تَبَسَّمَsmiled النُّورُthe light عَنْrevealing مَعْسُولِthe honeyed mouth of لَمْيَاءِa dark-lipped beauty
تَبَسَّمَ النُّورُ عَنْ مَعْسُولِ لَمْيَاءِ
لَمَّاwhen رَأىit saw الروضَthe garden يَجْلُووَجهَunveiling the face of حسنَاءِa beautiful woman
لَمَّا رَأى الروضَ يَجْلُووَجهَ حسنَاءِ
Light smiled, revealing a dark-lipped beauty's honeyed mouth,
The light beamed from the smiling visage
when it saw the garden unveiling a beautiful woman's face.
When it saw the garden reveal its beauty in a fair face
وَغَردَand warbled الطَّيْرُthe birds فَوْقَabove العودِthe branch منfrom طربٍrapture
وَغَردَ الطَّيْرُ فَوْقَ العودِ من طربٍ
إذْas مَالَتِswayed القُضْبُthe boughs تَحكِيimitating رَقْصَthe dance of هيفاءِa slender beauty
إذْ مَالَتِ القُضْبُ تَحكِي رَقْصَ هيفاءِ
And birds warbled upon the branch in rapture,
And the birds sang atop the branch in delight
as the boughs swayed, mimicking a slender beauty's dance.
As the bough swayed narrating the dance of the fawn
وَكَلَّلَand crowned الطَّلthe dew أفْوَاهَthe mouths of الأقَاحِthe daisies فَقُلْso say
وَكَلَّلَ الطَّل أفْوَاهَ الأقَاحِ فَقُلْ
يَاoh حَبَّذَاhow lovely شَنَبٌgleaming teeth فِيin ثغرِthe mouth of لَمْيَاءِa dark-lipped beauty
يَا حَبَّذَا شَنَبٌ فِي ثغرِ لَمْيَاءِ
And dew crowned the mouths of daisies—say:
And the dew crowned the mouths of the buds, so say
How lovely the gleaming teeth in a dark-lipped beauty's mouth!
How good a kiss on the lips of a soft beauty!
وَحَركَand stirred الآسُthe myrtle آذَاناًears ليُسْمِعَهَاto let them hear
وَحَركَ الآسُ آذَاناً ليُسْمِعَهَا
لَحْنَthe melody of الفَصِيحَيْنِthe two eloquent singers شُحْرُورٍa blackbird وَوَرْقَاءِand a gray dove
لَحْنَ الفَصِيحَيْنِ شُحْرُورٍ وَوَرْقَاءِ
And the myrtle stirred its ears to let them hear
And the myrtle stirred its ears to let them hear
the melody of those two eloquent singers, blackbird and gray dove.
The song of two songbirds Shahrur and Warqa'
وَأرْضِعَand was suckled البَانُthe moringa tree فِيthrough أجيادthe necks of دَوْحَتِهِits spreading crown
وَأرْضِعَ البَانُ فِي أجياد دَوْحَتِهِ
ضَرْعَthe udder of النَّمِيرَيْنِthe two sweet-water sources أنْهَارrivers وَأنْدَاءِand dews
ضَرْعَ النَّمِيرَيْنِ أنْهَار وَأنْدَاءِ
And the bān-tree was suckled through the necks of its spreading crown
And the acacia suckled on the udders of its branches
at the udder of two sweet-water sources: rivers and dew.
The streams of Anhar and Anda'
وَأظْهَرَand revealed الوَرْدُthe rose خَدَّاa cheek طَالَمَاlong had كَتَبَتْwritten
وَأظْهَرَ الوَرْدُ خَدَّا طَالَمَا كَتَبَتْ
أيْدِيthe hands of الكَمَامِthe bud-sheaths عَلَيْهَاupon it بَابَthe chapter of إخْفَاءِconcealment
أيْدِي الكَمَامِ عَلَيْهَا بَابَ إخْفَاءِ
And the rose revealed a cheek on which, for so long,
And the rose revealed a cheek long hidden
the hands of bud-sheaths had inscribed the chapter of concealment.
By the hands of coyness behind a veil
كَأنَّهُas though it were كَأسُa cup of يَاقُوتٍruby عَلَىupon فَنَنa branch
كَأنَّهُ كَأسُ يَاقُوتٍ عَلَى فَنَن
مِنَof الزُّمُرُّدِemerald يَجْلُوdisplaying تِبْرَthe gold of صَهْبَاءِtawny wine
مِنَ الزُّمُرُّدِ يَجْلُو تِبْرَ صَهْبَاءِ
As though it were a ruby cup upon a branch
Like a chalice of ruby on patterns
of emerald, displaying the gold of tawny wine.
Of emerald flowing with pure wine
ونُبِّهَتْand were awakened أعْيُنُthe eyes of النَّسِيرِينِthe wild roses منfrom سِنةdrowsiness
ونُبِّهَتْ أعْيُنُ النَّسِيرِينِ من سِنة
إذْwhen نَاحَتِlamented الْوُرقُthe gray doves فِيamid أفنَانbranches of إلْغَاءِchatter
إذْ نَاحَتِ الْوُرقُ فِي أفنَان إلْغَاءِ
And the eyes of wild roses were roused from drowsiness
And the eyes of the sleepy were awakened from slumber
when gray doves lamented amid boughs of chatter.
As the leaves rustled in the gusts of the zephyr
كَأصْحُنٍlike dishes منof لُجيْنٍsilver أشْحنَتْladen with ذَهَباًgold
كَأصْحُنٍ من لُجيْنٍ أشْحنَتْ ذَهَباً
لِتَصْطَفِينَاto favor us بِبَيِضاءٍwith white وَصَفرَاءِand yellow
لِتَصْطَفِينَا بِبَيِضاءٍ وَصَفرَاءِ
Like silver dishes laden with gold,
Like dishes of silver laden with gold
to favor us with white and yellow.
To single out white and yellow for us
وَصَورَتْand pictured شَجَرَاتُthe bushes of اليَاسَمِينِjasmine لَنَاfor us
وَصَورَتْ شَجَرَاتُ اليَاسَمِينِ لَنَا
بُرُوجَthe towers of أفْقٍa horizon أقَلَّتْcarrying شُهْبَmeteors of إصْغَاءِlistening
بُرُوجَ أفْقٍ أقَلَّتْ شُهْبَ إصْغَاءِ
And the jasmine bushes pictured for us
And the jasmine trees depicted for us
horizon-towers bearing meteors bent on listening;
Constellations that dotted the horizon with shooting stars
أوْor لُجَّةًa deep sea بِلُجَيْنِwith the silver of المَوْجِthe waves تُرْقَمُembroidered أوْor
أوْ لُجَّةً بِلُجَيْنِ المَوْجِ تُرْقَمُ أوْ
قِبَابَdomes of يَشْمٍjade عَلاَهَاtopped them دُرpearls of حَصْبَاءِgravel
قِبَابَ يَشْمٍ عَلاَهَا دُر حَصْبَاءِ
or a deep sea embroidered with silver waves; or
Or a necklace of silver waves strung
jade domes topped with pearly gravel;
Or domes of Yashmak crowned with chrysolite
أوْor مَرْطَa robe of خَزّsilk بِبِلَّوْرٍwith crystal تَرَصعَstudded أوْor
أوْ مَرْطَ خَزّ بِبِلَّوْرٍ تَرَصعَ أوْ
شُبَّاكَa lattice of دُرّpearls عَلَىover غضرَاءlush foliage خضرَاءِgreen
شُبَّاكَ دُرّ عَلَى غضرَاء خضرَاءِ
or a silken robe studded with crystal; or
Or a border of velvet embroidered with crystal
a lattice of pearls over lush green foliage.
Or latticework of pearls over green
كَأنas though مَاwhat اخْضَرَّturned green مِنْthrough مُبيَضّthe whiteness of ظَاهِرِهَاtheir exterior
كَأن مَا اخْضَرَّ مِنْ مُبيَضّ ظَاهِرِهَا
تَأثِيرُthe mark of عَضa bite بَدَاappeared فِيon خَدّthe cheek of عَذْرَاءِa maiden
تَأثِيرُ عَض بَدَا فِي خَدّ عَذْرَاءِ
As though the green showing through their white exterior
As if the green tips of their ivory stems
were a bite-mark appearing on a maiden's cheek.
Were the mark of a bite that showed on a maiden's cheek
وَحَدَّقَand fixed النَّرْجَسُthe narcissus المبهُوتastonished نَاظرهits gaze
وَحَدَّقَ النَّرْجَسُ المبهُوت نَاظره
لِيَحْرسَto guard الوَرْدَthe rose مِنْfrom ألْحَاظِthe glances of عَيْنَاءِa wide-eyed beauty
لِيَحْرسَ الوَرْدَ مِنْ ألْحَاظِ عَيْنَاءِ
And the astonished narcissus fixed its gaze
And the swooning narcissus guarded its sight
to guard the rose from a wide-eyed beauty's glances.
From the glances of a passionate eye
كَكُوبِlike a cup of دُرّpearl تَغَشَّاهُcovered it النُّضَارُthe gold عَلَىupon
كَكُوبِ دُرّ تَغَشَّاهُ النُّضَارُ عَلَى
قُضْبِstems of الزبرجدchrysolite يُبْدِيdisplaying لحظَthe glance of شَهْلاَءِa gray-eyed beauty
قُضْبِ الزبرجد يُبْدِي لحظَ شَهْلاَءِ
Like a pearl cup overlaid with gold, upon
Like a cup of pearl covered in dew
chrysolite stems, showing a gray-eyed beauty's glance.
On a twig of emerald revealing a languishing glance
وَلِلْقرنْفلِand the carnation has رَاحَاتٌpalms مُخَضبَةٌhenna-dyed
وَلِلْقرنْفلِ رَاحَاتٌ مُخَضبَةٌ
عَلَىupon مَعَاصمَwrists خُضْرٍgreen فتنةِthe enchantment of الرَّائِيthe beholder
عَلَى مَعَاصمَ خُضْرٍ فتنةِ الرَّائِي
And the carnation has henna-dyed palms
And the cloves have rosy cheeks
upon green wrists, enchanting the beholder.
On green wrists, the seduction of onlookers
كَأنْجُمٍlike stars مِنْof عقيقٍcarnelian فِيin ذرَىthe heights of فَلَكٍan orb
كَأنْجُمٍ مِنْ عقيقٍ فِي ذرَى فَلَكٍ
مِنَof الزجَاجِglass أرَتْdisplayed أشْطَانَstrands of لألاءِbrilliance
مِنَ الزجَاجِ أرَتْ أشْطَانَ لألاءِ
Like carnelian stars high in an orb
Like stars of carnelian in the orbit
of glass, displaying strands of brilliance.
Of glass that harbor radiant meteors
وَقَدْand indeed جَرَىran النهرthe river فيin أخْدُودِهِits channel عَجِلاًhurriedly
وَقَدْ جَرَى النهر في أخْدُودِهِ عَجِلاً
كَمَاas جَرَىran النَّوْمُsleep فِيinto أجْفَانِthe eyelids of وَطْفَاءِa thick-lashed beauty
كَمَا جَرَى النَّوْمُ فِي أجْفَانِ وَطْفَاءِ
And the river ran hurriedly along its channel,
And the river flowed hurriedly in its bed
as sleep runs into a thick-lashed beauty's eyelids.
As sleep flowed on the eyelids of slumber
كَأنَّمَاas though النَّوْرُthe blossoms مَنْشُوراًscattered بِصَفْحَتِهِupon its surface
كَأنَّمَا النَّوْرُ مَنْشُوراً بِصَفْحَتِهِ
جوَاهرjewels نُظِّمَتْwere threaded فيaround جِيدthe neck of غَيْدَاءِa graceful beauty
جوَاهر نُظِّمَتْ في جِيد غَيْدَاءِ
As though the blossoms scattered over its surface
As if the light, unfolded on its surface
were jewels threaded around a graceful beauty's neck.
Were jewels threaded on the necklace of a bride
يَنْسَابُglides كَالفَجْرِlike dawn فِيin مَجْرَىthe course of غَيَاهِبِهِits dark depths
يَنْسَابُ كَالفَجْرِ فِي مَجْرَى غَيَاهِبِهِ
وَيَلْتَوِيand coils كَالْتِوَاlike the coiling of رقشَاءa patterned serpent رقطَاءِspotted
وَيَلْتَوِي كَالْتِوَا رقشَاء رقطَاءِ
It glides like dawn along the course of its dark depths,
Flowing like the dawn through the thickets of darkness
and coils like a patterned, spotted serpent.
And undulating like a serpent green and speckled
وَقَامَand arose للِصْبحِfor morning فِيupon الآفَاقِthe horizons مُنْتَصِرٌa champion
وَقَامَ للِصْبحِ فِي الآفَاقِ مُنْتَصِرٌ
بِآيَةِwith the sign of النُّورِlight يَمْحُوerasing آيَthe signs of ظَلْمَاءِdarkness
بِآيَةِ النُّورِ يَمْحُو آيَ ظَلْمَاءِ
And a champion of morning arose upon the horizons,
And the morning stood victorious in the horizons
with light's sign erasing the signs of darkness.
With the miracle of light, effacing the signs of gloom
فَظَلَّand kept يَنْعَىmourning الدجَىthe darkness فيin لَيْلِthe night مُخْتَطِبٍa preacher
فَظَلَّ يَنْعَى الدجَى في لَيْلِ مُخْتَطِبٍ
بِحُلَّةٍin a robe مِنْof سَوَادِthe blackness of الرّيشِfeathers دكْنَاءِdusky
بِحُلَّةٍ مِنْ سَوَادِ الرّيشِ دكْنَاءِ
It kept mourning darkness, preaching into the night,
It remained lamenting the darkness in a pitch-black night
in a dusky robe of black feathers.
In a dress of black feathers, somber
كَرَاهِبٍlike a monk فِيin أعَالِيthe heights of الدّيرthe monastery مجتهدٍdiligent
كَرَاهِبٍ فِي أعَالِي الدّير مجتهدٍ
بقَرْعٍin ringing نَاقُوسِهِhis bell فِيbeneath جُنْحِthe wing of دَهْمَاءِa pitch-dark night
بقَرْعٍ نَاقُوسِهِ فِي جُنْحِ دَهْمَاءِ
Like a monk high in the monastery, diligent
Like a monk in the heights of the monastery, diligent
in ringing his bell beneath the wing of a pitch-dark night.
In tolling his bell in the wing of obscurity
كَأنَّمَاas though صَوْتُهُits voice إذْwhen نَاحَit lamented صَوْتُthe voice of شَجٍone grief-stricken
كَأنَّمَا صَوْتُهُ إذْ نَاحَ صَوْتُ شَجٍ
مُتَيَّمٍlove-enslaved لِفَراقِat separation from الأهْلِkin بَكَّاءِweeping
مُتَيَّمٍ لِفَراقِ الأهْلِ بَكَّاءِ
As though its voice, when it lamented, were the voice of one grief-stricken,
As if its voice when it moaned were the voice of a bereaved and yearning turtledove
love-enslaved and weeping at separation from his kin.
That bowed its eyelids to its singing,
أحْنَتْbent لِتَغْرِيدِهِtoward its warbling أهْدَابُthe lashes of مُقْلَتِهِits eye
أحْنَتْ لِتَغْرِيدِهِ أهْدَابُ مُقْلَتِهِ
فَخِلْتُهُso I fancied it أذُناًan ear تُصْغِيlistening لأنْبَاءِfor tidings
فَخِلْتُهُ أذُناً تُصْغِي لأنْبَاءِ
The lashes of its eye bent toward its warbling,
So I thought it an ear listening for news
so I fancied it an ear listening for tidings.
And the air readied the steeds of the winds, which
وَالجَوand the air شَمَّرَspurred أفْرَاسَthe horses of الرّيَاحِthe winds فَمَاand how
وَالجَو شَمَّرَ أفْرَاسَ الرّيَاحِ فَمَا
أجْرَىit sped سَوَابِقَهَاits racers فِيin حَلْبَةِthe racecourse of المَاءِwater
أجْرَى سَوَابِقَهَا فِي حَلْبَةِ المَاءِ
And the air spurred the winds' horses—how
Did not race their racers in the hippodrome of water
swiftly it sent its racers down the watery racecourse!
And the thunder's restrainer galloped the surging waves
وَزَاجِرُand the driver of الرعْدِthunder يَحْدُوurges onward نُجْبَthe noble camels of سَارِيَةٍa night-cloud
وَزَاجِرُ الرعْدِ يَحْدُو نُجْبَ سَارِيَةٍ
بِسَوْطِwith a whip of بَرْقٍlightning إلَىtoward فَيْحَاءَa spacious expanse زَهْرَاءِradiant
بِسَوْطِ بَرْقٍ إلَى فَيْحَاءَ زَهْرَاءِ
And the thunder-driver urges a night-cloud's noble camels
With a whip of lightning to the broad horizons
with a whip of lightning toward a spacious, radiant expanse.
And the waves crested under the palm of the breeze as
وَالْغُدْرُand the pools جَعَّدَهَاwrinkled them كَفthe hand of النَّسِيمthe breeze كمَاas
وَالْغُدْرُ جَعَّدَهَا كَف النَّسِيم كمَا
تَجَعَّدَتْbecame wrinkled عِكَنٌfolds of flesh فِيalong عطْفِthe side of وَطْفَاءِa thick-lashed beauty
تَجَعَّدَتْ عِكَنٌ فِي عطْفِ وَطْفَاءِ
And the breeze's hand wrinkled the pools, as
The sleeve billowed at the elbow of folds
folds wrinkle a thick-lashed beauty's side.
And the downpour of abundant rain quenched the meadows
وَنَشْرُand the fragrance of طَيّthe folds of الربَىthe hills يَرْوِيrecounts التَّضَوعَthe spreading scent عَنْfrom
وَنَشْرُ طَيّ الربَى يَرْوِي التَّضَوعَ عَنْ
مَوْلاَيmy lord عُثْمَانUthman فِيthrough أنْحَاءِregions of أرْجَاءِquarters
مَوْلاَي عُثْمَان فِي أنْحَاءِ أرْجَاءِ
And fragrance unfurling from the hills' folds tells of sweetness from
Of my master Uthman in all directions
my lord Uthman, through all regions and quarters.
A master whose hand drops wealth easily
مَوْلىًa lord غَدَتْhas become تَحْذِفcasting away الأمْوَالَriches رَاحَتُهhis palm
مَوْلىً غَدَتْ تَحْذِف الأمْوَالَ رَاحَتُه
حذفَas the removal by الإضَافَةِthe genitive construction تَنْوِيناًnunation بِأسْمَاءِin nouns
حذفَ الإضَافَةِ تَنْوِيناً بِأسْمَاءِ
A lord whose palm has taken to casting away riches
Dropping the annexation, omitting the dual declension
as a genitive construction strips nouns of nunation.
He observed the parallel and transcended the lofty heights
رَاعَىhe heeded النَّظِيرَthe peer وَقَدْand already جَازَpassed السُّهَىSuha بِخُطىًwith strides
رَاعَى النَّظِيرَ وَقَدْ جَازَ السُّهَى بِخُطىً
تُقْصِيleaving far behind السِّمَاكَSimak وَلَمْand did not تَعْبَأheed بِعَوّاءِAwwa
تُقْصِي السِّمَاكَ وَلَمْ تَعْبَأ بِعَوّاءِ
He heeded his peer, though he passed Suha with strides
Disregarding defects, not heeding disparagement
that leave Simak far behind, giving Awwa no thought.
Matching description to him, every outstanding trait
وَطَابَقَand matched الوَصْفthe description فِيهِin him كُلَّevery مَنْقَبَةٍvirtue
وَطَابَقَ الوَصْف فِيهِ كُلَّ مَنْقَبَةٍ
بِبَثّby spreading مَكْرمَةٍa noble deed أوْor حَسْمِcutting off بَلْوَاءِaffliction
بِبَثّ مَكْرمَةٍ أوْ حَسْمِ بَلْوَاءِ
And description in him matched every virtue,
With the threading of virtues or ending discords
whether spreading noble deeds or cutting off affliction.
Say to him who compared the attainments of the eminent
قُلْsay لِلَّذِيto the one who قَاسَcompared بِالأنْوَاءِwith seasonal rains نَائِلَهُhis bounty
قُلْ لِلَّذِي قَاسَ بِالأنْوَاءِ نَائِلَهُ
أخْطَأتَyou erred إذْwhen قِسْتَyou compared طُوفَاناًa deluge بِأنْوَاءِwith seasonal rains
أخْطَأتَ إذْ قِسْتَ طُوفَاناً بِأنْوَاءِ
Tell the one who measured his bounty against seasonal rains:
You erred when you compared a torrent to gusts
You erred when you compared a deluge to seasonal rains.
His excellencies crowned him with a crown of guidance
قَدْindeed تَوَّجَتْهُcrowned him مَعَالِيهِhis lofty merits بِتَاجِwith a crown of هُدىًguidance
قَدْ تَوَّجَتْهُ مَعَالِيهِ بِتَاجِ هُدىً
وَمَنْطَقَتْهُand girded him يَدُthe hand of الْعَلْيَاeminence بِجَوْزَاءِwith al-Jawza
وَمَنْطَقَتْهُ يَدُ الْعَلْيَا بِجَوْزَاءِ
His lofty merits have crowned him with a crown of guidance,
And the hand of the sublime girded him with bravery
and the hand of eminence girded him with al-Jawza.
And the palm of perfection dressed him in robes
وَدَبَّجَتْand embroidered رَاحَةُthe palm of الحُسْنَىexcellence لَهُfor him حُلَلاًrobes
وَدَبَّجَتْ رَاحَةُ الحُسْنَى لَهُ حُلَلاً
أبْهَىfairer وَأبْهَرَand more dazzling مِنْthan تَدْبِيجِthe embroidery of صنعاءِSana'a
أبْهَى وَأبْهَرَ مِنْ تَدْبِيجِ صنعاءِ
And the palm of excellence embroidered robes for him,
Finer and more splendid than those of Sanaa
fairer and more dazzling than Sana'a's embroidery.
He rises with a palm over the hopeful, bestowing gifts,
يسموhe rises بِكَفّwith a hand عَلَىtoward الرَّاجِينَthose who hope حَانِيَةtender
يسمو بِكَفّ عَلَى الرَّاجِينَ حَانِيَة
جُوداًin generosity وَطَرْفٍand an eye علىtoward العَلْيَاءِlofty rank رَنَّاءِgazing intently
جُوداً وَطَرْفٍ على العَلْيَاءِ رَنَّاءِ
He rises with a hand tender toward those who hope,
While his eyes glance at the elite, benevolent
lavish in giving, and an eye fixed on lofty rank.
Through him the heights of dominion were stabilized,
بِهِthrough him اسْتَقَرَّتْstood firm هضَابُthe heights of المُلْكِthe kingdom وَاتَّسَعَتْand spread
بِهِ اسْتَقَرَّتْ هضَابُ المُلْكِ وَاتَّسَعَتْ
أفْنَانُهُits branches فِيupon رُبَىhills of عزّhonor وَعَلْيَاءِand eminence
أفْنَانُهُ فِي رُبَى عزّ وَعَلْيَاءِ
Through him the heights of the kingdom stood firm, and spread
And his horizons expanded in well-being and sublimity
its branches upon hills of honor and eminence.
Possessor of munificence and power, on days of ease and calamity,
ذُوpossessor of الجُودgenerosity وَالبأسand might فِيon يَوْمَيْthe two days of نَدىًbounty ورَدىًand death
ذُو الجُود وَالبأس فِي يَوْمَيْ نَدىً ورَدىً
كَالغيمlike a cloud يَهْمِيpouring forth بِضَرَّاءٍhardship وَسَرَّاءِand joy
كَالغيم يَهْمِي بِضَرَّاءٍ وَسَرَّاءِ
Lord of generosity and might on the two days of bounty and death,
Like the clouds, stirring up good and bad
like a cloud pouring forth hardship and joy.
Easy to reconcile in his zeal,
سَهْلُeasy in السَّمَاحِgenerosity أسِيلٌsupple فِيin حماستهhis valor
سَهْلُ السَّمَاحِ أسِيلٌ فِي حماسته
كَالْعُودِlike aloeswood يَجْمَعُcombining بَيْنَbetween النَّارِfire وَالمَاءِand water
كَالْعُودِ يَجْمَعُ بَيْنَ النَّارِ وَالمَاءِ
Easy in generosity, supple in his valor,
Like firewood that combines fire and water
like aloeswood, combining fire and water.
In his hand a pen that makes conclusive judgments
فِيin كَفِّهِhis palm قَلَمٌa pen فَصْلُdecisiveness of الخِطَابِspeech غَدَاhas become
فِي كَفِّهِ قَلَمٌ فَصْلُ الخِطَابِ غَدَا
مُبَرَّأfree مِنْfrom خَنَاthe foulness of غَيّerror وَفَحْشَاءِand indecency
مُبَرَّأ مِنْ خَنَا غَيّ وَفَحْشَاءِ
In his palm, a pen of decisive speech has become
Free of the shame of error and vulgarity
free of corrupt folly and indecency.
It casts things unperceived upon the scroll
يُلْقِيcasts عَلَىupon الطِّرْسِthe parchment أشْيَاءًthings مُغَيَّبَةًconcealed
يُلْقِي عَلَى الطِّرْسِ أشْيَاءً مُغَيَّبَةً
كَأنَّهُas though it قَدْhad تَلَقَّاهَاreceived them بِإيحَاءِthrough inspiration
كَأنَّهُ قَدْ تَلَقَّاهَا بِإيحَاءِ
It casts upon the parchment things concealed,
As if he had received them through inspiration
as though it had received them through inspiration.
Sipping the saliva of the letter Nun with thirst
يَمُصsucks رِيقَةَthe saliva of ثغرthe mouth of النّونِNūn, the inkwell منfrom ظمإٍthirst
يَمُص رِيقَةَ ثغر النّونِ من ظمإٍ
كَأنَّمَاas though هُوَit مَوْسُومٌwere stamped بحلواءِwith sweetness
كَأنَّمَا هُوَ مَوْسُومٌ بحلواءِ
It thirstily sucks the saliva from the mouth of Nūn,
As if it were marked with sweetness
as though it were stamped with sweetness.
If he gives generously, his generosity does not diminish,
إنْif جَادَhe gives أغْنَىhe enriches بجُودwith bounty غَيْرِnot مُمْتَنِعٍwithheld
إنْ جَادَ أغْنَى بجُود غَيْرِ مُمْتَنِعٍ
أوْor قَالَhe speaks أبْدَىhe offers مَقَالاًspeech غَيْرَnot خَطَّاءِerring
أوْ قَالَ أبْدَى مَقَالاً غَيْرَ خَطَّاءِ
If he gives, he enriches with unstinting bounty;
Or speaks, his words contain no errors
or if he speaks, he offers words free of error.
Their flavor was improved due to his eloquence,
طَابَتْbecame fragrant بِفَحْوَاهُwith his meaning أفْوَاهُthe mouths of الروَاةِthe transmitters فَمَاso what is
طَابَتْ بِفَحْوَاهُ أفْوَاهُ الروَاةِ فَمَا
عَرْفُthe fragrance of القرنْفلcarnations أوْor عَرْفُthe fragrance of الخُزَاماءِlavender
عَرْفُ القرنْفل أوْ عَرْفُ الخُزَاماءِ
His meaning perfumes the mouths of transmitters—what, then,
Not even the scent of cloves or jasmine
are the fragrance of carnations or the fragrance of lavender?
Elevated above any peer in manners
مُرَفَّعٌexalted عَنْabove شَبِيهٍan equal فِيin خَلاَئِقِهِhis qualities
مُرَفَّعٌ عَنْ شَبِيهٍ فِي خَلاَئِقِهِ
إذْfor عَنْهُof his like قَدْhave عَقِمَتْbecome barren أرْحَامُthe wombs of حَوَّاءِEve
إذْ عَنْهُ قَدْ عَقِمَتْ أرْحَامُ حَوَّاءِ
Exalted beyond any equal in his qualities,
As wombs were infertile to one like him
for Eve's wombs have become barren of his like.
When he unsheathes his sword with the enemy massed
إذَاwhen انتضَىhe draws سَيْفَهُhis sword وَالنقعُwhile the battle dust مُرْتَكمٌis piled up
إذَا انتضَى سَيْفَهُ وَالنقعُ مُرْتَكمٌ
فَالصبحُthen dawn يطلعrises فِيin ديجُورِthe blackness of لَيْلاَءِa pitch-dark night
فَالصبحُ يطلع فِي ديجُورِ لَيْلاَءِ
When he draws his sword while battle dust piles up,
The dawn rises amid the darkness of night
dawn rises in the blackness of a pitch-dark night.
And if the night of disturbing events grows dark
وَإنْand if دَجَىgrows dark لَيْلُthe night of خَطْبِthe calamity of الحَادِثَاتِevents وَلَمْand do not
وَإنْ دَجَى لَيْلُ خَطْبِ الحَادِثَاتِ وَلَمْ
تَبْدُappear بِآفَاقِهِupon its horizons أضْوَاءُlights لالآءِshining
تَبْدُ بِآفَاقِهِ أضْوَاءُ لالآءِ
And if the night of disastrous events grows dark, and no
Without its horizons brightening with flashes of lightning
shining lights appear upon its horizons,
He illuminates it with a meteor of his resolve
أضَاءَهُhe illumines it بِشهَابٍwith a meteor منof عزيمتهhis resolve
أضَاءَهُ بِشهَابٍ من عزيمته
وَوَاضِحٍand a clear light مِنْfrom سَديِدِthe soundness of الرأيjudgment وَضَّاءِradiant
وَوَاضِحٍ مِنْ سَديِدِ الرأي وَضَّاءِ
he illumines it with a meteor of his resolve
And the lamp of his sound opinion and insight
and a clear radiance from sound, shining judgment.
Victorious with a sharp sword in battle
مُظَفَّرٌvictorious بِحسَامٍwith a sword فِيin الوَغَىbattle دَلِقٍswiftly drawn
مُظَفَّرٌ بِحسَامٍ فِي الوَغَى دَلِقٍ
مُؤَيَّدٌstrengthened بِيَدٍby a hand فِيin السلمpeace بيضَاءِwhite and beneficent
مُؤَيَّدٌ بِيَدٍ فِي السلم بيضَاءِ
Victorious with a sword swiftly drawn in battle,
Supported with a hand that makes peace
strengthened by a white, beneficent hand in peace.
The righteous governors reaped with their hands
يَرَىhe finds صليلَthe clash of الظُّبَىblades وَالخَيْلُwhile the horses صَاهِلَةٌare neighing
يَرَى صليلَ الظُّبَى وَالخَيْلُ صَاهِلَةٌ
أشهَىsweeter وَأطيبand more pleasing منthan عُودٍa lute ومنand than نَاءِa flute
أشهَى وَأطيب من عُودٍ ومن نَاءِ
He finds the clash of blades, while horses neigh,
The harvest of misguidance, from the brows of foes
sweeter and more pleasing than lute or flute.
Smooth of forehead, open of palm, you would think him
ثَبْتُsteadfast of الجَنَانِheart إذَاwhen هَبَّتْblow رِيَاحُthe winds of وَغىًbattle
ثَبْتُ الجَنَانِ إذَا هَبَّتْ رِيَاحُ وَغىً
يُذْرِيhe scatters الكُمَاةَthe armored champions بأِهْوَالٍwith terrors وَأهْوَاءِand gusts
يُذْرِي الكُمَاةَ بأِهْوَالٍ وَأهْوَاءِ
Steadfast of heart when the winds of battle blow,
A flower on the horizon, or a flower in the water
he scatters armored champions with terrors and gusts.
He never tires of giving and hoping
كَأنَّas though أسْيَافَهُhis swords فِيin النقعthe battle dust إذْwhen لَمَعَتْthey gleamed
كَأنَّ أسْيَافَهُ فِي النقع إذْ لَمَعَتْ
أشِعَّةُthe rays of البَرْقِlightning فِيalong أكْنَافِthe sides of وَطْفَاءِa dense cloud
أشِعَّةُ البَرْقِ فِي أكْنَافِ وَطْفَاءِ
As though his swords, when they gleamed in the dust,
Repeated between dawn and dusk
were rays of lightning along the sides of a dense cloud.
A people whose light the Merciful kindled
إنِif انْتَضَتْهَاdraw them أكُفthe hands of الضَّارِبِينthose who strike بِهَاwith them
إنِ انْتَضَتْهَا أكُف الضَّارِبِين بِهَا
تظنهَاyou think them خُلَجاًwatercourses سَابَتْflowing بِبَطْحَاءِthrough a broad valley
تظنهَا خُلَجاً سَابَتْ بِبَطْحَاءِ
If the hands of those who wield them draw them,
How then can their detractor hope to extinguish?
you would think them watercourses flowing through a broad valley.
They, they are a people Allah gave power
قَوَاضِبٌsharp swords خَطَبَتْproclaimed بِالنَّصْرِvictory ألْسُنُهَاtheir tongues
قَوَاضِبٌ خَطَبَتْ بِالنَّصْرِ ألْسُنُهَا
عَلَىupon منَابرpulpits of أعْنَاقٍnecks وَأعْضَاءِand limbs
عَلَى منَابر أعْنَاقٍ وَأعْضَاءِ
Sharp swords whose tongues proclaimed victory
To subdue the enemies with battering and reddening
from pulpits of necks and limbs.
In the beginning or end of their affair
بِيضٌbright swords بِأيْدِيin the hands of وُلاَةِleaders of الصّدقِtruth قدhave حَصَدَتْreaped
بِيضٌ بِأيْدِي وُلاَةِ الصّدقِ قد حَصَدَتْ
زَرْعَthe crop of الغوَايةِmisguidance مِنْfrom هَامَاتthe heads of أعدَاءِenemies
زَرْعَ الغوَايةِ مِنْ هَامَات أعدَاءِ
Bright swords in the hands of truthful leaders have reaped
God showed them to be lights dispelling darkness
the crop of misguidance from enemies' heads.
A people whose ancestry to Omar the Farouq
طَلْقُopen الجَبِينof brow نديdewy الكفّof palm تحسبهyou think him
طَلْقُ الجَبِين ندي الكفّ تحسبه
كَالزهْرِlike the bright stars فِيon الأفْقِthe horizon أوْor كالزَّهْرِlike the blossoms فيupon المَاءِwater
كَالزهْرِ فِي الأفْقِ أوْ كالزَّهْرِ في المَاءِ
Open-browed and dewy-palmed—you would think him
Ennobled them with titles and names
like bright stars on the horizon, or blossoms upon water.
They bought Allah's abode with their souls
فَلَيْسَso he is not يَنْفكparting مِنْfrom جُودٍgenerosity وَمِنْand from أمَلٍhope
فَلَيْسَ يَنْفك مِنْ جُودٍ وَمِنْ أمَلٍ
مُكَرَّراًrenewed بَيْنَbetween إصبَاحٍmorning وَإمْسَاءِand evening
مُكَرَّراً بَيْنَ إصبَاحٍ وَإمْسَاءِ
Thus he never parts from generosity and hope,
And so deserved the profit of the elite’s ransom
ever renewed between morning and evening.
They desire only the victory of God, and fear not
منfrom معشرٍa company أوْقَدَkindled الرحمنُthe All-Merciful نُورَهُمُtheir light
من معشرٍ أوْقَدَ الرحمنُ نُورَهُمُ
فَكَيْفَso how يَطْمَعُhopes شَانِيهِمْtheir hater بِإطْفَاءِto extinguish
فَكَيْفَ يَطْمَعُ شَانِيهِمْ بِإطْفَاءِ
From a company whose light the All-Merciful kindled—
If they intend to terrify the audacious
how could their hater hope to extinguish it?
They and the eyes of God protecting them
هُمُthey هُمُthey القَوْمُthe people شَدَّmade firm اللَّهُGod وطأتَهمtheir tread
هُمُ هُمُ القَوْمُ شَدَّ اللَّهُ وطأتَهم
عَلَىagainst العدَاةِthe enemies بِبَتَّارٍwith a cleaving sword وَسَمْرَاءِand a tawny lance
عَلَى العدَاةِ بِبَتَّارٍ وَسَمْرَاءِ
They, they are the people whose tread God made firm
Are shining moons, or Sirius the Scorcher
against enemies with a cleaving sword and a tawny lance.
Their most learned leads them in the prayer of victory
بِأوَّلِwith the first of الأمْرِcommand مِنْهُمْamong them أوْor بِآخِرِهِمْwith their last
بِأوَّلِ الأمْرِ مِنْهُمْ أوْ بِآخِرِهِمْ
بَرَاهُمُcreated them اللَّهُGod أنوَاراًas lights لظَلْمَاءِfor darkness
بَرَاهُمُ اللَّهُ أنوَاراً لظَلْمَاءِ
Whether the first among them in command, or the last,
Concluding and opening with triumph and granting
God created them as lights for darkness.
A seasoned warrior who defends the kingdom, attentive,
قَوْمٌa people إلَىto عمرUmar الفَاروقal-Faruq نِسْبَتهمtheir lineage
قَوْمٌ إلَى عمر الفَاروق نِسْبَتهم
لذاكfor that عزّواthey became mighty بِألقَابin titles واسمَاءِand names
لذاك عزّوا بِألقَاب واسمَاءِ
A people whose lineage traces to Umar al-Faruq;
Many a treasure tomorrow will be guarded by a sentinel
thus they became mighty in titles and names.
O sovereign whom the depiction of his speech reinforces
شَرَوْاthey bought بِأروَاحهمwith their lives فِيfor the sake of اللَّهِGod جَنَّتَهُHis paradise
شَرَوْا بِأروَاحهم فِي اللَّهِ جَنَّتَهُ
فَاسْتَوْجَبُواand so earned ربحَthe profit of اخلاصsincere devotion بِإغْلاَءِby paying dearly
فَاسْتَوْجَبُوا ربحَ اخلاص بِإغْلاَءِ
They bought His paradise with their lives for God's sake,
In analogy, the proofs of demonstrators
and so earned devotion's profit by paying dearly.
I composed a poem about you in which no
لاَnot يَرْتَجُونَthey hope for سِوَىother than نَصْرِvictory from الإلهGod وَلاَand not
لاَ يَرْتَجُونَ سِوَى نَصْرِ الإله وَلاَ
يَخْشَوْنَthey fear إنْif أزْمَعُواthey resolve تَهْوِيلَthe intimidation of شَنَّاءِa bitter foe
يَخْشَوْنَ إنْ أزْمَعُوا تَهْوِيلَ شَنَّاءِ
They hope for nothing but God's victory, nor
Mim or Dal or Ha stooped in meter
fear a bitter foe's intimidation when they resolve.
So congratulate yourself on Eid al-Fitr when
كَأنَّهُمْas though they were وَعُيُونُwhile the eyes of اللَّهGod تَكْلَؤُهُمguard them
كَأنَّهُمْ وَعُيُونُ اللَّه تَكْلَؤُهُم
أقْمَارُmoons of دَاجِيَةٍa dark night أوْor صِيدُproud lions of هَيْجاءِbattle
أقْمَارُ دَاجِيَةٍ أوْ صِيدُ هَيْجاءِ
As though they, with God's eyes guarding them,
The stars of its joy rose on the horizon of good tidings
were moons of a dark night, or proud lions of battle.
Its crescent of Shawwal greeted you smiling
يَؤُمُّهُمْleads them فِيin صَلاَةِthe prayer of النَّصْرِvictory أعْلَمُهُمْtheir most learned
يَؤُمُّهُمْ فِي صَلاَةِ النَّصْرِ أعْلَمُهُمْ
بِالفَتْحِin conquest وَالنَّصْرِand victory فِيin خَتْمٍconclusion وَإبْدَاءِand beginning
بِالفَتْحِ وَالنَّصْرِ فِي خَتْمٍ وَإبْدَاءِ
He who leads them in victory's prayer is their most learned
Like the Lam fused to the Dal, or the Nun to the Ra
in conquest and victory, in conclusion and beginning.
So delight in it and in manifold joys you live
هِزَبْرُa lion of حَرْبٍwar يَصُونُprotects المُلْكَthe kingdom مُرْهَفُهُhis sharpened blade
هِزَبْرُ حَرْبٍ يَصُونُ المُلْكَ مُرْهَفُهُ
وَرُبَّand many a كنْزٍtreasure غَداًtomorrow يُحْمَىwill be guarded برَقْشَاءِby a patterned serpent
وَرُبَّ كنْزٍ غَداً يُحْمَى برَقْشَاءِ
A lion of war whose sharpened blade protects the kingdom—
A good life of glory, bounty, and comfort
and many a treasure tomorrow will be guarded by a patterned serpent.
And here is a maiden poem I presented
يَاO مَالِكاsovereign أيَّدَتْconfirmed تَصْوِيرthe formulation of منطقهhis discourse
يَا مَالِكا أيَّدَتْ تَصْوِير منطقه
عِنْدَunder القِيَاسِreasoning بَرَاهِينُthe proofs of الأدِلاَّءِthe guides
عِنْدَ القِيَاسِ بَرَاهِينُ الأدِلاَّءِ
O sovereign, whose speech's formulation is confirmed
To the best husband, seen as the finest match
under reasoning by the proofs of the guides!
Its quality transcended description when its artistry
رَفَعْتُI raised جملةَa whole composition of نَظْمٍverse فيكabout you ماnot انْخَفَضَتْwas lowered
رَفَعْتُ جملةَ نَظْمٍ فيك ما انْخَفَضَتْ
بِحّرْفِby the letter مِيمٍmīm وَلاَnor دَالٍdāl ولاnor حَاءِḥāʾ
بِحّرْفِ مِيمٍ وَلاَ دَالٍ ولا حَاءِ
I raised a whole composition of verse about you, never lowered
Transcended the ugliness of flaws and weakness
by the letter mīm, nor dāl, nor ḥāʾ.
If it is not the workmanship of al-A'sha, its composer
فَلْتُهْنَso may you be congratulated بِالعيدon the festival عيدِthe festival of الفطرِbreaking the fast إذْas طَلَعَتْrose
فَلْتُهْنَ بِالعيد عيدِ الفطرِ إذْ طَلَعَتْ
نُجُومُthe stars of إسْعَادِهِits good fortune فِيin أفْقِa horizon of بشرَاءِglad tidings
نُجُومُ إسْعَادِهِ فِي أفْقِ بشرَاءِ
May you be congratulated on the feast, Eid al-Fitr, now that
Relays the sun of Ibn Hilal's brilliance
the stars of its good fortune have risen in a horizon of glad tidings.
When she smiles, the buds of her dimples make you forget
هلاَلthe crescent of شَوَّالِهِits Shawwal حَيَّاكَgreeted you مُبْتَسِماًsmiling
هلاَل شَوَّالِهِ حَيَّاكَ مُبْتَسِماً
كَاللاَّمِlike lām للِدَّالِbeside dāl أوْor كَالنُّونِlike nūn لِلرَّاءِbeside rāʾ
كَاللاَّمِ للِدَّالِ أوْ كَالنُّونِ لِلرَّاءِ
The crescent of its Shawwal greeted you smiling,
Many an eyelid of tender rosy charm
like lām beside dāl, or nūn beside rāʾ.
You remain like a star in good fortune and nobility
فَاهْنَأso rejoice بِهِin it وَبِأضْعَافٍand in multiples of it تَعِيشُyou live بهَاthrough them
فَاهْنَأ بِهِ وَبِأضْعَافٍ تَعِيشُ بهَا
فِيin طِيبِthe pleasantness of عَيْشٍlife وَاجلاَلٍand honor ونعمَاءِand blessings
فِي طِيبِ عَيْشٍ وَاجلاَلٍ ونعمَاءِ
Rejoice in it, and in many more, through which you may live
Bringing out the beautiful and making Hatem al-Ta'i forget
in a pleasant life, honor, and blessings.
Neither did the rain glimmer on the branches with its tears
وَهَاكَand take عَذْرَاءَa virgin نَظْمٍpoem قدْalready زَفَفْتُI escorted as a bride بِهَاwith her
وَهَاكَ عَذْرَاءَ نَظْمٍ قدْ زَفَفْتُ بِهَا
لِخَيْرto the best بَعْلٍhusband يُرَىto be seen مِنْamong خيرthe finest أكْفاءِworthy matches
لِخَيْر بَعْلٍ يُرَى مِنْ خير أكْفاءِ
And take this virgin poem I have escorted as a bride
Nor the flowers chime from the eyelids of slumber
to the best husband found among the finest worthy matches.
جَلَّتْwas exalted عَنِbeyond الوَصْفِdescription إذْfor جَلَّتْrose صِنَاعتُهاits craftsmanship
جَلَّتْ عَنِ الوَصْفِ إذْ جَلَّتْ صِنَاعتُها
عَنْabove قُبْحِthe ugliness of خَرْمٍinitial metrical truncation وَإقْوَاءِand inconsistent rhyme vowels وَإيطَاءِand repeated rhyme words
عَنْ قُبْحِ خَرْمٍ وَإقْوَاءِ وَإيطَاءِ
It surpasses description, for its craftsmanship rises
above the ugliness of metrical truncation, inconsistent rhyme vowels, and repeated rhyme words.
إنْif لَمْnot تَكُنْit be صنعةُthe workmanship of الأعشىal-A'sha فصانِعُهَاthen its maker
إنْ لَمْ تَكُنْ صنعةُ الأعشى فصانِعُهَا
يَرْوِىtransmits عَنfrom ابنIbn, son of هلالHilal شمسa sun of لألاءِbrilliance
يَرْوِى عَن ابن هلال شمس لألاءِ
If it is not the workmanship of al-A'sha, its maker
transmits from Ibn Hilal, a sun of brilliance.
يُنْسِيكَmakes you forget ثَغْرُthe mouth of أقَاحِيهَاits daisies إذَاwhen ابتسمتit smiles
يُنْسِيكَ ثَغْرُ أقَاحِيهَا إذَا ابتسمت
كَمْhow many مقلةٍan eye للِشَّقِيقِthe anemone has الغَضّfresh رَمْدَاءِinflamed
كَمْ مقلةٍ للِشَّقِيقِ الغَضّ رَمْدَاءِ
Its daisy-mouth makes you forget, whenever it smiles,
how many inflamed eyes the fresh anemone has.
لاmay you never زِلْتَcease to be كَالنجمِlike the star فِيin سَعْدٍgood fortune وَفيand in شرفexaltation
لا زِلْتَ كَالنجمِ فِي سَعْدٍ وَفي شرف
تُنْشِيyou create الجميلَnoble deeds وَتُنْسِيand make forgotten حاتمHatim الطائيal-Ta'i
تُنْشِي الجميلَ وَتُنْسِي حاتم الطائي
May you always remain like a star in good fortune and exaltation,
creating noble deeds and making Hatim al-Ta'i forgotten,
ماas long as رَقْرَقَmade shimmer القَطْرthe rain فِيin الأغْصَانthe branches أدْمُعَهُits tears
ما رَقْرَقَ القَطْر فِي الأغْصَان أدْمُعَهُ
وَمَاand as long as رَنَاgazed الزَّهْرُthe blossoms عَنْfrom أجْفَانِthe eyelids of وَطْفَاءِa thick-lashed beauty
وَمَا رَنَا الزَّهْرُ عَنْ أجْفَانِ وَطْفَاءِ
as long as rain makes its tears shimmer in the branches,
and as long as blossoms gaze from a thick-lashed beauty's eyelids.
Partial English translation: 143 of 154 Arabic lines translated.
Sol 6.1