وَيَوْمٍand a day أَخَذْناwe seized بِهِon it فُرْصَةًan opportunity
وَيَوْمٍ أَخَذْنا بِهِ فُرْصَةً
مِنَof الْعَيْشِlife وَالْعَيْشُand life مُسْتَفْرَصُto be seized
مِنَ الْعَيْشِ وَالْعَيْشُ مُسْتَفْرَصُ
And a day on which we seized an opportunity
One day, we seized an opportunity
to enjoy life—for life's opportunities should be seized.
From life, and life grants fleeting chances
رَكَضْناwe spurred مَعَwith اللَّهْوِamusement فِيْهِon it الصِّبىyouth
رَكَضْنا مَعَ اللَّهْوِ فِيْهِ الصِّبى
وَأَفْراسُهُand its horses مَرَحاًin delight تَقْمِصُbuck
وَأَفْراسُهُ مَرَحاً تَقْمِصُ
We spurred youth on with amusement that day,
We raced, carefree youths,
and its horses bucked in delight,
Their steeds capering playfully
إِلىtoward جَنَّةٍa garden لاnot مَدىthe extent of عَرْضِهاits breadth
إِلى جَنَّةٍ لا مَدى عَرْضِها
يَضِيقُnarrows وَلاand not ظِلُّهاits shade يَقْلِصُshrinks
يَضِيقُ وَلا ظِلُّها يَقْلِصُ
toward a garden whose breadth
To a garden with endless breadth
never narrows, and whose shade never shrinks.
Whose shade does not narrow, nor light diminish
أَعَزُّthe most precious الْمَآرِبِwishes فِيهاin it يَهُونُbecomes easy
أَعَزُّ الْمَآرِبِ فِيها يَهُونُ
وَأَغْلىand the costliest السُّرُورِhappiness بِهاin it يَرْخُصُbecomes cheap
وَأَغْلى السُّرُورِ بِها يَرْخُصُ
The most precious wishes there become easy,
Where the gravest adversity seems trivial
and the costliest happiness comes cheaply.
And the greatest joy comes cheap
وَشَرْبٍand drinking companions تَعاطُواthey shared كُؤُوسَcups of الْحَياةِlife
وَشَرْبٍ تَعاطُوا كُؤُوسَ الْحَياةِ
فَماso not كَدَّرُوهاthey clouded them وَلاand not نَغَّضُواthey spoiled
فَما كَدَّرُوها وَلا نَغَّضُوا
And drinking companions who shared the cups of life,
Drinking from cups of life
never clouding them or spoiling their pleasure.
Unadulterated, undimmed
سَدَدْناwe blocked بِهاwith them طُرُقاتِpaths of الْهُمُومِcares
سَدَدْنا بِها طُرُقاتِ الْهُمُومِ
فَعادَتْso they returned عَلىupon عَقْبِهاtheir heels تَنْكُصُretreating
فَعادَتْ عَلى عَقْبِها تَنْكُصُ
With them we blocked the paths of cares,
We repaired the paths of worries
so they turned back, retreating on their heels.
So they retreated backward confused
فَلَوْso if هَمَّintended هَمٌّa care بِناagainst us لَمْnot يَجْدْfind
فَلَوْ هَمَّ هَمٌّ بِنا لَمْ يَجْدْ
طَرِيقاًa path إِلَيْناto us بِهاthrough it يَخْلُصُreaches
طَرِيقاً إِلَيْنا بِها يَخْلُصُ
Had a care intended to trouble us, it would have found no
If worries intended us harm
path by which to reach us there.
They would find no way to reach us
ظَلِلْناwe spent the day كَجَيْشَيْlike two armies of كِفاحٍcombat تَكُرُّcharge
ظَلِلْنا كَجَيْشَيْ كِفاحٍ تَكُرُّ
عَلىagainst الْعُرْبِthe Arabs أَتْراكُهُits Turks الْخُلَّصُpure-blooded
عَلى الْعُرْبِ أَتْراكُهُ الْخُلَّصُ
We spent the day like two armies in battle: charging
We tarried like two armies in battle
against the Arabs were its pure-blooded Turks.
Whose vanguard were unarmored Arabs
لَدىbeside بِرْكَةٍa pool حُرِّكَتْwas vowelled راؤُهاits letter rāʾ
لَدى بِرْكَةٍ حُرِّكَتْ راؤُها
فَلَيْسَتْso it does not تَقِلُّdwindle وَلاand not تَنْقُصُdecrease
فَلَيْسَتْ تَقِلُّ وَلا تَنْقُصُ
Beside a pool whose rāʾ was given a vowel,
At a pool whose surface was stirred
so it neither dwindles nor decreases.
Never flagging, nor diminishing
تَغَنىsang لَناfor us طَرَباًjoyfully ماؤُهاits water
تَغَنى لَنا طَرَباً ماؤُها
وَقامَتْand rose أَنابِيبُهاits pipes تَرْقُصُdancing
وَقامَتْ أَنابِيبُها تَرْقُصُ
Its water sang joyfully for us,
Its water sings for us melodiously
and its pipes rose to dance.
And its streams dance animatedly
يُرِيكَshows you الْجَواهِرَthe jewels تَقْبِيبُهاits doming
يُرِيكَ الْجَواهِرَ تَقْبِيبُها
وَهُنَّand they طَوافٍfloating بِهاupon it غُوَّصُdiving
وَهُنَّ طَوافٍ بِها غُوَّصُ
Its doming water shows you jewels,
You see its pebbles shimmering
floating upon it and diving deep.
As divers circle busily below
وَمُسْتَضْحِكٍand a smiling thing ذَهَبِيِّgolden الشِّفاهِlips
وَمُسْتَضْحِكٍ ذَهَبِيِّ الشِّفاهِ
بِماwith what جَزَّعُواthey fashioned in onyx مِنْهُof it أَوْor فَصَّصُواthey set with gems
بِما جَزَّعُوا مِنْهُ أَوْ فَصَّصُوا
And a smiling thing with golden lips,
Laughing with golden lips
with what they fashioned of it in onyx or set with gems,
At what they bewailed and narrated
مُنِيفٍlofty يَخِرُّpours down بِذَوْبِwith molten اللُّجِيْنِsilver
مُنِيفٍ يَخِرُّ بِذَوْبِ اللُّجِيْنِ
عَلىupon ذَهَبٍgold سَبْكُهُits casting الْمُخْلَصُpure
عَلى ذَهَبٍ سَبْكُهُ الْمُخْلَصُ
lofty, pouring molten silver
Refined, pouring from crucibles
upon gold of the purest casting.
The purest gold smelted
تَرىyou see الطَّيْرَthe birds وَالْوَحْشَand the beasts مِنْfrom جانِبَيboth sides of
تَرى الطَّيْرَ وَالْوَحْشَ مِنْ جانِبَي
هِit يَشْكُوcomplains of الْبَطِينَthe full-bellied بِهاthere الأَخْمَصُthe hollow-bellied
هِ يَشْكُو الْبَطِينَ بِها الأَخْمَصُ
You see birds and beasts on its two sides,
You see beast and game on both sides
where the hollow-bellied complains of the full-bellied.
Complaining of hunger to the emaciated
دَوانٍnearby رَوانٍwell-watered فَلاso not هذِهِthese
دَوانٍ رَوانٍ فَلا هذِهِ
تُراعُare frightened وَلاand not هذِهِthose تُقْنَصُare hunted
تُراعُ وَلا هذِهِ تُقْنَصُ
Close by and well-watered: neither these
A burbling stream, beyond describing
are frightened nor those hunted.
By Jarir or laments of El-Ahwas
تَرىyou see آمِناًsecure فِيهِin it سِرْبَa herd of الظِّباthe gazelles (continued)
تَرى آمِناً فِيهِ سِرْبَ الظِّبا
ءِ(completes 'gazelles') وَالذِئْبُand the wolf ماemphatic particle بَيْنَهاamong them يَرْعَصُtwitches
ءِ وَالذِئْبُ ما بَيْنَها يَرْعَصُ
You see there a herd of gazelles, secure,
As if it seeks something in the sky
while the wolf twitches among them.
And strives to attain its goal
وَفوَّارَةٍand a fountain ماnot بَغىsought وَصْفَهاits description
وَفوَّارَةٍ ما بَغى وَصْفَها
جَرِيرٌJarir وَلاand not رامَهُattempted it الأَحْوَصُal-Ahwas
جَرِيرٌ وَلا رامَهُ الأَحْوَصُ
And a fountain whose description neither
When its spout reaches the heavens
Jarir sought nor al-Ahwas attempted.
It is followed by a pouring neck
كَأَنَّas though لَهاit had مَطْلَباًa goal فِيin السَّماthe sky (continued)
كَأَنَّ لَها مَطْلَباً فِي السَّما
ءِ(completes 'sky') فَهْيَso it عَلىto نَيْلِهِattaining it تَحْرِصُeagerly strives
ءِ فَهْيَ عَلى نَيْلِهِ تَحْرِصُ
As though it had a goal in the sky,
The drinking crowned it, orange-like
which it eagerly strives to attain.
So I left the silver to be forged
إِذاwhen ماemphatic particle وَفىfulfilled قَدُّهاits stature بِالسُّمُوِّthe upward reach
إِذا ما وَفى قَدُّها بِالسُّمُوِّ
أَخْلَفَهاlet it down عُنُقٌa neck يَوْقَصُis snapped
أَخْلَفَها عُنُقٌ يَوْقَصُ
When its stature fulfills its upward reach,
With abundant water, palm-like
a neck that snaps lets it down.
Dense as the hair of a black-eyed gazelle
وَتَوَّجَهاand crowned it الشَّرْبُthe drinkers نارَنْجَةًan orange
وَتَوَّجَها الشَّرْبُ نارَنْجَةً
فَخِلْتُso I imagined الْمِذَبَّةَthe fly-whisk تَسْتَخْوِصُsprouting palm fronds
فَخِلْتُ الْمِذَبَّةَ تَسْتَخْوِصُ
The drinkers crowned it with an orange,
An orchard whose songs charm its dwellers
and I thought the fly-whisk was sprouting palm fronds:
Swaying hearts and captivating minds
مُشَجَّرَةَtree-shaped الْماءِwater نَخْلِيَّةٍpalm-like
مُشَجَّرَةَ الْماءِ نَخْلِيَّةٍ
كَجُمَّةِlike the locks of شَمْطاءَa gray-haired woman لاnot تُعْقَصُbraided
كَجُمَّةِ شَمْطاءَ لا تُعْقَصُ
a palm-like tree made of water,
Perplexing in its lyrics and plaintive in its tunes
like an unbraided gray-haired woman's locks.
Smooth verses subtly voiced
وَدَوْحٍand lofty trees أَغانِيُّmelodies of قُرِيِّهِtheir songbirds
وَدَوْحٍ أَغانِيُّ قُرِيِّهِ
يَهُزُّstirs اللَّبِيبَthe discerning وَيَسْتَرْقِصُand makes dance
يَهُزُّ اللَّبِيبَ وَيَسْتَرْقِصُ
And lofty trees whose songbirds' melodies
And greens where sunlight flashes on berries
stir the discerning and make them dance.
As if garbed crowds paused there
يَشُوقُawakens longing وَبَيِّنُهُand its clear strains مُشْكِلٌobscure
يَشُوقُ وَبَيِّنُهُ مُشْكِلٌ
وَيَشْجُوand moves to grief وَمُسْهِلُهُand its easy strains أَعْوَصُmore intricate
وَيَشْجُو وَمُسْهِلُهُ أَعْوَصُ
Their song awakens longing, though its clear strains are obscure,
Adorned for a feast dedicated wholly
and moves to grief, though its easy strains are intricate.
Their diadems differ in form
وَرَوْضٍand a meadow جَلاunveiled النَّوْرَthe blossoms خَشْخاشُهُits poppies
وَرَوْضٍ جَلا النَّوْرَ خَشْخاشُهُ
تَحارُis bewildered لَهُby it الْعَيْنُthe eye أَوْor تَشْخَصُstares
تَحارُ لَهُ الْعَيْنُ أَوْ تَشْخَصُ
And a meadow whose poppies unveiled its blossoms,
And their braids intertwine diversely
leaving the eye bewildered or fixed in wonder.
Some pure white
كَأَنَّas though بِهِin it مَعْشَراًa company وُقَّفاًstanding
كَأَنَّ بِهِ مَعْشَراً وُقَّفاً
بِزِينَةِin finery of عِيدٍa festival لَهُto it أَخْلَصُواthey devoted themselves
بِزِينَةِ عِيدٍ لَهُ أَخْلَصُوا
As though a company stood there,
Its camphor brilliant purely
wholly devoted to it in festive finery.
Some red tinged with blue
تَخالَفُdiffer فِيin الشّكْلِshape تِيجانُهُمْtheir crowns
تَخالَفُ فِي الشّكْلِ تِيجانُهُمْ
وَتَحْكِيand imitate غَلائِلَهاtheir delicate robes الأَقْمُصُthe tunics
وَتَحْكِي غَلائِلَها الأَقْمُصُ
Their crowns differ in shape,
Depicting blushing cheeks bitten
and their tunics imitate the flowers' delicate robes.
Some golden like those chosen
فَمِنْso among أَبْيَضٍwhite ones يَقَقٍpure white لَوْنُهُtheir color
فَمِنْ أَبْيَضٍ يَقَقٍ لَوْنُهُ
يَرُوقُكَdelights you كافورُهُtheir camphor الأَخْلَصُpurest
يَرُوقُكَ كافورُهُ الأَخْلَصُ
Among them are white ones, pure white in hue,
For days of wine and pleasure
whose purest camphor-white delights you.
Some silver, their meaning in song
وَمِنْand among أَحْمَرٍred ones شابَهُtinged them زُرْقَةٌa blueness
وَمِنْ أَحْمَرٍ شابَهُ زُرْقَةٌ
حَكىresembled الْوَجَناتِthe cheeks إِذاwhen تُقْرَصُpinched
حَكى الْوَجَناتِ إِذا تُقْرَصُ
And red ones tinged with blue,
More subtle, their words precise
resembling cheeks when pinched.
The wise sways when they sing
وَحِلْفَيْنِand two companions مِثْلُهُماtheir like يُصْطَفىis chosen
وَحِلْفَيْنِ مِثْلُهُما يُصْطَفى
لِيَوْمِfor a day of الْمُدامِwine وَيُسْتَخْلَصُand is singled out
لِيَوْمِ الْمُدامِ وَيُسْتَخْلَصُ
And two companions, the like of whom are chosen
As if his steeds just broke loose
and singled out for a day of wine.
Among the cupbearers, languid of eyelid
رَسِيلَيْنِtwo partners مَعْناهُماtheir meaning فيin الْغِناءِsinging
رَسِيلَيْنِ مَعْناهُما في الْغِناءِ
أَدَقُّsubtler وَلَفْظُهُماand their phrasing أَلْخَصُmore concise
أَدَقُّ وَلَفْظُهُما أَلْخَصُ
Two partners whose meaning in song
Bewitching hearts, though he's greediest for drink
is subtler, and whose phrasing more concise.
Wealthy, he could abstain if he wished
يَظلُّremains الْحَلِيمُthe forbearing man إِذاwhen غَنَّياthey both sing
يَظلُّ الْحَلِيمُ إِذا غَنَّيا
كَأَنَّas though فَرائِصَهُhis flank muscles تُفْرصُare sliced
كَأَنَّ فَرائِصَهُ تُفْرصُ
When they sing, even the forbearing man remains
But he is too desirous
as though his flank muscles were being sliced.
So ask him yourselves, pry not
وَبَيْنَand among السُّقاةِthe cupbearers مَرِيضُlanguid الْجُفُونِeyelids
وَبَيْنَ السُّقاةِ مَرِيضُ الْجُفُونِ
يَسُومُbids for الْقُلُوبَthe hearts فَيَسْتَرْخِصُthen finds cheap
يَسُومُ الْقُلُوبَ فَيَسْتَرْخِصُ
And among the cupbearers, one with languid eyelids
About my affair with him
bids for hearts and finds them cheap.
When we come upon pleasures
غَنِيٌّsufficiently supplied بِأَلْحاظِهِby his glances لَوْif يَشاءُhe wishes
غَنِيٌّ بِأَلْحاظِهِ لَوْ يَشاءُ
عَنِwithout الكَأْسِthe cup لكِنَّهُbut he أَحْرَصُmore avid
عَنِ الكَأْسِ لكِنَّهُ أَحْرَصُ
His glances would suffice him, if he wished,
Parting's lot is ever sadder
without the cup, but he is more avid.
The Emir's charms seem trivial
فَدُونَكُمُso take him فَاسْأَلُواthen ask طَرْفَهُhis eyes
فَدُونَكُمُ فَاسْأَلُوا طَرْفَهُ
وَعَنْand about خَبَرِيmy account فِيهِof him لاnot تَفْحَصُواprobe
وَعَنْ خَبَرِي فِيهِ لا تَفْحَصُوا
So there he is: ask his eyes,
Lessened and diminished
and do not probe my account of him.
May God water him whose generosity
إِذاwhen ماemphatic particle غَدَوْناwe set out in the morning عَلَىfor لَذَةٍpleasure
إِذا ما غَدَوْنا عَلَى لَذَةٍ
فَحَظُّthen the share of مُفارِقَناone parting from us الأَنْقَصُsmallest
فَحَظُّ مُفارِقَنا الأَنْقَصُ
When we set out in the morning for pleasure,
Encompasses all when some are stingy
the one who parts from us has the smallest share.
So the noble's sins are erased
مَحاسِنُbeauties فِيamong حَسَناتِgood deeds of الأَمِيthe emir (continued)
مَحاسِنُ فِي حَسَناتِ الأَمِي
رِ(completes 'emir') تَصْغُرُshrink قَدْراًin worth وَتُسْتَنْقَصُand are deemed deficient
رِ تَصْغُرُ قَدْراً وَتُسْتَنْقَصُ
Beauties that, beside the emir's good deeds,
And how many faults they covered!
shrink in worth and seem deficient.
When the sea of verse inspired me
سَقىmay water اللهُGod مَنْhim who لَمْnot يَزَلْceased جُودُهhis generosity
سَقى اللهُ مَنْ لَمْ يَزَلْ جُودُه
يَعُمُّembraces everyone إِذاwhen مَعْشَرٌa group خَصَّصُواrestricted their gifts
يَعُمُّ إِذا مَعْشَرٌ خَصَّصُوا
May God water him whose generosity has never ceased
I dove for its pearls
to embrace everyone when others restrict their gifts.
For us a lion and flowers, passion bound us to them
فَكائِنْand how often مَحاerased بِنَداهُthrough his bounty الْعُفاةُthe petitioners
فَكائِنْ مَحا بِنَداهُ الْعُفاةُ
ذُنُوبَwrongs of الزَّمانِtime وَكَمْand how often مَحَّصُواthey purged
ذُنُوبَ الزَّمانِ وَكَمْ مَحَّصُوا
How often, through his bounty, have petitioners erased
Though previously neither lions loved flowers
the wrongs of time, and how often purged them!
For their sake I love all places
وَكُنْتُand I was إِذاwhen عَنَّappeared بَحْرُthe sea of الْقَرِيضِpoetry
وَكُنْتُ إِذا عَنَّ بَحْرُ الْقَرِيضِ
فَإِنِّيthen I عَلىfor دُرّهِits pearls أَغْوَصُa deeper diver
فَإِنِّي عَلى دُرّهِ أَغْوَصُ
And whenever the sea of poetry came into view,
And incline towards their vicinity
I would dive deepest for its pearls.
The lion has a red blossom in his mouth still fresh
لَناwe have أَسَدٌa lion وَرْدٌtawny سَباناcaptured us بِهِthrough him الْهَوىlove
لَنا أَسَدٌ وَرْدٌ سَبانا بِهِ الْهَوى
وَماand not كانَwas يُهْوىloved قَبْلَهُbefore him الأَسَدُthe lion الوَرْدُtawny
وَما كانَ يُهْوى قَبْلَهُ الأَسَدُ الوَرْدُ
We have a tawny lion through whom love has taken us captive;
Though he does not run, it can be seen
before him, no tawny lion was ever loved.
Like a lion near prey, blood of the victim
يُحَبَّبُis made dear لِيto me مِنْfor أَجْلِهِhis sake كُلُّevery ضَيْغَمٍlion
يُحَبَّبُ لِي مِنْ أَجْلِهِ كُلُّ ضَيْغَمٍ
هَصُورٍfierce وَتُصْبينِيand entice me إِلىto قُرْبِهاtheir company الأُسْدُthe lions
هَصُورٍ وَتُصْبينِي إِلى قُرْبِها الأُسْدُ
Because of him, every lion becomes dear to me,
Still shows on his mouth
every fierce one; lions lure me to their company.
Praise God for fulfilling a joyous wish
لَهُhe has وَرْدَةٌa rose حَمْراءُred فِيin فِيهِhis mouth غَضَّةٌfresh
لَهُ وَرْدَةٌ حَمْراءُ فِي فِيهِ غَضَّةٌ
يُرىhe appears عادِياًattacking مِنْهاbecause of it وَإِنْalthough كانَhe is لاnot يَعْدُواrunning
يُرى عادِياً مِنْها وَإِنْ كانَ لا يَعْدُوا
He has a fresh red rose in his mouth;
Despite malice, by His guarantee
because of it he seems to charge, though he does not run.
Time relented in its purity and granted us
كَلَيْثٍlike a lion قَرِيبٍrecent بِالْفَرِيسَةِwith the prey عَهْدُهُhis encounter
كَلَيْثٍ قَرِيبٍ بِالْفَرِيسَةِ عَهْدُهُ
فَباقِيso the remaining دَمِblood of الْمَفْرُوسِthe victim فِيin فَمِهِhis mouth يَبْدُوappears
فَباقِي دَمِ الْمَفْرُوسِ فِي فَمِهِ يَبْدُو
Like a lion fresh from its prey,
Days of bliss in its expanse
the remaining blood of its victim visible in its mouth.
With coquetry erasing its coldness
لِلهِGod be praised نَيْلُattainment of مَسَرَّةٍa joy ضَمِنَpledged الْهَوىlove
لِلهِ نَيْلُ مَسَرَّةٍ ضَمِنَ الْهَوى
فَوَفىthen fulfilled عَلىdespite رَغْمِthe opposition of النَّوىseparation بِضَمانِهِits pledge
فَوَفى عَلى رَغْمِ النَّوى بِضَمانِهِ
God be praised for attaining a joy that love promised,
Love is beauty from its kindness
fulfilling its pledge despite separation.
Flowers in gardens, wine in cups
سَمَحَgranted الزَّمانُtime بِصَفْوِهِits serenity وَجَرىand raced بِناwith us
سَمَحَ الزَّمانُ بِصَفْوِهِ وَجَرى بِنا
فِيهِwithin it السُّرُورُjoy يَمُدُّstretches onward فِيin مَيْدانِهِits course
فِيهِ السُّرُورُ يَمُدُّ فِي مَيْدانِهِ
Time granted its serenity, and we were swept along
Sorcery in eyes
by joy, speeding through its course.
As if the garden borrowed attractions
بِمُقَرْطَقٍwith a tunic-clad one يَمْحُوerases إِساءَةَthe wrong of صَدِّهِhis rejection
بِمُقَرْطَقٍ يَمْحُو إِساءَةَ صَدِّهِ
فَالْحِبُّfor the beloved إِنَّindeed الْحُسْنَbeauty مِنْamong إِحْسانِهِhis kindnesses
فَالْحِبُّ إِنَّ الْحُسْنَ مِنْ إِحْسانِهِ
With a tunic-clad beloved who erases the wrong of his rejection,
From the skill of its Maker and pride of its stateliness
for beauty is one of the beloved's kindnesses.
His cherry lips have the softness of light
الْوَرْدُroses فِيin وَجَناتِهِhis cheeks وَالْخِمْرُand wine فِيin
الْوَرْدُ فِي وَجَناتِهِ وَالْخِمْرُ فِي
رَشَفاتِهِhis kisses وَالسِّحْرُand magic فِيin أَجْفانِهِhis eyelids
رَشَفاتِهِ وَالسِّحْرُ فِي أَجْفانِهِ
Roses are in his cheeks, and wine in
And his slender waist the suppleness of a branch
his kisses, and magic in his eyelids.
Consider the wonders he presents you
فَكَأَنَّماso as though الرَّوْضُthe garden اسْتَعارَborrowed مَحاسِناًbeauties
فَكَأَنَّما الرَّوْضُ اسْتَعارَ مَحاسِناً
مِنْfrom حُسْنِthe beauty of صَنْعَتِهِhis workmanship وَمَفْخَرِand the glory of شَانِهِhis distinction
مِنْ حُسْنِ صَنْعَتِهِ وَمَفْخَرِ شَانِهِ
As though the garden had borrowed beauties
With every beauty and goodness
from his lovely workmanship and glorious distinction.
Some red bordered with yellow
فَلِثَغْرِهِso to his lips الْمَرْشُوفِoft-kissed رِقَّةُthe delicacy of نَوْرِهِits blossoms
فَلِثَغْرِهِ الْمَرْشُوفِ رِقَّةُ نَوْرِهِ
وَلِقَدِّهِand to his stature الْمَهْزُوزِswaying نَشْوَةُthe rapture of بانِهِits bān trees
وَلِقَدِّهِ الْمَهْزُوزِ نَشْوَةُ بانِهِ
So its blossoms' delicacy belongs to his oft-kissed lips,
Like a lover and their beloved
and its bān trees' rapture to his swaying figure.
Cheek to cheek, embracing
تَأَمَّلْconsider بَدائِعَwonders of ماwhat يَصْطَفِيكَfavors you
تَأَمَّلْ بَدائِعَ ما يَصْطَفِيكَ
بِهِwith it الرَّوْضُthe garden مِنْof كُلِّevery فَنٍّkind عَجِيبِmarvelous
بِهِ الرَّوْضُ مِنْ كُلِّ فَنٍّ عَجِيبِ
Consider the wonders with which you are favored
Taking advantage of privacy
by the garden, of every marvelous kind.
My weeping, though prolonged, will not satisfy
فَفِيso in نَظْمِthe arrangement of مَنْثُورِهِits scattered blooms قُرَّةُdelight of الthe
فَفِي نَظْمِ مَنْثُورِهِ قُرَّةُ ال
عُيُونِeyes وَفِيهِand within it حَياةُlife of الْقُلُوبِhearts
عُيُونِ وَفِيهِ حَياةُ الْقُلُوبِ
In the arrangement of its scattered blooms lies delight for the
More than my laments
eyes, and within it the life of hearts.
Whenever time wounds me
تَبِدَّتْappeared غَرائِبُmarvels of أَنْوارِهِits blossoms
تَبِدَّتْ غَرائِبُ أَنْوارِهِ
تُلاقِيyou encounter بِهاin them كُلَّevery حُسْنٍbeauty وطِيبِand fragrance
تُلاقِي بِها كُلَّ حُسْنٍ وطِيبِ
The marvels of its blossoms have appeared,
I make my tears an outlet
in which you encounter every beauty and fragrance.
Why am I not shattered that my soul did not burst
فَمِنْso among أَحْمَرٍa red one ضَمَّهُembraced it أَصْفَرٌa yellow one
فَمِنْ أَحْمَرٍ ضَمَّهُ أَصْفَرٌ
كَلَوْنِlike the color of الْمُحِبِّthe lover وَلَوْنِand the color of الْحَبِيبِthe beloved
كَلَوْنِ الْمُحِبِّ وَلَوْنِ الْحَبِيبِ
Among them, a red flower embraced by a yellow one,
With anguish, my ribs did not split?
like the lover's color and the beloved's color.
This heart was not the first stubborn rock
تُلاصَقَpressed together خَدَّاهُماtheir two cheeks لِلْعِناقِfor an embrace
تُلاصَقَ خَدَّاهُما لِلْعِناقِ
وَقَدْand already وَجَداthey found غَفْلَةًinattention مِنْfrom رَقِيبِa watcher
وَقَدْ وَجَدا غَفْلَةً مِنْ رَقِيبِ
Their cheeks pressed together in an embrace,
Struck and unbroken
having caught their watcher off guard.
I bid farewell to the noblest expectation
لَيْسَis not الْبُكاءُweeping وَإِنْeven if أطِيلَprolonged بِمُقْنِعِيsatisfying me
لَيْسَ الْبُكاءُ وَإِنْ أطِيلَ بِمُقْنِعِي
الْخَطْبُthe calamity أَعْظَمُgreater قِيمَةًin worth مِنْthan أَدْمُعِيmy tears
الْخَطْبُ أَعْظَمُ قِيمَةً مِنْ أَدْمُعِي
Weeping, however prolonged, cannot satisfy me;
And rouse dust to the basest hope
the calamity outweighs my tears in worth.
Oh you men! Events transpired unexpectedly
أَوَكلَّماmust whenever أَوْدىdestroyed الزَّمانُtime بِمُنْفِسٍsomething precious
أَوَكلَّما أَوْدى الزَّمانُ بِمُنْفِسٍ
مِنِّيfrom me جَعَلْتُI made إِلىtoward الْمَدامِعِtears مَفْزَعيmy refuge
مِنِّي جَعَلْتُ إِلى الْمَدامِعِ مَفْزَعي
Must I, whenever time takes something precious
And incidents occurred unpredictably
from me, make tears my refuge?
I find no patience for a time
هَلاّwhy not شَجانِيgrieved me أَنَّthat نَفْسِيَmy soul لَمْnot تَفِظْdeparted
هَلاّ شَجانِي أَنَّ نَفْسِيَ لَمْ تَفِظْ
أَسَفاًin sorrow وَأَنَّand that حَشايَmy entrails لَمْnot تَتَقطَّعِtorn apart
أَسَفاً وَأَنَّ حَشايَ لَمْ تَتَقطَّعِ
Why does it not grieve me that my soul has not departed
That splits apart lovers
in sorrow, and that my innards have not torn apart?
By God, time has not wronged me
ماnot كانwas هذاthis الْقَلْبُheart أَوَّلَthe first صَخْرَةٍrock
ما كان هذا الْقَلْبُ أَوَّلَ صَخْرَةٍ
مَلْمُومَةٍsolid قُرِعَتْwas struck فَلَمْbut not تَتَصَدَّعِcracked
مَلْمُومَةٍ قُرِعَتْ فَلَمْ تَتَصَدَّعِ
This heart was not the first rock,
Nor afflicted with worse than this agony
solid, struck, yet never split apart.
A calamity that dispossesses the betrothed
أَلْقىit laid السِّلامَthe stones عَلَىupon أَبَرَّthe kindest مُؤَمَّلٍhoped-for man
أَلْقى السِّلامَ عَلَى أَبَرَّ مُؤَمَّلٍ
وَحَثاand heaped التُّرابَthe earth عَلَىupon أَغَرَّa radiant سَمَيْدَعِnoble lord
وَحَثا التُّرابَ عَلَى أَغَرَّ سَمَيْدَعِ
It laid stones over the kindest man one could hope for,
And a cataclysm, for he who does not die of agony, feels no agony
and heaped earth upon a radiant, noble lord.
I complain to the days of my misery for you
ياO لَلرِّجالِmen, help لِنازِلٍagainst an affliction لَمْnot يُحْتَسَبْforeseen
يا لَلرِّجالِ لِنازِلٍ لَمْ يُحْتَسَبْ
وَلِحادِثٍand an event ماnot كانَwas بِالْمُتَوَقَّعِexpected
وَلِحادِثٍ ما كانَ بِالْمُتَوَقَّعِ
O men, help against an unforeseen affliction,
If days could hear the plaint of the distressed!
an event that was never expected!
I am forbidden rest, as if
ماnot خِلْتُنِيI imagined myself أَلْجاresorting إِلىto صَبْرٍpatience عَلَىagainst
ما خِلْتُنِي أَلْجا إِلى صَبْرٍ عَلَى
زَمَنٍa time بِتَفْريقِwith separating الأَحِبَّةِloved ones مُولَعِobsessed
زَمَنٍ بِتَفْريقِ الأَحِبَّةِ مُولَعِ
I never thought I would resort to patience against
Neither fortune had ever favored me
a time obsessed with separating loved ones.
A whimper of one cut to the heart for you
تاللهِby God ماnot جارَacted unjustly الزَّمانُtime وَلاand not اعْتَدىassaulted
تاللهِ ما جارَ الزَّمانُ وَلا اعْتَدى
بِأَشَدَّwith anything harsher مِنْthan هذاthis الْمُصابِaffliction وَأَوجَعِand more painful
بِأَشَدَّ مِنْ هذا الْمُصابِ وَأَوجَعِ
By God, time has never wronged or assaulted
The lament of a weeping woman turned away
with anything harsher or more painful than this affliction.
Sorrow overcame merriment in you
خَطْبٌa calamity يُبَرِّحُtorments بِالْخُطُوبِthe calamities وَفادِحٌand a crushing blow
خَطْبٌ يُبَرِّحُ بِالْخُطُوبِ وَفادِحٌ
مَنْwhoever لَمْnot يَمُتْdies جَزَعاًin grief لَهُfor it لَمْnot يَجْزَعِgrieved
مَنْ لَمْ يَمُتْ جَزَعاً لَهُ لَمْ يَجْزَعِ
A calamity that torments calamities themselves, a crushing blow:
So I see none who equals my outpouring and anguish
whoever does not die grieving for it has not grieved.
If I show patience, I lose all patience like mine
لاmay not أَسْمَعَsound النّاعِيthe death-announcer فَأَيْسَرُfor the least ماwhat جَنىhe wrought
لا أَسْمَعَ النّاعِي فَأَيْسَرُ ما جَنى
صَدْعُcracking of الْفُؤادِthe heart بِهِthrough it وَوَقْرُand deafening of الْمَسْمَعِthe ear
صَدْعُ الْفُؤادِ بِهِ وَوَقْرُ الْمَسْمَعِ
May the death-announcer never sound! The least harm he wrought
If I weep, I find sympathy
was to crack the heart and deafen the ear.
Your loss blinded my eyes, or rather tore
ياO قُولُQul قَوْلَةَa cry of مُكْمَدٍone grief-stricken مُسْتَنْزِرٍone draining
يا قُولُ قَوْلَةَ مُكْمَدٍ مُسْتَنْزِرٍ
ماءَwater of الشُّؤُونِthe tear ducts لَهُof his وَنارَand fire of الأَضْلُعِthe ribs
ماءَ الشُّؤُونِ لَهُ وَنارَ الأَضْلُعِ
O Qul—a cry from one grief-stricken, draining
My ribs, and your absence unsettled me
his tear ducts' water and the fire in his ribs.
You subjugated me to tribulations, and who
شاكِيlamenting النَّهارِthrough the day إِذاwhen تَأوَّبَreturns لَيْلُهُhis night
شاكِي النَّهارِ إِذا تَأوَّبَ لَيْلُهُ
هَجَعَslept السَّلِيمُthe snakebitten man وَطَرْفُهُand his eye لَمْnot يَهْجَعِslept
هَجَعَ السَّلِيمُ وَطَرْفُهُ لَمْ يَهْجَعِ
Lamenting through the day, when his night returns,
Would be humiliated and yield, tried as I?
the snakebitten sleeps, but his eyes do not.
Your death dishonored whatever passion
مَلآنَfull مِنْof حُزْنٍgrief فَلَيْسَso there is not لِتَرْحَةٍfor sorrow
مَلآنَ مِنْ حُزْنٍ فَلَيْسَ لِتَرْحَةٍ
أَوْor فَرْحَةٍjoy بِفُؤادِهِin his heart مِنْany مَوَِضعِroom
أَوْ فَرْحَةٍ بِفُؤادِهِ مِنْ مَوَِضعِ
Brimming with grief, so there is no room for sorrow
Remained in my heart, like a torrent flooding an overflowing brook
or joy within his heart.
Oh, the span of days after our connection was severed!
يَبْكِيweeps لَهُfor him مَنْone who لَيسَnot يَبْكِيweeps مِنْfrom أَسىًsorrow
يَبْكِي لَهُ مَنْ لَيسَ يَبْكِي مِنْ أَسىً
وَجْداًin anguish وَيُصْدَعُand is split قَلْبُthe heart of مَنْone who لَمْnot يُصْدَعِwas split
وَجْداً وَيُصْدَعُ قَلْبُ مَنْ لَمْ يُصْدَعِ
Even one who does not weep from sorrow weeps for him
And the morning after that death!
in anguish, and an unbroken heart is split apart.
Evil on the enemy that struck you
أَشْكُوI complain إِلىto الأَيّامِthe days فِيكَconcerning you رَزِيَّتِيmy loss
أَشْكُو إِلى الأَيّامِ فِيكَ رَزِيَّتِي
لَوْif only تَسْمَعُcould hear الأَيّامُthe days شَكْوىthe complaint of مُوجَعِone in pain
لَوْ تَسْمَعُ الأَيّامُ شَكْوى مُوجَعِ
I complain to the days of my loss in you,
For she returned the abject to the mighty, invincible
if only the days could hear an aching man's complaint.
I never thought an abasement by the lowly
وَأَبِيتُand I spend the night مَمْنُوعَdenied الْقَرارِrepose كَأَنَّنِيas though I
وَأَبِيتُ مَمْنُوعَ الْقَرارِ كَأَنَّنِي
ماnot راعَنِيstartled me الْحَدَثانُfate قَطُّever بأَرْوَعِwith anything more dreadful
ما راعَنِي الْحَدَثانُ قَطُّ بأَرْوَعِ
And I pass the night denied repose, as though
Could reach the noblest and loftiest
fate had never startled me with anything more dreadful.
Defense was futile, though you lacked no defenders
وَرَنِينِand a wail of مَفْجُوعٍa bereaved man لَدَيْكَbeside you وَصَلْتُهُI joined it
وَرَنِينِ مَفْجُوعٍ لَدَيْكَ وَصَلْتُهُ
بَحَنِينِto the moan of باكِيَةٍa weeping woman عَلَيكَover you مُرَجَّعِrepeated
بَحَنِينِ باكِيَةٍ عَلَيكَ مُرَجَّعِ
And a bereaved man's wail beside you I joined
But for predestiny against which there is no defense
to the repeated moan of a woman weeping over you.
Yet you met death with utmost courage
غَلَبَovercame الأَسىgrief فِيكَfor you الأُساةَthe consolers فَلاso not أَرىI see
غَلَبَ الأَسى فِيكَ الأُساةَ فَلا أَرى
مَنْone who لاnot يُكاثِرُrivals عَبْرَتِيmy tears وَتَفَجُّعِيand my lamentation
مَنْ لا يُكاثِرُ عَبْرَتِي وَتَفَجُّعِي
Grief for you has overcome the consolers; I see no one
More valiant and bold than death itself
who does not rival my tears and lamentation.
You resisted baseness, and mortality beneath it
فَإِذاso if صَبَرْتُI am patient فقَدْتُI lack مِثْلِيَmy like صابِراًpatient
فَإِذا صَبَرْتُ فقَدْتُ مِثْلِيَ صابِراً
وإِذاand if بَكَيْتُI weep وَجَدْتُI find مَنْone who يَبْكيweeps مَعيwith me
وإِذا بَكَيْتُ وَجَدْتُ مَنْ يَبْكي مَعي
If I am patient, I find no other patient man like me;
So you thrust into the midst of unsheathed spears
if I weep, I find others weeping with me.
Had you chosen safety, you would have found it
قَدْindeed غَضَّlowered يَوْمُكَyour day ناظِرِيmy gaze بَلْrather فَضَّshattered فَقْloss (continued)
قَدْ غَضَّ يَوْمُكَ ناظِرِي بَلْ فَضَّ فَقْ
دُكَ(completes 'your loss') أَضْلُعِيmy ribs وَأَقَضَّand made restless بُعْدُكَyour absence مَضْجَعِيmy bed
دُكَ أَضْلُعِي وَأَقَضَّ بُعْدُكَ مَضْجَعِي
Your day has lowered my gaze; indeed, the loss
But the lion's resolve is not to flee
of you shattered my ribs, and your absence made my bed restless.
One like you dies only amidst blades
أَخْضَعْتَنِيyou humbled me لِلنَّائِباتِbefore calamities وَمَنْand whoever يُصَبْis afflicted
أَخْضَعْتَنِي لِلنَّائِباتِ وَمَنْ يُصَبْ
يَوْماًone day بِمِثْلِكَwith your like يَسْتَذِلَّis abased وَيَخْضَعِand bows
يَوْماً بِمِثْلِكَ يَسْتَذِلَّ وَيَخْضَعِ
You have humbled me before calamities, and whoever suffers
And spears splitting intestines
a loss like yours one day is abased and bowed.
Your loss deserved copious tears, though had it not been for you
وَأهانَand belittled خَطْبُكَyour calamity ماwhat بِقَلْبِin a heart مِنْof جَوىًanguish
وَأهانَ خَطْبُكَ ما بِقَلْبِ مِنْ جَوىً
كَالسَّيْلِlike a flood طَمَّoverwhelmed عَلَىupon الغَدِيرِthe pool الْمُتْرَعِbrimming
كَالسَّيْلِ طَمَّ عَلَى الغَدِيرِ الْمُتْرَعِ
Your calamity has made the heart's anguish seem slight,
The clouds would not have poured in torrents
like a flood overwhelming a brimming pool.
The raincloud laments you, for were it not for you
ياO قُولُQul ماnot خانَbetrayed الْبَقاءُlife وَإِنَّماbut rather
يا قُولُ ما خانَ الْبَقاءُ وَإِنَّما
صُرِعَwas struck down الزَّمانُtime غَداةَon the morning of ذاكَthat المَصْرَعِfatal fall
صُرِعَ الزَّمانُ غَداةَ ذاكَ المَصْرَعِ
O Qul, it was not life that betrayed us; rather,
It would not rush to rain with such readiness
time itself was struck down on that fatal morning.
The meadows you frequented miss you
ماnot كنْتُI was خائِفَهاfearing it عَلَيْكَagainst you جِنايَةًa crime
ما كنْتُ خائِفَها عَلَيْكَ جِنايَةً
لَوْif كانَhad هذاthis الدَّهْرُage يَعْقِلُreason أَوْor يَعيunderstanding
لَوْ كانَ هذا الدَّهْرُ يَعْقِلُ أَوْ يَعي
I would not have feared such a crime against you
Only to return each time you are absent
had this age possessed reason or understanding.
Longing, they visit you, bowing and leaving
صُلْrage بَعْدَهاafter it ياO دَهْرُtime أَوْor فَاكْفُفْthen desist وَخُذْand take
صُلْ بَعْدَها يا دَهْرُ أَوْ فَاكْفُفْ وَخُذْ
مَنْwhomever شِئْتَyou wish ياO صَرْفَturns of المَنِيَّةِdeath أَوْدَعِor leave
مَنْ شِئْتَ يا صَرْفَ المَنِيَّةِ أَوْدَعِ
After this, rage, O time, or desist; take
With reluctant farewell and warm welcome
whomever you wish, O turns of death, or leave them.
They embrace you, strolling the gardens, as if
قَدْindeed بانَdeparted بِالْمَعْرُوفِwith kindness أَشْجىmost grief-bringing بائِنٍone departing
قَدْ بانَ بِالْمَعْرُوفِ أَشْجى بائِنٍ
وَنَعىand announced death إِلَيْناto us الجُودُgenerosity أَعْلىthe loftiest مَنْone who نُعيwas announced dead
وَنَعى إِلَيْنا الجُودُ أَعْلى مَنْ نُعي
He whose departure most grieves us has taken kindness with him,
Bringing spring to the renewal of spring
and generosity has announced the death of the loftiest ever mourned.
One day that delighted them will not make your enemies covet
غاضَdrained الْحِمامُdeath بِزاخِرٍa surging sea مُتَدَفِّقٍoverflowing
غاضَ الْحِمامُ بِزاخِرٍ مُتَدَفِّقٍ
وَهَوىand brought down الْحُسامُthe sword بِباذِخٍa lofty peak مُتَمَنِّعِunassailable
وَهَوى الْحُسامُ بِباذِخٍ مُتَمَنِّعِ
Death has drained a surging, overflowing sea,
For plotting is useless against your lofty aspiration
and the sword has felled a lofty, unassailable peak.
Vengeance is certain; in our hands white blades
منْfrom دَوْحَةِthe tree of الْحَسَبِlineage الْعَلِيِّexalted الْمُنْتَمىin descent
منْ دَوْحَةِ الْحَسَبِ الْعَلِيِّ الْمُنْتَمى
وَسُلالَةِand the stock of الْكَرَمِgenerosity الْغَزِيرِabundant الْمَنْبَعِat its source
وَسُلالَةِ الْكَرَمِ الْغَزِيرِ الْمَنْبَعِ
From the tree of lineage, exalted in descent,
Gleaming like flashes of lightning
and the stock of generosity, abundant at its source.
And swords plunging into the enemy's throats
إِنْif أَظْلَمَتْdarkened تِلْكَthat السَّماءُsky فَقَدْthen indeed خَلاbecame empty
إِنْ أَظْلَمَتْ تِلْكَ السَّماءُ فَقَدْ خَلا
مِنْof بَدْرِهاits full moon الأَبْهىbrightest مكانُthe place of الْمَطْلَعِrising
مِنْ بَدْرِها الأَبْهى مكانُ الْمَطْلَعِ
If that sky has darkened, then empty
Thirsty for the clarity of their blood
of its brightest full moon is the place of rising.
The time for the misleading world to take its course
أَوْor أَجْدَبَتْgrew barren تِلْكَthose الرِّباعُdwellings فَبَعْدَماthen after
أَوْ أَجْدَبَتْ تِلْكَ الرِّباعُ فَبَعْدَما
وَدَّعْتَyou bade farewell تَوْدِيعَthe farewell of الْغَمامِthe raincloud الْمُقْلِعِdeparting
وَدَّعْتَ تَوْدِيعَ الْغَمامِ الْمُقْلِعِ
Or if those dwellings have grown barren, it is after
And follow the perilous path, has come
you bade farewell like a departing raincloud.
Making amends for the misdeeds of past nights
أَعْزِزْhow grievous عَلَيَّto me بِمِثْلِthe like of فَقْدِكَlosing you هالِكاًdead
أَعْزِزْ عَلَيَّ بِمِثْلِ فَقْدِكَ هالِكاً
خَلَعَcast off الشَّبابَyouth وَبُرْدَهُand its mantle لَمْnot يَخْلَعِcast off
خَلَعَ الشَّبابَ وَبُرْدَهُ لَمْ يَخْلَعِ
How grievous to me is losing one like you, dead,
And repenting its grave transgressions
who cast off youth while still wearing its mantle.
Does it shock you that time betrayed you,
لَوْif أُمْهِلَتْwere granted time تِلْكَthose الشَّمائِلُqualities لَمْnot تَفَزْattain
لَوْ أُمْهِلَتْ تِلْكَ الشَّمائِلُ لَمْ تَفَزْ
يَوْماًever بِأَغْرَبَanything more wondrous مِنْthan عُلاكَyour eminence وَأَبْدَعِand more marvelous
يَوْماً بِأَغْرَبَ مِنْ عُلاكَ وَأَبْدَعِ
Had those qualities been granted more time, they would never attain
Leading you astray so long in its confusing labyrinth?
anything more wondrous or marvelous than your eminence.
Why not, when zeal for the faith seized you all
قُلْtell لِيme لأَيfor which فَضِيلَةٍvirtue لَمْnot تُبْكِنِيyou made me weep
قُلْ لِي لأَي فَضِيلَةٍ لَمْ تُبْكِنِي
إِنْif كانَwas قَلْبِيmy heart ماnot بَكاكَwept for you وَمَدْمَعِيand my tearful eye
إِنْ كانَ قَلْبِي ما بَكاكَ وَمَدْمَعِي
Tell me: for which virtue have you not made me weep,
With resolves to delve deeply into its principles?
if my heart and tearful eyes did not weep for you?
And on the morn of Al-Ulā, which quenched your thirst
لِجَمالِكَfor your beauty الْمَشْهُورِrenowned أَمْor لِكَمالِكَfor your perfection الْthe
لِجَمالِكَ الْمَشْهُورِ أَمْ لِكَمالِكَ الْ
مَذْكورِcelebrated أَمْor لِنَوالِكَfor your bounty الْمُتَبَرِّعِfreely bestowed
مَذْكورِ أَمْ لِنَوالِكَ الْمُتَبَرِّعِ
For your renowned beauty, or your perfection,
With the white of pure sword-play
so celebrated, or your freely bestowed bounty?
Draw not near, lest a fateful calamity
ماnot خالَفَopposed الإِجْماعَthe consensus فِيكَconcerning you مَقالَتِيmy statement
ما خالَفَ الإِجْماعَ فِيكَ مَقالَتِي
فَأُقِيمَso I should offer بَيِّنَةًevidence عَلَىfor ماwhat أَدَّعِيI claim
فَأُقِيمَ بَيِّنَةً عَلَى ما أَدَّعِي
What I say of you has never opposed the common judgment,
Establish truth where it was rejected
that I should have to offer proof for what I claim.
Weapons that did not spare you will not be detained
أَيُضَيِّعُwill neglect? الْفِتْيانُthe young men عَهْدَكَyour pledge إِنَّهُindeed it
أَيُضَيِّعُ الْفِتْيانُ عَهْدَكَ إِنَّهُ
ماnot كنَwas عِنْدَكَin your keeping عَهْدُهُمْtheir pledge بِمُضَيَّعِneglected
ما كنَ عِنْدَكَ عَهْدُهُمْ بِمُضَيَّعِ
Will the young men neglect their pledge to you? Indeed,
And prey that escaped you will not be hunted
their pledge was never neglected in your keeping.
O best of those named and most benevolent of those sought
قَدْindeed كُنْتَyou were أَمْرَعَهمْmost fertile of them لِمُرْتادِfor the seeker of النَّدىbounty
قَدْ كُنْتَ أَمْرَعَهمْ لِمُرْتادِ النَّدى
كَفاًin hand وَأَسْرَعَهُمْand swiftest of them إِلىto الْمُسْتَفْزِعِone calling for help
كَفاً وَأَسْرَعَهُمْ إِلى الْمُسْتَفْزِعِ
For seekers of bounty, yours was the most fertile
Most righteous of those summoned and noblest called
hand, and you were the swiftest to answer a cry for help.
Though the affliction was immense, neither impatience
حَلِيَتْwere adorned مَجالِسُهُمْtheir gatherings بِذِكْرِكَwith your memory وَحْدَهُalone
حَلِيَتْ مَجالِسُهُمْ بِذِكْرِكَ وَحْدَهُ
وَعَطَلْنَand were bereft مِنْof ذاكَthat الأَبِيِّproud one الأَرْوَعِsplendid one
وَعَطَلْنَ مِنْ ذاكَ الأَبِيِّ الأَرْوَعِ
Their gatherings are adorned now only by your memory,
Nor submission lessen it
and bereft of that proud, splendid man.
Your legacy remains a realized gift
وَالدَّهْرُand time يَقْطَعُsevers بَعْدَafter طُولِlong تَواصُلٍconnection
وَالدَّهْرُ يَقْطَعُ بَعْدَ طُولِ تَواصُلٍ
وَيُشِتُّand scatters بَعْدَafter تَلاؤُمٍharmony وَتَجَمُّعِand gathering
وَيُشِتُّ بَعْدَ تَلاؤُمٍ وَتَجَمُّعِ
Time severs after long connection,
Through gratitude, when people and flocks were watered
and scatters after harmony and gathering.
You knew, though you had no teacher
قُبْحاًshame لِعادِيَةٍupon a calamity رَمَتْكَstruck you فَإِنَّهاfor it
قُبْحاً لِعادِيَةٍ رَمَتْكَ فَإِنَّها
عَدَتِbypassed الذَلِيلَthe lowly إِلىfor الأَعَزِّthe mightiest الأَمْنَعِmost invulnerable
عَدَتِ الذَلِيلَ إِلى الأَعَزِّ الأَمْنَعِ
Shame upon the calamity that struck you, for it
That grief and passion offer no respite
bypassed the lowly for the mightiest and most invulnerable.
Who but you worries over news?
ماnot كُنْتُI was أَحْسِبُimagining أَنَّthat ضَيْماًoppression واصِلٌreaching
ما كُنْتُ أَحْسِبُ أَنَّ ضَيْماً واصِلٌ
بِيَدِby the hand of الدَّنِيَّthe base man إِلىto الشَّرِيفِthe noble الأَرْفَعِloftiest
بِيَدِ الدَّنِيَّ إِلى الشَّرِيفِ الأَرْفَعِ
I never imagined that oppression would reach
And who but you carries the burdens of the anguished?
the loftiest noble through a base man's hand.
The world yielded to you like the fairest garden
قَدَرٌfate تَرَفَّعَrose high يَوْمَon the day of رُزْثِكَyour loss هَمُّهُits ambition
قَدَرٌ تَرَفَّعَ يَوْمَ رُزْثِكَ هَمُّهُ
فَرَمىso it shot إِلىtoward الْغَرَضِthe target الْبَعِيدِdistant الْمَنْزَعِin reach
فَرَمى إِلى الْغَرَضِ الْبَعِيدِ الْمَنْزَعِ
Fate's ambition rose high on the day of your loss,
Whose gentle breeze spreads its fragrance
and it shot toward a target of distant reach.
The abode of your glory remains endless
كَيْفَhow الْغِلابُprevailing وَكَيْفَand how بَطْشُكَyour assault واحِداًalone
كَيْفَ الْغِلابُ وَكَيْفَ بَطْشُكَ واحِداً
فَرْداًsingle-handed وَأَنْتَwhile you مِنَamong الْعِدىthe foes فِيin مَجْمَعِa throng
فَرْداً وَأَنْتَ مِنَ الْعِدى فِي مَجْمَعِ
How could you prevail, how wield your might, alone,
Your protective flock forever undisturbed
single-handed, amid a throng of foes?
None longing for peace attains it
عَزَّwas difficult الدِّفاعُdefense وَماand not عَدِمْتَyou lacked مُدافِعاًa defender
عَزَّ الدِّفاعُ وَما عَدِمْتَ مُدافِعاً
لَوْلاbut for مَقادِرُdecrees ماnot لَهاagainst them مِنْany مَدْفَعِdefense
لَوْلا مَقادِرُ ما لَها مِنْ مَدْفَعِ
Defense was hard, though you would not have lacked a defender,
Nor does the settled find stability in aspirations
but for decrees that no one can repel.
If we come upon bliss, the least of parting's sorrows
وَلَقَدْand indeed لَقِيتَyou met الْمَوْتَdeath يَوْمَon the day لَقِيتَهُyou met it
وَلَقَدْ لَقِيتَ الْمَوْتَ يَوْمَ لَقِيتَهُ
كَرَماًnobly بِأَنْجَدَwith one more valiant مِنْهُthan it ثَمَّthere وَأَشْجَعِand braver
كَرَماً بِأَنْجَدَ مِنْهُ ثَمَّ وَأَشْجَعِ
You met death, on the day you met it,
Is loss of our joy in it
nobly, more valiant there and braver than death.
عِفْتَyou scorned الدَّنِيَّةَdisgrace وَالْمَنِيَّةُand death دُونَهاlesser than it
عِفْتَ الدَّنِيَّةَ وَالْمَنِيَّةُ دُونَها
فَشَرعْتَso you plunged فِيamong حَدِّthe points of الرِّماحِthe spears الشُّرَّعِleveled
فَشَرعْتَ فِي حَدِّ الرِّماحِ الشُّرَّعِ
You scorned disgrace, with death preferable to it,
and plunged among the points of leveled spears.
وَلَوand if أنَّكَyou اخْتَرتَhad chosen الأَمانَsafety وَجَدْتَهُyou would have found it
وَلَو أنَّكَ اخْتَرتَ الأَمانَ وَجَدْتَهُ
أَنىhow? وَخَدُّwhen the cheek of اللَّيْثِthe lion لَيْسَis not بِأَضْرَعِsubmissive
أَنى وَخَدُّ اللَّيْثِ لَيْسَ بِأَضْرَعِ
Had you chosen safety, you would have found it—
but how, when a lion never bows its cheek?
مَنْwhoever كانَwas مِثْلَكَlike you لَمْnot يَمُتْdies إِلاّexcept لقىًcast down dead
مَنْ كانَ مِثْلَكَ لَمْ يَمُتْ إِلاّ لقىً
بَيْنَamong الصَّوارِمِthe sharp swords وَالْقَناand the spears الْمُتَقَطِّعِsplintered
بَيْنَ الصَّوارِمِ وَالْقَنا الْمُتَقَطِّعِ
One like you could die only cast down
among sharp swords and splintered spears.
جادَتْكَmay rain upon you وَاكِفَةُstreaming الدُّمُوعِtears وَلَمْand not تَكُنْwould be
جادَتْكَ وَاكِفَةُ الدُّمُوعِ وَلَمْ تَكُنْ
لَولاكَbut for you مُخْجِلَةَputting to shame الْغُيُومِthe clouds الْهُمَّعِpouring
لَولاكَ مُخْجِلَةَ الْغُيُومِ الْهُمَّعِ
May streaming tears rain upon you; they would not
but for you have put pouring clouds to shame.
وَبَكاكَand may weep for you مَنْهَلُّthe downpour of الْغَمامِthe clouds فَإِنَّهُfor it
وَبَكاكَ مَنْهَلُّ الْغَمامِ فَإِنَّهُ
ماnot كانَwas مِنْكَthan you إِلىto السَّماحِgenerosity بِأَسْرَعِswifter
ما كانَ مِنْكَ إِلى السَّماحِ بِأَسْرَعِ
May the clouds' downpour weep for you, for it
was never swifter to give than you.
وتَعَهَّدَتْand may tend مَغْناكَyour resting place سارِيَةٌa night-traveling raincloud مَتىwhenever
وتَعَهَّدَتْ مَغْناكَ سارِيَةٌ مَتى
تَذْهَبْit departs تَعُدْit returns وَمَتىand whenever تُفارِقْit leaves تَرْجِعِit comes back
تَذْهَبْ تَعُدْ وَمَتى تُفارِقْ تَرْجِعِ
May a night-traveling raincloud tend your resting place; whenever
it departs, may it return, and whenever it leaves, come back.
تَغْشاكَmay cover you تائِقَةًlonging تَزُورُvisiting وَتَنْثَنِيand returning
تَغْشاكَ تائِقَةً تَزُورُ وَتَنْثَنِي
بِمُسَلِّمٍwith one greeting مِنْfrom مُزْنِهاits rainclouds وَمُوَدِّعِand one bidding farewell
بِمُسَلِّمٍ مِنْ مُزْنِها وَمُوَدِّعِ
May it cover you in longing, visiting and returning,
with a greeter from its rainclouds, and one bidding farewell.
تَحْبُوكَgifts you مَوْشِيَّembroidered الرِّياضِgardens وَإِنَّماand merely
تَحْبُوكَ مَوْشِيَّ الرِّياضِ وَإِنَّما
تهْدِيoffers الرَّبيعَspring إِلىto الرّبِيعِspring الْمُمْرِعِfertile
تهْدِي الرَّبيعَ إِلى الرّبِيعِ الْمُمْرِعِ
May it gift you embroidered gardens; it merely
offers spring to a fertile spring.
لاlet not يُطمِعِembolden الأَعداءَthe enemies يَوْمٌa day سَرَّهُمْpleased them
لا يُطمِعِ الأَعداءَ يَوْمٌ سَرَّهُمْ
إِنَّindeed الرَّدىdeath فِيwithin طَيِّthe folds of ذاكَthat الْمَطْمَعِhope
إِنَّ الرَّدى فِي طَيِّ ذاكَ الْمَطْمَعِ
Let no day that pleased the enemies embolden them:
death is folded within that hope.
الثَّأْرُvengeance مَضْمُونٌassured وَفِيand in أَيْمانِناour right hands
الثَّأْرُ مَضْمُونٌ وَفِي أَيْمانِنا
بِيضٌbright swords كخاطِفَةِlike a flash of الْبُرُوقِlightning bolts اللُّمَّعِflashing
بِيضٌ كخاطِفَةِ الْبُرُوقِ اللُّمَّعِ
Vengeance is assured, and in our right hands
are bright swords like flashing streaks of lightning.
وَذَوابِلٌand slender spears تَهْوِيrush إِلىtoward ثُغَرِthe openings of الْعِدىthe enemies
وَذَوابِلٌ تَهْوِي إِلى ثُغَرِ الْعِدى
تَوْقَwith the longing of الْعِطاشِthe thirsty إِلىfor صَفاءِthe clarity of الْمَشْرَعِthe watering place
تَوْقَ الْعِطاشِ إِلى صَفاءِ الْمَشْرَعِ
And slender spears rush toward the enemy's openings,
with the thirsty one's longing for the clear watering place.
قَدْindeed آنَit is time لِلدَّهْرِfor the age الْمُضِلِّthat loses سَبيلَهُits way
قَدْ آنَ لِلدَّهْرِ الْمُضِلِّ سَبيلَهُ
أَنْto يَسْتَقِيمَstraighten عَلىonto الطَّرِيقِthe road الْمَهْيَعِbroad and clear
أَنْ يَسْتَقِيمَ عَلى الطَّرِيقِ الْمَهْيَعِ
It is time for the age that has lost its way
to straighten onto the broad, clear road,
مُسْتَدْرِكاًcorrecting غَلَطَthe mistake of اللَّيالِيthe nights فِيكُمُconcerning you all
مُسْتَدْرِكاً غَلَطَ اللَّيالِي فِيكُمُ
مُتَنَصِّلاًdisowning مِنْtheir جُرْمِهاcrime الْمُسْتَفْظَعِatrocious
مُتَنَصِّلاً مِنْ جُرْمِها الْمُسْتَفْظَعِ
correcting the nights' mistake concerning you,
and disowning their atrocious crime.
أَفَغَرَّكُمْdid it then deceive you? أَنَّthat الزَّمانَtime أَجَرَّكُمْgave you rein
أَفَغَرَّكُمْ أَنَّ الزَّمانَ أَجَرَّكُمْ
طِوَلاًa long tether بِغَيِّكُمُin your error الْوَخِيمِdeadly الْمَرْتَعِin pasture
طِوَلاً بِغَيِّكُمُ الْوَخِيمِ الْمَرْتَعِ
Did time's giving you rein deceive you,
a long tether in your error's deadly pasture?
هَلاّwhy not? وَمَجْدُand Majd الدِّينِal-Din قَدْindeed عَصَفَتْswept away بِكُمْyou
هَلاّ وَمَجْدُ الدِّينِ قَدْ عَصَفَتْ بِكُمْ
عَزَماتُهُhis resolves بِالْغَوْرِin al-Ghawr عَصْفَlike the sweep of الزَّعْزَعِa raging gale
عَزَماتُهُ بِالْغَوْرِ عَصْفَ الزَّعْزَعِ
Why not recall how Majd al-Din's
resolves swept you in al-Ghawr like a raging gale,
وَغَداةَand the morning of عَلْعالَʿAlʿāl الَّتِيwhich رَوّتْكُمُmade you drink
وَغَداةَ عَلْعالَ الَّتِي رَوّتْكُمُ
بِالْبِيضِwith bright swords مِنْfrom سَمِّthe poison of الضِّرابِsword blows الْمُنْقَعِsteeped
بِالْبِيضِ مِنْ سَمِّ الضِّرابِ الْمُنْقَعِ
and the morning at ʿAlʿāl that made you drink
from bright swords the steeped poison of blows?
لاnever تَأْمَنُنَّfeel safe صَرِيمَةًa firm resolve عَضْبِيَّةًsword-sharp
لا تَأْمَنُنَّ صَرِيمَةً عَضْبِيَّةً
مِنْfrom أَنْthat تُقِيمَit establishes الْحَقَّjustice عِنْدَat الْمَقْطَعِthe decisive point
مِنْ أَنْ تُقِيمَ الْحَقَّ عِنْدَ الْمَقْطَعِ
Never feel safe from a sword-sharp resolve
establishing justice at the decisive moment,
بِقَناًwith spears لِغَيْرِfor nothing but رِداكُمُyour destruction لَمْnot تُعْتَقَلْwere couched
بِقَناً لِغَيْرِ رِداكُمُ لَمْ تُعْتَقَلْ
وَظُبىًand blades لِغَيْرِfor nothing but بَوارِكُمْyour ruin لَمْnot تُطْبَعِwere forged
وَظُبىً لِغَيْرِ بَوارِكُمْ لَمْ تُطْبَعِ
with spears never couched except for your destruction,
and blades forged for nothing but your ruin.
ياO خَيْرَbest مَنْof those سُمِّيnamed وَأَكْرَمَand most generous مَنْof those رُجِيlooked to
يا خَيْرَ مَنْ سُمِّي وَأَكْرَمَ مَنْ رُجِي
وَأَبَرَّand most dutiful مَنْof those نُودِيcalled وَأَشْرَفَand noblest مَنْof those دُعِيinvoked
وَأَبَرَّ مَنْ نُودِي وَأَشْرَفَ مَنْ دُعِي
O best of all named, most generous of all looked to,
most dutiful of those called, noblest of those invoked,
إِنّاindeed we وَإِنْalthough عَظُمَgrew great الْمُصابُthe affliction فَلاneither الأَسىgrief
إِنّا وَإِنْ عَظُمَ الْمُصابُ فَلا الأَسى
فِيهِin it الْعَصِيُّrebellious ولاnor السَّلُّوُforgetting بِطَيِّعِcompliant
فِيهِ الْعَصِيُّ ولا السَّلُّوُ بِطَيِّعِ
Though our affliction is great, our grief
is not rebellious, yet forgetting will not obey.
لَنَرىsurely we see بَقاءَكَyour survival نِعْمَةًa blessing مَحْقُوقَةًdeserving
لَنَرى بَقاءَكَ نِعْمَةً مَحْقُوقَةً
بِالشُّكْرِof thanks ماas long as سُقِيَis given drink الأَنامُhumankind وماand as long as رُعِيis tended
بِالشُّكْرِ ما سُقِيَ الأَنامُ وما رُعِي
We surely see your survival as a blessing deserving
thanks as long as humankind is watered and tended.
ولَقَدْand indeed عَلِمْتَyou knew وَلَمْand not تَكُنْyou were بِمُعَلَّمٍone taught
ولَقَدْ عَلِمْتَ وَلَمْ تَكُنْ بِمُعَلَّمٍ
أَنَّthat الأَسىsorrow وَالْوَجْدَand anguish لَيْسَis not بِمُنْجِعِremedial
أَنَّ الأَسى وَالْوَجْدَ لَيْسَ بِمُنْجِعِ
You have known, without having to be taught,
that sorrow and anguish bring no remedy.
هَيْهاتَfar be it! غَيْرُكَsomeone other than you مَنْone who يَضِيقُis constricted بِحادِثٍby a calamity
هَيْهاتَ غَيْرُكَ مَنْ يَضِيقُ بِحادِثٍ
وَسِواكَand someone besides you مَنْone who يَعْيىtires بِحَمْلِunder the burden of الْمُضْلِعِthe crushing load
وَسِواكَ مَنْ يَعْيى بِحَمْلِ الْمُضْلِعِ
Far be it! It is another, not you, whom calamity constricts,
someone other than you who tires beneath a crushing burden.
دانتْyielded لَكَto you الدُّنْياthe world كَأَحْسَنِlike the loveliest رَوْضَةٍgarden
دانتْ لَكَ الدُّنْيا كَأَحْسَنِ رَوْضَةٍ
شُعِفَwas enthralled النَّسِيمُthe breeze بِنَشْرِهاby its fragrance الْمُتَضَوِّعِwafting
شُعِفَ النَّسِيمُ بِنَشْرِها الْمُتَضَوِّعِ
The world has yielded to you like the loveliest garden,
whose wafting fragrance has enthralled the breeze.
لاmay not زالَcease رَبْعُthe precinct of عُلاكَyour glory غَيْرَnot مُعَطَّلٍinhabited
لا زالَ رَبْعُ عُلاكَ غَيْرَ مُعَطَّلٍ
أَبَداًever وَسِرْبُand the flock of حِماكَyour protected domain غَيْرَnot مُرَوَّعِalarmed
أَبَداً وَسِرْبُ حِماكَ غَيْرَ مُرَوَّعِ
May the precinct of your glory never stand deserted,
ever, nor the flock within your protection be alarmed,
ماas long as تاقَyearns ذُوone possessed of شَجَنٍgrief إِلىfor سَكَنٍa comforting companion وَماand as long as
ما تاقَ ذُو شَجَنٍ إِلى سَكَنٍ وَما
وَجَدَfeels الْمُقِيمُthe one staying عَلاقَةًattachment بِالْمُزْمِعِto one resolved to leave
وَجَدَ الْمُقِيمُ عَلاقَةً بِالْمُزْمِعِ
as long as one in grief yearns for a comforting companion, and as long as
one who stays feels affection for one resolved to leave.
Partial English translation: 197 of 250 Arabic lines translated.
Sol 6.1