أَهَزُّ حُسام يُنتَضى وَسِنان

أَهَزُّ حُسام يُنتَضى وَسِنان

وَمَوتُ شُجاعٍ مِثل مَوتِ جَبانِ

وَمَوتُ شُجاعٍ مِثل مَوتِ جَبانِ

Shall I brandish a drawn sword and a spear,

I brandish a drawn sword and a spearhead,

when a brave man's death is like a coward's death?

Yet the death of the brave is like the death of the coward.

عَلَينا المَنايا قُدِّرَت وَعَلى العِدى

عَلَينا المَنايا قُدِّرَت وَعَلى العِدى

فَيا لِضرابٍ بَينَنا وَطِعانِ

فَيا لِضرابٍ بَينَنا وَطِعانِ

Deaths have been decreed for us and for our enemies:

Dooms are decreed upon us and upon our foes,

so, what swordplay and spear-thrusts between us!

So alas for the striking and stabbing between us.

رُزِئتُ فَعَزَّوني وَقَد عَزَّني الأَسى

رُزِئتُ فَعَزَّوني وَقَد عَزَّني الأَسى

وَكَيفَ التَأَسّي وَاِبني الثَقلانِ

وَكَيفَ التَأَسّي وَاِبني الثَقلانِ

I was bereaved, and they consoled me, though grief had overcome me.

I was stricken, so they offered condolences, yet sorrow overwhelmed me,

How can I find solace, when my son was mankind and jinn to me?

And how can there be consolation when my son was equal to all worlds?

وَقالوا تَفَرَّس هَل مِنَ القَومِ فارِس

وَقالوا تَفَرَّس هَل مِنَ القَومِ فارِس

بِحصنٍ يُوَقّى المَوتَ أَو بِحصانِ

بِحصنٍ يُوَقّى المَوتَ أَو بِحصانِ

They said, “Look closely: is there among men a horseman

They said, "Look closely: is there any knight among the people

protected from death by a fortress or a steed?”

Protected from death by a fortress or a steed?"

فَقُلتُ الرَدى لا ردَّ فيهِ وَإِنَّما

فَقُلتُ الرَدى لا ردَّ فيهِ وَإِنَّما

عَزاءُ هِجان في مُصابِ هِجانِ

عَزاءُ هِجان في مُصابِ هِجانِ

I said, “Death admits no repelling; there is only

I said, "There is no turning back destruction, but only

a noble soul's endurance at a noble soul's loss.”

The solace of the noble in the loss of the noble."

لِكَثرَةُ رُزء أَو لِقِلَّةِ فُرصَةٍ

لِكَثرَةُ رُزء أَو لِقِلَّةِ فُرصَةٍ

تعرُّ بِعارٍ أَو تَهونُ بِهانِ

تعرُّ بِعارٍ أَو تَهونُ بِهانِ

Does frequent bereavement, or scarcity of opportunity,

Whether for the magnitude of calamity or the scarcity of opportunity,

bring disgrace, or bring one low through humiliation?

One is tainted by shame or humbled by disgrace.

بِنَفسي نَجم أَظلَم الأُفق إِذ هَوى

بِنَفسي نَجم أَظلَم الأُفق إِذ هَوى

وَكادَ يُعَزّيني بِهِ القَمَرانِ

وَكادَ يُعَزّيني بِهِ القَمَرانِ

My life for a star whose fall darkened the horizon,

I ransom with my soul a star that darkened the horizon when it fell,

for whom the sun and moon almost consoled me.

And for which the sun and moon almost offered me solace.

سَلوا الدَهرَ هَل أخبى غداةَ وَفاته

سَلوا الدَهرَ هَل أخبى غداةَ وَفاته

سَنا المُشتَري أَم هَدَّ رُكن أَبانِ

سَنا المُشتَري أَم هَدَّ رُكن أَبانِ

Ask time whether, on the morning of his death, it extinguished

Ask Time if, on the morning of his death, it extinguished

Jupiter's radiance or shattered Aban's buttress.

The brilliance of Jupiter or tore down the pillar of Mount Aban.

كَأَنَّ ذِراعي جُذَّ مِن عَضدي بِهِ

كَأَنَّ ذِراعي جُذَّ مِن عَضدي بِهِ

كَأَنَّ حُسامي فُلُّ وَهوَ لِساني

كَأَنَّ حُسامي فُلُّ وَهوَ لِساني

As though my forearm had been severed from my upper arm by it,

It is as if my forearm were severed from my upper arm because of him;

as though my sword were blunted—and it is my tongue.

It is as if my sword were blunted, and that sword is my tongue.

فَمن لِبَني الدُنيا مَقولي إِذا نَبا

فَمن لِبَني الدُنيا مَقولي إِذا نَبا

بِحكمَةِ أَشعاري وَسحر بَياني

بِحكمَةِ أَشعاري وَسحر بَياني

Who will serve the world's children, if my tongue falters,

So who will speak for the children of the world if my speech fails,

with the wisdom of my poems and the magic of my eloquence?

With the wisdom of my verses and the magic of my eloquence?

بِعَبد الغنيّ اِستَغنتِ العَينُ أَن تَرى

بِعَبد الغنيّ اِستَغنتِ العَينُ أَن تَرى

مَحاسِنَ طُرزٍ في الرِياضِ حسانِ

مَحاسِنَ طُرزٍ في الرِياضِ حسانِ

Through Abd al-Ghani, the eye had no need to see

In Abd al-Ghani, the eye found richness enough to forgo seeing

the beauties of lovely patterns in the gardens.

The beauties of embroidered patterns in fair gardens.

فَما الدُرُّ إِلّا ما يُنَثَّرُ مِن فَم

فَما الدُرُّ إِلّا ما يُنَثَّرُ مِن فَم

وَما الزَهرُ إِلّا ما نَشى بِبَنانِ

وَما الزَهرُ إِلّا ما نَشى بِبَنانِ

For pearls are only what is scattered from a mouth,

For pearls are nothing but what is scattered from a mouth,

and flowers are only what sprang from fingertips.

And flowers are nothing but what blooms from fingertips.

رَبيعُ رُبوعي كانَ صَوبَ صَوابِهِ

رَبيعُ رُبوعي كانَ صَوبَ صَوابِهِ

يُنَوِّرُ مِنهُ الطَرفَ كُلَّ أَوانِ

يُنَوِّرُ مِنهُ الطَرفَ كُلَّ أَوانِ

The springtime of my dwellings was the downpour of his sound judgment,

The spring of my dwellings was the downpour of his correctness,

from which the eye drew brightness at every moment.

Illuminating the gaze with it at every moment.

زَكا فَأَتاني يَغلِبُ الجَمعَ وَحدَهُ

زَكا فَأَتاني يَغلِبُ الجَمعَ وَحدَهُ

وَعَن رَأيِهِ يصّالحُ الفتيانِ

وَعَن رَأيِهِ يصّالحُ الفتيانِ

He flourished and came to me, surpassing the whole company alone;

He grew in virtue, coming to me surpassing the multitude alone,

through his counsel the young men made peace.

And upon his judgment, young men would reconcile.

فَلَو كانَ في صفّين إِذ هُوَ يافِع

فَلَو كانَ في صفّين إِذ هُوَ يافِع

تَراضى بِهِ الخَصمانِ وَالحَكَمانِ

تَراضى بِهِ الخَصمانِ وَالحَكَمانِ

Had he been at Siffin, even while a youth,

Had he been present at Siffin when he was but a youth,

both adversaries and both arbiters would have accepted him.

The two adversaries and the two arbitrators would have accepted him.

وَلَو كانَت النيرانُ مِثل ذكائِهِ

وَلَو كانَت النيرانُ مِثل ذكائِهِ

تَلَظَّت لِموريها بِغَيرِ دُخانِ

تَلَظَّت لِموريها بِغَيرِ دُخانِ

Had fires been like his brilliance,

And if fires were like his keen intelligence,

they would have blazed for their kindler without smoke.

They would blaze for their kindler without any smoke.

وَلَو أَطلَعَ اللَهُ الهِلالَ طُلوعَهُ

وَلَو أَطلَعَ اللَهُ الهِلالَ طُلوعَهُ

لَقالوا لِسَبعٍ تَمَّ أَو لثمانِ

لَقالوا لِسَبعٍ تَمَّ أَو لثمانِ

Had God made the crescent rise as he rose,

And if God had made the crescent moon rise with his rising,

they would have said, “It reached fullness at seven nights—or eight.”

They would have said, "It became full in seven nights or eight."

وَلَو أَنبَتَ اللَهُ الغُصونَ نَباتَهُ

وَلَو أَنبَتَ اللَهُ الغُصونَ نَباتَهُ

دَنا مِن جَناها ما تَخَيَّرَ جانِ

دَنا مِن جَناها ما تَخَيَّرَ جانِ

Had God made branches grow as he grew,

And if God had made branches grow with his growth,

whatever fruit a gatherer chose would have hung within reach.

What the picker chose of their fruit would be close at hand.

وَلَو طابَتِ الأَيّامُ بَعدَ مَذاقهُ

وَلَو طابَتِ الأَيّامُ بَعدَ مَذاقهُ

لَما شَرِبَت لِلحرِّ بَعد ليانِ

لَما شَرِبَت لِلحرِّ بَعد ليانِ

Had the days grown sweet after tasting him,

And if the days were sweet after tasting his loss,

they would not have drunk for the noble after gentleness [wording unclear].

One would not have drunk bitterness after softness.

أَحينَ شَأى مِن فَضلِهِ كُلّ سابِق

أَحينَ شَأى مِن فَضلِهِ كُلّ سابِق

وَغَنّى شَآمٌ بِاِسمِهِ وَيَمانِ

وَغَنّى شَآمٌ بِاِسمِهِ وَيَمانِ

Was it just when his excellence had outstripped every forerunner,

Is it now, when he has outstripped every predecessor in virtue,

and Syrian and Yemeni sang his name,

And the Levantine and the Yemeni have sung his name?

وَجَرَّ قَناةَ النَصرِ لِلظَّعنِ في العِدى

وَجَرَّ قَناةَ النَصرِ لِلظَّعنِ في العِدى

وَراشَ جَناح العِزِّ لِلطَيَرانِ

وَراشَ جَناح العِزِّ لِلطَيَرانِ

and he drew victory's spear to march against his enemies,

And he trailed the spear of victory to strike at the enemy,

and feathered glory's wing for flight,

And feathered the wing of glory for flight?

رَمَتهُ فَأَصَمتهُ السِهامُ وَإِنَّهُ

رَمَتهُ فَأَصَمتهُ السِهامُ وَإِنَّهُ

لَفي زردٍ مِن دَعوَتي وَكنانِ

لَفي زردٍ مِن دَعوَتي وَكنانِ

that arrows struck him and killed him outright, though he

The arrows struck him and silenced him, even though he was

was clad in chain mail and shelter woven from my prayers?

Clad in the mail of my prayers and protection.

كَأَنَّ الرَدى يَومَ العُروبَةِ إِذ مَضى

كَأَنَّ الرَدى يَومَ العُروبَةِ إِذ مَضى

أَراني جِبال الأَرضِ فَوقَ أَرانِ

أَراني جِبال الأَرضِ فَوقَ أَرانِ

It was as though death, on Friday when he departed,

It is as if Death, on the Friday when he passed,

showed me the earth's mountains atop a bier.

Showed me the mountains of the earth placed upon a bier.

كَأَنَّ السَماءَ اِنشَقَّتِ اليَومَ لِلَّذي

كَأَنَّ السَماءَ اِنشَقَّتِ اليَومَ لِلَّذي

دَعاني فَكانَت وَردَةً كَدِهانِ

دَعاني فَكانَت وَردَةً كَدِهانِ

As though the sky split open today for the one

It is as if the heavens split asunder today for the one who called me,

who called me; it turned rose-red, like oil.

And became rose-colored like burning oil.

أَلا إِنّ قُضباً مِسنَ في دَوحَةِ العُلا

أَلا إِنّ قُضباً مِسنَ في دَوحَةِ العُلا

لِدانٍ نأى أَصبَحنَ غَير لِدانِ

لِدانٍ نأى أَصبَحنَ غَير لِدانِ

Ah, branches that swayed within the great tree of eminence,

Truly, branches that once swayed in the grove of nobility,

for one once near, now far away, have grown unbending.

For a near one who has departed, have become unbending.

سألتُ حَبيبَ النَفسِ أَينَ مَكانهُ

سألتُ حَبيبَ النَفسِ أَينَ مَكانهُ

إِذا نُشِرَ المَوتى وَأَينَ مَكاني

إِذا نُشِرَ المَوتى وَأَينَ مَكاني

I asked my soul's beloved where his place would be

I asked the beloved of my soul where his place shall be

when the dead are raised, and where my place would be.

When the dead are resurrected, and where my place shall be.

فَقالَ مَكاني حَيثُ جِئتَ بِجَنَّةٍ

فَقالَ مَكاني حَيثُ جِئتَ بِجَنَّةٍ

مُذلَّلَةٍ مِنها القُطوفُ دَواني

مُذلَّلَةٍ مِنها القُطوفُ دَواني

He said, “My place is where you have come, in a garden

He said, "My place is where you find a Garden,

whose fruit-clusters are brought low, close at hand.

With branches lowered and clusters hanging near."

وَلا عِلمَ لي إِلّا بِنَقسي وَجَدتُها

وَلا عِلمَ لي إِلّا بِنَقسي وَجَدتُها

فَيا أَبَتِ اِعمَل صالِحاً لِتَراني

فَيا أَبَتِ اِعمَل صالِحاً لِتَراني

I know only my own soul, as I found it;

"I have no knowledge save what I have found within myself;

so, Father, do good that you may see me.

So, O my father, do good deeds that you may see me."

وَيا أَبَتِ اِحذَر فِتنَةَ القَبرِ إِنَّها

وَيا أَبَتِ اِحذَر فِتنَةَ القَبرِ إِنَّها

مَخافَةُ مَن لَم يَجتَهِد لِأَمانِ

مَخافَةُ مَن لَم يَجتَهِد لِأَمانِ

And Father, beware the trial of the grave; it is

"O my father, beware the trial of the grave, for it is

the dread of one who has not striven for safety.

The dread of one who has not striven for safety."

وَيا أَبَتِ اِعمَل لَستَ عَنّي جازِياً

وَيا أَبَتِ اِعمَل لَستَ عَنّي جازِياً

وَلا عَنكَ أَجزي غَيرُ شَأنكَ شاني

وَلا عَنكَ أَجزي غَيرُ شَأنكَ شاني

And Father, act: you cannot answer for me,

"O my father, work! You cannot answer for me,

nor can I answer for you; my case is not yours.

Nor can I answer for you; your state is distinct from mine."

وَيا أَبَتِ اِتلُ الذِكرَ حَسبُكَ واعِظاً

وَيا أَبَتِ اِتلُ الذِكرَ حَسبُكَ واعِظاً

تَدَبُّرُ آىٍ فُصِّلت وَمَثانِ

تَدَبُّرُ آىٍ فُصِّلت وَمَثانِ

And Father, recite the Reminder; sufficient admonition for you is

"O my father, recite the Remembrance; it suffices you as a preacher

reflection on verses set out clearly and oft-repeated.

To ponder verses detailed and oft-repeated."

وَيا أَبَتِ اِستَيقِظ فَإِنَّكَ نائِمٌ

وَيا أَبَتِ اِستَيقِظ فَإِنَّكَ نائِمٌ

وَيا أَبَتِ اِستَعجِل فَإِنَّكَ وانِ

وَيا أَبَتِ اِستَعجِل فَإِنَّكَ وانِ

And Father, awaken, for you are asleep.

"O my father, wake up, for you are sleeping!

And Father, hasten, for you are lagging.

O my father, make haste, for you are lagging!"

وَيا أَبَتِ اِستَشفِع نَبِيَّكَ واثِقاً

وَيا أَبَتِ اِستَشفِع نَبِيَّكَ واثِقاً

بِوَعدٍ يُوَفّيهِ غَداً وَضَمانِ

بِوَعدٍ يُوَفّيهِ غَداً وَضَمانِ

And Father, seek your Prophet's intercession, trusting

"O my father, seek the intercession of your Prophet, trusting

in a promise he will fulfill tomorrow, and a pledge.

In a promise and guarantee he will fulfill tomorrow."

نَجا اِبنُكَ فَاِنظُر في نَجاتِك وَاِعتَمِد

نَجا اِبنُكَ فَاِنظُر في نَجاتِك وَاِعتَمِد

عَلى عَمَلٍ يَبقى فَإِنَّكَ فانِ

عَلى عَمَلٍ يَبقى فَإِنَّكَ فانِ

Your son is saved; look to your own salvation and rely

"Your son is saved, so look to your own salvation and rely

on deeds that endure, for you will perish:

Upon a deed that endures, for you are mortal."

عَلى البِرِّ وَالتَقوى وَحُبِّ مُحَمَّدٍ

عَلى البِرِّ وَالتَقوى وَحُبِّ مُحَمَّدٍ

وَمُستَوزريهِ حَبَّذا العُمَرانِ

وَمُستَوزريهِ حَبَّذا العُمَرانِ

on righteousness, piety, and love of Muhammad,

"Upon righteousness, piety, and the love of Muhammad

and his two appointed ministers—how excellent the two Umars!

And his viziers—how excellent are the two 'Umars!"

وَسائِرِ أَصحابٍ كَفَوهُ كَأَنَّهُم

وَسائِرِ أَصحابٍ كَفَوهُ كَأَنَّهُم

بَنانٌ وَدينُ اللَهِ وَهوَ يدانِ

بَنانٌ وَدينُ اللَهِ وَهوَ يدانِ

And all the other Companions who sufficed him, as though they

"And all the Companions who aided him, as if they were

were fingers, while God's religion and he were two hands.

Fingers, while the religion of God and he were two hands."

عَلَيهِم صَلاةُ اللَهِ ثُمَّ عَلى الَّذي

عَلَيهِم صَلاةُ اللَهِ ثُمَّ عَلى الَّذي

تَوَفّاهُ بَرّاً في أَعَقِّ زَمانِ

تَوَفّاهُ بَرّاً في أَعَقِّ زَمانِ

God's blessing be upon them, then upon the one

"Upon them be the peace of God, and then upon the one

whom He took, dutiful in a most unfilial age.”

Whom He took as a righteous soul in a most ungrateful age."

كَشَفتَ إِلَيَّ الغَيبَ يا اِبني وَلَم تَخب

كَشَفتَ إِلَيَّ الغَيبَ يا اِبني وَلَم تَخب

وَلكِنَّ عَقلي دَلَّني فَهَداني

وَلكِنَّ عَقلي دَلَّني فَهَداني

You unveiled the unseen to me, my son, and did not fail;

You have unveiled the Unseen to me, O my son, and did not mislead,

yet my own reason showed me and guided me.

Though my own intellect had pointed me and guided me.

تُتَرجمُ عَن أَهلِ القُبورِ قُبورهُم

تُتَرجمُ عَن أَهلِ القُبورِ قُبورهُم

فَيفهَمُ مِن دونِ الكَلامِ مَعانِ

فَيفهَمُ مِن دونِ الكَلامِ مَعانِ

Their graves interpret for the inhabitants of the graves,

The graves translate on behalf of their inhabitants,

and one understands meanings without speech.

So meanings are understood without spoken words.

وَمَن خَذَلتَهُ عبرَةٌ عِندَ عبرَةٍ

وَمَن خَذَلتَهُ عبرَةٌ عِندَ عبرَةٍ

فَذاكَ جَمادٌ عُدَّ في الحَيَوانِ

فَذاكَ جَمادٌ عُدَّ في الحَيَوانِ

And whoever is denied a tear when faced with a lesson

And he whom a lesson fails to move when tears are shed

is a lifeless thing numbered among the living.

Is but a stone counted among the living.

إذا اِعتَبَرَ المُستَبصِرونَ كَفاهُمُ

إذا اِعتَبَرَ المُستَبصِرونَ كَفاهُمُ

حَديثُ الصّبا وَالشَيبِ وَالحَدَثانِ

حَديثُ الصّبا وَالشَيبِ وَالحَدَثانِ

When the clear-sighted take heed, sufficient for them is

If the insightful take heed, they are sufficed by

the tale of youth, gray hair, and time's calamities.

The tale of youth, hoary age, and the shifting of days.

أَكافورُ شَيبٍ بَعدَ مِسكِ شَبيبَةٍ

أَكافورُ شَيبٍ بَعدَ مِسكِ شَبيبَةٍ

وَسُمُّ مَنونٍ بَعدَ شَهدِ أَمانِ

وَسُمُّ مَنونٍ بَعدَ شَهدِ أَمانِ

Can gray hair's camphor follow youth's musk,

Is it the camphor of white hair after the musk of youth?

and death's poison the honey of hopes,

And the poison of death after the honey of safety?

وَقُبحُ شَتاتٍ بَعدَ حُسنِ تَأَلُّفٍ

وَقُبحُ شَتاتٍ بَعدَ حُسنِ تَأَلُّفٍ

وَوَحشَةُ قَبرٍ بَعدَ أُنسِ مَغانِ

وَوَحشَةُ قَبرٍ بَعدَ أُنسِ مَغانِ

and separation's ugliness the beauty of union,

And the ugliness of dispersion after the beauty of union?

and a grave's loneliness the companionship of homes—

And the desolation of a grave after the comfort of home?

فَيَأتي الهَوى حَتّى يَسُدَّ مَسامِعي

فَيَأتي الهَوى حَتّى يَسُدَّ مَسامِعي

بُكاءُ حَمامٍ عَن غِناءِ قيانِ

بُكاءُ حَمامٍ عَن غِناءِ قيانِ

yet desire still come, until my hearing is blocked

Then passion comes until the weeping of doves

by doves' laments against the song of singing girls?

Blocks my ears from the singing of songstresses.

نَسيتُ ذُنوبي أَو تَناسَيتُ بِالهَوى

نَسيتُ ذُنوبي أَو تَناسَيتُ بِالهَوى

وَأَحصى عَلَيَّ اللَهُ وَالمَلَكانِ

وَأَحصى عَلَيَّ اللَهُ وَالمَلَكانِ

I forgot my sins—or feigned forgetting through desire—

I forgot my sins, or feigned forgetfulness in my passion,

while God and the two angels counted them against me.

Yet God and the two angels have recorded them against me.

فَإِن حُرِمَ العاصي أَبوكَ شَفاعَةً

فَإِن حُرِمَ العاصي أَبوكَ شَفاعَةً

تَكونُ لَهُ عِزّاً هَوى لِهَوانِ

تَكونُ لَهُ عِزّاً هَوى لِهَوانِ

If your sinful father is denied intercession

So if your sinful father is denied intercession,

that would exalt him, he falls into abasement.

Which would be glory for him who has fallen into shame...

عَسى اللَهُ يُنجيهِ فَلَيسَ وَإِن عَصى

عَسى اللَهُ يُنجيهِ فَلَيسَ وَإِن عَصى

بِمُستَيئِسٍ مِن رَحمَةٍ وَجنانِ

بِمُستَيئِسٍ مِن رَحمَةٍ وَجنانِ

May God save him; though he has sinned, he is not

Perhaps God will save him, for even if he disobeyed,

despairing of mercy and gardens of Paradise.

He does not despair of Mercy and Paradise.

لِيَهنكَ يا اِبني أَنَّ شُربَكَ بارِدٌ

لِيَهنكَ يا اِبني أَنَّ شُربَكَ بارِدٌ

وَشُربي إن لَم يَعفُ رَبّي آنِ

وَشُربي إن لَم يَعفُ رَبّي آنِ

May it gladden you, my son, that your drink is cool,

Let it gladden you, my son, that your drink is cool,

while mine, unless my Lord forgives, is boiling.

While my drink, if my Lord does not forgive, is scalding hot.

كَأَنّ حَماماتِ الأَراكِ تَرَنَّمَت

كَأَنّ حَماماتِ الأَراكِ تَرَنَّمَت

عَلى نَشَواتي وَالشُؤونُ دِناني

عَلى نَشَواتي وَالشُؤونُ دِناني

As though the doves of the arak trees sang

It is as if the doves of the arak tree crooned

over my intoxicated raptures, with my tear-ducts as my wine-jars.

Over my delirium, while my tear-ducts were the wine jars.

أَزورُكَ غِبّاً وَالمَسافَةُ بَينَنا

أَزورُكَ غِبّاً وَالمَسافَةُ بَينَنا

قَريبٌ وَلكِن لا سَبيلَ لِعانِ

قَريبٌ وَلكِن لا سَبيلَ لِعانِ

I visit you on alternate days, and the distance between us

I visit you at intervals, and though the distance between us

is short, but a captive has no way through.

Is near, there is no path for the captive.

بِوَجهي أَقيكَ التُربَ حَيثُ تُطيبُهُ

بِوَجهي أَقيكَ التُربَ حَيثُ تُطيبُهُ

بِعرفِ ثَناءٍ وَهوَ مِنّي دانِ

بِعرفِ ثَناءٍ وَهوَ مِنّي دانِ

With my face I shield you from the earth, where you perfume it

With my own face I would shield you from the dust, where you perfume it

with the fragrance of praise, though it lies near me.

With the scent of praise, while it lies close to me.

حَلَلتَ غَريباً فيهِ وَالثكلُ حَولَهُ

حَلَلتَ غَريباً فيهِ وَالثكلُ حَولَهُ

يُرَوّي الحَصا مِن دَمعِ كُلِّ حصانِ

يُرَوّي الحَصا مِن دَمعِ كُلِّ حصانِ

You lodged there a stranger, while bereavement all around it

You settled there as a stranger, while bereavement around it

waters the pebbles with every chaste woman's tears.

Waters the pebbles with the tears of every chaste woman.

وَلا بَصَرٌ يَرعاكَ إِلّا بَصيرَتي

وَلا بَصَرٌ يَرعاكَ إِلّا بَصيرَتي

وَلا جُنَنٌ تَحويكَ غَير جِناني

وَلا جُنَنٌ تَحويكَ غَير جِناني

No eye watches over you but my inward sight,

No eye watches over you except my inner vision,

and no protection enfolds you but my heart.

And no shrouds embrace you except my heart.

بَلى كُلُّ قلبٍ أَنتَ فيهِ مُمثّل

بَلى كُلُّ قلبٍ أَنتَ فيهِ مُمثّل

وَإِن كُنتَ لا تَشفي الوَرى بِعَيانِ

وَإِن كُنتَ لا تَشفي الوَرى بِعَيانِ

Indeed, your image is present in every heart,

Indeed, in every heart your image is enshrined,

though you do not soothe mankind by appearing before their eyes.

Even if you no longer heal mankind by your presence.

فَمَعناكَ مَعنى لَيلَةِ القَدرِ إِنَّها

فَمَعناكَ مَعنى لَيلَةِ القَدرِ إِنَّها

عَلى الناسِ تَخفى وَهيَ في رَمَضانِ

عَلى الناسِ تَخفى وَهيَ في رَمَضانِ

Your hidden presence is like the Night of Decree:

Your significance is like the Night of Power:

it is concealed from people, though it lies within Ramadan.

It is hidden from men, though it lies within Ramadan.

طَوى مِن شَبابي الدَهرُ ما أَنا ناشِرٌ

طَوى مِن شَبابي الدَهرُ ما أَنا ناشِرٌ

وَهَدَّمَ فيكَ المَوتُ ما أَنا بانِ

وَهَدَّمَ فيكَ المَوتُ ما أَنا بانِ

Time has folded away what I unfold of my youth,

Time has folded away the youth I can never unfold again,

and in you death has demolished what I build.

And Death has destroyed in you what I was building.

وَلَمّا دَهاني الدَهرُ وَاِبني وَأُمّه

وَلَمّا دَهاني الدَهرُ وَاِبني وَأُمّه

بِحَربَينِ بِكرٍ مرَّةٍ وَعَوانِ

بِحَربَينِ بِكرٍ مرَّةٍ وَعَوانِ

When time assailed me, my son, and his mother

And when Time struck me—my son and his mother—

with two wars, a bitter maiden one and one renewed,

With two wars, one new and one returning,

صَدَدتُ عَنِ البيضِ الرَعابيبِ سَلوَةٍ

صَدَدتُ عَنِ البيضِ الرَعابيبِ سَلوَةٍ

وَأقسَمتُ جهداً لا مَلَكنَ عَناني

وَأقسَمتُ جهداً لا مَلَكنَ عَناني

I turned from fair, soft-bodied women, renouncing them,

I turned away from fair, soft maidens in renunciation,

and swore my strongest oath they would never hold my reins.

And swore a solemn oath they would never hold my reins.

فَمِن أَينَ لي نَجلٌ أَقولُ إِذا زَكا

فَمِن أَينَ لي نَجلٌ أَقولُ إِذا زَكا

تَشابَهَ في مَعناهُما الأَخَوانِ

تَشابَهَ في مَعناهُما الأَخَوانِ

Where, then, could I find a son of whom, as he flourished, I might say,

So whence shall I get a son of whom I might say, if he thrives,

“The two brothers resemble one another in their essence”?

"The two brothers are alike in their essence"?

وَأَنتَ الَّذي تَزهى عَلى الشُهبِ قائِلاً

وَأَنتَ الَّذي تَزهى عَلى الشُهبِ قائِلاً

ذُكاء وَبَدرُ التمِّ لي أَبَوانِ

ذُكاء وَبَدرُ التمِّ لي أَبَوانِ

You were the one who boasted before the stars, saying,

You are the one who boasts above the stars, saying:

“Dhuka and the full moon are my two parents.”

"The Sun and the full Moon are my parents."

وَلَو متَّ قَبلَ البَينِ يا واحِد العُلا

وَلَو متَّ قَبلَ البَينِ يا واحِد العُلا

رَجَوتُ لِفهرٍ أَن تَرى لَكَ ثاني

رَجَوتُ لِفهرٍ أَن تَرى لَكَ ثاني

Had you died before the separation, O peerless one in glory,

If you had died before the separation, O unique one of nobility,

I would have hoped that Fihr might see another like you.

I might have hoped for your line to see a second like you.

وَلكِنَّ من وَفَّيتُ خانَت وَقَلَّما

وَلكِنَّ من وَفَّيتُ خانَت وَقَلَّما

رَأَيتُ الهَوى وَالغَدرَ يَتَّفِقانِ

رَأَيتُ الهَوى وَالغَدرَ يَتَّفِقانِ

But the woman to whom I was faithful betrayed me; seldom

But she whom I treated faithfully betrayed me; and rarely

have I seen love and treachery agree.

Have I seen love and treachery agreed.

وَعِندَ الغَواني حَلَّ حلُّ عُقودُها

وَعِندَ الغَواني حَلَّ حلُّ عُقودُها

وَجازى جَزاءَ الوُدِّ بِالشَنآنِ

وَجازى جَزاءَ الوُدِّ بِالشَنآنِ

Among beauties, untying their bonds is deemed lawful,

With fair women, the undoing of bonds is commonplace,

and affection's recompense is repaid with hatred.

And she repaid the reward of affection with hatred.

وَهَبها جَفَت مَن أحصنت بِلبانَة

وَهَبها جَفَت مَن أحصنت بِلبانَة

قَضاها أَتَجفو مَن غَذَت بِلبانِ

قَضاها أَتَجفو مَن غَذَت بِلبانِ

Grant she forsook the man she kept chaste through a desire

Grant that she shunned the one she once embraced with desire;

he fulfilled—does she forsake the one she fed with milk?

Would she shun the one she nourished with her own milk?

أَرى المَرءَ أَدنى ما يَكونُ مِنَ التُقى

أَرى المَرءَ أَدنى ما يَكونُ مِنَ التُقى

إِذا عَفَّ خلواً مِن غنى وَغَواني

إِذا عَفَّ خلواً مِن غنى وَغَواني

I see a man closest to piety

I see that a man is closest to true piety

when he stays chaste, free of wealth and beauties.

When he abstains, free from wealth and women.

عَرَفتُ فَرابَتني صَواحِبُ يوسُف

عَرَفتُ فَرابَتني صَواحِبُ يوسُف

قَديماً وَلكِن زَلَّتِ القَدَمانِ

قَديماً وَلكِن زَلَّتِ القَدَمانِ

I knew Joseph's women and mistrusted them

I knew, and the companions of Joseph made me suspicious

long ago; yet my two feet slipped.

Long ago, yet still my feet slipped.

أَلا في جِوارِ اللَهِ مَن أَذكُرُ اِسمَهُ

أَلا في جِوارِ اللَهِ مَن أَذكُرُ اِسمَهُ

فَتَصدع قَلبي شِدَّةُ الخَفَقانِ

فَتَصدع قَلبي شِدَّةُ الخَفَقانِ

Ah, in God's protection is he whose name I speak,

In the care of God is he whose name I mention,

and the force of my heartbeat splits my heart.

And the violence of my heart's beating cracks my chest.

رَقيتُ وَداوَيتُ السقامَ الَّذي شَكا

رَقيتُ وَداوَيتُ السقامَ الَّذي شَكا

فَأَعيَت مَعاني البرء كُلَّ مَعانِ

فَأَعيَت مَعاني البرء كُلَّ مَعانِ

I recited healing charms and treated the sickness he complained of,

I recited spells and treated the sickness he complained of,

but the ways to recovery baffled everyone who strove.

But the means of cure baffled every helper.

وَكَفكَفتُ جهدي عبرَتي وَرعافَهُ

وَكَفكَفتُ جهدي عبرَتي وَرعافَهُ

فَلَم أَستَطِع أَن يَرقَأ الدَمَيانِ

فَلَم أَستَطِع أَن يَرقَأ الدَمَيانِ

With all my strength I tried to check my tears and his nosebleed,

I strove to hold back my tears and his bleeding,

but could not make the two streams of blood cease.

But I could not staunch the flow of the two bloods.

نَذَرتُ دَمَ الأَعداءِ لَمّا نَظَرتهُ

نَذَرتُ دَمَ الأَعداءِ لَمّا نَظَرتهُ

كَأَنَّ عَدُوّاً شَجَّهُ فَشَجاني

كَأَنَّ عَدُوّاً شَجَّهُ فَشَجاني

I vowed my enemies' blood when I looked at him,

I vowed to shed the blood of enemies when I looked at him,

as though an enemy had gashed his head and so grieved me.

As if a foe had struck him, and thus struck me with grief.

فَلَمّا بَدا لي أَنَّهُ قَدر الرَدى

فَلَمّا بَدا لي أَنَّهُ قَدر الرَدى

تَداوَيتُ بِالذِكرى مِنَ الهَذَيانِ

تَداوَيتُ بِالذِكرى مِنَ الهَذَيانِ

But when I saw it was death's decree,

But when it became clear to me that it was the decree of Death,

I cured my raving with remembrance.

I sought cure from delirium in the Remembrance.

وَلَم أَدرِ كَيفَ الصَبرُ حينَ تَقَلَّصَت

وَلَم أَدرِ كَيفَ الصَبرُ حينَ تَقَلَّصَت

لَهُ شَفَتانِ طالَما شَفَتاني

لَهُ شَفَتانِ طالَما شَفَتاني

I did not know how to endure when there drew back

And I knew not how to be patient when lips withered for him—

his two lips, which had so often healed me.

Lips that had, for so long, been my healing.

تُرى علَّتيهِ غارَتا فَأَغارَتا

تُرى علَّتيهِ غارَتا فَأَغارَتا

عَلى واحِدٍ لَو عاشَ لي لَكَفاني

عَلى واحِدٍ لَو عاشَ لي لَكَفاني

Did his two ailments, I wonder, grow jealous and raid

Do you think his two ailments grew jealous, and so attacked

the one who, had he lived for me, would have sufficed me?

A single soul who, had he lived for me, would have sufficed me?

حَبيبٌ كَأَنّي كُنتُ أضربُ بِالظُبى

حَبيبٌ كَأَنّي كُنتُ أضربُ بِالظُبى

إِذا بثَّ ما يَشكو مِنَ الضَرَبانِ

إِذا بثَّ ما يَشكو مِنَ الضَرَبانِ

A beloved—it was as though I were struck by blades

A beloved: it was as if I were being struck by swords

whenever he told of the throbbing he suffered.

Whenever he spoke of the throbbing pain he suffered.

أَبَينَ اِحمِرارٍ وَاِصفِرارٍ وَزُرقَةٍ

أَبَينَ اِحمِرارٍ وَاِصفِرارٍ وَزُرقَةٍ

تَقَسَّمَ خَدٌّ كانَ أحمَر قانِ

تَقَسَّمَ خَدٌّ كانَ أحمَر قانِ

Was it between redness, pallor, and blueness

Between redness, pallor, and the blue of bruising,

that a once deep-crimson cheek was divided?

A cheek was divided that once was rosy bright.

ثَلاثُ يَواقيتٍ عَلى صَحنِ فِضَّةٍ

ثَلاثُ يَواقيتٍ عَلى صَحنِ فِضَّةٍ

نُظِمنَ وَفي خَدَّيَّ نَثرُ جُمانِ

نُظِمنَ وَفي خَدَّيَّ نَثرُ جُمانِ

Three corundum gems upon a silver platter

Three rubies arranged upon a plate of silver,

were set, while pearls were scattered down my cheeks.

While on my own cheeks lay scattered pearls.

وَكَيفَ حَواني مَنزِلي بَعدَ فَرقَد

وَكَيفَ حَواني مَنزِلي بَعدَ فَرقَد

عَلَيهِ الشُموس النَيِّرات حَواني

عَلَيهِ الشُموس النَيِّرات حَواني

How could my home contain me after losing Farqad,

How could my home contain me after the loss of a star

over whom the radiant suns bent tenderly?

Over whom the shining suns once bent in care?

سَأَسفحُ ما أَسأَرتُ مِن بَحرِ أَدمُعي

سَأَسفحُ ما أَسأَرتُ مِن بَحرِ أَدمُعي

وَحَسبي بُكاءُ العَينِ بِالهَمَلانِ

وَحَسبي بُكاءُ العَينِ بِالهَمَلانِ

I shall pour out what remains of my sea of tears,

I will pour out the remainder of my sea of tears;

and the eye's streaming weeping is enough for me.

It suffices me that the eye weeps in flowing streams.

وَأَصفح عَن دَهري عَلى أَنَّ صَرفَهُ

وَأَصفح عَن دَهري عَلى أَنَّ صَرفَهُ

رَزاني بِفَقدِ اِبنٍ وَغَدرِ رَزانِ

رَزاني بِفَقدِ اِبنٍ وَغَدرِ رَزانِ

I pardon my age, although its vicissitudes

And I pardon my Fate, even though its vicissitudes

bereaved me of a son and brought a dignified woman's betrayal.

Afflicted me with the loss of a son and the treachery of a dignified wife.

وَأَرجو مِن اِبني عَونَهُ بِشَفاعَةٍ

وَأَرجو مِن اِبني عَونَهُ بِشَفاعَةٍ

فَرُبَّ مُعانٍ لِلنَّجاةِ مُعانِ

فَرُبَّ مُعانٍ لِلنَّجاةِ مُعانِ

I hope for my son's help through intercession,

And I hope for my son's aid through his intercession;

for many a striver for salvation is aided.

For often one aided toward salvation is truly aided.

أَتاني رَدى عَبد الغَنِيِّ فَهَدَّني

أَتاني رَدى عَبد الغَنِيِّ فَهَدَّني

عَلى اِبنِ لَباةٍ خانَهُ اِبنُ أَتانِ

عَلى اِبنِ لَباةٍ خانَهُ اِبنُ أَتانِ

Abd al-Ghani's death reached me and struck me down—

The death of Abd al-Ghani came to me and crushed me;

a blow upon a lioness's son betrayed by a she-ass's son.

A lion's cub betrayed by the foal of a wild ass.

سَماني بِزُهدٍ وَالقَناعَة أنَّني

سَماني بِزُهدٍ وَالقَناعَة أنَّني

أَكولُ عِجافٍ لا أَكولُ سمانِ

أَكولُ عِجافٍ لا أَكولُ سمانِ

He called me ascetic and contented, because I

He marked me with asceticism and contentment, such that I

was an eater of lean beasts, not an eater of fat ones.

Am an eater of lean scraps, not of rich feasts.

جَفاني اِمرِؤٌ طافَت عَلَيهِ وَلائِدي

جَفاني اِمرِؤٌ طافَت عَلَيهِ وَلائِدي

بِزهرِ أَباريقي وَغُرِّ جِفانِ

بِزهرِ أَباريقي وَغُرِّ جِفانِ

A man shunned me, though my serving girls had waited on him

A man shunned me, though my handmaidens once circled him

with my gleaming pitchers and shining bowls.

With my shining pitchers and my white bowls.

زَواني عَمى عَينَيَّ عَن آفَةِ الهَوى

زَواني عَمى عَينَيَّ عَن آفَةِ الهَوى

لَعَلَّ عُيونَ الناظِرينَ زَواني

لَعَلَّ عُيونَ الناظِرينَ زَواني

The blindness of my eyes turned me away from love's affliction;

The blindness of my eyes hid me from the plague of passion;

perhaps the eyes of the sighted are adulteresses.

Perhaps the eyes of the beholders pushed me aside.

وَلَو تَنطِقُ الآدابُ قُلتُ حَقيقَةً

وَلَو تَنطِقُ الآدابُ قُلتُ حَقيقَةً

رَواني بِأَفكارٍ إِلَيَّ رَواني

رَواني بِأَفكارٍ إِلَيَّ رَواني

If the literary arts could speak, I could truly say:

If Literature could speak, I would say in truth:

“He recited me through thoughts gazing toward me.”

He quenched my thirst with thoughts; he truly quenched me.

وَلَو عِشتَ يا عَبدَ الغنيّ خَلفتَني

وَلَو عِشتَ يا عَبدَ الغنيّ خَلفتَني

وَلكِن عَناني ما بَكَتهُ عَناني

وَلكِن عَناني ما بَكَتهُ عَناني

Had you lived, Abd al-Ghani, you would have succeeded me,

Had you lived, O Abd al-Ghani, you would have been my successor;

but what my clouds wept over has afflicted me.

But I am curbed by that for which my own reins have wept.