هِيَit سُلوَةٌforgetfulness ذَهَبَتwent away بِكُلِّwith all غَرامِpassion
هِيَ سُلوَةٌ ذَهَبَت بِكُلِّ غَرامِ
وَالحُبُّand love نَهبُthe prey تَطاوُلِthe lengthening الأَيّامِof days
وَالحُبُّ نَهبُ تَطاوُلِ الأَيّامِ
It is forgetfulness that has swept away all passion,
She is a consolation that took away all passion,
and love is prey to the lengthening days.
And love is the plunder of the passage of time.
وَلَقَدand indeed نَضَحتُI sprinkled مِنَfrom السُلُوِّforgetfulness وَبَردِهِand its coolness
وَلَقَد نَضَحتُ مِنَ السُلُوِّ وَبَردِهِ
حَرَّthe heat الجَوىof heartache فَبَرَدتُso I cooled أَيَّwhat a ضِرامِblaze
حَرَّ الجَوى فَبَرَدتُ أَيَّ ضِرامِ
Indeed, with forgetfulness and its coolness I have sprinkled
And indeed I was saturated with patience and its coldness,
the heat of heartache, cooling what a blaze!
The heat of passion cooled me, what cure!
مِنfrom بَعدِafter ماthat أَظمىparched الغَليلُburning thirst جَوانِحيmy breast
مِن بَعدِ ما أَظمى الغَليلُ جَوانِحي
وَأَطالَand prolonged مِنthrough مَلَلِweariness الزُلالِclear water أُواميmy burning thirst
وَأَطالَ مِن مَلَلِ الزُلالِ أُوامي
After burning thirst had parched my breast,
After the thirst overwhelmed my essence,
and weariness of clear water had prolonged my thirst,
And the beauty of the gazelles prolonged my affliction.
نَشَزَreared الجَنيبُthe led mount عَلىupon ثَنِيّاتِthe mountain passes الهَوىof desire
نَشَزَ الجَنيبُ عَلى ثَنِيّاتِ الهَوى
وَنَجَوتُand I escaped مَرمِيّاًcast إِلَيَّto me زِماميmy rein
وَنَجَوتُ مَرمِيّاً إِلَيَّ زِمامي
the led mount reared upon the mountain passes of desire,
My heart awoke to the coils of love,
and I escaped, my rein cast back to me.
And I was saved as the reins were thrown to me.
سَلوانَforgetfulness لاnot أُعطيI give الجَآذِرَthe wild-ox calves لَفتَةًa backward glance
سَلوانَ لا أُعطي الجَآذِرَ لَفتَةً
أَوor نَظرَةًa look إِلّاexcept بِعَينِwith an eye لَمامِof fleeting attention
أَو نَظرَةً إِلّا بِعَينِ لَمامِ
In forgetfulness, I give the wild-ox calves no backward glance,
I do not give an alluring glance to the unfaithful,
nor any look except with a briefly glancing eye.
Or a look except with a hidden eye.
نَفَضَshook off الصَبابَةَlonging خاطِريmy mind وَجَوانِحيand my breast
نَفَضَ الصَبابَةَ خاطِري وَجَوانِحي
وَأَبىand rejected المَذَلَّةَabasement مَنزِليmy dwelling وَمَقاميand my standing
وَأَبى المَذَلَّةَ مَنزِلي وَمَقامي
My mind and breast have shaken off longing,
My pride and essence shook off humiliation,
and my dwelling and standing have rejected abasement.
And refused disgrace as an abode and position.
وَالحُبُّand love داءٌan illness يَضمَحِلُّfades away كَأَنَّماas though
وَالحُبُّ داءٌ يَضمَحِلُّ كَأَنَّما
تَرغوbellow رَوازِحُهُits exhausted camels بِغَيرِwithout لُغامِfoam
تَرغو رَوازِحُهُ بِغَيرِ لُغامِ
Love is an illness that fades away, as though
Love is an illness that withers away,
its exhausted camels bellowed without foam.
As if its cords were soaked without tar.
لاnot يَدَّعِclaim العُذّالُthe reproachers نَزعَremoving صَبابَتيmy longing
لا يَدَّعِ العُذّالُ نَزعَ صَبابَتي
بِيَديwith my hand حَسَرتُI lifted عَنِfrom الغَرامِpassion لِثاميmy veil
بِيَدي حَسَرتُ عَنِ الغَرامِ لِثامي
Let the reproachers not claim to have removed my longing:
Let not the critic attempt to take away my pride,
with my own hand I lifted my veil from passion.
With the hand of sorrow I uncovered my mouth from passion.
قَدindeed كانَتِwere الصَبَواتُyouthful passions تَعسِفُroughly pulling مِقوَديmy leading rein
قَد كانَتِ الصَبَواتُ تَعسِفُ مِقوَدي
فَالآنَso now سَوفَshall أُطيلُI prolong مِنof إِجماميmy rest
فَالآنَ سَوفَ أُطيلُ مِن إِجمامي
Youthful passions once wrenched my leading rein,
The caprices used to control my reins,
but now I shall prolong my repose.
But now I will prolong my restraint.
هَيهاتَfar from it يَخفِضُنيbrings me low الزَمانُtime وَإِنَّماand indeed
هَيهاتَ يَخفِضُني الزَمانُ وَإِنَّما
بَينيbetween me وَبَينَand between الذُلِّhumiliation حَدُّthe edge حُساميof my sword
بَيني وَبَينَ الذُلِّ حَدُّ حُسامي
Far be it that time should bring me low; indeed,
Far from it! Time diminishes me, but
between me and humiliation lies my sword's edge.
Between me and disgrace is the edge of my sword.
لاnot أَرتَضيI accept بِالماءِwith water إِلّاexcept جَمَّةًan abundant pool
لا أَرتَضي بِالماءِ إِلّا جَمَّةً
وَلَرُبَّand indeed many a طافِحَةٍbrimming pool بِغَيرِwithout جِمامِabundance
وَلَرُبَّ طافِحَةٍ بِغَيرِ جِمامِ
I accept water only in an abundant pool,
I do not accept water except wholesome,
yet many a brimming pool holds no abundance.
And perhaps overflowing without turbidity.
وَأَصُدُّand I turn away عَنfrom ماءِthe water القَليبِof the well وَماؤُهُand its water
وَأَصُدُّ عَن ماءِ القَليبِ وَماؤُهُ
فيin حَيِّزِthe reach الإِكرابِof bucket-cords وَالأَوذامِand bucket-straps
في حَيِّزِ الإِكرابِ وَالأَوذامِ
I turn away from the well's water, though its water
I refrain from the water of hearts and it is
lies within reach of the bucket's cords and straps.
In the realm of muddy and foul.
وَلَقَدand indeed لَبِستُI put on مِنَfrom القَناعَةِcontentment جُبَّةًa robe
وَلَقَد لَبِستُ مِنَ القَناعَةِ جُبَّةً
تَضفوhangs ample عَلَيَّupon me وَلاand not تَبينُbecomes apparent لِذامِfor blame
تَضفو عَلَيَّ وَلا تَبينُ لِذامِ
Indeed, I have put on a robe of contentment,
And I have worn the garment of contentment,
amply draping me, showing nothing for reproach.
It adorns me and does not show stains.
كَمhow often ذَلَّلَhumbled العُدمُpoverty العَزيزَthe mighty وَعَظَّمَتand magnified
كَم ذَلَّلَ العُدمُ العَزيزَ وَعَظَّمَت
نَفَحاتُthe wafts هَذاthis المالِwealth غَيرَthose not عُظامِgreat
نَفَحاتُ هَذا المالِ غَيرَ عُظامِ
How often poverty has humbled the mighty, while
How much poverty has humiliated the mighty!
the wafts of this wealth have magnified men who were not great!
And how the breaths of wealth have exalted bones!
ماwhat هَمُّconcern مَنone who حُرِمَwas denied الثَراءَwealth إِذاif سَماrose high
ما هَمُّ مَن حُرِمَ الثَراءَ إِذا سَما
وَأَحَظُّand more favored مِنwith شَرَفٍhonor وَمِنand with إِعظامِesteem
وَأَحَظُّ مِن شَرَفٍ وَمِن إِعظامِ
What concern has one denied wealth, if he rises
What is the concern of one deprived of wealth if he ascends,
and is more favored with honor and esteem?
And I am more fortunate with honor and reverence.
شَحَبَgrew bleak الزَمانُtime عَلَيَّfor me بَعدَafter غَضارَةٍlushness
شَحَبَ الزَمانُ عَلَيَّ بَعدَ غَضارَةٍ
وَإِذاand when نَقَضتُI come undone فَقَدthen already قَضَيتُI completed تَماميmy fullness
وَإِذا نَقَضتُ فَقَد قَضَيتُ تَمامي
Time has grown bleak for me after its lushness;
Time has faded upon me after flourishing,
when I come undone, I have already lived my fullness.
And if I pass away then I have fulfilled my purpose.
وَجَرىand passed الثِقافُthe shaft-straightener عَلىover أَوائِلِthe foreparts صَعدَتيof my spear
وَجَرى الثِقافُ عَلى أَوائِلِ صَعدَتي
فَاِقتَصَّso it cut back مِنfrom طَرَبيmy mirth وَفَضلِand the excess عُراميof my high spirits
فَاِقتَصَّ مِن طَرَبي وَفَضلِ عُرامي
The shaft-straightener has passed over the forepart of my spear,
And fate has afflicted the prime of my ascent,
cutting back my mirth and my excess of high spirits.
So it has diminished the excess of my verses.
عَنّيaway from me إِلَيكَback to you فَماfor not الوِصالُunion بِنافِعٍof benefit
عَنّي إِلَيكَ فَما الوِصالُ بِنافِعٍ
مَنone who لاnot يُعَذَّبُis tormented قَلبُهُhis heart بِغَرامِby passion
مَن لا يُعَذَّبُ قَلبُهُ بِغَرامِ
Away from me! Union is of no benefit
Away from me to you, for companionship is no benefit
to one whose heart is not tormented by passion.
To one whose heart is not tormented by passion.
ماnot كُنتُI was أَسمَحُfreely offering بِالسَلامِwith a greeting لِمُعرِضٍto one who turns away
ما كُنتُ أَسمَحُ بِالسَلامِ لِمُعرِضٍ
وَعَلىand upon أَميرِthe commander المُؤمِنينَof the faithful سَلاميmy greeting
وَعَلى أَميرِ المُؤمِنينَ سَلامي
I would not freely offer a greeting to one who turns away,
I would not allow the greeting of peace to one who turns away,
yet to the Commander of the Faithful goes my greeting.
And peace be upon the Commander of the Faithful.
مَلِكٌa king سَماrose حَتّىuntil تَحَلَّقَhe soared فيin العُلىthe heights
مَلِكٌ سَما حَتّى تَحَلَّقَ في العُلى
وَأَذَلَّand humbled عِرنينَthe proud nose الزَمانِof time الساميthe lofty
وَأَذَلَّ عِرنينَ الزَمانِ السامي
A king who rose until he soared in the heights,
A king who ascended until he hovered in the heights,
and humbled time's lofty, proud nose.
And humiliated the lions of the lofty time.
ياO اِبنَson القَماقِمِof mighty chieftains وَالغَطارِفَةِand noble lords الأُلىwho are
يا اِبنَ القَماقِمِ وَالغَطارِفَةِ الأُلى
قِمَمِthe summits العُلىof eminence وَدَعائِمِand pillars الإِسلامِof Islam
قِمَمِ العُلى وَدَعائِمِ الإِسلامِ
O son of mighty chieftains and noble lords,
O son of the veils and flags,
the summits of eminence and pillars of Islam!
The summits of loftiness and the pillars of Islam.
الطَودُthe mountain أَيهَمُunscalable وَالسَماءُand the sky عَريضَةٌvast
الطَودُ أَيهَمُ وَالسَماءُ عَريضَةٌ
وَاليَومَand the day أَيوَمُfearsome وَالقَلَمَّسُand the ocean طامِsurging
وَاليَومَ أَيوَمُ وَالقَلَمَّسُ طامِ
The mountain is unscalable, the sky is vast,
The lofty mountain, and the vast sky,
the day is fearsome, and the ocean surges high.
And today is a day, and the pen is swift.
سيماءُthe bearing مُشتَهِرٍof a renowned man وَقَلبُand the heart مُشَيَّعٍof a valiant man
سيماءُ مُشتَهِرٍ وَقَلبُ مُشَيَّعٍ
وَأَناةُand the patience مُقتَدِرٍof one with power وَرَأيُand the judgment إِمامِof an imam
وَأَناةُ مُقتَدِرٍ وَرَأيُ إِمامِ
The bearing of a renowned man, the heart of a valiant one,
Fame of the renowned, and heart of the revered,
the patience of one with power, the judgment of an imam.
And patience of the capable, and view of the imam.
أَمرُthe affair الخِلافَةِof the caliphate فيin يَدَيكَyour two hands وَإِنَّماand indeed
أَمرُ الخِلافَةِ في يَدَيكَ وَإِنَّما
هِيَit عُقبَةٌa turn of duty تُقضىis fulfilled بِكُلِّby every هُمامِnoble champion
هِيَ عُقبَةٌ تُقضى بِكُلِّ هُمامِ
The business of the caliphate is in your hands; indeed,
The command of the caliphate is in your hands, and it is only
it is a turn of duty fulfilled by every noble champion.
An obstacle to be resolved with every determination.
قَدindeed كانَwas جَدُّكَyour grandfather عِصمَةَthe safeguard العُربِof the Arabs الأُلىof old
قَد كانَ جَدُّكَ عِصمَةَ العُربِ الأُلى
وَالآنَand now أَنتَyou لَهُمfor them مِنَagainst الإِعدامِdestitution
وَالآنَ أَنتَ لَهُم مِنَ الإِعدامِ
Your grandfather was the safeguard of the Arabs of old,
Your grandfather was the protection of the mighty Arabs,
and now you are their safeguard against destitution.
And now you are their salvation from extermination.
حَفِظواthey remembered أَياديكَyour favors الجِسامَthe mighty وَإِنَّماand indeed
حَفِظوا أَياديكَ الجِسامَ وَإِنَّما
وُصّواthey were enjoined بِحِفظِto preserve الخَيلِthe horses وَالأَنعامِand the livestock
وُصّوا بِحِفظِ الخَيلِ وَالأَنعامِ
They have remembered your mighty favors, although
They advised to protect the mighty horses and cattle,
they were charged only to tend horses and livestock.
With the obedient guide, the imam, I was obeyed.
بِالطائِعِthrough al-Ta'i الهاديthe guiding الإِمامِthe imam أَطاعَنيobeyed me
بِالطائِعِ الهادي الإِمامِ أَطاعَني
أَمَليmy hope وَسَهَّلَand made easy ليfor me الزَمانُtime مَراميmy goal
أَمَلي وَسَهَّلَ لي الزَمانُ مَرامي
Through al-Ta'i, the guiding imam, I was obeyed
My hopes were fulfilled and time was made easy for my purpose.
by my hope, and time made my goal easy to reach.
A people none among them but a horseman,
مِنfrom مَعشَرٍa people ماnot فيهِمُamong them إِلّاexcept فَتىًa gallant man
مِن مَعشَرٍ ما فيهِمُ إِلّا فَتىً
أَوor جائِدٍa giver أَوor ذائِدٍa defender أَوor حامِa protector
أَو جائِدٍ أَو ذائِدٍ أَو حامِ
He comes from a people among whom there is none but a gallant man,
Or assailant, or defender, or protector.
or a giver, or a defender, or a protector.
When determined they charge back
قَومٌa people إِذاwhen عَزَمواthey resolved on الغِوارَraiding تَراجَعواthey conferred
قَومٌ إِذا عَزَموا الغِوارَ تَراجَعوا
يَتَقاسَمونَswearing to one another ضَراغِمَlions الآجامِof the thickets
يَتَقاسَمونَ ضَراغِمَ الآجامِ
A people who, when bent on raiding, confer,
Sharing the portions of death in gulps.
swearing to one another, lions of the thickets.
Wealth does not settle above their palms,
لاnot يَستَقِرُّrests المالُwealth فَوقَupon أَكُفِّهِمtheir palms
لا يَستَقِرُّ المالُ فَوقَ أَكُفِّهِم
كَالسَيلِlike a torrent يَزلَقُslips عَنfrom ذُرىthe crests الأَعلامِof mountains
كَالسَيلِ يَزلَقُ عَن ذُرى الأَعلامِ
Wealth never rests upon their palms;
It slides like a torrent over the top of flags.
like a torrent it slips from mountain crests.
The house with tall pillars that shades them
البَيتُthe house ذوwith العَمَدِthe pillars الطِوالِthe tall يُظِلُّهُمshelters them
البَيتُ ذو العَمَدِ الطِوالِ يُظِلُّهُم
بَينَbetween القَناthe spears وَالحامِلِand the charger الهَمهامِthe valiant
بَينَ القَنا وَالحامِلِ الهَمهامِ
The house with its tall pillars shelters them
Between battle and standard bearer.
between the spears and the valiant charger.
Every horseman and foot soldier ransom you
يَفديكَransoms you كُلُّevery مُزَنَّدٍpaltry man وَمُعَرِّدٍand battle-fleeing coward
يَفديكَ كُلُّ مُزَنَّدٍ وَمُعَرِّدٍ
يَومَon the day الوَغىof battle وَمُطاوِلٍand a rival in stature وَمُسامِand a rival in eminence
يَومَ الوَغى وَمُطاوِلٍ وَمُسامِ
May every paltry man and battle-fleeing coward be your ransom,
On the day of battle, long strider and protector,
on the day of war, and every rival in stature or eminence,
And miser who gave little and sometimes
وَمُبَخِّلٍand an accuser of stinginess أَعطىgave القَليلَlittle وَرُبَّماand sometimes
وَمُبَخِّلٍ أَعطى القَليلَ وَرُبَّما
سَمَحَتyielded حُروفُthe sounds التاءِof t لِلتَمتامِto the stammerer
سَمَحَت حُروفُ التاءِ لِلتَمتامِ
and every accuser of stinginess who himself gave little; sometimes
The letters of the taa allow for completion.
even the t-sounds yield to a stammerer.
The traces of scars on his cheeks and breast
أَثَرُthe marks النُدوبِof wounds بِصَفحَتَيهِon his two cheeks وَنَحرِهِand his throat
أَثَرُ النُدوبِ بِصَفحَتَيهِ وَنَحرِهِ
لِصَفاfrom the rocks مُرادٍof Murad أَوor سِهامِarrows مَرامِof a shooting-ground
لِصَفا مُرادٍ أَو سِهامِ مَرامِ
The marks of wounds upon his cheeks and throat
For a healing direction or arrows of purpose.
are from Murad's rocks, or arrows from a shooting-ground.
He sought money not for shyness or glory,
طَلَبَhe sought الغِنىwealth لاnot لِلحَياءِfor modesty وَلاnor النَدىgenerosity
طَلَبَ الغِنى لا لِلحَياءِ وَلا النَدى
ماnot كُلُّevery عارٍnaked man جاءَcame لِلإِحرامِfor ritual consecration
ما كُلُّ عارٍ جاءَ لِلإِحرامِ
He sought wealth, not for modesty's sake or generosity;
Not every shame came for pilgrimage.
not every naked man has come for ritual consecration.
How envious of the one with clear light in the heights,
أَحَسودَO envier ذيthe bearer of النورِlight المُبينِthe manifest عَلىfor العُلىeminence
أَحَسودَ ذي النورِ المُبينِ عَلى العُلى
إِربَعgo gently عَلىon ظَلَعٍa limp وَأَنفُكَand your nose دامِbleeding
إِربَع عَلى ظَلَعٍ وَأَنفُكَ دامِ
O envier of the bearer of manifest light for his eminence,
Four on a rib and your nose is blood.
go gently on your limp, while your nose bleeds.
Either you dispute him for supremacy, for he is
إِمّاif ever تُنازِعهُyou contend with him العَلاءَeminence فَإِنَّهُthen indeed he
إِمّا تُنازِعهُ العَلاءَ فَإِنَّهُ
قَرمٌa stud-camel يُخاطِرُهُchallenges him بُوَيزِلُa little newly mature camel عامِone year's maturity
قَرمٌ يُخاطِرُهُ بُوَيزِلُ عامِ
If you contend with him for eminence, then he is
A brave one who risks the lions in battle.
a mighty stud-camel challenged by a little camel in its first mature year.
And how many peers have the edges of spears surpassed
وَلَرُبَّand many a قِرنٍrival فاتَescaped أَطرافَthe points القَناof spears
وَلَرُبَّ قِرنٍ فاتَ أَطرافَ القَنا
حَتّىuntil أَخَذتَyou gained advantage عَلَيهِover him بِالأَقلامِwith pens
حَتّى أَخَذتَ عَلَيهِ بِالأَقلامِ
Many a rival escaped the spearpoints,
Until you seized them with pens.
until you caught him with your pens.
And you indulged in earnest and jest,
وَوَلِعتَand you were passionately bent فيin جِدِّthe earnestness الحَدِيثِof speech وَهَزلِهِand its jesting
وَوَلِعتَ في جِدِّ الحَدِيثِ وَهَزلِهِ
وَلَعَthe passion القَواضِبِof keen blades بِالطُلىfor throats وَالهامِand heads
وَلَعَ القَواضِبِ بِالطُلى وَالهامِ
In earnest speech and jest you have been as passionately bent
And the hands on the reins and determination.
as keen blades are upon throats and heads.
A host dense with equipment and armored horses,
فيin فَيلَقٍan army جَمِّabundant in الذَوابِلِslender spears وَالظُبىand sword-edges
في فَيلَقٍ جَمِّ الذَوابِلِ وَالظُبى
مُثرٍrich مِنَin الإِسراجِsaddling وَالإِلجامِand bridling
مُثرٍ مِنَ الإِسراجِ وَالإِلجامِ
Within an army thick with slender spears and sword-edges,
Overflowing with saddles and reins.
rich in saddling and bridling,
Its waves clatter as if it were above its porch
مُتَدَفِّقِpouring forth القُطرَينِat both flanks يَرجُفُquivers نَقعُهُits dust
مُتَدَفِّقِ القُطرَينِ يَرجُفُ نَقعُهُ
بِعَصائِبِwith clusters الراياتِof banners وَالأَعلامِand standards
بِعَصائِبِ الراياتِ وَالأَعلامِ
pouring forth at both its flanks, its dust quivers
A torrent that accompanies an extending cloud.
with clusters of banners and standards.
You kept revealing it with polished spears,
فَكَأَنَّهُso as though it وَالنَقعُand the dust فَوقَabove رِواقِهِits canopy
فَكَأَنَّهُ وَالنَقعُ فَوقَ رِواقِهِ
سَيلٌa torrent يُسايِرُkeeps pace with مُستَطيلَan outstretched غَمامِcloud
سَيلٌ يُسايِرُ مُستَطيلَ غَمامِ
As though, with dust above its canopy, it were
And the horses between warning and fasting.
a torrent keeping pace with a long-drawn cloud.
You stirred its flanks as if you had unleashed
ماnot زِلتَyou ceased تَكشِفُهُscattering it بِمَصقولِon a polished القَراback
ما زِلتَ تَكشِفُهُ بِمَصقولِ القَرا
وَالخَيلُand the horses بَينَbetween مُغيرَةٍa charging one وَصِيامِand motionless ones
وَالخَيلُ بَينَ مُغيرَةٍ وَصِيامِ
You never ceased scattering it on a sleek-backed steed,
A spring upon legs.
while the horses either charged or stood still.
An eye wanders arrogantly on the bridle,
قَلقَلتَyou shook مِنfrom أَعطافِهِits flanks فَكَأَنَّماas though
قَلقَلتَ مِن أَعطافِهِ فَكَأَنَّما
فَجَّرتَyou made gush يُنبوعاًa spring عَلىupon الأَقدامِfeet
فَجَّرتَ يُنبوعاً عَلى الأَقدامِ
You shook his flanks, as though
So you almost ride it without a bridle.
you had made a spring gush forth on feet.
And a hand rages on the sword courageously,
طِرفٌa noble steed يَتيهِprances proudly عَلىagainst اللِجامِthe bridle تَكَبُّراًin arrogance
طِرفٌ يَتيهِ عَلى اللِجامِ تَكَبُّراً
فَتَكادُso you almost تَركَبُهُride it بِغَيرِwithout لِجامِa bridle
فَتَكادُ تَركَبُهُ بِغَيرِ لِجامِ
A noble steed, too proudly spirited for the bridle,
So you almost extend it without a sword.
so that you could almost ride him without a bridle.
And the thrust returns with the spear, while their chests
وَيَدٌand a hand تَصولُassails عَلىagainst الحُسامِthe sword شَجاعَةًin courage
وَيَدٌ تَصولُ عَلى الحُسامِ شَجاعَةً
فَتَكادُso you almost تَبسُطُهاextend it بِغَيرِwithout حُسامِa sword
فَتَكادُ تَبسُطُها بِغَيرِ حُسامِ
And a hand whose courage overpowers the sword,
Are scratched behind the steeds continually.
so that you could almost extend it without a sword.
The red heels as if kneaded with
وَالطَعنُand thrusting يَرجِعُbrings back بِالقَناwith the spears وَصُدورُهاand their points
وَالطَعنُ يَرجِعُ بِالقَنا وَصُدورُها
خَطّاطَةٌscoring lines خَلفَbehind الجِيادِthe steeds دَوامِbleeding
خَطّاطَةٌ خَلفَ الجِيادِ دَوامِ
The thrusting brings the spears back, their points
Blood and twisted intestine.
scoring the ground behind the steeds, bleeding,
Alas while you live to his homelands
حُمرُred الكُعوبِat the joints كَأَنَّماas though أَلوىswept بِهاover them
حُمرُ الكُعوبِ كَأَنَّما أَلوى بِها
نَضخٌa splash مِنَof الشَيّانِdragon's-blood resin وَالعُلّامِand henna
نَضخٌ مِنَ الشَيّانِ وَالعُلّامِ
red at the joints, as though they had been swept over
Time pushes with turban and Syria.
by a splash of dragon's blood and henna.
This is Hussein, and you have pulled his kinship
إيهاًenough وَأَنتَand you حَياًrain إِلىtoward أَوطانِهِhis homelands
إيهاً وَأَنتَ حَياً إِلى أَوطانِهِ
دَفعُthe driving الزَمانِof time بِمُعرِقٍof one Iraq-bound وَشَآمِand one Syria-bound
دَفعُ الزَمانِ بِمُعرِقٍ وَشَآمِ
Enough! You are rain; toward their homelands
A pull that passes by the wombs of relatives.
time drives those bound for Iraq and Syria.
You gave him pure affection and passion
هَذاthis is الحُسَينُal-Husayn وَقَدand indeed جَذَبتَyou pulled بِضَبعِهِby his upper arm
هَذا الحُسَينُ وَقَد جَذَبتَ بِضَبعِهِ
جَذباًa pull يُمِرُّtwists tight قَرائِنَthe paired bonds الأَرحامِof kinship
جَذباً يُمِرُّ قَرائِنَ الأَرحامِ
Here is al-Husayn; you have taken him by the upper arm,
And wonders of honour and kindness.
with a pull that twists tight the paired bonds of kinship.
And you sent him back with words of no turning away
أَعطَيتَهُyou gave him مَحضَpure المَوَدَّةِaffection وَالهَوىand love
أَعطَيتَهُ مَحضَ المَوَدَّةِ وَالهَوى
وَغَرائِبَand rare forms الإِعزازِof exaltation وَالإِكرامِand honor
وَغَرائِبَ الإِعزازِ وَالإِكرامِ
You have given him pure affection and love,
And the promise is not false.
and rare forms of exaltation and honor.
Being good to kin and stranger is an obligation,
وَرَدَدتَهُand you sent him back بِالقَولِwith words لَيسَnot بِخُلَّبٍfalse lightning
وَرَدَدتَهُ بِالقَولِ لَيسَ بِخُلَّبٍ
فيin عَقبِهِits aftermath وَالوَعدُand the promise غَيرُnot جَهامِa rainless cloud
في عَقبِهِ وَالوَعدُ غَيرُ جَهامِ
You sent him back with words that were no false lightning
And sons of uncles are most deserving of favours.
in their aftermath, and a promise that was no rainless cloud.
Let not the enemies gloat over him after
مُتَناوِلاًtaking hold of طَرَفَthe edge الفَخارِof glory يَجُرُّهُhe drags it
مُتَناوِلاً طَرَفَ الفَخارِ يَجُرُّهُ
وَيَقودُand he leads مُصعَبَهُits unbroken camel بِغَيرِwithout زِمامِa rein
وَيَقودُ مُصعَبَهُ بِغَيرِ زِمامِ
Grasping glory's hem and drawing it along,
What they presented of rancour and darkness.
he leads its unbroken camel without a rein.
It is an utterance that cannot be reversed,
لَمّاwhen رَآكَhe saw you رَأىhe saw النَبِيَّthe Prophet مُحَمَّداًMuhammad
لَمّا رَآكَ رَأى النَبِيَّ مُحَمَّداً
فيin بُردَةِthe mantle الإِجلالِof reverence وَالإِعظامِand honor
في بُردَةِ الإِجلالِ وَالإِعظامِ
When he saw you, he saw the Prophet Muhammad
Like an arrow that escapes the fingers of the archer.
in a mantle of reverence and honor.
And words present themselves like the crescent, so if
وَرَأىand he saw بِمَجلِسِكَin your assembly المُعَرِّقِdeeply rooted فيin العُلىeminence
وَرَأى بِمَجلِسِكَ المُعَرِّقِ في العُلى
حَرَمَthe sanctuary الرَجاءِof hope وَقُبَّةَand the dome الإِسلامِof Islam
حَرَمَ الرَجاءِ وَقُبَّةَ الإِسلامِ
In your assembly, deeply rooted in eminence, he saw
The doer walks in them, that is the full moon.
the sanctuary of hope and the dome of Islam.
And how many a doer of an act that does not bend
أَوسَعتَyou widened مِنof خَطَواتِهِhis steps فيin مَوقِفٍa place to stand
أَوسَعتَ مِن خَطَواتِهِ في مَوقِفٍ
مُتَغَلغِلٍcrowded to its depths بِتَضايُقِby the crowding الأَقدامِof feet
مُتَغَلغِلٍ بِتَضايُقِ الأَقدامِ
You made room for his steps in a place
If he wanted to reverse it with all his wishes.
filled to its depths by closely crowded feet.
And so did kings crumble and found it formidable
وَرَفَعتَand you raised ناظِرَهُhis gaze إِلَيكَtoward you مُسَلِّماًoffering greetings
وَرَفَعتَ ناظِرَهُ إِلَيكَ مُسَلِّماً
فيin أَيِّwhat أُبَّهَةٍsplendor وَأَيِّand what مَقامِstation
في أَيِّ أُبَّهَةٍ وَأَيِّ مَقامِ
You raised his gaze toward you as he offered greetings,
To undo what they raised of pillars.
amid what splendor, and in what a station!
And the tooth of the son of the paralyzed became helpless
وَمِنَand among القُلوبِhearts سَواكِنٌstill ones وَخَوافِقٌand fluttering ones
وَمِنَ القُلوبِ سَواكِنٌ وَخَوافِقٌ
وَمِنَand among العُيونِeyes غَوامِضٌclosed ones وَسَوامِand upturned ones
وَمِنَ العُيونِ غَوامِضٌ وَسَوامِ
Among hearts, some were still and some were fluttering;
To break what he built of pyramids.
among eyes, some were closed and some were lifted.
And so was Amr owner of the trench, after
قَرَّبتَyou brought close مِنto فَمِهِhis mouth أَنامِلَthe fingers راحَةٍof a hand
قَرَّبتَ مِن فَمِهِ أَنامِلَ راحَةٍ
مَعروفَةٍknown بِالنَقضِfor undoing وَالإِبرامِand binding
مَعروفَةٍ بِالنَقضِ وَالإِبرامِ
You brought close to his mouth the fingers of a hand
The disturbance of pulling, to return arrows.
known for undoing and binding.
Woe to a deluded one who disobeys you, for he
وَخَصَصتَهُand you singled him out بِالبِشرِwith smiling favor مِنكَfrom you وَإِنَّماand indeed
وَخَصَصتَهُ بِالبِشرِ مِنكَ وَإِنَّما
بِشرُthe smile الإِمامِof the imam قَرابَةُkinship الإِنعامِwith bounty
بِشرُ الإِمامِ قَرابَةُ الإِنعامِ
You singled him out for your smiling favor; indeed,
Exposes himself to the claws of the young lion.
an imam's smile is akin to bounty.
Far from it! Your obedience is salvation, and your love
بِرُّkindness الأَقارِبِto relatives وَالأَباعِدِand strangers واجِبٌis obligatory
بِرُّ الأَقارِبِ وَالأَباعِدِ واجِبٌ
وَأَحَقُّand most entitled بِالنُعمىto bounty بَنوthe sons الأَعمامِof paternal uncles
وَأَحَقُّ بِالنُعمى بَنو الأَعمامِ
Kindness to kin and strangers alike is a duty,
Piety, and thanking you is the best of fates.
but paternal cousins have the strongest claim to favors.
Submit, Commander of the Faithful, to a felicity
لاdo not تَشمِتَنَّcause to gloat بِهِover him الأَعاديthe enemies بَعدَماafter
لا تَشمِتَنَّ بِهِ الأَعادي بَعدَما
عَرَضواthey displayed مِنَof الأَحقادِgrudges وَالأَوغامِand rancors
عَرَضوا مِنَ الأَحقادِ وَالأَوغامِ
Do not let his enemies gloat over him, after
Tied with the tails of years.
the grudges and rancors they have displayed.
And live the days of survival, and do not cease
هِيَit قَولَةٌan utterance لاnot يُستَطاعُis possible رُجوعُهاits recall
هِيَ قَولَةٌ لا يُستَطاعُ رُجوعُها
كَالسَهمِlike an arrow يَخرُجُleaves عَنfrom بَنانِthe fingertips الراميof the archer
كَالسَهمِ يَخرُجُ عَن بَنانِ الرامي
It is an utterance that cannot be recalled,
To overwhelm with your gratitude the tongues of people.
like an arrow leaving the archer's fingertips.
A soul the turtledoves forbid out of reverence,
وَالقَولُand speech يَعرِضُappears كَالهِلالِlike the crescent فَإِنthen if مَشىadvances
وَالقَولُ يَعرِضُ كَالهِلالِ فَإِن مَشى
فيهِwithin it الفَعالُaction فَذاكَthen that بَدرُa full moon تَمامِof completeness
فيهِ الفَعالُ فَذاكَ بَدرُ تَمامِ
A word appears like the crescent moon; if
Souls are not forbidden to seek passion.
deeds advance within it, it becomes a full moon.
For God knows your light has not ceased
وَلَرُبَّand many a فاعِلِdoer فِعلَةٍa deed لاnot تَنثَنيcan be reversed
وَلَرُبَّ فاعِلِ فِعلَةٍ لا تَنثَني
لَوeven if رامَhe sought رَجعَتَهاits reversal بِكُلِّby every مَرامِmeans
لَو رامَ رَجعَتَها بِكُلِّ مَرامِ
Many a doer has done a deed that cannot be undone,
To ridicule injustice and darkness.
even if he seeks its reversal by every means.
And glory informs of your actions that it
وَكَذاand thus المُلوكُkings تَقَوَّضواcollapsed وَاِستَصعَبواand found difficult
وَكَذا المُلوكُ تَقَوَّضوا وَاِستَصعَبوا
تَقويضَdemolishing ماwhat رَفَعواthey raised مِنَof الآطامِfortresses
تَقويضَ ما رَفَعوا مِنَ الآطامِ
Thus kings themselves have fallen, and found it hard
Sends down to it in sanctity and protection.
to demolish the fortresses they had raised.
So listen, Commander of the Faithful, for
وَغَداand became سِنانُSinan اِبنُson المُشَلِّلِof al-Mushallil عاجِزاًunable
وَغَدا سِنانُ اِبنُ المُشَلِّلِ عاجِزاً
عَنto نَقضِundoing ماwhat عَلّىhe raised مِنَof الأَهرامِpyramids
عَن نَقضِ ما عَلّى مِنَ الأَهرامِ
Sinan ibn al-Mushallil proved unable
Ears are doors to minds.
to undo the pyramids he had raised.
Words of praise are not insincere,
وَكَذاكَand likewise عَمروٌ'Amr ذوpossessor of المَعابِلِbroad-bladed arrows فاتَهُeluded him
وَكَذاكَ عَمروٌ ذو المَعابِلِ فاتَهُ
بَعدَafter اِضطِرابِthe quivering النَزعِof the bow-draw رَدُّrecalling سِهامِarrows
بَعدَ اِضطِرابِ النَزعِ رَدُّ سِهامِ
Likewise, 'Amr, wielder of broad-bladed arrows, could not
And gratitude for blessings is not sturdiness.
after the quivering bow-draw, call his arrows back.
Your collected strength came to you fully,
وَيلٌwoe لِمَغرورٍto a deluded man عَصاكَwho disobeyed you فَإِنَّهُfor indeed he
وَيلٌ لِمَغرورٍ عَصاكَ فَإِنَّهُ
مُتَعَرِّضٌexposed لِمَخالِبِto the claws الضِرغامِof the lion
مُتَعَرِّضٌ لِمَخالِبِ الضِرغامِ
Woe to a deluded man who disobeys you, for he
Subjugating souls in bodies.
exposes himself to the lion's claws.
Who can I ask to recite them to you in a stance
هَيهاتَfar from it طاعَتُكَobedience to you النَجاةُsalvation وَحُبُّكُand love for you الthe (continued)
هَيهاتَ طاعَتُكَ النَجاةُ وَحُبُّكُ ال
تَقوىpiety وَشُكرُكَand gratitude to you أَفضَلُthe best الأَقسامِof portions
تَقوى وَشُكرُكَ أَفضَلُ الأَقسامِ
Far from it! Obedience to you is salvation, and love for you is
I consider an honor the length of my days?
piety; gratitude to you is the best of portions.
I do not claim hyperbole in it, but rather
فَاِسلَمso remain safe أَميرَO commander المُؤمِنينَof the faithful لِغِبطَةٍin bliss
فَاِسلَم أَميرَ المُؤمِنينَ لِغِبطَةٍ
مَعقودَةٍbound بِذَوائِبِto the forelocks الأَعوامِof years
مَعقودَةٍ بِذَوائِبِ الأَعوامِ
May you remain safe, Commander of the Faithful, in bliss
My words do justice to the pinnacles of men.
bound to the forelocks of the years.
وَتَمَلَّand enjoy أَيّامَthe days البَقاءِof life وَلاand do not تَزَلcease
وَتَمَلَّ أَيّامَ البَقاءِ وَلا تَزَل
تَطغىoverflow بِشُكرِكَwith thanks to you أَلسُنُthe tongues الأَقوامِof nations
تَطغى بِشُكرِكَ أَلسُنُ الأَقوامِ
Enjoy the days of life, and may you always have
the tongues of nations overflowing with thanks to you.
نَفسٌa soul يُحَرِّمُهاholds it inviolate الحِمامُdeath مَهابَةًout of awe
نَفسٌ يُحَرِّمُها الحِمامُ مَهابَةً
لَيسَnot النُفوسُsouls عَلىagainst الرَدىdestruction بِحَرامِinviolate
لَيسَ النُفوسُ عَلى الرَدى بِحَرامِ
A soul that death, in awe, holds inviolate—
souls are not held inviolate against destruction.
فَاللَهُso God يَعلَمُknows أَنَّthat نورَكَyour light لَمnot يَزَلhas ceased
فَاللَهُ يَعلَمُ أَنَّ نورَكَ لَم يَزَل
مُستَهزِئاًmocking بِالظُلمِat injustice وَالإِظلامِand darkness
مُستَهزِئاً بِالظُلمِ وَالإِظلامِ
God knows that your light has never ceased
to mock injustice and darkness.
وَالمَجدُand glory يُخبِرُtells عَنof فِعالِكَyour deeds أَنَّهُthat it
وَالمَجدُ يُخبِرُ عَن فِعالِكَ أَنَّهُ
يُدليappeals إِلَيهِto it بِحُرمَةٍby sacred right وَذِمامِand covenant
يُدلي إِلَيهِ بِحُرمَةٍ وَذِمامِ
Glory tells of your deeds that they
appeal to it by sacred right and covenant.
فَاِسمَعso listen أَميرَO commander المُؤمِنينَof the faithful فَإِنَّماfor indeed الthe (continued)
فَاِسمَع أَميرَ المُؤمِنينَ فَإِنَّما ال
أَسماعُears أَبوابٌgateways إِلىto الأَفهامِunderstanding
أَسماعُ أَبوابٌ إِلى الأَفهامِ
Then listen, Commander of the Faithful, for
ears are gateways to understanding.
القَولُspeech فيin الإِطراءِpraise غَيرُnot مُبَلَّدٍdull
القَولُ في الإِطراءِ غَيرُ مُبَلَّدٍ
وَالشُكرُand gratitude لِلنَعماءِfor blessings غَيرُnot عُقامِbarren
وَالشُكرُ لِلنَعماءِ غَيرُ عُقامِ
Speech in praise is not dull,
and gratitude for blessings is not barren.
جاءَتكَshe has come to you مُحصَدَةَtightly twisted القُوىthe strands حَبّارَةًbeautifully adorned
جاءَتكَ مُحصَدَةَ القُوى حَبّارَةً
تَستَعبِدُenslaves الأَرواحَthe spirits فيwithin الأَجسامِbodies
تَستَعبِدُ الأَرواحَ في الأَجسامِ
She has come to you, her strands tightly twisted, beautifully adorned,
enslaving the spirits within bodies.
مَنwho ليfor me بِإِنشاديكَهاwith my reciting her to you فيin مَوقِفٍa gathering
مَن لي بِإِنشاديكَها في مَوقِفٍ
أَعتَدُّهُI count it شَرَفاًan honor مَدىthroughout أَيّاميmy days
أَعتَدُّهُ شَرَفاً مَدى أَيّامي
Who will grant me the chance to recite her to you in a gathering
I shall count an honor throughout my days?
لاnot أَدَّعيI claim فيهِin it الغُلُوَّexaggeration وَإِنَّماbut rather
لا أَدَّعي فيهِ الغُلُوَّ وَإِنَّما
يوفيrises عَلىabove قُلَلِthe summits الرِجالِof men كَلاميmy speech
يوفي عَلى قُلَلِ الرِجالِ كَلامي
I claim no exaggeration in it; rather,
my speech rises above the summits of men.
Partial English translation: 141 of 160 Arabic lines translated.
Sol 6.1