وَيَوماًand a day قَطَعناهwe spent it سُروراًin joy وَلَذَّةًand pleasure
وَيَوماً قَطَعناه سُروراً وَلَذَّةً
نُجاذِبُwe exchange أَطرافَthreads of الحَديثِconversation المُنَمَقِembellished
نُجاذِبُ أَطرافَ الحَديثِ المُنَمَقِ
And a day we spent in joy and pleasure,
One day we passed in joy and pleasure
exchanging the threads of polished conversation.
Exchanging elegant conversation
ندامىboon companions وَفاءٍof loyalty لاno جَفاءَestrangement لَديهمُamong them
ندامى وَفاءٍ لا جَفاءَ لَديهمُ
مَكارِمُهُمtheir noble qualities خَلقٌinnate character بِغَيرِwithout تَخَلُقِaffectation
مَكارِمُهُم خَلقٌ بِغَيرِ تَخَلُقِ
Loyal boon companions, with no estrangement among them;
With faithful friends, free of any disdain
their noble qualities are innate, without affectation.
Their virtues unfeigned, their manners refined
قَدindeed ارتَضعواthey suckled كَأسَthe cup of الوفاقِconcord فَلاso not تَرىyou see
قَد ارتَضعوا كَأسَ الوفاقِ فَلا تَرى
خِلافاًdisagreement لَدَيهمamong them فيin فَعالٍdeeds وَمَنطِقِand speech
خِلافاً لَدَيهم في فَعالٍ وَمَنطِقِ
They have suckled from the cup of concord, so you see
They drank the cup of harmony, no conflict in their words or deeds
no disagreement among them in deed or speech.
We gathered around a blessed pond, pure its water
صَفَفناwe arrayed ourselves حَواليaround بُركَةٍa pool راقwas clear ماؤُهاits water
صَفَفنا حَوالي بُركَةٍ راق ماؤُها
وَرَقَّand grew delicate كَأَخلاقٍlike characters لَناof ours لَمnot تُرَنَّقِwere muddied
وَرَقَّ كَأَخلاقٍ لَنا لَم تُرَنَّقِ
We gathered around a pool whose water was clear
As gentle as our refined characters, free of pretense
and delicate, like our characters, never muddied.
We swam in it, ducks eluded our swimming
سَبَحناwe swam بِهاin it عَوماًswimming فَغارَتso became jealous لِسِبحناof our swimming
سَبَحنا بِها عَوماً فَغارَت لِسِبحنا
إوَزٌgeese فَفاتَتناso they outstripped us تَصيحُcalling وَتَلتَقيand gathering
إوَزٌ فَفاتَتنا تَصيحُ وَتَلتَقي
We swam in it, and our swimming roused the jealousy
A fountain lamenting with copious tears
of geese, which outstripped us, calling and gathering.
The east wind passions it with yearning
وَناعورةٌand a waterwheel تَحكيresembles بِطولِthrough the length of بُكائهاits weeping
وَناعورةٌ تَحكي بِطولِ بُكائها
وَرَنَّتِهاand its plaintive cry صَبّاa lovesick lover كَثيرَabundant in التَشَوُّقِlonging
وَرَنَّتِها صَبّا كَثيرَ التَشَوُّقِ
And a waterwheel, through its prolonged weeping, resembled,
Though eyes may be weary of its flowing tears
with its plaintive cry, a lover full of longing.
Its sides are not straitened from its weeping
لَئِنthough ضاقَgrew narrow مِنهاof it الجفنُthe eyelid مِنfrom عَبَراتهاits tears
لَئِن ضاقَ مِنها الجفنُ مِن عَبَراتها
فَأَضلاعُهاyet its ribs عَنfor دَمعِهاits tears لَمnot تُضَيَّقِwere constricted
فَأَضلاعُها عَن دَمعِها لَم تُضَيَّقِ
Though its eyelid was too narrow for its tears,
It wept and showed us fate smiling when it wept
its ribs were not too narrow to let them flow.
It wailed and roused the ring-necked doves
بَكَتit wept فَأَرَتناand showed us الدَهرَthe world يَضحكُlaughing إِذwhen بَكَتit wept
بَكَت فَأَرَتنا الدَهرَ يَضحكُ إِذ بَكَت
وَناحَتand lamented فَأَزرَتand put to shame بِالحَمامِthe doves المطَوَّقِcollared
وَناحَت فَأَزرَت بِالحَمامِ المطَوَّقِ
It wept, showing us the world laughing as it wept,
In the gardens' midst we made a cubic pavilion
and lamented, putting the collared doves to shame.
Like a necklace around a neck or a crown on a head
وَقَدand indeed ضَمَّناenclosed us وَسطَamid الرِياضِthe gardens مُكَعَّبٌa square pavilion
وَقَد ضَمَّنا وَسطَ الرِياضِ مُكَعَّبٌ
كَطَوقٍlike a necklace بِجيدٍon a neck أَوor كَتاجٍlike a crown بِمِفرَقِon a head
كَطَوقٍ بِجيدٍ أَو كَتاجٍ بِمِفرَقِ
Amid the gardens a square pavilion enclosed us,
The brilliant sun peeks at us slyly
like a necklace on a neck, or a crown upon a head.
Casting through its windows rays that mimic
تُطالِعناgazes upon us الشَمسُthe sun المُنيرةُradiant لَحظَهاher glance
تُطالِعنا الشَمسُ المُنيرةُ لَحظَها
مسارقةًstealing furtively مِنهاon her part تَطلُّعthe gaze of شَيِّقِa yearning lover
مسارقةً مِنها تَطلُّع شَيِّقِ
The radiant sun cast her glance upon us,
Embroidered silk's engraved patterns
stealing a look, the gaze of one who yearns.
When its rays meet the water, the walls shine so brightly
وَتُلقيand casts عَلَيناupon us مِنfrom شَبابيكِthe lattices of نورهاher light
وَتُلقي عَلَينا مِن شَبابيكِ نورها
شُعاعاًa ray يحاكيresembling نَقشَthe pattern of بُردٍa mantle مُنمَّقِembroidered
شُعاعاً يحاكي نَقشَ بُردٍ مُنمَّقِ
Through the lattices of her light she cast upon us
Shadows dance as the water sparkles under the breeze
a ray resembling the pattern of an embroidered mantle.
It sets, and the moon keeps guard over us
إِذاwhen ماan intensifier التقَىmet بالماءِthe water مِنهاfrom her شُعاعُهاher ray
إِذا ما التقَى بالماءِ مِنها شُعاعُها
تَأَلَّقit glittered بِالحِيطانِupon the walls أَيّwhat تَأَلُّقِbrilliance
تَأَلَّق بِالحِيطانِ أَيّ تَأَلُّقِ
Whenever her ray met the water,
Lest we separate, though perforce pulled west
how brilliantly it glittered upon the walls!
Soon it will rise again in the east
فَيَرقُصُso dances مِنهاfrom her الظِلُّthe shadow فيalong جُدراتهاits walls
فَيَرقُصُ مِنها الظِلُّ في جُدراتها
إِذاwhen الماءُthe water أَضحىbecame بِالصباthrough the east wind ذاpossessing تَرقرُقِrippling
إِذا الماءُ أَضحى بِالصبا ذا تَرقرُقِ
The shadow from her danced along its walls
How wondrous, the two lights yearn for us
when the water rippled in the east wind.
While whoever we prohibit does not yearn
وَغابَتand she disappeared فَباتَso spent the night البدرُthe full moon يَحرُسُناguarding us لَهاfor her
وَغابَت فَباتَ البدرُ يَحرُسُنا لَها
رَقيباًa watcher عَلَيناover us مِنfrom حذارِfear of التفرُّقِseparation
رَقيباً عَلَينا مِن حذارِ التفرُّقِ
She disappeared, and the full moon spent the night guarding us for her,
No wonder, forms yearn for their forms
watching over us for fear of separation.
And are devoted to them with strong attachment
لَئنthough جُذِبَتshe was drawn قَسراًforcibly إِلىto نَحوthe direction of مَغرِبٍthe west
لَئن جُذِبَت قَسراً إِلى نَحو مَغرِبٍ
فَعَمّاthen after قَليلٍa little while سَوفَwill تَبدوshe appear بِمشرِقِin the east
فَعَمّا قَليلٍ سَوفَ تَبدو بِمشرِقِ
Though she was forcibly drawn toward the west,
We have a gathering of faithful friends
before long she would appear in the east.
As if they had drunk cups of cordiality, sans affectation
فَياso how عَجَباًstrange للنَيِرينِof the two luminaries تَشوّقاthey yearned
فَيا عَجَباً للنَيِرينِ تَشوّقا
إِلَيناfor us وَمنwhile the one نَهواهُwe love لَمnot يَتَشَوَّقِfelt yearning
إِلَينا وَمن نَهواهُ لَم يَتَشَوَّقِ
How strange that the two luminaries should yearn
Planets whose abode is now in the heavens
for us, while the one we love feels no yearning!
Ever rising to loftier nobility
وَلاand no عَجَبٌwonder وَالشكلُfor like يَشتاقُyearns for شَكلَهُits like
وَلا عَجَبٌ وَالشكلُ يَشتاقُ شَكلَهُ
وَيُضحيand becomes بِهِto it وَجداًin passion شَديدَintensely التَعلُّقِattached
وَيُضحي بِهِ وَجداً شَديدَ التَعلُّقِ
Yet no wonder: like longs for like,
A sanctified, sublime breath wafts our senses
and in passion becomes deeply attached to it.
With pure musk's exquisite scent
لَناwe have مَجلِسٌa gathering فيهِin it نَدامىboon companions كَأَنَّماas though
لَنا مَجلِسٌ فيهِ نَدامى كَأَنَّما
سُقُواthey were given drink بِكُؤوسِfrom cups of الودِّaffection غَيرِnot المُرَنَّقِclouded
سُقُوا بِكُؤوسِ الودِّ غَيرِ المُرَنَّقِ
We have a gathering with companions who seem
However we pass the cups of their discourse
to have drunk from cups of unclouded affection:
We are intoxicated with something yet more sublime
كَواكبُstars أَضحىhas become فيin الأَثيرthe ether مَقَرُّهاtheir dwelling
كَواكبُ أَضحى في الأَثير مَقَرُّها
وَللشرفِand toward honor الأَعلىthe highest تَسيرُthey travel وَتَرتَقيand rise
وَللشرفِ الأَعلى تَسيرُ وَتَرتَقي
stars whose dwelling has become the ether,
A conversation enrapturing minds and forms
traveling and rising toward the highest honor.
Flawless, enthralling listener and onlooker alike
إِذاwhen نَفحةٌa breeze قُدسِيَّةٌsacred شَرَفِيَّةٌnoble
إِذا نَفحةٌ قُدسِيَّةٌ شَرَفِيَّةٌ
تَهبُّblows شَمَمناwe smell عَرفَthe fragrance of مِسكٍmusk مُفَتَّقِreleased
تَهبُّ شَمَمنا عَرفَ مِسكٍ مُفَتَّقِ
Whenever a sacred, noble breeze
The nobility of religion embodied all virtues
blows, we smell the fragrance of musk released.
Say whatever good you will, you speak the truth
وَمَهماand whenever تَنازَعناwe pass around كُؤوسَthe cups of حَديثِهاtheir conversation
وَمَهما تَنازَعنا كُؤوسَ حَديثِها
سَكِرناwe grow drunk بِأَشهىon something sweeter مِنthan رَحيقٍwine مُعَتَّقِaged
سَكِرنا بِأَشهى مِن رَحيقٍ مُعَتَّقِ
Whenever we pass around the cups of their conversation,
Molded in a man of excellent traits
we grow drunk on something sweeter than aged wine.
Beneficent, true to his word
مُحادَثةٌconversation تَسبِيcaptivates العُقولَminds وَصورةand a form
مُحادَثةٌ تَسبِي العُقولَ وَصورة
تَمامٌperfect فَبُغياthus the desire of سامِعٍa listener أَوor مُحَدِّقِa beholder
تَمامٌ فَبُغيا سامِعٍ أَو مُحَدِّقِ
Conversation that captivates minds, and a form
He ties hopes with freely-flowing wealth
made perfect—the desire of listener or beholder.
And unites our scattered group with his munificence
حَوىencompassed شرفُSharaf الدينِal-Din المَكارمَnoble qualities كُلَّهاall of them
حَوى شرفُ الدينِ المَكارمَ كُلَّها
فَقُلso say ماwhatever تَشاyou wish فيهِof him مِنof الخَيرِgoodness تَصدُقِyou speak truth
فَقُل ما تَشا فيهِ مِن الخَيرِ تَصدُقِ
Sharaf al-Din has encompassed every noble quality;
Concerned lest he meet a reproachful friend
say whatever good you wish of him, and you speak truth.
While he abounds, he is not miserly
لَقَدindeed جُبِلَتwere fashioned مِنهُin him السَجاياinnate qualities عَلىas فَتىًa noble youth
لَقَد جُبِلَت مِنهُ السَجايا عَلى فَتىً
أَمَدَّmost far-reaching بِإِحسانٍin kindness وَأَوفىand most faithful بِموثَقِto a pledge
أَمَدَّ بِإِحسانٍ وَأَوفى بِموثَقِ
Indeed, his innate qualities were molded in a noble youth,
He exceeds frugality with generosity
most far-reaching in kindness, most faithful to a pledge.
And overlooks a vulgarian's crudeness
يُقيِّدُhe binds آمالاًhopes بِمالٍwith wealth مُسَرَّحٍfreely released
يُقيِّدُ آمالاً بِمالٍ مُسَرَّحٍ
وَيَجمَعُand gathers خِلّاناfriends بجُودٍthrough generosity مُفَرَّقِdistributed
وَيَجمَعُ خِلّانا بجُودٍ مُفَرَّقِ
He binds hopes with freely released wealth,
His enemies cannot get the better of him
and gathers friends through bounty scattered abroad.
Nor can his detractors make him lose face
وَيُشفِقُand fears أَنthat يَلقىhe meet صَديقاًa friend مُعاتِباًreproachful
وَيُشفِقُ أَن يَلقى صَديقاً مُعاتِباً
وَلَيسَand is not عَلىabout جَمعٍgathering لِمالٍwealth بِمُشفِقِconcerned
وَلَيسَ عَلى جَمعٍ لِمالٍ بِمُشفِقِ
He fears meeting a reproachful friend,
His lineage points to sanctity, to purification
but feels no concern for gathering wealth.
From everything disreputable and vile
يَزيدُhe increases عَلىdespite الإِقلالِscant means مِنهُon his part سَماحَةًin generosity
يَزيدُ عَلى الإِقلالِ مِنهُ سَماحَةً
وَيُغضيand overlooks حَياءًout of modesty عَنregarding سَفاهَةِthe insolence of أَخرقِa fool
وَيُغضي حَياءً عَن سَفاهَةِ أَخرقِ
Even as his means diminish, his generosity increases,
His scholarly authority is established for us
and modestly he overlooks a fool's insolence.
By scripture, consensus, and the verified view
فَلَيسَso is not الَّذيthe one who يُؤذِيharms عِداهُhis enemies بِمنجَحٍsuccessful
فَلَيسَ الَّذي يُؤذِي عِداهُ بِمنجَحٍ
لَدَيهِwith him وَلاnor باغيone seeking جَداهُhis bounty بِمخفِقِunsuccessful
لَدَيهِ وَلا باغي جَداهُ بِمخفِقِ
None who harms his enemies finds success
A spirit converses with him through sciences
with him, nor does a seeker of his bounty fail.
While others take refuge in patched-up speech
وَنِسبتُهُand his affiliation للقُدسِto al-Quds أَيَّةُwhat an نِسبَةٍaffiliation
وَنِسبتُهُ للقُدسِ أَيَّةُ نِسبَةٍ
تَدُلُّsignifies عَلىfor التَطهيرِcleansing مِنfrom كُلِّevery موبِقِruinous sin
تَدُلُّ عَلى التَطهيرِ مِن كُلِّ موبِقِ
And his affiliation to al-Quds—what an affiliation!
All knowledge is inscribed in his mind
It signifies cleansing from every ruinous sin.
Most generously, with a radiant pen
إِمامَتُهُhis leadership فيin العلمِlearning ثابِتَةٌestablished لَناfor us
إِمامَتُهُ في العلمِ ثابِتَةٌ لَنا
بنصٍّby explicit text وَإِجماعٍand consensus ورَأيِand the judgment of المُدَقِّقِthe discerning scholar
بنصٍّ وَإِجماعٍ ورَأيِ المُدَقِّقِ
His leadership in learning is established for us
The various branches matched his intellect's mirror
by explicit text, consensus, and the discerning scholar's judgment.
Each genre embodied and realized
تُناجيهِspeaks intimately to him نَفسٌa soul بِالعلومِof the sciences وَغَيرُهُwhile another
تُناجيهِ نَفسٌ بِالعلومِ وَغَيرُهُ
يَلوذُtakes refuge بِتَجميعِin assembling الكَلامِwords المُلَفَّقِpatched together
يَلوذُ بِتَجميعِ الكَلامِ المُلَفَّقِ
His soul whispers the sciences to him, while another man
His intuition exhausted others' perception
takes refuge in assembling patched-together words.
His reflection surpassed every solver
وَقَدand indeed نُقِشَتwere inscribed كُلُّall العُلومِthe sciences بِصَدرِهِupon his breast
وَقَد نُقِشَت كُلُّ العُلومِ بِصَدرِهِ
فَأكرِمhow noble بِحبرٍa scholar نَيِّرِradiant of النَفسِsoul مُشرِقِbright
فَأكرِم بِحبرٍ نَيِّرِ النَفسِ مُشرِقِ
All the sciences have been inscribed upon his breast:
He has an eloquence that illuminates meaning
how noble a scholar, radiant and bright of soul!
Like a bright star in the dark night sky
وَقابَلand faced مِنهاof them الجنسُthe genus مرآةُthe mirror of عَقلهِhis mind
وَقابَل مِنها الجنسُ مرآةُ عَقلهِ
فَمثلthen appeared فيهاwithin it كُلَّevery نَوعٍkind مُحقَّقِverified
فَمثل فيها كُلَّ نَوعٍ مُحقَّقِ
Their genus faced the mirror of his mind,
Poetry like flowers in a well-kept garden
and every verified kind appeared within it.
Prose like tumbling cascade or palm of a cloud
بَديهَتُهُhis improvisation أَعيَتoutstripped رَوِيَّةَthe deliberation of غَيرِهِanother
بَديهَتُهُ أَعيَت رَوِيَّةَ غَيرِهِ
وَفكرَتُهُand his thought قَدindeed أَعجَزَتdefeated كُلَّevery مُفلقِbrilliant master
وَفكرَتُهُ قَد أَعجَزَت كُلَّ مُفلقِ
His improvisation outstrips another's deliberation,
A mind as if fire sprang from it
and his thought has defeated every brilliant master.
Were it not for his composure, one who came near would burn
بَنانٌfingers بِهِthrough which يَبدوappears البَيانُeloquence مُوشَّعاrichly adorned
بَنانٌ بِهِ يَبدو البَيانُ مُوشَّعا
بِمُظلِمin dark نَقشٍscript وَسطَamid نَيرٍbright مُهَرَّقِparchment
بِمُظلِم نَقشٍ وَسطَ نَيرٍ مُهَرَّقِ
Fingers through which eloquence appears richly adorned
Generosity as if clouds learned from him
in dark script upon bright parchment,
Without his brilliance, the giver would drown
بِنظمٍwith verse كَزُهرٍlike bright stars فيin المَجرةthe Milky Way سُبَّحٍswimming
بِنظمٍ كَزُهرٍ في المَجرة سُبَّحٍ
وَنَثرٍand prose كَزَهرٍlike blossoms غبَّafter أَوor كَفa hand مُغدِقِlavish
وَنَثرٍ كَزَهرٍ غبَّ أَو كَف مُغدِقِ
with verse like bright stars swimming in the Milky Way,
Steadfast as a mountain, open-handed as the sea
and prose like blossoms after a copious shower.
Problems disappear through him, no longer problems
وَذِهنٍand a mind كَأَنَّas though النارَfire مِنهُfrom it تَوَقَّدَتwas kindled
وَذِهنٍ كَأَنَّ النارَ مِنهُ تَوَقَّدَت
فَلَولاbut were it not for نَداهُhis bounty's moisture كانَwould be منwhoever يَدنُapproaches يُحرَقِburned
فَلَولا نَداهُ كانَ من يَدنُ يُحرَقِ
And a mind from which fire seems to have been kindled:
Obscurities become clear, no longer obscure
but for his bounty's moisture, whoever approached would burn.
His eloquence silences blusterers mired in a quandary
وَجُودٍand generosity كَأنَّas though السُحبَthe clouds مِنهُfrom him تَعَلَّمَتlearned
وَجُودٍ كَأنَّ السُحبَ مِنهُ تَعَلَّمَت
فَلولاbut were it not for ذكاءdiscernment كانَwould be مَنwhoever يُعطَis given يَغرَقِdrowning
فَلولا ذكاء كانَ مَن يُعطَ يَغرَقِ
And generosity from which the clouds seem to have learned:
He facilitates what was difficult, and his manners
but for discernment, whoever received would drown.
Always delight us, however sullen
رَساhe stood firm فَكَأنَّso as though الطَودَthe mountain يَحكيimitates ثَباتَهُhis steadfastness
رَسا فَكَأنَّ الطَودَ يَحكي ثَباتَهُ
همىhe poured forth فَكَأنَّso as though الجودَgenerosity بِالبَحرِwith the sea مُلتَقِhas met
همى فَكَأنَّ الجودَ بِالبَحرِ مُلتَقِ
He stood firm, as though the mountain imitated his steadfastness;
When Muhammad's verses are recited to people
he poured forth, as though generosity had met the sea.
Every listening ear inclines to hear, rapt
إِذاwhen عَصَتِdisobey الناسpeople القَوافيthe rhymes فَإِنهاthen they
إِذا عَصَتِ الناس القَوافي فَإِنها
تُطاوِعُهُobey him فيماin whatever يَشاءُhe wishes فَينتَقيso he selects
تُطاوِعُهُ فيما يَشاءُ فَينتَقي
When rhymes disobey other people, they
He composes marvels of ornate verse
obey him in whatever he wishes, and he selects.
Vanquishing the compositions of every fabricator
وَإِنand if راجَعَconsult الناسُpeople الدَفاتِرَthe notebooks لَمnot يَكُنdid he
وَإِن راجَعَ الناسُ الدَفاتِرَ لَم يَكُن
يُراجعُconsult إِلاexcept فِكرهُhis thought ذاpossessing التَدفُقِabundant flow
يُراجعُ إِلا فِكرهُ ذا التَدفُقِ
Though people consult their notebooks, he does not
Ibn Musa's Ali was a helper made triumphant
consult anything but his overflowing thought.
Who brought gleams of song like pure gems
وَإِنand if أَصلَدُواthey failed to spark يَوماًone day زِناداًfire-flints فَإِنَّهُthen he
وَإِن أَصلَدُوا يَوماً زِناداً فَإِنَّهُ
لَيُوريsurely kindles بِهاwith them نارَthe fire of الذَكاءِintelligence المُحَرِّقِscorching
لَيُوري بِها نارَ الذَكاءِ المُحَرِّقِ
Though their flints should one day fail to spark, he
And created unprecedented compositions for both worlds
surely kindles with them the scorching fire of intelligence.
Joining creativity with elegance
فَلاso no مُشكلٌdifficulty إِلاexcept بَداit became غَيرَnot مُشكِلٍdifficult
فَلا مُشكلٌ إِلا بَدا غَيرَ مُشكِلٍ
وَلاand nothing مُغلَقٌclosed إِلاexcept غَداit became غَيرَnot مُغلَقِclosed
وَلا مُغلَقٌ إِلا غَدا غَيرَ مُغلَقِ
No difficulty but becomes plain,
There was something missing, so the son of Musa
and nothing closed but becomes open.
Came to complete it with coherent speech
فَصيحُeloquent of مَقالٍspeech حينَwhen يَخرَسُfalls silent قسُّهُمtheir Quss
فَصيحُ مَقالٍ حينَ يَخرَسُ قسُّهُم
فَسيحُample of مَجالٍscope إِنif يَحِلُّواthey find themselves بِمأزِقِin a strait
فَسيحُ مَجالٍ إِن يَحِلُّوا بِمأزِقِ
Eloquent in speech when their Quss falls silent,
His poetry resembles Jarir's, as though he
ample in scope when they find themselves in a strait.
Had contended with Farazdaq's prosody
يَسهِّلhe smooths ماwhat قَدpreviously كانَwas حَزناrugged وَطالَماand how often
يَسهِّل ما قَد كانَ حَزنا وَطالَما
أَجَدَّتrenewed لَناfor us آدابُهُhis literary arts كُلَّevery مُخلَقِthreadbare thing
أَجَدَّت لَنا آدابُهُ كُلَّ مُخلَقِ
He smooths what was rugged; how often
If you do not recognize him, he is undoubtedly its peer
his literary arts have renewed every threadbare thing for us!
Who suffered for Layla's love like the one who suffered
إِذاwhen تُلِيَتare recited فيamong الناسِthe people آيُّthe verses of محمدٍMuhammad
إِذا تُلِيَت في الناسِ آيُّ محمدٍ
تَرىyou see كُلَّevery ذيpossessor of سَمعٍhearing مَتىwhenever يُصغِhe listens يُطرِقِbow his head
تَرى كُلَّ ذي سَمعٍ مَتى يُصغِ يُطرِقِ
When Muhammad's verses are recited among the people,
They created for her in the mind the most perfect
you see every listener bow his head as he attends.
Of images, refined meaning and eloquent wording
وَيَأتيand produces مِنof النَظمِverse البَديعِexquisite بِمُعجزٍsomething inimitable
وَيَأتي مِن النَظمِ البَديعِ بِمُعجزٍ
يَطيحُcollapses لَدَيهِbefore him نَظمthe verse of كُلِّevery مُخرِّقِshowy poet
يَطيحُ لَدَيهِ نَظم كُلِّ مُخرِّقِ
He produces inimitable marvels of exquisite verse;
But were stingy lest an unworthy lad attain her
before him, every showy poet's verse collapses.
And show generosity he does not possess
وَكانَand was ابنُthe son of مُوساناour Musa عليٌّAli مُؤيداًaided
وَكانَ ابنُ مُوسانا عليٌّ مُؤيداً
أَتىhe brought بشذورٍfragments لحنَthey gleamed كَالجَوهَرِlike jewels النَقيpure
أَتى بشذورٍ لحنَ كَالجَوهَرِ النَقي
And Ali, our Musa's son, was aided:
How they lost sleep and pined for her
he brought fragments that gleamed like pure jewels.
Whoever loves Layla remains sleepless and restless
وَأَبدَعَهاand fashioned them wondrously فيamong العالمينَmankind فَرائِداًpeerless pearls
وَأَبدَعَها في العالمينَ فَرائِداً
جَمَعنَthey combined إِلىwith الإِبداعِoriginality حُسنَthe beauty of التَأنُّقِrefinement
جَمَعنَ إِلى الإِبداعِ حُسنَ التَأنُّقِ
He fashioned them as peerless pearls among mankind,
They did not profess it, but both were made
combining originality with beautiful refinement.
To drink from a draft of love at night, pure wine
وَكانَand there was بِهاin them نَقصٌa deficiency فَجاءَso came مُكمِّلاcompleting
وَكانَ بِها نَقصٌ فَجاءَ مُكمِّلا
لِذاكَfor that ابنُIbn موسىMusa بِالكَلامِwith discourse المطَبَّقِperfectly fitting
لِذاكَ ابنُ موسى بِالكَلامِ المطَبَّقِ
They had a lack; then, to complete them, came
To part from her is time, and her light appeared
Ibn Musa, with perfectly fitting words.
From Andalusia to the holy city, rising high
تَشابَهit resembled نَظماًin versification إِذwhen حَكاهhe imitated it كَأَنَّهُas though he were
تَشابَه نَظماً إِذ حَكاه كَأَنَّهُ
جَريرٌJarir وَقَدhaving بارىrivaled نِظامَthe verse of الفَرَزدَقِal-Farazdaq
جَريرٌ وَقَد بارى نِظامَ الفَرَزدَقِ
His verse resembled the other's as he imitated it, as though he were
The secret reality Layla symbolized attained happiness and misery
Jarir, competing with al-Farazdaq's verse.
How many a perplexed one it frustrated, though he never reached her
فَإِنso if لاnot يُكنهُhe is him فَهوَthen he is لاno شَكَّdoubt صِنوُهُhis counterpart
فَإِن لا يُكنهُ فَهوَ لا شَكَّ صِنوُهُ
لقيhe experienced فيin هَوىlove for لَيلىLayla كمثلِjust like الَّذيwhat لَقيhe experienced
لقي في هَوى لَيلى كمثلِ الَّذي لَقي
If he is not the very man, he is surely his counterpart,
How many a misguided one it exposed, though he glittered
meeting in love of Layla what the other met.
He saw a moon become a sun, and it deceived him
أَقاماthe two established لَهاfor her فيin الذهنِthe mind أَبدَعَthe most wondrous صورَةٍimage
أَقاما لَها في الذهنِ أَبدَعَ صورَةٍ
لَطيفةِdelicate in مَعنىًmeaning رائِقِlucid in اللَفظِdiction مونقِdelightful
لَطيفةِ مَعنىً رائِقِ اللَفظِ مونقِ
Together they set her most wondrous image in the mind,
The change of hue in her pure radiance and grace
delicate in meaning, lucid and delightful in diction.
That was but the blush of shyness
وَقَدand indeed حَجباهاthey veiled her ضِنَّةًprotectively أَنlest يَنالَهاhe attain her
وَقَد حَجباها ضِنَّةً أَن يَنالَها
فَتىa young man غَيرُnot أَهلٍworthy للندىof generosity وَالتَصدقِand almsgiving
فَتى غَيرُ أَهلٍ للندى وَالتَصدقِ
They veiled her jealously, lest she be attained by
Vanishing in intimacy and approach
a young man unworthy of generosity and almsgiving.
I am not like Layla, nor my son, nor his son
وَكَمand how often أَرِقاthe two lay awake فيهاfor her التِذاذاًin delight وَأَرَّقاand kept others awake
وَكَم أَرِقا فيها التِذاذاً وَأَرَّقا
وَمَنand whoever يَعشَقَنtruly loves لَيلىLayla يُؤرِّقkeeps others awake وَيأرقِand lies awake
وَمَن يَعشَقَن لَيلى يُؤرِّق وَيأرقِ
How often they lay awake for her in delight, and kept others awake!
The peer of Ali or the upright Muhammad
Whoever loves Layla keeps others awake and lies awake.
Ali resembles Muhammad in character
وَماand not اِدَّعياthe two made claims فيهاabout her وَلَكنbut كِلاهُماboth of them
وَما اِدَّعيا فيها وَلَكن كِلاهُما
سُقيwas given to drink مِنfrom هَوىًlove لَيلاًby night بِراحٍwith wine مُوَرّقِleaf-sprouting
سُقي مِن هَوىً لَيلاً بِراحٍ مُوَرّقِ
They made no mere claims about her; rather, each
Doubtless he was given the bounty he was given
was given love to drink by night, in leafing wine.
Truly, Ali is to pleased Muhammad
فراقَthen grew pleasant لَهاfor her وَقتٌa time وَقَدwhile already لاحَshone نورُهاher light
فراقَ لَها وَقتٌ وَقَد لاحَ نورُها
مِنfrom أَندلسٍal-Andalus لِلقُدسِto al-Quds تَسريshe journeys by night وَتَرتقيand rises
مِن أَندلسٍ لِلقُدسِ تَسري وَتَرتقي
A time grew fair for her, and her radiance shone;
As Aaron to Moses in speaking truth
from al-Andalus to al-Quds she journeys by night and rises.
How many white hands have come to us through him
لَقَدindeed بطَنَbecame hidden الأَمرُthe matter الَّذيwhich هُوَis ظاهرapparent
لَقَد بطَنَ الأَمرُ الَّذي هُوَ ظاهر
لِليلىconcerning Layla فَأَصبتso she beguiled ذاthe possessor of السَعادةِhappiness وَالشَقِيand the wretched
لِليلى فَأَصبت ذا السَعادةِ وَالشَقِي
Hidden indeed has grown the matter that seems plain
And the son of Musa enriched each empty pretender
concerning Layla; she has beguiled the fortunate and the wretched.
O palm tree of virtue, your origin is pure
فَكَمso how many مُعسِرٍan impoverished man قَدindeed آيَسَتهُshe made him despair وَلَمand not يَصِلhe attained
فَكَم مُعسِرٍ قَد آيَسَتهُ وَلَم يَصِل
وَكَمand how many مذهَبa possessor of gold قَدindeed فَلَّسَتهshe bankrupted him وَمُورِقِand a possessor of silver
وَكَم مذهَب قَد فَلَّسَته وَمُورِقِ
How many a poor man she made despair, who never attained her,
Your shade-giving branches extend to us
and how many owners of gold and silver she bankrupted!
Munificence from you has reached many people, and singled me out
رَأىhe saw قَمراًa moon قَدalready صارَhad become شَمساًa sun فَغَرَّهُso it deceived him
رَأى قَمراً قَد صارَ شَمساً فَغَرَّهُ
تنقُّلُthe changing of لَونٍcolor فيamid صَفاءٍclarity وَرونقِand brilliance
تنقُّلُ لَونٍ في صَفاءٍ وَرونقِ
He saw a moon that had become a sun, and was deceived
The unworthy think they are your peers
by color changing amid clarity and brilliance.
Because they have mimicked you, but the sincere are wrong
وَماand not ذاكَthat إِلاbut حُمرةُthe redness of الخجلِshame الَّتيwhich
وَما ذاكَ إِلا حُمرةُ الخجلِ الَّتي
تَزولُdisappears عَلىwithin قُربٍa short time بسَيرٍwith processing وَمَيلَقِand a crucible
تَزولُ عَلى قُربٍ بسَيرٍ وَمَيلَقِ
That was only the blush of shame, which
Is a bare desert pebble likened
soon disappears with processing and a crucible.
To a sea swarming with knowledge, reposing treasures?
وَماand neither أَناI فيregarding لَيلىLayla وَلاnor ابنيmy son وَلاnor ابنُهُhis son
وَما أَنا في لَيلى وَلا ابني وَلا ابنُهُ
نَظيرَthe equal of عليٍّAli أَوor محمدٍMuhammad التَقِيthe pious
نَظيرَ عليٍّ أَو محمدٍ التَقِي
In Layla's affair, neither I, my son, nor his son
That is an ignorant man boasting of knowledge
can equal Ali or pious Muhammad.
And one of noble lineage clinging to the virtuous
عليٌّAli لَهُhas شِبهٌa likeness بِخُلقto the character of محمدٍMuhammad
عليٌّ لَهُ شِبهٌ بِخُلق محمدٍ
أَخُوهhis brother بِلاwithout شَكٍّdoubt سُقيwas given to drink فَضلَthe remainder of ماwhat سُقِيhe was given
أَخُوه بِلا شَكٍّ سُقي فَضلَ ما سُقِي
Ali resembles Muhammad in character;
Who sees stinginess as praise, and ostentation as rank
his brother surely drank the remainder of what he was given.
So treat him with more generosity, tolerant one
وَإِنَّand indeed عَليّاًAli مِنin relation to محمدٍMuhammad الرَضِيthe worthy
وَإِنَّ عَليّاً مِن محمدٍ الرَضِي
كَهارونَlike Harun مِنin relation to مُوسىMusa حَديثthe saying المنطقِas uttered
كَهارونَ مِن مُوسى حَديث المنطقِ
Indeed, Ali stands to worthy Muhammad
Have they not observed your humility and nobility?
as Harun to Musa—so runs the saying.
Like clouds pouring forth, lightning flashing
وَكَمand how many مِنa يَدٍhand بَيضاءَwhite جاءَhe brought لَناto us بِهاwith it
وَكَم مِن يَدٍ بَيضاءَ جاءَ لَنا بِها
فَأَغنىso enriched ابنُIbn موسىMusa كُلَّevery أَغبرَdust-covered man مُملِقِdestitute
فَأَغنى ابنُ موسى كُلَّ أَغبرَ مُملِقِ
How many a white hand of kindness he has brought us!
They repel gentleness like the blue of doves
Thus Ibn Musa enriched every dusty, destitute man.
While circling over it, but the rosy is not like the circler
أَياO دَوحَةَgreat tree of الفَضلِmerit الَّتيwhich طابَwas good أَصلُهاits root
أَيا دَوحَةَ الفَضلِ الَّتي طابَ أَصلُها
وَمَدَّتand spread عَلَيناover us ظِلَّthe shade of فَينانbranching boughs مُورِقِleafy
وَمَدَّت عَلَينا ظِلَّ فَينان مُورِقِ
O great tree of merit, whose root is good,
So take praise of Muhammad from a helper
spreading over us the shade of leafy, branching boughs!
And leave the saying of blind A'sha, circler of ashes
لَقَدindeed عَمَّembraced مِنكَfrom you الجودُّgenerosity ناساًpeople وَخَصَّنيand singled me out
لَقَد عَمَّ مِنكَ الجودُّ ناساً وَخَصَّني
فَهاso here أَناI am عَنfrom تَقييدِهِrecording it غَيرُnot مُطلَقِreleased
فَها أَنا عَن تَقييدِهِ غَيرُ مُطلَقِ
Your bounty has embraced many, and singled me out;
I refused my companions by praising you
here I remain bound to record it.
And refused praise of every exhausted one for them
يَظُنُّimagine الأُلىthose who قَدhave عاصَروكَlived in your time بِأَنهمthat they
يَظُنُّ الأُلى قَد عاصَروكَ بِأَنهم
حَكَوكmatched you لَقَدindeed خابَتfailed ظُنونthe expectations of المُصدِّقِthe believer
حَكَوك لَقَد خابَت ظُنون المُصدِّقِ
Those who have lived in your time imagine
Meanings and lofty words came to me suddenly
they have matched you; vain are such believers' hopes!
Seething in my breast, surge after surge
وَماand not ثمدٌa shallow pool باديshowing الحَصاةِits pebbles بِمُشبِهٍcomparable
وَما ثمدٌ بادي الحَصاةِ بِمُشبِهٍ
لِبَحرٍto a sea زَخورٍswelling بِالمَعارفِwith knowledge مُتأَقِbrimming
لِبَحرٍ زَخورٍ بِالمَعارفِ مُتأَقِ
A shallow pool with its pebbles showing cannot resemble
So I thought: who am I, a composer?
a sea swelling and brimming with knowledge.
I conversed with them, chose and picked out
فَذاكَfor that one دَعِيٌa pretender فيin المَعارفِlearning جاهِلٌignorant
فَذاكَ دَعِيٌ في المَعارفِ جاهِلٌ
وَذوand one with نَسَبٍa lineage بَينَamong الأَفاضِلِthe eminent مُلصَقِfalsely attached
وَذو نَسَبٍ بَينَ الأَفاضِلِ مُلصَقِ
That other is a pretender to learning, ignorant,
I shun rough, densely packed speech
with a spurious lineage among the eminent.
And avoid refined, gently flowing speech
يَرىhe deems البُخلَmiserliness مَدحاًpraiseworthy وَالتَرافُعَand self-exaltation رِفعَةًeminence
يَرى البُخلَ مَدحاً وَالتَرافُعَ رِفعَةً
فَأَحسِنwhat a fine بِهِspecimen he is مِنof أَشدَقٍa glib talker مُتَفَيهِقِpompously verbose
فَأَحسِن بِهِ مِن أَشدَقٍ مُتَفَيهِقِ
He counts miserliness praiseworthy, and self-exaltation eminence:
When one line passes, its peer follows swiftly
what a fine wide-mouthed, pompous babbler!
Even if I do not let another catch up
أَماhave not لاحَظُواthey observed مِنكَin you التَواضُعَhumility شيمَةًas a trait
أَما لاحَظُوا مِنكَ التَواضُعَ شيمَةً
وَسُحبَand the clouds of النَدىgenerosity كَالعارِضِlike a rain cloud المُتأَلِّقِflashing
وَسُحبَ النَدى كَالعارِضِ المُتأَلِّقِ
Have they not seen humility as your nature,
Thought is not jaded, nor poetry obscure
and clouds of bounty like a flashing storm cloud?
But like the sea, when it rages, it calms
وَردتcame to drink النَدىbounty زُرقَblue-gray الحمامِdoves وَحلَّقواand they circled
وَردت النَدى زُرقَ الحمامِ وَحلَّقوا
عَلَيهِabove it وَماand not ذوone possessing الوَردِaccess to water مثلَlike المُحَلِّقِone circling overhead
عَلَيهِ وَما ذو الوَردِ مثلَ المُحَلِّقِ
Blue-gray doves came to bounty, while they circled
It's as if the rhymes knew who has
above it; one who drinks is not like one circling overhead.
The gift of composing, so they came forth, the gifted raced
فَخُذso take مِنfrom نَصيرٍNasir مدحَةًa poem of praise فيabout محمَّدٍMuhammad
فَخُذ مِن نَصيرٍ مدحَةً في محمَّدٍ
وَدَعand leave قَولَthe verse of أَعشىal-A'sha فيabout جِفانِthe great bowls of المُحَلّقِal-Muhallaq
وَدَع قَولَ أَعشى في جِفانِ المُحَلّقِ
Take, then, Nasir's praise of Muhammad,
Gleaming pearls appeared for us out of their separation
and leave al-A'sha's verse on al-Muhallaq's bowls.
For the threaded pearls adorn poetry after dispersal
أَنفتُI rose above عَلىover صَحبيmy companions بِمَدحِيthrough my praise لَكمof you وَقَدand indeed
أَنفتُ عَلى صَحبي بِمَدحِي لَكم وَقَد
أَنِفتُI disdained لَهُمfor them عَنto engage in مَدحِpraising كُلِّevery مُرهقِoverbearing man
أَنِفتُ لَهُم عَن مَدحِ كُلِّ مُرهقِ
Through praising you I rose above my companions, and
I found poetry's harmony until it was as if
I deemed them too noble to praise any overbearing man.
I drew from the sea of your knowledge, water of generosity
أَتَتنيcame to me المَعانيmeanings العُقمُinimitable وَالكَلِمُand words العُلىlofty
أَتَتني المَعاني العُقمُ وَالكَلِمُ العُلى
وَجاشَتand surged بِصَدريin my breast فَيلَقاًbattalion بَعدَafter فَيلَقِbattalion
وَجاشَت بِصَدري فَيلَقاً بَعدَ فَيلَقِ
Inimitable meanings and lofty words came to me,
This eloquence flows only because it contains
surging in my breast, battalion after battalion.
Praise of the generous man of eloquence
فَفَكَّرتُso I pondered وَهناًdeep in the night أَيُّهاwhich of them أَناI ناظِمٌwould compose
فَفَكَّرتُ وَهناً أَيُّها أَنا ناظِمٌ
وَسامرتُهاand conversed with them by night أَختارُchoosing مِنهاfrom them وَأَنتَقِيand selecting
وَسامرتُها أَختارُ مِنها وَأَنتَقِي
Deep in the night I pondered which I would compose,
I offer you this poetry like one who comes
and held nocturnal converse with them, choosing and selecting.
With a bouquet to one with abundant water, about to drown
أجانِبُI shun وَحشِيّاًan outlandish expression كَثيفاًharsh سَماعُهُto hear it
أجانِبُ وَحشِيّاً كَثيفاً سَماعُهُ
وَأَجنُبُand bring alongside إِنسِيّاًa familiar expression لَطيفَgentle in التَرَفُقِapproach
وَأَجنُبُ إِنسِيّاً لَطيفَ التَرَفُقِ
I shun the outlandish, harsh to hear,
By my spirit, your holy spirit came to breathe
and bring close the familiar, gentle in approach.
And my spirit rose to you through the spirit
إِذاwhen ماan intensifier مَضىpassed بَيتٌa verse تَلاهُfollowed it نَظيرُهُits counterpart
إِذا ما مَضى بَيتٌ تَلاهُ نَظيرُهُ
سَريعاًswiftly وَإِنand even if لَمnot أَدعُI summoned آخرَanother يَلحَقِit follows
سَريعاً وَإِن لَم أَدعُ آخرَ يَلحَقِ
Whenever a verse passes, its counterpart follows it
May God make an era where no virtuous one
swiftly; even if I summon no other, it comes behind.
Attains any good but some paltry subsistence
فَلاso neither الفِكرُthought مَكدودٌexhausted وَلاnor الشعرُpoetry غامِضٌobscure
فَلا الفِكرُ مَكدودٌ وَلا الشعرُ غامِضٌ
وَلَكنَّهُbut it كَالبَحرِis like the sea إِنif يطمُit swells يَفهَقِit overflows
وَلَكنَّهُ كَالبَحرِ إِن يطمُ يَفهَقِ
Neither thought is strained nor poetry obscure,
An age where the lowly rise like the lofty
but it is like the sea: when it swells, it overflows.
Sink - the people of realization and conviction
كَأنَّas though القَوافِيthe rhymes قَدalready عَلِمنَthey knew بِمَنfor whom لَهُfor him
كَأنَّ القَوافِي قَد عَلِمنَ بِمَن لَهُ
يُنَظّمنَthey are composed فَانثالَتso they poured forth وَمَنand whoever يَقوَis strong يَسبُقِtakes the lead
يُنَظّمنَ فَانثالَت وَمَن يَقوَ يَسبُقِ
It is as though the rhymes knew for whom
Authority's hand is ever fond of you
they were composed, so they poured in; the strong take the lead.
And you alone wear the robe of every helper
بَرَزنَthey emerged لَناbefore us دُرّاًas pearls نثيراًscattered وَإِنَّماbut only
بَرَزنَ لَنا دُرّاً نثيراً وَإِنَّما
يَزينُadorns اللآليthe pearls النظمstringing بَعدَafter التَفَرُّقِseparation
يَزينُ اللآلي النظم بَعدَ التَفَرُّقِ
They appeared before us as scattered pearls; yet
Is one like you stripped of his sublime virtues?
stringing adorns pearls after they lie apart.
Rightfully, whoever lacks equivalence precedes
أَجَدتُI perfected نِظامَthe composition of الشعرِpoetry حَتّىuntil كَأَنَّنيas though I
أَجَدتُ نِظامَ الشعرِ حَتّى كَأَنَّني
لِجودَتِهِfor its excellence مِنfrom بَحرِthe sea of عِلمِكَyour knowledge أستَقِيdraw water
لِجودَتِهِ مِن بَحرِ عِلمِكَ أستَقِي
I perfected the stringing of verse until it seemed that I
Truly, were you his confidante
drew its excellence from the sea of your knowledge.
It would be masterfully crafted and profound
وَماand not جادَbecame excellent هَذاthis النُطقُutterance إِلاexcept لأَنَّهُbecause it
وَما جادَ هَذا النُطقُ إِلا لأَنَّهُ
تَضمَّنَcontained أَوصافَthe qualities of الجَوادِthe generous man المنطقِwho inspires speech
تَضمَّنَ أَوصافَ الجَوادِ المنطقِ
This utterance excelled only because
The most eloquent scholar would have expressed its meaning
it contained the traits of the generous man who gives me voice.
Concisely or in elaborate prose
وَإِنيand I وَإهدائيand my offering لَكَto you النظمَverse كَالَّذيare like one who
وَإِني وَإهدائي لَكَ النظمَ كَالَّذي
يَجيءُcomes برَشحٍwith a trickle نَحوَtoward ذاone possessing ماءwater مُغرِقِoverwhelming
يَجيءُ برَشحٍ نَحوَ ذا ماء مُغرِقِ
I, in offering you verse, am like one who
You refrained from pursuing that out of precedence
brings a trickle to someone with overwhelming waters.
Blessed, while others were miserable
برَوعيinto my heart أَضحىhas become روحُthe spirit of قُدسِكَyour holiness نافِثاbreathing inspiration
برَوعي أَضحى روحُ قُدسِكَ نافِثا
وَبِالروحand with the spirit منيfrom me نَحوَtoward عَلياكَyour heights قَدhas رقِيascended
وَبِالروح مني نَحوَ عَلياكَ قَد رقِي
The spirit of your holiness has breathed into my heart,
Glory lies only in being free of baseness
and has ascended with my spirit toward your heights.
Humility only in parity with the crudest
لَحاmay curse اللَهُGod دَهراًan age لَمnot يَنَلobtain فيهِin it فاضِلٌa worthy man
لَحا اللَهُ دَهراً لَم يَنَل فيهِ فاضِلٌ
مِنof الخَيرِgood fortune إِلاexcept فَضلَa remnant of عَيشٍlife مُرَمَّقِbarely sustaining
مِن الخَيرِ إِلا فَضلَ عَيشٍ مُرَمَّقِ
God curse an age in which a worthy man gains nothing
The two lights yearned for us, but whoever we prohibited did not yearn
of good fortune but a scrap of barely sustaining life.
No wonder forms yearn for their forms
زَمانٌan age بِهِin which يَطفُوfloat الأَسافلُthe lowest مثلَماjust as
زَمانٌ بِهِ يَطفُو الأَسافلُ مثلَما
بِهِin it يرسُبُsink الأَعلَونَthe highest أَهلُpeople of التَحقُّقِtrue attainment
بِهِ يرسُبُ الأَعلَونَ أَهلُ التَحقُّقِ
An age in which the lowest float, just as
And are devoted to them with strong attachment
the highest, those of true attainment, sink in it.
We have a gathering of faithful friends
وَمازالَand ever has دستُthe seat of المُلكِkingship نَحوَكَfor you شَيِّقاyearning
وَمازالَ دستُ المُلكِ نَحوَكَ شَيِّقا
وَتُكسىand are clothed مساويthe faults of كُلِّevery أَنوَكِfool مُطبِقِutter
وَتُكسى مساوي كُلِّ أَنوَكِ مُطبِقِ
The royal seat has never ceased to yearn for you,
As if they had drunk cordial cups, free of airs
while every utter fool's defects are cloaked.
Planets whose abode is now in the highest heavens
أَمثلُكَshould one like you تَعرىbe stripped مِنof مَحاسنِهِits honors العُلىlofty
أَمثلُكَ تَعرى مِن مَحاسنِهِ العُلى
وَحقٌّand it is a right لَهُfor him مَنwhoever يَعدَمِlacks الكفوan equal يسبِقِtakes precedence
وَحقٌّ لَهُ مَن يَعدَمِ الكفو يسبِقِ
Should one like you be stripped of its lofty honors,
Ever rising to the loftiest eminence
when one without a peer has every right to lead?
A sanctified, sublime breath wafts our senses
أَماindeed إِنَّهُsurely لَوif كُنتَyou were كاتبَthe scribe of سرِّهِits secrets
أَما إِنَّهُ لَو كُنتَ كاتبَ سرِّهِ
لأَصبَحَit would surely become ذاpossessed of وشيٍembroidery بَديعٍwondrous مُحَقَّقِfinely wrought
لأَصبَحَ ذا وشيٍ بَديعٍ مُحَقَّقِ
Indeed, if you were its confidential secretary,
With pure musk's exquisite fragrance
it would wear wondrous, finely wrought embroidery,
However we pass the cups of their discourse
وَعبَّرَand would express عَنconcerning فَحواهits meaning أَفصحُthe most eloquent عالمٍscholar
وَعبَّرَ عَن فَحواه أَفصحُ عالمٍ
بِموجَزِin concise لَفظٍwording أَوor بِمُسهَبِin expansive مَنطِقِspeech
بِموجَزِ لَفظٍ أَو بِمُسهَبِ مَنطِقِ
and the most eloquent scholar would express its meaning
We are intoxicated with something yet more sublime
in concise words or expansive speech.
A conversation enrapturing minds and forms
تَأَخرتَyou held back عَنfrom تَطلابِseeking ذاكَthat تَقدُّماas advancement
تَأَخرتَ عَن تَطلابِ ذاكَ تَقدُّما
سَعدتَyou found happiness بِهِthrough it إِذwhile كانَwas غَيرُكَanother قَدalready شَقِيwretched
سَعدتَ بِهِ إِذ كانَ غَيرُكَ قَد شَقِي
You held back from seeking that, thereby advancing;
Flawless, enthralling listener and onlooker alike
you found happiness through it, while another suffered.
وَماand not العِزُّhonor إِلاexcept فيin الفَراغِfreedom عَنfrom الدُنىworldly things
وَما العِزُّ إِلا في الفَراغِ عَن الدُنى
وَماand not الذُلُّabasement إِلاexcept فيin التَساويbeing equal بِأَخرقِto a fool
وَما الذُلُّ إِلا في التَساوي بِأَخرقِ
Honor lies only in freedom from worldly things,
and abasement only in being ranked with a fool.
Partial English translation: 185 of 188 Arabic lines translated.