وَمَقرورٍ مَزَجتُ لَهُ شَمولا

بِماءٍ وَالدُجى صَعبُ الجِنابِ

I mixed for him a drink with water

For a shivering companion I mixed a vintage wine, tempered with water while the darkness was formidable.

In the dark of night when sleep is hard.

And when I raised my hand, the lightning of its brilliance flashed after the swirling.

فَلَمّا أَن رَفَعتُ يَدي فَلاحَت

بَوارِقُ نورِها بَعدَ اِضطِرابِ

When I raised my hand it shone bright,

He recoiled, then stretched out his hands seeking a shield, as it flared up like a blaze.

Its radiance piercing the gloom.

He saw a crimson glow upon his fingertips, though it held no scorching heat of fire.

تَزاحَفَ ثُمَّ مَدَّ يَدَيهِ يَرجو

وِقاءً حينَ جارَت بِاِلتِهابِ

He tossed and turned, reaching out

So I said to him, "Easy now; this is but the radiance of the wine glowing from beneath the veil."

Seeking relief from fever’s grip.

"Pour it smooth and you shall find delight, for the night keeps its secrets hidden."

فَأَبصَرَ في أَنامِلِهِ اِحمِراراً

وَلَيسَ لَهُ لَظى حَرِّ الشِهابِ

On his fingers he saw a redness

He gazed repeatedly to see it clearly, yet his eyes grew weary before piercing the veil.

With no trace of ember’s burning heat.

And I recall a thief of hearts with the glance of a fawn, and the neck of a wild oryx from the hills.

فَقُلتُ لَهُ رُوَيدِكَ إِنَّ هَذا

سَنا الصَهباءِ مِن تَحتِ النِقابِ

I said, be still, this is nothing but

When his charms are put to the test, they reveal the marvels of his beauty from every aspect.

The glow of pearl behind her veil.

Eyes fall short before him and lower their gaze, necks bowed in humble submission.

فَسَلسِلها فَسَوفَ تَرى سُروراً

فَإِنَّ اللَيلَ مَستورُ الجَنابِ

Unchain it and you will find joy

He bears a title befitting those who speak it, a wondrous name that stands clear in the script.

For night conceals a maiden's limbs.

They call him "The Consoler," and to me he is truly as they say—a verdict entirely just.

فَرَدَّدَ طَرفَهُ كَيما يَراها

فَكَلَّ الطَرفُ مِن دونِ الحِجابِ

He glanced back hoping for a look

He consoles us with pure wine and a face like the full moon breaking through the clouds.

But sight fell short of her hijab.

وَمُختَلِسِ القُلوبِ بِطَرفِ ريمٍ

وَجيدِ مَهاةِ بَرٍّ ذي هِضابِ

With the sly glance of a fawn’s eye

And smooth cheek of a hill’s plateau

إِذا اِمتُحِنَت مَحاسِنُهُ فَأَبدَت

غَرائِبَ حُسنِهِ مِن كُلِّ بابِ

When tested, her beauty displayed

Strange wonders from every angle.

تَقاصَرَتِ العُيونُ لَهُ وَأَغفَت

عَنِ اللَحَظاتِ خاضِعَةِ الرِقابِ

Eyes lowered before him, humbled,

Bowing necks to his stately height.

لَهُ لَقَبٌ يَليقُ بِناطِقيهِ

بَديعٌ لَيسَ يُعجَمُ في الكِتابِ

He has a name befitting speech

Wondrous, untouched by scribal pen.

يُقالُ لَهُ المُعَلَّلُ وَهوَ عِندي

كَما قالوا وَذاكَ مِنَ الصَوابِ

He is called, they say, “The Reasoner,”

And that to me seems accurate.

يُعَلِّلُنا بِصافِيَةٍ وَوَجهٍ

كَبَدرٍ لاحَ مِن خَلَلِ السَحابِ

With pure mind and luminous face

He shone through the clouds like full moon.