دارَتwent round عَلىamong الدَوحِthe great trees سُلافُthe choicest wine of القَطرِrain
دارَت عَلى الدَوحِ سُلافُ القَطرِ
فَرَنَّحَتand made sway أَعطافَهُtheir branches بِالسُكرِwith drunkenness
فَرَنَّحَت أَعطافَهُ بِالسُكرِ
The choicest wine of rain went round among the great trees,
The rain clouds circled around the palm tree,
and made their branches sway with drunkenness.
Sprinkling it with sweet drops,
وَنَبَّهَand awakened الوُرقَthe gray doves نَسيمُthe breeze of الفَجرِdawn
وَنَبَّهَ الوُرقَ نَسيمُ الفَجرِ
فَغَرَّدَتso they warbled فَوقَabove الغُصونِthe branches الخُضرِgreen
فَغَرَّدَت فَوقَ الغُصونِ الخُضرِ
The dawn breeze awakened the gray doves,
The morning breeze stirred the leaves
and they warbled above the green branches,
That chirped on the green branches.
تُغنيmakes unnecessary عَنِthe need for العودِthe lute وَصَوتِand the sound of الزَمرِpipes
تُغني عَنِ العودِ وَصَوتِ الزَمرِ
تَبَسَّمَتsmiled مَباسِمُthe smiling mouths of الأَزهارِthe flowers
تَبَسَّمَت مَباسِمُ الأَزهارِ
making the lute and the sound of pipes needless.
Singing without a lute or drums,
The flowers' smiling mouths smiled,
Smiling like flower petals,
وَأَشرَقَand shone النَوّارُthe blossoms بِالأَنوارِwith lights
وَأَشرَقَ النَوّارُ بِالأَنوارِ
وَظَلَّand remained عِقدُthe necklace of الطَلَّdew فيin نِثارِscattering
وَظَلَّ عِقدُ الطَلَّ في نِثارِ
and the blossoms shone with lights.
The lanterns shone bright,
The necklace of dew lay scattered,
The dewdrops scattered like pearls,
وَباكَرَتهاand greeted them early دِيَمُthe steady showers of الأَمطارِrain
وَباكَرَتها دِيَمُ الأَمطارِ
فَكَلَّلَتso crowned تيجانِهاtheir diadems بِالدُرِّwith pearls
فَكَلَّلَت تيجانِها بِالدُرِّ
and steady rains greeted the flowers early,
Kissed early by the showers,
crowning their diadems with pearls.
Crowning it with pearls.
قَدalready أَقبَلَتarrived طَلائِعُthe vanguard of الغُيومِthe clouds
قَد أَقبَلَت طَلائِعُ الغُيومِ
إِذwhen أَذِنَannounced الشِتاءُwinter بِالقُدومِits coming
إِذ أَذِنَ الشِتاءُ بِالقُدومِ
The vanguard of the clouds has arrived,
The vanguards of clouds have arrived,
as winter announced its coming.
Winter has announced its coming,
فَمُذso once حَداهاurged them onward سائِقُthe driver of النَسيمِthe breeze
فَمُذ حَداها سائِقُ النَسيمِ
عَفَّتcovered over رُبىthe hills of العَقيقِal-ʿAqīq وَالغَميمِand al-Ghamīm
عَفَّت رُبى العَقيقِ وَالغَميمِ
Once the breeze's driver urged them onward,
Since the gentle breeze confronted it,
they covered the hills of al-ʿAqīq and al-Ghamīm,
It bid farewell to camphor and clouds.
وَباكَرَتand visited early أَرضَthe land of دِيارِthe territories of بَكرِBakr
وَباكَرَت أَرضَ دِيارِ بَكرِ
أَماdo ... not? تَرىyou see الغَيمَthe clouds الجَديدَfresh قَدalready أَتىcame
أَما تَرى الغَيمَ الجَديدَ قَد أَتى
and came early to the land of Diyār Bakr.
And greeted the land of Diyar Bakr early.
Do you not see that the fresh clouds have come,
Don't you see the new clouds have come
مُبَشِّراًheralding بِالقُربِthe nearness مِنof فَصلِthe season of الشِتاwinter
مُبَشِّراً بِالقُربِ مِن فَصلِ الشِتا
فَاِعقُرso slaughter هُموميmy cares بِالعُقارِwith wine ياO فَتىyoung man
فَاِعقُر هُمومي بِالعُقارِ يا فَتى
heralding the nearness of winter?
Heralding the nearness of winter?
Then slaughter my cares with wine, young man;
So relieve my worries with medicine, O youth!
فَتَركُso forsaking أَيّامِthe days of الهَناjoy إِلىuntil مَتىwhen
فَتَركُ أَيّامِ الهَنا إِلى مَتى
فَإِنَّهاfor they are مَحسوبَةٌcounted مِنout of عُمريmy lifetime
فَإِنَّها مَحسوبَةٌ مِن عُمري
how long will days of joy be forsaken?
How long will the days of bliss last?
For they are counted out of my lifetime.
They are numbered in my life.
فَاِنهَضso rise لِنَهبِto plunder فُرصَةِthe opportunity of الزَمانِtime
فَاِنهَض لِنَهبِ فُرصَةِ الزَمانِ
فَلَستَfor you are not مِنfrom فَجواهُits gulf فيin أَمانِsafety
فَلَستَ مِن فَجواهُ في أَمانِ
Rise, then, to plunder time's opportunity,
Rise to seize the opportunity of time,
for you are not safe from its yawning gulf.
You won't be safe from its unpredictable nature.
وَاِشرَبand drink عَلىto الناياتِthe flutes وَالمَثانيand the paired strings
وَاِشرَب عَلى الناياتِ وَالمَثاني
إِنَّindeed الخَريفَautumn لَرَبيعٌis indeed a spring ثانِsecond
إِنَّ الخَريفَ لَرَبيعٌ ثانِ
Drink to the flutes and the paired strings;
Drink to melodies and songs,
autumn is indeed a second spring.
For autumn is another spring.
فَاِتمِمso complete حُلاهُits adornments بِكُؤوسِwith cups of الخَمرِwine
فَاِتمِم حُلاهُ بِكُؤوسِ الخَمرِ
فَصلٌa season لَناfor us فيin طَيِّهِits folds سُعودُgood fortunes
فَصلٌ لَنا في طَيِّهِ سُعودُ
Complete its adornments with cups of wine.
Quaff the wine cups to the full.
A season holding good fortune for us within its folds:
A season for us, luck has returned in its fold,
بِعَودِهِwith its return أَفراحُناour joys تَعودُreturn
بِعَودِهِ أَفراحُنا تَعودُ
يَقدِمُarrives فيهِin it الطَائِرُthe bird البَعيدُfaraway
يَقدِمُ فيهِ الطَائِرُ البَعيدُ
with its return, our joys return.
Our joys will recur with its return,
In it the faraway bird arrives;
The distant bird will arrive in it.
فيon كُلِّevery يَومٍday لِلرُماةِfor the archers عيدُa festival
في كُلِّ يَومٍ لِلرُماةِ عيدُ
كَأَنَّهُas though it were بِالصَرعِthrough felling عيدُthe Feast of النَحرِSacrifice
كَأَنَّهُ بِالصَرعِ عيدُ النَحرِ
every day is a festival for the archers,
Everyday is feast for the hunters.
as though their felling made it the Feast of Sacrifice.
As if it were the Eid Al-Adha with prey.
هَذيthese الكَراكيcranes نَحوَناtoward us قَدalready قَدِمَتcame
هَذي الكَراكي نَحوَنا قَد قَدِمَت
فاقِدَةًbereft لِإِلفِهاof their companion قَدalready عَدِمَتlost
فاقِدَةً لِإِلفِها قَد عَدِمَت
These cranes have come toward us,
These partridges have come towards us,
bereft of the companion they have lost.
Yearning for their old habitat.
لَوif عَلِمَتthey knew بِماof what تُلاقيthey would encounter نَدِمَتthey would regret
لَو عَلِمَت بِما تُلاقي نَدِمَت
فَاِنظُرso look إِلىat أَخياطِهاtheir threadlike files قَدalready نُظِمَتwere arranged
فَاِنظُر إِلى أَخياطِها قَد نُظِمَت
Had they known what awaited them, they would have regretted it.
If only they knew what awaits, they would regret.
Look at their threadlike files, arranged
Look, their outlines are embellished,
شِبهَlike حُروفٍletters نُظِمَتarranged فيin سَطرِa line
شِبهَ حُروفٍ نُظِمَت في سَطرِ
تَذَكَّرَتthey remembered مَرتَعِهاtheir pasture فَشاقَهاand it stirred their longing
تَذَكَّرَت مَرتَعِها فَشاقَها
like letters set in a line.
Like letters lined in a poem.
They remembered their pasture, which stirred their longing,
Remembering their meadows was hard on them
فَأَقبَلَتso they came حامِلَةًbearing أَشواقَهاtheir yearnings
فَأَقبَلَت حامِلَةً أَشواقَها
تُجيلُturn about فيin مَطارِهاtheir flight أَحداقَهاtheir eyes
تُجيلُ في مَطارِها أَحداقَها
and came bearing their yearnings.
So they came carrying their longing,
They turn their eyes about in their flight,
Blinking their eyelids in their flight,
تَمُدُّstretch مِنout of حَنينِهاtheir longing أَعناقَهاtheir necks
تَمُدُّ مِن حَنينِها أَعناقَها
لَمdid not تَدرِknow أَنَّthat مَدَّهاtheir stretching لِلجَزرِwas for slaughter
لَم تَدرِ أَنَّ مَدَّها لِلجَزرِ
stretching their necks out of longing,
Stretching their necks in their craving.
not knowing their outstretching was for slaughter.
Not knowing that the tide would ebb.
ياO سَعدُSaʿd كُنbe فيin حُبِّهاlove of them مُساعِديmy helper
يا سَعدُ كُن في حُبِّها مُساعِدي
فَإِنَّهُfor it is مُذsince عِشتُI have lived مِنamong عَوائِديmy habits
فَإِنَّهُ مُذ عِشتُ مِن عَوائِدي
O Saʿd, help me in my love of them,
O Saad be supportive of his love,
for it has been my habit all my life.
For it has been one of my habits.
وَلاand do not تَلُمblame مَنwhoever باتَspent the night فيهاconcerning them حاسِديenvying me
وَلا تَلُم مَن باتَ فيها حاسِدي
فَلَوfor if تَرىyou saw طَيرَthe birds of عِذارِʿIdhār خالِدِKhālid
فَلَو تَرى طَيرَ عِذارِ خالِدِ
Nor blame whoever passes the night envying me for them:
Don't blame me for being envious of him
if you saw the birds of ʿIdhār Khālid,
If you could see the birds of Khaalid's flirtation,
أَقَمتَyou would establish فيfor حُبِّlove of العِذارِʿIdhār عُذريmy excuse
أَقَمتَ في حُبِّ العِذارِ عُذري
طَيرٌbirds بِقَدرِas numerous as أَنجُمِthe stars of السَماءِheaven
طَيرٌ بِقَدرِ أَنجُمِ السَماءِ
you would grant my excuse for loving ʿIdhār.
You would accept my love for the coquettish birds.
Birds as numerous as the stars of heaven,
A bird equal to the stars of the sky
مُختَلِفُdiffering in الأَشكالِshapes وَالأَسماءِand names
مُختَلِفُ الأَشكالِ وَالأَسماءِ
إِذاwhen جَلاclears away الصُبحُdawn دُجىthe gloom of الظُلماءِdarkness
إِذا جَلا الصُبحُ دُجى الظُلماءِ
of differing shapes and names.
Diverse in forms and names.
When dawn clears the gloom of darkness,
When the dawn dispels the darkness,
يَلوحُappear مِنfrom فَوقِabove طَفيحِthe brimming expanse of الماءِwater
يَلوحُ مِن فَوقِ طَفيحِ الماءِ
شِبهَlike نُقوشٍdesigns خُيّلَتconjured فيon سِترِa curtain
شِبهَ نُقوشٍ خُيّلَت في سِترِ
they appear above the brimming water,
It appears above the water's surface.
like designs conjured upon a curtain.
Like figures imagined on a curtain.
فيin لُجَّةِthe surging throng of الأَطيارِbirds كَالعَساكِرِlike armies
في لُجَّةِ الأَطيارِ كَالعَساكِرِ
فَهُنَّso they are بَينَbetween وارِدٍarriving وَصادِرِand departing
فَهُنَّ بَينَ وارِدٍ وَصادِرِ
Amid the surging throng, the birds are like armies,
In the commotion of birds like armies
some arriving, others departing.
Some incoming and some outgoing.
جَليلُهاtheir large birds ناءٍdistant عَنِfrom الأَصغارِthe smaller ones
جَليلُها ناءٍ عَنِ الأَصغارِ
مَحدودَةٌdefined مِنذُsince عُهودِthe times of الناصِرِal-Nāṣir
مَحدودَةٌ مِنذُ عُهودِ الناصِرِ
Their large birds keep apart from the small,
The magnificent distinguished from the small
their kinds defined since the times of al-Nāṣir,
Limited since Al-Naasir's era.
مَعدودَةٌnumbered فيat أَربَعٍfour وَعَشرِand ten
مَعدودَةٌ في أَربَعٍ وَعَشرِ
شُبَيطَرٌShubayṭar وَمِرزَمٌand Mirzam وَكُركيand crane
شُبَيطَرٌ وَمِرزَمٌ وَكُركي
numbered at four and ten:
Counted at fourteen and ten.
Shubayṭar, Mirzam, and crane,
Shubaytar, Mirdam and Korki
وَصِنفُand a kind of تَمٍّswan مَعَwith إِوَزٍّgoose تُركيTurkish
وَصِنفُ تَمٍّ مَعَ إِوَزٍّ تُركي
وَلَغلَغٌand a stork يُشبِهُresembling لَونَthe color of المِسكِmusk
وَلَغلَغٌ يُشبِهُ لَونَ المِسكِ
and a kind of swan, with Turkish goose,
And a perfect Tamm with a Turkish goose.
and a stork resembling the color of musk,
Laglag resembling the color of musk
وَالكَيُّand Kayy وَالعَنّازُand ʿAnnāz ياO ذاpossessor of الشَكِّdoubt
وَالكَيُّ وَالعَنّازُ يا ذا الشَكِّ
ثُمَّthen العُقابُthe eagle مُلحَقٌadded بِالنِسرِto the vulture
ثُمَّ العُقابُ مُلحَقٌ بِالنِسرِ
and Kayy and ʿAnnāz, O doubter;
The Kai and the An'naaz O doubter!
then eagle, added to vulture.
Then the eagle associated with the vulture.
وَيَتبَعُand follows الأَرنوقَArnūq صِنفٌa kind مُبدِعُwondrous
وَيَتبَعُ الأَرنوقَ صِنفٌ مُبدِعُ
أَنيسَةٌAnīsa إِنسِيَّةٌtame إِذwhen تُصرَعُbrought down
أَنيسَةٌ إِنسِيَّةٌ إِذ تُصرَعُ
Following Arnūq comes a wondrous kind:
Followed by the Irounk, an amazing type
Anīsa, tame when brought down;
Humane and feminine when floored.
وَالضَوُّand Ḍaww وَالحِبرَجُand Ḥibraj فَهيَso they are أَجمَعُall together
وَالضَوُّ وَالحِبرَجُ فَهيَ أَجمَعُ
خَمسٌfive وَخَمسٌand five كَمُلَتcompleted وَأَربَعُand four
خَمسٌ وَخَمسٌ كَمُلَت وَأَربَعُ
and Ḍaww and Ḥibraj: all together,
And Al-Daww and Al-Hibrj, the most comprehensive,
five and five, completed by four,
Five and five have completed and four.
كَأَنَّهاas though they were أَيّامُthe days of عُمرِthe age of البَدرِthe full moon
كَأَنَّها أَيّامُ عُمرِ البَدرِ
فَاِبكُرso go early إِلىto دِجلَةَthe Tigris وَالأَقطاعِand the land tracts
فَاِبكُر إِلى دِجلَةَ وَالأَقطاعِ
like the days of the full moon's age.
As if they were the nights of the full moon.
Go early to the Tigris and the land tracts,
Hasten to the Tigris and marshes,
فَإِنَّهاfor it is مِنamong أَحمَدِthe most praiseworthy المَساعيpursuits
فَإِنَّها مِن أَحمَدِ المَساعي
وَاِعجَبand marvel لِماat what فيهاis in it مِنَof الأَنواعِthe kinds
وَاِعجَب لِما فيها مِنَ الأَنواعِ
for this is among the most praiseworthy pursuits.
For it is the best effort.
Marvel at the kinds found there,
And be astonished at the variety there
مِنof سائِرِall الجَليلِthe large birds وَالمَراعيand the pastures
مِن سائِرِ الجَليلِ وَالمَراعي
وَضَجَّةِand the clamor of الشيقِthe Shīq وَصَوتِand the cry of الحُضِرthe Ḥuḍir
وَضَجَّةِ الشيقِ وَصَوتِ الحُضِر
at all the large birds and the pastures,
Of the highlands and pastures.
and the clamor of Shīq and the cry of Ḥuḍir:
And the clamor of the fowler and urban voice.
ماwhat is بَينَbetween تَمٍّa swan ناهِضٍrising وَواضِعِand settling
ما بَينَ تَمٍّ ناهِضٍ وَواضِعِ
وَبَينَand between نَسرٍa vulture طائِرٍflying وَواقِعِand alighting
وَبَينَ نَسرٍ طائِرٍ وَواقِعِ
between swans rising and settling,
Between an ascending Tamm and a descending one,
and vultures flying and alighting,
And a flying eagle and a falling one.
وَبَينَand between كَيٍّa Kayy خارِجٍgoing out وَراجِعِand returning
وَبَينَ كَيٍّ خارِجٍ وَراجِعِ
وَنَهضَةِand the rising of الطَيرِthe birds مِنَfrom المَراتِعِthe feeding grounds
وَنَهضَةِ الطَيرِ مِنَ المَراتِعِ
and Kayy going out and returning,
And an exiting Kai and a returning one.
and birds taking wing from their feeding grounds,
And the rising of birds from the meadows.
كَأَنَّهاas though they were أَقطاعُpatches of غَيمٍcloud تَسريdrifting along
كَأَنَّها أَقطاعُ غَيمٍ تَسري
أَماdo ... not? تَرىyou see الرُماةَthe archers قَدalready تَرَسَّمواtook their marks
أَما تَرى الرُماةَ قَد تَرَسَّموا
like patches of cloud drifting along.
Like passing fragments of clouds.
Do you not see that the archers have taken their marks
Look, the hunters have armed themselves,
وَلِاِرتَقابِand to watch for الطَيرِthe birds قَدalready تَقَسَّمواdivided up
وَلِاِرتَقابِ الطَيرِ قَد تَقَسَّموا
بِالجِفتِwith jift dye قَدalready تَدَرَّعواdonned tunics وَعَمَّمواَand donned turbans
بِالجِفتِ قَد تَدَرَّعوا وَعَمَّمواَ
and divided up to watch for the birds?
And divided for ambushing the birds.
They have donned tunics and turbans dyed with jift;
Wearing armor and turbans,
لَمّاwhen عَلىon سَفكِshedding دِماهاtheir blood صَمَّمواthey resolved
لَمّا عَلى سَفكِ دِماها صَمَّموا
جاؤواthey came إِلَيهاto them فيin ثِيابٍclothes حُمرِred
جاؤوا إِلَيها في ثِيابٍ حُمرِ
when they resolved to shed their blood,
Determined to spill their blood,
they came to them in red clothes.
They came in red clothes.
قَدalready فَزِعواthey fled عَنfrom كُلِّall عُربٍArabs وَعَجَمand non-Arabs
قَد فَزِعوا عَن كُلِّ عُربٍ وَعَجَم
وَأَصبَحواand they came to be بَينَamong الطِرافِthe leather tents وَالأَجَمand the thickets
وَأَصبَحوا بَينَ الطِرافِ وَالأَجَم
They have fled all Arabs and non-Arabs,
Frightened of Arabs and non-Arabs alike,
and now stand among leather tents and thickets:
Becoming stars and moons overnight.
مِنof كُلِّevery نَجمٍstar بِالسُعودِwith good fortune قَدalready نَجَمrose
مِن كُلِّ نَجمٍ بِالسُعودِ قَد نَجَم
وَكُلِّand every بَدرٍfull moon بِالشَهابِwith a meteor قَدalready رَجَمhurled
وَكُلِّ بَدرٍ بِالشَهابِ قَد رَجَم
each a star that has risen with good fortune,
Abandoning every bent-backed one,
each a full moon that has hurled a meteor
Whose backs were broken by burden.
عَنfrom كُلِّevery مَحنيٍّcurved bow شَديدِstrong الظَهرِof back
عَن كُلِّ مَحنيٍّ شَديدِ الظَهرِ
مَحنِيَّةٌcurved فيin رَفعِهاtheir upward sweep قَدalready أُدمِجَتwere tightly joined
مَحنِيَّةٌ في رَفعِها قَد أُدمِجَت
from a curved bow with a mighty back.
As if they were crescents expelled.
Curved, tightly joined in their upward sweep,
Their masters spent generously on them
أَدرَكَهاreached them التَثقيفُtruing لَمّاwhen عوِّجَتthey were bent
أَدرَكَها التَثقيفُ لَمّا عوِّجَت
قَدalready كُبِسَتwere packed بُيوتُهاtheir housings وَسُرِّجَتand were saddled
قَد كُبِسَت بُيوتُها وَسُرِّجَت
they were carefully trued after being bent.
And exhausted the makers assembling them.
Their housings have been packed and saddled,
The archers trained their nature.
كَأَنَّهاas though they were أَهِلَّةٌcrescents قَدalready أُخرِجَتbrought forth
كَأَنَّها أَهِلَّةٌ قَد أُخرِجَت
بَنادِقاًpellets مِثلَlike النُجومِthe stars الزُهرِbrilliant
بَنادِقاً مِثلَ النُجومِ الزُهرِ
as though they were crescents that had sent forth
If it touched a breast they pierced it,
pellets like the brilliant stars.
As if they were carved from rock.
قَدindeed جَوَّدَتperfected أَربابُهاtheir owners مَتاعَهاtheir equipment
قَد جَوَّدَت أَربابُها مَتاعَها
وَأَتعَبَتand wearied فيin حَزمِهاtheir binding صُنّاعَهاtheir craftsmen
وَأَتعَبَت في حَزمِها صُنّاعَها
Their owners have perfected their equipment,
When I hear the cry of the raptors,
and their binding has wearied their craftsmen.
My senses lean towards their voices.
وَهَذَّبَتand refined رُماتُهاtheir archers طِباعَهاtheir temper
وَهَذَّبَت رُماتُها طِباعَها
إِذاwhen لَمَسَتtouched خابِراًan expert أَقطاعَهاtheir sections
إِذا لَمَسَت خابِراً أَقطاعَها
Their archers have refined their temper;
And if I see the commotion of the prey,
when an expert touches their sections,
And I am not amongst them to hunt,
حَسِبتَهاyou would think them مَطبوعَةًmolded مِنfrom صَخرِstone
حَسِبتَها مَطبوعَةً مِن صَخرِ
إِذاwhen سَمِعتُI heard صَرخَةَthe scream of الجَوارِحِthe birds of prey
إِذا سَمِعتُ صَرخَةَ الجَوارِحِ
you would think them molded from stone.
My heart feels too small for worries.
When I hear the scream of the birds of prey,
If only I were still roaming,
تَصبواyearn إِلىtoward أَصواتِهاtheir cries جَوارِحيmy limbs
تَصبوا إِلى أَصواتِها جَوارِحي
وَإِنand if رَأَيتُI saw أَجَمَthe thickets of البَطائِحِthe marshlands
وَإِن رَأَيتُ أَجَمَ البَطائِحِ
my limbs yearn toward their cries.
Between the hunting grounds coming and going.
If I see the thickets of the marshlands
If only fate allowed me that,
وَلَمand not أَكُنI am ماthere بَينَهاamong them بِطائِحِlying down
وَلَم أَكُن ما بَينَها بِطائِحِ
يَضيقُgrows too narrow عَنfor حَملِbearing الهُمومِthe cares صَدريmy chest
يَضيقُ عَن حَملِ الهُمومِ صَدري
without myself lying there among them,
Being near for me is to remain distant.
my breast grows too narrow to bear my cares.
I traverse the desert in every leap.
مَنwho ليfor me بِأَنّيof my being لاnot أَزالُceasing سائِحاroaming
مَن لي بِأَنّي لا أَزالُ سائِحا
بَينَamong المَراميthe shooting grounds غادِياًgoing at dawn وَرائِحاand returning at dusk
بَينَ المَرامي غادِياً وَرائِحا
Who can assure me that I shall always roam
I vowed to myself at the end of bliss,
among the shooting grounds, going at dawn and returning at dusk?
And the good days to realize wishes.
لَوif only كانَwere ليto me دَهريmy time بِذاكَin that سامِحاgenerous
لَو كانَ لي دَهري بِذاكَ سامِحا
فَالقُربُfor nearness عِنديto me أَنthat أَبيتَI spend the night نازِحاfar away
فَالقُربُ عِندي أَن أَبيتَ نازِحا
If only my time would grant me that!
To combine power with prosperity,
For nearness, to me, is spending the night far away,
Until it sees departure has drawn near.
أَقطَعُI traverse فيin البَيداءِthe wilderness كُلَّevery قَفزِleap
أَقطَعُ في البَيداءِ كُلَّ قَفزِ
نَذَرتُI vowed لِلنَفسِto my soul إِذاif تَمَّbecame complete الهَناjoy
نَذَرتُ لِلنَفسِ إِذا تَمَّ الهَنا
traversing the wilderness, leap after leap.
And asked me to fulfill my vow.
I vowed to my soul, if joy were complete
It says to me when slumber forsakes me,
وَزُمَّتِand were bridled العيسُthe pale camels لِإِدراكِto attain المُنىthe wishes
وَزُمَّتِ العيسُ لِإِدراكِ المُنى
أَنto أَقرِنَI join العِزَّglory لَدَيهاfor it بِالغِنىwith wealth
أَن أَقرِنَ العِزَّ لَدَيها بِالغِنى
and the pale camels were bridled to attain my wishes,
And my staying in the land seems long.
that I would join glory with wealth for it,
The turning of fate bars me from ambition.
حَتّىuntil رَأَتit saw أَنَّthat الرَحيلَdeparture قَدalready دَناdrew near
حَتّى رَأَت أَنَّ الرَحيلَ قَد دَنا
فَطالَبَتنيso it demanded of me بِوَفاءِfor fulfillment of نَذريmy vow
فَطالَبَتني بِوَفاءِ نَذري
until it saw that departure had drawn near
Why do nights persist in lowering me?
and demanded that I fulfill my vow.
As if they are some letters of pulling down.
تَقولُit says ليto me لَمّاwhen جَفانيforsook me غُمضيmy sleep
تَقولُ لي لَمّا جَفاني غُمضي
وَأَنكَرَتand disowned طولَthe length of مَقاميmy stay أَرضيmy land
وَأَنكَرَت طولَ مَقامي أَرضي
It says to me, when sleep has forsaken me,
Rise, in the desert set out the feet of resolve,
and my land has disowned my long stay,
Tour with the good fortune away from barrenness.
وَعاقَنيand hindered me صَرفُthe turn of الرَدىdestruction عَنfrom نَهضيmy rising
وَعاقَني صَرفُ الرَدى عَن نَهضي
ماwhy لِلَّياليare the nights أولِعَتintent بِخَفضيon lowering me
ما لِلَّيالي أولِعَت بِخَفضي
and destruction's vicissitudes have hindered my rising:
Do not stay in oval Mosul,
Why are the nights so intent on lowering me,
For the flames of the brilliant citadel,
كَأَنَّهاas though they were بَعضُsome of حُروفِthe particles of الجَرِّthe genitive
كَأَنَّها بَعضُ حُروفِ الجَرِّ
فَاِنهَضso rouse رِكابَthe mounts of العَزمِresolve فيin البَيداءِthe desert
فَاِنهَض رِكابَ العَزمِ في البَيداءِ
as though they were some of the genitive particles?
Burn the devil of the turns of fate.
Then set the mounts of resolve moving through the desert,
A star people seek guidance from,
وَاِزوَرَّand turn aside بِالعيسِwith the pale camels عَنِfrom الزَوراءِal-Zawrāʾ
وَاِزوَرَّ بِالعيسِ عَنِ الزَوراءِ
وَلاand do not تُقِمremain بِالمَوصِلِin Mosul الحَدباءِal-Ḥadbāʾ
وَلا تُقِم بِالمَوصِلِ الحَدباءِ
and turn the pale camels away from al-Zawrāʾ.
One protected by it will not be disgraced.
Do not remain in Mosul al-Ḥadbāʾ,
In winter it is a sun, in summer it is shade,
إِنَّindeed شِهابَthe meteor of القَلعَةِthe citadel الشَهباءِShahbāʾ, the gray one
إِنَّ شِهابَ القَلعَةِ الشَهباءِ
يَحرُقُburns up شَيطانَthe devil of صُروفِthe vicissitudes of الدَهرِtime
يَحرُقُ شَيطانَ صُروفِ الدَهرِ
for the meteor of the Shahbāʾ citadel
And a full moon illuminating the lost.
burns up the devil of time's vicissitudes.
It enriches people beyond the rain.
نَجمٌa star بِهِby which الأَنامُmankind تَستَدِلُّfinds its way
نَجمٌ بِهِ الأَنامُ تَستَدِلُّ
مَنwhoever عَزَّgains honor فيin حِماهُhis protection لاnot يَذِلُّis humbled
مَن عَزَّ في حِماهُ لا يَذِلُّ
A star by which mankind finds its way:
If the blind man saw tomorrow, he would see.
whoever gains honor in his protection is not humbled.
If he saw a dead man, he would be resurrected.
فيin القَرِّthe cold شَمسٌa sun وَالمَصيفِand in summer ظِلُّshade
في القَرِّ شَمسٌ وَالمَصيفِ ظِلُّ
وَبلٌa downpour عَلىupon العُفاةِbounty-seekers مُستَهِلُّpouring forth
وَبلٌ عَلى العُفاةِ مُستَهِلُّ
A sun in the cold, a shade in summer,
If he wanted darkness, it would become light.
a pouring rain upon those seeking bounty,
If the night came seeking refuge with him,
أَغنىfreed from need الأَنامَmankind عَنfor هُتونِthe pouring of القَطرِrain
أَغنى الأَنامَ عَن هُتونِ القَطرِ
لَوif قابَلَhe met الأَعمىthe blind man غَداwould become بَصيراsighted
لَو قابَلَ الأَعمى غَدا بَصيرا
he has freed mankind from need of falling rain.
He would give it sanctuary from the assaults of dawn.
If he met a blind man, the man would gain sight;
Revel in the lands of the supported King,
وَلَوand if رَأىhe saw مَيتاًa dead person غَداwould become مَنشوراresurrected
وَلَو رَأى مَيتاً غَدا مَنشورا
وَلَوand if يَشاhe wished الظَلامَdarkness كانَwould become نوراlight
وَلَو يَشا الظَلامَ كانَ نورا
if he saw a dead man, the man would rise again.
Who brought creation to life before the blow of horn.
If he so wished, darkness would become light;
Who built the heights before building palaces.
وَلوand if أَتاهُcame to him اللَيلُnight مُستَجيراseeking protection
وَلو أَتاهُ اللَيلُ مُستَجيرا
أَمَّنَهُhe would secure it مِنagainst سَطَواتِthe assaults of الفَجرِdawn
أَمَّنَهُ مِن سَطَواتِ الفَجرِ
and were night to come seeking his protection,
Vanquisher of every roaring lion.
he would secure it against dawn's assaults.
God gave him the reins of victory.
لُذseek refuge بِرُبوعِin the abodes of المَلِكِKing المَنصورِal-Manṣūr
لُذ بِرُبوعِ المَلِكِ المَنصورِ
مُحييreviver of الأَنامِmankind قَبلَbefore نَفخِthe blowing of الصورِthe trumpet
مُحيي الأَنامِ قَبلَ نَفخِ الصورِ
Seek refuge in the abodes of King al-Manṣūr,
A King who finds wealth casual,
who revives mankind before the trumpet is blown,
Sees the life of reputation in its death.
بانيbuilder of العُلاgreatness قَبلَbefore بِناthe building of القُصورِpalaces
باني العُلا قَبلَ بِنا القُصورِ
قاتِلَslayer of كُلِّevery أَسَدٍlion هَصورِferocious
قاتِلَ كُلِّ أَسَدٍ هَصورِ
who builds greatness before building palaces,
Glory has appeared in its time,
who slays every ferocious lion:
And light shone in its nights.
مَلَّكَهُgave him mastery of اللَهُGod زِمامَthe reins of النَصِرِvictory
مَلَّكَهُ اللَهُ زِمامَ النَصِرِ
مَلكٌa king كَأَنَّas though المالَwealth مِنamong عُداتِهِhis enemies
مَلكٌ كَأَنَّ المالَ مِن عُداتِهِ
God has given him the reins of victory.
As if they were the nights of Al-Qadr.
A king who seems to count wealth among his enemies,
A successor became for us on earth,
يَرىhe sees حَياةَthe life of الذِكرِrenown فيin مَماتِهِits death
يَرى حَياةَ الذِكرِ في مَماتِهِ
قَدindeed ظَهَرَappeared العِزُّglory عَلىupon أَوقاتِهِhis times
قَد ظَهَرَ العِزُّ عَلى أَوقاتِهِ
seeing the life of his renown in wealth's death.
We live in dignity under his care.
Glory has appeared upon his times,
His noble palms have been generous,
وَأَشرَقَand shone النورُlight عَلىupon لَيلاتِهِhis nights
وَأَشرَقَ النورُ عَلى لَيلاتِهِ
كَأَنَّهاas though they were بَعضُsome of لَياليthe Nights of القَدرِDecree
كَأَنَّها بَعضُ لَيالي القَدرِ
and light has shone upon his nights,
And his resolute conscience inspired.
as though they were among the Nights of Decree.
To break the arrogant and mend the broken.
أَصبَحَhe has become فيon الأَرضِearth لَناfor us خَليفَهُa caliph
أَصبَحَ في الأَرضِ لَنا خَليفَهُ
نَعِزُّwe gain honor فيin أَربُعِهِhis abodes المَألوفَهfamiliar
نَعِزُّ في أَربُعِهِ المَألوفَه
He has become our caliph on earth;
The wild beasts of fate bow over his door,
we gain honor in his familiar abodes.
And kings prostrate at his threshold.
قَدindeed سَمَحَتwere generous أَكُفُّهُhis hands الشَريفَهnoble
قَد سَمَحَت أَكُفُّهُ الشَريفَه
وَأُلهِمَتand was inspired عَزمَتُهُhis resolve المُنيفَهlofty
وَأُلهِمَت عَزمَتُهُ المُنيفَه
His noble hands have been generous,
Destinies serve under his feet,
and his lofty resolve has been inspired
Aspiring the favor of his side.
بِكَسرِto break جَبّارٍa tyrant وَجَبرِand to mend كَسرِa fracture
بِكَسرِ جَبّارٍ وَجَبرِ كَسرِ
يَخضَعُbow هامُthe heads of الدَهرِtime فَوقَabove بابِهِhis gate
يَخضَعُ هامُ الدَهرِ فَوقَ بابِهِ
to break a tyrant and mend a fracture.
And drawing ease after hardship from him.
The heads of Time bow above his gate,
Firm, aloof from motives,
وَتَسجُدُand prostrate themselves المُلوكَkings فيat أَعتابِهhis thresholds
وَتَسجُدُ المُلوكَ في أَعتابِه
وَتَخدُمُand serve الأَقدارُthe fates فيin رِكابِهhis retinue
وَتَخدُمُ الأَقدارُ في رِكابِه
and kings prostrate themselves at his thresholds.
And a essence devoid of contingencies.
The fates serve in his retinue,
He is feared like an angry one yet he is pleased,
تَرومُseek فَضلَan abundance of العِزِّhonor مِنfrom جَنابِهhis presence
تَرومُ فَضلَ العِزِّ مِن جَنابِه
وَتَستَمِدُّand draw اليُسرَease بَعدَafter العُسرِhardship
وَتَستَمِدُّ اليُسرَ بَعدَ العُسرِ
seeking an abundance of honor from his presence,
His judgments have smoothed the land,
and drawing ease after hardship.
And his palms destroyed the army of poverty.
مُحَكَّمٌan appointed arbiter ناءٍfar removed عَنِfrom الأَغراضِself-interested aims
مُحَكَّمٌ ناءٍ عَنِ الأَغراضِ
وَجَوهَرٌand a substance خالٍfree مِنَof الأَعراضِincidental attributes
وَجَوهَرٌ خالٍ مِنَ الأَعراضِ
An arbiter far removed from self-interest,
When he saw his days thronged,
and a substance free of incidental attributes,
And people prostrate in his court,
يُهابُis feared كَالساخِطِlike an angry man وَهوَthough he is راضِcontent
يُهابُ كَالساخِطِ وَهوَ راضِ
قَدindeed مَهَّدَتsmoothed آرائُهُhis counsels الأَراضيthe lands
قَد مَهَّدَت آرائُهُ الأَراضي
he is feared like an angry man even when content.
He wanted more abundance in his rule.
His counsels have smoothed the lands,
So his palms freed slaves,
وَأَهلَكَتand destroyed كَفّاهُhis two hands جَيشَthe army of الفَقرِpoverty
وَأَهلَكَت كَفّاهُ جَيشَ الفَقرِ
لَمّاwhen رَأىhe saw أَيّامَهُhis days جُنوداas soldiers
لَمّا رَأى أَيّامَهُ جُنودا
and his two hands have destroyed poverty's army.
And generosity enslaved the free.
When he saw his days as soldiers,
O King envied by other kings,
وَالناسَand people فيat أَعتابِهِhis thresholds سُجوداprostrate
وَالناسَ في أَعتابِهِ سُجودا
أَرادَhe desired فيin دَولَتِهِhis dominion مَزيداan increase
أَرادَ في دَولَتِهِ مَزيدا
and people prostrate at his thresholds,
The planets follow his resolve.
he wished for increase in his dominion;
Feared by Arabs and Turks alike,
فَأَعتَقَتso freed أَكَفُّهُhis hands العَبيداthe slaves
فَأَعتَقَت أَكَفُّهُ العَبيدا
وَاِستَعبَدَتand enslaved بِالجودِthrough generosity كُلِّevery حُرِّfree man
وَاِستَعبَدَت بِالجودِ كُلِّ حُرِّ
so his hands freed the slaves
For he knows their innermost thoughts.
and, through generosity, enslaved every free man.
As if entrusted with the unseen.
ياO مَلِكاًking تَحسُدُهُenvy him الأَملاكُthe kings
يا مَلِكاً تَحسُدُهُ الأَملاكُ
وَتَقتَديand follow بِعَزمِهِhis resolve الأَفلاكُthe heavenly spheres
وَتَقتَدي بِعَزمِهِ الأَفلاكُ
O king whom other kings envy,
My proximity, not gifts, entices me,
and whose resolve the heavenly spheres follow,
And your affection, nothing else is my hope.
يَهابُهُfear him الأَعرابُthe Bedouins وَالأَتراكُand the Turks
يَهابُهُ الأَعرابُ وَالأَتراكُ
لَهُhe has بِماof what تُضمِرُهُyou conceal إِدراكُperception
لَهُ بِما تُضمِرُهُ إِدراكُ
whom the Bedouins and Turks fear:
When I have struggled through seasons,
he perceives what you conceal,
I seek no prize but acceptance.
كَأَنَّهُas though he were مُوَكَّلٌentrusted بِالسِرِّwith secrets
كَأَنَّهُ مُوَكَّلٌ بِالسِرِّ
قُربيmy nearness إِلَيكُمto you لاnot العَطاءُgifts سوليmy desire
قُربي إِلَيكُم لا العَطاءُ سولي
as though entrusted with secrets.
For acceptance, not for a prize.
Nearness to you, not gifts, is my desire,
May your joys remain renewed,
وَوُدُّكُمand your affection لاnot غَيرَهُanything else مَأموليmy hope
وَوُدُّكُم لا غَيرَهُ مَأمولي
إِذاwhen جَلَيتُI unveiled كاعَبَthe budding maiden of الفُصولِthe stanzas
إِذا جَلَيتُ كاعَبَ الفُصولِ
and your affection alone is my hope.
And the souls of foes threatened by you.
When I unveil the budding maiden of these stanzas,
The pillars of glory erected by you,
لاnot أَبتَغيI seek مَهراًa bride-price سِوىexcept القَبولِacceptance
لا أَبتَغي مَهراً سِوى القَبولِ
إِنَّindeed القَبولَacceptance لاnot لِأَجلِfor the sake of مَهرِa bride-price
إِنَّ القَبولَ لا لِأَجلِ مَهرِ
I ask no bride-price but acceptance:
And the land smoothed by your policies.
acceptance, indeed—not for the sake of a bride-price.
With security, time smiles showing its teeth.
لاnot بَرِحَتmay cease أَفراحُكُمyour joys مُجَدَّدَهrenewed
لا بَرِحَت أَفراحُكُم مُجَدَّدَه
وَأَنفُسُand the souls of الضَدَّthe enemy بِكُمby you مُهَدَّدَهthreatened
وَأَنفُسُ الضَدَّ بِكُم مُهَدَّدَه
May your joys never cease to be renewed,
and your foes' souls be threatened by you;
وَأَربُعُand the abodes of المَجدِglory بِكُمthrough you مُشَيَّدَهraised
وَأَربُعُ المَجدِ بِكُم مُشَيَّدَه
وَالأَرضُand the earth مِنby آرائِكُمyour counsels مُمَهَّدَهmade smooth
وَالأَرضُ مِن آرائِكُم مُمَهَّدَه
may the dwellings of glory be raised through you,
and the earth made smooth by your counsels,
وَالدَهرُand time بِالأَمنِin safety ضَحوكُlaughing الثَغرِof mouth
وَالدَهرُ بِالأَمنِ ضَحوكُ الثَغرِ
and Time's mouth smile in peace.
Partial English translation: 170 of 175 Arabic lines translated.
Sol 6.1