Poems
- أ آل تميم إن حزني بعدهO house of Tamim, indeed my grief after him—
- أأفرح بابن أتى والمشيShall I rejoice in a son who has come, when gray hair
- أبا الحسين سقاك وابل ديمةAba al-Husayn, the rain of Diymah quenched you
- أبا العباس تاج الدين أحمدO Abu al-Abbas, Taj al-Din Ahmad,
- أبا المظفر ما ظفرت بنعمةAbu al-Muzaffar, never have I gained a blessing
- أبا لملك السليماني فيهاO father to a Solomonic king in this feat,
- أبدى لنا لما بدا قرعةWhen he appeared, he showed us a bald pate;
- ابعث إلي بمشط من شبيبتهSend me a comb that, by virtue of its youth,
- إبعث بذى قرنين من لي بهSend me one with two horns—for who else will get it for me,
- أبناظري في حب من أحببتهO you who debate with me about my love for the one I have loved,
- أتاج الدين كنت محل قصديYou who brings honor to religion, you were the object of my quest,
- أتعرف إخوة شهدوا حروباDo you know brothers who witnessed wars,
- أثنى علي الورى بأنيPeople praised me because I
- أجبتني خلف خطيYou answered me on the back of my writing.
- أحسنت لولا عائقYou would have done well, but for an obstacle
- أخذت بحبل من حبال محمدI took hold of a rope among Muhammad’s ropes.
- أخذوا بأطراف الأصابع حاجتيThey handled my request with their fingertips;
- إذا أنا يممت الوزير بمدحةWhen I approach the minister with a poem of praise,
- إذا أوترت قوس السحاب وفوقتWhen the bow of the clouds is strung, and nocked are
- إذا بحت بالشكوى عنيت معاشراWhenever I voice my complaint, I mean certain folk
- إذا تفكرت في حظي وجودك لاWhenever I ponder my lot and your bounty, I
- إذا ثبتت بين القلوب مودةIf affection is firmly established between hearts,
- إذا جدت فيها قالت السحب غيرةWhen you give generously there, the clouds say in envy:
- إذا جدد الله سبحانهIf God Almighty renews
- إذا رأت شيبي على صدرهاWhen she sees my gray hair upon her breast,
- إذا ضن عني باخل بعطائهIf a miser withholds his gift from me,
- إذا قال لي قائل كيف أنتWhen someone says to me, “How are you?”
- إذا ما استعنت على حاجةWhenever I seek help with a need
- إذا يئس المرء من أيرهIf a man despairs of his penis,
- أرتني هنا يملأ الراحتينShe showed me her sex, filling both palms,
- أرحتك واسترحت من الملامI relieved you, and found relief from reproach,
- أرسل لي إبن الوحيد لماIbn al-Wahid sent me, when
- أرسلت عني النرجس الغض الذيI sent in my stead the fresh narcissus, whose
- أرقني دمل وأقلقنيA boil has kept me sleepless and distressed me.
- أرى الثغر بساما بذكرك عاطراI see the port smiling, fragrant with the mention of you.
- أرى القوم قد ملوا السماحة والندىI see the people have grown weary of generosity and bounty.
- أرى إنجاز وعدك قد تمادىI see that the fulfillment of your promise has been long delayed;
- أرى عنب البستان قد آن أكلهI see the garden’s grapes—the time to eat them has come,
- أساءت الحمى ولكنها ليThe fever has done harm, yet for me
- أشاقك برق بات طرفك شائمهDid a lightning-flash stir your longing—one your eye spent the night watching for rain—
- أشد رأسي ووسطي في المحارة منI bind my head and waist in the litter because of
- أشغال مولانا الوزير كثيرةOur master the vizier has many duties,
- أصبحت رجسا للئام من الورىI have become an abomination to the base among humankind,
- أطنبوا في عرفات وغدواThey spoke at length in praise of Arafat and began
- أطوى الزيارة عنك معI forgo visiting you, despite
- أعد مدحا كذبت عليك فيهGive back the praise in which I lied about you;
- أعد مدحي علي وخذ سواهReturn my praise to me, and take something else;
- أعدت معاطفك القنا فتعوماYour curves infected the spear-shafts, so they swayed;
- أعز الدين دمت أعز حصنMost honored of faiths, you remain most honored fortress
- أعني برأي صائبات سهامهHelp me with counsel whose arrows strike true,
- أعيذ كمال الدين من شر حادثI invoke protection for Kamal al-Din from the harm of any calamity—
- أعيذك أن أراك بعين شاكI would spare you my gaze through the eye of one suffering
- أغرى اهتمامك يا أمجدYour concern has provoked it, O Amjad;
- أفي تنظم ألغازكمIs it about me that your riddles are composed,
- أقمت المطامع من نومهاYou roused hopes from their sleep,
- أقول لعذالي ولم يعرفوا الهوىI say to my reproachers, who have never known love,
- أقول وكفي على خصرهاI say, with my palm upon her waist,
- أقول ومولانا المبارز ناصرىI say, with our lord al-Mubariz as my supporter:
- الأمن في العرفات حطك الذيSafety at Arafat has set you down—the safety that
- إلبس شفاءك فهو خير لباسWear your recovery, for it is the finest garment.
- الخبز فت وزبدنا قد ذاباThe bread has been crumbled, and our butter has melted.
- السر عندى حبيبThe secret is a beloved to me.
- السيف خلفي فعذرا إن جرحت إذاThe sword is behind me; so pardon me, then, if I am wounded,
- الغوث قد أكل الصيام ثيابيHelp! Fasting has already devoured my clothes,
- النار في كبد السراThe fire in the liver of al-Sirā-
- إليك بالإذن صار الناس والجودWith permission, people and generosity have come to you.
- أما السماح فقد مضى وقد انقضىAs for generosity, it has passed away and come to an end.
- أمسي بخصرك في ضناه قسيماI pass the evening sharing your waist's wasting sickness,
- أمطهر بن الطاهر بن مناسبO Mutahhar, son of al-Tahir, scion of lineages
- أمولانا الأمير وأنت سمحO our lord the prince, you are generous;
- أمولانا ضياء الدين دم ليO our master, Diya al-Din, remain for me,
- أمولاي بدر الدين أنت بدأتنيO my lord Badr al-Din, you began by granting me
- أمولاي عز الدين كم قال شاعرMy friend, glory of the faith, how many a poet has said,
- أمولاي فتح الدين دعوة خادمMy lord Fatḥ al-Dīn, this is a servant’s plea—
- أمولاي فخر الدين عمرت منزليMy house you have adorned, Fakhr al-Din,
- أمولاي قد ضمنت قول كثيرO my lord, I have incorporated Kuthayyir's words,
- أمولاي لازالت أعاديك في عمىO my lord, may your enemies ever remain in blindness,
- أمولاي هذا مادح وابن مادحO my lord, this is a panegyrist, son of a panegyrist,
- أمير له طلعة طالماAn emir whose countenance has so often
- إن الحوائج لا تكون هنيئةIndeed, requests are not gratifying
- إن الدراهم مسهاIndeed, touching dirhams
- إن ثلاثة صحبت ثلاثةIndeed, three things, when joined with three others,
- إن عز بالمال معشر ومشتIf a group gains honor through wealth, and prosper
- إن عيني وهي عضو دنفIndeed, my eye, though an ailing organ,
- إن فتوحا جامع شمل الفتنIndeed, Futuh gathers all temptations together,
- آن لمن ودع الشباباThe time has come for one who has bidden youth farewell
- أنا تبر فوق خصرI am gold upon a waist
- أنا من أين والعمارة من أيWhat have I to do with building?
- أنت ابن حمدان الذي آدابهYou are Ibn Hamdan, to whose literary accomplishments
- أنت المهنا بالسلامة والهناYou are the one to be congratulated on safety and joy.
- أنساكم إن كنت أنساكم وماMay I forget you—if ever I forget you! Never
- أنشدني شعرا بهHe recited some verse to me; because of it,
- أنضيت هرتي الغضبى وجديانيI had worn out my angry cat and my young goats,
- أنكروا المعروف حتىThey rejected goodness until
- أنمت طرفي قريرا منك في دعةI lulled my eyes to sleep, reassured by you, at ease,
- أنهي لمولاي الذي حل بيI report to my lord what has befallen me—
- إني وإن كنتم تروني عندكمIndeed, though you see me in your midst,
- أهديت لي عنبا سر الفؤاد بهYou gave me grapes that delighted the heart,
- أوجبت وحشة الذنوب أنفباضيThe desolation of sins has made me withdraw
- أي عيد مضى ومملوكك الوWhat feast has passed with your slave in it
- أيا خاضب الشيب حتى متىO dyer of gray hair, how long
- أيا سيد الوزراء استمعO lord of the ministers, listen
- أيا ملكا تزف له القوافيO king, to whom rhymes are led in bridal procession,
- أيارب من ظنني عاجزاAh, many a one has thought me incapable
- أيذل رسلي في اقتضاء وعودهAre my messengers humiliated in demanding fulfillment of his promises?
- أيها السائل عني إننيO you who ask about me—indeed,
- أيها الفاضل الأديب يميناO virtuous man of letters, upon my oath,
- أيها الفاضل الذي قصر الفاO accomplished one, whose two arts al-Fāḍil
- بأبي أهيف القوام تميل البيMay my father ransom one slender of form, toward whom bend the white—
- بادر العشر عشر كفيك لثماThe ten-day span hastened to kiss the ten fingers of your hands,
- باكرتني بخميلة مطويةYou came to me at dawn with a folded grove,
- بان علي الكبرOld age has plainly shown on me,
- ببابك الرحب سراج غداSiraj has come to your spacious gate,
- بت أشكو سقم جسمىI spent the night complaining of my body's illness
- بدا ملك الحسن بين الملاحThe king of beauty appeared among the beautiful,
- بدأت بمعروف فأتمم لتجتليYou began with kindness; complete it, so that you may behold
- برغمي إن خلت منه المذاودTo my sorrow, the mangers stand empty of him,
- بعثت به نضوا إليك كأنهI sent him to you, a wasted beast, as though he were
- بقيت في كل يوم كم أروح وكمI keep going each day—how often in the evening, and how often
- بك قد تيمنت الملوك الصيدThe proud kings have indeed taken you as a good omen,
- بك نور الدين أضحىThrough you, Nur al-Din, has grown
- بكتبك راج لي أملي وقصديThrough your writings, my hope and purpose have prospered.
- بكلتا الخلعتين لك الهناءMay you rejoice in both robes of honor.
- بلبلت مقلته عقلي وقدHis eye bewildered my mind, and indeed
- بلغتني أضعاف ما أنا راجيIt brought me many times what I hoped for,
- بنيتم على تقوى من الله مسجداYou built a mosque upon reverence for God,
- بهاء الدين والدنيا هناءO Baha al-Din wa-l-Dunya, congratulations
- بي رمد جاء كلمح بالبصرIn me is a speck that came in a flash of the eye
- بين اللواحظ والقلوبBetween glances and hearts,
- بينا أفارق رجفة مرهوبةWhile I am leaving one dreaded shudder behind,
- تأن للظالم واصبر لهBe patient with the oppressor, and bear with him.
- تبكي المروءة شمسا كم جلا كرباNobility weeps for a sun that dispelled so many sorrows.
- تجلى لنا البدر في خلعةThe full moon appeared to us in a robe of honor,
- تخفون عني مايزور حاسدYou conceal from me what an envious man fabricates
- تخلو همومي بي وأخلو بهاMy worries are alone with me, and I am alone with them,
- تدنو القلوب من القلوThe hearts draw near though the homes are far apart
- ترددي اليوم للخباز يشغلنيMy repeated trips to the baker today distract me
- ترهبت لما أن غدا اللحم غالياI became a monk when meat grew expensive.
- ترى الندامى حول حيطانهاYou see the drinking companions around its walls,
- تعوذت مذ كنت خبر القلوبSince I came to be, I have sought refuge in knowing hearts,
- تقول وعيد النحر أقبل والورىShe says—as the Feast of Sacrifice has come, and people's
- تنسيك عرقوبا له قواعدHis principles make you forget ʿUrqūb;
- تواضع عن مقداره وهو مرتقHe humbled himself below his station, even as he rose.
- توجه لو مي على لائميMy reproach turned against my reproacher,
- تيمن بياسين فحسبك باسمهSeek blessing through Yasin, for his name is enough for you
- ثلاثة أيام قطعت لطولهاIn three days, so long they were, you passed through
- ثم أتاه شيبه جملةThen all at once his gray hair came upon him,
- ثناه إلى أوطانه شوق نازحThe longing of one far away turned him back toward his native lands,
- جاء عذار الذي أهيم بهThe cheek-down of the one I love madly appeared,
- جاءت بأنواع النوى فمجلببShe came with kinds of separation: one cloaked
- جاءني القمح تلوه ثمن اللحWheat came to me, followed by the money for meat;
- جاذبت نسمة الصباح ردائيThe morning breeze tugged at my cloak,
- جدد سرورا بالشراب القديمRenew your delight with wine long aged;
- جرت من بعد ساداتي أمورAfter my masters, things came to pass;
- جرد اللحظ فكم في كبديHe unsheathed his glance—how many a wound in my liver
- جنونه بغناهHis madness over his wealth
- حاشاك ترضى للرجاFar be it from you to let hope
- حاشى يدا كم لها في العالمين يدMay a hand be spared—how many favors it has bestowed upon humankind!
- حبل المودة بيننا لم ينقضThe cord of affection between us has not been undone,
- حتى متى أجد الأمير مجباHow long must I find the emir secluded,
- حجابه قد زاد في عرضهHis screen has indeed grown broader,
- حجبت شعاع الشمس فاحترقت جوىI shut out the sun's rays, and she burned with longing.
- حصل العز لها مذ خطبتHonor came to her ever since her hand was sought
- حلم الوزير أحمد أفرط أوThe vizier Ahmad's forbearance has gone too far, or
- خدمي علما ذا البيت تشهد لي بهاMy services—[“knowledge; this house”: wording unclear]—you bear witness to them for me,
- خذ في مدائح لابن الموصلي تهز الTake up praises for Ibn al-Mawsili that stir the—
- خرجت من بيتي سراجا وقدI left my house as a lamp, and have
- خط في خدك لامA lām was traced upon your cheek,
- خففت عنك زماناI lightened your burden for a time,
- درهمهم على الدوام يحرمTheir dirham is forever withheld.
- دعت لك الشيخة طول الدجىThe elderly woman prayed for you throughout the darkness of night,
- دعوة لي في النحو قد جمعتناMy invitation to discuss grammar brought us together
- دعوني كن البيت مما لزمتهThey called me the household's son-in-law, so closely did I keep to it,
- ذابت زبيدة من شوق لسيدهاZubayda melted with longing for her master,
- ذاك الأمير الذي مثلهThat is the prince whose like
- ذكر المشتاق عهدا قد مضىThe yearning lover recalled a time long past;
- ذكرت بني والأهوال بينيI remembered my sons, while terrors lay between me
- رأت حالي وقد حالتShe saw my state, now changed,
- رأت صبرك الأقدار في كل حادثThe fates saw your patience in every calamity
- رأيت أنف ابن خنفر وقدI saw Ibn Khunufr’s nose, and already
- رأيت بني الدنيا وحاشاك أصبحواI saw the sons of this world—you excepted—greet the morning,
- رأيت قطوف عفوك دانياتI saw the fruits of your pardon hanging within reach;
- ردت إلي المصطكي نهضةMastic restored to me a surge of vigor,
- رددت في بذاك الملتقى نفساAt that meeting I recovered my breath.
- رزقت بنتا ليتها لم تكنI was granted a daughter—would that she had never existed—
- رزية فتح الدين سد بها الفضاWith the loss of Fath al-Din, the open expanse was shut
- رسولي شيطان خبير مجربMy messenger is a devil, expert and seasoned.
- رفضوا الشعر جهد هم ورقوهThey rejected poetry with all their might and recited charms over it
- رفلت بها في حلة علميةI strode proudly in it—a robe figured with ornament,
- رقيت من الشكوى بنعمة طالبI was healed of illness by Talib's blessing.
- زاد نطحا كما تكبش واغتHe butted all the more as he grew ram-like and was deluded
- زدت فيها زادك الله علاYou have added to her—may God increase your eminence—
- زففت البكر من مدحيI gave the virgin of my praise in marriage
- سألت صديقا بأمر الورىI asked a friend, in the affairs of humankind
- سألتهم وقد حثوا المطاياI asked them, as they urged their mounts onward:
- سبق السراج إلى امتداThe lamp preceded to spread
- سروا وكأن الليل من بطء سيرهThey traveled by night, as though the night, with its slow progress
- سطرها المملوك وهو أضرمدPenned by a slave while still young
- سعى ببابك لا أخل بفرضهI would not neglect the duty of striving at your door,
- سقاها فهل أبصرت شمسا منيرةHe poured it—have you ever beheld a radiant sun
- سكر الولاية يلهيThe intoxication of office distracts you,
- سلام على الصدر الذي عنده قلبيPeace upon the chief who holds my heart;
- سلام كأنفاس الصبا مست الربىA greeting like breaths of the east wind that brushed the hills
- سيدى سيد الأفاضل تاج الMy master, master of the virtuous, crown of the—
- شجت جبين مدامها بالماءShe gashed the brow of her wine with water,
- شجت جبين مدامها بالماءHer forehead furrowed by the water’s flow,
- شرثبت على ورد وخد مدامةI drank wine beside a rose and a cheek,
- شكا رمدا فقلت عيناه كلتHe complained of inflamed eyes; I said, 'His eyes are weary,
- شكار قد آليت عيني فداهShakar, you have sworn—may my eye be his ransom.
- شكر الله ليلة طالما كنMay God reward a night—I had long
- شكواك من ألم المفاصل للذيYour complaint of aching joints is due to the
- شكوت لها لهبا في الحشىI complained to her of a flame in my heart.
- شمس كما قد تعلمون مقرنزShams, as you already know, is horned.
- شهدت دواة الفتح ساعة فتحهاAl-Fath’s inkwell bore witness, the moment it was opened,
- صاح قم إن نسيم الصبح هبFriend, rise! The breeze of dawn has stirred,
- صار الثلاثا ليوم السبت أف علىTuesday has turned into Saturday—fie upon
- صار أيري دجاجة تخصن البيMy cock has become a hen that broods over the eg—
- صدقوا قد نظروا الورد مسيجThey spoke the truth: they have seen the rose fenced in.
- صفت خواطر مداح صفت لهمClear grew the thoughts of praise-poets, for whom ran clear
- صيتكم نار في الظلام يكفيYour fame is a fire in the darkness, enough
- ضاع في موسم الوقود سراجيMy lamp was lost in the season of lighting.
- طال إصغاء مسمعي للوسادLong has my ear listened to the pillow.
- طلبت جوادا فامتدحت مبلداI sought a generous man, so I praised a dullard—
- طلبت ضحيتها فقلت مغالطاShe asked for her sacrificial animal, so I said, equivocating:
- طلبت من عندك أصلا طيباI sought a noble origin from you
- طوت الزيارة عندماShe folded up the visit when
- ظل عيشي على الحماMy life remained, upon the she-
- ظننت جني الورد حمرة خدهI took freshly picked roses for the blush of his cheek,
- عاتبته بدر تمI reproached him, a moon at its full,
- عاف نعم حبا للا سفلةA base fellow shunned “yes” out of love for “no.”
- عالجته بثناءI treated him with praise.
- عبادة الناس إن الدار قد فعلتThe people’s [expression], ‘The house has indeed done it,’
- عد لأوطان دولة لا أراها اللReturn to the homelands of a realm—may God never show it
- عرف الموت قدر من هو طالبDeath knew the worth of the one it sought;
- عزمة صح فألها بالنجاحA resolve whose omen proved true in success,
- عسى خبر من الإنجاز شافMay news of fulfillment bring healing
- عشقت من ريقته قرقفI fell in love with one whose saliva is wine,
- علمت زكي الدين أني مطالبYou know, Zaki al-Din, that I am being pressed
- عمر المعمر والصغير سواءThe life span of the aged and the young are equal
- عند الخدود دمي فهل لي ثائرMy blood is on the cheeks—is there an avenger for me?
- عندي منديل إذا غسلتهI have a handkerchief: when I wash it,
- عوفيت من جرب بهI was cured of scabies that
- غيرتك الأيام سبحان من لاThe days have changed you; glory be to Him who never
- فابق مجد الدين عن مجSo live on, Majd al-Din; beneath your glo—
- فداؤك من يشكو إلى الله نزلةMay he who complains to God of a cold be your ransom.
- فديت الديوك بذبح عظيمYou ransomed the roosters with a mighty sacrifice,
- فرغ الشعر والشعير فلاحاPoetry and barley have run out, so neither
- فضضت عن الدن مسك الختامI broke the musk seal from the wine jar,
- فليت شيبي فيما اسود من صحفيSo, if only my gray hair were in the black of my pages,
- فينظرني من الحمى جميعاSo he grants me respite from the fever altogether,
- قابلت منها روضة أدبيةI encountered in it a garden of letters.
- قال الوشاة وكنت نكرت اسم منThe slanderers said—though I had left unnamed the one
- قال خذها من يدي تشبه ماHe said, “Take it from my hand; it resembles what
- قالت أراك قد انحنيShe said, “I see you have bent
- قالت جمعت لفاقة كسلاShe said, 'You have added idleness to poverty;
- قالت نعبئ حاجة الShe said, “We are preparing what is needed for the
- قالت وقد هاجرتهاShe said, when I had shunned her
- قالوا اتخذه لؤلؤا كحلا يفيدك فيThey said, “Use pearl as kohl; it will help you with
- قالوا وقد ضاعت جميع مصالحيThey said, when all my interests had been lost
- قد أصلح الجوع بين القط والفارHunger has reconciled the cat and the mouse
- قد تغنى لكم أغن دعاهA nasal-voiced singer has sung for you, called
- قد عقد الإفلاس لي توبةBankruptcy has sealed my repentance,
- قد كان يوصف نظميMy verse used to be described
- قد كتبوا عنك ما تصنفهThey have written down from you what you compose:
- قد كدت أقطع يوم عيدى طاوياI nearly spent my Eid day on an empty stomach,
- قد كنت في شدة بالأمس قد عرضتOnly yesterday I was in the grip of a hardship that befell me;
- قرنت بالجمعة افتقادك ليI linked your looking in on me with Friday,
- قطائف الحشو قالتThe stuffed qatayif said
- قطائفك التي رقت جسوماYour qatayif, whose bodies grew delicate,
- قف العيس إن وافيت تلك المعالماHalt the pale camels if you reach those landmarks,
- قف نبك أبيات القريض فإنهاStop; let us weep for poetry’s verses, for they
- قل للفتى السعدي أفضل من لهSay to young al-Saʿdi, the finest of those who have
- قل للوزير علي يا ابSay to the vizier Ali: “O son
- قلبي لفقدك يا خليل كليمMy heart is wounded by your loss, O dear friend.
- قلت قومي لعلنا ننسج العيI said, 'Rise; perhaps we may weave life.'
- قلم الوزير هو الشقيق لبيضهThe vizier's pen is the brother of his white blades;
- قنطرة قد بنيتA bridge has been built,
- قواي تضعف عن هم خصصت بهMy strength falters before a sorrow reserved for me.
- كان أيرا صار سيراIt was a cock; it became a leather strap,
- كان عندي فقراء أحمديهThere were Aḥmadī poor men with me;
- كان متاعي إذا استعنت بهMy possession, whenever I sought its aid,
- كانت سطورك ترياقا لقيت بهاYour lines were an antidote; with them I faced
- كانون مطبخنا في العيد كانونOur kitchen’s brazier at Eid is cold as Kānūn.
- كسوتني فروة فر الشتاء بهاYou clothed me in a fur coat that made winter flee
- كفى ضعفاء مصر ظالميهاHe shielded the weak of Egypt from its oppressors.
- كل قلب علي كالصخر ما لاEvery heart is like rock toward me; it has not softened.
- كلفتني ما لم أطق في الصباYou burdened me with what I could not bear in youth;
- كم درهم بات يشكوMany a dirham has spent the night complaining
- كم شدة جاء في أعقابها فرجMany a hardship has been followed by relief;
- كم قطع الجود من لسانHow many a tongue has generosity cut off
- كم لك معنى مر بالHow many a meaning of yours has passed through
- كم يريد الخباز يرفع رطليHow much does the baker want to raise the price of my pound of bread?
- كمال الدين صفحا عن مسئKamal al-Din, pardon an offender,
- كن قاطعا من قطع القدهCut off whoever has cut the leather strap,
- كن لي جوابا فلفظيBe my answer, for my words
- لا أجحد المنن التي تلدتمI do not deny the favors with which you have adorned
- لا تأخذن عنها السروج واللجمNever take the saddles and bridles off them.
- لا تنكري صمتي فإن الذيDo not reproach my silence, for one who
- لا ذنب عندي لليتيI hold the orphan blameless
- لا غرو أن صغرت عن قدرك الرتبNo wonder ranks fell below your worth;
- لاح بدر يتجلىA full moon appeared, shining forth,
- لاح في زرقائها بدرا منيراIt appeared in its blue as a radiant full moon
- لبست مدائحي قبل التمائمI wore my praises before amulets,
- لبيس اللبيس طعام يعابThe armor-clad creature is a food deserving blame;
- لست أنسى لمشيبيI do not forget my gray hair’s
- لشأني قصة رفعتA tale about my affair has been brought up;
- لقد سمع الله والكاتبانGod and the two scribes have surely heard
- لقد نسيت عهدى أناس تبدلواPeople who have changed have indeed forgotten their bond with me.
- لك الفضل إذ نوهت في بلدى باسمىThe credit is yours, for you extolled my name in my homeland.
- لك في المجد نسبة وانتماءYou have in glory both lineage and belonging,
- لكل فؤاد من هواك نصيبEvery heart has its share of love for you;
- لكم أياد عذاب لي مواردهاYours are favors whose springs are sweet to me;
- للصاحب الندب عز لا يبيد فقلThe noble patron has glory that never perishes, so say:
- للطواشي الرشيد بركة ماءThe eunuch al-Rashid has a pool of water,
- لله بركتك التي حسنتHow splendid is your pool, grown beautiful
- لله من أملحين مذ وصلاBy God, what a charming pair! Since they arrived,
- لله يمناك التيGod bless your right hand, which
- لم أنس إذ ودعتني وهي باكيةI have not forgotten when she bade me farewell, weeping,
- لم أنل في الشباب ما نلته عنIn youth I did not attain what I attained
- لم أودع من سار في دعة اللI did not bid farewell to him who departed in God's peace,
- لم يسر بينهم الخيال لغيرةThe phantom did not journey among them by night, because of jealousy;
- لم يعدني محمد مذ تشكيتMuhammad has not visited me since I complained of illness.
- لم يعدني محمد مذ تشكيتMuhammad has not visited me since I complained of illness;
- لما تجلى وجه منWhen there shone the face of the one
- لما تمثلت بقولي لهWhen I quoted a saying to him:
- لما رأيت البدر والشمس معاWhen I saw the full moon and the sun together,
- لمن أشكو لمن والناس سمحTo whom shall I complain—to whom—when people are either generous
- له كف أهان المال فيهاHe has a palm in which he has humbled money;
- لو أنني بت ضيفا لابن زائدةHad I spent the night as a guest of Ibn Za'idah—
- لو وجد اللائم بعض ماوجدIf the critic found some of what he found
- لولا الحطيئة هاجاني لقال وماHad al-Hutay’ah not satirized me, he would have said—and
- لي عادة من أياديI am accustomed to favors
- لي علي خد الحبيب دمI have a blood claim against my beloved’s cheek;
- لي فقير وهو أغنى الورىI have a poor man, yet he is the richest of mankind
- لي في دواة الفتح أحسن مدحةFor al-Fath’s inkwell I have the finest poem of praise;
- لي مذ نأيت أسى ولي أسفSince you went away, grief is mine, and sorrow is mine.
- لي مطبخ راجع عصر الصباI have a kitchen that has returned to its youth,
- لي من أبيك سقاه الغيث ماطرهFrom your father—may the rain-giver water him—I have received
- ليت من أسبل من شعر ظلاماWould that he who let darkness fall from his hair
- ما أجدر الصالح بالواجبHow worthy al-Salih is of what is due!
- ما الروض بين مفتق ومنمنمNo garden, amid blooms unfurled and finely patterned,
- ما الناس بالصور التي شاهدتهمPeople are not the outward forms in which I have seen them;
- ما أنصف الصحنين مني واصفNo describer does the two platters greater justice than I;
- ما بعد قربك للآمال منتزحAfter drawing near you, hopes have nowhere farther to go.
- ما حل عزمي مثل عقد قبائهNothing undid my resolve like the knot of his robe.
- ما حيلتي والقوم أصبح دأبهمWhat recourse have I, when the people have made it their habit
- ما عائق المتقدمين إلى الردىNothing holds back those who have gone ahead to death
- ما علينا ضوء وقد أبطأ الشمNo light falls upon us, and slow to come
- ما كان رأيك محمودا بمدحتهYour judgment in praising him was not praiseworthy.
- ما مع الخبز فضلة للإدامThere is nothing to spare beyond bread for a relish.
- ما هان دمعي حتى هان فيه دميMy tears were not held cheap until my blood was held cheap in them.
- ماذا على شؤم الدراWhat do ill-omened dirhams care
- مارث لا وأبيك عهد زناديMy fire-flints' bond has not worn out—no, by your father!
- مازلت رطب لسانMy tongue has stayed moist
- ماكدت تكحل أرقداYou scarcely applied kohl to a deep sleeper,
- مالي نسيت وكنت منWhy have I been forgotten, when I was among
- مبادي الشعر في حكم وفخرPoetry begins with wise sayings and boasting,
- مدحناهم بسحت عنWe praised them for ill-gotten gain, on the basis of
- مذ رق ذاك الخصر من ظالميSince that waist of my tormentor grew slender,
- مساع غدت في الله تنضى ركابهاEndeavors whose mounts were worn out in God's cause;
- مسامعهم صم إذا سئلوا النداTheir ears are deaf when they are asked for generosity;
- معاد الحديث معادي فلاRepeated talk is my enemy, so do not
- مملوك مولانا السراThe servant of our master al-Sirā-
- من أعلقته للجفون حبائلWhoever has been caught by the eyelids’ snares
- من صفات الكريم ستر الحريمAmong a noble man's virtues is covering the womenfolk.
- من صفة الجوهر أن يرسباIt is a jewel's nature to sink;
- من ظن أن السيف يغمد صارماWho thought the sword could be sheathed while still keen?
- من عادة الجوهر الرسوبIt is the nature of jewels to sink;
- من كل خواض الغمار بلأمةEvery bold plunger into the depths is clad in a coat of mail,
- من لم يمد نداه لي براحةWhoever has not extended his bounty to me with his palm,
- من يحفظ الفيل بعد الشبل والأسدWho will guard the elephant after the lion cub and the lion?
- منا المدائح والمنائح منكمFrom us come praises, and from you come gifts;
- منازلهم جادتك غر السحائبO their dwellings, may the bright clouds shower you,
- منزلي في ذلك البرMy home is in that land,
- منعتني من الوداع أمورMatters prevented me from saying farewell.
- منيتها منزلة قد علتI was promised it—a dwelling risen high,
- مولاي أقسم لم تعد في منزليMy lord, I swear, there no longer remains in my home
- مولاي زين الدين سدMy Master Zayn al-Din, you have
- مولاي شمس الدين يا من ضوؤهMy lord Shams al-Din—O you whose radiance,
- مولاي فخر الدين أرسلتهاMy lord Fakhr al-Din, I have sent it;
- مولاي فخر الدين دعوة خادمMy lord Fakhr al-Din, a servant’s invitation
- مولاي لاقتني الخطوب بأوجهMy lord, calamities confronted me with faces
- مولاي هل صدر الكتاب الأشرفMy lord, has the most noble letter been issued?
- نادى رجائي نداهMy hope called out to his generosity,
- ناديت يا سيف فماI called, “O Sayf!” but he did not
- نام من نام وانفردت بهميThose who slept have slept, and I am alone with my sorrow.
- نأى بي عن موارده زمانيMy days carried me far from his watering places,
- نجل شمس الدين من أنعامهThe son of Shams al-Din is among his gifts;
- نجلك القابل للمدحWe honor you; the one receptive to praise
- نحن نفديك من السوء فعشWe ransom you from harm, so live,
- نصب العداوة حاسدوك فأعتبواThose who envy you stirred up hostility and gave offense.
- نصف شهبا قد أرسلتها أهلةWe describe pale falcons that crescents have loosed,
- نظرت من خلل السجShe looked through the gaps in the curtain,
- نعاوده لحدا بكته الغمائمWe revisit him in a grave over which the clouds have wept,
- نفد الزيت الذي جدت بهThe oil you generously gave has run out
- نقر الأغبياء عني شعريThe fools have plucked my poetry from me,
- هبني سراجا طوال الليل توقدهGrant me a lamp you keep alight throughout the night;
- هربت هرة بيتي يوم عيدىMy housecat ran away on my feast day.
- هززته بالمدح جهدي فما اهتزI shook him with praise with all my might, but he did not stir.
- هزوا قدودا وانتضوا أعيناThey swayed their figures and unsheathed their eyes,
- هزئت بي عند ابتدار مشيبيShe mocked me at the early onset of my graying,
- هل تعلم الناس أني في صيامي قدDo people know that, during my fast, I have
- هم فارقوك وهذه الأوطانThey have parted from you, and here are the dwelling places;
- هوى من سماء المجد للأرض كوكبA star fell from the sky of glory to the earth;
- واجعل لهذا آخرا إنهAnd put an end to this, for indeed
- واخجلتي وصحائفي سود غداAlas, my shame! Tomorrow my pages will be black,
- وإذا جليت اليوم در مدائحيAnd when today I display the pearls of my praise-poems,
- وأذكرنني أيام صيدك نزهةAnd the days of your hunting remind me of an excursion
- وأرسلوها يققا أو ظلماCast them forth, dazzling white or black,
- وأسمر يحكي الأسمر اللدن قدهAnd a dusky youth whose figure resembles the supple brown spear;
- وأصبح بيتي بالحلاوات عاطراAnd my house became fragrant with sweets,
- وأصيد ظل يدرك يوم صيدAnd a proud, lordly man, on a day of hunting, kept overtaking
- وأفرغ شيء قلبها ونطاقهاAnd the emptiest things are her heart and her girdle.
- وأقبلت قبل العيد والعيد عارفAnd you arrived before Eid, and Eid knows
- وألبست الأطلال بعدك وحشةAnd ruins were clothed in loneliness after you
- والشعر ليس للابسAnd poetry affords no wearer
- وأناس غرني ظاهرهمAnd some people's outward appearance deceived me.
- وأنظم فيك العقود التيAnd I string in your praise the necklaces that
- واهنأ بعيدك خاضباAnd enjoy your feast day, staining
- وأهيف مثل الرمح عانقت قدهAnd a slender one, like a spear—I embraced his form
- وباخل أطعمني بشرهAnd a miser fed me his smiles,
- وباخل يشنأ الأضياف حل بهAnd a miser who loathes guests was visited
- وبتنا سراجين في مدحهAnd we spent the night as two lamps in praise of him;
- وبيان لمثله يرفع القلAnd eloquence for whose like the heart lifts
- وتجلى جبينها في دجى الليAnd her brow shone forth in the darkness of night,
- وتحتك برذون يظل بظلهAnd beneath you is a packhorse whose shade shelters
- وتدرعوا فوق الدروع قلوبهمAnd they wore their hearts as armor over their mail;
- وجارية ظنناها غلاماAnd a girl whom we took for a boy,
- وجازاني على شعر بشعرAnd he repaid me for verse with verse,
- وجواد تهزه نغمة الساAnd a steed stirred by the asker's melody
- وحاسد مارق لما رأىAnd an envier, who felt no pity when he saw
- وخادعتني عن صاحب الشعرة التيAnd you beguiled me away from the man with the hair that
- وخفت عليه من نظريAnd I feared for him because of my gaze,
- وخلعة إن بدت لون السماء لناAnd a robe of honor—if it appears to us the color of the sky,
- ودائرة في الأرض لا تطعم الكرىAnd a circle in the earth that never tastes sleep.
- وذى دمل كالدهر شدة قسوةAnd one with a boil, as fiercely hard as time,
- وذى رمد ثناني دون سعىWith two teary eyes without effort
- ورب سمراء كالسمراء قامتهاAnd many a dusky maiden, her stature like a dusky spear’s,
- ورب شخصين قط ما اجتمعاAnd many a pair of people has never met
- ورجلي على قدر الكساء مددتهاAnd I stretched my leg as far as the blanket allowed;
- ورعيت هذا الجيش منك بناظرAnd you watched over this army with an eye of yours,
- ورقيع يأبى السلام عليناAnd a scoundrel refuses to greet us,
- وزائرة وليس بها احتشامAnd a visitor who knows no modesty,
- وساقط الهمة فيAnd one of low ambition, in
- وسائل عن قصيدة عبقتAnd one asked about a poem that breathed fragrance
- وسائل قال لي ومثليAnd a questioner said to me—and one like me
- وسهل حظه رزقا عسيراAnd his good fortune made a difficult livelihood easy.
- وشعره قال لعشاقهAnd his hair said to his lovers
- وصلت ضحيتك التى أرسلتهاYour sacrificial animal, which you sent, has arrived;
- وصلت غبوقي بالصبوح وإنماI joined my evening draught to the morning draught, and indeed
- وصلت مقدمة لها غرر المعاAn introduction has arrived, whose choicest meanings
- وعدت بزيت ثم أخلفت موعديYou promised oil, then broke your promise to me.
- وعمرت في الإسلام فازددت بهجةAnd I was granted long life in Islam, so you grew more splendid
- وعيشك لم أكد أسلوه كبشاBy your life, I can scarcely forget him—a ram
- وغادة بالحساب عالمةAnd Ghada is skilled in arithmetic
- وفاتك بجرح سيف لحظهAnd a slayer who wounds with the sword of his glance,
- وفتى أبخر تستر بالصمAnd a foul-breathed youth hid behind silence,
- وفتى يقول أنا الجواد ومالهAnd a young man says, “I am generous,” though he has no
- وفي الروضة الغناء أصبحت مثنياAnd in the lush garden I began the morning offering praise
- وقالوا امدح فلان الديAnd they said, “Praise so-and-so al-Dī—
- وقالوا تعرقب في وعدهThey said he broke his promise like ʿUrqūb,
- وقائل عهده بالناس مذ زمنAnd one whose knowledge of people dated from long ago said,
- وقائل قال لي لما أن رأى قلقيAnd someone said to me when he saw my anxiety
- وقد تشبه الحالة الأخرى وبينهماAnd one state may resemble the other, though between them,
- وقد خجل الورد مذغبت عناAnd the rose has blushed since you left us,
- وقد رأت مصر أيام الخصيب بهAnd through him Egypt has seen the days of al-Khasib;
- وقد طاف في الدنيا أريج ثنائهAnd the fragrance of praise for him has traveled the world.
- وقد كنت أعزل عنها وفيAnd I used to withdraw from her, while in
- وقد كنت دهرا للمروءة ناشداAnd long had I been seeking noble virtue,
- وقد كنت في عنفوان الشبابAnd I was once in the prime of youth,
- وقدر طبيخي لأجل العيالAnd my pot of stew, for feeding the family—
- وقفت بأطلال الأحبة سائلاI stood at the ruins of the loved ones, inquiring,
- وقهوة سبقت كلAnd a wine that preceded ev-
- وكان الناس إذ مدحوا أثابواAnd people used to give rewards when they were praised;
- وكان سداد الباب عن مسلك الهوىAnd he was a barrier at the door against the path of desire,
- وكانت لك الدنيا فعشت سعيداAnd the world was yours, so you lived happily.
- وكل كتاب لي إلى من بأرضهاAnd every letter of mine to anyone in her land
- وكم ذدت آمالي وقد ذبت خجلةAnd how I have raised my hopes, though abashed
- وكم سيد يستوجب الرفع قدرهAnd how many a lord, whose rank merits elevation,
- وكم صاح في الأبطال هل من مبارزHow often he cried among the champions, “Is there a challenger?”
- وكنت إن نكت تلقاني أخا فرحAnd once, when I had sex, you would find me full of joy,
- وكنت على وعد من الطيف برهةAnd for a while I had a promise from the dream-phantom;
- ولا تقل كم كذا تواصلنيAnd do not ask me how many such things keep coming my way:
- ولرب جمع من عداك لقيتهAnd many a host of your foes have you met,
- ولرب ذي لؤم غلطت بقصدهAnd many a base man have I mistakenly sought out;
- ولسانه قد كل حتAnd his tongue has grown dull, until
- ولست أريد شفىعا إليكAnd I seek no intercessor with you;
- ولست بناس من سطورك روضةAnd I shall not forget a garden amid your lines,
- ولقد أدام الصاحب بن محمدAnd indeed al-Sahib ibn Muhammad has kept up
- ولقد نزهتهم فوAnd indeed I took them on an outing atop
- ولقيت عنتر إذ منيت بفاصدAnd I met Antar when I was afflicted with a bloodletter,
- ولم أدر إلا عند أخذي مضجعيAnd I did not realize until I took to my bed,
- ولم أر كالكسكاك إذ راق دهنهAnd I have seen nothing like kaskāk when its fat gleamed,
- ولم ير في مجلس شاعرانAnd never have two poets been seen in one gathering,
- ولي حمار قطعتي في الدرىI have a donkey; my fragment among [unclear: al-darā]
- ولي خدم سطرتها قبل هذهI have services I set down before this,
- ولي رزق يكدره لئامAnd I have a livelihood that base men spoil;
- ولي صغيران أعرى من سيوف وغىAnd I have two little ones, barer than swords of battle,
- ولي عليه أدام الله دولتهAnd he owes me—may God perpetuate his rule—
- ولي قلم في عصركم جف ريقهAnd I have a pen whose saliva has dried up in your time;
- ولئيم جئته في حاجةI went to a base fellow with a need;
- وما ضره شن صغير وقد سرىA small, worn-out waterskin did him no harm, for already there had come by night
- وما منة الخباز عندى قليلةAnd the baker’s favor is no small thing to me.
- ومالي بعد الله غيرك ملجأAnd after God, I have no refuge but you.
- ومالي والإسهاب وهي مناقبEnglish translation unavailable
- ومبخل بالمال قلت لعلهAnd to a miser with money I said, hoping he
- ومتصل الجدال بغير علمAnd one who argues incessantly without knowledge
- ومقال لو مددتم باعهاAnd a discourse—if you stretched its reach,
- ومملوكة لي كلما رمت وطأهاAnd a bondwoman of mine—whenever I wish to tread upon her,
- ومن رآني والحمار مركبيAnd whoever saw me, with a donkey as my mount,
- ومن فرط فقري واحتياجي بعدكمFrom dire need and poverty when you were gone
- ومهفهف عنى يميل ولم يملAnd a slender beloved turns away from me, and has never turned
- وميض البرق أم ثغر يلوحA flash of lightning, or a mouth that gleams?
- وهاتفة نبهتها بعد ما ونتAnd I roused a calling bird after she had grown weary
- وهاجرة أذكت على السفر جذوةAnd many a scorching noon kindled a live coal upon the travelers—
- وهذه صحيفةAnd this is a page
- ويهزأ عطاف الكرام كأنماAnd he sets the noblemen swaying, as though
- ويوم سموم خلت أن نسيمهAnd on a day of scorching wind, I imagined its breeze
- ويوم قيظ أذاب جسميAnd a day of scorching heat melted my body,
- يا أيها الملك الذي أيامهO King whose days
- يا جامع المال توقع لهO hoarder of wealth, anticipate its fate:
- يا ساعة البين قد نسيت بماO hour of parting, through what I suffered
- يا سيد الأمراء العبد منتظرO lord of princes, the servant awaits
- يا سيدى خذ بالدجاجO my master, take hold of the chickens;
- يا طالب الأبكار إني أعزلO seeker of virgins, indeed I am unarmed;
- يا طيب شربي بأوقات الأصيل وقدOh, how sweet my drinking in the late-afternoon hours, when
- يا عمر الخير أعني فقدO Umar the good, help me, for I have
- يا كاتبا أحيا البلاO writer who revived elo-
- يا لحظه أثخنت قلبي جراحO his glance—you have dealt my heart wound upon wound!
- يا معرضا عني أصO you who turn away from me—I love
- يا نابش الشر علينا أفقO you who bark evil against us, come to your senses!
- يا واحدا في الجود لاO peerless one in generosity, whom no
- يا وزيرا هو أعلى الO minister, he is the highest of
- ياابن الخليلي لا عدمناO son of al-Khalili, may we never be deprived
- يابني الآداب قد مات الرجاO sons of letters, hope has died.
- يارب صن وجهي عن الكرماءO Lord, preserve my dignity from having to face even the generous,
- يارب لا تشمت بنا حمزهO Lord, do not let Hamzah gloat over us.
- يارب مغرور بدنياه ماAh, many a man deluded by his worldly life—no
- ياربيع العفاة هذا الشتاءO springtime of supplicants, this winter is
- ياقبحها من عجوز صدرها قفصHow ugly that old crone is—her chest a cage!
- يامن شكا لي أن في صدرهO you who complained to me that within your breast
- ياواهب الصلحاء من دعواتهO you whose invitations give the righteous
- يخاطبني قم فاقض حقي مثلهOne like him addresses me: “Rise and pay me my due;
- يخاف التبر سطوة راحتيهUncoined gold fears the might of his two palms.
- يخرج الطيب سهلاFragrance comes forth easily
- يدعو الضيوف بألسن من نارهHe calls the guests with tongues of his fire.
- يروم حياته مابين قومHe seeks to live among a people
- يقاسي الأديب الأديم الذيThe man of letters endures the hide before which
- يقبل كفك كانتجاع سحابHe kisses your palm as one seeks the bounty of clouds.
- يكافيك عني إله السماءMay the God of heaven reward you on my behalf,
- يمنعني باخل وسمحThe miser and the generous prevent me
- يمينا لقد سر الإمام ابن إدريسI swear, Imam Ibn Idris was indeed delighted
- يهنأ مولانا الوزير بخلعةOur lord the minister is congratulated on a robe of honor,
No poems found.