أَدرَكتَyou have reached شَأوَكَyour limit فاتَّقِso guard against الأَسواءَevils
أَدرَكتَ شَأوَكَ فاتَّقِ الأَسواءَ
فالشيبُfor gray hair حَلَّsettled بِلِمَّةٍamong locks سَوداءَblack
فالشيبُ حَلَّ بِلِمَّةٍ سَوداءَ
You have reached your limit; beware of evils.
You have attained your goal, so beware misfortune,
For gray hair has settled among black locks.
For gray hair has descended with jet blackness.
لاnot حَبَّذاwelcome ضَيفٌa guest أَلَمَّalighted بعارضيon my cheeks
لا حَبَّذا ضَيفٌ أَلَمَّ بعارضي
بَسَمَتsmiled لهُat him الآجالُthe appointed deaths لَمّاwhen جاءَhe came
بَسَمَت لهُ الآجالُ لَمّا جاءَ
Unwelcome is the guest who alighted on my cheeks;
No welcome guest pained my cheeks
The appointed deaths smiled at him when he came.
When the appointed times smiled at his coming.
هَبَّتblew بفُلكِupon the ships of جُسومناour bodies ريحُthe wind of العفاerasure
هَبَّت بفُلكِ جُسومنا ريحُ العفا
سَحَراًbefore dawn وكانand was هُبوبهاits blowing نَكْباءَa crosswind
سَحَراً وكان هُبوبها نَكْباءَ
The wind of erasure blew upon the ships of our bodies
The wind of forgiveness blew away our ships at night
At dawn, and its blowing was a crosswind.
It blew in the morning, and its blowing was destruction.
وَطَمَتand swelled بِحارُthe seas of الحينdoom منfrom عَصَفاتِهاits gusts
وَطَمَت بِحارُ الحين من عَصَفاتِها
فَسَرتthen they flowed وكانand was مَقَرُّهاtheir resting place الأَحياءَthe living
فَسَرت وكان مَقَرُّها الأَحياءَ
The seas of doom swelled from its gusts,
It churned the sea of affection with its gusts
Then flowed onward, their resting place the living.
It was joyous, and its harbor was the most alive.
ثَغَرَتopened breaches لهاfor them الأَحداثُcalamities خُلجاناًchannels وَقدand already
ثَغَرَت لها الأَحداثُ خُلجاناً وَقد
ضَمَّgathered البَنونَthe sons برَمسِهاin their grave الآباءَthe fathers
ضَمَّ البَنونَ برَمسِها الآباءَ
Calamities opened channels for them, and
Events gaped open-mouthed, as
Sons gathered fathers into their grave.
It brought fathers and sons together with its sprinkling.
وغَدَتand became بهاwithin them رُمَمُdecayed fragments of الرُفاتِbones كَأَنَّهاas though they were
وغَدَت بها رُمَمُ الرُفاتِ كَأَنَّها
سِلكٌa string يُفَضُّbeing broken بقاعةٍupon a plain وَعساءَsoft and sandy
سِلكٌ يُفَضُّ بقاعةٍ وَعساءَ
Within them, decayed fragments of bones became like
With it the patches of ruins became like
A string broken upon a soft, sandy plain.
A torrent pouring through a spacious courtyard.
فالعُمرُfor life مِضمارٌis a racecourse وَأجسامُand the bodies of الورىmortals
فالعُمرُ مِضمارٌ وَأجسامُ الورى
أَنضاؤُهُits exhausted mounts هلdo تَعرِفُyou know الإِنضاءَwearing down
أَنضاؤُهُ هل تَعرِفُ الإِنضاءَ
For life is a racecourse, and the bodies of mortals
Life is an arena and bodies of the world
Are its exhausted mounts—do you know such wearing down?
Are its racers. Do you recognize vigor?
وتَردُّدُand the ebb and flow of الأَنفاسbreaths فيin لَهَواتناour throats
وتَردُّدُ الأَنفاس في لَهَواتنا
يُغريincites المنازلَthe adversary بُكرَةًin the morning ومساءَand evening
يُغري المنازلَ بُكرَةً ومساءَ
And the ebb and flow of breath within our throats
Our breathing wavers between our desires
Incites the adversary, morning and evening.
Tempting dwellings morning and evening.
فالدهرُfor Time ينثُرُناscatters us فُرادىsingly مثلماjust as
فالدهرُ ينثُرُنا فُرادى مثلما
مرُّthe passing of الحواصِبstone-laden winds يَنثُرُscatters الحَصباءَpebbles
مرُّ الحواصِب يَنثُرُ الحَصباءَ
Time scatters us singly, just as
So time scatters us one by one
The passing stone-laden winds scatter pebbles.
Like the passing of rainclouds scattering pebbles.
دُنياكَyour world ياO هذاyou تُريكshows you عجائِباًwonders
دُنياكَ يا هذا تُريك عجائِباً
إذfor كانwas ظِئرُthe wet nurse of جَنينهاits unborn child الأَسواءَevils
إذ كان ظِئرُ جَنينها الأَسواءَ
Your world, O man, shows you wonders,
This world shows you wonders
For evils were the wet nurse of its unborn child.
While its womb bore the most evil.
النفسthe soul قدindeed علِقَتattached itself بجسمٍto a body مرَّةًonce
النفس قد علِقَت بجسمٍ مرَّةً
فلذاكand for that reason لمdid not تَهجُرforsake حِماهُits shelter جَفاءَout of coldness
فلذاك لم تَهجُر حِماهُ جَفاءَ
The soul once attached itself to a body,
The soul once clung to a body
And thus did not forsake its shelter out of coldness.
Thus it did not abandon its protector out of dryness.
فدنتso it drew near وأَكسبهاand imparted to it النِفارَaversion دُنُوُّهاits nearness
فدنت وأَكسبها النِفارَ دُنُوُّها
فاِعجَبso marvel لِعودٍat a bough لاnot يريدُwanting لِحاءَbark
فاِعجَب لِعودٍ لا يريدُ لِحاءَ
Yet it drew near, and its nearness brought it aversion;
It grew near and its nearness earned it estrangement
So marvel at a bough that does not want its bark.
So strange is a stick that seeks no adornment.
لمّاwhen غوَتwent astray حَوّاءُEve أَغوتled astray آدماًAdam
لمّا غوَت حَوّاءُ أَغوت آدماً
فكساso he clothed بنيهِhis sons الرُزءَloss والبلواءَand affliction
فكسا بنيهِ الرُزءَ والبلواءَ
When Eve went astray, she led Adam astray,
When Eve misled, she misled Adam,
And he clothed his sons in loss and affliction.
So she clothed her sons in misery and trial.
وقضىand obtained مُناهُhis wish الضِدُّthe adversary منهُfrom him بمَكرهِthrough his cunning
وقضى مُناهُ الضِدُّ منهُ بمَكرهِ
وَقَضىand he died فأَودَعَso he left بينَناamong us الإِمضاءَthe sentence's fulfillment
وَقَضى فأَودَعَ بينَنا الإِمضاءَ
Through his cunning, the adversary obtained his wish from him,
The opposing decreed against him in his scheming
And he died, leaving us the sentence to fulfill.
And decreed. So he deposited the fulfillment among us.
مُتَرَقِّبينَawaiting وُرودَthe arrival of كَأسthe cup of حُتوفناour deaths
مُتَرَقِّبينَ وُرودَ كَأس حُتوفنا
فنبيتُso we spend the night عندat مَطافهِits circuit نُدماءَas drinking companions
فنبيتُ عند مَطافهِ نُدماءَ
Awaiting the arrival of the cup of our deaths,
Awaiting the arrival of the cups of our destruction,
We spend the night as drinking companions where it makes its rounds.
We stay up late at their orbit in regret.
وإذاand when تَساقيناwe exchange drinks بهِof it عنunder إِمرَةٍa command
وإذا تَساقينا بهِ عن إِمرَةٍ
مَحتومةٍdestined نُسقىwe are given to drink بِلىًdecay وبلاءَand affliction
مَحتومةٍ نُسقى بِلىً وبلاءَ
And when we exchange draughts of it under a command
If we are made to drink from it forcibly
That is destined, we are given decay and affliction to drink.
We are quenched with sorrow and affliction.
وخُروجُناand our departure بالرَغمِagainst our will كَرهاًunwillingly مُجبَرٌis compelled
وخُروجُنا بالرَغمِ كَرهاً مُجبَرٌ
وَدَواؤُناand our remedy يُلقيbrings إليناupon us الداءَdisease
وَدَواؤُنا يُلقي إلينا الداءَ
Our departure, against our will, is unwilling and compelled;
Our exit is compelled against our will
Our remedy brings disease upon us.
And its remedy casts illness upon us.
وَشَقاؤُناand our misery يُفضيleads إلىto أَسقامِناour ailments
وَشَقاؤُنا يُفضي إلى أَسقامِنا
وَبقاؤُناand our survival يُبديreveals لناto us الإعفاءَeffacement
وَبقاؤُنا يُبدي لنا الإعفاءَ
Our misery leads to our ailments,
Our misery leads to our illnesses
And our survival reveals our effacement to us.
And our survival shows us pardon.
كمhow many عَفَّتِeffaced البَيداءُthe wilderness قبلَكَbefore you أُمَّةًa nation
كم عَفَّتِ البَيداءُ قبلَكَ أُمَّةً
كادتnearly تَسُدُّfilled بجَمعهاwith its throng البطحاءَthe open plain
كادت تَسُدُّ بجَمعها البطحاءَ
How many a nation has the wilderness effaced before you,
How many nations the wilderness pardoned before you
Whose throng almost filled the open plain!
That almost filled the desert with their entirety.
أَينَwhere الأَكاسِرَةُthe Chosroes الَّذينthose who تَوَطَّدَتwere strengthened
أَينَ الأَكاسِرَةُ الَّذين تَوَطَّدَت
بهمِthrough them الصَياصيthe fortresses واقتنواand they possessed الأَرجاءَthe lands
بهمِ الصَياصي واقتنوا الأَرجاءَ
Where are the Chosroes, through whom were strengthened
Where are the resolute ones in whom
The fortresses, and who possessed the lands?
The lofty thrones became steadfast and they sought highness.
أينَwhere القَياصِرَةُthe Caesars الذينthose who تجهَّمواgrimly confronted
أينَ القَياصِرَةُ الذين تجهَّموا
خُطَطَthe schemes of الخُطوبcalamities وأرجَفواand made quake الغَبراءَthe dusty earth
خُطَطَ الخُطوب وأرجَفوا الغَبراءَ
Where are the Caesars, who grimly confronted
Where are the rulers who scowled
The schemes of calamity and made the dusty earth quake?
At the lines of misfortunes and shook the dust.
أَينَwhere ابنthe son of داوُدَDavid الذيwho فاقَsurpassed الورىhumankind
أَينَ ابن داوُدَ الذي فاقَ الورى
عِلماًin knowledge وَحَزماًand resolve سُؤدُداًlordship وإِباءَand proud dignity
عِلماً وَحَزماً سُؤدُداً وإِباءَ
Where is David's son, who surpassed humankind
Where is the son of David who surpassed the world
In knowledge and resolve, lordship and proud dignity?
In knowledge, wisdom, and steadfastness and nobility.
أَينَwhere الذيhe who سادruled over المُلوكَkings اسكَندَرُAlexander الthe (continued)
أَينَ الذي ساد المُلوكَ اسكَندَرُ ال
نَدبُvaliant man الحُلاحِلُthe mighty lord وارتقىand ascended العَلياءَto the heights
نَدبُ الحُلاحِلُ وارتقى العَلياءَ
Where is he who ruled over kings—Alexander, the
Where is the one who ruled kings, Alexander
Valiant, mighty lord, who ascended to the heights?
Whose loss the polished lament and who climbed the heights.
أَينَwhere الذيhe who شادَbuilt الخَوَرنقَal-Khawarnaq ثُمَّthen أَيwhere (first fragment)
أَينَ الذي شادَ الخَوَرنقَ ثُمَّ أَي
نَwhere (final fragment) القَرْمُthe mighty lord تيمورُTimur الذيwho قدindeed ساءَwrought evil
نَ القَرْمُ تيمورُ الذي قد ساءَ
Where is he who built al-Khawarnaq; and then, where
Where is the one who built the Khwaranq
Is the mighty lord Timur, who wrought evil?
Then where is the Karam, Timur, who did evil.
أَينَwhere الذيhe who حازَwon النَباهَةrenown والعُلاand eminence
أَينَ الذي حازَ النَباهَة والعُلا
شَرَفاًin honor وسارَand pursued السيرَةَa course الخُيَلاءَarrogant
شَرَفاً وسارَ السيرَةَ الخُيَلاءَ
Where is he who won renown and eminence
Where is the one who gained splendor and sublime traits
In honor, and pursued an arrogant course?
Nobly and walked the path of vanity.
أَينَwhere الذيhe who وَطِئَtrod upon الرِقابَnecks تَكَبُّراًin arrogance
أَينَ الذي وَطِئَ الرِقابَ تَكَبُّراً
فَغَدَتso became أَعِنَّتُهاtheir reins لَهُfor him إيطاءَsubject to treading
فَغَدَت أَعِنَّتُها لَهُ إيطاءَ
Where is he who trod upon necks in arrogance,
Where is the one who stepped on necks arrogantly
Till their reins became his to tread upon?
So their sides became subservient to him.
أَينَwhere الذيhe who كانتwere تَمورُquaking بجيشهat his army الthe (continued)
أَينَ الذي كانت تَمورُ بجيشه ال
أَرضونَlands طُرّاًall of them رَهبةًin fear وَحَياءَand reverence
أَرضونَ طُرّاً رَهبةً وَحَياءَ
Where is he whose army made the
Where is the one whose hordes in his army
Lands, all of them, quake in fear and reverence?
Shuddered the earth in awe and bashfulness.
أَينَwhere الذيhe whose أَحىbecame (unclear form) الزَمانُTime رقيقَهُhis slave
أَينَ الذي أَحى الزَمانُ رقيقَهُ
قَسراًby force وكانَand he was الغُرَّةَthe white forehead-blaze الغَرّاءَradiant
قَسراً وكانَ الغُرَّةَ الغَرّاءَ
Where is he whose slave Time became
Where is the one who the time forced to bow
By force, while he was the radiant white blaze?
And he was the foolish greenhorn.
أَينَwhere الملوكthe kings الصائنونَthose guarding ثُغورَهمtheir frontiers
أَينَ الملوك الصائنونَ ثُغورَهم
أَينَwhere الجُيوشُthe armies الرافِعونَthose raising لِواءَa banner
أَينَ الجُيوشُ الرافِعونَ لِواءَ
Where are the kings who guarded their frontiers?
Where are the kings defending their frontiers
Where are the armies that raised a banner?
Where are the armies raising the banner.
أَينَwhere اصطِكاكُthe clashing of سُيوفِهِمtheir swords وقسيِّهمand their bows
أَينَ اصطِكاكُ سُيوفِهِم وقسيِّهم
منfrom كُلِّevery شاكٍarmed warrior يَقهَرُwho subdues الأَعداءَenemies
من كُلِّ شاكٍ يَقهَرُ الأَعداءَ
Where is the clashing of their swords and bows,
Where is the clashing of their swords and their spears
From every armed warrior who subdues enemies?
Against every complainer subduing the enemies.
كالشوسِlike fierce lions فيin أَجَمِthickets of الرماحِspears رَوابضاًcrouching
كالشوسِ في أَجَمِ الرماحِ رَوابضاً
قَدindeed قارَنَتdrew level with أَبطالُهاtheir champions الجوزاءَal-Jawza
قَد قارَنَت أَبطالُها الجوزاءَ
Like fierce lions crouching in thickets of spears,
Like arrows in the thick of spears, seasoned,
Their champions had drawn level with al-Jawza.
Their heroes reached Canopus.
فَيَرَونso they see صَهْواتِthe backs of الجِيادِsteeds كأَنهاas though they were
فَيَرَون صَهْواتِ الجِيادِ كأَنها
فَلَكٌa celestial sphere يَدورُrevolving بهمwith them ضُحىًin the forenoon ومساءَand evening
فَلَكٌ يَدورُ بهم ضُحىً ومساءَ
They saw the backs of their steeds as though they were
They see the stamping of the steeds as if it were
A celestial sphere revolving with them morning and evening.
A revolving orbit directing them morning and evening.
عَصَفَتblasted بهمthem ريحُthe wind of المَنونِdoom فَأَصبَحواso they became
عَصَفَت بهم ريحُ المَنونِ فَأَصبَحوا
جُثَثاًcorpses بلاwithout أَرواحِهاtheir souls خَرساءَmute
جُثَثاً بلا أَرواحِها خَرساءَ
The wind of doom blasted them, and they became
The wind of death blew upon them and they became
Mute corpses without their souls.
Corpses without their souls, mute.
طافَتwent round بهمamong them أَيديthe hands of الحِمامِdeath بأَكؤُسٍwith cups
طافَت بهم أَيدي الحِمامِ بأَكؤُسٍ
منof خَمرَةٍwine جاءَتكَthat came to you عَنfrom حَوّاءَEve
من خَمرَةٍ جاءَتكَ عَن حَوّاءَ
The hands of death went round among them with cups
The hands of fate went around them with cups
Of wine that came to you from Eve.
From a wine brought to you from Eve.
فَثوَواso they lay علىupon البَطحاءِthe open plain صَرعىstruck down سُدَّراًdazed
فَثوَوا على البَطحاءِ صَرعى سُدَّراً
سَكِرواthey grew drunk فكانواand became بحَسوِهاthrough sipping it نُدَماءَdrinking companions
سَكِروا فكانوا بحَسوِها نُدَماءَ
So they lay upon the plain, fallen and dazed;
So they slept on the wilderness struck down intoxicated
They grew drunk and became drinking companions through sipping it.
They drank it and were in its reckoning remorseful.
لَعِبَتtoyed بِهِمwith them أَيديthe hands of سَباSaba فتَفرَّقواso they dispersed
لَعِبَت بِهِم أَيدي سَبا فتَفرَّقوا
فِرَقاًinto groups يَضُمُّembraces قريبُهاtheir nearby members البُعداءَthe far-off
فِرَقاً يَضُمُّ قريبُها البُعداءَ
The hands of Saba toyed with them, and they dispersed
The hands of Saba played with them and so they scattered
Into groups whose nearby members embrace the far-off.
Scattered so a distant one collects the remote.
وجَرَتand ran علىalong آثارِهمtheir tracks أَجيالُهمtheir generations
وجَرَت على آثارِهم أَجيالُهم
يَتَداركونَpursuing بَقِيَّةًa remnant شَنعاءَhideous
يَتَداركونَ بَقِيَّةً شَنعاءَ
Their generations ran along their tracks,
Their generations went over their tracks
Pursuing a hideous remnant.
Pursuing the remaining disgrace.
يتَراكَضوانَthey race one another لغايةٍtoward a goal حتىuntil إِذاwhen
يتَراكَضوانَ لغايةٍ حتى إِذا
ماindeed (emphasis) شارفوهاthey approached it أَردفواthey made follow behind الأحياءَthe living
ما شارفوها أَردفوا الأحياءَ
They race toward a goal, until, when
Galloping on the steeds of life in its distances,
They approach it, they draw the living after them.
And the starts of death flowed with them equally.
فكَبَتso stumbled بهمbeneath them خيلُthe horses of الحياةِlife بشَوطهاin their race
فكَبَت بهم خيلُ الحياةِ بشَوطها
وَجَرَتand ran بِهمwith them نُجُبُthe noble camels of المماتِdeath سَواءَalike
وَجَرَت بِهم نُجُبُ المماتِ سَواءَ
So life's horses stumbled beneath them in their race,
The belly of the earth used to envy its surface through them
And death's noble camels ran with them alike.
And tempted to expand through them.
قدindeed كانَwas بطنُthe belly of الأَرضِthe earth يحسُدُenvying ظَهرَهاits back
قد كانَ بطنُ الأَرضِ يحسُدُ ظَهرَها
بِهِمِbecause of them ويوسعُand redoubled فيهمِconcerning them الإِغراءَthe enticement
بِهِمِ ويوسعُ فيهمِ الإِغراءَ
The belly of the earth had envied its back
So time folded its envious and envied ones
Because of them, and redoubled its enticements concerning them.
Like a bracelet when it reflects things.
فَثنىthen turned الزَمانُTime حَسودَهمtheir envier مَحسودَهمtheir envied one
فَثنى الزَمانُ حَسودَهم مَحسودَهم
كَسَجَنجَلٍlike a mirror إذwhen تَعكِسُit reverses الأَشياءَthings
كَسَجَنجَلٍ إذ تَعكِسُ الأَشياءَ
Then Time turned their envier into the one envied,
You see through your eye in the position of its crime
Like a mirror when it reverses things.
A figure while you are within it appearing.
فتَرىthen you see بعينِكَwith your own eye فيat مَواقعthe positions on جِرمهاits body
فتَرى بعينِكَ في مَواقع جِرمها
شَخصاًa figure وأَنتَwhile you بِضِمنِهاwithin it تَتَراأىappear
شَخصاً وأَنتَ بِضِمنِها تَتَراأى
You see with your own eye, upon its surface,
How far the tombs are from the field
A figure, while it is you who appear within it.
That through them appeared glorious long ago.
كيفhow المزارُvisitation وقدwhen already نأَواthey departed far عنfrom ساحةٍa realm
كيف المزارُ وقد نأَوا عن ساحةٍ
كانَتwas بهمwith them تَزهوshining سَناًin radiance وَسناءَand splendor
كانَت بهم تَزهو سَناً وَسناءَ
How can they be visited, when they have left a realm
They became hostages to their fate when they gained
That shone with them in radiance and splendor?
From it happiness and fulfilled.
أَضحَواthey became رهائنَhostages to دهرِهمtheir age إِذwhen أَحرزواthey secured
أَضحَوا رهائنَ دهرِهم إِذ أَحرزوا
منهُfrom it السُرورَjoy وأَنجَزواand carried out الإِمضاءَthe sentence's fulfillment
منهُ السُرورَ وأَنجَزوا الإِمضاءَ
They became hostages to their age when they secured
The book testified against them and its ledger
Their joy from it and fulfilled the sentence.
Death tasting while bestowed grace is stripped away.
شهِدَbore witness الكتابُthe Book عليهمِagainst them وسِجِلُّهُand its record
شهِدَ الكتابُ عليهمِ وسِجِلُّهُ
مَوتاًdeath تذوقُyou taste وتُسلَبُand are stripped of الحوباءَthe soul
مَوتاً تذوقُ وتُسلَبُ الحوباءَ
The Book and its record bore witness against them:
Woe to whom the collector of his debt meets
You taste death and are stripped of your soul.
And sees him in the burden of sin so he is ruined.
وَيحاًwoe لِمنto whoever وافاهُovertook him طالبُthe claimant of دَينهِhis debt
وَيحاً لِمن وافاهُ طالبُ دَينهِ
ورآهُand saw him فيunder عِبءِthe burden of الخطاsin قدalready باءَhad incurred
ورآهُ في عِبءِ الخطا قد باءَ
Woe to him whom the claimant of his debt overtakes
He punishes him like the man who does evil with his deed
And finds already laden with the burden of sin.
And destroys safety and compassion from him.
يَجزيهِhe requites him كالرَجلِlike the man المُسيءِwho does evil بِفِعلِهِfor his deed
يَجزيهِ كالرَجلِ المُسيءِ بِفِعلِهِ
ويُبيدُand destroys منهُin him الأَمنَsecurity والإِرعاءَand protection
ويُبيدُ منهُ الأَمنَ والإِرعاءَ
He requites him as an evildoer for his deed
Restrain yourself, O you who spend the night anxious
And destroys his security and protection.
In a whim that does not accept perishing.
حَتّامَhow long ياO هذاyou تبيتُdo you spend the night مُعَسعِساًwandering by night
حَتّامَ يا هذا تبيتُ مُعَسعِساً
فيin مَهمَهٍa trackless waste لاnot تَرتضيهِyou accept it فِناءَas a courtyard
في مَهمَهٍ لا تَرتضيهِ فِناءَ
How long, O man, will you spend your nights wandering
So you are like the owl thrashing in the darkness
In a trackless waste you would not accept as a courtyard?
Wandering expecting the daybreak.
فكأنكso you are like العشواءُthe night-blind she-camel تخبطُstumbling فيin الدجىthe darkness
فكأنك العشواءُ تخبطُ في الدجى
مُتسكّعاًwandering blindly تتوقّعُexpecting الإفضاءَa way out
مُتسكّعاً تتوقّعُ الإفضاءَ
You are like a night-blind she-camel stumbling in the dark,
Wearing the gown of gloomy sorrow
Wandering blindly, expecting a way out,
Covered in a cloak of darkness.
مُتَسَربِلاًclothed بإِهابِin the skin of دَيجورِthe deep darkness of الأَسىgrief
مُتَسَربِلاً بإِهابِ دَيجورِ الأَسى
مُتَلفِّعاًwrapped بمَساءَةٍin misery دَكناءَdusky
مُتَلفِّعاً بمَساءَةٍ دَكناءَ
Clothed in the skin of grief's deep darkness,
Yet delegations of the imminent
Wrapped in dusky misery.
Appointed times have come hastily but they were slow.
هذاall this وقدwhile already وَفَدَتhave come عليكَupon you نجائِبُthe noble camels of الthe (continued)
هذا وقد وَفَدَت عليكَ نجائِبُ ال
آجالِappointed deaths مُسرِعَةًspeeding وكُنَّand they were بِطاءَslow
آجالِ مُسرِعَةً وكُنَّ بِطاءَ
All this, while toward you have come the noble mounts of the
Your suns have appeared in the horizons of their settings
Appointed deaths, speeding now, though once they were slow.
And your brilliant dawn has become evening.
وَبَدَتand appeared شُموسُكَyour suns فيin مَغارِبِthe western reaches of أُفقهاtheir horizon
وَبَدَت شُموسُكَ في مَغارِبِ أُفقها
وَصَباحُكand your morning الوَضّاحُradiant عادَbecame مَساءَevening
وَصَباحُك الوَضّاحُ عادَ مَساءَ
Your suns have appeared in their horizon's western reaches,
The judgments were reversed in you so consider
And your radiant morning has become evening.
From their truthfulness the giving and tempting.
وتَعاكَسَتand reversed themselves فيكَin you القضاياthe judgments فاعتبرso take heed
وتَعاكَسَت فيكَ القضايا فاعتبر
منfrom صِدقِهاtheir truth الإيجابَthe affirmation والإِغراءَand the exhortation
من صِدقِها الإيجابَ والإِغراءَ
Judgments have reversed themselves in you; take heed
Tread the serious journey in the new devotions
From their truth, of what they affirm and urge.
With smiles that scatter the poisons comfortably.
وَخِدِstride swiftly المَسيرَthe journey الجِدَّearnest فيon جَدَدِthe firm paths of التُقىpiety
وَخِدِ المَسيرَ الجِدَّ في جَدَدِ التُقى
بَمناسِمٍwith padded hooves تَذَرُthat leave السَمومَthe scorching wind رُخاءَa gentle breeze
بَمناسِمٍ تَذَرُ السَمومَ رُخاءَ
Stride swiftly and earnestly along piety's firm paths,
I yearn for a time which I clothed
On padded hooves that turn the scorching wind into a gentle breeze.
Its foundation in sin that changes purity into disgrace.
لَهفيmy lament علىover زَمَنٍa time كَسوتُI clothed أَديمَهُits skin
لَهفي على زَمَنٍ كَسوتُ أَديمَهُ
إِثماًin sin يحيلُthat turns الوَشيَthe embroidery مِنهُof it عَفاءَto ruin
إِثماً يحيلُ الوَشيَ مِنهُ عَفاءَ
Alas for the time whose skin I clothed
How many times I have spent the night untangling its puzzle
In sin that turns its embroidery to ruin!
With shortcomings not accustomed to elevation.
كمhow often بِتُّI spent the night أَنزِعُdrawing فيهِin it قَوسَthe bow of ضَلالَتيmy error
كم بِتُّ أَنزِعُ فيهِ قَوسَ ضَلالَتي
عنfrom ساعدٍan arm أُصميI strike dead بهِwith it اللأواءَhardship
عن ساعدٍ أُصمي بهِ اللأواءَ
How often I spent the night drawing the bow of my error
And the dye of the night changed to the dye of my worries
With an arm by which I dealt hardship a fatal blow!
So its darkness from its inkiness has vanished.
وَنَصبتُand I set أَحشائيmy entrails علىat بُعدِthe distance of المدىthe range
وَنَصبتُ أَحشائي على بُعدِ المدى
غَرَضاًas a target فكُنتُso I became لِمَصرَعيtoward my death إيماءَa beckoning
غَرَضاً فكُنتُ لِمَصرَعي إيماءَ
I set my entrails far down the range
I sipped in it the stale water of life
As a target, thus beckoning my own death.
The heart has become with its bitterness picking itself apart.
حَتّىuntil رَجَعتُI returned وفيَّwhile within me أَصرُthe burden of كِنانَتيmy quiver
حَتّى رَجَعتُ وفيَّ أَصرُ كِنانَتي
نُثِلَتit was emptied وَأَصمَىand fatally struck سَهمُهاits arrow الأَحشاءَthe entrails
نُثِلَت وَأَصمَى سَهمُها الأَحشاءَ
Until I returned, with the burden of my quiver inside me;
I have made repentance reside in it extensively
It had been emptied, and its arrow struck my entrails fatally.
And grief intimates that I increase my crying.
وَتَمَزَّقَتand was torn منfrom قبلِbefore تَمزيقِthe tearing of الحَشىthe entrails
وَتَمَزَّقَت من قبلِ تَمزيقِ الحَشى
نَفسٌa soul رَأَتthat saw غُصَصَthe choking pangs of المَنونِdeath ظِباءَgazelles
نَفسٌ رَأَت غُصَصَ المَنونِ ظِباءَ
And, before the tearing of the entrails, there was torn
O Lord grant me a repentance by which I erase
A soul that had seen death's choking pangs as gazelles.
A text whose content became misfortune.
إِنif كانis شَخصيmy person عنaway from ذُنوبيmy sins سائِراًgoing
إِن كان شَخصي عن ذُنوبي سائِراً
قدماًforward فَليthen I have قَلبٌa heart يَحِنُّthat yearns وَراءَbackward
قدماً فَلي قَلبٌ يَحِنُّ وَراءَ
If my person goes away from my sins
O Lord the repentance of an advisor slipping away
Forward, I have a heart that yearns backward.
Who sheds hot, burning tears.
فَلِذاكَand for that reason عُجتُI turned back وفيwhile in فُؤاديmy heart صَبوةٌa youthful passion
فَلِذاكَ عُجتُ وفي فُؤادي صَبوةٌ
تَلهوplays وشوقٌand a longing لاnot يَمَلُّtires of شَقاءَsuffering
تَلهو وشوقٌ لا يَمَلُّ شَقاءَ
And thus I turned back, while in my heart was a youthful passion
O Lord I am leaning on Your protection
That plays, and a longing that never tires of suffering.
And Your protection, my Lord, aids the weak.
كمhow many ليلةٍa night قدindeed بِتُّI spent أَفتُقُundoing رَتقَهاits stitching
كم ليلةٍ قد بِتُّ أَفتُقُ رَتقَها
بنَقائِصٍwith faults لاnot تَألَفُaccepting الرَفّاءَthe mender
بنَقائِصٍ لا تَألَفُ الرَفّاءَ
How many a night I spent undoing its stitching
O Lord, I have ridden my hopes to You before dawn
With faults that would not accept a mender!
And have increased tempting them.
وَأَحالَand altered صِبغَthe hue of الليلِnight صِبغُthe hue of فَعائليmy deeds
وَأَحالَ صِبغَ الليلِ صِبغُ فَعائلي
فظَلامُهُso its darkness منfrom دَجنِهاtheir gloom قدhad فاءَreturned
فظَلامُهُ من دَجنِها قد فاءَ
The hue of my deeds altered the hue of night,
O Lord return me at my death, I am evil
For its darkness had returned from their gloom.
And return me after it to the most High.
وكرعتُand I drank deeply فيهِin it ماءَthe water of عيشٍlife آجناًstagnant
وكرعتُ فيهِ ماءَ عيشٍ آجناً
أَضحىbegan الفُؤادُthe heart بسُؤرهِat its dregs يتقاءىto retch
أَضحى الفُؤادُ بسُؤرهِ يتقاءى
I drank deeply in it of life's stagnant water;
O Lord strengthen my resolve in You and suffice me
My heart began to retch at its dregs.
Harm which has provoked illness upon my body.
فغَدَوتُso I began أوسِعُهُlavishing upon it إِقامةَthe establishment of تَوبَةٍrepentance
فغَدَوتُ أوسِعُهُ إِقامةَ تَوبَةٍ
وَأَشارَand it signaled يوسِعُنيlavishing upon me أَسىًgrief وبُكاءَand weeping
وَأَشارَ يوسِعُني أَسىً وبُكاءَ
Then I began to offer it an abiding repentance,
O Lord the doctor has failed so cure me
And it signaled, lavishing grief and weeping upon me.
Of an illness which You were its remedy.
ياO رَبِّmy Lord هَبgrant ليto me تَوبَةًrepentance أَمحوI erase بهاwith it
يا رَبِّ هَب لي تَوبَةً أَمحو بها
نَصّاًa text غداbecame مَضمونُهُits contents الأَسواءَevils
نَصّاً غدا مَضمونُهُ الأَسواءَ
O Lord, grant me repentance with which I may erase
O Lord departure has drawn near arousing me
A text whose contents have become evils.
A lightning in the edges of fever appearing.
ياO ربِّmy Lord تَوبَةَthe repentance of ناصِحٍone sincere مُتَنَصِّلٍrenouncing guilt
يا ربِّ تَوبَةَ ناصِحٍ مُتَنَصِّلٍ
يَذريwho sheds الدُموعَtears سَخينةًwarm حَرّاءَburning hot
يَذري الدُموعَ سَخينةً حَرّاءَ
O Lord, the repentance of one sincere in renunciation,
Interceding in that sin of mine which
Who sheds tears warm and burning.
Saw people satisfied with it through its excellence.
ياO رَبِّmy Lord إِنيindeed I فيin حِماكَYour sanctuary مُوَلَّهٌam distraught with love
يا رَبِّ إِني في حِماكَ مُوَلَّهٌ
وحِماكَand Your sanctuary رَبّيmy Lord يُنجدُrescues الضُعَفاءَthe weak
وحِماكَ رَبّي يُنجدُ الضُعَفاءَ
O Lord, I am distraught with love within Your sanctuary,
That one which stepped with the sole of its foot
And Your sanctuary, my Lord, rescues the weak.
The sphere of good fortune and the settledness of harm.
ياO رَبِّmy Lord قدindeed وَخدَتstrode swiftly إِليكَtoward You مَطيَّتيmy mount
يا رَبِّ قد وَخدَت إِليكَ مَطيَّتي
سَحَراًbefore dawn وزدتٌّand I increased بحثِّهاin urging it الإِغراءَthe incitement
سَحَراً وزدتٌّ بحثِّها الإِغراءَ
O Lord, my mount has stridden swiftly toward You
It filled the bellies of the earth with abundant safety
At dawn, and I increased my incitement in urging it onward.
When its abdomen was filled with blessings.
ياO رَبِّmy Lord عُدنيvisit me عِندَat مَوتيmy death إنَّنيindeed I am
يا رَبِّ عُدني عِندَ مَوتي إنَّني
سَوءٌevil وعِدنيand promise me بَعدَهاafter it العَلياءَthe heights
سَوءٌ وعِدني بَعدَها العَلياءَ
O Lord, visit me at my death; indeed I am
It assumed the nobility of thrones one night
Wicked, and promise me afterward the heights.
When the giver of glad tidings came carrying the good news.
ياO ربِّmy Lord أُشدُدstrengthen فيكَin You أَزريmy strength واكفِنيand shield me from
يا ربِّ أُشدُد فيكَ أَزري واكفِني
ضُرّاًharm أَثارَthat roused عَلىagainst ضَنائيmy wasting الداءَdisease
ضُرّاً أَثارَ عَلى ضَنائي الداءَ
O Lord, strengthen me in You, and shield me from
This is the leader of messengers proclaiming a warning
Harm that has roused disease against my wasting.
With insights scattering the lowly ground to the sky.
ياO ربِّmy Lord قدindeed عَجَزَfailed الطبيبُthe physician فَداوِنيso heal me
يا ربِّ قد عَجَزَ الطبيبُ فَداوِني
سَقياًblessings لداءٍupon an ailment كُنتَYou were فيهِin it دَواءَa cure
سَقياً لداءٍ كُنتَ فيهِ دَواءَ
O Lord, the physician has failed, so heal me;
Peace be upon you, O pride of the world
Blessings upon an ailment for which You were the cure!
When you were Mary the chaste.
ياO رَبِّmy Lord قدindeed قَرُبَdrew near الرَحيلُdeparture وهاجنيand stirred me
يا رَبِّ قد قَرُبَ الرَحيلُ وهاجني
برقٌlightning بأَكنافِat the edges of الحِمىthe sanctuary يَتَراءىappears
برقٌ بأَكنافِ الحِمى يَتَراءى
O Lord, departure has drawn near, and I am stirred by
O throne of God’s glory, O sun of guidance
Lightning appearing at the edges of the sanctuary,
That tore the darkness with its emergence.
مُستَشفِعاًseeking intercession فيfor زَلَّتيmy lapse تِلكَthat woman التيwho
مُستَشفِعاً في زَلَّتي تِلكَ التي
رأَتِsaw الأَنامَhumankind بفَضلِهاthrough her grace الإِرضاءَthe winning of favor
رأَتِ الأَنامَ بفَضلِها الإِرضاءَ
Seeking for my lapse the intercession of her who
I came to her while my eyes were thankful with tears
Saw humankind win favor through her grace.
Sadly as if their edges were wounded.
تلكَthat woman التيwho وَطِئَتtrod بأَخمصِwith the hollow of رِجلِهاher foot
تلكَ التي وَطِئَت بأَخمصِ رِجلِها
فَلَكَthe sphere of السُعودِgood fortune وآسَتِand soothed الضَرّاءِaffliction
فَلَكَ السُعودِ وآسَتِ الضَرّاءِ
She who trod with the hollow of her foot
If my sin necessitates an intercessor for me
Upon the sphere of good fortune, and soothed affliction,
Truly, then your grace combines intercessors.
مَلَأَتshe filled بُطونَthe hollows of الأَرضthe earth أَمناًwith security وافِراًabundant
مَلَأَت بُطونَ الأَرض أَمناً وافِراً
عندَwhen اِمتِلاءِthe filling of حَشائهاher womb نَعماءَwith blessing
عندَ اِمتِلاءِ حَشائها نَعماءَ
Filled the hollows of the earth with abundant security
Grant, O most clement, that I am listening to you
When her womb was filled with blessing.
What is the excuse of old age that voids the fulfillment.
وتَوَسَّدَتand reclined upon شَرَفَthe noblest of الأَرائِكcouches ليلةًon a night
وتَوَسَّدَت شَرَفَ الأَرائِك ليلةً
وَفَدَarrived المُبشِّرُthe bearer of good news يَحمِلُcarrying البُشراءَglad tidings
وَفَدَ المُبشِّرُ يَحمِلُ البُشراءَ
She reclined upon the noblest couches on the night
Youth has passed and the time of poverty returned me
The bearer of good news arrived, carrying glad tidings.
As if I am looking at myself in its fold.
هذاhere is زَعيمُthe chief of الرُسلِthe messengers يَهتِفُcrying out مُنذراًas a warning herald
هذا زَعيمُ الرُسلِ يَهتِفُ مُنذراً
بأَلوكَةٍwith a message تَذرُthat makes الحضيضَthe lowest depths سماءَa heaven
بأَلوكَةٍ تَذرُ الحضيضَ سماءَ
Here is the chief of the messengers, crying out as a herald
The tongue of old age appeared to me chanting
With a message that turns the lowest depths into heaven.
You have attained your goal, so beware misfortune.
أهدىbestowed السلامُpeace عليكِupon you ياO فخرَpride of الورىhumankind
أهدى السلامُ عليكِ يا فخرَ الورى
إذfor كُنتِyou were أَنتِyou yourself مريمَMary العَذراءَthe Virgin
إذ كُنتِ أَنتِ مريمَ العَذراءَ
Peace be bestowed upon you, O pride of humankind,
For you yourself were Mary the Virgin.
ياO عَرشَthrone of مجدthe glory of اللَهِGod ياO شَمسَsun of الهُدىguidance
يا عَرشَ مجد اللَهِ يا شَمسَ الهُدى
قدindeed مزَّقتit tore apart ببزوغِهاwith its rising الظَلماءَthe darkness
قد مزَّقت ببزوغِها الظَلماءَ
O throne of God's glory, O sun of guidance,
It has torn the darkness apart with its rising.
وافيتُهاI came to her والعَينُand the eye شَكرىbrimming بالدِماwith blood
وافيتُها والعَينُ شَكرى بالدِما
أَسَفاًin grief كأَنَّas though بطَرفِهاin its corner الأَقذاءَmotes
أَسَفاً كأَنَّ بطَرفِها الأَقذاءَ
I came to her, my eye brimming with blood,
In grief, as though motes were lodged in its corner.
إِنif كانَdoes ذَنبيmy sin يَقتَضيrequire ليfor me شافعاًan intercessor
إِن كانَ ذَنبي يَقتَضي لي شافعاً
حَقّاًtruly ففَضلُكِthen your grace يَجمَعُgathers الشُفَعاءَthe intercessors
حَقّاً ففَضلُكِ يَجمَعُ الشُفَعاءَ
If my sin requires an intercessor for me,
Truly, your grace gathers the intercessors.
هَبsuppose ياO عَذوليmy reprover أَنَّنيthat I لكَto you سامعٌam listening
هَب يا عَذولي أَنَّني لكَ سامعٌ
ماwhat عُذرُexcuse has شَيبٍgray hair يَنسخُthat effaces الأَفياءَthe shades
ما عُذرُ شَيبٍ يَنسخُ الأَفياءَ
Suppose, O my reprover, that I listen to you:
What excuse has gray hair, which effaces the shades?
فَنَأىso departed far الشَبابُyouth وعادنيand visited me زَمنُthe season of الضنىwasting
فَنَأى الشَبابُ وعادني زَمنُ الضنى
وكأَنَّنيand it is as though I فيwithin طَيِّهِits folds أَتراءىsee myself
وكأَنَّني في طَيِّهِ أَتراءى
Youth has departed far, and the season of wasting has visited me,
And I seem to see myself within its folds.
وبداand appeared لسانُthe tongue of الشيبgray hair نَحويtoward me مُنشِداًreciting
وبدا لسانُ الشيب نَحوي مُنشِداً
أَدرَكتَyou have reached شَأوكَyour limit فاتَّقِso guard against الأَسواءَevils
أَدرَكتَ شَأوكَ فاتَّقِ الأَسواءَ
The tongue of gray hair appeared before me, reciting:
You have reached your limit; beware of evils.
Partial English translation: 156 of 170 Arabic lines translated.
Sol 6.1