أَهَزُّshall I brandish حُسامa sword يُنتَضىdrawn وَسِنانand a spear
أَهَزُّ حُسام يُنتَضى وَسِنان
وَمَوتُand the death شُجاعٍof a brave man مِثلis like مَوتِthe death جَبانِof a coward
وَمَوتُ شُجاعٍ مِثل مَوتِ جَبانِ
Shall I brandish a drawn sword and a spear,
I brandish a drawn sword and a spearhead,
when a brave man's death is like a coward's death?
Yet the death of the brave is like the death of the coward.
عَلَيناupon us المَناياdeaths قُدِّرَتhave been decreed وَعَلىand upon العِدىthe enemies
عَلَينا المَنايا قُدِّرَت وَعَلى العِدى
فَياso, oh لِضرابٍfor swordplay بَينَناbetween us وَطِعانِand spear-thrusts
فَيا لِضرابٍ بَينَنا وَطِعانِ
Deaths have been decreed for us and for our enemies:
Dooms are decreed upon us and upon our foes,
so, what swordplay and spear-thrusts between us!
So alas for the striking and stabbing between us.
رُزِئتُI was bereaved فَعَزَّونيso they consoled me وَقَدalthough already عَزَّنيovercame me الأَسىgrief
رُزِئتُ فَعَزَّوني وَقَد عَزَّني الأَسى
وَكَيفَand how التَأَسّيfinding solace وَاِبنيwhile my son الثَقلانِhumankind and jinn
وَكَيفَ التَأَسّي وَاِبني الثَقلانِ
I was bereaved, and they consoled me, though grief had overcome me.
I was stricken, so they offered condolences, yet sorrow overwhelmed me,
How can I find solace, when my son was mankind and jinn to me?
And how can there be consolation when my son was equal to all worlds?
وَقالواand they said تَفَرَّسlook closely هَلis there مِنَamong القَومِthe people فارِسa horseman
وَقالوا تَفَرَّس هَل مِنَ القَومِ فارِس
بِحصنٍby a fortress يُوَقّىis protected from المَوتَdeath أَوor بِحصانِby a steed
بِحصنٍ يُوَقّى المَوتَ أَو بِحصانِ
They said, “Look closely: is there among men a horseman
They said, "Look closely: is there any knight among the people
protected from death by a fortress or a steed?”
Protected from death by a fortress or a steed?"
فَقُلتُso I said الرَدىdeath لاno ردَّrepelling فيهِin it وَإِنَّماand only
فَقُلتُ الرَدى لا ردَّ فيهِ وَإِنَّما
عَزاءُthe endurance هِجانof a noble soul فيin مُصابِthe loss هِجانِof a noble soul
عَزاءُ هِجان في مُصابِ هِجانِ
I said, “Death admits no repelling; there is only
I said, "There is no turning back destruction, but only
a noble soul's endurance at a noble soul's loss.”
The solace of the noble in the loss of the noble."
لِكَثرَةُfor abundant رُزءbereavement أَوor لِقِلَّةِfor scarcity of فُرصَةٍopportunity
لِكَثرَةُ رُزء أَو لِقِلَّةِ فُرصَةٍ
تعرُّbring disgrace بِعارٍwith shame أَوor تَهونُbring low بِهانِwith humiliation
تعرُّ بِعارٍ أَو تَهونُ بِهانِ
Does frequent bereavement, or scarcity of opportunity,
Whether for the magnitude of calamity or the scarcity of opportunity,
bring disgrace, or bring one low through humiliation?
One is tainted by shame or humbled by disgrace.
بِنَفسيmy life for نَجمa star أَظلَمdarkened الأُفقthe horizon إِذwhen هَوىit fell
بِنَفسي نَجم أَظلَم الأُفق إِذ هَوى
وَكادَand almost يُعَزّينيconsoled me بِهِfor him القَمَرانِthe sun and moon
وَكادَ يُعَزّيني بِهِ القَمَرانِ
My life for a star whose fall darkened the horizon,
I ransom with my soul a star that darkened the horizon when it fell,
for whom the sun and moon almost consoled me.
And for which the sun and moon almost offered me solace.
سَلواask الدَهرَtime هَلwhether أخبىit extinguished غداةَon the morning of وَفاتهhis death
سَلوا الدَهرَ هَل أخبى غداةَ وَفاته
سَناthe radiance المُشتَريof Jupiter أَمor هَدَّshattered رُكنthe buttress أَبانِof Aban
سَنا المُشتَري أَم هَدَّ رُكن أَبانِ
Ask time whether, on the morning of his death, it extinguished
Ask Time if, on the morning of his death, it extinguished
Jupiter's radiance or shattered Aban's buttress.
The brilliance of Jupiter or tore down the pillar of Mount Aban.
كَأَنَّas though ذِراعيmy forearm جُذَّwas severed مِنfrom عَضديmy upper arm بِهِby it
كَأَنَّ ذِراعي جُذَّ مِن عَضدي بِهِ
كَأَنَّas though حُساميmy sword فُلُّwas blunted وَهوَand it is لِسانيmy tongue
كَأَنَّ حُسامي فُلُّ وَهوَ لِساني
As though my forearm had been severed from my upper arm by it,
It is as if my forearm were severed from my upper arm because of him;
as though my sword were blunted—and it is my tongue.
It is as if my sword were blunted, and that sword is my tongue.
فَمنthen who لِبَنيfor the children of الدُنياthe world مَقوليmy tongue إِذاif نَباit falters
فَمن لِبَني الدُنيا مَقولي إِذا نَبا
بِحكمَةِwith the wisdom of أَشعاريmy poems وَسحرand the magic of بَيانيmy eloquence
بِحكمَةِ أَشعاري وَسحر بَياني
Who will serve the world's children, if my tongue falters,
So who will speak for the children of the world if my speech fails,
with the wisdom of my poems and the magic of my eloquence?
With the wisdom of my verses and the magic of my eloquence?
بِعَبدthrough Abd الغنيّal-Ghani اِستَغنتِhad no need العَينُthe eye أَنto تَرىsee
بِعَبد الغنيّ اِستَغنتِ العَينُ أَن تَرى
مَحاسِنَthe beauties طُرزٍof patterns فيin الرِياضِthe gardens حسانِbeautiful
مَحاسِنَ طُرزٍ في الرِياضِ حسانِ
Through Abd al-Ghani, the eye had no need to see
In Abd al-Ghani, the eye found richness enough to forgo seeing
the beauties of lovely patterns in the gardens.
The beauties of embroidered patterns in fair gardens.
فَماfor nothing are الدُرُّpearls إِلّاexcept ماwhat يُنَثَّرُis scattered مِنfrom فَمa mouth
فَما الدُرُّ إِلّا ما يُنَثَّرُ مِن فَم
وَماand nothing are الزَهرُflowers إِلّاexcept ماwhat نَشىgrew بِبَنانِthrough fingertips
وَما الزَهرُ إِلّا ما نَشى بِبَنانِ
For pearls are only what is scattered from a mouth,
For pearls are nothing but what is scattered from a mouth,
and flowers are only what sprang from fingertips.
And flowers are nothing but what blooms from fingertips.
رَبيعُthe springtime رُبوعيof my dwellings كانَwas صَوبَthe downpour صَوابِهِof his sound judgment
رَبيعُ رُبوعي كانَ صَوبَ صَوابِهِ
يُنَوِّرُbrightens مِنهُfrom it الطَرفَthe eye كُلَّevery أَوانِmoment
يُنَوِّرُ مِنهُ الطَرفَ كُلَّ أَوانِ
The springtime of my dwellings was the downpour of his sound judgment,
The spring of my dwellings was the downpour of his correctness,
from which the eye drew brightness at every moment.
Illuminating the gaze with it at every moment.
زَكاhe flourished فَأَتانيand came to me يَغلِبُsurpassing الجَمعَthe company وَحدَهُalone
زَكا فَأَتاني يَغلِبُ الجَمعَ وَحدَهُ
وَعَنand through رَأيِهِhis counsel يصّالحُmake peace الفتيانِthe young men
وَعَن رَأيِهِ يصّالحُ الفتيانِ
He flourished and came to me, surpassing the whole company alone;
He grew in virtue, coming to me surpassing the multitude alone,
through his counsel the young men made peace.
And upon his judgment, young men would reconcile.
فَلَوhad كانَhe been فيat صفّينSiffin إِذwhen هُوَhe يافِعwas a youth
فَلَو كانَ في صفّين إِذ هُوَ يافِع
تَراضىwould have agreed بِهِupon him الخَصمانِthe two adversaries وَالحَكَمانِand the two arbiters
تَراضى بِهِ الخَصمانِ وَالحَكَمانِ
Had he been at Siffin, even while a youth,
Had he been present at Siffin when he was but a youth,
both adversaries and both arbiters would have accepted him.
The two adversaries and the two arbitrators would have accepted him.
وَلَوand if كانَتwere النيرانُthe fires مِثلlike ذكائِهِhis brilliance
وَلَو كانَت النيرانُ مِثل ذكائِهِ
تَلَظَّتthey would blaze لِموريهاfor their kindler بِغَيرِwithout دُخانِsmoke
تَلَظَّت لِموريها بِغَيرِ دُخانِ
Had fires been like his brilliance,
And if fires were like his keen intelligence,
they would have blazed for their kindler without smoke.
They would blaze for their kindler without any smoke.
وَلَوand if أَطلَعَmade rise اللَهُGod الهِلالَthe crescent طُلوعَهُas he rose
وَلَو أَطلَعَ اللَهُ الهِلالَ طُلوعَهُ
لَقالواthey would say لِسَبعٍat seven nights تَمَّit became full أَوor لثمانِat eight
لَقالوا لِسَبعٍ تَمَّ أَو لثمانِ
Had God made the crescent rise as he rose,
And if God had made the crescent moon rise with his rising,
they would have said, “It reached fullness at seven nights—or eight.”
They would have said, "It became full in seven nights or eight."
وَلَوand if أَنبَتَmade grow اللَهُGod الغُصونَthe branches نَباتَهُas he grew
وَلَو أَنبَتَ اللَهُ الغُصونَ نَباتَهُ
دَناwould come near مِنof جَناهاtheir fruit ماwhatever تَخَيَّرَchose جانِa gatherer
دَنا مِن جَناها ما تَخَيَّرَ جانِ
Had God made branches grow as he grew,
And if God had made branches grow with his growth,
whatever fruit a gatherer chose would have hung within reach.
What the picker chose of their fruit would be close at hand.
وَلَوand if طابَتِgrew sweet الأَيّامُthe days بَعدَafter مَذاقهُtasting him
وَلَو طابَتِ الأَيّامُ بَعدَ مَذاقهُ
لَماthey would not شَرِبَتhave drunk لِلحرِّfor the noble بَعدafter ليانِgentleness
لَما شَرِبَت لِلحرِّ بَعد ليانِ
Had the days grown sweet after tasting him,
And if the days were sweet after tasting his loss,
they would not have drunk for the noble after gentleness [wording unclear].
One would not have drunk bitterness after softness.
أَحينَwas it when شَأىhe outstripped مِنthrough فَضلِهِhis excellence كُلّevery سابِقforerunner
أَحينَ شَأى مِن فَضلِهِ كُلّ سابِق
وَغَنّىand sang شَآمٌa Syrian بِاِسمِهِhis name وَيَمانِand a Yemeni
وَغَنّى شَآمٌ بِاِسمِهِ وَيَمانِ
Was it just when his excellence had outstripped every forerunner,
Is it now, when he has outstripped every predecessor in virtue,
and Syrian and Yemeni sang his name,
And the Levantine and the Yemeni have sung his name?
وَجَرَّand drew قَناةَthe spear النَصرِof victory لِلظَّعنِfor marching فيagainst العِدىthe enemies
وَجَرَّ قَناةَ النَصرِ لِلظَّعنِ في العِدى
وَراشَand feathered جَناحthe wing العِزِّof glory لِلطَيَرانِfor flight
وَراشَ جَناح العِزِّ لِلطَيَرانِ
and he drew victory's spear to march against his enemies,
And he trailed the spear of victory to strike at the enemy,
and feathered glory's wing for flight,
And feathered the wing of glory for flight?
رَمَتهُstruck him فَأَصَمتهُand killed him outright السِهامُthe arrows وَإِنَّهُalthough he
رَمَتهُ فَأَصَمتهُ السِهامُ وَإِنَّهُ
لَفيwas indeed in زردٍchain mail مِنof دَعوَتيmy prayers وَكنانِand shelter
لَفي زردٍ مِن دَعوَتي وَكنانِ
that arrows struck him and killed him outright, though he
The arrows struck him and silenced him, even though he was
was clad in chain mail and shelter woven from my prayers?
Clad in the mail of my prayers and protection.
كَأَنَّas though الرَدىdeath يَومَon the day of العُروبَةِal-Arubah (Friday) إِذwhen مَضىhe passed away
كَأَنَّ الرَدى يَومَ العُروبَةِ إِذ مَضى
أَرانيshowed me جِبالthe mountains الأَرضِof the earth فَوقَupon أَرانِa bier
أَراني جِبال الأَرضِ فَوقَ أَرانِ
It was as though death, on Friday when he departed,
It is as if Death, on the Friday when he passed,
showed me the earth's mountains atop a bier.
Showed me the mountains of the earth placed upon a bier.
كَأَنَّas though السَماءَthe sky اِنشَقَّتِsplit open اليَومَtoday لِلَّذيfor the one who
كَأَنَّ السَماءَ اِنشَقَّتِ اليَومَ لِلَّذي
دَعانيcalled me فَكانَتand became وَردَةًa rose كَدِهانِlike oil
دَعاني فَكانَت وَردَةً كَدِهانِ
As though the sky split open today for the one
It is as if the heavens split asunder today for the one who called me,
who called me; it turned rose-red, like oil.
And became rose-colored like burning oil.
أَلاah إِنّindeed قُضباًbranches مِسنَswayed فيin دَوحَةِthe great tree العُلاof eminence
أَلا إِنّ قُضباً مِسنَ في دَوحَةِ العُلا
لِدانٍfor one once near نأىwho went far أَصبَحنَthey have become غَيرnot لِدانِsupple
لِدانٍ نأى أَصبَحنَ غَير لِدانِ
Ah, branches that swayed within the great tree of eminence,
Truly, branches that once swayed in the grove of nobility,
for one once near, now far away, have grown unbending.
For a near one who has departed, have become unbending.
سألتُI asked حَبيبَthe beloved النَفسِof my soul أَينَwhere مَكانهُhis place was
سألتُ حَبيبَ النَفسِ أَينَ مَكانهُ
إِذاwhen نُشِرَare raised المَوتىthe dead وَأَينَand where مَكانيmy place was
إِذا نُشِرَ المَوتى وَأَينَ مَكاني
I asked my soul's beloved where his place would be
I asked the beloved of my soul where his place shall be
when the dead are raised, and where my place would be.
When the dead are resurrected, and where my place shall be.
فَقالَand he said مَكانيmy place حَيثُwhere جِئتَyou came بِجَنَّةٍin a garden
فَقالَ مَكاني حَيثُ جِئتَ بِجَنَّةٍ
مُذلَّلَةٍmade accessible مِنهاfrom it القُطوفُthe fruit-clusters دَوانيhang near
مُذلَّلَةٍ مِنها القُطوفُ دَواني
He said, “My place is where you have come, in a garden
He said, "My place is where you find a Garden,
whose fruit-clusters are brought low, close at hand.
With branches lowered and clusters hanging near."
وَلاand no عِلمَknowledge ليhave I إِلّاexcept بِنَقسيof myself (uncertain reading) وَجَدتُهاI found it
وَلا عِلمَ لي إِلّا بِنَقسي وَجَدتُها
فَياso, O أَبَتِmy father اِعمَلdo صالِحاًgood لِتَرانيso you may see me
فَيا أَبَتِ اِعمَل صالِحاً لِتَراني
I know only my own soul, as I found it;
"I have no knowledge save what I have found within myself;
so, Father, do good that you may see me.
So, O my father, do good deeds that you may see me."
وَياand, O أَبَتِmy father اِحذَرbeware فِتنَةَthe trial القَبرِof the grave إِنَّهاindeed it is
وَيا أَبَتِ اِحذَر فِتنَةَ القَبرِ إِنَّها
مَخافَةُthe dread مَنof one who لَمhas not يَجتَهِدstriven لِأَمانِfor safety
مَخافَةُ مَن لَم يَجتَهِد لِأَمانِ
And Father, beware the trial of the grave; it is
"O my father, beware the trial of the grave, for it is
the dread of one who has not striven for safety.
The dread of one who has not striven for safety."
وَياand, O أَبَتِmy father اِعمَلact لَستَyou are not عَنّيon my behalf جازِياًanswering
وَيا أَبَتِ اِعمَل لَستَ عَنّي جازِياً
وَلاand not عَنكَon your behalf أَجزيcan I answer غَيرُdifferent from شَأنكَyour case شانيis my case
وَلا عَنكَ أَجزي غَيرُ شَأنكَ شاني
And Father, act: you cannot answer for me,
"O my father, work! You cannot answer for me,
nor can I answer for you; my case is not yours.
Nor can I answer for you; your state is distinct from mine."
وَياand, O أَبَتِmy father اِتلُrecite الذِكرَthe Reminder حَسبُكَenough for you واعِظاًas admonition
وَيا أَبَتِ اِتلُ الذِكرَ حَسبُكَ واعِظاً
تَدَبُّرُreflection upon آىٍverses فُصِّلتset out clearly وَمَثانِand oft-repeated verses
تَدَبُّرُ آىٍ فُصِّلت وَمَثانِ
And Father, recite the Reminder; sufficient admonition for you is
"O my father, recite the Remembrance; it suffices you as a preacher
reflection on verses set out clearly and oft-repeated.
To ponder verses detailed and oft-repeated."
وَياand, O أَبَتِmy father اِستَيقِظawaken فَإِنَّكَfor you نائِمٌare asleep
وَيا أَبَتِ اِستَيقِظ فَإِنَّكَ نائِمٌ
وَياand, O أَبَتِmy father اِستَعجِلhasten فَإِنَّكَfor you وانِare lagging
وَيا أَبَتِ اِستَعجِل فَإِنَّكَ وانِ
And Father, awaken, for you are asleep.
"O my father, wake up, for you are sleeping!
And Father, hasten, for you are lagging.
O my father, make haste, for you are lagging!"
وَياand, O أَبَتِmy father اِستَشفِعseek intercession from نَبِيَّكَyour Prophet واثِقاًtrusting
وَيا أَبَتِ اِستَشفِع نَبِيَّكَ واثِقاً
بِوَعدٍin a promise يُوَفّيهِhe will fulfill غَداًtomorrow وَضَمانِand a pledge
بِوَعدٍ يُوَفّيهِ غَداً وَضَمانِ
And Father, seek your Prophet's intercession, trusting
"O my father, seek the intercession of your Prophet, trusting
in a promise he will fulfill tomorrow, and a pledge.
In a promise and guarantee he will fulfill tomorrow."
نَجاis saved اِبنُكَyour son فَاِنظُرso attend فيto نَجاتِكyour salvation وَاِعتَمِدand rely
نَجا اِبنُكَ فَاِنظُر في نَجاتِك وَاِعتَمِد
عَلىon عَمَلٍdeeds يَبقىthat endure فَإِنَّكَfor you فانِwill perish
عَلى عَمَلٍ يَبقى فَإِنَّكَ فانِ
Your son is saved; look to your own salvation and rely
"Your son is saved, so look to your own salvation and rely
on deeds that endure, for you will perish:
Upon a deed that endures, for you are mortal."
عَلىon البِرِّrighteousness وَالتَقوىand piety وَحُبِّand love of مُحَمَّدٍMuhammad
عَلى البِرِّ وَالتَقوى وَحُبِّ مُحَمَّدٍ
وَمُستَوزريهِand his two appointed ministers حَبَّذاhow excellent العُمَرانِthe two Umars
وَمُستَوزريهِ حَبَّذا العُمَرانِ
on righteousness, piety, and love of Muhammad,
"Upon righteousness, piety, and the love of Muhammad
and his two appointed ministers—how excellent the two Umars!
And his viziers—how excellent are the two 'Umars!"
وَسائِرِand the rest of أَصحابٍthe Companions كَفَوهُwho sufficed him كَأَنَّهُمas though they
وَسائِرِ أَصحابٍ كَفَوهُ كَأَنَّهُم
بَنانٌwere fingers وَدينُand the religion اللَهِof God وَهوَand he يدانِare two hands
بَنانٌ وَدينُ اللَهِ وَهوَ يدانِ
And all the other Companions who sufficed him, as though they
"And all the Companions who aided him, as if they were
were fingers, while God's religion and he were two hands.
Fingers, while the religion of God and he were two hands."
عَلَيهِمupon them صَلاةُthe blessing اللَهِof God ثُمَّthen عَلىupon الَّذيthe one whom
عَلَيهِم صَلاةُ اللَهِ ثُمَّ عَلى الَّذي
تَوَفّاهُHe took in death بَرّاًdutiful فيin أَعَقِّthe most unfilial زَمانِage
تَوَفّاهُ بَرّاً في أَعَقِّ زَمانِ
God's blessing be upon them, then upon the one
"Upon them be the peace of God, and then upon the one
whom He took, dutiful in a most unfilial age.”
Whom He took as a righteous soul in a most ungrateful age."
كَشَفتَyou unveiled إِلَيَّto me الغَيبَthe unseen ياO اِبنيmy son وَلَمand did not تَخبfail
كَشَفتَ إِلَيَّ الغَيبَ يا اِبني وَلَم تَخب
وَلكِنَّbut عَقليmy reason دَلَّنيshowed me فَهَدانيand guided me
وَلكِنَّ عَقلي دَلَّني فَهَداني
You unveiled the unseen to me, my son, and did not fail;
You have unveiled the Unseen to me, O my son, and did not mislead,
yet my own reason showed me and guided me.
Though my own intellect had pointed me and guided me.
تُتَرجمُinterpret عَنfor أَهلِthe inhabitants القُبورِof the graves قُبورهُمtheir graves
تُتَرجمُ عَن أَهلِ القُبورِ قُبورهُم
فَيفهَمُso one understands مِنfrom دونِapart from الكَلامِspeech مَعانِmeanings
فَيفهَمُ مِن دونِ الكَلامِ مَعانِ
Their graves interpret for the inhabitants of the graves,
The graves translate on behalf of their inhabitants,
and one understands meanings without speech.
So meanings are understood without spoken words.
وَمَنand whoever خَذَلتَهُfails him عبرَةٌa tear عِندَbefore عبرَةٍa lesson
وَمَن خَذَلتَهُ عبرَةٌ عِندَ عبرَةٍ
فَذاكَthen he is جَمادٌa lifeless thing عُدَّcounted فيamong الحَيَوانِthe living
فَذاكَ جَمادٌ عُدَّ في الحَيَوانِ
And whoever is denied a tear when faced with a lesson
And he whom a lesson fails to move when tears are shed
is a lifeless thing numbered among the living.
Is but a stone counted among the living.
إذاwhen اِعتَبَرَtake heed المُستَبصِرونَthe clear-sighted كَفاهُمُsuffices them
إذا اِعتَبَرَ المُستَبصِرونَ كَفاهُمُ
حَديثُthe tale الصّباof youth وَالشَيبِand gray hair وَالحَدَثانِand time's calamities
حَديثُ الصّبا وَالشَيبِ وَالحَدَثانِ
When the clear-sighted take heed, sufficient for them is
If the insightful take heed, they are sufficed by
the tale of youth, gray hair, and time's calamities.
The tale of youth, hoary age, and the shifting of days.
أَكافورُis it camphor شَيبٍof gray hair بَعدَafter مِسكِthe musk شَبيبَةٍof youth
أَكافورُ شَيبٍ بَعدَ مِسكِ شَبيبَةٍ
وَسُمُّand the poison مَنونٍof death بَعدَafter شَهدِthe honey أَمانِof hopes
وَسُمُّ مَنونٍ بَعدَ شَهدِ أَمانِ
Can gray hair's camphor follow youth's musk,
Is it the camphor of white hair after the musk of youth?
and death's poison the honey of hopes,
And the poison of death after the honey of safety?
وَقُبحُand the ugliness شَتاتٍof separation بَعدَafter حُسنِthe beauty تَأَلُّفٍof union
وَقُبحُ شَتاتٍ بَعدَ حُسنِ تَأَلُّفٍ
وَوَحشَةُand the loneliness قَبرٍof a grave بَعدَafter أُنسِthe companionship مَغانِof dwellings
وَوَحشَةُ قَبرٍ بَعدَ أُنسِ مَغانِ
and separation's ugliness the beauty of union,
And the ugliness of dispersion after the beauty of union?
and a grave's loneliness the companionship of homes—
And the desolation of a grave after the comfort of home?
فَيَأتيyet comes الهَوىdesire حَتّىuntil يَسُدَّblocks مَسامِعيmy hearing
فَيَأتي الهَوى حَتّى يَسُدَّ مَسامِعي
بُكاءُthe weeping حَمامٍof doves عَنfrom غِناءِthe singing قيانِof singing girls
بُكاءُ حَمامٍ عَن غِناءِ قيانِ
yet desire still come, until my hearing is blocked
Then passion comes until the weeping of doves
by doves' laments against the song of singing girls?
Blocks my ears from the singing of songstresses.
نَسيتُI forgot ذُنوبيmy sins أَوor تَناسَيتُfeigned forgetting بِالهَوىthrough desire
نَسيتُ ذُنوبي أَو تَناسَيتُ بِالهَوى
وَأَحصىand counted عَلَيَّagainst me اللَهُGod وَالمَلَكانِand the two angels
وَأَحصى عَلَيَّ اللَهُ وَالمَلَكانِ
I forgot my sins—or feigned forgetting through desire—
I forgot my sins, or feigned forgetfulness in my passion,
while God and the two angels counted them against me.
Yet God and the two angels have recorded them against me.
فَإِنso if حُرِمَis denied العاصيsinful أَبوكَyour father شَفاعَةًintercession
فَإِن حُرِمَ العاصي أَبوكَ شَفاعَةً
تَكونُthat would be لَهُfor him عِزّاًhonor هَوىhe falls لِهَوانِinto abasement
تَكونُ لَهُ عِزّاً هَوى لِهَوانِ
If your sinful father is denied intercession
So if your sinful father is denied intercession,
that would exalt him, he falls into abasement.
Which would be glory for him who has fallen into shame...
عَسىmay اللَهُGod يُنجيهِsave him فَلَيسَfor he is not وَإِنalthough عَصىhe sinned
عَسى اللَهُ يُنجيهِ فَلَيسَ وَإِن عَصى
بِمُستَيئِسٍdespairing مِنof رَحمَةٍmercy وَجنانِand gardens of Paradise
بِمُستَيئِسٍ مِن رَحمَةٍ وَجنانِ
May God save him; though he has sinned, he is not
Perhaps God will save him, for even if he disobeyed,
despairing of mercy and gardens of Paradise.
He does not despair of Mercy and Paradise.
لِيَهنكَmay it gladden you ياO اِبنيmy son أَنَّthat شُربَكَyour drink بارِدٌis cool
لِيَهنكَ يا اِبني أَنَّ شُربَكَ بارِدٌ
وَشُربيand my drink إنif لَمdoes not يَعفُpardon رَبّيmy Lord آنِis boiling
وَشُربي إن لَم يَعفُ رَبّي آنِ
May it gladden you, my son, that your drink is cool,
Let it gladden you, my son, that your drink is cool,
while mine, unless my Lord forgives, is boiling.
While my drink, if my Lord does not forgive, is scalding hot.
كَأَنّas though حَماماتِthe doves الأَراكِof the arak trees تَرَنَّمَتsang
كَأَنّ حَماماتِ الأَراكِ تَرَنَّمَت
عَلىover نَشَواتيmy intoxicated raptures وَالشُؤونُand the tear-ducts دِنانيare my wine-jars
عَلى نَشَواتي وَالشُؤونُ دِناني
As though the doves of the arak trees sang
It is as if the doves of the arak tree crooned
over my intoxicated raptures, with my tear-ducts as my wine-jars.
Over my delirium, while my tear-ducts were the wine jars.
أَزورُكَI visit you غِبّاًon alternate days وَالمَسافَةُand the distance بَينَناbetween us
أَزورُكَ غِبّاً وَالمَسافَةُ بَينَنا
قَريبٌis near وَلكِنbut لاthere is no سَبيلَway لِعانِfor a captive
قَريبٌ وَلكِن لا سَبيلَ لِعانِ
I visit you on alternate days, and the distance between us
I visit you at intervals, and though the distance between us
is short, but a captive has no way through.
Is near, there is no path for the captive.
بِوَجهيwith my face أَقيكَI shield you from التُربَthe earth حَيثُwhere تُطيبُهُyou perfume it
بِوَجهي أَقيكَ التُربَ حَيثُ تُطيبُهُ
بِعرفِwith the fragrance ثَناءٍof praise وَهوَand it is مِنّيto me دانِnear
بِعرفِ ثَناءٍ وَهوَ مِنّي دانِ
With my face I shield you from the earth, where you perfume it
With my own face I would shield you from the dust, where you perfume it
with the fragrance of praise, though it lies near me.
With the scent of praise, while it lies close to me.
حَلَلتَyou lodged غَريباًa stranger فيهِin it وَالثكلُand bereavement حَولَهُaround it
حَلَلتَ غَريباً فيهِ وَالثكلُ حَولَهُ
يُرَوّيwaters الحَصاthe pebbles مِنwith دَمعِthe tears كُلِّof every حصانِchaste woman
يُرَوّي الحَصا مِن دَمعِ كُلِّ حصانِ
You lodged there a stranger, while bereavement all around it
You settled there as a stranger, while bereavement around it
waters the pebbles with every chaste woman's tears.
Waters the pebbles with the tears of every chaste woman.
وَلاand no بَصَرٌeye يَرعاكَwatches over you إِلّاexcept بَصيرَتيmy inward sight
وَلا بَصَرٌ يَرعاكَ إِلّا بَصيرَتي
وَلاand no جُنَنٌshields تَحويكَenfold you غَيرother than جِنانيmy heart
وَلا جُنَنٌ تَحويكَ غَير جِناني
No eye watches over you but my inward sight,
No eye watches over you except my inner vision,
and no protection enfolds you but my heart.
And no shrouds embrace you except my heart.
بَلىindeed كُلُّevery قلبٍheart أَنتَyou فيهِin it مُمثّلare portrayed
بَلى كُلُّ قلبٍ أَنتَ فيهِ مُمثّل
وَإِنalthough كُنتَyou are لاnot تَشفيsoothe الوَرىhumankind بِعَيانِby visible presence
وَإِن كُنتَ لا تَشفي الوَرى بِعَيانِ
Indeed, your image is present in every heart,
Indeed, in every heart your image is enshrined,
though you do not soothe mankind by appearing before their eyes.
Even if you no longer heal mankind by your presence.
فَمَعناكَso your hidden essence مَعنىis the meaning لَيلَةِof the Night القَدرِof Decree إِنَّهاindeed it
فَمَعناكَ مَعنى لَيلَةِ القَدرِ إِنَّها
عَلىfrom الناسِpeople تَخفىis hidden وَهيَwhile it is فيin رَمَضانِRamadan
عَلى الناسِ تَخفى وَهيَ في رَمَضانِ
Your hidden presence is like the Night of Decree:
Your significance is like the Night of Power:
it is concealed from people, though it lies within Ramadan.
It is hidden from men, though it lies within Ramadan.
طَوىfolded away مِنfrom شَبابيmy youth الدَهرُtime ماwhat أَناI ناشِرٌunfold
طَوى مِن شَبابي الدَهرُ ما أَنا ناشِرٌ
وَهَدَّمَand demolished فيكَin you المَوتُdeath ماwhat أَناI بانِbuild
وَهَدَّمَ فيكَ المَوتُ ما أَنا بانِ
Time has folded away what I unfold of my youth,
Time has folded away the youth I can never unfold again,
and in you death has demolished what I build.
And Death has destroyed in you what I was building.
وَلَمّاand when دَهانيassailed me الدَهرُtime وَاِبنيand my son وَأُمّهand his mother
وَلَمّا دَهاني الدَهرُ وَاِبني وَأُمّه
بِحَربَينِwith two wars بِكرٍa first one مرَّةٍbitter وَعَوانِand a renewed one
بِحَربَينِ بِكرٍ مرَّةٍ وَعَوانِ
When time assailed me, my son, and his mother
And when Time struck me—my son and his mother—
with two wars, a bitter maiden one and one renewed,
With two wars, one new and one returning,
صَدَدتُI turned away عَنِfrom البيضِfair women الرَعابيبِsoft-bodied beauties سَلوَةٍin renunciation
صَدَدتُ عَنِ البيضِ الرَعابيبِ سَلوَةٍ
وَأقسَمتُand I swore جهداًwith utmost force لاnever مَلَكنَwould they possess عَنانيmy reins
وَأقسَمتُ جهداً لا مَلَكنَ عَناني
I turned from fair, soft-bodied women, renouncing them,
I turned away from fair, soft maidens in renunciation,
and swore my strongest oath they would never hold my reins.
And swore a solemn oath they would never hold my reins.
فَمِنso from أَينَwhere ليfor me نَجلٌa son أَقولُI could say إِذاwhen زَكاhe flourished
فَمِن أَينَ لي نَجلٌ أَقولُ إِذا زَكا
تَشابَهَresemble one another فيin مَعناهُماtheir essence الأَخَوانِthe two brothers
تَشابَهَ في مَعناهُما الأَخَوانِ
Where, then, could I find a son of whom, as he flourished, I might say,
So whence shall I get a son of whom I might say, if he thrives,
“The two brothers resemble one another in their essence”?
"The two brothers are alike in their essence"?
وَأَنتَand you الَّذيare the one who تَزهىboasts عَلىbefore الشُهبِthe bright stars قائِلاًsaying
وَأَنتَ الَّذي تَزهى عَلى الشُهبِ قائِلاً
ذُكاءDhuka (the sun) وَبَدرُand the moon التمِّat its fullness ليto me أَبَوانِare two parents
ذُكاء وَبَدرُ التمِّ لي أَبَوانِ
You were the one who boasted before the stars, saying,
You are the one who boasts above the stars, saying:
“Dhuka and the full moon are my two parents.”
"The Sun and the full Moon are my parents."
وَلَوand had متَّyou died قَبلَbefore البَينِthe separation ياO واحِدpeerless one العُلاof glory
وَلَو متَّ قَبلَ البَينِ يا واحِد العُلا
رَجَوتُI would have hoped لِفهرٍfor Fihr أَنto تَرىsee لَكَfor you ثانيa second
رَجَوتُ لِفهرٍ أَن تَرى لَكَ ثاني
Had you died before the separation, O peerless one in glory,
If you had died before the separation, O unique one of nobility,
I would have hoped that Fihr might see another like you.
I might have hoped for your line to see a second like you.
وَلكِنَّbut منthe woman whom وَفَّيتُI treated faithfully خانَتbetrayed وَقَلَّماand seldom
وَلكِنَّ من وَفَّيتُ خانَت وَقَلَّما
رَأَيتُhave I seen الهَوىlove وَالغَدرَand treachery يَتَّفِقانِagree
رَأَيتُ الهَوى وَالغَدرَ يَتَّفِقانِ
But the woman to whom I was faithful betrayed me; seldom
But she whom I treated faithfully betrayed me; and rarely
have I seen love and treachery agree.
Have I seen love and treachery agreed.
وَعِندَand among الغَوانيbeautiful women حَلَّis lawful حلُّuntying عُقودُهاher bonds
وَعِندَ الغَواني حَلَّ حلُّ عُقودُها
وَجازىand repaid جَزاءَthe recompense الوُدِّof affection بِالشَنآنِwith hatred
وَجازى جَزاءَ الوُدِّ بِالشَنآنِ
Among beauties, untying their bonds is deemed lawful,
With fair women, the undoing of bonds is commonplace,
and affection's recompense is repaid with hatred.
And she repaid the reward of affection with hatred.
وَهَبهاand suppose she جَفَتforsook مَنthe man whom أحصنتshe kept chaste بِلبانَةthrough a desire
وَهَبها جَفَت مَن أحصنت بِلبانَة
قَضاهاhe fulfilled أَتَجفوdoes she forsake مَنthe one whom غَذَتshe nourished بِلبانِwith milk
قَضاها أَتَجفو مَن غَذَت بِلبانِ
Grant she forsook the man she kept chaste through a desire
Grant that she shunned the one she once embraced with desire;
he fulfilled—does she forsake the one she fed with milk?
Would she shun the one she nourished with her own milk?
أَرىI see المَرءَa man أَدنىnearest ماas يَكونُhe can be مِنَto التُقىpiety
أَرى المَرءَ أَدنى ما يَكونُ مِنَ التُقى
إِذاwhen عَفَّhe stays chaste خلواًfree مِنof غنىwealth وَغَوانيand beauties
إِذا عَفَّ خلواً مِن غنى وَغَواني
I see a man closest to piety
I see that a man is closest to true piety
when he stays chaste, free of wealth and beauties.
When he abstains, free from wealth and women.
عَرَفتُI knew فَرابَتنيand they made me suspicious صَواحِبُthe women يوسُفof Joseph
عَرَفتُ فَرابَتني صَواحِبُ يوسُف
قَديماًlong ago وَلكِنbut زَلَّتِslipped القَدَمانِmy two feet
قَديماً وَلكِن زَلَّتِ القَدَمانِ
I knew Joseph's women and mistrusted them
I knew, and the companions of Joseph made me suspicious
long ago; yet my two feet slipped.
Long ago, yet still my feet slipped.
أَلاah فيin جِوارِthe protection اللَهِof God مَنis the one whose أَذكُرُI mention اِسمَهُname
أَلا في جِوارِ اللَهِ مَن أَذكُرُ اِسمَهُ
فَتَصدعand cleaves قَلبيmy heart شِدَّةُthe intensity الخَفَقانِof throbbing
فَتَصدع قَلبي شِدَّةُ الخَفَقانِ
Ah, in God's protection is he whose name I speak,
In the care of God is he whose name I mention,
and the force of my heartbeat splits my heart.
And the violence of my heart's beating cracks my chest.
رَقيتُI recited healing charms وَداوَيتُand treated السقامَthe sickness الَّذيthat شَكاhe complained of
رَقيتُ وَداوَيتُ السقامَ الَّذي شَكا
فَأَعيَتbut defeated مَعانيthe means البرءof recovery كُلَّevery مَعانِone who strove
فَأَعيَت مَعاني البرء كُلَّ مَعانِ
I recited healing charms and treated the sickness he complained of,
I recited spells and treated the sickness he complained of,
but the ways to recovery baffled everyone who strove.
But the means of cure baffled every helper.
وَكَفكَفتُand tried to check جهديwith all my effort عبرَتيmy tears وَرعافَهُand his nosebleed
وَكَفكَفتُ جهدي عبرَتي وَرعافَهُ
فَلَمbut not أَستَطِعcould I أَنthat يَرقَأshould cease الدَمَيانِthe two blood-flows
فَلَم أَستَطِع أَن يَرقَأ الدَمَيانِ
With all my strength I tried to check my tears and his nosebleed,
I strove to hold back my tears and his bleeding,
but could not make the two streams of blood cease.
But I could not staunch the flow of the two bloods.
نَذَرتُI vowed دَمَthe blood الأَعداءِof the enemies لَمّاwhen نَظَرتهُI looked at him
نَذَرتُ دَمَ الأَعداءِ لَمّا نَظَرتهُ
كَأَنَّas though عَدُوّاًan enemy شَجَّهُgashed his head فَشَجانيand so grieved me
كَأَنَّ عَدُوّاً شَجَّهُ فَشَجاني
I vowed my enemies' blood when I looked at him,
I vowed to shed the blood of enemies when I looked at him,
as though an enemy had gashed his head and so grieved me.
As if a foe had struck him, and thus struck me with grief.
فَلَمّاbut when بَداbecame clear ليto me أَنَّهُthat it was قَدرthe decree الرَدىof death
فَلَمّا بَدا لي أَنَّهُ قَدر الرَدى
تَداوَيتُI treated myself بِالذِكرىwith remembrance مِنَfor الهَذَيانِraving
تَداوَيتُ بِالذِكرى مِنَ الهَذَيانِ
But when I saw it was death's decree,
But when it became clear to me that it was the decree of Death,
I cured my raving with remembrance.
I sought cure from delirium in the Remembrance.
وَلَمand did not أَدرِI know كَيفَhow الصَبرُto endure حينَwhen تَقَلَّصَتdrew back
وَلَم أَدرِ كَيفَ الصَبرُ حينَ تَقَلَّصَت
لَهُhis شَفَتانِtwo lips طالَماwhich often شَفَتانيhad healed me
لَهُ شَفَتانِ طالَما شَفَتاني
I did not know how to endure when there drew back
And I knew not how to be patient when lips withered for him—
his two lips, which had so often healed me.
Lips that had, for so long, been my healing.
تُرىI wonder علَّتيهِhis two ailments غارَتاgrew jealous فَأَغارَتاand raided
تُرى علَّتيهِ غارَتا فَأَغارَتا
عَلىagainst واحِدٍone لَوif عاشَhe had lived ليfor me لَكَفانيhe would have sufficed me
عَلى واحِدٍ لَو عاشَ لي لَكَفاني
Did his two ailments, I wonder, grow jealous and raid
Do you think his two ailments grew jealous, and so attacked
the one who, had he lived for me, would have sufficed me?
A single soul who, had he lived for me, would have sufficed me?
حَبيبٌa beloved كَأَنّيas though I كُنتُwere أضربُbeing struck بِالظُبىwith sword-edges
حَبيبٌ كَأَنّي كُنتُ أضربُ بِالظُبى
إِذاwhenever بثَّhe disclosed ماwhat يَشكوhe suffered مِنَof الضَرَبانِthrobbing
إِذا بثَّ ما يَشكو مِنَ الضَرَبانِ
A beloved—it was as though I were struck by blades
A beloved: it was as if I were being struck by swords
whenever he told of the throbbing he suffered.
Whenever he spoke of the throbbing pain he suffered.
أَبَينَwas it between اِحمِرارٍredness وَاِصفِرارٍand yellow pallor وَزُرقَةٍand blueness
أَبَينَ اِحمِرارٍ وَاِصفِرارٍ وَزُرقَةٍ
تَقَسَّمَwas divided خَدٌّa cheek كانَthat was أحمَرred قانِdeep crimson
تَقَسَّمَ خَدٌّ كانَ أحمَر قانِ
Was it between redness, pallor, and blueness
Between redness, pallor, and the blue of bruising,
that a once deep-crimson cheek was divided?
A cheek was divided that once was rosy bright.
ثَلاثُthree يَواقيتٍcorundum gems عَلىupon صَحنِa platter فِضَّةٍof silver
ثَلاثُ يَواقيتٍ عَلى صَحنِ فِضَّةٍ
نُظِمنَwere set وَفيwhile upon خَدَّيَّmy two cheeks نَثرُwere scattered جُمانِpearls
نُظِمنَ وَفي خَدَّيَّ نَثرُ جُمانِ
Three corundum gems upon a silver platter
Three rubies arranged upon a plate of silver,
were set, while pearls were scattered down my cheeks.
While on my own cheeks lay scattered pearls.
وَكَيفَand how حَوانيcontained me مَنزِليmy home بَعدَafter فَرقَدFarqad (a star)
وَكَيفَ حَواني مَنزِلي بَعدَ فَرقَد
عَلَيهِover him الشُموسthe suns النَيِّراتradiant حَوانيbend tenderly
عَلَيهِ الشُموس النَيِّرات حَواني
How could my home contain me after losing Farqad,
How could my home contain me after the loss of a star
over whom the radiant suns bent tenderly?
Over whom the shining suns once bent in care?
سَأَسفحُI shall pour out ماwhat أَسأَرتُI left مِنof بَحرِthe sea أَدمُعيof my tears
سَأَسفحُ ما أَسأَرتُ مِن بَحرِ أَدمُعي
وَحَسبيand enough for me بُكاءُthe weeping العَينِof the eye بِالهَمَلانِin streaming tears
وَحَسبي بُكاءُ العَينِ بِالهَمَلانِ
I shall pour out what remains of my sea of tears,
I will pour out the remainder of my sea of tears;
and the eye's streaming weeping is enough for me.
It suffices me that the eye weeps in flowing streams.
وَأَصفحand I pardon عَنregarding دَهريmy age عَلىdespite أَنَّthat صَرفَهُits vicissitudes
وَأَصفح عَن دَهري عَلى أَنَّ صَرفَهُ
رَزانيbereaved me بِفَقدِthrough the loss اِبنٍof a son وَغَدرِand the betrayal رَزانِof a dignified woman
رَزاني بِفَقدِ اِبنٍ وَغَدرِ رَزانِ
I pardon my age, although its vicissitudes
And I pardon my Fate, even though its vicissitudes
bereaved me of a son and brought a dignified woman's betrayal.
Afflicted me with the loss of a son and the treachery of a dignified wife.
وَأَرجوand I hope مِنfrom اِبنيmy son عَونَهُhis help بِشَفاعَةٍthrough intercession
وَأَرجو مِن اِبني عَونَهُ بِشَفاعَةٍ
فَرُبَّfor many a مُعانٍstriver لِلنَّجاةِfor salvation مُعانِis aided
فَرُبَّ مُعانٍ لِلنَّجاةِ مُعانِ
I hope for my son's help through intercession,
And I hope for my son's aid through his intercession;
for many a striver for salvation is aided.
For often one aided toward salvation is truly aided.
أَتانيcame to me رَدىthe death عَبدof Abd الغَنِيِّal-Ghani فَهَدَّنيand shattered me
أَتاني رَدى عَبد الغَنِيِّ فَهَدَّني
عَلىupon اِبنِa son لَباةٍof a lioness خانَهُbetrayed him اِبنُa son أَتانِof a she-ass
عَلى اِبنِ لَباةٍ خانَهُ اِبنُ أَتانِ
Abd al-Ghani's death reached me and struck me down—
The death of Abd al-Ghani came to me and crushed me;
a blow upon a lioness's son betrayed by a she-ass's son.
A lion's cub betrayed by the foal of a wild ass.
سَمانيhe called me بِزُهدٍascetic وَالقَناعَةand contented أنَّنيbecause I
سَماني بِزُهدٍ وَالقَناعَة أنَّني
أَكولُam an eater عِجافٍof lean beasts لاnot أَكولُan eater سمانِof fat ones
أَكولُ عِجافٍ لا أَكولُ سمانِ
He called me ascetic and contented, because I
He marked me with asceticism and contentment, such that I
was an eater of lean beasts, not an eater of fat ones.
Am an eater of lean scraps, not of rich feasts.
جَفانيshunned me اِمرِؤٌa man طافَتcirculated عَلَيهِaround him وَلائِديmy serving girls
جَفاني اِمرِؤٌ طافَت عَلَيهِ وَلائِدي
بِزهرِwith the shining أَباريقيof my pitchers وَغُرِّand the bright جِفانِbowls
بِزهرِ أَباريقي وَغُرِّ جِفانِ
A man shunned me, though my serving girls had waited on him
A man shunned me, though my handmaidens once circled him
with my gleaming pitchers and shining bowls.
With my shining pitchers and my white bowls.
زَوانيturned me away عَمىthe blindness عَينَيَّof my two eyes عَنfrom آفَةِthe affliction الهَوىof desire
زَواني عَمى عَينَيَّ عَن آفَةِ الهَوى
لَعَلَّperhaps عُيونَthe eyes الناظِرينَof the sighted زَوانيare adulteresses
لَعَلَّ عُيونَ الناظِرينَ زَواني
The blindness of my eyes turned me away from love's affliction;
The blindness of my eyes hid me from the plague of passion;
perhaps the eyes of the sighted are adulteresses.
Perhaps the eyes of the beholders pushed me aside.
وَلَوand if تَنطِقُcould speak الآدابُthe literary arts قُلتُI would say حَقيقَةًtruly
وَلَو تَنطِقُ الآدابُ قُلتُ حَقيقَةً
رَوانيhe recited me بِأَفكارٍthrough thoughts إِلَيَّtoward me رَوانيgazing
رَواني بِأَفكارٍ إِلَيَّ رَواني
If the literary arts could speak, I could truly say:
If Literature could speak, I would say in truth:
“He recited me through thoughts gazing toward me.”
He quenched my thirst with thoughts; he truly quenched me.
وَلَوand had عِشتَyou lived ياO عَبدَAbd الغنيّal-Ghani خَلفتَنيyou would have succeeded me
وَلَو عِشتَ يا عَبدَ الغنيّ خَلفتَني
وَلكِنbut عَنانيafflicted me ماwhat بَكَتهُthey wept over عَنانيmy clouds
وَلكِن عَناني ما بَكَتهُ عَناني
Had you lived, Abd al-Ghani, you would have succeeded me,
Had you lived, O Abd al-Ghani, you would have been my successor;
but what my clouds wept over has afflicted me.
But I am curbed by that for which my own reins have wept.
Sol 6.1