الغَيمُ في حافَتَيهِ البَرقُ يَلتَهِبُ

الغَيمُ في حافَتَيهِ البَرقُ يَلتَهِبُ

كَأَنَّهُ مُطرَفٌ أَعلامُهُ ذَهَبُ

كَأَنَّهُ مُطرَفٌ أَعلامُهُ ذَهَبُ

The cloud—along its two edges, lightning blazes,

The lightning flashes in the clouds' edges

As though it were a mantle whose decorative bands are gold.

As if it were a banner with golden fringes

وَالقَطرُ يَلثُمُ ثَغرَ الأُقحُوانِ إِذا

وَالقَطرُ يَلثُمُ ثَغرَ الأُقحُوانِ إِذا

تَبَسَّمَت عَنهُ في أَفواهِها القُضُبُ

تَبَسَّمَت عَنهُ في أَفواهِها القُضُبُ

And the rain kisses the chrysanthemum’s mouth when

And the raindrops kiss the mouths of flowers

The boughs smile, revealing it within their mouths.

When from them smiles break through their covers

فَبِالإِخاءِ تَرَجَّل عَن مُخالَفَتي

فَبِالإِخاءِ تَرَجَّل عَن مُخالَفَتي

وَاِركَب نَشاطاً لَهُ مِن طاعَتي لَبَبُ

وَاِركَب نَشاطاً لَهُ مِن طاعَتي لَبَبُ

So, for brotherhood’s sake, dismount from opposing me,

So make peace and give up your opposition

And mount good cheer, whose breast-strap is obedience to me.

And obedience to me make your position

وَسِر إِلى بِنتِ كَرمٍ فَوقَ مَفرِقِها

وَسِر إِلى بِنتِ كَرمٍ فَوقَ مَفرِقِها

مِن صَنعَةِ الماءِ تاجٌ دُرُّهُ الحَبَبُ

مِن صَنعَةِ الماءِ تاجٌ دُرُّهُ الحَبَبُ

And go to the vine’s daughter; atop her head

Go to the daughter of generosity on her crown

Is a crown fashioned by water, its pearls the bubbles.

A diadem of water's making, pearls abound

فَالوَقتُ إِن جِئتَهُ حَتى تُشاهِدُهُ

فَالوَقتُ إِن جِئتَهُ حَتى تُشاهِدُهُ

رَأَيتَهُ حَسَناً قَد عَمَّهُ الطَرَبُ

رَأَيتَهُ حَسَناً قَد عَمَّهُ الطَرَبُ

For this moment—if you come to it to behold it—

And when you come at the right time to see it

You will see it beautiful, suffused with joy.

You'll find it beautiful, enraptured in its seat