بُدُورُfull moons خُدُودٍcheeks لَيْلُهُنَّtheir night الضَّفَائِرُthe braids
بُدُورُ خُدُودٍ لَيْلُهُنَّ الضَّفَائِرُ
وَبَانand ban trees قُدُودٍfigures وَجْهُهُنَّtheir fronts المَآزِرُthe waist-wraps
وَبَان قُدُودٍ وَجْهُهُنَّ المَآزِرُ
Full moons of cheeks whose night is their braids;
Buds with soft cheeks, their braids the night,
And ban-tree figures whose fronts are waist-wraps;
Appearing are slender waists and faces like the full moon.
وَغِيدُand supple beauties رِيَاضٍgardens أبْرَزَتrevealed لَحَظَاتُهَاtheir glances
وَغِيدُ رِيَاضٍ أبْرَزَت لَحَظَاتُهَا
أسُودَlions عُيُونٍeyes غَابُهُنَّtheir thicket المَحَاجِرُthe eye-sockets
أسُودَ عُيُونٍ غَابُهُنَّ المَحَاجِرُ
And supple beauties of gardens whose glances revealed
The meadows have brought out their moments,
Lions of eyes whose thickets are their sockets.
Dark eyes whose depths have disappeared.
نَفَرنَthey shied away وَلاَand none غَيْرَother than العُيُونِthe eyes أوَانِسٌcompanionable
نَفَرنَ وَلاَ غَيْرَ العُيُونِ أوَانِسٌ
وَصَلْنَand they pounced وَلاَand none غَيْرَother than الجُفِونِthe eyelids كَوَاسِرُpredators
وَصَلْنَ وَلاَ غَيْرَ الجُفِونِ كَوَاسِرُ
They shied away, though only their eyes were companionable;
They walked, with nothing but their eyes as companions,
And they pounced, though only their eyelids were predators;
And reached, with nothing but their eyelids as breakers.
وَطِبنَand they were sweet وَلاَand none غَيْرَother than النُّهُودِthe breasts أزَاهِرٌblossoms
وَطِبنَ وَلاَ غَيْرَ النُّهُودِ أزَاهِرٌ
وَلُحْنَand they shone وَلاَand none غَيْرَother than القُدُودِthe figures زَوَاهِرُradiant blooms
وَلُحْنَ وَلاَ غَيْرَ القُدُودِ زَوَاهِرُ
And they were sweet, though only their breasts were blossoms;
They were radiant, with nothing but their breasts as flowers,
And they shone, though only their figures were radiant blooms.
And soft, with nothing but their bodies as blossoms.
مَهاًoryxes دُعَجٌdark الأجْفَانِthe eyelids ضَامِرَةُslender الحَشَاthe waist
مَهاً دُعَجٌ الأجْفَانِ ضَامِرَةُ الحَشَا
عِذَابُsweet اللَّمَىdusky lips لُدنُsupple القٌدٌودٍthe figures جًآذٍرٌfawns
عِذَابُ اللَّمَى لُدنُ القٌدٌودٍ جًآذٍرٌ
Oryxes with dark eyelids and slender waists,
For a while the lids were languid, the eyes faded,
Sweet in their dusky lips, supple of figure—fawns.
The torment of yearning in tender waists unyielding.
جَاذِرُfawns تَصْطَادُhunt الأسُودَthe lions حِبَالُهَاtheir snares
جَاذِرُ تَصْطَادُ الأسُودَ حِبَالُهَا
وَيَاand oh كَيْفَhow تَصْطَادُhunt الأسُودَthe lions الجَآذِرُthe fawns
وَيَا كَيْفَ تَصْطَادُ الأسُودَ الجَآذِرُ
Fawns whose snares hunt lions—
Harsh ones that hunt lions, their ropes,
Oh, how can fawns hunt lions!
How can the harsh ones hunt lions, when they are but lionesses?
نَوَافِرُshy creatures لَمْnever يَأنَسْنَgrew familiar يَوْماًever لِرِيبَةٍwith impropriety
نَوَافِرُ لَمْ يَأنَسْنَ يَوْماً لِرِيبَةٍ
وَلاَand no عَجَبٌwonder إنَّindeed الظِّبَاءَthe gazelles نَوَافِرُshy
وَلاَ عَجَبٌ إنَّ الظِّبَاءَ نَوَافِرُ
Shy creatures, never once at ease with impropriety;
Ones swimming away, never once feeling fear,
No wonder: gazelles are shy.
No wonder the gazelles are swimming away.
تَهَادَيْنَthey walked swaying لَمَّاwhen أنْthat هَدَتْهُنَّled them غَادَةٌa graceful maiden
تَهَادَيْنَ لَمَّا أنْ هَدَتْهُنَّ غَادَةٌ
لَهَاshe has النُّورُlight جِسْمٌa body وَالظَّلاَمُand darkness غَدَائِرُtresses
لَهَا النُّورُ جِسْمٌ وَالظَّلاَمُ غَدَائِرُ
They walked swaying when a graceful maiden led them,
Swaying when a melody greeted them,
Whose body is light and whose tresses are darkness.
To it belongs the light, and to the darkness curtains.
هَضِيمَةُslender بَحْرِthe sea of البُنْدِthe waistband أمَّاas for وِشَاحُهاher sash
هَضِيمَةُ بَحْرِ البُنْدِ أمَّا وِشَاحُها
فَصَادٍit is thirsty وَأمَّاand as for ردْفُهَاher rump فَهْوَit is صَادِرُreturning from water
فَصَادٍ وَأمَّا ردْفُهَا فَهْوَ صَادِرُ
Slender at the waistband's sea; as for her sash,
Passionate love, the night has veiled its sun,
It is thirsty, while her rump returns from water.
Will the caves conceal it despite its brilliance?
مَحَاerased مِلَّةَthe creed of السُّلْوَانِforgetting مَبْعَثُthe advent of حُسْنِهَاher beauty
مَحَا مِلَّةَ السُّلْوَانِ مَبْعَثُ حُسْنِهَا
فَكُلُّso everyone لِدِينِfor the religion of الحُبّlove فِيهَاconcerning her مُؤَازِرُa supporter
فَكُلُّ لِدِينِ الحُبّ فِيهَا مُؤَازِرُ
The advent of her beauty erased the creed of forgetting;
When it appeared, the beauty hid all lamps,
So everyone champions the religion of love for her.
And it is true that two lamps together dim each other.
لَهَاshe has نَاظِرٌan eye كَالنَّرْجِسِlike the narcissus الغَضّtender ذَابِلٌlanguid
لَهَا نَاظِرٌ كَالنَّرْجِسِ الغَضّ ذَابِلٌ
وَقَدٌّand a figure كَغُصْنِlike a branch of البَانِthe ban tree رَيَّانُwell-watered نَاضِرُfresh
وَقَدٌّ كَغُصْنِ البَانِ رَيَّانُ نَاضِرُ
She has a languid eye like a tender narcissus,
If she sulks, how can the sun of her beauty be hidden?
And a figure like a ban-tree branch, well-watered and fresh;
The caves whisper of what is beneath them.
وَثَغْرٌand a mouth كَفَرقِlike the cleft of الصُّبْحِdawn أبْيَضُwhite نَاصِعٌgleaming
وَثَغْرٌ كَفَرقِ الصُّبْحِ أبْيَضُ نَاصِعٌ
وَشَعْرٌand hair كَفَرْعِlike the bough of اللَّيْلِnight أسْوَدُblack عَاكِرُmurky
وَشَعْرٌ كَفَرْعِ اللَّيْلِ أسْوَدُ عَاكِرُ
And a mouth like the cleft of dawn, pure, gleaming white;
And if she travels, how can the people find love’s path?
And hair like night's bough, black and murky;
The wandering full moons make her lovers go astray.
وَلَحْظٌand a glance إذَاwhen مَاever جَالَroams فيin صَرْحِthe palace of جَفْنِهits eyelid
وَلَحْظٌ إذَا مَا جَالَ في صَرْحِ جَفْنِه
تَيَقَّنْتَyou became certain أنَّthat اللَّيْثَthe lion فِيin الغَابِthe thicket كَاشِرُbares its teeth
تَيَقَّنْتَ أنَّ اللَّيْثَ فِي الغَابِ كَاشِرُ
And a glance that, when it roams its eyelid's palace,
The moon hints of it, an observer sees,
Makes you certain a lion in the thicket bares its teeth.
An idea occurs, and a bird chirps.
يُضْلُّmisleads بِدَعْوَاهُwith its summons الوَرَىmankind وَهْوَwhile it is مُنْذِرٌa warner
يُضْلُّ بِدَعْوَاهُ الوَرَى وَهْوَ مُنْذِرٌ
وَيَهْدِيand guides إلَىto دِينِthe religion of الهُدَىright guidance وهوwhile it is سافِرُunveiled
وَيَهْدِي إلَى دِينِ الهُدَى وهو سافِرُ
It misleads mankind with its summons, though it gives warning,
I task my mind describing her, and it wanders,
And guides to the faith of right guidance when unveiled.
While failing to fully grasp some of what I commanded it.
يَقُولُونَthey say جَانِبْavoid لَحْظَهَاher glance فَهْوَfor it is فَاتِكٌdeadly
يَقُولُونَ جَانِبْ لَحْظَهَا فَهْوَ فَاتِكٌ
وَقَلْبُكَand your heart خَفَّاقٌfluttering وَصَبْرُكَand your patience غَادِرُtreacherous
وَقَلْبُكَ خَفَّاقٌ وَصَبْرُكَ غَادِرُ
They say, 'Avoid her glance, for it is deadly,
Neighbors! The springtime salutes your meadows,
And your heart flutters, while your patience betrays you.'
Though we are far, and the neighbors absent.
وَمَاand not عَلِمُواthey knew أنَّthat القُلُوبَthe hearts كَمَائِمُflower-sheaths
وَمَا عَلِمُوا أنَّ القُلُوبَ كَمَائِمُ
وَأنَّand that العُيُونَthe eyes الفَاتِكَاتِdeadly أزَاهِرُblossoms
وَأنَّ العُيُونَ الفَاتِكَاتِ أزَاهِرُ
They did not know that hearts are flower-sheaths,
Greetings to the living in those meadows and its plains,
And murderous eyes are blossoms.
With a soft drizzle of promises and downpours.
وَلاَحَتْand she appeared فَأخْفَىand eclipsed حُسْنُهَاher beauty كُلَّevery نَيِّرٍshining light
وَلاَحَتْ فَأخْفَى حُسْنُهَا كُلَّ نَيِّرٍ
وَقَدْand indeed صَحَّwas confirmed أنَّthat النَّيِّرَيْنِthe two luminaries ضَرَائِرُrival wives
وَقَدْ صَحَّ أنَّ النَّيِّرَيْنِ ضَرَائِرُ
She appeared, and her beauty eclipsed every shining light;
Meadows where when night grows dark, their horizons shine
It is confirmed: the two luminaries are rival wives.
With those glowing stars like flowers.
إذاwhen أعْجَرَتshe wrapped her head كَيْso that تَخْتَفِيwould hide شَمْسُthe sun of حُسْنِهَاher beauty
إذا أعْجَرَت كَيْ تَخْتَفِي شَمْسُ حُسْنِهَا
نَمَمْنَthey betrayed عَلَىabout مَاwhat تَحْتَهُنَّlies beneath them المَعَاجِرُthe head-wraps
نَمَمْنَ عَلَى مَا تَحْتَهُنَّ المَعَاجِرُ
When she wraps her head to hide her beauty's sun,
As if they were archers and they like statues,
The head-wraps betray what lies beneath them.
Bent over their bows, their eyes intently gazing.
وَإنْand if سَفَرَتْshe unveiled كَيْso that يَهْتَدِيwould find guidance رَكْبُthe caravan of حُبِّهَاher love
وَإنْ سَفَرَتْ كَيْ يَهْتَدِي رَكْبُ حُبِّهَا
أضَلَّتْled astray مُحِبِّيهَاher lovers البُدُورُthe full moons السَّوَافِرُunveiled
أضَلَّتْ مُحِبِّيهَا البُدُورُ السَّوَافِرُ
And if she unveils to guide the caravan of her love,
My two friends, arise and listen to my murmurs,
The unveiled full moons lead her lovers astray.
For I expose what my heart conceals.
يَلُوحُshines بِهَاin her بَدْرٌa full moon وَيَلْحَظُand glances شَادِنٌa fawn
يَلُوحُ بِهَا بَدْرٌ وَيَلْحَظُ شَادِنٌ
وَيَخْطُرُand sways خُطَّافٌa swallow وَيَصْدَحُand sings طَائِرُa bird
وَيَخْطُرُ خُطَّافٌ وَيَصْدَحُ طَائِرُ
A full moon shines in her, and a fawn casts a glance;
Do not tire of my long speech, for it is sweetened
A swallow sways, and a bird sings.
When the absent beloved one speaks.
أكَلِّفُI charge ذِهْنِيmy mind وَصْفَهَاwith describing her وَهْوَwhile it is حَائِرٌbewildered
أكَلِّفُ ذِهْنِي وَصْفَهَا وَهْوَ حَائِرٌ
وَعَنْand regarding بَعْضِsome of مَاwhat كَلَّفْتُهُI charged it with الفّهْمَunderstanding قَاصِرُfalling short
وَعَنْ بَعْضِ مَا كَلَّفْتُهُ الفّهْمَ قَاصِرُ
I charge my mind with describing her, though it is bewildered,
Do not make the ghost of memories dreary,
And its understanding falls short of some of what I ask.
For imagination visits my eyes like a friend.
أجِيرَاننَاO our neighbors حَيَّاmay greet الرَّبِيعُspring رُبُوعَكُمْyour dwellings
أجِيرَاننَا حَيَّا الرَّبِيعُ رُبُوعَكُمْ
وَإنْeven if بَعُدَis distant المَسْرَىthe night journey وَغَابَand is absent المُجَاوِرُthe neighbor
وَإنْ بَعُدَ المَسْرَى وَغَابَ المُجَاوِرُ
O our neighbors, may spring greet your dwellings,
Do not deny the memory of ‘Aqeeq and lightning,
Though the night journey is far and the neighbor absent.
For I still recall the shore, remembering.
وَحَيَّاand may greet الحَيَاrain تِلْكَthose الرُّبُوعِdwellings وَجَادَهَاand drench them
وَحَيَّا الحَيَا تِلْكَ الرُّبُوعِ وَجَادَهَا
بِلَثًwith persistent rain مِنَfrom الوَسْمِيّthe autumn rains هَامٍpouring وَهَادِرُand roaring
بِلَثً مِنَ الوَسْمِيّ هَامٍ وَهَادِرُ
And may rain greet those dwellings and drench them
Do not despair of the spirit of affection’s era,
With unceasing autumn showers, pouring and roaring.
For neither is the pact forgotten, nor affection fleeting.
رُبُوعdwellings إذَاwhen مَاever اللَّيْلُnight أظْلَمَgrew dark أشْرَقَتْshone
رُبُوع إذَا مَا اللَّيْلُ أظْلَمَ أشْرَقَتْ
بِآفَاقِهَاon their horizons تِلْكَthose النُّجُومُstars الزَّوَاهِرُradiant
بِآفَاقِهَا تِلْكَ النُّجُومُ الزَّوَاهِرُ
Dwellings where, when night grows dark, there shine
But the path of love is a heart I left,
On their horizons those radiant stars.
One evening when chests were stifled by throats.
كَأنَّas though بِهَاwithin them نَبْلاarrows وَهُنَّwhile they are كَنَائِنٌquivers
كَأنَّ بِهَا نَبْلا وَهُنَّ كَنَائِنٌ
عَلَيْهِfor them وَالْحَاظاًand glances وَهُنَّwhile they are مَحَاجِرُeye-sockets
عَلَيْهِ وَالْحَاظاً وَهُنَّ مَحَاجِرُ
As though arrows lay within them, and they were quivers
The winds of separation blew, they were cloaks,
For them—and glances, and they were eye-sockets.
And the swords of departure flashed, they were gazes.
خَلِيلَيَّmy two friends قُومَاrise, both of you وَاسْمَعَاand listen, both of you مَاto what أبُثُّهُI pour out
خَلِيلَيَّ قُومَا وَاسْمَعَا مَا أبُثُّهُ
فَإنِّيfor I لِمَاwhat يطْوِيenfolds الفُؤَادُthe heart لَنَاشِرُsurely unfold
فَإنِّي لِمَا يطْوِي الفُؤَادُ لَنَاشِرُ
My two friends, rise and hear what I pour out,
Where the atmosphere stirred the clash’s echo,
For I unfold what the heart enfolds.
And the gloom’s darkness had settled.
وَلاَand do not تَسْأمَاtire, both of you طُولَof the length of الحَدِيثِthe tale فَإنَّمَاfor it only
وَلاَ تَسْأمَا طُولَ الحَدِيثِ فَإنَّمَا
يَطِيبُgrows sweet إذَاwhen طَابَis congenial الخَلِيلُthe companion المُسَافِرُtraveling
يَطِيبُ إذَا طَابَ الخَلِيلُ المُسَافِرُ
Do not tire of the lengthy tale, for it only
No flag of night retreated in the west,
Grows sweet when the traveling companion is congenial.
And no dawn rebelled in the east.
وَلاَand do not تُوحِشَاfrighten away, both of you طَيْفَthe phantom of الخَيَالَthe vision فَإنَّهُfor it
وَلاَ تُوحِشَا طَيْفَ الخَيَالَ فَإنَّهُ
يَقَرُّdelights بِعَيْنَيَّmy two eyes الخَيَالُthe apparition المُزَاوِرُvisiting
يَقَرُّ بِعَيْنَيَّ الخَيَالُ المُزَاوِرُ
Do not frighten off the phantom vision, for
I turn my gaze upon the horizons, imagining
The visiting apparition delights my eyes.
Them as gardens while they are but stars.
وَلاَand do not تُنْكِرَاreject, both of you ذِكْرَmention of العَقِيقِal-Aqiq وَباَرِقٍand Bariq
وَلاَ تُنْكِرَا ذِكْرَ العَقِيقِ وَباَرِقٍ
فَإنِّيfor I وَمَاand not أنْسِيتُwas made to forget لِلشطّof the shore ذَاكِرُmindful
فَإنِّي وَمَا أنْسِيتُ لِلشطّ ذَاكِرُ
Do not reject mention of al-Aqiq and Bariq,
So neither does a meteor plunge in the Milky Way’s river by my will,
For I remember the shore and have not forgotten.
Nor does the Milky Way’s sea disappear by my command.
وَلاَand do not تَيْأسَاdespair, both of you مِنْof روْحِthe comfort of عَهْدِa pledge of مَوَدَّةٍaffection
وَلاَ تَيْأسَا مِنْ روْحِ عَهْدِ مَوَدَّةٍ
فَلاَneither العَهْدُthe pledge مَنْسِيُّforgotten وَلاَnor الوُدُّthe affection دَائِرُeffaced
فَلاَ العَهْدُ مَنْسِيُّ وَلاَ الوُدُّ دَائِرُ
Do not despair of the comfort of a pledge of affection;
Sleep has fled my eyelids, so for this reason,
The pledge is not forgotten, nor is love effaced.
My eyelids in the darkness revolve.
ألاَlo سَبِيلِthe path of الحُبّlove قَلْبٌa heart تَركْتُهُI left it
ألاَ سَبِيلِ الحُبّ قَلْبٌ تَركْتُهُ
عَشيَّةَon the evening غَصَّتْchoked بِالْقُلُوبِwith hearts الحَنَاجِرُthe throats
عَشيَّةَ غَصَّتْ بِالْقُلُوبِ الحَنَاجِرُ
Lo, a heart I left upon love's path,
O morning star, you have dazzled creation,
On the evening when hearts choked throats,
And proof of my sincerity is your evident splendor.
وَجَالَتْand roamed رِيَاحُthe winds of الخَطّKhatt وَهْيَwhile they were مَعَاطِفٌswaying figures
وَجَالَتْ رِيَاحُ الخَطّ وَهْيَ مَعَاطِفٌ
وَهَبَّتand rose سُيُوفُthe swords of الهُدْبِeyelashes وَهْيَwhile they were نَوَاظِرُeyes
وَهَبَّت سُيُوفُ الهُدْبِ وَهْيَ نَوَاظِرُ
And winds of Khatt roamed, though they were swaying figures,
Your eyes entrusted my heart with secrets,
And swords of eyelashes rose, though they were eyes,
And the rule of passion is to not divulge secrets.
بِحَيْثُwhere أثَارَstirred الجَوُّthe air نَقْعَthe dust of دُجَائِهِits darkness
بِحَيْثُ أثَارَ الجَوُّ نَقْعَ دُجَائِهِ
وَقَدْand already صَارَhad come to be زِنْجِيُّthe Zanj of الظَّلاَمِdarkness المُغَاوِرُraiding
وَقَدْ صَارَ زِنْجِيُّ الظَّلاَمِ المُغَاوِرُ
Where the air stirred the dust of its darkness,
By my soul, your cheeks were springtime at first,
And darkness's raiding Zanj had come forth.
Then followed another springtime from your coquetry.
وَلاَand not هُزِمَتْwas defeated لِلَّيْلِof night فِيin الغَرْبِthe west رَايَةٌa banner
وَلاَ هُزِمَتْ لِلَّيْلِ فِي الغَرْبِ رَايَةٌ
وَلاَand not قَامarose لِلإصْبَاحِfor morning فِيin الشَّرْقِthe east ثَائِرُa champion
وَلاَ قَام لِلإصْبَاحِ فِي الشَّرْقِ ثَائِرُ
No banner of night had been defeated in the west,
These tears of passion like pearls
Nor had a champion of morning risen in the east.
Were scattered on the plains of my cheek.
أقَلِّبُI turn فيthrough الأفْلاَكِthe heavens طَرْفاًa gaze يَخَالُهَاthat imagines them
أقَلِّبُ في الأفْلاَكِ طَرْفاً يَخَالُهَا
رِيَاضَgardens of بَهاًbeauty وَهْيَwhile they are النُّجُومُthe stars أزَاهِرُblossoms
رِيَاضَ بَهاً وَهْيَ النُّجُومُ أزَاهِرُ
I turn my gaze through the heavens, imagining them
Lightning on the horizon’s edge has riled me,
Gardens of beauty, with the stars as blossoms.
As a bird in the nest’s pulpit excites me.
فَلاَyet not الشهْبُthe bright stars فِيin نَهْرِthe river of المَجَرَّةِthe Milky Way تَنْطَفِيgo out
فَلاَ الشهْبُ فِي نَهْرِ المَجَرَّةِ تَنْطَفِي
بِرُغْمِيagainst my wishes وَلاَnor بَحْرُthe sea of المَجَرَّةthe Milky Way غَائِرُreceding
بِرُغْمِي وَلاَ بَحْرُ المَجَرَّة غَائِرُ
Yet the bright stars in the Milky Way's river will not go out,
For pleasant moments between an observer and the observed,
To my dismay, nor does the Milky Way's sea recede.
Making pleasurable, as the cupbearer and onlooker do.
وَقَدْand indeed فَرَّfled مِنْfrom جَفْنِيmy eyelid الكَرَىsleep فَلأجْلِso because of ذَاthis
وَقَدْ فَرَّ مِنْ جَفْنِي الكَرَى فَلأجْلِ ذَا
عَلَيْهِafter it جُفُونِيmy eyelids فِيin الظَّلاَمِthe darkness دَوَائِرُcircling
عَلَيْهِ جُفُونِي فِي الظَّلاَمِ دَوَائِرُ
Sleep has fled my eyelid, and because of this
I spent with them hours of leisure, as if
My eyelids circle after it in the darkness.
Time had overlooked them while it slumbered awake.
أيَاO كَوْكَبَstar of الصُّبْحِmorning الذِيthat بَهَرَdazzled الوَرَىmankind
أيَا كَوْكَبَ الصُّبْحِ الذِي بَهَرَ الوَرَى
وَبُرْهَانُand the proof of صِدْقِيmy truthfulness أنَّthat حُسْنَكَyour beauty بَاهِرُdazzling
وَبُرْهَانُ صِدْقِي أنَّ حُسْنَكَ بَاهِرُ
O morning star that dazzled mankind—
In a garden the clouds shaded its meadows,
The proof of my truth is your dazzling beauty.
With a youthful springtime’s embroidery and flowers.
لَقَدْindeed أوْدَعَتْdeposited عَيْنَاكَyour two eyes قَلْبِيin my heart سَرَائِراًsecrets
لَقَدْ أوْدَعَتْ عَيْنَاكَ قَلْبِي سَرَائِراً
وَحُكْمُand the decree of الهَوَىlove أنْthat لاnot تُذَاعَbe divulged السَّرَائِرُthe secrets
وَحُكْمُ الهَوَى أنْ لا تُذَاعَ السَّرَائِرُ
Your eyes have indeed deposited secrets in my heart,
Where the sword of dawn drew its blade,
And love's decree is that secrets must not be divulged.
And the proud sun of morning rose.
بِرُوحِيwith my soul as ransom رَبِيعاًa spring مِنْof خُدُودِكَyour cheeks أوَّلاًfirst
بِرُوحِي رَبِيعاً مِنْ خُدُودِكَ أوَّلاً
تَلاَهُfollowed it رَبِيعٌa spring مِنْof عِذَارِكَyour cheek-down آخِرُlater
تَلاَهُ رَبِيعٌ مِنْ عِذَارِكَ آخِرُ
I would ransom with my soul a first spring of your cheeks,
And where the messenger of day pounded its glad tidings,
Followed by a later spring of your cheek-down.
Announcing good news with those tidings.
أمَاah وَعَقِيقٍand by an agate stream مِنْof دُمُوعٍtears كَأنَّهَاas though they
أمَا وَعَقِيقٍ مِنْ دُمُوعٍ كَأنَّهَا
عَلَىon صَحْنِthe surface of خَدّيmy cheek لُؤْلُؤٌpearls مُتَنَاثِرُscattered
عَلَى صَحْنِ خَدّي لُؤْلُؤٌ مُتَنَاثِرُ
Ah, by an agate stream of tears, as though they were
And where the breeze tilted the branches of acacia,
Scattered pearls across the surface of my cheek:
Upon them hearts, like birds, soared.
لَقَدْindeed شَاقَنِيmade me yearn فِيin غَيْهَبِthe darkness of الأفْقِthe horizon بَارِقٌa lightning flash
لَقَدْ شَاقَنِي فِي غَيْهَبِ الأفْقِ بَارِقٌ
كَمَاjust as هَاجَنِيstirred me فِيon مِنْبَرِthe pulpit of الأيْكِthe grove طَائِرُa bird
كَمَا هَاجَنِي فِي مِنْبَرِ الأيْكِ طَائِرُ
A flash in the horizon's darkness made me yearn,
And where the doves of the nest, eloquent speakers,
As a bird upon the grove's pulpit stirred me,
Yearn for the subtlety of speech from the pulpit.
لأوْقَاتِfor hours of أنْسٍintimacy بَيْنَbetween شَادٍa singer وَشَادِنٍand a fawn
لأوْقَاتِ أنْسٍ بَيْنَ شَادٍ وَشَادِنٍ
كَمَاas اقْتَرَحَcalled for اللَّذَّاتِpleasures صَاغٍa listener وَنَاظِرُand an onlooker
كَمَا اقْتَرَحَ اللَّذَّاتِ صَاغٍ وَنَاظِرُ
For hours of intimacy between a singer and a fawn,
And where narcissus eyes wander,
As listener and onlooker called for pleasures.
As mouths of buds gape.
قَضَيْتُI fulfilled بِهَاthere أوْطَارَdesires for لَهْوٍamusement كَأنَّمَاas though
قَضَيْتُ بِهَا أوْطَارَ لَهْوٍ كَأنَّمَا
غَفَاdozed الدَّهْرُtime عَنْهَاheedless of them فَهْوَwhile it was وَسْنَانُdrowsy سَاهِرُwakeful
غَفَا الدَّهْرُ عَنْهَا فَهْوَ وَسْنَانُ سَاهِرُ
There I fulfilled desires for amusement, as though
And where the river flows rapidly having thinned,
Time dozed, heedless of them, drowsy yet wakeful.
As it did for the blessed one's settling of the dust.
لَدَىbeside رَوْضَةٍa garden وَشَّىembroidered السَّحَابُthe clouds رُبُوعَهَاits grounds
لَدَى رَوْضَةٍ وَشَّى السَّحَابُ رُبُوعَهَا
بِوَشْيِwith the embroidery of رَبِيعٍspring دَبَّجَتْهُbrocaded it الأزَاهِرُthe blossoms
بِوَشْيِ رَبِيعٍ دَبَّجَتْهُ الأزَاهِرُ
Beside a garden whose grounds the clouds embroidered
A sovereign ascended, atop glories of rule,
With spring's embroidery, brocaded by blossoms;
For its grandeur, even great kings submitted.
بِحَيْثُwhere نَجَاشِيُّthe Negus of الدُّجَىdarkness سَلَّdrew سَيْفَهُhis sword
بِحَيْثُ نَجَاشِيُّ الدُّجَى سَلَّ سَيْفَهُ
وَقَدْand already جَالَranged forth خَاقَانُthe Khagan of الصَّبَاحِmorning المُفَاخِرُboastful
وَقَدْ جَالَ خَاقَانُ الصَّبَاحِ المُفَاخِرُ
Where the Negus of darkness drew his sword,
And a lord whose traits of justice correspond,
And the boastful Khagan of morning ranged forth;
Warning against evil, while commanding good.
وَحَيْثُand where الضّيَاlight دُقَّتْwere drummed بَشَائِرُthe glad tidings of وَفْدِهِits arrival
وَحَيْثُ الضّيَا دُقَّتْ بَشَائِرُ وَفْدِهِ
وَقَدْand already أعْلَنَتْproclaimed بِالبِشْرِwith gladness تِلْكَthose البَشَائِرُheralds
وَقَدْ أعْلَنَتْ بِالبِشْرِ تِلْكَ البَشَائِرُ
Where glad tidings of light's arrival were drummed,
A full moon rising in horizons of fortune,
And those heralds proclaimed gladness;
And a rain from the sustenance of creation, pouring down.
وَحَيْثُand where أمَالَbent الرِيحُthe wind أعْرَافَthe crests of بَانِهِits ban trees
وَحَيْثُ أمَالَ الرِيحُ أعْرَافَ بَانِهِ
عَلَىtoward مِثْلِهَاothers like them فَهْيَfor they are القُلُوبُhearts طَوَائِرُflying
عَلَى مِثْلِهَا فَهْيَ القُلُوبُ طَوَائِرُ
Where the wind bent the crests of its ban trees
And a sea whose essence of being is clear to the eye,
Toward others like them: they were hearts in flight;
And it's no wonder that gems are purified in the sea.
وَحَيْثُand where حَمَامُthe dove of الأيْكِthe grove أفْصَحُthe most eloquent خَاطِبٍpreacher
وَحَيْثُ حَمَامُ الأيْكِ أفْصَحُ خَاطِبٍ
تَحِنُّyearn لِفَحْوَىfor the tenor of النُّطْقِspeech مِنْهُfrom it المَنَابِرُthe pulpits
تَحِنُّ لِفَحْوَى النُّطْقِ مِنْهُ المَنَابِرُ
Where the grove's dove was the most eloquent preacher,
A path of guidance to be guided, though perceptions
And pulpits yearned for the tenor of its speech;
Among the blind have failed.
وَحَيْثُand where عُيُونُthe eyes of النَّرْجسِnarcissi الغَضّtender نُظَّرٌgazers
وَحَيْثُ عُيُونُ النَّرْجسِ الغَضّ نُظَّرٌ
تَجُولُroam وَأفْوَاهُand the mouths of الأقَاحِdaisies فَوَاغِرُagape
تَجُولُ وَأفْوَاهُ الأقَاحِ فَوَاغِرُ
Where the eyes of tender narcissi were gazers
A brother of might and bounty, thus either fervent zeal,
Roaming, while the mouths of daisies stood agape;
Or tolerant and shady, bountiful.
وَحَيْثُand where اطِّرَادُthe flowing course of النَّهْرِthe river قَدْalready سَلَّdrew مُرْهَفاًa keen blade
وَحَيْثُ اطِّرَادُ النَّهْرِ قَدْ سَلَّ مُرْهَفاً
كَمَاas سُلَّwas drawn لِلْمَسْعُودِfor al-Masud فيin النَّقْعِbattle-dust بَاتِرُa cleaving sword
كَمَا سُلَّ لِلْمَسْعُودِ في النَّقْعِ بَاتِرُ
Where the river's flowing course drew a keen blade,
He established a star of fortune's sake in the kingdom's horizon,
As a cleaving sword was drawn for al-Masud in battle-dust.
And his traits are processions between the two honorable ones.
مَلِيكٌa king عَلاَrose فَوْقَabove المَعَالِيexalted ranks بِرُتْبَةٍto a station
مَلِيكٌ عَلاَ فَوْقَ المَعَالِي بِرُتْبَةٍ
لِعِزَّتِهَاbefore its might ذَلَّbowed المُلُوكُthe kings الأكَابِرُgreatest
لِعِزَّتِهَا ذَلَّ المُلُوكُ الأكَابِرُ
A king who rose above exalted ranks to a station
He dominated the protection of eminence with white and spears,
Before whose might the greatest kings bowed;
And with white and line, glories are built.
وَمَوْلىًand a lord صِفَاتُthe qualities of العَدْلِjustice فِيهِin him تَطَابَقَتْaccorded
وَمَوْلىً صِفَاتُ العَدْلِ فِيهِ تَطَابَقَتْ
عَلَىagainst الشَرّevil نَاهٍforbidding وَهْوَwhile he is بِالخَيْرِgood آمِرُcommanding
عَلَى الشَرّ نَاهٍ وَهْوَ بِالخَيْرِ آمِرُ
And a lord in whom the qualities of justice accorded,
Ask the war about him, while swords shine
Forbidding evil while commanding good;
And spears are carved, unsheathed.
وَبَدْرٌand a full moon بِآفَاقِon the horizons of السَّعَادَةِhappiness طَالِعٌrising
وَبَدْرٌ بِآفَاقِ السَّعَادَةِ طَالِعٌ
وَغَيْثٌand rain بِأرْزَاقِwith sustenance for البَرِيَّةِcreation مَاطِرُshowering
وَغَيْثٌ بِأرْزَاقِ البَرِيَّةِ مَاطِرُ
And a full moon rising on the horizons of happiness;
And around him are his clan of Hafs, a band
And rain showering sustenance upon creation;
Of dark lions over steeds like islands.
وَحَبْرٌand a sage تُرِيهِshows him قَبْلَbefore مَاwhat هُوَit كَائِنٌcomes to be
وَحَبْرٌ تُرِيهِ قَبْلَ مَا هُوَ كَائِنٌ
بَصِيرَتُهُhis insight أضْعَافَmany times مَاwhat هُوَhe بَاصِرُsees
بَصِيرَتُهُ أضْعَافَ مَا هُوَ بَاصِرُ
And a sage who, before things come to be, is shown
When they establish reproof in war, addressing it,
By his insight many times what his eyes behold;
The plumes of heroes' turbans become pulpits.
وَبَحْرٌand a sea صَفَاbecame clear لِلْعَيْنِto the eye جَوْهَرُthe jewel of ذَاتِهِhis essence
وَبَحْرٌ صَفَا لِلْعَيْنِ جَوْهَرُ ذَاتِهِ
وَلاَand no بِدْعَmarvel إذْsince فيin البَحْرِthe sea تَصْفُوgrow pure الجَوَاهِرُthe jewels
وَلاَ بِدْعَ إذْ في البَحْرِ تَصْفُو الجَوَاهِرُ
And a sea whose essential jewel is clear to the eye—
They are the people, possessing the glory and ascension,
No marvel, for jewels grow pure in the sea.
Does not ascendance return to them, along with glories?
سَبِيلُa path of هُدىًguidance يُهْدَىis guided بهِby it كُلُّevery مُبْصِرِperson with sight
سَبِيلُ هُدىً يُهْدَى بهِ كُلُّ مُبْصِرِ
إذَاwhen عَمِيَتْgrew blind بالْمُصِرِينَamong the obstinate البَصَائِرُinsights
إذَا عَمِيَتْ بالْمُصِرِينَ البَصَائِرُ
A path of guidance by which everyone with sight is guided
Obeyed when they draw swords,
When insight grows blind among the obstinate;
And obeyed when the scabbard entices dispute.
أخُوa possessor of البَأسِvalor وَالنُّعْمَىand blessing فَإمَّاeither حَمَاسَةٌmartial courage
أخُو البَأسِ وَالنُّعْمَى فَإمَّا حَمَاسَةٌ
وَإمَّاor سَمَاحٌgenerosity وَارِفُbroad الظِّلّin shade وَافِرُabundant
وَإمَّا سَمَاحٌ وَارِفُ الظِّلّ وَافِرُ
A brother to valor and blessing: now martial courage,
They rise high where they travel the heights, and disappear,
Now abundant generosity, broad in its shade.
While their honor is abundant; no treasures are withheld.
أقَامَraised بِأفْقِon the horizon of المُلْكِkingship نَجْماًa star لِسَعْدِهِof his good fortune
أقَامَ بِأفْقِ المُلْكِ نَجْماً لِسَعْدِهِ
وَأوْصَافُهُand his qualities فِيthrough الخَافِقَيْنِeast and west سَوَائِرُtraveling
وَأوْصَافُهُ فِي الخَافِقَيْنِ سَوَائِرُ
He raised a star of his good fortune on kingship's horizon,
When they disappear, we say: rising stars,
And his qualities travel through east and west.
And when they appear, we say: shining suns.
وَسَادَand ruled حِمَىthe sanctuary of العَلْيَاءِeminence بِالبِيضِwith white swords وَالْقَنَاand spears
وَسَادَ حِمَى العَلْيَاءِ بِالبِيضِ وَالْقَنَا
وَبِالبِيضِand with white swords وَالخِطِّيّand Khatt spears تُبْنَىare built المَفَاخِرُglories
وَبِالبِيضِ وَالخِطِّيّ تُبْنَى المَفَاخِرُ
He ruled the sanctuary of eminence with white swords and spears;
Their perfume is like ambergris, and it is
With white swords and Khatt spears, glories are built.
The fragrance of a soft breeze, mingling with flowers.
سَلِask الحَرْبَwar عَنْهُabout him وَالسُّيُوفُwhile the swords بَوَارِقٌflashes
سَلِ الحَرْبَ عَنْهُ وَالسُّيُوفُ بَوَارِقٌ
تَألَّقُglitter وَالأرْمَاحُand the spears رُقْشٌspeckled serpents نَوَاشِرُunfurling
تَألَّقُ وَالأرْمَاحُ رُقْشٌ نَوَاشِرُ
Ask war about him, while swords are flashes
Lions, when the clash excites their seas,
Glittering, and spears are speckled serpents unfurling;
The islands walk beneath their saddles.
وَبِالأفْقِand on the horizon للِنَّقْعِof battle-dust المُثَارِraised سَحَائِبٌclouds
وَبِالأفْقِ للِنَّقْعِ المُثَارِ سَحَائِبٌ
هَوْامِلُdrifting لَكِنْbut بِالدّمَاءِwith blood هَوَامِرُpouring torrents
هَوْامِلُ لَكِنْ بِالدّمَاءِ هَوَامِرُ
And on the horizon raised battle-dust forms clouds,
A lion leading them when hardship befalls them,
Drifting, yet pouring torrents of blood.
Bold, the hardship’s boldness, combatting.
وَلِلرُّمْحِand the lance has أمْرٌa command فِيamong الكَتَائِبِthe battalions عَادِلٌjust
وَلِلرُّمْحِ أمْرٌ فِي الكَتَائِبِ عَادِلٌ
وَللِسَّيْفِand the sword has حُكْمٌa judgment فيin المَقَاسِمِdivisions جَائِرُunjust
وَللِسَّيْفِ حُكْمٌ في المَقَاسِمِ جَائِرُ
The lance has a just command among the battalions,
When the fire of his rage ignites in his eyes,
And the sword an unjust judgment in dividing.
You see demise frequenting souls.
وَمِنْand from حَوْلِهِaround him مِنْfrom آلِthe house of حَفْصٍHafs عِصَابَةٌa band
وَمِنْ حَوْلِهِ مِنْ آلِ حَفْصٍ عِصَابَةٌ
أسُودُlions of وَغىًbattle فَوْقَupon الجِيَادِsteeds كَوَاسِرُpredators
أسُودُ وَغىً فَوْقَ الجِيَادِ كَوَاسِرُ
Around him stands a band from the house of Hafs,
The sun and its lightning frighten them,
Lions of battle, fierce predators upon steeds.
While they are but his darknesses and flashes.
إذَاwhen مَاever أقَامُواthey appointed العَضْبَthe sharp sword فيin الحَرْبِwar خَاطِباًas a preacher
إذَا مَا أقَامُوا العَضْبَ في الحَرْبِ خَاطِباً
فَهَامَاتُthen the heads of أبْطَالِchampions among الكُمَاةِarmored warriors مَنَابِرُpulpits
فَهَامَاتُ أبْطَالِ الكُمَاةِ مَنَابِرُ
When they appoint the sharp sword as war's preacher,
Demise disappears from them while he is absent,
The heads of champion warriors become pulpits.
And attends to his swords while he is present.
هُمُthey القَوْمُthe people حَازُواsecured حَوْزَةَthe realm of الفَخْرِglory وَالْعُلَىand heights
هُمُ القَوْمُ حَازُوا حَوْزَةَ الفَخْرِ وَالْعُلَى
ألَيْسَis it not لَهُمْto them تُعْزَىattributed العُلَىhigh deeds وَالمَفَاخِرُand glories
ألَيْسَ لَهُمْ تُعْزَى العُلَى وَالمَفَاخِرُ
They are the people who secured the realm of glory and heights;
He ridicules burdens, while they are heavy,
Are not high deeds and glories attributed to them?
And trivializes champions, while they are great.
مَطَاعِيمُgenerous feeders إنْif حَلَّتْalighted بِمَغْنَاهُمُin their abode السُّرَىnight travelers
مَطَاعِيمُ إنْ حَلَّتْ بِمَغْنَاهُمُ السُّرَى
مَطَاعِينُfearsome piercers إنْif حَثَّurged on القِنَاءَthe spears المُشَاجِرُthe combatant
مَطَاعِينُ إنْ حَثَّ القِنَاءَ المُشَاجِرُ
Generous feeders when night travelers alight in their abode;
He humiliated the transgression, after its glory, and oft
Fearsome piercers when a combatant urges on the spears.
The transgressor was humiliated by him, as the dweller was honored.
عَلَوْاthey rose حَيْثُwherever سَارُواthey traveled فيthrough المَعَالِيhigh deeds وَأدْلَجُواand journeyed by night
عَلَوْا حَيْثُ سَارُوا في المَعَالِي وَأدْلَجُوا
وَأعْرَاضُهُمْand their honor مَوْفُورَةٌintact لاَnot الذَّخَائِرُthe stores
وَأعْرَاضُهُمْ مَوْفُورَةٌ لاَ الذَّخَائِرُ
They rose wherever they traveled through high deeds by day or night;
So days do not defeat the resolute one,
Their honor remains intact, not their stores.
Nor do days empower the defeated one.
إذَاwhen أدْلَجُواthey traveled by night قُلْنَاwe said نُجُومٌstars ثَوَاقبٌpiercing
إذَا أدْلَجُوا قُلْنَا نُجُومٌ ثَوَاقبٌ
وَإنْand if أسْفَرُواthey traveled at dawn قُلْنَاwe said شُمُوسٌsuns بَوَاهِرُdazzling
وَإنْ أسْفَرُوا قُلْنَا شُمُوسٌ بَوَاهِرُ
When they travel by night, we call them piercing stars;
Nor do fates aid the abandoning one,
When they travel at dawn, we call them dazzling suns.
Nor do fates abandon the aiding one.
يَضُوعُspreads شَذَاهُمْtheir fragrance كَالعَبِيرِlike perfume وَإنَّهُand indeed it
يَضُوعُ شَذَاهُمْ كَالعَبِيرِ وَإنَّهُ
لَعَرْفُsurely the scent of نَسِيمٍa breeze صَافَحَتْهُgreeted it الأزَاهِرُthe blossoms
لَعَرْفُ نَسِيمٍ صَافَحَتْهُ الأزَاهِرُ
Their fragrance spreads like perfume, and truly
His well-wisher is lavish in fortune’s garb,
It is the scent of a breeze that blossoms have greeted.
While his adversary stumbles in misery’s hem.
ليُوثٌlions إذَاwhen مَاever النَّقْعَbattle-dust هَاجَتْsurged بحُورُهُits seas
ليُوثٌ إذَا مَا النَّقْعَ هَاجَتْ بحُورُهُ
تَسِيرُtravel بِهِمْcarrying them تَحْتَbeneath السُّرُوجِthe saddles الجَزَائِرُislands
تَسِيرُ بِهِمْ تَحْتَ السُّرُوجِ الجَزَائِرُ
Lions, when the seas of battle-dust surge,
His protection is an impenetrable shield upon us,
Borne along by islands beneath their saddles.
Between his protection and events, a deterrent.
يَؤُمُّهُمُleads them لَيْثٌa lion إذَاwhen الخَطْبُcalamity غَالَهُمْassailed them
يَؤُمُّهُمُ لَيْثٌ إذَا الخَطْبُ غَالَهُمْ
جَلاَهُdispelled it وَنَابُwhile the fang of الخَطْبِcalamity بِالخَطْبِin the crisis كَاشِرُbared
جَلاَهُ وَنَابُ الخَطْبِ بِالخَطْبِ كَاشِرُ
A lion leads them who, when calamity assails them,
He has a way in virtues that compete,
Dispels it, though calamity bares its fang in the crisis.
Its first competing with its lasts.
إذَاwhen الْتَهَبَتْblazed فِيin لَحْظِهِhis glance نَارُthe fire of غَيْظِهِhis rage
إذَا الْتَهَبَتْ فِي لَحْظِهِ نَارُ غَيْظِهِ
رَأيْتَyou saw المَنَايَاdeaths لِلنُّفُوسِto souls تُزَاوِرُpaying visits
رَأيْتَ المَنَايَا لِلنُّفُوسِ تُزَاوِرُ
When the fire of his rage blazes in his glance,
He is the sea except his generosity’s spring
You see deaths visiting souls.
Is its conduit, and its conduits have flowed.
تَرُوُعُهُمُterrifies them شَمْسُthe sun of السَّمَاءِthe sky وَبَرْقُهَاand its lightning
تَرُوُعُهُمُ شَمْسُ السَّمَاءِ وَبَرْقُهَا
وَمَاand not هِيَthese إلاexcept سُمْرُهُhis brown spears وَالْبَوَاتِرُand cleaving swords
وَمَا هِيَ إلا سُمْرُهُ وَالْبَوَاتِرُ
The sky's sun and lightning terrify them,
A generosity that heals mankind of its afflictions,
Yet these are only his brown spears and cleaving swords.
While good news of generosity upon him is recurrent.
تَغِيبُare absent المَنَايَاdeaths عَنْهُمُfrom them وَهْوَwhile he is غَائِبٌabsent
تَغِيبُ المَنَايَا عَنْهُمُ وَهْوَ غَائِبٌ
وَتَحْضُرُand are present فِيin أسْيَافِهِhis swords وَهْوَwhile he is حَاضِرُpresent
وَتَحْضُرُ فِي أسْيَافِهِ وَهْوَ حَاضِرُ
Deaths are absent from them when he is absent,
And wisdom firmly nailed to the heavens’ thickness,
And present in his swords when he is present.
And resolve steadfast upon the star of stars.
وَيَسْتَهْجِنُand deems ignoble الأقْيَالَthe princes وَهْيَthough they are ضَرَاغِمٌlions
وَيَسْتَهْجِنُ الأقْيَالَ وَهْيَ ضَرَاغِمٌ
وَيَسْتَصْغِرُand deems small الأبْطَالَthe heroes وَهْيَthough they are أكَابِرُmighty
وَيَسْتَصْغِرُ الأبْطَالَ وَهْيَ أكَابِرُ
He deems princes ignoble, though they are lions,
For every tender branch, he has a season from him,
And heroes small, though they are mighty.
And in every neighborhood, a flower blooms for him.
أذَلَّhumbled العِدَىthe enemies مِنْfrom بَعْدafter عِزّmight وَطَالَمَاand how often
أذَلَّ العِدَى مِنْ بَعْد عِزّ وَطَالَمَا
أُذِلَّwas humbled بِهِthrough him البَاغِيthe aggressor وَعَزَّand was exalted المُجَاوِرُthe neighbor
أُذِلَّ بِهِ البَاغِي وَعَزَّ المُجَاوِرُ
He humbled enemies after their might; how often
So neither is the moon except flourishing through his life,
Through him the aggressor was humbled and the neighbor exalted!
Nor is the sea except abundant by his hands.
فَلاَso not تَكْسِرُbreak الأيَّامُthe days مَنْone whom هُوَhe جَابِرٌrestores
فَلاَ تَكْسِرُ الأيَّامُ مَنْ هُوَ جَابِرٌ
وَلاَand not تَجْبُرُrestore الأيَّامُthe days مَنْone whom هُوَhe كَاسِرُbreaks
وَلاَ تَجْبُرُ الأيَّامُ مَنْ هُوَ كَاسِرُ
Time cannot break one whom he restores,
Precedence in virtues he has, and succession,
Nor restore one whom he breaks.
An interior realm of glory, and manifest.
وَلاَand not تَنْصُرُsupport الأقْدَارُthe fates مَنْone whom هُوَhe خَاذِلٌabandons
وَلاَ تَنْصُرُ الأقْدَارُ مَنْ هُوَ خَاذِلٌ
وَلاَand not تَخْذُلُabandon الأقْدَارُthe fates مَنْone whom هُوَhe نَاصِرُsupports
وَلاَ تَخْذُلُ الأقْدَارُ مَنْ هُوَ نَاصِرُ
Fate cannot support one whom he abandons,
When describing the traits of praise for his eminence,
Nor abandon one whom he supports.
Tribes have congratulated whom they were congratulated upon.
فَعَافِيهِso his petitioner فِيin ثَوْبِthe robe of السَّعَادَةِhappiness رَافِلٌtrailing proudly
فَعَافِيهِ فِي ثَوْبِ السَّعَادَةِ رَافِلٌ
وَعَادِيهِand his enemy فِيin ذَيْلِthe hem of الشَّقَاوَةِmisery عَاثِرُstumbling
وَعَادِيهِ فِي ذَيْلِ الشَّقَاوَةِ عَاثِرُ
His petitioner trails in the robe of happiness,
To God belongs the secret in his ascending heights,
And his enemy stumbles in misery's hem.
Each clear in the meaning of that secret, perplexed.
حِمَايَتُهُhis protection دِرْعٌarmor عَلَيْنَاupon us حَصِينَةٌstrong
حِمَايَتُهُ دِرْعٌ عَلَيْنَا حَصِينَةٌ
وَبَيْنَand between حِمَاهُhis sanctuary وَالْحَوَادِثِand calamities زَاجِرُa deterrent
وَبَيْنَ حِمَاهُ وَالْحَوَادِثِ زَاجِرُ
His protection is strong armor upon us,
So astonishing that I attempt praising him,
And a deterrent stands between his sanctuary and calamities.
While minds struggle to praise his ascendance.
لَهُhe has مَذْهَبٌa course فيin المَكْرُمَاتِnoble deeds تَسَابَقَتْraced
لَهُ مَذْهَبٌ في المَكْرُمَاتِ تَسَابَقَتْ
أوَائِلُهُits beginnings إذْwhen لاَحَقَتْهَاpursued them الأوَاخِرُthe endings
أوَائِلُهُ إذْ لاَحَقَتْهَا الأوَاخِرُ
He has a course in noble deeds whose beginnings raced
O you whose kind deeds immersed the lands equally,
When their endings came pursuing them.
The deserts and settlements became equal through them.
فَغَيْثُso the rain of النَّدَىgenerosity يُحْيَىis revived بِخَالِدِthrough enduring فَضْلِهِhis bounty
فَغَيْثُ النَّدَى يُحْيَى بِخَالِدِ فَضْلِهِ
وَتُنْسَىand are forgotten بِمَاthrough what تُولِيbestow يَدَاهُhis two hands الجَعَافِرُthe Ja'fars
وَتُنْسَى بِمَا تُولِي يَدَاهُ الجَعَافِرُ
The rain of generosity is revived through his enduring bounty,
Your father is the head of glory’s body, and its heart,
And the Ja'fars are forgotten beside what his hands bestow.
While you are the aid of the eye’s right in the head.
وَلَوْand if لَمْnot يَكُنْhe were فيin الجُودِgenerosity لِلنَّاسِfor mankind خَاتِماًa seal
وَلَوْ لَمْ يَكُنْ في الجُودِ لِلنَّاسِ خَاتِماً
لَمَاthen not انْعَقَدَتْwould have curled مِنَّاfrom us عَلَيْهِto count him الخَنَاصِرُthe little fingers
لَمَا انْعَقَدَتْ مِنَّا عَلَيْهِ الخَنَاصِرُ
Were he not mankind's seal in generosity,
Hopes gather around you, the orbits crowned,
Our little fingers would not have curled to count him.
So you expand them generously, and your plenty suffices.
هُوَhe البَحْرُthe sea إلاَّexcept أنَّthat مَنْهَلَthe watering-place of جُودِهِhis bounty
هُوَ البَحْرُ إلاَّ أنَّ مَنْهَلَ جُودِهِ
مَوَارِدُهُits arrivals رَاقَتْdelighted بِهِthrough him وَالْمَصَادِرُand the departures
مَوَارِدُهُ رَاقَتْ بِهِ وَالْمَصَادِرُ
He is the sea, except that the watering-place of his bounty—
And the heights disdain your ascendance
Its arrivals and departures alike delight through him.
So your continuity gains them despite it.
سَخَاءٌgenerosity يَشِفُّshines through البِشْرُgood cheer مِنْfrom جَنَبَاتِهِits sides
سَخَاءٌ يَشِفُّ البِشْرُ مِنْ جَنَبَاتِهِ
وَبِشْرٌand good cheer عَلَيْهِupon it لِلسَّخَاءِof generosity أمَائِرُsigns
وَبِشْرٌ عَلَيْهِ لِلسَّخَاءِ أمَائِرُ
Generosity through whose sides good cheer shines,
Neither does your vigilance sleep from them,
And good cheer bearing generosity's signs;
Nor does your resolute courage fall short of them.
وَحَزْمٌand prudence عَلَىat سَمْكِthe height of السَّمَاءِheaven مُسَامِرٌconversing by night
وَحَزْمٌ عَلَى سَمْكِ السَّمَاءِ مُسَامِرٌ
وَعَزْمٌand resolve عَلَىwith نَجْمِthe star of النُّجُومِthe stars مُحَاوِرُconversing
وَعَزْمٌ عَلَى نَجْمِ النُّجُومِ مُحَاوِرُ
And prudence conversing by night at heaven's height,
I praised you honoring my opinion, so my poetry
And resolve conversing with the star of stars.
Was nourished praising you, competing in the heights.
عَلَىin كُلّevery نَادٍassembly لِلنَّدَىof generosity مِنْهُfrom him مَيْسَمٌa mark
عَلَى كُلّ نَادٍ لِلنَّدَى مِنْهُ مَيْسَمٌ
وَفِيand in كُلّevery حَيّtribe لِلْوَلاَof loyalty مِنْهُfrom him زَاهِرُa radiant sign
وَفِي كُلّ حَيّ لِلْوَلاَ مِنْهُ زَاهِرُ
In every assembly his generosity leaves a mark,
I swear by the house which you are its pillar,
And in every tribe his loyalty leaves a radiant sign.
And the towering heights which destiny engraved.
فَمَاso not البَدْرُthe full moon إلاَّexcept مِنْfrom مُحَيَّاهُhis countenance زَاهِرٌshining
فَمَا البَدْرُ إلاَّ مِنْ مُحَيَّاهُ زَاهِرٌ
وَمَاand not البَحْرُthe sea إلاَّexcept مِنْfrom أيَادِيهِhis benefactions زَاخِرُbrimming
وَمَا البَحْرُ إلاَّ مِنْ أيَادِيهِ زَاخِرُ
The full moon shines only from his countenance,
If the poets fall short praising you, which
And the sea brims only from his benefactions.
I partake in lengthening, sharing.
لَهُhe has سَابِقٌwhat precedes فِيin المَكْرُمَاتِnoble deeds وَلاَحِقٌand what follows
لَهُ سَابِقٌ فِي المَكْرُمَاتِ وَلاَحِقٌ
وَبَاطِنُand inward مَجْدٍglory فِيamong المَعَالِيexalted ranks وَظَاهِرُand outward
وَبَاطِنُ مَجْدٍ فِي المَعَالِي وَظَاهِرُ
He has noble deeds that precede and follow,
I will compose for your lofty aspects a necklace of eulogies
And inward and outward glory among exalted ranks.
Solidarity in generosity, and congruity.
إذَاwhen ذُكِرَتْwere recounted أوْصَافُthe qualities of مَدُحِpraise عُلاَئِهِhis loftiness
إذَا ذُكِرَتْ أوْصَافُ مَدُحِ عُلاَئِهِ
لِذِيto a member of مَعْشَرٍa clan أثْنَتْpraised عَلَيْهِhim العَشَائِرُthe clans
لِذِي مَعْشَرٍ أثْنَتْ عَلَيْهِ العَشَائِرُ
When the qualities praising his loftiness are recounted
And I will reveal, from the metaphors’ stock, brides
To a man of any clan, the clans praise him.
Upon them, from delicate diction, veils.
فَلِلَّهِfor God has سِرُّa secret فِيin مَعَالِيهِhis high deeds ظَاهِرٌmanifest
فَلِلَّهِ سِرُّ فِي مَعَالِيهِ ظَاهِرٌ
وكُلٌّand everyone بِمَعْنَىby the meaning of ذَلِكَthat السِّرّsecret حَائِرُbewildered
وكُلٌّ بِمَعْنَى ذَلِكَ السِّرّ حَائِرُ
God has a secret manifest in his high deeds,
You are whom without, no mouth would speak for me,
And everyone is bewildered by that secret's meaning.
No palm wrote, and no thought occurred.
فَوَاعَجَباًhow strange مِنِّيof me أحَاوِلُI attempt مَدْحَهُhis praise
فَوَاعَجَباً مِنِّي أحَاوِلُ مَدْحَهُ
وَفِيand in مَدْحِpraising عَلْيَاهُhis eminence تَحَارُare bewildered الخَوَاطِرُthe minds
وَفِي مَدْحِ عَلْيَاهُ تَحَارُ الخَوَاطِرُ
How strange that I should attempt to praise him,
So be generous to the son of Khuluww for he
When minds are bewildered in praising his eminence!
Is grateful for your praised deed, family and friends.
أيَاO مَالِكاًsovereign غَمرَflooded الوَرَىmankind بِمَكَارِمٍwith noble favors
أيَا مَالِكاً غَمرَ الوَرَى بِمَكَارِمٍ
تَسَاوَىshare equally البَوَادِيthe deserts عِنْدَهَاin them وَالحَوَاضِرُand the cities
تَسَاوَى البَوَادِي عِنْدَهَا وَالحَوَاضِرُ
O sovereign who flooded mankind with noble favors,
And remain in the heights of your ascension, O star of its fortune,
In which deserts and cities share equally:
For your glory is aided and your grandfather, victorious.
أبُوكَyour father لِجِسْمِfor the body of المَجْدِglory رَأسٌa head وَمُقْلَةٌand an eye
أبُوكَ لِجِسْمِ المَجْدِ رَأسٌ وَمُقْلَةٌ
وَأنْتَand you لِيُمْنَىfor the right العَيْنِeye فِيin الرَّأسِthe head نَاصِرُa supporter
وَأنْتَ لِيُمْنَى العَيْنِ فِي الرَّأسِ نَاصِرُ
Your father is the head and eye of glory's body,
So the orators live as long as a rider halts,
And you support the right eye within that head.
And the entertainers live as long as a night-visitor appears.
تَلُمُّcome بِكَto you الآمَالُhopes مَوْقُورَةَheavy-laden الذُّرَىin their summits
تَلُمُّ بِكَ الآمَالُ مَوْقُورَةَ الذُّرَى
فَتُوسِعُهَاso you lavish upon them رِفْداًsupport وَرِفْدُكَand your support وَافِرُabundant
فَتُوسِعُهَا رِفْداً وَرِفْدُكَ وَافِرُ
Hopes come to you, their summits heavy-laden,
And you lavish support upon them; your support is abundant.
وَتُضْحِيand become المَعَالِيhigh deeds عَنْtoward عُلاَكَyour loftiness أبِيَّةًresistant
وَتُضْحِي المَعَالِي عَنْ عُلاَكَ أبِيَّةً
فَيَغْتَادُهَاso it leads them captive عَنْكَon your behalf النَّدَىgenerosity المُتَوَاتِرُunceasing
فَيَغْتَادُهَا عَنْكَ النَّدَى المُتَوَاتِرُ
High deeds may resist your loftiness,
But your unceasing generosity leads them captive on your behalf.
فَلاَso not حَزْمُكَyour prudence اليَقْظَانُwakeful عَنْهُنَّconcerning them نَائِمٌasleep
فَلاَ حَزْمُكَ اليَقْظَانُ عَنْهُنَّ نَائِمٌ
وَلاَand not عَزْمُكَyour resolve المِقْدَامُbold عَنْهُنَّconcerning them قَاصِرُfalling short
وَلاَ عَزْمُكَ المِقْدَامُ عَنْهُنَّ قَاصِرُ
Your wakeful prudence never sleeps concerning them,
Nor does your bold resolve fall short of them.
مَدَحْتُكَI praised you تَشْرِيفاًto ennoble لِنَظْنِيَmy verse (unclear spelling) فَاغْتَدَىand it became
مَدَحْتُكَ تَشْرِيفاً لِنَظْنِيَ فَاغْتَدَى
بِمَدْحِكَthrough praising you نَظْمِيmy verse فِيamong المَعَالِيlofty deeds يُفَاخِرُboasts
بِمَدْحِكَ نَظْمِي فِي المَعَالِي يُفَاخِرُ
I praised you to ennoble my verse, and it came to be
That through praising you my verse boasts among lofty deeds.
وَأقْسِمُand I swear بِالْبَيْتِby the House الَّذِيwhich أنْتَyou رُكْنُهُare its cornerstone
وَأقْسِمُ بِالْبَيْتِ الَّذِي أنْتَ رُكْنُهُ
وَمَاand by what قَدْindeed حَكَتْrecounted تِلْكَthose العُلَىheights وَالمَشَاعِرُand sacred sites
وَمَا قَدْ حَكَتْ تِلْكَ العُلَى وَالمَشَاعِرُ
I swear by the House whose cornerstone you are,
And by what those heights and sacred sites have recounted:
لَئِنْif indeed قَصَّرَfell short النُّظَّامُthe poets فِيin مَدْحِكَyour praise الذِيwhich
لَئِنْ قَصَّرَ النُّظَّامُ فِي مَدْحِكَ الذِي
أسَاهِمُI contribute فِيto تَطْوِيلِهِlengthening it وَأشَاطِرُand I share
أسَاهِمُ فِي تَطْوِيلِهِ وَأشَاطِرُ
If poets fall short in that praise of you which
I help to lengthen and share,
لأنْظُمI shall surely string فِيfor عَلْيَاكَyour eminence عقدَa necklace of مَدَائِحٍpraises
لأنْظُم فِي عَلْيَاكَ عقدَ مَدَائِحٍ
تُرَابِطُstand guard فِيin بَذْلِoffering الثَّنَاacclaim وَتُشَاعِرُand vie in verse
تُرَابِطُ فِي بَذْلِ الثَّنَا وَتُشَاعِرُ
I shall string for your eminence a necklace of praises
That stand guard in offering acclaim and vie in verse.
وَأبْرِزُand I bring forth مِنْfrom حِرْزِthe sanctuary of المَعَانِيmeanings عَرَائِساًbrides
وَأبْرِزُ مِنْ حِرْزِ المَعَانِي عَرَائِساً
عَلَيْهَاupon them مِنَof اللَّفْظِwords الرَّقِيقِdelicate سَتَائِرُveils
عَلَيْهَا مِنَ اللَّفْظِ الرَّقِيقِ سَتَائِرُ
I shall bring forth brides from the sanctuary of meanings,
Veiled in delicate words.
وَأنْتَand you الَّذِيthe one لَوْلاهُwithout whom مَاnot فَاهَspoke لِيof mine فَمٌa mouth
وَأنْتَ الَّذِي لَوْلاهُ مَا فَاهَ لِي فَمٌ
وَلاَand not كَتَبَتْwrote كَفُّa hand وَلاَnor جَالَroamed خَاطِرُa thought
وَلاَ كَتَبَتْ كَفُّ وَلاَ جَالَ خَاطِرُ
You are he without whom no mouth of mine would speak,
No hand would write, nor any thought roam.
فَجُدْso grant generously بِالوَفَاfidelity لابْنِto Ibn الخلُوفal-Khuluf فَإنَّهُfor he
فَجُدْ بِالوَفَا لابْنِ الخلُوف فَإنَّهُ
عَلَىby فِعْلِكَyour deed المَحْمُودِpraiseworthy آلٍswearing وَشَاكِرُand thankful
عَلَى فِعْلِكَ المَحْمُودِ آلٍ وَشَاكِرُ
So grant fidelity to Ibn al-Khuluf, for he
Swears by your praiseworthy deeds and gives thanks.
وَدُمْand endure فيin عُلاَthe heights of عَلْيَاكَyour eminence يَاO نَجْمَstar of سَعْدِهِits good fortune
وَدُمْ في عُلاَ عَلْيَاكَ يَا نَجْمَ سَعْدِهِ
فَمَجْدُكَso your glory مَنْصُورٌsupported وَجَدُّكَand your fortune نَاصِرُsupporting
فَمَجْدُكَ مَنْصُورٌ وَجَدُّكَ نَاصِرُ
Endure in the heights of your eminence, O star of its good fortune;
Your glory is supported, and your fortune supports.
لِيَحْدُوso may chant بِكَof you السُّفَّارُthe travelers مَاwhenever شُدَّis saddled رَاحِلٌa traveling mount
لِيَحْدُو بِكَ السُّفَّارُ مَا شُدَّ رَاحِلٌ
وَيَحْيَاand be enlivened بِكَby you السُّمَّارُthe night companions مَاwhenever لاَحَappears سَامِرُa night-talker
وَيَحْيَا بِكَ السُّمَّارُ مَا لاَحَ سَامِرُ
So travelers may chant of you whenever a mount is saddled,
And night companions be enlivened by you whenever a night-talker appears.
Partial English translation: 190 of 214 Arabic lines translated.
Sol 6.1