أَبَغِضْتَهُHave you hated him? مِنْfrom بَعْدِafter مَاthat بُذِلَwas offered الرِّضَاgoodwill
أَبَغِضْتَهُ مِنْ بَعْدِ مَا بُذِلَ الرِّضَا
هذَاthis تَجَنٍّunfair treatment مِنْfrom حَبِيبٍa beloved يُرتضَىdeemed worthy
هذَا تَجَنٍّ مِنْ حَبِيبٍ يُرتضَى
Have you hated him after goodwill was offered?
This is unfairness from a beloved held worthy.
لاَdo not تجْزَعَنْever despair للْبُعْدِat separation تُوعَدُهُyou are promised it غَداًtomorrow
لاَ تجْزَعَنْ للْبُعْدِ تُوعَدُهُ غَداً
فاللهُfor God يَصْرِفُهُdirects it بماaccording to what فيهِconcerning it قضَاHe decreed
فاللهُ يَصْرِفُهُ بما فيهِ قضَا
Do not despair at the separation promised you tomorrow;
for God directs it according to His decree.
ظلمَdid wrong الحَبِيبُthe beloved فَأَظْلَمَso grew dark الْبَيْتُthe house الَّذِيwhich
ظلمَ الحَبِيبُ فَأَظْلَمَ الْبَيْتُ الَّذِي
أَمَّتْheaded toward مَطاياهُhis riding camels بهِwith him ذاتDhat الأَضَاal-Ada
أَمَّتْ مَطاياهُ بهِ ذات الأَضَا
The beloved did wrong, and dark grew the house
his mounts had sought with him at Dhat al-Ada.
قَدْindeed قالَsaid بَشَّارٌBashshar وكانَand he was مُسَدَّداًunerring in aim
قَدْ قالَ بَشَّارٌ وكانَ مُسَدَّداً
يَحْوِيhe grasps المعَانِيthe meanings إنْwhether رَمَىhe shot أَوْor أَنْبَضَاtwanged his bow
يَحْوِي المعَانِي إنْ رَمَى أَوْ أَنْبَضَا
Bashshar said—and his aim was true—
grasping meanings whether he shot or twanged his bow:
قَدْindeed ذُقْتُI tasted أُلْفَتَهُhis companionship وذُقْتُand I tasted فِراقَهُhis parting
قَدْ ذُقْتُ أُلْفَتَهُ وذُقْتُ فِراقَهُ
فَوَجَدْتُand I found ذَاthis عَسَلاًhoney وذَاand that جَمْرَembers of الغَضاghada wood
فَوَجَدْتُ ذَا عَسَلاً وذَا جَمْرَ الغَضا
I have tasted his companionship and tasted his parting;
I found the one honey, the other embers of ghada wood.
خُذْtake مِنْfrom زَمانِكَyour time ماwhat صَفَاwas clear لَكَfor you قَلَّماseldom
خُذْ مِنْ زَمانِكَ ما صَفَا لَكَ قَلَّما
يُغْنِيكَavails you غَمُّكَyour grief بِالتَّكدُّرِat its clouding إِذْwhen مَضاit passed
يُغْنِيكَ غَمُّكَ بِالتَّكدُّرِ إِذْ مَضا
Take from your days whatever comes clear and fair; seldom
does grief at their clouding help you once they have passed.
واصْبِرْand endure عَلَىin the face of غَرَقٍdrowning بِنُعْمىin return for a blessing نلْتَهاyou attained it
واصْبِرْ عَلَى غَرَقٍ بِنُعْمى نلْتَها
إنَّindeed الزمانَTime لَمُقْتَضٍsurely reclaims مَاwhat أَقْرَضاit lent
إنَّ الزمانَ لَمُقْتَضٍ مَا أَقْرَضا
And endure drowning in return for a blessing you gained;
Time surely reclaims whatever it has lent.
فَهَوَيْتَthen you plunged فِيinto لُجٍّdeep water عَلاكَrose over you عُبابُهُits surging waves
فَهَوَيْتَ فِي لُجٍّ عَلاكَ عُبابُهُ
لاno بُدَّescape أَنْthat تَلْقَىyou encounter الَّذِيwhat لَكَfor you قُيِّضَاwas ordained
لا بُدَّ أَنْ تَلْقَى الَّذِي لَكَ قُيِّضَا
Then you plunged into deep water whose surge rose over you;
you must encounter what has been ordained for you.
إنْif قُمْتَyou stood فِيهِin it لَمْnot تَطُلْهُyou rise above it لِغُزْرِهِbecause of its depth
إنْ قُمْتَ فِيهِ لَمْ تَطُلْهُ لِغُزْرِهِ
ورَأَيْتَand you found تَحْتَbeneath الرِّجْلِthe foot مِنْهُin it مَدْحضَاslippery footing
ورَأَيْتَ تَحْتَ الرِّجْلِ مِنْهُ مَدْحضَا
If you stood in it, you could not rise above it, so deep it was;
beneath your foot you found slippery footing.
وَتَسَرَّعَتْand rushed مِنْهُfrom it إلَيْكَtoward you حِجَارَةٌstones
وَتَسَرَّعَتْ مِنْهُ إلَيْكَ حِجَارَةٌ
تَذَرُleaving الصَّحِيحَthe sound مِنَamong الْعِظَامِthe bones مُرَضَّضَاshattered
تَذَرُ الصَّحِيحَ مِنَ الْعِظَامِ مُرَضَّضَا
And stones from it rushed toward you,
leaving sound bones shattered.
وَكساكَand it clothed you مِنfrom يَدِهِits hand وَلَمْand not تَسْتَكْسِهِyou ask it for clothing
وَكساكَ مِن يَدِهِ وَلَمْ تَسْتَكْسِهِ
عُشُراًmilkweed يُؤلِّفُهُgathers it المُدُودُthe floods وَعِرْمضاand pond scum
عُشُراً يُؤلِّفُهُ المُدُودُ وَعِرْمضا
It clothed you from its own hand, though you had not asked it for clothes,
in milkweed gathered by the floods, and pond scum.
نَجَّاكَsaved you مَنْHe who نَجَّاsaved بِلُطْفٍwith gentleness يُونُساًJonah
نَجَّاكَ مَنْ نَجَّا بِلُطْفٍ يُونُساً
مِنْهُfrom it وكَانَand it was لِقَبْضِto seize رُوحِكَyour soul معْرِضاpoised
مِنْهُ وكَانَ لِقَبْضِ رُوحِكَ معْرِضا
He who gently saved Jonah saved you
from it, though it was poised to seize your soul.
هَذَاthis وَقَدْand already ثَلَمَhad breached الزَّواقِلُthe marauders جَانِبِيmy side
هَذَا وَقَدْ ثَلَمَ الزَّواقِلُ جَانِبِي
فَأَفَضْتُso I poured forth دَمْعاًtears عنْدَat ذَاكَthat مُغَيَّضَاheld back
فَأَفَضْتُ دَمْعاً عنْدَ ذَاكَ مُغَيَّضَا
All this, when the marauders had already battered my side;
at that I poured forth tears previously held back.
أَبْكيI mourn كِساءًa cloak كانَit was أَوْثَقَthe surest of عُدَّتِيmy provisions
أَبْكي كِساءً كانَ أَوْثَقَ عُدَّتِي
إنْwhen أَخصرَnumbed البَرْدُthe cold العِظامَthe bones ونَقَّضاand made them crack
إنْ أَخصرَ البَرْدُ العِظامَ ونَقَّضا
I mourn a cloak, once my surest provision
when cold numbed the bones and made them crack;
وَمِخَدَّةًand a pillow قَدْindeed كانَused to يَأْلفُfind familiar لِينُهاits softness
وَمِخَدَّةً قَدْ كانَ يَأْلفُ لِينُها
خَدِّيmy cheek فأَضْحىbut became الْجِسْمُthe body مِنْهاbecause of it مُمْرَضاailing
خَدِّي فأَضْحى الْجِسْمُ مِنْها مُمْرَضا
and a pillow whose softness had been familiar
to my cheek; now my body ails on its account;
وَنَفِيسَand precious فَرْشٍbedding كالرِّياضِlike gardens نُقُوشُهُits patterns
وَنَفِيسَ فَرْشٍ كالرِّياضِ نُقُوشُهُ
ماnot كانit was منof دُونِbeing without الرِّياشِfinery مُرَحَّضَاwashed bare
ما كان من دُونِ الرِّياشِ مُرَحَّضَا
and precious bedding, its patterns like gardens,
not washed bare of its rich adornment;
وَمُجَمَّعاًand a chest قَدْindeed كُنْتُI used to أجْمَعُgather آلةًutensils
وَمُجَمَّعاً قَدْ كُنْتُ أجْمَعُ آلةً
فِيهِin it وكَانَand it was مِنَfrom الْبَلاءِmisfortune مُفَضَّضَاshattered
فِيهِ وكَانَ مِنَ الْبَلاءِ مُفَضَّضَا
and a chest: I used to gather my utensils
in it; misfortune had shattered it.
والصُّفْرَand the brass أَبْكِيI mourn كالنُّضارِlike pure gold وَشَمْعَةًand a candle
والصُّفْرَ أَبْكِي كالنُّضارِ وَشَمْعَةً
زانَتْit adorned يَدُthe hand of الْمَاشِيthe walker بِهَاwith it والْمِقْبَضَاand the holder
زانَتْ يَدُ الْمَاشِي بِهَا والْمِقْبَضَا
I mourn the brass, like pure gold, and a candle
that graced its bearer's hand and its holder.
صَرَّحْتُI spoke openly بِالشَّكْوَىof my complaint إليكَto you تَأَنُّساًtaking heart
صَرَّحْتُ بِالشَّكْوَى إليكَ تَأَنُّساً
بِنَدىin the generosity of يَدَيْكَyour two hands إذاwhen غَرِيبٌa stranger عَرَّضاhinted
بِنَدى يَدَيْكَ إذا غَرِيبٌ عَرَّضا
I have spoken openly of my woes to you, taking heart
from your openhandedness when a stranger merely hints.
فَلأنْتَfor you are indeed أعْلَىhighest فِيamong المُلُوكِkings مَحِلَّةًin station
فَلأنْتَ أعْلَى فِي المُلُوكِ مَحِلَّةً
وأَجَلُّand noblest منof those who رَاشُenriched العُبَيْدَhumble servants وَأنْهضاand raised them
وأَجَلُّ من رَاشُ العُبَيْدَ وَأنْهضا
For among kings you hold the loftiest station,
and are the noblest to enrich humble servants and raise them up.
مِنْfrom بَعْدِafter ماthat غالَravaged الْمَشِيبُgraying age شَيْبَتِيmy gray hair
مِنْ بَعْدِ ما غالَ الْمَشِيبُ شَيْبَتِي
وَنَضاand stripped off لِباسَthe garment of تَجَمُّلِيmy elegance فِيماamong what نَضاit stripped off
وَنَضا لِباسَ تَجَمُّلِي فِيما نَضا
After gray age had ravaged my gray head,
and stripped away my robe of elegance among its spoils,
وَأحارَنِيand returned me مَرَضاًto illness وَأَوْهَنَand weakened قُوَّتِيmy strength
وَأحارَنِي مَرَضاً وَأَوْهَنَ قُوَّتِي
فَغَدَوْتُso I became مِنْهُbecause of it وَقَدْthough already صَحِحْتُI had recovered مُمَرّضاailing
فَغَدَوْتُ مِنْهُ وَقَدْ صَحِحْتُ مُمَرّضا
and returned me to illness and weakened my strength,
I became ailing through it, though I had recovered.
وإذاand when دَنَتْdraws near سَبْعُونَseventy مِنto مُتَأَمِّلٍa hopeful man
وإذا دَنَتْ سَبْعُونَ مِن مُتَأَمِّلٍ
دانىhe draws near وَلَمْand not يَرَhe sees فِيin اللَّذاذَةِpleasure مَرْكَضاa field to gallop
دانى وَلَمْ يَرَ فِي اللَّذاذَةِ مَرْكَضا
When seventy draws near a man still full of hopes,
he nears his end and finds no course left for delight.
وَجَفاهُand forsook him نَوْمٌsleep كانَused to يَأْلَفُfrequent جَفْنَهُhis eyelid
وَجَفاهُ نَوْمٌ كانَ يَأْلَفُ جَفْنَهُ
قِدْماًlong ago وَأَضْحىand he became لِلحُتُوفِto deadly fates مُعَرَّضاexposed
قِدْماً وَأَضْحى لِلحُتُوفِ مُعَرَّضا
Sleep forsakes him, though it once frequented his eyelids
long ago, and he lies exposed to death.
وإذاand when بَلَغْتُI reach إلىto الأمامِthe Imam مُسَلِّماًoffering greetings
وإذا بَلَغْتُ إلى الأمامِ مُسَلِّماً
ورَأَيْتُهُand I see him زَالَvanishes التَّخَوُّفُfear وانْقَضىand ends
ورَأَيْتُهُ زَالَ التَّخَوُّفُ وانْقَضى
When I reach the Imam to offer greetings
and see him, fear vanishes and comes to an end.
وَنَسِيتُand I forget رَوْعَاتٍterrors لإِرْجافٍfrom alarming rumors فَشاspread abroad
وَنَسِيتُ رَوْعَاتٍ لإِرْجافٍ فَشا
ماnot زلْتُI ceased للإِشْفاقِfrom dread فِيهِover it مُرْمَضاtormented
ما زلْتُ للإِشْفاقِ فِيهِ مُرْمَضا
I forget the terrors of a rumor spread abroad,
over which I had been ceaselessly seared by dread.
ذادَتْdrove away مَوارِدُهُits incoming reports الكَرىsleep عَنْfrom مُقْلَتِيmy eye
ذادَتْ مَوارِدُهُ الكَرى عَنْ مُقْلَتِي
وَأَبَىand refused عَلَيَّme حِذَارَهُdread of it أَنْto أُغْمَضاclose my eyes
وَأَبَى عَلَيَّ حِذَارَهُ أَنْ أُغْمَضا
Its incoming reports drove sleep from my eye,
and dread of it refused to let me close my eyes.
فَعَلَيَّso upon me نَذْرٌa vow إِنْif رَأَيْتُكَI see you سالماًsafe
فَعَلَيَّ نَذْرٌ إِنْ رَأَيْتُكَ سالماً
صَوْمٌfasting وعِتْقٌand manumission عاجِلٌimmediate لاnot يُقْتَضَىto be demanded
صَوْمٌ وعِتْقٌ عاجِلٌ لا يُقْتَضَى
A vow rests upon me, if I see you safe:
a fast and immediate manumission, needing no demand.
بِمُحَمَّدٍwith Muhammad رَضِيَwas pleased الإلهُGod خَلِيفَةًas caliph
بِمُحَمَّدٍ رَضِيَ الإلهُ خَلِيفَةً
فِيon الأَرْضِearth فَهوand he is بِذاكَwith that راضٍcontent مُرْتَضَىapproved
فِي الأَرْضِ فَهو بِذاكَ راضٍ مُرْتَضَى
God approved Muhammad as caliph
on earth; he is content with that, and well approved.
جاءَتْهُit came to him طَوْعاًwillingly لَمْnot يُسَيِّرْhe sent forth لَفْظَهُhis word
جاءَتْهُ طَوْعاً لَمْ يُسَيِّرْ لَفْظَهُ
فِيهَاconcerning it ولاَnor أَضْحىdid he become لَهَاfor it مُتَعَرِّضاaspiring
فِيهَا ولاَ أَضْحى لَهَا مُتَعَرِّضا
It came to him willingly; he sent forth no word
concerning it, nor did he aspire to it.
فَهُوَfor he is الْحَقِيقُthe worthy one بِهَاof it الْمَعانُthe aided one بِقُوَّةٍwith strength
فَهُوَ الْحَقِيقُ بِهَا الْمَعانُ بِقُوَّةٍ
فِيهَاin it بِحُكْمٍby a judgment فَاصِلٍdecisive لَنْnever يُدْحَضاbe overturned
فِيهَا بِحُكْمٍ فَاصِلٍ لَنْ يُدْحَضا
He is worthy of it, aided with strength
therein, through a decisive judgment never to be overturned.
أَللهُGod أَقْبَلَturned toward ليme بِوَجْهِwith the face of نَوالِهِHis bounty
أَللهُ أَقْبَلَ لي بِوَجْهِ نَوالِهِ
فَرَفَضْتُso I rejected وَجْهَthe face of الدَّهْرِTime لَمَّاwhen أَعْرَضاit turned away
فَرَفَضْتُ وَجْهَ الدَّهْرِ لَمَّا أَعْرَضا
God turned toward me with the face of His bounty;
so I rejected Time's face when it turned away.
بَدْرٌa full moon يُضِيءُilluminating دُجىthe deep darkness of الظَّلامِdarkness وَلَمْand not يَزَلْceased
بَدْرٌ يُضِيءُ دُجى الظَّلامِ وَلَمْ يَزَلْ
لِسَوادِfor the blackness of ماwhat تَجْنيbring الخُطُوبُcalamities مُبَيِّضاwhitening
لِسَوادِ ما تَجْني الخُطُوبُ مُبَيِّضا
A full moon lighting the depths of darkness, ever
whitening the blackness of what calamities bring.
بِكْرُthe firstborn of الزَّمانِTime فَلَيْسَso not يُنْتَجُis brought forth مِثْلُهُhis like
بِكْرُ الزَّمانِ فَلَيْسَ يُنْتَجُ مِثْلُهُ
أَبداًever وَلاَnor يُلْفَىis found بِهِwith him مُتَمَخِّضاin labor
أَبداً وَلاَ يُلْفَى بِهِ مُتَمَخِّضا
Time's firstborn: his like will not be brought forth
ever, nor will Time be found laboring with his like.
عَالِيlofty of الْمَحلِّstation بنَىbuilt لَهُfor him آباؤُهُhis forefathers
عَالِي الْمَحلِّ بنَى لَهُ آباؤُهُ
شَرَفاًhonor أَبَتْrefused أَرْكَانُهُits pillars أَنْto يُنْقَضاbe demolished
شَرَفاً أَبَتْ أَرْكَانُهُ أَنْ يُنْقَضا
Lofty in station, his forefathers built him
an honor whose pillars refuse demolition.
مَنْwhoever شَامَaspires to عِزَّكَyour glory ذَلَّis humbled دُونَshort of منَالِهِattaining it
مَنْ شَامَ عِزَّكَ ذَلَّ دُونَ منَالِهِ
أَوْor رامَseeks ماwhat رَفَّعْتَyou raised high مِنْهُof it تَخفَّضاis brought low
أَوْ رامَ ما رَفَّعْتَ مِنْهُ تَخفَّضا
Whoever aspires to your glory is humbled before attaining it,
or seeks the heights you raised is brought low.
أَحْسَنْتَyou bestowed kindness حَتَّىuntil مَاnot نَرَىwe see مُتَسَخِّطَاًa malcontent
أَحْسَنْتَ حَتَّى مَا نَرَى مُتَسَخِّطَاً
يَشْكُوcomplaining of الزَّمَانَTime وَلاَnor نرَىwe see لَكَtoward you مُبْغضاa hater
يَشْكُو الزَّمَانَ وَلاَ نرَى لَكَ مُبْغضا
You have bestowed such kindness that we see no malcontent
complaining of Time, nor anyone who hates you.
كَمْhow many مُبْغِضٍa hater حُطَّتْwere brought to rest إلَيْكَbefore you ركَابُهُhis riding camels
كَمْ مُبْغِضٍ حُطَّتْ إلَيْكَ ركَابُهُ
نالَhe attained الغنَىwealth عَجِلاًquickly فَأَغْنَىso it enriched المُبْغِضَاthe hater
نالَ الغنَى عَجِلاً فَأَغْنَى المُبْغِضَا
How many a hater has had his mounts brought to rest before you,
gained wealth at once, and so been enriched despite his hatred.
بِعُلُوِّthrough the loftiness of فَخْرِكَyour glory فِيamong الْمَفَاخِرِglorious deeds يُعْتَلَىone rises
بِعُلُوِّ فَخْرِكَ فِي الْمَفَاخِرِ يُعْتَلَى
وَبِنُورِand by the light of هَدْيِكَyour guidance فيin الدِّيانَةreligion يُسْتضَىone is illumined
وَبِنُورِ هَدْيِكَ في الدِّيانَة يُسْتضَى
Through your lofty glory one rises among glorious deeds;
by the light of your guidance one is illumined in religion.
وَجليلِand many a mighty خطْبٍcrisis هَابَfeared مِنْكَin you عَزِيمَةًresolve
وَجليلِ خطْبٍ هَابَ مِنْكَ عَزِيمَةً
فَأَتَىso it came إليَكَto you بِمَاwith what هَوِيتَyou desired مُفَوِّضاsubmitting
فَأَتَى إليَكَ بِمَا هَوِيتَ مُفَوِّضا
Many a mighty crisis has feared your resolve
and come to you submitting whatever you desired.
وَمَضَتْflashed بُرُوقٌlightnings فيin العِراقِIraq فَأَخْلَبَتْbut gave no rain
وَمَضَتْ بُرُوقٌ في العِراقِ فَأَخْلَبَتْ
وَرَأَيْتُand I saw بَرْقَكَyour lightning صَادقاًtrue إذْwhen أَوْمَضَاit flashed
وَرَأَيْتُ بَرْقَكَ صَادقاً إذْ أَوْمَضَا
Lightnings flashed in Iraq, but gave no rain;
I saw your lightning prove true when it flashed.
قَزَعٌcloud tatters أَرَذّdrizzled فَماbut not غَذَتْnourished أَخْلافُهُits udders
قَزَعٌ أَرَذّ فَما غَذَتْ أَخْلافُهُ
غَرْساًa planting وَلاnor هُوَit بالْجَمائلِin gracious deeds رُوِّضَاwas trained
غَرْساً وَلا هُوَ بالْجَمائلِ رُوِّضَا
Cloud tatters drizzled, but their udders nurtured
no plant, nor had they been schooled in gracious deeds.
وَتَداءَبتْand persistently beset بِذَوِيupon those of الضَّلالةِerror هَبْوةٌa dust cloud
وَتَداءَبتْ بِذَوِي الضَّلالةِ هَبْوةٌ
أَبْقَتْleft لَهُمْfor them أَسَفاًgrief وَخَوْفاًand fear مُمْرِضاsickening
أَبْقَتْ لَهُمْ أَسَفاً وَخَوْفاً مُمْرِضا
A dust cloud persistently assailed the misguided,
leaving them grief and sickening fear.
وَسَيكْشِفُand will dispel الْهَبَواتِthe dust clouds ربُّكَyour Lord نِقْمَةًin vengeance
وَسَيكْشِفُ الْهَبَواتِ ربُّكَ نِقْمَةً
تَدَعُleaving البِناءَthe edifice مِنof الضَّلالِerror مُقَوَّضاdemolished
تَدَعُ البِناءَ مِن الضَّلالِ مُقَوَّضا
Your Lord will dispel the dust clouds in vengeance
that leaves error's edifice demolished.
سَتَرىyou will see الْقِيامَthose standing بهfor it قُعُوداًsitting عاجِلاًsoon
سَتَرى الْقِيامَ به قُعُوداً عاجِلاً
فَزِعاًin terror وَيَرْجِعُand returns ساكناًsubdued مَنْwhoever حَرَّضاincited
فَزِعاً وَيَرْجِعُ ساكناً مَنْ حَرَّضا
Soon you will see those who stood for it sitting
in terror, while the inciter returns subdued.
وَيَصِحُّand will recover مِنْfrom غَمَراتهhis overwhelming troubles مَنْhe who لَمْnot يَزَلْceased
وَيَصِحُّ مِنْ غَمَراته مَنْ لَمْ يَزَلْ
فِيماover what قَضَيْتَyou decreed مِنَof الأُمورِaffairs مُمَرَّضاailing
فِيما قَضَيْتَ مِنَ الأُمورِ مُمَرَّضا
He will recover from his turmoil who has always
been ailing over the affairs you decreed.
وَيَعُودُand returns ساعٍone striving فيin الْجَهالةَignorance عاثِراًstumbling
وَيَعُودُ ساعٍ في الْجَهالةَ عاثِراً
لاnot يَسْتَطِيعُhe can منbecause of النَّدامَةِremorse مَنْهَضاrise
لا يَسْتَطِيعُ من النَّدامَةِ مَنْهَضا
One striving in ignorance will return stumbling,
unable to rise for remorse.
وَيَرَىand sees غَوِيٌّan erring man رُشْدَهُhis right course فَيُشِيمُso he drives away ماwhat
وَيَرَى غَوِيٌّ رُشْدَهُ فَيُشِيمُ ما
قَدْalready كانَhe had مِنْof نَعَمِlivestock الضَّلالةِerror رَبَّضاbedded down
قَدْ كانَ مِنْ نَعَمِ الضَّلالةِ رَبَّضا
The erring man will see his right course and drive off what
he had bedded down from error's herds.
وَيَفُلُّand blunts غَرْبَthe keen edge of جُمُوعِهِمْtheir hosts لَكَfor you حاسِمٌa decisive blade
وَيَفُلُّ غَرْبَ جُمُوعِهِمْ لَكَ حاسِمٌ
مِنْfrom جَيْشِthe army of رَأْيكَyour judgment كَالسِّهامِlike arrows المُنْتَضىdrawn forth
مِنْ جَيْشِ رَأْيكَ كَالسِّهامِ المُنْتَضى
A decisive blade will blunt their hosts' keen edge for you,
drawn like arrows from the army of your judgment.
ويُذِيقُهُمْand makes them taste جُرَعَdraughts of المَناياdeath بَجْكَمٌBajkam
ويُذِيقُهُمْ جُرَعَ المَنايا بَجْكَمٌ
وَكَذاكَand so عادَةُthe custom of بَجْكَمٍBajkam فِيماin what مَضَىhas passed
وَكَذاكَ عادَةُ بَجْكَمٍ فِيما مَضَى
Bajkam will make them taste draughts of death;
such has been Bajkam's custom in the past.
سَيْفُthe sword of الخِلافَةِthe caliphate والْمُبِيرُand the destroyer of عَدُوَّهاits enemy
سَيْفُ الخِلافَةِ والْمُبِيرُ عَدُوَّها
بِسَدِيدِwith sound عَزْمٍresolve صائِبٍunerring إِنْif أَعْرَضَاhe appears
بِسَدِيدِ عَزْمٍ صائِبٍ إِنْ أَعْرَضَا
The caliphate's sword, destroyer of its enemy,
with firm, unerring resolve when the foe appears.
أَنْحىhe bore down عَلَيْهِمْupon them بِالسُّيُوفِwith swords فَخِلْتَهُمْso you thought them
أَنْحى عَلَيْهِمْ بِالسُّيُوفِ فَخِلْتَهُمْ
لِتَناثُرِbecause of the scattering of الأعْضَاءِlimbs حَصْباءَpebbles of الْفَضَاthe open plain
لِتَناثُرِ الأعْضَاءِ حَصْباءَ الْفَضَا
He bore down upon them with swords, until you thought them,
with limbs scattered, pebbles on the open plain.
دَلَفَadvanced الرِّجالُthe men إِلَيْهِمْtoward them فَكَأَنَّماas though
دَلَفَ الرِّجالُ إِلَيْهِمْ فَكَأَنَّما
كانُواthey were نِساءًwomen حِينَwhen دُمُّواthey were bloodied حُيَّضاmenstruating
كانُوا نِساءً حِينَ دُمُّوا حُيَّضا
The men advanced upon them, and it was as though
they were menstruating women when drenched in blood.
فَعَفَوْتَthen you desisted عَنْfrom طَلَبٍpursuit لَهُمْof them فَتَبَسَّطُواso they relaxed
فَعَفَوْتَ عَنْ طَلَبٍ لَهُمْ فَتَبَسَّطُوا
ثِقَةًin confidence وَكانَand was نَجاؤُهُمْtheir escape مُتَقَيَّضَاordained
ثِقَةً وَكانَ نَجاؤُهُمْ مُتَقَيَّضَا
Then you waived pursuit of them, and they relaxed
in confidence, their escape having been ordained.
كيْفَhow التَّورُّطplunging فِيinto ظَلامِthe darkness of ضَلالةٍerror
كيْفَ التَّورُّط فِي ظَلامِ ضَلالةٍ
والصُّبْحُwhile dawn فِيalong سُبْلthe paths of الهِدايَةِguidance قَدْalready أَضاhas shone
والصُّبْحُ فِي سُبْل الهِدايَةِ قَدْ أَضا
How can one plunge into the darkness of error
when dawn has shone along the paths of guidance?
ياO واحِدَpeerless in الْكَرَمِgenerosity الَّذِيwho نَلْقَىwe meet بِهِthrough him
يا واحِدَ الْكَرَمِ الَّذِي نَلْقَى بِهِ
وَجْهَthe face of الزَّمانِTime إذاwhen تَسَوَّدَit turns black أَبْيَضَاwhite
وَجْهَ الزَّمانِ إذا تَسَوَّدَ أَبْيَضَا
O peerless one in generosity, through whom we meet
Time's face as white, even when it turns black.
خُذْهاtake them إلَيْكَto you قَوافِياًas rhymes قَدْalready لُبّسَتْwere clothed
خُذْها إلَيْكَ قَوافِياً قَدْ لُبّسَتْ
رَقْماًin embroidery أَبىrefused تَحْسِينُهُits beauty أَنْto يُرْفَضَاbe rejected
رَقْماً أَبى تَحْسِينُهُ أَنْ يُرْفَضَا
Receive these rhymes, now clothed
in embroidery whose beauty forbids rejection.
كانَتْthey were مُجَمَّعَةَhunched الظُّهُورof back نَوافِراًskittish
كانَتْ مُجَمَّعَةَ الظُّهُور نَوافِراً
فَأَتَتْكَthen they came to you لَيِّنَةَgentle المَقادَةِto lead رُيَّضَاtamed
فَأَتَتْكَ لَيِّنَةَ المَقادَةِ رُيَّضَا
They were tense-backed and skittish,
but came to you tame and easy to lead:
لَفْظاًas wording أَلِيفاًfamiliar للْقُلُوبto hearts مُحَبَّباًbeloved
لَفْظاً أَلِيفاً للْقُلُوب مُحَبَّباً
لَمْnot يُلْفِone found وَقْراًa burden فِيin المَسامِعِears مُبْغَضاhated
لَمْ يُلْفِ وَقْراً فِي المَسامِعِ مُبْغَضا
words familiar and beloved to hearts,
never found to be a hated burden on the ears,
مِنْfrom شِعْرِthe verse of مَقْصُورِlimited in الْمَدَىrange مُتَكَلَّفٍa straining poet
مِنْ شِعْرِ مَقْصُورِ الْمَدَى مُتَكَلَّفٍ
إنْif رَامَhe attempts نَهْجاًa course فيalong طَرِيقٍa path أُدْحِضَاhe is made to stumble
إنْ رَامَ نَهْجاً في طَرِيقٍ أُدْحِضَا
unlike verse from a strained poet of narrow reach,
who slips whenever he tries to follow a path;
وكَأَنَّهُand as though it were ثِقْلاًin heaviness فِرَاقُparting from أَحِبَّةٍloved ones
وكَأَنَّهُ ثِقْلاً فِرَاقُ أَحِبَّةٍ
نَادىcalled بهfor it داعِيthe herald of الشّتاتِdispersal وحَضَّضَاand urged it
نَادى به داعِي الشّتاتِ وحَضَّضَا
as heavy as parting from loved ones,
proclaimed and urged by the herald of dispersal.
بَلْrather مُرْسَلاًfreely flowing طَبْعاًby nature فَسِيحاًwide ذَرْعُهُits reach
بَلْ مُرْسَلاً طَبْعاً فَسِيحاً ذَرْعُهُ
قَدْindeed شَفَّwore down ذَاthe man of الباعِreach القَصِيرِshort وَأَرْمَضَاand scorched him
قَدْ شَفَّ ذَا الباعِ القَصِيرِ وَأَرْمَضَا
Rather, freely flowing by nature, ample in reach,
it has worn down the man of short reach and scorched him.
وإذَاand when أَمالَhe inclines إليْهِtoward it سَمْعاًan ear صاعَدَتْrise
وإذَا أَمالَ إليْهِ سَمْعاً صاعَدَتْ
أَنْفَاسُهُhis breaths أَسَفاًin grief عَلَيْهِover it وأَبْغَضَاand he hates it
أَنْفَاسُهُ أَسَفاً عَلَيْهِ وأَبْغَضَا
When he inclines an ear to it, upward rise
his sighs in grief over it, and he hates it.
أَحْذاكَهُgave it to you مَنْhe who لاَnot يَزالُceases ضَمِيرُهُhis heart
أَحْذاكَهُ مَنْ لاَ يَزالُ ضَمِيرُهُ
عَمَّاfrom what كَرهْتَyou hate مِنَof الْمَذَاهِبِcourses مُعْرضاturned away
عَمَّا كَرهْتَ مِنَ الْمَذَاهِبِ مُعْرضا
He gave it to you whose heart is always
turned away from the courses you detest.
أَفْنَىhe spent الزَّمانَhis lifetime بِخدْمَةٍin service لَكَto you آمِلاًhoping for
أَفْنَى الزَّمانَ بِخدْمَةٍ لَكَ آمِلاً
ماwhat نلْتَهُyou attained فَأَنِلْهso grant him غاياتِthe utmost bounds of الرِّضَاfavor
ما نلْتَهُ فَأَنِلْه غاياتِ الرِّضَا
He spent his life in service to you, hoping for
what you have won; grant him the utmost favor.
وَمَدائِحٍand many praises سَبَقَتْcame before إلَيْكَto you بأَسْرهَاall of them
وَمَدائِحٍ سَبَقَتْ إلَيْكَ بأَسْرهَا
يَأْتِيكَcomes to you قَائِلُهَاtheir speaker بِهَاwith them مُتَعَرِّضَاseeking favor
يَأْتِيكَ قَائِلُهَا بِهَا مُتَعَرِّضَا
Many praises have come hastening to you, all of them,
their speaker bringing them to you in hope of favor.
مَاnot شَرَّفَتْهُennobled him خِدْمَةٌservice لَكَto you قَبْلَهَاbefore them
مَا شَرَّفَتْهُ خِدْمَةٌ لَكَ قَبْلَهَا
حَتَّىuntil مَلَكْتَyou reigned فَدَسَّهُنَّthen he slipped them in مُعَرِّضَاhinting
حَتَّى مَلَكْتَ فَدَسَّهُنَّ مُعَرِّضَا
No earlier service to you had ennobled him before them,
until you reigned; then he slipped them in, hinting at reward.
وَأَصَابَand he found مَرْعىًa pasture فيin فِنَائِكَyour courtyard مُمْرِعاًlush
وَأَصَابَ مَرْعىً في فِنَائِكَ مُمْرِعاً
فَأَخَلَّso he ate sweet herbage فيهِthere بالْحُظُوظِof allotted favors وَأحْمَضَاand ate salt herbage
فَأَخَلَّ فيهِ بالْحُظُوظِ وَأحْمَضَا
He found in your courtyard a lush pasture,
and fed there on his allotted favors, sweet herbage and salt.
إذْwhen سَيْفُthe sword of عَزْمِكَyour resolve كَامِنٌhidden فيin جَفْنهِits sheath
إذْ سَيْفُ عَزْمِكَ كَامِنٌ في جَفْنهِ
أَرْجُوI hoped for انْتضاكَyour drawing لَهُof it وَلَمَّاwhile not yet يُنْتَضىit was drawn
أَرْجُو انْتضاكَ لَهُ وَلَمَّا يُنْتَضى
When the sword of your resolve lay hidden in its sheath,
I hoped you would draw it, while it was yet undrawn.
هَذيthese سَوَابِقُprior services لاnot يمُتُّcan claim kinship بِمثْلِهَاthrough their like
هَذي سَوَابِقُ لا يمُتُّ بِمثْلِهَا
مَنْone who قَدْalready أَتَىcame خَلْفَbehind السُّكَيْتthe last racehorse مُركضاgalloping
مَنْ قَدْ أَتَى خَلْفَ السُّكَيْت مُركضا
These are prior services, whose like cannot be claimed
by one who came galloping behind the last-place horse.
فَأَفدْso bestow وَعَوِّضْand recompense مَادِحاًa poet praising لَكَyou رَاجِياًhopeful
فَأَفدْ وَعَوِّضْ مَادِحاً لَكَ رَاجِياً
فَلأَنْتَfor you are indeed أَكْرَمُthe noblest مَنْof those who أَقَالَlifted the fallen وَعَوَّضَاand compensated
فَلأَنْتَ أَكْرَمُ مَنْ أَقَالَ وَعَوَّضَا
So bestow and recompense a poet who praises you in hope;
for you are the noblest to lift the fallen and recompense.
Sol 6.1