يا من ناى عني — Khalil Gibran — Saqi

يا من ناى عني
وكان أجل أخواني وصحبي
O one who went far from me,
and was the noblest of my brothers and companions,
وجزعت حين فجعت فيه
أن تقدم وهو تربي
I was distraught when I was bereaved of him,
because he went before me, though he was my age-mate.
فأقمت محتسبا بذكراه
وما الذكرى بحسبي
So I lived on, seeking solace in his memory,
yet memory is not enough for me.
اليوم عاد بنا الزمان
إلى ملازمة وقرب
Today time has brought us back
to companionship and closeness,
في صورتين تجددان
حياتنا جنبا لجنب
in two likenesses that renew
our lives, side by side.
يا من يقلب فيهما
نظراته لا تحفلن بي
O you who turn upon them both
your gaze, pay me no heed.
هذا أمير الشعر والشعراء
من عجم وعرب
This is the prince of poetry and poets,
among non-Arabs and Arabs alike.
وهو الذي آثاره
مسطورة في كل لب
And he is the one whose works
are inscribed in every mind.
وهو الذي ببيانه
يهدي وبالإيقاع يصبي
And he is the one who, through his eloquence,
guides, and through rhythm enchants.
لم يدع داع لم يجبه
ذلك الوحي الملبي
No caller called without an answer
from that responsive inspiration.
فهو المنادم والمفاكه
والمعلم والمربي
Thus he is the boon companion and entertainer,
and the teacher and the mentor.
تمثاله من معدن
ومثاله في كل قلب
His statue is of metal,
and his likeness is in every heart.
لله دار هداية
هي دار تمثيل ولعب
Praise be to God for this house of guidance,
which is a house of theatre and play.
كم أخرجت حكما
من اللهو البريء المستحب
How much wisdom it has brought forth
from innocent, commendable amusement!
نزلت عباقرة النهى
منها على سعة ورحب
The geniuses of intellect have found lodging
within it, with ample room and welcome.
وأجل راع للعلوم
وللفنون رعاك ربي
And, noblest patron of the sciences
and the arts, may my Lord watch over you,
وأطال عمرك بين إجلال
تحاط به وحب
and prolong your life amid reverence
that surrounds you, and amid love.