أَرَأَيتَdid you see طَيفَphantom خَيالِهاher image لَماwhen سَرىcame by night
أَرَأَيتَ طَيفَ خَيالِها لَما سَرى
تَرَكَleft الدُّجاthe darkness إِلّاnothing but صَباحاًa dawn مُسفِراradiant
تَرَكَ الدُّجا إِلّا صَباحاً مُسفِرا
Did you see the phantom of her image, when it came by night,
Did you see her phantom image when it departed,
leave the darkness as nothing but a radiant dawn?
Leaving gloom except for the dawn's first light?
وافىarrived وَقَدwhile already عَلِقَclung الرُّقادُsleep بِهائِمto a lovesick wanderer
وافى وَقَد عَلِقَ الرُّقادُ بِهائِم
حَكَمَتdecreed عَلَيهِupon him هُمومُهُhis cares أَنthat يَسهَراhe stay awake
حَكَمَت عَلَيهِ هُمومُهُ أَن يَسهَرا
It arrived when sleep had clung to a lovesick wanderer
Slumber overcame the wakeful while she came to him,
whose cares had sentenced him to stay awake.
His worries decreed that he stay up through the night.
لاdo not تَحسدوهُenvy him عَلىfor زِيارَتِهِits visit فَماfor it did not
لا تَحسدوهُ عَلى زِيارَتِهِ فَما
مَنَحَgrant الوِصالَunion وَإِنَّماbut only مَنَعَdenied الكَرىsleep
مَنَحَ الوِصالَ وَإِنَّما مَنَعَ الكَرى
Do not envy him for its visit, for it did not
Do not envy him for her visit—she withheld union,
grant union; it only denied him sleep.
Though she granted the torment of parting's blight.
حَظa fortune عُرِفتَyou were known بِهِfor it فَلَستُso I do not أَذُمُّهُcondemn it
حَظ عُرِفتَ بِهِ فَلَستُ أَذُمُّهُ
وَلَقَدand indeed يَطولُgrows long الشَّيءa thing حَتّىuntil يَقصُراit becomes short
وَلَقَد يَطولُ الشَّيء حَتّى يَقصُرا
A fortune you are known for—I do not condemn it;
The fortune you're known for I do not resent,
a thing may indeed grow long until it becomes short.
Though oft the long seems short until it is curtailed.
وَسَجِيَّةٍand a trait فيin الغَدرِtreachery كُنتُI used to أَعيبُهاcriticize it
وَسَجِيَّةٍ في الغَدرِ كُنتُ أَعيبُها
حَتّىuntil عَرَفتُI recognized بِهاthrough it الصَّديقَthe friend الأَكبَراthe greatest
حَتّى عَرَفتُ بِها الصَّديقَ الأَكبَرا
And a trait of treachery I used to condemn,
I'd fault her fickleness until I realized
until through it I recognized my greatest friend.
Through it who proved the greatest, true friend of might.
ياO صاحِبَيَّmy two companions وَماand never وَثِقتُI trusted بِصاحِبٍin a friend
يا صاحِبَيَّ وَما وَثِقتُ بِصاحِبٍ
إِلّاbut تَغَيَّرَchanged ودُّهُhis affection وَتَنَكَّراand he grew estranged
إِلّا تَغَيَّرَ ودُّهُ وَتَنَكَّرا
O my two companions, never have I trusted a friend
My friend, I've not trusted any friend
but his affection changed and he grew estranged.
But he changed affection and turned to flight.
أَرَأَيتُماhave you two seen مِثليone like me يُرامُis sought قيادُهُhis being led
أَرَأَيتُما مِثلي يُرامُ قيادُهُ
مِنfrom بَعدِafter ماthat نَشَطَhe loosed العِقالُthe hobble وَجَرجَراand bellowed
مِن بَعدِ ما نَشَطَ العِقالُ وَجَرجَرا
Have you two seen one like me, whom they seek to rein in
Have you seen the likes of me, whose lead is contested
after he has loosed the hobble and bellowed,
After the bridle engaged and the course was set right,
وَيُسامُand is required أَنto يَرضىaccept الخُمولَobscurity وَقَدthough already أَبىrefused
وَيُسامُ أَن يَرضى الخُمولَ وَقَد أَبى
إِيماضَradiance وَجهِface of الصُّبحِdawn أَنto يَتَسَتَّراbe concealed
إِيماضَ وَجهِ الصُّبحِ أَن يَتَسَتَّرا
and whom they ask to accept obscurity, though
And urged to accept lethargy though he refused
the radiance of dawn's face refuses to be veiled?
The dawn's emerging face from hiding its light?
ماnot تَنقِمُresent الأَعداءthe enemies إِلّاexcept أَنَّنيthat I am
ما تَنقِمُ الأَعداء إِلّا أَنَّني
أَندىmore generous يَداًof hand مِنهُمthan they وَأَطيَبُand purer عُنصُراin stock
أَندى يَداً مِنهُم وَأَطيَبُ عُنصُرا
The enemies resent only that I am
The foes resent only that I've helped and favored
more generous of hand than they, and of purer stock.
The excellent and most noble breed.
وَمِنَand among البَلِيَّةِafflictions فيin الزَّمانِtime مُعانِدٌan adversary
وَمِنَ البَلِيَّةِ في الزَّمانِ مُعانِدٌ
يَخزيكَshames you أَنthat يُعزىhe be linked إِلَيكَto you وَيُذكَراand be mentioned
يَخزيكَ أَن يُعزى إِلَيكَ وَيُذكَرا
Among time's afflictions is an adversary
Among the calamities of time an opponent
who shames you by being linked to you and mentioned.
Would shame you to be blamed for ties or connection.
ماhow أَهوَنَtrifling الدُّنياthe world إِذاwhen نَظَرَreflects امرؤa man
ما أَهوَنَ الدُّنيا إِذا نَظَرَ امرؤ
فيهاupon it وَآنَand it is time لِحازِمٍfor a prudent man أَنto يَنظُراreflect
فيها وَآنَ لِحازِمٍ أَن يَنظُرا
How trifling the world is when a man reflects
How slight is the world when a man gazes
upon it; it is time for a prudent man to reflect.
At it, and it's time for the prudent to gain insight.
وَأَقَلُّand seldom ماthat يَجِدُattains الحَريصُthe eager man مُرادَهُhis desire
وَأَقَلُّ ما يَجِدُ الحَريصُ مُرادَهُ
وَإِذاand when أَراحَhe rests فَماthen he does not يَفوتُmiss مُقَدَّراwhat is ordained
وَإِذا أَراحَ فَما يَفوتُ مُقَدَّرا
And seldom does the eager man attain his desire,
The desirous find scant fulfillment of wants;
yet if he rests, he misses nothing ordained.
When rest comes, nothing destined will be denied.
مَنwho مُبلِغwill tell اللُّؤماءthe base men إِنَّthat رَكائِبيmy riding camels
مَن مُبلِغ اللُّؤماء إِنَّ رَكائِبي
وَجَدَتfound مَراحاًa resting place للإِباءfor proud refusal وَمَصدَراand a way out
وَجَدَت مَراحاً للإِباء وَمَصدَرا
Who will tell the base men that my riding camels
Who will tell the miserable wretches my steeds
have found a resting place for pride, and a way out?
Found pasture, water pure and untainted?
تَرَكَتthey forsook مُقارَبةcloseness to الدَّنِيِّthe base man وَفارَقَتand left
تَرَكَت مُقارَبة الدَّنِيِّ وَفارَقَت
ماءwater بِلَومby the reproach of الوارِدينَthose coming to drink مُكَدَّراmuddied
ماء بِلَوم الوارِدينَ مُكَدَّرا
They forsook closeness to the base man, and left
I left off drawing near the lowly and parted
water muddied by the reproaches of those coming to drink.
From turbid water the coming visitors muddied.
وَرَأَتand found عِمادَImad المُلكِal-Mulk أَكرَمَnobler شِيمَةٍin disposition
وَرَأَت عِمادَ المُلكِ أَكرَمَ شِيمَةٍ
مِنthan أَنto يُكَلِّفَهاmake them endure المَناخَthe campsite الأَوعَراthe roughest
مِن أَن يُكَلِّفَها المَناخَ الأَوعَرا
And they found Imad al-Mulk too noble in disposition
I saw the pillar of kingship most honorable—
to impose on them the roughest campsite.
No rougher path does it oblige me to ride.
مَلِكa king يَذُمُّscorns مِنَof الزَّمانِtime فَخارَهُits vainglory
مَلِك يَذُمُّ مِنَ الزَّمانِ فَخارَهُ
جَذلانَjoyful يَهزَأmocks بِالقَضاءِat fate إِذاwhen جَرىit runs its course
جَذلانَ يَهزَأ بِالقَضاءِ إِذا جَرى
A king who scorns time's vainglory,
A king who scorns the arrogance of time,
joyful, mocking fate as it takes its course.
Disdainful of fate however it provides.
وَمُتَوَّجand a crowned ruler يَلقىmeets العُفاةَthe suppliants بِوَجهِهِwith his face
وَمُتَوَّج يَلقى العُفاةَ بِوَجهِهِ
بِشراًcheerfully كَماas لَمَعَflashed السَّحابُthe cloud وَأَمطَراand rained
بِشراً كَما لَمَعَ السَّحابُ وَأَمطَرا
And a crowned ruler who meets suppliants with his face
A crowned head who greets commoners with his face
beaming, as a cloud flashes and rains.
Radiant as the clouds gathered and rained.
كَالصَّارِمِlike the sharp sword الهِندِيِّIndian إِلّاexcept أَنَّهُthat he is
كَالصَّارِمِ الهِندِيِّ إِلّا أَنَّهُ
أَمضىkeener شَباًin edge مِنهُthan it وَأَكرَمُand nobler جَوهَراin substance
أَمضى شَباً مِنهُ وَأَكرَمُ جَوهَرا
Like an Indian sword, except that he is
Like the Indian sword but superior,
keener of edge than it, and nobler in substance;
Its metal choice, its essence refined.
وَاللَّيثِand the lion لَولاwere it not أَنَّهُthat he يَندىis generous يَداًof hand
وَاللَّيثِ لَولا أَنَّهُ يَندى يَداً
وَيَلينُand is gentle أَخلاقاًin character وَيَحسُنُand is fair مَنظَراin appearance
وَيَلينُ أَخلاقاً وَيَحسُنُ مَنظَرا
and like a lion, were it not that his hand is generous,
And a lion, if not for stretching out a hand
his character gentle, and his appearance fair.
Gentled in nature, graceful in mien.
مَلأَتfilled وَقائِعُهُhis battles الطُّروسُthe written pages فَلَمand did not تَدَعleave
مَلأَت وَقائِعُهُ الطُّروسُ فَلَم تَدَع
فيon الأَرضِearth إلاexcept سائِلاًa questioner أَوor مُخبراa teller
في الأَرضِ إلا سائِلاً أَو مُخبرا
His battles have filled the pages, leaving
His feats filled albums—he left no need
none on earth but one who asks or one who tells.
On earth except for a seeker or informer.
وَدَعَتand summoned مَواهِبُهُhis gifts العُفاةَthe suppliants فَلَمand did not تَذَرleave
وَدَعَت مَواهِبُهُ العُفاةَ فَلَم تَذَر
فيamong النَّاسِpeople إِلّاexcept طالِباًa seeker أَوor مُوسِراa wealthy man
في النَّاسِ إِلّا طالِباً أَو مُوسِرا
And his gifts have summoned the suppliants, leaving
His gifts left no people save those wanting more,
none among men but a seeker or a wealthy man.
None but the rich, or in poverty mired.
داميbloodied الأَسِنَّةِof spearheads وَالظُّبىand sword-edges فَكَأَنَّماso as though
دامي الأَسِنَّةِ وَالظُّبى فَكَأَنَّما
طَبَعواthey forged لَهُfor him وَردَroses of الخُدودِthe cheeks الأَحمَراred
طَبَعوا لَهُ وَردَ الخُدودِ الأَحمَرا
His spearheads and sword-edges are bloodied, as though
My wine of speech and antelope racing as if
they had forged for him the red roses of cheeks.
His red cheeks were imprinted by them when inspired.
سَمُّوهُthey called him ذاpossessor of الحَسَبَينِtwo noble lineages لَمّاwhen قابَلواthey compared
سَمُّوهُ ذا الحَسَبَينِ لَمّا قابَلوا
فيin المَجدِglory مِرداساًMirdas عَلَيهِwith him وَجَعبَراand Jaʿbar
في المَجدِ مِرداساً عَلَيهِ وَجَعبَرا
They called him 'of two noble lineages' when they compared
They named him “The Two Noble Lineages” when
Mirdas and Jaʿbar with him in glory.
They saw his glory and the Pleiades vying.
وَلَوِand had اِهتَدواthey understood لَرَأَوهُماthey would have seen them both نالاthe two gained بِهِthrough him
وَلَوِ اِهتَدوا لَرَأَوهُما نالا بِهِ
شَرَفاًhonor عَلَىbeyond الشَّرَفِthe honor التَّليدِancestral وَمَفخَراand a source of pride
شَرَفاً عَلَى الشَّرَفِ التَّليدِ وَمَفخَرا
Had they understood, they would have seen those two gain through him
Had they but known, the two gained through him
honor beyond their ancestral honor, and a source of pride.
A nobility above traditional pride.
قَدindeed قُلتُI said لِلأَعداءِto the enemies غَيرَwithout مُجامِلٍflattering
قَد قُلتُ لِلأَعداءِ غَيرَ مُجامِلٍ
لَهُمُtoward them وَأَعذَرَand has absolved himself فيهُمtoward them مَنwhoever أَنذَراwarned
لَهُمُ وَأَعذَرَ فيهُم مَن أَنذَرا
I have told the enemies, without flattering
I have told the foes outright, not to appease
them—and whoever warns them leaves himself blameless:
But to warn whoever among them will be guided.
أَمّاas for الثُّغورُthe frontier strongholds فَإِنَّthen indeed دونَbarring مَرامِهاan attempt upon them
أَمّا الثُّغورُ فَإِنَّ دونَ مَرامِها
لَيثاًa lion أَشَمَّlofty السّاعِدَينِof forelegs غَضَنفَراa mighty lion
لَيثاً أَشَمَّ السّاعِدَينِ غَضَنفَرا
As for the frontier strongholds, barring any attempt upon them is
The land’s defense rests with a lion whose arms
a lion with lofty forelegs, a mighty lion.
Are strong, brisk, his claws like Indian swords.
أَلقىlaid out ذِراعَيهِhis forelegs وَأَطرَقَand lowered his head مُلبِداًcrouching
أَلقى ذِراعَيهِ وَأَطرَقَ مُلبِداً
مِنfrom بَعدِafter ماthat هَجَرَhe left العَرينَthe lair وَأَصحَراand came into the open
مِن بَعدِ ما هَجَرَ العَرينَ وَأَصحَرا
He has laid out his forelegs and lowered his head, crouching,
He tossed his arms in resignation and bent,
after leaving the lair and coming into the open.
Gloomy, after leaving the den he patrolled.
لاdo not تَحمِلوهُdrive him عَلىto العُقوقِdisloyalty فَتوقِظواand so awaken
لا تَحمِلوهُ عَلى العُقوقِ فَتوقِظوا
طَبّاًan expert بِأَدواءِin the maladies of العُقوقِdisloyalty مُكَدَّراvexed
طَبّاً بِأَدواءِ العُقوقِ مُكَدَّرا
Do not drive him to disloyalty, lest you awaken
Do not drive him to filial impiety, provoking
a vexed expert in the maladies of disloyalty.
A nature pure to bitter enmity.
جَرَّبتُموهُyou have tried him مُحارِباًat war وَمُسالِماًand at peace
جَرَّبتُموهُ مُحارِباً وَمُسالِماً
وَعَرَفتُموهُand known him مُصَمَّماًresolute وَمُعَذَّراand offering excuses
وَعَرَفتُموهُ مُصَمَّماً وَمُعَذَّرا
You have tried him in war and in peace,
You have tested him in war and peace
and known him resolute and offering excuses.
And found him steadfast, or excusing error.
وَبَلَوتُموهُand tested him فَماso you did not وَجَدتُمfind عِندَهُwith him
وَبَلَوتُموهُ فَما وَجَدتُم عِندَهُ
إِلّاexcept الصَّوارِمَkeen swords وَالوَشيجَand spear-shafts الأَسمَراtawny
إِلّا الصَّوارِمَ وَالوَشيجَ الأَسمَرا
And you have tested him, finding with him
In him you have found only the swords and armor
nothing but keen swords and tawny spear-shafts.
Bristling, darkly arrayed for the field.
وَبَدَتand appeared لَكُمto you فيin النَّقعِthe battle-dust بيضُwhite blades of سُيوفِهِhis swords
وَبَدَت لَكُم في النَّقعِ بيضُ سُيوفِهِ
فَرَأَيتُمُso you saw فيهاin them الحَمامَdeath مُصَوَّراembodied
فَرَأَيتُمُ فيها الحَمامَ مُصَوَّرا
The white blades of his swords appeared to you in the battle-dust,
You saw the gleam of his blades in their scabbards—
and in them you saw death embodied.
Doves embellished, portrayed there revealed.
تِلكَthose الوَقائِعُbattles فيكُمُagainst you مَشهورَةwell known
تِلكَ الوَقائِعُ فيكُمُ مَشهورَة
وَالسَّيفُand the sword لَيسَdoes not يَروعُterrify حَتّىuntil يُشهَراit is drawn
وَالسَّيفُ لَيسَ يَروعُ حَتّى يُشهَرا
Those battles against you are well known;
Those feats among you are widely known,
and a sword does not terrify until it is drawn.
Nor does the sword intimidate until it is yielded.
لاlet not تَعدِpass beyond مَنَّكَyour bounty أسرَةa clan مُضَرِيَّةٌof Mudar
لا تَعدِ مَنَّكَ أسرَة مُضَرِيَّةٌ
نَزَلَتsettled بِساحَتِكَat your court الجَنابَthe precinct الأَخضَراgreen
نَزَلَت بِساحَتِكَ الجَنابَ الأَخضَرا
Let your bounty not pass over a clan of Mudar
Count no injuries by baleful foes
that settled at your court, that verdant precinct.
Who encamped on your plain, verdant, emerald.
كَمhow often أَدرَكَتit attained بِنَداكَthrough your bounty مِنof أَوطارِهاits desires
كَم أَدرَكَت بِنَداكَ مِن أَوطارِها
خَطَراًeminence وَكَمand how often قَرَعَتit struck بِسَيفِكَwith your sword مِنبَراa pulpit
خَطَراً وَكَم قَرَعَت بِسَيفِكَ مِنبَرا
How often, through your bounty, has it attained its desired
How many perils were checked at your call,
eminence, and how often struck a pulpit with your sword!
How many platforms pounded by your sword!
أَسعَرتَyou kindled جَمرَةَthe ember of عامِرٍʿAmir وَهيَand it is الَّتيthe one that
أَسعَرتَ جَمرَةَ عامِرٍ وَهيَ الَّتي
لاdo not تُنكِرُdeny الأَعداءthe enemies أَنthat تَتَسَعَّراit blazes
لا تُنكِرُ الأَعداء أَن تَتَسَعَّرا
You have kindled ʿAmir's ember, and it is the one
You kindled the embers of glory, everlasting,
whose blazing the enemies do not deny.
That even the foes cannot deny have sparked.
وَحَمَتand guarded مَخافَتُكَfear of you الجَزيرَةَal-Jazira هَيبَةًthrough awe
وَحَمَت مَخافَتُكَ الجَزيرَةَ هَيبَةً
فَكَأَنَّماso as though قادَتit led إِلَيهاto it عَسكَراan army
فَكَأَنَّما قادَت إِلَيها عَسكَرا
And fear of you has guarded al-Jazira with awe,
Your awe protected the peninsula, filling it
as though it had led an army there.
As though you drove an army there to guard.
وَتَحَيَّرَand was bewildered الغُزِّيُّthe Ghuzzi فيin ظَلمائِهاits darkness
وَتَحَيَّرَ الغُزِّيُّ في ظَلمائِها
حَتّىuntil أَضاءَshone لَهُfor him النَّهارُday فَأَبصَراso he saw
حَتّى أَضاءَ لَهُ النَّهارُ فَأَبصَرا
And the Ghuzzi was bewildered in its darkness,
The invader wandered its darkness bewildered
until day shone for him, and he saw.
Until daylight illumed and helped him see.
إِيّاكَbeware أَنlest تَرِدَyou come to drink at الفُراتَthe Euphrates فَإِنَّهُfor it is
إِيّاكَ أَن تَرِدَ الفُراتَ فَإِنَّهُ
ماءwater يَعودُreturns الجَونُthe black one مِنهُfrom it أَشقَراchestnut-red
ماء يَعودُ الجَونُ مِنهُ أَشقَرا
Beware of coming to the Euphrates, for it is
Beware denying the Euphrates, for it is
water from which the black one comes back chestnut-red.
Water that returns the soul made limpid.
فَمَضىso he departed وَماand did not وَجَدَdeem الفِرارflight دَنِيَّةًa disgrace
فَمَضى وَما وَجَدَ الفِرار دَنِيَّةً
مَنwhoever خافَfeared حَدَّthe edge of ظُباكَyour blades أَنto يَتَدَبَّراturn his back
مَن خافَ حَدَّ ظُباكَ أَن يَتَدَبَّرا
So he departed; flight was no disgrace
So he went, finding no dishonor in flight
to one who feared your blades' edge and turned his back.
From fear of your crocodile's bite and aggression.
أَوَand is it لَيسَnot مَحمودُMahmud بنُson of نَصرNasr دونَهُbefore it
أَوَ لَيسَ مَحمودُ بنُ نَصر دونَهُ
فَحَذارِso beware إِنif نَفَعَit benefits امرَأa man أَنto يَحذَراbe cautious
فَحَذارِ إِن نَفَعَ امرَأ أَن يَحذَرا
Is not Mahmud ibn Nasr barring the way to it?
Does not Mahmoud ibn Nasr come next?—so caution,
So beware, if caution can benefit a man.
If a man benefits, that you take care.
ياO جامِعَgatherer of الحَسَناتِvirtues دَعوَةa plea عائِذٍone seeking refuge
يا جامِعَ الحَسَناتِ دَعوَة عائِذٍ
بِنَداكَin your bounty أَدلَجَtraveled by night فيseeking رِضاكَyour favor وَهَجَّراand traveled at noon
بِنَداكَ أَدلَجَ في رِضاكَ وَهَجَّرا
O gatherer of virtues, hear the plea of one seeking refuge
O gatherer of beauties, the plea of one seeking refuge
in your bounty, who traveled night and noon seeking your favor.
In your help, devoted to your wish and will.
ماnot كُنتُI used to أَحسَبُthink أَنَّthat جودَكَyour bounty يُقتَضىneeds to be solicited
ما كُنتُ أَحسَبُ أَنَّ جودَكَ يُقتَضى
حَتّىuntil أَقولُI speak مُنَبِّهاًprompting وَمُذَكِّراand reminding
حَتّى أَقولُ مُنَبِّهاً وَمُذَكِّرا
I did not think your bounty needed to be solicited,
I did not reckon your generosity could be sought
until I had to speak, prompting and reminding you.
Until I speak as a reminder defined.
وَأَخافُand I fear فيكَconcerning you مِنَfrom الوُشاةِthe slanderers وَلَمand not تَكُنyou were
وَأَخافُ فيكَ مِنَ الوُشاةِ وَلَم تَكُن
مِمَّنamong those يُخافُone fears عَلَيهِfor him أَنthat يَتَغَيَّراhe might change
مِمَّن يُخافُ عَلَيهِ أَن يَتَغَيَّرا
And I fear the slanderers where you are concerned, yet you were never
Yet I fear the slanderers’ effect on you—but you are not
one whose change of heart was to be feared.
One to be feared changed, or no longer kind.
حاشَاfar be it لِعَدلِكَfrom your justice أَنthat يَنالَattain مَطالِبيwhat I seek
حاشَا لِعَدلِكَ أَن يَنالَ مَطالِبي
قَومٌmen سَبَقتُهُمُI preceded them إِلَيكَto you تَخَيُّراby choice
قَومٌ سَبَقتُهُمُ إِلَيكَ تَخَيُّرا
Far be it from your justice that what I seek should be won by
Far be it from your justice to grant my request
men whom I preceded in coming to you by choice,
While people preceded me, their choice fulfilled,
فَيَكونُso would be سَهميmy share فيin الغِناءuseful service مُقَدَّماًplaced ahead
فَيَكونُ سَهمي في الغِناء مُقَدَّماً
عَنهُمbeyond them وَحَظِّيand my portion فيin العَطاءِgifts مُؤخَّراput behind
عَنهُم وَحَظِّي في العَطاءِ مُؤخَّرا
so that my share in service should come before
So my share in plenty comes before theirs
theirs, yet my share of gifts should come after.
And my lot in gifts lags latterly.
طَلَعَتrose عَلَيهِمover them مِنfrom نَداكَyour bounty سَحابَةٌa cloud
طَلَعَت عَلَيهِم مِن نَداكَ سَحابَةٌ
تَرويwaters البِلادَthe lands وَماyet does not تَبُلُّwet لِيَfor me الثَّرىthe soil
تَروي البِلادَ وَما تَبُلُّ لِيَ الثَّرى
A cloud from your bounty rose over them,
A cloud rose over them from your rainshowers
watering the lands without wetting the soil for me.
Watering the land, leaving my soil unfilled.
وَسَرَيتُand I traveled by night قَبلَهُمُbefore them إِلىto إِدراكِهاreaching it
وَسَرَيتُ قَبلَهُمُ إِلى إِدراكِها
وَبَداand appeared الصَّباحُmorning فَماso I did not حَمَدتُpraise بِهِin it السُّرىthe night journey
وَبَدا الصَّباحُ فَما حَمَدتُ بِهِ السُّرى
And I traveled by night before them to reach it,
I set out before them to meet it
and morning broke, but I had no cause then to praise my night journey.
As dawn broke—and I did not praise that course.
وَلَقَدand indeed صَبَرتُI was patient وَكُلُّand all صَبرٍpatience نِعمَةٌa blessing
وَلَقَد صَبَرتُ وَكُلُّ صَبرٍ نِعمَةٌ
إِلّاexcept إِذاwhen سَرَّdelights العِدىthe enemies أَنthat أَصبراI am patient
إِلّا إِذا سَرَّ العِدى أَن أَصبرا
I have indeed been patient, and all patience is a blessing,
I have been patient—all patience is a blessing,
except when my patience delights the enemies.
Unless when enemies rejoice that I bear the offense.
وَأَصَبتُand I received بِشرَكَyour cheerful welcome دونَrather than وَفرِكَyour wealth إِنَّهُindeed it is
وَأَصَبتُ بِشرَكَ دونَ وَفرِكَ إِنَّهُ
ثَمَنٌa price يُباعُare sold بِهِfor it الكِرامُnoble men وَيُشتَرىand are bought
ثَمَنٌ يُباعُ بِهِ الكِرامُ وَيُشتَرى
And I have received your cheerful welcome, not your wealth; it is
I was struck by your partnership, not abandonment—that
a price for which noble men are sold and bought.
Is the price at which honor is sold, glory gained.
هَذاthis عِتابُكَreproach to you غَيرَexcept أَنَّthat وَراءهُbehind it
هَذا عِتابُكَ غَيرَ أَنَّ وَراءهُ
قَلباًa heart أَرَقَّmore tender عَلَيكَtoward you مِنthan أَنto يَهجُراforsake
قَلباً أَرَقَّ عَلَيكَ مِن أَن يَهجُرا
This is my reproach to you, but behind it is
This, your reproof, but behind it
a heart too tender toward you to forsake you.
A heart too soft to ever spurn or desert me.
فارجِعso return إِلىto الرَّأيthe policy الَّذيthat جَرَّبتَهُyou tried
فارجِع إِلى الرَّأي الَّذي جَرَّبتَهُ
فَوَجَدتَand found مَيمونَauspicious النَّقيبَةِin nature مُثمِراfruitful
فَوَجَدتَ مَيمونَ النَّقيبَةِ مُثمِرا
Return, then, to the policy you have tried
So return to proven wisdom, found fruitful,
and found auspicious in nature and fruitful.
And favor me—for you know my due measure.
وَامنُنand bestow favor عَلَيَّon me فَقَدfor now قَدِرتَyou have the power وَإِنَّماand only
وَامنُن عَلَيَّ فَقَد قَدِرتَ وَإِنَّما
أَمسَكتُI held back عَنfrom نُعماكَyour favors حَتّىuntil تَقدراyou could give
أَمسَكتُ عَن نُعماكَ حَتّى تَقدرا
And bestow favor on me, for you have the power; I only
Know I have held back from your boons only so
held back from seeking your favors until you could give.
You could judge me deserving, competent, eager.
وَاعلَمand know بِأَنّيthat I ماdid not ذَخَرتُhold back نَصيحَةًany counsel
وَاعلَم بِأَنّي ما ذَخَرتُ نَصيحَةً
عِنديwith me فَمالَكَso why should you فيin النَّدىgenerosity أَنto تَذخُراhold back
عِندي فَمالَكَ في النَّدى أَن تَذخُرا
And know that I have withheld no counsel
Know too that I hoarded no advice for myself—
I possess; why, then, should you hold back in generosity?
For you to bestow gifts freely need none from another.
وَتَهَنَّand rejoice بِالعيدِin the feast الَّذيthat شَرَّفتَهُyou honored
وَتَهَنَّ بِالعيدِ الَّذي شَرَّفتَهُ
لَمّاwhen بَرَزتَyou came forth مُصَلِّياًpraying وَمُكَبِّراand proclaiming God's greatness
لَمّا بَرَزتَ مُصَلِّياً وَمُكَبِّرا
And rejoice in the feast that you honored
Be festive on the Feast you ennobled
when you came forth praying and proclaiming God's greatness.
When you emerged, praying, proclaiming God's grandeur.
وَاسلَمand remain safe لَهُfor it وَلِكُلِّand for every يَومday مِثلِهِlike it
وَاسلَم لَهُ وَلِكُلِّ يَوم مِثلِهِ
حَتّىuntil تَقودَyou lead عِداكَyour enemies فيهِon it وَتَنحَراand slaughter
حَتّى تَقودَ عِداكَ فيهِ وَتَنحَرا
And remain safe for it, and for every day like it,
Submit to it and each day like it
until on it you lead your foes and slaughter them.
Until you lead your foes humbled, overpowered.
Sol 6.1