أَعَلِمتَDo you know مَنwhom حَمَلواthey carried عَلىupon الأَعوادِthe wooden planks
أَعَلِمتَ مَن حَمَلوا عَلى الأَعوادِ
أَرَأَيتَHave you seen كَيفَhow خَباwent out ضِياءُthe light of الناديthe gathering-place
أَرَأَيتَ كَيفَ خَبا ضِياءُ النادي
Do you know whom they carried on the wooden bier?
Have you seen how the gathering-place's light went out?
جَبَلٌa mountain هَوىfell لَوif خَرَّit crashed فيinto البَحرِthe sea اِغتَدىwould have become
جَبَلٌ هَوى لَو خَرَّ في البَحرِ اِغتَدى
مِنfrom وَقعِهِits impact مُتَتابِعَunceasing in الإِزبادِfoaming
مِن وَقعِهِ مُتَتابِعَ الإِزبادِ
A mountain fell; had it crashed into the sea, the sea would have become
unceasing in its foaming from the impact.
ماnot كُنتُI was أَعلَمُknowing قَبلَbefore حَطِّكَyour lowering فيinto الثَرىthe earth
ما كُنتُ أَعلَمُ قَبلَ حَطِّكَ في الثَرى
أَنَّthat الثَرىthe earth يَعلوrises عَلىabove الأَطوادِthe mountains
أَنَّ الثَرى يَعلو عَلى الأَطوادِ
Before you were lowered into the earth, I did not know
that earth could rise above mountains.
بُعداًaway with لِيَومِكَyour day فيin الزَمانِtime فَإِنَّهُfor it
بُعداً لِيَومِكَ في الزَمانِ فَإِنَّهُ
أَقذىcast grit into العُيونَthe eyes وَفَتَّand weakened فيin الأَعضادِthe arms
أَقذى العُيونَ وَفَتَّ في الأَعضادِ
Away with your day in time, for it
cast grit into eyes and sapped the strength of arms.
لاnot يَنفَدُruns out الدَمعُthe tears الَّذيwhich يُبكىare wept بِهِwith them
لا يَنفَدُ الدَمعُ الَّذي يُبكى بِهِ
إِنَّindeed القُلوبَthe hearts لَهُfor it مِنَamong الأَمدادِthe replenishments
إِنَّ القُلوبَ لَهُ مِنَ الأَمدادِ
The tears with which we weep will never run dry;
the hearts provide them with replenishment.
كَيفَhow اِنمَحىwas effaced ذاكَthat الجَنابُnoble presence وَعُطِّلَتand were deserted
كَيفَ اِنمَحى ذاكَ الجَنابُ وَعُطِّلَت
تِلكَthose الفِجاجُbroad paths وَضَلَّand was lost ذاكَthat الهاديguide
تِلكَ الفِجاجُ وَضَلَّ ذاكَ الهادي
How was that noble presence effaced, and deserted
those broad paths, and that guide lost?
طاحَتswept away بِتِلكَthose المَكرُماتِnoble deeds طَوائِحٌoverthrowing calamities
طاحَت بِتِلكَ المَكرُماتِ طَوائِحٌ
وَعَدَتand assailed عَلىagainst ذاكَthat الجَوادِgenerous man عَواديravaging calamities
وَعَدَت عَلى ذاكَ الجَوادِ عَوادي
Overthrowing calamities swept those noble deeds away,
and ravaging blows assailed that generous man.
قالواthey said أَطاعَhe yielded وَقيدَand was led فيon شَطَنِthe long tether of الرَدىdeath
قالوا أَطاعَ وَقيدَ في شَطَنِ الرَدى
أَيديthe hands of المَنونِdeath مَلَكتِpossessed أَيَّwhat a قِيادِcommand
أَيدي المَنونِ مَلَكتِ أَيَّ قِيادِ
They said: 'He yielded and was led on death's long tether.'
What command the hands of death have gained
مِنover مُصعَبٍan unruly steed لَوif لَمnot يَقُدهُled him إِلَهُهُhis God
مِن مُصعَبٍ لَو لَم يَقُدهُ إِلَهُهُ
بِقَضائِهِby His decree ماnot كانَhe was بِالمُنقادِsubmissive
بِقَضائِهِ ما كانَ بِالمُنقادِ
over an unruly steed! Had his God not led him
by His decree, he would never have submitted.
هَذاthis is أَبوAbu, father of إِسحَقَIshaq يُغلِقُbecomes forfeit رَهنُهُhis pledge
هَذا أَبو إِسحَقَ يُغلِقُ رَهنُهُ
هَلis there ذاone with يَدٍmeans أَوor مانِعٍa defender أَوor فادِa ransomer
هَل ذا يَدٍ أَو مانِعٍ أَو فادِ
Here is Abu Ishaq, his pledge now forfeit;
is there anyone with means, a defender, or a ransomer?
لَوif كُنتَyou were تُفدىransomed لَاِفتَدَتكَwould have ransomed you فَوارِسٌhorsemen
لَو كُنتَ تُفدى لَاِفتَدَتكَ فَوارِسٌ
مُطِرواwere showered بِعارِضِby the storm cloud of كُلِّevery يَومِday of طِرادِjousting
مُطِروا بِعارِضِ كُلِّ يَومِ طِرادِ
Had you been ransomable, horsemen would have ransomed you,
showered by the storm cloud of every day of jousting.
وَإِذاand when تَأَلَّقَflashed بارِقٌlightning لِوَقيعَةٍfor a battle
وَإِذا تَأَلَّقَ بارِقٌ لِوَقيعَةٍ
وَالخَيلُand the horses تَفحَصُpaw the earth بِالرِجالِwith the men بَدادِscattered apart
وَالخَيلُ تَفحَصُ بِالرِجالِ بَدادِ
When a battle's lightning flashed,
and horses pawed the earth with riders scattered wide,
سَلوّاthey drew out الدُروعَthe armor مِنَfrom العُبابِthe surge وَأَقبَلواand advanced
سَلوّا الدُروعَ مِنَ العُبابِ وَأَقبَلوا
يَتَحَدَّبونَbending عَلىover القَناthe spears المَيّادِswaying
يَتَحَدَّبونَ عَلى القَنا المَيّادِ
they drew their armor from the surge and came forward,
bending over swaying spears.
لَكِنbut رَماكَstruck you مُجَبِّنُthe one making cowards of الشُجعانِthe brave عَنfrom
لَكِن رَماكَ مُجَبِّنُ الشُجعانِ عَن
إِقدامِهِمtheir daring advance وَمُضَعضِعُand the one shaking الأَنجادِthe valiant
إِقدامِهِم وَمُضَعضِعُ الأَنجادِ
But you were struck by him who makes the brave shrink from
their daring, and shakes the valiant.
كَاللَيثِlike a lion يوهَنُis weakened بِالتَرابِby the dust وَيَمتَليand becomes filled
كَاللَيثِ يوهَنُ بِالتَرابِ وَيَمتَلي
نَوماًwith sleep عَلىdespite الأَضغانِgrudges وَالأَحقادِand resentments
نَوماً عَلى الأَضغانِ وَالأَحقادِ
Like a lion weakened by the dust, now filled
with sleep, despite grudges and resentments.
وَالدَهرُand time تَدخُلُenter نافِذاتُthe piercing shafts of سِهامِهِits arrows
وَالدَهرُ تَدخُلُ نافِذاتُ سِهامِهِ
مَأوىthe lair of الصِلالِthe vipers وَمَربَضَand the resting-place of الآسادِthe lions
مَأوى الصِلالِ وَمَربَضَ الآسادِ
Time's piercing arrows enter
the vipers' lair and the lions' resting-place.
أَلقىit laid الجِرانَits neck's underside عَلىupon عَنطَنطِthe towering one of حِميَرٍHimyar
أَلقى الجِرانَ عَلى عَنطَنطِ حِميَرٍ
فَمَضىso he passed away وَمَدَّand stretched يَداًa hand لِأَحمَرٍtoward Ahmar عادِ'Ad
فَمَضى وَمَدَّ يَداً لِأَحمَرٍ عادِ
It laid its neck upon Himyar's towering giant;
he passed away, and it stretched a hand toward Ahmar of 'Ad.
أَعزِزhow grievous عَلَيَّto me بِأَنthat أَراكَI see you وَقَدwhen already خَلَتhave vanished
أَعزِز عَلَيَّ بِأَن أَراكَ وَقَد خَلَت
مِنfrom جانِبَيكَyour two sides مَقاوِدُthe trains of العُوّادِthe visitors
مِن جانِبَيكَ مَقاوِدُ العُوّادِ
How grievous it is for me to see you, now that
the trains of visitors have vanished from your sides.
أَعِزِزhow grievous عَلَيَّto me بِأَنthat يُفارِقَshould leave ناظِريmy sight
أَعِزِز عَلَيَّ بِأَن يُفارِقَ ناظِري
لَمَعانَthe gleam of ذاكَthat الكَوكَبِstar الوَقّادِblazing
لَمَعانَ ذاكَ الكَوكَبِ الوَقّادِ
How grievous it is for me that my eyes should lose
the gleam of that blazing star.
أَعزِزhow grievous عَلَيَّto me بِأَنthat نَزَلتَyou lodged بِمَنزِلٍin a dwelling
أَعزِز عَلَيَّ بِأَن نَزَلتَ بِمَنزِلٍ
مُتَشابِهِalike الأَمجادِthe noble وَالأَوغادِand the base
مُتَشابِهِ الأَمجادِ وَالأَوغادِ
How grievous it is for me that you have lodged in a dwelling
where noble men and base men are alike.
فيamong عُصبَةٍa band جُنِبواwere driven إِلىtoward آجالِهِمtheir appointed ends
في عُصبَةٍ جُنِبوا إِلى آجالِهِم
وَالدَهرُand time يُعجِلُهُمhurries them عَنِaway from الإِروادِlingering
وَالدَهرُ يُعجِلُهُم عَنِ الإِروادِ
Among a band driven toward their appointed ends,
while time hurries them away from lingering.
ضَرَبواthey pitched بِمَدرَجَةِalong the road to الفَناءِextinction قِبابَهُمtheir domed tents
ضَرَبوا بِمَدرَجَةِ الفَناءِ قِبابَهُم
مِنfrom غَيرِthe absence of أَطنابٍguy ropes وَلاand no أَوتادِstakes
مِن غَيرِ أَطنابٍ وَلا أَوتادِ
They pitched their domed tents along the road to extinction,
without guy ropes or stakes.
رَكبٌa caravan أَناخواmade their mounts kneel لاnot يُرجّىis hoped for مِنهُمُfrom them
رَكبٌ أَناخوا لا يُرجّى مِنهُمُ
قَصدٌa journey لِإِتِهامٍto Tihamah وَلاnor إِنجادِgoing to Najd
قَصدٌ لِإِتِهامٍ وَلا إِنجادِ
A caravan that has knelt to rest, from whom no
journey to Tihamah or Najd is expected.
كَرِهواthey hated النُزولَdismounting فَأَنزَلَتهُمso made them descend وَقعَةٌa blow
كَرِهوا النُزولَ فَأَنزَلَتهُم وَقعَةٌ
لِلدَهرِof time بارِكَةٌbearing down بِكُلِّupon every مَقادِhalter
لِلدَهرِ بارِكَةٌ بِكُلِّ مَقادِ
They hated dismounting, but a blow made them descend,
a blow from time, bearing down upon every halter.
فَتَهافَتواso they tumbled عَنoff رَحلِthe camel-saddle of كُلِّevery مُذَلَّلٍdocile mount
فَتَهافَتوا عَن رَحلِ كُلِّ مُذَلَّلٍ
وَتَطاوَحواand were flung عَنoff سَرجِthe saddle of كُلِّevery جَوادِnoble steed
وَتَطاوَحوا عَن سَرجِ كُلِّ جَوادِ
So they tumbled from the camel-saddle of every docile mount,
and were flung from the saddle of every noble steed.
بادونَappearing فيin صُوَرِthe forms of الجَميعِa company وَإِنَّهُمthough they
بادونَ في صُوَرِ الجَميعِ وَإِنَّهُم
مُتَفَرِّدونَare solitary تَفَرُّدَwith the solitude of الآحادِindividuals
مُتَفَرِّدونَ تَفَرُّدَ الآحادِ
They appear in the semblance of a company, though they
are solitary, each alone in his solitude.
مِمّاamong what يُطيلُprolongs الهَمَّsorrow أَنَّthat أَمامَناahead of us
مِمّا يُطيلُ الهَمَّ أَنَّ أَمامَنا
طولَthe length of الطَريقِthe road وَقِلَّةَand the scarcity of الأَزوادِprovisions
طولَ الطَريقِ وَقِلَّةَ الأَزوادِ
What prolongs sorrow is that ahead of us lie
a long road and scant provisions.
عُمريby my life لَقَدindeed أَغمَدتُI sheathed مِنكَfrom you مُهَنَّداًan Indian blade
عُمري لَقَد أَغمَدتُ مِنكَ مُهَنَّداً
فيin التُربِthe dust كانَit was مُمَزِّقَa shredder of الأَغمادِsheaths
في التُربِ كانَ مُمَزِّقَ الأَغمادِ
By my life, in you I have sheathed an Indian blade
in the dust, a blade that used to rend its sheaths.
قَدindeed كُنتُI was أَهوىlonging أَنto أُشاطِرَكَshare with you الرَدىdeath
قَد كُنتُ أَهوى أَن أُشاطِرَكَ الرَدى
لَكِنbut أَرادَwilled اللَهُGod غَيرَother than مُراديmy wish
لَكِن أَرادَ اللَهُ غَيرَ مُرادي
I had longed to share death with you,
but God willed otherwise than I desired.
وَلَقَدand indeed كَباstumbled طَرفُthe steed of الرُقادِsleep بِناظِريat my eyes
وَلَقَد كَبا طَرفُ الرُقادِ بِناظِري
أَسَفاًin grief عَليكَfor you فَلاso no لَعاًrecovery لِرُقادِfor sleep
أَسَفاً عَليكَ فَلا لَعاً لِرُقادِ
Sleep's steed has stumbled at my eyes
in grief for you—may sleep never recover!
ثَكِلَتكَwas bereaved of you أَرضٌa land لَمnot تَلِدbore لَكَto match you ثانِياًa second
ثَكِلَتكَ أَرضٌ لَم تَلِد لَكَ ثانِياً
أَنّىhow could it وَمِثلُكَwhen your like مُعوَذُis rare in الميلادِbirth
أَنّى وَمِثلُكَ مُعوَذُ الميلادِ
A land bereaved of you has borne no second like you;
how could it, when your like is so rarely born?
مَنwho لِلبَلاغَةِfor eloquence وَالفَصاحَةِand fluent speech إِنif هَمَىpoured down
مَن لِلبَلاغَةِ وَالفَصاحَةِ إِن هَمَى
ذاكَthat الغَمامُcloud وَعَبَّand surged ذاكَthat الواديvalley
ذاكَ الغَمامُ وَعَبَّ ذاكَ الوادي
Who will serve eloquence and fluent speech, should
that cloud pour down and that valley surge?
مَنwho لِلمُلوكِfor kings يَجُزُّcuts down فيamong أَعدائِهاtheir enemies
مَن لِلمُلوكِ يَجُزُّ في أَعدائِها
بِظُبىًwith blade-edges مِنَof القَولِspeech البَليغِeloquent حِدادِsharp
بِظُبىً مِنَ القَولِ البَليغِ حِدادِ
Who will serve kings, cutting down their enemies
with sharp blade-edges of eloquent speech?
مَنwho لِلمَمالِكِfor kingdoms لاnot يَزاكُceases (unclear spelling) يُلِمُّهاputs them in order
مَن لِلمَمالِكِ لا يَزاكُ يُلِمُّها
بِسِدادِby rectifying أَمرٍan affair ضائِعٍneglected وَسَدادِand sound judgment
بِسِدادِ أَمرٍ ضائِعٍ وَسَدادِ
Who will tend kingdoms, ever putting them in order
by mending a neglected affair and by sound judgment?
مَنwho لِلجَحافِلِfor legions يَستَزِلُّmakes slip رِماحَهاtheir spears
مَن لِلجَحافِلِ يَستَزِلُّ رِماحَها
وَيَرُدُّand repels رَعلَتَهاtheir vanguard بِغَيرِwithout جِلادِcombat
وَيَرُدُّ رَعلَتَها بِغَيرِ جِلادِ
Who will face the legions, making their spears slip,
and turning back their vanguard without combat?
مَنwho لِلمَوارِقِfor renegades يَستَرِدُّwins back قُلوبَهاtheir hearts
مَن لِلمَوارِقِ يَستَرِدُّ قُلوبَها
بِزَلازِلِwith the tremors of الإِبراقِlightning وَالإِرعادِand thunder
بِزَلازِلِ الإِبراقِ وَالإِرعادِ
Who will deal with renegades, winning back their hearts
with the tremors of lightning and thunder,
وَصَحايِفٍand with pages فيهاin them الأَراقِمُspotted vipers كُمَّنٌlie in ambush
وَصَحايِفٍ فيها الأَراقِمُ كُمَّنٌ
مَرهوبَةُdreaded الإِصدارِin dispatch وَالإيرادِand delivery
مَرهوبَةُ الإِصدارِ وَالإيرادِ
and with pages where spotted vipers lie in ambush,
dreaded in their dispatch and delivery?
تَدمىbleed طَوائِعُهاtheir obedient ones إِذاwhen اِستَعرَضتَهاyou review them
تَدمى طَوائِعُها إِذا اِستَعرَضتَها
مِنfrom شِدَّةِthe severity of التَحذيرِwarning وَالإيعادِand threat
مِن شِدَّةِ التَحذيرِ وَالإيعادِ
Their obedient lines bleed when you review them,
from the severity of warning and threat.
حُمرٌred عَلىto نَظَرِthe gaze of العَدُوِّthe enemy كَأَنَّماas though
حُمرٌ عَلى نَظَرِ العَدُوِّ كَأَنَّما
بِدَمٍwith blood يَخُطُّhe writes بِهِنَّupon them لاnot بِمِدادِwith ink
بِدَمٍ يَخُطُّ بِهِنَّ لا بِمِدادِ
Red before the enemy's eyes, as though
he writes upon them with blood, not ink.
يُقدِمنَthey advance إِقدامَwith the advance of الجُيوشِarmies وَباطِلٌand impossible
يُقدِمنَ إِقدامَ الجُيوشِ وَباطِلٌ
أَنthat يَنهَزِمنَthey be routed هَزائِمَwith the routs of الأَجنادِtroops
أَن يَنهَزِمنَ هَزائِمَ الأَجنادِ
They advance as armies advance, and it is impossible
that they should be routed as soldiers are routed.
فِقَرٌpassages بِهاthrough them تُمسيbecome المُلوكُkings فَقيرَةًneedy
فِقَرٌ بِها تُمسي المُلوكُ فَقيرَةً
إِبَداًforever إِلىfor مَبدىًa first telling لَهاof them وَمَعادِand retelling
إِبَداً إِلى مَبدىً لَها وَمَعادِ
Passages that leave kings in need
forever, for their first telling and their retelling.
وَتَكونُand they become صَوتاًa voice لِلحَرونِfor the balking steed إِذاwhen وَنىit flags
وَتَكونُ صَوتاً لِلحَرونِ إِذا وَنى
وَعِنانَand the rein of عُنقِthe neck of الجامِحِthe bolting steed المُتَماديpersistently unruly
وَعِنانَ عُنقِ الجامِحِ المُتَمادي
They become a voice for the balking steed when it flags,
and a rein upon the neck of the persistently bolting one.
تُرقيcast spells وَتَلذَعُand sting فيin القُلوبِthe hearts وَإِنand if يَشاhe wishes
تُرقي وَتَلذَعُ في القُلوبِ وَإِن يَشا
حَطَّhe brings down النَجومَthe stars بِهاwith them مِنَfrom الأَبعادِfar distances
حَطَّ النَجومَ بِها مِنَ الأَبعادِ
They enchant and sting the hearts; should he wish,
with them he brings the stars down from far distances.
إِنَّindeed الدُموعَthe tears عَلَيكَfor you غَيرُnot بَخيلَةٍniggardly
إِنَّ الدُموعَ عَلَيكَ غَيرُ بَخيلَةٍ
وَالقَلبَand the heart بِالسُلوانِwith consolation غَيرُnot جَوادِgenerous
وَالقَلبَ بِالسُلوانِ غَيرُ جَوادِ
The tears for you are not niggardly,
but the heart is not generous with consolation.
سَوَّدتَyou blackened ماwhat بَينَlies between الفَضاءِopen space وَناظِريand my sight
سَوَّدتَ ما بَينَ الفَضاءِ وَناظِري
وَغَسَلتَand you washed away مِنfrom عَينَيَّmy two eyes كُلَّall سَوادِblackness
وَغَسَلتَ مِن عَينَيَّ كُلَّ سَوادِ
You blackened what lies between the open sky and my eyes,
and washed every trace of blackness from my eyes.
رَيُّthe drenching of الخُدودِthe cheeks مِنَwith المَدامِعِtears شاهِدٌa witness
رَيُّ الخُدودِ مِنَ المَدامِعِ شاهِدٌ
أَنَّthat القُلوبَthe hearts مِنَfrom الغَليلِburning thirst صَوادِare parched
أَنَّ القُلوبَ مِنَ الغَليلِ صَوادِ
The drenching of cheeks with tears bears witness
that hearts are parched with burning thirst.
ماnot كُنتُI was أَخشىfearing أَنthat تَضِنَّyou would begrudge بِلَفظَةٍa word
ما كُنتُ أَخشى أَن تَضِنَّ بِلَفظَةٍ
لِتَقومَso it might serve بَعدَكَafter you ليfor me مَقامَin the place of الزادِprovision
لِتَقومَ بَعدَكَ لي مَقامَ الزادِ
I never feared that you would begrudge a word
to serve as my provision after your passing.
ماذاwhat الَّذيis it that مَنَعَkept الفَنيقَthe prized stallion-camel هَديرَهُhis roar
ماذا الَّذي مَنَعَ الفَنيقَ هَديرَهُ
مِنfrom بَعدِafter صَولَتِهِhis onslaught عَلىupon الأَذوادِthe camel herds
مِن بَعدِ صَولَتِهِ عَلى الأَذوادِ
What kept the prized stallion-camel from his roar
after his charge against the camel herds?
ماذاwhat الَّذيis it that حَبَسَheld back الجَوادَthe noble steed عَنِfrom المَدىthe finish
ماذا الَّذي حَبَسَ الجَوادَ عَنِ المَدى
مِنfrom بَعدِafter سَبقَتِهِhis racing ahead إِلىtoward الآمادِthe distant goals
مِن بَعدِ سَبقَتِهِ إِلى الآمادِ
What held the noble steed back from the finish
after his racing ahead toward distant goals?
ماذاwhat الَّذيis it that فَجَعَstruck with loss الهُمامَthe valiant man بِوَثبَةٍwith a leap
ماذا الَّذي فَجَعَ الهُمامَ بِوَثبَةٍ
وَعَداand assailed عَلىagainst دَمِهِhis blood وَكانَwhen he was العاديthe assailant
وَعَدا عَلى دَمِهِ وَكانَ العادي
What struck the valiant man with a sudden pounce,
and assailed his blood, when he was the assailant?
قُلsay لِلنَوائِبِto calamities عَدِّديrecount أَيّامَهُhis days
قُل لِلنَوائِبِ عَدِّدي أَيّامَهُ
يَغنىhe dispenses عَنِwith التَعدادِenumeration بِالتَطدادِthrough firm establishment (unclear form)
يَغنى عَنِ التَعدادِ بِالتَطدادِ
Tell calamities: 'Recount his days';
he needs no enumeration, being so firmly established.
حَمّالُbearer of أَلوِيَةِthe banners of العَلاءِhigh honor بِنَجدَةٍwith valor
حَمّالُ أَلوِيَةِ العَلاءِ بِنَجدَةٍ
كَالسَيفِlike a sword يَغنىdispenses عَنwith مَناطِthe attachment of نِجادِa sword-belt
كَالسَيفِ يَغنى عَن مَناطِ نِجادِ
He bears the banners of high honor with valor,
like a sword that needs no sword-belt's support.
قَلَصَتshrank أَظِلَّةُthe shades of كُلَّevery فَضلٍexcellence بَعدَهُafter him
قَلَصَت أَظِلَّةُ كُلَّ فَضلٍ بَعدَهُ
وَأَمَرَّand grew bitter مَشرَبُهاtheir drinking-water عَلىto الوُرّادِthose coming to drink
وَأَمَرَّ مَشرَبُها عَلى الوُرّادِ
The shades of every excellence shrank after him,
and their drinking-water grew bitter to those who came.
لَقَضىsurely declared لِسانُكَyour tongue مُذsince ذَوَتwithered ثَمَراتُهits fruits
لَقَضى لِسانُكَ مُذ ذَوَت ثَمَراتُه
أَنthat لاno دَوامَlasting لِنُضرَةِfor the freshness of الأَعوادِbranches
أَن لا دَوامَ لِنُضرَةِ الأَعوادِ
Surely your tongue declared, when its fruits withered,
that the freshness of branches cannot last;
وَقَضىand declared جَنانُكَyour heart مُذsince قَضَتexpired وَقداتُهُits flames
وَقَضى جَنانُكَ مُذ قَضَت وَقداتُهُ
أَنthat لاno بَقاءَendurance لِقَدحِfor the striking of كُلِّany زِنادِflint
أَن لا بَقاءَ لِقَدحِ كُلِّ زِنادِ
and your heart declared, when its flames expired,
that the striking of any flint cannot endure.
بَقِيَتremain أُعَيجازٌlittle hindquarters يَضِلُّgoes astray تَبيعُهاtheir follower
بَقِيَت أُعَيجازٌ يَضِلُّ تَبيعُها
وَمَضَتand passed away هَوادٍheads لِلرِجالِfor men هَوادِguides
وَمَضَت هَوادٍ لِلرِجالِ هَوادِ
Petty tails remain; their follower goes astray,
while guiding heads have passed, guides for men.
ياoh لَيتَwould that أَنّيI ماnot اِقتَنَيتُكَhad acquired you صاحِباًas a friend
يا لَيتَ أَنّي ما اِقتَنَيتُكَ صاحِباً
كَمhow many قِنيَةٍa possession جَلَبَتbrought أَسىًgrief لِفُؤاديto my heart
كَم قِنيَةٍ جَلَبَت أَسىً لِفُؤادي
Would that I had never gained you as a friend!
How many a possession has brought my heart grief!
إِنif لَمnot تَسُفَّstooped إِلىtoward التَناسُلِprocreation نَفسُهُhis soul
إِن لَم تَسُفَّ إِلى التَناسُلِ نَفسُهُ
كُفِيَhe was spared الأَسىgrief بِتَفاقُدِthrough losing الأَودادِloved ones
كُفِيَ الأَسى بِتَفاقُدِ الأَودادِ
If one's soul did not stoop toward procreation,
one would be spared the grief of losing loved ones.
بَردُthe cool comfort of القُلوبِhearts لِمَنin one whom تُحِبُّyou love بَقاءَهُhis survival
بَردُ القُلوبِ لِمَن تُحِبُّ بَقاءَهُ
مِمّاamong what يَجُرُّbrings حَرارَةَthe burning heat of الأَكبادِthe livers
مِمّا يَجُرُّ حَرارَةَ الأَكبادِ
Hearts' cool comfort in one whose life you cherish
is among the things that bring burning heat to the livers.
لَيسَnot الفَجائِعُcalamities بِالذَخائِرِbefalling treasures مِثلَهاlike them
لَيسَ الفَجائِعُ بِالذَخائِرِ مِثلَها
بِأَماجِدِbefalling the noblest of الأَعيانِthe eminent وَالأَفرادِand the peerless
بِأَماجِدِ الأَعيانِ وَالأَفرادِ
The calamities that befall treasures are not like those
that befall the noblest of eminent and peerless men.
وَيَقولُand says مَنone who لَمnot يَدرِknew كُنهَكَyour true essence إِنَّهُمthat they
وَيَقولُ مَن لَم يَدرِ كُنهَكَ إِنَّهُم
نَقَصواwere diminished بِهِthrough him عَدَداًby a number مِنَamong الأَعدادِthe numbers
نَقَصوا بِهِ عَدَداً مِنَ الأَعدادِ
One who did not know your true worth says that they
have lost in him one number among the numbers.
هَيهاتَfar from it أَدرَجَenfolded بَينَbetween بُردَيكَyour two cloaks الرَدىdeath
هَيهاتَ أَدرَجَ بَينَ بُردَيكَ الرَدى
رَجُلَthe man of الرِجالِmen وَأَوحَدَand the most unique of الآحادِindividuals
رَجُلَ الرِجالِ وَأَوحَدَ الآحادِ
Far from it! Death folded within your two cloaks
the man of men, the unique among the unique.
لاdo not تَطلُبيseek يانَفسِO my soul خِلّاًa friend بَعدَهُafter him
لا تَطلُبي يانَفسِ خِلّاً بَعدَهُ
فَلَمِثلُهُfor surely his like أَعياproved elusive عَلىto المُرتادِthe seeker
فَلَمِثلُهُ أَعيا عَلى المُرتادِ
Seek no friend after him, O my soul;
for his like has eluded the seeker.
فُقِدَتwas lost مُلائِمَةُthe harmony of الشُكولِkindred forms بِفَقدِهِwith his loss
فُقِدَت مُلائِمَةُ الشُكولِ بِفَقدِهِ
وَبَقيتُand I remained بينَamid تَبايُنِthe discord of الأَضدادِopposites
وَبَقيتُ بينَ تَبايُنِ الأَضدادِ
With his loss, the harmony of kindred souls was lost,
and I remain amid the discord of opposites.
ماnot مَطعَمُthe fare of الدُنياthe world بِحُلوٍsweet بَعدَهُafter him
ما مَطعَمُ الدُنيا بِحُلوٍ بَعدَهُ
أَبَداًever وَلاnor ماءُthe water of الحَياrain بِبُرادِcooling
أَبَداً وَلا ماءُ الحَيا بِبُرادِ
The world's fare will never taste sweet after him,
nor will rainwater ever be cooling.
الفَضلُexcellence ناسَبَmade kin بَينَناbetween us إِنeven if لَمnot يَكُنwas
الفَضلُ ناسَبَ بَينَنا إِن لَم يَكُن
شَرَفيmy noble lineage مِناسِبَهُkin to him وَلاnor ميلاديmy birth
شَرَفي مِناسِبَهُ وَلا ميلادي
Excellence made us kin, even if
my noble lineage and birth did not.
إِنeven if لَمnot تَكُنyou were مِنof أُسرَتيmy family وَعَشيرَتيand my clan
إِن لَم تَكُن مِن أُسرَتي وَعَشيرَتي
فَلَأَنتَyet surely you أَعلَقُهُمthe most attached of them يَداًin hand بِوِداديto my affection
فَلَأَنتَ أَعلَقُهُم يَداً بِوِدادي
Though you were not of my family and my clan,
yet your hand clings most closely of all to my affection.
لَوeven if لَمnot يَكُنhe were عاليlofty of الأَصولِancestral roots فَقَدstill indeed وَفىmatched
لَو لَم يَكُن عالي الأَصولِ فَقَد وَفى
شَرَفُthe nobility of الجُدودِgood fortunes بِسُؤدُدِwith the lordliness of الأَجدادِancestors
شَرَفُ الجُدودِ بِسُؤدُدِ الأَجدادِ
Even had he not been of lofty ancestral roots, still
his noble fortunes would have matched ancestral lordliness.
لاmay not دَرَّflow دَرّيmy milk إِنif مَطَلتُكَI defer paying you ذِمَّةًan obligation
لا دَرَّ دَرّي إِن مَطَلتُكَ ذِمَّةً
فيin باطِنٍan inward matter مُتَغَيّبٍhidden أَوor بادِmanifest
في باطِنٍ مُتَغَيّبٍ أَو بادِ
May my milk never flow if I delay an obligation to you,
whether inward and hidden, or openly visible.
إِنَّindeed الوَفاءَfidelity كَماas اِقتَرَحتُI wished فَلَوfor if يَكُنhe were
إِنَّ الوَفاءَ كَما اِقتَرَحتُ فَلَو يَكُن
حَيّاًalive إِذاthen ماnot كُنتُI would be بِالمُزدادِone who adds more
حَيّاً إِذا ما كُنتُ بِالمُزدادِ
My fidelity is as I wished; were he
alive, I would add nothing more.
لَيسَnot التَنافُثُthe exchange of confidences بَينَناbetween us بِمُعاوَدٍto recur
لَيسَ التَنافُثُ بَينَنا بِمُعاوَدٍ
أَبَداًever وَلَيسَand not زَمانُناour time بِمُعادِto return
أَبَداً وَلَيسَ زَمانُنا بِمُعادِ
Our exchange of confidences will not recur
ever, nor will our time return.
ضاقَتgrew narrow عَلَيَّaround me الأَرضُthe earth بَعدَكَafter you كُلُّهاall of it
ضاقَت عَلَيَّ الأَرضُ بَعدَكَ كُلُّها
وَتَرَكتَand you left أَضيَقَهاits narrowest part عَلَيَّfor me بِلاديmy homeland
وَتَرَكتَ أَضيَقَها عَلَيَّ بِلادي
After you, all the earth has narrowed around me,
and you left my homeland the narrowest of all.
لَكَfor you فيwithin الحَشىthe breast قَبرٌa grave وَإِنthough لَمnot تَأوِهِyou inhabit it
لَكَ في الحَشى قَبرٌ وَإِن لَم تَأوِهِ
وَمِنَand of الدُموعِtears رَوائِحٌevening showers وَغَواديand morning showers
وَمِنَ الدُموعِ رَوائِحٌ وَغَوادي
You have a grave within my breast, though you have not lodged in it,
and evening and morning showers of tears.
سَلّواthey drew out مِنَfrom الأَبرادِthe cloaks جِسمَكَyour body وَاِنثَنىand in turn
سَلّوا مِنَ الأَبرادِ جِسمَكَ وَاِنثَنى
جِسميmy body يُسِلُّwastes away عَلَيكَfor you فيinside الأَبرادِthe cloaks
جِسمي يُسِلُّ عَلَيكَ في الأَبرادِ
They drew your body from its cloaks, and in turn
my body wastes away for you within its cloaks.
كَمhow many مِنa طَويلِlong-lived العُمرِin life بَعدَafter وَفاتِهِhis death
كَم مِن طَويلِ العُمرِ بَعدَ وَفاتِهِ
بِالذِكرِthrough remembrance يَصحَبُkeeps company with حاضِراًa townsman أَوor باديa nomad
بِالذِكرِ يَصحَبُ حاضِراً أَو بادي
How many a man lives long after his death,
through remembrance, keeping townsman or nomad company!
ماnot ماتَhas died مَنone whose جَعَلَmade الزَمانَtime لِسانُهُhis tongue
ما ماتَ مَن جَعَلَ الزَمانَ لِسانُهُ
يَتلوrecite مَناقِبَvirtues عُوَّداًrecurring وَبَواديand newly manifest
يَتلو مَناقِبَ عُوَّداً وَبَوادي
He has not died whose tongue has made time
recite virtues, again and again and ever anew.
فَاِذهَبgo then كَماas ذَهَبَwent الرَبيعُspring وَإِثرُهُwhile its trace
فَاِذهَب كَما ذَهَبَ الرَبيعُ وَإِثرُهُ
باقٍremains بِكُلِّin every خَمايِلٍgrove وَنِجادِand upland
باقٍ بِكُلِّ خَمايِلٍ وَنِجادِ
Go, then, as spring has gone, while its trace
remains in every grove and upland.
لاmay you not تَبعَدَنَّbe far away وَأَينَbut where قُربُكَyour nearness بَعدَهاafter it
لا تَبعَدَنَّ وَأَينَ قُربُكَ بَعدَها
إِنَّindeed المَناياdeaths غايَةُthe utmost limit of الأَبعادِdistances
إِنَّ المَنايا غايَةُ الأَبعادِ
May you not be far away! Yet where is your nearness after this?
Death is the utmost distance.
صَفَحَmay spare الثَرىthe earth عَنfrom حُرِّthe noble surface of وَجهِكَyour face أَنَّهُfor it
صَفَحَ الثَرى عَن حُرِّ وَجهِكَ أَنَّهُ
مُغرىًis intent بِطَيِّon folding away مَحاسِنِthe beauties of الأَمجادِthe noble
مُغرىً بِطَيِّ مَحاسِنِ الأَمجادِ
May the earth spare your noble face, for it is
intent on folding away the beauties of noble men.
وَتَماسَكَتand may hold together تِلكَthose البَنانُfingers فَطالَماfor how often
وَتَماسَكَت تِلكَ البَنانُ فَطالَما
عَبِثَtoyed البِلىdecay بِأَنامِلِwith the fingertips of الأَجوادِthe generous
عَبِثَ البِلى بِأَنامِلِ الأَجوادِ
May those fingers hold together, for how often
has decay toyed with the fingertips of generous men!
وَسَقاكَand may water you فَضلُكَyour excellence إِنَّهُfor it أَروىmore quenching حَياًrain
وَسَقاكَ فَضلُكَ إِنَّهُ أَروى حَياً
مِنthan رائِحٍan evening cloud مُتَعَرِّسٍencamping for the night أَوor غادِa morning cloud
مِن رائِحٍ مُتَعَرِّسٍ أَو غادِ
May your excellence water you; it is a more quenching rain
than an evening cloud encamping, or a morning cloud.
جَدَثٌa grave عَلىdespite أَنthat لاno نَباتَvegetation بِأَرضِهِin its soil
جَدَثٌ عَلى أَن لا نَباتَ بِأَرضِهِ
وَقَفَتhave halted عَليهِupon it مَطالِبُthe quests of الرُوّادِpasture-seekers
وَقَفَت عَليهِ مَطالِبُ الرُوّادِ
A grave—although no plant grows in its soil,
the pasture-seekers' hopes have come to rest upon it.
Sol 6.1