ريمٌ هَضيمٌ يَرومُ هَضْمي
منْ سُقمِ عينيهِ عينُ سقمي
My tender love continuously yearns for union
The sickness in his eyes reflects the sickness in mine
وطرفُهُ في فُتورِ صَبْري
وخضرُهُ في نحولِ جسمي
His gaze is languid due to my patience
His green complexion reflects my emaciated body
ما جدَّ في ثَلْمِ ثَغْرِ صَبْري
لو جادَ لي ثغرُهُ بلثمِ
My lips have not tasted the sweetness of his mouth
If his lips would generously grant me a kiss
في عارضيهِ طِرازُ حُسْنٍ
بهيُّ نَسْجٍ شَهْيُّ رَقْمِ
The beauty of his cheeks is excellently composed
A beautifully woven, gloriously pictured, moon-like face
ووجهُهُ بالعِذارِ بَدْرٌ
أُحيطَ منْ هَالةٍ بتمِّ
Surrounded by an aura of shyness
With a blush of modesty and fine down
وردُ حياءٍ ومسْكُ خَطٍ
ينمُّ هذا وذاك يُنْمي
Both enhancing his beauty, each complementing the other
His sun-like cheeks dotted with moles
قد نُقِّطَتْ شمسُ وجنتيهِ
للحُسْنِ مِنْ خالهِ بنجمِ
Forming stars that accentuate his beauty
The ornaments around his neck have dissolved
واهي مناطِ الوشاحِ حُلَّتْ
فيه بوَجْدي عُقودُ عَزْمي
Into firm covenants, binding my love
His figure is eloquently formed
نطَاقُه في القياسِ نُطْقٌ
وعطْفُهُ جانحٌ لسلْمي
His posture leans towards reconciliation
His nature is violently inclined to war
وخُلْقُه جَامحٌ لحربي
وعطْفُهُ جانحٌ لسلْمي
Yet his grace leans towards peace
Why does he so unjustly bar my union?
إلامَ ظلماً يصدُّ أَلمْي
صادي قلبيَ عن ريمِ ظَلمِ
My pleading heart blocked from my beloved’s injustice
If he would untie the knot of our separation
لو أطلق الرَّسمَ من وصالي
لم أَبلُ في صدِّه كرسمِ
I would not object, surrendering to his decree
I ponder on his pride and my humility
أفكرتُ في عزِّهِ وذُلّي
فهامَ في الحالتينِ فَهْمي
And in both conditions, I am utterly confused
The glow of his face brings tears to my eyes
مِنْ وَهَجِ الوجهِ دمعُ عيني
بذوبِ قلبٍ يهيمُ يَهْمي
That melt my heart as it madly yearns
When my tears flow from my eyelids
إذا غدا الدَّمعُ من وشاتي
فبوحُ سرِّ الهوى بكتمي
My hidden love is revealed despite my efforts
If you wish for my wellbeing, leave me be
إن رُمت يا عاذلي صلاحي
فخلِّني والهوى وزعمي
To my passion and my fanciful notions
Let my eyes witness my beloved, and bear witness
شاهدْ بعيني الحبيبَ تشهدْ
أًنَّ هواهُ من المهمِّ
That his love consumes my soul and obsesses my thoughts
You reproach me, igniting the fires of love, tell me
لومُكَ يُذكي الغرامَ قلْ لي
أَنت نَصيحي أَم أَنتَ خَصْمي
Are you my counselor or my adversary?
I'm not bothered by blame, for blame is only
ولا ساءني واللومُ لومٌ
كلامُ سوءٍ وأَسوُ كلمِ
Hurtful words, more bitter than speech
Oh full moon, shine your rays on my gloomy night
يا بدرُ بادِرْ بشمس راحٍ
يقشعُ منها غمامُ غمِّ
Dispersing the clouds of sorrow
Be gentle, you were once afflicted by troubles
وانقعْ وُقِيْتَ الأذى أُواماً
لابنِ كريمٍ ببنتِ كَرْمِ
A noble son joined to a noble daughter
Soothe me with affection and overwhelm
وهُزَّ منّي للأنسِ عِطْفاً
وخصَّ جيش الأسى بهزم
The army of anguish with defeat
Let your acceptance be fruits of reconciliation
واجعلْ رضاعي جنَى رضابٍ
بفيكَ منه يعزُّ فَطْمي
Quenching my thirst like milk from the nipple
The sweetness of your lips is refreshing wine
فريقكَ الحلو عَذْبُ وردٍ
يروي صدى القلب وهو يُظمي
Sating the yearnings of my soul as I compose this ode
Cure my sickness with the wine of your mouth
واشفِ غليلي بشًَهْدِ ثَغْرٍ
جناهُ ترياقُ كلِّ سُمِّ
An antidote to all poison
Smile at me with your enchanting dimples
بقدِّك السّاحرِ التّثني
جُدْ ليَ مِنْ غُصْنهِ بضمِّ
And pluck for me a blossom I may smell
Dazzle me with your radiant cheeks
بخدِّك الباهرِ التجلِّي
جُدْ ليَ مِنْ وَرهِ بشمِّ
And gather for me a rose I may kiss
Oh you who deprive me of the joys of union
يا حارمي في الوصال حَظِّي
مُوَفِّراً بالفراق قَسْمي
Denying me my share, parting us with separation
Oh you who unjustly assault me with rejection
وقاتلي بالصُّدودِ ظُلماً
لا تتقلَّد دمي وإثمي
Do not stain me with my blood, taking my soul
Oh archer, who aims his bow at my demise
يا رامياً قوسَهُ بحتفي
موتَرُهُ ما يزال يُصمي
Drawing the bowstring, intent on destroying me
With your eyes and brows you make me forget
بالعينِ والحاجبينِ تُغني
عن كلِّ قوسٍ وكلِّ سَهمِ
All other bows and arrows
Oh would that I were in Iraq, reveling in bliss
يا حبّذا بالعراق نُعمى
شكرتها في وصالِ نُعمِ
Thankful for the joys of union
I cast amorous glances, and she casts back at my heart
أَرمي بطرفي هوىً إليها
وهي لقلبي باللحظ ترمي
Arrows with each flirtatious look
One morning I gathered singing girls around me
غداةَ مَغْنى حِمَاي حاوي
حُوّ من الغانيات حُمِّ
The most melodious of singers
Days above the sky were under my command
أيام فوق السَّماء أَمري
وَفْقَ مُرادي وتحت حُكمي
Fulfilling my wishes, ruling as I desired
Days when my guarded innocence could flow freely
أَيام حلّ دمي المصون ال
حرام في بذلهِ لأُدمِ
No shame in lavishing it on a beloved
I kissed pure white cheeks
أُدمي بلثمي خُدودَ بيضٍ
عيونُهُا للقلوب تُدمي
Eyes that pierce hearts
And shared goblets of wine with boon companions
واجتلي الكأسَ في ندامى
غرٍ من الأكرمين شُمِّ
The noblest of the generous
Passion began weaving wisdom in us
غدا بنسج الغرام فينا
ينسجُ عَقْلاً لكلِّ فَدْمِ
Sense for every fool
We inhaled the scent of youth wafting on the breeze
نسمو
من نفحات الصَّبا لنسمِ
Kisses sweeter than wine mixed with pure musk
Under the influence of desire we removed the necklaces
لثم ُرٍ
بين عقيقٍ وفضّ ختمِ
Of reason, minds utterly engrossed
Nights of union were flowers
عقود العقول تُلقى
من التصابي بكفِّ فصمِ
Transformed by intimacy into fruits
My black hair since streaked with grey
ليالي الوصال زهراً
تبدَّلت في النَّوى بُسحمِ
Like fire sparked amidst embers
Thoughts of my lengthy life
سواد فودي
مذ عقبت بيضها بدُهمِ
Increase my sorrows and regrets
Long I endured the wildness of my fate
يشيبُ في الرأسِ مثلَ نارٍ
توقَّدتْ من خلالِ فحمِ
But its harshness would not bend to my will
None contend with time but me
يزيدُ منّي الهمومَ ذكري
أَيامَ عمرٍ مضينَ قُدمِ
It is as if my superiority is a crime to it
I restrain my anger, for it is not my way
رضتُ طويلاً جُموحَ حظِّي
فلم يلنْ عودُهُ لِعَجمي
To suppress the anger of events
Oh my gloomy fate, lessen your darkness
ليس يُعادي الزَّمان غيري
كأنَّ فضلي إليهِ جُرمي
You cannot completely darken me
I have found refuge with the Most Merciful
أَكظمُ غيظي وليس جدِّي
لغائظاتِ الأمورِ كظمي
I seek His sanctuary, He will protect me
With the Most Majestic, Most Sought
أَيا زماني الغشوم أَقصِرْ
إنّكَ لا تستطيعُ غَشْمي
To remove strife and end the crisis
The Most Virtuous, Most Excellent, Most Sublime
عبدُ الرَّحيمِ الرَّحيم أَضحى
عوني على خَطبِكَ الملمِّ
Most Favored, Most Noble
My patron of bounty and generosity
أَلوذُ منه بذي جَنابٍ
يُلجىء طُرّاقَهُ وينمي
None views generosity as an obligation but him
A rain of aid, a sea of generosity
بالسَّيدِ الأروعِ المرجَّى
لكشفِ إزلٍ وكَفِّ أَزمِ
The epitome of knowledge, the essence of wisdom
With a resolute determination, intent on honor
بالفاضلِ الأفضلِ الأجلِّ
المفضَّلِ الأشرفِ الأشمِّ
Leading glory with the bridle
Intellect of stellar brilliance, vast capacity
بحاتمي النَّوالِ سَمْح
ليس يرى الجودَ غيرَ حتم
Lengthy experience, pleasant charm
Balanced opinion, beautiful countenance
غيثُ غياثٍ وجودُ جودٍ
وبحرُ علمٍ وطَوْطُ حِلْمِ
Neither brash nor easily offended
The best of qualities are evident in his fair judgment
ذو أَنَفٍ أَنْفُ كلِّ خطبٍ
يقتادُ من بأسهِ بِخطمِ
Dispelling all injustice and wrongdoing
My master who has granted me every favor
زكاءُ نجرٍ ورحبُ صدرٍ
وطولُ باعٍ وطيبُ جِذْمِ
And deserves all my gratitude in return
None built a legacy like my patron
ومُزْنُ مَنٍ ووجهُ مَنْحٍ
غيرُ جَهامٍ وغيرُ جهمِ
He harnessed glory, sparing none
He excels in craft and is prolific in pottery
محاسَنا الرأي منه عَدْلاً
كلَّ ظلاَّمٍ وكلَّ ظُلم
Vast formations built up from the smallest pieces
His gifts bring relief from affliction
المنعمُ المستحقُّ منِّي
جميع شكري ببعضِ شكمِ
Freeing the captive, providing for the orphan
He pays heed in matters of state
وما بنى المجدَ مثلُ مولىً
خصَّ النَّدَى مالَهُ بهزمِ
Extracting precious pearls from rough exteriors
He is a sword that leaves no ailment
ذو محتدٍ في النِّجار زاكٍ
وسؤددٍ في الفخار ضخمِ
Without assigning it a decisive remedy
He reaps the harvest of each field
نُعماهُ تُرجى لكفِّ بؤسٍ
وفكِّ أَسرٍ وجَبرِ يُتمِ
Saving all those afflicted with wounds
He trains and schools the young
يراعُهُ في اليمينِ منه
تستخرجُ الدُّرَّ من خضمِّ
With clouds of generosity raining gifts upon them
His lines of poetry are stars in the firmament
فهو حسامٌ لم يبقِ داءً
إلاَّ وقد خصَّهُ بحسمِ
Setting gloriously though they seem to disappear
If good fortune comes, it is a star of joy
وحدُّهُ حصَّ كلَّ حَصدٍ
من كلِّ ما نائبٍ بثلمِ
If misfortune comes, it is a star of exile
His pens have accomplished great deeds
يُروّضُ الطِّرسُ منه مُزجى
سُحبٍ من المكرماتِ سُحمِ
Victorious with each pen stroke
How many banners of wise policy
سطورُهُ للعُلَى نجومٌ
تخفضُ في أَوجها وتسمي
His resolute will supported and upheld
Hearing and obeying his command
إنْ جاءَ عافٍ فنجمُ سَعدٍ
أَو جاءَ عَاتٍ فنجمُ رجمِ
Whether gentle or stern in his address
His hand supports the patron
أَقلامُهُ خاطبتْ خُطوباً
من ظفرها ظفرتْ بقلمِ
Patron, steadfast, strong resolve
Clouds incessantly pouring down
كم عقدتْ راية لرأْيٍ
مؤيد عزمه بحزمِ
On every plain and mountain pass
Swaying like a well-trained steed in its gait
والسَّمعُ والصلبُ للأَعادي
ما بينَ وقرٍ بها ووقم
Swaying with natural rhythm and poise
Weaving the raiment of spring itself
له يدٌ للوليِّ منها
ولي وليٌّ ووَسْمُ وسمي
Broidered tapestries over inclines
More abundant than his generosity and eloquence
ما وابلٌ منجمُ الغوادي
بكلِّ سهلٍ وكلِّ حَزْمِ
Is my wonder, leaving me speechless
My lord, you see my condition
هام ربابٌ بالوشي منه
هامَ الرُّبى في بديعِ وَشْمِ
Deprived of fortune, overwhelmed with concerns
My debts are unpaid, and with each passing day
يحوكُ نسج الرَّبيعِ فيه
نَمارقَ الزّهرِ فوقَ أكم
My worldly creditor increasingly insists
My family resides in Damascus
أَغزرَ من جودهِ وفصحٍ
في العجزِ عن وَصْفهِ لبكمِ
In a city whose heat is scorching
Their hardship has been prolonged, so lengthen
مولايَ حالي كما تراهُ
في نَقْصِ حَظٍّ وَفضْلِ هَمِّ
Your lofty column to extend to them
I came to Egypt full of hope
لم يقضِ ديني وكلَّ يومٍ
غريمُ دهري يزيدُ عزمي
For your plentiful gifts to shower upon me
My aim was fulfilled, my matter concluded
أَهلي مقيمونَ من دمشقٍ
في بلدةٍ نارها بلجمِ
My success apparent, my hopes attained
Indeed, I found my ecstasy in you
قد طالَ ذيلٌ بهم فطوِّل
طُولاً بجاهي العريضِ كمِّي
As I had lacked all felicity before
You revived me when fate caused me to stumble
أَصبحتُ في مصرَ ذا رجاءٍ
إلى النّدَى الجمِّ منكَ جمِّ
So you earned my praise and my composition
I have lofty aspirations deferred by time
أَصابَ قصدي وتمَّ أَمري
وبانَ نُجحي وفازَ أَمي
But time cannot defer its promises to me
The fruits of success, through you, determine
وإنّني قد وجدتُ وَجْدي
منكَ كما قد عدمتُ عُدمي
That the promises will not go unfulfilled
All my hopes, I see their attainment
نَعَشْتَني من عثْارِ دَهْري
فَحُزْتَ حَمْدي وَحَازَ ذمِّي
From you, judiciously and knowingly
Paying my debts, attaining my goals
عندي مواعيدُ للمعالي
يَمْطُلُ دهري بها بزُغْمي
Keeping my station, following my way
And a livelihood where my resolves
نتيجةُ النُّجحِ منكَ يقضي
أَنَّ المواعيدَ غير عُقمِ
Are neither wasted nor loses profit
And an eminence illuminated
وِلي مُنى كلّها أَراهُ
منكَ على خبرةٍ وعلمِ
By the good fortune of my destiny
I aspired to a purpose but would not be pleased
قضاءُ دَيْني ونَيْلُ سُولي
وَحفْظُ جاهي وجريُ رسمي
With makeshift solutions for my purpose
Why has my hope not been coupled with success?
وَصنيعةٌ لا يضيعُ فيها
عَزْمي كما لا يفوتُ غُنْمي
Why does my dishevelment lack care?
Take up the matter of my affairs, and remedy my condition
وحرمةٌ تستنيرُ منها
سعودُ قَدْري في أُفقِ عُظْمِ
None so generous in creation as you
Adorn my inadequate means with every fine quality
يَممتُ أَمّاً ولستُ أَرضى
تيّمماً في جَنابِ يَمِّ
And increase my station without reserve
The realization of virtue equals my share
لِمْ أَمَلي لم يزَنْ بنُجحٍ
لِمْ شَعَثي لم يُعَنْ بلَمِّ
And the mediator of honor is the letter of determination
Not to mention the whispering critic
رُمْ رَمَّ أَمري وحلِّ حالي
ما كَرَمٌ في الورى كَرَمَّي
Who whispers about the whispered critic
May every wicked, hostile enemy
رُثَّ ثرائي بكلِّ طَرْزٍ
وغُثَّ جاهي بغيرِ شحْمِ
Be disgraced amongst the people, fully discredited
The forces of enemies and villains
مُضارعُ الفعلِ حظُّ فضلي
وعائقُ الصَّرفِ حرفُ جَزْمِ
Rendered between withering and insult
You attained honor without exertion
نَاهيكَ من مُخوِلٍ مُعمِ
يَحنو على المُخولِ المُعمِ
And reached sovereign rule without conflict
I made it the sole focus of my thoughts
كلُّ عدوٍّ شَناكَ يَلْقى
في الناسِ طَمْسَ اسمه كطسمِ
A refreshing originality of my imagination
I presented it to Jesus, and it emerged
شَمْلُ العدا والعروضُ منهم
ما بينَ شتٍّ وبينَ شَتمِ
As the murmuring flow of a fountain
With your copious sea and waves, wash away
ونلْتَ عزّاً بغيرِ صَرْفٍ
وَوَصْلَ مُلْكٍ بغيرِ صُدْم
The contamination in its composition and prose
I have an unrefined notion in my mind
تَمَلَّها فهي بكْرُ فكري
شَهيةٌ من نِتَاجِ شَهْمِ
I sculpt it from the essence of my being
I approach aspiring, though awed
حَدَوْتُ عيْسي بها فجاءتْ
شَقْشَقةً من هَديرِ قَرْمِ
By your tremendous, towering glory
I make the pilgrimage to you, O Kaaba of Sublimity
بحركَ طامي والعباب فاغسل
طمي في نظمها ورمي
With the humble devotion of a pilgrim
Help my imagination grasp the extent of my stature
لي خاطرٌ مُجبلٌ لهمِّي
فَنَحتُهُ من صَفاً أَصمِّ
And strengthen my poetry despite its weakness
Through your magnanimous pardon, the fault of my failing
أَقدَمَ رَغباً فحامَ رُعباً
لقدرِ فخرٍ لديكَ فَخمِ
Appears not as a crime
With your name, in gratitude, intended blessings
إليكَ يا كعبة المعالي
حَجَّ حجاهُ بلُطفِ حَجم
From me, presented in my name
Bestow your utmost favor upon me, and grant me distinction
أَجْرِ على الوهم عُظْم شاني
واجبرْ على الوَهنِ عظمَ نظمي
Articulating meanings my words cannot grasp
As long as you support me, the beauty of my poetry
بصفحةِ الصَّفحِ منكَ يبدو
جِرْمُ قصوري بغيرِ جُرْمِ
Will never appear ugly or blemished
باسمكَ للشكر باسماتٌ
مِنّي مُنىً سُقتُهنَّ باسمي
أَقبلْ وأَفضلْ عليَّ وافضل
عُرْبَ معانٍ لديَ عُجمِ
ما دمتَ عوني فليس يَغدُو
جميلُ رَسْمي قبيحَ وَصمِ
