وَرْدُroses الخُدودِof the cheeks ودُونَهُand before it شَوْكُthorns القَناof spears
وَرْدُ الخُدودِ ودُونَهُ شَوْكُ القَنا
فَمنِso who المُحَدِّثُone telling نَفْسَهُhimself أنthat يُجْتَنَىit be plucked
فَمنِ المُحَدِّثُ نَفْسَهُ أن يُجْتَنَى
The rose of cheeks, with spear-thorns before it:
The blush of cheeks and under it the thorns of spears,
who, then, tells himself it can be plucked?
So who would dare to pluck it?
لاdo not تَمدُدِstretch out الأيديthe hands إليهtoward it فطالماfor how often
لا تَمدُدِ الأيدي إليه فطالما
شَنُّواthey waged الحُروبَwars لأنْbecause مدَدْناwe stretched الأعيُناthe eyes
شَنُّوا الحُروبَ لأنْ مدَدْنا الأعيُنا
Do not stretch out hands toward it; how often
Stretch not your hands toward it, for oft
they waged wars because we stretched our eyes!
They have waged wars because we stretched our eyes.
وَرْدٌa rose تخَيَّرchose منfrom مَخافةِfear of نَهْبِهits plundering
وَرْدٌ تخَيَّر من مَخافةِ نَهْبِه
باللّحظِby a glance فيin وَرَقِthe leaves of البَراقعِveils مَكْمَناa hiding place
باللّحظِ في وَرَقِ البَراقعِ مَكْمَنا
A rose that, for fear of being plundered
A rose chose to hide itself in the veil's leaves
by a glance, chose a hiding place in the leaves of veils.
Casting off its garb in the dark, wearing it back at dawn.
يُلْقيit casts off الكِمامَthe calyx معَwith الظّلامِdarkness إذاwhen دَجاit deepens
يُلْقي الكِمامَ معَ الظّلامِ إذا دَجا
ويَعودُand it returns فيهinto it معwith الصَّباحmorning إذاwhen دناit approaches
ويَعودُ فيه مع الصَّباح إذا دنا
It casts off its calyx when darkness grows deep
Oft accord and discord were creeds of passion, my friend,
and returns to it when morning approaches.
And whichever she wished became our faith.
ولطالَماand how often وُجدَwas found الخِلافُcontrariness وإلْفهُand fondness for it
ولطالَما وُجدَ الخِلافُ وإلْفهُ
دِيناًa creed لعَمْرُكby your life للحسانِfor beautiful women ودَيدَناand a habit
دِيناً لعَمْرُك للحسانِ ودَيدَنا
How often contrariness and fondness for it have been
Say to her who did wrong and was tempting,
a creed, by your life, and a habit for beautiful women!
"If you were just, you'd be more tempting."
قُلْsay للَّتيto her who ظلَمتْwas unjust وكانتْand was فتنةًa temptation
قُلْ للَّتي ظلَمتْ وكانتْ فتنةً
لوif أنهاshe عَدلتْwere just لكانتْshe would be أفْتَناmore captivating
لو أنها عَدلتْ لكانتْ أفْتَنا
Tell her who was unjust and was a temptation:
When I asked her lips for a pearl,
had she been just, she would have been more captivating.
She said, "Aren't your eyelids treasure enough?"
لمّاwhen سألتُI asked الثّغرَthe mouth منهاfrom her لُؤلؤاًfor pearls
لمّا سألتُ الثّغرَ منها لُؤلؤاً
قالتْshe said أماis it not يَكْفيكَenough for you جَفْنُكَyour eyelid مَعْدِناas a mine
قالتْ أما يَكْفيكَ جَفْنُكَ مَعْدِنا
When I asked her mouth for pearls,
Is your modesty meant erringly with the veil?
she said, “Is your eyelid not enough of a mine for you?”
Yet nakedness for your beauty I see more modest.
أيُرادُis sought صَوْنُكِyour protection بالتَّبرقُعِthrough veiling ضَلّةًmistakenly
أيُرادُ صَوْنُكِ بالتَّبرقُعِ ضَلّةً
وأرىand I consider السُّفورَunveiling لمثْلِfor the like of حُسنِكyour beauty أصْوَناmore protective
وأرى السُّفورَ لمثْلِ حُسنِك أصْوَنا
Is your protection mistakenly sought through veiling,
Like the sun - impossible to unveil her face,
when I deem unveiling more protective of beauty like yours?
Unless with a thin cloud she dresses.
كالشّمسِlike the sun يَمْتنعُis impossible اجْتلاؤكyour beholding وَجْهَهاits face
كالشّمسِ يَمْتنعُ اجْتلاؤك وَجْهَها
فإنِbut if اكتسَتْit clothes itself برَقيقِin thin غَيْمٍcloud أمْكَناit becomes possible
فإنِ اكتسَتْ برَقيقِ غَيْمٍ أمْكَنا
Like the sun: you cannot behold its face,
She grew stingy in the sanctuary of her greed.
but if it clothes itself in thin cloud, that becomes possible.
Ask the guards of the tribe - what turned her away from us?
غدَتِshe became البخيلةُthe miserly woman فيwithin حمىًa sanctuary منfrom بُخْلهاher miserliness
غدَتِ البخيلةُ في حمىً من بُخْلها
فسلُواso ask حُماةَthe defenders of الحيِّthe clan عمَّfrom what تَصُدُّناshe bars us
فسلُوا حُماةَ الحيِّ عمَّ تَصُدُّنا
The miserly woman has entered a sanctuary of her miserliness;
Still the specters of her imagination refused us.
ask the clan's defenders what she bars us from.
How long will lances of horsemen point our way?
وأَبتْand she refused طُروقَa night visit by خيالِهاher phantom فإلىso until متىwhen
وأَبتْ طُروقَ خيالِها فإلى متى
جَرُّthe dragging of الرّماحِspears منby الفوارسِhorsemen نَحْوَناtoward us
جَرُّ الرّماحِ من الفوارسِ نَحْوَنا
She even refused her phantom's night visit—so how long
Can the living tribes of Al-Amiriyya
will horsemen keep dragging spears toward us?
Do more than what she did to us?
هلis there عنْدَamong حَيِّthe clan of العامريّةِthe ‘Amiri woman قُدرةٌability
هل عنْدَ حَيِّ العامريّةِ قُدرةٌ
أنْto يَفْعلواdo فوقَbeyond الَّذيwhat فعلَتْshe did بناto us
أنْ يَفْعلوا فوقَ الَّذي فعلَتْ بنا
Has the clan of the ‘Amiri woman the power
They are no greater menace than if they fought
to do more than she has done to us?
Than the blow of the dark-moled one when she refused us.
ماnot هُمْthey بأعظمَgreater in فَتكةslaying لوif بارزواthey fought openly
ما هُمْ بأعظمَ فَتكة لو بارزوا
منthan طَرْفِthe gaze of ذاتِthe woman with الخالِthe beauty mark إذwhen برْزتْshe appeared لناbefore us
من طَرْفِ ذاتِ الخالِ إذ برْزتْ لنا
Were they to face us in combat, their slaying would be no greater
If my murder is their aim, then let them raise
than the gaze of the beauty-marked woman when she appeared before us.
The crowns and leave her and I alone.
إنif كانwas قَتْليkilling me قَصْدَهمْtheir intention فلْيَرفَعواthen let them lift
إن كان قَتْلي قَصْدَهمْ فلْيَرفَعوا
كِللَthe curtains of الظّعائنِwomen's litters ولْيُخلُّواand let them leave بَيْنناus together
كِللَ الظّعائنِ ولْيُخلُّوا بَيْننا
If killing me is their intent, let them lift
What shielded us from the departure of the lovely ones
the curtains of the women's litters and leave us together.
Were it not for the watching eyes that checked us?
ماذاwhat كفَوناthey spared us منof لقاءِmeeting فَواتنٍenchantresses
ماذا كفَونا من لقاءِ فَواتنٍ
لولاbut for مُراقَبةُthe watching of العيونِeyes أتَيْنناthey would come to us
لولا مُراقَبةُ العيونِ أتَيْننا
What encounters with enchantresses have they spared us—
My friend, fill up with travellers heading their land,
women who, but for watchful eyes, would have come to us?
For their long absence now shares our sorrow.
ياO صاحِfriend مِلْturn بالعيسِwith the pale camels شَطْرَtoward ديارِهمtheir dwellings
يا صاحِ مِلْ بالعيسِ شَطْرَ ديارِهم
فطلُولُهاfor their ruins أضحَتْhave become تُشاطرُناsharing with us الضَّنىwasting sickness
فطلُولُها أضحَتْ تُشاطرُنا الضَّنى
O friend, turn the pale camels toward their dwellings;
Urge the steed recklessly on the dwellings
their ruins have come to share our wasting sickness.
That it may heal a heart or perhaps heal us.
عُجْturn aside بالمَطيِّwith the mounts علىtoward المنازلthe dwellings عَوْجةًa turn
عُجْ بالمَطيِّ على المنازل عَوْجةً
فلعلَّهاfor perhaps they تُشفيheal جوىًburning grief ولعلَّناand perhaps we
فلعلَّها تُشفي جوىً ولعلَّنا
Turn aside with the mounts to visit the dwellings;
Aid your brother when he calls you for a scheme,
perhaps they will heal a burning grief—and perhaps we too.
And when you seek aid, call on us.
ساعِدْhelp أخاكyour brother إذاwhen دعاكَhe calls you لخُطّةٍto a task
ساعِدْ أخاك إذا دعاكَ لخُطّةٍ
وإذاand when أردتَyou want مُساعِداًa helper لكَfor you فادْعُناthen call us
وإذا أردتَ مُساعِداً لكَ فادْعُنا
Help your brother when he calls you to a task,
Two ignorant men in the world -
and when you want a helper, call us.
So beware, my brother, lest both continue unenlightened.
فالجاهلانِfor the ignorant ones اثْنانِare two منfrom بَيْنِamong الورَىhumankind
فالجاهلانِ اثْنانِ من بَيْنِ الورَى
فافْطُنْso be discerning أُخَيَّmy little brother وإنْeven if هماthey two لمdid not يَفْطُناunderstand
فافْطُنْ أُخَيَّ وإنْ هما لم يَفْطُنا
There are two ignorant ones among humankind:
One who says, "I need no people nor they me,"
be discerning, little brother, even if those two are not.
Speaks in ignorance of them or they of him.
مَنone who قالَsaid ماthere is no بالنّاسِfor people عنّيapart from me منany غنىًindependence
مَن قالَ ما بالنّاسِ عنّي من غنىً
منout of جَهْلهِhis ignorance أوor قالsaid بيI have عنهمapart from them غِنىindependence
من جَهْلهِ أو قال بي عنهم غِنى
One who says, “People have no independence from me,”
How often I pastured your defiant or visiting tribe
out of ignorance, or says, “I have no need of them.”
When passion loosed its bond on me.
كمhow often رُعْتُI alarmed حيَّكِyour clan ثائراًas an assailant أوor زائراًas a visitor
كم رُعْتُ حيَّكِ ثائراً أو زائراً
لمّاwhen عَنانيafflicted me منfrom غراميmy passion ماwhat عنىafflicted
لمّا عَناني من غرامي ما عنى
How often I frightened your clan, as an assailant or a visitor,
A life I spent as youth dictated,
when the burden of my passion afflicted me as it did!
Squinting and being squinted at by all the lovely-eyed.
عيشٌa life كماas شاءwished الصِّباyouthful ardor قضّيْتُهI lived it
عيشٌ كما شاء الصِّبا قضّيْتُه
أصبوI yearn وأُصبيand I captivate كُلَّevery أَحْورَdark-eyed beauty أَعْيَناwide-eyed
أصبو وأُصبي كُلَّ أَحْورَ أَعْيَنا
I lived a life just as youthful ardor wished,
I recall in the nights a night
yearning and captivating every wide, dark-eyed beauty.
When familiarity called on me and nestled close.
إنّيindeed I لأذكرُsurely remember فيamong اللّياليthe nights ليلةًa night
إنّي لأذكرُ في اللّيالي ليلةً
والإلْفُand the beloved فيهاin it زارنيvisited me مُتوسِّناdrowsy
والإلْفُ فيها زارني مُتوسِّنا
I do remember, among the nights, one night
Imagination dispatched and followed after
when my beloved visited me, drowsy.
A visitor - have you seen a guest follow a guest?
بعثَhe sent الخيالَthe phantom وجاءنيand came to me فيin إثْرهits wake
بعثَ الخيالَ وجاءني في إثْره
أَرأيتَhave you seen ضَيْفاًa guest قطُّever يتْبعُfollowing ضَيْفَناour guest
أَرأيتَ ضَيْفاً قطُّ يتْبعُ ضَيْفَنا
He sent his phantom and came to me behind it;
The phantom travels while settling briefly
have you ever seen a guest follow our guest?
In an abode where fancy is turned to certainty.
الطَّيفُthe phantom يرحَلُdeparts وهْوwhile he ينْزِلُenters مُقلةًan eye
الطَّيفُ يرحَلُ وهْو ينْزِلُ مُقلةً
فيهاin it التوهُّمُimagination قدalready أُحيلَwas turned into تيقُّناcertainty
فيها التوهُّمُ قد أُحيلَ تيقُّنا
The phantom departs as he enters an eye
Today I allow the fiction of a visiting fiction
where imagination has been turned to certainty.
Who travels to seek the favor of the blended tribe.
فاليومَso today أَرضَىI accept زُورَthe falsehood of زَوْرٍa visitor طارقcoming by night
فاليومَ أَرضَى زُورَ زَوْرٍ طارق
يَسْريjourneys by night لخَطْبِfor the ordeal of نوَىthe departure of الخليطِthe beloved company مُهوَّناeasing
يَسْري لخَطْبِ نوَى الخليطِ مُهوَّنا
Today I accept the fiction of a night-visiting guest
I ransom his steps if he walks his accustomed path,
who journeys by night, easing the ordeal of the beloved company's departure.
That he may become a habitual visitor.
أَفديI would ransom خُطاهits steps إذاwhen سَرَىit journeys by night بمكانهfor its place
أَفدي خُطاه إذا سَرَى بمكانه
منّيwithin me ليُمسيَso it may become للزّيارةِto visiting مُدْمِناdevoted
منّي ليُمسيَ للزّيارةِ مُدْمِنا
I would ransom its steps as it journeys, for its place
No sooner had I spurned the specter
within me, so that it may become a constant visitor.
Than on a night the tribe camped at the lofty dunes.
ماnot إنْindeed جفَوْتُI shunned الطَّيفَthe phantom إلاّexcept ليلةًone night
ما إنْ جفَوْتُ الطَّيفَ إلاّ ليلةً
والحيُّwhile the clan قدalready نزلواhad encamped بأعلَىat the upper part of المُنْحنىthe bend
والحيُّ قد نزلوا بأعلَى المُنْحنى
I never shunned the phantom except on one night,
As my heart filled and I was busy praising
when the clan had encamped at the upper bend:
The mighty religion of God, humbling my thoughts,
لمّاwhen ألمَّit visited وقدwhile I had شَغَلْتُoccupied بمدحةٍwith a panegyric
لمّا ألمَّ وقد شَغَلْتُ بمدحةٍ
لعزيزِfor ‘Aziz دينِthe faith of اللهِGod فكْريَmy thoughts مُوْهِناlate at night
لعزيزِ دينِ اللهِ فكْريَ مُوْهِنا
when it visited, while I had occupied, with a panegyric
On a night when the lamps of darkness envied
for ‘Aziz Din Allah, my thoughts late at night.
My words, and she - my adornment - envied them too,
فيin ليلةٍa night حسدَتْenvied مصابيحُthe lamps of الدُّجَىdarkness
في ليلةٍ حسدَتْ مصابيحُ الدُّجَى
كَلِميmy words وقدthough already كانتْthey were بهاby them هيَthemselves أَزْيناmore adorned
كَلِمي وقد كانتْ بها هيَ أَزْينا
On a night when the lamps of darkness envied
My pen, she and I - the three of us - kept night vigil
my words, though those lights were more adorned by them.
And praise of you was our task.
قَلميmy pen بهاin it حتّىuntil الصّباحِmorning وشَمْعتيand my candle
قَلمي بها حتّى الصّباحِ وشَمْعتي
بِتْناwe spent the night ثلاثتُناthe three of us ومَدْحُكand your praise شُغْلُناour occupation
بِتْنا ثلاثتُنا ومَدْحُك شُغْلُنا
My pen that night, until dawn, and my candle—
Till we conquered the soldiers of darkness
we three kept vigil, praising you our occupation,
When our tongues broadcast against them,
حتّىuntil هَزَمْناwe routed للظّلامِbelonging to darkness جُنودَهُits armies
حتّى هَزَمْنا للظّلامِ جُنودَهُ
لمّاwhen تَشاهَرْناwe brandished together عليهagainst it الألْسُناour tongues
لمّا تَشاهَرْنا عليه الألْسُنا
until we routed the armies of darkness
My lamp vanquished them, and I the darkness
when together we drew our tongues against it.
Stayed up all night and at dawn we were happiest.
أَفْناهماconsumed them both قَطّيmy trimming وأَفنَيْتُand I consumed الدُّجَىthe darkness
أَفْناهما قَطّي وأَفنَيْتُ الدُّجَى
سَهَراًby keeping vigil فأَصبَحْناso we reached morning وأَسْعدُهمand the happiest of them أَناwas I
سَهَراً فأَصبَحْنا وأَسْعدُهم أَنا
My trimming consumed them both, and I consumed the darkness
To the mighty one I hoped to visit, a pilgrim,
by keeping vigil; we reached morning, and I was happiest of them.
But I shrank from knocking at his precious door.
وإلىand toward العزيزِal-‘Aziz أَمَلْتُI turned نِضْويmy exhausted mount زائراًas a visitor
وإلى العزيزِ أَمَلْتُ نِضْوي زائراً
لكنّنيbut I اسْتَبْضَعْتُtook as merchandise دُرّاًpearls مُثْمَناvaluable
لكنّني اسْتَبْضَعْتُ دُرّاً مُثْمَنا
Toward al-‘Aziz I turned my exhausted mount, paying a visit,
So he came in the morn, fulfilling the measure
yet I carried costly pearls as merchandise.
Of our complaint, for what had befallen us.
فغَداso he began يُنيلُto give الرِّفدَlargesse مُوفيَfulfilling كيْلِهits measure
فغَدا يُنيلُ الرِّفدَ مُوفيَ كيْلِه
منfrom قبلِbefore شَكْواناour complaint لِماof what قدhad مَسَّناafflicted us
من قبلِ شَكْوانا لِما قد مَسَّنا
He began dispensing largesse in full measure
A generous king - when war calls,
before we complained of what had afflicted us.
You find him alone equal to armies.
مَلِكٌa king أَغرُّradiant إذاwhen انْتَدىhe joins the assembly يومَon the day of النَّدىgenerosity
مَلِكٌ أَغرُّ إذا انْتَدى يومَ النَّدى
أَلْفيتَهُyou find him فرداًunique مواهبُهhis gifts ثُناdoubled
أَلْفيتَهُ فرداً مواهبُه ثُنا
A radiant king: when he joins the assembly on the day of generosity,
Gentle of fingers in caring
you find him unique, his gifts doubled.
Like a mountain embracing the resting clouds.
خَضِلُmoist الأناملِof fingertips بالحِباءwith gifts إذاwhen احتَبىhe sits clasping his knees
خَضِلُ الأناملِ بالحِباء إذا احتَبى
كالطّودِlike a mountain يَحتضِنُembracing الغَمامَthe clouds المُدجِناdark
كالطّودِ يَحتضِنُ الغَمامَ المُدجِنا
His fingertips are moist with gifts when he sits clasping his knees,
His enemies trust not his harm, for
like a mountain embracing dark clouds.
He knows only goodness or better.
أَمِنَتْwere safe from إساءتَهhis harm عِداهُhis enemies لأنّهُbecause he
أَمِنَتْ إساءتَه عِداهُ لأنّهُ
مُذْever since كانhe existed لمnot يُحسِنْhe mastered سوىexcept أنْthat يُحسِناhe do good
مُذْ كان لم يُحسِنْ سوى أنْ يُحسِنا
His enemies are safe from his harm, because
When he saw his loyal counsel,
since he came to be, he has mastered nothing but doing good.
His face became illuminated with good fortune.
لمّاwhen رأىsaw السُّلطانُthe sultan خالصَthe purity of نُصحِهِhis counsel
لمّا رأى السُّلطانُ خالصَ نُصحِهِ
أَضحىhe began بغُرّةِfrom the brightness of وجههِhis face مُتَيمّناtaking a good omen
أَضحى بغُرّةِ وجههِ مُتَيمّنا
When the sultan saw the purity of his counsel,
The next day, the sign of his rule was in his right hand,
he began taking the brightness of his face as a good omen.
Annihilating the misery of the compliant and noncompliant.
فغداso he went forth وفيand in يُمناهُhis right hand آيةُthe sign of مُلكهِhis sovereignty
فغدا وفي يُمناهُ آيةُ مُلكهِ
يُفْنيdestroying المُسِرَّthe one concealing عِنادَهhis defiance والمُعْلِناand the one proclaiming it
يُفْني المُسِرَّ عِنادَه والمُعْلِنا
So he went forth, the sign of his sovereignty in his right hand,
So when rebels sprout in the realms,
destroying those who concealed their defiance and those who proclaimed it.
He need only signal to his pen, and it uproots them.
فمتىso whenever تَفرْعنَacted like Pharaoh فيin الممالكِthe kingdoms مارِقٌa rebel
فمتى تَفرْعنَ في الممالكِ مارِقٌ
أَوْمَىhe gestured إلىtoward قلمٍa pen لهof his فتَثَعْبناand it became a serpent
أَوْمَى إلى قلمٍ له فتَثَعْبنا
Whenever a rebel acts like Pharaoh in the kingdoms,
The fair hand scattered his words,
he gestures toward a pen of his, and it becomes a serpent.
And the defiant were leashed and brought to heel.
وجلاand revealed اليدَthe hand البيضاءَwhite فيin كَلماتهhis words
وجلا اليدَ البيضاءَ في كَلماته
فتَلقَّفso it swallowed المُتمرِّدَthe rebel المُتفَرْعناacting like Pharaoh
فتَلقَّف المُتمرِّدَ المُتفَرْعنا
He reveals the white hand in his words,
O you whose loosed steed, once turned homeward,
and it swallows the rebellious would-be Pharaoh.
Success is its second nature when it turns back.
ياO مَنone who إذاwhen أَرخَىhe loosens عِنانَthe reins of جَوادِهhis steed
يا مَن إذا أَرخَى عِنانَ جَوادِه
أَضحىhe becomes وثانيهand his riding companion النَّجاحُsuccess إذاwhen ثَنىhe turns back
أَضحى وثانيه النَّجاحُ إذا ثَنى
O one who, on loosening his steed's reins,
You return with the drawn swords, pardoning
finds success riding behind him when he turns back,
Whatever land you travelled vexing it.
ويعودُand he returns بالجُرْدِwith the lean steeds السَّلاهبِlong-bodied مُسْهلاًover level ground
ويعودُ بالجُرْدِ السَّلاهبِ مُسْهلاً
فيin أَيِّwhatever أَرضٍland سارَhe traveled فيهاthrough it مُحْزِناover rugged ground
في أَيِّ أَرضٍ سارَ فيها مُحْزِنا
and returns with lean, long-bodied steeds over level ground,
When the news caught your hearing of a crying victim,
in any land where he had traveled over rugged ground!
Pity wiped the tears from your eyes.
لمّاwhen أَعَرتَyou lent السّمعَyour hearing نَبْأةَto the cry of صارخٍa caller for help
لمّا أَعَرتَ السّمعَ نَبْأةَ صارخٍ
نفَتِit banished الكرَىsleep عنfrom ناظرَيْكَyour eyes تَحنُّناout of compassion
نفَتِ الكرَى عن ناظرَيْكَ تَحنُّنا
When you lent your ear to the cry of someone calling for help,
You followed up your noble raid with argument -
it drove sleep from your eyes through compassion.
Fulfilling its duty, ever the proper thing to do.
أَتْبعتَyou followed حَجَّتَكyour pilgrimage الحميدةَpraiseworthy غَزْوةًwith a campaign
أَتْبعتَ حَجَّتَك الحميدةَ غَزْوةً
فقضَيْتَso you fulfilled أَيضاًalso فَرْضَهاits obligation المُتَعيِّناbinding
فقضَيْتَ أَيضاً فَرْضَها المُتَعيِّنا
You followed your praiseworthy pilgrimage with a campaign,
You dragged the train of battalions deep
and fulfilled its binding obligation too.
Into the land, behind the backs of villains thickly sown.
وجَررْتَand you trailed أَذيالَthe skirts of الكتائبِthe battalions مُوغِلاًpenetrating deep
وجَررْتَ أَذيالَ الكتائبِ مُوغِلاً
فيinto الأرضِthe land خلْفَafter بنيthe sons of الخَبائثِwickedness مُثْخِناinflicting grievous wounds
في الأرضِ خلْفَ بني الخَبائثِ مُثْخِنا
You trailed the skirts of battalions, pressing deep
Till those wastelands of theirs became
into the land after the sons of wickedness, inflicting grievous wounds,
Like the gushing springs of Mina.
حتّىuntil غدَتْbecame تلكthose المَجاهلُtrackless wastes منهمُbecause of them
حتّى غدَتْ تلك المَجاهلُ منهمُ
وكأنماand as though هُنّthey المَناحِرُthe slaughtering grounds مِنof مِنىMina
وكأنما هُنّ المَناحِرُ مِن مِنى
until those trackless wastes became, because of them,
The swords irrigated their land after
as though they were the slaughtering grounds of Mina.
The lances had churned its surface.
سَقتِwatered الصّوارمُthe sharp swords أَرضَهمْtheir land منfrom بعدِafter ماthat
سَقتِ الصّوارمُ أَرضَهمْ من بعدِ ما
قلّبْنَhad turned أَظهُرَهاits backs السَّنابِكُthe hooves أَبْطُناinto bellies
قلّبْنَ أَظهُرَها السَّنابِكُ أَبْطُنا
Sharp swords watered their land after
You showed them the wonders of the day at Hafizah
hooves had overturned its backs into bellies.
Where the true strikes left no doubt.
وأَرْيتَهمْand you showed them إعجازَthe miracle of يومِa day of حَفيظةٍfierce resolve
وأَرْيتَهمْ إعجازَ يومِ حَفيظةٍ
لمnot يُبقِleft صِدْقُthe surety of الضَّرْبِthe blows فيهin it مَطْعَناgrounds for reproach
لم يُبقِ صِدْقُ الضَّرْبِ فيه مَطْعَنا
You showed them the miracle of a day of fierce resolve
It sowed doubt in them, and in an hour
whose sure blows left no grounds for reproach.
Their resolve and determination bore bitter harvest.
زرَعَhe sowed الطِّعانَspear-thrusts فسَنْبلَتْand they sprouted ears فيin ساعةٍan hour
زرَعَ الطِّعانَ فسَنْبلَتْ في ساعةٍ
منfrom هامِهمْtheir heads وشُعورِهمْand their hair سُمُرُthe brown shafts of القَناspears
من هامِهمْ وشُعورِهمْ سُمُرُ القَنا
He sowed spear-thrusts; within an hour, ears sprouted
There Ahmad's might made a believer
from their heads and hair upon the brown spears.
Of one who was not counted a believer in Ahmad.
فغداso became هُناكَthere ببأْسِin the might of أَحمدَAhmad مُؤمِناًa believer
فغدا هُناكَ ببأْسِ أَحمدَ مُؤمِناً
مَنone who لمnot يُعَدَّwas counted بدينِin the faith of أَحمدَAhmad مُؤمِناa believer
مَن لم يُعَدَّ بدينِ أَحمدَ مُؤمِنا
So there became a believer in Ahmad's might
Do the polytheists know that they have not found
one not counted a believer in Ahmad's faith.
Safety from the edge of your sword?
هلdoes عُصبةُthe band of الإشراكِpolytheism تَعلَمُknow أَنّهاthat it
هل عُصبةُ الإشراكِ تَعلَمُ أَنّها
ماnot صادَفَتْit found منfrom حَدِّthe edge of سيفِكَyour sword مأْمَناa refuge
ما صادَفَتْ من حَدِّ سيفِكَ مأْمَنا
Does the band of polytheism know that it
But the armies turned back, routed,
found no refuge from your sword's edge?
Since their campaign against you was lighter.
لكنّماbut رجَعreturned الجيوشُthe armies وغُودِرواand they were left
لكنّما رجَع الجيوشُ وغُودِروا
إذsince كانwas خَطْبُهمُtheir plight عليكمْto you أَهْوَناless important
إذ كان خَطْبُهمُ عليكمْ أَهْوَنا
Yet the armies returned, and they were left behind,
Like a wounded soldier a horse cast off
for their plight was of little consequence to you,
While the arrow dealt him what it dealt.
مثْلَlike القنيصِhunted prey ازْورَّturned aside عنهfrom it فارسٌa horseman
مثْلَ القنيصِ ازْورَّ عنه فارسٌ
والسَّهمُand the arrow فيهin it جنَىinflicted harm عليهon it ماwhat جنَىit inflicted
والسَّهمُ فيه جنَى عليه ما جنَى
like hunted prey from which a horseman turns aside,
He hopes to live, but no wounded man lives,
the arrow within it having done the harm it did.
The spears have lodged in his heart and made it their home.
يَرجوit hopes for البقاءَsurvival وماbut what بقاءُsurvival has مُصَرَّعٍa felled victim
يَرجو البقاءَ وما بقاءُ مُصَرَّعٍ
تَخِذَmade السِّنانُthe spear-point القلْبَthe heart منهwithin him مَسْكَناa dwelling
تَخِذَ السِّنانُ القلْبَ منه مَسْكَنا
It hopes for survival—but what survival has a felled victim
If you turn back from them, they should expect
whose heart the spear-point has made its dwelling?
Only hastened demise and extinction.
إنif تَرجِعواyou withdraw عنهمْfrom them فلاthen do not يَترقَّبواlet them expect
إن تَرجِعوا عنهمْ فلا يَترقَّبوا
إلاّexcept الفَناءَdestruction مُباكِراًcoming early لهمُfor them الفِناthe courtyard
إلاّ الفَناءَ مُباكِراً لهمُ الفِنا
If you withdraw from them, let them expect
The clouds, after crossing, the land below
nothing but destruction, arriving early at their courtyard.
Sees in their wake a clear track of floods.
والسُّحبُand the clouds بعدَafter عُبورِهنَّtheir passing يَرىsee الوَرىpeople
والسُّحبُ بعدَ عُبورِهنَّ يَرى الوَرى
فيin إثْرِهاtheir wake أثَرَthe traces of السُّيولِtorrents مُبيَّناclearly shown
في إثْرِها أثَرَ السُّيولِ مُبيَّنا
After the clouds have passed, people see
So Islam should celebrate that its pillar
in their wake the clearly revealed traces of torrents.
Since it stood true has not bent or veered.
فَلْيَهنأso let it gladden الإسلامَIslam أَنَّthat عِمادَهits pillar
فَلْيَهنأ الإسلامَ أَنَّ عِمادَه
مُذْsince جَدَّhe strove فيin طَلَقِthe race of المكارمِnoble deeds ماnot ونَىhe slackened
مُذْ جَدَّ في طَلَقِ المكارمِ ما ونَى
Let Islam rejoice that its pillar,
The war clouds dissolved the enemies of guidance
since striving in the race of noble deeds, has never slackened.
Since you sailed the heavens of noble deeds.
صَلِيَتْburned in شُواظَthe blaze of الحربِwar أَعداءُthe enemies of الهُدَىguidance
صَلِيَتْ شُواظَ الحربِ أَعداءُ الهُدَى
مُذْsince سارhe traveled فيin فَلَكِthe orbit of المعاليhigh achievements مُمْعِناfar onward
مُذْ سار في فَلَكِ المعالي مُمْعِنا
The enemies of guidance have burned in the blaze of war
You are like the shining sun - it rose
since he advanced far along the orbit of high achievements.
Over the far and near horizons of the land.
وكأنّهand as though he الشَّمسُthe sun المنيرةُradiant طالعَتْsurveyed
وكأنّه الشَّمسُ المنيرةُ طالعَتْ
خِططَthe regions of البلادِthe lands منfrom القَصيّthe farthest إلىto الدُّناthe nearest
خِططَ البلادِ من القَصيّ إلى الدُّنا
He was like the radiant sun surveying
Some earth, lit by your light, flourished
the regions of lands, from the farthest to the nearest:
While other earth, fired by you, declined to rest.
فأباتَso it left overnight أرضاًa land نُورُهاits light مَسكونةًinhabited
فأباتَ أرضاً نُورُها مَسكونةً
وأبتْand refused لأُخرىfor another نارُهاits fire أنto تَسكُناsubside
وأبتْ لأُخرى نارُها أن تَسكُنا
its light left one land inhabited through the night,
To God belongs the arrival of the glorious one who
while its fire refused to subside in another.
Became, for us, a shelter against fate's blows.
للهِGod be praised for مَقْدَمُthe arrival of ماجدٍa noble man أضحَىbecame بهthrough him
للهِ مَقْدَمُ ماجدٍ أضحَى به
عنّاaway from us لنازلةِfor the onset of النَّوائبِcalamities مَظْعَناa place of departure
عنّا لنازلةِ النَّوائبِ مَظْعَنا
God be praised for a noble man's arrival, which offered
A gentle return - Ahmad returned as his name
descending calamities a way to depart from us!
So he came prosperously, multiplying the good tidings.
عَوْدٌa return إليناto us عادَreturned أحمدُAhmad كاسْمِهtrue to his name
عَوْدٌ إلينا عادَ أحمدُ كاسْمِه
فغداso became بإقبالٍof good fortune يُضاعَفُmultiplied مُؤْذِناheralding
فغدا بإقبالٍ يُضاعَفُ مُؤْذِنا
A return to us: Ahmad came back, praiseworthy as his name,
Rebellious mischief's spark had caught fire
heralding good fortune multiplied.
And spread maliciously, or auspiciously.
كانتْit was شَرارةَa spark of فتْنةٍstrife مَشْبوبةٍkindled
كانتْ شَرارةَ فتْنةٍ مَشْبوبةٍ
فلقدfor indeed تَرامَتْit spread أشْمُلاًleftward أوْor أيمُناrightward
فلقد تَرامَتْ أشْمُلاً أوْ أيمُنا
There had been a spark of kindled strife,
Say to those who split into factions thinking
and it had spread leftward or rightward.
Your rule opposed their own flimsy aims:
قُلْsay للَّذينto those who تَشعَّبواsplit apart شُعَباًinto factions لأنْbecause
قُلْ للَّذين تَشعَّبوا شُعَباً لأنْ
ظَنّواthey thought خِلافَكُمopposing you مَراماًan aim هَيِّناeasy
ظَنّوا خِلافَكُم مَراماً هَيِّنا
Tell those who split into factions because
None contends with the torrent in spate
they thought opposing you an easy undertaking:
Save one who has wearied of life and soured.
ماnot إنْindeed يُنازِعُcontends with ضَيْغَماًa lion فيin غِيلِهits thicket
ما إنْ يُنازِعُ ضَيْغَماً في غِيلِه
إلاّexcept امْرؤٌa man ملَّweary of الحياةَlife وحُيِّناand doomed to die
إلاّ امْرؤٌ ملَّ الحياةَ وحُيِّنا
none contends with a lion in its thicket
One who builds his mansion midst the lion's den
except a man weary of life and doomed to die.
Feeling the wind of the lion wrecked what he built.
ومَنِand whoever ابتنَىbuilt وسْطَamid العرينِthe lion's den قبابَهُhis tents
ومَنِ ابتنَى وسْطَ العرينِ قبابَهُ
فأحسَّthen sensed ريحَthe scent of اللَّيثِthe lion قَوَّضstruck down ماwhat ابْتَنىhe built
فأحسَّ ريحَ اللَّيثِ قَوَّض ما ابْتَنى
Whoever builds his tents within the lion's den,
In every forest where he strayed from his cubs
then senses the lion's scent, strikes down what he built.
Seeking pasture - but no repose whenever he turned.
فيin كلِّevery غابٍthicket غابَwas absent عنهfrom it سَليلُهits offspring
في كلِّ غابٍ غابَ عنه سَليلُه
مَرْعىًgrazing ولكنْbut لاno قَرارَremaining إذاwhen انْثَنىhe returns
مَرْعىً ولكنْ لا قَرارَ إذا انْثَنى
In every thicket from which its offspring is absent
A guardian of each matter will fatigue
there is grazing, but no staying when he returns.
An intruder, whether he rule justly or excellently.
سيُريحُwill bring home عازِبَthe straying part of كُلّevery أمرٍaffair سائسٌa ruler
سيُريحُ عازِبَ كُلّ أمرٍ سائسٌ
يُرضيpleasing الرَّعيّةَthe subjects عادلاًwith justice أوor مُحْسناwith generosity
يُرضي الرَّعيّةَ عادلاً أو مُحْسنا
A ruler will bring home every straying affair,
O haven, you appoint people to wondrous tasks
pleasing his subjects with justice or generosity.
That became by the rising stars more wondrous.
ياO مَوئلاًrefuge يُوليthat bestows on الأنامَpeople صنائعاًfavors
يا مَوئلاً يُولي الأنامَ صنائعاً
أمسَتْhave become منَthan الشُّهُبِthe stars الطَّوالعِrising أبْيَناclearer
أمسَتْ منَ الشُّهُبِ الطَّوالعِ أبْيَنا
O refuge that bestows favors upon people,
No sooner had your repute and kingdom called you
favors clearer than the rising stars!
Than you answered, bettering and fortifying.
ماnot إنْindeed دعاكَhe called you لِصيتِهfor his renown ولمُلْكِهِand for his kingdom
ما إنْ دعاكَ لِصيتِه ولمُلْكِهِ
إلاّexcept أجَبْتَyou answered مُحسِّناًenhancing ومُحصِّناand fortifying
إلاّ أجَبْتَ مُحسِّناً ومُحصِّنا
He never called on you for his renown and kingdom
All whom you entrusted prospered lavishly
without your answering, enhancing and fortifying them.
While you yourself prospered contentedly.
كُلٌّeveryone إذاwhen استَرعَوْهُthey appoint him shepherd يَسْمَنُgrows fat مُهزِلاًmaking others lean
كُلٌّ إذا استَرعَوْهُ يَسْمَنُ مُهزِلاً
فيin ذاthis الزَّمانِage وأنتwhile you تَهزِلُgrow lean مُسْمِناfattening others
في ذا الزَّمانِ وأنت تَهزِلُ مُسْمِنا
Everyone appointed to tend them grows fat while making them lean
I have shunned praising other kings of my time as taboo
in this age; you grow lean while making them fat.
And shunned not praising the like of you as more taboo.
دَسْتُthe seat of الوِزارةِthe vizierate لمnot يَزَلْhas ceased مَنْwhoever حَلَّهُoccupied it
دَسْتُ الوِزارةِ لم يَزَلْ مَنْ حَلَّهُ
ولَئنْand although تَجلّىhe appeared ملءُfilling عَيْنَيْthe eyes of مَنْwhoever رَناgazed
ولَئنْ تَجلّى ملءُ عَيْنَيْ مَنْ رَنا
Whoever occupied the vizierate's seat has always—
You reached the farthest extent and ruled us
though he appeared to fill the eyes of anyone who gazed—
And grasped the heights' peaks and encompassed fate's ends.
كالبدرِlike the full moon فيin ليلٍnight ورأيُكَand your judgment شمسُهits sun
كالبدرِ في ليلٍ ورأيُكَ شمسُه
والبدرُand the full moon مُقْتَبسٌborrows منfrom الشَّمسِthe sun السَّناradiance
والبدرُ مُقْتَبسٌ من الشَّمسِ السَّنا
been a full moon at night, while your judgment is its sun;
Ever unbroken you remained in trials, whenever
and the full moon borrows radiance from the sun.
Time toyed with its people and fluctuated.
سِيّانِalike عندكَto you كانwas it رَبْعاًa settlement آهِلاًinhabited
سِيّانِ عندكَ كان رَبْعاً آهِلاً
للحيِّby the clan أوor رَسْماًa trace عفاfaded وتَدمَّناand became dung-strewn
للحيِّ أو رَسْماً عفا وتَدمَّنا
It is all one to you whether it was an inhabited quarter
Hope itself had wandered
for the clan, or a trace worn away and dung-strewn.
Until, arriving at your abode, it settled.
ماnot إنْindeed خذَلْتَyou abandoned علىdespite اختلافthe difference in شعارِهhis emblem
ما إنْ خذَلْتَ على اختلاف شعارِه
مُتعلِّياًa partisan of ‘Ali ناداكcalling you أوor مُتعَثْمِناa partisan of ‘Uthman
مُتعلِّياً ناداك أو مُتعَثْمِنا
You never forsook, despite differences in his emblem,
It surrendered its reins to your father's son through you
a partisan of ‘Ali calling on you, or a partisan of ‘Uthman.
Thus you tend him with utmost care.
واليومَand today أجدَرُmore deserving حينَwhen أصبحَbecame عُطْلُهits bareness
واليومَ أجدَرُ حينَ أصبحَ عُطْلُه
مُتزيِّناًself-adorned لمّاwhen غداit became مُتَزيَّناadorned
مُتزيِّناً لمّا غدا مُتَزيَّنا
Today it is worthier, now that its bareness has become
You are hope for all who walk the earth,
self-adorned, since it itself has been adorned.
To you points he who through you was satisfied.
لاmay not زلتَyou cease to be ثَبْتاًsteadfast فيin المواقفِcritical moments كُلّماwhenever
لا زلتَ ثَبْتاً في المواقفِ كُلّما
لَعِبَplayed الزّمانُtime بأهلِهwith its people وتَلوَّناand changed colors
لَعِبَ الزّمانُ بأهلِه وتَلوَّنا
May you remain steadfast in critical moments whenever
You have lofty ambitions exceeding
time plays with its people and changes colors.
The age, and you lived to spread them, harvest them.
أماas for الرجاءhope فلمit has not يزلceased متغرباwandering abroad
أما الرجاء فلم يزل متغربا
حتىuntil إذاwhen وافىit reached ذُراكyour heights استوطناit settled
حتى إذا وافى ذُراك استوطنا
As for hope, it had long been a wanderer
As if it and time were a narrow road
until it reached your heights and made a home.
You tread with a vast army.
ألقَىit cast down إلىwith ابْنِthe son of أبيهits father منكَin you رِحالَهits baggage
ألقَى إلى ابْنِ أبيه منكَ رِحالَه
فلِذاكَso for that أنتَyou بهِwith it شديدُgreatly المُعْتنَىconcerned
فلِذاكَ أنتَ بهِ شديدُ المُعْتنَى
It laid down its baggage with its own brother in you;
The book of your era - since its sons arose
that is why you care for it so deeply.
And God made it your ascent and titled it so,
أَنتَyou الرَّجاءُare hope لكلِّfor every مَنone who يطأُtreads الثَّرىthe earth
أَنتَ الرَّجاءُ لكلِّ مَن يطأُ الثَّرى
فإليكَso toward you كانhe had أَشارpointed حينَwhen بهby it اكْتنَىhe took a byname
فإليكَ كان أَشار حينَ به اكْتنَى
You are hope for everyone who treads the earth;
They read, to this day, a title for it,
so it was you he meant when he took that as his byname.
While our hearts anticipate what it contains.
لكyou have فيin العُلاhigh glory هِمَمّambitions تَزيدُexceeding علىbeyond مَدَىthe span of
لك في العُلا هِمَمّ تَزيدُ على مَدَى
زَمَنٍan age فعشْتَso may you live لنَشْرِهنَّto unfold them الأزْمُناmany ages
زَمَنٍ فعشْتَ لنَشْرِهنَّ الأزْمُنا
You have ambitions in high glory beyond the span
O glorious one, the age is fragrant with your memory
of an age; may you live many ages to unfold them.
And memory in the days is a precious possession.
وكأنّهاand as though they والدّهرَwhile time نَهْجٌa path ضَيِّقٌnarrow
وكأنّها والدّهرَ نَهْجٌ ضَيِّقٌ
أَصبحتَyou have come to تَسلُكُmarch فيهalong it جَيْشاًan army أَرْعَناvast
أَصبحتَ تَسلُكُ فيه جَيْشاً أَرْعَنا
It is as though they—time being a narrow road—
The finer we describe you
were a vast army you have come to lead along it.
The finer you make what we attribute to you.
وكتابُand the book of عصرِكَyour age مُذْsince أَتَىit came to أَبناءهits children
وكتابُ عصرِكَ مُذْ أَتَى أَبناءه
واللهُwhile God ضَمَّنهincluded in it عُلاكَyour high glory وعَنْوَناand titled it
واللهُ ضَمَّنه عُلاكَ وعَنْوَنا
The book of your age, since it came to its children—
I consider praising the kings of my time a defect,
God enclosed your glory within it and gave it a title—
And consider not praising the like of you a greater defect.
قرأواthey read إلىup to ذاthis اليومِday عُنْواناًa title لهfor it
قرأوا إلى ذا اليومِ عُنْواناً له
وقلوبُناand our hearts تَتَطلَّعُyearn for المُتضمَّناthe contents
وقلوبُنا تَتَطلَّعُ المُتضمَّنا
they have read its title to this day,
You reached the farthest extent and ruled us,
while our hearts yearn for what it contains.
Reached the farthest high and encompassed fate's twist.
ياO ماجداًnoble man عَبِقَwas fragrant الزّمانُtime بذِكرهِwith his remembrance
يا ماجداً عَبِقَ الزّمانُ بذِكرهِ
والذِّكرُand remembrance فيthrough الأيّامِthe days نعْمexcellent is المُقْتَنىthe possession
والذِّكرُ في الأيّامِ نعْم المُقْتَنى
O noble man whose remembrance has made time fragrant,
You remained, without cease, travelling the past,
remembrance through the days is an excellent possession.
Without change, empowered over the future.
يَزْدادُincreases عندَكwith you حُسْنُthe beauty of ماwhat نُثْنِيwe praise بهby it
يَزْدادُ عندَك حُسْنُ ما نُثْنِي به
كمَزيدِlike the increase of ماwhat توُليهِyou bestow حُسْناًin beauty عِنْدَناamong us
كمَزيدِ ما توُليهِ حُسْناً عِنْدَنا
The beauty of what we praise you with grows in your regard,
as the beauty of what you bestow grows in ours.
وأَعُدُّand I consider مدْحَpraising ملوكِthe kings of عَصْريَmy age هُجْنةًa blemish
وأَعُدُّ مدْحَ ملوكِ عَصْريَ هُجْنةً
وأَعُدُّand I consider تَرْكَleaving مديحthe praise of مثْلِكyour like أَهْجَناmore shameful
وأَعُدُّ تَرْكَ مديح مثْلِك أَهْجَنا
I consider praising the kings of my age a blemish,
and consider leaving your like unpraised more shameful.
فبلَغْتَso you reached قاصيةَthe farthest end of المَدىthe reach وملكْتَand you grasped ناfore- (word fragment)
فبلَغْتَ قاصيةَ المَدى وملكْتَ نا
صيةَ-lock (word fragment) العُلاof loftiness وحَويْتَand you possessed عاصِيةَthe defiant among المُنىwishes
صيةَ العُلا وحَويْتَ عاصِيةَ المُنى
You reached the farthest limit and grasped the fore-
lock of glory, and possessed the most defiant wishes.
وبَقِيتَand may you remain منwith غيرِno انْقطاعinterruption ماضياًmoving onward
وبَقِيتَ من غيرِ انْقطاع ماضياً
وبلاand without تَغَيُّرِchange in آخِرٍthe ending مُتمكِّناfirmly established
وبلا تَغَيُّرِ آخِرٍ مُتمكِّنا
May you remain, moving onward without interruption,
and firmly established, with no change in the end.
Partial English translation: 174 of 182 Arabic lines translated.
Sol 6.1