جَلاَdispelled وَجْهُهَاher face الدَيْجُورَthe darkness لَمَّاwhen تَجَلَّتِshe appeared
جَلاَ وَجْهُهَا الدَيْجُورَ لَمَّا تَجَلَّتِ
لِتَهْدِيto guide نُفُوساًsouls فِيin الهَوَىlove قدْhad أضَلَّتِshe led astray
لِتَهْدِي نُفُوساً فِي الهَوَى قدْ أضَلَّتِ
Her face dispelled the darkness when she appeared,
Her face outshone the full moon when she appeared
To guide souls she had led astray in love.
To guide souls led astray by passion's pull
وَلاَحَتْand she shone forth وَقَدْand already أرْخَتْshe let down ذَوَائبَthe tresses of شَعْرِهَاher hair
وَلاَحَتْ وَقَدْ أرْخَتْ ذَوَائبَ شَعْرِهَا
فَخِلْتُso I imagined شعَاعَthe radiance of الشَّمْسِthe sun تَحْتَbeneath الدّجِنِّةِthe darkness
فَخِلْتُ شعَاعَ الشَّمْسِ تَحْتَ الدّجِنِّةِ
She shone forth, having let down the tresses of her hair,
Her tresses flowed, releasing their braids
And I imagined sunlight beneath the darkness.
So I took for the sun the glow beneath her veil
وَسَلَّتْand she unsheathed جُفُوناًeyelids كَالسُّيُوفِlike swords وَلَمْand did not أرَىI see
وَسَلَّتْ جُفُوناً كَالسُّيُوفِ وَلَمْ أرَى
لَعَمْرِيby my life جفُوناًeyelids كَالقوَاضبlike keen blades سُلَّتِwere unsheathed
لَعَمْرِي جفُوناً كَالقوَاضب سُلَّتِ
She unsheathed eyelids like swords; I had never seen—
She glanced with lids like unsheathed swords, and I never saw
By my life—eyelids unsheathed like keen blades.
By my life, lids glancing like ready swords
وَحَيَّتْand she greeted وَقَدْand already أفْنَىhad consumed الهَوَىlove كُلevery مُغْرَمٍlover
وَحَيَّتْ وَقَدْ أفْنَى الهَوَى كُل مُغْرَمٍ
فَأحْيَتْso she revived نُفُوساًsouls قَبْلُformerly كَانَتْhad been أُمِيتَتِput to death
فَأحْيَتْ نُفُوساً قَبْلُ كَانَتْ أُمِيتَتِ
She offered greeting, when love had consumed every lover,
She smiled though love had slain all those enamored
And revived souls that had formerly been put to death.
Thus giving life to souls that were once lifeless
مَهَاةٌan oryx تَثَنَّتْshe swayed إذْwhen تَفَرّدَwas peerless حسنُهَاher beauty
مَهَاةٌ تَثَنَّتْ إذْ تَفَرّدَ حسنُهَا
فَأثْنَتْso praised عَلَيْهَاher الوُرْقُthe gray doves لماwhen تَثَنَّتِshe swayed
فَأثْنَتْ عَلَيْهَا الوُرْقُ لما تَثَنَّتِ
An oryx, she swayed, her beauty peerless,
A gazelle she bent when her beauty stood alone
And the gray doves praised her when she swayed.
So the leaves bent over her for her grace
لَهَاhers is ثغرُa mouth of دُرّpearls عَنْهُfrom it يَرْوِيtransmits ابنIbn (son of) مزهرMuzhir
لَهَا ثغرُ دُرّ عَنْهُ يَرْوِي ابن مزهر
ومُقْلَةُand an eye of لحظٍglances عنهfrom it يَرْوِيtransmits ابنIbn (son of) مُقْلَةِMuqla
ومُقْلَةُ لحظٍ عنه يَرْوِي ابن مُقْلَةِ
Hers is a pearly mouth, from which Ibn Muzhir transmits,
She has a mouth of pearls from which Ibn Muzahhar drinks
And a glancing eye, from which Ibn Muqla transmits.
And a glance from which Ibn Muqlah drinks
تَبَدَّتْshe appeared وَقَدْand already هَزhad set swaying الشَّبَابُyouth قَوَامَهَاher figure
تَبَدَّتْ وَقَدْ هَز الشَّبَابُ قَوَامَهَا
ألَمْhave you not تَرَseen أنَّthat الشَّمْسَthe sun بِالغُصْنِon a branch حَلَّتِhas alighted
ألَمْ تَرَ أنَّ الشَّمْسَ بِالغُصْنِ حَلَّتِ
She appeared, with youth setting her figure swaying;
She appeared though youth had shaken her stature
Do you not see that the sun has alighted on a branch?
Did you not see that the sun clung to the branch?
وَمَاسَتْand she swayed بِعطْفَيْwith the two flanks of بَانَةٍa ben-tree فَدْalready (likely intended) عَلاَهُمَاhad risen above both
وَمَاسَتْ بِعطْفَيْ بَانَةٍ فَدْ عَلاَهُمَا
هِلاَلُa crescent of جبينٍa brow لاَحَshone فِيin ليلthe night of طُرةٍa forelock
هِلاَلُ جبينٍ لاَحَ فِي ليل طُرةٍ
She swayed with a ben-tree's two flanks, above which had risen
She touched with the curve of her double-bent arms
A crescent brow, shining in the night of her forelock.
A crescent-brow that shone in the night of Partridge constellation
وَنَعَّمَنِيand delighted me نُعْمَانُthe anemones of نيرَانthe fires of خدّهَاher cheek
وَنَعَّمَنِي نُعْمَانُ نيرَان خدّهَا
فَهَاso here أنَاI am مِنْهُthrough it بَيْنَbetween نَارٍfire وَجَنَّةِand paradise
فَهَا أنَا مِنْهُ بَيْنَ نَارٍ وَجَنَّةِ
The fiery anemones of her cheek delighted me,
With the fires of her cheeks she brought me delight
So here I am, through it, between fire and paradise.
So here am I, between fire and paradise
ألاَah سَامَحَmay forgive اللَّهُGod العُيُونَthe eyes وَإنْand even if تَكُنْthey have
ألاَ سَامَحَ اللَّهُ العُيُونَ وَإنْ تَكُنْ
أحَدَّتْsharpened ظُبَىthe edges of تِلْكَthose اللحَاظglances لِقَتْلَتِيto kill me
أحَدَّتْ ظُبَى تِلْكَ اللحَاظ لِقَتْلَتِي
Ah, may God forgive the eyes, even if they have
God forgive the eyes though they sharpened
Sharpened the edges of those glances to kill me.
Arrows that nearly took my life with their piercing
وَلاَand may not وَاخَذَhold accountable الأصدَاغَthe temple-locks فِيمَاfor what تَحَمَّلَتْhave incurred
وَلاَ وَاخَذَ الأصدَاغَ فِيمَا تَحَمَّلَتْ
عَقَارِبُهَاtheir scorpions الفُتَّاكُthe murderous ones منof لَسْعِstinging مهجَتِيmy heart
عَقَارِبُهَا الفُتَّاكُ من لَسْعِ مهجَتِي
And may He not call the temple-locks to account for what
And blame not the cheeks for what they endured
Their deadly scorpions incurred by stinging my heart.
Of the deadly scorpions of her piercing glances
وَصَانَand may He protect القدُودَthe figures المَائِسَاتِthe swaying ones مِنَfrom الردَىdestruction
وَصَانَ القدُودَ المَائِسَاتِ مِنَ الردَى
وإنْand even if هِيَthey للعشَّاقِat lovers كَالسُّمْرِlike brown spears هُزتِare shaken
وإنْ هِيَ للعشَّاقِ كَالسُّمْرِ هُزتِ
And may He preserve swaying figures from destruction,
And protect the smooth wrists from harm
Though they are shaken at lovers like brown spears.
Though to lovers they are like deadly poison
وَأصْحَىand may He sober عُقُولاًminds خَامَرَhas permeated الحُبُّlove سُكْرَهَاtheir intoxication
وَأصْحَى عُقُولاً خَامَرَ الحُبُّ سُكْرَهَا
عَلَىdespite أنthe fact that فِيin صَحْوِthe sobriety of الهَوَىlove كُلّevery سَكْرَةِintoxication
عَلَى أن فِي صَحْوِ الهَوَى كُلّ سَكْرَةِ
And sober minds whose intoxication love has permeated,
And sober minds that the intoxication of love drugged
Though in love's sobriety lies every drunkenness.
For in the sobriety of passion lies all drunkenness
وَأحْيَاand may He revive نُفُوساًsouls قَدْalready أُمِيتَتْhave been killed صبَابةًby yearning
وَأحْيَا نُفُوساً قَدْ أُمِيتَتْ صبَابةً
وَكَيْفَand how وَفِيand in إحْيَاthe revival of الهَوَىlove كلّevery مَيْتَةِdeath
وَكَيْفَ وَفِي إحْيَا الهَوَى كلّ مَيْتَةِ
And revive souls that yearning has put to death;
And revived souls that were slain by her youth
But how, when love's revival holds every manner of death?
For in reviving passion lies all resurrection
خَلِيلَيmy two friends هَلْhave ...? عَايَنْتُمَاyou two seen أوْor سَمِعْتُمَاyou two heard
خَلِيلَي هَلْ عَايَنْتُمَا أوْ سَمِعْتُمَا
مُحِبَّاa lover براهwasted him away الشَّوْقُlonging قَبْلُbefore المَحَبِّةِlove
مُحِبَّا براه الشَّوْقُ قَبْلُ المَحَبِّةِ
My two friends, have you ever seen or heard of
O my two friends, did you ever see or hear
A lover whom longing wasted away before love?
A lover whom longing consumed before love?
ضَحِيَّةَin the forenoon لاَحَتْappeared مَيMay وَاهتزَّand swayed عطْفُهَاher flank
ضَحِيَّةَ لاَحَتْ مَي وَاهتزَّ عطْفُهَا
كَشَمْسِlike the sun of ضُحىًforenoon بَانَتْappeared علىupon غصنِa branch of أيْكةِa thicket
كَشَمْسِ ضُحىً بَانَتْ على غصنِ أيْكةِ
One morning May appeared, her flank swaying,
A doe appeared, bending as her curves shook
Like a forenoon sun revealed upon a thicket's branch.
Like the rising sun appearing on the branch of a weeping willow
مَلِيكَةُa queen of حسنٍbeauty لَذَّbecame sweet فِيin شِرْعَةِthe law of الهَوَىlove
مَلِيكَةُ حسنٍ لَذَّ فِي شِرْعَةِ الهَوَى
خُضُوعِيmy submission لَدَيْهَاbefore her وَانْكِسَارِيand my brokenness وَذِلَّتِيand my abasement
خُضُوعِي لَدَيْهَا وَانْكِسَارِي وَذِلَّتِي
A queen of beauty: under love's law, sweet are
A queen of beauty who reveled in the realm of passion
My submission before her, my brokenness, and my abasement,
My surrender before her, and my breaking, and my humiliation
وسُقْمِيand my sickness وَتسهيدِيand my sleeplessness وَشَوْقِيand my longing وَأدْمُعِيand my tears
وسُقْمِي وَتسهيدِي وَشَوْقِي وَأدْمُعِي
ووجدِيand my passion وَتَعْذِيبيand my torment وَنوحِيand my lament وأَنَّتِيand my groan
ووجدِي وَتَعْذِيبي وَنوحِي وأَنَّتِي
My sickness, my sleeplessness, my longing, and my tears,
And my sickness, my sleeplessness, my longing, my tears
My passion, my torment, my lament, and my groan.
My ecstasy, my torment, my lament, my misery
أقَامتshe dwelt بواديin the valley of المُنْحَنَيal-Munhana (the bend) وهوand it is أضلعِيmy ribs
أقَامت بوادي المُنْحَنَي وهو أضلعِي
وَسَارتand she traveled بِأكْنَافِthrough the reaches of الغَضَاal-Ghada (ghada trees) وهوand it is مهجتِيmy heart
وَسَارت بِأكْنَافِ الغَضَا وهو مهجتِي
She dwelt in the valley of al-Munhana—my ribs—
She dwelled in the valley of my ribs, which is my abode
And traveled through the reaches of al-Ghada—my heart.
She walked in the meadows of my heart, which is my soul
وَقَفْتُI stood أعَاطِيهَاexchanging with her كُؤُوسَcups of عِتَابِهَاher reproach
وَقَفْتُ أعَاطِيهَا كُؤُوسَ عِتَابِهَا
غَدَاةَthe morning نَأتْshe withdrew عَنْfrom خِلَّتِيmy friendship وَتَخَلَّتِand she withdrew
غَدَاةَ نَأتْ عَنْ خِلَّتِي وَتَخَلَّتِ
I stood exchanging with her the cups of her reproach,
I gave her cups of my reproach
The morning she withdrew from my friendship and forsook it.
One morning after she shunned my companionship and abandoned me
وأعطفُand I bend جيدَthe neck of القربcloseness منهاto her وطالماand how often
وأعطفُ جيدَ القرب منها وطالما
دَعَتْهَاcalled her لِوَصْلِيto union with me لَمَّةٌan impulse وَألَمَّتِand she came
دَعَتْهَا لِوَصْلِي لَمَّةٌ وَألَمَّتِ
And bending the neck of closeness to her; how often
Though I brought close the cheek of intimacy to her, and long
An impulse called her to union with me, and she came.
A glance of hers summoned it to my union
فَمَاso nothing كَانَwas إلاَّexcept أنthat مَحَتْshe erased رَسْمِيَmy outline الَّذِيwhich
فَمَا كَانَ إلاَّ أن مَحَتْ رَسْمِيَ الَّذِي
مِنَfrom السقمsickness لَوْلاَbut for الوجدُpassion لمnot يَتَثَبَّتِwould have endured
مِنَ السقم لَوْلاَ الوجدُ لم يَتَثَبَّتِ
So all she did was efface the trace of me which,
Yet no sooner had she erased my likeness
From sickness, would not have endured but for passion.
Which, were it not for passion, would not have endured
فَلمso not يَسْتَطِعْcould قلبيmy heart امْتِنَاعاًresistance عَنِto الهَوَىlove
فَلم يَسْتَطِعْ قلبي امْتِنَاعاً عَنِ الهَوَى
وَلمand not تستطعْcould رُوحِيmy soul سَبِيلاًa path لسلوةto forgetting
وَلم تستطعْ رُوحِي سَبِيلاً لسلوة
My heart could not resist love,
My heart could not refuse passion
Nor could my soul find a path to forgetting.
Nor could my soul find a way to peace
سَأصبرI shall endure حَتَّىuntil تنقضيends مدّةthe period of الجفاestrangement
سَأصبر حَتَّى تنقضي مدّة الجفا
وَمَاand not الصبرُpatience إلاّexcept مِنْamong خِلاَلِيmy traits وَحِلْيَتِيand my adornment
وَمَا الصبرُ إلاّ مِنْ خِلاَلِي وَحِلْيَتِي
I shall endure until the time of estrangement ends;
I shall be patient until the days of estrangement pass
Patience is among my traits and my adornment.
For patience comes only from my nature and my forbearance
فَمَاso not كُلevery مَنْone who نَادَىcalled أجِيبَwas answered نِدَاؤُهُhis call
فَمَا كُل مَنْ نَادَى أجِيبَ نِدَاؤُهُ
ولاand not كلevery منone who نُودِيwas called أجَابَanswered بِسُرْعَةِquickly
ولا كل من نُودِي أجَابَ بِسُرْعَةِ
Not everyone who calls has his call answered,
Not everyone who calls out has his call answered
Nor does everyone called respond quickly.
Nor does everyone who is called respond promptly
أيَاO رَاكِباًrider تطوِيfold up عَزَائِمُهُhis resolves الفَلاَthe wilderness
أيَا رَاكِباً تطوِي عَزَائِمُهُ الفَلاَ
بِنُجْبِon noble camels of اشْتِيَاقٍlonging لَمْnot تُقَدْwere led بِأزِمةِby reins
بِنُجْبِ اشْتِيَاقٍ لَمْ تُقَدْ بِأزِمةِ
O rider whose resolves fold up the wilderness
O rider whose determination the mind's steeds outpace
On noble camels of longing, never led by reins:
With the zeal of yearning not curbed by reason's reins
رُوَيْداًgently بِطرفٍwith an eye نَاظِرٍbeholding كُلَّevery مُهْجَةٍsoul
رُوَيْداً بِطرفٍ نَاظِرٍ كُلَّ مُهْجَةٍ
وَرِفْقاًand gently بِقَلْبِwith a heart قَابِلٍreceiving كُلَّevery صُورَةِform
وَرِفْقاً بِقَلْبِ قَابِلٍ كُلَّ صُورَةِ
Be gentle with an eye that beholds every soul,
Go gently with a glancing eye that takes in every affection
And tender with a heart that receives every form.
And gently with a heart that welcomes every image
فَطَوْراًso at times أُرَىI am seen فِيin كُلّevery سَرْحٍpasture وَمَرْبَعٍand spring encampment
فَطَوْراً أُرَى فِي كُلّ سَرْحٍ وَمَرْبَعٍ
وَطوراًand at times أُرَىI am seen فِيin كُلّevery دوحgreat tree وروضةِand garden
وَطوراً أُرَى فِي كُلّ دوح وروضةِ
At times I am seen in every pasture and spring encampment,
Sometimes I see her in every meadow and open plain
And at times I am seen in every great tree and garden,
And sometimes I see her in every copse and garden
وطوراًand at times أُرَىI am seen فِيin كُلّevery درسlesson ومعبدand sanctuary
وطوراً أُرَى فِي كُلّ درس ومعبد
وطوراًand at times أُرَىI am seen فِيin كُلّevery ديرmonastery وبيعةِand church
وطوراً أُرَى فِي كُلّ دير وبيعةِ
And at times I am seen in every lesson and sanctuary,
Sometimes I see her in every monastery and temple
And at times I am seen in every monastery and church.
And sometimes I see her in every convent and church
أديِنُI adhere بدينto the religion of الحبّlove فِيin كُلّevery موضعٍplace
أديِنُ بدين الحبّ فِي كُلّ موضعٍ
وَأصْبُوand I yearn لِذَاتِfor the essence of الحسنbeauty فِيin كُلّevery وِجْهةِdirection
وَأصْبُو لِذَاتِ الحسن فِي كُلّ وِجْهةِ
I profess the religion of love in every place,
I profess the faith of love in every place
And yearn for beauty's essence in every direction.
And strive for the essence of beauty wherever I turn
وَأغْشَىand I enter حِمَىthe sanctuary of لَيْلاَيَmy Layla لاَnot مُتَهَيباًfearing
وَأغْشَى حِمَى لَيْلاَيَ لاَ مُتَهَيباً
كَوَاسِرَravening آسَادٍlions عَلَىat حِينِa moment of غَفْلَةِheedlessness
كَوَاسِرَ آسَادٍ عَلَى حِينِ غَفْلَةِ
I enter my Layla's sanctuary, unafraid of
I attack the encampments of her tribe fearlessly at night
Ravening lions, at a moment of heedlessness.
Like lions raiding inattentive settlements
وَألثُمُand I kiss مَاwhat بَيْنَbetween اللثَامِthe veil وثغرهَاand her mouth
وَألثُمُ مَا بَيْنَ اللثَامِ وثغرهَا
وَثَمَّand there كُؤُوسٌcups رَاحُهَاtheir wine فِيهِin it رَاحَتيmy repose
وَثَمَّ كُؤُوسٌ رَاحُهَا فِيهِ رَاحَتي
And I kiss what lies between her veil and her mouth;
And I kiss all between her veil and her mouth
There are cups there: in their wine is my repose.
And drink cups whose taste carries my delight
أسَرْحَتَنَاO our sarh-tree هَلْhas ...? جَادكِfavored you الغْيثُthe rain برهةfor a time
أسَرْحَتَنَا هَلْ جَادكِ الغْيثُ برهة
فَأحيَاand revived رسُوماًtraces قَبْلَbefore ذَاكَthat اضْمحَلَّتِhad vanished
فَأحيَا رسُوماً قَبْلَ ذَاكَ اضْمحَلَّتِ
O our sarh-tree, did rain favor you for a while
Did the rain grace you with a shower, enlivening
And revive traces that had vanished before?
Forms that before had withered?
وَهَلْand have ...? خَطَرَتْswayed أعْطَافُthe flanks of أغْصَانكyour branches الَّتِيwhich
وَهَلْ خَطَرَتْ أعْطَافُ أغْصَانك الَّتِي
بِأفنَانهَاon their boughs وُرْقُthe gray ones of الحَمَائِمِthe doves غَنَّتِsang
بِأفنَانهَا وُرْقُ الحَمَائِمِ غَنَّتِ
And did the flanks of your branches sway, those
Did the boughs of your branches sway
Upon whose boughs the gray doves sang?
Whose leaves, with their melodies, sing like doves?
وَهَلْand have ...? سَحَبَتْtrailed أيْدِيthe hands of النَّسِيمthe breeze ذُيولَهاtheir skirts
وَهَلْ سَحَبَتْ أيْدِي النَّسِيم ذُيولَها
عَلَىover روضكِyour garden الذَّاكِيrich in الشَّذَاfragrance حينwhen هَبَّتِit blew
عَلَى روضكِ الذَّاكِي الشَّذَا حين هَبَّتِ
And did the breeze's hands trail their skirts
Did the hands of the breeze trail their hems
Across your richly fragrant garden when it blew?
Over your verdant meadow when it blew?
وهَلْand have ...? رَاسَلَتْكِsent you messages السُّحْبُthe clouds بِالدرّin pearls عِنْدَمَاwhen
وهَلْ رَاسَلَتْكِ السُّحْبُ بِالدرّ عِنْدَمَا
رَأتْthey saw أنْعُمَthe favors of المَوْلَىthe lord أبِيAbu (father of) عَمْرَوAmr هلَّتِshower forth
رَأتْ أنْعُمَ المَوْلَى أبِي عَمْرَو هلَّتِ
And did the clouds send you letters in pearls when
And did the clouds send you pearls when
They saw the favors of the lord Abu Amr shower forth?
They saw the blessings of my Master Abu 'Amr come down?
مليكٌa king حَمَىprotected بيتَthe house of الخِلاَفَةthe caliphate عزمُهhis resolve
مليكٌ حَمَى بيتَ الخِلاَفَة عزمُه
بأجْهَدَwith greater vigor منthan عزمthe resolve of الأسُودthe lions المُبيدَةِthe devastating ones
بأجْهَدَ من عزم الأسُود المُبيدَةِ
A king whose resolve protected the house of the caliphate
A king who protects the House of Caliphate with his resolve
More forcefully than the resolve of devastating lions.
More firmly than the resolve of ferocious lions
أدِلَّتُهُhis proofs فِيin الخَطْبِthe crisis أنif كَانَit was مُشْكلٌperplexing
أدِلَّتُهُ فِي الخَطْبِ أن كَانَ مُشْكلٌ
بَديهَاتٌself-evident truths جَدّindeed كَالنُّجُومlike the stars المُنِيَرَةِthe shining ones
بَديهَاتٌ جَدّ كَالنُّجُوم المُنِيَرَةِ
His proofs in a crisis, if it be perplexing,
His guidance in matters of wisdom, if complex
Are self-evident truths indeed, like shining stars.
Are self-evident, shining bright like stars
إمَامٌan imam براهfashioned him اللهGod أوْلَىthe worthiest of عبَادِهِHis servants
إمَامٌ براه الله أوْلَى عبَادِهِ
بحقٍrightfully وَأهْدَاهُمْand the best guided of them لأوْضَحِto the clearest حُجَّةِproof
بحقٍ وَأهْدَاهُمْ لأوْضَحِ حُجَّةِ
An imam whom God fashioned as the worthiest of His servants,
A leader whom God guided to best serve His servants
Rightfully, and the best guided to the clearest proof.
With the clearest proof and soundest argument
إذَاwhen بَادَرَتْanticipated آرَاؤُهُhis counsels العزمَresolve لَمْdid not يَقِفْhalt
إذَا بَادَرَتْ آرَاؤُهُ العزمَ لَمْ يَقِفْ
وَإنْand if جَازَpassed عَنْهُhim by الأمْرُthe matter لَمْdid not يَتَلَفَّتِlook back
وَإنْ جَازَ عَنْهُ الأمْرُ لَمْ يَتَلَفَّتِ
When his counsels anticipate resolve, he does not halt;
When his opinions make up their mind they do not waver
And if a matter has passed him by, he does not look back.
And when a matter passes from him he does not turn back
عَلِيمٌknowledgeable بِفَتْحِabout opening الأمْرthe matter عِنْدَwhen انْغِلاَقِهِit closes
عَلِيمٌ بِفَتْحِ الأمْر عِنْدَ انْغِلاَقِهِ
زَعيمٌa guarantor بِرَتْقِof mending الفَتْقِthe breach حَالَat the time of المَكِيدَةِintrigue
زَعيمٌ بِرَتْقِ الفَتْقِ حَالَ المَكِيدَةِ
Knowing how to open a matter when it closes,
Knowledgeable in unlocking matters when they are deadlocked
He guarantees the mending of breaches in times of intrigue.
A leader in mending schisms in times of discord
تُؤَمَّلُis hoped for نُعْمَاهُhis bounty وَيُخْشَىand is feared انْتِقَامُهُhis vengeance
تُؤَمَّلُ نُعْمَاهُ وَيُخْشَى انْتِقَامُهُ
لِطَالِبِby a seeker of سِلْمٍpeace أوْor لِطَالِبِby a seeker of فِتْنَةِdiscord
لِطَالِبِ سِلْمٍ أوْ لِطَالِبِ فِتْنَةِ
His bounty is hoped for, and his vengeance feared,
His favors are hoped for and his vengeance feared
By the seeker of peace or the seeker of discord.
By one seeking peace or one seeking strife
أمِينُthe trusted one of بَنِيthe sons of الفَارُوقِal-Faruq فيin حِفْظِkeeping سرّهمْtheir secret
أمِينُ بَنِي الفَارُوقِ في حِفْظِ سرّهمْ
وَعُدَّةُand the resource of نجوَاهمtheir private counsel لَدَىin كُلّevery شِدَّةِhardship
وَعُدَّةُ نجوَاهم لَدَى كُلّ شِدَّةِ
Trusted by the sons of al-Faruq to keep their secret,
Trustworthy to the clan of Faruq in keeping their secret
And the resource of their private counsel in every hardship.
And their confidante in every hardship
لَهُhis is الأثَرُthe influence المحمودthe praiseworthy فِيin كُلّevery سَاعَةhour
لَهُ الأثَرُ المحمود فِي كُلّ سَاعَة
وَفَصْلُand the decisiveness of الخطَابِspeech الثَّيْبِpreviously married (unclear here) فِيin كلevery دَعَوةِappeal
وَفَصْلُ الخطَابِ الثَّيْبِ فِي كل دَعَوةِ
His is a praiseworthy influence at every hour,
His excellent influence is felt in every hour
And decisive speech [qualifier unclear] in every appeal.
And his wise word is decisive in every call
يصولُhe charges وَيَحْمِيand defends شرعةًa law نَبَوِيَّةًprophetic
يصولُ وَيَحْمِي شرعةً نَبَوِيَّةً
بِسُمْرٍwith brown spears رِشَاقٍslender أوْor بِبِيضٍwith white swords جَلِيَّةِgleaming
بِسُمْرٍ رِشَاقٍ أوْ بِبِيضٍ جَلِيَّةِ
He charges and defends the prophetic law
He protects a prophetic way of life
With slender brown spears or gleaming white swords.
With a sharp sword or with shining blades
إذَاwhen بَرَقَتْflash فِيin النَّقْعِthe dust أسْيَافُهُhis swords تَرَىyou see
إذَا بَرَقَتْ فِي النَّقْعِ أسْيَافُهُ تَرَى
صَوَاعِقَthunderbolts of بَرْقٍlightning أمْطَرَتْrained بالدَّنِيِّةِwith humiliation
صَوَاعِقَ بَرْقٍ أمْطَرَتْ بالدَّنِيِّةِ
When his swords flash amid the dust, you see
When his swords flash in the battle
Thunderbolts of lightning raining down humiliation.
You see lightning bolts raining down death
وَإنْand if هَزَّshakes يَوْمَthe day of الحربwar عَاملُthe forepart of رمحهhis spear
وَإنْ هَزَّ يَوْمَ الحرب عَاملُ رمحه
أرَاكَit shows you قضيباًa branch مُثْمِراًfruit-bearing بِالمَنِيَّةِwith death
أرَاكَ قضيباً مُثْمِراً بِالمَنِيَّةِ
And if his spear's forepart shakes on the day of war,
And if on the day of war he brandishes his lance
It shows you a branch bearing death as fruit.
You see it bearing abundant mortality
تَرَدَّىhe donned لبَاسَthe garb of الجودgenerosity والبَأسَand valor فيamong الوَرَىmankind
تَرَدَّى لبَاسَ الجود والبَأسَ في الوَرَى
فَأضْحَىso he became حسَاماًa sword ذَاpossessing بريقbrilliance وَحِدَّةِand sharpness
فَأضْحَى حسَاماً ذَا بريق وَحِدَّةِ
He donned the garb of generosity and valor among mankind,
He discards the garb of generosity and valour among mankind
And became a sword of brilliance and sharpness.
Thus becoming a sword of glittering blade
فَيَاso O أيُّهَاyou البَاغِيthe seeker of المَفَرّescape أمَامَهُbefore him
فَيَا أيُّهَا البَاغِي المَفَرّ أمَامَهُ
هُوَhe المَوْتُdeath لاَnot يُنْفَكone breaks free مِنْهُfrom him بحيلةِby a stratagem
هُوَ المَوْتُ لاَ يُنْفَك مِنْهُ بحيلةِ
So, O you who seek escape before him,
So O transgressor reckless before him
He is death: no stratagem can free you from him.
Death, from which there is no escape, awaits you
لَهُhis is دَوْلَةٌa dominion أرْبَتْgrew greater عَلَىthan كُلّevery دَوْلَةdominion
لَهُ دَوْلَةٌ أرْبَتْ عَلَى كُلّ دَوْلَة
بِتَأيِيدِthrough the support of آرَاءٍcounsels وَتَأيِيدِand the support of نُصْرَةvictory
بِتَأيِيدِ آرَاءٍ وَتَأيِيدِ نُصْرَة
He has a dominion surpassing every dominion,
He possesses a state that towers over all states
Through the support of counsels and the support of victory.
With support for both policies and military aid
أيَادِيthe favors of رِضَاهُhis good pleasure لِلْوُفُودِfor the delegations صَحَابَةٌCompanions
أيَادِي رِضَاهُ لِلْوُفُودِ صَحَابَةٌ
وَأنْعَامُهُand his gifts كَالتَّابِعِينَlike the Followers بِحسْنَةِin goodness
وَأنْعَامُهُ كَالتَّابِعِينَ بِحسْنَةِ
The favors of his good pleasure are Companions to the delegations,
His hands of approval are nobles for every delegation
And his gifts are like the Followers in good works.
And his gifts like those of loyal followers
يَحِنhe yearns إلَىfor المَعْرُوفِgoodness حَتَّىuntil يُنِيلهhe bestows it
يَحِن إلَى المَعْرُوفِ حَتَّى يُنِيله
كَمَاas حَنَّyearned مُشْتَاقٌone who longs لِوَصْلِfor union with الأحِبَّةِthe loved ones
كَمَا حَنَّ مُشْتَاقٌ لِوَصْلِ الأحِبَّةِ
He yearns to do good until he bestows it,
He inclines to virtue until he attains it
As a longing lover yearns for union with loved ones.
As a lover yearns for union with the beloved
تَرَىyou see وَلَعthe eagerness of السُّؤَّالِthe petitioners يَكْسُوclothing جَبِينهُhis brow
تَرَى وَلَع السُّؤَّالِ يَكْسُو جَبِينهُ
إذَاwhen عبرexpresses المسؤولthe one petitioned بشرthe gladness of المسرةdelight
إذَا عبر المسؤول بشر المسرة
You see the petitioners' eagerness mantle his brow,
You see the passion for asking veil his brow
When the one petitioned expresses joyful delight.
When the questioner brings glad tidings to the asked
دَعَانِيsummoned me عَلَىdespite بُعْدِthe distance of الدْيَارِthe dwellings نَوَالُهُhis bounty
دَعَانِي عَلَى بُعْدِ الدْيَارِ نَوَالُهُ
فَحَقَّقَso fulfilled آمَالِيmy hopes وَأوْهَىand weakened my complaint شَكِيَّتِيmy complaint
فَحَقَّقَ آمَالِي وَأوْهَى شَكِيَّتِي
His bounty summoned me despite the distance of my home,
From afar, his favors fulfilled my hopes
Fulfilled my hopes, and weakened my complaint.
And made my misery collapse
وَأقْسِمُand I swear لَوْلاَهُwere it not for him عَلَىtoward الشِّعْرِpoetry مُقْبِلاًinclined
وَأقْسِمُ لَوْلاَهُ عَلَى الشِّعْرِ مُقْبِلاً
وَقَفْنَاwe would have stopped عَلَىat بَيْتٍa line مِنَof الشعرِpoetry مُصْمَتِmute
وَقَفْنَا عَلَى بَيْتٍ مِنَ الشعرِ مُصْمَتِ
And I swear, were he not receptive to poetry,
I swear were it not for him I would not turn to poetry
We would have stopped at a mute line of verse.
And we would stop at a verse of lifeless rhyme
يُسَابِقُhe races ahead بِالنُّعْمَىwith bounty وَيَعْفُوand pardons عَنfor الخطاerror
يُسَابِقُ بِالنُّعْمَى وَيَعْفُو عَن الخطا
إذَاwhen اليَدُthe hand غَاضَتْruns dry أوْor إذَاwhen الرجلthe foot زَلَّتِslips
إذَا اليَدُ غَاضَتْ أوْ إذَا الرجل زَلَّتِ
He races to bestow bounty and forgives error
He vies in bestowal and pardons error
When a hand runs dry or a foot slips.
Whether the hand falters or the foot slips
تَعَاظَمَhe grew great حَتَّىuntil لَمْnot يُكَلَّمْwas addressed مَهَابَةًout of awe
تَعَاظَمَ حَتَّى لَمْ يُكَلَّمْ مَهَابَةً
تَوَاضَعَhe humbled himself فَاسْتَعْلَىand so rose عَلَىabove كُلّevery رتبةrank
تَوَاضَعَ فَاسْتَعْلَى عَلَى كُلّ رتبة
He grew so great that none addressed him, out of awe;
He is too sublime to be addressed reverently
He humbled himself and rose above every rank.
And too humble to ascend over any rank
مليكٌa king إلَىto علياهhis eminence تَسْرِيjourney by night مَدَائِحٌpraises
مليكٌ إلَى علياه تَسْرِي مَدَائِحٌ
مُوَاصِلَةٌcontinuing لَيْسَتْnot بذَاتpossessing قطيعةa break
مُوَاصِلَةٌ لَيْسَتْ بذَات قطيعة
A king to whose heights praises journey by night,
A king whose praise flows continually to the Most High
Continuing without any break.
Never severed or interrupted
تَعَشَّقْنَthey fell in love with ضَوْءَthe light of الخَدthe cheek مِنْهُof him وَإِنَّمَاand in truth
تَعَشَّقْنَ ضَوْءَ الخَد مِنْهُ وَإِنَّمَا
تَعَشَّقْنَthey fell in love with ضَوْءَthe light of الشَّمْسِthe sun لَمَّاwhen تَجَلَّتِit shone forth
تَعَشَّقْنَ ضَوْءَ الشَّمْسِ لَمَّا تَجَلَّتِ
They fell in love with the light of his cheek; yet truly
They fell for the glow of his cheek, though truly
They fell in love with the light of the sun when it shone forth.
They fell for the sun's glow when it appeared
وَقَالَتْand they said وَقَدْand already خَالَتْthey imagined هلاَلاًa crescent جَبِينَهُhis brow
وَقَالَتْ وَقَدْ خَالَتْ هلاَلاً جَبِينَهُ
حَمَىmay protect اللَّهُGod مِنْfrom عَيْنِthe eye of الردىdestruction بدْرَthe full moon of طَلْعَةِa countenance
حَمَى اللَّهُ مِنْ عَيْنِ الردى بدْرَ طَلْعَةِ
And they said, having taken his brow for a crescent:
And when his crescent brow shone, it said
May God guard the full moon of his countenance from destruction's eye.
May God protect the full moon of radiant rising from the eye of harm
أيَاO مَالِكاًsovereign أحيَاrevived مَكَارِمَthe virtues of مَنْthose who مَضَىpassed away
أيَا مَالِكاً أحيَا مَكَارِمَ مَنْ مَضَى
بحسنِthrough the excellence of السَّجَايَاcharacter أوْor بِيُمْنِthrough the good fortune of النَّقِيبَةِdisposition
بحسنِ السَّجَايَا أوْ بِيُمْنِ النَّقِيبَةِ
O sovereign who revived the virtues of those gone before,
O sovereign reviver of the virtues of predecessors
Through fine character or an auspicious nature:
With excellent conduct or auspicious leadership
لَكَyours is الفَضْلُthe grace والنُّعْمَىand the bounty عَلَيّupon me وَلَيْسَand not لِيmine is
لَكَ الفَضْلُ والنُّعْمَى عَلَيّ وَلَيْسَ لِي
وَحَقِّكَby your honor إلاَّexcept ودُّthe love of نطقيmy speech ومُهْجَتِيand my heart
وَحَقِّكَ إلاَّ ودُّ نطقي ومُهْجَتِي
Yours are the grace and bounty bestowed on me; I have nothing,
Yours are the bounty and favor upon me, I have only
By your honor, but the love of my words and heart.
My words of sincerity and my heart to offer you
فَخُذْهَاso accept it بِتَفْوِيفِwith the striping of الثناpraise كُلّevery حلّةٍrobe
فَخُذْهَا بِتَفْوِيفِ الثنا كُلّ حلّةٍ
لَهَاit has فِيin مَقَامَاتِthe stations of الوَلاَallegiance كلّevery رِفْعَةِelevation
لَهَا فِي مَقَامَاتِ الوَلاَ كلّ رِفْعَةِ
So accept it: each robe, striped with praise,
So accept them, elevating each robe
Has every distinction in the stations of allegiance.
For in the stations of glory each has loftiness
وَإنِّيand I وَإنْand though بَاكَرْتُcame early بِالمَدْحِwith praise مُنْشِداًreciting
وَإنِّي وَإنْ بَاكَرْتُ بِالمَدْحِ مُنْشِداً
لَدَاعٍsurely one praying لِعَلْيَاكُمْfor your eminence بِجُنْحِunder the wing of الدّجِنَّةِdarkness
لَدَاعٍ لِعَلْيَاكُمْ بِجُنْحِ الدّجِنَّةِ
And I, though I chant praise in the early morning,
Though I was early in singing praise as a suitor
Surely pray for your eminence under the wing of darkness.
Calling for your exaltation with the wing of the nightingale
جَوَاهِرjewels of لَفْظٍdiction قَدْhave حَلَتْgrown sweet وَتَكَررَتand been repeated
جَوَاهِر لَفْظٍ قَدْ حَلَتْ وَتَكَررَت
إلَيْكُمْto you بِهَاthrough them لاَnot لِلأَنامِto mankind وسيلتِيmy means of approach
إلَيْكُمْ بِهَا لاَ لِلأَنامِ وسيلتِي
Jewels of diction, grown sweet and repeated:
Jewels of words have descended and recurred to you
Through them my appeal is to you, not to mankind.
Through them my way to the people, not my goal
فَجُدْso be generous بِالرّضَاwith favor لابْنِto Ibn (son of) الخلوفal-Khuluf فَإنَّمَاfor only
فَجُدْ بِالرّضَا لابْنِ الخلوف فَإنَّمَا
أيَادِيthe hands of رَجاَهُhis hope نَحْوَtoward جُودِكَyour bounty مُدَّتِare extended
أيَادِي رَجاَهُ نَحْوَ جُودِكَ مُدَّتِ
Be generous in your favor to Ibn al-Khuluf, for
So be generous with your acceptance to the son of Khaluf
The hands of his hope are extended toward your bounty.
For my hands of hope are outstretched toward your generosity
وَلاَand do not تَنْسَنِيforget me مِنْfrom جُودِكَyour generosity الطَّمّthe overflowing بعدمَاafter
وَلاَ تَنْسَنِي مِنْ جُودِكَ الطَّمّ بعدمَا
أمَرْتَyou ordered بِأنْعَامٍgifts لِعَبْدِكَfor your servant بَلَّتِrefreshed
أمَرْتَ بِأنْعَامٍ لِعَبْدِكَ بَلَّتِ
And do not forget me in your overflowing generosity, after
And do not forget me from your abundant generosity after
You ordered gifts that refreshed your servant.
You ordered gifts for your servant to be dispatched
فَأنْتَfor you are ملاَذيmy refuge وَاعْتِمَادِيand my reliance وَغَايَتِيand my goal
فَأنْتَ ملاَذي وَاعْتِمَادِي وَغَايَتِي
وَعِزّيand my honor وَسُلْطَانِيand my authority وَأمنِيand my safety وَمُثْيَتِيand my [unclear]
وَعِزّي وَسُلْطَانِي وَأمنِي وَمُثْيَتِي
For you are my refuge, my reliance, and my goal,
For you are my asylum, my reliance and my aspiration
And my honor, my authority, my safety, and my [unclear attribute],
My honour, my authority, my security and my shelter
وغوثيand my help وَفَخْرِيand my pride وَافْتِخَارِيand my glory وَعدتِيand my provision
وغوثي وَفَخْرِي وَافْتِخَارِي وَعدتِي
وكهفِيand my shelter وَمَطْلُوبِيand my quest وكنْزِيand my treasure وعمدَتِيand my mainstay
وكهفِي وَمَطْلُوبِي وكنْزِي وعمدَتِي
And my help, my pride, my glory, and my provision,
My succour, my pride, my boast and my support
And my shelter, my quest, my treasure, and my mainstay.
My cave, my pursuit, my treasure and my pillar
وَلاَand may you not زِلْتَcease فيin عزٍhonor وجاهand prestige وَرِفعةand elevation
وَلاَ زِلْتَ في عزٍ وجاه وَرِفعة
وَنَصْرٍand victory وَمُلْكٍand kingship واَفْتِخَاٍرand pride وَقُدْرَةِand power
وَنَصْرٍ وَمُلْكٍ واَفْتِخَاٍر وَقُدْرَةِ
May you ever remain in honor, prestige, and exaltation,
May you remain in glory, prestige, rank
And victory, kingship, pride, and power,
And victory, kingdom, pride, and power
ويسرand ease وَخَيْرand goodness وَارْتِقَاءand advancement وَعزَّةٍand might
ويسر وَخَيْر وَارْتِقَاء وَعزَّةٍ
وأمْنٍand safety وَيُمْنٍand good fortune واقْتِرَاحand free choice وبَهجةand delight
وأمْنٍ وَيُمْنٍ واقْتِرَاح وبَهجة
And ease, goodness, advancement, and might,
And ease, goodness, ascent, and honour
And safety, good fortune, free choice, and delight.
And safety, prosperity, initiative, and joy
وَدُمْand endure مَاas long as رَنَتْgazed روضٌgardens باحدَاقwith the eyes of نرجسnarcissus
وَدُمْ مَا رَنَتْ روضٌ باحدَاق نرجس
وَمَهْمَاand as long as شدتsang وُرْقٌgray doves بِأعْوَادon the boughs of دوحةa great tree
وَمَهْمَا شدت وُرْقٌ بِأعْوَاد دوحة
And endure as long as gardens gaze with narcissus eyes,
And last as long as any garden sings with narcissus blooms
And as long as gray doves sing upon a great tree's boughs.
And as long as leaves thicken on grape vine
Sol 6.1