أَلاحَflashed أَنas لاحَappeared بُرَيقٌa little lightning-flash يَمانfrom Yemen
أَلاحَ أَن لاحَ بُرَيقٌ يَمان
يَخفِقُflickers وَهناًfaintly كَجَنانِlike the heart of الحَنانthe yearning one
يَخفِقُ وَهناً كَجَنانِ الحَنان
It flashed as a little gleam from Yemen appeared,
Behold, behold a light like Yemen's lightning flashes
flickering faintly like a yearning heart.
Faltering softly like the tenderness of love
كَأَنَّهُas though it were مُعتَرِضاًstretching across رادِعٌstaining
كَأَنَّهُ مُعتَرِضاً رادِعٌ
حاشِيَةَthe hem of العارِضِthe rain-cloud بِالزَعفَرانwith saffron
حاشِيَةَ العارِضِ بِالزَعفَران
As though, stretching across, it were staining
As if deterring, forbidding, edging
the rain-cloud's hem with saffron.
The passing cloud with saffron
أَومَضَflashed كَالسَّيفِlike a sword اِنتَضَتهُdrew it يَدٌa hand
أَومَضَ كَالسَّيفِ اِنتَضَتهُ يَدٌ
لِقَطعِto cut شِريانِthe artery of الغُيومِthe clouds الدَّوانlow-hanging
لِقَطعِ شِريانِ الغُيومِ الدَّوان
It flashed like a sword drawn by a hand
It flashed like a sword unsheathed by a hand
to cut the artery of the low-hanging clouds.
To sever the artery of passing clouds
دَرَّتstreamed فُوَيقَjust above الأَرضِthe earth أَخلافُهُits teats
دَرَّت فُوَيقَ الأَرضِ أَخلافُهُ
وَأَنقَعَand quenched الأَظآرthe foster-mothers سُحبٌclouds هِتانpouring
وَأَنقَعَ الأَظآر سُحبٌ هِتان
Its teats streamed just above the earth,
The earth's horizons scattered its sequels
and pouring clouds quenched the foster-mothers' thirst.
And pouring clouds collapsed in defeat
مَنwho لِشَجٍwill help a grieving man لَولاbut for الأَمانِيُّhopes لَمwould not
مَن لِشَجٍ لَولا الأَمانِيُّ لَم
يُمسِreach evening مِنَfrom المَوتِdeath أَسىًthrough sorrow فيin أَمانsafety
يُمسِ مِنَ المَوتِ أَسىً في أَمان
Who will help a grieving man who, but for hopes, would not
For one whose anguish - were it not for hopes -
reach evening safe from death by sorrow?
Would never have tasted death securely
يُشَبِّكُhe interlaces العَشرَthe ten fingers عَلىover أَضلُعٍribs
يُشَبِّكُ العَشرَ عَلى أَضلُعٍ
هَيَّجنَthey stirred ناراًa fire أُسعِرَتkindled فيin الجَنانthe heart
هَيَّجنَ ناراً أُسعِرَت في الجَنان
He interlaces his ten fingers over ribs
It interlocks fingers over ribs
that stirred a fire kindled in his heart.
Stirred by a flame kindled in heavens
كَأَنَّهُas though it were فيin صَدرِهِhis breast طائِرٌa bird
كَأَنَّهُ في صَدرِهِ طائِرٌ
أَوor كُرَةٌa ball فيin مَلعَبِthe playing-field of الصَّولَجانthe polo mallet
أَو كُرَةٌ في مَلعَبِ الصَّولَجان
As though inside his breast there were a bird,
As if it has a bird in its breast
or a ball upon a polo field.
Or a ball on the field of youth
فَإِنso if شَكَكتُمyou doubt فَالشُحوبُthen the pallor الَّذيthat
فَإِن شَكَكتُم فَالشُحوبُ الَّذي
تَرَونَهُyou see it يَعلوrising عَلَيهِover him الدُخانsmoke
تَرَونَهُ يَعلو عَلَيهِ الدُخان
If you doubt it, the pallor that
If you doubt, the pallor you see
you see rising over him is smoke.
Rising above it like smoke
تَهيجُهُstirs him الذِكرىmemory فَيَبكيso he weeps عَلىfor
تَهيجُهُ الذِكرى فَيَبكي عَلى
رَيّاthe fragrance of رُبىthe hills of نَجدٍNajd وَذاكَand that الزَّمانtime
رَيّا رُبى نَجدٍ وَذاكَ الزَّمان
Memory stirs him, and he weeps for
Remembrance excites it and it weeps over
the fragrance of Najd's hills and that bygone time.
A pasture of Najd's ruins and times
اِمتاحَتِdrew upon الأَجفانُthe eyelids تامورَهُhis heart's blood
اِمتاحَتِ الأَجفانُ تامورَهُ
فَماحَهاso it supplied them مِنwith أَحمَرِred اللَونِin color قانdeep crimson
فَماحَها مِن أَحمَرِ اللَونِ قان
His eyelids drew upon his heart's blood,
Eyelids ready, kohl melted
which supplied them with a deep crimson draught.
And erased any trace of red
حَرّانَburning with thirst قَدhas ألصَقَpressed أَحشاءهُhis innards
حَرّانَ قَد ألصَقَ أَحشاءهُ
شَوقاًin yearning وَتوقاًand longing بِصَعيدِagainst the earth of المَغانthe abodes
شَوقاً وَتوقاً بِصَعيدِ المَغان
Burning with thirst, he has pressed his innards
It adhered its innards in yearning and longing
in yearning and longing against the earth of those abodes.
To the soil of crossroads
سَقياًmay rain bless لِكُثبانِthe dunes of الحِمىthe preserve وَالمَهاand the oryxes
سَقياً لِكُثبانِ الحِمى وَالمَها
يَهزُزنَthey sway فيamong الكُثبانِthe dunes أَغصانَboughs of بانbān-trees
يَهزُزنَ في الكُثبانِ أَغصانَ بان
May rain bless the dunes of the preserve and the oryxes,
Watering the dunes of fever which
swaying bān-tree boughs among the dunes.
Sway like banana tree branches
يَفعَلُworks فيupon أَعطافِهِنَّtheir supple forms الصِباyouth
يَفعَلُ في أَعطافِهِنَّ الصِبا
فِعلَas the action of الصَباthe east wind فيupon قُضُبِthe stems of الخَيزُرانbamboo
فِعلَ الصَبا في قُضُبِ الخَيزُران
Youth works upon their supple forms
The dawn breeze acts upon their undulation
as the east wind works upon bamboo stems.
As the dawn acts upon slender bamboo
مِنof كُلِّevery حَوراءَdark-eyed beauty كَشَمسِlike the sun of الضُحىforenoon
مِن كُلِّ حَوراءَ كَشَمسِ الضُحى
تُخجِلُshe shames بِالأَلحاظِwith her glances حُورَthe dark-eyed maidens of الجِنانParadise
تُخجِلُ بِالأَلحاظِ حُورَ الجِنان
Each dark-eyed beauty, like the forenoon sun,
Of every fair one like the rising sun
shames the maidens of Paradise with her glances.
Who shames even the heavenly maidens
ثَقيلَةَheavy الأَردافِof hips خُمصانَةٌslender-bellied
ثَقيلَةَ الأَردافِ خُمصانَةٌ
مَجدولَةُslender and taut الخَصرِof waist كَجَدلِlike the plaiting of العِنانa rein
مَجدولَةُ الخَصرِ كَجَدلِ العِنان
Heavy of hip and slender of belly,
Heavy bottomed, slender waisted
her waist is slender and taut as a plaited rein.
Waist plaited like braided reins
جارِيَةٌa maiden تُعقَدُcan be knotted مِنfrom لينِهاher suppleness
جارِيَةٌ تُعقَدُ مِن لينِها
جائِرَةٌa tyrant ماnot عِندَهاin her مِنany ليانgentleness
جائِرَةٌ ما عِندَها مِن ليان
A maiden so supple she could be tied in a knot,
A complaisant slave girl who when she walks
yet a tyrant with no gentleness at all.
Sways without coquetry or temptation
كَمhow many فارِسٍa knight مُستَلئِمٍclad in armor فيin الوَغىbattle
كَم فارِسٍ مُستَلئِمٍ في الوَغى
أَردَتهُshe felled him عَنfrom ظَهرِالحِصانِthe horse's back الحَصانthe chaste maiden
أَردَتهُ عَن ظَهرِالحِصانِ الحَصان
How many an armored knight in battle
How many horsemen restrained in battle
has that chaste maiden struck from his horse's back!
Were felled from their steeds by steeds
وَلَيلَةٍand many a night حَرَّمتُI forbade فيهاin it الكَرىsleep
وَلَيلَةٍ حَرَّمتُ فيها الكَرى
حَتّىuntil رَثىfelt pity لِيَfor me النَسرُthe Eagle وَالفَرقَدانand the Two Calves
حَتّى رَثى لِيَ النَسرُ وَالفَرقَدان
And many a night I forbade myself sleep,
And night which denied me sleep until
until the Eagle and the Two Calves pitied me.
Eagles and chickens lamented me
وَأَعرَضَand turned away العُوّادُthe visitors عَنّيfrom me وَقَدand already
وَأَعرَضَ العُوّادُ عَنّي وَقَد
يَئِسنَthey despaired مِنّيof me وَبَكاand wept العاذِلانthe two reprovers
يَئِسنَ مِنّي وَبَكا العاذِلان
The visitors turned away from me, having
While visitors shunned me and despaired
despaired of me, and the two reprovers wept.
Of me as lovers wept and wailed
بِتُّI spent the night نَجِيَّthe confidant of الهَمِّsorrow فيin ظِلِّهاits shadow
بِتُّ نَجِيَّ الهَمِّ في ظِلِّها
مُدَلَّهاًdistraught وَاللَيلُwhile night مُلقيlaid down الجِرانthe camel's under-neck
مُدَلَّهاً وَاللَيلُ مُلقي الجِران
I spent the night, sorrow's confidant, in its shadow,
I spent the night in sorrow's shadow
distraught, while night laid its camel-neck down.
Reclining while night cast spears
حَتّىuntil إِذاwhen الصُبحُdawn تَمَطّىstretched itself وَقَدhaving already
حَتّى إِذا الصُبحُ تَمَطّى وَقَد
مَدَّextended إلىtoward صَدرِthe breast of الظَلامِdarkness السِنانthe spearpoint
مَدَّ إلى صَدرِ الظَلامِ السِنان
Until dawn stretched itself, having
Till dawn sneaked in and extended
extended its spearpoint toward darkness's breast.
To the darkness’ heart its spear
يُخالُit seems إِذas شَقَّit cleft الدُّجىthe darkness جَدوَلاًa stream
يُخالُ إِذ شَقَّ الدُّجى جَدوَلاً
فيthrough رَوضَةٍa garden نُوّارُهاwhose blossoms الأُقحُوانare chrysanthemums
في رَوضَةٍ نُوّارُها الأُقحُوان
It seemed, as it cleft the darkness, a stream
It seemed as the darkness split into a stream
through a garden whose blossoms were chrysanthemums.
In a garden lit by lamps
سَرَتpassed بِأَنفاسِwith the breaths of الخُزامىlavender الصَباthe east wind
سَرَت بِأَنفاسِ الخُزامى الصَبا
تَسحَبُtrailing أَذيالاًskirts عَلىover الصَيمرانthe ṣaymarān herb
تَسحَبُ أَذيالاً عَلى الصَيمران
The east wind passed with the breaths of lavender,
The morning breeze flowed, drawing the train
trailing its skirts over the ṣaymarān herb.
Of the chemise along acacia
مخضلَّةُdew-drenched الأَطرافِat the fringes أَهدَتit offered لَناto us
مخضلَّةُ الأَطرافِ أَهدَت لَنا
مِنَof اليَلَنجوجِaloeswood سُحَيراًjust before dawn دُخانsmoke
مِنَ اليَلَنجوجِ سُحَيراً دُخان
With dew-drenched fringes, it offered us
Rustling, it offered us wafts
a waft of aloeswood smoke just before dawn.
Of smoke from the roasted coffee bean
تَقولُit says لِلنَرجِسِto the narcissus لاno نَومَsleep فيin
تَقولُ لِلنَرجِسِ لا نَومَ في
حَديقَةٍa garden فيهاin which حِداقٌeyes رَوانare gazing
حَديقَةٍ فيها حِداقٌ رَوان
It says to the narcissus: 'No sleep in
To the narcissus it says no sleep in a garden
a garden where eyes keep gazing.'
Where there is a cheek, even if dewy
وَاِنتَفَضَand shook itself الرَّيحانُthe basil مِنfree of طَلِّهِits dew
وَاِنتَفَضَ الرَّيحانُ مِن طَلِّهِ
يَنثُرُscatter عِطفاهُits two sides عُقودَnecklaces of الجُمانpearls
يَنثُرُ عِطفاهُ عُقودَ الجُمان
The basil shook off its dew,
The basil shook off its lethargy
its two sides scattering necklaces of pearls.
Strewing its sprigs like carnelian strings
وَأَورَدَand reddened الوَردَthe rose الحَياthe rain فَاكتَسىso it clothed itself
وَأَورَدَ الوَردَ الحَيا فَاكتَسى
لَونَthe color of حَياءٍa blush فيin خُدودِthe cheeks of الغَوانbeautiful women
لَونَ حَياءٍ في خُدودِ الغَوان
The rain made the rose rosy, so it clothed itself
And the flowers blushed and took on
in the blush upon beautiful women's cheeks.
A hue of shyness on the cheeks of beauty
وَغَنَّتِand sang الوُرقُthe gray doves عَلىupon دَوحِهاtheir great trees
وَغَنَّتِ الوُرقُ عَلى دَوحِها
ياoh حَبَّذاhow lovely الدَوحُthe great trees وَتِلكَand those الأَغانsongs
يا حَبَّذا الدَوحُ وَتِلكَ الأَغان
And the gray doves sang upon their great trees—
The leaves sang joyfully
oh, how lovely the trees and those songs!
How wondrous this song and those tunes
أَلحانُهاtheir melodies لَيسَتare not بِمَفهومَةٍunderstood
أَلحانُها لَيسَت بِمَفهومَةٍ
وَلَسنَand they are not يَحتَجنَneeding إِلىto ترجُمانan interpreter
وَلَسنَ يَحتَجنَ إِلى ترجُمان
Their melodies are not understood,
Melodies not easily understood
yet they have no need of an interpreter.
Needing no translator or guide
فَاشرَبso drink حمِيّاthe rapture of الأُنسِcompanionship فيin رَوضَةٍa garden
فَاشرَب حمِيّا الأُنسِ في رَوضَةٍ
طابَتis sweet نَسيماًin breeze لاnot حُمَيّاthe heady wine of الدِنانwine-jars
طابَت نَسيماً لا حُمَيّا الدِنان
So drink the rapture of companionship in a garden
Drink the sociable wine in a garden
sweet of breeze, not the heady wine of wine-jars.
Sweetly scented, not fevered by sins
شَقائِقُanemones of النُعمانِal-Nuʿmān شَقَّتhave torn open عَلىalong
شَقائِقُ النُعمانِ شَقَّت عَلى
تِلكَthose الحَواشيborders حُلَلَrobes of الأُرجُوانcrimson
تِلكَ الحَواشي حُلَلَ الأُرجُوان
Nuʿmān's anemones have torn open, along
Anemones opened on those edges
those borders, robes of crimson.
Gowns of purple unfurled
وَأَلقَتِand lifted off البُرقُعَthe veil عَنfrom وَجهِهاher face الthe (article continued)
وَأَلقَتِ البُرقُعَ عَن وَجهِها ال
شَمسُsun تَقولُsaying الآنَnow طابَis pleasant الزَمانthe season
شَمسُ تَقولُ الآنَ طابَ الزَمان
And she lifted the veil from her face—the
The stars cast off their veils
sun, saying: 'Now the season is fair.'
As the sun declared, “Blessed is the Age!”
حَلَّتshe untied عُقودَthe bonds of البَردِcold عَنّاfrom us وَقَدhaving already
حَلَّت عُقودَ البَردِ عَنّا وَقَد
حَلَّتshe settled مِنَof السَعدِgood fortune بِأَعلىat the highest مَكانstation
حَلَّت مِنَ السَعدِ بِأَعلى مَكان
She untied the bonds of cold from us, having
The necklace of hail left us
settled at the highest station of good fortune.
And the age came with highest rank
أَحسِنhow lovely بِهاshe is شَمساًas a sun رَبيعِيَّةًspringtime
أَحسِن بِها شَمساً رَبيعِيَّةً
نازِحَةًfar removed عَنfrom قادِحاتِthe harmful influences of القِرانconjunction
نازِحَةً عَن قادِحاتِ القِران
How lovely she is, a springtime sun,
It resembled a vernal sun
far from the harmful influences of conjunction!
Retreating from the striking flints
فَالحَملُfor Aries الأَعلىlofty لَهاfor her حامِلٌa bearer
فَالحَملُ الأَعلى لَها حامِلٌ
يَقولُsaying ماhow أَطيَبَpleasant هَذاthis الزَمانseason
يَقولُ ما أَطيَبَ هَذا الزَمان
For lofty Aries bears her,
As if when it rose it revealed
saying: 'How pleasant is this season!'
The face of religion in the high heavens
تَدِبُّcreep فيthrough الأَعطافِthe limbs أَلطافُهاher gentle influences
تَدِبُّ في الأَعطافِ أَلطافُها
دَبيبَlike the creeping of راحٍwine رُوِّقَتthat was clarified فيin القَنانflasks
دَبيبَ راحٍ رُوِّقَت في القَنان
Her gentle influences steal through the limbs
A face of a youth who lowers his gaze in shyness
like wine clarified in flasks.
At whose awe mountains tremble and shepherds sigh
شَمسٌa sun بِإِذنِby permission of اللَهِGod يَحيىlives بِهاthrough her الthe (article continued)
شَمسٌ بِإِذنِ اللَهِ يَحيى بِها ال
عالَمُworld مِنcomprising نَبتٍplants وَإِنسٍand humans وَجانand jinn
عالَمُ مِن نَبتٍ وَإِنسٍ وَجان
A sun by which, with God's leave, the
Steadfast when folly ends through prohibition
world lives—plants, human beings, and jinn.
Wise, forbearing, and discerning when permitted
كَأَنَّهاas though she إِذwhen طَلَعَتrose أَطلَعَتbrought forth
كَأَنَّها إِذ طَلَعَت أَطلَعَت
وَجهَthe face of بَهاءِBaha الدينِal-Din فيin الطَيلَسانthe ṭaylasān cloak
وَجهَ بَهاءِ الدينِ في الطَيلَسان
As though, in rising, she had brought forth
More learned than any scholar, a father
the face of Baha al-Din in his ṭaylasān cloak.
Nobler than any noble, a son
وَجهthe face of فَتىًa youth يُغضيlowers his gaze حَياءًin modesty وَمِنyet from
وَجه فَتىً يُغضي حَياءً وَمِن
هَيبَتِهِawe of him تَنهَدُّcollapse هُضبُthe crags of الرِعانthe mountain peaks
هَيبَتِهِ تَنهَدُّ هُضبُ الرِعان
The face of a youth who lowers his gaze in modesty, yet from
God granted life through him to his father
awe of him the crags of mountain peaks crumble.
Who shouldered the burdens of nobility stalwartly
ثَبتٌsteadfast إِذاwhen الطَيشُrashness اِنتَهىreaches فيinto النُهىminds
ثَبتٌ إِذا الطَيشُ اِنتَهى في النُهى
أَبانَreveals حِلماًthrough forbearance خِفَّةًlightness فيin أبانAban
أَبانَ حِلماً خِفَّةً في أبان
Steadfast when rashness reaches minds,
And he continued following his guidance
his forbearance reveals how light Mount Aban is.
Supporting his words and meanings
أَعلَمُmore learned مِنthan كُلِّevery عَليمٍscholar أَباًas to his father
أَعلَمُ مِن كُلِّ عَليمٍ أَباً
أَكرَمُmore generous مِنthan كلِّevery كَريمٍgenerous man بَنانas to his fingers
أَكرَمُ مِن كلِّ كَريمٍ بَنان
His father is more learned than every scholar;
Of refined character, his company
his fingers more generous than every generous man's.
Suffices over wine for a boon companion
أَحياbrought to life بِهthrough him اللَهُGod أَباهُhis father فَقَدfor he has
أَحيا بِه اللَهُ أَباهُ فَقَد
قامَshouldered بِأَعباءِthe burdens of العُلىhigh rank غَيرَwithout وانflagging
قامَ بِأَعباءِ العُلى غَيرَ وان
Through him God brought his father to life, for he
In his palm pale as the sun, walking
has borne the burdens of high rank without flagging.
Head bowed like a slithering snake
وَلَمand has not يَزَلceased مُتَّبِعاًfollowing هَديَهُhis guidance
وَلَم يَزَل مُتَّبِعاً هَديَهُ
مُؤَيِّداًupholding أَلفاظَهُhis words وَالمَعانand the meanings
مُؤَيِّداً أَلفاظَهُ وَالمَعان
He has continued to follow his guidance,
His saliva an antidote to the ignorance
upholding his words and their meanings.
Of the uncouth, useful for wishes and purposes
مُرَوَّقُrefined الأَخلاقِin character يَغنىhas no need بِهِthrough him
مُرَوَّقُ الأَخلاقِ يَغنى بِهِ
جَليسُهُhis companion عَنof شُربِdrinking بِنتِthe daughter of الدِنانwine-jars
جَليسُهُ عَن شُربِ بِنتِ الدِنان
Refined of character, through him
Listen, my words, Abu Muhammad
his companion needs no drink of the daughter of wine-jars.
The preserver, son of erudition
فيin كَفِّهِhis palm أَبيَضُa gleaming blade ماضيkeen الشَّباof edge
في كَفِّهِ أَبيَضُ ماضي الشَّبا
إِذاwhen مَشىit moves أَطرَقَlowers its head كَالأُفعُوانlike a serpent
إِذا مَشى أَطرَقَ كَالأُفعُوان
In his palm is a gleaming blade, keen of edge;
And hear a felicitous ode whose beauty
when it moves, it lowers its head like a serpent.
Is like necklaces on the breasts of maidens
لُعابُهُits saliva دِرياقُan antidote for مَلسوعِone stung by أَفviper (first part)
لُعابُهُ دِرياقُ مَلسوعِ أَف
عىviper (completion) الجَهلِof ignorance جارٍflowing بِالمُنىwith hopes وَالأَمانand safety
عى الجَهلِ جارٍ بِالمُنى وَالأَمان
Its saliva is an antidote for one stung by the viper
O son of one whose death darkened
of ignorance, flowing with hopes and safety.
The East and West but for you
اِرعَheed كَلاميmy words مُسمِعاًgranting a hearing ياO أَباAbu
اِرعَ كَلامي مُسمِعاً يا أَبا
مُحَمَّدMuhammad الحافِظal-Hafiz ياO اِبنَson of الهِجانnoble stock
مُحَمَّد الحافِظ يا اِبنَ الهِجان
Give my words a hearing, O Abu
You who remains most noble in his art
Muhammad al-Hafiz, O son of noble stock.
Highest ranked in prestige and status
وَاِسمَعand hear قَريضاًverse رائِقاًgraceful حُسنُهُwhose beauty
وَاِسمَع قَريضاً رائِقاً حُسنُهُ
مِثلَis like عُقودٍnecklaces فيupon نُحورِthe throats of الحِسانbeautiful women
مِثلَ عُقودٍ في نُحورِ الحِسان
And hear graceful verse whose beauty
May God have mercy on him, how many
is like necklaces upon beautiful women's throats.
Assaults on religion he thwarted and undid
ياO اِبنَson of الَّذيhim who أَظلَمَتِwould have darkened المُشرِقانthe two easts
يا اِبنَ الَّذي أَظلَمَتِ المُشرِقان
لِمَوتِهِat his death لَولاكَbut for you وَالمَغرِبانand the two wests
لِمَوتِهِ لَولاكَ وَالمَغرِبان
O son of him—the two easts would have darkened
If he passed from this world as all things must
at his death, but for you, and the two wests too.
His legacy remains eternal, never done
أَنتَyou الَّذيare the one who ماhas not زالَceased فيin فَنِّهِhis discipline
أَنتَ الَّذي ما زالَ في فَنِّهِ
أَرفَعَhighest خَلقِof the creatures of اللَهِGod قَدراًin rank وَشانand standing
أَرفَعَ خَلقِ اللَهِ قَدراً وَشان
You are he who has always been, in his discipline,
Spread his history, replete with
the highest of God's creatures in rank and standing.
Virtue and eloquence’s magic
يَرحَمُهُmay He have mercy on him اللَهُGod فَكَمfor how many كَفّhe restrained مِنof
يَرحَمُهُ اللَهُ فَكَم كَفّ مِن
عاتٍa rebel عَلىagainst الدينِthe faith وَكَمand how many فَكَّhe freed عانa captive
عاتٍ عَلى الدينِ وَكَم فَكَّ عان
May God have mercy on him: how many he restrained
He shepherded the beasts of hearing in transmitting
who defied the faith, and how many captives he freed!
Between meadows blooming saffron
إِنif كانَhe has قَدalready حَلَّsettled in فِناءَthe courtyard of الفَناdeath
إِن كانَ قَد حَلَّ فِناءَ الفَنا
فَصيتُهُthen his fame مِنfrom بَعدِهِafter him غَيرُnot فانperishing
فَصيتُهُ مِن بَعدِهِ غَيرُ فان
If he has entered the courtyard of death,
To hear him is more delicious to the mind
his fame after him is undying.
Than perfect tunes and rhythmic metres
أَشهِرhow renowned بِهِhe is فيin نَشرِpublishing تاريخهhis history الthe (article continued)
أَشهِر بِهِ في نَشرِ تاريخه ال
مَشحونِladen بِالفَضلِwith excellence وَسِحرِand the magic of البَيانeloquence
مَشحونِ بِالفَضلِ وَسِحرِ البَيان
How renowned he is for publishing his history—the
We see none who implement it
work laden with excellence and the magic of eloquence!
Shaking the margins of the eloquent tongue
رَعىhe pastured سَوامَthe grazing herds of السَّمعِhearing فيin نَقلِهِhis narration
رَعى سَوامَ السَّمعِ في نَقلِهِ
بَينَamong مُروجٍmeadows نَبتُهاtheir growth الزَعفَرانsaffron
بَينَ مُروجٍ نَبتُها الزَعفَران
He pastured the herds of hearing in his narration
Without exclaiming in wonder at what
among meadows whose plants are saffron.
He extracts from its folders in reams
سَماعُهُhearing it أَشهىsweeter إِلىto اللُبِّthe mind مِنthan
سَماعُهُ أَشهى إِلى اللُبِّ مِن
مَثالِثِthe third strings العودِof the oud وَضَربِand plucking المَثانthe second strings
مَثالِثِ العودِ وَضَربِ المَثان
Hearing it is sweeter to the mind than
Damascus is blessed with history
the oud's third strings and the plucking of its second strings.
Envied by every storyteller and chronicler
فَماand never نَرىwe see قارِئَهُits reader مُعمِلاًsetting in motion
فَما نَرى قارِئَهُ مُعمِلاً
هَزَّthe shaking of حَواشيthe edges of عَذَباتِthe tips of اللِّسانthe tongue
هَزَّ حَواشي عَذَباتِ اللِّسان
We never see its reader setting in motion
Baghdad’s history compared to it
the fluttering edges of his tongue's tips,
Is a speck beside the Tigris and Euphrates
إِلاexcept وَعَوَّذناهُand we invoked protection for him عُجباًin wonder بِماat what
إِلا وَعَوَّذناهُ عُجباً بِما
يَنشُرُهُhe unfolds it مِنfrom طَيِّهِits folds بِالمَثانwith the oft-repeated verses
يَنشُرُهُ مِن طَيِّهِ بِالمَثان
without invoking protection for him—marveling at what
What equals him who compiled it
he unfolds from its folds—with the oft-repeated verses.
When the lion cannot match the fox
دِمَشقُDamascus بِالتاريخِwith the history مَغبوطَةٌenviably blessed
دِمَشقُ بِالتاريخِ مَغبوطَةٌ
مَحسودَةٌenvied مِنby كُلِّeveryone قاصٍfar away وَدانand near
مَحسودَةٌ مِن كُلِّ قاصٍ وَدان
Damascus is enviably blessed with this history,
The names willingly submitted to him
envied by everyone far and near.
And chaos evaporated into calm
تاريخُthe History of بَغدادَBaghdad لَدىat ذِكرِهِits mention
تاريخُ بَغدادَ لَدى ذِكرِهِ
كَنُقطَةٍlike a drop فيin مُعظَمِthe main body of النَّهرَوانthe Nahrawan
كَنُقطَةٍ في مُعظَمِ النَّهرَوان
When his history is mentioned, the History of Baghdad
People only reap good harvests
is like a drop in the main body of the Nahrawan.
When the roots of the palm trees are good
فَماso there is no لِمَنfor the one who صَنَّفَهُcompiled it مُشبِهٌequal
فَما لِمَن صَنَّفَهُ مُشبِهٌ
وَاللَّيثُand the lion لاnot يُشبِهُهُresembles it الثعلبانthe fox
وَاللَّيثُ لا يُشبِهُهُ الثعلبان
The man who compiled it has no peer,
His father, with no intermediary
and no fox resembles a lion.
He gained, praise God, despite those
اِنقادَتِyielded الأَسماءُthe names طَوعاًwillingly لَهُto him
اِنقادَتِ الأَسماءُ طَوعاً لَهُ
فَأَصبَحَتso they came to be فيهِin it وَزالَand vanished الحِرانresistance
فَأَصبَحَت فيهِ وَزالَ الحِران
The names yielded willingly to him,
Who deemed him the furthest from triumph
and came to be in it, with resistance gone.
No stumbling for him, no declining
وَالناسُand people لاdo not يَجنونَgather طيبَsweet الجَنىfruit
وَالناسُ لا يَجنونَ طيبَ الجَنى
إِلّاexcept إِذاwhen طابَتare good أُصولُthe roots of المَجانwhat is gathered
إِلّا إِذا طابَت أُصولُ المَجان
People gather no sweet fruit
In disgrace to the abysses of humiliation
unless the roots of what they gather are good.
No days dragged him into what displeased him
هَذاthis is بَهاءُBaha الدينِal-Din قَدhas جاءَcome مِنfrom
هَذا بَهاءُ الدينِ قَد جاءَ مِن
بَعدِafter أَبيهِhis father لَمnot يُشَفَّعbeen paired بِثانwith a second
بَعدِ أَبيهِ لَم يُشَفَّع بِثان
This Baha al-Din has come
Rather what He willed for him, two hands extended
after his father, with no second to match him.
Rise with head erect, high and towering
حازَhe won بِحَمدِwith praise to اللَهِGod رَغماًdespite لِمَنwhoever
حازَ بِحَمدِ اللَهِ رَغماً لِمَن
باراهُrivaled him أَقصىthe furthest قَصَباتِwinning-posts الرِهانof the race
باراهُ أَقصى قَصَباتِ الرِهان
He won, praise be to God, despite whoever
For you and glory are twins nursed together
rivaled him, the race's farthest winning-posts.
Many are your unled young camels, when
لاmay not زَلَّتِslip النَّعلُthe sandal بِهِbeneath him لاnever وَلاand may not
لا زَلَّتِ النَّعلُ بِهِ لا وَلا
زالَتcease to remain عِداهُhis foes فيin مَهاويthe pits of الهَوانhumiliation
زالَت عِداهُ في مَهاوي الهَوان
May his sandal never slip—never! And may
The landmarks of knowledge grow unclear and dark
his foes never leave the pits of humiliation.
Who shiver in praise like the spear points
لاmay not مُدَّbe extended مِنby دَهرٍtime بِماwith what ساءهُgrieves him
لا مُدَّ مِن دَهرٍ بِما ساءهُ
لَكِنbut بِماwith what شاءَhe desires إِلَيهِtoward him يَدانtwo hands
لَكِن بِما شاءَ إِلَيهِ يَدان
May time never reach out with what would grieve him,
On day of stabbing, eyes expectant
but with what he wishes, extending two hands toward him.
As if the light from you heralded
اِشمَخhold yourself high بِأَنفٍwith a nose شامِخٍlofty آنِفٍproud
اِشمَخ بِأَنفٍ شامِخٍ آنِفٍ
فَأَنتَfor you وَالمَجدَand glory رَضيعاare two nurslings لِبانof the same milk
فَأَنتَ وَالمَجدَ رَضيعا لِبان
Hold high your lofty, proud nose,
Was newly emitted from Zubara’s moon
for you and glory are nurslings of the same milk.
Your reputation on a stair, though you always
كَمhow many لَكَare yours مِنof بِكرٍa virgin question إِذاwhen اِستَبهَمَتbecome obscure
كَم لَكَ مِن بِكرٍ إِذا اِستَبهَمَت
مَعالِمُthe landmarks of العِلمِknowledge وَكَمand how many مِنof عَوانa seasoned question
مَعالِمُ العِلمِ وَكَم مِن عَوان
How many a virgin question is yours when obscured are
Wage war over wealth like an unruly band
the landmarks of learning—and how many a seasoned one!
O you of white hand and resolve
يَهتَزُّhe thrills لِلمَدحِat praise اِهتِزازَlike the quivering القَناof spears
يَهتَزُّ لِلمَدحِ اِهتِزازَ القَنا
مُنأَطِرَbent الأَطرافِat the tips يَومَon the day الطِّعانof spear-fighting
مُنأَطِرَ الأَطرافِ يَومَ الطِّعان
He thrills to praise as spears quiver,
Stronger than Indian steel
with tips bent on the day of spear-fighting.
Vile blame avoids you in favor
كَأَنَّماas though بِشرُكَyour cheerfulness مِنfrom نورِهِits radiance
كَأَنَّما بِشرُكَ مِن نورِهِ
مُنبَعِثٌemanating عَنfrom غُرَّةِthe bright brow of الزِّبرِقانthe full moon
مُنبَعِثٌ عَن غُرَّةِ الزِّبرِقان
As though your cheerfulness, with its radiance,
Crowded with pilgrims from afar
were issuing from the full moon's bright brow.
Neither did the leaves sing joyously nor
عِرضُكَyour honor فيin سِلمٍpeace وَلَمّاand have not yet تَزَلceased
عِرضُكَ في سِلمٍ وَلَمّا تَزَل
تَصولُyou assail فيagainst المالِwealth بِحَربٍwith a war عَوانrenewed and fierce
تَصولُ في المالِ بِحَربٍ عَوان
Your honor is at peace, yet you have not ceased
Did roosters crow the call to prayer
assailing your wealth in a fiercely renewed war.
ياO ذاpossessor of اليَدِthe hand البَيضاءِwhite وَالعَزمَةِand the resolve الwhich (first part of التي)
يا ذا اليَدِ البَيضاءِ وَالعَزمَةِ ال
لَتيwhich (completion of التي) غَدَتhas become أَمضىkeener مِنَthan الهِندوانIndian steel
لَتي غَدَت أَمضى مِنَ الهِندوان
O you of the white hand and the resolve
that has grown keener than Indian steel!
اِربَعdwell at ease خَلاكَhas spared you الذَمُّblame فيin نِعمَةٍprosperity
اِربَع خَلاكَ الذَمُّ في نِعمَةٍ
آهِلَةِthronged الرَبعِin its dwelling بِوَفدِwith delegations التَّهانof congratulations
آهِلَةِ الرَبعِ بِوَفدِ التَّهان
Dwell, untouched by blame, in prosperity,
its abode thronged with delegations of congratulations,
ماas long as غَنَّتِsing الوُرقُthe gray doves سُحَيراًjust before dawn وَماand as long as
ما غَنَّتِ الوُرقُ سُحَيراً وَما
زَقَتcrow دُيوكٌcocks آذَنَتannouncing بِالأَذانthe call to prayer
زَقَت دُيوكٌ آذَنَت بِالأَذان
as long as gray doves sing before dawn, and as long as
cocks crow, heralding the call to prayer.
Partial English translation: 141 of 148 Arabic lines translated.
Sol 6.1