أَماhas ... not عَلِمَتshe learned أَنَّthat الشَفيعَthe intercessor شَبابُyouth
أَما عَلِمَت أَنَّ الشَفيعَ شَبابُ
فَيَقصُرَso it may desist عَنfrom لَومِblaming المُحِبِّthe lover عِتابُreproach
فَيَقصُرَ عَن لَومِ المُحِبِّ عِتابُ
Has she not learned that youth is the intercessor,
so that reproach should desist from blaming the lover?
عَلامَwhy الصِباyouth غَضٌّtender يَرِفُّshimmers رُواؤُهُits beauty
عَلامَ الصِبا غَضٌّ يَرِفُّ رُواؤُهُ
إِذاif عَنَّarises مِنfrom وَصلِunion with الحِسانِthe beauties ذَهابُdeparture
إِذا عَنَّ مِن وَصلِ الحِسانِ ذَهابُ
Why is youth tender, its beauty shimmering,
if turning away from union with beauties occurs to one?
وَفيمَand for what purpose الهَوىlove مَحضٌpure يَشِفُّis transparent صَفاؤُهُits clarity
وَفيمَ الهَوى مَحضٌ يَشِفُّ صَفاؤُهُ
إِذاif لَمnot يَكُنthere is مِنهُنَّfrom them عَنهُfor it ثَوابُrecompense
إِذا لَم يَكُن مِنهُنَّ عَنهُ ثَوابُ
And what use is love, pure and transparently clear,
if there is no recompense from them for it?
وَمُسعِفَةٍand a woman granting aid بِالوَصلِwith union إِذwhen مَربَعُthe spring pasture of الحِمىthe sanctuary
وَمُسعِفَةٍ بِالوَصلِ إِذ مَربَعُ الحِمى
لَهاhers كُلَّماwhenever قِظناwe summered الجَنابَthe environs جَنابُan abode
لَها كُلَّما قِظنا الجَنابَ جَنابُ
And a woman who granted union: the sanctuary's spring pasture
was her abode whenever we summered in its grounds.
تَظُنُّshe thinks النَوىdistance تَعدوdiverts الهَوىlove عَنfrom مَزارِهاvisiting her
تَظُنُّ النَوى تَعدو الهَوى عَن مَزارِها
وَداعيand the summons of الهَوىlove نَحوَtoward البَعيدِthe distant مُجابُanswered
وَداعي الهَوى نَحوَ البَعيدِ مُجابُ
She thinks distance diverts love from visiting her,
yet love's summons toward the distant is answered.
وَقَلَّand counted little لَهاfor her نِضوٌa worn-out mount بَرىwasted نَحضَهُits flesh السُرىnight-travel
وَقَلَّ لَها نِضوٌ بَرى نَحضَهُ السُرى
وَبَهماءُand a trackless wilderness غُفلُunmarked الصَحصَحانِthe open plain تُجابُis crossed
وَبَهماءُ غُفلُ الصَحصَحانِ تُجابُ
For her, a worn mount, its flesh wasted by night-travel, counted little,
and a trackless wilderness of unmarked plains was crossed.
إِذاwhen ماever أَحَبَّloved الرَكبُthe riders وَجهاًa destination مَضَواthey proceeded لَهُtoward it
إِذا ما أَحَبَّ الرَكبُ وَجهاً مَضَوا لَهُ
فَهانَso it was easy عَلَيهِمfor them أَنthat تَخُبَّtrot رِكابُmounts
فَهانَ عَلَيهِم أَن تَخُبَّ رِكابُ
When the riders loved a destination, they set out for it,
and their mounts' trotting was easy for them.
عَروبٌan affectionate woman أَلاحَتappeared مِنamong أَعاريبِBedouins حِلَّةٍan encampment
عَروبٌ أَلاحَت مِن أَعاريبِ حِلَّةٍ
تَجاوَبُanswer one another فيهاin it بِالصَهيلِwith neighing عِرابُthoroughbreds
تَجاوَبُ فيها بِالصَهيلِ عِرابُ
An affectionate woman appeared among the Bedouins of an encampment
where thoroughbreds answered one another with neighing.
غَيارىjealous men مِنَof الطَيفِthe apparition المُعاوِدِreturning فيin الكَرىsleep
غَيارى مِنَ الطَيفِ المُعاوِدِ في الكَرى
مُشيحونَvigilant مِنbecause of رَجمِguesswork الظُنونِsuspicions غِضابُangry
مُشيحونَ مِن رَجمِ الظُنونِ غِضابُ
Men jealous even of the apparition returning in sleep,
vigilant and angered by mere conjecture.
وَماذاand what عَلَيهاharm to her أَنif يُسَنِّيَfacilitates وَصلَهاunion with her
وَماذا عَلَيها أَن يُسَنِّيَ وَصلَها
طِعانٌspear-thrusting فَإِنand if لَمnot يُغنِناsuffice us فَضِرابُthen sword-striking
طِعانٌ فَإِن لَم يُغنِنا فَضِرابُ
What harm to her if union with her is secured
by spear-thrusts—and, if these do not suffice us, sword-blows?
أَلَمdid ... not تَدرِshe know أَنّاthat we لاnot نَراحُare stirred لِرَيبَةٍto a suspect affair
أَلَم تَدرِ أَنّا لا نَراحُ لِرَيبَةٍ
إِذاif لَمnot يُلَمَّعis made to gleam بِالنَجيعِwith fresh blood خِضابُdye
إِذا لَم يُلَمَّع بِالنَجيعِ خِضابُ
Did she not know we are not stirred to a clandestine affair
unless its dye is made to gleam with fresh blood?
وَلاand not نَنشَقُwe inhale العِطرَthe perfume النَمومَbetraying أَريجُهُits fragrance
وَلا نَنشَقُ العِطرَ النَمومَ أَريجُهُ
إِذاif لَمnot يُشَعشَعis diluted بِالعَجاجِwith dust مَلابُsaffron perfume
إِذا لَم يُشَعشَع بِالعَجاجِ مَلابُ
Nor do we inhale perfume whose fragrance betrays,
unless its saffron scent is diluted with battle-dust.
وَكَمand how often راسَلَsent messages الغَيرانُthe jealous man يُهديdelivering وَعيدَهُhis threat
وَكَم راسَلَ الغَيرانُ يُهدي وَعيدَهُ
فَماand not راعَهُstartled him إِلّاexcept الطُروقَnight-arrival جَوابُan answer
فَما راعَهُ إِلّا الطُروقَ جَوابُ
How often the jealous man sent messages, delivering his threats,
and the only answer that startled him was a night-arrival.
وَلَمand not يَثنِناdeterred us أَنَّthat الرَبابَal-Rabab عَقيلَةٌa noble lady
وَلَم يَثنِنا أَنَّ الرَبابَ عَقيلَةٌ
تَسانَدُsupport one another سَعدٌSa'd دونَهاin her defense وَرِبابُand Ribab
تَسانَدُ سَعدٌ دونَها وَرِبابُ
We were not deterred by al-Rabab's being a noble lady,
with Sa'd and Ribab supporting one another in her defense,
وَأَنand that رُكِزَتwere planted حَولَaround الخُدورِthe curtained chambers أَسِنَّةٌspearheads
وَأَن رُكِزَت حَولَ الخُدورِ أَسِنَّةٌ
وَحَفَّتand were surrounded بِقُبِّby lean السابِحاتِswiftly gliding steeds قِبابُtents
وَحَفَّت بِقُبِّ السابِحاتِ قِبابُ
nor by spearheads planted around the curtained chambers,
and tents surrounded by lean, swiftly gliding steeds.
وَلوand if نَذِرَbecame aware الحَيّانِthe two clans غِبَّafter السُرىnight-travel بِناof us
وَلو نَذِرَ الحَيّانِ غِبَّ السُرى بِنا
لَكَرَّتwould have recurred عُظالىUzala أَوor لَعادَwould have returned كُلابُKulab
لَكَرَّت عُظالى أَو لَعادَ كُلابُ
Had the two clans learned of us after our night-journey,
Uzala would have recurred, or Kulab returned.
وَلَيلَةَand a night وافَتناshe came to us تَهادىswaying gently فَنَمتَريso we wonder
وَلَيلَةَ وافَتنا تَهادى فَنَمتَري
أَيَسموdoes ... rise حَبابٌa serpent أَوor يَسيبُflows freely حُبابُfoam
أَيَسمو حَبابٌ أَو يَسيبُ حُبابُ
And on a night she came to us, swaying gently, we wondered:
was a serpent rising, or foam flowing freely?
يُعَذِّبُّهاtorments her عَضُّthe bite of السِوارِthe bracelet بِمِعصَمٍupon a wrist
يُعَذِّبُّها عَضُّ السِوارِ بِمِعصَمٍ
أَبانَmade clear لَهاto her أَنَّthat النَعيمَluxury عَذابُtorment
أَبانَ لَها أَنَّ النَعيمَ عَذابُ
The bracelet's bite upon her wrist tormented her,
showing her that luxury can be torment.
لَأَبرَحتُI worked wonders indeed مِنfrom شَيحانَa bold man حُطَّwas lowered لِثامُهُhis face-cover
لَأَبرَحتُ مِن شَيحانَ حُطَّ لِثامُهُ
إِلىto خَفَرٍa bashful one ماnot حُطَّwas lowered عَنهُfrom her نِقابُa veil
إِلى خَفَرٍ ما حُطَّ عَنهُ نِقابُ
What wonders I worked—from a bold man whose face-cover was lowered
to a bashful beauty whose veil was never lowered!
ثَوىlay مِنهُماof the two ثِنيَin the fold of النِجادِthe sword-belt مُشَيِّعٌa dauntless man
ثَوى مِنهُما ثِنيَ النِجادِ مُشَيِّعٌ
نَجيدٌvaliant وَمَيلاءُand one with a slanting الوِشاحِsash كَعابُa full-breasted maiden
نَجيدٌ وَمَيلاءُ الوِشاحِ كَعابُ
Of the pair there lay, in the sword-belt's fold, a dauntless
valiant man and a full-breasted maiden, her sash slanting.
يُعَلِّلُtakes repeated delight مِنfrom إِغريضِwhite blossom ثَغرٍa mouth يَعُلُّهُwaters it repeatedly
يُعَلِّلُ مِن إِغريضِ ثَغرٍ يَعُلُّهُ
غَريضٌfresh moisture كَماءِlike the water of المُزنِrain-clouds وَهوَthough it is رُضابُsaliva
غَريضٌ كَماءِ المُزنِ وَهوَ رُضابُ
He takes repeated delight in a mouth's white blossom, watered
by fresh moisture like rain-cloud water, though it is saliva.
إِلىuntil أَنthat بَدَتappeared فيin دُهمَةِthe blackness of الأُفقِthe horizon غُرَّةٌa white blaze
إِلى أَن بَدَت في دُهمَةِ الأُفقِ غُرَّةٌ
وَنُفِّرَand was driven away مِنfrom جُنحِthe wing of الظَلامِdarkness غُرابُa raven
وَنُفِّرَ مِن جُنحِ الظَلامِ غُرابُ
Until a white blaze appeared in the horizon's blackness,
and a raven was chased from the wing of darkness.
وَقَدand indeed كادَتِalmost الجَوزاءُOrion تَهويfalls فَخِلتُهاso I thought it
وَقَد كادَتِ الجَوزاءُ تَهوي فَخِلتُها
ثَناهاturned it back مِنَfrom الشِعرىSirius العَبورِal-Abur, its epithet جَنابُthe vicinity
ثَناها مِنَ الشِعرى العَبورِ جَنابُ
Orion had almost fallen, and I thought
the proximity of Sirius had held it back.
كَأَنَّas though الثُرَيّاthe Pleiades رايَةٌa banner مُشرِعٌholding forth لَهاfor it
كَأَنَّ الثُرَيّا رايَةٌ مُشرِعٌ لَها
جَبانٌa coward يُريدُwishes الطَعنَthrusting ثُمَّthen يَهابُfears
جَبانٌ يُريدُ الطَعنَ ثُمَّ يَهابُ
As though the Pleiades were a banner held forward by
a coward who wishes to thrust, then fears.
كَأَنَّas though سُهَيلاًSuhayl (Canopus) فيon رَباوَةِthe rise of أُفقِهِits horizon
كَأَنَّ سُهَيلاً في رَباوَةِ أُفقِهِ
مُسيمُa grazing-shepherd of نُجومٍstars حانَhas come مِنهُfor him إِيابُhomecoming
مُسيمُ نُجومٍ حانَ مِنهُ إِيابُ
As though Suhayl, on the rise of its horizon,
were a shepherd of stars whose homeward hour had come.
كَأَنَّas though السُهاal-Suha (Alcor) فانيspent الحُشاشَةِthe remaining life-breath شَفَّهُwasted him
كَأَنَّ السُها فاني الحُشاشَةِ شَفَّهُ
ضَنىًwasting illness فَخُفاتٌso a fading مَرَّةًat one time وَمَشابُand a rekindling
ضَنىً فَخُفاتٌ مَرَّةً وَمَشابُ
As though al-Suha were one whose last life-breath was spent, wasted
by illness—now dimming, now rekindling.
كَأَنَّas though الصَباحَmorning استَقبَسَasked for fire from الشَمسَthe sun نارَهاits fire
كَأَنَّ الصَباحَ استَقبَسَ الشَمسَ نارَها
فَجاءَso came لَهُto it مِنfrom مُشتَريهِits Jupiter شِهابُa fiery streak
فَجاءَ لَهُ مِن مُشتَريهِ شِهابُ
As though morning had asked the sun for its fire,
and from its Jupiter a fiery streak came to it.
كَأَنَّas though إِياةَthe radiance of الشَمسِthe sun بِشرِthe smiling cheer of بنِthe son of جَهوَرٍJahwar
كَأَنَّ إِياةَ الشَمسِ بِشرِ بنِ جَهوَرٍ
إِذاwhen بَذَلَbestowed الأَموالَriches وَهيَwhile they are رِغابُample
إِذا بَذَلَ الأَموالَ وَهيَ رِغابُ
As though the sun's radiance were Ibn Jahwar's smiling cheer,
when he bestows riches, and they are ample.
هُوَhe البِشرُgladness شِمناwe watched مِنهُfrom him بَرقَthe lightning of غَمامَةٍa cloud
هُوَ البِشرُ شِمنا مِنهُ بَرقَ غَمامَةٍ
لَهاfrom it بِاللُهاwith gifts فيupon المُعتَفينَthose seeking bounty مَصابُa downpour
لَها بِاللُها في المُعتَفينَ مَصابُ
He is gladness itself: we watched from him a cloud's lightning,
a cloud that rains gifts upon petitioners.
جَوادٌa generous man مَتىwhenever اِستَعجَلتَyou hasten أولىthe first of هِباتِهِhis gifts
جَوادٌ مَتى اِستَعجَلتَ أولى هِباتِهِ
كَفاكَsuffices you مِنَfrom البَحرِthe sea الخِضَمِّthe vast عُبابُa surge
كَفاكَ مِنَ البَحرِ الخِضَمِّ عُبابُ
A generous man: whenever you hasten his first gifts,
a surge from the vast sea suffices you.
غَنِيٌّhaving no need عَنِof الإِبساسِcoaxing to milk دَرُّthe milk-flow of نَوالِهِhis bounty
غَنِيٌّ عَنِ الإِبساسِ دَرُّ نَوالِهِ
إِذاwhen استَنزَلَdraws down الدَرَّthe milk البَكيءَthe scant-flowing عِصابُa binding-band
إِذا استَنزَلَ الدَرَّ البَكيءَ عِصابُ
The milk-flow of his bounty needs no coaxing,
when a binding-band must draw down scant-flowing milk.
إِذاif حَسَبَcounts النَيلَthe gift الزَهيدَthe paltry مُنيلُهُits giver
إِذا حَسَبَ النَيلَ الزَهيدَ مُنيلُهُ
فَماthen no لِعَطاياهُfor his gifts الحِسابِample حِسابُreckoning
فَما لِعَطاياهُ الحِسابِ حِسابُ
If a giver counts a paltry gift,
there is no reckoning for his ample gifts.
عَطاياgifts يُصيبُare right الحاسِدونَthe envious بِحَمدِهِin praising him
عَطايا يُصيبُ الحاسِدونَ بِحَمدِهِ
عَلَيهاfor them وَلَمthough not يُحبَواthey were given بِهاthem فَيُحابواand thus show partiality
عَلَيها وَلَم يُحبَوا بِها فَيُحابوا
Gifts: even the envious are right to praise him
for them, though not granted them and thus disposed to favor him.
مُوَطَّأُtrodden smooth أَكنافِthe reaches of السَماحِgenerosity دَنَتcame near بِهِthrough him
مُوَطَّأُ أَكنافِ السَماحِ دَنَت بِهِ
خَلائِقُvirtues زُهرٌradiant إِذwhile أَنافَrose high نِصابُnoble stock
خَلائِقُ زُهرٌ إِذ أَنافَ نِصابُ
Easy are his generosity's approaches; through him draw near
radiant virtues, though his noble stock towers.
فَزَرهُso visit him تَزُرyou will visit أَكنافَthe reaches of غَنّاءَa lush garden طَلَّةٍdew-wet
فَزَرهُ تَزُر أَكنافَ غَنّاءَ طَلَّةٍ
أَرَبَّتsettled بِهاin it لِلمَكرُماتِof noble deeds رَبابُclouds
أَرَبَّت بِها لِلمَكرُماتِ رَبابُ
Visit him, and you visit the reaches of a leafy, dew-wet garden,
where clouds of noble deeds have settled.
زَعيمُa guarantor of المَساعيendeavors أَنthat تَلينَsoften شَدائِدٌhardships
زَعيمُ المَساعي أَن تَلينَ شَدائِدٌ
يُمارِسُهاhe contends with them أَوor أَنthat تَلينَsoften صِعابُdifficulties
يُمارِسُها أَو أَن تَلينَ صِعابُ
A guarantor of endeavors: hardships must yield
as he wrestles with them, or difficulties grow pliant.
مَهيبٌawe-inspiring يُغَضُّis lowered الطَرفُthe gaze مِنهُbefore him لِآذِنٍfor an usher
مَهيبٌ يُغَضُّ الطَرفُ مِنهُ لِآذِنٍ
مَهابَتُهُhis awe دونَbefore الحِجابِthe curtain حِجابُa curtain
مَهابَتُهُ دونَ الحِجابِ حِجابُ
Majestic: eyes are lowered before an usher of his,
whose awe is a screen before the screen.
لَأَبلَجَtruly radiant مَوفورِabundant in الجَلالِmajesty إِذاwhen احتَبىsat with knees clasped
لَأَبلَجَ مَوفورِ الجَلالِ إِذا احتَبى
عَلاrose high نَظَرٌa glance مِنهُfrom him وَعَزَّand was difficult خِطابُaddress
عَلا نَظَرٌ مِنهُ وَعَزَّ خِطابُ
Truly radiant and rich in majesty, when he sits with knees clasped,
a glance from him is exalted, and addressing him is difficult.
وَذيand one possessed of تُدرِإٍdefensive strength يَعدوturns away العِداthe foes عَنfrom قِراعِهِcombat with him
وَذي تُدرِإٍ يَعدو العِدا عَن قِراعِهِ
غِلابٌoverpowering force فَمَهماso whatever عَزَّهُoverpowers him فَخِلابُthen cunning
غِلابٌ فَمَهما عَزَّهُ فَخِلابُ
And a man of might: foes are turned from fighting him
by mastery; whatever proves too strong is met with cunning.
إِذاwhen هُوَhe أَمضىcarried through العَزمَresolve لَمnot يَكُbe هَفوَةًa lapse
إِذا هُوَ أَمضى العَزمَ لَم يَكُ هَفوَةً
يُؤَثِّرُleaves marks عَنهاbecause of it فيin الأَنامِلِthe fingers نابُa tooth
يُؤَثِّرُ عَنها في الأَنامِلِ نابُ
When he carries a resolve through, it is no misstep
for which a tooth leaves marks upon the fingers.
عَزائِمُresolutions يَنصاعُrecoil العِداthe foes عَنfrom مُمِرِّهاtheir taut strength
عَزائِمُ يَنصاعُ العِدا عَن مُمِرِّها
كَماas رُهِبَتwere feared يَومَon the day of النِضالِthe archery contest رِهابُsharp arrowheads
كَما رُهِبَت يَومَ النِضالِ رِهابُ
Resolutions whose taut strength makes foes recoil,
as sharp arrowheads are feared on the day of archery.
صَوائِبُsure-hitting ones ريشُthe feathers of النَصرِvictory فيalong جَنَباتِهاtheir sides
صَوائِبُ ريشُ النَصرِ في جَنَباتِها
لُؤامٌwell-matched وَريشُand the feathers of الطائِشاتِthe erring shafts لُغابُmismatched
لُؤامٌ وَريشُ الطائِشاتِ لُغابُ
Sure-hitting ones: the feathers of victory along their sides
are well-matched; the feathers of erring shafts are mismatched.
حَليمٌforbearing تَلافىrescued الجاهِلينَthe foolish أَناتُهُhis patience
حَليمٌ تَلافى الجاهِلينَ أَناتُهُ
إِذِfor الحِلمُforbearance عَنtoward بَعضِsome الذُنوبِsins عِقابُpunishment
إِذِ الحِلمُ عَن بَعضِ الذُنوبِ عِقابُ
Forbearing: his patience rescues the foolish,
for forbearance toward some sins is punishment.
إِذاwhen عَثَرَstumbles الجانيthe offender عَفاforgives عَفوَthe forgiveness of حافِظٍone safeguarding
إِذا عَثَرَ الجاني عَفا عَفوَ حافِظٍ
بِنُعمىa favor لَهاwith its فيamong المُذنِبينَthe guilty ذِنابُlasting sequel
بِنُعمى لَها في المُذنِبينَ ذِنابُ
When an offender stumbles, he forgives as one who safeguards
a favor that leaves a lasting sequel among the guilty.
شَهامَةُgallantry of نَفسٍa soul فيin سَلامَةِsoundness of مَذهَبٍa course
شَهامَةُ نَفسٍ في سَلامَةِ مَذهَبٍ
كَماas الماءُwater لِلراحِfor wine الشُمولِfragrant قِطابُa mixture
كَما الماءُ لِلراحِ الشُمولِ قِطابُ
A gallant soul pursuing an uncorrupted course,
like water blended into fragrant wine.
بَنيsons of جَهوَرٍJahwar مَهماwhenever فَخَرتُمyou boast بِأَوَّلٍof an ancestor
بَني جَهوَرٍ مَهما فَخَرتُم بِأَوَّلٍ
فَسِرٌّthen an innermost heart مِنَof المَجدِglory التَليدِinherited لُبابُpure essence
فَسِرٌّ مِنَ المَجدِ التَليدِ لُبابُ
Sons of Jahwar, whenever you boast of an ancestor,
it is of the purest core of inherited glory.
حَطَطتُمyou settled بِحَيثُwhere اسلَنطَحَتspread wide ساحَةُthe plain of العُلاloftiness
حَطَطتُم بِحَيثُ اسلَنطَحَت ساحَةُ العُلا
وَأَوفَتand rose high لِإِخطارِto exalt السَناءِbrilliance هِضابُhills
وَأَوفَت لِإِخطارِ السَناءِ هِضابُ
You settled where the plain of loftiness stretched wide,
and hills rose high to exalt brilliance.
بِكُمthrough you باهَتِrivaled in pride الأَرضُearth السَماءَheaven فَأوجُهٌso faces
بِكُم باهَتِ الأَرضُ السَماءَ فَأوجُهٌ
شُموسٌsuns وَأَيدٍand hands فيin المُحولِdroughts سَحابُclouds
شُموسٌ وَأَيدٍ في المُحولِ سَحابُ
Through you, earth rivaled heaven in pride: faces
are suns, and hands are clouds in times of drought.
أَشارِحَO elucidator of مَعنىthe meaning of المَجدِglory وَهوَwhile it is مُعَمَّسٌobscured
أَشارِحَ مَعنى المَجدِ وَهوَ مُعَمَّسٌ
وَعامِرَand rebuilder of مَغنىthe dwelling of الحَمدِpraise وَهوَwhile it is خَرابُruin
وَعامِرَ مَغنى الحَمدِ وَهوَ خَرابُ
O elucidator of glory's meaning when it is obscured,
and rebuilder of praise's dwelling when it is in ruins:
مُحَيّاكَyour face بَدرٌa full moon وَالبُدورُand full moons أَهِلَّةٌcrescents
مُحَيّاكَ بَدرٌ وَالبُدورُ أَهِلَّةٌ
وَيُمناكَand your right hand بَحرٌa sea وَالبُحورُand seas ثِعابُrivulets
وَيُمناكَ بَحرٌ وَالبُحورُ ثِعابُ
your face is a full moon, and other full moons are crescents;
your right hand is a sea, and other seas are rivulets.
رَأَيتُكَI saw you جاراكَraced you الوَرىmankind فَغَلَبتَهُمand you defeated them
رَأَيتُكَ جاراكَ الوَرى فَغَلَبتَهُم
لِذَلِكَto that end جَريُthe running of المُذكِياتِmature steeds غِلابُa contest for mastery
لِذَلِكَ جَريُ المُذكِياتِ غِلابُ
I saw mankind race against you, and you defeated them;
to that end, mature steeds race for mastery.
فَقَرَّتso were delighted بِهاby it مِنamong أَولِيائِكِyour allies أَعيُنٌeyes
فَقَرَّت بِها مِن أَولِيائِكِ أَعيُنٌ
وَذَلَّتand bowed لَهاbefore it مِنamong حاسِديكَyour enviers رِقابُnecks
وَذَلَّت لَها مِن حاسِديكَ رِقابُ
At that, the eyes of your allies were delighted,
and the necks of your enviers bowed low.
فَتَحتَyou opened المُنىhopes مِنfrom بَعدِafter إِلهامِناinspiring us بِهاwith them
فَتَحتَ المُنى مِن بَعدِ إِلهامِنا بِها
وَقَدwhen already ضاعَwas lost إِقليدٌa key وَأُبهِمَand was shut fast بابُa door
وَقَد ضاعَ إِقليدٌ وَأُبهِمَ بابُ
You opened our hopes after inspiring them in us,
when a key had been lost and a door shut fast.
مَدَدتَyou extended ظِلالَthe shades of الأَمنِsafety تَخضَرُّgrow green تَحتَهاbeneath them
مَدَدتَ ظِلالَ الأَمنِ تَخضَرُّ تَحتَها
مِنَof العَيشِlife فيin أَعذىthe driest البِقاعِtracts شِعابُvalleys
مِنَ العَيشِ في أَعذى البِقاعِ شِعابُ
You spread the shades of safety, beneath which grow green
life's valleys in the driest lands.
حِمىًa sanctuary سالَمَتmade peace with فيهِin it البُغاثَweak birds جَوارِحٌbirds of prey
حِمىً سالَمَت فيهِ البُغاثَ جَوارِحٌ
وَكَفَّتand refrained عَنِfrom البَهمِlambs الرِتاعِgrazing ذِئابُwolves
وَكَفَّت عَنِ البَهمِ الرِتاعِ ذِئابُ
A sanctuary where birds of prey made peace with weak birds,
and wolves refrained from grazing lambs.
فَلاso may ... never زِلتَyou cease تَسعىstriving سَعيَthe striving of مَنone whose حَظُّthe share of سَعيِهِhis striving
فَلا زِلتَ تَسعى سَعيَ مَن حَظُّ سَعيِهِ
نَجاحٌsuccess وَحَظُّand the share of الشانِئيهِhis haters تَبابُruin
نَجاحٌ وَحَظُّ الشانِئيهِ تَبابُ
May you ever strive with the striving of one whose striving's share
is success, while the share of his haters is ruin.
فَإِنَّكَfor you لِلدينِfor religion الشَعيبِsplit apart لَمِلأَمٌare indeed a mender
فَإِنَّكَ لِلدينِ الشَعيبِ لَمِلأَمٌ
وَإِنَّكَand you لِلمُلكِfor kingship الثَئِيِّbreached لَرِئابُare indeed a repairer
وَإِنَّكَ لِلمُلكِ الثَئِيِّ لَرِئابُ
For you surely mend the religion that is split apart,
and surely repair the kingdom that is breached.
إِذاwhen مَعشَرٌa company أَلهاهُمُdistracted them جُلَساؤُهُمtheir companions
إِذا مَعشَرٌ أَلهاهُمُ جُلَساؤُهُم
فَلَهوُكَthen your diversion ذِكرٌremembrance وَالجَليسُand the companion كِتابُa book
فَلَهوُكَ ذِكرٌ وَالجَليسُ كِتابُ
When a company is distracted by its companions,
your diversion is remembrance, and your companion a book.
نُعَزّيكَwe console you عَنfor شَهرِthe month of الصِيامِfasting الَّذيwhich انقَضىended
نُعَزّيكَ عَن شَهرِ الصِيامِ الَّذي انقَضى
فَإِنَّكَfor you مَفجوعٌbereaved بِهِof it فَمُصابُand thus stricken
فَإِنَّكَ مَفجوعٌ بِهِ فَمُصابُ
We console you for the fasting month now ended,
for you are bereaved of it, stricken by its loss.
هُوَit الزَورُthe guest لَوif only تُعطىyou were granted المُنىwishes وَضَعَhe would lay down القصاthe staff (unclear spelling)
هُوَ الزَورُ لَو تُعطى المُنى وَضَعَ القصا
لِيَزدادَso ... may increase مِنin حُسنِthe goodness of الثَوابِrecompense مُثابُone rewarded
لِيَزدادَ مِن حُسنِ الثَوابِ مُثابُ
It is a guest who, were your wishes granted, would lay down his staff,
so that one rewarded might gain yet more fair recompense.
شَهِدتُI testify لَأَدّىhas indeed fulfilled مِنكَthrough you واجِبَthe obligatory part of فَرضِهِits prescribed duty
شَهِدتُ لَأَدّى مِنكَ واجِبَ فَرضِهِ
عَليمٌone knowledgeable بِماin what يُرضيpleases الإِلَهَGod نِقابُdiscerning
عَليمٌ بِما يُرضي الإِلَهَ نِقابُ
I bear witness: through you its prescribed duty was fulfilled
by one discerning, knowledgeable in what pleases God.
وَجاوَرتَand you dwelt beside بَيتَthe house of اللَهِGod أُنساًfellowship بِمَعشَرٍwith a company
وَجاوَرتَ بَيتَ اللَهِ أُنساً بِمَعشَرٍ
خَشوهُthey feared Him فَخَرّواso they fell down رُكَّعاًbowing وَأَنابواand turned to Him
خَشوهُ فَخَرّوا رُكَّعاً وَأَنابوا
You dwelt beside God's house, finding fellowship with a company
who feared Him, fell down bowing, and turned to Him.
لَقَدindeed جَدَّwas earnest إِخباتٌhumility وَحَقَّand was true تَبَتُّلٌdevotion
لَقَد جَدَّ إِخباتٌ وَحَقَّ تَبَتُّلٌ
وَبالَغَand reached its utmost إِخلاصٌsincerity وَصَحَّand was sound مَتابُrepentance
وَبالَغَ إِخلاصٌ وَصَحَّ مَتابُ
Humility was earnest, and devotion was true;
sincerity reached its utmost, and repentance was sound.
سَيَخلُدُwill endure فيin الدُنياthis world بِهِthrough it لَكَfor you مَفخَرٌa source of pride
سَيَخلُدُ في الدُنيا بِهِ لَكَ مَفخَرٌ
وَيَحسُنُand will be fair فيin دارِthe abode of الخُلودِeternity مَآبُreturn
وَيَحسُنُ في دارِ الخُلودِ مَآبُ
Through it, a source of pride will endure for you in this world,
and your return in the abode of eternity will be fair.
وَبُشراكَand glad tidings to you أَعيادٌfeasts سَيَنميwill increase اِطِّرادُهاtheir succession
وَبُشراكَ أَعيادٌ سَيَنمي اِطِّرادُها
كَماas اِطَّرَدَتfollowed successively فيin السَمهَرِيِّthe stiff spear كِعابُjoints
كَما اِطَّرَدَت في السَمهَرِيِّ كِعابُ
And glad tidings to you of feasts whose succession will grow,
as joints follow one another on a stiff, straight spear.
تَرىthey see مِنكَin you سَروَthe nobility of المُلكِkingship فيin قَشَفِthe austerity of التُقىpiety
تَرى مِنكَ سَروَ المُلكِ في قَشَفِ التُقى
فَيَبرُقُهاso dazzles them مَرأىًa sight هُناكَthere عُجابُwondrous
فَيَبرُقُها مَرأىً هُناكَ عُجابُ
They behold in you kingly nobility in piety's austerity,
and a wondrous sight there dazzles them.
فَأَبلِso wear out وَأَخلِفand replace إِنَّماonly أَنتَyou لابِسٌa wearer
فَأَبلِ وَأَخلِف إِنَّما أَنتَ لابِسٌ
يَهذيraves اللَياليthe nights الغُرِّradiant وَهيَwhile they are ثِيابُgarments
يَهذي اللَيالي الغُرِّ وَهيَ ثِيابُ
Wear them out and replace them: you are but a wearer
who raves of radiant nights, which are garments.
فَدَيتُكَmay I ransom you كَمhow often أَلقىI encounter الفَواغِرَgaping mouths مِنof عِداًenemies
فَدَيتُكَ كَم أَلقى الفَواغِرَ مِن عِداً
قِراهُمtheir hospitality لِنيرانِfor the fires of الفَسادِcorruption ثِقابُtinder
قِراهُم لِنيرانِ الفَسادِ ثِقابُ
May I be your ransom! How often I face enemies' gaping mouths,
whose hospitality is tinder for corruption's fires.
عَفاforgave عَنهُمُthem قَدريmy rank الرَفيعُlofty فَأَهجَرواso they spoke obscenely
عَفا عَنهُمُ قَدري الرَفيعُ فَأَهجَروا
وَبايَنَهُمand stood apart from them خُلقيmy character الجَميلُfine فَعابواso they found fault
وَبايَنَهُم خُلقي الجَميلُ فَعابوا
My lofty rank forgave them, and they spoke obscenely;
my fine character stood apart from them, and they found fault.
وَقَدand indeed تُسمِعُmake ... hear اللَيثَthe lion الجِحاشُyoung asses نَهيقَهاtheir braying
وَقَد تُسمِعُ اللَيثَ الجِحاشُ نَهيقَها
وَتُعليand raise إِلىtoward البَدرِthe full moon النِباحَbarking كِلابُdogs
وَتُعلي إِلى البَدرِ النِباحَ كِلابُ
Young asses may make the lion hear their braying,
and dogs raise their barking toward the full moon.
إِذاif راقَdelights حُسنُthe beauty of الرَوضِthe garden أَوor فاحَspreads طيبُهُits fragrance
إِذا راقَ حُسنُ الرَوضِ أَو فاحَ طيبُهُ
فَماthen what ضَرُّهُharmed it أَنif طَنَّbuzzed فيهِin it ذُبابُflies
فَما ضَرُّهُ أَن طَنَّ فيهِ ذُبابُ
If a garden's beauty delights, or its fragrance spreads,
what harm does it suffer if flies buzz within it?
فَلاso may ... never بَرِحَتcease تِلكَthose الضَغائِنُgrudges إِنَّهاthey indeed are
فَلا بَرِحَت تِلكَ الضَغائِنُ إِنَّها
أَفاعٍvipers لَهاtheir بَينَbetween الضُلوعِthe ribs لِصابُnarrow dens
أَفاعٍ لَها بَينَ الضُلوعِ لِصابُ
May those grudges never cease: they are
vipers whose narrow dens lie between the ribs.
يَقولونَthey say شَرِّقgo east أَوor فَغَرِّبthen go west صَريمَةًresolutely
يَقولونَ شَرِّق أَو فَغَرِّب صَريمَةً
إِلىto حَيثُwhere آمالُthe hopes of النُفوسِsouls نِهابُbooty
إِلى حَيثُ آمالُ النُفوسِ نِهابُ
They say: go east, or else go west, resolutely,
to where the souls' hopes are free for the taking.
فَأَنتَfor you الحُسامُthe sword الغَضبُkeen أُصدِئَwas rusted مَتنُهُits blade
فَأَنتَ الحُسامُ الغَضبُ أُصدِئَ مَتنُهُ
وَعُطِّلَand was left idle مِنهُof it مَضرَبٌthe striking edge وَذُبابُand the point
وَعُطِّلَ مِنهُ مَضرَبٌ وَذُبابُ
For you are the keen sword whose blade has rusted,
its striking edge and point left idle.
وَماand not السَيفُthe sword مِمّاamong what يُستَبانُis discerned مَضاؤُهُits cutting power
وَما السَيفُ مِمّا يُستَبانُ مَضاؤُهُ
إِذاwhen حازَenclosed جَفنٌa sheath حَدَّهُits edge وَقِرابُand a scabbard
إِذا حازَ جَفنٌ حَدَّهُ وَقِرابُ
A sword's cutting power cannot be clearly known
when sheath and scabbard enclose its edge.
وَإِنَّand indeed الَّذيwhat أَمَّلتُI hoped for كُدِّرَwas clouded صَفوُهُits purity
وَإِنَّ الَّذي أَمَّلتُ كُدِّرَ صَفوُهُ
فَأَضحىso became الرِضاcontentment بِالسُخطِwith displeasure مِنهُfrom it يُشابُmixed
فَأَضحى الرِضا بِالسُخطِ مِنهُ يُشابُ
What I had hoped for has had its purity clouded,
and its contentment is now mixed with displeasure.
وَقَدand indeed أَخلَفَتfailed مِمّاof what ظَنَنتُI thought مَخايِلٌpromising signs
وَقَد أَخلَفَت مِمّا ظَنَنتُ مَخايِلٌ
وَقَدand indeed صَفِرَتemptied مِمّاof what رَجَوتُI hoped for وِطابُmilk-skins
وَقَد صَفِرَت مِمّا رَجَوتُ وِطابُ
Promising signs have belied what I thought,
and milk-skins stand empty of what I hoped for.
فَمَنso who ليfor me بِسُلطانٍwith authority مُبينٍmanifest عَلَيهِمُover them
فَمَن لي بِسُلطانٍ مُبينٍ عَلَيهِمُ
إِذاwhen لَجَّpersisted بِالخَصمِin the opponent الأَلَدِّbitterly obstinate شِغابُquarrelsomeness
إِذا لَجَّ بِالخَصمِ الأَلَدِّ شِغابُ
Who will give me manifest authority over them
when quarrelsomeness persists in a bitterly obstinate opponent?
لِيُخزِهِمُto disgrace them إِنif لَمnot تَرِدنِيَturns me back نَبوَةٌa rebuff
لِيُخزِهِمُ إِن لَم تَرِدنِيَ نَبوَةٌ
يُساءُis hurt الفَتىthe young man مِنby مِثلِهاits like وَيُرابُand is made suspicious
يُساءُ الفَتى مِن مِثلِها وَيُرابُ
To disgrace them, if no rebuff turns me away,
such as makes a man unhappy and suspicious.
فَقَدfor indeed تَتَغَشّىmay overspread صَفحَةُthe surface of الماءِthe water كُدرَةٌcloudiness
فَقَد تَتَغَشّى صَفحَةُ الماءِ كُدرَةٌ
وَيَغطوand covers عَلىover ضَوءِthe light of النَهارِdaylight ضَبابُmist
وَيَغطو عَلى ضَوءِ النَهارِ ضَبابُ
For cloudiness may overspread the water's surface,
and mist may cover daylight's brightness.
سُرورُthe joy of الغِنىwealth مالَمunless يَكُنit is مِنكَfrom you حَسرَةٌgrief
سُرورُ الغِنى مالَم يَكُن مِنكَ حَسرَةٌ
وَأَريُand the honey of المُنىhopes مالَمunless تُنَلis attained بِكَthrough you صابُbitter sap
وَأَريُ المُنى مالَم تُنَل بِكَ صابُ
The joy of wealth, unless it comes from you, is grief,
and the honey of hopes, unless attained through you, is bitter sap.
وَإِنand if يَكُthere is فيamong أَهلِthe people of الزَمانِthe age مُؤَمَّلٌone hoped in
وَإِن يَكُ في أَهلِ الزَمانِ مُؤَمَّلٌ
فَأَنتَthen you الشَرابُthe drink العَذبُsweet وَهوَwhile he is سَرابُa mirage
فَأَنتَ الشَرابُ العَذبُ وَهوَ سَرابُ
If anyone among the people of this age is hoped in,
you are the sweet drink, while he is a mirage.
أَيُعوِرُcan ... be exposed مِنof جارِthe neighbor of السِماكَينِthe Two Simaks جانِبٌa flank
أَيُعوِرُ مِن جارِ السِماكَينِ جانِبٌ
وَيُمعِزُand grows stony-barren فيin ظِلِّthe shade of الرَبيعِspring جَنابُa dwelling
وَيُمعِزُ في ظِلِّ الرَبيعِ جَنابُ
Can the flank of one who neighbors the Two Simaks lie exposed,
or a dwelling grow barren in springtime's shade?
فَأَينَwhere, then, is ثَناءٌpraise يَهرَمُgrows old الدَهرُTime كِبرَةًwith age
فَأَينَ ثَناءٌ يَهرَمُ الدَهرُ كِبرَةً
وَحِليَتُهُand its adornment فيamong الغابِرينَlater generations شَبابُyouth
وَحِليَتُهُ في الغابِرينَ شَبابُ
Where, then, is praise, as Time grows decrepit,
while its adornment among later generations stays young?
سَأَبكيI shall weep عَلىover حَظّيmy fortune لَدَيكَwith you كَماas بَكىwept
سَأَبكي عَلى حَظّي لَدَيكَ كَما بَكى
رَبيعَةُRabi'a لَمّاwhen ضَلَّwas lost عَنهُto him ذُؤابُDhu'ab
رَبيعَةُ لَمّا ضَلَّ عَنهُ ذُؤابُ
I shall weep over my fortune with you, as
Rabi'a wept when Dhu'ab was lost to him.
وَأَشكوand I complain of نُبُوَّthe recoiling of الجَنبِthe side عَنfrom كُلِّevery مَضجَعٍresting-place
وَأَشكو نُبُوَّ الجَنبِ عَن كُلِّ مَضجَعٍ
كَماas يَتَجافىafford no rest بِالأَسيرِto the captive ظِرابُhillocks
كَما يَتَجافى بِالأَسيرِ ظِرابُ
I complain that my side recoils from every resting-place,
as hillocks afford a captive no rest.
فَثِقso trust بِهِزَبرِin the lion of الشِعرِpoetry وَاِصفَحand disregard عَنِfrom الوَرىmankind
فَثِق بِهِزَبرِ الشِعرِ وَاِصفَح عَنِ الوَرى
فَإِنَّهُمُfor they إِلّاexcept الأَقَلَّthe very few ذُبابُflies
فَإِنَّهُمُ إِلّا الأَقَلَّ ذُبابُ
Trust the lion of poetry, and disregard mankind,
for, except a very few, they are flies.
وَلاand do not تَعدِلِequate المُثنينَthe praisers بيwith me فَأَfor (fragment) ناI (completion) الَّذيwho
وَلا تَعدِلِ المُثنينَ بي فَأَ نا الَّذي
إِذاwhen حَضَرَvisit العُقمَthe barren poets الشَوارِدُelusive verses غابواthey are absent
إِذا حَضَرَ العُقمَ الشَوارِدُ غابوا
Do not rank the praisers equal to me, for I am the one
who is there when elusive verses visit the barren poets and they are absent.
يَنوبُstands in عَنِfor المُدّاحِthe panegyrists مِنِّيَin me واحِدٌone man
يَنوبُ عَنِ المُدّاحِ مِنِّيَ واحِدٌ
جَميعُcomplete in الخِصالِthe qualities لَيسَthere is not عَنهُfor him مَنابُa substitute
جَميعُ الخِصالِ لَيسَ عَنهُ مَنابُ
One man in me can stand in for all the panegyrists,
complete in every quality, with none to stand in for him.
وَرَدتُI reached مَعينَthe spring of الطَبعِnatural talent إِذwhen ذيدَwere driven away دونَهُaway from it
وَرَدتُ مَعينَ الطَبعِ إِذ ذيدَ دونَهُ
أُناسٌpeople لَهُمthey have فيalong حَجرَتَيهِits two banks لُوابُthirsty wandering
أُناسٌ لَهُم في حَجرَتَيهِ لُوابُ
I reached the spring of natural talent when others were driven away,
people wandering thirstily along its two banks.
وَنَجَّدَنيand fortified me عِلمٌknowledge تَوالَتfollowed successively فُنونُهُits branches
وَنَجَّدَني عِلمٌ تَوالَت فُنونُهُ
كَماas يَتَوالىfollow successively فيon النِظامِthe string سِخابُnecklaces
كَما يَتَوالى في النِظامِ سِخابُ
Knowledge fortified me, its branches succeeding one another,
as necklaces follow one another on a string.
فَعُدso return بِيَدٍwith a favor بَيضاءَshining يَصدَعُproclaims aloud صِدقُهاits sincerity
فَعُد بِيَدٍ بَيضاءَ يَصدَعُ صِدقُها
فَإِنَّfor indeed أَراجيفَmalicious rumors العُداةِthe enemies كِذابُlies
فَإِنَّ أَراجيفَ العُداةِ كِذابُ
So return with a shining favor whose sincerity speaks aloud,
for the enemies' malicious rumors are lies.
وَحاشاكَand far be it from you مِنfrom أَنthat تُستَمَرَّbe found bitter مَريرَةٌa twisted cord
وَحاشاكَ مِن أَن تُستَمَرَّ مَريرَةٌ
لِعَهدِكَof your covenant أَوor يَخفىbe hidden عَلَيكَfrom you صَوابُthe right course
لِعَهدِكَ أَو يَخفى عَلَيكَ صَوابُ
Far be it from you that a strand should prove bitter
in your covenant, or that the right course escape you.
Translation model: Sol 6.1