يَاO مَنْyou who شَكَتْlamented أَلَمِيmy pain مَعِيwith me
يَا مَنْ شَكَتْ أَلَمِي مَعِي
طيَّبتِهِyou soothed it فِيin مَسْمَعِيmy hearing
طيَّبتِهِ فِي مَسْمَعِي
O you who lamented my pain with me,
O you who shared my pain and soothed me,
you soothed it in my hearing.
Your plaints are balm upon my wounds.
شَكْوَاكِyour lament ألْطَفُthe gentlest بَلْسَمٍbalm
شَكْوَاكِ ألْطَفُ بَلْسَمٍ
لِجِرَاحَةِfor the wound of المُتَوَجِّعِthe sufferer
لِجِرَاحَةِ المُتَوَجِّعِ
Your lament is the gentlest balm
Though ruin's shadow hovers ominously,
for the sufferer's wound.
All beauty in your song abounds.
مَاhow أعْلَقَclosely clinging الشَّدْوَthe singing الرَّخيمَmellow
مَا أعْلَقَ الشَّدْوَ الرَّخيمَ
بِكُلِّto every قَلَّبٍٍheart مُولَعِenraptured
بِكُلِّ قَلَّبٍٍ مُولَعِ
How closely the mellow song clings
Each branch and leaf in rapture quivers
to every enraptured heart!
At your sweet trilling's wondrous sound.
غَنِّيsing أهَازِيجَsongs النَّوَىseparation
غَنِّي أهَازِيجَ النَّوَى
وَعَلَىand to نُواحِيmy lament أَوْقِعيset the rhythm
وَعَلَى نُواحِي أَوْقِعي
Sing the songs of separation,
Pour forth your nones and evensong,
and set your rhythm to my lament.
Let joy in all this valley sound.
بِنْتَdaughter of الكِنَانةِKinana مَاwhat رَمَىcast
بِنْتَ الكِنَانةِ مَا رَمَى
بِكِyou بَيْنَamong هَذِيthese الأَرْبُعِdwellings
بِكِ بَيْنَ هَذِي الأَرْبُعِ
Daughter of Kinana, what has cast
O daughter sprung of noble house,
you among these dwellings?
What fate condemned and cast you down
فِيمَwhy اغْتَرْبتِdid you wander abroad وَكنْتِwhen you were فِيin
فِيمَ اغْتَرْبتِ وَكنْتِ فِي
ذَاكَthat الأَمَانِrefuge الأَمْنَعِmost secure
ذَاكَ الأَمَانِ الأَمْنَعِ
Why did you wander abroad, when you were in
From shelter of ancestral halls
that most secure refuge?
To alien place of lost renown?
أَحُمِلْتِwere you carried مَحْملَin the manner of سِلْعَةٍa commodity
أَحُمِلْتِ مَحْملَ سِلْعَةٍ
جَلَباًas imported goods بِغيْرِwithout تَطَوُّعِwilling consent
جَلَباً بِغيْرِ تَطَوُّعِ
Were you carried like a commodity,
You bore life's weight as common goods
imported without willing consent?
That hands may buy but hearts eschew.
فَفَرَرْتِthen you fled مِنْfrom قَفَصِthe cage of الْكَفِيلِthe keeper
فَفَرَرْتِ مِنْ قَفَصِ الْكَفِيلِ
إلىinto الْفَضَاءِthe expanse الأَوْسَعِwider
إلى الْفَضَاءِ الأَوْسَعِ
Then you fled the keeper's cage
You slipped your cage, unfolding wings
into the wider expanse,
To broader sky and worldview.
وَبِوُدِّكِand your wish is الْعَوْدُthe return الْقَريبُsoon
وَبِوُدِّكِ الْعَوْدُ الْقَريبُ
لِسِرْبِكِto your flock الْمُسْتمْتِعِenjoying ease
لِسِرْبِكِ الْمُسْتمْتِعِ
Wishing soon to return
Home is nearby for you, my bird,
to your flock enjoying its ease,
Freedom is joy for you, my pet.
فِيin مِصْرَEgypt مَصْرَخَةِa place of succor for اللَّهِيthe distressed (beginning)
فِي مِصْرَ مَصْرَخَةِ اللَّهِي
فِthe distressed (ending) وَمَلْجَإand a refuge for الْمُتَفَزِّعِthe frightened
فِ وَمَلْجَإ الْمُتَفَزِّعِ
In Egypt, the succor of the distressed,
In Egypt, refuge from alarm,
and the refuge of the frightened;
And plenty's bounty you'll soon get.
مِصْرَEgypt of السَّماءِthe sky الصَّحوِclear مِصْرَEgypt of
مِصْرَ السَّماءِ الصَّحوِ مِصْرَ
الدِّفْءِwarmth مِصْرَEgypt of المَشْبَعِsatiety
الدِّفْءِ مِصْرَ المَشْبَعِ
Egypt of clear skies, Egypt
In Egypt, sky and day serene,
of warmth, Egypt of plenty;
Warmth, satiation you will meet.
مِصْرَEgypt الِّتِيwhich مَاnot رِيعَwas frightened سَاits inhabitant (beginning)
مِصْرَ الِّتِي مَا رِيعَ سَا
كِنُهَاits inhabitant (ending) بِرِيحٍby a wind زَعْزَعِviolently shaking
كِنُهَا بِرِيحٍ زَعْزَعِ
Egypt, where no inhabitant
No tempest makes your dwelling shake,
has been frightened by a shaking wind;
No wind can bring your stead unseat.
حَيْثُwhere المَرَاعِيpastures وَالنَّدَىand dew
حَيْثُ المَرَاعِي وَالنَّدَى
لِلْمُرْتوِيfor the thirst-quenched وَالمُرْتَعِيand the grazing one
لِلْمُرْتوِي وَالمُرْتَعِي
Where there are pastures and dew
Green pastures, meadows fresh with dew,
for those that drink and graze;
Water and shade for all who roam.
حَيْثُwhere السَّوَاقِيwatercourses الْحَانِيَاtenderly bending (beginning)
حَيْثُ السَّوَاقِي الْحَانِيَا
تُtenderly bending (ending) عَلَىover الطُّيورِthe birds الرُّضَّعِnestlings
تُ عَلَى الطُّيورِ الرُّضَّعِ
Where the watercourses bend tenderly
Fountains pour freely for the birds,
over the fledgling birds;
As freely as in native home.
حَيْثُwhere الْحَرَارَةُwarmth مَاcontinually تُوَاtends (beginning)
حَيْثُ الْحَرَارَةُ مَا تُوَا
لtends (ending) ربِيبَهَاits fosterling يَتَرَعْرَعِflourishes
ل ربِيبَهَا يَتَرَعْرَعِ
Where warmth keeps tending
The sun's bright nurse will ever tend
its fosterling as it flourishes.
Each fledgling sparrow in its nest.
أَمْor أَنْتِyou مِنْamong تِلْكَthose الْجَوَاwanderers (beginning)
أَمْ أَنْتِ مِنْ تِلْكَ الْجَوَا
لِيwanderers (ending) فِيthrough الْفصُولِthe seasons الأَرْبَعِfour
لِي فِي الْفصُولِ الأَرْبَعِ
Or are you one of those wanderers
Or are you from those lands afar
through all four seasons,
Where seasons four festoon their best?
لاَnot تَعرِفِينَyou know مِنَof الزَّمَاtime (beginning)
لاَ تَعرِفِينَ مِنَ الزَّمَا
نِtime (ending) سِوَىexcept المَكَانِthe place المُمْرِعِlush
نِ سِوَى المَكَانِ المُمْرِعِ
Knowing, of all time's changes,
You know no time but temporary home,
only the lush green place?
Flitting restless, changing bemused,
تَثِبِينَyou leap مِنْfrom مُتَرَبَّعٍa spring pasture
تَثِبِينَ مِنْ مُتَرَبَّعٍ
أَبَداًforever إِلَىto مُترَبَّعِa spring pasture
أَبَداً إِلَى مُترَبَّعِ
You leap from one spring pasture
Perching awhile then swiftly gone,
forever to another,
Purposeless, planless, confused.
بِهِدَايَةٍwith guidance صَحَّتproved sound عَلَىin
بِهِدَايَةٍ صَحَّت عَلَى
طَلَبِseeking الأَحَبِّthe dearest الأَنْفَعِthe most beneficial
طَلَبِ الأَحَبِّ الأَنْفَعِ
With guidance proved sound in
Some guiding hand has led you right,
seeking what is dearest and most beneficial,
To choose what's good and proper for you,
وَثُقُوبِand penetration of فِكْرٍthought فِيin
وَثُقُوبِ فِكْرٍ فِي
التَّوَجُّهchoosing direction وَاخْتِيَارِand choosing المَنْجَعِa fruitful destination
التَّوَجُّه وَاخْتِيَارِ المَنْجَعِ
And penetrating thought in
To pick direction benefiting,
choosing a course and a fruitful destination,
Not where others haphazard flew.
وَغَنَاءِand self-sufficiency of رَأْيٍٍjudgment عَنْwithout need of دَلاَguidance (beginning)
وَغَنَاءِ رَأْيٍٍ عَنْ دَلاَ
لةِguidance (ending) إِبْرَةٍa needle أَوْor مَهْيعِa beaten path
لةِ إِبْرَةٍ أَوْ مَهْيعِ
And judgment needing no guidance
Content you are with what life brings,
from a needle or a beaten path,
From fate's kind hand that portions due.
وقناعةٍand contentment مِنْwith قِسمةٍa portion
وقناعةٍ مِنْ قِسمةٍ
لَكِfor you عِنْدَfrom خَيْرِthe best مُوَزِّعِdispenser
لَكِ عِنْدَ خَيْرِ مُوَزِّعِ
And contentment with a portion
Fear not, my bird, the flock meanders
allotted you by the best dispenser.
But each one's heart is stout and true.
فِيin السِّرْبِthe flock أَنَّىwherever سَارَit goes لاَnot
فِي السِّرْبِ أَنَّى سَارَ لاَ
تَخْشيْنَyou fear سُوءَthe badness of المَوْقِعِthe landing place
تَخْشيْنَ سُوءَ المَوْقِعِ
In the flock, wherever it goes, you do not
All gather when the throng appears,
fear an ill landing.
No set time do they reconcile.
السِّرْبُthe flock مَاwhat فِيin السِّرْبِthe flock مِنْof
السِّرْبُ مَا فِي السِّرْبِ مِنْ
عَجَبٍwonders لِذِيfor one with قَلْبٍa heart يَعِيthat understands
عَجَبٍ لِذِي قَلْبٍ يَعِي
The flock! What wonders it holds
All heed the wisdom in their hearts,
for a heart that understands!
Their own fair thoughts they reconcile.
تَنْضَمُّcome together حِينَat the time of جَلاَئِهِits departure
تَنْضَمُّ حِينَ جَلاَئِهِ
أَشْتَاتهُits scattered members فِيin مَجْمَعِone assembly
أَشْتَاتهُ فِي مَجْمَعِ
At its departure, there gather
Each one a captain piloting
its scattered members in one assembly,
His ship according to his view.
مِنْwith غيْرِno مِيعَادٍappointment تَقدَّmade beforehand (beginning)
مِنْ غيْرِ مِيعَادٍ تَقدَّ
مَmade beforehand (ending) لِلرَّحِيلِfor the departure المُزْمَعِintended
مَ لِلرَّحِيلِ المُزْمَعِ
Without any appointment made beforehand
Good omen be, small valley bird,
for the intended journey.
It's time for you to bid adieu.
فَإِذاand when عَلاَit rises أَزْرَىputs to shame عَلَىin comparison with
فَإِذا عَلاَ أَزْرَى عَلَى
سِرْبِthe fleet of السَّفينِships المُقْلِعِsetting sail
سِرْبِ السَّفينِ المُقْلِعِ
And when it rises, it puts to shame
I hear the teardrops in your song
the departing fleet of ships:
And parting's sadness chokes my breath.
آلاَفُthousands آلافٍof thousands بِغَيْرِwithout
آلاَفُ آلافٍ بِغَيْرِ
تَلَكُّؤٍhesitation وَتضعْضُعِand wavering
تَلَكُّؤٍ وَتضعْضُعِ
Thousands upon thousands, without
There was a charm you did not perfect
hesitation or wavering,
Which in one lovelier outshone its depth.
وَبِلاَand without هَزِيزِshaking تَقَلْقُلٍinstability
وَبِلاَ هَزِيزِ تَقَلْقُلٍ
وِبِلاَand without أَزِيزِbuzzing تَخَلُّعِdisjointed motion
وِبِلاَ أَزِيزِ تَخَلُّعِ
Without the shaking of instability,
A frame so true of living art,
without the buzzing of disjointed motion,
With fabric exquisitely dressed.
وَبِلاَand without اصْطِدَامٍٍcollision فِيin الزِّحَاthe crush (beginning)
وَبِلاَ اصْطِدَامٍٍ فِي الزِّحَا
مِthe crush (ending) مُحَطِّمshattering وَمُصَدِّعِand splintering
مِ مُحَطِّم وَمُصَدِّعِ
Without a collision in the crush,
Let lesser beauty's superficial dyes.
shattering and splintering.
True art is nature manifest.
إنْif تَلْتئِمْthey gather فَمُرُورُهَاthen their passage
إنْ تَلْتئِمْ فَمُرُورُهَا
كَالعَارِضِlike a cloud المُتَقَشِّعِdispersing
كَالعَارِضِ المُتَقَشِّعِ
If they draw together, their passing
The elegance of neck and chest,
is like a dispersing cloud;
The red upon your cheek impressed,
أَوْor تَفْتَرِقْthey separate فهِيthen they are الْجُيُوarmies (beginning)
أَوْ تَفْتَرِقْ فهِي الْجُيُو
شُarmies (ending) بِقَادَةٍwith leaders وَبِتبَّعِand with followers
شُ بِقَادَةٍ وَبِتبَّعِ
Or if they spread apart, they are armies
Natural adornment of your brow
with leaders and followers.
No craftsman's hand has e'er expressed.
كُلٌّeach يسِيرُproceeds ولاand does not يُخَاdeviate (beginning)
كُلٌّ يسِيرُ ولا يُخَا
لِفُdeviate (ending) فِيfrom الطَّرِيقِthe route المُشْرَعِopen
لِفُ فِي الطَّرِيقِ المُشْرَعِ
Each proceeds, and none departs
Over the green hills wings unfold
from the open route.
Like banner charged with light unfurled.
كُلٌّeach يُجَارِيfollows رَأْيَهُits own judgment
كُلٌّ يُجَارِي رَأْيَهُ
وَالرَّأيُand the judgment غَيْرُnot مُوَزَّعِdivided
وَالرَّأيُ غَيْرُ مُوَزَّعِ
Each follows its own judgment,
The racing clouds and glinting rays
yet their judgment is undivided.
Bring myriad shifting hues swirled.
كُلٌّeach كَرُبَّانٍlike a captain يُدِيرُsteers
كُلٌّ كَرُبَّانٍ يُدِيرُ
زِمَامَthe helm of فلْكٍa ship طَيِّعِobedient
زِمَامَ فلْكٍ طَيِّعِ
Each is like a captain steering
The veil of sleep is torn away
the helm of an obedient ship.
The slumbering world awakes from rest.
بِالْيُمْنِwith good fortune يَاO غِرِّيدَةَsongstress of الْوَادِيthe valley
بِالْيُمْنِ يَا غِرِّيدَةَ الْوَادِي
إلىto الْوَادِيthe valley ارْجِعِيreturn
إلى الْوَادِي ارْجِعِي
With good fortune, O songstress of the valley,
Motion suspended, movements stilled,
return to the valley.
All life transfixed in wonder blessed.
إِنِّيindeed I لَأَسْمَعُsurely hear فِيin غِنَاyour singing (beginning)
إِنِّي لَأَسْمَعُ فِي غِنَا
ئِكِyour singing (ending) رَقْرَقَاتِshimmerings الأَدْمُعِof tears
ئِكِ رَقْرَقَاتِ الأَدْمُعِ
Indeed, I hear in your singing
Through dawn's flood gathered shadows flee
the shimmering of tears;
As peaks are gilded crest by crest.
وَيرُوعُنِيand troubles me شَجَنٌsorrow بِهِin it
وَيرُوعُنِي شَجَنٌ بِهِ
كَشجىًlike a choking obstruction بِحَلْقِin the throat of مُوَدِّعِone bidding farewell
كَشجىً بِحَلْقِ مُوَدِّعِ
And a sorrow in it troubles me,
The wind enfolds the last refrain
like a choking in a farewell-giver's throat.
As gently as a suckling's breast.
تِلْكَthat الْبَرَاعَةُartistry مَاnever
تِلْكَ الْبَرَاعَةُ مَا
اسْتَتَمَّتreached perfection فِيin جَمَالٍbeauty أَبْرَعِmore wondrous
اسْتَتَمَّت فِي جَمَالٍ أَبْرَعِ
That artistry has never
The roving stars the first faint breeze
been perfected in a more wondrous beauty.
Like legs on shoulders splayed abreast
جِسْمٌa body كحُقٍّlike a casket لِلْحَيَاfor life (beginning)
جِسْمٌ كحُقٍّ لِلْحَيَا
ةِfor life (ending) مُعَرَّقٍveined ومُضَلَّعِand ribbed
ةِ مُعَرَّقٍ ومُضَلَّعِ
A body like a casket for life,
And branches bend in silhouette
veined and ribbed;
Against the leafy canopies dressed.
يَغْشَاهُcovers it ثوْبٌa garment دَبَّجتْembroidered
يَغْشَاهُ ثوْبٌ دَبَّجتْ
أَلْوَانَهُits colors يدthe hand of مُبْدِعِa creator
أَلْوَانَهُ يد مُبْدِعِ
A garment covers it, embroidered
The die is cast, the challenge heard,
in all its colors by a creator's hand.
So rouse yourself, prepare for flight.
أَلْمَتْنُthe back يَزْدَهِرُshines ازْدِهَاradiance (beginning)
أَلْمَتْنُ يَزْدَهِرُ ازْدِهَا
رَradiance (ending) الأَخْضَرِgreen الْمُتَجَمِّعِmassed together
رَ الأَخْضَرِ الْمُتَجَمِّعِ
Its back shines with the radiance
Farewell, and let your wings take flight
of green massed together;
Where morn is spilled like molten light.
وَالصَّدْرُand the breast فِيمَاin what lies دونَهُbeneath it
وَالصَّدْرُ فِيمَا دونَهُ
يُزْهَىglories بِأَحْمَرَin red مُشبَعِsaturated
يُزْهَى بِأَحْمَرَ مُشبَعِ
And the breast, beneath it,
The wind will bear your last lament
glories in a deep, saturated red;
And cradle it as mother's breast.
وَالْجِيدُand the neck زِينَwas adorned مِنَwith النُّضاgold (beginning)
وَالْجِيدُ زِينَ مِنَ النُّضا
رِgold (ending) بِحِلْيَةٍwith an ornament لمْnot تُصْنَعِmade
رِ بِحِلْيَةٍ لمْ تُصْنَعِ
And the neck is adorned with gold,
Set forth, your fervent heart directed
with an ornament no hand has made.
To where green field and woods undressed.
دَعْleave aside كُلَّevery نَقْشٍpattern فِيin الْخِلاَلِthe interstices
دَعْ كُلَّ نَقْشٍ فِي الْخِلاَلِ
مُوَشَّمtattooed وَمُبَقَّعِand dappled
مُوَشَّم وَمُبَقَّعِ
Leave aside every pattern among the feathers,
A garden there of shimmering leaves,
tattooed and dappled;
Its secrets from all eyes repossessed.
وَدَعِand let الْقوَادِمَthe primary wing feathers تَسْتَقِلَّrise
وَدَعِ الْقوَادِمَ تَسْتَقِلَّ
بِرِيشِهَاwith their plumage المُتنوِّعِvaried
بِرِيشِهَا المُتنوِّعِ
And let the leading wing feathers rise
A trove lies buried 'neath the blooms
with their varied plumage.
From vulgar hands for once divested.
آياتُsigns of خلْقٍcreation مَنْwhoever يُجِلْturns
آياتُ خلْقٍ مَنْ يُجِلْ
نظراًa gaze بِهَاupon them يَتَخَشَّعِgrows reverent
نظراً بِهَا يَتَخَشَّعِ
Signs of creation—whoever turns
A paradigm of all things fair,
a gaze upon them grows reverent.
In fair exemplar unexpressed.
أَعْظِمْhow magnificent بِهَاthey are فِيin ذلِكَthat الْجِbody (beginning)
أَعْظِمْ بِهَا فِي ذلِكَ الْجِ
سْمِbody (ending) الصَّغيرِsmall الأَضْرَعِfrail
سْمِ الصَّغيرِ الأَضْرَعِ
How magnificent they are in that
With subtle charm she now abides
small, frail body!
Ethereal, unforced, divested.
لَوْلاَwere it not for الْحَرَاكُmovement لَخِيلَit would be imagined مِنْamong
لَوْلاَ الْحَرَاكُ لَخِيلَ مِنْ
ثَمَرٍfruit هُنَالِكَthere مُونِعِripened
ثَمَرٍ هُنَالِكَ مُونِعِ
Were it not for movement, one would think it
A spirit healing bruised hearts,
a ripened fruit there.
Restoring dignities distressed.
حُلْوُsweet الشَّمائِلِin disposition إنْwhether يُجَاfollows (beginning)
حُلْوُ الشَّمائِلِ إنْ يُجَا
رِfollows (ending) الطَّبعَnature أَوْor يَتَطَبَّعِacquires a disposition
رِ الطَّبعَ أَوْ يَتَطَبَّعِ
Sweet in its ways, whether it follows
The sky's the limit of her reign,
its nature or acquires a manner;
A star her footstool and her rest.
يَرْنوgazes بِفَائِضَتَيْwith two fountains of سَنىًradiance
يَرْنو بِفَائِضَتَيْ سَنىً
كَالجَوْهَرِlike a jewel المُتَطلَّعِpeering out
كَالجَوْهَرِ المُتَطلَّعِ
It gazes with two fountains of radiance,
Say to her if you find her there,
like a jewel peering out.
"In your heart does my sorrow nest?
يَسْهُوdrowses بِغَاشِيَتَيْنِbeneath two coverings
يَسْهُو بِغَاشِيَتَيْنِ
تَنْسَدِلاَنِboth fall سَدْلَlike the draping of الْبُرْقُعِa veil
تَنْسَدِلاَنِ سَدْلَ الْبُرْقُعِ
It drowses beneath two coverings
This is a longing from the heart
that fall like a veil.
Of one who grieves for your bequest."
مُتَطَاوِلُelongated الْخَدَّيْنِin the cheeks فِيwithin
مُتَطَاوِلُ الْخَدَّيْنِ فِي
وَجهٍa face حَدِيدِsharp الْمَقْطَعِin contour
وَجهٍ حَدِيدِ الْمَقْطَعِ
Its cheeks are elongated within
The elements oppressed him sore
a sharply cut face.
And less than gently put to rest,
مِنْقَارُهُits beak كَقُلاَمَتَينِlike two clippings
مِنْقَارُهُ كَقُلاَمَتَينِ
مِنَof الظَّلاَمِdarkness الأَسْفَعِblackened
مِنَ الظَّلاَمِ الأَسْفَعِ
Its beak is like two clippings
Taking my soulmate, my life's twin,
of blackened darkness.
In pain and grief beyond confessed.
أُخْتِsister of الشَّوَادِيthe songbirds الخُضْرِgreen حَاhas come (beginning)
أُخْتِ الشَّوَادِي الخُضْرِ حَا
نتْhas come (ending) لَفْتَةُthe turn of المُتنَوِّعِone seeking variety
نتْ لَفْتَةُ المُتنَوِّعِ
Sister of the green songbirds, the time has come
So plead my cause, kind advocate,
for a turn toward something new.
Let pleading bring benign behest.
بِكِwith you نَزعَتِيmy yearning نَحْوَtoward الْحِمَىthe sanctuary
بِكِ نَزعَتِي نَحْوَ الْحِمَى
وَعَدَاكِand spared you قَيْدِيmy fetter فَانْزِعِيso set forth
وَعَدَاكِ قَيْدِي فَانْزِعِي
With you goes my yearning toward the sanctuary;
Who else can broadcast my lament?
my fetter spared you, so set forth.
Implore his mercy without rest.
أَلْقِيoffer الْوَدَاعfarewell تَأَهُّباًin preparation
أَلْقِي الْوَدَاع تَأَهُّباً
وَاسْتَوفِزِيand ready yourself to spring وَاسْتَجْمِعِيand gather your strength
وَاسْتَوفِزِي وَاسْتَجْمِعِي
Offer your farewell as you prepare,
He whom I mourn is blessed above,
ready yourself to spring, and gather your strength.
Though abject here and dispossessed.
لِلهِby God وَثْبَتُكِyour leap الْبَدِيعَةٌwondrous
لِلهِ وَثْبَتُكِ الْبَدِيعَةٌ
إِذْwhen وَثبْتِyou leapt لِتطْلُعِيto ascend
إِذْ وَثبْتِ لِتطْلُعِي
How wondrous, by God, was your leap,
Grace outweighs failing in his Lord's
when you leapt to soar
Benign assessment of the blessed.
حَيْثُwhere الضُّحىmorning light مُتَسَاكِبٌpours down
حَيْثُ الضُّحى مُتَسَاكِبٌ
كِطلاًlike wine بِكَفِّin the hand of مُشَعْشِعِa wine-mixer
كِطلاً بِكَفِّ مُشَعْشِعِ
Where morning light pours down
How often has he come to me
like wine in a wine-mixer's hand;
When sleep o'ercame my consciousness,
وَالرِّيحُand the wind تَحْضُنُcradles آخِرَthe last
وَالرِّيحُ تَحْضُنُ آخِرَ
النَّغمَاتِnotes حَضْنَlike the cradling of المُرْضِعِa nurse
النَّغمَاتِ حَضْنَ المُرْضِعِ
And the wind cradles the last
Descending from his glorious throne
notes as a nurse cradles a child;
In mercy upon me to rest.
وَالدَّوْحُand the great trees مَيَّادُswaying الرُّؤوtheir heads (beginning)
وَالدَّوْحُ مَيَّادُ الرُّؤو
سِtheir heads (ending) مُشَيَّعbidding farewell بِالأَذْرُعِwith arms
سِ مُشَيَّع بِالأَذْرُعِ
And the great trees sway their heads,
How often have I prayed to hear
bidding farewell with their arms;
His voice, and he granted my request,
وَتَعَطُّفand the bending of الأَفْنَانِthe branches شِبْهُlike
وَتَعَطُّف الأَفْنَانِ شِبْهُ
تَقَصُّفa breaking فِيamong أَضْلُعِribs
تَقَصُّف فِي أَضْلُعِ
And the bending of the branches is like
Breaching the veil of worlds unseen,
a breaking among the ribs.
In broken verses addressed.
خُضْتِyou plunged through الضِّياءَthe light عَلَىupon غَوَاcrests (beginning)
خُضْتِ الضِّياءَ عَلَى غَوَا
رِبِcrests (ending) مَوْجِهِof its waves المُتَدَفّعِsurging
رِبِ مَوْجِهِ المُتَدَفّعِ
You plunged through the light upon the crests
This loyalty, this constancy,
of its surging waves.
Is all I ask. Do your best.
تَتَصَاعَدِينَyou ascend وَمَاand not الشِّهاthe meteor (beginning)
تَتَصَاعَدِينَ وَمَا الشِّها
بُthe meteor (ending) المُسْتَطَارُdarting بِأَسْرَعِany swifter
بُ المُسْتَطَارُ بِأَسْرَعِ
You ascend, and no darting meteor
Cry out my fervent wish, return
is swifter.
The echo of my heart's behest.
يَرْمِيcast جَنَاحَاكِyour two wings المَهَاthe airy depths (beginning)
يَرْمِي جَنَاحَاكِ المَهَا
وِيَthe airy depths (ending) بِالشّعَاعِwith rays السّطَّعِbrilliant
وِيَ بِالشّعَاعِ السّطَّعِ
Your wings strike the airy depths
So he may answer, hearken close,
with brilliant rays;
And whisper in my listening breast.
وتُراعُand is startled رَائِعَةُthe splendor of النهَاdaylight (beginning)
وتُراعُ رَائِعَةُ النهَا
رِdaylight (ending) لِوَهْجِكِby your blaze المُتَفَرِّعِbranching
رِ لِوَهْجِكِ المُتَفَرِّعِ
And the splendor of daylight is startled
by your branching blaze.
وَلَشِكَّةand indeed the panoply of الأَلْوَانِcolors حَوْلَكِaround you
وَلَشِكَّة الأَلْوَانِ حَوْلَكِ
كَالنِّصاعِlike gleaming shafts الشُّرَّعِheld forth
كَالنِّصاعِ الشُّرَّعِ
And the panoply of colors around you
is like gleaming shafts held forth.
مَزَّقْتِyou tore أَسْتَارَthe veils of السَّنىradiance
مَزَّقْتِ أَسْتَارَ السَّنى
عَنْfrom عَالَمٍa world مُتَقَنِّعِveiled
عَنْ عَالَمٍ مُتَقَنِّعِ
You tore the veils of radiance
from a veiled world,
جَمِّabounding in الْخَلاَيَاcells فِيon حَوَاthe fringes (beginning)
جَمِّ الْخَلاَيَا فِي حَوَا
شِيthe fringes (ending) النُّورِof light خافِيhidden الْمَوْضِعِin location
شِي النُّورِ خافِي الْمَوْضِعِ
Rich in cells, on the fringes
of light, its location hidden.
أَنْزَلْتِyou brought هَوْلاًterror فِيupon قرَاهُits villages
أَنْزَلْتِ هَوْلاً فِي قرَاهُ
وَفِيand upon الذَّرَائِرِthe tiny motes أَجْمَعِall
وَفِي الذَّرَائِرِ أَجْمَعِ
You brought terror upon its villages
and upon all the tiny motes.
أَنَظَرْتِdid you look عَنْfrom كَثَبٍclose at hand إِلَىat
أَنَظَرْتِ عَنْ كَثَبٍ إِلَى
مَلإَa host هَنَاكَthere مُرَوَّعِfrightened
مَلإَ هَنَاكَ مُرَوَّعِ
Did you look, from close at hand, upon
a frightened host there?
هِيَit is وَقْعَةٌa battle فِيin الْجَوَّthe air بَيْamid (beginning)
هِيَ وَقْعَةٌ فِي الْجَوَّ بَيْ
نَamid (ending) هَبَائِهِits dust الْمُتَلَمِّعِglittering
نَ هَبَائِهِ الْمُتَلَمِّعِ
It is a battle in the air, amid
its glittering dust.
هَبَّتrose خَلاَئِقهُits creatures عَلَىagainst
هَبَّت خَلاَئِقهُ عَلَى
ذَاكَthat الْمُغِيرِraider الْمُفْزِعِterrifying
ذَاكَ الْمُغِيرِ الْمُفْزِعِ
Its creatures rose against
that terrifying raider,
فِيamong أُسْدِlions of غابٍa forest تَسْتَطِيtaking flight (beginning)
فِي أُسْدِ غابٍ تَسْتَطِي
رُtaking flight (ending) وَفِيand among ذُبَابٍflies وُقَّعِalighting
رُ وَفِي ذُبَابٍ وُقَّعِ
Among forest lions taking flight,
and among alighting flies.
يَجْدُدْنَthey renew حَرْباًbattle كَالْكُمَاlike warriors (beginning)
يَجْدُدْنَ حَرْباً كَالْكُمَا
ةِlike warriors (ending) وَكالرُّمَاةِand like archers الرُّكَّعِkneeling
ةِ وَكالرُّمَاةِ الرُّكَّعِ
They renew battle like warriors,
and like kneeling archers;
يَكْرِرْنthey charge أَوْor يَفْرِرْنthey flee
يَكْرِرْن أَوْ يَفْرِرْن
بَيْنَbetween تفرُّدٍgoing singly وَتجَمُّعِand gathering
بَيْنَ تفرُّدٍ وَتجَمُّعِ
They charge or flee,
singly or in companies;
يَرْمِينَthey hurl بالرُّجُمِmissiles الدِّقاfine (beginning)
يَرْمِينَ بالرُّجُمِ الدِّقا
قِfine (ending) وَبِالنُّجومِand with stars الظُّلعِlimping
قِ وَبِالنُّجومِ الظُّلعِ
They hurl fine missiles
and limping stars.
تِيهِيglory بِغارَتِكِin your raid السَّنيَّةِsplendid
تِيهِي بِغارَتِكِ السَّنيَّةِ
فِيin الْمَجَالِthe realm الأَرْفعِloftiest
فِي الْمَجَالِ الأَرْفعِ
Glory in your splendid raid
in the loftiest realm.
مَاwhat شَأُنُthe stature of كِسْرَىKisra فِيin الْفُتوconquests (beginning)
مَا شَأُنُ كِسْرَى فِي الْفُتو
حِconquests (ending) وَمَاand what مَفاخِرُthe glories of تبعِTubba
حِ وَمَا مَفاخِرُ تبعِ
What is Kisra's stature in conquest,
and what are Tubba's glories?
لاَno مَجْدَglory يَبْلُغُreaches مَجْدَكِyour glory
لاَ مَجْدَ يَبْلُغُ مَجْدَكِ
الأسْنىmost radiant بِذاكَon that الْمَفرَعِheight
الأسْنى بِذاكَ الْمَفرَعِ
No glory reaches your glory,
the most radiant, on that height.
لاَno صَفْوَserenity أَرْوَحmore refreshing مِنthan
لاَ صَفْوَ أَرْوَح مِن
تحَيُّرِthe bewilderment of خَصْمِكِyour foe المتَضَعْضِعِshaken
تحَيُّرِ خَصْمِكِ المتَضَعْضِعِ
No serenity is more refreshing than
the bewilderment of your shaken foe;
لاَno سِلمَpeace أَبْهَجُmore delightful مِنْthan تَهَاcollapse (beginning)
لاَ سِلمَ أَبْهَجُ مِنْ تَهَا
يُلِcollapse (ending) رُكْنِهِof his stronghold المُتزَعزِعِtottering
يُلِ رُكْنِهِ المُتزَعزِعِ
No peace is more delightful than the collapse
of his tottering stronghold.
أُمَمُthe nations of الأَثِيرِthe ether جَمَالُهَاtheir beauty
أُمَمُ الأَثِيرِ جَمَالُهَا
فِيin أَنْthat تُرَاعَthey are frightened فَرَوِّعِيso frighten them
فِي أَنْ تُرَاعَ فَرَوِّعِي
The nations of the ether find their beauty
in being frightened—so frighten them.
وَتَتِمُّand is perfected آيَةُthe marvel of حُسْنِهَاtheir beauty
وَتَتِمُّ آيَةُ حُسْنِهَا
بِالأَمنِby safety بَعْدَafter تَفَزُّعِterror
بِالأَمنِ بَعْدَ تَفَزُّعِ
And the marvel of their beauty is perfected
by safety after terror.
فَإذَاthen when مَضَيْتِyou pass وَلَمْand are not تُصَبْstruck
فَإذَا مَضَيْتِ وَلَمْ تُصَبْ
بِبَلاَئِكِby your calamity المُتَوَقَّعِanticipated
بِبَلاَئِكِ المُتَوَقَّعِ
Then, when you pass and they are not struck
by the calamity they expected from you,
بَلْrather جُزْتِyou crossed بِالحُسْنَىbenignly وَسَاand proved misguided (beginning)
بَلْ جُزْتِ بِالحُسْنَى وَسَا
ءَand proved misguided (ending) تَوَرُّعُthe caution of المُتَوَرِّعِthe cautious one
ءَ تَوَرُّعُ المُتَوَرِّعِ
But you cross benignly, and misguided
was the caution of the cautious,
ثابَتْthey returned إلىto فَرَحٍjoy كَذَsuch is (beginning)
ثابَتْ إلى فَرَحٍ كَذَ
لِكَsuch is (ending) تَوبَةُthe repentance of المُتَسَرِّعِthe rash one
لِكَ تَوبَةُ المُتَسَرِّعِ
They return to joy: such is
the repentance of the rash.
فسَدِيمُهَاthen their haze كَغُبَارِlike dust of دُرٍّpearls
فسَدِيمُهَا كَغُبَارِ دُرٍّ
سَاطِعٍshining فِيin مَسْطَعِa radiant place
سَاطِعٍ فِي مَسْطَعِ
Their haze is then like pearl dust,
shining in a place of radiance;
وَالجَوُّand the air تَمْلأُهُfills it نُسَاshreds (beginning)
وَالجَوُّ تَمْلأُهُ نُسَا
لاَتُshreds (ending) البُرُوقِof lightning اللُّمَّعِflashing
لاَتُ البُرُوقِ اللُّمَّعِ
And the air is filled with shreds
of flashing lightning.
سِيرِيgo وَوَلَّيand turn صَدْرَكِyour breast الْthe
سِيرِي وَوَلَّي صَدْرَكِ الْ
مُشْتَاقَyearning شَطْرَtoward المَرْبَعِthe springtime abode
مُشْتَاقَ شَطْرَ المَرْبَعِ
Go, and turn your breast,
yearning, toward the springtime abode,
حَتَّىuntil إِذَاwhen مَاindeed جِئْتِهِyou reach it
حَتَّى إِذَا مَا جِئْتِهِ
وَشَرَعْتِand enter أَعْذبَthe sweetest مَشْرَعِwatering place
وَشَرَعْتِ أَعْذبَ مَشْرَعِ
Until, when you reach it
and enter the sweetest watering place,
وَشَدَوْتِand sing مَاas much as شَاءَdesires السُّرُوjoy (beginning)
وَشَدَوْتِ مَا شَاءَ السُّرُو
رُjoy (ending) عَلَىto ارْتِقَاصِthe dancing of الأَفْرُعِthe branches
رُ عَلَى ارْتِقَاصِ الأَفْرُعِ
And sing as much as joy desires,
to the dancing of the branches,
عُوجِيturn aside بِبُسْتَانٍto a garden هُنَاthere (beginning)
عُوجِي بِبُسْتَانٍ هُنَا
لكَthere (ending) فِيin الْعَرَاءِthe open waste مُضَيَّعِabandoned
لكَ فِي الْعَرَاءِ مُضَيَّعِ
Turn aside to a garden there,
abandoned in the open waste.
صَفْصَافُهُits willows مُتَنَاوِحٌlamenting to one another
صَفْصَافُهُ مُتَنَاوِحٌ
وَالنُّورُand the light بادِيshowing الْمَدْمَعِa tearful eye
وَالنُّورُ بادِي الْمَدْمَعِ
Its willows lament to one another,
and the light shows its tearful eye.
لِيfor me فِيin ثَرَاهُits soil دَفِينَةٌa buried one
لِي فِي ثَرَاهُ دَفِينَةٌ
كَالكَنْزِlike treasure فيin الْمُستَوْدَعِa place of keeping
كَالكَنْزِ في الْمُستَوْدَعِ
In its soil lies one buried for me,
like treasure in a place of keeping.
تُخْفِيconceal الأَزَاهِرُthe flowers قَبْرَهَاher grave
تُخْفِي الأَزَاهِرُ قَبْرَهَا
عَنْfrom أَعيُنِthe eyes of الْمُسْتَطِلعِanyone looking
عَنْ أَعيُنِ الْمُسْتَطِلعِ
The flowers conceal her grave
from the eyes of anyone who looks.
كَانَتْshe was مِثَالاًa model لِلْمَحَاof beauties (beginning)
كَانَتْ مِثَالاً لِلْمَحَا
سِنِof beauties (ending) فِيin مِثَالٍa form أَرْوَعِmore wondrous
سِنِ فِي مِثَالٍ أَرْوَعِ
She was a model of beauty
in a still more wondrous form;
فَتَحَوَّلَتْthen she became لُطْفاًethereal إلىinto
فَتَحَوَّلَتْ لُطْفاً إلى
طَيْفٍa spirit أَرَقَّmore delicate وَأَبْدَعِand more marvelous
طَيْفٍ أَرَقَّ وَأَبْدَعِ
Then, growing ethereal, she became
a spirit more delicate and marvelous;
طَيْفٍa spirit يَشِفُّgrows transparent بِهِthrough it الْبِلَىdecay
طَيْفٍ يَشِفُّ بِهِ الْبِلَى
عَنْrevealing رِفْعَةٍloftiness وَتَمَنُّعِand inaccessibility
عَنْ رِفْعَةٍ وَتَمَنُّعِ
A spirit through which decay reveals
loftiness and inaccessibility.
فَإذَاand behold السَّماءُheaven قَرَارُهُits dwelling
فَإذَا السَّماءُ قَرَارُهُ
وَالنَّجمُand the stars بَعْضُsome of الْيَرْمَعِthe pebbles
وَالنَّجمُ بَعْضُ الْيَرْمَعِ
And behold, heaven is its dwelling,
and the stars are but some of its pebbles.
قُوليsay لَهُto it إنْif جِئْتِهِyou reach it
قُولي لَهُ إنْ جِئْتِهِ
يَاO أُنْسَsolace of هَذَاthis الْبَلْقَعِbarren waste
يَا أُنْسَ هَذَا الْبَلْقَعِ
Say to it, if you reach it,
'O solace of this barren waste,
أَتُحِسُّdo you feel فِيwithin هذَاthis الثَّرَىsoil
أَتُحِسُّ فِي هذَا الثَّرَى
نَبَضَانَthe beating of قلْبٍa heart مُوجَعِwounded
نَبَضَانَ قلْبٍ مُوجَعِ
Do you feel within this soil
the beating of a wounded heart?
هَذَاthis حَنِينٌyearning مِنْfrom فُؤَاthe heart (beginning)
هَذَا حَنِينٌ مِنْ فُؤَا
دِthe heart (ending) مُحبِّكof your lover الْمُتَفجِّعِgrieving
دِ مُحبِّك الْمُتَفجِّعِ
This is a yearning from the heart
of your grieving lover.
عدتِdiverted الْعَوَادِيadversities جِسْمَهُhis body
عدتِ الْعَوَادِي جِسْمَهُ
عَنْfrom قُرْبِthe nearness of هَذَاthis المَضْجَعِresting place
عَنْ قُرْبِ هَذَا المَضْجَعِ
Adversities have turned his body away
from the nearness of this resting place;
فَمَضَىso he departed بِأَحْزَنِin the saddest state مَاthat يَكُوcan be (beginning)
فَمَضَى بِأَحْزَنِ مَا يَكُو
نُcan be (ending) أخوone possessed of الأَسَىsorrow وَبِأَجْزعِand in the most anguished state
نُ أخو الأَسَى وَبِأَجْزعِ
So he departed in the deepest sorrow
and anguish a mourner can know.
وَنوَىand distance from الضَّريحِthe tomb أَضَرَّهُhurt him
وَنوَى الضَّريحِ أَضَرَّهُ
كَنَوَاكِlike your departure يَوْمَon the day of المَصْرَعِdeath
كَنَوَاكِ يَوْمَ المَصْرَعِ
And distance from the tomb has hurt him
like your departure on the day of death.'
نِعْمhow excellent الشَّفيعَةُan intercessor أَنْتِyou are لِيfor me
نِعْم الشَّفيعَةُ أَنْتِ لِي
عِنْدَamong المَلاَئِكِthe angels فاشْفَعِيso intercede
عِنْدَ المَلاَئِكِ فاشْفَعِي
What an excellent intercessor you are for me
among the angels—so intercede.
مَنْwho لِيfor me بِصَوْتٍwith a voice مِثْلِlike صَوْyour voice (beginning)
مَنْ لِي بِصَوْتٍ مِثْلِ صَوْ
تِكِyour voice (ending) مُبْلِغٍconveying لِتَضَرعِيmy supplication
تِكِ مُبْلِغٍ لِتَضَرعِي
Who can give me a voice like
yours, conveying my supplication,
يُنْهَىis conveyed إِلىto ثَاوِيthe dweller in الْجِنَاParadise's gardens (beginning)
يُنْهَى إِلى ثَاوِي الْجِنَا
نِParadise's gardens (ending) فَيَسْتَجِيبُso he answers وَقدْhaving دُعِيbeen called
نِ فَيَسْتَجِيبُ وَقدْ دُعِي
Carried to the dweller in the gardens of Paradise,
so that, called upon, he answers?
إِنَّindeed الَّذِيthe one whom أَبْكِيهِI weep for وَهْوَthough he is
إِنَّ الَّذِي أَبْكِيهِ وَهْوَ
مِنَof النَّعيمِbliss بِمَرْتَعِin a pasture
مِنَ النَّعيمِ بِمَرْتَعِ
Indeed, the one I weep for, though he is
in a pasture of bliss,
بَرٌّkind عَلَىin رَغْمِspite of الفِراthe separation (beginning)
بَرٌّ عَلَى رَغْمِ الفِرا
قِthe separation (ending) بِعَبْدِهِto his servant المُتَخَضِّعِhumbly submissive
قِ بِعَبْدِهِ المُتَخَضِّعِ
Is kind, despite the separation,
to his humbly submissive servant.
كَمْhow often زُرْتُهُI visited him فِيin يَقْظَةٍwakefulness
كَمْ زُرْتُهُ فِي يَقْظَةٍ
وَأَلَمَّand he visited بِيme فِيin مَهْجَعِa sleeping place
وَأَلَمَّ بِي فِي مَهْجَعِ
How often I visited him while awake,
and he came to me in my sleeping place,
يَدْنُوdraws near إِليَّto me تَنَزُّلاdescending
يَدْنُو إِليَّ تَنَزُّلا
عَنْfrom عَرْشِهِhis throne المُتَرَفِّعِlofty
عَنْ عَرْشِهِ المُتَرَفِّعِ
Drawing near to me, descending
from his lofty throne.
وكَمِand how often الْتَمَسْتُI sought لِصَوْتِهِfrom his voice
وكَمِ الْتَمَسْتُ لِصَوْتِهِ
رَجْعاًan echo فَحَقَّقthen he fulfilled مَطْمَعِيmy hope
رَجْعاً فَحَقَّق مَطْمَعِي
And how often I sought from his voice
an echo, and he fulfilled my hope.
قَطَعَcrossed الغُيُوبَthe unseen realms وَجَاءَنِيand came to me
قَطَعَ الغُيُوبَ وَجَاءَنِي
بِعَرُوضِهِwith his appearances المُتَقَطِّعِintermittent
بِعَرُوضِهِ المُتَقَطِّعِ
He crossed the unseen and came to me
in his intermittent appearances.
هَذَاthis الْوَفَاءُfaithfulness وَفَاؤُهُis his faithfulness
هَذَا الْوَفَاءُ وَفَاؤُهُ
فَادْعِيهِso call him لاَnot يَتَمَنَّعِhe refuses
فَادْعِيهِ لاَ يَتَمَنَّعِ
Such faithfulness is his faithfulness;
so call him—he will not refuse.
بِهُتَافِwith the cry of لوْعَتِيmy anguish اهْتِفِيcry out
بِهُتَافِ لوْعَتِي اهْتِفِي
وَصَدَىand the echo of حَنِينِيmy longing رَجِّعيrepeat
وَصَدَى حَنِينِي رَجِّعي
Cry out with the cry of my anguish,
and repeat the echo of my longing,
حَتَّىuntil يُجِيبَhe answers فَأَنْصِتِيthen listen
حَتَّى يُجِيبَ فَأَنْصِتِي
بِضَمِيريَwith my soul المُتَسَمِّعِlistening
بِضَمِيريَ المُتَسَمِّعِ
Until he answers; then listen
with my listening soul.
Partial English translation: 130 of 236 Arabic lines translated.
Sol 6.1