خُذاtake, you two مِنْfrom صَباthe east wind of نَجْدٍNajd أَماناًsafe-conduct لِقَلْبِهِfor his heart
خُذا مِنْ صَبا نَجْدٍ أَماناً لِقَلْبِهِ
فَقَدْfor indeed كادَnearly رَيّاهاits fragrance يَطِيرُflies away بِلُبِّهِwith his reason
فَقَدْ كادَ رَيّاها يَطِيرُ بِلُبِّهِ
You two, obtain safe-conduct from Najd's east wind for his heart;
for its fragrance has nearly carried his reason away.
وَإِيَاكُماand beware, you two ذاكَthat النَّسِيمَbreeze فَإِنَّهُfor it
وَإِيَاكُما ذاكَ النَّسِيمَ فَإِنَّهُ
إِذاwhen هَبَّit blows كانَis الْوَجْدُpassion أَيْسَرُthe least of خَطْبِهِhis ordeals
إِذا هَبَّ كانَ الْوَجْدُ أَيْسَرُ خَطْبِهِ
And you two, beware that breeze, for
when it blows, yearning is the least of his ordeals.
خَلِيلَيَّmy two friends لَوْif أَحْبَبْتُماyou two had loved لَعلِمْتُماyou two would know
خَلِيلَيَّ لَوْ أَحْبَبْتُما لَعلِمْتُما
مَحَلَّthe sway of الْهَوىlove مِنْover مُغْرَمِan enamored one الْقَلْبِthe heart صَبِّهِits ardent lover
مَحَلَّ الْهَوى مِنْ مُغْرَمِ الْقَلْبِ صَبِّهِ
My two friends, had you loved, you would have known
the sway love holds over an ardently enamored heart.
تَذَكَّرَhe remembered وَالذِّكْرىand remembrance تُشُوقُstirs longing وَذُوand one possessed of الْهَوىlove
تَذَكَّرَ وَالذِّكْرى تُشُوقُ وَذُو الْهَوى
يَتُوقُyearns وَمَنْand whoever يَعْلَقْclings بِهِto him الْحُبُّlove يُصْبِهِmakes him lovesick
يَتُوقُ وَمَنْ يَعْلَقْ بِهِ الْحُبُّ يُصْبِهِ
He remembered—and remembrance stirs longing—and the lover
yearns; whomever love clings to, it makes lovesick.
غَرامٌpassion عَلَىdespite يَأْسِthe despair of الْهَوىlove وَرَجائِهِand its hope
غَرامٌ عَلَى يَأْسِ الْهَوى وَرَجائِهِ
وَشَوْقٌand longing عَلىdespite بُعْدِthe remoteness of الْمَزارِthe meeting place وَقُرْبِهِand its nearness
وَشَوْقٌ عَلى بُعْدِ الْمَزارِ وَقُرْبِهِ
Passion through love's despair and hope,
and longing, whether the meeting place is far or near.
وَفِيand among الرَّكْبِthe riders مَطْوِيُّfolded الضُّلُوعِthe ribs عَلَىover جَوىًburning grief
وَفِي الرَّكْبِ مَطْوِيُّ الضُّلُوعِ عَلَى جَوىً
مَتىwhenever يَدْعُهُcalls him داعِيthe herald of الْغَرامِpassion يُلَبِّهِhe answers him
مَتى يَدْعُهُ داعِي الْغَرامِ يُلَبِّهِ
Among the riders is one whose ribs enfold burning grief;
whenever passion's herald calls him, he answers.
إِذاwhen خطَرْتَwafts مِنْfrom جانِبِthe side of الرَّمْلِthe sands نَفْحَةٌa breath
إِذا خطَرْتَ مِنْ جانِبِ الرَّمْلِ نَفْحَةٌ
تَضَمَّنَhe harbors مِنْهاfrom it داءَهُhis illness دُونَapart from صَحْبِهِhis companions
تَضَمَّنَ مِنْها داءَهُ دُونَ صَحْبِهِ
When a breath wafts from the sandy tract,
he alone among his companions takes its sickness into himself.
وَمُحْتَجِبٍand a veiled one بَيْنَamong الأَسِنَّةِspearheads مُعْرِضٍturning away
وَمُحْتَجِبٍ بَيْنَ الأَسِنَّةِ مُعْرِضٍ
وَفِيand in الْقَلْبِthe heart مِنْfrom إِعْراضِهِhis turning away مِثْلُthe like of حُجْبِهِhis veiling
وَفِي الْقَلْبِ مِنْ إِعْراضِهِ مِثْلُ حُجْبِهِ
And many a beloved, screened by spearheads, turns away;
his turning away is, to the heart, like his veiling.
أَغارُI grow jealous إِذاwhen آنَسْتُI perceive فِيin الْحَيِّthe encampment أَنَّةًa groan
أَغارُ إِذا آنَسْتُ فِي الْحَيِّ أَنَّةً
حِذاراًin caution وَخَوْفاًand fear أَنْthat تَكُونَit might be لِحُبِّهِfor love of him
حِذاراً وَخَوْفاً أَنْ تَكُونَ لِحُبِّهِ
I grow jealous whenever I hear a groan in the encampment,
wary and afraid it may be for love of him.
وَيَوْمَand on the day of الرِّضىfavor وَالصَّبُّwhile the lover يَحْمِلُbears سُخْطَهُhis anger
وَيَوْمَ الرِّضى وَالصَّبُّ يَحْمِلُ سُخْطَهُ
بِقَلْبٍwith a heart ضَعِيفٍtoo weak عَنْfor تَحَمُّلِbearing عَتْبِهِhis reproach
بِقَلْبٍ ضَعِيفٍ عَنْ تَحَمُّلِ عَتْبِهِ
And on a day of favor, while the lover bore his anger
with a heart too weak to bear his reproach,
جَلالِيَhe revealed to me بَرّاقَgleaming الثَّناياfront teeth شَتِيتَهاtheir well-spaced array
جَلالِيَ بَرّاقَ الثَّنايا شَتِيتَها
وَحلأنِيand barred me عَنْfrom بارِدِthe coolness of الْوِرْدِthe watering place عَذْبِهِits sweetness
وَحلأنِي عَنْ بارِدِ الْوِرْدِ عَذْبِهِ
he showed me his gleaming, finely spaced front teeth,
yet barred me from the cool, sweet watering place.
كَأَنِّيَas though I لَمْnot أَقْصُرْshortened بِهِwith him اللَّيْلَthe night زائِراًas a visitor
كَأَنِّيَ لَمْ أَقْصُرْ بِهِ اللَّيْلَ زائِراً
تَحُولُintervenes يَدِيmy hand بَيْنَbetween الْمِهادِthe bedding وَجَنْبِهِand his side
تَحُولُ يَدِي بَيْنَ الْمِهادِ وَجَنْبِهِ
As though I had never shortened the night visiting him,
my hand coming between the bedding and his side;
وَلاnor ذُقْتُI tasted أمْناًsafety مِنْfrom سَرارِthe hush of حُجُولِهِhis anklets
وَلا ذُقْتُ أمْناً مِنْ سَرارِ حُجُولِهِ
وَلاnor ارْتَعْتُI trembled خَوْفاًin fear مِنْof نَمِيمَةِthe tattling of حَقْبِهِhis girdle
وَلا ارْتَعْتُ خَوْفاً مِنْ نَمِيمَةِ حَقْبِهِ
nor tasted safety in his anklets' silence,
nor trembled in fear at his girdle's tattling.
فَياalas لَسَقامِيfor my sickness مِنْfrom هَوىlove of مُتَجَنِّبٍone who shuns
فَيا لَسَقامِي مِنْ هَوى مُتَجَنِّبٍ
بَكىwept عاذِلاهُhis two reproachers رَحْمَةًin pity لِمُحِبِّهِfor his lover
بَكى عاذِلاهُ رَحْمَةً لِمُحِبِّهِ
Alas for my sickness from loving one who shuns me,
whose two reproachers wept in pity for his lover;
وَمِنْand from ساعَةٍan hour لِلْبَيْنِof parting غَيْرِnot حَمِيدَةٍpraiseworthy
وَمِنْ ساعَةٍ لِلْبَيْنِ غَيْرِ حَمِيدَةٍ
سَمَحْتُI gave freely بِطَلِّof the dew of الدَّمْعِtears فِيهاin it وَسَكْبِهِand their outpouring
سَمَحْتُ بِطَلِّ الدَّمْعِ فِيها وَسَكْبِهِ
and from an unhappy hour of parting,
when I freely shed tears, both dewdrops and torrents.
أَلاah لَيْتَwould that أَنِّيI لَمْnot تَحُلْintervened بَيْنَbetween حاجِرٍHajir
أَلا لَيْتَ أَنِّي لَمْ تَحُلْ بَيْنَ حاجِرٍ
وَبَيْنِيand me ذُرىthe summits of أَعْلامِthe heights of رَضْوىRadwa وَهَضْبِهِand its hills
وَبَيْنِي ذُرى أَعْلامِ رَضْوى وَهَضْبِهِ
Ah, I wish there did not stand between Hajir
and me the summits of Radwa's heights and hills.
وَلَيْتَand would that الرِّياحَthe winds الرّائِحاتِblowing at evening خَوالِصٌunhindered
وَلَيْتَ الرِّياحَ الرّائِحاتِ خَوالِصٌ
إِلَيَّto me وَلَوْeven if لاقَيْنَthey met قَلْبِيmy heart بِكَرْبِهِwith its anguish
إِلَيَّ وَلَوْ لاقَيْنَ قَلْبِي بِكَرْبِهِ
And would that the evening winds came unhindered
to me, even if they met my heart with anguish.
أَهِيمُI yearn إِلىtoward ماءٍwater بِبُرْقَةِat Burqat عاقِلٍʿAqil
أَهِيمُ إِلى ماءٍ بِبُرْقَةِ عاقِلٍ
ظَمِئْتُI grew thirsty عَلَىdespite طُولِthe length of الْوُرُودِvisiting the water بِشُرْبِهِthrough drinking it
ظَمِئْتُ عَلَى طُولِ الْوُرُودِ بِشُرْبِهِ
I yearn for water at Burqat ʿAqil;
drinking it leaves me thirsty, though I have long frequented it.
وَأسْتافُand I scent حُرَّthe purest of الرَّمْلِthe sand شَوْقاًin longing إِلىfor اللِّوىal-Liwa
وَأسْتافُ حُرَّ الرَّمْلِ شَوْقاً إِلى اللِّوى
وَقَدْand indeed أَوْدَعَتْنِيhave lodged in me السُّقْمَsickness قُضْبانُthe boughs of كثْبِهِits dunes
وَقَدْ أَوْدَعَتْنِي السُّقْمَ قُضْبانُ كثْبِهِ
I breathe the scent of pure sand, longing for al-Liwa,
whose dunes' slender boughs have lodged sickness in me.
وَلَسْتُand I am not عَلَىdespite وَجْدِيmy passion بِأَوَّلِthe first عاشِقٍlover
وَلَسْتُ عَلَى وَجْدِي بِأَوَّلِ عاشِقٍ
أَصابَتْstruck سِهامُthe arrows of الْحُبِّlove حَبَّةَthe core of قَلْبِهِhis heart
أَصابَتْ سِهامُ الْحُبِّ حَبَّةَ قَلْبِهِ
Despite my passion, I am not the first lover
whose heart's core love's arrows have struck.
صَبَرْتُI endured عَلَىunder وَعْكِthe fever of الزَّمانِtime وَقَدْand indeed أُرىI may be seen
صَبَرْتُ عَلَى وَعْكِ الزَّمانِ وَقَدْ أُرى
خَبِيراًwell versed بِداءِin the illness of الحادِثاتِmisfortunes وَطِبِّهِand its cure
خَبِيراً بِداءِ الحادِثاتِ وَطِبِّهِ
I endured time's fever, and may well be judged
versed in misfortunes' sickness and its cure.
وَأَعْرَضْتُand I turned away عَنْfrom غُرِّthe radiant ones of الْقَوافِيrhymes وَمَنْطِقِيthough my speech
وَأَعْرَضْتُ عَنْ غُرِّ الْقَوافِي وَمَنْطِقِي
مَلِيءٌrich لِمُرْتادِfor the seeker of الْكَلامِspeech بِخِصْبِهِin its fertility
مَلِيءٌ لِمُرْتادِ الْكَلامِ بِخِصْبِهِ
I turned away from radiant rhymes, though my speech
is rich in fertile bounty for seekers of words.
وَماand not عَزَّwas beyond نِيme لَوْhad شِئْتُI wished مَلْكٌa king مُهَذَبُrefined
وَما عَزَّ نِي لَوْ شِئْتُ مَلْكٌ مُهَذَبُ
يَرىhe considers أَنَّthat صَوْنَwithholding الْحَمْدِpraise عَنْهُfrom him كَسَبِّهِlike reviling him
يَرى أَنَّ صَوْنَ الْحَمْدِ عَنْهُ كَسَبِّهِ
Nor, had I wished, was a refined king beyond my reach,
who deems praise withheld from him the same as abuse.
لَقَدْindeed طالَماhow often هَوَّمْتُI dozed فِيin سِنَةِthe drowsiness of الْكَرىsleep
لَقَدْ طالَما هَوَّمْتُ فِي سِنَةِ الْكَرى
وَلاand no بُدَّescape لِيfor me مِنْfrom يَقْظَةِthe wakefulness of الْمُتَنَبِّهِone aroused
وَلا بُدَّ لِي مِنْ يَقْظَةِ الْمُتَنَبِّهِ
Long indeed have I drifted in sleep's drowsiness,
and I must awaken to full awareness.
سأَلْقىI shall face بِعَضْبِwith the Sword of الدَّوْلَةِthe State الدَّهْرَtime واثِقاًconfident
سأَلْقى بِعَضْبِ الدَّوْلَةِ الدَّهْرَ واثِقاً
بِأَمْضىin one keener شَباًin edge مِنْthan باتِرِcleaving الْحَدِّthe edge عَضْبِهِhis sharp sword
بِأَمْضى شَباً مِنْ باتِرِ الْحَدِّ عَضْبِهِ
With ʿAdb al-Dawla I shall face time, trusting
an edge keener than his sharp, cleaving sword.
وَأَسْمُوand I rise عَنِbeyond الآمالِhopes هَمَّاًin purpose وَهِمَّةًand resolve
وَأَسْمُو عَنِ الآمالِ هَمَّاً وَهِمَّةً
سُمُوَّas rises جَمالِthe Beauty of الْمُلْكِKingship عَنْabove كُلِّevery مُشْبِهِwould-be peer
سُمُوَّ جَمالِ الْمُلْكِ عَنْ كُلِّ مُشْبِهِ
I rise beyond hopes in purpose and resolve,
as Jamal al-Mulk rises beyond every would-be peer.
هُوَhe الْملْكُthe king يَدْعُوcalls الْمُرْمِلِينَthe destitute سَماحُهُhis generosity
هُوَ الْملْكُ يَدْعُو الْمُرْمِلِينَ سَماحُهُ
إِلىto واسِعٍone broad in باعَreach of الْمَكارِمِnoble deeds رَحْبِهِample in it
إِلى واسِعٍ باعَ الْمَكارِمِ رَحْبِهِ
He is the king whose bounty calls the destitute
to one whose reach in noble giving is vast and ample.
يُعَنَّفُis reproached مَنْwhoever لَمْnot يَأْتِهِcomes to him يَوْمَon the day of جُودِهِhis giving
يُعَنَّفُ مَنْ لَمْ يَأْتِهِ يَوْمَ جُودِهِ
وَيُعْذَرُand is excused مَنْwhoever لَمْnot يَلْقَهُmeets him يَوْمَon the day of حَرْبِهِhis battle
وَيُعْذَرُ مَنْ لَمْ يَلْقَهُ يَوْمَ حَرْبِهِ
Whoever fails to come on his day of giving is reproached,
while whoever fails to face him on his day of battle is excused.
كَأَنِّيas though I إِذاwhen حَيَّيْتَهُI salute him بِصِفاتِهِwith his qualities
كَأَنِّي إِذا حَيَّيْتَهُ بِصِفاتِهِ
أَمُتُّclaim kinship إِلىwith بَدْرِthe full moon of السَّماءِthe sky بِشُهْبِهِthrough its meteors
أَمُتُّ إِلى بَدْرِ السَّماءِ بِشُهْبِهِ
When I salute him with his own qualities, I seem
to claim kinship with heaven's full moon through its meteors.
هُوَhe السَّيْفُthe sword يُغْشِيdazzles ناظِراًan onlooker عِنْدَupon سَلِّهِits drawing
هُوَ السَّيْفُ يُغْشِي ناظِراً عِنْدَ سَلِّهِ
بِهاءًin splendor وَيُرْضِيand pleases فاتِكاًa bold slayer يَوْمَon the day of ضَرْبِهِits striking
بِهاءً وَيُرْضِي فاتِكاً يَوْمَ ضَرْبِهِ
He is the sword that dazzles an onlooker when drawn
with splendor, and pleases a bold slayer when it strikes.
يَرُوقُdelights جَمالاًin beauty أَوْor يَرُوعُawes مَهابَةًin majesty
يَرُوقُ جَمالاً أَوْ يَرُوعُ مَهابَةً
كَصَفْحِlike the broad face of الْحُسامِthe sword الْمَشْرَفِيِّthe Mashrafi وَغَرْبِهِand its edge
كَصَفْحِ الْحُسامِ الْمَشْرَفِيِّ وَغَرْبِهِ
He delights through beauty or awes through majesty,
like a Mashrafi sword's broad blade and keen edge.
هُمامٌa high-hearted lord إِذاwhen أَجْرىhe races لِغايَةِtoward the goal of سُؤْدُدٍpreeminence
هُمامٌ إِذا أَجْرى لِغايَةِ سُؤْدُدٍ
أَضَلَّكَmakes you forget عَنْabout شَدِّthe gallop of الْجَوادِthe steed وَخَبِّهِand its trot
أَضَلَّكَ عَنْ شَدِّ الْجَوادِ وَخَبِّهِ
A high-hearted lord: when he races toward a goal of preeminence,
he leaves you oblivious to the charger's gallop and trot.
تَخَطّىhe strides إِلَيْهاtoward it وادِعاًat ease وَكَأَنَّهُas though he
تَخَطّى إِلَيْها وادِعاً وَكَأَنَّهُ
تَمَطّىmounted عَلَىon جُرْدِthe sleek steeds of الرِّهانِracing وَقُبِّهِand its lean ones
تَمَطّى عَلَى جُرْدِ الرِّهانِ وَقُبِّهِ
He strides toward it at ease, as though
mounted upon sleek, lean racing steeds.
وَماand not أَبَقٌAbaq إِلاbut حَياًlife-giving rain مُتَهَلِّلٌbeaming
وَما أَبَقٌ إِلا حَياً مُتَهَلِّلٌ
إِذاwhen جادَhe gives لَمْnot تُقْلِعْcease مَواطِرُthe downpours of سُحْبِهِhis clouds
إِذا جادَ لَمْ تُقْلِعْ مَواطِرُ سُحْبِهِ
Abaq is nothing but beaming, life-giving rain;
when he gives, the downpours of his clouds never cease.
أَغَرُّradiant غِياثٌa succor لِلأَنامِfor humankind وَعِصْمَةٌand a safeguard
أَغَرُّ غِياثٌ لِلأَنامِ وَعِصْمَةٌ
يُعاشُlife is sustained بِنُعْماهُby his bounty ويُحْمىand protection is given بِذَبِّهِby his defense
يُعاشُ بِنُعْماهُ ويُحْمى بِذَبِّهِ
Radiant, a succor and safeguard for humankind:
his favors sustain life; his defense affords shelter.
يَقُولُونَthey say تِرْبٌa peer لِلْغَمامِof the raincloud وإِنَّماyet truly
يَقُولُونَ تِرْبٌ لِلْغَمامِ وإِنَّما
رَجاءُthe hope of الْغَمامِthe raincloud أَنْis to يُعَدَّbe counted كَتِرْبِهِas his peer
رَجاءُ الْغَمامِ أَنْ يُعَدَّ كَتِرْبِهِ
They call him the raincloud's peer; yet
the raincloud only hopes to be counted his peer.
فَتىًa man لَمْnot يَبِتْpasses the night وَالْمَجْدُwhile glory مِنْis among غَيْرِother than هَمِّهِhis concerns
فَتىً لَمْ يَبِتْ وَالْمَجْدُ مِنْ غَيْرِ هَمِّهِ
وَلَمْand not يَحْتَرِفْpursues a livelihood وَالْحَمْدُwhile praise مِنْis among غِيْرِother than كَسْبِهِhis earnings
وَلَمْ يَحْتَرِفْ وَالْحَمْدُ مِنْ غِيْرِ كَسْبِهِ
A man who never passed a night with glory outside his thoughts,
nor pursued a livelihood without praise among his gains.
وَلَمْand not يُرَis seen يَوْماًever راجِياًhoping in غَيْرَother than سَيْفِهِhis sword
وَلَمْ يُرَ يَوْماً راجِياً غَيْرَ سَيْفِهِ
وَلَمْand not يُرَis seen يَوْماًever خائِفاًfearing غَيْرَother than رَبِّهِhis Lord
وَلَمْ يُرَ يَوْماً خائِفاً غَيْرَ رَبِّهِ
Never was he seen placing hope in anything but his sword,
nor fearing anyone but his Lord.
تَنَزَّهَhe scorned عَنْto نَيْلِgain الْغِنىwealth بِضَراعَةٍthrough supplication
تَنَزَّهَ عَنْ نَيْلِ الْغِنى بِضَراعَةٍ
وَلَيْسَand is not طَعامُthe food of اللَّيْثِthe lion إِلاّexcept بِغَصْبِهِby his seizing it
وَلَيْسَ طَعامُ اللَّيْثِ إِلاّ بِغَصْبِهِ
He scorned acquiring wealth through supplication;
the lion wins his food only by seizing it.
أَلاindeed رُبَّmany a باغٍseeker كانَhe was حاسِمَthe ender of فَقْرِهِhis poverty
أَلا رُبَّ باغٍ كانَ حاسِمَ فَقْرِهِ
وَباغٍand an aggressor عَلَيْهِagainst him كانَhe was قاصِمَthe breaker of صُلْبِهِhis backbone
وَباغٍ عَلَيْهِ كانَ قاصِمَ صُلْبِهِ
Many a seeker has found him the ender of his poverty,
and many an aggressor against him, the breaker of his backbone.
وَيَومِand many a day of فَخارٍboasting قَدْindeed حَوىhe won خَصْلَthe prize of مَجْدِهِhis glory
وَيَومِ فَخارٍ قَدْ حَوى خَصْلَ مَجْدِهِ
وَأَعْداؤُهُwhile his enemies فِيماin what ادَّعاهُhe claimed كَحِزْبِهِwere like his supporters
وَأَعْداؤُهُ فِيما ادَّعاهُ كَحِزْبِهِ
And many a day of boasting he has won glory's prize,
his enemies supporting his claim like his own followers.
هُوَhe السَّيْفُthe sword لاnot تَلْقاهُyou meet him إِلاّexcept مُؤَهَّلاًready
هُوَ السَّيْفُ لا تَلْقاهُ إِلاّ مُؤَهَّلاً
لإيجابِto confer عِزٍّmight قاهِرٍoverpowering أَوْor لِسَلْبِهِto strip it away
لإيجابِ عِزٍّ قاهِرٍ أَوْ لِسَلْبِهِ
He is the sword, always ready when you meet him
to confer conquering might or to strip it away.
مِنَfrom الْقَوْمِthe people who راضَواtrained الدَّهْرَtime وَالدَّهْرُwhile time جامِحٌran wild
مِنَ الْقَوْمِ راضَوا الدَّهْرَ وَالدَّهْرُ جامِحٌ
فَراضُوهُso they tamed it حَتىuntil سَكَّنُواthey stilled حَدَّthe fierceness of شَغْبِهِits rebellion
فَراضُوهُ حَتى سَكَّنُوا حَدَّ شَغْبِهِ
He belongs to a people who schooled time when time ran wild,
and tamed it until they stilled its fierce rebellion.
بِحارٌseas إِذاwhen أَنْحَتْassail لَوازِبُthe persistent afflictions of مَحْلِهِits drought
بِحارٌ إِذا أَنْحَتْ لَوازِبُ مَحْلِهِ
جِبالٌmountains إِذاwhen هَبَّتْblow زَعازِعُthe gales of نُكْبِهِits disasters
جِبالٌ إِذا هَبَّتْ زَعازِعُ نُكْبِهِ
Seas, when time's relentless droughts assail;
mountains, when the gales of its disasters blow.
إِذاwhen وَهَبُواthey give جادَpours الْغَمامُthe raincloud بِصَوْبِهِwith its showers
إِذا وَهَبُوا جادَ الْغَمامُ بِصَوْبِهِ
وَإِنand if غَضِبُواthey rage جاءَcomes الْعَرِينُthe lions' lair بِغُلْبِهِwith its thick-necked lions
وَإِن غَضِبُوا جاءَ الْعَرِينُ بِغُلْبِهِ
When they bestow, the raincloud pours its showers;
when they rage, the lair brings forth its thick-necked lions.
إِذاif ماever وَرَدْتَyou reach اْعِزَّglory يَوْماًone day بِنَصْرِهِمْthrough their support
إِذا ما وَرَدْتَ اْعِزَّ يَوْماً بِنَصْرِهِمْ
أَمَلَّكَit wearies you مِنْwith رَشْفِsipping النَّمِيرِsweet water وَعَبِّهِand gulping it
أَمَلَّكَ مِنْ رَشْفِ النَّمِيرِ وَعَبِّهِ
If one day you reach glory through their support,
it gives you sweet water to sip and gulp until you tire.
أَجابَكَanswers you خَطِّيُّKhatti الْوَشِيجِspearwood بِلُدْنِهِwith its supple shafts
أَجابَكَ خَطِّيُّ الْوَشِيجِ بِلُدْنِهِ
وَلَبّاكَand responds to you هِنْدِيُّIndian الْحَدِيدِsteel بِقُضْبِهِwith its blades
وَلَبّاكَ هِنْدِيُّ الْحَدِيدِ بِقُضْبِهِ
Khatti spearwood answers you with its supple shafts,
and Indian steel responds with its blades.
أُعِيدَwas restored لَهُمْto them مَجْدٌglory عَلَىdespite الدَّهْرِtime بَعْدَماafter
أُعِيدَ لَهُمْ مَجْدٌ عَلَى الدَّهْرِ بَعْدَما
مَضىit carried away بِقَبِيلِthe tribe of الْمَجْدِglory مِنْهُمْfrom among them وَشَعْبِهِand its clan
مَضى بِقَبِيلِ الْمَجْدِ مِنْهُمْ وَشَعْبِهِ
Glory was restored to them in defiance of time, after it
had swept away glory's tribe and clan from among them,
بِأرْوَعَby an awe-inspiring lord لاnot تَعْياyou are defeated لَدَيْهِwith him بِمَطْلَبٍin any quest
بِأرْوَعَ لا تَعْيا لَدَيْهِ بِمَطْلَبٍ
سِوىexcept شَكْلِهِhis equal فِيamong الْعالَمِينَall people وَضَرْبِهِand his kind
سِوى شَكْلِهِ فِي الْعالَمِينَ وَضَرْبِهِ
by an awe-inspiring lord with whom no quest defeats you,
except seeking his equal or his kind among all people.
تُرَوِّضُmake a garden of قَبْلَbefore الرَّوْضِgardens أَخْلاقُهُhis virtues الثَّرىthe soil
تُرَوِّضُ قَبْلَ الرَّوْضِ أَخْلاقُهُ الثَّرى
وَتَبْعَثُand bring forth قَبْلَbefore السُّكْرِintoxication سُكْراًrapture لِشَرْبِهِfor his drinking companions
وَتَبْعَثُ قَبْلَ السُّكْرِ سُكْراً لِشَرْبِهِ
Before gardens bloom, his virtues make the soil a garden,
and bring his drinking companions rapture before intoxication.
وَتَفْخُرُand boasts دارٌa dwelling حَلَّهاhe inhabited بِمٌقامِهِof his stay
وَتَفْخُرُ دارٌ حَلَّها بِمٌقامِهِ
وَتَشْرُفُand gains honor أَرْضٌa land مَرَّhe passed فِيهاthrough it بِرَكْبِهِwith his cavalcade
وَتَشْرُفُ أَرْضٌ مَرَّ فِيها بِرَكْبِهِ
A dwelling he inhabits boasts of his stay,
and land his cavalcade crosses gains honor.
وَلَمّاand when دَعَتْهُcalled him عَنْaway from دِمَشْقَDamascus عَزِيمَةٌa resolve
وَلَمّا دَعَتْهُ عَنْ دِمَشْقَ عَزِيمَةٌ
أَبىhe refused أَنْthat يُخِلَّshould forsake الْبَدْرُthe full moon فِيهاthere بِقُطْبِهِits pole
أَبى أَنْ يُخِلَّ الْبَدْرُ فِيها بِقُطْبِهِ
When a resolve called him away from Damascus,
he refused to let the full moon forsake its pole there.
تَرَحَّلَhe departed عَنْهاfrom it فَهْيَand it was كاسِفَةٌeclipsed لَهُfor him
تَرَحَّلَ عَنْها فَهْيَ كاسِفَةٌ لَهُ
وَعادَand he returned إِلَيْهاto it فَهْيَand it was مُشْرِقَةٌradiant بِهِwith him
وَعادَ إِلَيْها فَهْيَ مُشْرِقَةٌ بِهِ
He departed from it, leaving it eclipsed;
he returned to it, and it shone with him.
وَإِنَّand indeed مَحَلاًa place أُوطِئَتْهُwere made to tread it جِيادُهُhis steeds
وَإِنَّ مَحَلاً أُوطِئَتْهُ جِيادُهُ
لَحَقَsurely incumbent عَلَىupon الأَفْواهِmouths تَقْبِيلُis kissing تُرْبِهِits dust
لَحَقَ عَلَى الأَفْواهِ تَقْبِيلُ تُرْبِهِ
Indeed, a place his steeds have trodden
has a rightful claim that mouths should kiss its dust.
رَأَيْتُكَI saw you بَيْنَbetween الْحَزْمِresolve وَالْجُودِand generosity قائِماًstanding
رَأَيْتُكَ بَيْنَ الْحَزْمِ وَالْجُودِ قائِماً
مَقامَin the station of فَتىthe champion of الْمَجْدِglory الصَّمِيمِthe true-born وَنَدْبِهِand its noble lord
مَقامَ فَتى الْمَجْدِ الصَّمِيمِ وَنَدْبِهِ
I saw you standing between resolve and generosity,
in the station of glory's true-born champion and noble lord.
فَمِنْthus, with غِبِّthe intervals of رَأْيٍjudgment لاnot تُساءُyou are grieved بِوِرْدِهِby its arrival
فَمِنْ غِبِّ رَأْيٍ لا تُساءُ بِوِرْدِهِ
وَمِنْand with وِرْدِthe constant coming of جُودٍgenerosity لاnot تُسَرُّyou are pleased بِغِبِّهِby its absence
وَمِنْ وِرْدِ جُودٍ لا تُسَرُّ بِغِبِّهِ
With measured judgment whose coming does not grieve you,
and constant generosity whose absence does not please you.
وَلَمّاand when اسْتَطالَgrew overbearing الخَطْبُِcalamity قَصَّرْتَyou shortened باعَهُits reach
وَلَمّا اسْتَطالَ الخَطْبُِ قَصَّرْتَ باعَهُ
فَعادَso it became وَجِدُّwhile the seriousness of الدَّهْرِtime فِيهِin it كَلَعِبِهwas like its play
فَعادَ وَجِدُّ الدَّهْرِ فِيهِ كَلَعِبِه
When calamity stretched tall, you shortened its reach,
until time's sternness in it became mere play.
وَماand not كانَit was إِلاّbut الْعَرَّmange دَبَّcrept دَبِيبُهُits creeping
وَما كانَ إِلاّ الْعَرَّ دَبَّ دَبِيبُهُ
فَأَمَّنْتَso you secured against أَنْthat تُعْدىbeing infected الصِّحاحُthe healthy بِجُرْبِهِwith its mange
فَأَمَّنْتَ أَنْ تُعْدى الصِّحاحُ بِجُرْبِهِ
It was only mange, creeping on its way,
and you kept the healthy safe from its contagion.
وَصَدْعاًand a fissure مِنَin الْمُلْكِthe kingdom اسْتَغاثَsought help بِكَfrom you الْوَرىhumankind
وَصَدْعاً مِنَ الْمُلْكِ اسْتَغاثَ بِكَ الْوَرى
إِلَيْهِto address it فَماso not أَرْجَأْتَyou delayed فِيin لَمِّmending شِعْبِهِits breach
إِلَيْهِ فَما أَرْجَأْتَ فِي لَمِّ شِعْبِهِ
Over a fissure in the kingdom, the people called on you
to address it; you did not delay in closing its breach.
فَغاضَso subsided أَتِيٌّa torrent كُنْتَyou were خائِضَwading غَمْرِهِits depths
فَغاضَ أَتِيٌّ كُنْتَ خائِضَ غَمْرِهِ
وَأَصْحَبَand grew docile خَطْبٌa crisis كُنْتَyou were رائِضَtaming صَعْبِهِits wildness
وَأَصْحَبَ خَطْبٌ كُنْتَ رائِضَ صَعْبِهِ
A torrent whose depths you were wading subsided,
and a crisis whose wildness you were taming grew docile.
حُبِيتَyou were endowed حَياءًwith modesty فِيamid سَماحٍgenerosity كَأَنَّهُas though it
حُبِيتَ حَياءً فِي سَماحٍ كَأَنَّهُ
رَبِيعٌspring يَزِينُadorn النَّوْرُthe blossoms ناضِرَthe fresh growth of عُشْبِهِits grass
رَبِيعٌ يَزِينُ النَّوْرُ ناضِرَ عُشْبِهِ
You were endowed with modesty amid generosity, as though it were
a spring whose fresh grass is adorned by blossoms.
وَأَكْثَرْتَand you multiplied حُسّادَthe enviers of الْعُفاةِpetitioners بِنائِلٍthrough bounty
وَأَكْثَرْتَ حُسّادَ الْعُفاةِ بِنائِلٍ
مَتىwhenever ماever يُغِرْit raids يَوْماًone day عَلىagainst الْحَمْدِpraise يَسْبِهِit captures it
مَتى ما يُغِرْ يَوْماً عَلى الْحَمْدِ يَسْبِهِ
You multiplied the petitioners' enviers through bounty
that, whenever it raids praise, takes it captive.
مَناقِبُvirtues يُنْسِيكَmakes you forget الْقَدِيمَthe old حَدِيثُهاtheir new
مَناقِبُ يُنْسِيكَ الْقَدِيمَ حَدِيثُها
وَيَخْجَلُand blushes صَدْرُthe beginning of الدَّهْرِtime فِيهاin them بِعُقْبِهِbecause of its end
وَيَخْجَلُ صَدْرُ الدَّهْرِ فِيها بِعُقْبِهِ
Virtues whose new deeds make you forget the old,
for which time's beginning is shamed by its end.
لَئِنْthough indeed خَصَّsingles out مِنْكَfrom you الْفَخْرُglory ساداتِthe lords of فُرْسِهِits Persians
لَئِنْ خَصَّ مِنْكَ الْفَخْرُ ساداتِ فُرْسِهِ
لَقَدْindeed عَمَّembraces مِنْكَfrom you الْجُودُgenerosity سائِرَall عُرْبِهِits Arabs
لَقَدْ عَمَّ مِنْكَ الْجُودُ سائِرَ عُرْبِهِ
Though your glory has favored the age's Persian lords,
your bounty has indeed embraced all its Arabs.
إِذاwhen ماever هَزَزْتُI stir الدَّهْرَtime بِاسْمِكَwith your name مادَحاًin praise
إِذا ما هَزَزْتُ الدَّهْرَ بِاسْمِكَ مادَحاً
تَتَثّنّىyou sway تَثَنِّيthe swaying of ناضِرِa fresh الْعُودِbough رَطْبِهِits supple growth
تَتَثّنّى تَثَنِّي ناضِرِ الْعُودِ رَطْبِهِ
When I stir time with your name in praise,
you sway as a fresh, supple branch sways.
وَإِنَّand indeed زَماناًan age أَنْتَyou مِنْare among حَسَناتِهِits blessings
وَإِنَّ زَماناً أَنْتَ مِنْ حَسَناتِهِ
حَقِيقٌis worthy بِأَنْof يَخْتالَstrutting مِنْfrom فَرطِthe excess of عُجْبِهِits pride
حَقِيقٌ بِأَنْ يَخْتالَ مِنْ فَرطِ عُجْبِهِ
An age that counts you among its blessings
may rightly strut in boundless pride.
مَضىpassed زَمَنٌa time قَدْindeed كانَit was بالْبٌعْدِthrough separation مُذْنِباًsinful
مَضى زَمَنٌ قَدْ كانَ بالْبٌعْدِ مُذْنِباً
وَحَسْبِيand sufficient for me بِهذاis this الْقُرْبِnearness عُذْراًas an excuse لِذَنْبِهِfor its sin
وَحَسْبِي بِهذا الْقُرْبِ عُذْراً لِذَنْبِهِ
A time has passed that sinned by keeping us apart;
this nearness suffices me as pardon for its sin.
وَماand not كُنْتُI was بَعْدَafter الْبَيْنِparting إِلاّbut كَمُصْرِمٍlike a destitute man
وَما كُنْتُ بَعْدَ الْبَيْنِ إِلاّ كَمُصْرِمٍ
تَذَكَّرَhe remembered عَهْدَthe days of الرَّوْضِthe garden أَيامَduring the days of جَدْبِهِhis drought
تَذَكَّرَ عَهْدَ الرَّوْضِ أَيامَ جَدْبِهِ
After parting, I was only like a destitute man
remembering the garden's days during his drought.
وَعِنْدِيand I possess عَلَىdespite الْعِلاّتِtrials دَرُّthe flowing milk of قَرائِحٍpoetic gifts
وَعِنْدِي عَلَى الْعِلاّتِ دَرُّ قَرائِحٍ
حَوىhas gathered زُبَدَthe cream of الأَشْعارِpoems ماchurner (first fragment) خِضُchurner (second fragment) وَطْبِهِits milk-skin
حَوى زُبَدَ الأَشْعارِ ما خِضُ وَطْبِهِ
Yet despite trials, I have the flowing milk of poetic gifts,
whose milk-skin's churner has gathered poetry's cream;
وَمَيْدانُand a field of فِكْرٍthought لاnot يُحازُis reached لَهُfor it مَدىًa limit
وَمَيْدانُ فِكْرٍ لا يُحازُ لَهُ مَدىً
وَلاnor يَبْلُغُreaches الإِسْهابُprolixity غايَةَthe far edge of سَهْبِهِits plain
وَلا يَبْلُغُ الإِسْهابُ غايَةَ سَهْبِهِ
and a field of thought whose bounds cannot be reached,
whose vast plain no prolixity can span.
يُصَرِّفُmaneuvers فِيهِwithin it الْقَوْلَspeech فارِسُa horseman of مَنْطِقٍeloquence
يُصَرِّفُ فِيهِ الْقَوْلَ فارِسُ مَنْطِقٍ
بَصِيرٌskilled بِإِرْخاءِin loosening الْعِنانِthe reins وَجَذْبِهِand drawing them tight
بَصِيرٌ بِإِرْخاءِ الْعِنانِ وَجَذْبِهِ
A horseman of eloquence maneuvers speech within it,
skilled in loosening the reins and drawing them tight.
وَغَرّاءُand a radiant ode مَيَّزْتُI distinguished الطَّوِيلَal-Tawil بِخَفْضِهاby its genitive rhyme
وَغَرّاءُ مَيَّزْتُ الطَّوِيلَ بِخَفْضِها
فَطالَso it towered عَلَىabove رَفْعِthe nominative of الْكَلامِspeech وَنَصْبِهِand its accusative
فَطالَ عَلَى رَفْعِ الْكَلامِ وَنَصْبِهِ
And a radiant ode: with its genitive rhyme I distinguished al-Tawil,
which towered above speech's nominative and accusative.
مِنَamong الزُّهْرِthe radiant odes لاnot يُلْفَيْنَare they found إِلاّexcept كَواكباًas stars
مِنَ الزُّهْرِ لا يُلْفَيْنَ إِلاّ كَواكباً
طَوالِعَrising فِيin شَرْقِthe east of الزَّمانِtime وَغَرْبِهِand its west
طَوالِعَ فِي شَرْقِ الزَّمانِ وَغَرْبِهِ
One of the radiant odes, found only as stars
rising in time's east and west,
حَوالِيَadorned مِنْwith حُرِّthe purest of الثَّناءِpraise وَدُرِّهِand its pearls
حَوالِيَ مِنْ حُرِّ الثَّناءِ وَدُرِّهِ
كَواسِيَclothed مِنْin وَشْيِthe brocade of الْقَرِيضِpoetry وَعصْبِهِand its striped cloth
كَواسِيَ مِنْ وَشْيِ الْقَرِيضِ وَعصْبِهِ
adorned with pure praise and its pearls,
clothed in poetry's brocade and striped cloth.
خَطَبْتَyou wooed فَلَمْand not يَحجُبْكَbarred you عَنْهاfrom her وَلِيُّهاher guardian
خَطَبْتَ فَلَمْ يَحجُبْكَ عَنْها وَلِيُّها
إِذاwhen رُدَّwas turned away عَنْهاfrom her خاطِبٌa suitor غَيْرَnot خِطْبِهِhis equal
إِذا رُدَّ عَنْها خاطِبٌ غَيْرَ خِطْبِهِ
You wooed her, and her guardian did not bar you from her,
while an unequal suitor was turned away.
ذَخَرْتُI reserved لَكَfor you الْمَدْحُpraise الشَّرِيفَnoble وَإِنَّماand indeed
ذَخَرْتُ لَكَ الْمَدْحُ الشَّرِيفَ وَإِنَّما
عَلَىaccording to قَدْرِthe measure of فَضْلِthe excellence of الزَّنْدِthe wrist قِيمَةُthe value of قُلْبِهِits bracelet
عَلَى قَدْرِ فَضْلِ الزَّنْدِ قِيمَةُ قُلْبِهِ
I reserved noble praise for you; for
a bracelet's worth accords with the wrist's distinction.
فَجُدْهُso favor it بِصَوْنٍwith protection عَنْfrom سِواكَanyone but you وَحَسْبُهُand sufficient for it
فَجُدْهُ بِصَوْنٍ عَنْ سِواكَ وَحَسْبُهُ
مِنَas الصَّوْنِprotection أَنْis that تُغْرِيyou incite السَّماحَgenerosity بِنَهْبِهِto plunder it
مِنَ الصَّوْنِ أَنْ تُغْرِي السَّماحَ بِنَهْبِهِ
So favor it with protection from all but you; enough for it
as protection is to set generosity to plundering it.
Sol 6.1