أبى الغَمضَ وَالتمَهيدَ جَفنايَ وَالجَنبُ

أبى الغَمضَ وَالتمَهيدَ جَفنايَ وَالجَنبُ

وَخاضَ لَظىً وَالمَاءَ عَينايَ وَالقَلبُ

وَخاضَ لَظىً وَالمَاءَ عَينايَ وَالقَلبُ

My eyelids refused sleep, and my side refused a prepared bed.

My eyelids refused to close or prepare for sleep, and my side remained awake, while my eyes persisted in their burning and my heart in its wakefulness.

My eyes plunged into water, and my heart into flame.

So my heart is a heart that fears no criticism, and my eyes are eyes that dryness cannot desiccate.

فَقَلبي قَلبٌ لا يَخِفُّ لَهُ حَشاً

فَقَلبي قَلبٌ لا يَخِفُّ لَهُ حَشاً

وَعَينِيَ عَينٌ لا يَجِفُّ لَها غَربُ

وَعَينِيَ عَينٌ لا يَجِفُّ لَها غَربُ

For mine is a heart whose inward burden never lightens,

My companion blames me for the sun in the east, while I am the sun that the west has gained.

And mine is an eye whose stream of tears never dries.

Between me and intimacy after you and fulfillment are hostility and my tormentor and the auspiciousness of fate.

يُعَلِّلُني بِالشَمسِ في الشَرقِ صاحِبي

يُعَلِّلُني بِالشَمسِ في الشَرقِ صاحِبي

وَشَمسي أَنا الشَمسُ الَّتي حازَها الغَربُ

وَشَمسي أَنا الشَمسُ الَّتي حازَها الغَربُ

My companion consoles me with the sun in the east,

I have an obsession with you all that goes astray and does not find the way.

But my sun is the sun the west has claimed.

I have a burning for you all that is suppressed and does not show.

وَبَيني وَبَينَ الأُنسِ بَعدَكَ وَالمُنى

وَبَيني وَبَينَ الأُنسِ بَعدَكَ وَالمُنى

ودَهرِي وعُذّالي وَطيبِ الكرى حَربُ

ودَهرِي وعُذّالي وَطيبِ الكرى حَربُ

Between me and companionship after you, and hopes,

Reproach walked into my hearing, turning its face away, so where is love between one who turns away and one who turns aside?

And time, my reproachers, and sweet sleep, there is war.

We both have intoxication and sobriety in his intoxication, so he has no core and we have no core.

وَلي غَيَّةٌ فيكُم تَضِلُّ وَلا تعي

وَلي غَيَّةٌ فيكُم تَضِلُّ وَلا تعي

وَلي لَوعَةٌ فيكُم تَخُبُّ وَلا تَخبو

وَلي لَوعَةٌ فيكُم تَخُبُّ وَلا تَخبو

I have a wayward passion for you that strays and does not understand,

By my soul in which there is harm and wine with which I am intoxicated, and my drinking is not complete.

And a burning anguish for you that races on and never dies down.

I see it like the mirage of the thirsty, who see irrigation by it if only the pouring would be realized.

مَشى العَذلُ في سَمعي مُكِبّاً لِوَجهِهِ

مَشى العَذلُ في سَمعي مُكِبّاً لِوَجهِهِ

فَأَينَ الهَوى مِمَّن يُكِبُّ وَمَن يَكبو

فَأَينَ الهَوى مِمَّن يُكِبُّ وَمَن يَكبو

Reproach walked into my hearing headlong, upon its face;

And what would happen if passion fulfilled its covenant, for whether or not, love has already fulfilled its promise.

What has love to do with one who falls headlong or stumbles?

My tears are a procession escorting the authority of that countenance, cleansing their cheeks just as soil is known to cloak.

كِلانا لَهُ سُكرٌ وَصَحوٌ بِسُكرِهِ

كِلانا لَهُ سُكرٌ وَصَحوٌ بِسُكرِهِ

فَلَيسَ لَهُ لُبٌّ وَلَيسَ لَنا لُبُّ

فَلَيسَ لَهُ لُبٌّ وَلَيسَ لَنا لُبُّ

Each of us has intoxication, and sobriety within his intoxication;

In them, nearness and distance are equal; a near thing yet no nearness, a far thing yet no distance.

So he has no reason, and neither do we.

Estrangement is his from her whether she turns away or draws near, and the confirmation of her news bearer brings the young man no joy.

بِنَفسي الَّذي في فيهِ أَشرٌ وَخَمرَةٌ

بِنَفسي الَّذي في فيهِ أَشرٌ وَخَمرَةٌ

بِها أَنا سَكرانٌ وَما تَمَّ لي شُربُ

بِها أَنا سَكرانٌ وَما تَمَّ لي شُربُ

My life as ransom for him whose mouth holds gleaming teeth and wine,

For this passion there is an easy door to enter, just as there was, however exiting is what is difficult.

On which I am drunk, though I have yet to finish a draught.

And in life there is a meaning the ignorant do not know.

أَراها كَرُؤيا الظامِئينَ سَحابَةً

أَراها كَرُؤيا الظامِئينَ سَحابَةً

يَرونَ لَدَيها الرِّيَّ لَو قُضِيَ السَكبُ

يَرونَ لَدَيها الرِّيَّ لَو قُضِيَ السَكبُ

I see it as the thirsty see a cloud,

O you sleepers, awake now and stand up!

Seeing thirst quenched beside it, if only its pouring were granted.

Though the caller has stood to call against passion most have responded, while I inclined toward it though others do not incline.

وَماذا عَلَيهِ لَو قَضى عَهدَهُ الهَوى

وَماذا عَلَيهِ لَو قَضى عَهدَهُ الهَوى

فإلا وإلا قد قَضى وَعدَهُ الحبُّ

فإلا وإلا قد قَضى وَعدَهُ الحبُّ

What would it cost love to fulfill its covenant?

With a generous cloudburst for the rain-clouds after their absence, the dragging and rain showers cross her horizon.

Then, if not—if not—love has already fulfilled its promise.

Without means he comes to the hopeful one, so intercession and earning do not busy the people.

لِسُنَّةِ ذاكَ الوَجهِ دَمعِيَ شيعَةٌ

لِسُنَّةِ ذاكَ الوَجهِ دَمعِيَ شيعَةٌ

تُعَفِّرُ خَدَّيها كَما يُعلَمُ التُربُ

تُعَفِّرُ خَدَّيها كَما يُعلَمُ التُربُ

My tears are adherents of that face's tradition,

It is the shooting star, illumination on the day it penetrates through wishes, speedily, for if you treat it equitably, it is the rain-clouds.

Rubbing their cheeks in dust, as dust is known.

It knows the world with Him has no harm, and accompanies a lifetime with Him bearing no fault.

سَواءٌ عَليَّ القُربُ وَالبُعدُ فيهِما

سَواءٌ عَليَّ القُربُ وَالبُعدُ فيهِما

قَريبٌ وَلا بُعدٌ بَعيدٌ وَلا قُربُ

قَريبٌ وَلا بُعدٌ بَعيدٌ وَلا قُربُ

Nearness and distance are alike to me: in either,

So may He preserve our hearts as subjects, for over their sovereignty frustration holds no sway.

Near, with no distance; far, with no nearness.

And may the earthly life not lack a victorious hand under which fertility and barrenness die and live.

لَهُ الهَجرُ مِنها إِن تَناءَت وَإِن دَنَت

لَهُ الهَجرُ مِنها إِن تَناءَت وَإِن دَنَت

وَتَصديقُ واشيها فَلا يَفرَحُ الصَبُّ

وَتَصديقُ واشيها فَلا يَفرَحُ الصَبُّ

He has her estrangement, whether she withdraws or draws near,

Within His heart is benevolence and mercy for the people, and within their hearts awe of Him and love.

And her belief in her slanderer; so the lovesick one cannot rejoice.

He gives boundlessly and flows endlessly, so both successor and antecedent benefit through Him.

لِهَذا الهَوى بابٌ وَسَهلٌ دُخولُهُ

لِهَذا الهَوى بابٌ وَسَهلٌ دُخولُهُ

كَما كانَ لَكِنَّ الخُروجَ هُوَالصَعبُ

كَما كانَ لَكِنَّ الخُروجَ هُوَالصَعبُ

This love has a gate, and entering it is easy,

This grace is as generous as life has been generous, and features flourish from it as herbage flourished on the dunes.

As it always was; but leaving is the hard part.

The greatest books cannot enumerate His least deeds, even if books contained all that books contain.

وَفي العَيشِ مَعنىً لَيسَ يَدريهِ جاهِلٌ

وَفي العَيشِ مَعنىً لَيسَ يَدريهِ جاهِلٌ

أَلا أَيُّها النُوّامُ وَيَحَكُمُ هُبّوا

أَلا أَيُّها النُوّامُ وَيَحَكُمُ هُبّوا

In life there is a meaning no ignorant person knows:

His actions, when you attempt to count His glory, suffice you my saying none can comprehend His dignity.

Listen, you sleepers—alas for you, awake!

He tended me, may God tend him, a most honorable company, while the full moon of perfection missed out on companions.

وَإِن كانَ قَد قامَ المُنادى عَنِ النِدا

وَإِن كانَ قَد قامَ المُنادى عَنِ النِدا

فَأَصبى إِلَيهِ كُلَّ مَن كانَ لا يَصبو

فَأَصبى إِلَيهِ كُلَّ مَن كانَ لا يَصبو

Though the one summoned has already risen in answer to the call,

And He transformed me from a state in which I pined for mercy into a state that has shook out its splendid mantle.

He has made everyone who knew no longing yearn toward him,

And He brought me from the sitting of intimacy into a presence in which my life is lowered while my worth is raised.

بِجودٍ سَحابيٍّ لِذي السُحبِ بَعدَهُ

بِجودٍ سَحابيٍّ لِذي السُحبِ بَعدَهُ

عَلى وَجهِها في أُفْقِها الجَرُّ وَالسَحبُ

عَلى وَجهِها في أُفْقِها الجَرُّ وَالسَحبُ

With cloudlike bounty, after which these clouds can only

So my eye sees the kingdom of Chosroes and his threshold, and my ear hears those purest of Arabic utterances.

Be hauled and dragged face-down within their horizon.

The beautiful people parted from me while attachment to the sweet natured only increased for me.

يَجيءُ إِلى الراجي بِغَيرِ وَسيلَةٍ

يَجيءُ إِلى الراجي بِغَيرِ وَسيلَةٍ

فَلا يَشغَلُ الناسَ التَوَسُّلُ وَالكَسبُ

فَلا يَشغَلُ الناسَ التَوَسُّلُ وَالكَسبُ

It comes to the hopeful without an intermediary,

The hostile fate I had was warring with me, but with you hostility and war have laid down their burdens.

So entreaty and earning do not occupy people.

I have attained the bounties of grace, through the nearness of which no kind of eminence has escaped my eye.

هُوَ الشُهبُ نوراً يَومَ يَختَرِقُ المُنى

هُوَ الشُهبُ نوراً يَومَ يَختَرِقُ المُنى

سَريعاً فَإِن أَنصَفتَهُ فَهوَ السُحبُ

سَريعاً فَإِن أَنصَفتَهُ فَهوَ السُحبُ

He is shooting stars in radiance when he pierces hopes,

So O grief, there is hostility then no peace thereafter! And O fate, there is peace so we have no grievance thereafter!

Swiftly; yet, if you judge him fairly, he is rainclouds.

I rode the ship with hands on oars plunging on towering surges so that their edges leapt.

فَيَعرِفُ دُنيا عِندَهُ ما لَها أَذىً

فَيَعرِفُ دُنيا عِندَهُ ما لَها أَذىً

وَيَصحَبُ دَهراً عِندَهُ ما لَهُ ذَنبُ

وَيَصحَبُ دَهراً عِندَهُ ما لَهُ ذَنبُ

Thus one knows, with him, a world free of harm,

No migration but the sea with its purity, so never mention the meteors for they are no meteors!

And keeps company, with him, with a time free of blame.

You direct the meteors on land while riding, but at sea the meteors direct you.

فَدامَت لَمَولانا القُلوبُ رَعِيَّةً

فَدامَت لَمَولانا القُلوبُ رَعِيَّةً

فَلَيسَ يَليها في وِلايَتِهِ الكَربُ

فَلَيسَ يَليها في وِلايَتِهِ الكَربُ

May hearts remain subjects of our lord,

If they say the sea is repose for riders, then say to me “With how much effort on land do riders toil?”

For anguish does not govern them under his rule.

Judgment runs in every circumstance over the heart, and no body rests when the heart toils.

وَلا تَعدَمُ الدُنيا يَداً ناصِرِيَّةً

وَلا تَعدَمُ الدُنيا يَداً ناصِرِيَّةً

يَموتُ وَيَحيا تَحتَها الخِصبُ وَالجَدبُ

يَموتُ وَيَحيا تَحتَها الخِصبُ وَالجَدبُ

May the world never lack a Nasiri hand,

The ships have white sails while anchored in a harbor, stirring in souls slander and harm.

Under which drought dies and abundance comes to life.

As if we were letters with the ships as lines, and the north wind rolls them while the waves compile them into books.

فَفي قَلبِهِ لِلناسِ ودٌّ وَرَحمَةٌ

فَفي قَلبِهِ لِلناسِ ودٌّ وَرَحمَةٌ

وَفي قَلبِهِم مِنهُ المَهابَةُ وَالحُبُّ

وَفي قَلبِهِم مِنهُ المَهابَةُ وَالحُبُّ

In his heart are affection and mercy for people,

I traveled to one whose abode adversity does not overturn, a smooth journey though plunging and peril make the riding beast stumble.

And in their hearts he inspires awe and love.

O meadow, do not be deceived by your greenery and wishes, neither your soothing shade nor your lively plants.

يَجودُ بِلا حَدٍّ وَيَجري بِلا مَدىً

يَجودُ بِلا حَدٍّ وَيَجري بِلا مَدىً

فَيَعيا بِهِ مِنّا المُعَقِّبُ وَالعَقبُ

فَيَعيا بِهِ مِنّا المُعَقِّبُ وَالعَقبُ

He gives without limit and runs beyond all bounds,

O sea, what are all these bubbles? Neither your spreading expanse nor your fresh water.

So our pursuer and those behind him tire in following him.

By God you are no carrier, though worries run through your imagination, of the burden that He carries.

فَيَسمَحُ هَذا الفَضلُ ما سَمَحَ الحَيا

فَيَسمَحُ هَذا الفَضلُ ما سَمَحَ الحَيا

وَيَنبُتُ مِنهُ الرَسمُ ما نَبَتَ الهُضبُ

وَيَنبُتُ مِنهُ الرَسمُ ما نَبَتَ الهُضبُ

May this bounty give freely as long as the rain gives,

So why this anxiety and fuss? What alarmed and alarmed us but surging waves, confused and muddled?

And through it ruined dwellings bloom as long as the hills bloom.

O wind, in its blowing there is no tranquility by which the drowned may be saved and the riders not drowned.

وَما أَحصَتِ الكُتْبُ الكِبارُ صِغارَها

وَما أَحصَتِ الكُتْبُ الكِبارُ صِغارَها

وَلَو حَوَتِ الكُتْبُ الَّذي حَوَتِ الكُتْبُ

وَلَو حَوَتِ الكُتْبُ الَّذي حَوَتِ الكُتْبُ

Great books have not counted even the smallest of these deeds,

We have four that have not come with four: Words that deliver them and hearts that deliver them.

Even if books contained what books have contained.

Hope yet no affliction, aid yet no passion, sincerity yet no deceit, description yet no lies.

فِعالٌ إِذا ما رُمتَ إِحصاءَ مَجدِها

فِعالٌ إِذا ما رُمتَ إِحصاءَ مَجدِها

فَحَسبُكَ قَولي لا يُحيطُ بِهِ الحَسبُ

فَحَسبُكَ قَولي لا يُحيطُ بِهِ الحَسبُ

Deeds whose glory, if you seek to count it,

While in you are fruits the like of which we have come with, that if mentioned the soil listens eagerly for their drops.

My saying suffices for you: no reckoning encompasses it.

Forbearance which is piety, giving which is wealth, restraint which is supremacy, and manner which is vastness.

رَعى لي رَعاهُ اللَهُ أَكرَمَ صُحبَةٍ

رَعى لي رَعاهُ اللَهُ أَكرَمَ صُحبَةٍ

وَأَخطَأتُ بَدرُ التَمِّ لَيسَ لَهُ صَحبُ

وَأَخطَأتُ بَدرُ التَمِّ لَيسَ لَهُ صَحبُ

He preserved for me—may God preserve him—the noblest companionship;

Insight which is blessing, opinion which is guidance, paths which are ideal, and a head which is resolve.

But I was mistaken: the full moon has no companions.

The finest thing in the sea is its drop of pearl, so apart from you is my stringing, itself your juicy pearl.

وَبَدَّلَني مِن حالَةٍ ذُبتُ رَحمَةً

وَبَدَّلَني مِن حالَةٍ ذُبتُ رَحمَةً

بِها حالَةً قَد هَزَّ مِعطَفَها العُجبُ

بِها حالَةً قَد هَزَّ مِعطَفَها العُجبُ

He changed me from a state in which I melted with pity

Of early comers, when their first lights seek permission, coverings take flight from them.

Into a state whose flanks pride has set swaying.

Easy discourse with which wishes are facilitated, and eloquent preaching with which sermons are facilitated.

وَأَحضَرَني مِن مَجلِسِ الأُنسِ حَضرَةً

وَأَحضَرَني مِن مَجلِسِ الأُنسِ حَضرَةً

لِعَيشي بِها خَفضٌ وَقَدري بِها نَصبُ

لِعَيشي بِها خَفضٌ وَقَدري بِها نَصبُ

He brought me from a gathering of companionship into a court,

It gently flows so the morning breeze hides confidentialities conveyed by it that make the youth shiver.

Where my life finds ease and my rank elevation.

I unsheathe it as a sword against fate whenever recitals of it are repeated and the strokes redoubled.

فَتَنظُرُ عَيني مُلكَ كِسرى وَدَستَه

فَتَنظُرُ عَيني مُلكَ كِسرى وَدَستَه

وَتَسمَعُ أُذني ثَمَّ ما قالَتِ العُربُ

وَتَسمَعُ أُذني ثَمَّ ما قالَتِ العُربُ

My eye beholds Kisra's dominion and throne,

If people before me called you stars, then these appeared when the axis turned in your horizon.

And there my ear hears what the Arabs have said.

The people have copied my poetry and plastered over it afterwards copious things out of their love.

فَراقَنِيَ الخَلقُ الجَميلُ وَزادَني اِخ

فَراقَنِيَ الخَلقُ الجَميلُ وَزادَني اِخ

تِصاصاً إِلى أَن راقَني الخُلُقُ العَذبُ

تِصاصاً إِلى أَن راقَني الخُلُقُ العَذبُ

His beautiful form delighted me, and he showed me greater

I went forth; no deterrer deterred my going forth, nor did repeating elegy refrain elegy’s resolve.

Favor, until his sweet character delighted me.

So neither the hazards nor the deterrents are feared. Who is Tha’lab when I determine, and who is flame?

وَكانَ لِيَ الدَهرُ الغَشومُ مُحارِباً

وَكانَ لِيَ الدَهرُ الغَشومُ مُحارِباً

وَقَد وَضَعَت أَوزارَها عِندَكَ الحَربُ

وَقَد وَضَعَت أَوزارَها عِندَكَ الحَربُ

Cruel time had been at war with me,

Either acceptance, so prominence above the sky, or refusal, so death and dust.

But in your presence war has laid down its burdens.

If Thamud claimed all the water, say to destiny “Woe to it, the pouring is excessive!”

ضَرائِبُ فَضلٍ قَد سَعِدتُ بِقُربِها

ضَرائِبُ فَضلٍ قَد سَعِدتُ بِقُربِها

فَما فاتَ عَيني مِن ضُروبِ العُلا ضَربُ

فَما فاتَ عَيني مِن ضُروبِ العُلا ضَربُ

Qualities of excellence whose nearness has brought me happiness,

Counsel them that the water is apportioned by justice, so I have a drink one day after them, and they have a drink.

So no kind of greatness has escaped my eye.

فَيا هَمُّ حَربٌ ثمَّ لا صُلحَ بَعدَها

فَيا هَمُّ حَربٌ ثمَّ لا صُلحَ بَعدَها

وَيادَهرُ صُلحٌ ما لَنا بَعدَهُ عَتبُ

وَيادَهرُ صُلحٌ ما لَنا بَعدَهُ عَتبُ

O sorrow: war, then no peace thereafter!

O time: peace, with no complaint from us afterward!

إِلَيكَ رَكِبتُ الفُلكَ تَجري عَقارِباً

إِلَيكَ رَكِبتُ الفُلكَ تَجري عَقارِباً

عَلى صِلِّ أَمواجٍ لِأَطرافِها الوَثبُ

عَلى صِلِّ أَمواجٍ لِأَطرافِها الوَثبُ

Toward you I boarded ships that run like scorpions,

Across a viper of waves whose crests leap up.

وَما هِجرَةٌ إِلّا إِلى البَحرِ طَهرُها

وَما هِجرَةٌ إِلّا إِلى البَحرِ طَهرُها

فَلا تَذكُرَنَّ الشُهبَ بَعدُ فَما الشُهبُ

فَلا تَذكُرَنَّ الشُهبَ بَعدُ فَما الشُهبُ

No journey finds purification except at the sea;

So mention gray mounts no more—what are gray mounts?

تُصَرِّفُ أَنتَ الصُهبَ في البَرِّ راكِباً

تُصَرِّفُ أَنتَ الصُهبَ في البَرِّ راكِباً

وَلَكِنَّ في هَذا تُصَرِّفُكَ الصُهبُ

وَلَكِنَّ في هَذا تُصَرِّفُكَ الصُهبُ

On land you steer the tawny mounts as you ride,

But here the tawny mounts steer you.

وَإِن قيلَ إِنَّ البَحرَ لِلرَكبِ راحَةٌ

وَإِن قيلَ إِنَّ البَحرَ لِلرَكبِ راحَةٌ

فَقُل لي بِكَم في غَيرِهِ يَتعَبُ الرَكبُ

فَقُل لي بِكَم في غَيرِهِ يَتعَبُ الرَكبُ

If they say the sea is rest for travelers,

Then tell me how much travelers tire anywhere else.

عَلى القَلبِ يَجري الحُكمُ في كُلِّ حالَةٍ

عَلى القَلبِ يَجري الحُكمُ في كُلِّ حالَةٍ

وَلَم يَستَرِح جِسمٌ إِذا تَعِبَ القَلبُ

وَلَم يَستَرِح جِسمٌ إِذا تَعِبَ القَلبُ

In every condition, judgment rests upon the heart;

No body rests when the heart is weary.

وَلِلُّجِّ بيضٌ وَهيَ في شاطِئٍ قَناً

وَلِلُّجِّ بيضٌ وَهيَ في شاطِئٍ قَناً

تثيرُ بِها في الأَنفُسِ الطَعنُ وَالضَربُ

تثيرُ بِها في الأَنفُسِ الطَعنُ وَالضَربُ

The deep has bright swords, which on the shore are spears,

Through which stabbing and blows are stirred within souls.

كَأَنّا حُروفٌ وَالمَراكِبُ أَشطُرٌ

كَأَنّا حُروفٌ وَالمَراكِبُ أَشطُرٌ

وَريحُ الصَبا تَطوي وَأَمواجُها الكُتبُ

وَريحُ الصَبا تَطوي وَأَمواجُها الكُتبُ

As though we were letters, and the ships half-lines,

The east wind folds them up, and its waves are scrolls.

سَرَيتُ إِلى مَن لا يُنَكِّبُ دارَهُ

سَرَيتُ إِلى مَن لا يُنَكِّبُ دارَهُ

سُرىً تَتَهادى رَكبَهُ الهوجُ وَالنُكبُ

سُرىً تَتَهادى رَكبَهُ الهوجُ وَالنُكبُ

I traveled by night to one whose house cannot be avoided

By night travel whose riders gales and crosswinds hand to one another.

فَيا رَوضُ لا تَخدَع بِنَضرَتِكَ المُنى

فَيا رَوضُ لا تَخدَع بِنَضرَتِكَ المُنى

فَما ظُلُّكَ الماذي وَلا عَيشُكَ العُشبُ

فَما ظُلُّكَ الماذي وَلا عَيشُكَ العُشبُ

O garden, do not deceive hopes with your freshness:

Your shade is not pure and cool, nor your life lush.

وَيا بَحرُ كَم هَذي القَعاقِعُ كُلُّها

وَيا بَحرُ كَم هَذي القَعاقِعُ كُلُّها

فَما دَرُّكَ البادي وَلا ماؤُكَ العَذبُ

فَما دَرُّكَ البادي وَلا ماؤُكَ العَذبُ

O sea, what is all this clattering?

Your pearls are not in view, nor is your water sweet.

وَأَنتَ وَلا وَاللَهِ أَنَّكَ حامِلٌ

وَأَنتَ وَلا وَاللَهِ أَنَّكَ حامِلٌ

بِخاطِرِكَ الجَوّالِ مِن جودِهِ الرُعبُ

بِخاطِرِكَ الجَوّالِ مِن جودِهِ الرُعبُ

And you—no, by God!—you carry

In your wandering mind a terror of his generosity.

وَلَم تَحمِلِ العِبءَ الَّذي هُوَ حامِلٌ

وَلَم تَحمِلِ العِبءَ الَّذي هُوَ حامِلٌ

فَكَم وَإِلى كَم ذا التَغَطمُطُ وَالعَبُّ

فَكَم وَإِلى كَم ذا التَغَطمُطُ وَالعَبُّ

Yet you have not carried the burden he bears;

How much, and for how long, this roaring and surging?

وَما ثَمَّ مِمّا أَرجَفونا وَأَرجَفوا

وَما ثَمَّ مِمّا أَرجَفونا وَأَرجَفوا

بِهِ غَيرُ أَمواجٍ تَطيشُ وَتَستَبُّ

بِهِ غَيرُ أَمواجٍ تَطيشُ وَتَستَبُّ

Of all they frightened us with and spread rumors about, nothing is here

But waves that reel and curse one another.

فَيا ريحُ ما في ريحِهِ أَريَحِيَّةٌ

فَيا ريحُ ما في ريحِهِ أَريَحِيَّةٌ

بِها تُنقَذُ الغَرقى وَلا يَغرَقُ الرَكبُ

بِها تُنقَذُ الغَرقى وَلا يَغرَقُ الرَكبُ

O wind, its wind has no generosity

By which the drowning are rescued and travelers spared drowning.

لَنا أَربَعٌ لَم تَأتِ فيهِ بِأَربَعٍ

لَنا أَربَعٌ لَم تَأتِ فيهِ بِأَربَعٍ

يُخَلِّصُها لَفظٌ وَيُخلِصُها قَلبُ

يُخَلِّصُها لَفظٌ وَيُخلِصُها قَلبُ

We have four things concerning him, unaccompanied by four others,

Distilled by speech and made sincere by a heart:

رَجاءٌ وَلا بَأسٌ وَنَصرٌ وَلا هَوىً

رَجاءٌ وَلا بَأسٌ وَنَصرٌ وَلا هَوىً

وَنُصحٌ وَلا غِشٌّ وَوَصفٌ وَلا كِذبُ

وَنُصحٌ وَلا غِشٌّ وَوَصفٌ وَلا كِذبُ

Hope without fear, support without caprice,

Sincere counsel without deceit, description without lies.

وَفيكَ ثِمارٌ قَد أَتَينا بِمِثلِها

وَفيكَ ثِمارٌ قَد أَتَينا بِمِثلِها

إِذا ذُكِرَت يَصغو إِلى قَطرِها التُربُ

إِذا ذُكِرَت يَصغو إِلى قَطرِها التُربُ

In you are fruits whose like we have brought;

When they are mentioned, the earth inclines toward their drops.

فَحِلمٌ هُوَ التَقوى وَجودٌ هُوَ الغِنى

فَحِلمٌ هُوَ التَقوى وَجودٌ هُوَ الغِنى

وَكَفٌّ هِيَ العُليا وَخُلقٌ هُوَ الرَحبُ

وَكَفٌّ هِيَ العُليا وَخُلقٌ هُوَ الرَحبُ

Forbearance that is piety, generosity that is wealth,

A hand that is the upper hand, a character that is spacious,

وَمَرأى هُوَ النُعمى وَرَأيٌ هُوَ الهُدى

وَمَرأى هُوَ النُعمى وَرَأيٌ هُوَ الهُدى

وَطُرقٌ هِيَ المُثلى وَرَأسٌ هُوَ العَضبُ

وَطُرقٌ هِيَ المُثلى وَرَأسٌ هُوَ العَضبُ

A sight that is bliss, a judgment that is guidance,

Paths that are the best, a head that is a sharp sword.

وَأَفخَرُ ما في البَحرِ لُؤلُؤُ قَطرهِ

وَأَفخَرُ ما في البَحرِ لُؤلُؤُ قَطرهِ

فَدونَكَ نَظمي وَهوَ لُؤلُؤُكَ الرَطبُ

فَدونَكَ نَظمي وَهوَ لُؤلُؤُكَ الرَطبُ

The proudest thing in the sea is the pearl of its drops,

So take my verse—it is your fresh pearl.

مِنَ الأُوَلِ اللاتي إِذا اِستَأذَنَت لَها

مِنَ الأُوَلِ اللاتي إِذا اِستَأذَنَت لَها

مَطالِعُها الأولى تَطايَرَتِ الحُجبُ

مَطالِعُها الأولى تَطايَرَتِ الحُجبُ

Among the foremost poems: when permission is sought for them

By their first lines, the veils fly apart.

وَسَهلُ كَلامٍ عِندَهُ يَسهُلُ المُنى

وَسَهلُ كَلامٍ عِندَهُ يَسهُلُ المُنى

وَفَصلُ خِطابٍ عِندَهُ يَسهُلُ الخَطبُ

وَفَصلُ خِطابٍ عِندَهُ يَسهُلُ الخَطبُ

Easy speech beside which wishes grow easy,

And decisive discourse beside which grave affairs grow easy.

يَرِقُّ فَتَستَخفي إِلى نَسمِها الصَبا

يَرِقُّ فَتَستَخفي إِلى نَسمِها الصَبا

إِذا حَمَلَت سِرّاً يَرِقُّ لَهُ الصَبُّ

إِذا حَمَلَت سِرّاً يَرِقُّ لَهُ الصَبُّ

It grows delicate, and the east wind slips unseen toward its breezes,

When it carries a secret that makes the lovesick lover tender.

أُجَرِّدُها سَيفاً عَلى الدَهرِ كُلَّما

أُجَرِّدُها سَيفاً عَلى الدَهرِ كُلَّما

تَكَرَّرَ إِنشادٌ لها كُرِّرَ الضَربُ

تَكَرَّرَ إِنشادٌ لها كُرِّرَ الضَربُ

I unsheathe it as a sword against time: whenever

Its recitation is repeated, the blow is repeated.

وَإِن قالَ فيكَ الناسُ قَبلِيَ أَنجُماً

وَإِن قالَ فيكَ الناسُ قَبلِيَ أَنجُماً

فَهَذي لَما قَد دارَ في أُفقِكَ القُطبُ

فَهَذي لَما قَد دارَ في أُفقِكَ القُطبُ

Though people before me have spoken stars in your praise,

This is the pole star for all that has revolved in your sky.

وَقَد كَتَبَ الأَقوامُ شِعري وَبَيَّضوا

وَقَد كَتَبَ الأَقوامُ شِعري وَبَيَّضوا

عَلى إِثرِهِ شَيئاً كَثيراً لِما تَحبو

عَلى إِثرِهِ شَيئاً كَثيراً لِما تَحبو

People have written down my verse and made fair copies

Of much in its wake, for what you bestow.

خَرَجتُ فَلَم يَزجُر خُروجِيَ زاجِرٌ

خَرَجتُ فَلَم يَزجُر خُروجِيَ زاجِرٌ

وَما رَدَّ عَزمَ النَدبِ أَن رُدِّدَ النَدبُ

وَما رَدَّ عَزمَ النَدبِ أَن رُدِّدَ النَدبُ

I set out, and no omen-reader deterred my departure,

Nor did repeated lamentation turn back the gallant man's resolve.

فَلا الرَملُ مَخشِيٌّ وَلا الزَجرُ يُتَّقى

فَلا الرَملُ مَخشِيٌّ وَلا الزَجرُ يُتَّقى

فَمَن ثُعَلٌ لَمّا عَزَمتُ وَمَن لِهبُ

فَمَن ثُعَلٌ لَمّا عَزَمتُ وَمَن لِهبُ

Neither geomancy is feared nor bird-divination dreaded:

Who is Thu'al, once I have resolved, and who is Lihb?

فَإِمّا قُبولٌ فَالتَصَدُّرُ فَي السَما

فَإِمّا قُبولٌ فَالتَصَدُّرُ فَي السَما

وَإِمّا صُدودٌ فَالمَنِيَّةُ وَالتُربُ

وَإِمّا صُدودٌ فَالمَنِيَّةُ وَالتُربُ

Either acceptance, and the foremost seat in heaven,

Or rejection, and death and dust.

وَإِن ثَموداً تَدَّعى الماءَ كُلَّهُ

وَإِن ثَموداً تَدَّعى الماءَ كُلَّهُ

فَقُل لِقُدارٍ وَيلَهُ قَد رَغا السَقبُ

فَقُل لِقُدارٍ وَيلَهُ قَد رَغا السَقبُ

If Thamud claims all the water,

Tell Qudar—woe to him!—the camel-calf has bellowed.

وَعِظهُم بأَنَّ الماءَ بِالعَدلِ قِسمَةٌ

وَعِظهُم بأَنَّ الماءَ بِالعَدلِ قِسمَةٌ

فَلي شِربُ يَومٍ بَعدَهُم وَلَهُم شِربُ

فَلي شِربُ يَومٍ بَعدَهُم وَلَهُم شِربُ

Admonish them that water is apportioned justly:

I have a day's share of drinking after them, and they have their share.