مَنwho لِنِضوٍfor a wasted creature يَتَنَزّىwrithes أَلَماin pain
مَن لِنِضوٍ يَتَنَزّى أَلَما
بَرَّحَtormented الشَوقَlonging بِهِhim فيin الغَلَسِthe predawn gloom
بَرَّحَ الشَوقَ بِهِ في الغَلَسِ
Who will tend a wasted creature writhing in pain?
A cry for one in agony transcending pain
Longing tormented him in the predawn gloom.
Whose longing roams the darkness unconfined,
حَنَّyearned لِلبانِfor the ban tree وَناجىand confided in العَلَماthe landmark
حَنَّ لِلبانِ وَناجى العَلَما
أَينَwhere شَرقُthe East of الأَرضِthe earth مِنfrom أَندَلُسِal-Andalus
أَينَ شَرقُ الأَرضِ مِن أَندَلُسِ
He yearned for the ban tree and confided in the landmark:
Yearning for the crescent moon, communing with the stars—
How far is the world's East from al-Andalus!
Where is the Orient’s dawn from Andalusia’s dusk?
بُلبُلٌa nightingale عَلَّمَهُtaught him البَينُseparation البَيانeloquence
بُلبُلٌ عَلَّمَهُ البَينُ البَيان
باتَspent the night فيin حَبلِthe cord of الشُجونِsorrows اِرتَبَكاbecame entangled
باتَ في حَبلِ الشُجونِ اِرتَبَكا
A nightingale whom separation taught eloquence
A nightingale, taught by separation’s agony,
Spent the night entangled in sorrow's cord.
Spent the night tangled in the rope of woe,
فيin سَماءِthe sky of اللَيلِnight مَخلوعَwith loosened العِنانreins
في سَماءِ اللَيلِ مَخلوعَ العِنان
ضاقَتِclosed in الأَرضُthe earth عَلَيهِaround him شَبَكاas a net
ضاقَتِ الأَرضُ عَلَيهِ شَبَكا
In the night sky, his reins cast loose,
Free in the sky’s expanse, reined by longing’s ache,
The earth closed around him like a net.
The earth too narrow though unbound and bare.
كُلَّماwhenever اِستَوحَشَfelt lonely فيin ظِلِّthe shade of الجِنانthe gardens
كُلَّما اِستَوحَشَ في ظِلِّ الجِنان
جُنَّwent mad فَاِسَتَضحَكَthen burst into laughter مِنfrom حَيثُwhere بَكىhe wept
جُنَّ فَاِسَتَضحَكَ مِن حَيثُ بَكى
Whenever he felt lonely beneath the gardens' shade,
Whenever in the garden’s shade it felt forlorn,
He went mad and burst into laughter where he had wept.
It smiled, though weeping, from the place it cried.
اِرتَدىdonned بُرنُسَهُhis hooded cloak وَاِلتَثَماand veiled his face
اِرتَدى بُرنُسَهُ وَاِلتَثَما
وَخَطاand stepped خُطوَةَthe step of شَيخٍan old man مُرعَسِtrembling
وَخَطا خُطوَةَ شَيخٍ مُرعَسِ
He donned his hooded cloak and veiled his face,
Donning its cloak, it groaned, walked with effort, bent,
And stepped like a trembling old man.
Seeming, when crouched, a weary, aged crone,
وَيُرىand is seen ذاpossessing حَدَبٍa hunch إِنif جَثَماhe crouches
وَيُرى ذا حَدَبٍ إِن جَثَما
فَإِنbut if اِرتَدَّhe leans back بَداhe appears ذاpossessing قَعَسِa hollowed back
فَإِن اِرتَدَّ بَدا ذا قَعَسِ
He seems hunchbacked when he crouches;
Seeming, when rising, crippled, hardly straight.
But when he leans back, his back seems hollowed.
Yet still its beak showed gleaming midst the gore
فَمُهُhis mouth القانيcrimson عَلىabove لَبَّتِهِhis throat
فَمُهُ القاني عَلى لَبَّتِهِ
كَبَقاياlike remnants of الدَمِblood فيon نَصلِa blade دَقيقِslender
كَبَقايا الدَمِ في نَصلِ دَقيقِ
His crimson mouth above his throat
Like drops of blood on the slim blade’s keen edge
Is like blood remaining on a slender blade.
That stretched then split where it had been secure.
مَدَّهُhe extended it فَاِنشَقَّthen it split مِنfrom مَنبَتِهِits root
مَدَّهُ فَاِنشَقَّ مِن مَنبَتِهِ
مَنwho رَأىhas seen شِقَّيthe two blades of مِقَصٍscissors مِنof عَقيقِagate
مَن رَأى شِقَّي مِقَصٍ مِن عَقيقِ
He extended it, and it split from its root:
Who sees the smooth split chrysolite’s twin sides
Who has seen scissors with two blades of agate?
And weeps, heart-stricken, for its native folk,
وَبَكىand wept شَجواًin sorrow عَلىfor شَعبِهِhis people
وَبَكى شَجواً عَلى شَعبِهِ
شَجوَthe sorrow of ذاتِa woman with الثُكلِbereavement فيbehind السِترِthe veil الرَقيقِthin
شَجوَ ذاتِ الثُكلِ في السِترِ الرَقيقِ
He wept in sorrow for his people,
Mourning beneath the delicate, thin screens?
Like a bereaved mother behind a thin veil.
His tongue was swift and freely spoke its mind,
سَلَّdrew مَنfrom فيهِhis mouth لِساناًa tongue عَنَماًa scarlet ‘anam twig
سَلَّ مَن فيهِ لِساناً عَنَماً
ماضِياًproceeding swiftly فيin البَثِّlamentation لَمnot يَحتَبِسِheld back
ماضِياً في البَثِّ لَم يَحتَبِسِ
From his mouth he drew a tongue, a scarlet ‘anam twig,
Roaming unrestrained through desolate sands,
Swift in lamentation, never held back:
A plucked string sounding clearly, but at peace,
وَتَرٌa string مِنfrom غَيرِother than ضَربٍstriking رَنَّماsang
وَتَرٌ مِن غَيرِ ضَربٍ رَنَّما
فيin الدُجىthe darkness أَوor شَرَرٌsparks مِنfrom قَبَسِa firebrand
في الدُجى أَو شَرَرٌ مِن قَبَسِ
A string singing without being struck
Sparks in the gloom or embers among ash.
In the darkness, or sparks from a firebrand.
His anguish, after stillness, was aroused:
نَفَرَتerupted لَوعَتُهُhis anguish بَعدَafter الهُدوءthe stillness
نَفَرَت لَوعَتُهُ بَعدَ الهُدوء
وَالدُجىand darkness بَيتُthe home of الجَوىheartache وَالبُرَحاand torment
وَالدُجى بَيتُ الجَوى وَالبُرَحا
His anguish erupted after the stillness;
The gloom is comfort’s home, the roof its rest.
Darkness is the home of heartache and torment.
Wounded, writhing, bearing up with broken wings,
يَتَعاياstruggles helplessly بِجَناحٍwith one wing وَيَنوءand is weighed down
يَتَعايا بِجَناحٍ وَيَنوء
بِجناحٍby another wing مُذsince وَهىit weakened ماnot صَلَحاmended
بِجناحٍ مُذ وَهى ما صَلَحا
He struggles helplessly with one wing, weighed down
When were they ever whole or at their best?
By another that has never mended since it weakened.
Time has been cruel, continues cruelty,
سائَهُhurt him الدَهرُTime وَماand not زالَceased يَسوءhurting
سائَهُ الدَهرُ وَما زالَ يَسوء
ماwhat عَلَيهِwould it cost it لَوif أَساit healed ماwhat جَرَحاit wounded
ما عَلَيهِ لَو أَسا ما جَرَحا
Time hurt him and has not ceased hurting him:
No matter whether he submits or stands.
What would it cost it to heal what it wounded?
Whenever he strikes his hands in new remorse,
كُلَّماwhenever أَدمىhe bloodied يَدَيهِhis two hands نَدَماًin remorse
كُلَّما أَدمى يَدَيهِ نَدَماً
سالَتاthey both streamed مِنfrom طَوقِهِhis collar وَالبُرنُسِand the hooded cloak
سالَتا مِن طَوقِهِ وَالبُرنُسِ
Whenever he bloodied his two hands in remorse,
Blood drips from his neck-ring and turban bands
They streamed from his collar and hooded cloak.
Till his eyelids offer nothing left but blood
فَنِيَتwasted away أَهدابُهُhis fringes إِلّاexcept دَماًblood
فَنِيَت أَهدابُهُ إِلّا دَماً
قامَstood congealed كَالياقوتِlike ruby لَمnot يَنبَجِسِgushing
قامَ كَالياقوتِ لَم يَنبَجِسِ
His fringes wasted away, leaving only blood
Set in his face like rubies fire-possessed.
That stood like ruby, without gushing.
By night he moaned, his feathers rustling, waved
مَدَّprolonged فيthrough اللَيلِthe night أَنيناًa moan وَخَفَقand fluttered
مَدَّ في اللَيلِ أَنيناً وَخَفَق
خَفَقانَthe fluttering of القُرطِan earring فيin جُنحِthe shade of الشَعَرthe hair
خَفَقانَ القُرطِ في جُنحِ الشَعَر
He prolonged a moan through the night and fluttered
In the soft, scented air by zephyrs fanned
Like an earring fluttering beneath the hair.
Till his strength faded and he gasped for breath
فَرَغَتdrained مِنهُfrom him النَوىseparation غَيرَexcept رَمَقa breath of life
فَرَغَت مِنهُ النَوى غَيرَ رَمَق
فَضلَةَthe remnant of الجُرحِa wound إِذاwhen الجُرحُthe wound نَغَرfesters
فَضلَةَ الجُرحِ إِذا الجُرحُ نَغَر
Separation drained him of all but a breath of life,
Like warm dissolving traces of a dream
The remnant of a wound when the wound festers.
Or embers paling at the night’s far end.
يَتَلاشىfades away نَزَواتٍin spasms فيin حُرَقburning pains
يَتَلاشى نَزَواتٍ في حُرَق
كَذُبالٍlike a wick آخِرَat the end of اللَيلِthe night اِستَعَرflared
كَذُبالٍ آخِرَ اللَيلِ اِستَعَر
He fades away in spasms of burning pain,
That was no torque his throat had donned, but pain.
Like a wick flaring at the night's end.
God bless his soul! Did he at all know
لَمnot يَكُنwas طَوقاًa collar وَلَكِنbut ضَرَماa blaze
لَم يَكُن طَوقاً وَلَكِن ضَرَما
ماwhat عَلىupon لَبَّتِهِhis throat مِنof قَبَسِa firebrand
ما عَلى لَبَّتِهِ مِن قَبَسِ
It was no collar, but a blaze,
That it once breathed inside this breathing frame?
That firebrand upon his throat.
I said, “O Night, who is the spreader of his pain?”
رَحمَةُmercy of اللَهِGod لَهُupon him هَلdid عَلِماhe know
رَحمَةُ اللَهِ لَهُ هَل عَلِما
أَنَّthat تِلكَthat النَفسَsoul مِنfrom ذاthis النَفَسِbreath
أَنَّ تِلكَ النَفسَ مِن ذا النَفَسِ
God's mercy upon him! Did he know
She said, “Parting.” I said, “What is its breadth?”
That such a soul came from this breath?
She said, “A vale—the vale of endless woe
قُلتُI said لِلَّيلِto the night وَلِلَّيلِand the night has عَوادvisitors
قُلتُ لِلَّيلِ وَلِلَّيلِ عَواد
مَنwho أَخوthe companion of البَثِّsorrow فَقالَthen it said فِراقSeparation
مَن أَخو البَثِّ فَقالَ فِراق
I said to the night—and the night has its visitors—
Not bounded by Hijaz or Iraq.”
'Who is this companion of sorrow?' It said, 'Separation.'
I said, “But it lacks generosity of tears.”
قُلتُI said ماwhat واديهِhis valley قالَit said الشَجوُsorrow وادa valley
قُلتُ ما واديهِ قالَ الشَجوُ واد
لَيسَnot فيهِwithin it مِنof حِجازٍHijaz أَوor عِراقIraq
لَيسَ فيهِ مِن حِجازٍ أَو عِراق
I said, 'What is his valley?' It said, 'Sorrow is a valley
She said, “The worst of tears are those unshed.”
Containing neither Hijaz nor Iraq.'
We envy birds—what agony therein lies!
قُلتُI said لَكِنbut جَفنُهُhis eyelid غَيرُnot جَوادgenerous
قُلتُ لَكِن جَفنُهُ غَيرُ جَواد
قالَit said شَرُّthe worst of الدَمعِtears ماwhat لَيسَnot يُراقis shed
قالَ شَرُّ الدَمعِ ما لَيسَ يُراق
I said, 'But his eyelid is not generous.'
Leave birds; good fortune’s made their nests its goal.
It said, 'The worst tears are those not shed.'
When I could not find rest beneath the stars
نَغبِطُwe envy الطَيرَthe birds وَماbut not نَعلَمُwe know ماwhat
نَغبِطُ الطَيرَ وَما نَعلَمُ ما
هِيَthey فيهِwithin مِنof عَذابٍtorment بَئِسِgrievous
هِيَ فيهِ مِن عَذابٍ بَئِسِ
We envy birds, yet do not know what
As they sank down extinguished in night’s pall,
Grievous torment they endure.
My eyelids rained upon my cheeks, tears flowed
فَدَعِso leave الطَيرَthe birds وَحَظّاًand a lot قُسِماallotted
فَدَعِ الطَيرَ وَحَظّاً قُسِما
صَيَّرَmade الأَيكَthe groves كَدورِlike the homes of الأَنَسِhumankind
صَيَّرَ الأَيكَ كَدورِ الأَنَسِ
So leave the birds and their allotted fortune,
Down my face—and what avails a drowning man
Which made the groves like human homes.
Crying aloud to one submerged like him?
ناحَhe wailed إِذwhile جَفنايَmy two eyelids فيin أَسرِthe captivity of النُجومthe stars
ناحَ إِذ جَفنايَ في أَسرِ النُجوم
رَسَفاboth dragged their fetters فيin السُهدِsleeplessness وَالدَمعُwhile tears طَليقran free
رَسَفا في السُهدِ وَالدَمعُ طَليق
He wailed while my two eyelids, captive to the stars,
For us alike this arrow causes pain;
Dragged their fetters in sleeplessness, while tears ran free.
All of us flee from destiny’s attack.
أَيُّهاO الصارِخُyou who cry out مِنfrom بَحرِthe sea of الهُمومcares
أَيُّها الصارِخُ مِن بَحرِ الهُموم
ماwhat عَسىcould يُغنيhelp غَريقٌone drowning person مِنfor غَريقanother drowning person
ما عَسى يُغني غَريقٌ مِن غَريق
O you crying out from a sea of cares,
Consider how the world’s divided out
How can one drowning person help another?
In lots, some sweet, some bitter for those who taste.
إِنَّindeed هَذاthis السَهمَarrow ليI have مِنهُfrom it كُلومwounds
إِنَّ هَذا السَهمَ لي مِنهُ كُلوم
كُلُّناall of us نازِحُfar from أَيكٍa grove وَفَريقand separated
كُلُّنا نازِحُ أَيكٍ وَفَريق
This arrow has wounded me too:
Look at mankind: you’ll scarcely find one spared
We are all far from our groves and separated.
By fate’s sword thrusts, though screens may hide the trace.
قَلِّبِturn over الدُنياthe world تَجِدهاyou will find it قِسَماًportions
قَلِّبِ الدُنيا تَجِدها قِسَماً
صُرِّفَتvariously allotted مِنof أَنعُمٍblessings أَوor أَبؤُسِhardships
صُرِّفَت مِن أَنعُمٍ أَو أَبؤُسِ
Turn the world over: you will find it portions
O youth of Orient, heirs of glory’s house,
Variously allotted, of blessings or hardships.
Saplings of pride and honest lineage bred,
وَاِنظُرِand look at الناسَpeople تَجِدyou will find مَنone who سَلِماescaped
وَاِنظُرِ الناسَ تَجِد مَن سَلِما
مِنfrom سِهامِthe arrows of الدَهرِTime شَجَّتهُbattered him القِسيthe bows
مِن سِهامِ الدَهرِ شَجَّتهُ القِسي
Look at people: you will find one who escaped
Yournoble birth’s enough; disguise it not
Time's arrows battered by its bows.
With ways of Samir’s heirs now long since dead.
ياO شَبابَyouth of الشَرقِthe East عُنوانَthe epitome of الشَبابyouth
يا شَبابَ الشَرقِ عُنوانَ الشَباب
ثَمَراتِfruits of الحَسَبِnoble lineage الزاكيpure النَميرwholesome
ثَمَراتِ الحَسَبِ الزاكي النَمير
O youth of the East, the epitome of youth,
No prince ever entered through the door
Fruits of pure, wholesome noble lineage:
Ofhonor’s book flung open for your line
حَسبُكُمsufficient for you فيin الكَرَمِnobility المَحضِunalloyed اللُبابessential
حَسبُكُم في الكَرَمِ المَحضِ اللُباب
سيرَةٌa life-story تَبقىendures بَقاءَas long as اِبنَيthe two sons of سَميرSamir
سيرَةٌ تَبقى بَقاءَ اِبنَي سَمير
Sufficient for you in pure, essential nobility
Among the brilliant suns of Syria
Is a life-story enduring as long as the two sons of Samir.
You shone, and the crescent moons of Andalus.
فيin كِتابِthe book of الفَخرِglory لِلداخِلِfor al-Dakhil بابa chapter
في كِتابِ الفَخرِ لِلداخِلِ باب
لَمnot يَلِجهُenter it مِنamong بَنيthe sons of المُلكِroyalty أَميرa prince
لَم يَلِجهُ مِن بَني المُلكِ أَمير
In the book of glory, al-Dakhil has a chapter
The East took you as shining lights; then veered
No prince among the sons of royalty has entered.
And bent the West low, prostrate at your feet.
فيamong الشُموسِthe suns الزُهرِshining بِالشامِin Syria اِنتَمىtraced his lineage
في الشُموسِ الزُهرِ بِالشامِ اِنتَمى
وَنَمىand begot الأَقمارَthe moons بِالأَندَلُسِin al-Andalus
وَنَمى الأَقمارَ بِالأَندَلُسِ
He traced his lineage to the shining suns of Syria,
Can you recall the best of news—the tale
And begot moons in al-Andalus.
That history’s page recounts, rich, sublime, and great?
قَعَدَsat الشَرقُthe East عَلَيهِمmourning them مَأتَماas a funeral gathering
قَعَدَ الشَرقُ عَلَيهِم مَأتَما
وَاِنثَنىand turned الغَربُthe West بِهِمwith them فيin عُرُسِa wedding feast
وَاِنثَنى الغَربُ بِهِم في عُرُسِ
The East sat mourning them,
An outstanding gem set mid the necklace,
While the West turned with them to a wedding feast.
Something concealed for crown and throne to take—
هَلwould لَكُمyou have فيin نَبَإِa tale خَيرِthe finest نَبَأtale
هَل لَكُم في نَبَإِ خَيرِ نَبَأ
حِليَةِthe adornment of التاريخِhistory مَأثورٍhanded down عَظيمgreat
حِليَةِ التاريخِ مَأثورٍ عَظيم
Would you hear the finest of tales,
It baffles thought, except by one who binds
History's adornment, a great inherited account?
His passion with a purpose purely aimed.
حَلَّheld a place فيamong الأَنباءِtales ماas حَلَّتheld a place سَبَأSaba
حَلَّ في الأَنباءِ ما حَلَّت سَبَأ
مَنزِلَthe position of الوُسطىthe central jewel مِنَin العِقدِthe necklace النَظيمwell-strung
مَنزِلَ الوُسطى مِنَ العِقدِ النَظيم
Among tales it held the place that Saba held:
Truth draws his sympathy; his sign deserves
The central jewel's place in a well-strung necklace.
High station, though obscure and unproclaimed.
مِثلَهُits like المِقدارُfate يَوماًever ماnot خَبَأconcealed
مِثلَهُ المِقدارُ يَوماً ما خَبَأ
لِسَليبِfor one stripped of التاجِthe crown وَالعَرشِand the throne كَظيمsuppressing grief
لِسَليبِ التاجِ وَالعَرشِ كَظيم
Fate never concealed its like
A noble scion of the warm Yaman,
For one stripped of crown and throne, suppressing grief.
Among the champions free and bold, a youth
يُعجِزُbaffles القُصّاصَstorytellers إِلّاexcept قَلَماa pen
يُعجِزُ القُصّاصَ إِلّا قَلَما
فيin سَوادٍthe blackness مِنof هَوىًprejudice لَمnot يُغمَسِdipped
في سَوادٍ مِن هَوىً لَم يُغمَسِ
It baffles storytellers, except a pen
Outstripping in his conquests, venturing
Never dipped in the blackness of prejudice,
Beyond all bounds, untiring, quick to forge ahead—
يُؤثِرُfavors الصِدقَtruth وَيَجزيand requites عَلَماan illustrious man
يُؤثِرُ الصِدقَ وَيَجزي عَلَما
قَلَبَwould have overturned العالَمَthe world لَوif لَمnot يُطمَسِeffaced
قَلَبَ العالَمَ لَو لَم يُطمَسِ
That favors truth and requites an illustrious man
He left aside all other spoils and aims
Who would have overturned the world, had he not been effaced.
For the rule his people had let slip away.
عَنabout عِصامِيٍّa self-made man نَبيلٍnoble مُعرِقِdeeply rooted
عَن عِصامِيٍّ نَبيلٍ مُعرِقِ
فيamong بُناةِthe builders of المَجدِglory أَبناءِthe sons of الفَخارrenown
في بُناةِ المَجدِ أَبناءِ الفَخار
It tells of a self-made nobleman, deeply rooted
Waves rose against him, venturing hazard’s gusts,
Among the builders of glory, the sons of renown.
As if the waves, too, marched at fate’s command
نَهَضَتrose دَولَتُهُمtheir dynasty بِالمَشرِقِin the East
نَهَضَت دَولَتُهُم بِالمَشرِقِ
نَهضَةَlike the rising of الشَمسِthe sun بِأَطرافِat the edges of النَهارthe day
نَهضَةَ الشَمسِ بِأَطرافِ النَهار
Their dynasty rose in the East
Till came a shout from one who stood on shore:
Like the sun rising at the day's edge.
“Salvation’s here! The covenant is signed!”
ثُمَّthen خانَbetrayed التاجُthe crown وُدَّthe affection of المَفرِقِthe crown of the head
ثُمَّ خانَ التاجُ وُدَّ المَفرِقِ
وَنَبَتand became inhospitable بِالأَنجُمِto the stars الزُهرِshining الدِيارthe lands
وَنَبَت بِالأَنجُمِ الزُهرِ الدِيار
Then the crown betrayed its affection for the head,
Trusting, he turned, submissive and resigned,
And the lands became inhospitable to their shining stars.
A lamb led unaware to slaughter’s yard,
غَفَلواthey overlooked عَنconcerning ساهِرٍa wakeful prowler حَولَaround الحِمىthe sanctuary
غَفَلوا عَن ساهِرٍ حَولَ الحِمى
باسِطٍextending مِنfrom ساعِدَيthe two forearms of مُفتَرِسِa predator
باسِطٍ مِن ساعِدَي مُفتَرِسِ
They overlooked a wakeful prowler around the sanctuary,
The army shedding his pure blood, their hearts
Extending a predator's two forearms.
Like flinty rock from which no spark is struck.
حامَcircled حَولَaround المُلكِthe kingdom ثُمَّthen اِقتَحَماstormed in
حامَ حَولَ المُلكِ ثُمَّ اِقتَحَما
وَمَشىand walked فيthrough الدَمِblood مَشيَthe walk of الضِرسِa savage lion
وَمَشى في الدَمِ مَشيَ الضِرسِ
He circled the kingdom, then stormed in,
O you who despair, though still unstruck by death—
And walked through blood like a savage lion.
If you want life, hope!—when events are harsh
ثَأرُvengeance for عُثمانَUthman لِمَروانٍfor Marwan مَجازa bridge
ثَأرُ عُثمانَ لِمَروانٍ مَجاز
وَدَمَand the blood of السِبطِthe grandson أَثارَstirred up الأَقرَبونthe nearest kin
وَدَمَ السِبطِ أَثارَ الأَقرَبون
Vengeance for Uthman was Marwan's bridge;
Do not feel your endurance cleanly ripped
The nearest kin stirred up the grandson's blood.
Even if pressures peak beyond your strength.
حَسَّنواmade appealing لِلشامِto Syria ثَأراًvengeance وَالحِجازand the Hijaz
حَسَّنوا لِلشامِ ثَأراً وَالحِجاز
فَتَغالىso went to excess الناسُthe people فيماin what يَطلُبونthey demanded
فَتَغالى الناسُ فيما يَطلُبون
They made vengeance appealing to Syria and the Hijaz,
Just wait, be patient, for relief will burst
And people went to excess in what they demanded.
Through what had seemed impenetrable walls.
مَكرُthe cunning of سُوّاسٍrulers عَلىupon الدَهماءِthe masses جازwas passed off
مَكرُ سُوّاسٍ عَلى الدَهماءِ جاز
وَرُعاةٌand shepherds بِالرَعاياwith their subjects يَلعَبونplay
وَرُعاةٌ بِالرَعايا يَلعَبون
The cunning of rulers was passed off upon the masses:
He saw his power decline, dominion cease,
Shepherds playing with their flocks.
Yet he set out West with will undeterred
جَعَلواthey made الحَقَّright لِبَغيٍfor oppression سُلَّماa ladder
جَعَلوا الحَقَّ لِبَغيٍ سُلَّما
فَهوَso it كَالسِترِlike a veil لَهُمfor them وَالتُرُسِand shields
فَهوَ كَالسِترِ لَهُم وَالتُرُسِ
They made right a ladder for oppression;
And soon achieved a kingdom men had lost
It serves them as a veil and shields.
To remotest edges, beyond outspread plains.
وَقَديماًand long ago بِاِسمِهِin its name قَدindeed ظَلَماoppressed
وَقَديماً بِاِسمِهِ قَد ظَلَما
كُلُّevery ذيpossessor of مِئذَنَةٍa minaret أَوor جَرَسِa bell
كُلُّ ذي مِئذَنَةٍ أَو جَرَسِ
Long ago, in its name, oppression was committed
Indeed—by God!—that plenitude was his:
By everyone possessing a minaret or a bell.
No rugged road to glory had he faced
جُزِيَتwas requited مَروانُMarwan عَنfor آبائِهاits forefathers
جُزِيَت مَروانُ عَن آبائِها
ماwhat أَراقواthey shed مِنof دِماءٍblood وَدُموعand tears
ما أَراقوا مِن دِماءٍ وَدُموع
Marwan was requited for its forefathers,
Too hard for one resolved to climb its sheer
For the blood and tears they shed,
And pitiless ascent, who does not ask
وَمِنَand of النَفسِits life وَمِنand of أَهوائِهاits desires
وَمِنَ النَفسِ وَمِن أَهوائِها
ماwhat يُؤَدّيهِit pays عَنِon behalf of الأَصلِthe root وَالفُروعand the branches
ما يُؤَدّيهِ عَنِ الأَصلِ وَالفُروع
And, of its own life and its desires,
How or when,but only looks up to the stars.
For what would discharge the debt of root and branches.
A realm his people spurned was his to rule
خَلَتِwere emptied الأَعوادُthe pulpits مِنof أَسمائِهاits names
خَلَتِ الأَعوادُ مِن أَسمائِها
وَتَغَطَّتand were covered بِالمَصاليبِwith crucified bodies الجُذوعthe tree trunks
وَتَغَطَّت بِالمَصاليبِ الجُذوع
The pulpits were emptied of its names,
Though fate and circumstance shift scenes around.
And tree trunks were covered with crucified bodies.
What structure built on true ambition’s base
ظَلَمَتit oppressed حَتّىuntil أَصابَتit encountered أَظلَماone more oppressive
ظَلَمَت حَتّى أَصابَت أَظلَما
حاصِدَa harvester with السَيفِthe sword وَبيءَpestilential المَحبَسِin imprisonment
حاصِدَ السَيفِ وَبيءَ المَحبَسِ
It oppressed until it encountered one more oppressive,
Could ever shake or bring that kingdom down?
A harvester with the sword, pestilential in imprisonment,
Nights passed while he held power’s guiding reins,
فَطِناًdiscerning فيwithin دَعوَةِthe cause of الآلِthe family لِماof what
فَطِناً في دَعوَةِ الآلِ لِما
هَمَسَwhispered الشانيthe enemy وَماand what لَمnot يَهمِسِwhispered
هَمَسَ الشاني وَما لَم يَهمِسِ
Discerning, within the family's cause, what
His troops ranged forward in successive flow.
The enemy whispered and what he did not whisper.
Deprived of glory in the Orient,
لَبِسَتdonned بُردَthe mantle of النَبِيِّthe Prophet النَيِّراتthe radiant ones
لَبِسَت بُردَ النَبِيِّ النَيِّرات
مِنfrom بَنيthe sons of العَبّاسِAbbas نوراًlight فَوقَupon نورlight
مِن بَني العَبّاسِ نوراً فَوقَ نور
The radiant ones donned the Prophet's mantle,
He flung himself on brilliant Occident.
The sons of Abbas—light upon light.
For a good man, whene’er disaster looms,
وَقَديماًand long ago عِندَowed by مَروانٍMarwan تِراتblood debts
وَقَديماً عِندَ مَروانٍ تِرات
لِزَكِيّاتٍto pure ones مِنَamong الأَنفُسِsouls نورluminous
لِزَكِيّاتٍ مِنَ الأَنفُسِ نور
Long ago, Marwan owed blood debts
Good fortune peers from the distraught event.
To pure souls radiant with light.
An Umayyad in lineage, his quest
فَنَجاso escaped الداخِلُal-Dakhil سَبخاًswimming بِالفُراتin the Euphrates
فَنَجا الداخِلُ سَبخاً بِالفُرات
تارِكَleaving الفِتنَةِstrife تَطغىto run rampant وَتَنورand blaze
تارِكَ الفِتنَةِ تَطغى وَتَنور
So al-Dakhil escaped, swimming in the Euphrates,
Strove upward on a steed of high descent,
Leaving strife to run rampant and blaze.
His progress matched the moon’s, in lone retreat,
غَسَّplunged كَالحوتِlike a fish بِهِinto it وَاِقتَحَماand braved
غَسَّ كَالحوتِ بِهِ وَاِقتَحَما
بَينَbetween عِبرَيهِits two banks عُيونَthe eyes of الحَرَسِthe guards
بَينَ عِبرَيهِ عُيونَ الحَرَسِ
He plunged into it like a fish and braved
No riders near to drink the landscape in.
The guards' eyes between its two banks.
Nor was his state on qualities more built
وَلَقَدand indeed يُجديbenefits الفَتىa young man أَنto يَعلَماknow
وَلَقَد يُجدي الفَتى أَن يَعلَما
صَهوَةَthe saddle of الماءِwater وَمَتنِand the back of الفَرَسِa horse
صَهوَةَ الماءِ وَمَتنِ الفَرَسِ
Indeed, it benefits a young man to know
Than his own noble traits of purity.
The saddle of water and the back of a horse.
When morals are the ladder good men climb,
صَحِبَaccompanied الداخِلَal-Dakhil مِنamong إِخوَتِهِhis brothers
صَحِبَ الداخِلَ مِن إِخوَتِهِ
حَدَثٌa boy خاضَplunged into الغُمارَthe depths اِبنَaged ثَمانeight
حَدَثٌ خاضَ الغُمارَ اِبنَ ثَمان
One of his brothers accompanied al-Dakhil:
They rise and take possession of the stars.
A boy of eight who plunged into the depths.
There he ascended to exalted peaks
غَلَبَovercame المَوجَthe waves عَلىover قُوَّتِهِhis strength
غَلَبَ المَوجَ عَلى قُوَّتِهِ
فَكَأَنَّas though المَوجَthe waves مِنamong جُندِthe soldiers of الزَمانTime
فَكَأَنَّ المَوجَ مِن جُندِ الزَمان
The waves overcame his strength,
And sat himself on brilliance temples seat.
As though the waves were soldiers of Time.
What equal kingdom did ambition found
وَإِذاand suddenly بِالشَطِّon the bank مِنfrom شِقوَتِهِhis ill fortune
وَإِذا بِالشَطِّ مِن شِقوَتِهِ
صائِحٌa caller صاحَcried بِهِto him نِلتَyou have gained الأَمانsafety
صائِحٌ صاحَ بِهِ نِلتَ الأَمان
Suddenly, on the bank, to his misfortune,
As lands in West by conqueror annexed?
A caller cried to him, 'You have gained safety!'
A youth who sprang from the most noble race
فَاِنثَنىso he turned back مُنخَدِعاًdeceived مُستَسلِماًsurrendering
فَاِنثَنى مُنخَدِعاً مُستَسلِماً
شاةٌa sheep اِغتَرَّتwas beguiled بِعَهدِby the pledge of الأَلَسِa treacherous man
شاةٌ اِغتَرَّت بِعَهدِ الأَلَسِ
He turned back, deceived and surrendering:
And ruled an age—none ruled so well that age.
A sheep beguiled by a treacherous man's pledge.
Nights governed him, and in their turns they set
خَضَبَdyed الجُندُthe soldiers بِهِwith him الأَرضَthe earth دَماblood
خَضَبَ الجُندُ بِهِ الأَرضَ دَما
وَقُلوبُand the hearts of الجُندِthe soldiers كَالصَخرِlike stone القَسيhard
وَقُلوبُ الجُندِ كَالصَخرِ القَسي
The soldiers dyed the earth with his blood,
A leader fit, night after night in line.
And the soldiers' hearts were like hard stone.
Robbed of his might in the Orient’s sphere,
أَيُّهاO اليائِسُdespairing one مُتdie قَبلَbefore المَماتdeath
أَيُّها اليائِسُ مُت قَبلَ المَمات
أَوor إِذاif شِئتَyou wish حَياةًlife فَالرَجاthen hope
أَو إِذا شِئتَ حَياةً فَالرَجا
O despairing one, die before death;
He flung himself on Occident for aid.
Or, if you wish for life, then hope!
When what is good comes to a worthy soul,
لاlet not يَضِقfail ذَرعُكَyour endurance عِندَamid الأَزَماتcrises
لا يَضِق ذَرعُكَ عِندَ الأَزَمات
إِنif هِيَthey اِشتَدَّتgrow severe وَأَمِّلand hope for فَرَجاrelief
إِن هِيَ اِشتَدَّت وَأَمِّل فَرَجا
Do not let your endurance fail amid crises
Trials themselves flash with a face serene.
If they grow severe; hope for relief.
Heart, are not you his comrade, you who fared
ذَلِكَthat الداخِلُal-Dakhil لاقىencountered مُظلِماتdark calamities
ذَلِكَ الداخِلُ لاقى مُظلِمات
لَمnot يَكُنwas يَأمُلُexpecting مِنهاfrom them مَخرَجاan escape
لَم يَكُن يَأمُلُ مِنها مَخرَجا
That al-Dakhil encountered dark calamities
Together, and together braved time’s whip?
From which he expected no escape.
While fate’s chance wheel kept turning round and round.
قَدindeed تَوَلّىdeparted عِزُّهُhis glory وَاِنصَرَماand ended
قَد تَوَلّى عِزُّهُ وَاِنصَرَما
فَمَضىso he pressed on مِنfrom غَدِهِhis next day لَمnot يَيأَسِdespairing
فَمَضى مِن غَدِهِ لَم يَيأَسِ
His glory had departed and ended;
Languid gazelles with shapely lips and sleek,
Yet the next day he pressed on without despair.
And gathered nectar from the lips of bloom.
رامَsought بِالمَغرِبِin the West مُلكاًa kingdom فَرَمىthen aimed for
رامَ بِالمَغرِبِ مُلكاً فَرَمى
أَبَعدَthe remotest الغَمرِwaters وَأَقصىand the farthest اليَبَسِdry land
أَبَعدَ الغَمرِ وَأَقصى اليَبَسِ
He sought a kingdom in the West and aimed for
So take this epitome of life’s brief breath:
The remotest waters and the farthest dry land.
Its graph in one word phrases peak and pit.
ذاكَthat وَاللَهِby God الغِنىwealth كُلُّall الغِنىwealth
ذاكَ وَاللَهِ الغِنى كُلُّ الغِنى
أَيُّwhat صَعبٍdifficult path فيin المَعاليlofty pursuits ماnot سَلَكhe traversed
أَيُّ صَعبٍ في المَعالي ما سَلَك
That, by God, is wealth—all wealth!
Reflect how “union” starts, and “parting” ends it.
What difficult path to greatness did he not tread?
Each pair of opposites shows life’s true fit.
لَيسَis not بِالسائِلِone who asks إِنif هَمَّhe resolves مَتىwhen
لَيسَ بِالسائِلِ إِن هَمَّ مَتى
لاno وَلاnor الناظِرِone considering ماwhat يوحيforetells الفَلَكthe heavens
لا وَلا الناظِرِ ما يوحي الفَلَك
When he resolves, he does not ask, 'When?'
Dreams are delusions in the state of wake,
No, nor does he consider what the heavens foretell.
And death delivers wakefulness from dreams.
زايَلَdeserted المُلكُsovereignty ذَويهِits holders فَأَتىso he came to
زايَلَ المُلكُ ذَويهِ فَأَتى
مُلكَthe kingdom of قَومٍa people ضَيَّعوهُthey squandered it فَمَلَكso he ruled
مُلكَ قَومٍ ضَيَّعوهُ فَمَلَك
Sovereignty deserted its holders, and he came
All of us soar awhile, until we plunge,
To a people's kingdom they had squandered, and ruled.
Though falling seem delayed beyond belief.
غَمَراتٌperils عارَضَتconfronted مُقتَحِماa daring adventurer
غَمَراتٌ عارَضَت مُقتَحِما
عالِيَlofty of النَفسِspirit أَشَمَّproud of المَعطِسِnose
عالِيَ النَفسِ أَشَمَّ المَعطِسِ
Perils confronted a daring adventurer,
Salute this ship whose sails were never trimmed
Lofty in spirit, proud of nose.
By self-regard or fear of hazard’s rebuff.
كُلُّevery أَرضٍland حَلَّhe settled فيهاin it أَوor حِمىsanctuary
كُلُّ أَرضٍ حَلَّ فيها أَو حِمى
مَنزِلُthe dwelling of البَدرِthe full moon وَغابُand the lair of البَيهَسِthe lion
مَنزِلُ البَدرِ وَغابُ البَيهَسِ
Every land or sanctuary where he settled
Borne on the breeze of grace serene she flew
Was the full moon's dwelling and the lion's lair.
As heaven’s kindness breathed on her its breath.
نَزَلَsubmitted الناجيthe survivor عَلىto حُكمِthe decree of النَوىseparation
نَزَلَ الناجي عَلى حُكمِ النَوى
وَتَوارىand concealed himself بِالسُرىthrough night travel مِنfrom طالِبيهhis pursuers
وَتَوارى بِالسُرى مِن طالِبيه
The survivor submitted to separation's decree
The sea washed clean the wounds inflicted land,
And hid from his pursuers through night travel,
And storms wiped out whatever grievance throve.
غَيرَwithout ذيpossessing رَحلٍsaddle gear وَلاnor زادٍprovisions سِوىexcept
غَيرَ ذي رَحلٍ وَلا زادٍ سِوى
جَوهَرٍjewels وافاهُreached him مِنfrom بَيتِthe house of أَبيهِhis father
جَوهَرٍ وافاهُ مِن بَيتِ أَبيهِ
Possessing neither saddle gear nor provisions, except
How did she know the one arriving here
Jewels that reached him from his father's house.
Had left the Temple Mount on holy track?
قَمَرٌa moon لاقىencountered خُسوفاًan eclipse فَاِنزَوىthen withdrew
قَمَرٌ لاقى خُسوفاً فَاِنزَوى
لَيسَnone مِنamong آبائِهِhis forefathers إِلّاbut نَبيهa distinguished man
لَيسَ مِن آبائِهِ إِلّا نَبيه
A moon encountered eclipse and withdrew;
An Umayyad, his journey set toward heights
Among his forefathers, none was other than distinguished.
On climbing path, choosing the peaks for goal.
لَمnot يَجِدfind أَعوانَهُhis helpers وَالخَدَماand servants
لَم يَجِد أَعوانَهُ وَالخَدَما
جانَبوهُthey shunned him غَيرَexcept بَدرِBadr الكَيِّسِsagacious
جانَبوهُ غَيرَ بَدرِ الكَيِّسِ
He could not find his helpers and servants:
His progress matched the moon’s lone flight, gold, pure,
They shunned him, except for sagacious Badr,
No riders near to spoil the horizon’s ring.
مِنamong مَواليهِhis freedmen الثِقاتِtrusted القُدُماlong-standing
مِن مَواليهِ الثِقاتِ القُدُما
لَمnot يَخُنهُbetray him فيin الزَمانِthe time الموئِسِdespairing
لَم يَخُنهُ في الزَمانِ الموئِسِ
One of his long-standing, trusted freedmen,
What structure built on true ambition’s base
Who did not betray him in despairing times.
Could ever shake or bring its kingdom down?
حينَwhen فيin إِفريقياAfrica اِنحَلَّdissolved الوِئامharmony
حينَ في إِفريقيا اِنحَلَّ الوِئام
وَاِضمَحَلَّتand faded آيَةُthe sign of الفَتحِthe conquest الجَليلglorious
وَاِضمَحَلَّت آيَةُ الفَتحِ الجَليل
When harmony dissolved in Africa
Darkness and night together argue still:
And the sign of glorious conquest faded,
Can black descent destroy such pedigree?
ماتَتِdied الأُمَّةُthe nation فيin غَيرِlack of اِلتِئامunity
ماتَتِ الأُمَّةُ في غَيرِ اِلتِئام
وَكَثيرٌand a multitude لَيسَnot يَلتامُunites قَليلa few
وَكَثيرٌ لَيسَ يَلتامُ قَليل
The nation died for lack of unity:
In Africa his people fell to strife,
An ununited multitude is but a few.
Their pact of faith dissolved in clouds unclean.
يَمَنٌYemen سَلَّتdrew ظُباهاits blades وَالشَآمand Syria
يَمَنٌ سَلَّت ظُباها وَالشَآم
شامَهاdrew them هِندِيَّةًIndian steel ذاتَwith صَليلringing
شامَها هِندِيَّةً ذاتَ صَليل
Yemen drew its blades, and Syria
The common folk are many; few cohere;
Drew its ringing Indian steel.
Yaman’s has lost its brilliant, piercing gleam
فَرَّقَdivided الجُندَthe troops الغِنىwealth فَاِنقَسَماso they split
فَرَّقَ الجُندَ الغِنى فَاِنقَسَما
وَغَداand became بَينَهُمamong them الحَقُّright نَسيforgotten
وَغَدا بَينَهُم الحَقُّ نَسي
Wealth divided the troops, and they split apart;
And Syria is reduced to tinkling bells
Right became forgotten among them.
With jingling rings, not lances sharp and keen.
أَوحَشَgrew lonely السُؤدُدُgreatness فيهِمamong them وَسَماand aspired
أَوحَشَ السُؤدُدُ فيهِم وَسَما
لِلمَعاليto the heights مَنone who بِهِwith him لَمnot تانَسِbecame familiar
لِلمَعالي مَن بِهِ لَم تانَسِ
Greatness grew lonely among them, and there aspired
Wealth split his troops till two warring camps appeared,
To the heights one they had never known.
Truth now between them lost, no longer seen.
رُحِمواwere shown mercy بِالعَبقَرِيِّthrough the genius النابِهِeminent
رُحِموا بِالعَبقَرِيِّ النابِهِ
البَعيدِfar-reaching الهِمَّةِin ambition الصَعبِdifficult القِيادto lead
البَعيدِ الهِمَّةِ الصَعبِ القِياد
They were shown mercy through the eminent genius,
Mistrust crept in; they sniffed the odor of
Far-reaching in ambition, difficult to lead.
Calamity—relaxing, casual mien
مَدَّextended فيin الفَتحِthe conquest وَفيand in أَطنابِهِits tent ropes
مَدَّ في الفَتحِ وَفي أَطنابِهِ
لَمnot يَقِفstop عِندَat بِناءِthe building of اِبنِthe son of زِيادZiyad
لَم يَقِف عِندَ بِناءِ اِبنِ زِياد
He extended the conquest and its tent ropes;
Toward noble deeds meant death itself for them
He did not stop at Ibn Ziyad's building.
Who climbed ambition’s height or strove ahead.
هَجَرَabandoned الصَيدَhunting فَماfor not يُغنىbenefited بِهِby it
هَجَرَ الصَيدَ فَما يُغنى بِهِ
وَهوَwhile he بِالمُلكِwith kingdoms رَفيقٌskillful ذوpossessing اِصطِيادhunting
وَهوَ بِالمُلكِ رَفيقٌ ذو اِصطِياد
He abandoned hunting, finding no benefit in it,
Take pity on this genius, pure of soul,
While skilled at hunting kingdoms.
His heart aspiring, bold to steer and guide.
سَلask بِهِabout him أَندَلُساًal-Andalus هَلwhether سَلِماit escaped
سَل بِهِ أَندَلُساً هَل سَلِما
مِنfrom أَخيa master of صَيدٍhunting رَفيقٍskillful مَرِسِseasoned
مِن أَخي صَيدٍ رَفيقٍ مَرِسِ
Ask al-Andalus about him: did it escape
Extending as he gained in conquests wide,
A skillful, seasoned master of the hunt?
He had no care to live in ease or pride.
جَرَّدَbared السَيفَthe sword وَهَزَّand brandished القَلَماthe pen
جَرَّدَ السَيفَ وَهَزَّ القَلَما
وَرَمىand struck بِالرَأيِwith judgment أُمَّthe mother of الخُلَسِstealthy stratagems
وَرَمى بِالرَأيِ أُمَّ الخُلَسِ
He bared the sword and brandished the pen,
For though possessed of absolute domain
And with judgment struck the mother of stealthy stratagems.
In partnership with rule he placed delight.
بِسَلامٍin peace ياO شِراعاًsail ماnot دَرىknew
بِسَلامٍ يا شِراعاً ما دَرى
ماwhat عَلَيهِupon it مِنof حَياءٍmodesty وَسَخاءand generosity
ما عَلَيهِ مِن حَياءٍ وَسَخاء
Peace to you, sail that never knew
He sent out to ask Andalus how fared
What modesty and generosity you bore!
His brother hunter in that glad pursuit.
فيwithin جَناحِthe wing of المَلَكِthe angel الروحُthe spirit جَرىsped
في جَناحِ المَلَكِ الروحُ جَرى
وَبِريحٍand on a breeze حَفَّهاenfolded it اللُطفُgrace رُخاءsoft
وَبِريحٍ حَفَّها اللُطفُ رُخاء
The spirit sped within the angel's wing,
He stripped for war, but also brought the pen
And on a soft breeze enfolded in grace.
To serve when views and messages were writ.
غَسَلَwashed اليَمُّthe sea جِراحاتِthe wounds of الثَرىthe earth
غَسَلَ اليَمُّ جِراحاتِ الثَرى
وَمَحاand erased الشِدَّةَhardship مَنhe who يَمحوerases الرَخاءease
وَمَحا الشِدَّةَ مَن يَمحو الرَخاء
The sea washed away the earth's wounds;
Greetings to you, O ship whose master took
He who erases ease erased hardship.
No thought of shame or generosity’s debt—
هَلdid دَرىknow أَندَلُسٌal-Andalus مَنwho قَدِماarrived
هَل دَرى أَندَلُسٌ مَن قَدِما
دارَهُits home مِنfrom نَحوِthe direction of بَيتِthe House of المَقدِسِHoliness (Jerusalem)
دارَهُ مِن نَحوِ بَيتِ المَقدِسِ
Did al-Andalus know who had come
For royal qualities made you their home;
To its home from the direction of Jerusalem?
The winds of grace sped you, delight’s tears your balm.
بِسَليلِthrough the descendant of الأَمَوِيّينَthe Umayyads سَماrose
بِسَليلِ الأَمَوِيّينَ سَما
فَتحُthe conquest of موسىMusa مُستَقِرَّfirmly settled الأُسُسِin its foundations
فَتحُ موسى مُستَقِرَّ الأُسُسِ
Through the Umayyads' descendant rose
The sea has washed all wounds that hurt the land.
Musa's conquest, its foundations made secure.
Good cheer wiped out whatever drew its groans.
أَمَوِيٌّan Umayyad لِلعُلاtoward greatness رِحلَتُهُhis journey
أَمَوِيٌّ لِلعُلا رِحلَتُهُ
وَالمَعاليand the heights بِمَطِيٍّwith mounts وَطُرُقand paths
وَالمَعالي بِمَطِيٍّ وَطُرُق
An Umayyad whose journey was toward greatness:
Did Andalusia know who came their way
The heights require mounts and paths.
From Syria’s halls, the Sacred City’s gate?
كَالهِلالِlike the crescent اِنفَرَدَتstood alone نُقلَتُهُhis passage
كَالهِلالِ اِنفَرَدَت نُقلَتُهُ
لاnot يُجاريهِkeep pace with him رُكابٌriders فيon الأُفُقthe horizon
لا يُجاريهِ رُكابٌ في الأُفُق
Like the crescent, his passage stood alone;
An Umayyad, his journey set for heights
No riders could keep pace with him on the horizon.
On climbing path, choosing the peaks for goal.
ماwhat بُنِيَتwas built مِنfrom خُلُقٍcharacter دَولَتُهُhis kingdom
ما بُنِيَت مِن خُلُقٍ دَولَتُهُ
قَدindeed يَشيدُbuilds الدُوَلَstates الشُمَّlofty الخُلُقcharacter
قَد يَشيدُ الدُوَلَ الشُمَّ الخُلُق
From what character was his kingdom built!
He left a realm whose people failed his trust
Character can indeed build lofty states.
And came into another folk’s abode
وَإِذاand when الأَخلاقُvirtues كانَتbecome سُلَّماa ladder
وَإِذا الأَخلاقُ كانَت سُلَّما
نالَتِreaches النَجمَthe star يَدُthe hand of المُلتَمِسِthe seeker
نالَتِ النَجمَ يَدُ المُلتَمِسِ
When virtues become a ladder,
Bringing his jewel—the sole resource he owned,
The seeker's hand reaches the star.
An heirloom gem from parental halls of pride.
فَاِرقَso climb فيهاupon them تَرقَyou will ascend أَسبابَthe ropes of السَماheaven
فَاِرقَ فيها تَرقَ أَسبابَ السَما
وَعَلىand upon ناصِيَةِthe forelock of الشَمسِthe sun اِجلِسِsit
وَعَلى ناصِيَةِ الشَمسِ اِجلِسِ
So climb upon them and ascend heaven's ropes,
No servants failed him, nor attendants left
And sit upon the sun's forelock.
Except the faithful few who stayed by his side.
أَيُّwhat ملُكٍa kingdom مِنamong بِناياتِthe edifices of الهِمَمambitions
أَيُّ ملُكٍ مِن بِناياتِ الهِمَم
أَسَّسَfounded الداخِلُal-Dakhil فيin الغَربِthe West وَشادand raised
أَسَّسَ الداخِلُ في الغَربِ وَشاد
What a kingdom, among ambition's edifices,
A moon went dark, distraught, eclipsed—but still
Al-Dakhil founded and raised in the West!
He drew his light from ancestry sublime.
ذَلِكَthat man الناشِئُnurtured فيamong خَيرِthe finest الأُمَمnations
ذَلِكَ الناشِئُ في خَيرِ الأُمَم
سادَruled فيon الأَرضِearth وَلَمand not يُخلَقwas created يُسادto be ruled
سادَ في الأَرضِ وَلَم يُخلَق يُساد
That man, nurtured among the finest nations,
He found no ready troops to give support,
Ruled on earth and was not created to be ruled.
But only those who loved him long ago.
حَكَمَتruled فيهِover him اللَياليthe nights وَحَكَمand he ruled
حَكَمَت فيهِ اللَيالي وَحَكَم
فيover عَواديهاtheir calamities قِياداًa rein بِقِيادfor a rein
في عَواديها قِياداً بِقِياد
The nights ruled over him, and he ruled
Trustworthy, loyal men of former days
Over their calamities, rein for rein.
Did not abandon him in that sore strait.
سُلِبَwas stripped of العِزَّmight بِشَرقٍin the East فَرَمىso aimed for
سُلِبَ العِزَّ بِشَرقٍ فَرَمى
جانِبَthe side of الغَربِthe West لِعِزٍّfor glory أَقعَسِunshakable
جانِبَ الغَربِ لِعِزٍّ أَقعَسِ
Stripped of might in the East, he aimed for
As Africa lost safety, concord, peace,
The West's side, seeking unshakable glory.
And the grand days of conquest were no more,
وَإِذاand when الخَيرُgood لِعَبدٍto a servant قُسِماis allotted
وَإِذا الخَيرُ لِعَبدٍ قُسِما
سَنَحَappears السَعدُgood fortune لَهُfor him فيamid النَحسِmisfortune
سَنَحَ السَعدُ لَهُ في النَحسِ
When good is allotted to a servant,
The nation failed to reunite again
Good fortune appears for him amid misfortune.
When discord’s rout had crushed the weak and poor.
أَيُّهاO القَلبُheart أَحَقٌّtruly أَنتَyou جارa neighbor
أَيُّها القَلبُ أَحَقٌّ أَنتَ جار
لِلَّذيof him who كانَused to عَلىagainst الدَهرِTime يَجيرgrant refuge
لِلَّذي كانَ عَلى الدَهرِ يَجير
O heart, are you truly a neighbor
From Marwan came Umayyah’s recompense:
Of him who granted refuge against Time?
The murders and the tears and pain it wrought—
هاهُناhere حَلَّhalted بِهِby him الرَكبُthe caravan وَسارand went on
هاهُنا حَلَّ بِهِ الرَكبُ وَسار
وَهُناand here ثاوٍremaining إِلىuntil البَعثِresurrection الأَسيرthe captive
وَهُنا ثاوٍ إِلى البَعثِ الأَسير
Here the caravan halted by him and went on;
Then tree-trunks stripped of branches, left alone;
Here the captive remains until resurrection.
The crosses’ shadows overwhelming them.
فَلَكٌa sphere بِالسَعدِby fortune وَالنَحسِand misfortune مُدارturned
فَلَكٌ بِالسَعدِ وَالنَحسِ مُدار
صَرَعَoverturned الجامَthe goblet وَأَلوىand swept away بِالمُديرthe cupbearer
صَرَعَ الجامَ وَأَلوى بِالمُدير
A sphere turned by fortune and misfortune
Wrong ruled until it reached the darkest stain
Overturned the goblet and swept away the cupbearer.
That sword could reap or prison’s grip secure
هاbehold هُناhere كُنتَyou used to تَرىsee حُوَّdusky الدُمىdoll-like beauties
ها هُنا كُنتَ تَرى حُوَّ الدُمى
فاتِناتٍalluring بِالشِفاهِwith lips اللُعُسِdark-hued
فاتِناتٍ بِالشِفاهِ اللُعُسِ
Here you used to see dusky, doll-like beauties,
Until the Abbasid summons offered hope
Alluring with their dark-hued lips,
Ofjust requital for the crimes endured.
ناقِلاتٍmoving فيamid العَبيرِperfume القَدَماtheir feet
ناقِلاتٍ في العَبيرِ القَدَما
واطِئاتٍtreading فيin حَبيرِthe brocade of السُندُسِfine silk
واطِئاتٍ في حَبيرِ السُندُسِ
Moving their feet amid perfume,
Alids donned the gown the Prophet wore,
Treading in brocaded fine silk.
Adding their light to light already blessed.
خُذtake عَنِfrom الدُنياthe world بَليغَthe eloquent العِظَةِlesson
خُذ عَنِ الدُنيا بَليغَ العِظَةِ
قَدindeed تَجَلَّتbecame clear فيin بَليغِeloquent الكَلِمِwords
قَد تَجَلَّت في بَليغِ الكَلِمِ
Take from the world an eloquent lesson:
To Marwan previously the gown seemed proof
It has appeared clearly in eloquent words.
Those People of the House were scarcely worth
طَرَفاهاits two extremes جُمِعاwere brought together فيin لَفظَةٍan utterance
طَرَفاها جُمِعا في لَفظَةٍ
فَتَأَمَّلso contemplate طَرَفَيهاits two ends تَعلَمِyou will know
فَتَأَمَّل طَرَفَيها تَعلَمِ
Its two extremes were brought together in an utterance;
A thought. But wrong cannot conceal its tracks.
Contemplate its two ends, and you will know.
The world, whose eyes were stabbed, can still see plain.
الأَمانيwishes حُلمٌa dream فيin يَقظَةِwakefulness
الأَماني حُلمٌ في يَقظَةِ
وَالمَناياand deaths يَقظَةٌan awakening مِنfrom حُلُمِa dream
وَالمَنايا يَقظَةٌ مِن حُلُمِ
Wishes are a dream while waking;
They granted Marwan what his ancestors earned:
Deaths are an awakening from a dream.
The blood they spilled, the crying and the pain.
كُلُّevery ذيpossessor of سِقطَينِtwo wings فيin الجَوِّthe air سَماrose
كُلُّ ذي سِقطَينِ في الجَوِّ سَما
واقِعٌwill fall يَوماًsomeday وَإِنeven if لَمnot يُغرَسِspeared
واقِعٌ يَوماً وَإِن لَم يُغرَسِ
Every winged creature that rose into the air
You were an Umayyad, a falcon knight.
Will fall someday, even if never speared.
What fault rests on a falcon when not struck?
وَسَيَلقىand will meet حَينَهُits doom نَسرُthe eagle of السَماheaven
وَسَيَلقى حَينَهُ نَسرُ السَما
يَومَthe day تُطوىit is folded كَالكِتابِlike a book الدَرسِworn-out
يَومَ تُطوى كَالكِتابِ الدَرسِ
The eagle of heaven will meet its doom
Ask where they buried those exalted men,
The day heaven is folded like a worn-out book.
And you will find them in the hearts and souls.
أَينَwhere ياO واحِدَpeerless one of مَروانَMarwan عَلَمa banner
أَينَ يا واحِدَ مَروانَ عَلَم
مَنhe who دَعاكَcalled you الصَقرُthe Falcon سَمّاهُnamed it العُقابthe Eagle
مَن دَعاكَ الصَقرُ سَمّاهُ العُقاب
Where, O Marwan's peerless one, is the banner
What graves are graced by earth to hide beneath
That he who called you 'Falcon' named 'Eagle'?
The vilest dead, compared to Magian throngs!
رايَةٌa banner صَرَّفَهاhe turned it aside الفَردُthe peerless one العَلَمthe eminent hero
رايَةٌ صَرَّفَها الفَردُ العَلَم
عَنfrom وُجوهِthe faces of النَصرِvictory تَصريفَthe turning aside of النِقابa veil
عَن وُجوهِ النَصرِ تَصريفَ النِقاب
A banner the peerless hero turned aside
For though interred, what corpses has one seen
From victory's faces, as one turns aside a veil.
More loathsome than these bodies when still whole—
كُنتَyou were إِنwhen جَرَّدتَyou bared سَيفاًa sword أَوor قَلَمa pen
كُنتَ إِن جَرَّدتَ سَيفاً أَو قَلَم
أُبتَyou returned بِالأَلبابِwith minds أَوor دِنتَyou subdued الرِقابnecks
أُبتَ بِالأَلبابِ أَو دِنتَ الرِقاب
Whenever you bared a sword or a pen,
Souls dead before the flesh that wrapped them round,
You returned with minds or subdued necks.
Not waiting for the final breath’s expulsion.
ماnot رَأىsaw الناسُpeople سِواهُother than his عَلَماa banner
ما رَأى الناسُ سِواهُ عَلَما
لَمnot يُرَمbe flung فيinto لُجَّةٍa deep sea أَيany يَبَسِdry land
لَم يُرَم في لُجَّةٍ أَي يَبَسِ
People saw no banner other than his
Yet many bones will speak when they proclaim
Never flung into a deep sea or onto any dry land.
The virtues that the heedless ages left unknown.
أَعَلىupon...? رُكنِthe pillar of السِماكِal-Simak اِدَّعَماit leaned
أَعَلى رُكنِ السِماكِ اِدَّعَما
وَتَغَطّىand covered itself بِجَناحِwith the wing of القُدُسِholiness
وَتَغَطّى بِجَناحِ القُدُسِ
Has it leaned upon al-Simak's pillar
So for yourself prepare a grave of words;
And covered itself with the wing of holiness?
Build it of earned praise safe from all erosion.
قَصرُكَyour palace المُنيَةُal-Munya مِنin قُرطُبَهCordoba
قَصرُكَ المُنيَةُ مِن قُرطُبَه
فيهِwithin it وارَوكَthey buried you وَلِلَّهِand to God المَصيرthe return
فيهِ وارَوكَ وَلِلَّهِ المَصير
Your palace, al-Munya, in Cordoba:
Greed goaded you to mount construction’s heights.
There they buried you, and to God is the return.
Where are those mighty builders now? Say where!
صَدَفٌa shell خُطَّwas traced عَلىover جَوهَرَةٍa pearl
صَدَفٌ خُطَّ عَلى جَوهَرَةٍ
بَيدَyet أَنَّindeed الدَهرَTime نَبّاشٌa grave robber بَصيرkeen-sighted
بَيدَ أَنَّ الدَهرَ نَبّاشٌ بَصير
A shell traced over a pearl;
Your fortress fared the same as you: each passed.
Yet Time is a keen-sighted grave robber.
God knows of all that is, and what will be.
لَمnot يَدَعleave ظِلّاًa shadow لِقَصرِof the palace of المُنيَةِal-Munya
لَم يَدَع ظِلّاً لِقَصرِ المُنيَةِ
وَكَذاand likewise عُمرُthe life of الأَمانِيِّwishes قَصيرshort
وَكَذا عُمرُ الأَمانِيِّ قَصير
It left not even a shadow of al-Munya's palace;
A shell inscribed on pearl—so was your fate,
Likewise, the life of wishes is short.
Except the world is blind, and does not see.
كُنتَyou were صَقراًa falcon قُرَشِيّاًof Quraysh عَلَماillustrious
كُنتَ صَقراً قُرَشِيّاً عَلَما
ماwhat harm عَلىto الصَقرِthe falcon إِذif لَمnot يُرمَسِburied
ما عَلى الصَقرِ إِذ لَم يُرمَسِ
You were an illustrious falcon of Quraysh:
Nor did death’s shadow leave your ramparts space;
What harm to the falcon if he was not buried?
Like the life of wishes, life goes quick.
إِنif تَسَلyou ask أَينَwhere قُبورُthe graves of العُظَماthe great ones
إِن تَسَل أَينَ قُبورُ العُظَما
فَعَلىthen upon الأَفواهِtongues أَوor فيwithin الأَنفُسِsouls
فَعَلى الأَفواهِ أَو في الأَنفُسِ
If you ask where the great ones' graves are:
A falcon, yes, Umayyad! When no stone
Upon tongues, or within souls.
Strikes it, what blame rests on the falcon then?
كَمhow many قُبورٍgraves زَيَّنَتadorned جيدَthe neck of الثَرىthe earth
كَم قُبورٍ زَيَّنَت جيدَ الثَرى
تَحتَهاbeneath them أَنجَسُfouler مِنthan مَيتِa dead person of المَجوسthe Magians
تَحتَها أَنجَسُ مِن مَيتِ المَجوس
How many graves adorned the earth's neck,
Ask where they buried those exalted souls;
Beneath them something fouler than a dead Magian!
For their true grave, ask where it lies within.
كانَwere مَنthose who فيهاwithin them وَإِنeven though جازواpassed into الثَرىthe earth
كانَ مَن فيها وَإِن جازوا الثَرى
قَبلَbefore مَوتِthe death of الجِسمِthe body أَمواتُdead النُفوسin soul
قَبلَ مَوتِ الجِسمِ أَمواتُ النُفوس
Those within them, though they passed into the earth,
What graves are dressed in earth’s adorning gowns
Were dead in soul before the body's death.
While rottenness inside smells worse than death!
وَعِظامٌand bones تَتَزَكّىgrow fragrant عَنبَراًas ambergris
وَعِظامٌ تَتَزَكّى عَنبَراً
مِنfrom ثَناءٍpraise صِرنَthey became أَغفالَunmarked occupants of الرُموسgraves
مِن ثَناءٍ صِرنَ أَغفالَ الرُموس
And bones growing fragrant as ambergris
Build your own grave of words; do not construct
Through praise have come to lie in unmarked graves.
From transient brick and stone doomed soon to crumble.
فَاِتَّخِذso make قَبرَكَyour grave مِنof ذِكرٍremembrance فَماfor whatever
فَاِتَّخِذ قَبرَكَ مِن ذِكرٍ فَما
تَبنِyou build مِنfrom مَحمودِهِits praiseworthy part لاnot يُطمَسِbe effaced
تَبنِ مِن مَحمودِهِ لا يُطمَسِ
So make your grave of remembrance, for whatever
Ambition pricked you to ascend the heights.
You build from its praiseworthy part will not be effaced.
Where are those climbers now? Where hid? Where gone?
هَبكَsuppose you مِنfrom حِرصٍcaution سَكَنتَinhabited الهَرَماthe pyramid
هَبكَ مِن حِرصٍ سَكَنتَ الهَرَما
أَينَwhere بانيهِits builder المَنيعُinaccessible المَلمَسِto the touch
أَينَ بانيهِ المَنيعُ المَلمَسِ
Suppose, from caution, you inhabited the pyramid:
Your mansion suffered just the same as you:
Where is its builder, once beyond anyone's touch?
Both passed away. To God affairs return.
Sol 6.1