sword إذاwhen همَّhe intended عزمhe resolved
كظبةِ السيفِ إذا همَّ عزم
And how often night confronted her with a man of resolve,
How often has the night assaulted her with a energetic man,
Like a sword's edge: when he intends, he resolves.
Like the blade of a sword when it intends resolve!
خاضَplunged بهاwith her لجَّthe depths of الظلامdarkness آمناًsafely
خاضَ بها لجَّ الظلام آمناً
إنَّindeed الصباحَmorning دونهُbefore it خوضُwading through الظلَّمdarknesses
إنَّ الصباحَ دونهُ خوضُ الظلَّم
He plunged with her into the depths of darkness, unafraid:
He penetrated the darkness of the pitch black night, trusting
Morning lies beyond the passage through darkness.
That the dawn was before him, not the darkness of blindness.
كأنماas though ساقطscattered repeatedly حتىeven سقطهاwhat fell from her
كأنما ساقط حتى سقطها
ورداًroses بأخفافwith the hooves of المطيِّriding camels بلrather نظمstrung pearls
ورداً بأخفاف المطيِّ بل نظم
As though he scattered even what fell from her,
It was as if, until it fell down with her,
As roses beneath the camels' hooves—rather, strung pearls.
He was a wilting rose brought by the brisk steed, or verse.
أهذهِis this أمor تلكthat دارdwelling of زينبٍZaynab
أهذهِ أم تلك دار زينبٍ
لولاwere it not for ذهوليmy bewilderment دونهاbefore it ماnot قلتُI said أمor
لولا ذهولي دونها ما قلتُ أم
Is this, or that, the dwelling of Zaynab?
Is this or that Zaynab's house?
Without my bewilderment before it, I would not have said "or."
Had I not been distraught, I would not have asked, "Or?"
فياso O ولاةrulers of الحيّthe encampment هلdoes دينlaw of الهوىlove
فيا ولاة الحيّ هل دين الهوى
يجورacts unjustly فيهin it حاكمٌa judge متىwhenever حكمhe judges
يجور فيه حاكمٌ متى حكم
O rulers of the encampment, does love's law
O rulers of the living! Does the religion of passion
Allow a judge to act unjustly whenever he judges?
Allow an unjust ruler when he decrees?
فيin ذَّمةِthe protection of الحبِّlove فؤادُheart of عاشقٍa lover
في ذَّمةِ الحبِّ فؤادُ عاشقٍ
تيَّمهُenslaved him أنif (here) كانthere were للحبِّfor love ذممpledges
تيَّمهُ أن كان للحبِّ ذمم
In love's keeping is a lover's heart,
In the pledge of love is the heart of a lover -
Which it enslaved—if love has pledges to honor.
If love has pledges - orphaned.
ويحalas for دموعيmy tears ماwhat لهاwith them بعدهمafter their departure
ويح دموعي ما لها بعدهم
تلوَّنتchanged color مثلهمlike them فالدمعُso the tears دمblood
تلوَّنت مثلهم فالدمعُ دم
Alas for my tears! What ails them after their departure?
Woe to my tears! After them, what?
They have changed color, like them: the tears are blood.
They have taken on their colors. So tears are blood.
قومٌa people إذاwhen قامتrose بهمamong them سوقmarket of وغىbattle
قومٌ إذا قامت بهم سوق وغى
واحتدَّand sharpened نابُfang of النائباتcalamities واحتدمand blazed
واحتدَّ نابُ النائبات واحتدم
A people who, when the market of battle rises among them,
A people, when the market of unrest set up
And the fang of calamities sharpens and burns with fury,
And the tusk of calamities sharpened and raged,
شامواwatched بروقlightning-flashes of الموهناتweakening blows إنَّهاindeed they
شاموا بروق الموهنات إنَّها
معوَّداتٌaccustomed أنto تلمَّalight بالّلممupon forelocks
معوَّداتٌ أن تلمَّ بالّلمم
Watch the lightning of weakening blows, which
They withstood the lightning of humiliation. Verily it
Are accustomed to alight upon forelocks.
Is accustomed to gather up vile souls.
زهرbright الحجىintellect مرbitter القناspears سودblack الوغىbattle
زهر الحجى مر القنا سود الوغى
خضرgreen الحمىprotected pastures بيضُwhite الدُّمىstatue-like beauties حمرred النَّعمlivestock
خضر الحمى بيضُ الدُّمى حمر النَّعم
Bright of mind, bitter of spear, black in battle,
The blossoms of the cheeks became bitter, the red of shame
Their preserves green, their beauties white, their livestock red.
Green of envy, the white of tears red of blessings.
منfrom كلّevery ظبيٍgazelle دونهُbefore it ليثُlion of شرىShara
من كلّ ظبيٍ دونهُ ليثُ شرى
ليسhas not لهfor him غيرُother than قناspears of الحظِّfortune أجمthickets
ليس له غيرُ قنا الحظِّ أجم
Each gazelle has before it a lion of Shara,
From each gazelle beneath it a predatory lion
Whose only thickets are the spears of fortune.
Who has no fortune but the bow of misfortune fully drawn.
غيرانُjealous لاnot تروعهُfrightens him حادثهُhis mishap
غيرانُ لا تروعهُ حادثهُ
يعروهovertakes him عنto قرعknocking سوىexcept الصمsolid spears صممdeafness
يعروه عن قرع سوى الصم صمم
Jealous, no mishap that befalls him frightens him;
Passionate, not deterred by events,
He is deaf to every clash except that of solid spears.
That would uncover him except the deafening crash.
وبأبيand may my father ransom ذوpossessor of صلفٍhaughtiness حمامُdeath of منwhoever
وبأبي ذو صلفٍ حمامُ من
هامَwas love-struck بهby him فيin ذلكthat الطرفeye الأحمّdark
هامَ به في ذلك الطرف الأحمّ
My father be the ransom of that haughty one: the death of whoever
Without him, no banner of opinion would be raised
Is love-struck by him lies in that dark eye.
Nay, nor would a flag of knowledge flutter.
هبِgrant التثنيswaying grace ماnot ثنىturned أحكامهُhis judgments
هبِ التثني ما ثنى أحكامهُ
عنfrom شططٍexcessive injustice فظلمهُso his injustice كيفhow great ظلمinjustice
عن شططٍ فظلمهُ كيف ظلم
Grant him his swaying grace: it has not turned his judgments
His deeds are of decisive deception, and his name
Away from excess—what injustice his injustice is!
Is like the sword - it does not face refusal head-on.
أحوىdark-lipped حوىheld رقيmy bondage ألوىobstinate كمhow often لوىdelayed payment of
أحوى حوى رقي ألوى كم لوى
دينdebt of عذابيmy suffering فيهin him عذبُsweet المبتسمsmiling mouth
دين عذابي فيه عذبُ المبتسم
Dark-lipped, he holds me in bondage; obstinate, how often he postpones
His determination is hardened in disasters when
The debt of my suffering—yet his smiling mouth is sweet.
The ignoble becomes Arabized. And ignorant.
بدرٌa full moon إذاwhen ألقىcast aside اللثامthe veil سافراًunveiled
بدرٌ إذا ألقى اللثام سافراً
وهوَand he هلالُcrescent of ليلةٍone night إذاwhen التثمveiled himself
وهوَ هلالُ ليلةٍ إذا التثم
A full moon when he casts aside the veil, unveiled,
Possessor of a whim which intoxication shuns
And a one-night crescent when he veils himself.
And which engulfs him utterly like pain.
يزعمُhe claims أنthat سلوتهُI have forgotten him متَّهماًaccusing me
يزعمُ أن سلوتهُ متَّهماً
ماnot كلُّevery صبِّardent lover بالسلوof forgetting يتَّهمis accused
ما كلُّ صبِّ بالسلو يتَّهم
He accuses me, claiming I have forgotten him;
If the removal of a speck in his sleep were forbidden him,
Not every ardent lover can be accused of forgetting.
He would bar sleep from his eyes and not sleep.
ألمhas not يعدreturned طيفُphantom of الخيالimagination حاكياًtelling
ألم يعد طيفُ الخيال حاكياً
عنof لوعتيmy anguish وحبَّذاand how welcome طيفٌa phantom ألمvisited
عن لوعتي وحبَّذا طيفٌ ألم
Has not the phantom vision returned, telling
He quaffs the pearls of wisdom about fate
Of my anguish? How welcome a visiting phantom!
And how far is the pearl of wisdom from fate!
قلتُI said بأنَّthat البدرَthe full moon يحكيهresembles him إذنthen
قلتُ بأنَّ البدرَ يحكيه إذن
وياand oh لهfor it منof قسمٍan oath أيِwhat an قسمoath
ويا له من قسمٍ أيِ قسم
Then I said the full moon resembled him—
Possessor of a fresh sweet stream, speaker of elegant prose
And what an oath—what an oath!
Angry when he judges, fulfilling the judgment.
أوor قلتٌI said أنif (here) كنتُI had أطعتُobeyed سلوةًforgetting
أو قلتٌ أن كنتُ أطعتُ سلوةً
إنّthat لمحييfor Muhyi (reviver of) الدينal-Din (the religion) مثلاًan equal فيamong الأممnations
إنّ لمحيي الدين مثلاً في الأمم
Or said—if ever I had yielded to forgetting—
O how many tribulations from him are a tribulation for the enemy,
That Muhyi al-Din has an equal among the nations.
And how many favors that come to him are favors!
منwhose وجهةُdirection (apparently his face) وحلمهُand his forbearance وكفهُand his hand
من وجهةُ وحلمهُ وكفهُ
شمسُsun of ضحىmorning طودُmountain of نهىwisdom بحرsea of كرمgenerosity
شمسُ ضحى طودُ نهى بحر كرم
One whose face, forbearance, and hand are
His generosity universally enriched the people
A morning sun, a mountain of wisdom, a sea of generosity.
More than their fathers, uncles, and paternal uncles.
ذوpossessing سطوةٍmight عاديةٍassailing عادَّيةٍmighty as Ad
ذو سطوةٍ عاديةٍ عادَّيةٍ
لوif قابلتconfronted صرفvicissitudes of الزمانtime لأنهزمwould surely be routed
لو قابلت صرف الزمان لأنهزم
Possessed of a force, assailing and mighty as Ad,
O you who mutinied, your uprising mutinied against
Which would rout Time's vicissitudes if it confronted them.
The noble souls. And the pillars.
فسيّدُso the master of العومswimming (text unclear) حسامُsword of رأيهِhis counsel العضthe sharp- (word fragment)
فسيّدُ العوم حسامُ رأيهِ العض
بُcompletion of sharp (العضب) لأدواءfor the maladies of البلادthe land قدalready حسمcut away
بُ لأدواء البلاد قد حسم
The master of swimming [unclear wording]—the keen sword of his counsel
Do not count aberration as guidance, and
Has cut away the maladies of the land.
Disregard his hearing - the misguided is not like the guide.
فالسيفُso the sword للسيفfor the sword
فالسيفُ للسيف
لاno بلrather كفاهُsufficed him فيin الأقاليمthe provinces القلمthe pen
لا بل كفاهُ في الأقاليم القلم
So sword is for sword;
He purified it from disgrace. Verily
No—rather, throughout the provinces the pen suffices him.
The high-minded disdain what is low.
أرقمُspeckled viper of رملٍsand أنif (here) رجاهplaced hope in it أرملٌa destitute man
أرقمُ رملٍ أن رجاه أرملٌ
أغناهُenriched him ماwhat حبَّرembellished جوداًgenerously أوor رقّمinscribed
أغناهُ ما حبَّر جوداً أو رقّم
A sand viper: if a destitute man places hope in it,
Defending the kingdom, he stood in its place???
What it adorns or inscribes generously enriches him.
He seeks protection with management when
لخوفهِfor fear of him تعروseizes السيوفَswords رعدةٌtrembling
لخوفهِ تعرو السيوفَ رعدةٌ
والسَّمهريَّاتِand slender spears نحولٌwasting وسقمand sickness
والسَّمهريَّاتِ نحولٌ وسقم
For fear of him, swords are seized with trembling,
Weakness takes refuge with him - sufficing, protecting.
And slender spears with wasting and sickness.
How many dawns of joy his light brought out
لولاهbut for him لمnot تنشرbe unfurled لرأيٍfor counsel رايةٌa banner
لولاه لم تنشر لرأيٍ رايةٌ
كلاَّindeed not ولمand not تخفقflutter لذيfor one possessing علمِknowledge علمa standard
كلاَّ ولم تخفق لذي علمِ علم
But for him, no banner of counsel would be unfurled;
While we were in darkness that darkened and deepened!
Nor, indeed, would a standard flutter for a man of learning.
Hearing the ringing of those seeking justice, hastening
منone whose فعلهُhis deed ماضيkeen الغرارedge واسمهُand his name
من فعلهُ ماضي الغرار واسمهُ
كالسيفlike a sword ماwhatever استقبلhe faced فيin الحالthe present حزمresolve
كالسيف ما استقبل في الحال حزم
One whose deeds are keen-edged, and whose name is
To them, deaf to the killer of virtue.
Like a sword: whatever confronts him, his response is resolve.
The unique one provides for us eternally -
منone whose عودهُhis mettle صلبٌhard علىagainst الخطبcalamity إذاwhen
من عودهُ صلبٌ على الخطب إذا
لأنsoftened (reading لان) لعجمِunder the testing of الخطبُcalamity عربٌArabs وعجمand non-Arabs
لأن لعجمِ الخطبُ عربٌ وعجم
One whose mettle is hard against calamity when
From him come the unique ones, and the twins.
Arabs and non-Arabs soften under calamity's testing.
His mother is not barren, so how can
ذوpossessing حبوةٍcomposed seated bearing يطيشreels رضوىRadwa دونهاbeside it
ذو حبوةٍ يطيش رضوى دونها
ويعتريand afflicts يلملماًYalamlam مثلُsomething like الألمpain
ويعتري يلملماً مثلُ الألم
His seated composure is such that Radwa reels beside it,
The endeavor of one who aims fail?
And Yalamlam is afflicted by something like pain.
Alive, he gives life, ransoming it even,
لوif كانthere were فيin منامهِhis sleep منعُwithholding of قذىa mote
لو كان في منامهِ منعُ قذى
لصدَّhe would surely turn away عنfrom منامهhis sleep فلمand would not ينمsleep
لصدَّ عن منامه فلم ينم
If his sleep meant withholding even a mote,
And for evildoers, vengeance when he is vengeful.
He would turn away from sleep and not sleep.
In him is life for the truth and wealth
يرشفsips درَّmilk of الحلمِforbearance عنdespite مقدرةٍpower
يرشف درَّ الحلمِ عن مقدرةٍ
وأينand what comparison is there درُّpearls of الحلمdreams منwith درّmilk of الحلمforbearance
وأين درُّ الحلم من درّ الحلم
He sips the milk of forbearance despite his power;
While in him for falseness is misery and non-existence.
What are dream-pearls beside the milk of forbearance?
Your reputation permitted the reputation of property, so
ذوpossessing موردٍa spring عذبٍsweet وربُّand master of منطقٍspeech
ذو موردٍ عذبٍ وربُّ منطقٍ
عضبkeen إذاwhen يحكمhe judges وافىhe brings بالحكمwith wise maxims
عضب إذا يحكم وافى بالحكم
Possessed of a sweet spring, and master of speech
The pilferer of his property was not blamed.
That is keen: when he judges, he brings wise maxims.
Diffusing its scent is the relative with the relative,
ياoh كمhow many بلاءtrials للعدىfor enemies منهُfrom him بلاruin (reading بلى)
يا كم بلاء للعدى منهُ بلا
جمٍabundant وكمand how many منof نعمةٍa favor توليbestows نعمblessings
جمٍ وكم من نعمةٍ تولي نعم
How many trials for foes come from him—ruin
The breeze of praise from that soft blow.
In abundance! And how many a favor bestows blessings!
Near to the spring of dew, he enriches people
عمَّencompassed الورىall creatures جوداًgenerously كماas فاقهمsurpassed them
عمَّ الورى جوداً كما فاقهم
أباin a father أبياًproud وزكاand excelled in nobility خالاًin a maternal uncle وعمand a paternal uncle
أبا أبياً وزكا خالاً وعم
He embraced all creatures in generosity, as he surpassed them
With his roses, beyond need or blame.
In a proud father, and excelled in maternal and paternal uncles.
The dew of the hand of Ibn Shahriyar revives
ياO باغياًseeking شأوreach of علاهhis eminence باغياpresumptuously
يا باغياً شأو علاه باغيا
أينwhere are النفوسُsouls الزاكياتُpure والثيمand sinful ones
أين النفوسُ الزاكياتُ والثيم
O you who seek the reach of his eminence, presumptuously,
Shyness from it - it did not withdraw in disdain.
Where are pure souls beside the sinful?
He prospered the days of days and doubled
ليسis not الضّلالerror كالهدىlike guidance فعدّso turn away عنfrom
ليس الضّلال كالهدى فعدّ عن
مسعاتهhis striving ولاnor الوهادُlowlands كالقممlike summits
مسعاته ولا الوهادُ كالقمم
Error is not like guidance: turn away from
The livelihood of orphans, capacious after destitution.
His striving; lowlands are not summits.
He sought glory, attaining in his youth
طهَّرهاcleansed it منof دنسٍdefilement وإنَّماand only
طهَّرها من دنسٍ وإنَّما
يأنفfeels affront للشماءfor lofty honor ذوpossessor of الأنفthe nose الأشمproudly aquiline
يأنف للشماء ذو الأنف الأشم
He has cleansed it of defilement; only
What eluded the bent old man complaining of old age.
The proudly aquiline-nosed man is jealous for lofty honor.
When the occurrence of events was feared, he
حامىdefended عنon behalf of الملكkingship وقامَand stood دونهprotecting it
حامى عن الملك وقامَ دونه
......
......
He defended kingship and stood protecting it.
Yearned for them, while the bald had no hair.
......
Because he was harmonious, he shunned
يستنزلُbrings down العصمmountain goats بتدبيرٍthrough planning متىwhenever
يستنزلُ العصم بتدبيرٍ متى
لاذsought refuge بهِwith him الوهنُweakness كفاهsufficed it وعصمand protected it
لاذ بهِ الوهنُ كفاه وعصم
By his planning he brings down mountain goats; whenever
The blaze that flared up from it.
Weakness seeks his shelter, he suffices and protects it.
The people of guidance came together devoted to him,
كمhow many منof صباحa morning of غبطةٍhappiness أطلعهُhe brought it forth
كم من صباح غبطةٍ أطلعهُ
وهناًat night وقدand already أظلمgrew dark وهنٌnight فأدلهمand became pitch-black
وهناً وقد أظلم وهنٌ فأدلهم
How many a morning of joy he has brought forth
While his people - how they refused and did not come together!
At night, when the night had darkened to utter blackness!
You blamed the days, "Who but the son of whom and whom
سميعhearing well جرسsound of الطالبينpetitioners مسرعٌhurrying
سميع جرس الطالبين مسرعٌ
إليهمtoward them عنto قاتلslayer (perhaps speaker intended) الفحشobscenity أصمّdeaf
إليهم عن قاتل الفحش أصمّ
He hears the sound of petitioners, hastening
Have you sheltered? How many events you sheltered!"
Toward them, deaf to the slayer of obscenity [unclear wording].
Eyes lower before him not from blindness,
فردُpeerless in المعاليhigh deeds أبداًalways تطيعناobey us
فردُ المعالي أبداً تطيعنا
منهfrom him المعاليhigh deeds منof فرادٍsingle ones وتومand pairs
منه المعالي من فرادٍ وتوم
Peerless in high deeds; ever obedient to us
And tongues are silent from awe, not muteness.
Are his high deeds, whether single or paired.
Brief streams, his palm has stemmed the dew,
ماno أمهُsought him عافٍa petitioner فعادand returned خائباًdisappointed
ما أمهُ عافٍ فعاد خائباً
كيفhow يخيبُfails سعيُeffort of منone who يمَّمheaded for يمa sea
كيف يخيبُ سعيُ من يمَّم يم
No petitioner sought him and returned disappointed.
As long as care for the religion is his concern.
How could the effort of one who heads for a sea fail?
O sanctuary of the kingdom whose attainment
فهوand he is حياًlife-giving rain يعطيgives الحياةَlife وفدهhis visitors
فهو حياً يعطي الحياةَ وفده
وللعفاةِand for petitioners نقمٌpunishments إذاwhen نقمhe takes vengeance
وللعفاةِ نقمٌ إذا نقم
He is life-giving rain, granting his visitors life;
Enriched all the people of the world - no stream barred.
And for petitioners, punishments when he takes vengeance.
O illuminator of the world with justice and law!
منone فيهin him للحقِّfor truth حياةٌlife وغنىand wealth
من فيه للحقِّ حياةٌ وغنى
وفيهand in him للباطلfor falsehood بؤسٌmisery وعدمand extinction
وفيه للباطل بؤسٌ وعدم
In him truth finds life and wealth,
You unveiled us from darkness completely and injustice.
And falsehood misery and extinction.
Verily rhymes that roam are a harem
ممدَّحُmuch praised العرضhonor أباحmade available عرضstock of الthe (word fragment)
ممدَّحُ العرض أباح عرض ال
مالِwealth (completes المال) بغاةَseekers of مالهِhis wealth فلمand not يذمّbe blamed
مالِ بغاةَ مالهِ فلم يذمّ
His honor much praised, he made available the stock of his
Protected, possessing rights and sanctity.
Wealth to those who sought it, and was not blamed.
The horizons are folded not from abasement -
شذاfragrance of النَّسيبِthe love prelude بالنَّسيبto the noble-born عبقٌclinging fragrantly
شذا النَّسيبِ بالنَّسيب عبقٌ
ندىdew of نسيمِbreeze of المدحpraise منfrom تلكthose النَّسمbreaths
ندى نسيمِ المدح من تلك النَّسم
The fragrance of the love prelude clings to the noble-born;
The blowing of the musk-scented wind blew, so we smelled.
The dew of praise's breeze comes from those breaths.
They are doves! In fact, a society of doves
قريبُnear ينبوعspring of النَّدىbounty يغنىspares الورىmankind
قريبُ ينبوع النَّدى يغنى الورى
فيin وردهdrawing from it عنfrom needing شطنٍa long well-rope وعنand from needing وذمbucket-straps
في ورده عن شطنٍ وعن وذم
His spring of bounty is near: it spares mankind,
Whose blackness my outstanding merit made.
When drawing from it, the need for long ropes and bucket-straps.
So be delighted with them, enriched through
ندىbounty of يدhand of ابنIbn (son of) الشَّهرal-Shahr- (name fragment) زوريِّ-azuri (completes al-Shahrazuri) حياًrain
ندى يد ابن الشَّهر زوريِّ حياً
يغضيlowers its eyes الحياrain منهُbefore it حياءًin shame ماwhenever سجمit poured
يغضي الحيا منهُ حياءً ما سجم
The bounty of Ibn al-Shahrazuri's hand is rain,
The overflowing favor of a wise spreading in you, then flowing.
Before which rain lowers its eyes in shame whenever it pours.
Radiant like the sun, beautiful, and
أخصبmade fertile أيامdays of الأياميwidows وثنىand turned
أخصب أيام الأيامي وثنى
عيشlives of اليتامىorphans واسعاًabundant بعدafter اليتمorphanhood
عيش اليتامى واسعاً بعد اليتم
He made widows' days fruitful, and turned
Rising like the dawn, while poetry is darkness.
Orphans' lives to abundance after orphanhood.
I come without dependence, aid, conformity,
سعىstrove إلىfor المجدglory فنالand attained يافعاًwhile young
سعى إلى المجد فنال يافعاً
ماwhat عاجَturned aside عنهfrom it هرمٌan old man يشكوlamenting الهرمold age
ما عاجَ عنه هرمٌ يشكو الهرم
He strove for glory and attained in youth
Or bending, resolved and determined.
What an old man, lamenting age, turned away from.
Innovative, having no antiquity,
قرمٌa noble camel-sire إذاwhen خفتَyou feared سطاonslaught of حادثةٍa calamity
قرمٌ إذا خفتَ سطا حادثةٍ
كانthere was لهfor him شوقٌlonging إليهاfor it وقرمand craving
كان له شوقٌ إليها وقرم
A noble camel-sire: when you fear a calamity's onslaught,
But in the utmost virtue having precedence.
He longs for it and hungers to meet it.
She created puzzling versification spontaneously even if
مطّربُenrapturing فإنand if
مطّربُ فإن
فاءreturned بعفوٍwith pardon باخَsubsided منهاin it ماwhat اضطرمblazed
فاء بعفوٍ باخَ منها ما اضطرم
A bringer of rapture; and if
She were to recite it, shyness would silence her and she would veil herself.
He returns to pardon, what blazed in it subsides.
So say to one who attempts to emulate her,
أضحىbecame بهthrough him شعبُrift of الهدىguidance ملتئماًhealed
أضحى به شعبُ الهدى ملتئماً
وشعبهُand his people وكمand how often أبىrefused وماand not التأمunited
وشعبهُ وكم أبى وما التأم
Through him the breach in guidance has been healed,
"It suffices you that pus resembles cream!"
And his people—how often they refused and failed to unite!
This, O Abu Hamid, is the praise that
أعتبتِmade amends الأيَّامُthe days بابنthrough a son of منsuch-and-such a man ومنand such-and-such another
أعتبتِ الأيَّامُ بابن من ومن
فكمso how often أمنَّاwe were safe from حادثاa calamity وكمand how often وكمand how often
فكم أمنَّا حادثا وكم وكم
The days have made amends through the son of such-and-such men;
Won allegiance when its star rose.
How many calamities we have been safe from—how many, how many!
We are not like those whose love, if you are absent, is absent,
تغضيlower themselves العيونُeyes دونهbefore him لاnot منthrough عمىblindness
تغضي العيونُ دونه لا من عمى
وتصمتُand fall silent الألسنُtongues خوفاًin fear لاnot بكمmuteness
وتصمتُ الألسنُ خوفاً لا بكم
Eyes lower themselves before him, not from blindness;
And who frown on fine speech and conceal it.
And tongues fall silent from fear, not muteness.
Because you, O Muhammad, are praiseworthy,
نهنهrestrain غواديكyour morning clouds لقدindeed كفَّchecked ندىbounty of
نهنه غواديك لقد كفَّ ندى
كفّكyour hand ماwhatever دامpersisted لهfor it همُّdesigns of الدِّيمsteady rains
كفّك ما دام له همُّ الدِّيم
Restrain your morning clouds: the bounty
And we are like fathers in service.
Of your hand has checked the steady rains' persistent designs.
You left it to us, as we left praise of you, when
ياO حرمَsanctuary of الملكِkingship الذيwhose نوالهhis gifts
يا حرمَ الملكِ الذي نواله
عمَّencompassed بنيchildren of الدنياthe world فماand not قيلwas said حرمdeprived
عمَّ بني الدنيا فما قيل حرم
O sanctuary of kingship, whose gifts
You grasped glory, to the servants and the servile.
Have reached the world's children, so none was said to be deprived!
All the children of hopes are for property and for
ياO نيّرَlight of العالمthe world عدلاًin justice وسناًand radiance
يا نيّرَ العالم عدلاً وسناً
كشفتَyou removed عنَّاfrom us الظلَّمdarknesses جمعاًall together والظُّلمand injustice
كشفتَ عنَّا الظلَّم جمعاً والظُّلم
O light of the world in justice and radiance,
Outcome - sons of servants and servants.
You have removed from us both darknesses and injustice.
Verily Damascus in its hope is truthful
إنَّindeed القوافيrhymes الشارداتwandering حرمٌinviolate women
إنَّ القوافي الشاردات حرمٌ
مصونةٌprotected ذاتُpossessing حقوقٍrights وحرمand sacred claims
مصونةٌ ذاتُ حقوقٍ وحرم
Indeed, the wandering rhymes are inviolate women,
Since its horizons shone after the darkness.
Protected, with rights and sacred claims.
You brought, so if it said "It filled up," it is the sea,
تطبّقencompass الآفاقthe horizons لاnot عنthrough بذلةself-cheapening
تطبّق الآفاق لا عن بذلة
هبوبwafting of ريحwind of المسكmusk هبَّrose فنسمand breathed gently
هبوب ريح المسك هبَّ فنسم
They encompass the horizons, not through cheapening themselves,
And the rise of the full moon, if it said "It is complete."
Wafting like a musk-wind that rises and breathes softly.
You were the guardian, and your name is the praised one -
هنَّthey (feminine) الحمامdoves بلrather حمامdeath of معشرٍa company
هنَّ الحمام بل حمام معشرٍ
أصارهمmade them فضليmy excellence سوداًblack كالحممlike charcoal
أصارهم فضلي سوداً كالحمم
They are doves—rather, the death of a company
Necks of aspiration were marked before and marked.
Whom my excellence has turned black as charcoal.
The knot of the lands - if you assumed its stringing -
فأسعدso rejoice بهنَّin them فقراًas passages مفعمةfilled with الthe (word fragment)
فأسعد بهنَّ فقراً مفعمة ال
فضلexcellence (completes الفضل) ذكيُّfragrant نشرهاtheir scent فيكin praise of you فغمpervasive in fragrance
فضل ذكيُّ نشرها فيك فغم
So rejoice in them: passages brimming with
Would be completed by it, and compose a knot of joy.
Excellence, their fragrance in your praise sweet and pervasive.
O quintessence of horizons! After you absence
شامسةًunapproachable كالشَّمسlike the sun حسناًin beauty وعلىand loftiness
شامسةً كالشَّمس حسناً وعلى
طالعةrising كالصُّبحlike dawn والشّعرand poetry ظلمdarknesses
طالعة كالصُّبح والشّعر ظلم
Unapproachable like the sun in beauty and loftiness,
Remained, while for the enemies remained non-existence.
Rising like dawn, while poetry is darkness.
نأتkept away عنfrom الإقواءmismatched rhyme-vowels والسّنادand faulty pre-rhyme sounds والإand rhyme-consonant discord (first fragment)
نأت عن الإقواء والسّناد والإ
كفاءcompletion of rhyme-consonant discord والإيطاءِand repeated rhyme-words عزماًin resolve وهممand aspirations
كفاء والإيطاءِ عزماً وهمم
They keep clear of mismatched rhyme-vowels, faulty rhyme support, and
Mismatched rhyme-consonants and repeated rhyme-words, resolute and high-aspiring.
محدثةًnewly fashioned ليسnot لهاfor them منany قدمٍantiquity
محدثةً ليس لها من قدمٍ
لكنbut بهاin them فيin غايةthe utmost of الفضلexcellence قدمa firm standing
لكن بها في غاية الفضل قدم
Newly fashioned, possessing no antiquity,
Yet at the utmost height of excellence they have a firm footing.
وافتكَcame to you مهياريةMihyar-like الوزنin meter ولوand if
وافتكَ مهيارية الوزن ولو
يسمعهاhe heard them أغضىhe lowered his eyes حياءًin shame واحتشمand felt abashed
يسمعها أغضى حياءً واحتشم
They have come to you in Mihyar's measure; and were he
To hear them, he would lower his eyes in shame and feel abashed.
فقلso say لمنto whoever حاولهاtried them موازناًmatching them
فقل لمن حاولها موازناً
حسبكenough for you أنيhow (reading أنّى) يشبهresembles الشّحمfat الورمswelling
حسبك أني يشبه الشّحم الورم
So say to anyone who tries to match them:
Enough! How can swelling resemble fat?
هذاthis أباAbu حامدٍHamid المدحُpraise الذيwhich
هذا أبا حامدٍ المدحُ الذي
حازgained الولاءallegiance إرثهas its inheritance لمَّاwhen نجمappeared
حاز الولاء إرثه لمَّا نجم
This, Abu Hamid, is the praise that
Won loyalty as its inheritance when it arose.
لسناwe are not كمنlike someone who أنif (here) غبتَyou were absent غابvanished ودُّهhis affection
لسنا كمن أن غبتَ غاب ودُّه
وجمجمَand mumbled القولَspeech الجميلfine وكتمand concealed it
وجمجمَ القولَ الجميل وكتم
We are not like one whose affection vanishes if you are absent,
And who mumbles fair speech and conceals it.
لأنتsurely you ياO محَّمدٌMuhammad محّمدٌMuhammad
لأنت يا محَّمدٌ محّمدٌ
ونحنand we كالآباءlike our fathers فيin سلكthe ranks of الخدمservants
ونحن كالآباء في سلك الخدم
You, Muhammad, are truly Muhammad,
And we, like our fathers, are in the ranks of servants.
خلفتهyou succeeded him كماas خلفناهمwe succeeded them علىin
خلفته كما خلفناهم على
مدحكpraising you أنif (here) أمسكheld back شانٍa detractor ووجمand fell silent
مدحك أن أمسك شانٍ ووجم
You succeeded him, as we succeeded them, in
Praising you when a detractor holds back and falls silent.
كلُّall بنيchildren of الآمالِhopes للمالfor wealth وللand for the (word fragment)
كلُّ بني الآمالِ للمال ولل
مآلfinal lot أبناءُoffspring of العبيدslaves والخدمand servants
مآل أبناءُ العبيد والخدم
All the children of hope, for wealth and for
Their ultimate lot, are sons of slaves and servants.
أنَّindeed دمشقَDamascus صادقٌtrue رجاؤهاits hope
أنَّ دمشقَ صادقٌ رجاؤها
مذsince أشرقتshone أرجاؤهاits quarters بعدafter العتمdarkness
مذ أشرقت أرجاؤها بعد العتم
Indeed, Damascus's hope is well founded,
Since its quarters shone after the darkness.
قدمتَyou arrived فالبحرُso the sea إذاwhen قيلit is said طماoverflowed
قدمتَ فالبحرُ إذا قيل طما
وطلعةُand the face of البدرthe full moon إذاwhen ماemphatic particle قيلit is said تمbecame full
وطلعةُ البدر إذا ما قيل تم
You arrived—the sea, when one says it has overflowed,
And the full moon's face, when one says it is full.
كنتَyou were الوليِّthe benefactor; later rain واسمكand your name الوthe season's first (word fragment)
كنتَ الوليِّ واسمك الو
سميُّrain (completes الوسمي) أعناقnecks of المنىhopes قبلُpreviously وسمbranded
سميُّ أعناق المنى قبلُ وسم
You were the benefactor; your name, the season's first
Rain, had already branded the necks of hopes.
عقدُnecklace of البلادِthe lands لوif وليتَyou were entrusted with نظمهُstringing it
عقدُ البلادِ لو وليتَ نظمهُ
تمَّbecame complete بهاamong them عقدُnecklace of السُّرورjoy وانتظمand became well strung
تمَّ بها عقدُ السُّرور وانتظم
If you were entrusted with stringing the necklace of the lands,
The necklace of joy would be complete among them, well strung.
ياO فاقةَneed of الآفاقِthe horizons عدماًannihilation بعدكمafter you
يا فاقةَ الآفاقِ عدماً بعدكم
بقيتمُmay you endure وللمعادينَand for enemies العدمَextinction
بقيتمُ وللمعادينَ العدمَ
O you whom all horizons need—let there be nothing after you!
May you endure; let extinction be your enemies' lot!
Partial English translation: 133 of 162 Arabic lines translated.
Sol 6.1