أأحِبّتيO my loved ones الشاكِينَwho complain طُولَthe length of تَغَيّبيmy absence
أأحِبّتي الشاكِينَ طُولَ تَغَيّبي
والذّاهبينَand those who follow منَin matters of الهوىlove فيin مَذْهبيmy way
والذّاهبينَ منَ الهوى في مَذْهبي
O my loved ones, who complain of my long absence,
My longing beloved ones complaining of my long absence,
and follow my own path in love,
And those turning away from passion in my path,
لاdo not تحْسَبواsuppose أنّيthat I جَعْلتُmade علىamid النّوىseparation
لا تحْسَبوا أنّي جَعْلتُ على النّوى
لجنابِكمof your presence بالاخْتيارby choice تَجُّنبيmy avoidance
لجنابِكم بالاخْتيار تَجُّنبي
do not think that, amid separation, I have made
Think not that I avoided your company by choice,
my avoidance of your presence a matter of choice.
Rather destiny drove me from you against my will.
ماnot جُبْتُI traversed آفاقَthe horizons of البلادِthe lands مُطَوِفّاًroaming
ما جُبْتُ آفاقَ البلادِ مُطَوِفّاً
إلاexcept وأنتمwhile you فيamong الوَرىmankind مُتَطلبّيmy quest
إلا وأنتم في الوَرى مُتَطلبّي
Never have I traversed the lands' far reaches, roaming,
I traveled far horizons not freely roaming,
without you being my quest among mankind.
But seeking you while in this world remaining.
سَعْيِيmy striving إليكمtoward you فيin الحقيقةreality والذيand what
سَعْيِي إليكم في الحقيقة والذي
تَجدونyou find عنكمaway from you فهْوso it is سَعْيُthe driving of الدّهرTime بيwith me
تَجدون عنكم فهْو سَعْيُ الدّهر بي
My striving is truly toward you; what
My efforts really are to reach you though outwardly
you find taking me away is Time's driving of me.
They seem but worldly toils that life demands.
أنحُوكمُI head toward you ويَرُدُّbut turns back وَجهْيmy face القّهقَرّىbackward
أنحُوكمُ ويَرُدُّ وَجهْي القّهقَرّى
دَهْريmy fate فسَيْريso my course مثْلُlike سيْرِthe course of الكَوكبa star
دَهْري فسَيْري مثْلُ سيْرِ الكَوكب
I head toward you, but my face is turned backward
Toward you my steps turn but my fate backwards flows,
by my fate; thus my course is like a star's.
Like planets seeming westward while eastward go.
فالقَصدُfor the aim نحوَtoward المَشْرقِthe east الأقصىfarthest لهis its
فالقَصدُ نحوَ المَشْرقِ الأقصى له
والسَّيرُand the movement رأيَin the sight of العَينِthe eye نحوَtoward المَغْربthe west
والسَّيرُ رأيَ العَينِ نحوَ المَغْرب
For its aim is toward the farthest east,
The aim's the farthest east but the course seen is west,
though its movement, to the eye, is toward the west.
My life shreds to tatters from its twisting woe.
تاللهِby God ماnot صَدقspoke truth الوشاةُthe slanderers بماin what حَكَواthey related
تاللهِ ما صَدق الوشاةُ بما حَكَوا
إنّيthat I نسِيتُforgot العهدَthe covenant عندduring تَغرُّبيmy exile
إنّي نسِيتُ العهدَ عند تَغرُّبي
By God, the slanderers spoke falsely when they claimed
By God the slanderers lie in their evil tales,
that I forgot the covenant during my exile.
That I forgot my pledge when far away I fell.
هانَgrew easy الفراقُparting عليَّfor me بعدَafter فِراقِكمparting from you
هانَ الفراقُ عليَّ بعدَ فِراقِكم
والصَّعبُand the difficult يسهُلُgrows easy عندwhen حَمْلِbearing الأصعَبthe more difficult
والصَّعبُ يسهُلُ عند حَمْلِ الأصعَب
Parting became easy for me after parting from you;
Parting was easy after our separation -
the hard grows easy when the harder is borne.
The rough seems smooth when a rougher load you bear.
ياO راكباًrider يُزْجيurges onward المطيّةthe mount غادياًsetting out at dawn
يا راكباً يُزْجي المطيّة غادياً
حتىuntil تُبلِّغَهُit brings him to مُناخَthe encampment of الأركَبthe riders
حتى تُبلِّغَهُ مُناخَ الأركَب
O rider urging his mount onward at dawn,
O rider who spurs his mount traveling on,
until it brings him to the riders' encampment,
Until you bring it to rest at the high dunes.
هلare طالعاتٌrising بالطُويْلعِat al-Tuwayliʿ غُدوةًat daybreak
هل طالعاتٌ بالطُويْلعِ غُدوةً
تلكthose الشّموسsuns الغارباتُsetting بِغُرَّبat Ghurrab
تلك الشّموس الغارباتُ بِغُرَّب
are there rising at al-Tuwayliʿ at daybreak
Were there radiant moons rising in the morn,
those suns that set at Ghurrab?
Those suns now set in the darkening evening gloom?
مُتَنَقّباتٌveiling their faces بالسّواعدِwith forearms رِقْبةًin wariness
مُتَنَقّباتٌ بالسّواعدِ رِقْبةً
منof كُلِّevery سافرةٍunveiled woman ولمand has not تَتنقَّبveiled herself
من كُلِّ سافرةٍ ولم تَتنقَّب
Veiling themselves with their forearms, watchfully—
With arms bare were they and necks gracefully long,
each an unveiled beauty, though she wears no veil,
Of every traveler, though veiled and unrevealed.
بَيضاءَa fair-skinned woman أُختِsister of فوارسٍhorsemen تأْوِيshe takes shelter إلىin
بَيضاءَ أُختِ فوارسٍ تأْوِي إلى
بيتٍa tent بأشطانwith the cords of الرماحspears مُطَنَّبguyed
بيتٍ بأشطان الرماح مُطَنَّب
fair-skinned, a sister of horsemen, taking shelter in
Like white gazelles grazing, they came to dwell,
a tent made fast with spears for guy ropes.
In a house with pillars of lances clad.
كالظَّبيةِlike a gazelle الأدماءِpale-coated يَرتَعُgrazes سرْبُهاher herd
كالظَّبيةِ الأدماءِ يَرتَعُ سرْبُها
فيin كلِّevery وادٍvalley بالأسنّةِwith spearheads مُعشِبgrassy
في كلِّ وادٍ بالأسنّةِ مُعشِب
Like a pale gazelle whose herd grazes
My treaty with them - though long estranged were they,
in every valley grown grassy with spearheads.
A home to them - though far their ravens strayed.
عَهْديmy last knowledge بهاof her وغريبُهاwhile her stranger لمnot تَنْتَزِحْcarried far away
عَهْدي بها وغريبُها لم تَنْتَزِحْ
دارٌa dwelling بهwith him وغُرابهاand her raven لمnot يَنْعَبcroaked
دارٌ به وغُرابها لم يَنْعَب
When I last knew her, her stranger had not been borne far off
So today I stand like a visiting stranger,
by another home, nor had her raven croaked.
Casting my eyes around though the land I know.
فلقدfor indeed وقَفْتُI stood اليومَtoday مَوقفَin the posture of زائرٍa visitor
فلقد وقَفْتُ اليومَ مَوقفَ زائرٍ
للطَّرْفِthe gaze منهfrom him فيamong الديارthe dwellings مُقلِّبturning about
للطَّرْفِ منه في الديار مُقلِّب
Today I stood in the posture of a visitor,
For you my plentiful flowing tears suffice,
turning his gaze about the dwellings.
Beyond need for the scent of musk I bear.
لكَfor you فيin مدامِعيَmy tears الغزيرةِabundant غُنْيةٌsufficiency
لكَ في مدامِعيَ الغزيرةِ غُنْيةٌ
عنwithout مِنّةٍa favor للرائحfrom the evening cloud المُتحلّبdripping rain
عن مِنّةٍ للرائح المُتحلّب
For you, my abundant tears provide enough,
It matters not, the rain my tomb drenches,
without the favor of the dripping evening cloud.
Whether from clouds in the stormy north wind driven,
سِيانِequal ذوpossessing هَدَبٍeyelashes إذاwhen أروَىwaters الثَّرىthe soil
سِيانِ ذو هَدَبٍ إذا أروَى الثَّرى
ياO دارَهابالقَطْرِher dwelling, with drops أوor ذوpossessing هَيْدَبa trailing fringe
يا دارَهابالقَطْرِ أو ذو هَيْدَب
It is all one: an eyelashed eye when it waters the soil,
Or else the showers in sunlight south winds bring.
O her dwelling, with drops, or a trailing-fringed cloud.
You may find me atop the lofty mountain peaks,
إمّاif تَريْنيyou see me فوقatop ذِروةِthe summit of عِرْمسٍa sturdy she-camel
إمّا تَريْني فوق ذِروةِ عِرْمسٍ
أطْويI fold up الفلاthe deserts أوor فوقon صَهوةِthe back of سَلْهَبa tall steed
أطْوي الفلا أو فوق صَهوةِ سَلْهَب
If you see me atop a sturdy she-camel,
Crossing the barren plains without a friend or guide.
folding up the deserts, or on a tall steed's back—
The nights and I still take turns wandering,
وأخوand the companion of اللّياليnights ماnot يزالُceases مُراوِحاًalternating
وأخو اللّيالي ما يزالُ مُراوِحاً
ماbetween بينَamong أدَهمthe black one of خيْلهاtheir horses والأشهَبand the gray one
ما بينَ أدَهم خيْلها والأشهَب
the companion of nights is ever alternating
Between the horses dark and the steeds gray.
between their black steed and their gray.
I penetrate the settled lands and those untamed,
كالخِضْرِlike al-Khidr فيin حَضَرٍsettled country وبَدْوٍand wilderness موغِلاًpenetrating deeply
كالخِضْرِ في حَضَرٍ وبَدْوٍ موغِلاً
دهْريall my life أُمزِّقI tear through سبْسباًa desert plain عنaway from سبْسَبa desert plain
دهْري أُمزِّق سبْسباً عن سبْسَب
Like al-Khidr, penetrating settled land and wilderness,
My life shreds to tatters from its twisting woe.
all my life I tear through desert after desert.
The earth to me seems like a ball I can bound across,
فالأرضُso the earth ليfor me كُرةٌa ball أُواصِلُI keep up ضَربَهاstriking it
فالأرضُ لي كُرةٌ أُواصِلُ ضَربَها
وصَوالجيand my polo mallets أيديthe forelegs of المطاياthe mounts اللُّعَّبplayful
وصَوالجي أيدي المطايا اللُّعَّب
The earth is a ball I keep striking,
My journeys like the hands that caress its curves.
and my polo mallets are the forelegs of playful mounts.
وفِناءand the courtyard of مَولاناour master المدىthe goal وخِطارُناand our stake
وفِناء مَولانا المدى وخِطارُنا
منfrom بعدِafter نَيلِwinning المجدِglory نُجحُsuccess in المَطْلبthe quest
من بعدِ نَيلِ المجدِ نُجحُ المَطْلب
Our master's courtyard is the goal, and our stake,
The glory of serving our Master has no limits,
after winning glory, is success in our quest.
After attaining success all quests seem possible.
مَلكٌa king يظَلُّremains مُحجَّباًveiled from view منbecause of عزِّهhis might
مَلكٌ يظَلُّ مُحجَّباً من عزِّه
ونَداهand his bounty مهماwhenever رُمْتَغُرمُحَجَّبyou seek, is not veiled
ونَداه مهما رُمْتَغُرمُحَجَّب
A king kept behind veils by his might,
A kingdom he rules, though his might veiled remains,
yet his bounty, whenever you seek it, is unveiled.
His fame resounds though from sight hidden he reigns.
غُصَّتwere crowded بصافنةِwith poised الجيادِthoroughbreds عِراصُهhis courtyards
غُصَّت بصافنةِ الجيادِ عِراصُه
تدْعوthey summon إليهto him بنىthe children of الرَّجاءhope وتَطَّبيand entice
تدْعو إليه بنى الرَّجاء وتَطَّبي
His courtyards are crowded with poised thoroughbreds,
With the neighing steeds his arsenal overflows,
calling hope's children to him and enticing them.
Calling his sons to him, their loyalty sustains.
رحبتthey are spacious فلوso if نطقspoke الجمادُlifeless things لسامعٍto a listener
رحبت فلو نطق الجمادُ لسامعٍ
نطقَتْthey would speak بأهلٍwith 'welcome' للوفودto delegations ومَرحَبand 'welcome'
نطقَتْ بأهلٍ للوفود ومَرحَب
Spacious they are; if lifeless things could speak to listeners,
With hospitality his manor welcomes in,
they would greet the delegations with 'Welcome! Welcome!'
All guests, though no speech from stones would sound.
ليسis not المَجرّةُthe Milky Way أنجُماًstars فيin أفقهاits horizon
ليس المَجرّةُ أنجُماً في أفقها
لكنّbut ذيلَthe train of عُلاهhis greatness عاليhigh المسْحبin its trailing
لكنّ ذيلَ عُلاه عالي المسْحب
The Milky Way is not stars upon its horizon,
Not mere stars in its horizon, his empire lies,
but the train of his greatness, trailing high.
But his lofty train fills the heavens high.
أحَسودَهُO envier of him ألقيتَyou cast شِلوكyour carcass ناشباًcaught fast
أحَسودَهُ ألقيتَ شِلوك ناشباً
فيin نابِthe fang of أرقمَa speckled serpent أومخالبِor the claws of أغلَبa thick-necked lion
في نابِ أرقمَ أومخالبِ أغلَب
O you who envy him, you have cast your carcass, caught
Your feared enemies, like snakes by your might crushed,
on a speckled serpent's fang or a thick-necked lion's claws.
Their fangs and talons broken by your forceful hand.
سَوّىhe straightened الزمانَTime وأهلهand its people بثقافهِwith his shaft-straightener
سَوّى الزمانَ وأهله بثقافهِ
واختصَّand singled out كُلاباختصاصٍeach with a distinction معجِبwondrous
واختصَّ كُلاباختصاصٍ معجِب
He straightened Time and its people with his shaft-straightener,
You leveled time and all the people in your grasp,
and singled out each with a wondrous distinction.
And brought each nation to believe in your command.
فالعجمُso the non-Arabs فيهwith him مثلُlike خطٍّscript معجَمٍdotted
فالعجمُ فيه مثلُ خطٍّ معجَمٍ
والعربُand the Arabs فيهwith him مثلُlike خَطٍscript مُعْرَبgrammatically inflected
والعربُ فيه مثلُ خَطٍ مُعْرَب
The non-Arabs with him are like dotted script,
The non-Arabs like markings without meaning seem,
and the Arabs with him like clearly inflected script.
While Arabs as text made clear appear.
صدقhe proved true الحنيَّةَthe bow خلفbehind رميٍshooting صائبٍwell-aimed
صدق الحنيَّةَ خلف رميٍ صائبٍ
بجيوشهِwith his armies منfrom خلفِbehind رأيٍjudgment أصوبsurer
بجيوشهِ من خلفِ رأيٍ أصوب
He proved true to the bow with well-aimed shooting,
You truly seek counsel, your piercing insight guides,
with his armies, backed by still surer judgment.
Directing your armies with wisdom and decisive plans.
فيُديرُso it passes round فيamong أثنائهنَtheir ranks كلامهhis speech
فيُديرُ في أثنائهنَ كلامه
كأسَthe cup of المنيةِdeath للعدُوِّfor the enemy المُجلبclamorous
كأسَ المنيةِ للعدُوِّ المُجلب
And through their ranks his words pass round
Your speech flows smoothly like a cup passed around,
the cup of death to the clamorous foe.
Filled with death for the rivals you sought to quell.
كالسيفِlike a sword ماnot ينفكُّceases يهزمُovercomes حدُّهits edge
كالسيفِ ما ينفكُّ يهزمُ حدُّه
غِلَظَthe thickness of الرّقابِnecks برِقةٍwith thinness فيin المضرِبthe striking edge
غِلَظَ الرّقابِ برِقةٍ في المضرِب
Like a sword whose edge never ceases to overcome
Your sharp blade relentlessly cuts down the necks
the thickness of necks with its slender striking edge.
Of the arrogant foe with skillful swings.
مُلئتwere filled قلوبُthe hearts of عداهُhis foes منهof him مخافةwith fear
مُلئت قلوبُ عداهُ منه مخافة
خلَعتit tore out فؤادَthe heart of الخالعِthe rebel المتَوَثِّبready to pounce
خلَعت فؤادَ الخالعِ المتَوَثِّب
His foes' hearts have been filled with fear of him,
In fear and awe you fill the hearts of enemies,
which has torn out the heart of the rebel poised to strike,
Ripping out the soul of the evasive rogue.
مِنwhether معملٍone devising ليلاًby night لكيدٍfor a scheme كامنٍhidden
مِن معملٍ ليلاً لكيدٍ كامنٍ
أومُرسلٍor one sending out صُبحاًat dawn لخيلٍhorses to dispatch شُزَّبlean
أومُرسلٍ صُبحاً لخيلٍ شُزَّب
whether one devising a hidden plot by night,
Foiling schemes hatched in darkness of night,
or one sending out lean horses at dawn.
Or troops massed stealthily stationed out of sight.
ونَصيحُand a true counselor سُلطانٍa sovereign يُهذِّبُhe refines مُلكهhis kingdom
ونَصيحُ سُلطانٍ يُهذِّبُ مُلكه
منof كُلِّall ماأهدَىمَقالُwhat the speech has brought مؤنِّبa reprover
من كُلِّ ماأهدَىمَقالُ مؤنِّب
A sovereign's true counselor, he purifies his kingdom
A sultan's counsel polishes his reign,
of all that a reprover's words reveal.
Correcting any error with wisdom's advice.
ويَشُبُand he kindles فوقabove المُلكِthe kingdom نارَa fire of قريحةٍnative genius
ويَشُبُ فوق المُلكِ نارَ قريحةٍ
يأتيكcomes to you منهاfrom it الرأيُjudgment غيرَnot مصهَّبwine-tinged
يأتيك منها الرأيُ غيرَ مصهَّب
Above the kingdom he kindles a fire of native genius,
He rises above mere rule, his reason uncorrupted,
from which judgment comes to you, untinged by wine.
His decisions untainted, founded on insight.
فتَراهُso you see him طولَthroughout زمانهhis lifetime فيin مَعْرَكٍa battlefield
فتَراهُ طولَ زمانه في مَعْرَكٍ
دونَin defense of العُلاhigh distinction أبداًوهمforever, while they فيin المَلعَبthe playground
دونَ العُلا أبداًوهم في المَلعَب
You see him throughout his days in battle
His days are thus spent in constant struggle,
for high distinction, forever, while they are at play.
Never rising in station though most skillful and bright.
قُطبٌa pole-star لدولتهof his state وكلٌّand everyone else أنجمٌstars
قُطبٌ لدولته وكلٌّ أنجمٌ
والقُطبُand the pole ثَبتٌfixed ليسis not بالمُتقلِّبone that wanders
والقُطبُ ثَبتٌ ليس بالمُتقلِّب
He is his state's pole-star, and all the others are stars;
He is the axis around which the empire turns,
the pole is fixed, not wandering.
The pole star fixed, while others fluctuate in their plight.
فيin كفِّهhis palm قَلَمٌa pen يَغُضُّdiminishes مضاؤُهits keenness
في كفِّه قَلَمٌ يَغُضُّ مضاؤُه
منfrom كلِّevery مَطْرورِhoned الغِرارِمُذَرَّبedge, finely sharpened
من كلِّ مَطْرورِ الغِرارِمُذَرَّب
In his hand is a pen whose keenness puts to shame
In his hand the pen whose radiance is veiled,
every blade with honed and sharpened edges.
Erasing all vain words of the foolish writer's night.
مازالit has always been إمّاeither كالحسامِlike a cutting sword المُنتضَىunsheathed
مازال إمّا كالحسامِ المُنتضَى
يُروِيquenches الصَّدَىthirst أوor كالغمامِlike a raincloud الصَيِّبpouring rain
يُروِي الصَّدَى أو كالغمامِ الصَيِّب
It has ever been either like an unsheathed sword,
He seems like a sharpened sword ready to strike,
quenching thirst, or like a pouring raincloud.
Or clouds heavy with rain about to ignite.
العيثravaging (apparently 'rain' here) يغلطُerrs حينَwhen يَنسخُcopies جُودَهhis bounty
العيث يغلطُ حينَ يَنسخُ جُودَه
ولذاكand therefore يَظْفَرُfinds فيin البلادِthe lands بمُجْدِبa parched place
ولذاك يَظْفَرُ في البلادِ بمُجْدِب
Rain errs when copying his bounty,
Only when words flow smoothly is poetry seemly,
and thus still finds parched places in the lands.
So take your own course and of them fashion the right.
واللّيثُand the lion وَدَّتشَبُّهاًwished, in imitation بيَمينهof his right hand
واللّيثُ وَدَّتشَبُّهاً بيَمينه
لوif only كانit were منof قَصَبٍreed أُمدَّfurnished لمِخْلَبfor a claw
لو كان من قَصَبٍ أُمدَّ لمِخْلَب
The lion wished, to resemble his right hand,
The ignoble were stingy and so their praise refuted,
that it were furnished with a reed for a claw.
Can anytime but misshapen pearls come from a snake?
والنَّجمُand the star يَحْكيimitates بُعْدَthe vastness of غَورِكyour depth إنif هوَىit falls
والنَّجمُ يَحْكي بُعْدَ غَورِك إن هوَى
وإذاand when سماit rises يَحكيit imitates عُلُوًّthe height of المَنصبthe station
وإذا سما يَحكي عُلُوًّ المَنصب
A star mirrors your far-reaching depth when it falls,
The fame your rule achieved displeased your enemies,
and when it rises, mirrors your exalted station.
Building glory for an age crowned by your worthy might.
فيَرونهyet they see it عنfrom غايتَيْكَyour two extremes مُقَصِّراًfalling short
فيَرونه عن غايتَيْكَ مُقَصِّراً
فيin سَيرِهits course المُتَصِّعدِascending المُتَصَوِّبdescending
في سَيرِه المُتَصِّعدِ المُتَصَوِّب
Yet they see it fall short of both your extremes,
To you we dedicate our praise, you are the reason,
in its ascending and descending course.
As the sword's adorned scabbard the blade does requite.
ياO صاحِfriend سيَفٌa sword أنتyou راقَdelights صِقالُهits polish
يا صاحِ سيَفٌ أنت راقَ صِقالُه
ولقدand indeed بسطتُI extended إليكtoward you كفَّthe hand of مجَرِّبone testing
ولقد بسطتُ إليك كفَّ مجَرِّب
O friend, you are a sword whose polish delights,
So allow us to gather what you find pleasing,
and I have stretched toward you the hand of one testing it.
Turning our words into finest necklaces bedight.
بلِّغconvey to أباAbu نصرٍنُصِرتNasr—may you be aided َوَقلْand say لهto him
بلِّغ أبا نصرٍنُصِرت َوَقلْ له
اِعتِبgrant redress فإنّfor indeed الدَّهرTime ليسis not بمُعْتبone granting redress
اِعتِب فإنّ الدَّهر ليس بمُعْتب
Convey this to Abu Nasr—may you be aided—and tell him:
I count it a wonder I can praise you so,
Grant me redress, for Time grants none.
Creating pearls when no tool have I to pierce.
وانْهand forbid الزّمانَTime عنِfrom الاساءةِdoing harm جاهداًstriving hard
وانْه الزّمانَ عنِ الاساءةِ جاهداً
هلis خادمٌa servant لذُراكof your lofty protection غيرُnot مُؤدَّبdisciplined
هل خادمٌ لذُراك غيرُ مُؤدَّب
Strive to forbid Time from doing harm;
I do my best though I fear your judgment awaits,
can a servant of your lofty house be undisciplined?
Like one who stands anxious before you upright.
اجمَعْgather صِحابَكyour companions فيin الزمانِlife تطُلْyou will rise بهمthrough them
اجمَعْ صِحابَك في الزمانِ تطُلْ بهم
فالرّمحُfor the spear يُوجَدُis found نَظْمُهits assembly منfrom أكعُبjoints
فالرّمحُ يُوجَدُ نَظْمُه من أكعُب
Gather your companions in life; through them you will rise,
Your highest traits shine clear, no need to elaborate,
for a spear is assembled from its jointed sections.
Like lamps lit up high casting radiance bright.
واطْلٌبْand seek لتُدرِكso you may attain ماwhat تشاءُyou wish مُظفَّراًvictorious
واطْلٌبْ لتُدرِك ما تشاءُ مُظفَّراً
فلطالماfor often أدركتَyou attained ماwhat لمnot تطلُبyou sought
فلطالما أدركتَ ما لم تطلُب
Seek, and you will attain what you wish, victorious;
If I say too much I fall short, too brief I refrain,
how often you have attained what you did not seek!
If concise I seem, I become long-winded forthright.
وَعلىand upon الوليِّthe ally خلعْتَyou bestowed robes منfrom سَلَبِthe spoils of العِداthe foes
وَعلى الوليِّ خلعْتَ من سَلَبِ العِدا
فاخلعْso bestow robes كذاكthus مَدىthroughout اللّياليthe nights واسْلُبand strip spoils
فاخلعْ كذاك مَدى اللّيالي واسْلُب
You have robed your ally with spoils stripped from foes;
Poetry is a sorcery that ought properly
keep robing and stripping thus through all the nights.
To only describe things good and upright.
كمhow many عزمةٍa firm resolve لكof yours قدindeed رميْتَyou assailed لهاfor it العِداthe foes
كم عزمةٍ لك قد رميْتَ لها العِدا
بالخيلِwith horses تحمِلُcarrying كلَّevery شَهْمٍgallant man مِحْربseasoned warrior
بالخيلِ تحمِلُ كلَّ شَهْمٍ مِحْرب
For how many a resolve of yours have you assailed the foe
So take your own way and fashion gems to your taste,
with horses bearing every gallant, seasoned warrior,
Or else take your own rope and gather your wood.
منof كلِّeach طَودٍmountain فيon العنانthe rein وَمَرُّهُyet its passage
من كلِّ طَودٍ في العنان وَمَرُّهُ
كالبَرقِlike lightning تحتbeneath الفارسِthe horseman المتُلبِّبarmed and girded
كالبَرقِ تحت الفارسِ المتُلبِّب
each a mountain held on the rein, yet its passage
Only misers deny praise, is aught found
like lightning beneath the armed and girded horseman.
In meager souls except defects in their plight?
أعزيزَO mighty champion دينِthe faith of اللهGod دعوةَthe plea of آمِلٍone who hopes
أعزيزَ دينِ الله دعوةَ آمِلٍ
بذُراكunder your protection قوْدَleading مرامِهhis goal المُستَصعَبintractable
بذُراك قوْدَ مرامِه المُستَصعَب
O mighty champion of God's faith, hear an aspirant's plea
The fame your rule won rouses your enemies' wrath,
to bring his stubborn goal to heel beneath your shelter.
For ages you brought glory, an age now of might.
جاءhas come الشتاءُwinter يريدُit seeks هَدْمىmy destruction فابْننىso rebuild me
جاء الشتاءُ يريدُ هَدْمى فابْننى
عجلاًوإلاّquickly, or else تبتَدِرنيit will rush upon me يَكلَبraging rabidly
عجلاًوإلاّ تبتَدِرني يَكلَب
Winter has come intent on tearing me down; rebuild me
While you reign we offer our praises,
quickly, or it will rush upon me like a rabid dog.
Like scabbard embellished, made for sword's blade.
وغداًand tomorrow تَشيبُturn white منof الجبالِthe mountains فروعُهاtheir peaks
وغداً تَشيبُ من الجبالِ فروعُها
فتَطولُso grows long حَيرةُthe bewilderment of أشيبٍa gray-haired man فيamid أشيبa white expanse
فتَطولُ حَيرةُ أشيبٍ في أشيب
Tomorrow the mountains' peaks will turn white,
So allow us to gather what brings delight,
and the gray-haired man's bewilderment amid the white will lengthen.
Turning sweet phrases into necklaces bright.
وإذاand when بكَىhe weeps للعَجْزِfrom helplessness أصبحَbecomes دَمْعُهhis tears
وإذا بكَى للعَجْزِ أصبحَ دَمْعُه
فيon الهُدبِthe eyelashes منهُof him كلؤلؤٍlike pearls فيin مِثْقَبa drilled hole
في الهُدبِ منهُ كلؤلؤٍ في مِثْقَب
When he weeps from helplessness, his tears become
Be joyous as fasting comes an honored guest,
on his lashes like a pearl in a drilled hole.
Visiting you mornings, with blessings bedight.
جُدبىbe generous through me علىtoward قَوميmy people وُجدْand be generous ليto me بالّذيwith what
جُدبى على قَومي وُجدْ لي بالّذي
أَبغيI seek وفيand in شَرفِthe honor of اصطناعيyour patronage of me فارغبtake interest
أَبغي وفي شَرفِ اصطناعي فارغب
Be generous to my people through me, and grant me what
Permit all around you, let them come and go,
I seek; desire the honor of making me your beneficiary.
Under your auspicious shadow may they unite.
فلقدfor indeed حجَجتُكI made pilgrimage to you إذsince عَلمتُكI knew you to be كَعبةًa Kaaba
فلقد حجَجتُك إذ عَلمتُك كَعبةً
كَيماso that تكونَyou may be منَto الثّوابِreward مُقرِبيbringing me near
كَيما تكونَ منَ الثّوابِ مُقرِبي
I have made pilgrimage to you, knowing you to be a Kaaba,
In the shade of your unchallenged reign,
so that you may bring me near to reward.
Where your still hoped for glories challenge its height.
وأَرىand I see مَعاديmy return كالمعَادlike the final Return وغيَبتيand my absence
وأَرى مَعادي كالمعَاد وغيَبتي
ذنْبٌa sin تَقدَّمthat came before فاغفرْso forgive للمُذْنِبthe sinner
ذنْبٌ تَقدَّم فاغفرْ للمُذْنِب
I see my return as the final Return, and my absence
My longing beloved ones complaining of my long absence,
as a former sin; forgive the sinner.
And those turning away from passion in my path,
ياآلَO House of حامدٍHamid الكرامَthe noble بَقيتُمُmay you endure
ياآلَ حامدٍ الكرامَ بَقيتُمُ
فلأنتُمُfor you are indeed للمُلكِfor kingship خَيْرُthe best بَنيsons of أَبone father
فلأنتُمُ للمُلكِ خَيْرُ بَني أَب
O noble House of Hamid, may you endure!
Think not that I avoided your company by choice,
You are the best sons of one father for kingship.
Rather destiny drove me from you against my will.
عَمْرِيby my life لقدindeed أصفَيْتُكمI gave you exclusively منّيfrom me الهوىlove
عَمْرِي لقد أصفَيْتُكم منّي الهوى
وعَصيتُand I disobeyed فيكمconcerning you قَوْلَthe words of كُلَevery مُثَرِّبcensurer
وعَصيتُ فيكم قَوْلَ كُلَ مُثَرِّب
By my life, I have given you my love unalloyed,
and disobeyed every censurer's words concerning you.
وخَدمتُكمand I served you ليلَthe night of الشّبابِyouth بطُولِهthrough its full length
وخَدمتُكم ليلَ الشّبابِ بطُولِه
حتّىuntil بداappeared صُبْحُthe dawn of العِذارِthe sideburns الأشيَبgray
حتّى بدا صُبْحُ العِذارِ الأشيَب
I served you through the whole night of youth,
until the dawn of gray sideburns appeared.
فلئنso if indeed حَميْتَyou protected منfrom الحوادثِcalamities جانبيmy side
فلئن حَميْتَ من الحوادثِ جانبي
ياعُدَّتيO my support لمnot تَحْمِyou protected جانبَthe side of أجنَبa stranger
ياعُدَّتي لم تَحْمِ جانبَ أجنَب
If you have sheltered my side from calamities,
O my support, you have not sheltered a stranger's side.
ليI have فيconcerning عُلاكَyour eminence مَقالُan utterance of كلّevery بديعةٍmarvel
لي في عُلاكَ مَقالُ كلّ بديعةٍ
يَرْويهِrecounts it كلُّevery مُشَرِّقٍeastward traveler ومُغَرِّبand westward traveler
يَرْويهِ كلُّ مُشَرِّقٍ ومُغَرِّب
In praise of your greatness, I have uttered every marvel,
recounted by all who travel east or west.
لَذَّتْgave delight بأفواهِin the mouths of السُّراةِthe nobles عِذابُهاtheir sweet strains
لَذَّتْ بأفواهِ السُّراةِ عِذابُها
فكأنّهاso it is as though they مَصْقولُpolished ثَغْرٍa mouth أشنَبsweet, cool-toothed
فكأنّها مَصْقولُ ثَغْرٍ أشنَب
Their sweet strains delighted the mouths of the nobles,
as though they were a gleaming mouth with sweet, cool teeth.
مِدَحٌpraises لفِكْرٍfrom a mind فيin المعانيmeanings مُغْرِبٍdevising marvels
مِدَحٌ لفِكْرٍ في المعاني مُغْرِبٍ
صِيغَتْwere fashioned لمُلكٍfor a kingship فيin المعاليlofty deeds مُغرِبwondrous
صِيغَتْ لمُلكٍ في المعالي مُغرِب
Praises born of a mind inventive in meanings,
fashioned for a kingship wondrous in lofty deeds.
مُتَناولاتٌdrawn منfrom بعيدٍfar away دِقّةًin subtlety
مُتَناولاتٌ من بعيدٍ دِقّةً
والأرضُand the earth خيرُthe best رياضِهاof their gardens للمغربfor the seeker of marvels
والأرضُ خيرُ رياضِها للمغرب
Subtleties drawn from far away,
and the earth is their finest garden for the seeker of marvels.
قدindeed أتْعبتْthey caused weariness لكنّهاbut they لمّاwhen أتَتْarrived
قد أتْعبتْ لكنّها لمّا أتَتْ
وَفْقin accord with المُنىwishes فكأنهاso it was as though they لمnot تُتْعِبcaused weariness
وَفْق المُنى فكأنها لم تُتْعِب
They have wearied me, yet when they came
in accord with my wishes, it was as though they had not wearied me.
وقلائدٌand necklaces مِمّاfrom what نظَمْتُI composed أَوابدٌenduring verses
وقلائدٌ مِمّا نظَمْتُ أَوابدٌ
منof كلِevery قَولٍutterance أَنتَقيهِI select it مُهَذَّبrefined
من كلِ قَولٍ أَنتَقيهِ مُهَذَّب
And necklaces of my composing, enduring verses,
each chosen utterance refined.
إحدىone of كراماتيmy miracles بمَدحِكin praising you أننيis that I
إحدى كراماتي بمَدحِك أنني
نَظّمْتُI strung دُراpearls وهْوwhile it is غيرُnot مُثقَّبpierced
نَظّمْتُ دُرا وهْو غيرُ مُثقَّب
One of my miracles in praising you is that I
have strung pearls that are unpierced.
فأَجيدُهاso I perfect them وأكُرُّand I return فيthrough أثنائهاtheir midst
فأَجيدُها وأكُرُّ في أثنائها
منout of خَوْفِfear of نَقْدِكyour critique نَظْرةَthe glance of المُتَهيِّبone in awe
من خَوْفِ نَقْدِك نَظْرةَ المُتَهيِّب
I perfect them, and return throughout them
with a fearful glance, dreading your critique.
وصفاتُكand your qualities العُلْياlofty هيare الغُررُthe radiant distinctions التيwhich
وصفاتُك العُلْيا هي الغُررُ التي
لوُضوحهاbecause of their clarity صفةُdescription المُريحrest-giving المُنصبwearying
لوُضوحها صفةُ المُريح المُنصب
Your lofty qualities are the radiant distinctions
whose clarity makes description restful yet wearying.
بَهَرتthey dazzled فإنso if أطنَبْتُI spoke at length كنتُI would be كُمُوجزٍlike one concise
بَهَرت فإن أطنَبْتُ كنتُ كُمُوجزٍ
عَجْزاًوإنthrough inability, and if أوجزتُI spoke briefly كنتُI would be كمُطنِبlike one speaking at length
عَجْزاًوإن أوجزتُ كنتُ كمُطنِب
They dazzle: if I speak at length, I am as one concise
through helplessness; if I am concise, I seem to speak at length.
والشّعرُand poetry سِحرٌmagic لاnot يحلُّis lawful سوىexcept الّذيthat which
والشّعرُ سِحرٌ لا يحلُّ سوى الّذي
يَنْساغُis acceptable منهof it وصفُهُdescribing it بالطَّيِبas wholesome
يَنْساغُ منه وصفُهُ بالطَّيِب
Poetry is magic; none of it is lawful except that
which can justly be called wholesome.
فاذْهَبْso go بسلْكِكwith your thread فانِظمِand string الدرَّthe pearls الذيwhich
فاذْهَبْ بسلْكِك فانِظمِ الدرَّ الذي
تَرضاهyou approve of أوor فاذْهَبْthen go بحَبْلكwith your rope فاحْطِبand gather firewood
تَرضاه أو فاذْهَبْ بحَبْلك فاحْطِب
Go, then, with your thread and string the pearls
you approve—or take your rope and gather firewood.
بَخِلَwere stingy اللّئامُthe base men فكذّبواand so belied مُدّاحَهمtheir panegyrists
بَخِلَ اللّئامُ فكذّبوا مُدّاحَهم
هلdoes فيin الجَهامthe rainless cloud يلوحُshine غيرُanything but الخُلَّبfalse lightning
هل في الجَهام يلوحُ غيرُ الخُلَّب
Base men were stingy, and so belied their panegyrists;
in a rainless cloud, does anything shine but false lightning?
أعدىspread to زمانَكَyour age حُسْنُthe beauty of ذِكرِكyour renown فابتنَىand so it built
أعدى زمانَكَ حُسْنُ ذِكرِك فابتنَى
مَجداًglory لدَهرٍfor an age قدindeed سماrose بكَthrough you مُنْجِبbearing noble offspring
مَجداً لدَهرٍ قد سما بكَ مُنْجِب
The beauty of your renown has spread to your age, which has built
glory for a time exalted through you, its noble offspring.
نُهديwe offer إليهto it وأنتwhile you فيهare within it ثناءناour praise
نُهدي إليه وأنت فيه ثناءنا
كالغمِدِlike the sheath حُلِّيadorned للحسامِfor the cutting sword المِقْضَبkeenly cutting
كالغمِدِ حُلِّي للحسامِ المِقْضَب
We offer it our praise while you are within it,
as a sheath is adorned for a keen, cutting sword.
فاسْلَمْso remain safe لناfor us ماأطْرَبتْas long as it delights مَسجوعةًrhymed
فاسْلَمْ لنا ماأطْرَبتْ مَسجوعةً
فيon مِنَبرِthe pulpit of الأغصانِbranches خُطبةُthe sermon of أخطَبa mottled bird
في مِنَبرِ الأغصانِ خُطبةُ أخطَب
Remain safe for us as long as a rhymed sermon brings delight,
preached by a mottled bird from the pulpit of branches.
واسْعَدْand rejoice بشَهْرِin the month of الصومِfasting أولىthe most deserving وافدvisitor
واسْعَدْ بشَهْرِ الصومِ أولى وافد
منكof you الغداةَthis morning وقدhaving indeed أتىcome بتَقَرُّبseeking closeness
منك الغداةَ وقد أتى بتَقَرُّب
Rejoice in the month of fasting, the visitor most deserving
of your welcome this morning, having come to draw near.
وأْذَنْand grant permission لهto it ماwhenever كَرَّcomes round حَوْyear (first fragment) لٌyear (last fragment) راجِعٌreturning
وأْذَنْ له ما كَرَّ حَوْ لٌ راجِعٌ
يَرْجعْto return غليكto you (apparent typo) معwith السَّعودgood fortunes ويَذْهَبand depart
يَرْجعْ غليك مع السَّعود ويَذْهَب
Grant it leave, whenever a returning year comes round,
to return to you with good fortune and depart,
فيin ظلِthe shade of مُلْكٍa sovereignty لاnot يُصَغِّرِdiminishes قَدْرَهits stature
في ظلِ مُلْكٍ لا يُصَغِّرِ قَدْرَه
إلاّرجاءُexcept the hope of مَزيدِهits increase المُترقّبawaited
إلاّرجاءُ مَزيدِه المُترقّب
in the shade of a sovereignty whose stature nothing diminishes
except hope for its eagerly awaited increase.
Partial English translation: 119 of 164 Arabic lines translated.
Sol 6.1