أَمَاindeed لَوْif عَلِمْنَاwe knew أَنَّهُthat it يَنْطِقُspeaks الرَّسْمُthe ruined trace
أَمَا لَوْ عَلِمْنَا أَنَّهُ يَنْطِقُ الرَّسْمُ
وَلَمْand did not يَبْقَremain يَوْماًone day مِنْof مُسَمَّاهُwhat it named إِلاَّexcept اسْمُa name
وَلَمْ يَبْقَ يَوْماً مِنْ مُسَمَّاهُ إِلاَّ اسْمُ
Ah, if we knew that the ruined trace could speak,
Though nothing of what it named remained but a name,
وَأَنَّand that سُؤَالَquestioning الرَّبْعِthe dwelling يَنْقَعُquenches غُلَّةًa thirst
وَأَنَّ سُؤَالَ الرَّبْعِ يَنْقَعُ غُلَّةً
فَيَحْصُلُand thus arises مِنْfrom أَنْبَاءِnews of مَنْthose who ظَعَنَdeparted الْعِلْمُknowledge
فَيَحْصُلُ مِنْ أَنْبَاءِ مَنْ ظَعَنَ الْعِلْمُ
And that questioning the dwelling could quench a thirst,
And bring knowledge of those who departed,
لَطَالَwould surely lengthen وُقُوفٌstanding وَاسْتَهَلَّتْand poured forth مَدَامِعٌtears
لَطَالَ وُقُوفٌ وَاسْتَهَلَّتْ مَدَامِعٌ
وَبُثَّand was disclosed غَرَامٌpassion طَالَمَاfor so long صَانَهُguarded it كَتْمُconcealment
وَبُثَّ غَرَامٌ طَالَمَا صَانَهُ كَتْمُ
Our standing there would lengthen, and tears would pour,
And passion long guarded by silence would be revealed.
وَلَكِنَّهُbut it جِسْمٌa body تَحَمَّلَdeparted رُوحَهُits spirit
وَلَكِنَّهُ جِسْمٌ تَحَمَّلَ رُوحَهُ
وَمَهْمَاand whenever تَوَلَّىdeparted الرُّوحُthe spirit لاَnot يُسْأَلُis questioned الْجِسْمُthe body
وَمَهْمَا تَوَلَّى الرُّوحُ لاَ يُسْأَلُ الْجِسْمُ
But it is a body whose spirit has departed;
Whenever the spirit leaves, the body is not questioned.
وَحَتَّىand until مَتَىwhen شُغْلٌpreoccupation بِمَاwith what شَاءَهُdesired it الْهوَىpassion
وَحَتَّى مَتَى شُغْلٌ بِمَا شَاءَهُ الْهوَى
وَكَيْفَand how بِعَزْمٍwith resolve بَعْدَafter مَاwhat خُذِلَwas betrayed الْعَزْمُresolve
وَكَيْفَ بِعَزْمٍ بَعْدَ مَا خُذِلَ الْعَزْمُ
How long this preoccupation with whatever passion desires?
And how can resolve return after resolve has been betrayed?
لَهَاfor it اللهُGod مِنْwhat a نَفْسٍsoul شُعَاعٍscattered وَمُهْجَةٍand a heart
لَهَا اللهُ مِنْ نَفْسٍ شُعَاعٍ وَمُهْجَةٍ
هِيَit الْغَرَضُthe target الْمَقْصُودُintended يُثْبِتُهُpierces it السَّهْمُthe arrow
هِيَ الْغَرَضُ الْمَقْصُودُ يُثْبِتُهُ السَّهْمُ
God help that scattered soul and that heart,
The intended target that the arrow pierces.
يَصُولُassaults عَلَيَّme الشَّوْقُlonging صَوْلَةَthe assault of جَائِرٍa tyrant
يَصُولُ عَلَيَّ الشَّوْقُ صَوْلَةَ جَائِرٍ
إِذّاwhen اغْتَاظَbecame angry لاَno عَفْوٌpardon لَدَيْهِwith him وَلاَand no نَظْمُorder
إِذّا اغْتَاظَ لاَ عَفْوٌ لَدَيْهِ وَلاَ نَظْمُ
Longing assaults me with a tyrant's assault:
When angered, he has neither pardon nor order.
وَيَنْفِرُand flees عَنْfrom عَيْنِيmy eyes الْمَنَامُsleep كَأَنَّمَاas though
وَيَنْفِرُ عَنْ عَيْنِي الْمَنَامُ كَأَنَّمَا
قَطاًsandgrouse صَدَّهُdrove them away عَنْfrom وِرْدِwatering at مَشْرِعِهِtheir drinking place سَهْمan arrow
قَطاً صَدَّهُ عَنْ وِرْدِ مَشْرِعِهِ سَهْم
Sleep flees from my eyes as though it were
Sandgrouse driven by an arrow from their watering place.
وَيُسْلِمُنِيand abandons me الصَّبْرُpatience الْجَمِيلُgraceful إِلَىto الْجَوَىheartache
وَيُسْلِمُنِي الصَّبْرُ الْجَمِيلُ إِلَى الْجَوَى
فَتَعْرُونِيthen assails me الْبُؤَسَىmisery وَيَكْسُونِيand clothes me السُّقْمُsickness
فَتَعْرُونِي الْبُؤَسَى وَيَكْسُونِي السُّقْمُ
And graceful patience abandons me to heartache;
Then misery assails me and sickness clothes me.
لَقَدْindeed شَقِيتْsuffered طَوْعَin obedience to الصَّبَابَةِardent longing أَنْفُسٌsouls
لَقَدْ شَقِيتْ طَوْعَ الصَّبَابَةِ أَنْفُسٌ
حَبَاfavored الرُّشْدُsound judgment مَثْوَاهَاtheir dwelling وَبَايَنَهَاand deserted them الْحِلْمُreason
حَبَا الرُّشْدُ مَثْوَاهَا وَبَايَنَهَا الْحِلْمُ
Souls have indeed suffered through yielding to longing,
Whose dwelling judgment favored, yet reason deserted.
وَمَاand not فَتِئتْceased أَنْto أَمْكَنَتْgave control مِنْof قِيَادِهَاtheir reins
وَمَا فَتِئتْ أَنْ أَمْكَنَتْ مِنْ قِيَادِهَا
يَداًa hand سَاءَwas bad فِيover الأَمْلاَكِthe possessions مِنْهَاfrom it لَهَاfor them حُكْمُa judgment
يَداً سَاءَ فِي الأَمْلاَكِ مِنْهَا لَهَا حُكْمُ
They have never ceased to surrender their reins
To a hand whose rule over its possessions wronged them.
تُمَنِّيpromises بِورْدِa draught of الظَّلْمِpearly saliva غُلَّةَthe thirst of هَائِمٍa love-crazed wanderer
تُمَنِّي بِورْدِ الظَّلْمِ غُلَّةَ هَائِمٍ
وَمَاand not هُوَit إِلاَّanything but الظَّلْمُinjustice أَوْor دُونَهُshort of it الظَّلْمُinjustice
وَمَا هُوَ إِلاَّ الظَّلْمُ أَوْ دُونَهُ الظَّلْمُ
It promises a wanderer's thirst a draught of pearly saliva,
Yet it is nothing but injustice—or injustice falls short of it.
وَتَهْلِكُand perishes دُونَbefore reaching الشَّهْدِthe honey شَأَنَlike ذُبَابَةٍa fly
وَتَهْلِكُ دُونَ الشَّهْدِ شَأَنَ ذُبَابَةٍ
وَمِنْand before دُونِreaching ذَاكَthat الشَّهْدِhoney لَمْdid not تَشْعُرُperceive السُّمthe poison
وَمِنْ دُونِ ذَاكَ الشَّهْدِ لَمْ تَشْعُرُ السُّم
And it perishes before the honey, like a fly,
Unaware of the poison lying before that honey.
عَلاَقَةُan attachment to وَهْمٍillusion فِيin الْخَيَالِthe imagination تَحَكَّمَتْgained control
عَلاَقَةُ وَهْمٍ فِي الْخَيَالِ تَحَكَّمَتْ
وَيَاand oh شَدَّhow grievous مَاwhat يَجْنِيit perpetrates إِذّاwhen اسْتَحْكَمَgained mastery الْوَهْمُillusion
وَيَا شَدَّ مَا يَجْنِي إِذّا اسْتَحْكَمَ الْوَهْمُ
An attachment to illusion has ruled the imagination;
How grievous its harm when illusion gains mastery!
إِذَاif لَمْdoes not يَقُدْهَاlead them بِالْغَرَامِthrough passion وُجُودُهَاtheir existence
إِذَا لَمْ يَقُدْهَا بِالْغَرَامِ وُجُودُهَا
إِلَىto عَدَمnothingness أَلْوَىswept away بِمَوْجُودِهَاwhat they possess الْعُدْمُprivation
إِلَى عَدَم أَلْوَى بِمَوْجُودِهَا الْعُدْمُ
If their existence does not lead them through passion
To nothingness, deprivation sweeps away what they possess.
فَكُنْso be لِلْمَعَالِيof lofty deeds وَالْفَضَائِلِand virtues عَاشِقاًa lover
فَكُنْ لِلْمَعَالِي وَالْفَضَائِلِ عَاشِقاً
وَإِنْand even if عَسُرَbecame difficult الْمطْلُوبُthe goal أَوْor ثَقُلَgrew heavy الْعَزْمُresolve
وَإِنْ عَسُرَ الْمطْلُوبُ أَوْ ثَقُلَ الْعَزْمُ
So be a lover of lofty deeds and virtues,
Even if the goal is difficult or resolve grows burdensome.
خِلاَلُqualities of النَّدَىgenerosity وَالْبَأَسِand courage تَسْتَلْزِمُdemand الثَّناpraise
خِلاَلُ النَّدَى وَالْبَأَسِ تَسْتَلْزِمُ الثَّنا
إِذَاwhen مَاemphatic particle تَسَنَّىbecame available لاِمْرِئٍto a person مِنْهُمَاof either قَسْمُa share
إِذَا مَا تَسَنَّى لاِمْرِئٍ مِنْهُمَا قَسْمُ
The qualities of generosity and courage demand praise
Whenever a person is granted a share of either.
وَلاَand not يُشْهِرُmakes renowned الإِنْسَانَa person إِلاَّexcept امْتِيَازُهُhis distinction
وَلاَ يُشْهِرُ الإِنْسَانَ إِلاَّ امْتِيَازُهُ
بِفَضْلٍin excellence فَلَوْلاَfor without الْخَمْرُwine مَاnot كَرُمَwas prized الْكَرْمُthe vine
بِفَضْلٍ فَلَوْلاَ الْخَمْرُ مَا كَرُمَ الْكَرْمُ
Nothing makes a person renowned but distinction
In excellence: without wine, the vine would not be prized.
فَلاَso not دَرَّmay flow إِلاَّexcept دَرُّthe bounty of مُكْتَمِلِone perfected in النُّهَىreason
فَلاَ دَرَّ إِلاَّ دَرُّ مُكْتَمِلِ النُّهَى
بِغَيْرِwith anything other than الْمَعَالِيlofty deeds لاَnot يُرَىis seen وَهْوَwhile he مُهْتَمُّis concerned
بِغَيْرِ الْمَعَالِي لاَ يُرَى وَهْوَ مُهْتَمُّ
May bounty flow only from one perfected in reason,
Who is never seen concerned with anything but lofty deeds.
أَعَارَoffered جَنَابَthe realm of اللَّهْوِpleasure صَفْحَةthe face of مُعْرِضٍone turning away
أَعَارَ جَنَابَ اللَّهْوِ صَفْحَة مُعْرِضٍ
وَعَافَand rejected الْهَوَىpassion وِرْداًas a draught وَإِنَand even if عَذُبَwas sweet الطَّعْمُthe taste
وَعَافَ الْهَوَى وِرْداً وَإِنَ عَذُبَ الطَّعْمُ
He offered pleasure's realm only a turned-away face,
And rejected passion as a draught, though its taste was sweet.
وَأَضْرَبَand turned away عَنْfrom خَطِّthe script of الْهَوَىpassion عِنْدَمَاwhen اسْتَوَىbecame complete
وَأَضْرَبَ عَنْ خَطِّ الْهَوَى عِنْدَمَا اسْتَوَى
وَقَدْand indeed أَجْمَلَتْgrew beautiful جُمْلٌJuml وَقَدْand indeed أَنْعَمَتْbestowed favors نُعْمُNu'm
وَقَدْ أَجْمَلَتْ جُمْلٌ وَقَدْ أَنْعَمَتْ نُعْمُ
He turned away from passion's script when it stood complete,
Though Juml grew lovely and Nu'm bestowed delight.
حَمَىguarded سَاحةَthe precinct of الطَّبْعِnature الْعَفِيفِchaste كَمِثْلِjust like مَاwhat
حَمَى سَاحةَ الطَّبْعِ الْعَفِيفِ كَمِثْلِ مَا
حَمَىguarded سَاحَةَthe precinct of الْمُلْكِthe kingdom الْمُنِيفِexalted أَبُوAbu حَمُّوHammu
حَمَى سَاحَةَ الْمُلْكِ الْمُنِيفِ أَبُو حَمُّو
He guarded the precinct of his chaste nature just as
Abu Hammu guarded the precinct of his exalted kingdom.
وَمَاand not هُنَّthey فِيin الَّتحْقِيقِtruth إِلاَّanything but صَفَاتُهُhis qualities
وَمَا هُنَّ فِي الَّتحْقِيقِ إِلاَّ صَفَاتُهُ
بِهِنَّthrough them إِلَىinto إِطْرَائِهِhis praise اسْتَطْرَدَdigressed النَّظْمُthe verse
بِهِنَّ إِلَى إِطْرَائِهِ اسْتَطْرَدَ النَّظْمُ
In truth, these are nothing but his qualities;
Through them the verse digressed into his praise.
وَمَنْand who مِثْلُهُis his equal قَدْindeed أَعْجَزَdefeated الدَّهْرَtime مِثْلُهُhis equal
وَمَنْ مِثْلُهُ قَدْ أَعْجَزَ الدَّهْرَ مِثْلُهُ
إِwhen (first fragment) ذَاwhen (second fragment) ذُكِرَwas mentioned الْعَزْمُresolve الصَّرِيحُgenuine أَوِor الْحَزْمُprudence
إِ ذَا ذُكِرَ الْعَزْمُ الصَّرِيحُ أَوِ الْحَزْمُ
Who is like him? Time has failed to produce his equal,
When genuine resolve or prudent judgment is mentioned,
أَوِor الدِّينُreligion مَرْفُوعاًraised عَلَىupon عَمَدِthe pillars of التُّقَىpiety
أَوِ الدِّينُ مَرْفُوعاً عَلَى عَمَدِ التُّقَى
أَوِor الْكلِمُwords الْحِكْمِيُّwise يُشْفَىis healed بِهِthrough them الْكَلْمُthe wound
أَوِ الْكلِمُ الْحِكْمِيُّ يُشْفَى بِهِ الْكَلْمُ
Or religion raised upon the pillars of piety,
Or wise words through which wounds are healed.
يَغُضُّaverts his gaze عَنfrom الطَّيْفِthe phantom الْمُلِمِّvisiting لِعِفَّةٍout of chastity
يَغُضُّ عَن الطَّيْفِ الْمُلِمِّ لِعِفَّةٍ
وَفَضْلِand abundant حَيَاءٍmodesty لاَnot يَكِيدُهُمَاundermines them both الْحِلْمُa dream
وَفَضْلِ حَيَاءٍ لاَ يَكِيدُهُمَا الْحِلْمُ
He averts his gaze from the visiting phantom out of chastity
And abundant modesty that even a dream cannot undermine.
وَيُخْجِلُand shames سُحْبَthe clouds of الْغَيْثِrain فَالْبَرْقَthen the lightning خَجْلَةًinto blushing
وَيُخْجِلُ سُحْبَ الْغَيْثِ فَالْبَرْقَ خَجْلَةً
إِذَاwhen مَاemphatic particle هَمَىpoured فِيin كَفِّهِhis palm وَابِلٌa downpour سَجْمٌstreaming
إِذَا مَا هَمَى فِي كَفِّهِ وَابِلٌ سَجْمٌ
He shames the rain clouds and makes the lightning blush
When a streaming downpour flows within his palm.
وَيُسْمِعُand makes heard يَوْمَon the day of الْخَطْبِcrisis خُطْبَةَan oration of فَيْصَلٍdecisive judgment
وَيُسْمِعُ يَوْمَ الْخَطْبِ خُطْبَةَ فَيْصَلٍ
وَمِنْand from ضَرْبِهِhis blows نَثْرٌprose وَمِنْand from طَعْنِهِhis thrusts نَظْمُverse
وَمِنْ ضَرْبِهِ نَثْرٌ وَمِنْ طَعْنِهِ نَظْمُ
On the day of crisis he delivers a decisive oration;
His blows are prose, and his thrusts are verse.
غَنِيٌّhaving no need بِتَصْهَالِthrough the neighing of الْجِيَادِsteeds عَنِfor الْقَنَاreed pipes
غَنِيٌّ بِتَصْهَالِ الْجِيَادِ عَنِ الْقَنَا
فَلاَso neither الزِّيرُthe treble string يَسْتَهْوِيbeguiles نُهَاهُhis reason وَلاَnor الْبَمُّthe bass string
فَلاَ الزِّيرُ يَسْتَهْوِي نُهَاهُ وَلاَ الْبَمُّ
The neighing of steeds suffices him instead of reed pipes;
Neither the treble nor the bass string beguiles his reason.
وَبِالْبِيضِand in bright swords رَاقَpleased الْوَسْمُthe marking فَوْقَupon صِفَاحِهَاtheir flat faces
وَبِالْبِيضِ رَاقَ الْوَسْمُ فَوْقَ صِفَاحِهَا
عَنِinstead of الْبِيضِfair women يُصْبِيentices فِيon مَعَاصِمِهَاtheir wrists الْوَشْمُtattooing
عَنِ الْبِيضِ يُصْبِي فِي مَعَاصِمِهَا الْوَشْمُ
He delights in bright blades and the marks upon their flats,
Rather than fair women whose wrist-tattoos entice.
إِذَاwhen مَاemphatic particle بَنَىbuilt يَوْماًone day بنَاءَan edifice of صَنِيعَةٍkindness
إِذَا مَا بَنَى يَوْماً بنَاءَ صَنِيعَةٍ
تَعَاهَدهkept tending it مِنْهُfrom him التَّفَقُّدُinspection وَالرَّمُّand repair
تَعَاهَده مِنْهُ التَّفَقُّدُ وَالرَّمُّ
Whenever he builds an edifice of kindness,
His inspection and repair keep tending it.
وَمَهْمَاand whenever اسْتَلَّتْwere drawn فِيagainst الرِّقَابِnecks حُقُوقُهُhis claims
وَمَهْمَا اسْتَلَّتْ فِي الرِّقَابِ حُقُوقُهُ
فَلاَthen not يُعْدَمُis lacking الإِبْرَاءُremission فِيهَاin them وَلاَnor الْهَضْمُreduction
فَلاَ يُعْدَمُ الإِبْرَاءُ فِيهَا وَلاَ الْهَضْمُ
Whenever his claims are drawn against men's necks,
Remission is never lacking, nor reduction.
وَيُعْلِمُand ornaments ثَوْبَthe robe of الْمَجْدِglory بِالْخُلُقِwith character الرِّضَىpleasing
وَيُعْلِمُ ثَوْبَ الْمَجْدِ بِالْخُلُقِ الرِّضَى
كَمَاas يُعْلِمُornaments الثَّوْبَthe garment الطِّرَازُembroidery أَوِor الرَّقْمُpatterned stitching
كَمَا يُعْلِمُ الثَّوْبَ الطِّرَازُ أَوِ الرَّقْمُ
He ornaments glory's robe with pleasing character,
As embroidery or patterned stitching ornaments a garment.
وَجَاءَتْand brought forth بِهِhim الدُّنْيَاthe world النَّزُورُseldom fruitful فَأَنْجَبَتand bore nobly
وَجَاءَتْ بِهِ الدُّنْيَا النَّزُورُ فَأَنْجَبَت
وَأَرْحَامُهَاand its wombs فِيwith مِثْلِهِone like him شَأَنُهَاtheir usual condition الْعُقْمُbarrenness
وَأَرْحَامُهَا فِي مِثْلِهِ شَأَنُهَا الْعُقْمُ
The seldom-fruitful world bore him, and bore nobly;
Its wombs are usually barren of anyone like him.
أَجَلُّthe greatest of الْمُلُوكِkings الصِّيدِproud ذَاتاًin person وَمَحَتِداًand lineage
أَجَلُّ الْمُلُوكِ الصِّيدِ ذَاتاً وَمَحَتِداً
فَمَاso no فَوْقَهُabove him مَسْمىًtitle لِمَنْfor whoever شَاءَwished أَنْto يَسْمُوrise
فَمَا فَوْقَهُ مَسْمىً لِمَنْ شَاءَ أَنْ يَسْمُو
The greatest of proud kings in person and lineage:
There is no higher title for anyone wishing to rise.
وَفَخْرُand the pride of بَنِيBanu زَيَّانَZayyan يُحُضِرُgallops إِنْif خَطَوْاthey stepped
وَفَخْرُ بَنِي زَيَّانَ يُحُضِرُ إِنْ خَطَوْا
وَيُسْرِعُand hastens إِنْif أَبْطَوْاthey lingered وَيَمْضِيand proceeds إِذَاwhen هَمُّواthey intended
وَيُسْرِعُ إِنْ أَبْطَوْا وَيَمْضِي إِذَا هَمُّوا
The pride of Banu Zayyan gallops when they merely step,
Hastens when they linger, and acts when they only intend.
فَلَوْلاَwere it not for وَلِيُّthe heir to الْعَهْدِthe succession مَاnot ضَلَّerred قَائِلٌa speaker
فَلَوْلاَ وَلِيُّ الْعَهْدِ مَا ضَلَّ قَائِلٌ
بِهِwith him الْبَدْءَthe beginning فِيin عَلْيَائِهِمْtheir eminence وبِهِand with him الْخَتْمُthe ending
بِهِ الْبَدْءَ فِي عَلْيَائِهِمْ وبِهِ الْخَتْمُ
Were it not for the heir apparent, no speaker would err
In saying their glory begins with him and ends with him.
وَلَكِنَّهُbut it إِرْثٌan inheritance قَدِيمٌancient وَحَادِثٌand renewed
وَلَكِنَّهُ إِرْثٌ قَدِيمٌ وَحَادِثٌ
وَمَنْبِتُand a seedbed of فَضْلٍexcellence لَيْسَnot يُزْرَىis disparaged لَهَits جِذْمُroot
وَمَنْبِتُ فَضْلٍ لَيْسَ يُزْرَى لَهَ جِذْمُ
But it is an inheritance, ancient and renewed,
A seedbed of excellence whose root cannot be disparaged.
وَإِنَّand indeed بَنِيBanu زيَّانَZayyan فِيon أُفُقِthe horizon of الْعُلَىgreatness
وَإِنَّ بَنِي زيَّانَ فِي أُفُقِ الْعُلَى
لأَنْجُمُare surely stars of هَدْيٍguidance كُلَّمَاwhenever أَفَلَset النَّجْمُthe star
لأَنْجُمُ هَدْيٍ كُلَّمَا أَفَلَ النَّجْمُ
Indeed, Banu Zayyan, on the horizon of greatness,
Are guiding stars whenever a star sets:
غُيُوثٌrain clouds إِذَاwhen أَعْطَوْاthey gave لُيُوثٌlions إِذَاwhen سَطَوْاthey attacked
غُيُوثٌ إِذَا أَعْطَوْا لُيُوثٌ إِذَا سَطَوْا
أَهِلَّةُcrescents of هَالاَتِhalos of الْبَهَاءِsplendor إِذَاwhen اعْتَمُّواthey donned turbans
أَهِلَّةُ هَالاَتِ الْبَهَاءِ إِذَا اعْتَمُّوا
Rain clouds when they give, lions when they attack,
Crescents within halos of splendor when they don turbans.
أَمُعْمِلَهَاO you who deploy it فِيin حَوْمَةِthe arena of الْجُودِgenerosity غَارَةًas a raid
أَمُعْمِلَهَا فِي حَوْمَةِ الْجُودِ غَارَةً
تَأَزَّرَgirded itself فِيهَاwithin it النَّصْرُvictory وَاسْتَبْحَرَand swelled into a sea الْغُنْمُthe spoils
تَأَزَّرَ فِيهَا النَّصْرُ وَاسْتَبْحَرَ الْغُنْمُ
O you who launch it as a raid into generosity's arena,
Where victory girded itself and spoils swelled into a sea,
وَوَقَّادَهَاand you who kindle it فِيon هَضْبَةِthe high ground of الْحَرْبِwar جِذْوَةًas an ember
وَوَقَّادَهَا فِي هَضْبَةِ الْحَرْبِ جِذْوَةً
رَمَتْcast شَرَراًsparks يَشْقَىare afflicted بِهِby them الْعُرْبُArabs وَالْعُجْمُand non-Arabs
رَمَتْ شَرَراً يَشْقَى بِهِ الْعُرْبُ وَالْعُجْمُ
And kindle it as an ember on war's high ground,
Casting sparks that afflict Arabs and non-Arabs!
تَبَارَكَblessed is مُعْطِيكَHe who gives you الْكَمَالَperfection كَأَنَّمَاas though
تَبَارَكَ مُعْطِيكَ الْكَمَالَ كَأَنَّمَا
تَصَوَّرْتَyou took shape مُخْتَاراًchoosing freely وَكَانَand was لَكَyours الْحُكْمُthe decision
تَصَوَّرْتَ مُخْتَاراً وَكَانَ لَكَ الْحُكْمُ
Blessed is He who gave you perfection, as though
You took shape as you chose, with the decision yours.
ظَهَرْتَyou appeared وُجُوداًin existence وَاحْتَجَبْتَand concealed yourself لَطَافَةًthrough subtlety
ظَهَرْتَ وُجُوداً وَاحْتَجَبْتَ لَطَافَةً
كَأَنَّكَas though you رُوحٌa spirit لاَnot يُصَاحِبُهُaccompanies it جِسْمُa body
كَأَنَّكَ رُوحٌ لاَ يُصَاحِبُهُ جِسْمُ
You appeared in existence, yet hid through subtlety,
As though you were a spirit accompanied by no body.
يَقُولُونَthey say مُمْتَازٌdistinguished بِنِصْبَةِby a configuration of مَوْلِدٍbirth
يَقُولُونَ مُمْتَازٌ بِنِصْبَةِ مَوْلِدٍ
وَمَاand not إِنْemphatic particle يُنِيلُbestows الْحَظَّgood fortune شَمْسٌa sun وَلاَnor نَجْمُa star
وَمَا إِنْ يُنِيلُ الْحَظَّ شَمْسٌ وَلاَ نَجْمُ
They say: distinguished by the configuration of his birth;
Yet neither sun nor star bestows good fortune.
وَمَاand not هِيَthey فِيin التَّحْقِيقِtruth إِلاَّanything but مَوَاهِبٌgifts
وَمَا هِيَ فِي التَّحْقِيقِ إِلاَّ مَوَاهِبٌ
مِنَfrom اللهِGod قَبْلَbefore الْكَوْنِexistence عَيَّنهَاassigned them الْقَسْمُallotment
مِنَ اللهِ قَبْلَ الْكَوْنِ عَيَّنهَا الْقَسْمُ
In truth, these are nothing but gifts
From God, allotted before existence began.
أَمُوسَىO Musa لَقَدْindeed أَمْسَىhas become حَدِيثُكَyour story فِيamong الْوَرَىmankind
أَمُوسَى لَقَدْ أَمْسَى حَدِيثُكَ فِي الْوَرَى
صَحَائِفَpages تُتْلَىrecited مَاno لِشَائِعِهَاfor their spreading كَتْمُconcealment
صَحَائِفَ تُتْلَى مَا لِشَائِعِهَا كَتْمُ
O Musa, your story among mankind has become
Pages recited aloud, their spreading impossible to conceal.
عَلَىat قَدَرan appointed time قَدْindeed جِئْتَyou came قَوْمَكَto your people عِنْدَمَاwhen
عَلَى قَدَر قَدْ جِئْتَ قَوْمَكَ عِنْدَمَا
تَنَاهَتْreached its height بِهَاupon them الْبُؤسَىmisery وَأَجْهَدَهَاand exhausted them الأَزْمُhardship
تَنَاهَتْ بِهَا الْبُؤسَى وَأَجْهَدَهَا الأَزْمُ
You came to your people at an appointed time, when
Their misery reached its height and hardship exhausted them.
طَلَعْتَyou rose لَهَاfor them فِيin الْجُنْحِdarkness شَمْساًas a sun مُنِيرَةًshining
طَلَعْتَ لَهَا فِي الْجُنْحِ شَمْساً مُنِيرَةً
فَأَشْرَقَتِthen brightened الأَرْجَاءُthe regions وانْفَرَجَand lifted الْغَمُّsorrow
فَأَشْرَقَتِ الأَرْجَاءُ وانْفَرَجَ الْغَمُّ
You rose for them in darkness as a shining sun;
The regions brightened, and sorrow lifted.
وَجَدَّدْتَand you renewed فِيهَاamong them دَوْلَةًa realm مُوسَويَّةًof Musa
وَجَدَّدْتَ فِيهَا دَوْلَةً مُوسَويَّةً
سَجِيَّتُهَاits nature عَدْلٌjustice وَشِيمَتُهَاand its character حِلْمُforbearance
سَجِيَّتُهَا عَدْلٌ وَشِيمَتُهَا حِلْمُ
You renewed among them a realm of Musa,
Whose nature is justice and whose character is forbearance.
أَبُوAbu تَاشَفِينٍTashfin حَدُّهَاits cutting edge وَحُسَامُهَاand its sharp sword
أَبُو تَاشَفِينٍ حَدُّهَا وَحُسَامُهَا
فَقَدْthus indeed صَحَّwas established مِنْهَاof it الْحَدُّthe definition فِيin الْمَجْدِglory وَالرَّسْمُand the description
فَقَدْ صَحَّ مِنْهَا الْحَدُّ فِي الْمَجْدِ وَالرَّسْمُ
Abu Tashfin is its cutting edge and its sharp sword;
Thus its definition and description in glory stand confirmed.
فَأَنْتَso you بِهَاwithin it لاَزِلْتَmay you remain شَمْسَthe sun of ظَهِيرَةٍnoonday
فَأَنْتَ بِهَا لاَزِلْتَ شَمْسَ ظَهِيرَةٍ
وَهَاand behold هُوَhe فِيin إِمْدَادِكَsupporting you الْقَمَرُthe moon التِّمُّfull
وَهَا هُوَ فِي إِمْدَادِكَ الْقَمَرُ التِّمُّ
May you remain its noonday sun,
And behold him, the full moon supporting you.
أَمَاindeed وَالَّذِيand by Him who أَغْنَىenriched أقنىbestowed possessions وَمَنْand Him who لَهُto Him
أَمَا وَالَّذِي أَغْنَى أقنى وَمَنْ لَهُ
مِنَof النَّسِمِsouls الرُّجْعَىthe return بَلَىyes وَلَهُand His الْحُكْمُthe judgment
مِنَ النَّسِمِ الرُّجْعَى بَلَى وَلَهُ الْحُكْمُ
Indeed, by Him who enriches and bestows possessions, and Him to whom
All souls return—yes, and His is the judgment—
وَمَنْand Him who أَوْجَدbrought into being الْكَوْنَexistence اخْتِرَاعاًwithout precedent وَلَمْand there was not يَكُنْexist
وَمَنْ أَوْجَد الْكَوْنَ اخْتِرَاعاً وَلَمْ يَكُنْ
مِثَالٌa model لَهُfor Him يُحْذَىto be followed عَلَيْهِaccording to it وَلاَnor رَسْمُan outline
مِثَالٌ لَهُ يُحْذَى عَلَيْهِ وَلاَ رَسْمُ
And Him who brought existence into being without precedent, when there was
No model for Him to follow, nor any outline,
وَدَارَand revolved الْمُحِيطُthe encompassing sphere الْمُسْتَدِيرُround بِأَمْرِهِat His command
وَدَارَ الْمُحِيطُ الْمُسْتَدِيرُ بِأَمْرِهِ
عَلَىabout قُطُبٍa pole بَادٍvisible وَإِنْand even if عَظُمَwas vast الْجِرْمُthe body
عَلَى قُطُبٍ بَادٍ وَإِنْ عَظُمَ الْجِرْمُ
And the encompassing, circling sphere revolved at His command
About a visible pole, however vast its body,
وَمَنْand Him who سَجَدَbowed الْخَلْقُcreation اعْتِرَافاًin acknowledgment لِعِزِّهِof His might
وَمَنْ سَجَدَ الْخَلْقُ اعْتِرَافاً لِعِزِّهِ
فَلاَso no شَجَرٌtree يَأَبَىrefuses السُّجُودَprostration وَلاَnor نَجْمُlow-growing plant
فَلاَ شَجَرٌ يَأَبَى السُّجُودَ وَلاَ نَجْمُ
And Him before whose might creation bowed in acknowledgment:
Neither tree nor low-growing plant refuses to bow.
لَقَدْindeed فُزْتَyou won بِالْقِدْحِthe lot-arrow الْمُعَلَّىhighest-winning مِنَof الْهُدَىguidance
لَقَدْ فُزْتَ بِالْقِدْحِ الْمُعَلَّى مِنَ الْهُدَى
وَسَلَّمَand conceded فِيin الْحَقِّthe truth الصَّرِيحِevident لَكَto you الْخَصْمُthe adversary
وَسَلَّمَ فِي الْحَقِّ الصَّرِيحِ لَكَ الْخَصْمُ
You have won the highest arrow in the lots of guidance,
And your adversary has conceded the evident truth to you.
وَبَانَتْand became evident لِرَبِّof the Lord of الْخَلْقِcreation فِيكَfor you عِنَايَةٌcare
وَبَانَتْ لِرَبِّ الْخَلْقِ فِيكَ عِنَايَةٌ
وَآيَاتُand signs of لُطْفٍkindness لاَnot يُخَيِّلُهَاconjures them الْحِلْمُa dream
وَآيَاتُ لُطْفٍ لاَ يُخَيِّلُهَا الْحِلْمُ
The Lord of creation's care for you has become plain,
And signs of kindness that no dream could conjure.
فَكَمْhow many فُتَّyou escaped مِنْof خَطْبٍcalamities وَجَاوَزْتَand you passed beyond مِنْof رَدىًdeadly peril
فَكَمْ فُتَّ مِنْ خَطْبٍ وَجَاوَزْتَ مِنْ رَدىً
تَذُوبُmelt لِمَجْرَاهُat its onrush الْمُلَمْلَمَةُthe massive rocks الصُّمُّsolid
تَذُوبُ لِمَجْرَاهُ الْمُلَمْلَمَةُ الصُّمُّ
How many a calamity you escaped, how many a deadly peril you passed,
At whose onrush massive, solid rocks would melt!
فَمَاso not كُنْتَyou were إِلاَّanything but دُرَّةَthe pearl of الْمَجْدِglory كُلَّمَاwhenever
فَمَا كُنْتَ إِلاَّ دُرَّةَ الْمَجْدِ كُلَّمَا
تَرَدَّدَreturned repeatedly فِيهَاto it الْوَصْفُpraise لَمْnot يُعْرَفِwas known الْوَصْمُa flaw
تَرَدَّدَ فِيهَا الْوَصْفُ لَمْ يُعْرَفِ الْوَصْمُ
You were nothing but glory's pearl: whenever
Praise returned to it, no flaw was known.
وَياقُوتَةًand a ruby قَدْindeed مَحَّصَpurified الدَّهْرُtime سِنْخَهَاits substance
وَياقُوتَةً قَدْ مَحَّصَ الدَّهْرُ سِنْخَهَا
صَلِيّاًby burning فَلاَso no ثَلْبٌblemish لَدَيْهَاin it وَلاَnor ثَلْمُchip
صَلِيّاً فَلاَ ثَلْبٌ لَدَيْهَا وَلاَ ثَلْمُ
And a ruby whose substance time purified
By fire, leaving neither blemish nor chip.
عَلِقْتَyou clung بِحَبْلِto the rope of اللهِGod كَفّاًwith a hand تَمَكَّنَتْfirmly gripped
عَلِقْتَ بِحَبْلِ اللهِ كَفّاً تَمَكَّنَتْ
مِنَof الْعُرْوَةِthe handle الْوُثْقَىstrongest الَّتِيwhich مَاnot لَهَاfor it فَصْمُbreaking
مِنَ الْعُرْوَةِ الْوُثْقَى الَّتِي مَا لَهَا فَصْمُ
You clung to God's rope with a hand firmly gripping
The strongest handle, which cannot break.
وَقَدْand indeed ذَغَرَfrightened الْعُرْبَانَthe Arab tribes مِنْكَfrom you غَضَنْفَرٌa lion
وَقَدْ ذَغَرَ الْعُرْبَانَ مِنْكَ غَضَنْفَرٌ
أَزَلُّlean-hipped عَريضُbroad of الصَّدْرِchest سَاعِدُهُits foreleg فعْمُpowerful
أَزَلُّ عَريضُ الصَّدْرِ سَاعِدُهُ فعْمُ
A lion from you has frightened the Arab tribes,
Lean-hipped, broad-chested, with a powerful foreleg.
وَمُلْتَفِتٌand turning عَنْfrom حُذْوَتَيْنِtwo counterparts (uncertain) إِذَاwhen هَوَىplunged
وَمُلْتَفِتٌ عَنْ حُذْوَتَيْنِ إِذَا هَوَى
أَوانْقَضَّor swooped down قُلْتَyou would say الشُّهْبُthe meteors يَقْدُمُهَاleads them الرَّجْمُa hurled stone
أَوانْقَضَّ قُلْتَ الشُّهْبُ يَقْدُمُهَا الرَّجْمُ
And turning from two counterparts, when it plunges
Or swoops down, you would say: meteors led by a hurled stone.
إِذَاwhen ضَمَّclasped أَبْطَالَthe champions of الْهِيَاجِbattle مُعَانِقاًembracing
إِذَا ضَمَّ أَبْطَالَ الْهِيَاجِ مُعَانِقاً
فَكَمْhow many مُفْرَدٍa lone man أَوْدَىperished عَلاَمَتُهُhis sign الضَّمُّclasping; damma
فَكَمْ مُفْرَدٍ أَوْدَى عَلاَمَتُهُ الضَّمُّ
When he clasps battle's champions in his embrace,
How many a lone man has perished, marked by that clasp!
فَقُلْso say لَهُمُto them لِلْحَقِّtruth has فِيamong الْخَلْقcreation صَوْلَةٌassaulting might
فَقُلْ لَهُمُ لِلْحَقِّ فِي الْخَلْق صَوْلَةٌ
وَلَوْeven if نَفَرَتْsurged forth يَاجُوجُYa'juj وَارْتَفَعَand rose الرَّدْمُthe barrier
وَلَوْ نَفَرَتْ يَاجُوجُ وَارْتَفَعَ الرَّدْمُ
Tell them: truth has an assaulting might among creation,
Even if Ya'juj surged forth and the barrier rose,
وَلَوْeven if أَجْلَبَتْmustered لِلْحَرْبِfor war عَادٌ'Ad وَجُرْهُمُand Jurhum
وَلَوْ أَجْلَبَتْ لِلْحَرْبِ عَادٌ وَجُرْهُمُ
وَلَبّتْand answered جَدِيساًJadis إِذْwhen دَعَتْcalled أُخْتُهَاher sister طَسْمُTasm
وَلَبّتْ جَدِيساً إِذْ دَعَتْ أُخْتُهَا طَسْمُ
Even if 'Ad and Jurhum mustered for war,
And Jadis answered when her sister Tasm called,
وَلَوْeven if أَقْسَمَتْswore أَنْto تَغْلِبَovercome الْجَمْعُthe host تَغْلِبٌTaghlib
وَلَوْ أَقْسَمَتْ أَنْ تَغْلِبَ الْجَمْعُ تَغْلِبٌ
وَتَنْسِفَand uproot جِرْمَthe mass of الأَرْضِthe earth إِنْif حَمَلَتْcharged جَرْمُJarm
وَتَنْسِفَ جِرْمَ الأَرْضِ إِنْ حَمَلَتْ جَرْمُ
Even if Taghlib swore to overcome the host,
And Jarm, charging, to uproot the mass of earth.
وَرَاءَback كُمُyou (plural suffix) عَمَّاfrom what أَرَدْintended (stem) تُمْyou (plural suffix) فَإِنَّهَاfor it
وَرَاءَ كُمُ عَمَّا أَرَدْ تُمْ فَإِنَّهَا
لَدَائِرَةٌis surely a circle فِيof الرَّأيِjudgment دَاخَلَهَاentered it الْخَرْمُa breach
لَدَائِرَةٌ فِي الرَّأيِ دَاخَلَهَا الْخَرْمُ
Back, all of you, from your intent! For it is
Indeed a circle of judgment breached by a gap.
مَتَىwhen تَرْجَحُoutweigh الشُّهُبَthe meteors الْحَصَىpebbles لاِفْتِخَارِهَاthrough their boasting
مَتَى تَرْجَحُ الشُّهُبَ الْحَصَى لاِفْتِخَارِهَا
بِكَثْرَتِهَاof their multitude أَوْor تَذْعَرَterrify الأُسُدَthe lions الْبَهْمُlambs
بِكَثْرَتِهَا أَوْ تَذْعَرَ الأُسُدَ الْبَهْمُ
When can pebbles outweigh meteors by boasting
Of their multitude, or lambs terrify lions?
فَلَوْلاَbut for التَّغَاضِيoverlooking جَبَّsevered غَارِبَهَاtheir withers الرَّدَىdeath
فَلَوْلاَ التَّغَاضِي جَبَّ غَارِبَهَا الرَّدَى
وَلَوْلاَand but for التَّجَافِيholding back عَاثَravaged فِيupon ظَهْرِهَاtheir backs الْقَصْمُdestruction
وَلَوْلاَ التَّجَافِي عَاثَ فِي ظَهْرِهَا الْقَصْمُ
But for overlooking them, death would have severed their withers;
But for holding back, destruction would have ravaged their backs.
لِمُوسَىfor Musa أَبِيAbi حَمُّوHammu بْنِibn يُوسُفَYusuf آيَةٌa sign
لِمُوسَى أَبِي حَمُّو بْنِ يُوسُفَ آيَةٌ
وَبُرْهَانُand a proof of صِدْقٍtruth لاَnot يُعَانِدُهُdisputes it خَصْمُan adversary
وَبُرْهَانُ صِدْقٍ لاَ يُعَانِدُهُ خَصْمُ
Musa Abu Hammu ibn Yusuf has a sign
And a proof of truth that no adversary can dispute.
وَرُبّتَمَاand sometimes نَلreceived (unclear spelling) الْمُسَمَّىthe name-bearer مِنِfrom اسْمِهِhis name
وَرُبّتَمَا نَل الْمُسَمَّى مِنِ اسْمِهِ
نَصِيبٌa portion عَلَىaccording to حُكْمِthe decree of الْعِنَايَةِprovidence أَوْor قَسْمُan allotted share
نَصِيبٌ عَلَى حُكْمِ الْعِنَايَةِ أَوْ قَسْمُ
Sometimes the bearer of a name receives from his name
A portion decreed by providence, or an allotted share.
أَدَالَgranted deliverance مِنَfrom الْبُؤسَىmisery وَنَجَىand rescued مِنَfrom الرَّدَىdeath
أَدَالَ مِنَ الْبُؤسَى وَنَجَى مِنَ الرَّدَى
فَعَمَّتْthus spread بِهِthrough him فِيamong قَوْمِهِhis people النِّعَمُblessings الْعُمُّall-embracing
فَعَمَّتْ بِهِ فِي قَوْمِهِ النِّعَمُ الْعُمُّ
He granted deliverance from misery and rescued from death;
Through him, all-embracing blessings spread among his people.
وَأَنْقَذَهُمْand saved them مِنْfrom حَيْرَةِthe bewilderment of التِّيهِwandering بَعْدَمَاafter
وَأَنْقَذَهُمْ مِنْ حَيْرَةِ التِّيهِ بَعْدَمَا
تَقَطَّعَتِbroke apart الاسْبَابُthe bonds وَانْتَثَرَand scattered النَّظْمُorder
تَقَطَّعَتِ الاسْبَابُ وَانْتَثَرَ النَّظْمُ
He saved them from the bewilderment of wandering after
Their bonds had broken and their order had scattered.
وَهَشَّand struck عَلَىupon يَمِّthe sea of الشَّدَائِدِhardships بَالْعَصَاwith the staff
وَهَشَّ عَلَى يَمِّ الشَّدَائِدِ بَالْعَصَا
وَوَافَقَand agreed with إِذْنَthe permission of اللهِGod فَانْفَرَقَso divided الْيَمُّthe sea
وَوَافَقَ إِذْنَ اللهِ فَانْفَرَقَ الْيَمُّ
He struck the sea of hardships with the staff,
And God's permission agreed: the sea divided.
لَكَfor you اللهُGod مِنْwhat an مَبْنىedifice عَلَىupon مَشْرقِthe rising place of السّنَاradiance
لَكَ اللهُ مِنْ مَبْنى عَلَى مَشْرقِ السّنَا
حَرَامٌforbidden عَلَىto أًرْكَانِهِits pillars الْهَدُّcollapse وَالْهَدْمُand demolition
حَرَامٌ عَلَى أًرْكَانِهِ الْهَدُّ وَالْهَدْمُ
God bless you, an edifice upon the rise of radiance,
Whose pillars are forbidden to collapse or be demolished!
وَمِنْand what a جَبَلٍmountain لِلْحِلْمِof forbearance أَشْرَفَtowered وَاعْتَلَىand rose high
وَمِنْ جَبَلٍ لِلْحِلْمِ أَشْرَفَ وَاعْتَلَى
فَدَانَتْso submitted لَهُto it بِالْعِزَّةِin acknowledgment of might الْقُلَلُthe summits الشُّمُّlofty
فَدَانَتْ لَهُ بِالْعِزَّةِ الْقُلَلُ الشُّمُّ
And a mountain of forbearance, towering and exalted,
To whose might the lofty summits submitted.
لَكَfor you اللهُGod مِنْwhat a قَلْبٍheart لَهُfor it خُلِقَwas created الْهُدَىguidance
لَكَ اللهُ مِنْ قَلْبٍ لَهُ خُلِقَ الْهُدَى
لَكَfor you اللهُGod مِنْwhat a كَفٍّhand لَهَاfor it خُلِقَwas created اللَّثْمُkissing
لَكَ اللهُ مِنْ كَفٍّ لَهَا خُلِقَ اللَّثْمُ
God bless you, a heart for which guidance was created!
God bless you, a hand for which kissing was created!
لَكَfor you اللهُGod مِنْwhat a وَجْهٍface وَجِيهٍdistinguished يَجِلُّis too exalted عَنْfor
لَكَ اللهُ مِنْ وَجْهٍ وَجِيهٍ يَجِلُّ عَنْ
شَبِيهٍa likeness فَلاَso not فَظُّharsh in اللِّقَاءِgreeting وَلاَnor جَهْمُgrim
شَبِيهٍ فَلاَ فَظُّ اللِّقَاءِ وَلاَ جَهْمُ
God bless you, a distinguished face too exalted for
Any likeness, neither harsh in greeting nor grim!
لَهُfor him الْحُسْنُbeauty خَالٌa maternal uncle وَالْقَبِيلُand the comely قَبيلَةٌa tribe
لَهُ الْحُسْنُ خَالٌ وَالْقَبِيلُ قَبيلَةٌ
وَمِنْand from مَحْتِدِthe stock of الْفضْلِexcellence الْمُبِينِmanifest لَهُfor him عَمُّa paternal uncle
وَمِنْ مَحْتِدِ الْفضْلِ الْمُبِينِ لَهُ عَمُّ
Beauty is his maternal uncle, and fair folk his tribe;
From the stock of manifest excellence he has a paternal uncle.
إِذَاif زَعَمَتْclaimed شَمْسُthe sun of الظَّهِيرَةِnoonday أَنَّهُthat he
إِذَا زَعَمَتْ شَمْسُ الظَّهِيرَةِ أَنَّهُ
أَخُوهَاher brother بِلاwithout شَكٍّdoubt فَقَدْthen indeed صَدَقَwas true الزَّعْمُthe claim
أَخُوهَا بِلا شَكٍّ فَقَدْ صَدَقَ الزَّعْمُ
If the noonday sun claims that he is
Her brother, without doubt the claim is true.
تُوَالِىyou care for مَنِthose whom اسْتَرْعَيْتَyou were entrusted with أَمْناًwith safety وَرَأَفَةًand compassion
تُوَالِى مَنِ اسْتَرْعَيْتَ أَمْناً وَرَأَفَةً
وَرِفْقاًand gentleness كَمَاas تَحْنُوbends tenderly عَلَىover الْمُرْضِعِthe nursling الأُمُّthe mother
وَرِفْقاً كَمَا تَحْنُو عَلَى الْمُرْضِعِ الأُمُّ
You care for those entrusted to you with safety and compassion
And gentleness, as a mother bends tenderly over her nursling.
وَتَبْلُغُand you reach أَعْنَانَthe heights of السَّمَاءِheaven بِهِمَّةٍwith an aspiration
وَتَبْلُغُ أَعْنَانَ السَّمَاءِ بِهِمَّةٍ
بِغَيْرِwith anything but جَمِيلِhonorable الذِّكْرِremembrance لَيْسَnot لَهَاfor it هَمُّa concern
بِغَيْرِ جَمِيلِ الذِّكْرِ لَيْسَ لَهَا هَمُّ
You reach the heights of heaven with an aspiration
Concerned with nothing but honorable remembrance.
وَتُوجِفُand you hasten مَنِthrough فَصْلِdecisiveness of الْخِطَابِspeech لِغَايَةٍtoward a goal
وَتُوجِفُ مَنِ فَصْلِ الْخِطَابِ لِغَايَةٍ
أَنَافَتْrose high وَجَلَّتْand was too great أَنْfor يُحِيطَto encompass بِهَاit وَهْمُimagination
أَنَافَتْ وَجَلَّتْ أَنْ يُحِيطَ بِهَا وَهْمُ
You hasten through decisive speech toward a goal
Too lofty and great for imagination to encompass.
وَتُصْمِيand you pierce رَمَايَاthe targets of الْغَائِبَاتِunseen things بَفِكْرَةٍwith a thought
وَتُصْمِي رَمَايَا الْغَائِبَاتِ بَفِكْرَةٍ
يُسَدِّدُهَاdirects it التَّقْوَىpiety وَيُنْجِدُهَاand supports it الْعِلْمُknowledge
يُسَدِّدُهَا التَّقْوَى وَيُنْجِدُهَا الْعِلْمُ
With a thought you pierce the targets of things unseen,
Directed by piety and supported by knowledge.
كَمَالٌperfection وَلاَand no نَقْصٌdeficiency وَرُشْدٌand sound judgment وَلاَand no هَوىًpassion
كَمَالٌ وَلاَ نَقْصٌ وَرُشْدٌ وَلاَ هَوىً
وَمَنْحٌand giving وَلاَand no مَنْعٌwithholding وَحَمْدٌand praise وَلاَand no ذَمُّblame
وَمَنْحٌ وَلاَ مَنْعٌ وَحَمْدٌ وَلاَ ذَمُّ
Perfection without deficiency, sound judgment without passion,
Giving without withholding, praise without blame,
وَمَاشِئْتَand whatever you wish مِنْof فَضْلِexcellence وَلُطْفِand subtlety of سِيَاسَةٍgovernance
وَمَاشِئْتَ مِنْ فَضْلِ وَلُطْفِ سِيَاسَةٍ
يُطِيعُobeys بِهَاunder it الْعَاصِيthe rebel وَتُسْتَنْزَلُand are brought down الْعُصْمُmountain goats
يُطِيعُ بِهَا الْعَاصِي وَتُسْتَنْزَلُ الْعُصْمُ
And whatever excellence and subtle governance you could wish,
Under which rebels obey and mountain goats are brought down.
وَمَعْقِدُand a seat of مُلْكٍkingship طَالِبِيٍّTalibid نِجَارُهُits stock
وَمَعْقِدُ مُلْكٍ طَالِبِيٍّ نِجَارُهُ
عُلاَهُits grandeur مُرَدىٍّcloaked بِالْمَهَابِةِin majesty مُعْتَمُّturbaned
عُلاَهُ مُرَدىٍّ بِالْمَهَابِةِ مُعْتَمُّ
And a throne of kingship whose stock is Talibid,
Its grandeur cloaked and turbaned in majesty.
مَلِيءٌrich بِأَوْصَافِin the qualities of الإِمَامِthe imam بِمِثْلِهِone like him
مَلِيءٌ بِأَوْصَافِ الإِمَامِ بِمِثْلِهِ
وَلاَand no مِثْلَequal مَنْwhoever يَبْغِيseeks الإِمَامَةَleadership يَأتَمُّfollows as leader
وَلاَ مِثْلَ مَنْ يَبْغِي الإِمَامَةَ يَأتَمُّ
Rich in the qualities of the imam; one like him—
Who has no equal—is followed by those who seek leadership.
إِذَاwhen اجْتَمَعَunited الإِقْدَامُcourage وَالرَّأيُand judgment وَالتُّقَىand piety
إِذَا اجْتَمَعَ الإِقْدَامُ وَالرَّأيُ وَالتُّقَى
وَسَاعَدَand aided سَعْدٌgood fortune وَاسْتَقَلَّand bore independently بِهِit عَزْمُresolve
وَسَاعَدَ سَعْدٌ وَاسْتَقَلَّ بِهِ عَزْمُ
When courage, judgment, and piety unite,
And fortune lends its aid, and resolve bears it aloft,
وَلاَحَتْand appeared بآفَاقِon the horizons of السَّمَاحِgenerosity مَخِيلَةٌa rain-bearing cloud
وَلاَحَتْ بآفَاقِ السَّمَاحِ مَخِيلَةٌ
مِنَof الْجُودِbounty يَتْلُوfollows بَرْقَهَاits lightning الْعَارِضُthe cloud السَّجْمُpouring
مِنَ الْجُودِ يَتْلُو بَرْقَهَا الْعَارِضُ السَّجْمُ
And a rain-bearing cloud appears on generosity's horizons,
Its lightning followed by a pouring cloud of bounty,
وَقَامَand stood عَلَىupon التَّقْوَىpiety بِنَاءَthe edifice of سِيَاسِيةٍgovernance
وَقَامَ عَلَى التَّقْوَى بِنَاءَ سِيَاسِيةٍ
يُمَهِّدُprepares مِنْof آسَاسِthe foundations of أَرْكَاَنِهَاits pillars عِلْمُknowledge
يُمَهِّدُ مِنْ آسَاسِ أَرْكَاَنِهَا عِلْمُ
And the edifice of governance stands upon piety,
Its pillar-foundations prepared by knowledge,
وَرَفَّتْand fluttered عَلَيْهَاabove it نِسْبَةٌa lineage طَالِبِيَّةٌTalibid
وَرَفَّتْ عَلَيْهَا نِسْبَةٌ طَالِبِيَّةٌ
فَلَيْسَso there is no ظَلاَمٌdarkness فِيin الْوُجُودِexistence وَلاَnor ظُلْمُinjustice
فَلَيْسَ ظَلاَمٌ فِي الْوُجُودِ وَلاَ ظُلْمُ
And a Talibid lineage flutters above it,
Then there is neither darkness in existence nor injustice.
هَنِيئاًblessed لِضَيْفٍfor a guest فِيin ذَرَاكَyour shelter قَرَارُهُhis resting place
هَنِيئاً لِضَيْفٍ فِي ذَرَاكَ قَرَارُهُ
بِحَيْثُwhere النَّوالُbounty الْغَمْرُabundant وَالْكَرَمُand generosity الْجَمُّimmense
بِحَيْثُ النَّوالُ الْغَمْرُ وَالْكَرَمُ الْجَمُّ
Blessed is the guest whose resting place is in your shelter,
Where bounty is abundant and generosity immense.
فَآمَالُهُso his hopes لِلْفِكْرِfor thought نَصْبٌa target وَعَيْشُهُand his life
فَآمَالُهُ لِلْفِكْرِ نَصْبٌ وَعَيْشُهُ
كَمَاas شَاءَhe wished هُit (pronoun fragment) خَفْضٌease وَطَاعَتُهُand his obedience جَزْمُfirm resolve
كَمَا شَاءَ هُ خَفْضٌ وَطَاعَتُهُ جَزْمُ
His hopes are thought's objective, and his life
Is ease as he wished it, and his obedience resolute.
أَطِيَّةَO destination of تَهْجِيِريmy midday departure وَبَاعِثَand cause of رِحْلَتِيmy journey
أَطِيَّةَ تَهْجِيِري وَبَاعِثَ رِحْلَتِي
فَلَوْلاَكَfor without you لَمْnot يُذْكَرْwould be mentioned عِقَالٌa hobble وَلاَnor خَطْمُa bridle
فَلَوْلاَكَ لَمْ يُذْكَرْ عِقَالٌ وَلاَ خَطْمُ
O goal of my midday departure and cause of my journey,
Without you, neither hobble nor bridle would be mentioned.
أَتَتْكَit came to you عَلَىunder حُكْمِthe rule of الْوِدَادِaffection غَرِيبَةًas a rarity
أَتَتْكَ عَلَى حُكْمِ الْوِدَادِ غَرِيبَةً
نَتِيجَةَthe offspring of فِكْرٍa thought لاَnot يَبينُis discernible لَهَاfor it رَسْمُan outline
نَتِيجَةَ فِكْرٍ لاَ يَبينُ لَهَا رَسْمُ
It came to you, a rarity governed by affection,
The offspring of a thought whose outline cannot be discerned.
وَهَلْand can مِنَّةٌa gift تُرْضِيplease إِذَاwhen كَلَّتِgrew weary الْقُوَىstrength
وَهَلْ مِنَّةٌ تُرْضِي إِذَا كَلَّتِ الْقُوَى
وَبَانَand appeared اشْتِعَالُthe blaze of الرَّأَسِthe head أَوْor وَهَنَweakened الْعَظْمُthe bones
وَبَانَ اشْتِعَالُ الرَّأَسِ أَوْ وَهَنَ الْعَظْمُ
Can any gift please when strength has grown weary,
And the head's blaze is plain, or the bones have weakened?
عَلَىyet أَنَّهَاit الْبُرْدُthe cloak الْيَمَانِيُّYemeni كُلَّمَاwhenever
عَلَى أَنَّهَا الْبُرْدُ الْيَمَانِيُّ كُلَّمَا
تَقَادَمَgrew old أَهْوَىinclined نَحْوَهُtoward it اللَّثْمُkissing وَالشَّمُّand smelling
تَقَادَمَ أَهْوَى نَحْوَهُ اللَّثْمُ وَالشَّمُّ
Yet it is the Yemeni cloak: whenever
It ages, kisses and inhalations incline toward it.
وَأُذِْرand [unclear] مَهْمَاwhenever رِييءَwas beheld (unclear form) أَرْضٌa land بَعِيدَةٌdistant
وَأُذِْر مَهْمَا رِييءَ أَرْضٌ بَعِيدَةٌ
وَبَانَand appeared لَهُin it فَضْلٌexcellence وَرَاقَand pleased لَهُin it رَقْمُembroidery
وَبَانَ لَهُ فَضْلٌ وَرَاقَ لَهُ رَقْمُ
And [unclear wording], whenever a distant land is beheld,
And its excellence appears, and its embroidery pleases.
فَلَوْso if زَمَنُthe age of ابْنِIbn الْجَهْمِal-Jahm أَشْرَقَshone بِشْرُهُits cheer
فَلَوْ زَمَنُ ابْنِ الْجَهْمِ أَشْرَقَ بِشْرُهُ
لَمَاwould not سُرَّhave rejoiced بِin ابْنِIbn الْجَهْمِal-Jahm وَالِدُهُhis father الْجَهْمُal-Jahm
لَمَا سُرَّ بِ ابْنِ الْجَهْمِ وَالِدُهُ الْجَهْمُ
Had Ibn al-Jahm's age shone with its cheer,
His father al-Jahm would not have rejoiced in Ibn al-Jahm.
وَلَوْand if نُشِرَwas resurrected الطَّائِيal-Ta'i يَوْمَon the day of اجْتِلاَئِهَاits unveiling
وَلَوْ نُشِرَ الطَّائِي يَوْمَ اجْتِلاَئِهَا
لَجَلَّلَهُwould have enveloped him مِنْfor أَجْلِthe sake of إِيثَارِهَاpreferring it غَمُّgrief
لَجَلَّلَهُ مِنْ أَجْلِ إِيثَارِهَا غَمُّ
Had al-Ta'i been resurrected on the day it was unveiled,
Grief would have enveloped him because it was preferred.
جَعَلْتُكَI made you مَرْمَىthe target of هِمَّتِيmy aspiration وَمُؤَمَّلاًand a hope
جَعَلْتُكَ مَرْمَى هِمَّتِي وَمُؤَمَّلاً
لِنَيْلِfor attaining الَّتِيthat which مَاnot همّناconcerned us غَيْرهَاother than it هَمُّa concern
لِنَيْلِ الَّتِي مَا همّنا غَيْرهَا هَمُّ
I made you my aspiration's target and my hope
For attaining that which alone has occupied our concern.
وَقَوَّضْتُand I packed up رَحْلِيmy saddle عَنْfrom بِلاَدٍa land نَبَاgrew harsh بِهَاin it
وَقَوَّضْتُ رَحْلِي عَنْ بِلاَدٍ نَبَا بِهَا
مِهَادِيmy resting place إِلَىtoward حَيْثُwhere السَّلاَمَةُsafety وَالسِّلْمُand peace
مِهَادِي إِلَى حَيْثُ السَّلاَمَةُ وَالسِّلْمُ
I packed up my saddle from a land where
My resting place grew harsh, toward safety and peace.
وَمَاand not كُنْتُI was أَخْشَىfearing الْجَوْرَinjustice فِيin حُكْمِthe judgment of جِيرَةٍneighbors
وَمَا كُنْتُ أَخْشَى الْجَوْرَ فِي حُكْمِ جِيرَةٍ
أَجَرْتُهُمُI sheltered them فَاعْتُدَّso was counted ذَلِكَthat لِيagainst me جُرْمُa crime
أَجَرْتُهُمُ فَاعْتُدَّ ذَلِكَ لِي جُرْمُ
I had not feared injustice in the judgment of neighbors
Whom I had sheltered; yet that was counted as my crime.
آتَيْتُهُمُI brought them بِالصُّبْحِthe dawn لَكِنَّهُمْbut they عَمُواwere blind
آتَيْتُهُمُ بِالصُّبْحِ لَكِنَّهُمْ عَمُوا
وَآذَنْتُهُمْand I informed them بِالصلْحِof peace لَكِنَّهُمْbut they صَمُّواwere deaf
وَآذَنْتُهُمْ بِالصلْحِ لَكِنَّهُمْ صَمُّوا
I brought them the dawn, but they were blind;
I announced peace to them, but they were deaf.
سَأَذْكُرُهُمْI shall remember them حَيْثُwherever احْتَلَلْتُI settled وَإِنْeven if نَسُواthey forgot
سَأَذْكُرُهُمْ حَيْثُ احْتَلَلْتُ وَإِنْ نَسُوا
وَأَمْدَحُهُمْand I praise them مَهْمَاwhenever قَدَرْتُI could وَإِنْeven if ذَمُّواthey disparaged
وَأَمْدَحُهُمْ مَهْمَا قَدَرْتُ وَإِنْ ذَمُّوا
I shall remember them wherever I settle, even if they forget,
And praise them whenever I can, even if they disparage me.
وَأَنْتَand you لَهَاfor it مِنْwhat a بُغْيَةٍlonged-for goal مَطَلَتْdelayed بِهَاit
وَأَنْتَ لَهَا مِنْ بُغْيَةٍ مَطَلَتْ بِهَا
صُرُوفُthe vicissitudes of زَمَانٍtime نَالَbefell أَنْفِيmy nose لَهَاfor its sake رَغْمُhumiliation
صُرُوفُ زَمَانٍ نَالَ أَنْفِي لَهَا رَغْمُ
And you are the longed-for goal whose attainment
Time's vicissitudes delayed, bringing me humiliation for its sake,
إِلِىuntil أَنْthat أُقَضَّىI reach my end فِيamid مُنَىhopes of الْفَوْزِattaining بِالْمُنَىmy wishes
إِلِى أَنْ أُقَضَّى فِي مُنَى الْفَوْزِ بِالْمُنَى
وَيَثْبُتُand is secured فِيamong أَهْلِthe people of السَّعَادَةِgood fortune لِيfor me سَهْمُa share
وَيَثْبُتُ فِي أَهْلِ السَّعَادَةِ لِي سَهْمُ
Until I reach my end amid hopes of attaining my wishes,
And a share among the fortunate is secured for me.
فَيَاso O مَنْyou who رَآنِيsaw me وَالْحُدَاةُwhile the camel-drivers مُرِنَّةٌwere ringing out
فَيَا مَنْ رَآنِي وَالْحُدَاةُ مُرِنَّةٌ
بشِعْرِيwith my poetry إِذَاwhen مَاemphatic particle زَمْزَمَhummed الْقَوْمُthe company أَوْor زَمُّواtightened the reins
بشِعْرِي إِذَا مَا زَمْزَمَ الْقَوْمُ أَوْ زَمُّوا
O you who saw me while the camel-drivers rang out
With my poetry, when the company hummed or tightened the reins!
تَخُبُّtrots بَرِحْلِيwith my gear كُلُّevery شَاكِيَةِshe-camel complaining of الْوَجَىsore feet
تَخُبُّ بَرِحْلِي كُلُّ شَاكِيَةِ الْوَجَى
هِيَshe الْقَوْسُthe bow تَرْمِيaims at الرُّكْنَthe Corner رَاكِبُهَاher rider سَهْمُan arrow
هِيَ الْقَوْسُ تَرْمِي الرُّكْنَ رَاكِبُهَا سَهْمُ
Every she-camel complaining of sore feet trots with my gear;
She is the bow aimed at the Corner; her rider is the arrow.
حَمَتْهَاdenied her النَّوَىdistance قُرْبَaccess to الْقَضِيمِfodder أَوِor النَّوَىdate-stones
حَمَتْهَا النَّوَى قُرْبَ الْقَضِيمِ أَوِ النَّوَى
فَلَمْso not تَبْقَremained إِلاَّexcept جِلْدَةٌskin تَحْتَهَاbeneath it عَظْمُbone
فَلَمْ تَبْقَ إِلاَّ جِلْدَةٌ تَحْتَهَا عَظْمُ
Distance denied her access to fodder or date-stones,
Until nothing remained but skin with bone beneath it.
وَقَدْand indeed حُطَّwas set down كُوِيmy saddle (unclear spelling) فِيin جِوَارِthe vicinity of مَثَابَةٍa place of return
وَقَدْ حُطَّ كُوِي فِي جِوَارِ مَثَابَةٍ
بِهَاthere تُكْتَبُis recorded الزُّلْفَىcloseness وَيُغْتَفَرُand is forgiven الإِثْمُsin
بِهَا تُكْتَبُ الزُّلْفَى وَيُغْتَفَرُ الإِثْمُ
And my saddle was set down beside a place of return,
Where closeness is recorded and sin forgiven.
وَكَانَand was مَحَجُّthe pilgrimage to الْبَيْتِthe House بَدْئِيmy beginning وَبَعْدَهُand after it
وَكَانَ مَحَجُّ الْبَيْتِ بَدْئِي وَبَعْدَهُ
بِقَصْدِby seeking رَسُولِthe Messenger of اللهِGod يُسِّرَwas eased لِيfor me خَتْمُa conclusion
بِقَصْدِ رَسُولِ اللهِ يُسِّرَ لِي خَتْمُ
My beginning was the pilgrimage to the House, and afterward
A conclusion was eased for me in seeking God's Messenger.
وَلِمand why لاَnot يَنَالُgains السؤُلَthe wish عِنْدَكَwith you قَاصِدٌa seeker
وَلِم لاَ يَنَالُ السؤُلَ عِنْدَكَ قَاصِدٌ
وَمِثْلُكَand one like you مَنْis he whose لمْnot يُخْطِmisses قَاصِدَهُhis seeker غُنْمُgain
وَمِثْلُكَ مَنْ لمْ يُخْطِ قَاصِدَهُ غُنْمُ
Why should a seeker not gain his wish with you,
When one like you never lets a seeker's gain miss him?
فَلاَزِلْتَso may you remain فِيin عِزٍّhonor مَنِيعٍimpregnable جَنَابُهُits domain
فَلاَزِلْتَ فِي عِزٍّ مَنِيعٍ جَنَابُهُ
مُطِلٌّtowering عَلَىover الأَيَّامِthe days مَنْكِبُهُits shoulder الضَّخْمُmassive
مُطِلٌّ عَلَى الأَيَّامِ مَنْكِبُهُ الضَّخْمُ
May you ever dwell in honor whose domain is impregnable,
Its massive shoulder towering over the days.
لِذِكْرِكَyour remembrance has فِيon الآفَاقِthe horizons عَرْفٌa fragrance مُؤَرَّجٌspreading
لِذِكْرِكَ فِي الآفَاقِ عَرْفٌ مُؤَرَّجٌ
كَمَاas انْتُشِقَwas inhaled الرَّيحَانُsweet basil وَالرَّوْحُand the fragrant breeze يُشْتَمُّis smelled
كَمَا انْتُشِقَ الرَّيحَانُ وَالرَّوْحُ يُشْتَمُّ
Your remembrance has a spreading fragrance on the horizons,
As sweet basil is inhaled and fragrant breezes are smelled.
وَمَثْوَاكَand your abode مَقْصُودٌis sought وَحُبُّكَand loving you طَاعَةٌobedience
وَمَثْوَاكَ مَقْصُودٌ وَحُبُّكَ طَاعَةٌ
وَأَمْرٌand a duty عَلَىupon الأَعْيَانِindividuals مُفْتَرَضٌprescribed حَتْمُbinding
وَأَمْرٌ عَلَى الأَعْيَانِ مُفْتَرَضٌ حَتْمُ
Your abode is sought, and loving you is obedience,
A prescribed, binding duty upon every person.
أَعَدْتَyou restored عَلَىto الأَيَّامِthe days رَوْنَقَthe luster of بِشْرِهَاtheir cheer
أَعَدْتَ عَلَى الأَيَّامِ رَوْنَقَ بِشْرِهَا
فَمَنْظَرُهَاso their appearance بَادِيmanifesting الْكَآبَةِsorrow مُغْتَمُّgrief-stricken
فَمَنْظَرُهَا بَادِي الْكَآبَةِ مُغْتَمُّ
You restored to the days the luster of their cheer;
So their appearance is plainly sorrowful and grief-stricken.
وَصَارَتْand became لَيَالِيthe nights of الدَّهْرِtime غُرّاًbright وَجُوهُهَاtheir faces
وَصَارَتْ لَيَالِي الدَّهْرِ غُرّاً وَجُوهُهَا
وَنَاصِعَةًand radiant أَوضَاعُهَاtheir conditions وَهْيَthough they الدُّهْمُare dark
وَنَاصِعَةً أَوضَاعُهَا وَهْيَ الدُّهْمُ
The nights of time became bright-faced,
Their conditions radiant, though they are dark.
فَدُمْso endure مَاas long as بَدَاappeared صُبْحٌdawn وَدُمْand endure مَاas long as دجَاdeepened دُجىًdarkness
فَدُمْ مَا بَدَا صُبْحٌ وَدُمْ مَا دجَا دُجىً
وَدُمْand endure مَاas long as هَمَىpoured غَيْثٌrain وَدُمْand endure مَاas long as بَدَاappeared نَجْمُa star
وَدُمْ مَا هَمَى غَيْثٌ وَدُمْ مَا بَدَا نَجْمُ
Endure as long as dawn appears, endure as long as darkness deepens,
Endure as long as rain pours, endure as long as a star appears.
Sol 6.1