أذَوَابِلٌare these slender spears? أمor قَامَةٌa figure هيفَاءُslender-waisted
أذَوَابِلٌ أم قَامَةٌ هيفَاءُ
وَمَنَاصلٌand sword-blades أمor مقلةٌan eye وَطْفَاءُlong-lashed
وَمَنَاصلٌ أم مقلةٌ وَطْفَاءُ
Are these slender spears, or a slender-waisted figure?
Clouds or a slender figure gently swaying,
And sword-blades, or a long-lashed eye?
Branches or a gazelle's glance softly glowing.
وَخَمَائِلٌand thickets مُخْضَرَّةٌgreen أمor سَالِفٌa cheek
وَخَمَائِلٌ مُخْضَرَّةٌ أم سَالِفٌ
وَغَزَالَةٌand a sun هَاتيكَthat أمْor أضْوَاءُrays of light
وَغَزَالَةٌ هَاتيكَ أمْ أضْوَاءُ
And green thickets, or a cheek?
Green tents or an old friend long awaited,
And is that the sun, or rays of light?
A crescent moon or dawn's light brightly breaking.
وَهِلاَلُand a crescent أفْقٍof a horizon طَالِعٌrising أمor وَاضِحٌa radiant face
وَهِلاَلُ أفْقٍ طَالِعٌ أم وَاضِحٌ
وزلالُand the clarity of رِيقٍsaliva ذَاكَthat أمْor صَهْبَاءُtawny wine
وزلالُ رِيقٍ ذَاكَ أمْ صَهْبَاءُ
And a crescent rising on the horizon, or a radiant face?
In her face time itself lies captured,
And is that clear saliva, or tawny wine?
Her mouth the morning and evening partaking.
وَأسَاوِدٌand black serpents أمْor تِلْكَthose سُودُblack ذَوَائِبٍlocks
وَأسَاوِدٌ أمْ تِلْكَ سُودُ ذَوَائِبٍ
وَغَزَالَةٌand a gazelle هَاتِيكَthat أمْor أسْمَاءُAsma
وَغَزَالَةٌ هَاتِيكَ أمْ أسْمَاءُ
And black serpents, or those black locks?
I suckled at her breast the milk of union,
And is that a gazelle, or Asma?
Our talk a garden where songbirds awaken.
خُودٌa young maiden صَوَارِمُهَاher swords الجُفُونُthe eyelids وَمُعْجِزٌand a marvel
خُودٌ صَوَارِمُهَا الجُفُونُ وَمُعْجِزٌ
فِيin جفنهَاher eyelid إنَّindeed الجُفُونَthe eyelids/scabbards ظُبَاءُsword-edges
فِي جفنهَا إنَّ الجُفُونَ ظُبَاءُ
A maiden whose eyelids are swords; and a marvel
In the garden the breeze recites her words,
lies in her eyelid: the scabbards are sword-edges.
Describing the gifts theclouds have forsaken.
فِيin شَكْلِهَاher form انْدَرَجَwas enfolded الزمَانُtime فَثَغْرُهَاso her mouth
فِي شَكْلِهَا انْدَرَجَ الزمَانُ فَثَغْرُهَا
مَعَwith شَعْرِهَاher hair الإصَباحُdaybreak وَالإمْسَاءُand nightfall
مَعَ شَعْرِهَا الإصَباحُ وَالإمْسَاءُ
Time is enfolded in her form: her mouth
Where passion burns the stars in frenzy swirl,
and her hair are daybreak and nightfall.
Flowers and meadows resemble the heavens.
رَاضَعْتُهَاI suckled with her ثَدْيَthe breast of الوِصَالِunion وَبَيْنَنَاand between us
رَاضَعْتُهَا ثَدْيَ الوِصَالِ وَبَيْنَنَا
بِجَنَىwith the fruit of الحَديِثِconversation حَدِيقَةٌa garden غَنَّاءُlush
بِجَنَى الحَديِثِ حَدِيقَةٌ غَنَّاءُ
I suckled with her at union's breast, and between us
Dew inscribed on leaves the tunes she trilled,
lay a lush garden of conversation's fruit.
Warbling birdsongs the leaves now carry.
فِيin رَوْضَةٍa garden أضْحَىbecame النَّسِيمُthe breeze لِسَانَهَاits tongue
فِي رَوْضَةٍ أضْحَى النَّسِيمُ لِسَانَهَا
يَصِفُdescribes الَّذِيwhat أهْدَتْbestowed لَهُupon it الأنوَاءُthe rains
يَصِفُ الَّذِي أهْدَتْ لَهُ الأنوَاءُ
In a garden, the breeze became its tongue,
Boughs bow to the wind in courtesy,
describing what the rains had bestowed upon it.
While shadows lift their gloomy veil.
حَيْثُwhere الحِمَىthe preserve فَلَكٌa celestial sphere تَمُوجُripple بروجُهُits constellations
حَيْثُ الحِمَى فَلَكٌ تَمُوجُ بروجُهُ
وَالزَّهْرُand the blossoms زُهْرٌbright stars وَالرّيَاضُand the gardens سَمَاءُa sky
وَالزَّهْرُ زُهْرٌ وَالرّيَاضُ سَمَاءُ
Where the preserve is a sky whose constellations ripple,
The horizon glows with his brilliant light,
and the blossoms are bright stars, and the gardens a heaven.
His blessed face with radiance prevailed.
والطلand dew فِيon الأوْرَاقِthe leaves يُثْبِتُrecords مَاwhat غَدَتْshe began
والطل فِي الأوْرَاقِ يُثْبِتُ مَا غَدَتْ
بِاللَّحْنِin song تُعْرِبُهُshe expresses it لَهُto it الوَرْقَاءُthe grey dove
بِاللَّحْنِ تُعْرِبُهُ لَهُ الوَرْقَاءُ
And dew on the leaves records what
A king whose falling stars I witness,
the grey dove has begun to express to it in song.
Though finding him a mortal who must fail.
وَالأيْكُand the thickets تخفضُlower لِلنَّسِيمِto the breeze رُؤُوسَهَاtheir heads
وَالأيْكُ تخفضُ لِلنَّسِيمِ رُؤُوسَهَا
أدَباًin courtesy وَترفَعُand lifts سُجْفَهَاits curtains الظَّلْمَاءُthe darkness
أدَباً وَترفَعُ سُجْفَهَا الظَّلْمَاءُ
And the thickets lower their heads to the breeze
A raincloud spreading glory on Hafs' clan -
in courtesy, while darkness lifts its curtains.
Generous his hands, generous the gale.
وَالأفقُand the horizon أشرقَshone brightly نُورُهُits light فَكَأنَّمَاas though
وَالأفقُ أشرقَ نُورُهُ فَكَأنَّمَا
غَشَّاهُcovered it مِنْfrom وَجْهِthe face of الملِيكِthe king سَنَاءُradiance
غَشَّاهُ مِنْ وَجْهِ الملِيكِ سَنَاءُ
And the horizon's light shone brightly, as though
His gifts embrace friend and rival alike,
radiance from the king's face had covered it.
To one grants bounty, against the other flail.
مَلِكٌa king رَأيْتُI saw الشهبَthe bright stars ثُمَّthen رَأيْتُهُI saw him
مَلِكٌ رَأيْتُ الشهبَ ثُمَّ رَأيْتُهُ
فَوَجَدْتُهُand I found him جِسْماًa body وَهُمْwhile they were أسْمَاءُnames
فَوَجَدْتُهُ جِسْماً وَهُمْ أسْمَاءُ
A king: I saw the bright stars, then saw him,
A king who shares all he holds in his hands,
and found him substance, while they were names.
Giving gladdens you, withholding breeds bale.
غيثٌlife-giving rain يَجُودُgives generously لآلِto the House of حَفْصٍHafs فخرهhis glory
غيثٌ يَجُودُ لآلِ حَفْصٍ فخره
فَيَدَاهُso his two hands أرضٌan earth سَمْحَةٌgenerous وسمَاءُand a sky
فَيَدَاهُ أرضٌ سَمْحَةٌ وسمَاءُ
A rain whose glory showers the House of Hafs;
He rules with strength, and his swift justice
so his two hands are a generous earth and a sky.
Binds and decides,不 ruthlessness or trail.
عَمَّتْreached everyone مَوَاهِبُهُhis gifts فَمِنْهَاand among them للِصَّدِيfor the frien-
عَمَّتْ مَوَاهِبُهُ فَمِنْهَا للِصَّدِي
قِ-d (completing 'friend') غِنىًwealth وَمِنْهَاand among them لِلْعَدُوّfor the enemy وعَنَاءُand hardship
قِ غِنىً وَمِنْهَا لِلْعَدُوّ وعَنَاءُ
His gifts reach everyone: among them, for the friend,
His enemies appealed to him to judge,
is wealth, and among them, for the enemy, hardship.
And he raised them high, no hatred or rails.
مَلِكٌa king لِمَاof whatever مَلَكَتْpossessed يَدَاهُhis two hands مُفَرّقٌa distributor
مَلِكٌ لِمَا مَلَكَتْ يَدَاهُ مُفَرّقٌ
يُرْضِيكَpleases you مِنْهُfrom him الأخْذُtaking وَالإعْطَاءُand giving
يُرْضِيكَ مِنْهُ الأخْذُ وَالإعْطَاءُ
A king who distributes whatever his hands possess;
Eyes he fills, breasts he heals, no lingering pains,
his taking and his giving alike please you.
Health to all sides his light evenly hails.
وَلِيَtook charge of الأمُورَaffairs بِعزةٍwith might فَسَدَادُهَاso their right conduct
وَلِيَ الأمُورَ بِعزةٍ فَسَدَادُهَا
منfrom حزمِهِhis resolve الإحكَامُfirm control وَالإمضَاءُand execution
من حزمِهِ الإحكَامُ وَالإمضَاءُ
He took charge with might; its right conduct—
O you who dread the blows of fate that fall
firm ordering and execution—comes from his resolve.
On mankind alike, both blight and boon entail,
فَثَنَىso bent العَدُوthe enemy إلَيْهِtoward him حكمَthe authority لوَائِهِof his banner
فَثَنَى العَدُو إلَيْهِ حكمَ لوَائِهِ
فَعَلاَهُso rose above him فِيهِin it الصَّعْدَةُthe spear السَّمْرَاءُtawny
فَعَلاَهُ فِيهِ الصَّعْدَةُ السَّمْرَاءُ
So his banner's authority bent the enemy toward him;
Fear not the dark of disasters, for his justice
and there the tawny spear rose above the foe.
Has unfurled banners that flash and prevail.
ملأfilled العُيُونَthe eyes فَمَاand no بِهِنَّin them غَضَاضَةٌshame
ملأ العُيُونَ فَمَا بِهِنَّ غَضَاضَةٌ
وَشَفَىand healed الصدورَthe hearts فَمَاand no بِهِنَّin them أذَاءُhurt
وَشَفَى الصدورَ فَمَا بِهِنَّ أذَاءُ
He filled the eyes, and no shame remained in them;
My lord Usman, may you ever rise higher,
and healed the hearts, and no hurt remained in them.
The crescent moon gilding your shoes the dust trail
يَاO خَائِفاًyou who fear منْfrom حَادثِa calamity of الدهرِtime الذيwhich
يَا خَائِفاً منْ حَادثِ الدهرِ الذي
مِنْamong شَأنِهِits ways الضَرَّاءُhardship والسَّرَاءُand prosperity
مِنْ شَأنِهِ الضَرَّاءُ والسَّرَاءُ
O you afraid of a calamity of time, whose
By Allah, you mend a broken command
ways are hardship and prosperity,
And shine light where gloom did prevail.
لاَdo not تَرْهَبَنَّfear دُجَىthe gloom of الحَنَادِسِpitch-dark nights بعدمَاafter
لاَ تَرْهَبَنَّ دُجَى الحَنَادِسِ بعدمَا
مَدَّتْspread بَيَارِقُthe banners of عَدْلِهِhis justice الأضْوَاءُthe lights
مَدَّتْ بَيَارِقُ عَدْلِهِ الأضْوَاءُ
fear not the gloom of pitch-dark nights, now that
I know not, though you forget yet remember me
the banners of his justice have spread their light.
With gifts that spread like the clouds as they sail,
مَوْلاَيmy lord يَاO عُثْمَانUthman عِشْlive مُتَرَقِّياًascending
مَوْلاَي يَا عُثْمَان عِشْ مُتَرَقِّياً
أدَمُthe leather of الهِلاَلِthe crescent لأخْمَصَيْكِfor your two soles حِذَاءُfootwear
أدَمُ الهِلاَلِ لأخْمَصَيْكِ حِذَاءُ
My lord, O Uthman, live ever ascending;
Which gift I value more dear to my heart -
the crescent's leather is footwear for your soles.
Your gifts or the bounty they entail?
لِلَّهِto God (in praise) أنْتَyou are صَلاَحُthe remedy for أمرٍan affair فَاسدٍcorrupt
لِلَّهِ أنْتَ صَلاَحُ أمرٍ فَاسدٍ
وَضِيَاءُand the light of خَطْبٍa crisis قَدْalready عَلاَهُcovered it دُجَاءُdarkness
وَضِيَاءُ خَطْبٍ قَدْ عَلاَهُ دُجَاءُ
God bless you, the remedy for a corrupted affair,
May God grant you what no man can gain
and the light of a crisis shrouded in darkness.
Nor extend his reach however far he flail.
لَمْdid not أدْرِI know إذْsince لَمْdid not تَنْسَنِيyou forget me وَذكَرْتَنِيand you remembered me
لَمْ أدْرِ إذْ لَمْ تَنْسَنِي وَذكَرْتَنِي
بمَوَاهِبwith gifts سَارَتْtravelled بِهَاwith them الأنْوَاءُthe rain showers
بمَوَاهِب سَارَتْ بِهَا الأنْوَاءُ
I did not know, since you did not forget me and remembered me
You remain for this praiser, my lord, as long
with gifts the rain showers carried far,
As reeds dance and leaves on branches regale.
أيَّwhich of اليَدَيْنِthe two favors أجَلَّwas greater عِنْدِيto me نِعْمَةًas a blessing
أيَّ اليَدَيْنِ أجَلَّ عِنْدِي نِعْمَةً
ذُكْرَاكَyour remembering إيَّايَme أمِor الإغْنَاءُenrichment
ذُكْرَاكَ إيَّايَ أمِ الإغْنَاءُ
which of the two favors was the greater blessing to me:
Shall I let my eyes in passion slumber?
your remembrance of me, or your enriching me.
Can I bank the fires in my breast, make them fail?
فَاللَّهُso may God يُولِيكَgrant you الذِيthat which لَمْhas not يُولَهُbeen granted it
فَاللَّهُ يُولِيكَ الذِي لَمْ يُولَهُ
بَشَرٌa mortal وَلمْand did not يبلغْreach رَجَاهُhis hope مَدَاءُany extent
بَشَرٌ وَلمْ يبلغْ رَجَاهُ مَدَاءُ
May God grant you what has not been granted
Do you blame me for love of a moon bright as full,
to any mortal, beyond the utmost reach of hope.
Though surely you, not I, are unwise and frail!
وَبَقِيتَand may you remain لِلْمُدَّاحِfor the panegyrists يَاO مَوْلاَيmy lord مَاas long as
وَبَقِيتَ لِلْمُدَّاحِ يَا مَوْلاَي مَا
رقصَdanced القَضِيبُthe bough وَغَنَّتِand sang الوَرْقَاءُthe grey dove
رقصَ القَضِيبُ وَغَنَّتِ الوَرْقَاءُ
And may you remain for the panegyrists, my lord, as long as
Only fools would blame lovers, for love itself
the bough dances and the grey dove sings.
Seduces the heart and makes wise counsel frail.
ألِسُهْدِis there for the sleeplessness of عَيْنِيmy eye فِيin الهَوَىlove إغْفَاءslumber
ألِسُهْدِ عَيْنِي فِي الهَوَى إغْفَاء
أمْor هَلْis there لِنَارِfor the fire of جَوَانِحَيmy ribs إطْفَاءquenching
أمْ هَلْ لِنَارِ جَوَانِحَي إطْفَاء
Can my eye, sleepless in love, ever find slumber?
My posture is bent, my poise left shaken
Or can the fire within my ribs be quenched?
By what no dark steed could ever assail.
يَاO مُمْرِضِيyou who sicken me بسقَامwith the languor of مُقْلَتِهِhis eye الَّتِيwhich
يَا مُمْرِضِي بسقَام مُقْلَتِهِ الَّتِي
فِيهَاin it الدَّوَاءُthe cure وَمِنْand from دَوَاهَاits cure الدَّاءُthe disease
فِيهَا الدَّوَاءُ وَمِنْ دَوَاهَا الدَّاءُ
O you whose eye's languor makes me ill, an eye that
A gazelle my eyes amazed, though when they wander
holds the cure, yet from its cure comes the disease.
My heart strays while others stand straight and hale.
أنْتُyou are الطَّبِيبُthe physician وَأنْتَand you are دَائِيmy illness فَاشْفso heal مَاwhat
أنْتُ الطَّبِيبُ وَأنْتَ دَائِي فَاشْف مَا
عملَتْhas done بِقَلْبِيto my heart المُقْلَةُthe eye الوَطْفَاءُlong-lashed
عملَتْ بِقَلْبِي المُقْلَةُ الوَطْفَاءُ
You are the physician and you are my illness; so heal what
If a youth's heart missteps, the radiant face
the long-lashed eye has done to my heart.
Can guide it aright, it need never flail.
آهاًah! وَهَلْand does يُجْدِيavail التَّأوهُsighing بَعْدَمَاafter
آهاً وَهَلْ يُجْدِي التَّأوهُ بَعْدَمَا
قُطِعَwas severed الرجَاءُhope وَعَمَّتِand engulfed all البَلْوَاءُaffliction
قُطِعَ الرجَاءُ وَعَمَّتِ البَلْوَاءُ
Ah! And can sighing help, now that
A flask he carries, the wine in its glass alight,
hope is severed and affliction has engulfed all?
Water and limpidity pure in its veil.
أمُعَنّفِيO you who rebuke me فِيfor حبّloving بَدْرٍa full moon مقمرٍshining
أمُعَنّفِي فِي حبّ بَدْرٍ مقمرٍ
قَسَماًI swear لأنتَyou are indeed العَاذِلُthe reproacher العَوَّاءُthe howling one
قَسَماً لأنتَ العَاذِلُ العَوَّاءُ
O you who rebuke me for loving a shining full moon,
A wind circling, beloveds draw near in worship,
I swear you are indeed the howling reproacher.
Like pilgrims circumambulating the vale.
وَمِنَand it is of الجَهَالَةِignorance أنْto تُعَنفَrebuke منsomeone who يَرىsees
وَمِنَ الجَهَالَةِ أنْ تُعَنفَ من يَرى
أنَّthat الملاَمَreproach عَلَىfor الهَوَىlove إغْرَاءُan incitement
أنَّ الملاَمَ عَلَى الهَوَى إغْرَاءُ
And it is ignorance to rebuke someone who sees
It flowed clear, and the wineglass made passion swell.
that censure of love is encouragement.
Drink - though we know not if it virtue or bale.
بِيI am smitten by مَائِسُone swaying الاعْطَافِthe flanks هَزَّstirred قَوَامُهُhis figure
بِي مَائِسُ الاعْطَافِ هَزَّ قَوَامُهُ
مَاwhat لاdoes not تَهُزّstir الصَّعْدَةُthe spear السَّمْرَاءُtawny
مَا لا تَهُزّ الصَّعْدَةُ السَّمْرَاءُ
I am smitten by one of swaying limbs; his figure has stirred
Wine of the morn, wine that dreams, wine that cheers,
what the tawny spear cannot stir.
Coffee ebony-dark, wine rose-flushed and pale.
ظبيٌa gazelle عجبتُI marveled لِنَاظِرِيهat his two eyes إذَاwhen غدَاbegan
ظبيٌ عجبتُ لِنَاظِرِيه إذَا غدَا
يَصْبُوyearns لَهَاfor them قَلْبِيmy heart وَهُنَّalthough they are ظُبَاءُsword-edges
يَصْبُو لَهَا قَلْبِي وَهُنَّ ظُبَاءُ
A gazelle: I marvel at his eyes when
Ruby-red, yellow-bright, white-gleaming wine
my heart begins to yearn for them, though they are sword-edges.
Curing sickness with its perfume inhaled.
إنْif ضَلَّstrayed قَلْبُthe heart of الصبّthe lover فِيهِin him بِشَعْرِهِthrough his hair
إنْ ضَلَّ قَلْبُ الصبّ فِيهِ بِشَعْرِهِ
فَلَقَدْthen surely هَدَتْهُguided it الطَّلْعَةُthe countenance الغَرَّاءُradiant
فَلَقَدْ هَدَتْهُ الطَّلْعَةُ الغَرَّاءُ
If the lover's heart is led astray in him by his hair,
As though with the breeze recovery is sent -
his radiant countenance has surely guided it.
The wind a healer, breath of health in its gale.
يسعىgoes about برَاحٍwith wine فِيin زُجَاجَتِهِhis glass الَّتِيwhich
يسعى برَاحٍ فِي زُجَاجَتِهِ الَّتِي
سَالَflowed النُّضَارُgold بِهَاin it وَقَامَand stood upright المَاءُwater
سَالَ النُّضَارُ بِهَا وَقَامَ المَاءُ
He goes about with wine in his glass, in which
Its gleam brought joy to lovers, from its mouth
gold flows and water stands upright.
Flows radiance, lips like the red of nightshade pale.
رَاحٌwine يَطُوفُcircles بِهَاaround it الحَبَابُbubbles لِذَاكَfor that reason قَدْalready
رَاحٌ يَطُوفُ بِهَا الحَبَابُ لِذَاكَ قَدْ
صَلَّتْprayed لِكَعْبَةِtoward the Kaaba of حَانِهَاits tavern النُّدَمَاءُthe drinking companions
صَلَّتْ لِكَعْبَةِ حَانِهَا النُّدَمَاءُ
Wine around which bubbles circle; that is why
A moon pours its liquor, his face so fair,
the drinking companions have prayed toward its tavern's Kaaba.
His glance soft - cupbearer of beauty the veil.
رَقَّتْgrew delicate وَرَاقَand gleamed الكَأسُthe cup فَاشْرَبْهَاso drink it فَلَمْfor did not
رَقَّتْ وَرَاقَ الكَأسُ فَاشْرَبْهَا فَلَمْ
نَعْلَمْwe know وَحَقكَby your honor أنَّهَاthat it is الصَّهْبَاءُtawny wine
نَعْلَمْ وَحَقكَ أنَّهَا الصَّهْبَاءُ
It grew delicate, and the cup gleamed; drink it, for we did not
Dance with the wine as dawn peeks her veil,
know, by your honor, that it was tawny wine.
The reeds dancing, leaves upon branches regale.
بِكْرٌvirgin wine سُلاَفٌfree-run wine خَنْدَوِيسٌstrong wine قَرْقَفٌchilling wine
بِكْرٌ سُلاَفٌ خَنْدَوِيسٌ قَرْقَفٌ
خَمْرٌwine مُدَامٌaged wine قَهْوَةٌappetite-dulling wine شَمْطَاءُgrey-streaked wine
خَمْرٌ مُدَامٌ قَهْوَةٌ شَمْطَاءُ
Virgin wine, free-run wine, strong wine, chilling wine;
Seeing the king's face, flowers smile and bloom,
wine, aged wine, appetite-dulling wine, grey-streaked wine;
Blessings raining down that all men hail.
حمراred wine شَمُولٌall-embracing wine سَبَيِلٌwine عَاتِقٌaged wine
حمرا شَمُولٌ سَبَيِلٌ عَاتِقٌ
صفراgolden wine شمولall-embracing wine مُدْرِكٌmature wine عذراءُvirgin wine
صفرا شمول مُدْرِكٌ عذراءُ
red wine, all-embracing wine, wine, aged wine;
Rightly assuming the mantle of succession,
golden wine, all-embracing wine, mature wine, virgin wine.
When past caliphs had failed it to avail.
تَشْفِيheals العَلِيلَthe ailing بِعَرْفِهَاwith its fragrance فَكَأنَّمَاas though
تَشْفِي العَلِيلَ بِعَرْفِهَا فَكَأنَّمَا
يُهْدَيis bestowed إلَيْهِon him مَعَwith النَّسِيمthe breeze شِفَاءُa cure
يُهْدَي إلَيْهِ مَعَ النَّسِيم شِفَاءُ
It heals the ailing with its fragrance, as though
From his land rises bounty, plenty, and grace,
a cure were bestowed on him with the breeze.
While granting, giving, and blessing prevail.
سَرَّdelighted الحبَابَthe bubbles شُعَاعُهَاits radiance فَكَأنَّهَاas though it were
سَرَّ الحبَابَ شُعَاعُهَا فَكَأنَّهَا
ثغرٌa mouth يَصُونُguards رضَابَهُits sweet saliva الَّلألاءthe glitter
ثغرٌ يَصُونُ رضَابَهُ الَّلألاء
Its radiance delighted the bubbles, as though it were
Meet him and find righteousness, aid, and joy.
a mouth whose glitter guards its sweet saliva.
Loyalty, victims, and bliss will regale.
يَسْقِيكَهَاgives it to you to drink قَمَرٌa moon لَهُfor him وَلِكَأسهand for his cup
يَسْقِيكَهَا قَمَرٌ لَهُ وَلِكَأسه
وجهٌa face أغرradiant ومقلةٌand an eye نَجْلاَءُwide
وجهٌ أغر ومقلةٌ نَجْلاَءُ
A moon serves it to you; he and his cup have
Far from him lie betrayal, sins, resentments.
a radiant face and a wide eye.
His works shun deciet and rancors impale.
فانهضُso rise لِزَفّto escort in procession عَرُوسِهَاits bride سَحَراًbefore dawn فقدfor already
فانهضُ لِزَفّ عَرُوسِهَا سَحَراً فقد
رَقَصَdanced القضيبُthe bough وَغَنَّتِand sang الوَرْقَاءُthe grey dove
رَقَصَ القضيبُ وَغَنَّتِ الوَرْقَاءُ
Rise, then, to escort its bride before dawn, for
Three guide his sturdy resolve and decrees -
the bough has danced and the grey dove has sung.
Annulment, decision, and reason prevail.
وَافْتَرَّand smiled ثغرُthe mouth of الزَّهْرِthe flowers بِشْراًin joy إذْwhen رَأىit saw
وَافْتَرَّ ثغرُ الزَّهْرِ بِشْراً إذْ رَأى
وَجهَthe face of المَلِيكِthe king تَحُفُّهُsurround it البُشْرَاءُglad tidings
وَجهَ المَلِيكِ تَحُفُّهُ البُشْرَاءُ
And the flowers' mouth smiled with joy when it saw
Glory itself rides pillion with two steeds -
the king's face, encircled by glad tidings.
On one his fathers, the other peers he'll trail.
سَاسَgoverned الخلاَفَةَthe caliphate بِالمكَارِمِwith noble virtues وَالحَجىand wisdom
سَاسَ الخلاَفَةَ بِالمكَارِمِ وَالحَجى
إذْas لمْdid not يَسُسْهَاgovern it قَبْلَهُbefore him الخُلَفَاءُthe caliphs
إذْ لمْ يَسُسْهَا قَبْلَهُ الخُلَفَاءُ
He governed the caliphate with noble virtues and wisdom,
Nights of wakefulness while others slumber deep,
as the caliphs before him had never governed it.
Eyes know no rest, from no toil will they quail.
تَعْلُوrise above السَّمَاءَthe heavens ثَلاَثةُthree things مِنْfrom أرْضِهِhis land
تَعْلُو السَّمَاءَ ثَلاَثةُ مِنْ أرْضِهِ
الفضلُexcellence وَالإفْضَالُand generosity وَالنُّعْمَاءُand blessings
الفضلُ وَالإفْضَالُ وَالنُّعْمَاءُ
Three things from his land rise above the heavens:
A sea I draw from the bounty of his hand,
excellence, generosity, and blessings.
A moon reveals to my eyes the world unveiled.
وَثَلاَثَةٌand three things تَغْشَاكَenfold you أنَّىwhenever زُرْتَهُyou visit him
وَثَلاَثَةٌ تَغْشَاكَ أنَّى زُرْتَهُ
البِرkindness وَالإرْفَادُand aid وَالسَّرَّاءُand joy
البِر وَالإرْفَادُ وَالسَّرَّاءُ
And three things enfold you whenever you visit him:
If clouds could see but a glimpse of his light,
kindness, generous aid, and joy.
They would wander confused, losing their trail.
وَثَلاَثَةٌand three things قَدْindeed جُنبَتْhave been kept away from أخلاَقُهُhis character
وَثَلاَثَةٌ قَدْ جُنبَتْ أخلاَقُهُ
الخُلْفُbroken promises وَالآثَامُand sins وَالشَّحْنَاءُand rancor
الخُلْفُ وَالآثَامُ وَالشَّحْنَاءُ
And three things have been kept from his character:
If to his critics he remains obscure,
broken promises, sins, and rancor.
Blame not the sun when clouds make sunlight fail!
وَثَلاثَةٌand three things فِيin العَزْمِresolve مِنْamong أفْعَالِهِhis deeds
وَثَلاثَةٌ فِي العَزْمِ مِنْ أفْعَالِهِ
النّقضُrevoking وَالإبْرَامُand ratifying وَالآرَاءُand judgments
النّقضُ وَالإبْرَامُ وَالآرَاءُ
And three things in resolve belong to his deeds:
Unmatched his mighty works - none can hope to build
revoking, ratifying, and counsel.
Such, and no peers can with his feats prevail.
وَالمَجْدُand glory وَهْوَand it is اثْنَانِtwofold احرزَwon وَاحِداًone part
وَالمَجْدُ وَهْوَ اثْنَانِ احرزَ وَاحِداً
أعْمَامُهُhis paternal uncles وَالآخَرَand the other الآبَاءُthe forefathers
أعْمَامُهُ وَالآخَرَ الآبَاءُ
And glory is twofold: one share was won
He leaves poets dumbstruck, wits frayed and frazzled,
by his paternal uncles, and the other by his forefathers.
In his ocean founders the best and the hale.
يَقَظَاتُهُhis vigils وَاللَّيْلُwhile the night مُرْخٍlowering سُجْفَهُits curtain
يَقَظَاتُهُ وَاللَّيْلُ مُرْخٍ سُجْفَهُ
تَركَتْhave left عُيُوناًeyes مَاnot لَهَاfor them إغْفَاءُslumber
تَركَتْ عُيُوناً مَا لَهَا إغْفَاءُ
His vigils, while night lowers its curtain,
When he seeks to subdue, his cavalry never fails,
have left eyes with no slumber.
Only the routed glimpse the horses' tail.
بَحْرٌa sea لِكَفِّيto my palm تُجْرِهُmakes it flow نُعْمَاؤُهُhis bounty
بَحْرٌ لِكَفِّي تُجْرِهُ نُعْمَاؤُهُ
بدرٌa full moon لَعِينِيto my eye تُبْدِهِreveal it الأضْوَاءُthe lights
بدرٌ لَعِينِي تُبْدِهِ الأضْوَاءُ
A sea that his bounty makes flow to my palm;
He emerges victorious, his face serene
a full moon the lights reveal to my eye.
Joining mercy with triumph, turning the flail.
لَوْif عَايَنَتْbeheld مِنْهُin him السحائبُthe clouds مَاwhat أرَىI see
لَوْ عَايَنَتْ مِنْهُ السحائبُ مَا أرَى
حَارَتْwould be bewildered فَلَمْso would not تَتَبَجَّسِgush forth الأنوَاءُthe rain showers
حَارَتْ فَلَمْ تَتَبَجَّسِ الأنوَاءُ
Had the clouds beheld in him what I see,
Have you not heard of his famous day at Sarraq?
they would be bewildered, and the rains would not gush forth.
When his mercy made even enemies hail.
وَإنِand if اخْتَفَىis hidden عَنْfrom مُنْكِرِيهِthose who deny him فَعَاذِرٌthen I excuse
وَإنِ اخْتَفَى عَنْ مُنْكِرِيهِ فَعَاذِرٌ
أنْthat لاَnot تَرَاهُsees him مقلةٌan eye عميَاءُblind
أنْ لاَ تَرَاهُ مقلةٌ عميَاءُ
And if he is hidden from his deniers, I can excuse
He defeated the insolent foe, yet still
a blind eye for not seeing him.
Showed grace - the finest virtue enemies tell.
هذِيthese المَاثِرُglorious deeds لَيْسَis not ينشىءُfashioning مِثْلِهَاtheir like
هذِي المَاثِرُ لَيْسَ ينشىءُ مِثْلِهَا
بَانٍa builder وَلَمْand have not يَسْمُrisen لَهَاto them النُّظَرَاءُthe peers
بَانٍ وَلَمْ يَسْمُ لَهَا النُّظَرَاءُ
These glorious deeds: their like is not fashioned
I have never known greater nobility -
by any builder, nor have peers risen to their height.
Even hostile tongues his merits regale!
تَتَحَيَّرُare bewildered الشُّعَرَاءُthe poets فِيهَاby them إذْsince تعمencompass
تَتَحَيَّرُ الشُّعَرَاءُ فِيهَا إذْ تعم
فيin بَحْرِهَاtheir sea الكبرَاءthe eminent وَالعظماءُand the mighty
في بَحْرِهَا الكبرَاء وَالعظماءُ
The poets are bewildered by them, for they engulf
He refuses no beggar - for all who seek
in their sea the eminent and the mighty.
Find in the shade of your glory no want to assail.
لَمْdid not يُثْنِturn فيin طَلَبٍpursuit أعِنَّةَthe reins of خَيْلِهِhis horses
لَمْ يُثْنِ في طَلَبٍ أعِنَّةَ خَيْلِهِ
إلاّexcept that اعْتَرَتْassailed مَهْزُومَهَاtheir defeated foe النَّكْبَاءُthe ill wind
إلاّ اعْتَرَتْ مَهْزُومَهَا النَّكْبَاءُ
He never turned his horses' reins in pursuit
Be near or far, I send my verse to you,
without an ill wind assailing their vanquished foe.
Though wise you need no song your name to extol.
يسطوattacks فيَظهرُand appears فيin أسِرةِthe lines of وَجْهِهِhis face
يسطو فيَظهرُ في أسِرةِ وَجْهِهِ
بشرٌa smile تُمَازِجُmingles with أمْنَهُits reassurance الرحْمَاءُmercy
بشرٌ تُمَازِجُ أمْنَهُ الرحْمَاءُ
He attacks, and in the lines of his face appears
No harm though pilgrims tarry from your land,
a smile whose reassurance is mingled with mercy.
Where your hands as the clouds rain down boon without fail.
أوَand ...? مَاnot سَمِعْتَyou heard بِيَوْمِهِof his day المشْهودِcelebrated فِيat
أوَ مَا سَمِعْتَ بِيَوْمِهِ المشْهودِ فِي
سَرَّاطَSarrat إذْwhen سَارَتْtravelled بِهِabout it الأنْبَاءُthe tidings
سَرَّاطَ إذْ سَارَتْ بِهِ الأنْبَاءُ
And have you not heard of his celebrated day at
I gift both my steed and my camel to you,
Sarrat, when tidings of it travelled far?
So ordain that their blood may loyalty entail.
مَلَكَmastered العُدَاةَthe foes فَأظْهَرَتْand revealed آرَاؤُهُhis judgments
مَلَكَ العُدَاةَ فَأظْهَرَتْ آرَاؤُهُ
عَفْواpardon فَيَمَّمَso sought فَضْلَهُhis bounty الأعْدَاءُthe enemies
عَفْوا فَيَمَّمَ فَضْلَهُ الأعْدَاءُ
He mastered the foes, and his judgments revealed
Slay them on your feast and let your glory reign!
pardon; so the enemies sought his bounty.
Let gardens of honor bloom from the dust of the vale.
فَضْلاًan excellence أقَرَّacknowledged بِهِto it العُدَاةُthe foes وَلَمْand did not أجدI find
فَضْلاً أقَرَّ بِهِ العُدَاةُ وَلَمْ أجد
كَالْفَضْلlike excellence إذْwhen شَهِدَتْtestified بِهِto it الاعْدَاءُthe enemies
كَالْفَضْل إذْ شَهِدَتْ بِهِ الاعْدَاءُ
An excellence the foes acknowledged; I found nothing
Grant, O noble clouded one, your servant a robe -
like excellence attested by enemies.
None can weave its equal, not even in Sanaa's veil!
لاَmay not يَعْدِمَنْكَbe deprived of you السَّائِلُونَthe petitioners فَإنَّهُمْfor they
لاَ يَعْدِمَنْكَ السَّائِلُونَ فَإنَّهُمْ
فِيin ظِلّthe shade of عِزّكَyour might أدْركُواattained مَاwhat شَاؤُواthey wished
فِي ظِلّ عِزّكَ أدْركُوا مَا شَاؤُوا
May petitioners never be deprived of you, for they
When I came seeking audience you cried aloud -
have attained what they wished in the shade of your might.
"Ask of me, your radiant face prevails!"
كُنْbe حَيْثُwherever شِئْتَyou wish أسِرْI shall journey إلَيْكَto you فَإنَّنْيfor I
كُنْ حَيْثُ شِئْتَ أسِرْ إلَيْكَ فَإنَّنْي
أَهْدَيam guided إلَيْكَtoward you وَلِمْand why not? وَأنْتَwhen you are ذُكَاءُDhuka, the sun
أَهْدَي إلَيْكَ وَلِمْ وَأنْتَ ذُكَاءُ
Be wherever you wish: I shall journey to you, for I
I heard your sweet /na'am/, eager assent -
am guided to you—and why not, when you are Dhuka, the sun?
Bliss itself your /na'am/ reveals.
مَاnot ضَرَّharmed أهْلَthe people of الثغرِthe frontier إبْطَاءُthe delay of الحَياrain
مَا ضَرَّ أهْلَ الثغرِ إبْطَاءُ الحَيا
وَيَدَاكَand your two hands مِنْهَاfrom them تهطلpour الأنوَاءُthe rain showers
وَيَدَاكَ مِنْهَا تهطل الأنوَاءُ
Rain's delay has not harmed the people of the frontier,
So I wove rare verse to your glory, but my lines
while rain showers pour from your two hands.
Cannot reach the lofty odes other poets regale.
أعِدَاكَyour foes وَالأنْعَامَand the livestock فَاحكمْso judge فيهِمَاconcerning both
أعِدَاكَ وَالأنْعَامَ فَاحكمْ فيهِمَا
بِإرَاقةِby shedding الدمblood فَهْوَfor it is مِنْكَfrom you وَفَاءُfaithfulness
بِإرَاقةِ الدم فَهْوَ مِنْكَ وَفَاءُ
Your foes and the livestock—judge them both
by shedding blood, for that is faithfulness on your part.
وَانْحَرْهُمَاand slaughter them both فِيon يَوْمِthe day of عيدكَyour festival وَابْقَand remain ذّاpossessed of
وَانْحَرْهُمَا فِي يَوْمِ عيدكَ وَابْقَ ذّا
مجدٍglory تَضُوعُare fragrant بِعَرفِهِwith its scent الأرجَاءُthe surrounding lands
مجدٍ تَضُوعُ بِعَرفِهِ الأرجَاءُ
And slaughter both on your festival day, and remain possessed of
glory whose scent perfumes the surrounding lands.
وَاسمَحْand grant لِعَبْدِكَto your servant يَاO غمامُraincloud بِكُسْوَةٍwith a robe
وَاسمَحْ لِعَبْدِكَ يَا غمامُ بِكُسْوَةٍ
عَقِمَتْhas been barren بِمِثْلِof the like of نَسِيجِهَاits weave صنعَاءُSana'a
عَقِمَتْ بِمِثْلِ نَسِيجِهَا صنعَاءُ
And grant your servant, O raincloud, a robe
whose like in weave Sana'a cannot bring forth.
مَاnot إنْindeed قَصَدْتُI sought عُلاَكَyour lofty station حَتَّىuntil قَالَsaid لِيto me
مَا إنْ قَصَدْتُ عُلاَكَ حَتَّى قَالَ لِي
سَلْنِيask me بِمَدْحِكَwith your praise وَجْهُكَyour face الوَضَّاءُradiant
سَلْنِي بِمَدْحِكَ وَجْهُكَ الوَضَّاءُ
No sooner did I seek your lofty station than there spoke to me
your radiant face: 'Ask me with your praise.'
وَسَمِعْتُand I heard قَوْلَthe utterance of نَعَمْyes بفيكin your mouth مُعَجبلاًhastening (uncertain reading)
وَسَمِعْتُ قَوْلَ نَعَمْ بفيك مُعَجبلاً
نِعَماًblessings تُقَادُis led لَهَاto them بِهِby it السرَاءُhappiness
نِعَماً تُقَادُ لَهَا بِهِ السرَاءُ
And I heard the word 'Yes' upon your lips, hastening
blessings to which it ushers happiness.
فنظمتُso I composed فِيكَabout you بديعَwondrous شِعْرٍverse فَاتَsurpassed أنْthat
فنظمتُ فِيكَ بديعَ شِعْرٍ فَاتَ أنْ
تَرْقَىascend إلَىto حُجُرَاتِهِits chambers الشعرَاءُthe poets
تَرْقَى إلَى حُجُرَاتِهِ الشعرَاءُ
So I composed about you wondrous verse, too lofty
for poets to ascend to its chambers.
Partial English translation: 132 of 144 Arabic lines translated.
Sol 6.1