خَلَعَbestowed robes لرَبيعُspring عَلىupon غُصونِbranches البانِthe bān trees
خَلَعَ لرَبيعُ عَلى غُصونِ البانِ
حُلَلاًrobes فَواضِلُهاtheir trailing folds عَلىupon الكُثبانِthe dunes
حُلَلاً فَواضِلُها عَلى الكُثبانِ
Spring bestowed upon the branches of the bān trees
Spring adorned the branches with robes, their laces upon the sand dunes.
robes whose trailing folds spread over the dunes.
The palms grew until they embraced the hillsides with their branches.
وَنَمَتand grew فُروعُboughs الدَوحِthe great trees حَتّىuntil صافَحَتclasped
وَنَمَت فُروعُ الدَوحِ حَتّى صافَحَت
كَفَلَthe haunch الكَثيبِthe dune ذَوائِبُtresses الأَغصانِthe branches
كَفَلَ الكَثيبِ ذَوائِبُ الأَغصانِ
The great trees' boughs grew until they clasped
The buds were crowned, speckling the gardens with anemones.
the dune's haunch with the branches' flowing tresses.
The gardens were carpeted in variety - blossoms of contrasting forms and hues,
وَتَتَوَّجَتand were crowned هامُheads الغُصونِthe branches وَضَرَّجَتand reddened
وَتَتَوَّجَت هامُ الغُصونِ وَضَرَّجَت
خَدَّthe cheek الرِياضِthe meadows شَقائِقُanemones النُعمانِal-Nuʿmān
خَدَّ الرِياضِ شَقائِقُ النُعمانِ
The heads of the branches were crowned; crimson-dyed
White, yellow, blue - vivid and red, bright.
was the meadows' cheek by anemones.
Shadows stole between the arbors, branches swaying playfully,
وَتَنَوَّعَتand grew varied بُسطُcarpets الرِياضِthe meadows فَزَهرُهاso their blossoms
وَتَنَوَّعَت بُسطُ الرِياضِ فَزَهرُها
مُتَبايِنُdiffering الأَشكالِthe forms وَالأَلوانِand the colors
مُتَبايِنُ الأَشكالِ وَالأَلوانِ
The meadows' carpets grew varied, and their blossoms
As if the boughs were a parade of dancing gazelles, chained with basil.
differed in form and color:
The sun gazed through their branches at the gardens with a covetous eye,
مِنof أَبيَضٍwhite يَقَقٍpure white وَأَصفَرَand yellow فاقِعٍbrilliant
مِن أَبيَضٍ يَقَقٍ وَأَصفَرَ فاقِعٍ
أَوor أَزرَقٍblue صافٍclear وَأَحمَرَand red قانيdeep crimson
أَو أَزرَقٍ صافٍ وَأَحمَرَ قاني
some purest white, some brilliant yellow,
While the buds between their coverings were like maids unveiled for lovers.
or clear blue and deep crimson.
The land wondered - how could it smile while life wept with constant sorrow,
وَالظِلُّand the shade يَسرِقُsteals فيin الخَمائِلِthe leafy groves خَطوَهُits step
وَالظِلُّ يَسرِقُ في الخَمائِلِ خَطوَهُ
وَالغُصنُand the branch يَخطِرُsways خِطرَةَthe swagger النَشوانِthe drunken man
وَالغُصنُ يَخطِرُ خِطرَةَ النَشوانِ
The shade steals its steps through the leafy groves,
Until its smiles faded and the clouds cried heavy tears,
and the branch sways with a drunken man's swagger.
Then its gardens chided its passion, and it answered wordlessly.
وَكَأَنَّماand as though الأَغصانُthe branches سوقُlegs رَواقِصٍdancing women
وَكَأَنَّما الأَغصانُ سوقُ رَواقِصٍ
قَدalready قُيَّدَتwere bound بِسَلاسِلِwith chains الرَيحانِbasil
قَد قُيَّدَت بِسَلاسِلِ الرَيحانِ
The branches seem like the legs of dancing women
Joy overwhelmed me until in its greatness it brought me to tears
bound with chains of basil.
So turn your cares to spring and its season - it is youth come again!
وَالشَمسُand the sun تَنظُرُlooks مِنfrom خِلالِbetween فُروعِهاtheir boughs
وَالشَمسُ تَنظُرُ مِن خِلالِ فُروعِها
نَحوَtoward الحَدائِقِthe gardens نَظرَةَthe gaze الغَيرانِthe jealous one
نَحوَ الحَدائِقِ نَظرَةَ الغَيرانِ
The sun looks through their boughs
For me, when Egypt's waters were dressed and its gardens shone,
toward the gardens with a jealous one's gaze.
And its valley grew verdant, its blossoms staring,
وَالطَلعُand palm blossom فيin خَلَلِgaps الكِمامِthe sheaths كَأَنَّهُas though it were
وَالطَلعُ في خَلَلِ الكِمامِ كَأَنَّهُ
حُلَلٌrobes تَفَتَّقُopen عَنaway from نُحورِthroats غَوانِbeautiful women
حُلَلٌ تَفَتَّقُ عَن نُحورِ غَوانِ
Palm blossom among the gaps of its sheaths seems
The Nile within it like Kauthar's springs in Eden,
like robes parting to reveal the throats of beauties.
The towering palms were like banners held by outstretched hands,
وَالأَرضُand the earth تَعجِبُwonders كَيفَhow تَضحَكit laughs وَالحَياwhile the rain
وَالأَرضُ تَعجِبُ كَيفَ تَضحَك وَالحَيا
يَبكيweeps بِدَمعٍwith tears دائِمِunceasing الهَمَلانِstreaming
يَبكي بِدَمعٍ دائِمِ الهَمَلانِ
The earth wonders how it can laugh while the rain
Or stalks of spears. They rose on wings of determination
weeps with tears that stream without cease.
As if, when marching, longing for flight.
حَتّىuntil إِذاwhen اِفتَرَّتopened in smiles مَباسِمُsmiling mouths زَهرِهاits flowers
حَتّى إِذا اِفتَرَّت مَباسِمُ زَهرِها
وَبَكىand wept السَحابُthe cloud بِمَدمَعٍwith a tearful eye هَتّانِstreaming
وَبَكى السَحابُ بِمَدمَعٍ هَتّانِ
Until, when its flowers' smiling mouths opened
The waters hurried faster when caressed by the gentle breeze -
and the cloud wept with a streaming eye,
Now cascading like a falcon's swoop, then rippling like a fawn's flank -
ظَلَّتkept حَدائِقُهُits gardens تُعاتِبُreproaching جَونَهُits dark cloud
ظَلَّت حَدائِقُهُ تُعاتِبُ جَونَهُ
فَأَجابَso it answered مُعتَذِراًapologizing بِغَيرِwithout لِسانِa tongue
فَأَجابَ مُعتَذِراً بِغَيرِ لِسانِ
its gardens kept reproaching its dark cloud,
Until the flood was broken and its turbulent depths distributed to the streams.
which answered in apology, without a tongue:
It leveled the land, as gifts from the Sultan make equals of all.
طَفَحَoverflowed السُرورُjoy عَلَيَّupon me حَتّىuntil إِنَّهُindeed it
طَفَحَ السُرورُ عَلَيَّ حَتّى إِنَّهُ
مِنfrom عِظمِgreatness ماwhat قَدalready سَرَّنيdelighted me أَبكانيmade me weep
مِن عِظمِ ما قَد سَرَّني أَبكاني
“Joy overflowed upon me, so much that
Al-Nasir - King in whose time, wild deer thanked the artistry of hunters.
the greatness of what delighted me made me weep.”
A King whose light, when it kohl'd the eyes of kings, bowed them in awe.
فَاِصرِفso dispel هُمومَكَyour cares بِالرَبيعِwith spring وَفَصلِهِand its season
فَاِصرِف هُمومَكَ بِالرَبيعِ وَفَصلِهِ
إِنَّindeed الرَبيعَspring هوَit is الشَبابُyouth الثانيthe second
إِنَّ الرَبيعَ هوَ الشَبابُ الثاني
So dispel your cares with spring and its season;
When his name was mentioned among nations, his fame made lineage superfluous.
spring is indeed a second youth.
He was of a people who hoarded praise, and dispensed the rewards of sorrow.
إِنّيindeed I وَقَدand already صَفَتِgrew clear المِياهُthe waters وَزُخرِفَتand were adorned
إِنّي وَقَد صَفَتِ المِياهُ وَزُخرِفَت
جَنّاتُgardens مِصرَEgypt وَأَشرَقَand shone الهَرمانِthe two pyramids
جَنّاتُ مِصرَ وَأَشرَقَ الهَرمانِ
I—when the waters had cleared and richly adorned were
A people who saw favors as partners to the description of the One Bountiful.
Egypt's gardens, and the two pyramids shone,
They who stoked fires beneath cauldrons for the villages from the debris of walls.
وَاِخضَرَّand grew green واديهاits valley وَحَدَّقَand opened like eyes زَهرُهُits blossoms
وَاِخضَرَّ واديها وَحَدَّقَ زَهرُهُ
وَالنيلُand the Nile فيهِwithin it كَكَوثَرٍlike Kawthar بِجِنانِin gardens
وَالنيلُ فيهِ كَكَوثَرٍ بِجِنانِ
its valley had turned green and its blossoms opened their eyes,
If their vicious hounds were muted, they invited guests with tongues of flame.
and the Nile within it was like Kawthar amid gardens;
Lions whose paws, on the day of fury, bloodied the maneed hyenas.
وَبِهِand upon it الجَواريthe sailing ships المُنشَآتُwith sails raised كَأَنَّهاas though they were
وَبِهِ الجَواري المُنشَآتُ كَأَنَّها
أَعلامُmountains بيدٍdeserts أَوor فُروعُcrests قِنانِpeaks
أَعلامُ بيدٍ أَو فُروعُ قِنانِ
upon it the ships with sails raised seemed
They ripped through ringmail into the chests of armored men,
like mountains in deserts, or the crests of peaks.
And into the bellies of men, again and again.
نَهَضَتrose بِأَجنِحَةِwith wings القُلوعِthe sails كَأَنَّهاas though they were
نَهَضَت بِأَجنِحَةِ القُلوعِ كَأَنَّها
عِندَat المَسيرِdeparture تَهُمُّare about بِالطَيَرانِto fly
عِندَ المَسيرِ تَهُمُّ بِالطَيَرانِ
They rose with wings of sails, as though
The religion of Muhammad prevailed through him, ascending over creeds.
at departure they were about to take flight.
A king whose command was obeyed by kings, and so the states of every era.
وَالماءُand the water يُسرِعُhastens فيin التَدَفُّقِflowing كُلَّماwhenever
وَالماءُ يُسرِعُ في التَدَفُّقِ كُلَّما
عَجِلَتhastened عَليهِover it يَدُhand النَسيمِthe breeze الوانيlanguid
عَجِلَت عَليهِ يَدُ النَسيمِ الواني
The water quickens in its flow whenever
Benevolence returned, and its people - it was as if the Messiah came again!
the languid breeze's hand hastens across it:
The birds sought refuge in his protection, for without it they feared the flood.
طَوراًat times كَأَسنِمَةِlike the humps القِلاصِyoung she-camels وَتارَةًand sometimes
طَوراً كَأَسنِمَةِ القِلاصِ وَتارَةً
مُتَفَتِّلٌtwisting كَأَكارِعِlike the shanks الغِزلانِgazelles
مُتَفَتِّلٌ كَأَكارِعِ الغِزلانِ
now like the humps of young she-camels, and now
No fault in his boons, save that strangers forgot their homelands because of them.
twisting like the shanks of gazelles.
I saw in him the wisdom of Luqman, and the justice of Kisra's court.
حَتّىuntil إِذاكُسِرَwhen it was breached الحَليجُthe canal وَقُسِّمَتand were divided
حَتّى إِذاكُسِرَ الحَليجُ وَقُسِّمَت
أَمواهُwaters لُجَّتِهits depths عَلىamong الخُلجانِthe channels
أَمواهُ لُجَّتِه عَلى الخُلجانِ
Until, when the canal was breached and apportioned
I saw in him a generosity and eloquence that loosed my hands and tongue.
were the waters of its depths among the channels,
O you whose magnanimity has preoccupied Time, deafening the ears of the young!
ساوىtreated equally البِلادَthe lands كَماjust as تُساويtreat equally فيin النَدىgenerosity
ساوى البِلادَ كَما تُساوي في النَدى
بَينَamong الأَنامِhumankind مَواهِبُgifts السُلطانِthe Sultan
بَينَ الأَنامِ مَواهِبُ السُلطانِ
it served the lands equally, just as in bounty
If your name were etched by swords and spears, it would suffice over thrusting and piercing.
the Sultan's gifts treat all people equally:
A regiment whose portico the lame built upon the pillars of solid marble,
الناصِرُal-Nasir المَلِكُthe king الَّذيwho فيin عَصرِهِhis age
الناصِرُ المَلِكُ الَّذي في عَصرِهِ
شِكرَthanked الظِباءُthe gazelles صَنيعَةَthe kindness السِرحانِthe wolf
شِكرَ الظِباءُ صَنيعَةَ السِرحانِ
al-Nasir, the king in whose age
Dust embroidered the steeds, conjoining with the embroidery of horsemen.
gazelles thanked the wolf for his kindness.
Blood at the fringes of shields was like anemones around a pond.
مَلِكٌa king إِذاwhen اِكتَحَلَanointed their eyes المُلوكِthe kings بِنورِهِwith his light
مَلِكٌ إِذا اِكتَحَلَ المُلوكِ بِنورِهِ
خَرّواfell prostrate لِهَيبَتِهِin awe of him إِلىupon الأَذقانِthe chins
خَرّوا لِهَيبَتِهِ إِلى الأَذقانِ
A king—when kings anoint their eyes with his light,
When the tumult flared and the whites of blades sought the weak points of necks,
they fall upon their chins in awe of him.
Your shields did then as mirages do for the bleary-eyed thirsty.
وَإِذاand when جَرىcirculated بَينَamong الوَرىhumankind ذِكرُmention اِسمِهِhis name
وَإِذا جَرى بَينَ الوَرى ذِكرُ اِسمِهِ
تُغنيهِspares him شُهرَتُهُhis fame عَنِthe need for اِبنِson فُلانِso-and-so
تُغنيهِ شُهرَتُهُ عَنِ اِبنِ فُلانِ
When mention of his name circulates among mankind,
You surged out, the ranks recoiling from your roar like tongues of flame,
his fame spares him any ‘son of so-and-so.’
With a crooked spear - now disobeying, now relenting to your grip.
مِنfrom مَعشَرٍa people خَزَنواstored up الثَناءَpraise وَقَطَّعواand cut short
مِن مَعشَرٍ خَزَنوا الثَناءَ وَقَطَّعوا
بِغِناwith the wealth النُضارِpure gold جَوائِزَcrossings الحُزّانِrugged lands
بِغِنا النُضارِ جَوائِزَ الحُزّانِ
From a people who stored up praise and cut short
Its exercises had honed it until it seemed to gallop untethered,
with the wealth of gold the crossings of rugged lands.
Like a falcon in flight, a peacock in vainglory, a predator in ambush -
قَومٌa people يَرَونَdeem المَنَّreminding of favors عِندَat عَطائِهِمtheir giving
قَومٌ يَرَونَ المَنَّ عِندَ عَطائِهِم
شِركاًassociating partners with God بِوَصفِin the attribute الواحِدِthe One المَنّانِthe Bestower
شِركاً بِوَصفِ الواحِدِ المَنّانِ
A people who deem reminders of favors, when they give,
Yearning for your love in the sky, imagining the galaxy as its racecourse.
a sharing in the attribute of the One, the Bestower.
If told "Ascend the heavens!" it would climb the chariots of high stars.
الموقِدونَthose who kindle تَحتَbeneath المَراجِلِthe cauldrons لِلقِرىfor hospitality
الموقِدونَ تَحتَ المَراجِلِ لِلقِرى
فَضَلاتِremnants ماwhat حَطَمواthey shattered مِنَof المُرّانِashwood spears
فَضَلاتِ ما حَطَموا مِنَ المُرّانِ
Those who kindle, beneath cauldrons for hospitality,
Or if told "Cross over Hell!", it would pace it with a crab's gait.
the remnants of the ashwood spears they have shattered.
You blunted the edges of their crowds with blades that shudder eyelids.
إِنif أَخرَسَتsilenced فِلَذُmorsels العَقيرِthe slaughtered beast كِلابَهُمtheir dogs
إِن أَخرَسَت فِلَذُ العَقيرِ كِلابَهُم
دَعَوُاthey summoned الضُيوفَthe guests بِأَلسُنِwith tongues النيرانِthe flames
دَعَوُا الضُيوفَ بِأَلسُنِ النيرانِ
If morsels of the slaughtered beast silence their dogs,
Lost, they thought your tested weapons lofty turbans,
they summon guests with tongues of flame.
And the plunging hawks, monks.
أُسدٌlions رَوَتgave drink يَومَthe day of الهِياجِbattle أَكُفُّهُمtheir hands
أُسدٌ رَوَت يَومَ الهِياجِ أَكُفُّهُم
بِدَمِwith the blood الأُسودِthe lions ثَعالِبَspear-shaft tenons (‘foxes’) الخِرصانِthe lances
بِدَمِ الأُسودِ ثَعالِبَ الخِرصانِ
Lions whose hands, on the day of battle, gave drink
O you whose generosity has solicited praise, answered before my call -
with lions' blood to the ‘foxes’ of their lances.
You have tested me with kindness, then invited me,
قَصَفواthey shattered القَناthe spears فيin صَدرِthe chest كُلِّevery مُدَرَّعٍarmored warrior
قَصَفوا القَنا في صَدرِ كُلِّ مُدَرَّعٍ
وَالبيضَand bright swords فيin الأَبدانِthe bodies وَالأَبدانِand coats of mail
وَالبيضَ في الأَبدانِ وَالأَبدانِ
They shattered spears in every armored warrior's chest,
So I withdraw from you - and I am not the first prudent man
and bright swords in bodies and coats of mail.
To fear descending into the basin of the deluge.
قَدindeed عَزَّgrew mighty دينُthe faith مُحَمَّدٍMuhammad بِسَمِيِّهِthrough his namesake
قَد عَزَّ دينُ مُحَمَّدٍ بِسَمِيِّهِ
وَسَماand rose بِنُصرَتِهِthrough his aid عَلىabove الأَديانِthe faiths
وَسَما بِنُصرَتِهِ عَلى الأَديانِ
Muhammad's faith grew mighty through his namesake,
My knowledge of Fate's caprice has emptied my abode of me,
and rose above the faiths through his aid.
And turned my reins about the lands.
مَلِكٌa king تَعَبَّدَتِsubmitted المُلوكُthe kings لِأَمرِهِto his command
مَلِكٌ تَعَبَّدَتِ المُلوكُ لِأَمرِهِ
وَكَذاكَand so دَولَةُthe reign كُلِّevery رَبِّlord قِرانِauspicious stellar conjunction
وَكَذاكَ دَولَةُ كُلِّ رَبِّ قِرانِ
A king to whose command kings submitted;
Sometimes the greedy seek increase, only to hasten loss.
such is the reign of every lord of auspicious conjunction.
So if I depart, I leave wonders that have robbed the seasons of their prime,
وافىhe came وَقَدand already عادَhad become السَماحُgenerosity وَأَهلُهُand its people
وافى وَقَد عادَ السَماحُ وَأَهلُهُ
رِمَماًdecayed bones فَكانَso he was لَهُfor it المَسيحَthe Messiah الثانيthe second
رِمَماً فَكانَ لَهُ المَسيحَ الثاني
He came when generosity and its people had become
And a pearl that is uniquely beautiful. She is the strange one, yet native.
decayed bones; he became its second Messiah.
Familiar, she gifts her jewels as a burden upon equals and peers.
فَالطَيرُso the birds تَلجَأُseek refuge بِالحُصونِin fortresses لِأَنَّهاbecause they
فَالطَيرُ تَلجَأُ بِالحُصونِ لِأَنَّها
بِنَداهُbecause of his bounty لَمnot تَأمَنfelt safe مِنَfrom الطَوفانِthe flood
بِنَداهُ لَم تَأمَن مِنَ الطَوفانِ
The birds seek refuge in fortresses, for
No fault in her, though her beauty witnesses her immodesty everywhere.
his bounty has left them no safety from the flood.
Rarely, though her rhetorical masterworks address you, and her eloquence enchants,
لاno عَيبَfault فيin نُعماهُhis favors إِلّاexcept أَنَّهاthat they
لا عَيبَ في نُعماهُ إِلّا أَنَّها
يَسلوforgets his longing الغَريبُthe stranger بِهاthrough them عَنِfor الأَوطانِnative lands
يَسلو الغَريبُ بِها عَنِ الأَوطانِ
His favors have no fault, save that
For your works are the finest works, and your excellence, the most subtle meaning.
through them the stranger forgets his native lands.
شاهَدتُهُI beheld him فَشَهِدتُso I witnessed لُقمانَLuqman الحِجىwisdom
شاهَدتُهُ فَشَهِدتُ لُقمانَ الحِجى
وَنَظَرتُand I saw كِسرىKisra العَدلِjustice فيin الإيوانِthe vaulted hall
وَنَظَرتُ كِسرى العَدلِ في الإيوانِ
I beheld him, and saw a Luqman of wisdom,
and saw a Kisra of justice in the iwan.
وَرَأَيتُand I saw مِنهُfrom him سَماحَةًgenerosity وَفَصاحَةًand eloquence
وَرَأَيتُ مِنهُ سَماحَةً وَفَصاحَةً
أَعدىhe infected بِفَيضِهِماwith their overflow يَديmy hand وَلِسانيand my tongue
أَعدى بِفَيضِهِما يَدي وَلِساني
I saw generosity and eloquence in him;
with their overflow he infected my hand and tongue.
ياO ذاyou الَّذيwho شَغَلَengrossed الزَمانَTime بِنَفسِهِwith himself
يا ذا الَّذي شَغَلَ الزَمانَ بِنَفسِهِ
فَأَصَمَّand so deafened سَمعَthe hearing طَوارِقِsudden visitations الحِدثانِcalamitous fate
فَأَصَمَّ سَمعَ طَوارِقِ الحِدثانِ
O you who engrossed Time with your own self,
and deafened the ears of fate's sudden visitations:
لَوif يَكتَبُwere written اِسمُكَyour name بِالصَوارِمِwith sharp swords وَالقَناand spears
لَو يَكتَبُ اِسمُكَ بِالصَوارِمِ وَالقَنا
أَغنىwould suffice عَنِinstead of التَضرابِrepeated sword-blows وَالتَطعانِand spear-thrusts
أَغنى عَنِ التَضرابِ وَالتَطعانِ
were your name written with sharp swords and spears,
it would dispense with sword-blows and spear-thrusts.
وَكَتيبَةٌand a battalion ضَرَبَpitched العَجاجُthe dust رِواقَهاits pavilion
وَكَتيبَةٌ ضَرَبَ العَجاجُ رِواقَها
مِنfrom فَوقِabove أَعمِدَةِpillars القَناspears المُرّانِashwood
مِن فَوقِ أَعمِدَةِ القَنا المُرّانِ
And a battalion—the dust pitched its pavilion
above pillars of ashwood spears.
نَسَجَwove الغُبارُthe dust عَلىupon الجِيادِthe steeds مَدارِعاًcoats
نَسَجَ الغُبارُ عَلى الجِيادِ مَدارِعاً
مَوصولَةًjoined بِمَدارِعِto the coats الفُرسانِthe horsemen
مَوصولَةً بِمَدارِعِ الفُرسانِ
The dust wove coats upon the steeds,
joined to the coats of the horsemen.
وَدَمٌand blood بِأَذيالِon the hems الدُروعِthe coats of mail كَأَنَّهُas though it were
وَدَمٌ بِأَذيالِ الدُروعِ كَأَنَّهُ
حَولَaround الغَديرِthe pool شَقائِقُanemones النُعمانِal-Nuʿmān
حَولَ الغَديرِ شَقائِقُ النُعمانِ
Blood at the hems of mail seemed
like anemones around a pool.
حَتّىuntil إِذاwhen اِستَعَرَblazed الوَغىbattle وَتَتَبَّعَتand pursued
حَتّى إِذا اِستَعَرَ الوَغى وَتَتَبَّعَت
بيضُbright الصِفاحِsword-blades مَكامِنَhiding places الأَضغانِrancor
بيضُ الصِفاحِ مَكامِنَ الأَضغانِ
Until, when battle blazed and hunted out were
the hidden lairs of rancor by bright sword-blades,
فَعَلَتdid دُروعُكَyour armor عِندَهاthen بِسُيوفِهِمto their swords
فَعَلَت دُروعُكَ عِندَها بِسُيوفِهِم
فِعلَthe deed السَرابِthe mirage بِمُهجَةِto the lifeblood الظَمآنِthe thirsty man
فِعلَ السَرابِ بِمُهجَةِ الظَمآنِ
your armor then did to their swords
what a mirage does to a thirsty man's lifeblood.
وَبَرَزتَand you emerged تَلفِظُكَspits you forth الصُفوفُthe ranks إِلَيهِمtoward them
وَبَرَزتَ تَلفِظُكَ الصُفوفُ إِلَيهِم
لَفظَthe spitting الزَنادِfire-strikers سَواطِعَblazing sparks النيرانِthe fires
لَفظَ الزَنادِ سَواطِعَ النيرانِ
You emerged, the ranks spitting you toward them,
as fire-strikers spit out blazing sparks of flame,
بَأَقَبَّon a lean-bellied steed يَعصيdefies الكَفَّthe hand ثُمَّthen يُطيعُهُobeys it
بَأَقَبَّ يَعصي الكَفَّ ثُمَّ يُطيعُهُ
فَتَراهُso you see him بَينَbetween تَسَرُّعٍhaste وَتَوانِand languor
فَتَراهُ بَينَ تَسَرُّعٍ وَتَوانِ
on a lean-bellied steed that defies the hand, then obeys it,
so you see him between haste and languor.
قَدalready أَكسَبَتهُgave him رِياضَةًtraining سُوّاسُهُhis grooms
قَد أَكسَبَتهُ رِياضَةً سُوّاسُهُ
فَتَكادُso you almost تَركُضُهُmake him gallop بِغَيرِwithout عِنانِreins
فَتَكادُ تَركُضُهُ بِغَيرِ عِنانِ
His grooms have given him training,
so you can almost make him gallop without reins:
كَالصَقرِlike a falcon فيin الطَيَرانِflight وَالطاووسِand a peacock فيin الthe (continued next line)
كَالصَقرِ في الطَيَرانِ وَالطاووسِ في ال
خَطَرانِstrutting وَالخَطّافِand a swallow فيin الرَوغانِdodging
خَطَرانِ وَالخَطّافِ في الرَوغانِ
like a falcon in flight, and a peacock in its
strut, and a swallow in its evasive turns.
يَرنوgazes إِلىat حُبُكِwoven paths السَماءِthe sky تَوَهُّماًimagining
يَرنو إِلى حُبُكِ السَماءِ تَوَهُّماً
أَنَّthat المَجَرَّةَthe Milky Way حَلبَةُracetrack المَيدانِthe arena
أَنَّ المَجَرَّةَ حَلبَةُ المَيدانِ
He gazes at the woven paths of the sky, imagining
that the Milky Way is the arena's racetrack.
لَوif قيلَhe were told عُجturn نَحوَtoward السَماءِthe sky مُبادِراًat once
لَو قيلَ عُج نَحوَ السَماءِ مُبادِراً
وَطِئَتwould tread يَداهُhis two forelegs دَوابِرَthe heels الدَبَرانِAldebaran
وَطِئَت يَداهُ دَوابِرَ الدَبَرانِ
Were he told, ‘Turn toward the sky at once,’
his forehooves would tread upon Aldebaran's heels.
أَوor قيلَhe were told جُزcross فَوقَover الصِراطِthe Sirat مُسارِعاًswiftly
أَو قيلَ جُز فَوقَ الصِراطِ مُسارِعاً
لَمَشىhe would walk عَليهِupon it مِشيَةَthe gait السَرَطانِthe crab
لَمَشى عَليهِ مِشيَةَ السَرَطانِ
Or told, ‘Cross swiftly over the Sirat,’
he would walk upon it with the gait of a crab.
وَفَلَلتَand you blunted حَدَّthe edge جُموعِهِمtheir hosts بِصَوارِمٍwith sharp swords
وَفَلَلتَ حَدَّ جُموعِهِم بِصَوارِمٍ
كَكَراكَlike cranes نافِرَةٍfleeing عَنِfrom الأَجفانِthe sheaths
كَكَراكَ نافِرَةٍ عَنِ الأَجفانِ
You blunted the edge of their hosts with sharp swords
like cranes fleeing from their sheaths.
ضَلَّتthey strayed فَظَنَّتand supposed فيin مُقارِعَةِcombating العِدىthe enemies
ضَلَّت فَظَنَّت في مُقارِعَةِ العِدى
أَنَّthat الغُمودَthe scabbards مَعاقِدُresting places التيجانِthe crowns
أَنَّ الغُمودَ مَعاقِدُ التيجانِ
They strayed, and in clashing with foes supposed
that the seats of crowns were their scabbards.
صَيَّرتَyou made هاماتِheads الكُماةِthe armored champions صَوامِعاًhermitages
صَيَّرتَ هاماتِ الكُماةِ صَوامِعاً
وَكَواسِرَand the swooping birds العِقبانِthe eagles كَالرَهبانِlike monks
وَكَواسِرَ العِقبانِ كَالرَهبانِ
You made champions' heads into hermitages,
and the swooping eagles like monks.
ياO ذاyou الَّذيwho خَطَبَwooed المَديحَpraise سَماحُهُhis generosity
يا ذا الَّذي خَطَبَ المَديحَ سَماحُهُ
فَنَداهُand so his bounty قَبلَbefore نِدايَmy call قَدalready لَبّانيanswered me
فَنَداهُ قَبلَ نِدايَ قَد لَبّاني
O you whose generosity wooed praise,
whose bounty answered me before my call!
أَقصَيتَنيyou sent me far away بِالجودِwith generosity ثُمَّthen دَعَوتَنيyou summoned me
أَقصَيتَني بِالجودِ ثُمَّ دَعَوتَني
فَنَداكَso your bounty أَبعَدَنيsent me far away وَإِنand though أَدنانيdrew me near
فَنَداكَ أَبعَدَني وَإِن أَدناني
You sent me far away with generosity, then summoned me;
your bounty banished me even as it drew me near.
ضاعَفتَyou doubled بِرَّكَyour kindness ليfor me وَلوand even if لَمnot تولِنيyou granted me
ضاعَفتَ بِرَّكَ لي وَلو لَم تولِني
إِلّاexcept القُبولَacceptance عَطِيَّةًas a gift لَكَفانيwould have sufficed me
إِلّا القُبولَ عَطِيَّةً لَكَفاني
You doubled your kindness to me; even had you given me
nothing but acceptance as a gift, it would have sufficed.
فَنَأَيتُso I withdrew عَنكَfrom you وَلَستُand I am not أَوَّلَthe first حازِمٍprudent man
فَنَأَيتُ عَنكَ وَلَستُ أَوَّلَ حازِمٍ
خافَfeared النِزولَalighting بِمَهبِطِat the landing place الطوفانِthe flood
خافَ النِزولَ بِمَهبِطِ الطوفانِ
So I withdrew from you; I am not the first prudent man
to fear lodging where the flood comes down.
عِلميmy knowledge بِصَرفِof the turns الدَهرِTime أَخلىemptied مَعهَديmy dwelling
عِلمي بِصَرفِ الدَهرِ أَخلى مَعهَدي
مِنّيof me وَصَرَّفَand turned فيthrough البِلادِthe lands عِنانيmy reins
مِنّي وَصَرَّفَ في البِلادِ عِناني
My knowledge of Time's turns emptied my dwelling
of me, and turned my reins through the lands.
وَلَرُبَّماand often طَلَبَsought الحَريصُthe greedy man زِيادَةًan increase
وَلَرُبَّما طَلَبَ الحَريصُ زِيادَةً
فَغَدَتso it became مُؤَدِّيَةًleading إِلىto النُقصانِdecrease
فَغَدَت مُؤَدِّيَةً إِلى النُقصانِ
Often the greedy man seeks an increase,
which ends by leading to a decrease.
فَلَئِنso if indeed رَحَلتُI departed فَقَدthen indeed تَرَكتُI left بَدائِعاًmarvels
فَلَئِن رَحَلتُ فَقَد تَرَكتُ بَدائِعاً
غَصَبَتwrested فُصولَpassages الحُكمِwisdom مِنfrom لُقمانِLuqman
غَصَبَت فُصولَ الحُكمِ مِن لُقمانِ
So if I have departed, I have left marvels
that wrested passages of wisdom from Luqman,
وَخَريدَةًand a maiden هِيَshe فيin الجَمالِbeauty فَريدَةٌunique
وَخَريدَةً هِيَ في الجَمالِ فَريدَةٌ
فَهِيَso she الغَريبَةُthe stranger وَهيَand she فيin الأَوطانِthe native lands
فَهِيَ الغَريبَةُ وَهيَ في الأَوطانِ
and a maiden unique in beauty,
a stranger even in her own native lands,
مُعتادَةًaccustomed تَهَبُgives الحَليلَthe husband صَداقَهاher dowry
مُعتادَةً تَهَبُ الحَليلَ صَداقَها
فَخراًpride عَلىover الأَكفاءِequals وَالأَقرانِand peers
فَخراً عَلى الأَكفاءِ وَالأَقرانِ
accustomed to giving her husband her own dowry:
pride over equals and peers.
لاno عَيبَfault فيهاin her وَهوَand it شاهِدُa witness to حُسنِهاher beauty
لا عَيبَ فيها وَهوَ شاهِدُ حُسنِها
إِلّاexcept تَبَرَّجَهاher flaunting herself بِكُلِّin every مَكانِplace
إِلّا تَبَرَّجَها بِكُلِّ مَكانِ
No fault is in her—and this attests her beauty—
except her flaunting herself in every place.
قَلَّتfell short وَإِنand though حَلَّتadorned صَنائِعَartifices لَفظِهاher wording
قَلَّت وَإِن حَلَّت صَنائِعَ لَفظِها
لَكُمfor you وَإِنand though نَطَقَتspoke بِسِحرِwith magic بَيانِeloquence
لَكُم وَإِن نَطَقَت بِسِحرِ بَيانِ
She falls short, though she adorns her verbal artistry
for you, and though she speaks with the magic of eloquence;
فَجَميلُfor the beauty صُنعِكُمُyour deeds أَجَلُّgrander صَنائِعاًin artistry
فَجَميلُ صُنعِكُمُ أَجَلُّ صَنائِعاً
وَبَديعُand the wonder فَضلِكُمُyour bounty أَدَقُّsubtler مَعانِin meanings
وَبَديعُ فَضلِكُمُ أَدَقُّ مَعانِ
for your gracious deeds are grander in artistry,
and your wondrous bounty is subtler in meaning.
Partial English translation: 71 of 134 Arabic lines translated.
Sol 6.1