سَقاها بِلا ضرٍّ بِغَيثٍ هَطولِ

سَقاها بِلا ضرٍّ بِغَيثٍ هَطولِ

سَحاب الحَيا مِن أَربُعٍ وَطلولِ

سَحاب الحَيا مِن أَربُعٍ وَطلولِ

May they be watered without harm by pouring rain,

My beloved's abode was watered without harm by pouring rain,

by life-giving clouds—those dwellings and ruins.

The clouds of life from four sides and long lengths.

سَقاها وَلَو لَم يطف ناراً بِمُهجتي

سَقاها وَلَو لَم يطف ناراً بِمُهجتي

وَلَم يَحبُني مِنهُ بِبَردِ غَليلي

وَلَم يَحبُني مِنهُ بِبَردِ غَليلي

May it water them, though it quench no fire in my heart,

It watered her even if it did not ignite a fire in my inner self,

nor grant me any cooling of my burning thirst.

And she did not love me with the coolness of my passion.

وَحاكَت لَها أَيدي الثّريّا مَلابِساً

وَحاكَت لَها أَيدي الثّريّا مَلابِساً

نَسيج الصّبا سَدَّتهُ كفّ قبولِ

نَسيج الصّبا سَدَّتهُ كفّ قبولِ

And may the hands of the Pleiades weave garments for them,

The hands of time wove for it clothes,

a fabric of the east wind, finished by an easterly breeze's hand.

The weaving of youth, stayed by the palm of acceptance.

وَإِن حالَ حالُ الدّارِ عمّا عَهِدتهُ

وَإِن حالَ حالُ الدّارِ عمّا عَهِدتهُ

فَعَهدُ الجَوى بِالدّارِ غير محيلِ

فَعَهدُ الجَوى بِالدّارِ غير محيلِ

And though the dwelling's state has changed from what I knew,

And if the state of the abode changed from what I knew it to be,

the bond of yearning with that dwelling remains unchanged.

Then the passion for the abode does not change.

إِذِ الدّارُ مِن لَيلايَ كانَت أَنيسةً

إِذِ الدّارُ مِن لَيلايَ كانَت أَنيسةً

وَغصن النّقا ريّان غير ذبولِ

وَغصن النّقا ريّان غير ذبولِ

For the dwelling was welcoming through my Layla,

For the abode was a companion during my nights,

and the dune's bough was lush, not withered.

And the branch of bonheur, flowing, not withering.

وَشعب اللّوى قَد كانَ واللَّه عامراً

وَشعب اللّوى قَد كانَ واللَّه عامراً

وَرَبع اللّوى لَم يَنشَعِر بِرَحيلِ

وَرَبع اللّوى لَم يَنشَعِر بِرَحيلِ

And al-Liwa's ravine was, by God, inhabited,

And the valley of intimacy was, by God, populated,

and al-Liwa's dwelling had not yet known departure.

And the open country of intimacy had not been startled by departure.

خَلِيلَيَّ فيَّ الوَجدُ ثارَ وَشاقَني

خَلِيلَيَّ فيَّ الوَجدُ ثارَ وَشاقَني

سَنا بارِقٍ بِالنيِّرينِ جليلِ

سَنا بارِقٍ بِالنيِّرينِ جليلِ

My two dear friends, longing has stirred within me, and I am drawn

My friend, passion and longing have revolted in me

by the splendid gleam of lightning at al-Nayyirayn.

With a gleaming sword of bright white.

تَبَدَّى سنيُّ الومضِ مِنهُ كَأَنّهُ

تَبَدَّى سنيُّ الومضِ مِنهُ كَأَنّهُ

أَشِعَّةُ حُسنٍ في جَبينٍ جَميلِ

أَشِعَّةُ حُسنٍ في جَبينٍ جَميلِ

Its brilliant flash appeared, as though it were

The lightning of its brightness appeared from it as if it were

rays of beauty upon a lovely brow.

Rays of beauty on a beautiful forehead.

فَحُثَّا مَطايا الجدّ بِالوَجدِ وَاِقطَعا

فَحُثَّا مَطايا الجدّ بِالوَجدِ وَاِقطَعا

فَراسِخَ عَشراً في مَسافَةِ ميلِ

فَراسِخَ عَشراً في مَسافَةِ ميلِ

So urge on the mounts of resolve with longing, and cross

So urge on the steeds of earnestness with passion and cut through

ten parasangs in the distance of a mile.

Ten miles with those steeds in the span of a mile.

وَمِيلا بِهاتيكَ المَطايا لَعَلَّها

وَمِيلا بِهاتيكَ المَطايا لَعَلَّها

تُقِيل بِظِلٍّ في دِمَشقَ ظليلِ

تُقِيل بِظِلٍّ في دِمَشقَ ظليلِ

And turn those mounts aside, that they may

And that mile, perhaps with those steeds,

rest at noon in deep shade in Damascus.

It will rest in the shade in Damascus the shady.

فَإِنّ بِها بيضاً حِساناً عَقائلاً

فَإِنّ بِها بيضاً حِساناً عَقائلاً

أَخذَنَ بِأَرواحٍ لَنا وَعُقولِ

أَخذَنَ بِأَرواحٍ لَنا وَعُقولِ

For there are fair-skinned beauties there, noble ladies,

For in it are resplendent doves, gentle birds,

who have taken hold of our souls and minds.

That have seized our souls and minds.

وَفي الكلَّةِ الخضراءِ بَيضاءُ غُرَّةٍ

وَفي الكلَّةِ الخضراءِ بَيضاءُ غُرَّةٍ

وَحَمراءُ خَدٍّ بِالجَمالِ أَسيلِ

وَحَمراءُ خَدٍّ بِالجَمالِ أَسيلِ

And beneath the green canopy is one with a white brow,

And in the green meadow is a white innocence,

and a red cheek, smooth with beauty,

And a redness of cheek, graceful and delicate.

وَمَكسورة الأَجفانِ مِن سِحرِ لَحظِها

وَمَكسورة الأَجفانِ مِن سِحرِ لَحظِها

وَوَطفاءِ أَهدابٍ بِطرف كَحيلِ

وَوَطفاءِ أَهدابٍ بِطرف كَحيلِ

and eyelids drooping beneath the magic of her glance,

With languid eyelids from the magic of her glance

and thick lashes about a kohl-dark eye.

And the waning of eyelashes with kohl.

طَليقة وَجهٍ بِالجَمالِ ملثَّم

طَليقة وَجهٍ بِالجَمالِ ملثَّم

أَسيرَة حُسنٍ في الحِسانِ قَليلِ

أَسيرَة حُسنٍ في الحِسانِ قَليلِ

Her face is cheerful, veiled in beauty,

A free face, veiled in beauty,

and she is captive to a beauty rare among fair women.

A captive of beauty, little in grace.

مَعاصِمُها قَد قيِّدت بِأَساوِرٍ

مَعاصِمُها قَد قيِّدت بِأَساوِرٍ

وَأَرجُلها قَد قُيِّدَت بِحجولِ

وَأَرجُلها قَد قُيِّدَت بِحجولِ

Her wrists have been bound with bracelets,

Her wrists are fettered with bracelets

and her feet have been bound with anklets.

And her feet are shackled with anklets.

مِنَ البابِليّات الجُفونُ وَسِحرُها

مِنَ البابِليّات الجُفونُ وَسِحرُها

هُوَ النّبل توحيهِ لِقلبِ نَبيلِ

هُوَ النّبل توحيهِ لِقلبِ نَبيلِ

Her eyelids are Babylonian, and their magic

From the Babylonians are the eyelids, and their magic

is the arrows she sends into a noble heart.

Is the arrows given to the heart of the noble one.

فَإِن أوعَدت بِالرّميِ مِن نَبلِ جَفنِها

فَإِن أوعَدت بِالرّميِ مِن نَبلِ جَفنِها

فَإِيعادُها بِالرّمي غَير مطولِ

فَإِيعادُها بِالرّمي غَير مطولِ

If she threatens a shot from the arrows of her eyelid,

So if she promises to shoot arrows from her eyelids,

her threat to shoot will not be long delayed.

Then her promise to shoot is not long.

وَإِن أَوعَدت بِالقَتلِ في سَيفِ لَحظِها

وَإِن أَوعَدت بِالقَتلِ في سَيفِ لَحظِها

فَكَم مِن صَريعٍ قَد تَرى وَقَتيلِ

فَكَم مِن صَريعٍ قَد تَرى وَقَتيلِ

And if she threatens death with the sword of her glance,

And if she promises to kill with the sword of her glance,

how many fallen and slain you may see!

Then how many are the slain you see and the killed!

وَفي ثَغرِها خَمرانِ ريقٌ وَمَلفَظ

وَفي ثَغرِها خَمرانِ ريقٌ وَمَلفَظ

وَفي لَحظِها المَخمور أَسنى شمولِ

وَفي لَحظِها المَخمور أَسنى شمولِ

In her mouth are two wines: saliva and speech,

In her mouth is the wine of saliva and sweetness,

and in her wine-drunk glance, the finest wine.

And in her intoxicating glance, the most aromatic inclusion.

مُخَدَّرَة يَحمونَ رُؤيَة حِصنِها

مُخَدَّرَة يَحمونَ رُؤيَة حِصنِها

بِسُمرٍ عَوالٍ أَو بِبيضِ نُصولِ

بِسُمرٍ عَوالٍ أَو بِبيضِ نُصولِ

A secluded lady, whose fortress they keep from view

Protected by the night patrols or white spear shafts,

with tall brown spears or white sword-blades.

They prevent the unwanted, but do not prevent welcome guests.

وَكَم مَنَعوا الغرثان وِردَ رضابِها

وَكَم مَنَعوا الغرثان وِردَ رضابِها

وَلَم يَمنَعوا الضيفانَ حُسنَ نُزولِ

وَلَم يَمنَعوا الضيفانَ حُسنَ نُزولِ

How often they have barred the hungry from drinking her sweet saliva,

She has the ferocity of lions in her inner self,

yet never denied their guests a gracious welcome.

And the glance of a gazelle in the meadows, timid.

مَهاة لَها فَتكُ الأُسودِ بِمُهجَتي

مَهاة لَها فَتكُ الأُسودِ بِمُهجَتي

وَلَفتة ظَبي في الكناسِ خذولِ

وَلَفتة ظَبي في الكناسِ خذولِ

An oryx, with the deadly force of lions against my heart,

So I said to her, for you I have wasted away in love,

and the turning glance of a lone gazelle within its covert.

Do your eyes not see my emaciation and leanness?

فَقُلت لَها قَد ذبتُ فيكِ صَبابَةً

فَقُلت لَها قَد ذبتُ فيكِ صَبابَةً

أَما أَبصَرت عَيناكِ فَرطَ نُحولي

أَما أَبصَرت عَيناكِ فَرطَ نُحولي

So I said to her: I have melted away in longing for you;

Why do I treat a heart torn by youth?

have your eyes not seen my utter wasting?

What remedy is there for one sick from the sickness?

إِلامَ أُداوي القَلبَ نَشقاً مِنَ الصَّبا

إِلامَ أُداوي القَلبَ نَشقاً مِنَ الصَّبا

وَما بِعَليلٍ مِن شِفاءِ عَليلِ

وَما بِعَليلٍ مِن شِفاءِ عَليلِ

How long shall I treat my heart by inhaling the east wind,

And how can I seek healing in her delicate waist?

when the ailing cannot cure the ailing?

What lean one can be healed by one who is lean?

وَحَتّامَ أَستَشفي بِرقّةِ خَصرِها

وَحَتّامَ أَستَشفي بِرقّةِ خَصرِها

وَأَيّ نَحيلٍ يَشتَفي بِنَحيلِ

وَأَيّ نَحيلٍ يَشتَفي بِنَحيلِ

And how long seek healing in the slenderness of her waist?

And the night I divorced worries and estranged them

What emaciated one is healed by another slender one?

Due to the heedlessness of the critic and the error of the censurers,

وَلَيلةَ طَلَّقتُ الكَرى وَأَبَنْتُهُ

وَلَيلةَ طَلَّقتُ الكَرى وَأَبَنْتُهُ

عَلى غَفلَةِ اللّاحي وَسَهو العذولِ

عَلى غَفلَةِ اللّاحي وَسَهو العذولِ

And on a night when I divorced sleep and made the parting final,

I came to the protected precincts of my nights, the eagle a dress,

while the censurer was unaware and the reproacher heedless,

The cross of the votive place in the coolness of evening,

طَرقتُ حِمى لَيلايَ وَالنّسر حِندِساً

طَرقتُ حِمى لَيلايَ وَالنّسر حِندِساً

صَليبَ نضارٍ في بُرودِ أَبيلِ

صَليبَ نضارٍ في بُرودِ أَبيلِ

I came by night to my Layla's sanctuary, and the Eagle, in deep darkness,

I enter the threshing floors of death without her life,

was a golden cross upon a monk's robes.

So if I come back stained, I become stained.

أَخوضُ حِياضَ المَوتِ مِن دونِ حَيِّها

أَخوضُ حِياضَ المَوتِ مِن دونِ حَيِّها

فَإِنْ جبت غيلاً صِرت مِنهُ بِغِيلِ

فَإِنْ جبت غيلاً صِرت مِنهُ بِغِيلِ

I waded through death's pools before reaching her camp;

And from a charging lion, and another visitor,

whenever I crossed one lion-thicket, I entered another,

And from a crouching wolf, and a howling jackal.

وَمِن أَسَدٍ يَعدو وَآخرَ زائِرٍ

وَمِن أَسَدٍ يَعدو وَآخرَ زائِرٍ

وَمِن ضَيغَمٍ جاثٍ وَساطٍ صَؤولِ

وَمِن ضَيغَمٍ جاثٍ وَساطٍ صَؤولِ

past a charging lion and another roaring,

And I did not forget her words to me during my long life,

and a crouching lion, and a pouncing, fiercely charging one.

When in the sanctuary she saw me enter.

وَلَم أَنسَ طولَ العُمرِ منّي مَقالَها

وَلَم أَنسَ طولَ العُمرِ منّي مَقالَها

وَقَد أَبصَرت في الخدرِ منّي دخولي

وَقَد أَبصَرت في الخدرِ منّي دخولي

All my life I shall not forget her words to me,

Slow down! You have given yourself up to perdition,

when she saw me enter her secluded chamber:

And now you have done the deed of the ignorant.

رُوَيدَكَ قَد أَسلَمتَ نَفسكَ لِلرّدى

رُوَيدَكَ قَد أَسلَمتَ نَفسكَ لِلرّدى

وَفيها فَعَلتَ الآنَ فِعلَ جَهولِ

وَفيها فَعَلتَ الآنَ فِعلَ جَهولِ

Take it slowly! You have delivered yourself to death,

And a horseman of dignity does not do the likes of this,

and have now treated yourself as a fool would.

And for him in this there is no reaching the goal.

وَفارِس عَبسٍ لَيسَ يَفعَلُ مِثلَ ذا

وَفارِس عَبسٍ لَيسَ يَفعَلُ مِثلَ ذا

وَما كانَ في هَذا لَهُ مِن وصولِ

وَما كانَ في هَذا لَهُ مِن وصولِ

Not even the knight of 'Abs would do such a thing,

So how will it be if before killing you they overcome you

nor could he have gained access here.

With the strongest argument and proof?

فَكَيفَ إِذا مِن قَبلِ قَتلك قَد سَطَوا

فَكَيفَ إِذا مِن قَبلِ قَتلك قَد سَطَوا

عَلَيكَ بِأَقوى حجَّةٍ وَدَليلِ

عَلَيكَ بِأَقوى حجَّةٍ وَدَليلِ

And what if, before killing you, they fall upon

And they rode the racecourse of debate in discussion

you with the strongest argument and proof,

And cast you into ample, prolonged research?

وَجالوا بِمِضمارِ الجِدالِ تَباحُثاً

وَجالوا بِمِضمارِ الجِدالِ تَباحُثاً

وَأَلقَوكَ في بَحثٍ عَريضٍ طَويلِ

وَأَلقَوكَ في بَحثٍ عَريضٍ طَويلِ

and range across debate's arena, disputing,

So I said to her, gently, my dear,

and cast you into a long, wide-ranging inquiry?

Slow down, my dear, and listen to what you say.

فَقُلتُ لَها مَهلاً فَديتُكِ بِالحَشا

فَقُلتُ لَها مَهلاً فَديتُكِ بِالحَشا

رُوَيدَكِ طيبي وَاِسمَعي ما تَقولي

رُوَيدَكِ طيبي وَاِسمَعي ما تَقولي

I said to her: Gently! I would ransom you with my heart;

For I do not fear death, for I was a lover

be calm, take heart, and listen to what you are saying.

By the stab of a lance or descent of a spearhead.

فَلَستُ أَخافُ القتلَ إِذ كُنتُ عاشِقاً

فَلَستُ أَخافُ القتلَ إِذ كُنتُ عاشِقاً

بِطَعنِ سِنانٍ أَو نِزالِ رَعيلِ

بِطَعنِ سِنانٍ أَو نِزالِ رَعيلِ

For I do not fear being killed, since I am a lover,

And should I dread in research rejection and opponent

by a spearpoint's thrust or combat with a troop.

When I have a support like the eminent Imam?

وَهَل أَختَشي في البحثِ نَقضاً وَمانِعاً

وَهَل أَختَشي في البحثِ نَقضاً وَمانِعاً

وَلي سَندٌ مِثل الإِمامِ الجليلِ

وَلي سَندٌ مِثل الإِمامِ الجليلِ

And should I fear a refutation or objection in debate,

My brother of virtue, the sea of knowledge, the lofty place of sciences,

when I have a support like the venerable imam,

With few peers, rather without equal.

أَخي الفَضلِ بَحرِ العلمِ طَودِ مَعارفٍ

أَخي الفَضلِ بَحرِ العلمِ طَودِ مَعارفٍ

قَليل نَظيرٍ بَل عَديمِ مَثيلِ

قَليل نَظيرٍ بَل عَديمِ مَثيلِ

the man of excellence, ocean of learning, mountain of knowledge,

Brother to Nu'man - and he is Muhammad -

with few peers—indeed, without an equal?

The Imam of the branches of jurisprudence and then legal theory.

شَقيق لِنُعمان وَذاكَ محمَّد

شَقيق لِنُعمان وَذاكَ محمَّد

إِمام فُروعِ الفِقهِ ثمّ الأُصولِ

إِمام فُروعِ الفِقهِ ثمّ الأُصولِ

A kindred spirit to Nu'man—that man is Muhammad,

He is the worshipper ascetic, and he is the son of a worshipper

imam of jurisprudence's branches, and then its foundations.

Of pure ancestry, generous origin.

هوَ العابِدُ النسَّاكُ وَهوَ اِبن عابد

هوَ العابِدُ النسَّاكُ وَهوَ اِبن عابد

ذُو النَّسبِ الزّاكي الكريمِ الأَصيلِ

ذُو النَّسبِ الزّاكي الكريمِ الأَصيلِ

He is the worshipper, the devoted ascetic; he is Ibn 'Abid,

The inquiry attained its happiness through him

of pure, noble, deep-rooted lineage.

And attained through him the verification, pulling the trains.

إِمام بِهِ التّحقيقُ أَدرَكَ سَعدهُ

إِمام بِهِ التّحقيقُ أَدرَكَ سَعدهُ

وَنالَ بِهِ التّدقيق جَرَّ ذُيولِ

وَنالَ بِهِ التّدقيق جَرَّ ذُيولِ

An imam through whom exact inquiry attained its good fortune,

So he clarified obscure problems, explaining,

and meticulous analysis came to trail its robes in pride.

And directed them rightly with a beautiful manner.

فَأَبدى خَفايا المُشكِلات مُوَضِّحاً

فَأَبدى خَفايا المُشكِلات مُوَضِّحاً

وَوَجَّهها حَقّاً بِوَجه جَميلِ

وَوَجَّهها حَقّاً بِوَجه جَميلِ

He brought hidden difficulties to light, explaining them,

He prepared for inquiry from the time of youth,

and rightly explained them in an excellent way.

And how he surpasses many a shaykh, though he is young!

تَأَهَّل لِلتّحقيقِ مِن زَمَنِ الصّبا

تَأَهَّل لِلتّحقيقِ مِن زَمَنِ الصّبا

وَكَم فاقَ مِن شَيخٍ لَهُ وَكهولِ

وَكَم فاقَ مِن شَيخٍ لَهُ وَكهولِ

He was qualified for exact inquiry from his youth,

And to him bowed the hearts of prominent experts,

and how many of his teachers and mature men he surpassed!

Nobles, elite, distinguished men.

وَدانَت لَه فيهِ صُدور جَهابِذٍ

وَدانَت لَه فيهِ صُدور جَهابِذٍ

أَفاضِل أَعيان كِبار فُحولِ

أَفاضِل أَعيان كِبار فُحولِ

The foremost master scholars bowed to him in it,

He is the scholar who reasons, the formidable one who

men of merit, dignitaries, great and outstanding masters.

Has the excellence of mastery and excellence of speech.

هُوَ العالِمُ النّحريرُ الجَهبذُ الّذي

هُوَ العالِمُ النّحريرُ الجَهبذُ الّذي

لَهُ حُسنُ إِتقانٍ وَحسنُ مقولِ

لَهُ حُسنُ إِتقانٍ وَحسنُ مقولِ

He is the learned, consummate scholar, the discerning master who

So the meaning of God's Book is the theme of his imagination

possesses fine mastery and fine expression.

As is the Sunna of the best of creation, the best Messenger.

فَمَعنى كِتاب اللّه نَصب خَيالِهِ

فَمَعنى كِتاب اللّه نَصب خَيالِهِ

كَسُنَّةِ خَيرِ الخَلقِ خَيرِ رَسولِ

كَسُنَّةِ خَيرِ الخَلقِ خَيرِ رَسولِ

The meaning of God's Book stands before his mind,

Thus there is nothing except that he establishes its proof,

as does the Sunna of the best of creation, the finest messenger.

Whether by evidence of the intellect or transmission.

فَلا شَيء إِلّا قَد يُقيم دَليلَهُ

فَلا شَيء إِلّا قَد يُقيم دَليلَهُ

فَإِمّا بِنَصِّ العقلِ أَو بِالنقولِ

فَإِمّا بِنَصِّ العقلِ أَو بِالنقولِ

There is nothing for which he does not establish proof,

God has given him few equals, rare ones like him,

either by reason's explicit pronouncement or by transmitted reports.

While the likes of others besides him in the world are not few.

لَهُ اللّهُ مِن فَردٍ قَليلٍ مِثالهُ

لَهُ اللّهُ مِن فَردٍ قَليلٍ مِثالهُ

وَمثل سِواه الدهرَ غير قليلِ

وَمثل سِواه الدهرَ غير قليلِ

God be with him—a singular man whose like is rare,

Outstanding in virtuous character and conduct that calls

while the likes of others are not few throughout time.

To a beautiful welcoming and receptivity.

وَجيه بِأَخلاقٍ حِسانٍ لَقَد دَعَت

وَجيه بِأَخلاقٍ حِسانٍ لَقَد دَعَت

إِلى حسنِ إِقبالٍ وَحسنِ قَبولِ

إِلى حسنِ إِقبالٍ وَحسنِ قَبولِ

Esteemed, with fine manners that have invited

Eloquent, the finest rhetoric being his habit,

a warm welcome and gracious acceptance.

And this has proven him to have eloquence that was said.

بَليغ لَهُ أَسنى الفَصاحَةِ دَيدَنٌ

بَليغ لَهُ أَسنى الفَصاحَةِ دَيدَنٌ

وَأَثبَته فيهِ بَلاغَة قيلِ

وَأَثبَته فيهِ بَلاغَة قيلِ

Eloquent, with the loftiest eloquence as his constant habit,

With the magic of articulation, adorned with rhetorical embellishment,

and the eloquence of his speech has firmly established him in it:

So how he captivates minds and understandings!

بِسِحرِ بَيانٍ بِالبَديعِ مُطلسم

بِسِحرِ بَيانٍ بِالبَديعِ مُطلسم

فَكَم فيهِ يَسبي مِن حِجىً وَعُقولِ

فَكَم فيهِ يَسبي مِن حِجىً وَعُقولِ

speech enchanted by rhetorical ornament and the magic of expression.

And he rendered the clouds of eloquence lightning

How many minds and intellects he captures with it!

That flashes amidst the garb of confusion.

وَصَيَّرَ سَحبانَ البَلاغَةِ باقلاً

وَصَيَّرَ سَحبانَ البَلاغَةِ باقلاً

تَرَدّى مَعَ الإِسكاتِ ثَوب ذُهولِ

تَرَدّى مَعَ الإِسكاتِ ثَوب ذُهولِ

He has turned eloquence's Sahban into Baqil,

And he journeyed beyond reach, so that if he went too far,

who, struck speechless, donned a robe of bewilderment,

He would say the words are the essence of what is said.

وَراحَ وَلا إِدراكَ حَتّى إِنِ اِغتَدي

وَراحَ وَلا إِدراكَ حَتّى إِنِ اِغتَدي

يَقولُ بِأَنّ القَولَ عينُ المَقيلِ

يَقولُ بِأَنّ القَولَ عينُ المَقيلِ

and went away without understanding, so that even when he went out at dawn,

And the wild mares of rhyme submitted to him obediently,

he said that speaking was the very same as a midday nap.

So for him the difficult is not formidable.

وَدانَت لَهُ شوسُ القَوافي مُطيعَةً

وَدانَت لَهُ شوسُ القَوافي مُطيعَةً

فَلَيس لَدَيه الصّعب غير ذلولِ

فَلَيس لَدَيه الصّعب غير ذلولِ

The stubborn rhymes submitted to him obediently,

But he chose none but their love poems,

and nothing difficult remains untamed before him.

For meanings without possessors of tents.

وَلَكِنّهُ ما اِختارَ غَيرَ هِجانها

وَلَكِنّهُ ما اِختارَ غَيرَ هِجانها

لِخودٍ مَعان غَير ذاتِ بُعولِ

لِخودٍ مَعان غَير ذاتِ بُعولِ

Yet he chose only their purebred mounts

And he mounted them, of them, lively colts

for the maiden of meanings, still unwed.

Chaste fillies without any fight.

وَأَركَبَها مِنها غَوانِيَ خرّداً

وَأَركَبَها مِنها غَوانِيَ خرّداً

عَذارى عِراباً عادِمات الشكولِ

عَذارى عِراباً عادِمات الشكولِ

Upon them he mounted lovely, bashful maidens from those meanings,

Lovely gazelles with beauty rare,

virgins of pure Arab stock, without equals,

With a coquettish eyelash, even delicate and thin.

رَعابيب غيداً بِالجَمالِ بَديعة

رَعابيب غيداً بِالجَمالِ بَديعة

بِطرفٍ كَحيلٍ بَل وَإطل نحيلِ

بِطرفٍ كَحيلٍ بَل وَإطل نحيلِ

soft, graceful beauties, exquisite in their loveliness,

And he dressed them in a necklace of pearls and gems

with kohl-dark eyes—yes, and slender flanks.

And adorned the excellent of them after prolonged effort.

وَأَلبَسها مَنظوم درٍّ وجوهرٍ

وَأَلبَسها مَنظوم درٍّ وجوهرٍ

وَزَيَّن مِنها الجيدَ بَعدَ العطولِ

وَزَيَّن مِنها الجيدَ بَعدَ العطولِ

He clothed them in strung pearls and gems,

Brother of the lofty rank and most glorious one who

and adorned their necks, once bare of ornaments.

Is served by the elite without wearying.

أَخو الرّتبةِ القَعساءِ وَالأَمجَدِ الّذي

أَخو الرّتبةِ القَعساءِ وَالأَمجَدِ الّذي

لَهُ تَخدم العلياءُ غيرَ ملولِ

لَهُ تَخدم العلياءُ غيرَ ملولِ

A man of unshakable rank, and the most glorious, whom

And he alighted on the steed of nobility when he straightened up

high glory serves without growing weary.

And since he straightened there is none like him.

وَقَرَّ عَلى مَتنِ المَعالي إِذِ اِستَوى

وَقَرَّ عَلى مَتنِ المَعالي إِذِ اِستَوى

وَلَيسَ لَهُ مُنذ اِستَوى من زميلِ

وَلَيسَ لَهُ مُنذ اِستَوى من زميلِ

He settled on the back of lofty honors when he mounted them,

Father of honor, sun of glory, full moon of the eminent,

and since mounting them has had no fellow rider.

He attained the most fragrant alighting places among the eminent.

أَبو العِزِّ شَمسُ المَجدِ بَدرُ ذَوي العلى

أَبو العِزِّ شَمسُ المَجدِ بَدرُ ذَوي العلى

لَقَد نالَ في العَلياءِ أَسنى حلولِ

لَقَد نالَ في العَلياءِ أَسنى حلولِ

Father of honor, sun of glory, full moon of the exalted,

And he who dwells in his shadow appears honored

he has attained the loftiest station in high glory.

Living for ages without humiliation.

وَمَن جارُه يَبدو العَزيز بِظلِّهِ

وَمَن جارُه يَبدو العَزيز بِظلِّهِ

يَعيشُ بِطولِ الدّهرِ غَيرَ ذَليلِ

يَعيشُ بِطولِ الدّهرِ غَيرَ ذَليلِ

And whoever is his neighbor appears mighty in his shade,

Brother of gentleness, in softness and excellence of conduct,

and lives through all time without humiliation.

And he who is not hasty or impetuous.

أَخو الحلمِ في لينٍ وَحُسنِ إِناءَةٍ

أَخو الحلمِ في لينٍ وَحُسنِ إِناءَةٍ

وَمَن لَيسَ ذا طَيشٍ وَلا بِالعَجولِ

وَمَن لَيسَ ذا طَيشٍ وَلا بِالعَجولِ

A man of forbearance, gentleness, and gracious deliberation,

Of fresh bounty, seal of generosity, his meaning,

one neither reckless nor hasty.

And he who in extravagance is the best miser.

خَدين النّدى حاتم الجودِ مَعنهُ

خَدين النّدى حاتم الجودِ مَعنهُ

وَمَن هوَ بِالتّبذيرِ خَير بَخيلِ

وَمَن هوَ بِالتّبذيرِ خَير بَخيلِ

Companion of bounty, generosity's Hatim and its Ma'n,

So O Master whom righteous conduct has perfumed

and, where waste is concerned, the best of misers.

With a praiseworthy reputation among all people.

فَيا أَيّها المَولى الّذي طابَ سِيرَةً

فَيا أَيّها المَولى الّذي طابَ سِيرَةً

بِصيتٍ حَميدٍ في الأَنامِ جميلِ

بِصيتٍ حَميدٍ في الأَنامِ جميلِ

O master whose conduct is good,

To you, brother of etiquette, chastely an orphan comes

with a praiseworthy, lovely reputation among mankind,

And you for her in life are the best friend.

إِلَيكَ أَخا الآدابِ بِكراً يَتيمَةً

إِلَيكَ أَخا الآدابِ بِكراً يَتيمَةً

وَأَنتَ لَها في الدّهرِ خَير خليلِ

وَأَنتَ لَها في الدّهرِ خَير خليلِ

to you, man of letters, I offer a peerless virgin,

A bride, my thoughts lead her to you my Master,

and you are her finest companion in all time.

And a shade that pleases you is the best in-law.

عَروساً إِليكَ الفكرُ مولايَ زفّها

عَروساً إِليكَ الفكرُ مولايَ زفّها

وَظلّ لَها يَرضاكَ خير حَليلِ

وَظلّ لَها يَرضاكَ خير حَليلِ

Thought, my master, has brought her to you as a bride,

So overlook, brother of benefaction, what disgraces her

and has ever chosen you as her finest husband.

And grant her, with welcoming, excellence of acceptance.

فَغُضَّ أَخا الإِحسانِ عمّا يُشينُها

فَغُضَّ أَخا الإِحسانِ عمّا يُشينُها

وَهَبها مَع الإِقبال حُسنَ قَبولِ

وَهَبها مَع الإِقبال حُسنَ قَبولِ

So, man of kindness, overlook whatever mars her,

And continue, by God's safekeeping, in a good life

and grant her a warm welcome and gracious acceptance.

And blessings, favors, and long life.

وَدُم بِأَمانِ اللّهِ في طيبِ عِيشَةٍ

وَدُم بِأَمانِ اللّهِ في طيبِ عِيشَةٍ

وَخَيرٍ وَآلاءٍ وَعمرٍ طَويلِ

وَخَيرٍ وَآلاءٍ وَعمرٍ طَويلِ

And remain in God's protection, in a pleasant life,

And health of body, as long as you live and the

in goodness and blessings, and a long lifetime,

Dove of the hill croons at dawn and late morning.

وَصِحّةِ جِسمٍ ما حَييت وَما شَدا

وَصِحّةِ جِسمٍ ما حَييت وَما شَدا

حَمام الرّبى في بُكرَةٍ وَأَصيلِ

حَمام الرّبى في بُكرَةٍ وَأَصيلِ

and bodily health, as long as you live and as long as they sing—

And Ibn Fathallah said, the home of my loved ones

the doves of the hills, at morning and evening.

Was watered without harm by pouring rain.

وَقالَ اِبنُ فَتحِ اللّه دارَ أَحبّتي

وَقالَ اِبنُ فَتحِ اللّه دارَ أَحبّتي

سُقيتِ بِلا ضرّ بِغَيثٍ هَطولِ

سُقيتِ بِلا ضرّ بِغَيثٍ هَطولِ

And Ibn Fath Allah said: O dwelling of my loved ones,

may you be watered without harm by pouring rain.