مِنَfrom among الفَرنسيسِthe French قَيدَwithin reach of العَينِthe eye صورَتَهاI pictured her
مِنَ الفَرنسيسِ قَيدَ العَينِ صورَتَها
عَذراءَa maiden قَدalready مُلِأَتwere filled أَجفانُهاher eyelids حَوَراwith dark-eyed beauty
عَذراءَ قَد مُلِأَت أَجفانُها حَوَرا
From among the French, I pictured her before the eye:
He painted her image from memory and chained it in his eyes,
From the French people, her image stands bound before the eye,
A maiden whose eyelids brimmed with dark-eyed beauty.
A maiden whose eyelids brimmed with bashfulness.
A virgin whose eyelids were deeply filled with beauty,
كَأَنَّماas though وَهَبَتهاgave her الشَمسُthe sun صَفحَتَهاits disk
كَأَنَّما وَهَبَتها الشَمسُ صَفحَتَها
وَجهاas a face وَحاكَتand wove لَهاfor her أَسلاكَهاits threads شَعَراas hair
وَجها وَحاكَت لَها أَسلاكَها شَعَرا
As though the sun had given her its disk
As though the sun had granted her its brilliance
As though the sun had gifted her its very face,
For a face, and woven its threads into her hair.
And woven her hair into threads of light.
And wove for her its rays into strands of hair.
يَدُthe hand of المَنِيَّةِdeath طاحَتswept away غِبَّjust after مَولِدِهاher birth
يَدُ المَنِيَّةِ طاحَت غِبَّ مَولِدِها
بِأُمِّهاher mother وَأَبوهاand her father ماتَdied مُنتَحِراby suicide
بِأُمِّها وَأَبوها ماتَ مُنتَحِرا
The hand of death, soon after her birth, swept away
Death's hand struck during her birth,
The hand of death struck immediately after her birth,
Her mother, and her father died by suicide.
Her mother and father died, killing themselves.
Taking her mother, and her father died by suicide.
فيin قَريَةٍa village مِنamong قُرىthe villages of باريسَParis ماnot صَغُرَتgrew small
في قَريَةٍ مِن قُرى باريسَ ما صَغُرَت
عَنِfor الفَتاةthe girl وَلَكِنbut هَمُّهاher sorrow كَبُراgrew great
عَنِ الفَتاة وَلَكِن هَمُّها كَبُرا
In a village among the villages of Paris, which had not grown too small
In a small Parisian village she was raised,
In a village among the villages of Paris, not too small
For the girl, but her sorrow had grown great.
Young, but with worries beyond her years.
For the girl, yet her sorrow there grew large.
وَالنَفسُand the soul تَعشَقُloves فيamong الأَهلينَits kin مَوطِنَهاits homeland
وَالنَفسُ تَعشَقُ في الأَهلينَ مَوطِنَها
وَلَيسَand does not تَعشَقُهُlove it يَحويهُمُit holds them حُفَراin graves
وَلَيسَ تَعشَقُهُ يَحويهُمُ حُفَرا
The soul loves its homeland among its kin,
The soul loves the homeland of its people,
For the soul loves its homeland through its kin,
But does not love it when it holds them in graves.
Not the pit that contains them.
And loves it not when it contains them only as graves.
وَتَعظُمُand grows great الأَرضُthe land فيin عَينَيكَyour eyes مُحتَرَماًwhen honored
وَتَعظُمُ الأَرضُ في عَينَيكَ مُحتَرَماً
وَلَيسَand does not تَعظُمُgrow great فيin عَينَيكَyour eyes مُحتَقَراwhen despised
وَلَيسَ تَعظُمُ في عَينَيكَ مُحتَقَرا
The land grows great in your eyes when you are honored,
And earth seems grand through your eyes,
The land becomes great in your eyes when it is respected,
But does not grow great in your eyes when you are despised.
Not diminished or scorned.
But it does not become great in your eyes if it is despised.
فَغادَرَتهاso she left it وَماand no فيin نَفسِهاher soul أَثَرٌtrace
فَغادَرَتها وَما في نَفسِها أَثَرٌ
مِنهاof it وَلاnor تَرَكَتshe left فيamong أَهلِهاits people أَثَراa trace
مِنها وَلا تَرَكَت في أَهلِها أَثَرا
So she left it, with no trace in her soul
So she left it, leaving no trace of herself
So she left it, with no trace of it remaining in her soul,
Of it, nor did she leave a trace among its people.
Nor any mark on its people.
Nor did she leave a trace among its people.
إِلىtoward الَّتيher who تَفتِنُenchant الدُنياthe world مَحاسِنُهاher charms
إِلى الَّتي تَفتِنُ الدُنيا مَحاسِنُها
وَحُسنُand the beauty of مَنthose who سَكَنوهاinhabited her يَفتِنُenchants البَشَراhumankind
وَحُسنُ مَن سَكَنوها يَفتِنُ البَشَرا
Toward her whose charms enchant the world,
To the city whose beauty captivates the world,
To the city whose beauties enchant the world,
And whose inhabitants' beauty enchants humankind;
And whose handsome people captivate mankind.
And the beauty of those who dwell there enchants mankind.
إِلىtoward الَّتيher who تَجمَعُgathers الأَضدادَopposites دارَتُهاher precincts
إِلى الَّتي تَجمَعُ الأَضدادَ دارَتُها
وَيَحرُسُand guards الأَمنُsafety فيthroughout أَرجائِهاher reaches الخَطَراdanger
وَيَحرُسُ الأَمنُ في أَرجائِها الخَطَرا
Toward her whose precincts gather opposites,
To the city where opposites converge,
To the one whose circle gathers opposites,
And where safety guards danger throughout her reaches.
And safety guards its corners from harm.
And where safety guards danger in its very corners.
إِذاif رَآهاhe sees her تَقِيٌّa pious man ظَنَّهاhe thinks her عَدَناًEden
إِذا رَآها تَقِيٌّ ظَنَّها عَدَناً
وَإِنand if رَآهاhe sees her شَقِيٌّa wretched man ظَنَّهاhe thinks her سَقَراSaqar
وَإِن رَآها شَقِيٌّ ظَنَّها سَقَرا
If a pious man sees her, he thinks her Eden;
The pious sees it as Eden,
If a pious man sees it, he deems it Eden,
And if a wretched man sees her, he thinks her Saqar.
The wretched sees it as Hell.
And if a wretched man sees it, he deems it Hell.
تَوَدُّwishes شَمسُthe sun of الضُحىthe morning لَوif only أَنَّهاthat she فَلَكٌa firmament
تَوَدُّ شَمسُ الضُحى لَو أَنَّها فَلَكٌ
وَالأُفقُand the horizon لَوif only طَلَعَتshe rose فيat أَوجِهِits zenith قَمَراas a moon
وَالأُفقُ لَو طَلَعَت في أَوجِهِ قَمَرا
The morning sun wishes she were a firmament,
The morning sun wishes it were its orbit,
The morning sun wishes it were an orbit for it,
And the horizon wishes she rose as a moon at its zenith;
And the horizon its rising moon.
And the horizon wishes to rise in its zenith as a moon.
وَالغَربُand the West لَوif only كانَit were عوداًwood فيin مَنابِرِهاher pulpits
وَالغَربُ لَو كانَ عوداً في مَنابِرِها
وَالشَرقُand the East لَوif only كانَit were فيwithin جُدرانِهاher walls حَجَراstone
وَالشَرقُ لَو كانَ في جُدرانِها حَجَرا
And the West wishes it were wood in her pulpits,
The West wishes it were its pulpits’ wood,
The West wishes it were the wood in its pulpits,
And the East wishes it were stone within her walls.
The East its walls' stone.
And the East wishes it were the stone in its walls.
فيin كُلِّevery قَلبٍheart هَوىًlove مِنهاfrom her كَأَنَّas though لَهُit had
في كُلِّ قَلبٍ هَوىً مِنها كَأَنَّ لَهُ
فيamong أَهلِهاher people صاحِباًa friend فيwithin أَرضِهاher land وَطَراa desire
في أَهلِها صاحِباً في أَرضِها وَطَرا
Love for her dwells in every heart, as though each had
In every heart is a passion for it, as though
In every heart there is a love for it,
A friend among her people, a desire within her land.
Each has a loved one or land there.
As if one had a friend among its people or a desire in its land.
باريسُParis أُعجوبَةُthe wonder of الدُنياthe world وَجَنَّتُهاand its paradise
باريسُ أُعجوبَةُ الدُنيا وَجَنَّتُها
وَرَبَّةُand mistress of الحُسنِbeauty مَطروقاfamiliar وَمُبتَكَراand new
وَرَبَّةُ الحُسنِ مَطروقا وَمُبتَكَرا
Paris, the world's wonder and its paradise,
Paris, wonder of the world and its heaven,
Paris is the wonder of the world and its paradise,
And mistress of beauty, both familiar and new.
Muse of beauty, sought and invented.
The goddess of beauty, both traditional and novel.
حَلَّتshe settled عَلَيهاthere فَلَمand did not تُنكِرfind unfamiliar زَخارِفَهاits adornments
حَلَّت عَلَيها فَلَم تُنكِر زَخارِفَها
فَطالَماfor often أَبصَرَتshe had seen أَشباهَهاtheir like صُوَراin pictures
فَطالَما أَبصَرَت أَشباهَها صُوَرا
She settled there and found its adornments familiar,
She arrived and did not reject its ornaments,
She settled there and did not find its decorations strange,
For often she had seen their like in pictures.
For long she had seen its likes in pictures.
For she had long seen pictures resembling them.
وَلاnor خَلائِقَthe manners of أَهليهاits people وَزَيَّهُمُand their dress
وَلا خَلائِقَ أَهليها وَزَيَّهُمُ
فَطالَماfor often قَرَأتَhad read أَخلاقُهُمtheir ways سِيَراin accounts
فَطالَما قَرَأتَ أَخلاقُهُم سِيَرا
Nor were its people's manners and their dress unfamiliar,
Nor the nature of its people and their clothes,
Nor were the manners of its people strange to her,
For often she had read accounts of their ways.
For long she had read the chronicles of their ways.
For she had long read their morals in biographies.
وَإِنَّماbut only أَنكَرَتshe found strange فيupon الأَرضِthe earth وِحدَتَهاher loneliness
وَإِنَّما أَنكَرَت في الأَرضِ وِحدَتَها
كَذَلِكَlikewise الطَيرُthe bird إِماwhen فارَقَit leaves الوَكراthe nest
كَذَلِكَ الطَيرُ إِما فارَقَ الوَكرا
What she found strange upon the earth was her loneliness,
But she rejected only her uniqueness on earth,
But what she found strange in the land was her loneliness,
As does a bird when it leaves its nest.
As a bird rejects the nest when it flees.
Just as a bird feels when separated from the nest.
يَتيمَةٌan orphan ماnot لَهاshe has أُمٌّa mother تَلوذُshe seeks refuge بِهاin her
يَتيمَةٌ ما لَها أُمٌّ تَلوذُ بِها
وَلاnor أَبٌa father إِنif دَعَتهُshe called him نَحوَهاto her حَضَراhe would come
وَلا أَبٌ إِن دَعَتهُ نَحوَها حَضَرا
An orphan, with no mother in whom to seek refuge,
An orphan with no mother to seek refuge in,
An orphan with no mother to take refuge in,
And no father who would come if she called him to her.
No father to call when danger nears.
And no father who, if she called him, would attend.
غَريبَةٌa stranger يَقتَفيهاpursues her البُؤسُmisery كَيفَwherever مَشَتshe walked
غَريبَةٌ يَقتَفيها البُؤسُ كَيفَ مَشَت
ماnot عَزَّwas honored فيin أَرضِthe land of باريسٍParis مَنِwhoever اِفتَقَراbecame poor
ما عَزَّ في أَرضِ باريسٍ مَنِ اِفتَقَرا
A stranger, pursued by misery wherever she walked:
Stranger, whom misery follows wherever she walked,
A stranger whom misery follows wherever she walks;
No one who falls into poverty is honored in Paris.
None prosper in Paris if impoverished.
He is not honored in the land of Paris who is poor.
مَرَّتpassed عَلَيهاover her لَيالnights وَهيَwhile she فيwas in شُغُلٍdistraction
مَرَّت عَلَيها لَيال وَهيَ في شُغُلٍ
عَنfrom سالِفِformer الهَمِّsorrow بِالهَمِّby the sorrow الَّذيthat ظَهَراappeared
عَن سالِفِ الهَمِّ بِالهَمِّ الَّذي ظَهَرا
Nights passed over her while she was distracted
Nights passed as she was busy
Nights passed over her while she was distracted
From her former sorrow by the sorrow newly come.
With present worries, not past cares,
From past sorrow by the sorrow that had now appeared.
حَتّىuntil إِذاwhen عَضَّهاbit her نابُthe fang of الطَوىhunger نَفَرَتshe set out
حَتّى إِذا عَضَّها نابُ الطَوى نَفَرَت
تَستَنزِلُentreats for الرِزقَlivelihood فيهاthere الفَردthe individual وَالنَفَراand the group
تَستَنزِلُ الرِزقَ فيها الفَرد وَالنَفَرا
Until, when hunger's fang bit her, she set out,
Until necessity's hammer struck her,
Until, when the fang of hunger bit her, she fled,
Seeking her livelihood there from individuals and groups.
And she went out to earn her living, alone or in a group.
Seeking sustenance from individuals and groups.
تَجنيshe gathers اللُجَينsilver وَيَجنيand gather الباذِلوهُthose paying it لَهاto her
تَجني اللُجَين وَيَجني الباذِلوهُ لَها
مِنfrom كَفِّهاher hand الوَردَroses مَنظوماin bouquets وَمُنتَثِراand loose
مِن كَفِّها الوَردَ مَنظوما وَمُنتَثِرا
She gathered silver, and those who paid it to her gathered
She harvests rosebuds, and those who give her roses
She gathers silver, and those who give to her gather
Roses from her hand, in bouquets and loose.
Harvest verse-strings and scattered petals from her hands.
From her hand roses, both arranged and scattered.
لاnot تَتَّقيshe fears اللَهَGod فيهover it وَهوَwhile it فيis in يَدِهاher hand
لا تَتَّقي اللَهَ فيه وَهوَ في يَدِها
وَتَتَّقيand she fears فيهِover it فَوقَabove الوَجنَةِthe cheek النَظَراthe gaze
وَتَتَّقي فيهِ فَوقَ الوَجنَةِ النَظَرا
She does not fear God over the rose while it is in her hand,
She fears not God as she holds them,
She does not fear God regarding the money she takes,
But fears the gaze upon the rose above her cheek.
But guards against looking above the cheeks.
But she fears Him regarding the gaze upon her cheek.
تَغارُguards jealously حَتّىeven مِنَfrom الأَرواحِspirits سارِيَةًpassing by
تَغارُ حَتّى مِنَ الأَرواحِ سارِيَةً
فَلَوso if تَمُرُّpasses قَبولٌan east wind أَطرَقَتshe lowers her eyes خَفَراin shyness
فَلَو تَمُرُّ قَبولٌ أَطرَقَت خَفَرا
She guards it jealously even from passing spirits;
She is jealous even of spirits passing by,
She is jealous even of the passing winds;
If an east wind passes, she lowers her eyes in shyness.
If a glance should meet hers, it would turn away embarrassed.
If a breeze blows, she lowers her head in modesty.
أَذالَتِmade available الوَردَthe roses قانيهtheir crimson ones وَأَصفَرَهُand their yellow ones
أَذالَتِ الوَردَ قانيه وَأَصفَرَهُ
كَيماso that تَصونَshe preserves الَّذيthat which فيis on خَدِّهاher cheek نَضَراfresh
كَيما تَصونَ الَّذي في خَدِّها نَضَرا
She put crimson and yellow roses at others' disposal,
She humiliates the roses' seller, and yellows his roses,
She humbled the rose, its red and its yellow,
To preserve the fresh rose upon her cheek.
So as to preserve the freshness of her own cheek.
In order to preserve the freshness in her cheek.
حَمتهُshe shielded it عَنfrom كُلِّevery طَرفٍeye فاسِقٍlustful غَزِلٍamorous
حَمتهُ عَن كُلِّ طَرفٍ فاسِقٍ غَزِلٍ
لَوif اِستَطاعَتshe could حَمتهُshe shielded it الوَهمfrom fancy وَالفِكراand thought
لَو اِستَطاعَت حَمتهُ الوَهم وَالفِكرا
She shielded it from every lustful, amorous eye;
She protects it from every debauched flirting glance,
She protected it from every licentious, flirtatious eye;
Had she been able, she would have shielded it from fancy and thought.
If only she could protect it from thoughts and ideas as well!
Had she been able, she would have protected it from imagination and thought.
تُضاحِكُlaughs with الخَلقَpeople لاnot زَهواin vanity وَلاnor لَعِباًin play
تُضاحِكُ الخَلقَ لا زَهوا وَلا لَعِباً
وَتَجحَدُand conceals الفَقرَpoverty لاnot كِبراout of pride وَلاnor أَشَراout of insolence
وَتَجحَدُ الفَقرَ لا كِبرا وَلا أَشَرا
She laughs with people, neither vainly nor playfully,
She laughs at people, neither boastful nor playful,
She laughs with people, not out of vanity or play,
And conceals her poverty, neither proudly nor insolently.
And denies poverty, neither arrogant nor wicked.
And she denies her poverty, not out of pride or arrogance.
فَإِنbut if خَلَتshe was alone هاجَتِstirred الذِكرىmemory لَواعِجَهاher burning griefs
فَإِن خَلَت هاجَتِ الذِكرى لَواعِجَها
فَاِستَنفَدَتso she exhausted طَرفَهاher eyes الدَمعَthe tears الَّذيthat اِذَّخَراhad been stored
فَاِستَنفَدَت طَرفَها الدَمعَ الَّذي اِذَّخَرا
But when alone, memory stirred her burning grief,
When alone, memories of past passions overwhelm her,
But if she is alone, memory stirs her anguish,
And she drained her eyes of the tears they had stored.
And draw tears she had stored for such times.
And she exhausts her eyes of the tears they had stored.
تَعَلَّقتُهُbecame attached to him فَتىًa youth كَالغُصنِlike a bough قامَتُهُhis stature
تَعَلَّقتُهُ فَتىً كَالغُصنِ قامَتُهُ
حُلوَsweet اللِسانِof tongue أَغَرَّbright الوَجهِof face مُزدَهِراradiant
حُلوَ اللِسانِ أَغَرَّ الوَجهِ مُزدَهِرا
She fell in love with a youth whose stature was a bough,
I became infatuated like a branch to a sapling,
She became attached to a youth, like a branch in stature,
Sweet-tongued, bright-faced, radiant.
Sweet of tongue, bright of face, flowering in youth.
Sweet of tongue, radiant of face, flourishing.
وَهامَand he adored فيهاher تُريهِshows him الشَمسَthe sun غُرَّتُهاher brow
وَهامَ فيها تُريهِ الشَمسَ غُرَّتُها
وَالفَجرَand dawn مُرتَصِفاًarrayed فيwithin ثَغرِهاher mouth دُرَراas pearls
وَالفَجرَ مُرتَصِفاً في ثَغرِها دُرَرا
And he adored her: her brow showed him the sun,
Passionate for her, the sun shows her its hiding,
And he fell in love with her, her blaze showing him the sun,
And dawn, arrayed as pearls within her mouth.
And dawn its strings of pearls in her mouth.
And her mouth showing him the dawn arranged in pearls.
إِذاwhen دَناhe drew near رَغِبَتshe wished أَنthat لاnot يُفارِقَهاhe leave her
إِذا دَنا رَغِبَت أَن لا يُفارِقَها
وَإِنand if نَأىhe went far أَصبَحَتshe became تَشتاقُlonging لَوeven if ذُكِراhe was mentioned
وَإِن نَأى أَصبَحَت تَشتاقُ لَو ذُكِرا
When he drew near, she wished he would not leave her;
When he draws near she hopes he will not leave her,
If he drew near, she desired that he never part from her,
And when he was far, she longed for him at his mere mention.
And when he is away she yearns for him to be mentioned.
And if he distanced himself, she longed for him even if he was merely mentioned.
تُغالِبُshe struggles against الوَجدَpassion فيهfor him وَهوَwhile he مُقتَرِبٌis near
تُغالِبُ الوَجدَ فيه وَهوَ مُقتَرِبٌ
وَتَهجُرُand forsakes الغَمضَsleep فيهِover him كُلَّماwhenever هَجَراhe departed
وَتَهجُرُ الغَمضَ فيهِ كُلَّما هَجَرا
She struggled with her passion for him when he was near,
She overcomes her fervor when he is present,
She fights her passion regarding him while he is near,
And forsook sleep over him whenever he departed.
And abandons sleep when he is absent.
And she abandons sleep for him whenever he abandons her.
كانَتshe used to تَوَقّىguard against الهَوىlove إِذwhen لاnot يُخامِرُهاit possessed her
كانَت تَوَقّى الهَوى إِذ لا يُخامِرُها
فَأَصبَحَتso she became تَتوَقّىguarding against فيwithin الهَوىlove الحَذَراcaution
فَأَصبَحَت تَتوَقّى في الهَوى الحَذَرا
She once guarded against love when it had not possessed her;
She used to fear passion when it did not stir within her,
She used to guard against love when it did not mix with her soul,
Now, within love, she guarded against caution itself.
But now she fears even the caution within passion.
But she became one who guards against caution in love.
قَدindeed عَرَّضَتshe exposed نَفسَهاherself لِلحُبِّto love واهِيَةًfrail
قَد عَرَّضَت نَفسَها لِلحُبِّ واهِيَةً
فَنالَso overcame مِنهاher الهَوىpassion الجَبّارُthe tyrannical مُقتَدِراmightily
فَنالَ مِنها الهَوى الجَبّارُ مُقتَدِرا
She had exposed her frail self to love,
She exposed herself to love confused,
She exposed herself to love while she was weak,
And tyrannical passion mightily overcame her.
And so passion, mighty and empowered, took advantage of her.
So the mighty love took her with power.
وَالحُبُّand love كَاللِصِّlike a thief لاnot يُدريكَlets you know مَوعِدَهُits appointed hour
وَالحُبُّ كَاللِصِّ لا يُدريكَ مَوعِدَهُ
لَكِنَّهُbut it قَلَّماseldom كَالسارِقِlike a thief اِستَتَراhid itself
لَكِنَّهُ قَلَّما كَالسارِقِ اِستَتَرا
Love is like a thief: it does not tell you its hour;
Love is like a thief - you know not its hour -
And love is like a thief; it does not let you know its appointment,
But it seldom hides itself as a thief does.
But rarely is it like the hidden thief.
But rarely does it conceal itself like a thief.
وَلَيلَةٍand on a night مِنamong لَيَليthe nights of الصَيفِsummer مُقمِرَةٍmoonlit
وَلَيلَةٍ مِن لَيَلي الصَيفِ مُقمِرَةٍ
لاnot تَسأَمُtires of العَينُthe eye فيهاduring it الأَنجُمَthe stars الزُهراshining
لا تَسأَمُ العَينُ فيها الأَنجُمَ الزُهرا
And on a moonlit night among the nights of summer,
One summer night, moonlit,
One moonlit night among the nights of summer,
When the eye never tires of the shining stars,
When eyes do not tire of the blossoming stars.
In which the eye does not weary of the brilliant stars,
تَلاقَياthey met فَشَكاهاthen he told her الوَجدَhis yearning فَاِضطَرَبَتso she trembled
تَلاقَيا فَشَكاها الوَجدَ فَاِضطَرَبَت
ثُمَّthen اِستَمرَّhe continued فَباتَتso she became كَالَّذيlike one who سُحِراwas bewitched
ثُمَّ اِستَمرَّ فَباتَت كَالَّذي سُحِرا
They met; he told her his yearning, and she trembled.
They met and he confided his longing to her, so she shook,
They met, and he complained to her of passion, and she trembled,
Then he continued, and she became as one bewitched.
Then he continued and she remained as if spellbound.
Then he persisted, and she spent the night like one bewitched.
شَكاhe lamented فَحَرَّكَthen stirred بِالشَكوىwith his lament عَواطِفَهاher feelings
شَكا فَحَرَّكَ بِالشَكوى عَواطِفَها
كَماas تُحَرِّكُstirs كَفُّthe hand of العازِفِthe musician الوَتَراthe string
كَما تُحَرِّكُ كَفُّ العازِفِ الوَتَرا
He lamented, and with his lament stirred her feelings,
He complained and so stirred her emotions,
He complained, and with his complaint he moved her emotions,
As the musician's hand stirs a string.
As the musician's hand stirs the strings.
Just as the hand of a musician moves the string.
وَزادَand he continued حَتّىuntil تَمَنَّتwished كُلُّevery جارِحَةٍlimb
وَزادَ حَتّى تَمَنَّت كُلُّ جارِحَةٍ
لَوif only أَصبَحَتit became مَسمَعاًan ear أَوor أَصبَحَتit became بَصَراan eye
لَو أَصبَحَت مَسمَعاً أَو أَصبَحَت بَصَرا
He went on, until every limb wished
Until each limb wished it could be
He increased until every limb wished
To become an ear, or to become an eye.
A hearing or a seeing organ.
It could become an ear or become an eye.
رانَoverwhelmed الهَيامُpassion عَلىover الصَبَّينِthe two lovers فَاِعتَنَقاso they embraced
رانَ الهَيامُ عَلى الصَبَّينِ فَاِعتَنَقا
لاnot يَملِكانِthey command النُهىreason وِرداin coming وَلاnor صَدِراin going
لا يَملِكانِ النُهى وِردا وَلا صَدِرا
Passion overwhelmed the two lovers, and they embraced,
The two passionate youths embraced,
Passion overcame the two lovers and they embraced,
With no command of reason, coming or going.
Unable to resist or desist.
Possessing no reason in their approach or retreat.
وَكانَand happened ماwhat كانَhappened مِمّاof what لَستُI do not أَذكُرُهُmention it
وَكانَ ما كانَ مِمّا لَستُ أَذكُرُهُ
تَكفيsuffices الإِشارَةُa hint أَهلَfor people of الفِطنَةِdiscernment الخُبَراexperienced
تَكفي الإِشارَةُ أَهلَ الفِطنَةِ الخُبَرا
And what happened happened—what I will not mention;
What happened next I will not relate,
And there happened what happened, which I will not mention;
A hint suffices for the discerning and experienced.
The allusion suffices for the prudent.
A hint suffices for the wise and experienced.
هامَتshe adored بِهhim وَهيَwhile she لاnot تَدريknew لِشَوقَتِهاbecause of her longing
هامَت بِه وَهيَ لا تَدري لِشَوقَتِها
بِأَنَّهاthat she قَدhad أَحَبَّتloved أَرقَماًa speckled serpent ذَكَراmale
بِأَنَّها قَد أَحَبَّت أَرقَماً ذَكَرا
She adored him, unaware in her longing
She became infatuated but did not know,
She wandered in love with him, not knowing in her longing
That she had loved a speckled male serpent.
That she had fallen for a scoundrel.
That she had fallen in love with a male viper.
رَأَتهُshe saw him خَشفاًas a fawn فَأَدنَتهُso drew him near فَراءَthen he saw بِهاin her
رَأَتهُ خَشفاً فَأَدنَتهُ فَراءَ بِها
شاةًa sheep فَأَنشَبَthen sank فيهاinto her نابَهُhis fang نَمِراas a leopard
شاةً فَأَنشَبَ فيها نابَهُ نَمِرا
She saw him as a fawn and drew him near; he saw in her
She saw him as a fledgling and drew him near,
She saw him as a fawn so she drew him near, but he saw in her
A sheep, and sank his fang into her like a leopard.
A lamb so she took him in, but he was a tiger.
A sheep, so he sank his fang into her like a leopard.
ماnot زالَceased يُؤمِنُprofessing faith فيهاin her غَيرَnot مُكتَرِثٍcaring
ما زالَ يُؤمِنُ فيها غَيرَ مُكتَرِثٍ
بِالعاذِلينَabout the reproachers فَلَمّاthen when آمَنَتshe believed كَفَراhe disbelieved
بِالعاذِلينَ فَلَمّا آمَنَت كَفَرا
He kept professing faith in her, heedless
He continued to seduce her, disregarding
He kept making her feel safe within, indifferent
Of the reproachers; when she believed, he disbelieved.
Those who blamed her, but when she believed he blasphemed.
To the critics, but when she felt safe, he disbelieved.
جَنىinflicted harm عَلَيهاupon her الَّذيwhat تَخشىshe feared وَقاطَعَهاand abandoned her
جَنى عَلَيها الَّذي تَخشى وَقاطَعَها
كَأَنَّماas though قَدshe had جَنَتcommitted ماwhat لَيسَis not مُغتَفَراforgivable
كَأَنَّما قَد جَنَت ما لَيسَ مُغتَفَرا
He inflicted upon her what she feared, and abandoned her,
He took advantage of her, as if she had
He committed against her what she feared and cut her off,
As though she had committed something unforgivable.
Committed an unforgivable sin.
As if she were the one who had committed the unforgivable.
كانَتshe used to be وَكانَand he used to يَرىsee فيin خَدِّهاher cheek صَعَراًa disdainful turn
كانَت وَكانَ يَرى في خَدِّها صَعَراً
عَنهُaway from him فَباتَتthen she came to تَرىsee فيin خَدِّهِhis cheek صَعَراa disdainful turn
عَنهُ فَباتَت تَرى في خَدِّهِ صَعَرا
Once he had seen her cheek turned in disdain
She had seen a mole on his cheek,
She used to see pride in his cheek regarding him,
Away from him; now she saw disdain upon his cheek.
And now saw but a mole on his cheek.
But now she spends the night seeing aversion in his cheek.
فَكُلَّماso whenever اِستَعطَفَتهُshe sought his tenderness اِزوَرَّhe turned away مُحتَدِماًin anger
فَكُلَّما اِستَعطَفَتهُ اِزوَرَّ مُحتَدِماً
وَكُلَّماand whenever اِبتَسَمَتshe smiled فيinto وَجهِهِhis face كَشَراhe snarled
وَكُلَّما اِبتَسَمَت في وَجهِهِ كَشَرا
Whenever she sought his tenderness, he turned away in anger;
Every time she tried to appease him he sulked angrily,
Whenever she sought his sympathy, he turned away in anger,
And whenever she smiled into his face, he snarled.
And every time she smiled he bared his teeth.
And whenever she smiled in his face, he bared his teeth.
قالَhe voiced النِفارaversion وَفِرجينيand Virginie عَلىin مَضَضٍanguish
قالَ النِفار وَفِرجيني عَلى مَضَضٍ
تَجَرَّعُswallows الأَنقَعَينِthe two bitter draughts الصابspurge وَالصَبراand aloes
تَجَرَّعُ الأَنقَعَينِ الصاب وَالصَبرا
He voiced his aversion, while Virginie, in anguish,
He said depart from me, and relieve my pain,
His aversion spoke, and Virginie, in bitterness,
Swallowed the two bitter draughts, spurge and aloes.
I suffer the bitter and harsh equally.
Swallowed the two poisons: the colocynth and the aloe.
قالَتshe said وَقَدwhen زارَهاhe visited her يَوماًone day مُعَرَّضَةًhinting
قالَت وَقَد زارَها يَوماً مُعَرَّضَةً
مَتىwhen لَعَمرُكَby your life يَجنيgathers الغارِسُthe planter الثَمَراthe fruit
مَتى لَعَمرُكَ يَجني الغارِسُ الثَمَرا
One day, when he visited her, she said, hinting:
She said to him one day while objecting,
She said, when he visited her one day while turning away,
“When, by your life, does the planter gather fruit?
“When, my dear, can the planter reap the fruits?
"When, by your life, will the planter harvest the fruit?"
كَمhow long ذاthis الصُدودaversion وَلاand no ذَنبٌsin جَنَتهُcommitted it يَديmy hand
كَم ذا الصُدود وَلا ذَنبٌ جَنَتهُ يَدي
أَرِوquench me بِكَthrough you الصَفوَserenity لاnot أَرجوI seek بِكَthrough you الكَدَراbitterness
أَرِو بِكَ الصَفوَ لا أَرجو بِكَ الكَدَرا
How long this aversion, when my hand has committed no sin?
Why this estrangement, when I have done no wrong?
"How long is this avoidance when my hand has committed no sin?"
Quench me with your serenity; I seek no bitterness through you.
Quench my thirst, do not make it run dry.”
"I seek clarity with you; I do not hope for murkiness with you."
تَرَكَتنيyou left me لاnot أَذوقُI taste الماءَwater مِنfrom وَلَهيmy anguish
تَرَكَتني لا أَذوقُ الماءَ مِن وَلَهي
كَماas تَرَكتَyou left جُفونيmy eyelids لاnot تَذوقُtaste كَرىsleep
كَما تَرَكتَ جُفوني لا تَذوقُ كَرى
You left me unable to taste water in my anguish,
“You left me unable to enjoy water or anything else,
"You left me tasting no water due to my grief,"
As you left my eyelids unable to taste sleep.
As you left my eyelids unable to enjoy sleep.”
"Just as you left my eyelids tasting no sleep."
أَشفِقhave pity عَلَيon me وَلاand do not تَنسَforget وُعودَكَyour promises ليto me
أَشفِق عَلَي وَلا تَنسَ وُعودَكَ لي
فَإِنَّfor truly ماwhat بِيَafflicts me لَوif بِلصَخرِin a rock لَاِنفَطَراit would split
فَإِنَّ ما بِيَ لَو بِلصَخرِ لَاِنفَطَرا
Have pity on me, and do not forget your promises to me,
“Have mercy on me, do not forget your promises,
"Have mercy on me and do not forget your promises to me;"
For what afflicts me would split a rock.”
For if what I have was in a rock, it would have shattered.”
"For what is within me, were it in a rock, it would have split."
أَطالَتِshe prolonged العَتبَreproach تَرجوhoping أَنthat يَرِقَّwould soften لَهاtoward her
أَطالَتِ العَتبَ تَرجو أَن يَرِقَّ لَها
فُؤادُهُhis heart فَأَطالَso he prolonged الصَمتَsilence مُختَصِراsparing words
فُؤادُهُ فَأَطالَ الصَمتَ مُختَصِرا
She prolonged her reproaches, hoping for tenderness from
She reproached him long, hoping to stir
She prolonged the scolding, hoping his heart would soften
His heart; he prolonged his silence, sparing words.
His heart, but he lengthened his silence.
Toward her, but he prolonged his silence, being brief.
وَأَحرَجَتهُand she pressed him لِأَنَّbecause الهَمَّsorrow أَحرَجَهاhad pressed her
وَأَحرَجَتهُ لِأَنَّ الهَمَّ أَحرَجَها
وَكُلَّماand whenever أَحرَجَتهُshe pressed him راغَhe evaded مُعتَذِراwith excuses
وَكُلَّما أَحرَجَتهُ راغَ مُعتَذِرا
She pressed him because sorrow had pressed her,
And she embarrassed him, for worries embarrassed her,
She cornered him because distress had cornered her,
And whenever she pressed him, he evaded her with excuses.
And every time she embarrassed him, he pretended apology.
And whenever she cornered him, he dodged with excuses.
وَضاقَand grew strained ذَرعاًin patience بِماby what يُخفيhe concealed فَقالَso he said لَهاto her
وَضاقَ ذَرعاً بِما يُخفي فَقالَ لَها
إِلىuntil ماwhen أُلزِمُam I bound to فيكِover you العَيspeechlessness وَالحَصَراand tongue-tied restraint
إِلى ما أُلزِمُ فيكِ العَي وَالحَصَرا
He grew impatient with what he concealed, and said to her:
Weary of what he hid, he said “I am bound
He grew weary of what he was hiding, so he said to her:
“How long must I remain speechless and tongue-tied over you?
To the helpless life you lead me, consumed by you.”
"How long must I be bound to speechlessness and stuttering regarding you?"
أَهواكِI love you صاحِبَةًas a companion أَمّاas for اِقتِرانُكِyour marriage بيto me
أَهواكِ صاحِبَةً أَمّا اِقتِرانُكِ بي
فَلَيسَit does not يَخطُرُoccur فيin باليmy mind وَلاnor خَطَراhas occurred
فَلَيسَ يَخطُرُ في بالي وَلا خَطَرا
I love you as a companion; as for your marriage to me,
“I love and desire you, but if I seek it
"I desire you as a mistress, but as for your union with me in marriage,"
It does not enter my mind, nor has it ever.
I anger myself, the Judge, and all people.”
"It never crossed my mind, nor did it occur to me."
أَهوىI desire رِضاكyour satisfaction وَلَكِنbut إِنif سَعَيتُI sought لَهُit
أَهوى رِضاك وَلَكِن إِن سَعَيتُ لَهُ
أَغضَبتُI would anger نَفسِيmyself وَالدَيّانand the Judge وَالبَشَراand humankind
أَغضَبتُ نَفسِي وَالدَيّان وَالبَشَرا
I desire your satisfaction, but if I sought it,
“I have two hearts in one body,
"I desire your satisfaction, but if I strove for that,"
I would anger myself, the Judge, and humankind.
My heart cannot be divided in two.”
"I would anger myself, the Judge, and mankind."
عَنَيتُI mean مالِيَI have no مِنany قَلبَينِtwo hearts فيin جَسَديmy body
عَنَيتُ مالِيَ مِن قَلبَينِ في جَسَدي
وَلَيسَand is not قَلبيmy heart إِلىinto قِسمَينِtwo parts مُشَطِراdivided
وَلَيسَ قَلبي إِلى قِسمَينِ مُشَطِرا
I mean: I do not have two hearts within my body,
“You ask my heart which is hostage
"I meant that I do not have two hearts in my body,"
Nor is my heart divided into two parts.
To another’s hand - how difficult is your request!”
"And my heart is not split into two halves."
تُطالِبينيyou demand of me فُؤاديmy heart وَهوَwhile it مُرتَهَنٌis pledged
تُطالِبيني فُؤادي وَهوَ مُرتَهَنٌ
فيin كَفِّthe hand of غَيرِكِanother than you رُمتِyou sought المَطلَبَthe demand العَسِراdifficult
في كَفِّ غَيرِكِ رُمتِ المَطلَبَ العَسِرا
You demand my heart of me, while it is pledged
“It is enough that I betrayed my wife for you,
"You demand my heart while it is mortgaged"
In another's hand; you have sought a difficult thing.
While she did not betray our pact or sanctity.”
"In the hand of another; you have sought a difficult demand."
يَكَفيكِit suffices you أَنّيthat I فيكِwith you خُنتُbetrayed إِمرَأَتيmy wife
يَكَفيكِ أَنّي فيكِ خُنتُ إِمرَأَتي
وَلَمand has not يَخُنbetrayed قَلبَهاher heart عَهديmy pledge وَلاnor خَفَراbroken faith
وَلَم يَخُن قَلبَها عَهدي وَلا خَفَرا
It should suffice you that with you I betrayed my wife,
“My infatuation for you was but delirium,
"It suffices you that for you I betrayed my wife,"
Yet my pledge has not betrayed her heart or broken faith.
And your love but weakness, truly unsteadiness.”
"While her heart did not betray my covenant nor break faith."
قَدindeed كانَwas طَيشاًfolly هِياميmy infatuation فيكِwith you بَلrather نَزَقاًrecklessness
قَد كانَ طَيشاً هِيامي فيكِ بَل نَزَقاً
وَكانَand was حُبُّكِyour love ضَعفاًweakness مِنكِon your part بَلrather خَوَراfeebleness
وَكانَ حُبُّكِ ضَعفاً مِنكِ بَل خَوَرا
My infatuation with you was folly—indeed, recklessness;
She said “since when were you married?” He said “for a period
"My passion for you was recklessness, nay, frivolity,"
And your love was weakness on your part—indeed, feebleness.”
I cannot count as life, even if short.”
"And your love was weakness on your part, nay, frailty."
قالَتshe said مَتىwhen صِرتَyou became بَعلاًa husband قالَhe said مِنfor أَمَدٍsome time
قالَت مَتى صِرتَ بَعلاً قالَ مِن أَمَدٍ
لاnot أَحسَبُI count العُمرَlife إِلّاهexcept it وَإِنeven if قَصُراit was short
لا أَحسَبُ العُمرَ إِلّاه وَإِن قَصُرا
She said, “When did you become a husband?” He said, “Some time ago;
“What horrors my eyes have seen, what horrors my ears heard!
She said, "When did you become a husband?" He said, "For an age;"
I count only that as life, though it has been short.”
They almost disbelieve hearing and seeing alike.”
"I do not count my life except by it, even if it was short."
ياoh هَولَthe horror of ماwhat أَبصَرَتshe saw ياoh هَولَthe horror of ماwhat سَمِعَتshe heard
يا هَولَ ما أَبصَرَت يا هَولَ ما سَمِعَت
كادَتshe nearly تُكَذِّبُdisbelieved فيهِover it السَمعhearing وَالبَصَراand sight
كادَت تُكَذِّبُ فيهِ السَمع وَالبَصَرا
Oh, the horror of what she saw! Oh, the horror of what she heard!
“Had I not a shred of patience left in me
Oh, the horror of what she saw! Oh, the horror of what she heard!
She nearly disbelieved her hearing and her sight.
My soul would have flown from me in shards.”
She almost accused her hearing and sight of lying.
لَولاwere it not for بَقِيَّةُa remnant of صَبرٍpatience فيwithin جَوانِبِهاher sides
لَولا بَقِيَّةُ صَبرٍ في جَوانِبِها
طارَتwould have flown لَهُbecause of it نَفسُهاher soul مِنfrom وَقعِهِits impact شَذَراin fragments
طارَت لَهُ نَفسُها مِن وَقعِهِ شَذَرا
Had there not remained some patience within her,
“Oh what betrayal!” she cried out, distraught,
Were it not for a remnant of patience in her sides,
Her soul would have flown in fragments at its impact.
As a lion stirs when his cub is severed.
Her soul would have flown apart from the impact.
ياoh لِلخِيانَةِwhat betrayal صاحَتshe cried وَهيَwhile she هائِجَةٌwas raging
يا لِلخِيانَةِ صاحَت وَهيَ هائِجَةٌ
كَماas تَهَيَّجَrages لَيثٌa lion بِاِبنِهِof its cub وُتِراbereaved
كَما تَهَيَّجَ لَيثٌ بِاِبنِهِ وُتِرا
“Oh, betrayal!” she cried, raging,
“Now I know I was deluded,
"Oh, what treachery!" she cried out while raging,
As a lion rages, bereaved of its cub.
And not all light brings the rain.”
Just as a lioness rages when her cub is taken.
الآنَnow أَيقَنتُI know for certain أَنّيthat I كُنتُwas واهِمَةًdeluded
الآنَ أَيقَنتُ أَنّي كُنتُ واهِمَةً
وَأَنَّand that ماnot كُلِّevery بَرقٍflash of lightning يَصحَبُaccompanies المَطَراrain
وَأَنَّ ما كُلِّ بَرقٍ يَصحَبُ المَطَرا
“Now I know for certain that I was deluded,
“You gave your heart to another while it was my hand’s kingdom,
"Now I am certain that I was delusional,"
And that not every flash of lightning accompanies rain.
Not fearing law nor contemplating deterrent.”
"And that not every lightning flash accompanies rain."
وَهَبتَyou gave قَلبَكَyour heart غَيريto another than me وَهوَwhile it مِلكُthe possession of يَديmy hand
وَهَبتَ قَلبَكَ غَيري وَهوَ مِلكُ يَدي
ماnot خِفتِyou feared شَرعاa law وَلاnor بالَيتَyou heeded مُزدَجَراa restraint
ما خِفتِ شَرعا وَلا بالَيتَ مُزدَجَرا
You gave your heart to another, though it belonged to my hand;
“The laws of this earth are not just,
"You gave your heart to another while it was in the possession of my hand;"
You feared no law and heeded no restraint.
The weak never escape humiliation.”
"You feared no law, nor did you care for any deterrent."
لَيسَتare not شَرائِعُthe laws of هَذيthis الأَرضِearth عادِلَةًjust
لَيسَت شَرائِعُ هَذي الأَرضِ عادِلَةً
كانَhas been الضَعيفthe weak وَلاand does not يَنفَكُّcease to be مُحتَقَراdespised
كانَ الضَعيف وَلا يَنفَكُّ مُحتَقَرا
The laws of this earth are not just:
“I had feared destiny would come between us,
"The laws of this earth are not just;"
The weak have been, and remain, despised.
I should have feared you, not fate.”
"The weak have been and cease not to be despised."
قَدindeed كُنتُI used to أَخشىfear يَدَthe hand of الأَقدارِfate تَصدَعُناsplitting us apart
قَد كُنتُ أَخشى يَدَ الأَقدارِ تَصدَعُنا
كانَit was أَجدَرَmore fitting أَنto أَخشاكَfear you لاnot القَدَراfate
كانَ أَجدَرَ أَن أَخشاكَ لا القَدَرا
I used to fear the hand of fate would split us apart;
“You reached me like the full horizon sun,
"I used to fear the hand of fate would split us;"
It was more fitting to fear you, not fate.
And guarded me like the wings of night pulled in.”
"It was more fitting that I fear you, not fate."
وَصَلَتنيyou embraced me مِثلَlike شَمسِthe sun of الأُفقِthe horizon ناصِعَةًradiant
وَصَلَتني مِثلَ شَمسِ الأُفقِ ناصِعَةً
وَعِفتَنيand you loathed me مِثلَlike جُنحِthe onset of اللَيلِnight مُعتَكِراmurky
وَعِفتَني مِثلَ جُنحِ اللَيلِ مُعتَكِرا
You embraced me like the horizon's radiant sun,
“How can you restore my chastity after stealing it?
"You connected with me when I was bright like the sun of the horizon,"
And loathed me like the murky onset of night,
Return to me my purity and grace!”
"And you cast me aside like the dark night when it is murky."
كَماas تَعافُshun السَراةُnobles الثَوبَthe garment قَدalready بَلِيَتwore out
كَما تَعافُ السَراةُ الثَوبَ قَد بَلِيَت
خُيوطُهits threads وَالرُواةُand water-bearers المَورِدَthe watering place القَذِراfilthy
خُيوطُه وَالرُواةُ المَورِدَ القَذِرا
As nobles shun a garment whose threads have worn out,
“Alas no! My chastity has no compensation,
"Just as nobles reject a garment whose threads are worn out,"
And water-bearers shun a filthy watering place.
The right path has shone, the vain desire receded.”
"And as narrators reject a dirty watering hole."
خِفتَyou feared الأَقاويلَgossip بيabout me قَدalready نامَfell asleep قائِلُهاits speaker
خِفتَ الأَقاويلَ بي قَد نامَ قائِلُها
هَلّاwhy did you not خَشيتَfear اِنتِقاميmy revenge وَهوَwhile it قَدalready سَهَراstayed awake
هَلّا خَشيتَ اِنتِقامي وَهوَ قَد سَهَرا
You feared gossip about me, though its speaker slept;
She turned to him, her insides boiling,
"You feared rumors about me while their speaker slept;"
Why did you not fear my revenge, which stayed awake?
As if she were a volcano erupting and spewing lava.
"Did you not fear my revenge while it was awake?"
ياoh سالِبيyou who robbed me of عِفَّتيmy chastity مِنfrom قَبلِbefore تَهجُرَنيyou forsake me
يا سالِبي عِفَّتي مِن قَبلِ تَهجُرَني
أُردُدrestore عَلَيَّto me عَفافيmy virtue وَاِردُدِand restore الطهراpurity
أُردُد عَلَيَّ عَفافي وَاِردُدِ الطهرا
O you who stole my chastity, before forsaking me,
In her chest raged the fires of hatred,
"O robber of my chastity before abandoning me,"
Restore my virtue to me, and restore my purity!
Though its sparks were few.
"Return my chastity to me, and return my purity!"
هَيهاتَimpossible هَيهاتَimpossible ماnot مِنfor عِفَّتيmy chastity عِوَضٌcompensation
هَيهاتَ هَيهاتَ ما مِن عِفَّتي عِوَضٌ
لاحَshone الرَشادright guidance وَبانَand departed الغَيerror وَاِنحَسَراand receded
لاحَ الرَشاد وَبانَ الغَي وَاِنحَسَرا
Impossible, impossible! Nothing can replace my chastity.
And he saw the blade she hid in her fingers,
"Far from it! Far from it! There is no compensation for chastity;"
Guidance shone, and error departed and receded.”
So he started racing to the door in panic.
"Guidance has appeared, and error has become clear and receded."
وَأَقبَلَتand she advanced نَحَُهُtoward him تَغليboiling مَراجِلُهاher cauldrons
وَأَقبَلَت نَحَُهُ تَغلي مَراجِلُها
كَأَنَّهاas though she were بُركانٌa volcano ثارerupted وَاِنفَجَراand exploded
كَأَنَّها بُركانٌ ثار وَاِنفَجَرا
She advanced toward him, her cauldrons boiling,
But she outran him in her craze,
She advanced toward him, her insides boiling,
As though she were a volcano that erupted and exploded.
Stabbing him in the chest, she made a river flow.
As if she were a volcano that had erupted and burst.
فيwithin صَدرِهاher breast النارُthe fire نارُthe fire of الحِقدِhatred مُضرَمَةًkindled
في صَدرِها النارُ نارُ الحِقدِ مُضرَمَةً
لَكِنَّماbut مُقلَتاهاher two eyes تَقذِفُcast الشَرَراsparks
لَكِنَّما مُقلَتاها تَقذِفُ الشَرَرا
Within her breast was fire, the kindled fire of hatred,
He fell to the ground, still without movement,
In her chest was fire, the fire of hatred kindled,
But her two eyes were casting sparks.
But Francine died before the death throes came.
But her two eyes were hurling sparks.
وَأَبصَرَand he saw النَصلَthe blade تُخفيهِconcealed it أَنامِلُهاher fingertips
وَأَبصَرَ النَصلَ تُخفيهِ أَنامِلُها
فَراحَso he began يَركُضُrunning نَحوَtoward البابِthe door مُنذَعِراterrified
فَراحَ يَركُضُ نَحوَ البابِ مُنذَعِرا
He saw the blade her fingertips concealed,
She was crazed by fear and sorrow, so killed herself,
He saw the blade her fingers were hiding,
And began running toward the door, terrified.
Not for love of death, but fear of harm.
So he went running toward the door, terrified.
لَكِنّهاbut she عاجَلَتهُstruck him first غَيرَnot وانِيَةٍhesitating
لَكِنّها عاجَلَتهُ غَيرَ وانِيَةٍ
بِطَعنَةٍwith a stab فَجَّرَتburst open فيin صَدرِهِhis chest نَهراa river
بِطَعنَةٍ فَجَّرَت في صَدرِهِ نَهرا
But she struck first, without hesitation,
Before the tragedy she was forgotten, but after it
But she was quick with him, not languid,
With a stab that burst a river open in his chest.
She became the talk of all people.
With a stab that burst a river in his chest.
فَخَرَّso he collapsed فيon الأَرضِthe ground جِسماًa body لاno حَراكَmovement بِهِin it
فَخَرَّ في الأَرضِ جِسماً لا حَراكَ بِهِ
لَكِنَّbut فَرجينَVirginie ماتَتdied قَبلَماbefore اِحتَضَراhe lay dying
لَكِنَّ فَرجينَ ماتَت قَبلَما اِحتَضَرا
He fell to the ground, a body without movement;
The young girl derives lessons from her story,
He fell to the ground, a body with no movement in it,
But Virginie died before his dying throes.
As the youth peruses it for morals.
But Virginie died before he breathed his last.
جُنَّتshe went mad مِنَfrom الرُعبterror وَالأَحزانِand sorrows فَاِنتَحَرَتso she killed herself
جُنَّت مِنَ الرُعب وَالأَحزانِ فَاِنتَحَرَت
ماnot حَبَّتِshe loved المَوتَdeath لَكِنbut خافَتِshe feared الوَضَراdishonor
ما حَبَّتِ المَوتَ لَكِن خافَتِ الوَضَرا
Driven mad by terror and sorrow, she killed herself;
She went mad from terror and sorrows, so she killed herself;
She did not love death, but feared dishonor.
She did not love death, but she feared the stain of shame.
كانَتshe had been قُبَيلَshortly before الرَدىdeath مَنسِيَّةًforgotten فَغَدَتthen she became
كانَت قُبَيلَ الرَدى مَنسِيَّةً فَغَدَت
بَعدَafter الحِمامِdeath حَديثَthe talk of القَومthe people وَالسَمَراand evening conversation
بَعدَ الحِمامِ حَديثَ القَوم وَالسَمَرا
Shortly before death she had been forgotten; then she became,
Before death, she was forgotten, but she became,
After death, the people's talk and their evening conversation.
After death, the talk of the people and their nightly conversation.
تَتلوreads الفَتاةُthe girl عِظاتٍadmonitions فيin حِكايَتِهاher story
تَتلو الفَتاةُ عِظاتٍ في حِكايَتِها
كَماas يُطالِعُreads فيهاin it الناشِئُthe young man العِبَراlessons
كَما يُطالِعُ فيها الناشِئُ العِبَرا
A girl reads admonitions in her story,
Young women recite sermons from her story,
Just as a young man finds lessons in it.
Just as a young man reads lessons in it.
Partial English translation: 158 of 164 Arabic lines translated.
Sol 6.1