الْبَحْرُthe sea قَدْhas أَبْدَىrevealed سَنَاradiance نَضْرَتِهِits freshness
الْبَحْرُ قَدْ أَبْدَى سَنَا نَضْرَتِهِ
فَقَامَتِand dwelt الأَعْيُنُthe eyes فِيin بَهْجَتِهِits splendor
فَقَامَتِ الأَعْيُنُ فِي بَهْجَتِهِ
The sea has revealed the radiance of its freshness,
The sea has shown its brilliant green,
The sea has revealed the splendor of its freshness,
and eyes have dwelt upon its splendor.
And eyes rejoiced at its beauty.
And eyes stood transfixed by its delight.
قَدْhas خلَعَbestowed الْحُسْنُbeauty عليْهِupon it حُلىًornaments
قَدْ خلَعَ الْحُسْنُ عليْهِ حُلىً
وَانْتَظَمَand was strung الإِبْداعُartistry فيat لَبَّتِهِits throat
وَانْتَظَمَ الإِبْداعُ في لَبَّتِهِ
Beauty has bestowed ornaments upon it,
Beauty has adorned it with jewelry,
Beauty has draped it in ornaments,
and artistry has been strung at its throat.
And creativity has woven into its softness.
And creativity is perfectly strung upon its chest.
كَأَنَّهُas though it وَالشَّمْسُand the sun قَدْhad أَوْدَعَتْdeposited
كَأَنَّهُ وَالشَّمْسُ قَدْ أَوْدَعَتْ
شُعَاعَهَاits rays الأنْضَرَthe most radiant فِيin لُجَّتِهِits depths
شُعَاعَهَا الأنْضَرَ فِي لُجَّتِهِ
As though it—when the sun had laid
As if it and the sun have deposited
It is as if the sea, while the sun deposited
its most radiant rays within its depths—
Her green rays in its depths.
Its brightest rays into its deep waters,
مَطَارِفُornate mantles الْعِقْيَانِpure gold قَدْalready طُرِّزَتْwere embroidered
مَطَارِفُ الْعِقْيَانِ قَدْ طُرِّزَتْ
بِاللاَّزْوَرْدwith lapis lazuli ِ الغَضِّthe vivid فِيin زُرْقَتِهِits blueness
بِاللاَّزْوَرْد ِ الغَضِّ فِي زُرْقَتِهِ
were mantles of pure gold embroidered
The edges of the waves were embroidered
Were cloaks of pure gold beautifully embroidered
with vivid lapis lazuli in its blueness.
With emerald green over its blueness.
With fresh lapis lazuli amidst its blueness.
ذَكَّرَنِيreminded me عَهْداًa time لَنَاof ours قَدْalready مَضَىpassed
ذَكَّرَنِي عَهْداً لَنَا قَدْ مَضَى
بِأَرْضِin the land of تِطْوَانَTetouan عَلَىon ضِفَّتِهِits shore
بِأَرْضِ تِطْوَانَ عَلَى ضِفَّتِهِ
It recalled to me a time of ours now past,
It reminded me of a time past for us
It reminded me of a past era we once shared,
in the land of Tetouan, upon its shore,
On the shores of Tetouan.
In the land of Tetouan, upon its shores,
فِيin جَنَّةٍa garden أَرْبَتْsurpassed عَلَىabove جِلِّقٍJilliq
فِي جَنَّةٍ أَرْبَتْ عَلَى جِلِّقٍ
عَلَّمَهَاmarked it الْحُسْنُbeauty بِأَلْوِيَتِهِwith its banners
عَلَّمَهَا الْحُسْنُ بِأَلْوِيَتِهِ
in a garden that surpassed Jilliq,
In a garden trained on a hillside
In a paradise that surpassed the gardens of Damascus,
which Beauty had marked with its banners:
Which beauty has taught with its bending.
Which beauty had marked with its banners.
مَاwhatever شِئْتَyou wished مِنْof نَوْرٍblossoms كَدُرٍّlike pearls علَىupon
مَا شِئْتَ مِنْ نَوْرٍ كَدُرٍّ علَى
زَبَرْجَدٍperidot يَسْبِيcaptivates سَنَاradiance خُضْرتِهِits greenness
زَبَرْجَدٍ يَسْبِي سَنَا خُضْرتِهِ
whatever blossoms you wished, like pearls upon
Whatever you wish of light and darkness on
Whatever you wish of blossoms, like pearls upon
peridot, whose green radiance captivates;
Green emerald competing in its greenery.
Chrysolite, captivating the mind with the brilliance of its green,
وَمِنْand of غُصُونٍbranches قَدْalready سَقاهاwatered them الْحَيَاthe rain
وَمِنْ غُصُونٍ قَدْ سَقاها الْحَيَا
فَعَرْبَدَتْso they caroused بِالرَّقْصِin dancing مِنْfrom خَمْرَتِهِits wine
فَعَرْبَدَتْ بِالرَّقْصِ مِنْ خَمْرَتِهِ
and branches that the rain had watered,
And of branches the life has watered,
And of branches watered by the rain,
so they caroused in dancing from its wine.
So they frisked from its wine.
That swayed drunkenly in a dance from its wine.
دَبَّجَهاbrocaded it النُّوَّارُthe blossoms منْof أصْفَرٍyellow
دَبَّجَها النُّوَّارُ منْ أصْفَرٍ
يحْكِيresembles النُّضَارَالغَضَّthe fresh gold فيin كُهْبَتِهِits tawny hue
يحْكِي النُّضَارَالغَضَّ في كُهْبَتِهِ
Blossoms brocaded it: some yellow,
The flowers have embroidered it with yellow
Adorned by blossoms of radiant yellow,
resembling fresh gold in its tawny hue;
Describing the green softness in its bend.
Mimicking fresh pure gold in its golden hue,
وَأَحْمَرٍand red يُشْبِهُresembles خَدَّthe cheek of الذِيthe one who
وَأَحْمَرٍ يُشْبِهُ خَدَّ الذِي
أَنْحَلَنِيmade me waste away شَوْقِيmy longing إِلَىfor رُؤْيَتِهِseeing him
أَنْحَلَنِي شَوْقِي إِلَى رُؤْيَتِهِ
and some red, resembling the cheek of him
And red resembling the cheek of the one
And of red, resembling the blushing cheek of the one
whom I have wasted away longing to see.
Who made me crave to see him.
Whose sight my longing has left me pining for.
حَيْثُwhere الْمُنَىhopes تُطْلِعُهُbring him forth قَمَراًas a moon
حَيْثُ الْمُنَى تُطْلِعُهُ قَمَراً
تَنْأَىrecedes دُجىthe darkness of الأَحْزَانِsorrows مِنْfrom طُرَّتِهِhis forelock
تَنْأَى دُجى الأَحْزَانِ مِنْ طُرَّتِهِ
There, hopes bring him forth as a moon,
Where wishes reveal him like the moon
Where desires make him rise like a moon,
and sorrow's darkness retreats from his forelock.
Keeping the gloom of sorrows from his face.
And the darkness of sorrows recedes from his dark locks.
لَمْnot يَعْرُهُهَجْرٌestrangement befell him يَهِيجُstirring الْجَوَىlove's anguish
لَمْ يَعْرُهُهَجْرٌ يَهِيجُ الْجَوَى
وَيَعْطِفُand turns الْقَلْبَthe heart عَلىtoward حُرْقَتِهِits burning pain
وَيَعْطِفُ الْقَلْبَ عَلى حُرْقَتِهِ
No estrangement befell him to stir love's anguish
Neither estrangement nor longing to ignite desire
He was not struck by an abandonment that stirs passion,
and turn the heart toward its burning pain,
And incline the heart to its burning,
Nor bends the heart over its burning pain,
إِلاَّexcept نِفَاراًaloofness هُوَit فِيin طَبْعِهِhis nature
إِلاَّ نِفَاراً هُوَ فِي طَبْعِهِ
إِنَّindeed نِفَارَthe skittishness of الظَّبْيِthe gazelle منْof خِلْقَتِهِits nature
إِنَّ نِفَارَ الظَّبْيِ منْ خِلْقَتِهِ
save an aloofness inherent in his nature:
But his aloofness which is in his nature,
Except for a shyness that is innate to his nature;
a gazelle's skittishness belongs to its nature.
For the aloofness of the gazelle is in its nature.
Indeed, the shying away of the gazelle is part of its creation.
يَنْفُِرُhe shies away تِيهاًin pride ثُمَّthen يَثْنِيهِturns him back مَاwhat
يَنْفُِرُ تِيهاً ثُمَّ يَثْنِيهِ مَا
يُبْصِرُhe sees منof وَجْدِيmy anguish علَىat نَفْرَتِهِhis flight
يُبْصِرُ من وَجْدِي علَى نَفْرَتِهِ
He shies away in pride, then is turned back by what
It becomes lost then what it sees of my love
He turns away in pride, then is brought back by what
he sees of my anguish at his flight.
Returns it from its aloofness.
He sees of my deep passion despite his aversion.
فَقُلتُso I said إِذْwhen أَبْصَرْتُهُI saw him تَائِهاًproud
فَقُلتُ إِذْ أَبْصَرْتُهُ تَائِهاً
كُنْbe راضِياًpleased حِبِّيmy beloved عَلَيَّwith me وَتِهِand be haughty
كُنْ راضِياً حِبِّي عَلَيَّ وَتِهِ
So I said, when I saw him proud:
So I said when I saw him lost,
So I said, when I saw him wandering in his pride:
"Be pleased with me, my beloved, and be haughty,
“Be content, my love, with me.”
"Be pleased with me, my love, and act as proud as you wish;
وَلاَand do not تُعَذِّبْنِيtorment me بِنَارِwith the fire of الْجَفَاcoldness
وَلاَ تُعَذِّبْنِي بِنَارِ الْجَفَا
يَاO مَنْone whose حَيَاةُthe life of الصَّبِّthe lovesick one فِيin قَبْضَتِهِhis grasp
يَا مَنْ حَيَاةُ الصَّبِّ فِي قَبْضَتِهِ
and do not torment me with the fire of coldness,
“And do not torture me with the fire of estrangement,
But do not torment me with the fire of estrangement,
O you who hold the lovesick one's life in your grasp."
O you who has the life of passion in his grip.”
O you in whose grasp lies the life of this enamored heart."
فَافْتَرَّthen he smiled أَيْنَwhere are الدُّرُّpearls منْcompared with ثَغْرِهِhis mouth
فَافْتَرَّ أَيْنَ الدُّرُّ منْ ثَغْرِهِ
وَأَيْنَand where is نَشْرُthe fragrance of الْمِسْكِmusk منْcompared with نَكْهَتِهِhis breath
وَأَيْنَ نَشْرُ الْمِسْكِ منْ نَكْهَتِهِ
Then he smiled: how could pearls compare with his mouth?
So he smiled, how far the pearl is from his mouth!
He smiled—where are pearls compared to his teeth?
Or musk's fragrance with his breath?
And how far the fragrance of musk is from his scent!
And where is the diffusing musk compared to his breath?
وَأَيْنَand where is بَدْرُthe full moon التَّمِّfullness منcompared with وَجْهِهِhis face
وَأَيْنَ بَدْرُ التَّمِّ من وَجْهِهِ
وَأيْنَand where is لَمْعُthe gleam of الْبَرْقِlightning منْcompared with غُرَّتِهِhis radiant brow
وَأيْنَ لَمْعُ الْبَرْقِ منْ غُرَّتِهِ
Or the full moon with his face?
And how far the full moon is from his face!
And where is the full moon compared to his face?
Or lightning's gleam with his radiant brow?
And how far the flash of lightning is from his cheek!
And where is the flash of lightning compared to his radiant brow?
وَاهْتَزَّand he swayed عُجْباًin self-admiration بِخُضُوعِيat my submission لَهُto him
وَاهْتَزَّ عُجْباً بِخُضُوعِي لَهُ
وَأَيْنَand where is غُصْنُa bough of البَانِthe ban-tree منْcompared with هَزَّتِهِhis swaying
وَأَيْنَ غُصْنُ البَانِ منْ هَزَّتِهِ
And he swayed in pride at my submission to him:
He shook with wonder at my submission to him,
He swayed in marvel at my submission to him;
how could a ban-tree bough compare with his swaying?
And how far the flexible branch is from his swaying!
And where is the willow branch compared to his swaying?
أَيُّwhat a هِلاَلٍcrescent moon فِيon قَضِيبِa slender stem of النَّقَاthe sand-dune
أَيُّ هِلاَلٍ فِي قَضِيبِ النَّقَا
أَضَاءَهُilluminated it الدَّيْجُورُthe deep darkness مِنْfrom لَمَّتِهِhis locks
أَضَاءَهُ الدَّيْجُورُ مِنْ لَمَّتِهِ
What a crescent moon on a sand-dune's slender stem,
What crescent in the staff of the watchman
What a crescent moon atop a branch on the sand dune,
illuminated by the deep darkness of his locks!
Did the bright star illuminate from its curvature?
Illuminated by the dark night of his flowing hair!
عَانَقْتُI embraced مِنْof قَامَتِهِhis stature غُصُناًa bough
عَانَقْتُ مِنْ قَامَتِهِ غُصُناً
كَمَاjust as قَطَفْتُI plucked الْوَرْدَthe rose مِنْfrom وَجْنَتِهِhis cheek
كَمَا قَطَفْتُ الْوَرْدَ مِنْ وَجْنَتِهِ
I embraced a bough in his stature,
I embraced a branch from his stature
I embraced a tender branch of his stature,
just as I plucked the rose from his cheek.
As I plucked the roses from its buds.
Just as I plucked the roses from his cheeks.
لَمْnot أَصْحُI sobered مِنْfrom سُكْرِيmy drunkenness بِتَعْنِيقِهِthrough embracing him
لَمْ أَصْحُ مِنْ سُكْرِي بِتَعْنِيقِهِ
إِلاَّexcept بِتَقْطِيعِيthrough my being torn apart عَلَىat فُرْقَتِهِparting from him
إِلاَّ بِتَقْطِيعِي عَلَى فُرْقَتِهِ
I did not sober from my intoxication in embracing him
I did not sober from my drunken infatuation
I did not sober up from the intoxication of embracing him,
except when parting from him tore me apart.
Except by my shredding it because of our separation.
Except by being torn apart over his departure.
أَيُّwhat a زَمانٍtime قَدْhas مَضَىpassed مُسْرِعاًswiftly
أَيُّ زَمانٍ قَدْ مَضَى مُسْرِعاً
يَاحَرَّO the heat of أنْفَاسِيmy breaths عَلَىat سُرْعَتِهِits haste
يَاحَرَّ أنْفَاسِي عَلَى سُرْعَتِهِ
What a time it was, passing so swiftly!
What time has passed quickly!
What a time it was, that passed so swiftly!
Oh, the heat of my breaths at its haste!
O it puzzled my breath in its speed!
Oh, the burning of my breaths over its swiftness!
لَمْnot أَنْتَبِهْI awoke مِنْfrom نَوْمِthe sleep of لَذَّتِهِits delight
لَمْ أَنْتَبِهْ مِنْ نَوْمِ لَذَّتِهِ
إِلاَّexcept بِأَشْوَاقِيthrough my longings إِلَىfor أَوْبَتِهِits return
إِلاَّ بِأَشْوَاقِي إِلَى أَوْبَتِهِ
I did not awaken from the sleep of its delight
I did not awaken from the dream of its bliss
I did not awaken from the slumber of its delight,
except through my longings for its return.
Except with my longing for its nightfall.
Except through my yearnings for its return.
يَاO لَيْتَif only شِعْرِيmy knowing وَالْمُنَىand hopes رُبَّمَاsometimes
يَا لَيْتَ شِعْرِي وَالْمُنَى رُبَّمَا
تُسَاعِدُaid الْمُشْتَاقَthe yearning one فِيin بُغْيَتِهِhis quest
تُسَاعِدُ الْمُشْتَاقَ فِي بُغْيَتِهِ
Would that I knew—and hopes sometimes
O would that fate might help
Would that I knew—and desires might perhaps
aid the yearning one in his quest—
The ardent fulfill his goal.
Assist the yearning lover in his quest—
هَلْwill يَدْنُوَنَّsurely draw near الْغَرْبُthe West بَعْدَafter النَّوَىseparation
هَلْ يَدْنُوَنَّ الْغَرْبُ بَعْدَ النَّوَى
فَأَقْطِفُso I may pluck الآمَالَhopes مِنْfrom ضَيْعَتِهِits estate
فَأَقْطِفُ الآمَالَ مِنْ ضَيْعَتِهِ
will the West draw near after separation,
Will the sunset after departure draw near?
Will the West ever draw near after this distance,
so I may pluck hopes from its estate?
So I may pick hopes from its ruins?
So I may harvest hopes from its lost estate?
وَهَلْand will أَرَىI see تِلْكَthose الْبُدُورَfull moons التِيthat
وَهَلْ أَرَى تِلْكَ الْبُدُورَ التِي
تُزْرِيput to shame بِبَدْرِthe full moon of الأُفْقِthe horizon فِيin طَلْعَتِهِits rising
تُزْرِي بِبَدْرِ الأُفْقِ فِي طَلْعَتِهِ
And shall I see those full moons that
Will I see those full moons that
And shall I see those full moons that
put the horizon's full moon to shame at its rising?
Adorn the horizon upon its rising?
Outshine the full moon of the horizon in their rising?
أَجَلْyes فَجَمْعِيso my reunion بِهِمُwith them عَاجِلاًsoon
أَجَلْ فَجَمْعِي بِهِمُ عَاجِلاً
سَهْلٌeasy عَلَىfor الرَّحْمَانِthe All-Merciful فِيin قُدْرَتِهِHis power
سَهْلٌ عَلَى الرَّحْمَانِ فِي قُدْرَتِهِ
Yes: my swift reunion with them
Yes, join me with them promptly,
Yes! My swift reunion with them
is easy for the All-Merciful in His power.
It is easy for the Merciful in His power.
Is easy for the Most Merciful in His power.
مَاhow أَقْدَرَmighty is اللهَGod عَلَىto رَدِّrestore مَنْone who
مَا أَقْدَرَ اللهَ عَلَى رَدِّ مَنْ
نَدَّfled بِهِwith him الْبَيْنُseparation إِلَىto فِئَتِهِhis people
نَدَّ بِهِ الْبَيْنُ إِلَى فِئَتِهِ
How mighty God is to restore anyone
How great is God's ability to restore one
How capable is Allah of bringing back the one
whom separation drove away—to his own people!
Whom separation has cast to his comrades!
Whom separation has driven away to his people.
فَيَاso, O نَسِيماًbreeze مِنْfrom حِمَاهُمْtheir sanctuary سَرَىtraveled by night
فَيَا نَسِيماً مِنْ حِمَاهُمْ سَرَى
شَمِمْتُI smelled عَرْفَthe scent of الْمِسْكِmusk مِنْfrom هَبَّتِهِits waft
شَمِمْتُ عَرْفَ الْمِسْكِ مِنْ هَبَّتِهِ
So, O breeze that traveled by night from their sanctuary,
So O breeze from their quarter blow,
So, O breeze that has traveled at night from their sanctuary,
I smelled the scent of musk in its waft.
I sensed the fragrance of musk in its blowing.
From whose blowing I have inhaled the scent of musk,
كَيْفَhow are الرُّبَىthe hills وَالْمُنْحَنَىand the bend وَالنَّقَاand the sand-dune
كَيْفَ الرُّبَى وَالْمُنْحَنَى وَالنَّقَا
وَالنَّهْرُand the river وَالرَّوْضُand the meadow عَلَىon ضِفَّتِهِits bank
وَالنَّهْرُ وَالرَّوْضُ عَلَى ضِفَّتِهِ
How are the hills, the bend, and the sand-dune,
How is the meadow, the valley, the soft sand,
How are the hills, the winding valley, and the sand dune,
and the river and the meadow upon its bank?
The river, and the garden on its shore?
And the river and the meadow upon its banks?
عَهْدِيmy recollection بِهَاof them مَرْتَعُthe grazing-ground of كُلِّevery رَشَاfawn
عَهْدِي بِهَا مَرْتَعُ كُلِّ رَشَا
لاَmay not رَاعَهَاfrighten them الدهُْرTime بِتَنْحِيَتِهِby banishing him
لاَ رَاعَهَا الدهُْر بِتَنْحِيَتِهِ
I remember them as the grazing-ground of every fawn;
My pledge to them is the pasture of all flock
I remember them as a grazing ground for every young gazelle;
may Time never frighten them by banishing him!
Time has not overgrazed in its spinning.
May fate never startle them by taking them away.
وَكيْفَand how are أَحْبَابِيmy loved ones وَهَلْand have عَلِمُواthey known
وَكيْفَ أَحْبَابِي وَهَلْ عَلِمُوا
شَوْقِيmy longing الذِيwhich أُوبِقْتُI was ruined فِيin أَزْمَتِهِits straits
شَوْقِي الذِي أُوبِقْتُ فِي أَزْمَتِهِ
And how are my loved ones, and have they known
And how are my loved ones, and have they known
And how are my beloveds? Do they know
of my longing, in whose straits I have been undone?
My longing in which I was wrecked?
Of my longing, by whose crisis I have been destroyed?
نَكَّبَنِيafflicted me الدَّهْرُTime بِبَيْنِهِمُwith separation from them
نَكَّبَنِي الدَّهْرُ بِبَيْنِهِمُ
أَشْكُوI complain إلَىto الرحْمانِthe All-Merciful منof نَكْبَتِهِits calamity
أَشْكُو إلَى الرحْمانِ من نَكْبَتِهِ
Time afflicted me with separation from them;
Fate has bent me with their separation,
Fate has afflicted me with separation from them;
I complain to the All-Merciful of its calamity.
I complain to the Merciful of its bending.
I complain to the Merciful about its affliction.
أمْسَيْتُI have become صَبّاًlovesick بِالْجَزَائِرِin Algiers لاَnot
أمْسَيْتُ صَبّاً بِالْجَزَائِرِ لاَ
أَعْدَمُI lack شَجْواًgrief ذُبْتُI melted away رمنfrom (apparent typo) حَسْرَتِهِits sorrow
أَعْدَمُ شَجْواً ذُبْتُ رمن حَسْرَتِهِ
I have become lovesick in Algiers, never
I have become passionate in the Maghreb, not missing
I have become an enamored lover in Algiers,
lacking a grief whose sorrow has melted me away.
A longing in which I melted from its burning.
Never lacking sorrow, melting from its anguish.
لَوْلاَwere it not for ابْنُIbn (son of) عَبْدِAbd الْمُؤْمِنِal-Mu'min الْمُرْتَضَىthe esteemed
لَوْلاَ ابْنُ عَبْدِ الْمُؤْمِنِ الْمُرْتَضَى
قَضَىwould have perished فُؤَادِيmy heart مِنْfrom لَظَىthe blaze of لَوْعَتِهِits anguish
قَضَى فُؤَادِي مِنْ لَظَى لَوْعَتِهِ
Were it not for Ibn Abd al-Mu'min, the esteemed,
Were it not for the son of Abdul-Mumin the Chosen
Were it not for Ibn Abd al-Mu'min, the chosen one,
my heart would have perished in the blaze of its anguish.
Who cured my heart from the affliction of its torment.
My heart would have perished from the blaze of its agony.
جَعَلْتُهُI made him قَصْدِيmy destination وَنِعْمَand excellent is الذِيthe one whom
جَعَلْتُهُ قَصْدِي وَنِعْمَ الذِي
يَقْصِدُهُseeks him الإِنْسَانُa person فِيin غُرْبَتِهِhis exile
يَقْصِدُهُ الإِنْسَانُ فِي غُرْبَتِهِ
I made him my destination; excellent is the one
I made him my destination, a excellent one
I made him my destination, and how excellent is the one
a person seeks out in exile!
For man to seek in his estrangement.
Whom a man seeks out in his exile.
الْعَالِمُthe scholar النِّحْرِيرُthe consummate expert مَنْone whose دَأْبُهُhis habit
الْعَالِمُ النِّحْرِيرُ مَنْ دَأْبُهُ
أَنْto يُنْقِذَrescue الْمَلْهُوفَthe distressed مِنْfrom كُرْبَتِهِhis distress
أَنْ يُنْقِذَ الْمَلْهُوفَ مِنْ كُرْبَتِهِ
The consummate scholar, whose habit is
The unique scholar, whose habit is
The erudite scholar, whose constant habit
to rescue the distressed from his distress,
To save the anguished from his torment.
Is to rescue the distressed from his anguish,
وَأَنْand to يُوَاسِيconsole مَنْone whom بِهِwith him رَكَضَتْgalloped
وَأَنْ يُوَاسِي مَنْ بِهِ رَكَضَتْ
خَيْلُthe steeds of النَّوَىseparation أَوْor حَادَstrayed عَنْfrom وِجْهَتِهِhis course
خَيْلُ النَّوَى أَوْ حَادَ عَنْ وِجْهَتِهِ
and to console one borne away by
And to console one whose destination
And to comfort the one with whom
separation's steeds, or one who strayed from his course.
The steeds of wishes missed or swerved from its course.
The horses of distance have galloped, or who has strayed from his path.
أَنَخْتُI made kneel آمَالِيmy hopes بِهِbeside him فَانْثَنَتْand they returned
أَنَخْتُ آمَالِي بِهِ فَانْثَنَتْ
عَاطِرَةَfragrant الأَنْفَاسِbreaths منfrom نَفْحَتِهِhis fragrant bounty
عَاطِرَةَ الأَنْفَاسِ من نَفْحَتِهِ
I made my hopes kneel beside him, and they returned
I anchored my hopes in him, so they breathed
I made my hopes kneel before him, and they returned
with breaths fragrant from his bounty.
A fragrance from his gentle blowing.
With fragrant breaths from his sweet scent.
إنْif تَسْأَلِyou ask الأَحْبَابَthe loved ones عَنْabout نُزُلِيmy lodging
إنْ تَسْأَلِ الأَحْبَابَ عَنْ نُزُلِي
فَهَاso here أَنَاI am أَنْعَمُenjoy ease فِيin جَنَّتِهِhis paradise
فَهَا أَنَا أَنْعَمُ فِي جَنَّتِهِ
If you ask the loved ones about my lodging,
If you ask the loved ones about my lodging,
If you ask the beloveds about my dwelling place,
here I am, enjoying ease in his paradise.
Plucking the pure wishes
Here I am, enjoying the bliss of his paradise.
أَقْطِفُI pluck أَنْوَارَthe blossoms of الْمُنَىhope غَضَّةًfresh
أَقْطِفُ أَنْوَارَ الْمُنَى غَضَّةً
تَحْتَbeneath ظِلاَلِthe shade of الْعِلْمِknowledge فِيin حَضْرَتِهِhis presence
تَحْتَ ظِلاَلِ الْعِلْمِ فِي حَضْرَتِهِ
I pluck the fresh blossoms of hope,
In the shadows of knowledge in his presence.
Plucking the fresh blossoms of desire
beneath the shade of knowledge in his presence.
He has burdened me with righteousness until indeed
Beneath the shades of knowledge in his presence.
أَثْقَلَنِيhe weighed me down بِالْبِرِّwith kindness حَتَّىuntil لَقَدْindeed
أَثْقَلَنِي بِالْبِرِّ حَتَّى لَقَدْ
أَعْجِزُI am unable أَنْto أَنْفَكَّbreak free مِنْfrom حَوْزَتِهِhis domain
أَعْجِزُ أَنْ أَنْفَكَّ مِنْ حَوْزَتِهِ
He has weighed me down with kindness, so much that
I am incapable of escaping his grasp.
He has burdened me with kindness, so much so that
I cannot free myself from his domain.
What fault of his except he overlooks the likes of me
I am unable to break free from his domain.
مَاnot شَانَهُmarred him عَيْبٌa fault سِوَىexcept أَنَّهُthat he
مَا شَانَهُ عَيْبٌ سِوَى أَنَّهُ
يُغْضِيoverlooks عَلَىupon مِثْلِيone like me فِيin هَفْوَتِهِhis lapse
يُغْضِي عَلَى مِثْلِي فِي هَفْوَتِهِ
No fault has marred him, except that he
In my shortcomings?
No flaw tarnishes him, except that he
overlooks the lapse of one such as me,
And assists the seeker in his pursuit,
Overlooks the slips of someone like me,
وَيُسْعِفُand aids الطَّالِبَthe seeker فِيin قَصْدِهِhis aim
وَيُسْعِفُ الطَّالِبَ فِي قَصْدِهِ
وَيُسْعِدُand helps الرَّاغِبَthe aspirant فِيin رَغْبَتِهِhis desire
وَيُسْعِدُ الرَّاغِبَ فِي رَغْبَتِهِ
and aids the seeker in his aim,
And gratifies the desirous in his desire.
And assists the seeker in his quest,
and helps the aspirant in his desire.
His integrity in knowledge, time has not prevented
And gladdens the hopeful in his desire.
نُزْهَتُهُhis recreation فِيin الْعِلْمِknowledge يَدْرُسُهُhe studies it
نُزْهَتُهُ فِي الْعِلْمِ يَدْرُسُهُ
لاَmay not عَاقَهُhinder him الْمِقْدَارُfate عَنْfrom نُزْهَتِهِhis recreation
لاَ عَاقَهُ الْمِقْدَارُ عَنْ نُزْهَتِهِ
His recreation is knowledge, which he studies;
From its integrity.
His recreation is in the knowledge he studies;
may fate never hinder his recreation!
He has taught us the knowledge of religious obligations in
May destiny never hinder him from his recreation.
أَفَادَنَاhe taught us عِلْمَthe science of الْفَرَائِضِinheritance shares فِيin
أَفَادَنَا عِلْمَ الْفَرَائِضِ فِي
أَدْنَىthe shortest مَدىًspan أَرْقَلَhe hastened فِيin مِشْيَتِهِhis stride
أَدْنَى مَدىً أَرْقَلَ فِي مِشْيَتِهِ
He taught us the science of inheritance shares in
The quickest measure his steps carried in his walk.
He taught us the science of inheritance in
the shortest span, hastening in his stride.
From his lesson comes the prose he composed,
The shortest time, advancing swiftly in his pace.
مِنْamong دَرْسِهِhis lessons النَّظْمُthe verse الذِيwhich صَاغَهُhe fashioned it
مِنْ دَرْسِهِ النَّظْمُ الذِي صَاغَهُ
نَجْلُthe son of التِّلِمْسَانِيal-Tilimsani فِيin صَنْعَتِهِhis craft
نَجْلُ التِّلِمْسَانِي فِي صَنْعَتِهِ
Among his lessons was the verse fashioned by
A masterpiece of what was written of its kind.
From his lesson came the poem composed by
the son of al-Tilimsani with his craft:
He enumerated the principles of the craft integrally
The son of Al-Tilimsani in his craft:
نَظْمٌverse عُقُودُnecklaces of الدُِّّرpearls لَمْnot تَحْكِهِcould match it
نَظْمٌ عُقُودُ الدُِّّر لَمْ تَحْكِهِ
أَبْدَعُthe most wondrous مَاthat which أُلِّفَwas composed فِيin صِفَتِهِits kind
أَبْدَعُ مَا أُلِّفَ فِي صِفَتِهِ
verse that necklaces of pearls could not match,
And connected them elegantly in his composition.
A composition that necklaces of pearls cannot match,
the most wondrous work composed of its kind.
Not to mention the poem and the poet
The most magnificent work authored on its subject.
أَحْصَىhe enumerated أُصُولَthe principles of الْفَنِّthe discipline مُحْكَمَةًfirmly ordered
أَحْصَى أُصُولَ الْفَنِّ مُحْكَمَةً
وَحَاكَهَاand wove them طُرًّاall عَلَىaccording to نَزْوَتِهِhis impulse
وَحَاكَهَا طُرًّا عَلَى نَزْوَتِهِ
He set out the discipline's principles, firmly ordered,
And the eloquent, the requirement of his wisdom,
It comprehensively captured the principles of the art, firmly established,
and wove them all according to his inspiration.
Clarifying what was ambiguous in its phrasing
And wove them all seamlessly upon its impulse.
نَاهِيكَenough to impress you مِنْof نَظْمٍverse وَمِنْand of نَاظِمٍa composer
نَاهِيكَ مِنْ نَظْمٍ وَمِنْ نَاظِمٍ
وَمِنْand of مُبِينٍan explainer مُقْتَضَىthe import of حِكْمَتِهِits wisdom
وَمِنْ مُبِينٍ مُقْتَضَى حِكْمَتِهِ
What a verse composition, and what a composer,
And solving what was difficult from its knot.
What an exquisite poem and what a poet!
and what an explainer of the import of its wisdom!
What can one say in his praise?
And what a clarifier of the demands of its wisdom!
بَيْنَclarified (likely intended) مَاwhat أَشْكَلَwas obscure مِنْin لَفْظَهِits wording
بَيْنَ مَا أَشْكَلَ مِنْ لَفْظَهِ
وَحَلَّand untied مَاwhat اسْتَصْعَبَproved difficult مِنْof عُرْوَتِهِits knot
وَحَلَّ مَا اسْتَصْعَبَ مِنْ عُرْوَتِهِ
He clarified what was obscure in its wording,
For time has exhausted itself in serving him.
He clarified what was ambiguous in its wording,
and untied what was difficult in its knots.
The sun has bestowed its rays upon him
And untied what was difficult in its knot.
مَاwhat ذَاthat which يَقُولُsays الْمَرْءُa person فِيin مَدْحِهِhis praise
مَا ذَا يَقُولُ الْمَرْءُ فِي مَدْحِهِ
وَقَدْand already تَنَاهَىwent to the utmost الدَّهْرُTime فِيin خِدْمَتِهِhis service
وَقَدْ تَنَاهَى الدَّهْرُ فِي خِدْمَتِهِ
What can a person say in his praise,
And the moon adorned him with its ornaments.
What can a person say in his praise,
when Time has gone to the utmost in serving him?
Glory has shaded his court
When time itself has reached its limit in serving him?
وَالشَّمْسُand the sun أَوْلَتْهُbestowed upon him أَشِعَّتَهَاits rays
وَالشَّمْسُ أَوْلَتْهُ أَشِعَّتَهَا
وَالْبَدْرُand the full moon حَلاَّهُadorned him بِتَحْلِيَتِهِwith its adornment
وَالْبَدْرُ حَلاَّهُ بِتَحْلِيَتِهِ
The sun has bestowed its rays upon him,
And the sea of generosity flooded in its expanse.
And the sun has granted him its rays,
and the full moon adorned him with its adornment.
Full moon of guidance and knowledge, O you whose
And the full moon has adorned him with its embellishments?
خَيَّمَpitched its tent الْمَجْدُglory بِسَاحَتِهِin his courtyard
خَيَّمَ الْمَجْدُ بِسَاحَتِهِ
وَفَاضَand overflowed بَحْرُthe sea of الْجُودِgenerosity فِيin بُرْدَتِهِhis cloak
وَفَاضَ بَحْرُ الْجُودِ فِي بُرْدَتِهِ
Glory has pitched its tent in his courtyard,
Eulogies bow down in your direction.
Glory has pitched its tent in his courtyard,
and the sea of generosity overflowed within his cloak.
Take them despite the hostility courting
And the sea of generosity has overflowed into his cloak.
بَدْرُfull moon of الْهُدَىguidance وَالْعِلْمِand knowledge يَاO مَنْyou who غَدَتْhas begun
بَدْرُ الْهُدَى وَالْعِلْمِ يَا مَنْ غَدَتْ
تَسْجُدُprostrate themselves أَمْدَاحِيmy praises إِلَىtoward قِبْلَتِهِhis qibla
تَسْجُدُ أَمْدَاحِي إِلَى قِبْلَتِهِ
Full moon of guidance and knowledge, O you—now
Candor has clad it in its gown.
O full moon of guidance and knowledge, to whom
my praises prostrate themselves toward your qibla!
Poems that when they heralded you
My praises bow down toward his Qibla!
خُذْهَاtake her عَلَىin رَغْمِspite of الْعِدَىthe foes غَادَةًa graceful maiden
خُذْهَا عَلَى رَغْمِ الْعِدَى غَادَةً
لَفَّعَهَاwrapped her الصِّدْقُtruth بِأَقْبِيَتِهِin its robes
لَفَّعَهَا الصِّدْقُ بِأَقْبِيَتِهِ
Take her, despite the foes, as a graceful maiden,
Glory wrapped in its coat.
Take it—despite the enemies—as a beautiful maiden,
whom Truth has wrapped in its robes.
How many with high ambitions have cast it
Whom sincerity has wrapped in its garments;
خَوْدٌa young beauty زَهَتْshone إِذْwhen بَشَّرَتْgave glad tidings بِكُمُof you
خَوْدٌ زَهَتْ إِذْ بَشَّرَتْ بِكُمُ
وَلَفَّهَاand wrapped her الْمَجْدُglory بِأَرْدِيَتِهِin its mantles
وَلَفَّهَا الْمَجْدُ بِأَرْدِيَتِهِ
A young beauty who shone when she heralded you,
Yet no ear turned to listen to its address?
A tender girl who glowed when she brought glad tidings of you,
and Glory wrapped her in its mantles.
The daughter of Ibn Zakour, so his origin
And whom glory enfolded in its mantles.
كَمْhow many رَامَهَاsought her قَبْلَكَbefore you ذًوa man of هِمَّةٍaspiration
كَمْ رَامَهَا قَبْلَكَ ذًو هِمَّةٍ
فَلَمْbut did not تُصِخْlisten سَمْعاًwith an ear إِلَىto خُطْبَتِهِhis marriage proposal
فَلَمْ تُصِخْ سَمْعاً إِلَى خُطْبَتِهِ
How many a man of aspiration sought her before you,
Is Fes, and people of merit are his family.
How many a man of ambition desired her before you,
but she lent no ear to his marriage proposal!
Her extravagant dowry is your acceptance of her,
Yet she lent no ear to his proposal!
بِنْتُthe daughter of ابْنِIbn زَاكُورٍZakur فَمَنْشَأُهُand his birthplace
بِنْتُ ابْنِ زَاكُورٍ فَمَنْشَأُهُ
فُاسٌFez وَأَهْلُand people of الْفَضْلِmerit مِنْfrom أُسْرَتِهِhis family
فُاسٌ وَأَهْلُ الْفَضْلِ مِنْ أُسْرَتِهِ
Ibn Zakur's daughter—and his birthplace
He did not consider it too high in his intention.
The daughter of Ibn Zakour, whose origin
is Fez; men of merit belong to his family.
So overlook him and accept his gift,
Is Fez, and the people of virtue are of his family.
صَدَاقُهَاher dowry الْغَالِيthe precious قَبُولُكُهَاyour acceptance of her
صَدَاقُهَا الْغَالِي قَبُولُكُهَا
مِنْهُfrom him فَمَاand how أَغْلاَهُprecious it is فِيin نِيَّتِهِhis intention
مِنْهُ فَمَا أَغْلاَهُ فِي نِيَّتِهِ
Her precious dowry is your acceptance of her
And pardon with forbearance his lapse.
Her precious dowry is your acceptance of her
from him—how dearly he desires it!
You remain of repute, hostility is ugly.
From him, and how precious is that in his intention!
فَاسْمَحْso be generous لَهُto him وَاقْبَلْand accept هَدِيَّتَهُhis gift
فَاسْمَحْ لَهُ وَاقْبَلْ هَدِيَّتَهُ
وَعَفِّand efface بِالصَّفْحَwith pardon عَلَىover زَلَّتِهِhis lapse
وَعَفِّ بِالصَّفْحَ عَلَى زَلَّتِهِ
So be generous to him and accept his gift,
No one of dignity lowers himself to his soil.
So be indulgent with him and accept his gift,
and erase his lapse with forgiveness.
And God keeps you an Imam of guidance
And erase his slip through your forgiveness.
لاَmay not زِلْتَyou cease ذَاpossessing حَالٍa state تَسُوءُthat vexes الْعِدَىthe foes
لاَ زِلْتَ ذَا حَالٍ تَسُوءُ الْعِدَى
مَاas long as حَنَّyearns ذُوone of بُعْدٍdistance إِلَىfor تُرْبَتِهِhis native soil
مَا حَنَّ ذُو بُعْدٍ إِلَى تُرْبَتِهِ
May you ever enjoy a state that vexes the foes,
As long as the dove coos on its perch.
May you continue in a state that brings sorrow to the enemies,
as long as one far away yearns for his native soil.
As long as the distant exile yearns for his soil;
وَاللهُand God يُبْقِيكَpreserve you إِمامَan imam of هُدىًguidance
وَاللهُ يُبْقِيكَ إِمامَ هُدىً
مَاas long as غَرَّدَsings القُمْرِيthe turtledove علَىupon دَوْحَتِهِits great tree
مَا غَرَّدَ القُمْرِي علَى دَوْحَتِهِ
And may God preserve you as an imam of guidance,
And may Allah preserve you as an Imam of guidance,
as long as the turtledove sings upon its great tree.
As long as the turtledove sings upon its branch.
Partial English translation: 125 of 128 Arabic lines translated.