مِنsince أَيِّwhat عَهدٍage فيin القُرىthe villages تَتَدَفَّقُyou flow
مِن أَيِّ عَهدٍ في القُرى تَتَدَفَّقُ
وَبِأَيِّand with what كَفٍّhand فيin المَدائِنِthe cities تُغدِقُyou lavish bounty
وَبِأَيِّ كَفٍّ في المَدائِنِ تُغدِقُ
Since what age have you flowed through the villages?
From what ancient era in the villages does it overflow,
And with what hand do you lavish bounty upon the cities?
And by whose hand in the cities does it bestow,
وَمِنَand from السَماءِheaven نَزَلتَyou descended أَمor فُجِّرتَyou were made to gush مِنfrom
وَمِنَ السَماءِ نَزَلتَ أَم فُجِّرتَ مِن
عَلياthe heights of الجِنانِthe gardens جَداوِلاًstreams تَتَرَقرَقُshimmering
عَليا الجِنانِ جَداوِلاً تَتَرَقرَقُ
Did you descend from heaven, or were you made to spring from
Did it descend from the sky or was it made to gush forth
the loftiest gardens, as shimmering streams?
From the exalted gardens, brooks that murmur and babble?
وَبِأَيِّand from which عَينٍspring أَمor بِأَيَّةِfrom which مُزنَةٍraincloud
وَبِأَيِّ عَينٍ أَم بِأَيَّةِ مُزنَةٍ
أَمor أَيِّwhich طوفانٍdeluge تَفيضُyou overflow وَتَفهَقُand pour abundantly
أَم أَيِّ طوفانٍ تَفيضُ وَتَفهَقُ
From which spring, or from which raincloud,
With what eye or with what balance,
or which deluge do you overflow and pour abundantly?
Or with what deluge does it pour forth and roar?
وَبِأَيِّand on what نَولٍloom أَنتَyou ناسِجُweaver of بُردَةٍa mantle
وَبِأَيِّ نَولٍ أَنتَ ناسِجُ بُردَةٍ
لِلضِفَّتَينِfor both banks جَديدُهاits freshness لاnot يُخلَقُwears out
لِلضِفَّتَينِ جَديدُها لا يُخلَقُ
And on what loom do you weave a mantle
With what descent are you weaving a cloak,
for both banks, whose freshness never wears away?
Its new wool for the banks not worn out?
تَسوَدُّit darkens ديباجاًbrocade إِذاwhen فارَقتَهاyou leave it
تَسوَدُّ ديباجاً إِذا فارَقتَها
فَإِذاthen when حَضَرتَyou arrive اِخضَوضَرَturns deep green الإِستَبرَقُthe rich silk
فَإِذا حَضَرتَ اِخضَوضَرَ الإِستَبرَقُ
It darkens into brocade when you leave it;
It darkens to black when you leave it
when you return, the rich silk turns deep green.
And when you come it lightens to white brocade,
فيat كُلِّevery آوِنَةٍmoment تُبَدِّلُyou change صِبغَةًa dye
في كُلِّ آوِنَةٍ تُبَدِّلُ صِبغَةً
عَجَباًa marvel وَأَنتَand you الصابِغُthe dyer المُتَأَنِّقُthe artful one
عَجَباً وَأَنتَ الصابِغُ المُتَأَنِّقُ
At every moment you change its dye:
In every moment you change its dye,
a marvel, for you are the artful dyer.
Wondrous! And you are the dyer, the elegant.
أَتَتِhave passed الدُهورُthe ages عَلَيكَover you مَهدُكَyour cradle مُترَعٌbrimming
أَتَتِ الدُهورُ عَلَيكَ مَهدُكَ مُترَعٌ
وَحِياضُكَand your pools الشُرقُbrimful الشَهِيَّةُdelightful دُفَّقُgushing
وَحِياضُكَ الشُرقُ الشَهِيَّةُ دُفَّقُ
Ages have passed over you, your cradle brimming,
The ages came to you, your cradle spacious,
your pools full, delightful, and gushing.
And your meadow the resplendent East overflowing,
تَسقيyou give drink وَتُطعِمُand feed لاnot إِناؤُكَyour vessel ضائِقٌcramped
تَسقي وَتُطعِمُ لا إِناؤُكَ ضائِقٌ
بِالوارِدينَby those coming to drink وَلاnor خُوّانُكَyour table يَنفُقُruns out
بِالوارِدينَ وَلا خُوّانُكَ يَنفُقُ
You give drink and food: your vessel is never cramped
You give drink and food, your vessel not stingy
by those coming to drink, nor does your table run out.
To those who arrive, nor are your servers sparing,
وَالماءُand the water تَسكُبُهُyou pour it فَيُسبَكُso it is cast عَسجَداًas gold
وَالماءُ تَسكُبُهُ فَيُسبَكُ عَسجَداً
وَالأَرضُand the land تُغرِقُهاyou flood it فَيَحياso lives المُغرَقُthe flooded one
وَالأَرضُ تُغرِقُها فَيَحيا المُغرَقُ
You pour water, and it is cast into gold;
You spill the water so it flows limpid
you flood the land, and the flooded lives.
And soak the land so the drowned live,
تُعيbaffle مَنابِعُكَyour sources العُقولَthe minds وَيَستَويand are equal
تُعي مَنابِعُكَ العُقولَ وَيَستَوي
مُتَخَبِّطٌa bewildered seeker فيin عِلمِهاknowing them وَمُحَقِّقُand a careful investigator
مُتَخَبِّطٌ في عِلمِها وَمُحَقِّقُ
Your sources baffle minds, and equal are
Your springs bewilder minds, and the student
the bewildered seeker and the careful investigator in knowing them.
Flounders in its knowledge, and the researcher probes,
أَخلَقتَyou wore out راووقَthe filter of الدُهورِthe ages وَلَمand not تَزَلcease
أَخلَقتَ راووقَ الدُهورِ وَلَم تَزَل
بِكَin you حَمأَةٌmud كَالمِسكِlike musk لاnot تَتَرَوَّقُbecomes clear
بِكَ حَمأَةٌ كَالمِسكِ لا تَتَرَوَّقُ
You have worn out the filter of the ages, yet still
You created the basil of the ages, and have not ceased
you bear mud like musk that never clears.
To have a crimson like musk not fading,
حَمراءُred فيin الأَحواضِthe basins إِلّاexcept أَنَّهاthat it
حَمراءُ في الأَحواضِ إِلّا أَنَّها
بَيضاءُwhite فيon عُنُقِthe neck of الثَرىthe soil تَتَأَلَّقُit gleams
بَيضاءُ في عُنُقِ الثَرى تَتَأَلَّقُ
Red in the basins, yet
Red in the ponds, except that it is
white and gleaming upon the soil's neck.
White on the land’s neck, sparkling,
دينُthe faith of الأَوائِلِthe ancients فيكَin you دينُa faith of مُروءَةٍnobility
دينُ الأَوائِلِ فيكَ دينُ مُروءَةٍ
لِمَwhy لاnot يُؤَلَّهُis deified مَنone who يَقوتُsustains وَيَرزُقُand provides
لِمَ لا يُؤَلَّهُ مَن يَقوتُ وَيَرزُقُ
The ancients' faith in you was a faith of nobility:
The religion of the ancients in you is the creed of glory,
why should one who feeds and provides not be deified?
Why shouldn’t the one you nourish and sustain deify you?
لَوif أَنَّthat مَخلوقاًa creature يُؤَلَّهُwere deified لَمnot تَكُنwould be
لَو أَنَّ مَخلوقاً يُؤَلَّهُ لَم تَكُن
لِسِواكَfor anyone but you مَرتَبَةُthe rank of الأُلوهَةِdivinity تَخلُقُbefits
لِسِواكَ مَرتَبَةُ الأُلوهَةِ تَخلُقُ
If any creature could be deified, then
If a creature were deified, your place would not be
the rank of divinity would befit none but you.
The station of divinity, exalted,
جَعَلواthey made الهَوىlove لَكَfor you وَالوَقارَand reverence عِبادَةًworship
جَعَلوا الهَوى لَكَ وَالوَقارَ عِبادَةً
إِنَّindeed العِبادَةَworship حَشيَةٌreverent fear (reading: khashya) وَتَعَلُّقُand attachment
إِنَّ العِبادَةَ حَشيَةٌ وَتَعَلُّقُ
They made love and reverence for you worship;
They made passion for you and dignity a worship,
worship is reverent fear and attachment.
Since worship is awe and attachment,
دانواthey believed بِبَحرٍin a sea بِالمَكارِمِwith noble gifts زاخِرٍoverflowing
دانوا بِبَحرٍ بِالمَكارِمِ زاخِرٍ
عَذبِsweet المَشارِعِthe watering places مَدُّهُits flood لاnot يُلحَقُcan be matched
عَذبِ المَشارِعِ مَدُّهُ لا يُلحَقُ
They worshipped a sea overflowing with noble gifts,
They professed a sea abundant in noble deeds,
sweet at its watering places, its flood beyond matching.
Sweet are its ways, its abundance unmatched,
مُتَقَيِّدٌbound بِعُهودِهِby its covenants وَوُعودِهِand its promises
مُتَقَيِّدٌ بِعُهودِهِ وَوُعودِهِ
يَجريit flows عَلىalong سَنَنِthe path of الوَفاءِfidelity وَيَصدُقُand keeps faith
يَجري عَلى سَنَنِ الوَفاءِ وَيَصدُقُ
Bound by its covenants and promises,
Bound to his pacts and promises,
it follows fidelity's path and keeps faith.
Flowing with the ways of loyalty and truthful,
يَتَقَبَّلُreceives الواديthe valley الحَياةَlife كَريمَةًgenerous
يَتَقَبَّلُ الوادي الحَياةَ كَريمَةً
مِنfrom راحَتَيكَyour two palms عَميمَةًall-embracing تَتَدَفَّقُflowing
مِن راحَتَيكَ عَميمَةً تَتَدَفَّقُ
The valley receives life generously
The valley welcomes from your rest a generous life
from your two palms, flowing and all-embracing.
Flooding, turning from side to side in your bliss then leafing,
مُتَقَلِّبُturning الجَنبَينِon both sides فيamid نَعمائِهِits blessings
مُتَقَلِّبُ الجَنبَينِ في نَعمائِهِ
يَعرىit becomes bare وَيُصبَغُand is dyed فيin نَداكَyour bounty فَيورِقُthen sprouts leaves
يَعرى وَيُصبَغُ في نَداكَ فَيورِقُ
It turns from side to side amid its blessings,
It spends the night fertile in its soil and blessing
lies bare, is dyed in your bounty, and puts forth leaves.
And it is flooded by the water of life nourishing it,
فَيَبيتُso it spends the night خِصباًfertile فيin ثَراهُits soil وَنِعمَةٍand blessing
فَيَبيتُ خِصباً في ثَراهُ وَنِعمَةٍ
وَيَعُمُّهُand envelops it ماءُthe water of الحَياةِlife الموسِقِfruit-laden
وَيَعُمُّهُ ماءُ الحَياةِ الموسِقِ
It spends the night fertile in its soil and blessed,
And to you after God it returns, under you,
and the fruit-laden water of life envelops it.
Whatever withers or dies or runs out,
وَإِلَيكَand to you بَعدَafter اللَهِGod يَرجِعُreverts تَحتَهُbeneath it
وَإِلَيكَ بَعدَ اللَهِ يَرجِعُ تَحتَهُ
ماwhatever جَفَّhas dried أَوor ماwhatever ماتَhas died أَوor ماwhatever يَنفُقُperishes
ما جَفَّ أَو ما ماتَ أَو ما يَنفُقُ
To you, after God, reverts all beneath it:
Where are the mighty Pharaohs with whom
whatever dries, dies, or perishes.
Jesus and Joseph and the revered Moses contended?
أَينَwhere الفَراعِنَةُthe pharaohs الأُلىwho اِستَذرىsought shelter بِهِمwith them
أَينَ الفَراعِنَةُ الأُلى اِستَذرى بِهِم
عيسىJesus وَيوسُفُand Joseph وَالكَليمُand God's interlocutor المُصعَقُstruck senseless
عيسى وَيوسُفُ وَالكَليمُ المُصعَقُ
Where are the pharaohs with whom sought shelter
The ones who watered the people at a spring of wisdom,
Jesus, Joseph, and God's interlocutor, struck senseless?
To which the prophets came to drink,
المورِدونَthose leading to water الناسَthe people مَنهَلَa watering place of حِكمَةٍwisdom
المورِدونَ الناسَ مَنهَلَ حِكمَةٍ
أَفضىcame إِلَيهِto it الأَنبِياءُthe prophets لِيَستَقواto draw water
أَفضى إِلَيهِ الأَنبِياءُ لِيَستَقوا
Who led people to a watering place of wisdom,
The ones who raised their fathers to the morning glow,
where prophets came to draw water?
So the bright sun is their origin sparkling,
الرافِعونَthose raising إِلىto الضُحىthe morning light آباءَهُمtheir fathers
الرافِعونَ إِلى الضُحى آباءَهُم
فَالشَمسُfor the sun أَصلُهُمُtheir ancestor الوَضيءُradiant المُعرِقُdeep-rooted
فَالشَمسُ أَصلُهُمُ الوَضيءُ المُعرِقُ
Who raised their fathers' lineage to the morning light:
And as if between decay and their graves
the sun is their radiant, deep-rooted ancestor.
Lies a pact not to touch or move,
وَكَأَنَّماand as though بَينَbetween البِلىdecay وَقُبورِهِمand their tombs
وَكَأَنَّما بَينَ البِلى وَقُبورِهِم
عَهدٌa covenant عَلىstipulating أَنthat لاno مِساسَtouching وَمَوثِقُand a pledge
عَهدٌ عَلى أَن لا مِساسَ وَمَوثِقُ
As though between decay and their tombs
So their veil below the soil out of awe
there were a covenant against touching, and a binding pledge.
Is like their veil above the soil, intact,
فَحِجابُهُمso their veil تَحتَbeneath الثَرىthe soil مِنof هَيبَةٍawe
فَحِجابُهُم تَحتَ الثَرى مِن هَيبَةٍ
كَحِجابِهِمlike their veil فَوقَabove الثَرىthe soil لاnot يُخرَقُis pierced
كَحِجابِهِم فَوقَ الثَرى لا يُخرَقُ
Their veil beneath the soil is woven of awe,
They attained the truth of a life whose curtains
like their veil above the soil, never pierced.
Are dense and whose secret is locked,
بَلَغواthey reached الحَقيقَةَthe truth مِنof حَياةٍlife عِلمُهاknowledge of it
بَلَغوا الحَقيقَةَ مِن حَياةٍ عِلمُها
حُجُبٌveils مُكَثَّفَةٌdense وَسِرٌّand a mystery مُغلَقُsealed
حُجُبٌ مُكَثَّفَةٌ وَسِرٌّ مُغلَقُ
They reached the truth of a life whose knowledge
And they saw the meaning of existence so they did not see
is dense veils and a sealed mystery.
Apart from eternity, happiness achieved,
وَتَبَيَّنواand discerned مَعنىthe meaning of الوُجودِexistence فَلَمso not يَرَواthey saw
وَتَبَيَّنوا مَعنى الوُجودِ فَلَم يَرَوا
دونَshort of الخُلودِimmortality سَعادَةًhappiness تَتَحَقَّقُcoming true
دونَ الخُلودِ سَعادَةً تَتَحَقَّقُ
They discerned existence's meaning and saw
They build for the world as is built for them
no happiness fulfilled short of immortality.
By separation's ravens in it cawing,
يَبنونَthey build لِلدُنياfor this world كَماas تَبنيit builds لَهُمfor them
يَبنونَ لِلدُنيا كَما تَبني لَهُم
خِرَباًruins غُرابُthe raven of البَينِseparation فيهاin them يَنعَقُcroaks
خِرَباً غُرابُ البَينِ فيها يَنعَقُ
They built for this world as it builds for them:
So their palaces are huts and nomads' homes
ruins where the raven of separation croaks.
While their graves are lofty towering edifices,
فَقُصورُهُمso their palaces كوخٌa hut وَبَيتُand a house of بَداوَةٍnomadic life
فَقُصورُهُم كوخٌ وَبَيتُ بَداوَةٍ
وَقُبورُهُمand their tombs صَرحٌa grand edifice أَشَمُّlofty وَجَوسَقُand a palace
وَقُبورُهُم صَرحٌ أَشَمُّ وَجَوسَقُ
Their palaces are a hut and a nomad's house;
They raised for it columns and porches
their tombs a lofty edifice and a palace.
As pillars, so it became an unassailable wall,
رَفَعواthey raised لَهاfor them مِنfrom جَندَلٍboulders وَصَفائِحٍand slabs
رَفَعوا لَها مِن جَندَلٍ وَصَفائِحٍ
عَمَداًpillars فَكانَتso they became حائِطاًa wall لاnot يُنتَقُcan be uprooted
عَمَداً فَكانَت حائِطاً لا يُنتَقُ
They raised for them, from boulders and slabs,
The two houses overlap in it yet no
pillars that became a wall no one could uproot.
World appears nor another concealed truthful,
تَتَشايَعُuphold each other الدارانِthe two abodes فيهِin it فَماso what بَداis visible
تَتَشايَعُ الدارانِ فيهِ فَما بَدا
دُنياthis world وَماand what لَمnot يَبدُappears أُخرىthe hereafter تَصدُقُproves true
دُنيا وَما لَم يَبدُ أُخرى تَصدُقُ
The two abodes uphold each other in it: what appears
For death a secret lies under it and its enclosure
is this world; what remains unseen is a true hereafter.
Is like a fence round the hidden closet dug,
لِلمَوتِdeath has سِرٌّa secret تَحتَهُbeneath it وَجِدارُهُand its wall
لِلمَوتِ سِرٌّ تَحتَهُ وَجِدارُهُ
سورٌa rampart عَلىaround السِرِّthe secret الخَفِيِّhidden وَخَندَقُand a moat
سورٌ عَلى السِرِّ الخَفِيِّ وَخَندَقُ
Death has a secret beneath it, and its wall
And as if their dwelling in the earth’s depths
is a rampart and moat around the hidden secret.
Lies between an inn and an inn, an apartment,
وَكَأَنَّand as though مَنزِلَهُمtheir dwelling بِأَعماقِin the depths of الثَرىthe soil
وَكَأَنَّ مَنزِلَهُم بِأَعماقِ الثَرى
بَينَbetween المَحَلَّةِone abode وَالمَحَلَّةِand another abode فُندُقُan inn
بَينَ المَحَلَّةِ وَالمَحَلَّةِ فُندُقُ
As though their dwelling in the earth's depths
Abundant are their provisions under the soil,
were an inn between one abode and another.
Ample around them in the caves sealed,
مَوفورَةٌabundant تَحتَbeneath الثَرىthe soil أَزوادُهُمtheir provisions
مَوفورَةٌ تَحتَ الثَرى أَزوادُهُم
رَحبٌspacious بِهِمfor them بَينَamong الكُهوفِthe caves المُطبِقُthe enclosure
رَحبٌ بِهِم بَينَ الكُهوفِ المُطبِقُ
Their provisions are abundant beneath the soil;
And to whom are temples whose builder raised them
the enclosure among the caves is spacious for them.
High between the floods and the soil, tiered,
وَلِمَنand whose هَياكِلُtemples قَدindeed عَلاrose البانيthe builder بِهاwith them
وَلِمَن هَياكِلُ قَد عَلا الباني بِها
بَينَbetween الثُرَيّاthe Pleiades وَالثَرىand the earth تَتَنَسَّقُare arrayed
بَينَ الثُرَيّا وَالثَرى تَتَنَسَّقُ
And whose are these temples their builder raised,
Some erected like towers while others
arrayed between the Pleiades and the earth?
Lie like a prone mountain range, marked,
مِنهاamong them المُشَيَّدُthe lofty structure كَالبُروجِlike towers وَبَعضُهاand some of them
مِنها المُشَيَّدُ كَالبُروجِ وَبَعضُها
كَالطَودِlike a mountain مُضطَجِعٌreclining أَشَمُّlofty مُنَطَّقُgirdled
كَالطَودِ مُضطَجِعٌ أَشَمُّ مُنَطَّقُ
Some stand high like towers, and some
New as if their first era, and around them
recline like a lofty, girdled mountain.
The earth and the horizon age and grow old,
جُدُدٌfresh كَأَوَّلِas at the first عَهدِهاof their days وَحِيالَهاwhile around them
جُدُدٌ كَأَوَّلِ عَهدِها وَحِيالَها
تَتَقادَمُgrows old الأَرضُthe earth الفَضاءُopen وَتَعتُقُand ages
تَتَقادَمُ الأَرضُ الفَضاءُ وَتَعتُقُ
Fresh as in their earliest days, while around them
The face of the earth is strained by any weight
the open earth grows old and ages.
That tires it, and cramped by all that climbs it,
مِنof كُلِّevery ثِقلٍweight كاهِلُthe shoulders of الدُنياthe world بِهِunder it
مِن كُلِّ ثِقلٍ كاهِلُ الدُنيا بِهِ
تَعِبٌweary وَوَجهُand the face of الأَرضِthe earth عَنهُfor it ضَيِّقُcramped
تَعِبٌ وَوَجهُ الأَرضِ عَنهُ ضَيِّقُ
Each is a weight beneath which the world's shoulders
High upon the arm of decay, none can discern
grow weary, and the earth's face has too little room.
What summits it or scales its ascent circling,
عالٍlofty عَلىbeyond باعِthe reach of البِلىdecay لاnot يَهتَديfinds a way
عالٍ عَلى باعِ البِلى لا يَهتَدي
ماwhat يَعتَليto mount مِنهُof it وَماand what يَتَسَلَّقُto climb
ما يَعتَلي مِنهُ وَما يَتَسَلَّقُ
High beyond decay's reach, which cannot find
Fixed like a mountain, its root in the soil
what part to mount, or where to climb.
And its branch in the inviolable sphere soaring,
مُتَمَكِّنٌfirmly rooted كَالطَودِlike a mountain أَصلاًat the root فيin الثَرىthe soil
مُتَمَكِّنٌ كَالطَودِ أَصلاً في الثَرى
وَالفَرعُand the summit فيin حَرَمِthe sanctuary of السَماءِheaven مُحَلِّقُsoaring
وَالفَرعُ في حَرَمِ السَماءِ مُحَلِّقُ
Rooted in the soil as firmly as a mountain,
Built of darkness's essence except that
its summit soars into heaven's sanctuary.
Its darkness lightens and the dawn breaks from it,
هِيَthey مِنamong بِناءِworks of الظُلمِtyranny إِلّاexcept أَنَّهُthat it
هِيَ مِن بِناءِ الظُلمِ إِلّا أَنَّهُ
يَبيَضُّgrows white وَجهُthe face of الظُلمِtyranny مِنهُfrom it وَيُشرِقُand shines
يَبيَضُّ وَجهُ الظُلمِ مِنهُ وَيُشرِقُ
They are works of tyranny, yet through them
No eras with them have burdened kings
tyranny's face grows white and radiant.
With a pride for them remaining and a fragrance lingering,
لَمnot يُرهِقِburdened الأُمَمَthe nations المُلوكُthe kings بِمِثلِهاwith their like
لَم يُرهِقِ الأُمَمَ المُلوكُ بِمِثلِها
فَخراًas glory لَهُمfor them يَبقىendures وَذِكراًand a remembrance يَعبَقُis fragrant
فَخراً لَهُم يَبقى وَذِكراً يَعبَقُ
Kings never burdened nations with their like:
Your banks have tempted mortals, who cease not
glory that endures for them, and a fragrant remembrance.
To perform pilgrimage to them or gaze at them,
فُتِنَتwere enchanted بِشَطَّيكَby your two shores العِبادُthe people فَلَمso not يَزَلhas ceased
فُتِنَت بِشَطَّيكَ العِبادُ فَلَم يَزَل
قاصٍone from afar يَحُجُّهُماmakes pilgrimage to both وَدانٍand one nearby يَرمُقُgazes
قاصٍ يَحُجُّهُما وَدانٍ يَرمُقُ
People were enchanted by your two shores; still
And the ages have taken their fill from you as if
the distant make pilgrimage to them, and the nearby gaze.
In every direction stands aloft sweet incense burning,
وَتَضَوَّعَتand grew fragrant مِنكَfrom you الدُهورِthe ages كَأَنَّماas though
وَتَضَوَّعَت مِنكَ الدُهورِ كَأَنَّما
فيin كُلِّevery ناحِيَةٍregion بَخورٌincense يُحرَقُis burned
في كُلِّ ناحِيَةٍ بَخورٌ يُحرَقُ
The ages grew fragrant from you, as though
Upon thrones they met restoring glory
incense were burning in every region.
Snatching back disgrace, no longer cringing,
وَتَقابَلَتand faced each other فيهاwithin them عَلىupon السُرُرِthe couches الدُمىthe effigies
وَتَقابَلَت فيها عَلى السُرُرِ الدُمى
مُستَردِياتِwearing cloaks of الذُلِّabasement لاnot تَتَفَتَّقُcome apart
مُستَردِياتِ الذُلِّ لا تَتَفَتَّقُ
Within them, effigies face each other upon couches,
They neglected and Sheba's Belqis took from his jewelry
wearing robes of abasement that never come apart.
And came to you passionate, her wrap gathered,
عَطَلَتwere stripped of adornment وَكانَand was مَكانُهُنَّtheir station مِنَof العُلىgrandeur
عَطَلَت وَكانَ مَكانُهُنَّ مِنَ العُلى
بَلقيسُBilqis تَقبِسُborrows مِنfrom حُلاهُits adornments وَتَسرِقُand steals
بَلقيسُ تَقبِسُ مِن حُلاهُ وَتَسرِقُ
Their jewels are gone, though their station was so exalted
She removed for you her modesty and her life—
that Bilqis borrowed and stole from its adornments.
Is aught dearer than these two things offered?
وَعَلاand rose عَلَيهُنَّover them التُرابُdust وَلَمand not يَكُنhad been
وَعَلا عَلَيهُنَّ التُرابُ وَلَم يَكُن
يَزكوenhancing بِهِنَّthem سِوىexcept العَبيرُperfume وَيَلبَقُand fitting
يَزكو بِهِنَّ سِوى العَبيرُ وَيَلبَقُ
Dust rose over them, though nothing
And when love is fulfilled and the ransom agreed
but perfume had enhanced them and suited them.
The soul stands at sacrifice's door most fitting,
حُجُراتُهاtheir chambers مَوطوءَةٌtrodden وَسُتورُهاand their curtains
حُجُراتُها مَوطوءَةٌ وَسُتورُها
مَهتوكَةٌrent بِيَدِby the hand of البِلىdecay تَتَخَرَّقُare torn apart
مَهتوكَةٌ بِيَدِ البِلى تَتَخَرَّقُ
Their chambers are trodden, their curtains
This lower world is but primordial clay
rent, torn apart by decay's hand.
In it, illumination and darkening,
أَودىdestroyed بِزينَتِهاtheir adornment الزَمانُtime وَحَليِهاand their jewelry
أَودى بِزينَتِها الزَمانُ وَحَليِها
وَالحُسنُyet beauty باقٍremains وَالشَبابُand youth الرَيِّقُfresh
وَالحُسنُ باقٍ وَالشَبابُ الرَيِّقُ
Time destroyed their adornment and jewelry,
In it is the general fertility a leaven
yet beauty remains, and fresh youth.
From which flows what it carried to the land bursting,
لَوif رُدَّwere brought back فِرعَونُPharaoh الغَداةَthis morning لَراعَهُit would alarm him
لَو رُدَّ فِرعَونُ الغَداةَ لَراعَهُ
أَنَّthat الغَرانيقَthe idols العُلىlofty لاnot تَنطِقُspeak
أَنَّ الغَرانيقَ العُلى لا تَنطِقُ
If Pharaoh were brought back this morning, it would alarm him
In it was no place for increase
that the lofty idols do not speak.
And from its protective heat decrease enters not,
خَلَعَbestowed الزَمانُtime عَلىupon الوَرىhumanity أَيّامَهُits days
خَلَعَ الزَمانُ عَلى الوَرى أَيّامَهُ
فَإِذاand behold الضُحىmorning light لَكَfor you حِصَّةٌa share وَالرَونَقُand splendor
فَإِذا الضُحى لَكَ حِصَّةٌ وَالرَونَقُ
Time bestowed its days upon humanity,
Scattered on earth, organizing the soil
and behold, morning light and splendor are your share.
And taking from what is in the sky attached,
لَكَfor you مِنof مَواسِمِهِits festivals وَمِنand of أَعيادِهِits feast days
لَكَ مِن مَواسِمِهِ وَمِن أَعيادِهِ
ماwhat تَحسِرُgrow weary الأَبصارُthe eyes فيهِat it وَتَبرَقُand gleam
ما تَحسِرُ الأَبصارُ فيهِ وَتَبرَقُ
Yours among its festivals and feast days are wonders
From it comes our life and its opposite,
at which eyes grow weary and gleam.
Ever we return to it and from it are created,
لاnot الفُرسُthe Persians أوتواwere given مِثلَهُits like يَوماًever وَلاnor
لا الفُرسُ أوتوا مِثلَهُ يَوماً وَلا
بَغدادُBaghdad فيin ظِلِّthe reign of الرَشيدِal-Rashid وَجِلَّقُand Jilliq
بَغدادُ في ظِلِّ الرَشيدِ وَجِلَّقُ
Neither the Persians were ever given their like, nor
And crops, their grains are wholesome and their seeds
Baghdad under al-Rashid, nor Jilliq.
Emerge from it, this and that split open,
فَتحُthe conquest of المَمالِكِkingdoms أَوor قِيامُthe raising of العِجلِthe calf أَوor
فَتحُ المَمالِكِ أَو قِيامُ العِجلِ أَو
يَومُthe day of القُبورِtombs أَوِor الزَفافُthe wedding المونِقُlovely
يَومُ القُبورِ أَوِ الزَفافُ المونِقُ
The conquest of kingdoms, the raising of the calf, or
And it braces the bees' house, so it is laden with honey
the day of tombs, or a lovely wedding.
And props the ants' house, so it is burrowed,
كَمhow many مَوكِبٍa procession تَتَخايَلُparades proudly الدُنياthe world بِهِwith it
كَم مَوكِبٍ تَتَخايَلُ الدُنيا بِهِ
يُجلىis displayed كَماas تُجلىare displayed النُجومُthe stars وَيُنسَقُand is arrayed
يُجلى كَما تُجلى النُجومُ وَيُنسَقُ
How many a procession the world proudly parades,
And it remains between the forces of life, wonders,
displayed like the stars and arrayed in order!
Neither settling permanently nor being eradicated,
فِرعَونُPharaoh فيهِin it مِنَamong الكَتائِبِthe battalions مُقبِلٌapproaching
فِرعَونُ فيهِ مِنَ الكَتائِبِ مُقبِلٌ
كَالسُحبِlike clouds قَرنُthe rim of الشَمسِthe sun مِنهاfrom them مُفتِقُbreaking forth
كَالسُحبِ قَرنُ الشَمسِ مِنها مُفتِقُ
In it Pharaoh approaches amid battalions,
It is the word of God Almighty and His spirit
like clouds from which the sun's rim breaks forth.
In all creatures and His secret concealed,
تَعنوbow لِعِزَّتِهِto his might الوُجوهُthe faces وَوَجهُهُand his face
تَعنو لِعِزَّتِهِ الوُجوهُ وَوَجهُهُ
لِلشَمسِto the sun فيupon الآفاقِthe horizons عانٍbowed مُطرِقُdowncast
لِلشَمسِ في الآفاقِ عانٍ مُطرِقُ
Faces bow before his might, while his own face
In star and moon its manifestation when
bows, downcast, to the sun upon the horizons.
They rise on the world and the hour beats,
آبَتreturned مِنَfrom السَفَرِthe journey البَعيدِdistant جُنودُهُhis troops
آبَت مِنَ السَفَرِ البَعيدِ جُنودُهُ
وَأَتَتهُand came to him بِالفَتحِwith victory السَعيدِjoyful الفَيلَقُthe host
وَأَتَتهُ بِالفَتحِ السَعيدِ الفَيلَقُ
His troops returned from their distant journey,
Atom and boulder of what He rounded
and the host brought him joyful victory.
And elephant of what He shaped and ostriches,
وَمَشىand walked المُلوكُthe kings مُصَفَّدينَshackled خُدودُهُمtheir cheeks
وَمَشى المُلوكُ مُصَفَّدينَ خُدودُهُم
نَعلٌa sandal لِفِرعَونَfor Pharaoh العَظيمِmighty وَنُمرُقُand a cushion
نَعلٌ لِفِرعَونَ العَظيمِ وَنُمرُقُ
Kings walked shackled, their cheeks
So early minds were tempted and deified
a sandal and cushion for mighty Pharaoh.
What awes and rends from everything piercing,
مَملوكَةٌowned أَعناقُهُمtheir necks لِيَمينِهِby his right hand
مَملوكَةٌ أَعناقُهُم لِيَمينِهِ
يَأبىhe refuses فَيَضرِبُthen strikes أَوor يَمُنُّgrants grace فَيُعتِقُthen frees
يَأبى فَيَضرِبُ أَو يَمُنُّ فَيُعتِقُ
Their necks belong to his right hand:
They bowed to a creature and thought creator
he refuses and strikes, or grants grace and frees.
What cannot in darkness distinguish and differentiate,
وَنَجيبَةٍand a noble maiden بَينَbetween الطُفولَةِchildhood وَالصِباand youth
وَنَجيبَةٍ بَينَ الطُفولَةِ وَالصِبا
عَذراءَa virgin تَشرَبُهاdrink her in القُلوبُthe hearts وَتَعلَقُand cling
عَذراءَ تَشرَبُها القُلوبُ وَتَعلَقُ
And many a noble maiden, between childhood and youth,
And when they performed pilgrimage to the graves you'd think them
a virgin whom hearts drink in and cling to.
The substitute for the holy, pure of sins,
كانَwas الزَفافُthe wedding إِلَيكَto you غايَةَthe utmost of حَظِّهاher fortune
كانَ الزَفافُ إِلَيكَ غايَةَ حَظِّها
وَالحَظُّand fortune إِنif بَلَغَreaches النِهايَةَthe limit موبِقُruinous
وَالحَظُّ إِن بَلَغَ النِهايَةَ موبِقُ
Her wedding to you was the utmost of her fortune;
They come to Thebes with offerings ahead of them
fortune, when it reaches its limit, brings ruin.
Covering cities and villages and layering them,
لافَيتَyou encountered أَعراساًweddings وَلافَتand she encountered مَأتَماًmourning
لافَيتَ أَعراساً وَلافَت مَأتَماً
كَالشَيخِlike an old man يَنعَمُdelights بِالفَتاةِin the girl وَتُزهَقُwhile she perishes
كَالشَيخِ يَنعَمُ بِالفَتاةِ وَتُزهَقُ
You encountered weddings; she encountered mourning,
So voyagers crammed with pilgrims as if they are
like an old man delighting in a girl while she perishes.
Darts vying or arrows darting,
فيin كُلِّevery عامٍyear دُرَّةٌa pearl تُلقىis thrown بِلاwithout
في كُلِّ عامٍ دُرَّةٌ تُلقى بِلا
ثَمَنٍa price إِلَيكَto you وَحُرَّةٌand a freeborn woman لاnot تُصدَقُis given a dowry
ثَمَنٍ إِلَيكَ وَحُرَّةٌ لا تُصدَقُ
Every year a pearl is thrown, without
From a shore where life resides to a shore
a price, to you: a freeborn woman given no dowry.
That is the resting place of those preceding and a harbor,
حَولٌa year تُسائِلُshe questions فيهِin it كُلُّevery نَجيبَةٍnoble maiden
حَولٌ تُسائِلُ فيهِ كُلُّ نَجيبَةٍ
سَبَقَتwent before إِلَيكَto you مَتىwhen يَحولُit turns فَتَلحَقُso she follows
سَبَقَت إِلَيكَ مَتى يَحولُ فَتَلحَقُ
A year in which she questions every noble maiden
They passed away with the sunset in it and lay equal
who went to you before: when will it turn, that she may follow?
Shah and beggar in the soil and a pallet,
وَالمَجدُand glory عِندَamong الغانِياتِbeautiful women رَغيبَةٌa coveted thing
وَالمَجدُ عِندَ الغانِياتِ رَغيبَةٌ
يُبغىis sought كَماas يُبغىis sought الجَمالُbeauty وَيُعشَقُand is loved
يُبغى كَما يُبغى الجَمالُ وَيُعشَقُ
Glory is a coveted thing among beautiful women,
There the barrows in the open are like
sought as beauty is sought, and loved.
Bits of clouds or a fading mirage,
إِنif زَوَّجوكَthey married you بِهِنَّto them فَهيَthen it is عَقيدَةٌa belief
إِن زَوَّجوكَ بِهِنَّ فَهيَ عَقيدَةٌ
وَمِنَand among العَقائِدِbeliefs ماsome that يَلَبُّare wise وَيَحمُقُand are foolish
وَمِنَ العَقائِدِ ما يَلَبُّ وَيَحمُقُ
If they married you to them, that was a belief;
Truth has a turn in it and principles
some beliefs are wise, and some foolish.
Like dawn from its edges bursting,
ماhow أَجمَلَbeautiful الإيمانَfaith لَولاwere it not for ضَلَّةٌan aberration
ما أَجمَلَ الإيمانَ لَولا ضَلَّةٌ
فيin كُلِّevery دينٍreligion بِالهِدايَةِto guidance تُلصَقُis attached
في كُلِّ دينٍ بِالهِدايَةِ تُلصَقُ
How beautiful faith would be, were it not for an aberration
They alighted at it so kings walked honorably
attached to guidance in every religion!
While the servile crawled with wealth flattering,
زُفَّتwas led as a bride إِلىto مَلِكِthe king of المُلوكِkings يَحُثُّهاurges her
زُفَّت إِلى مَلِكِ المُلوكِ يَحُثُّها
دينٌreligion وَيَدفَعُهاand drives her هَوىًdesire وَتَشَوُّقُand yearning
دينٌ وَيَدفَعُها هَوىً وَتَشَوُّقُ
She was led as a bride to the king of kings, urged onward
Its courtyards were cramped by them so it seemed
by religion, driven by desire and yearning.
The wilderness returned their deposits scattered,
وَلَرُبَّماand perhaps حَسَدَتenvied عَلَيكَover you مَكانَهاher place
وَلَرُبَّما حَسَدَت عَلَيكَ مَكانَها
تِربٌa girl of her age تَمَسَّحُtouching reverently بِالعَروسِthe bride وَتُحدِقُand gazing
تِربٌ تَمَسَّحُ بِالعَروسِ وَتُحدِقُ
And perhaps her place beside you was envied by
And the living and dead sociably conversed in it
a girl of her age, touching the bride reverently and staring.
As if in fate they never parted,
مَجلُوَّةٌunveiled as a bride فيin الفُلكِthe boat يَحدوsings along to فُلكَهاher boat
مَجلُوَّةٌ في الفُلكِ يَحدو فُلكَها
بِالشاطِئَينِon both shores مُزَغرِدٌan ululator وَمُصَفِّقُand a clapper
بِالشاطِئَينِ مُزَغرِدٌ وَمُصَفِّقُ
Unveiled in the boat, her vessel is urged onward
The origin of civility is steady in your plateau
by ululators and clappers on both shores,
And its growth fine upon you cultivated,
فيat مِهرَجانٍa festival هَزَّتِshook الدُنياthe world بِهِin it
في مِهرَجانٍ هَزَّتِ الدُنيا بِهِ
أَعطافَهاits flanks وَاِختالَand strutted فيهِin it المَشرِقُthe East
أَعطافَها وَاِختالَ فيهِ المَشرِقُ
at a festival in which the world shook
It was born so you were the cradle, then it grew
its flanks, and the East strutted proudly.
So the sheltering guardian shadowed it devoted,
فِرعَونُPharaoh تَحتَbeneath لِوائِهِhis banner وَبَناتُهُand his daughters
فِرعَونُ تَحتَ لِوائِهِ وَبَناتُهُ
يَجريruns بِهِنَّwith them عَلىalong السَفينِthe ships الزَورَقُthe skiff
يَجري بِهِنَّ عَلى السَفينِ الزَورَقُ
Pharaoh beneath his banner, and his daughters:
It filled your lands with stored wisdom
a skiff carries them alongside the ships.
Inscribed in stone and scripture precious engraved,
حَتّىuntil إِذاwhen بَلَغَتreached مَواكِبُهاher processions المَدىthe end
حَتّى إِذا بَلَغَت مَواكِبُها المَدى
وَجَرىand ran لِغايَتِهِto its goal القَضاءُthe decree الأَسبَقُlong predestined
وَجَرى لِغايَتِهِ القَضاءُ الأَسبَقُ
Until her processions reached their end,
And it built magnificent houses of knowledge—
and the long-predestined decree ran to its goal,
An expatriate and Easterner yearn for them—
وَكَساand clothed سَماءَthe sky of المِهرَجانِthe festival جَلالَةًin majesty
وَكَسا سَماءَ المِهرَجانِ جَلالَةً
سَيفُthe sword of المَنِيَّةِdeath وَهوَwhile it is صَلتٌunsheathed يَبرُقُgleaming
سَيفُ المَنِيَّةِ وَهوَ صَلتٌ يَبرُقُ
and the festival's sky was clothed in majesty
And it innovated a creed that became virtues
by death's sword, unsheathed and gleaming,
And moral structures lengthening and transcending,
وَتَلَفَّتَتand turned to look فيon اليَمِّthe river كُلُّevery سَفينَةٍvessel
وَتَلَفَّتَت في اليَمِّ كُلُّ سَفينَةٍ
وَاِنثالَand poured forth بِالواديthrough the valley الجُموعُthe crowds وَحَدَّقواand they stared
وَاِنثالَ بِالوادي الجُموعُ وَحَدَّقوا
and every vessel on the river turned to look,
It paved the way for every creed after it
and crowds poured into the valley and stared,
As musk whose scent remains when another opens,
أَلقَتshe cast إِلَيكَto you بِنَفسِهاherself وَنَفيسِهاand her treasure
أَلقَت إِلَيكَ بِنَفسِها وَنَفيسِها
وَأَتَتكَand came to you شَيِّقَةًyearning حَواهاembraced her شَيِّقُa yearning one
وَأَتَتكَ شَيِّقَةً حَواها شَيِّقُ
she cast herself and her precious all toward you,
It calls to dutifulness and exalts the righteous
and came to you yearning, embraced by one who yearned.
And pardons what violates dignity and corrupts customs,
خَلَعَتshe bestowed عَلَيكَupon you حَياءَهاher modesty وَحَياتَهاand her life
خَلَعَت عَلَيكَ حَياءَها وَحَياتَها
أَأَعَزُّis more precious مِنthan هَذَينِthese two شَيءٌanything يُنفَقُspent
أَأَعَزُّ مِن هَذَينِ شَيءٌ يُنفَقُ
She bestowed on you her modesty and her life:
Of its mysteries the masses are taught
is anything more precious than these two spent?
While its clerical order possesses deeper truths,
وَإِذاand when تَناهىreaches its utmost الحُبُّlove وَاِتَّفَقَand accords الفِدىself-sacrifice
وَإِذا تَناهى الحُبُّ وَاِتَّفَقَ الفِدى
فَالروحُthen the soul فيin بابِthe realm of الضَحِيَّةِsacrifice أَليَقُmost fitting
فَالروحُ في بابِ الضَحِيَّةِ أَليَقُ
When love reaches its utmost and sacrifice accords with it,
In it are realms for the most high entities
the soul is most fitting in the realm of sacrifice.
And for monotheism's unifier attachments abound,
ماnot العالَمُthe world السُفلِيُّlower إِلّاbut طينَةٌprimal matter
ما العالَمُ السُفلِيُّ إِلّا طينَةٌ
أَزَلِيَّةٌeternal فيهِwithin it تُضيءُshines وَتَغسِقُand darkens
أَزَلِيَّةٌ فيهِ تُضيءُ وَتَغسِقُ
The lower world is nothing but primal matter,
Moses' ark remains majestic appearing upon you,
eternal, shining and darkening within it.
With dew for it the vegetation grows tall and buds open,
هِيَit فيهِwithin it لِلخِصبِfor fertility العَميمِabundant خَميرَةٌleaven
هِيَ فيهِ لِلخِصبِ العَميمِ خَميرَةٌ
يَندىgrows moist بِماwith what حَمَلَتit brought إِلَيهِto it وَيَبثُقُand gushes
يَندى بِما حَمَلَت إِلَيهِ وَيَبثُقُ
Within it, this matter is leaven for abundant fertility;
And Joseph's beauty, its banner still
the world grows moist with what it brings, and gushes forth.
Hovers around you on the horizon's rim glistening,
ماnot كانَwas فيهاwithin it لِلزِيادَةِfor increase مَوضِعٌroom
ما كانَ فيها لِلزِيادَةِ مَوضِعٌ
وَإِلىand into حِماهاits sanctuary النَقصُdecrease لاnot يَتَطَرَّقُmakes its way
وَإِلى حِماها النَقصُ لا يَتَطَرَّقُ
There was no room in it for increase,
And his brothers' tears are missives of repentance
and decrease cannot enter its sanctuary.
Penned on your banks, lined up embellished,
مُنبَثَّةٌdiffused فيthroughout الأَرضِthe earth تَنتَظِمُbinds together الثَرىthe soil
مُنبَثَّةٌ في الأَرضِ تَنتَظِمُ الثَرى
وَتَنالُand partakes مِمّاof what فيin السَماءِheaven وَتَعلَقُand clings
وَتَنالُ مِمّا في السَماءِ وَتَعلَقُ
Diffused throughout the earth, it binds the soil together,
And Virgin Mary's prayer above your crop still
partakes of what is in heaven, and clings there.
Causes, at her mention, plants to thrive and rise high,
مِنهاfrom it الحَياةُlife لَناfor us وَمِنهاand from it ضِدُّهاits opposite
مِنها الحَياةُ لَنا وَمِنها ضِدُّها
أَبَداًalways نَعودُwe return لَهاto it وَمِنهاand from it نُخلَقُwe are created
أَبَداً نَعودُ لَها وَمِنها نُخلَقُ
From it comes our life, and from it life's opposite;
And Christ's steps upon you a pure spirit
always we return to it, and from it we are created.
Are your Lord's blessings and bounty abundant,
وَالزَرعُand the crop سُنبُلُهُits ear يَطيبُripens وَحَبُّهُand its grain
وَالزَرعُ سُنبُلُهُ يَطيبُ وَحَبُّهُ
مِنهاfrom it فَيَخرُجُso emerges ذاthis one وَهَذاand that one يُفلَقُis split
مِنها فَيَخرُجُ ذا وَهَذا يُفلَقُ
The crop's ear ripens, and its grain
And the caliph's trusts with you, his religion
is from it: this emerges, and that is split.
And standard and statement and proof,
وَتَشُدُّand braces بَيتَthe house of النَحلِbees فَهوَso it is مُطَنَّبٌsecured by guy ropes
وَتَشُدُّ بَيتَ النَحلِ فَهوَ مُطَنَّبٌ
وَتَمُدُّand extends بَيتَthe house of النَملِants فَهوَso it is مُرَوَّقُfurnished with a portico
وَتَمُدُّ بَيتَ النَملِ فَهوَ مُرَوَّقُ
It braces the bee's house, secured like a tent with ropes;
He delegated the companions carrying guidance—
it extends the ant's house, furnished with a portico.
What enlivens minds and illuminates—
وَتَظَلُّand keeps بَينَamong قُوىthe powers of الحَياةِlife جَوائِلاًroaming
وَتَظَلُّ بَينَ قُوى الحَياةِ جَوائِلاً
لاnot تَستَقِرُّrests دَوائِلاًpassing in turns لاnot تُمحَقُis annihilated
لا تَستَقِرُّ دَوائِلاً لا تُمحَقُ
It keeps roaming among the powers of life,
The openings were with angels' aid a downpour
never at rest, passing in turns, never destroyed.
In it, and Badr's stalwarts a downpour,
هِيَit كِلمَةُthe word of اللَهِGod القَديرِAlmighty وَروحُهُand His spirit
هِيَ كِلمَةُ اللَهِ القَديرِ وَروحُهُ
فيin الكائِناتِcreated beings وَسِرُّهُand His mystery المُستَغلِقُimpenetrable
في الكائِناتِ وَسِرُّهُ المُستَغلِقُ
It is the word of God Almighty and His spirit
They erect God's houses with the palm branches
in created beings, and His impenetrable mystery.
And God, round the buildings, facilitates and perfects,
فيin النَجمِthe star وَالقَمَرَينِand the sun and moon مَظهَرُهاits manifestation إِذاwhen
في النَجمِ وَالقَمَرَينِ مَظهَرُها إِذا
طَلَعَتthey rise عَلىabove الدُنياthe world وَساعَةَand at the hour تَخفُقُthey set
طَلَعَت عَلى الدُنيا وَساعَةَ تَخفُقُ
In the stars and the sun and moon it appears, when
Cavalry troops, though their swords
they rise above the world, and at the hour they set.
In scabbards from calamities, are perturbed,
وَالذَرُّand motes وَالصَخَراتُand rocks مِمّاamong what كَوَّرَتit rounded
وَالذَرُّ وَالصَخَراتُ مِمّا كَوَّرَت
وَالفيلُand the elephant مِمّاamong what صَوَّرَتit shaped وَالخِرنِقُand the leveret
وَالفيلُ مِمّا صَوَّرَت وَالخِرنِقُ
Motes and rocks are among what it rounded;
Lands round are folded for them and their army aids,
the elephant and leveret among what it shaped.
An army of morals overwhelming glittering,
فَتَنَتit fascinated عُقولَthe minds of الأَوَّلينَthe ancients فَأَلَّهواso they deified
فَتَنَت عُقولَ الأَوَّلينَ فَأَلَّهوا
مِنfrom كُلِّevery شَيءٍthing ماwhatever يَروعُinspires awe وَيَخرُقُand defies the ordinary
مِن كُلِّ شَيءٍ ما يَروعُ وَيَخرُقُ
It fascinated the minds of the ancients, so they deified
In truth sheathed, though their noble sword
whatever in anything inspired awe and defied the ordinary.
From ignorance rends and tears,
سَجَدواthey prostrated لِمَخلوقٍto a creature وَظَنّواand imagined خالِقاًa creator
سَجَدوا لِمَخلوقٍ وَظَنّوا خالِقاً
مَنwho ذاthen يُمَيِّزُdiscerns فيin الظَلامِdarkness وَيَفرُقُand distinguishes
مَن ذا يُمَيِّزُ في الظَلامِ وَيَفرُقُ
They bowed to a creature and imagined a creator:
Conquest's injustice none diminish save
who can discern and distinguish in darkness?
The chaste whose gentle blade compassionates,
دانَتworshipped بِآبيسَin Apis الرَعِيَّةُthe subjects كُلُّهاall of them
دانَت بِآبيسَ الرَعِيَّةُ كُلُّها
مَنwhoever يَستَغِلُّdraws yield from الأرضَthe earth أَوor مَنwhoever يَعزُقُhoes
مَن يَستَغِلُّ الأرضَ أَو مَن يَعزُقُ
All the subjects worshipped Apis,
The original ribat was but a wall
whether drawing yield from the earth or hoeing it.
Sheltering the weak at its pillar fatigued,
جاؤواthey came مِنَfrom المَرعىthe pasture بِهِwith him يَمشيhe walks كَماas
جاؤوا مِنَ المَرعى بِهِ يَمشي كَما
تَمشيwalks وَتَلتَفِتُand turns المَهاةُthe oryx وَتَرشُقُand darts glances
تَمشي وَتَلتَفِتُ المَهاةُ وَتَرشُقُ
They brought him from the pasture, walking as
And at it birds seek food midst destruction
an oryx walks, turns, and darts its glances.
While Caesar spends the night fretted,
داجٍdark كَجُنحِlike the wing of اللَيلِnight زانَadorned جَبينُهُhis forehead
داجٍ كَجُنحِ اللَيلِ زانَ جَبينُهُ
وَضَحٌa white blaze عَلَيهِupon him مِنَthan الأَهِلَّةِthe crescents أَشرَقُbrighter
وَضَحٌ عَلَيهِ مِنَ الأَهِلَّةِ أَشرَقُ
Dark as night's wing, his forehead adorned by
Amr sits on reed matting girded
a white blaze, brighter upon him than crescents.
With God’s sublime band jeweled,
العَسجَدُgold الوَهّاجُblazing وَشيُthe embroidery of جَلالِهِhis robe
العَسجَدُ الوَهّاجُ وَشيُ جَلالِهِ
وَالوَردُand roses مَوطِئُthe footing of خُفِّهِhis hoof وَالزَنبَقُand lilies
وَالوَردُ مَوطِئُ خُفِّهِ وَالزَنبَقُ
Blazing gold is the embroidery of his robe;
The rabbi invokes in prayers Moses
roses and lilies are the footing for his hoof.
And Jesus the healing beseeches,
وَمِنَand among العَجائِبِmarvels بَعدَafter طولِa long time of عِبادَةٍworship
وَمِنَ العَجائِبِ بَعدَ طولِ عِبادَةٍ
يُؤتىis brought بِهِwith him حَوضَthe pool of الخُلودِimmortality فَيُغرَقُthen he is drowned
يُؤتى بِهِ حَوضَ الخُلودِ فَيُغرَقُ
Among the marvels: after long worship,
Nile! Sweet are the traits the guidance attributed,
he is brought to the pool of immortality and drowned.
And praise of Torah the most fittingly composed,
ياoh لَيتَif only شِعريI knew هَلwhether أَضاعواthey broke العَهدَthe covenant أَمor
يا لَيتَ شِعري هَل أَضاعوا العَهدَ أَم
حَذِرواthey feared مِنَfrom الدُنياthe world عَلَيهِfor him وَأَشفَقواand felt concern
حَذِروا مِنَ الدُنيا عَلَيهِ وَأَشفَقوا
If only I knew: did they break the covenant, or
And to you a people whose protection, in eras' bitterness,
fear the world for him and feel concern?
Has wearied them give thanks, an exhausted throng—
قَومٌa people وَقارُthe dignity of الدينِreligion فيin أَخلاقِهِمtheir character
قَومٌ وَقارُ الدينِ في أَخلاقِهِم
وَالشَعبُand a people ماwhat يعتادُit habitually practices أَوor يَتَخَلَّقُcultivates as character
وَالشَعبُ ما يعتادُ أَو يَتَخَلَّقُ
A people with religion's dignity in their character:
A shield like Ma’n’s or Hatem Al-Ta’i’s munificence,
a people is what it habitually practices or cultivates.
A people who entrust it while others knock upon it,
يَدعونَthey invoke خَلفَbehind السِترِthe curtain آلِهَةًgods لَهُمof theirs
يَدعونَ خَلفَ السِترِ آلِهَةً لَهُم
مَلَأواthey filled النَدِيَّthe assembly جَلالَةًwith majesty وَتَأَبَّقواand withdrew
مَلَأوا النَدِيَّ جَلالَةً وَتَأَبَّقوا
They invoke gods of theirs behind the curtain,
And upon you the attributes of glory from modesty's treasures
who filled the assembly with majesty and withdrew.
Gleam—brides whose tents are sprinkled—
وَاِستَحجَبواand appointed as gatekeepers الكُهّانَthe priests هَذاthis one مُبلِغٌa messenger
وَاِستَحجَبوا الكُهّانَ هَذا مُبلِغٌ
ماwhat يَهتِفونَthey proclaim بِهِwith it وَذاكَand that one مُصَدِّقُa confirmer
ما يَهتِفونَ بِهِ وَذاكَ مُصَدِّقُ
They made the priests their gatekeepers: one conveys
Pearls arranged on their throats
what they proclaim, and another confirms it.
And perfumes on their scrolls lined up,
لاnot يُسأَلونَare questioned إِذاwhen جَرَتflow أَلفاظُهُمtheir words
لا يُسأَلونَ إِذا جَرَت أَلفاظُهُم
مِنfrom أَينَwhere لِلحَجَرِdoes the stone have اللِسانُthe tongue الأَذلَقُeloquent
مِن أَينَ لِلحَجَرِ اللِسانُ الأَذلَقُ
When their words flow, they are not asked:
For you is praise without affectation
whence comes the stone's eloquent tongue?
Prompted by a love without fawning,
أَوor كَيفَhow تَختَرِقُpierces الغُيوبَthe unseen بَهيمَةٌa beast
أَو كَيفَ تَختَرِقُ الغُيوبَ بَهيمَةٌ
فيماconcerning what يَنوبُbefalls مِنَof الأُمورِevents وَيَطرُقُand arrives
فيما يَنوبُ مِنَ الأُمورِ وَيَطرُقُ
Or how does a beast pierce the unseen
Of what desire for you misguides us fledglings—
in whatever events befall or arrive?
We will soar from them while you feed them,
وَإِذاand when هُموthey حَجّواmade pilgrimage to القُبورَthe tombs حَسِبتَهُمyou would think them
وَإِذا هُمو حَجّوا القُبورَ حَسِبتَهُم
وَفدَthe pilgrims to العَتيقِthe Ancient House بِهِمwith them تَرامىsped along الأَينُقُthe she-camels
وَفدَ العَتيقِ بِهِم تَرامى الأَينُقُ
When they made pilgrimage to the tombs, you would think them
To them in dust our hearts flutter
pilgrims to the Ancient House, sped along by she-camels.
And throb beneath without a vein pulsating,
يَأتونَthey come to طيبَةَThebes بِالهَدِيِّwith sacrificial offerings أَمامَهُمbefore them
يَأتونَ طيبَةَ بِالهَدِيِّ أَمامَهُم
يَغشىcovers المَدائِنَthe cities وَالقُرىand villages وَيُطَبِّقُand overspreads
يَغشى المَدائِنَ وَالقُرى وَيُطَبِّقُ
They come to Thebes with offerings before them,
For them from you, God most glorious,
covering the cities and villages, spreading everywhere.
Intercession the greatest and most gracious,
فَالبَرُّso the land مَشدودُharnessed الزَواحِلِthe vehicles مُحدَجٌfitted with saddles
فَالبَرُّ مَشدودُ الزَواحِلِ مُحدَجٌ
وَالبَحرُand the water مَمدودُspread الشِراعِthe sail مُوَسَّقُladen
وَالبَحرُ مَمدودُ الشِراعِ مُوَسَّقُ
On land the vehicles are harnessed and saddled;
So guard the trusts you were charged safekeeping—
on the water the sails are spread, the craft laden.
Truest you when most trusted authentic,
حَتّىuntil إِذاwhen أَلقَواthey laid down بِهَيكَلِهاat its temple العَصاthe staff
حَتّى إِذا أَلقَوا بِهَيكَلِها العَصا
وَفّواthey fulfilled النُذورَthe vows وَقَرَّبواand offered sacrifices وَاِصَّدَّقواand gave alms
وَفّوا النُذورَ وَقَرَّبوا وَاِصَّدَّقوا
When they laid down their staff at its temple,
The land has a day while heaven an ordeal
they fulfilled vows, offered sacrifices, and gave alms.
And the valley's ordeal, the morn it takes flight,
وَجَرَتand sailed زَوارِقُboats بِالحَجيجِwith the pilgrims كَأَنَّهاas though they were
وَجَرَت زَوارِقُ بِالحَجيجِ كَأَنَّها
رُقطٌspotted beasts تَدافَعُjostling أَوor سِهامٌarrows تَمرُقُdarting through
رُقطٌ تَدافَعُ أَو سِهامٌ تَمرُقُ
Boats sailed with the pilgrims, as though they were
spotted beasts jostling, or arrows darting through,
مِنfrom شاطِئٍa shore فيهِon which الحَياةُlife لِشاطِئٍto a shore
مِن شاطِئٍ فيهِ الحَياةُ لِشاطِئٍ
هُوَit مُضجَعٌa resting place لِلسابِقينَfor those gone before وَمِرفَقُand a refuge
هُوَ مُضجَعٌ لِلسابِقينَ وَمِرفَقُ
from a shore where life dwells to a shore
that is a bed and refuge for those gone before.
غَرَبواthey set غُروبَlike the setting of الشَمسِthe sun فيهِthere وَاِستَوىand were equal
غَرَبوا غُروبَ الشَمسِ فيهِ وَاِستَوى
شاهٌking وَرُخٌّand rook فيin التُرابِthe dust وَبَيدَقُand pawn
شاهٌ وَرُخٌّ في التُرابِ وَبَيدَقُ
They set there as the sun sets, and equal became
king, rook, and pawn in the dust.
حَيثُwhere القُبورُthe tombs عَلىacross الفَضاءِthe open plain كَأَنَّهاas though they were
حَيثُ القُبورُ عَلى الفَضاءِ كَأَنَّها
قِطَعُpatches of السَحابِclouds أَوِor السَرابِthe mirage الدَيسَقُshimmering
قِطَعُ السَحابِ أَوِ السَرابِ الدَيسَقُ
Where tombs across the open plain resemble
cloudbanks, or a shimmering mirage.
لِلحَقِّtruth has فيهِthere جَولَةٌsway وَلَهُand it has سَناًradiance
لِلحَقِّ فيهِ جَولَةٌ وَلَهُ سَناً
كَالصُبحِlike dawn مِنfrom جَنَباتِهاtheir sides يَتَفَلَّقُbreaks forth
كَالصُبحِ مِن جَنَباتِها يَتَفَلَّقُ
Truth holds sway there, and its radiance
breaks like dawn from their sides.
نَزَلواthey alighted بِهاthere فَمَشىso walked المُلوكُthe kings كَرامَةًin homage
نَزَلوا بِها فَمَشى المُلوكُ كَرامَةً
وَجَثاand knelt المُدِلُّthe boastful one بِمالِهِof his wealth وَالمُملَقُand the destitute
وَجَثا المُدِلُّ بِمالِهِ وَالمُملَقُ
They alighted there; kings walked in homage,
and the man proud of his wealth knelt beside the destitute.
ضاقَتbecame crowded بِهِمwith them عَرَصاتُهاits courtyards فَكَأَنَّماso as though
ضاقَت بِهِم عَرَصاتُها فَكَأَنَّما
رَدَّتreturned وَدائِعَهاits deposits الفَلاةُthe desert الفَيهَقُvast
رَدَّت وَدائِعَها الفَلاةُ الفَيهَقُ
Its courtyards grew crowded with them, as though
the vast desert had returned its deposits.
وَتَنادَمَand shared companionship الأَحياءُthe living وَالمَوتىand the dead بِهاthere
وَتَنادَمَ الأَحياءُ وَالمَوتى بِها
فَكَأَنَّهُمas though they فيthrough الدَهرِtime لَمnot يَتَفَرَّقواhad parted
فَكَأَنَّهُم في الدَهرِ لَم يَتَفَرَّقوا
The living and the dead shared companionship there,
as though they had never parted through time.
أَصلُthe root of الحَضارَةِcivilization فيin صَعيدِكَyour soil ثابِتٌfirm
أَصلُ الحَضارَةِ في صَعيدِكَ ثابِتٌ
وَنَباتُهاand its growth حَسَنٌbeautiful عَلَيكَupon you مُخَلَّقُwell formed
وَنَباتُها حَسَنٌ عَلَيكَ مُخَلَّقُ
Civilization's root stands firm in your soil,
and its growth upon you is beautiful, well formed.
وُلِدَتit was born فَكُنتَand you were المَهدَthe cradle ثُمَّthen تَرَعرَعَتit grew up
وُلِدَت فَكُنتَ المَهدَ ثُمَّ تَرَعرَعَت
فَأَظَلَّهاso sheltered it مِنكَfrom you الحَفِيُّthe attentive one المُشفِقُcompassionate
فَأَظَلَّها مِنكَ الحَفِيُّ المُشفِقُ
It was born, and you were its cradle; then it grew,
and you, attentive and compassionate, sheltered it.
مَلَأَتit filled دِيارَكَyour lands حِكمَةًwith wisdom مَأثورُهاits handed-down lore
مَلَأَت دِيارَكَ حِكمَةً مَأثورُها
فيon الصَخرِstone وَالبَرديand papyrus الكَريمِnoble مُنَبَّقُembellished
في الصَخرِ وَالبَردي الكَريمِ مُنَبَّقُ
It filled your lands with wisdom, whose transmitted lore
is embellished upon stone and noble papyrus.
وَبَنَتand built بُيوتَhouses of العِلمِknowledge باذِخَةَlofty الذُرىthe summits
وَبَنَت بُيوتَ العِلمِ باذِخَةَ الذُرى
يَسعىgoes seeking لَهُنَّto them مُغَرِّبٌone westward-bound وَمُشَرِّقُand one eastward-bound
يَسعى لَهُنَّ مُغَرِّبٌ وَمُشَرِّقُ
It built houses of knowledge with lofty summits,
sought by those journeying west and east.
وَاِستَحدَثَتand introduced ديناًa religion فَكانَso it was فَضائِلاًvirtues
وَاِستَحدَثَت ديناً فَكانَ فَضائِلاً
وَبِناءِand a structure of أَخلاقٍmorals يَطولُgrows tall وَيَشهَقُand towers
وَبِناءِ أَخلاقٍ يَطولُ وَيَشهَقُ
It introduced a religion that was virtues
and a structure of morals, tall and soaring.
مَهَدَit paved السَبيلَthe way لِكُلِّfor every دينٍreligion بَعدَهُafter it
مَهَدَ السَبيلَ لِكُلِّ دينٍ بَعدَهُ
كَالمِسكِlike musk رَيّاهُits fragrance بِأُخرىby another تُفتَقُis released
كَالمِسكِ رَيّاهُ بِأُخرى تُفتَقُ
It paved the way for every religion after it,
like musk whose fragrance another releases.
يَدعوit calls إِلىto بِرٍّrighteousness وَيَرفَعُand exalts صالِحاًa righteous person
يَدعو إِلى بِرٍّ وَيَرفَعُ صالِحاً
وَيَعافُand rejects ماwhat هُوَis لِلمُروءَةِto nobility مُخلِقُwearing away
وَيَعافُ ما هُوَ لِلمُروءَةِ مُخلِقُ
It calls to righteousness and exalts the righteous,
and rejects whatever wears nobility away.
لِلناسِfor people مِنof أَسرارِهِits mysteries ماwhat عُلِّمواthey were taught
لِلناسِ مِن أَسرارِهِ ما عُلِّموا
وَلِشُعبَةِand for the branch of الكَهَنوتِpriesthood ماwhat هُوَis أَعمَقُdeeper
وَلِشُعبَةِ الكَهَنوتِ ما هُوَ أَعمَقُ
For people, its mysteries include what they were taught;
for the priestly branch, what is deeper.
فيهِwithin it مَحَلٌّroom لِلأَقانيمِfor the hypostases العُلىexalted
فيهِ مَحَلٌّ لِلأَقانيمِ العُلى
وَلِجامِعِand for the unifying principle of التَوحيدِmonotheism فيهِwithin it تَعَلُّقُattachment
وَلِجامِعِ التَوحيدِ فيهِ تَعَلُّقُ
Within it is room for the exalted hypostases,
and the unifying creed of monotheism finds attachment in it.
تابوتُthe ark of موسىMoses لاnot تَزالُceases جَلالَةٌmajesty
تابوتُ موسى لا تَزالُ جَلالَةٌ
تَبدوappears عَلَيكَupon you لَهُof it وَرَيّاand a fragrance تُنشَقُis inhaled
تَبدو عَلَيكَ لَهُ وَرَيّا تُنشَقُ
Moses' ark still has a majesty
that appears upon you, and a fragrance to inhale.
وَجَمالُand the beauty of يوسُفَJoseph لاnot يَزالُceases لِواؤُهُits banner
وَجَمالُ يوسُفَ لا يَزالُ لِواؤُهُ
حَولَيكَaround you فيon أُفُقِthe horizon of الجَلالِmajesty يُرَنَّقُhovers
حَولَيكَ في أُفُقِ الجَلالِ يُرَنَّقُ
And Joseph's beauty—its banner still
hovers around you on the horizon of majesty.
وَدُموعُand the tears of إِخوَتِهِhis brothers رَسائِلُletters of تَوبَةٍrepentance
وَدُموعُ إِخوَتِهِ رَسائِلُ تَوبَةٍ
مَسطورُهُنَّtheir writing بِشاطِئَيكَon your two shores مُنَمَّقُembellished
مَسطورُهُنَّ بِشاطِئَيكَ مُنَمَّقُ
His brothers' tears are letters of repentance,
their writing embellished upon your two shores.
وَصَلاةُand the prayer of مَريَمَMary فَوقَabove زَرعِكَyour crops لَمnot يَزَلhas ceased
وَصَلاةُ مَريَمَ فَوقَ زَرعِكَ لَم يَزَل
يَزكوflourishing لِذِكراهاin her memory النَباتَthe vegetation وَيَسمُقُand rising high
يَزكو لِذِكراها النَباتَ وَيَسمُقُ
And Mary's prayer above your crops: still
the plants flourish in her memory and rise high.
وَخُطىand the footsteps of المَسيحِChrist عَلَيكَupon you روحاًas a spirit طاهِراًpure
وَخُطى المَسيحِ عَلَيكَ روحاً طاهِراً
بَرَكاتُthe blessings of رَبِّكَyour Lord وَالنَعيمُand bliss الغَيدَقُabundant
بَرَكاتُ رَبِّكَ وَالنَعيمُ الغَيدَقُ
And Christ's footsteps upon you, a pure spirit,
are your Lord's blessings and abundant bliss.
وَوَدائِعُand the trusts of الفاروقِal-Faruq عِندَكَwith you دينَهُhis faith
وَوَدائِعُ الفاروقِ عِندَكَ دينَهُ
وَلِواؤُهُand his banner وَبَيانُهُand his eloquence وَالمَنطِقُand speech
وَلِواؤُهُ وَبَيانُهُ وَالمَنطِقُ
Al-Faruq's trusts in your keeping are his faith,
his banner, his eloquence, and his speech.
بَعَثَhe sent الصَحابَةَthe Companions يَحمِلونَbearing مِنَfrom الهُدىguidance
بَعَثَ الصَحابَةَ يَحمِلونَ مِنَ الهُدى
وَالحَقُّand truth ماwhat يُحييrevives العُقولَminds وَيَفتُقُand opens
وَالحَقُّ ما يُحيي العُقولَ وَيَفتُقُ
He sent the Companions bearing from guidance
and truth what revives and opens minds.
فَتحُthe conquest of الفُتوحِconquests مِنَof المَلائِكِthe angels رَزدَقٌa company
فَتحُ الفُتوحِ مِنَ المَلائِكِ رَزدَقٌ
فيهِin it وَمِنand of أَصحابِthe companions of بَدرٍBadr رَزدَقُa company
فيهِ وَمِن أَصحابِ بَدرٍ رَزدَقُ
The conquest of conquests: a company of angels
was in it, and a company of the companions of Badr.
يَبنونَthey build لِلَّهِfor God الكِنانَةَal-Kinana بِالقَناwith lances
يَبنونَ لِلَّهِ الكِنانَةَ بِالقَنا
وَاللَهُand God مِنfrom حَولِaround البِناءِthe building مُوَفِّقُgranting success
وَاللَهُ مِن حَولِ البِناءِ مُوَفِّقُ
They built al-Kinana for God with lances,
and God granted success around the building.
أَحلاسُconstant saddle-companions of خَيلٍhorses بَيدَexcept أَنَّthat حُسامَهُمtheir sword
أَحلاسُ خَيلٍ بَيدَ أَنَّ حُسامَهُم
فيin السِلمِpeace مِنfrom حِذرِwariness of الحَوادِثِevents مُقلَقُrestless
في السِلمِ مِن حِذرِ الحَوادِثِ مُقلَقُ
Horsemen ever in the saddle, yet their blade
is restless in peace, wary of coming events.
تُطوىare folded up البِلادُthe lands لَهُمbefore them وَيُنجِدُand reinforces جَيشُهُمtheir army
تُطوى البِلادُ لَهُم وَيُنجِدُ جَيشُهُم
جَيشٌan army مِنَof الأَخلاقِmorals غازٍadvancing مورِقُflourishing
جَيشٌ مِنَ الأَخلاقِ غازٍ مورِقُ
The lands are rolled up before them; their army is aided by
an army of morals, advancing and flourishing.
فيfor الحَقِّright سُلَّwas drawn وَفيهِand for it أُغمِدَwas sheathed سَيفُهُمtheir sword
في الحَقِّ سُلَّ وَفيهِ أُغمِدَ سَيفُهُم
سَيفُthe sword of الكَريمِthe noble man مِنَof الجَهالَةِfolly يَفرَقُfears
سَيفُ الكَريمِ مِنَ الجَهالَةِ يَفرَقُ
For right their sword was drawn, and for it sheathed;
the noble man's sword fears folly.
وَالفَتحُand conquest بَغيٌaggression لاnot يُهَوِّنُlessens وَقعَهُits impact
وَالفَتحُ بَغيٌ لا يُهَوِّنُ وَقعَهُ
إِلّاexcept العَفيفُthe chaste one حُسامُهُwhose sword المُتَرَفِّقُgentle
إِلّا العَفيفُ حُسامُهُ المُتَرَفِّقُ
Conquest is aggression: nothing lessens its impact
except the man whose sword is chaste and gentle.
ماnot كانَتِwas الفُسطاطُal-Fustat إِلّاbut حائِطاًa wall
ما كانَتِ الفُسطاطُ إِلّا حائِطاً
يَأويtakes refuge الضَعيفُthe weak لِرُكنِهِin its corner وَالمُرهَقُand the oppressed
يَأوي الضَعيفُ لِرُكنِهِ وَالمُرهَقُ
Al-Fustat was nothing but a wall
in whose corner the weak and oppressed sought refuge.
وَبِهِand in it تَلوذُseek refuge الطَيرُbirds فيin طَلَبِsearch of الكَرىsleep
وَبِهِ تَلوذُ الطَيرُ في طَلَبِ الكَرى
وَيَبيتُand spends the night قَيصَرُCaesar وَهوَwhile he is مِنهُbecause of it مُؤَرَّقُsleepless
وَيَبيتُ قَيصَرُ وَهوَ مِنهُ مُؤَرَّقُ
Birds shelter there in search of sleep,
while Caesar spends the night sleepless because of it.
عَمرٌوAmr عَلىon شَطبِthe woven strips of الحَصيرِthe mat مُعَصَّبٌinvested
عَمرٌو عَلى شَطبِ الحَصيرِ مُعَصَّبٌ
بِقِلادَةِwith the necklace of اللَهِGod العَلِيِّMost High مُطَوَّقُencircled
بِقِلادَةِ اللَهِ العَلِيِّ مُطَوَّقُ
Amr upon the mat's woven strips, invested,
encircled with the necklace of God Most High.
يَدعوinvokes لَهُfor him الحاخامُthe rabbi فيin صَلَواتِهِhis prayers
يَدعو لَهُ الحاخامُ في صَلَواتِهِ
موسىMoses وَيَسأَلُand petitions فيهِfor him عيسىJesus البَطرَقُthe patriarch
موسى وَيَسأَلُ فيهِ عيسى البَطرَقُ
For him the rabbi invokes, in his prayers,
Moses; and for him the patriarch petitions Jesus.
ياO نيلُNile أَنتَyou يَطيبُis sweet ماwhat نَعَتَhas described الهُدىguidance
يا نيلُ أَنتَ يَطيبُ ما نَعَتَ الهُدى
وَبِمَدحَةِand of the praise of التَوراةِthe Torah أَحرىworthier أَخلَقُmore deserving
وَبِمَدحَةِ التَوراةِ أَحرى أَخلَقُ
O Nile, sweet is what guidance has said of you,
and you are worthier, fitter, for the Torah's praise.
وَإِلَيكَand to you يُهديoffers الحَمدَpraise خَلقٌhumanity حازَهُمembraced them
وَإِلَيكَ يُهدي الحَمدَ خَلقٌ حازَهُم
كَنَفٌa refuge عَلىthroughout مَرِّthe passage of الدُهورِthe ages مُرَهَّقُburdened
كَنَفٌ عَلى مَرِّ الدُهورِ مُرَهَّقُ
To you humanity offers praise, embraced by
a refuge burdened throughout the passing ages.
كَنَفٌa refuge كَمَعنٍlike Ma'n أَوor كَساحَةِlike the courtyard of حاتِمٍHatim
كَنَفٌ كَمَعنٍ أَو كَساحَةِ حاتِمٍ
خَلقٌa generation يُوَدِّعُهُbids it farewell وَخَلقٌand a generation يَطرُقُarrives
خَلقٌ يُوَدِّعُهُ وَخَلقٌ يَطرُقُ
A refuge like Ma'n, or Hatim's courtyard:
one generation bids it farewell, another arrives.
وَعَلَيكَand upon you تُجلىare unveiled مِنfrom مَصوناتِthe guarded treasures of النُهىminds
وَعَلَيكَ تُجلى مِن مَصوناتِ النُهى
خودٌmaidens عَرائِسُbrides خِدرُهُنَّtheir bridal chamber المُهرَقُthe parchment
خودٌ عَرائِسُ خِدرُهُنَّ المُهرَقُ
Upon you are unveiled, from the guarded treasures of minds,
maiden brides whose chamber is the parchment.
الدُرُّpearls فيupon لَبّاتِهِنَّtheir bosoms مُنَظَّمٌstrung
الدُرُّ في لَبّاتِهِنَّ مُنَظَّمٌ
وَالطيبُand perfume فيin حَبراتِهِنَّtheir figured robes مُرَقرَقُshimmering
وَالطيبُ في حَبراتِهِنَّ مُرَقرَقُ
Pearls are strung upon their bosoms,
and perfume shimmers in their figured robes.
ليI have فيكَfor you مَدحٌpraise لَيسَnot فيهِin it تَكَلُّفٌcontrivance
لي فيكَ مَدحٌ لَيسَ فيهِ تَكَلُّفٌ
أَملاهُdictated it حُبٌّlove لَيسَnot فيهِin it تَمَلُّقُflattery
أَملاهُ حُبٌّ لَيسَ فيهِ تَمَلُّقُ
I have praise for you without contrivance,
dictated by love without flattery.
مِمّاamong what يُحَمِّلُناburdens us with الهَوىlove لَكَfor you أَفرُخٌnestlings
مِمّا يُحَمِّلُنا الهَوى لَكَ أَفرُخٌ
سَنَطيرُwe shall fly عَنهاaway from them وَهيَwhile they عِندَكَwith you تُرزَقُare sustained
سَنَطيرُ عَنها وَهيَ عِندَكَ تُرزَقُ
Among the burdens our love for you lays upon us are nestlings
from whom we shall fly away, while with you they are fed.
تَهفوyearn إِلَيهِمtoward them فيin التُرابِthe dust قُلوبُناour hearts
تَهفو إِلَيهِم في التُرابِ قُلوبُنا
وَتَكادُand almost فيهِwithin it بِغَيرِwithout عِرقٍa vein تَخفُقُbeat
وَتَكادُ فيهِ بِغَيرِ عِرقٍ تَخفُقُ
Our hearts yearn toward them from within the dust,
almost beating there without a vein.
تُرجىyou are hoped in لَهُمfor them وَاللَهُand God جَلَّexalted جَلالُهُHis majesty
تُرجى لَهُم وَاللَهُ جَلَّ جَلالُهُ
مِنّاthan us وَمِنكَand than you بِهِمtoward them أَبَرُّkinder وَأَرفَقُand gentler
مِنّا وَمِنكَ بِهِم أَبَرُّ وَأَرفَقُ
For them we place hope in you; and God—exalted is His majesty—
is kinder and gentler toward them than we or you.
فَاِحفَظso guard وَدائِعَكَyour trusts الَّتيwhich اِستودَعتَهاyou took in trust
فَاِحفَظ وَدائِعَكَ الَّتي اِستودَعتَها
أَنتَyou الوَفِيُّthe faithful one إِذاwhen اؤتُمِنتَyou are entrusted الأَصدَقُmost truthful
أَنتَ الوَفِيُّ إِذا اؤتُمِنتَ الأَصدَقُ
So guard the trusts you have taken into your keeping;
you are faithful, most truthful when entrusted.
لِلأَرضِthe earth has يَومٌa day وَالسَماءِand heaven قِيامَةٌa resurrection
لِلأَرضِ يَومٌ وَالسَماءِ قِيامَةٌ
وَقِيامَةُand the resurrection of الواديthe valley غَداةَon the morning تُحَلِّقُyou take flight
وَقِيامَةُ الوادي غَداةَ تُحَلِّقُ
Earth has its day, and heaven its resurrection;
the valley's resurrection comes the morning you take flight.
Partial English translation: 216 of 306 Arabic lines translated.
Sol 6.1