أعندكِ من فرط الْصبّابة ما عندي

أعندكِ من فرط الْصبّابة ما عندي

فيُعَلمَ ما أُخفي بظاهرِ ما أُبدي

فيُعَلمَ ما أُخفي بظاهرِ ما أُبدي

Have you the same excess of longing that I have,

Do you have from excessive passion what I have

so what I hide may be known from what I outwardly reveal?

So my inner feelings are made known by my outward expressions

أبوحُ بوَجدٍ ضقت ذَرعْاً بوَجده

أبوحُ بوَجدٍ ضقت ذَرعْاً بوَجده

وأسلَمني صبرٌ بلغَت به جهدي

وأسلَمني صبرٌ بلغَت به جهدي

I confess a grief whose intensity I can no longer bear;

I express a passion that has straitened me intensely

patience has forsaken me after I strained it to my utmost.

And patience has made me surrender to my limit

وكنتُ امُرءًا لا ينْزل الهَمُّ خاطري

وكنتُ امُرءًا لا ينْزل الهَمُّ خاطري

ولا ينثَني يوماً لنائبةٍ عَضْدي

ولا ينثَني يوماً لنائبةٍ عَضْدي

I was a man whose mind no sorrow entered,

And I was a man in whom worries did not cross his mind

whose arm never bent before calamity.

Nor did a misfortune ever bend me a day in my prime

لَهْوتْ زماناً والْغوايةُ مرْكَبي

لَهْوتْ زماناً والْغوايةُ مرْكَبي

وسِلْكُ الهوى طُوقي وشَرخُ الْصّبابُرْدي

وسِلْكُ الهوى طُوقي وشَرخُ الْصّبابُرْدي

I reveled for a time, with waywardness my mount,

I indulged for a time while temptation was my vehicle

desire's thread my necklace, and the prime of youth my cloak.

And the path of desire was my necklace and the passion of youth was my cloak

فمَا هاجَني رسمُ الكْثيب ولا الحمى

فمَا هاجَني رسمُ الكْثيب ولا الحمى

ولا راعَني بينُ الرَّبابِ ولا هندِ

ولا راعَني بينُ الرَّبابِ ولا هندِ

No traces by the dune stirred me, nor the protected pasture;

So neither the outline of the sand dunes provoked me, nor fever

nor did the departure of al-Rabab or Hind dismay me.

Nor did the sound of drums or lutes alarm me

وكم رشأ اخوى أغنَّ مهفهفٍ

وكم رشأ اخوى أغنَّ مهفهفٍ

إذا ما تصدى لي ثنيتُ إلى الْصَدِّ

إذا ما تصدى لي ثنيتُ إلى الْصَدِّ

Many a dusky, soft-voiced, slender gazelle,

And how often my peers sang while I turned away

when it appeared before me, I turned away in refusal.

If one of them approached me, I inclined to aloofness

وكنتُ إذا قاسيتُ خَطباً قرعته

وكنتُ إذا قاسيتُ خَطباً قرعته

بقسوة قلبٍ قدَّ من حجرٍ صّلْدِ

بقسوة قلبٍ قدَّ من حجرٍ صّلْدِ

Whenever I faced a calamity, I struck against it

And if I faced hardships, I would counter them

with the hardness of a heart hewn from solid stone.

With the hardness of a heart as solid as stone

فيها انذا فكَّ الْزمان عزيمَتي

فيها انذا فكَّ الْزمان عزيمَتي

وَرَوعّني بينُ الاحبة بالفقدِ

وَرَوعّني بينُ الاحبة بالفقدِ

Here I am in this plight: time has broken my resolve,

Then time loosened my resolve

and separation from loved ones has terrified me with loss.

And alarmed me among the loved ones with loss

وغادَرني أَرْثي لمَن ماتَ ان رأى

وغادَرني أَرْثي لمَن ماتَ ان رأى

لما بَعْده من جَفوَة الأَهل ماْ يعْدي

لما بَعْده من جَفوَة الأَهل ماْ يعْدي

It has left me pitying the dead, who find no

And it abandoned me to lament those who died when they saw

redress for their kin's estrangement after they are gone.

After them the harshness of relatives that increases

كأني أَنا المَفْقود إن قيل هالكٌ

كأني أَنا المَفْقود إن قيل هالكٌ

مضى أو كأنّي قد فْجعت به وَحدي

مضى أو كأنّي قد فْجعت به وَحدي

As though I myself were lost when they say that someone

It's as if I am the one lost when it's said he's perished

has died, or as though I alone were bereaved of him.

Or as if I alone felt anguish over him

أحقاً اخي ان كلُّ من ماتْ عطِّلتْ

أحقاً اخي ان كلُّ من ماتْ عطِّلتْ

مجالسُ من ذَكراه بين ذوي الودِّ

مجالسُ من ذَكراه بين ذوي الودِّ

Is it true, my brother, that for everyone who dies,

Is it right, my brother, that when anyone dies

the gatherings of loving friends are emptied of his memory?

His gatherings are deprived of mention among friends

إلا كذبَ الاخوان لا عهدَ بيننا

إلا كذبَ الاخوان لا عهدَ بيننا

إذا لم يَدْمْ عهْدُ الحياة ولا الوجدِ

إذا لم يَدْمْ عهْدُ الحياة ولا الوجدِ

Nay, friends have proved false; there is no bond between us

Except the brethren have lied, there is no pact between us

if life's bond and love do not endure.

If the pact of life and passion does not last

كفي حزناً أنا نحاذر خُطَّةً

كفي حزناً أنا نحاذر خُطَّةً

وفي علْمنا ان ليس عن تلك من بُدِّ

وفي علْمنا ان ليس عن تلك من بُدِّ

It is sorrow enough that we dread a fate

It's enough of sorrow that I fear a slip

while knowing there is no escape from it.

And I know there is no escape from it

اقول وعندي عبرةٌ لمعمَّرِ

اقول وعندي عبرةٌ لمعمَّرِ

وقدمسَّه مُوهي قٌوى القلب والجلدِ

وقدمسَّه مُوهي قٌوى القلب والجلدِ

I speak to Muammar with tears in my eyes,

I say this and I have a lesson for one who lived long

for he has been struck by what weakens the heart's strength and endurance.

Whose strength of heart and endurance was touched

أصيبَ بشَطْرٍ من فؤادٍ تقَسَّمت

أصيبَ بشَطْرٍ من فؤادٍ تقَسَّمت

عزيمُته بين التجُّلد والوَجد

عزيمُته بين التجُّلد والوَجد

He was stricken in one half of a heart whose

He was afflicted with half a heart that was divided

resolve was divided between fortitude and anguish.

His resolve torn between endurance and passion

وفجَّع بالشِّبل الذي عَزَّ دونهُ

وفجَّع بالشِّبل الذي عَزَّ دونهُ

حمىً قد حَمْته غابةُ الأسد الوَرِدْ

حمىً قد حَمْته غابةُ الأسد الوَرِدْ

He lost the lion cub before whom stood an impregnable

And he was anguished by the lion cub he valued more

sanctuary, which a thicket of tawny lions had guarded.

Than the fevered forest of spears and roses

أَبا عُمَرِ لا يُبِعْدُ الله هالكاً

أَبا عُمَرِ لا يُبِعْدُ الله هالكاً

فُجعتَ به والقبرُ منزلُة والبُعدِ

فُجعتَ به والقبرُ منزلُة والبُعدِ

Abu Umar, may God not cast away the dead man

O Abu Umar may Allah not take a loved one far

whose loss bereaved you; the grave is his dwelling, and remoteness.

You felt anguish over him yet the grave is an abode and the distance an honor

يعَزَّ علينا ان نُعَزّيك إنما

يعَزَّ علينا ان نُعَزّيك إنما

مُصابك عينُ البؤسِ في عشينا الرّغدِ

مُصابك عينُ البؤسِ في عشينا الرّغدِ

It pains us to console you; truly,

It is hard for us to console you, for your affliction is the essence of misery in our easy life

your calamity is misery itself within our comfortable life.

And O resident of the grave, O son of one who lived long

ويا ثاوياً في القَبر يا ابنَ معمرٍ

ويا ثاوياً في القَبر يا ابنَ معمرٍ

لك الله من ثاوٍ وقُدَّس من لَحْدِ

لك الله من ثاوٍ وقُدَّس من لَحْدِ

O dweller in the grave, O son of Muammar,

To you belong purity from the niche and sanctity from the burial

God be with you, O dweller, and may your tomb be hallowed.

You were solace for hearts that had

لكْنتَ شفاءً للْقُلوب التَّي بِها

لكْنتَ شفاءً للْقُلوب التَّي بِها

جَوىً وجلاءً كنت للأعين الرُّمدِ

جَوىً وجلاءً كنت للأعين الرُّمدِ

You were a cure for hearts burdened

A burning and malady - you were the cure for clouded eyes

with anguish, and a remedy for inflamed eyes.

You reached your purpose and wisdom as a child, as though

بلَغْت المُنى والحلْم طفلاً كأنَّما

بلَغْت المُنى والحلْم طفلاً كأنَّما

غُدّيتَ بأخلاق المَكارمِ والرُّشدِ

غُدّيتَ بأخلاق المَكارمِ والرُّشدِ

Even as a child, you attained aspiration and forbearance, as though

You were born with the ethics of glory and integrity

you had been nourished on noble qualities and sound judgment.

And we cry for you buried as if you were leaning

ونبكيك مدفوناً كأنك مائلٌ

ونبكيك مدفوناً كأنك مائلٌ

لدينا على ما كان من ذلك العَهدِ

لدينا على ما كان من ذلك العَهدِ

We weep for you, buried, as though you were leaning

Towards us in what was of that pact

beside us, just as in those former days.

You are visited without knowing and greeted

تزورك ما تدري ويُهْدي تَحّيةً

تزورك ما تدري ويُهْدي تَحّيةً

إليك أبٌ بَرَّ ولم تدّر ما يُبدْي

إليك أبٌ بَرَّ ولم تدّر ما يُبدْي

You are visited, unaware, and a greeting is offered

By a righteous father, though you know not what he expresses

to you by a devoted father, yet you know not what he expresses.

And you were the coolness of his heart, and yet

وكنت له بَرْدَ الفؤآد وإنما

وكنت له بَرْدَ الفؤآد وإنما

اتى حرُّ هذا الوجد من ذلك البردِ

اتى حرُّ هذا الوجد من ذلك البردِ

You were the coolness of his heart, and it was

The heat of this passion came from that coolness

from that coolness that this anguish's heat arose.

He sees a glow of intense sorrow whenever

يَرى لفحَةً من لاعج الحزن كلّما

يَرى لفحَةً من لاعج الحزن كلّما

تنفّسَ مطْويُّ الضّمير على وَقْدِ

تنفّسَ مطْويُّ الضّمير على وَقْدِ

He feels a scorching breath of burning grief whenever

The grieving soul sighs over its kindling

what lies folded in his heart breathes upon the fire.

He consoles you for remembering him with your abode in the dust

يُعزّيك عن ذكراه مثواهُ في الثَّرى

يُعزّيك عن ذكراه مثواهُ في الثَّرى

تذكره مثواكَ في جُنةِ الْخُلدِ

تذكره مثواكَ في جُنةِ الْخُلدِ

His resting place in the earth consoles you for remembering him;

You remember his abode in the Garden of Eternity

you remind him of your resting place in the Garden of Eternity.

And unto Allah belongs his patient soul's endurance

ولله منه صبُرُ نفسٍ كريمةٍ

ولله منه صبُرُ نفسٍ كريمةٍ

وقد زُوّدَت منه على شدَّة الوجدِ

وقد زُوّدَت منه على شدَّة الوجدِ

To God belongs the patience of his noble soul,

Though it was equipped to face the intensity of passion

endowed with it despite the severity of anguish.

Hardships had made him sharp as the blade of a sword drawn from its sheath

لقد أسأرتهُ النّائباتُ حُشاشَةً

لقد أسأرتهُ النّائباتُ حُشاشَةً

فِرنداً كنصْلِ السّيفُ سُلّ من الغِمْدِ

فِرنداً كنصْلِ السّيفُ سُلّ من الغِمْدِ

Calamities have left him only a last spark of life,

Yet they did not push him to blame or prevent him from ways of praise

fine steel, like a sword blade drawn from its sheath.

They struck a lad whom sorrow did not divert

على أَنَّها لم تُدنهِ لَمذَمَّة

على أَنَّها لم تُدنهِ لَمذَمَّة

ولم ينتهِ بالحُزن عن طُرق الحمدِ

ولم ينتهِ بالحُزن عن طُرق الحمدِ

Yet they have not brought him near disgrace,

From generosity and bringing good news to visitors

nor has grief turned him from the paths of praise.

And it anguished him with the loss of the noble one by whom

أصابت فتىً لم يصْرف الهمُّ نفسَه

أصابت فتىً لم يصْرف الهمُّ نفسَه

عن البذل لْلمَعروف والبشرِ لْلوَفدِ

عن البذل لْلمَعروف والبشرِ لْلوَفدِ

They struck a noble man whose soul sorrow did not turn

It saw the loss of a life that does not return

from generous good deeds and a cheerful welcome to visitors.

The fate of the lofty flowed as usual with the death of Abu Bakr, and no helper can repel it

وقد فجعته بالنّجيب الذي بهِ

وقد فجعته بالنّجيب الذي بهِ

رأت فوتَ عيش لا يؤوول إلى ردِّ

رأت فوتَ عيش لا يؤوول إلى ردِّ

They bereaved him of the noble one in whose loss

The generous noble of pure descent is clouded

they saw a life gone, never to be restored.

Inclining to the heights in lineage and harvest

جَرى القَدَرُ العاديي على مُهجة العُلى

جَرى القَدَرُ العاديي على مُهجة العُلى

بموت أبي بكر ولا ناصرٌ يُعدي

بموت أبي بكر ولا ناصرٌ يُعدي

Assailing fate ran its course against the lifeblood of greatness,

His eyes shine when he remembers his uncle

with the death of Abu Bakr, and no helper could grant redress.

The venerable Mudar or his aunt Ghurra of Azd

أَغرُّ كريمُ النَّبعَتيْن مُسَوَّدٌ

أَغرُّ كريمُ النَّبعَتيْن مُسَوَّدٌ

يّمتُّ إلى العلياء بالنّسبِ الحصْدِ

يّمتُّ إلى العلياء بالنّسبِ الحصْدِ

Radiant, noble in both roots, acknowledged as a leader,

They are the kings of the land, the masters of Arabi

he is bound to the heights by firmly woven lineage.

The builders of glory with courage, wisdom and plenty

زكا طرفاه حين يذكَرُ خاله

زكا طرفاه حين يذكَرُ خاله

سَنا مُضَر أو عَمّهُ غُرَّةُ الازْدِ

سَنا مُضَر أو عَمّهُ غُرَّةُ الازْدِ

Both his branches were noble: his maternal uncle, when named,

When asked for something they would give generously as though

was Mudar's splendor—or his paternal uncle, the glory of al-Azd.

They shook the anklets or staffs of India

اولاك ملوكُ الأَرّْض ساداتُ يعربٍ

اولاك ملوكُ الأَرّْض ساداتُ يعربٍ

بُناة العُلى بالباس والحلْم والرّفدِ

بُناة العُلى بالباس والحلْم والرّفدِ

Those are the kings of the earth, the lords of Ya'rub,

For each lad of them in any circumstance

builders of greatness through valor, forbearance, and generosity.

The wisdom of old age combined with the intensity of youth

إذا سُئلوا ارتْاحوا سماحاً كأنَّما

إذا سُئلوا ارتْاحوا سماحاً كأنَّما

هزَزْت كعوبَ الخَطّ أو قُضُبَ الهندِ

هزَزْت كعوبَ الخَطّ أو قُضُبَ الهندِ

When asked, they rejoice in generosity, as though

They prepared vengeance for the enemies of their glory

you had shaken the jointed spears of al-Khatt or the blades of India.

And they cured souls of hatred and malice

لكل فتىً منهم على كل حالةٍ

لكل فتىً منهم على كل حالةٍ

من السَّلم حلمُ الشّيب في شِدةَّ الُمرد

من السَّلم حلمُ الشّيب في شِدةَّ الُمرد

For every youth among them, in every state

With each buried arrowhead penetrating the insides of women

of peace, there is an elder's forbearance within youthful strength.

Smooth, uncovered, swaying, following

أَعدُّوا نكاياتٍ لأَعداء مَجْدهم

أَعدُّوا نكاياتٍ لأَعداء مَجْدهم

ودَاوَوا نفوسا من تُراثٍ ومن حقدِ

ودَاوَوا نفوسا من تُراثٍ ومن حقدِ

They prepared grievous blows for the enemies of their glory,

Dark skinned like the sprout of basil, learned

and healed souls of inherited grievances and rancor,

Tall, long-stroked, with shoes gathered

بكلّ كُميتٍ لاحقٍ شَنجِ النَّسا

بكلّ كُميتٍ لاحقٍ شَنجِ النَّسا

أَسيلِ مكان اللّبد مُنجَردٍ نَهد

أَسيلِ مكان اللّبد مُنجَردٍ نَهد

with every bay horse, lean-flanked and tight of haunch-sinew,

With a gait barely restrained as if

smooth beneath the saddlecloth, sleek-coated and powerfully built;

The thread moved gently in woven garments and armor

وسابغةٍ ماذِيَّة تبَّعيّة

وسابغةٍ ماذِيَّة تبَّعيّة

دِلاصٍ كمثل النّهي محكمةِ السّرْدِ

دِلاصٍ كمثل النّهي محكمةِ السّرْدِ

and ample, supple coats of mail of Tubba',

And they have signs when they rise for peace

gleaming like a pool, their links closely wrought;

They are all amid compromise without an adversary

وأَسَمْر من نبت الوشيجِ مثقَّفٍ

وأَسَمْر من نبت الوشيجِ مثقَّفٍ

طويلٍ من الخَطّي ذي أَكعُبٍ مُلدِ

طويلٍ من الخَطّي ذي أَكعُبٍ مُلدِ

and a brown, straightened shaft grown from spear-reeds,

Open handed with whatever they give to each visitor

long, of al-Khatt's make, with smooth joints;

As rain poured towards fertile plains and desert

وذي شُطَبٍ ماضي الشَّباة كأنَّما

وذي شُطَبٍ ماضي الشَّباة كأنَّما

مَشى الذَّرّ منهُ في الغِرارِ وفي الحَدِّ

مَشى الذَّرّ منهُ في الغِرارِ وفي الحَدِّ

and a grooved blade, keen of point, as though

Wisdom when war drums blare yet the next day

tiny ants crawled upon its blade and along its cutting edge.

He is above your expectations at the peak

وللسَلم آياتٌ إذا ما انْتَدوا لها

وللسَلم آياتٌ إذا ما انْتَدوا لها

فكلّهم وسطَ النَّديِّ بلا نَدِّ

فكلّهم وسطَ النَّديِّ بلا نَدِّ

Peace has its signs when they gather for it:

The chastity of character and manners of souls

each, within the assembly, is without peer.

Justice and fairness for the free and slave

سماحٌ بما جادوا على كل وافدٍ

سماحٌ بما جادوا على كل وافدٍ

كما انهلَّ صوبُ المُزن في السّهل والنَّجْدِ

كما انهلَّ صوبُ المُزن في السّهل والنَّجْدِ

Generosity in what they bestow upon every visitor,

And his assets increased in further growth

as rain pours from clouds over lowland and upland;

Authorized for might and wealthy with treasures

وحْلمٌ إذا ما حلَّت السّورة الحُبا

وحْلمٌ إذا ما حلَّت السّورة الحُبا

غدا وهو منها فوق ظنك في أُحْدِ

غدا وهو منها فوق ظنك في أُحْدِ

and forbearance: when rage loosens the knee-bands,

High minded in wealth, lofty in glory

it stands against that rage beyond your imagining, firm as Uhud;

And the glory of Qureysh - that is a sweet glory

وعَفّةُ أَخلاق وآدابُ انفسٍ

وعَفّةُ أَخلاق وآدابُ انفسٍ

وعدل وانصافٌ على الحرّ والعبدِ

وعدل وانصافٌ على الحرّ والعبدِ

and purity of character, and refinement of souls,

They are the lords of the sublime, they established its pillars

and justice and fairness toward the free and the enslaved.

With the anklets of glory, silver buckles, and leather shields

وزادتَهُ فضْلاّ في زيادٍ خُؤلةٌ

وزادتَهُ فضْلاّ في زيادٍ خُؤلةٌ

مخَوِّلةُ للْعز وَارَيةُ الزنّدِ

مخَوِّلةُ للْعز وَارَيةُ الزنّدِ

Maternal kinship with Ziyad added to his distinction,

They ruled the land, courage, wisdom and prosperity

bestowing honor, kindling the fire-stick.

And built greatness with resolve and struggle

سما للْمَعَال سامةٌ وبِجِنْدِفٍ

سما للْمَعَال سامةٌ وبِجِنْدِفٍ

ومجدِ قريش طابَ ذلك من مجدِ

ومجدِ قريش طابَ ذلك من مجدِ

Samah rose toward the heights; and through Jindif

Abu Umar, may Allah grant you patience so seize

and Quraysh's glory, splendid indeed was that glory.

What you hope from its excellent promise

أولئكَ أرباب العُلى نصبوا لها

أولئكَ أرباب العُلى نصبوا لها

عِماداً بسُمر الخطّ والشُّزَّب والجُرْدِ

عِماداً بسُمر الخطّ والشُّزَّب والجُرْدِ

Those masters of greatness erected for it

May it suffice you from anguish over Ahmed and Mohammed

pillars with al-Khatt's brown spears and lean, sleek horses.

And may its rising moon bring you joy

وسادوا الورى والبأس والحلم والنّدى

وسادوا الورى والبأس والحلم والنّدى

وشادوا المعالي بالعزائم والجَدِّ

وشادوا المعالي بالعزائم والجَدِّ

They were lords of humankind, of valor, forbearance, and bounty,

You both have lived in bounty and attained

and raised noble heights through resolve and earnest striving.

The fruits of wishes with fortune and endeavor

أَبا عمرٍ لله صبرُك فاغتَنمْ

أَبا عمرٍ لله صبرُك فاغتَنمْ

به ما تُرجّي فيه من حَسَنِ الوَعْدِ

به ما تُرجّي فيه من حَسَنِ الوَعْدِ

Abu Umar, to God belongs your patience; so win

through it the fair promise you hope to receive.

كفاك الأسى عن أحمد ومحَّمدٍ

كفاك الأسى عن أحمد ومحَّمدٍ

ويهنيك منهُ طلعةُ القمر السَّعدِ

ويهنيك منهُ طلعةُ القمر السَّعدِ

May God spare you grief over Ahmad and Muhammad,

and may the auspicious moon's rising bring you joy from him.

وعُمّرتُما في نعمةٍ وبلغتما

وعُمّرتُما في نعمةٍ وبلغتما

مَنال الأْماني بالسّعادةِ والجَدِّ

مَنال الأْماني بالسّعادةِ والجَدِّ

May you both live long in blessing and attain

the fulfillment of your wishes, with happiness and good fortune.