لاdo not تعتبrebuke الوَغدthe base fellow اللَئيمignoble إِذاwhen أَساhe does wrong
لا تعتب الوَغد اللَئيم إِذا أَسا
وَاِصبرand endure عَلىupon مرِّthe bitterness of الإِساءةinjury وَالأَساand grief
وَاِصبر عَلى مرِّ الإِساءة وَالأَسا
Do not rebuke the vile, ignoble fellow when he does wrong.
Do not blame the despicable scoundrel when he does wrong,
And endure the bitterness of injury and grief.
Be patient with bitterness and injury.
فَلرُبَّfor many a عَتبٍreproach لاnot يفيدُyields سِوىexcept العَناtrouble
فَلرُبَّ عَتبٍ لا يفيدُ سِوى العَنا
أَوor أَنthat تُهانare humiliated بِهِby it النُفوسsouls فَتبخَساand thus diminished
أَو أَن تُهان بِهِ النُفوس فَتبخَسا
Many a reproach yields nothing but trouble,
For many a reproach benefits naught but rancor,
or humiliates souls and diminishes their worth.
Or humiliates noble souls, so they are debased.
لاno ذَنبَblame إِلّاexcept لِلزَمانfor the age فَقَدfor indeed بَغىit transgressed
لا ذَنبَ إِلّا لِلزَمان فَقَد بَغى
حَتّىuntil دَعاit called الأَذنابthe tails (minions) أَنto تَتَرأساbecome chiefs
حَتّى دَعا الأَذناب أَن تَتَرأسا
None is to blame but the age, which has transgressed
No blame save for time, which has rebelled
until it called upon the tails to become chiefs.
Until it summoned ignoble men to lead.
تَبّاًa curse لَهُupon it زَمَناًas an age لَوif اِستَقضيتهyou demanded payment from it
تَبّاً لَهُ زَمَناً لَو اِستَقضيته
حَقّاًa due لَكانَit would be مِنthan اِبنِa child of يَومone day أَفلَساmore bankrupt
حَقّاً لَكانَ مِن اِبنِ يَوم أَفلَسا
Curse it as an age: if you demanded from it
Curse this time, that if I summoned it to trial
your due, it would be more bankrupt than a day-old child.
It would rightly be a bankrupt's son.
زَمَنan age يُؤخّرholds back كُلّevery رَبّpossessor of شَهامَةٍchivalry
زَمَن يُؤخّر كُلّ رَبّ شَهامَةٍ
وَيُقدّمand advances السفهاءfools أَنto تَتَحَمَّساflaunt courage
وَيُقدّم السفهاء أَن تَتَحَمَّسا
An age that holds back every man of chivalry
A time that delays every proud master
and advances fools to flaunt their courage.
And promotes fools to be pretentious.
زَمَنٌan age بِهِin it ذلّwere humbled الأُسودthe lions كَماjust as بِهِin it
زَمَنٌ بِهِ ذلّ الأُسود كَما بِهِ
عزّwere exalted الكِلابdogs جُرأةًin audacity وَتَفرّساand predation
عزّ الكِلاب جُرأةً وَتَفرّسا
An age in which lions are humbled, while in it
A time wherein the black are humiliated, and wherein
dogs are exalted in audacity and predation.
The dogs are emboldened, impudent and watchful.
زَمَنٌan age بَنىbuilt بَيتthe house of الكَمالperfection عَلىupon شَفاthe brink of
زَمَنٌ بَنى بَيت الكَمال عَلى شَفا
جُرُفٍa cliff وَبَيتand the house of النَقصimperfection شادَit raised وَأَسَّساand founded
جُرُفٍ وَبَيت النَقص شادَ وَأَسَّسا
An age that built perfection's house upon the brink
A time that built the house of perfection on the brink
of a cliff, but raised and founded imperfection's house.
Of ravines, and founded and established the house of deficiency.
زَمَنan age تنكّرbecame estranged كُلّall مَعرفةknowledge بِهِin it
زَمَن تنكّر كُلّ مَعرفة بِهِ
أَوَand do...? ماnot تَرىyou see علَمَthe banner of العُلومknowledge مُنَكَّساlowered
أَوَ ما تَرى علَمَ العُلوم مُنَكَّسا
An age in which all learning has become estranged:
A time when all knowledge disowns it,
do you not see the banner of knowledge lowered?
Do you not see the banner of sciences overturned?
أَوَand do...? ماnot تَرىyou see مَنone who كانَwas خَيرthe best منعَّمٍone blessed with comfort
أَوَ ما تَرى مَن كانَ خَير منعَّمٍ
أَمسىbecame بِبَأساءthrough the misery of الخُطوبcalamities مبأّساmade wretched
أَمسى بِبَأساء الخُطوب مبأّسا
Do you not see one who enjoyed the best of comforts
Do you not see one who was the best adorned
now made wretched by the misery of calamities?
Has become afflicted with calamities by night?
أَوor do...? ماnot تَراهُyou see it قَدalready اِدلهمَّgrew dark بخطبهِwith its calamity
أَو ما تَراهُ قَد اِدلهمَّ بخطبهِ
حَتّىuntil أَراكit showed you مِنamong السِنينthe years الحرمساpitch-dark ones
حَتّى أَراك مِن السِنين الحرمسا
Do you not see it darkened by its disasters,
Do you see how he humbled himself in his speech
until it shows you the blackest of years?
Until I see you, after years, revered?
يَلقىmeets اللَئيمthe ignoble man بِوَجهِهِwith its face مُتَبَسِّماًsmiling
يَلقى اللَئيم بِوَجهِهِ مُتَبَسِّماً
حَتّىuntil إِذاwhen لَقيَit met الكَريمthe noble man تَعبَّساit scowled
حَتّى إِذا لَقيَ الكَريم تَعبَّسا
It meets the ignoble man with a smiling face,
The villain meets him smiling
but when it meets the noble man, it scowls.
Until, meeting the noble, he scowls.
زَمَنٌan age دَعانيcalled me أَنto أُقابلconfront وَجهَthe face of مَنone who
زَمَنٌ دَعاني أَن أُقابل وَجهَ مَن
لَوif قابلhe faced البَحرthe sea الخضمّvast لنجّساhe would defile it
لَو قابل البَحر الخضمّ لنجّسا
An age that called me to confront the face of one
A time that invites me to meet the face of one
who, if he faced the vast sea, would defile it.
Whose spit the vast sea would pollute.
وَلَوand if اِنّindeed ذرّةa speck of رَوثdung of كَلبa dog أَجرَبmangy
وَلَو اِنّ ذرّة رَوث كَلب أَجرَب
قيستwere compared بِهِwith him كانَتit would be أَعَزَّmore honorable وَأَنفَساand more precious
قيست بِهِ كانَت أَعَزَّ وَأَنفَسا
And if a speck of dung from a mangy dog
If but a speck of a mangy dog's dung
were compared with him, it would be more honorable and precious.
Were weighed against him, it would be nobler and finer.
لاmay not شَمَّتتbless a sneezer صبحthe dawn of الولادةbirth حامِلٌa pregnant woman
لا شَمَّتت صبح الولادة حامِلٌ
إِنif رامَit sought بَعدُagain بمثلهِwith someone like him أَنto يَعطساsneeze
إِن رامَ بَعدُ بمثلهِ أَن يَعطسا
May no pregnant woman bless the dawn of birth
The dawn of birth would not greet in good humor
if it ever seeks again to sneeze out his like.
One who later sought to sneeze like him.
وَلرُبَّand many a يَومday قَدindeed ذرعتI traversed بِهِduring it الفَلاthe wilderness
وَلرُبَّ يَوم قَد ذرعت بِهِ الفَلا
أَفريI cleave المهادthe ground تَعسّفاًgoing tracklessly وَتَوعّساand crossing rough sands
أَفري المهاد تَعسّفاً وَتَوعّسا
Many a day I traversed the wilderness,
And many a day have I traversed endless wastes,
cleaving the ground, wandering tracklessly over rough sands,
Seeking wildly and wandering wretchedly,
بِمَهامهٍthrough wildernesses قفرٍempty يَضلُّlose their way بِهاin them القَطاsandgrouse
بِمَهامهٍ قفرٍ يَضلُّ بِها القَطا
وَيَظلُّand remains حرباءُthe chameleon of الهَجيرmidday heat مرهمساsilent
وَيَظلُّ حرباءُ الهَجير مرهمسا
through empty wastes where sandgrouse lose their way
Through desolate, confusing wilds where the lost
and the noonday chameleon stays silent.
Wander, and the bewildered wander confused,
عَبثتtoyed بِهاwith them هوجُwild gusts of الرِياحthe winds فَطالَماso often
عَبثت بِها هوجُ الرِياح فَطالَما
دَعَتcalled upon المَعالمthe landmarks دونَهاin their path أَنto تطمساbe effaced
دَعَت المَعالم دونَها أَن تطمسا
Wild winds toyed with them, and so often
Which the violent winds have disturbed, so that ofttimes
bade the landmarks in their path be effaced.
The landmarks beneath them are erased.
فَغَدَوتso I began أَسألasking عَنهُabout him كُلّevery مُقبَّحٍugly man
فَغَدَوت أَسأل عَنهُ كُلّ مُقبَّحٍ
فَظٍّcoarse تَشعّثgrew disheveled صورَةًin appearance وَاِعلنكساand became shaggy
فَظٍّ تَشعّث صورَةً وَاِعلنكسا
So I began asking about him every ugly man,
I began asking about him, every ugly
every brute, disheveled in appearance and shaggy,
Disheveled, unkempt figure of vile form.
حَتّىuntil وَصَلتI reached لِدارهhis house لاmay not حُيّيتyou be greeted
حَتّى وَصَلت لِداره لا حُيّيت
طللاas a ruin وَلاnor رحبتmay you be spacious فناًas a courtyard وَمعرّساand a resting-place
طللا وَلا رحبت فناً وَمعرّسا
until I reached his house—may you receive no greeting
Until I reached his house - I did not greet it
as a ruin, nor be spacious as a courtyard or resting-place!
With a roof's shade, nor spacious, splendid rooms.
فَنَظرتthen I saw بَيتاًa house لاnot أَشكّI doubt بِأَنَّهُthat it is
فَنَظرت بَيتاً لا أَشكّ بِأَنَّهُ
بَيتthe house of الخَلاءthe privy لِمَنfor whoever يُريدwishes تَنفّساto breathe
بَيت الخَلاء لِمَن يُريد تَنفّسا
Then I saw a house that I do not doubt was
I saw a house I do not doubt
a privy for anyone seeking a breath.
Is a house of solitude for one who would breathe free,
وَدَليلهand its proof أنّthat الخَنافسthe beetles أَقسَمَتswore
وَدَليله أنّ الخَنافس أَقسَمَت
أَنthat لاnot تُفارقthey part from فيin فَناهits courtyard الجِرجِساthe mosquitoes
أَن لا تُفارق في فَناه الجِرجِسا
The proof is that the beetles swore
Proven by the fact that beetles swore
never to part from the mosquitoes in its courtyard.
Never to leave its courtyard filthy.
وَتَسابقand race الجرذانrats فيin عَرصاتهits courtyards
وَتَسابق الجرذان في عَرصاته
زُمَراًin bands تَنوَّعbecame varied جَيشهاtheir army وَتجنّساand diversified in kind
زُمَراً تَنوَّع جَيشها وَتجنّسا
The rats race through its courtyards
And rats raced in his courtyards
in bands, their army varied and of many kinds.
As packs diverse in multitude and breed.
وَبِهِand in it العَناكبspiders طالَماlong قَدindeed خَيّمَتhave camped
وَبِهِ العَناكب طالَما قَد خَيّمَت
أَوor طنّبتpitched tent-ropes حَتّىuntil تَستّرit was covered وَاِكتَسىand clothed itself
أَو طنّبت حَتّى تَستّر وَاِكتَسى
Within it the spiders have long camped
Therein spiders oft pitched their tents
or pitched their tent-ropes, until it was covered and clothed.
Or spun webs until covered and concealed.
نَسجتthey wove لَهُfor it أَردىthe shabbiest كِساًcoverings فَكَأَنَّماas though
نَسجت لَهُ أَردى كِساً فَكَأَنَّما
نَسجتthey wove لَهُfor it إِستَبرَقاًbrocade أَوor سُندساfine silk
نَسجت لَهُ إِستَبرَقاً أَو سُندسا
They wove the shabbiest coverings for it, as though
They wove ragged patchwork cloaks for him
they had woven brocade or fine silk for it.
As though weaving silken satin fabrics for him.
بَيتa house بِهِin it الحَشَراتvermin وَالحَسراتand sorrows تَسsummon (first part)
بَيت بِهِ الحَشَرات وَالحَسرات تَس
تدعيsummon (completion) بِهِwithin it العفريتthe demon أَنto لاnot يَجلساsit
تدعي بِهِ العفريت أَن لا يَجلسا
A house whose vermin and sorrows call
A house filled with bugs and sorrows that
upon the demon not to sit within it.
Make jinn refrain from sitting therein.
بَيتa house تُجاورهneighbor it القُبورthe graves وَماand not بِهِin it
بَيت تُجاوره القُبور وَما بِهِ
مَنanyone who يَستَحقّdeserves إِذاwhen قَضىhe dies أَنto يرمساbe buried
مَن يَستَحقّ إِذا قَضى أَن يرمسا
A house neighboring graves, yet within it is no one
It adjoins tombs, and none who deserves, if he dies,
who deserves to be buried when he dies.
To have his memory preserved, resides therein.
فيهِin it الذُبابflies تَنوَّعَتَvaried أَلوانُهُtheir colors
فيهِ الذُباب تَنوَّعَتَ أَلوانُهُ
ماranging بَينَbetween أبرشspeckled مسبطرّlong-bodied وَأَدبساand dusky-brown
ما بَينَ أبرش مسبطرّ وَأَدبسا
Within it, the flies come in varied colors,
The flies therein have diverse colors
speckled, long-bodied, or dusky-brown,
Some spotted, some blue, veiling the sun, or
أَوor أَزرَقblue قَدalready سَدَّblocked عَينthe eye of الشَمسthe sun أَوor
أَو أَزرَق قَد سَدَّ عَين الشَمس أَو
مَلأَfilled الفَضاthe air لَوif رامَit sought أَنto يَتَشَمَّساbask in sunlight
مَلأَ الفَضا لَو رامَ أَن يَتَشَمَّسا
or blue, blocking the very eye of the sun, or
Filling the air, though it longed to bask in sunlight,
filling the air if they wish to bask in sunlight.
And pink damselflies flocked to it in hordes
وَبَناتand daughters وردانof Wardan (cockroaches) إِلَيهِto it تَوارَدَتflocked
وَبَنات وردان إِلَيهِ تَوارَدَت
وَتَصادَرَتand streamed out لَمّاwhen أَتَتهُthey came to it تَبهلساin destitution
وَتَصادَرَت لَمّا أَتَتهُ تَبهلسا
And Wardan's daughters, the cockroaches, flocked to it
Nearly moving above garbage heaps
and streamed out again, left destitute when they came.
Where it had settled and nearly died.
وَالبقّand the bedbugs كادَalmost بِهِwith it يَسيرmove تَزحزحاًshifting
وَالبقّ كادَ بِهِ يَسير تَزحزحاً
لَوif لَمnot يَكُنit were فَوقَatop المَزابلthe rubbish heaps قَدalready رَسىsettled
لَو لَم يَكُن فَوقَ المَزابل قَد رَسى
Its bedbugs almost set the house moving,
More rightfully than its people it should perish
had it not settled firm atop the rubbish heaps.
And more deservingly than them it should be buried.
وَنَماand it grew فَأَوشكand almost أَنto يَمورheave تَخاسفاsinking down
وَنَما فَأَوشك أَن يَمور تَخاسفا
وَأحقّand more fitting مِنهُthan that بأهلهwith its inhabitants أَنthat يخفساit be swallowed by the earth
وَأحقّ مِنهُ بأهله أَن يخفسا
And it grew till it almost heaved and sank,
Fleas therein nearly grazed the soil in their hunger
and fitter still that it sink with its inhabitants.
Or the deaf cicada, so famished.
وَبِهِand in it بَراغيثfleas تَكادalmost لِجوعهاfrom their hunger
وَبِهِ بَراغيث تَكاد لِجوعها
تَرعىgraze on التُرابdirt أَوor الأَصمّthe hard rock الحرمساblack
تَرعى التُراب أَو الأَصمّ الحرمسا
Within it are fleas that, from hunger, almost
They leap from each body like vigilant
graze on dirt or hard, black stone,
Leopards, and cling to clothes like limpets.
مِنof كُلّevery ذيpossessor of جسمa body تَراهُyou see it جرافساmassive
مِن كُلّ ذي جسم تَراهُ جرافسا
وَتَخالهُand you imagine it عِندَwhen الوُثوبleaping حبرقساa little lamb
وَتَخالهُ عِندَ الوُثوب حبرقسا
each with a body you see as enormous,
Their leaping has the grace of leopards
and imagine, when it leaps, a little lamb.
And their stillness the watchfulness of lions.
وَثَباتهاtheir leaps وَثبleaps of الفُهودleopards رَشاقَةًin agility
وَثَباتها وَثب الفُهود رَشاقَةً
وَثَباتهاtheir leaps مثلlike الأُسودlions تَفرّساin pouncing
وَثَباتها مثل الأُسود تَفرّسا
Their leaps have the agility of leopards;
The Persian ants have become therein
their leaps are like lions pouncing upon prey.
Prouder than the hissing lizards and horses.
وَالفارسيّand Persian النملants فيهِwithin it لَقَدindeed غَداhave become
وَالفارسيّ النمل فيهِ لَقَد غَدا
أَسطىfiercer مِنthan اللَيثthe lion الهصورcrushing وَأَفرَساand more predatory
أَسطى مِن اللَيث الهصور وَأَفرَسا
The Persian ants within it have become
Black scorpions brandish swords
fiercer than the crushing lion and more predatory.
With red deaths sheathed in them.
وَعَقاربand scorpions سودblack تسلّunsheathe صَوارماًswords
وَعَقارب سود تسلّ صَوارماً
بيضاًwhite لَهاfor them حمرred المَناياdeaths مُكتَسىa garment
بيضاً لَها حمر المَنايا مُكتَسى
Black scorpions unsheathe swords,
And centipedes shake cyan lances
white blades, with crimson deaths for their raiment.
With which they pierce smooth iron.
وَأَراقمand serpents رقطٌmottled تَهزّbrandish أَسنّةspearheads
وَأَراقم رقطٌ تَهزّ أَسنّة
زُرقاًblue تَقدّcut through بِهاwith them الحَديدiron الأَملَساsmooth
زُرقاً تَقدّ بِها الحَديد الأَملَسا
Mottled serpents brandish spearheads,
A house of malice with neither summer nor winter,
blue ones, cutting through smooth iron with them.
Which, like the dawn, gathers no light.
بَيتa house of الخَناdebauchery لاno صَيفsummer فيهِin it وَلاnor شِتاwinter
بَيت الخَنا لا صَيف فيهِ وَلا شِتا
يُلفىis found كَماjust as لاno صُبحmorning فيهِin it وَلاnor مساevening
يُلفى كَما لا صُبح فيهِ وَلا مسا
A house of debauchery where neither summer nor winter
A house, if the universe were too narrow for it,
is found, just as neither morning nor evening is there.
No man would desire to befriend.
بَيتa house لَوَif اِنّindeed الخَلقall creatures ضاقَgrew cramped بِهاaround them الفَضاspace
بَيت لَوَ اِنّ الخَلق ضاقَ بِها الفَضا
ماnot ودَّwould wish إِنسانa human بِهِin it أَنto يَأنَساfind companionship
ما ودَّ إِنسان بِهِ أَن يَأنَسا
A house where, even if space grew cramped around all creatures,
If summoned by Solomon it would not serve him,
no human would wish to find companionship.
And rightly he would imprison it.
وَلَوand if اِنّindeed آصفAsif قَدalready عَصاهُdisobeyed him الجنّthe jinn لَمnot
وَلَو اِنّ آصف قَد عَصاهُ الجنّ لَم
يَحكمhe would sentence عَلَيهِupon them بِغَيرِهِto anywhere else أَنto يُحبَساbe imprisoned
يَحكم عَلَيهِ بِغَيرِهِ أَن يُحبَسا
Had the jinn rebelled against Asif, he would not
And indeed I say, having visited its courtyard
sentence them to imprisonment anywhere else.
And witnessed these cultivated habits:
وَلَقَدand indeed أَقولI say وَقَدwhen already طَرقتI entered فَناءهits courtyard
وَلَقَد أَقول وَقَد طَرقت فَناءه
وَشَهدتand saw هاتيكthose الرُسومtraces الدرَّساworn away
وَشَهدت هاتيك الرُسوم الدرَّسا
I said, when I had entered its courtyard
Why do the dogs growl to guard it
and seen those worn-out traces:
If not a pig, what guards it?
ماwhat لِلكِلابails the dogs نَوابِحاًbarking بوصيدهat his doorway
ما لِلكِلاب نَوابِحاً بوصيده
أَفَغيرis it anything but خنزيرa swine هُناكthere فَيحرساfor them to guard
أَفَغير خنزير هُناك فَيحرسا
Why are the dogs barking at his doorway?
So I came to him, and before my mount a servant
Is there anything but a swine there for them to guard?
Named Cackles or Filth greeted me,
فَأَتيتهso I came to him وَأَمامand before مَهريَmy colt خادمa servant
فَأَتيته وَأَمام مَهريَ خادم
قَدindeed كانَwas يُدعىcalled قِرقِساًQirqis أَوor مرجساMarjis
قَد كانَ يُدعى قِرقِساً أَو مرجسا
I came to him, with a servant before my colt,
And invited him to come to me. He approached
who was called Qirqis or Marjis.
Feeling his way, restless and zealous.
وَدَعاهُand he called him أَنto يَأتيcome إِليَّto me فَجاءهso he came to him
وَدَعاهُ أَن يَأتي إِليَّ فَجاءه
مُتحسّساًgroping مَتململاًfidgeting مُتحَمِّساworked up
مُتحسّساً مَتململاً مُتحَمِّسا
He called him to come to me, and he came to him,
He hurried to me wearing a gown
groping, fidgeting, and worked up.
In the gait of a recalcitrant dog wearing a gown.
وَسَعىand he hastened إِلَيَّto me وَقَدhaving already تَزمَّلwrapped himself in برنساًa hooded cloak
وَسَعى إِلَيَّ وَقَد تَزمَّل برنساً
فيwith مشيةِthe gait of الكَلبthe dog العَقورbiting تبرنساswaggering
في مشيةِ الكَلب العَقور تبرنسا
He hastened toward me, wrapped in a hooded cloak,
So from behind the veil I discerned everything
swaggering with the gait of a biting dog.
His fiendish soul within him had tempted.
فَفطنتso I perceived مِنthrough خللgaps in الستارthe curtain بِكُلّall ماthat
فَفطنت مِن خلل الستار بِكُلّ ما
شَيطانهhis devil فيin صَدرِهِhis breast قَدalready وَسوَساhad whispered
شَيطانه في صَدرِهِ قَد وَسوَسا
Through the gaps in the curtain I discerned all that
Treachery that if but a speck of it
his devil had whispered within his breast.
Tested the dawn, it would revert to ignorance.
مَكرcunning لَوif اِبتليَwere afflicted الصَباحmorning بذرّةٍwith a speck
مَكر لَو اِبتليَ الصَباح بذرّةٍ
مِنهُof it لَعادَit would become عَلىon البَديهةthe instant حُندساpitch-dark
مِنهُ لَعادَ عَلى البَديهة حُندسا
Cunning: if morning were afflicted with a speck
If damned Iblis himself came to him
of it, it would turn at once to pitch-black night.
And saw the snares of his treachery, he would be wary.
وَلوَand if اِنّindeed إِبليسIblis اللعينaccursed أَتىcame لَهُto him
وَلوَ اِنّ إِبليس اللعين أَتى لَهُ
وَرَأىand saw حَبائلsnares of مَكرهhis cunning لتحرَّساhe would guard himself
وَرَأى حَبائل مَكره لتحرَّسا
And if accursed Iblis came to him
Until I appeared before his face, and saw him
and saw the snares of his cunning, he would guard himself.
Devising, estimating, then acting corruptedly,
حَتّىuntil ظَهَرتُI appeared لِوجهِهِbefore his face فَرَأيتهُand I saw him
حَتّى ظَهَرتُ لِوجهِهِ فَرَأيتهُ
قَدalready خمَّسmade fivefold الفكرthe thought الخَبيثwicked وَسدَّساand made sixfold
قَد خمَّس الفكر الخَبيث وَسدَّسا
When I appeared before his face, I saw him
Straying, misleading, sinning, then conscienceless.
making his wicked thinking fivefold and sixfold.
And I hoped for his immoral, false promise,
وَلَقدand indeed أَحالونيthey referred me بِقبضto collect دَراهمٍdirhams
وَلَقد أَحالوني بِقبض دَراهمٍ
مِنهُfrom him عَلَيهِto him فَحينَthen when لَمnot يَستأنِساhe felt at ease
مِنهُ عَلَيهِ فَحينَ لَم يَستأنِسا
They had assigned me the collection of some dirhams
And saw the night of betrayal grow long and murky
from him, referring me to him; when he showed no welcome,
Until I despaired of the dawn, for if it
وَلّىhe turned away وَقَهقهرand backed off وَاِكفهرّand scowled بخلقةٍwith a face
وَلّى وَقَهقهر وَاِكفهرّ بخلقةٍ
شَخناءَhideous تَكسوهاcovering it الدجنّةdarkness عنجساgrimly
شَخناءَ تَكسوها الدجنّة عنجسا
he turned away, backed off, and scowled with a face
Were alive, it would have breathed.
hideous and grim, shrouded in darkness.
For villainy, that it have lasting
وَأَبىand he refused وَفكَّرَand pondered ثُمthen قَدَّرَcalculated ثُمthen أَدturned away (first part)
وَأَبى وَفكَّرَ ثُم قَدَّرَ ثُم أَد
بَرَturned away (completion) باسِراًscowling فَغَوىthen he erred فَضلّthen strayed فَأَبلساthen despaired
بَرَ باسِراً فَغَوى فَضلّ فَأَبلسا
He refused and pondered, then calculated, then turned
Fame among people, never shall be.
away, scowling; he erred, strayed, and despaired.
I clothed him in the shame of blame and censure
وَطَمعتand I hoped مِنهُfrom him بِفَجرfor the dawn of وَعدٍa promise كاذبٍfalse
وَطَمعت مِنهُ بِفَجر وَعدٍ كاذبٍ
فَرَأَيتbut I saw لَيلthe night of الخلفbroken promises طالَgrow long وَعَسعَساand darken
فَرَأَيت لَيل الخلف طالَ وَعَسعَسا
I hoped from him for the dawn of a lying promise,
As if he wore garments of praise.
but saw the night of broken promises grow long and dark.
Like one hoping for reward from a traitor -
حَتّىuntil أَيستُI despaired مِنof الصَباحmorning لِأَنَّهُbecause it
حَتّى أَيستُ مِن الصَباح لِأَنَّهُ
لَوif كانَit were فيin قَيدthe bond of الحَياةlife تَنَفَّساit would breathe
لَو كانَ في قَيد الحَياة تَنَفَّسا
Until I despaired of morning, for
The hope for reward from hellfire kindled.
had it been alive, it would have breathed.
The obstinate fool hopes in his ignorance for a
مَنwho للرذيلِfor the wretch بِأنthat يكونَthere be لهfor him بهِthrough it
مَن للرذيلِ بِأن يكونَ له بهِ
ذكرٌa name علىthrough طولِthe length of المدىtime لاnot يُنتسىforgotten
ذكرٌ على طولِ المدى لا يُنتسى
Who would win for the wretch, through this,
Gift from me that would smooth his grim face.
a name through all time, never forgotten?
So I will leave him today as spiteful gossip
ألبستهُI clothed him خزيَin the disgrace of المذمّةreproach وَالهجاand satire
ألبستهُ خزيَ المذمّة وَالهجا
فَكَأَنَّهُas though he حللrobes of المَدائحpraise ألبساwas clothed
فَكَأَنَّهُ حلل المَدائح ألبسا
I clothed him in the disgrace of reproach and satire,
Elevated among the people as a bell ringer.
as though he had been clothed in robes of praise.
Pitiful is enmity towards a poet
مثلthe likeness of المؤمّلone hoping مِنfrom مَواعدِهِhis promises وفاًfor fidelity
مثل المؤمّل مِن مَواعدِهِ وفاً
مَثَلُthe likeness of المؤمّلone hoping مِنfrom جهنّمHell مقبساfor a firebrand
مَثَلُ المؤمّل مِن جهنّم مقبسا
One who hopes for fidelity from his promises
Who has drained the drafts of the arts.
is like one hoping for a firebrand from Hell.
Do poets not wield a cutting sword,
طَمعhoped العَنيدُthe obstinate man لجهلهthrough his ignorance بِهديّةٍfor a gift
طَمع العَنيدُ لجهله بِهديّةٍ
منّيfrom me تسهّلto smooth وَجهُهُhis face المدلمساgloomy
منّي تسهّل وَجهُهُ المدلمسا
In his ignorance, the obstinate man hoped for a gift
Vanquishing necks and smiting heads?
from me, to smooth his gloomy face.
I have, in coins of mean censure, riches
فَلأتركنهso I shall leave him اليَومtoday مضغةa morsel قادحٍfor a detractor
فَلأتركنه اليَوم مضغة قادحٍ
يَرقىrises بِهِthrough him بينamong الأَنامmankind عرندساa mighty lion
يَرقى بِهِ بين الأَنام عرندسا
Today I shall leave him a morsel for a detractor
That if spent would not diminish and be depleted.
who rises through him among men, a mighty lion.
And the branches of my slender pens, since they thrived
بئسwretched is العَداوةenmity أَنto يُعاديantagonize شاعِراًa poet
بئس العَداوة أَن يُعادي شاعِراً
منwho راحthe wine of أَقداحcups of الفُنونthe arts قَدindeed اِحتَسىhas drunk
من راح أَقداح الفُنون قَد اِحتَسى
What wretched enmity, to antagonize a poet
In the garden of Tarsh, have been honed.
who has drunk wine from the cups of the arts!
They are watered with a water whose like
أَوor لَيسَis there not لِلشُعراءfor poets سَيفa sword قاطعcutting
أَو لَيسَ لِلشُعراء سَيف قاطع
ماضٍkeen يطيرُsends flying عَنfrom الرِقابnecks الأرؤُساheads
ماضٍ يطيرُ عَن الرِقاب الأرؤُسا
Do poets not possess a cutting sword,
Has never been used, so their roots flourish.
keen, sending heads flying from necks?
A necklace that if I breathed upon with charm
عِنديI have مِنof الذمّblame الذَميمdisgraceful دَراهمdirhams
عِندي مِن الذمّ الذَميم دَراهم
بِالصَرفthrough spending مِنهاfrom them لاnot تقلُّthey diminish فَأفلساso I go bankrupt
بِالصَرف مِنها لا تقلُّ فَأفلسا
I hold dirhams of disgraceful blame
Solomon's brother would seek its protection.
that never dwindle with spending, so I cannot go bankrupt.
They believe it a necklace that unties sorrows
وَغُصونand branches of أَقلاميmy pens النديَّةdewy ماnot اِنبَرَتwore away
وَغُصون أَقلامي النديَّة ما اِنبَرَت
مُنذُsince اِنبَرَتthey came forth فيin رَوضthe garden of طرسيmy page ميَّساswaying
مُنذُ اِنبَرَت في رَوض طرسي ميَّسا
The dewy branches of my pens have never worn away
And breathes relief to captive souls.
since they rose, swaying, in the garden of my page.
Keen of perception, never tiring for one honored -
تسقىare watered بِماءٍwith water قَطّever ماnot سُقيتwere watered بِهِwith it
تسقى بِماءٍ قَطّ ما سُقيت بِهِ
إِلّاexcept زَكَتthey flourished أَصلاًat the root وَطابَتand became good مغرساin planting
إِلّا زَكَت أَصلاً وَطابَت مغرسا
They are watered with a water that never nourishes them
Rather, the heart for it does not harden.
without making their roots flourish and their planting sweet.
You forget eloquence for his incoherent chatter
عقدknots إِذاwhen نَفثتbreathed بِهنّupon them مَحابرinkwells
عقد إِذا نَفثت بِهنّ مَحابر
مِنهاfrom them اِستَعاذsought refuge أَخوthe possessor of الحجاreason أَنlest يُبئساhe suffer
مِنها اِستَعاذ أَخو الحجا أَن يُبئسا
Knots upon which inkwells breathe:
Deeming speechless one who has not yet spoken.
the man of reason seeks refuge from them, lest he suffer.
It takes black ink as its raiment
عَقدواthey tied عَلَيهاover them بِالخَناصرwith little fingers أَنَّهاthat they are
عَقدوا عَلَيها بِالخَناصر أَنَّها
عقدknots تحلُّare untied بِهاthrough them الكُروبtroubles تَنَفّساin relief
عقد تحلُّ بِها الكُروب تَنَفّسا
They have tied their little fingers over them, declaring them
So it deserved to be honored and breathed free.
knots through which troubles are untied in relief.
And whitest vellum became its resting place,
شَمّاءُproud ماnot لانَتthey yielded لِغَيرto anyone but مكرَّمan honored man
شَمّاءُ ما لانَت لِغَير مكرَّم
كَلّاno indeed وَلاnor مِنهُfrom him الفُؤادthe heart لَهاtoward them قَساgrew hard
كَلّا وَلا مِنهُ الفُؤاد لَها قَسا
Proud, they never yield to anyone but an honored man;
And so deserved to be exalted and prized.
no indeed, nor does his heart harden against them.
That which belongs to the loyal
مِنof كُلّevery مَمشوقslender القَوامin stature تَخالهُyou imagine it
مِن كُلّ مَمشوق القَوام تَخالهُ
فيin تيههits proud bearing الرَشأthe fawn الأَغنّsoft-voiced الأَلعساdusky-lipped
في تيهه الرَشأ الأَغنّ الأَلعسا
Each is slender of stature; you imagine it,
And to enemies continues a foe.
in its proud bearing, a soft-voiced, dusky-lipped fawn.
I shielded it from the blame of a wicked sinner
ينسيكَmakes you forget سحبانSahban البَيانeloquence فَصاحَةًthrough fluency
ينسيكَ سحبان البَيان فَصاحَةً
وَتَظنّهُand you think it قَبلbefore التَكَلُّمspeaking أَخرَساmute
وَتَظنّهُ قَبل التَكَلُّم أَخرَسا
Its eloquence makes you forget Sahban of eloquence,
Lest they say I lambasted a righteous man.
though before it speaks you think it mute.
Your registers of rhythm insult with his mention,
تَخذit took السَوادblackness مِنfrom المدادink مَلابِساًas garments
تَخذ السَواد مِن المداد مَلابِساً
سوداًblack فَكانَتand became تِلكَthose أَحسَنthe finest مُكتَسىraiment
سوداً فَكانَت تِلكَ أَحسَن مُكتَسى
It took the blackness of ink for garments,
Which nearly cannot be touched.
black ones, and these became the finest raiment.
And the vulgar is restrained if his vile nature
وَغَداand became لَهُfor it أَسنىthe brightest البَياضwhiteness مواطِئاًin harmony
وَغَدا لَهُ أَسنى البَياض مواطِئاً
وَلِذاand therefore اِستَحَقَّit deserved لِأَنto يجلّbe honored وَينفساand be prized
وَلِذا اِستَحَقَّ لِأَن يجلّ وَينفسا
And the brightest white came into harmony with it,
Vents but some of what was stamped upon him.
so it deserved to be honored and prized.
He who hopes for reward from a stubborn soul
تِلكَthose الَّتيwhich هِيَare خلّةa companion لِذَويto possessors of الوَفاfaithfulness
تِلكَ الَّتي هِيَ خلّة لِذَوي الوَفا
وَعَلىand against الأَعاديenemies لاnot تَزالcease to be درومساa fierce lion
وَعَلى الأَعادي لا تَزال درومسا
These are companions to the faithful,
Will soon weary and despair.
and remain fierce lions against enemies.
And he who wears betrayal where he finds
نَزّهتهاI kept them pure عَنfrom ذَمّreviling أَفجرthe most wicked ناقصdeficient man
نَزّهتها عَن ذَمّ أَفجر ناقص
كَيso that لاnot يَقولواthey say قَدindeed هَجَوتI satirized مبرطساa broker
كَي لا يَقولوا قَد هَجَوت مبرطسا
I kept them pure of reviling the most wicked wretch,
Nothing but disgrace to clothe him.
lest people say I have lampooned a low broker.
The obstinate are engrossed in deceit just as
تَعروbefalls قَراطيسsheets of النِظامverse إِهانَةًdisgrace
تَعرو قَراطيس النِظام إِهانَةً
مِنfrom ذِكرِهِmentioning him فَتَكادso they almost أَنto لاnot تمسساbe touched
مِن ذِكرِهِ فَتَكاد أَن لا تمسسا
The sheets of verse are overtaken by disgrace
The flies are engrossed in the dung of cattle.
at his mention, till they can scarcely be touched.
But the coiled serpent is the ugliest thing that frightens you
وَيُراعand it is feared إِنif فاهspeaks اليَراعُthe reed pen بِبَعضwith some of ماwhat
وَيُراع إِن فاه اليَراعُ بِبَعض ما
طبعتwere stamped عَلَيهِupon it طِباعهhis traits أَنthat يدنساit become defiled
طبعت عَلَيهِ طِباعه أَن يدنسا
One fears, if the reed voices even some of what
And the softest is what pleases you to touch.
his nature is stamped with, that it will be defiled.
How can one be honored among people
مَنwhoever علَّلsoothed النَفسthe soul الأَبيّةproud بِالمُنىwith hopes
مَن علَّل النَفس الأَبيّة بِالمُنى
لاno شَكّdoubt يوشكis about أَنto يَملّgrow weary فَييئَساand despair
لا شَكّ يوشك أَن يَملّ فَييئَسا
Whoever soothes the proud soul with hopes
Who is uglier than an unlucky omen?
will surely soon grow weary and despair.
Does an origin prosper though it be uglier than a mote
وَمَنand whoever اِرتَدىclothed himself بِالخلفin broken promises عُرّيَwas stripped bare حَيثwhere لاnot
وَمَن اِرتَدى بِالخلف عُرّيَ حَيث لا
يَلقىfinds سِوىexcept العارshame المَهينhumiliating لَهُfor him كساas clothing
يَلقى سِوى العار المَهين لَهُ كسا
Whoever clothes himself in broken promises is stripped bare, where he
That has no origin to be named and known?
finds no garment but humiliating shame.
The claim of one who cannot claim a tenth
عَكفdevoted himself العَنيدthe obstinate man عَلىto الخَديعةdeceit مِثلَماjust as
عَكف العَنيد عَلى الخَديعة مِثلَما
عَكَفتclung عَلىto رَوثdung of البَهيمthe beast الخُنفساthe beetle
عَكَفت عَلى رَوث البَهيم الخُنفسا
The obstinate man devoted himself to deceit, just as
Of a tribe is altered, and the pearl seems clay.
the beetle clung to the beast's dung.
When his people named him Son of Malice,
وَالصلُّand the viper أَشأَمmost ill-omened ماwhat يَروعكfrightens you معطباfatally harmful
وَالصلُّ أَشأَم ما يَروعك معطبا
مِنهُfrom it وَأَنعَمُand smoothest ماwhat يَروقكpleases you مَلمَساto the touch
مِنهُ وَأَنعَمُ ما يَروقك مَلمَسا
The viper is most ominous in the deadly harm that frightens you
Wrongly, though he was baser and filthier,
from it, yet smoothest in the touch that delights you.
He opposed them and denied it, claiming lineage
أَنّىhow يَكونcan be لَدىamong الأَنامmankind مكرَّماhonored
أَنّى يَكون لَدى الأَنام مكرَّما
مَنone who كانَwas أَشأمmore ill-omened مِنthan طويسTuways وَأَنحَساand more unlucky
مَن كانَ أَشأم مِن طويس وَأَنحَسا
How can one be honored among mankind
Though he lied in his claim, artful.
who is more ill-omened and unlucky than Tuways?
He grew used to eating acorns until he deemed them
أَيَطيبcan it be good? أَصلاًin origin وَهوَwhile he is أَقبَحuglier مِنthan قَذىًrefuse
أَيَطيب أَصلاً وَهوَ أَقبَح مِن قَذىً
لاno أَصَلlineage يُدعىis claimed للدعيّfor the bastard فيأرساso he takes root
لا أَصَل يُدعى للدعيّ فيأرسا
Can his stock be sound, when he is uglier than refuse?
Sweeter than ripe dates and smoother.
No lineage is acknowledged for the bastard to take root in.
If he fell ill, they described to him as a draft
فَدعاءُa crooked-limbed woman ماnever حَلَبتmilked عشارpregnant she-camels of قَبيلةٍa tribe
فَدعاءُ ما حَلَبت عشار قَبيلةٍ
إِلّاwithout اِستَحالbecame impossible الدرُّmilk أنto يَتبَجّساflow
إِلّا اِستَحال الدرُّ أن يَتبَجّسا
A crooked-limbed woman never milked a tribe's pregnant camels
Before sleep, dog piss he would gulp down,
without making it impossible for milk to flow.
And after that, his meal would be
لَمّاwhen دَعاهُcalled him قَومهُhis people بِاِبنa son of الخَناdebauchery
لَمّا دَعاهُ قَومهُ بِاِبن الخَنا
غَلطاًmistakenly وَكانَand he was أَذلّbaser مِنهُthan it وَأَنجَساand filthier
غَلطاً وَكانَ أَذلّ مِنهُ وَأَنجَسا
When his people called him a son of debauchery,
What putrified, rotted, and decomposed.
mistakenly—for he was baser and filthier than that—
O most despicable of miserable folk, until when
أَضحىhe began يُعارضهمcontradicting them فَأَنكَرso he denied وَاِدَّعىand claimed
أَضحى يُعارضهم فَأَنكَر وَاِدَّعى
نَسَباًa lineage وَكانَand he was بِماin what اِدَّعاهُhe claimed مدلساdeceptive
نَسَباً وَكانَ بِما اِدَّعاهُ مدلسا
he began disputing with them, denied it, and claimed
Does my hope excuse you - maybe, perhaps, if only?
a lineage, deceiving them in what he claimed.
You tasked me with composing satire, and it was not
وَاِعتادَand he grew used to أَكلeating البعرanimal droppings حَتّىuntil ظَنَّهُhe thought it
وَاِعتادَ أَكل البعر حَتّى ظَنَّهُ
أَحلىsweeter مِنthan الرطبripe dates الجنيِّfreshly gathered وَأَسلَساand easier to swallow
أَحلى مِن الرطب الجنيِّ وَأَسلَسا
He grew used to eating dung until he thought it
My habit, but sorrow cannot be forgotten.
sweeter than freshly gathered ripe dates and easier to swallow.
A singular gift came to you - if it had reached
وَرباand he grew up فَكانَso he was إِذاwhenever تَمرّضbecame ill طَبعهhis constitution
وَربا فَكانَ إِذا تَمرّض طَبعه
وَأتواand they brought بِهِhim كَيto يَعرضوهshow him عَلىto الإِساthe physicians
وَأتوا بِهِ كَي يَعرضوه عَلى الإِسا
He grew up, and whenever his constitution ailed
Damned Iblis, O son of the most wicked, he would perish!
and they brought him to be shown to the physicians,
It matched your length, O stupid one, in its length
وَصَفواthey prescribed لَهُfor him بَولurine of الكِلابdogs تَرشّفاًto sip
وَصَفوا لَهُ بَول الكِلاب تَرشّفاً
قَبلbefore المَنامsleep وَبَعدand after ذَاكَthat تَغطّساimmersion
قَبل المَنام وَبَعد ذَاكَ تَغطّسا
they prescribed him dogs' urine to sip
No, there is no comparison that reflects.
before sleep, and afterward to immerse himself in.
Its ornate eloquence is ornate
وَعقيبand following ذَلكthat أَنthat يَكونbe غِذاؤُهُhis food
وَعقيب ذَلك أَن يَكون غِذاؤُهُ
مِمّاfrom what سلحنَthey defecated تَمعلكاًchewing وَتَمعلساand munching
مِمّا سلحنَ تَمعلكاً وَتَمعلسا
And after that, his food was to be
Though you are muddied and it pure.
what they had shat, to chew and munch.
But its meaning is gentler than the morning breeze
ياO أَرذلvilest of القَومthe people اللئامvile إِلىuntil مَتىwhen
يا أَرذل القَوم اللئام إِلى مَتى
أَمليmy hope يَعلّلهfeeds it لعلَّperhaps وَهَلand might...? عَسىmaybe
أَملي يَعلّله لعلَّ وَهَل عَسى
O vilest of the vile people, how long
In subtlety, to one intimate with verse.
must my hope be fed by 'perhaps,' 'might it?' and 'maybe'?
You insult the wafting of its perfume, as though
كَلّفتنيyou made me نظمَcompose الهِجاءsatire وَلَمand not يَكُنwas
كَلّفتني نظمَ الهِجاء وَلَم يَكُن
دَأبيmy habit وَلَكنَّbut الأَسىhurt لاnot يُنتَسىis forgotten
دَأبي وَلَكنَّ الأَسى لا يُنتَسى
You made me compose satire, though it was not
You insult the basil of maidens' gardens.
my habit; yet hurt is not forgotten.
And when the likes of you offends me, it recites
وَلَقدand indeed أَتَتكَhas come to you فَريدةa unique gem لَوif شامَهاhe beheld it
وَلَقد أَتَتكَ فَريدة لَو شامَها
إِبليسIblis ياO اِبنson of الأَرذلينthe basest لأُبلساhe would despair
إِبليس يا اِبن الأَرذلين لأُبلسا
A matchless poem has reached you; were it beheld by
"Do not blame the despicable scoundrel when he does wrong."
Iblis—O son of the basest—he would despair.
قابلتI matched طولكyour height ياO بَليدdullard بطولهاwith its length
قابلت طولك يا بَليد بطولها
بَلrather لَيسَthere is not مَوضوعa subject هُناكَthere فَيعكساto be reversed
بَل لَيسَ مَوضوع هُناكَ فَيعكسا
I matched your height, dullard, with its length;
yet there is no subject there to be reversed.
وَتَعجرفتand became harsh أَلفاظهاits words بِمعجرفٍagainst a harsh man
وَتَعجرفت أَلفاظها بِمعجرفٍ
فَهيَso it is العملّسthe swift wolf حَيثwhere كُنتyou were غَملّساa sly wolf
فَهيَ العملّس حَيث كُنت غَملّسا
Its words grew harsh against a harsh man;
it is a swift wolf where you are a sly one.
لَكنّbut مَعناهاits meaning أَرَقّmore delicate مِنthan الصباthe east breeze
لَكنّ مَعناها أَرَقّ مِن الصبا
لطفاًin gentleness لَدىfor مَنone who بِالقَريضwith poetry اِستَأنَساfound comfort
لطفاً لَدى مَن بِالقَريض اِستَأنَسا
Yet its meaning is more delicate than the east breeze,
in gentleness, to one who finds comfort in poetry.
تَشتمُّyou smell نَشرthe wafting of عَبيرهاits perfume فَكَأَنَّماas though
تَشتمُّ نَشر عَبيرها فَكَأَنَّما
تَشتمّyou smell مِنfrom رَوضa garden of العَباهرnarcissi نَرجساa narcissus
تَشتمّ مِن رَوض العَباهر نَرجسا
You smell its spreading perfume, as though
smelling a narcissus from a garden of narcissi.
وَإِذاand when أَساءَdid wrong إِليّto me مثلكsomeone like you أَنشَدَتI recite
وَإِذا أَساءَ إِليّ مثلك أَنشَدَت
لاdo not تعتبrebuke الوَغدthe base fellow اللَئيمignoble إِذاwhen أَساhe does wrong
لا تعتب الوَغد اللَئيم إِذا أَسا
And when your like wrongs me, I recite:
Do not rebuke the vile, ignoble fellow when he does wrong.
Partial English translation: 181 of 192 Arabic lines translated.
Sol 6.1