كِلِيleave إِلَىto اللَّوْمِblame غَيْرِيsomeone other than me رَبَّةَmistress of الكِلَّهْthe curtained bower
كِلِي إِلَى اللَّوْمِ غَيْرِي رَبَّةَ الكِلَّهْ
مَاnot أَنْتِyou فِيin a state of خُلُقٍbeing outworn مِنِّيto me وَلاَnor مِلَّهْweariness
مَا أَنْتِ فِي خُلُقٍ مِنِّي وَلاَ مِلَّهْ
Leave someone other than me to blame, mistress of the curtained bower.
To me you are neither outworn nor wearisome.
يَأْبَىprevents قَبُولَacceptance of مَلاَمٍreproach تُولَعِيْنَyou delight بِهِin it
يَأْبَى قَبُولَ مَلاَمٍ تُولَعِيْنَ بِهِ
خَطْبٌa calamity عَرَاbefell لاَnot قِلًىaversion مِنِّيon my part وَلاَnor مَلَّهْweariness
خَطْبٌ عَرَا لاَ قِلًى مِنِّي وَلاَ مَلَّهْ
What prevents my accepting the reproach you delight in
is a calamity that befell me, not aversion or weariness on my part.
خَافَتْshe feared سُلُوِّيmy forgetting فَلَجَّتْso she persisted فِيin مُعَاتَبَتِيreproaching me
خَافَتْ سُلُوِّي فَلَجَّتْ فِي مُعَاتَبَتِي
وَكَفْكَفَتْand she wiped away عَبْرَةًa tear فِيon الْخَدِّthe cheek مُنْهَلَّهْstreaming
وَكَفْكَفَتْ عَبْرَةً فِي الْخَدِّ مُنْهَلَّهْ
She feared my forgetting her, and persisted in reproaching me,
wiping away a tear streaming down her cheek.
بَيْضَاءُfair-skinned عُدِّلَwas proportioned مِنْهَاin her الحُسْنُbeauty فَاعْتَدَلَتْso she became well-balanced
بَيْضَاءُ عُدِّلَ مِنْهَا الحُسْنُ فَاعْتَدَلَتْ
لَقَّاءُsmooth-skinned لاَneither شَحْنَةٌunclear; perhaps 'slender' دَقَّتْgrown thin وَلاَnor عَبْلَهْstout
لَقَّاءُ لاَ شَحْنَةٌ دَقَّتْ وَلاَ عَبْلَهْ
Fair-skinned, her beauty was proportioned, and she was perfectly balanced,
smooth-skinned, neither wasted with thinness nor stout.
كَأَنَّمَاas though حُكِّمَتْshe was made arbiter فِيof الحُسْنُbeauty فَانْصَرَفَتْso she turned away
كَأَنَّمَا حُكِّمَتْ فِي الحُسْنُ فَانْصَرَفَتْ
عَنْfrom دِقَّةٍmeagerness وانْتَقَتْand selected مُخْتَارَةًchoosing freely جُلّهْmost of it
عَنْ دِقَّةٍ وانْتَقَتْ مُخْتَارَةً جُلّهْ
As though appointed arbiter of beauty, she turned away
from meager portions, freely choosing its greater share.
وَاسْتَأْثَرَتْand reserved for herself بِأُصُولٍessentials لاَno كِفَاءَequal لَهَاto them
وَاسْتَأْثَرَتْ بِأُصُولٍ لاَ كِفَاءَ لَهَا
مِنَof الجَمَالِbeauty وَأَعْطَتْand gave غَيْرَهَاothers الفَضْلَهْthe remainder
مِنَ الجَمَالِ وَأَعْطَتْ غَيْرَهَا الفَضْلَهْ
She reserved for herself matchless essentials
of beauty, and gave others the remainder.
قَصْرِيَّةٌa Qasri woman تُوِّجَتْwas crowned بِالكَوْرِwith a turban وَاشْتَمَلَتْand wrapped herself
قَصْرِيَّةٌ تُوِّجَتْ بِالكَوْرِ وَاشْتَمَلَتْ
كَمْhow much فِتْنَةٍenchantment تَحْتَbeneath ذَاكَthat الكَوْرِturban وَالشَّمْلَهْand cloak
كَمْ فِتْنَةٍ تَحْتَ ذَاكَ الكَوْرِ وَالشَّمْلَهْ
A Qasri woman, crowned with a turban and wrapped in a cloak—
how much enchantment beneath that turban and cloak!
إِنِّيindeed I تَوَهَّمْتُimagined إِقْصَارِيmy desisting وَمُنْحَرَفِيand my turning away
إِنِّي تَوَهَّمْتُ إِقْصَارِي وَمُنْحَرَفِي
بِالْوُدِّwith affection عَنْكِfrom you وَأَنْتِwhile you are الغَادَهُthe graceful maiden الطِّفْلَهْthe tender one
بِالْوُدِّ عَنْكِ وَأَنْتِ الغَادَهُ الطِّفْلَهْ
I imagined my desisting and turning
my affection away from you, though you are the graceful, tender maiden.
وَفِيْكِand in you مَاthat which فِيْكِis in you مِنْof مَعْنىًa quality يُعَلُّcauses sickness بِهِthrough it
وَفِيْكِ مَا فِيْكِ مِنْ مَعْنىً يُعَلُّ بِهِ
قَلْبُthe heart الصَّحِيْحِof the healthy وَمَعْنىًand a quality يُبْرِئُcures العِلَّهْsickness
قَلْبُ الصَّحِيْحِ وَمَعْنىً يُبْرِئُ العِلَّهْ
Yet in you is a quality through which
the healthy heart falls sick, and another that cures sickness:
ضِدَّانِtwo opposites تَفْتِيْرُlanguor أَلْحَاظٍof glances يُشَبُّis kindled بِهَاby them
ضِدَّانِ تَفْتِيْرُ أَلْحَاظٍ يُشَبُّ بِهَا
غَلِيْلُthe burning شَوْقٍof longing وَثَغْرٌand a mouth يُبْرِدُcools الْغُلَّهْthe thirst
غَلِيْلُ شَوْقٍ وَثَغْرٌ يُبْرِدُ الْغُلَّهْ
two opposites—languorous glances that kindle
the burning of longing, and a mouth that cools thirst;
وَمَنْطِقٌand speech فَاتِنٌenchanting لِمْnever يَلْقَencountered جِيْشَan army of نُهًىreason
وَمَنْطِقٌ فَاتِنٌ لِمْ يَلْقَ جِيْشَ نُهًى
إِلاَّexcept that سَبَاهُit captured it بِسٍحْرِwith the magic of اللَّفْظِwords أَوْor خَلَّهْpierced it
إِلاَّ سَبَاهُ بِسٍحْرِ اللَّفْظِ أَوْ خَلَّهْ
and enchanting speech that never encounters an army of reason
without capturing it through the magic of words, or piercing it;
وناظرand a gaze لمnever يقابلmet عقدلبa mind's firm resolve فتىa young man's
وناظر لم يقابل عقدلب فتى
الاثناهexcept it turned it عنfrom الاقصارrestraint أوor حلهundid it
الاثناه عن الاقصار أو حله
and a gaze that never meets the firm resolve of a young man's mind
without turning it from restraint or unraveling it.
وَبَيْنَand between ثَوْبَيْكِyour two garments أُمْلُودٌa supple bough يَمِيْسُsways عَلَىabove
وَبَيْنَ ثَوْبَيْكِ أُمْلُودٌ يَمِيْسُ عَلَى
نَقَاًa sand dune وَيَهْتَزُّand trembles عَنْfrom لِيْنٍsuppleness وَعَنْand from بَلَّهْfreshness
نَقَاً وَيَهْتَزُّ عَنْ لِيْنٍ وَعَنْ بَلَّهْ
Between your two garments is a supple bough swaying above
a sand dune, trembling with suppleness and freshness.
ضَلَلْتِyou erred فِيin العَذْلِreproach فَأثْنِيso turn away عَنْهُfrom it مُقْصِرَةًdesisting
ضَلَلْتِ فِي العَذْلِ فَأثْنِي عَنْهُ مُقْصِرَةً
وَكُلُّand every وَاضِحِbright ثَغْرٍof mouth لَوْمُهُits reproach ضَلَّهْfolly
وَكُلُّ وَاضِحِ ثَغْرٍ لَوْمُهُ ضَلَّهْ
You have erred in reproaching me; turn away and desist.
Reproach from any bright-toothed mouth is folly.
وَأَنْصِتِيand listen لِمَقَالِيto my words تَعْلَمِيyou will learn عُذُرِيmy excuse
وَأَنْصِتِي لِمَقَالِي تَعْلَمِي عُذُرِي
وَأَحْسِنِيand be kind بَعْدَafter تَسْلِيْمٍsubmission لِأَمْرِto the decree of اللَّهْGod
وَأَحْسِنِي بَعْدَ تَسْلِيْمٍ لِأَمْرِ اللَّهْ
Listen to my words, and you will learn my excuse;
be kind, after submitting to God's decree.
أَخَلَّfailed بِيme فِيin أُمُورٍmatters كُنَّwhich were مِنْamong أَرَبِيmy desires
أَخَلَّ بِي فِي أُمُورٍ كُنَّ مِنْ أَرَبِي
يَاO هَذِهِthis الْخَوْدُlovely maiden إِنَّindeed الحَالَthe circumstances مُخْتَلَّهْdisordered
يَا هَذِهِ الْخَوْدُ إِنَّ الحَالَ مُخْتَلَّهْ
I have been let down in matters that were my desire—
O lovely maiden, my circumstances are disordered.
وَإِنَّand indeed شَيْبِيَmy gray hair قَدْalready لاَحَتْhave shone كَوَاكِبُهُits stars
وَإِنَّ شَيْبِيَ قَدْ لاَحَتْ كَوَاكِبُهُ
فِيin ظُلْمَةٍdarkness مِنْfrom سَوَادِthe blackness of اللِّمَّةِthe locks الْجَثْلَهْthe thick ones
فِي ظُلْمَةٍ مِنْ سَوَادِ اللِّمَّةِ الْجَثْلَهْ
The stars of my gray hair have already appeared
in the darkness of my thick black locks.
وَبَانَand departed مِنِّيfrom me شَبَابٌyouth كَانَthat used to يَشْفَعُintercede لِيfor me
وَبَانَ مِنِّي شَبَابٌ كَانَ يَشْفَعُ لِي
سقْيَاًmay rain bless لَهُhim مِنْas قَرِيْنٍa companion بَانَwho departed سَقْيَاًmay rain bless لَهْhim
سقْيَاً لَهُ مِنْ قَرِيْنٍ بَانَ سَقْيَاً لَهْ
My youth has departed, which used to intercede for me—
may rain bless that departed companion, may rain bless him!
فَهَذِهِso this جُمْلَةٌa summary فِيof العُذْرِthe excuse كَافِيَةٌsufficient
فَهَذِهِ جُمْلَةٌ فِي العُذْرِ كَافِيَةٌ
تُغْنِيْكِsuffices you فَاغْنَىso be content عَنِwithout التَّفْصِيْلِdetails بِالْجُمْلَهْwith the summary
تُغْنِيْكِ فَاغْنَى عَنِ التَّفْصِيْلِ بِالْجُمْلَهْ
This is a sufficient summary of my excuse,
enough for you; be content with the summary rather than the details.
قَدْonce كَانَwas بَابِيmy door لِلْعَافِيْنَfor seekers of bounty مُنْتَجَعَاًa resort
قَدْ كَانَ بَابِي لِلْعَافِيْنَ مُنْتَجَعَاً
تَنْتَابُهُvisit it ثُلَّةٌa group فِيin إِثْرِهَاits wake ثُلَّهْanother group
تَنْتَابُهُ ثُلَّةٌ فِي إِثْرِهَا ثُلَّهْ
My door once was a resort for those seeking bounty,
visited by one company with another on its heels.
وَكُنْتُand I was طَوْدَاًa mountain لِمَنْfor whoever يَأْوِيseeks refuge إِلىin كَنَفِيmy shelter
وَكُنْتُ طَوْدَاً لِمَنْ يَأْوِي إِلى كَنَفِي
كَحَائِطٍlike a wall مُشْرِفٍlofty مِنْfrom فَوْقِهِabove it ظُلَّهْa canopy
كَحَائِطٍ مُشْرِفٍ مِنْ فَوْقِهِ ظُلَّهْ
I was a mountain for whoever sought refuge at my side,
like a lofty wall topped with a canopy.
وَكَانَand was مَالِيَmy wealth دُونَin defense of العِرْضِhonor وَاقِيَةًa shield
وَكَانَ مَالِيَ دُونَ العِرْضِ وَاقِيَةً
وَالْبَهْمُand lambs أِيْسَرُeasier مَفْقُودٍa loss مِنْthan الْجِلَّهْmature camels
وَالْبَهْمُ أِيْسَرُ مَفْقُودٍ مِنْ الْجِلَّهْ
My wealth was a shield protecting my honor,
and lambs are a lesser loss than full-grown camels.
أَفْنِيI exhaust الكَثِيْرَmuch wealth فَمَاand not إِنْindeed زَالَceased يَنْقُصُنِيdiminishing my means
أَفْنِي الكَثِيْرَ فَمَا إِنْ زَالَ يَنْقُصُنِي
حَتَّىuntil دُفِعْتُI was driven إِلَىinto الإقْتَارِpoverty وَالقِلَّهْand scarcity
حَتَّى دُفِعْتُ إِلَى الإقْتَارِ وَالقِلَّهْ
I spent great wealth, and it kept leaving me poorer,
until I was driven into poverty and scarcity.
وَقَدْand once غَنِيْتُI prospered وَأَشْغَالِيand my occupations تُبِيِّنُreveal مِنْsome of
وَقَدْ غَنِيْتُ وَأَشْغَالِي تُبِيِّنُ مِنْ
فَضْلِيmy merit فَقَدْbut now سَتَرَتْهُhas concealed it هَذِهthis العُطْلَهْidleness
فَضْلِي فَقَدْ سَتَرَتْهُ هَذِه العُطْلَهْ
I once prospered, my work revealing something of
my merit; this idleness has now concealed it.
وَالسَّيْفُand the sword فِيin الْغِمْدِthe scabbard مَجْهُولٌunknown جَوَاهِرُهُits intrinsic quality
وَالسَّيْفُ فِي الْغِمْدِ مَجْهُولٌ جَوَاهِرُهُ
وَإِنَّمَاand only تَجْتَلِيْهsees it clearly عَيْنُthe eye of مَنْwhoever سَلَّهْdraws it
وَإِنَّمَا تَجْتَلِيْه عَيْنُ مَنْ سَلَّهْ
A sword's quality remains unknown in its scabbard;
only the eye of him who draws it sees it clearly.
كَمْhow many فِيَّin me مِنْof خَلَّةٍa quality لَوْif أَنَّهَاit امْتُحِنَتْwere tested
كَمْ فِيَّ مِنْ خَلَّةٍ لَوْ أَنَّهَا امْتُحِنَتْ
أَدَّتْwould lead إِلَىto غِبْطَةٍenviable fortune أَوْor سَدَّتِwould fill الْخَلَّهْthe need
أَدَّتْ إِلَى غِبْطَةٍ أَوْ سَدَّتِ الْخَلَّهْ
How many qualities I possess which, if tested,
would bring enviable fortune or fill a need;
وَهِمَّةٍand an ambition فِيin مَحَلِّthe station of النَّجْمِthe stars مَوْقِعُهُاits place
وَهِمَّةٍ فِي مَحَلِّ النَّجْمِ مَوْقِعُهُا
وَعَزْمَةٍand a resolve لَمْnot تَكُنْwas فِيamid الخَطْبِadversity مُنْحَلَّهْslackened
وَعَزْمَةٍ لَمْ تَكُنْ فِي الخَطْبِ مُنْحَلَّهْ
and an ambition whose place is among the stars,
and a resolve that never slackened in adversity;
وَذِلَّةٍand humility كَسَبَتْنِيearned me عِزَّthe honor of مَكْرُمَةٍa noble deed
وَذِلَّةٍ كَسَبَتْنِي عِزَّ مَكْرُمَةٍ
وَرُبَّمَاand sometimes يُسْتَفَادُis gained العِزُّhonor بِالذِّلَّهْthrough humility
وَرُبَّمَا يُسْتَفَادُ العِزُّ بِالذِّلَّهْ
and humility that earned me the honor of noble deeds—
sometimes honor is gained through humility.
صَاحَبْتُI accompanied سَادَاتِchiefs of أَقْوَامٍpeoples فَمَاand not عَثَرُواthey found
صَاحَبْتُ سَادَاتِ أَقْوَامٍ فَمَا عَثَرُوا
يَوْمَاًever عَلَىupon هَفْوَةٍa lapse مِنِّيfrom me وَلاَnor زَلَّهْa slip
يَوْمَاً عَلَى هَفْوَةٍ مِنِّي وَلاَ زَلَّهْ
I accompanied the chiefs of peoples, and they never found
any lapse or slip in me, on any day.
واسْتَمْتَعُواand they benefited بِكَفَايَاتِيfrom my abilities وَكُنْتُand I was لَهُمْfor them
واسْتَمْتَعُوا بِكَفَايَاتِي وَكُنْتُ لَهُمْ
أَوْقَىmore protective منَthan الدِّرْعِarmor أَوْor أَمْضَىsharper مِنْthan الأَلَّهْthe spearhead
أَوْقَى منَ الدِّرْعِ أَوْ أَمْضَى مِنْ الأَلَّهْ
They benefited from my abilities; I was for them
more protective than armor, or sharper than a spearhead.
خَطٌّhandwriting يَرُوقُpleases وَأَلْفَاظلإand expressions (corrupt spelling) مُهَذَّبَةٌrefined
خَطٌّ يَرُوقُ وَأَلْفَاظلإ مُهَذَّبَةٌ
لاَnot وَعْرَةُrough النَّظْمِin composition بَلْrather مُخْتَارَةٌchoice سَهْلَهْeasy
لاَ وَعْرَةُ النَّظْمِ بَلْ مُخْتَارَةٌ سَهْلَهْ
Pleasing handwriting and refined expressions—
not rough in composition, but choice and easy.
لَوْif أَنًّنَيI were مُنْهِلٌoffering drink مِنْهَاfrom them أَخَاone possessing ظَمَإٍthirst
لَوْ أَنًّنَي مُنْهِلٌ مِنْهَا أَخَا ظَمَإٍ
رَوَتْwould quench صَدَاهُhis thirst فَلَمْand would not تَحْتَجْneed إِلَىfor عَلَّهْa second draught
رَوَتْ صَدَاهُ فَلَمْ تَحْتَجْ إِلَى عَلَّهْ
Had I offered them as drink to a thirsty man,
they would have quenched his thirst, with no second draught needed.
وَكَمْand how many سَنَنْتُI established رُسُومَاًmodels غَيْرَnot مُشْكِلَةٍambiguous
وَكَمْ سَنَنْتُ رُسُومَاً غَيْرَ مُشْكِلَةٍ
كَانَتْwere لِمَنْfor whoever أَمَّهَاturned toward them مُسْتَرْشِدَاًseeking guidance قِبْلَهْa guiding direction
كَانَتْ لِمَنْ أَمَّهَا مُسْتَرْشِدَاً قِبْلَهْ
How many unambiguous models I established,
a guiding direction for anyone who turned to them seeking guidance.
عَمَّتْbecame widespread فَلاَand no مُنْشِئُcomposer of الدِّيْوَانِthe chancery مُكْتَفِيَاًself-sufficient
عَمَّتْ فَلاَ مُنْشِئُ الدِّيْوَانِ مُكْتَفِيَاً
فِيْهَاin them وَلَمْnor يَغْنَdispense عَنْهَاwith them كَاتِبُscribe of السَّلَّهْthe basket (scribal term unclear)
فِيْهَا وَلَمْ يَغْنَ عَنْهَا كَاتِبُ السَّلَّهْ
They spread widely: no chancery composer was self-sufficient
in such work, nor could the 'basket' scribe dispense with them.
وَصَاحَبَتْنِيand kept my company رِجَالاَتٌdistinguished men بَذَلْتُI gave لَهَاto them
وَصَاحَبَتْنِي رِجَالاَتٌ بَذَلْتُ لَهَا
مَاwhat لِيwas mine وَكَانَand was سَمَاحِيmy generosity يَقْتَضِيdemanding بَذْلَهْgiving it
مَا لِي وَكَانَ سَمَاحِي يَقْتَضِي بَذْلَهْ
Men of standing kept my company; I gave them
what was mine, as my generosity required.
فَأَعْمَلَso put to work الدَّهْرُtime فِيin خَتْلِيdeceiving me مَكَايِدَهُits stratagems
فَأَعْمَلَ الدَّهْرُ فِي خَتْلِي مَكَايِدَهُ
وَالدَّهْرُand time يُعْمِلُputs to work فِيupon أَهْلِpeople of العُلاَeminence خَتْلَهْits treachery
وَالدَّهْرُ يُعْمِلُ فِي أَهْلِ العُلاَ خَتْلَهْ
Then time put its stratagems to work to deceive me,
for time practices its treachery on the eminent.
لَكِنْyet قَنِعْتُI was content فَلَمْand not أَرْغَبْI appealed إِلَىto أَحَدٍanyone
لَكِنْ قَنِعْتُ فَلَمْ أَرْغَبْ إِلَى أَحَدٍ
وَالْحُرُّand the noble man يَحْمِلُbears عَنْto spare إِخْوَانِهِhis brothers كَلَّهْhis burden
وَالْحُرُّ يَحْمِلُ عَنْ إِخْوَانِهِ كَلَّهْ
Yet I was content and petitioned no one;
the noble man shoulders his own burden, sparing his brothers.
هَذَاthis عَلَىdespite أَنَّنِيthat I مَاnot أَسْتَفِيْقُrecover وَلاَnor
هَذَا عَلَى أَنَّنِي مَا أَسْتَفِيْقُ وَلاَ
أُفِيْقُfind relief مِنْfrom رِحْلَةٍa journey فِيin إِثْرِهَاits wake رِحْلَهْanother journey
أُفِيْقُ مِنْ رِحْلَةٍ فِي إِثْرِهَا رِحْلَهْ
All this, though I never recover, nor
find relief from one journey before another follows.
وَمَاand no عَلَىupon البَدْرِthe full moon عَيْبٌfault فِيin إِضَاءَتِهِits shining
وَمَا عَلَى البَدْرِ عَيْبٌ فِي إِضَاءَتِهِ
أَنْthat لِيْسَnot يَنْفَكُّceases مِنْfrom سَيْرٍtravel وَمِنْand from نُقْلَهْchange of station
أَنْ لِيْسَ يَنْفَكُّ مِنْ سَيْرٍ وَمِنْ نُقْلَهْ
The full moon is not faulted in its radiance
because it never ceases traveling and changing its station.
أَقْنِيI treasure الحَيَاءَmodesty فَأَسْتَغْنِيand find sufficiency بِهِin it وَإِذَاand when
أَقْنِي الحَيَاءَ فَأَسْتَغْنِي بِهِ وَإِذَا
أَغَلَّreap a yield قَوْمٌpeople فَحُسْنُthen fine الصَّبْرِpatience لِيfor me غَلَّهْa yield
أَغَلَّ قَوْمٌ فَحُسْنُ الصَّبْرِ لِي غَلَّهْ
I treasure modesty and find sufficiency in it; and when
others reap a yield, patient endurance is my yield.
أَعْمَلْتُI put to work بَعْضَsome of رَجَائِيmy hope فِيin الكِرَامِgenerous men وَفِيand in
أَعْمَلْتُ بَعْضَ رَجَائِي فِي الكِرَامِ وَفِي
أَبِيAbu عَلِيَّAli قَدِindeed اسْتَغْرَقْتُهُI invested it كُلَّهْall of it
أَبِي عَلِيَّ قَدِ اسْتَغْرَقْتُهُ كُلَّهْ
I placed some of my hope in generous men, but in
Abu Ali I have invested it all.
وَمَاand not الحَضِيْضُthe depths إِذَاwhen اسْتَصَمْتُI fall silent مِنْamong أَرَبِيmy desires
وَمَا الحَضِيْضُ إِذَا اسْتَصَمْتُ مِنْ أَرَبِي
وَقَدْand already وَجَدَةُI found (corrupt spelling) سَبِيْلاًa path لِيfor myself إِلَىto القُلَّهْthe summit
وَقَدْ وَجَدَةُ سَبِيْلاً لِي إِلَى القُلَّهْ
The depths, when I fall silent, are no part of my desire,
and I have found a path for myself to the summit.
مُسْتَيْقِظٌwakeful لِجَمِيْلِfor fair الذِّكْرِremembrance يَكْسِبُهُhe earns it
مُسْتَيْقِظٌ لِجَمِيْلِ الذِّكْرِ يَكْسِبُهُ
لَيْسَتْthere is not بِهِin him سِنَةٌdrowsiness عَنْهُconcerning it وَلاَnor غَفْلَهْheedlessness
لَيْسَتْ بِهِ سِنَةٌ عَنْهُ وَلاَ غَفْلَهْ
He is wakeful in earning fair remembrance,
untouched by drowsiness or neglect of it.
زَاكِيpure المَغَارِسِin planting وَالأَعْرَاقُand the roots طَيِّبَةٌgood
زَاكِي المَغَارِسِ وَالأَعْرَاقُ طَيِّبَةٌ
مِنْfrom نَبْعَةٍa nabʿ tree عُودُهُhis wood فِيin المَجْدِglory لاَnot أَثْلَهْa tamarisk
مِنْ نَبْعَةٍ عُودُهُ فِي المَجْدِ لاَ أَثْلَهْ
Pure in his planting, his roots are good;
his wood in glory comes from a nabʿ tree, not a tamarisk.
جَارَىraced إِلَىtoward الْمَجْدِglory أَقْوَامَاًpeoples فَبَذَّهُمُand outstripped them
جَارَى إِلَى الْمَجْدِ أَقْوَامَاً فَبَذَّهُمُ
وَجَاءَand came مِنْfrom بَعْدِهِbehind him مَنْwhoever رَامَهُsought it قَبْلَهْbefore him
وَجَاءَ مِنْ بَعْدِهِ مَنْ رَامَهُ قَبْلَهْ
He raced peoples toward glory and outstripped them;
those who sought it before him came behind him.
وَطَاوَلُوهُand rivaled his stature فَمَاand not زَالَتْceased لَهُhis هِمَمٌambitions
وَطَاوَلُوهُ فَمَا زَالَتْ لَهُ هِمَمٌ
حَتَّىuntil أَرَتْهُshowed him عَلَىabove هَامَاتِهِمْtheir heads نَعْلَهْhis sandal
حَتَّى أَرَتْهُ عَلَى هَامَاتِهِمْ نَعْلَهْ
They strove to match his stature, but his ambitions persisted
until they showed him his sandal above their heads.
وَقَصَّرُواand fell short أَنْof يَنَالُواreaching بُعْدَthe distance of شَأْوِthe range of فَتًىa young man
وَقَصَّرُوا أَنْ يَنَالُوا بُعْدَ شَأْوِ فَتًى
جَرَىraced فَأَحْرَزَand secured فِيin مِضْمَارِهِhis racecourse الخَصْلَهْthe prize
جَرَى فَأَحْرَزَ فِي مِضْمَارِهِ الخَصْلَهْ
They fell short of reaching the farthest range of a youth
who raced and won the prize upon his course.
كَأَنَّمَاas though المَاءُwater يَجْرِيflows فِيin خَلاَئِقِهِhis character
كَأَنَّمَا المَاءُ يَجْرِي فِي خَلاَئِقِهِ
وَالنَّارُand fire تُسْتَنُّleaps forth مِنْfrom أَلْفَاظِهِhis words الجَزْلَهْforceful
وَالنَّارُ تُسْتَنُّ مِنْ أَلْفَاظِهِ الجَزْلَهْ
It is as though water flows through his character,
and fire leaps from his forceful words.
يَزْدَادُgrows حُبَّاًin dearness إِلَيْنَاto us حِيْنَwhen نَخْبُرُهُwe know him through experience
يَزْدَادُ حُبَّاً إِلَيْنَا حِيْنَ نَخْبُرُهُ
لاَnot كَالَّذِيlike the one قِيْلَit was said فِيْهِof him أُرْلُهُunclear; probably 'test him' تَقْلَهْyou will hate him
لاَ كَالَّذِي قِيْلَ فِيْهِ أُرْلُهُ تَقْلَهْ
He grows dearer to us as we come to know him,
unlike the man of whom they said, '[Try him], and you will hate him.'
إِنْif كُنْتَyou are فِيin رَيْبِuncertainty of شِكٍّdoubt مِنْabout رَيَاسَتِهِhis leadership
إِنْ كُنْتَ فِي رَيْبِ شِكٍّ مِنْ رَيَاسَتِهِ
فِشِمْهُso observe him أُوْor فَاخْتَبِرْهُthen test him تَعْتَرِفْyou will acknowledge نُبْلَهْhis nobility
فِشِمْهُ أُوْ فَاخْتَبِرْهُ تَعْتَرِفْ نُبْلَهْ
If you have doubts about his leadership,
observe him, or test him, and you will acknowledge his nobility.
مُرَشَّحٌfitted لِلَّتِيfor that which لاضnot (corrupt spelling) يَسْتَقِلُّcan bear بِهَاit
مُرَشَّحٌ لِلَّتِي لاض يَسْتَقِلُّ بِهَا
إِلاَّexcept الَّذِيone whom عَرَفَتْacknowledged أَعْدَاؤُهُhis enemies فَضْلَهْhis merit
إِلاَّ الَّذِي عَرَفَتْ أَعْدَاؤُهُ فَضْلَهْ
Fit for the station that none can sustain
except one whose enemies acknowledge his merit.
وَمَاand not أَقَرُّواthey conceded عَلَىdespite غِلِّrancor الصُّدُورِof hearts لَهُto him
وَمَا أَقَرُّوا عَلَى غِلِّ الصُّدُورِ لَهُ
بِذَاكَthat حَتَّىuntil رَأَوْاthey saw أَنْthat لَمْnot يَرَوْاthey had seen مِثْلَهْhis like
بِذَاكَ حَتَّى رَأَوْا أَنْ لَمْ يَرَوْا مِثْلَهْ
Despite the rancor in their hearts, they did not concede
that to him until they saw that they had never seen his like.
قَزْمٌa dwarf (likely corrupt for 'chief') إِذَاwhen مَاan emphatic particle أَجَالَتْset moving كَفُّهُhis hand قَلَمَاًa pen
قَزْمٌ إِذَا مَا أَجَالَتْ كَفُّهُ قَلَمَاً
فِيacross الطِّرْسِthe page قُلْتُI said كَمِيُّa mail-clad warrior يَنْتَضِيdraws نَصْلَهْhis blade
فِي الطِّرْسِ قُلْتُ كَمِيُّ يَنْتَضِي نَصْلَهْ
A [noble chief]: when his hand sets a pen moving
across the page, I say, 'A mail-clad warrior drawing his blade!'
يَمُحُّpours forth (probably يمج) ضَرْبَيْنِtwo kinds مِنْof صَابٍbitter sap وَمِنْand of عَسَلٍhoney
يَمُحُّ ضَرْبَيْنِ مِنْ صَابٍ وَمِنْ عَسَلٍ
وَمَعْنَيَيْنِand two natures مِنَof النَّضْنَاضِthe darting serpent وَالنَّحْلَهْand the bee
وَمَعْنَيَيْنِ مِنَ النَّضْنَاضِ وَالنَّحْلَهْ
It pours forth two kinds: bitter sap and honey,
and two natures, of the darting serpent and the bee.
يَبْكِيweeps بِبَحْرٍwith an ocean مِنَof التَّدْبِيْرِwise counsel مَوْقِعُهُits effect
يَبْكِي بِبَحْرٍ مِنَ التَّدْبِيْرِ مَوْقِعُهُ
منfrom حَيْثُwherever حَلَّit settles وَلَكِنْbut دَمْعُهُits tears طَلَّهْdew
من حَيْثُ حَلَّ وَلَكِنْ دَمْعُهُ طَلَّهْ
It weeps, its effect an ocean of counsel
wherever it alights, though its tears are dew.
يُنَفِّذُexecutes الأَمْرَthe command فِيin أَوْحَىswifter وَأَسْرَعَand quicker مِنْthan
يُنَفِّذُ الأَمْرَ فِي أَوْحَى وَأَسْرَعَ مِنْ
رَجْعِthe return of النَّوَاظرglances لاَno رَيْثٌdelay وَلاَnor مُهْلَهْrespite
رَجْعِ النَّوَاظر لاَ رَيْثٌ وَلاَ مُهْلَهْ
It executes commands more swiftly, more quickly than
the flicker of eyes—no delay, no pause.
تَصْبُوyearn إِلَيْهِtoward him الْمَعَالِيhigh honors إِذْas تُرَاعُare awed لَهُby him
تَصْبُو إِلَيْهِ الْمَعَالِي إِذْ تُرَاعُ لَهُ
كَأَنَّمَاas though عَشِقَتْfell in love مِنْهُin him العُلاًexalted rank شَكْلَهْhis form
كَأَنَّمَا عَشِقَتْ مِنْهُ العُلاً شَكْلَهْ
High honors yearn toward him, awed by him,
as though exalted rank had fallen in love with his form.
كَمْhow many مُقْلَةٍan eye لِعَظِيْمٍof a great man فِيin رِيَاسَتِهِhis authority
كَمْ مُقْلَةٍ لِعَظِيْمٍ فِي رِيَاسَتِهِ
تُغْضِيlowers itself إِذَاwhen لَحَظَتْbeholds يَوْمَاًone day بَنِيthe sons of مُقْلَهْMuqla
تُغْضِي إِذَا لَحَظَتْ يَوْمَاً بَنِي مُقْلَهْ
How many an eye belonging to a great man in authority
lowers itself when, one day, it beholds the sons of Muqla!
لاَnot يَسْتَطِيْعُcan اليto (probably إلى) ايضاحةhis clarification (corrupt spelling) سبلاpaths
لاَ يَسْتَطِيْعُ الي ايضاحة سبلا
فيin المجدglory اكفاؤةhis peers (corrupt spelling) أنto يسلكوfollow (corrupt spelling) سبلةhis paths (corrupt spelling)
في المجد اكفاؤة أن يسلكو سبلة
They cannot [the wording about clear paths is corrupt]—
his peers in glory—follow his paths.
مواهبgifts مِنْfrom عَطَايَاbestowals of اللَّهِGod خُصَّhe was singled out بِهَاfor them
مواهب مِنْ عَطَايَا اللَّهِ خُصَّ بِهَا
وَنِحْلَةٌand a grant مِنْfrom جَوَادٍa generous giver والعُلاًand high rank نِحْلَهْa gift
وَنِحْلَةٌ مِنْ جَوَادٍ والعُلاً نِحْلَهْ
These are gifts from God's bounty, bestowed especially on him,
a grant from a generous giver; high rank is a gift.
لاَnot يَبْلُغُcan go so far الدَّهْرُtime أَنْas to يُشْكَىbe given cause to complain مُحَاوِرُهُhis companion in conversation
لاَ يَبْلُغُ الدَّهْرُ أَنْ يُشْكَى مُحَاوِرُهُ
وَلاَand not يَهِيweakens غَيْرُother than حَبْلٍa rope لَمْnot يَصِلْjoined حَبْلَهْhis rope
وَلاَ يَهِي غَيْرُ حَبْلٍ لَمْ يَصِلْ حَبْلَهْ
Time can never give his companion cause to complain,
nor does any rope weaken except one not joined to his.
تَأْبَىrefuse صُرُوفُvicissitudes of اللَّيَالِيnights أَنْto تَطُورَapproach بِمَنْanyone who
تَأْبَى صُرُوفُ اللَّيَالِي أَنْ تَطُورَ بِمَنْ
اَفْضَىhas reached إِلَيْهِhim بِوُدٍّwith affection مِنْهُfrom him أَوْor خَلَّهْfriendship
اَفْضَى إِلَيْهِ بِوُدٍّ مِنْهُ أَوْ خَلَّهْ
The turns of night refuse to approach anyone
who has reached him with affection or friendship.
يَاO بَاذِلَspender of الْجَاهِinfluence فِيin صَوْنِsafeguarding الْمَحَلِّstanding لَقَدْindeed
يَا بَاذِلَ الْجَاهِ فِي صَوْنِ الْمَحَلِّ لَقَدْ
أَبْدَعْتَyou have devised a marvel أَنْin تَسْتَفِيْدَgaining الصَّوْنَprotection بِالْبِذْلَهْthrough giving
أَبْدَعْتَ أَنْ تَسْتَفِيْدَ الصَّوْنَ بِالْبِذْلَهْ
O you who spend your influence to safeguard your standing, you have indeed
devised a marvel: gaining protection through giving.
أَصْبَحْتُI have become جَارَكَyour neighbor فَاكْنُفْنِيso shelter me بِرَأْيِكَwith your judgment مِنْfrom
أَصْبَحْتُ جَارَكَ فَاكْنُفْنِي بِرَأْيِكَ مِنْ
دَهْرٍa time أَرَاهُI see it إِلَيَّtoward me مُصْرِدَاًaiming unerringly نَبْلَهْits arrows
دَهْرٍ أَرَاهُ إِلَيَّ مُصْرِدَاً نَبْلَهْ
I have become your neighbor; shelter me with your judgment from
a time I see aiming its arrows unerringly at me.
وَصِلْand join بِحَبْلِكَto your rope حَبْلاًa rope طَالَمَاfor so long بُسِطَتْwere outstretched
وَصِلْ بِحَبْلِكَ حَبْلاً طَالَمَا بُسِطَتْ
إِلَيْهِtoward it أِيْدِيthe hands of رِجَالٍmen تَبْتَغِيseeking الوُصْلَهْconnection
إِلَيْهِ أِيْدِي رِجَالٍ تَبْتَغِي الوُصْلَهْ
Join to your rope a rope toward which, for so long,
men's hands have stretched, seeking connection.
إِنِّيindeed I لَمَوْضِعُam surely a source of أُنْسٍcompanionship حِيْنَwhen تَفْرَعُyou have leisure (probably تفرغ) لِيfor me
إِنِّي لَمَوْضِعُ أُنْسٍ حِيْنَ تَفْرَعُ لِي
وَإِنْand if شُغِلْتَyou are busy فَكَافٍthen a capable man تَرْتَضِيyou approve شُغْلَهْhis work
وَإِنْ شُغِلْتَ فَكَافٍ تَرْتَضِي شُغْلَهْ
I am truly a source of pleasant company when you have leisure for me,
and if you are busy, a capable man whose work you will approve.
وَقِيْلَand it was said كُنْbe جَارَneighbor to بَحْرٍa sea أَوْor فِنَاthe courtyard of مَلِكٍa king
وَقِيْلَ كُنْ جَارَ بَحْرٍ أَوْ فِنَا مَلِكٍ
وَأَنْتَand you جَارِيmy neighbor وَمَثْوَانَاand our dwelling عَلَىon دِجْلَهْthe Tigris
وَأَنْتَ جَارِي وَمَثْوَانَا عَلَى دِجْلَهْ
It has been said, 'Be neighbor to a sea, or to a king's courtyard.'
You are my neighbor, and our dwelling is on the Tigris.
مَتَىwhenever يَفِيءُfalls عَلَيْهِupon him ظِلًّكُمْyour shade أَخُوa man of الthe (continued next line)
مَتَى يَفِيءُ عَلَيْهِ ظِلًّكُمْ أَخُو ال
عُلاَhigh rank يُفِيءُhe casts عَلَىupon إِخْوَانِهِمtheir brothers ظِلَّهْhis shade
عُلاَ يُفِيءُ عَلَى إِخْوَانِهِم ظِلَّهْ
Whenever your shade falls upon a man of
high rank, he casts his shade upon their brothers.
وَلاَand not اَسُومُكَI ask of you إِلاَّexcept الجَاهَinfluence تَبْذُلُهُyou bestow it
وَلاَ اَسُومُكَ إِلاَّ الجَاهَ تَبْذُلُهُ
فَتَسْتَعِيْضَso you receive in return بِهِfor it مِنْfrom مِدْحَتِيmy praise حُلَّهْa robe
فَتَسْتَعِيْضَ بِهِ مِنْ مِدْحَتِي حُلَّهْ
I ask of you only the influence you can bestow,
that you may receive in return a robe from my praise.
واللَّهُand God يُزْكِيْهِmakes it grow أَنْwhen تُحْيُواyou revive المُحِقَّthe deserving one بِهِthrough it
واللَّهُ يُزْكِيْهِ أَنْ تُحْيُوا المُحِقَّ بِهِ
كَالْعِلْمِlike knowledge تَزْكِيْهِyou make it flourish أَنْby تَحْبُواgranting بِهِit أَهْلَهْits rightful people
كَالْعِلْمِ تَزْكِيْهِ أَنْ تَحْبُوا بِهِ أَهْلَهْ
God makes it flourish when you revive the deserving through it,
as you make learning flourish by granting it to those worthy of it.
والدَّهْرُand time دَهْرٌa time غَشُومٌruthless قَدْindeed تَهَضَّمَنِيhas oppressed me
والدَّهْرُ دَهْرٌ غَشُومٌ قَدْ تَهَضَّمَنِي
جَوْرَاًunjustly عَلَيَّagainst me فَأَرْبَىso exceeded بِرُّهُits kindness عَدْلَهْits justice
جَوْرَاً عَلَيَّ فَأَرْبَى بِرُّهُ عَدْلَهْ
Time is a ruthless time, and has oppressed me
unjustly toward me; [its kindness has exceeded its justice].
فَأَنْتَfor you مِمَّنْare among those from whom يَنَالُgains الحُرُّthe noble man بُغْيَتَهُhis wish
فَأَنْتَ مِمَّنْ يَنَالُ الحُرُّ بُغْيَتَهُ
وَيَأْمَنُand is safe مِنْfrom مِيْعَادِهِhis promise مَطْلَهْits delay
وَيَأْمَنُ مِنْ مِيْعَادِهِ مَطْلَهْ
You are one from whom a noble man gains his wish,
and need fear no delay in his promise.
Sol 6.1