أُبِثُّكُمُ أَنّي مَشوقٌ بِكُم صَبُّ

أُبِثُّكُمُ أَنّي مَشوقٌ بِكُم صَبُّ

وَأَنَّ فُؤادي لِلأَسى بَعدَكُم نَهبُ

وَأَنَّ فُؤادي لِلأَسى بَعدَكُم نَهبُ

I confide to you that I long for you, love-stricken,

I tell you that I long for you like someone suffering from love sickness,

and that, since you left, my heart is sorrow's prey.

And that after you my heart is prey to sorrow and grief,

تَناسَيتُمُ عَهدي كَأَنّي مُذنِبٌ

تَناسَيتُمُ عَهدي كَأَنّي مُذنِبٌ

وَما كانَ لي لَولا مَلالُكُم ذَنبُ

وَما كانَ لي لَولا مَلالُكُم ذَنبُ

You have chosen to forget our bond, as though I were guilty,

You forgot my covenant as if I were a wrongdoer,

though, but for your weariness of me, I had no fault.

Yet I was not at fault, were it not for your indifference.

وَقَد كُنتُ أَرجو أَن تَكونوا عَلى النَوى

وَقَد كُنتُ أَرجو أَن تَكونوا عَلى النَوى

كَما كُنتُمُ أَيّامَ يَجمَعُنا القُربُ

كَما كُنتُمُ أَيّامَ يَجمَعُنا القُربُ

I had hoped that, despite separation, you would remain

I hoped you would remain true to your vow,

as you were when nearness brought us together.

As you were in the days when kinship united us.

وَقَد كانَتِ الأَيّامُ سِلمي وَشَملُنا

وَقَد كانَتِ الأَيّامُ سِلمي وَشَملُنا

جَميعٌ فَأَمسَت وَهيَ لي بَعدَها حَربُ

جَميعٌ فَأَمسَت وَهيَ لي بَعدَها حَربُ

The days were once at peace with me, and we were

Those days were prosperous when we were together,

all together; afterward those days turned to war against me.

But after they were gone, they have become war to me.

فيا مَن لِقلبٍ لا يُبَلُّ غَليلُهُ

فيا مَن لِقلبٍ لا يُبَلُّ غَليلُهُ

وَأجفانِ عَينٍ لا يَجِفُّ لَها غَربُ

وَأجفانِ عَينٍ لا يَجِفُّ لَها غَربُ

Oh, who will help a heart whose burning thirst is never quenched,

So to one whose heart knows no peace or rest,

and eyelids whose flood of tears never dries?

And whose eyes know no sleep,

حَظَرتُ عَليها النَومَ بَعدَ فِراقِكُمُ

حَظَرتُ عَليها النَومَ بَعدَ فِراقِكُمُ

فَما يَلتَقي أَو يَلتَقي الهُدبُ وَالهُدبُ

فَما يَلتَقي أَو يَلتَقي الهُدبُ وَالهُدبُ

I forbade them sleep after parting from you,

I have denied slumber after being parted from you,

so lash and lash do not meet—or do meet [wording unclear].

So that eyelid meets not eyelid.

وَبالقَصرِ مِن بَغداذَ خودٌ إِذا رَنَت

وَبالقَصرِ مِن بَغداذَ خودٌ إِذا رَنَت

لَواحِظُها لَم يَنجُ مِن كَيدِها قَلبُ

لَواحِظُها لَم يَنجُ مِن كَيدِها قَلبُ

At the palace in Baghdad is a fair maiden; when she gazes,

In the palace at Baghdad are lovely gazelles,

no heart escapes the guile of her glancing eyes.

None who falls for them escapes with his heart intact.

كَعابٌ كَخوطِ البانِ لا أَرضُها الحِمى

كَعابٌ كَخوطِ البانِ لا أَرضُها الحِمى

وَلا دارُها سَلعٌ وَلا قَومُها كَعبُ

وَلا دارُها سَلعٌ وَلا قَومُها كَعبُ

A full-breasted maiden, slender as a bough of the ban-tree; her land is not al-Hima,

They are slender like bowstrings, untamed,

nor her home Sal', nor her people Ka'b.

Dwelling not in pastures, owned by no tribe or clan.

مُنَعَّمَةٌ غيرُ الهَبيدِ طَعامُها

مُنَعَّمَةٌ غيرُ الهَبيدِ طَعامُها

وَمِن غيرِ أَلبانِ اللِقاحِ لَها شُربُ

وَمِن غيرِ أَلبانِ اللِقاحِ لَها شُربُ

Pampered, her food is not colocynth seeds,

Well nourished, though eating not clover,

and she drinks something other than the milk of milch camels.

Drinking neither fresh milk nor curdled whey,

وَلا دونَها بيدٌ يُخاضُ غِمارُها

وَلا دونَها بيدٌ يُخاضُ غِمارُها

قِفارٌ وَلا طَعنٌ يُخافُ وَلا ضَربُ

قِفارٌ وَلا طَعنٌ يُخافُ وَلا ضَربُ

No deserts lie between us, their depths to be traversed,

Needing no herdsman to drive away the grim darkness,

no barren wastes, no spear-thrusts or blows to fear.

No weapons to ward off attack or blows.

مَحَلَّتُها أَعلا الصَراةِ وَدارُها

مَحَلَّتُها أَعلا الصَراةِ وَدارُها

عَلى الكَرخِ لا أَعلامُ سَلعٍ وَلا الهَضبُ

عَلى الكَرخِ لا أَعلامُ سَلعٍ وَلا الهَضبُ

Her quarter is on the upper Sarat, and her home

I have made their home atop the highest pinnacle,

is by al-Karkh, not the heights of Sal' or the plateaus.

Their abode overlooking the Karkh, no raiders or brigands near.

إِذا نُسِبَت آباؤُها التُركُ وَاِنتَمَت

إِذا نُسِبَت آباؤُها التُركُ وَاِنتَمَت

إِلى قَومِها أَخفَت مَناسِبَها العُربُ

إِلى قَومِها أَخفَت مَناسِبَها العُربُ

When her lineage is traced, her ancestors are Turks; when she declares descent

When their lineage is traced to the Turks, and they claim

from her people, the Arabs conceal their genealogies.

Kinship with their people, the Arabs scorn their pedigree.

وإِن حُجِبَت بِالسُمرِ وَالبيضِ غادَةٌ

وإِن حُجِبَت بِالسُمرِ وَالبيضِ غادَةٌ

فَليسَ لَها إِلّا غَلائِلِها حُجبُ

فَليسَ لَها إِلّا غَلائِلِها حُجبُ

Though a maiden may be guarded by brown spears and bright swords,

Veiled in dark tresses and fair faces,

her only screens are her thin gowns.

They have no covering but their luxuriant locks.

وَلَم أَنسَها كالظَبي لَيلَةَ أَقبَلَت

وَلَم أَنسَها كالظَبي لَيلَةَ أَقبَلَت

تُهادي وَمِن أَترابِها حَولَها سِربُ

تُهادي وَمِن أَترابِها حَولَها سِربُ

I have not forgotten her, gazelle-like, on the night she came,

I shall not forget them, like a roe deer on the night she crept up

walking with a gentle sway, a flock of her companions around her.

With her companions gathered around, a flock around their ram.

وَسَقَّت عَنِ الوَردِ المُضرَّجِ بِالحَيا

وَسَقَّت عَنِ الوَردِ المُضرَّجِ بِالحَيا

لَنا بَينُهُم تِلكَ المَعاجِرُ وَالنُقبُ

لَنا بَينُهُم تِلكَ المَعاجِرُ وَالنُقبُ

And [gave drink?] from roses crimsoned with modesty,

She turned away from the rose whose thorns glistened,

those headwraps and face-veils, for us among them.

Saying, “Between us are those shelters and clefts.”

وَلَمّا تَلاقَت بِالصَراةِ رِكابُنا

وَلَمّا تَلاقَت بِالصَراةِ رِكابُنا

وَرَقَّ لَنا مِن حَرِّ أَنفاسِنا الرَكبُ

وَرَقَّ لَنا مِن حَرِّ أَنفاسِنا الرَكبُ

When our mounts met at the Sarat,

When our feet met at the pinnacle,

and the caravan pitied us for the heat of our sighs,

Our mounts panted from the heat within our breasts.

عَلى الجانِبِ الغَربي والجَوُّ مَوهِناً

عَلى الجانِبِ الغَربي والجَوُّ مَوهِناً

رَقيقُ الحَواشي وَالنَسيمُ بِها رَطبُ

رَقيقُ الحَواشي وَالنَسيمُ بِها رَطبُ

on the western bank, while the late-night air

To the west, with a gentle moist breeze

was soft at its edges and the breeze there moist,

Making delicate the air’s fringes, and the soft wind damp.

وَغابَ رَقيبٌ نَتَّقيهِ وَكاشِحٌ

وَغابَ رَقيبٌ نَتَّقيهِ وَكاشِحٌ

وَراقَت لَنا الشَكوى وَلَذَّ لَنا العَتبُ

وَراقَت لَنا الشَكوى وَلَذَّ لَنا العَتبُ

and the watcher we feared and the spiteful enemy were gone,

No watcher to elude, no rival to contend with,

our complaints delighted us, and reproach tasted sweet.

Grievance was easy for us, and reproach was sweet.

وَباتَت بِكَفّيها مِنَ النَقشِ رَوضَةٌ

وَباتَت بِكَفّيها مِنَ النَقشِ رَوضَةٌ

لَنا وَغَديرٌ مِن مُقَبَّلِها عَذبُ

لَنا وَغَديرٌ مِن مُقَبَّلِها عَذبُ

At night the painted patterns on her two palms were a garden

In her palms she made for us that night a garden,

for us, and her lips a pool of sweet water.

And from her kisses, a pool of fresh water.

وَهانَ عَليها أَن أَبيتَ مُسَهَّداً

وَهانَ عَليها أَن أَبيتَ مُسَهَّداً

أَخالَوعَةٍ لا يَألَفُ الأَرضَ لي جَنبُ

أَخالَوعَةٍ لا يَألَفُ الأَرضَ لي جَنبُ

She thought little of my spending the night sleepless,

She thought it no shame that I should spend the night

a man of anguish, my side finding no rest upon the ground.

Laid low, helpless, unable to lift myself up.

إذا قُلتُ يالَمياءُ حُبُّكِ قاتِلي

إذا قُلتُ يالَمياءُ حُبُّكِ قاتِلي

تَقولُ وَكَم مِن عاشِقٍ قَتَلَ الحُبُّ

تَقولُ وَكَم مِن عاشِقٍ قَتَلَ الحُبُّ

When I say, 'O Lamya, your love is killing me,'

When I say “My life, your love kills me,”

she says, 'How many lovers love has killed!'

She says “How many lovers has love killed?”

وَإِن قُلتُ قَلبي في يَدَيكِ ضَريبَةٌ

وَإِن قُلتُ قَلبي في يَدَيكِ ضَريبَةٌ

تَقولُ وَأَينَ المُستَطيبُ لَهُ الضَربُ

تَقولُ وَأَينَ المُستَطيبُ لَهُ الضَربُ

If I say, 'My heart is a target in your hands,'

If I say “My heart lies prone beneath your hand,”

she says, 'Where is the one who finds such blows sweet?'

She says “And where is the noble heart that welcomes the blow?”

رُوَيدَكِ إِنَّ المالَ غادٍ وَرائِحٌ

رُوَيدَكِ إِنَّ المالَ غادٍ وَرائِحٌ

وَمِن شِيَمِ الدَهرِ العَطِيَةُ وَالسَلبُ

وَمِن شِيَمِ الدَهرِ العَطِيَةُ وَالسَلبُ

Take it gently: wealth comes and goes,

Wait, for wealth is fickle and fleeting,

and giving and taking are among Time's ways.

It is the way of fate to bestow and deprive.

لَئِن ضاقَتِ الزَوراءُ عَني مَنزِلاً

لَئِن ضاقَتِ الزَوراءُ عَني مَنزِلاً

فَلي في بِلادِ اللَهِ مُرتَكَضٌ رَحبُ

فَلي في بِلادِ اللَهِ مُرتَكَضٌ رَحبُ

If al-Zawra' grows too cramped to house me,

If the palace denies me lodging,

God's lands give me ample room to ride.

For me in God’s land there is ample range.

سَأُرهِفُ حَدَّ العَزمِ في طَلَبِ الغِنى

سَأُرهِفُ حَدَّ العَزمِ في طَلَبِ الغِنى

وَأُسهِبُ حَتّى يَعجَبَ الحَزنُ وَالسَهبُ

وَأُسهِبُ حَتّى يَعجَبَ الحَزنُ وَالسَهبُ

I shall sharpen the edge of my resolve in seeking wealth,

I will spur my steed up to the limit of endurance,

and range so far that rugged land and plain marvel.

And race on until sorrow and misfortune are amazed.

فَما خابَ مَن كانَت وَسائِلَهُ الظُبا

فَما خابَ مَن كانَت وَسائِلَهُ الظُبا

إِلى الحَظِّ وَالقودُ المُطَهَّمَةُ القُبُّ

إِلى الحَظِّ وَالقودُ المُطَهَّمَةُ القُبُّ

No man has failed whose means were sword-edges,

He who takes the wild cows as his means,

and long-necked, well-built, lean-bellied steeds, in pursuit of fortune.

To gain luck, and the seasoned firewood as his guide, does not fail.

وَما أَنا مِن يَثني الهَوى مِن عِنانِهِ

وَما أَنا مِن يَثني الهَوى مِن عِنانِهِ

وَيُملَكُ في حُبِّ الحِسانِ لَهُ لُبُّ

وَيُملَكُ في حُبِّ الحِسانِ لَهُ لُبُّ

I am not one whose reins passion turns aside,

I am not one who can rein in his passion,

whose mind is mastered by love of beautiful women.

Or control his love for the fair.

وَما أَدَّعي أَنّي عَلى الحُبِّ صَخرَةٌ

وَما أَدَّعي أَنّي عَلى الحُبِّ صَخرَةٌ

وَأَنَّ فُؤادي لايَحِنُّ وَلا يَصبو

وَأَنَّ فُؤادي لايَحِنُّ وَلا يَصبو

I do not claim to be a rock against love,

Nor do I claim to be like stone in love,

or that my heart neither yearns nor feels desire.

With a heart that neither sorrows nor aspires.

وَلَكِنَّها الأَيّامُ تَعصِفُ بِالفَتى

وَلَكِنَّها الأَيّامُ تَعصِفُ بِالفَتى

إِلى غَيرِ ما يَهوى زَعازِعُها النُكبُ

إِلى غَيرِ ما يَهوى زَعازِعُها النُكبُ

But these are the days: they buffet a man,

Rather, time sweeps the youth away

their adverse gales driving him away from what he desires.

To other than what he desires; so go its changes and chance.

وَقَد يُصحبُ القَلبُ الأَبيُّ عَلى النَوى

وَقَد يُصحبُ القَلبُ الأَبيُّ عَلى النَوى

وَيَسلو عَلى طولِ المَدى الهائِمُ الصَبُّ

وَيَسلو عَلى طولِ المَدى الهائِمُ الصَبُّ

Even a proud heart may grow tractable in separation,

And the steadfast heart may yet long

and in time the distraught, love-stricken lover may forget.

For its vow, raving on in unending fervour.

وَفي كُلِّ دارٍ حَلَّها المَرءُ جيرَةٌ

وَفي كُلِّ دارٍ حَلَّها المَرءُ جيرَةٌ

وَفي كُلِّ أَرضٍ لِلمُقيمِ بِها صَحبُ

وَفي كُلِّ أَرضٍ لِلمُقيمِ بِها صَحبُ

In every dwelling a man settles in, there are neighbors,

In every house one halts at there is a neighbour,

and in every land its resident finds companions.

And in every land where one settles, companions.

وَإِنَ عادَ لي عَطفُ الوَزيرِ مُحَمَّدٍ

وَإِنَ عادَ لي عَطفُ الوَزيرِ مُحَمَّدٍ

فَقَد أَكثَبَ النّائي وَلانَ لي الصَعبُ

فَقَد أَكثَبَ النّائي وَلانَ لي الصَعبُ

If the favor of the vizier Muhammad returns to me,

If I regain the favour of Minister Muhammad,

the distant draws near and the difficult grows easy for me.

Then the remote ones will draw near, and the difficult become easy.

وَزيرٌ إِذا اِعتَلَّ الزَمانُ فَرَأيُهُ

وَزيرٌ إِذا اِعتَلَّ الزَمانُ فَرَأيُهُ

هِناءٌ بِهِ تُشفى خَلا إِقُهُ الجُربُ

هِناءٌ بِهِ تُشفى خَلا إِقُهُ الجُربُ

A vizier whose counsel, when Time falls ill,

A minister, when times are disordered, his view

is a tar salve that heals its scabby dispositions.

Brings ease, healing however the ulcer may sting.

لَهُ خُلُقا بأسِ وَجودٍ إِذا سَقى

لَهُ خُلُقا بأسِ وَجودٍ إِذا سَقى

بِسِجليهِما لَم يُخشَ جَورٌ وَلا جَدبُ

بِسِجليهِما لَم يُخشَ جَورٌ وَلا جَدبُ

He has the twin traits of valor and bounty; when he waters

With his nature, bounty suffices when he gives drink

with their two buckets, neither injustice nor drought is feared.

From his pools; none need fear scarcity or drought.

عَليهِ مِنَ الرَأيِ الحَصينِ مُفاضَةٌ

عَليهِ مِنَ الرَأيِ الحَصينِ مُفاضَةٌ

وَفي كَفِّهِ مِن عَزمِهِ باتِرٌ عَضبُ

وَفي كَفِّهِ مِن عَزمِهِ باتِرٌ عَضبُ

He wears a full-length coat of mail of impregnable judgment,

He possesses penetrating wisdom in good measure,

and in his palm is a keen, cleaving sword of resolve.

And his hands hold a restraining power when he is roused to anger.

يَفُلُّ العِدى بِالرُعبِ قَبلَ لِقائِهِ

يَفُلُّ العِدى بِالرُعبِ قَبلَ لِقائِهِ

فَلِلَّهِ مَلكٌ مِن طَلائِعِهِ الرُعبُ

فَلِلَّهِ مَلكٌ مِن طَلائِعِهِ الرُعبُ

He breaks his enemies with terror before they meet him:

Terror makes the foe withdraw before encountering him,

God be praised for a dominion with terror in its vanguard!

For God has given him forces that cause dread.

نُهيبُ بِهِ في لَيلِ خَطبٍ فَيَنجَلي

نُهيبُ بِهِ في لَيلِ خَطبٍ فَيَنجَلي

وَنَدعوهُ في كَربٍ فَينفَرِجُ الكَربُ

وَنَدعوهُ في كَربٍ فَينفَرِجُ الكَربُ

We call to him in calamity's night, and it clears;

We seek refuge in him in nights of peril, and they clear up,

we invoke him in distress, and distress is dispelled.

We call on him in time of need, and the distress is relieved.

وَتَلقاهُ يَومَ الرَوعِ جَذَلانَ باسِماً

وَتَلقاهُ يَومَ الرَوعِ جَذَلانَ باسِماً

وَقَد عَبَّسَت في وَجهِ أَبطالِها الحَربُ

وَقَد عَبَّسَت في وَجهِ أَبطالِها الحَربُ

On the day of terror you find him joyful and smiling,

On days of calamity we find him a towering mountain,

though war has scowled in the faces of its champions.

When war has darkened the faces of even its heroes.

فَطوراً سِنانُ السَمهَري بِكَفِهِ يَراعٌ

فَطوراً سِنانُ السَمهَري بِكَفِهِ يَراعٌ

وَأَحياناً كَتائِبُهُ الكُتبُ

وَأَحياناً كَتائِبُهُ الكُتبُ

At times the sturdy spearhead in his hand is a reed pen,

Sometimes the swords of al-Samhari are a gazing flock in his grasp,

and at times his battalions are books.

At other times, his regiments are scrolls.

إِذا أَمَرَتهُ بِالعِقابِ حَفيظَةٌ

إِذا أَمَرَتهُ بِالعِقابِ حَفيظَةٌ

نَهاهُ المُحَيّا الطَلقُ وَالخُلقُ العَذبُ

نَهاهُ المُحَيّا الطَلقُ وَالخُلقُ العَذبُ

When indignation urges him to punish,

When his zeal calls for punishment, his gentle nature

his cheerful face and sweet nature restrain him.

And gracious manner deter him from harshness.

إِلى عَضُدِ الدينِ الوَزيرِ سَمَت بِنا

إِلى عَضُدِ الدينِ الوَزيرِ سَمَت بِنا

رَكائِبُ آمالٍ طَواها السُرى نُجبُ

رَكائِبُ آمالٍ طَواها السُرى نُجبُ

To the vizier 'Adud al-Din we were borne aloft

Toward the arm of the Faith, the minister, hopes carried us,

on noble mounts of hope, worn lean by night travel.

Hopes long concealed from men’s eyes, now ripened.

إِلى الضَيِّقِ الأَعذار في الجودِ بِاللُهى

إِلى الضَيِّقِ الأَعذار في الجودِ بِاللُهى

ولا عُذرَ إِن ضَنَّت بِدَرَّتِها السُحبُ

ولا عُذرَ إِن ضَنَّت بِدَرَّتِها السُحبُ

To one who allows little room for excuses in giving lavish gifts;

Excuse is narrow, being stingy with the shining gifts of the Almighty,

even the clouds have no excuse if they withhold their rain.

No excuse, though the clouds be miserly with their rain.

أَأَظمى وَدوني مِن حِياضِ مُحَمَّدٍ

أَأَظمى وَدوني مِن حِياضِ مُحَمَّدٍ

مَناهِلُ جودٍ ماوئها غَلَلٌ سَكبُ

مَناهِلُ جودٍ ماوئها غَلَلٌ سَكبُ

Shall I thirst, when before me, among Muhammad's pools,

are watering-places of bounty, their waters streaming forth?

Shall I go thirsty, and below me rivers overflowing with bounty from Muhammad,

وَأَخشى اللَيالي أَن تَجورَ خُطوبُها

وَأَخشى اللَيالي أَن تَجورَ خُطوبُها

وَما جارَ في عَصرِ الوَزيرِ لَها خَطبُ

وَما جارَ في عَصرِ الوَزيرِ لَها خَطبُ

Should I fear the nights, lest their calamities oppress me,

Whose currents are ever-flowing torrents?

when no calamity has wrought injustice in the vizier's age?

I fear the nights and the woes their darkness brings,

وَقَد عِشتُ دَهراً رائِقاً في جَنابِهِ

وَقَد عِشتُ دَهراً رائِقاً في جَنابِهِ

فَما شُلَّ لي سَرحٌ وَلا ريعَ لي سَربُ

فَما شُلَّ لي سَرحٌ وَلا ريعَ لي سَربُ

I have lived a tranquil age under his protection,

Yet no sorrow came in the minister’s time, no cause for grief.

with no herd of mine driven off, no flock of mine frightened.

أَروحُ وَلي مِنهُ الضِيافَةُ وَالقِرى

أَروحُ وَلي مِنهُ الضِيافَةُ وَالقِرى

وَأَغدو وَلي مِنهُ الكَرامَةُ وَالرُحبُ

وَأَغدو وَلي مِنهُ الكَرامَةُ وَالرُحبُ

I return at evening to his hospitality and a guest's fare,

I lived an age contentedly under his wing,

and go forth at dawn with his honor and warm welcome.

My flock undiminished, my pastures undiminished.

وَمازِلتُ في آلِ الرَفيلِ بِمَعزِلٍ

وَمازِلتُ في آلِ الرَفيلِ بِمَعزِلٍ

عَنِ الضَيمِ مَبذولاً لي الأَمنُ وَالخِصبُ

عَنِ الضَيمِ مَبذولاً لي الأَمنُ وَالخِصبُ

Among the family of al-Rafil I have always remained apart

If I subdue the nights, his lion-warriors undertake

from oppression, freely granted security and abundance.

To help me overcome them, hardened for assault.

إِذا أَنا غالَبتُ اللَيالي تَكَفَّلَت

إِذا أَنا غالَبتُ اللَيالي تَكَفَّلَت

بِنَصري عَليها مِنهُم أُسُدٌ غُلبُ

بِنَصري عَليها مِنهُم أُسُدٌ غُلبُ

Whenever I battled the nights, there pledged themselves

Without their valor, the spears would sprout leaves,

to help me against them thick-necked lions from that house.

Without their aid, the clubs would dissolve in their hands.

مَغاويرُ لَولا بَأسُهُم أَورَقَ القَنا

مَغاويرُ لَولا بَأسُهُم أَورَقَ القَنا

وَلَولا النَدى ذابَت بِأَيديهِم القُضبُ

وَلَولا النَدى ذابَت بِأَيديهِم القُضبُ

Valiant warriors: but for their might, the spear-shafts would sprout leaves,

Ask them to give, and they give lavishly; promise, and they keep faith;

and but for their bounty's dew, the swords would melt in their hands.

Judge, and they pardon; possess power, and they restrain it.

إِذا سُئِلوا جادوا وَإِن وَعَدوا وَفوا

إِذا سُئِلوا جادوا وَإِن وَعَدوا وَفوا

وَإِن قَدَروا عَفّوا وَإِن مَلَكوا ذَبوا

وَإِن قَدَروا عَفّوا وَإِن مَلَكوا ذَبوا

Asked, they give; promising, they fulfill;

They have taught my soul abnegation ­ how then

with power, they pardon; ruling, they defend.

Can I leave off selflessness, when it improves the soul?

هُمُ عَلَّمُوا نَفسي الإِباءَ فَكَيفَ لي

هُمُ عَلَّمُوا نَفسي الإِباءَ فَكَيفَ لي

بِتَركِ إِباءِ النَفسِ وَهوَ لَها تِربُ

بِتَركِ إِباءِ النَفسِ وَهوَ لَها تِربُ

They taught my soul proud refusal; how, then, can I

I kept their company when the lute’s music still flows sweetly

forsake my soul's pride, its coeval companion?

And the garments of youth are yet new and bright.

صَحِبتُهُمُ وَالعودُ يَقطُرُ ماؤُهُ

صَحِبتُهُمُ وَالعودُ يَقطُرُ ماؤُهُ

رَطيبٌ وَأَثوابُ الصِبى جُدُدٌ قُشبُ

رَطيبٌ وَأَثوابُ الصِبى جُدُدٌ قُشبُ

I kept their company while my branch still dripped with sap,

But now age has left its grey in my temples,

tender and green, and youth's garments were new and fresh.

And the first gleams of white hairs shine through.

وَها أَنا قَد أودى المَشيبُ بِلِمَّتي

وَها أَنا قَد أودى المَشيبُ بِلِمَّتي

وَلاحَت بِفَودَيها طَوالِعُهُ الشُهبُ

وَلاحَت بِفَودَيها طَوالِعُهُ الشُهبُ

Now here I am: gray age has laid waste to my locks,

What gifts I owe them, what deeds of grace!

its white heralds gleaming at either temple.

I wore them as my adornment, my necklaces and amulets.

وَكم مِنَنٍ عِندي لَهُ وَصَنائِعٍ

وَكم مِنَنٍ عِندي لَهُ وَصَنائِعٍ

حَليتُ بِها وَهِيَ الخَلاخيلُ وَالقُلبُ

حَليتُ بِها وَهِيَ الخَلاخيلُ وَالقُلبُ

How many favors and benefactions from him I possess,

I yearn for those days and times gone by,

adorned with them as with anklets and bracelets.

Like the withered leaf yearns for greenness.

أَحِنُّ إِلى أَيّامِها وَعُهودِها

أَحِنُّ إِلى أَيّامِها وَعُهودِها

كَما حَنَّتِ الوَرقُ المُوَلَّهَةُ السُلبُ

كَما حَنَّتِ الوَرقُ المُوَلَّهَةُ السُلبُ

I yearn for their days and their seasons,

Yet if the days of association are gone,

as bereaved, distraught gray doves yearn.

I have eulogies for them that will never pass away.

وَلي إِن قَضى عَهدُ التَواصُلِ نَحبَهُ

وَلي إِن قَضى عَهدُ التَواصُلِ نَحبَهُ

مَدائِحُ لا يُقضى لَها أَبَداً نَحبُ

مَدائِحُ لا يُقضى لَها أَبَداً نَحبُ

Though the age of our companionship has died, I have

I praised them out of love for them, and so my poetry

praise-poems whose allotted life will never end.

Will endure, and dust be showered on me from above.

مَدَحَتهُمُ حُبّاً لَهُم وَإِخالُها سَتَروى

مَدَحَتهُمُ حُبّاً لَهُم وَإِخالُها سَتَروى

وَمِن فَوقي الجَنادِلُ وَالتُربُ

وَمِن فَوقي الجَنادِلُ وَالتُربُ

I praised them out of love for them, and I think those poems will be recited

If I err by praising others,

even when stones and earth lie above me.

Then the warbler is fated to fall prey to love.

فَإِن أَقتَرِف ذَنباً بِمَدحِ سِواهُمُ

فَإِن أَقتَرِف ذَنباً بِمَدحِ سِواهُمُ

فَإِنَّ خِماصَ الطَيرِ يَقنِصُها الحَبُّ

فَإِنَّ خِماصَ الطَيرِ يَقنِصُها الحَبُّ

If I commit a sin by praising anyone else,

Look closely at whose nature is purest to you,

grain is what traps hungry birds.

Whose thoughts are most inclined to you ­ poetry stems from the heart.

أَعِد نَظَراً فيمَن صَفا لَكَ قَنبُهُ

أَعِد نَظَراً فيمَن صَفا لَكَ قَنبُهُ

وَخاطِرُهُ فالشِعرُ مَنبِتُهُ القَلبُ

وَخاطِرُهُ فالشِعرُ مَنبِتُهُ القَلبُ

Look again upon one whose heart [reading uncertain] is pure toward you,

Can a nobody hope to attain my rank,

and whose mind is sincere: poetry grows from the heart.

The base and envious vie with the noble and high-minded?

أَيَطمَعُ في إِدراكِ شَأويَ مُفحَمٌ

أَيَطمَعُ في إِدراكِ شَأويَ مُفحَمٌ

وَأَينَ الدَنّيُ النِكسُ وَالفاضِلُ النَدبُ

وَأَينَ الدَنّيُ النِكسُ وَالفاضِلُ النَدبُ

Does a tongue-tied poet hope to reach my stride?

He would rival me composing any strange form,

How far apart are the base weakling and the accomplished, able man!

While I am heedless of such novelties, his the innovation.

يُطاوِلُني في نَظمِ كُلِّ غَريبَةٍ

يُطاوِلُني في نَظمِ كُلِّ غَريبَةٍ

لي الحَفلُ مِن أَخلافِها وَلَهُ العَصبُ

لي الحَفلُ مِن أَخلافِها وَلَهُ العَصبُ

He vies with me in composing every rare verse:

He disputes with me mastery of the poetic craft, yet

from its teats I get abundant milk; he only binds them.

He ignores its metre and rhyme ­ ignorant in this craft.

يُنازِعُني عِلمَ القَوافي وَإِنَّهُ

يُنازِعُني عِلمَ القَوافي وَإِنَّهُ

لَيَجهَلُ مِنها ما العَروضُ وَما الضَربُ

لَيَجهَلُ مِنها ما العَروضُ وَما الضَربُ

He challenges me in the science of rhyme, yet he

I refuse to let my thoughts be distracted

does not know the closing feet of the first or second hemistich.

By livelihood and provision, if they are bent on that.

أَبيتُ وَهَمّي أَن تَسيرَ شَوارِدي

أَبيتُ وَهَمّي أَن تَسيرَ شَوارِدي

إِذا هَمَّهُ مِنها المَعيشَةُ وَالكَسبُ

إِذا هَمَّهُ مِنها المَعيشَةُ وَالكَسبُ

I pass the night intent on sending my far-ranging verses abroad,

Favor us equally, according to our gifts,

while his concern is livelihood and profit from them.

How strange that the head be equaled to the dung beetle!

فَسَوِّ عَلى قَدرِ القَرائِحِ بَينَنا

فَسَوِّ عَلى قَدرِ القَرائِحِ بَينَنا

وَمِن عَجَبٍ أَن يَستَوي الرَأسُ وَالعَجبُ

وَمِن عَجَبٍ أَن يَستَوي الرَأسُ وَالعَجبُ

So judge between us according to the worth of our poetic gifts:

Stand firmly in saving me from the blows of fate,

it would be strange to rank the head and tailbone alike.

Driving its caprices away from me, for the leap is possible.

فَثِب في خَلاصي مِن يَدِ الدَهرِ وازِعاً

فَثِب في خَلاصي مِن يَدِ الدَهرِ وازِعاً

حَوادِثَهُ عَنّي فَقاد أَمكَنَ الوَثبُ

حَوادِثَهُ عَنّي فَقاد أَمكَنَ الوَثبُ

Spring to rescue me from Time's hand, holding back

Irrigate the saplings of generosity, for I fear

its calamities from me; the leap is now possible [text uncertain].

They may wither while you are still their nurturing Lord.

وَسَقِّ غُروسَ المَكرُماتِ فَإِنَّني

وَسَقِّ غُروسَ المَكرُماتِ فَإِنَّني

أُعيذُكَ أَن تَذوى وَأَنتَ لَها رَبُّ

أُعيذُكَ أَن تَذوى وَأَنتَ لَها رَبُّ

Water the plantings of noble deeds, for I

Far be it that the branches of my praise dry up,

would spare you their withering while you are their master.

When your running stream of bounty gives them drink.

وَحاشى لِمَدحي أَن تَجِفَّ غُصونُهُ

وَحاشى لِمَدحي أَن تَجِفَّ غُصونُهُ

وَمِن بَحرِ جَدواك المَعينِ لَها شُربُ

وَمِن بَحرِ جَدواك المَعينِ لَها شُربُ

Far be it from the branches of my praise to dry up,

No land went barren while you live,

when they drink from the ever-flowing sea of your bounty.

No fortune declined while you remain its restorer to health.

وَلا أَجدَبَت أَرضٌ وَأَنتَ لَها حَيّاً

وَلا أَجدَبَت أَرضٌ وَأَنتَ لَها حَيّاً

وَلا مَرِضَت حالٌ وَأَنتَ لَها طَبُّ

وَلا مَرِضَت حالٌ وَأَنتَ لَها طَبُّ

May no land grow barren while you are its rain,

The ministry loses no resolve while you lie awake

nor any condition sicken while you are its healer.

Pondering it, be it east or west.

وَلا عَدِمَت مِنكَ الوِزارَةُ هِمَّةً

وَلا عَدِمَت مِنكَ الوِزارَةُ هِمَّةً

تَبيتُ وَمِن تَدبيرِها الشَرقُ وَالغَربُ

تَبيتُ وَمِن تَدبيرِها الشَرقُ وَالغَربُ

May the vizierate never lack your lofty resolve,

And below you are haunts full of fragrant blossoms,

which passes the night with East and West under its direction.

Their tails trailing forever in praise of you all.

وَدونَكَ مِن وَشي القَوافي حَبائِراً

وَدونَكَ مِن وَشي القَوافي حَبائِراً

لَأَذيالِها في مَدحِكُم أَبَداً سَحبُ

لَأَذيالِها في مَدحِكُم أَبَداً سَحبُ

Take these embroidered robes woven of rhyme,

They are pearls concealed in their shells which you hid away,

whose trains forever trail in your praise.

Scatter them, and they are gems of Yemen, unsullied.

هِيَ الدُرُّ في أَصدافِها ما طَوَيتَها

هِيَ الدُرُّ في أَصدافِها ما طَوَيتَها

وَإِن نُشِرَت فَهِيَ اليَمانِيَةُ القُضبُ

وَإِن نُشِرَت فَهِيَ اليَمانِيَةُ القُضبُ

Folded, they are pearls within their shells;

Whenever their seal is opened before me one day,

unfolded, they are sharp Yemeni swords.

The earth will be perfumed where you dwell, should I recite them.

إِذا فُضَّ يَوماً في يَدَيَّ خِتامُها

إِذا فُضَّ يَوماً في يَدَيَّ خِتامُها

تَضَوَّعَ مِن إِنشادِها فيكُم التُربُ

تَضَوَّعَ مِن إِنشادِها فيكُم التُربُ

If one day their seal is broken in my hands,

You whose reach is short, tongue readily prone to blame,

the dust grows fragrant from my reciting them in your praise.

To detraction you hurry, a habitual reviler.

فَداكَ قَصيرُ الباعِ وَانٍ عَنِ العُلي

فَداكَ قَصيرُ الباعِ وَانٍ عَنِ العُلي

سَريعٌ إِلى أَعتافِهِ الذَمُّ وَالثَلَبُ

سَريعٌ إِلى أَعتافِهِ الذَمُّ وَالثَلَبُ

May the short-armed man, lagging behind glory, be your ransom,

Yours is an empty abode, though it appears spacious,

whose sides are swiftly assailed by blame and slander.

A desert your guest, neither water nor grass yours.

لَهُ مَنزِلٌ رَحبٌ وَلَكِن نَزيلُهُ

لَهُ مَنزِلٌ رَحبٌ وَلَكِن نَزيلُهُ

بِبَيداءَ لا ماءٌ لَديها وَلا عُشبُ

بِبَيداءَ لا ماءٌ لَديها وَلا عُشبُ

He has a spacious house, yet his guest

Ever dreaded, shunned by noble and base alike,

finds himself in a desert with neither water nor grass.

While your sword remains sheathed, and your flame extinguished.

وَلازِلَت مَرهوبَ السُطا وَاكِفَ الحَيا

وَلازِلَت مَرهوبَ السُطا وَاكِفَ الحَيا

حُسامُكَ لا يَنبو وَنارُكَ لا تَخبو

حُسامُكَ لا يَنبو وَنارُكَ لا تَخبو

May your might ever be feared, your rain ever pouring,

your sword never fail to bite, your fire never die.