بانdeparted شبابيmy youth فعزَّso became difficult مُطَّلَبُهْits recovery
بان شبابي فعزَّ مُطَّلَبُهْ
وانبتَّand was severed بينيbetween me وبينهand it نسبُهْits bond
وانبتَّ بيني وبينه نسبُهْ
My youth departed, and recovering it became difficult.
My youth has passed, though once it was desired,
The bond between it and me was severed.
And kinship sprang between it and my forebears;
ولاحand appeared شيبيmy gray hair فراعَand startled قاليتيthe woman who hates me
ولاح شيبي فراعَ قاليتي
بلrather خُلَّتيmy intimate companion بلrather خليلتيmy beloved شَهَبُهْits white streaks
بل خُلَّتي بل خليلتي شَهَبُهْ
My gray hair appeared and startled the woman who hated me—
My hair turned white, my strength began to fail me,
rather, my companion, rather, my beloved—with its white streaks.
My heart—ay, my beloved—lost its dark locks.
بلrather راعنيit frightened me أنهthat it دليلُa sign of بلىdecay
بل راعني أنه دليلُ بلى
والعودُand the tree يذويwithers إذاwhen ذوىwithers هَدَبُهْits foliage
والعودُ يذوي إذا ذوى هَدَبُهْ
Rather, it frightened me because it signals decay:
Indeed it served to guide me to renewal
a tree withers when its foliage withers.
When once the withered branch begins to bloom anew.
بَرْحاًwoe لهذاto this الزمانِage يُلبسُناit clothes us
بَرْحاً لهذا الزمانِ يُلبسُنا
سِرْبالَa robe of نَعْماءَbliss ثمَّthen يَسْتَلِبُهْsnatches it away
سِرْبالَ نَعْماءَ ثمَّ يَسْتَلِبُهْ
Woe to this age, which clothes us
'Twas time itself that clothed me in rich raiment,
in a robe of bliss, then snatches it away.
Then came and stripped its gift and left me bare;
أخنَىravaged علىupon لِمَّتيmy locks ويُتبعُهاand follows them with
أخنَى على لِمَّتي ويُتبعُها
ديباجتيmy cheeks غيرَnot مُنتهٍceasing كَلَبُهْits ravenous fury
ديباجتي غيرَ مُنتهٍ كَلَبُهْ
It ravaged my locks and follows them
It singled me out among my peers with honor,
with my cheeks, its ravenous fury never ceasing,
Then stained my cloak, whose embroidery knew no end,
أوuntil يأكلَit devours اللحمَthe flesh غيرَnot مُتَّزِعٍrestrained
أو يأكلَ اللحمَ غيرَ مُتَّزِعٍ
ويتركَand leaves الجسمَthe body ناحلاًemaciated قَصَبُهْits bones
ويتركَ الجسمَ ناحلاً قَصَبُهْ
until it devours the flesh, unrestrained,
Or else consumed my flesh but shunned the bones—
and leaves the body's bones emaciated.
A wind-blown stack, its stalks gaunt, dry.
ماnot بَشرِيmy skin بالبعيدfar removed منfrom شَعَريmy hair
ما بَشرِي بالبعيد من شَعَري
ذاthis ورقٌfoliage حائلٌfading وذاand this نَجَبُهْits bark
ذا ورقٌ حائلٌ وذا نَجَبُهْ
My skin is not far removed from my hair:
When white hair laughed, I wept to see it laugh,
this is fading foliage, and this its bark.
Until tears flowed in streams like racing steeds;
وكلُّand everything ماthat يستكِنُّlies sheltered تحتهماbeneath the two
وكلُّ ما يستكِنُّ تحتهما
يَقْرُبis close منto ذاthis وذاكand that مُنتسبُهْits kinship
يَقْرُب من ذا وذاك مُنتسبُهْ
Everything sheltered beneath the two
Its down, when it appeared, caused me such anguish,
is closely related to this and that.
I wet my cheeks for want of touching it.
وضاحكٍand many a laugher ساءنيdistressed me بضحْكتِهِwith his laughter
وضاحكٍ ساءني بضحْكتِهِ
وقدand already علتْنيcovered me منَfrom البلىdecay نُقَبُهْits holes
وقد علتْني منَ البلى نُقَبُهْ
Many a laugher distressed me with his laughter
If it evades my side, avoids contact,
when decay's holes had already spread over me.
As if fearing a book, made impure by touch,
أبكانيَmade me weep الشيبُgray hair حينwhen أضحكهُit made him laugh
أبكانيَ الشيبُ حين أضحكهُ
حتىuntil جرىflowed الدمعُthe tears واكفاًdripping سَرَبُهْtheir stream
حتى جرى الدمعُ واكفاً سَرَبُهْ
Gray hair made me weep when it made him laugh,
Still I have seen it, and it's seen me too—
until tears flowed in a dripping stream.
No curtain comes between us, dense or dark.
لاno بلrather أسىgrief إذwhen بداit appeared ففجَّعنيand bereaved me
لا بل أسى إذ بدا ففجَّعني
بِمَلْثَمٍof a kissable mouth منهfrom it رافنيsoothed me شَنَبُهْits pearly freshness
بِمَلْثَمٍ منه رافني شَنَبُهْ
No, rather grief, when it appeared and bereaved me
O watcher over me, sleep now; for fate
of a kissable mouth whose pearly freshness once soothed me.
Has roused me with events I hoped to see.
عَلَّلْتُI repeatedly watered خدَّيَّmy two cheeks بالدموعwith tears لهfor him
عَلَّلْتُ خدَّيَّ بالدموع له
إذsince فاتنيI missed أنْthat يَعُلَّنيgive me another drink ثَغَبُهْhis cool pool
إذ فاتني أنْ يَعُلَّني ثَغَبُهْ
I watered my cheeks repeatedly with tears for him,
Gray hair has granted me security
since I could no longer drink again from his cool pool.
From accusation—he whom time lets slumber sees no dreams.
إنْif يَنْأَhe draws away عنfrom جانبيmy side بجانبهwith his side
إنْ يَنْأَ عن جانبي بجانبه
كماas اتَّقىavoided مسَّtouching مصحفٍa Qur'an جُنُبُهْone ritually impure before it
كما اتَّقى مسَّ مصحفٍ جُنُبُهْ
If he draws his side away from mine,
My age-mate blames me for the loss of youth
as one ritually impure avoids touching a Qur'an,
On that sad day its parting pangs began;
فقدyet once أرانيI saw myself وقدand once أراهُI saw him وماand not
فقد أراني وقد أراهُ وما
يدخلcame between بينيme وبينهand him سُخُبُهْhis clamor
يدخل بيني وبينه سُخُبُهْ
yet I recall myself seeing him, when no
The day it left me like a bosom friend
clamor of his came between him and me.
Whose company, when gone, cannot be blamed.
نمsleep ياO رقيبيmy watcher فقدfor already تَنبَّهhas awakened ليagainst me
نم يا رقيبي فقد تَنبَّه لي
خَطْبٌa calamity منfrom الدهرTime كنتI was أرتقِبُهْawaiting it
خَطْبٌ من الدهر كنت أرتقِبُهْ
Sleep, my watcher: something has awakened against me—
Few feel the sorrow for a boon companion
a calamity from Time that I had been awaiting.
That his bereavement and regret evoke.
قدalready آمنhas reassured الشيبُgray hair منwhoever يراقبنيwatches me
قد آمن الشيبُ من يراقبني
منwhoever رابهtroubled him الدهرُTime نامslept مرتقِبُهْhis watcher
من رابه الدهرُ نام مرتقِبُهْ
Gray hair has reassured whoever watches me:
Longing for youth's exuberant sprigs, which fade
when Time troubles a man, his watcher sleeps.
And turn to withered sticks when they mature;
ياO صاحباًcompanion فاتنيdeprived me المشيبُgray hair بهof him
يا صاحباً فاتني المشيبُ به
أجْزَعنيdistressed me يومَthe day بانhe departed مُنْشَعَبُهْhis parting
أجْزَعني يومَ بان مُنْشَعَبُهْ
O companion whom gray hair cost me,
Each bough seems beautiful when newly sprung,
your parting distressed me the day you left.
Though fate decrees its withering once full grown.
فارقنيdeparted from me منهُof him يومthe day فارقنيhe departed from me
فارقني منهُ يوم فارقني
تِلعابةٌa playful fellow لاnot يَذُمُّهُcensure him صُحَبُهْhis companions
تِلعابةٌ لا يَذُمُّهُ صُحَبُهْ
When he departed, there departed with him
The best of days for men are first ones, though
a playful fellow whom his companions never censured.
In good and evil, there are consequences.
ماnot عيبُهhis fault غيرَexcept أنَّthat صاحبَهُhis companion
ما عيبُه غيرَ أنَّ صاحبَهُ
يطولgrows prolonged عندat الفراقِparting مُنْتَحبُهْhis weeping
يطول عند الفراقِ مُنْتَحبُهْ
His only fault is that his companion's
I said to aloeswood once dried and shrunk:
weeping grows prolonged at parting.
"Does anything surprise you now?" It said:
وقلَّand few منamong صاحبcompanions أُصيبَone was bereaved بهِof him
وقلَّ من صاحب أُصيبَ بهِ
لمثلِهِlike his حُزْنُهُhis sorrow ومُكتَأبُهْand his dejection
لمثلِهِ حُزْنُهُ ومُكتَأبُهْ
Few companions, once lost,
"I'm shocked by Time, its changing guises strange;
inspire sorrow and dejection like his.
How bravely opposites can it embrace!"
لهفيmy anguish لشَرْخfor the prime of الشبابyouth أنthat نَسختْerased
لهفي لشَرْخ الشباب أن نَسختْ
مَناسبَthe bonds of اللهوِpleasure بعدَهُafter it نُدَبُهْits scars
مَناسبَ اللهوِ بعدَهُ نُدَبُهْ
Alas for youth's prime, whose scars afterward erased
Do not be shocked at Time if wonders rise
the bonds of pleasure once it had gone.
Inexhaustibly, nor ever cease.
ياO دارُdwelling أقوتْbecame deserted منof الشبابyouth ألاmay
يا دارُ أقوتْ من الشباب ألا
حَيَّاكِgreet you غَيْثٌrain فُرُوغُهُits spouts جُوَبُهْits cloud-gaps
حَيَّاكِ غَيْثٌ فُرُوغُهُ جُوَبُهْ
O dwelling emptied of youth, may
So endless are the marvels Time creates—
rain greet you, with cloud-gaps for its spouts!
Or cures—as long as men on earth abide.
دارَhouse of شبابيmy youth الجديدِfresh والعيشِand life ذيpossessing الـthe—
دارَ شبابي الجديدِ والعيشِ ذي الـ
ـحَبْرَةjoy والصَّيْدِand game يَرْتَميis shot at كُثَبُهْits close range
ـحَبْرَة والصَّيْدِ يَرْتَمي كُثَبُهْ
House of my fresh youth and of a life of
How many monstrous acts has it let pass
joy, and of game shot at close range:
Whereby the one of reason is misled!
يَحْسَبُهconsiders it مَنْwhoever بكاكِweeps for you مُمْتثلاًimitating
يَحْسَبُه مَنْ بكاكِ مُمْتثلاً
مُنْسَكَبَthe outpouring of الدمعِtears فيكwithin you مُنْسَكَبُهْits downpour
مُنْسَكَبَ الدمعِ فيك مُنْسَكَبُهْ
whoever weeps for you thinks its downpour imitates
It makes the lion prey for foxes, transforms
the flood of tears poured forth within you.
The noble falcon into carrion.
أصبحتِyou became خرساءَmute بعدafter مزهرِكِyour lute الـthe—
أصبحتِ خرساءَ بعد مزهرِكِ الـ
ـناطقspeaking يَحدُوurges onward بكأسهمtheir winecups صَخَبُهْits clamor
ـناطق يَحدُو بكأسهم صَخَبُهْ
You have fallen mute after your lute, once
You there—if crippled, you're not truly maimed
speaking, its clamor urging their winecups onward.
Until your spirit, not your flesh, is harmed.
خَلّاكِforsook you ذَيلُthe train of الصِّبىyouth وساحبُهُand its wearer
خَلّاكِ ذَيلُ الصِّبى وساحبُهُ
يعفوكerases you ذيلُthe train of الصَّباthe east wind ومُنسَحَبُهْand its sweeping passage
يعفوك ذيلُ الصَّبا ومُنسَحَبُهْ
The train of youth and its wearer forsook you;
Indeed, O vile one censuring the vile,
the east wind's train and sweeping passage erase you.
Enough! Reproach yourself and have done with it!
وكنتِand you belonged للخُرَّدِto secluded maidens الحسانِbeautiful فأصso you be—
وكنتِ للخُرَّدِ الحسانِ فأص
بَحْتِ—came لِهَيْقٍfor an ostrich خليطُهُits companion شَبَبُهْits young male
بَحْتِ لِهَيْقٍ خليطُهُ شَبَبُهْ
You belonged to lovely secluded maidens, but now
Think not the humble, rotten stake contemptible;
you are an ostrich's haunt, with a young male for company.
It may prove useful fashioned into spear.
سقياًblessings لدهرٍon an age طوتْهُfolded it away غبطتُهُits happiness
سقياً لدهرٍ طوتْهُ غبطتُهُ
كانتwere كساعاتِlike the hours of غيرِهِanother حِقَبُهْits long eras
كانت كساعاتِ غيرِهِ حِقَبُهْ
Blessings on an age whose happiness folded it away:
The mighty are brought low when friends betray,
its long eras were like another age's hours.
Cut off from those who gave their power to them.
إذwhen لمnot أُسَقِّI watered الديارَthe dwellings أدمُعَthe tears of لَهْanguish-strick—
إذ لم أُسَقِّ الديارَ أدمُعَ لَهْ
فانَ—en تُواليmake unceasing زفيرَهُhis sighing كُرَبُهْhis griefs
فانَ تُوالي زفيرَهُ كُرَبُهْ
Then I did not water the dwellings with the tears of one
The arrow with no feathers, loosened string
anguish-stricken, whose griefs made his sighs unceasing.
Can not be rightly aimed or shot, and so
ولمand not أقلْI said عندat ذاكthat time منout of أسفٍregret
ولم أقلْ عند ذاك من أسفٍ
سَقياًblessings لدهرٍon an age تخاذلتْfailed نُوَبُهْits turns
سَقياً لدهرٍ تخاذلتْ نُوَبُهْ
Nor did I then say, out of regret,
Things weak made strong when bound as one; the trunk
'Blessings on an age whose turns have failed.'
That loses bark and branches falls apart;
إذwhen غِرَّتيmy naïveté بالزمانabout Time تُوهمنيmade me imagine
إذ غِرَّتي بالزمان تُوهمني
كلَّevery متاعٍpleasure يُعيرُهُit lends يَهَبُهْit gives outright
كلَّ متاعٍ يُعيرُهُ يَهَبُهْ
My naïveté about Time then made me imagine
Hope not the wanton man will cease his ways
that every pleasure it lent, it gave outright.
Though daily he is plunged in new remorse.
لهفيmy anguish لغُصنfor the branch of الشبابyouth أنthat رجعتْbecame
لهفي لغُصن الشباب أن رجعتْ
مُحتطباًfirewood بعدafter نَضرةٍfreshness شُعَبُهْits boughs
مُحتطباً بعد نَضرةٍ شُعَبُهْ
Alas for youth's branch, whose boughs became
But hope when man sees error, makes amends—
firewood after their freshness!
Repentance ever comes to mortal men.
وكلُّand every غصنٍbranch يروقُdelights منظرُهُits appearance
وكلُّ غصنٍ يروقُ منظرُهُ
يُعْقَبُis followed منafter مجتناهُits fruit-picking محتطبُهْits use as firewood
يُعْقَبُ من مجتناهُ محتطبُهْ
Every branch whose appearance delights
Seek your reward from the upright, not those
passes from fruit-picking to firewood.
Who hoard small trifles, scraps they find and keep.
وخيرُand the best of دهرِthe lifetime of الفتىthe young man أَوائلُهُits beginnings
وخيرُ دهرِ الفتى أَوائلُهُ
فيin كلّevery خيرٍgood thing وشرُّهُand its worst عُقَبُهْits aftermath
في كلّ خيرٍ وشرُّهُ عُقَبُهْ
The best of a young man's lifetime is its beginning
I welcome excuses from the virtuous man
in every good thing; its worst is its aftermath.
When asking him brings hardship, causes pain.
قلتI said لخلٍّto a friend خلاwas confined تعجُّبُهُhis wonder
قلت لخلٍّ خلا تعجُّبُهُ
إلاexcept منto الدهرTime إنeven if خلاceased عَجَبُهْits marvels
إلا من الدهر إن خلا عَجَبُهْ
I told a friend whose wonder was confined
Does not the date tree's ripe fruit satisfy
to Time alone, even when its marvels ceased—
When clouds have left the land no drop of rain?
يعجَبُhe marvels منهat it ومنand at تلوُّنِهِits changing colors
يعجَبُ منه ومن تلوُّنِهِ
وكيفand how يقفوfollows نوالَهits gifts حَرَبُهْits plundering
وكيف يقفو نوالَه حَرَبُهْ
he marvels at it and its changing colors,
I do not covet presents from a miser,
and how its plundering follows its gifts:
Begrudgingly bestowed or seized by force.
لاdo not تعجبنْmarvel للزمانat Time إنif كَثُرَتْbecame numerous
لا تعجبنْ للزمان إن كَثُرَتْ
منهُfrom it أعاجيبُهُits marvels ولاnor ذَرَبُهْits venom
منهُ أعاجيبُهُ ولا ذَرَبُهْ
'Do not marvel at Time, however numerous
The poet who seeks payment with lampoons
its marvels or its venom may become.
When his eulogies no benefit afford
فالدهرُfor Time لاnot تنقضيcease عجائبُهُits wonders
فالدهرُ لا تنقضي عجائبُهُ
أوuntil يتقضَّىis fulfilled منin أهلهits people أرَبُهْits purpose
أو يتقضَّى من أهله أرَبُهْ
Time's wonders will not cease
Wins sufficient vengeance on his slanderer
until its purpose in its people is fulfilled.
When incompetent tenors sing his praises.
كمhow many جَوْرةٍinjustices للزمانof Time فاحشةٍoutrageous
كم جَوْرةٍ للزمان فاحشةٍ
قادled بهاthrough them الرأسَthe head مذعناًsubmissive ذَنَبُهْits tail
قاد بها الرأسَ مذعناً ذَنَبُهْ
How many outrageous injustices of Time
Eulogies, for greedy lords, do nicely turn
have made the tail lead the submissive head!
To subtle slanders when they cheat the bard.
وافترسand devoured الليثَthe lion منهof it ثعلبُهُits fox
وافترس الليثَ منه ثعلبُهُ
وصارand began يصطادhunting صقْرَهُits falcon خَرَبُهْits male bustard
وصار يصطاد صقْرَهُ خَرَبُهْ
Its fox has devoured its lion,
My father Abū Aḥmad, God sustain him,
and its bustard has come to hunt its falcon.
Is nobly generous, and rightly lauded.
ياO منone who يرىsees الأجربَthe scab-ridden man الصحيحthe healthy man فلاand not
يا من يرى الأجربَ الصحيح فلا
يلقاهُmeets him إلاexcept مُبيِّناًmanifest نَكَبُهْhis aversion
يلقاهُ إلا مُبيِّناً نَكَبُهْ
You, the healthy man who sees the scab-ridden and
How could sincere praise fail to find the tongues
meets him only with manifest aversion:
Of people fortunate to have such a father?
ماnot جَربُthe scab of المرءِa man داءَthe disease of جِلْدتِهِhis skin
ما جَربُ المرءِ داءَ جِلْدتِهِ
بلrather إنّماonly داءُthe disease of عِرضهِhis honor جَرَبُهْhis scab
بل إنّما داءُ عِرضهِ جَرَبُهْ
a man's true scab is not his skin's disease;
His bounty is a meadow open to all seekers,
rather, the disease of his honor is his scab.
Whether clutching hopefully or pushed by want.
بلrather ياO مُهينَdespiser of المَهينِthe lowly man يَصحَبُهُhe accompanies him
بل يا مُهينَ المَهينِ يَصحَبُهُ
رُبَّmany a مَهينٍlowly man كفاكsufficed for you مُنتدبُهْhis ready service
رُبَّ مَهينٍ كفاك مُنتدبُهْ
And you who despise the lowly companion beside you:
He sways between munificence and caution, trembling
many a lowly man's ready service has sufficed for you.
Like one love-smitten, senseless with desire.
لاdo not تحقِرscorn المُنْصُلَthe sword الخشيبَunpolished فقدْfor indeed
لا تحقِر المُنْصُلَ الخشيبَ فقدْ
يُرضيكmay satisfy you عندin المِصاعِcombat مُختشبُهْits rough-made blade
يُرضيك عند المِصاعِ مُختشبُهْ
Do not scorn an unpolished sword, for
The people always crave caprice, but only
its rough-made blade may satisfy you in combat.
Wisdom affords ascent to higher things.
كمhow many منamong قويٍّstrong men إذاwhen أخلَّundermined بهhim
كم من قويٍّ إذا أخلَّ به
فقْدُthe loss of مَهينيْهِhis two humble helpers فاتَهُescaped him غَلَبُهْhis victory
فقْدُ مَهينيْهِ فاتَهُ غَلَبُهْ
Many a strong man, when deprived
His court receives both beggars and the thankful,
of his two humble helpers, loses his victory:
Petitioners despairing or hoping for favor.
كالسهمlike the arrow ذيpossessing النصلthe blade لاno نُهوضَflight بهfor it
كالسهم ذي النصل لا نُهوضَ به
ماunless لمnot يكنthere were ريشُهُits feathers ولاnor عَقَبُهْits binding sinew
ما لم يكن ريشُهُ ولا عَقَبُهْ
like an arrow with a blade, which cannot fly
Some come to fawn on him and seek his riches,
without its feathers and its binding sinew.
While others fear and ask only his protection.
الشيءُa thing بالشيءby another thing يستَخفُّis made light بهby it
الشيءُ بالشيء يستَخفُّ به
والجِذْعُand the trunk ماwhen لاnot يصونهُprotect it شَذبُهْits branches
والجِذْعُ ما لا يصونهُ شَذبُهْ
One thing is made light to wield by another;
The destitute he clothes in stately bearing,
a trunk is bare when its branches do not protect it.
Till honored they depart, no longer spurring their mares jaded,
لاdo not تيأسنْdespair أنthat يتوبَmay repent ذوone possessing سَرَفٍexcess
لا تيأسنْ أن يتوبَ ذو سَرَفٍ
يُضحيenters morning ويُمسيand enters evening كثيرةًnumerous حُوَبُهْhis sins
يُضحي ويُمسي كثيرةً حُوَبُهْ
Do not despair that a prodigal may repent,
Or sheltering victims from abuse, till safe and smug they stand there,
though his sins are many morning and evening.
While once all refuge seemed impossible to find.
وايْأسْand despair منof المرءa man أنthat يُنيبَhe returns to righteousness إذاwhen
وايْأسْ من المرء أن يُنيبَ إذا
ماindeed المرءُthe man كانتhave become كثيرةًnumerous تُوَبُهْhis repentances
ما المرءُ كانت كثيرةً تُوَبُهْ
But despair of a man's returning to righteousness when
He makes men thank their fate; his gifts astound us,
his repentances have become numerous.
Free of defect, unsullied, pure of taint.
بلrather أيهاO الطالبُseeker المُجِدُّstriving diligently بهِat it
بل أيها الطالبُ المُجِدُّ بهِ
فيin كلّevery يومٍday وليلةٍand night قَرَبُهْhis onward march
في كلّ يومٍ وليلةٍ قَرَبُهْ
And you, relentless seeker, striving at your quest,
Mounted on Time's sure wheel his house turns smoothly;
with an onward march every day and night:
Authority and wisdom steer the spin.
قدalready شَفَّهhas wasted him حرصُهhis greed وحالفَهُand allied with him
قد شَفَّه حرصُه وحالفَهُ
طولlong عناءٍtoil وحسرةٍand anguish وَصَبُهْhis sickness
طول عناءٍ وحسرةٍ وَصَبُهْ
his greed has wasted him, and his sickness has allied itself
His greatness, like the heavens, ever rises
with long toil and anguish.
Despite the ebb and flow of earthly chance.
بلrather أيُّهاO الهاربُfugitive المُخامرُهُpervading him
بل أيُّها الهاربُ المُخامرُهُ
خوفٌfear وكربٌand anguish مُخنَّقٌconstricted لبَبُهْhis throat
خوفٌ وكربٌ مُخنَّقٌ لبَبُهْ
And you, fugitive, pervaded
A leader riding to sublime ambitions,
by fear and anguish, your throat constricted:
No debatable act will bring him down.
ألقِrelease المقاليدthe reins إنهit is قَدَرٌdestiny
ألقِ المقاليد إنه قَدَرٌ
ماnot لامرئٍfor any man صَرْفُهُaverting it ولاnor جَلَبُهْsummoning it
ما لامرئٍ صَرْفُهُ ولا جَلَبُهْ
release the reins; it is destiny,
His reasoning's enough; his wisdom's perfected
which no man can avert or summon.
By long experience walking on its path.
قدmay يسبِقُoutrun الخيرgood fortune طالبٌa seeker عَجِلٌhasty
قد يسبِقُ الخير طالبٌ عَجِلٌ
ويرهَقُand overtakes الشرُّevil مُمعِناًheadlong هَرَبُهْhis flight
ويرهَقُ الشرُّ مُمعِناً هَرَبُهْ
A hasty seeker may race past good fortune,
To him, fear of God is sole discomfort;
and evil overtakes one whose flight is headlong.
Pleasing the Lord is all his labor's fruit.
والرزقُand sustenance آتٍcoming بلاwithout مطالبةٍdemanding
والرزقُ آتٍ بلا مطالبةٍ
سِيَّانalike مدفوعُهُwhat is pushed away ومُجتذَبُهْand what is drawn near
سِيَّان مدفوعُهُ ومُجتذَبُهْ
Sustenance comes without demanding it:
His valor is unmatched; its piercing radiance
what is pushed away and what is drawn near are alike.
Outshines the common steel of duller minds.
لاshould not يحزُنُgrieve المرءa man أنthat يُنَبَّزَbe branded بالـwith the—
لا يحزُنُ المرء أن يُنَبَّزَ بالـ
ـألقابnicknames بلrather أنthat تشينَهُdisgrace him خُرَبُهْhis corrupt deeds
ـألقاب بل أن تشينَهُ خُرَبُهْ
A man should not grieve at being branded with
Alone, eccentric, he is self-exiled
nicknames, but at being disgraced by his corrupt deeds.
In his distinction, and his solitude prolongs.
وماand no مَعيبٌflawed man بعادمٍlacking لقباًa nickname
وما مَعيبٌ بعادمٍ لقباً
كلُّevery مَعيبٍflawed man فَعيبُهُso his fault لَقَبُهْhis nickname
كلُّ مَعيبٍ فَعيبُهُ لَقَبُهْ
No flawed man lacks a nickname:
Reveal him as he is, no ordinary man
every flawed man's fault is his nickname.
Of pedigree to brag about, obscure the obvious.
فاسلمْso be free منof العيبfault أوor فكنbe رجلاًa man
فاسلمْ من العيب أو فكن رجلاً
ممنamong those who تهادَىexchange as gifts عيوبَهُhis faults غِيَبُهْhis backbiters
ممن تهادَى عيوبَهُ غِيَبُهْ
So be free of faults, or be a man
Does dawn illume the sky with lamps when day breaks
whose backbiters exchange his faults as gifts.
And its incandescence pours out freely everywhere?
فقلَّماfor rarely عُدَّis reckoned مُخطئاًmistaken رجلٌa man
فقلَّما عُدَّ مُخطئاً رجلٌ
قدindeed كثُرَتْoutnumbered خاطئاتِهhis misses صُيَبُهْhis hits
قد كثُرَتْ خاطئاتِه صُيَبُهْ
Rarely is a man reckoned mistaken
He is unmatched, a class apart from others,
whose hits greatly outnumber his misses.
Like Zuhayr, Muṣ'ab, Ḥusayn, and Ṭāhir too.
إنيI indeed وإنand though كنتُI am شاعراًa poet لَسِناًeloquent
إني وإن كنتُ شاعراً لَسِناً
أملكُI restrain قولَspeaking الخناobscenity لَأجتنبُهْsurely to avoid it
أملكُ قولَ الخنا لَأجتنبُهْ
Though I am an eloquent poet,
Or like 'Abdullāh, honorable and brilliant,
I restrain foul speech, determined to avoid it,
Whose towering heights bring him still closer to the heavens.
مخافةًfor fear منof قِرافcommitting مُخزيَةٍa disgraceful act
مخافةً من قِراف مُخزيَةٍ
بلrather منof حريقٍa fire ذووthose possessing الخناobscenity حَصَبُهْits fuel
بل من حريقٍ ذوو الخنا حَصَبُهْ
for fear of committing a disgraceful act—
Like an Indian sword both strong and sharp yet elegant,
rather, of a fire whose fuel is foul speakers—
Unlike a common blade for cleaving meat.
إلاexcept انتصاريmy avenging myself منupon العدوِّthe enemy إذاif
إلا انتصاري من العدوِّ إذا
ماindeed حانbecame due يوماًone day علىat يَديmy hand شَجَبُهْhis destruction
ما حان يوماً على يَدي شَجَبُهْ
except when avenging myself upon an enemy, if
Like rain in liberality, munificence, and plenty
his destruction should one day fall to my hand.
Unlike the clouds, which empty to reveal their gold.
فلاso let not يخفْfear مِقْوَليmy tongue البريءُthe innocent ولاnor
فلا يخفْ مِقْوَلي البريءُ ولا
يَأْمَنْهُtrust it جَانٍa wrongdoer فَإِنَّنيfor I ذَرَبُهْits sharpness
يَأْمَنْهُ جَانٍ فَإِنَّني ذَرَبُهْ
Let the innocent not fear my tongue, nor
Like the moon in beauty, splendor, loftiness,
the guilty trust it, for I give it its sharpness.
Unlike its image in a well or pool on earth.
واثنانand two things ليfor me منهماof the two أجَلُّهماthe nobler of them
واثنان لي منهما أجَلُّهما
عذرُthe excuse of كريمِa generous one among الرجالmen أوor نَشَبُهْhis wealth
عذرُ كريمِ الرجال أو نَشَبُهْ
Of two things, I choose the nobler:
Like Time in benefit and harm, discernment too,
a generous man's excuse or his wealth.
Unlike caprice, which cannot be relied upon.
لاnot أستحِلُّI deem lawful الثوابَthe reward منfrom رجلٍa man
لا أستحِلُّ الثوابَ من رجلٍ
يظلُّhe keeps يحتالُهcontriving to obtain it ويجتلبُهْand procuring it
يظلُّ يحتالُه ويجتلبُهْ
I do not deem a reward lawful from a man
Any who compare with him I have described here
who must keep contriving ways to obtain it.
Fall short of his superlative degree.
بلrather أقبلُI accept العذرَthe excuse إنهit is صَفَدٌa gift
بل أقبلُ العذرَ إنه صَفَدٌ
عندfor العفيفone restrained السؤالِin asking يَحتَقِبُهْhe stores it up
عند العفيف السؤالِ يَحتَقِبُهْ
Rather, I accept his excuse: it is a gift
Take this, Emir, a necklace I have strung
that one restrained in asking stores up.
With pearls that gain more beauty being pierced.
أليسis there not فيin طَلعِthe blossom of نخلِهِhis palm عِوضٌcompensation
أليس في طَلعِ نخلِهِ عِوضٌ
كافٍsufficient إذاif قِنوهاits cluster الْتوىfailed رُطَبُهْits ripe dates
كافٍ إذا قِنوها الْتوى رُطَبُهْ
Is there not sufficient compensation in his palm's blossom
But finest jewelry is worthy, eloquent speech,
when the ripe dates on its cluster fail?
That's memorized and written down in books.
بلrather لاnot أريغُI seek النوالa gift منfrom لَحِزٍa miser
بل لا أريغُ النوال من لَحِزٍ
سيانalike مُمتاحُهwhat is drawn from him ومُغْتَصَبُهْand what is seized from him
سيان مُمتاحُه ومُغْتَصَبُهْ
Nor do I seek a gift from a miser:
It will attest the special gifts God gave you,
what is drawn from him and what is seized are alike.
His chosen one, His handpicked intimate.
كالمُتبعlike one following المدحَpraise بالهجاءwith satire إذاwhen
كالمُتبع المدحَ بالهجاء إذا
ماindeed المرءُthe man لمnot يَفْدِransomed عرضَهُhis honor سَلَبُهْhis possessions
ما المرءُ لم يَفْدِ عرضَهُ سَلَبُهْ
Like one who follows praise with satire when
Time hoards you from events lest you be lost,
a man's possessions fail to ransom his honor.
His treasured one, His trusted confidante.
حسبُsufficient for امرىءٍa man مِنْof هجاءِthe satire of شاعرِهِhis poet
حسبُ امرىءٍ مِنْ هجاءِ شاعرِهِ
مدحٌpraise لهof him فيهfrom which خابwas disappointed مُنْقلَبُهْhis return
مدحٌ له فيه خاب مُنْقلَبُهْ
A man needs no more satire from his poet than
praise of him from which the poet returns disappointed.
فيin المدحِpraise ذمٌّcensure لكلfor every مُمتدحٍpraised man
في المدحِ ذمٌّ لكل مُمتدحٍ
حاردَfailed عندwhen احتلابهmilking him حَلبُهْhis milk
حاردَ عند احتلابه حَلبُهْ
Praise contains censure for every praised man
whose milk fails when he is milked.
أضحىhas become أبوAbu أحمدAhmad الأميرُthe emir عُبَيْʿUbay—
أضحى أبو أحمد الأميرُ عُبَيْ
دُ—d اللَّهAllah والحمدُand praise فيamong الورىmankind عِيبُهْhis treasuries
دُ اللَّه والحمدُ في الورى عِيبُهْ
Now Abu Ahmad, the emir ʿUbay—
—d Allah, has mankind's praise for his treasure.
وكيفand how لاnot يَنْحَلُونdo they bestow حمدَهُمُtheir praise
وكيف لا يَنْحَلُون حمدَهُمُ
أباًon a father شديداًgreat عليهمُtoward them حَدَبُهْhis tenderness
أباً شديداً عليهمُ حَدَبُهْ
How could they not bestow their praise
on a father whose tenderness toward them is so great?
معروفُهُhis kindness عُرضةٌavailable لِطالبِهِto its seeker
معروفُهُ عُرضةٌ لِطالبِهِ
بلrather طالبٌseeking كلَّeveryone منwhose ونَىslackened طلبُهْhis seeking
بل طالبٌ كلَّ من ونَى طلبُهْ
His kindness lies ready for whoever seeks it;
rather, it seeks everyone whose seeking has slackened.
يهتزُّhe stirs للبذلto generosity والحِفاظand defending honor إذاwhen
يهتزُّ للبذل والحِفاظ إذا
هزَّstirred غَويّاًa fool لغَيِّهِto his folly طَرَبُهْhis delight
هزَّ غَويّاً لغَيِّهِ طَرَبُهْ
He stirs to generosity and the defense of honor when
a fool is stirred by delight in his folly.
الناسُpeople إلبٌan alliance معwith الهوىdesire أبَداًalways
الناسُ إلبٌ مع الهوى أبَداً
وليسand not إلاexcept معwith العلاnobility أَلَبُهْhis alliance
وليس إلا مع العلا أَلَبُهْ
People are forever allied with desire;
his alliance is with nobility alone.
تلقىyou meet وفودَdelegations of الرجاءhope والخوفand fear والـand the—
تلقى وفودَ الرجاء والخوف والـ
ـشُكرِgratitude قدalready استجمعتهُمُgathered them all رَحَبُهْhis spacious grounds
ـشُكرِ قد استجمعتهُمُ رَحَبُهْ
You meet delegations of hope, fear, and
gratitude, all gathered in his spacious grounds:
مِنْamong مُملقٍa destitute man زارهvisited him علىwith أملٍhope
مِنْ مُملقٍ زاره على أملٍ
يقتادُهُleads him نحوtoward مالِهِhis wealth رَغَبُهْhis longing
يقتادُهُ نحو مالِهِ رَغَبُهْ
a destitute man visiting him in hope,
whose longing leads him toward his wealth;
ومُشفقٍand an anxious man جاءهُcame to him علىwith وَجَلٍdread
ومُشفقٍ جاءهُ على وَجَلٍ
يستاقُهُdrives him نحوtoward عزِّهِhis might رَهَبُهْhis fear
يستاقُهُ نحو عزِّهِ رَهَبُهْ
an anxious man coming to him in dread,
whose fear drives him toward his might;
وشاكرand one grateful for نِعمةًa favor مُقَدَّمةًpreviously given
وشاكر نِعمةً مُقَدَّمةً
ليسnot لغيرِfor anything except الثناءpraise مُؤْتَهَبُهْhis preparation
ليس لغيرِ الثناء مُؤْتَهَبُهْ
and one grateful for an earlier favor,
prepared for nothing but praise.
كمhow many مُستريشٍseekers of feathers أتاهcame to him مُنسلخاًstripped
كم مُستريشٍ أتاه مُنسلخاً
منof ريشهhis plumage آبَreturned والغنىand wealth زَغَبُهْhis down
من ريشه آبَ والغنى زَغَبُهْ
How many seekers of feathers came to him stripped
of their plumage, and returned with wealth for down!
حتىuntil غداbecame فيwithin ذَراهُhis shelter مضطَربٌroom to move
حتى غدا في ذَراهُ مضطَربٌ
رحبٌspacious وقدand previously كانhad ضاقَgrown cramped مُضطرَبُهْhis room to move
رحبٌ وقد كان ضاقَ مُضطرَبُهْ
Until, beneath his shelter, their room to move became
spacious, though it had once been cramped.
ومستجيرٍand a seeker of refuge أتاهcame to him مُضطهَداًoppressed
ومستجيرٍ أتاه مُضطهَداً
قدalready أوطأmade tread الناسَpeople خدَّهhis cheek تَرَبُهْhis poverty
قد أوطأ الناسَ خدَّه تَرَبُهْ
And many a seeker of refuge came to him oppressed,
whose poverty had made his cheek a tread for others.
ألبسَهُhe clothed him in هَيبةًawe فغادرهُand left him
ألبسَهُ هَيبةً فغادرهُ
رِئْبالَa lion of غابٍa forest يَحفُّهُsurrounds him أَشَبُهْits dense thicket
رِئْبالَ غابٍ يَحفُّهُ أَشَبُهْ
He clothed him in awe and left him
a forest lion surrounded by dense thickets.
حتىuntil غداbecame فيwithin حِماهُhis protection مُعتصمٌa refuge
حتى غدا في حِماهُ مُعتصمٌ
مُغْنٍsufficient وقدand previously كانhad طالlasted long مُنزَرَبُهْhis confinement in hiding
مُغْنٍ وقد كان طال مُنزَرَبُهْ
Until within his protection he found a refuge
sufficient for him, after long confinement in hiding.
أعتبناmade amends to us الدهرُTime بالأميرthrough the emir فلاand not
أعتبنا الدهرُ بالأمير فلا
بُروكُهُits kneeling يُشتكَىis complained of ولاnor خَبَبُهْits trotting
بُروكُهُ يُشتكَى ولا خَبَبُهْ
Through the emir, Time has made amends to us; neither
its kneeling nor its trotting is complained of.
واستوطأand found comfortable الرحلَthe saddle منهof it راكبُهُits rider
واستوطأ الرحلَ منه راكبُهُ
وطالand long lasted ماthe time that قدindeed نَبَاjolted بهhim قَتَبُهْits packsaddle
وطال ما قد نَبَا به قَتَبُهْ
Its rider has found its saddle comfortable,
after its packsaddle had jolted him so long.
راعٍa shepherd ومرعىًand a pasture فلاso not رعيَّتُهُhis subjects
راعٍ ومرعىً فلا رعيَّتُهُ
يُلقىis found لهاfor them مُشتكٍa complainant ولاnor عُشُبُهْhis grass
يُلقى لها مُشتكٍ ولا عُشُبُهْ
He is shepherd and pasture: neither his subjects
nor his grass give anyone cause to complain.
تغدوcome in the morning متَابيعهhis camels with young منfrom النَّعمthe herds الthe—
تغدو متَابيعه من النَّعم ال
عُوذِnewly calved عليناto us وتارةًand sometimes سُلُبُهْhis camels bereft of young
عُوذِ علينا وتارةً سُلُبُهْ
Each morning his mother-camels from newly calved herds
come to us, and at times his camels bereft of young.
فإنand if تعدَّتtransgresses عِصابةٌa band فلهاthen for it
فإن تعدَّت عِصابةٌ فلها
منهfrom him سيوفُswords of النَّكالpunishment أوor خَشَبُهْhis wooden stakes
منه سيوفُ النَّكال أو خَشَبُهْ
If a band transgresses, it receives
his swords of punishment or his wooden stakes.
يبتهجُrejoice المُبغضوthe haters of الصليبthe cross منamong الـthe—
يبتهجُ المُبغضو الصليب من الـ
ـناسِpeople إذاwhen رُفِّعتare raised بهمْwith them upon them صُلُبُهْhis crosses
ـناسِ إذا رُفِّعت بهمْ صُلُبُهْ
Those among the people who hate the cross rejoice
when his crosses are raised with them upon them.
قَرمٌa champion نجيبٌnoble يفوتُsurpasses واصفَهُhis describer
قَرمٌ نجيبٌ يفوتُ واصفَهُ
أدَّتْهُbrought him forth منfrom نَجلthe descendants of مُصعبٍMusʿab نُجُبُهْhis noble offspring
أدَّتْهُ من نَجل مُصعبٍ نُجُبُهْ
A noble champion, beyond his describer's reach:
the noble descendants of Musʿab brought him forth.
أمَّاas for بنوthe sons of طاهرٍTahir فإنهُمُindeed they
أمَّا بنو طاهرٍ فإنهُمُ
نبعُstrong bow-wood of الورىmankind إذwhile سواهُمُothers besides them غَرَبُهْits willow-wood
نبعُ الورى إذ سواهُمُ غَرَبُهْ
As for the sons of Tahir, they are
mankind's strong bow-wood, while others are its willow.
قومٌa people غَدواhave become لاnot يفيmatch بوزنهِمُtheir weight
قومٌ غَدوا لا يفي بوزنهِمُ
فيin كرمٍgenerosity عُجْمُهُits non-Arabs ولاnor عَرَبُهْits Arabs
في كرمٍ عُجْمُهُ ولا عَرَبُهْ
A people whose weight cannot be matched
in generosity by either non-Arabs or Arabs.
حَلُّواthey took their place منamong الناسpeople حيثwhere حلَّtook their place منamong الـthe—
حَلُّوا من الناس حيث حلَّ من الـ
ـأبطالwarriors بَيضُhelmets of الحديدiron أوor يَلَبُهْits armor
ـأبطال بَيضُ الحديد أو يَلَبُهْ
They hold among mankind the place held among
warriors by iron helmets or armor:
أرفَعُهمhighest among them رتبةًin rank وأدفعهمand strongest in warding
أرفَعُهم رتبةً وأدفعهم
عنهمfrom them لأمرٍa danger مُحاذَرٍfeared عَطَبُهْits ruin
عنهم لأمرٍ مُحاذَرٍ عَطَبُهْ
highest in rank, and strongest in warding
from them a feared and ruinous danger.
هُمُthey النجومُthe stars التيwhich إذاwhen طلعتrise
هُمُ النجومُ التي إذا طلعت
فيin كلِّevery ليلٍnight تكشَّفتscatter حُجُبُهْits veils
في كلِّ ليلٍ تكشَّفت حُجُبُهْ
They are the stars which, whenever they rise
in any night, scatter its veils.
زينةُadornment of سقفِthe ceiling of الأنامِmankind لاmay not أَفلُواthey set
زينةُ سقفِ الأنامِ لا أَفلُوا
أعلامُهُits beacons مُمطراتُهُits rain-bringers شُهُبُهْits meteors
أعلامُهُ مُمطراتُهُ شُهُبُهْ
The adornment of mankind's ceiling—may they never set!—
its beacons, its rain-bringers, its meteors.
منهمamong them ذووmen of الجهرimposing presence والأصالةand noble lineage والـand the—
منهم ذوو الجهر والأصالة والـ
ـمعروفِkindness والنُّكْرand severity حينwhen تَطَّلبُهْyou require it
ـمعروفِ والنُّكْر حين تَطَّلبُهْ
Among them are men of imposing presence, noble lineage, and
kindness, and severity when it is required.
زانُوهthey adorned him زَيْنَlike the adornment of الفريدthe unique pearl واسطةَthe center of الـthe—
زانُوه زَيْنَ الفريد واسطةَ الـ
ـعِقْدِnecklace زهاshone فيin النظامthe string مُنْتَخَبُهْits choicest pearl
ـعِقْدِ زها في النظام مُنْتَخَبُهْ
They adorn him as companion pearls adorn the unique gem at a necklace's
center, its choicest pearl resplendent in the string.
وزانهمand he adorned them زينَهاas it adorns صواحبَهاits companion pearls
وزانهم زينَها صواحبَها
لافضَّmay it not scatter ماwhat فيon النظامthe string مُنْقضَبُهْits severer
لافضَّ ما في النظام مُنْقضَبُهْ
And he adorns them as that pearl adorns its companions:
may what is joined upon that string never be scattered!
كأنْas though عليهupon him قلادةٌa necklace نُظمتْwas strung
كأنْ عليه قلادةٌ نُظمتْ
منof لؤلؤٍpearls لاnot تَشينُهُmar them ثقَبُهْtheir holes
من لؤلؤٍ لا تَشينُهُ ثقَبُهْ
It is as though he wears a necklace strung
of pearls whose holes do not mar them.
وأحسنُand the finest الْحَليjewelry منطقٌspeech حسنٌbeautiful
وأحسنُ الْحَلي منطقٌ حسنٌ
يكثُرis abundant محفوظُهُwhat is memorized of it ومُكْتَتبُهْand what is written of it
يكثُر محفوظُهُ ومُكْتَتبُهْ
The finest jewelry is beautiful speech,
much committed to memory and written down.
إذاwhen دعاsummon الشِعرpoetry مادِحوهhis praisers لهُfor him
إذا دعا الشِعر مادِحوه لهُ
جاءcomes مجيءَlike the coming of المَرُوضِthe trained مُقْتَضَبُهْits untrained verse
جاء مجيءَ المَرُوضِ مُقْتَضَبُهْ
When his praisers summon poetry for him,
even its untrained verse comes like something tamed.
عِفْdisdain حمدَthe praise of سُؤَّالِهِhis petitioners ولاand do not يَثْنِكَturn you aside الـthe—
عِفْ حمدَ سُؤَّالِهِ ولا يَثْنِكَ الـ
أخطَبُmottled bird عنfrom قَصْدهseeking him ولاnor خَطَبُهْits mottling
أخطَبُ عن قَصْده ولا خَطَبُهْ
Disdain his petitioners' praise; let not the mottled bird
or its mottling turn you from making for him.
ـولاnor يعوقَنْكlet hinder you عنfrom زيارتهvisiting him الthe—
ـولا يعوقَنْك عن زيارته ال
أعضبُbroken-horned beast مُستقبلاًapproaching ولاnor عَضَبُهْits broken horn
أعضبُ مُستقبلاً ولا عَضَبُهْ
Nor let anything hinder you from visiting him:
neither a broken-horned beast approaching, nor its broken horn.
مُحَرَّمُMuharram of الحولِthe year فيin تقدُّمِهِhis precedence
مُحَرَّمُ الحولِ في تقدُّمِهِ
لكنهُbut he لابنfor a child of خِيفَةٍfear رَجَبُهْits Rajab
لكنهُ لابن خِيفَةٍ رَجَبُهْ
He is the year's Muharram in precedence,
but its Rajab to a child of fear.
ربيعُهُits spring الممرعlush الذيwhose جُعلتْwere made
ربيعُهُ الممرع الذي جُعلتْ
للناسfor people مرعىًpasture ونُشْرةًand healing رُطَبُهْits fresh growth
للناس مرعىً ونُشْرةً رُطَبُهْ
Its lush spring, whose fresh growth was made
a pasture and a healing for mankind.
تدعوهُمُsummon them تارةًsometimes بَوارقُهُhis lightning flashes
تدعوهُمُ تارةً بَوارقُهُ
وتارةًand sometimes تُطَّبيهُمُentice them رِبَبُهْhis rainclouds
وتارةً تُطَّبيهُمُ رِبَبُهْ
Sometimes his lightning flashes summon them,
and sometimes his rainclouds entice them.
أعزُّmightiest منamong those who عزَّare mighty يُستجارُrefuge is sought بهin him
أعزُّ من عزَّ يُستجارُ به
وهوand he مباحُfreely available الثراءin wealth مُنْتَهَبُهْopen to plundering
وهو مباحُ الثراء مُنْتَهَبُهْ
The mightiest of the mighty, in whom refuge is sought,
yet his wealth is freely open to plundering.
الموتُdeath منpart of جِدِّهِhis earnest business فإنْand if لَعَبتْplay
الموتُ من جِدِّهِ فإنْ لَعَبتْ
كفَّاهُhis two hands فالجودُthen generosity باللُّهىwith great gifts لُعَبُهْhis sport
كفَّاهُ فالجودُ باللُّهى لُعَبُهْ
Death is his earnest business; when his hands play,
lavishing great gifts is his sport.
لاnot تَطأُtread الأسدُlions ماwhat حماهُhe protects ولاnor
لا تَطأُ الأسدُ ما حماهُ ولا
تلقاهُyou meet him إلاexcept مُوَطَّأًtrodden by followers عَقِبُهْhis heel
تلقاهُ إلا مُوَطَّأً عَقِبُهْ
Lions do not tread what he protects, and
you never meet him but followers tread upon his heels.
يُعطيكhe gives you ماwhat كنتyou were منهfrom him مُحتسباًexpecting
يُعطيك ما كنت منه مُحتسباً
بلrather فوقabove ماwhat كنتَyou were منهfrom him تحتسبُهْexpecting it
بل فوق ما كنتَ منه تحتسبُهْ
He gives you what you expected from him—
rather, more than you ever expected from him.
لاnot كذِبُthe falseness of المُنيةthe hope التيwhich وَعدتْpromised
لا كذِبُ المُنية التي وَعدتْ
معروفَهُhis bounty يُشتكَىis complained of ولاnor لَعِبُهْits mockery
معروفَهُ يُشتكَى ولا لَعِبُهْ
No falseness of the hope that promised
his bounty is complained of, nor its mockery.
مشتَركٌshared رفدُهُhis support إذاwhen اتسعَbecame abundant الـthe—
مشتَركٌ رفدُهُ إذا اتسعَ الـ
ـوُجدُwealth فإنand if ضاقgrew scarce فهوthen he مُعتقِبُهْits distributor in turns
ـوُجدُ فإن ضاق فهو مُعتقِبُهْ
His support is shared when wealth is abundant;
when it narrows, he apportions it in turn.
لوif كانbelonged للماءto water جودُهُhis generosity لجَرتْthen would flow
لو كان للماء جودُهُ لجَرتْ
سَيْحاًin streams علىover الأرضthe earth كلِّهاall of it قُلُبُهْits wells
سَيْحاً على الأرض كلِّها قُلُبُهْ
If water had his generosity, its wells would flow
in streams across the whole earth.
أضحتhas become رَحىthe millstone of المُلكِkingship وهيwhile it دائرةٌturns
أضحت رَحى المُلكِ وهي دائرةٌ
وحزمُهُand his resolve فيin مَدارهاits revolution قُطُبُهْits axle
وحزمُهُ في مَدارها قُطُبُهْ
The millstone of kingship now turns,
with his resolve the axle of its revolution.
راقِيclimbing صَعُودٍsteep ascents منof العلاnobility أبداًalways
راقِي صَعُودٍ من العلا أبداً
إذاwhen تهاوَىsends tumbling بحارضٍa failing man صَبَبُهْits downward slope
إذا تهاوَى بحارضٍ صَبَبُهْ
Ever climbing steep ascents of nobility,
while a downward slope sends a failing man tumbling.
مُشيَّعٌdauntless يركبُundertakes الصِعابَhard tasks ولاand not
مُشيَّعٌ يركبُ الصِعابَ ولا
يركبُundertakes أمراًa matter يُعابُis censured مُرتكبُهْits doer
يركبُ أمراً يُعابُ مُرتكبُهْ
Dauntless, he undertakes hard tasks, but never
an undertaking whose doer is censured.
لوif أعرضَstood across البحرُthe sea دونbefore مكرُمةٍa noble deed
لو أعرضَ البحرُ دون مكرُمةٍ
لحَدَّثhe would tell النفسَhimself أنهthat he يَثِبُهْleaps it
لحَدَّث النفسَ أنه يَثِبُهْ
If the sea stood between him and a noble deed,
he would tell himself that he could leap it.
ياO منone who يُجاريهraces him فيin مكارمهِhis generous deeds
يا من يُجاريه في مكارمهِ
أَنضَىhas exhausted المُجاريthe rival وحانand became due مُتَّأَبُهْhis shame
أَنضَى المُجاري وحان مُتَّأَبُهْ
You who race him in his generous deeds:
he has exhausted his rival, whose hour of shame has come.
لاdo not تلتمسْattempt شأوَهhis course البطينَfar-reaching فماfor not
لا تلتمسْ شأوَه البطينَ فما
يُجريهruns it إلاexcept طِرفٌa thoroughbred لهhaving قبَبُهْits lean belly
يُجريه إلا طِرفٌ له قبَبُهْ
Do not attempt his far-reaching course; none runs it
but a thoroughbred with a lean belly.
منwhoever واهَقَraces الريحَthe wind وهيwhile it جاريةٌruns
من واهَقَ الريحَ وهي جاريةٌ
أَقصرstops short أوor كانَwas قَصْرَهُwhat stopped him لَغَبُهْhis exhaustion
أَقصر أو كانَ قَصْرَهُ لَغَبُهْ
Whoever races the running wind
stops short, or exhaustion makes him stop.
جاريتَyou raced ذاone possessing غُرّةٍa forehead blaze تشافهُهُit reaches his lips
جاريتَ ذا غُرّةٍ تشافهُهُ
وذاand one possessing حُجولٍwhite fetlock markings يَمسُّهاtouch them جُبَبُهْhis high white stockings
وذا حُجولٍ يَمسُّها جُبَبُهْ
You raced one whose forehead blaze reaches his lips,
whose white fetlock markings meet his high stockings.
مصباحُa lamp of نورٍlight يُرىis seen الخفيُّthe hidden بهby it
مصباحُ نورٍ يُرى الخفيُّ به
جهراًopenly ولولاهُand without him طالwould endure مُحتجَبُهْits concealment
جهراً ولولاهُ طال مُحتجَبُهْ
A lamp of light, by which the hidden is seen
openly; without him, its concealment would endure.
إذاwhen ارتأىhe considers للملوكfor kings فيin هَنَةٍa matter
إذا ارتأى للملوك في هَنَةٍ
أَشهدهُمْmakes them witness كلَّeverything ماthat هُمُthey غَيَبُهْare unaware of
أَشهدهُمْ كلَّ ما هُمُ غَيَبُهْ
When he considers a matter for kings,
he makes them witness everything hidden from them.
يَبْدَهُcomes suddenly أمرٌa matter فمنthen from بديهتهِhis instant thought
يَبْدَهُ أمرٌ فمن بديهتهِ
تُوجدُare found فيwithin وشكthe brief span of طَرْفَةٍa blink أُهَبُهْits preparations
تُوجدُ في وشك طَرْفَةٍ أُهَبُهْ
A matter comes suddenly; from his instant thought
its preparations are found within a blink.
تكفيهsuffice him منfrom فكرهhis mind خواطرُهُhis passing thoughts
تكفيه من فكره خواطرُهُ
وأنهand that he قدalready تقدَّمتْhas gone before دُرَبُهْhis experience
وأنه قد تقدَّمتْ دُرَبُهْ
The thoughts arising from his mind suffice him,
and his experience has already gone before.
لاnot ينخبُhollows out الروعُterror قلبَهhis heart فلهُfor he has
لا ينخبُ الروعُ قلبَه فلهُ
منof كلّevery حزمٍprudence يُريغهُhe seeks نُخَبُهْits choicest parts
من كلّ حزمٍ يُريغهُ نُخَبُهْ
Terror does not hollow out his heart: he has
the choicest part of every prudence he seeks.
قائدُcommander of جيشَيْنِtwo armies منهماof them لَجِبٌa clamorous one
قائدُ جيشَيْنِ منهما لَجِبٌ
جمٌّgreat وَغَاهُits uproar وصامتand silent لَجَبُهْits tumult
جمٌّ وَغَاهُ وصامت لَجَبُهْ
Commander of two armies, one clamorous,
with great uproar, and one whose tumult is silent.
لهhe has سلاحٌa weapon يَشيمُهُhe draws it أبداًalways
له سلاحٌ يَشيمُهُ أبداً
عمداًdeliberately فيَمضيand it cuts through ولاand not يُرىis seen نَدَبُهْits scar
عمداً فيَمضي ولا يُرى نَدَبُهْ
He has a weapon he always draws
deliberately: it cuts through, yet leaves no visible scar.
يُصاولhe fights openly القِرنthe opponent أوor يُخاتِلُهُoutwits him
يُصاول القِرن أو يُخاتِلُهُ
جَلْداًstout أريباًdiscerning بعيدةًfar-reaching سُرَبُهْhis hidden courses
جَلْداً أريباً بعيدةً سُرَبُهْ
He fights his opponent openly or outwits him,
stout and discerning, his hidden courses far-reaching.
كالليثlike the lion فيin بأسهِhis fierceness وآونةًand at times
كالليث في بأسهِ وآونةً
مثلlike الشُّجاعthe serpent الخفيِّconcealed مُنْسرَبُهْits passage
مثل الشُّجاع الخفيِّ مُنْسرَبُهْ
Like a lion in his fierceness, and at times
like a serpent whose passage is concealed.
إذاwhen عرتْarrives نوبةٌa calamity تحمَّلهاhe bears it
إذا عرتْ نوبةٌ تحمَّلها
مُعوَّدaccustomed to الحملbearing burdens قدalready عفتhave healed جُلَبُهْhis scabs
مُعوَّد الحمل قد عفت جُلَبُهْ
When a calamity arrives, he bears it,
trained to carry burdens, his old scabs healed.
تكفيsuffices هُويناهُhis gentle effort ماwhat ألمَّbefalls ولاand not
تكفي هُويناهُ ما ألمَّ ولا
يُبلَغُis reached مجهودُهُhis utmost exertion ولاnor تعَبُهْhis exhaustion
يُبلَغُ مجهودُهُ ولا تعَبُهْ
His gentle effort suffices for whatever befalls;
neither his utmost exertion nor exhaustion is reached.
قدindeed جلَّhe is too great عنfor أنthat يمسَّهtouch him نصبٌweariness
قد جلَّ عن أن يمسَّه نصبٌ
مخافةُfear of اللَّهGod وحدَهاalone نَصَبُهْhis labor
مخافةُ اللَّه وحدَها نَصَبُهْ
He is too great for weariness to touch him:
fear of God alone is his labor.
وفيand in رضاthe pleasure of اللَّهGod كُبرُthe greatest part of همَّتِهِhis ambition
وفي رضا اللَّه كُبرُ همَّتِهِ
والسعيُand striving فيماfor what يُحبُّهُHe loves دَأَبُهْhis constant practice
والسعيُ فيما يُحبُّهُ دَأَبُهْ
God's pleasure is the greatest of his ambitions,
and striving for what He loves is his constant practice.
زانتْهُadorned him غُرٌّbright virtues منamong الخِلالqualities لهُbelonging to him
زانتْهُ غُرٌّ من الخِلال لهُ
ماas لمnever تَزِنْadorned متنَthe blade of مُنْصُلٍa sword شُطَبُهْits grooves
ما لم تَزِنْ متنَ مُنْصُلٍ شُطَبُهْ
Bright virtues adorn him as
grooves never adorned a sword's blade.
يُضحيhe remains غريباًa stranger ولوeven ببلدتِهِin his own town
يُضحي غريباً ولو ببلدتِهِ
فرداًalone وإنeven though أحدقَتْsurround بهhim عُصَبُهْhis bands
فرداً وإن أحدقَتْ به عُصَبُهْ
He remains a stranger even in his own town,
alone even when his bands surround him.
منفردٌunique بالكمالin perfection مُغتربٌan exile
منفردٌ بالكمال مُغتربٌ
فيهwithin it حرىًfitting أنthat يطولlast long مُغتربُهْhis exile
فيه حرىً أن يطول مُغتربُهْ
Unique in perfection, an exile
within it: fittingly, his solitary exile must last.
اُدْلُلْpoint عليهto him بهthrough himself فليسfor he is not كمنlike one who
اُدْلُلْ عليه به فليس كمن
يُظلِمُremains dark حتىuntil يضيئَهُlights him نسبُهْhis lineage
يُظلِمُ حتى يضيئَهُ نسبُهْ
Point to him through himself: he is not like one
who remains dark until his lineage lights him.
هلis يُجتَلىrevealed الصبحُdawn بالمصَابحby lamps فيon الـthe—
هل يُجتَلى الصبحُ بالمصَابح في الـ
ـأفْقِhorizon إذاwhen لاحappears ساطعاًblazing لَهَبُهْits flame
ـأفْقِ إذا لاح ساطعاً لَهَبُهْ
Is dawn revealed by lamps on the
horizon when its flame appears blazing?
مَنْwho كَزُريقٍlike Zurayq ومنand who كمُصعبِهlike his Musʿab
مَنْ كَزُريقٍ ومن كمُصعبِه
أوor كحسينٍlike Husayn وطاهرٍand Tahir قُرَبُهْhis kinsmen
أو كحسينٍ وطاهرٍ قُرَبُهْ
Who is like Zurayq, or like his Musʿab,
or like Husayn and Tahir, his kinsmen?
أوor مثلlike عبدʿAbd الإلهal-Ilah ذيpossessing الشرفَhonor الـthe—
أو مثل عبد الإله ذي الشرفَ الـ
ـباذخtowering يُلقىextends إلىto العُلىthe heights سَبَبُهْhis cord
ـباذخ يُلقى إلى العُلى سَبَبُهْ
Or like ʿAbd al-Ilah, possessed of towering
honor, whose cord extends to the heights?
كالسيفlike the sword فيin القَدِّform والصرامةand decisiveness والـand the—
كالسيف في القَدِّ والصرامة والـ
ـرَوْعةawe لكنَّbut حَلْيَهُhis ornament أدبُهْhis refinement
ـرَوْعة لكنَّ حَلْيَهُ أدبُهْ
Like a sword in form, decisiveness, and
awe, but his ornament is refinement.
كالغيثlike rain فيin الجودgenerosity والتبرعand freely giving والـand the—
كالغيث في الجود والتبرع والـ
إطباقall-encompassing reach لكنَّbut صَوبَهُhis rainfall ذهَبُهْhis gold
إطباق لكنَّ صَوبَهُ ذهَبُهْ
Like rain in generosity, freely giving, and
all-encompassing reach, but his rainfall is gold.
ـكالبدرِlike the full moon فيin الحسنbeauty والفخامةِand grandeur والـand the—
ـكالبدرِ في الحسن والفخامةِ والـ
ـرِفعةelevation لكنbut ضوءَهُhis light حَسَبُهْhis ancestral honor
ـرِفعة لكن ضوءَهُ حَسَبُهْ
Like the full moon in beauty, grandeur, and
elevation, but his light is ancestral honor.
كالدهرlike Time فيin النفعbenefit والمضرَّةand harm والـand the—
كالدهر في النفع والمضرَّة والـ
ـحنْكةseasoned wisdom لكنbut رَيْبَهits calamity غَضَبُهْhis anger
ـحنْكة لكن رَيْبَه غَضَبُهْ
Like Time in benefit, harm, and
seasoned wisdom, but its calamity in him is anger.
وكلّand all أشباهِهhis likenesses التيwhich ذُكرتْwere mentioned
وكلّ أشباهِه التي ذُكرتْ
دونَbelow الذيthat which بلَّغتhave brought بهhim رُتَبُهْhis ranks
دونَ الذي بلَّغت به رُتَبُهْ
All the likenesses of him that were mentioned
fall short of where his ranks have brought him.
خُذهاtake it أميريmy emir قلادةًa necklace نُظمتْstrung
خُذها أميري قلادةً نُظمتْ
منof لؤلؤٍpearls لاnot يَشينُهُmar them ثُقَبُهْtheir holes
من لؤلؤٍ لا يَشينُهُ ثُقَبُهْ
Take it, my emir, a necklace strung
of pearls whose holes do not mar them.
وأحسنُand the finest الحَلْيjewelry منطقٌspeech حسنٌbeautiful
وأحسنُ الحَلْي منطقٌ حسنٌ
يكثرُis abundant محفوظُهُwhat is memorized of it ومكتتبُهْand what is written of it
يكثرُ محفوظُهُ ومكتتبُهْ
The finest jewelry is beautiful speech,
much committed to memory and written down.
يشهدُtestifies ماwhat خصَّكspecially granted you الإلهُGod بهِof it
يشهدُ ما خصَّك الإلهُ بهِ
أنَّكthat you مختارُهُHis chosen one ومنتخَبُهْand His selection
أنَّك مختارُهُ ومنتخَبُهْ
What God has specially granted you testifies
that you are His chosen one, His selection.
ضنَّguarded jealously بكyou الدهرُTime عنfrom حوادثِهِits calamities
ضنَّ بك الدهرُ عن حوادثِهِ
فأنتso you مأمولُهُits hoped-for one ومرتَقبُهْand its awaited one
فأنت مأمولُهُ ومرتَقبُهْ
Time has guarded you jealously from its calamities:
you are the one it hopes for and awaits.
Partial English translation: 138 of 306 Arabic lines translated.