مَنْwho مُجِيرِيmy protector مِنْfrom حَالِكَاتِpitch-black اللَّيَالِيthe nights؟
مَنْ مُجِيرِي مِنْ حَالِكَاتِ اللَّيَالِي؟
نُوَبَcalamities الدَّهْرِtime مَاwhat لَكُنَّfor you (feminine plural) وَمَاand what لِيfor me؟!
نُوَبَ الدَّهْرِ مَا لَكُنَّ وَمَا لِي؟!
Who will protect me from the pitch-black nights?
Who will protect me from the nights that turn?
Calamities of time, what have you to do with me?
The ages have passed, but for what purpose?
قَدْindeed طَوَانِيenfolded me الظَّلَامُthe darkness حَتَّىuntil كَأَنِّيas though I
قَدْ طَوَانِي الظَّلَامُ حَتَّى كَأَنِّي
فِيin دَيَاجِيdeep darkness الْوُجُودِexistence طَيْفُa phantom خَيَالِfancy
فِي دَيَاجِي الْوُجُودِ طَيْفُ خَيَالِ
Darkness has enfolded me until I seem
Darkness has enveloped me, till I seem
A phantom of fancy in the gloom of existence.
A specter in the obscurity of existence.
كُلُّevery لَيْلٍnight لَهُit has زَوَالٌan end وَلَيْلِيand my night
كُلُّ لَيْلٍ لَهُ زَوَالٌ وَلَيْلِي
دَقَّdrove in أَطْنَابَهُits tent ropes لِغَيْرِfor no زَوَالِending!
دَقَّ أَطْنَابَهُ لِغَيْرِ زَوَالِ!
Every night has an end, but my night
Every night ends, but mine has stretched
Has staked down its tent ropes, never to end!
Its ropes endlessly, denying end.
كُلُّevery لَيْلٍnight لَهُit has نُجُومٌstars، وَلَكِنْbut
كُلُّ لَيْلٍ لَهُ نُجُومٌ، وَلَكِنْ
أَيْنَwhere أَمْثَالُهُنَّtheir like مِنْfrom أَمْثَالِيthe likes of me؟
أَيْنَ أَمْثَالُهُنَّ مِنْ أَمْثَالِي؟
Every night has stars, but
Every night has stars, but where are mine
Where are their like for the likes of me?
Compared to those that stud my firmament?
تَثِبُleaps الشَّمْسُthe sun فِيin السَّمَاءِthe sky وَشَمْسِيand my sun
تَثِبُ الشَّمْسُ فِي السَّمَاءِ وَشَمْسِي
عُقِلَتْwas tethered دُونَهَاshort of it بِأَلْفِwith a thousand عِقَالِtethers
عُقِلَتْ دُونَهَا بِأَلْفِ عِقَالِ
The sun leaps in the sky, while my sun
The sun leaps up in heaven, while my sun
Is held back from it by a thousand tethers.
Is fettered, a thousand chains deny ascent.
لَاnot أَرَىI see حِينَمَاwhen أَرَىI see غَيْرَother than حَظِّيmy fortune
لَا أَرَى حِينَمَا أَرَى غَيْرَ حَظِّي
حَالِكَpitch-black اللَّوْنِin color عَابِسَfrowning الْآمَالِin hopes
حَالِكَ اللَّوْنِ عَابِسَ الْآمَالِ
Whenever I see, I see nothing but my fortune,
Whenever I see aught but my own fortune,
Pitch-black in hue, with frowning hopes.
That sullen, glowering, joyless visage, woe!
هُوَit جُبٌّa deep pit أَعِيشُI live فِيهِin it حَزِينًاsorrowfully
هُوَ جُبٌّ أَعِيشُ فِيهِ حَزِينًا
كَاسِفَdowncast النَّفْسِin soul دَائِمَconstant الْبَلْبَالِin anxiety
كَاسِفَ النَّفْسِ دَائِمَ الْبَلْبَالِ
It is a deep pit where I live sorrowfully,
It is a deep ravine wherein sadly
Downcast in soul, in ceaseless turmoil.
I dwell, downcast, eternally distraught.
مَاnot رَأَتْsaw بَسْمَةَthe smile الشُّمُوسِof suns زَوَايَاcorners
مَا رَأَتْ بَسْمَةَ الشُّمُوسِ زَوَايَا
هُits، وَلَاand not دَاعَبَتْcaressed شُعَاعَthe ray الْهِلَالِof the crescent moon
هُ، وَلَا دَاعَبَتْ شُعَاعَ الْهِلَالِ
Its corners have never seen the suns' smile,
Never have its sunless stones known laughter
Nor caressed the crescent moon's ray.
Or traced upon them moonbeams’ soft assault.
فَإِذَاso when نِمْتُI sleep فَالظَّلَامُthen the darkness أَمَامِيbefore me
فَإِذَا نِمْتُ فَالظَّلَامُ أَمَامِي
أَوْor تَيَقَّظْتُI awaken فَالسَّوَادُthen the blackness حِيَالِيfacing me
أَوْ تَيَقَّظْتُ فَالسَّوَادُ حِيَالِي
When I sleep, darkness is before me;
Asleep, darkness awaits me, or I wake
Or when I awaken, blackness faces me.
To find the blackness massed before my gaze.
أَتَقَرَّىI feel my way along الطَّرِيقَthe road فِيهِin it بِكَفِّيwith my palm
أَتَقَرَّى الطَّرِيقَ فِيهِ بِكَفِّي
بَيْنَbetween شَكٍّdoubt وَحَيْرَةٍand bewilderment وَضَلَالِand straying
بَيْنَ شَكٍّ وَحَيْرَةٍ وَضَلَالِ
I feel my way through it with my palm,
I grope the road, mid doubt, perplexity,
Amid doubt, bewilderment, and wandering astray.
And wander lost, to left hand or to right.
وَأُحِسُّand I sense الْهَوَاءَthe air فَهْوَso it دَلِيلِيmy guide
وَأُحِسُّ الْهَوَاءَ فَهْوَ دَلِيلِي
عَنْtoward يَمِينِيmy right أَسِيرُI walk أَوْor عَنْtoward شِمَالِيmy left
عَنْ يَمِينِي أَسِيرُ أَوْ عَنْ شِمَالِي
I sense the air, and it is my guide,
I feel the very wind, it is my guide,
Whether I walk to my right or to my left.
Whether I turn northward or south I hie.
كُلَّمَاwhenever رُمْتُI sought مِنْهُfrom it يَوْمًاone day خَلَاصًاescape
كُلَّمَا رُمْتُ مِنْهُ يَوْمًا خَلَاصًا
عَجَزَتْfailed حِيلَتِيmy resourcefulness وَرَثَّتْand frayed حِبَالِيmy ropes
عَجَزَتْ حِيلَتِي وَرَثَّتْ حِبَالِي
Whenever I have sought, one day, to escape it,
Whene’er I strive from it to win release
My resourcefulness has failed and my ropes have frayed.
Someday, my wits and stratagems all fail.
عَبَثًاin vain أُرْسِلُI send الْأَنِينَthe groaning مِنَfrom الْجُبِّthe pit
عَبَثًا أُرْسِلُ الْأَنِينَ مِنَ الْجُبِّ
إِلَىto سَاكِنِيthe dwellers الْقُصُورِof palaces الْعَوَالِيlofty!
إِلَى سَاكِنِي الْقُصُورِ الْعَوَالِي!
In vain I send my groaning from the pit
In vain unto the lofty manors’ lords
To the dwellers of lofty palaces!
I loose my moan from out the sunless wold.
مَنْwho لِسَارٍfor a night traveler بِلَيْلَةٍthrough a night طُولُهَاits length الْعُمْـthe lifespan (first part)
مَنْ لِسَارٍ بِلَيْلَةٍ طُولُهَا الْعُمْـ
ـرُlifespan (last part)، يَجُوبُtraverses الْأَوْجَالَterrors لِلْأَوْجَالِtoward terrors؟
ـرُ، يَجُوبُ الْأَوْجَالَ لِلْأَوْجَالِ؟
Who will aid a night traveler through a night as long
Who can endure a lifelong night whose length
As life, roaming from terror to terror?
Defies surcease, roving from wold to wold,
مُتَرَدٍّtumbling فِيinto هَاوِيَاتِyawning depths وِهَادٍof hollows
مُتَرَدٍّ فِي هَاوِيَاتِ وِهَادٍ
لَاهِثٍpanting فَوْقَabove شَامِخَاتِtowering heights جِبَالِof mountains
لَاهِثٍ فَوْقَ شَامِخَاتِ جِبَالِ
Tumbling into the yawning depths of hollows,
Restive ‘mid lowland swamps, breathless to scale
Panting atop towering mountains,
Unscalable pinnacles of mountain heights,
عِنْدَbeside صَحْرَاءَa desert لِلْأَعَاصِيرِfor the tempests فِيهَاwithin it
عِنْدَ صَحْرَاءَ لِلْأَعَاصِيرِ فِيهَا
ضَحِكُlaughter الْجِنِّof the jinn أَوْor نَحِيبُwailing السَّعَالِيof she-ghouls
ضَحِكُ الْجِنِّ أَوْ نَحِيبُ السَّعَالِي
Beside a desert where the tempests sound
Where mock the Jinn or moan the desert gales
Like the jinn's laughter or the she-ghouls' wailing.
In a Sahara where Spring never blooms
لَمْnot يَزُرْهَاvisited it وَشْيُthe embroidery الرَّبِيعِof spring وَلَكِنْbut
لَمْ يَزُرْهَا وَشْيُ الرَّبِيعِ وَلَكِنْ
لَكَfor you مَاwhatever شِئْتَyou wish مِنْof نَسِيجِthe weaving الرِّمَالِof sands
لَكَ مَا شِئْتَ مِنْ نَسِيجِ الرِّمَالِ
Spring's embroidery has never visited it, but
But woven for you is all you wish of sand,
You may have all you wish of woven sands.
Untrod by humankind, without resort.
لَيْسَthere is not لِلطَّيْرِfor birds فَوْقَهَاabove it مِنْany مَطَارٍplace to fly
لَيْسَ لِلطَّيْرِ فَوْقَهَا مِنْ مَطَارٍ
أَوْor بَنِيthe children of الْإِنْسِhumankind حَوْلَهَاaround it مِنْany مَجَالِroom to roam
أَوْ بَنِي الْإِنْسِ حَوْلَهَا مِنْ مَجَالِ
Birds have no place to fly above it,
Dread overwhelms the vitals, timorous fear,
Nor humankind any room to roam around it.
Its surface sterile, rugged as a blade,
خَلَقَcreated اللهُGod قَفْرَهَاits barren waste ثُمَّthen سَوَّىfashioned
خَلَقَ اللهُ قَفْرَهَا ثُمَّ سَوَّى
مِنْfrom ثَرَاهُits soil أَنَامِلَthe fingers الْبُخَّالِof misers
مِنْ ثَرَاهُ أَنَامِلَ الْبُخَّالِ
God created its barren waste, then fashioned
Endlessly stretching like a hope gone wrong,
From its soil the fingers of misers.
Whose limits no persistence can invade.
رَهْبَةٌdread تَمْلَأُfills الْجَوَانِحَthe breast رُعْبًاwith terror
رَهْبَةٌ تَمْلَأُ الْجَوَانِحَ رُعْبًا
وَأَدِيمٌand a surface وَعْرٌrugged كَحَدِّlike the edge النِّصَالِof blades
وَأَدِيمٌ وَعْرٌ كَحَدِّ النِّصَالِ
A dread that fills the breast with terror,
Therein the sightless strayed, a waif, distraught,
And a rugged surface like the edge of blades,
His course unsure, unknowing where to turn.
وَامْتِدَادٌand an expanse كَأَنَّهُas though it الْأَمَلُhope الطَّاthe reckless (first part)
وَامْتِدَادٌ كَأَنَّهُ الْأَمَلُ الطَّا
ئِشُreckless (last part) مَاnot ضَاقَgrew narrow ذَرْعُهُits capacity بِمُحَالِbefore the impossible
ئِشُ مَا ضَاقَ ذَرْعُهُ بِمُحَالِ
And an expanse like reckless hope,
In its roar no cool wind gave him ease,
Whose resolve never falters before the impossible.
Nor soothed its furious heat the shade of palm.
سَارَwalked فِيهَاin it الْأَعْمَىthe blind man وَحِيدًاalone شَرِيدًاhomeless
سَارَ فِيهَا الْأَعْمَى وَحِيدًا شَرِيدًا
حَائِرًاbewildered بَيْنَbetween وَقْفَةٍa stop وَارْتِحَالِand departure
حَائِرًا بَيْنَ وَقْفَةٍ وَارْتِحَالِ
The blind man walked there, alone and homeless,
His staff grew tired of ceaseless blows that rained
Bewildered between stopping and setting out,
Upon the ground, marking his hapless state.
فِيin هَجِيرٍmidday heat مَاnot خَفَّabated حَرُّthe heat لَظَاهُof its blaze
فِي هَجِيرٍ مَا خَفَّ حَرُّ لَظَاهُ
بِنَسِيمٍby a breeze، وَلَاand not بِبَرْدِby the coolness ظِلَالِof shade
بِنَسِيمٍ، وَلَا بِبَرْدِ ظِلَالِ
In midday heat whose fiery blaze was never eased
His voice is raised, but no respondent stirs—
By a breeze or the coolness of shade.
The universe emptied of all mortal souls!
مَلَّwearied عُكَّازُهُhis staff مِنَof الضَّرْبِstriking فِيin الْأَرْthe earth (first part)
مَلَّ عُكَّازُهُ مِنَ الضَّرْبِ فِي الْأَرْ
ضِearth (last part) عَلَىamid خَيْبَةٍdisappointment وَرِقَّةِand straitness حَالِof circumstances
ضِ عَلَى خَيْبَةٍ وَرِقَّةِ حَالِ
His staff wearied of striking the earth,
And who is there in a lagoon of woe
Amid disappointment and straitened circumstances.
That is his world, his days in long array?
يَرْفَعُraises الصَّوْتَthe voice لَاnot يَرَىsees مِنْany مُجِيبٍresponder
يَرْفَعُ الصَّوْتَ لَا يَرَى مِنْ مُجِيبٍ
أَقْفَرَbecame empty الْكَوْنُthe universe مِنْof قُلُوبِthe hearts الرِّجَالِof men!
أَقْفَرَ الْكَوْنُ مِنْ قُلُوبِ الرِّجَالِ!
He raises his voice, but sees no one answering;
Darkness on darkness crowds each one before,
The universe has been emptied of the hearts of men!
As nights repeat themselves night after night.
مَنْwho لِهَاوٍfor one plunging فِيin لُجَّةٍa deep sea هِيَit is دُنْيَاa world
مَنْ لِهَاوٍ فِي لُجَّةٍ هِيَ دُنْيَا
هُhis وَأَيَّامُand the days بُؤْسِهِof his misery الْمُتَوَالِيunceasing؟
هُ وَأَيَّامُ بُؤْسِهِ الْمُتَوَالِي؟
Who will aid one sinking in a deep sea that is his world
The ocean gapes to suck him down full fain,
And the days of his unceasing misery?
Then casts him up again, all members smashed.
ظُلَمٌdarknesses بَعْضُهَاsome of them يُزَاحِمُcrowd بَعْضًاothers
ظُلَمٌ بَعْضُهَا يُزَاحِمُ بَعْضًا
كَلَيَالٍlike nights كَرَرْنَreturned repeatedly إِثْرَafter لَيَالِيnights
كَلَيَالٍ كَرَرْنَ إِثْرَ لَيَالِي
Darknesses crowding upon one another,
You glimpse no more than hands that signal need
Like nights returning on the heels of nights.
When tongues are stilled, all power to speak denied.
يَفْتَحُopens الْمَوْجُthe wave مَاضِغَيْهِits two jaws فَيَهْوِيso he plunges
يَفْتَحُ الْمَوْجُ مَاضِغَيْهِ فَيَهْوِي
ثُمَّthen يَطْفُوhe floats مُحَطَّمَshattered الْأَوْصَالِin limbs
ثُمَّ يَطْفُو مُحَطَّمَ الْأَوْصَالِ
The wave opens its jaws, and he plunges,
While winds, yes winds assail the poor and weak
Then floats up with shattered limbs.
Like lifetimes prey upon contracted spans.
لَاnot تَرَىyou see مِنْهُof him غَيْرَother than كَفٍّa hand تُنَادِيcalling out
لَا تَرَى مِنْهُ غَيْرَ كَفٍّ تُنَادِي
حِينَمَاwhen عَقَّهُbetrayed him لِسَانُthe tongue الْمَقَالِof speech
حِينَمَا عَقَّهُ لِسَانُ الْمَقَالِ
You see nothing of him but a hand calling out,
He hears the ships around him trumpet blasts
When the tongue of speech has betrayed him.
Of parting, but who cares for one like him?
وَالرِّيَاحُand the winds الرِّيَاحُthe winds تَعْصِفُbuffet بِالْمِسْthe poor man (first part)
وَالرِّيَاحُ الرِّيَاحُ تَعْصِفُ بِالْمِسْ
كِينِpoor man (last part) عَصْفَthe buffeting الْأَيَّامِof days بِالْآجَالِagainst lifespans
كِينِ عَصْفَ الْأَيَّامِ بِالْآجَالِ
And the winds—the winds—buffet the poor man
He hears the dance, the music, voices lifted
As days buffet the allotted spans of life.
In union’s bliss or loss’s long lament.
يَسْمَعُhe hears السُّفْنَthe ships حَوْلَهُaround him مَاخِرَاتٍcleaving the waters
يَسْمَعُ السُّفْنَ حَوْلَهُ مَاخِرَاتٍ
مَنْwho يُبَالِيcares بِمِثْلِهِabout one like him مَنْwho يُبَالِيcares؟
مَنْ يُبَالِي بِمِثْلِهِ مَنْ يُبَالِي؟
He hears ships cleaving the waters around him;
The happy tribe ignores him, turns away,
Who cares for one like him? Who cares?
Amused by wine and daughters of the great.
يَسْمَعُhe hears الرَّقْصَthe dancing وَالْأَهَازِيجَand songs تَشْدُوsinging
يَسْمَعُ الرَّقْصَ وَالْأَهَازِيجَ تَشْدُو
بَيْنَbetween وَصْلِunion الْهَوَىin love وَهَجْرِand estrangement الدَّلَالِthrough coyness
بَيْنَ وَصْلِ الْهَوَى وَهَجْرِ الدَّلَالِ
He hears dancing and songs ringing out,
Why trouble their delights with such a wretch
Between love's union and coyness's estrangement.
Who piles disasters on his own head?
شُغِلَwere distracted الْقَوْمُthe people عَنْهُfrom him بِالْقَصْفِby revelry وَاللَّهْand amusement (first part)
شُغِلَ الْقَوْمُ عَنْهُ بِالْقَصْفِ وَاللَّهْ
وِamusement (last part) وَهَامُواand became infatuated بِحُبِّwith love بِنْتِof the daughter الدَّوَالِيof the vines
وِ وَهَامُوا بِحُبِّ بِنْتِ الدَّوَالِي
The people are distracted from him by revelry and amusement,
They want no pall to mar their feast’s decor
And are infatuated with the daughter of the vines.
With plaints of woe or cries of misery.
مَاwhat لَهُمْfor them وَالصَّرِيعَand the stricken man فِيin غَمْرَةِthe depths اللُّجِّof the deep sea
مَا لَهُمْ وَالصَّرِيعَ فِي غَمْرَةِ اللُّجِّ
يَصُدُّrepels الْأَهْوَالَterrors بِالْأَهْوَالِwith terrors
يَصُدُّ الْأَهْوَالَ بِالْأَهْوَالِ
What have they to do with one stricken in the depths of the sea,
So harden hearts! How base a boast that they
Fending off terrors with terrors?
Can shame man’s dignity and noble strain!
لَاnot يُرِيدُونَthey want أَنْthat يُشَابَbe sullied لَهُمْfor them صَفْserenity (first part)
لَا يُرِيدُونَ أَنْ يُشَابَ لَهُمْ صَفْ
وٌserenity (last part) بِنَوْحٍby lament لِلْبُؤْسِfor misery أَوْor إِعْوَالِwailing
وٌ بِنَوْحٍ لِلْبُؤْسِ أَوْ إِعْوَالِ
They do not want their serenity sullied
Who will this sightless one a staff extend?
By lament for misery or by wailing.
Though tight his belly, never he complained.
هَكَذَاthus تُمْحِلُgrow barren الْقُلُوبُthe hearts، وَأَنْكَىand more grievous
هَكَذَا تُمْحِلُ الْقُلُوبُ، وَأَنْكَى
أَنْthat تُبَاهِيthey boast بِذَلِكَof that الْإِمْحَالِbarrenness!
أَنْ تُبَاهِي بِذَلِكَ الْإِمْحَالِ!
Thus hearts grow barren, and more grievous still
Whoever saw him saw the mass of woes,
Is to boast of that barrenness!
An emaciated shamble, nothing more—
هَكَذَاthus تُقْبَرُis buried الْمُرُوءَةُhuman decency فِيamong النَّاthe people (first part)
هَكَذَا تُقْبَرُ الْمُرُوءَةُ فِي النَّا
سِpeople (last part)، وَيُقْضَىand is destroyed عَلَىupon كَرِيمِthe nobility الْخِلَالِof character traits!
سِ، وَيُقْضَى عَلَى كَرِيمِ الْخِلَالِ!
Thus human decency is buried among people,
The prime of youth, yet bowed his head like eld’s,
And noble character is destroyed!
Humble as those whom weight of years has drained.
مَنْwho لِهَذَاfor this الْأَعْمَىblind man يَمُدُّstretches out عَصَاهُhis staff
مَنْ لِهَذَا الْأَعْمَى يَمُدُّ عَصَاهُ
عَاصِبَbinding الْبَطْنِthe belly لَمْnot يَبُحْuttered بِسُؤَالِa plea؟
عَاصِبَ الْبَطْنِ لَمْ يَبُحْ بِسُؤَالِ؟
Who will aid this blind man stretching out his staff,
Silent as darkness, mourners might suppose
His belly bound, never uttering a plea?
In his gaunt form man’s anguish truly spelled.
مَنْwhoever رَآهُsees him يَرَىsees خَلِيطًاa mixture مِنَof الْبُؤْmisery (first part)
مَنْ رَآهُ يَرَى خَلِيطًا مِنَ الْبُؤْ
سِmisery (last part) هَزِيلًاgaunt يَسِيرُwalks فِيin أَسْمَالِrags
سِ هَزِيلًا يَسِيرُ فِي أَسْمَالِ
Whoever sees him sees a mixture of misery,
Lost to all light and life—after the eyes,
Gaunt, walking in rags.
Can lips know sweetness or the taste of joy?
هُوَhe فِيin مَيْعَةِthe bloom الصِّبَاof youth وَتَرَاهُand you see him
هُوَ فِي مَيْعَةِ الصِّبَا وَتَرَاهُ
مُطْرِقَbowing الرَّأْسِthe head فِيin خُشُوعِthe humility الْكِهَالِof middle-aged men
مُطْرِقَ الرَّأْسِ فِي خُشُوعِ الْكِهَالِ
He is in the bloom of youth, yet you see him
Afflicted by misfortune and mankind,
With head bowed in the humility of middle-aged men.
He bore time’s outrage, victim of disdain.
سَاكِنًاmotionless كَالظَّلَامِlike darkness، يَحْسَبُهُdeem him الرَّاthe onlookers (first part)
سَاكِنًا كَالظَّلَامِ، يَحْسَبُهُ الرَّا
ءُونَonlookers (last part) مَعْنًىa meaning لِلْيَأْسِof despair فِيin تِمْثَالِa statue
ءُونَ مَعْنًى لِلْيَأْسِ فِي تِمْثَالِ
Motionless as darkness, onlookers deem him
He never viewed the blossom-dotted fields
The meaning of despair embodied in a statue.
With coloring bright, or glory in their prime.
فَقَدَlost الضَّوْءَthe light وَالْحَيَاةَand life، وَهَلْand is there بَعْـafter (first part)
فَقَدَ الضَّوْءَ وَالْحَيَاةَ، وَهَلْ بَعْـ
ـدَafter (last part) ضِيَاءِthe light الْعَيْنَيْنِof the two eyes سَلْوَىsolace لِسَالِfor one seeking solace؟
ـدَ ضِيَاءِ الْعَيْنَيْنِ سَلْوَى لِسَالِ؟
He has lost light and life; can there be,
He never raised his eyes to heaven’s face
After the eyes' light is lost, solace for one seeking it?
Or marked its shining hosts in vast array.
مَطَلَتْهُkept him waiting الْأَيَّامُthe days وَالنَّاسُand people حَقًّاa rightful due
مَطَلَتْهُ الْأَيَّامُ وَالنَّاسُ حَقًّا
فَقَضَىso he spent عَيْشَهُhis life شَهِيدَa martyr الْمِطَالِto delay
فَقَضَى عَيْشَهُ شَهِيدَ الْمِطَالِ
Days and people have kept him waiting for his due,
He never saw the Nile in winding trains
So he has spent his life a martyr to delay.
With skirted tails stride proudly, long and lithe.
مَاnot رَأَىhe saw الرَّوْضَthe garden فِيin مَآزِرِهِits robes الْخُضْـthe green (first part)
مَا رَأَى الرَّوْضَ فِي مَآزِرِهِ الْخُضْـ
ـرِgreen (last part) يُبَاهِيboasts بِحُسْنِهَاof their beauty وَيُغَالِيand exaggerates
ـرِ يُبَاهِي بِحُسْنِهَا وَيُغَالِي
He has never seen the garden in its green robes,
He never knew the silver of the dawn
Boasting of their beauty and vaunting it.
Or on night’s glossy locks delighted gazed.
مَاnot رَأَىhe saw صَفْحَةَthe face السَّمَاءِof the sky وَمَاand what رُكِّـwas set (first part)
مَا رَأَى صَفْحَةَ السَّمَاءِ وَمَا رُكِّـ
ـبَwas set (last part) فِيهَاwithin it مِنْof بَاهِرَاتِdazzling اللَّآلِيpearls
ـبَ فِيهَا مِنْ بَاهِرَاتِ اللَّآلِي
He has never seen the face of the sky, or what is set
Then let him witness human majesty
Within it of dazzling pearls.
If life has cheated him of beauty’s sight.
مَاnot رَأَىhe saw النِّيلَthe Nile فِيamong الْخَمَائِلِthe groves يَخْتَاstruts (first part)
مَا رَأَى النِّيلَ فِي الْخَمَائِلِ يَخْتَا
لُstruts (last part) بِأَذْيَالِهِwith its trailing skirts الْعِرَاضِbroad الطِّوَالِlong
لُ بِأَذْيَالِهِ الْعِرَاضِ الطِّوَالِ
He has never seen the Nile strutting among the groves
Let him feel tenderness and kindness too
With its broad, long trailing skirts.
If brightness never blessed his searching gaze.
مَاnot رَأَىhe saw فِضَّةَthe silver الضُّحَىof midmorning فِيin سَنَاهَاits radiance
مَا رَأَى فِضَّةَ الضُّحَى فِي سَنَاهَا
أَوْor تَمَلَّىfeasted his eyes بِعَسْجَدِon the gold الْآصَالِof late afternoons
أَوْ تَمَلَّى بِعَسْجَدِ الْآصَالِ
He has never seen the silver of morning in its radiance,
‘God takes one thing and gives another thing
Or feasted his eyes on the gold of late afternoons.
And recompenses justly, without fail.’
فَدَعُوهُso let him يَشْهَدْwitness جَمَالًاbeauty مِنَof الْإِحْـbenevolence (first part)
فَدَعُوهُ يَشْهَدْ جَمَالًا مِنَ الْإِحْـ
ـسَانِbenevolence (last part)، إِنْif فَاتَهُeluded him شُهُودُthe sight الْجَمَالِof beauty
ـسَانِ، إِنْ فَاتَهُ شُهُودُ الْجَمَالِ
So let him witness beauty in benevolence,
He senses dangers to the spirit none
If the sight of beauty has eluded him.
Suspect, where creeping worms of greed assail.
وَدَعُوهُand let him يُبْصِرْsee ذُبَالًاwicks مِنَof الرَّحْـmercy (first part)
وَدَعُوهُ يُبْصِرْ ذُبَالًا مِنَ الرَّحْـ
ـمَةِmercy (last part) إِنْif عَقَّهُbetrayed him ضِيَاءُthe light الذُّبَالِof wicks
ـمَةِ إِنْ عَقَّهُ ضِيَاءُ الذُّبَالِ
And let him see wicks of mercy,
And unconfused, he sees the truth glow bright
If the light of wicks has betrayed him.
In all its glory, thus illuminated.
قَدْindeed خَبَرْتُI experienced الدُّنْيَاthe world فَلَمْso not أَرَI saw أَزْكَىpurer
قَدْ خَبَرْتُ الدُّنْيَا فَلَمْ أَرَ أَزْكَى
مِنْthan يَمِينٍa right hand تَفَتَّحَتْopened عَنْto نَوَالِbounty!
مِنْ يَمِينٍ تَفَتَّحَتْ عَنْ نَوَالِ!
I have experienced the world, and seen nothing purer
Sheikh Ibn Arabi shone like a planet
Than a right hand opening to bestow bounty!
In the long darkness of past ages’ night,
أَيُّهَاO الْوَادِعُونَthose at ease يَمْشُونَthey walk زَهْوًاproudly
أَيُّهَا الْوَادِعُونَ يَمْشُونَ زَهْوًا
بَيْنَbetween جَبْرِيَّةٍdomineering arrogance وَبَيْنَand between اخْتِيَالِswagger
بَيْنَ جَبْرِيَّةٍ وَبَيْنَ اخْتِيَالِ
O you who live at ease, walking proudly
And, as foretold, the seal of those his peer,
Between domineering arrogance and swagger,
Annulled perceptions of the learned elite
يُنْفِقُونَthey spend الْقِنْطَارَa qintar (large weight) فِيon تَرَفِthe luxury الْعَيْـof living (first part)
يُنْفِقُونَ الْقِنْطَارَ فِي تَرَفِ الْعَيْـ
ـشِliving (last part)، وَلَاand not يُحْسِنُونَgive charity بِالْمِثْقَالِwith a mithqal (small weight)
ـشِ، وَلَا يُحْسِنُونَ بِالْمِثْقَالِ
Spending a qintar on luxurious living,
Succor the helpless and the destitute
Yet giving not a mithqal in charity,
Shield them from shame and being downtrod
وَيَرَوْنَand they see الْأَمْوَالَriches تُنْثَرُscattered فِيin اللَّهْamusement (first part)
وَيَرَوْنَ الْأَمْوَالَ تُنْثَرُ فِي اللَّهْ
وِamusement (last part)، فَلَاso not يَجْزَعُونَthey feel distress لِلْأَمْوَالِfor the riches
وِ، فَلَا يَجْزَعُونَ لِلْأَمْوَالِ
Watching riches scattered in amusement,
Teach them—some doorway may to living ope
Yet feeling no distress for those riches:
Provide the keys that open every lock
إِنَّindeed فِيin بَلْدَةِthe city الْمُعِزِّof al-Mu'izz جُحُورًاburrows
إِنَّ فِي بَلْدَةِ الْمُعِزِّ جُحُورًا
مُتْرَعَاتٍbrimming بِأَدْمُعِwith the tears الْأَطْفَالِof children
مُتْرَعَاتٍ بِأَدْمُعِ الْأَطْفَالِ
In the city of al-Mu'izz there are burrows
Do not compound his blindness with ignorance
Brimming with children's tears.
Lest he know greater woe and doubled knocks
كُلُّevery جُحْرٍburrow بِالْبُؤْسِwith misery وَالْفَقْرِand poverty مَمْلُوfilled (first part)
كُلُّ جُحْرٍ بِالْبُؤْسِ وَالْفَقْرِ مَمْلُو
ءٌfilled (last part)، وَلَكِنَّهُbut it مِنَof الزَّادِprovisions خَالِيempty
ءٌ، وَلَكِنَّهُ مِنَ الزَّادِ خَالِي
Every burrow is filled with misery and poverty,
All of time’s slings one can in patience bear
Yet empty of provisions.
Except the sightlessness of minds untaught
بَسَقَتْgrew tall فِيهِwithin it لِلْجَرَاثِيمِfor germs أَفْنَاbranches (first part)
بَسَقَتْ فِيهِ لِلْجَرَاثِيمِ أَفْنَا
نٌbranches (last part) تَدَلَّتْdrooped بِكُلِّwith every دَاءٍdisease عُضَالِincurable
نٌ تَدَلَّتْ بِكُلِّ دَاءٍ عُضَالِ
Branches of germs have grown tall within it,
Teach him, for knowledge is the lamp of life
Drooping with every incurable disease.
Scorn not to act, hesitate not to give
لَوْif رَأَيْتَyou saw الْأَشْبَاحَthe ghostly figures مِنْamong سَاكِنِيهِits inhabitants
لَوْ رَأَيْتَ الْأَشْبَاحَ مِنْ سَاكِنِيهِ
لَرَأَيْتَyou would surely see الْأَطْلَالَruins فِيwithin الْأَطْلَالِruins!
لَرَأَيْتَ الْأَطْلَالَ فِي الْأَطْلَالِ!
If you saw the ghostly figures of its inhabitants,
If time and family and friends abandon him
You would see ruins within ruins!
Then for such a one prove kinder kin
يَرْهَبُfears النُّورُthe light أَنْto يَمُرَّpass بِهِthrough it مَرًّاa passing
يَرْهَبُ النُّورُ أَنْ يَمُرَّ بِهِ مَرًّا
وَتَخْشَىand fears أَذَاهُits harm رِيحُthe wind الشَّمَالِof the north
وَتَخْشَى أَذَاهُ رِيحُ الشَّمَالِ
Light fears even passing through it,
Revelation calls to treat the blind with care
And the north wind fears its harm.
And openhanded meet another’s needs
تَحْسَبُyou think الطِّفْلَthe child فِيهِthere فِيin كَفَنِthe shroud الْمَوْof the dead (first part)
تَحْسَبُ الطِّفْلَ فِيهِ فِي كَفَنِ الْمَوْ
تَىdead (last part) وَقَدْwhile indeed ضَمَّهُenfolded him الرِّدَاءُthe cloak الْبَالِيworn-out
تَى وَقَدْ ضَمَّهُ الرِّدَاءُ الْبَالِي
You would think the child there wrapped in a shroud for the dead,
Let generations telling Egypt’s tale
Though only a worn-out cloak has enfolded him.
For ages hence prepare, make straight their path.
أَيُّهَاO الْأَغْنِيَاءُwealthy people أَيْنَwhere نَدَاكُمْyour generosity؟
أَيُّهَا الْأَغْنِيَاءُ أَيْنَ نَدَاكُمْ؟
بَلَغَreached السَّيْلُthe flood عَالِيَاتِthe highest parts الْقِلَالِof summits!
بَلَغَ السَّيْلُ عَالِيَاتِ الْقِلَالِ!
O wealthy people, where is your generosity?
With hands so generous, privation’s gloom
The flood has reached the highest summits!
Shall be dispelled, and nations seek the heights.
هُمْthey عِيَالُthe dependents الرَّحْمَنِof the Most Merciful مَاذَاwhat رَأَيْتُمْhave you seen
هُمْ عِيَالُ الرَّحْمَنِ مَاذَا رَأَيْتُمْ
أَوْor صَنَعْتُمْhave you done لِهَؤُلَاءِfor these الْعِيَالِdependents؟
أَوْ صَنَعْتُمْ لِهَؤُلَاءِ الْعِيَالِ؟
They are the Most Merciful's dependents; what have you seen
Gone want and riches, but the righteous works
Or done for these dependents?
Shall by the doers in remembrance live!
رُبَّmany a أَعْمَىblind man لَهُhe has بَصِيرَةُinsight كَشْفٍof unveiling
رُبَّ أَعْمَى لَهُ بَصِيرَةُ كَشْفٍ
نَفَذَتْpenetrated مِنْthrough غَيَاهِبِthe dark depths الْأَسْدَالِof veils!
نَفَذَتْ مِنْ غَيَاهِبِ الْأَسْدَالِ!
Many a blind man possesses revealing insight
That has pierced the dark depths of veils!
أَخَذَtook اللهُGod مِنْهُfrom him شَيْئًاsomething وَأَعْطَىand gave
أَخَذَ اللهُ مِنْهُ شَيْئًا وَأَعْطَى
وَأَعَاضَand compensated الْمِكْيَالَthe measure بِالْمِكْيَالِwith a measure
وَأَعَاضَ الْمِكْيَالَ بِالْمِكْيَالِ
God took something from him and gave,
Compensating measure for measure.
يَلْمَحُperceives الْخَطْرَةَthe thought الْخَفِيَّةَhidden لِلنَّفْـof the soul (first part)
يَلْمَحُ الْخَطْرَةَ الْخَفِيَّةَ لِلنَّفْـ
ـسِsoul (last part) لَهَاit has فِيwithin الصُّدُورِbreasts دَبُّthe creeping النِّمَالِof ants
ـسِ لَهَا فِي الصُّدُورِ دَبُّ النِّمَالِ
He perceives the soul's hidden thought,
Creeping within breasts like ants.
وَيَرَىand sees الْحَقَّtruth فِيin جَلَالَةِthe majesty مَعْنَاof meaning
وَيَرَى الْحَقَّ فِي جَلَالَةِ مَعْنَا
هُits فَيَحْيَاso he lives فِيin ضَوْءِthe light هَذَاof this الْجَلَالِmajesty
هُ فَيَحْيَا فِي ضَوْءِ هَذَا الْجَلَالِ
He sees truth in the majesty of its meaning,
And lives in the light of that majesty.
كَانَwas شَيْخُthe shaykh الْمَعَرَّةِof Ma'arra الْكَوْكَبَthe star السَّاthe shining (first part)
كَانَ شَيْخُ الْمَعَرَّةِ الْكَوْكَبَ السَّا
طِعَshining (last part) فِيin ظُلْمَةِthe darkness الْقُرُونِof centuries الْخَوَالِيbygone
طِعَ فِي ظُلْمَةِ الْقُرُونِ الْخَوَالِي
The shaykh of Ma'arra was the star
Shining in the darkness of bygone centuries.
فَأَتَىso he came وَهْوَwhile he was آخِرٌa latercomer «مِثْلَمَاjust as قَاhe said (first part)
فَأَتَى وَهْوَ آخِرٌ «مِثْلَمَا قَا
لَhe said (last part)» بِمَاwith what نَدَّeluded عَنْfrom عُقُولِthe minds الْأَوَالِيof earlier people
لَ» بِمَا نَدَّ عَنْ عُقُولِ الْأَوَالِي
So, though a latercomer, he brought—as he said—
What had eluded the minds of those before him.
أَنْقِذُواrescue الْعَاجِزَthe helpless الْفَقِيرَpoor man وَصُونُواand protect
أَنْقِذُوا الْعَاجِزَ الْفَقِيرَ وَصُونُوا
وَجْهَهُhis face عَنْfrom مَذَلَّةٍhumiliation وَابْتِذَالِand degradation
وَجْهَهُ عَنْ مَذَلَّةٍ وَابْتِذَالِ
Rescue the helpless poor man, and protect
His face from humiliation and degradation.
عَلِّمُوهُteach him، يَطْرُقْlet him knock مِنَof الْعَيْشِlivelihood بَابًاa door
عَلِّمُوهُ، يَطْرُقْ مِنَ الْعَيْشِ بَابًا
وَامْنَحُوهُand grant him مَفَاتِحَthe keys الْأَقْفَالِto the locks
وَامْنَحُوهُ مَفَاتِحَ الْأَقْفَالِ
Teach him to knock at a door of livelihood,
And grant him the keys to the locks.
لَاnot تَضُمُّواadd إِلَىto أَسَاهُhis grief عَمَىthe blindness الْجَهْـof ignorance (first part)
لَا تَضُمُّوا إِلَى أَسَاهُ عَمَى الْجَهْـ
ـلِignorance (last part) فَيَلْقَىso he encounters النَّكَالَtorment بَعْدَafter النَّكَالِtorment
ـلِ فَيَلْقَى النَّكَالَ بَعْدَ النَّكَالِ
Do not add to his grief the blindness of ignorance,
Lest he encounter torment upon torment.
كُلُّevery شَيْءٍthing يُطَاقُcan be endured مِنْamong نُوَبِthe calamities الْأَيَّـof the days (first part)
كُلُّ شَيْءٍ يُطَاقُ مِنْ نُوَبِ الْأَيَّـ
ـامِdays (last part) إِلَّاexcept عَمَايَةَthe blindness الْجُهَّالِof the ignorant
ـامِ إِلَّا عَمَايَةَ الْجُهَّالِ
Everything among the days' calamities can be endured,
Except the blindness of the ignorant.
عَلِّمُوهُteach him، فَالْعِلْمُfor knowledge مِصْبَاحُthe lamp دُنْيَاof the world
عَلِّمُوهُ، فَالْعِلْمُ مِصْبَاحُ دُنْيَا
هُhis وَلَاand not تَكْتَفُواbe content بِصُنْعِwith making السِّلَالِbaskets
هُ وَلَا تَكْتَفُوا بِصُنْعِ السِّلَالِ
Teach him, for knowledge is the lamp of his world,
And do not be content with basket-making.
إِنْif جَفَاهُspurned him الزَّمَانُtime وَالْآلُand family وَالصَّحْـand companions (first part)
إِنْ جَفَاهُ الزَّمَانُ وَالْآلُ وَالصَّحْـ
ـبُcompanions (last part) فَكُونُواthen be لِمِثْلِهِfor one like him خَيْرَthe best آلِfamily
ـبُ فَكُونُوا لِمِثْلِهِ خَيْرَ آلِ
If time, family, and companions have spurned him,
Then be the best of kin to one like him.
نَزَلَdescended الْوَحْيُrevelation فِيconcerning التَّرَفُّقِgentleness بِالْأَعْـtoward the blind man (first part)
نَزَلَ الْوَحْيُ فِي التَّرَفُّقِ بِالْأَعْـ
ـمَىblind man (last part) وَبسْطِand extending الْيَدَيْنِboth hands لِلسُّؤَّالِto those who ask
ـمَى وَبسْطِ الْيَدَيْنِ لِلسُّؤَّالِ
Revelation descended concerning gentleness toward the blind
And extending both hands to those who ask.
سَوْفَwill تَتْلُوread الْأَجْيَالُgenerations تَارِيخَthe history مِصْرٍof Egypt
سَوْفَ تَتْلُو الْأَجْيَالُ تَارِيخَ مِصْرٍ
فَأَعِدُّواso prepare التَّارِيخَthe history لِلْأَجْيَالِfor generations
فَأَعِدُّوا التَّارِيخَ لِلْأَجْيَالِ
Generations will read the history of Egypt,
So prepare that history for generations.
بِالْأَيَادِيthrough deeds الْحِسَانِgood يُمْحَىis erased دُجَىthe darkness الْبُؤْof misery (first part)
بِالْأَيَادِي الْحِسَانِ يُمْحَى دُجَى الْبُؤْ
سِmisery (last part) وَتَسْمُوand rise الشُّعُوبُpeoples نَحْوَtoward الْكَمَالِperfection
سِ وَتَسْمُو الشُّعُوبُ نَحْوَ الْكَمَالِ
Through good deeds, the darkness of misery is erased,
And peoples rise toward perfection.
يَذْهَبُpasses away الْفَقْرُpoverty وَالثَّرَاءُand wealth وَيَبْقَىand remains
يَذْهَبُ الْفَقْرُ وَالثَّرَاءُ وَيَبْقَى
مَاwhat بَنَىbuilt الْخَيِّرُونَgood people مِنْof أَعْمَالِdeeds!
مَا بَنَى الْخَيِّرُونَ مِنْ أَعْمَالِ!
Poverty and wealth pass away, and what remains
Is the work that good people have built!
Partial English translation: 122 of 154 Arabic lines translated.
Sol 6.1