قَرُبتُ بِالبُعدِ مِنَ الناسِ

قَرُبتُ بِالبُعدِ مِنَ الناسِ

وَفُضَّتِ الأَطماعُ بِالياسِ

وَفُضَّتِ الأَطماعُ بِالياسِ

Through distance from the people, I drew near,

I drew near by distancing myself from people,

and cravings were shattered by despair—

and hopes were shattered by despair,

إِلّا بَقايا مِن جَميعِ الهَوى

إِلّا بَقايا مِن جَميعِ الهَوى

تَهفو بِلُبِّ الجَبَلِ الراسي

تَهفو بِلُبِّ الجَبَلِ الراسي

save remnants of every passion,

save remnants of all longing

fluttering in the heart of a steadfast mountain.

that set the heart of the firmly rooted mountain fluttering.

دَمعي كَجودي عِندَ بَذلِ النَدى

دَمعي كَجودي عِندَ بَذلِ النَدى

وَحَرُّ بَأسي مِثلُ أَنفاسي

وَحَرُّ بَأسي مِثلُ أَنفاسي

My tears are like my largesse when bounty is bestowed,

My tears are like my generosity when bounty is bestowed,

and the fire of my valor is like my breathing.

and the heat of my battle-fury is like my breath.

وَجهي رَقيقٌ يَستَشِفُّ الحَيا

وَجهي رَقيقٌ يَستَشِفُّ الحَيا

مِنهُ وَقَلبي دونَهُ قاسِ

مِنهُ وَقَلبي دونَهُ قاسِ

My face is tender—modesty shows through it,

My face is delicate; one discerns modesty

while behind it my heart is hard.

through it, yet my heart beneath it is hard.

لا حَظَّ في المَجدِ لِمَن لَم يَزَل

لا حَظَّ في المَجدِ لِمَن لَم يَزَل

في حَيَّزِ الإِبريقِ وَالكاسِ

في حَيَّزِ الإِبريقِ وَالكاسِ

There is no share in glory for one who remains

There is no share in glory for one who remains

within the confines of ewer and cup.

within the confines of the ewer and the cup.

كُلُّ غُلامِ رامَ خَدعَ العُلى

كُلُّ غُلامِ رامَ خَدعَ العُلى

يَلطُفُ في بِرّي وَإيناسي

يَلطُفُ في بِرّي وَإيناسي

Every youth who tries to beguile Glory

Every youth who seeks to beguile the heights

courts me subtly with kindness and companionship.

is gracious in showing me kindness and putting me at ease.