هَلis ...? الوَجدُyearning إِلّاexcept أَنthat تَلوحappear خِيامُهاher tents
هَل الوَجدُ إِلّا أَن تَلوح خِيامُها
فَيَقضيso it dictates بأهداءِby offering السَلامِgreetings ذمامُهاher claim upon me
فَيَقضي بأهداءِ السَلامِ ذمامُها
Is yearning more than that her tents appear,
Is there any delight but for their tents to appear,
and her claim upon me demands that I offer greetings?
And my camel's reins bid them farewell?
وَقَفتُand I stood بِهاat them أَبكيweeping وَتَرزُمُand murmurs ناقَتيmy she-camel
وَقَفتُ بِها أَبكي وَتَرزُمُ ناقَتي
وَتصهلand neigh أَفراسيmy horses وَيَدعوand call حِمامُهاher doves
وَتصهل أَفراسي وَيَدعو حِمامُها
I stood there weeping, while my she-camel murmured,
I stood weeping while my camel complained,
my horses neighed, and her doves called.
And my horses neighed, calling the doves.
وَلَوand if بكتِwept الوَرَقُthe gray ones الحَمائِمdoves شَجوهاtheir sorrow
وَلَو بكتِ الوَرَقُ الحَمائِم شَجوها
بَعَينيwith my eyes مَحاwould erase أَطواقهُنَّtheir neck-rings انسِجامُهاtheir streaming tears
بَعَيني مَحا أَطواقهُنَّ انسِجامُها
Were the gray doves to weep their sorrow
Had the leaves wept their sorrows,
with my eyes, their streaming tears would erase their neck-rings.
My eyes would erase their gathered circles.
وَفيand in كَبديmy liver استغفرI ask forgiveness of اللَهَGod غلةa burning thirst
وَفي كَبدي استغفر اللَهَ غلة
إِلىfor بَردٍhailstones يَثنىis folded عليهover it لِثامُهاher veil
إِلى بَردٍ يَثنى عليه لِثامُها
And in my liver—God forgive me—is a burning thirst
In my heart I seek God's forgiveness for my sin,
for hailstones over which her veil is folded,
For a coolness whose covering is folded over it,
وَبَردٌand coolness رُضابsaliva سَلسَلsweet-flowing غيرexcept أَنَّهُthat it
وَبَردٌ رُضاب سَلسَل غير أَنَّهُ
إِذاwhen شربتهdrinks it النَفسthe soul زادَincreases هِيامُهاits burning thirst
إِذا شربته النَفس زادَ هِيامُها
and the coolness of sweet-flowing saliva; yet
A coolness whose drinking makes the soul crave more,
when the soul drinks it, its burning thirst grows.
So strange is the sin which, when sated
فَياoh, then عَجَباًwonder مِنat غُلَةٍa burning thirst كُلَّماwhenever اِرتَوَتis quenched
فَيا عَجَباً مِن غُلَةٍ كُلَّما اِرتَوَت
مِنَwith السَلسَبيلِSalsabil العذبthe sweet زادَincreases اِضطِرامُهاits burning
مِنَ السَلسَبيلِ العذب زادَ اِضطِرامُها
How strange a thirst that, whenever it is quenched
With sweet drink, grows ever more thirsty,
with sweet Salsabil, burns still more fiercely!
As if after a deep sleep, in its slumber,
كَأَنَّas though بُعَيدَshortly after النَومِsleep فيin رَشَفاتِهاher sips
كَأَنَّ بُعَيدَ النَومِ في رَشَفاتِها
سُلافٌfirst-pressed wine رَحيقpure wine رقَّgrew delicate مِنهاthrough her مُدامُهاher wine
سُلافٌ رَحيق رقَّ مِنها مُدامُها
As though, just after sleep, the sips from her lips
A sip of limpid wine which intoxicates it,
held pure, first-pressed wine, its vintage refined by her.
And its scent and breath mingle,
وَيَعبقand wafts fragrantly رَيّاهاher scent وَأَنفاسهاand her breaths مَعاًtogether
وَيَعبق رَيّاها وَأَنفاسها مَعاً
كَنافِحجَةٍlike a musk-pod قَدalready فُضَّwas broken عَنهاfrom it خِتامُهاits seal
كَنافِحجَةٍ قَد فُضَّ عَنها خِتامُها
Her fragrance and her breath waft together,
Like a sealed bottle freshly opened.
like a musk-pod whose seal has been broken open.
I'll not forget the day when her tears fell
وَلَمand not أَنسَهاforget her يَومَthe day التَقىmet درُّpearls دَمعهاof her tears
وَلَم أَنسَها يَومَ التَقى درُّ دَمعها
وَدُرُّand pearls الثَناياof the front teeth فَذُّهاtheir single ones وَتؤامُهاand their paired ones
وَدُرُّ الثَنايا فَذُّها وَتؤامُها
I have not forgotten her when the pearls of her tears met
And the pearls of her cheeks met as twins.
the pearls of her front teeth—solitary pearls and paired ones.
She smiled, her mouth like a necklace
وَقَدand indeed بَسِمتshe smiled عَنrevealing ثَغرِهاher mouth فَكأَنَّهُso as though it
وَقَد بَسِمت عَن ثَغرِها فَكأَنَّهُ
قَلائِدُnecklaces دُرِّof pearls فيin العَقيقِcarnelian اِنتظامُهاtheir stringing
قَلائِدُ دُرِّ في العَقيقِ اِنتظامُها
She smiled, revealing her mouth, as though it were
Of strung pearls in carnelian perfectly aligned.
necklaces of pearls strung in carnelian.
And she scattered the pearls of her reproach,
وَقَدand indeed نَثَرَتshe scattered دُرُّpearls الكَلامِof speech بَعتبِهاin her reproach
وَقَد نَثَرَت دُرُّ الكَلامِ بَعتبِها
وَلَذَّand was sweet بِسَمعيto my hearing عتبُهاher reproach وَملامُهاand her blame
وَلَذَّ بِسَمعي عتبُها وَملامُها
She scattered pearls of speech in her reproaches,
Whose sweet blame was music to my ears.
and her reproach and blame were sweet to my ears.
I knew not which was lovelier,
فَلَمso not أَدرِI knew أَيwhich الدُرِّpearls أَنفَسُmost precious قيمَةًin value
فَلَم أَدرِ أَي الدُرِّ أَنفَسُ قيمَةً
أَأَدمُعُهاher tears? أَمor ثَغرُهاher mouth أَمor كَلامُهاher words
أَأَدمُعُها أَم ثَغرُها أَم كَلامُها
I could not tell which pearls were most precious:
Her tears, her mouth, or her words?
her tears, her mouth, or her words.
When she departed, it was as if
وَقَدand indeed سَفَرَتshe unveiled عَنrevealing وَجهِهاher face فَكأَنَّهُso as though it
وَقَد سَفَرَت عَن وَجهِها فَكأَنَّهُ
تَحسَّرَdrew away عنfrom شَمسِthe sun النَهارِof day جَهامُهاits rainless cloud
تَحسَّرَ عن شَمسِ النَهارِ جَهامُها
She unveiled her face, and it was as though
The veil of sunlight at noon was lifted.
a rainless cloud had drawn away from the sun of day.
Wherever her rising shines, its light
وَمِنand from حَيثُwhere ماever دارَتshe turned بِطَلعَتِهاwith her face تَرىyou see
وَمِن حَيثُ ما دارَت بِطَلعَتِها تَرى
لإِشراقِهاbecause of her radiance فيin الحُسنِbeauty نورa light أَمامهاbefore her
لإِشراقِها في الحُسنِ نور أَمامها
Wherever she turned her face, you would see
Foretells the brilliance of her beauty's dawn.
a light before her, from her radiance in beauty.
She tossed her staff into meadows as though
فَأَلقَتthen she laid down عَصاهاher staff فيin رياضٍgardens كَأَنَّهاas though they
فَأَلقَت عَصاها في رياضٍ كَأَنَّها
تَشُقُّsplit open عَنto reveal المِسكِmusk الفَتيقdiffusive كمامُهاtheir flower-sheaths
تَشُقُّ عَن المِسكِ الفَتيق كمامُها
She laid down her staff in gardens, as though
Parting sweet musk's coverlet.
their flower-sheaths were opening to release diffusive musk.
Her laughing face shone like sun on meadows,
وَضاحَكهاand smiled with her نورblossoms الأَقاحيof daisies فَراقَنيso delighted me
وَضاحَكها نور الأَقاحي فَراقَني
تَبسُّمهits smiling رَأدَthe early part of الضُحىthe forenoon واِبتِسامُهاand her smile
تَبسُّمه رَأدَ الضُحى واِبتِسامُها
The daisy blossoms smiled with her, and I delighted in
Its smile radiating the morn's joy and smiles.
their smile in the fresh forenoon and hers.
I looked - two eyes gazed back; one flowed
نظرتI looked وَليand I had عَينانِtwo eyes عَينٌone eye ترقرقتbrimmed
نظرت وَلي عَينانِ عَينٌ ترقرقت
فَفاضَتthen overflowed وَأُخرىand another حارstood still فيهاin it جِمامُهاits pooled tears
فَفاضَت وَأُخرى حار فيها جِمامُها
I looked with two eyes: one brimmed
With tears while in the other burned a coal.
and overflowed, while the other's gathered tears stood still.
I saw no eye but the sickness of its lids
فَلَمso not أَرَI saw عَيناًan eye غيرexcept سُقمِthe languor جُفونِهاof its lids
فَلَم أَرَ عَيناً غير سُقمِ جُفونِها
وَصِحَّةand the health أَجفانof the eyelids الحِسانِof beautiful women سِقامُهاtheir languor
وَصِحَّة أَجفان الحِسانِ سِقامُها
I saw no eye without languor in its lids,
And the health of the gazelle's eyes was illness.
for the health of beauties' eyelids lies in their languor.
My friend, does my greeting reach her with the specter,
خَليليَّmy two friends هَلdoes ...? يأَتيcome مَعwith الطَيفِthe phantom نَحوهاtoward her
خَليليَّ هَل يأَتي مَع الطَيفِ نَحوها
سَلاميmy greeting كَماjust as يأَتيcomes إِليَّto me سَلامُهاher greeting
سَلامي كَما يأَتي إِليَّ سَلامُها
My two friends, does there reach her with the phantom
As hers reaches me each morn?
my greeting, as her greeting reaches me?
On a pitch black night she came stealthily,
أَلَمَّتshe visited بِناus فيon لَيلَةٍa night مُكفَهَّرَةٍgloomy
أَلَمَّت بِنا في لَيلَةٍ مُكفَهَّرَةٍ
فَماso not سفُرتshe unveiled حَتّىuntil تَجلّىcleared ظَلامُهاits darkness
فَما سفُرت حَتّى تَجلّى ظَلامُها
She visited us on a gloomy night,
Not departing until her darkness lifted.
and no sooner had she unveiled herself than its darkness cleared.
Weak, in deep gloom - the night was endless,
أَتَتshe came موهناًdeep in the night وَاللَيلand the night أَسوَدblack فاحِمِcharcoal-dark
أَتَت موهناً وَاللَيل أَسوَد فاحِمِ
طَويلٍlong حَكاهmirrored it فَرعُهاher tresses وَقَوامُهاand her stature
طَويلٍ حَكاه فَرعُها وَقَوامُها
She came deep in the night, when it was charcoal-black
As she described by her stature and figure.
and long, mirrored by her tresses and her stature.
The specter saw in me a wakeful, modest soul,
فَأَبصرso saw مِنّيin me الطَيفthe phantom نَفساًa soul أَبيَّةًproud
فَأَبصر مِنّي الطَيف نَفساً أَبيَّةً
تَيقُّظُهاits waking منfrom عِفَّةٍchastity وَمَنامُهاand its sleep
تَيقُّظُها من عِفَّةٍ وَمَنامُها
The phantom found in me a proud soul,
Rising for virtue's sake though time for rest.
whose waking and sleeping alike spring from chastity.
If my luck is the phantom came,
إِذاif كانَis حَظّيmy lot أَينَwherever حَلَّalights خَيالُهاher image
إِذا كانَ حَظّي أَينَ حَلَّ خَيالُها
فَسَيّانَthen equal عِنديto me نَأيُهاher distance وَمُقامُهاand her presence
فَسَيّانَ عِندي نَأيُها وَمُقامُها
If my lot is wherever her image alights,
Her distance and presence are equal to me.
her distance and her presence are the same to me.
Of what use is it if home gathers us,
وَهَلand does ...? نافِعيbenefit me أَنthat تَجمعbrings together الدارَthe dwelling بَينَناbetween us
وَهَل نافِعي أَن تَجمع الدارَ بَينَنا
بِكُلِّin every مَكانٍplace وَهيَwhile she صَعبٌdifficult مَرامُهاattaining her
بِكُلِّ مَكانٍ وَهيَ صَعبٌ مَرامُها
Does it help me that a dwelling brings us together
When her goal is difficult wherever she turns?
in any place, when she is so hard to attain?
Gentle lady, take pity on a lover's heart
أَسيِّدَتيO my lady رِفقاًgentleness بِمُهجَةwith the heart عاشِقٍof a lover
أَسيِّدَتي رِفقاً بِمُهجَة عاشِقٍ
يُعذِّبهاtorments it بِالبُعدِwith distance مِنكِfrom you غَرامُهاits passion
يُعذِّبها بِالبُعدِ مِنكِ غَرامُها
O my lady, be gentle with a lover's heart,
Tormented by your distance and his passion.
tormented by its passion when far from you.
Yours is bounty; be generous with your beauty
لَكِfor you الخَيرُgoodness جوديbe generous بِالجَمالِwith beauty فَإِنَّهُfor it
لَكِ الخَيرُ جودي بِالجَمالِ فَإِنَّهُ
سَحابَةa cloud صَيفٍof summer لاnot يُرجّىis hoped for دَوامُهاits permanence
سَحابَة صَيفٍ لا يُرجّى دَوامُها
May good be yours: be generous with your beauty, for it is
Which flows like a summer cloud, lasting not.
a summer cloud whose permanence cannot be hoped for.
Beauty is brief - take action before it fades
وَماand not الحُسنُbeauty إِلّاexcept دَولَةa passing reign فاِصنَعيso perform بِهاwith it
وَما الحُسنُ إِلّا دَولَة فاِصنَعي بِها
يَداًa kindness قَبلَbefore أَنthat تَمضيit passes وَيغبرand remains ذامُهاits reproach
يَداً قَبلَ أَن تَمضي وَيغبر ذامُها
Beauty is but a passing reign; use it to bestow
And its features turn to dust.
a kindness before it departs and its reproach remains.
I see the soul make passion lawful, though it dooms
أَرىI see النَفسَthe soul تَستَحليfinds sweet الهَوىlove وَهوَthough it حَتفُهاits doom
أَرى النَفسَ تَستَحلي الهَوى وَهوَ حَتفُها
بِعَيشِكِby your life هَلis ...? يَحلوsweet لِنَفسِto a soul حِمامُهاits death
بِعَيشِكِ هَل يَحلو لِنَفسِ حِمامُها
I see the soul find love sweet, though it is its doom;
Can the heart of a dove find sweetness in it?
by your life, can a soul find its own death sweet?
By your life! 'Isa melted my resolve;
وَعيسٍand pale camels أَذابَتmelted نِيَّتيmy resolve جَلَّmost of نِيُّهاtheir fat
وَعيسٍ أَذابَت نِيَّتي جَلَّ نِيُّها
فَرحليَso my saddle منfrom بعدafter السَنامِthe hump سَنامُهاtheir hump
فَرحليَ من بعد السَنامِ سَنامُها
And pale camels—my resolve melted most of their fat,
After glory, all is decline.
so my saddle became their hump after their own was gone.
She races the meadows' poles as though
تَصارعstruggle فيin البَيداءthe desert خُوصاًsunken-eyed كَأَنَّهاas though they
تَصارع في البَيداء خُوصاً كَأَنَّها
قِسيّbows وَلَكِنَّbut الرِجالthe men سِهامُهاtheir arrows
قِسيّ وَلَكِنَّ الرِجال سِهامُها
They struggle through the desert, sunken-eyed, as though
A bow, though men are its arrows.
they were bows, but with men as their arrows.
If her braids were bound up with her headband,
وَلوَand if حُزِمَتwere girded منbecause of ضُمرهاtheir leanness بِحُذامِهاwith their girths
وَلوَ حُزِمَت من ضُمرها بِحُذامِها
لَجالَتwould slip around عَلىaround أَوساطِهِنَّtheir waists حُذامُهاtheir girths
لَجالَت عَلى أَوساطِهِنَّ حُذامُها
And if, so lean, they were girded with their girths,
They would hang over her waist as a belt.
their girths would slip around their waists.
We came to her, each curve straightened, as though
جَنَبناwe led alongside إِلَيهاto them كُلَّevery عُوَجٍarched-necked steed كَأَنَّماas though
جَنَبنا إِلَيها كُلَّ عُوَجٍ كَأَنَّما
يُناطُis hung عَلىupon أَعلىthe tops الرِماحِof spears لِجامُهاtheir bridles
يُناطُ عَلى أَعلى الرِماحِ لِجامُها
We led every arched-necked horse alongside them, as though
The quivers were attached to the lance points.
their bridles were suspended atop spears.
As if, in the plain, the poem's bayt calls me,
كَأَنّيas though I فيin البَيداءthe desert بيتa verse قَصيدَةٍof a poem
كَأَنّي في البَيداء بيت قَصيدَةٍ
تُناشِدُنيrecite me غيطانُهاits hollows وَأَكامُهاand its hills
تُناشِدُني غيطانُها وَأَكامُها
As though, in the desert, I were a verse of a poem,
Its rhythms and verses beckon.
recited by its hollows and its hills,
Until we reached Hasan's palm, it brought safety
إِلىuntil أَنthat لثمناwe kissed كفَّthe hand حَسّانHassan إِنَّهاindeed it
إِلى أَن لثمنا كفَّ حَسّان إِنَّها
أَمانٌsecurity منagainst الفَقرِpoverty المضِرِّruinous التِثامهاkissing it
أَمانٌ من الفَقرِ المضِرِّ التِثامها
until we kissed Hassan's hand; indeed,
From need's harm and embarrassing poverty.
kissing it is security against ruinous poverty.
Then goodness flowed freely from the son of Mufarraj,
فَلَمّاthen when اِستَلَمناwe touched راحَةَthe palm ابنِson of مُفرِّجٍMufarrij
فَلَمّا اِستَلَمنا راحَةَ ابنِ مُفرِّجٍ
تدفَّقpoured forth بِالجودِwith generosity الصَريحِunalloyed غِمامُهاits cloud
تدفَّق بِالجودِ الصَريحِ غِمامُها
When we touched the palm of Ibn Mufarrij,
The King who gives his carpet before its time.
its cloud poured forth unalloyed generosity.
The prostration of kings beneath it, standing over them -
هوَhe المَلِكُthe king يُبليwears out بُسَطهُhis carpets قَبلَbefore وَقتِهاtheir time
هوَ المَلِكُ يُبلي بُسَطهُ قَبلَ وَقتِها
سُجودُthe prostration مُلوكٍof kings فَوقهاupon them وَقيامُهاand their standing
سُجودُ مُلوكٍ فَوقها وَقيامُها
He is the king whose carpets are worn out before their time
If you kiss his feet and palm you've gained great fortune.
by kings prostrating and standing upon them.
From afar, if you see him, hope springs;
فَإِنand if قَبَّلتthey kiss مِنهُof his رِكاباًa stirrup وَراحَةًand a palm
فَإِن قَبَّلت مِنهُ رِكاباً وَراحَةً
فَقَدthen indeed فازَwon بِالحَظِّwith a share الجَزيلabundant سِهامُهاtheir lots
فَقَد فازَ بِالحَظِّ الجَزيل سِهامُها
If they kiss his stirrup and his palm,
If not, though absent, it leaps in spirit.
their lots have won an abundant share.
The crowns of kings clash at his door,
إِذاwhen عايَنتَهُthey see him مِنfrom بَعيدٍafar تَرَجَّdismount
إِذا عايَنتَهُ مِن بَعيدٍ تَرَجَّ
فَإِنand if هيَthey لَمnot تَفعَلdo so تَرَجَّلdismount هامُهاtheir heads
فَإِن هيَ لَم تَفعَل تَرَجَّل هامُها
When they see him from afar, they dismount;
And greetings abound on his day of peace.
and if they do not, their heads will dismount.
A tribe of youths raised him to highest rank,
تَصادمcollide تيجانthe crowns المُلوكof kings بِبابِهِat his gate
تَصادم تيجان المُلوك بِبابِهِ
وَيكثرand increases فيon يَومthe day السَلامof greeting ازدِحامُهاtheir crowding
وَيكثر في يَوم السَلام ازدِحامُها
Kings' crowns collide at his gate,
Their dark-skinned boy was a cub among men.
and their crowding increases on the day of greeting.
They are lions, yet give towns to those who visit them;
نَمَتهُraised him إِلىto أَعلىthe highest المَراتِبِranks عُصبَةa clan
نَمَتهُ إِلى أَعلى المَراتِبِ عُصبَة
يُسَوَّدُis made a chief مِنfrom قبلbefore البُلوغِpuberty غُلامُهاits boy
يُسَوَّدُ مِن قبل البُلوغِ غُلامُها
A clan raised him to the highest ranks,
While lions hoard their food for themselves.
whose boy is made a chief before reaching maturity.
When his children cry the faces of the exalted smile,
هيَthey الأُسدُlions إِلّاexcept أَنَّهاthat they تبذلoffer القِرىhospitality
هيَ الأُسدُ إِلّا أَنَّها تبذل القِرى
لِطارِقِهاto their night visitor والأُسدُwhile lions يَحمىis guarded طَعامُهاtheir food
لِطارِقِها والأُسدُ يَحمى طَعامُها
They are lions, except that they offer hospitality
And the frown of gravity dissolves.
to their nighttime visitor, whereas lions' food is guarded.
They mix jewels with sublime things for the child,
إِذاwhen ماever استَهَلَّcried at birth الطِفلthe child منهمof them تَهلَّلَتbeamed
إِذا ما استَهَلَّ الطِفل منهم تَهلَّلَت
وجوهthe faces المَعاليof high honors وَاِستَهَلَّand poured rain رُكامُهاtheir piled clouds
وجوه المَعالي وَاِستَهَلَّ رُكامُها
Whenever a child of theirs cries at birth, there brighten
And he is nurtured on them, his meat and bones.
the faces of high honors, and their piled clouds pour rain.
If after a time they wean their children,
هُمُthey يَمزِجونmix الدَرَّmilk لِلطِّفلِfor the child بِالعُلىwith high honor
هُمُ يَمزِجون الدَرَّ لِلطِّفلِ بِالعُلى
وَيَنشأand grows عَلَيهاon it لَحمُهاtheir flesh وَعِظامُهاand their bones
وَيَنشأ عَلَيها لَحمُها وَعِظامُها
They mingle the child's milk with high honor,
Still, it’s from jewels, not the sublime, they wean.
and on it their flesh and bones grow.
A whip to the back of the cruel, if the words
وَإِنand if فَطمواthey wean أَطفالهمtheir children بعدafter بُرهةٍa while
وَإِن فَطموا أَطفالهم بعد بُرهةٍ
فَعَنthen from دَرِّهاtheir milk لاnot عَنfrom عُلاهاtheir high honor فِطامُهاtheir weaning
فَعَن دَرِّها لا عَن عُلاها فِطامُها
And when they wean their children after a time,
Of enemies flow with blood, and words with blood.
their weaning is from milk, not from high honor.
Their tresses are their coats of mail, their hearing
جِلادٌhardy عَلىin حرthe heat الجِلادِof combat إِذاwhen اِرتَمَتspurted
جِلادٌ عَلى حر الجِلادِ إِذا اِرتَمَت
كِلامُthe wounds الأَعاديof enemies بِالدِماwith blood وَكِلامُهاand their wounds
كِلامُ الأَعادي بِالدِما وَكِلامُها
They are hardy in the heat of battle, when
The neighing of meadows, and blood their wine.
their foes' wounds and their own spurt blood.
Death lingers where their swords linger,
غَلائلهاtheir undergarments أَدراعهاtheir coats of mail وَسَماعُهاand their music
غَلائلها أَدراعها وَسَماعُها
صَليلُthe clang المَواضيof sharp blades وَالدِماءand blood مُدامُهاtheir wine
صَليلُ المَواضي وَالدِماء مُدامُها
Their undergarments are their coats of mail, and their music
And gifts remain where their tents remain.
is the clang of sharp blades, and blood their wine.
Good fortune belongs entirely to those they favor,
تَظَلُّspend the day المَناياdeaths حَيثُwherever ظَلَّتspend the day سُيوفُهاtheir swords
تَظَلُّ المَنايا حَيثُ ظَلَّت سُيوفُها
وَتُمسيand spend the evening العَطاياgifts حيثُwherever أَمسَتspend the evening خِيامُهاtheir tents
وَتُمسي العَطايا حيثُ أَمسَت خِيامُها
Deaths spend the day wherever their swords do,
And misfortune to those from whom they take vengeance.
and gifts spend the evening wherever their tents do.
Their greatest fault is frightening
فَماand not السَعدُgood fortune كلall السَعيدِthe fortunate إِلّاexcept عَطاؤُهاtheir giving
فَما السَعدُ كل السَعيدِ إِلّا عَطاؤُها
وَماand not النَحسُill fortune كُلُّall النَحسِill fortune إِلّاexcept اِنتِقامُهاtheir vengeance
وَما النَحسُ كُلُّ النَحسِ إِلّا اِنتِقامُها
All the good fortune of the fortunate lies in their gifts,
The abased guest with their swords.
and all ill fortune lies in their vengeance.
Indeed, the House of Makkah for glory
وَأَكثرand the greatest ماof what فيهاin them مِنَof العَيبِfault أَنَّهاthat they
وَأَكثر ما فيها مِنَ العَيبِ أَنَّها
تُروِّعthey frighten بِالضَيفِwith the guest المَنيخstopping to camp سوامُهاtheir grazing herds
تُروِّع بِالضَيفِ المَنيخ سوامُها
Their greatest fault is that
Is its corner, and Hasan its standing place.
they frighten their grazing herds with a guest who stops to camp.
With the Supporter of God's Faith his triumph grows,
أَلاbehold إِنَّindeed طَيّاًTayy لِلمَكارِمِfor noble deeds كَعبَةًa Kaaba
أَلا إِنَّ طَيّاً لِلمَكارِمِ كَعبَةً
وَحسانand Hassan مِنهاof it رُكنُهاits cornerstone وَمُقامُهاand its station
وَحسان مِنها رُكنُها وَمُقامُها
Indeed, Tayy is a Kaaba of noble deeds,
As over all kings he rules supreme.
and Hassan is its cornerstone and its station.
Remote is the reach of his open hand, which gathers
بِناصِرby the champion دينِof the faith اللَهِof God أُيِّدَwas strengthened نَصرُهاits victory
بِناصِر دينِ اللَهِ أُيِّدَ نَصرُها
وَجارٍand prevailing عَلىover كُلِّall المُلوكِkings اِحتِكامُهاits authority
وَجارٍ عَلى كُلِّ المُلوكِ اِحتِكامُها
Through the champion of God's faith its victory is strengthened,
Only finest pearls, not rough stones.
and its authority prevails over every king.
If the clouds had the bounty of his right hand,
بَعيدٌfar-reaching مَداهُhis reach لَيسَnot تأَلَفُis familiar with كَفَّهُhis palm
بَعيدٌ مَداهُ لَيسَ تأَلَفُ كَفَّهُ
مِنَamong المكرُماتِnoble gifts الغُرّsplendid إِلّاexcept حُسامُهاits sword
مِنَ المكرُماتِ الغُرّ إِلّا حُسامُها
Far-reaching is he; his hand is at home with none
They would shower hopes upon souls.
of the splendid gifts except its sword.
If the moons had his forehead's light,
وَلَوand if أَنَّthat للأَنواءthe rain-stars had جودthe generosity يَمينِهِof his right hand
وَلَو أَنَّ للأَنواء جود يَمينِهِ
لَجادَتwould grant بِآمالwith the hopes of النُفوسِsouls رُهامُهاtheir light rains
لَجادَت بِآمال النُفوسِ رُهامُها
If the rain-stars possessed the generosity of his right hand,
Theirs would never fade or diminish.
their light rains would grant souls all their hopes.
Unconcerned with building, his right palm,
وَلَوand if أَنَّthat لِلأَقمارِthe moons had ضوءthe radiance جَبينِهِof his brow
وَلَو أَنَّ لِلأَقمارِ ضوء جَبينِهِ
لماwould not زالَdepart عَنهاfrom them نورهاtheir light وَتَمامُهاand their fullness
لما زالَ عَنها نورها وَتَمامُها
If the moons possessed the radiance of his brow,
If occupied with swords, still rains with bounty.
their light and fullness would never leave them.
A soul disposed toward glory,
وَلَيسَand not بِمَشغولِpreoccupied البَنانِthe fingers عَنaway from النَدىgenerosity
وَلَيسَ بِمَشغولِ البَنانِ عَن النَدى
إِذاwhen شغلَoccupies الكَفّthe palm اليَمينthe right حُسامُهاits sword
إِذا شغلَ الكَفّ اليَمين حُسامُها
His fingers are not kept from generosity
And a spirit attuned to the heights.
when his sword occupies his right hand.
When war blackens, his sword shines bright,
سَجيَّةthe nature نَفسٍof a soul لِلمَكارِمِof noble deeds جَمعُهاits gathering
سَجيَّة نَفسٍ لِلمَكارِمِ جَمعُها
وَشيمَةand the disposition نَفسٍof a soul لِلمَعاليfor high honors اِهتمامُهاits concern
وَشيمَة نَفسٍ لِلمَعالي اِهتمامُها
Gathering noble deeds is his soul's nature,
Or else, from it pours darkness.
and concern for high honors is his soul's disposition.
With a band like this, necks and pillars
إِذاwhen اِسوَدَّتturns black الحَربُwar اِستَضاءَتِtakes light بِسَيفِهِfrom his sword
إِذا اِسوَدَّت الحَربُ اِستَضاءَتِ بِسَيفِهِ
كَذَلِكَthus أَوuntil يَنجابُlifts عنهfrom him قُتامُهاits dust-cloud
كَذَلِكَ أَو يَنجابُ عنه قُتامُها
When war turns black, it takes light from his sword,
Of the lofty, their weapons props.
thus, until its dust-cloud lifts from him.
Spear hafts bow before each heart,
لدىbeside فازَةٍa pavilion لِلنَّقعِof dust أَوpegs (opening fragment) تادpegs (closing fragment) مِثلهاof its like
لدى فازَةٍ لِلنَّقعِ أَو تاد مِثلها
عِتاقُnoble-bred المَذاكيmature steeds وَالرِماحand spears دُعامُهاits pillars
عِتاقُ المَذاكي وَالرِماح دُعامُها
Beside a pavilion of dust; the pegs of such a tent
And the blades lead in prayer.
are noble, mature steeds, and spears are its pillars.
Their swords roar loud as quarreling foes
تَظلُّremain كُعوبthe joints الرُمحof the spear فيهاin it رَواكِعاًbowed
تَظلُّ كُعوب الرُمح فيها رَواكِعاً
إِلىtoward كُلِّevery قَلبٍheart وَالسِنانُand the spearhead إِمامُهاtheir prayer leader
إِلى كُلِّ قَلبٍ وَالسِنانُ إِمامُها
There the joints of spears remain bowed
Though only souls within clash.
toward every heart, the spearhead their prayer leader.
In the ribs' end their points judge,
تَضُجُّclamor القناthe lances فيهاin it ضَجيجاًloudly كَأَنَّهاas though they
تَضُجُّ القنا فيها ضَجيجاً كَأَنَّها
خُصومlitigants وَلَكِنbut فيwithin النُفوسsouls اِختِصامُهاtheir quarrel
خُصوم وَلَكِن في النُفوس اِختِصامُها
There the lances clamor loudly, as though
And through dense bone they pierce.
they were litigants, but their quarrel is within souls.
Some emeralds above jewels as though
تُحكَّمare given judgment فيover قُصرىthe lowest الضُلوعِribs قِصارُهاtheir short ones
تُحكَّم في قُصرى الضُلوعِ قِصارُها
وَيَمرُقand pierce through فيthrough صُمِّthe solid العِظامِbones عِظامُهاtheir great ones
وَيَمرُق في صُمِّ العِظامِ عِظامُها
Their short ones are given judgment over the lowest ribs,
Sealed rings on the fingers pressed together.
and their great ones pierce the solid bones.
Others, split emeralds, as if
فَمِنso some زَردٍmail-rings فَوقَupon العَواليthe lance-tips كَأَنَّهاas though they
فَمِن زَردٍ فَوقَ العَوالي كَأَنَّها
خَواتِمrings أَودىbrought death فيin البَنانِthe fingers التِحامُهاtheir tight joining
خَواتِم أَودى في البَنانِ التِحامُها
Some mail-rings upon the lance-tips seem like
Chips fly from the fingertips.
rings whose tight clasp has spelled the fingers' doom.
When his flags rise against his enemies,
وَمنand some زَرَدٍmail-rings قَدhave طارflown off أَنصافهtheir halves كَماjust as
وَمن زَرَدٍ قَد طار أَنصافه كَما
تَطايرfly off عَنfrom أَعلىthe tips البنانof the fingers قُلامُهاtheir nail-parings
تَطاير عَن أَعلى البنان قُلامُها
Other mail-rings have had their halves fly off, as
It’s no wonder they retreat and flee.
nail-parings fly from the tips of fingers.
You have bound Qahtan's father to eternal glory,
إِذاwhen طلعتrise راياتهhis banners لعداتِهِbefore his enemies
إِذا طلعت راياته لعداتِهِ
فَلَيسَthen not عَجيباًsurprising فِلُّهاtheir rout واِنهزامُهاand their defeat
فَلَيسَ عَجيباً فِلُّها واِنهزامُها
When his banners rise before his foes,
A bond that does not fear breaking.
their rout and defeat are no surprise.
Swords were shrouded but I honed them,
لَقَدindeed علقتgrasped قَحطانQahtan منكthrough you أَباO father of النَدىgenerosity
لَقَد علقت قَحطان منك أَبا النَدى
بِعُروَةِwith a handhold of مَجدٍglory لاnot يَخافis feared اِنفِصامُهاits breaking
بِعُروَةِ مَجدٍ لا يَخاف اِنفِصامُها
Through you, O father of generosity, Qahtan has grasped
Blows scattered their rust and grime.
a handhold of glory with no fear of its breaking.
If they faced barrenness, you were its spring,
وَكانَتand they were سُيوفاًswords دُثَّراًrust-covered فَشحذتُهاso I sharpened them
وَكانَت سُيوفاً دُثَّراً فَشحذتُها
فَطيَّرso sent flying ماضيهاtheir sharp ones الطِلىnecks وَكَهامُهاand their blunt ones
فَطيَّر ماضيها الطِلى وَكَهامُها
They were rust-covered swords, and I sharpened them,
And if they waged war, you were its sword.
so both their sharp blades and their blunt ones sent necks flying.
Boasting of your memory was their pride;
فَإِنand if كابدَتsuffered جَدباًdrought فَأَنتَthen you رَبيعُهاtheir spring
فَإِن كابدَت جَدباً فَأَنتَ رَبيعُها
وَإِنand if باشَرَتengaged in حَرباًwar فَأَنتَthen you حُسامُهاtheir sword
وَإِن باشَرَت حَرباً فَأَنتَ حُسامُها
If they suffer drought, you are their spring;
Your bounty was their honor.
and if they engage in war, you are their sword.
Small are the lands and peoples of the world for you -
بِذِكرِby recalling الَّذيwhat أَوليتyou bestowed كانَwas اِفتِخارهاtheir pride
بِذِكرِ الَّذي أَوليت كانَ اِفتِخارها
وَفَضلand the bounty الَّذيof what أَعطيتyou gave كانَmade كِرامُهاtheir nobles
وَفَضل الَّذي أَعطيت كانَ كِرامُها
Their pride lay in recalling what you bestowed,
What more could you want of Syria?
and their nobles were made by the bounty you gave.
Journey and conquer, for its kings
قَليلٌlittle لَكَfor you الأَرضونَthe lands مُلكاًas a kingdom وَأَهلهاand their people
قَليلٌ لَكَ الأَرضونَ مُلكاً وَأَهلها
عَبيداًas slaves فَهلso is ...? مُستَكثِرٌthought too much لَكَfor you شامُهاtheir al-Sham
عَبيداً فَهل مُستَكثِرٌ لَكَ شامُها
The lands are little for you as a kingdom, and their people
Fall short of you, their complement.
as slaves; could al-Sham be counted too much for you?
Except that the Emir's traits are jewels,
فَسِرso march واِفتَحِand conquer الدُنياthe world فَإِنَّfor indeed ملوكهاits kings
فَسِر واِفتَحِ الدُنيا فَإِنَّ ملوكها
بِهاin it وَبِهِمand in them نَقصٌdeficiency وَأَنتَand you تَمامُهاits perfection
بِها وَبِهِم نَقصٌ وَأَنتَ تَمامُها
March forth and conquer the world, for its kings
And my praise a threading of them.
and it alike are flawed, while you are its perfection.
My soul has reached you - if it has a share
الاbehold أَنindeed أَوصافthe qualities الأَميرof the prince جَواهِرjewels
الا أَن أَوصاف الأَمير جَواهِر
وَإِنَّand indeed مَديحيmy praise سلكهاtheir thread وَنِظامُهاand their ordering
وَإِنَّ مَديحي سلكها وَنِظامُها
Behold, the prince's qualities are jewels,
In wealth, then this is the year for it.
and my praise is their thread and their ordering.
وَقَدand indeed بَلَغتreached نَفسيmy soul إِلَيكَto you فَإِنthen if يَكُنthere is
وَقَد بَلَغت نَفسي إِلَيكَ فَإِن يَكُن
لَهاfor it فيin الغِنىwealth حَظٌّa share فَذاthen this العامُyear عامُهاits year
لَها في الغِنى حَظٌّ فَذا العامُ عامُها
My soul has reached you; if there is
a share of wealth for it, this year is its year.
Partial English translation: 141 of 144 Arabic lines translated.