طَرَقَcame by night الخَيالُthe phantom فَهاجَand stirred ليfor me بَلبالاturmoil
طَرَقَ الخَيالُ فَهاجَ لي بَلبالا
أَهدىbrought إِلَيَّto me صَبابَةًyearning وَخَبالاand madness
أَهدى إِلَيَّ صَبابَةً وَخَبالا
The phantom came by night and stirred my turmoil,
Bringing me yearning and madness.
أَنّىhow اِهتَدىfound its way حَتّىuntil أَتانيit came to me زائِراًvisiting
أَنّى اِهتَدى حَتّى أَتاني زائِراً
مُتَنَكِّراًdisguised يَتَعَسَّفُtraversing blindly الأَهوالاterrors
مُتَنَكِّراً يَتَعَسَّفُ الأَهوالا
How did it find its way to visit me,
Disguised, blindly traversing terrors?
بِأَبيmay my father ransom وَأُمّيand my mother مَنthe one طَلَبتُI sought نَوالَهُhis favor
بِأَبي وَأُمّي مَن طَلَبتُ نَوالَهُ
إِذwhen زارَنيhe visited me فَأَبىthen refused عَلَيَّme دَلالاout of coyness
إِذ زارَني فَأَبى عَلَيَّ دَلالا
May my father and mother ransom the one whose favor I sought,
Who visited me, then coyly refused me.
لَوif أَنَّهُthat he خَلَطَmingled الدَلالَcoyness بِنائِلٍwith a gift
لَو أَنَّهُ خَلَطَ الدَلالَ بِنائِلٍ
فَأَنالَناand granted us كانَwould have been الدَلّالُthe coyness حَلالاlawful
فَأَنالَنا كانَ الدَلّالُ حَلالا
Had he mingled coyness with a gift,
And granted us his favor, that coyness would have been lawful.
بارَزتُهُI challenged him وَسِلاحُهُand his weapon خَلخالُهُhis anklet
بارَزتُهُ وَسِلاحُهُ خَلخالُهُ
حَتّىuntil فَضَضتُI broke بِكَفِّيَwith my palm الخَلخالاthe anklet
حَتّى فَضَضتُ بِكَفِّيَ الخَلخالا
I challenged him, his anklet his weapon,
Until I broke that anklet with my palm.
هَذاthis الخَيالُthe phantom فَكَيفَso how ليfor me بِمُنَعَّمٍwith a pampered one
هَذا الخَيالُ فَكَيفَ لي بِمُنَعَّمٍ
رودِtender in الشَبابِyouth تَخالُهُyou would think him تِمثالاa statue
رودِ الشَبابِ تَخالُهُ تِمثالا
Such was the phantom—how could I attain the pampered one,
Tender in youth, whom you would take for a statue?
صَمَتَتfell silent خَلاخِلُهُhis anklets وَغَصَّand was choked سِوارُهُhis bracelet
صَمَتَت خَلاخِلُهُ وَغَصَّ سِوارُهُ
وَالقُلبُand his armlet وَاِضطَرَبَand quivered الوِشاحُthe sash وَجالاand swayed
وَالقُلبُ وَاِضطَرَبَ الوِشاحُ وَجالا
His anklets fell silent, his bracelet was choked,
And his armlet too; his sash quivered and swayed.
ماnot زالَceased يَدعونيbeckoning me بِمُقلَةِwith the eye of ساحِرٍa sorcerer
ما زالَ يَدعوني بِمُقلَةِ ساحِرٍ
مِنهُof his وَيَنصِبُand setting لِلفُؤادِfor the heart حِبالاsnares
مِنهُ وَيَنصِبُ لِلفُؤادِ حِبالا
He kept beckoning me with a sorcerer's eye
Of his, and setting snares for my heart,
حَتّىuntil خَضَعتُI yielded لِحُبِّهِto his love فَاِقتادَنيand he led me captive
حَتّى خَضَعتُ لِحُبِّهِ فَاِقتادَني
وَأَذَلَّنيand abased me بِصُدودِهِby his rejection إِذلالاutter abasement
وَأَذَلَّني بِصُدودِهِ إِذلالا
Until I yielded to his love, and he led me captive,
Utterly abasing me with his aversion.
جَلَبتdrew forth دُموعيmy tears عَبرَةٌa sob مِنfrom زَفرَةٍa sigh
جَلَبت دُموعي عَبرَةٌ مِن زَفرَةٍ
شَجَتِwounded الفُؤادَthe heart فَأَسبَلَتthen let stream إِسبالاa free flow
شَجَتِ الفُؤادَ فَأَسبَلَت إِسبالا
A sob born of a sigh drew forth my tears;
It wounded the heart and sent them streaming.
كَسَبَتwon لِقَلبيfor my heart نَظرَةًa glance لِتَسُرَّهُto delight it
كَسَبَت لِقَلبي نَظرَةً لِتَسُرَّهُ
عَينيmy eye فَكانَتbut it became شَقوَةًmisery وَوَبالاand ruin
عَيني فَكانَت شَقوَةً وَوَبالا
A glance was won for my heart, to delight it,
By my eye; yet it proved misery and ruin.
ماnot مَرَّpassed بيover me شَيءٌanything أَشَدُّharsher مِنَthan الهَوىlove
ما مَرَّ بي شَيءٌ أَشَدُّ مِنَ الهَوى
سُبحانَglory to مَنthe One who خَلَقَcreated الهَوىlove وَتَعالىand is exalted
سُبحانَ مَن خَلَقَ الهَوى وَتَعالى
Nothing I have suffered is harsher than love.
Glory to Him who created love—exalted is He!
ياah رُبَّmany a خِدنٍcompanion قَدindeed قَرَعتُI struck جَبينَهُhis forehead
يا رُبَّ خِدنٍ قَد قَرَعتُ جَبينَهُ
بِالطاسِwith the bowl وَالإِبريقِand the pitcher حَتّىuntil مالاhe reeled
بِالطاسِ وَالإِبريقِ حَتّى مالا
Ah, many a companion whose forehead I struck
With bowl and pitcher, until he reeled.
أَنهَضتُهُI raised him مِنfrom بَعدِafter ماthat أَسكَرتُهُI made him drunk
أَنهَضتُهُ مِن بَعدِ ما أَسكَرتُهُ
فَمَشىthen he walked كَأَنَّas though بِرِجلِهِin his leg عُقّالاa crippling cramp
فَمَشى كَأَنَّ بِرِجلِهِ عُقّالا
I raised him after making him drunk,
And he walked as though his leg were seized by cramp.
وَمُهَذَّبينَand refined men أَكارِمٍnoble givers لاnot كارِمٍone generous man
وَمُهَذَّبينَ أَكارِمٍ لا كارِمٍ
أُدَباءَcultured men حازواwho attained نَجدَةًcourage وَكَمالاand perfection
أُدَباءَ حازوا نَجدَةً وَكَمالا
And refined men, noble givers—not merely one—
Cultured men who attained courage and perfection.
ثارواthey sprang up إِلىto صَفقِmixing الشَمولِthe wine فَأَشعَلواand kindled
ثاروا إِلى صَفقِ الشَمولِ فَأَشعَلوا
نَيرانَthe fires of حَربِthe battle of كُؤوسِهاits cups إِشعالاa blazing
نَيرانَ حَربِ كُؤوسِها إِشعالا
They sprang to mixing the wine and kindled
The fires of battle among its cups.
بَوَّأتُهُمI lodged them غُرَفاًin chambers جَعَلتُI made تُرابَهاtheir dust
بَوَّأتُهُم غُرَفاً جَعَلتُ تُرابَها
مَدَرَclods of العَبيرِblended perfume وَعَنبَراًand ambergris قَسطالاfine dust
مَدَرَ العَبيرِ وَعَنبَراً قَسطالا
I lodged them in chambers whose dust I made
Clods of blended perfume and powdery ambergris.
وَخَلَواand secluded themselves بِأَنواعِwith kinds of النَعيمِbliss وَلَذَّةٍand pleasure
وَخَلَوا بِأَنواعِ النَعيمِ وَلَذَّةٍ
دامَتlasted وَعَيشٍand a life ماnot يُريدُwishes زَوالاan end
دامَت وَعَيشٍ ما يُريدُ زَوالا
They secluded themselves with every kind of bliss, with pleasure
That lasted, and a life unwilling to depart.
فيin مَجلِسٍa gathering-place بَينَamong الكُرومِthe vines مُظَلَّلٍshaded
في مَجلِسٍ بَينَ الكُرومِ مُظَلَّلٍ
جُعِلَتwere made لَهُfor it أَغصانُهُنَّtheir branches ظِلالاshades
جُعِلَت لَهُ أَغصانُهُنَّ ظِلالا
In a shaded gathering-place among the vines,
Whose branches had been made its canopy.
وَلَدَيهِمُand beside them حورُwide-eyed beauties of القِيانِthe singing girls كَأَنَّهاas though they were
وَلَدَيهِمُ حورُ القِيانِ كَأَنَّها
غِزلانُgazelles of وَحشٍthe wild يَرتَعينَgrazing on رِمالاsands
غِزلانُ وَحشٍ يَرتَعينَ رِمالا
Beside them were wide-eyed singing girls, like
Wild gazelles grazing on the sands.
قَدindeed حازَhad obtained كُلُّevery فَتىًyoung man لَدَيهِbeside him غادَةًa graceful girl
قَد حازَ كُلُّ فَتىً لَدَيهِ غادَةً
رُودَtender in الشَبابِyouth خَريدَةًa shy virgin مِعطالاunadorned
رُودَ الشَبابِ خَريدَةً مِعطالا
Each young man had secured a graceful girl beside him,
Tender in youth, a shy virgin without adornment,
مَمكورَةًrounded-limbed عَجزاءَfull-hipped مُضمَرَةَslender in الحَشىthe waist
مَمكورَةً عَجزاءَ مُضمَرَةَ الحَشى
قَدindeed حُمِّلَتshe was laden مِنfrom رِدفِهاher haunches أَثقالاheavy burdens
قَد حُمِّلَت مِن رِدفِها أَثقالا
Rounded-limbed, full-hipped, slender-waisted,
Laden with the heavy fullness of her haunches.
كَالشَمسِlike the sun تُبصِرُyou see وَجهَهُhis face فيin وَجهِهاher face
كَالشَمسِ تُبصِرُ وَجهَهُ في وَجهِها
تَمشيshe walks فَتَسحَبُand trails خَلفَهاbehind her أَذيالاskirts
تَمشي فَتَسحَبُ خَلفَها أَذيالا
Like the sun—you see his face in hers;
She walks, trailing her skirts behind her.
لِلقَصفِfor revelry مُتَّكِئينَreclining فَوقَupon نَمارِقٍcushions
لِلقَصفِ مُتَّكِئينَ فَوقَ نَمارِقٍ
يُسقَونَthey are served بِالطاسِin the bowl الرَحيقَpure wine زُلالاclear
يُسقَونَ بِالطاسِ الرَحيقَ زُلالا
Reclining for revelry upon cushions,
They are served clear, pure wine in bowls.
فَإِذاand when نَظَرتَyou look رَأَيتَyou see قَوماًmen سادَةًnoble lords
فَإِذا نَظَرتَ رَأَيتَ قَوماً سادَةً
وَنَجابَةًand nobility وَمَهابَةًand majesty وَجَمالاand beauty
وَنَجابَةً وَمَهابَةً وَجَمالا
When you look, you see noble lords,
And nobility, majesty, and beauty.
رَكِبواthey mounted المُدامَthe wine فَأَدبَرَتand it went away بِهِمُwith them عَلىalong
رَكِبوا المُدامَ فَأَدبَرَت بِهِمُ عَلى
سُبُلِthe paths of السُرورِjoy وَأَقبَلَتand came forward إِقبالاa coming forward
سُبُلِ السُرورِ وَأَقبَلَت إِقبالا
They mounted wine, which bore them away along
The paths of joy, then came sweeping back.
وَلَدَيهُمُand with them كَرخِيَّةٌwine of Karkh شَمسِيَّةٌsunlike
وَلَدَيهُمُ كَرخِيَّةٌ شَمسِيَّةٌ
قَدindeed خُلِّيَتit was left فيin دَنِّهاits wine-jar أَحوالاyears
قَد خُلِّيَت في دَنِّها أَحوالا
With them was a sunlike wine from Karkh,
Left in its wine-jar for years.
حَتّىuntil إِذاwhen بَلَغَتit matured وَحانَand came the time of خِطابُهاits wooing
حَتّى إِذا بَلَغَت وَحانَ خِطابُها
ساوَمتُI bargained with صاحِبَهاits owner البَياعَthe dealer فَغالىbut he overcharged
ساوَمتُ صاحِبَها البَياعَ فَغالى
When it matured and the time came to seek its hand,
I bargained with its owner, the dealer, but he asked too much.
مازالَhe persisted حَتّىuntil حُزتُهاI obtained it وَخَدَعتُهُand outwitted him
مازالَ حَتّى حُزتُها وَخَدَعتُهُ
وَلَقَدand indeed أَطَلتُI prolonged عَلىover الخِداعِthe deception جِدالاargument
وَلَقَد أَطَلتُ عَلى الخِداعِ جِدالا
He persisted until I obtained it and outwitted him;
Long indeed I argued, working my deception.
وَأَمَرتُand I ordered جالوتَJalut of اليَهودِthe Jews بِقَبضِهاto collect it
وَأَمَرتُ جالوتَ اليَهودِ بِقَبضِها
وَاِبتَعتُهاand I bought it فَبَذَلتُand spent فيهاon it مالاmoney
وَاِبتَعتُها فَبَذَلتُ فيها مالا
I ordered Jalut of the Jews to collect it,
And bought it, spending money on it.
لَمnot توطَwas it trodden فيin حَوضٍa vat وَلَكِنbut خُلِّيَتit was left
لَم توطَ في حَوضٍ وَلَكِن خُلِّيَت
حَتّىuntil جَرىflowed مِنهاfrom it السُلافُthe free-run juice فَسالاand streamed
حَتّى جَرى مِنها السُلافُ فَسالا
It was not trodden in a vat, but left alone
Until the free-run juice flowed from it and streamed.
خَلَّيتُهاI left it وَسطَamid الحِجالِbridal chambers وَلمand not تَكُنthere were
خَلَّيتُها وَسطَ الحِجالِ وَلم تَكُن
إِلّاexcept الكُرومِthe vines لَهاfor it هُناكَthere حِجالاbridal chambers
إِلّا الكُرومِ لَها هُناكَ حِجالا
I left it amid bridal chambers, though
Its only bridal chambers there were the vines.
وَخَزَّنتُهاand I stored it فيin دَنِّهاits wine-jar وَكَسَوتُهُand clothed it
وَخَزَّنتُها في دَنِّها وَكَسَوتُهُ
مِنin خَيشِsackcloth of مِصرٍEgypt وَالعَباءِand cloak-cloth جِلالاcoverings
مِن خَيشِ مِصرٍ وَالعَباءِ جِلالا
I stored it in its wine-jar and clothed the jar
In coverings of Egyptian sackcloth and coarse cloak-cloth.
حَتّىuntil إِذاwhen قَرُبَتdrew near بِهِfor it آجالُهُits appointed ends
حَتّى إِذا قَرُبَت بِهِ آجالُهُ
وَلَوand if اِستَطاعَit could لَباعَدَit would put off الآجالاthe appointed ends
وَلَو اِستَطاعَ لَباعَدَ الآجالا
Until, when the jar's appointed end drew near—
Though, had it been able, it would have deferred its end—
فَطَعَنتُthen I pierced سُرَّتَهُits navel فَسالَand flowed دِماؤُهاher blood
فَطَعَنتُ سُرَّتَهُ فَسالَ دِماؤُها
فَبَزَلتُهاand I tapped it فيinto المُذهَباتِgilded cups بَزالاa tapping
فَبَزَلتُها في المُذهَباتِ بَزالا
I pierced its navel, and her blood flowed,
And tapped her freely into gilded cups.
وَكَأَنَّماand as though الساقيthe cupbearer لَدىbeside إِبريقِهِhis pitcher
وَكَأَنَّما الساقي لَدى إِبريقِهِ
بَدرٌa full moon أَنارَshone ضِياؤُهُits radiance فَتلالاand glittered
بَدرٌ أَنارَ ضِياؤُهُ فَتلالا
The cupbearer beside his pitcher seemed
A full moon whose radiance shone and glittered.
يَسقيكَhe serves you بِالعَينَينِwith his eyes كَأسَa cup of صَبابَةٍyearning
يَسقيكَ بِالعَينَينِ كَأسَ صَبابَةٍ
وَيُعيدُهاand serves it again مِنfrom كَفِّهِhis hand جِربالاcrimson wine
وَيُعيدُها مِن كَفِّهِ جِربالا
With his eyes he serves you a cup of yearning,
Then serves it again from his hand as crimson wine.
وَلَناand for us بِهِthrough him كَأساtwo cups of هَوىًpassion كِلتاهُماboth of them
وَلَنا بِهِ كَأسا هَوىً كِلتاهُما
توهيweaken القِوىstrength وَتُفَتِّرُand slacken الأَوصالاthe limbs
توهي القِوى وَتُفَتِّرُ الأَوصالا
Through him we have two cups of passion, both
Weakening our strength and slackening our limbs.
إِبريقُناour ewer سَلَبَstole الغَزالَةَthe doe جيدَهاher neck
إِبريقُنا سَلَبَ الغَزالَةَ جيدَها
وَحَكىand resembled المُديرُthe cupbearer بِمُقلَتَيهِwith his eyes غَزالاa gazelle
وَحَكى المُديرُ بِمُقلَتَيهِ غَزالا
Our ewer stole the doe's neck,
And the cupbearer, with his eyes, resembled a gazelle.
بَيناwhile نَرىwe see الساقيthe cupbearer بِأَحسَنِin the finest حالَةٍcondition
بَينا نَرى الساقي بِأَحسَنِ حالَةٍ
إِذsuddenly مَدَّhe stretched حَبلاًa rope لِلفِرارِfor escape طِوالاlong
إِذ مَدَّ حَبلاً لِلفِرارِ طِوالا
While we saw the cupbearer in the finest condition,
Suddenly he stretched a long rope of escape.
نادَيتُهُI called to him اِرجِعcome back لاmay I not عَدِمتُكَlose you فَاِسقِناand pour for us
نادَيتُهُ اِرجِع لا عَدِمتُكَ فَاِسقِنا
وَاِرفِقand be gentle بِكَأسِكَwith your cup لاdo not تَكُنbe مِعجالاhasty
وَاِرفِق بِكَأسِكَ لا تَكُن مِعجالا
I called, 'Come back—may I never lose you! Pour for us,
And be gentle with your cup; do not be hasty.
نَفسيmy life فِداؤُكَyour ransom مِنas a صَريعِvictim of مُدامَةٍwine
نَفسي فِداؤُكَ مِن صَريعِ مُدامَةٍ
مالَتinclined بِهامَتِهِhis head الكُؤوسُthe cups فَمالاand he swayed
مالَت بِهامَتِهِ الكُؤوسُ فَمالا
My life be your ransom, you wine-stricken one,
Whose head the cups inclined, until he swayed.'
فَمَضىand he went on عَلىon غُلَوائِهِhis headlong course مُتَحَيِّراًbewildered
فَمَضى عَلى غُلَوائِهِ مُتَحَيِّراً
سُكراًwith drunkenness وَماand not أَلقىhe gave لِقَولِيَto my words بالاattention
سُكراً وَما أَلقى لِقَولِيَ بالا
Yet he pressed on in his headlong course, bewildered
With drunkenness, paying no heed to my words.
هَذاthis النَعيمُbliss فَكَيفَso how ليfor me بِدَوامِهِto secure its permanence
هَذا النَعيمُ فَكَيفَ لي بِدَوامِهِ
أَنّىhow يَدومُcan it last وَعَيشُهُwhen its life قَدalready زالاhas vanished
أَنّى يَدومُ وَعَيشُهُ قَد زالا
Such is bliss—how could I make it last?
How can it last, when its life has already vanished?
أَصبَحتُI have become كَالثَوبِlike the garment اللِبيسِwell-worn قَدalready أَخلَقَتhave worn out
أَصبَحتُ كَالثَوبِ اللِبيسِ قَد أَخلَقَت
جِدّاتُهُits fresh parts مِنهُof it فَعادَand it became مُذالاdebased
جِدّاتُهُ مِنهُ فَعادَ مُذالا
I have become like a well-worn garment, worn out;
Its freshness is gone, and it has become a castoff.
وَبَقيتُand I remain كَالرَجُلِlike the man المُدَلَّهِbewildered in عَقلُهُhis reason
وَبَقيتُ كَالرَجُلِ المُدَلَّهِ عَقلُهُ
أَشكوI lament الزَمانَtime وَأَضرِبُand utter الأَمثالاparables
أَشكو الزَمانَ وَأَضرِبُ الأَمثالا
I remain like a man whose reason is bewildered,
Complaining of time and speaking in parables.
سالَمتُI made peace with عُذّاليmy reproachers فَآبواand they returned بِالرِضىwith contentment
سالَمتُ عُذّالي فَآبوا بِالرِضى
مِنّيwith me وَكُنتُthough I used to أُحارِبُfight العُذّالاthe reproachers
مِنّي وَكُنتُ أُحارِبُ العُذّالا
I made peace with my reproachers; they returned content
With me, though once I fought my reproachers.
وَلَقَدand indeed عَلِمتُI knew بِأَنَّهُthat ماnot مِنany فَتىًyoung man
وَلَقَد عَلِمتُ بِأَنَّهُ ما مِن فَتىً
إِلّاexcept سَيُبدَلُhe will be given بَعدَafter حالٍone state حالاanother state
إِلّا سَيُبدَلُ بَعدَ حالٍ حالا
I know indeed that there is no young man
Who will not be shifted from one state to another.
لَمّاwhen رَأَيتُI saw الناسَpeople قَدhad تَرَكواabandoned العُلىlofty aims
لَمّا رَأَيتُ الناسَ قَد تَرَكوا العُلى
بُخلاًout of stinginess وَبَعضُهُمُand some of them يُريدُseek سَفالاbaseness
بُخلاً وَبَعضُهُمُ يُريدُ سَفالا
When I saw that people had abandoned lofty aims
Out of stinginess, while some sought baseness,
رُعتُI awed الزَمانَtime بِسَيِّدٍwith a lord مِنfrom وائِلٍWa'il
رُعتُ الزَمانَ بِسَيِّدٍ مِن وائِلٍ
وَاِحتَلتُand devised a defense لِلحَدثانِagainst calamity لَمّاwhen غالاit assailed
وَاِحتَلتُ لِلحَدثانِ لَمّا غالا
I struck fear into time with a lord of Wa'il,
And devised a defense against calamity when it assailed me.
فَأَتَيتُso I came to قَوماًa people مِنof حَنيفَةَHanifa لَمnot يَزَلhe ceased
فَأَتَيتُ قَوماً مِن حَنيفَةَ لَم يَزَل
يُعطيgiving يَميناًto the right مَرَّةًat one time وَشِمالاand to the left
يُعطي يَميناً مَرَّةً وَشِمالا
So I came to a people of Hanifa; he never ceased
Giving, now to the right, now to the left.
فَإِذاand when الرِجالُmen رَأَتهُsaw him يَوماًone day بارِزاًappearing
فَإِذا الرِجالُ رَأَتهُ يَوماً بارِزاً
أَغضَتthey lowered لَهُbefore him أَبصارَهاtheir eyes إِجلالاin reverence
أَغضَت لَهُ أَبصارَها إِجلالا
Whenever men saw him appear,
They lowered their eyes before him in reverence.
ذاكَthat is الَّذيthe one who قَمَعَsubdued الزَمانَtime بِعِزَّةٍwith might
ذاكَ الَّذي قَمَعَ الزَمانَ بِعِزَّةٍ
وَعَلاand overcame بِسَيفِwith the sword of أَمانِهِhis protection الزَلزَلاupheaval
وَعَلا بِسَيفِ أَمانِهِ الزَلزَلا
He is the one who subdued time with might,
And overcame upheaval with the sword of his protection.
غَلَبَhe surpassed الرِياحَthe winds فَماso not تَهُبُّthey blow بِبابِهِat his door
غَلَبَ الرِياحَ فَما تَهُبُّ بِبابِهِ
يَوماًever إِذاwhen هَبَّتthey blow صَباًas an east wind وَشَمالاand a north wind
يَوماً إِذا هَبَّت صَباً وَشَمالا
He surpassed the winds, so none blows at his door
Ever, whether east wind or north wind.
وَلَوand if أَنَّindeed فيin كِبدِthe heart of السَماءِheaven فَضيلَةًa virtue
وَلَو أَنَّ في كِبدِ السَماءِ فَضيلَةً
لَسَماhe would rise لَهاto it زَيدُZayd الجَوادُthe generous فَنالاand attain it
لَسَما لَها زَيدُ الجَوادُ فَنالا
If there were a virtue in the very heart of heaven,
Zayd the generous would rise to it and attain it.
باقٍenduring عَلىdespite حَدَثِthe blows of الزَمانِtime كَأَنَّهُas though he were
باقٍ عَلى حَدَثِ الزَمانِ كَأَنَّهُ
ذوpossessing رَونَقٍa luster عَضبٌa keen sword أَجيدَmade excellent صِقالاin polishing
ذو رَونَقٍ عَضبٌ أَجيدَ صِقالا
Enduring despite time's blows, he is like
A gleaming, keen-edged sword, finely polished.
تَلقاهُyou meet him فيin الحَربِwar العَوانِrenewed مُشَمِّراًgirded for action
تَلقاهُ في الحَربِ العَوانِ مُشَمِّراً
كَاللَيثِlike the lion يَجمَعُgathering حَولَهُaround him أَشبالاcubs
كَاللَيثِ يَجمَعُ حَولَهُ أَشبالا
You meet him in renewed battle, girded for action,
Like a lion gathering his cubs around him.
حَزِنَتgrieved بِلادُthe lands of الفُرسِPersia ثُمَّتَthen أَعوَلَتwailed
حَزِنَت بِلادُ الفُرسِ ثُمَّتَ أَعوَلَت
شَوقاًin longing إِلَيهِfor him بَعدَهُafter him إِعوالاin loud lament
شَوقاً إِلَيهِ بَعدَهُ إِعوالا
The lands of Persia grieved, then raised a wail
Of longing for him after he had gone.
وَتَرَحَّلَتand departed مَعَهُwith him المَكارِمُnoble virtues كُلُّهاall of them
وَتَرَحَّلَت مَعَهُ المَكارِمُ كُلُّها
لَمّاwhen أَجَدَّhe became resolved فَأَزمَعَand determined on التَرحالاdeparture
لَمّا أَجَدَّ فَأَزمَعَ التَرحالا
All noble virtues departed with him
When he grew resolved and determined to depart.
ياO زَيدَZayd of آلِthe house of يَزيدَYazid ذِكرُكَyour renown سُؤدَدٌnobility
يا زَيدَ آلِ يَزيدَ ذِكرُكَ سُؤدَدٌ
باقٍenduring وَقُربُكَand your presence يَطرُدُdrives away الأَمحالاdroughts
باقٍ وَقُربُكَ يَطرُدُ الأَمحالا
O Zayd of the house of Yazid, your renown is nobility
That endures; your presence drives away droughts.
ماnot مِنany فَتىًyoung man إِلّاexcept وَأَنتَand you تَطولُهُsurpass him
ما مِن فَتىً إِلّا وَأَنتَ تَطولُهُ
شَرَفاًin honor وَإِنeven if عَزَّgrow mighty الرِجالُmen فَطالاand rise high
شَرَفاً وَإِن عَزَّ الرِجالُ فَطالا
There is no young man whom you do not surpass
In honor, however mighty and lofty men become.
نَفَحاتُbountiful wafts of كَفِّكَyour hand ياO ذُؤابَةَcrest of وائِلٍWa'il
نَفَحاتُ كَفِّكَ يا ذُؤابَةَ وائِلٍ
تَرَكَتhave made عَلَيكَupon you الراغِبينَpetitioners عِيالاdependents
تَرَكَت عَلَيكَ الراغِبينَ عِيالا
Breezes of bounty from your hand, O crest of Wa'il,
Have made all petitioners your dependents.
الناسُpeople فيin سَلمٍpeace وَأَنتَwhile you تَكَرُّماًout of generosity
الناسُ في سَلمٍ وَأَنتَ تَكَرُّماً
لِلمُعتَفينَfor seekers of bounty تَحارِبُbattle الأَهوالاterrors
لِلمُعتَفينَ تَحارِبُ الأَهوالا
Others are at peace, while you, in generosity,
Battle terrors for those who seek your bounty.
ياO اِبنَson of الَّذينthose هُمُthey الَّذينَthe very ones who إِذاwhen اِنتَمواdeclare their lineage
يا اِبنَ الَّذين هُمُ الَّذينَ إِذا اِنتَموا
زادَadds الأَفاضِلَto the excellent مَجدُهُمtheir glory إِفضالاfurther excellence
زادَ الأَفاضِلَ مَجدُهُم إِفضالا
O son of those—those very men—who, when they name their lineage,
Their glory adds excellence to the excellent.
وَإِذاand when تُعَدُّare counted خُؤلَةٌmaternal kin أَلفَيتَهُمyou find them
وَإِذا تُعَدُّ خُؤلَةٌ أَلفَيتَهُم
خَيرَthe best of البَرِيَّةِcreation كُلِّهاall of it أَخوالاas maternal uncles
خَيرَ البَرِيَّةِ كُلِّها أَخوالا
When maternal kin are reckoned, you find them
The best maternal uncles in all creation.
لَوif كانَhad أَدرَكَكَlived to meet you الأُلىthose who بَذَلواlavished النَدىbounty
لَو كانَ أَدرَكَكَ الأُلى بَذَلوا النَدى
جَعَلواthey would make يَمينَكَyour right hand لِلسَماحِfor generosity مِثالاa model
جَعَلوا يَمينَكَ لِلسَماحِ مِثالا
Had those who lavished bounty lived to meet you,
They would have made your right hand generosity's model.
أَحيَيتَyou revived عُثماناًUthman وَمُسلِماًand Muslim الَّذَيthe two who
أَحيَيتَ عُثماناً وَمُسلِماً الَّذَي
بَذّاoutstripped المُلوكَkings وَبَدَّداand scattered الأَموالاwealth
بَذّا المُلوكَ وَبَدَّدا الأَموالا
You have brought Uthman and Muslim back to life, the two who
Outstripped kings and scattered wealth.
وَلَقَدand indeed بَنىbuilt لَكَfor you فيon الذُرىthe heights مِنof وائِلٍWa'il
وَلَقَد بَنى لَكَ في الذُرى مِن وائِلٍ
أَبياتَhouses of مَجدٍglory ماnot تُرامُare attainable طِوالاlofty
أَبياتَ مَجدٍ ما تُرامُ طِوالا
For you, upon the heights of Wa'il, were built
Lofty houses of glory beyond all reach.
وَلَقَدand indeed بَنىbuilt لَكَfor you أَرقَمٌArqam وَمُطَرِّفٌand Mutarrif
وَلَقَد بَنى لَكَ أَرقَمٌ وَمُطَرِّفٌ
بَيتاًa house رَفيعَlofty in السَمكِroof عَزَّgrew mighty فَطالاand rose high
بَيتاً رَفيعَ السَمكِ عَزَّ فَطالا
Arqam and Mutarrif indeed built for you
A high-roofed house that grew mighty and lofty.
أَفتىO youth of حَنيفَةَHanifa أَنتَyou أَجوَدُthe most generous واحِدٍindividual
أَفتى حَنيفَةَ أَنتَ أَجوَدُ واحِدٍ
كَفّاًin hand وَأَكرَمُand the noblest مَنof those who يُعَدُّare reckoned فَعالاin deeds
كَفّاً وَأَكرَمُ مَن يُعَدُّ فَعالا
O youth of Hanifa, you are the most generous of men
In hand, and the noblest of all whose deeds are reckoned.
ماnot قُلتُI spoke فيof أَحَدٍanyone سِواكَother than you عَلِمتُهُI knew him
ما قُلتُ في أَحَدٍ سِواكَ عَلِمتُهُ
إِلّاexcept رَأَيتُI found القَولَthe words فيهِabout him مُحالاuntrue
إِلّا رَأَيتُ القَولَ فيهِ مُحالا
Never have I spoken of anyone I knew besides you
Without finding my words about him untrue.
إِنَّindeed الخَليفَةَthe caliph بَدرُthe full moon of آلِthe house of مُحَمَّدٍMuhammad
إِنَّ الخَليفَةَ بَدرُ آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ
وَلِوائِلٍand for Wa'il أَصبَحتَyou have become أَنتَyou هِلالاa crescent moon
وَلِوائِلٍ أَصبَحتَ أَنتَ هِلالا
The caliph is the full moon of Muhammad's house,
And you have become Wa'il's crescent moon.
وَإِذاand when سَماءُthe sky of ذَويthose possessing السَماحَةِgenerosity لَمnot تَجُدgives rain
وَإِذا سَماءُ ذَوي السَماحَةِ لَم تَجُد
جادَتpours rain سَماؤُكَyour sky مَسبِلاًstreaming هَطّالاtorrentially
جادَت سَماؤُكَ مَسبِلاً هَطّالا
When the sky of generous men gives no rain,
Your sky pours down in streaming torrents.
كَمhow many مِنof أَسيرٍa captive قَدindeed دَعاكَcalled upon you مُكَبَّلٍfettered
كَم مِن أَسيرٍ قَد دَعاكَ مُكَبَّلٍ
فَفَكَكتَand you freed عَنهُfrom him القَيدَthe fetter وَالأَغلالاand shackles
فَفَكَكتَ عَنهُ القَيدَ وَالأَغلالا
How many a fettered captive has called upon you,
And you have freed him from bonds and shackles.
إِنَّindeed السُيوفَthe swords إِذاwhen الحُروبُwars تَسَعَّرَتblaze
إِنَّ السُيوفَ إِذا الحُروبُ تَسَعَّرَت
بِكَwith you توعِدُthreaten الفُرسانَhorsemen وَالأَبطالاand champions
بِكَ توعِدُ الفُرسانَ وَالأَبطالا
When wars blaze, the swords
Threaten horsemen and champions with you.
وَلَقَدand indeed تَعَرَّضَappeared قَبلَbefore أَنthat أَلقاكَI met you ليto me
وَلَقَد تَعَرَّضَ قَبلَ أَن أَلقاكَ لي
بَحرُthe sea of النَدىbounty مِنfrom راحَتَيكَyour two palms فَهالاand awed me
بَحرُ النَدى مِن راحَتَيكَ فَهالا
Even before I met you, there appeared before me
The sea of bounty from your palms, filling me with awe.
وَكَّلتَyou charged نَفسَكَyourself بِالمَحامِدِwith praiseworthy deeds وَالعُلىand lofty aims
وَكَّلتَ نَفسَكَ بِالمَحامِدِ وَالعُلى
فَجَعَلتَهاand made them لَكَfor yourself دَهرَهاthroughout their duration أَشغالاoccupations
فَجَعَلتَها لَكَ دَهرَها أَشغالا
You charged yourself with praiseworthy deeds and lofty aims,
Making them your lifelong occupations.
أَقسَمتُI swear لَولاwere it not that أَنَّindeed نَيلَكَyour largesse واسِعٌvast
أَقسَمتُ لَولا أَنَّ نَيلَكَ واسِعٌ
ذَهَبَwould vanish النَوالُbounty فَلَمand not نُحِسَّwe would perceive نَوالاany bounty
ذَهَبَ النَوالُ فَلَم نُحِسَّ نَوالا
I swear, were your largesse not so vast,
Bounty would be gone, and we would perceive none.
بِكَthrough you أَستَطيلُI prevail عَلىover الزَمانِtime وَرَيبِهِand its reversals
بِكَ أَستَطيلُ عَلى الزَمانِ وَرَيبِهِ
وَلَرُبَّماand often indeed بَذَخَswaggered الزَمانُtime وَصالاand attacked
وَلَرُبَّما بَذَخَ الزَمانُ وَصالا
Through you I prevail over time and its reversals,
Though often time has swaggered and attacked.
أَمَّلتُI hoped for مِنكَfrom you نَوافِلاًgifts فَأَصَبتُهاand obtained them
أَمَّلتُ مِنكَ نَوافِلاً فَأَصَبتُها
إِنَّindeed اليَقينَcertainty يُصَدِّقُconfirms الآمالاhopes
إِنَّ اليَقينَ يُصَدِّقُ الآمالا
I hoped for gifts from you, and obtained them;
Certainty confirms hopes.
وَوَعَدتَنيand you promised me وَعداًa promise فَقَدand indeed أَنجَزتَهُyou fulfilled it
وَوَعَدتَني وَعداً فَقَد أَنجَزتَهُ
وَفَتَحتَand you unfastened عَنfrom أَبوابِكَyour doors الأَقفالاthe locks
وَفَتَحتَ عَن أَبوابِكَ الأَقفالا
You made me a promise and have fulfilled it,
And unfastened the locks from your doors.
إِنّيindeed I رَمانيit struck me الدَهرُtime مِنهُfrom itself بِنَكبَةٍwith a calamity
إِنّي رَماني الدَهرُ مِنهُ بِنَكبَةٍ
حَتّىuntil حَمَلتُI bore مِنَof الدُيونِdebts ثِقالاheavy burdens
حَتّى حَمَلتُ مِنَ الدُيونِ ثِقالا
Time has struck me with a calamity of its own,
Until I have shouldered heavy burdens of debt.
وَأَرىand I see الحَوادِثَmisfortunes ماnot تَزالُcease تَنوبُنيassailing me
وَأَرى الحَوادِثَ ما تَزالُ تَنوبُني
غَرَضاًas a target وَتَقصِدُand aim فيinto الفُؤادِthe heart نِبالاarrows
غَرَضاً وَتَقصِدُ في الفُؤادِ نِبالا
I see misfortunes continually assailing me
As their target, aiming arrows into my heart.
Sol 6.1