ياO أَيُّهَاyou الكاسِرُthe one narrowing عَيْنthe eye of الأَغْضَنِthe wrinkled one
يا أَيُّهَا الكاسِرُ عَيْن الأَغْضَنِ
وَالْقائِلand the speaker of الأَقْوالَwords ماwhile لَمْnot يَلْقَنِيhe has met me
وَالْقائِل الأَقْوالَ ما لَمْ يَلْقَنِي
O you who narrow a wrinkled eye,
and utter words before ever meeting me:
هَرِقْpour عَلَىupon خَمْرِكَyour wine أَوْor تَلَيَّنِsoften
هَرِقْ عَلَى خَمْرِكَ أَوْ تَلَيَّنِ
بِأَيِّwith what دَلْوٍbucket إِنْif غَرَفْنَاwe draw تَسْتَنِيyou draw water
بِأَيِّ دَلْوٍ إِنْ غَرَفْنَا تَسْتَنِي
water down your wine, or soften.
With what bucket will you draw when we draw?
إِنْif صَحَّwas sound فِيin أَوْفَرَAwfar حَقْنُthe filling of الْمِحْقَنِthe funnel
إِنْ صَحَّ فِي أَوْفَرَ حَقْنُ الْمِحْقَنِ
فَاللُؤْمُso baseness غاياتُthe utmost aims of اللِيامِthe base men المُجَّنِthe shameless
فَاللُؤْمُ غاياتُ اللِيامِ المُجَّنِ
If the funnel's pouring into Awfar was sound,
baseness is the utmost aim of shameless knaves,
وَالسَبُّand reviling تَخْرِيقtearing الأَدِيمthe hide الأَلْخَنِthe foul-smelling
وَالسَبُّ تَخْرِيق الأَدِيم الأَلْخَنِ
قَدْindeed رَفَعَhas raised العَجّاجُal-ʿAjjāj ذِكْراًa name فَادْعُنِيso call me
قَدْ رَفَعَ العَجّاجُ ذِكْراً فَادْعُنِي
and reviling rends a foul-smelling hide.
Al-ʿAjjāj has raised a name on high; call me
بِاسْمٍby a name إِذَاwhen الأَنْسابُlineages طالَتْgrow long يَكْفِنِيsuffices me
بِاسْمٍ إِذَا الأَنْسابُ طالَتْ يَكْفِنِي
فِنِعْمَhow excellent دَاعِيthe invocation of الوالِجِthe entrant المُسْتَأْذِنِseeking permission
فِنِعْمَ دَاعِي الوالِجِ المُسْتَأْذِنِ
by a name sufficient when pedigrees grow long.
How fine the invocation of an entrant seeking leave:
أَبِيmy father إِذاwhen اسْتَغْلَقَis shut tight بابُthe door of الصَيْدَنِthe king
أَبِي إِذا اسْتَغْلَقَ بابُ الصَيْدَنِ
لَمْdid not أَنْسَهُI forget him إِذْwhen قُلْتُI said يَوْماًone day وَصِّنِيcounsel me
لَمْ أَنْسَهُ إِذْ قُلْتُ يَوْماً وَصِّنِي
my father, when the king's door is shut!
I have not forgotten him, when once I said, “Counsel me.”
وَصَّىhe counseled بِصَوْنِto preserve الحَسَبِancestral honor المُصَوَّنِthe safeguarded
وَصَّى بِصَوْنِ الحَسَبِ المُصَوَّنِ
وَالحِلْمُand wisdom مَقْرُوعُa tapping of العَصَاthe staff لِلأَذْهَنِfor the keenest-minded
وَالحِلْمُ مَقْرُوعُ العَصَا لِلأَذْهَنِ
He counseled guarding well-protected ancestral honor.
For the keenest mind, wisdom needs but a staff-tap.
ماwhat بَالُis the matter with عَيْنِيmy eye كَالشَعِيبِlike a waterskin العَيِّنِthe leaking
ما بَالُ عَيْنِي كَالشَعِيبِ العَيِّنِ
وَبَعْضand among أَعْراضِthe visitations of الشَجُونsorrows الشُحَّنِthe heavily laden
وَبَعْض أَعْراضِ الشَجُون الشُحَّنِ
Why is my eye like a leaking waterskin?
And among the visitations of burdened sorrows
دارٌa dwelling كَرَقْمِlike the writing of الكاتِبِthe scribe المُرَقَّنِthe embellisher
دارٌ كَرَقْمِ الكاتِبِ المُرَقَّنِ
بَيْنَbetween نَقَىthe sand-dune of المُلْقَىal-Mulqā وَبَيْنand between الأَجُؤُنِal-Ajuʾun
بَيْنَ نَقَى المُلْقَى وَبَيْن الأَجُؤُنِ
is a dwelling like a scribe's embellished writing,
between the dune of al-Mulqā and al-Ajuʾun,
بادَرَBādir عَفْرَاءَʿAfrāʾ وَدَارُand the dwelling of النَجْدَنِal-Najdan
بادَرَ عَفْرَاءَ وَدَارُ النَجْدَنِ
بِكِin you المَهَاthe oryx cows مِنْamong them مُطْفِلٍone nursing young ومُشْدِنِand one with grown young
بِكِ المَهَا مِنْ مُطْفِلٍ ومُشْدِنِ
Bādir, ʿAfrāʾ, and the dwelling of al-Najdan.
In you are oryx cows, nursing or with grown young.
أَماis there جَزاءُrecompense for العارِفِthe one who knows المُسْتَيْقِنِthe certain one
أَما جَزاءُ العارِفِ المُسْتَيْقِنِ
عِنْدَكِwith you إِلَّاexcept حاجَةُa need for التَفَكُّنِrueful wonder
عِنْدَكِ إِلَّا حاجَةُ التَفَكُّنِ
Has one who knows you with certainty no reward
from you but a need for rueful wonder?
أَوْor ذِكْرُremembrance of ذاتِthe woman with الرَبَذِthe tassels المُعَهَّنِof colored wool
أَوْ ذِكْرُ ذاتِ الرَبَذِ المُعَهَّنِ
فيin خِدْرِthe curtained litter of مَيّاسِone swaying with الدُمَىdoll-like beauties مُعَرْجنِcurved like a palm-stalk
في خِدْرِ مَيّاسِ الدُمَى مُعَرْجنِ
Or remembrance of her with colored woolen tassels,
in the litter of a curved camel swaying with doll-like beauties,
أَعْيَسَpale نَهّاضٍstrongly rising كَحَيْدlike the ridge of الأَوْجَنِrugged ground
أَعْيَسَ نَهّاضٍ كَحَيْد الأَوْجَنِ
فَهاجَthen stirred مِنْfrom وَجْدِيmy longing حَنِينُthe yearning of الحُنَّنِthe yearning ones
فَهاجَ مِنْ وَجْدِي حَنِينُ الحُنَّنِ
pale, rising strongly, like a ridge of rugged ground?
Then the yearning of the mournful stirred my longing,
وَهَمُّand the care of مَهْمُومٍa troubled man ضَنِينpossessive الأَضْنَنِthe most possessive
وَهَمُّ مَهْمُومٍ ضَنِين الأَضْنَنِ
بِالدارِfor the dwelling لَوْif only عاجَتْturned back قَنَاةُthe staff of المُقْتَنِيthe possessor
بِالدارِ لَوْ عاجَتْ قَنَاةُ المُقْتَنِي
and a troubled man's care, possessive beyond possessiveness,
for the dwelling—if only the possessor's staff had turned back—
نَوَىdeparture of شَآمٍone bound for Syria بانَdeparted أَوْor مُعَمِّنِone bound for Oman
نَوَى شَآمٍ بانَ أَوْ مُعَمِّنِ
فَهَلْso will لُبَيْنَىLubaynā مِنْfrom هَوَىlove of التَّلَبُّنِcourting
فَهَلْ لُبَيْنَى مِنْ هَوَى التَّلَبُّنِ
at the departure of one bound for Syria or Oman.
Will Lubaynā, out of love for courting,
رَاجِعَةٌrestore عَهْداًa bond مِنَfrom التَأَسُّنِgrowing stale
رَاجِعَةٌ عَهْداً مِنَ التَأَسُّنِ
أَوْor ناجِزاًpromptly settling بِالدَيْنِthe debt إِنْif لَمْnot تُرْهَنِshe is pledged
أَوْ ناجِزاً بِالدَيْنِ إِنْ لَمْ تُرْهَنِ
restore a bond from its staleness,
or pay the debt promptly, if she is not pledged?
إِذَwhen خَانَbetrayed وَصْلُthe union of الغانِياتِthe beautiful women الخُوَّنِthe treacherous
إِذَ خَانَ وَصْلُ الغانِياتِ الخُوَّنِ
فَجساًinsolently وَغَدْراًand treacherously أَنْwhen صَحَاgrew sober تَجَنُّبِيmy shunning
فَجساً وَغَدْراً أَنْ صَحَا تَجَنُّبِي
When the treacherous beauties' union proved false,
in insolence and treachery, as my shunning grew sober,
لَمَّاwhen رَأَيْنَthey saw جَفْوَةَthe coldness of التَكَنُّنِseclusion
لَمَّا رَأَيْنَ جَفْوَةَ التَكَنُّنِ
بَعْدَafter التَصابِيyouthful folly وَشَبابِand the youth of الأَوْدَنِthe luxuriant man
بَعْدَ التَصابِي وَشَبابِ الأَوْدَنِ
when they saw the coldness of seclusion,
after youthful folly and luxuriant youth,
فِيin مِثْلِthe likeness of حَبْلِa cord of الأَدَمِleather المُعَنَّنِfitted with reins
فِي مِثْلِ حَبْلِ الأَدَمِ المُعَنَّنِ
عَلَيَّupon me دِيباجُthe brocade of الشَبابyouth الأَدْهَنِthe sleek
عَلَيَّ دِيباجُ الشَباب الأَدْهَنِ
in a form like a rein-bound leather cord,
I wore the brocade of sleek youth,
فيin عُتَهِيِّextravagance of اللُبْسِdress وَالتَقَيُّنِand adornment
في عُتَهِيِّ اللُبْسِ وَالتَقَيُّنِ
كَأَنَّas though فَوْقَabove الناصِعِthe brilliant garment المُبَطَّنِthe lined
كَأَنَّ فَوْقَ الناصِعِ المُبَطَّنِ
in extravagance of dress and adornment,
as though above the brilliant, lined garment,
مِنْfrom حَبَراتِthe delights of العَيْشِlife ذِيpossessing التَدَهْقُنِlordly luxury
مِنْ حَبَراتِ العَيْشِ ذِي التَدَهْقُنِ
باناًa bān-tree جَرَىmoved فيin الرازِقِيِّfine white linen البَهْمَنِيBahmanī
باناً جَرَى في الرازِقِيِّ البَهْمَنِي
among the delights of a life of lordly luxury,
a bān-tree moved within fine Bahmanī linen.
حَتَّىuntil إِذاwhen اسْتَبْدَلَexchanged لَوْنthe color of الأَحْسَنِthe fairer
حَتَّى إِذا اسْتَبْدَلَ لَوْن الأَحْسَنِ
شَيْباًgray hair وَحِنَّاءًand henna مِنَof التَلَوُّنِchanging color
شَيْباً وَحِنَّاءً مِنَ التَلَوُّنِ
Until the fairer color was exchanged
for gray hair and henna's changing hues,
وَانْعاجَand bent عُودِيmy stem كَالشَظِيفlike a dry stick الأَخْشَنِthe rougher
وَانْعاجَ عُودِي كَالشَظِيف الأَخْشَنِ
بَعْدَafter اقْوِرَارِthe shriveling of الجِلْدِthe skin وَالتَشَنُّنِand withering
بَعْدَ اقْوِرَارِ الجِلْدِ وَالتَشَنُّنِ
and my stem bent like a rough, dry stick,
after the skin had shriveled and withered.
وَدَّعْنَthey abandoned مِنْof عَهْدِكَyour bond كُلَّevery دَيْدَنِhabitual way
وَدَّعْنَ مِنْ عَهْدِكَ كُلَّ دَيْدَنِ
وَانْصَعْنand they went away أَخْدَاناًas intimates لِذاكof that الأَخْدَنِcloser intimate
وَانْصَعْن أَخْدَاناً لِذاك الأَخْدَنِ
They abandoned every accustomed bond with you,
and went off as intimates of that closer intimate,
يُعْرِضْنَthey turn away إِعْراضاًa turning away لِدِينِas the habit of المُفْتَنِthe infatuated
يُعْرِضْنَ إِعْراضاً لِدِينِ المُفْتَنِ
وَالغَيُّand waywardness مَجْلُوبٌis brought on لِهَمِّby the desire of الأَتْبَنِthe most astute
وَالغَيُّ مَجْلُوبٌ لِهَمِّ الأَتْبَنِ
turning away, as is the infatuated one's habit.
Waywardness is brought on by the cleverest man's desire,
حَتَّىuntil تَرَامَىwas tossed about بِالظُنُونِby suspicions الظُنَّنِthe suspicious man
حَتَّى تَرَامَى بِالظُنُونِ الظُنَّنِ
وَكُنَّand they used to بَعْدَafter الضَرْحِrejection وَالتَمَرُّنِand long practice
وَكُنَّ بَعْدَ الضَرْحِ وَالتَمَرُّنِ
until the suspicious man is tossed about by suspicions.
And after rejection and long practice, they would
يَنْقَعْنَthey soak بِالعَذَابِwith torment مُشاشَthe soft bones of السِنْسَنِthe spine
يَنْقَعْنَ بِالعَذَابِ مُشاشَ السِنْسَنِ
وَالشُرْبُand drinking يُغْشَىis resorted to بِالمَقامat the station الأَلْزَنِthe crowded
وَالشُرْبُ يُغْشَى بِالمَقام الأَلْزَنِ
drench the spine's soft bones in torment,
while drinking is pursued at the crowded station.
وَنازِحِand one far from الماءِwater عَرِيضِbroad in الجَوْشَنِthe breast
وَنازِحِ الماءِ عَرِيضِ الجَوْشَنِ
مُغْبَرَّةdust-covered أَقْرابُهُits flanks مُلَعَّنِaccursed
مُغْبَرَّة أَقْرابُهُ مُلَعَّنِ
And many a waste, remote from water, broad of breast,
its flanks dust-covered, accursed,
مَرْتٍbarren كَجِلْدِlike the hide of الصَرْصَرانthe Bactrian camel الأَدْخَنِthe dusky
مَرْتٍ كَجِلْدِ الصَرْصَران الأَدْخَنِ
يَنْحَضstrips flesh from أَعْناقthe necks of المَهَارىMahri camels البُدَّنِthe plump
يَنْحَض أَعْناق المَهَارى البُدَّنِ
barren as a dusky Bactrian camel's hide,
stripping the necks of plump Mahri camels of flesh,
وَمِنْand from عَجارِيهِنَّtheir swollen undersides كُلَّevery جِنْجِنِbreastbone
وَمِنْ عَجارِيهِنَّ كُلَّ جِنْجِنِ
قَطَعْتُهُI crossed it بَعْدَafter الْتِيَاثthe confusion of الأَوْسَنِthe drowsiest one
قَطَعْتُهُ بَعْدَ الْتِيَاث الأَوْسَنِ
and every breastbone within their swollen undersides—
I crossed it after the drowsiest one's confusion,
إِلَيْكَtoward you بِالمُنْتَحِيَاتِon the side-leaning mounts الذُقَّنِthe heavy-chinned
إِلَيْكَ بِالمُنْتَحِيَاتِ الذُقَّنِ
بِكُلِّon every رَعْشاءَtrembling she-camel وَناجٍand swift male camel رَعْشَنِquivering
بِكُلِّ رَعْشاءَ وَناجٍ رَعْشَنِ
toward you, on side-leaning, heavy-chinned mounts,
on every trembling she-camel and swift, quivering male.
يَرْكَبْنthey mount أَعْضادَthe limbs of عِتاقancient الأَجْفُنِjifn-trees
يَرْكَبْن أَعْضادَ عِتاق الأَجْفُنِ
حَتَّىuntil تَرَىyou see عَيْنَthe eye of الهِبِلِّthe huge camel المُذْعِنِthe obedient
حَتَّى تَرَى عَيْنَ الهِبِلِّ المُذْعِنِ
They climb the limbs of ancient jifn-trees,
until you see the huge, obedient camel's eye,
بَعْدafter أَطاوِيحfar-flung stretches of السِفارjourneying المُجْرِنِthe wearing
بَعْد أَطاوِيح السِفار المُجْرِنِ
فيin وَقْبِthe socket of خَوْصاءَa sunken eye كَوَقْبِlike the hollow of المُدْهُنِan oil-flask
في وَقْبِ خَوْصاءَ كَوَقْبِ المُدْهُنِ
after the far-flung stretches of wearing journeys,
in its sunken socket, like an oil-flask's hollow.
يَمْطُوهُrides it مِنْone of شَعْشاعِthe tall and lean غَيْرِnot مُودَنِstunted
يَمْطُوهُ مِنْ شَعْشاعِ غَيْرِ مُودَنِ
صَعْلٌsmall-headed كَجِذْعِlike the trunk of الشاذِبِa stripped tree المُمَخَّنِthe elongated
صَعْلٌ كَجِذْعِ الشاذِبِ المُمَخَّنِ
A tall, lean man, not stunted, rides it,
small-headed, like a stripped, elongated trunk.
وَإِنْand though مَسَاحِيجُthe scrapers of الرِياحِthe winds السُفَّنِthe abrading
وَإِنْ مَسَاحِيجُ الرِياحِ السُفَّنِ
سَفْسَفْنَthey swept low فيin أَرْجاءِthe expanses of خاوٍan empty waste مُزْمِنِlong-deserted
سَفْسَفْنَ في أَرْجاءِ خاوٍ مُزْمِنِ
And though the planing, scraping winds
swept low through the reaches of a long-deserted waste,
كَالطَحنِlike flour أَوor أَذرَتscattered ذَرىًheaps لَمnot يُطحَنِground
كَالطَحنِ أَو أَذرَت ذَرىً لَم يُطحَنِ
دَوافِناًburying مِنfrom فَرغِthe opening of كُلِّevery مَدفَنِburied hollow
دَوافِناً مِن فَرغِ كُلِّ مَدفَنِ
like flour, or scattered heaps not yet ground,
burying drifts from every hidden hollow's mouth,
مَاضَغنَthey chewed مِنfrom أَجْنthe staleness of الجِمامpools الأُجَّنِthe stagnant
مَاضَغنَ مِن أَجْن الجِمام الأُجَّنِ
وِرْداًa draught كَأَبْوالlike the urine of المَخَاضpregnant she-camels الصُفَّنِstanding on three legs
وِرْداً كَأَبْوال المَخَاض الصُفَّنِ
they chewed the staleness of stagnant pools,
a draught like the urine of pregnant camels standing on three legs.
وَاجْتَزْنَand they crossed فيthrough ذِيa tract of نِسَعٍbreadths مُمَحَّنِstretched-out
وَاجْتَزْنَ في ذِي نِسَعٍ مُمَحَّنِ
تَفْتَنُّthey vary their course طُولَalong the length of البَلَدِthe land المُفَتَّنِthe many-branched
تَفْتَنُّ طُولَ البَلَدِ المُفَتَّنِ
And they crossed a tract of stretched-out breadths,
ranging the length of the many-pathed land.
إِذَاwhen رَمَتْthey thrust مَجْهُولَهُits unknown reaches بِالأَجْبُنِwith foreheads
إِذَا رَمَتْ مَجْهُولَهُ بِالأَجْبُنِ
سَرَيْنَthey traveled by night أَوْor عاجُواthey turned aside بِلَاwithout مُلَهَّنِrefreshment
سَرَيْنَ أَوْ عاجُوا بِلَا مُلَهَّنِ
When they thrust their foreheads into its unknown reaches,
they traveled by night, or turned aside without refreshment.
وَخَلَّطَتْand mingled كُلُّevery دلاثٍsmooth-striding she-camel عَلْجَنِsturdy
وَخَلَّطَتْ كُلُّ دلاثٍ عَلْجَنِ
غَوْجٍswaying كَبُرْجِlike a tower of الأَجُرِbrick المُلَبَّنِthe molded
غَوْجٍ كَبُرْجِ الأَجُرِ المُلَبَّنِ
And every smooth-striding, sturdy she-camel mingled her paces,
swaying, like a tower of molded brick,
تَخْلِيطَthe confused work of خَرْقاءِa clumsy woman اليَدَيْنِin both hands خَلْبَنِa fool
تَخْلِيطَ خَرْقاءِ اليَدَيْنِ خَلْبَنِ
بَلَّغْنَthey conveyed أَقْوالاًwords مَضَتْthat sped on لاnot تَنْثَنِيturning back
بَلَّغْنَ أَقْوالاً مَضَتْ لا تَنْثَنِي
like the confused work of a clumsy-handed fool.
They conveyed words that sped on without turning back,
أَبْقَىmore lasting وَأَمْضىand sharper مِنْthan حِدَادِthe sharp blades of الأَزْأَنِal-Azʾan
أَبْقَى وَأَمْضى مِنْ حِدَادِ الأَزْأَنِ
كَمْhow many جاوَزَتْthey passed مِنْof حاسِرٍan exhausted one مُرَبَّنِheld fast
كَمْ جاوَزَتْ مِنْ حاسِرٍ مُرَبَّنِ
more lasting and sharper than al-Azʾan's keen blades.
How many an exhausted, stranded traveler they passed,
وَقامِسٍand one plunging فيin آلِهِhis mirage مُكَفَّنِshrouded
وَقامِسٍ في آلِهِ مُكَفَّنِ
يَنْزُونَthey leap نَزْوَthe leaping of اللاعِبِينَthe players الزُفَّنِthe dancers
يَنْزُونَ نَزْوَ اللاعِبِينَ الزُفَّنِ
and one plunging in his mirage, wrapped as in a shroud,
leaping like players dancing,
وَقُفِّand a stony height of أَقْفافٍstony heights وَرَمْلٍand sand بَحْوَنِspacious
وَقُفِّ أَقْفافٍ وَرَمْلٍ بَحْوَنِ
مِنْof رَمْلِthe sands of يَرْنَاYarnā ذِيwith الرُكامheaped drifts الأَعْكَنِthe folded
مِنْ رَمْلِ يَرْنَا ذِي الرُكام الأَعْكَنِ
and many a towering rocky height and spacious sand,
of Yarnā's sands, with piled, folded drifts,
أَثْبَجَbroad-backed أَوْor ذِيwith جُدَدٍstreaks مُفَنَّنِvariegated
أَثْبَجَ أَوْ ذِي جُدَدٍ مُفَنَّنِ
فَامْدَحْso praise بِلَالاًBilāl غَيْرَwithout مَاany مُؤَبَّنِreproach
فَامْدَحْ بِلَالاً غَيْرَ مَا مُؤَبَّنِ
broad-backed, or patterned with varied streaks.
So praise Bilāl, without any reproach.
تَرَاهُyou see him كَالْبَازِيlike a falcon انْتَمىrisen high فيin المَوْكِنِthe nest
تَرَاهُ كَالْبَازِي انْتَمى في المَوْكِنِ
يَقْتَدُّhe cuts out مِنْfrom كَوْنِthe unfolding of الأُمُورِaffairs الكُوَّنِthe occurring
يَقْتَدُّ مِنْ كَوْنِ الأُمُورِ الكُوَّنِ
You see him like a falcon risen high in its nest.
He cuts from the course of unfolding affairs
حَقائِقاًrealities لَيْسَتٍْthat are not بِقَوْلِthe speech of الكُهَّنِsoothsayers
حَقائِقاً لَيْسَتٍْ بِقَوْلِ الكُهَّنِ
حَتَّىuntil انْطَوَتْcoiled away حَيَّاتُthe snakes of كُلِّevery مَكْمِنِambush-place
حَتَّى انْطَوَتْ حَيَّاتُ كُلِّ مَكْمِنِ
realities that are no soothsayers' talk,
until the serpents of every ambush coil away.
أَمْسَىhas become بِلالٌBilāl كَالرَبِيعِlike spring rain المُدْجِنِthe cloud-laden
أَمْسَى بِلالٌ كَالرَبِيعِ المُدْجِنِ
أَمْطَرَhe rained فيwithin أَكْنافِthe flanks of غَيْمٍa cloud مُغْيِنِenveloping
أَمْطَرَ في أَكْنافِ غَيْمٍ مُغْيِنِ
Bilāl has become like a cloud-laden spring rain,
raining beneath the flanks of enveloping cloud,
عَلَىupon أَخِلّاءِfriends of الصَفاءِpure affection الوُتَّنِthe steadfast
عَلَى أَخِلّاءِ الصَفاءِ الوُتَّنِ
بَوَّاعَfar-reaching سَوارتٍin surges كِرِيمَnoble of المُرْسِنِmuzzle
بَوَّاعَ سَوارتٍ كِرِيمَ المُرْسِنِ
upon steadfast friends of pure affection,
far-reaching in his surges, noble of muzzle.
يَبْتاعhe buys أَثْمانthe prices of العُلَاhigh rank بِالأَثْمَنِwith what is costliest
يَبْتاع أَثْمان العُلَا بِالأَثْمَنِ
وَماand whatever يُضَمَّنْhe is entrusted with مِنْof جَزِيلٍa great obligation يَضْمَنِhe guarantees
وَما يُضَمَّنْ مِنْ جَزِيلٍ يَضْمَنِ
He pays the price of greatness with what is costliest.
Whatever great obligation he is given, he guarantees.
يَغْرِفُhe draws مِنfrom أَذِيِّthe surge of بَحْرٍa sea مُمْعَنِdeep-reaching
يَغْرِفُ مِن أَذِيِّ بَحْرٍ مُمْعَنِ
بِسَجْلwith a great bucket مَشْدُودِfast-bound in العُرَىits loops لَمْnot يَذْقَنِit tilts
بِسَجْل مَشْدُودِ العُرَى لَمْ يَذْقَنِ
He draws from the surge of a deep-reaching sea
with a great bucket, its loops bound fast, never tilting.
بَيْتُكَyour house فِيamong اليامِنِthe fortunate بَيْتthe house of الأَيْمَنِthe most fortunate
بَيْتُكَ فِي اليامِنِ بَيْت الأَيْمَنِ
فيin العِزِّmight مِنْهاamong them وَالسَنامand the hump الأَسْمَنِthe fattest
في العِزِّ مِنْها وَالسَنام الأَسْمَنِ
Your house among the fortunate is the most fortunate house,
in their might, at the fattest summit of the hump.
فَاللَّهُso God يَبْنِيbuilds صاعِداًupward وَتَبْتَنِيand you build
فَاللَّهُ يَبْنِي صاعِداً وَتَبْتَنِي
مَجْداًglory رَسَتْstand firm أَوْتادُهُits stakes لَمْnot يَظْعَنِit departs
مَجْداً رَسَتْ أَوْتادُهُ لَمْ يَظْعَنِ
God builds aloft, and you build
a glory whose stakes stand firm and never depart.
تَحْمِيهِguard it مِنfrom أَعْراضِthe flank attacks of كُلِّevery مِشْفَنِwatchful onlooker
تَحْمِيهِ مِن أَعْراضِ كُلِّ مِشْفَنِ
سُودٌblack ones وَبُلْقٌand piebald ones سامِيَاتtowering in الأَرْعُنِprojecting peaks
سُودٌ وَبُلْقٌ سامِيَات الأَرْعُنِ
Against the flank attacks of every watchful foe, it is guarded by
black and piebald ones, with towering crests.
إِنِّيI indeed وَقَدْand indeed تَعْنِيare pressing أُمُورٌmatters تَعْتَنِيdemand attention
إِنِّي وَقَدْ تَعْنِي أُمُورٌ تَعْتَنِي
عَلَىon طَرِيقِthe path of العُذْرِexcuse إِنْif عَذَرْتَنِيyou excuse me
عَلَى طَرِيقِ العُذْرِ إِنْ عَذَرْتَنِي
I—though pressing matters demand attention—
am on the path of excuse, if you will excuse me.
فَلَاno, then وَرَبِّby the Lord of الآمِناتِthe secure birds القُطَّنِthe abiding
فَلَا وَرَبِّ الآمِناتِ القُطَّنِ
يَعْمُرْنthey dwell أَمْناًsafely بِالحَرَامin the Sacred Precinct المَأْمَنِthe refuge
يَعْمُرْن أَمْناً بِالحَرَام المَأْمَنِ
No, by the Lord of the secure, abiding birds,
dwelling safely in the Sacred Precinct, the refuge,
بِمَحْبِسِat the enclosure of الهَدْيِsacrificial animals وَبَيْتِand the House of المَسْدَنِthe keeper
بِمَحْبِسِ الهَدْيِ وَبَيْتِ المَسْدَنِ
وَرَبِّand by the Lord of وَجْهٍa face مِنْof حِرَاءٍḤirāʾ مُنْحَنِيsloping
وَرَبِّ وَجْهٍ مِنْ حِرَاءٍ مُنْحَنِي
at the sacrificial animals' enclosure and the keeper's House,
and by the Lord of a sloping face of Ḥirāʾ:
ماno آئِبٌreturning thing سَرَّكَgladdened you إِلّاexcept سَرَّنِيit gladdened me
ما آئِبٌ سَرَّكَ إِلّا سَرَّنِي
شُكْراًin gratitude وَإِنْand if عَرَّكَtroubles you أَمْرٌa matter عَرَّنِيit troubles me
شُكْراً وَإِنْ عَرَّكَ أَمْرٌ عَرَّنِي
no returning good gladdened you without gladdening me,
in gratitude; and if a matter troubles you, it troubles me.
مَاwhat is الحِفْظُfaithfulness إِمَّاas for النُصْحُsincere counsel إِلّاexcept أَنَّنِيthat I am
مَا الحِفْظُ إِمَّا النُصْحُ إِلّا أَنَّنِي
أَخُوكَyour brother وَالراعِيand the guardian لِمَاof what اسْتَرْعَيْتَنِيyou entrusted to my care
أَخُوكَ وَالراعِي لِمَا اسْتَرْعَيْتَنِي
What are faithfulness and sincere counsel, save that I am
your brother, guarding what you entrust to me?
إِنِّيI indeed إِذَاwhen لَمْnot تَرَنِيyou see me كَأَنَّنِيas though I
إِنِّي إِذَا لَمْ تَرَنِي كَأَنَّنِي
أَراكَsee you بِالغَيْبِin your absence وَإِنْeven if لَمْnot تَرَنِيyou see me
أَراكَ بِالغَيْبِ وَإِنْ لَمْ تَرَنِي
When you do not see me, it is as though I
see you in your absence, though you do not see me.
مَنْwhoever غشَّcheats أَوor وَنَّىslackens فَإِنِّيI, however لاdo not أَنِيslacken
مَنْ غشَّ أَو وَنَّى فَإِنِّي لا أَنِي
عَنْfrom رَفْدِكُمْsupporting you خَيْراًwith good بِكُلِّin every مَوْطِنِplace
عَنْ رَفْدِكُمْ خَيْراً بِكُلِّ مَوْطِنِ
Whoever cheats or slackens, I do not slacken
in supporting you with good in every place.
وَكَيْفَand how لاnot أَجْزِيكَI repay you بِالتَمَنُّنِfor gracious giving
وَكَيْفَ لا أَجْزِيكَ بِالتَمَنُّنِ
وَالشُكْرُand gratitude حَقٌّa duty فيin فُوَادِthe heart of المُؤْمِنِthe believer
وَالشُكْرُ حَقٌّ في فُوَادِ المُؤْمِنِ
How could I not repay your gracious giving—
gratitude is a duty in a believer's heart—
بِالرُّزْءِfor taking a share مِنْfrom مالِكَyour wealth وَالتَلَيُّنِand gentleness
بِالرُّزْءِ مِنْ مالِكَ وَالتَلَيُّنِ
أَوْطَنْتI settled أَرْضاًa land لَمْnot تَكُنْit was مِنْpart of وَطَنِيmy homeland
أَوْطَنْت أَرْضاً لَمْ تَكُنْ مِنْ وَطَنِي
for the share of your wealth I take, and your gentleness?
I settled in a land that was not my homeland.
لَوْif لَمْnot تَكُنْyou were عامِلَهاits governor لَمnot أَسْكُنِI dwell
لَوْ لَمْ تَكُنْ عامِلَها لَم أَسْكُنِ
بِهَاin it وَلَمand not أَرْجُنْI remain بِهَاin it فِيamong الرُجَّنِthe settled folk
بِهَا وَلَم أَرْجُنْ بِهَا فِي الرُجَّنِ
Had you not been its governor, I would not have dwelt
there, nor remained there among its settled folk.
فَاللَّهُso may God يَجْزِيكَreward you جَزاءَthe reward of المُحْسِنِthe beneficent
فَاللَّهُ يَجْزِيكَ جَزاءَ المُحْسِنِ
عَنِon behalf of الشَرِيفِthe noble وَالوَضِيعand the lowly الأَوْهَنِthe weakest
عَنِ الشَرِيفِ وَالوَضِيع الأَوْهَنِ
May God reward you as He rewards the beneficent,
on behalf of the noble and the lowly, the weakest,
وَالغارِمand the debtor الأَقْصَىthe farthest وَعَنْand on behalf of دَانِيthe nearby one الدَنِيthe lowly
وَالغارِم الأَقْصَى وَعَنْ دَانِي الدَنِي
وَحَقand for the due of أَضْيافٍguests عِطاشthirsty of الأَعْيُنِeyes
وَحَق أَضْيافٍ عِطاش الأَعْيُنِ
the far-off debtor and the nearby humble man,
and for the due of guests with thirsting eyes,
لاnot يَجْعَلُونَthey give النَقْدَcoin لِلْمُسْتَأْذِنِto the admission-seeker
لا يَجْعَلُونَ النَقْدَ لِلْمُسْتَأْذِنِ
أَمْكَنْتَهُمْyou enabled them مِنْto obtain حاجَةِthe need of المُسْتَمْكِنِone able to obtain it
أَمْكَنْتَهُمْ مِنْ حاجَةِ المُسْتَمْكِنِ
who give no coin to the one seeking admission.
You gave them full access to what they needed,
بِرَأْيwith judgment لَاneither جافٍharsh وَلَاnor مُغَبَّنِdeceived
بِرَأْي لَا جافٍ وَلَا مُغَبَّنِ
مَعَwith العَفافِself-restraint البَرْزِthe manifest وَالتَدَيُّنِand piety
مَعَ العَفافِ البَرْزِ وَالتَدَيُّنِ
with judgment neither harsh nor deceived,
with manifest self-restraint and piety,
حِفْظاًin safekeeping وَإِحْصاناًand protection مِنَthrough التَحَصُّنِfortification
حِفْظاً وَإِحْصاناً مِنَ التَحَصُّنِ
عَنْagainst شَيْنthe blemish of أَطْباعthe ways of الأُمُورaffairs الشُيَّنِthe disgraceful
عَنْ شَيْن أَطْباع الأُمُور الشُيَّنِ
in safekeeping and protection, firmly fortified
against the taint of disgraceful ways in affairs,
حَتَّىuntil بَدَاappeared أَصْحانُthe open courts of كُلِّevery مَصْحَنِcourtyard
حَتَّى بَدَا أَصْحانُ كُلِّ مَصْحَنِ
إِذَاwhen امْرُؤٌa man دَغْمَرَsmears لَوْنthe hue of الأَدْرَنِthe filthy
إِذَا امْرُؤٌ دَغْمَرَ لَوْن الأَدْرَنِ
until the open courts of every courtyard lay revealed.
When a man smears on the hue of filth,
سَلَّمْتَyou kept safe عِرْضاًan honor ثَوْبُهُwhose garment لَمْnot يَدْكَنِdarkened
سَلَّمْتَ عِرْضاً ثَوْبُهُ لَمْ يَدْكَنِ
وَصافِياًand a pure pool غَمرَdeep in الجِبَاits basin لَمْnot يُدْمَنِbecomes fouled
وَصافِياً غَمرَ الجِبَا لَمْ يُدْمَنِ
you keep safe an honor whose robe has never darkened,
and a pure, deep pool, its basin never fouled,
أَفْيَحَwide بِالوُرَّادِfor those coming to water رَحْبَspacious in المَعْطِنِthe watering-ground
أَفْيَحَ بِالوُرَّادِ رَحْبَ المَعْطِنِ
فَماتَso died ذُوthe one with الداءِthe disease انتِفاخَthe swelling of الكَوْدَنِthe packhorse
فَماتَ ذُو الداءِ انتِفاخَ الكَوْدَنِ
wide for those coming to drink, spacious at its watering-ground.
Then the diseased man dies, swollen like a packhorse,
يَحْكِيhe imitates مِنَfrom الغَيْظِrage زَفِيرthe wheezing of الأَحْبَنِthe dropsical man
يَحْكِي مِنَ الغَيْظِ زَفِير الأَحْبَنِ
وَطالَand long lasted رَغْمُthe humiliation of الحاسِدِthe envious man المُهَوَّنِthe belittled
وَطالَ رَغْمُ الحاسِدِ المُهَوَّنِ
his rage mimicking a dropsical man's wheeze.
Long lasts the abasement of the envious man, held cheap
عَلَيْكَin your eyes وَالمُهْتَضَمِand the overpowered المُوَهَّنِthe enfeebled
عَلَيْكَ وَالمُهْتَضَمِ المُوَهَّنِ
إِذَاwhen الدَوَاهِيcalamities وَامْتِراسand the wrestling of الأَلْسُنِtongues
إِذَا الدَوَاهِي وَامْتِراس الأَلْسُنِ
in your eyes, and of the crushed, enfeebled one.
When calamities and tongues' contentions arise,
ناجُوكَthey consult you privately أَوْor جالَواthey debate بِأَمْرٍabout a matter مُعْلَنِopenly declared
ناجُوكَ أَوْ جالَوا بِأَمْرٍ مُعْلَنِ
فُزْتَyou won بِقِدْحَيْwith the two gaming-arrows of مُعْرِبٍan eloquent speaker لَمْnot يَلْحَنِhe errs
فُزْتَ بِقِدْحَيْ مُعْرِبٍ لَمْ يَلْحَنِ
and men consult you privately or debate an open matter,
you win with both arrows of an eloquent speaker, never erring,
مُسْتَلْحِمِfirmly joined in القَصْدِpurpose مُبِينِclearly expressing الأَبْيَنِthe clearest
مُسْتَلْحِمِ القَصْدِ مُبِينِ الأَبْيَنِ
عَزْماًin resolve وَحِلْماًand forbearance بِالقَضَاءwith judgment الأَرْصَنِthe soundest
عَزْماً وَحِلْماً بِالقَضَاء الأَرْصَنِ
firmly joined in purpose, expressing the clearest meaning:
resolve and forbearance, with the soundest judgment.
وَإِنْand if غَلاboils ماءُthe water of الحَمِيمِthe scalding المُسْخَنِthe heated
وَإِنْ غَلا ماءُ الحَمِيمِ المُسْخَنِ
ثَقَّفْتَyou set straight تَثْقِيفَthe straightening of امْرِئٍa man لَمْnot يُهْدَنِhe is subdued
ثَقَّفْتَ تَثْقِيفَ امْرِئٍ لَمْ يُهْدَنِ
And if the heated, scalding water boils,
you set things straight like a man never subdued.
بِالقَوْلِin speech تَعْلُوyou rise above وَالعِراكِand in combat المُثْخِنِthe crushing
بِالقَوْلِ تَعْلُو وَالعِراكِ المُثْخِنِ
وَدَغْيَةٍand a dark tangle مِنْof خَطِلٍfoolish talk مُغْدَودِنِrankly overgrown
وَدَغْيَةٍ مِنْ خَطِلٍ مُغْدَودِنِ
You prevail in speech and in crushing combat.
And many a dark tangle of luxuriant foolish talk,
قُرْبانِan intimate of مَلْكٍa king أَوْor شَرِيفِnoble of المَعْدِنِorigin
قُرْبانِ مَلْكٍ أَوْ شَرِيفِ المَعْدِنِ
قامَتْrose بِهِagainst it شُدَّاكَyour two strong grips بَعْدafter الأَوْهنِthe weaker state
قامَتْ بِهِ شُدَّاكَ بَعْد الأَوْهنِ
from a king's intimate or a man of noble stock,
your forceful grips rose against after weakness,
وَزَحْمُand the thrust of رُكْنَيْكَyour two sides شِدادstrong of الأَرْكُنِsupports
وَزَحْمُ رُكْنَيْكَ شِداد الأَرْكُنِ
بِدَرْءِin repelling هَمَّازٍa slanderer دُرُوءَthe thrusts of الضَيْزَنِan intruding rival
بِدَرْءِ هَمَّازٍ دُرُوءَ الضَيْزَنِ
with the thrust of your two sides, strong in their supports,
repelling a slanderer with an intruding rival's shove,
حَتَّىuntil تَنَحَّىwithdrew عَنْكَfrom you كَيْدُthe scheming of الزُبَّنِthe violent shovers
حَتَّى تَنَحَّى عَنْكَ كَيْدُ الزُبَّنِ
وَعَضُّand the bite of خَصْمٍa foe مَحِكٍquarrelsome مُمَرَّنِwell-practiced
وَعَضُّ خَصْمٍ مَحِكٍ مُمَرَّنِ
until the scheming of violent shovers withdrew from you,
and the bite of a quarrelsome, practiced foe,
أَلْيَسَunyielding مَلْوِيِّtwisted in المَلاوِيturnings مِثْفَنِcallus-hardened
أَلْيَسَ مَلْوِيِّ المَلاوِي مِثْفَنِ
يَشتَقُّhe takes a side-path أَوْor يَدْنُوdraws near دُنُوَّthe approach of المُرْغِنِthe wheedler
يَشتَقُّ أَوْ يَدْنُو دُنُوَّ المُرْغِنِ
unyielding, twisted in his turns, callus-hardened,
who takes a side-path or draws near like a wheedler.
أَلْصَقْتَyou pressed مِنْهُof him بِالضَغينِupon the spiteful الأَضْغَنِthe more spiteful
أَلْصَقْتَ مِنْهُ بِالضَغينِ الأَضْغَنِ
وَرَازَand he tested مِنْin حِلْمِكَyour forbearance حِلْمthe forbearance of الأَرْزَنِthe weightiest
وَرَازَ مِنْ حِلْمِكَ حِلْم الأَرْزَنِ
You matched his rancor with a deeper rancor.
He tested in your forbearance the weightiest forbearance,
وَنَبْعَةًand a nabʿ-wood bow تَكْسِرُthat breaks صُلْبthe backbone of الأَوْزَنِthe strongest
وَنَبْعَةً تَكْسِرُ صُلْب الأَوْزَنِ
وَفِطْنَةًand insight تغْلِبُthat defeats دَهْيthe cunning of الأَفْطَنِthe cleverest
وَفِطْنَةً تغْلِبُ دَهْي الأَفْطَنِ
and a nabʿ-wood bow that breaks the strongest backbone,
and insight that defeats the cleverest man's cunning.
أَخْذُكَyour grasping بِالمَيْسُورِof the easy وَالعَشَوْزَنِand the rugged
أَخْذُكَ بِالمَيْسُورِ وَالعَشَوْزَنِ
بِالشَطَنwith the tether الأَعْلَاthe uppermost فَإِنْand if لَمْnot تَشْطُنِyou keep far away
بِالشَطَن الأَعْلَا فَإِنْ لَمْ تَشْطُنِ
Your grasp of both the easy and the rough
is by the upper tether; and if you do not keep afar,
أَرَّبْتَyou tightened عَقْداًa knot فيin مَتِينthe stout part of الأَمْتَنِthe stoutest
أَرَّبْتَ عَقْداً في مَتِين الأَمْتَنِ
بِحَبْلِwith the rope of كَلُّوبٍa hook شَدِيدِstrong in المِحْجَنِits crook
بِحَبْلِ كَلُّوبٍ شَدِيدِ المِحْجَنِ
you tighten a knot in the stoutest cord,
with a hooked rope, its crook gripping hard,
يَعْتَزُّit seizes أَعْناقَthe necks of الصِعابِthe stubborn beasts اللُجَّنِthe balking
يَعْتَزُّ أَعْناقَ الصِعابِ اللُجَّنِ
مِنamong الأَوَابِيthe defiant ones بِالرِياضِin the meadows المِخْضَنِthe lush green
مِن الأَوَابِي بِالرِياضِ المِخْضَنِ
that seizes the necks of stubborn, balking beasts,
among the defiant ones in the lush meadows.
وَتَرْتَمِيand you aim at رَأْسَthe head of المُسِيءthe wrongdoer الأَحْيَنِthe ill-starred
وَتَرْتَمِي رَأْسَ المُسِيء الأَحْيَنِ
بِمِقْذَفٍwith a projectile يَكْسِرُthat shatters هَضْبthe mountain mass of الأَوْجَنِthe rugged
بِمِقْذَفٍ يَكْسِرُ هَضْب الأَوْجَنِ
And you aim at the ill-starred wrongdoer's head
with a projectile that shatters rugged mountain masses,
قَذْفاًhurling بِمِرْجامِwith a stone-thrower الرِجامof stone-throwers الأَرْكَنِthe firmest
قَذْفاً بِمِرْجامِ الرِجام الأَرْكَنِ
مِنْfrom سُمْرِthe brown ones صَيّاحِthe loud-criers of الجِبالِthe mountains الأُنَّنِthe groaning
مِنْ سُمْرِ صَيّاحِ الجِبالِ الأُنَّنِ
hurling with the firmest of stone-throwers,
brown missiles that make the mountains cry and groan,
وَصاعِقاتٍand thunderbolts فَوْقَabove هامthe heads of الأَقْرُنِmatched adversaries
وَصاعِقاتٍ فَوْقَ هام الأَقْرُنِ
يَشْفِيcures لَظاهَاtheir blaze مِنْof صُداعthe ache of الأَشْؤُنِthe skull's sutures
يَشْفِي لَظاهَا مِنْ صُداع الأَشْؤُنِ
and thunderbolts above the heads of matched foes.
Their blaze cures the ache in the skull's seams,
وَفِيand in أَخادِيدِthe furrows of السِيَاطwhips المُشَّنِthe flaying
وَفِي أَخادِيدِ السِيَاط المُشَّنِ
شافٍa cure لِبَغْيِfor the aggression of الكَلِبِthe rabid one المُشَيْطَنِthe devil-driven
شافٍ لِبَغْيِ الكَلِبِ المُشَيْطَنِ
and in the furrows of flaying whips
lies a cure for a rabid, devil-driven man's aggression.
Sol 6.1