مَحَاeffaced الْبَيْنُseparation مَاwhat أَبْقَتْleft عُيُونُthe eyes الْمَهَاoryxes مِنِّيof me
مَحَا الْبَيْنُ مَا أَبْقَتْ عُيُونُ الْمَهَا مِنِّي
فَشِبْتُso I grew gray وَلَمْand did not أَقْضِfulfill اللُّبَانَةَthe desire مِنْof سِنِّيmy years
فَشِبْتُ وَلَمْ أَقْضِ اللُّبَانَةَ مِنْ سِنِّي
Separation effaced what the oryx eyes had left of me.
The separation erased what eyes of tenderness had left of me,
So I grew gray without fulfilling my life's desire.
So I grew old but did not fulfill my youthfulness.
عَنَاءٌsuffering وَيَأْسٌand despair وَاشْتِيَاقٌand longing وَغُرْبَةٌand exile
عَنَاءٌ وَيَأْسٌ وَاشْتِيَاقٌ وَغُرْبَةٌ
أَلاah! شَدَّhow severe مَاwhat أَلْقَاهُI encounter فِيin الدَّهْرِlife مِنْof غَبْنِinjustice
أَلا شَدَّ مَا أَلْقَاهُ فِي الدَّهْرِ مِنْ غَبْنِ
Suffering, despair, longing, and exile—
Misery, despair, yearning and estrangement,
Ah, how grievous the injustice I encounter in life!
Oh how severely it cast me in the course of time and swindled me!
فَإِنْso if أَكُI am فَارَقْتُI have left الدِّيَارَthe homes فَلِيthen I have بِهَاin them
فَإِنْ أَكُ فَارَقْتُ الدِّيَارَ فَلِي بِهَا
فَؤَادٌa heart أَضَلَّتْهُled it astray عُيُونُthe eyes الْمَهَاoryxes مِنِّيfrom me
فَؤَادٌ أَضَلَّتْهُ عُيُونُ الْمَهَا مِنِّي
If I have left those homes, I still have there
So if I depart from homelands, my heart will remain,
A heart that oryx eyes have lured away from me.
Led astray by eyes of tenderness from me.
بَعَثْتُI sent بِهِit يَوْمَthe day of النَّوَىseparation إِثْرَafter لَحْظَةٍa glance
بَعَثْتُ بِهِ يَوْمَ النَّوَى إِثْرَ لَحْظَةٍ
فَأَوْقَعَهُso it cast it الْمِقْدَارُfate فِيinto شَرَكِthe snare of الْحُسْنِbeauty
فَأَوْقَعَهُ الْمِقْدَارُ فِي شَرَكِ الْحُسْنِ
I sent it, on the day of separation, after a glance;
I sent it on the day of parting, trailing after a glance,
Then fate caught it in beauty's snare.
But destiny dropped it in the traps of beauty.
فَهَلْso is there مِنْany فَتَىًyoung man فِيin الدَّهْرِlife يَجْمَعُwho reunites بَيْنَنَاus
فَهَلْ مِنْ فَتَىً فِي الدَّهْرِ يَجْمَعُ بَيْنَنَا
فَلَيْسَfor it is not كِلانَاboth of us عَنْwithout أَخِيهِhis brother بِمُسْتَغْنِself-sufficient
فَلَيْسَ كِلانَا عَنْ أَخِيهِ بِمُسْتَغْنِ
Is there, then, a young man in this world to reunite us?
Is there a gentleman in this world who will unite us both?
For neither of us can do without his brother.
For neither of us can do without the other.
وَلَمَّاand when وَقَفْنَاwe stood لِلْوَدَاعِfor farewell وَأَسْبَلَتْand poured down
وَلَمَّا وَقَفْنَا لِلْوَدَاعِ وَأَسْبَلَتْ
مَدَامِعُنَاour tears فَوْقَover التَّرَائِبِthe breasts كَالْمُزْنِlike rainclouds
مَدَامِعُنَا فَوْقَ التَّرَائِبِ كَالْمُزْنِ
And when we stood to bid farewell, and down streamed
And when we stood for farewell, and our tears
Our tears upon our breasts like rain from clouds,
Poured over our cheeks like rain,
أَهَبْتُI called بِصَبْرِيto my patience أَنْto يَعُودَreturn فَعَزَّنِيbut it defied me
أَهَبْتُ بِصَبْرِي أَنْ يَعُودَ فَعَزَّنِي
وَنَادَيْتُand I called حِلْمِيmy composure أَنْto يَثُوبَreturn فَلَمْbut did not يُغْنِavail
وَنَادَيْتُ حِلْمِي أَنْ يَثُوبَ فَلَمْ يُغْنِ
I summoned my patience to return, but it defied me;
I tried to arm myself with patience, to no avail,
And called my composure back, but to no avail.
And called on my forbearance, but it was of no use.
وَلَمْand not تَمْضِpassed إِلَّاexcept خَطْرَةٌan instant ثُمَّthen أَقْلَعَتْset sail
وَلَمْ تَمْضِ إِلَّا خَطْرَةٌ ثُمَّ أَقْلَعَتْ
بِنَاwith us عَنْaway from شُطُوطِthe shores of الْحَيِّthe community أَجْنِحَةُthe wings of السُّفْنِthe ships
بِنَا عَنْ شُطُوطِ الْحَيِّ أَجْنِحَةُ السُّفْنِ
Only an instant passed; then sailed away
In a flash, the ships had carried us
With us, from our people's shores, the wings of ships.
Away from the coasts of the beloved region.
فَكَمْand how many مُهْجَةٍa heart مِنْfrom زَفْرَةِa sigh of الْوَجْدِlonging فِيin لَظَىًflame
فَكَمْ مُهْجَةٍ مِنْ زَفْرَةِ الْوَجْدِ فِي لَظَىً
وَكَمْand how many مُقْلَةٍan eye مِنْfrom غَزْرَةِa flood of الدَّمْعِtears فِيin دَجْنِgloom
وَكَمْ مُقْلَةٍ مِنْ غَزْرَةِ الدَّمْعِ فِي دَجْنِ
How many a heart lies aflame from a sigh of longing,
So many sighs have I heaved in the heat of passion,
And how many an eye is darkened by a flood of tears!
And so many tears have I shed in the darkness of night!
وَمَاand not كُنْتُI had جَرَّبْتُexperienced النَّوَىseparation قَبْلَbefore هذِهِthis
وَمَا كُنْتُ جَرَّبْتُ النَّوَى قَبْلَ هذِهِ
فَلَمَّاbut when دَهَتْنِيit struck me كِدْتُI nearly أَقْضِيdie مِنَfrom الْحُزْنِgrief
فَلَمَّا دَهَتْنِي كِدْتُ أَقْضِي مِنَ الْحُزْنِ
I had not experienced separation before this;
Never before had I experienced parting like this,
When it struck me, I nearly died of grief.
It nearly finished me off with grief.
وَلَكِنَّنِيbut I رَاجَعْتُregained حِلْمِيmy composure وَرَدَّنِيand brought me back
وَلَكِنَّنِي رَاجَعْتُ حِلْمِي وَرَدَّنِي
إِلَىto الْحَزْمِfirm resolve رَأْيٌjudgment لاnot يَحُومُhovers عَلَىover أَفْنِfolly
إِلَى الْحَزْمِ رَأْيٌ لا يَحُومُ عَلَى أَفْنِ
But I recovered my composure, and was restored
But I summoned my patience and it corrected me,
To firm resolve by judgment that never hovers near folly.
Guiding me back to wisdom.
وَلَوْلاand were it not for بُنَيَّاتٌlittle daughters وَشِيبٌand gray-haired women عَوَاطِلٌunadorned
وَلَوْلا بُنَيَّاتٌ وَشِيبٌ عَوَاطِلٌ
لَمَاwould not have قَرَعَتْstruck نَفْسِيmy soul عَلَىover فَائِتٍwhat was lost سِنِّيmy tooth
لَمَا قَرَعَتْ نَفْسِي عَلَى فَائِتٍ سِنِّي
Were it not for little daughters and unadorned gray-haired women,
Were it not for buildings I erected and my white hair
My soul would not have made me gnash my teeth over loss.
I would not have reproached myself for my lost youth.
فَيَاso O قَلْبُheart صَبْرَاًbe patient إِنْif جَزِعْتَyou despair فَرُبَّمَاfor perhaps
فَيَا قَلْبُ صَبْرَاً إِنْ جَزِعْتَ فَرُبَّمَا
جَرَتْflew سُنُحاًas auspicious omens طَيْرُthe birds of الْحَوَادِثِevents بِالْيُمْنِwith good fortune
جَرَتْ سُنُحاً طَيْرُ الْحَوَادِثِ بِالْيُمْنِ
O heart, be patient if you despair; perhaps
So be patient, my heart, for perhaps
The birds of fate will fly auspiciously, bringing good fortune.
The bird of destiny will shift in our favor.
فَقَدْfor indeed تُورِقُput forth leaves الأَغْصَانُthe branches بَعْدَafter ذُبُولِهَاtheir withering
فَقَدْ تُورِقُ الأَغْصَانُ بَعْدَ ذُبُولِهَا
وَيَبْدُوand appears ضِيَاءُthe radiance of الْبَدْرِthe full moon فِيin ظُلْمَةِthe darkness of الْوَهْنِnight
وَيَبْدُو ضِيَاءُ الْبَدْرِ فِي ظُلْمَةِ الْوَهْنِ
Branches may put forth leaves after withering,
For branches can bloom again after their fading
And the full moon's radiance appears in the darkness of night.
And the moonlight reappears in the darkness of gloom.
وَأَيُّand which حُسَامٍkeen sword لَمْhas not تُصِبْهُafflicted it كَهَامَةٌdullness
وَأَيُّ حُسَامٍ لَمْ تُصِبْهُ كَهَامَةٌ
وَلَهْذَمُand a broad blade رُمْحٍof a spear لاnot يُفَلُّis chipped مِنَby الطَّعْنِthrusting
وَلَهْذَمُ رُمْحٍ لا يُفَلُّ مِنَ الطَّعْنِ
What keen sword has never suffered dulling,
What sword has no nicks from the blows,
And what broad spearhead is not chipped by thrusting?
And what lance does not bend from repeated stabs?
وَمَنْand whoever شَاغَبَwrestles with الأَيَّامَthe days لانَslackens مَرِيرُهُhis cord of resolve
وَمَنْ شَاغَبَ الأَيَّامَ لانَ مَرِيرُهُ
وَأَسْلَمَهُand hands him over طُولُthe length of الْمِرَاسِstruggle إِلَىto الْوَهْنِweakness
وَأَسْلَمَهُ طُولُ الْمِرَاسِ إِلَى الْوَهْنِ
Whoever wrestles with the days finds his cord of resolve slackened,
Who contends with the days will tire of their bitterness
And prolonged struggle delivers him to weakness.
And prolonged strife will leave him weak and frail.
وَمَاand not الْمَرْءُa person فِيin دُنْيَاهُhis world إِلَّاexcept كَسَالِكٍlike a traveler
وَمَا الْمَرْءُ فِي دُنْيَاهُ إِلَّا كَسَالِكٍ
مَنَاهِجَpaths لاnot تَخْلُوare free مِنَfrom السَّهْلِsmooth ground وَالْحَزْنِand rugged ground
مَنَاهِجَ لا تَخْلُو مِنَ السَّهْلِ وَالْحَزْنِ
In his world, a man is only like a traveler
Man in his world is but a wayfarer
Along paths never free of smooth and rugged ground.
Whose paths are not devoid of ease and misery.
فَإِنْso if تَكُنِit be الدُّنْيَاthe world تَوَلَّتْturned away بِخَيْرِهَاwith its bounty
فَإِنْ تَكُنِ الدُّنْيَا تَوَلَّتْ بِخَيْرِهَا
فَأَهْوِنْthen how paltry بِدُنْيَاa world is لاnot تَدُومُremains عَلَىin فَنِّone state
فَأَهْوِنْ بِدُنْيَا لا تَدُومُ عَلَى فَنِّ
If the world has turned away with its bounty,
If the world has turned away its goodness,
How paltry is a world that never stays in one condition!
Then think little of a fleeting world.
تَحَمَّلْتُI endured خَوْفَfor fear of الْمَنِّfavors held over one كُلَّevery رَزيئَةٍcalamity
تَحَمَّلْتُ خَوْفَ الْمَنِّ كُلَّ رَزيئَةٍ
وَحَمْلُand bearing رَزَايَاthe calamities of الدَّهرِtime أَحْلَىsweeter مِنَthan الْمَنِّfavors held over one
وَحَمْلُ رَزَايَا الدَّهرِ أَحْلَى مِنَ الْمَنِّ
I bore every calamity for fear of favors held over me;
I have endured the humiliation of favors
Bearing time's calamities is sweeter than having favors held over me.
For to live in humiliation is worse than prison.
وَعَاشَرْتُand I kept company with أَخْدَانَاًcompanions فَلَمَّاbut when بَلَوْتُهُمْI tested them
وَعَاشَرْتُ أَخْدَانَاً فَلَمَّا بَلَوْتُهُمْ
تَمَنَّيْتُI wished أَنْto أَبْقَىremain وَحِيداًalone بِلاwithout خِدْنِa friend
تَمَنَّيْتُ أَنْ أَبْقَى وَحِيداً بِلا خِدْنِ
I kept company with companions, but when I tested them,
And be a man, even if destiny has deemed you
I wished to remain alone, without a friend.
To fall between swords and spears in valor.
إِذَاwhen عَرَفَknows الْمَرْءُa person الْقُلُوبَhearts وَمَاand what انْطَوَتْthey folded
إِذَا عَرَفَ الْمَرْءُ الْقُلُوبَ وَمَا انْطَوَتْ
عَلَيْهِaround it مِنَof الْبَغْضَاءِhatred عَاشَhe lives عَلَىwith ضِغْنِrancor
عَلَيْهِ مِنَ الْبَغْضَاءِ عَاشَ عَلَى ضِغْنِ
When a man knows hearts and what they conceal
For there is no good in life when a man does not live
Of hatred, he lives with rancor.
Formidable, seen by the eye like fire in the darkness.
يَرَىsees بَصَرِيmy sight مَنْone whom لاnot أَوَدُّI wish لِقَاءَهُmeeting him
يَرَى بَصَرِي مَنْ لا أَوَدُّ لِقَاءَهُ
وَتَسْمَعُand hears أُذْنِيmy ear مَاwhat تَعَافُit loathes مِنَof اللَّحْنِtones
وَتَسْمَعُ أُذْنِي مَا تَعَافُ مِنَ اللَّحْنِ
My eyes see those I do not wish to meet,
Do not fear dangers in seeking loftiness,
And my ear hears tones it loathes.
For one who fears the thorns of bees returns deprived of gains.
وَكَيْفَand how مُقَامِيmy staying بَيْنwithin أَرْضٍa land أَرَىI see بِهَاin it
وَكَيْفَ مُقَامِي بَيْن أَرْضٍ أَرَى بِهَا
مِنَof الظُّلْمِinjustice مَاwhat أَخْنَىlaid waste عَلَىto الدَّارِthe dwelling وَالسَّكْنِand the inhabitants
مِنَ الظُّلْمِ مَا أَخْنَى عَلَى الدَّارِ وَالسَّكْنِ
How can I remain in a land where I see
Were it not for enduring adversities, the merits
Injustice that has ravaged homes and their inhabitants?
Of mankind would not emerge between valor and cowardice.
فَسَمْعُfor hearing أَنِينِthe moaning of الْجَوْرِoppression قَدْindeed شَاكَpierced مِسْمَعِيmy ear
فَسَمْعُ أَنِينِ الْجَوْرِ قَدْ شَاكَ مِسْمَعِي
وَرُؤْيَةُand seeing وَجْهِthe face of الغَدْرِtreachery حَلَّundid عُرَاthe bonds of جَفْنِيmy eyelid
وَرُؤْيَةُ وَجْهِ الغَدْرِ حَلَّ عُرَا جَفْنِي
Hearing oppression's groaning has pierced my ear,
If you do not find what you wish in the cities,
And seeing treachery's face has undone my eyelid's bonds.
Then wander, for deserts are better than cities.
وَصَعْبٌand difficult عَلَىfor ذِيone possessing اللُّبِّunderstanding رِئْمَانُacceptance of ذِلَّةٍhumiliation
وَصَعْبٌ عَلَى ذِي اللُّبِّ رِئْمَانُ ذِلَّةٍ
يَظَلُّhe remains بِهَاunder it فِيamong قَوْمِهِhis people وَاهِيَweak الْمَتْنِof back
يَظَلُّ بِهَا فِي قَوْمِهِ وَاهِيَ الْمَتْنِ
It is hard for a man of understanding to accept humiliation
Deserts where a man lives by his sword,
Under which he remains weak-backed among his people.
Proud and unyielding among foes.
إِذَاif الْمَرْءُa person لَمْdoes not يَرْمِrepay الْهَنَاةَthe affront بِمِثْلِهَاwith its like
إِذَا الْمَرْءُ لَمْ يَرْمِ الْهَنَاةَ بِمِثْلِهَا
تَخَطَّىreaches إِلَيْهِhim الْخَوْفُfear مِنْfrom جَانِبِthe quarter of الأَمْنِsafety
تَخَطَّى إِلَيْهِ الْخَوْفُ مِنْ جَانِبِ الأَمْنِ
If a man does not repay an affront in kind,
What life is there for a man in a country
Fear reaches him from the very quarter of safety.
Where he lingers between the ruins and ashes?
فَلاso do not تَعْتَرِفْsubmit بِالذُلِّto humiliation خِيفَةَfor fear of نِقْمَةٍvengeance
فَلا تَعْتَرِفْ بِالذُلِّ خِيفَةَ نِقْمَةٍ
فَعَيْشُfor the life of الْفَتَىa young man فِيin الذُّلِّhumiliation أَدْهَىmore calamitous مِنَthan السِّجْنِprison
فَعَيْشُ الْفَتَى فِي الذُّلِّ أَدْهَى مِنَ السِّجْنِ
Do not submit to humiliation for fear of vengeance;
By my life, a hut of branches in a wasteland
For a man's life in humiliation is worse than prison.
Is dearer to my heart than a mansion.
وَكُنْand be رَجُلاًa man إِنْif سِيمَhe is subjected to خَسْفاًabasement رَمَتْcast بِهِhim
وَكُنْ رَجُلاً إِنْ سِيمَ خَسْفاً رَمَتْ بِهِ
حَمِيَّتُهُhis pride بَيْنَamong الصَّوَارِمِkeen swords وَاللُّدْنِand supple spears
حَمِيَّتُهُ بَيْنَ الصَّوَارِمِ وَاللُّدْنِ
Be a man who, if subjected to abasement, is hurled
And I find more joy in the cry of a rooster
By his pride among keen swords and supple spears.
In the wilderness, calling amidst the tree branches,
فَلاfor no خَيْرَgood فِيin الدُّنْيَاthe world إِذَاif الْمَرْءُa person لَمْdoes not يَعِشْlive
فَلا خَيْرَ فِي الدُّنْيَا إِذَا الْمَرْءُ لَمْ يَعِشْ
مَهِيباًawe-inspiring تَرَاهُsees him الْعَيْنُthe eye كَالنَّارِlike fire فِيin دَغْنِgloom
مَهِيباً تَرَاهُ الْعَيْنُ كَالنَّارِ فِي دَغْنِ
There is no good in this world if a man does not live
And better than a house with shifting winds
Awe-inspiring, seen by the eye like fire in gloom.
Is your bedding on the ground in the courtyard.
وَلاand do not تَرْهَبِfear الأَخْطَارَdangers فِيin طَلَبِpursuit of الْعُلاgreatness
وَلا تَرْهَبِ الأَخْطَارَ فِي طَلَبِ الْعُلا
فَمَنْfor whoever هَابَfears شَوْكَthe stings of النَّحْلِbees عَادَreturns وَلَمْand does not يَجْنِgather
فَمَنْ هَابَ شَوْكَ النَّحْلِ عَادَ وَلَمْ يَجْنِ
Do not fear dangers in the pursuit of greatness;
You see everything standing before your eyes
He who fears the bees' stings returns having gathered nothing.
As if you were in your own paradise.
وَلَوْلاand were it not for مُعَانَاةُenduring الشَّدَائِدِhardships مَاnot بَدَتْappeared
وَلَوْلا مُعَانَاةُ الشَّدَائِدِ مَا بَدَتْ
مَزَايَاthe distinguishing qualities of الْوَرَىpeople بَيْنَbetween الشَّجَاعَةِcourage وَالْجُبْنِand cowardice
مَزَايَا الْوَرَى بَيْنَ الشَّجَاعَةِ وَالْجُبْنِ
Without enduring hardships, there would never appear
The steeds circle around you, sipping
The differences among people in courage and cowardice.
At the edgings of the water-skins like jinn.
فَإِنْso if لَمْdo not تَجِدْyou find فِيin الْمُدْنِcities مَاwhat شِئْتَyou desire مِنْof قِرَىًhospitality
فَإِنْ لَمْ تَجِدْ فِي الْمُدْنِ مَا شِئْتَ مِنْ قِرَىً
فَأَصْحِرْthen go into the desert فَإِنَّfor indeed الْبِيدَthe desert wastes خَيْرٌbetter مِنَthan الْمُدْنِcities
فَأَصْحِرْ فَإِنَّ الْبِيدَ خَيْرٌ مِنَ الْمُدْنِ
If in cities you cannot find the hospitality you desire,
When you hear the voice of clamor you stand alert
Then take to the desert: the wastes are better than cities.
And attain what eyes alone cannot see.
صَحَارٍdeserts يَعِيشُlives الْمَرْءُa person فِيهَاin them بِسَيْفِهِby his sword
صَحَارٍ يَعِيشُ الْمَرْءُ فِيهَا بِسَيْفِهِ
شَدِيدَfierce الْحُمَيَّاin protective pride غَيْرَnot مُغْضٍturning a blind eye عَلَىto دِمْنِrancor
شَدِيدَ الْحُمَيَّا غَيْرَ مُغْضٍ عَلَى دِمْنِ
Deserts where a man lives by his sword,
By my life, such is a Bedouin existence,
Fierce in his pride, never turning a blind eye to rancor.
With steadfast determination and firm principle.
وَأَيُّand what حَيَاةٍlife لاِمْرِئٍfor a person بَيْنَwithin بَلْدَةٍa town
وَأَيُّ حَيَاةٍ لاِمْرِئٍ بَيْنَ بَلْدَةٍ
يَظَلُّhe remains بِهَاin it بَيْنَamid الْعَوَاثِنِsmoke clouds وَالدَّخْنِand fumes
يَظَلُّ بِهَا بَيْنَ الْعَوَاثِنِ وَالدَّخْنِ
What life has a man within a town
I have only said this after gaining knowledge
Where he remains amid smoke and fumes?
That gave me certainty, banishing conjectures.
لَعَمْرِيby my life لَكُوخٌsurely a hut مِنْof ثُمَامٍthumam grass بِتَلْعَةٍin a ravine
لَعَمْرِي لَكُوخٌ مِنْ ثُمَامٍ بِتَلْعَةٍ
أَحَبُّdearer إِلَىto قَلْبِيmy heart مِنَthan الْبَيْتِthe house ذِيwith الْكِنِّshelter
أَحَبُّ إِلَى قَلْبِي مِنَ الْبَيْتِ ذِي الْكِنِّ
By my life, a hut of thumam grass in a ravine
For I have tasted the flavor of fate until I spat it out,
Is dearer to my heart than a sheltered house.
And have consorted until I said to the son of Abu Da'n, “Leave me be!”
وَأَطْرَبُand more delightful مِنْthan دِيكٍa cock يَصِيحُcrowing بِكُوَّةٍat a window
وَأَطْرَبُ مِنْ دِيكٍ يَصِيحُ بِكُوَّةٍ
أَرَاكِيَّةٌan arak-tree dove تَدْعُوcalling هَدِيلاًa coo عَلَىon غُصْنِa branch
أَرَاكِيَّةٌ تَدْعُو هَدِيلاً عَلَى غُصْنِ
More delightful than a cock crowing at a window
Were it not for a brother whose bond of love
Is an arak-tree dove cooing upon a branch.
I cherished despite the caprices of time, I would make no exceptions.
وَأَحْسَنُand better مِنْthan دَارٍa dwelling وَخِيمٍunhealthy هَوَاؤُهَاits air
وَأَحْسَنُ مِنْ دَارٍ وَخِيمٍ هَوَاؤُهَا
مَبِيتُكَyour night's lodging مِنْwithin بُحْبُوحَةِthe spaciousness of الْقَاعِthe plain فِيin صَحْنِan open space
مَبِيتُكَ مِنْ بُحْبُوحَةِ الْقَاعِ فِي صَحْنِ
And better than a dwelling with unhealthy air
One may have a distant relative who wishes you well
Is your night's lodging in the open expanse of the plain.
While a close one wrongs you.
تَرَىyou see كُلَّevery شَيءٍthing نُصْبَbefore عَيْنَيْكَyour eyes مَاثِلاًstanding plainly
تَرَى كُلَّ شَيءٍ نُصْبَ عَيْنَيْكَ مَاثِلاً
كَأَنَّكَas though you مِنْin دُنْيَاكَyour world فِيin جَنَّتَيْthe two gardens of عَدْنِEden
كَأَنَّكَ مِنْ دُنْيَاكَ فِي جَنَّتَيْ عَدْنِ
You see everything standing plainly before your eyes,
For love lies not in kinship, even if it necessitates it,
As though, within your world, you were in the two gardens of Eden.
Rather, it lies in disposition, form and harmony.
تَدُورُcircle جِيَادُthe noble steeds of الْخَيْلِhorses حَوْلَكَaround you شُرَّباًcoming to drink
تَدُورُ جِيَادُ الْخَيْلِ حَوْلَكَ شُرَّباً
تُجَاذِبُtug at أَطْرَافَthe ends of الأَعِنَّةِthe reins كَالْجِنِّlike jinn
تُجَاذِبُ أَطْرَافَ الأَعِنَّةِ كَالْجِنِّ
Fine steeds circle around you as they come to drink,
When there is no rift between two companions,
Tugging at the ends of their reins like jinn.
Then manners are of no use, nor does lineage draw them near.
إِذَاwhen سَمِعْتَyou hear صَوْتَthe sound of الصَّرِيخِthe cry for help تَنَصَّبَتْthey stand alert
إِذَا سَمِعْتَ صَوْتَ الصَّرِيخِ تَنَصَّبَتْ
فَتُدْرِكُso you perceive مَاwhat لاdoes not تُبْصِرُsee الْعَيْنُthe eye بِالأُذْنِwith the ear
فَتُدْرِكُ مَا لا تُبْصِرُ الْعَيْنُ بِالأُذْنِ
When you hear the cry for help, they stand alert,
That is a brother but for whom I would reject
And you perceive by ear what the eye cannot see.
All I heard of An-Najm or Ma'n.
فَتِلْكَso that لَعَمْرِيby my life عِيشَةٌa life بَدَوِيَّةٌBedouin
فَتِلْكَ لَعَمْرِي عِيشَةٌ بَدَوِيَّةٌ
مُوَطَّأَةُsoftened الأَكْنَافِthe sides رَاسِخَةُfirm الرُّكْنِthe foundation
مُوَطَّأَةُ الأَكْنَافِ رَاسِخَةُ الرُّكْنِ
That, by my life, is a Bedouin life,
If I do not name him fearing a jealous rival
Soft along its sides, firm in its foundation.
Who would plot against him, he knows whom I mean.
وَمَاand not قُلْتُI spoke إِلَّاexcept بَعْدَafter عِلْمٍknowledge أَجَدَّrenewed لِيfor me
وَمَا قُلْتُ إِلَّا بَعْدَ عِلْمٍ أَجَدَّ لِي
يَقِيناًcertainty نَفَىbanished عَنِّيfrom me مُرَاجَعَةَrevisiting الظَّنِّconjecture
يَقِيناً نَفَى عَنِّي مُرَاجَعَةَ الظَّنِّ
I spoke only after knowledge gave me fresh
For recalling him, though remote,
Certainty that banished my return to conjecture.
Comforts my heart whether settled or on the move.
فَقَدْfor indeed ذُقْتُI tasted طَعْمَthe flavor of الدَّهْرِtime حَتَّىuntil لَفَظْتُهُI spat it out
فَقَدْ ذُقْتُ طَعْمَ الدَّهْرِ حَتَّى لَفَظْتُهُ
وَعَاشَرْتُand I kept company حَتَّىuntil قُلْتُI said لاِبْنِto the son of أَبِيmy father دَعْنِيleave me
وَعَاشَرْتُ حَتَّى قُلْتُ لاِبْنِ أَبِي دَعْنِي
I have tasted time's flavor until I spat it out,
I grieve being far from him, sorrowing and languishing
And kept company until I told my father's son, 'Leave me.'
As Jamil lamented his longing for Buthaina.
وَلَوْلاand were it not for أَخٌa brother أَحْمَدْتُI found praiseworthy فِيin الْوُدِّfriendship عَهْدَهُhis pledge
وَلَوْلا أَخٌ أَحْمَدْتُ فِي الْوُدِّ عَهْدَهُ
عَلَىthrough حَدَثَانِthe vicissitudes of الدَّهْرِtime مَاnot كُنْتُI would أَسْتَثْنِيmake an exception
عَلَى حَدَثَانِ الدَّهْرِ مَا كُنْتُ أَسْتَثْنِي
Were it not for a brother whose loyalty in friendship I found praiseworthy
So who will be a noble friend whose company
Through time's vicissitudes, I would make no exception.
I crave, having wearied of consorting with ignoramuses?
وَرُبَّand many a بَعِيدِdistant الدَّارِhome يُصْفِيكَoffers you purely وُدَّهُhis affection
وَرُبَّ بَعِيدِ الدَّارِ يُصْفِيكَ وُدَّهُ
وَمُقْتَرِبٍand one nearby يَجْنِيwrongs عَلَيْكَyou وَلَمْand did not تَجْنِyou wrong
وَمُقْتَرِبٍ يَجْنِي عَلَيْكَ وَلَمْ تَجْنِ
Many a man whose home is far offers you his pure affection,
My soul pulls me toward him while perils
While one close at hand wrongs you, though you have done no wrong.
Of teeming gloom lie between us.
وَمَاand not الْوُدُّaffection فِيin الْقُرْبَىkinship وَإِنْeven though هِيَit أَوْجَبَتْimposes obligation
وَمَا الْوُدُّ فِي الْقُرْبَى وَإِنْ هِيَ أَوْجَبَتْ
وَلَكِنَّهُbut it فِيin الطَّبْعِtemperament وَالشَّكْلِand likeness وَالْوَزْنِand worth
وَلَكِنَّهُ فِي الطَّبْعِ وَالشَّكْلِ وَالْوَزْنِ
Affection does not lie in kinship, though kinship makes it a duty,
Perhaps the hand of time will clasp us in an embrace
But in temperament, likeness, and worth.
And I will see him after estrangement and disdain.
إِذَاif لَمْdoes not يَكُنْthere exist بَيْنَbetween الْوَدِيدَيْنِthe two friends خُلَّةٌa close bond
إِذَا لَمْ يَكُنْ بَيْنَ الْوَدِيدَيْنِ خُلَّةٌ
فَلاthen no أَدَبٌrefinement يُجْدِيavails وَلاnor نَسَبٌlineage يُدْنِيdraws near
فَلا أَدَبٌ يُجْدِي وَلا نَسَبٌ يُدْنِي
If there is no close bond between two friends,
Though longing be prolonged, I firmly trust
Neither refinement avails nor lineage draws them near.
In the mercy of my Lord, for He is Most Kind and Benevolent.
فَذَاكَfor that أَخٌa brother لَوْلاهُwithout him أَنْكَرْتُI would disbelieve كُلَّall مَاthat
فَذَاكَ أَخٌ لَوْلاهُ أَنْكَرْتُ كُلَّ مَا
سَمِعْتُI heard بِهِof it عَنْabout أَحْنَفِAhnaf الْحِلْمِforbearance أَوْor مَعْنِMa'n
سَمِعْتُ بِهِ عَنْ أَحْنَفِ الْحِلْمِ أَوْ مَعْنِ
That is a brother without whom I would disbelieve all that
I have heard of the forbearing Ahnaf or of Ma'n.
فَإِنْso if لَمْdo not أُصَرِّحْI disclose بِاسْمِهِhis name خَوْفَfor fear of حَاسِدٍan envious man
فَإِنْ لَمْ أُصَرِّحْ بِاسْمِهِ خَوْفَ حَاسِدٍ
يَنُمُّtelling tales عَلَيْهِagainst him فَهْوَthen he يَعْلَمُknows مَنْwhom أَعْنِيI mean
يَنُمُّ عَلَيْهِ فَهْوَ يَعْلَمُ مَنْ أَعْنِي
If I do not declare his name, for fear of an envious man
Who would slander him, he knows whom I mean.
عَلَىyet أَنَّindeed ذِكْرَاهُhis remembrance وَإِنْeven though كَانَhe is نَائِيَاًfar away
عَلَى أَنَّ ذِكْرَاهُ وَإِنْ كَانَ نَائِيَاً
سَمِيرُthe evening companion of فُؤَادِيmy heart فِيin الإِقَامَةِstaying وَالظَّعْنِand travel
سَمِيرُ فُؤَادِي فِي الإِقَامَةِ وَالظَّعْنِ
Yet his remembrance, though he is far away,
Is my heart's evening companion, whether I stay or travel.
أَنُوحُI lament لِبُعْدِيfor my distance عَنْهُfrom him حُزْناًin grief وَلَوْعَةًand anguish
أَنُوحُ لِبُعْدِي عَنْهُ حُزْناً وَلَوْعَةً
كَمَاas نَاحَlamented مِنْout of شَوْقٍlonging جَمِيلٌJamil عَلَىfor بُثْنِButhn
كَمَا نَاحَ مِنْ شَوْقٍ جَمِيلٌ عَلَى بُثْنِ
I lament my distance from him in grief and burning anguish,
As Jamil, out of longing, lamented for Buthn.
فَمَنْso who لِيfor me بِهِwith him خِلّاًas a friend كَرِيماًnoble نِجَارُهُhis stock
فَمَنْ لِي بِهِ خِلّاً كَرِيماً نِجَارُهُ
فَقَدْfor indeed سَئِمَتْgrew weary نَفْسِيmy soul مُعَاشَرَةَof keeping company with الْهُجْنِthe baseborn
فَقَدْ سَئِمَتْ نَفْسِي مُعَاشَرَةَ الْهُجْنِ
Who can bring him to me, a friend of noble stock?
My soul is weary of keeping company with the baseborn.
تُجَاذِبُنِيpulls me نَفْسِيmy soul إِلَيْهِtoward him وَدُونَنَاand between us
تُجَاذِبُنِي نَفْسِي إِلَيْهِ وَدُونَنَا
أَهَاوِيلُterrors مُلْتَجِّof a sea with clashing الْغَوَارِبِwave-crests مُسْتَنِّrushing
أَهَاوِيلُ مُلْتَجِّ الْغَوَارِبِ مُسْتَنِّ
My soul draws me toward him, but between us lie
The terrors of a rushing sea with clashing wave-crests.
لَعَلَّperhaps يَدَthe hand of الأَيَّامِthe days تَسْخُوis generous بِلُقْيَةٍwith a meeting
لَعَلَّ يَدَ الأَيَّامِ تَسْخُو بِلُقْيَةٍ
أَرَاهُI see him بِهَاat it بَعْدَafter الْكَزَازَةِstinginess وَالضَّنِّand withholding
أَرَاهُ بِهَا بَعْدَ الْكَزَازَةِ وَالضَّنِّ
Perhaps the hand of time will be generous with a meeting
At which I may see him, after its stinginess and withholding.
وَإِنِّيand I indeed وَإِنْeven though طَالَlasts long الْمِطَالُthe delay لَوَاثِقٌam surely confident
وَإِنِّي وَإِنْ طَالَ الْمِطَالُ لَوَاثِقٌ
بِرَحْمَةِin the mercy of رَبِّيmy Lord فَهْوَfor He ذُوpossessing الطَّوْلِbounty وَالْمَنِّand grace
بِرَحْمَةِ رَبِّي فَهْوَ ذُو الطَّوْلِ وَالْمَنِّ
Though the delay be long, I am surely confident
In my Lord's mercy, for He possesses bounty and grace.
Partial English translation: 94 of 110 Arabic lines translated.
Sol 6.1