غنىsang الَّذيthe one who منfrom واهجthe blaze of الضيمinjustice وَالنياand separation
غنى الَّذي من واهج الضيم وَالنيا
بداbegan وابتداand started يرسمto compose فنونverses وَكلامand words
بدا وابتدا يرسم فنون وَكلام
He sang, aflame with injustice and separation.
The one who with injustice's wrath began
He began, and set about composing verses and words.
To compose arts and words that freely ran
بداbegan وابتداand started يرسمto compose مَعانيmeanings منضدةarranged
بدا وابتدا يرسم مَعاني منضدة
كماas انضمwas strung together عقدa necklace of الدرpearls بالهندامneatly
كما انضم عقد الدر بالهندام
He began, and set about arranging meanings,
Began and started to sketch plentiful meanings
As a necklace of pearls is neatly strung,
As a necklace of pearls is joined to finery
مثلlike عقدa necklace of درpearls بجيدon the neck of غيدa graceful beauty معطرةperfumed
مثل عقد در بجيد غيد معطرة
إِنif شافهاhe saw her المَفتونthe bewitched one فيهاwith her هامfell madly in love
إِن شافها المَفتون فيها هام
Like a pearl necklace on a perfumed beauty's neck.
Like a perfumed pearl necklace round a slender throat
If one bewitched by her saw her, he fell madly in love.
If seen by the lovesick, it makes their passion bloat
إِنif شافَهاhe saw her المَفتونthe bewitched one فيهاwith her منamong المَلاmankind
إِن شافَها المَفتون فيها من المَلا
صباyearned يَنظرto behold المَذلوقthe slender one ريشfeathers of نعامostriches
صبا يَنظر المَذلوق ريش نعام
If any among mankind, bewitched by her, saw her,
If seen by the lovesick from beauty's tribe
He longed to behold that slender form, an ostrich feather.
Their youthful gaze like an ostrich feather will imbibe
صباyearned وَاِنحنىand bent منfrom شدةthe intensity of الوَجدlonging وَالضَنىand languor
صبا وَاِنحنى من شدة الوَجد وَالضَنى
بالرغمdespite منof نَفسوhis soul الشجيةgrieving قامhe rose
بالرغم من نَفسو الشجية قام
He yearned and bent beneath intense longing and languor.
Their youth bows from intense love and yearning
Despite his grieving soul, he rose.
Despite their proud souls it makes them keeps turning
بالىغمdespite منof نفسواhis soul الشَجيةgrieving عناbowed لَهاto her
بالىغم من نفسوا الشَجية عنا لَها
يَنظرbeholding جمالاbeauty ماnot خَفاهconcealed it لثامa veil
يَنظر جمالا ما خَفاه لثام
Despite his grieving soul, he bowed to her,
Despite their proud souls for it they pine and ache
Beholding a beauty no veil concealed,
To see a beauty veil and hijab didn't make
يَنظرbeholding جمالاbeauty ماnot خَفتهconcealed it البَراقعface veils
يَنظر جمالا ما خَفته البَراقع
وَلاand not زانَهاadorned her مثلlike المِلاحthe beauties وشامtattoos
وَلا زانَها مثل المِلاح وشام
Beholding a beauty no face veils concealed.
To see a beauty coverings didn't adorn
Nor did tattoos adorn her like other beauties,
Not makeup like kohl nor perfumes that morn
وَلاand not زانَهاadorned her المَلبوسclothing وَالحليand jewelry وَالحللand fine robes
وَلا زانَها المَلبوس وَالحلي وَالحلل
وَلاand not شَكلوهاthey adorned her فيwith ورودflowers كمامin bud
وَلا شَكلوها في ورود كمام
Nor did clothing, jewelry, or fine robes adorn her,
Neither clothes nor jewels nor colorful dresses
Nor did they deck her with flowers in bud,
Nor flowers shaped it though their scent it possesses
وَلاand not شَكلوهاthey adorned her تاso as to يزبدواenhance جمالهاher beauty
وَلا شَكلوها تا يزبدوا جمالها
لاكنbut طَبيعيnatural حسنهاher beauty بسامsmiling
لاكن طَبيعي حسنها بسام
Nor adorn her to enhance her beauty:
Nor did they shape its beauty to rise and foam
Her beauty was natural, smiling.
But natural is its charm, delightful and home
بِهاwith her هامwas enthralled قَلبيmy heart المُستهامlove-stricken الَّذيwhich بَغاwished
بِها هام قَلبي المُستهام الَّذي بَغا
يَحظىto win بِهاher لَوeven if لبسit assumed the guise of طيفan apparition of مَنامa dream
يَحظى بِها لَو لبس طيف مَنام
My love-stricken heart was enthralled by her and wished
For it my swooning heart madly swayed
To win her, even in the guise of a dream's apparition,
If it saw even its phantom in a dream portrayed
ليطفيto quench هجيرthe scorching heat of الوَجدlonging وَالشَوقand desire وَالنَوىand separation
ليطفي هجير الوَجد وَالشَوق وَالنَوى
بِأَمرat the bidding of الَّذيthe one whose مداهhis radiance بدرa moon تَمامfull
بِأَمر الَّذي مداه بدر تَمام
To quench the scorching heat of longing, desire, and separation,
To quench the burning of passion, longing and pain
At the bidding of the one whose radiance is a full moon,
By the order of the One who resembles the full moon's reign
بِأَمرat the bidding of الَّذيthe one who لاno مستلاsolace عَنfrom جمالهمtheir beauty
بِأَمر الَّذي لا مستلا عَن جمالهم
سِوىexcept شربthe drinking of المَرءa person كاسthe cup of الحمامdeath
سِوى شرب المَرء كاس الحمام
At the bidding of the one—from whose beauty there is no solace
By the order of the One whose beauty cannot be attained
Except for a man to drink the cup of death.
Except by drinking the wine cup to forget what remained
كَذاthus يَفعَلact العُشاقlovers فيin مذهبthe creed of الهَواlove
كَذا يَفعَل العُشاق في مذهب الهَوا
أَماeither بِوَصلthrough union أَماor بِمَوتthrough a death زؤامdreadful
أَما بِوَصل أَما بِمَوت زؤام
So lovers act in the creed of love:
That is what lovers do in passion's creed
Either through union or through a dreadful death.
Either through union or by death freedom they plead
لِأَنbecause مرادthe desire of النَفسthe soul منamong أَعظَمthe greatest البَلاafflictions
لِأَن مراد النَفس من أَعظَم البَلا
إِذاwhen سَولتit entices للمرءa person مالhe inclines هيامto infatuation
إِذا سَولت للمرء مال هيام
For the soul's desire is among the greatest afflictions.
For what the soul craves is from distress' tallest peak
When it entices a man, he inclines to infatuation.
When it entices one to the cause it obesely seeks
إِذاwhen سَولتit entices للمرءa person لَوeven مَوردthe spring of الهَفاfolly
إِذا سَولت للمرء لَو مَورد الهَفا
يَنقادfollows طالبهاits seeker بِغَيرwithout زمامa rein
يَنقاد طالبها بِغَير زمام
When it entices a man, even toward the spring of folly,
When it entices one though doom may be all it reaped
Its seeker follows without a rein.
Its seeker it leads without harness or steed
يَنقادfollows لَهاit مَسرورglad مَخمورdrunk بِالهَواwith love
يَنقاد لَها مَسرور مَخمور بِالهَوا
لَوeven if يَممتit heads toward سبلthe paths of الضلالerror عزامresolutely
لَو يَممت سبل الضلال عزام
He follows it gladly, drunk with love,
It leads happily drunk with love, without heed
Even if it resolutely heads down paths of error.
Even if the path to ruin it proceeded to lead
لَوif يَممتit sets its course صَمتit falls silent عنbefore الوَعظcounsel وَاعرضتand turns away
لَو يَممت صَمت عن الوَعظ وَاعرضت
وَمَشَتand went لَهُtoward it تَدويrushing بِغَيرwithout لجامa bridle
وَمَشَت لَهُ تَدوي بِغَير لجام
If it sets its course, it falls silent before counsel and turns away,
Even if it neglected advice and refused to cede
And rushes toward it without a bridle.
And walked for it calling without any need
وَمَشَتand went وَهامَتand wandered مشغفيdeeply enamored اللبthe mind وَالجَواand heartache
وَمَشَت وَهامَت مشغفي اللب وَالجَوا
مِنfrom زعمهاits imagining وَصلunion with الحَبيبthe beloved قَوامsoon
مِن زعمها وَصل الحَبيب قَوام
It goes on wandering, its mind consumed by love and heartache,
And walked and swooned, minds and hearts under its stampede
Imagining union with the beloved will come soon.
Thinking union with the beloved is guaranteed
يَعجزdefies جماحthe unruliness of النَفسthe soul سدقchecking (unclear form) مسيرهاits course
يَعجز جماح النَفس سدق مسيرها
لَوeven if زمهاhe reined it الحاديthe driver بميةwith a hundred خزامnose-reins
لَو زمها الحادي بمية خزام
The soul's unruliness defies any check upon its course,
The soul's wings fail though its journey succeeds
Even if the driver reins it with a hundred nose-reins.
Even if the guide restrained it with a tied lead
لَوeven if زَمَهاhe reined it تَمتخit tears away جديلةthe braid of زمامهاits rein
لَو زَمَها تَمتخ جديلة زمامها
لِأَنbecause الهَواlove أَصلوits root هيامinfatuation وَغَرامand passion
لِأَن الهَوا أَصلو هيام وَغَرام
Even if he reins it, it tears away its braided rein,
Even if the tamed one's rein it strongly stamped down
For love is, at its root, infatuation and passion.
For passion's root is swooning without a crown
وَماand not العاشقthe lover الوَلهانdistracted فيin مذهبthe creed of الهَواlove
وَما العاشق الوَلهان في مذهب الهَوا
إِلاexcept مثلlike طفلa child جَديدnewly فطامweaned
إِلا مثل طفل جَديد فطام
And the distracted lover, in the creed of love,
The crazy lover in passion's law
Is only like a newly weaned child.
Is like a weaned child, no reason in awe
بالايمينO reproachers of النَفسthe soul كفواcease ملامهاblaming it
بالايمين النَفس كفوا ملامها
النَفسthe soul عالليfor what صارhappened ماnot تلتامis to blame
النَفس عاللي صار ما تلتام
You who reproach the soul, cease blaming it:
With oaths the soul we should stop blaming
The soul cannot be blamed for what has happened.
The soul that is sick and no cure claiming
تعجزare unable جبالthe mountains الشمlofty تحملto bear حمولهاits burdens
تعجز جبال الشم تحمل حمولها
وَمِنand apart from غَيرother than هَذاthis لَيسthere is no دارabode of مَقامlasting residence
وَمِن غَير هَذا لَيس دار مَقام
Even lofty mountains cannot bear its burdens.
Struggling mountains it will make collapse
Apart from this, there is no lasting abode,
And without this, there's no homestead or lap
لِأَنَّهاbecause it مثلlike لفلوحةthe vane of الريحthe wind بِالهَواin the air
لِأَنَّها مثل لفلوحة الريح بِالهَوا
تبرمturns عَلىat هَبthe breath of النَسيمthe breeze شمامaloft
تبرم عَلى هَب النَسيم شمام
For it is like a wind-vane in the air,
It's like a feather floating in the air of love
Turning aloft at the breeze's breath.
It flutters though the breeze gently does shove
أَناI بيwithin me منof الهَمgrief الَّذيwhich يثقلweighs upon المَلاmankind
أَنا بي من الهَم الَّذي يثقل المَلا
وَعَنand despite رَغمagainst أَنفيmy will دَمعthe tears of عَينيmy eye عامflowed
وَعَن رَغم أَنفي دَمع عَيني عام
I bear a grief that weighs heavily on mankind,
I have sorrows that heavily make me dip
And despite myself, my eyes' tears flowed.
And though I refuse, my tears loudly drip
عَنdespite رَغمagainst أَنفيmy will فاضoverflowed عالخَدupon the cheek مَدمَعيmy tears
عَن رَغم أَنفي فاض عالخَد مَدمَعي
مِنfrom ناظرan eye مَقروحwounded فيهِwithin it آلامpains
مِن ناظر مَقروح فيهِ آلام
Despite myself, my tears overflowed upon my cheek,
Though I refuse, down my cheek tears creep
From a wounded eye filled with pain,
From a hurting gaze, pain going deep
منfrom ناظرan eye آلفaccustomed علىto النوحlamentation وَالبُكاand weeping
من ناظر آلف على النوح وَالبُكا
كلمتهاI spoke to it ياO عينeye أَميتwhen أَنامshall I sleep
كلمتها يا عين أَميت أَنام
From an eye accustomed to lamenting and weeping.
A gaze used to crying and the ache
I spoke to it: 'O eye, when shall I sleep?'
I told it O eye rest, you must wake
كلمتهاI spoke to it ياO عينeye قرينbe still واهجعيand slumber
كلمتها يا عين قرين واهجعي
خايفafraid عَلىfor نوركyour light يروحto vanish اعدامaltogether
خايف عَلى نورك يروح اعدام
I spoke to it: 'O eye, be still and slumber.
I told it O eye my friend, do not rave
I fear your light will vanish altogether.
Afraid for your light that it will cave
وَإِنand if راحvanishes نُوركyour light راحvanishes سؤليmy wish وَمطلبيand my purpose
وَإِن راح نُورك راح سؤلي وَمطلبي
ابقىI remain كسيحاًcrippled فيin ديارlands of الغامgloom
ابقى كسيحاً في ديار الغام
If your light goes, my wish and purpose go;
If your light goes, so does my plea and want
I shall remain crippled in lands of gloom,
I will remain blind in lands of haunt
أبقىI remain كسيحاًcrippled عادمbereft of الرشدjudgment وَالهدىand guidance
أبقى كسيحاً عادم الرشد وَالهدى
ماnothing غيرexcept قهريmy anguish حاجيenough ذريفshedding سجامstreams
ما غير قهري حاجي ذريف سجام
I shall remain crippled, bereft of judgment and guidance.
Blind without guidance or a ray
Nothing remains but my anguish—enough of pouring streams!
Dependent on others to show the way
لعلperhaps الفَرجrelief يأتيwill come وَيتغيرand will change الهَوىthe wind
لعل الفَرج يأتي وَيتغير الهَوى
ياO فايصةoverflowing one هذاthis النَحيبsobbing سقامa sickness
يا فايصة هذا النَحيب سقام
Perhaps relief will come and the winds will change.
Maybe relief will come and passion will alter
O overflowing eye, this sobbing is a sickness.
This wailing O Faisa, will falter
ياO فايصةoverflowing one ماnot ينفعhelps النُوحlamentation وَالبُكاand weeping
يا فايصة ما ينفع النُوح وَالبُكا
كفيstop موطنكyour dwelling بينamong التراكthe Turks رغامhumiliation
كفي موطنك بين التراك رغام
O overflowing eye, lamenting and weeping do no good.
O Faisa, crying and wailing don't mend
Stop; your dwelling among the Turks is humiliation.
In your land of tents be patient till the end
كفاناenough for us بموطنناin our dwelling علىagainst غيرother than خاطريmy wish
كفانا بموطننا على غير خاطري
بِاللَهby God اتركيleave هَلthese الدُموعtears تمامentirely
بِاللَه اتركي هَل الدُموع تمام
Enough of our dwelling here against my will.
In our land against my wishes sustained
By God, leave these tears entirely.'
By God, leave this crying before it's drained
ردتit retorted بعولاجwith a twist of المحاكيthe talk وجاوبتand answered
ردت بعولاج المحاكي وجاوبت
وَقالَتand said عجبhow strange عينthe eye of الحزينthe grieving one تَنامshould sleep
وَقالَت عجب عين الحزين تَنام
It retorted, turning my words back, and answered,
She replied with curing words and said
Saying: 'How strange that a grieving eye should sleep!'
Strange, the eye of a sad one wants to bed
قُلتI said لَهاto it ياO عينeye جوزينstop وَاتركيand desist
قُلت لَها يا عين جوزين وَاتركي
قالsays المثلthe proverb ماno حالcondition تمstayed fixed وَهامand wandered
قال المثل ما حال تم وَهام
I told it: 'O eye, stop and desist.
I said to her, O my two eyes spare me more
The proverb says: no condition stays fixed; it wanders.
They say no state stays as it was before
وَريعيand regain composure إِذاif طعتيyou heed كَلاميmy words وهونيand take it gently
وَريعي إِذا طعتي كَلامي وهوني
ذولاكthose أَياماًdays وذولand these أَيامdays
ذولاك أَياماً وذول أَيام
Regain your composure, heed my words, and take it gently.
And consider, those days and those days over there
Those were days, and these are days.
Were days of joy and days of care
ذولاكthose أَيامdays of المعزاتaffection وَالصَفاand serenity
ذولاك أَيام المعزات وَالصَفا
وَذوليand these لياليnights مظلماتdark قتامdust-laden
وَذولي ليالي مظلمات قتام
Those were days of affection and serenity;
Those were dark gloomy nights that appeared
These are dark, dust-laden nights.
Where those I don't love seem endeared
أَشاهدI see بهمin them منthose whom لاnot الذI delight بشوفهمin seeing
أَشاهد بهم من لا الذ بشوفهم
وَلاand no بهمwith them وَنسهcompanionship وَحظيand my fortune نامslept
وَلا بهم وَنسه وَحظي نام
In them I see people whose sight gives me no pleasure,
While those I love are kept away for years
With whom there is no companionship; my fortune sleeps.
And forgot me, their rank disappeared
سعديmy fortune بلانيafflicted me وَابتلانيand tried me بقربهمwith their nearness
سعدي بلاني وَابتلاني بقربهم
وَفرقةand separation from كريمينnoble النُفوسsouls اعوامfor years
وَفرقة كريمين النُفوس اعوام
My fortune afflicted me, tried me with their nearness,
Their closeness blessed me and their test distanced
And years of separation from noble souls:
While the alternative was a foreign replacement
فرقةseparation from ربوعcompanions of العزhonor وَالجُودand generosity وَالسخاand bounty
فرقة ربوع العز وَالجُود وَالسخا
صارbecame العوضthe replacement عَنهُمfor them بخالmiserly عجامforeigners
صار العوض عَنهُم بخال عجام
Separation from companions of honor, generosity, and bounty.
The alternative for the perfumed and the great
In their place came miserly foreigners.
Became a black slave, descendant of Ham and Shem's fate
صارbecame العوضthe replacement عنfor زولthe figure of غيدهa graceful beauty معطرةperfumed
صار العوض عن زول غيده معطرة
زنجيةa Black woman منfrom نسلthe descendants of سامShem وحامand Ham
زنجية من نسل سام وحام
In place of the figure of a perfumed beauty came
O fire of my heart, whatever I say, you ignite
A Black woman descended from Shem and Ham.
Between ribs and senses darkness you incite
ياO نارfire of قَلبيmy heart كلevery ماtime أَقولI say تَنطفيyou will die down
يا نار قَلبي كل ما أَقول تَنطفي
يضرمis kindled لهاfor it جواinside الضُلوعthe ribs ضرامfresh fuel
يضرم لها جوا الضُلوع ضرام
O fire of my heart, whenever I say you will die down,
In me is an illness not from my innate fire
Fresh fuel kindles you within my ribs.
In the house of my soul it has secretly transpired
يضرمblazes بقلبin the heart of المستهامthe love-stricken one لهيبهاits flame
يضرم بقلب المستهام لهيبها
لهاfor it بينbetween كَبديmy liver وَالحَواسand the senses كتامhidden smoldering
لها بين كَبدي وَالحَواس كتام
Its flame blazes in the love-stricken heart;
Grown and opened windows on all its sides
Between my liver and my senses it smolders unseen.
Scowling at my heart, pain multiplies
وبيand within me علةan ailment منapart from غيرother than ناريmy fire وَبلوتيand my affliction
وبي علة من غير ناري وَبلوتي
عَلىupon متنthe back of بيتthe house of الرُوحthe soul بالسرsecretly سامrose (unclear reading)
عَلى متن بيت الرُوح بالسر سام
I have another ailment besides my fire and affliction,
I treated it with fire, medicine and cures
Upon the back of the soul's house, secretly it rose.
But nothing helped it, neither herbs nor sutures
كبرتit grew وَفتحand opened بهin it عيونeyes بجوانبهalong its sides
كبرت وَفتح به عيون بجوانبه
غضتgnawed عَلىat قلبيmy heart وَعياand exhaustion عامspread
غضت عَلى قلبي وَعيا عام
It grew and opened eyes along its sides.
No ointments helped it nor any band
It gnawed at my heart, and exhaustion spread.
It's been over four years to withstand
عالجتهاI treated it بالنارwith fire والطبand medicine وَالدَواand remedies
عالجتها بالنار والطب وَالدَوا
وَلاand not كانwas ينفعهاhelping it دواmedicine وَقسامand incantations (unclear term)
وَلا كان ينفعها دوا وَقسام
I treated it with fire, medicine, and remedies,
The fifth began with the new moon's emergence
But neither medicine nor incantations helped it.
Shining as the first year it came with resonance
ماnot كانwas ينفعهاhelping it المَراهمointments وَلاnor الرقاhealing charms
ما كان ينفعها المَراهم وَلا الرقا
لَهاfor it نيفmore عنthan اربعfour سنينyears عوامfull years
لَها نيف عن اربع سنين عوام
Neither ointments nor healing charms helped it.
O my illness, my biggest woe and pain
It has lasted more than four full years.
You must serve my heart that wine cup's bane
وَالخامسةand the fifth كانونKanun اللآولal-Awwal هلالهاits new moon
وَالخامسة كانون اللآول هلالها
وَلمهand its pain مزمهرraging مثلlike أولthe first عامyear
وَلمه مزمهر مثل أول عام
The fifth year's new moon came in Kanun al-Awwal,
You must serve my heart from the spring of distress
Its pain raging as in the first year.
And after the eyes' wakefulness, it gently lays to rest
ياO علتيmy ailment وَأكبرand the greatest هميof my sorrow وَبَلوتيand my affliction
يا علتي وَأكبر همي وَبَلوتي
لاno بُدescape تَسقيyou make drink القَلبthe heart كاسa cup of حمامdeath
لا بُد تَسقي القَلب كاس حمام
O my ailment, my greatest sorrow and affliction,
Its symptoms in their absence amplified
You must make the heart drink a cup of death.
To be a solitary bird, deserted it implied
لاno بُدescape تَسقيyou make drink القَلبthe heart منfrom موردthe spring of البلاaffliction
لا بُد تَسقي القَلب من مورد البلا
وَعنقاand its neck عقبafter سهرthe wakefulness of العُيونthe eyes تَنامsleeps
وَعنقا عقب سهر العُيون تَنام
You must make the heart drink from affliction's spring,
To travel after we were its nest and home
And its neck will rest after the eyes' long vigil.
And be taken by strangers, tied and loaned
يكبرgrows حصينيهاits little fox بغيبةin the absence of سباعهاits beasts of prey
يكبر حصينيها بغيبة سباعها
وَتَغدىand becomes وَليشةa carcass برof the wilderness للحوامfor circling birds
وَتَغدى وَليشة بر للحوام
Its little fox grows when its beasts of prey are absent,
To become at the hands of strangers a bird
And it becomes a wilderness carcass for circling birds.
Who forgot us, was pampered and its treatment preferred
وَتَرحلand departs بعدماafter هيit عنوبيwas mine (unclear form) وَلاand not لَناours
وَتَرحل بعدما هي عنوبي وَلا لَنا
وَينكعوهاand they drag it away بالرسنwith the halter وَزمامand rein
وَينكعوها بالرسن وَزمام
It departs, once mine, no longer ours,
To be taken and sold with reins and rope
And they drag it away with halter and rein.
And become separated in a group with no hope
وَتَغديand becomes بريدهeasy prey عندamong قومpeople تعودواaccustomed
وَتَغدي بريده عند قوم تعودوا
عالفاينةto plunder (unclear term) منsince دورthe era of حامHam وَسامand Shem
عالفاينة من دور حام وَسام
It becomes easy prey among people accustomed
To be taken and become among a people whose way
To plunder since the days of Ham and Shem.
Is open immorality night and day
صَبراًpatience جَميلbeautiful الصَبرpatience أَحلىsweeter منthan العَسَلhoney
صَبراً جَميل الصَبر أَحلى من العَسَل
ماwhat العملcan be done بالأَقدارbefore fate وَالأَيّامand the days
ما العمل بالأَقدار وَالأَيّام
Patience, beautiful patience—patience is sweeter than honey.
Patience - sweet is patience more than honey
What can be done before fate and the days?
What can be done with fate and days not funny
منwhoever عاندdefies الأَيّامthe days مَقهورcrushed خاطروhis spirit
من عاند الأَيّام مَقهور خاطرو
لَوeven if كانwas جيشوhis army ميتa hundred أَلفthousand حسامswords
لَو كان جيشو ميت أَلف حسام
Whoever defies the days has his spirit crushed,
Who insists with days is lost, mood ruined
Even if his army has a hundred thousand swords.
Even if his army was a million well-trained
الأَيامthe days منهُمsome of them مثلlike سمpoison السقطريSocotran
الأَيام منهُم مثل سم السقطري
إِنif مجهاhe spits it out الإِنسانa person كبدوhis liver عامswims
إِن مجها الإِنسان كبدو عام
Some days are like Socotran poison:
Days are like viper's poison to man
If a man spits it out, his liver swims.
If tasted by man, his years are done
الأَيامthe days منهمsome of them مثلlike شهدthe honey of الخَلاياthe combs
الأَيام منهم مثل شهد الخَلايا
فوقbeyond الحَلاsweetness تنشيwaft رياحscents of خزامlavender
فوق الحَلا تنشي رياح خزام
Some days are like honey from the combs;
Days are like bees' honeycombs
Beyond their sweetness, they waft lavender scents.
They stir winds with aggressive groans
الأَيامthe days لاwhen مالواthey bear down علىupon طُودa mountain عاليlofty
الأَيام لا مالوا على طُود عالي
يدعواthey leave ركانوits pillars العالياتtowering هدامin ruins
يدعوا ركانو العاليات هدام
When the days bear down upon a lofty mountain,
Days cannot be stopped by high peaks
They leave its towering pillars in ruins,
They call its edifice a wreck
يدعواthey leave ركانهits pillars العالياتtowering مهدمةdemolished
يدعوا ركانه العاليات مهدمة
سهليa plain بعدafter ماonce همthey صخورrocks ركامpiled high
سهلي بعد ما هم صخور ركام
They leave its towering pillars demolished,
They call its high edifice as rubble and remains
A plain where once stood rocks piled high.
Plains after they were mountains wearing chainmail
كذاthus صابَناstruck us الدَهرtime المَشقةhardship وَخانناand betrayed us
كذا صابَنا الدَهر المَشقة وَخاننا
وَدَعاناand left us بعدafter ماonce حناwe جبالmountains اعلامprominent
وَدَعانا بعد ما حنا جبال اعلام
Thus time struck us with hardship and betrayed us,
Plains after meeting us trampling without fail
And left us, who once were towering mountains,
Forcing us, no escape from days of travail
سَهليa plain بريدهeasy prey منwhoever لقاناmeets us يَدوسناtramples us
سَهلي بريده من لقانا يَدوسنا
لجاياrefugees وَمناand some of us فيin العَذابtorment لزامbound fast
لجايا وَمنا في العَذاب لزام
A level plain, easy prey, trampled by whoever meets us:
Trampling us underneath with no detail
Refugees, some of us bound fast to torment.
In the lands of Turks we cry and wail
مناsome of us ببرin the land of التركthe Turks تحتbeneath عظامهمtheir bones
منا ببر الترك تحت عظامهم
طيرthe bird of النياseparation فَوقabove المَهاجرthe places of exile حامcircled
طير النيا فَوق المَهاجر حام
Some of us in Turkish lands, their bones below,
In Tunisia's green our youth they bury
While the bird of separation circles above the places of exile.
Consumed in Turkish lands by beasts not wary
باكريتon Crete ترابthe soil of كريتCrete وَسدpillowed ربوعناour companions
باكريت تراب كريت وَسد ربوعنا
سقاهمmade them drink وَخيمthe cruelty of الدَهرtime كاسa cup of حمامdeath
سقاهم وَخيم الدَهر كاس حمام
On Crete, Crete's soil pillowed our companions.
Among us who died miserably without glory
Cruel time made them drink a cup of death.
Not pitied by kin or employees
وَفيand in تُونسTunis الخَضراthe green دَفناwe buried شبالناour lion cubs
وَفي تُونس الخَضرا دَفنا شبالنا
أَكلهمdevoured them بِأَرضin the land of التركthe Turks دودworms هوامvermin
أَكلهم بِأَرض الترك دود هوام
In green Tunis we buried our lion cubs;
Among us who died of thirst on the roads seen
In Turkish lands, worms and vermin devoured them.
Their bones are now feeding beasts mean
مناsome of us برودسon Rhodes منthose who ماتdied بالويلin misery وَالشَقاand suffering
منا برودس من مات بالويل وَالشَقا
وَلاand not عللوهcomforted him الأَهلfamily وَالخدامand servants
وَلا عللوه الأَهل وَالخدام
Some of us on Rhodes died in misery and suffering,
Among us they threw in the sea depths cleaning
With neither family nor servants to comfort them.
They drifted with no flags or signs reading
وَمناand some of us عَلىupon الطُرقانthe roads ماتواdied منfrom الظَماthirst
وَمنا عَلى الطُرقان ماتوا من الظَما
وَصارَتand became عِظامهمtheir bones لِلهَوامfor vermin طَعامfood
وَصارَت عِظامهم لِلهَوام طَعام
Some of us died of thirst upon the roads,
Among us on soil they drag and scrape
And their bones became food for vermin.
Like dead bodies and graves with no shape
وَمِناand some of us رَموهthey cast him بلجةinto the deep of البَحرthe sea عالمياonto the waters
وَمِنا رَموه بلجة البَحر عالميا
هَفواthey vanished وَلاand not بَينappeared لَهُمfor them أَعلامmarkers
هَفوا وَلا بَين لَهُم أَعلام
Some of us they cast into the deep sea, onto the waters;
Among us are jailed, tortured and confined
They vanished, with no markers left to show for them.
Among us some more to execution assigned
وَمِناand some of us بجلقin Jilliq يَشحطوهمthey drag them عَلىalong الوَطاthe ground
وَمِنا بجلق يَشحطوهم عَلى الوَطا
مثلlike الولايشcarcasses وَالقُبورand the graves خمامrubbish heaps
مثل الولايش وَالقُبور خمام
Some of us in Jilliq they drag along the ground
Among us the birds and beasts did haul and haul
Like carcasses, while the graves are rubbish heaps.
In the towns of war, no mercy or call
وَمِناand some of us مؤبدperpetual بالسُجونin prisons عَذابهمtheir torment
وَمِنا مؤبد بالسُجون عَذابهم
وَفيناand among us بَعدalso مَحكومsentenced حكمa sentence of اعدامexecution
وَفينا بَعد مَحكوم حكم اعدام
Some of us suffer perpetual torment in prisons;
We are not anymore creatures with pride
Among us are also those sentenced to execution.
In Syria, our tongues they tied
وَمناand some of us كلاهdevoured him الطَيرbirds وَالوَحشand beasts بِالفَلاin the wilderness
وَمنا كلاه الطَير وَالوَحش بِالفَلا
بحورانin Hauran فيin سُوقthe tumult of الحُروبwars السامdeadly
بحوران في سُوق الحُروب السام
Some of us birds and beasts devoured in the wilderness,
Like pages of bedsheets, our women's cover
In Hauran, amid war's deadly tumult.
Stopped at prison doors, orphans suffer
لاuntil ماthat غديناwe became للمخاليقto the people وَالمَلاand mankind
لا ما غدينا للمخاليق وَالمَلا
مضغهa morsel بسوريةin Syria لسانon tongues وَكَلامand in talk
مضغه بسورية لسان وَكَلام
Until, to the people and all mankind, we became
There they vilify with words that are sensors
A morsel on Syria's tongues, a matter of talk.
In the castle square, they roam
معارةexposed مثلlike خطوthe traces of السَرايرbedsteads حَريمناour women
معارة مثل خطو السَراير حَريمنا
توقفstand بِأَبوابat the doors of الحبوسprisons أَيتامorphaned
توقف بِأَبواب الحبوس أَيتام
Our women, exposed like the traces of bedsteads,
Who sees them, their liver ails and goes numb
Stand, orphaned, at the prison doors.
Who sees them, their eyes from the pain tears shed
هذهِthis woman الغفرthe guards يَشتمcurse أَوايلthe earliest جدودهاof her ancestors
هذهِ الغفر يَشتم أَوايل جدودها
وَهَذيand this woman يَسبوهاthey revile her بغيرwith different كَلامwords
وَهَذي يَسبوها بغير كَلام
This woman's earliest ancestors are cursed by the guards;
Until now, our children beg for bread
Another they revile with different words.
Until now we are all under Turkish rule
فيin ساحةthe courtyard of القَلعةthe fortress بحومواthey wander منfrom البَلاaffliction
في ساحة القَلعة بحوموا من البَلا
منwhoever شافهمsees them دَموhis blood بكبدوwithin his liver عامswims
من شافهم دَمو بكبدو عام
In the fortress courtyard they wander in distress.
No relief seen from this ridicule
Whoever sees them feels his blood swim within his liver.
Except if God has mercy and softens our plight
منwhoever شافهمsees them تذرفshed tears عُيونوhis eyes منfrom البَلاaffliction
من شافهم تذرف عُيونو من البَلا
وَللحينand until now بَعدstill عيالناour children حوامwandering
وَللحين بَعد عيالنا حوام
Whoever sees them sheds tears at their affliction.
The All-Knowing, The One of ultimate might
Even now our children still wander.
Save us all from this misery keep us in sight
وَللحينand until now نحناwe بديرةin the land of التركthe Turks كُلناall of us
وَللحين نحنا بديرة الترك كُلنا
وَلاand none منof فَرجrelief نَرجاwe hope for مِنfrom الظَلامthe oppressors
وَلا من فَرج نَرجا مِن الظَلام
Even now we are all in the land of the Turks,
For the prophet and the four noble knights
With no relief to hope for from the oppressors,
After that, I reconsidered the estrangement
سِوىexcept اللَهGod يَرحمناmay have mercy on us وَيلطفand be gentle بحالناwith our condition
سِوى اللَه يَرحمنا وَيلطف بحالنا
وَيَحلمand show forbearance عَليناtoward us الواحدthe One العَلامthe All-Knowing
وَيَحلم عَلينا الواحد العَلام
Except that God may have mercy on us and ease our condition,
And the pen flowed atop the surface with excitement
And the One, the All-Knowing, show us forbearance,
To show what my heart felt of the hardship present
يحسنgrant a good خلاصdeliverance الكلto all مِناof us منfrom البَلاaffliction
يحسن خلاص الكل مِنا من البَلا
بِجاهby the standing of النَبيthe Prophet وَالأَربَعةand the four الكِرامnoble ones
بِجاه النَبي وَالأَربَعة الكِرام
Granting all of us a good deliverance from affliction,
And compose the rhythms of the sentences pleasant
By the standing of the Prophet and the four noble ones.
Sent to deliver people from their violent treatment
مِنafter بَعدfollowing ذاthis راودتI urged نَفسيmy soul عَلىto bear الجَفاestrangement
مِن بَعد ذا راودت نَفسي عَلى الجَفا
وَسارand traveled القَلمthe pen فَوقَover الطلاحيthe writing sheets (unclear term) عامswimming
وَسار القَلم فَوقَ الطلاحي عام
After this, I urged my soul to bear estrangement,
O you who carry my message on the safe boat's shipment
And the pen swam across the writing sheets,
In the morning, the breeze comes from Sinab
يبديreveals عَلىabout ماwhat حاقbeset قَلبيmy heart مِنof العَناsuffering
يبدي عَلى ما حاق قَلبي مِن العَنا
وَيَرسمand composes فُنونverses محكماتwell-wrought حكامfirm
وَيَرسم فُنون محكمات حكام
Revealing the suffering that had beset my heart,
While darkness still looms over Istanbul
And composing firm, well-wrought verses,
The Bosphorous lighthouses shine bright
يَرسمcomposes فُنونverses محبكاتtightly woven القَوافيin rhyme
يَرسم فُنون محبكات القَوافي
مَرسولةsent forth تَهديbring الناسpeople فَهامunderstanding
مَرسولة تَهدي الناس فَهام
Composing verses with tightly woven rhymes,
Like Izmir's harbor at dusk alit
Sent forth to bring people understanding.
On Italy and Sivas go straight
ياO غادياًdeparting traveler منيfrom me تحملcarrying رِسالَتيmy message
يا غادياً مني تحمل رِسالَتي
عاupon متنthe back of شاحوفa skiff البحورةthe seas عامswimming
عا متن شاحوف البحورة عام
O traveler departing from me, carrying my message,
When you reach Rhodes, no need to wait
Upon the back of a skiff swimming the seas,
Call loudly, who saw our lands so great
الصُبحin the morning مِنfrom سينابSinop زوعset out معwith العفاwell-being
الصُبح مِن سيناب زوع مع العفا
تَلفيyou reach عَلىat اسطنبولIstanbul وَقتat the time of الظَلامdarkness
تَلفي عَلى اسطنبول وَقت الظَلام
Set out safely from Sinop in the morning;
The people of hospitality, customs upright
You will reach Istanbul at nightfall.
People of generosity and dignity's light
وَمشامعand the lights of البوغازthe strait يتوىit turns مَعwith الهَواthe wind
وَمشامع البوغاز يتوى مَع الهَوا
عَلىtoward أَزميرIzmir يمخرit cleaves the water يومwhen دخنواits smoke قامrises
عَلى أَزمير يمخر يوم دخنوا قام
By the strait's lights it turns with the wind,
Young men like lions come to recite
Cleaving the water toward Izmir as its smoke rises.
Young men who with spears make darkness take flight
عاtoward ايضالياAdalia وسيواسand Siwas انحرset your course مشرقeastward
عا ايضاليا وسيواس انحر مشرق
إِذاwhen جيتyou reach رودسRhodes وقعset out الاعلامthe banners
إِذا جيت رودس وقع الاعلام
Toward Adalia and Siwas, set your course eastward.
Faces who never saw guests with fright
When you reach Rhodes, set out the banners,
Greet them a thousandfold and the same again
وَانشدand ask بعاليat the top of الصُوتyour voice منwho شافhas seen ربعناour companions
وَانشد بعالي الصُوت من شاف ربعنا
أَهلpeople of المَناسفfeast platters وَالسَمنand ghee عوامswimming
أَهل المَناسف وَالسَمن عوام
And ask aloud who has seen our companions:
Greetings and peace once more I ordain
People whose feast platters swim in ghee,
After conveying my message's refrain
أَهلpeople of الكَرَمgenerosity أَهلpeople of المُروءةchivalry وَالشِيَمand noble character
أَهل الكَرَم أَهل المُروءة وَالشِيَم
يَأتوكwill come to you غلمةyoung men مثلlike أَسدlions of أَجامthickets
يَأتوك غلمة مثل أَسد أَجام
People of generosity, chivalry, and noble character.
Without complaints, a resolution they will obtain
Young men will come to you like lions of the thickets,
Without explaining my predicament and endless pain
يَأتوكwill come to you غلمهyoung men ينطحواwho confront الضدthe enemy بالقَناwith spears
يَأتوك غلمه ينطحوا الضد بالقَنا
بوجوهwith faces لاwhen شافواthey see الضُيوفguests بسامsmiling
بوجوه لا شافوا الضُيوف بسام
Young men who confront the enemy with spears,
Inside a castle in oceans of bane
Their faces smiling when they see guests.
No relief seen unless from our Creator humane
سلمgreet عليهمthem أَلفa thousand رَبوهmyriads وَمثلهاand as many again
سلم عليهم أَلف رَبوه وَمثلها
سلامgreetings وَمِنand after بَعدfollowing السَلامthe greetings سَلامgreetings
سلام وَمِن بَعد السَلام سَلام
Greet them a thousand myriads, and as many more,
The Creator of mankind who eases our strain
Greetings, and after those greetings, more greetings.
Never fails he who makes God his destiny's main
منafter بَعدfollowing ماthat يَروواthey recount مَعانيthe meanings of رِسالَتيmy message
من بَعد ما يَرووا مَعاني رِسالَتي
مِنwithout غيرany شَكوىcomplaint ينقذواthey rescue المنضامthe wronged one
مِن غير شَكوى ينقذوا المنضام
Once they recount the meanings of my message,
From Him comes guidance and inspiration's vein
Without a complaint they will rescue the wronged,
Greet Ahmad and deliver my address polite
مِنwithout غيرany ماthat اشرحI explain لَهُمto them سُوءthe wretchedness of مَوقِعيmy situation
مِن غير ما اشرح لَهُم سُوء مَوقِعي
جواتinside قلعةa fortress فيin بُحورseas of ظَلامdarkness
جوات قلعة في بُحور ظَلام
Without my explaining to them my wretched situation
Those who are wise will understand my plight
Inside a fortress, in seas of darkness.
Say the wonders my cousin that transpired
وَلاand none منof فَرجrelief نَرجاهwe hope for غَيرexcept إلهناour God
وَلا من فَرج نَرجاه غَير إلهنا
يشفقhas compassion عَليناon us خالقthe Creator of الأَنامmankind
يشفق عَلينا خالق الأَنام
There is no relief we hope for except from our God:
When the chiefs of our lands were conspired
May the Creator of mankind have compassion on us.
And targeted those who valor and dignity admired
ماnot خابwas disappointed منwhoever يجعلentrusts عَلىto اللَهGod نجدتوhis rescue
ما خاب من يجعل عَلى اللَه نجدتو
مِنهُfrom Him الهُدىguidance لِلخَيرtoward good وَالإِلهامand inspiration
مِنهُ الهُدى لِلخَير وَالإِلهام
Whoever entrusts his rescue to God is not disappointed;
And rode tyranny, rulers they hired
From Him come guidance toward good and inspiration.
And criticized the Horan's virtues and maligned
سلمgreet عَلىto أَحمَدAhmad وَبَلغand convey تَحيتيmy salutation
سلم عَلى أَحمَد وَبَلغ تَحيتي
يَفهمhe understands مَعانيهاits meanings شمامa proud man قوامat once
يَفهم مَعانيها شمام قوام
Greet Ahmad and convey my salutation.
Pure silver they criticized though it shined
That proud man will understand its meanings at once.
They targeted leaving us who they disdained
وَقلواand tell him العَجايبthe strange events يابنO son of عَميmy uncle التيwhich جَرَتbefell
وَقلوا العَجايب يابن عَمي التي جَرَت
عَلَيناus تَرىyou will see الهاthey have محطoccasion for كَلامtalk
عَلَينا تَرى الها محط كَلام
Tell him, 'O cousin, the strange things that befell
While it was like the Zanati's walls remained
Us—you will find they give much occasion for talk.
A wall that after construction became ruined
أَصلthe root of السَببthe cause هليof what جَرىhappened فيin بلادناour country
أَصل السَبب هلي جَرى في بلادنا
يومنwhen دَعواthey made شُيوخthe sheikhs of البِلادthe country عدامas nothing
يومن دَعوا شُيوخ البِلاد عدام
The root cause of what happened in our country
Became a pond for the despised and lowly ruined
Was when they reduced the land's sheikhs to nothing,
After being like a scented bud the perfection of nature
وَشاخواand became sheikhs بِهاthere منthose who ضيعوsquandered البَأسvalor وَالشيمand virtues
وَشاخوا بِها من ضيعو البَأس وَالشيم
رَكبواthey mounted الشدادthe saddles وَاردفواand took behind them الحكامthe rulers
رَكبوا الشداد وَاردفوا الحكام
And those who squandered valor and virtue became its sheikhs.
Became an ugly old woman no longer as nurture
They mounted the saddles and took the rulers behind them.
They empowered the corrupt and spread disorder
وَعابواand dishonored بحورانHauran العذيةthe wholesome وَعيبواand were disgraced
وَعابوا بحوران العذية وَعيبوا
صجindeed الضَرفthe skin container لاif عابis flawed زيتوits oil علمreveals it
صج الضَرف لا عاب زيتو علم
They dishonored wholesome Hauran and were themselves disgraced.
The wicked and corrupters became in order
Indeed, if the skin is flawed, its oil makes it known.
You mixed good and bad in positions higher
شاخواbecame sheikhs بِهاthere السفالthe base لاuntil ماthat دَعوناthey made us
شاخوا بِها السفال لا ما دَعونا
وَليشةa carcass عَلَيهاof taking it كُلevery جارحbird of prey حلمdreamed
وَليشة عَلَيها كُل جارح حلم
The base became its sheikhs, until they made us
Religious elders blamed each without tire
A carcass every bird of prey dreamed of taking.
Whoever you elders did not recruit
مِنafter بَعدfollowing ماonce هيit مثلlike سُورthe wall of الزناتيal-Zanati
مِن بَعد ما هي مثل سُور الزناتي
سورهits wall غَداbecame بَعدafter العمارbeing built هدامruins
سوره غَدا بَعد العمار هدام
After it had been like al-Zanati's wall,
Upon him, you placed the name of sin acute
Its wall became ruins after standing built.
And the head of dignity and purity no more
مِنafter بَعدfollowing ماonce هيit تطعنthrust at الضدthe enemy بِالقَناwith spears
مِن بَعد ما هي تطعن الضد بِالقَنا
صارَتbecame مراغةa wallow للنذالfor the base محامa haunt
صارَت مراغة للنذال محام
After it had thrust spears at the enemy,
From every side, evil is at its core
It became a wallow, a haunt for the base.
You now openly travel all towns
مِنafter بَعدfollowing ماonce هيit مثلlike غيدهa graceful beauty معطرهperfumed
مِن بَعد ما هي مثل غيده معطره
صارَتbecame عَجوزan old woman مَجروبةmangy بسنامwith a hump
صارَت عَجوز مَجروبة بسنام
After it had been like a perfumed beauty,
While one of you disappears for months
It became a mangy, hump-backed old woman.
As the saying goes who understands my address
قامواarose بِهاthere أَهلpeople of المَصاخةshamelessness وَعممواand donned turbans
قاموا بِها أَهل المَصاخة وَعمموا
وَغَداand became الرَديthe base وَالمفسدينand the corrupt امامleaders
وَغَدا الرَدي وَالمفسدين امام
The shameless arose there and donned turbans;
Ants do not ruin their homestead
The base and the corrupt became leaders.
Woe to my eyes when they see their crowds
وَتخالطونand you mix الجيدthe good وَالغُشand the fraudulent بالعملin deeds
وَتخالطون الجيد وَالغُش بالعمل
شُيوخthe sheikhs of الدِيانةreligion للجَميعto everyone ملامa reproach
شُيوخ الدِيانة للجَميع ملام
You mix the good and the fraudulent in your deeds.
Horses, donkeys and looted goods
The religious sheikhs are a reproach to all.
They ate barley and legumes and all the food
منwhoever لمdoes not يعممdon a turban شيوخناour sheikhs مقتونهdetest him
من لم يعمم شيوخنا مقتونه
وَرَمواand cast عَلَيهِupon him بِأَمرa ruling of دينreligion حرامforbidden
وَرَموا عَلَيهِ بِأَمر دين حرام
Whoever does not don a turban, our sheikhs detest,
Leaving the roosters and hens confused
And cast upon him a religious verdict: 'Forbidden.'
Missing them, you were so eloquently accused
وَغَدتand became لجاجةcontentious turmoil نقطةthe center of العزhonor وَالصَفاand serenity
وَغَدت لجاجة نقطة العز وَالصَفا
مِنfrom كُلevery جِهةdirection الشَرevil فيهاwithin it قامarose
مِن كُل جِهة الشَر فيها قام
The center of honor and serenity became a scene of strife;
Vile speech from despicable faces produced
From every direction evil arose within it.
Vile speech improper to transcribe
صارواthey began يجلواroaming فيthrough جَميعall القَراياthe villages
صاروا يجلوا في جَميع القَرايا
وَيَغيبand disappears واحدهمeach of them شهرa month وايامand days
وَيَغيب واحدهم شهر وايام
They began roaming through all the villages,
But absence made me this truth scribe
And each would disappear for a month and days.
Absence, injustice and misery invite
قالsaid المثلthe proverb منfrom قبلlong ago ياO سامعhearer of المثلthe proverb
قال المثل من قبل يا سامع المثل
النملants لاwhen خربare ruined بيوتوtheir homes حامtake to the air
النمل لا خرب بيوتو حام
The proverb said long ago, O hearer of the proverb:
Me to blame my cousins for the failed oversight
'Ants, when their homes are ruined, take to the air.'
I blame and remember what amongst us transpired
ياهولO terror of عينيmy eyes يومwhen تنظرthey behold جموعهمtheir throngs
ياهول عيني يوم تنظر جموعهم
خيلhorses وَحميرand donkeys وَكدشand hacks نهبplunder حرامillicit
خيل وَحمير وَكدش نهب حرام
What terror for my eyes when they behold their throngs:
And how violently the Druze conspired
Horses, donkeys, and hacks—illicit plunder.
Something happened that never occurred before
أَكلواthey ate الشَعيرbarley وَعلقواand fed as fodder الفُولbeans وَالعدسand lentils
أَكلوا الشَعير وَعلقوا الفُول وَالعدس
وَالديكand the rooster قالواthey said فيat ريالa riyal انسامwas priced
وَالديك قالوا في ريال انسام
They ate the barley and fed beans and lentils as fodder;
Not even told by ancestors of yore
The rooster, they said, was priced at a riyal.
Until the Turks invaded our abode
وَتفننواand they excelled بفنونin tricks عزكyour dignity فراقهمparting from them
وَتفننوا بفنون عزك فراقهم
كلامwords خايسfoul منfrom وُجوهfaces ذمامblameworthy
كلام خايس من وُجوه ذمام
They devised every sort of trick; your dignity lies in parting from them.
And dispersed us among various hordes
Foul words from blameworthy faces,
Until now we are under Turkish reign
كلامwords خايسfoul عيبshameful ينحطto be set down بالورقon paper
كلام خايس عيب ينحط بالورق
وَقَدand indeed وَزانيdrove me البُعدdistance أَقولto say كَلامwords
وَقَد وَزاني البُعد أَقول كَلام
Foul words too shameful to set upon paper.
Seeking relief from the Lord who holds all domains
Distance has driven me to speak,
Seeking relief from the Earth and Sky's Creator
وَقَدand indeed وَزانيdrove me البُعدdistance وَالضيمand injustice وَالشَقاand suffering
وَقَد وَزاني البُعد وَالضيم وَالشَقا
أَعاتبI reproach بنيthe sons of عميmy uncle لغشfor deceitful مَرامdesigns
أَعاتب بني عمي لغش مَرام
Distance, injustice, and suffering have driven me
Maybe He will unite us in the abode greater
To reproach my cousins for their deceitful designs.
Maybe He will heal our wounds and keep us together
أَعاتبI reproach وَاذكرand recall بالَّذيwhat صارhappened عندناamong us
أَعاتب وَاذكر بالَّذي صار عندنا
وَبماand what حكمواruled فيهthere الدُروزthe Druze عوامover years
وَبما حكموا فيه الدُروز عوام
I reproach them and recall what happened among us,
And save us from this darkness forever
And the judgments the Druze passed there over the years.
O Abu Ujaj listen to my poem's nature
جَرىhappened شَيءsomething معهمto them ماnot جَرىhappened قَطever مثلهits like
جَرى شَيء معهم ما جَرى قَط مثله
وَلاand not سولفواthey spoke عَنهُof it الجُدودthe forefathers علامknowing
وَلا سولفوا عَنهُ الجُدود علام
Something happened to them unlike anything that had ever happened;
I'm one whose guardian disappeared from pasture
Nor did the knowing forefathers ever speak of it.
I'm one whose guide was lost and as result filter
حَتّىuntil وزواthey incited الأَتراكthe Turks تاطيto trample بلادناour country
حَتّى وزوا الأَتراك تاطي بلادنا
وَبشتتوناand they scattered us مينamong قومa people روامof Rum
وَبشتتونا مين قوم روام
Until they incited the Turks to trample our country,
I became drunk without a cup or mixer
And scattered us among the people of Rum.
If I was impudent, blame me and the rest
وَللحينand until now حناwe بديرةin the land of التركthe Turks كلناall of us
وَللحين حنا بديرة الترك كلنا
نرجاwe hope for الفَرجrelief منfrom حاكمthe Ruler of الحكامrulers
نرجا الفَرج من حاكم الحكام
Even now we are all in the land of the Turks,
But my words are truth, I attest
Hoping for relief from the Ruler of rulers,
The fallen cannot be blamed for honesty expressed
نَرجاwe hope for الفَرجrelief منfrom خالقthe Creator of الأرضearth وَالسَماand heaven
نَرجا الفَرج من خالق الأرض وَالسَما
فَلعلso perhaps يَجمعناHe will gather us بدارin the abode of السَلامpeace
فَلعل يَجمعنا بدار السَلام
Hoping for relief from the Creator of earth and heaven.
Planted regret won't provide food or rest
Perhaps He will gather us in the abode of peace.
Planted regret O Ibn Buhassas you confess
فَلعلso perhaps يجمعناHe will gather us وَيَشفيand heal جروحناour wounds
فَلعل يجمعنا وَيَشفي جروحنا
وَنذكرand we recall مواضيهمtheir past deeds بناagainst us الظَلامthe oppressors
وَنذكر مواضيهم بنا الظَلام
Perhaps He will gather us and heal our wounds,
Left my being after building it a mess
And we will recall the oppressors' past deeds against us.
If estranged for long, my longing and loneliness progress
ياO أَبوAbu عجاجAjjaj اسمعhear معانيthe meanings of قصيدَتيmy poem
يا أَبو عجاج اسمع معاني قصيدَتي
إِنيI am منfrom الليwhat صاينيbefell me منضامwronged
إِني من اللي صايني منضام
O Abu Ajjaj, hear the meanings of my poem.
My soul must swoon with passion unless
I am wronged by what has befallen me.
My soul must leave its stead if estranged success
إِنيI am منfrom الليwhat صانيbefell me غابvanished راشديmy sound judgment
إِني من اللي صاني غاب راشدي
وَأَضحيتand I became سكراناًdrunk بغيرwithout مدامwine
وَأَضحيت سكراناً بغير مدام
Because of what befell me, my sound judgment vanished;
If the absence of the departed persists and digress
I became drunk without wine.
After praising the chosen Prophet in nobleness
لَوهيَeven if it جزتbefell منيme وَمِنكُمand you جَميعناall of us
لَوهيَ جزت مني وَمِنكُم جَميعنا
أَماas for كَلاميmy words فَهوَthey are حَقrightful ملامreproach
أَما كَلامي فَهوَ حَق ملام
Though it has befallen me and you, all of us,
To end with good and unite us from this darkness
My words are nevertheless rightful reproach.
O God unite us and heal our sickness
وَلاand not يَنفَعhelps الخَسرانthe loser كثرmuch المَلامةreproach
وَلا يَنفَع الخَسران كثر المَلامة
زرعthe crop of الندامةregret ماnot ينلyields طعامfood
زرع الندامة ما ينل طعام
Much reproach does not help the loser;
And save us from the land of darkness
The crop of regret yields no food.
زرعthe crop of الندامةregret يابنO son of بحصاصBahsas ضامنيoppressed me
زرع الندامة يابن بحصاص ضامني
دَعاleft هيكليmy frame بَعدafter العَمارbeing whole هدامruins
دَعا هيكلي بَعد العَمار هدام
The crop of regret, O son of Bahsas, has oppressed me;
It left my frame in ruins after it stood whole.
إِنif طالlasts هَجريmy estrangement طالlasts شَوقيmy longing وَوَحشَتيand my loneliness
إِن طال هَجري طال شَوقي وَوَحشَتي
لاno بُدescape ماthat نَفسيmy soul تَزلstrays هيامin longing
لا بُد ما نَفسي تَزل هيام
If my estrangement lasts, my longing and loneliness last.
My soul must inevitably stray in longing.
لاno بُدescape ماthat نفسيmy soul نُفارقwe leave مقرَهاits dwelling
لا بُد ما نفسي نُفارق مقرَها
إِنif طالlasts هَجرseparation from الغايبينthe absent ones وَدامand endures
إِن طال هَجر الغايبين وَدام
Inevitably, we must leave my soul's dwelling,
If separation from the absent ones grows long and endures.
منafter بَعدfollowing ماwhat خطيناwe wrote نصليwe invoke blessings عَلىupon النَبيthe Prophet
من بَعد ما خطينا نصلي عَلى النَبي
المُصطَفىthe chosen one المَبعوثthe sent one بدرthe moon of التَمامfullness
المُصطَفى المَبعوث بدر التَمام
After what we have written, we invoke blessings upon the Prophet,
The chosen, the sent one, the full moon.
يختمmay He conclude لناfor us بِالخيرwith good وَيلمand gather شملناour scattered company
يختم لنا بِالخير وَيلم شملنا
وَيفكناand free us منfrom ديرةthe land of الظَلامthe oppressors
وَيفكنا من ديرة الظَلام
May He grant us a good ending and gather us together,
And free us from the land of the oppressors.
Partial English translation: 245 of 256 Arabic lines translated.
Sol 6.1