وَفَدَarrived الرَّبِيعُspring إِلَيْكِto you قَبْلَbefore أَوَانِهِits time
وَفَدَ الرَّبِيعُ إِلَيْكِ قَبْلَ أَوَانِهِ
يُهْدِيbearing حِلَىornaments جَنَّاتِهِof its gardens الْفَيْحَاءِfragrant
يُهْدِي حِلَى جَنَّاتِهِ الْفَيْحَاءِ
Spring came to you before its time,
Bearing the ornaments of its fragrant gardens.
مِنْfrom كُلِّevery بَارِعَةِsplendid one الْجَمَالِof beauty يُرَىis seen بِهَاin her
مِنْ كُلِّ بَارِعَةِ الْجَمَالِ يُرَى بِهَا
شَبَهٌa likeness لِبَعْضِto some of خِلاَلِكِyour qualities الحَسْنَاءِlovely
شَبَهٌ لِبَعْضِ خِلاَلِكِ الحَسْنَاءِ
In every marvel of beauty, one sees
A likeness to some of your lovely qualities.
فِيin النَّظْمِverse أَوْor فِيin النَّثْرِprose مِنْamong طَاقَاتِهَاits offerings
فِي النَّظْمِ أَوْ فِي النَّثْرِ مِنْ طَاقَاتِهَا
لُطْفُgentleness of البَيَانِexpression وَرَوْنَقُand charm of الإِخْفَاءِconcealment
لُطْفُ البَيَانِ وَرَوْنَقُ الإِخْفَاءِ
In verse or prose, among its offerings,
Are gentle expression and the charm of concealment.
نَمَّrevealed البَدِيعُartistry بِحُسْنِهَاthrough its beauty فَرَأَىso perceived النُّهَىthe minds
نَمَّ البَدِيعُ بِحُسْنِهَا فَرَأَى النُّهَى
مِنْin فَنِّهاits craft مَاwhat لَيْسَis not بِالمُتَرَائِيvisible
مِنْ فَنِّها مَا لَيْسَ بِالمُتَرَائِي
Its beauty disclosed its artistry, and minds perceived
In its craft what is not plainly visible.
أَبْهِجْrejoice بِإِكْلِيلِin the wreath الزَّفَافِof the wedding وَقَدْand it has جَلاَrevealed
أَبْهِجْ بِإِكْلِيلِ الزَّفَافِ وَقَدْ جَلاَ
لِلْعَيْنِto the eye كُلَّevery أَثِيرَةٍcherished one غَرَّاءِradiant
لِلْعَيْنِ كُلَّ أَثِيرَةٍ غَرَّاءِ
Rejoice in the wedding wreath, which has revealed
To the eye every splendid, cherished thing.
لَوْif شِئْتِyou wished صِيغَit would be fashioned مِنَfrom الفَرِيدِthe rare gem وَمَاand it did not وَفَىsuffice
لَوْ شِئْتِ صِيغَ مِنَ الفَرِيدِ وَمَا وَفَى
لَكِنْbut أَبَيْتِyou refused وَكَانَand it was خَيْرَthe best إِبَاءِrefusal
لَكِنْ أَبَيْتِ وَكَانَ خَيْرَ إِبَاءِ
Had you wished, it could have been fashioned from rare jewels, yet they would not suffice;
But you refused, and it was the best refusal.
هَلْis there فِيin يَدِthe hand of الدِّهْقَانِthe gardener أَبْهَجُbrighter زِينَةًas adornment
هَلْ فِي يَدِ الدِّهْقَانِ أَبْهَجُ زِينَةً
مِنْthan زِينَةِthe adornment of البُسْتَانِthe garden لِلْعَذْرَاءِfor the maiden
مِنْ زِينَةِ البُسْتَانِ لِلْعَذْرَاءِ
Is there in the gardener's hand a brighter adornment
For the maiden than the garden's own adornment?
صَفَتِcleared السَّماءُthe sky فَخَالَفَتْso it departed مِنْfrom عَهْدِهَاits custom
صَفَتِ السَّماءُ فَخَالَفَتْ مِنْ عَهْدِهَا
وَالفَصْلُwhile the season لِلأَمْطَارِis for the rains وَالأَنْوَاءِand storms
وَالفَصْلُ لِلأَمْطَارِ وَالأَنْوَاءِ
The sky cleared, departing from its accustomed course,
Though the season belongs to rain and storms.
شَفَّافَةًtransparent يُبْدِيreveals جَمِيلُthe beauty of نَقَائِهَاits purity
شَفَّافَةً يُبْدِي جَمِيلُ نَقَائِهَا
مَاwhat فِيin ضَمِيركِyour heart مِنْof جَمِيلِlovely نَقَاءِpurity
مَا فِي ضَمِيركِ مِنْ جَمِيلِ نَقَاءِ
Transparent, its lovely purity reveals
The lovely purity within your heart.
جَادَتْlavished عَلَيْكِupon you بِشَمْسِهَاits sun وَكَأَنَّهاas though it
جَادَتْ عَلَيْكِ بِشَمْسِهَا وَكَأَنَّها
لَكِfor you تَسْتَقِلُّdeems insufficient جَلاَلَةَthe grandeur of الإِهْدَاءِthe gift
لَكِ تَسْتَقِلُّ جَلاَلَةَ الإِهْدَاءِ
It lavished its sun upon you, as though
It thought the grandeur of its gift too little for you.
هَذِيthese مَلِيكَاتُqueens of الَّلآلِيءِthe pearls أَقْبَلَتْapproached
هَذِي مَلِيكَاتُ الَّلآلِيءِ أَقْبَلَتْ
تَفْتَرُّsmile to reveal عَنْpieces of قِطَعٍradiance of مِنَpearls' glow i.e. radiance: radiance of اللأْلاَءِradiance
تَفْتَرُّ عَنْ قِطَعٍ مِنَ اللأْلاَءِ
Here come the queens of pearls,
Smiling to reveal pieces of radiance.
بَادٍapparent is صَفَاءُthe purity of القَطْرِthe raindrop فِيin قَسِمَاتِهَاtheir features
بَادٍ صَفَاءُ القَطْرِ فِي قَسِمَاتِهَا
وَتَنَافُسِand the rivalry of الأَلْوَانِcolors وَالأَضْوَاءِand lights
وَتَنَافُسِ الأَلْوَانِ وَالأَضْوَاءِ
The purity of raindrops shows in their features,
And colors and lights vie there.
ظَلَّتْthey remained تَكَوَّنُforming فِيin حَشَىthe insides of أَصْدَافِهَاtheir shells
ظَلَّتْ تَكَوَّنُ فِي حَشَى أَصْدَافِهَا
كَتَكَوُّنِlike the formation of الأَنْوَارِlights فِيin أَفْيَاءِshades
كَتَكَوُّنِ الأَنْوَارِ فِي أَفْيَاءِ
They kept forming within their shells,
Like lights taking shape in the shade.
وَقَضَتْand they spent عُصُوراًages سَيِّدَاتِas ladies of بِحَارِهَاtheir seas
وَقَضَتْ عُصُوراً سَيِّدَاتِ بِحَارِهَا
يُسْعَىthey are sought لَهَاfor them مِنْfrom أَبْعَدِthe farthest الأَنْحَاءِregions
يُسْعَى لَهَا مِنْ أَبْعَدِ الأَنْحَاءِ
For ages they reigned as ladies of their seas,
Sought from the farthest regions.
حَتَّىuntil إِذَاwhen حُمِلَتْthey were carried إِليْكَto you سَبِيَّةًas captives
حَتَّى إِذَا حُمِلَتْ إِليْكَ سَبِيَّةً
مَجْلُوبَةًbrought فِيamong جُمْلَةِthe company of الآْلاَءِornaments
مَجْلُوبَةً فِي جُمْلَةِ الآْلاَءِ
Until, when they were carried to you as captives,
Brought among other ornaments,
وَجَدَتْthey found عَزَاءًconsolation فِيin your spacious presence رِحَابِكِsweetly طَيِّباًsweet
وَجَدَتْ عَزَاءً فِي رِحَابِكِ طَيِّباً
عَنْfor عَزِّهَاtheir glory المَاضِيpast وَأَيَّand what عَزَاءِconsolation
عَنْ عَزِّهَا المَاضِي وَأَيَّ عَزَاءِ
They found sweet consolation in your spacious presence
For their former glory—and what consolation!
بِلِقَائِهَاin meeting it حُسْناًa beauty يُضَاعِفُthat doubles مَاwhat بِهَاin them
بِلِقَائِهَا حُسْناً يُضَاعِفُ مَا بِهَا
مِنْof رَوْنَقٍluster وَنَفَاسَةٍand preciousness وَبَهَاءِand splendor
مِنْ رَوْنَقٍ وَنَفَاسَةٍ وَبَهَاءِ
They met a beauty that doubles what they possess
Of luster, preciousness, and splendor,
وَجِوَارِهَاand in dwelling beside her شِيَماًvirtues كَرَائِمَnoble صُنْتِهَاyou preserved them
وَجِوَارِهَا شِيَماً كَرَائِمَ صُنْتِهَا
فِيin خِدْرِthe seclusion of عِصْمَتِهَاher chastity عَنِfrom الرُّقَبَاءِwatchers
فِي خِدْرِ عِصْمَتِهَا عَنِ الرُّقَبَاءِ
And dwelt beside noble virtues you have kept
In the sanctuary of your chastity, away from watchers.
لاَno غَرْوَwonder أَنَّthat المَاسَdiamond أَكْرَمُis the noblest جَوْهَرٍgem
لاَ غَرْوَ أَنَّ المَاسَ أَكْرَمُ جَوْهَرٍ
خَبَأَتْهُhid it أَرْضٌearth مِنْamong كُنُوزِtreasures of سَمَاءِheaven
خَبَأَتْهُ أَرْضٌ مِنْ كُنُوزِ سَمَاءِ
No wonder diamond is the noblest gem
The earth has hidden among the treasures of heaven.
كَمْhow many فِيin مَنَاجِمِهِits mines تَسَهَّدَlay sleepless كَوْكَبٌa star
كَمْ فِي مَنَاجِمِهِ تَسَهَّدَ كَوْكَبٌ
مُتَوَاقِّداًglowing كَأَخِيهِlike its brother فِيin الظَّلمَاءِthe darkness
مُتَوَاقِّداً كَأَخِيهِ فِي الظَّلمَاءِ
How many a star has lain sleepless in its mines,
Glowing like its brother in the dark,
يَشْتَاقُlonging أَنْto يَلْقَىmeet الصَّباحَmorning وَلَوْeven if تَوَىit perished
يَشْتَاقُ أَنْ يَلْقَى الصَّباحَ وَلَوْ تَوَى
وَيُسَاءُand is distressed أَنْto يَبْقَىremain سِرَاجَa lamp of مَسَاءِevening
وَيُسَاءُ أَنْ يَبْقَى سِرَاجَ مَسَاءِ
Longing to meet morning, even at the cost of perishing,
And distressed to remain an evening lamp.
حَتَّىuntil حَلِيتِyou adorned yourself بِهِwith it فَقَرَّso it rested مُنَعَّماًin delight
حَتَّى حَلِيتِ بِهِ فَقَرَّ مُنَعَّماً
وَغَدَاand became تَحَرُّقُهُits burning تَوَهُّجa gleam of مَاءِwater
وَغَدَا تَحَرُّقُهُ تَوَهُّج مَاءِ
Then you adorned yourself with it, and it rested in delight,
Its burning now a watery gleam.
وَلَعَلَّand perhaps مُنْفَرِداًalone بِجِيدِكِon your neck عَالِقاًhanging
وَلَعَلَّ مُنْفَرِداً بِجِيدِكِ عَالِقاً
مُتَفَوِّقاًsurpassing قَدْراًin worth عَلَىabove النُّظرَاءِits peers
مُتَفَوِّقاً قَدْراً عَلَى النُّظرَاءِ
Perhaps, hanging alone upon your neck,
Surpassing its peers in worth,
دُعِيَit was called اليَتِيمُthe orphan مِنَbecause of التَّوَحُّدِbeing alone فَادَّعَىso it claimed
دُعِيَ اليَتِيمُ مِنَ التَّوَحُّدِ فَادَّعَى
حَقًّاa right عَلَيْكِover you لِكُلِّthrough every حِلْفِbond of شَقَاءِhardship
حَقًّا عَلَيْكِ لِكُلِّ حِلْفِ شَقَاءِ
It was called an orphan for its solitude, and claimed
A right to your care through every bond of hardship.
وَمِنَand out of tact الكِيَاسَةِwhile it وَهْوَis the hardest أَصْلَبُgem itself; gem: gem جَوْهَرٍgem
وَمِنَ الكِيَاسَةِ وَهْوَ أَصْلَبُ جَوْهَرٍ
أَنْthat رَقَّit softened رِقَّةwith the softness of أَدْمُعِthe tears of الْفُقَرَاءِthe poor
أَنْ رَقَّ رِقَّة أَدْمُعِ الْفُقَرَاءِ
And shrewdly, though it is the hardest gem,
It softened like the tears of the poor.
فَأَصَابَso it obtained عِنْدَكِwith you وَالشَّفاعَةُand the plea لاسْمِهِof its name
فَأَصَابَ عِنْدَكِ وَالشَّفاعَةُ لاسْمِهِ
حَظَّthe lot of اليَتيمِthe orphan وَفَازَand won بِالإِيوَاءِshelter
حَظَّ اليَتيمِ وَفَازَ بِالإِيوَاءِ
So with you, its name pleading for it, it gained
An orphan's lot and won a home.
مَاnothing يَغْلُgrows precious مِنْamong شَيْءٍthings فَإِنَّfor indeed لِحِكْمَةٍthere is a wisdom
مَا يَغْلُ مِنْ شَيْءٍ فَإِنَّ لِحِكْمَةٍ
جَلَّتْthat exalted غَلاَءَthe price of المَاسِdiamond فِيamong الأَشْيَاءِthings
جَلَّتْ غَلاَءَ المَاسِ فِي الأَشْيَاءِ
Nothing grows precious without a reason; there is wisdom
Behind the high price of diamonds among things.
هُوَit بِالْمَتَانَةِin strength وَالسَّنىand brilliance مِرْآةُmirrors مَاwhat
هُوَ بِالْمَتَانَةِ وَالسَّنى مِرْآةُ مَا
بِكِin you مِنْof وَفَاءٍfidelity ثَابِتٍsteadfast وَذَكَاءِand intelligence
بِكِ مِنْ وَفَاءٍ ثَابِتٍ وَذَكَاءِ
In strength and brilliance, it mirrors
Your steadfast fidelity and intelligence.
يَاO مَعْدِنَsource of الذَّهَبِgold الَّذِيwhich فِيin لَوْنِهِits color
يَا مَعْدِنَ الذَّهَبِ الَّذِي فِي لَوْنِهِ
لِلشَّمسِof the sun مَسْحَةُa touch of بَهْجَةٍjoy وَرُوَاءِand freshness
لِلشَّمسِ مَسْحَةُ بَهْجَةٍ وَرُوَاءِ
O source of gold, in whose color
The sun has a touch of joy and freshness,
يَاO مُدْنِيَbringer near of الأَرَبِthe wish البَعِيدِdistant مَنَالُهُto attain
يَا مُدْنِيَ الأَرَبِ البَعِيدِ مَنَالُهُ
وَلَقَدْand indeed أَقُولُI say مُنِيلُgranter of كُلِّevery رَجَاءِhope
وَلَقَدْ أَقُولُ مُنِيلُ كُلِّ رَجَاءِ
O you who bring near the wish so hard to attain,
Indeed, I might say you grant every hope,
يَاO مُرِخصاًone who makes cheap مِنْfrom كُلِّevery نَفْسٍsoul مَاwhat غَلاَis dear
يَا مُرِخصاً مِنْ كُلِّ نَفْسٍ مَا غَلاَ
حَاشَاexcept نُفُوسِthe souls of العِلْيَةِthe exalted النُّبلاَءِthe noble
حَاشَا نُفُوسِ العِلْيَةِ النُّبلاَءِ
O you who make dear things cheap to every soul,
Save the souls of the exalted and noble:
إِنْif أَلَّهَتْكَthey deified you النَّاسُthe people كُنْbe عَبْداًa servant هُنَاhere
إِنْ أَلَّهَتْكَ النَّاسُ كُنْ عَبْداً هُنَا
وَاخْضَعْand bow لِهذِيto this الشِّيمَةِquality الشَّماءِlofty
وَاخْضَعْ لِهذِي الشِّيمَةِ الشَّماءِ
If people have made a god of you, be a servant here,
And bow before this lofty character,
وَزِنَand honor الَّتِيthe one who دَفَعَتْrepelled ضَلاَلَكَyour error بِالْهُدَىwith guidance
وَزِنَ الَّتِي دَفَعَتْ ضَلاَلَكَ بِالْهُدَى
وَسَوَادَand the darkness of مَكْرِكَyour guile بِاليَدِwith the hand البَيْضَاءِgenerous
وَسَوَادَ مَكْرِكَ بِاليَدِ البَيْضَاءِ
And honor her who met your error with guidance,
And the darkness of your guile with a generous hand.
عَجباًa wonder أَرَىI see وَلَعَلَّand perhaps أَعْجَبَthe strangest مَاwhat يُرَىis seen
عَجباً أَرَى وَلَعَلَّ أَعْجَبَ مَا يُرَى
دُنْيَاthe world of الخَلاَئِقِcreatures تَنْبَرِيsets out لِفِدَاءِfor sacrifice
دُنْيَا الخَلاَئِقِ تَنْبَرِي لِفِدَاءِ
A wonder I see—perhaps the strangest sight—
The world of creatures offering itself in sacrifice,
لماحَةًkeenly sensing لِلْغَيْبِthe unseen شَاعِرَةًaware بِهِof it
لماحَةً لِلْغَيْبِ شَاعِرَةً بِهِ
حَتَّىuntil لَيَحْضُرُهَاit becomes present to them الْخَفِيُّthe hidden thing النَّائِيdistant
حَتَّى لَيَحْضُرُهَا الْخَفِيُّ النَّائِي
Keenly sensing the unseen, aware of it,
Until what is hidden and distant seems present to them.
تِلْكَthose الرَّوَاعِيgrazing creatures كُلَّevery أَخْضَرَgreen thing نَاعمٍtender
تِلْكَ الرَّوَاعِي كُلَّ أَخْضَرَ نَاعمٍ
مِنْfrom كُلِّevery نَاعِمَةِsoft one الْخُطَىof step مَلْسَاءِsmooth
مِنْ كُلِّ نَاعِمَةِ الْخُطَى مَلْسَاءِ
Those creatures that graze on every tender green shoot,
Each one soft-footed and smooth,
مَنْwho بَثَّinstilled فِيهَاin them وَهْيَwhile they تَقْنِيgather قَزَّهَاtheir silk
مَنْ بَثَّ فِيهَا وَهْيَ تَقْنِي قَزَّهَا
مِنْfrom بَذْلِهَاtheir giving أَعَمَارَهَاtheir lifetimes بِسَخَاءِgenerously
مِنْ بَذْلِهَا أَعَمَارَهَا بِسَخَاءِ
Who instilled in them, as they gathered their silk,
The generous giving of their lifetimes,
أَنَّthat الَّذِيwhat تَقْضِيthey spend شَهِيدَةَas martyrs to نَسْجِهِweaving it
أَنَّ الَّذِي تَقْضِي شَهِيدَةَ نَسْجِهِ
لَكِfor you فِيهِin it سَعْدٌhappiness وَامْتِدَادُand prolonging of بَقَاءِlife
لَكِ فِيهِ سَعْدٌ وَامْتِدَادُ بَقَاءِ
So that what they die as martyrs to weave
Might bring you happiness and length of life?
هَبَّتrose صَبِيَّاتُyoung women of المَزَارِعِthe fields بُكْرَةًat dawn
هَبَّت صَبِيَّاتُ المَزَارِعِ بُكْرَةً
يَخْطِرْنَthey walk gracefully بَيْنَbetween السَّيرِday travel وَالإِسْرَاءِand night travel
يَخْطِرْنَ بَيْنَ السَّيرِ وَالإِسْرَاءِ
The young women of the fields stirred at dawn,
Walking gracefully between daylight travel and night travel,
مِنْof كُلِّevery عَاصِيَةِproud-breasted woman النُّهودِof breasts بِهَاin her تُقًىpiety
مِنْ كُلِّ عَاصِيَةِ النُّهودِ بِهَا تُقًى
مِطْوَاعَةِsupple الأَعْطَافِof movements ذَاتِpossessing حَيَاءِmodesty
مِطْوَاعَةِ الأَعْطَافِ ذَاتِ حَيَاءِ
Each with proud breasts and piety,
Supple in her movements and full of modesty.
نَادَىcalled بِهَاto them الْبُشَرَاءُthe heralds حَيِّcome عَلَىto الْجَنَىthe harvest
نَادَى بِهَا الْبُشَرَاءُ حَيِّ عَلَى الْجَنَى
فَعَدَتْso they hurried تُلَبِّيanswering دَعْوَةَthe call of الْبُشَرَاءِthe heralds
فَعَدَتْ تُلَبِّي دَعْوَةَ الْبُشَرَاءِ
The heralds called to them, ‘Come to the harvest!’
And they hurried to answer the heralds' call.
وَالْقُطْنُand the cotton مُوفٍstanding tall ضَاحِكٌsmiling بِبَياضِهِwith its whiteness
وَالْقُطْنُ مُوفٍ ضَاحِكٌ بِبَياضِهِ
وَصَفَائِهِand its purity مِنْfrom كُدْرَةِthe murk of الْغَبْرَاءِthe earth
وَصَفَائِهِ مِنْ كُدْرَةِ الْغَبْرَاءِ
The cotton stood tall, smiling in its whiteness
And purity amid the earth's dust.
يَشْقُقْنَthey part مِثْلَlike السِّترِa curtain مِنْfrom جَنَبَاتِهِits sides
يَشْقُقْنَ مِثْلَ السِّترِ مِنْ جَنَبَاتِهِ
وَيَخُضْنَand they wade شِبْهَthrough something like الْبَحْرِthe sea فيin الأَثْنَاءِthe midst
وَيَخُضْنَ شِبْهَ الْبَحْرِ في الأَثْنَاءِ
They parted its sides like a curtain
And waded through it as though through a sea,
مُتَغَنِّياتٍsinging مِنْfrom أَهَازِيجِthe songs of الصِّباyouth
مُتَغَنِّياتٍ مِنْ أَهَازِيجِ الصِّبا
مَاwhatever شَاءَwilled وَحْيُthe inspiration of هَوَىًlove وَطِيبُand pleasantness of هَوَاءِair
مَا شَاءَ وَحْيُ هَوَىً وَطِيبُ هَوَاءِ
Singing youthful songs
As love's inspiration and the pleasant air willed.
يُنْشِدْنَthey sing مِنْfrom وَصْفِthe description of المَخِيلَةِimagination جَلْوَةًan unveiling
يُنْشِدْنَ مِنْ وَصْفِ المَخِيلَةِ جَلْوَةً
لَعَرُوسِfor a bride of شِعْرٍpoetry زَيْنَةٍadorned هَيْفَاءِslender
لَعَرُوسِ شِعْرٍ زَيْنَةٍ هَيْفَاءِ
They sang a fancied description that unveiled
A slender, adorned bride of poetry:
حُورِيَّةa houri عَيْنَاءَwide-eyed أَبْهَىthe most beautiful مَاthat يُرَىis seen
حُورِيَّة عَيْنَاءَ أَبْهَى مَا يُرَى
فِيamong الْغِيدِgraceful women مِنْof حُورِيَّةa houri عَيْنَاءِwide-eyed
فِي الْغِيدِ مِنْ حُورِيَّة عَيْنَاءِ
A wide-eyed houri, the loveliest
Of all the graceful, wide-eyed houris.
وَفَرَbestowed الإِلَهُGod لَهَاon her الَعْطَاءَgifts فَلَمْso not يَعُدْwould return
وَفَرَ الإِلَهُ لَهَا الَعْطَاءَ فَلَمْ يَعُدْ
عَنْfrom بَابِهَاher door عَافٍa petitioner بِغَيْرِwithout عَطَاءِa gift
عَنْ بَابِهَا عَافٍ بِغَيْرِ عَطَاءِ
God gave her gifts in abundance, so none
Who sought help at her door went away empty-handed.
وَبِأَمْرِهَاand at her command تَعْرَىare stripped الْحُقُولُthe fields فَتَنْثَنِيso she returns
وَبِأَمْرِهَا تَعْرَى الْحُقُولُ فَتَنْثَنِي
أُمُّmother of الْعُرَاةِthe unclothed بِمِيرَةٍwith provisions وَكِسَاءِand clothing
أُمُّ الْعُرَاةِ بِمِيرَةٍ وَكِسَاءِ
At her command the fields are stripped, and she returns,
A mother to the unclothed, with provisions and clothing.
تِلْكَthat one الَّتِيwhom أَكْبَرْنَهَاthey magnified وَنَعَتْنَهَاand described her
تِلْكَ الَّتِي أَكْبَرْنَهَا وَنَعَتْنَهَا
بِأَحَاسِنِwith the fairest of الأَوْصَافِdescriptions وَالأَسْمَاءِand names
بِأَحَاسِنِ الأَوْصَافِ وَالأَسْمَاءِ
She is the one they magnified and described
With the fairest descriptions and names.
كَانَتْshe was عَرُوسَa bride of تَوَهُّمimagination فَتَحَقَّقتْthen became real
كَانَتْ عَرُوسَ تَوَهُّم فَتَحَقَّقتْ
بِصِفَاتِهَاwith her qualities وَغَدَتْand became مِنَamong الأَحْيَاءِthe living
بِصِفَاتِهَا وَغَدَتْ مِنَ الأَحْيَاءِ
She was an imagined bride, then became real
In all her qualities and joined the living.
أَعَرَفْتَهاdo you recognize her فَلَقَدْfor indeed أَكُونُI may be بِمَسْمَعٍwithin hearing
أَعَرَفْتَها فَلَقَدْ أَكُونُ بِمَسْمَعٍ
مِنْهَاof her أَقُولُI recite الشِّعرَpoetry وَهْيَwhile she إِزَائِيbefore me
مِنْهَا أَقُولُ الشِّعرَ وَهْيَ إِزَائِي
Do you recognize her? I may be within her hearing,
Reciting poetry as she stands before me.
للهِhow wondrous أًجْهِزَةُmachines of الْحَدِيدِiron مُدَارةًin motion
للهِ أًجْهِزَةُ الْحَدِيدِ مُدَارةً
تَأْتِيthey bring بِأَثْوابٍgarments زَهَتْthat shone وَمُلاَءِand fine cloth
تَأْتِي بِأَثْوابٍ زَهَتْ وَمُلاَءِ
How wondrous the iron machines in motion,
Producing bright garments and fine cloth!
عَجَبٌa marvel ضَخَامَتُهَاtheir huge size وَدِقَّةand delicacy of صُنْعِهَاtheir making
عَجَبٌ ضَخَامَتُهَا وَدِقَّة صُنْعِهَا
كَمْhow much رِقَّةdelicacy معيalong with غِلْظَةِthe sturdiness of الأَعْضَاءِthe parts
كَمْ رِقَّة معي غِلْظَةِ الأَعْضَاءِ
Their great size and delicate workmanship amaze;
How much delicacy lies with their sturdy parts!
مَنْwho كَانَwas يَحْسِبُexpecting أَنَّthat عَنْتَرَةًAntarah يُرَىwould appear
مَنْ كَانَ يَحْسِبُ أَنَّ عَنْتَرَةً يُرَى
مُتَفَوِّقاًsurpassing ظَرْفاًin grace عَلَىabove الشُّعرَاءِthe poets
مُتَفَوِّقاً ظَرْفاً عَلَى الشُّعرَاءِ
Who would have thought Antarah could appear
To surpass the poets in grace?
قَالَsaid امْرُؤٌa man مِنْamong سَامِعِيthe hearers of ضَوْضَائِهَاtheir clamor
قَالَ امْرُؤٌ مِنْ سَامِعِي ضَوْضَائِهَا
وَشُهُودِand witnesses of تِلْكَthat الْجَهْمَةِgrim mass السَّوْدَاءِblack
وَشُهُودِ تِلْكَ الْجَهْمَةِ السَّوْدَاءِ
Said someone who heard their clamor
And saw that grim black mass:
إِنَّindeed ابْتِساماًa smile لاَحَappeared مِنْهَاfrom it عِنْدَwhen مَاwhen
إِنَّ ابْتِساماً لاَحَ مِنْهَا عِنْدَ مَا
جَاءَتْit brought بِهذِيthis الْحُلَّةِrobe البَيْضَاءِwhite
جَاءَتْ بِهذِي الْحُلَّةِ البَيْضَاءِ
A smile appeared upon it when
It produced this white robe.
أَليَوْمَtoday عِيدٌis a feast فِيin تَقَاسُمِsharing حَظِّهِits fortune
أَليَوْمَ عِيدٌ فِي تَقَاسُمِ حَظِّهِ
لِلْبَائِسِينَfor the wretched رِضىًcontentment وَلِلسُّعدَاءِand for the fortunate
لِلْبَائِسِينَ رِضىً وَلِلسُّعدَاءِ
Today is a feast, its good fortune shared
By the wretched and the fortunate alike.
مَاcould not اسْطَاعَmanage فِيهِin it الدَّهْرُtime أَشْكَىsatisfy كُلَّevery ذِيperson with
مَا اسْطَاعَ فِيهِ الدَّهْرُ أَشْكَى كُلَّ ذِي
شَكْوَىa grievance وَهَادَنَand made peace with كُلَّevery ذِيperson with بُرَحَاءِpain
شَكْوَى وَهَادَنَ كُلَّ ذِي بُرَحَاءِ
On this day, time could satisfy everyone with a grievance
And make peace with everyone in pain.
عَمَّspread السُّرُورُjoy وَتَمَّand became complete حَتَّىuntil لَمْhardly يَكَدْit was
عَمَّ السُّرُورُ وَتَمَّ حَتَّى لَمْ يَكَدْ
أَثَرٌa trace يُرَىseen لِتَفَرُّقِof the division of الأَهْوَاءِdesires
أَثَرٌ يُرَى لِتَفَرُّقِ الأَهْوَاءِ
Joy spread and became so complete that scarcely
A trace of divided desires could be seen.
كُلٌّeveryone بِهِin it مِنْamong شَاهِدٍthose present أَوْor غَائِبِabsent
كُلٌّ بِهِ مِنْ شَاهِدٍ أَوْ غَائِبِ
أَثْنَىpraised عَلَيْكِyou وَقَدْand indeed ثَنَىadded بِدُعَاءِwith a prayer
أَثْنَى عَلَيْكِ وَقَدْ ثَنَى بِدُعَاءِ
Everyone, present or absent,
Praised you and added a prayer.
بِنتَdaughter of السَّليمِal-Salim وَجَلَّand great مِنْamong رَجُلٍmen سَمَاrose high
بِنتَ السَّليمِ وَجَلَّ مِنْ رَجُلٍ سَمَا
بِصَوَادِقِthrough sincere العَزَمَاتِresolves وَالآرَاءِand judgments
بِصَوَادِقِ العَزَمَاتِ وَالآرَاءِ
Daughter of al-Salim, whose father is a great man, raised high
By sincere resolve and sound judgment:
أَلفَخْرُpride حَقُّis the right of مَنِone whose الثُّرَيَّاthe Pleiades أُمُّهاis her mother
أَلفَخْرُ حَقُّ مَنِ الثُّرَيَّا أُمُّها
نَسَباًin lineage وَوَالِدُهَاand her father أَخُوbrother of الْجَوَزَاءِOrion
نَسَباً وَوَالِدُهَا أَخُو الْجَوَزَاءِ
Pride is the right of one whose mother, in lineage, is the Pleiades,
And whose father is the brother of Orion.
مِنْfrom أُسْرةٍa family هُمْthey أَهْلُare people of كُلِّevery مُروُءَةٍvirtue
مِنْ أُسْرةٍ هُمْ أَهْلُ كُلِّ مُروُءَةٍ
يَوْمَon the day of الْحِفَاظِdefending honor وَأَهْلُand people of كُلِّevery ثَنَاءِpraise
يَوْمَ الْحِفَاظِ وَأَهْلُ كُلِّ ثَنَاءِ
You come from a family of every virtue
When honor must be defended, and worthy of every praise.
إِنْif عَالَنُواthey dealt openly لِتِجَارَةٍin trade فَلَطَالَمَاthen long have they
إِنْ عَالَنُوا لِتِجَارَةٍ فَلَطَالَمَا
بَذَلُواgiven النَّوَالَbounty الْجَمَّabundant رَهْنَin خَفَاءِsecrecy
بَذَلُوا النَّوَالَ الْجَمَّ رَهْنَ خَفَاءِ
Though they deal openly in trade, they have long
Given abundant gifts in private,
بِتَرَفُّعwith rising above عَنْfrom كُلِّevery فَخْرٍpride بَاطِلٍvain
بِتَرَفُّع عَنْ كُلِّ فَخْرٍ بَاطِلٍ
وَتَجَنُّبand avoiding فِيin البِرِّcharity لِلْغَوْغَاءِpublic display
وَتَجَنُّب فِي البِرِّ لِلْغَوْغَاءِ
Rising above all empty pride
And avoiding public display in their charity.
لِيَكُنْmay it be لَكِfor you الْحَظُّthe fortune الَّذِيthat تَرْجِينَهُyou hope for
لِيَكُنْ لَكِ الْحَظُّ الَّذِي تَرْجِينَهُ
فَلَقَدْfor indeed ظَفِرْتِyou have won بِأَكْرَمِthe noblest of الأَكْفَاءِequals
فَلَقَدْ ظَفِرْتِ بِأَكْرَمِ الأَكْفَاءِ
May you have the fortune you hope for,
For you have won the noblest of equals:
نَسْلِoffspring of الأَمَاجِدِthe noble مِنْfrom أَمَاجِدِnoble forebears قَدْwho زَكَتْflourished
نَسْلِ الأَمَاجِدِ مِنْ أَمَاجِدِ قَدْ زَكَتْ
أَنْسَابُهُمْtheir lineages فِيin دَوْحَةِthe great tree of العَلْيَاءِhigh standing
أَنْسَابُهُمْ فِي دَوْحَةِ العَلْيَاءِ
A descendant of noble forebears whose lineages have flourished
On the great tree of high standing.
Sol 6