تَذكَّرتُI remembered ليلَىLayla وَالمَدامِعُand the tears تُسكَبُare shed
تَذكَّرتُ ليلَى وَالمَدامِعُ تُسكَبُ
وَتِذكارُهاand remembering her لِلصبِّfor the love-stricken يَحلوis sweet ويَعذبُand is delightful
وَتِذكارُها لِلصبِّ يَحلو ويَعذبُ
I remembered Layla while tears were pouring,
and remembering her is sweet and delightful to the love-stricken.
أُجنُّI am driven mad بِهاwith love for her إِنْif جَنّfalls لَيلٌnight وكلّماand whenever
أُجنُّ بِها إِنْ جَنّ لَيلٌ وكلّما
بَداappears كَوكَبٌa star أَوor غابَsets فيin الغَربِthe west كَوكبُa star
بَدا كَوكَبٌ أَو غابَ في الغَربِ كَوكبُ
I am mad for her when night falls, and whenever
a star appears or a star sets in the west.
وَتُلهِبُand she inflames أَحشائيmy inward parts المَذوبَةmelted بِالجَوىby ardent longing
وَتُلهِبُ أَحشائي المَذوبَة بِالجَوى
وَتَخفِقُand flutters روحيmy soul وَالشّرايينُand the arteries تضربُthrob
وَتَخفِقُ روحي وَالشّرايينُ تضربُ
She inflames my inward parts, melted by ardent longing,
and my soul flutters, and my arteries throb.
فَأِنّيhow then? لِقلبيfor my heart أَنthat يُبَلَّbe quenched غَليلُهits burning thirst
فَأِنّي لِقلبي أَن يُبَلَّ غَليلُه
وَفيهwhile within it لَظَىthe blaze الأشواقِof yearnings بِالوَجْدِwith passion تثقبُburns fiercely
وَفيه لَظَى الأشواقِ بِالوَجْدِ تثقبُ
How, then, can my heart's burning thirst be quenched,
while within it the blaze of yearning burns fiercely with passion?
وَأَنّىand how يَصحُّcan recover الجسمُthe body وَهوَwhile it عَليلُهاis sick for her
وَأَنّى يَصحُّ الجسمُ وَهوَ عَليلُها
وَأَينand where نَعيمُthe bliss القَلبِof the heart وَهوَwhile it يعذِّبُinflicts torment
وَأَين نَعيمُ القَلبِ وَهوَ يعذِّبُ
How can the body recover when it is sick for her?
And where is the heart's bliss, while it inflicts torment?
وَماand not هيَshe إِلّاbut الشّمسُthe sun لَوif أَنّهاthat she بَدَتappeared
وَما هيَ إِلّا الشّمسُ لَو أَنّها بَدَت
لَكانَتthen would شُموسُthe suns الأُفقِof the horizon تَخفَىdisappear وتغرُبُand set
لَكانَت شُموسُ الأُفقِ تَخفَى وتغرُبُ
She is nothing but the sun; if she appeared,
the suns of the horizon would disappear and set.
وَكُلُّand every جَميلٍlovely thing فيin الأَماسيthe evenings هوَit is اِسمُهاher name
وَكُلُّ جَميلٍ في الأَماسي هوَ اِسمُها
وَتَحويand she possesses مِنof الأَوصافِqualities ماwhat هوَit is أَطيبُsweetest
وَتَحوي مِن الأَوصافِ ما هوَ أَطيبُ
And all that is lovely in the evenings is her name;
she possesses the sweetest of qualities.
فَإِنso if شِئتَyou wish قُلsay ليلىLayla وَإِنand if شِئتَyou wish عَبلةٌAbla
فَإِن شِئتَ قُل ليلى وَإِن شِئتَ عَبلةٌ
وَإِنand if شِئتَyou wish قُلsay سعدَىSa'da وَإِنand if شِئتَyou wish زينبُZaynab
وَإِن شِئتَ قُل سعدَى وَإِن شِئتَ زينبُ
If you wish, say Layla; if you wish, Abla;
if you wish, say Sa'da; if you wish, Zaynab.
تَميلُshe sways كَغُصنِlike a bough of الرّوضِthe garden والغُصنُand the bough لَيّنٌis supple
تَميلُ كَغُصنِ الرّوضِ والغُصنُ لَيّنٌ
وَتبسَمُand she smiles مثلَlike الرّوضِthe garden وَالرّوضُand the garden مخصبُis lush
وَتبسَمُ مثلَ الرّوضِ وَالرّوضُ مخصبُ
She sways like a garden bough, and the bough is supple;
she smiles like the garden, and the garden is lush.
وَتَرنوand she gazes بِطرْفٍwith a glance يَأسِرthat captures الأُسْدَlions وَالمَهاand oryxes
وَتَرنو بِطرْفٍ يَأسِر الأُسْدَ وَالمَها
وَماand not هوَit is إِلّاbut ذوpossessor of الفقارِthe notches المجرّبُthe tried-and-tested
وَما هوَ إِلّا ذو الفقارِ المجرّبُ
She gazes with a glance that captures lions and oryxes;
it is none but the tried-and-tested Dhu al-Fiqar.
تُراسِلshe sends messages to قَلبيmy heart فيin سِهامِthe arrows of جُفونِهاher eyelids
تُراسِل قَلبي في سِهامِ جُفونِها
وَتَرقُمand she inscribes بِالهِنديِّwith the Indian blade فيهِupon it وَتكتبُand writes
وَتَرقُم بِالهِنديِّ فيهِ وَتكتبُ
She sends messages to my heart in the arrows of her eyelids,
and inscribes and writes upon it with the Indian blade.
وَمِنand from حَبَّةِthe core of القَلبِthe heart الكَئيبِgrieving تَنَقَّشتshe adorned herself with designs
وَمِن حَبَّةِ القَلبِ الكَئيبِ تَنَقَّشت
وَمنand from دَمِهِits blood القانيcrimson غَدَتshe began تَتَخضّبُto dye herself
وَمن دَمِهِ القاني غَدَت تَتَخضّبُ
From the core of my grieving heart she fashioned her adornment,
and began to dye herself with its crimson blood.
وَإِنْand if أَخَذَتshe took قَلبيmy heart وَإِنّيand indeed I رقيقُهاam her slave
وَإِنْ أَخَذَت قَلبي وَإِنّي رقيقُها
فذاكَthen that لهاis hers ملكٌas property ولمand not تكُwas she تغصبُusurping
فذاكَ لها ملكٌ ولم تكُ تغصبُ
If she took my heart—and indeed I am her slave—
that is her property; she was not usurping it.
وَإِنّand indeed اِنشِعارَthe cracking of القلبِthe heart بِالهَجرِthrough abandonment وَالجَفاand coldness
وَإِنّ اِنشِعارَ القلبِ بِالهَجرِ وَالجَفا
وَضَبَّتهand its mending brace وَصلٌis reunion كَذاكَlikewise تقرُّبُdrawing near
وَضَبَّته وَصلٌ كَذاكَ تقرُّبُ
The heart is cracked by abandonment and coldness,
and its mending brace is reunion, and likewise drawing near.
فَذاكَfor that إِناءٌis a vessel لِلمَحبَّةِfor love وَالهَوىand passion
فَذاكَ إِناءٌ لِلمَحبَّةِ وَالهَوى
وَكُلُّand every إِناءٍvessel لِاِنشعارٍfor a crack يُضبَّبُis clamped
وَكُلُّ إِناءٍ لِاِنشعارٍ يُضبَّبُ
For it is a vessel for love and passion,
and every vessel is clamped when it cracks.
وَكُلُّand all الّذيthat تَقضيyou decree مِنَof الصدِّrejection وَالجَفاand coldness
وَكُلُّ الّذي تَقضي مِنَ الصدِّ وَالجَفا
فَعِنديَthen to me سَهلٌit is easy وَالتباعدُwhile separation يَصعُبُis hard
فَعِنديَ سَهلٌ وَالتباعدُ يَصعُبُ
All the rejection and coldness you decree
I find easy; separation is what is hard.
تَصابيتI indulged youthful love حَمْلاًas a fetus ثمّthen طفلاًas a child وأَشيباًand as a graybeard
تَصابيت حَمْلاً ثمّ طفلاً وأَشيباً
وحسنُand the beauty of التصابيyouthful dalliance حيثماis when المرءُa man أشيبُis gray-haired
وحسنُ التصابي حيثما المرءُ أشيبُ
I played the youth while unborn, then as a child and a graybeard;
youthful dalliance is finest when a man is gray-haired.
وَإِنّand indeed التّصابيyouthful dalliance مِنfrom ذَويthose possessing الشّيبِgray hair لائِقٌis fitting
وَإِنّ التّصابي مِن ذَوي الشّيبِ لائِقٌ
وَماand not هوَis it أَولىmore fitting بِالشّبابِfor youth وَأَنسبُand more suitable
وَما هوَ أَولى بِالشّبابِ وَأَنسبُ
Youthful dalliance befits those with gray hair;
it is no more fitting or suitable for the young.
فَياso O أَيّهاyou اللّاحيreproacher بِماذاby what means تَخلُّصيmy escape
فَيا أَيّها اللّاحي بِماذا تَخلُّصي
مِنَfrom العِشقِlove بَلrather فيمَfor what purpose التَخلُّصescape يُكسَبُis gained
مِنَ العِشقِ بَل فيمَ التَخلُّص يُكسَبُ
O you who reproach me, by what means can I escape
from love? Indeed, why should escape be sought?
وَقَدand indeed كنتُI had عالَجتُstruggled with الفُؤادَthe heart عَلىover الهَوىpassion
وَقَد كنتُ عالَجتُ الفُؤادَ عَلى الهَوى
لِيَخلَعَهُso it might cast it off تَركاًin renunciation يَليهِfollowed by التّجنُّبُavoidance
لِيَخلَعَهُ تَركاً يَليهِ التّجنُّبُ
I had struggled with my heart over passion,
so it might cast it off in renunciation followed by avoidance.
فَحارَبتُهُso I fought it عاماًfor a year بِجَيشٍwith an army عَرمرَمٍvast
فَحارَبتُهُ عاماً بِجَيشٍ عَرمرَمٍ
مِنَof العَزمِresolve وَالتَّصميمُand determination فيin الحَربِwar يُرغَبُis desired
مِنَ العَزمِ وَالتَّصميمُ في الحَربِ يُرغَبُ
I fought it for a year with a mighty army
of resolve—for determination is desirable in war.
فَكانَso there was لَهُfor it التّأييدsupport فيin كُلِّevery مَوطِنٍbattlefield
فَكانَ لَهُ التّأييد في كُلِّ مَوطِنٍ
وَكانَand there was لَهُfor it حقّاًtruly عَليَّover me التغلّبُvictory
وَكانَ لَهُ حقّاً عَليَّ التغلّبُ
So it enjoyed support on every battlefield,
and truly prevailed over me.
فَأيُّso what فَتىًyoung man يَبغيseeks مُحارَبةَto wage war against الهوَىpassion
فَأيُّ فَتىً يَبغي مُحارَبةَ الهوَى
وَإِنَّand indeed الهَوىpassion يَقوىprevails عَلَيهِover him ويُغلَبُand he is overcome
وَإِنَّ الهَوى يَقوى عَلَيهِ ويُغلَبُ
What young man, then, seeks to wage war against passion,
when passion overpowers him and he is defeated?
وَكُلُّand every فتىًyoung man يَخلوis free مِنَof العِشقِardent love وَالهَوىand passion
وَكُلُّ فتىً يَخلو مِنَ العِشقِ وَالهَوى
فَذاكَthen that one بَهيمٌis a beast لَيسَis not فيamong النَّاسِpeople يُحسَبُcounted
فَذاكَ بَهيمٌ لَيسَ في النَّاسِ يُحسَبُ
Every young man free of ardent love and passion
is a beast, not reckoned among humankind.
وَإِنّيand indeed I اِمرُؤٌam a man مِنfrom حبَّlove for لَيلايَmy Layla منشأٌformed
وَإِنّي اِمرُؤٌ مِن حبَّ لَيلايَ منشأٌ
نَعيميmy bliss بِهِis in it لَوeven if كنتI were فيهِin it أعذَّبُtormented
نَعيمي بِهِ لَو كنت فيهِ أعذَّبُ
I am a man shaped by love for my Layla;
in it lies my bliss, even were I tormented by it.
كَتَمتُI concealed هَواهاmy love for her والنُحولُbut emaciation يُذيعُهproclaims it
كَتَمتُ هَواها والنُحولُ يُذيعُه
وَتَشهدُand bears witness عَينيmy eye حينَماwhenever الدّمعُtears يسكبُare shed
وَتَشهدُ عَيني حينَما الدّمعُ يسكبُ
I concealed my love for her, but emaciation proclaims it;
my eye bears witness whenever tears are shed.
وَقَدand indeed قيلَit was said ليto me أَظهِرْreveal هَواهاyour love for her وَبُحand disclose بِهِit
وَقَد قيلَ لي أَظهِرْ هَواها وَبُح بِهِ
فَقُلتُso I said اِسكُتواbe silent إِنّindeed العَذولthe reproacher يكذِّبُdisbelieves
فَقُلتُ اِسكُتوا إِنّ العَذول يكذِّبُ
I was told, 'Reveal your love for her and declare it.'
I said, 'Be silent: the reproacher disbelieves.'
وَكُمَّلُand the perfected ones among أَهلِthe people of العِشقِlove مَنare those who كَتَمواconcealed الهوَىpassion
وَكُمَّلُ أَهلِ العِشقِ مَن كَتَموا الهوَى
وَقَدand indeed حَيَّرواthey bewildered العُذّالَthe reproachers فيهِover it وأَتعبواand exhausted them
وَقَد حَيَّروا العُذّالَ فيهِ وأَتعبوا
The consummate lovers are those who conceal their passion,
leaving their reproachers bewildered and exhausted by it.
رَأَتshe saw مُقلَتيmy eye شامَتhad glimpsed مِنَfrom الشَّمسِthe sun نَظرةًa glance
رَأَت مُقلَتي شامَت مِنَ الشَّمسِ نَظرةً
فَحالاًand at once بَدتshe began تَغتاظُto be vexed منّيwith me وَتغضبُand grow angry
فَحالاً بَدت تَغتاظُ منّي وَتغضبُ
She saw that my eye had caught a glimpse of the sun,
and at once grew vexed with me and angry.
وَقَدand indeed سَربَلَتنيshe clothed me فيin قُيودٍchains مِنَof الجَفاcoldness
وَقَد سَربَلَتني في قُيودٍ مِنَ الجَفا
وَقالَتand she said تَأَمَّلْconsider ماwhat عَلَيكَupon you يرتّبُwill be imposed
وَقالَت تَأَمَّلْ ما عَلَيكَ يرتّبُ
She clad me in chains of coldness,
and said, 'Consider what will be imposed upon you.'
وَقَدand indeed أَرسلَتْshe sent بيme نَحوَtoward قاضٍa judge مفخّمٍaugust
وَقَد أَرسلَتْ بي نَحوَ قاضٍ مفخّمٍ
لَهُhe has فيin عُلومِthe sciences of العِشقِardent love وَالحبِّand affection مذهَبُa doctrine
لَهُ في عُلومِ العِشقِ وَالحبِّ مذهَبُ
She had me sent before an august judge,
who has a doctrine in the sciences of ardent love and affection.
فَقالَتso she said لَهُto him هَذاthis man بِحبّيَby my love محصَنٌis maritally bound
فَقالَت لَهُ هَذا بِحبّيَ محصَنٌ
وَقَدyet indeed شامَhe gazed at غَيريsomeone other than me فَهوَso he زانٍis an adulterer يعذَّبُis punished
وَقَد شامَ غَيري فَهوَ زانٍ يعذَّبُ
She told him, 'This man is wedded to my love,
yet he gazed upon another: he is an adulterer to be punished.
فَأَثْبِتْso impose عَلَيهِupon him الرجمَstoning بِالصدِّwith rejection وَالجَفاand coldness
فَأَثْبِتْ عَلَيهِ الرجمَ بِالصدِّ وَالجَفا
وَمِنand from بَعدِafter ذاthis رَأييmy opinion عَلىupon الجذعِthe tree trunk يُصلَبُhe should be crucified
وَمِن بَعدِ ذا رَأيي عَلى الجذعِ يُصلَبُ
So sentence him to stoning with rejection and coldness;
after that, I would have him crucified upon a tree trunk.'
فَقالَso he said لَهاto her سَمعاًobediently لِماto what تَأمُرينَهُyou command
فَقالَ لَها سَمعاً لِما تَأمُرينَهُ
فَإِنْso if شِئتyou wish ضَربَa stroke of السَّيفِthe sword بِالسَّيفِwith the sword أَضربُI shall strike
فَإِنْ شِئت ضَربَ السَّيفِ بِالسَّيفِ أَضربُ
He told her, 'I heed whatever you command;
if you desire a sword-stroke, I shall strike with the sword.'
فَجَرَّدَthen he unsheathed سَيفاًa sword يَخطِفُsnatches الرُّوحَthe soul لَمعُهُits gleam
فَجَرَّدَ سَيفاً يَخطِفُ الرُّوحَ لَمعُهُ
وَمِنand from حَدِّهِits edge الماضيkeen أَرىI see الحَتفَdeath يقرُبُdrawing near
وَمِن حَدِّهِ الماضي أَرى الحَتفَ يقرُبُ
He unsheathed a sword whose gleam snatches the soul,
and from its keen edge I see death drawing near.
فَأَوقَعَهُthen he struck with it فيinto الجِسمِthe body وَالروحِand the soul وَالحَشاand the inward parts
فَأَوقَعَهُ في الجِسمِ وَالروحِ وَالحَشا
وَقالَand he said عَلىupon هَذاthis man يَحقُّis due التغرُّبُbanishment
وَقالَ عَلى هَذا يَحقُّ التغرُّبُ
He struck with it at body, soul, and inward parts,
and said, 'For this man, banishment is due.'
فَغَرَّبَنيso he banished me مِنfrom بَعدِafter مَوتيmy death وَقِتلَتيand my slaying
فَغَرَّبَني مِن بَعدِ مَوتي وَقِتلَتي
وَقالَand he said الَّذيthe one who يَجنيoffends بِهذاwith this يؤدَّبُis disciplined
وَقالَ الَّذي يَجني بِهذا يؤدَّبُ
So he banished me after my death and slaying,
and said, 'Thus is the offender disciplined.'
تَعجَّبتُI marveled مِنهُat him كَيفَhow فيin ذاكَthat حدَّنيhe imposed a legal penalty on me
تَعجَّبتُ مِنهُ كَيفَ في ذاكَ حدَّني
وَعاملَنيand treated me كَالحرّlike a free man مِنfrom حَيثُwhere يذنبُhe sins
وَعاملَني كَالحرّ مِن حَيثُ يذنبُ
I marveled how he imposed that legal punishment on me,
and treated me as a free man who sins.
أَلَمdid not يَدرِhe know أَنّيthat I عَبدُهاam her slave الحرُّfree فيin الهَوىpassion
أَلَم يَدرِ أَنّي عَبدُها الحرُّ في الهَوى
وَلَيسَand is not بِذاthis حَدّيmy prescribed penalty وَلَستُand I am not أغرّبُto be banished
وَلَيسَ بِذا حَدّي وَلَستُ أغرّبُ
Did he not know I am her slave, though free in love,
and this is not my prescribed penalty, nor am I to be banished?
وَلَكنbut بِشرعِby the law of العِشقِlove ماnot كانَwas he مُخطئاًmistaken
وَلَكن بِشرعِ العِشقِ ما كانَ مُخطئاً
وَلاnor عَنfrom طَريقِthe path of الحقِّright فيهِin it تجنبُstraying
وَلا عَن طَريقِ الحقِّ فيهِ تجنبُ
But by love's law he was not mistaken,
nor did he stray from the path of right in it.
فَذلِكَso that one فيin فَصلِdeciding الحُكومَةِthe dispute عادلٌis just
فَذلِكَ في فَصلِ الحُكومَةِ عادلٌ
وَلَستand I am not لَهُtoward him مِمّنamong those who يَلومُblame ويعتبُand reproach
وَلَست لَهُ مِمّن يَلومُ ويعتبُ
He is therefore just in deciding the case,
and I am not among those who blame or reproach him.
فَيمناهُso his right hand لاmay not شُلَّتbe paralyzed ولاnor فُضَّbe broken فوهُhis mouth بَلindeed
فَيمناهُ لا شُلَّت ولا فُضَّ فوهُ بَل
وَلاand may not عاشَlive مَنwhoever يَجفوهُshuns him جَهلاًin ignorance ويثلِبُand maligns him
وَلا عاشَ مَن يَجفوهُ جَهلاً ويثلِبُ
May his right hand never wither, nor his teeth be shattered—indeed,
may none who ignorantly shuns and maligns him live.
فَقُمso arise ياO نَديميmy boon companion نَدخُلِlet us enter الرّوضَthe garden وَالرُّبىand the hills
فَقُم يا نَديمي نَدخُلِ الرّوضَ وَالرُّبى
وَنَرتَعُand let us frolic فيin ظلِّthe shade of الغَرامِlove وَنَلعبُand play
وَنَرتَعُ في ظلِّ الغَرامِ وَنَلعبُ
Rise, my boon companion; let us enter the garden and hills,
and frolic and play in the shade of love.
وَنشطحُand dance ecstatically عِندَamid الزّهرِthe flowers بِالوجدِwith longing والهوَىand passion
وَنشطحُ عِندَ الزّهرِ بِالوجدِ والهوَى
صَباحاًat dawn وَأَذيالَand the hems of الخَلاعَةِabandon نَسحَبُwe trail
صَباحاً وَأَذيالَ الخَلاعَةِ نَسحَبُ
Let us dance ecstatically among the flowers with longing and passion
at dawn, trailing the hems of abandon.
وَكَرِّرْand repeat حَديثاًa tale مِنof هَواهاlove for her فَإِنَّهُfor it
وَكَرِّرْ حَديثاً مِن هَواها فَإِنَّهُ
عَلىupon صَفحَةِthe page of القَلبِthe heart المُتيَّمِenslaved by love يكتبُis written
عَلى صَفحَةِ القَلبِ المُتيَّمِ يكتبُ
Repeat a tale of love for her, for it
is written on the page of the love-enslaved heart.
وَهاتِand bring كُؤوساًcups مِنof لُجَينٍsilver وَعَسجَدٍand gold
وَهاتِ كُؤوساً مِن لُجَينٍ وَعَسجَدٍ
تَكادُthey almost بِأَبصارِwith the eyesight of المُولَّهِthe love-distraught تَذهَبُcarry away
تَكادُ بِأَبصارِ المُولَّهِ تَذهَبُ
Bring cups of silver and gold
that almost steal the distracted lover's sight.
وَصُبَّand pour بِهاinto them خَمراًwine وَإِيّاكَand beware مَزجُهاof mixing it
وَصُبَّ بِها خَمراً وَإِيّاكَ مَزجُها
بِغَيرِwith anything but لَمىthe darkness of the lips of لَيلىLayla لَعلِّيthat I may أَشربُdrink
بِغَيرِ لَمى لَيلى لَعلِّي أَشربُ
Pour wine into them, and beware of mixing it
with anything but the dusk of Layla's lips, that I may drink.
وَهاتِand bring سَلاماًa greeting يُنعِشُrevives الروحَthe soul نَفحُهاits waft
وَهاتِ سَلاماً يُنعِشُ الروحَ نَفحُها
وَتجبيand gathers إِلَيهاto itself العقلَreason مِنّاfrom us وَتجلبُand draws it
وَتجبي إِلَيها العقلَ مِنّا وَتجلبُ
Bring a greeting whose waft revives the soul,
and gathers our reason from us, drawing it to itself.
وَسَمِّand invoke a name عَلَيهاover it بِاِسمِwith the name of لَيلَىLayla وَذِكرِهاand her remembrance
وَسَمِّ عَلَيها بِاِسمِ لَيلَى وَذِكرِها
فَعِندَfor at اِسمِهاher name طيبٌa fragrance لِخَمركfor your wine طيّبُsweet
فَعِندَ اِسمِها طيبٌ لِخَمرك طيّبُ
Over it invoke Layla's name and remembrance,
for her name brings a sweet fragrance to your wine.
وَمِنand from بَعدِafter ذاthis فَاِسمَعthen hear أَخاO brother of الودّaffection وَالوفاand fidelity
وَمِن بَعدِ ذا فَاِسمَع أَخا الودّ وَالوفا
بَلاغَةَthe eloquence of ذيone possessing مَدحٍpraise يبينhe speaks clearly ويُعربُand expresses himself
بَلاغَةَ ذي مَدحٍ يبين ويُعربُ
After that, listen, brother of affection and fidelity,
to the eloquence of a praiser who speaks clearly and expressively.
أُشنِّفI adorn بِالتمداحِwith panegyric أَسماعَthe ears of سامعٍa listener
أُشنِّف بِالتمداحِ أَسماعَ سامعٍ
فَيبهجُهso it delights him مَدحيmy praise سُروراًwith joy ويطربُand he thrills
فَيبهجُه مَدحي سُروراً ويطربُ
I adorn a listener's ears with praise,
so my praise delights him, and he thrills with joy.
وَإِنّيَand indeed I مُثنٍam one who extols حامِدٌone who praises ثمَّthen شاكِرٌone who thanks
وَإِنّيَ مُثنٍ حامِدٌ ثمَّ شاكِرٌ
مَزاياthe virtues of كَريمٍa generous man مَدحُهُpraising him ليَfor me مَذهَبُis a way
مَزايا كَريمٍ مَدحُهُ ليَ مَذهَبُ
I extol and praise, and then give thanks for
the virtues of a generous man whose praise is my way.
إِمامٌan imam بِمِحرابِin the prayer-niche of العلومِthe sciences مُقدَّمٌforemost
إِمامٌ بِمِحرابِ العلومِ مُقدَّمٌ
يَؤمُّhe leads مُلوكَthe kings of الفضلِmerit حَيثُwhere تكتَّبواthey muster
يَؤمُّ مُلوكَ الفضلِ حَيثُ تكتَّبوا
An imam foremost in the prayer-niche of the sciences,
he leads the kings of merit when they form ranks.
خَطيبٌan orator لَهُbefore him ذَلَّتbowed خُضوعاًsubmissively مَصاقِعٌmaster orators
خَطيبٌ لَهُ ذَلَّت خُضوعاً مَصاقِعٌ
عَلىupon مِنبَرِthe pulpit of التبيانِelucidation إِذْwhen قامَhe stood يَخطبُto speak
عَلى مِنبَرِ التبيانِ إِذْ قامَ يَخطبُ
An orator before whom master speakers bowed in submission,
when he stood to speak upon the pulpit of elucidation.
بَليغٌan eloquent man لَدَيهِbefore him ذوone possessing البَلاغَةِeloquence مفحَمٌis silenced
بَليغٌ لَدَيهِ ذو البَلاغَةِ مفحَمٌ
وَيخرَسand falls mute سَحبانٌSahban وقسٌّand Quss ويعرُبُand Ya'rub
وَيخرَس سَحبانٌ وقسٌّ ويعرُبُ
An eloquent man before whom the eloquent are silenced,
and Sahban, Quss, and Ya'rub fall mute.
كَريمٌa generous man عَلىupon حُسنِthe beauty of المَكارِمِnoble virtues يَنطَويhe is constituted
كَريمٌ عَلى حُسنِ المَكارِمِ يَنطَوي
شَريفٌa nobleman عَلىin كَسبِearning المَحامِدِpraiseworthy deeds يدأبُhe perseveres
شَريفٌ عَلى كَسبِ المَحامِدِ يدأبُ
A generous man imbued with beautiful noble virtues,
a nobleman tireless in earning praise.
هوَhe is الجَوهَرُthe jewel الفردُunique المَصونُsafeguarded عَنِfrom الّذيthat which
هوَ الجَوهَرُ الفردُ المَصونُ عَنِ الّذي
يُماثلُهresembles him وهوَand he is الطّرازُthe exemplar المذهَّبُgilded
يُماثلُه وهوَ الطّرازُ المذهَّبُ
He is the unique jewel, safeguarded against any
that might resemble him; he is the gilded exemplar.
هوَhe is العالِمُthe scholar النحريرُthe masterful expert ذوpossessed of الفَضلِmerit والتّقىand piety
هوَ العالِمُ النحريرُ ذو الفَضلِ والتّقى
هوَhe is الجَهبَذُthe discerning master النّدْبُthe gallant الهُمامُthe magnanimous المهذّبُthe refined
هوَ الجَهبَذُ النّدْبُ الهُمامُ المهذّبُ
He is the learned master, possessed of merit and piety;
he is the discerning expert, gallant, magnanimous, refined.
هوَhe is الأسَدُthe lion المِقدامُthe bold فيin كلِّevery مُشكلٍdifficulty
هوَ الأسَدُ المِقدامُ في كلِّ مُشكلٍ
هوَhe is السيّدُthe lord الشَّهمُthe noble-hearted اللَّطيفُthe gracious المؤدّبُthe well-mannered
هوَ السيّدُ الشَّهمُ اللَّطيفُ المؤدّبُ
He is the lion, bold in every difficulty;
he is the noble-hearted lord, gracious and well-mannered.
هُوَhe is العالَمthe world العلويّupper يَرقىhe ascends إِلىto العُلاthe heights
هُوَ العالَم العلويّ يَرقى إِلى العُلا
وَفيwhile in مَركَزِthe center of السفليthe lower world أَرىI see الغيرothers يرسُبُsink
وَفي مَركَزِ السفلي أَرى الغير يرسُبُ
He is the upper world, rising to the heights,
while I see others sink to the lower world's center.
لَهُhis is الرايةُthe banner البيضاءُwhite فيin مَوكِبِthe procession of العُلىeminence
لَهُ الرايةُ البيضاءُ في مَوكِبِ العُلى
علىupon عَلَمthe standard of التّفخيمِexaltation لاno شكّdoubt تُنصبُit is raised
على عَلَم التّفخيمِ لا شكّ تُنصبُ
His is the white banner in the procession of eminence,
raised without doubt upon the standard of exaltation.
لَهُfor him السَّعدُgood fortune بُرجٌis a zodiacal sign وَالمَعاليand high honors مَنازِلٌare mansions
لَهُ السَّعدُ بُرجٌ وَالمَعالي مَنازِلٌ
لَهُfor him العزُّmight جاهٌis standing وَالمَهابَةُand awe منصبُis rank
لَهُ العزُّ جاهٌ وَالمَهابَةُ منصبُ
Good fortune is his zodiacal sign, and high honors his mansions;
might is his standing, and awe his station.
لَهُhis is الشّرفُhonor الأَعلىthe highest لَهُhis is النَسبُlineage العُلىlofty
لَهُ الشّرفُ الأَعلى لَهُ النَسبُ العُلى
لَهُhis is الحَسَبُancestral distinction الأَغلىmost precious النقيُّpure المرجِّبُhonor-bestowing
لَهُ الحَسَبُ الأَغلى النقيُّ المرجِّبُ
His is the highest honor, his the loftiest lineage;
his the most precious pedigree, pure and ennobling.
لَهُfor him الحِلمُforbearance طَبعٌis nature وَاللَّطافَةُand graciousness ديدنٌis habitual practice
لَهُ الحِلمُ طَبعٌ وَاللَّطافَةُ ديدنٌ
لَهُfor him الصّفحُforgiveness شَأنٌis a practice وَالبشاشَةُand cheerfulness مشربُis a disposition
لَهُ الصّفحُ شَأنٌ وَالبشاشَةُ مشربُ
Forbearance is his nature, and graciousness his habit;
forgiveness his practice, and cheerfulness his disposition.
لَهُfor him الحِذْقُskill وَصفٌis an attribute وَالبَراعةُand excellence شيمَةٌis a trait
لَهُ الحِذْقُ وَصفٌ وَالبَراعةُ شيمَةٌ
لَهُfor him الفَضلُmerit قَصدٌis an aim وَالمَعارِفُand knowledge مطلَبُis a pursuit
لَهُ الفَضلُ قَصدٌ وَالمَعارِفُ مطلَبُ
Skill is his attribute, and excellence his character;
merit his aim, and knowledge his pursuit.
تَرَدّىhe cloaked himself بِحُسنِin the beauty of الخُلقِcharacter مِنfrom حَيثُthe standpoint أَنّهُthat he
تَرَدّى بِحُسنِ الخُلقِ مِن حَيثُ أَنّهُ
تَحَلّىadorned himself بِحُسنِwith the beauty of الخَلْقphysical form مِنfrom حَيثُwhere يعذبُhe is pleasing
تَحَلّى بِحُسنِ الخَلْق مِن حَيثُ يعذبُ
He has cloaked himself in beauty of character, just as he
has adorned himself with a form of pleasing beauty.
سَقَىmay water جِلَّقاًJilliq صَوبٌa downpour بِغَيرِwithout مَضرَّةٍharm
سَقَى جِلَّقاً صَوبٌ بِغَيرِ مَضرَّةٍ
مِنَfrom المُزْنِrainclouds سَهلُgentle الوَقعِin falling كَالطلِّlike dew صَيِّبُpouring down
مِنَ المُزْنِ سَهلُ الوَقعِ كَالطلِّ صَيِّبُ
May a harmless downpour water Jilliq,
pouring from rainclouds, gentle in its fall like dew.
فَتِلكَfor that سَماءُsky of السعدِgood fortune قَدhas indeed أَظهَرتshown لَناus
فَتِلكَ سَماءُ السعدِ قَد أَظهَرت لَنا
مِنَof المَجدِglory بَدراًa full moon لَيسَdoes not فيin الدَّهرِall time يغرُبُset
مِنَ المَجدِ بَدراً لَيسَ في الدَّهرِ يغرُبُ
For that sky of good fortune has shown us
a full moon of glory that never sets through time.
وَتاهَتand she exulted بِهِthrough him عِزّاًin honor عَلىabove كُلِّevery بَلدَةٍtown
وَتاهَت بِهِ عِزّاً عَلى كُلِّ بَلدَةٍ
وَحازَتand she gained بِهِthrough him مَجداًglory لَهُfor it الفَخرُpride يصحبُis a companion
وَحازَت بِهِ مَجداً لَهُ الفَخرُ يصحبُ
Through him she proudly towers above every town,
and through him has gained glory, with pride as its companion.
تَطاوَلتI reached high فيin مَدحيmy praise جَميلَthe beauty of صِفاتِهِhis qualities
تَطاوَلت في مَدحي جَميلَ صِفاتِهِ
وَإِنّيَand indeed I فيin التمداحِpanegyric لاno شَكّdoubt أرزبُa stalwart
وَإِنّيَ في التمداحِ لا شَكّ أرزبُ
I have reached high in praising his fair qualities,
and in praise I am, beyond doubt, a stalwart.
فَياso O أَيّهاyou المَولىmaster الَّذيwho أَناI am عَبدُهُhis slave
فَيا أَيّها المَولى الَّذي أَنا عَبدُهُ
وَمَنْand the one who أَناI فيin نعمائِهِhis blessings أَتَقلّبُmove about
وَمَنْ أَنا في نعمائِهِ أَتَقلّبُ
O master whose slave I am,
and in whose blessings I move,
وَمَنْand the one who شُكرُهُthanking him أَضحىhas become عَلَيَّupon me مُحتَّماًobligatory
وَمَنْ شُكرُهُ أَضحى عَلَيَّ مُحتَّماً
وتمداحُهُand praising him عِنديin my view يُسَنُّis commended ويُنْدَبُand recommended
وتمداحُهُ عِندي يُسَنُّ ويُنْدَبُ
for whom giving thanks has become obligatory upon me,
and whose praise I deem commended and encouraged.
وَحَمديand my praise لَهُof him فَرضٌis a duty عليَّupon me مؤكَّدٌbinding
وَحَمدي لَهُ فَرضٌ عليَّ مؤكَّدٌ
وَذِكريand my remembrance لَهُof him وِردٌis a litany عليَّupon me مرتَّبُregularly appointed
وَذِكري لَهُ وِردٌ عليَّ مرتَّبُ
My praise of him is a binding duty upon me;
my remembrance of him a regularly appointed litany.
يَتيمَةُa peerless one of درٍّpearls لاnot سِواكَanyone but you لَهاfor it أبٌa father
يَتيمَةُ درٍّ لا سِواكَ لَها أبٌ
أَتَتكَhas come to you بِجَدٍّin earnest إِذsince غَدَتit has come to فيكfor you ترغبُdesire
أَتَتكَ بِجَدٍّ إِذ غَدَت فيك ترغبُ
A peerless pearl, with none but you for a father,
has come to you in earnest, for it desires you.
لَقَدindeed بَرَزتit emerged شَمساًas a sun مِنَfrom الخِدرthe women's chamber والخِباand the tent
لَقَد بَرَزت شَمساً مِنَ الخِدر والخِبا
وَكانَand there was لَهاfor it فيin شَرقِthe east of فِكريmy thought تحجبُa veiling
وَكانَ لَها في شَرقِ فِكري تحجبُ
It has emerged, a sun, from seclusion and the tent,
and had been veiled in the east of my thought.
وَإِنَّكَand indeed you إِذwhen أصدقتَهاgave it a bridal gift بِقَصيدةٍof a poem
وَإِنَّكَ إِذ أصدقتَها بِقَصيدةٍ
أَتَتكَit came to you عَلىdespite اِستِحيائِهاits modesty لَكَfor you تخطَبُto seek marriage
أَتَتكَ عَلى اِستِحيائِها لَكَ تخطَبُ
And when you gave it a poem as its bridal gift,
it came, for all its modesty, to seek your hand.
إِلَيكَto you لَقَدindeed زفَّتit was led in bridal procession عَروساًas a bride جَميلةًbeautiful
إِلَيكَ لَقَد زفَّت عَروساً جَميلةً
تَتيهُit exults عَلىabove الأَمثالِits peers فَخراًin pride وتُعْجَبُand is admired
تَتيهُ عَلى الأَمثالِ فَخراً وتُعْجَبُ
To you it has been led as a lovely bride,
proudly exulting above its peers and winning admiration.
وَرُبَّand many a عَذولٍreproacher رامَsought عَيباًa flaw يُشينُهاto mar it
وَرُبَّ عَذولٍ رامَ عَيباً يُشينُها
فَيذكرهso he mentions it فيهاin it اِفتراءًas a fabrication وَيَكذبُand lies
فَيذكره فيها اِفتراءً وَيَكذبُ
Many a reproacher has sought a flaw to mar it,
then falsely attributes it to the poem, telling lies.
فَأَعرِضْso turn away رَعاكَmay He guard you اللَّهُGod عَنfrom لَحظِnoticing عَيبِهاits flaws
فَأَعرِضْ رَعاكَ اللَّهُ عَن لَحظِ عَيبِها
فَمِثلُكَfor one like you سَتّارٌconceals faults وَلَيسَand does not يُعيِّبُfind fault
فَمِثلُكَ سَتّارٌ وَلَيسَ يُعيِّبُ
Turn away—may God guard you—from noticing its flaws;
for one like you conceals faults and does not disparage.
ودُمْand remain فيin سرورٍjoy بالهناءِwith happiness معwith الصَفاserenity
ودُمْ في سرورٍ بالهناءِ مع الصَفا
مَدَىthroughout الدّهرِtime ماas long as قدindeed لاحَappears أوor غابَsets كوكَبُa star
مَدَى الدّهرِ ما قد لاحَ أو غابَ كوكَبُ
Remain in joy, in happiness and serenity,
through all time, as long as a star appears or sets;
وَحَيثُand while اِبنُIbn (son of) فَتحِFath اللَّهِAllah أَضحىhas come to بِشِعرِهِin his verse
وَحَيثُ اِبنُ فَتحِ اللَّهِ أَضحى بِشِعرِهِ
بِمَدحِكَin praising you ياO مَولايَmy master أرَّختُI recorded the date يُغرِبُhe produces marvels
بِمَدحِكَ يا مَولايَ أرَّختُ يُغرِبُ
and while Ibn Fath Allah, in his verse,
excels in praising you, my master—I have marked the date—
وَماand as long as قَدindeed غَداcomes to صبٌّa lover يَقولُsay لِوَجدِهِin his ardent longing
وَما قَد غَدا صبٌّ يَقولُ لِوَجدِهِ
تَذَكَّرتI remembered لَيلىLayla وَالمَدامِعُand the tears تُسكَبُare shed
تَذَكَّرت لَيلى وَالمَدامِعُ تُسكَبُ
and as long as a lover says in his longing,
'I remembered Layla while tears were pouring.'
Sol 6.1