عودواreturn إِلىto سِلْمِpeace of المُحبِّthe lover وَصالِحواand make peace
عودوا إِلى سِلْمِ المُحبِّ وَصالِحوا
فَالصّلحُfor reconciliation خَيرٌis good فيamong الأَنامِhumankind وَصالِحُand wholesome
فَالصّلحُ خَيرٌ في الأَنامِ وَصالِحُ
Return to the lover’s peace, and be reconciled.
Return to the peace of love and reconcile,
For reconciliation is good among humankind, and wholesome.
For reconciliation is best for people and most virtuous.
ماwhat ذاis this التّقاطُعestrangement وَالتدابُرُand turning away وَالجفاand coldness
ما ذا التّقاطُع وَالتدابُرُ وَالجفا
مَعalthough أَنّهنَّthey are قبائِحٌugly deeds وَفَضائحُand disgraces
مَع أَنّهنَّ قبائِحٌ وَفَضائحُ
What is this estrangement, this turning away, this coldness,
What is this estrangement, aloofness and disdain?
when they are ugly deeds and disgraces?
When they are but ugly and shameful traits.
كَمhow many فيin التّقاطُعِestrangement إِنif عَرَفتَyou knew مَفاسِدevils
كَم في التّقاطُعِ إِن عَرَفتَ مَفاسِد
كَمhow many فيin التّودُّدِaffection لَوif عَلِمتَyou understood مَصالِحُbenefits
كَم في التّودُّدِ لَو عَلِمتَ مَصالِحُ
How many evils lie in estrangement, if you knew;
If you only knew the harms of estrangement,
how many benefits in affection, if you understood.
And the benefits of affection you'd realize.
لَيسَis not النّظامُorder تَقاطُعاًestrangement وَتَدابُراًand turning away
لَيسَ النّظامُ تَقاطُعاً وَتَدابُراً
إِنّindeed النّظامَorder تَوافقٌis concord وَتَصالُحُand reconciliation
إِنّ النّظامَ تَوافقٌ وَتَصالُحُ
Order is not estrangement and turning away;
Order is not aloofness and caution,
order is concord and reconciliation.
Rather, order is agreement and reconciliation.
ياO أَهلَpeople of وُدّيmy affection إِنّنيindeed I بُذِلَتْhave been offered لَكُمto you
يا أَهلَ وُدّي إِنّني بُذِلَتْ لَكُم
مِنّيfrom me مَواعِظُadmonitions فيconcerning الهَوىlove وَنَصائِحُand counsels
مِنّي مَواعِظُ في الهَوى وَنَصائِحُ
O those I love, I have offered you
O people of my love, I have offered you
admonitions concerning love, and counsels from me.
Sincere advice about passion and counsel.
أَخلَصْتُكُمI sincerely devoted to you ودّيmy affection وَقَلبيand my heart حافِظٌpreserves
أَخلَصْتُكُم ودّي وَقَلبي حافِظٌ
لِودادِكمyour love دَهريthroughout my lifetime وَماand not هوَit طارِحُcasting away
لِودادِكم دَهري وَما هوَ طارِحُ
I have devoted my sincere affection to you, and my heart preserves
I have been loyal in my love for you, with a heart
your love throughout my life, never casting it away.
That safeguards affection for you lifelong.
ماnot كُنتُwas I بِالغشّاشِa deceiver فيin ودّيmy affection لَكُمfor you
ما كُنتُ بِالغشّاشِ في ودّي لَكُم
وَبِخُبركمand you know أَنّيthat I am الصّدوقُthe truthful one النّاصِحُthe sincere adviser
وَبِخُبركم أَنّي الصّدوقُ النّاصِحُ
I have never been deceitful in my affection for you,
I have never been deceitful in my love,
and you know that I am truthful, a sincere adviser.
And in your affairs, I am the truthful advisor.
إِنّيindeed I المَشوقُam the yearning one إِلىfor المَنازِلِthe dwellings وَالحِمىand the sanctuary
إِنّي المَشوقُ إِلى المَنازِلِ وَالحِمى
وُرْقُgray doves of الصّبابةyearning فيin حشايَmy breast صَوادِحُsinging
وُرْقُ الصّبابة في حشايَ صَوادِحُ
I long for the dwellings and the sanctuary;
I yearn for the dwellings and encampments,
the gray doves of yearning sing within my breast.
Where the prime of youth bloomed in their valleys.
تِلكَthose المَنازِلُdwellings لِلأحَبِّةَfor the beloved مشرقٌa place of rising
تِلكَ المَنازِلُ لِلأحَبِّةَ مشرقٌ
وَمَطالِعٌand rising-places فيin جِلَّقٍJilliq وَمَطارحُand resting-places
وَمَطالِعٌ في جِلَّقٍ وَمَطارحُ
Those dwellings are a place where the beloved rise,
Those dwellings were radiant for loved ones,
with rising-places and resting-places in Jilliq.
Rising over the dunes and terrains.
إِذwhen كُنتI was فيin تِلكَthose المَنازِلِdwellings رائِياًbeholding
إِذ كُنت في تِلكَ المَنازِلِ رائِياً
تِلكَthose الأَحبَّةloved ones بِالحَديثِin conversation أُطارحُI exchanged
تِلكَ الأَحبَّة بِالحَديثِ أُطارحُ
When in those dwellings I would behold
When I dwelled in those places, conversing
those loved ones, exchanging talk with them;
With beloveds through discourse I'd engage.
إِذwhen كنتI was رَيعانَin the bloom of الشَّبابِyouth وَإِنّنيand indeed I
إِذ كنت رَيعانَ الشَّبابِ وَإِنّني
مَملوءُfilled قَلبٍin heart بِالسّرورِwith joy وَطافحُand overflowing
مَملوءُ قَلبٍ بِالسّرورِ وَطافحُ
when I was in the bloom of youth, and my
When I was blossoming in the spring of youth,
heart was filled with joy, and overflowing;
My heart overflowing with joy and mirth.
مُتَوطِّناًdwelling مِنهاin them الرّبوعَin the quarters وَإِنّنيand indeed I
مُتَوطِّناً مِنها الرّبوعَ وَإِنّني
غادٍgoing at dawn إِلَيهِمto them فيin الصّباحِthe morning وَرائِحُand going at evening
غادٍ إِلَيهِم في الصّباحِ وَرائِحُ
dwelling in their quarters, while I
Settling among them through the seasons,
went to them in the morning and in the evening;
Coming to them at dawn and leaving at eve.
مُتَعطِّراًperfumed مِنwith مِسكِهِمtheir musk مُتضَمِّخاًsteeped in fragrance
مُتَعطِّراً مِن مِسكِهِم مُتضَمِّخاً
مِنfrom حَيثُwhere مِنهُمfrom them قَدindeed تَفوحُwaft رَوايحُscents
مِن حَيثُ مِنهُم قَد تَفوحُ رَوايحُ
perfumed with their musk, steeped in fragrance,
Fragrant with their musk, bathed in it,
wherever scents wafted forth from them.
As if their gentle breezes spread its scent.
أَختالُI saunter proudly ماthe space بَينَbetween الرّياضِthe gardens بِجلَّقٍin Jilliq
أَختالُ ما بَينَ الرّياضِ بِجلَّقٍ
وَتَجودُand pour forth منّيfrom me لِلسرورِfor joy قَرائحُpoetic gifts
وَتَجودُ منّي لِلسرورِ قَرائحُ
I sauntered among the gardens of Jilliq,
Does any garden blossom such fragrance,
and poetic gifts poured forth from me in joy.
As this musk's perfume that exudes from them?
تُجلىare unveiled عَلَيّbefore me مِنَof السّرورِjoy عَرائِسbrides
تُجلى عَلَيّ مِنَ السّرورِ عَرائِس
يَزهوglories بِهنّin them الحسنُbeauty وَهيَand they are صَبائِحُradiant beauties
يَزهو بِهنّ الحسنُ وَهيَ صَبائِحُ
Brides of joy were unveiled before me,
The birds' song over the meadows delights me,
in whom beauty gloried, radiant beauties.
With doves, francolins and partridges calling.
قَدindeed مِسْنَthey swayed قدّاًin stature بِالنَّسيمِwith the breeze كَأَنّهُas though it
قَد مِسْنَ قدّاً بِالنَّسيمِ كَأَنّهُ
بِلَطافَةٍgently قَدhad رَوَّحَتهrefreshed it مَراوحُfans
بِلَطافَةٍ قَد رَوَّحَته مَراوحُ
Their figures swayed in the breeze, as though it
Gazelles come to me, subtly flirting,
had been gently refreshed by fans.
Till their conversation makes springs flow from the sands.
وَنَفَحْنَand they breathed طيباًfragrance كالعَبيرِlike perfume مُمسَّكاًmusk-laden
وَنَفَحْنَ طيباً كالعَبيرِ مُمسَّكاً
هَلare there فيamong النوافِحِfragrant things كَالزّهورِlike flowers نَوافحُfragrant things
هَل في النوافِحِ كَالزّهورِ نَوافحُ
And they breathed fragrance like musk-laden perfume;
With it, spirit and passion for love revive in me,
among fragrant things, are any fragrant like flowers?
A soul and heart roused in conversation and limbs.
وَيَسرُّنيand delights me شَدوُthe singing of الطّيورِbirds عَلىupon الرُّبىthe hills
وَيَسرُّني شَدوُ الطّيورِ عَلى الرُّبى
مِنهاamong them الحَمائِمُthe doves وَالهزارُand the nightingale الصادحُthe singing one
مِنها الحَمائِمُ وَالهزارُ الصادحُ
And birdsong upon the hills delighted me,
Through it I spend evenings in infatuation,
from doves and the singing nightingale.
And mornings in joy, elation at dawn.
تَأتيcome عَليَّtoward me مِنَamong الظِّباءِthe gazelles شَوادنٌyoung gazelles
تَأتي عَليَّ مِنَ الظِّباءِ شَوادنٌ
وَبِهِand in it تَلوحُappear مِنَamong المَهاةِthe oryx سَوانِحُpassing ones
وَبِهِ تَلوحُ مِنَ المَهاةِ سَوانِحُ
Young gazelles came toward me,
Through it, the breeze heals me,
and there passing oryx appeared.
Its hand caressing me gently in greeting.
تَأتيthey come تُغازِلُنيflirting with me الحَديثَin conversation لَطافةًtenderly
تَأتي تُغازِلُني الحَديثَ لَطافةً
حَتّىuntil تَسيلَflow بِذاwith this الحَديثِconversation أَباطِحُvalley beds
حَتّى تَسيلَ بِذا الحَديثِ أَباطِحُ
They came, tenderly flirting with me in conversation,
When I was there, gazing at the stars,
until valley beds flowed with that talk.
Their radiance shining upon me glittering.
يَحياlives بِهاthrough them مِنّيwithin me وَينعشand revives فيin الهَواlove
يَحيا بِها مِنّي وَينعش في الهَوا
روحٌa spirit وَقلبٌand a heart فيwithin الحَشاthe breast وَجَوارِحُand limbs
روحٌ وَقلبٌ في الحَشا وَجَوارِحُ
Through them, in love, life and vigor returned to
When I was there, as planets rose
my spirit, my heart within my breast, and my limbs.
In the celestial sphere, with the sun among them reigning.
فيهاin them أُماسَىI am greeted at evening بِالغَبوقِwith an evening draught مِنَof الهَناbliss
فيها أُماسَى بِالغَبوقِ مِنَ الهَنا
وَمِنَand of المَسرَّةِdelight بِالصّبوحِwith a morning draught أُصابحُI am greeted at morning
وَمِنَ المَسرَّةِ بِالصّبوحِ أُصابحُ
There I was greeted at evening with a draught of bliss,
The devout ascetic, Anwar the worshipper,
and at morning with a draught of delight.
The devout, pious and righteous saint.
وَبِهاand in them أعلَّلُI am soothed بِالنّسيمِby a breeze مِنَfrom الصَّباthe east wind
وَبِها أعلَّلُ بِالنّسيمِ مِنَ الصَّبا
وَيَدُand the hand of النّسيمِthe breeze تَجسُّنيtouches me وَتصافِحُand clasps my hand
وَيَدُ النّسيمِ تَجسُّني وَتصافِحُ
There I was soothed by a breath of the east wind,
The articulate scholar and towering pillar,
and the breeze’s hand touched me and clasped mine.
Exalted by the Wise One, the All-Conquering.
إِذwhen كنتُI was فيهاin them لِلنّجومِat the stars مشاهداًgazing
إِذ كنتُ فيها لِلنّجومِ مشاهداً
وَضِياؤُهمand their radiance بادٍmanifest عَليَّupon me وَلائِحُand shining
وَضِياؤُهم بادٍ عَليَّ وَلائِحُ
When there I gazed upon the stars,
The eminent master, the leader whose
their radiance shone clear and visible upon me.
Proofs vanquish all through compelling demonstration.
إِذwhen كنتُI was فيهاin them وَالبدورُand the full moons طَوالِعٌrising
إِذ كنتُ فيها وَالبدورُ طَوالِعٌ
بِذُرىon the summits of العُلىeminence وَالشّمسand the sun فيهمamong them صالِحُSalih
بِذُرى العُلى وَالشّمس فيهم صالِحُ
When there the full moons rose
The Lord of sciences, Abu al-Fuhum, brother of discretion,
on the heights of eminence, and their sun was Salih:
Treasury of knowledge with no peer contending.
العارِفthe mystic النسّاكthe devoted ascetic أَنورُthe most radiant ناسِكٍascetic
العارِف النسّاك أَنورُ ناسِكٍ
وَالزّاهدُand the renunciant الورعُthe scrupulous التّقيُّthe pious الصالحُthe righteous
وَالزّاهدُ الورعُ التّقيُّ الصالحُ
the mystic, the devoted ascetic, the most radiant of ascetics,
Citadel of Shariah, of truth and guidance,
the renunciant, the scrupulous, the pious, the righteous;
By the means of that clear, illuminated path.
العالِمُthe scholar النحريرُthe consummate expert والعَلَمُand the luminary الّذيwhom
العالِمُ النحريرُ والعَلَمُ الّذي
ناداهُcalled him بِالرّفعِto exaltation الحكيمُthe Wise الفاتِحُthe Opener
ناداهُ بِالرّفعِ الحكيمُ الفاتِحُ
the consummate scholar, the luminary whom
He is the Shafi'i jurist of his time, as from him
the Wise Opener called to exaltation;
Poured judgements, deriving rulings from cases.
الجَهبَذُthe master scholar الحبرُthe learned sage الإِمامُthe imam وَمَنand one لَهُfor whom
الجَهبَذُ الحبرُ الإِمامُ وَمَن لَهُ
بِتقدّمfor precedence يَقضيjudges الدّليلُthe proof البادحُthe manifest
بِتقدّم يَقضي الدّليلُ البادحُ
the master scholar, the learned sage, the imam, whose
He is the Sibawayh of his day, its Khalil,
precedence is declared by manifest proof;
But he is the conclusive authority, not mere imitator.
ربُّmaster of العُلومِthe sciences أَبوfather of الفهومِunderstanding أَخوbrother of الذّكاintelligence
ربُّ العُلومِ أَبو الفهومِ أَخو الذّكا
خدنُintimate of المَعارِفِknowledge لَيسَthere is no فيهاin it قارِحُfaultfinder
خدنُ المَعارِفِ لَيسَ فيها قارِحُ
master of sciences, father of understanding, brother of intelligence,
All branches of knowledge bear witness to his excellence,
intimate of knowledge, with none therein to find fault;
As impartial witnesses, none with injustice intending.
صِنوُkin to الشّريعَةِsacred law وَالحقيقَةِand spiritual truth وَالهُدىand guidance
صِنوُ الشّريعَةِ وَالحقيقَةِ وَالهُدى
بِطَريقةthrough a spiritual Way تِلكَthat الطّريقpath الواضحُclear
بِطَريقة تِلكَ الطّريق الواضحُ
kin to sacred law, spiritual truth, and guidance,
If the choicest minds considered his sound approach,
through a Way—that clear path.
The perspectives of proofs would suffice them, as he is an ocean swelling.
هُوَhe شافعيُّthe Shafi‘i of زَمانِهِhis age إِذfor مِنهُfrom him قَدindeed
هُوَ شافعيُّ زَمانِهِ إِذ مِنهُ قَد
جادَتhave yielded generously بِتَخريجِderivations of الفُروعِsubsidiary rulings قَرائِحُinventive faculties
جادَت بِتَخريجِ الفُروعِ قَرائِحُ
He is the Shafi‘i of his age, for from him
None who debated with him prevailed,
have flowed inspired derivations of subsidiary rulings.
Except they were rendered mute, unable to utter a word.
هُوَhe سيبويهِthe Sibawayh of أَوانِهِhis time وَخليلهand its Khalil
هُوَ سيبويهِ أَوانِهِ وَخليله
لَكنّهbut he الزّجّاجُal-Zajjaj وَهوَand he الراجحُthe superior one
لَكنّه الزّجّاجُ وَهوَ الراجحُ
He is the Sibawayh of his time, and its Khalil;
With proofs in his hands, if extended,
yet he is al-Zajjaj, and the superior one.
Are white, polished blades, gleaming knives.
شَهِدَتbore witness لَهُfor him كلُّall العلومِthe sciences بِفَضلِهِto his excellence
شَهِدَت لَهُ كلُّ العلومِ بِفَضلِهِ
وَهيَand they are العُدولُtrustworthy witnesses وَلَيسَand there is no فيهاamong them جارحُimpugner
وَهيَ العُدولُ وَلَيسَ فيها جارحُ
Every science bears witness to his excellence;
How many false claims he refuted with defeat,
they are trustworthy witnesses, with none impugning him.
Silencing them in resignation, though they loudly complained.
فَلَوِso if اِمتَطىhe mounted الفكرَthought الصّحيحَsound فَفكرهُthen his thought
فَلَوِ اِمتَطى الفكرَ الصّحيحَ فَفكرهُ
طِرفُa thoroughbred of الأدلَّةِproofs وَهوَand it is بَحرٌa sea سابِحُswimming
طِرفُ الأدلَّةِ وَهوَ بَحرٌ سابِحُ
If he mounted sound thought, then his thought
The eloquent Arabist in rhetoric,
would be the thoroughbred of proofs, a swimming sea.
Whose eloquence enchants with its alluring, subtle charm.
ماnever جالَhe ranged فيهِthrough it لِلجِدالِfor disputation مُناظراًas a debater
ما جالَ فيهِ لِلجِدالِ مُناظراً
إِلّاexcept that بَداappeared مِنهُfrom him الهِزَبرُthe lion السانِحُstepping forth
إِلّا بَدا مِنهُ الهِزَبرُ السانِحُ
Never did he range through it as a disputant
With fluency, vigor and virtuous merits,
but a lion appeared, stepping forth from him.
He amazes receptive souls aiming high.
وَمِنَand from الدّلائِلِthe proofs فيin يَديهِhis hands إِذاwhen سَطاhe struck
وَمِنَ الدّلائِلِ في يَديهِ إِذا سَطا
بيضٌbright swords قَواطِعcutting أُصلِتَتwere unsheathed وَصَفائِحُand sword-blades
بيضٌ قَواطِع أُصلِتَت وَصَفائِحُ
And when he struck, the proofs in his hands
If faced by grand speech-givers at oratory contests,
were bright, cutting swords, unsheathed blades.
Competing at Ukaz and exerting their efforts,
كَمhow many رَدَّhe repelled بِالإفحامِby confounding فيهاin it ضَيغَماًa lion
كَم رَدَّ بِالإفحامِ فيها ضَيغَماً
وَكَساهُand he clothed him بِالإِخراسِin silence وَهوَwhile he was الصائِحُthe roaring one
وَكَساهُ بِالإِخراسِ وَهوَ الصائِحُ
How many a lion he repelled there, confounding it,
You'd see them before him made mute,
and clothed it in silence even as it roared.
Unable to converse or make so much as a peep.
المُعرِبُthe articulate one اللَّسِنُthe fluent-tongued الغَريبُthe extraordinary بَلاغَةًin eloquence
المُعرِبُ اللَّسِنُ الغَريبُ بَلاغَةً
سِحرmagic of البيانِexpression خِلالهاthrough it يَتَلامَحُflashes
سِحر البيانِ خِلالها يَتَلامَحُ
Articulate, fluent-tongued, extraordinary in eloquence,
The glorious one, pride of the eminent,
the magic of expression flashes through it;
Where glories and grandeurs abide.
بِسَلاسَةٍwith fluency وَجَزالةٍand forcefulness وَمَحاسِنٍand beauties
بِسَلاسَةٍ وَجَزالةٍ وَمَحاسِنٍ
جَلَّتwere sublime لَهاtoward them مُقَلُthe eyes of النّفوسِsouls طَوامِحُaspiring
جَلَّت لَها مُقَلُ النّفوسِ طَوامِحُ
with fluency, force, and beauties
Lord of the lofty enterprises, in his abundant wealth,
so sublime that the eyes of souls aspire to them.
Beyond which the starry tower pales as insignificant.
لَوif قابَلَتهُconfronted him مَصاقِعُmasters of الخطباءِorators فيat
لَو قابَلَتهُ مَصاقِعُ الخطباءِ في
وَقتِthe time of المَواسِمِfestivals فيin عُكاظَ‘Ukaz وَكافَحواand they contended
وَقتِ المَواسِمِ في عُكاظَ وَكافَحوا
Had the master orators confronted him
Lord of achievements, his pens that inscribed
at festival time in ‘Ukaz, and contended,
The highest enterprises, to grand ambitions aspiring.
لَرَأَيتَهمyou would see them مِنهُby him لَدَيهِbefore him أُخرِسواstruck dumb
لَرَأَيتَهم مِنهُ لَدَيهِ أُخرِسوا
لَمnot يَستَطيعواthey could أَنّهمthat they يَتَفاصَحواvie in eloquence
لَم يَستَطيعوا أَنّهم يَتَفاصَحوا
you would have seen them struck dumb by him before him,
Preserving benefits for mankind therein,
unable to vie in eloquence.
Of use, guidance, and sincere advice.
الماجِدُthe noble الجحجاحُthe great chief وَالفَخمُand the majestic الّذيwho
الماجِدُ الجحجاحُ وَالفَخمُ الّذي
تَزدانُare adorned فيهِin him أَماجِدٌnobles وَجحاجِحُand great chiefs
تَزدانُ فيهِ أَماجِدٌ وَجحاجِحُ
The noble, the great chief, the majestic one
If studded across pages, his works,
in whom nobles and great chiefs find adornment;
Are illuminations for hearts and minds.
ربُّlord of المَعاليlofty merits فيat ثُريّاthe Pleiades of مَجدِهاtheir glory
ربُّ المَعالي في ثُريّا مَجدِها
عَنshort of مِثلِهاtheir like قصرfell السّماكal-Simak الرَّامِحُthe Spear-bearer
عَن مِثلِها قصر السّماك الرَّامِحُ
lord of lofty merits, at the Pleiades of their glory,
Tongues and lances fear them,
whose like even al-Simak the Spear-bearer falls short of;
As the polished blade fears its bite.
ربّmaster of العوالِtall spears وَإِنّهاand indeed they are أَقلامُهhis pens
ربّ العوالِ وَإِنّها أَقلامُه
وَلعينهاand for their eye بِذُرىat the summits of المَعالِgreatness مَطامِحُaspirations
وَلعينها بِذُرى المَعالِ مَطامِحُ
master of tall spears—and they are his pens—
All shameless souls revere them in life,
whose eye aspires to the heights of greatness,
Even the refractory and unruly man of wrath.
بِمَلافظٍwith utterances فيهاin them المَنافعُbenefits لِلوَرىfor humankind
بِمَلافظٍ فيها المَنافعُ لِلوَرى
فَفَوائِدٌthus benefits وَمَواعِظٌand admonitions وَنَصايحُand counsels
فَفَوائِدٌ وَمَواعِظٌ وَنَصايحُ
with utterances bearing benefit to humankind:
Fair morals and manners, virtues of all kind,
useful lessons, admonitions, and counsels.
And praiseworthy merits abound in him.
إِنْif يَجرِflows فيacross صَدرِthe breast of الكَواغِدِthe pages شَرحهاtheir exposition
إِنْ يَجرِ في صَدرِ الكَواغِدِ شَرحها
فَهيَthen they are اللّواتيthose which لِلصّدورِfor breasts شَوارحُbring expansion
فَهيَ اللّواتي لِلصّدورِ شَوارحُ
If their exposition flows across the breast of the pages,
An ocean of nobility, his gifts of aid
they are what open and ease the breasts.
Eclipse even the son of Ma'n in generosity abounding.
تَعنوbow لِهَيبَتِهاbefore their awe الأَسنَّةspearheads وَالظُّبىand sword edges
تَعنو لِهَيبَتِها الأَسنَّة وَالظُّبى
وَيَهابُهاand fears them العضبُthe keen sword الصقيلُpolished الذابِحُslaughtering
وَيَهابُها العضبُ الصقيلُ الذابِحُ
Spearheads and sword edges bow before their awe,
Modesty flows in his ease, truly he
and the keen, polished, slaughtering sword fears them.
Is its brilliant, radiant, resplendent face.
وَتُجِلُّهاand revere them كلُّall الأَكاسِرِthe Chosroes فيin الدُّنىthe world
وَتُجِلُّها كلُّ الأَكاسِرِ في الدُّنى
حتّىeven الأَبيّthe proud مِنَamong الرّجالِmen الجامِحُthe unbridled
حتّى الأَبيّ مِنَ الرّجالِ الجامِحُ
All the Chosroes in the world hold them in reverence,
With eloquence, cordiality and smiling grace,
even the proud, unbridled man.
Thus the noble, generous man is praised.
حَسَنُfair in الخَلائِقِdispositions وَالطبائِعِand natures كلّهاall of them
حَسَنُ الخَلائِقِ وَالطبائِعِ كلّها
وَمَحاسنُand beauties of الأَخلاقِcharacter فيهِin him سَجائِحُinnate qualities
وَمَحاسنُ الأَخلاقِ فيهِ سَجائِحُ
Fair in all his dispositions and natures,
O exalted master, of lofty station that
the beauties of character are his innate qualities.
Rises above achievements, seeking ever more.
بَحرُan ocean of المَكارِمِnoble deeds وَالنّدىand generosity بِعَطائِهِthrough his giving
بَحرُ المَكارِمِ وَالنّدى بِعَطائِهِ
نُسِيَwas forgotten اِبنُIbn مَعنٍMa‘n ذوpossessor of السّخاءِgenerosity المانحُthe giver
نُسِيَ اِبنُ مَعنٍ ذو السّخاءِ المانحُ
An ocean of noble deeds and generosity; through his gifts
You donned the raiment of perfection, undoubtedly
Ibn Ma‘n, the generous giver, has been forgotten.
Complete in every way, perfection enveloping.
يَسريcourses الحَياءُmodesty بِراحَتَيهِthrough his palms وَإِنّهُand indeed it
يَسري الحَياءُ بِراحَتَيهِ وَإِنّهُ
فيupon وَجهِهِhis face الحسنُthe lovely الصبيحُthe radiant لَسايحُsurely flows
في وَجهِهِ الحسنُ الصبيحُ لَسايحُ
Modesty courses through his palms, and indeed it
I send you a precious gift,
flows upon his lovely, radiant face,
Bearing, like the sun at dawn, traits of light.
بِطَلاقَةٍwith openness وَبَشاشَةٍand cheerfulness وَتَبسُّمٍand smiling
بِطَلاقَةٍ وَبَشاشَةٍ وَتَبسُّمٍ
وَبِمثلِand for the like of ذاthis حُمِدَwas praised الجوادُthe generous man السامِحُthe openhanded
وَبِمثلِ ذا حُمِدَ الجوادُ السامِحُ
with openness, cheerfulness, and smiles;
A brilliant pearl, precious gem,
for such qualities the generous, openhanded man is praised.
Whose beauty if unveiled, even stars pale beside.
ياO أَيّهاyou المَولىmaster الهمامُthe noble وَمَنand one لَهُwho has
يا أَيّها المَولى الهمامُ وَمَن لَهُ
فَوقَabove المَعالِgreatness مَقاعِدٌseats تَتَفاسَحُgrowing spacious
فَوقَ المَعالِ مَقاعِدٌ تَتَفاسَحُ
O noble master, you whose
Strung in your lofty eulogy, fashioned as a necklace,
seats above greatness grow ever more spacious;
While such praises are the costliest necklaces.
وَمَنِand one who اِكتَسىdonned ثَوبَthe robe of الكَمالِperfection وَإِنّهand indeed he
وَمَنِ اِكتَسى ثَوبَ الكَمالِ وَإِنّه
مِنfrom غَيرِabsence of رَيْبٍdoubt بِالكمالِwith perfection الطافِحُoverflowing
مِن غَيرِ رَيْبٍ بِالكمالِ الطافِحُ
you who have donned the robe of perfection, and who
Dipped in its fragrant musk, exhaling a scent -
without doubt overflow with perfection:
How much of this perfume from it blows!
إِنّيindeed I إِلَيكto you لَباعِثٌam surely sending بِخَريدَةٍa secluded maiden
إِنّي إِلَيك لَباعِثٌ بِخَريدَةٍ
مِنهاfrom her عَلىabove شَمسِthe sun of النّهارِday مَلامِحُfeatures
مِنها عَلى شَمسِ النّهارِ مَلامِحُ
I am sending you a secluded maiden,
My pride, I praised you with it,
whose features outshine the daytime sun.
And in composing it, I your panegyrist become.
بِكرٌa virgin رَداحٌfull-hipped غادةٌa tender maiden فَجَمالُهاso her beauty
بِكرٌ رَداحٌ غادةٌ فَجَمالُها
إِنif لَوwere تَبَدَّتshe appeared لِلكَواكِبِbefore the stars فاضحُputting to shame
إِن لَو تَبَدَّت لِلكَواكِبِ فاضحُ
A virgin, full-hipped, tender; her beauty,
It came to you walking shyly, lightly swaying,
were she to appear before the stars, would shame them.
Like a delicate branch, gently bending.
مِنof مَدحِكَyour praise الساميlofty بعِقدٍwith a necklace قُلِّدتshe was adorned
مِن مَدحِكَ السامي بعِقدٍ قُلِّدت
وَبِمثلهاand for her like أَغلىmost precious العقودِnecklaces مدايحُpraises
وَبِمثلها أَغلى العقودِ مدايحُ
She has been adorned with a necklace of your lofty praise;
So accept it, as you are best inclined,
and for her like, praises are the costliest necklaces.
The most gracious in your embrace extending.
مِنwith مِسكِهِits musk العطرُfragrant الذكيُّpotent تَضَمّخَتshe was anointed
مِن مِسكِهِ العطرُ الذكيُّ تَضَمّخَت
وَلَكَمand how often لَهُfor it مِنهاfrom her تَفوحُwaft رَوايِحُscents
وَلَكَم لَهُ مِنها تَفوحُ رَوايِحُ
She has been anointed with its potent, fragrant musk,
Turn away brother, with kindly discretion,
and how many of its fragrances waft from her!
Overlooking flaws, though conspicuous and glaring.
ياO فَخرَهاher pride إِذsince كنتyou were مَمدوحاًpraised بِهاthrough her
يا فَخرَها إِذ كنت مَمدوحاً بِها
وَلِأنّنيand because I فيin نَظمِهاcomposing her لَكَof you مادِحُam a praiser
وَلِأنّني في نَظمِها لَكَ مادِحُ
What pride is hers, that you are praised through her,
Forgive freely brother with graceful pardon,
and that, in composing her, I praise you!
When it misspeaks, for one like you makes amends.
جاءَتكَshe came to you تَمشيwalking وَالحياءُand modesty يُميلُهاsways her
جاءَتكَ تَمشي وَالحياءُ يُميلُها
مَيلَthe sway of النّشاوَىthe tipsy وَهيَwhile she is رودsupple بادحُfull-hipped
مَيلَ النّشاوَى وَهيَ رود بادحُ
She comes walking to you, modesty swaying her
Rather, be generous and mild in clemency,
with the sway of the tipsy, supple and full-hipped.
The gracious forgive, though rash words offending.
فَليَلقَهاso let greet her مِنكَfrom you القَبولُacceptance فَإِنّهfor indeed it
فَليَلقَها مِنكَ القَبولُ فَإِنّه
لَأَجلُّsurely the noblest شَيءٍthing أَنتَyou فيهin it راشحُare fitted
لَأَجلُّ شَيءٍ أَنتَ فيه راشحُ
Let your acceptance greet her, for it
What ode was refined if it has no
is the noblest thing you are fitted to bestow.
Shortcomings or defects you could blame?
وَاِغضُضand lower أَخاbrother of السترِconcealment الجَميلِgracious نَواظِراًeyes
وَاِغضُض أَخا السترِ الجَميلِ نَواظِراً
عَنfrom عَيبِهاher fault إِنّindeed العُيوبَfaults فَواضِحُbring disgrace
عَن عَيبِها إِنّ العُيوبَ فَواضِحُ
And lower your eyes, brother of gracious concealment,
Be well and prosper, comfortable and carefree,
from her flaws, for flaws bring disgrace.
As you reign supreme, prevailing, succeeding.
وَاِصفَحand pardon أَخاbrother of الصّفحِpardon الجَميلِgracious إِذاif هَفَتshe slipped
وَاِصفَح أَخا الصّفحِ الجَميلِ إِذا هَفَت
هَفواًa slip فَمِثلُكَfor one like you فيamong البريّةِhumankind صافحُis forgiving
هَفواً فَمِثلُكَ في البريّةِ صافحُ
And forgive, brother of gracious pardon, if she slips;
The sun neither rises, nor stars emerge,
should she stumble, one such as you forgives among humankind.
Lightning neither flashes illuminating,
بَلrather كُنbe كَريماًnoble جائِداًlavishly giving بِسَماحِهِof his generosity
بَل كُن كَريماً جائِداً بِسَماحِهِ
وَبِعَفوِهِand of his pardon إِنّindeed الكريمَthe noble man مسامِحُis forgiving
وَبِعَفوِهِ إِنّ الكريمَ مسامِحُ
Rather, be a noble man who lavishes his generosity
No branch sways in the breeze,
and his pardon, for a noble man forgives.
No youth departs or old man lingers,
أَيُّwhat القَصايِدِpoems هُذِّبتwere polished ماnot إِنindeed لَهاthey have
أَيُّ القَصايِدِ هُذِّبت ما إِن لَها
إِنif لَوif نَقَدْتَyou scrutinized مَثالِبٌfaults وَقبايِحُand blemishes
إِن لَو نَقَدْتَ مَثالِبٌ وَقبايِحُ
What poems, however polished, have no
Without the lover imploring beloveds, saying:
faults and blemishes, if you scrutinize them?
Return to the peace of love and reconcile.
وَاِسلَمand be safe وَدُمand remain رَحبَbroad الجَنابِof court رَفيعَهُlofty in it
وَاِسلَم وَدُم رَحبَ الجَنابِ رَفيعَهُ
وَرَغيدand comfortable عَيشٍa life أَنتَyou فيهِin it سادحُreclining
وَرَغيد عَيشٍ أَنتَ فيهِ سادحُ
Be safe, and remain broad of court and high of rank,
reclining in a life of ease,
ماas long as الشَّمسُthe sun تُشرِقُshines ماas long as النّجومُthe stars طَوالِعrise
ما الشَّمسُ تُشرِقُ ما النّجومُ طَوالِع
ماas long as البرقُlightning بادٍis visible بِالوميضِwith gleaming وَلامِحُand flashing
ما البرقُ بادٍ بِالوميضِ وَلامِحُ
as long as the sun shines, as long as the stars rise,
as long as lightning shows itself, gleaming and flashing;
ماas long as مالَswayed غُصنٌa branch بِالنّسيمِin the breeze إِذاwhen سَرَتit passed
ما مالَ غُصنٌ بِالنّسيمِ إِذا سَرَت
ماas long as قَدindeed غَداset out at dawn الغاديthe morning-goer وَراحَand departed at evening الرائِحُthe evening-goer
ما قَد غَدا الغادي وَراحَ الرائِحُ
as long as a branch sways in the breeze when it passes,
as long as morning-goers set out and evening-goers depart;
أَوor ماas long as المحبّthe lover رَجاentreated الأَحِبَّةthe loved ones قائِلاًsaying
أَو ما المحبّ رَجا الأَحِبَّة قائِلاً
عودواreturn إِلىto سِلمpeace of المحبِّthe lover وَصالِحواand make peace
عودوا إِلى سِلم المحبِّ وَصالِحوا
or as long as the lover entreats his loved ones, saying:
Return to the lover’s peace, and be reconciled.
Partial English translation: 130 of 138 Arabic lines translated.
Sol 6.1