ياO خَلِيلَيّmy two friends خَلِّيانِيleave me, you two ومَاand what بيails me
يا خَلِيلَيّ خَلِّيانِي ومَا بي
أَوْor أعِيدَاrestore, you two إِلَيَّto me عَهْدَthe days of الشَّبابِyouth
أَوْ أعِيدَا إِلَيَّ عَهْدَ الشَّبابِ
My two friends, leave me to what ails me,
Or give me back the days of youth.
حُلمٌa dream قدalready مَضَىpassed وَأَيّامُand days of أُنْسٍjoyful company
حُلمٌ قد مَضَى وَأَيّامُ أُنْسٍ
ذَهبتْdeparted غيرَnot مُزْمِعاتِintending الإِيَابِto return
ذَهبتْ غيرَ مُزْمِعاتِ الإِيَابِ
A dream gone by, and days of joyful company
Departed, never intending to return.
وَأَزَاهِيرُand blossoms كُنَّthey were تَاجَthe crown of عَرُوسٍa bride
وَأَزَاهِيرُ كُنَّ تَاجَ عَرُوسٍ
عُفِّرَتْwere dust-soiled بَعدَafter لَيْلةٍone night فيin التُّرابِthe dust
عُفِّرَتْ بَعدَ لَيْلةٍ في التُّرابِ
And blossoms that were a bride's crown
Were soiled, after one night, in the dust.
وبِساطٌand a carpet للشَّاربينَfor the drinkers يُصَلِّيprays
وبِساطٌ للشَّاربينَ يُصَلِّي
فيهon it إِبْريقُهمtheir wine jug بلاwithout مِحْرابa prayer niche
فيه إِبْريقُهم بلا مِحْراب
And a carpet for the drinkers, on which prays
Their wine jug, without a prayer niche.
فيamid حَدِيثٍconversation أَحْلَىsweeter منthan الأَمَلِhope الْحُلْوِsweet
في حَدِيثٍ أَحْلَى من الأَمَلِ الْحُلْوِ
وَأَصْفَىand purer دِيباجَةًin silken texture مِنْthan شَرابِwine
وَأَصْفَى دِيباجَةً مِنْ شَرابِ
Amid talk sweeter than sweet hope,
And purer in its silken texture than wine.
كلُّevery فَصْلٍpassage كأَنهas though it were صَفْحَةُa page of الرَّوْthe garden (first part)
كلُّ فَصْلٍ كأَنه صَفْحَةُ الرَّوْ
ضِ(end of 'garden') وَعِنْدand with العُقَارِwine فَصْلُthe decisive part of الْخِطابِspeech
ضِ وَعِنْد العُقَارِ فَصْلُ الْخِطابِ
Each passage is like a page of a garden;
And wine has the final word.
ومُجُونand revelry يَحُوطُهsurrounds it الأَدَبُrefinement الْجَمُّabundant
ومُجُون يَحُوطُه الأَدَبُ الْجَمُّ
فماso not رَاعَهdisturbed it اللّسانُthe tongue بِعَابwith anything shameful
فما رَاعَه اللّسانُ بِعَاب
And revelry guarded by abundant refinement,
Which no tongue disturbed with anything shameful.
يَتَغَنَّوْنَthey sing بالنُّواسِيِّal-Nuwasi's verse حِيناًat times
يَتَغَنَّوْنَ بالنُّواسِيِّ حِيناً
وَبِشِعْرand the poetry of الفَتَىthe young man أَبيAbu (father of) الْخَطَّابِal-Khattab
وَبِشِعْر الفَتَى أَبي الْخَطَّابِ
At times they sing al-Nuwasi's verses,
And the verse of the young Abu al-Khattab.
كُلَّماwhenever هَزَّتِshook المُدَامُwine يَدَيْهِمْtheir hands
كُلَّما هَزَّتِ المُدَامُ يَدَيْهِمْ
قَهْقَهَتْlaughed loudly ثُلَّةٌa band مِنَof الأكْوَابgoblets
قَهْقَهَتْ ثُلَّةٌ مِنَ الأكْوَاب
Whenever wine shook their hands,
A band of goblets burst out laughing.
صاحَcrowed فيهمamong them دِيكُthe cock of الصَّباحِmorning فَطارُواso they flew away
صاحَ فيهم دِيكُ الصَّباحِ فَطارُوا
كلُّevery جَمْعٍgathering لفُرْقَةٍis destined for parting واغْتِرابِand estrangement
كلُّ جَمْعٍ لفُرْقَةٍ واغْتِرابِ
Morning's cock crowed among them, and they flew away:
Every gathering is destined for parting and estrangement.
ياO شَباباًyouth أَقامstayed أَقْصَرَmore briefly مِنْthan حَسْوَةِa sip of
يا شَباباً أَقام أَقْصَرَ مِنْ حَسْوَةِ
طَيْرٍa bird عَلَىin وَحىًhaste وَارْتِيابِand apprehension
طَيْرٍ عَلَى وَحىً وَارْتِيابِ
O youth, who stayed more briefly than a sip
Taken by a bird in haste and fear.
لَكَyours is عُمْرُthe lifespan of النَّدَىdew يَطِيرُflies away مَعَwith الشَّمْسِthe sun
لَكَ عُمْرُ النَّدَى يَطِيرُ مَعَ الشَّمْسِ
وَعُمْرُand the lifespan of الْبُرُوقِlightning flashes بَيْنَamong السَّحابِthe clouds
وَعُمْرُ الْبُرُوقِ بَيْنَ السَّحابِ
Yours is the lifespan of dew, flying away with the sun,
And the lifespan of lightning among the clouds.
كُنْتَyou were فِيناamong us كماas though لَمَحْنَاwe glimpsed حَباباًbubbles
كُنْتَ فِينا كما لَمَحْنَا حَباباً
فَنَظَرْنَاthen we looked فَلمْand did not نَجِدْfind مِنany حَبَابbubbles
فَنَظَرْنَا فَلمْ نَجِدْ مِن حَبَاب
You were among us like bubbles we glimpsed;
Then we looked, and found not a bubble.
وَعَرَفْناكَand we knew you مُذْonce ذَهَبْتَyou had gone كماas يُعْرَفُis recognized
وَعَرَفْناكَ مُذْ ذَهَبْتَ كما يُعْرَفُ
فَضْلثmerit (apparent typo) النُّبُوغِgenius بعدَafter الذَّهَابِpassing away
فَضْلث النُّبُوغِ بعدَ الذَّهَابِ
We knew you once you had gone, as one knows
The merit of genius after its passing.
مُذْsince خَلَعْناwe cast off ثِيابَكَyour garments القُشْبَfresh and new لمnot نَنْعَمْdid we enjoy
مُذْ خَلَعْنا ثِيابَكَ القُشْبَ لم نَنْعَمْ
بِشَيءٍanything مِنْof مُنْفِساتِthe costliest الثّيابِgarments
بِشَيءٍ مِنْ مُنْفِساتِ الثّيابِ
Since we cast off your fresh garments, we have enjoyed
None of the costliest clothes.
وَرَأَيْناand we saw فيin لَوْنِكyour color الفَاحِمِjet-black اللمّاgleaming (first part)
وَرَأَيْنا في لَوْنِك الفَاحِمِ اللمّا
حِ(end of 'gleaming') هُزْواًa mockery بلَوْنِof the color of كلِّevery خِضَابdye
حِ هُزْواً بلَوْنِ كلِّ خِضَاب
In your gleaming jet-black hue we saw
A mockery of every dye's color.
أَيْنَwhere لَوْنُthe color of الْحَيَاةِlife والقَهْرِand mastery والقُوَّةِand strength
أَيْنَ لَوْنُ الْحَيَاةِ والقَهْرِ والقُوَّةِ
مِنْfrom لَوْنِthe color of ناصِلfaded الأعْشابgrass
مِنْ لَوْنِ ناصِل الأعْشاب
How far the color of life, mastery, and strength
Is from the color of faded grass!
ياO سَوَادَblack of العُيُونِthe eyes ياO حَبَّةَcore of القَلْبِthe heart
يا سَوَادَ العُيُونِ يا حَبَّةَ القَلْبِ
وياand O خَالَbeauty spot of كُلِّevery خَوْدٍtender maiden كَعَابِwith budding breasts
ويا خَالَ كُلِّ خَوْدٍ كَعَابِ
O black of the eyes, O core of the heart,
O beauty spot of every tender, full-bosomed maiden!
سَرَقَstole اللَّيْلُnight مِنْكfrom you لَوْناًa color فأمْسَىand became
سَرَقَ اللَّيْلُ مِنْك لَوْناً فأمْسَى
مَسْرَحَa playground of اللَّهْوِpleasure مَوْطِنَa home of الإِطْرَابِdelight
مَسْرَحَ اللَّهْوِ مَوْطِنَ الإِطْرَابِ
Night stole a color from you, and became
A playground of pleasure, a home of delight.
وَرَأَىand saw فيكin you أَحْمَدٌAhmad لَوْنَthe color of كافُوKafur (first part)
وَرَأَى فيك أَحْمَدٌ لَوْنَ كافُو
رٍ(end of 'Kafur') فَغَنَّىand sang خَوالِدَthe immortal works of الآدَابِliterature
رٍ فَغَنَّى خَوالِدَ الآدَابِ
And Ahmad saw in you the color of Kafur,
And sang the deathless works of literature.
بَسْمَةٌa smile للزَّمَانِof Time أَنْتَyou are ثلَتْهاfollowed it (apparent typo)
بَسْمَةٌ للزَّمَانِ أَنْتَ ثلَتْها
كَشْرَةٌa grimace للزَّمَانِof Time عَنْbaring أَنْيابfangs
كَشْرَةٌ للزَّمَانِ عَنْ أَنْياب
You are a smile of Time, followed
By Time's grimace, baring its fangs.
كُلَّماwhenever رُمْتُI sought خَدْعَto deceive نَفْسِيmyself بنفْسِيby myself
كُلَّما رُمْتُ خَدْعَ نَفْسِي بنفْسِي
كَشَفَتْrevealed ليto me المِرْآةُthe mirror وَجْهَthe face of الصَّوَابِtruth
كَشَفَتْ لي المِرْآةُ وَجْهَ الصَّوَابِ
Whenever I myself try to deceive myself,
The mirror shows me the face of truth.
رُبَّmany a صِدْقٍtruth تَوَدُّyou wish لوif only كَانَit were كِذْباًa lie
رُبَّ صِدْقٍ تَوَدُّ لو كَانَ كِذْباً
وكِذَابٍand a lie لوif only كانَit were غَيْرَnot كِذَابa lie
وكِذَابٍ لو كانَ غَيْرَ كِذَاب
Many a truth you wish were a lie,
And many a lie you wish were no lie.
لَيْتَwould that ليI had لَمْحَةًa moment أُعِيدُI recover بهاthrough it مِنْكَfrom you
لَيْتَ لي لَمْحَةً أُعِيدُ بها مِنْكَ
بَقَاياremnants of تِلكَthose الأَمَانِيhopes العِذَابِsweet
بَقَايا تِلكَ الأَمَانِي العِذَابِ
Would that I had a moment to recover from you
The remnants of those sweet hopes,
حَيْثُwhen أَخْتَالI swagger ناضِرَfresh of العُودِstem بَسَّاever-smiling (first part)
حَيْثُ أَخْتَال ناضِرَ العُودِ بَسَّا
ماً(end of 'ever-smiling') كَثيرَabundant in الهَوَىlove قَلِيلَsparing in العِتَابِreproach
ماً كَثيرَ الهَوَى قَلِيلَ العِتَابِ
When I swaggered, fresh of stem,
Ever-smiling, full of love, sparing of reproach,
فيamong صِحَابٍfriends مِثْلِlike الدَّنانِيرِgold dinars لاnot تبْلَىwear out
في صِحَابٍ مِثْلِ الدَّنانِيرِ لا تبْلَى
مَودّاتُهمtheir affections بطُولِthrough long الصِّحَابِcompanionship
مَودّاتُهم بطُولِ الصِّحَابِ
Among friends like gold dinars, whose love never fades
Through long companionship,
بوُجُوهٍwith faces غُرٍّradiant تَرَاهاyou see them فَتَتْلُوand read
بوُجُوهٍ غُرٍّ تَرَاها فَتَتْلُو
فيin أَسَارِيرِهاtheir features سُطُورَthe lines of كِتَابa book
في أَسَارِيرِها سُطُورَ كِتَاب
With radiant faces: you see them, and read
Lines of a book in their features.
نَسْبِقwe outstrip الْخطْوَwalking للسُّرُورtoward joy وِثاباًleaping
نَسْبِق الْخطْوَ للسُّرُور وِثاباً
لاnot تُنَالare attained المُنَىhopes بغَيْرwithout الوِثَابleaping
لا تُنَال المُنَى بغَيْر الوِثَاب
We outstrip walking, leaping toward joy;
Hopes are not won without a leap.
وَنَجُرُّand we trail الذُّيولَthe hems فيin غَيْرِabsence of نُكْرٍwrongdoing
وَنَجُرُّ الذُّيولَ في غَيْرِ نُكْرٍ
طَاهِرِيpure in النَّفْسِsoul طاهِريpure in الْجِلْبابِgarment
طَاهِرِي النَّفْسِ طاهِري الْجِلْبابِ
And we trail our robes without wrongdoing,
Pure in soul, pure in garment.
إِنْif دَعَاناcalls us الهَوَىpassion لغَيْرِtoward what is not سَدِيدٍsound
إِنْ دَعَانا الهَوَى لغَيْرِ سَدِيدٍ
سَدَّدَتْناset us straight كَرَائمُthe nobility of الأَحْسَابlineages
سَدَّدَتْنا كَرَائمُ الأَحْسَاب
If passion calls us toward what is unsound,
Our noble lineages set us straight.
زَيْنَبٌZaynab أَيْنَwhere مِنْكfrom you زَيْنَبُZaynab والشَّملُand the company
زَيْنَبٌ أَيْنَ مِنْك زَيْنَبُ والشَّملُ
جَميعٌall together والعَيْشُand life خِصْبُrich in الْجَنَابsurroundings
جَميعٌ والعَيْشُ خِصْبُ الْجَنَاب
Zaynab! How far from you is Zaynab, when our company
Was whole, and life was rich on every side!
وَبنَاتُand the maidens of الثُّغُورِthe ports يَلْعَبْنplay بالأَلْبابِwith minds
وَبنَاتُ الثُّغُورِ يَلْعَبْن بالأَلْبابِ
لِعْبَas plays الشَّمُولِwine بالأَلْبابِwith minds
لِعْبَ الشَّمُولِ بالأَلْبابِ
And the maidens of the ports played with minds
As wine plays with minds.
يَتَظَاهَرْنthey make a show بالْحِجَأبof veiling وَهَلْand did...? أَذkindle (first part)
يَتَظَاهَرْن بالْحِجَأب وَهَلْ أَذ
كَى(end of 'kindle') الجَوَىlove's anguish غَيْرُother than لُؤْمِthe cruelty of ذاكthat الحِجابِveil
كَى الجَوَى غَيْرُ لُؤْمِ ذاك الحِجابِ
They made a show of veiling; but what kindled
Love's anguish but the cruelty of that veil?
كَمhow many وُجوهٍfaces تَنَقَّبَتْwere veiled بسُفُورٍby unveiling
كَم وُجوهٍ تَنَقَّبَتْ بسُفُورٍ
ووُجُوهٍand faces قدalready أَسْفَرتwere revealed بِنقَابwith a veil
ووُجُوهٍ قد أَسْفَرت بِنقَاب
How many faces were veiled by being unveiled,
And faces were revealed beneath a veil!
أَيْنَwhere تِلْكthose الأَيّامdays بَانَتْdeparted وبنّاand we departed
أَيْنَ تِلْك الأَيّام بَانَتْ وبنّا
وَتَوَلَّتْand passed away بَشَاشَةُthe cheerfulness of الأَحْبابthe loved ones
وَتَوَلَّتْ بَشَاشَةُ الأَحْباب
Where are those days? They parted, and so did we,
And the loved ones' radiance passed away.
لَيْتَwould that شِعْريI knew أَيَرْجعُwill return? الأَمسُyesterday عَهْداًas a time
لَيْتَ شِعْري أَيَرْجعُ الأَمسُ عَهْداً
غَصَبتْهwrested it away الأيَّامُthe days أيَّwith such اغْتِصابِviolent seizure
غَصَبتْه الأيَّامُ أيَّ اغْتِصابِ
Would that I knew: will yesterday return, that time
The days wrested away so violently?
عَهْدَO days of دارِDar (House of) العُلومِal-Ulum (the Sciences) أَنْتَyou are يَدَthroughout الدَّهْرtime
عَهْدَ دارِ العُلومِ أَنْتَ يَدَ الدَّهْر
جَمَالُthe beauty of الدُّهُورِages والأَحْقَابand eras
جَمَالُ الدُّهُورِ والأَحْقَاب
O days of Dar al-Ulum, you are for all time
The beauty of ages and eras.
إنْif ذَكَرْناكَwe remember you هَزَّناstirs us الشَّوْقyearning للشَّوْfor yearning (first part)
إنْ ذَكَرْناكَ هَزَّنا الشَّوْق للشَّوْ
قِ(end of 'yearning') وَلَهْوِand the merriment of اللِّدّاتِage-mates وَالأَترَابand peers
قِ وَلَهْوِ اللِّدّاتِ وَالأَترَاب
When we remember you, yearning stirs us for yearning
And the merriment of age-mates and peers.
أَنْتَyou are خِدْنُthe companion of الشَّبابِyouth بَيْنكماbetween you two فيin الْوَهمِimagination
أَنْتَ خِدْنُ الشَّبابِ بَيْنكما في الْوَهمِ
قُرْبَىkinship وَشِيجةُclosely woven in الأَنْسابِlineage
قُرْبَى وَشِيجةُ الأَنْسابِ
You are youth's companion; between you, in fancy,
Lies kinship, with closely woven ties.
فكأنِّيso it is as though I أَرَىsee الزَّمَانَTime وَقَدْhaving already دَاturned (first part)
فكأنِّي أَرَى الزَّمَانَ وَقَدْ دَا
رَ(end of 'turned') وَعادَand returned الصِّباyouth نَضِيرَfresh of الإِهَابskin
رَ وَعادَ الصِّبا نَضِيرَ الإِهَاب
It is as though I see Time come full circle,
And youth return, fresh of skin.
وَأرَىand I see الْجَارِمَal-Jarim الفَتِيَّthe young يَقُودُleading الْحَشْدَthe throng
وَأرَى الْجَارِمَ الفَتِيَّ يَقُودُ الْحَشْدَ
فيamid جَحْفَلٍa host مِنَof الطُّلاَّبstudents
في جَحْفَلٍ مِنَ الطُّلاَّب
And I see the young al-Jarim leading the throng
Amid a host of students,
وَاثِباًleaping لاهِياًcarefree لَعُوباًplayful ضَحوكاًfull of laughter
وَاثِباً لاهِياً لَعُوباً ضَحوكاً
غيْرَnot مَاat all وَاجلٍapprehensive وَلاnor هَيَّابِtimid
غيْرَ مَا وَاجلٍ وَلا هَيَّابِ
Leaping, carefree, playful, full of laughter,
Neither apprehensive nor afraid,
وَاثقاًtrusting بالإِلهin God لَيْسَnot يَرَىseeing الصَّعْبَdifficulty
وَاثقاً بالإِله لَيْسَ يَرَى الصَّعْبَ
سِوَىexcept أَنthat تَهابَyou fear خَوْضَplunging into الصِّعَابdifficulties
سِوَى أَن تَهابَ خَوْضَ الصِّعَاب
Trusting in God, seeing no difficulty
Except in fearing to plunge into difficulties.
فَهْوَso he is كالطَّائرِlike a bird الطَّلِيقِset free فَحِيناًso sometimes
فَهْوَ كالطَّائرِ الطَّلِيقِ فَحِيناً
فيin وِهَادvalleys وَمَرَّةًand sometimes فيon هِضَابhills
في وِهَاد وَمَرَّةً في هِضَاب
He is like a bird set free: sometimes
In valleys, and sometimes on hills,
عابِثٌplaying بالغُصُونِwith the branches فيin ظِلِّthe shade of رَوْضٍa garden
عابِثٌ بالغُصُونِ في ظِلِّ رَوْضٍ
حَاكَwove أَفْوافَهits patterned fabrics مُلِثُّthe ever-raining الرَّبَابclouds
حَاكَ أَفْوافَه مُلِثُّ الرَّبَاب
Playing with branches in a garden's shade,
Whose patterned robes the lingering raincloud wove.
يَحْمِلhe carries الكُتْبَbooks فيin الصَّبَاحِthe morning وَلِلآand for hopes (first part)
يَحْمِل الكُتْبَ في الصَّبَاحِ وَلِلآ
مالِ(end of 'hopes') فيin صَدْرِهhis breast نَئِيجُthe roar of العُبَابsurging waters
مالِ في صَدْرِه نَئِيجُ العُبَاب
He carries books in the morning; his hopes
Have the surge's roar within his breast.
رَأْسُهhis head رَأْسُthe head of مالِهhis wealth وامتِلاءُand the filling of الرَّأْthe head (first part)
رَأْسُه رَأْسُ مالِه وامتِلاءُ الرَّأْ
س(end of 'head') خَيْرٌbetter منthan امْتِلاءfilling الوِطَابmilk-skins
س خَيْرٌ من امْتِلاء الوِطَاب
His head is his capital; filling the head
Is better than filling milk-skins.
كُلُّevery يَوْمٍday فيin الامْتِحاناتِexaminations هَيْنٌeasy
كُلُّ يَوْمٍ في الامْتِحاناتِ هَيْنٌ
خَطْبُهُits ordeal غَيْرَunlike خَطْبِthe ordeal of يَوْمِthe Day of الْحِسَابReckoning
خَطْبُهُ غَيْرَ خَطْبِ يَوْمِ الْحِسَاب
Every examination day is easy
In its ordeal, unlike the Day of Reckoning.
إِيهِAh دارَDar (House of) العُلُومal-Ulum (the Sciences) كُنْتِyou were بِمصْرٍin Egypt
إِيهِ دارَ العُلُوم كُنْتِ بِمصْرٍ
فيin ظَلامِthe darkness of الدُّجَىnight ضِيَاءَthe radiance of الشِّهَابa meteor
في ظَلامِ الدُّجَى ضِيَاءَ الشِّهَاب
Ah, Dar al-Ulum, in Egypt you were
A meteor's radiance in deepest darkness,
فيin زَمانٍan age مَنْwhoever كَانَwas يُمْسكُholding فِيهin it
في زَمانٍ مَنْ كَانَ يُمْسكُ فِيه
قَلَماًa pen عُدَّwas deemed أَكْتَبmost skilled at writing الكُتَّابthe writers
قَلَماً عُدَّ أَكْتَب الكُتَّاب
In an age when anyone who held
A pen was deemed the best of writers.
أَنْتِyou are أُمُّthe mother of الأَشْبالِlion cubs إنْif غَابَis gone لَيْثٌa lion
أَنْتِ أُمُّ الأَشْبالِ إنْ غَابَ لَيْثٌ
صالَcharges لِلْحَقِّfor truth بَعْدَهafter him لَيْثُa lion of غَابِthe forest
صالَ لِلْحَقِّ بَعْدَه لَيْثُ غَابِ
You are the mother of lion cubs: if one lion is gone,
A forest lion charges for truth after him.
تَلدينyou bear البَنِينَsons مِنْof كُلِّevery ماضٍresolute man
تَلدين البَنِينَ مِنْ كُلِّ ماضٍ
شَمَّرِيٍenergetic مُزَاحِمٍpressing forward وَثَّابever-leaping
شَمَّرِيٍ مُزَاحِمٍ وَثَّاب
You bear sons, each resolute,
Energetic, striving, ever ready to leap;
شاعِرٍa poet يُنْصِتُlistens silently الوُجُودُexistence إذاwhen قَاhe speaks (first part)
شاعِرٍ يُنْصِتُ الوُجُودُ إذا قَا
لَ(end of 'speaks') وَيَهْتَزُّand thrills هِزَّةَwith a thrill of الإِعْجَابadmiration
لَ وَيَهْتَزُّ هِزَّةَ الإِعْجَاب
A poet to whom all existence listens when he
Speaks, and thrills in admiration.
شِعْرهhis poetry زَفْرَةُthe sigh of الغرَامِlove تَعالَتْrose high
شِعْره زَفْرَةُ الغرَامِ تَعالَتْ
عنabove قُيُودthe constraints of الأَوْتَأدِmetrical pegs والأَسْبَابand metrical cords
عن قُيُود الأَوْتَأدِ والأَسْبَاب
His verse is love's sigh, risen
Above the constraints of metrical pegs and cords.
تَتَغَنّىsing بهit العَذَارَىmaidens فَيْبعَثْنand so they awaken
تَتَغَنّى به العَذَارَى فَيْبعَثْن
الهَوَىpassion بعدafter صَحْوةٍsobriety وَمَتَابand repentance
الهَوَى بعد صَحْوةٍ وَمَتَاب
Maidens sing it, and awaken
Passion after sobriety and repentance.
تَخِذَتْmade فيكِin you بِنْتُthe daughter of عَدْنَانَAdnan داراًa home
تَخِذَتْ فيكِ بِنْتُ عَدْنَانَ داراً
ذَكَّرَتْهاreminded her of بَدَاوَةَthe desert life of الأَعْرَابthe Bedouins
ذَكَّرَتْها بَدَاوَةَ الأَعْرَاب
Adnan's daughter made her dwelling in you,
Which recalled to her the Bedouins' desert life.
عَادَهاreturned to her الْحُسْنُbeauty فيin ذَرَاكِyour shelter ورَوَّاand quenched (first part)
عَادَها الْحُسْنُ في ذَرَاكِ ورَوَّا
هَاher عَلَىin غُلَّةٍthirst نَمِيرُthe sweet water of الشَّبَابِyouth
هَا عَلَى غُلَّةٍ نَمِيرُ الشَّبَابِ
Beauty returned to her in your shelter, and she was refreshed
In her thirst by youth's sweet water.
وَغَدَتْand she went فيin عُطَاظَUkaz (apparent typo) بَيْنَamong شُيُوخٍelders
وَغَدَتْ في عُطَاظَ بَيْنَ شُيُوخٍ
فَتَنَتْهمshe enchanted them بسِحْرِهاwith her magic الْخلاَّبbeguiling
فَتَنَتْهم بسِحْرِها الْخلاَّب
And she moved among elders at Ukaz,
Whom she enchanted with her beguiling magic.
خَلَعُواthey shed فيin طِلابِهاseeking her جِدَّةthe freshness of العُمْرِlife
خَلَعُوا في طِلابِها جِدَّة العُمْرِ
وقَدْرُand the worth of المَطْلوبِwhat is sought قَدْرُthe measure of الطّلاَبthe quest
وقَدْرُ المَطْلوبِ قَدْرُ الطّلاَب
They shed the freshness of life in seeking her;
And the prize's worth is the measure of the quest.
وَدَنَوْاand they drew near منto خِبَائهاher tent فَأَرَتْهمand she showed them
وَدَنَوْا من خِبَائها فَأَرَتْهم
ثَمَراتِthe fruits of النُّهَىreason وَسِرَّand the secret of الكِتَابthe Book
ثَمَراتِ النُّهَى وَسِرَّ الكِتَاب
They approached her tent, and she showed them
The fruits of reason and the Book's secret.
لَكِyours is دَارَDar (House of) العُلومِal-Ulum (the Sciences) فيin كُلِّevery نَفْسٍsoul
لَكِ دَارَ العُلومِ في كُلِّ نَفْسٍ
أَثَرُthe mark of القَيْنِthe smith فيin صِقَالpolishing الْحِرَابِspears
أَثَرُ القَيْنِ في صِقَال الْحِرَابِ
Your mark, Dar al-Ulum, in every soul
Is the smith's mark in the polishing of spears.
حَسْبُenough for مُطْرِيكyour praiser أَنَّthat كلَّevery نَجيبٍgifted man
حَسْبُ مُطْرِيك أَنَّ كلَّ نَجيبٍ
نَفْحَةٌa fragrant breath مِنْfrom رِجَالِكِyour men الأَنْجَابdistinguished
نَفْحَةٌ مِنْ رِجَالِكِ الأَنْجَاب
Enough for your eulogist that every gifted man
Is a fragrant breath from your distinguished men.
أنْتِyou are كالنِّيلِlike the Nile كُلَّماwhenever مَسَّit touches جَدْباًbarren land
أنْتِ كالنِّيلِ كُلَّما مَسَّ جَدْباً
هَزَّهُit stirs it بالنَّمَاءِwith growth والإِخْصَابand fertility
هَزَّهُ بالنَّمَاءِ والإِخْصَاب
You are like the Nile: whenever it touches barren land,
It stirs it with growth and fertility.
كِيمِياءُthe alchemy of العُقُولِminds أنتِyou are تصوغِينَyou fashion
كِيمِياءُ العُقُولِ أنتِ تصوغِينَ
نضاراًpure gold منfrom النُحاسِcopper المُذَابِmolten
نضاراً من النُحاسِ المُذَابِ
You are the alchemy of minds, fashioning
Pure gold from molten copper.
إنَّindeed خَمسِينَfifty حِجَّةًyears قدalready كَفَتْhave sufficed مِنْكِfrom you
إنَّ خَمسِينَ حِجَّةً قد كَفَتْ مِنْكِ
لِمَلْءِto fill الدُنْياthe world بكلِّwith every عُجابwonder
لِمَلْءِ الدُنْيا بكلِّ عُجاب
Fifty years of you have been enough
To fill the world with every wonder.
نَهَضَتْrose مِصْرُEgypt نَهْضَةَwith the ascent of النَسْرِthe vulture فيهاduring them
نَهَضَتْ مِصْرُ نَهْضَةَ النَسْرِ فيها
واسْتَوَتْand rose فوْقَabove مُسْتَقرِّthe resting place of العُقابthe eagle
واسْتَوَتْ فوْقَ مُسْتَقرِّ العُقاب
In them Egypt rose like the vulture,
And mounted above the eagle's eyrie.
كُلُّeach عامٍyear كأنَّهُas though it were خُطْوَةُthe stride of الْجَبارِa giant
كُلُّ عامٍ كأنَّهُ خُطْوَةُ الْجَبارِ
أوor وَثْبَةُthe leap of الأُسُودِlions الغِضابangry
أو وَثْبَةُ الأُسُودِ الغِضاب
Each year is like a giant's stride,
Or a leap of angry lions.
كُلُّeach عامyear كأنَّهas though it were عَلَمُthe banner of النَصْرِvictory
كُلُّ عام كأنَّه عَلَمُ النَصْرِ
بِكَفِّin the hand of المُظَفَّرِthe triumphant الغَلاَّبever-conquering
بِكَفِّ المُظَفَّرِ الغَلاَّب
Each year is like the banner of victory
In the hand of the triumphant conqueror.
كُلُّeach عَامٍyear كَطَالِعِlike the rising star of السَعِدْgood fortune شِمْنَاwe sighted
كُلُّ عَامٍ كَطَالِعِ السَعِدْ شِمْنَا
هُit عَلَآafter طُولِthe length of غَيْبةٍabsence وَاْحِتجابand concealment
هُ عَلَآ طُولِ غَيْبةٍ وَاْحِتجاب
Each year is like a rising star of good fortune we have sighted
After long absence and concealment.
كُلُّeach عامٍyear كالفَجْرِlike dawn يَهْزِمُdefeating لَيْلاa night
كُلُّ عامٍ كالفَجْرِ يَهْزِمُ لَيْلا
نَابِغِيَّNabigha-like in الهُمُومِsorrows والأَوْصابand pains
نَابِغِيَّ الهُمُومِ والأَوْصاب
Each year is like dawn defeating a night
Nabigha-like in its sorrows and pains.
كُلُّeach عامٍyear كأنَّهُas though it were الأَمَلُhope الضَاsmiling (first part)
كُلُّ عامٍ كأنَّهُ الأَمَلُ الضَا
حِكُ(end of 'smiling') وافاكَcame to you بعدَafter طُولِlong ارْتقابِwaiting
حِكُ وافاكَ بعدَ طُولِ ارْتقابِ
Each year is like smiling hope
Coming to you after long waiting.
كُلُّeach عامٍyear كَوَافِدِlike the arriving bearer of الْغَيْثِrain تَلْقَاgreet (first part)
كُلُّ عامٍ كَوَافِدِ الْغَيْثِ تَلْقَا
هُit وُجُوهُthe faces of الرِّياضِgardens بالترْحابِwith welcome
هُ وُجُوهُ الرِّياضِ بالترْحابِ
Each year is like a rain-bearing visitor, greeted
With welcome by the faces of gardens.
لاdo not تَهابِيfear دارَDar (House of) العُلُومِal-Ulum (the Sciences) مُلِمّاًa calamity
لا تَهابِي دارَ العُلُومِ مُلِمّاً
آفةُthe bane of المجدِglory والعُلاَand eminence أَنْis to تَهابيfear
آفةُ المجدِ والعُلاَ أَنْ تَهابي
Fear no calamity, Dar al-Ulum;
To fear is the bane of glory and eminence.
إنّindeed فin (apparent typo) مِصْرَEgypt لوif عَلِمْتِyou knew قُلُوباًhearts
إنّ ف مِصْرَ لو عَلِمْتِ قُلُوباً
وَاجِفَاتٍbeating anxiously لقَلْبِكِfor your heart الوَجَّابthrobbing
وَاجِفَاتٍ لقَلْبِكِ الوَجَّاب
In Egypt, if you only knew, are hearts
Beating anxiously for your throbbing heart.
سَتَنَالِينَyou shall attain بالمَليكِthrough King فؤادٍFuad
سَتَنَالِينَ بالمَليكِ فؤادٍ
كلَّall ماthat تَرْتَجينَyou hope for مِنْof آرَابaims
كلَّ ما تَرْتَجينَ مِنْ آرَاب
Through King Fuad you shall attain
All the aims you hope for.
لاdo not تُرَاعِيbe frightened وفيwhile in الكِنَانةِthe Quiver (Egypt) سَعْدٌSaad
لا تُرَاعِي وفي الكِنَانةِ سَعْدٌ
بَيْنَamong أشْبَالِهِhis lion cubs الشِدَادِstrong الصِلابunyielding
بَيْنَ أشْبَالِهِ الشِدَادِ الصِلاب
Have no fear, while Saad is in the Quiver,
Among his strong, unyielding lion cubs.
واطلبيand seek الْخَيْرَgoodness والمُنَىand hopes مِنْfrom فُؤادٍFuad
واطلبي الْخَيْرَ والمُنَى مِنْ فُؤادٍ
ناشرِspreader of الفَضْلِbounty ناصِرِchampion of الآدابletters
ناشرِ الفَضْلِ ناصِرِ الآداب
And seek goodness and your hopes from Fuad,
Who spreads bounty and champions letters.
لاmay not خَلَتْbe bereft مِصْرُEgypt مِنْof نَدَاهُhis bounty فَقَدْfor indeed صاbecame (first part)
لا خَلَتْ مِصْرُ مِنْ نَدَاهُ فَقَدْ صا
رَ(end of 'became') عِنَانَthe bridle of القُلوبِhearts طَوْقَthe collar of الرِقابnecks
رَ عِنَانَ القُلوبِ طَوْقَ الرِقاب
May Egypt never lack his bounty, for he has become
The bridle of hearts, the collar of necks.
Sol 6.1