لَوif كُنْتَyou were شاهِدَwitnessing عَبْرَتِيmy tears يَوْمَthe day of النَّقاal-Naqa
لَو كُنْتَ شاهِدَ عَبْرَتِي يَوْمَ النَّقا
لَمَنَعْتَyou would have prevented قَلْبَكَyour heart بَعْدَهاafter them أَنْfrom يَعْشَقاloving
لَمَنَعْتَ قَلْبَكَ بَعْدَها أَنْ يَعْشَقا
Had you witnessed my tears on the day at al-Naqa,
Had you witnessed my tears the day we parted,
you would thereafter have forbidden your heart to love.
Your heart would have refrained from falling in love again.
وَلَكُنْتَand you would have been أَوَّلَthe first نازِعٍwithdrawing مِنْfrom خُطَّتِيmy plight
وَلَكُنْتَ أَوَّلَ نازِعٍ مِنْ خُطَّتِي
يَدَهُhis hand وَلَوْeven if كُنْتَyou were الْمُحِبَّthe loving one الْمُشْفِقاthe compassionate one
يَدَهُ وَلَوْ كُنْتَ الْمُحِبَّ الْمُشْفِقا
You would have been the first to withdraw from my plight
You would have been the first to stop me from leaving,
your hand, even had you been a loving, compassionate friend.
Holding my hand even if you were the most caring lover.
وَعَذَرْتَand you would have excused فِيin أَنْthat لاnot أُطِيقَI can endure تَجَلُّداًsteadfastness
وَعَذَرْتَ فِي أَنْ لا أُطِيقَ تَجَلُّداً
وَعَجِبْتَand you would have wondered مِنْat أَنْthat لاnot أَذُوبَI melt تَحَرُّقاburning anguish
وَعَجِبْتَ مِنْ أَنْ لا أَذُوبَ تَحَرُّقا
You would have excused my inability to endure steadfastly,
You would have excused me for not being able to endure patiently,
and wondered that I did not melt with burning anguish.
And been amazed that I do not melt from the burning pain.
ناشَدْتُI implored حادِيَthe camel-driver نُوقِهِمْtheir she-camels ِفيconcerning مُدْنَفٍa lovesick man
ناشَدْتُ حادِيَ نُوقِهِمْ ِفي مُدْنَفٍ
أَبْكىmade weep الْحُداةَthe camel-drivers بُكاؤُهُhis weeping والأَيْنُقاand the she-camels
أَبْكى الْحُداةَ بُكاؤُهُ والأَيْنُقا
I implored the driver of their she-camels for a lovesick man
I called on the camels heading to Mudanaf
whose weeping made the camel-drivers and the she-camels weep.
To weep with the weeping of the bereft and heartbroken.
وَمَنحْتُهُمْand I offered them جَفْناًan eyelid إِذاwhen نَهْنَهْتُهُI restrained it
وَمَنحْتُهُمْ جَفْناً إِذا نَهْنَهْتُهُ
رَقَأَتْceased weeping جُفُونُthe eyelids الثّاكِلاتِof bereaved mothers وَماand not رَقاit ceased weeping
رَقَأَتْ جُفُونُ الثّاكِلاتِ وَما رَقا
I offered them an eye which, when I tried to restrain it,
I gave them an eyelid that when I moved it gently,
the bereaved mothers' eyes ceased weeping, yet it did not.
The eyelids of estranged women wept without end.
ياO عَمْرُوAmr أَيُّwhat عَظِيمِgreat خَطْبٍcalamity لَمْnot يَكُنْwas
يا عَمْرُو أَيُّ عَظِيمِ خَطْبٍ لَمْ يَكُنْ
خَطْبُthe calamity of الْفِراقِparting أَشَدَّharsher مِنْهُthan it وَأَوْبَقاand more ruinous
خَطْبُ الْفِراقِ أَشَدَّ مِنْهُ وَأَوْبَقا
O Amr, what grievous calamity was there
Oh Amr, what great misfortune has not occurred
that parting was not harsher and more ruinous than it?
Yet parting was more severe and devastating.
كِلْنِيleave me إِلىto عُنْفِthe harshness of الصُّدُودِrejection فَرُبَّماfor perhaps
كِلْنِي إِلى عُنْفِ الصُّدُودِ فَرُبَّما
كانَwas الصُّدُودُrejection مِنَthan النَّوىseparation بِيto me أَرْفَقاgentler
كانَ الصُّدُودُ مِنَ النَّوى بِي أَرْفَقا
Leave me to the harshness of rejection; perhaps
Let me rush into violence; perhaps
rejection would be gentler to me than separation.
Violence would be gentler with me than tenderness.
قَدْindeed سالَstreamed حَتىuntil قَدْindeed أَسالَmade flow سَوادَهُits blackness
قَدْ سالَ حَتى قَدْ أَسالَ سَوادَهُ
طَرْفِيmy eye فَخالَطَand mingled with دَمْعَهُits tears الْمُتَرَقْرِقاthe shimmering
طَرْفِي فَخالَطَ دَمْعَهُ الْمُتَرَقْرِقا
It has streamed until it made its very blackness flow—
My eyes have wept until their blackness
my eye—and mingle with its shimmering tears.
Mixed with their overflowing tears.
وَاسْتَبْقِand preserve لِلأطْلالِfor the ruined camps فَضْلَةَa remnant of أَدْمُعٍtears
وَاسْتَبْقِ لِلأطْلالِ فَضْلَةَ أَدْمُعٍ
أَفْنَيْتَهُنَّyou exhausted them قَطِيعَةًin estrangement وَتَفَرُّقاand separation
أَفْنَيْتَهُنَّ قَطِيعَةً وَتَفَرُّقا
And spare for the ruined camps a remnant of tears
Hasten to the ruins with more tears,
you have exhausted in estrangement and separation.
You have wasted them by separation and dispersion.
أَوْor فَاسْتَمِحْthen beg لِيfor me مِنْfrom خَلِيٍّone free of love سَلْوَةًsolace
أَوْ فَاسْتَمِحْ لِي مِنْ خَلِيٍّ سَلْوَةً
إِنْif كانَwas ذُوthe possessor of الإِثْراءِwealth يُسْعِفُhelps مُمْلِقاa destitute person
إِنْ كانَ ذُو الإِثْراءِ يُسْعِفُ مُمْلِقا
Or beg for me some solace from one untouched by love,
Or ask a friend for some solace,
if the wealthy will help the destitute.
If one with wealth would give comfort.
إِنَّindeed الظِّباءَthe gazelles غَداةَthe morning of رامَةَRama لَمْnot تَدَعْleft
إِنَّ الظِّباءَ غَداةَ رامَةَ لَمْ تَدَعْ
إِلاّexcept حَشىًa breast قَلِقاًrestless وَقَلْباًand a heart شَيِّقاyearning
إِلاّ حَشىً قَلِقاً وَقَلْباً شَيِّقا
The gazelles, that morning at Rama, left nothing
The gazelles tomorrow at Rāma did not leave
but a restless breast and a yearning heart.
Anything except a restless heart and a provoking spirit.
سَنَحَتْthey appeared فماbut did not مَنَحَتgive وَكَمْand how many مِنْa عارِضٍpassing cloud
سَنَحَتْ فما مَنَحَت وَكَمْ مِنْ عارِضٍ
قَدْindeed مَرَّpassed مُجْتازاًcrossing over عَلَيْكَyou وَماand did not سَقاgive rain
قَدْ مَرَّ مُجْتازاً عَلَيْكَ وَما سَقا
They appeared but gave nothing; how many a passing cloud
The opportunities came but did not grant, and how many suitors
has crossed over you without giving rain!
Have passed you by without watering.
غِيدٌslender beauties نَصَبْتُI set لِصَيْدِهِنَّto catch them حَبائِلاًsnares
غِيدٌ نَصَبْتُ لِصَيْدِهِنَّ حَبائِلاً
يَعْلَقْنَهُنَّensnaring them فَكُنْتُbut I was فِيهاin them أَعْلَقاmore entangled
يَعْلَقْنَهُنَّ فَكُنْتُ فِيها أَعْلَقا
Slender beauties: I set snares to catch them,
A singing bird whose traps I set up to catch them,
snares to entangle them, but I was more entangled in them.
And it was I who got caught in them.
وَلَكَمْand how often نَهَيْتُI forbade اللَّيْثَthe lion أَغْلَبَthick-necked باسِلاًvaliant
وَلَكَمْ نَهَيْتُ اللَّيْثَ أَغْلَبَ باسِلاً
عَنْfrom أَنْthat يَرُودَhe seek الظَّبْيَthe gazelle أَتْلَعَlong-necked أَرْشَقاslender
عَنْ أَنْ يَرُودَ الظَّبْيَ أَتْلَعَ أَرْشَقا
How often I forbade the thick-necked, valiant lion
And how often did I forbid the lion, who defeats heroes,
to seek the long-necked, slender gazelle!
From hunting the gazelle he would devour greedily.
فَإِذاbut behold الْقَضاءُfate عَلَىupon الْمَضاءِresolve مُرَكَّبٌmounted
فَإِذا الْقَضاءُ عَلَى الْمَضاءِ مُرَكَّبٌ
وَإذاand behold الشَّقاءُmisery موَكَّلٌappointed بِأَخِيto the companion of الشَّقاmisery
وَإذا الشَّقاءُ موَكَّلٌ بِأَخِي الشَّقا
But fate rides upon resolve,
But destiny insists on what is destined,
and misery is appointed to its own companion.
And misery is assigned to afflict my miserable brother.
وَلَقَدْand indeed سَرَيْتُI traveled by night إِذاwhen السَّماءُthe sky تَخالُهاyou imagine it
وَلَقَدْ سَرَيْتُ إِذا السَّماءُ تَخالُها
بُرْداًa mantle بِراكِدَةِby the motionless النُّجُومِstars مُشَبْرَقاrent
بُرْداً بِراكِدَةِ النُّجُومِ مُشَبْرَقا
I traveled by night when you would imagine the sky
Often I walked when the sky was
a mantle rent by its motionless stars.
Covered with a carpet of shining stars.
وَاللَّيْلُand the night مِثْلُlike السَّيْلِthe torrent لَوْلاwere it not for لُجَّةٌa deep expanse
وَاللَّيْلُ مِثْلُ السَّيْلِ لَوْلا لُجَّةٌ
تَغْشىcovers الرُّبىthe hills بِأَعَمّmore extensively مِنْهُthan it وَأَعْمَقاand more deeply
تَغْشى الرُّبى بِأَعَمّ مِنْهُ وَأَعْمَقا
Night resembled a torrent, were it not for a depth
The night was like a torrent, had it not been for
covering the hills more widely and deeply than the torrent.
Darkness covering the meadows, deeper and darker.
وَمُشَمِّرينَand eager travelers تَدَرَّعُواthey donned ثَوْبَthe robe of الدُّجىdarkness
وَمُشَمِّرينَ تَدَرَّعُوا ثَوْبَ الدُّجى
فَأَجَدَّand renewed لُبْسَهُمُtheir clothing الزَّماعُresolve وَأَخْلَقاand wore out
فَأَجَدَّ لُبْسَهُمُ الزَّماعُ وَأَخْلَقا
And eager travelers had donned the robe of darkness;
Warriors armed themselves in robes of darkness
resolve renewed their clothing and wore it threadbare.
So their clothing looked more effective and impressive.
عاطَيْتُهُمْI shared with them كَأْسَthe cup of السُّرىnight travel فِيon لَيْلَةٍa night
عاطَيْتُهُمْ كَأْسَ السُّرى فِي لَيْلَةٍ
أَمِنَwas safe الظَّلامُthe darkness بِفَجْرِهاfrom its dawn أَنْthat يُشْرِقاit shine
أَمِنَ الظَّلامُ بِفَجْرِها أَنْ يُشْرِقا
I shared with them the cup of night travel on a night
I gave them the cup of wine in a night
whose darkness was safe from its dawn's shining.
When darkness was afraid that dawn would shine through.
حَتَّىuntil إِذاwhen حَسَرَunveiled itself الصّبَاحُthe morning كَأَنَّهُas though it were
حَتَّى إِذا حَسَرَ الصّبَاحُ كَأَنَّهُ
وَجْهُthe face of الْوَجِيهِthe illustrious man تَبَلُّجَاًin radiance وَتَأَلُّقاand splendor
وَجْهُ الْوَجِيهِ تَبَلُّجَاً وَتَأَلُّقا
Until, when morning unveiled itself, as though it were
Until when morning unveiled itself
the illustrious man's face in radiance and splendor,
Like the face of a dignitary beaming and glittering.
حَطُّواthey set down رِحالَthe saddles of الْعِيسِthe pale camels مِنْهُbeside him بِخَيْرِat the best of مَنْthose who
حَطُّوا رِحالَ الْعِيسِ مِنْهُ بِخَيْرِ مَنْ
هَزُّواthey urged إِلَيْهِtoward him رِقابَهاtheir necks وَالأَسْؤُقاand legs
هَزُّوا إِلَيْهِ رِقابَها وَالأَسْؤُقا
they set down the pale camels' saddles beside him, the best of those
They descended from the camel litter better
toward whom they had urged their necks and legs.
Than when they climbed up bending their necks.
بِأَغَرَّbeside a radiant man يَجْلُواreveals لِلْوُفُودِto the delegations جَبِينُهُhis brow
بِأَغَرَّ يَجْلُوا لِلْوُفُودِ جَبِينُهُ
شَمْساًa sun تَكُونُis لَهاfor it الْمَعالِيnoble eminence مَشْرِقاa rising-place
شَمْساً تَكُونُ لَها الْمَعالِي مَشْرِقا
Beside a radiant lord whose brow reveals to delegations
At dawn their foreheads shine for the delegates
a sun whose rising-place is noble eminence.
Like a sun whose heights are radiant.
نَزَلُواthey alighted فَماand did not وَصَلُوهُreach him مَهْجُوراًshunned وَلاnor
نَزَلُوا فَما وَصَلُوهُ مَهْجُوراً وَلا
فَتَحُواthey opened إِلىtoward نُعْماهُhis favors باباًa door مُغْلقَاshut
فَتَحُوا إِلى نُعْماهُ باباً مُغْلقَا
They alighted, finding him neither shunned by visitors, nor
They descended but did not find it abandoned,
opening toward his favors a door that had been shut.
Nor opened a door to its hospitality that was locked.
إِنْif زُرْتَهُyou visit him فَتَوَقَّthen beware فَيْضَthe flood of بَنانِهِhis fingertips
إِنْ زُرْتَهُ فَتَوَقَّ فَيْضَ بَنانِهِ
إِنَّindeed الْبِحارَthe seas مَلِيَّةٌwell able أَنْto تُغْرِقاdrown
إِنَّ الْبِحارَ مَلِيَّةٌ أَنْ تُغْرِقا
If you visit him, beware the flood from his fingertips:
If you visit it, the spring of its goodness overflows,
seas are well able to drown.
Truly, the seas are prone to drown in it.
وَإِذاand when أَبُوAbu الذَّوّادِal-Dhawwad حاطَكَsurrounds you ذائِداًprotecting
وَإِذا أَبُو الذَّوّادِ حاطَكَ ذائِداً
فَلَقَدْthen indeed أَخَذْتَyou have taken مِنَfrom اللَّيالِيthe nights مَوْثِقاa pledge
فَلَقَدْ أَخَذْتَ مِنَ اللَّيالِي مَوْثِقا
When Abu al-Dhawwad surrounds you with his protection,
And when the father of hospitality surrounds you,
you have indeed secured a pledge from the nights.
You will have taken a firm covenant from the nights.
يَشْتَدُّhe grows stern مُمْنُوعاًwhen denied وَيُكْرِمُand gives generously قادِراًwhen powerful
يَشْتَدُّ مُمْنُوعاً وَيُكْرِمُ قادِراً
وَيَطُولُand bestows favors مَحْقُوقاًwhen owed his due وَيَصْفَحُand pardons مُحْنَقاwhen enraged
وَيَطُولُ مَحْقُوقاً وَيَصْفَحُ مُحْنَقا
He grows stern when denied, and gives generously when powerful;
He forbids more firmly, and honors when able,
he bestows favors when owed his due, and pardons when enraged.
Prolongs when denied, and forgives when angry.
لَوْif أَنَّthat مَنْwhoever يَرْوِيrelates حَدِيثَthe tale of سَماحِهِhis generosity
لَوْ أَنَّ مَنْ يَرْوِي حَدِيثَ سَماحِهِ
يَرْوِيهِrelates it عَنْof صَوْبِthe downpour of الْحَياrain ماnot صُدِّقاhe would be believed
يَرْوِيهِ عَنْ صَوْبِ الْحَيا ما صُدِّقا
If the teller of his generosity's tale
If only those who speak of his generosity
told it of the downpour of rain, he would not be believed.
Spoke truthfully, but none would believe it.
صَحِبَhe befriended الزَّمانَtime وَكانَand it was يَبْساًdry ذاوِياًwithered
صَحِبَ الزَّمانَ وَكانَ يَبْساً ذاوِياً
فَسَقاهُand he watered it بِالْمَعْرُوفِwith kindness حَتّىuntil أَوْرَقاit put forth leaves
فَسَقاهُ بِالْمَعْرُوفِ حَتّى أَوْرَقا
He befriended time when it was dry and withered,
He accompanied time, which had withered,
and watered it with kindness until it put forth leaves.
And watered it with kindness until it flourished.
لاdo not تَذْكُرَنَّever mention لَهُto him الْمَكارِمَnoble deeds وَالعُلىand high rank
لا تَذْكُرَنَّ لَهُ الْمَكارِمَ وَالعُلى
فَتَهِيجَlest you stir صَبّاًa passionate lover أَوْor تَشُوقَawaken longing in مُشَوَّقاone already yearning
فَتَهِيجَ صَبّاً أَوْ تَشُوقَ مُشَوَّقا
Do not mention noble deeds and high rank to him,
Do not mention to him virtues and sublimity,
lest you stir a lover or awaken longing in one already yearning.
Lest you stir up a youth or arouse a longing one.
عَشِقَhe loved الْمَحامِدَpraiseworthy deeds وَهْيَand they عاشِقَةٌare loving لَهُhim
عَشِقَ الْمَحامِدَ وَهْيَ عاشِقَةٌ لَهُ
وَكَذاكَand thus ماnot بَرِحَhas ceased الْجَمالُbeauty مُعَشَّقاto be beloved
وَكَذاكَ ما بَرِحَ الْجَمالُ مُعَشَّقا
He loves praiseworthy deeds, and they love him;
He loves praise, and it loves him,
thus beauty has always been beloved.
And so beauty continues to be loved passionately.
يَجْرِيfollows عَلَىalong سَنَنِthe path of الْمَكارِمِnoble deeds فِعْلُهُhis action
يَجْرِي عَلَى سَنَنِ الْمَكارِمِ فِعْلُهُ
خُلُقاًas innate character إِذاwhen كانَis الْفَعالُaction تَخَلّقاaffectation
خُلُقاً إِذا كانَ الْفَعالُ تَخَلّقا
His deeds follow the path of noble acts
His actions flow along the ways of virtues,
by innate character, when action is mere affectation.
When the doer has a virtuous character.
لاnot يَمْنَحُhe bestows الإِحْسانَkindness إِلاّexcept شامِلاًcomprehensively
لا يَمْنَحُ الإِحْسانَ إِلاّ شامِلاً
خَيْرُthe best of الْحَياrain ماwhat عَمَّspread widely مِنْهُof it وَطَبَّقاand covered all
خَيْرُ الْحَيا ما عَمَّ مِنْهُ وَطَبَّقا
He bestows kindness only comprehensively;
He does not grant kindness except inclusively,
the best rain is that which spreads and covers all.
The best life is that which encompasses universally.
كَتَمَhe concealed الصَّنائِعَthe favors فَاسْتَشاعَbut spread abroad ثَناؤُهاtheir praise
كَتَمَ الصَّنائِعَ فَاسْتَشاعَ ثَناؤُها
مَنْwho ذاis it who يَصُدُّprevents الصُّبْحَthe morning عَنْfrom أَنْthat يُشْرِقاit shine
مَنْ ذا يَصُدُّ الصُّبْحَ عَنْ أَنْ يُشْرِقا
He concealed his favors, but their praise spread abroad:
He concealed his talents, so his reputation spread,
who can prevent the morning from shining?
Who can prevent the dawn from shining?
قَدْindeed حالَفَhe allied with الْعَزْمَresolve الْحَمِيدَadmirable فَلَمْand did not يَخَفْfear
قَدْ حالَفَ الْعَزْمَ الْحَمِيدَ فَلَمْ يَخَفْ
خَطْباًa calamity يُحاوِلُhe seeks فَتْقَهُits breach أَنْto يَرْتُقاmend
خَطْباً يُحاوِلُ فَتْقَهُ أَنْ يَرْتُقا
He allied himself with admirable resolve and feared no
He took a solemn vow to do good, and did not fear
calamity whose breach he sought to mend.
That any difficult endeavor would impede him.
وَرَمىand he aimed إِلىat الْغَرَضِthe target الْبَعِيدِdistant فَلَمْand did not يَبِتْspend the night
وَرَمى إِلى الْغَرَضِ الْبَعِيدِ فَلَمْ يَبِتْ
أَبَداًever بِغَيْرِover anything other than الْمَكْرُماتِnoble deeds مُؤَرَّقاsleepless
أَبَداً بِغَيْرِ الْمَكْرُماتِ مُؤَرَّقا
He aimed at the distant target, and never spent a night
He aimed for the distant goal, and never spent
sleepless over anything but noble deeds.
A night anxious about anything but noble deeds.
سامِيlofty الْمَرامِin aim شَرِيفُهُnoble in it إِنْif تَدْعُهُyou summon him
سامِي الْمَرامِ شَرِيفُهُ إِنْ تَدْعُهُ
لاdo not تَدْعُهُsummon him لِلْخَطْبِfor a crisis إِلاّexcept مُقْلِقاdistressing
لا تَدْعُهُ لِلْخَطْبِ إِلاّ مُقْلِقا
Lofty and noble in his aims, if you summon him,
Sublime is his ambition, noble his determination,
summon him only for a distressing crisis.
If you call him, call only to what is fulfilling.
إِنْif جادَhe gives generously فِيwith بِشْرٍa cheerful face تُوُهِّمَhe is imagined عارِضاًa rain cloud
إِنْ جادَ فِي بِشْرٍ تُوُهِّمَ عارِضاً
أَوْor حَلَّhe joins فِيamong نَفَرٍa few men تَراءَواthey appear فَيْلَقاan army
أَوْ حَلَّ فِي نَفَرٍ تَراءَوا فَيْلَقا
If he gives with a smiling face, he is imagined a rain cloud;
If he is generous to an individual, presenting himself as
if he joins a few men, they appear an army.
A suitor, or joins a group who have come together randomly,
تَلْقاهُyou meet him فِيin هَيْجاءٍthe battle of كُلِّevery مُلِمَّةٍcalamity
تَلْقاهُ فِي هَيْجاءٍ كُلِّ مُلِمَّةٍ
بَطَلاًa hero إِذاwhen شَهِدَhe witnesses الْكَرِيهَةَbattle حَقَّقاhe proves himself
بَطَلاً إِذا شَهِدَ الْكَرِيهَةَ حَقَّقا
You meet him in the battle of every calamity,
You will find him in the fervor of every dire situation
a hero who proves himself when he faces combat.
A hero, when the hated situation becomes true.
كَالْمَشْرَفِيِّlike a Mashrafi sword الْعَضْبِkeen إِلاّexcept أَنَّهُthat he
كَالْمَشْرَفِيِّ الْعَضْبِ إِلاّ أَنَّهُ
أَمْضىsharper شَباًin edge مِنُْthan وَأَبْهرُand more dazzling رَوْنَقاin luster
أَمْضى شَباً مِنُْ وَأَبْهرُ رَوْنَقا
Like a keen Mashrafi sword, except that he
Like the reddish and yellow lion, but
has a sharper edge and a more dazzling luster.
More perfect of youth and more elegant in splendor.
جارىhe raced alongside عِنانَthe reins of الْفَضْلِexcellence فِيin أَمَدِthe course of الْعُلىeminence
جارى عِنانَ الْفَضْلِ فِي أَمَدِ الْعُلى
أَدْنىthe least وَأَقْرَبُand nearest شَأْوِهِof his reach أَنْto يَسْبُقاtake the lead
أَدْنى وَأَقْرَبُ شَأْوِهِ أَنْ يَسْبُقا
He raced with excellence, rein beside rein, on the course of eminence;
Competing in the furthest reach of glory,
the least and nearest of his goals is to take the lead.
The closer and nearer his stature, the faster he runs.
لاnot يُدْرِكُreach الْجارُونَthe competitors غايَةَthe summit of مَجْدِهِhis glory
لا يُدْرِكُ الْجارُونَ غايَةَ مَجْدِهِ
مَنْwho يَسْتَطِيعُcan إِلىinto السَّماءِthe sky تَسَلُّقاclimb
مَنْ يَسْتَطِيعُ إِلى السَّماءِ تَسَلُّقا
His competitors cannot reach the summit of his glory:
Those chasing cannot reach the extent of his glory,
who can climb into the sky?
Who can climb to the sky by scaling?
هَيْهاتَfar from it يَمْنَعُprevents ذاكَthat حَقٌّa sheer height أَخْلَقٌsmooth
هَيْهاتَ يَمْنَعُ ذاكَ حَقٌّ أَخْلَقٌ
لاnot يُحْسِنُcan manage الْعَيُّوقُal-Ayyuq فِيهِin it تَحَلُّقاsoaring
لا يُحْسِنُ الْعَيُّوقُ فِيهِ تَحَلُّقا
Far from it! A sheer, smooth height prevents that,
Alas! That right, most sincere,
where even al-Ayyuq cannot manage to soar.
Cannot be obstructed by the envious flocking about it.
وَمِنَand among التَّأَخُّرِways of falling behind أَنْthat يُقَدِّمَadvances واطِئٌa walker
وَمِنَ التَّأَخُّرِ أَنْ يُقَدِّمَ واطِئٌ
قَدَماًa foot عَلَىonto دَحْضٍtreacherous ground أَزَلَّslick وَأَزْلَقاand slippery
قَدَماً عَلَى دَحْضٍ أَزَلَّ وَأَزْلَقا
It is a way of falling behind for a walker to advance
And it would be regression for an insignificant person
a foot onto treacherous ground, smooth and slippery.
To put himself forward over a subjugator who slipped.
ماnot كُلُّevery مَنْقَبَةٍdistinction يُحاوَلُis attempted نَيْلُهاits attainment
ما كُلُّ مَنْقَبَةٍ يُحاوَلُ نَيْلُها
تُحْوىis won ولاnor كُلُّevery الْمَنازِلِlofty station تُرْتَقاis ascended
تُحْوى ولا كُلُّ الْمَنازِلِ تُرْتَقا
Not every distinction whose attainment is attempted
Not every position one strives for
is won, nor is every lofty station ascended.
Can be attained, nor every high place climbed.
ياO سَيِّدَmaster of الرُّؤَساءِthe chiefs أَيُّwhat مُطاوِلٍrival in stature
يا سَيِّدَ الرُّؤَساءِ أَيُّ مُطاوِلٍ
أَنْthat يَسْتطِيعَhe can بِكَwith you اللَّحاقَcatching up فَيَلْحَقاand so catch up
أَنْ يَسْتطِيعَ بِكَ اللَّحاقَ فَيَلْحَقا
O master of chiefs, what rival in stature
Oh leader of chieftains, what persevering rival
could manage to catch up with you, and do so?
Can manage to catch up with you and overtake you?
ماذاwhat يُحاوِلُهُhe attempts الْمُغامِرُthe adventurer بَعْدَماafter
ماذا يُحاوِلُهُ الْمُغامِرُ بَعْدَما
وَجَدَhe found الْمَجالَthe room إِلىfor قِراعِكَcrossing swords with you ضيِّقاnarrow
وَجَدَ الْمَجالَ إِلى قِراعِكَ ضيِّقا
What can the adventurer attempt after
What does the gambler attempt after
finding little room to cross swords with you?
Finding the way to compete with you narrow?
إِنَّindeed الرِّياسَةَleadership لاnot تَلِيقُbefits بِغَيْرِanyone other than مَنْone who
إِنَّ الرِّياسَةَ لا تَلِيقُ بِغَيْرِ مَنْ
مُذsince كانَhe existed كانَhe was بِثَدْيِهاat its breast مُتَمَطِّقاsuckling
مُذ كانَ كانَ بِثَدْيِها مُتَمَطِّقا
Leadership befits none but one who,
Indeed, leadership does not befit other than those
from his first existence, was suckled at its breast,
Who since birth were dedicated to its bosom and wrapped around it,
بِغَنائِهاfor its sufficiency مُتَكَفِّلاًassuming responsibility وَبِفَضْلِهاand in its excellence
بِغَنائِها مُتَكَفِّلاً وَبِفَضْلِها
مُتَوَحِّداًstanding alone وَبِمُلْكِهاand in its dominion مُتَحَقِّقاfirmly established
مُتَوَحِّداً وَبِمُلْكِها مُتَحَقِّقا
assuming responsibility for its sufficiency, and in its excellence
Responsible for its riches, singular in its virtues,
standing alone, and firmly established in its dominion.
And fully realizing its kingdom.
كمْhow many فِيكَin you مُجْتَمِعاًgathered مِنَof الْحَسَناتِthe virtues ماthat which
كمْ فِيكَ مُجْتَمِعاً مِنَ الْحَسَناتِ ما
يُعْيِيwearies وَيُعْجِزُand defeats فِيamong الْوَرىmankind مُتَفَرِّقاًscattered
يُعْيِي وَيُعْجِزُ فِي الْوَرى مُتَفَرِّقاً
How many virtues are gathered in you that,
How much virtue in you is gathered that would exhaust and incapacitate
even scattered among mankind, would weary and defeat them!
When dispersed in the world and scattered about?
وَلَبَيْتِكَand to your house belongs الْفَخْرُthe pride الَّذِيwhich لَوْif أَنَّهُit
وَلَبَيْتِكَ الْفَخْرُ الَّذِي لَوْ أَنَّهُ
سامىvied in height with السِّماكَal-Simak لَكانَwould be مِنْهُthan it أَسْمَقاloftier
سامى السِّماكَ لَكانَ مِنْهُ أَسْمَقا
Your house possesses such pride that, were it
Your family has the pride that if it
to vie in height with al-Simak, it would tower above it.
Reached the sky it would darken it.
مَنْwhoever كانَwas يَفْخَرُboasting أَنَّهُthat he مِنْfrom أُسْرَةٍa family
مَنْ كانَ يَفْخَرُ أَنَّهُ مِنْ أُسْرَةٍ
كَرُمَتْwas noble وَيَضْرِبُand strikes roots فِيamong الْكِرامِthe noble مُعْرِقاdeeply rooted
كَرُمَتْ وَيَضْرِبُ فِي الْكِرامِ مُعْرِقا
Whoever boasts that he comes from a family
Whoever boasts that he is from a
of noble standing, with deep roots among the noble,
Family that became honorable and branches into nobility,
فَلْيَأْتِناthen let him bring us بِأَبٍa father كَمِثْلِlike أَبِيكَyour father فِيin الْthe (word prefix)
فَلْيَأْتِنا بِأَبٍ كَمِثْلِ أَبِيكَ فِي الْ
عَلْياءِeminence أَوor جَدٍّa grandfather كَجَدِّكَlike your grandfather فِيin التُّقاpiety
عَلْياءِ أَو جَدٍّ كَجَدِّكَ فِي التُّقا
let him bring us a father like your father in
Let him bring us a father like your father in
eminence, or a grandfather like yours in piety.
Sublimity, or a grandfather like yours in piety.
أَمّاas for دِمَشْقُDamascus فَقَدْshe has indeed حَوَتْgained بِكَthrough you عِزَّةًmight
أَمّا دِمَشْقُ فَقَدْ حَوَتْ بِكَ عِزَّةً
كَرُمَتْshe became too exalted بِهاthrough it عَنْfor أَنْthat تَكُونَshe be الأَبْلَقاal-Ablaq
كَرُمَتْ بِها عَنْ أَنْ تَكُونَ الأَبْلَقا
As for Damascus, through you she has gained a might
As for Damascus, it has gained through you an honor
that makes her too exalted to be al-Ablaq.
That has made it too noble to be overcome.
حَصَّنْتَهاyou fortified her بِسَدادِwith the soundness of رَأْيِكَyour judgment ضارِباًerecting
حَصَّنْتَها بِسَدادِ رَأْيِكَ ضارِباً
سُوراًa wall عَلَيْهاaround her مِنْof عُلاكَyour eminence وَخَنْدَقاand a moat
سُوراً عَلَيْها مِنْ عُلاكَ وَخَنْدَقا
You fortified her with your sound judgment, erecting
You have fortified it with your judicious mind, erecting
around her a wall of your eminence and a moat.
Ramparts around it from your elevation and trenches.
وَحَميْتَand you defended حَوْزَتَهاher territory بِهِمَّةِwith the resolve of أَوْحَدٍa peerless man
وَحَميْتَ حَوْزَتَها بِهِمَّةِ أَوْحَدٍ
ماnot زالَceased to be مَيْمُونَauspicious الْفَعالِin deeds مُوَفَّقاsuccessful
ما زالَ مَيْمُونَ الْفَعالِ مُوَفَّقا
You defended her territory with the resolve of a peerless man
And you have protected its territory with the resolve of one peerless,
whose deeds have always been auspicious and successful.
Whose prosperous actions have always been blessed.
أَمْطَرْتَهاyou rained upon her مِنْfrom فَيْضِthe abundance of عَدْلِكَyour justice أَنْعُماًblessings
أَمْطَرْتَها مِنْ فَيْضِ عَدْلِكَ أَنْعُماً
لاnot تُعْدِمُleave lacking الرُّوّادَthe pasture-seekers رَوْضاًa meadow مُونِقاdelightful
لا تُعْدِمُ الرُّوّادَ رَوْضاً مُونِقا
From the abundance of your justice, you rained blessings upon her
You have watered it from the abundance of your justice with blessings
that never leave pasture-seekers without a delightful meadow.
That do not deprive the visitors of a flourishing meadow.
إِنْif أَظْلَمَتْshe grew dark كُنْتَyou were الضَّحاءَmorning brightness الْمُجْتَلىclearly seen
إِنْ أَظْلَمَتْ كُنْتَ الضَّحاءَ الْمُجْتَلى
أَوْor أَجْدَبَتْshe suffered drought كُنْتَyou were الرَّبِيعَthe spring الْمُغْدِقاabundantly giving
أَوْ أَجْدَبَتْ كُنْتَ الرَّبِيعَ الْمُغْدِقا
If she grew dark, you were the morning brightness clearly seen;
If it darkens you are the clearing dawn,
if she suffered drought, you were the abundant spring.
Or if it becomes barren you are the pouring spring.
وَأَناand I الَّذِيam the one who أَضْحىbecame أَسِيرَcaptive to عَوارِفٍfavors
وَأَنا الَّذِي أَضْحى أَسِيرَ عَوارِفٍ
لَكَof yours لاnot يَوَدُّwishes أَسِيرُهاtheir captive أَنْto يُطْلَقاbe released
لَكَ لا يَوَدُّ أَسِيرُها أَنْ يُطْلَقا
I am the one who has become captive to favors
And I am the one who has become captive to passions
of yours, whose captive has no wish to be released.
For you, whose captive does not wish to be freed.
أَوْفىthe fullest وَأَشْرَفُand noblest ماthat which يُؤَمِّلُhopes for آمِلٌone who hopes
أَوْفى وَأَشْرَفُ ما يُؤَمِّلُ آمِلٌ
أَنْthat لاnot يُرىhe be seen مِنْfrom رِقِّbondage to جُودِكَyour generosity مُعْتَقاfreed
أَنْ لا يُرى مِنْ رِقِّ جُودِكَ مُعْتَقا
The fullest and noblest hope anyone can cherish
The best and noblest that a hopeful one hopes for
is never to be seen freed from bondage to your generosity.
Is not to be seen excluded from your overflowing generosity.
أَجْمَمْتُI let replenish جُودَكَyour bounty فَاسْتَفاضَand it overflowed سَماحَةًwith generosity
أَجْمَمْتُ جُودَكَ فَاسْتَفاضَ سَماحَةً
وَإِذاand when حَبَسْتَyou dam السَّيْلَthe torrent زادَit increases تَدَفُّقاin surging
وَإِذا حَبَسْتَ السَّيْلَ زادَ تَدَفُّقا
I let your bounty replenish itself, and it overflowed with generosity;
I imagined your generosity endless, so it overflowed with generosity,
when you dam a torrent, its surge increases.
And if you hold back the torrent it increases in gushing forth.
وَحَمَيْتُand I barred آمالِيmy hopes سِواكَfrom anyone but you وَعاطِلٌand unadorned
وَحَمَيْتُ آمالِي سِواكَ وَعاطِلٌ
مَنْwhoever كانَwas مِنْby مَنِّthe favors of اللِّئامِthe base مُطَوَّقاencircled
مَنْ كانَ مِنْ مَنِّ اللِّئامِ مُطَوَّقا
I barred my hopes from anyone but you; unadorned is
I have protected my hopes from others, while the
whoever is encircled by the favors of the base.
Paltry ones wearing coats of mail have no power.
لَمْnot يُبْقِleft سَيْبُthe outpouring of نَداكَyour generosity مَوْضِعَroom for نائِلٍa gift
لَمْ يُبْقِ سَيْبُ نَداكَ مَوْضِعَ نائِلٍ
فَهَقَoverflowed الْغَدِيرُthe pool وَحَقُّهُand its due أَنْto يَفْهَقاoverflow
فَهَقَ الْغَدِيرُ وَحَقُّهُ أَنْ يَفْهَقا
The outpouring of your generosity left no room for another gift;
The flow of your generosity left no place for an obtainer,
the pool overflowed, as it rightly should.
So the streams have dried up, as is their right.
وَلَئِنْand if indeed مَنَنْتَyou bestowed favors فَواجِبٌthen obligatory لَكَfor you فِيin النَّدىgenerosity
وَلَئِنْ مَنَنْتَ فَواجِبٌ لَكَ فِي النَّدى
إِمّاwhen نَزَعْتَyou draw بِسَهْمِهِits arrow أَنْto يُغْرِقاdraw to the utmost
إِمّا نَزَعْتَ بِسَهْمِهِ أَنْ يُغْرِقا
And if you bestow favors, it is incumbent on you in bounty,
If you have bestowed a favor, then gratitude is deserved,
when you draw its arrow, to draw it to the utmost.
Either you have plucked it away with its arrow, or drowned it.
أُثْنِيI praise عَلَيْكَyou بِحَقِّwith the due of حَمْدِكَyour praise صادِقاًsincerely
أُثْنِي عَلَيْكَ بِحَقِّ حَمْدِكَ صادِقاً
حَسْبُenough for الْمَعالِيnoble eminence أَنْthat تَقُولَyou speak فَتَصْدُقاand speak truthfully
حَسْبُ الْمَعالِي أَنْ تَقُولَ فَتَصْدُقا
I praise you sincerely with the praise you deserve;
I praise you sincerely with the right of your praise,
noble eminence needs only that you speak, and speak truthfully.
It is enough for the sublime if you speak and are believed.
وَلَكَمْand how many يَدٍa favor لَكَof yours لاnot يُؤَدّىis repaid حَقُّهاits due
وَلَكَمْ يَدٍ لَكَ لا يُؤَدّى حَقُّها
ماas long as خَبَّtrots رَكْبٌa caravan بِالْفِجاجِthrough mountain passes وَأَعْنَقاand hastens
ما خَبَّ رَكْبٌ بِالْفِجاجِ وَأَعْنَقا
How many favors of yours can never be repaid,
How many hands you have that cannot fulfill their rights,
as long as caravans trot and hasten through the mountain passes!
No riding beast limped from sores and faltered.
أَعْيَتْoutstripped ثَنايَmy praise وَأَوْجَبَتْand compelled شُكْرِيmy gratitude لِساfor past… (fragment)
أَعْيَتْ ثَنايَ وَأَوْجَبَتْ شُكْرِي لِسا
لِفِها…favors of theirs (continuation) فَأَحْمَنِيand silenced me نَداكَyour generosity وَأَنْطَقاand made me speak
لِفِها فَأَحْمَنِي نَداكَ وَأَنْطَقا
They have exhausted my praise and compelled my gratitude for
You have exhausted my expressions, and made gratitude obligatory by
their past favors; your bounty has silenced me and made me speak.
Repeatedly benefiting me, so enrich me through your generosity and make me articulate.
خُذْهاreceive it كَماas حَيّاكَgreets you نَوْرُthe blossoms of خَمِيلَةٍa thicket
خُذْها كَما حَيّاكَ نَوْرُ خَمِيلَةٍ
خَطَرَpassed lightly النَّسِيمُthe breeze بِهِamong them ضُحىًat forenoon فَتَفَتَّقاand they unfolded
خَطَرَ النَّسِيمُ بِهِ ضُحىً فَتَفَتَّقا
Receive it as the blossoms of a thicket greet you,
Take it as the light of a dear friend greeted you,
when the breeze passes among them at forenoon and they unfold.
The morning breeze blew it delicately and it scattered about.
تَأْبىit refuses عَلَىdespite الكِتْمانِconcealment غَيْرَanything but تَضَوُّعٍdiffusing fragrance
تَأْبى عَلَى الكِتْمانِ غَيْرَ تَضَوُّعٍ
مَنْwho ذاis it who يَصدُّprevents الْمِسْكَmusk عَنْfrom أَنْthat يَعْبَقاit spread its scent
مَنْ ذا يَصدُّ الْمِسْكَ عَنْ أَنْ يَعْبَقا
Despite concealment, it insists on diffusing its fragrance:
It refuses concealment without pretense,
who can prevent musk from spreading its scent?
Who can prevent musk from diffusing fragrance?
عَذْراءُa virgin poem لاnot تَجْلُوunveils الثَّناءَpraise عَلَيْكَof you إِطْover… (fragment)
عَذْراءُ لا تَجْلُو الثَّناءَ عَلَيْكَ إِطْ
راءً…praise (continuation) وَلاnor تَصِفُexpresses الْوَلاءَloyalty تَمَلُّقاthrough ingratiation
راءً وَلا تَصِفُ الْوَلاءَ تَمَلُّقا
A virgin poem: it does not unveil praise of you as
An innocent girl who does not falsely praise you,
overpraise, nor express loyalty through ingratiation.
Nor describes loyalty fawningly.
تُحْيِيit revives حَبِيباًHabib وَالْوَلِيدَand al-Walid وَتَجْتَبِيand selects
تُحْيِي حَبِيباً وَالْوَلِيدَ وَتَجْتَبِي
لِخُلُودِfor the immortality of فَخْرِكِyour glory أَخْطَلاًAkhtal وَفَرَزْدَقاand Farazdaq
لِخُلُودِ فَخْرِكِ أَخْطَلاً وَفَرَزْدَقا
It revives Habib and al-Walid, and selects,
She praises a beloved, al-Walid, and chooses
to immortalize your glory, Akhtal and Farazdaq.
For the eternity of your pride Akhtal and Farazdaq.
وَكَأَنَّand as though تَغْرِيدَthe trilling of الْغَرِيضِal-Gharid مُرجَّعاًechoed
وَكَأَنَّ تَغْرِيدَ الْغَرِيضِ مُرجَّعاً
فِيهاwithin it وَعانِيَّand Ana's الرَّحِيقِpure wine مُعَتَّقاwell aged
فِيها وَعانِيَّ الرَّحِيقِ مُعَتَّقا
It is as though al-Gharid's trilling, echoed,
It is as if the warbling of the singing bird echoes in her,
were within it, and the pure wine of Ana, well aged.
And the lover of wine melts within her.
وَكَأَنَّand as though أَيّامَthe days of الصَّبابَةِyearning love رِقَّةًin tenderness
وَكَأَنَّ أَيّامَ الصَّبابَةِ رِقَّةً
فِيهاwithin it وَمُفْتَرَقand the crossroads of الْنَّوىseparation وَالْمُلْتَقاand the meeting-place
فِيها وَمُفْتَرَق الْنَّوى وَالْمُلْتَقا
And as though the days of longing, in their tenderness,
And as if the days of youthfulness are gentleness in her,
were within it, with separation's crossroads and the meeting-place.
And the separation and meeting of companions.
وَقَدْand indeed اسْتَشادَcalled forth لَكَfor you الثَّناءَpraise فَماso not تَرىyou see
وَقَدْ اسْتَشادَ لَكَ الثَّناءَ فَما تَرى
إِلاّexcept بَلِيغاًan eloquent man بِامْتِداحِكَin praising you مُفْلِقاdazzling
إِلاّ بَلِيغاً بِامْتِداحِكَ مُفْلِقا
Praise has been called forth for you, so you see
Eloquence has testified to your praise, so she does not see
only eloquent men dazzling in their praise of you.
Except an eloquent one splitting open in your eulogy.
فَمَتىso whenever تَغَنَّىsings الرَّكْبُthe caravan يَوْماًone day أَوْor حَداchants to the camels
فَمَتى تَغَنَّى الرَّكْبُ يَوْماً أَوْ حَدا
لَمْnot يَعْدُgoes beyond مَدْحَكَyour praise مُشْئِماًheading for al-Sham أَوْor مُعْرِقاheading for Iraq
لَمْ يَعْدُ مَدْحَكَ مُشْئِماً أَوْ مُعْرِقا
Whenever the caravan sings one day or chants to its camels,
So when has the riding company ever sung a song or recited a poem
it never leaves your praise, bound for al-Sham or Iraq.
And not found praise of you inauspicious or ominous?
وَالدُّرُّand pearls يَشْرُفُare precious قِيمَةًin value وَيَزِيدُهُand increases them
وَالدُّرُّ يَشْرُفُ قِيمَةً وَيَزِيدُهُ
شَرَفاًin honor إِذاwhen ماindeed كانَthey are دُرّاًpearls مُنْتَقاcarefully chosen
شَرَفاً إِذا ما كانَ دُرّاً مُنْتَقا
Pearls are precious in value, and they gain
Pearls increase in value and gain more nobility
honor when they are carefully chosen pearls.
When they are carefully selected pearls.
مَنْwhoever باتَspends the night يَسْأَلُasking رَبَّهُhis Lord أُمْنِيَّةًfor a wish
مَنْ باتَ يَسْأَلُ رَبَّهُ أُمْنِيَّةً
فَاللهَthen God أَسْأَلُI ask أَنْto يُطِيلَprolong لَكَfor you الْبَقاlife
فَاللهَ أَسْأَلُ أَنْ يُطِيلَ لَكَ الْبَقا
Whoever spends the night asking his Lord for a wish—
Whoever spends the night asking his Lord for a wish,
I ask God to prolong your life.
I ask Allah to prolong your remaining here.
Sol 6.1