تِلْكَthat الدُّجُنَّةthe darkness آذَنَتْannounced بِجَلاَءِits departure
تِلْكَ الدُّجُنَّة آذَنَتْ بِجَلاَءِ
وَبَدَاand appeared الصَّباحُthe morning فَحَيِّso greet وَجْهَthe face of ذُكَاءِDhuka (the sun)
وَبَدَا الصَّباحُ فَحَيِّ وَجْهَ ذُكَاءِ
That darkness has announced its departure,
That palace foretold departure at dawn,
and morning has appeared: greet the face of Dhuka, the sun.
And morning shone revealing intelligence.
أَلعَدْلُjustice يَجْلُوهَاbrings her to light مُقِلاًّraising عَرشَهَاher throne
أَلعَدْلُ يَجْلُوهَا مُقِلاًّ عَرشَهَا
وَالظُّلمُand oppression يَعْثُرُstumbles عَثْرَةَthe stumble of الظَّلمَاءِutter darkness
وَالظُّلمُ يَعْثُرُ عَثْرَةَ الظَّلمَاءِ
Justice brings her into the light, lifting her throne,
Justice moves its throne gently,
while oppression stumbles as in utter darkness.
While injustice stumbles like the blind.
يَاO أَيُّهاyou اليَومُday العَظِيمُgreat تَحِيَّةًa greeting
يَا أَيُّها اليَومُ العَظِيمُ تَحِيَّةً
فُكَّwere freed الأَسَارَىthe captives بَعْدَafter طُولِlong عَناءِsuffering
فُكَّ الأَسَارَى بَعْدَ طُولِ عَناءِ
O great day, all hail!
O great day, I greet you,
The captives were freed after long suffering.
Prisoners are freed after prolonged distress.
أَوْشَكْتُI nearly فيكَon you وَقَدْhaving نَسَيتُforgotten شَكِيَّتيmy complaint
أَوْشَكْتُ فيكَ وَقَدْ نَسَيتُ شَكِيَّتي
أَنْto أُوسِعَlavish upon الأَيَّامَthe days طِيبَkindly ثَنَاءِpraise
أَنْ أُوسِعَ الأَيَّامَ طِيبَ ثَنَاءِ
On you, my complaint forgotten, I nearly
I had almost forgotten my plight in you,
lavish kindly praise upon the days.
And extended the finest days generous praise.
حَسْبَيsufficient for me اعتِذَارُكَyour apology عَنfor مَسَاءَةِthe hurt of مَاwhat مَضَىhas passed
حَسْبَي اعتِذَارُكَ عَن مَسَاءَةِ مَا مَضَى
بِمَبَرَّةٍthrough kindness مَوْفُورَةِabundant in الآلاَءِblessings
بِمَبَرَّةٍ مَوْفُورَةِ الآلاَءِ
Your apology for the hurt of the past suffices me,
Your apology for past wrongs suffices,
offered through kindness abundant in blessings.
With complete amnesty and abundant grace.
أَلشَّمسُthe sun يَزدَادُincreases ائتِلاقاًin brilliance نُورُهَاits light
أَلشَّمسُ يَزدَادُ ائتِلاقاً نُورُهَا
بَعدَafter اعْتَكارِthe thick darkness of اللَّيْلَةِthe night اللَّيْلاَءِpitch-black
بَعدَ اعْتَكارِ اللَّيْلَةِ اللَّيْلاَءِ
The sun's light grows more brilliant
The sun grows brighter after the darkness of night,
after the thick darkness of a pitch-black night.
And joy increases after adversity passes.
ويُضَاعِفُand doubles السَّرَّاءَjoy فِيin إِقْبَالِهَاits arrival
ويُضَاعِفُ السَّرَّاءَ فِي إِقْبَالِهَا
تَذْكَارُthe remembrance of مَاwhat وَلَّىhas passed مِنَof الضَّرَّاءِsuffering
تَذْكَارُ مَا وَلَّى مِنَ الضَّرَّاءِ
And joy, when it arrives, is doubled
My tribulations which I endured
by remembering the suffering that has passed.
From the outset of that violent raid,
لاَwould that not كَانَتِhad been الحِجَجُthe years الَّتِيwhich كَابَدْتُهَاI endured
لاَ كَانَتِ الحِجَجُ الَّتِي كَابَدْتُهَا
مِنْfrom بَدْءِthe beginning of تِلكَthat الغارةِonslaught الشّعوَاءِruthless
مِنْ بَدْءِ تِلكَ الغارةِ الشّعوَاءِ
Would that the years I endured had never been,
My sadness as my soul filled with sorrow,
from the beginning of that ruthless onslaught!
And the fire engulfed the sides of the wasteland.
ألحزنُsorrow حيثُwhere أبيتُI spend the night ملءُfills جوانحيmy breast
ألحزنُ حيثُ أبيتُ ملءُ جوانحي
والنارُand fire مِلءُfills جَوَانِبِthe reaches of الغَبْرَاءِthe dusty earth
والنارُ مِلءُ جَوَانِبِ الغَبْرَاءِ
Where I spend the night, sorrow fills my breast,
My prolonged bereavement left me inconsolable
and fire fills the reaches of the dusty earth.
After separation, though triumphant in reunion.
دَامِيbleeding الْحُشَاشَةِat heart لَمْdid not أَخَلْنِيI think myself صَابِراًenduring
دَامِي الْحُشَاشَةِ لَمْ أَخَلْنِي صَابِراً
بَعْدَafter الفِرَاقِseparation فَظَافِراًthen attaining بِلِقَاءِreunion
بَعْدَ الفِرَاقِ فَظَافِراً بِلِقَاءِ
With bleeding heart, I never thought I could endure
The pillars of my resolve almost collapsed
separation and then attain reunion.
In despair, hoping my affection would heal.
مُنْهَدُّcollapsed أَرْكَانِthe pillars of العَزِيمَةِresolve لَمْdid not أَكدْI nearly
مُنْهَدُّ أَرْكَانِ العَزِيمَةِ لَمْ أَكدْ
يَأْساًin despair أُمَنِّيI comfort مُهْجَتِيmy soul بِشِفاءِwith healing
يَأْساً أُمَنِّي مُهْجَتِي بِشِفاءِ
The pillars of my resolve collapsed; I could scarcely,
Tribulations in which I tasted death,
in despair, comfort my soul with hopes of healing.
Exposed to various forms of misery.
حجَجyears بَلَوْتُI experienced المَوْتَdeath حِينَwhen بَلَوْتُهَاI endured them
حجَج بَلَوْتُ المَوْتَ حِينَ بَلَوْتُهَا
مُتَعَرِّضاًconfronting لِيme فِيin صُنُوفِforms of شَقَاءِmisery
مُتَعَرِّضاً لِي فِي صُنُوفِ شَقَاءِ
Years in which I tasted death as I endured them,
But thank God, they passed
confronting me in many forms of misery.
And dispersed like clouds.
لَكِنَّهاbut they وَالْحَمْدُand praise لِلهِbe to God انقْضَتْpassed
لَكِنَّها وَالْحَمْدُ لِلهِ انقْضَتْ
وَتَكَشَّفتْand lifted كَتكشفِlike the lifting of الغَمَّاءِa crushing affliction
وَتَكَشَّفتْ كَتكشفِ الغَمَّاءِ
But they have passed, praise be to God,
And the dear friend, redeemed from estrangement,
and lifted as a crushing affliction lifts.
His status heightened above nobility,
وَغَدَاand became الْخَلِيلُKhalil مُهَنِّئاًcongratulating وَمُهَنَّأًand congratulated
وَغَدَا الْخَلِيلُ مُهَنِّئاً وَمُهَنَّأً
بَعْدَafter الأَسَىsorrow وتَعَذُّرِand the impossibility of التَّأسَاءِconsolation
بَعْدَ الأَسَى وتَعَذُّرِ التَّأسَاءِ
And Khalil offered and received congratulations,
Is overjoyed like a blissful child on his feast day,
after sorrow and the impossibility of consolation.
Speaking effusively with gestures and signals,
جَذْلاَنَjoyful كَالطِّفلِlike the child السَّعيدdelighted بِعِيدِهِwith his feast day
جَذْلاَنَ كَالطِّفلِ السَّعيد بِعِيدِهِ
مُسْتَرْسِلاًgiving himself freely فِيto اللَّفْظِwords وَالإِيمَاءِand gestures
مُسْتَرْسِلاً فِي اللَّفْظِ وَالإِيمَاءِ
Joyful as a child delighted with his feast day,
Fulfilling his vows on his day
giving himself freely to words and gestures.
Granting the wishes of his petitioners without delay.
يَقْضِيhe fulfills وَذلِكَand that نَذْرُهُis his vow فِيon يَوْمِهِhis day
يَقْضِي وَذلِكَ نَذْرُهُ فِي يَوْمِهِ
حَاجَاتِthe needs of سَائِلِهِwhoever asks him بِلاَwithout إِبْطَاءِdelay
حَاجَاتِ سَائِلِهِ بِلاَ إِبْطَاءِ
He fulfills—and this is his vow on his day—
None were more generous than him to their brethren,
the needs of whoever asks him, without delay.
Had he owned the riches of the wealthy.
مَاhow كَانَwould have been أَجْوَدَهُgenerous he عَلَىtoward بُشَرَائِهِhis bearers of good news
مَا كَانَ أَجْوَدَهُ عَلَى بُشَرَائِهِ
بِثَرَائِهِwith his wealth لَوْif كَانَhe were رَبَّa possessor of ثَرَاءِwealth
بِثَرَائِهِ لَوْ كَانَ رَبَّ ثَرَاءِ
How generously he would have rewarded his bearers of good news
The beloved returned from exile,
with his wealth, had he possessed wealth!
His rank rising above the almond tree.
عَادَreturned الْحَبِيبُthe beloved الْمُفْتَدَىfor whom ransom is given مِنْfrom غُرْبَةٍexile
عَادَ الْحَبِيبُ الْمُفْتَدَى مِنْ غُرْبَةٍ
أَعْلَتْraised مَكَانَتَهُhis stature عَنِabove الْجَوْزَاءِal-Jawza (constellation)
أَعْلَتْ مَكَانَتَهُ عَنِ الْجَوْزَاءِ
The beloved, for whom we would give ransom, returned from exile
My longing for the prince of its rhetoric, my longing for its youth
that raised his stature above al-Jawza.
In that terrible stance.
إِنَّindeed الأَدِيبَthe writer وَقَدْhaving سَمَاrisen بِبَلاَئِهِthrough his ordeal
إِنَّ الأَدِيبَ وَقَدْ سَمَا بِبَلاَئِهِ
غيْرُis unlike الأَدِيبِthe writer وَلَيْسَwho is not رَبَّa possessor of بَلاَءِordeal
غيْرُ الأَدِيبِ وَلَيْسَ رَبَّ بَلاَءِ
A writer elevated by his ordeal
My longing, and after his name what glory remains
is not the same as a writer untouched by ordeal.
If the nobles are ennobled by names?
فِيin بَرْشَلُونَةَBarcelona نَازِحٌfar removed عَنْfrom قَوْمِهِhis people
فِي بَرْشَلُونَةَ نَازِحٌ عَنْ قَوْمِهِ
وَدِيَارِهِand his homeland وَالأَهْلِand family وَالقُرْبَاءِand kin
وَدِيَارِهِ وَالأَهْلِ وَالقُرْبَاءِ
In Barcelona, far removed from his people,
He fulfilled it, and who of the pioneers attained
his homeland, his family, and his kin.
What he attained in reverence and sublimity?
نَاءٍdistant وَلَوْeven if أَغْنَتْcould substitute مِنَfor المُقَلِeyes النُّهىthe mind
نَاءٍ وَلَوْ أَغْنَتْ مِنَ المُقَلِ النُّهى
مَاnot كَانَwould he be عَنْهُمْfrom them لَحْظَةًfor a moment بِالنَّائِيdistant
مَا كَانَ عَنْهُمْ لَحْظَةً بِالنَّائِي
Far away—yet, could the mind take the place of eyes,
Egypt greets him with copious flowing tears
he would not have been distant from them for a moment.
Of joy and thirsty eyes toward him.
بالأَمْسِyesterday فِيهِin him العَينُthe eye تَحسُدُenvied قَلْبَهَاits heart
بالأَمْسِ فِيهِ العَينُ تَحسُدُ قَلْبَهَا
وَاليَومَand today يَلتَقِيَانِthe two meet فِيin نَعْمَاءِbliss
وَاليَومَ يَلتَقِيَانِ فِي نَعْمَاءِ
Yesterday, in him, the eye envied its heart;
Egypt greets him wholeheartedly
today the two meet in bliss.
Loyal to him above all passions.
أَهلاًwelcome بِنَابِغَةِto the prodigy of البِلاَدِthe country وَمَرْحَباًand welcome
أَهلاً بِنَابِغَةِ البِلاَدِ وَمَرْحَباً
بِالعَبْقَرِيِّto the genius الفَاقِدِlacking النُّظرَاءِpeers
بِالعَبْقَرِيِّ الفَاقِدِ النُّظرَاءِ
Welcome to the country's prodigy, and welcome
The joy of its elderly and its youth,
to the genius who has no peers!
The pride of its forefathers and lords.
شَوقِيShawqi أَمِيرِprince of بِيانِهَاher eloquence شَوقِيShawqi فَتَىforemost young man
شَوقِي أَمِيرِ بِيانِهَا شَوقِي فَتَى
فِتيانِهَاof her young men فِيin الوَقْفَةِthe stand النَّكرَاءِfearsome
فِتيانِهَا فِي الوَقْفَةِ النَّكرَاءِ
Shawqi, prince of her eloquence; Shawqi, foremost
A country shaken in all corners with pride
of her young men at the fearsome stand.
Near and far in all regions.
شَوقِيShawqi وَهَلْand is there بَعْدَbeyond اسمِهِhis name شَرَفٌhonor إِذَاif
شَوقِي وَهَلْ بَعْدَ اسمِهِ شَرَفٌ إِذَا
شَرُفَتْare honored رِجَالُmen of النُّبلِnobility بِالأَسْمَاءِby names
شَرُفَتْ رِجَالُ النُّبلِ بِالأَسْمَاءِ
Shawqi—and is there honor beyond his name, if
Thirst quenched in reunion, they became
men of nobility are honored by their names?
In delight and serenity after yearning.
وَافَىhe arrived وَمَنْand who لِلفَاتِحينَfor conquerors بِمِثلِcould provide the like of مَاwhat
وَافَى وَمَنْ لِلفَاتِحينَ بِمِثلِ مَا
لاَقَىhe received مِنَof الإِعْظَامreverence وَالإِعْلاَءِand exaltation
لاَقَى مِنَ الإِعْظَام وَالإِعْلاَءِ
He arrived—and who could grant conquerors the like of
And next to Old Cairo, a desolate quarter
the reverence and exaltation he received?
Where the dead of the living reside.
مِصْرٌEgypt تُحَيِّيهِgreets him بِدَمعٍwith tears دَافِقٍstreaming
مِصْرٌ تُحَيِّيهِ بِدَمعٍ دَافِقٍ
فَرَحاًin joy وَأَحْدَاقٍand eyes إِلَيْهِfor him ظِمَاءِthirsting
فَرَحاً وَأَحْدَاقٍ إِلَيْهِ ظِمَاءِ
Egypt greets him with streaming tears
In it, a heart that would not rest despite decay
of joy, and eyes thirsting for him.
For the most righteous mother swiftly ordained.
مِصْرٌEgypt تُحَيِّيهِgreets him بِقَلْبٍwith a heart وَاحِدٍone
مِصْرٌ تُحَيِّيهِ بِقَلْبٍ وَاحِدٍ
مُوفٍsurpassing هَواهُits love بِهِfor him عَلَىabove الأَهْوَاءِother loves
مُوفٍ هَواهُ بِهِ عَلَى الأَهْوَاءِ
Egypt greets him with one heart,
Hope appeared she would meet her son,
whose love for him surpasses all other loves.
But despair came at the height of hope.
جَذْلَىrejoicing بعَوْدِin the return of ذَكِيِّهاher brilliant son وَسَرِيِّهاand her noble son
جَذْلَى بعَوْدِ ذَكِيِّها وَسَرِيِّها
جَذْلَىrejoicing بِعَوْدِin the return of كَمِيِّهاher warrior الأَبَاءِunyielding
جَذْلَى بِعَوْدِ كَمِيِّها الأَبَاءِ
Rejoicing in the return of her brilliant, noble son,
The excess of happiness overcame her when
rejoicing in the return of her unyielding warrior.
His emergence shone like the radiant dawn.
حَامِيguardian of حَقِيقَتَهَاher honor وَمُعْلِيand raiser of صَوتَهَاher voice
حَامِي حَقِيقَتَهَا وَمُعْلِي صَوتَهَا
أَيَّامَin the days كَانَwhen belonged الصَّوتُthe voice لِلأَعْدَاءِto the enemies
أَيَّامَ كَانَ الصَّوتُ لِلأَعْدَاءِ
Guardian of her honor, raiser of her voice,
But the return and feast of the loved one
in the days when the voice belonged to her enemies.
Returned consciousness from slumber.
أَلمُنْشِيءِthe writer اللَّبِقِdeft الحَفِيلِabounding نَظيمُهُhis verse
أَلمُنْشِيءِ اللَّبِقِ الحَفِيلِ نَظيمُهُ
وَنَثِيرُهُand his prose بِرَوَائِعِin marvels of الأَبْدَاءِoriginal creation
وَنَثِيرُهُ بِرَوَائِعِ الأَبْدَاءِ
The deft writer, whose verse abounds,
So her heart is awake, joyous for him,
and whose prose abounds, in marvelous creations.
And for his grandchildren from the most righteous of skies.
أَلْبَالِغِattaining الخَطَرَthe eminence الَّذِيwhich لَمْnot يَعْلُهُsurpassed it
أَلْبَالِغِ الخَطَرَ الَّذِي لَمْ يَعْلُهُ
خَطَرٌany eminence بِلاَwithout زَهْوٍvanity وَلاَnor خُيَلاَءِconceit
خَطَرٌ بِلاَ زَهْوٍ وَلاَ خُيَلاَءِ
Who attained an eminence surpassed
She minds the steps of her grandchildren and protects them
by none, without vanity or conceit.
In every footstep with prayer.
أَلصَّادِقِsincere السَّمحِgenerous السَّريرَةِof heart حَيْثُwhere لاَnot
أَلصَّادِقِ السَّمحِ السَّريرَةِ حَيْثُ لاَ
تَعْدُوgo beyond الرِّيَاءَpretense مَظَاهِرُthe gestures of السُّمحَاءِthe generous
تَعْدُو الرِّيَاءَ مَظَاهِرُ السُّمحَاءِ
Sincere and generous of heart, where
In the mercy of the Compassionate, rest, and witness
the gestures of the generous go no further than pretense.
The exaltation of Ahmed, for he is the best consolation.
أَلرَّاحِمِcompassionate to المِسْكِينَthe poor person وَالْمَلْهُوفَand the distressed وَالْand the
أَلرَّاحِمِ المِسْكِينَ وَالْمَلْهُوفَ وَالْ
مَظْلُومَoppressed person حِينَwhen تَعَذُّرِhard to find الرُّحَمَاءِthe compassionate
مَظْلُومَ حِينَ تَعَذُّرِ الرُّحَمَاءِ
Compassionate to the poor, the anguished, and the
And for his mother the elder and your mother before him
oppressed, when compassionate souls are hard to find.
Let go, your child, and sleep in bliss.
عِلْماًknowing بِأَنَّthat الأَقْوِيَاءَthe strong لِيَوْمِهِمْfor their present day
عِلْماً بِأَنَّ الأَقْوِيَاءَ لِيَوْمِهِمْ
هُمْthey فِيare among غَدَاةِthe morning of غَدٍtomorrow مِنamong الضُّعفَاءِthe weak
هُمْ فِي غَدَاةِ غَدٍ مِن الضُّعفَاءِ
Knowing that those strong today
Egypt's rank is affirmed in Shukri’s place
will be among the weak tomorrow morning.
At the pinnacle of the untainted literary summit.
أَلطَّيبِpure النَّفسِof soul الكَريمِgenerous بِمَالِهِwith his wealth
أَلطَّيبِ النَّفسِ الكَريمِ بِمَالِهِ
فِيamid ضِنَّةstinginess مِنْfrom أَنْفُسِthe souls of الكُرَمَاءِthe generous
فِي ضِنَّة مِنْ أَنْفُسِ الكُرَمَاءِ
Pure of soul, generous with his wealth,
He is the most unique of the East’s kindred souls
amid the stinginess of supposedly generous souls.
Speaking in pure Arabic or otherwise.
أَلكَاظِمِrestraining الغَيْظَanger الْغَفُورَforgiving تَفَضُّلاًout of grace
أَلكَاظِمِ الغَيْظَ الْغَفُورَ تَفَضُّلاً
وَتَطَوُّلاًand munificence لِجِهَالَةِtoward the ignorance of الْجُهَلاَءِthe ignorant
وَتَطَوُّلاً لِجِهَالَةِ الْجُهَلاَءِ
Restraining anger, forgiving out of grace
Still composing a marvel for each rough draft
and munificence the ignorance of the ignorant.
Captivating the gentle with splendor and beauty.
جِدِّtruly الْوَفِيِّloyal لِصَحْبِهِto his companions وَلأَهْلِهِand to his family
جِدِّ الْوَفِيِّ لِصَحْبِهِ وَلأَهْلِهِ
وَلِقَوْمِهِand to his people إِنْif عَزَّis rare جِدُّtrue وَفَاءِloyalty
وَلِقَوْمِهِ إِنْ عَزَّ جِدُّ وَفَاءِ
Truly loyal to his companions and his family,
Like the sea he bestows a pearl everyday
and to his people, when true loyalty is rare.
Radiant over its graceful sister.
أَلمفْتَدِيransoming الْوَطَنَthe homeland الْعزِيزَcherished بِرُوحِهِwith his life
أَلمفْتَدِي الْوَطَنَ الْعزِيزَ بِرُوحِهِ
هَلْcan يَرْتَقِيrise وَطَنٌa homeland بِغَيْرِwithout فِدَاءِsacrifice
هَلْ يَرْتَقِي وَطَنٌ بِغَيْرِ فِدَاءِ
Ransoming his cherished homeland with his life—
Tell the one who compares Ahmed
can a homeland rise without sacrifice?
To any of the counted literati:
مُتَصَدِّياًstanding forth لِلْقُدْوَةِas the example المُثْلَىَfinest وَمَاand not
مُتَصَدِّياً لِلْقُدْوَةِ المُثْلَىَ وَمَا
زَالَceased to be السَّرَاةُthe noble مَنَائِرَbeacons of الدَّهْنَاءِal-Dahna (desert)
زَالَ السَّرَاةُ مَنَائِرَ الدَّهْنَاءِ
Standing forth as the finest example—and
"Who before you has eulogized the like in elegy
the noble have always been beacons in al-Dahna.
Of the Red City, its history and the stranger's awe?
هَذِيthese ضُرُوبٌare kinds مِنْof فَضَائِلِهِhis virtues الَّتِيwhich
هَذِي ضُرُوبٌ مِنْ فَضَائِلِهِ الَّتِي
رَفَعَتْهُraised him فَوْقَabove مَنَازِلِthe ranks of الأُمَرَاءِprinces
رَفَعَتْهُ فَوْقَ مَنَازِلِ الأُمَرَاءِ
These are kinds of his virtues, which
You harnessed your talent innovating therein, and in
raised him above the ranks of princes.
Egypt’s relics you remain most descriptive."
جَمَعَتْgathered حَوَالَيْهِaround him القُلُوبَhearts وَأَطْلَقَتْand released
جَمَعَتْ حَوَالَيْهِ القُلُوبَ وَأَطْلَقَتْ
بَعْدَafter اعْتِقَالٍconfinement أَلْسُنَthe tongues of الْفُصَحَاءِthe eloquent
بَعْدَ اعْتِقَالٍ أَلْسُنَ الْفُصَحَاءِ
They gathered hearts around him and released,
You attained the Buhaira’s eloquence and surpassed him
after confinement, the tongues of the eloquent.
In meaning, weightiness of style and delivery.
مَاnot كَانَwas لِلإِطْراءِfor flattery ذِكْرَىmy mention of بَعْضَهَاsome of them
مَا كَانَ لِلإِطْراءِ ذِكْرَى بَعْضَهَا
وَهْيَand they الَّتِيare what تَسْمُوrise عَنِabove الإِطْرَاءِflattery
وَهْيَ الَّتِي تَسْمُو عَنِ الإِطْرَاءِ
My mention of some of them was not for flattery,
Rather, you were more eloquent contending with his portrayal
for they rise above all flattery.
And prevailed in depictions and animation.
قُلتُI said اليَسِيرَlittle مِنَof الكَثِيرِmuch وَلَمْand not أَزِدْI added
قُلتُ اليَسِيرَ مِنَ الكَثِيرِ وَلَمْ أَزِدْ
شَيْئاًanything وَكَمْand how much فِيwithin النَّفسِthe soul مِنْof أَشْيَاءِthings
شَيْئاً وَكَمْ فِي النَّفسِ مِنْ أَشْيَاءِ
I have said little of much, and added
O lesson for the world, enough of times past
nothing—yet how much remains within my soul!
And al-Andalus, which prolonged weeping!
أَرْعَىI respect اتِّضاعَthe humility of أَخِيmy brother فَأُوجِزُso I am brief وَالَّذِيyet what
أَرْعَى اتِّضاعَ أَخِي فَأُوجِزُ وَالَّذِي
يُرْضِيpleases تَوَاضُعَهُhis modesty يَسُوءُwounds إِخائِيmy brotherly affection
يُرْضِي تَوَاضُعَهُ يَسُوءُ إِخائِي
I respect my brother's humility, so I am brief; yet what
It was not the sin of the Arabs, what they did to it,
pleases his modesty wounds my brotherly affection.
Until they completely withdrew in harshest exile.
إِنَّindeed البِلاَدَthe country أَباAbu (father of) عَلِيٍّAli كَابَدَتْendured
إِنَّ البِلاَدَ أَبا عَلِيٍّ كَابَدَتْ
وَجْداًin longing عَلَيْكَfor you حَرَارَةَthe heat of البُرَحَاءِanguish
وَجْداً عَلَيْكَ حَرَارَةَ البُرَحَاءِ
The country, Abu Ali, has endured,
They left, muted in step, their hearts blazing
in longing for you, the burning heat of anguish.
With passion for Granada the songstress.
وَزَكَاand grew إِلَىtoward مَحبُوبِهَاher beloved تَحْنَانُهَاher yearning
وَزَكَا إِلَى مَحبُوبِهَا تَحْنَانُهَا
بِتَبَغُّضthrough hatred of الأَحْدَاثِmishaps وَالأَرْزَاءِand calamities
بِتَبَغُّض الأَحْدَاثِ وَالأَرْزَاءِ
And her yearning for her beloved grew
The ships which were their glory yesterday
through hatred of mishaps and calamities.
Bore their corpses adrift without direction.
لاَno بِدْعَwonder فِيin إِبْدَائِهَاher expressing لَكَto you حُبَّهاher love
لاَ بِدْعَ فِي إِبْدَائِهَا لَكَ حُبَّها
بِنِهَايَةِwith the utmost الإِبَدَاعِartistry فِيin الإِبْدَاءِexpression
بِنِهَايَةِ الإِبَدَاعِ فِي الإِبْدَاءِ
No wonder she expresses her love for you
You were concise when you recalled their absence
with the utmost artistry of expression.
With inimitable eloquence, devoid of verbosity.
فَالْمُنْجِبَاتُfor those bearing great sons مِنَamong الدِّيَارِlands بِطَبْعِهَاby their nature
فَالْمُنْجِبَاتُ مِنَ الدِّيَارِ بِطَبْعِهَا
أحَنَىmore tender عَلَىtoward أَبْنَائِهَاtheir sons العُظَمَاءِillustrious
أحَنَى عَلَى أَبْنَائِهَا العُظَمَاءِ
For lands that bear great sons are, by nature,
Some silence exceeds all rhetoric
more tender toward their illustrious children.
In the minds of the discerning and eloquent.
أَلقُطْرُthe country مُهْتَزُّtrembling الجَوانِبِthroughout its reaches غِبْطَةًwith joy
أَلقُطْرُ مُهْتَزُّ الجَوانِبِ غِبْطَةً
فِيمَاin what دَنَاis near وَنَأَىand far مِنَof الأَرْجَاءِthe regions
فِيمَا دَنَا وَنَأَى مِنَ الأَرْجَاءِ
The country trembles throughout with joy,
To refrain at the peak of eloquence, that is the hour
in its regions near and far.
Of the dumbfounding speech.
رَوِيَdrank their fill العِطَاشُthose thirsting إِلىfor اللِّقَاءِreunion وَأَصبَحُواand they became
رَوِيَ العِطَاشُ إِلى اللِّقَاءِ وَأَصبَحُوا
بَعْدَafter الجَوَىheartache فِيin بَهْجَةٍdelight وَصَفَاءِand serenity
بَعْدَ الجَوَى فِي بَهْجَةٍ وَصَفَاءِ
Those thirsting for reunion have drunk their fill, and now dwell,
You preached it a profound lesson to the East
after heartache, in delight and serenity.
With the admonitions of the dead to the living.
وَبِجَانِبِand beside الفُسْطَاطِFustat حَيٌّa quarter مُوْحِشٌdesolate
وَبِجَانِبِ الفُسْطَاطِ حَيٌّ مُوْحِشٌ
هُوَit is مَوْطِنُthe home of المَوْتَىthe dead مِنَamong الأَحْيَاءِthe living
هُوَ مَوْطِنُ المَوْتَى مِنَ الأَحْيَاءِ
Beside Fustat lies a desolate quarter,
Only decimation reforms nations
the home of the dead among the living.
As that disgraceful annihilation.
فِيهِwithin it فُؤادٌa heart لَمdid not يَقَرَّcome to rest عَلَىin الرَّدَىdeath
فِيهِ فُؤادٌ لَم يَقَرَّ عَلَى الرَّدَى
لأَبَرِّof the most devoted أُمٍّmother عُوجِلَتْovertaken too soon بِقَضَاءِby death's decree
لأَبَرِّ أُمٍّ عُوجِلَتْ بِقَضَاءِ
Within it is a heart that never came to rest in death,
O nightingale of the honest homeland, companion of
a most devoted mother's, whom fate overtook too soon.
The sad night with the echoing melody.
لاَحَdawned الرَّجَاءُhope لَهَاfor her بِأَنْthat تَلْقَىshe would meet ابنَهَاher son
لاَحَ الرَّجَاءُ لَهَا بِأَنْ تَلْقَى ابنَهَا
وَقَضَتْand she died فَجَاءَso came اليَأْسُdespair حِينَat the moment of رَجَاءِhope
وَقَضَتْ فَجَاءَ اليَأْسُ حِينَ رَجَاءِ
Hope dawned for her that she would meet her son,
Moments passed you had not versified,
but she died, and despair came at the moment of hope.
Nor was your name filling the news.
أَوْدَىtook her life بِهَاfrom her فَرْطُan excess of السَّعادَةِhappiness عِنْدَمَاwhen
أَوْدَى بِهَا فَرْطُ السَّعادَةِ عِنْدَمَا
شَامَتْshe glimpsed لِطَلْعَتِهِof his appearance بَشِيرَa herald of ضِيَاءِlight
شَامَتْ لِطَلْعَتِهِ بَشِيرَ ضِيَاءِ
An excess of happiness took her life when
Yet your inspiration filled every articulate mouth
she glimpsed a herald of light announcing his appearance.
And your view guided the enlightened.
لَكِنَّماyet عَوْدُthe return of الْحَبِيبِthe beloved وَعِيدُهُand his celebration
لَكِنَّما عَوْدُ الْحَبِيبِ وَعِيدُهُ
رَدَّاthe two restored إِلَيهَاto her الْحسَّsensation مِنْfrom إِغْفَاءِslumber
رَدَّا إِلَيهَا الْحسَّ مِنْ إِغْفَاءِ
Yet the beloved's return and his celebration
You founded for its unification
restored her senses from their slumber.
A pillar on which the best structure stood.
فَفُؤادُهُاso her heart يَقِظٌis awake لَهُfor him فَرَحٌrejoicing بِهِin him
فَفُؤادُهُا يَقِظٌ لَهُ فَرَحٌ بِهِ
وَبِفَرْقَدَيْهِand in his two stars مِنْfrom أَبَرِّthe most loving سَمَاءِheaven
وَبِفَرْقَدَيْهِ مِنْ أَبَرِّ سَمَاءِ
So her heart is awake for him, rejoicing in him
And you sowed in its morality and nature
and in his two stars, from a most loving heaven.
The purest seeds which sprouted growth.
يَرْعَىwatches خُطَىthe steps of حُفَدَائِهَاher grandchildren وَيُعِيذُهُمْand protects them
يَرْعَى خُطَى حُفَدَائِهَا وَيُعِيذُهُمْ
فِيat كُلِّevery نُقْلَةِmovement of خُطْوَةٍa step بِدُعَاءِwith prayer
فِي كُلِّ نُقْلَةِ خُطْوَةٍ بِدُعَاءِ
It watches her grandchildren's steps and protects them
As for comrades, loyalty unlike theirs
with prayer at every movement of a foot.
Increased in sickness and in health.
فِيin رَحْمَةِthe mercy of الرِّحْمَنِthe All-Merciful قَرِّيrest وَاشْهَدِيand witness
فِي رَحْمَةِ الرِّحْمَنِ قَرِّي وَاشْهَدِي
تَمْجِيدَthe glorification of أَحْمَدَAhmad فَهْوَfor it is خَيْرُthe best عَزَاءِconsolation
تَمْجِيدَ أَحْمَدَ فَهْوَ خَيْرُ عَزَاءِ
Rest in the All-Merciful's mercy, and witness
And Egypt’s youth see you as a father
Ahmad's glorification: it is the best consolation.
And see you in the station of sons.
وَلأُمِّهand to his mother الكُبْرَىgreater وَأُمِّكand your mother قَبْلَهُbefore him
وَلأُمِّه الكُبْرَى وَأُمِّك قَبْلَهُ
خَلِّيentrust وَلِيدَكِyour son وَارْقدِيand sleep بِهَنَاءِin peace
خَلِّي وَلِيدَكِ وَارْقدِي بِهَنَاءِ
To his greater mother, your mother before him,
From your bold, honest speech they learned
entrust your son, and sleep in peace.
The tones of steadfastness and dignity.
مصْرُEgypt بشَوْقِيthrough Shawqi قَدْhas أُقِرَّbeen secured مَكَانُهَاher place
مصْرُ بشَوْقِي قَدْ أُقِرَّ مَكَانُهَا
فِيon الذُّرْوَةِthe summit الأَدَبِيَّةliterary الْعَصْمَاءِlofty
فِي الذُّرْوَةِ الأَدَبِيَّة الْعَصْمَاءِ
Through Shawqi, Egypt's place has been secured
There is no credit save their credit in what
on the lofty summit of literature.
The affairs of the countries concluded in ordeal.
هُوَhe أَوْحَدُis peerless in الشَّرقَيْنِthe two Easts مِنْamong مُتَقَارِبٍthose nearby
هُوَ أَوْحَدُ الشَّرقَيْنِ مِنْ مُتَقَارِبٍ
مُتَكَلِّمٍspeaking بِالضَّادِin dad (Arabic) أَوْor مُتَنَائِيfar away
مُتَكَلِّمٍ بِالضَّادِ أَوْ مُتَنَائِي
He is peerless in the two Easts, among those nearby
They were the elders, youths, leaders
who speak the tongue of dad, or those far away.
And troops in valor.
مَاnot زَالَceased خَلاَّقاًcreating لِكُلِّevery خَرِيدَةmaiden beauty
مَا زَالَ خَلاَّقاً لِكُلِّ خَرِيدَة
تُصْبِيcaptivates الْحَلِيمَthe sober-minded بِرَوْعَةٍwith wonder وَبَهَاءِand splendor
تُصْبِي الْحَلِيمَ بِرَوْعَةٍ وَبَهَاءِ
He never ceases to create a maiden beauty
Neither stinginess nor blood deterred them
that captivates the sober-minded with wonder and splendor.
On the day they were summoned to protect.
كَالبَحْرِlike the sea يُهْدِيhe offers كُلَّevery يَوْمٍday دُرَّةَa pearl
كَالبَحْرِ يُهْدِي كُلَّ يَوْمٍ دُرَّةَ
أَزْهَىbrighter سَنىًin radiance مِنْthan أُخْتِهَاits sister الْحَسْنَاءِbeautiful
أَزْهَى سَنىً مِنْ أُخْتِهَا الْحَسْنَاءِ
Like the sea, he offers a pearl each day,
Heroes paying tribute with all the harm
brighter in radiance than its beautiful sister.
Suffered for truth, refusing oppression.
قُلْtell لِلْمُشَبِّهthe comparer إِنْif يُشَبِّهhe likens أَحْمَداًAhmad
قُلْ لِلْمُشَبِّه إِنْ يُشَبِّه أَحْمَداً
يَوْماًone day بَمَعْدُودٍto a notable figure مِنَamong الأُدَبَاءِwriters
يَوْماً بَمَعْدُودٍ مِنَ الأُدَبَاءِ
Tell whoever makes comparisons, if he likens Ahmad
Their will alone remained, though they were
one day to some notable writer:
Dismembered in limb and organ.
مَنْwho جَالranged مِنamong أَهلِthe people of اليَرَاعِthe pen مَجالَهُas he ranged
مَنْ جَال مِن أَهلِ اليَرَاعِ مَجالَهُ
فِيin كُلِّevery مِضْمارٍarena مِنَof الإِنْشَاءِcomposition
فِي كُلِّ مِضْمارٍ مِنَ الإِنْشَاءِ
Who among the people of the pen has ranged as he has
Conviction is a lofty trait
through every arena of composition?
Which transcends turbidity and murk.
مَنْwho صَالَcharged فِيthrough فَلَكِthe firmament of الخَيَالِimagination مَصَالَهُas he charged
مَنْ صَالَ فِي فَلَكِ الخَيَالِ مَصَالَهُ
فَأَتَيthen brought بِكُلِّevery سَبِيَّةcaptive عَذْرَاءِvirgin
فَأَتَي بِكُلِّ سَبِيَّة عَذْرَاءِ
Who has charged through imagination's firmament as he has,
It harvests pride from the disgraces of enmity
bringing back every virgin captive?
And attains honor from humiliation.
أَصَحِبْتَهُdid you accompany him وَالنجْمُwith the star نُصْبَbefore عُيُونِهِhis eyes
أَصَحِبْتَهُ وَالنجْمُ نُصْبَ عُيُونِهِ
وَالشَّأوُand the goal أَوْجَthe zenith of القُبَّةthe dome الزَّرْقَاءِblue
وَالشَّأوُ أَوْجَ القُبَّة الزَّرْقَاءِ
Have you accompanied him, the star before his eyes,
A virgin whose utmost beauty’s overpriced dower
his goal the zenith of the blue dome?
Is honor, beyond price.
إِذاwhen بَاتَhe spent the night يَسْتَوحِيseeking inspiration فَأَوْغَلَthen went farther صَاعِداًascending
إِذا بَاتَ يَسْتَوحِي فَأَوْغَلَ صَاعِداً
حَتَّىuntil أَلمَّhe reached بِمَصْدَرِthe source of الإِيحَاءِinspiration
حَتَّى أَلمَّ بِمَصْدَرِ الإِيحَاءِ
When he spent the night seeking inspiration, soaring farther upward,
Would its guardian be stingy while below it
until he reached the source of inspiration?
The protectors give their souls freely?
أَقَرَأْتَhave you read فِيon الطَّيرَانِflight آيَاتٍverses لَهُof his
أَقَرَأْتَ فِي الطَّيرَانِ آيَاتٍ لَهُ
يَجْدُرْنَthey are worthy بِالتَّرتِيلِof measured chanting وَالإِقْرَاءِand teaching recitation
يَجْدُرْنَ بِالتَّرتِيلِ وَالإِقْرَاءِ
Have you read his verses on flight,
Those stray verses and their vestiges
worthy of measured chanting and teaching recitation?
In the souls of readers.
فَرَأَيتَthen you saw أَبدَعَthe most marvelous مَاthat يُرَىcan be seen مِنْof مَنْظَرٍa sight
فَرَأَيتَ أَبدَعَ مَا يُرَى مِنْ مَنْظَرٍ
عَالٍlofty وَلَمْand not تَرْكَبْyou rode مَطِيَّa mount of هَوَاءِair
عَالٍ وَلَمْ تَرْكَبْ مَطِيَّ هَوَاءِ
And seen the most marvelous sight that can be seen
Shukri, your confessions were not vain fascinations
from on high, without riding a mount of air?
With verse or pride in talent.
وَشَهِدتَand witnessed إِفشاءَthe disclosure by الطَّبيعَةِnature سِرَّهَاof her secret
وَشَهِدتَ إِفشاءَ الطَّبيعَةِ سِرَّهَا
لِلعَقلِto the mind بَعدَafter الضَّنwithholding بِالإِفْشَاءِdisclosure
لِلعَقلِ بَعدَ الضَّن بِالإِفْشَاءِ
And witnessed nature reveal her secret
Love of zeal dictated to you its forms
to the mind, after withholding its disclosure?
However you desired, at your command.
أَشَفَيْتَhave you satisfied قَلْبَكَyour heart مِنwith مَحَاسِنِthe beauties of فَنِّهِhis art
أَشَفَيْتَ قَلْبَكَ مِن مَحَاسِنِ فَنِّهِ
فِيin شُكْرِthanking مَاwhat لِلنِّيلِthe Nile has مِنْof آلاَءِblessings
فِي شُكْرِ مَا لِلنِّيلِ مِنْ آلاَءِ
Have you satisfied your heart with the beauties of his art
Exalt with love’s signs when it ascends
in thanking the Nile for its blessings?
Stripped like translucent gems.
يَاoh حُسْنَهُhow beautiful it is شَكراًas thanksgiving مِنِfrom ابنٍa son مُخِلصٍdevoted
يَا حُسْنَهُ شَكراً مِنِ ابنٍ مُخِلصٍ
لأَبٍto a father هُوَwho is المَفْدِيُّransomed بِالآبَاءِwith fathers
لأَبٍ هُوَ المَفْدِيُّ بِالآبَاءِ
How beautiful that thanksgiving from a devoted son
It cleanses the heart’s senses
to a father for whom fathers would be sacrificed!
And adorns them with shimmering lights.
أَغْلَىmade more precious عَلَىthan مَاءِthe luster of الَّلآلِيءِpearls صَافياًpure
أَغْلَى عَلَى مَاءِ الَّلآلِيءِ صَافياً
مَاwhat فَاضَflowed ثَمَّةthere مِنْof مَشُوبِturbid المَاءِwater
مَا فَاضَ ثَمَّة مِنْ مَشُوبِ المَاءِ
He made dearer than the pure luster of pearls
It returns the unseen’s facade unobstructed
the turbid water that flowed there.
And reflects the hidden without screens.
أَتَهَادَتِdid they sway الأَهْرَامُthe pyramids وَهْيَwhile they were طَرُوبَةٌenraptured
أَتَهَادَتِ الأَهْرَامُ وَهْيَ طَرُوبَةٌ
لِمَديحِهِby his praise تَهْتَزُّtrembling كَالأَفْيَاءِlike shadows
لِمَديحِهِ تَهْتَزُّ كَالأَفْيَاءِ
Did the pyramids sway, enraptured
You unleashed them as far reaching words
by his praise, trembling like shadows?
Shooting their goals unerringly.
فَعَذَرْتُso I excused خَفَّتهَاtheir lightness لِشِعْرٍfor poetry زَادَهَاthat added to them
فَعَذَرْتُ خَفَّتهَا لِشِعْرٍ زَادَهَا
بِجَمَالِهِwith its beauty البَاقِيenduring جَمالَthe beauty of بَقَاءِpermanence
بِجَمَالِهِ البَاقِي جَمالَ بَقَاءِ
Then I excused their lightness, for poetry that lent them,
They appeared as comets though they raged,
through its enduring beauty, the beauty of permanence.
And stars of immortal lustre.
أَنَظَرْتَhave you seen كَيْفَhow حَبَاhe endowed الْهَيَاكِلَthe temples وَالدُّمَىand statues
أَنَظَرْتَ كَيْفَ حَبَا الْهَيَاكِلَ وَالدُّمَى
بِحُلىًwith ornaments تُقَلِّدُهَاthat garland them لِغَيْرِwithout فَنَاءِperishing
بِحُلىً تُقَلِّدُهَا لِغَيْرِ فَنَاءِ
Have you seen how he endowed temples and statues
They filled the fearful hearts with courage
with ornaments that garland them, never to perish?
And guided the dim-sighted wandering blindly.
فكَأَنَّهاso it is as though they بُعِثَتْwere resurrected بِهِthrough him أَرْوَاحُهَاtheir spirits
فكَأَنَّها بُعِثَتْ بِهِ أَرْوَاحُهَا
وَنَجَتْand escaped بِقُوَّتِهthrough his power مِنَfrom الإِقْوَاءِdesolation
وَنَجَتْ بِقُوَّتِه مِنَ الإِقْوَاءِ
As though their spirits had been resurrected through him,
From that great spirit and what dignifies
and through his power they escaped desolation.
Your verse with dazzle and radiance.
أَتَمَثَّلتْdid appear لَكَto you مِصْرُEgypt فِيin تَصْوِيرهِhis portrayal
أَتَمَثَّلتْ لَكَ مِصْرُ فِي تَصْوِيرهِ
بِضَفَافِهَاwith her riverbanks وَجِنَانِهَاand her gardens الْفيْحَاءِspacious
بِضَفَافِهَا وَجِنَانِهَا الْفيْحَاءِ
Did Egypt appear to you in his portrayal,
Prepare for your people while times are reconciling
with her riverbanks and spacious gardens?
What elevates them to the highest summit.
وَبَدَاand appeared لِوَهْمِكَto your imagination مِنْof حُلِيِّthe adornments of نَبَاتِهَاher plants
وَبَدَا لِوَهْمِكَ مِنْ حُلِيِّ نَبَاتِهَا
أَثَرٌa trace بِوَشْيِin the embroidery of بَيَانِهِhis eloquence مُتَرَائِيvisible
أَثَرٌ بِوَشْيِ بَيَانِهِ مُتَرَائِي
And did your fancy glimpse, of the adornments of her plants,
This day is your day, Egypt progressed
a trace appearing in the embroidery of his eloquence?
To its purpose with honor and refusal.
أَسَمِعْتَdid you hear شَدْوَthe song of الْبُلْبُلِthe nightingale الصَّدَّاحِringing فِيin
أَسَمِعْتَ شَدْوَ الْبُلْبُلِ الصَّدَّاحِ فِي
أَيْكَاتِهَاher groves وَمَنَاحَةَand the mourning of الَوَرْقَاءِthe gray dove
أَيْكَاتِهَا وَمَنَاحَةَ الَوَرْقَاءِ
Did you hear the ringing nightingale's song in
So craft its adornments and crown its head
her groves, and the mourning of the gray dove?
As it gains independence beneath the blazing star.
فَعَجِبْتَthen you marveled أَنَّيhow صَاغَhe fashioned مِنْfrom تِلْكَthose اللُّغَىvoices
فَعَجِبْتَ أَنَّي صَاغَ مِنْ تِلْكَ اللُّغَى
كَلِمَاتِwords of إِنْشَادٍrecitation وَلَفْظَand expressions of غِنَاءِsong
كَلِمَاتِ إِنْشَادٍ وَلَفْظَ غِنَاءِ
Then marvel at how he fashioned from those voices
words of recitation and expressions of song?
للهِby God يَاO شَوْقِيShawqi بَدَائِعُكَyour wondrous creations الَّتِيwhich
للهِ يَا شَوْقِي بَدَائِعُكَ الَّتِي
لَوْif عُدِّدَتْenumerated أَرْبَتْwould exceed عَلَىbeyond الإِحْصَاءِcounting
لَوْ عُدِّدَتْ أَرْبَتْ عَلَى الإِحْصَاءِ
By God, Shawqi, your wondrous creations,
if enumerated, would exceed all counting!
مَنْwho قَالَspoke قَبْلَكَbefore you فِيin رِثَاءٍan elegy نِقْسُهُits ink
مَنْ قَالَ قَبْلَكَ فِي رِثَاءٍ نِقْسُهُ
يَجْرِيflowing دَماًas blood مَاwhat قُلْتَyou said فِيabout الْحَمْرَاءِthe Alhambra
يَجْرِي دَماً مَا قُلْتَ فِي الْحَمْرَاءِ
Who before you spoke, in an elegy whose ink
flowed as blood, as you spoke of the Alhambra,
فِيin أَرضِthe land of أَنْدُلُسٍAndalusia وَفِيand in تَارِيخِهَاher history
فِي أَرضِ أَنْدُلُسٍ وَفِي تَارِيخِهَا
وَغَرِيبِand the strange things مَاthat تُوحِيshe reveals إِلىto الغُرَبَاءِstrangers
وَغَرِيبِ مَا تُوحِي إِلى الغُرَبَاءِ
of Andalusia's land and her history,
and the strange things she reveals to strangers?
جَارَيْتَyou vied with نَفْسَكَyourself مُبْدِعاًcreating marvels فِيهَاin it وَفِيand in
جَارَيْتَ نَفْسَكَ مُبْدِعاً فِيهَا وَفِي
آثَارِthe monuments of مِصْرَEgypt فَظَلْتَand you remained أَوْصَفَthe finest describer رَائِيobserver
آثَارِ مِصْرَ فَظَلْتَ أَوْصَفَ رَائِي
You vied with yourself, creating wonders there and in
Egypt's monuments, remaining the finest describer of sights.
وَبَلَغْتَand you attained شَأْوَthe stature of الْبُحْتُرِيِّal-Buhturi فَصَاحَةًin eloquence
وَبَلَغْتَ شَأْوَ الْبُحْتُرِيِّ فَصَاحَةً
وَشَأَوْتَهُand surpassed him مَعْنىًin meaning وَجَزْلَand force of أَدَاءِexpression
وَشَأَوْتَهُ مَعْنىً وَجَزْلَ أَدَاءِ
You attained al-Buhturi's stature in eloquence,
and surpassed him in meaning and force of expression.
بَلْindeed كُنْتَyou were أَبْلَغَmore eloquent إِذْwhen تَعَارِضُyou rivaled وَصْفَهُhis description
بَلْ كُنْتَ أَبْلَغَ إِذْ تَعَارِضُ وَصْفَهُ
وَتَفُوقُand excelled بِالتَّمثِيلِin imagery وَالإِحْيَاءِand bringing to life
وَتَفُوقُ بِالتَّمثِيلِ وَالإِحْيَاءِ
Indeed, you were more eloquent when rivaling his description,
excelling in imagery and bringing things to life.
يَاO عِبْرَةَlesson to الدُّنْيَاthe world كَفَاناsuffices us مَاwhat مَضَىhas passed
يَا عِبْرَةَ الدُّنْيَا كَفَانا مَا مَضَى
مِنْof شأْنِthe story of أَنْدُلُسٍAndalusia مَدىًan expanse لِبُكَاءِfor weeping
مِنْ شأْنِ أَنْدُلُسٍ مَدىً لِبُكَاءِ
O lesson to the world, what has passed suffices us
of Andalusia's story as an expanse for tears.
مَاwhat كَانwas ذَنْبُthe sin of الْعُربِthe Arabs مَاwhat فَعَلُواdid they do بِهَاto her
مَا كَان ذَنْبُ الْعُربِ مَا فَعَلُوا بِهَا
حَتَّىthat جَلَوْاthey departed عَنْهَاfrom her أَمَرَّthe bitterest جَلاَءِdeparture
حَتَّى جَلَوْا عَنْهَا أَمَرَّ جَلاَءِ
What was the Arabs' sin? What did they do to her,
that they departed from her in the bitterest exile?
خَرَجُواthey departed وَهُمْwhile they were خُرْسُsilent الْخُطَىin footsteps أَكْبَادُهُمْtheir hearts
خَرَجُوا وَهُمْ خُرْسُ الْخُطَى أَكْبَادُهُمْ
حَرَّىburning عَلَىfor غَرْنَاطَةَGranada الْغَنَّاءِlush
حَرَّى عَلَى غَرْنَاطَةَ الْغَنَّاءِ
They departed with silent steps, their hearts
burning for lush Granada.
أَلْفُلْكُthe ships وَهْيَwhich were الْعَرْشُthe throne أَمْسِyesterday لِمَجْدِهِمْof their glory
أَلْفُلْكُ وَهْيَ الْعَرْشُ أَمْسِ لِمَجْدِهِمْ
حَمَلَتْcarried جَنَازَتَهُits funeral bier عَلَىacross الدَّأْمَاءِthe dark sea
حَمَلَتْ جَنَازَتَهُ عَلَى الدَّأْمَاءِ
The ships, yesterday the throne of their glory,
carried its funeral bier across the dark sea.
أَوْجَزْتَyou were brief حِينَwhen بَلَغْتَyou reached ذِكْرَىthe account of غِبِّهمْtheir fate
أَوْجَزْتَ حِينَ بَلَغْتَ ذِكْرَى غِبِّهمْ
إِيجَازَa brevity of لاَno عِيٍّinarticulacy وَلاَnor إِعْيَاءِexhaustion
إِيجَازَ لاَ عِيٍّ وَلاَ إِعْيَاءِ
You were brief when you reached the account of their fate,
with a brevity born of neither inarticulacy nor exhaustion.
بَعْضُsome السُّكوتِsilence يَفُوقُsurpasses كُلَّall بَلاَغةٍeloquence
بَعْضُ السُّكوتِ يَفُوقُ كُلَّ بَلاَغةٍ
فِيin أَنْفُسِthe souls of الفَهِمِينَthe discerning وَالأُرَبَاءِand the wise
فِي أَنْفُسِ الفَهِمِينَ وَالأُرَبَاءِ
Some silence surpasses all eloquence
in the souls of the discerning and the wise.
وَمِنَand among التَّناهِيthe utmost فِيin الْفَصَاحَةِeloquence تَرْكُهَاis abandoning it
وَمِنَ التَّناهِي فِي الْفَصَاحَةِ تَرْكُهَا
وَالْوَقْتُwhen the time وَقْتُis the time of الخُطْبَةِthe speech الْخَرْسَاءِwordless
وَالْوَقْتُ وَقْتُ الخُطْبَةِ الْخَرْسَاءِ
The utmost eloquence can lie in abandoning it,
when the time calls for a speech without words.
قَدْindeed سُقْتَهَاyou presented it لِلشَّرْقِto the East دَرْساًas a lesson حَافِلاًrich
قَدْ سُقْتَهَا لِلشَّرْقِ دَرْساً حَافِلاً
بِمَوَاعِظِin the admonitions of الأَمْوَاتِthe dead لِلأحْيَاءِto the living
بِمَوَاعِظِ الأَمْوَاتِ لِلأحْيَاءِ
You presented it to the East as a lesson rich
in the admonitions of the dead to the living.
هَلْcan تُصْلِحُreform الأَقْوَامَpeoples إِلاَّexcept مُثْلَةٌan exemplary punishment
هَلْ تُصْلِحُ الأَقْوَامَ إِلاَّ مُثْلَةٌ
فَدَحَتْweighed heavily كَتِلْكَlike that المُثْلَةِpunishment الشَّنعَاءِatrocious
فَدَحَتْ كَتِلْكَ المُثْلَةِ الشَّنعَاءِ
Can peoples be reformed except by an exemplary punishment
as grievous as that atrocious punishment?
يَاO بُلْبُلَnightingale of الْبَلَدِthe land الأَمِينِsecure وَمُؤنِسَand comforter of الْthe
يَا بُلْبُلَ الْبَلَدِ الأَمِينِ وَمُؤنِسَ الْ
لَيْلِnight الْحَزِينِsorrowful بِمُطْرِبِwith enchanting الأَصْدَاءِechoes
لَيْلِ الْحَزِينِ بِمُطْرِبِ الأَصْدَاءِ
O nightingale of the secure land, comforter of the
sorrowful night with enchanting echoes!
غَبرَتْpassed وَقَائِعُevents لَمْnot تَكُنْyou were مُسْتَنْشَداًasked for poetry
غَبرَتْ وَقَائِعُ لَمْ تَكُنْ مُسْتَنْشَداً
فِيهَاin them وَلاَnor اسْمُكَyour name مَالِيءَfilling الأَنْبَاءِthe news
فِيهَا وَلاَ اسْمُكَ مَالِيءَ الأَنْبَاءِ
Events passed in which you were not asked for poetry,
nor did your name fill the news.
لَكِنْyet بِوَحْيِكَthrough your inspiration فَاهَspoke كُلُّevery مُفَوَّهٍeloquent speaker
لَكِنْ بِوَحْيِكَ فَاهَ كُلُّ مُفَوَّهٍ
وَبِرَأْيِكَand through your judgment اسْتَهْدَىfound guidance أُولُوpossessors of الآرَاءِjudgment
وَبِرَأْيِكَ اسْتَهْدَى أُولُو الآرَاءِ
Yet through your inspiration every eloquent speaker spoke,
and through your judgment men of judgment found guidance.
هِيَit is أُمَّةa nation أَلْقَيْتَyou laid فِيin تَوحِيدَهَاits unification
هِيَ أُمَّة أَلْقَيْتَ فِي تَوحِيدَهَا
أُسًّاa foundation فَقَامَso arose عَلْيِهupon it خَيْرُthe finest بِنَاءِedifice
أُسًّا فَقَامَ عَلْيِه خَيْرُ بِنَاءِ
It is a nation for whose unification you laid
a foundation on which the finest edifice arose.
وَبَذَرْتَand you sowed فِيin أَخلاَقِهَاher morals وَخِلاَلِهَاand her traits
وَبَذَرْتَ فِي أَخلاَقِهَا وَخِلاَلِهَا
أَزْكَىthe purest البُذُورِseeds فَآذَنَتْwhich promised بِنَمَاءِgrowth
أَزْكَى البُذُورِ فَآذَنَتْ بِنَمَاءِ
And in her morals and her traits you sowed
the purest seeds, which promised growth.
أَمَّاas for الرِّفَاقُcompanions فَمَاis as عَهِدْتِyou knew وَلاَؤُهُمْtheir loyalty
أَمَّا الرِّفَاقُ فَمَا عَهِدْتِ وَلاَؤُهُمْ
بَلْrather زَادَهُمْincreased in them مَاwhat سَاءَcaused hurt حُسنَthe goodness of وَلاَءِloyalty
بَلْ زَادَهُمْ مَا سَاءَ حُسنَ وَلاَءِ
As for your companions, their loyalty is as you knew it;
indeed, adversity increased the goodness of their loyalty.
وشَبَابُand the youth of مِصْرَEgypt يَروَنَsee مِنْكَin you لَهُمْfor themselves أَباًa father
وشَبَابُ مِصْرَ يَروَنَ مِنْكَ لَهُمْ أَباً
ويَرَوْنَand they see themselves مِنْكَwith you بِمَنزِلِin the position of الأَبنَاءِsons
ويَرَوْنَ مِنْكَ بِمَنزِلِ الأَبنَاءِ
And Egypt's youth see in you a father to themselves,
and see themselves, with you, in the place of sons.
مِنْfrom قَوْلِكَyour speech الحُرِّfree الجَرِيءِbold تَعَلَّمُواthey learned
مِنْ قَوْلِكَ الحُرِّ الجَرِيءِ تَعَلَّمُوا
نَبَرَاتِthe accents of تِلْكَthat العِزَّةِpride القَعْسَاءِunbending
نَبَرَاتِ تِلْكَ العِزَّةِ القَعْسَاءِ
From your free and daring speech they learned
the accents of that unbending pride.
لاno فَضلَcredit إِلاَّexcept فَضلُهُمtheir credit فِيمَاin what انْتَهَيhas come to
لا فَضلَ إِلاَّ فَضلُهُم فِيمَا انْتَهَي
أَمُرthe affairs of البِلاَدِthe country بَعْدَafter عَنَاءِhardship
أَمُر البِلاَدِ بَعْدَ عَنَاءِ
No credit but theirs is due for the outcome
of the country's affairs after hardship.
كانواthey were هُمُوthey themselves الأشْيَاخَthe elders وَالفِتْيَانَand the youths وَالand the
كانوا هُمُو الأشْيَاخَ وَالفِتْيَانَ وَال
قُوَّادَcommanders وَالأَجْنَادَand soldiers فِيin البَأْساءِadversity
قُوَّادَ وَالأَجْنَادَ فِي البَأْساءِ
They were themselves the elders, the youths, and the
commanders and soldiers in adversity.
لَمْnot يَثْنِهِمturned them back يَومَon the day of الذِّيَادِdefense عَنِof الحِمَىthe homeland
لَمْ يَثْنِهِم يَومَ الذِّيَادِ عَنِ الحِمَى
ضَنٌّstinginess بِأَموَالٍwith wealth وَلاَnor بِدِمَاءِwith blood
ضَنٌّ بِأَموَالٍ وَلاَ بِدِمَاءِ
On the day of defending the homeland, they were not held back
by stinginess with wealth or blood.
أَبطَالُheroes of تَفْدِيَةٍsacrifice لَقُواthey endured جُهْدَthe utmost الأَذَىharm
أَبطَالُ تَفْدِيَةٍ لَقُوا جُهْدَ الأَذَى
فِيfor الحَقِّtruth وَامْتَنَعُواand refrained مِنَfrom الإِيذَاءِinflicting harm
فِي الحَقِّ وَامْتَنَعُوا مِنَ الإِيذَاءِ
Heroes of sacrifice, they endured the utmost harm
for truth, yet refrained from inflicting harm.
سَلِمَتْremained intact مَشيِئَتُهُمtheir will وَمَاand not فِيهمْamong them سِوَىexcept
سَلِمَتْ مَشيِئَتُهُم وَمَا فِيهمْ سِوَى
مُتَقَطِّعيthose with severed الأَوصَالِjoints وَالأَعضَاءِand limbs
مُتَقَطِّعي الأَوصَالِ وَالأَعضَاءِ
Their resolve remained whole, though among them were only
those with severed joints and limbs.
إِنَّindeed العَقِيدَةَconviction شِيمَةٌis a virtue عُلْوِيَّةٌlofty
إِنَّ العَقِيدَةَ شِيمَةٌ عُلْوِيَّةٌ
تَصفُوremains pure عَلَىabove الأَكْدَارِdregs وَالأَقْذَاءِand defilement
تَصفُو عَلَى الأَكْدَارِ وَالأَقْذَاءِ
Conviction is a lofty virtue,
remaining pure above dregs and defilement.
تَجْنِيreaps مَفَاخِرَglories مِنfrom إِهَانَاتِthe humiliations of العِدَىthe enemy
تَجْنِي مَفَاخِرَ مِن إِهَانَاتِ العِدَى
وَتُصِيبُand gains إِعزازاًhonor مِنَfrom الإِزرَاءِcontempt
وَتُصِيبُ إِعزازاً مِنَ الإِزرَاءِ
It reaps glories from the enemy's humiliations
and gains honor from contempt.
بكْرٌa maiden بِأَوجِat the summit of الحُسْنِbeauty أَغَلىmade costly مَهْرَهَاher dowry
بكْرٌ بِأَوجِ الحُسْنِ أَغَلى مَهْرَهَا
شَرَفٌhonor فَلَيْسyet is not غَلاَؤُهُits high price بِغَلاَءِan excessive cost
شَرَفٌ فَلَيْس غَلاَؤُهُ بِغَلاَءِ
A maiden at beauty's summit—her dowry is made costly by
honor, yet its cost is no excessive price.
أَيُضَنُّis there stinginess عَنْهَاtoward her بِالنَّفيسِwith precious things وَدُونَهاwhile in her defense
أَيُضَنُّ عَنْهَا بِالنَّفيسِ وَدُونَها
يَهَبُgive الحُمَاةُthe protectors نُفُوسَهُمْtheir lives بِسَخاءِgenerously
يَهَبُ الحُمَاةُ نُفُوسَهُمْ بِسَخاءِ
Should precious things be withheld from her, when in her defense
protectors give their lives generously?
تِلْكَthose القَوَافِيrhymes الشَّارِدَاتُfar-ranging وَهذِهِand these
تِلْكَ القَوَافِي الشَّارِدَاتُ وَهذِهِ
آثَارُهَاtheir effects فِيupon أَنفُسِthe souls of القُرَّاءِreaders
آثَارُهَا فِي أَنفُسِ القُرَّاءِ
Those are the far-ranging rhymes, and these
their effects upon the souls of readers.
شَوْقِيShawqi إِخَالُكَI think you لَمْdid not تَقُلْهَاsay them لاَهِياًamusing yourself
شَوْقِي إِخَالُكَ لَمْ تَقُلْهَا لاَهِياً
بِالنَّظمِwith verse-making أَوْor مُتَبَاهِياًboasting بِذَكَاءِof cleverness
بِالنَّظمِ أَوْ مُتَبَاهِياً بِذَكَاءِ
Shawqi, I think you did not utter them merely amusing yourself
with verse-making, or boasting of cleverness.
حُبُّlove of الحِمَىthe homeland أَمْلَىdictated عَلَيْكَto you ضُرُوبَهَاtheir forms
حُبُّ الحِمَى أَمْلَى عَلَيْكَ ضُرُوبَهَا
متَأَنِّقاًrefining exquisitely مَاas much as شَاءَit wished فِيin الإِملاَءِdictation
متَأَنِّقاً مَا شَاءَ فِي الإِملاَءِ
Love of the homeland dictated their forms to you,
refining its dictation as exquisitely as it wished.
أَعْظِمْhow great بِآياتِare the signs of الهَوَىlove إِذْwhen يَرْتَقِيit rises
أَعْظِمْ بِآياتِ الهَوَى إِذْ يَرْتَقِي
مُتجَرِّداًpurified كَالجَوهَرِlike a gem الوضَّاءِradiant
مُتجَرِّداً كَالجَوهَرِ الوضَّاءِ
How great are the signs of love when it rises,
purified like a radiant gem!
فَيُطَهِّرُso it cleanses الوِجْدَانَinner feeling مِنْof أَدْرَانِهِits impurities
فَيُطَهِّرُ الوِجْدَانَ مِنْ أَدْرَانِهِ
وَيَزِينُهُand adorns it بِسَواطِعِwith brilliant الأًضوَاءِlights
وَيَزِينُهُ بِسَواطِعِ الأًضوَاءِ
It cleanses inner feeling of its impurities
and adorns it with brilliant lights.
وَيُعِيدُand restores وَجْهَthe face of الغَيْبِthe unseen غَيْرَnot مُحَجَّبٍveiled
وَيُعِيدُ وَجْهَ الغَيْبِ غَيْرَ مُحَجَّبٍ
وَيَرَدُّand brings back خَافِيةًa hidden thing بِغَيرِwithout خَفَاءِconcealment
وَيَرَدُّ خَافِيةً بِغَيرِ خَفَاءِ
It restores the face of the unseen, unveiled,
and brings what was hidden into plain view.
أَرْسَلْتَهاyou sent them forth كَلِماًas words بَعِيدَاتِfar-reaching المَدَىin range
أَرْسَلْتَها كَلِماً بَعِيدَاتِ المَدَى
تَرْمِيthey strike مَرَامِيَهَاtheir targets بِلاَwithout إِخْطَاءِmissing
تَرْمِي مَرَامِيَهَا بِلاَ إِخْطَاءِ
You sent them forth as words of far-reaching range,
striking their targets without a miss.
بيْنَاwhile بَدَتْthey appeared وَهْيَas they were الرُّجُومُhurled stones إِذsuddenly اغْتَدَتْthey became
بيْنَا بَدَتْ وَهْيَ الرُّجُومُ إِذ اغْتَدَتْ
وَهْيَand they were النُّجومُstars خَوَالِدَeverlasting اللَّأْلاَءِin radiance
وَهْيَ النُّجومُ خَوَالِدَ اللَّأْلاَءِ
At first they appeared as hurled stones; then they became
stars of everlasting radiance.
مَلأَتْthey filled قُلُوبَthe hearts of الْهائِبِينَthe fearful شَجَاعَةًwith courage
مَلأَتْ قُلُوبَ الْهائِبِينَ شَجَاعَةً
وَهَدَتْand guided بَصائِرَthe inner sight of خَابِطِيthose stumbling in العَشْوَاءِblind darkness
وَهَدَتْ بَصائِرَ خَابِطِي العَشْوَاءِ
They filled the hearts of the fearful with courage
and guided the inner sight of those stumbling blindly.
مِنْfrom ذلِكَthat الرُّوحِspirit الكَبِيرِgreat وَمَاand what بِهِthrough it
مِنْ ذلِكَ الرُّوحِ الكَبِيرِ وَمَا بِهِ
يَزدَانُis adorned نَظْمُكَyour verse مِنwith سَنىًradiance وَسَنَاءِand glory
يَزدَانُ نَظْمُكَ مِن سَنىً وَسَنَاءِ
From that great spirit, and from what
adorns your verse with radiance and glory,
أَعْدِدْprepare لِقَوْمِكَfor your people وَالزَّمَانُwhile time مُهَادِنٌis at peace
أَعْدِدْ لِقَوْمِكَ وَالزَّمَانُ مُهَادِنٌ
مَاwhat يَرتَقُونَthey ascend بِهِby it ذُرَىthe summits of العَليَاءِgreatness
مَا يَرتَقُونَ بِهِ ذُرَى العَليَاءِ
prepare for your people, while time is at peace,
what will enable them to ascend the summits of greatness.
أَلْيَوْمَtoday يَوْمُكَis your day إِنَّindeed مِصرَEgypt تَقَدَّمَتْhas advanced
أَلْيَوْمَ يَوْمُكَ إِنَّ مِصرَ تَقَدَّمَتْ
لِمَآلِهَاtoward her destiny بِكَرَامَةٍwith dignity وَإبَاءِand proud defiance
لِمَآلِهَا بِكَرَامَةٍ وَإبَاءِ
Today is your day: Egypt has advanced
toward her destiny with dignity and proud defiance.
فَصغِso fashion الحُليَّthe jewels لَهَاfor her وَتَوِّجْand crown رَأْسَهَاher head
فَصغِ الحُليَّ لَهَا وَتَوِّجْ رَأْسَهَا
إِذْas تَسْتَقِلُّshe gains independence بِأَنْجُمٍwith stars زَهْرَاءِradiant
إِذْ تَسْتَقِلُّ بِأَنْجُمٍ زَهْرَاءِ
So fashion her jewels and crown her head,
as she gains independence, with radiant stars.
Partial English translation: 164 of 256 Arabic lines translated.
Sol 6.1