عَظَّمmay magnify اللهُGod فِيكَfor your loss أَجْرَthe recompense of الضَّادِArabic, the language of ḍād
عَظَّم اللهُ فِيكَ أَجْرَ الضَّادِ
وَبَنِيهَاand its sons مِنْamong حَاضِرٍa townsman أَوْor بَادِيa desert dweller
وَبَنِيهَا مِنْ حَاضِرٍ أَوْ بَادِي
May God richly recompense the language of ḍād for your loss,
God magnified in you the reward of integrity,
and its sons, whether townsman or desert dweller.
And its people near and far proclaimed your elegy,
رَاعَappalled آفَاقَهَاits horizons نَعْيكَnews of your death حَتَّىuntil
رَاعَ آفَاقَهَا نَعْيكَ حَتَّى
لَكَأَنَّas though indeed النَّعيَّthe death announcement بُوقُthe trumpet of التَّنادِيthe final summons
لَكَأَنَّ النَّعيَّ بُوقُ التَّنادِي
News of your death appalled its horizons, until
Your lament echoed in every horizon
the announcement seemed the trumpet of the final summons.
As if it were the bugle call of proclamation.
كُلevery قطْرٍland فِيهِin it فَتىًa youth عَرَبِيٌّArab
كُل قطْرٍ فِيهِ فَتىً عَرَبِيٌّ
فِيهِin it عَيْنٌan eye شَكْرَىbrimming with tears وَقَلْبand a heart صَادِيthirsty
فِيهِ عَيْنٌ شَكْرَى وَقَلْب صَادِي
Every land in which an Arab youth lives
In every drop of it an Arab hero lies,
has an eye brimming with tears and a thirsty heart.
With a tearful eye and a grieving heart that cries,
حَدَثٌan event أَلهَبَset aflame الصدُورَthe breasts التِياعاًwith anguish
حَدَثٌ أَلهَبَ الصدُورَ التِياعاً
حَيْثwherever دَوىresounded وَفَتَّand weakened فِيin الأَعْضادِthe arms
حَيْث دَوى وَفَتَّ فِي الأَعْضادِ
An event that set breasts aflame with anguish
An event set hearts ablaze in tumult,
wherever it resounded, and sapped the strength of arms.
Where it echoed and cleaved into chests in result.
مِنْfrom سَمَاءِthe sky of الأهْرَامِthe Pyramids جَلَّلَshrouded قَيْسوQaysun (beginning)
مِنْ سَمَاءِ الأهْرَامِ جَلَّلَ قَيْسو
نَQaysun (completion) وَأَلقَىand laid السَّوَادَblackness فَوْقَupon السَّوَادِblackness
نَ وَأَلقَى السَّوَادَ فَوْقَ السَّوَادِ
From the sky of the Pyramids it shrouded Qaysun
From the skies of pyramids his coffin draped,
and laid blackness upon blackness.
And cast darkness atop the darkness that laid,
وَعَلَىand over بَهْجَةِthe joy of المَرَابِعِthe meadows فِيin لُبْLebanon (beginning)
وَعَلَى بَهْجَةِ المَرَابِعِ فِي لُبْ
نَانَLebanon (completion) أَرْسَىsettled سَحَابَةًa cloud مِنْof حِدَادِmourning
نَانَ أَرْسَى سَحَابَةً مِنْ حِدَادِ
And over the joyous meadows in
And on the joy of gardens in Lebanon
Lebanon, it settled a cloud of mourning.
It cast a cloud of mourning morose and wan.
لَيْسَis not بِدْعاًa novelty أَنْthat يُمْسِيَshould pass the evening الشَّامُal-Sham وَالأَحْand sorrows (beginning)
لَيْسَ بِدْعاً أَنْ يُمْسِيَ الشَّامُ وَالأَحْ
زَانsorrows (completion) فِيهin it تُقِضdisturb كلevery وِسَادpillow
زَان فِيه تُقِض كل وِسَاد
It is no wonder that al-Sham should pass the evening with
It’s no wonder that Damascus and the towns
sorrows disturbing every pillow.
Spend this night with death in place of down,
مَاwhat تُرَاهُdo you think it يَقْضِيrepays الصَّديقَthe friend الذيwho بَاfirst showed kindness (beginning)
مَا تُرَاهُ يَقْضِي الصَّديقَ الذي بَا
دَأَfirst showed kindness (completion) بِالفَضْلِwith kindness مِنْof حُقوقِthe dues of الوِدَادaffection
دَأَ بِالفَضْلِ مِنْ حُقوقِ الوِدَاد
What do you think it repays the friend who first
A friend whose goodness was first displayed,
showed kindness, of the dues of affection?
What would his passing make debts unpaid?
كَيْفَhow حَالُthe condition of الإخْوَانِthe brethren فِيin مِصْرَEgypt يَاO حَاHafiz (beginning)
كَيْفَ حَالُ الإخْوَانِ فِي مِصْرَ يَا حَا
فِظُHafiz (completion) مِنْof وَحْشَةٍdesolation لِهَذَاat this البِعَادseparation
فِظُ مِنْ وَحْشَةٍ لِهَذَا البِعَاد
How fare the brethren in Egypt, O Hafiz,
O guardian, how fare the brothers in Egypt,
in the desolation of this separation?
Sheltered from the desolation of this rift?
أَيْنَwhere زَيْنُthe ornament of النَّدِيِّthe assembly مِنْهُمْamong them وَهمْand they فِيin الthe (beginning of 'wit')
أَيْنَ زَيْنُ النَّدِيِّ مِنْهُمْ وَهمْ فِي ال
ظَّرْفِwit مَاas همْthey are وَأَيْنَand where أُنْسُthe fellowship of النَّادِيthe gathering
ظَّرْفِ مَا همْ وَأَيْنَ أُنْسُ النَّادِي
Where is the ornament of their assembly, for all their
Where is the beauty of their company, while in plight,
wit, and where the fellowship of their gathering?
Where, and where is the joy of the gathering site?
كُلَّevery حَفْلٍgathering شَهِدْتَهُyou attended it كُنْتَyou were فِيهin it
كُلَّ حَفْلٍ شَهِدْتَهُ كُنْتَ فِيه
قِبْلَةَthe focal point of السَّامِعِينَthe listeners وَالأَشْهَادِand the witnesses
قِبْلَةَ السَّامِعِينَ وَالأَشْهَادِ
At every gathering you attended, you were
In every assembly you attended, you were
the focus of listeners and witnesses.
The focal point for listeners and witnesses there,
يَأْخُذُونَthey take in الحَديثُthe talk عَنْكَfrom you كَمَاas يَdrains (beginning)
يَأْخُذُونَ الحَديثُ عَنْكَ كَمَا يَ
شْتَفُّdrains (completion) مَنْone who يَرتَوِيdrinks his fill مِنَamong الورَّادthose coming to water
شْتَفُّ مَنْ يَرتَوِي مِنَ الورَّاد
They drink in your talk as
Speaking of you they partake like the parched drinking deep,
those seeking their fill at the watering-place drain their cups.
Stirred words from you they treasure and keep.
فَإِذَاand when مَاindeed تَنَادَرواthey exchanged witticisms وَتَنَادَرْand you exchanged witticisms (beginning)
فَإِذَا مَا تَنَادَروا وَتَنَادَرْ
تَyou exchanged witticisms (completion) فَأَعْجِبْthen marvel بِوَرْيِat the sparking of تِلْكَthose الزِّنَادflints
تَ فَأَعْجِبْ بِوَرْيِ تِلْكَ الزِّنَاد
And when they exchanged witticisms, and you joined them,
When you bantered and jested back and forth,
what wondrous sparks those flints struck!
Marvel at the radiance those trifles brought forth,
فطَنٌwitty insights تَشْرَحُgladden الصُّدورَthe hearts وَمَاand do not تُؤْhurt (beginning)
فطَنٌ تَشْرَحُ الصُّدورَ وَمَا تُؤْ
ذِيhurt (completion) دعَابَاتُهَاtheir jests سِوَىexcept الأَنْكَادgriefs
ذِي دعَابَاتُهَا سِوَى الأَنْكَاد
Wit that gladdens hearts, whose jests do not
Wit that makes hearts expand, harmless in its cradle,
wound anything but griefs.
Save to ignite smiles from those inclined to straddle.
ربَّماoften كَانَتِwere العِظَاتthe lessons الغَوَالِيprecious
ربَّما كَانَتِ العِظَات الغَوَالِي
فِيin شَظَايَاthe shards of ابْتِسَامِهَاits smile الوَقَّادglowing
فِي شَظَايَا ابْتِسَامِهَا الوَقَّاد
Often the most precious lessons lay
Perhaps profound lessons hid within the shards
in the shards of its glowing smile.
Of his kindling smile and piercing regards,
كَيْفَhow حَالِيmy condition وَأَنْتَand you أَدْرَىknow best بِمَاwhat خَلَّyou left (beginning)
كَيْفَ حَالِي وَأَنْتَ أَدْرَى بِمَا خَلَّ
فْتَyou left (completion) لِيfor me مِنْof فَجِيعَةٍbereavement وَسهَادand sleeplessness
فْتَ لِي مِنْ فَجِيعَةٍ وَسهَاد
How do I fare? You know best what you have
How fare I, when you know well the dearth,
left me of bereavement and sleeplessness.
Of joy, and the flood of sorrow since your earthly berth?
أَسْعِديjoin in mourning يَاO هَوَاتِفَcalling voices of الأَيْكِthe grove شَجويmy sorrow
أَسْعِدي يَا هَوَاتِفَ الأَيْكِ شَجوي
أَناI فِيin حَاجَةٍneed إِلَىof الإِسْعَادcompanionship in mourning
أَنا فِي حَاجَةٍ إِلَى الإِسْعَاد
Join my lament, O calling voices of the grove;
Gladden me, oh sweet telephone with happiness I implore!
I need companionship in mourning.
I am in need of some cheer and glee in my core,
أَبْتغِيI seek البَثَّoutpouring of sorrow وَالشَّجاand grief غضَّlowered مِنْof صَوْmy voice (beginning)
أَبْتغِي البَثَّ وَالشَّجا غضَّ مِنْ صَوْ
تِيmy voice (completion) وَحَرُّand the heat of الأَسَىsorrow أَجَفَّdried مِدَادِيmy ink
تِي وَحَرُّ الأَسَى أَجَفَّ مِدَادِي
I seek to pour out sorrow, but grief has lowered
I seek to unburden my voice and heartache in this ode,
my voice, and sorrow's heat has dried my ink.
Though the pain of loss has dried my pen loaded.
وَيْحَalas for أُمِّthe mother of اللُّغاتِlanguages مِمَّاbecause of what دَهَاهَاbefell her
وَيْحَ أُمِّ اللُّغاتِ مِمَّا دَهَاهَا
فِيin طرِيفِthe newly won part of الفخارِglory بَعْدَafter التِّلاَدinherited glory
فِي طرِيفِ الفخارِ بَعْدَ التِّلاَد
Alas for the mother of languages, for what befell her
Oh mother of languages, what shame she saw,
in her newly won glories after the inherited ones.
In the tatters of pottery after her golden era thaw!
ذاقتِshe tasted الثُّكلَbereavement فِيin بنُوَّتِهَاher sons الأمْglorious (beginning)
ذاقتِ الثُّكلَ فِي بنُوَّتِهَا الأمْ
جَادِglorious (completion) بَعْدَafter الأُبوَّةِthe fathers الأمْجَادِglorious
جَادِ بَعْدَ الأُبوَّةِ الأمْجَادِ
She tasted bereavement in her glorious sons,
She tasted bereavement in her esteemed sons so fair,
after her glorious fathers.
After fatherhood glory beyond all compare.
فِيin رِفاقٍcompanions رَدُّواrestored عَلَىto كلevery أَصْلٍroot
فِي رِفاقٍ رَدُّوا عَلَى كل أَصْلٍ
مِنof عُلاهَاher eminence نضارَةthe freshness of الأعْوَادِthe branches
مِن عُلاهَا نضارَة الأعْوَادِ
In companions who restored to every root
In company they restored each pillar anew,
of her eminence the freshness of its branches.
With saplings of fresh life in lieu of rotting hews,
نضرَmay keep fresh اللهGod عَهْدَهمْtheir era وَسَقاهمْand water them
نضرَ الله عَهْدَهمْ وَسَقاهمْ
مَاwith what سَقىwatered الأوّلِينَthe forebears صَوْبُthe rainfall of العِهَادِreturning showers
مَا سَقى الأوّلِينَ صَوْبُ العِهَادِ
May God keep their memory fresh and water them
May God sustain their era with all primal boons drawn,
with the returning rains that watered their forebears.
That quenched those first generations at dawn.
نخبَةٌan elite قلَّمَاseldom أَتِيحَwas granted لِعَصْرٍto an age
نخبَةٌ قلَّمَا أَتِيحَ لِعَصْرٍ
مِثلthe like of مَجْمُوعِهِمْtheir assembled company مِنَof الأفْرَادِindividuals
مِثل مَجْمُوعِهِمْ مِنَ الأفْرَادِ
An elite: seldom was an age granted
An elite, rarely allowed for any age,
individuals whose assembled company matched theirs.
Their peerless assembly of individuals and sages,
أَيْقَظُوهَاthey awakened her مِنَfrom الرُّقَادslumber وَقَدْand had جَاexceeded (beginning)
أَيْقَظُوهَا مِنَ الرُّقَاد وَقَدْ جَا
زَexceeded (completion) مَدَاهُits duration أَقْصَىthe furthest مَدىlimit لِلرُّقَادِfor slumber
زَ مَدَاهُ أَقْصَى مَدى لِلرُّقَادِ
They awakened her from slumber that had
They awakened her from the deepest swoon,
exceeded the furthest bounds of sleep.
After the long deadening mires of gloom.
وَأَعَادُواand they restored جَمَالَهَاher beauty فِيin زُهَاهُits splendor
وَأَعَادُوا جَمَالَهَا فِي زُهَاهُ
يَتَرَاءَىappears قَديمُهُits ancient form فِيin المُعَادِthe renewed form
يَتَرَاءَى قَديمُهُ فِي المُعَادِ
And restored her beauty in its splendor,
And restored her former glory to view,
its ancient loveliness appearing in its renewal.
Where old radiance shone in the new,
أَيْنَwhere سَامِيSami وَأَيْنَand where صَبْرِيSabri وَحِفْنِيand Hifni
أَيْنَ سَامِي وَأَيْنَ صَبْرِي وَحِفْنِي
وَرِفَاقٌand companions جَاوَرْهُمُdwell beside them فِيamong الهَوَادِيthe foremost ranks
وَرِفَاقٌ جَاوَرْهُمُ فِي الهَوَادِي
Where are Sami, and where Sabri and Hifni,
Where are Sami, my patience, and composure?
and companions? Dwell beside them among the foremost ranks.
And their company in the valleys secure?
لَحِقَjoined اليَوْمَtoday حَافِظٌHafiz بِالمُجَلِّيthe front-runners (beginning)
لَحِقَ اليَوْمَ حَافِظٌ بِالمُجَلِّي
ينَfront-runners (completion) وَمَاand not كَانَwas آخِراًlast فِيin الطِّرَادthe race
ينَ وَمَا كَانَ آخِراً فِي الطِّرَاد
Today Hafiz has joined the front-runners,
Today Hafiz joined the exalted departed throng,
though he was never last in the race.
Though he was not last, trailing the trail along,
شَاعِرٌa poet لَمْnot يُبَارِهِrivaled him أَحَدٌanyone فِيin الthe (beginning of 'choosing')
شَاعِرٌ لَمْ يُبَارِهِ أَحَدٌ فِي ال
أَخْذِchoosing بِالمُسْتَحَبِّwhat is pleasing وَالمُسْتَجَادِand excellent
أَخْذِ بِالمُسْتَحَبِّ وَالمُسْتَجَادِ
A poet whom none could rival in
A poet without match in upholding the desired,
choosing what was pleasing and excellent.
His compositions in necklaces were uniquely attired.
يُحْكِمُperfects الصَّوْغَthe crafting فِيof القِلاَدِnecklaces فَمَاso no يَأْproduces (beginning)
يُحْكِمُ الصَّوْغَ فِي القِلاَدِ فَمَا يَأْ
تِيproduces (completion) صَنَاعٌmaster craftsman بِمِثْلِهَاtheir like فِيamong القِلاَدِnecklaces
تِي صَنَاعٌ بِمِثْلِهَا فِي القِلاَدِ
He perfects the crafting of necklaces; no
A diffuser whose skill overflowed like wine’s fervor,
master craftsman can make necklaces like them.
Save adorning speech with gems, none could be diviner,
نَاثِرٌa prose writer تَنْفُثُbreathes forth البَرَاعَةُartistry مِنْهُfrom him
نَاثِرٌ تَنْفُثُ البَرَاعَةُ مِنْهُ
نَشْوَةَthe intoxication of الخَمْرِwine فِيin مُجَاجِthe outpouring of شِهَادِhoney
نَشْوَةَ الخَمْرِ فِي مُجَاجِ شِهَادِ
A prose writer whose artistry breathes forth
In rhetoric innovations none could pace,
wine's intoxication in the outpouring of honey.
His structures and vocabulary none could replace.
لَمْnot يَكُنْwas فِيin مَصَايِدِthe fishing grounds of اللُّؤلُؤpearls الفَاprecious (beginning)
لَمْ يَكُنْ فِي مَصَايِدِ اللُّؤلُؤ الفَا
خِرِprecious (completion) يُبْقِيleaves فَرِيدَةًa matchless pearl لاَصْطِيَادِfor catching
خِرِ يُبْقِي فَرِيدَةً لاَصْطِيَادِ
In the fishing grounds of precious pearls, he never
In his phrases and individual words, eloquence was defeated,
left a matchless pearl for others to catch.
By the splendor in them, critics were refuted,
فِيin تَرَاكِيبِهِhis constructions وَفِيand in مُفْرَدَاتِthe individual units of اللَّwording (beginning)
فِي تَرَاكِيبِهِ وَفِي مُفْرَدَاتِ اللَّ
فْظِwording (completion) حَارَتْwas bewildered نَفَاسَةُthe envy of الحُسَّادِthe envious
فْظِ حَارَتْ نَفَاسَةُ الحُسَّادِ
In his constructions and in his individual
Meanings wandered astray between meanings,
words, the envy of the envious stood bewildered.
In his sagacious counsel and steadfastness gleaning.
كَانَwas فِيin سَمْعِهِhis hearing رَقِيبٌa watcher عَلَيْهِover him
كَانَ فِي سَمْعِهِ رَقِيبٌ عَلَيْهِ
يَقِظٌalert مِنْamong جَهَابِذِthe masters of النُّقادِcriticism
يَقِظٌ مِنْ جَهَابِذِ النُّقادِ
Within his hearing he had a watcher over him,
And structures stood sturdy between structures wise,
alert, one of the master critics.
With firm foundations and pillars stabilizing ties,
يَقَعُfalls الزَّيْنُbeauty مِنْهُwith him فِيin مَوْقِعِthe place of الزَّيْbeauty (beginning)
يَقَعُ الزَّيْنُ مِنْهُ فِي مَوْقِعِ الزَّيْ
نِbeauty (completion) وَيَنْبُوand recoils بِالشَّينِfrom ugliness نَبْوَwith the recoil of سَدَادِsound judgment
نِ وَيَنْبُو بِالشَّينِ نَبْوَ سَدَادِ
Beauty found in him its proper place,
But describe the literary man and say what you deem,
while sound discernment recoiled from ugliness.
Of the virtuous, faithful, and generous friend.
فَالمَعَانِيso the meanings تَتِيهُstrut proudly بَيْنَamong المَعَانِيmeanings
فَالمَعَانِي تَتِيهُ بَيْنَ المَعَانِي
بِسَنِيِّin brilliant الحُلِيِّornaments وَالابْرَادِand robes
بِسَنِيِّ الحُلِيِّ وَالابْرَادِ
Thus his meanings strut among other meanings
Who consoles virtue, when the noblest scions,
in brilliant ornaments and robes.
And their righteous children are but few lions?
وَالمَبَانِيand the structures تَعِزُّstand mighty بَيْنَamong المَبَانِيstructures
وَالمَبَانِي تَعِزُّ بَيْنَ المَبَانِي
بِمَتِينِwith sturdy الأسْبَابِropes وَالأوْتَادِand pegs
بِمَتِينِ الأسْبَابِ وَالأوْتَادِ
And his structures stand mighty among structures
A disposition no fainthearted can shoulder,
with sturdy ropes and pegs.
But the stalwart of resolute boulder.
عَدِّturn aside عَنْfrom وَصْفِكَyour description of الأدِيبَthe man of letters وَقُلْand say مَاwhatever
عَدِّ عَنْ وَصْفِكَ الأدِيبَ وَقُلْ مَا
شِئْتَyou wish فِيof الفَاضِلِthe virtuous الوَفِيِّfaithful الجَوَادِgenerous man
شِئْتَ فِي الفَاضِلِ الوَفِيِّ الجَوَادِ
Leave aside your description of the man of letters, and say what
He never compromised it to live at ease,
you wish of the virtuous, faithful, generous man.
Nor ever feared to displease.
منْwho يُعَزيconsoles عَنْهُfor his loss المُرُوءَةَchivalry أَمْسَتْhas now become
منْ يُعَزي عَنْهُ المُرُوءَةَ أَمْسَتْ
وَبَنُوهَاand her sons الأبْرَارُupright غَيْرُoutside عِدَادِthe reckoning
وَبَنُوهَا الأبْرَارُ غَيْرُ عِدَادِ
Who will console chivalry for his loss, now
Who consoles candor, whose falsity was seen,
with her upright sons absent from the roll?
As loss, while profit lied in disguise and screen?
شِيمَةٌa noble trait لاَnot يُطِيقُcan bear كُلْفَتَهَاits burden غَيْexcept (beginning)
شِيمَةٌ لاَ يُطِيقُ كُلْفَتَهَا غَيْ
رُexcept (completion) أُولِيthose possessing العَزْمِresolve وَالحُمَاةِand defenders الجِعَادِhardy
رُ أُولِي العَزْمِ وَالحُمَاةِ الجِعَادِ
A noble trait whose burden none can bear
Dissemblance could not contain his sincere heart,
except the resolute and the hardy defenders.
That equity prevail in dealings, from start.
مَنْwho يُعَزِّيconsoles عَنْهُfor his loss الوَفَاءَfidelity وَقَدْكَاand had been (beginning)
مَنْ يُعَزِّي عَنْهُ الوَفَاءَ وَقَدْكَا
نَbeen (completion) يَرَىregarding نَقْضَهُits breach مِنَas الإِلحَادِunbelief
نَ يَرَى نَقْضَهُ مِنَ الإِلحَادِ
Who will console fidelity for his loss? He had
Open views, not cowardice veiled aright,
regarded its breach as unbelief.
Are swords unsheathed, not hidden in their sheath for might.
خُلُقٌa virtue لَيْسَis not فِيin الضِّعافِthe weak وَمَاand not يَحْcarries (beginning)
خُلُقٌ لَيْسَ فِي الضِّعافِ وَمَا يَحْ
مِلُcarries (completion) أَعْبَاءَهُits burdens سِوَىexcept الاجْلاَدِthe stalwart
مِلُ أَعْبَاءَهُ سِوَى الاجْلاَدِ
A virtue not found in the weak, whose burdens
Who consoles his knowledge seeking, if not for aid
none but the stalwart can carry.
From his generous hands that seekers assayed?
لَمْnot يُسَاوِمْbargained بِهِwith it فَيَنْعَمَto gain comfort بَالاًof mind
لَمْ يُسَاوِمْ بِهِ فَيَنْعَمَ بَالاً
لاَno وَلَمْand not يَرْعَshowed regard فِيهِin it جَانِبَfor the interests of آدِيa powerful man
لاَ وَلَمْ يَرْعَ فِيهِ جَانِبَ آدِي
He did not bargain it away to gain peace of mind;
With initiatives exploring every hue,
no, nor did he defer in it to any powerful man.
None surpassed them in enriching the pursuit.
مَنْwho يُعَزِّيconsoles عَنْهُfor his loss الصَّرَاحَةَcandor كَانَwas الthe (beginning of 'loss')
مَنْ يُعَزِّي عَنْهُ الصَّرَاحَةَ كَانَ ال
غُرْمُloss فِيهَاin it وَالغُنْمُand gain فِيin الإِهْمَادِsuppression
غُرْمُ فِيهَا وَالغُنْمُ فِي الإِهْمَادِ
Who will console candor for his loss? There was
He composed poetry in youth with talent imbued,
loss in speaking out, and gain in suppression.
A natural, innate, and able student,
لَمْnot يَسَعْهُwas possible for him وَفِيwhile in الضَّميرِthe conscience خِلاَفdissent
لَمْ يَسَعْهُ وَفِي الضَّميرِ خِلاَف
أَنْto يَرَىsee الاِعْتِدَالَstraightness فِيin المُنَآدِthe crooked
أَنْ يَرَى الاِعْتِدَالَ فِي المُنَآدِ
He could not, while his conscience dissented,
Whose early art contained exemplary features,
see straightness in what was bent.
Innovations beyond customary creatures.
مَاwhat فُتُوحُthe conquests of الآرَاءِopinions وَالجُبْنُwhile cowardice يَطْوِfolds them (beginning)
مَا فُتُوحُ الآرَاءِ وَالجُبْنُ يَطْوِ
يهَاfolds them (completion) كَطَيِّlike the folding of النِّصالِblades فِيin الأغْمَادِsheaths
يهَا كَطَيِّ النِّصالِ فِي الأغْمَادِ
What conquests can opinions make when cowardice folds
Whatever his nature effortlessly achieved,
them away like blades within their sheaths?
He willingly refined with diligence believed,
مَنْwho يُعَزِّيconsoles القُصَّادَthe seekers عِلْماًknowledge تَوَخَّوْاthey sought
مَنْ يُعَزِّي القُصَّادَ عِلْماً تَوَخَّوْا
أَوْor نَوَالاًa gift عَنْfor the loss of مُسْعِفthe helper of القُصَّادِseekers
أَوْ نَوَالاً عَنْ مُسْعِف القُصَّادِ
Who will console those who sought him for knowledge
Except verse did not provide sufficient fare,
or a gift, for the loss of their helper?
In the turmoil of living by its thin air.
ذِيpossessor of الأيَادِيbenefactions مِنْof كُلِّevery لَوْنٍcolor وَأَغْلاَand their most precious (beginning)
ذِي الأيَادِي مِنْ كُلِّ لَوْنٍ وَأَغْلاَ
هُنَّof them (completion) فِيamong الْمَأْثُرَاتِnoble deeds بِيضُthe white ones of الأيَادِيthe hands
هُنَّ فِي الْمَأْثُرَاتِ بِيضُ الأيَادِي
Whose benefactions bore every hue, and whose most precious
Providing became imperative, so Hafiz trekked,
noble deeds were his white-handed favors.
Across the barrens and wilds insipid and bleak,
مَنْwho يُعَزِّيconsoles كِنَانَةَthe quiver of اللهِGod عَنْfor the loss of رَاthe archer (beginning)
مَنْ يُعَزِّي كِنَانَةَ اللهِ عَنْ رَا
مِيarcher (completion) عِدَاهَاher enemies بِسَهْمِهِwith his arrow المِصْرَادِpiercing
مِي عِدَاهَا بِسَهْمِهِ المِصْرَادِ
Who will console God's quiver for the loss of the archer
Lonely in the savage cliffs and Sudan,
who struck its foes with his piercing arrow?
Between ravines and wastelands forbidden.
عَنْfor the loss of فَتَاهَاher champion الشَّاكِيarmed with السِّلاَحَيْنِthe two weapons وَالمَاand wielding both (beginning)
عَنْ فَتَاهَا الشَّاكِي السِّلاَحَيْنِ وَالمَا
ضِيهِمَاwielding both (completion) فِيin شَوَاكِلِthe flanks of الأضْدَادِadversaries
ضِيهِمَا فِي شَوَاكِلِ الأضْدَادِ
For her champion, armed with two weapons, driving
His days passed in bleakness, bereft of grit steadfast,
both into the flanks of adversaries?
And nights in tents, crumbling in aged collapse,
إِنَّماindeed حَافِظٌHafiz فَتَاهَاher champion وَمِنْهَاand from her
إِنَّما حَافِظٌ فَتَاهَا وَمِنْهَا
وَبِهَاand through her فَخْرُهُhis pride عَلَىover الأنْدَادِpeers
وَبِهَا فَخْرُهُ عَلَى الأنْدَادِ
Hafiz was indeed her champion, sprung from her,
In his soul’s core, concerns churned deep,
and through her he took pride over his peers.
Like waves, listless and wide sweeping.
نَشَّأتْهُshe raised him وَأَيَّدَتْهُand strengthened him بِرُوحٍwith a spirit
نَشَّأتْهُ وَأَيَّدَتْهُ بِرُوحٍ
عَبْقَرِيٍّof genius مِنْfrom رُوْحِهَاher spirit مُسْتَفَادِdrawn
عَبْقَرِيٍّ مِنْ رُوْحِهَا مُسْتَفَادِ
She raised him and strengthened him with a spirit
What army do they train for Egypt? While in this,
of genius drawn from her own spirit.
Her leader remotely resides in remiss,
بَعْدَafter أَنْthat كَانَhe was حَاكِياًan imitator وَهْوَwhile he يَشْدُوsang
بَعْدَ أَنْ كَانَ حَاكِياً وَهْوَ يَشْدُو
جَعَلَتْهُshe made him المَحْكِيthe imitated model بَيْنَamong الشَّوَاديsingers
جَعَلَتْهُ المَحْكِي بَيْنَ الشَّوَادي
After he had been an imitator in his singing,
And why does the sky heap threats looming?
she made him the model among singers.
A number made of steel, booming.
نَظمَhe composed الشِّعرَpoetry فِيin الصِّباyouth نَظْمَwith the composition of وَاعٍone aware
نَظمَ الشِّعرَ فِي الصِّبا نَظْمَ وَاعٍ
لَقِنٍquick to learn نَاشِيءٍgrowing عَلَىwith اسْتِعْدَادِaptitude
لَقِنٍ نَاشِيءٍ عَلَى اسْتِعْدَادِ
He composed poetry in youth with the craft of one aware,
That preoccupied him for a time, diverting his care,
quick to learn, growing with an inborn aptitude.
From brooding beyond, into worldly affair,
بَادِيءٍbeginning صَوْغَهُhis crafting وَفِيهِand in it فنونٌarts
بَادِيءٍ صَوْغَهُ وَفِيهِ فنونٌ
بَارِعَاتٌbrilliant لاَnot يَتَّسقْنَfall into place لِبَادِيfor a beginner
بَارِعَاتٌ لاَ يَتَّسقْنَ لِبَادِي
A beginner at his craft, yet it contained arts
Except sprinkling visions that came to thought,
so brilliant they do not fall into place for a beginner.
Of his accustomed imagination, fraught.
مَاwhatever تَعَاصَىresisted عَلَيْهhim عَنْfrom عَفْوِthe spontaneity of طَبْعٍtalent
مَا تَعَاصَى عَلَيْه عَنْ عَفْوِ طَبْعٍ
رُدَّwas brought طَوْعاًwillingly لهُto him بِفَضْلِthrough the merit of اجْتِهَادِdiligent effort
رُدَّ طَوْعاً لهُ بِفَضْلِ اجْتِهَادِ
Whatever resisted his spontaneous talent
Providence moves the tides of communities life,
was brought willingly to him through diligent effort.
In surges, breaking ridges of calm and strife,
غَيْرَexcept أَنَّthat القَرِيضَpoetry لَمْnot يَكُwas فِيin مُضْthe turmoil (beginning)
غَيْرَ أَنَّ القَرِيضَ لَمْ يَكُ فِي مُضْ
طَرَبِturmoil (completion) العَيْشِof life مُغْنِياًproviding enough مِنْof زَادِsustenance
طَرَبِ العَيْشِ مُغْنِياً مِنْ زَادِ
Yet poetry was not, amid
Dissent within the military and causes complex
life's turmoil, enough to furnish sustenance.
Are tribulations not given to steadfast.
أَوْجَبَnecessitated الرِّزْقُlivelihood فَانْتَأْىso went far away حَافِظٌHafiz يَكْtoil (beginning)
أَوْجَبَ الرِّزْقُ فَانْتَأْى حَافِظٌ يَكْ
دَحُtoil (completion) فِيin بِيْئَةٍan environment مِنَof الأجْنَادِsoldiers
دَحُ فِي بِيْئَةٍ مِنَ الأجْنَادِ
Livelihood demanded it, so Hafiz went far away to
Arrogance emboldened the submitting turncoats,
toil among soldiers.
Against their principled liberators of lofty votes,
مُوحَشاًlonely فِيin مَجَاهِلِthe unknown reaches of النُّوبِNubia وَالسُّوand Sudan (beginning)
مُوحَشاً فِي مَجَاهِلِ النُّوبِ وَالسُّو
دَانِSudan (completion) بَيْنَbetween الأغْوَارِlowlands وَالانْجَادِand highlands
دَانِ بَيْنَ الأغْوَارِ وَالانْجَادِ
Lonely in the unknown reaches of Nubia and
So their treason met consequences deserved,
Sudan, between lowlands and highlands.
When the wicked reaped the fate they swerved.
تَتَقَضَّىpass away أَيَّامُهُhis days فِيin ارْتِيَاضٍdrills
تَتَقَضَّى أَيَّامُهُ فِي ارْتِيَاضٍ
وَعَلَىand in أُهْبَةٍreadiness لِغَيْرِfor other than جِلاَدِcombat
وَعَلَى أُهْبَةٍ لِغَيْرِ جِلاَدِ
His days passed in drills
Dragging them as examples, though presumed benign,
and readiness for anything but combat.
Yet realized as wicked, sealed in their end design,
وَلَيَالِيهِand his nights فِيin الخِيَامِthe tents لَيَالِيthe nights of
وَلَيَالِيهِ فِي الخِيَامِ لَيَالِي
وَسِنٍa drowsy man رَازِحٍweighed down مِنَby الإِجْهَادِexhaustion
وَسِنٍ رَازِحٍ مِنَ الإِجْهَادِ
And his nights in the tents were the nights
Rumors of this spread among the people and shook,
of a drowsy man weighed down by exhaustion.
Planting distress deep, beyond pallor’s look.
فِيin الصَّميمِthe very core الصَّمِيمِthe very core مِنْof نَفْسِهِhis soul الحُرَّfree (beginning)
فِي الصَّميمِ الصَّمِيمِ مِنْ نَفْسِهِ الحُرَّ
ةِfree (completion) هَمٌّa care مُرَاوِحٌcoming in the evening وَمُغَادِيand coming in the morning
ةِ هَمٌّ مُرَاوِحٌ وَمُغَادِي
In the very, very core of his free
As if whips tore their flesh and ropes their hides,
soul, a care came evening and morning.
News pierced deeper than the blades of knives.
أَيُّwhat جَيشٍarmy يُدَرِّبُونَthey train لِمِصْرٍfor Egypt
أَيُّ جَيشٍ يُدَرِّبُونَ لِمِصْرٍ
وَوَلِيُّand the overseer of التَّدْرِيبِtraining فِيهِin it العَادِيthe enemy
وَوَلِيُّ التَّدْرِيبِ فِيهِ العَادِي
What army are they training for Egypt,
Hafiz's elegy resounded like a pledge made,
when its training is overseen by the enemy?
Echoing like a lion in the valley shade.
وَلِمَنْand for whom تَمْلأُfill الفَضَاءَthe air وَعِيداًwith threats
وَلِمَنْ تَمْلأُ الفَضَاءَ وَعِيداً
عُدَدٌarmaments مِنْof حَدِيدِهِits iron الرَّعَّادthundering
عُدَدٌ مِنْ حَدِيدِهِ الرَّعَّاد
And for whom is the air filled with threats
by armaments of its thundering iron?
In verses that, if granted speech, would speak
ذَاكَthat مَاwhat ظَلَّhe remained فِيهِin it حِيناًfor a time وَحَسْبُand sufficient for الthe (beginning of 'soul')
ذَاكَ مَا ظَلَّ فِيهِ حِيناً وَحَسْبُ ال
نَّفسِsoul شُغْلاًoccupation بِهِwith it عَنِaway from الإِغْرَادِsong
نَّفسِ شُغْلاً بِهِ عَنِ الإِغْرَادِ
That occupied him for a time, enough to keep
Of the bitter bile envy stores in its peak,
his soul too busy for song.
It taught the submissive the lesson of might,
غَيْرَexcept بَثٍّan outpouring of sorrow يَبُثُّهhe pours it out إِنْif أَتَاهُcame to him
غَيْرَ بَثٍّ يَبُثُّه إِنْ أَتَاهُ
طَائِفٌa passing visitation مِنْfrom خَيَالِهِhis imagination المُعْتَادِfamiliar
طَائِفٌ مِنْ خَيَالِهِ المُعْتَادِ
Except for sorrow he poured out when there came
Where the prey, and the predator’s appetite.
a passing visitation of his familiar imagination.
The patient were promised triumph, a truth realized,
لِلمَقَادِيرِdestiny has فِيin شُؤونِthe affairs of الجَمَاعَاcommunities (beginning)
لِلمَقَادِيرِ فِي شُؤونِ الجَمَاعَا
تِcommunities (completion) تَصَارِيفُturns رَائِحَاتٌcoming in the evening غَوَادِيcoming in the morning
تِ تَصَارِيفُ رَائِحَاتٌ غَوَادِي
Destiny, in the affairs of communities, has
By their chronicle, steadily materialized,
turns that come evening and morning.
Patience in souls is an embryo, that strains
فِتَنُthe disturbances of الجَيْشِthe army وَالبَوَاعثُand the causes كُثْرٌmany
فِتَنُ الجَيْشِ وَالبَوَاعثُ كُثْرٌ
فِتْنَةٌan uprising لَمْnot تَكُنْwas بِذَاتِpossessing امْتِدَادِlong duration
فِتْنَةٌ لَمْ تَكُنْ بِذَاتِ امْتِدَادِ
Army disturbances, with causes many:
The bearers, before delivering its gains.
an uprising that did not last long.
How can spontaneity produce this, when no thought,
فَاسْتَطَارَso took alarm السُّوَّاسُthe rulers وَاضْطَرَبَتْand were shaken أَحْthe minds (beginning)
فَاسْتَطَارَ السُّوَّاسُ وَاضْطَرَبَتْ أَحْ
لاَمُminds (completion) زُرْقِof the blue-eyed العُيُونِeyes فِيamong القُوَّادِthe commanders
لاَمُ زُرْقِ العُيُونِ فِي القُوَّادِ
The rulers took alarm, and the minds
Was ever extemporized with wisdom fraught?
of the blue-eyed commanders were shaken.
Fortitude was difficult for groups to employ,
رَابَهُمْaroused their suspicion حَافِظٌHafiz فَعُوقِبَso was punished فِيamong جُمَthe group (beginning)
رَابَهُمْ حَافِظٌ فَعُوقِبَ فِي جُمَ
لَةgroup (completion) مَنْthose whom عَاقَبُوهُthey punished بالإِبْعَادwith banishment
لَة مَنْ عَاقَبُوهُ بالإِبْعَاد
Hafiz aroused their suspicion and was punished among
And in individuals, it lived coy.
those whom they punished with banishment.
The masses often betrayed in struggle past,
آخَذُوهُthey charged him بِالظَّنon suspicion مِنْwithout غَيْرِany تَحْقِinvestigation (beginning)
آخَذُوهُ بِالظَّن مِنْ غَيْرِ تَحْقِ
يقٍinvestigation (completion) وَمَاand not آخَذُواthey charged عَلَىon إِفْنَادproof of fault
يقٍ وَمَا آخَذُوا عَلَى إِفْنَاد
They charged him on suspicion, without
Ceding to tyranny its reign to last,
investigation, not on proof of guilt.
But faith was the ally of vanguards’ hearts,
فَتَوَلَّىso he turned away وَمَاand no لِمُؤْتَنَفِfor the forthcoming العَيْlife (beginning)
فَتَوَلَّى وَمَا لِمُؤْتَنَفِ العَيْ
شِlife (completion) بِعَيْنَيْهbefore his eyes مِنْany ضِيَاءٍlight هَاديguiding
شِ بِعَيْنَيْه مِنْ ضِيَاءٍ هَادي
So he turned away, with no guiding
Its reliance emboldened their willful parts.
light before his eyes for the life ahead.
They drew strength, and beyond strength cared less,
والجَديدَانِand day and night يَضْرِبَانِimpose عَلَيْهupon him
والجَديدَانِ يَضْرِبَانِ عَلَيْه
كُلَّevery رَحْبٍopen expanse فِيin مِصْرَEgypt بِالاسْدَادِwith barriers
كُلَّ رَحْبٍ فِي مِصْرَ بِالاسْدَادِ
And day and night fenced him off
If spent, never fathoming recession or duress,
from every open expanse in Egypt.
While the noblest leader, purest of soul,
مُوغَراًembittered صَدْرُهُhis breast لِمَاby what سِيمَhe was subjected to فِيwithout غَيْany (beginning)
مُوغَراً صَدْرُهُ لِمَا سِيمَ فِي غَيْ
رِany (completion) جُنَاحٍfault مِنْof جَفْوَةٍharshness وَاضْطِهَادِand persecution
رِ جُنَاحٍ مِنْ جَفْوَةٍ وَاضْطِهَادِ
His breast embittered by what he had suffered, without
Prized others above self in the trying toll.
fault, of harshness and persecution.
Can a people be saved from despair without sign,
عَاطِلَstripped الثَّوْبِthe uniform مِنْof كَوَاكِبِهits stars الزُّهْgleaming (beginning)
عَاطِلَ الثَّوْبِ مِنْ كَوَاكِبِه الزُّهْ
رِgleaming (completion) وَمِنْand of سَيْفِهِhis sword الطَّوِيلِlong النِّجادِin baldric
رِ وَمِنْ سَيْفِهِ الطَّوِيلِ النِّجادِ
His uniform stripped of its gleaming stars
Of the extraordinary, customary confine?
and of his sword with its long baldric.
Mustafa, Mustafa, you sufficed, that your name evoke,
فَهْوَso he فِيin مِصْرَEgypt وَالبِجَادُand the cloak مِنَfrom الرِّقَّthinness (beginning)
فَهْوَ فِي مِصْرَ وَالبِجَادُ مِنَ الرِّقَّ
ةthinness (completion) فِيin الحَالِits condition غَيْرُother than ذَاكَthat البِجَادِcloak
ة فِي الحَالِ غَيْرُ ذَاكَ البِجَادِ
He was in Egypt now, and his cloak, worn thin,
Redemption, if you were the first martyr and broke
was no longer the cloak it once had been.
Mustafa, Mustafa, be congratulated that you revived,
لَقِيَhe met البُؤْسَmisery وَالأدِيبُand the man of letters مِنَwith البُؤْmisery (beginning)
لَقِيَ البُؤْسَ وَالأدِيبُ مِنَ البُؤْ
سِmisery (completion) قَديماًlong ago فِيهَاthere عَلَىat مِيعَادِan appointment
سِ قَديماً فِيهَا عَلَى مِيعَادِ
He met misery; the man of letters and misery
A people with that self-sacrifice contrived,
had long kept an appointment there.
In them a new spirit arose, with enduring life beyond,
حَائِراًbewildered فِيin مَذَاهِبِthe ways of الكَسْبِearning لاَnot يَفْdistinguishes (beginning)
حَائِراً فِي مَذَاهِبِ الكَسْبِ لاَ يَفْ
رُقُdistinguishes (completion) بَيْنَbetween الإِصْدَارِoutgoings وَالإِيرادِand income
رُقُ بَيْنَ الإِصْدَارِ وَالإِيرادِ
Bewildered by the ways of earning, unable to
Outlasting events, steadfast and strong.
distinguish outgoings from income.
The day you were mourned nearly revealed a trace,
عَائِفاًdisdaining خُطَّةthe course of الجُدَاةِbeggars وَفِيهِand within him
عَائِفاً خُطَّة الجُدَاةِ وَفِيهِ
طَبْعُthe nature of حُرٍّa free man يَجُودُwho gives generously لاnot طَبْعُthe nature of جَاديa petitioner
طَبْعُ حُرٍّ يَجُودُ لا طَبْعُ جَادي
Disdaining the beggar's course, for within him
Of the reverence, on that predestined place,
was a free man's generous nature, not a petitioner's.
They gained from unity, strength their foes to defy,
وَلَقَدْand indeed زَادَهُincreased for him شَجىًsorrow أَنَّthat سُوقَthe market for الthe (beginning of 'learning')
وَلَقَدْ زَادَهُ شَجىً أَنَّ سُوقَ ال
عِلمِlearning كَانَتْwas فِيْin مِصْرَEgypt سُوقَa market of كَسَادِstagnation
عِلمِ كَانَتْ فِيْ مِصْرَ سُوقَ كَسَادِ
And it added to his sorrow that the market
Seeing their valor as shields that fortify.
for learning in Egypt was a stagnant market.
This is Egypt of the youth, arising in throngs,
وَسَجَايَاand the characters of الرِّجَالِmen رَانَتْoverlaid عَلَيْهَاthem
وَسَجَايَا الرِّجَالِ رَانَتْ عَلَيْهَا
لُوثَةٌa taint مِنْfrom قَديمِancient الاِسْتِعْبَادِenslavement
لُوثَةٌ مِنْ قَديمِ الاِسْتِعْبَادِ
And men's characters were overlaid
Young at heart, unbowed in lifelong.
with a taint of ancient enslavement.
A man died leaving a generation bound,
فَهُمُso they وَادِعُونَat ease لاَهُونَdistracted بِالزِّيby finery (beginning)
فَهُمُ وَادِعُونَ لاَهُونَ بِالزِّي
نَاتِfinery (completion) وَالتُّرَهَاتِand frivolities وَالأعْيَادِand festivals
نَاتِ وَالتُّرَهَاتِ وَالأعْيَادِ
So they lived at ease, distracted by
To valiance, unspoiled by qualms around.
finery, frivolities, and festivals.
If duty called them, they came like lions denned,
عِبَرٌlessons مَرَّpassed فِيthrough جَوَانِحِهhis breast مَاwhat
عِبَرٌ مَرَّ فِي جَوَانِحِه مَا
لاَحَappeared مِنْهَاof them مَرَّlike the passage of النِّصالِarrowheads الحِدَادِsharp
لاَحَ مِنْهَا مَرَّ النِّصالِ الحِدَادِ
Lessons whose appearing truths passed through his breast
Hastening from villages and every fenced ground,
like the passage of sharp arrowheads.
They established an era, quietly brave,
فَتَغَنَّىso he sang أَسْتَغْفِرُI seek forgiveness from اللهَGod بَلْrather نَاwailed (beginning)
فَتَغَنَّى أَسْتَغْفِرُ اللهَ بَلْ نَا
حَwailed (completion) نُوَاحاًa lament يُذيبُmelting قَلبَthe heart of الجَمَادِinanimate matter
حَ نُوَاحاً يُذيبُ قَلبَ الجَمَادِ
So he sang—God forgive me! Rather, he
After dormancy and turmoil, passions they gave.
wailed a lament that could melt the heart of stone.
An era of light from Hafiz, and fire controlled,
بَاكِياًweeping شَجْوَهُhis sorrow تَرِنُّring قَوَافِيhis rhymes (beginning)
بَاكِياً شَجْوَهُ تَرِنُّ قَوَافِي
هِhis (completion) رَنِينَwith the ringing of النِّبالِarrows فِيin الأكْبَادِlivers
هِ رَنِينَ النِّبالِ فِي الأكْبَادِ
Weeping his sorrow, his rhymes rang
After prolonged slumber and tamping of flame told,
with the ringing of arrows in livers.
Poetry took in it a stairway seeking height,
ذَاكَthat وَالقَوْلُand the utterance لَيْسَnot يَعْدُوexceeds شَكاةًa complaint
ذَاكَ وَالقَوْلُ لَيْسَ يَعْدُو شَكاةً
لَوْif جَرَتْflowed أَدْمُعاًas tears جَرَتْwould flow بِجِسَادِwith red dye
لَوْ جَرَتْ أَدْمُعاً جَرَتْ بِجِسَادِ
And those words were no more than a complaint
Raising him beyond peers in station and might.
that, had it flowed as tears, would have flowed blood-red.
Who saw the celebrated poet one day,
وَعِتَاباًand a reproach لَوْلاَwere it not for البَرَاءَةُbeing cleared مِنْهُof it
وَعِتَاباً لَوْلاَ البَرَاءَةُ مِنْهُ
عَاجِلاًpromptly كَانَwould be سُبَّةthe disgrace of الآبادِall ages
عَاجِلاً كَانَ سُبَّة الآبادِ
And a reproach which, had she not cleared herself
With throngs surrounding where he had his say,
promptly, would have been a disgrace for all ages.
Fulfilling from his podium, gazing far,
بَرِئَتْwas cleared مِصْرُEgypt مِنْهُof it بِالحَقِّrightfully لَمَّاwhen
بَرِئَتْ مِصْرُ مِنْهُ بِالحَقِّ لَمَّا
نَشِطَتْshe stirred مِنْfrom جُمُودِهَاher stagnation المُتَمَادِيprolonged
نَشِطَتْ مِنْ جُمُودِهَا المُتَمَادِي
Egypt rightly cleared herself of it when
Eyes kindling, shining like a steady star.
she stirred from her prolonged stagnation.
Broad shouldered, legs set apart, striding fast,
طَرَأَتْarose حَالَةٌa condition تَيَقَّظawakened فِيهَاin it
طَرَأَتْ حَالَةٌ تَيَقَّظ فِيهَا
لِدُعَاةِto the callers of الهُدَىguidance ضَمِيرُthe conscience of السَّوَادِthe masses
لِدُعَاةِ الهُدَى ضَمِيرُ السَّوَادِ
A condition arose in which there awakened,
Smiling or frowning, features veiling past,
to the callers of guidance, the conscience of the masses.
Chanting the throng, his visage above, guiding,
فَإِذَاand behold حَافِظٌHafiz وَقَدْand had smiled بَشَّwhat مَاwithin him was in it—his soul (continued) (in) فِيin
فَإِذَا حَافِظٌ وَقَدْ بَشَّ مَا فِي
نَفْسِهِhis soul مِنْof تَجَهمٍfrowning وَارْبِدَادِand darkening
نَفْسِهِ مِنْ تَجَهمٍ وَارْبِدَادِ
And behold Hafiz, with all that lay
As melodious songster or dove a-gliding.
frowning and dark within his soul now smiling.
No coyness to him but fleeting dimple dents,
وَبَدَاand appeared لِلمُنَىfor the aspirations الجَلاَئِلِgreat فِيهَاwithin her
وَبَدَا لِلمُنَى الجَلاَئِلِ فِيهَا
أُفُقٌa horizon وَاسِعُbroad المَدَىin reach لاِرْتِيَادِfor exploration
أُفُقٌ وَاسِعُ المَدَى لاِرْتِيَادِ
And for great aspirations there appeared within her
Sparking lightly his cheeks as he relents,
a broad-reaching horizon to explore.
Captivating all hearts with subtle gestures ample,
مَاnever تَجَلَّىshone نُبُوغُهُhis genius كَتَجَلِّيlike its shining (beginning)
مَا تَجَلَّى نُبُوغُهُ كَتَجَلِّي
هِits (completion) وَقَدْand indeed هَبَّrose مُصْطَفَىMustafa لِلجِهَادِto the struggle
هِ وَقَدْ هَبَّ مُصْطَفَى لِلجِهَادِ
His genius never shone as it did
And excellent voice, reciting as he's able.
when Mustafa rose to the struggle.
And verses no eyelid blinked throughout its stream,
يَوْمَthe day نَادَىcalled الفَتَىthe young man العَظِيمُgreat فَلَبَّىso answered
يَوْمَ نَادَى الفَتَى العَظِيمُ فَلَبَّى
مَنْthose who نَبَاturned away قَبْلَهُbefore him بِصَوْتِfrom the voice of المُنَادِيthe caller
مَنْ نَبَا قَبْلَهُ بِصَوْتِ المُنَادِي
The day the great young man called, there answered
Issuing from fervor and creed its theme,
those who had previously turned from the caller's voice.
Who saw Hafiz warning, giving tidings clear,
وَوَرَىand caught fire ذَلِكَthat الشُّعورُfeeling الَّذيwhich كَاwas (beginning)
وَوَرَى ذَلِكَ الشُّعورُ الَّذي كَا
نَwas (completion) كَمِيناًhidden كَالنَّارِlike fire تَحْتَbeneath الرَّمَادِashes
نَ كَمِيناً كَالنَّارِ تَحْتَ الرَّمَادِ
And that feeling caught fire, which had
Charging, withdrawing, no fatigue adhered,
lain hidden like fire beneath ashes.
Trilling with vitality, pausing for none,
فَتَأَتَّىthen came بَعْدَafter القُنُوطِdespair الدَّجُوجِpitch-dark (beginning)
فَتَأَتَّى بَعْدَ القُنُوطِ الدَّجُوجِ
يِّpitch-dark (completion) رَجَاءٌhope لِلشَّاعِرِfor the poet المِجْوَادِrichly gifted
يِّ رَجَاءٌ لِلشَّاعِرِ المِجْوَادِ
Then, after pitch-dark despair, there came
Then screeching with harsh cacophony, undone,
hope to the richly gifted poet.
He shouts the aloof cry, only echoes return,
مَسَّtouched مِنْهُwithin him السَّوَادَthe darkness فَانْبَجَسَتْso burst forth نَاfire (beginning)
مَسَّ مِنْهُ السَّوَادَ فَانْبَجَسَتْ نَا
رٌfire (completion) وَنُورٌand light مِنْfrom طَيِّwithin ذَاكَthat السَّوَادِdarkness
رٌ وَنُورٌ مِنْ طَيِّ ذَاكَ السَّوَادِ
It touched the darkness in him, and there burst
As if the ether carries lightning to shake and burn,
fire and light from within that darkness.
A pride for the worthy that nothing deters,
أَكْبَرَmarveled at الدَّهْرُtime وَثْبَةًa leap وَثَبَتْهَاshe made it
أَكْبَرَ الدَّهْرُ وَثْبَةً وَثَبَتْهَا
مِصْرُEgypt مُفْتَكَّةbreaking free مِنَfrom الأصْفَادِshackles
مِصْرُ مُفْتَكَّة مِنَ الأصْفَادِ
Time marveled at a leap that
And humiliation for the craven that nothing spurs,
Egypt made, breaking free of shackles.
A banner's flap, marching to glory ahead,
وَثُغَاءًand a bleating غَدَاbecame هَزِيماًa thunderous roar فَأْلْقَىso cast
وَثُغَاءً غَدَا هَزِيماً فَأْلْقَى
رُعْبَهُits terror فِيinto مَرابِضِthe lairs of الاسَادِlions
رُعْبَهُ فِي مَرابِضِ الاسَادِ
And at a bleating that became a thunderous roar, casting
To the heroes' rhythm, onwards lead.
its terror into the lions' lairs.
For the spirit reverberating in these odes,
مَاwhat الَّذيthat which أَخْرَجَbrought out الشَّجاعَةَcourage مِنْfrom حَيْwhere (beginning)
مَا الَّذي أَخْرَجَ الشَّجاعَةَ مِنْ حَيْ
ثُwhere (completion) طَوَتْهَاhad hidden it قُرُونُcenturies of الاِسْتِبْدَادِdespotism
ثُ طَوَتْهَا قُرُونُ الاِسْتِبْدَادِ
What brought courage out from
Is the spirit of a people, and the voice their abodes,
where centuries of despotism had hidden it?
O one who enriched the age with relics plenteous!
وَجَلاَand unveiled غُرَّةَthe bright brow of الصَّلاَحِvirtue فَلاَحَتْso it shone
وَجَلاَ غُرَّةَ الصَّلاَحِ فَلاَحَتْ
تَزْدَهِيglorying مِنْfrom غَيَاهِبِthe darkness of الإِفسَادِcorruption
تَزْدَهِي مِنْ غَيَاهِبِ الإِفسَادِ
And unveiled the bright brow of virtue, so it shone,
My verses failed before the task so grievous,
glorying amid the darkness of corruption?
Though eloquent, they fall short in accolades listed,
فَإِذَاand behold أُمَّةa nation أَبِيَّةrefusing ضَيْمٍoppression
فَإِذَا أُمَّة أَبِيَّة ضَيْمٍ
مَاnot لَهَاshe has غَيْرُother than حَقِّهاher right مِنْany عَتَادِequipment
مَا لَهَا غَيْرُ حَقِّها مِنْ عَتَادِ
And behold a nation that refused oppression,
For one whose remembrance immortality twisted,
with no equipment but its rightful claim.
It suffices you are mentioned, your memory indeed,
نَهَضَتْshe rose فَجأْةًsuddenly تُنَافِحُcontending فِيat آone moment (beginning)
نَهَضَتْ فَجأْةً تُنَافِحُ فِي آ
نٍmoment (completion) عَدُوَّيْنِtwo enemies أَسْرَفَاthey went to extremes فِيin اللِّدَادِhostility
نٍ عَدُوَّيْنِ أَسْرَفَا فِي اللِّدَادِ
She rose suddenly to contend at one
Is worthiest of all to eternity cede.
moment against two fiercely hostile enemies:
أَجْنَبِياًa foreigner أَلْقَىcast المَرَاسِيَthe anchors حَتَّىuntil
أَجْنَبِياً أَلْقَى المَرَاسِيَ حَتَّى
تُقْلِعَare uprooted الرَّاسِيَاتُthe firmly rooted things فِيin الاطْوَادِthe mountains
تُقْلِعَ الرَّاسِيَاتُ فِي الاطْوَادِ
a foreigner who cast his anchors to remain until
what stood rooted in the mountains was uprooted;
وَهَوَاناًand abasement كَأنَّماas though طَبَعَstamped الشَّعْthe people (beginning)
وَهَوَاناً كَأنَّما طَبَعَ الشَّعْ
بَpeople (completion) عَلَيْهupon it تَقَادُمُthe long duration of الإِخْلاَدِacquiescence
بَ عَلَيْه تَقَادُمُ الإِخْلاَدِ
and an abasement upon which the people seemed stamped
by long years of acquiescence.
حَلْبَةٌan arena يُعذَرُis excused المُقَصِّرُthe laggard فِيهَاin it
حَلْبَةٌ يُعذَرُ المُقَصِّرُ فِيهَا
وَالخَوَاتِيمُand the endings رَهْنُdepend upon تِلْكَthose المَبَادِيbeginnings
وَالخَوَاتِيمُ رَهْنُ تِلْكَ المَبَادِي
An arena in which the laggard may be excused,
and the endings depend upon those beginnings.
لَيْسَis not تَغْيِيرُchanging مَاwhat بِقَوْمٍis within a people يَسِيراًeasy
لَيْسَ تَغْيِيرُ مَا بِقَوْمٍ يَسِيراً
كَيْفَhow مَاwhat عُوِّدُوهُthey were habituated to مِنْfor آمَادages
كَيْفَ مَا عُوِّدُوهُ مِنْ آمَاد
Changing a people's condition is no easy thing;
how much less what they have been habituated to for ages.
غَيْرَexcept أَنَّthat الإِيمَانَfaith كَانَwas حَلِيفاًan ally
غَيْرَ أَنَّ الإِيمَانَ كَانَ حَلِيفاً
لِقُلُوبِto the hearts of الطَّليعَةthe vanguard الانْجَادvaliant
لِقُلُوبِ الطَّليعَة الانْجَاد
Yet faith was an ally
to the hearts of the valiant vanguard.
فَاسْتَعَانُواso they sought help بِهfrom it عَلَىfor مَاwhat ابْتَغُوْهُthey desired
فَاسْتَعَانُوا بِه عَلَى مَا ابْتَغُوْهُ
غَيْرَnot بَاغِينَoverreaching مِنْtoward بَعِيدِthe distant part of المُرَادthe aim
غَيْرَ بَاغِينَ مِنْ بَعِيدِ المُرَاد
So they sought its help for what they desired,
without overreaching toward distant aims.
لَمْnot يَطُلْwas long عَهْدُthe time since مِصْرَEgypt بِالوَثْبَةthe leap الأُوfirst (beginning)
لَمْ يَطُلْ عَهْدُ مِصْرَ بِالوَثْبَة الأُو
لَىfirst (completion) وَدُونَand before الوُصُولِarrival خَرْطُstripping القَتَادthorn-trees
لَى وَدُونَ الوُصُولِ خَرْطُ القَتَاد
Egypt's first leap was not long past,
and before arrival lay the stripping of thorn-trees.
فَتَرَاخَىso slackened فِيهَاwithin her وَثِيقُthe firm part of الاوَاخِيthe tethering stakes
فَتَرَاخَى فِيهَا وَثِيقُ الاوَاخِي
وَوَهَىand weakened الْجَزْلُthe stout part مِنْof عُرَىthe bonds of الاِتِّحادunion
وَوَهَى الْجَزْلُ مِنْ عُرَى الاِتِّحاد
Then her firmly planted tethering stakes slackened,
and the stout bonds of union weakened.
آيَةٌa sign أَخْفَقَتْfailed فَقَيَّضso brought forth أُخْرَىanother
آيَةٌ أَخْفَقَتْ فَقَيَّض أُخْرَى
أَثَرٌan act مِنْof عِنَايَةthe care of اللهGod بَادmanifest
أَثَرٌ مِنْ عِنَايَة الله بَاد
One sign failed; another was brought forth
by a manifest act of God's care.
فَزِعَتْrushed دِنْشِوَايُDinshaway تَحْمِيprotecting حَمَاماًpigeons
فَزِعَتْ دِنْشِوَايُ تَحْمِي حَمَاماً
مِنْfrom مُلِمِّينَintruders كَالذِّئَابِlike wolves الأَوَادِيmarauding
مِنْ مُلِمِّينَ كَالذِّئَابِ الأَوَادِي
Dinshaway rushed to protect pigeons
from intruders like marauding wolves.
فَتَصَدَّىso came forward لِلذَّوْدِto defend عَنْهُthem جُفَاةٌrustic folk
فَتَصَدَّى لِلذَّوْدِ عَنْهُ جُفَاةٌ
مِنْamong شُيُوخٍelders بِهَاthere وَمِنْand among أَوْلاَدِboys
مِنْ شُيُوخٍ بِهَا وَمِنْ أَوْلاَدِ
And rustic folk came forward to defend them,
both elders there and boys.
حَادِثٌan incident رَوَّعَappalled العَمِيدَthe commander أَيَخْشَاdid he fear it (beginning)
حَادِثٌ رَوَّعَ العَمِيدَ أَيَخْشَا
هُit (completion) وَسُلْطَانُهُwhile his power وَطِيدُfirm العِمَادِin foundations
هُ وَسُلْطَانُهُ وَطِيدُ العِمَادِ
An incident that appalled the commander—did he fear
it, when his power stood on firm foundations?
لاَno وَلَكِنَّbut عِزَّةًpride أَخَذَتْهُseized him
لاَ وَلَكِنَّ عِزَّةً أَخَذَتْهُ
عَنْfrom غُرُورٍconceit بِبَأْسِهِin his might وَاعْتِدَادِand self-regard
عَنْ غُرُورٍ بِبَأْسِهِ وَاعْتِدَادِ
No, but pride seized him,
from conceit in his might and self-regard.
سَفَهٌfolly جَرَّأَemboldened العَبِيدَthe slaves المَنَاكِيwretched (beginning)
سَفَهٌ جَرَّأَ العَبِيدَ المَنَاكِي
دَwretched (completion) عَلَىagainst مُعْتَقِيهِمِtheir emancipators الأَجْوَادِgenerous
دَ عَلَى مُعْتَقِيهِمِ الأَجْوَادِ
Folly emboldened the wretched slaves
against their generous emancipators.
فَخَلِيقٌso deserving بِهِمْthey are أَشَدthe harshest قِصَاصٍretribution
فَخَلِيقٌ بِهِمْ أَشَد قِصَاصٍ
حَلَّbefell بِالآبِقِينَrunaways وَالمُرَّادِand rebels
حَلَّ بِالآبِقِينَ وَالمُرَّادِ
So they deserved the harshest retribution
ever visited on runaways and rebels.
سَاقَهَاhe imposed it مُثْلَةًas exemplary punishment تَوَهَّمهَاhe imagined it خَيْرgood (beginning)
سَاقَهَا مُثْلَةً تَوَهَّمهَا خَيْر
اًgood (completion) وَكَانَتْand it became عَلَيْهِupon him شَرَّthe worst نَآدِcalamity
اً وَكَانَتْ عَلَيْهِ شَرَّ نَآدِ
He imposed an exemplary punishment, imagining it good,
but it became his worst calamity.
ذَاعَspread فِيamong الشَّعبِthe people وَصْفُهَاits description فَفَشَتْso spread آits pains (beginning)
ذَاعَ فِي الشَّعبِ وَصْفُهَا فَفَشَتْ آ
لاَمُهَاits pains (completion) فِيin القُلوبِhearts وَالأَجْسَادِand bodies
لاَمُهَا فِي القُلوبِ وَالأَجْسَادِ
Its description spread among the people, and its
pains spread through hearts and bodies.
وَكَأَنَّand as though السِّياطَthe lashes يَحْزُزْنَwere cutting فِيinto أَجْtheir skins (beginning)
وَكَأَنَّ السِّياطَ يَحْزُزْنَ فِي أَجْ
لاَدِهِtheir skins (completion) وَالحِبَالَand the ropes فِيinto الأَجْيَادِthe necks
لاَدِهِ وَالحِبَالَ فِي الأَجْيَادِ
As though the lashes were cutting into their
own skins, and the ropes into their necks.
كَانَwas تَرْجِيعُthe refrain of حَافِظٍHafiz نَوْحَthe lament of مَوْتوone bereaved (beginning)
كَانَ تَرْجِيعُ حَافِظٍ نَوْحَ مَوْتو
رٍone bereaved (completion) فَدَوىso he roared كَاللَّيْثِlike a lion بالإِيعَادِwith threats
رٍ فَدَوى كَاللَّيْثِ بالإِيعَادِ
Hafiz's refrain was the lament of one bereaved,
and he roared threats like a lion.
فِيin قَوَافٍrhymes بِهِنَّthrough them تَنْطِقُwould speak لَوْif أُوْwere given (beginning)
فِي قَوَافٍ بِهِنَّ تَنْطِقُ لَوْ أُوْ
تِيَتِwere given (completion) النطْقَspeech أَلسُنُthe tongues of الأَحْقَادِhatreds
تِيَتِ النطْقَ أَلسُنُ الأَحْقَادِ
In rhymes through which would speak, if given
speech, the tongues of hatred.
عَلَّمَتْthey taught خَافِضِيthose lowering الجَنَاحِthe wing لِبَاغٍto a tyrant
عَلَّمَتْ خَافِضِي الجَنَاحِ لِبَاغٍ
كيْفَhow شَأْنُthe relation of الحَمَامِpigeons وَالصَّيادِand the hunter
كيْفَ شَأْنُ الحَمَامِ وَالصَّيادِ
They taught those who lowered their wings to a tyrant
the relation between pigeons and the hunter.
وُعِدَwere promised الصَّابِرُونَthe patient بِالفَوْزِvictory وَعْداًa promise
وُعِدَ الصَّابِرُونَ بِالفَوْزِ وَعْداً
حَقَّقتْهُfulfilled it أَنْبَاؤُهُمْtheir histories بِاطرَادِsteadily
حَقَّقتْهُ أَنْبَاؤُهُمْ بِاطرَادِ
The patient were promised victory—a promise
their histories steadily fulfilled.
إِنَّماindeed الصَّبرُpatience فِيwithin النفُوسِsouls جَنِينan embryo
إِنَّما الصَّبرُ فِي النفُوسِ جَنِين
يُرْهِقُburdens الحَامِلاَتِthose carrying it قَبْلَbefore الوِلاَدِbirth
يُرْهِقُ الحَامِلاَتِ قَبْلَ الوِلاَدِ
Patience within souls is but an embryo
that burdens those carrying it before birth.
كَيْفَhow يَأْتِيbrings بِهِit forth ارْتِجَالٌimprovisation وَلَمْand not يَأْproduced (beginning)
كَيْفَ يَأْتِي بِهِ ارْتِجَالٌ وَلَمْ يَأْ
تِproduced (completion) ارْتِجَالٌimprovisation يَوْماًever بِقَوْلٍan utterance مُجَادِwell-wrought
تِ ارْتِجَالٌ يَوْماً بِقَوْلٍ مُجَادِ
How can improvisation bring it forth, when improvisation
has never once produced a well-wrought utterance?
خلقa virtue عَزَّwas rare فِيamong الجَمَاعَاتِcommunities مِنْbecause of فَرْthe excess of (beginning)
خلق عَزَّ فِي الجَمَاعَاتِ مِنْ فَرْ
طِexcess (completion) تَكَالِيفِهِits demands وَفِيand among الآحَادِindividuals
طِ تَكَالِيفِهِ وَفِي الآحَادِ
A virtue rare among communities because of its excessive
demands, and rare among individuals.
طَالَمَاhow often خَانَfailed فِيin النِّضالِthe struggle الجَمَاهِthe masses (beginning)
طَالَمَا خَانَ فِي النِّضالِ الجَمَاهِ
ييرَmasses (completion) فَأَلقَتْso they surrendered لِغَاصِبٍto a usurper بِالقِيَادِthe reins
ييرَ فَأَلقَتْ لِغَاصِبٍ بِالقِيَادِ
How often it failed the masses in their struggle,
so they surrendered the reins to a usurper.
بَعْدَafter وَثْبٍa leap فِيin إِثْرِthe wake of وَثْبٍa leap عَنِيفٍviolent
بَعْدَ وَثْبٍ فِي إِثْرِ وَثْبٍ عَنِيفٍ
وَارْتِدَادٍand retreat فِيin الشَّوْطِthe course غِبafter ارْتِدَادِretreat
وَارْتِدَادٍ فِي الشَّوْطِ غِب ارْتِدَادِ
After one violent leap upon another,
and retreat in the course after retreat.
سَاوَرَassailed الأُمَّةthe nation التَّرَددَhesitation وَالْتَاand became confused (beginning)
سَاوَرَ الأُمَّة التَّرَددَ وَالْتَا
ثَbecame confused (completion) عَلَيْهَاfor her فِيin السَّيرِadvancing وَجْهُthe way of الرَّشَادِright guidance
ثَ عَلَيْهَا فِي السَّيرِ وَجْهُ الرَّشَادِ
Hesitation assailed the nation, and
the right path forward grew confused for her.
وَتَبَدَّىand appeared الإِحْجَامُreluctance فِيin صُورَةٍa form زَلاَّslippery (beginning)
وَتَبَدَّى الإِحْجَامُ فِي صُورَةٍ زَلاَّ
ءَslippery (completion) جَرَّتْinvited إِقْدَامَthe advance of أَهْلِthe people of الفَسَادِcorruption
ءَ جَرَّتْ إِقْدَامَ أَهْلِ الفَسَادِ
And reluctance appeared in a slippery
form that invited the corrupt to advance.
بالدِّعَايَاتِwith propaganda وَالسِّعايَاتِand intrigues حَامواthey circled
بالدِّعَايَاتِ وَالسِّعايَاتِ حَاموا
حَوْلَهَاaround her لِلسِّوَامِfor bargaining أَوْor لِلرِّوَادِfor scouting
حَوْلَهَا لِلسِّوَامِ أَوْ لِلرِّوَادِ
With propaganda and intrigues they circled
around her, to bargain or to scout.
لاَdo not تَسَلْask يَوْمَذَاكthat day عَنْabout جَلدِthe steadfastness of القاthe leaders (beginning)
لاَ تَسَلْ يَوْمَذَاك عَنْ جَلدِ القا
دَةِleaders (completion) فِيin مُلْتقىconfronting الخطوبِthe trials الشِّدَادِgrievous
دَةِ فِي مُلْتقى الخطوبِ الشِّدَادِ
Do not ask that day about the leaders'
steadfastness in confronting grievous trials.
كلَّمَاwhenever ازْدَادَتِincreased الصِّعابُthe hardships أَبَوْاthey refused إِلاَّanything but
كلَّمَا ازْدَادَتِ الصِّعابُ أَبَوْا إِلاَّ
كِفاحاًstruggle وَعَزْمُهُمْand their resolve فِيin ازْدِيَادِincrease
كِفاحاً وَعَزْمُهُمْ فِي ازْدِيَادِ
Whenever hardships increased, they would accept nothing but
struggle, their resolve increasing.
يَبْذلونَthey expend القُوىstrength وَفَوْقَand beyond القوَىstrength غَيْwithout (beginning)
يَبْذلونَ القُوى وَفَوْقَ القوَى غَيْ
رَwithout (completion) مُبَالينَcaring أَنَّهاthat it لِنَفَادِwould be exhausted
رَ مُبَالينَ أَنَّها لِنَفَادِ
They spent their strength, and more than their strength,
heedless that it would be exhausted.
وَالزعِيمُand the leader الأَبَرmost dutiful أَطْيَبُهُمْthe most willing of them نَفْسin spirit (beginning)
وَالزعِيمُ الأَبَر أَطْيَبُهُمْ نَفْس
اًin spirit (completion) عَنِto relinquish النَّفسِlife فِيin صِرَاعِthe struggle against العَوَادِيcalamities
اً عَنِ النَّفسِ فِي صِرَاعِ العَوَادِي
And the most dutiful leader was the readiest
to give his life in battling calamities.
هَلْdoes يُنَجِّيrescue شعْباًa people مِنَfrom اليَاسdespair إِلاَّanything except
هَلْ يُنَجِّي شعْباً مِنَ اليَاس إِلاَّ
حَدَثan event مِنْamong خَوَارِقِthe things transcending المُعْتادِthe ordinary
حَدَث مِنْ خَوَارِقِ المُعْتادِ
Can anything rescue a people from despair except
an event that breaks the bounds of the ordinary?
مُصْطَفَىMustafa مُصْطفَىMustafa بِحَسْبِكَsufficient for you إِنْif يُذْis mentioned (beginning)
مُصْطَفَى مُصْطفَى بِحَسْبِكَ إِنْ يُذْ
كَرْis mentioned (completion) فِدَاءٌsacrifice أَنْthat كنْتَyou were أَولthe first فَادِone to sacrifice
كَرْ فِدَاءٌ أَنْ كنْتَ أَول فَادِ
Mustafa, Mustafa, sufficient honor for you, when
sacrifice is mentioned, that you were the first to sacrifice.
مُصْطَفَىMustafa مُصْطَفَىMustafa لِيَهْنِئْكَmay it gladden you أَنْthat أَحyou gave life (beginning)
مُصْطَفَى مُصْطَفَى لِيَهْنِئْكَ أَنْ أَح
يَيْتَyou gave life (completion) قَوْماًto a people بِذَاكَthrough that الاِسْتِشْهَادِmartyrdom
يَيْتَ قَوْماً بِذَاكَ الاِسْتِشْهَادِ
Mustafa, Mustafa, rejoice that you
gave a people life through that martyrdom.
دَبstirred فِيْهِمْwithin them رُوحa spirit جَدِيدٌnew لَهُit has مَاwhat
دَب فِيْهِمْ رُوح جَدِيدٌ لَهُ مَا
بَعْدَهُfollows it فِيin القلوبِhearts وَالإِخلادِand enduring remembrance
بَعْدَهُ فِي القلوبِ وَالإِخلادِ
A new spirit stirred in them, shaping what would
follow in hearts and enduring remembrance.
تنقضِيpass away الحَادِثَاتevents بعْدَكafter you وَالروand the spirit (beginning)
تنقضِي الحَادِثَات بعْدَك وَالرو
حُspirit (completion) مُقِيمabiding فِيهِمْwithin them عَلَىthrough الابَادِall ages
حُ مُقِيم فِيهِمْ عَلَى الابَادِ
Events pass away after you, but the
spirit abides within them for all ages.
كَادَalmost يَوْمa day شيعْتَyou were borne to burial فِيهِon it يُرِيهِمْshowed them
كَادَ يَوْم شيعْتَ فِيهِ يُرِيهِمْ
لَمحَةًa glimpse مِنْof جَلاَلِthe majesty of يَوْمِthe day of المَعَادِresurrection
لَمحَةً مِنْ جَلاَلِ يَوْمِ المَعَادِ
The day of your funeral almost showed them
a glimpse of the majesty of Resurrection Day.
صَدَرُواthey departed عَنْهُfrom it بِالتَّعارُفِwith mutual recognition فِيمَاwithin what
صَدَرُوا عَنْهُ بِالتَّعارُفِ فِيمَا
بَيْنَهُمْwas between them وَهْوَand it قوَّةُthe strength of الأَعْدَادِnumbers
بَيْنَهُمْ وَهْوَ قوَّةُ الأَعْدَادِ
They left it with mutual recognition
among themselves, which is the strength of numbers.
وَاسْتَشَفواand they discerned لِبَأْسِهِمْof their might فِيهِin it سِراa secret
وَاسْتَشَفوا لِبَأْسِهِمْ فِيهِ سِرا
كَمْhow long تَحَامَىshrank from أَنْthat يُدْرِكوهُthey should perceive it الأعَادِيthe enemies
كَمْ تَحَامَى أَنْ يُدْرِكوهُ الأعَادِي
And in it they discerned a secret of their might
that enemies had long shrunk from recognizing.
هَذِهِthis مِصْرُEgypt الفَتِيَّةyouthful هَبتْrose
هَذِهِ مِصْرُ الفَتِيَّة هَبتْ
فِيin صُفوفٍranks فَتِيَّةyouthful لِلذيَادِfor defense
فِي صُفوفٍ فَتِيَّة لِلذيَادِ
This is youthful Egypt, risen
in youthful ranks to defend herself.
رَجَلٌa man مَاتَdied مُخْلِفاًleaving behind مِنْهُfrom him جِيلاa generation
رَجَلٌ مَاتَ مُخْلِفاً مِنْهُ جِيلا
رَابَطَsteadfast الجَأْشِof heart غَيْرَnot سَهْلِeasy المَقَادِto lead
رَابَطَ الجَأْشِ غَيْرَ سَهْلِ المَقَادِ
A man died, leaving behind him a generation
steadfast of heart, not easily led.
إِنْif دَعَاهُcalled it الحِفَاظُhonor أَقْبَلَcame غِلْماboys (beginning)
إِنْ دَعَاهُ الحِفَاظُ أَقْبَلَ غِلْما
نboys (completion) سِرَاعٌswift مِنَfrom القُرَىvillages وَالبَوَادِيand deserts
ن سِرَاعٌ مِنَ القُرَى وَالبَوَادِي
If honor called it, boys came
swiftly from villages and deserts.
أَحْدَثُواthey brought about فِيin البِلاَدِthe country عَهْدَan age of لَجَاجٍpersistence
أَحْدَثُوا فِي البِلاَدِ عَهْدَ لَجَاجٍ
فِيin تَقَاضِيdemanding حُقُوقِهَاits rights وَعِنَادِand defiance
فِي تَقَاضِي حُقُوقِهَا وَعِنَادِ
They brought the country an age of persistence
in demanding its rights, and of defiance.
عَهْدُan age of نُورٍlight مِنَfrom الحِفَاظِhonor وَنَارٍand fire
عَهْدُ نُورٍ مِنَ الحِفَاظِ وَنَارٍ
بَعْدَafter طُولِthe long duration of الخُمُودِdormancy وَالإِخْمَادِand suppression
بَعْدَ طُولِ الخُمُودِ وَالإِخْمَادِ
An age of light from honor, and of fire,
after long dormancy and suppression.
اتَخِذَتْmade عَبْقَرِيَّةthe genius of الشِّعرِpoetry فِيهِof it
اتَخِذَتْ عَبْقَرِيَّة الشِّعرِ فِيهِ
سُلَّماًa ladder لِلعُرُوجِfor ascent وَالإِصْعَادِand rising
سُلَّماً لِلعُرُوجِ وَالإِصْعَادِ
The genius of poetry made of that age
a ladder for ascent and rising.
أَبْلَغَتْraised حَافِظاًHafiz مِنَin الحَظِّfortune أَوْجاًto a pinnacle
أَبْلَغَتْ حَافِظاً مِنَ الحَظِّ أَوْجاً
زَادَincreased مِنْهُfrom it العَلْيَاءَthe heights كًلَّevery مَزَادِincrease
زَادَ مِنْهُ العَلْيَاءَ كًلَّ مَزَادِ
It raised Hafiz to a pinnacle of fortune,
whence he rose to ever greater heights.
مَنْwhoever رَأَىsaw الشَّاعِرَthe poet المُفَوَّةَeloquent يَوْماًone day
مَنْ رَأَى الشَّاعِرَ المُفَوَّةَ يَوْماً
وَحَوَالَيْهِand around him أُمَّةa nation فِيin احْتِشَادِassembly
وَحَوَالَيْهِ أُمَّة فِي احْتِشَادِ
Whoever saw the eloquent poet one day,
with a nation assembled around him,
مُوفِياًstanding high مِنْon مِنَصَّةthe platform of القَوْلِspeech يَرْنُوgazing
مُوفِياً مِنْ مِنَصَّة القَوْلِ يَرْنُو
بِاتَّئادٍdeliberately وَلَحْظُهُand his glance فِيin اتِّقادِblazing intensity
بِاتَّئادٍ وَلَحْظُهُ فِي اتِّقادِ
standing high on the speaker's platform, gazing
deliberately, his glance ablaze,
وَاسِعَbroad المَنْكِبَيْنِin both shoulders مُنْفَرِجَwide الحُat both hips (beginning)
وَاسِعَ المَنْكِبَيْنِ مُنْفَرِجَ الحُ
قْوَيْنِboth hips (completion) يَخْطُوtakes خُطَاهُhis steps كَالمُتَهَادِيlike one swaying
قْوَيْنِ يَخْطُو خُطَاهُ كَالمُتَهَادِي
broad of shoulders, wide at the
hips, taking his steps with a swaying gait,
بَاسِماًsmiling أَوْor مُقَطِّباًfrowning عَنْrevealing مُحَيَّاa face
بَاسِماً أَوْ مُقَطِّباً عَنْ مُحَيَّا
بَارِزِprominent العَارِضَيْنِin both cheeks فَوْقَabove الهَادِيthe neck
بَارِزِ العَارِضَيْنِ فَوْقَ الهَادِي
smiling or frowning, revealing a face
with prominent cheeks above his neck,
عَزَّwas sparse مِنْهُon him العِذَارُthe cheek-beard إِلاَّexcept تَفَارِscattered tufts (beginning)
عَزَّ مِنْهُ العِذَارُ إِلاَّ تَفَارِ
يقَscattered tufts (completion) خِفافاًlight فِيon الوَجْنَتَيْنِboth cheeks بَدَادِscattered
يقَ خِفافاً فِي الوَجْنَتَيْنِ بَدَادِ
his cheek-beard sparse except for
light, scattered tufts upon both cheeks,
يُنْشِدُrecites to الحَفْلَthe gathering فَاتِناًenchanting كُلَّevery لُبٍmind
يُنْشِدُ الحَفْلَ فَاتِناً كُلَّ لُبٍ
بِبَدِيعِwith exquisite الإِيمَاءِgesture والإِنْشَادِand recitation
بِبَدِيعِ الإِيمَاءِ والإِنْشَادِ
reciting to the gathering, enchanting every mind
with exquisite gesture and delivery,
وَبِشِعْرٍand with poetry لاَnot يُطْرَفُblinks الجَفْنُthe eyelid فِيهِduring it
وَبِشِعْرٍ لاَ يُطْرَفُ الجَفْنُ فِيهِ
صَادِرٍspringing عَنْfrom حَمِيَّةardor وَاعْتقَادِand conviction
صَادِرٍ عَنْ حَمِيَّة وَاعْتقَادِ
and with poetry at which no eyelid blinks,
springing from ardor and conviction;
مَنْwhoever رَأَىsaw حَافِظاًHafiz نَذِيراًa warner بَشِيراًa bearer of glad tidings
مَنْ رَأَى حَافِظاً نَذِيراً بَشِيراً
جَائِلاًroaming صَائِلاًcharging بِغَيْرِwithout اتِّئادِdeliberation
جَائِلاً صَائِلاً بِغَيْرِ اتِّئادِ
whoever saw Hafiz warning and bringing glad tidings,
roaming and charging without deliberation,
غَرِداًsinging كَالهَزَارِlike a nightingale آنَاًat one moment وَآناًand at another
غَرِداً كَالهَزَارِ آنَاً وَآناً
حَرِداًraging كَالخِضِمِّlike the vast sea ذِيpossessing الإِزْبَادِfoam
حَرِداً كَالخِضِمِّ ذِي الإِزْبَادِ
at one moment singing like a nightingale, at another
raging like the foaming sea,
يَنْبِرُraises النَّبرَةَthe note العَزُوفَringing فَمَاso nothing تُis heard (beginning)
يَنْبِرُ النَّبرَةَ العَزُوفَ فَمَا تُ
سْمَعُis heard (completion) إِلاَّexcept أَصْدَاؤُهَاits echoes فِيin الوَادِيthe valley
سْمَعُ إِلاَّ أَصْدَاؤُهَا فِي الوَادِي
raising a ringing note, so that nothing
is heard but its echoes in the valley,
وَكَأَنَّand as though الأَثِيرَthe ether يَحْمِلُcarries مِنْهَاfrom it
وَكَأَنَّ الأَثِيرَ يَحْمِلُ مِنْهَا
كَهْرَبَاءًelectricity تَهُزُّshaking كُلَّevery فُؤَادِheart
كَهْرَبَاءً تَهُزُّ كُلَّ فُؤَادِ
as though the ether carried from it
electricity that shook every heart—
فَهْيَso it عِزٌّhonor لِلأَرْيَحِيِّto the generous man المُفَادِيwho sacrifices
فَهْيَ عِزٌّ لِلأَرْيَحِيِّ المُفَادِي
وَهْيَand it ذُلٌّhumiliation لِلخَائِسِto the faithless man المُتَفَادِيwho evades sacrifice
وَهْيَ ذُلٌّ لِلخَائِسِ المُتَفَادِي
it is honor to the generous man who sacrifices,
and humiliation to the faithless man who evades sacrifice.
وَهْيَand it خَفْقُthe flutter of اللِّوَاءِthe banner يَحْدُوهُurges it onward مِنْfrom إِيthe rhythm (beginning)
وَهْيَ خَفْقُ اللِّوَاءِ يَحْدُوهُ مِنْ إِي
قَاعِrhythm (completion) أَبْطَالِهِof its heroes إِلىtoward المَجْدِglory حَادِيa guiding singer
قَاعِ أَبْطَالِهِ إِلى المَجْدِ حَادِي
It is the flutter of the banner, urged onward by a singer, from
the rhythm of its heroes toward glory.
ذَاكَthat أَنَّbecause الرُّوحَthe spirit المُرَدَّدَresounding فِيهَاwithin it
ذَاكَ أَنَّ الرُّوحَ المُرَدَّدَ فِيهَا
رُوحُthe spirit of شَعْبٍa people وَالصَّوْتَand the voice صَوْتُthe voice of بِلاَدِa country
رُوحُ شَعْبٍ وَالصَّوْتَ صَوْتُ بِلاَدِ
That is because the spirit resounding within it
is a people's spirit, and the voice a country's voice.
أَيُّهاO الرَّاحِلُdeparted one الَّذِيwho مَلأَfilled العَصْthe age (beginning)
أَيُّها الرَّاحِلُ الَّذِي مَلأَ العَصْ
رَage (completion) بِآثَارِهِwith his works الرَّغَابِabundant الجِيَادِexcellent
رَ بِآثَارِهِ الرَّغَابِ الجِيَادِ
O departed one, who filled the
age with his abundant, excellent works,
أَعْجَزَتْنِيfailed me قَبْلَbefore التَّمامِcompletion القَوَافِيthe rhymes
أَعْجَزَتْنِي قَبْلَ التَّمامِ القَوَافِي
وَالقَوَافِيand the rhymes تَضَنُّbegrudge بِالإِمْدَادِtheir aid
وَالقَوَافِي تَضَنُّ بِالإِمْدَادِ
the rhymes have failed me before completion,
and rhymes begrudge their aid.
قَدْكَenough for you مِنْهَاfrom them بَيَانُan account of مَفْخَرَةٍa glorious achievement وَاعْand forgive (beginning)
قَدْكَ مِنْهَا بَيَانُ مَفْخَرَةٍ وَاعْ
ذِرْforgive (completion) قُصُوراًa shortcoming بِهَاin them عَنِin التَّعدَادِenumerating
ذِرْ قُصُوراً بِهَا عَنِ التَّعدَادِ
Let this account of an achievement suffice you from them, and
forgive their failure to enumerate them all.
بِتْpass the night قَرِيراًat peace فإِنَّfor indeed ذِكْرَاكَyour memory فِينَاamong us
بِتْ قَرِيراً فإِنَّ ذِكْرَاكَ فِينَا
أَجْدَرُmost worthy الذِّكْرَيَاتِof memories بِالإِخْلاَدِof perpetuation
أَجْدَرُ الذِّكْرَيَاتِ بِالإِخْلاَدِ
Rest at peace, for your memory among us
is the memory most worthy of perpetuation.
Partial English translation: 200 of 336 Arabic lines translated.
Sol 6.1