نَمَّتْshe divulged بأسرارِthe secrets of لَيْلٍa night كانhad been يُخْفيهاconcealing them
نَمَّتْ بأسرارِ لَيْلٍ كان يُخْفيها
وأطْلَعتْand revealed قَلْبَهاher heart للنّاسِto the people مِنْfrom فِيهاher mouth
وأطْلَعتْ قَلْبَها للنّاسِ مِنْ فِيها
She divulged the secrets of a night that had concealed them,
She blossomed with the secrets of a night that used to conceal her,
and revealed her heart to people through her mouth.
And she revealed to people the heart that she hid within.
قلبٌa heart لهاshe has لمnot يَرُعْناalarmed us وهْوwhile it مُكْتَمِنٌwas concealed
قلبٌ لها لم يَرُعْنا وهْو مُكْتَمِنٌ
ألاّdo you not تَرىsee فيهin it ناراًa fire مِنfrom تَراقيهاher collarbones
ألاّ تَرى فيه ناراً مِن تَراقيها
She has a heart that did not alarm us while concealed;
A heart whose burning we did not tend when it was concealed,
do you not see fire in it at her collarbones?
Do you not see a fire blazing from its flames?
سَفيهةٌa foolish woman لمnot يَزلْceased طُولُthe length of اللِّسانِthe tongue لهاof hers
سَفيهةٌ لم يَزلْ طُولُ اللِّسانِ لها
فيamong الحَيِّthe community يَجْنيbrings upon عليهاher ضَرْبَblows to هَاديهاher neck
في الحَيِّ يَجْني عليها ضَرْبَ هَاديها
A foolish woman, whose lengthy tongue has never ceased
A foolish woman whose sharp tongue has not stopped harming her
among the people to bring blows upon her neck.
Among the living, inflicting the blows of a guide upon her.
غَريقةٌdrowned فيin دموعtears وهَيَwhile she تُحرِقُهاis burned
غَريقةٌ في دموع وهَيَ تُحرِقُها
أنفاسُهاher breaths بدَوامٍwith constancy منthrough تَلَظِّيهاher blazing
أنفاسُها بدَوامٍ من تَلَظِّيها
Drowned in tears, while she is burned
A woman drowning in tears that she keeps igniting,
by her breaths and their unceasing blaze.
Her breaths constantly kindling them with her tongue’s movement.
تَنَفّسَتْshe breathed نَفَسَthe breath of المَهْجورةِthe abandoned woman ادَّكَرَتْshe remembered
تَنَفّسَتْ نَفَسَ المَهْجورةِ ادَّكَرَتْ
عَهْدَthe bond with الخَليطِthe companions فباتَso through the night الوَجْدُlonging يُبْكيهاmade her weep
عَهْدَ الخَليطِ فباتَ الوَجْدُ يُبْكيها
She breathed the breath of an abandoned woman, remembering
She breathed the sigh of an abandoned woman and recalled
her bond with her companions, and longing made her weep all night.
The days of commingling, so yearning cried for her at night.
يُخْشَىis feared عليهاfor her الرَّدَىdeath مهماwhenever ألَمَّcomes upon بِهاher
يُخْشَى عليها الرَّدَى مهما ألَمَّ بِها
نَسيمُa breath of ريحٍwind إذاwhen وافَىit arrives يُحيِّيهاgreeting her
نَسيمُ ريحٍ إذا وافَى يُحيِّيها
Death is feared for her whenever there comes upon her
Destruction is feared for her whenever a gentle breeze comes to her
a breath of wind, arriving to greet her.
And enlivens her, arriving at the peak of its blowing.
بدَتْshe appeared كنَجْمٍlike a star هَوَىthat fell فيin إثْرِthe wake of عِفْرِيَةٍa she-demon
بدَتْ كنَجْمٍ هَوَى في إثْرِ عِفْرِيَةٍ
فيto الأرضِthe earth فاشْتَعَلَتْand blazed منهfrom it نَواصيهاher forelocks
في الأرضِ فاشْتَعَلَتْ منه نَواصيها
She appeared like a star falling in pursuit of a she-demon
She appeared like a star that fell in pursuit of a meteorite
to earth, setting her forelocks ablaze.
Into the earth, so it was set ablaze and its flames intensified.
نَجْمٌa star رأىthat deemed الأرضَthe earth أولَىfitter أنْto يُبوَّأَهاbe housed there
نَجْمٌ رأى الأرضَ أولَى أنْ يُبوَّأَها
منَthan السّماءheaven فأمسَىand became طَوْعَobedient to أهليهاits people
منَ السّماء فأمسَى طَوْعَ أهليها
A star that deemed earth a fitter dwelling
A star that saw the earth as more deserving to house it
than heaven, and became obedient to its people.
Than the sky, so it submitted to its people by night.
كأنّهاas though she غُرّةٌa white blaze قدalready سالَflowed شادِخُهاits broad streak
كأنّها غُرّةٌ قد سالَ شادِخُها
فيover وَجْهِthe face of دَهْماءَa black mare يَزْهاهاadorns her تَجَلّيهاits shining
في وَجْهِ دَهْماءَ يَزْهاها تَجَلّيها
As though she were a white blaze whose broad streak flowed
As if she were a partridge in the darkness of night, mutinying,
over a black mare's face, adorned by its shining.
Her lower half watered by irrigation flooding her upper half.
أوor ضَرّةٌa rival wife خُلِقَتْwas created للشّمْسِfor the sun حاسدةًjealous
أو ضَرّةٌ خُلِقَتْ للشّمْسِ حاسدةً
فكلماso whenever حُجِبَتْshe is veiled قامَتْshe rises تُحاكِيهاimitating her
فكلما حُجِبَتْ قامَتْ تُحاكِيها
Or a jealous rival created for the sun:
Like the darkness of night, whether darkness draws near
whenever the sun is veiled, she rises to imitate her.
Or recedes, the dawn has emerged for companionship to kindle it.
وَحيدةٌalone بشَباةِwith the point of الرُّمْحِthe spear هازمةٌrouting
وَحيدةٌ بشَباةِ الرُّمْحِ هازمةٌ
عساكرَthe armies of اللّيْلِnight إنif حَلَّتْthey descend بِواديهاinto her valley
عساكرَ اللّيْلِ إن حَلَّتْ بِواديها
Alone, with a spear's point, she routs
And a summer resort you cannot judge straight and fairly
the armies of night if they descend into her valley.
If you do not crown it, adorning it with a crown.
ماnot طَنَّبَتْshe pitched her tent قَطُّever فيin أرضٍa land مُخَيِّمةًencamping
ما طَنَّبَتْ قَطُّ في أرضٍ مُخَيِّمةً
إلاّexcept وأقمرَand became moonlit للأبصارِto the eyes داجيهاits darkness
إلاّ وأقمرَ للأبصارِ داجيها
Never has she pitched her tent upon any ground
A blonde Indian in complexion if she is described,
without its darkness becoming moonlit to the eyes.
And in stature and religion, if you complete the comparison.
لهاshe has غَرائبُwonders تَبدوthat appear منamong مَحاسِنهاher beauties
لها غَرائبُ تَبدو من مَحاسِنها
إذاwhen تَفكّرْتُI reflect يوماًone day فيupon مَعانيهاher qualities
إذا تَفكّرْتُ يوماً في مَعانيها
She has wonders that emerge among her beauties
For India kills its own souls with fire,
whenever I reflect upon her qualities.
Believing that in doing so, it brings them to life.
فالوجْنةُso the cheek الوَرْدُis the rose إلاّexcept فيin تَناوُلِهاits plucking
فالوجْنةُ الوَرْدُ إلاّ في تَناوُلِها
والقامةُand the stature الغُصْنُis the branch إلاّexcept فيin تَثَنِّهاits swaying
والقامةُ الغُصْنُ إلاّ في تَثَنِّها
Her cheek is a rose, except in its plucking;
She does not cease inflamed throughout the night,
her stature a branch, except in its swaying.
Yet she has no burning anguish in her chest to erase her.
قدalready أثمرَتْshe bore وَرْدةٌa rose حَمْراءَred طالعةًrising
قد أثمرَتْ وَرْدةٌ حَمْراءَ طالعةً
تَجْنيharms علىagainst الكَفِّthe palm إنif أهويتَyou reach تَجْنيهاto pluck it
تَجْني على الكَفِّ إن أهويتَ تَجْنيها
She has borne a red rose, rising,
She enlivens the nights with light, and kills them -
that harms the palm if you reach to pluck it.
What a wretched reward, by God’s life, she gives them!
وَرْدٌrose-blossoms تُشاكُare pricked بهاby them الأيديthe hands إذاwhen قُطِفَتْthey are plucked
وَرْدٌ تُشاكُ بها الأيدي إذا قُطِفَتْ
وماand no علىon غُصْنِهاtheir stem شَوكٌthorn يُوقِّيهاprotects them
وما على غُصْنِها شَوكٌ يُوقِّيها
Rose-blossoms that prick the hands when plucked,
An exhibitionist who has never worn clothes for eyes to see,
though their stem has no thorn to protect them.
Nor has she concealed her nudity from them.
صُفْرٌyellow غَلائلُهاher gowns حُمْرٌred عَمائمُهاher turbans
صُفْرٌ غَلائلُها حُمْرٌ عَمائمُها
سُودٌblack ذَوائبُهاher tresses بيضٌwhite لَياليهاher nights
سُودٌ ذَوائبُها بيضٌ لَياليها
Yellow are her gowns, red her turbans;
She lengthens herself on the height of a garment she wears,
black her tresses, white her nights.
Yet clothes were not destined to clothe her.
كصَعْدةٍlike a straight lance فيinto حَشاthe belly of الظَّلْمَاءِdarkness طاعنةٍthrusting
كصَعْدةٍ في حَشا الظَّلْمَاءِ طاعنةٍ
تَسْقىwater أسافِلَهاher lower parts رِيّاًto saturation أعاليهاher upper parts
تَسْقى أسافِلَها رِيّاً أعاليها
Like a straight lance thrusting into the belly of darkness,
A noisy crow, never ceasing her cawing,
her upper parts water her lower parts to saturation.
Sometimes muttering her prattle and sometimes trilling it.
كَلوءةُa watcher of اللَّيْلِthe night إمّاwhen أقبلَتْapproach ظُلَمٌdarknesses
كَلوءةُ اللَّيْلِ إمّا أقبلَتْ ظُلَمٌ
أَمسَتْshe comes to have لهاfor her طَلْعةٌa radiant face للصَّحْبِfor the companions تُذْكيهاshe kindles it
أَمسَتْ لها طَلْعةٌ للصَّحْبِ تُذْكيها
A watcher of the night: whenever darkness approaches,
Grey-haired and disheveled, her locks are not clothed
she offers her companions a face she keeps alight.
In the color of youth except when she dyes them.
وَصيفةٌa maidservant لستَyou are not منهاfrom her قاضياًfulfilling وَطَراًa desire
وَصيفةٌ لستَ منها قاضياً وَطَراً
إنif أنتyou لمnot تَكْسُهاclothe her تاجاًwith a crown يُحَلّيهاthat adorns her
إن أنت لم تَكْسُها تاجاً يُحَلّيها
A maidservant from whom you cannot fulfill a desire
A gloomy canal whose fangs constantly devour it,
unless you clothe her with a crown that adorns her.
Whether stabbing a long stab or ripping it violently.
صَفْراءُyellow هِنديةٌIndian فيin اللَّوْنِcolor إنif نُعِتَتْshe is described
صَفْراءُ هِنديةٌ في اللَّوْنِ إن نُعِتَتْ
والقَدِّand stature والدِّينِand religion إنْif أتْمَمْتَyou complete تَشبيهاthe comparison
والقَدِّ والدِّينِ إنْ أتْمَمْتَ تَشبيها
A yellow Indian woman in color, if described,
Eyes wide open, she spends her night sleepless -
and in stature and religion, if you complete the comparison.
Yes, and her wakefulness in turn exhausts her.
فالهِنْدُfor the Indians تَقْتُلُkill بالنِّيرانِwith fires أنْفُسَهاthemselves
فالهِنْدُ تَقْتُلُ بالنِّيرانِ أنْفُسَها
وعندَهاand in their belief أنَّهاthey إذْat ذاكَthat time تُحْييهاrevive themselves
وعندَها أنَّها إذْ ذاكَ تُحْييها
For the Indians kill themselves with fire,
And perhaps sickness has afflicted her edges
believing that thereby they bring themselves to life.
That will not be cured but by cutting to heal her.
ماnot إنindeed تَزالُshe ceases تَبِيتُto spend اللَّيلَthe night لاهِبةًablaze
ما إن تَزالُ تَبِيتُ اللَّيلَ لاهِبةً
وماand no بِهاin her غُلّةًthirst فيin الصَّدْرِthe breast تُظْميهاparches her
وما بِها غُلّةً في الصَّدْرِ تُظْميها
She never ceases to spend the night ablaze,
Woe to her mother, in the darkness of night happily approving
though no thirst within her breast makes her parched.
When worries call my heart to theirSCI Summarizer gates.
تُحْييshe revives اللّياليَthe nights نُوراًwith light وهْيَwhile they تَقْتُلُهاkill her
تُحْيي اللّياليَ نُوراً وهْيَ تَقْتُلُها
بئْسَhow bad الجَزاءُthe recompense لعمْرُby the life of اللهِGod تَجْزيهاthey repay her
بئْسَ الجَزاءُ لعمْرُ اللهِ تَجْزيها
She brings the nights to life with light, while they kill her;
Were it not for the differing temperaments between us, only one -
by God's life, how badly they repay her!
And temperaments differ in their essence.
وَرْهاءُa foolish woman لمnot يَبْدُappeared للأبصارِto the eyes لابِسُهاher clothed part
وَرْهاءُ لم يَبْدُ للأبصارِ لابِسُها
يوماًever ولمand not يَحْتَجِبْwas concealed عنهُنَّfrom them عاريهاher naked part
يوماً ولم يَحْتَجِبْ عنهُنَّ عاريها
A foolish woman: her clothed part has never appeared to eyes
For she displays herself in the darkness of night
on any day, nor has her naked part been concealed from them.
While she conceals in the darkness of the heart what I hide.
قُدَّتْshe was cut علىto قَدِّthe size of ثَوْبٍa garment قدalready تَبَطَّنَهاlining her within
قُدَّتْ على قَدِّ ثَوْبٍ قد تَبَطَّنَها
ولمand did not يُقَدَّرْsize عليهاto fit her الثّوبَthe garment كاسِيهاher dresser
ولم يُقَدَّرْ عليها الثّوبَ كاسِيها
She was cut to fit a garment that lines her from within;
There are glances between us, if they look carefully -
her dresser did not size the garment to fit her.
I conceal them in fear of a gossip, though they flow from me.
غَرّاءُbright-faced فَرعاءُlong-haired ماnot تَنْفَكُّshe ceases فاليةًdelousing
غَرّاءُ فَرعاءُ ما تَنْفَكُّ فاليةً
تَقُصُّshe clips لِمّتهاher locks طَوراًat times وتَفْلِيهاand delouses them
تَقُصُّ لِمّتها طَوراً وتَفْلِيها
Bright-faced and long-haired, she is forever picking through her hair;
She would not complain, if only she were grateful,
at times she clips her locks and delouses them.
Of the burning I suffer which I endure from her.
شَيْباءُgray-haired شَعْثاءُdisheveled لاnot تُكسَىare clothed with غَدائرُهاher braids
شَيْباءُ شَعْثاءُ لا تُكسَى غَدائرُها
لَوْنَthe color of الشَّبيبةِyouth إلاّexcept حينَwhen تُبْليهاshe wears them out
لَوْنَ الشَّبيبةِ إلاّ حينَ تُبْليها
Gray-haired and disheveled, her braids are never clothed
The nights did not refuse her requests,
in youth's color except when she wears them away.
Nor did fate turn her away from her pursuits.
قناةُa lance of ظَلْماءَdarkness ماnot تَنْفَكُّit ceases يأكُلهاto eat it
قناةُ ظَلْماءَ ما تَنْفَكُّ يأكُلها
سِنانُهاits spearhead طُولَthroughout طَعْنٍthrusting أوor يُشَظّيهاsplinters it
سِنانُها طُولَ طَعْنٍ أو يُشَظّيها
A lance of darkness, forever eaten
It did not cast her far from her loved ones
by its spearhead through prolonged thrusting, or splintered by it.
As it cast me, and near to her enemies.
مفْتوحةُopen العَيْنِeyed تُفْنيshe consumes ليلَهاher night سَهَراًin wakefulness
مفْتوحةُ العَيْنِ تُفْني ليلَها سَهَراً
نعَمْyes وإفْناؤهاand her consuming إيْاهُit يُفْنيهاconsumes her
نعَمْ وإفْناؤها إيْاهُ يُفْنيها
Open-eyed, she consumes her night in wakefulness;
She does not endure enviers whom I endure,
yes, and her consuming it consumes her.
Nor contend with the sons of time as I contend.
ورُبمَّاand sometimes نالَafflicted منsome of أطْرافِهاher extremities مَرَضٌa malady
ورُبمَّا نالَ من أطْرافِها مَرَضٌ
لمdid not يُشْفِcure her منهof it بغَيْرِby anything but القَطْعِcutting مُشْفيهاher healer
لم يُشْفِ منه بغَيْرِ القَطْعِ مُشْفيها
Sometimes a malady afflicts her extremities,
She does not complain of the hardship of her exile,
which her healer cannot cure except by cutting.
Nor are her feet bound by hands.
وَيلُwoe to امِّهاher mother فيin ظلامِthe darkness of اللَّيلِthe night مُسعِدةًcomforting
وَيلُ امِّها في ظلامِ اللَّيلِ مُسعِدةً
إذاwhen الهمومُcares دعَتْsummon قلبيmy heart دَواعيهاtheir calls
إذا الهمومُ دعَتْ قلبي دَواعيها
Woe to her mother! How she comforts me in the night's darkness,
To no attainable goals despite our ample striving -
when the summons of cares call upon my heart.
Rather, far from even their outskirts.
لولاwere it not for اختلافُthe difference of طباعَيْناour two natures بواحدةٍin one thing
لولا اختلافُ طباعَيْنا بواحدةٍ
وللطِّباعِand natures have اخْتلافٌdifferences فيin مَبانيهاtheir foundations
وللطِّباعِ اخْتلافٌ في مَبانيها
Were it not that our two natures differ in one thing—
So let it delight her that I have spent the night sleepless,
and natures differ in their foundations—
With none of my concerns or worries troubling or engaging her.
بأنّهاin that she فيin سَوادِthe blackness of اللَّيْلِthe night مُظهِرةٌreveals
بأنّها في سَوادِ اللَّيْلِ مُظهِرةٌ
تلكthat الَّتيwhich فيin سوادِthe blackness of القَلْبِthe heart أُخْفيهاI conceal
تلك الَّتي في سوادِ القَلْبِ أُخْفيها
namely, that in the blackness of night she reveals
She smiled amidst crying and my streaming tears -
what I conceal in the blackness of my heart.
I am but pure sorrow welling within me.
وَبَيْنَناand between us عَبَراتٌtears إنif هُمُthey نَظَرواlook
وَبَيْنَنا عَبَراتٌ إن هُمُ نَظَروا
غَيّضْتُهاI held them back خَوْفَfor fear of واشٍa talebearer وهْيwhile she تُجْريهاlets them flow
غَيّضْتُها خَوْفَ واشٍ وهْي تُجْريها
Between us are tears: if they look,
So I said in the wing of night as she stood
I hold mine back for fear of a talebearer, while she lets hers flow.
While we were in the presence of hands that rose high:
وماand not بهاin her مَوهناًat midnight لوif only أنّهاshe شَكَرَتْacknowledged
وما بها مَوهناً لو أنّها شَكَرَتْ
ماwhat بيis in me منof الحُرَقِburning torments اللاّتيwhich أُقاسيهاI endure
ما بي من الحُرَقِ اللاّتي أُقاسيها
At midnight she bears none—if she would but acknowledge it—
If only she knew, in her proximity to the one erected
of the burning torments within me that I endure.
Among the people, she would turn her cheek confused.
ماnot عانَدتْهاopposed her اللّياليthe nights فيin مَطالبهاher desires
ما عانَدتْها اللّيالي في مَطالبها
ولاnor عَدتْهاturned her aside العواديadversities عنfrom مَباغيهاher aims
ولا عَدتْها العوادي عن مَباغيها
The nights have not opposed her in her desires,
And that it was not sadness that stirred her
nor have adversities turned her from her aims.
But joy of the soul that made her weep excessively.
ولاnor رمَتْهاstruck her ببُعْدٍwith distance منfrom أحِبَّتهاher loved ones
ولا رمَتْها ببُعْدٍ من أحِبَّتها
كماas رَمتْنيthey struck me وقُرْبٍand nearness منto أعاديهاher enemies
كما رَمتْني وقُرْبٍ من أعاديها
Nor have they struck her with distance from her loved ones,
Who is like her? When she glanced with her eyes and saw
as they have me, or with nearness to her foes.
The cheek of the morning dew while it glistened in its meadow.
ولاnor تُكابِدُshe struggles against حُسّاداًenvious people أُكابِدُهاI struggle against them
ولا تُكابِدُ حُسّاداً أُكابِدُها
ولاnor تُداجيshe dissembles with بنيthe sons of دَهْرٍthe age أُداجيهاI dissemble with them
ولا تُداجي بني دَهْرٍ أُداجيها
Nor does she struggle with the envious whom I struggle against,
And she was brought to where her partridge
nor dissemble with the people of the age as I do.
Gave its age, so it increased in its rises.
ولاnor تَشكَّىshe complains of المَطاياthe mounts طُولَthe length of وِحْلَتهاtheir being mired
ولا تَشكَّى المَطايا طُولَ وِحْلَتها
ولاnor لأرجُلِهاof their hindlegs طَرْداًbeing driven onward بأيديهاwith their forelegs
ولا لأرجُلِها طَرْداً بأيديها
Nor does she complain of the mounts' prolonged bogging down,
On a night when she dwelt near a sun, pierced by
nor of their hindlegs being driven onward by their forelegs,
A light that multiplied and whitened its darknesses.
إلىtoward مَقاصدَdestinations لمnot نَبْلُغْwe reached أدانيَهاtheir nearest parts
إلى مَقاصدَ لم نَبْلُغْ أدانيَها
مَعْdespite كَثْرَةِmuch السَّعْيstriving فَضْلاًlet alone عنregarding أقاصيهاtheir farthest parts
مَعْ كَثْرَةِ السَّعْي فَضْلاً عن أقاصيها
toward destinations whose nearest reaches we have not attained,
One of thirty like a necklace, intricately strung -
despite much striving, let alone their farthest.
Beads competing in brilliance, lighting up its lines.
فَلْيَهْنِهاso may it please her أنّهاthat she باتَتْspent the night ولاand neither هِمَميmy ambitions
فَلْيَهْنِها أنّها باتَتْ ولا هِمَمي
ولاnor هُموميmy worries تُعَنّيهاtorment her وتَعْنيهاand concern her
ولا هُمومي تُعَنّيها وتَعْنيها
So may she rejoice that she passes the night while neither my ambitions
She sees the lamps as flowers on its sides
nor my worries torment or concern her.
As it revealed the cheek of the horizon, illuminating it.
أبدَتْshe showed إليِّto me ابتِساماًa smile فيin خلالِthe midst of بُكاًweeping
أبدَتْ إليِّ ابتِساماً في خلالِ بُكاً
وعَبْرتيand my tear أناmy own مَحْضُpure الحُزْنِsorrow يَمْريهاdraws it forth
وعَبْرتي أنا مَحْضُ الحُزْنِ يَمْريها
She showed me a smile amid her weeping,
As if they were stars of the horizon, descending
while pure sorrow draws forth my own tear.
To kiss the ground you tread, arriving in its midst.
فقلتُso I said فيunder جُنْحِthe cover of ليلٍa night وهْيwhile she واقفةٌstood
فقلتُ في جُنْحِ ليلٍ وهْي واقفةٌ
ونحنwhile we فيin حَضْرةa presence جَلَّتْwere great أَياديهاits favors
ونحن في حَضْرة جَلَّتْ أَياديها
I said, under cover of night, as she stood,
Marvels in the nights, amazingly crafted -
while we were in a presence whose favors were great:
Among them are the darkness' tresses, relaxing it.
لوif أنّهاshe عَلِمتْknew فيin قُرْبِthe proximity of مَنwhom نُصِبَتْshe was set up
لو أنّها عَلِمتْ في قُرْبِ مَن نُصِبَتْ
منamong الورَىmankind لَثنَتْshe would bend أعطافَهاher sides تِيهاin pride
من الورَى لَثنَتْ أعطافَها تِيها
If she knew near whom she had been set
The recitation in it, and the villages combined,
among mankind, she would bend her sides in pride,
Are for you, its devoted reader, reciting it.
وخَبَّرتْand would declare أنّهاthat she لاnot الحُزْنُsorrow خامَرَهاpervaded her
وخَبَّرتْ أنّها لا الحُزْنُ خامَرَها
بَلْrather فَرحةُthe joy of النّفْسِthe soul أبكاهاmade her weep تَناهيهاits extremity
بَلْ فَرحةُ النّفْسِ أبكاها تَناهيها
and declare that sorrow had not overcome her;
Her night is no more preoccupied with your prayers
rather, the soul's utmost joy had made her weep.
Than her day with prayers in it you fulfil.
مَنْwho مِثْلُهاis her equal حينَwhen ردَّتْshe turned عَيْنَهاher eye فرأتْand saw
مَنْ مِثْلُها حينَ ردَّتْ عَيْنَها فرأتْ
خِدْنَthe intimate of النَّدىgenerosity وهْوwhile he مُحتلٌّwas seated بِناديهاin her gathering-place
خِدْنَ النَّدى وهْو مُحتلٌّ بِناديها
Who is her equal, when she turned her eye and saw
A month counted in days like you unceasing
the intimate of generosity seated in her gathering-place?
In sleep, if its meanings are combined.
وأنّهاand that she قُدِّمَتْwas brought forward فيin حيثُthe place where غُرَّتُهhis radiant brow
وأنّها قُدِّمَتْ في حيثُ غُرَّتُه
تُهْديbestows سَناهاits radiance فزادَتْso she increased فيin تَلاليهاher brilliance
تُهْدي سَناها فزادَتْ في تَلاليها
And she had been brought where his radiant brow
As if the crescent's light emerged, so the flowers of stars
bestowed its light, and so increased her brilliance.
Faded, while it began to shine from its sides.
فيin ليلةٍa night جَاورَتْshe neighbored شَمْساًa sun فمزَّقَهاand rent it apart
في ليلةٍ جَاورَتْ شَمْساً فمزَّقَها
نُورٌa light تضاعَفَdoubled فابْيَضَّتْso became white دَياجيهاits darknesses
نُورٌ تضاعَفَ فابْيَضَّتْ دَياجيها
On a night when she neighbored a sun, it was rent apart
The judges of Persia glanced, so its processions
by doubled light, and its darkness turned white.
Hastened after its judge, veiled from sight.
إحدىone of ثلاثينَthirty مِثْلِlike العِقْدِa necklace قدalready نُظِمَتْwere strung
إحدى ثلاثينَ مِثْلِ العِقْدِ قد نُظِمَتْ
غُرّاًradiant تبارىvying بأنوارwith lights تُجَليِّهاilluminating them
غُرّاً تبارى بأنوار تُجَليِّها
One of thirty nights strung like a necklace,
O Majid, neither sun nor moon shone
radiant, vying with lights that illuminate them.
But by the grace of its light guiding her.
تَرىyou see المصابيحَthe lamps زُهراًstar-bright فيin جَوانبِهاits sides
تَرى المصابيحَ زُهراً في جَوانبِها
وقدand indeed جَلاbrightened صَفْحَةَthe face of الغَبْراءِthe dusty earth ذاكيهاtheir burning light
وقد جَلا صَفْحَةَ الغَبْراءِ ذاكيها
You see the lamps shining like stars along its sides,
Whenever the noble ancestors boasted,
their burning light having brightened the face of the dusty earth.
The first of them surpassed the next in glory.
كأنّهنَّas though they نُجومُthe stars of الأُفْقِthe horizon نازلةًdescending
كأنّهنَّ نُجومُ الأُفْقِ نازلةً
جاءتْcame تُقبِّلُto kiss أرضاًground أنتyou واطيهاtread upon it
جاءتْ تُقبِّلُ أرضاً أنت واطيها
As though they were the horizon's stars, descending,
They chose Persia as their abode, and its shade
come to kiss the ground you tread.
Encompassed the plain, its farthest and nearest parts.
شَرائفٌlofty lights فيin اللّياليthe nights رُصِّعَتْwere jeweled عَجَباًwondrously
شَرائفٌ في اللّيالي رُصِّعَتْ عَجَباً
منهاfrom them ذَوائبُtresses للظَّلْماءof the darkness تُرْخيهاshe lets hang
منها ذَوائبُ للظَّلْماء تُرْخيها
Lofty lights, wondrously set as jewels through the nights,
Like the eye that penetrates horizons, observing -
from which the darkness lets her tresses hang.
Yes, and its eyelid protects it, containing it.
لكfor you القراءةُrecitation فيهاin them والقِرَىand hospitality جُمِعاwere united
لك القراءةُ فيها والقِرَى جُمِعا
فأنتso you قارِئُهاare their reciter نُسْكاًdevoutly وقاريهاand their host
فأنت قارِئُها نُسْكاً وقاريها
Recitation and hospitality are brought together for you in them;
As if it were an invincible forest, since
you are their devout reciter and their host.
The lion of lions began dwelling within it.
ماnot لَيْلُهاtheir night بصَلاةٍwith prayer منكَfrom you أشْغَلَbusier مِنthan
ما لَيْلُها بصَلاةٍ منكَ أشْغَلَ مِن
نَهارِهاtheir day بصِلاتٍwith gifts فيهin it تُسْديهاyou bestow them
نَهارِها بصِلاتٍ فيه تُسْديها
Their night is no busier with your prayer than
May it forever adorn itself with them,
their day with the gifts you bestow in it.
And may it never detach itself from them.
شَهْرٌa month يُعَدُّis counted منamong الأيّامِthe days مثْلَكَlike you فيamong الthe (continued)
شَهْرٌ يُعَدُّ من الأيّامِ مثْلَكَ في ال
أنامِmankind فَرْداًunique إذاwhen عُدَّتْare counted مَعانيهاtheir qualities
أنامِ فَرْداً إذا عُدَّتْ مَعانيها
A month reckoned among days as you are among
As for the Sacred Law, since it came to you,
mankind: unique, when their qualities are counted.
You have removed from its essence what injured it.
كأنّas though ضَوْءَthe light of هلالٍa crescent لاحَappeared فابْتدَرَتْand rushed forth
كأنّ ضَوْءَ هلالٍ لاحَ فابْتدَرَتْ
زُهْرُthe bright النُجومstars تَبدَّىit appeared مِنfrom نَواحيهاtheir surroundings
زُهْرُ النُجوم تَبدَّى مِن نَواحيها
As though a crescent's light appeared, and there rushed forth
I do not see any allies like the Faizis
bright stars, as it shone out from their midst:
Whose names derive from its meanings.
قُضاةُthe judges of فارسٍFars التَفّتْgathered مَواكبُهاtheir processions
قُضاةُ فارسٍ التَفّتْ مَواكبُها
تُخبُّtrot مُسرِعَةًswiftly فيin إثْرِthe wake of قَاضيهاtheir judge
تُخبُّ مُسرِعَةً في إثْرِ قَاضيها
the judges of Fars, their processions gathered,
From the clan of Badr and Hisn they appointed you to it -
trotting swiftly in the wake of their judge.
A full moon guiding it, and a fortress protecting it.
ياO ماجداًnoble man لمnot يُنِرْshone شَمسٌa sun ولاnor قَمَرٌa moon
يا ماجداً لم يُنِرْ شَمسٌ ولا قَمَرٌ
إلاّexcept بفَضْلةِwith a surplus of نُورٍlight منهfrom him يُهْديهاhe gives them
إلاّ بفَضْلةِ نُورٍ منه يُهْديها
O noble man, no sun or moon has shone
Superiority is yours, by my life, and knowledge together
except through a surplus of light he gives them.
An inheritance the fathers of nobility established.
يَعُدُّhe counts آباءَancestors of صِدْقٍtrue worth كلّماwhenever افْتَخَرواthey boast
يَعُدُّ آباءَ صِدْقٍ كلّما افْتَخَروا
يَفوقُsurpasses أوّلَهاthe earlier of them فيin المَجْدِglory ثانيهاthe later of them
يَفوقُ أوّلَها في المَجْدِ ثانيها
He counts ancestors of true worth: whenever they boast,
From the Secret of Qais, kings none can equal
the later surpasses the earlier in glory.
In might, present or absent.
تَخَيّرواthey chose فارِساًFars داراًas a home وظِلُّهمُand their shade
تَخَيّروا فارِساً داراً وظِلُّهمُ
علىover البسيطةthe earth قاصيهاits distant parts ودانيهاand its nearby parts
على البسيطة قاصيها ودانيها
They chose Fars as their home, while their shade extends
The sun of guidance dawned upon the horizon of Islam
over the earth, its distant and its nearby parts.
Guiding to the ways of righteousness, directing it.
كالعَيْنِlike the eye تَخْتَرِقُranges across الآفاقُthe horizons ناظرةًlooking
كالعَيْنِ تَخْتَرِقُ الآفاقُ ناظرةً
أجَلْyes ومَحْجِرُهاand its socket للصَّونِfor protection يَحْويهاcontains it
أجَلْ ومَحْجِرُها للصَّونِ يَحْويها
Like the eye, ranging across the horizons as it looks—
A towering flame and brilliant fire together,
yes, while its socket contains it for protection.
And the fire increases above the tower kindling it.
كأنّهاas though it غابَةٌa forest تَغْدوbecomes مُمَنَّعةٌwell-defended
كأنّها غابَةٌ تَغْدو مُمَنَّعةٌ
ماwhenever أصبحَتْmorning comes وأبوand the father of الأشبالِlion cubs يَأويهاdwells in it
ما أصبحَتْ وأبو الأشبالِ يَأويها
As though it were a forest, well defended
A brilliant mind whose thoughts
whenever morning comes and the father of lion cubs dwells there.
Know hidden matters as if openly stating them.
ألاindeed فَدامَso may endure تَحلِّيهاits adornment بهمْwith them أَبَداًforever
ألا فَدامَ تَحلِّيها بهمْ أَبَداً
ولاand may not أُتيحَbe allowed لهاto it منهمof them تَخَلّيهاits being emptied
ولا أُتيحَ لها منهم تَخَلّيها
May its adornment with them endure forever,
A soul guided in all it undertakes -
and may it never be left empty of them.
Its efforts are praised wherever directed.
أمّاas for الشّريعةُthe sacred law مُذْsince فاءتْit returned إليكَto you فقدthen indeed
أمّا الشّريعةُ مُذْ فاءتْ إليكَ فقد
ضَرَحْتَyou brushed away عنfrom عَيْنهاits eye ماwhat كانَwas يُقْذِيهاirritating it
ضَرَحْتَ عن عَيْنها ما كانَ يُقْذِيها
As for the sacred law, since it returned to you,
Hastiness has never caused it to slip,
you have brushed from its eye whatever irritated it.
Nor has a predecessor ever eluded it while truth follows it.
وماand not أرَىI see كالفَزارِيّينَlike the Fazarites مِنamong عُصَبٍclans
وما أرَى كالفَزارِيّينَ مِن عُصَبٍ
مُشْتَقَةderived منfrom مَعانيهاtheir qualities أساميهاtheir names
مُشْتَقَة من مَعانيها أساميها
I see no clans like the Fazarites,
And a lofty ambition like a star's position,
whose names are derived from their qualities.
Seeking the heights and gifts from its summits.
منfrom آلthe house of بَدْرٍBadr وحِصْنٍand Hisn رَشّحوكَthey nominated you لَهاfor it
من آل بَدْرٍ وحِصْنٍ رَشّحوكَ لَها
بَدْراًas a full moon هَداهاthat guided it وحِصناًand a fortress ظَلَّkept يَحميهاprotecting it
بَدْراً هَداها وحِصناً ظَلَّ يَحميها
From the house of Badr and Hisn, they nominated you for it:
It attained heights, so they said that was its limit -
a full moon that guided it, and a fortress that kept protecting it.
But I said, "Do not err, this is its beginning."
لكyours العُلُوeminence لعَمْريby my life والعلومُand learning معاًtogether
لك العُلُو لعَمْري والعلومُ معاً
إرْثاًas an inheritance جُدودُthe forefathers of بنيthe sons of العَلْياءloftiness بانيهاits builders
إرْثاً جُدودُ بني العَلْياء بانيها
Yours are eminence, by my life, and learning together,
Rather, they belittled it by possessing it -
inherited, their builders the forefathers of the sons of loftiness.
Stages they fell short of wishing for.
مِنfrom سِرِّthe choicest stock of قَيْسٍQays مُلوكٌkings لاnot يُقاسُare compared بهمwith them
مِن سِرِّ قَيْسٍ مُلوكٌ لا يُقاسُ بهم
فيin العزِّmight حاضِرُthe settled folk of أحياءٍtribes وباديهاand their nomads
في العزِّ حاضِرُ أحياءٍ وباديها
Kings from the choicest stock of Qays, with whom none can compare
A tear that increases in generosity as it grows,
in might, whether settled tribesmen or nomads.
And the doing of good - its rewards repay it.
لقدindeed جَلاilluminated أُفُقَthe horizon of الإسلامِIslam شمسُa sun of هُدىًguidance
لقد جَلا أُفُقَ الإسلامِ شمسُ هُدىً
تَهْديguides إلىto طُرُقِthe paths of المعروفِgoodness هاديهاits guide
تَهْدي إلى طُرُقِ المعروفِ هاديها
A sun of guidance has indeed lit Islam's horizon;
The noble traits of a custodian never satisfy it -
its guide leads to the paths of goodness.
Its actions in the world suffice until they equal it.
طَوْدٌa mountain وقارٌof dignity ونارٌand a fire فيin الذَّكاءbrilliance معاًtogether
طَوْدٌ وقارٌ ونارٌ في الذَّكاء معاً
والنّارُand the fire تَزْدادُincreases فوقَabove الطّوْدِthe mountain تَنْويهاin renown
والنّارُ تَزْدادُ فوقَ الطّوْدِ تَنْويها
A mountain in dignity and a fire in brilliance together;
So God has encompassed it with a kingdom whose treasuries
fire atop a mountain gains still greater renown.
Hands of the destitute cannot reach, even if outstretched.
مُحدِّثٌspeaking بصَوابِwith soundness of الرَّأْيِjudgment خاطرُهhis mind
مُحدِّثٌ بصَوابِ الرَّأْيِ خاطرُه
خافيthe hidden part of الأُمورِaffairs لدَيْهِto him مثلُlike باديهاtheir visible part
خافي الأُمورِ لدَيْهِ مثلُ باديها
His mind speaks with sound judgment;
Its wealth among the people it hoards
hidden affairs are to him like those plainly visible.
For storing, not burying in the earth.
نَفْسٌa soul مُوفّقةٌblessed with success فيin كُلِّall ماthat شَرَعَتْit undertook
نَفْسٌ مُوفّقةٌ في كُلِّ ما شَرَعَتْ
منof أمرِهاits affairs حُمدَتْwere praised فيهin it مُساعيهاits efforts
من أمرِها حُمدَتْ فيه مُساعيها
A soul blessed with success in everything it undertakes;
It is beautified by the grace of richness, not the grace of wealth -
in its affairs, its efforts win praise.
The soul's dignity, nothing else, enriches it.
لمnot يُوطِهاmade it tread زَلّةًa slip يوماًever تَسرُّعُهاits haste
لم يُوطِها زَلّةً يوماً تَسرُّعُها
ولمand not يُفِتْmissed سابقةًprecedence والحَقُّwhile truth تاليهاfollows it
ولم يُفِتْ سابقةً والحَقُّ تاليها
Its haste has never made it tread upon a slip,
The outstanding dynasty was never self-sufficient in an era
nor has it missed precedence, with truth following it.
Except that the loyalty of the pillar of religion sufficed it.
وهِمّةًand an ambition بمَناطِat the hanging-place of النّجمِthe star ساميةٌsoaring
وهِمّةً بمَناطِ النّجمِ ساميةٌ
تَبغيseeks العُلاloftiness والعَطاياand gifts منamong مَراقيهاits steps upward
تَبغي العُلا والعَطايا من مَراقيها
And an ambition soaring to the place where stars hang,
Nor did it complain of an enormous calamity
seeking loftiness, with gifts among its steps upward.
Except that the perspicacity of his opinion cured it.
نالَhe attained المَعاليhigh honors فقالواso they said تلْكَthat غايتُهاis their endpoint
نالَ المَعالي فقالوا تلْكَ غايتُها
فقلتُso I said لاdo not تَغْلَطواbe mistaken هذيthese مَباديهاare their beginnings
فقلتُ لا تَغْلَطوا هذي مَباديها
He attained high honors, and they said: That is their endpoint.
He has an ambition the orbits envy its loftiness -
I said: Do not mistake these; they are their beginnings.
So no planet competes with its towering height.
وإنّماand only أكْبَرواthey marveled at منهin him تَملُّكَهُhis attainment of
وإنّما أكْبَروا منه تَملُّكَهُ
مَراتباًranks قَصَرواfell short هُمْthey عَنْof تَمَنّيهاwishing for them
مَراتباً قَصَروا هُمْ عَنْ تَمَنّيها
They marveled only at his attaining
A sky of glory whose features are its planets,
ranks they themselves fell short of even wishing for.
Returning it to the world adorned and revealing it.
خِرْقٌan accomplished nobleman إذاwhen زادَincreased جُوداًin generosity زادَincreased مَقْدرةًin capacity
خِرْقٌ إذا زادَ جُوداً زادَ مَقْدرةً
وفَعلَةُand a deed of الخيرِgoodness يَجْزيهاrepays it جَوازيهاits recompenses
وفَعلَةُ الخيرِ يَجْزيها جَوازيها
An accomplished nobleman: as his generosity grows, so does his capacity;
You are shown the unity of supremacy and glory, arranged -
a good deed is repaid by its recompenses.
For it are features that have softened its margins.
وماand not عَوارِفُfavors يُوليهاhe bestows them بمُقْنعةٍsatisfying
وما عَوارِفُ يُوليها بمُقْنعةٍ
فِعالُهاtheir effect فيamong الوَرىmankind حتّىuntil يُواليهاhe follows them with more
فِعالُها في الوَرى حتّى يُواليها
The favors he bestows do not satisfy
All people henceforth have become brothers of deceit
in their effect on mankind until he follows them with more.
Seeking to justify their falsehood with truth.
فَحاطَهُso may He guard him اللهُGod منas a مَلْكٍking خَزائنُهhis treasuries
فَحاطَهُ اللهُ من مَلْكٍ خَزائنُه
أيديthe hands of العُفاةِsupplicants إذاwhen جاءتْthey come تُرَجيِّهاhoping for them
أيدي العُفاةِ إذا جاءتْ تُرَجيِّها
May God guard him—a king whose treasuries
While he remains pure, ever pure, like his name -
are the hands of supplicants when they come seeking them.
From all that is suspect in manners or faith.
أموالُهhis wealth فيin رقابِthe necks of النّاسِpeople يَكْنِزُهاhe stores it
أموالُه في رقابِ النّاسِ يَكْنِزُها
للذُّخْرِas a reserve لاnot فيin بُطونthe depths of الأرضthe earth يُلْقيهاhe casts it
للذُّخْرِ لا في بُطون الأرض يُلْقيها
He stores his wealth in people's necks
Take it, pillar of religion, walking to you -
as a reserve, rather than casting it into the earth's depths.
No star in the highest horizon rivals it.
يُزْهَىhe takes pride بفَضْلin abundant غَناءٍusefulness لاnot بفَضْلِin abundant غنىًwealth
يُزْهَى بفَضْل غَناءٍ لا بفَضْلِ غنىً
والنّفْسُand the soul عزَّتُهاits dignity لاnot غَيْرُanything else تُغنيهاenriches it
والنّفْسُ عزَّتُها لا غَيْرُ تُغنيها
He prides himself on great service, not great wealth;
I wanted to praise a youth, so I was enticed
the soul is enriched by its dignity, and nothing else.
By elegy - so its rhymes came to me as couplets.
ماnot اسْتَكفَتِsought sufficiency الدَّولةُthe state الغّراءُsplendid فيin زَمَنٍa time
ما اسْتَكفَتِ الدَّولةُ الغّراءُ في زَمَنٍ
إلاّexcept ونُصْحُwhile the counsel of عمادِImad الدِّينِal-Din يَكْفيهاsuffices it
إلاّ ونُصْحُ عمادِ الدِّينِ يَكْفيها
Never has the splendid state sought sufficiency at any time
As if they were goblets he went around serving,
without the counsel of Imad al-Din sufficing it.
A server, but without a server offering them.
ولاnor اشْتَكَتْcomplained of مَرْضةًan illness منfrom حادثٍan event جَلَلٍgrave
ولا اشْتَكَتْ مَرْضةً من حادثٍ جَلَلٍ
إلاّexcept نِطاسيُّa master physician of رَأْيٍjudgment منهfrom him يَشْفيهاcures it
إلاّ نِطاسيُّ رَأْيٍ منه يَشْفيها
Nor has it complained of an illness from a grave event
A server - when hands circulated them like its likeness,
without the master physician of his judgment curing it.
They were difficult, so they were passed from mouth to mouth.
ذوpossessing همّةٍan ambition تَحسُدُenvy الأفلاكُthe celestial spheres رِفْعَتهاits height
ذو همّةٍ تَحسُدُ الأفلاكُ رِفْعَتها
فماso no لَهاamong them كَوكبٌstar أمسىcame to يُساميهاrival its height
فما لَها كَوكبٌ أمسى يُساميها
Possessing an ambition whose height the celestial spheres envy,
O best of those who travelled far and near,
with no star among them that can rival its elevation.
Singing their melodies, the camel-driver chanting them!
سَماءُa sky of مجدٍglory سَجاياهُhis virtues كواكبُهاare its stars
سَماءُ مجدٍ سَجاياهُ كواكبُها
يُعيدُهاhe brings them forth again للوَرىto mankind زُهْراًshining ويُبْديهاand displays them
يُعيدُها للوَرى زُهْراً ويُبْديها
A sky of glory, whose stars are his virtues:
The dawn of fasting - I do not know, has it come
he brings them forth again to mankind, shining, and displays them.
To congratulate you proudly or congratulate it?
تُريكَshow you شَمْلَthe gathering of العُلاloftiness والمَجْدِand glory مُنتظِماًwell-ordered
تُريكَ شَمْلَ العُلا والمَجْدِ مُنتظِماً
لهhe has شَمائلُqualities قدindeed رَقَّتْgrew delicate حَواشيهاtheir edges
له شَمائلُ قد رَقَّتْ حَواشيها
They show you loftiness and glory gathered in harmony:
The days of your year, as far as they are concerned, have a course -
his qualities, whose edges have grown delicate.
So delight in the joy of those past and remaining!
كُلٌّeveryone غداbecame منamong بَنيthe sons of الدُّنْياthe world أَخاa practitioner of خُدَعٍdeceptions
كُلٌّ غدا من بَني الدُّنْيا أَخا خُدَعٍ
يَبْغيseeks لباطِلهfor his falsehood بالحَقِّwith truth تَمْويهاa disguise
يَبْغي لباطِله بالحَقِّ تَمْويها
Everyone among the sons of this world has become a practitioner of deceit,
Thriving through your noble sons' embrace,
seeking to disguise his falsehood with truth.
In a state the ages will not disappoint when hopeful.
وطاهِرٌbut Tahir طاهِرٌpure مِثْلُlike اسْمِهhis name أَبداًalways
وطاهِرٌ طاهِرٌ مِثْلُ اسْمِه أَبداً
منfrom كُلِّall ماthat شانstained تَهْذيباًthrough refinement وتَنْزيهاًand purification
من كُلِّ ما شان تَهْذيباً وتَنْزيهاً
But Tahir is always pure, like his name,
They remain in lasting bounty like sprinkling rain
of all that stains, through refinement and purification.
Accompanying its valleys, succeeding each other.
خُذْهاtake it إليكto yourself عمادَImad الدِّينal-Din سائرةًtraveling
خُذْها إليك عمادَ الدِّين سائرةً
ماnot النَّجْمُthe star فيin الأفُقِthe horizon الأعلَىhighest يُباهيهاrivals its splendor
ما النَّجْمُ في الأفُقِ الأعلَى يُباهيها
Take it to yourself, Imad al-Din, traveling far;
It is unclear which of the two is more weary:
no star in the highest horizon rivals its splendor.
The heart of her envier or the palm counting her.
أَردْتُI wished مدْحَto praise فتىًa young man نَدْبٍvaliant أَغرَّradiant بهاwith it
أَردْتُ مدْحَ فتىً نَدْبٍ أَغرَّ بها
فأقبلَتْso came forth كلُّهاall of them غُرّاًradiant قَوافيهاits rhymes
فأقبلَتْ كلُّها غُرّاً قَوافيها
With it I wished to praise a valiant, radiant young man,
and all its rhymes came forth radiant.
كأنَّهنَّas though they كؤوسٌcups راحَbegan يُتْرِعُهاto fill them
كأنَّهنَّ كؤوسٌ راحَ يُتْرِعُها
راحٌwine ولكنْbut بلاwithout راحٍa hand تُعاطيهاyou receive it
راحٌ ولكنْ بلا راحٍ تُعاطيها
As though they were cups that began to be filled
with wine—yet you receive it without a hand.
راحٌwine إذاwhen طافَتِcirculated الأيديthe hands بمُشْبِههاwith its likeness
راحٌ إذا طافَتِ الأيدي بمُشْبِهها
عَزَّتْwas beyond reach فكانَso was بأفواهٍby mouths تَهاديهاits exchange as gifts
عَزَّتْ فكانَ بأفواهٍ تَهاديها
Wine that, when hands circulate its likeness,
remains beyond reach, and is passed as gifts by mouths.
ياO خَيْرَbest of مَنْthose who راحَwent منfrom قُرْبٍnearby ومِنْand from بُعُدٍfar away
يا خَيْرَ مَنْ راحَ من قُرْبٍ ومِنْ بُعُدٍ
إلىtoward مَغانيهِhis dwellings يَحدوurges onward العِيسَthe pale camels حاديهاtheir driver
إلى مَغانيهِ يَحدو العِيسَ حاديها
O best of those to whose dwellings, from near and far,
the camel-driver urges his pale camels onward!
صَبيحةُthe morning of الصَّومِfasting ماnot أدْريI know وقدand already وفَدَتْit has arrived
صَبيحةُ الصَّومِ ما أدْري وقد وفَدَتْ
بهاfor it نُهَنّيكَwe congratulate you فَخْراًin pride أَمor نُهَنِّيهاwe congratulate it
بها نُهَنّيكَ فَخْراً أَم نُهَنِّيها
The morning of fasting has arrived, and I do not know:
do we proudly congratulate you on it, or congratulate it?
أَيّامُthe days of عامِكَyour year فيماin what عِندَهاthey hold شَرَعٌequal
أَيّامُ عامِكَ فيما عِندَها شَرَعٌ
فاسْعَدْso rejoice ببَهْجةِin the joy of ماضِيهاtheir past وباقيهاand their remainder
فاسْعَدْ ببَهْجةِ ماضِيها وباقيها
The days of your year are equal in what they hold;
so rejoice in the joy of those past and those still to come,
مُمَتَّعاًenjoying بِبَنيكَyour sons الغُرِّillustrious تَكْنُفُهمْyou shelter them
مُمَتَّعاً بِبَنيكَ الغُرِّ تَكْنُفُهمْ
فيin دولةٍa state لاnot يَخيبُis disappointed الدَّهْرَever راجيهاone hoping in it
في دولةٍ لا يَخيبُ الدَّهْرَ راجيها
enjoying your illustrious sons, whom you shelter,
in a state whose hopeful petitioner is never disappointed.
يَبْقونَthey remain فيin نِعمةٍa blessing كالقَطْرِlike rain دائمةٍlasting
يَبْقونَ في نِعمةٍ كالقَطْرِ دائمةٍ
مَقْرونةٍjoined بهَواديهاto its first portions تَواليهاits successive portions
مَقْرونةٍ بهَواديها تَواليها
May they remain in blessings lasting like rain,
their successive portions joined to their first.
لمnot يُدْرَwas known أَيُّهماwhich of the two أَوفَىwas greater بهاthrough it تَعَباًin toil
لم يُدْرَ أَيُّهما أَوفَى بها تَعَباً
فُؤادُthe heart of حاسدِهاone envying it أَمor كَفُّthe hand of مُحْصِيهاone counting it
فُؤادُ حاسدِها أَم كَفُّ مُحْصِيها
It is unknown which suffers greater toil through them:
the heart of one envying them, or the hand of one counting them.
Partial English translation: 180 of 198 Arabic lines translated.
Sol 6.1