أَخَفْضاًease? نَوَتْintended فِيناfor us النَّوىseparation ولَعَلَّهاand perhaps she
أَخَفْضاً نَوَتْ فِينا النَّوى ولَعَلَّها
أَجَدَّpressed hard بِهَاupon her طُولُthe length of السُّرىnight travel فأَمَلَّهاand wearied her
أَجَدَّ بِهَا طُولُ السُّرى فأَمَلَّها
Did separation intend ease for us? Perhaps
The stars incline to us, perhaps
long night-travel drove her hard and wearied her.
To alleviate the misery of distance,
وَحاشَand far be it لأَصْدَاءِfor the owls of الفَلاthe wilderness أنthat تَصُدَّهاturn her back
وَحاشَ لأَصْدَاءِ الفَلا أن تَصُدَّها
بِناwith us أَوْor أَضَالِيلِthe mazes of الدُّجىdarkness أَنْthat تُضِلَّهاlead her astray
بِنا أَوْ أَضَالِيلِ الدُّجى أَنْ تُضِلَّها
Far be it that the wilderness owls should turn her back
And keep safe from the echoes of separation
with us, or that the mazes of darkness should lead her astray!
Or the dark nights’ bewilderment.
وأَحْقِرْand how paltry بِهَوْلِis the terror of البَحْرِthe sea أَنْto يَسْتَكِفَّهاhold her back
وأَحْقِرْ بِهَوْلِ البَحْرِ أَنْ يَسْتَكِفَّها
وأَهْوِنْand how powerless بِغَوْلِis the ghoul of القَفْرِthe wasteland أَنْto يَسْتَزِلَّهاmake her stumble
وأَهْوِنْ بِغَوْلِ القَفْرِ أَنْ يَسْتَزِلَّها
How paltry the sea's terror, that it should hold her back!
I care not for the terror of oceans,
How powerless the wasteland's ghoul to make her stumble!
Nor the deceit of barren wilderness,
ولكِنْand yet أَيادِيthe favors of مُنْذِرٍMundhir نَذَرَتْbecame aware بِهَاof her
ولكِنْ أَيادِي مُنْذِرٍ نَذَرَتْ بِهَا
فكانَتْso they became لَنَاfor us مِنْهاfrom her قَذىًgrit in the eye وشَجاًand a choking bone لَهَاfor her
فكانَتْ لَنَا مِنْها قَذىً وشَجاً لَهَا
But Mundhir's generous hands became aware of her,
Except the hands of Munthir swore
and, on our behalf, became grit in her eye and a bone in her throat.
To shower us with misery and wounds.
فحازَتْso they brought إِلَىto عِزِّthe dignity of الحَياةِlife رِحالَناour saddles
فحازَتْ إِلَى عِزِّ الحَياةِ رِحالَنا
وَزَمَّتْand bound عَلَىtoward خِزْيِthe disgrace of المَتالِفِdeadly wastes رَحْلَهاher saddle
وَزَمَّتْ عَلَى خِزْيِ المَتالِفِ رَحْلَها
They brought our saddles toward the dignity of life,
Our feet strode to the glory of life
and bound her saddle for the disgrace of deadly wastes.
While the confounded lagged behind in disgrace.
نَحاهاassailed her مُقِيلُthe raiser of العاثِرِينَthe fallen بِعَثْرَةٍwith a stumble
نَحاها مُقِيلُ العاثِرِينَ بِعَثْرَةٍ
لَعاًrecovery! لِيَfor me مِنْهاfrom her والنَّوىand separation لاno لَعاًrecovery لَهَاfor her
لَعاً لِيَ مِنْها والنَّوى لا لَعاً لَهَا
The raiser of the fallen assailed her with a stumble:
The stumbler pushed us down,
recovery for me from her—but for separation, no recovery!
Curse him, not the stars that blessed our path!
فكَمْand how many أَقْفَرَتْshe emptied مِنَّاof us مَحَلّاًa dwelling وغَرَّبَتْand sent far away
فكَمْ أَقْفَرَتْ مِنَّا مَحَلّاً وغَرَّبَتْ
وُجُوهاًfaces أَجَدَّتْshe renewed فِيin الفُؤادِthe heart مَحَلَّهاtheir dwelling
وُجُوهاً أَجَدَّتْ فِي الفُؤادِ مَحَلَّها
How many a dwelling she emptied of us, and sent far away
How they emptied our dwellings!
faces whose dwelling in the heart she renewed!
How gazes once tender turned strangers!
وياand oh رُبَّhow many a بَلْهاءِheedless maiden الصَّباyouth عنof جَوىthe burning pain of الهوىlove
ويا رُبَّ بَلْهاءِ الصَّبا عن جَوى الهوى
لَبِسْتُI wore بِهَاwith her عَيْشَthe life of الصَّبابَةِyearning أَبلَهاheedlessly
لَبِسْتُ بِهَا عَيْشَ الصَّبابَةِ أَبلَها
How many a maiden, heedless in youth of love's burning,
My ignorant craze for the folly of passion
with whom I wore a life of yearning, heedless myself!
Clothed my youth in insipid attire.
كَشَفْتُI drew aside لِسَهْمَيْfor the two arrows of طَرْفِهاher gaze عنfrom مَقاتِلِيmy vital spots
كَشَفْتُ لِسَهْمَيْ طَرْفِها عن مَقاتِلِي
مِجَنَّa shield of تُقىًpiety لَمْdid not يَمْنَعِprotect النَّفْسَthe soul قَتْلَهاits being slain
مِجَنَّ تُقىً لَمْ يَمْنَعِ النَّفْسَ قَتْلَها
For the two arrows of her gaze, I stripped from my vital spots
I exposed my soul to those lethal eyes,
a shield of piety that did not protect my soul from being slain.
The shields of chastity availed me nothing.
وشَكَّكَنيand made me doubt وَجْدِيmy passion بِهَاfor her وَصَبابَتِيand my yearning
وشَكَّكَني وَجْدِي بِهَا وَصَبابَتِي
أَنَفْسِيَis my soul لِيmine إِنْif أَخْطَأَmissed its mark الحَيْنُdeath أمْor لَهَاhers
أَنَفْسِيَ لِي إِنْ أَخْطَأَ الحَيْنُ أمْ لَهَا
My passion for her and my yearning made me doubt:
My passion and foolishness made me doubt
is my soul mine, if death misses its mark, or hers?
Whether the fault was mine or theirs.
وَحَسْبِيand enough for me بِهَاis she عَذْلاًas reproach عَلَىfor سَلْوَةِforgetting الهَوىlove
وَحَسْبِي بِهَا عَذْلاً عَلَى سَلْوَةِ الهَوى
وعُذْراًand as an excuse كفانِيspared me العاذِلاتِthe reproaching women وعَذْلَهاand their reproach
وعُذْراً كفانِي العاذِلاتِ وعَذْلَها
She is reproach enough to me for forgetting love,
And yet they suffice as reprimand for my passion’s wanderings,
and an excuse that spared me the reproaching women and their blame.
And excuse for those who blame and accuse.
بِقَدٍّwith a figure إِلَىinto مُسْتَوْدَعِthe repository of القَلْبِthe heart قادَهاthat led her
بِقَدٍّ إِلَى مُسْتَوْدَعِ القَلْبِ قادَها
ودَلٍّand coquetry عَلَىto مُسْتَوْطَنِthe abode of النَّفْسِthe soul دَلَّهاthat guided her
ودَلٍّ عَلَى مُسْتَوْطَنِ النَّفْسِ دَلَّها
With a figure that led her into the heart's repository,
With lineage to the heart’s repository they come,
and coquetry that guided her to the soul's abode.
And with blood ties to the soul’s settlement.
ولِلْخَفَرِand modesty has السَّحَّارِthe enchanting فِيon وَجَناتِهاher cheeks
ولِلْخَفَرِ السَّحَّارِ فِي وَجَناتِها
خَوَاتِيمُseals لاdo not يَخْفِرْنَbetray مِنِّيَwith me وَصْلَهاher bond
خَوَاتِيمُ لا يَخْفِرْنَ مِنِّيَ وَصْلَها
Enchanting modesty has upon her cheeks
My songs cannot equal their charm
seals that do not betray her bond with me.
Or unravel the mysteries of their beauty.
وماand did not خَفَرَتْprotect بِيضُthe bright blades of الصَّوارِمِthe cutting swords والقَناand the spears
وما خَفَرَتْ بِيضُ الصَّوارِمِ والقَنا
مَحاسِنَهاher beauties مِمَّاfrom what أَصابَstruck فَأوْلَهاand brought her woe
مَحاسِنَها مِمَّا أَصابَ فَأوْلَها
Nor did the bright swords and spears protect
The blades and spears spared not
her beauties from what struck and brought her woe.
What adversities have despoiled.
فَلِلَّهِso, by God مِنْwhat a بَيْنٍparting تَقَسَّمَshared out طُرْقَهُits paths
فَلِلَّهِ مِنْ بَيْنٍ تَقَسَّمَ طُرْقَهُ
طَوَارِقُnight afflictions لاdo not يُلْهِينَdistract عَنْfrom لَهْوِthe pleasure of مَنْone who لَهَاfor her
طَوَارِقُ لا يُلْهِينَ عَنْ لَهْوِ مَنْ لَهَا
By God, what a parting! Its paths were shared out
God split the firm earth with valleys
by night afflictions that do not distract from the pleasure of one who has
Where death stalks the heedless lovers at night.
عَلاقَةُa bond of حُبٍّlove شَدَّhow strongly مَاindeed عَلِقَتْclung بِهَاto it
عَلاقَةُ حُبٍّ شَدَّ مَا عَلِقَتْ بِهَا
حَبائِلُthe snares of بَيْنٍparting بَتَّsevered مِنِّيَfrom me وَصْلَهاher bond
حَبائِلُ بَيْنٍ بَتَّ مِنِّيَ وَصْلَها
a bond of love—how tightly there clung to it
Strands of love held me bound,
the snares of parting that severed her bond with me,
While destiny cut off communion.
وَصَفْوَand the serenity of هَوىًlove مَاnot قَرَّsettled حَتَّىuntil هَوَتْplunged down بِهِwith it
وَصَفْوَ هَوىً مَا قَرَّ حَتَّى هَوَتْ بِهِ
حوادِثُthe calamities of تفريقِsundering القُلُوبِhearts هَوىًa whim لَهَاof hers
حوادِثُ تفريقِ القُلُوبِ هَوىً لَهَا
and the serenity of a love scarcely settled before it was cast down
Our separation came suddenly, no matter
by heart-sundering calamities, to her liking.
How long we delighted in deep passion.
فكُنَّاso we became لَهَاfor her نَبْلاًarrows أَصَابَتْshe struck بِناwith us الصَّباyouth
فكُنَّا لَهَا نَبْلاً أَصَابَتْ بِنا الصَّبا
وَمَاand did not عَدَلَتْshe divert عَنْfrom رَمْيِshooting قَلْبِيَmy heart نَبْلَهاher arrows
وَمَا عَدَلَتْ عَنْ رَمْيِ قَلْبِيَ نَبْلَها
We became arrows for her, with which she struck youth,
We were struck down by mischievous fate.
and she never turned her arrows away from shooting my heart.
The winds showed no mercy, leaving us all but lifeless forms.
جُسُوماًbodies أَقَلَّتْهاbore them aloft الرِّياحُthe winds فَلَمْand did not تَدَعْleave
جُسُوماً أَقَلَّتْها الرِّياحُ فَلَمْ تَدَعْ
لَهُنَّfor them مِنَof الأَرواحِthe souls إِلّاexcept أَقَلَّهاthe least of them
لَهُنَّ مِنَ الأَرواحِ إِلّا أَقَلَّها
Bodies borne aloft by winds, which left
The night sent its heralds, instructing them
them only the smallest remnant of their souls:
To never let darkness end or daylight break.
نَجائِبُnoble she-camels وَصَّاهاcharged them الجَدِيلُal-Jadil وشَدْقَمٌand Shadqam
نَجائِبُ وَصَّاها الجَدِيلُ وشَدْقَمٌ
بأَلّاnot to تَمَلَّtire of اللَّيلَthe night حَتَّىuntil يَمَلَّهَاit tires of them
بأَلّا تَمَلَّ اللَّيلَ حَتَّى يَمَلَّهَا
noble she-camels, charged by al-Jadil and Shadqam
At dusk, they don the robe of youth
not to tire of the night until it tires of them.
Only to cast it away at dawn, turning white.
فَتُخْلِقُso they wear out بالإِرْقَالِwith swift trotting ثَوْبَthe garment of شَبابِهِits youth
فَتُخْلِقُ بالإِرْقَالِ ثَوْبَ شَبابِهِ
وتَتْرُكُهُand they leave it بالأُفْقِat the horizon أَشيَبَgray-haired أَجْلَهاbald-browed
وتَتْرُكُهُ بالأُفْقِ أَشيَبَ أَجْلَها
Their swift trotting wears out the garment of its youth,
They ambush him behind the thin light of dawn
and leaves it at the horizon gray-haired and bald-browed.
Like partridges shaking off their plumage.
تُرَاوِحُهُtakes its turn with it مِنْfrom خِلْفَةِthe succession of الفَجْرِdawn طُرَّةٌa fringe
تُرَاوِحُهُ مِنْ خِلْفَةِ الفَجْرِ طُرَّةٌ
كَمُعْتَرَضِlike the broadside of الشَّقْرَاءِa chestnut mare تَنفُضُshe shakes off جُلَّهاher horsecloth
كَمُعْتَرَضِ الشَّقْرَاءِ تَنفُضُ جُلَّها
A fringe of succeeding dawn takes its turn with it,
How many a frail heart have they seized
like a chestnut mare seen broadside, shaking off her horsecloth.
Whose star guides another frail soul!
فكَمْand how many حَمَلَتْthey carried مِنْof حُرِّnoble قَلْبٍheart مُولَّهٍdistraught with love
فكَمْ حَمَلَتْ مِنْ حُرِّ قَلْبٍ مُولَّهٍ
يُبَلِّغُconveys tidings عَنْهُon its behalf النَّجْمُthe star قَلْباًa heart مُوَلَّهاdistraught with love
يُبَلِّغُ عَنْهُ النَّجْمُ قَلْباً مُوَلَّها
How many a noble, love-distraught heart they carried,
And many a mother searching for her son
for which a star conveyed tidings to another distraught heart!
Lost in the belly of endless night.
وكمand how many ضَمَّembraced ذَاكَthat اللَّيْلُnight مِنْof أُمِّmother of شادِنٍa fawn
وكم ضَمَّ ذَاكَ اللَّيْلُ مِنْ أُمِّ شادِنٍ
أَضَلَّتْهُshe lost him فِيin جَوْفِthe depths of الفَلاthe wilderness وأَضَلَّهاand he lost her
أَضَلَّتْهُ فِي جَوْفِ الفَلا وأَضَلَّها
How many a fawn's mother that night embraced,
Until hearts have reached out with voices
who had lost him in the wilderness's depths, as he had lost her!
Announcing that there is no beyond.
وَقَدْand already بَلَّغَbrought الجَهْدُexhaustion القُلُوبَthe hearts حَناجِراًthroats
وَقَدْ بَلَّغَ الجَهْدُ القُلُوبَ حَناجِراً
تُبَشِّرُهاgiving them glad tidings أَنَّthat التَّناهِيreaching the utmost مَدىًan endpoint لَهَاfor them
تُبَشِّرُها أَنَّ التَّناهِي مَدىً لَهَا
Exhaustion had brought hearts up to throats,
Our misery almost triumphed, O Mansour!
promising them that extremity itself would be their end.
By leading travelers back through farthest paths.
فَوَشْكانَso swiftly يَاO مَنْصُورُMansur مَاthat نُصِرَwas aided الأَسىsorrow
فَوَشْكانَ يَا مَنْصُورُ مَا نُصِرَ الأَسى
بِرَدِّby turning أَقاصيthe farthest reaches of الأَرْضِthe earth نَحْوَكَtoward you سُبْلَهاtheir roads
بِرَدِّ أَقاصي الأَرْضِ نَحْوَكَ سُبْلَها
So swiftly, O Mansur, did sorrow find succor
In every town the caravan was called:
as the earth's farthest reaches turned their roads toward you!
Take word to them that destination is reached!
ونادىand called نَدَاكَyour bounty الرَّكْبَthe caravan فِيin كُلِّevery بَلْدَةٍtown
ونادى نَدَاكَ الرَّكْبَ فِي كُلِّ بَلْدَةٍ
أَلاhear this بَلِّغُواbring هَدْيَthe sacrificial offerings of الرِّكابِthe riding-camels مَحِلَّهاtheir appointed place
أَلا بَلِّغُوا هَدْيَ الرِّكابِ مَحِلَّها
Your bounty called to the caravan in every town:
A woman of excellent stock bid you welcome,
“Come, bring the offering-camels to their appointed place!”
Making your abode a greater pilgrimage.
فَلَبَّتْكَso they answered you مِنْfrom غَوْرِthe depths of الجَلاءِexile أَهِلَّةٌcrescents
فَلَبَّتْكَ مِنْ غَوْرِ الجَلاءِ أَهِلَّةٌ
أَهَلَّhailed بِهَاat their coming مَأْوَاكَyour refuge حَتَّىuntil أَهَلَّهاmade them shine
أَهَلَّ بِهَا مَأْوَاكَ حَتَّى أَهَلَّها
Crescents answered you from the depths of exile;
As though we vowed the rising sun our lodging,
your refuge hailed them until it made them shine.
By God, your face was its sweet fulfillment!
كَأَنَّاas though we نَذَرْناvowed مَطْلَعَthe rising-place of الشَّمْسِthe sun مَنْزِلاًas a dwelling
كَأَنَّا نَذَرْنا مَطْلَعَ الشَّمْسِ مَنْزِلاً
أَلِيَّةَan oath حَلْفٍof swearing كَانَwas وَجْهُكَyour face حِلَّهاits release
أَلِيَّةَ حَلْفٍ كَانَ وَجْهُكَ حِلَّها
It was as though we had vowed to dwell at the sun's rising-place,
You sheltered the well-armed fugitives.
a sworn oath whose release was your face.
You oft rescued many lives from certain death.
فآوَيْتَso you sheltered فَلَّthe broken remnants of النَّائِبَاتِcalamities وَطَالَماand how often
فآوَيْتَ فَلَّ النَّائِبَاتِ وَطَالَما
أَبَرْتَyou destroyed العِدىthe foes قَتْلاًby slaughter وآوَيْتَand you sheltered فَلَّهاtheir survivors
أَبَرْتَ العِدى قَتْلاً وآوَيْتَ فَلَّها
You sheltered those broken by calamities, as often
You welcomed them, eased their ways-
you had destroyed foes in slaughter and sheltered their survivors.
Ever standing with those who come and go.
ونادَيْتَهاand you hailed them أَهْلاًwelcome وسَهْلاًand ease وَلَمْand did not تَزَلْcease to be
ونادَيْتَها أَهْلاً وسَهْلاً وَلَمْ تَزَلْ
أَحَقَّmost deserving بِهَاof it فِيconcerning النَّازِلِينَthe arriving guests وأَهْلَهاand worthy of it
أَحَقَّ بِهَا فِي النَّازِلِينَ وأَهْلَها
You hailed them, “Welcome!” and you have always been
You shaded those who lacked the shade of night,
the worthiest to offer it to guests, and truly fit for it.
You satisfied whom misfortune had deprived.
فَظَلَّلْتَso you shaded مَنْthose whose لَمْdid not يُدْرِكِovertake اللَّيْلُthe night ظِلَّهُtheir shadow
فَظَلَّلْتَ مَنْ لَمْ يُدْرِكِ اللَّيْلُ ظِلَّهُ
وأَغْدَقْتَand showered bounty on مَنْthose whom لَمْdid not تُلْحِقِbring to them المزْنُthe rain clouds طَلَّهاtheir drizzle
وأَغْدَقْتَ مَنْ لَمْ تُلْحِقِ المزْنُ طَلَّها
You shaded those whose shadows the night could not overtake,
You replaced the peace of death with peace,
and showered bounty on those to whom clouds could not bring their drizzle.
We took comfort there from worldly cold.
وعَوَّضْتَناand you gave us in exchange منfor رَاحَةِthe repose of المَوْتِdeath رَاحَةًa repose
وعَوَّضْتَنا من رَاحَةِ المَوْتِ رَاحَةً
سَكَنَّاwe dwelt in بِهَاthrough it بَرْدَthe coolness of الحياةِlife وَظِلَّهاand its shade
سَكَنَّا بِهَا بَرْدَ الحياةِ وَظِلَّها
In place of death's repose, you gave us a repose
You built homes for us in your land,
in which we dwelt in life's coolness and shade.
Attending to their welfare and comfort.
وأَعْمَرْتَand you populated مِنَّاwith us فِيin ذَرَاكَyour protection منازِلاًdwellings
وأَعْمَرْتَ مِنَّا فِي ذَرَاكَ منازِلاً
تَفَقَّدْتَyou tended مَثْواهاtheir lodgings وأَرْغَدْتَand made abundant نُزْلَهاtheir guest-provisions
تَفَقَّدْتَ مَثْواها وأَرْغَدْتَ نُزْلَها
You filled dwellings in your protection with us,
You revealed but a fraction of your gifts
tended their lodgings, and made their provisions abundant.
Yet it encompassed a diversity of hopes.
وَلَمْand did not تَبْدَbegin مِنْof نُعْمَاكَyour bounty إِلّاexcept بِبَعْضِهاwith part of it
وَلَمْ تَبْدَ مِنْ نُعْمَاكَ إِلّا بِبَعْضِها
وَلَكِنَّهُbut it عَمَّembraced الرَّغائِبَthe wishes كُلَّهاall of them
وَلَكِنَّهُ عَمَّ الرَّغائِبَ كُلَّها
You began with only a portion of your bounty,
We delighted in meadows graced by joy,
yet it embraced every wish.
A wine cup elevated the spirit there.
فَرُحْناso we went away شُرُوباًa company of drinkers قَدْalready تَأَنَّقَgrew exquisite رَوْضُهاtheir garden
فَرُحْنا شُرُوباً قَدْ تَأَنَّقَ رَوْضُها
وأَنْهَلَهاand gave them a first drink كَأْسُthe cup of السُّرُورِjoy وَعَلَّهاand gave them a second
وأَنْهَلَها كَأْسُ السُّرُورِ وَعَلَّها
We went away as drinkers whose garden had grown exquisite,
We sigh, but only due to your great gifts-
and the cup of joy gave them a first draught and another.
You made your sweet memory its transport.
نَدَامَىdrinking companions ولكِنْand yet مِنْfrom عَطايَاكَyour gifts راحُهاtheir wine
نَدَامَى ولكِنْ مِنْ عَطايَاكَ راحُها
وَقَدْand already جَعَلَتْthey made منfrom طِيبِthe sweetness of ذِكْرِكَremembrance of you نُقْلَهاtheir tidbits
وَقَدْ جَعَلَتْ من طِيبِ ذِكْرِكَ نُقْلَها
Drinking companions, yet their wine was your gifts,
Our worldly demands are lightened
and they made sweet remembrance of you their tidbits.
By both land and sea made yours to hold.
وَخَفَّتْand weighed lightly عَلَىupon يُمْناكَyour right hand مِنَّاfrom us مطالِبٌrequests
وَخَفَّتْ عَلَى يُمْناكَ مِنَّا مطالِبٌ
تَشَكَّىcomplained إِليناto us البَرُّthe land والبَحْرُand the sea ثِقْلَهاtheir weight
تَشَكَّى إِلينا البَرُّ والبَحْرُ ثِقْلَها
Our requests weighed lightly on your right hand,
And no prince held the crown
though land and sea had complained to us of their weight.
Until he bore all its toil and weight.
وماand never تَوَّجَتْcrowned هَذِيthis الرِّياسَةُleadership سَيِّداًa lord
وما تَوَّجَتْ هَذِي الرِّياسَةُ سَيِّداً
أَكالِيلَهاwith its diadems حَتَّىuntil تَحَمَّلَhe bore كَلَّهاits burden
أَكالِيلَها حَتَّى تَحَمَّلَ كَلَّها
This leadership never crowned a lord
A bride with unveiled beauty-
with its diadems until he bore its burden.
Let no man make claims unless honorably wed!
هِيَshe is البِكْرُthe virgin مَجْلاهَاher unveiling حَرَامٌforbidden مُحَرَّمٌstrictly forbidden
هِيَ البِكْرُ مَجْلاهَا حَرَامٌ مُحَرَّمٌ
فَياso, O مَنْyou who بِمَهْرِwith the bride-price of المَكْرُماتِnoble deeds اسْتَحَلَّهاmade her lawful to him
فَيا مَنْ بِمَهْرِ المَكْرُماتِ اسْتَحَلَّها
She is the virgin whose unveiling is forbidden, strictly forbidden:
She sought among the warriors and poets
O you who made her lawful with noble deeds as her bride-price!
And found none but the gallant son of YaHyaa.
فَتاةٌa maiden دَعَتْcalled مَنْwho للحروبِfor battles وللنَّدىand for generosity
فَتاةٌ دَعَتْ مَنْ للحروبِ وللنَّدى
فماand did not وَجَدَتْshe find إِلّاexcept ابْنَthe son of يَحْيَىYahya فَتىًa young man لَهَاfor her
فما وَجَدَتْ إِلّا ابْنَ يَحْيَى فَتىً لَهَا
A maiden who called, “Who is for battles and generosity?”
He rent the world with the first call
and found no young man for herself but Ibn Yahya,
To Islam, and broke the fetters of disbelief.
مَنِhe who اخْتَرَقَcrossed الدُّنْيَاthe world لأَوَّلِat the first دَعْوَةٍsummons
مَنِ اخْتَرَقَ الدُّنْيَا لأَوَّلِ دَعْوَةٍ
إِلَىto دَعْوَةِthe call of الإِسلامِIslam فافْتَكَّand freed غُلَّهاher shackles
إِلَى دَعْوَةِ الإِسلامِ فافْتَكَّ غُلَّها
who crossed the world at the first summons
He drove the confederates away from her sanctuary
to Islam's call and broke her fetters,
And grasped the forelocks of tyranny’s lions.
وشَرَّدَand scattered أَحْزابَthe hosts of العِدىthe foes عَنْfrom حَرِيمِهاher sanctuary
وشَرَّدَ أَحْزابَ العِدى عَنْ حَرِيمِها
وأَدْرَكَand exacted منْfrom مُسْتَأْسِدِlion-fierce الكُفْرِunbelief ذَحْلَهاher vengeance
وأَدْرَكَ منْ مُسْتَأْسِدِ الكُفْرِ ذَحْلَها
and scattered the enemy hosts from her sanctuary,
He waved its branches in the sky’s expanse
and exacted her vengeance from lion-fierce unbelief,
And rooted its trunk in the soil of glory.
ودَوَّحَand spread wide فِيthrough جَوِّthe air of السَّماءِheaven غُصُونَهاher branches
ودَوَّحَ فِي جَوِّ السَّماءِ غُصُونَها
وأَثْبَتَand firmly planted فِيin بَحْبُوحَةِthe heart of العِزِّglory أَصْلَهاher root
وأَثْبَتَ فِي بَحْبُوحَةِ العِزِّ أَصْلَها
and spread her branches through the air of heaven,
He extended the land with cavalry in pursuit of foes,
and planted her root firmly in the heart of glory,
Crushing the lands of Bilaad under their hooves.
ومَدَّand stretched هوادِيthe necks of الخَيْلِthe horses فِيin طَلَبِpursuit of العِدىthe foes
ومَدَّ هوادِي الخَيْلِ فِي طَلَبِ العِدى
فأَوْطَأَهاso he made them tread حَزْنَthe rough ground of البِلادِthe land وسَهْلَهاand its plains
فأَوْطَأَها حَزْنَ البِلادِ وسَهْلَها
and stretched the horses' necks in pursuit of foes,
How often he ransomed the lowliest soul
making them tread the land's rough ground and its plains.
With a life all souls of the worlds combined cannot equal!
وكَمْand how often قَدْindeed فَدىhe ransomed أَدنىthe lowliest النُّفُوسِlives مِنَfrom القَناthe spears
وكَمْ قَدْ فَدى أَدنى النُّفُوسِ مِنَ القَنا
بِنَفْسٍwith a life نُفُوسُthe lives of العالَمِينَall mankind فِدىًa ransom لَهَاfor it
بِنَفْسٍ نُفُوسُ العالَمِينَ فِدىً لَهَا
How often he saved the lowliest lives from spears
If the shining sun could be replaced,
with a life for which the lives of all mankind are ransom!
It would be said to it: Descend, make way!
فَلَوْso if كَانَthere were للشَّمْسِfor the sun المنيرَةِthe radiant دُولَةٌa turn of rule
فَلَوْ كَانَ للشَّمْسِ المنيرَةِ دُولَةٌ
بأُخْرىwith another لَقِيلَit would be said اصْعَدْascend فَحِلَّand take مَحَلَّهاher place
بأُخْرى لَقِيلَ اصْعَدْ فَحِلَّ مَحَلَّها
If the radiant sun could take turns at ruling
If the stars’ orbits allowed a gap,
with another, he would be told, “Ascend and take her place.”
It would be said: Take its course and follow!
ولَوْand if لَحِقَتْbefell مَجْرىthe course of الكواكِبِthe stars خَلَّةٌa deficiency
ولَوْ لَحِقَتْ مَجْرى الكواكِبِ خَلَّةٌ
لَقِيلَit would be said لَهُto him سُسْتَyou governed العُلاthe heights فَتَوَلَّهاso take charge of them
لَقِيلَ لَهُ سُسْتَ العُلا فَتَوَلَّها
If a flaw befell the course of the stars,
If told: Increase its gifts and seek
he would be told, “You have governed the heights; take charge of them.”
Through it more praise from the world, it would decline!
ولَوْand if قِيلَit were said زِدْهاadd them فِيto هِباتِكَyour gifts واسْتَزِدْand seek more
ولَوْ قِيلَ زِدْها فِي هِباتِكَ واسْتَزِدْ
بِهَاthrough them الحَمْدَpraise منfrom هَذَاthis الوَرىmankind لاسْتَقَلَّهاhe would deem them small
بِهَا الحَمْدَ من هَذَا الوَرى لاسْتَقَلَّها
If told, “Add them to your gifts, and seek more
If it pleased him as adornment,
praise through them from mankind,” he would deem them too little.
It would be said: Place the diadem upon your head!
ولَوْand if كَانَhe were يَرْضاهاto accept them نِظاماًas a necklace لِزِينَةٍfor adornment
ولَوْ كَانَ يَرْضاها نِظاماً لِزِينَةٍ
لَقِيلَit would be said تَتَوَّجْcrown yourself with زُهْرَهاtheir bright ones وتَحَلَّهاand adorn yourself with them
لَقِيلَ تَتَوَّجْ زُهْرَها وتَحَلَّها
If he would accept them as a necklace for adornment,
But refrain, my words are enough for it,
he would be told, “Crown yourself with their bright ones and wear them as jewels.”
With pendants the stars would not replace.
وأَغْنِand how self-sufficient بِهِhe is عنهاwithout them وَفِيand in مَنْطِقِيmy speech لَهُfor him
وأَغْنِ بِهِ عنها وَفِي مَنْطِقِي لَهُ
قلائِدُnecklaces لاnot يَرْضىhe would accept الكَوَاكِبَthe stars بَدْلَهاin their place
قلائِدُ لا يَرْضى الكَوَاكِبَ بَدْلَها
How little he needs them! In my words for him are
Gems the ages hoarded nothing of its like,
necklaces he would not exchange for the stars.
Nor the sea gifted the like of its pearls.
جواهرُjewels لَمْnever يَذْخَرْheld in store لَهَاfor them الدَّهْرُTime مِثْلَهُhis equal
جواهرُ لَمْ يَذْخَرْ لَهَا الدَّهْرُ مِثْلَهُ
مَلِيكاًas king ولاnor أَهْدىpresented لَهُto him البَحْرُthe sea مِثْلَهاtheir like
مَلِيكاً ولا أَهْدى لَهُ البَحْرُ مِثْلَها
Jewels for which Time has never reserved his equal
I immortalize in it his attributes
as king, nor has the sea offered him their like.
That provoke all creation to envy.
أُخَلِّدُI immortalize فِيهَاin them مِنْfrom نداهُhis bounty وبَأْسِهِand his prowess
أُخَلِّدُ فِيهَا مِنْ نداهُ وبَأْسِهِ
خلائِقَvirtues تَسْتَمْلِيasks to have recounted الخلائِقُall creation فَضْلَهاtheir excellence
خلائِقَ تَسْتَمْلِي الخلائِقُ فَضْلَها
In them I immortalize, from his bounty and prowess,
I entertain thereby pleasant tales to come
virtues whose excellence all creation asks to have recounted,
By reliving the days of ones now gone.
فتُحْبيso it bestows لَهَاupon them حُسْنَthe beauty of الأَحادِيثِtales بَعْدَهاafter them
فتُحْبي لَهَا حُسْنَ الأَحادِيثِ بَعْدَها
بإِحْيائِهاby their reviving أَيَّامَthe days of مَنْthose who كَانَlived قَبْلَهاbefore them
بإِحْيائِها أَيَّامَ مَنْ كَانَ قَبْلَها
thus granting them fair tales after their passing,
And I recreate thereby the trace of a benefactor’s days
by reviving the days of those who came before them.
Who pointed to me the kind glances of grace.
وأُمْليand I dictate عَلَىto الأَيَّامِthe days آثارَthe deeds of مُنْعِمٍa benefactor
وأُمْلي عَلَى الأَيَّامِ آثارَ مُنْعِمٍ
عَلَيَّto me بِعَيْنِthrough the very substance of المَكْرُمَاتِnoble deeds أَمَلَّهاdictated them
عَلَيَّ بِعَيْنِ المَكْرُمَاتِ أَمَلَّها
I dictate to the days the deeds of a benefactor
God ordained for me through her the means
to me; he dictated them through noble deeds themselves.
To harmonize my words with deeds.
قضىordained اللهُGod ليfor me منهاthrough them وسائِلَmeans of نِسْبَةٍaffinity
قضى اللهُ لي منها وسائِلَ نِسْبَةٍ
فَأَلَّفَso he united فِيthrough الأَحْقابِthe ages قَوْليmy words وفِعْلَهاand their action
فَأَلَّفَ فِي الأَحْقابِ قَوْلي وفِعْلَها
God ordained for me, through them, bonds of affinity,
My praise, pride, panegyric and glory for it,
and united through the ages my words and their action:
My thanks, delight, laudation and devotion toward it.
ثنائيmy praise وعَلْياهاand their loftiness ومَدْحِيand my eulogy وفَخْرَهاand their glory
ثنائي وعَلْياها ومَدْحِي وفَخْرَها
وشُكْرِيand my thanks ونُعْماهاand their bounty وحَمْديand my acclaim وبَذْلَهَاand their giving
وشُكْرِي ونُعْماها وحَمْدي وبَذْلَهَا
my praise and their loftiness, my eulogy and their glory,
O greatest of holidays come together!
my thanks and their bounty, my acclaim and their giving.
You rose over faith and earth as the highest rank.
ويَاand O عِيدَfestival of أَعْيادٍfestivals توافَتْcame together فأَشْرَقَتْand shone
ويَا عِيدَ أَعْيادٍ توافَتْ فأَشْرَقَتْ
عَلَىupon الدِّينِfaith والدُّنياand the world وكُنتَand you were أَجَلَّهاthe greatest of them
عَلَى الدِّينِ والدُّنيا وكُنتَ أَجَلَّها
O festival of festivals that came together and shone
You tell of the appointed time and I delight,
upon faith and the world—you were the greatest of them!
You tell of repeated days and I delight.
تُخَبِّرُthey tell عنof جَمْعِthe gathering of المُنىwishes فَتَهَنَّهاso enjoy them
تُخَبِّرُ عن جَمْعِ المُنى فَتَهَنَّها
وعنand of عَوْدِthe return of أَعْيادٍfestivals بِهَاwith them فَتَمَلَّهاso savor them long
وعن عَوْدِ أَعْيادٍ بِهَا فَتَمَلَّها
They tell of wishes gathered together: enjoy them,
Your kindness to guests draws near the distant ones,
and of festivals returning with them: savor them long.
Your reception of visitors unites those parted.
وبِرُّكَand your kindness للأَضْيافِto guests قَرَّبَbrought near بُعْدَهاtheir remoteness
وبِرُّكَ للأَضْيافِ قَرَّبَ بُعْدَها
وبِشْرُكَand your joy بالزُّوَّارِin visitors أَلَّفَunited شَمْلَهاtheir scattered company
وبِشْرُكَ بالزُّوَّارِ أَلَّفَ شَمْلَها
Your kindness to guests brought their remoteness near,
and your joy in visitors reunited their scattered company.
Partial English translation: 118 of 120 Arabic lines translated.
Sol 6.1