سَمَحَgranted الخَيالُthe apparition عَلىdespite النَوىseparation بِمَزارِwith a visit
سَمَحَ الخَيالُ عَلى النَوى بِمَزارِ
وَالصُبحُand dawn يَمسَحُwipes عَنfrom جَبينِthe brow of نَهارِday
وَالصُبحُ يَمسَحُ عَن جَبينِ نَهارِ
The apparition granted a visit despite separation,
Imagination roamed freely, visiting the beloved's abode,
while dawn wiped the brow of day.
While dawn wiped away the forehead of daylight.
فَرَفعتُso I raised مِنfrom ناريmy fire لِضَيفٍfor a guest طارِقٍarriving at night
فَرَفعتُ مِن ناري لِضَيفٍ طارِقٍ
يَعشوgropes إِلَيهاtoward it مِنof خَيالٍan apparition طاريnewly arrived
يَعشو إِلَيها مِن خَيالٍ طاري
So I raised my fire for a guest arriving by night,
So I raised up my fire for a guest who came wandering,
a newly come apparition groping toward it.
Seeking its warmth out of a fleeting illusion.
رَكِبَrode الدُجىthe darkness أَحسِنhow splendid بِهاit is مِنas مَركَبٍa mount
رَكِبَ الدُجى أَحسِن بِها مِن مَركَبٍ
وَطَوىand traversed السُرىnight travel أَحبِبhow beloved بِهِhe is مِنas ساريa night traveler
وَطَوى السُرى أَحبِب بِهِ مِن ساري
He rode the darkness—what a splendid mount!—
Nightfall mounted it, far better than any steed,
and traversed the night—what a beloved traveler!
And sped along, dearer than any rider.
وَأَناخَand alighted حَيثُwhere دُموعُthe tears of عَينيmy eye مَنهَلٌa watering-place
وَأَناخَ حَيثُ دُموعُ عَيني مَنهَلٌ
يَرويslakes thirst وَحَيثُand where حَشايَmy breast مَوقِدُa hearth of نارِfire
يَروي وَحَيثُ حَشايَ مَوقِدُ نارِ
He alighted where my eye's tears are a watering-place
There it halted, where my tears are a watering place
that slakes thirst, and my breast a hearth of fire.
That slakes its thirst, and my ardour, a burning fire.
وَسَقىand gave drink فَأَروىthen quenched غُلَّةًburning thirst مِنof ناهِلٍa thirsty drinker
وَسَقى فَأَروى غُلَّةً مِن ناهِلٍ
أَروىsated بِجانِحَتَيهِwith his two flanks زَندَa firestick of أُوارِblazing heat
أَروى بِجانِحَتَيهِ زَندَ أُوارِ
He gave drink and quenched a thirsty one's burning thirst,
It drank its fill, till I quenched its every burning thirst
who had fed a blazing firestick with his ribs.
With my eyelids’ watering – like sparks from flintstone.
خَلَعَbestowed الهَوىpassion ثَوباًa robe عَلَيهِupon him مِنَof الضَنىwasting sickness
خَلَعَ الهَوى ثَوباً عَلَيهِ مِنَ الضَنى
قَدalready شَفَّbecame sheer عَنهُrevealing him فَهوَso he is كاسٍclothed عاريnaked
قَد شَفَّ عَنهُ فَهوَ كاسٍ عاري
Passion bestowed on him a robe of wasting sickness,
Passion doffed a robe of sorrow it had worn,
so sheer it revealed him: clothed, yet naked.
Baring griefs that parched it like a cup drained bare.
يَلويtwists الضُلوعَthe ribs مِنَfrom الوُلوعِardor لِخَطرَةٍat a passing thought
يَلوي الضُلوعَ مِنَ الوُلوعِ لِخَطرَةٍ
مِنof شَيمِwatching بَرقٍlightning أَوor شَميمِthe fragrance of عَرارِarar blossoms
مِن شَيمِ بَرقٍ أَو شَميمِ عَرارِ
He twists his ribs in ardor at a passing thought
My ribs writhe in fires of anguish for a glance
of watching lightning or smelling arar blossoms.
From lightning’s gleam or scent of sweet basil.
وَاللَيلُand the night قَدalready نَضَحَsprinkled النَدىthe dew سِربالَهُits robe
وَاللَيلُ قَد نَضَحَ النَدى سِربالَهُ
فَاِنهَلَّthen streamed دَمعُthe tears of الطَلِّthe dew فَوقَover صِدارِa vest
فَاِنهَلَّ دَمعُ الطَلِّ فَوقَ صِدارِ
And dew had sprinkled the night's robe,
Night has poured the dew of its gown,
so dew's tears streamed over its vest.
And the tears’ downpour flows over my breast.
لَبِسَwore المَجَرُّthe Milky Way عَلىover السَوادِthe blackness فَخِلتُهُso I imagined it
لَبِسَ المَجَرُّ عَلى السَوادِ فَخِلتُهُ
مُتَنَزِّهاًa pleasure-seeker قَدalready شَدَّfastened مِنof زُنّارِa girdle
مُتَنَزِّهاً قَد شَدَّ مِن زُنّارِ
It wore the Milky Way over blackness, and I imagined it
The moon dons darkness like a patch-worked cloak,
a pleasure-seeker who had fastened a girdle.
Having cinched its waist with a starry belt.
وَوَراءَand behind أَستارِthe veils of الدُجىdarkness مُتَمَلمِلٌa restless man
وَوَراءَ أَستارِ الدُجى مُتَمَلمِلٌ
يَلقىis tossed بِيُمنىto the right تارَةًat one time وَيَسارِand to the left
يَلقى بِيُمنى تارَةً وَيَسارِ
Behind the veils of darkness is a restless man,
There behind the curtains of gloom a wavering light
tossed now to the right and now to the left.
Now meets you on the right, and now upon the left,
ماطالَعَتهُnever appeared to him بَرقَةٌa lightning-flash نَجدِيَّةٌfrom Najd
ماطالَعَتهُ بَرقَةٌ نَجدِيَّةٌ
إِلّاexcept اِجتَلَتهاbeheld it نِظرَةُa glance of اِستِعبارِweeping
إِلّا اِجتَلَتها نِظرَةُ اِستِعبارِ
No lightning flash from Najd appeared to him
No faintly flickering Najdi lightning-flash
without a tearful glance beholding it.
But his look of scorn extinguishes its light.
مُتَرَقِّبٌawaiting رُسُلَthe messengers of الرِياحِthe winds عَشِيَّةًone evening
مُتَرَقِّبٌ رُسُلَ الرِياحِ عَشِيَّةً
بِمَساقِطِat the descending-places of الأَنواءِthe rainstorms وَالأَنوارِand the lights
بِمَساقِطِ الأَنواءِ وَالأَنوارِ
Awaiting the winds' messengers one evening,
Watchful, studying the winds’ messengers at nightfall,
where rain and light descend,
The sky’s burdens, and its lights and shadows.
وَمَجَرِّand the trail of ذَيلِthe hem of غَمامَةٍa cloud لَبِسَتwore بِهِin it
وَمَجَرِّ ذَيلِ غَمامَةٍ لَبِسَت بِهِ
وَشيَthe brocade of الحَبابِbubbles مَعاطِفُthe bends of الأَنهارِthe rivers
وَشيَ الحَبابِ مَعاطِفُ الأَنهارِ
and where a cloud trails its hem, beneath which
A cloud’s trailing tail wore a gown of ambergris,
the river-bends wore a brocade of bubbles.
While the lightning’s gleam kissed it with a flash of fire.
خَفَقَتfluttered ظِلالُthe shadows of الأَيكِthe groves فيهِin it ذَوائِباًas tresses
خَفَقَت ظِلالُ الأَيكِ فيهِ ذَوائِباً
وَاِرتَجَّand quivered رِدفاًas a rump مائِجُthe surging التَيّارِcurrent
وَاِرتَجَّ رِدفاً مائِجُ التَيّارِ
The grove's shadows fluttered there like tresses,
The shadows of birds fluttered wildly there,
and the surging current quivered like a rump.
And the currents were stirred to tumultuous flow.
وَلَوىand bent القَضيبُthe branch هُناكَthere جيداًa neck أَتلَعاًlong and graceful
وَلَوى القَضيبُ هُناكَ جيداً أَتلَعاً
قَدalready قَبَّلَتهُkissed it مَباسِمُthe smiling mouths of النُوّارِthe blossoms
قَد قَبَّلَتهُ مَباسِمُ النُوّارِ
There the branch bent a long, graceful neck,
The slender branch bowed low, supple and swaying,
already kissed by the smiling mouths of blossoms.
As the tender blossoms kissed it with their smiles.
باكَرَتهُI visited it at dawn وَالغَيمُand the cloud قِطعَةُa piece of عَنبَرٍambergris
باكَرَتهُ وَالغَيمُ قِطعَةُ عَنبَرٍ
مَشبوبَةٌset alight وَالبَرقُand lightning لَفحَةُa blast of نارِfire
مَشبوبَةٌ وَالبَرقُ لَفحَةُ نارِ
I visited it at dawn, while the cloud was a piece of ambergris,
Dawn bedecked it, while the clouds like shreds of amber,
set alight, and lightning a breath of fire.
And the lightning like a blade’s quick glance of fire,
وَالريحُand the wind تَلطِمُslaps فيهِin it أَردافَthe rumps of الرُبىthe hills
وَالريحُ تَلطِمُ فيهِ أَردافَ الرُبى
لَعِباًplayfully وَتَلثِمُand kisses أَوجُهَthe faces of الأَزهارِthe flowers
لَعِباً وَتَلثِمُ أَوجُهَ الأَزهارِ
The wind slapped the hills' rumps there
And the wind assailing the hillsides with squalls,
playfully, and kissed the flowers' faces.
Toying, kissing the blossoms’ faces.
وَمنابِرُand the pulpits of الأَشجارِthe trees قَدalready قامَتhad stood بِهاupon them
وَمنابِرُ الأَشجارِ قَد قامَت بِها
خُطَباءُpreachers مُفصِحَةٌeloquent مِنَamong الأَطيارِthe birds
خُطَباءُ مُفصِحَةٌ مِنَ الأَطيارِ
On the trees' pulpits there had risen
There the tree-top pulpits where the flocks
eloquent preachers among the birds.
Preach – songbirds eloquently singing.
فيamong فِتيَةٍyoung men جَنَبواdrew alongside العَجاجَةَthe dust-cloud لَيلَةًa night
في فِتيَةٍ جَنَبوا العَجاجَةَ لَيلَةً
وَلَرُبَّماand often indeed سَفَرواunveiled عَنِfrom الأَقمارِthe moons
وَلَرُبَّما سَفَروا عَنِ الأَقمارِ
Among youths who drew the dust-cloud alongside them like night,
Those horsemen who all night have shunned their beds,
and often lifted the veil from moons,
Perhaps journeying beyond the moon’s domains,
ثارَrose القَتامُthe dust بِهِمaround them دُخاناًas smoke وَاِرتَمىand hurled
ثارَ القَتامُ بِهِم دُخاناً وَاِرتَمى
زَندُthe firestick of الحَفيظَةِfierce zeal مِنهُمُfrom them بِشَرارِwith sparks
زَندُ الحَفيظَةِ مِنهُمُ بِشَرارِ
dust rose about them like smoke, and sparks were hurled
Whose fire in the dark smoulders, then flames alight,
by the firestick of their fierce zeal.
And sparks fly up from their kindling flashes.
شاهَدتُI saw مِنin هَيئاتِهِمtheir bearing وَهِباتِهِمand their gifts
شاهَدتُ مِن هَيئاتِهِم وَهِباتِهِم
أَشرافَthe summits of أَطوادٍmountains وَفَيضَand the overflow of بِحارِseas
أَشرافَ أَطوادٍ وَفَيضَ بِحارِ
In their bearing and their gifts I saw
I saw in their figures and their movements
mountain summits and overflowing seas.
The crests of high waves and seas bursting their shores.
مِنof كُلِّevery مُنتَقِبٍone veiled بِوَردَةِin a rose of خَجلَةٍbashfulness
مِن كُلِّ مُنتَقِبٍ بِوَردَةِ خَجلَةٍ
كَرَماًfrom generosity وَمُشتَمِلٍand one wrapped بِثَوبِin a robe of وَقارِdignity
كَرَماً وَمُشتَمِلٍ بِثَوبِ وَقارِ
Each was veiled in a rose of bashfulness
Each of them modest, wrapped in his cloak,
from generosity, and wrapped in a robe of dignity,
Noble, wearing the mantle of dignity.
فيin عِمَّةٍa turban خَلَعَتbestowed عَلَيهِupon him كَلِمَةًa word
في عِمَّةٍ خَلَعَت عَلَيهِ كَلِمَةً
وَذُؤابَةًand a tassel قُرِنَتwas joined بِهاto it كَعِذارِlike a sideburn
وَذُؤابَةً قُرِنَت بِها كَعِذارِ
in a turban that bestowed a word upon him,
Clad by renown in a garment hemmed
and a tassel joined to it like a sideburn.
With motifs like bracelets linked together.
ضافيample رِداءِcloak of المَجدِglory طَمّاحِaspiring to العُلاthe heights
ضافي رِداءِ المَجدِ طَمّاحِ العُلا
طاميsurging عُبابِflood of الجودِgenerosity رَحبِspacious الدارِhome
طامي عُبابِ الجودِ رَحبِ الدارِ
Ample in the cloak of glory, aspiring to the heights,
Feeder of the lofty-aspiring; reviver of generosity;
surging with generosity's flood, spacious of home,
Guardian of truth, and of safekeeping troth.
جَرّارِtrailing أَذيالُِthe hems of المعاليhigh honors وَالقَناand spears
جَرّارِ أَذيالُِ المعالي وَالقَنا
حاميprotecting الحَقيقَةِhonor وَالحِمىand the sanctuary وَالجارِand the neighbor
حامي الحَقيقَةِ وَالحِمى وَالجارِ
trailing the skirts of high honors and spears,
Who shakes off all fetters like some far-roaming beast,
protecting honor, the sanctuary, and the neighbor.
Spreading his free wings, sharp-taloned.
طَرَدَpursued القَنيصَgame بِكُلِّwith every قَيدِfetter of طَريدَةٍquarry
طَرَدَ القَنيصَ بِكُلِّ قَيدِ طَريدَةٍ
زَجِلَclamorous الجَناحِthe wing مُوَرَّدِrose-colored الأَظفارِthe claws
زَجِلَ الجَناحِ مُوَرَّدِ الأَظفارِ
He hunted game with every living shackle for quarry,
His flowing robes gathered up with sweet basil,
clamorous of wing, rose-colored of claw,
His languid eyes lined with brightness of youth.
مُلتَفَّةٍwrapped أَعطافُهُits flanks بِحَبيَرَةٍin striped silk
مُلتَفَّةٍ أَعطافُهُ بِحَبيَرَةٍ
مَكحولَةٍkohl-lined أَجفانُهُits eyelids بِنُضارِwith gold
مَكحولَةٍ أَجفانُهُ بِنُضارِ
its flanks wrapped in striped silk,
He casts his high-aiming hopes, and they fold back
its eyelids lined with gold.
With tips bloodied in triumph and claws dyed red.
يَرميlaunches بِهِwith it الأَمَلَthe hope القَصِيَّfar-off فَيَنثَنيthen it returns
يَرمي بِهِ الأَمَلَ القَصِيَّ فَيَنثَني
مَخضوبَstained راءِthe ra-shape of الظُفرِthe claw وَالمِنقارِand the beak
مَخضوبَ راءِ الظُفرِ وَالمِنقارِ
He launches it at a far-off hope, and it returns
And at every distant goal he reaches,
with its ra-shaped claw and beak stained.
His courage shines, bare and well-burnished.
وَبِكُلِّand with every نائيfar-reaching الشَوطِcourse أَشدَقَwide-mouthed أَصدَرٍbroad-chested
وَبِكُلِّ نائي الشَوطِ أَشدَقَ أَصدَرٍ
طاويtucked-in الحَشىthe belly حاليadorned المُقَلَّدِthe neck ضاريfierce
طاوي الحَشى حالي المُقَلَّدِ ضاري
And with every far-ranging, wide-mouthed, broad-chested one,
He scorns sharp swords, almost, and simply walks
lean-bellied, adorned about the neck, fierce,
Erect like a straight-flying, deadly spear.
يَفَتَرُّbares عَنto reveal مِثلِthe likeness of النِصالِarrowheads وَإِنَّماand indeed
يَفَتَرُّ عَن مِثلِ النِصالِ وَإِنَّما
يَمشيwalks عَلىon مِثلِthe likeness of القَناspear-shafts الخَطّارِswaying
يَمشي عَلى مِثلِ القَنا الخَطّارِ
baring teeth like arrowheads, and indeed
Following the guide of instinct on the smooth flat land,
walking on legs like swaying spear-shafts,
While night wraps herself in a black fleece.
مُستَقرِياًtracking أَثَرَthe trail of القَنيصِgame عَلىover الصَفاsmooth rock
مُستَقرِياً أَثَرَ القَنيصِ عَلى الصَفا
وَاللَيلُand the night مُشتَمِلٌwrapped بِشَملَةِin a cloak of قارِpitch
وَاللَيلُ مُشتَمِلٌ بِشَملَةِ قارِ
tracking game across smooth rock,
Each darkened form – its glance gives you light,
while night is wrapped in a cloak of pitch.
Its ardour’s flame guiding you like a beacon.
مِنof كُلِّevery مُسوَدٍّblack one تَلَهَّبَblazed طَرفُهُits eye
مِن كُلِّ مُسوَدٍّ تَلَهَّبَ طَرفُهُ
تَهديكَguides you فَحمَتُهُits charcoal-darkness بِشُعلَةِwith a flame of نارِfire
تَهديكَ فَحمَتُهُ بِشُعلَةِ نارِ
Each black one has a blazing eye;
He who cloaks himself in the gown of glory doffs it
its charcoal-darkness guides you with a flame.
To reveal a shooting star in a dusty sky.
وَمُوَرَّسِand saffron-yellow السِربالِthe robe يَخلَعُstrips off قَدَّهُits frame
وَمُوَرَّسِ السِربالِ يَخلَعُ قَدَّهُ
عَنfrom نَجمِa star of رَجمٍpelting فيin سَماءِa sky of غُبارِdust
عَن نَجمِ رَجمٍ في سَماءِ غُبارِ
And a saffron-coated one sheds its frame
Decline has wrapped it in the garb of shadows,
to reveal a shooting star in a sky of dust.
While the darkness hides it like the new moon’s curve.
عَطَفَbent الضُمورُleanness سَراتَهُits back فَكَأَنَّهُso it is as though
عَطَفَ الضُمورُ سَراتَهُ فَكَأَنَّهُ
وَالنَقعُand the dust يَحجُبُهُconceals it هِلالُa crescent of سِرارِthe moon's dark phase
وَالنَقعُ يَحجُبُهُ هِلالُ سِرارِ
Leanness has bent its back, as though it were,
What keen observer there, listening intently
as dust conceals it, a crescent in the moon's dark phase.
With ears wide-open and senses fully aware!
وَلَرُبَّand many a رَوّاعٍtimid creature هُنالِكَthere أَنبَطٍwhite-bellied
وَلَرُبَّ رَوّاعٍ هُنالِكَ أَنبَطٍ
خَلقِworn المَسامِعِthe ears أَطلَسِdusky الأَطمارِthe rags
خَلقِ المَسامِعِ أَطلَسِ الأَطمارِ
And many a timid, white-bellied creature there,
He steps cautiously, pauses, gathers himself up,
with worn-looking ears and a dusky tattered coat,
Swoops down, swerving with a bracelet’s twist,
يَجريruns عَلىwith حَذَرٍcaution فَيَجمَعُthen gathers بَسطَهُits outstretched limbs
يَجري عَلى حَذَرٍ فَيَجمَعُ بَسطَهُ
يَهويplunges فَيَنعَطِفُthen bends اِنعِطافَthe curve of سِوارِa bracelet
يَهوي فَيَنعَطِفُ اِنعِطافَ سِوارِ
runs warily, gathering its outstretched limbs;
Tautening his bowstring, he oozes honey, halting,
it plunges, then curves round like a bracelet.
Almost slipping from the hands of Destiny.
مُمتَدِّextended حَبلِthe cord of الشَأوِthe course يَعسِلُlopes راتِعاًat pasture
مُمتَدِّ حَبلِ الشَأوِ يَعسِلُ راتِعاً
فَيَكادُso it nearly يُفلِتُescapes أَيدِيَthe hands of الأَقدارِfates
فَيَكادُ يُفلِتُ أَيدِيَ الأَقدارِ
Stretching the cord of its course, it lopes at pasture,
Hesitating, fear of havoc hurls him back and forth
almost escaping the hands of fate.
Like a ball tossed from the palms of desert plains.
مُتَرَدِّداًto and fro يَرميhurls بِهِit خَوفُfear of الرَدىdeath
مُتَرَدِّداً يَرمي بِهِ خَوفُ الرَدى
كُرَةًa ball تَهادَتهاpassed to one another أَكُفُّthe palms of قِفارِwildernesses
كُرَةً تَهادَتها أَكُفُّ قِفارِ
Fear of death tosses it to and fro,
What light and nimble flier has sped away,
a ball passed between the palms of wildernesses.
Then stumbled by one fleeter than he!
وَلَرُبَّand many a طَيّارٍflier خَفيفٍnimble قَدalready جَرىhad fled
وَلَرُبَّ طَيّارٍ خَفيفٍ قَد جَرى
فَشَلاin fear بِجارٍbecause of a runner خَلفَهُbehind it طَيّارِflying
فَشَلا بِجارٍ خَلفَهُ طَيّارِ
And many a nimble flier had fled,
Each short-striding peahen gait, undulating,
fearful of a flying pursuer behind it,
Dragging her robe’s train like a swaying pendant;
مِنof كُلِّevery قاصِرَةِshort الخُطىsteps مُختالَةٍstrutting
مِن كُلِّ قاصِرَةِ الخُطى مُختالَةٍ
مَشيَwith the gait of الفَتاةِa maiden تَجُرُّtrailing فَضلَthe surplus of إِزارِa waist-wrapper
مَشيَ الفَتاةِ تَجُرُّ فَضلَ إِزارِ
each short-stepping, strutting bird
Red-beaked, she fancies she has fed
walking like a maiden trailing her ample skirt,
On sweet nectar from a brimming cup;
مَخضوبَةِstained المِنقارِthe beak تَحسَبُyou suppose أَنَّهاthat she
مَخضوبَةِ المِنقارِ تَحسَبُ أَنَّها
كَرَعَتdrank deeply عَلىin ظَمَإٍthirst بِكاسِfrom a cup of عُقارِwine
كَرَعَت عَلى ظَمَإٍ بِكاسِ عُقارِ
its beak stained, so that you would think it
No hand can grasp her, fearing the desolation
had drunk thirstily from a cup of wine.
Of some dark night or day of bitter woe.
لاnot تَستَقِرَّremain still بِهاin them الأَياديthe hands خَشيَةًfrom fear
لا تَستَقِرَّ بِها الأَيادي خَشيَةً
مِنof لَيلِa night of وَيلٍwoe أَوor نَهارِa day of بَوارِruin
مِن لَيلِ وَيلٍ أَو نَهارِ بَوارِ
Their hands cannot stay still, for fear
Had she sought protection in the sanctuary
of a night of woe or a day of ruin.
Of my father Yahya, he would have sheltered her.
وَلَوِand if اِستَجارَتthey sought refuge مِنهُماfrom both بِحِمىin the sanctuary of أَبيAbu
وَلَوِ اِستَجارَت مِنهُما بِحِمى أَبي
يَحيىYahya لَأَمَّنَهاhe would surely protect them أَعَزَّthe strongest جِوارِprotection
يَحيى لَأَمَّنَها أَعَزَّ جِوارِ
Yet if they sought shelter from both in the sanctuary of Abu
A sanctuary – if the hunted takes cover there,
Yahya, he would grant them the strongest protection.
He fears no injustice from any neighbour.
حَرَمٌa sanctuary إِذاwhen اِشتَمَلَwraps himself الطَريدُthe fugitive بِظِلِّهِin its shade
حَرَمٌ إِذا اِشتَمَلَ الطَريدُ بِظِلِّهِ
لَمnot يَخشَfear مِنfrom جَورٍinjustice هُنالِكَthere جاريoccurring
لَم يَخشَ مِن جَورٍ هُنالِكَ جاري
A sanctuary: when the fugitive wraps himself in its shade,
The winds halt at its gate in awe,
he fears no wrong occurring there.
And the surging sea of soldiers falls quiet.
تَقِفُstand still الرِياحُthe winds بِجانِبَيهِat his two sides هَيبَةًin awe
تَقِفُ الرِياحُ بِجانِبَيهِ هَيبَةً
وَيَعُبُّand surges بَحرُthe sea of العَسكَرِthe army الجَرّارِvast
وَيَعُبُّ بَحرُ العَسكَرِ الجَرّارِ
The winds stand still at his sides in awe,
There the hunted gazelles of Naqa feel secure
while the sea of his vast army surges.
In their lairs from the snarling jackals.
وَيَقيلُand rests at noon مَنone who أَمِنَis safe بِهِwith him ظَبيُthe gazelle of النَقاthe sandbank
وَيَقيلُ مَن أَمِنَ بِهِ ظَبيُ النَقا
فيin جِحرِthe den of خيسِthe thicket of الضَيغَمِthe lion الزَئّارِroaring
في جِحرِ خيسِ الضَيغَمِ الزَئّارِ
The sandbank gazelle takes its noon rest, safe with him,
Destiny effected its purpose as though
in the den amid the roaring lion's thicket.
Its hands held the reins of Fate.
خَدَمَserved القَضاءُdestiny مُرادَهُhis desire فَكَأَنَّماso it is as though
خَدَمَ القَضاءُ مُرادَهُ فَكَأَنَّما
مَلَكَتpossessed يَداهُhis two hands أَعِنَّةَthe reins of الأَقدارِfates
مَلَكَت يَداهُ أَعِنَّةَ الأَقدارِ
Destiny served his desire, as though
Time yielded to its command, as though
his two hands possessed the reins of fate.
Time hearkened to it for instruction.
وَعَناand submitted الزَمانُtime لِأَمرِهِto his command فَكَأَنَّماso it is as though
وَعَنا الزَمانُ لِأَمرِهِ فَكَأَنَّما
أَصغىlistened الزَمانُtime بِهِthrough him إِلىto أَمّارِa commander
أَصغى الزَمانُ بِهِ إِلى أَمّارِ
Time submitted to his command, as though
It adorned leadership with youthful grace,
through him time listened to a commander.
As the light of day adorns the gown of gloom.
وَجَلاand displayed الإِمارَةَrulership فيin رَقيقِdelicate نَضارَةٍfreshness
وَجَلا الإِمارَةَ في رَقيقِ نَضارَةٍ
جَلَتِdispelled الدُجىthe darkness فيin حُلَّةِa robe of الأَنوارِlights
جَلَتِ الدُجى في حُلَّةِ الأَنوارِ
He displayed rulership in a tender splendor
At a place where it cinched itself with a choker
that dispelled darkness in a robe of lights,
Of teardrop pearls and bangles for its wrist,
فيin حَيثُwhere وَشَّحَadorned لَبَّةًa throat بِقِلادَةٍwith a necklace
في حَيثُ وَشَّحَ لَبَّةً بِقِلادَةٍ
مِنهاof it وَحَلّىand adorned مِعصَماًa wrist بِسِوارِwith a bracelet
مِنها وَحَلّى مِعصَماً بِسِوارِ
where he decked a throat with a necklace
Munificence fills to overflowing the hands
of it, and adorned a wrist with a bracelet.
Of paupers and the eyes of all who visit.
جَذلانَjoyful يَملَأُfills مِنحَةًwith gifts وَبَشاشَةًand cheerfulness
جَذلانَ يَملَأُ مِنحَةً وَبَشاشَةً
أَيديthe hands of العُفاةِpetitioners وَأَعيُنَand the eyes of الزُوّارِvisitors
أَيدي العُفاةِ وَأَعيُنَ الزُوّارِ
Joyful, he fills with gifts and smiles
Dispensing like the full moon or a pouring rain cloud
petitioners' hands and visitors' eyes.
Between the well-guarded moon and clouds with trailing rain.
مُتَقَسِّمٌdivided مابَينَbetween بَدرِa full moon of دُجُنَّةٍdark night
مُتَقَسِّمٌ مابَينَ بَدرِ دُجُنَّةٍ
أَسرىtraveling by night وَبَينَand between غَمامَةٍa cloud مِدرارِabundantly raining
أَسرى وَبَينَ غَمامَةٍ مِدرارِ
Divided between a full moon of the dark night,
The bosom-friend, remembering it, breathes freely, as though
traveling by night, and a rain-laden cloud.
Scenting the fragrance of a perfumed garden.
أَرِجَbecame fragrant النَدِيُّthe assembly بِذِكرِهِwith his mention فَكَأَنَّهُso it is as though
أَرِجَ النَدِيُّ بِذِكرِهِ فَكَأَنَّهُ
مُتَنَفَّسٌan exhalation عَنfrom رَوضَةٍa garden مِعطارِfragrant
مُتَنَفَّسٌ عَن رَوضَةٍ مِعطارِ
The assembly grew fragrant at his mention, as though it were
In its eloquence and pleasing countenance,
a breath exhaled from a scented garden.
Delighting hearing and sight.
فيin حُسنِthe beauty of مَنطِقِهِhis speech وَهَشَّةِand the cheerfulness of وَجهِهِhis face
في حُسنِ مَنطِقِهِ وَهَشَّةِ وَجهِهِ
مُستَمتَعُa delight for الأَسماعِhearing وَالأَبصارِand sight
مُستَمتَعُ الأَسماعِ وَالأَبصارِ
In the beauty of his speech and his smiling face
Racing the winds in liberality – no contrary
is delight for hearing and sight.
Winds could outstrip it on the racecourse.
جارىraced الرِياحَthe winds إِلىtoward السَماحِgenerosity فَماbut not جَرَتran
جارى الرِياحَ إِلى السَماحِ فَما جَرَت
مَعَهُwith him الرِياحُthe winds النُكبُcross-blowing فيon مِضمارِa racecourse
مَعَهُ الرِياحُ النُكبُ في مِضمارِ
He raced the winds toward generosity, but none ran
It grew chaste, tightening its belt of chastity,
alongside him—not even the crosswinds—on the racecourse.
For chastity is the mark of free men.
وَزَكاand grew pure فَشَدَّthen tightened عَلىupon العَفافِchastity إِزارَهُhis waist-wrapper
وَزَكا فَشَدَّ عَلى العَفافِ إِزارَهُ
إِنَّindeed العَفافَchastity لَشيمَةُis surely the trait of الأَحرارِthe freeborn
إِنَّ العَفافَ لَشيمَةُ الأَحرارِ
He grew pure and tightened his waist-wrapper upon chastity;
Wakeful, intelligent, sound in judgement, noble in aim,
indeed, chastity is the trait of the freeborn.
Its fire and beacon suffice you.
يَقِظٌalert ذَكاwas keen فَهماًin understanding وَأَشرَفَand lofty هِمَّةًin resolve
يَقِظٌ ذَكا فَهماً وَأَشرَفَ هِمَّةً
وَكَفاكَand suffices you مِنas نارٍfire بِهِin him وَمَنارِand a beacon
وَكَفاكَ مِن نارٍ بِهِ وَمَنارِ
Alert, keen in understanding, lofty in resolve,
It wore humility despite its majesty, and rose
he is fire and beacon enough for you.
To heights loftier than the spire of a minaret.
لَبِسَwore التَواضُعَhumility عَنdespite جَلالٍmajesty وَاِرتَقىand rose
لَبِسَ التَواضُعَ عَن جَلالٍ وَاِرتَقى
شَرَفاًin honor بِحَيثُto where سَماsurpassed سَماءَthe sky of فَخارِglory
شَرَفاً بِحَيثُ سَما سَماءَ فَخارِ
He wore humility despite his majesty, and rose
Leadership offered it supreme command, to fill
in honor until he surpassed the sky of glory.
The eyes of beholders with joyful wonder.
أَلقَتentrusted إِلَيهِto him بِالأُمورِthe affairs إِمارَةٌan emirate
أَلقَت إِلَيهِ بِالأُمورِ إِمارَةٌ
مَلَأَتfilled رُواءًwith beauty أَعيُنَthe eyes of النُظّارِonlookers
مَلَأَت رُواءً أَعيُنَ النُظّارِ
An emirate entrusted its affairs to him,
The reins of that splendid state are held
filling onlookers' eyes with beauty.
By the hand of that intrepid horseman.
فَعِنانُso the reins of تِلكَthat الدَولَةِstate الغَرّاءِsplendid فيin
فَعِنانُ تِلكَ الدَولَةِ الغَرّاءِ في
تَدبيرِthe management of ذاكَthat الفارِسِknight المِغوارِbold in attack
تَدبيرِ ذاكَ الفارِسِ المِغوارِ
So the reins of that splendid state are in
A hero whose orbit encompasses the spheres,
the management of that fearless knight.
Seized by the outstretched hand of Destiny;
بَطَلٌa hero جَرىcoursed الفَلَكُthe sphere المُحيطُencompassing بِسَرجِهِwith his saddle
بَطَلٌ جَرى الفَلَكُ المُحيطُ بِسَرجِهِ
وَاِستَلَّand unsheathed صارِمَهُhis cutting sword يَدُthe hand of المِقدارِfate
وَاِستَلَّ صارِمَهُ يَدُ المِقدارِ
A hero whose saddle the encompassing heavens bear along,
In his grip the taut bowstring of smooth harir,
whose cutting sword the hand of fate unsheathed.
And the white sharp sword of Indian steel.
يَمتَدُّextends حَبلُthe cord of الأَسمَرِthe brown spear الخَطِّيِّKhatti فيin
يَمتَدُّ حَبلُ الأَسمَرِ الخَطِّيِّ في
يَدِهِhis hand وَباعُand the span of الأَبيَضِthe white sword البَتّارِcleaving
يَدِهِ وَباعُ الأَبيَضِ البَتّارِ
The cord of the brown Khatti spear extends in
His right hand on the day of battle, his left -
his hand, along with the span of the white, cleaving sword.
However much fire and storm he desires!
بِيَمينِهِin his right hand يَومَon the day of الوَغىbattle وَشِمالِهِand his left hand
بِيَمينِهِ يَومَ الوَغى وَشِمالِهِ
ماشاءَwhatever he wished مِنof نارٍfire وَمِنand of إِعصارِa whirlwind
ماشاءَ مِن نارٍ وَمِن إِعصارِ
In his right hand on battle-day, and in his left,
The sun is his wine, the steeds his fair maidens,
are fire and whirlwind, as much as he wishes.
The air his goblet, the swords his servers;
فَالشَمسُso the sun خَمرٌwine وَالجِيادُand the steeds عَرائِسٌbrides
فَالشَمسُ خَمرٌ وَالجِيادُ عَرائِسٌ
وَالجَوُّand the air كاسٍa cup وَالسُيوفُand the swords مَداريcombs
وَالجَوُّ كاسٍ وَالسُيوفُ مَداري
The sun is wine, the steeds are brides,
The horses stumble over the spear-shafts’ thorns
the air a cup, and the swords combs.
And wade stained in the deep blood;
وَالخَيلُand the horses تَعثُرُstumble فيon شَباthe points of شَوكِthe thorns of القَناspears
وَالخَيلُ تَعثُرُ في شَبا شَوكِ القَنا
وَتَظَلُّand keep تَسبَحُswimming فيin الدَمِthe blood المَوّارِsurging
وَتَظَلُّ تَسبَحُ في الدَمِ المَوّارِ
The horses stumble on the sharp thorns of spears,
The flashing blades bend over the corpses
and keep swimming in surging blood.
As though twisted cords upon his buttons.
وَالبيضُand the white blades تُحنىare bent فيin الطُلىthe throats فَكَأَنَّماso it is as though
وَالبيضُ تُحنى في الطُلى فَكَأَنَّما
لُوِيَتwere twisted عُرىًloops مِنهاof them عَلىaround أَزرارِbuttons
لُوِيَت عُرىً مِنها عَلى أَزرارِ
The white blades bend within the throats, as though
The dried blood fractures the sun’s flashing blades
loops of them had been twisted round buttons.
As though it were rust on golden coins.
وَالنَقعُand the dust يَكسُرُdiminishes مِنsome of سَناthe radiance of شَمسِthe sun of الضُحىforenoon
وَالنَقعُ يَكسُرُ مِن سَنا شَمسِ الضُحى
فَكَأَنَّهُso it is as though صَدَأٌrust عَلىon دينارِa dinar
فَكَأَنَّهُ صَدَأٌ عَلى دينارِ
Dust dims the radiance of the forenoon sun,
The sword kept company with triumph, joined together
like rust upon a dinar.
Like a bracelet on an outstretched wrist.
صَحِبَaccompanied الحُسامَthe sword النَصرُvictory صُحبَةَwith the companionship of غَبطَةٍjoy
صَحِبَ الحُسامَ النَصرُ صُحبَةَ غَبطَةٍ
فيin كَفِّthe palm of صَوّالٍone who charges بِهِwith it سَوّارِone who leaps to attack
في كَفِّ صَوّالٍ بِهِ سَوّارِ
Victory kept joyful company with the sword
If it gave him a hint one day, he would flare up
in the hand of one who charges and springs to attack with it.
In vengeance – sleeping not, forgetting no blood-claim.
لَوif أَنَّهُhe أَوحىsignaled إِلَيهِto it بِنَظرَةٍwith a glance
لَو أَنَّهُ أَوحى إِلَيهِ بِنَظرَةٍ
يَوماًone day لَثارَit would surely rise فَلَمand not يَنَمsleep عَنover ثارِvengeance
يَوماً لَثارَ فَلَم يَنَم عَن ثارِ
If he signaled to it with a glance
He passed by, and a shiver of pride took hold of him,
one day, it would spring up and never sleep upon vengeance,
Laughter of delight beneath his mail coat.
وَمَضىand went forth وَقَدand already مَلَكَتهُhad possessed it هِزَّةُa thrill of عِزَّةٍpride
وَمَضى وَقَد مَلَكَتهُ هِزَّةُ عِزَّةٍ
تَحتَbeneath العَجاجِthe dust-cloud وَضِحكَةُand a laugh of اِستِبشارِgladness
تَحتَ العَجاجِ وَضِحكَةُ اِستِبشارِ
and go forth, seized by a thrill of pride
Many yellow-handed, craven in their wishes,
beneath the dust, and by a laugh of gladness.
Clad in diverse borrowed plumes.
وَلَرُبَّand many a صِفرِempty الكَفِّpalm هاذٍraving بِالمُنىof hopes
وَلَرُبَّ صِفرِ الكَفِّ هاذٍ بِالمُنى
كَلِفٍenamored بِأَطوارٍwith kinds مِنَof الأَوطارِdesires
كَلِفٍ بِأَطوارٍ مِنَ الأَوطارِ
And many an empty-handed man, raving of hopes,
Night has covered them with its dark mantle,
enamored of desires in all their forms,
And they are alone with the vacancies of their thoughts.
قَدalready أَسبَلَhad lowered الظَلماءَthe darkness سِتراًas a curtain دونَهُbefore him
قَد أَسبَلَ الظَلماءَ سِتراً دونَهُ
وَخلاand was alone بِأَبكارٍwith virgins مِنَof الأَفكارِthoughts
وَخلا بِأَبكارٍ مِنَ الأَفكارِ
had let darkness fall as a curtain before him
The days cried out to him, raising their voices,
and retired alone with virgin thoughts.
As though calling to him from behind a wall:
صاحَتcried بِهِto him الأَيّامُthe days تَرفَعُraising صَوتَهاtheir voice
صاحَت بِهِ الأَيّامُ تَرفَعُ صَوتَها
فَكَأَنَّماso it is as though نادَتهُthey called him خَلفَbehind جِدارِa wall
فَكَأَنَّما نادَتهُ خَلفَ جِدارِ
The days cried to him, raising their voice,
“Abandon every notion of repose or ease,
as though calling him from behind a wall:
And seek the bounty destined for Ibrahim!”
دَعleave عَنكَaside from you ثَيِّبَthe once-wedded bride of كُلِّevery نُعمىfavor وَاِلتَمِسand seek
دَع عَنكَ ثَيِّبَ كُلِّ نُعمى وَاِلتَمِس
مِنَحاًgifts لِإِبراهيمَof Ibrahim فَهيَfor they are عَذاريvirgins
مِنَحاً لِإِبراهيمَ فَهيَ عَذاري
Leave aside each favor's once-wedded bride, and seek
“Settle down where your abode is blessed
Ibrahim's gifts, for they are virgins.
By auspicious days, or favourable times.”
وَاِربَعand settle بِحَيثُwhere تَصوبُshowers أرَضَكَyour land ديمَةٌa steady rain
وَاِربَع بِحَيثُ تَصوبُ أرَضَكَ ديمَةٌ
لِيَمينِfrom a right hand of يُمنٍgood fortune أَوor يَسارِa left hand of يَسارِprosperity
لِيَمينِ يُمنٍ أَو يَسارِ يَسارِ
Settle where a steady rain showers your land,
Smiles blossom on the cheeks of hillsides,
from an auspicious right hand or a prosperous left.
And meadows are carpeted with greenery.
هَطلاءُpouring تَضحَكَُsmiles كُلُّevery زَهرَةِflower of صَفحَةٍa face
هَطلاءُ تَضحَكَُ كُلُّ زَهرَةِ صَفحَةٍ
عَنهاbecause of it وَتُعشِبُand grows grassy كُلُّevery ساحَةِcourtyard of دارِa house
عَنها وَتُعشِبُ كُلُّ ساحَةِ دارِ
Pouring rain: every blossoming face smiles
From a band who bloodied the gleaming swords
because of it, and every house's courtyard grows green.
And the idolators’ faces on the day of trial;
مِنfrom مَعشَرٍa people تَدمىbleed بِهِمthrough them يَومَon the day of الوَغىbattle
مِن مَعشَرٍ تَدمى بِهِم يَومَ الوَغى
بيضُthe white blades of السُيوفِswords وَأَوجُهُand the faces of الكُفّارِunbelievers
بيضُ السُيوفِ وَأَوجُهُ الكُفّارِ
From a people who, on battle-day, make bleed
Before whom the tyrant's soul quakes in awe
the white swords and the faces of unbelievers;
And the rebel, powerless, is humiliated;
وَتَحورُand recoils نَفسُthe soul of المُستَطيلِthe overbearing one مَهابَةًin awe
وَتَحورُ نَفسُ المُستَطيلِ مَهابَةً
وَيَذِلُّand is humbled رُغماًunwillingly مَعطِسُthe nose of الجَبّارِthe tyrant
وَيَذِلُّ رُغماً مَعطِسُ الجَبّارِ
before whom the overbearing soul recoils in awe,
Whom the world nurtures for its preservation,
and the tyrant's nose is humbled against its will.
And religion nurtures as its defenders;
جَمَعَunited النَدىgenerosity بِهِمin them وَصَدرُand the forefront of المُنتَدىthe assembly
جَمَعَ النَدى بِهِم وَصَدرُ المُنتَدى
كَرَمَthe nobility of النُفوسِsouls وَرِقَّةِand the delicacy of الأَبشارِskins
كَرَمَ النُفوسِ وَرِقَّةِ الأَبشارِ
Generosity and the place of honor in the assembly united in them
In whose land the hands of the noble have built
nobility of souls and delicacy of skin.
The highest minaret in their proudest home;
سادَbecame leaders السُراةُthe nobles بِماthrough what اِستَفادواthey gained عَنهُمُfrom them
سادَ السُراةُ بِما اِستَفادوا عَنهُمُ
إِنَّindeed الشُموسَthe suns لِعِلَّةُare surely the cause of الأَقمارِthe moons
إِنَّ الشُموسَ لِعِلَّةُ الأَقمارِ
The nobles became leaders through what they gained from them;
Every shower of generosity, each ample-giving raincloud
indeed, suns are the cause of moons.
That pours down in the fray, wildly courageous;
وَسَخاand were generous الكِرامُthe noble بِماwith what اِستَمَدّواthey drew مِنهُمُfrom them
وَسَخا الكِرامُ بِما اِستَمَدّوا مِنهُمُ
إِنَّindeed البِحارَthe seas لَمَنشَءُare surely the source of الأَمطارِrains
إِنَّ البِحارَ لَمَنشَءُ الأَمطارِ
The generous gave freely from what they drew from them;
Who rush into the fray ranked like the waves
indeed, seas are the source of rains.
Of a raging sea with seething, frothing crests.
تَنميهُمُtraces their lineage الدُنياthe world إِلىto صِنهاجَةٍSanhaja
تَنميهُمُ الدُنيا إِلى صِنهاجَةٍ
وَالدينُand religion يُنميهُمtraces their lineage إِلىto الأَنصارِthe Ansar
وَالدينُ يُنميهُم إِلى الأَنصارِ
The world traces their lineage to Sanhaja,
How many fettered they have freed of bonds,
and religion traces their lineage to the Ansar.
Of poverty and the shackles of captivity!
شادَتbuilt يَدُthe hand of العَلياءِexaltedness فيin عَرَصاتِهِمtheir courtyards
شادَت يَدُ العَلياءِ في عَرَصاتِهِم
أَعلىthe highest مَنارٍbeacon فيin أَعَزِّthe mightiest دِيارِabodes
أَعلى مَنارٍ في أَعَزِّ دِيارِ
The hand of exaltedness built in their courtyards
The robe of glory they wear is embroidered
the highest beacon in the mightiest abodes.
With endless praise that does not fade or tatter.
مِنof كُلِّevery غَيثٍrain-cloud لِلسَماحَةِof generosity واكِفٍdripping
مِن كُلِّ غَيثٍ لِلسَماحَةِ واكِفٍ
يَهميpours down وَقِرنٍand a combatant فيin الوَغىbattle هَدّارِroaring
يَهمي وَقِرنٍ في الوَغى هَدّارِ
Each a dripping rain-cloud of generosity,
Had they attained eternity in the fame they enjoy,
pouring down, and a roaring combatant in battle,
No bond of lifespan could have held them.
يَتَتابَعونَfollow one another إِلىto الصَريخِthe cry for help كَأَنَّهُمas though they
يَتَتابَعونَ إِلى الصَريخِ كَأَنَّهُم
أَمواجُthe waves of بَحرٍa sea قَدalready طَمىhas overflowed زَخّارِsurging
أَمواجُ بَحرٍ قَد طَمى زَخّارِ
they hasten one after another to the cry for help, as though they were
From the creator of wonders I bring you rhyming verse
waves of a swollen, surging sea.
Whose ecstasy has stirred the deepest soul;
كَمhow many مُطلَقٍfreed لِنَداهُمُby their bounty وَظِباهُمُand their blades
كَم مُطلَقٍ لِنَداهُمُ وَظِباهُمُ
مِنfrom قَيدِthe shackle of إِعسارٍpoverty وَقَدِّand the leather thong of إِسارِcaptivity
مِن قَيدِ إِعسارٍ وَقَدِّ إِسارِ
How many have their bounty and blades released
They came to you extolling Abu Bakr,
from poverty's shackle and captivity's leather thong!
Bearing, like virgins, faultless charms.
وَرِداءِand a cloak of مَجدٍglory طُرِّزَتwere embroidered أَعطافُهُits sides
وَرِداءِ مَجدٍ طُرِّزَت أَعطافُهُ
بِالحَمدِwith praise لايَبلىdoes not wear out عَلىthrough الأَعصارِthe ages
بِالحَمدِ لايَبلى عَلى الأَعصارِ
And many a cloak of glory, its sides embroidered
So pour forth freely your eulogies, for the branches
with praise, never wears out through the ages.
Of these lines have blossomed with wild camomile.
فَلَوand if أَنَّهُمthey خَلَدواlived forever خُلودَwith the immortality of ثَنائِهِمtheir praise
فَلَو أَنَّهُم خَلَدوا خُلودَ ثَنائِهِم
لَمnot تَنفَصِمwould break عَنهُمaway from them عُرىthe bonds of الأَعمارِlifespans
لَم تَنفَصِم عَنهُم عُرى الأَعمارِ
Had they lived forever, as their praise lives forever,
They have stirred the hearts of listeners with wisdom
the bonds of their lives would never have broken.
That almost stirred the pages of the stars.
وَإِلَيكَand to you مِنfrom حَوكِthe weaving of البَديعِartistry قَوافِياًrhymes
وَإِلَيكَ مِن حَوكِ البَديعِ قَوافِياً
هَزَّstirred النَشيدُthe chant بِهاwith them مُتونَthe backs of شَفارِblades
هَزَّ النَشيدُ بِها مُتونَ شَفارِ
And to you come rhymes woven from artistry,
They wiped away the heavy sleep from the riders’ eyes
whose singing stirred the backs of blades.
And startled them with joy upon their carpets.
زَفَّتushered as brides أَباAbu بَكرٍBakr إِلَيكَto you مَحاسِناًbeauties
زَفَّت أَبا بَكرٍ إِلَيكَ مَحاسِناً
جاءَتكَcame to you تَحمِلُbearing عُذرَةَthe virginity of الأَبكارِmaidens
جاءَتكَ تَحمِلُ عُذرَةَ الأَبكارِ
They ushered beauties to you as brides, Abu Bakr,
They saw you as an equal, so they chose you
coming to you bearing maidens' virginity.
Over all others, beyond the farthest lands.
فَأَصِخso listen إِلىto هَزجِthe melody of المَديحِpraise فَإِنَّماfor indeed
فَأَصِخ إِلى هَزجِ المَديحِ فَإِنَّما
صَدَحَتsang بِأَغصانِon the branches of السُطورِthe lines قِماريmy turtle-doves
صَدَحَت بِأَغصانِ السُطورِ قِماري
So listen to the melody of praise, for indeed
Dawn for their garden with bright morning light
my turtle-doves have sung on the branches of the lines.
That makes the flowers laugh with delight.
هَزَّتswayed مَعاطِفَthe sides of سامِعيهاtheir listeners حِكمَةًwith wisdom
هَزَّت مَعاطِفَ سامِعيها حِكمَةً
كادتnearly تَهُزُّswayed مَعاطِفَthe sides of الأَسطارِthe lines
كادت تَهُزُّ مَعاطِفَ الأَسطارِ
Their wisdom swayed their listeners' sides,
And to her surrendered Abu Yahya his rule,
and nearly swayed the sides of the written lines.
Like the nights' starry beauty at daybreak.
مَسَحَتwiped جُفونَthe eyelids of الرَكبِthe riders مِنof سِنَةِthe drowsiness of الكَرىsleep
مَسَحَت جُفونَ الرَكبِ مِن سِنَةِ الكَرى
وَلَوَتهُمُand bent them طَرَباًwith delight عَلىupon الأَكوارِthe camel-saddles
وَلَوَتهُمُ طَرَباً عَلى الأَكوارِ
They wiped the riders' eyelids free of sleepy drowsiness,
Dedicate to her your swordarm, for the sword is held
and bent them with delight upon their camel-saddles.
By the horseman who wields it, and the arrow by the archer
وَرَأَتكَand saw you كُفؤاًa worthy equal فَاِنتَحَتكَso sought you عَلىdespite النَوىseparation
وَرَأَتكَ كُفؤاً فَاِنتَحَتكَ عَلى النَوى
وَالبُعدِand remoteness بَعدَbeyond السِتَّةِthe six الأَقطارِdirections
وَالبُعدِ بَعدَ السِتَّةِ الأَقطارِ
They saw you as a worthy equal and sought you despite separation
Intercede for the dwellers of this land, you who offer
and remoteness, beyond the six directions.
Praise for the courtyards and answers to their prayers.
فَاِطلَعso rise لِرَوضَتِهاupon their garden صَباحاًas a morning نَيِّراًluminous
فَاِطلَع لِرَوضَتِها صَباحاً نَيِّراً
يَستَضحِكُsmiles النُوّارُthe blossoms لِلأَنوارِat the lights
يَستَضحِكُ النُوّارُ لِلأَنوارِ
So rise upon their garden as a luminous morning;
the blossoms smile at the lights.
وَاِسلَمand remain safe أَباO Abu يَحيىYahya لَهاfor it مِنof دَولَةٍa state
وَاِسلَم أَبا يَحيى لَها مِن دَولَةٍ
كَسَتِclothed اللَياليthe nights رَونَقَin the luster of الأَسحارِdawns
كَسَتِ اللَيالي رَونَقَ الأَسحارِ
Remain safe, Abu Yahya, for this sovereign state,
which has clothed the nights in the luster of dawns.
وَاِنهَدand rise لَهاfor it فَالسَيفُfor the sword فيin يَدِthe hand of فارِسٍa horseman
وَاِنهَد لَها فَالسَيفُ في يَدِ فارِسٍ
يَسطوstrikes بِهِwith it وَالسَهمُand the arrow فيin يَدِthe hand of باريan arrow-shaper
يَسطو بِهِ وَالسَهمُ في يَدِ باري
Rise in its service: the sword is in a horseman's hand,
who strikes with it, and the arrow in an arrow-shaper's hand.
وَاِشفَعand intercede عَلىdespite شَحطِthe distance of الدِيارِthe homes لِآمِلٍfor one who hopes
وَاِشفَع عَلى شَحطِ الدِيارِ لِآمِلٍ
أَهدىoffered الثَناءَpraise عَلىdespite تَنائيthe remoteness of الدارِhome
أَهدى الثَناءَ عَلى تَنائي الدارِ
Intercede, despite the distance between homes, for one who hopes,
who has offered praise though his home is far away.
Partial English translation: 188 of 196 Arabic lines translated.
Sol 6.1