مِنfrom نَفخَةِa blast of الصورِthe Trumpet أَمor مِنfrom نَفحَةِa fragrant breath of الصورِthe palms
مِن نَفخَةِ الصورِ أَم مِن نَفحَةِ الصورِ
أَحيَيتِyou revived ياO ريحُwind مَيتاًa dead man غَيرَnot مَقبورِburied
أَحيَيتِ يا ريحُ مَيتاً غَيرَ مَقبورِ
Was it from a blast of the Trumpet, or a fragrant breath from the palms,
From the breath of the trumpet or from the gentle breeze of the trumpet
That you, O wind, revived a dead man unburied?
Have you revived a lifeless one, O wind, who was unburied
أَمor مِنfrom شَذاthe fragrance of نَسمَةِthe breeze of الفِردوسِParadise حينَwhen سَرَتit passed
أَم مِن شَذا نَسمَةِ الفِردوسِ حينَ سَرَت
عَلىover بَليلٍa dew-damp place مِنَwith الأَزهارِthe blossoms مَمطورِshowered
عَلى بَليلٍ مِنَ الأَزهارِ مَمطورِ
Or from the fragrance of Paradise's breeze, when it passed
Or from the fragrance of a breeze from Paradise when it blew
Across a dew-damp place showered with blossoms?
Over flowers dripping with dew
أَمor رَوضِthe garden of رَشمَلَRashmal أَعدىimbued عِطرُthe fragrance of نَفحَتِهِits breath
أَم رَوضِ رَشمَلَ أَعدى عِطرُ نَفحَتِهِ
طَيَّthe folds of النَسيمِthe breeze بِنَشرٍwith perfume فيهِwithin it مَنشورِspread
طَيَّ النَسيمِ بِنَشرٍ فيهِ مَنشورِ
Or from Rashmal's garden, whose fragrant breath infused
Or the meadow whose perfume overwhelmed the breeze
The breeze's folds with perfume spread within them?
Filling it with scattered fragrance
وَالرَيحُand the wind قَدhas أَطلَقَتlet loose فَضلَthe slack of العِنانِthe rein بِهِthere
وَالرَيحُ قَد أَطلَقَت فَضلَ العِنانِ بِهِ
وَالغِصنُand the branch ماis بَينَbetween تَقديمٍadvancing وَتَأخيرِand retreating
وَالغِصنُ ما بَينَ تَقديمٍ وَتَأخيرِ
The wind has let out the slack of its reins there,
The wind had let loose its excess ties
And the branch moves between advance and retreat.
And the branches sway between advancing and delaying
فيin رَوضَةٍa garden نُصِبَتwere set upright أَغصانُهاits branches وَغداand became
في رَوضَةٍ نُصِبَت أَغصانُها وَغدا
ذَيلُthe train of الصِباthe east wind بَينَbetween مَرفوعٍraised وَمَجرورِand trailing
ذَيلُ الصِبا بَينَ مَرفوعٍ وَمَجرورِ
In a garden whose branches stand upright,
In a garden whose branches were erected and whose train
The east wind's train is now raised, now trailing.
Became the tail of the morning breeze, between the nominative and genitive cases
وَالماءُand the water ماis بَينَbetween مَصروفٍdiverted وَمُمتَنِعٍand restrained
وَالماءُ ما بَينَ مَصروفٍ وَمُمتَنِعٍ
وَالظِلُّand the shade ماis بَينَbetween مَمدودٍstretched وَمَقصورِand shortened
وَالظِلُّ ما بَينَ مَمدودٍ وَمَقصورِ
The water is now diverted, now restrained,
The water flows between verbs of prevention and negation
And the shade is now stretched, now shortened.
And the shade lies between extension and restriction
وَالريحُand the wind تَجريflows رُخاءًgently فَوقَover بَحرَتِهاits pool
وَالريحُ تَجري رُخاءً فَوقَ بَحرَتِها
وَماؤُهاand its water مُطلَقٌfree فيin زِيِّthe guise of مَأسورِa captive
وَماؤُها مُطلَقٌ في زِيِّ مَأسورِ
The wind flows gently over its pool,
The wind blows gently above its pond
And its water is free in a captive's guise.
And its water flows freely in captivity
قَدhave جُمِّعَتbeen joined جَمعَa gathering of تَصحيحٍsound formation جَوانِبُهاits banks
قَد جُمِّعَت جَمعَ تَصحيحٍ جَوانِبُها
وَالماءُand the water يُجمَعُis gathered فيهاwithin it جَمعَa gathering of تَكسيرِbroken formation
وَالماءُ يُجمَعُ فيها جَمعَ تَكسيرِ
Its banks have been joined in a 'sound' gathering,
Its sides are brought together in grammatical correction
While its water gathers in a 'broken' gathering.
And its water is collected in it in broken plurals
وَالرَيحُand the wind تَرقُمُtraces فيupon أَمواجِهِits waves شَبَكاًa net
وَالرَيحُ تَرقُمُ في أَمواجِهِ شَبَكاً
وَالغَيمُand the clouds يَرسُمُdraw أَنواعَthe kinds of التَصاويرِpictures
وَالغَيمُ يَرسُمُ أَنواعَ التَصاويرِ
The wind traces a net upon its waves,
The wind embroiders patterns in its waves
And the clouds draw pictures of every kind.
And the clouds portray all kinds of images
وَالنَرجِسُand the narcissus الغَضُّtender لَمnot تُغضَضwere lowered نَواظِرُهُits eyes
وَالنَرجِسُ الغَضُّ لَم تُغضَض نَواظِرُهُ
فَزَهرُهُso its blossoms بَينَbetween مُنغَضٍّdrooping وَمَزرورِand buttoned shut
فَزَهرُهُ بَينَ مُنغَضٍّ وَمَزرورِ
The tender narcissus has not lowered its eyes;
The tender narcissus, its glances are not cast down
Its blossoms are now drooping, now buttoned shut.
So its flower is between frowning and blossoming
كَأَنَّهُas though it ذَهَبٌgold مِنfrom فَوقِabove أَعمِدَةٍcolumns
كَأَنَّهُ ذَهَبٌ مِن فَوقِ أَعمِدَةٍ
مِنَof الزُمُرُّدِemerald فيin أَوراقِpetals of كافورِcamphor
مِنَ الزُمُرُّدِ في أَوراقِ كافورِ
It is like gold atop columns
As if it is gold above pillars
Of emerald, amid petals of camphor.
Of emerald in camphor leaves
وَالأُقحُوانُand the daisies زَهاshone بَينَamong البَهارِthe yellow blossoms بِهاthere
وَالأُقحُوانُ زَها بَينَ البَهارِ بِها
شِبهَlike الدَراهِمِthe dirhams ماsituated بَينَamong الدَنانيرِthe dinars
شِبهَ الدَراهِمِ ما بَينَ الدَنانيرِ
The daisies shine there among the yellow blossoms,
The anemones bloom among the flowers
Like dirhams among dinars.
Like dirhams among dinars
وَقَدand indeed أَطَعناwe obeyed التَصابيyouthful dalliance حينَwhen ساعَدَناaided us
وَقَد أَطَعنا التَصابي حينَ ساعَدَنا
عَصرُthe season of الشَبابِyouth بِجودٍwith generosity غَيرِnot مَنزورِmeager
عَصرُ الشَبابِ بِجودٍ غَيرِ مَنزورِ
We yielded to youthful dalliance when we were aided
We have obeyed cravings when youth has helped us
By youth's season with no meager generosity.
With endless generosity and favor
إِنَّindeed الشَبابَyouth شَفيعٌan intercessor نَشرُthe fragrance of بُردَتِهِits cloak
إِنَّ الشَبابَ شَفيعٌ نَشرُ بُردَتِهِ
مِنfrom عِطرِthe perfume of دارينَDarin لاnot مِنfrom عِطرِthe perfume of فَنصورِFansur
مِن عِطرِ دارينَ لا مِن عِطرِ فَنصورِ
Indeed, youth is an intercessor; its cloak's fragrance
Youth is an intercessor whose robe's fragrance
Comes from Darin's perfume, not Fansur's perfume.
Is of two abodes, not the fragrance of pansies
وَزامِرُand the piper of القَومِthe company يَطويناfolds us up وَيَنشُرُناand unfolds us
وَزامِرُ القَومِ يَطوينا وَيَنشُرُنا
بِالنَفخِby blowing فيinto النايِthe flute لاnot بِالنَفخِby blowing فيinto الصورِthe Trumpet
بِالنَفخِ في النايِ لا بِالنَفخِ في الصورِ
The company's piper folds us up and unfolds us
The band's flute folds us and unfurls us
By blowing into the flute, not by blowing the Trumpet.
With blowing in the flute, not blowing in the trumpets
وَقَدand indeed تَرَنَّمَsang melodiously شادٍa singer صَوتُهُhis voice غَرِدٌmelodious
وَقَد تَرَنَّمَ شادٍ صَوتُهُ غَرِدٌ
كَأَنَّهُas though he ناطِقٌspeaking مِنfrom حَلقِthe throat of شُحرورِa blackbird
كَأَنَّهُ ناطِقٌ مِن حَلقِ شُحرورِ
A singer sang melodiously, his voice full of song,
The singing of Shadi, his voice rang out melodiously
As though speaking from a blackbird's throat.
As if it spoke from the throat of a zebra finch
شادٍa singer أَنامِلُهُhis fingertips تُرضيplease الأَنامَthe people لَهُfor him
شادٍ أَنامِلُهُ تُرضي الأَنامَ لَهُ
إِذاwhen شَداhe sings وَأَجابَand answers اليَمُّthe sea بِالزَيرِwith the treble string
إِذا شَدا وَأَجابَ اليَمُّ بِالزَيرِ
A singer whose fingertips win people's pleasure for him,
Shadi's fingers satisfy people if he plays
When he sings and the sea answers with the treble string.
And answers with the treble and bass
بِشامِخِwith a lofty الأَنفِnose قَوّامٍstanding upright عَلىupon قَدَمٍa foot
بِشامِخِ الأَنفِ قَوّامٍ عَلى قَدَمٍ
يَشكوlaments الصَبابَةَpassion عَنthrough أَنفاسِthe breaths of مَهجورِone abandoned
يَشكو الصَبابَةَ عَن أَنفاسِ مَهجورِ
With a high-nosed instrument standing upon a foot,
Straight-nosed, steady-stepped, complaining of youth
Lamenting passion with an abandoned lover's breaths.
From breaths of an abandoned one
شَدَّتtightened بِتَصحيفِهِthrough its altered lettering فيat العَضدِthe upper arm أَلسُنُهُits tongues
شَدَّت بِتَصحيفِهِ في العَضدِ أَلسُنُهُ
فَزادَso it increased نَطفاًpearls لِسِرٍّfor a secret فيهِwithin it مَحصورِconfined
فَزادَ نَطفاً لِسِرٍّ فيهِ مَحصورِ
Its tongues tightened upon the upper arm through a change of lettering,
His playing on the forearms puzzles tongues
So it yielded more pearls, for a secret locked within it.
Increasing moisture for a secret it holds
إِذاwhen تَأَبَّطَهُhe tucked it underarm الشاديthe singer وَأَذكَرَهُand reminded it
إِذا تَأَبَّطَهُ الشادي وَأَذكَرَهُ
عَصرَthe season of الشَبابِyouth بِأَطرافِwith the tips of الأَظافيرِthe nails
عَصرَ الشَبابِ بِأَطرافِ الأَظافيرِ
When the singer tucks it beneath his arm and reminds it
When the musician excites and reminds him
Of youth's season with the tips of his nails,
Of youth with his fingernails
شَكَتcomplained إِلىto الصَحبِthe companions أَحشاهُits innards وَأَضلُعُهُand its ribs
شَكَت إِلى الصَحبِ أَحشاهُ وَأَضلُعُهُ
قَرضَthe snipping of المَقاريضِthe scissors أَوor نَشرَthe sawing of المَناشيرِthe saws
قَرضَ المَقاريضِ أَو نَشرَ المَناشيرِ
Its innards and ribs complain to the companions
He complains to friends of his bowels and ribs
Of the scissors' snipping or the saws' sawing.
Of shears' bites or unfolding of saws
بَيناwhile تَرىyou see خَدَّهُhis cheek مِنfrom فَوقِabove سالِفَةٍa neck
بَينا تَرى خَدَّهُ مِن فَوقِ سالِفَةٍ
كَمَنlike someone who يُشاوِرُهُconsults it فيabout حُسنِgood تَدبيرِmanagement
كَمَن يُشاوِرُهُ في حُسنِ تَدبيرِ
While you see his cheek above a neck,
While you see his cheek above the vintage
Like someone consulting it on wise management,
Like one deliberating on the excellence of management
تَراهُyou see him يُزعِجُهُdisturbing it عُنفاًviolently وَيُسخِطُهُand angering it
تَراهُ يُزعِجُهُ عُنفاً وَيُسخِطُهُ
بِضَربِby striking أَوتارِهِits strings عَنfrom حِقدِthe rancor of مَوتورِone wronged
بِضَربِ أَوتارِهِ عَن حِقدِ مَوتورِ
You see him violently disturb it and anger it
You see him distressed violently and angered
By striking its strings with a wronged man's rancor.
By striking his strings out of latent spite
وَالراقِصاتُand the dancers وَقَدwhile already مالَتleaned ذَوائِبُهاtheir tresses
وَالراقِصاتُ وَقَد مالَت ذَوائِبُها
عَلىover خُصورٍwaists كَأَوساطِlike the middles of الزَنابيرِthe wasps
عَلى خُصورٍ كَأَوساطِ الزَنابيرِ
And the dancers, their tresses leaning
The dancing girls, their braids have leaned
Over waists like the middles of wasps:
Over waists like the abdomens of wasps
يُخفيhides الرِداthe robe سُقمَهاtheir frailty عَنّاfrom us فَيَفضَحُهاthen exposes them
يُخفي الرِدا سُقمَها عَنّا فَيَفضَحُها
عَقدُthe knots of البُنودِthe sashes وَشَدّاتُand the tight bindings of الزَنابيرِthe wasps
عَقدُ البُنودِ وَشَدّاتُ الزَنابيرِ
The robe hides their slender frailty from us, but it is exposed
The gown hides their sickness from us but the waistband and the braids' tightness expose them
By the sashes' knots and the wasps' tight bindings.
When they bend with coils pulled by the dunes' ridges from hollows
إِذاwhen اِنثَنَينَthey bend بِأَعطافٍwith flanks يُجاذِبُهاdrawing them to and fro
إِذا اِنثَنَينَ بِأَعطافٍ يُجاذِبُها
مَوّارُa swaying دِعصٍsand mound مِنَamong الكُثبانِthe dunes مَمطورِrain-drenched
مَوّارُ دِعصٍ مِنَ الكُثبانِ مَمطورِ
When they bend, their flanks drawn to and fro
You see waves of buttocks which have collided
By a swaying, rain-drenched mound among the dunes,
In a sea of beauty's water, captivated
رَأَيتَyou saw أَمواجَwaves of أَردافٍhips قَدِalready اِلتَطَمَتcollided
رَأَيتَ أَمواجَ أَردافٍ قَدِ اِلتَطَمَت
فيin لُجِّthe depths of بَحرٍa sea بِماءِwith the water of الحُسنِbeauty مَسحورِenchanted
في لُجِّ بَحرٍ بِماءِ الحُسنِ مَسحورِ
You see waves of rounded hips collide
Each swaying of the hips is divided between feminine and masculine
In the depths of a sea enchanted with beauty's water.
As if the tremors in her palm as she strikes
مِنfrom كُلِّevery مائِسَةِswaying الأَعطافِflanks مِنfrom مَرَحٍmerriment
مِن كُلِّ مائِسَةِ الأَعطافِ مِن مَرَحٍ
مَقسومَةٍdivided بَينَbetween تَأنيثٍfemininity وَتَذكيرِand masculinity
مَقسومَةٍ بَينَ تَأنيثٍ وَتَذكيرِ
Each sways her flanks in merriment,
Are a dawn in which stirs the heart of a raven
Divided between femininity and masculinity.
She watches the poles with her hands and feet
كَأَنَّas though فيamid الشيزِthe ebony يُمناهاher right hand إِذاwhen ضَرَبَتit strikes
كَأَنَّ في الشيزِ يُمناها إِذا ضَرَبَت
صَبحٌdawn تَقَلقَلَquivered فيهِwithin it قَلبُthe heart of ديجورِdarkness
صَبحٌ تَقَلقَلَ فيهِ قَلبُ ديجورِ
As though, amid the ebony, her right hand, when it strikes,
And preserves the origin from loss and change
Were dawn in which the heart of darkness trembled.
She Arabizes the dance with a tune, connecting it
تَرعىkeeps الصُروبَthe rhythmic measures (reading uncertain) بِكَفّيهاwith her hands وَأَرجُلِهاand her feet
تَرعى الصُروبَ بِكَفّيها وَأَرجُلِها
وَتَحفَظُand preserves الأَصلَthe underlying pattern مِنfrom نَقصٍloss وَتَغيِيرِand alteration
وَتَحفَظُ الأَصلَ مِن نَقصٍ وَتَغيِيرِ
She keeps the rhythmic measures with her hands and feet,
To grammar through omission and specification
And preserves the underlying pattern from loss or alteration.
The cupbearer, languid of glance, of slender build
وَتُعرِبُand inflects correctly الرَقصَthe dance مِنfrom لَحنٍerror فَتُلحِقُهُthen subjects it to
وَتُعرِبُ الرَقصَ مِن لَحنٍ فَتُلحِقُهُ
ماwhat يَلحَقُbefalls النَحوَgrammar مِنof حَذفٍomission وَتَقديرِand implied supplementation
ما يَلحَقُ النَحوَ مِن حَذفٍ وَتَقديرِ
She frees the dance from error, applying to it
Clear-faced, bending a drunken elbow
What grammar undergoes of omission and implied supplementation.
As if The Merciful molded him as a reminder
وَحامِلُand the bearer of الكَأسِthe cup ساجيcalm الطَرفِof gaze ذوpossessing هَيفٍa slender waist
وَحامِلُ الكَأسِ ساجي الطَرفِ ذو هَيفٍ
صاحيsober اللَواحِظِof glances يَثنِbends عِطفَthe flank of مَخمورِa drunkard
صاحي اللَواحِظِ يَثنِ عِطفَ مَخمورِ
The cupbearer is calm-eyed and slender-waisted,
For those who doubt the maidens and houris
Sober of glance, yet bending with a drunkard's sway.
His eyelids darken, though they are dark
كَأَنَّماas though صاغَهُfashioned him الرَحمَنُthe All-Merciful تَذكِرَةًas a reminder
كَأَنَّما صاغَهُ الرَحمَنُ تَذكِرَةً
لِمَنfor whoever يُشَكِّكُdoubts فيin الوِلدانِthe heavenly youths وَالحورِand the houris
لِمَن يُشَكِّكُ في الوِلدانِ وَالحورِ
As though the All-Merciful had fashioned him as a reminder
And his glance is enchanting in captivity
For anyone who doubts the heavenly youths and houris.
He turns gently, the mixture of its coals
تَظَلَّمَتcomplained of injustice وَجنَتاهُhis cheeks وَهيَthough they ظالِمَةٌare unjust
تَظَلَّمَت وَجنَتاهُ وَهيَ ظالِمَةٌ
وَطَرفُهُand his gaze ساحِرٌenchanting فيin زِيِّthe guise of مَسحورِone enchanted
وَطَرفُهُ ساحِرٌ في زِيِّ مَسحورِ
His cheeks complain of injustice, though they are unjust,
Increased only by blowing, without kindling
And his gaze enchants in the guise of one enchanted.
A fire which seemed to the passionate lover familiar
يُديرُcirculates راحاًwine يَشُبُّkindles المَزجُdilution جُذوَتَهاits ember
يُديرُ راحاً يَشُبُّ المَزجُ جُذوَتَها
فَلاso nothing يَزيدُincreases لَظاهاits blaze غَيرَexcept تَسعيرِkindling
فَلا يَزيدُ لَظاها غَيرَ تَسعيرِ
He circulates wine whose ember dilution kindles,
From the cup's side, not the mountainside
Doing nothing but making its blaze fiercer.
It shone in the cupbearer's hands and ignited
ناراًa fire بَدَتappeared لِكَليمِto the interlocutor of الوَجدِpassion آنَسَهاhe glimpsed it
ناراً بَدَت لِكَليمِ الوَجدِ آنَسَها
مِنfrom جانِبِthe side of الكَأسِthe cup لاnot مِنfrom جانِبِthe side of الطورِMount Tur
مِن جانِبِ الكَأسِ لا مِن جانِبِ الطورِ
A fire appeared to passion's Moses, who glimpsed it
Its bottles by the gentleness of its influence
From the side of the cup, not the side of Mount Tur.
As if it is the cup's glow veiled
تَشَعشَعَتit sparkled فيin يَدِthe hands of الساقينَthe cupbearers وَاِتَقَدَتand blazed
تَشَعشَعَت في يَدِ الساقينَ وَاِتَقَدَت
بِهاthrough it زُجاجاتُهاits glasses مِنfrom لُطفِthe subtlety of تَأثيرِits influence
بِها زُجاجاتُها مِن لُطفِ تَأثيرِ
It sparkled in the cupbearers' hands, and
By a spirit of fire in a body of light
Its glasses blazed through its subtle influence.
The jugs have a babbling at the mixing
كَأَنَّهاas though it وَضِياءُwhile the radiance of الكَأسِthe cup يَحجُبُهاveils it
كَأَنَّها وَضِياءُ الكَأسِ يَحجُبُها
روحٌa soul مِنَof النارِfire فيin جِسمٍa body مِنَof النورِlight
روحٌ مِنَ النارِ في جِسمٍ مِنَ النورِ
As though, while the cup's radiance veils it,
Like the speech of one confused in words, frightened
It were a soul of fire in a body of light.
As if when pouring into cups they are birds
وَلِلأَبارِيقِand the pitchers have عِندَduring المَزجِmixing لَجلَجَةٌa stammer
وَلِلأَبارِيقِ عِندَ المَزجِ لَجلَجَةٌ
كَنُطقِlike the speech of مُرتَبِكِone stumbling الأَلفاظِover words مَذعورِfrightened
كَنُطقِ مُرتَبِكِ الأَلفاظِ مَذعورِ
The pitchers stammer when the wine is mixed,
Pecking their young with their beaks
Like a frightened speaker stumbling over his words.
They have tried to avenge their father from us
كَأَنَّهاas though they وَهيَwhile they فيinto الأَكوابِthe cups ساكِبَةٌpour
كَأَنَّها وَهيَ في الأَكوابِ ساكِبَةٌ
طَيرٌbirds تَزُقُّfeed فِراخاًyoung birds بِالمَناقيرِwith their beaks
طَيرٌ تَزُقُّ فِراخاً بِالمَناقيرِ
As though, while pouring into the cups, they were
And trample him under feet of storms
Birds feeding their young with their beaks.
So when no mind remained unfettered
أَمسَتit began تُحاوِلُseeking مِنّاfrom us ثَأرَvengeance for والِدِهاits father
أَمسَت تُحاوِلُ مِنّا ثَأرَ والِدِها
وَدوسَهُand his trampling تَحتَbeneath أَقدامِthe feet of المَعاصيرِthe pressers
وَدوسَهُ تَحتَ أَقدامِ المَعاصيرِ
The wine began seeking from us vengeance for its father
By the plants, and no heart unmindful
And his trampling beneath the pressers' feet.
I glanced about my company, and how often did I see
فَحينَso when لَمnot يَبقَremained عَقلٌa mind غَيرَnot مُعتَقِلٍimprisoned
فَحينَ لَم يَبقَ عَقلٌ غَيرَ مُعتَقِلٍ
مِنَby العُقارِwine وَلُبٌّand an understanding غَيرَnot مَعقورِwounded
مِنَ العُقارِ وَلُبٌّ غَيرَ مَعقورِ
When no mind remained unimprisoned
A lion dirtied by the glances of a zebra
By wine, and no understanding unwounded,
From every eye like its pair upon it
أَجلَتُI let roam فيamong الصَحبِthe companions أَلحاظيmy glances فَكَمand how often نَظَرَتthey saw
أَجلَتُ في الصَحبِ أَلحاظي فَكَم نَظَرَت
ليثاًa lion تُعَفَّرُهُrolling him in dust أَلحاظُthe glances of يَعفورِa gazelle
ليثاً تُعَفَّرُهُ أَلحاظُ يَعفورِ
I let my glances roam among the companions: how often they saw
Broken, of deadly power, though unbroken
A lion rolled in the dust by a gazelle's glances!
I say, and the wine has shown its consequences
مِنfrom كُلِّevery عَينٍeye عَليهاabove it مِثلُthe likeness of تالِئهاits successor
مِن كُلِّ عَينٍ عَليها مِثلُ تالِئها
مَكسورَةٍdowncast ذاتِpossessing فَتكٍdeadliness غَيرِnot مَكسورِbroken
مَكسورَةٍ ذاتِ فَتكٍ غَيرِ مَكسورِ
From every eye, with its successor's likeness above it,
And the cup breathes into it an exhaled breath
Downcast, yet possessed of unbroken deadliness.
You who mixes cups, have you corrupted its beauty?
أَقولُI say وَالراحُwhile the wine قَدhas أَبدَتshown فَواقِعَهاits bubbles
أَقولُ وَالراحُ قَد أَبدَت فَواقِعَها
وَالكَأسُand the cup يَنفُثُsputters فيهاinto it نَفثَthe sputtering of مَصدورِone chest-sick
وَالكَأسُ يَنفُثُ فيها نَفثَ مَصدورِ
I say, while the wine has shown its bubbles
And is strength crowned, O beloved, with crystal?
And the cup sputters into it like a chest-sick man:
One who, when he sees the Gardens brought near,
أَسَأتَyou spoiled ياO مازِجَmixer of الكاساتِthe cups حِليَتَهاtheir adornment
أَسَأتَ يا مازِجَ الكاساتِ حِليَتَها
وَهَلand can يُتَوَّجُbe crowned ياruby (first segment) قوتٌruby (second segment) بِبَلّورِwith crystal
وَهَل يُتَوَّجُ يا قوتٌ بِبَلّورِ
You have spoiled its adornment, O mixer of cups;
And the houris secluded among pavilions,
Can a ruby be crowned with crystal?
The lone palace in the depths of the pond, and the
وَقائِلٍand someone saying إِذاwhen رَأىhe saw الجَنّاتِthe gardens عالِيَةًlofty
وَقائِلٍ إِذا رَأى الجَنّاتِ عالِيَةً
وَالحورَand the houris مَقصورَةًsecluded بَينَwithin المَقاصيرِthe chambers
وَالحورَ مَقصورَةً بَينَ المَقاصيرِ
And someone, seeing the lofty gardens,
Outstretched mansion therein of flasks
The houris secluded within their chambers,
To whom do you see the kingdom after God, I said
وَالجَوسَقَand the pavilion الفَردَsolitary فيin لُجِّthe depths of البُحَيرَةَthe lake وَالand the
وَالجَوسَقَ الفَردَ في لُجِّ البُحَيرَةَ وَال
صَرحَpalace المُمَرَّدَsmoothly faced فيهِthere مِنwith قَواريرِglass
صَرحَ المُمَرَّدَ فيهِ مِن قَواريرِ
The solitary pavilion in the lake's depths, and the
The saying of one whose hopes are abundant, delighted
Palace smoothly faced there with glass,
To the owner of the crown and erected palace, and one
لِمَنwhose تَرىdo you consider المُلكَthe kingdom بَعدَafter اللَهِGod قُلتُI said لَهُto him
لِمَن تَرى المُلكَ بَعدَ اللَهِ قُلتُ لَهُ
مَقالَthe words of مُنبَسِطِone expansive الآمالِin hopes مَسرورِglad
مَقالَ مُنبَسِطِ الآمالِ مَسرورِ
Asked, 'Whose is the kingdom after God's?' I answered him
Who has spread justice in the land's breadth
With the words of one whose hopes are expansive and glad:
He said you mean Chosroes, so I said to him
لِصاحِبِfor the lord of التاجِthe crown وَالقَصرِand the palace المَشيدِlofty وَمَنand whoever
لِصاحِبِ التاجِ وَالقَصرِ المَشيدِ وَمَن
أَتىbrought بِعَدلٍjustice بِرَحبِacross the expanse of الأَرضِthe earth مَنشورِspread
أَتى بِعَدلٍ بِرَحبِ الأَرضِ مَنشورِ
'The lord of the crown and lofty palace, who
Chosroes son of Hurmuz, not Chosroes son of Sapor
Has brought justice spread across the spacious earth.'
The righteous king, the praised, the successful
فَقالَthen he said تَعنيyou mean بِهِby him كِسرىKisra فَقُلتُso I said لَهُto him
فَقالَ تَعني بِهِ كِسرى فَقُلتُ لَهُ
كِسرىKisra بنُson of أُرتُقَArtuq لاnot كِسرىKisra بنُson of سابورِSabur
كِسرى بنُ أُرتُقَ لا كِسرى بنُ سابورِ
He said, 'You mean Kisra?' I answered him:
And many a gainer of kingship, unthanked
'Kisra son of Artuq, not Kisra son of Sabur.'
A king whose people's praise, when lavished upon him
الصالِحُal-Salih المَلِكُthe king المَشكورُthanked نائِلُهُhis bounty
الصالِحُ المَلِكُ المَشكورُ نائِلُهُ
وَرُبَّand many an نائِلِacquirer of مُلكٍkingship غَيرِnot مَشكورِthanked
وَرُبَّ نائِلِ مُلكٍ غَيرِ مَشكورِ
Al-Salih, the king whose bounty earns thanks—
His hands overflow with favor, though not abundant
Yet many an acquirer of kingship goes unthanked.
A star whose rising is beloved to all people
مَلكٌa king إِذاwhen وَفَّرَlavished الناسُthe people الثَناءَpraise لَهُupon him
مَلكٌ إِذا وَفَّرَ الناسُ الثَناءَ لَهُ
أَمسَتended the day يَداهُhis hands بِوَفرٍwith wealth غَيرِnot مَوفورِkept intact
أَمسَت يَداهُ بِوَفرٍ غَيرِ مَوفورِ
A king who, when people lavish praise upon him,
As if it is a flame in a drunken eye
Ends the day with wealth his hands have not hoarded.
He is hoped for and feared, in days of dew and tempest
مَحبوبَةٌbeloved عِندَamong كُلِّall الناسِthe people طَلعَتهُhis countenance
مَحبوبَةٌ عِندَ كُلِّ الناسِ طَلعَتهُ
كَأَنَّهاas though it لَهَبٌa flame فيin عَينِthe eye of مَقرورِsomeone chilled
كَأَنَّها لَهَبٌ في عَينِ مَقرورِ
His countenance is beloved by everyone,
And the sea is between hoped-for and feared
Like a flame in the eyes of someone chilled.
A sun whose rising eclipse the sun's glow
يُرجىis hoped for وَيُحذَرُand is feared فيon يَوميthe two days of نَدىًbounty وَرَدىًand death
يُرجى وَيُحذَرُ في يَومي نَدىً وَرَدىً
وَالبَحرُand the sea ماis بَينَbetween مَرجُوٍّhoped for وَمَحذورِand feared
وَالبَحرُ ما بَينَ مَرجُوٍّ وَمَحذورِ
He is hoped for and feared on days of bounty and death;
As if extracted from it by distillation
The sea, too, is both hoped for and feared.
The sun should not boast but that it is a label for him
شَمسٌa sun تُحيلُtransforms ضِياءَthe radiance of الشَمسِthe sun طَلعَتُهُhis countenance
شَمسٌ تُحيلُ ضِياءَ الشَمسِ طَلعَتُهُ
كَأَنَّماas though عوجِلَتit was hastened مِنهُby him بِتَكويرِinto being folded up
كَأَنَّما عوجِلَت مِنهُ بِتَكويرِ
A sun whose countenance transforms the sunlight,
And resemblance to him in honor and light
As though the sun had been swiftly folded up by him.
If he willed generosity, his resolve did not consider
لاnot تَفخَرُboasts الشَمسُthe sun إِلّاexcept أَنَّهاthat it لَقَبٌa title
لا تَفخَرُ الشَمسُ إِلّا أَنَّها لَقَبٌ
لَهُof his وَشِبهٌand a likeness لَهُof him فيin العِزِّglory وَالنورِand light
لَهُ وَشِبهٌ لَهُ في العِزِّ وَالنورِ
The sun has no boast except that it is a title
In his action between advancing and delaying
Of his, and resembles him in glory and light.
He meets you before bestowal with glad tidings
إِنif هَمَّhe intends بِالجودِgenerosity لَمnot تَنظُرconsider عَزائِمُهُhis resolves
إِن هَمَّ بِالجودِ لَم تَنظُر عَزائِمُهُ
فيin فِعلِهِhis deed بَينَbetween تَقديمٍadvancing وَتَأخيرِand delaying
في فِعلِهِ بَينَ تَقديمٍ وَتَأخيرِ
If he intends generosity, his resolves do not consider
Open-handed, and after gifts with apologies
Whether to advance his deed or put it off.
The children of Hurmuz saw the path of guidance in him
يَلقاكَhe meets you قَبلَbefore العَطاthe gift بِالبِشرِwith cheerfulness مُبتَدِئاًbeginning
يَلقاكَ قَبلَ العَطا بِالبِشرِ مُبتَدِئاً
بَسطاًopen warmth وَبَعدَand after العَطاياthe gifts بِالمَعاذيرِwith apologies
بَسطاً وَبَعدَ العَطايا بِالمَعاذيرِ
Before the gift he meets you smiling, beginning
And not every match lights the darkness
With open warmth, and after his gifts with apologies.
Through him their kingdom's policies were reformed
رَأَتsaw بَنوthe sons of أُرتُقٍArtuq نَهجَthe path of الرَشادِright guidance بِهِthrough him
رَأَت بَنو أُرتُقٍ نَهجَ الرَشادِ بِهِ
وَليسَand not كُلُّevery زِنادٍflint فيin الدُجىthe darkness يوريkindles fire
وَليسَ كُلُّ زِنادٍ في الدُجى يوري
The sons of Artuq saw through him the path of right guidance;
As if they had won an elixir from him
Not every flint kindles fire in the dark.
How many parties since the evil of dissent appeared in them
بِرَأيِهِthrough his judgment اِنصَلَحَتwere set right آراءُthe counsels of مُلكِهِمُtheir kingship
بِرَأيِهِ اِنصَلَحَت آراءُ مُلكِهِمُ
كَأَنَّهُمas though they ظَفِرواobtained مِنهُfrom him بِإِكسيرِan elixir
كَأَنَّهُم ظَفِروا مِنهُ بِإِكسيرِ
His judgment set their royal counsels right,
Perished by his firm-resolved, renowned sword
As though they had obtained an elixir from him.
They hastened to war while the eggs bowed down prostrate
كَمhow many عُصبَةٍa band مُذsince بَداappeared سوءُthe evil of الخِلافِdissension بِهاwithin it
كَم عُصبَةٍ مُذ بَدا سوءُ الخِلافِ بِها
بادَتperished بِصارِمِby the sword of عَزمٍresolve مِنهُfrom him مَشهورِdrawn
بادَت بِصارِمِ عَزمٍ مِنهُ مَشهورِ
How many a band, once the evil of dissension appeared within it,
And the white and yolk sway between chanting and kneeling
Perished by the drawn sword of his resolve!
They walked like the gait of cats until when they bore
سَعواthey hastened إِلىto الحَربِwar وَالهاماتُwhile the heads ساجِدَةٌwere prostrate
سَعوا إِلى الحَربِ وَالهاماتُ ساجِدَةٌ
وَالبيضُand the bright blades ماare بَينَbetween تَهليلٍproclaiming God's oneness وَتَكبيرِand magnifying God
وَالبيضُ ما بَينَ تَهليلٍ وَتَكبيرِ
They hastened to war, their heads bowed in prostration,
The weight of chains, they walked the walk of sparrows
And the bright blades between 'No god but God' and 'God is greatest.'
O you who lavished horses on the day of battle with them
مَشواthey walked كَمَشيlike the walk of القَطاsandgrouse حَتّىuntil إِذاwhen حَمَلواthey bore
مَشوا كَمَشي القَطا حَتّى إِذا حَمَلوا
ثِقلَthe weight of القُيودِthe chains مَشواthey walked مَشيَthe walk of العَصافيرِsparrows
ثِقلَ القُيودِ مَشوا مَشيَ العَصافيرِ
They walked like sandgrouse, until, when they bore
But did not come with unthanked effort
The weight of chains, they walked like sparrows.
If Chosroes took pride in thousands, how many
ياO باذِلَgiver of الخَيلِhorses فيon يَومِthe day of الغُلُوِّhigh valuation بِهاof them
يا باذِلَ الخَيلِ في يَومِ الغُلُوِّ بِها
وَماand not أَتَينَthey came بِسَعيٍwith an effort غَيرِnot مَشكورِthanked
وَما أَتَينَ بِسَعيٍ غَيرِ مَشكورِ
O giver of horses on the day they command high prices,
Thousands rooted to one have you granted?
None of their efforts have gone unthanked.
Or did Nu'man get lost in his solitary palace, how many
إِنif كانَwas زَهوَةُthe pride of كِسرىKisra بِالأُلوفِin thousands فَكَمthen how many
إِن كانَ زَهوَةُ كِسرى بِالأُلوفِ فَكَم
وَهَبتَyou bestowed مِنof عَدَدٍa number بِالأَلفِwith a thousand مَجذورِas its root
وَهَبتَ مِن عَدَدٍ بِالأَلفِ مَجذورِ
If Kisra's pride was in thousands, how many
Populated valleys for you with the two cliffs!
Numbers with a thousand as their root have you bestowed!
In every impassable place made inaccessible
أَوor كانَwas بِالجَوسِقِwith the pavilion النُعمانُal-Nu'man تاهَproud فَكَمthen how many
أَو كانَ بِالجَوسِقِ النُعمانُ تاهَ فَكَم
مِنof جَوسَقٍa pavilion لَكَyours بِالشِعبَينِat al-Shi'bayn مَعمورِinhabited
مِن جَوسَقٍ لَكَ بِالشِعبَينِ مَعمورِ
Or if al-Nu'man vaunted a pavilion, how many
Aqueducts are built therein with pipelines
Inhabited pavilions are yours at al-Shi'bayn!
If Aad ibn Shaddad had passed by his Paradise
فيكُلِّin every مُستَصعَبِrugged الأَرجاءِin its sides مُمتَنِعٍinaccessible stronghold
فيكُلِّ مُستَصعَبِ الأَرجاءِ مُمتَنِعٍ
تُبنىare built القَناطِرُthe bridges فيهِthere بِالقَناطيرِwith hundredweights
تُبنى القَناطِرُ فيهِ بِالقَناطيرِ
In every rugged-sided, inaccessible stronghold,
He would dwell there, clashing his worn teeth
Bridges are built with hundredweights of treasure.
No wonder if you head to fulfill a promise
لَوif مَرَّpassed عادُ'Ad بنُson of شَدّادٍShaddad بِجَنَّتِهِthrough his garden
لَو مَرَّ عادُ بنُ شَدّادٍ بِجَنَّتِهِ
أَقامَhe would stay يَقرَعُgnashing فيهاthere سِنَّthe tooth of مَغرورِone deceived
أَقامَ يَقرَعُ فيها سِنَّ مَغرورِ
Had 'Ad son of Shaddad passed through his garden,
The twisted road turns into a straight one
He would have stayed there, gnashing his teeth in disillusion.
If the furthest Syria yearns for you
لاno غَروَwonder إِنif جُدتَyou were generous لِلوُفّادِto visiting parties قاصِدَةًbound
لا غَروَ إِن جُدتَ لِلوُفّادِ قاصِدَةً
إِلَيكَfor you تَطويrolling up الفَلاthe wastelands طَيَّlike the rolling of الطَواميرِscrolls
إِلَيكَ تَطوي الفَلا طَيَّ الطَواميرِ
No wonder you are generous to visiting parties, bound
Then it has inclined to the victorious king of Tyre
For you, rolling up the wastelands like scrolls.
So may the distant be joyous through you, sorrow has returned
إِنif تَسعَthey hasten نَحوَكَtoward you مِنfrom أَقصىthe farthest reaches of الشَآمِSyria فَقَدthen indeed
إِن تَسعَ نَحوَكَ مِن أَقصى الشَآمِ فَقَد
سَعَتthey hastened إِلىto المَلِكِthe king المَنصورِal-Mansur مِنfrom صورِTyre
سَعَت إِلى المَلِكِ المَنصورِ مِن صورِ
If they hasten toward you from Syria's farthest reaches, they have
And Shanuuk is in sorrow and confusion
Hastened from Tyre to al-Malik al-Mansur.
Your fast has deafened the enemies' hearing, and how many
فَاِسعَدso rejoice بَعيدٍin a feast بِهِthrough which عادَreturned السُرورُjoy لَناto us
فَاِسعَد بَعيدٍ بِهِ عادَ السُرورُ لَنا
وَعادَand returned شانيكَyour hater فيto غَمٍّgrief وَتَكديرِand gloom
وَعادَ شانيكَ في غَمٍّ وَتَكديرِ
Rejoice in a feast through which joy has returned to us,
A heart of theirs you have opened by breakfasting
While your hater has returned to grief and gloom.
I call you, with a sincere servant's call
صُمَّتwere deafened بِصَومِكَby your fasting أَسماعُthe ears of العُداةِthe enemies وَكَمand how many
صُمَّت بِصَومِكَ أَسماعُ العُداةِ وَكَم
قَلبٍa heart لَهُمof theirs مِنكَby you بِالإِفطارِthrough breaking the fast مَفطورِbroken
قَلبٍ لَهُم مِنكَ بِالإِفطارِ مَفطورِ
Your fasting has deafened your enemies' ears; and how many
O unique one of the age, hear though uncommanded
A heart of theirs have you broken by breaking your fast!
I do not claim excuses for delaying your company
أَدعوكَI call upon you دِعوَةَthe call of عَبدٍa servant وامِقٍdevoted بِكُمُto you
أَدعوكَ دِعوَةَ عَبدٍ وامِقٍ بِكُمُ
ياO واحِدَunique one of العَصرِthe age فَاِسمَعso listen غَيرَnot مَأمورِcommanded
يا واحِدَ العَصرِ فَاِسمَع غَيرَ مَأمورِ
I call upon you with the call of a servant devoted to you:
No lover is excused for distance
O peerless one of the age, listen—not as one commanded.
But tomorrow if my distance from your side is long
لاnot أَدَّعيI claim العُذرَan excuse عَنfor تَأخيرِdelaying قَصدِكُمُvisiting you
لا أَدَّعي العُذرَ عَن تَأخيرِ قَصدِكُمُ
لَيسَnot المُحِبُّthe lover عَلىdespite بُعدٍdistance بِمَعذورِexcused
لَيسَ المُحِبُّ عَلى بُعدٍ بِمَعذورِ
I claim no excuse for delaying my visit to you;
It is my great sin, and this praise is my redemption
A lover is not excused for remaining far away.
Without you, poetry would be no wealth of mine
بَلrather إِنif غَداbecame طولُthe length of بُعديmy absence عَنfrom جَنابِكُمُyour presence
بَل إِن غَدا طولُ بُعدي عَن جَنابِكُمُ
ذَنبيmy sin العَظيمَgreat فَهَذاthen this المَدحُpraise تَكفيريmy atonement
ذَنبي العَظيمَ فَهَذا المَدحُ تَكفيري
Rather, if my long absence from your presence has become
Nor would I have excelled with it from a concealed treasure
My great sin, then this praise is my atonement.
Any merit whose increase diminished my worth
لَولاكُمُbut for you لَمnot يَكُنwould be فيin الشِعرِpoetry ليfor me أَرَبٌّa desire
لَولاكُمُ لَم يَكُن في الشِعرِ لي أَرَبٌّ
وَلاand not بَرَزتُI emerged بِهِwith it مِنfrom خَزنِthe store of تامورِthe heart
وَلا بَرَزتُ بِهِ مِن خَزنِ تامورِ
But for you, I would have no desire for poetry,
Is like a name increased with a diminutive yaa
Nor would I have brought it forth from my heart's store.
But I have not disgraced myself eagerly seeking its rarities
فَضيلَةٌa virtue نَقَصَتdiminished قَدريmy standing زِيادَتُهاits increase
فَضيلَةٌ نَقَصَت قَدري زِيادَتُها
كَالإِسمِlike a noun زادَتincreased بِهِin it ياءٌthe letter ya لِتَصغيرِfor diminution
كَالإِسمِ زادَت بِهِ ياءٌ لِتَصغيرِ
A virtue whose increase has diminished my standing,
Like one who cheapens poetry in praise of Ibn Mansur
Like a noun increased by a ya to make it diminutive.
My soul's status is above its indentation
لَكِنَّنيyet I لَمnot أُهِنdebased حِرصاًout of greed نَفائِسَهاits treasures
لَكِنَّني لَم أُهِن حِرصاً نَفائِسَها
كَمُرخِصِlike one cheapening الشِعرِpoetry فيin مَدحِpraise of اِبنِIbn مَنصورِMansur
كَمُرخِصِ الشِعرِ في مَدحِ اِبنِ مَنصورِ
Yet I have not debased its treasures out of greed,
From buds, and my worth above my allotted
Like one who cheapens poetry in praise of Ibn Mansur.
But my times left me behind and put forward one
مَكانَةُthe dignity of النَفسِthe soul مِنّيwithin me فَوقَabove مُكنَتِهاits means
مَكانَةُ النَفسِ مِنّي فَوقَ مُكنَتِها
مِنَin النُضارِgold وَقَدريand my worth فَوقَabove مَقدورِwhat is allotted
مِنَ النُضارِ وَقَدري فَوقَ مَقدورِ
My soul's dignity stands above its means
Who was before me in the past eras
In gold, and my worth exceeds my allotted lot.
As if I am from the celestial spheres of India which necessitated
لَكِنbut تَأَخَّرَheld back بيme عَصريmy age وَقَدَّمَand advanced مَنthose who
لَكِن تَأَخَّرَ بي عَصري وَقَدَّمَ مَن
قَدalready كانَwere قَبلِيَbefore me فيin ماضيthe past of الأَساطيرِancient tales
قَد كانَ قَبلِيَ في ماضي الأَساطيرِ
But my age has held me back and brought forward those
The height of my position due to my extreme lateness
Who came before me in the ancient tales.
So treat with favor the prime of poems, which have no dowry
كَأَنَّنيas though I مِنamong رُقومِthe numerals of الهِندِIndia أَوجَبَsecured ليfor me
كَأَنَّني مِن رُقومِ الهِندِ أَوجَبَ لي
عُلُوَّthe height of مَرتَبَتيmy position إِفراطُthe extremity of تَأخيريmy relegation
عُلُوَّ مَرتَبَتي إِفراطُ تَأخيري
As though I were an Indian numeral: what has granted me
Other than acceptance and affection, unhidden
My high place is my being pushed so far back.
To Abu Tayyib al-Mutanabbi their pride
فَاِستَجلِso unveil بِكرَthe virgin of قَريضٍpoetry لاno صَداقَdowry لَهاfor her
فَاِستَجلِ بِكرَ قَريضٍ لا صَداقَ لَها
سِوىexcept القَبولِacceptance وَوُدٍّand affection غيرِnot مَكفورِdenied
سِوى القَبولِ وَوُدٍّ غيرِ مَكفورِ
Unveil, then, this virgin poem, whose dowry is nothing
Since I have not wasted their musk for the like of camphor
But acceptance and affection not denied.
They have softened to express the softness of your glory
عَلىover أَبِيAbu الطَيّبِal-Tayyib الكوفِيِّof Kufa مَفخَرُهاits boast
عَلى أَبِي الطَيّبِ الكوفِيِّ مَفخَرُها
إِذsince لَمnot أُضِعI wasted مِسكَهاits musk فيon مِثلِsomeone like كافورِKafur
إِذ لَم أُضِع مِسكَها في مِثلِ كافورِ
It can boast over Abu al-Tayyib of Kufa,
Out of love, and lengthened to erase the sin of my tardiness
For I did not waste its musk on anyone like Kafur.
رَقَّتit grew tender لِتُعرِبَto express عَنof رِقّيmy bondage لِمَجدِكُمُto your glory
رَقَّت لِتُعرِبَ عَن رِقّي لِمَجدِكُمُ
حُبّاًout of love وَطالَتand grew long لِتَمحوَto erase ذَنبَthe sin of تَقصيريmy shortcomings
حُبّاً وَطالَت لِتَمحوَ ذَنبَ تَقصيري
It grew tender to declare my bondage to your glory,
Out of love, and grew long to erase the sin of my shortcomings.
Partial English translation: 167 of 170 Arabic lines translated.
Sol 6.1