غدا كَلأُ اللَّذاتِ وهو يَبيسُ

غدا كَلأُ اللَّذاتِ وهو يَبيسُ

ورَبعُ الهوى من قاطنيهِ دريسُ

ورَبعُ الهوى من قاطنيهِ دريسُ

The herbage of pleasures has grown dry,

Tomorrow, the sweet days of joy will wither,

And love's dwelling is worn away, bereft of its inhabitants.

And the home of love will be abandoned and desolate.

ووَلَّت من العش الرَّغيدِ بَشاشةٌ

ووَلَّت من العش الرَّغيدِ بَشاشةٌ

وأقبل من وجه الزَّمان عَبُوسُ

وأقبل من وجه الزَّمان عَبُوسُ

Cheerfulness has departed from the comfortable nest,

The radiance has vanished from the happy nest,

And a scowl has come from the face of Time.

And gloom appears on the face of time.

فيا لك من يومٍ عَسيرٍ بَدت لنا

فيا لك من يومٍ عَسيرٍ بَدت لنا

بفُرقة زاد المال فيه نُحوسُ

بفُرقة زاد المال فيه نُحوسُ

Ah, what a grievous day, when there appeared to us

Oh, what a difficult day has dawned upon us!

Ill omens upon it, through parting from Zad al-Mal.

Its separation has brought misfortune and gloom.

وشَلَّت قَناتي عَنوةً من حياتها

وشَلَّت قَناتي عَنوةً من حياتها

وبرَّ بها عِلقٌ لديَّ نفيسُ

وبرَّ بها عِلقٌ لديَّ نفيسُ

And my spear-shaft was forcibly crippled by its vipers,

My two hands were torn forcibly from her life,

And through it a treasure precious to me was lost.

And nothing precious remains with me.

إلا إنّما شخص المسَرات والمنى

إلا إنّما شخص المسَرات والمنى

غدا وهو في بطن التُّرابِ دسيسُ

غدا وهو في بطن التُّرابِ دسيسُ

Yet the very embodiment of joys and hopes

The figure of happiness and wishes

Has come to lie hidden in the belly of the earth.

Will tomorrow be buried deep in the dust.

وعهدي به نعم الضجيعُ وإنّها

وعهدي به نعم الضجيعُ وإنّها

لخيرُ جليس إن أردتُ جليسُ

لخيرُ جليس إن أردتُ جليسُ

I remember her as an excellent bedfellow; indeed, she

I remember her as a good companion in sleep,

Is the finest companion, should I seek a companion.

The best friend if you want a friend.

غنيت بزاد المال حيناً وعيشُنا

غنيت بزاد المال حيناً وعيشُنا

جديدٌ رغيدٌ ما هالكَ بُوسُ

جديدٌ رغيدٌ ما هالكَ بُوسُ

I lived contentedly with Zad al-Mal awhile, and our life

For a while, I was enriched by possessions, and our life

Was fresh and comfortable; no misery frightened you.

Was new, splendid, never touched by misery.

لباسي موشيٌ بها ومُحَبَّرٌ

لباسي موشيٌ بها ومُحَبَّرٌ

ووَرديَ منها باردٌ ومَسوسُ

ووَرديَ منها باردٌ ومَسوسُ

My clothing through her was embroidered and richly patterned,

My clothes were embroidered by her hands, scented

And my draught from her was cool and thirst-quenching.

With roses from her, both cool and tender.

منعمّة ريا البنان عزيزة

منعمّة ريا البنان عزيزة

تثنى بريعان الصّبا وتميسُ

تثنى بريعان الصّبا وتميسُ

Pampered, with plump fingertips, dearly cherished,

She was a delicate, precious gazelle,

She swayed in the bloom of youth and walked gracefully.

Swaying gently like the boughs of youth.

وتهتز دلاً كالغزال فمن رآى

وتهتز دلاً كالغزال فمن رآى

غزالاً عليه رعشة وسلوسُ

غزالاً عليه رعشة وسلوسُ

She quivered coquettishly like a gazelle—yet who has seen

When seen, she was a gazelle trembling and gliding smoothly,

A gazelle bearing such a tremor and suppleness?

Reclining languorously like a lion's bride.

مربّبة في خدر عزّ كأنّه

مربّبة في خدر عزّ كأنّه

ببيشة لللّيث الهصور عريسُ

ببيشة لللّيث الهصور عريسُ

Nurtured in a secluded chamber of honor, as though it were

Increasing in beauty and joy daily, as if

In Bishah, the den of a prey-crushing lion.

A bride adorned with stars in her chamber.

تزايد حسناً وابتهاجاً كأنّما

تزايد حسناً وابتهاجاً كأنّما

على كل يوم في الهداء عروسُ

على كل يوم في الهداء عروسُ

She grew in beauty and delight, as though

She was a decoration for the people of the house, as though

Each day she were a bride in her wedding procession.

Stars were lit inside it.

وكانت لأهل الدّار زيناً كأنّما

وكانت لأهل الدّار زيناً كأنّما

توقد فيها أنجمٌ

توقد فيها أنجمٌ

She was an adornment to the household, as though

So the home without her is like

Stars were kindled within it.

A windswept wasteland, empty and barren.

فأصبح ربع الدّار منا كأنّه

فأصبح ربع الدّار منا كأنّه

عفاءٌ قَواءٌ ليس فيه

عفاءٌ قَواءٌ ليس فيه

So the dwelling of our house became as though

As if there had never been between us

An effaced, deserted waste, with no...

Playful gatherings, now without any merriment.

كأن لم يكن للعيش بيني وبينها

كأن لم يكن للعيش بيني وبينها

ملاعب ما أَضحى لهن حسيسُ

ملاعب ما أَضحى لهن حسيسُ

As though life had never had, between her and me,

If she has vanished from my flourishing days,

Playgrounds that now have not the faintest sound.

Still, she is unforgotten in my heart.

لئن طمست من ناضريَّ عهودها

لئن طمست من ناضريَّ عهودها

فهنّ لقلبي ما لهنَّ طموسُ

فهنّ لقلبي ما لهنَّ طموسُ

Even if memories of her are erased from my eyes,

My friend, possessions have not made me forget her name,

Within my heart they can never be erased.

Zainab and Lamees among the singing girls.

خليليَّ زاد المال لم ينسني اسمَها

خليليَّ زاد المال لم ينسني اسمَها

من الغانيات زينبٌ ولميسُ

من الغانيات زينبٌ ولميسُ

My two friends, Zad al-Mal's name has not been driven from my mind

All I own after her seems incomplete and despicable

By Zaynab or Lamis among the beautiful women.

To my eyes and heart.

وكل الذي عندي من المال بعدها

وكل الذي عندي من المال بعدها

لعيني وقلبي ناقص وخسيسُ

لعيني وقلبي ناقص وخسيسُ

And all the wealth I possess after her

Thus they torture me daily with memories of her,

Is deficient and base to my eye and heart.

And even if her passion cured me, it caused pain.

كذا علّلاني كلَّ يوم بذكرها

كذا علّلاني كلَّ يوم بذكرها

وإن شفّني منها جوىً ورسيسُ

وإن شفّني منها جوىً ورسيسُ

Thus console me, you two, each day with mention of her,

By God, if I were just to her rights,

Even though burning grief and lingering pain for her wear me thin.

And that is a vow, if only the gloomy knew,

فوالله لو انصفتها وبحقّها

فوالله لو انصفتها وبحقّها

وتلك يمين لو علمت غموسُ

وتلك يمين لو علمت غموسُ

For, by God and by her due, had I done her justice—

After hearing her voice, my ears

And that, if you knew, is an oath that plunges one into sin—

Would hear no more songs or cups.

لما سمعت أُذناي من بعد صوتها

لما سمعت أُذناي من بعد صوتها

غناء ولا دارت عليَّ كؤوسُ

غناء ولا دارت عليَّ كؤوسُ

My ears would never have heard, after her voice,

I pretend to myself with futile ideas after her,

Song, nor would cups have been passed round to me.

While her agony remains in my heart.

أُعلّل نفسي بالأباطيل بعدها

أُعلّل نفسي بالأباطيل بعدها

وفي القلب منها لوعة ورسيسُ

وفي القلب منها لوعة ورسيسُ

I console myself with illusions after her,

I force myself outwardly to show patience, though inside

And in my heart are anguish and lingering pain for her.

I despair of patience without her.

والزم نفسي ظاهر الصّبر أنني

والزم نفسي ظاهر الصّبر أنني

عن الصّبر عنها باطناً ليؤوسُ

عن الصّبر عنها باطناً ليؤوسُ

I compel myself to show outward patience; for I

I try to tame a stubborn camel with determination,

Inwardly despair of patience apart from her.

Yet that patience without her is a blazing sun.

أروّض من السلْوان صعباً بعزمةٍ

أروّض من السلْوان صعباً بعزمةٍ

وهي الصّبر عنها والسلوَّ شَموسُ

وهي الصّبر عنها والسلوَّ شَموسُ

With resolve I try to tame the wild steed of forgetting;

My liver remains steadfast in anguish after her,

Patience without her has weakened, and forgetfulness is unruly.

With tears flowing constantly in weeping,

ولي كبد وقف على الوجد بعدها

ولي كبد وقف على الوجد بعدها

ودمع على طول البكاء حبيس

ودمع على طول البكاء حبيس

And I have a liver devoted to longing after her,

How much sorrow and regret does the heart destroy!

And tears held captive despite long weeping.

When we compare, none like my lost possession.

وكم هالك يبكي بحزن وعبرة

وكم هالك يبكي بحزن وعبرة

ولا مثل زاد المال حين نقيسُ

ولا مثل زاد المال حين نقيسُ

How many a departed one is mourned with sorrow and tears,

I wish the schemes of a miserly enemy had destroyed her,

Yet none like Zad al-Mal, when we compare.

So souls find solace in attaining inheritance.

تمنيتُ أن لو غالها كيد كلشحٍ

تمنيتُ أن لو غالها كيد كلشحٍ

فتشفى بإدراك التراث نفوسُ

فتشفى بإدراك التراث نفوسُ

I wished that a scowling foe's plot had carried her off,

Then blood would flow, limbs severed,

So souls might be healed by claiming the inheritance.

And heads cut off there.

إذاً لجرت فيها دماء وقطعت

إذاً لجرت فيها دماء وقطعت

هنالك أوصال لها ورُؤسُ

هنالك أوصال لها ورُؤسُ

Then blood would have flowed for her, and there would have been severed

The earth would be too narrow on all sides

Limbs and heads there for her sake.

With armies swarming, pursued by armies.

وضاق فضاء الأرض من كل جانبٍ

وضاق فضاء الأرض من كل جانبٍ

بزحف خميسٍ يقتفيه خميسُ

بزحف خميسٍ يقتفيه خميسُ

And the earth's expanse would have narrowed on every side

Between the landmarks and dunes an uproar for her sake,

With the advance of an army followed by another army.

A clamor like none raised by Dahis or Basus.

وهاجت لها بين الأسنّةِ والظُّبا

وهاجت لها بين الأسنّةِ والظُّبا

وغىً لم يهجها داحسٌ وبَسوسُ

وغىً لم يهجها داحسٌ وبَسوسُ

And for her, among spearheads and sword-edges, would have risen

To support her cause, heroes of Azd would rise

A battle tumult that Dahis and Basus never roused.

To fight for their Lord, fearsome warriors.

وقامَ لها في الحرب نصراً لربّها

وقامَ لها في الحرب نصراً لربّها

من الأزْد فتيان غطارف شوسُ

من الأزْد فتيان غطارف شوسُ

And there would have risen for her in war, to aid her lord,

Bold champions, cavaliers all,

Young men of Azd, noble and fierce.

A chief restraining the march of armies.

أشدّاء أبطال مساعيرُ كلّهم

أشدّاء أبطال مساعيرُ كلّهم

زعيمٌ على قَود الجيوش رئيسُ

زعيمٌ على قَود الجيوش رئيسُ

Strong champions, kindlers of war—each of them

Worthy to avenge, mourning as if

A commander, a chief in leading armies.

He were a brave stallion answering darkness' summons.

جدير بأخذ الثأر ندبٌ كأنَّه

جدير بأخذ الثأر ندبٌ كأنَّه

بخفان جوابُ الظلام هَمُوسُ

بخفان جوابُ الظلام هَمُوسُ

Worthy to exact vengeance, gallant, as though he were

Valiant in confronting threats, a glorious hero

In Khaffan, a soft-treading rover through darkness.

Who tames the tall and charges.

جريء على دَفع المهمات ماجدٌ

جريء على دَفع المهمات ماجدٌ

يروض جسيماتِ العلى ويَسوسُ

يروض جسيماتِ العلى ويَسوسُ

Bold in warding off grave troubles, noble,

In their hands the Indian swords, wearing armor

He tames the mighty tasks of glory and governs.

Studded with nails, impenetrable coats of mail.

بأيديهمُ سُمر القَنا وعليهم

بأيديهمُ سُمر القَنا وعليهم

من التُّبعيّات الدّلاص لَبوسُ

من التُّبعيّات الدّلاص لَبوسُ

In their hands are brown spear-shafts, and upon them

They are my people, the Hudad and my family,

Smooth armor of the Tubbaʿ kind.

Kings ruling the lofty branch of Samak.

أولئك قومي من هداد وأسرتي

أولئك قومي من هداد وأسرتي

مُلوك على فَرع السّماك جُلوسُ

مُلوك على فَرع السّماك جُلوسُ

Those are my people of Hudad, and my family,

They are the defenders of my lady love,

Kings seated upon the highest branch of al-Simak.

If only I could overcome the tricks of time, so cunning.

وهم أولياء الدّفع دون عقيلتي

وهم أولياء الدّفع دون عقيلتي

لو أسطيعَ من ريب الزَّمان خُنوسُ

لو أسطيعَ من ريب الزَّمان خُنوسُ

They are the protectors who defend my cherished lady,

But fate destroyed Thamud and Ad before them,

If I could retreat from Time's misfortunes.

As well as the people of Jadis.

ولكنّه صَرف الرّدى نفذت به

ولكنّه صَرف الرّدى نفذت به

ثمودُ وعاد قبلها وجَديسُ

ثمودُ وعاد قبلها وجَديسُ

But it is death's stroke, through which passed away

Neither fortresses nor lions can protect her

Thamud and ʿAd before her, and Jadis.

In the lair of an undignified villain.

فلا العُصْمُ يُنجيها بعبّود معقلٌ

فلا العُصْمُ يُنجيها بعبّود معقلٌ

ولا الأُسدُ يحميها ببيشةَ خيسُ

ولا الأُسدُ يحميها ببيشةَ خيسُ

No stronghold at ʿAbbud saves the white-legged mountain goats,

May God water Zad's grave with rain,

Nor does a thicket at Bishah protect the lions.

And may the greatest ruins rise above it.

سقى الله زاد المال غيثاً وعَلت

سقى الله زاد المال غيثاً وعَلت

به أعظم تحت التراب درُوسُ

به أعظم تحت التراب درُوسُ

May God water Zad al-Mal with rain, and refreshed be

May good peace return to her, and may holiness

By it the worn bones beneath the earth.

Sanctify the hillside containing her tomb and monument.

وعاودها طيب السّلام وقدَّست

وعاودها طيب السّلام وقدَّست

سباسبُ تحوي قبرَها ووُعوسُ

سباسبُ تحوي قبرَها ووُعوسُ

May sweet salutations return to her, and sanctified be

The open plains and rough sandy tracts that hold her grave.