كادalmost الرشاءُthe well-rope الذيwhich أُدليI let down إليكtoward you بهwith it
كاد الرشاءُ الذي أُدلي إليك به
منfrom قبلِbefore بلِّكَهyour wetting it بالماءwith water يُروينيquenches my thirst
من قبلِ بلِّكَه بالماء يُرويني
The well-rope I lower toward you almost
The emptied water-skin, which to thee was granted,
quenches my thirst before you even wet it with water.
Well-nigh had made me drown with drought when parted.
أفديI would ransom أباAbu (father of) حسنHasan بالنفسwith my life منwhat a رجلٍman
أفدي أبا حسن بالنفس من رجلٍ
إذاwhen سألتُI ask سواهsomeone other than him ظلhe keeps on يُعطينيhe gives me
إذا سألتُ سواه ظل يُعطيني
I would ransom Abu Hasan with my life—what a man:
Abu Hasan! him would I with life requite,
when I ask someone other than him, he keeps giving to me.
Who, when I cry to other, "Give me drink" says "Nay."
أُدليI let down بهwith it فإذاand if لمdid not يَسقنيgive me drink أحدٌanyone
أُدلي به فإذا لم يَسقني أحدٌ
ممنamong those from whom أُميحُI seek نداهhis bounty حالَhe steps in يسقينيhe gives me drink
ممن أُميحُ نداه حالَ يسقيني
I lower it; and if no one gives me drink
None save he helps me when in need I sink:
among those whose bounty I seek, he steps in to give me drink.
And when I cry "Give drink," lone he doth give, I think.
Sol 6.1