أَرِقتُI lay awake وَماand what هَذاthis السُهادُwakefulness المُؤَرِّقُsleep-banishing
أَرِقتُ وَما هَذا السُهادُ المُؤَرِّقُ
وَماand not بِيَin me مِنany سُقمٍillness وَماand not بِيَin me مَعشَقُlove attachment
وَما بِيَ مِن سُقمٍ وَما بِيَ مَعشَقُ
I lay awake—what is this sleep-banishing wakefulness?
I could not sleep, and what a sleeplessness that disturbs me!
I have no illness, nor am I afflicted by love.
I have no illness, and I have no beloved.
وَلَكِنbut أَرانيI see myself لاnot أَزالُI cease بِحادِثٍwith a calamity
وَلَكِن أَراني لا أَزالُ بِحادِثٍ
أُغادىI am visited at dawn بِماby what لَمnot يُمسِwas present at dusk عِنديwith me وَأُطرَقُand I am visited at night
أُغادى بِما لَم يُمسِ عِندي وَأُطرَقُ
But I find myself never free of some calamity:
Yet I find myself still shocked
visited at dawn by what was not with me at dusk, and visited at night.
By news that previously did not concern me, and I frown.
فَإِنso if يُمسِis present at dusk عِنديwith me الشَيبُgray hair وَالهَمُّand care وَالعَشىand night blindness
فَإِن يُمسِ عِندي الشَيبُ وَالهَمُّ وَالعَشى
فَقَدthen indeed بِنَّthey departed مِنّيfrom me وَالسِلامُand hard stones تُفَلَّقُare split
فَقَد بِنَّ مِنّي وَالسِلامُ تُفَلَّقُ
If gray hair, care, and night blindness now lodge with me,
If old age, anxiety and nightfall befall me,
once they were far from me, while hard stones were cleft
I have built in me a resolution, and farewell cracks apart.
بِأَشجَعَby a braver man أَخّاذٍone who seizes عَلىagainst الدَهرِTime حُكمَهُhis due judgment
بِأَشجَعَ أَخّاذٍ عَلى الدَهرِ حُكمَهُ
فَمِنso from أَيِّwhich ماwhat تَجنيbring about الحَوادِثُcalamities أَفرَقُdo I fear
فَمِن أَيِّ ما تَجني الحَوادِثُ أَفرَقُ
by a valiant man who wrested his due from Time.
With the most valiant, judicious soul, I judge the days.
So which of the injuries wrought by calamities should I fear?
So whatever events may reap, I separate and disperse.
فَماfor not أَنتَyou إِنif دامَتthey persist عَلَيكَupon you بِخالِدٍimmortal
فَما أَنتَ إِن دامَت عَلَيكَ بِخالِدٍ
كَماjust as لَمnot يُخَلَّدwas made immortal قَبلُbefore ساساSasa وَمورَقُand Muraq
كَما لَم يُخَلَّد قَبلُ ساسا وَمورَقُ
You will not live forever, though they persist upon you,
You are not, if Khālid’s reign lasts over you,
just as Sasa and Muraq were not made immortal before.
As no other was made eternal before Sāsā and Mūrāq.
وَكِسرىand Kisra شَهِنشاهُking of kings الَّذيwhose سارَspread مُلكُهُhis dominion
وَكِسرى شَهِنشاهُ الَّذي سارَ مُلكُهُ
لَهُfor him ماwhat اِشتَهىhe desired راحٌwine عَتيقٌaged وَزَنبَقُand jasmine oil
لَهُ ما اِشتَهى راحٌ عَتيقٌ وَزَنبَقُ
Nor Kisra, Shahanshah, whose dominion spread far:
And Kisrā, the shahinshah whose realm spread,
he had whatever he desired—aged wine and jasmine oil.
For him all he wished: a lofty palace and lilies.
وَلاnor عادِياAdiya لَمnot يَمنَعِward off المَوتَdeath مالُهُhis wealth
وَلا عادِيا لَم يَمنَعِ المَوتَ مالُهُ
وِردٌa watering-place بِتَيماءَat Tayma اليَهودِيِّthe Jew's أَبلَقُAblaq
وِردٌ بِتَيماءَ اليَهودِيِّ أَبلَقُ
Nor Adiya: his wealth did not ward off death—
Nor ‘Ād who was not saved by his riches from death,
a watering-place at Tayma, the Jew's Ablaq.
Returning to Taymā’ a Jew made abject.
بَناهُhe built it سُلَيمانُSulayman بنِson of داوُودَDawud حِقبَةًan age
بَناهُ سُلَيمانُ بنِ داوُودَ حِقبَةً
لَهُit has أَزَجٌa vault عالٍlofty وَطَيٌّand masonry مُوَثَّقُfirmly bound
لَهُ أَزَجٌ عالٍ وَطَيٌّ مُوَثَّقُ
Sulayman son of Dawud built it in a bygone age;
Sulaymān son of Dāwūd built it for a time
it had a lofty vault and firmly bound masonry.
With lofty pillars and ties secured.
يُوازيreaches level with كُبَيداءَthe very center of السَماءِthe sky وَدونَهُand below it
يُوازي كُبَيداءَ السَماءِ وَدونَهُ
بَلاطٌpaving وَداراتٌand circular courts وَكِلسٌand lime وَخَندَقُand a moat
بَلاطٌ وَداراتٌ وَكِلسٌ وَخَندَقُ
It reached the very heart of the sky, and below it
Matching the sky's Kubaydah in height beneath it
were paving, circular courts, limework, and a moat.
A courtyard, halls, plasterwork and moats.
لَهُfor him دَرمَكٌfine white flour فيin رَأسِهِits summit وَمَشارِبٌand drinking chambers
لَهُ دَرمَكٌ في رَأسِهِ وَمَشارِبٌ
وَمِسكٌand musk وَرَيحانٌand fragrant herbs وَراحٌand wine تُصَفَّقُis decanted
وَمِسكٌ وَرَيحانٌ وَراحٌ تُصَفَّقُ
He had fine flour at its summit, and drinking chambers,
For him a dais atop, and drinking-places,
and musk, fragrant herbs, and wine being decanted,
Ambergris, basil, and wind perfumed.
وَحورٌand wide-eyed women كَأَمثالِlike likenesses of الدُمىstatues وَمَناصِفٌand servants
وَحورٌ كَأَمثالِ الدُمى وَمَناصِفٌ
وَقِدرٌand a cooking pot وَطَبّاخٌand a cook وَصاعٌand a grain-measure وَدَيسَقُand a silver tray
وَقِدرٌ وَطَبّاخٌ وَصاعٌ وَدَيسَقُ
and wide-eyed women like statues, and servants,
Houris like statues, companions
and a cooking pot, a cook, a grain-measure, and a silver tray.
Cauldrons, a cook, platters and trays.
فَذاكَsuch was it وَلَمyet not يُعجِزput beyond reach مِنَfrom المَوتِdeath رَبَّهُits lord
فَذاكَ وَلَم يُعجِز مِنَ المَوتِ رَبَّهُ
وَلَكِنbut أَتاهُcame to him المَوتُdeath لاnot يَتَأَبَّقُhe flees
وَلَكِن أَتاهُ المَوتُ لا يَتَأَبَّقُ
Such was it, yet it could not put its lord beyond death's reach;
That one, and his Lord did not make him immune from death,
rather, death came to him, and he could not flee.
But death came to him unswayed and unavoidable.
وَلاnor المَلِكُthe king النُعمانُal-Nu'man يَومَthe day لَقيتَهُI met him
وَلا المَلِكُ النُعمانُ يَومَ لَقيتَهُ
بِإِمَّتِهِin his splendor يُعطيhe gives القُطوطَwritten grants وَيَأفِقُand gives lavishly
بِإِمَّتِهِ يُعطي القُطوطَ وَيَأفِقُ
Nor King al-Nu'man, on the day I met him,
Nor the King Nu‘mān when you met him
in his splendor, dispensing written grants and lavish gifts.
Giving bonds among his people, awake.
وَيُجبىand tribute is brought إِلَيهِto him السَيلَحونَal-Saylahun وَدونَهاand this side of it
وَيُجبى إِلَيهِ السَيلَحونَ وَدونَها
صَريفونَSarifun فيamid أَنهارِهاits rivers وَالخَوَرنَقُand al-Khawarnaq
صَريفونَ في أَنهارِها وَالخَوَرنَقُ
Tribute came to him from al-Saylahun, and nearer than it
Collecting from them the armaments, and below them
Sarifun amid its rivers, and al-Khawarnaq.
Seriphos in its rivers and the marshes.
وَيَقسِمُand he settles أَمرَthe affairs of الناسِthe people يَوماًa day وَلَيلَةًand a night
وَيَقسِمُ أَمرَ الناسِ يَوماً وَلَيلَةً
وَهُمwhile they ساكِتونَsilent وَالمَنِيَّةُand death تَنطِقُspeaks
وَهُم ساكِتونَ وَالمَنِيَّةُ تَنطِقُ
He settled the people's affairs by day and by night,
Apportioning people’s affairs day and night
while they were silent and Death spoke.
While they are silent and death speaks.
وَيَأمُرُand he orders لِليَحمومِfor al-Yahmum كُلَّevery عَشِيَّةٍevening
وَيَأمُرُ لِليَحمومِ كُلَّ عَشِيَّةٍ
بِقَتٍّwith dried clover وَتَعليقٍand a hanging feedbag وَقَدand already كادَhe nearly يَسنَقُis surfeited
بِقَتٍّ وَتَعليقٍ وَقَد كادَ يَسنَقُ
Every evening he ordered for al-Yahmum
And ordering every evening
dried clover and a hanging feedbag, though he was almost surfeited.
Phlebotomy, poultices, though he nearly faltered.
يُعالىis heaped high عَلَيهِover him الجُلَّthe horsecloth كُلَّevery عَشِيَّةٍevening
يُعالى عَلَيهِ الجُلَّ كُلَّ عَشِيَّةٍ
وَيُرفَعُand he is urged on نُقلاًat a brisk trot بِالضُحىin the forenoon وَيُعَرَّقُand is made to sweat
وَيُرفَعُ نُقلاً بِالضُحى وَيُعَرَّقُ
Every evening his horsecloth was heaped over him,
Every evening he is raised high
and in the forenoon he was trotted briskly and made to sweat.
And transported at dawn drenched in sweat.
فَذاكَsuch was he وَماyet not أَنجىsaved مِنَfrom المَوتِdeath رَبَّهُhis master
فَذاكَ وَما أَنجى مِنَ المَوتِ رَبَّهُ
بِساباطَat Sabat حَتّىuntil ماتَhe died وَهوَwhile he مُحَزرَقُtightly confined
بِساباطَ حَتّى ماتَ وَهوَ مُحَزرَقُ
Such was he, yet he did not save his master from death
That one, but his godhood did not save him from death
at Sabat, until he died, tightly confined.
Until, shrouded, he died in Sābā.
وَقَدand often أَقطَعُI pass اليَومَthe day الطَويلَlong بِفِتيَةٍwith young men
وَقَد أَقطَعُ اليَومَ الطَويلَ بِفِتيَةٍ
مَساميحَgenerous تُسقىare given drink وَالخِباءُand the tent مُرَوَّقُhung with awnings
مَساميحَ تُسقى وَالخِباءُ مُرَوَّقُ
Often I have passed the long day with young men,
Today I shared the long hours with a band
generous and served drink, with the tent hung with awnings,
Of camels watered, while the tents were fixed.
وَرادِعَةٍand a woman scented بِالمِسكِwith musk صَفراءَgolden-skinned عِندَناwith us
وَرادِعَةٍ بِالمِسكِ صَفراءَ عِندَنا
لَجَسَّfor the touching of النَدامىthe drinking companions فيin يَدِthe sleeve of الدَرعِthe tunic مَفتَقُan opening
لَجَسَّ النَدامى في يَدِ الدَرعِ مَفتَقُ
and a golden-skinned woman with us, scented with musk,
A yellow she-camel, redolent of musk with us
her tunic's sleeve slit for the drinking companions' touch.
The regretful have grasped the coat-of-mail's hem torn apart.
إِذاwhen قُلتُI said غَنّيsing for الشَربَthe drinkers قامَتshe rose بِمِزهَرٍwith a lute
إِذا قُلتُ غَنّي الشَربَ قامَت بِمِزهَرٍ
يَكادُit almost إِذاwhen دارَتmoved لَهُover it الكَفُّthe hand يَنطِقُspeaks
يَكادُ إِذا دارَت لَهُ الكَفُّ يَنطِقُ
When I said, "Sing to the drinkers," she rose with a lute
When I say “Sing!” she rises with a wineskin
that almost spoke when her hand moved over it.
That nearly, when her palm turns, speaks.
وَشاوٍand a meat-roaster إِذاwhen شِئناwe wished كَميشٌnimble بِمِسعَرٍwith a fire-poker
وَشاوٍ إِذا شِئنا كَميشٌ بِمِسعَرٍ
وَصَهباءُand tawny wine مِزبادٌfrothy إِذاwhen ماever تُصَفَّقُis poured
وَصَهباءُ مِزبادٌ إِذا ما تُصَفَّقُ
And a nimble meat-roaster, whenever we wished, with a fire-poker,
A grilled lamb if we wish, stuffed with herbs,
and tawny wine that foamed whenever it was poured.
And a gray-haired milkskin goat if she is slapped.
تُريكَit shows you القَذىthe mote مِنfrom دونِهاthis side of it وَهيَwhile it دونَهُthis side of it
تُريكَ القَذى مِن دونِها وَهيَ دونَهُ
إِذاwhen ذاقَهاhe tastes it مَنwhoever ذاقَهاtastes it يَتَمَطَّقُsmacks his lips
إِذا ذاقَها مَن ذاقَها يَتَمَطَّقُ
It showed the mote as though before it, though the wine lay before the mote;
You see the gazelles from afar while she is beyond them
whoever tasted it smacked his lips.
When those who taste her taste start to nibble.
وَظَلَّتand there remained شَعيبٌa waterskin غَربَةُabundant in الماءِwater عِندَناwith us
وَظَلَّت شَعيبٌ غَربَةُ الماءِ عِندَنا
وَأَسحَمُand a black skin مَملوءٌfilled مِنَwith الراحِwine مُتأَقُbrimming
وَأَسحَمُ مَملوءٌ مِنَ الراحِ مُتأَقُ
And a waterskin brimming with water stayed with us,
Shu‘ayb remained dry-ground water for us
and a black skin filled to the brim with wine.
And overfull Sakhin saturated with spirits.
وَخَرقٍand a desert waste مَخوفٍfearsome قَدindeed قَطَعتُI crossed بِجَسرَةٍon a sturdy she-camel
وَخَرقٍ مَخوفٍ قَد قَطَعتُ بِجَسرَةٍ
إِذاwhen خَبَّraced آلٌa mirage فَوقَهُabove it يَتَرَقرَقُshimmers
إِذا خَبَّ آلٌ فَوقَهُ يَتَرَقرَقُ
Many a fearful waste I crossed on a sturdy she-camel,
And a dreadful stony tract I crossed with a swift she-camel
as a mirage raced above it, shimmering.
When her family climbed on her she quaked.
هِيَshe الصاحِبُthe companion الأَدنىclosest وَبَينيand between me وَبَينَهاand between her
هِيَ الصاحِبُ الأَدنى وَبَيني وَبَينَها
مَجوفٌa hollow saddle عِلافِيٌّof 'Ilafi make وَقِطعٌand a saddlecloth وَنُمرُقُand a cushion
مَجوفٌ عِلافِيٌّ وَقِطعٌ وَنُمرُقُ
She is my closest companion; between me and her
She is the closest companion, while between her and I
are a hollow 'Ilafi saddle, a saddlecloth, and a cushion.
Is a hollow expanse, abandoned regions and clefts.
وَتُصبِحُand at dawn she is مِنfrom غِبِّthe aftermath of السُرىnight travel وَكَأَنَّماand as though
وَتُصبِحُ مِن غِبِّ السُرى وَكَأَنَّما
أَلَمَّbefell بِهاupon her مِنfrom طائِفِa prowler of الجِنِّthe jinn أَولَقُa fit of madness
أَلَمَّ بِها مِن طائِفِ الجِنِّ أَولَقُ
At dawn, after the night's journey, she was as though
She spends the nightfar from habitations as though
a fit of madness from a prowling jinn had seized her.
Jinns from Taiy’s tribe had terrified her at dusk.
مِنَfrom الجاهِلِthe ignorant man العَريضِoverweening يُهديhe presents لِيَto me الخَناfoul abuse
مِنَ الجاهِلِ العَريضِ يُهدي لِيَ الخَنا
وَذَلِكَand that مِمّاamong what يَبتَرينيwears me down وَيَعرُقُand gnaws
وَذَلِكَ مِمّا يَبتَريني وَيَعرُقُ
From an overweening fool comes foul abuse for me,
From the uncouth Bedouin he sends me camel-milk;
and that is among the things that wear me down and gnaw at me.
That vexes and angers me!
فَماfor not أَناI عَمّاof what تَعمَلونَyou do بِجاهِلٍignorant
فَما أَنا عَمّا تَعمَلونَ بِجاهِلٍ
وَلاnor بِشَباةٍa hothead جَهلُهُhis folly يَتَدَفَّقُoverflows
وَلا بِشَباةٍ جَهلُهُ يَتَدَفَّقُ
I am not ignorant of what you do,
I want none of your acts, you fool,
nor a hothead whose folly pours forth.
Whose ignorance pours forth unchecked.
نَهارُthe day of شَراحيلَSharahil بنِson of طَودٍTawd يُريبُنيtroubles me
نَهارُ شَراحيلَ بنِ طَودٍ يُريبُني
وَلَيلُand the night of أَبيAbu لَيلىLayla أَمَرُّmore bitter وَأَعلَقُand more persistent
وَلَيلُ أَبي لَيلى أَمَرُّ وَأَعلَقُ
The day of Sharahil son of Tawd troubles me,
The day of Shurāhil son of Tuwd troubles me
and Abu Layla's night is more bitter and more persistent.
And the night of Umm Laylā is more bitter and binds me.
وَماand not كُنتُI was شاحِرداan apprentice وَلَكِنbut حَسِبتُنيI reckoned myself
وَما كُنتُ شاحِردا وَلَكِن حَسِبتُني
إِذاwhen مِسحَلٌMisḥal سَدّىwove لِيَfor me القَولَspeech أَنطِقُI speak
إِذا مِسحَلٌ سَدّى لِيَ القَولَ أَنطِقُ
I was no apprentice, yet I reckoned myself—
I have not been engaging in magic, but I thought
when Misḥal wove speech for me—able to speak.
If an addled mind interpreted for me, I would speak.
شَريكانِtwo partners فيماin what بَينَناis between us مِنof هَوادَةٍamity
شَريكانِ فيما بَينَنا مِن هَوادَةٍ
صَفِيّانِtwo close friends جِنِّيٌّa jinn وَإِنسٌand a human مُوَفَّقُfavored with success
صَفِيّانِ جِنِّيٌّ وَإِنسٌ مُوَفَّقُ
Two partners in the amity between us,
Two friends between us, one jinn and one human,
two close friends: a jinn and a human favored with success.
Faithful, harmonized.
يَقولُhe speaks فَلاso not أَعياI am at a loss لِشَيءٍfor anything أَقولُهُI say it
يَقولُ فَلا أَعيا لِشَيءٍ أَقولُهُ
كَفانِيَhe has sufficed me لاno عَيٌّfaltering in speech وَلاnor هُوَhe أَخرَقُclumsy
كَفانِيَ لا عَيٌّ وَلا هُوَ أَخرَقُ
He speaks, so I am not at a loss for anything I say;
He speaks, and I cannot discern a thing he says.
he has sufficed me: no faltering, nor is he clumsy.
My eye is not bleary, nor is his ruptured.
جِماعُgathering together الهَوىdesire فيin الرُشدِright guidance أَدنىnearer إِلىto التُقىpiety
جِماعُ الهَوى في الرُشدِ أَدنى إِلى التُقى
وَتَركُand abandoning الهَوىdesire فيin الغَيِّerror أَنجىsafer وَأَوفَقُand more fitting
وَتَركُ الهَوى في الغَيِّ أَنجى وَأَوفَقُ
Directing all desire toward right conduct is nearer to piety,
Gathering passion prudently draws nearer to piety,
and abandoning desire in error is safer and more fitting.
While abandoning passion in misguidance is safer and preferable.
إِذاif حاجَةٌa need وَلَّتكَturns away from you لاnot تَستَطيعُهاyou can meet it
إِذا حاجَةٌ وَلَّتكَ لا تَستَطيعُها
فَخُذthen take طَرَفاًa share مِنof غَيرِهاanother than it حينَwhen تَسبِقُit outstrips you
فَخُذ طَرَفاً مِن غَيرِها حينَ تَسبِقُ
If a need turns away from you, beyond your power,
If a need turns you aside you cannot fulfill,
then take a share of another when it outstrips you.
Take a bit of something else when it outstrips you.
فَذَلِكَfor that أَدنىlikelier أَنto تَنالَyou attain جَسيمَهاits greater part
فَذَلِكَ أَدنى أَن تَنالَ جَسيمَها
وَلِلقَصدُand for moderation أَبقىmore enduring فيin المَسيرِtravel وَأَلحَقُand better at reaching
وَلِلقَصدُ أَبقى في المَسيرِ وَأَلحَقُ
That is likelier to let you gain its greater part,
That is nearer that you obtain its entirety.
and moderation endures longer in travel and gets one farther.
Moderation is more lasting on the journey and more obtainable.
أَتَزعُمُdo you ascribe لِلأَكفاءِto your equals ماwhat أَنتَyou أَهلُهُdeserving of it
أَتَزعُمُ لِلأَكفاءِ ما أَنتَ أَهلُهُ
وَتَختالُand swagger إِذwhile جارُthe neighbor of اِبنِthe son of عَمِّكَyour paternal uncle مُرهَقُoppressed
وَتَختالُ إِذ جارُ اِبنِ عَمِّكَ مُرهَقُ
Do you ascribe to your equals what you yourself deserve,
Do you claim for peers what you are not fit for
and swagger while your cousin's neighbor is oppressed?
And preen while the son of your uncle is abased?
وَأَحمَدتَand you deemed praiseworthy أَنthat أَلحَقتَyou added بِالأَمسِyesterday صِرمَةًa small camel-herd
وَأَحمَدتَ أَن أَلحَقتَ بِالأَمسِ صِرمَةً
لَهاit has غُدُراتٌbetrayals وَاللَواحِقُand further ones تَلحَقُfollow
لَها غُدُراتٌ وَاللَواحِقُ تَلحَقُ
And you thought it praiseworthy to add a camel-herd yesterday,
You were glad to gain by night a tryst
with its betrayals, and more still following.
With one who betrays while betrayers catch up.
فَيَفجَعنَso they bereave ذاthe possessor of المالِwealth الكَثيرِabundant بِمالِهِof his wealth
فَيَفجَعنَ ذا المالِ الكَثيرِ بِمالِهِ
وَطَوراًand sometimes يُقَنّينَthey enrich الضَريكَthe destitute man فَيَلحَقُso he catches up
وَطَوراً يُقَنّينَ الضَريكَ فَيَلحَقُ
They bereave the wealthy man of his wealth,
So the wealthy will be anguished by his wealth
and sometimes enrich the destitute, so he catches up.
And sometimes the needy gains and catches up.
أَباO Abu مِسمَعٍMisma' سارَhas spread الَّذيwhat قَدalready صَنَعتُمُyou did
أَبا مِسمَعٍ سارَ الَّذي قَد صَنَعتُمُ
فَأَنجَدَso entered Najd أَقوامٌpeople بِذاكَwith that وَأَعرَقواand entered Iraq
فَأَنجَدَ أَقوامٌ بِذاكَ وَأَعرَقوا
Abu Misma', what you have done has spread abroad,
O Father of Misma‘, whom you have wronged,
and people have carried it into Najd and Iraq.
So champions supported him and exerted themselves.
وَإِنَّand surely عِتاقَnoble-bred العيسِthe pale camels سَوفَwill يَزورُكُمvisit you
وَإِنَّ عِتاقَ العيسِ سَوفَ يَزورُكُم
ثَناءٌpraise عَلىon أَعجازِهِنَّtheir hindquarters مُعَلَّقُsuspended
ثَناءٌ عَلى أَعجازِهِنَّ مُعَلَّقُ
And surely, borne by noble pale camels, you will be visited
The emancipation of al-‘Īs will surely visit you,
by praise hung upon their hindquarters.
Praise to their backs is guaranteed.
بِهِwith it تُنفَضُare shaken out الأَحلاسُthe saddlecloths فيat كُلِّevery مَنزِلٍhalt
بِهِ تُنفَضُ الأَحلاسُ في كُلِّ مَنزِلٍ
وَتُعقَدُand are tied أَطرافُthe ends of الحِبالِthe ropes وَتُطلَقُand are untied
وَتُعقَدُ أَطرافُ الحِبالِ وَتُطلَقُ
With it the saddlecloths are shaken out at every halt,
By it shoulders in every abode shrug
and the ends of ropes are tied and untied.
And purse-ends are untied and loosened.
نَهَيتُكُمُI forbade you عَنfrom جَهلِكُمyour folly وَنَصَرتُكُمand I supported you
نَهَيتُكُمُ عَن جَهلِكُم وَنَصَرتُكُم
عَلىdespite ظُلمِكُمyour wrongdoing وَالحازِمُand one sound in الرَأيِjudgment أَشفَقُmore solicitous
عَلى ظُلمِكُم وَالحازِمُ الرَأيِ أَشفَقُ
I forbade you your folly and supported you,
I forbade you your folly and supported you
despite your injustice; one sound in judgment is more solicitous.
Against your injustice, and the resolute mind is more compassionate.
وَأَنذَرتُكُمand I warned you قَوماًa people لَكُمof yours تَظلِمونَهِمyou wrong them
وَأَنذَرتُكُم قَوماً لَكُم تَظلِمونَهِم
كِراماًnoble فَإِنso if لاnot يَنفَدِcomes to an end العَيشُlife تَلتَقواyou will meet
كِراماً فَإِن لا يَنفَدِ العَيشُ تَلتَقوا
And I warned you of a people of yours whom you wrong,
And I warned you, a people you oppress,
noble people: if life does not end, you will meet them.
Noble men. If lives do not end, you will converge.
وَكَمand how many دونَbefore لَيلىLayla مِنof عَدُوٍّan enemy وَبَلدَةٍand a stretch of land
وَكَم دونَ لَيلى مِن عَدُوٍّ وَبَلدَةٍ
وَسَهبٍand an open waste بِهِin it مُستَوضِحُthe brightness of الآلِthe mirage يَبرُقُflashes
وَسَهبٍ بِهِ مُستَوضِحُ الآلِ يَبرُقُ
How many foes and stretches of land lie between me and Layla,
How many a foe and land lie between Laylā
and open wastes where the bright mirage flashes,
And a wilderness where the housefolk's scout wanders!
وَأَصفَرَand yellow water كَالحِنّاءِlike henna طامٍbrimming جِمامُهُits pools
وَأَصفَرَ كَالحِنّاءِ طامٍ جِمامُهُ
إِذاwhen ذاقَهُhe tastes it مُستَعذِبُa seeker of fresh الماءِwater يَبصُقُspits
إِذا ذاقَهُ مُستَعذِبُ الماءِ يَبصُقُ
and yellow water, henna-colored, with brimming pools:
A pool yellow as tumeric whose surface
when a seeker of fresh water tastes it, he spits it out.
When the sweet water's taster sips, he spews!
وَإِنَّand surely اِمرَأًa man أَسرىjourneyed by night إِلَيكِto you وَدونَهُand ahead of him
وَإِنَّ اِمرَأً أَسرى إِلَيكِ وَدونَهُ
فَيافٍdesert expanses تَنوفاتٌtrackless وَبَيداءُand a desert خَيفَقُvast and windswept
فَيافٍ تَنوفاتٌ وَبَيداءُ خَيفَقُ
And a man who traveled by night to you, with before him
A man traveled to you, and beyond him
trackless wastes and a vast, windswept desert—
Wastelands, spaces where the tentpegs drive.
لَمَحقوقَةٌsurely duty-bound أَنto تَستَجيبيyou respond لِصَوتِهِto his voice
لَمَحقوقَةٌ أَن تَستَجيبي لِصَوتِهِ
وَأَنand to تَعلَميyou know أَنَّthat المُعانَthe one aided مُوَفَّقُfavored with success
وَأَن تَعلَمي أَنَّ المُعانَ مُوَفَّقُ
you are surely bound to answer his voice,
Forbidden for you to answer his voice
and to know that one who is aided is favored with success.
And to know the passionate is harmonized.
وَلاand no بُدَّalternative مِنto جارٍa protector يُجيزُgrants passage along سَبيلَهاher path
وَلا بُدَّ مِن جارٍ يُجيزُ سَبيلَها
كَماjust as جَوَّزَpassed through السَكِّيَّthe nail فيthrough البابِthe door فَيتَقُa carpenter
كَما جَوَّزَ السَكِّيَّ في البابِ فَيتَقُ
There must be a protector who grants her passage,
A neighbor must let her pass
as a carpenter passed the nail through the door.
As the bolt slid into place in the door and withdrew!
لَعَمريby my life لَقَدindeed لاحَتturned عُيونٌeyes كَثيرَةٌmany
لَعَمري لَقَد لاحَت عُيونٌ كَثيرَةٌ
إِلىtoward ضَوءِthe light of نارٍa fire فيon يَفاعٍhigh ground تُحَرَّقُblazes
إِلى ضَوءِ نارٍ في يَفاعٍ تُحَرَّقُ
By my life, many eyes have turned
By my life many eyes have turned
toward the light of a fire blazing on high ground.
To the light of a fire blazing in Yafā‘.
تُشَبُّis kindled لِمَقرورَينِfor two chilled ones يَصطَلِيانِهاthey warm themselves at it
تُشَبُّ لِمَقرورَينِ يَصطَلِيانِها
وَباتَand spent the night عَلىbeside النارِthe fire النَدىGenerosity وَالمُحَلَّقُand al-Muhallaq
وَباتَ عَلى النارِ النَدى وَالمُحَلَّقُ
It is kindled for two chilled ones warming themselves at it,
They banter to two chatterers warming themselves by it
and Generosity and al-Muhallaq spent the night beside the fire.
While the dew slept on the fire glowing red.
رَضيعَيtwo nurslings of لِبانٍmilk ثَديَthe breast of أُمٍّa mother تَحالَفاthey pledged to each other
رَضيعَي لِبانٍ ثَديَ أُمٍّ تَحالَفا
بِأَسحَمَby a black night داجٍpitch-dark عَوضُforever لاnot نَتَفَرَّقُwe separate
بِأَسحَمَ داجٍ عَوضُ لا نَتَفَرَّقُ
Two nurslings of one mother's breast, they pledged to each other:
Two sucklings of juice whose mother's teat
"By the pitch-dark night, we shall never part."
Joined them to a black shelter instead of us parting.
يَداكَyour two hands يَداtwo hands of صِدقٍtruth فَكَفٌّso one hand مُفيدَةٌacquiring wealth
يَداكَ يَدا صِدقٍ فَكَفٌّ مُفيدَةٌ
وَأُخرىand the other إِذاwhen ماever ضُنَّis grudged بِالزادِwith provisions تُنفِقُspends
وَأُخرى إِذا ما ضُنَّ بِالزادِ تُنفِقُ
Your hands are hands of truth: one hand acquires,
Your hand, a hand of sincerity, so a palm beneficial
and the other spends when provisions are grudged.
And another which provides when stinginess is suspected.
تَرىyou see الجودَgenerosity يَجريflows ظاهِراًplainly فَوقَover وَجهِهِhis face
تَرى الجودَ يَجري ظاهِراً فَوقَ وَجهِهِ
كَماjust as زانَadorned مَتنَthe blade of الهِندُوانِيُّthe Indian sword رَونَقُluster
كَما زانَ مَتنَ الهِندُوانِيُّ رَونَقُ
You see generosity flowing plainly over his face,
You see generosity openly flowing over his face
as luster adorns the surface of an Indian blade.
As the sheen adorned the Indian sword's blade.
وَأَمّاand as for إِذاwhen ماever أَوَّبَsent home المَحلُdrought سَرحَهُمtheir grazing herds
وَأَمّا إِذا ما أَوَّبَ المَحلُ سَرحَهُم
وَلاحَand appeared لَهُمto them مِنَin العَشِيّاتِthe evenings سَملَقُa bare plain
وَلاحَ لَهُم مِنَ العَشِيّاتِ سَملَقُ
And when drought drives their grazing herds home,
But when the place tilted their saddlecloths
and a bare plain appears to them in the evenings,
And there came into sight for them evenings' remoteness,
نَفىbanished الذَمَّblame عَنfrom آلِthe family of المُحَلَّقِal-Muhallaq جَفنَةٌa large bowl
نَفى الذَمَّ عَن آلِ المُحَلَّقِ جَفنَةٌ
كَجابِيَةِlike the cistern of الشَيخِthe elder العِراقِيِّIraqi تَفهَقُoverflows
كَجابِيَةِ الشَيخِ العِراقِيِّ تَفهَقُ
a great bowl banishes blame from al-Muhallaq's household,
An eyelid's edge cleared the people of Dummuluq
brimming like the Iraqi elder's cistern.
Like the Khorasani shaykh's lower lids glistening.
يَروحُvisits at evening فَتىa young man of صِدقٍtrue worth وَيَغدوand visits at morning عَلَيهِمُto them
يَروحُ فَتى صِدقٍ وَيَغدو عَلَيهِمُ
بِمِلءِwith a fill of جِفانٍbowls مِنof سَديفٍcamel-hump fat يُدَفَّقُis poured out
بِمِلءِ جِفانٍ مِن سَديفٍ يُدَفَّقُ
A true-hearted youth visits them at evening and morning,
A sincere man's youth comes and goes to them
with bowls filled with camel-hump fat, poured out lavishly.
With two eyelids full from bowls overflowing.
وَعادَand returned فَتىa young man of صِدقٍtrue worth عَلَيهِمto them بِجَفنَةٍwith a bowl
وَعادَ فَتى صِدقٍ عَلَيهِم بِجَفنَةٍ
وَسَوداءَand a blackened pot لَأياًwith difficulty بِالمَزادَةِwith a waterskin تُمرَقُis supplied with broth
وَسَوداءَ لَأياً بِالمَزادَةِ تُمرَقُ
And a true-hearted youth returns to them with a bowl
And a sincere man returned to them with an eyelid
and a blackened pot, laboriously given its broth from a waterskin.
And black ornaments sold in the auction bursting.
تَرىyou see القَومَthe people فيهاinto it شارِعينَreaching وَدونَهُمand in front of them
تَرى القَومَ فيها شارِعينَ وَدونَهُم
مِنَamong القَومِthe people وِلدانٌchildren مِنَof النَسلِthe offspring دَردَقُlittle ones
مِنَ القَومِ وِلدانٌ مِنَ النَسلِ دَردَقُ
You see the people reaching into it, and in front of them
You see the people bartering in it while beneath them
are children of the people, little ones of their offspring.
Are children of the lineage, small and minced.
طَويلُlong اليَدَينِof hands رَهطُهُhis clan غَيرُwithout ثِنيَةٍexception
طَويلُ اليَدَينِ رَهطُهُ غَيرُ ثِنيَةٍ
أَشَمُّlofty كَريمٌgenerous جارُهُhis neighbor لاnot يُرَهَّقُis oppressed
أَشَمُّ كَريمٌ جارُهُ لا يُرَهَّقُ
Long-handed in bounty, his clan no exception,
Long of hand, his lineage not sluggish,
lofty and generous, his neighbor is not oppressed.
A noble clan, his neighbor cannot be faulted.
كَذَلِكَlike that فَاِفعَلso act ماas long as حَيِيتَyou live إِلَيهِمُtoward them
كَذَلِكَ فَاِفعَل ما حَيِيتَ إِلَيهِمُ
وَأَقدِمand advance إِذاwhen ماever أَعيُنُthe eyes of الناسِpeople تَبرَقُflash
وَأَقدِم إِذا ما أَعيُنُ الناسِ تَبرَقُ
Keep doing this for them as long as you live,
So act while you live toward them
and step forward when people's eyes flash.
And draw near when people's eyes gleam.
Sol 6.1