راقَhas grown fair الزّمانُtime وَبِالجمالِand in beauty الأنْفَسِthe most precious
راقَ الزّمانُ وَبِالجمالِ الأنْفَسِ
وافىhas arrived الرّبيعُspring فياso, oh سُرورَjoy of الأنفُسِsouls
وافى الرّبيعُ فيا سُرورَ الأنفُسِ
Time has grown fair, and in the choicest beauty
Time has been kind and with beauty it is blessed,
spring has arrived—oh, the joy of souls!
Spring has arrived, so rejoice O delighted souls!
أَحياrevived الرّبيعُspring شَبابَهُits youth وأَعادَهُand restored it
أَحيا الرّبيعُ شَبابَهُ وأَعادَهُ
بَعدَafter المَشيبِgray old age رِداthe robe of الشّبيبةِyouth يَكتسيit dons
بَعدَ المَشيبِ رِدا الشّبيبةِ يَكتسي
Spring has revived its youth and restored it;
Spring has revived its youth and restored it
after gray old age, it dons the robe of youth.
After aging, wearing the raiment of youth once more.
وَعَلىand upon الرّياضِthe gardens اِنصَبَّit poured down حتّىuntil خلتُهI fancied it
وَعَلى الرّياضِ اِنصَبَّ حتّى خلتُه
إِذas صَبَّit poured خيطانَthreads of اللُّجَينِsilver الأنفسِthe most precious
إِذ صَبَّ خيطانَ اللُّجَينِ الأنفسِ
It poured down upon the gardens, until I fancied it
And upon the gardens it poured forth abundantly
pouring threads of the most precious silver.
When it let loose the threads of branches flexuous.
نَسجَتthey wove بِهاwith them أَوراقهاtheir leaves وَزُهورهاand their flowers
نَسجَت بِها أَوراقها وَزُهورها
وَتَشكَّلتand took shape بِمنوّعٍin varied forms وَمُجنَّسِand assorted kinds
وَتَشكَّلت بِمنوّعٍ وَمُجنَّسِ
With them they wove their leaves and flowers,
With them it wove its leaves and its flowers,
and took shape in varied, assorted forms:
Taking varied and manifold shapes and hues;
مِنof أَزرقٍblue مَعwith أَبيضٍwhite معwith أحمرٍred
مِن أَزرقٍ مَع أَبيضٍ مع أحمرٍ
مَعwith أَخضرٍgreen زاهٍradiant وَأَحمرَand red ألعسِdusky
مَع أَخضرٍ زاهٍ وَأَحمرَ ألعسِ
blue beside white, beside red,
Some blue, some white, some red,
with radiant green and dusky red—
Some green, brilliant, and some red, most wondrous,
فَكلازَوردٍthus like lapis lazuli فَاللّجينthen silver فَعَسجدٍthen gold
فَكلازَوردٍ فَاللّجين فَعَسجدٍ
فَزمرّدٍthen emerald معwith أَحمرٍred منof سندسِfine silk
فَزمرّدٍ مع أَحمرٍ من سندسِ
like lapis lazuli, then silver, then gold,
So lilacs, clematis, and honeysuckle,
then emerald, with red made of fine silk.
And emeralds with red, most lustrous.
وَلِجِand enter الرّياضَthe gardens تَرىyou will see الزّهورَthe flowers جَواهِراًas jewels
وَلِجِ الرّياضَ تَرى الزّهورَ جَواهِراً
قَدindeed كُلِّلَتhave been crowned أَشجارُهاtheir trees فيat الأرؤُسِthe tops
قَد كُلِّلَت أَشجارُها في الأرؤُسِ
And enter the gardens: you will see the flowers as jewels;
And in the thickets of the gardens you see the flowers like jewels,
their trees have been crowned at their tops.
Their trees garlanded high on the boughs.
فَاِجْنِso pluck الورودَthe roses بِناظِريكwith your two eyes مُحدِّقاًgazing intently
فَاِجْنِ الورودَ بِناظِريك مُحدِّقاً
وَمُقبِّلاًand kissing وَجناتهاtheir cheeks بِالمعطسِwith the nose
وَمُقبِّلاً وَجناتها بِالمعطسِ
So pluck the roses with your two eyes, gazing intently,
So smell the roses with gazing eyes intent
and kissing their cheeks with your nose.
And kiss their gardens, most fragrant.
ثمَّthen اِعتَنِقْembrace فيهاwithin them عَرائسَthe brides of زهرهاtheir blossoms
ثمَّ اِعتَنِقْ فيها عَرائسَ زهرها
وَتَجاهرنَّand be openly bold علىbefore عيونِthe eyes of النرجسِthe narcissus
وَتَجاهرنَّ على عيونِ النرجسِ
Then embrace within them the brides of their blossoms,
Then embrace the fair brides of their blossoms
and do so openly before the eyes of the narcissus.
Preening over the narcissi's eyes.
وَاِملَأand fill كؤُوسَthe cups of الصفوِpure delight أُنساًwith fellowship وارتشِفْand sip
وَاِملَأ كؤُوسَ الصفوِ أُنساً وارتشِفْ
خَمرَthe wine of المَسرَّةِjoy مِنfrom شِفاهِthe lips of الأَكؤسِthe cups
خَمرَ المَسرَّةِ مِن شِفاهِ الأَكؤسِ
Fill the cups of pure delight with fellowship, and sip
And fill up cups of glass, most delightful, and quaff
the wine of joy from the lips of the cups.
The wine of joy from the rims of the goblets.
وَاِدخُلand enter بهاwith it تيكَthose الرّياضَgardens مغرِّداًsinging
وَاِدخُل بها تيكَ الرّياضَ مغرِّداً
وَاِجلِسand sit إِلىbeside ندمانِهاtheir drinking companions وَاِستَأنسِand enjoy companionship
وَاِجلِس إِلى ندمانِها وَاِستَأنسِ
And enter with it those gardens, singing,
And enter these gardens of yours singing gaily
and sit beside their drinking companions and enjoy their company.
And sit with its boon companions and feel at ease.
وَمُطارِحاًand exchanging أَكياسَهمwith their discerning men خَبرَtales of الهوىlove
وَمُطارِحاً أَكياسَهم خَبرَ الهوى
أَحلىthe sweetest الحديثtalk معَwith النديمِthe drinking companion الكيِّسِdiscerning
أَحلى الحديث معَ النديمِ الكيِّسِ
Exchanging tales of love with their discerning men—
Confiding to them the secret of passion—
the sweetest talk is with a discerning companion.
Sweetest talk—with the clever and wise friend.
فَالوردfor the rose مُنفَتِحاًopening عَلىupon أَغصانِهِits branches
فَالورد مُنفَتِحاً عَلى أَغصانِهِ
مِثلُlike النّجومِthe stars تُضيُءlighting جُنحَthe wing of الحِنْدسِdeep darkness
مِثلُ النّجومِ تُضيُء جُنحَ الحِنْدسِ
For the rose, opening upon its branches,
The rose half-open on its branch
is like stars lighting the wing of deepest darkness.
Like stars illuminating the wings of the hawk.
أَزرارُهits buds قببُdomes of العَقيقagate إِذِwhen اِعتَلتthey rose upon
أَزرارُه قببُ العَقيق إِذِ اِعتَلت
عمَدَpillars of الزمرُّدِemerald تاهَwas bewildered كلّevery مهندسِarchitect
عمَدَ الزمرُّدِ تاهَ كلّ مهندسِ
Its buds are domes of agate; when they rise
Its buds are domes of carnelian as they rise
upon emerald pillars, every architect is bewildered.
Over columns of emerald, confusing each geometrician.
وَالياسمينُand the jasmine دَراهمٌsilver coins نُثِرَتscattered عَلىupon
وَالياسمينُ دَراهمٌ نُثِرَت عَلى
كِلَلِcanopies of الزمرُّدِemerald بَهجَةًas a delight لِلأَنفُسِfor souls
كِلَلِ الزمرُّدِ بَهجَةً لِلأَنفُسِ
And the jasmine is silver coins scattered upon
And the jasmine is scattered dirhams
emerald canopies, a delight to souls.
On the crown of emerald, delight of souls.
وَالأقحُوانand the chrysanthemums فَكالثّغورِthus like mouths بَواسِماًsmiling
وَالأقحُوان فَكالثّغورِ بَواسِماً
فيهاin them الرّياضُthe gardens وجوهُهاtheir faces لَمhave not تعبسِfrowned
فيها الرّياضُ وجوهُها لَم تعبسِ
And the chrysanthemums are like smiling mouths;
And the anemones like battlements with smiling faces
in them, the gardens' faces have never frowned.
Within which the gardens show no frowning visages.
ثُمّthen الشقيقthe anemones الغَضَّtender كلّeach شقيقةٍanemone
ثُمّ الشقيق الغَضَّ كلّ شقيقةٍ
فُنجانُa cup of ياقوتٍruby بَديعٍexquisite أكيسِmost ingeniously made
فُنجانُ ياقوتٍ بَديعٍ أكيسِ
Then the tender anemones: each anemone
Then the white lily, each one a cup
is an exquisite ruby cup, most ingeniously wrought.
Of graceful carnelian, most witty.
قَدindeed خِلتI fancied حبّتهits seed كَنُقطَةِlike a speck of عَنبَرٍambergris
قَد خِلت حبّته كَنُقطَةِ عَنبَرٍ
قَدalready أَمسَكَتhad clung بِشِفاهِto the lips of أَشنبَa pearly-toothed one ألعَسِdark-lipped
قَد أَمسَكَت بِشِفاهِ أَشنبَ ألعَسِ
I fancied its seed like a speck of ambergris
Its seeds like a drop of amber
that had clung to the lips of one pearly-toothed and dark-lipped.
Clasped by the lips of a bud not fully opened.
وَالبانُand the ban tree أَورَقَhas leafed يَعتَليهِrising above it زَهرُهُits flowers
وَالبانُ أَورَقَ يَعتَليهِ زَهرُهُ
فيin مَنظَرٍa sight بَهجٍdelightful وَأَلينand the softest مَلمَسِtouch
في مَنظَرٍ بَهجٍ وَأَلين مَلمَسِ
And the ban tree has leafed, its flowers rising above it,
And the acacia flaunts its blossoms rising over it
a delightful sight, with the softest touch.
With a charming and soft aspect.
فَفَتائِلٌso wicks مِنof عَسجَدٍgold قَدindeed عُلِّقَتhave been hung
فَفَتائِلٌ مِن عَسجَدٍ قَد عُلِّقَت
بِسَناجِقٍon banners خُضرٍgreen غَدتْhave become منof سندسِfine silk
بِسَناجِقٍ خُضرٍ غَدتْ من سندسِ
So wicks of gold have been hung
So strings of honeysuckle are suspended
on green banners now made of fine silk.
On green stalks turned to satin.
حَيثُwhere الحَمائمُthe doves وَالهزارُand the nightingale صَوادِحٌsing aloud
حَيثُ الحَمائمُ وَالهزارُ صَوادِحٌ
يَصدَحنَthey sing بَينَamong مبكِّرٍan early riser وَمُغلِّسِand one up before dawn
يَصدَحنَ بَينَ مبكِّرٍ وَمُغلِّسِ
Where doves and the nightingale sing aloud,
Where the doves and bees murmur noisily,
singing, some in early morning and some before dawn;
Making loud noises amid the early-risers and late-sleepers.
حَيثُwhere الطّيورُthe birds بِذيin these الرّياضِgardens رَواتِعfrolic
حَيثُ الطّيورُ بِذي الرّياضِ رَواتِع
مِنamong them ناطقٍa vocal one شادٍsinging وآخَرand another أخرسِmute
مِن ناطقٍ شادٍ وآخَر أخرسِ
where birds frolic in these gardens,
Where the birds in these gardens are squatters,
some vocal and singing, and others mute.
Some speaking, some silent.
وَالرّاحُand the wine تُبديshows فيin الدِّنانِthe wine jars فَواقعاًbubbles
وَالرّاحُ تُبدي في الدِّنانِ فَواقعاً
وَلِسانُهاand its tongue أَضحىhas come to يَقولُsay قمِrise اِحتَسِdrink
وَلِسانُها أَضحى يَقولُ قمِ اِحتَسِ
And the wine shows bubbles in the jars,
And the breeze makes itself felt upon the branches,
and its tongue now says: Rise and drink.
And its tongue now says “Arise, be lively!”
فَاِجعَلْso make أَباريقَthe ewers of المدامِwine رَواعفاًbleed
فَاِجعَلْ أَباريقَ المدامِ رَواعفاً
ذوبَmolten العقائِقagates مِنfrom قناءِthe aquiline curve of المعطسِthe nose
ذوبَ العقائِق مِن قناءِ المعطسِ
So make the wine ewers bleed
So turn flasks of wine into bubbling springs
molten agates from their aquiline noses.
Melting carnelians from the rim of the overflowing cup.
وَاِسكُبand pour دَمَthe blood of العنقودِthe grape-cluster فيinto الجاماتِthe bowls مِنof
وَاِسكُب دَمَ العنقودِ في الجاماتِ مِن
غاليcostly اللُّجينِsilver تُصاغُfashioned أَحسنَthe finest أَكؤُسِcups
غالي اللُّجينِ تُصاغُ أَحسنَ أَكؤُسِ
Pour the blood of the grape-cluster into bowls of
And pour the blood of the grape in the goblets
costly silver, fashioned into the finest cups.
From the excellent sap of the clematis fashioning the finest cups.
وَاِشرَبand drink وَلاand do not تَخشَfear المَلامَةَreproach مُسرفاًlavishly
وَاِشرَب وَلا تَخشَ المَلامَةَ مُسرفاً
وَقتَat the time of الصَّبوحِthe morning draught إِلىuntil الغَبوقِthe evening draught فَماfor not تَسيyou do wrong
وَقتَ الصَّبوحِ إِلى الغَبوقِ فَما تَسي
Drink lavishly, and do not fear reproach,
And drink without fearing blame, drinking to excess
from the morning draught until the evening draught—you do no wrong.
From early morn to late dusk cease not!
وَتَناولَنْهاand take it مِنfrom يَدِthe hand of البدرِthe full moon الّذيwho
وَتَناولَنْها مِن يَدِ البدرِ الّذي
خَلَسstole العُقولَminds وَقبلهand before him لَمhad not تُخلسِbeen stolen
خَلَس العُقولَ وَقبله لَم تُخلسِ
And take it from the hand of the full moon who
And receive it from the hand of the moon that
stole minds that had never been stolen before him.
Stole minds, and before it they were not beguiled.
وَالرّاحُand the wine شَمسٌa sun وَالمناولand the giver بدرُناour full moon
وَالرّاحُ شَمسٌ وَالمناول بدرُنا
وَالشّمسُand the sun مِنهُbecause of him رِداthe robe of الخَجالَةِshame تَكتسيdons
وَالشّمسُ مِنهُ رِدا الخَجالَةِ تَكتسي
The wine is a sun, and its giver is our full moon;
While the breeze is a sun, and the one offering it to us is a moon,
and before him the sun dons the robe of shame.
And the sun from it dons the raiment of bashfulness.
لِتَرىso that you may see اِقتِرانَthe conjunction of النيّرينِthe two luminaries بِمَجلسin a gathering
لِتَرى اِقتِرانَ النيّرينِ بِمَجلس
وَبِيَand in me اِقتِرانُthe conjunction of النيّرينِthe two luminaries بِمَجلسِin a gathering
وَبِيَ اِقتِرانُ النيّرينِ بِمَجلسِ
That you may see the conjunction of the two luminaries in one gathering;
So that you may witness the conjunction of two luminaries in one session—
and in me is the conjunction of the two luminaries in one gathering.
And that the conjunction of two luminaries in one session may be mine!
وَليَبتَدِئand let him begin بِالشّربِwith drinking وَاِشرَبand drink سُؤرَهُhis remaining draught
وَليَبتَدِئ بِالشّربِ وَاِشرَب سُؤرَهُ
سُؤرَthe remaining draught of الحَبيبِthe beloved بِهِin it شِفاءُhealing for الأَنفسِsouls
سُؤرَ الحَبيبِ بِهِ شِفاءُ الأَنفسِ
Let him begin drinking, and drink what he leaves;
And let it start by drinking its first draft—
the beloved's remaining draught brings healing to souls.
The draft of a beloved, by it souls are healed.
وَاِشرَبand drink عَلىto وردِthe roses of الخُدودِthe cheeks فَإِنّهاfor they
وَاِشرَب عَلى وردِ الخُدودِ فَإِنّها
وَجَمالَهاand their beauty لِلوردِfor roses أَفضلُthe finest مغرسِplanting-ground
وَجَمالَها لِلوردِ أَفضلُ مغرسِ
Drink to the roses of cheeks, for they
And drink to the rose of cheeks, for it is
and their beauty are the finest planting-ground for roses.
More beautiful for the rose than any shoot.
وَكَذاand likewise عَلىto آسِthe myrtle of العِذارِcheek-down وَنَرجسٍand a narcissus
وَكَذا عَلى آسِ العِذارِ وَنَرجسٍ
فيin طَرفِهِhis gaze الوَسْنانdrowsy لَوeven if لَمdoes not يَنعسِdoze
في طَرفِهِ الوَسْنان لَو لَم يَنعسِ
And likewise to the myrtle of his cheek-down, and the narcissus
And likewise to the bending stem of a gazelle and a narcissus
in his drowsy gaze, even if he does not doze.
In whose eye is languor, even if it does not sleep.
فَأَلذُّfor the most delicious شربِdrinking of الراحِwine بَلindeed أَحلاهُits sweetest ماthat which
فَأَلذُّ شربِ الراحِ بَل أَحلاهُ ما
يَبدوappears عَلىbeside وَردِthe roses of الخُدودِthe cheeks وَنَرجسِand narcissus
يَبدو عَلى وَردِ الخُدودِ وَنَرجسِ
For the most delicious wine-drinking—indeed, the sweetest—is that which
For the sweetest tasting wine is what shows
is seen beside the roses of cheeks and narcissus eyes.
On the rose of cheeks and the narcissus.
فَإِذاand when تَمَكَّنtakes hold سُكرُهhis drunkenness فَبِثغرهِthen in his mouth
فَإِذا تَمَكَّن سُكرُه فَبِثغرهِ
ماءُthe water of الحَياةِlife إِلَيهto it بادِرْhasten وَاِحتَسِand drink
ماءُ الحَياةِ إِلَيه بادِرْ وَاِحتَسِ
When his drunkenness takes hold, in his mouth
So when its intoxication takes hold, kiss its mouth,
is the water of life: hasten to it and drink.
For from it the water of life—hasten and take!
فَلَئِنْso if indeed ظَفرتَyou obtain بِرَشفَةٍa sip مِنof ريقِهِhis saliva
فَلَئِنْ ظَفرتَ بِرَشفَةٍ مِن ريقِهِ
تَحياyou will live الدُّنىlifetimes وَلَكَand for you الرّدىdeath لَمwill not يمسَسِtouch
تَحيا الدُّنى وَلَكَ الرّدى لَم يمسَسِ
If you win a sip of his saliva,
If you gain a sip from its saliva,
you will live for ages, and death will not touch you.
You will live forever, and loss will not touch you.
وَاِنظُرand consider أَساليبَthe forms of المَدائِحِpraise راكِباًascending
وَاِنظُر أَساليبَ المَدائِحِ راكِباً
أَوجَthe pinnacle of البَلاغَةِeloquence وَالبديعِand rhetorical artistry الأَنفَسِthe most precious
أَوجَ البَلاغَةِ وَالبديعِ الأَنفَسِ
And consider the forms of praise, ascending
And look to the styles of eulogies riding
the pinnacle of eloquence and the choicest rhetorical artistry,
The sublime of eloquence and wit most excellent.
وَمُبالِغاًand going to great lengths مِنهاamong them بِمَدحِin praising أَخيthe possessor of العلىeminence
وَمُبالِغاً مِنها بِمَدحِ أَخي العلى
عَبدAbd (servant of) الغنيِّal-Ghani (the Self-Sufficient) الكيِّسِthe discerning اِبنِson of الكيّسِthe discerning
عَبد الغنيِّ الكيِّسِ اِبنِ الكيّسِ
and, among them, go to great lengths in praising the man of eminence,
And exaggerate in eulogizing my superior brother
Abd al-Ghani, discerning son of a discerning father.
Abdul Ghani, the clever son of the clever.
رَبّmaster of العلومِthe sciences أَخيpossessor of المَعارفِlearning مَنْone who لَهُto him
رَبّ العلومِ أَخي المَعارفِ مَنْ لَهُ
قَدindeed دانَhas submitted كلُّevery مؤلّفٍauthor ومدرّسِand teacher
قَد دانَ كلُّ مؤلّفٍ ومدرّسِ
Master of the sciences, possessor of learning, to whom
Lord of sciences, my brother of knowledge, one for whom
every author and teacher has submitted;
Every author and teacher has bowed in humility.
المُتقِنthe meticulous الثّقةthe trustworthy الصّدوقthe truthful أَخيpossessor of التّقىpiety
المُتقِن الثّقة الصّدوق أَخي التّقى
حَسنِsound in الحَديثِtransmitted reports وَلَمand not يَكُنwas بِمدلّسِa concealer of transmission sources
حَسنِ الحَديثِ وَلَم يَكُن بِمدلّسِ
the meticulous, trustworthy, truthful, pious man,
The reliable, the trusted, my pious brother,
sound in transmitted reports, never concealing his sources;
Of fair speech, and who was no trickster.
العالِمthe scholar الحَبرthe learned authority الفقيهthe jurist الشّافعيthe Shafi‘i
العالِم الحَبر الفقيه الشّافعي
بَحرan ocean لَدَيهِbeside him كلُّevery بَحرٍocean قَدindeed نُسيis forgotten
بَحر لَدَيهِ كلُّ بَحرٍ قَد نُسي
the scholar, learned authority, and Shafi‘i jurist,
The scholar, the expert, the jurist, the Shafi’ite,
an ocean beside whom every ocean is forgotten;
An ocean before which all oceans are forgotten.
مَولىًa lord هُمامresolute لَوذَعيّkeen-witted عِندَهُbefore him
مَولىً هُمام لَوذَعيّ عِندَهُ
أَهلُthe people of الفَضائِلِvirtues أَطرَقَتhave lowered بِالأَرؤُسِtheir heads
أَهلُ الفَضائِلِ أَطرَقَت بِالأَرؤُسِ
a lord, resolute and keen-witted, before whom
A protector, a zealot, with him
men of virtue have bowed their heads;
Are people of merit, heads bowed down.
الأَفخمthe grandest الشهمthe valiant المَهيبthe awe-inspiring أخوpossessor of العلىeminence
الأَفخم الشهم المَهيب أخو العلى
صدرُchief of الصدورchiefs بمحفلٍin an assembly وَبِمَجلِسِand in a gathering
صدرُ الصدور بمحفلٍ وَبِمَجلِسِ
the grand, valiant, awe-inspiring man of eminence,
The noblest, the proudest, the revered, brother of the Exalted,
chief of chiefs in assembly and gathering;
Chief of chiefs whether in an assembly or session.
الكامِلthe accomplished النّدْبthe gallant الوَجيهthe distinguished وَسامةًin handsomeness
الكامِل النّدْب الوَجيه وَسامةً
مَنْone who بالمحاسِنِin virtues والمَهابَةِand majesty يكتسيis clothed
مَنْ بالمحاسِنِ والمَهابَةِ يكتسي
accomplished, gallant, distinguished in handsome bearing,
The perfect, the excellent, the dignified, and one robed
clothed in virtues and majesty.
In virtues and awe-inspiring traits.
ماnever بانَhe appears فيamong أَقرانِهِhis peers إِلّاexcept that اِغتَدىhe becomes
ما بانَ في أَقرانِهِ إِلّا اِغتَدى
كالشَّمسِlike the sun ماemphatic particle بينamong الجواريthe coursing planets الكُنَّسِthat hide
كالشَّمسِ ما بين الجواري الكُنَّسِ
Whenever he appears among his peers, he becomes
None of his peers but tyrannized
like the sun among the planets that course and hide.
Like the sun amidst the prostrate stars.
لَمnot يُشبِهُوهُthey resembled him وَإِنّهand indeed he لَرئِيسُهمis surely their chief
لَم يُشبِهُوهُ وَإِنّه لَرئِيسُهم
لَيسَis not الرّئيسthe chief كَمِثلlike مَنone who لَمhas not يَرئسِled
لَيسَ الرّئيس كَمِثل مَن لَم يَرئسِ
They do not resemble him; he is indeed their chief.
They did not resemble him, yet he is their chief,
A chief is not like one who has never led.
A chief is not like one who did not preside!
ربmaster of الفصاحةfluency والبلاغةand eloquence والذكاand intelligence
رب الفصاحة والبلاغة والذكا
شُوسُthe defiant ones of القوافيrhymes طوعَهat his command لمdo not تشرسgrow unruly
شُوسُ القوافي طوعَه لم تشرس
Master of fluency, eloquence, and intelligence,
Lord of eloquence, rhetoric, and wisdom
the defiant rhymes obey him, never becoming unruly.
Wild poetic meters obey him and do not revolt.
أَزرىput to shame بَديعُthe wondrous artistry of قَريضِهِhis verse وَبليغِهِand its eloquence
أَزرى بَديعُ قَريضِهِ وَبليغِهِ
بِقَريضِthe verse of سَحبانٍSahban وَبِالمُتَلمّسِand al-Mutalammis
بِقَريضِ سَحبانٍ وَبِالمُتَلمّسِ
His wondrous, eloquent verse puts to shame
Peerless is his poetry and his eloquence
the verse of Sahban and al-Mutalammis.
Unlike the poems of Suhayban or the contrived.
لَوif أَنّهُthat it was so طَرَقتhad reached مَسامعthe ears of يَعربٍYa‘rub
لَو أَنّهُ طَرَقت مَسامع يَعربٍ
أَلفاظُهُhis words لَوَصفتهُwould have called him بِالأَخرسِmute
أَلفاظُهُ لَوَصفتهُ بِالأَخرسِ
Had there reached the ears of Ya‘rub
If his words had reached the hearing of an Arab
his words, they would have called him mute.
He would have described it as dumbstruck.
ياO أَيّهاyou النَّدْبُgallant man الفريدُunrivaled نَباهةًin eminence
يا أَيّها النَّدْبُ الفريدُ نَباهةً
بِكَمالِwith perfection in إِتقانٍmastery وَحُسنِand excellence of تفرُّسِdiscernment
بِكَمالِ إِتقانٍ وَحُسنِ تفرُّسِ
O gallant man, unrivaled in eminence,
O you unique paragon in perfection
in perfect mastery and keen discernment,
And excellent investigation and perception!
أَهدَيتَنيyou gifted me بِخَريدَةٍwith a maiden حَسناءَbeautiful مِنfrom
أَهدَيتَني بِخَريدَةٍ حَسناءَ مِن
نفَسٍa breath عليٍّlofty طاهرٍpure وَمُقدَّسِand sacred
نفَسٍ عليٍّ طاهرٍ وَمُقدَّسِ
you gifted me a lovely maiden, born of
You gifted me a precious pearl
a lofty, pure, and sacred breath.
From a sublime, pure, and sacred soul.
غَيداءَlithe بِكرٍa virgin غادَةa graceful maiden رُعبوبَةsoft and tender
غَيداءَ بِكرٍ غادَة رُعبوبَة
فيin غَيرِother than فِكركyour thought مِثلهاher like لَمnever يهجسِstirred
في غَيرِ فِكرك مِثلها لَم يهجسِ
A lithe virgin, a graceful, tender beauty,
A witty, eloquent virgin, tender, enchanting,
whose like never stirred in any mind but yours.
The like of which no mind conceived.
ماnot مِثلهاher like تَلدُgive birth to القَرائِحcreative minds غادةًa maiden
ما مِثلها تَلدُ القَرائِح غادةً
تَسْبيcaptivates العُقولَminds لَدىamid اِبتِهاجِthe delight of الأنّسِfellowship
تَسْبي العُقولَ لَدى اِبتِهاجِ الأنّسِ
No creative minds beget a maiden like her,
None created by intellects are born so eloquent
who captivates minds amid the delight of fellowship.
As to captivate minds in intimate company.
تَكسيclothes الفَصاحَةَfluency وَالبَلاغَةَand eloquence حُلَّةًin a robe
تَكسي الفَصاحَةَ وَالبَلاغَةَ حُلَّةً
نَسجthe weaving of البديعrhetorical artistry لِغَيرهاfor anyone besides her لمhas not تلبسِbeen worn
نَسج البديع لِغَيرها لم تلبسِ
She clothes fluency and eloquence in a robe
It wears the raiment of eloquence and rhetoric
woven by rhetorical artistry, worn by none but her.
Whose dress the ornate never wove for another.
نِعمَhow excellent الفَصاحةfluency وَالبلاغةand eloquence حُلّةًas a robe
نِعمَ الفَصاحة وَالبلاغة حُلّةً
أَندِرْhow rare بِهاit is مِنas حلّةٍa robe فيamong المَلبَسِgarments
أَندِرْ بِها مِن حلّةٍ في المَلبَسِ
How fine a robe are fluency and eloquence!
What an excellent raiment of eloquence and rhetoric!
How rare a garment it is among all attire!
I know no raiment like it in apparel.
أَخْدَمْتهاI gave her a servant مِنfrom فِكرَتيmy thought بِوَليدةٍa handmaid
أَخْدَمْتها مِن فِكرَتي بِوَليدةٍ
تكسىclothed in العَباءةthe cloak لاnot شفوفَsheer fabrics of السندسِfine silk
تكسى العَباءة لا شفوفَ السندسِ
I have given her, from my own thought, a handmaid,
I served it with an ode from my mind
clad in a cloak, not sheer fabrics of fine silk.
That wears the gown, not veils of satin.
سُمْهاvalue her بِحُسنِwith fairness in السَّومِvaluation وَاِجبُرand mend قَلبَهاher heart
سُمْها بِحُسنِ السَّومِ وَاِجبُر قَلبَها
لاdo not تَبخَسَنْever undervalue أَشياءَهاher goods لاdo not تبخَسِundervalue
لا تَبخَسَنْ أَشياءَها لا تبخَسِ
Value her fairly, and mend her heart;
Name it with a good name, and mend its heart,
do not undervalue her wares—do not undervalue them.
Do not slight its qualities, do not slight!
وَاِنظُرand look إِلَيهاupon her بِالقّبولِwith acceptance تَفضُّلاًas a kindness
وَاِنظُر إِلَيها بِالقّبولِ تَفضُّلاً
إِنّindeed القَبولَacceptance لَهاfor her أَجلّthe greatest مونّسِcomforter
إِنّ القَبولَ لَها أَجلّ مونّسِ
Look upon her with acceptance, as a kindness;
And look upon it with acceptance and favor,
acceptance is her greatest comforter.
For acceptance for it is a most loving companion.
وَاِخلَعand bestow علَيهاupon her منّةًas a favor خِلَعَrobes of الرِّضاapproval
وَاِخلَع علَيها منّةً خِلَعَ الرِّضا
منكَfrom you الرّضاءapproval أَجَلُّthe finest شَيءٍthing تكتسيshe wears
منكَ الرّضاء أَجَلُّ شَيءٍ تكتسي
Bestow upon her, as a favor, the robes of approval;
And bestow upon it the robe of pleasure
your approval is the finest thing she can wear.
For your pleasure is the finest thing it wears.
وَاِسلَمand be safe وَدُمand endure بِالعزِّin glory مِنfrom فَلَكِthe sphere of العلىeminence
وَاِسلَم وَدُم بِالعزِّ مِن فَلَكِ العلى
فيat ذَروَةِthe summit of الفلكِthe sphere الرّفيعِlofty الأَطلَسِstarless
في ذَروَةِ الفلكِ الرّفيعِ الأَطلَسِ
Remain safe, and endure with glory from the sphere of eminence,
And submit to and stay in the orbit of the Exalted,
at the summit of the lofty, starless sphere,
At the pinnacle of the lofty and high sphere.
ماas long as اللّيلnight جاءَcomes وَماand as long as الظّلامdarkness يَحلّهinhabits it
ما اللّيل جاءَ وَما الظّلام يَحلّه
ماas long as الفجرdawn قَدindeed يَمحوerases ظَلامَthe darkness of الحِنْدسِdeepest night
ما الفجر قَد يَمحو ظَلامَ الحِنْدسِ
as long as night comes and darkness inhabits it,
Neither has night arrived nor darkness covered it
as long as dawn erases the gloom of deepest night,
Nor has dawn come to erase the darkness of loss.
ماas long as هَبَّblows ريحٌa wind ماas long as تَغنَّىsings بلبلٌa nightingale
ما هَبَّ ريحٌ ما تَغنَّى بلبلٌ
ماas long as ماسَsways غُصنٌa bough بِالقوامِwith a form الأملسِsmooth
ما ماسَ غُصنٌ بِالقوامِ الأملسِ
as long as a wind blows and a nightingale sings,
Neither has a wind blown nor a nightingale sung
as long as a bough sways with its smooth form,
Nor a bough touched with flexuous stature.
ماas long as فيin اِمتِداحِكَpraising you طابَis sweet خَتمُthe ending of قَصيدَةٍa poem
ما في اِمتِداحِكَ طابَ خَتمُ قَصيدَةٍ
كَالمِسكِlike musk فاحَwafts مُطيِّباًperfuming لِلأَنفسِsouls
كَالمِسكِ فاحَ مُطيِّباً لِلأَنفسِ
as long as a poem's ending is sweet in praising you,
Nor in praising you did the seal of a poem find goodness
wafting like musk, perfuming souls.
Fragrant as musk perfuming souls.
Sol 6.1