أَبصَرتُها في الخَمس وَالعَشرِ

أَبصَرتُها في الخَمس وَالعَشرِ

فَرَأَيتُ أُختَ الرِئم وَالبَدرِ

فَرَأَيتُ أُختَ الرِئم وَالبَدرِ

I saw her at fifteen,

I beheld her at the age of fifteen,

And saw a sister to the white gazelle and the full moon.

And saw the sister of the gazelle and the full moon.

عَذراءَ لَيسَ الفَجرُ والِدَها

عَذراءَ لَيسَ الفَجرُ والِدَها

وَكَأَنَّها مَولودَةُ الفَجرِ

وَكَأَنَّها مَولودَةُ الفَجرِ

A maiden whose father was not the dawn,

A virgin, though the dawn is not her father,

Yet seemingly born of the dawn.

Yet she seemed as though born of the dawn.

بَسّامَةٌ في ثَغرِها دُرَرٌ

بَسّامَةٌ في ثَغرِها دُرَرٌ

وَهفو إِلَيها الشاعِرُ العَصري

وَهفو إِلَيها الشاعِرُ العَصري

Ever smiling, with pearls in her mouth,

Smiling, with pearls within her mouth,

And the modern poet yearns for her.

For whom the modern poet yearns.

وَلَها قَوامٌ لَو أُشَبِّهُهُ

وَلَها قَوامٌ لَو أُشَبِّهُهُ

بِالغُصنِ باءَ الغُصنُ بِالفَخرِ

بِالغُصنِ باءَ الغُصنُ بِالفَخرِ

She has a figure that, were I to liken it

She has a figure that, were I to liken it

To a bough, the bough would gain the honor.

To the bough, the bough would return filled with pride.

مِثلُ الحَمامَةِ في وَداعَتِها

مِثلُ الحَمامَةِ في وَداعَتِها

وَكَزَهرَةِ النِسرينِ في الطُهرِ

وَكَزَهرَةِ النِسرينِ في الطُهرِ

Like a dove in her gentleness,

Like a dove in her gentleness,

And like a wild rose in purity.

And like the eglantine flower in purity.

مِثلُ الحَمامَةِ غَيرَ أَنَّ لَها

مِثلُ الحَمامَةِ غَيرَ أَنَّ لَها

صَوتَ الهَزار وَلَفتَةَ الصَقرِ

صَوتَ الهَزار وَلَفتَةَ الصَقرِ

Like a dove, except that she has

Like a dove, except that she possesses

A nightingale's voice and a falcon's glance.

The voice of the nightingale and the glance of a hawk.

شاهَدتُها يَوما وَقَد جَلَسَت

شاهَدتُها يَوما وَقَد جَلَسَت

في الرَوضِ بَينَ الماء وَالزَهرِ

في الرَوضِ بَينَ الماء وَالزَهرِ

One day I saw her sitting

I witnessed her one day as she sat

In the garden, between water and flowers,

In the garden, amidst the water and the flowers.

وَيَدُ الفَتى هِنري تُطَوِّقُها

وَيَدُ الفَتى هِنري تُطَوِّقُها

فَحَسَدتُ ذاكَ الطَوقَ في الخَصرِ

فَحَسَدتُ ذاكَ الطَوقَ في الخَصرِ

With young Henry's hand encircling her;

And the arm of young Henry was embracing her;

I envied that circlet around her waist.

So I envied that embrace around the waist.

وَحَسَدتُ مُقلَتَه وَمِسمَعَهُ

وَحَسَدتُ مُقلَتَه وَمِسمَعَهُ

لِجَمالِها وَكَلامِها الدُرّي

لِجَمالِها وَكَلامِها الدُرّي

And I envied his eye and his ear

And I envied his eye and his ear,

For her beauty and her pearly speech.

For her beauty and her pearl-like speech.

أَغمَضتُ أَجفاني عَلى مَضَضٍ

أَغمَضتُ أَجفاني عَلى مَضَضٍ

وَطَوَيتُ أَحشائي عَلى الجَمرِ

وَطَوَيتُ أَحشائي عَلى الجَمرِ

I closed my eyelids in anguish,

I closed my eyelids in bitterness,

And folded my entrails over embers.

And folded my vitals over burning embers.

وَخَشيتُ أَنَّ الوَجدَ يَسلِبُني

وَخَشيتُ أَنَّ الوَجدَ يَسلِبُني

حِلمي وَيَغلِبُني عَلى أَمري

حِلمي وَيَغلِبُني عَلى أَمري

I feared that longing would rob me

And I feared that passion would rob me

Of my composure and overpower my self-command.

Of my reason, and overcome my will.

فَرَجِعتُ أَدراجي أُغالِبُهُ

فَرَجِعتُ أَدراجي أُغالِبُهُ

بِاليَأسِ آوِيَة وَبِالصَبرِ

بِاليَأسِ آوِيَة وَبِالصَبرِ

So I retraced my steps, struggling against it

So I retraced my steps, wrestling with it,

With despair at times, and with patience.

With despair at times, and with patience.

ثُمَّ اِنقَضى عام وَأَعقَبَهُ

ثُمَّ اِنقَضى عام وَأَعقَبَهُ

ثان وَذاكَ السِرُّ في صَدري

ثان وَذاكَ السِرُّ في صَدري

Then a year passed, followed by

Then a year passed, followed by

A second, with that secret still in my breast.

A second, while that secret remained in my chest.

فَعَجِبَت مِنّي كَيفَ أَذكُرُها

فَعَجِبَت مِنّي كَيفَ أَذكُرُها

وَقَد اِنقَضى حَولانِ مِن عُمري

وَقَد اِنقَضى حَولانِ مِن عُمري

I wondered at myself: how could I remember her

I marveled at myself, how I still remembered her

When two years of my life had passed?

When two years of my life had already passed.

خُلتُ اللَيالي في تَتابُعِها

خُلتُ اللَيالي في تَتابُعِها

تُزري بِها عِندي فَلَم تَزرِ

تُزري بِها عِندي فَلَم تَزرِ

I thought the nights, in their succession,

I imagined that the nights, in their succession,

Would diminish her in my eyes; they did not.

Would diminish her worth to me, but they did not.

زادَت مَلاحَتَها فَزُدتُ بِها

زادَت مَلاحَتَها فَزُدتُ بِها

كَلَفا وَموجَدَةً عَلى هِنري

كَلَفا وَموجَدَةً عَلى هِنري

Her beauty increased, and with it I grew

Her beauty increased, so I increased in

More infatuated and more resentful of Henry.

Infatuation with her, and resentment toward Henry.

وَسَإِمتُ داري وَهيَ واسِعَةٌ

وَسَإِمتُ داري وَهيَ واسِعَةٌ

فَتَركتُها وَخَرَجتُ في أَمرِ

فَتَركتُها وَخَرَجتُ في أَمرِ

I wearied of my house, spacious though it was,

I grew weary of my house, spacious though it was,

So I left it and went out on an errand.

So I left it and went out on an errand.

فَرَأَيتُ فِتيانَ الحِمى اِنتَظَموا

فَرَأَيتُ فِتيانَ الحِمى اِنتَظَموا

كَالعِقدِ أَو كَالعَسكَرِ المَجرِ

كَالعِقدِ أَو كَالعَسكَرِ المَجرِ

I saw the neighborhood's young men drawn up

I saw the youth of the district arranged

Like a necklace, or a vast army.

Like a necklace, or like a vast army.

يَتَفَكَّهونَ بِكُلِّ نادِرَةٍَ

يَتَفَكَّهونَ بِكُلِّ نادِرَةٍَ

وَعَلى الوُجوهِ عَلائِمُ البِشرِ

وَعَلى الوُجوهِ عَلائِمُ البِشرِ

They amused themselves with every witty tale,

Jesting with every rare witticism,

And signs of joy were on their faces.

With signs of joy upon their faces.

ساروا فَأَعجَبَني تَدَفُّقُهُم

ساروا فَأَعجَبَني تَدَفُّقُهُم

فَتَبِعتُهُم أَدري وَلا أَدري

فَتَبِعتُهُم أَدري وَلا أَدري

They moved off; their surging advance delighted me,

They walked on, and their flow pleased me,

So I followed them, aware and unaware.

So I followed them, knowing yet not knowing.

ما بالُهُم وَلِأَيَّةٍ وَقَفوا

ما بالُهُم وَلِأَيَّةٍ وَقَفوا

لِمَنِ البِناءُ يَلوحُ كَالقَصرِ

لِمَنِ البِناءُ يَلوحُ كَالقَصرِ

What was with them, and why had they stopped?

What was their concern? And why did they stop

Whose building was that, appearing like a palace?

At a building looming like a palace?

أَوّاهُ هَذي دارُ فاتِنَتي

أَوّاهُ هَذي دارُ فاتِنَتي

مَن قالَ ما لِلشَمسِ مِن خِدرِ

مَن قالَ ما لِلشَمسِ مِن خِدرِ

Ah, this is my enchantress's house!

Alas! This is the house of my enchantress;

Who said the sun has no bower?

Who said the sun has no private chamber?

وَعَرَفتُ مِن فِرجَينِ جارَتِها

وَعَرَفتُ مِن فِرجَينِ جارَتِها

ما زادَني ضُرّاً عَلى ضُرِّ

ما زادَني ضُرّاً عَلى ضُرِّ

And from Virginie, her neighbor, I learned

And I learned from Virginie, her neighbor,

What added suffering to my suffering.

What added harm upon my harm.

قَد كانَ هَذا يَومَ خُطبَتِها

قَد كانَ هَذا يَومَ خُطبَتِها

يا أَرضُ ميدي يا سَما خِرّي

يا أَرضُ ميدي يا سَما خِرّي

This was the day of her engagement.

This was the day of her betrothal;

O earth, reel! O sky, fall!

O earth, sway! O sky, fall down!

وَرَأَيتُ ساعِدَها بِساعِدِهِ

وَرَأَيتُ ساعِدَها بِساعِدِهِ

فَوَدَدتُ لَو غُيِّبتُ في قَبرِ

فَوَدَدتُ لَو غُيِّبتُ في قَبرِ

And I saw her arm linked with his,

And I saw her forearm against his forearm,

And wished I were hidden in a grave.

And I wished I were hidden in a grave.

وَشَعَرتُ أَنَّ الأَرضَ واجِفَةٌ

وَشَعَرتُ أَنَّ الأَرضَ واجِفَةٌ

تَحتي وَأَنَّ النارَ في صَدري

تَحتي وَأَنَّ النارَ في صَدري

I felt the earth trembling

I felt that the earth was trembling

Beneath me, and fire within my breast.

Beneath me, and that fire was in my chest.

وَخَشيتُ أَنَّ الوَجدَ يَسلِبُني

وَخَشيتُ أَنَّ الوَجدَ يَسلِبُني

حِلمي وَيَغلِبُني عَلى أَمري

حِلمي وَيَغلِبُني عَلى أَمري

I feared that longing would rob me

And I feared that passion would rob me

Of my composure and overpower my self-command.

Of my reason, and overcome my will.

فَرَجِعتُ أَدراجي أُغالِبُهُ

فَرَجِعتُ أَدراجي أُغالِبُهُ

اليَأسِ آوِنَة وَبِالصَبرِ

اليَأسِ آوِنَة وَبِالصَبرِ

So I retraced my steps, struggling against it

So I retraced my steps, wrestling with it,

With despair at times, and with patience.

With despair at times, and with patience.

قالوا الكَنيسَةُ خَيرُ تَعزِيَةٍ

قالوا الكَنيسَةُ خَيرُ تَعزِيَةٍ

لِمَنِ اِبتُلي في الحُبِّ بِالهَجرِ

لِمَنِ اِبتُلي في الحُبِّ بِالهَجرِ

They said, “The church is the best consolation

They said the church is the best consolation

For those afflicted in love by abandonment.”

For one afflicted in love by abandonment.

فَنَذَرتُ أَن أَقضي الحَياةَ بِها

فَنَذَرتُ أَن أَقضي الحَياةَ بِها

وَقَصَدتُها كَيما أَفي نَذري

وَقَصَدتُها كَيما أَفي نَذري

So I vowed to spend my life there,

So I vowed to spend my life within it,

And went there to fulfill my vow.

And I sought it out to fulfill my vow.

لازَمتُها بَدرَينِ ما اِلتَفَتَت

لازَمتُها بَدرَينِ ما اِلتَفَتَت

عَيني إِلى شَمس وَلا بَدرِ

عَيني إِلى شَمس وَلا بَدرِ

I stayed there two full moons; never did

I remained there for two full moons, my eye

My eye turn toward sun or full moon.

Turning neither to sun nor moon.

أَتلو أَناشيدَ النَبِيِّ ضُحىً

أَتلو أَناشيدَ النَبِيِّ ضُحىً

وَأُطالِعُ الإِنجيلَ في العَصرِ

وَأُطالِعُ الإِنجيلَ في العَصرِ

I recited the prophet's hymns in the morning,

Reciting the hymns of the Prophet in the forenoon,

And read the Gospel in the afternoon.

And studying the Gospel in the afternoon.

حيناً مَعَ الرُهبانِ أَوينَةً

حيناً مَعَ الرُهبانِ أَوينَةً

وَحدي وَأَحياناً مَعَ الحَبرِ

وَحدي وَأَحياناً مَعَ الحَبرِ

Sometimes with the monks, at other times

Sometimes with the monks,

Alone, and sometimes with the priest.

Alone at times, and sometimes with the Bishop.

في الغابِ فَوقَ العُشبِ مُضطَجِعاً

في الغابِ فَوقَ العُشبِ مُضطَجِعاً

في السَفحِ مُستَنِداً إِلى الصَخرِ

في السَفحِ مُستَنِداً إِلى الصَخرِ

In the woods, reclining on the grass,

Lying in the forest upon the grass,

On the slope, leaning against the rock,

Or at the mountain foot leaning against the rock.

في غُرفَتي وَالريحُ راكِدَةٌ

في غُرفَتي وَالريحُ راكِدَةٌ

بَينَ المَغارِس وَالصَبا تَسري

بَينَ المَغارِس وَالصَبا تَسري

In my room, while the wind lay still

In my room when the wind was still,

Among the plantings, and the east breeze drifted.

Or among the groves when the zephyr blew.

حَتّى إِذا ما القَلبُ زايَلَهُ

حَتّى إِذا ما القَلبُ زايَلَهُ

تَبريحُه وَصَحَوتُ مِن سُكري

تَبريحُه وَصَحَوتُ مِن سُكري

Until, when my heart was rid

Until, when my heart had shed

Of its torment, and I awoke from my intoxication,

Its torment, and I had sobered from my intoxication,

وَسَلَوتُها وَسَلَوتُ خاطِبَها

وَسَلَوتُها وَسَلَوتُ خاطِبَها

وَأَلِفتُ عَيشَ الضَنك وَالعُسرِ

وَأَلِفتُ عَيشَ الضَنك وَالعُسرِ

And ceased longing for her and forgot her suitor,

And I had forgotten her, and forgotten her suitor,

And grew accustomed to hardship and privation,

And grew accustomed to a life of hardship and austerity,

عادَ القَضاءُ إِلى مُحارَبَتي

عادَ القَضاءُ إِلى مُحارَبَتي

وَرَجِعتُ لِلشَكوى مِنَ الدَهرِ

وَرَجِعتُ لِلشَكوى مِنَ الدَهرِ

Fate returned to make war on me,

Fate returned to war against me,

And I again complained of Time.

And I returned to complaining of time.

في ضَحوَةٍ وَقَفَ النَسيمُ بِها

في ضَحوَةٍ وَقَفَ النَسيمُ بِها

مُتَرَدِّداً في صَفحَةِ النَهرِ

مُتَرَدِّداً في صَفحَةِ النَهرِ

One morning, when the breeze lingered,

On a morning when the breeze stood still,

Wavering over the river's surface,

Hesitating upon the surface of the river,

كَالشاعِرِ الباكي عَلى طَلَلٍ

كَالشاعِرِ الباكي عَلى طَلَلٍ

أَو قارِئٍ حَيرانَ في سِفرِ

أَو قارِئٍ حَيرانَ في سِفرِ

Like a poet weeping over deserted ruins,

Like a poet weeping over ruins,

Or a reader bewildered by a book,

Or a reader bewildered by a book.

وَالشَمسُ ساطِعَة وَلامِعَةٌ

وَالشَمسُ ساطِعَة وَلامِعَةٌ

تَكسو حَواشي النَهرِ بِالتِبرِ

تَكسو حَواشي النَهرِ بِالتِبرِ

And the sun, shining and gleaming,

The sun was shining and brilliant,

Clothed the river's banks in gold dust,

Clothing the riverbanks in gold dust.

وَالأَرضُ حالِيَةٌ جَوانِبُها

وَالأَرضُ حالِيَةٌ جَوانِبُها

بِالزَهرِ مِن قان وَمُصفَرِّ

بِالزَهرِ مِن قان وَمُصفَرِّ

And the earth's expanses were adorned

And the earth, adorned on all sides,

With flowers, crimson and yellow,

With flowers of deep red and yellow.

فَكَأَنَّها بِالعُشبِ كاسِيَةٌ

فَكَأَنَّها بِالعُشبِ كاسِيَةٌ

حَسناءَ في أَثوابِها الخُضرِ

حَسناءَ في أَثوابِها الخُضرِ

As though, clothed in grass, it were

As if, clothed in grass, she were

A beauty in her green robes,

A beauty in her green garments.

وَعَلا هُتافُ الطَيرِ إِذ أَمِنَت

وَعَلا هُتافُ الطَيرِ إِذ أَمِنَت

بَأسَ العُقاب وَصَولَةَ النَسرِ

بَأسَ العُقاب وَصَولَةَ النَسرِ

The birds' cries rose, now safe

The cheering of the birds rose, as they felt safe

From the eagle's might and the vulture's assault.

From the might of the eagle and the assault of the vulture.

تَتلو عَلى أَهلِ الهَوى سُوَراً

تَتلو عَلى أَهلِ الهَوى سُوَراً

لَيسَت بِمَنظوم وَلا نَثرِ

لَيسَت بِمَنظوم وَلا نَثرِ

They recited to lovers chapters

Reciting verses to the people of love,

That were neither verse nor prose.

That were neither poetry nor prose.

يَحنو الهَزارُ عَلى أَليفَتِهِ

يَحنو الهَزارُ عَلى أَليفَتِهِ

وَيُداعِبُ القَمَرِيَّةَ القُمري

وَيُداعِبُ القَمَرِيَّةَ القُمري

The nightingale showed tenderness to his mate,

The nightingale bent tenderly over his mate,

And the male turtledove caressed the female.

And the male dove toyed with the female dove.

وَاِنسابَ كُلُّ مُصَفِّقٍ عَذبٍ

وَاِنسابَ كُلُّ مُصَفِّقٍ عَذبٍ

وَاِهتَزَّ كُلُّ مُهَفهَفٍ مَضِرِ

وَاِهتَزَّ كُلُّ مُهَفهَفٍ مَضِرِ

Every sweet, rippling stream flowed,

Every sweet, rippling stream flowed,

And every slender, verdant bough swayed.

And every slender, fresh branch swayed.

فَتَذَكَّرَت نَفسي صَبابَتَها

فَتَذَكَّرَت نَفسي صَبابَتَها

ما أَولَعَ المَهجورَ بِالذِكرِ

ما أَولَعَ المَهجورَ بِالذِكرِ

Then my soul remembered its longing.

Then my soul remembered its yearning;

How fond the forsaken are of remembrance!

How fond is the abandoned one of memories!

أَرسَلتُ طَرفي رائِداً فَجَرى

أَرسَلتُ طَرفي رائِداً فَجَرى

وَجَرى عَلى آثارِهِ فِكري

وَجَرى عَلى آثارِهِ فِكري

I sent my gaze out scouting, and it ran,

I sent my gaze as a scout, and it ran,

And my thoughts ran in its tracks.

And my thoughts ran upon its tracks.

حَتّى دَوى صَوتُ الرَئيسِ بِنا

حَتّى دَوى صَوتُ الرَئيسِ بِنا

فَهَرَعت وَالرُهبانُ في إِثري

فَهَرَعت وَالرُهبانُ في إِثري

Until the superior's voice resounded among us,

Until the voice of the Abbot thundered among us,

And I hurried, with the monks in my wake.

So I hastened, with the monks behind me.

وَإِذا بِنا نَلقى كَنيسَتَنا

وَإِذا بِنا نَلقى كَنيسَتَنا

بِالوافِدينَ تَموجُ كَالبَحرِ

بِالوافِدينَ تَموجُ كَالبَحرِ

Suddenly we found our church

And lo, we found our church

Surging like the sea with arrivals.

Surging with arrivals like the sea.

وَإِذا بِها وَإِذا الفَتى هِنري

وَإِذا بِها وَإِذا الفَتى هِنري

في حَلَّةٍ بَيضاءَ كَالفَجرِ

في حَلَّةٍ بَيضاءَ كَالفَجرِ

And there she was, and there was young Henry,

And there she was, and there was young Henry,

In white attire like the dawn.

In a suit as white as the dawn.

تَمشي وَيَمشي بَينَ ذي أَدَبٍ

تَمشي وَيَمشي بَينَ ذي أَدَبٍ

حُلو وَبَينَ مَليحَةٍ بِكرِ

حُلو وَبَينَ مَليحَةٍ بِكرِ

She walked, and he walked, between a man whose manners

She walked, and he walked, amidst men of culture

Were sweet, and a lovely maiden.

And amidst beautiful maidens.

رَفَعَ الرَئيسُ عَلَيهِما يَدَهُ

رَفَعَ الرَئيسُ عَلَيهِما يَدَهُ

وَأَنا أَرى وَيَدي عَلى صَدري

وَأَنا أَرى وَيَدي عَلى صَدري

The superior raised his hand over them both,

The Abbot raised his hand over them,

And I watched, my hand upon my breast.

While I watched, my hand upon my chest.

يا قَلبُ ذُب يا مُهجَتي اِنفَطِري

يا قَلبُ ذُب يا مُهجَتي اِنفَطِري

يَ طَرفُ فِض بِالأَدمُعِ الحُمرِ

يَ طَرفُ فِض بِالأَدمُعِ الحُمرِ

O heart, melt! O my soul, split apart!

Melt, O heart! Break, O soul!

O eye, overflow with crimson tears!

O eye, overflow with red tears!

أَغمَضتُ أَجفاني عَلى مَضَضٍ

أَغمَضتُ أَجفاني عَلى مَضَضٍ

وَطَوَيتُ أَحشائي عَلى الجَمرِ

وَطَوَيتُ أَحشائي عَلى الجَمرِ

I closed my eyelids in anguish,

I closed my eyelids in bitterness,

And folded my entrails over embers.

And folded my vitals over burning embers.

وَخَشيتُ أَنَّ الوَجدَ يَسلِبُني

وَخَشيتُ أَنَّ الوَجدَ يَسلِبُني

حِلمي وَيَغلِبُني عَلى أَمري

حِلمي وَيَغلِبُني عَلى أَمري

I feared that longing would rob me

And I feared that passion would rob me

Of my composure and overpower my self-command.

Of my reason, and overcome my will.

فَرَجِعتُ أَدراجي أُغالِبُهُ

فَرَجِعتُ أَدراجي أُغالِبُهُ

بِاليَأسِ آوِنَة وَبِالصَبرِ

بِاليَأسِ آوِنَة وَبِالصَبرِ

So I retraced my steps, struggling against it

So I retraced my steps, wrestling with it,

With despair at times, and with patience.

With despair at times, and with patience.

وَخَرَجتُ لا أَلوي عَلى أَحَدٍ

وَخَرَجتُ لا أَلوي عَلى أَحَدٍ

وَرَضيتُ بَعدَ الزُهدِ بِالكُفرِ

وَرَضيتُ بَعدَ الزُهدِ بِالكُفرِ

And I left, paying heed to no one,

I went out, turning back for no one,

And after asceticism, I accepted unbelief.

And accepted disbelief after asceticism.

أَشفَقتُ مِن هَمّي عَلى كَبِدي

أَشفَقتُ مِن هَمّي عَلى كَبِدي

وَخَشيتُ مِن دَمعي عَلى نَحري

وَخَشيتُ مِن دَمعي عَلى نَحري

I feared for my liver because of my grief,

I pitied my heart for my distress,

And for my throat because of my tears.

And feared for my throat from the flood of tears.

فَكَلفتُ بِالصَهباءِ أَشرَبُها

فَكَلفتُ بِالصَهباءِ أَشرَبُها

في مَنزِلي في الحانِ في القَفرِ

في مَنزِلي في الحانِ في القَفرِ

So I took to tawny wine, drinking it

So I devoted myself to red wine, drinking it

At home, in the tavern, in the wilderness.

In my home, in the tavern, in the wasteland.

أَبغي الشِفاءَ مِنَ الهُمومِ بِها

أَبغي الشِفاءَ مِنَ الهُمومِ بِها

فَتُزيدُني وِقراً عَلى وَقرِ

فَتُزيدُني وِقراً عَلى وَقرِ

Through it I sought healing from my cares,

Seeking a cure for my worries in it,

But it added burden upon burden.

But it only added burden upon burden.

وَتَزيدُني وَلَعاً بِها وَهَوىً

وَتَزيدُني وَلَعاً بِها وَهَوىً

وَتَزيدُني حِقداً عَلى هِنري

وَتَزيدُني حِقداً عَلى هِنري

And increased my infatuation and love for her,

It increased my fondness and love for her,

And increased my hatred of Henry.

And increased my hatred toward Henry.

قالَ الطَبيب وَقَد رَأى سَقَمي

قالَ الطَبيب وَقَد رَأى سَقَمي

لِلَّهِ مِن فِعلِ الهَوى العُذري

لِلَّهِ مِن فِعلِ الهَوى العُذري

The doctor said, having seen my illness,

The doctor said, when he saw my sickness—

“Good God, what chaste love can do!

God save us from the effects of chaste love!

ما لي بِدائِكَ يا فَتى قِبَلٌ

ما لي بِدائِكَ يا فَتى قِبَلٌ

السِحرُ مُحتاجٌ إِلى سِحرِ

السِحرُ مُحتاجٌ إِلى سِحرِ

I have no power against your illness, young man;

"I have no power over your malady, young man;

Magic needs magic.”

Magic is in need of magic."

وَمَضى يُقَلِّبُ كَفَّهُ أَسَفاً

وَمَضى يُقَلِّبُ كَفَّهُ أَسَفاً

وَلَبِثتُ كَالمَقتولِ في الوَكرِ

وَلَبِثتُ كَالمَقتولِ في الوَكرِ

And he departed, turning his palm in sorrow,

He went away turning his palm in regret,

While I remained like one slain in the nest.

And I remained like a slain man in his den.

ما أَبصَرَت عَينايَ غانِيَةً

ما أَبصَرَت عَينايَ غانِيَةً

إِلّا ذَكَرتُ إِلى الدُمى فَقري

إِلّا ذَكَرتُ إِلى الدُمى فَقري

Never did my eyes see a beautiful woman

My eyes did not see a beauty

Without recalling my need for doll-like beauties.

Without remembering my poverty regarding my idol.

وَسَإِمتُ داري وَهيَ واسِعَةٌ

وَسَإِمتُ داري وَهيَ واسِعَةٌ

فَتَرَكتُها وَخَرَجتُ في أَمرِ

فَتَرَكتُها وَخَرَجتُ في أَمرِ

I wearied of my house, spacious though it was,

I grew weary of my house, spacious though it was,

So I left it and went out on an errand.

So I left it and went out on an errand.

فَرَأَيتُها في السوقِ واقِفَةً

فَرَأَيتُها في السوقِ واقِفَةً

وَدُموعُها تَنهَلُّ كَالقَطرِ

وَدُموعُها تَنهَلُّ كَالقَطرِ

Then I saw her standing in the market,

And I saw her standing in the market,

Her tears streaming like rain,

Her tears pouring down like rain.

في بُردَةٍ كَاللَيلِ حالِكَةٍ

في بُردَةٍ كَاللَيلِ حالِكَةٍ

لَهَفي عَلى أَثوابِها الحُمرِ

لَهَفي عَلى أَثوابِها الحُمرِ

In a robe as pitch-black as night.

In a cloak as pitch-black as night—

Alas for her red robes!

My grief for her red garments!

فَدَنَوتُ أَسأَلُها وَقَد جَزِعَت

فَدَنَوتُ أَسأَلُها وَقَد جَزِعَت

نَفسي وَزَلزَلَ حُزنُها ظَهري

نَفسي وَزَلزَلَ حُزنُها ظَهري

So I approached to ask her; distress had seized

I approached to ask her, while my soul

My soul, and her sorrow shook my back.

Panicked, and her sadness shook my back.

قالَت قَضى هِنري فَقُلتُ قَضى

قالَت قَضى هِنري فَقُلتُ قَضى

مَن كادَ لي كَيدا وَلَم يَدرِ

مَن كادَ لي كَيدا وَلَم يَدرِ

She said, “Henry died.” I said, “Dead is

She said, "Henry has died." I said, "Died?"

The one who plotted against me unknowingly.”

"He who plotted against me without knowing?"

لا تَكرَهوا شَرّاً يُصيبُكُمُ

لا تَكرَهوا شَرّاً يُصيبُكُمُ

فَلَرُبَّ خَيرٍ جاءَ مِن شَرِّ

فَلَرُبَّ خَيرٍ جاءَ مِن شَرِّ

Do not hate an evil that befalls you,

"Do not hate an evil that befalls you,

For good has often come from evil.

For perhaps good comes from evil."

وَهَفا هَواها بي فَقُلتُ لَها

وَهَفا هَواها بي فَقُلتُ لَها

قَد حَلَّ هَذا المَوتُ مِن أَسري

قَد حَلَّ هَذا المَوتُ مِن أَسري

Love for her swept me away, and I said to her,

Her love stirred within me, so I said to her,

“This death has freed me from my bondage.”

"This death has unloosed my bonds."

قالَت وَمِن أَسري فَقُلتُ إِذَن

قالَت وَمِن أَسري فَقُلتُ إِذَن

لي أَنتِ قالَت أَنتَ ذو الأَمرِ

لي أَنتِ قالَت أَنتَ ذو الأَمرِ

She said, “And from mine.” I said, “Then

She said, "And my bonds too." I said, "Then,"

You are mine.” She said, “The decision is yours.”

"You are mine." She said, "You have the command."

فَأَدَرتُ زِندِيَ حَولَ مِنكَبِها

فَأَدَرتُ زِندِيَ حَولَ مِنكَبِها

وَلَثَمتُها في النَحر وَالثَغرِ

وَلَثَمتُها في النَحر وَالثَغرِ

So I wrapped my forearm around her shoulder,

So I wrapped my arm around her shoulder,

And kissed her throat and lips.

And kissed her on the throat and the mouth.

وَشَفَيتُ نَفسي مِن لَواعِجَها

وَشَفَيتُ نَفسي مِن لَواعِجَها

وَثَأَرتُ بَِلتَصريحِ مِن سِرّي

وَثَأَرتُ بَِلتَصريحِ مِن سِرّي

I healed my soul of its burning anguish,

I healed my soul of its burning pains,

And took revenge on my secret by declaring it.

And avenged my secret by declaring it.

ثُمَّ اِنثَنَيتُ بِها عَلى عَجَلٍ

ثُمَّ اِنثَنَيتُ بِها عَلى عَجَلٍ

بابَ الكَنيسَةِ جاعِلاً شَطري

بابَ الكَنيسَةِ جاعِلاً شَطري

Then I turned with her in haste,

Then I turned away with her in haste,

Setting my course toward the church door.

Making the church door my destination.

وَهُنالِكَ بارَكَني وَهَنَّأَني

وَهُنالِكَ بارَكَني وَهَنَّأَني

مَن هَنَّأوا قَبلي الفَتى هِنري

مَن هَنَّأوا قَبلي الفَتى هِنري

And there I was blessed and congratulated

And there, he blessed me and congratulated me—

By those who had congratulated young Henry before me.

The very ones who had congratulated young Henry before me.

مِن بَعدِ شَهرٍ مَرَّ لي مَعَها

مِن بَعدِ شَهرٍ مَرَّ لي مَعَها

أَبصَرتُ وَضحَ الشَيبِ في شَعري

أَبصَرتُ وَضحَ الشَيبِ في شَعري

After a month had passed for me with her,

After a month passed for me with her,

I saw the whiteness of gray in my hair.

I saw the white of gray hair in my locks.

ما كُنتُ أَدري قَبلَ صُحبَتِها

ما كُنتُ أَدري قَبلَ صُحبَتِها

أَنَّ المَشيبَ يَكونُ في شَهرِ

أَنَّ المَشيبَ يَكونُ في شَهرِ

Before her companionship, I had not known

I did not know, before living with her,

That graying could happen in a month.

That graying could happen in a single month.

فَكَّرتُ في هِنري وَكَيفَ قَضى

فَكَّرتُ في هِنري وَكَيفَ قَضى

فَوَجَدتُ هِنري واضِحَ العُذرِ

فَوَجَدتُ هِنري واضِحَ العُذرِ

I thought of Henry and how he died,

I thought of Henry and how he died,

And found Henry's excuse quite clear.

And I found Henry to have a clear excuse.

يا طالَما قَد كُنتُ أَحسُدُهُ

يا طالَما قَد كُنتُ أَحسُدُهُ

وَاليَومَ أَحسُدُهُ عَلى القَبرِ

وَاليَومَ أَحسُدُهُ عَلى القَبرِ

Oh, how long I had envied him!

Oh, how long I used to envy him,

And today I envy him for his grave.

But today, I envy him the grave.