نَفىbanished النَومُsleep عَنfrom عَينيmy eyes خَيالَthe vision of مُسَلِّمٍMusallim
نَفى النَومُ عَن عَيني خَيالَ مُسَلِّمٍ
تَأَوَّبَreturned by night مِنfrom أَسماءَAsma وَالرَكبُand the caravan نُوَّمُasleep
تَأَوَّبَ مِن أَسماءَ وَالرَكبُ نُوَّمُ
Sleep drove the vision of Musallim from my eyes.
It returned from Asma while the caravan slept.
ظَلِلتُI remained وَأَصحابيand my companions عَباديدَscattered فيin الدُجىthe darkness
ظَلِلتُ وَأَصحابي عَباديدَ في الدُجى
أَلَذُّI delighted بِجَوّالِin the flowing الوِشاحِsash وَأَنعَمُand found bliss
أَلَذُّ بِجَوّالِ الوِشاحِ وَأَنعَمُ
My companions and I remained scattered in the darkness.
I delighted in the wearer of the flowing sash and found bliss.
وَسائِلَةٍand a woman asking عَنّيabout me فَقُلتُso I said تَعَجُّباًin wonder
وَسائِلَةٍ عَنّي فَقُلتُ تَعَجُّباً
كَأَنَّكِas though you لاتَدرينَdo not know كَيفَhow المُتَيَّمُthe love-struck one is
كَأَنَّكِ لاتَدرينَ كَيفَ المُتَيَّمُ
A woman asked about me, and I said in wonder:
As though you did not know what a love-struck person is like.
أَعِرنيlend me أَقيكَmay I shield you السوءَfrom harm نَظرَةَa glance وامِقٍof love
أَعِرني أَقيكَ السوءَ نَظرَةَ وامِقٍ
لَعَلَّكَperhaps you تَرثيwill pity أَوor لَعَلَّكَperhaps you تَرحَمُwill show mercy
لَعَلَّكَ تَرثي أَو لَعَلَّكَ تَرحَمُ
Lend me, may I shield you from harm, one loving glance.
Perhaps you will pity me, or perhaps show mercy.
فَماfor not أَناI إِلّاexcept عَبدُكَyour servant القِنُّthe bondsman فيin الهَوىlove
فَما أَنا إِلّا عَبدُكَ القِنُّ في الهَوى
وَماand not أَنتَyou إِلّاexcept المالِكُthe master المُتَحَكِّمُwho commands
وَما أَنتَ إِلّا المالِكُ المُتَحَكِّمُ
For in love I am only your bondservant.
And you are the master who holds all power.
وَأَرضىand I accept بِماwhat تَرضىpleases you عَلىthrough السَخطِdispleasure وَالرِضاand contentment
وَأَرضى بِما تَرضى عَلى السَخطِ وَالرِضا
وَأُغضيand I overlook عَلىdespite عِلمٍknowledge بِأَنَّكَthat you تَظلِمُact unjustly
وَأُغضي عَلى عِلمٍ بِأَنَّكَ تَظلِمُ
I accept what pleases you, through displeasure and contentment.
And I overlook it, though I know you wrong me.
يَئِستُI despaired مِنَof الإِنصافِfairness بَينيbetween me وَبَينَهُand him
يَئِستُ مِنَ الإِنصافِ بَيني وَبَينَهُ
وَمَنand who لِيَfor me بِالإِنصافِwould secure fairness وَالخَصمُwhen the adversary يَحكُمُjudges
وَمَن لِيَ بِالإِنصافِ وَالخَصمُ يَحكُمُ
I have despaired of fairness between him and me.
How could I obtain fairness when my adversary is the judge?
وَخَطبٍand a calamity مِنَof الأَيّامِthe days أَنسانِيَmade me forget الهَوىlove
وَخَطبٍ مِنَ الأَيّامِ أَنسانِيَ الهَوى
وَأَحلىand made sweet بِفَيِّin the shade of المَوتَdeath وَالمَوتُthough death عَلقَمُis bitter as colocynth
وَأَحلى بِفَيِّ المَوتَ وَالمَوتُ عَلقَمُ
A calamity of these days made me forget love.
It made death's shade seem sweet, though death is bitter as colocynth.
وَوَاللَهِand by God ماnot شَبَّبتُI spoke of love إِلّاexcept عُلالَةًas a remnant
وَوَاللَهِ ما شَبَّبتُ إِلّا عُلالَةً
وَمِنand by نارِa fire غَيرِother than الحُبِّlove قَلبِيَmy heart يُضرَمُburns
وَمِن نارِ غَيرِ الحُبِّ قَلبِيَ يُضرَمُ
By God, I spoke of love only as a remnant.
My heart burns with a fire other than love.
أَلاis there not مُبلِغٌa messenger عَنّيfrom me الحُسَينَto al-Husayn أَلوكَةًwith a message
أَلا مُبلِغٌ عَنّي الحُسَينَ أَلوكَةً
تَضَمَّنَهاcontained it دُرُّpearls الكَلامِof speech المُنَظَّمِarranged
تَضَمَّنَها دُرُّ الكَلامِ المُنَظَّمِ
Will someone carry a message from me to al-Husayn?
The pearls of carefully arranged words contain it.
لَذيذُsweet الكَرىsleep حَتّىuntil أَراكَI see you مُحَرَّمُis forbidden
لَذيذُ الكَرى حَتّى أَراكَ مُحَرَّمُ
وَنارُand a fire الأَسىof sorrow بَينَwithin الحَشاthe breast تَتَضَرَّمُblazes
وَنارُ الأَسى بَينَ الحَشا تَتَضَرَّمُ
Sweet sleep is forbidden me until I see you.
And the fire of sorrow blazes within my breast.
وَأَترُكُand I refrain أَنfrom أَبكيweeping عَلَيكَfor you تَطَيُّراًfor fear of an omen
وَأَترُكُ أَن أَبكي عَلَيكَ تَطَيُّراً
وَقَلبِيَand my heart يَبكيweeps وَالجَوانِحُand my ribs تَلطِمُbeat
وَقَلبِيَ يَبكي وَالجَوانِحُ تَلطِمُ
I refrain from weeping for you for fear of a bad omen.
Yet my heart weeps and my ribs beat against it.
وَإِنَّand indeed جُفونيmy eyelids إِنif وَنَتthey weaken لِلَئيمَةٍdeserve blame
وَإِنَّ جُفوني إِن وَنَت لِلَئيمَةٍ
وَإِنَّand indeed فُؤاديmy heart إِنif سَلَوتُI forget لَأَلأَمُis baser still
وَإِنَّ فُؤادي إِن سَلَوتُ لَأَلأَمُ
If my eyelids falter, they deserve blame.
And if I forget, my heart is baser still.
وَأُظهِرُand I show لِلأَعداءِto the enemies فيكَon your account جَلادَةًfortitude
وَأُظهِرُ لِلأَعداءِ فيكَ جَلادَةً
وَأَكتُمُand I conceal ماwhat أَلقاهُI suffer وَاللَهُand God يَعلَمُknows
وَأَكتُمُ ما أَلقاهُ وَاللَهُ يَعلَمُ
Before enemies I show fortitude on your account.
I conceal what I suffer, and God knows.
سَأَبكيكَI shall weep for you ماas long as أَبقىleaves لِيَto me الدَهرُtime مُقلَةًan eye
سَأَبكيكَ ما أَبقى لِيَ الدَهرُ مُقلَةً
فَإِنand if عَزَّنيfails me دَمعٌa tear فَماthen not عَزَّنيfails me دَمُblood
فَإِن عَزَّني دَمعٌ فَما عَزَّني دَمُ
I shall weep for you as long as time leaves me an eye.
If tears fail me, blood will not.
وَحُكميand my judgment بُكاءُis weeping الدَهرِalways فيماover what يَنوبُنيbefalls me
وَحُكمي بُكاءُ الدَهرِ فيما يَنوبُني
وَحُكمُand Labid's judgment لَبيدٍconcerning it فيهِis a year حَولٌfully elapsed and complete مُجَرَّمُyear
وَحُكمُ لَبيدٍ فيهِ حَولٌ مُجَرَّمُ
My lot is to weep always over what befalls me.
Labid's judgment allowed grief only a full year.
وَماand not نَحنُwe إِلّاexcept وائِلٌWa'il وَمُهَلهَلٌand Muhalhil
وَما نَحنُ إِلّا وائِلٌ وَمُهَلهَلٌ
صَفاءًin affection وَإِلّاor else مالِكٌMalik وَمُتَمِّمُand Mutammim
صَفاءً وَإِلّا مالِكٌ وَمُتَمِّمُ
We are like Wa'il and Muhalhil.
In affection, or like Malik and Mutammim.
وَإِنّيand indeed I وَإِيّاهُand he لَعَينٌare an eye وَأُختُهاand its sister
وَإِنّي وَإِيّاهُ لَعَينٌ وَأُختُها
وَإِنّيand indeed I وَإِيّاهُand he لَكَفٌّare a hand وَمِعصَمُand a wrist
وَإِنّي وَإِيّاهُ لَكَفٌّ وَمِعصَمُ
He and I are an eye and its fellow.
He and I are a hand and its wrist.
تُصاحِبُناaccompany us الأَيّامُthe days فيin ثَوبِthe clothing ناصِحٍof a counselor
تُصاحِبُنا الأَيّامُ في ثَوبِ ناصِحٍ
وَيَختِلُناand ambushes us مِنهاfrom them عَلىamid الأَمنِsafety أَرقَمُa speckled serpent
وَيَختِلُنا مِنها عَلى الأَمنِ أَرقَمُ
The days accompany us dressed as a counselor.
Yet from among them a speckled serpent ambushes us in safety.
وَماand not أَغرَبَتacted strangely فيكَin your case اللَياليthe nights وَإِنَّهاand indeed they
وَما أَغرَبَت فيكَ اللَيالي وَإِنَّها
لَتَصدَعُناsurely split us مِنfrom كُلِّevery شِعبٍside وَتَثلِمُand break us
لَتَصدَعُنا مِن كُلِّ شِعبٍ وَتَثلِمُ
The nights have done nothing strange in your case;
They split us from every side and leave us broken.
طَوارِقُsudden visitations خَطبٍof calamity ماnever تُغَبُّcease وُفودُهاtheir arrivals
طَوارِقُ خَطبٍ ما تُغَبُّ وُفودُها
وَأَحداثُand events أَيّامٍof days تُغِذِّpress onward وَتُتئِمُand follow in succession
وَأَحداثُ أَيّامٍ تُغِذِّ وَتُتئِمُ
Calamities come by night, their arrivals never interrupted.
The events of days press on, following one another.
فَماso not عَرَّفَتنيthey showed me غَيرَother than ماwhat أَناI عارِفٌknow
فَما عَرَّفَتني غَيرَ ما أَنا عارِفٌ
وَلاand not عَلَّمَتنيthey taught me غَيرَother than ماwhat كُنتُI was أَعلَمُknowing
وَلا عَلَّمَتني غَيرَ ما كُنتُ أَعلَمُ
They have shown me nothing I did not already know.
Nor taught me anything I did not know before.
مَتىwhen لَمdid not تُصِبstrike مِنّاfrom among us اللَياليthe nights اِبنَa man of هَمَّةٍresolve
مَتى لَم تُصِب مِنّا اللَيالي اِبنَ هَمَّةٍ
يُجَشِّمُهاburdens him with them صَرفُthe turns الرَدىof death فَتَجَشَّمُso he bears them
يُجَشِّمُها صَرفُ الرَدى فَتَجَشَّمُ
When have the nights failed to strike one of us, a man of resolve?
The turns of death burden him, and he bears them.
تُهينُmakes cheap عَلَيناto us الحَربُwar نَفساًa life عَزيزَةًprecious
تُهينُ عَلَينا الحَربُ نَفساً عَزيزَةً
إِذاwhen عاضَناcompensates us مِنهاfor it الثَناءُpraise المُنَمنَمُfinely wrought
إِذا عاضَنا مِنها الثَناءُ المُنَمنَمُ
War makes a precious life seem cheap to us.
When finely woven praise compensates us for it.
وَإِنّيand indeed I لَغِرٌّwould be naïve إِنif رَضيتُI accepted بِصاحِبٍa companion
وَإِنّي لَغِرٌّ إِن رَضيتُ بِصاحِبٍ
يَبَشُّwho smiles وَفيهِwhile in him جانِبٌa side مُتَجَهِّمُscowling
يَبَشُّ وَفيهِ جانِبٌ مُتَجَهِّمُ
I would be naïve to accept a companion
Who smiles while another side of him scowls.
وَنَحنُand we أُناسٌare a people لاتَزالُnever cease سَراتُناour leaders
وَنَحنُ أُناسٌ لاتَزالُ سَراتُنا
لَهاfor them مَشرَبٌa drink بَينَamid المَناياdeaths وَمَطعَمُand food
لَها مَشرَبٌ بَينَ المَنايا وَمَطعَمُ
We are a people whose leaders always
Find drink and food amid mortal dangers.
نَظَرناwe looked إِلىat هَذاthis الزَمانِage وَأَهلِهِand its people
نَظَرنا إِلى هَذا الزَمانِ وَأَهلِهِ
فَهانَso became slight عَلَيناto us ماwhat يَشِتُّit scatters وَيَنظِمُand gathers
فَهانَ عَلَينا ما يَشِتُّ وَيَنظِمُ
We looked upon this age and its people.
And whatever it scatters or gathers became slight to us.
وَنَدعوand we call كَريماًgenerous مَنwhoever يَجودُgives بِمالِهِof his wealth
وَنَدعو كَريماً مَن يَجودُ بِمالِهِ
وَمَنand whoever يَبذِلُoffers النَفسَthe life الكَريمَةَprecious أَكرَمُis more generous
وَمَن يَبذِلُ النَفسَ الكَريمَةَ أَكرَمُ
We call one generous who gives his wealth.
But one who offers his precious life is more generous.
وَماand why should I لِيَnot لاgo forth أَمضيhonored حَميداًwhen my goal is وَمَطلَبيmy goal
وَما لِيَ لا أَمضي حَميداً وَمَطلَبي
بَعيدٌdistant وَماand not فِعليmy deed بِحالٍin any way مُذَمَّمُblameworthy
بَعيدٌ وَما فِعلي بِحالٍ مُذَمَّمُ
Why should I not go forward with honor, when my goal
Is far away and my conduct is in no way blameworthy?
إِذاif لَمnot يَكُنis يُنجيsaving الفِرارُflight مِنَfrom الرَدىdeath
إِذا لَم يَكُن يُنجي الفِرارُ مِنَ الرَدى
عَلىin حالَةٍany circumstance فَالصَبرُthen patience أَرجىoffers more hope وَأَحزَمُand is wiser
عَلى حالَةٍ فَالصَبرُ أَرجى وَأَحزَمُ
If flight cannot save one from death
In any circumstance, patience offers more hope and firmer judgment.
لَكَfor you اللَهُmay God protect إِنّاindeed we بَينَbetween غادٍone going forth وَرائِحٍand one returning
لَكَ اللَهُ إِنّا بَينَ غادٍ وَرائِحٍ
نُعِدُّwe prepare المَغازيcampaigns فيacross البِلادِthe lands وَنَغنَمُand take spoils
نُعِدُّ المَغازي في البِلادِ وَنَغنَمُ
May God protect you; we go and return.
We prepare campaigns across the lands and win spoils.
وَأَرماحُناand our spears فيin كُلِّevery لَبَّةِthroat فارِسٍof a horseman
وَأَرماحُنا في كُلِّ لَبَّةِ فارِسٍ
تُثَقِّبُpierce تَثقيبَlike the piercing of الجُمانِpearls وَتَنظِمُand string together
تُثَقِّبُ تَثقيبَ الجُمانِ وَتَنظِمُ
Our spears enter the throats of horsemen.
They pierce them like pearls and string them together.
سَنَضرِبُهُمwe shall strike them مادامَas long as لِلسَيفِa sword has قائِمٌa hilt
سَنَضرِبُهُم مادامَ لِلسَيفِ قائِمٌ
وَنَطعَنُهُمand thrust at them مادامَas long as لِلرُمحِa spear has لَهذَمُa point
وَنَطعَنُهُم مادامَ لِلرُمحِ لَهذَمُ
We shall strike them while swords still have hilts.
And thrust at them while spears still have points.
وَنَقفوهُمُand pursue them خَلفَbeyond الخَليجِthe gulf بِضُمَّرٍon lean horses
وَنَقفوهُمُ خَلفَ الخَليجِ بِضُمَّرٍ
تَخوضُthat ford بِحاراًseas بَعضُsome خُلجانِهاof whose inlets دَمُare blood
تَخوضُ بِحاراً بَعضُ خُلجانِها دَمُ
We shall pursue them beyond the gulf on lean horses.
They ford seas whose inlets sometimes run with blood.
بِكُلِّwith every غُلامٍyoung warrior مِنof نِزارٍNizar وَغَيرِهاand others
بِكُلِّ غُلامٍ مِن نِزارٍ وَغَيرِها
عَلَيهِupon him مِنَof الماذِيِّfine mail دِرعٌa coat of armor مُخَتَّمُclosely linked
عَلَيهِ مِنَ الماذِيِّ دِرعٌ مُخَتَّمُ
With every young warrior of Nizar and other peoples.
He wears a finely wrought coat of mail.
وَنَجنِبُand we lead ماwhat أَلقىleft الوَجيهُal-Wajih وَلاحِقٌand Lahiq
وَنَجنِبُ ما أَلقى الوَجيهُ وَلاحِقٌ
إِلىalong with كُلِّall ماthat أَبقىleft الجَديلُal-Jadil وَشَدقَمُand Shadqam
إِلى كُلِّ ما أَبقى الجَديلُ وَشَدقَمُ
We lead the horses al-Wajih and Lahiq left behind.
Along with all that al-Jadil and Shadqam left behind.
وَنَعتَقِلُand we carry الصُمَّthe stout العَوالِيَtall spears إِنَّهاindeed they
وَنَعتَقِلُ الصُمَّ العَوالِيَ إِنَّها
طَريقٌare a road إِلىto نَيلِattaining المَعاليhigh honors وَسُلَّمُand a ladder
طَريقٌ إِلى نَيلِ المَعالي وَسُلَّمُ
We carry the stout, tall spears;
They are a road and ladder to lofty deeds.
رَأَيتُهُمُI saw them يَرجونَhoping for ثَأراًvengeance بِسالِفٍfor one gone before
رَأَيتُهُمُ يَرجونَ ثَأراً بِسالِفٍ
وَفيand on كُلِّevery يَومٍday يَأخُذُtakes السَيفُthe sword مِنهُمُfrom them
وَفي كُلِّ يَومٍ يَأخُذُ السَيفُ مِنهُمُ
I saw them hoping to avenge one killed before.
Yet every day the sword takes more of them.
فَقُلso say لِاِبنِto Ibn فُقّاسٍFuqqas دَعِleave الحَربَwar جانِباًaside
فَقُل لِاِبنِ فُقّاسٍ دَعِ الحَربَ جانِباً
فَإِنَّكَfor you رومِيُّare Roman وَخَصمُكَwhile your adversary مُسلِمُis Muslim
فَإِنَّكَ رومِيُّ وَخَصمُكَ مُسلِمُ
Say to Ibn Fuqqas: leave war aside.
For you are a Roman, and your adversary is a Muslim.
فَوَجهُكَso your face مَضروبٌis struck وَأُمَّكَand your mother ثاكِلٌis bereaved
فَوَجهُكَ مَضروبٌ وَأُمَّكَ ثاكِلٌ
وَسِبطُكَand your grandson مَأسورٌis captive وَعِرسُكَand your wife أَيِّمُis widowed
وَسِبطُكَ مَأسورٌ وَعِرسُكَ أَيِّمُ
Your face is struck, and your mother bereaved.
Your grandson is captive, and your wife is widowed.
وَلَمand did not تَنبُrecoil عَنكَfrom you البيضُbright blades فيin كُلِّevery مَشهَدٍencounter
وَلَم تَنبُ عَنكَ البيضُ في كُلِّ مَشهَدٍ
وَلَكِنَّbut قَتلَkilling الشَيخِan old man فيناamong us مُحَرَّمُis forbidden
وَلَكِنَّ قَتلَ الشَيخِ فينا مُحَرَّمُ
The bright blades have not recoiled from you in any encounter;
But killing an old man is forbidden among us.
إِذاwhen ضُرِبَتare pitched فَوقَbeyond الخَليجِthe gulf قِبابُناour tents
إِذا ضُرِبَت فَوقَ الخَليجِ قِبابُنا
وَأَمسىand settles عَلَيكَupon you الذِلُّhumiliation وَهوَwhile it مُخَيِّمُis encamped
وَأَمسى عَلَيكَ الذِلُّ وَهوَ مُخَيِّمُ
When our tents are pitched beyond the gulf
And humiliation settles over you like an encampment,
وَأَدّىand pays إِلَيناto us المَلكُthe king جِزيَةَa head tribute رَأسِهِfor himself
وَأَدّى إِلَينا المَلكُ جِزيَةَ رَأسِهِ
وَفُكَّand are loosened عَنِfrom الأَسرىthe captives الوِثاقُthe bonds وَسُلِّمواand they are handed over
وَفُكَّ عَنِ الأَسرى الوِثاقُ وَسُلِّموا
And the king pays us a tribute levied on his head,
And the captives' bonds are undone and they are handed over,
فَإِنand if تَرغَبواyou desire فيreconciliation الصُلحِthen reconciliation فَالصُلحُis good صالِحٌpeace
فَإِن تَرغَبوا في الصُلحِ فَالصُلحُ صالِحٌ
وَإِنand if تَجنَحواyou incline لِلسِلمِto peace فَالسُلمُthen peace أَسلَمُis safer
وَإِن تَجنَحوا لِلسِلمِ فَالسُلمُ أَسلَمُ
If you seek reconciliation, reconciliation is good.
And if you incline to peace, peace is safer.
أَعاداتُare these the ways سَيفِof Sayf الدَولَةِal-Dawla القَرمِthe noble champion إِنَّهاindeed they
أَعاداتُ سَيفِ الدَولَةِ القَرمِ إِنَّها
لِإِحدىare among الَّذيwhat كَشَّفتَyou revealed بَلrather هِيَthey أَعظَمُare greater
لِإِحدى الَّذي كَشَّفتَ بَل هِيَ أَعظَمُ
Are these the ways of Sayf al-Dawla, the noble champion? Indeed,
They are among the things you have revealed, or greater still.
وَإِنَّand indeed لِسَيفِSayf الدَولَةِal-Dawla القَرمِthe noble champion عادَةًhas a habit
وَإِنَّ لِسَيفِ الدَولَةِ القَرمِ عادَةً
تَرومُthat seeks عُلوقُthe taming of المُعجِزاتِmarvels فَتَرأَمُso they yield
تَرومُ عُلوقُ المُعجِزاتِ فَتَرأَمُ
Sayf al-Dawla, the noble champion, has a habit:
He seeks to tame the most intractable marvels, and they yield.
وَقيلَand it was said لَهاof it سَيفُsword الهُدىof guidance قُلتُI said إِنَّهُindeed he
وَقيلَ لَها سَيفُ الهُدى قُلتُ إِنَّهُ
لَيَفعَلُsurely does خَيرُthe best الفاعِلينَof doers وَيُكرَمُand is honored
لَيَفعَلُ خَيرُ الفاعِلينَ وَيُكرَمُ
It was called the sword of guidance; I said that he
Does what the best of doers do and is honored.
أَماdid he not اِنتاشَrescue مِنfrom مَسِّthe touch الحَديدِof iron وَثُقلِهِand its weight
أَما اِنتاشَ مِن مَسِّ الحَديدِ وَثُقلِهِ
أَباAbu وائِلٍWa'il وَالبيضُwhile bright swords فيamid البيضِbright helmets تَحكُمُhold sway
أَبا وائِلٍ وَالبيضُ في البيضِ تَحكُمُ
Did he not rescue Abu Wa'il from the touch and weight of iron,
While bright swords ruled amid bright helmets?
تَجُرُّdrags عَلَيهِupon him الحَربُwar مِنfrom كُلِّevery جانِبٍside
تَجُرُّ عَلَيهِ الحَربُ مِن كُلِّ جانِبٍ
فَلاyet neither ضَجِرٌimpatient جافٍharsh وَلاnor مُتَبَرِّمُweary
فَلا ضَجِرٌ جافٍ وَلا مُتَبَرِّمُ
War assails him from every side.
Yet he is neither impatient nor harsh nor weary.
أَخوa man of عَزَماتٍresolve فيin الحُروبِbattles إِذاwhen أَتىcomes
أَخو عَزَماتٍ في الحُروبِ إِذا أَتى
أَتىcomes حادِثٌan event مِنfrom جانِبِthe side of اللَهِGod مُبرَمُdecreed
أَتى حادِثٌ مِن جانِبِ اللَهِ مُبرَمُ
A man of firm resolve in battle, when
A decree from God comes, irrevocable.
نَخِفُّwe hasten إِذاwhen ضاقَتclose in عَلَيناupon us أُمورُناour affairs
نَخِفُّ إِذا ضاقَت عَلَينا أُمورُنا
بِأَبيَضِto the bright وَجهِface الرَأيِof counsel وَالخَطبِwhile trouble مُظلِمُis dark
بِأَبيَضِ وَجهِ الرَأيِ وَالخَطبِ مُظلِمُ
When our affairs close in on us, we hasten
To the bright face of his counsel while trouble is dark.
وَنَرميand we cast بِأَمرٍa matter لانُطيقُwe cannot اِحتِمالَهُbear it
وَنَرمي بِأَمرٍ لانُطيقُ اِحتِمالَهُ
إِلىupon قَرمِناour champion وَالقَرمُand the champion بِالأَمرِwith the matter أَقوَمُis more capable
إِلى قَرمِنا وَالقَرمُ بِالأَمرِ أَقوَمُ
We cast a matter too heavy for us to bear
Upon our champion, who handles it more surely.
إِلىupon رَجُلٍa man يَلقاكَwho meets you فيin شَخصِthe person واحِدٍof one
إِلى رَجُلٍ يَلقاكَ في شَخصِ واحِدٍ
وَلَكِنَّهُbut he فيin الحَربِwar جَيشٌis an army عَرَمرَمُvast
وَلَكِنَّهُ في الحَربِ جَيشٌ عَرَمرَمُ
Upon a man you meet as a single person,
But who in battle is a vast army.
ثَقيلٌheavy عَلىupon الأَعداءِenemies أَعقابُthe effects وَطئِهِof his tread
ثَقيلٌ عَلى الأَعداءِ أَعقابُ وَطئِهِ
صَليبٌunyielding عَلىagainst أَفواهِهاtheir mouths حينَwhen تُعجَمُhe is tested
صَليبٌ عَلى أَفواهِها حينَ تُعجَمُ
The weight of his tread bears heavily on enemies.
He is hard on their mouths when they test his mettle.
وَنُمسِكُand we refrain عَنfrom بَعضِsome الأُمورِmatters مَهابَةًout of awe
وَنُمسِكُ عَن بَعضِ الأُمورِ مَهابَةً
فَيَعلَمُso he knows مايُخفيwhat conceals الضَميرُthe heart وَيَفهَمُand understands
فَيَعلَمُ مايُخفي الضَميرُ وَيَفهَمُ
We hold back from some things out of awe.
Yet he knows and understands what the heart conceals.
وَنَجنيand we commit جِناياتٍoffenses عَلَيهِagainst him يُقيلُهاhe pardons them
وَنَجني جِناياتٍ عَلَيهِ يُقيلُها
وَنُخطِئُand we err أَحياناًsometimes إِلَيهِagainst him فَيَحلَمُand he forbears
وَنُخطِئُ أَحياناً إِلَيهِ فَيَحلَمُ
We commit offenses against him, and he pardons them.
At times we wrong him, and he shows forbearance.
يَسومونَناthey demand of us فيكَfor you الفِداءَransom وَإِنَّناand indeed we
يَسومونَنا فيكَ الفِداءَ وَإِنَّنا
لَنَرجوكَsurely hope for you قَسراًby force وَالمَعاطِسُwhile noses تُرغَمُare humbled
لَنَرجوكَ قَسراً وَالمَعاطِسُ تُرغَمُ
They demand ransom from us for you, but we
Hope to reclaim you by force and humble their pride.
أَتَرضىdo you accept بِأَنthat نُعطىwe are given السَواءَequality قَسيمَناwith our rival
أَتَرضى بِأَن نُعطى السَواءَ قَسيمَنا
إِذاwhen المَجدُglory بَينَbetween الأَغلَبينَthe two dominant parties يُقَسَّمُis divided
إِذا المَجدُ بَينَ الأَغلَبينَ يُقَسَّمُ
Would you accept that our rivals receive an equal share with us
When glory is divided between the two contending sides?
وَماand not الأَسرُcaptivity غُرمٌa loss وَالبَلاءُand trial مُحَمَّدٌis praiseworthy
وَما الأَسرُ غُرمٌ وَالبَلاءُ مُحَمَّدٌ
وَلاand not النَصرُvictory غُنمٌmere gain وَالهَلاكُnor death مُذَمَّمُblameworthy
وَلا النَصرُ غُنمٌ وَالهَلاكُ مُذَمَّمُ
Captivity is no loss, and trial is praiseworthy.
Nor is victory mere gain, nor death disgrace.
لَعَمريby my life لَقَدindeed أَعذَرتُI did all I could إِنif قَلَّfew were مُسعِدٌhelpers
لَعَمري لَقَد أَعذَرتُ إِن قَلَّ مُسعِدٌ
وَأَقدَمتَand you advanced لَوif only أَنَّindeed الكَتائِبَthe battalions تُقدِمُwould advance
وَأَقدَمتَ لَو أَنَّ الكَتائِبَ تُقدِمُ
By my life, I have done all I could, though few helped.
And you advanced, if only the battalions had advanced.
دَعَوتَyou called خَلوفاًthose left behind حينَwhen تَختَلِفُcrossed القَناthe spears
دَعَوتَ خَلوفاً حينَ تَختَلِفُ القَنا
وَنادَيتَand you called صُمّاًdeaf men عَنكَto you حينَwhen تُصَمَّمُthe attack was pressed
وَنادَيتَ صُمّاً عَنكَ حينَ تُصَمَّمُ
You called to those who held back when spears crossed.
And called to men deaf to you as the attack was pressed.
وَماand not عابَكَdisgraced you اِبنَson of السابِقينَthose who preceded إِلىto العُلاhigh honor
وَما عابَكَ اِبنَ السابِقينَ إِلى العُلا
تَأَخَّرُthe delay أَقوامٍof others وَأَنتَwhile you مُقَدَّمُled
تَأَخَّرُ أَقوامٍ وَأَنتَ مُقَدَّمُ
Son of those who preceded others to high honor, you were not disgraced
By other men's delay while you led the way.
وَمالَكَand why would you لاتَلقىnot face بِمُهجَتِكَwith your life الرَدىdeath
وَمالَكَ لاتَلقى بِمُهجَتِكَ الرَدى
وَأَنتَwhile you مِنَare among القَومِthe people الَّذينَwho هُمُare truly themselves هُمُindeed
وَأَنتَ مِنَ القَومِ الَّذينَ هُمُ هُمُ
Why would you not face death with your very life,
When you belong to those people who are truly themselves?
لَعاًtake heart ياO أَخيmy brother لامَسَّكَmay it not touch you السوءُharm إِنَّهُindeed it
لَعاً يا أَخي لامَسَّكَ السوءُ إِنَّهُ
هُوَis الدَهرُtime فيin حالَيهِits two states بُؤسٌmisery وَأَنعُمُand blessings
هُوَ الدَهرُ في حالَيهِ بُؤسٌ وَأَنعُمُ
Take heart, my brother; may no harm touch you. For
Such is time: misery and blessings in its two states.
وَماand not ساءَنيwould grieve me أَنّيthat I مَكانَكَin your place عانِياًwere captive
وَما ساءَني أَنّي مَكانَكَ عانِياً
وَأُسلِمُand I surrender نَفسيmyself لِلإِسارِto captivity وَتَسلَمُwhile you are safe
وَأُسلِمُ نَفسي لِلإِسارِ وَتَسلَمُ
It would not grieve me to be a captive in your place
And surrender myself to bonds if you were safe.
طَلَبتُكَI sought you حَتّىuntil لَمnot أَجِدI found لِيَfor me مَطلَباًanother aim
طَلَبتُكَ حَتّى لَم أَجِد لِيَ مَطلَباً
وَأَقدَمتُand I advanced حَتّىuntil قَلَّfew were مَنthose who يَتَقَدَّمُadvance
وَأَقدَمتُ حَتّى قَلَّ مَن يَتَقَدَّمُ
I sought you until I had no other aim.
And I pressed forward until few would go farther.
وَماand not قَعَدَتheld back بيme عَنfrom لِحاقِكَreaching you عِلَّةٌany infirmity
وَما قَعَدَت بي عَن لِحاقِكَ عِلَّةٌ
وَلَكِنbut قَضاءٌa decree فاتَنيkept me from فيكَyou مُبرَمُfixed
وَلَكِن قَضاءٌ فاتَني فيكَ مُبرَمُ
No infirmity kept me from reaching you.
But a fixed decree kept me from you.
فَإِنand if جَلَّis immense هَذاthis الأَمرُmatter فَاللَهُthen God فَوقَهُis above it
فَإِن جَلَّ هَذا الأَمرُ فَاللَهُ فَوقَهُ
وَإِنand if عَظُمَis great المَطلوبُwhat is sought فَاللَهُthen God أَعظَمُis greater
وَإِن عَظُمَ المَطلوبُ فَاللَهُ أَعظَمُ
If this matter is immense, God is above it.
And if what we seek is great, God is greater.
وَإِنّيand indeed I لَأَخفيsurely hide فيكَfor your sake مالَيسَwhat is not خافِياًhidden
وَإِنّي لَأَخفي فيكَ مالَيسَ خافِياً
وَأَكتُمُand I conceal وَجداًlonging مِثلُهُthe like of which لايُكَتَّمُcannot be concealed
وَأَكتُمُ وَجداً مِثلُهُ لايُكَتَّمُ
For your sake I try to conceal what is plainly visible.
I hide a longing that cannot be hidden.
وَلَوand if أَنَّنيindeed I وَفَّيتُgave رُزءَكَyour loss حَقَّهُits due
وَلَو أَنَّني وَفَّيتُ رُزءَكَ حَقَّهُ
لَماthen never would خَطَّwrite ليfor me كَفٌّa hand وَلاnor فاهَwould speak ليfor me فَمُa mouth
لَما خَطَّ لي كَفٌّ وَلا فاهَ لي فَمُ
If I had given your loss all the grief it deserves,
No hand of mine would write, nor would my mouth speak.
Sol 6