خصيمُadversary of اللياليthe nights والغوانيand lovely women مُظلَّمُsorely wronged
خصيمُ الليالي والغواني مُظلَّمُ
وعهدand the covenant of اللياليthe nights والغوانيand lovely women مُذمَّمُreproachable
وعهد الليالي والغواني مُذمَّمُ
The adversary of nights and lovely women is sorely wronged;
A friend of nights and singing girls darkened,
the covenant of nights and lovely women deserves reproach.
And promise of nights and singing girls decayed,
فظلمthe wrongdoing of اللياليthe nights أنهنthat they أشبْننيgrayed my hair
فظلم الليالي أنهن أشبْنني
لعشرينat twenty يحدوهنdriving them onward حوْلa year مُجرّمُcompleted
لعشرين يحدوهن حوْل مُجرّمُ
The nights wronged me by turning my hair gray
So nights did me wrong for they made me old,
at twenty, with one completed year driving those years onward.
For twenty circling around a planet,
وظُلمand the wrongdoing of الغوانيlovely women أنهنthat they صرمننيbroke with me
وظُلم الغواني أنهن صرمنني
لظلمbecause of the wrongdoing of اللياليthe nights إننيindeed I لمُظلَّمُam sorely wronged
لظلم الليالي إنني لمُظلَّمُ
The lovely women wronged me by breaking with me
And singing girls did me wrong for they avoided me,
because the nights had wronged me: indeed, I am doubly wronged.
For the wrong of nights, I was wronged.
تنكَّرنthey became strangers ليto me أنbecause نكّرaltered الشيبُgray hair لمَّتيmy locks
تنكَّرن لي أن نكّر الشيبُ لمَّتي
وفيand in الشيبgray hair للسودِfor the black الذرىcrowns متحرّمُa sanctuary
وفي الشيب للسودِ الذرى متحرّمُ
They became strangers to me when grayness altered my locks;
They denied knowing me, for white hair denied knowing my happiness,
yet grayness offers sanctuary to dark-haired heads.
Yet in white hair there is for blacks no sacredness.
فإنso if أغدI become محزومwith bundled السهامarrows فربماthen often
فإن أغد محزوم السهام فربما
غداbecame بيَthrough me مُلقىthe encounter with غرةthe heedlessness of الصيدquarry مُطعَمُwell provisioned
غدا بيَ مُلقى غرة الصيد مُطعَمُ
Though I go now with my arrows bundled away, often
So if I come tomorrow ready with arrows,
my encounters with unwary quarry once brought rich provision.
Then an exciting stroke for hunting may feed me.
وربand many a مَهاةoryx صدتهاI caught her بينbetween نظرتيmy glance
ورب مَهاة صدتها بين نظرتي
ونظرتهاand her glance أيامَin the days رأسيَmy head أسحمُwas black
ونظرتها أيامَ رأسيَ أسحمُ
Many an oryx I caught between my glance
And perhaps an wild animal I warded off with my sight,
and hers, in the days when my hair was black.
When sight of it and mine, more dashing.
أُعارضI confront مرمىthe range of الوحشwild creatures غيرwithout مخاتلٍconcealment
أُعارض مرمى الوحش غير مخاتلٍ
فأستدرجso I entice الأقناصthe quarry منfrom حيثwhere تعلمُit knows
فأستدرج الأقناص من حيث تعلمُ
I faced the wild creatures' range without concealment,
I challenge prey of beasts not cheating,
drawing my quarry on from where it knew.
So I attract hunters from where they know.
رأيتُI saw سوادَthe blackness of الرأْسِthe head واللهوand pleasure تحتهbeneath it
رأيتُ سوادَ الرأْسِ واللهو تحته
كليْلٍlike a night وحُلمٍand a dream باتَspent the night رائيهits dreamer ينعمُenjoying bliss
كليْلٍ وحُلمٍ باتَ رائيه ينعمُ
I saw the head's blackness, and the pleasure beneath it,
I saw the blackness of hair and playing under it
as night and a dream whose dreamer enjoyed bliss.
Like a night whose dreamer is having pleasure.
فلماand when اضمحلّdissolved الليلُthe night زالdeparted نعيمُهits bliss
فلما اضمحلّ الليلُ زال نعيمُه
فلمso not يَبْقَremained إلاexcept عهدُهits memory المتوهَّمُimagined
فلم يَبْقَ إلا عهدُه المتوهَّمُ
When that night dissolved, its bliss departed;
So when the night faded its bliss is gone
nothing remained but its imagined memory.
And none remains except its delusional promise.
وصفراءَand a yellow wine بكرٍvirgin لاnot قذاهاits sediment مُغيّبٌhidden
وصفراءَ بكرٍ لا قذاها مُغيّبٌ
ولاnor سرُّthe secret of منone whom حَلّتْshe entered حشاهُhis belly مُكتّمُconcealed
ولا سرُّ من حَلّتْ حشاهُ مُكتّمُ
And a virgin yellow wine, whose sediment cannot hide,
And an ugly spinster whose sides none culled
nor can the secret of one whose belly it enters.
And whose secrets under her veil unspoken.
ينمُّbetrays علىconcerning الأمرينboth matters فرطُthe extremity of صفائهاits clarity
ينمُّ على الأمرين فرطُ صفائها
وسوْرتِهاand its force حتىuntil يبوحَspeaks openly المُجمجمُthe mutterer
وسوْرتِها حتى يبوحَ المُجمجمُ
Its extreme clarity betrays both matters,
She half sleeps due to purity of her sides
as does its force, until the muttering man speaks openly.
And whiteness of her mouth until it flows.
هيit الورسُyellow dye فيin بيضِwhite الكؤوسcups وإنand if بدَتْit appears
هي الورسُ في بيضِ الكؤوس وإن بدَتْ
لعينيكto your eyes فيin بيضِwhite الوجوهfaces فعنْدمُthen crimson dye
لعينيك في بيضِ الوجوه فعنْدمُ
It is yellow dye in white cups; but if it appears
She is blossoms in cups of goblets, though to your eyes
to your eyes in white faces, it is crimson dye.
In white faces she is closer to being tawny.
يظلُّremains لهاbecause of it المزكومُthe congested man حينwhen يسوفُهاhe smells it
يظلُّ لها المزكومُ حين يسوفُها
سحابةَthroughout يومٍa day وهْوwhile he بالمسكwith musk يُفعَمُis filled
سحابةَ يومٍ وهْو بالمسك يُفعَمُ
When a man with a blocked nose smells it,
The pressed perfume stays fragrant next to her
all day long he is filled with musk.
Even if wind makes it drift or time makes it fade.
لهاit has لذَّتاtwo delights of طعمflavor ورسٍّand penetration كأنهas though it
لها لذَّتا طعم ورسٍّ كأنه
دبيبthe creeping of نمالٍants فيthrough نقاًa sandhill باتspent the night يُرهَمُlightly rained upon
دبيب نمالٍ في نقاً بات يُرهَمُ
It has two delights: flavor and penetration, like
Gardens and meadows, she shakes their fruits
ants creeping through sand sprinkled with fine rain.
As a bough and branches fruitfully bead.
مذاقٌa taste ومسرىًand a course فيthrough العروقthe veins كلاهماboth
مذاقٌ ومسرىً في العروق كلاهما
ألذُّmore delightful منthan البرءrecovery الجديدfresh وأنعمُand gentler
ألذُّ من البرء الجديد وأنعمُ
A taste, and a course through the veins: both
Creatures differ in forms of beauty
more delightful and gentler than fresh recovery.
Differing as creations of a skilful and unskilful maker.
كأنهماas though both لثمُthe kissing of الحبيبthe beloved وضمُّهُand his embrace
كأنهما لثمُ الحبيب وضمُّهُ
وقدand already باتَspent the night منهof his تحتbeneath خدّكyour cheek مِعصمُa wrist
وقد باتَ منه تحت خدّك مِعصمُ
They resemble a beloved's kisses and embrace,
Of dark blond, and bright blond, and shiny white,
with the beloved's wrist beneath your cheek all night.
Jet black, golden, slender, and chubby.
إذاwhen نزلتْit descends بالهمupon sorrow فيin دارِthe dwelling of أهلهِits people
إذا نزلتْ بالهم في دارِ أهلهِ
غداbecomes الهمُّsorrow وهوwhile it المرهَقُthe oppressed المهضّمُthe humiliated
غدا الهمُّ وهو المرهَقُ المهضّمُ
When it descends upon sorrow in its own household,
When eyes review them, a well-dressed poem for them
sorrow becomes the oppressed and humiliated one.
Perhaps with rhymed prose and lofty diction.
أقامتْit dwelt ببيتِin the house of النارِfire تسعينninety حجةًyears
أقامتْ ببيتِ النارِ تسعين حجةً
وعشراًand ten يُصلَّىprayers are said حولهاaround it ويُزمزَمُand chants murmured
وعشراً يُصلَّى حولها ويُزمزَمُ
It dwelt in the house of fire ninety years
Ships of longing, some embellished sails
and ten, while prayers and murmured chants surrounded it.
Others untouched but all spotless hulls.
سقتْنيshe gave me drink بهاwith it بيضاءُa fair woman فُوهاher mouth وكأسُهاand her cup
سقتْني بها بيضاءُ فُوها وكأسُها
شبيهاalike in مذاقٍflavor عندto منone who يتطعَّمُtastes
شبيها مذاقٍ عند من يتطعَّمُ
A fair woman poured it for me; her mouth and cup
With varied grades of beauty all consent
were alike in flavor to whoever tasted them.
To slay whom gazes at them without guilt.
سقيمةlanguid in طرْفِthe glance of العينِthe eye سُقماًwith sickness بمثلهby its like
سقيمة طرْفِ العينِ سُقماً بمثله
يصابُare struck صحيحاتhealthy القلوبِhearts فتسقَمُand become sick
يصابُ صحيحات القلوبِ فتسقَمُ
Her eyes' glance was languid with a sickness
Just as arrows slay together though the fletcher
that strikes healthy hearts and makes them ill.
Is of different woods, feathers and knocks.
منfrom الهيفِslenderness لوif شاءتshe wished لقامتshe could stand بكأسهاwith her cup
من الهيفِ لو شاءت لقامت بكأسها
وخاتمُهاand her ring فيaround خصرهاher waist متختَّمُencircling
وخاتمُها في خصرها متختَّمُ
So slender was she that, if she wished, she could stand holding her cup
When alone with one, if I wished she gratified me
with her ring encircling her waist.
With a goblet whose vines are sprawling.
كهمّlike the concern of الخليِّthe carefree man اسودَّwas black فرعٌhair ومَكْحلٌand an eye-rim
كهمّ الخليِّ اسودَّ فرعٌ ومَكْحلٌ
لهاof hers خِلقةًby nature وابيضَّand was white ثغرٌa smile ومَلْغمُand mouth-surround
لها خِلقةً وابيضَّ ثغرٌ ومَلْغمُ
Like a carefree man's concern; her hair and eye-rims were black
And if I wished she entertained me singing rhapsodies
by nature, while her teeth and lips were white.
Eloquent or of birds' gibberish.
وأشرقَand shone منهاof hers صحنُthe expanse of خدٍّa cheek مضرَّجٍflushed
وأشرقَ منها صحنُ خدٍّ مضرَّجٍ
يظلُّremains بماwith what فيهin it منof الماءmoisture يُضرمُglowing
يظلُّ بما فيه من الماء يُضرمُ
The expanse of her flushed cheek shone,
In a garden wherein eyes rain light
glowing with the moisture within it.
Trickling with tears, rather mouths shining smiles.
مُفدّىًcherished يسمَّىis called باسمِby the name of فيهاher mouth مقبَّلاًa kiss-place
مُفدّىً يسمَّى باسمِ فيها مقبَّلاً
إذاwhen قيلit is said للخدّof the cheek الملعَّنِaccursed مَلْطَمُa slap-place
إذا قيل للخدّ الملعَّنِ مَلْطَمُ
A cherished cheek, named, like her mouth, a place for kissing,
The sun's radiance giggles back,
while an accursed cheek is called a place for slapping.
Its tears out of real ardour gathered.
وأنَّىand how يُسمَّىis it called ملْطماًa slap-place وهوwhile it ملثمٌa kiss-place
وأنَّى يُسمَّى ملْطماً وهو ملثمٌ
فدىmay ransom حُسْنَهits beauty منfrom ذاكthat خَدٌّa cheek مُلَطَّمُslapped
فدى حُسْنَه من ذاك خَدٌّ مُلَطَّمُ
How could it be called a slap-place when it is a kiss-place?
As someone feeling joyous after sadness
May a slapped cheek ransom its beauty from that!
In mixed camp which they pitched then departed.
علىalthough أنهit is مغرىًenamored بهof it العضُّbiting مُولعٌpassionately attached
على أنه مغرىً به العضُّ مُولعٌ
وليسand not لهit has ذنبٌa fault سوىexcept الحُسنِbeauty يُنقَمُresented
وليس له ذنبٌ سوى الحُسنِ يُنقَمُ
Yet biting is enamored of it, passionately attached,
Two gazelles of meadow and plain entertain me,
and no fault is resented in it except beauty.
The roes of sand-dunes and of stony valley.
يُعضُّit is bitten وماalthough not أسدىit rendered إلىto العينthe eye سيِّئاًharm
يُعضُّ وما أسدى إلى العين سيِّئاً
وليسand is not بمظلومٍwronged وإنalthough كانit is يُظْلمُwronged
وليس بمظلومٍ وإن كان يُظْلمُ
It is bitten, though it has done the eye no harm;
If extending their necks, both equal
it is not wronged, although it suffers wrong.
I have a pitcher with bubbling wine.
يظلّit remains إذاwhen أبدىit reveals لناto us منهof itself صفحةًa surface
يظلّ إذا أبدى لنا منه صفحةً
تلذّtake delight بهاin it أبصارناour eyes وتنعَّمُand enjoy
تلذّ بها أبصارنا وتنعَّمُ
Whenever it reveals a surface to us,
Three wild cows whose bellow differ
our eyes delight in it and take their pleasure.
For the amusement, all luxuriate.
نُولّيهwe apply to it أطرافَthe tips of الثناياthe incisors وإنّهalthough it
نُولّيه أطرافَ الثنايا وإنّه
ليَدْمَىsurely bleeds منfrom الألحاظِglances بلindeed حينwhen يُوهمُit is imagined
ليَدْمَى من الألحاظِ بل حين يُوهمُ
We apply the tips of our incisors to it, though
A gazelle, a pitcher, and a wild doe
it bleeds from glances—even when merely imagined.
Plucking its strings making music.
بذاكthus قضىruled قاضيthe judge of الهوىlove وهْوwhile he ظالمٌunjust
بذاك قضى قاضي الهوى وهْو ظالمٌ
علىagainst الخَدِّthe cheek للعينfor the eye التيwhich هيis أظلمُmore unjust
على الخَدِّ للعين التي هي أظلمُ
Thus ruled the judge of love, himself unjust,
One mooing, one bleating the third bellowing or grunting
against the cheek, for the still more unjust eye.
If the sounds differ, delight doubles and sorrow vanishes.
وماand has always been زالin فيthe judge القاضيtyrannical الغشومِpartiality against others exists in him; the word means partiality. تحاملٌpartiality
وما زال في القاضي الغشومِ تحاملٌ
علىagainst الخَصمِthe litigant للخصمِfor the litigant الذيwho هوis أغشمُmore tyrannical
على الخَصمِ للخصمِ الذي هو أغشمُ
The tyrannical judge has always shown partiality
I once coerced that to humiliation
against one litigant for the more tyrannical other.
Or bored of coercion though it is easily done.
تفكَّهُfeasts منهاupon her العينُthe eye عندwhen اجتلائهاbeholding her
تفكَّهُ منها العينُ عند اجتلائها
بفاكهةon fruit ليستnot يدَever الدهرunwholesome تُوخَمُbecomes harmful
بفاكهة ليست يدَ الدهر تُوخَمُ
The eye feasts upon her when beholding her,
For the sword has a bed in its scabbard
on fruit that never becomes unwholesome.
And a place where cutting is honest and resolved.
عناقيدُclusters of فردوسٍparadise وتفاحُand apples of جنّةٍa garden
عناقيدُ فردوسٍ وتفاحُ جنّةٍ
تتوقُlongs إليهاfor them كُلّevery نفسٍsoul وتقرَمُand hungers
تتوقُ إليها كُلّ نفسٍ وتقرَمُ
Clusters of paradise and apples of a garden
An immigrant white, its brightness
for which every soul longs and hungers.
Outshines blackness as if the face dotted.
يناغيهماconverses with both رمانُthe pomegranate of صدرٍa breast يعيذهprotecting it
يناغيهما رمانُ صدرٍ يعيذه
منfrom العينthe evil eye ياقوتٌrubies ودرٌّand pearls منظَّمُstrung
من العين ياقوتٌ ودرٌّ منظَّمُ
The pomegranates of her breast converse with them, protected
I battle so that it almost reveals itself without the veil
from the evil eye by rubies and strung pearls.
As if with its love I'm rubbing cheeks together.
وبينand among ثمارthe fruits of الرأسِthe head والعينand the eye عبْهرٌa narcissus
وبين ثمار الرأسِ والعين عبْهرٌ
يضاهيهmatches it منهاof hers أقحوانٌa chamomile مُدَيَّمُdew-moistened
يضاهيه منها أقحوانٌ مُدَيَّمُ
Among the head's fruits and the eye is a narcissus,
I set for it continuous flames that were never
matched in her by a dew-moistened chamomile.
Quenched though stones crack from the heat.
رياضٌmeadows وجناتٌand gardens يهزُّstirs ثمارهاtheir fruits
رياضٌ وجناتٌ يهزُّ ثمارها
ونُوَّارَهاand their blossoms غُصنٌa branch ودِعصٌand a sand dune مركَّمُpiled
ونُوَّارَها غُصنٌ ودِعصٌ مركَّمُ
Meadows and gardens, whose fruits are stirred,
In it, generations of tents collapse continuously
and whose blossoms, by a branch and a piled sand dune.
While the recent neighs at the face slapping it.
تفاوتَvaried منهاof her الخلقُthe features فيwithin حسنa beautiful صورةٍform
تفاوتَ منها الخلقُ في حسن صورةٍ
تفاوتَa variation of إبداعٍartistry فرابٍsome swelling وأهْضمُand some slender
تفاوتَ إبداعٍ فرابٍ وأهْضمُ
Her features differ within one beautiful form,
Those flames innocuous yet probed mortally
with artful variation: swelling here, slender there;
As poison bitten though faces show no blemish.
وخَدْلٌand plump وممشوقٌand slender وأبيضand white ناصعٌgleaming
وخَدْلٌ وممشوقٌ وأبيض ناصعٌ
وأسودُand black غِربيبٌraven-dark وأقنىand aquiline وأخثمُand broad-nosed
وأسودُ غِربيبٌ وأقنى وأخثمُ
plump and slender, gleaming white,
When it descends onto the soul's abode
and raven-black, aquiline and broad-nosed.
Sorrows perish while it comfortably settles.
إذاwhen استعرضتْهاsurveys her العينُthe eye دقَّnarrows موشَّحٌa girdled middle
إذا استعرضتْها العينُ دقَّ موشَّحٌ
لهاof hers ورَباand swells ردفٌa rump وجَلَّand grows full مُخدّمُan ankleted leg
لها ورَبا ردفٌ وجَلَّ مُخدّمُ
When the eye surveys her, her girdled middle narrows,
It stayed for ninety pilgrimages in the house of fire
her rump swells, and her ankleted leg grows full.
With ten circling and revering as in Hijaz.
مراكبُmounts للذَّاتfor pleasures منهاamong them مضمَّرٌa slender one
مراكبُ للذَّات منها مضمَّرٌ
وماthough not مسَّهtouched it ضُمرٌwasting ومنهاand among them مُطهَّمُa richly formed one
وما مسَّه ضُمرٌ ومنها مُطهَّمُ
Mounts for pleasure: some slender,
It quenched me with its hand and gave me its cup
though untouched by wasting, and others richly formed.
Whose taste is strange for who tastes.
لهاshe has فِرقٌdivisions شتّىdiverse منof الحُسنِbeauty أجْمعتْthat agreed
لها فِرقٌ شتّى من الحُسنِ أجْمعتْ
علىupon أنthat يُلقَّىshall encounter البرْحtorment منهاfrom her المُتيَّمُthe enthralled lover
على أن يُلقَّى البرْح منها المُتيَّمُ
Her beauty has diverse divisions, all agreeing
Afflicted in sight, such affliction
that the enthralled lover shall meet torment from her.
Overcomes unafflicted souls to make them diseased.
أماis it not عجبٌa wonder إجماعُthe agreement of مختلفاتِهاher differing features
أما عجبٌ إجماعُ مختلفاتِها
علىupon قتلِkilling منwhomever لاقَتْهُshe meets لاnot تتأثَّمُfeeling guilt
على قتلِ من لاقَتْهُ لا تتأثَّمُ
Is it not strange that her differing features agree
If it wished with its cup it would establish glory
to kill whoever meets her, feeling no guilt?
With its ring around its waist bundled.
كذاlikewise السهمُthe arrow يُصميkills outright وهوthough it شتّىdiverse نجارُهُits materials
كذا السهمُ يُصمي وهو شتّى نجارُهُ
حديدٌiron وريشٌand feathers وابنُand a child of غِيلa thicket مُقوَّمُstraightened
حديدٌ وريشٌ وابنُ غِيل مُقوَّمُ
So an arrow kills outright, though its materials differ:
The mole of a dark cheek blackened so a branch whitened
iron, feathers, and a straightened child of the thicket.
In qualities and whiten a mouth and make it squeeze.
خلوتُI secluded myself بهاwith her فرداًalone إذاwhen شئتُI wished علَّنيgave me another drink
خلوتُ بها فرداً إذا شئتُ علَّني
بكأسٍwith a cup لهاhaving ريَّاfragrance بنانٌfingers مُنعَّمُpampered
بكأسٍ لها ريَّا بنانٌ مُنعَّمُ
I secluded myself with her alone; whenever I wished,
And light up from it the cheek's plate reddened
pampered fingers gave me another fragrant cup.
Keeping the wetness as a mark remains.
وإنْand if شئتُI wished ألهانيentertained me غناءانtwo songs خِلْفةًalternately
وإنْ شئتُ ألهاني غناءان خِلْفةً
فصيحٌarticulate ومماand among what تنطقutter الطيرthe birds أعجمُwordless
فصيحٌ ومما تنطق الطير أعجمُ
And if I wished, two songs entertained me alternately:
Ransomed and named after a name in it when called pretty
one articulate, one wordless, uttered by birds.
Though blamed the redness of a slapped cheek darkens.
لدىbeside روضةٍa meadow فيهاin it منof النَّوْرِblossoms أعينٌeyes
لدى روضةٍ فيها من النَّوْرِ أعينٌ
تُرقرقshimmer with دمعاًtears بلrather ثغورٌmouths تبسَّمُsmile
تُرقرق دمعاً بل ثغورٌ تبسَّمُ
Beside a meadow where the blossoms were eyes
And why is it called 'pretty' when it's veiled?
shimmering with tears—or rather, mouths smiling.
A cheek is ransomed from that by a slapped and darkened cheek.
يضاحكlaughs with روقَthe first ray of الشمسِthe sun منهاamong them مُضاحكٌa smiling blossom
يضاحك روقَ الشمسِ منها مُضاحكٌ
مدامِعُهits tear-channels منfrom واقعِfallen الطلّdew سُجَّمُstreaming
مدامِعُه من واقعِ الطلّ سُجَّمُ
A smiling blossom laughed with the sun's first ray,
Indeed it entices one to bite it
its tear-channels streaming with fallen dew.
Having no fault except beauty that rouses hate.
كمستعبِرlike a tearful man مستبشرٍrejoicing بعدafter حزنهِhis grief
كمستعبِر مستبشرٍ بعد حزنهِ
لبيْنِat the separation of خليطٍcompanions قوّضواthey struck tents ثمthen خيَّمواpitched tents
لبيْنِ خليطٍ قوّضوا ثم خيَّموا
Like a tearful man rejoicing after grieving
It gets bitten harming no eyes
at companions' departure, who struck their tents, then pitched them again.
And it's not oppressed though it seems so.
يغازلنيflirt with me فيهاin it غزالانtwo gazelles منهماof them
يغازلني فيها غزالان منهما
ربيبُone reared in الفيافيthe wilderness والربيبand one reared المتوَّمُpearl-adorned
ربيبُ الفيافي والربيب المتوَّمُ
Two gazelles flirted with me there:
It remains the cause if its face reveals just some
one reared in the wilderness, one reared amid pearls.
Eyes feast and have comfort in seeing it.
إذاwhen نصباthey raise جيديهماtheir necks فكلاهماthen both
إذا نصبا جيديهما فكلاهما
سواءٌalike وإبريقٌand a jug لديَّbeside me مُفدَّمُcloth-covered
سواءٌ وإبريقٌ لديَّ مُفدَّمُ
When they raised their necks, both
We turn to it corners of glances though it
were alike—and beside me stood a cloth-covered wine jug.
Wets from ogles, verily when fancied so.
ثلاثةُthree أظبٍgazelles نَجْرُهاtheir origins غيرُnot واحدٍone
ثلاثةُ أظبٍ نَجْرُها غيرُ واحدٍ
لذيfor one fond of اللهوpleasure فيهاin them كلهاall مُتنعَّمُenjoyment
لذي اللهو فيها كلها مُتنعَّمُ
Three gazelles of differing origins,
The biased judge of desire rules unjustly
all offering enjoyment to the pleasure-seeker.
Against the cheek to the more unjust eye.
غزالٌa gazelle وإبريقand a jug رذُومٌdripping وغادةٌand a tender maiden
غزالٌ وإبريق رذُومٌ وغادةٌ
تُحرّكُshe stirs منsome of أوتارهاher strings وتُنَغِّمُand makes music
تُحرّكُ من أوتارها وتُنَغِّمُ
A gazelle, a dripping jug, and a tender maiden
The judge maintains prejudice against the foe
who stirred her strings and made music.
To the foe that is darker in injustice.
فظبيone gazelle يُغنّيهsings to him وظبيand a gazelle يُعلُّهُgives him another drink
فظبي يُغنّيه وظبي يُعلُّهُ
وظبيand a gazelle يرودُroams التلعَthe slopes أوor يتجرثَمُclimbs a hillock
وظبي يرودُ التلعَ أو يتجرثَمُ
One gazelle sang to him, another gave him drink,
From it the eye jokes when it uncovers
and another roamed the slopes or climbed a hillock.
Fruits no hands of time can bruise.
لعيْنيfor the eyes of مُراعيone watching شخصِهits form فيهin it مأنسٌcompanionship
لعيْني مُراعي شخصِه فيه مأنسٌ
وملْهىًand amusement وللمستطعمِand for one craving الصيدِgame مَطعمُa meal
وملْهىً وللمستطعمِ الصيدِ مَطعمُ
To the eyes watching its form, it offered companionship
Grapes of heavens and apples of gardens
and amusement; to one craving game, a meal.
Every soul aspires to while bodies hasten demise.
فقدfor already عكفتْgathered devotedly منهاfrom them عليهِaround him بماwith what اشتهىhe desired
فقد عكفتْ منها عليهِ بما اشتهى
هنالكthere أظْآرfoster-mothers منfrom العيشِlife رُوَّمُaffectionate
هنالك أظْآر من العيشِ رُوَّمُ
There gathered around him, supplying his desires,
Adorning them are a chest's pomegranates protecting
affectionate foster-mothers from life's pleasures.
Against eyes rubies and matched pearls.
وركبِand a company of قنيصٍhunters قدindeed شهدتُI witnessed جيادهمtheir fine horses
وركبِ قنيصٍ قد شهدتُ جيادهم
تُحمْحِمُneighing فيamong ثيرانِbulls of وحشٍthe wild تَغَمْغمُlowing
تُحمْحِمُ في ثيرانِ وحشٍ تَغَمْغمُ
And a hunting company whose fine horses I witnessed
And amongst fruits of head and eye an aroma
neighing among wild bulls that lowed.
Only equalling intense refined musk.
مهاًoryxes كالمهاlike lovely women إلاexcept جبالَthe mountains of متونهاtheir backs
مهاً كالمها إلا جبالَ متونها
وإلاand except مكانَthe place of الوشمِtattooing أوor حيثwhere تُلْطَمُcheeks are slapped
وإلا مكانَ الوشمِ أو حيث تُلْطَمُ
Oryxes like lovely women, except for mountainous backs,
Gardens and orchards whose fruits a bough shakes
and the place of tattooing, or where cheeks are slapped;
As a leafy and fruited branch clusters.
وإلاand except مخَطَّthe line of الكحلِkohl منaround كلّeach مقلةٍeye
وإلا مخَطَّ الكحلِ من كلّ مقلةٍ
وإلاand except قروناًhorns تدَّرِيsharpened فتُزنَّمُthen made projecting
وإلا قروناً تدَّرِي فتُزنَّمُ
and the kohl-line around each eye;
Some stalks enchanted me so I sheltered with them
and horns sharpened into projecting points.
And a loving and musical neighbour laments.
يُزنّجُassign African ancestry منهاof them الناسبونthe genealogists وشيظةًto a small portion
يُزنّجُ منها الناسبون وشيظةً
وجمهورهاand their majority فيamong الناسبينthe genealogists مُرَوَّمُreckoned Roman
وجمهورها في الناسبين مُرَوَّمُ
Those assigning ancestry make a small part of them African,
It cries there while a doe plays music
while their greater part is reckoned Roman.
So leader of hyenas clamoured and became quiet.
دُفعناwe were driven إليهاtoward them وهْيwhile they زُهرٌgleaming كأنهاas though they
دُفعنا إليها وهْي زُهرٌ كأنها
خلالَamong أنيقِlovely النَّوْرِblossoms نورٌlight مجسَّمُembodied
خلالَ أنيقِ النَّوْرِ نورٌ مجسَّمُ
We were driven toward them, gleaming, as though
Debating whether it or this one
among lovely blossoms they were embodied light.
When voices differ, delight redoubles or sorrow revisits.
فماand not ذرَّrose قرنُthe horn of الشمسِthe sun حتىbefore رأيتهاI saw them
فما ذرَّ قرنُ الشمسِ حتى رأيتها
تعصفرهاdye them saffron-red مثعنجراتgushing torrents تَهزَّمُbursting
تعصفرها مثعنجرات تَهزَّمُ
Before the sun's horn had risen, I saw them
Near a pasture wherein is pleasure for my sight
dyed saffron-red by torrents bursting forth.
And refuge where hunted game eats and nourishes.
دلفناwe advanced لهاagainst them بالسمهريّwith straight spears فطالعٌone going forward
دلفنا لها بالسمهريّ فطالعٌ
إلىto مصرعٍa death-place يرتادهit seeks ومُحَرْجمُand one crowding in
إلى مصرعٍ يرتاده ومُحَرْجمُ
We advanced with straight spears: one beast went forward
Marked by life though lifeless waterless plains
to seek its death-place, another crowded in.
Where ostrich struts while hyena schemes.
وقدand already حاولتْthey sought منجىًan escape فقالتso said رماحُناour spears
وقد حاولتْ منجىً فقالت رماحُنا
لِمُمْعِنِهاto their fleeing one عرّجْturn aside فهذاfor this المخيَّمُthe encampment
لِمُمْعِنِها عرّجْ فهذا المخيَّمُ
They sought escape, but our spears said
We raided cattle and antelopes diverting from
to the fleeing one, 'Turn aside: here is your encampment.'
Gazelles to seek what is more plump.
فلمbut not يُنْجِهاsaved them إحضارُهاtheir gallop وهْوthough it مُلْهَبٌblazing
فلم يُنْجِها إحضارُها وهْو مُلْهَبٌ
ولاnor ذبَّdefended عنهاthem اللُّهاthe weapons وهوthough it مُتْأمُpaired
ولا ذبَّ عنها اللُّها وهو مُتْأمُ
Their blazing gallop did not save them,
Times of ignorance erased its cairns and mileposts
nor did their paired weapons defend them:
Concealing its landmarks in darkness made more concealing.
قرونٌhorns لهاthey have منهاfrom them حرابٌlances قرائنٌpaired
قرونٌ لها منها حرابٌ قرائنٌ
ولكنَّbut خصمَthe adversary of السمهرياتِstraight spears يُخْصَمُis overcome
ولكنَّ خصمَ السمهرياتِ يُخْصَمُ
horns that furnished them with coupled lances.
Its gloom overwhelmed the nocturnal traveler
But the adversary of straight spears is overcome.
So I plunged into the abyss when ways got lost.
وقدand indeed طالlong ماhow long ذادتِthey defended بهاwith them غيرexcept أنهthat
وقد طال ما ذادتِ بها غير أنه
أتيحwas appointed لهاagainst them رأسٌa master منof الكيدِstratagem مِصْدَمُhard-striking
أتيح لها رأسٌ من الكيدِ مِصْدَمُ
Long had they defended themselves with these; yet
Raiding in its darkness then tearing that with might
a hard-striking master of stratagem was appointed against them.
Like a dispeller of night by ever-pouring brightness.
بحيثُwhere يضمَّholds together الثورَthe bull والعيْرَand the wild ass مرتعٌa pasture
بحيثُ يضمَّ الثورَ والعيْرَ مرتعٌ
يراعيهماwatches both فيهin it الأصكُّthe knock-kneed one المصلَّمُthe earless one
يراعيهما فيه الأصكُّ المصلَّمُ
Where bull and wild ass share a pasture,
Its elite horse neither staggering up nor down
the knock-kneed, earless ostrich watches them.
But expert for rider's feet and sublime pace.
وشُنَّتْand was launched لهاagainst them فيamong آلthe clan of أخدرَAkhdar غارةٌa raid
وشُنَّتْ لها في آل أخدرَ غارةٌ
كماas شُبَّwas kindled أُلْهوبٌa fierce flame الحريقِthe fire المضرَّمُblazing
كما شُبَّ أُلْهوبٌ الحريقِ المضرَّمُ
A raid was launched upon them among Akhdar's clan,
A chosen youth, his distinctness makes nil
like the kindling of a fiercely blazing fire.
What distinguished best steeds from worst.
تنادمَdrank together فيهاin it الموتُwith death أحمرَred قاتماًdark
تنادمَ فيها الموتُ أحمرَ قاتماً
قريعَthe champion of المهاthe oryxes والأخْدَريُّand the Akhdari المكدَّمُbite-scarred
قريعَ المها والأخْدَريُّ المكدَّمُ
There, with death, red and dark, drank
Two singulars traversing in the darkness
the oryx's champion and the bite-scarred Akhdari.
Like a vivid vision roaming through imagination.
نديمانtwo drinking companions منof شتّىdifferent kinds وكأسٌand a cup كريهةٌhateful
نديمان من شتّى وكأسٌ كريهةٌ
أباهاrefused it منamong الشُّرَّابِdrinkers إلاexcept المجشَّمُthe compelled one
أباها من الشُّرَّابِ إلا المجشَّمُ
Two drinking companions of different kinds, and a hateful cup
The guidance directs him though his ride depends on it
that no drinker accepted except under compulsion.
And without guidance there is a barricade of pitch blackness.
فظلّso remained لناfor us يومٌa day منof اللهوdiversion مُمتعٌdelightful
فظلّ لنا يومٌ من اللهو مُمتعٌ
وظلّand remained لهاfor them يومٌa day منof الشرّevil أيْومُmost grievous
وظلّ لها يومٌ من الشرّ أيْومُ
For us the day remained delightful with diversion;
On a mare smooth without ruggedness
for them it remained a most grievous day of evil.
But slippery for stepping and sliding feet.
ورحناand we returned علىon القُبّthe lean horses العتاقِthoroughbred وكلُّهاand all of them
ورحنا على القُبّ العتاقِ وكلُّها
منfrom العلقِblood الوحشيِّof wild creatures أقرحُforehead-marked أرثمُmuzzle-marked
من العلقِ الوحشيِّ أقرحُ أرثمُ
We returned on lean, thoroughbred horses, all
Of those perceived densely populated southern lands
marked on forehead and muzzle with wild creatures' blood.
All smooth bodied best for skilled horsemen hands.
تخايلُthey prance منهfrom it فيin خضابa dye تخالهyou imagine it
تخايلُ منه في خضاب تخاله
طِلاءًa coating منof الحناءhenna قاناهdeepened it بقَّمُbrazilwood
طِلاءً من الحناء قاناه بقَّمُ
They pranced in a dye you might imagine
A spacious unpopulated wilderness better
a coating of henna deepened by brazilwood.
For grazing aspired mounts quenching at its valley.
كأنّas though لهاthey have حَظَّيْنtwo shares مماof what تصيدُهthey hunt
كأنّ لها حَظَّيْن مما تصيدُه
علىalthough أنهاthey منهfrom it مدىthroughout الدهرtime صُوَّمُabstain
على أنها منه مدى الدهر صُوَّمُ
As though they had two shares of what they hunted,
A hawk cries over which answers jinn
although they forever abstain from eating it.
Sometimes human sometimes animal voices.
وأنقذand rescued مناfrom us العُفْرَthe pale gazelles والرُّبْدَand dusky ostriches ميلُناour inclination
وأنقذ منا العُفْرَ والرُّبْدَ ميلُنا
إلىtoward العينِthe large-eyed bulls والحُقْبand white-bellied asses التيwhich هيare أوسمُhandsomer
إلى العينِ والحُقْب التي هي أوسمُ
Our inclination spared the pale gazelles and dusky ostriches,
Imagining from their tones a female and a male
favoring the large-eyed bulls and handsomer white-bellied asses.
When voices differ, union elates and bereavement frowns.
وكانand there was لناfor us فيin كلّevery حقّright وباطلٍand wrong
وكان لنا في كلّ حقّ وباطلٍ
جُنوحٌan inclination إلىtoward الشأنthe undertaking الذيwhich هوis أفخمُgrander
جُنوحٌ إلى الشأن الذي هو أفخمُ
In every rightful or wrongful undertaking,
I coercively make it accompany me
we inclined toward whatever was grander.
Whether shamed or the amusement wearied me.
ومعتركٍand a battlefield تبدوappear نجومُthe stars of حديدهits iron
ومعتركٍ تبدو نجومُ حديده
وقدand already لفّهwrapped it ليلٌa night منof النقعdust أطخمُpitch-dark
وقد لفّه ليلٌ من النقع أطخمُ
And a battlefield whose iron stars appeared
For the sword has a place of rest in its sheathe
wrapped in a pitch-dark night of dust.
Another place honest cutting and deliberate stabs.
شهدتُI witnessed القناthe spears فيهin it تقصّفُsnapping والظُّباand the blades
شهدتُ القنا فيه تقصّفُ والظُّبا
تُفلَّلُbeing notched والبيضَand the helmets الحصينَsturdy تحطَّمُbeing shattered
تُفلَّلُ والبيضَ الحصينَ تحطَّمُ
I witnessed spears snapping there, and blades
Kissing palms, giving its back
being notched, and sturdy helmets shattered.
A connection where ruin and reverence intersect .
فلمand not أكُwas I ممنْamong those who حاصَswerved عنfrom غمراتِهits depths
فلم أكُ ممنْ حاصَ عن غمراتِه
ولاnor غاصَplunged فيهاinto them حيثwhere غاصَplunged المغمَّمُthe muffled warrior
ولا غاصَ فيها حيث غاصَ المغمَّمُ
I was not one who swerved from its depths,
Its palms receive people while hiding
nor plunged where the muffled warrior plunged.
A source from benefaction effervescent and pure.
ولكننيbut I غامستimmersed myself خَوْضَةَin the crossing of هَوْلِهاits terror
ولكنني غامست خَوْضَةَ هَوْلِها
جهيراًopenly شهيراًconspicuously حينwhen ضلّlost his way المقرقَمُthe muffled man
جهيراً شهيراً حين ضلّ المقرقَمُ
Rather, I immersed myself in its fearful crossing,
A knight whose will is decisive sword
openly and conspicuously, when the muffled man lost his way.
And his sword deals justice if meeting fate face to frowning face.
ولمand not أغشهاI entered it إلاexcept عليماًknowing بأنّهاthat it
ولم أغشها إلا عليماً بأنّها
هيis المجدُglory أوor مطرورةُsharpened at الحدّthe edge صَيْلَمُan annihilating sword
هي المجدُ أو مطرورةُ الحدّ صَيْلَمُ
I entered it only knowing that it meant
Touching edges of goblets he beams
glory—or a keen-edged, annihilating sword.
And meets wagging tongues head raised high.
وليلٍand a night غشاoverlaid ليلٌa night منof الدَّجْنِcloud فوقهُabove it
وليلٍ غشا ليلٌ من الدَّجْنِ فوقهُ
فليسso there is no لنجمfor a star فيin غواشيهits coverings منجَمُopening
فليس لنجم في غواشيه منجَمُ
And a night overlaid by another night of cloud,
Beloved of backs of palms, their fronts kisses plant
with no opening through its veils for any star.
While their essence for people defense always braces.
عفاerased جِلْبُهُits covering آيَthe signs of الهدىguidance منfrom سمائهits sky
عفا جِلْبُهُ آيَ الهدى من سمائه
وأعلامَهُand its landmarks منfrom أرضهِits earth فَهْيَso it طَسْيَمُeffaced
وأعلامَهُ من أرضهِ فَهْيَ طَسْيَمُ
Its covering erased the signs of guidance from its sky,
Pardoning ones meeting fate with frowns
and its landmarks from its earth, leaving it effaced.
By a hand whose backs front拢s grace outward faces.
لبستُI wore دجاهits darkness الجونَblack ثمthen هتكتُهtore through it
لبستُ دجاه الجونَ ثم هتكتُه
بوجناءwith a sturdy camel يَنْميهاher ancestry traces to غريرٌGhurayr وشدْقَمُand Shadqam
بوجناء يَنْميها غريرٌ وشدْقَمُ
I clothed myself in its black darkness, then tore through it
A steed when affairs twist its spear straightens
on a sturdy she-camel descended from Ghurayr and Shadqam.
To make between twists of ribs and chests thy will races.
عُذافرةُa powerful camel تنقضّdarts forth عنat كلّevery زَجْرةٍurging shout
عُذافرةُ تنقضّ عن كلّ زَجْرةٍ
كماas انقضّshot forth منfrom ذيthe possessor of المنجنيقthe catapult الململَمُthe rounded stone
كما انقضّ من ذي المنجنيق الململَمُ
A powerful camel, darting forth at every shout
The black banner overhead lofting
like a rounded stone discharged from a catapult.
Cranes of victory thereby gracing.
يخوضُcrosses عليهاupon her لجةَthe deep sea of الهوْلِterror راكبٌa rider
يخوضُ عليها لجةَ الهوْلِ راكبٌ
هوhe السيفthe sword إلاexcept أنهthat he لاnot يُثَلّمُis notched
هو السيف إلا أنه لا يُثَلّمُ
Upon her, a rider crosses terror's deep sea,
Protecting it death seeking lives
a sword himself, except that he cannot be notched.
That will reap remains of tyrannous and graceless.
نجيبٌa noble one منamong الفتيانِyoung men فوقupon نجيبهِhis noble mount
نجيبٌ من الفتيانِ فوق نجيبهِ
منof العيسpale camels فيin يهماءa trackless waste والليلand the night أيهمُtrackless
من العيس في يهماء والليل أيهمُ
A noble youth upon his noble mount,
His war differs facing adversaries.
a pale camel in trackless waste, with night itself trackless.
Not a war but a land thereby he erases.
فريديْنِtwo solitary beings يمضيهاhe drives her وتمضيهand she carries him فيthrough الدجىdarkness
فريديْنِ يمضيها وتمضيه في الدجى
كسمراءlike a brown shaft يُمضيهاhe advances it وتُمضيهand it advances him لهذمُa sharp spearhead
كسمراء يُمضيها وتُمضيه لهذمُ
Two solitary beings: he drives her, she carries him through darkness,
Brother in opinion and might both
like a brown spear-shaft and its sharp head, each advancing the other.
Almost overpowering determined troops singly.
يريهاhe shows her الهدىthe way حدْساًby intuition وتنجوand she speeds برحلهwith his saddle
يريها الهدى حدْساً وتنجو برحله
ودونand barring الهدىguidance سدٌّa wall منof الليلnight مُبْهَمُimpenetrable
ودون الهدى سدٌّ من الليل مُبْهَمُ
He shows her the way by intuition; she speeds with his saddle,
Seen alone as if a thousand thousand
while an impenetrable wall of night bars guidance.
Unified sworn decimating enemies fiercely .
علىupon ظهرِthe surface of مَرْتٍbarren land ليسnot فيهin it مُعرَّجٌa resting-place
على ظهرِ مَرْتٍ ليس فيه مُعرَّجٌ
ولكنْbut مَخَبٌّa trotting-ground للركابfor mounts ومَسْعَمُand a running-course
ولكنْ مَخَبٌّ للركاب ومَسْعَمُ
Across a barren expanse with no resting-place,
In discerning opinions having insights flashing
only a trotting-ground and running-course for mounts.
In resolving fateissors paths crushing.
منamong those that اللائيreject تنبوreclining sides بالجنوبِand all of them وكلهاare
من اللائي تنبو بالجنوبِ وكلها
لأيديbeneath the forefeet of المهاريnoble camels أملسُsmooth in المتنِsurface أدرمُeven
لأيدي المهاري أملسُ المتنِ أدرمُ
One of those lands that reject reclining sides, yet all
A calm as lions composed, appearance
smooth-backed and even beneath the noble camels' forefeet.
As composed, verily calmer and dauntlessness dressings,
خلاءٌempty قواءٌdesolate خيرُthe best مرعىpasture of مطيَّةٍa mount
خلاءٌ قواءٌ خيرُ مرعى مطيَّةٍ
وموردهاand its watering-place فيهthere النَّجاءُescape الغَشَمْشَمُheadlong
وموردها فيه النَّجاءُ الغَشَمْشَمُ
Empty, desolate: a mount's best pasture
He is the lion stalking one moment prairies
and watering-place there is headlong escape.
The next lodging between cups clenching.
ينوحُlament بهthere بومٌowls وتعزفُand make music جنةٌjinn
ينوحُ به بومٌ وتعزفُ جنةٌ
فيعويthen howls لهاto them سِيدٌa wolf ويضْبَحُand yelps سَمْسَمُa fox
فيعوي لها سِيدٌ ويضْبَحُ سَمْسَمُ
Owls lament there, and jinn make music;
Circling a company or with beauties chatting
a wolf howls to them, and a fox yelps.
Wisdom of God mysteriously meshing.
يُخالis imagined بهاthere منfrom رَنِّthe ringing of هذيthese وهذهand those
يُخال بها من رَنِّ هذي وهذه
إذاwhen اختلفalternate الصوتانthe two sounds عُرْسٌa wedding ومأتَمُand a funeral
إذا اختلف الصوتان عُرْسٌ ومأتَمُ
From the ringing of these and those, one imagines,
Whether guest comes or sorrow befalls
when the two sounds alternate, a wedding and a funeral.
Neither house denied them nor blessings lessening.
تعسَّفتُهI crossed it pathlessly إمَّاeither لخفضٍfor ease أنالهI attain
تعسَّفتُه إمَّا لخفضٍ أناله
وإمَّاor سآمَweariness of الخفضِease والخفضُand ease يُسْأمُgrows wearisome
وإمَّا سآمَ الخفضِ والخفضُ يُسْأمُ
I crossed it without a path, either to attain ease,
Made ready for guests is gratifying hospitality
or from weariness of ease—for ease grows wearisome.
Or for sorrow what makes frowning faces grimacing.
وللسيفand for the sword حيناًsometimes مرقدٌa resting-place فيin حجابهits sheath
وللسيف حيناً مرقدٌ في حجابه
وحيناًand sometimes مهبٌّa swing صادقtrue ومُصمَّمُand a decisive stroke
وحيناً مهبٌّ صادق ومُصمَّمُ
The sword sometimes has a resting-place in its sheath,
And if different case there拢s might in likes of him
and sometimes a true swing and decisive stroke.
Sorrow by him will be culled caressing.
وهاجرةand a midday heat بيضاءَwhite يُعْدِيtransmits بياضُهاits whiteness
وهاجرة بيضاءَ يُعْدِي بياضُها
سواداًblackness كأنas though الوجهَthe face منهfrom it مُحمَّمُcharcoal-blackened
سواداً كأن الوجهَ منه مُحمَّمُ
And a white midday heat whose whiteness transmits
Directed by wisdom squeezing world拢s fruits
a blackness, as though the face were blackened with charcoal.
Mastering thereby life拢s puzzles distressing.
أظلّI remain إذاwhen كافحتهاI confront it وكأننيand as though I
أظلّ إذا كافحتها وكأنني
بوهَّاجهاby its blaze دونَwithout اللثامa face-veil مُلثَّمُveiled
بوهَّاجها دونَ اللثام مُلثَّمُ
When I confront it, I remain as though
No confusion bothers if fate brings qualms
veiled by its blaze without a face-veil.
For by him difficulties get true expressing.
نصبتُI exposed لهاto it منيof myself محاسرَbare parts لمhave not تزلْceased
نصبتُ لها مني محاسرَ لم تزلْ
تُصلَّىbeing roasted بنيرانِin the fires of العُلاgreatness فهيso they سُهَّمُlean
تُصلَّى بنيرانِ العُلا فهي سُهَّمُ
I exposed bare parts of myself to it, parts long
Leading the strayers if their loss expands
roasted in the fires of greatness, and therefore lean.
To sanity拢s path that is most blessing.
بديمومةٍin a vast waste لاno صلَّserpent فيin صحصحانِهاits open plain
بديمومةٍ لا صلَّ في صحصحانِها
ولاnor ماءَwater لكنْbut قورُهاits mesas الدهرَforever عُوَّمُafloat
ولا ماءَ لكنْ قورُها الدهرَ عُوَّمُ
In a vast waste with no serpent on its open plain,
I wonder at an opinion sought for guiding
nor water, yet its mesas forever seem afloat.
While around is heaven拢s sky clouding.
ترىyou see الآلَthe mirage فيهاin it يَلْطُمُstriking الآلَthe mirage مائحاًas a water-drawer
ترى الآلَ فيها يَلْطُمُ الآلَ مائحاً
وبارحُهاand its hot wind المسمومُpoisonous للوجهagainst the face ألطمُmore striking
وبارحُها المسمومُ للوجه ألطمُ
You see mirage striking mirage there, as though drawing water;
So Abdullah may pride in being
its poisonous hot wind strikes the face still harder.
In judiciousness, might and bounty rain making.
بذلكwith that قدindeed عللتُI diverted نفسيmy soul كُلّهall of it
بذلك قد عللتُ نفسي كُلّه
ولكنْbut بنوthe children of الأيامdays تُغْذَىare nourished وتُفْطَمُand weaned
ولكنْ بنو الأيام تُغْذَى وتُفْطَمُ
With all that I have diverted my soul;
And pride suits whom if priding others would
but the children of days are nourished, then weaned.
Unearned thereby kingdoms to him castling.
سأُعْرضI shall turn away عماfrom what أعرضَturned away الدهرُTime دونَهbehind it
سأُعْرض عما أعرضَ الدهرُ دونَه
وأشربُهاand I shall drink it صِرْفاًunmixed وإنalthough لامَcensure لُوَّمُcensurers
وأشربُها صِرْفاً وإن لامَ لُوَّمُ
I shall turn from what Time has turned away behind;
Forbearance his to cover people somewhat
I shall drink it unmixed, though censurers censure.
And none spilled that mouths would be tasting
أعمُّهُمُI include them all مدحاًin praise وأختصُّand single out منهمُamong them
أعمُّهُمُ مدحاً وأختصُّ منهمُ
أخاهمtheir brother عبيدَUbayd اللَّهAllah والحقand justice يُلْزَمُmust be observed
أخاهم عبيدَ اللَّه والحق يُلْزَمُ
I embrace them all in praise, and single out
Might his to fell had time prided once
their brother Ubayd Allah: justice must be observed.
The despised would hereby look aghasting
فتىa noble man منهمُamong them فيin فضلهhis excellence متقدّمٌforemost
فتى منهمُ في فضله متقدّمٌ
علىalthough أنهhe فيin سِنِّهِhis age متقدَّمُadvanced
على أنه في سِنِّهِ متقدَّمُ
A man among them foremost in excellence,
To bounty less smallest fraction given
although advanced in years.
Would suffice what misers keep amassing
يُعدُّhe is counted إذاwhen عُدَّare counted الملوكthe kings مبدَّأًfirst
يُعدُّ إذا عُدَّ الملوك مبدَّأً
كماas عُدَّwas counted رأساًfirst للشهورamong the months المحرَّمُMuharram
كما عُدَّ رأساً للشهور المحرَّمُ
When kings are counted, he is counted first,
Attributes combined people given
as Muharram is counted the first of the months.
None thereby finding traits pinching
لهhe has فيin المعاليlofty deeds والمكارمand noble virtues إخوةٌbrothers
له في المعالي والمكارم إخوةٌ
وليسand not لهhe has فيهاin them علىdespite ذاكthat تَوْأمُa twin
وليس له فيها على ذاك تَوْأمُ
He has brothers in lofty deeds and noble virtues,
Arts had they amongst all divided one
yet even so, he has no twin in them.
From inadequacy would be lasting
بنىhe built بالمساعيthrough endeavors سُؤدداًmastery لاnot يُزيلُهُremove it
بنى بالمساعي سُؤدداً لا يُزيلُهُ
صروفُthe vicissitudes of اللياليthe nights أوunless يزولَmoves يَلمْلَمُYalamlam
صروفُ الليالي أو يزولَ يَلمْلَمُ
By endeavor he built a mastery that cannot be removed
Whatever you choose of him the purpose
by night's vicissitudes unless Yalamlam itself moves.
Is whom jewels get strung thereafter passing
فتىًa noble man لاnot أسمّيهI call him فتىyoung لحداثةٍfor youthfulness
فتىً لا أسمّيه فتى لحداثةٍ
ولكنbut لأخلاقfor virtues لهhe has لاnot تَكَهَّمُgrow blunt
ولكن لأخلاق له لا تَكَهَّمُ
A noble man: I do not call him young for youthfulness,
Made for this gem channels stringing
but for virtues that never grow blunt.
As only strung gems stay from dispersing
منamong الأريحياتِgenerous dispositions التيwhich تُمتَرىare solicited for الندىbounty
من الأريحياتِ التي تُمتَرى الندى
فتَنْدَىso they give وتلقَىand encounter غمرةًadversity فتقحَّمُthen plunge in
فتَنْدَى وتلقَى غمرةً فتقحَّمُ
Of those generous dispositions from which bounty is drawn:
Such quality none of rabble attained
they give freely, and plunge into adversity when they meet it.
And has the pearls in ropes threading essence?
إذاif النعلُthe sandal شُمَّتْis sniffed فيin المجالسِassemblies مرّةًonce
إذا النعلُ شُمَّتْ في المجالسِ مرّةً
فإنthen indeed لهhe has نعلاًa sandal تُشَمُّis sniffed وتُلْثَمُand kissed
فإن له نعلاً تُشَمُّ وتُلْثَمُ
If a sandal is once sniffed in assemblies,
Still Abdullah knows his station therein
his is a sandal that is sniffed and kissed.
To yearnings of beauties remains surpassing
وماand not دُبِغتْwas tanned بالمسكwith musk بلrather صُوفحتwas touched بهby it
وما دُبِغتْ بالمسك بل صُوفحت به
لهhe has قدمٌa foot فيin كلّevery مجدٍglorious undertaking تَقدَّمُadvancing
له قدمٌ في كلّ مجدٍ تَقدَّمُ
It was not tanned with musk, but touched by it:
In cradle he showed customs coming
his foot advances in every glorious undertaking.
Building his merits stairs steadfast standing
فتىa man ليسthere is no منany يومٍday يمرpassing ولاwithout يُرَىbeing seen
فتى ليس من يومٍ يمر ولا يُرَى
لنعماهof his kindness فيهin it أوor لبؤساهof his severity ميسمُa mark
لنعماه فيه أو لبؤساه ميسمُ
A man for whom no day passes without
To live thereby deeds his attributes vouch
a visible mark of his kindness or his severity.
Even if shrouded body is clotting clinging
يُمرُّhe passes العطاياgifts والمناياand deaths لأهلهاto their recipients
يُمرُّ العطايا والمنايا لأهلها
علىwith هِينةease منهfrom him ولاand not يتندّمُregrets
على هِينة منه ولا يتندّمُ
He passes gifts and deaths to those deserving them
So followed naming him by his name
with ease, and never regrets.
And like him customarily is honouring
لهhe has فعلاتٌdeeds منof سماحٍgenerosity ونجدةٍand valor
له فعلاتٌ من سماحٍ ونجدةٍ
لمنْfor whoever يعتفيseeks عُرْفاًkindness ومنand whoever يتعرَّمُacts insolently
لمنْ يعتفي عُرْفاً ومن يتعرَّمُ
He performs deeds of generosity and valor
Nor did diminutive belittle his name
for whoever seeks kindness and whoever acts insolently.
That the glorious meaning denies consenting
يقومُstands لهاbefore them المالُwealth المؤثَّلaccumulated والعِدَىand enemies
يقومُ لها المالُ المؤثَّل والعِدَى
إذاwhen قامstands للنارbefore fire الحصادُharvest المحزَّمُbundled
إذا قام للنار الحصادُ المحزَّمُ
Stored wealth and enemies stand before those deeds
But beloved names tend to be nicknamed
as bundled harvest stands before fire.
Amongst families in endearment dressing
فتىa man عزمهhis resolve سيفٌa sword حسامٌkeen-cutting وسيفُهand his sword
فتى عزمه سيفٌ حسامٌ وسيفُه
قضاءٌa decree إذاwhen لاقىit meets الضريبةَthe target مُبْرمُirrevocable
قضاءٌ إذا لاقى الضريبةَ مُبْرمُ
A man whose resolve is a cutting sword, whose sword
And no harm if one is nicknamed so
is an irrevocable decree when it meets its target.
While meaning sublime at hearts amassing
يباشرُhe directly meets أطرافَthe points of القناspears وهْوwhile he حاسرٌbareheaded
يباشرُ أطرافَ القنا وهْو حاسرٌ
ويلقىand meets لسانَthe tongue of الذمّblame وهْوwhile he مُلَأَّمُarmored
ويلقى لسانَ الذمّ وهْو مُلَأَّمُ
He meets spear-points with his head unprotected,
He is family拢s whitest bud blossomed
but meets the tongue of blame fully armored.
The best of Musab拢s crop thereafter lasting
مُقبَّلُkissed on ظهرِthe back of الكفّthe hand وهّابُfreely giving from بطنهاits palm
مُقبَّلُ ظهرِ الكفّ وهّابُ بطنها
لهhe has راحةٌa palm فيهاin it الحطيمُal-Hatim وزمزمُand Zamzam
له راحةٌ فيها الحطيمُ وزمزمُ
The back of his hand is kissed; its palm gives freely:
Falsehoods about him collapsed thereafter
in that palm are al-Hatim and Zamzam.
Only what hearts realise remaining.
فظاهرُهاits outer side للناسfor people رُكنٌa corner مُقبَّلٌkissed
فظاهرُها للناس رُكنٌ مُقبَّلٌ
وباطنهاand its inner side عينٌa spring منof العُرفِkindness غيلمُdeep
وباطنها عينٌ من العُرفِ غيلمُ
Its outer side is a corner people kiss;
A youth not said in youth signifying
its inner side a deep spring of kindness.
But for his elderly conduct arresting
فتىa man لوif رأىsaw الناسُpeople الأمورَmatters بعينهِthrough his eyes
فتى لو رأى الناسُ الأمورَ بعينهِ
لماthey would not جهلواbe ignorant أنthat المحامدpraiseworthy deeds مَغْنَمُa gain
لما جهلوا أن المحامد مَغْنَمُ
If people saw matters through his eyes,
Of aromatic plants rained upon by dew
they would know that praiseworthy deeds are a gain.
Imbibing while the spate is coursing running
يدُلُّdirects عليهto him السائلينpetitioners ارتياحُهُhis eagerness
يدُلُّ عليه السائلين ارتياحُهُ
ووجهٌand a face بسيماwith the signs of الأكرمينthe noblest مُسوَّمُmarked
ووجهٌ بسيما الأكرمين مُسوَّمُ
His eagerness directs petitioners to him,
If they sniff seats he occupies once
and a face marked with the signs of the noblest.
A sneeze responding or muffling
إذاwhen سئلhe is asked استحياhe feels ashamed منbefore اللَّهGod أنto يُرىbe seen
إذا سئل استحيا من اللَّه أن يُرى
بموضعِin the position of مَرْجُوٍّone hoped in وراجيهwhile his petitioner يُحرمُis denied
بموضعِ مَرْجُوٍّ وراجيه يُحرمُ
When asked, he is ashamed before God to be seen
Not tanned by musk but his foot naturally
as one hoped in, while his hopeful petitioner is denied.
Musk diffusing without apprehending
يرىhe considers شرَّthe worse of يومَيْhis wealth's two days مالهthe day of يومَearning it كسبهِhis acquisition
يرى شرَّ يومَيْ ماله يومَ كسبهِ
وأفضلَand the better of يوميهits two days إذاwhen نابarises مَغْرَمُan expense
وأفضلَ يوميه إذا ناب مَغْرَمُ
He considers his wealth's worse day the day he earns it,
A youth no day goes without his favours
and its better day the day an expense arises.
Or fortune or calamity to him destined
فتىa man حسنتْbecame beautiful أسماؤهhis names وصفاتهand his qualities
فتى حسنتْ أسماؤه وصفاته
فأضحتso became بهاwith them أيديthe hands of الكواعبyoung maidens تُوشمُtattooed
فأضحت بها أيدي الكواعب تُوشمُ
A man whose names and qualities are so beautiful
Doing good or bad all pass judgement on him
that maidens' hands are tattooed with them.
While best deeds at his side standard setting
ولوand if وسمَbranded الناسُpeople الجباهَforeheads بمدحهِwith his praise
ولو وسمَ الناسُ الجباهَ بمدحهِ
إذاًthen لاستلذواthey would relish الوسمَbranding والوسمُthough branding يؤلمُhurts
إذاً لاستلذوا الوسمَ والوسمُ يؤلمُ
If people branded their foreheads with his praise,
Favours and trials pass brothers in life
they would relish the branding, though branding hurts.
While calmly caring never fretting
إذاwhen ماindeed أسرَّتْconceal أنفسُthe souls of القومِthe people ذِكْرَهhis remembrance
إذا ما أسرَّتْ أنفسُ القومِ ذِكْرَه
تبيَّنتَهُyou discern him فيهمamong them ولمthough not يتكلمواthey speak
تبيَّنتَهُ فيهم ولم يتكلموا
When people's souls secretly remember him,
Content if sustenance suffices his needs
you discern him among them although they do not speak.
Whether dearth or plenty life testing
تطيبُgrow sweet بهwith him أنفاسُهُhis breaths فتذيعُهُthen divulge him
تطيبُ به أنفاسُهُ فتذيعُهُ
وهلand can سِرُّthe secret of مسكٍmusk أُودِعَentrusted to الريحَthe wind يُكْتَمُbe concealed
وهل سِرُّ مسكٍ أُودِعَ الريحَ يُكْتَمُ
Breath grows sweet with him and spreads his name:
Goodness he does voluntarily challenging
can musk's secret, entrusted to wind, be concealed?
Or bad in ignorance pride regretting
فتىa man كَمُلتْbecame complete فيهin him الفضائلُvirtues كلُّهاall of them
فتى كَمُلتْ فيه الفضائلُ كلُّها
هنيئاًmay it bring joy لهto him الحظُّthe portion الوفاءُfull المتمَّمُperfected
هنيئاً له الحظُّ الوفاءُ المتمَّمُ
A man in whom all virtues are complete:
One whose will decisive sword wielding
may his full, perfected portion bring him joy!
And sword deals justice whenever testing
فلاso no خلَّةٌquality منهاamong them أضرَّتْharmed بخلَّةٍanother quality
فلا خلَّةٌ منها أضرَّتْ بخلَّةٍ
علىalthough أنهhe فيin كُلّهاall of them متقسَّمُapportioned
على أنه في كُلّها متقسَّمُ
No quality among them has harmed another,
A gallant, either meeting alone the troops
though he is apportioned among them all.
Or troops when meeting, gallant arresting
وماand never اقتسمتْshared شتّىdiverse الفضائلvirtues واحداًone person
وما اقتسمتْ شتّى الفضائل واحداً
فكادwho nearly منfrom التقصيرdeficiency فيهنَّin them يسلمُescapes
فكاد من التقصير فيهنَّ يسلمُ
Diverse virtues have never shared one person
His tranquility a composed lion拢s
who could so nearly escape deficiency in them.
And face like the composed but brighter dressing
إلىtoward أيّwhichever ماquality فيهin him قصدتَyou approach حسبتهyou consider it
إلى أيّ ما فيه قصدتَ حسبته
هوis الغرضُthe goal المقصودُintended فيهin him الميمَّمُsought
هو الغرضُ المقصودُ فيه الميمَّمُ
Whichever quality in him you approach, you think
He is the lion prowling once grasslands
it alone is the intended and sought-for goal.
Another lodging between cups pressing
ليُنْظَمَso as to be strung فيهin him ذلكthose الدرُّpearls سُلّكَتْwas threaded
ليُنْظَمَ فيه ذلك الدرُّ سُلّكَتْ
مريرتُهhis cord والدرُّand pearls فيupon السلكa thread يُنظَمُare arranged
مريرتُه والدرُّ في السلك يُنظَمُ
To string those pearls within him, his cord
Circling companions or beautiful ladies
was threaded—for pearls are arranged upon a thread.
Wisdom of God thereby progressing
خلالٌqualities جفاwere estranged عنهاfrom them الجفاةُthe coarse خلائقاًin character
خلالٌ جفا عنها الجفاةُ خلائقاً
وخلقاًand constitution وهلand is there للدرّfor pearls فيupon الحبلa rope مَنْظمُa stringing-place
وخلقاً وهل للدرّ في الحبل مَنْظمُ
Qualities the coarse lack in character
Whether visited by guest or melancholic fit
and constitution: can pearls be strung on a rope?
Neither denied hospitality nor blessings lessening
وماand always زالremained عبدُAbd اللُّهAllah يعلمknowing أنهthat he
وما زال عبدُ اللُّه يعلم أنه
قديماًlong ago لهاتيكfor those الشناشنِingrained traits أخزمُan Akhzam
قديماً لهاتيك الشناشنِ أخزمُ
Abd Allah always knew that he
For each visitor made ready convenience
had long been an Akhzam for those ingrained traits.
The guest greeted, the sorrowed consoling
تبيَّنhe discerned فيهin him وهْوwhile he فيin المهدِthe cradle أنهthat he
تبيَّن فيه وهْو في المهدِ أنه
سيرفعُwould raise منof بُنْيانهhis building وسيدْعَمُand would support
سيرفعُ من بُنْيانه وسيدْعَمُ
He discerned in him, while still in the cradle, that he
But if different context another might lessens it
would raise his building higher and support it;
Might whereby troubles get redressing
وأنْand that سوفwould يحييهkeep him alive بماthrough what هوhe فاعلٌdoes
وأنْ سوف يحييه بما هو فاعلٌ
إذاwhen هوhe واراهwas hidden by الضريحُthe grave المطمطمُenclosing
إذا هو واراه الضريحُ المطمطمُ
and would keep him alive through his deeds
Guided is he by a very just wisdom
when the enclosing grave had hidden him.
Before fate拢s tribulations souls fortressing
لذلكtherefore أقفاهhe made him successor وسمّاهand named him باسمهwith his name
لذلك أقفاه وسمّاه باسمه
وفيand rightly الحقّin justice يُقْفَىis succeeded مثلهُhis like ويكرَّمُand honored
وفي الحقّ يُقْفَى مثلهُ ويكرَّمُ
Therefore he made him his successor and named him after himself;
If errored never confused thereafter
rightly is such a man succeeded and honored.
Nor failing thereafter feels regretting
وماand not كانwas it لاستصغارهِto belittle him صَغَّرhe diminished اسمَهُhis name
وما كان لاستصغارهِ صَغَّر اسمَهُ
أبىforbade ذاكthat مَنone whose معناهsignificance فخمٌmagnificent مفخَّمُmagnified
أبى ذاك مَن معناه فخمٌ مفخَّمُ
He did not diminish his name out of belittlement:
By it the misguided get guided from loss
one whose meaning is magnificent forbids that.
To sanity拢s path ascending progressive
ولكنَّbut أسماءthe names of الأحبةloved ones لمhave not تزلceased
ولكنَّ أسماء الأحبة لم تزل
تُصَغَّرُbeing made diminutive فيamong أهليهمُtheir families وتُرَخَّمُand shortened
تُصَغَّرُ في أهليهمُ وتُرَخَّمُ
Rather, the names of loved ones have always
A gallant whose decisions swords enforce
been made diminutive and shortened among their families.
And his sword applies justice without wresting
وماand not ضرَّharmed منone who أضحىcame to have لهfor him اسمٌa name مُصغَّرٌdiminutive
وما ضرَّ من أضحى له اسمٌ مُصغَّرٌ
ومعنىand significance مُجَلٌّrevered فيin الصدورِhearts معظّمُmagnified
ومعنى مُجَلٌّ في الصدورِ معظّمُ
No harm comes to one whose name is diminutive,
Composed, appearance of lion in stillfulness
while his significance is revered and magnified in hearts.
And aura lion拢s but brighter dressing
هوhe الغرةthe forehead-blaze البيضاءُwhite منof آلthe house of مُصْعبٍMus'ab
هو الغرة البيضاءُ من آل مُصْعبٍ
وهمand they بعدهafter him التحجيلthe white stockings والناسwhile people أدهمُblack
وهم بعده التحجيل والناس أدهمُ
He is the white forehead-blaze of Mus'ab's house;
He is the lion once strutting grasslands
they, after him, the white stockings; other people are black.
Another lodging between cups repressing
لتَفتَرَّso as to smile عنهthrough him فيin مواطنsettings جَمَّةٍmany
لتَفتَرَّ عنه في مواطن جَمَّةٍ
رُزَيْقRuzayq فماand not مفترُّهاher smiling mouth عنهthrough him أهتمُtoothless
رُزَيْق فما مفترُّها عنه أهتمُ
In many settings Ruzayq smiles
Accompanying a herd or beautiful herding
through him: the mouth smiling through him is not toothless.
Wisdom of God mysteriously meshing
كفاهاhe sufficed her بهthrough him منas مَضْحَكٍa smile يومَon a day of زينةfestivity
كفاها به من مَضْحَكٍ يومَ زينة
ومنand as مَكْلحa grimace فيin الحربِwar حينwhen تَجَهَّمُshe scowls
ومن مَكْلح في الحربِ حين تَجَهَّمُ
Through him she has enough of a smile on a festive day,
Whether visited by guest or melancholic fit
and a grimace in war when she scowls.
Unfailing in hospitality nor blessings lessening
ثناياincisors لعمريby my life وُضَّحٌbright لاnot يشينُهاhe disgraces them
ثنايا لعمري وُضَّحٌ لا يشينُها
ونابُand a canine عضاضٍfiercely biting مِقْصلٌsevering حينwhen يَضْغَمُit bites
ونابُ عضاضٍ مِقْصلٌ حين يَضْغَمُ
Bright incisors, by my life, which he does not disgrace,
Prepared for every visitor his equippage
and a biting canine that severs when it grips.
The guest welcomed, sorrowed souls redressing
ألكنِيcarry from me إلىto عمروAmr بنson of ليثLayth رسالةًa message
ألكنِي إلى عمرو بن ليث رسالةً
لهاit has حينwhen يدوىails الغيبُthe unseen غيبٌa hidden purpose مُسلَّمُsound
لها حين يدوى الغيبُ غيبٌ مُسلَّمُ
Carry a message from me to Amr ibn Layth,
But if different context might in one like him
whose hidden purpose is sound when the unseen ails.
Sorrow thereby is culled caressing
فإناfor we غدوناbegan نحمدُpraising اللَّهGod أوَّلاًfirst
فإنا غدونا نحمدُ اللَّه أوَّلاً
فواتحَopenings منof حمدٍpraise بحمدكwith your praise تُختَمُare concluded
فواتحَ من حمدٍ بحمدك تُختَمُ
We began by praising God first,
Managed by very equitable wisdom
with openings of praise concluded by praising you,
Guiding thereby life拢s puzzles distressing
علىfor نعمةٍa blessing ألبستناهاyou clothed us in جديدةًfresh
على نعمةٍ ألبستناها جديدةً
هيit الوشيembroidery حُسْناًin beauty والحبيرand rich fabric المنمنمُpatterned
هي الوشي حُسْناً والحبير المنمنمُ
for a fresh blessing you clothed us in,
No confusion entangles if fate misleads
beautiful as embroidery and richly patterned fabric.
For by him difficulties get expressing
لكyours المسمعُthe hearing المصغَىattentive إليهto it إذاwhen غدتit becomes
لك المسمعُ المصغَى إليه إذا غدت
لبوساًa garment لناfor us والمنظرُand the appearance المتوسَّمُthoughtfully regarded
لبوساً لنا والمنظرُ المتوسَّمُ
Yours is the hearing attended to when it becomes
Hopeful my prospects having attached
our garment, and the appearance thoughtfully regarded.
To your secure bond, am I submitting?
رعيتَyou tended سداناus untended بالأميرthrough the emir فكلّناso all of us
رعيتَ سدانا بالأمير فكلّنا
بذلكthereby ممنونٌfavored عليهupon him ومُنْعَمُand blessed
بذلك ممنونٌ عليه ومُنْعَمُ
You tended us, left untended, through the emir; all of us
Came insolently with novelty wearing
are thereby favored and blessed.
Until wearing white hair that is dimming
توخّىhe sought بناfor us المرعىthe pasture المرِيءَwholesome نباتُهits growth
توخّى بنا المرعى المرِيءَ نباتُه
وجنَّبنَاand kept us from المرعىthe pasture الذيwhich يُتَوَخَّمُproves harmful
وجنَّبنَا المرعى الذي يُتَوَخَّمُ
He sought for us pasture with wholesome growth,
And who tastes not humiliation meeting you
and kept us from pasture that proves harmful.
When meeting exhibits utmost dressings?
وذبَّand drove away الذئابَthe wolves الطُّلْسَgray عناfrom us فأصبحتْso became
وذبَّ الذئابَ الطُّلْسَ عنا فأصبحتْ
ومنهاand among them طريدُthe fugitive from الخوفِfear والمتحرَّمُand the sanctuary-seeker
ومنها طريدُ الخوفِ والمتحرَّمُ
He drove the gray wolves away from us, leaving
I had abundant money until a good tree
among them those fear expelled and those seeking sanctuary.
Collapsed, events contaminator, timing.
وأثبتَand secured للأمرِfor the authority الذيwhich يستديمهhe perpetuates
وأثبتَ للأمرِ الذي يستديمه
أواخيَّstakes of صدْقٍtrustworthiness أقسمتْsworn لاnot تَجَذَّمُto break
أواخيَّ صدْقٍ أقسمتْ لا تَجَذَّمُ
For the authority he seeks to perpetuate, he secured
I still hope days show me resilient
trustworthy stakes sworn never to break.
As if under your wing securely sitting.
فلاso do not diminish تسهمنَّthe share الحظَّin him فيهfor it فإنهindeed
فلا تسهمنَّ الحظَّ فيه فإنه
جزيلٌample وماand not مَنْone who كانis مثلكlike you يُسْهَمُgiven a scant portion
جزيلٌ وما مَنْ كان مثلك يُسْهَمُ
Do not diminish your share in him: it is
No fancying soul in you ever mistrusted
ample, and one like you is not given a scant portion.
Fancying thereby loss probably hitting.
تحمّلhe bore ماwhat حُملتَهyou charged him with منof أمانةٍtrust
تحمّل ما حُملتَه من أمانةٍ
فناءَso rose بهاbeneath it منهof him ضليعa broad bearer عَثمثَمُmighty
فناءَ بها منه ضليع عَثمثَمُ
He bore the trust with which you charged him;
Nor a failing coward if an adverse day
a broad, mighty bearer rose beneath it.
With great event thereby came conflicting.
حليمforbearing إذاwhen ماindeed الحلمُforbearance أُحمِدَis praised غِبُّهُits aftermath
حليم إذا ما الحلمُ أُحمِدَ غِبُّهُ
وأدَّىand led إلىto العُقْبىthe outcome التيwhich هيis أسلمُsafer
وأدَّى إلى العُقْبى التي هي أسلمُ
Forbearing when forbearance's aftermath is praised
But assured hopes and they never slept
and leads to the safer outcome;
If people get tired thereby quitting.
جهولٌfiercely wrathful علىagainst الأعداءenemies جهلَwith wrath of نكايةٍinjury
جهولٌ على الأعداء جهلَ نكايةٍ
يداوَىis cured بهby it جهلُthe aggression of الجهولِthe aggressor فيُحْسَمُand cut short
يداوَى به جهلُ الجهولِ فيُحْسَمُ
fiercely wrathful against enemies, with an injurious wrath
My concerns and resolves will wake
that cures the aggressor's aggression and cuts it short.
The apathetic as ember igniting.
وحاشاهand far be it from him منfrom جهلِthe ignorance of الغباوةfoolishness إنَّهُindeed he
وحاشاه من جهلِ الغباوة إنَّهُ
أطبُّmore skilled بأحناءin the complexities of الأمورaffairs وأحكمُand more judicious
أطبُّ بأحناء الأمور وأحكمُ
Far be foolish ignorance from him: he is
And in hopes enticing to composure a wonder
more skilled in affairs' complexities, more judicious.
To a people, but you are the elite cognising.
عَفُوٌّforgiving إذاwhen ماindeed الذنبُthe sin لمnot يعْدُexceeds حدَّهits limit
عَفُوٌّ إذا ما الذنبُ لم يعْدُ حدَّه
إلىinto الوِتْرِblood-vengeance تَبَّاعٌrelentlessly following قفاthe trail of الوترvengeance أرقمُa speckled viper
إلى الوِتْرِ تَبَّاعٌ قفا الوتر أرقمُ
Forgiving, when sin does not exceed its limit
If interpretation seems weird to someone
into blood-vengeance; then a tracking, speckled viper.
To you all is translatable, appointing.
أخوذٌfirmly grasping بوثقىthe stronger of عروتَيْtwo handles of كلّevery خُطَّةٍundertaking
أخوذٌ بوثقى عروتَيْ كلّ خُطَّةٍ
تروكُforsaking الهُوَيناindolence للتيfor that which هيis أحزمُmore prudent
تروكُ الهُوَينا للتي هي أحزمُ
Grasping the stronger of every undertaking's two handles,
Another threw me to your pardons 忆 courtyard
forsaking indolence for the more prudent course.
Seeing favours from you thereby transmitted.
حلاhe was sweet لشفاهto the lips of الذائقينthose tasting وإنهthough he
حلا لشفاه الذائقين وإنه
علىupon لهواتthe throats of الآكلينthose devouring لعلْقَمُsurely bitter colocynth
على لهوات الآكلين لعلْقَمُ
Sweet to the lips of those who taste him, yet
For I saw your generosity unintentional
bitter colocynth in the throats of those who devour.
As if divided as soon as permitted.
وداوَىand treated منamong الأدواءِdiseases حتّىuntil أماتهاhe killed them
وداوَى من الأدواءِ حتّى أماتها
بأدويةٍwith medicines لمnot يدرِknew ماwhat هنّthey were حِذيَمُHidhyam
بأدويةٍ لم يدرِ ما هنّ حِذيَمُ
He treated diseases until he killed them
What I hope is definite and deposited
with medicines whose nature even Hidhyam did not know.
Is unlike some trusted treasuries quitting.
فذوthe possessor of الزيغِdeviation يُسْتَأنَىis given time وذوand the possessor of الغيثrain يُنْتَحَىis sought
فذو الزيغِ يُسْتَأنَى وذو الغيث يُنْتَحَى
وذوand the possessor of النفرestrangement يُسْتَدْنىis drawn near وذوand the possessor of الشَّغْبdisorder يُوقمُis subdued
وذو النفر يُسْتَدْنى وذو الشَّغْب يُوقمُ
The wayward is given time; the rain-bestower is sought;
Ever inhaling like perfumer your praises
the estranged is drawn near; the troublemaker subdued.
Hoping thereby aroma emitting.
وكانتand there were همومٌtroubles لاnot تزالceasing تهمُّهاto contemplate them
وكانت همومٌ لا تزال تهمُّها
رجالٌmen فقدbut already عادتthey became مغايظَresentments تُكظَمُswallowed
رجالٌ فقد عادت مغايظَ تُكظَمُ
Troubles that men continually contemplated
I am the hopeful one if Qarun surfaces
have become swallowed resentments.
Qarun thereby in my eyes acquitted.
ولاand no غروَwonder أنthat ذلّتْwere humbled لهbefore him بعدafter عزّةٍpride
ولا غروَ أن ذلّتْ له بعد عزّةٍ
أنوفٌnoses عِدىًof enemies أضحتْbecame تُخَشُّpierced وتُخزَمُand nose-ringed
أنوفٌ عِدىً أضحتْ تُخَشُّ وتُخزَمُ
No wonder that, after their pride, there bowed before him
I pride my hopes as guaranteed money
enemies' noses, now pierced and fitted with nose-rings.
Honouring me while my tribe envies it.
تكنَّفُsurround هذاthis الدينfaith والملكَand sovereignty منكماfrom you two
تكنَّفُ هذا الدين والملكَ منكما
يلمْلمYalamlam فيin أنضادهِits layered masses ويرْمرمُand Yarmaram
يلمْلم في أنضادهِ ويرْمرمُ
From you two, this faith and sovereignty are surrounded
Censuring me to pay zakatcontrollers
by Yalamlam in its layered mass, and Yarmaram.
Though unpossessed, rightfully they finished.
رساstood firm جبلاtwo mountains of حَزْمٍprudence وعزمٍand resolve وقوةٍand strength
رسا جبلا حَزْمٍ وعزمٍ وقوةٍ
بمثلهماby their like تحمىare protected القواصيdistant territories وتُعْصَمُand preserved
بمثلهما تحمى القواصي وتُعْصَمُ
Two mountains of prudence, resolve, and strength stand firm;
After all am I then broken, deprived?
by their like, distant territories are protected and preserved.
Or living comfortably thereby acquitted?
لتحملْlet carry رقابٌnecks مائلاتٌbowed رؤوسهاtheir heads
لتحملْ رقابٌ مائلاتٌ رؤوسها
حذارِcautiously وإلاotherwise فالمليمونthe blameworthy ألومُmore blameworthy
حذارِ وإلا فالمليمون ألومُ
Let bowed necks carry their heads cautiously;
Denying in you disappointing the hopeful
otherwise, the blameworthy deserve still greater blame.
Unbefitting while misers get acquitted.
هوhe السيفُthe sword يجنيharvests كلَّevery رأسٍhead دناapproaching لهhim
هو السيفُ يجني كلَّ رأسٍ دنا له
وقدماًand of old إذاwhen ماindeed استصرمwas ready for cutting الدومُthe palm يُصرَمُis cut
وقدماً إذا ما استصرم الدومُ يُصرَمُ
He is the sword that harvests every head approaching it;
You拢ve a nature for a year woven
of old, palms ready for harvesting have been harvested.
Struggling through ages crasslyspinning knitted.
فأقصرَso desisted قومٌpeople وانتهواand ceased عنfrom سفاههمtheir foolishness
فأقصرَ قومٌ وانتهوا عن سفاههم
وهامُهمُwhile their heads بينbetween المناكبthe shoulders جُثَّمُresting
وهامُهمُ بين المناكب جُثَّمُ
So let people desist and abandon their foolishness,
Poets of every era hallowing its status
while their heads still rest between their shoulders.
In rights the convert and the intimate permitting.
وإلاotherwise فإنيthen I ضامنٌguarantee أنْthat يبُزَّهاwill snatch them
وإلا فإني ضامنٌ أنْ يبُزَّها
مجاثمَهاfrom their perches سيفٌa sword منof البأسِmight مخذمُcutting
مجاثمَها سيفٌ من البأسِ مخذمُ
Otherwise, I guarantee that a sword will snatch them
If attached to a bright star embellishing
from their perches, a blade cutting with might.
Or they said 'a threaded necklace' brightly lit.
بكفَّيin the hands of عبيدUbayd اللهAllah يهويdescends بحدّهwith its edge
بكفَّي عبيد الله يهوي بحدّه
إلىto حيثwhere أهوىinclined الحقُّjustice لاnot يتلعثمُhesitating
إلى حيث أهوى الحقُّ لا يتلعثمُ
In Ubayd Allah's hands, its edge descends
It glories being thereby content
where justice inclines, without hesitation.
If other than you becomes its patron submitting.
همامa resolute man إذاwhen اعوجّتْbend عواليthe points of رماحِهِhis spears
همام إذا اعوجّتْ عوالي رماحِهِ
غدتbecome بينbetween أحناءthe curves of الضلوعribs تُقوَّمُstraightened
غدت بين أحناء الضلوع تُقوَّمُ
A resolute man whose bent spear-points
So live long, best homes are so
are straightened between the curves of ribs.
If no good provision thereby is permitted.
لهhe has الرايةthe banner السوداءblack تخفقُflying فوقَهاabove it
له الراية السوداء تخفقُ فوقَها
معwith النصرvictory راياتbanners منof الطيرbirds حُوَّمُhovering
مع النصر رايات من الطير حُوَّمُ
His black banner flies; above it,
Behind, a vigilant ancestry lies
with victory, hover banners of birds.
And before, glory of imposing summit.
يحمنَthey circle عليهاabove it واثقاتٍconfident بأنهاthat they
يحمنَ عليها واثقاتٍ بأنها
ستُجزَرwill be butchered أشلاءthe limbs of الطغاةtyrants وتُلْحَمُand supplied as meat
ستُجزَر أشلاء الطغاة وتُلْحَمُ
They circle it, confident that
Still praised for providing rains without tiring
tyrants' limbs will be butchered and provide them meat.
As if providers thereby are permitted.
وماand not حربهُhis warfare حربٌwarfare إذwhen نابذhe challenged العداenemies
وما حربهُ حربٌ إذ نابذ العدا
ولكنهاbut it أرضٌearth عليهمupon them تُدمْدِمُthunders destruction
ولكنها أرضٌ عليهم تُدمْدِمُ
His warfare, when he challenges enemies, is not warfare,
Passing favours and calamities of people
but earth thundering destruction upon them.
Indifferently careless without submitting.
أخوmaster of الرأيjudgment والبأسِand might اللذيْنwhich two كلاهماboth of them
أخو الرأي والبأسِ اللذيْن كلاهما
يُكادُis outwitted بهby it الجيشthe army اللُّهامvast فيُهْزمُand routed
يُكادُ به الجيش اللُّهام فيُهْزمُ
Master of judgment and might, each of which
Deeds of charity and rescue he did
outwits and routs the vast army.
If benefiting thereby the earnest or submiting.
يُرىhe is seen أوor يُلاقَىencountered وحدَهalone فكأنماas though
يُرى أو يُلاقَى وحدَه فكأنما
يُرىis seen أوor يُلاقىencountered ألفُa thousand ألفٍthousand مصممُresolute
يُرى أو يُلاقى ألفُ ألفٍ مصممُ
Seen or encountered alone, he is as though
I say to one who complained failure
a million resolute men were seen or encountered.
An elderly man yet more failing
لهhe has عندَwhen قدْحِstriking the spark of الرأيjudgment منfrom خطراتهhis passing thoughts
له عندَ قدْحِ الرأي من خطراته
وعندand when انتضاءdrawing العزمresolve للأمرِagainst the crisis يدْهَمُthat descends
وعند انتضاء العزم للأمرِ يدْهَمُ
When he strikes thought's spark from passing notions,
Who worries as days elapse
and draws resolve against an oncoming crisis, he has
While the days ahead promise decaying
سُكونٌa stillness كإطراقِlike the lowered head of الشُّجاعthe serpent وسورةٌand a surge
سُكونٌ كإطراقِ الشُّجاع وسورةٌ
كسورتهlike its surge لاno بلrather أشدُّfiercer وأعْرَمُand more violent
كسورته لا بل أشدُّ وأعْرَمُ
a stillness like a serpent's lowered head, and a surge
Living safely while days threat sharply
like its surge—no, fiercer and more violent.
Can the safe thereafter feel betrying?
هوhe الليثthe lion طوراًsometimes بالعراءin the open وتارةًand sometimes
هو الليث طوراً بالعراء وتارةً
لهhe has بينamong آجامِthe thickets of القناspears متأجَّمُa lair
له بين آجامِ القنا متأجَّمُ
Sometimes he is the lion in the open; sometimes
From the narrowness of wombs to narrowness of tombs
he has a lair among the spear-thickets.
No breadth between, but to humans God is kinder
مُساورُattacking قِرنٍan opponent أوor مجيلُturning over جوائلٍroaming thoughts
مُساورُ قِرنٍ أو مجيلُ جوائلٍ
منof الرأيjudgment مكرُthe stratagem of اللَّهGod فيهنwithin them مُدْغَمُfolded
من الرأي مكرُ اللَّه فيهن مُدْغَمُ
Attacking an opponent, or turning over roaming thoughts,
Guiding thereby many to safety
with God's stratagem folded into them.
Defending from days shuffling without hindering
ليطرقْهُlet visit him ضيفٌa guest أوor لتطرقهlet visit him نوبةٌa calamity
ليطرقْهُ ضيفٌ أو لتطرقه نوبةٌ
فماso there is no للقرىfor hospitality عنtoward طارقيهhis visitors مُعتَّمُdelay
فما للقرى عن طارقيه مُعتَّمُ
Let a guest knock, or a calamity visit him:
A shelter whereby days raid vainly
hospitality never delays for those who knock.
As feeblest days attack undeterred
لكلّfor every نزيلvisitor قدalready أعدَّhe prepared عتادهhis equipment
لكلّ نزيل قد أعدَّ عتاده
فللضيفso for the guest ترحيبwelcome ومَثْوىًand lodging مكرَّمُhonored
فللضيف ترحيب ومَثْوىً مكرَّمُ
For every visitor he has prepared equipment:
A hand uplifting broken ones
for the guest, welcome and an honored lodging;
Aiding thereby who days culled and is hurt
وإنand if كانتit is الأخرىthe other ولاmay it not نزلتْdescend بهupon him
وإن كانت الأخرى ولا نزلتْ به
فبأسٌthen might بمثليْهwith twice its measure منof الشرharm يؤدمُis seasoned
فبأسٌ بمثليْه من الشر يؤدمُ
and if it is the other visitor—may it never descend upon him—
Following days拢 tracks carefully
a might seasoned with twice its measure of harm.
In family or monthly sweat
يدبرهُgoverns him رأيٌjudgment سديدٌsound بمثلهby its like
يدبرهُ رأيٌ سديدٌ بمثله
تُرمُّare haltered مصاعيبُthe unruly camels of الأمورaffairs وتُخطمُand bridled
تُرمُّ مصاعيبُ الأمور وتُخطمُ
Sound judgment governs him, such as
halters and bridles the unruly camels of affairs.
إذاwhen ماindeed أصابhe strikes correctly الخطبَthe crisis لمnot يكwas فلتةًan accident
إذا ما أصاب الخطبَ لم يك فلتةً
ولاnor هفوةًa slip فيin إثرهاits aftermath متندَّمُregret
ولا هفوةً في إثرها متندَّمُ
When he strikes a crisis correctly, it is no accident,
nor a slip followed by regret.
بهthrough him يهتديfind guidance الضُّلالُthe lost عندduring ضلالهمtheir wandering
به يهتدي الضُّلالُ عند ضلالهم
إلىto سنَنَthe course of القصدِthe proper path الذيwhich هوis أقومُstraightest
إلى سنَنَ القصدِ الذي هو أقومُ
Through him, the lost, when wandering, find
the straightest course of the proper path.
عجبتُI marvel لرأيat judgment يُستضاءُilluminating ودونهand before it
عجبتُ لرأي يُستضاءُ ودونه
سماءُa sky of سماحٍgenerosity لاnot تزالceasing تَغَيَّمُto gather clouds
سماءُ سماحٍ لا تزال تَغَيَّمُ
I marvel at illuminating judgment, before which
a sky of generosity continually gathers clouds.
ليفخرْlet boast عبيدُUbayd اللَّهAllah فهْوfor he الذيthe one لهfor whom
ليفخرْ عبيدُ اللَّه فهْو الذي له
بفضلِfor superiority in الحجىintellect والبأسِand might والجودand generosity يُحكَمُjudgment is given
بفضلِ الحجى والبأسِ والجود يُحكَمُ
Let Ubayd Allah boast: he is the one
awarded supremacy in intellect, might, and generosity.
وماand what is فخرُthe boasting of مَنْone who لوif فاخرrivaled الفخرPride أصبَحَتْwould become
وما فخرُ مَنْ لو فاخر الفخر أصبَحَتْ
مقاليدُهits keys عفواًfreely إليهto him تسلَّمُhanded over
مقاليدُه عفواً إليه تسلَّمُ
What is boasting to one who, if he rivaled Pride,
would receive its keys freely into his hands?
لهhe has الحلمforbearance لوif يُلْقَىwere cast علىupon الناسِpeople بعضُهsome of it
له الحلم لو يُلْقَى على الناسِ بعضُه
تعافواthey would pardon one another فلمso not يُسفَكwould be spilled علىupon الأرضِthe earth محجمُa cupping-glass
تعافوا فلم يُسفَك على الأرضِ محجمُ
He has forbearance: if some were cast upon people,
they would pardon each other, spilling not a cupping-glass of blood.
إلىand also البأسmight لوif يمنىwere afflicted بهby it الدهرTime مرةًonce
إلى البأس لو يمنى به الدهر مرةً
لأغضىit would lower its eyes كماas يغْضيlowers his eyes الذليلthe abased المهضَّمُthe oppressed
لأغضى كما يغْضي الذليل المهضَّمُ
And might: if Time once suffered it,
it would lower its eyes like the abased and oppressed.
إلىand also الجودgenerosity لوif يُعدِيinfected أقلُّthe least of قليلهِits little
إلى الجود لو يُعدِي أقلُّ قليلهِ
أكفَّthe hands of الورىhumanity لمnot يُحْمَwould be guarded للمالfor wealth مَحْرَمُa sanctuary
أكفَّ الورى لم يُحْمَ للمال مَحْرَمُ
And generosity: if its smallest fraction infected
human hands, no sanctuary for wealth would remain guarded.
خلائِقُqualities لوif فُضَّتْwere distributed علىamong الناسِpeople كلّهمall of them
خلائِقُ لو فُضَّتْ على الناسِ كلّهم
محاسنُهاtheir beauties لمnot يبقwould remain فيamong الناسpeople مَشْتَمُan object of reproach
محاسنُها لم يبق في الناس مَشْتَمُ
Qualities whose beauties, if distributed among everyone,
would leave no object of reproach among people.
وإنand if عُدَّتِare counted الآدابُaccomplishments يوماًone day وأهلُهاand their possessors
وإن عُدَّتِ الآدابُ يوماً وأهلُها
فذكراهthen his remembrance ريحانُthe basil of القلوبِhearts المشمَّمُinhaled
فذكراه ريحانُ القلوبِ المشمَّمُ
If accomplishments and their possessors are ever counted,
his remembrance is fragrant basil for hearts to smell.
هوhe المرسلُthe sender forth الأمثالُof proverbial sayings فيin كلّevery منطقٍutterance
هو المرسلُ الأمثالُ في كلّ منطقٍ
يظلُّcontinues بماءwith the water of العينthe eye فيupon الخدّthe cheek يُرْسَمُbeing inscribed
يظلُّ بماء العين في الخدّ يُرْسَمُ
He sends forth proverbial sayings in every utterance,
inscribed upon the cheek with tears.
منamong الشعراءpoets الأعذبينthe sweetest قريحةًin native talent
من الشعراء الأعذبين قريحةً
وعلّامَةٌand a great scholar بحرٌa sea منof العلمknowledge مُفْعَمُbrimming
وعلّامَةٌ بحرٌ من العلم مُفْعَمُ
One of the poets sweetest in native talent,
and a great scholar, a sea brimming with knowledge.
إذاwhen ماindeed جَرىhe races فيin حلبةan arena عربيةٍArabic
إذا ما جَرى في حلبة عربيةٍ
تخلّفfall behind عنfrom شأويهhis course قُسٌّQuss وأكثَمُand Aktham
تخلّف عن شأويه قُسٌّ وأكثَمُ
When he races in an Arabic arena,
Quss and Aktham fall behind his course.
جوادa steed ثنىcurbed غرْبَthe mettle of الجيادِthe steeds بغربهwith his mettle
جواد ثنى غرْبَ الجيادِ بغربه
فظلَّso remained يجاريracing ظلّهاtheir shadow وهْيَwhile they صُيَّمُstanding still
فظلَّ يجاري ظلّها وهْيَ صُيَّمُ
A steed whose mettle curbed the other steeds' mettle,
leaving him racing their shadows while they stood still.
سبوقa foremost runner متىwhenever يطلبْseeks سبوقٌa fast runner لحاقَهcatching him
سبوق متى يطلبْ سبوقٌ لحاقَه
يفتْهُmakes him outstrip it بهthrough it غَمْرُoverwhelming البديهةspontaneity مرْجَمُforceful
يفتْهُ به غَمْرُ البديهة مرْجَمُ
A foremost runner: whenever another seeks to catch him,
an overwhelming, forceful spontaneity makes him outstrip it.
لحوقٌa swift pursuer إذاwhen خاضَenters العجاجةthe dust-cloud شقَّهاcleaves it
لحوقٌ إذا خاضَ العجاجة شقَّها
فلاso not الشأوthe course مقصورٌshortened ولاnor الوجهthe face أقتمُdust-darkened
فلا الشأو مقصورٌ ولا الوجه أقتمُ
A swift pursuer: when he enters the dust-cloud, he cleaves it;
his course is not shortened, nor his face dust-darkened.
حلفتُI swore بأصواتby the voices of الوفودthe delegations التيwhich لهاhave
حلفتُ بأصوات الوفود التي لها
بصحراءَin the plain of جمعJam' مَجْأَرٌloud cries ومُهَيْنَمُand low murmurs
بصحراءَ جمع مَجْأَرٌ ومُهَيْنَمُ
I swear by the voices of the delegations that have
in Jam's plain loud cries and low murmurs:
لأصبحsurely would become مَنْone who سامَىrivaled الأميرَthe emir كرائمٍin noble deeds
لأصبح مَنْ سامَى الأميرَ كرائمٍ
منالَseeking to reach الثريّاthe Pleiades وهوwhile he أعسمُcrooked-handed أجذَمُhandless
منالَ الثريّا وهو أعسمُ أجذَمُ
whoever rivals the emir in noble deeds will seek
the Pleiades while crooked-handed and handless.
أباfather of أحمدAhmad أنتyou الأميرُthe emir بحقهrightfully
أبا أحمد أنت الأميرُ بحقه
علىin كلevery حالcircumstance والمعاطسُand noses رُغَّمُdust-rubbed
على كل حال والمعاطسُ رُغَّمُ
Abu Ahmad, you are rightly the emir
in every circumstance, though noses rub the dust.
ألستَare you not الذيthe one يُعْدىwhose aid is sought علىagainst الدهرTime إنif عداit attacks
ألستَ الذي يُعْدى على الدهر إن عدا
ويُنْصفُand receives justice منهfrom it كلُّeveryone منْwho يتظلَّمُcomplains of wrong
ويُنْصفُ منه كلُّ منْ يتظلَّمُ
Are you not the one whose aid is sought against Time's aggression,
through whom every complainant obtains justice from it?
بحسبكenough for you هذيthis ماwhich حُبيتyou were bestowed إمارةًan emirate
بحسبك هذي ما حُبيت إمارةً
تُجَلُّyou are revered بهاthrough it حقَّwith due الجلالreverence وتُعْظَمُand magnified
تُجَلُّ بها حقَّ الجلال وتُعْظَمُ
This emirate bestowed upon you is enough,
through which you are duly revered and magnified:
ولايةَa governorship لاwithout عزْلdismissal وكلُّand every منيحةٍendowment
ولايةَ لا عزْل وكلُّ منيحةٍ
منof الخِيمcharacter أبقىmore enduring منthan سواهاothers وأدومُand more lasting
من الخِيم أبقى من سواها وأدومُ
a governorship without dismissal; every endowment
of character outlasts and endures beyond others.
منamong those which اللائيcollect يجبيtheir possessors أهلُهاpraise الحمدَnot لاthose which التيare
من اللائي يجبي أهلُها الحمدَ لا التي
جِباthe revenue of أهلهاtheir possessors دينارُa dinar of عيْنٍcoined gold ودرهمُand a dirham
جِبا أهلها دينارُ عيْنٍ ودرهمُ
One of those whose possessors collect praise, not those
whose revenue is coined dinars and dirhams.
سلكتَyou pursued سبيلthe road of المجدglory وحدَكalone ممعناًpressing onward
سلكتَ سبيل المجد وحدَك ممعناً
ولمand not يبقَremained منهاupon it موطئٌa foothold يُتَرَسَّمُto be traced
ولم يبقَ منها موطئٌ يُتَرَسَّمُ
You pursued glory's road alone, pressing onward,
with no foothold left upon it to trace.
فلمso not نَرَكَwe saw you استوحشتَfeel lonely منهاon it لوحْدَةthrough solitude
فلم نَرَكَ استوحشتَ منها لوحْدَة
ولاnor جُرْتَdeviated عنfrom قصدthe proper course لأنكbecause you مُعلَمُwell marked
ولا جُرْتَ عن قصد لأنك مُعلَمُ
We never saw you feel lonely there through solitude,
nor deviate from the course, for you are well marked.
وهلand does يوحشُfrighten الإفرادُsolitude منone who هوis وحدَهalone
وهل يوحشُ الإفرادُ من هو وحدَه
خميسٌan army تضيقis cramped الأرضthe earth عنهby it عرمرمُimmense
خميسٌ تضيق الأرض عنه عرمرمُ
Can solitude frighten one who alone
is an immense army too vast for the earth?
فأصبحتَso you became قدhaving غادرتَleft كلevery ثنيَّةmountain pass
فأصبحتَ قد غادرتَ كل ثنيَّة
لهاwith منهجٌa road يهديguiding الأدلّاءthe guides لَهجَمُbroad
لها منهجٌ يهدي الأدلّاء لَهجَمُ
You have left every mountain pass
with a broad road that guides the guides.
وفيand among الناسpeople منone who يسموrises بهمةِthrough the ambition of غيرهanother
وفي الناس من يسمو بهمةِ غيره
إلىto ذروةthe summit of المجدglory التيwhich تُتَسَنَّمُis ascended
إلى ذروة المجد التي تُتَسَنَّمُ
Among people are those who rise through another's ambition
to glory's summit, which others ascend.
ينامُhe sleeps عنthrough المعروفkindness إلاexcept مبارياًwhen competing
ينامُ عن المعروف إلا مبارياً
بمعروفهwith his kindness معروفَthe kindness of منone who يتكرَّمُacts generously
بمعروفه معروفَ من يتكرَّمُ
He sleeps through kindness unless competing,
matching his kindness against another generous man's.
وينكصand retreats فيin الهيجاءbattle إلاexcept مباهياًwhen showing off
وينكص في الهيجاء إلا مباهياً
وإنalthough كانthere is للْحاميfor the defender هنالكthere مَقدَمُan advance
وإن كان للْحامي هنالك مَقدَمُ
He retreats in battle unless showing off,
though the defender has an advance to make there.
فيأتيso he performs منof العلياءgreatness والمجدand glory ماwhatever أتىhe performs
فيأتي من العلياء والمجد ما أتى
كمقتحمٍlike one plunging فيinto غمرةa depth وهوwhile he مُقْحَمُbeing thrust in
كمقتحمٍ في غمرة وهو مُقْحَمُ
He performs whatever lofty and glorious deeds he does
like one plunging into a depth while being thrust into it.
كذاكthus المباديthe initiator والمساميand the rival وإنماand indeed
كذاك المبادي والمسامي وإنما
يُسامَىis rivaled كريمٌa noble man بالمكارمto noble deeds مُلزَمُobliged
يُسامَى كريمٌ بالمكارم مُلزَمُ
Such are the initiator and the rival; indeed,
a noble man is rivaled when obliged to noble deeds.
ولاand no حمدpraise إلّاexcept لامرئٍfor a man ذيpossessing قريحةinnate disposition
ولا حمد إلّا لامرئٍ ذي قريحة
يهشُّrejoices أخوهاits possessor للتيin that which هيis أكرمُnobler
يهشُّ أخوها للتي هي أكرمُ
Praise belongs only to a person of innate disposition,
whose possessor rejoices in the nobler course,
هشاشتهhis rejoicing للماءin water تنسجُweaves متنَهُits surface
هشاشته للماء تنسجُ متنَهُ
شمالُa north wind خَريقٍpiercing وَهْوَwhile he حَرَّانُburning أهْيَمُthirst-crazed
شمالُ خَريقٍ وَهْوَ حَرَّانُ أهْيَمُ
as he rejoices in water whose surface is woven
by a piercing north wind, while he is burning with thirst.
علىat حينَa time when لمnot تبعثهimpelled him إلاexcept طبيعةٌa nature
على حينَ لم تبعثه إلا طبيعةٌ
تَيَقَّظُawake للعلياءto greatness والناسُwhile people نُوَّمُasleep
تَيَقَّظُ للعلياء والناسُ نُوَّمُ
When nothing impels him except a nature
awake to greatness while people sleep.
بمثلكwith your like فَلْتَرْمlet defend الملوكُkings ثغورَهاtheir frontiers
بمثلك فَلْتَرْم الملوكُ ثغورَها
فماso no جانبٌborder يُولَىentrusted بمثلكto your like أثلمُbreached
فما جانبٌ يُولَى بمثلك أثلمُ
Let kings defend their frontiers with men like you;
no border entrusted to your like is breached.
علمتكI knew you فيكin you الخيرُgood والشرُّand evil كلُّهall of it
علمتك فيك الخيرُ والشرُّ كلُّه
وكلكand all of you خيرٌgood عندَto منَone who يتفهَّمُunderstands
وكلك خيرٌ عندَ منَ يتفهَّمُ
I have known you: all good and evil are in you,
yet all of you is good to one who understands.
وقدand indeed لُمسَتُwere felt منof صفحتيكyour two sides ملامسٌplaces to touch
وقد لُمسَتُ من صفحتيك ملامسٌ
وجُرّبْتَand you were tested قِدْماًlong ago والمجرّبُand the tester أعلمُknows better
وجُرّبْتَ قِدْماً والمجرّبُ أعلمُ
Places on both your sides have been felt,
and you have long been tested: the tester knows best.
فمنso whoever كانis ذاpossessed of جهلٍunruliness فإنكthen you مُبْشَرٌrough-sided
فمن كان ذا جهلٍ فإنك مُبْشَرٌ
ومنْand whoever كانis ذاpossessed of حلمforbearance فإنكthen you مؤدَمُsmooth-sided
ومنْ كان ذا حلم فإنك مؤدَمُ
To the unruly, you are the hide's rough outer side;
to the forbearing, you are its smooth inner side.
وماand not سدّfilled قولٌan utterance فيin فعالكyour deeds خَلَّةًa gap
وما سدّ قولٌ في فعالك خَلَّةً
ولاnor وَجَدَfound المدّاحُthe panegyrists نقصاًa deficiency فتمَّمُواthen completed it
ولا وَجَدَ المدّاحُ نقصاً فتمَّمُوا
No utterance filled a gap in your deeds,
nor did panegyrists find a deficiency and complete it.
وماand not جاوزواwent beyond إذْwhen أطنبواthey elaborated فيكabout you أنْthat دَعَوْاthey called
وما جاوزوا إذْ أطنبوا فيك أنْ دَعَوْا
بأسمائكby your names اللائيwith which بهاby them كنتَyou were تُوسَمُmarked
بأسمائك اللائي بها كنتَ تُوسَمُ
When they praised you at length, they did no more than call
you by the names with which you were already marked.
وماand not اتخذواthey adopted مدحاًpraise إليكto you وسيلةًas a means
وما اتخذوا مدحاً إليك وسيلةً
لأنكbecause you سيْحٌa flowing stream يستقيdraws ماءَهits water الفمُthe mouth
لأنك سيْحٌ يستقي ماءَه الفمُ
They did not make praise a means of reaching you,
for you are a flowing stream whose water mouths drink.
ولكنbut رأواthey saw دونَbeneath الكلامspeech ونظمِهِand its arrangement
ولكن رأوا دونَ الكلام ونظمِهِ
حقيقيْنtwo realities إذsince أنتَyou المنادَىthe invoked المكلَّمُthe addressed
حقيقيْن إذ أنتَ المنادَى المكلَّمُ
Rather, beneath speech and its arrangement, they saw
two realities, since you are the invoked and addressed.
وماand not ملّئتْwere filled منكby you الصدُورُhearts بهيبةٍwith awe
وما ملّئتْ منك الصدُورُ بهيبةٍ
ولاnor عِظَمٌgreatness إلاexcept وشأنكwhile your stature أعظمُgreater
ولا عِظَمٌ إلا وشأنك أعظمُ
Hearts have never been filled with awe of you,
or greatness, without your own stature being greater.
إذاif مادحٌa panegyrist أسدَىsets a warp وألحمَand weaves a weft باطلاًfalsely
إذا مادحٌ أسدَى وألحمَ باطلاً
فمدحكthen your praise مسدىًwarped بالذيwith what فيكin you مُلحَمُwoven
فمدحك مسدىً بالذي فيك مُلحَمُ
If a panegyrist sets up a false warp and weft,
your praise is warped and woven with what is truly in you.
أقولI say لشاكto a complainant بثَّهُhis distress لمhave not تزلْceased بهupon him
أقول لشاك بثَّهُ لم تزلْ به
منof الحالcircumstances أسمالٌrags رِثاثٌtattered تُرمَّمُbeing repaired
من الحال أسمالٌ رِثاثٌ تُرمَّمُ
I tell a man complaining of distress, whose circumstances
have always been tattered rags undergoing repair:
ألاlisten أيهاyou الشاكيthe complainant إليَّto me خَصاصةof poverty
ألا أيها الشاكي إليَّ خَصاصة
تضارِعهُmatching him فيin السنّage بلrather هيَit أقدمُolder
تضارِعهُ في السنّ بل هيَ أقدمُ
'You who complain to me of poverty
equal to you in age—indeed, older—
ويشفقand he fears منهاit فيthrough بقيةthe remainder of عمرهِhis life
ويشفق منها في بقية عمرهِ
أمنتَyou are safe وأنفُand the nose of الدهرTime أجدعُcropped أكثمُmutilated
أمنتَ وأنفُ الدهر أجدعُ أكثمُ
and fear it through your remaining life:
you are safe, with Time's nose cropped and mutilated.
أمنis it from ضيقِthe narrowness of مثْوىthe lodging of المرءa man فيin بطنthe belly of أمهhis mother
أمن ضيقِ مثْوى المرء في بطن أمه
إلىto ضيقthe narrowness of مثواهhis lodging منin القبرthe grave يُسْلَمُhe is delivered
إلى ضيق مثواه من القبر يُسْلَمُ
Is a man delivered from the narrow lodging in his mother's belly
to the narrow lodging of the grave,
ولمand not يلقَhe met بينbetween الضيقconfinement والضيقand confinement فُسْحَةًspaciousness
ولم يلقَ بين الضيق والضيق فُسْحَةً
أبىforbids ذاكthat أنthat اللهGod بالعبدtoward His servant أرحمُmore merciful
أبى ذاك أن الله بالعبد أرحمُ
never meeting spaciousness between those two confinements?
God's greater mercy toward His servant forbids that;
وأنَّand that عبيدَUbayd اللهAllah للناسfor people عصْمةٌa protection
وأنَّ عبيدَ الله للناس عصْمةٌ
بأيديهمُin their hands منهاfrom it عُرىًhandles لاnot تُفَصَّمُbroken
بأيديهمُ منها عُرىً لا تُفَصَّمُ
and Ubayd Allah is a protection for people,
whose unbreakable handles are in their hands.
سيزجرwill drive away عنكfrom you الدهرَTime إنif شئتyou wish زجرةٌa rebuke
سيزجر عنك الدهرَ إن شئت زجرةٌ
يصيخit listens لهاto it خوفاًfearfully ولاand not يترمرمُutters a murmur
يصيخ لها خوفاً ولا يترمرمُ
If you wish, one rebuke will drive Time from you;
it listens fearfully and utters not a murmur.
هوhe المرءُthe man أماas for مالُهhis wealth فمحلَّلٌthen lawful
هو المرءُ أما مالُه فمحلَّلٌ
لعافٍto a petitioner وأماand as for جارهhis neighbor فمحرَّمُthen inviolable
لعافٍ وأما جاره فمحرَّمُ
He is the man whose wealth is lawful
to a petitioner, while his neighbor is inviolable.
لجيرانهfor his neighbors منهfrom him مَحَلٌّa dwelling ممنَّعٌfortified
لجيرانه منه مَحَلٌّ ممنَّعٌ
يضيمoppresses بهthereby الدهرَTime الذليلthe humbled المضيَّمُthe oppressed
يضيم به الدهرَ الذليل المضيَّمُ
His neighbors have from him a fortified dwelling
where the humbled, oppressed man oppresses Time.
وكفٌّand a hand صَنَاعٌskillful تجبرُmends الكسرfractures منهمُamong them
وكفٌّ صَنَاعٌ تجبرُ الكسر منهمُ
وتدملُand heals منamong ذيthose bearing كَلْمهمtheir wounds حينwhen يُكْلمُwounded
وتدملُ من ذي كَلْمهم حين يُكْلمُ
And a skillful hand mends their fractures
and heals the wounded among them when wounded;
وتحتاطُand guards منagainst كرّthe return of الزمانِTime عليهمُupon them
وتحتاطُ من كرّ الزمانِ عليهمُ
فتنهاهthen restrains it عنهمfrom them بالتيby that which هيis أحسمُmore decisive
فتنهاه عنهم بالتي هي أحسمُ
it guards against Time's renewed assaults upon them,
restraining it by the most decisive means;
تتبعpursues أظفارَthe claws of الزمانTime تَتَبُّعاًrelentlessly
تتبع أظفارَ الزمان تَتَبُّعاً
بآثارهاthrough their marks فيupon أهلهhis people أوuntil تُقَلَّمُthey are clipped
بآثارها في أهله أو تُقَلَّمُ
it relentlessly pursues Time's claws
through their marks on his people, until they are clipped.
فسرْso go راشداًrightly guided لاdo not تَثْنينَّكَlet turn you back طِيرةٌan omen
فسرْ راشداً لا تَثْنينَّكَ طِيرةٌ
كذوبٌlying ولاnor رأيan opinion عنfrom القصدthe course أضْجَمُcrooked
كذوبٌ ولا رأي عن القصد أضْجَمُ
Go rightly guided; let no lying omen turn you back,
nor an opinion crooked from the proper course,
إلىtoward ملكٍa king لاnot تبرحُfly ominously الطيرُbirds دونهbefore him
إلى ملكٍ لا تبرحُ الطيرُ دونه
وإنand if برحتْthey fly ominously للركبِfor travelers لمnot يتشأَّمواthey take ill omens
وإن برحتْ للركبِ لم يتشأَّموا
toward a king before whom birds give no evil omen;
even if they fly ominously, travelers feel no dread.
إذاwhen ماindeed غداsets out الغاديthe traveler إليهtoward him فإنهthen he
إذا ما غدا الغادي إليه فإنه
علىin ثقةٍconfidence أنْthat ليسthere is no فيamong الطيرbirds أشأمُill-omened one
على ثقةٍ أنْ ليس في الطير أشأمُ
When a traveler sets out toward him,
he is confident no bird can bring ill fortune.
ترغَّمare forced فيin السيرtravel القلاصُyoung she-camels ولاand not ترىyou see
ترغَّم في السير القلاصُ ولا ترى
قلوصاًa young she-camel إذاwhen سارتshe travels إليهtoward him تُرَغَّمُbeing forced
قلوصاً إذا سارت إليه تُرَغَّمُ
Young she-camels are forced along roads, but you never see
one forced when traveling toward him.
وإنand if حَفِيتْher feet wear sore لمnot تُحْذshe is shod نعلاًwith a shoe وذُكّرتْand is reminded
وإن حَفِيتْ لم تُحْذ نعلاً وذُكّرتْ
بهof him فرأيتَthen you see المرْوflint بالبيدin the wastes تُرْثَمُbeing bruised
به فرأيتَ المرْو بالبيد تُرْثَمُ
If its feet wear sore, it needs no shoe: reminded
of him, you see it bruise flint in the wastes.
يثوْبُreturns لهاto her بعدafter الحفاfoot-soreness عندupon ذكرِهhis mention
يثوْبُ لها بعد الحفا عند ذكرِه
أظلُّa foot-sole وقاحٌhard يرضخُcrushing الصخرَrock ميثَمُfirmly stamping
أظلُّ وقاحٌ يرضخُ الصخرَ ميثَمُ
At his mention, after soreness, there returns to it
a hard sole, rock-crushing and firmly stamping.
وإنand if ظمئتْshe thirsts قالتْsays لهاto her النفسُthe spirit شمريhurry
وإن ظمئتْ قالتْ لها النفسُ شمري
فعندfor with ابنthe son of عبدAbd اللهAllah عِدٌّa perennial spring قَلَيْذَمُdeep
فعند ابن عبد الله عِدٌّ قَلَيْذَمُ
If thirsty, its spirit tells it, 'Hurry!
With the son of Abd Allah is a deep, inexhaustible spring.'
وماand not تَضْربُare struck الأكبادthe flanks نحوtoward فنائهhis courtyard
وما تَضْربُ الأكباد نحو فنائه
منof العيسpale camels بلrather عفواspontaneously تَخُبُّthey trot وَتَسْعَمُand run
من العيس بل عفوا تَخُبُّ وَتَسْعَمُ
No pale camels' flanks need striking toward his courtyard;
rather, of themselves they trot and run.
ألاindeed رُبَّmany an قولٍutterance فيهabout him أمكنcomes readily to قائلاًa speaker
ألا رُبَّ قولٍ فيه أمكن قائلاً
ولوthough if رامهhe attempted it فيabout غيرهanother ظلّhe would remain يكْعَمُgagged
ولو رامه في غيره ظلّ يكْعَمُ
Many an utterance about him comes readily to its speaker,
though attempting it about another would leave him gagged.
تفورُgush ينابيعthe springs of القريضpoetry بمدحهِwith his praise
تفورُ ينابيع القريض بمدحهِ
إذاwhen جعلتْthey begin فيconcerning آخرينَothers تَسدَّمُto become choked
إذا جعلتْ في آخرينَ تَسدَّمُ
Poetry's springs gush forth in his praise
when, for others, they become choked.
أطاعتobeyed معانيthe meanings of الشعرpoetry فيهconcerning him وأصبحتْand became
أطاعت معاني الشعر فيه وأصبحتْ
قوافيهِits rhymes حتّىuntil قيلit was said ليto me أنتyou مُلْهَمُinspired
قوافيهِ حتّى قيل لي أنت مُلْهَمُ
Poetry's meanings obeyed me concerning him, and so did
its rhymes, until I was told, 'You are inspired.'
بهthrough him درَّتِgave milk الدنياthe world ولولاهand without him أصبحتْit would become
به درَّتِ الدنيا ولولاه أصبحتْ
يعلّلُناoffers us scant solace منهاfrom it أجَدُّa dried-up udder مُصَرَّمُsevered
يعلّلُنا منها أجَدُّ مُصَرَّمُ
Through him the world gave milk; without him,
a dried-up, severed udder would offer us scant solace.
وكانand was سَنامthe hump of العيشlivelihood قبلَbefore ابنthe son of طاهرTahir
وكان سَنام العيش قبلَ ابن طاهر
أجَبَّcut away فقدbut now أضحىit has become بهthrough him وهْوwhile it أكْوَمُhigh-humped
أجَبَّ فقد أضحى به وهْو أكْوَمُ
Before Ibn Tahir, livelihood's hump
was cut away; through him it has grown lofty.
كريمgenerous in التغاضيoverlooking عنconcerning قوافٍverses يزرنَهُvisiting him
كريم التغاضي عن قوافٍ يزرنَهُ
لهhe has مغمَزٌa flaw to detect فيهنin them بادٍmanifest ومعْجَمُand obscure
له مغمَزٌ فيهن بادٍ ومعْجَمُ
Generously overlooking verses that visit him,
whose flaws he perceives, manifest or obscure.
يُثيبُhe rewards علىfor النياتِintentions إنif قالspeaks قائلa speaker
يُثيبُ على النياتِ إن قال قائل
فجارthen strays عنfrom القصدthe purpose الذيwhich يتيمَّمُhe intends
فجار عن القصد الذي يتيمَّمُ
He rewards intentions when a speaker speaks
and strays from the purpose he intends.
غفورٌforgiving لمنtoward whoever لمnot يوفِهِgives him fully كُنْهَthe entirety of حقّهhis due
غفورٌ لمن لم يوفِهِ كُنْهَ حقّه
منof المدحpraise معطاءlavishly giving علىdespite ذاكthat مقْثَمُabundantly generous
من المدح معطاء على ذاك مقْثَمُ
Forgiving whoever fails to give him his full due
of praise, yet lavishly giving despite that.
وماand no لعبيدِfor Ubayd اللَّهAllah وهوwhile he ابنُthe son of طاهرTahir
وما لعبيدِ اللَّه وهو ابنُ طاهر
علىagainst شاعرٍa poet لمnot يوفهgave him fully المدحpraise مَنْقَمُgrievance
على شاعرٍ لم يوفه المدح مَنْقَمُ
Ubayd Allah, though he is Ibn Tahir, bears
no grievance against a poet whose praise falls short.
إذاwhen ماindeed أثيبَis rewarded الشعرُpoetry إنif جادَis fine وشْيهits embroidery
إذا ما أثيبَ الشعرُ إن جادَ وشْيه
أثابَhe rewards علىfor الحمدthe praise الذيwhich فيهwithin it يرقمُis embroidered
أثابَ على الحمد الذي فيه يرقمُ
When poetry is rewarded for its fine embroidery,
he rewards the praise embroidered within it.
وماand not تلكthat إلاexcept همَّةٌan aspiration طاهرِيَّةٌTahirid
وما تلك إلا همَّةٌ طاهرِيَّةٌ
تميلُinclining إلىtoward الأمرthe matter الذيwhich هوis أجْسَمُweightier
تميلُ إلى الأمر الذي هو أجْسَمُ
That is nothing but a Tahirid aspiration,
inclining toward the weightier matter.
قَلَتْit hated زُخْرفَthe ornament of الدنياthe world فلمso not يكُwas قصدَهاits aim
قَلَتْ زُخْرفَ الدنيا فلم يكُ قصدَها
بُرودٌcloaks تُوشَّىembroidered أوor رِياطٌsheets تُسَهَّمُstriped
بُرودٌ تُوشَّى أو رِياطٌ تُسَهَّمُ
It hated the world's ornament; its aim was not
embroidered cloaks or striped sheets,
ولكنbut صميمُthe essence of الحمدِpraise لاno شيءthing غيرُهُother than it
ولكن صميمُ الحمدِ لا شيء غيرُهُ
أَوor الأجرُheavenly reward إنindeed الأجرَreward ذُخرٌtreasure مقدَّمُsent ahead
أَو الأجرُ إن الأجرَ ذُخرٌ مقدَّمُ
but the very essence of praise, nothing else,
or heavenly reward—for reward is treasure sent ahead.
تَبيَّنَrecognized أنthat المجدَglory ليستْnot سبيلُهُits road
تَبيَّنَ أن المجدَ ليستْ سبيلُهُ
سَبيلَthe road of الملاهيamusements عالمٌa learned man لاnot يُعلَّمُneeding instruction
سَبيلَ الملاهي عالمٌ لا يُعلَّمُ
A learned man needing no instruction recognized that glory's road
is not the road of amusements.
فلمso not يَنْحُhe directed بالمعروفkindness نحوَtoward فُكاهةٍentertainment
فلم يَنْحُ بالمعروف نحوَ فُكاهةٍ
ولاnor نحوَtoward لهوٍdiversion فيهin it عارٌdisgrace ومأثَمُand sin
ولا نحوَ لهوٍ فيه عارٌ ومأثَمُ
He therefore directed kindness neither toward entertainment
nor toward diversion bearing disgrace and sin.
ولوand if سامhe sought سَوْمَthe market of اللهوpleasure قامتwould attend بلهوهto his pleasure
ولو سام سَوْمَ اللهو قامت بلهوه
فِصاحٌarticulate women بأيديهنin their hands خُرْسٌmute things تَكلَّمُspeaking
فِصاحٌ بأيديهن خُرْسٌ تَكلَّمُ
Had he sought pleasure's market, his pleasure would have been served
by articulate women holding mute things that speak.
أولئكthose women لوif يلهوhe amused himself بهنّwith them كَفَيْنهُwould suffice him
أولئك لو يلهو بهنّ كَفَيْنهُ
وكانand there would be لهfor him فيهنَّamong them ملهىًdiversion وَمَنْعَمُand enjoyment
وكان له فيهنَّ ملهىً وَمَنْعَمُ
Those women, had he amused himself with them, would suffice;
he would find diversion and enjoyment among them.
أباfather of المجدِglory لاmay it not lose you يفقدْكthroughout مدَّةَits lifetime عُمرهِits life
أبا المجدِ لا يفقدْك مدَّةَ عُمرهِ
عزيزاًexalted فإنfor indeed المجدَglory بعدكَafter you ييْتَمُbecomes orphaned
عزيزاً فإن المجدَ بعدكَ ييْتَمُ
Father of glory, may glory never lose you throughout its lifetime,
exalted—for after you, glory becomes an orphan.
ولاand may not be widowed آمتِgreatness العلياءُof you منكfor it فإنهاindeed
ولا آمتِ العلياءُ منك فإنها
لمثلكfor your like قبلbefore اليومِtoday كانتْwas تأيَّمُwaiting widowed
لمثلك قبل اليومِ كانتْ تأيَّمُ
May greatness never be widowed of you, for
before today it waited widowed for your like.
شفيتَyou cured منof الحرمانdeprivation قوماًpeople وإنهand indeed it
شفيتَ من الحرمان قوماً وإنه
لأدْوَىsurely more diseased منthan الداءillness العَياءbaffling وأعْقَمُand more incurable
لأدْوَى من الداء العَياء وأعْقَمُ
You cured people of deprivation, which
is more diseased and incurable than a baffling illness.
وأحييتَand revived موتىthe dead of الشعرpoetry بعدafter فنائهاtheir extinction
وأحييتَ موتى الشعر بعد فنائها
وربَّand many a مسيحٍMessiah لمnot تناسبهrelated to him مريمُMary
وربَّ مسيحٍ لم تناسبه مريمُ
You revived poetry's dead after their extinction;
many a Messiah has no kinship with Mary.
وليand I have فيكin you آمالhopes وقدand already عَلَقَتْclung يديmy hand
ولي فيك آمال وقد عَلَقَتْ يدي
بعروتكto your handle الوثقىfirmest فهلso shall أناI مُسْلَمُbe abandoned
بعروتك الوثقى فهل أنا مُسْلَمُ
I have hopes in you, and my hand has clung
to your firmest handle: shall I be abandoned?
أتيتكI came to you فيwith عرضٍhonor جديدٍfresh طويتُهI kept it folded
أتيتك في عرضٍ جديدٍ طويتُه
إلىuntil أنthat لبستُI wore الشيبَgray hair فالرأسso the head أشيمُstreaked
إلى أن لبستُ الشيبَ فالرأس أشيمُ
I came to you with fresh honor, which I kept folded
until I wore grayness and my head grew streaked.
ومثلُكَand your like منْone who لمnot يُلْقَis met فيin عرْضِhonor بِذْلَةٍworn out
ومثلُكَ منْ لم يُلْقَ في عرْضِ بِذْلَةٍ
وماand what عذرُexcuse of منْone who يلقاكmeets you والعرضُwhile honor أدْسَمُstained
وما عذرُ منْ يلقاك والعرضُ أدْسَمُ
One like you should not be met in worn-out honor;
what excuse has one meeting you with honor stained?
وقدand indeed كنتُI was ذاpossessed of وفرٍabundance منof المالwealth فاقتفىso pursued
وقد كنتُ ذا وفرٍ من المال فاقتفى
بهit جَذَعٌan ever-young one جَمُّabundant in الحوادثِcalamities أزْلَمُsmooth-faced
به جَذَعٌ جَمُّ الحوادثِ أزْلَمُ
I once possessed abundant wealth, but it was pursued
by ever-young, smooth-faced Time, abounding in disasters.
وإنيand I لأرجوsurely hope أنthat ترانيsee me صروفُهits vicissitudes
وإني لأرجو أن تراني صروفُه
منيعاًsecure كأنيas though I فيunder جواركyour protection أعْصَمُa mountain ibex
منيعاً كأني في جوارك أعْصَمُ
I hope its vicissitudes will see me
secure, like a mountain ibex under your protection.
وماand not بطَّأَتْdelayed بيme عنكfrom you نفسٌa soul مُمَثَّلٌfashioned
وما بطَّأَتْ بي عنك نفسٌ مُمَثَّلٌ
لهاfor it فيكabout you ظنّa conjecture بالمغيبِabout the unseen مرجَّمُguessed
لها فيك ظنّ بالمغيبِ مرجَّمُ
No soul delayed me from you through
a conjecture about you fashioned from unseen guesses;
ولاnor فَهّةٌspeechlessness منfrom عاجزٍa helpless man متخاذلٍfaltering
ولا فَهّةٌ من عاجزٍ متخاذلٍ
إذاwhen نابهbefalls him يوماًone day منamong الأمرaffairs مُعْظَمُa great matter
إذا نابه يوماً من الأمر مُعْظَمُ
nor the speechlessness of a helpless, faltering man
when some great affair befalls him.
بلrather الثقةُconfidence الوسْنَىsleepy وماand have always زالbeen أهلُهاits possessors
بل الثقةُ الوسْنَى وما زال أهلُها
قديماًof old إذاwhen ماindeed استيقظawakened الناسpeople نَوَّمُواslept
قديماً إذا ما استيقظ الناس نَوَّمُوا
Rather, it was sleepy confidence: its possessors have always,
of old, slept when other people awakened.
وإنَّand indeed هموميmy concerns بعدهاafterward وعزائميand my resolutions
وإنَّ همومي بعدها وعزائمي
لأيقظsurely more wakeful منthan نارِthe fire of الحريقconflagration وأسهمُand more careworn
لأيقظ من نارِ الحريق وأسهمُ
Yet afterward my concerns and resolutions
are more wakeful than conflagration's fire, and more careworn.
وفيand in ثقةconfidence تدعوinviting إلىto الرَّيْثِdelay مَعْجَبٌa marvel
وفي ثقة تدعو إلى الرَّيْثِ مَعْجَبٌ
لقومto some people ولكنْbut أنتَyou أَنتyou المفهَّمُthe understanding one
لقوم ولكنْ أنتَ أَنت المفهَّمُ
Confidence that invites delay is a marvel
to some; but you—you are the understanding one.
إذاif استعجمbecomes obscure التأويلinterpretation يوماًone day علىto امرئٍa person
إذا استعجم التأويل يوماً على امرئٍ
فأعوصُthen the hardest ماpoint فيهin it لديكwith you مُتَرْجَمُmade clear
فأعوصُ ما فيه لديك مُتَرْجَمُ
When interpretation becomes obscure to anyone,
its hardest point is clear to you.
رمَىcast بيَme فيamong أخرىthe last of عُفاتكyour petitioners أننيthat I
رمَى بيَ في أخرى عُفاتك أنني
رأيتُsaw العطاياgifts منكfrom you لاnot تُتَغَنَّمُseized as booty
رأيتُ العطايا منك لا تُتَغَنَّمُ
What cast me among your last petitioners was that
I saw your gifts as no booty to seize.
لأنكbecause you لاnot يُعْتَدُّis reckoned جُودُكَyour generosity فُرْصَةًan opportunity
لأنك لا يُعْتَدُّ جُودُكَ فُرْصَةً
تفوتُthat passes وإنalthough أضحتْhave become لُهاكyour gifts تُقَسَّمُdistributed
تفوتُ وإن أضحتْ لُهاك تُقَسَّمُ
Your generosity is not reckoned an opportunity
that passes, though your gifts are being distributed.
ولوand if خفتI feared فوتاًmissing out بادرتْwould hasten بيme عزيمةٌa resolve
ولو خفت فوتاً بادرتْ بي عزيمةٌ
لهاit has فرسٌa horse عنديwith me منof الجدّearnestness مُلْجَمُbridled
لها فرسٌ عندي من الجدّ مُلْجَمُ
Had I feared missing out, a resolve would have hurried me,
with a horse of earnestness bridled and ready.
ولكننيbut I ممنamong those who يرىconsider بَذْلكyour giving اللُّهاgifts
ولكنني ممن يرى بَذْلك اللُّها
متىwhenever شاءهاhe wishes them حتماًa decree منfrom اللَّهِGod يُحتَمُappointed
متى شاءها حتماً من اللَّهِ يُحتَمُ
But I am one who sees your giving of gifts,
whenever he wishes them, as a decree appointed by God.
أرىI regard المالَwealth تحويهyou possess it كماليas my wealth وديعةٌa deposit
أرى المالَ تحويه كمالي وديعةٌ
لدىwith مُودَعa trustee لمnot يؤتمنْwas entrusted منهfrom him مُتْهَمُa suspect
لدى مُودَع لم يؤتمنْ منه مُتْهَمُ
I regard the wealth you hold as my own, a deposit
with a trustee from whom no suspect has been entrusted.
علىalthough أنindeed ماwhat أرجوهI hope for منكfrom you مُحصَّلٌassured
على أن ما أرجوه منك مُحصَّلٌ
وماand not كلall ماthat أودعتُهI deposited متسلَّمُrecoverable
وما كل ما أودعتُه متسلَّمُ
Yet what I hope from you is assured,
while not everything I have deposited is recoverable.
وماand I have always زلتُremained كالمثريlike a rich man يطولُis prolonged تنسُّميmy inhaling
وما زلتُ كالمثري يطولُ تنسُّمي
رجاءكhope in you مغبوطاًenvied بماfor what أتنسَّمُI inhale
رجاءك مغبوطاً بما أتنسَّمُ
I have remained like a rich man, long inhaling
hope in you, envied for what I breathe.
أناI الرجلthe man المومَىpointed إليهto him إذاwhen بداhe appears
أنا الرجل المومَى إليه إذا بدا
بقارونas Qarun بلrather قارونُQarun عنديَbeside me مُعْدَمُpenniless
بقارون بل قارونُ عنديَ مُعْدَمُ
I am the man pointed out, when he appears,
as Qarun—indeed, beside me Qarun is penniless.
يُعَدُّis counted رجائيmy hope فيكin you مالاًas wealth محصلاًsecured
يُعَدُّ رجائي فيك مالاً محصلاً
أُدَنَّرُI am dinar-rich فيamong قوْميmy people بهthrough it وأدرهُمُand dirham-rich
أُدَنَّرُ في قوْمي به وأدرهُمُ
My hope in you is counted as secured wealth;
among my people it makes me rich in dinars and dirhams.
ويحسدنيهand envy me for it الحاسدونthe envious فموضعيso my position
ويحسدنيه الحاسدون فموضعي
بهthrough it منهمُto them مَقذاةُa mote in عينٍan eye ومَرغَمُand a humiliation
به منهمُ مَقذاةُ عينٍ ومَرغَمُ
The envious envy me for it; my position
through it is a mote in their eyes and a humiliation.
ويُلْزمنيand require from me فيهon it الزكاةَalms معاشرٌpeople
ويُلْزمني فيه الزكاةَ معاشرٌ
ولمthough not يَحْوِهencompassed it ملكيmy ownership وبالحقّand rightly ألزمواthey required
ولم يَحْوِه ملكي وبالحقّ ألزموا
People require me to pay alms on it,
though I do not yet own it—and rightly they require it.
فهلso shall بعدafter هذاthis كُلّهall of it أناI آئبٌreturn
فهل بعد هذا كُلّه أنا آئبٌ
خميصempty in الحشاthe belly أمor طاعمٌeating ماwhat أُطعَّمُI am given
خميص الحشا أم طاعمٌ ما أُطعَّمُ
After all this, shall I return
empty-bellied, or fed with what I am given?
أبتْrefused لكfor you تخييبَdisappointing المرجِّينthose hoping شيمةٌa disposition
أبتْ لك تخييبَ المرجِّين شيمةٌ
تَذِرُّyields milk إذاwhen ضنَّwithholds البخيلthe miser وترأمُand nurtures
تَذِرُّ إذا ضنَّ البخيل وترأمُ
Your disposition refuses to disappoint those who hope:
it yields milk when the miser withholds, and nurtures.
منحْتكهاI gave it to you حوليَّةَyear-long in النسْجweaving لمhave not تزلceased
منحْتكها حوليَّةَ النسْج لم تزل
تعانَىbeing labored upon مدىthroughout حَوْلٍa year دكيكٍfull وتُخْدَمُand tended
تعانَى مدى حَوْلٍ دكيكٍ وتُخْدَمُ
I gave you this poem, woven over a year,
continually labored upon and tended through a full year.
يرىsees جَاهليُّthe pre-Islamic poet of الشعرpoetry تبجيلَthe honoring of قدْرِهاits worth
يرى جَاهليُّ الشعر تبجيلَ قدْرِها
بحقٍّrightly وإسلاميُّهُand its Islamic poet والمُخَضْرَمُand the poet spanning both eras
بحقٍّ وإسلاميُّهُ والمُخَضْرَمُ
The pre-Islamic poet sees its worth as rightly honored,
as do the Islamic poet and the poet spanning both eras.
إذاwhen مِسْتَyou strut فيهاin it قيلit is said وشيٌembroidery محبَّرٌrichly adorned
إذا مِسْتَ فيها قيل وشيٌ محبَّرٌ
علىupon قمرٍa moon أوor قيلit is said رَيْطٌa sheet مُسَهَّمُstriped
على قمرٍ أو قيل رَيْطٌ مُسَهَّمُ
When you strut in it, people say, 'Richly embroidered fabric
upon a moon,' or, 'A striped sheet.'
فدونَكهاso take it مغبوطةًenvied بكfor you لوif غداbecame
فدونَكها مغبوطةً بك لو غدا
سواكanother than you لهاits مولىًpatron غدتْit would become وهيwhile it تُرْجَمُpelted with stones
سواك لها مولىً غدتْ وهي تُرْجَمُ
Take it, envied for belonging to you: had
another become its patron, it would be pelted with stones.
وعشْand live عيشَthe life of ثاوٍone dwelling in خيرthe best دارabode فماso not لَهُfor him
وعشْ عيشَ ثاوٍ خير دار فما لَهُ
علىfor غيرother than زادٍprovisions صالحٍrighteous مُتَلَوَّمُa cause to linger
على غير زادٍ صالحٍ مُتَلَوَّمُ
Live as one dwelling in the best abode, with
no cause to linger except for righteous provisions.
وراءكbehind you جَدٌّgood fortune لاnot ينامsleeping كلاءةin guardianship
وراءك جَدٌّ لا ينام كلاءة
ودونكand before you عزٌّmight ذوpossessing مناكبَshoulders مزْحمُcrowding
ودونك عزٌّ ذو مناكبَ مزْحمُ
Behind you stands good fortune, sleepless in its guardianship;
before you stands might, broad-shouldered and crowding.
ولاand may you always زلتَremain ممدوحاًpraised لمطريكfor your panegyrist مَصْدَقٌproof
ولا زلتَ ممدوحاً لمطريك مَصْدَقٌ
إذاwhen كانthere is للمطرينَfor panegyrists فيamong الناسpeople مَزْعَمُa claim
إذا كان للمطرينَ في الناس مَزْعَمُ
May you always be praised, your panegyrist possessing proof,
when others' panegyrists possess only claims.
Partial English translation: 370 of 606 Arabic lines translated.