فَرَحٌjoy يَزيدُincreases بِقَولِهَاthrough her saying لاَnot تَبعُدِgo far away
فَرَحٌ يَزيدُ بِقَولِهَا لاَ تَبعُدِ
أوَand do مَاnot تَرَاهُyou see it طَلِيعَةًa forerunner لِلمَوعِدِof the promised meeting
أوَ مَا تَرَاهُ طَلِيعَةً لِلمَوعِدِ
Joy grows when she says, “Do not go far away.”
Joy increases in her words, "Do not be faraway"
And do you not see it as a forerunner of the promised meeting?
Or what you see as a prelude to the appointment
سَمَحَتْshe granted بِهِit لأياًwith difficulty وأثقَلْand most burdensome مَاwhat هُناhere
سَمَحَتْ بِهِ لأياً وأثقَلْ مَا هُنا
قَولُthe saying of المَلِيّthe wealthy man لِمُرْتَجيهِto one hoping for his favor إلىغدuntil tomorrow
قَولُ المَلِيّ لِمُرْتَجيهِ إلىغد
She granted it with difficulty; the most burdensome thing here
She allowed it, though it weighed heavily here
Is the wealthy man's telling his petitioner, “Until tomorrow.”
The master's word to the hopeful one about tomorrow
لاَno لاَnot أذُمُّI blame مِنَof المَلِيحَةِthe beauty مَطلَهَاher delay
لاَ لاَ أذُمُّ مِنَ المَلِيحَةِ مَطلَهَا
فَنِكايَةُالعُشَّاقِfor tormenting lovers شأنُthe habit of الخُرَّدِshy maidens
فَنِكايَةُالعُشَّاقِ شأنُ الخُرَّدِ
No, no—I do not blame the beauty for her delay,
No, no, her delay is more beautiful than hastening
For tormenting lovers is the way of shy maidens.
For the lover's revenge is the way of the gallant
لَيتَif only التِيthe one who مِنْهُنَّamong them كُنتُI was أسِيرَهَاher captive
لَيتَ التِي مِنْهُنَّ كُنتُ أسِيرَهَا
قَسَمَتْshe allotted كُراعَاa shank لِيto me بِكُلّwith every تَوَدُّدِshow of affection
قَسَمَتْ كُراعَا لِي بِكُلّ تَوَدُّدِ
Would that the one among them whose captive I was
If only she of them I was her captive
Had allotted me a shank with every show of affection;
Had divided her visits for me equally, whenever we grew affectionate
أوْor أنَّهَاthat she عَلِمَتْknew بِأنِّيthat I am خَاطِبٌa suitor
أوْ أنَّهَا عَلِمَتْ بِأنِّي خَاطِبٌ
فيin حُبِّهاher love حَتَّىuntil حَطَمْتُI crushed مُفَنِّدِيmy reprover
في حُبِّها حَتَّى حَطَمْتُ مُفَنِّدِي
Or that she knew I was a suitor
Or that she knew I was her suitor
In my love for her, until I crushed my reprover.
In loving her to the point of ruining my proof
ياO أختَsister of ماءwater المُزنِthe rainclouds فيكِin you تَمَثَّلَتْwere embodied
يا أختَ ماء المُزنِ فيكِ تَمَثَّلَتْ
للعينِto the eye أوصَافُqualities of الرَّديthe bad والجَيِّدِand the good
للعينِ أوصَافُ الرَّدي والجَيِّدِ
O sister of rainwater, in you are embodied
O sister of the starry water, in you were embodied
For the eye, the qualities of the bad and the good.
For the eye, the attributes of agreeableness and excellence
مَاthere is no بَعدَafter عِلمِكَyour knowledge بالخصُومَةِof the dispute فَيصَلٌdecisive judgment
مَا بَعدَ عِلمِكَ بالخصُومَةِ فَيصَلٌ
إنْif خِيفَis feared فيin الإشْهادِcalling witnesses زُورُfalsehood of المُشْهَدِthe summoned witness
إنْ خِيفَ في الإشْهادِ زُورُ المُشْهَدِ
Once you know the dispute, no further judgment remains,
What after your knowing of the dispute, so be just
If falsehood is feared from the witness when testimony is sought.
If there is lying in testimony, the falsity of the witness
فَلِتَعلَميthen learn عَمَلَthe conduct of السَّدِيدthe judicious ِبِعلمِهِaccording to his knowledge
فَلِتَعلَمي عَمَلَ السَّدِيد ِبِعلمِهِ
فَمُجَانِبُfor one who shuns الإنصَافِfairness غَيرُnot مُسَدَّدِrightly guided
فَمُجَانِبُ الإنصَافِ غَيرُ مُسَدَّدِ
Then learn how the judicious acts upon his knowledge:
So know the deed of the sincere one by his knowledge
For whoever shuns fairness is not rightly guided.
For the unjust one is not straightforward
ولِتَنْظُريand consider عَرضاًa passing change يَحُولُcoming over بِعارِضيmy sideburns
ولِتَنْظُري عَرضاً يَحُولُ بِعارِضي
نَظَرَwith the gaze of البَصِيرِthe clear-sighted بِيومِهِthrough his present day ماwhat فِيin الغَدِtomorrow
نَظَرَ البَصِيرِ بِيومِهِ ما فِي الغَدِ
And regard a passing change that comes over my sideburns
And look at a matter which passes with its circumstances
With the gaze of one who sees in today what tomorrow holds.
The sight of the insightful one this day what is in the next
فَلَعَلَّfor perhaps أبيَضَهُits whiteness لِقَلبٍbelongs to a heart أبيَضٍwhite
فَلَعَلَّ أبيَضَهُ لِقَلبٍ أبيَضٍ
ولَعَلَّand perhaps أسوَدَهُits blackness لِقَلبٍbelongs to a heart أسوَدِblack
ولَعَلَّ أسوَدَهُ لِقَلبٍ أسوَدِ
For perhaps its whiteness belongs to a white heart,
Perhaps its lightness is for a light heart
And perhaps its blackness belongs to a black heart.
And perhaps its darkness is for a dark heart
قَالُواthey said البَياضُwhiteness يَشِينُهُdisfigures him وسَوادُهُand his blackness
قَالُوا البَياضُ يَشِينُهُ وسَوادُهُ
لَوif دامَlasted أشْهَىmore desirable لِلغَزَالِto the gazelle الأغْيَدِsupple
لَو دامَ أشْهَى لِلغَزَالِ الأغْيَدِ
They said, “Whiteness mars him, while his blackness,
They said: its lightness disgraces it, and its darkness
Were it to last, would better please the supple gazelle.”
Had it lasted would have been more beloved to the slender gazelle
ماnot أنصَفُواthey were fair بَلْrather كُلَّevery شَيءٍthing كائِنٌexisting
ما أنصَفُوا بَلْ كُلَّ شَيءٍ كائِنٌ
فيin وقتِهِits time يَرضَاهُhe approves it غَيرُother than الأنْكَدِthe churlish
في وقتِهِ يَرضَاهُ غَيرُ الأنْكَدِ
They were unfair; rather, everything that exists
They were not just! Rather, everything present
In its proper time pleases all but the churlish.
In its time is agreeable to other than the gloomy
لاَno حُسنَbeauty فيin صَلَعٍbaldness يَدومُlasting لأمرَدِfor a beardless youth
لاَ حُسنَ في صَلَعٍ يَدومُ لأمرَدِ
كُلاَّcertainly not ولاَand no مَهنَاdelight بِلَيلٍin a night سَرمَدِperpetual
كُلاَّ ولاَ مَهنَا بِلَيلٍ سَرمَدِ
There is no beauty in baldness lasting in a beardless youth,
No beauty in baldness that lasts for one immortal
No indeed, nor any delight in an everlasting night.
Or in an everlasting long night
هَذاthis وَلَوْand if أثبَتِّyou affirmed صِدقِيmy sincerity فيin الهَوىlove
هَذا وَلَوْ أثبَتِّ صِدقِي في الهَوى
لَفَرِحتُI would surely rejoice أنِّيthat I نِلْتُattained أقصَىthe utmost مَقصَدِaim
لَفَرِحتُ أنِّي نِلْتُ أقصَى مَقصَدِ
This said, if you affirmed my sincerity in love,
This, even if I prove my truthfulness in love
I would surely rejoice that I had reached my utmost aim.
I would rejoice for gaining the ultimate aim
فَرِحَrejoiced الزَّمَانُtime وقَدْand already أهَلَّrose هِلالُهُits crescent
فَرِحَ الزَّمَانُ وقَدْ أهَلَّ هِلالُهُ
حَمودَةُHammuda البَاشَاPasha بِدَرسِthrough studying المُسْنَدِthe Musnad
حَمودَةُ البَاشَا بِدَرسِ المُسْنَدِ
Time rejoiced when its crescent had risen:
The time rejoiced when its crescent dawned
Hammuda Pasha, through studying the Musnad.
The praiseworthy one, the Pasha, learned leadership
بَاكُورَةُthe first fruit of المُلكkingship ِالتيwhich افْتُتِحَتْwas opened بِهَاthrough it
بَاكُورَةُ المُلك ِالتي افْتُتِحَتْ بِهَا
فَينَانَةُthe leafy bough of الأيَّامِdays بَعدَafter تَلَدُّدِhesitation
فَينَانَةُ الأيَّامِ بَعدَ تَلَدُّدِ
The first fruit of kingship, through which opened
The first fruits of the kingdom opened with it
The leafy bough of days, after hesitation.
So the splendor of days after meandering
أخَذَhe took الكِتابَthe book فَكَانَand was أوَّلَthe first سَطرِهِline of it
أخَذَ الكِتابَ فَكَانَ أوَّلَ سَطرِهِ
بَابٌa chapter (a doorway) فَقَالَthen said السَعْدُgood fortune مِنِّيwith me فَابتَدِso begin
بَابٌ فَقَالَ السَعْدُ مِنِّي فَابتَدِ
He took the book, and its first line was
He took the book, so its first line was
“A chapter”—a door—and Fortune said, “Begin with me.”
A door, so good fortune said, “From me begin”
جَعَلَhe made النِّهَايَةَthe end فيin الصَّلاحِrighteousness بِدايَةًa beginning
جَعَلَ النِّهَايَةَ في الصَّلاحِ بِدايَةً
أوor عَنfrom سِوىsomething else بَلrather حِكمَةٍwisdom لَمْnot تُعهَدِpreviously known
أو عَن سِوى بَل حِكمَةٍ لَمْ تُعهَدِ
He made the end of righteousness a beginning;
He made righteousness the end with a beginning
Or from something else—rather, wisdom never known before.
Or other than good judgment that was unprecedented
مَنwhoever نالَreached أعْلَىthe highest part of الغُصنِthe branch عِنْدَwhen جِنَايةٍpicking fruit
مَن نالَ أعْلَى الغُصنِ عِنْدَ جِنَايةٍ
وَجَدَfound اجتِناءَpicking السُّفلِthe lower growth أسهَلَeasier لِليَدِfor the hand
وَجَدَ اجتِناءَ السُّفلِ أسهَلَ لِليَدِ
Whoever reaches the highest branch when picking fruit
Who attained the highest branch in the presence of sin
Finds gathering the lower growth easier for the hand.
Found plucking the lower one easier for the hand
ثُمَّthen استَمَرَّhe continued فَحَدّثنَso speak ماwhatever شئتَyou wish عَنْabout
ثُمَّ استَمَرَّ فَحَدّثنَ ما شئتَ عَنْ
سهمِthe arrow of النَّفاذpenetration وجُذوةَand the ember of المستجمدwhat is frozen
سهمِ النَّفاذ وجُذوةَ المستجمد
Then he continued; speak as much as you wish of
Then he continued, so speak what you wish of
The arrow of penetration and the ember of what is frozen.
The penetrating arrow and burning cinder
يَقِظُalert الجنَانِin heart لِمَاto what يُقَالُis said وَسَمْعُهُand his hearing
يَقِظُ الجنَانِ لِمَا يُقَالُ وَسَمْعُهُ
واعٍattentive وطَرفُand the gaze of العَينِthe eye منهُfrom him بِمِرصَدِon watch
واعٍ وطَرفُ العَينِ منهُ بِمِرصَدِ
His heart is alert to what is said, his hearing
Awakening the heavens for what is said, and his hearing
Attentive, and his eye's gaze keeps watch.
Is conscious and the eye is watchful from it
لاnot يَستَبِدُّhe acts independently إذاif تَبَيَّنَhe detects نَبوةًa discrepancy
لا يَستَبِدُّ إذا تَبَيَّنَ نَبوةً
فيin أصلِهِhis copy عنfrom أصلْهits original بَلْrather يَقتَدِيhe follows
في أصلِهِ عن أصلْه بَلْ يَقتَدِي
He does not act independently if he detects a discrepancy
He does not persist if a prophecy appears
In his copy from its original; rather, he follows it.
In its origin, from his origin, but he complies
وإذَاand when تَكَلَّمَhe speaks كَانَis جُلُّmost of كَلاَمِهِhis speech
وإذَا تَكَلَّمَ كَانَ جُلُّ كَلاَمِهِ
هَمْساًa whisper وَإنْand if أصغَىhe listens فَغَيْرُthen not مُبَلَّدِdull-witted
هَمْساً وَإنْ أصغَى فَغَيْرُ مُبَلَّدِ
And when he speaks, most of his speech is
And if he speaks, most of his words are
A whisper; and if he listens, he is not dull-witted.
Whispered, and if he listens, then gently without pretense
وَلَهُand he has عَلَىof فَرْطِexceptional الذَّكَاءِintelligence شَوَاهِدٌproofs
وَلَهُ عَلَى فَرْطِ الذَّكَاءِ شَوَاهِدٌ
صِفَةُthe quality of الحَيَاmodesty ونَحَافَةُand slenderness of المُتَجَرّدِthe unclothed frame
صِفَةُ الحَيَا ونَحَافَةُ المُتَجَرّدِ
And he has signs of exceptional intelligence:
And he has signs of extreme intelligence
His modest manner and the slenderness of his unclothed frame.
The description of vitality and slimness of the ascetic
وَاسْتَفْتِand consult عَمَّاabout what غَابَis hidden عَنْكَfrom you لحاظَهُhis glances
وَاسْتَفْتِ عَمَّا غَابَ عَنْكَ لحاظَهُ
فاللَّحْظُfor the gaze يعرِفُrecognizes منهin him هَدْيَthe bearing of المُهْتَدِيthe rightly guided
فاللَّحْظُ يعرِفُ منه هَدْيَ المُهْتَدِي
And consult his glances about what is hidden from you,
And ask about what was absent from your vision of it
For a glance recognizes in him the bearing of the rightly guided.
For the glance recognizes the guidance of the guided
إنْif كانwere شَخصُthe form of الرُّوحthe spirit يَظهرُto appear مَرَّةًonce
إنْ كان شَخصُ الرُّوح يَظهرُ مَرَّةً
فَلَهُوَّthen surely he is ذَاthis one وَبِهِand through him حَيَاةُthe life of السُّؤدَدِnobility
فَلَهُوَّ ذَا وَبِهِ حَيَاةُ السُّؤدَدِ
If the spirit's form were ever to appear,
If the person of the soul appears once
Then surely this is he; through him nobility lives.
Then it is he, and by him the life of eternity
فَسَيَحْمَدُthen he will praise المَسعَىthe endeavor إذَاwhen مَاever سَارَhe rides مَاwhat lies
فَسَيَحْمَدُ المَسعَى إذَا مَا سَارَ مَا
بَينَbetween البُنُودِthe banners عَلَىupon الجِيادِthe steeds المُيَّدِswaying
بَينَ البُنُودِ عَلَى الجِيادِ المُيَّدِ
So he will find the endeavor praiseworthy whenever he rides
So the endeavor will be praised when what goes
Among the banners, upon swaying steeds.
Between covenants, on the excellent steeds
وتَقَرَّand will be gladdened عَينُthe eye of المُلكِkingship مِنهُby him بِناصِرٍas a helper
وتَقَرَّ عَينُ المُلكِ مِنهُ بِناصِرٍ
مَنصُورِvictorious ماwhat is تَحْتَbeneath اللِّواءِthe banner مُؤيَّدِsupported
مَنصُورِ ما تَحْتَ اللِّواءِ مُؤيَّدِ
And kingship's eye will be gladdened by him as a helper,
And the eye of the king will be gratified by a supporter
Victorious, with all beneath the banner supported.
A victorious supporter of what is under the flag aided
حَتَّىuntil تَدِينَsubmit لَهُto him المُلُوكُthe kings جَميِعُهَاall of them
حَتَّى تَدِينَ لَهُ المُلُوكُ جَميِعُهَا
وتعدهand regard him مولىa lord لهاfor them وكأنand as though قدalready
وتعده مولى لها وكأن قد
Until all kings submit to him
Until all kings submit to him
And reckon him their lord—as though it were already so.
And count him a guardian for them as if already
فلعلهُso perhaps he المسعُودُthe fortunate one حيثُwhere أقامهُhe placed him
فلعلهُ المسعُودُ حيثُ أقامهُ
وَتَعُدُهُand regard him مَولَىa lord فيin هَذاthis المَقامِstation الأسْعَدِmost fortunate
وَتَعُدُهُ مَولَى في هَذا المَقامِ الأسْعَدِ
Perhaps he is the fortunate one, where he has been placed;
Perhaps he is the fortunate one where He established him
And he is reckoned a lord in this most fortunate station.
And count him a patron in this most blessed stance
بَلrather هُوit is عَينُthe essence of السَّعدِgood fortune أجمَعُall of it لمnot يَفُتْeludes
بَل هُو عَينُ السَّعدِ أجمَعُ لم يَفُتْ
مَنْwhoever حَازَهُpossesses it ماwhat فَاتَهُescaped him مِنْof مَقْصَدِan aim
مَنْ حَازَهُ ما فَاتَهُ مِنْ مَقْصَدِ
Rather, it is the very essence of all good fortune; nothing eludes
Rather, he is the essence of all good fortune, nothing missed
Its possessor among the goals that once escaped him.
Who possessed it what escaped him of aims
ومَنْand who الذِيthe one who أهْلٌis worthy لَهُof it ويَحُوزُهُand possesses it
ومَنْ الذِي أهْلٌ لَهُ ويَحُوزُهُ
ولَهُand to him يَقُولُsays البَخْتُfortune حَسْبُكَenough for you وازدَدِand gain more
ولَهُ يَقُولُ البَخْتُ حَسْبُكَ وازدَدِ
And who is worthy of it, and possesses it,
And who is suited for it and attains it
And to whom Fortune says, “Enough for you—yet gain more!”
And for him good fortune says, “sufficient for you so excel”
غَيرُother than الأميِرِthe emir أبُوfather of الأميرthe emir وَصِنْوُهُand his brother
غَيرُ الأميِرِ أبُو الأمير وَصِنْوُهُ
صهْرُson-in-law of الأمِيرِthe emir ابْنُson of الأميِرِthe emir الأرْشَدِmost rightly guided
صهْرُ الأمِيرِ ابْنُ الأميِرِ الأرْشَدِ
Other than the emir, the emir's father and his brother,
Other than the emir, son of the emir, his protection
The emir's son-in-law, son of the most rightly guided emir:
Son-in-law of the emir, son of the emir most wise
ابنُson of الحسينِal-Husayn عَليٌAli البَاشَاPasha الذيwho
ابنُ الحسينِ عَليٌ البَاشَا الذي
خَضَعَتْsubmitted لَهُto him الدُّنْيَاthe world خُضُوعَwith the submission of مُقَلِّدِa follower
خَضَعَتْ لَهُ الدُّنْيَا خُضُوعَ مُقَلِّدِ
Ali Pasha, son of al-Husayn, before whom
Son of Hussein, Ali the Pasha whom
The world bowed in a follower's submission.
The world surrendered to submissively
دَرَجَhe summed up الملوكَthe kings فَكانَand became فَذَلَكَةًa summation لَهُمْof them
دَرَجَ الملوكَ فَكانَ فَذَلَكَةً لَهُمْ
فِيمَاin what يَزِينُadorns وَطَرْحِand discarding ماwhat لَمnot يُحْمَدِwas praised
فِيمَا يَزِينُ وَطَرْحِ ما لَم يُحْمَدِ
He summed up the kings, becoming their epitome,
He disciplined kings, so he was an example for them
In what adorns, discarding what won no praise.
In what adorns and rejecting what is not praised
كَلِفٌintent بِأنْthat لاَnot يَكْتَفِيhe be satisfied مِنfrom سَعيِهِhis striving
كَلِفٌ بِأنْ لاَ يَكْتَفِي مِن سَعيِهِ
إلاَّexcept بِأنفَسَwith the most precious فيin النُّفُوسِsouls مُخَلَّدِimmortal
إلاَّ بِأنفَسَ في النُّفُوسِ مُخَلَّدِ
He is intent on accepting from his efforts nothing
Obligated to not be content with his endeavor
But the most precious, immortal in people's souls.
Except with the finest of souls immortalized
لَوif كَانَhe were مُمتَنِعَinaccessible اللِّقاءِto meeting لَكَانَhe would be فيin
لَو كَانَ مُمتَنِعَ اللِّقاءِ لَكَانَ في
قَلبِthe heart of الذيthe one who يَدريهِknows him نارَthe fire of المَوقِدِthe fire-kindler
قَلبِ الذي يَدريهِ نارَ المَوقِدِ
Were he inaccessible, he would be, within
If his meeting were impossible, in
The heart of one who knows him, a kindler's fire.
The heart of one who knows him a blazing fire
أفَلاَthen do not تَطِيرُfly لَهُto him القُلُوبُhearts وإنَّهَاand indeed they
أفَلاَ تَطِيرُ لَهُ القُلُوبُ وإنَّهَا
لَتَرَاهُsurely see him حَقاًtruly فيamong الحُضُورthose present الشُّهُدِthe witnesses
لَتَرَاهُ حَقاً في الحُضُور الشُّهُدِ
Then do hearts not fly to him, even though they
So do not hearts fly to him though they
Truly behold him among the assembled witnesses?
Truly see him present in witnessing
لَكِنَّbut مِنamong شِيَمِthe traits of الطِّباعِhuman dispositions مَلاَلَهَاtheir weariness of
لَكِنَّ مِن شِيَمِ الطِّباعِ مَلاَلَهَا
مَاwhat لاَnot يَغِيبُdisappears وَعِشقُand love of مَاwhat لاَnot يُوجَدِexists
مَا لاَ يَغِيبُ وَعِشقُ مَا لاَ يُوجَدِ
But a trait of human nature is its weariness of
But the nature of dispositions is boredom
What never disappears, and its love for what cannot be found.
For what does not disappear, and love of the absent
كَالمَالِlike wealth يَظهَرُappears فِيin المَنَامِa dream لِيائِسٍto one despairing
كَالمَالِ يَظهَرُ فِي المَنَامِ لِيائِسٍ
فَإذَاthen when حَوَاهُhe possesses it حَواهُhe holds it كَالمُتَزَهِّدِlike an ascetic
فَإذَا حَوَاهُ حَواهُ كَالمُتَزَهِّدِ
Like wealth appearing in a despairing man's dream:
Like wealth appears in the dream of a despairing man
Once he possesses it, he holds it like an ascetic.
So if he obtains it, he obtains it like one ascetic
يَاO أيُهَاyou المَولَىthe lord الذِيwhom قَذَفَتْcast forth بِهِhim
يَا أيُهَا المَولَى الذِي قَذَفَتْ بِهِ
أيدِيthe hands of الصَّلاحِrighteousness عَلَىupon زَمَانٍan age مُفسِدِcorrupting
أيدِي الصَّلاحِ عَلَى زَمَانٍ مُفسِدِ
O lord, who was hurled forth
O patron whom the hands of righteousness threw
By the hands of righteousness upon a corrupting age!
Upon a corrupting time
مِنْfrom أينَwhere جِئْتَyou came فَإنْfor if تَكُنْyou have أقبَلْتَcome منْfrom
مِنْ أينَ جِئْتَ فَإنْ تَكُنْ أقبَلْتَ منْ
جِهَةِthe direction of السَّماءِheaven فَلَيسَthen it is not بِالمُستَبْعَدِfar-fetched
جِهَةِ السَّماءِ فَلَيسَ بِالمُستَبْعَدِ
Where did you come from? For if you came from
Where did you come from, so if you came
The direction of heaven, that is not far-fetched.
From the heavens, it would not be far-fetched
أمَّاas for الصَّعيِدُthe earth الآنnow فَهوَit is ونَاسُهُand its people
أمَّا الصَّعيِدُ الآن فَهوَ ونَاسُهُ
بِالاعْتِبارِon reflection حُثالَةٌdregs فيin مِزوَدِa provision-bag
بِالاعْتِبارِ حُثالَةٌ في مِزوَدِ
As for the earth now, it and its people
As for the country now, it and its people
Are, on reflection, dregs in a provision-bag.
In consideration are rabble in scarcity
حَشَاexcept بَنِيthe sons of خَاقَانَKhaqan إنَّindeed رِضاهُمُtheir approval
حَشَا بَنِي خَاقَانَ إنَّ رِضاهُمُ
سِرُّthe secret of الفَلاَحِsuccess وَعُمْدَةُand the mainstay of المُتَعَمِّدِthe purposeful seeker
سِرُّ الفَلاَحِ وَعُمْدَةُ المُتَعَمِّدِ
Except the sons of Khaqan: their approval is
The Hakan family rejoiced, for their approval
The secret of success and the mainstay of the purposeful seeker.
Is the secret of prosperity and basis of purpose
أوتَادُthe pillars of هَذاthis الدّينِfaith غَيرَwithout مُدافِعٍa disputant
أوتَادُ هَذا الدّينِ غَيرَ مُدافِعٍ
وبَنُوُand the sons of الشَّهامَةِchivalry والغَنَاءِand merit الأتْلَدِlong-inherited
وبَنُوُ الشَّهامَةِ والغَنَاءِ الأتْلَدِ
The pillars of this faith, beyond dispute,
The pegs of this religion are not defenders
And sons of chivalry and long-inherited merit.
And the people of glory and most melodious singing
وَمِنَand from العِيانَةِdirect observation أنْthat كَسَوكَthey clothed you وَإنَّمَاbut in truth
وَمِنَ العِيانَةِ أنْ كَسَوكَ وَإنَّمَا
أغْلَواthey made more precious لِبَاسَهُمُtheir garment بِأنْجَدَwith one more valiant أمْجَدِmore glorious
أغْلَوا لِبَاسَهُمُ بِأنْجَدَ أمْجَدِ
And it is plain to see that they clothed you; in truth,
And it is evident that they dressed you, but
They enhanced their garment's worth with one more valiant and glorious.
They dyed their garb with the most excellent dye
كَذَبَis false اللِّباسclothing سَوىexcept لباسكyour clothing وَالمنىand hopes
كَذَبَ اللِّباس سَوى لباسك وَالمنى
غَضٌّfresh وَعَيْنُand the essence of الشَّمْلِunion غَيرُnot مُبَدَّدِscattered
غَضٌّ وَعَيْنُ الشَّمْلِ غَيرُ مُبَدَّدِ
All clothing lies except your clothing, while hopes
The dress belied except your dress, and the purpose
Are fresh, and the very bond of union remains unscattered.
Is stern, and the eye of the turban is not lost
أيَّامَin the days when كُنتَyou were عَلَىwith زَمَانِكَyour age رَاضِياًcontent
أيَّامَ كُنتَ عَلَى زَمَانِكَ رَاضِياً
وَالكَونُand existence بَينَbetween مُوسَّدٍcushioned وَمُمَهَّدِand made smooth
وَالكَونُ بَينَ مُوسَّدٍ وَمُمَهَّدِ
In the days when you were content with your age,
Attributed to the Turkish people, except it
And existence lay between what was cushioned and what was made smooth,
Is from the world of finest praise
تَتَرَصَّدُyou watched الأرضَthe earth وأينَand where تَظُنَّهُyou think it is
تَتَرَصَّدُ الأرضَ وأينَ تَظُنَّهُ
حَتَّىuntil ظفرتyou gained بِمطْمَحthe aspiration of المُتَرَصّدِthe watcher
حَتَّى ظفرت بِمطْمَح المُتَرَصّدِ
You watched the earth—where did you think it lay?
And I referred to it as dress, though it is
Until you gained what the watcher aspired to.
Vitality, said the wise one, the detached
نَسْجٌa weave زَمَتْهُshe bound it صَنَاعُthe craftswoman of أهلِكَyour family مفرداًunique
نَسْجٌ زَمَتْهُ صَنَاعُ أهلِكَ مفرداً
بَلْrather ماnot سَخَتْshe bestowed بِأخٍa brother بِذَاكَupon that المُفْرَدِunique one
بَلْ ما سَخَتْ بِأخٍ بِذَاكَ المُفْرَدِ
A weave bound by your household's craftswoman, unique;
It prides over its neighbors in its dawn
Rather, she gave that unique one no brother.
When it is the rising of your grandfather's good fortune
فَلَبِسَتْso she donned مِنهُfrom it حُلَّةًa robe مَاnot شَامَهَاhad glimpsed it
فَلَبِسَتْ مِنهُ حُلَّةً مَا شَامَهَا
طَرفٌan eye ولاَand not انْبسَطَتْwas spread لغيرِكَfor anyone but you فيin يَدٍa hand
طَرفٌ ولاَ انْبسَطَتْ لغيرِكَ في يَدٍ
So she donned from it a robe that no
And it rose through you over finery in sanctity
Eye had glimpsed, nor had any hand spread it for anyone but you.
Of a right for your being its equal in guidance
عَذُبَتْshe was sweet فلمand did not تَنْضحْexude بِمُلحَةِthe saltiness of لُجةٍa deep sea
عَذُبَتْ فلم تَنْضحْ بِمُلحَةِ لُجةٍ
وَصَفَتْand she was clear فَلَمْso not تَلْفَحْbe scorched بِغَبْرَةِby the dust of فَدْفَدِa barren plain
وَصَفَتْ فَلَمْ تَلْفَحْ بِغَبْرَةِ فَدْفَدِ
She was sweet, exuding none of a deep sea's brine;
Mother of boys and girls, and she did not give birth
And clear, unscorched by the dust of a barren plain.
Rather, she produced from her vast palm the gift
نُسِبَتْshe was ascribed لِجِيلِto the people of التُّرْكِthe Turks إلاَّexcept أنَّهَاthat she
نُسِبَتْ لِجِيلِ التُّرْكِ إلاَّ أنَّهَا
مِنْfrom عَالَمِthe realm of ثَوبِthe garment of الثَّناءِpraise الأجْودِthe finest
مِنْ عَالَمِ ثَوبِ الثَّناءِ الأجْودِ
She was ascribed to the Turkish people, yet she
And for its inadequacy toward you, love was not
Is from the realm of the finest robe of praise.
To meet you afterwards with the partnership of birth
وَكَنَيْتُand I alluded عَنْهَاto her بِاللِّباسِas clothing وإنَّهَاand indeed she
وَكَنَيْتُ عَنْهَا بِاللِّباسِ وإنَّهَا
لَيَّاشَةٌlayyasha (unclear term) قَالَsaid الحَكِيمُthe sage مُجُرَّدِunadorned
لَيَّاشَةٌ قَالَ الحَكِيمُ مُجُرَّدِ
And I alluded to her as clothing, though she is
And she protected your reins though fears surrounded her
A “layyasha” [unclear term]—the sage said—unadorned.
And the destination of your trip to the far noble one
تَزْهُوshe excels عَلَىover جَارَاتِهَاher neighbors بِصَبَاحِهَاwith her morning light
تَزْهُو عَلَى جَارَاتِهَا بِصَبَاحِهَا
إذْfor هوَit is طالعُthe rising sign of سَعْدِgood fortune جَدّكَyour destiny منfrom بَدِthe beginning
إذْ هوَ طالعُ سَعْدِ جَدّكَ من بَدِ
She outshines her neighbors with her morning light,
So are you satisfied with perfection in the story
For it is the rising sign of your fortunate destiny from the beginning.
That strengthened with your mention from the tale of the conductor
وَعَلَتْand she rose لَدَيْكَin your esteem علىabove المِلاحِthe beauties بِحُرمَةِby the sanctity of
وَعَلَتْ لَدَيْكَ على المِلاحِ بِحُرمَةِ
حقٍa right لكونْكbecause you are كفأهاher equal فيin المْحَتِدِlineage
حقٍ لكونْك كفأها في المْحَتِدِ
And she rose in your esteem above beauties, by the sanctity
How much in it of subtlety, if I had not
Of a right, since you are her equal in lineage.
Brought it out, then upon me is what is customary
أمُّmother of البَنِينَsons مَعَtogether with البَنَاتِdaughters ولَمْthough not تَلِدُshe gave birth
أمُّ البَنِينَ مَعَ البَنَاتِ ولَمْ تَلِدُ
بلrather أنْتَجَتْshe brought forth منfrom كفِّهاher palm الرَّحبِbroad النَّديdew-moist
بل أنْتَجَتْ من كفِّها الرَّحبِ النَّدي
Mother of sons and daughters, though she never gave birth;
And the account of the wafting of perfume from it is related
Rather, she brought them forth from her broad, dew-moist palm.
To every monotheist from the speech of the composer
ولِقَصرِهاand because she confined فيكto you المحبَّةlove لمnot تَكُنْshe was
ولِقَصرِها فيك المحبَّة لم تَكُنْ
تَلقَاكَmeeting you بَعْدُafterwards بِشِركَةِwith the sharing of المُتوَلِّدِoffspring
تَلقَاكَ بَعْدُ بِشِركَةِ المُتوَلِّدِ
And because she confined her love to you, she did not
If her breaths were not good, the body of the invalid laid down
Afterwards meet you with offspring sharing in it.
Would not have been revived by its fragrance
وَرَعَتْand she guarded ذِمامَكَyour bond والمَخَاوِفُwhile fears حَولَهَاaround her
وَرَعَتْ ذِمامَكَ والمَخَاوِفُ حَولَهَا
وَمَنَاطُand the fastening-place of رَحلِكَyour saddle بِالقّصِيّin the distant الأبْعَدِfarthest region
وَمَنَاطُ رَحلِكَ بِالقّصِيّ الأبْعَدِ
And she guarded your bond, with fears all around her,
It immersed you at the abode, and if you travel
While your saddle was fastened in the farthest distance.
She gifts it folded in the sheathed book
فَهَلِso have اكْتَفَيتَyou been content مِنْof الكَمَالِperfection بِقِصَةِwith a tale
فَهَلِ اكْتَفَيتَ مِنْ الكَمَالِ بِقِصَةِ
رَسَخَتْbecame established بِذِكْرِكَthrough your mention مِنfrom حدْيثِthe tale of مُهَنَدِan Indian-forged sword
رَسَخَتْ بِذِكْرِكَ مِن حدْيثِ مُهَنَدِ
So have you been content, from all perfection, with a tale
And she managed its blending as if she
Made firm by your mention, from the story of an Indian-forged sword?
Mixed it from her own sweat in the basin
كَمْhow many تَحْتَهُbeneath it منof نُكْتَةٍa subtlety إنْif لَمnot أكُنْI had
كَمْ تَحْتَهُ من نُكْتَةٍ إنْ لَم أكُنْ
أخْرَجْتُهَاbrought it out فَعَلَيَّthen I must بِالمُتَعَوَّدِresort to what is customary
أخْرَجْتُهَا فَعَلَيَّ بِالمُتَعَوَّدِ
How many subtleties lie beneath it! If I have not
Bringing about the arrangement whereby she exhausted
Brought them out, I must resort to what is customary.
Expression when speaking of the supportive speech
وَحَديثُand the account of نَفْحِthe wafting of الطِّيبِperfume عَنهَاfrom her مُسْنَدٌchain-supported
وَحَديثُ نَفْحِ الطِّيبِ عَنهَا مُسْنَدٌ
بَلَغَreached التَّواتُرَmass transmission عِندَamong كُلّevery مُوَحِّدِmonotheist
بَلَغَ التَّواتُرَ عِندَ كُلّ مُوَحِّدِ
And the account of perfume wafting from her has a chain of transmission;
Who claims other than this, so let him say
It has reached mass attestation among every monotheist.
This compound is like that singular
لَوif لمnot تَطِبwere fragrant أنفاسُهاher breaths لمnot يَنتَعِشْwould revive
لَو لم تَطِب أنفاسُها لم يَنتَعِشْ
مِنْfrom طِيبِهاher fragrance جِسمُthe body of العَلِيلِthe invalid المُقعَدِbedridden
مِنْ طِيبِها جِسمُ العَلِيلِ المُقعَدِ
Had her breaths not been fragrant, there would not have revived
This which you attained decisively
From her fragrance the body of the bedridden invalid.
Or is it the prayer of a devoted worshipper?
غَمَرَتْكَshe enveloped you منهُwith it لَدىduring المُقامِthe stay وإنand if تَسِرْyou travel
غَمَرَتْكَ منهُ لَدى المُقامِ وإن تَسِرْ
أهدَتهُshe sent it فيwithin طَيّthe fold of الكِتابِthe letter المُغمِدِenclosing it
أهدَتهُ في طَيّ الكِتابِ المُغمِدِ
She enveloped you in it during your stay; and if you travel,
What is its like among clothes, an outfit
She sends it in the folds of the letter that sheathes it.
With kings, nor like you donned
وتصَرَّفَتْand she worked فيon مَزجِهِits blending وكَأنَّهَاand as though she
وتصَرَّفَتْ في مَزجِهِ وكَأنَّهَا
خَلَطَتهُshe mixed it مِنْfrom عَرَقِsweat لَهَاof hers بِمَوَّرَدِwith rosewater
خَلَطَتهُ مِنْ عَرَقِ لَهَا بِمَوَّرَدِ
And she worked skillfully at blending it, as though she
O people of a house I grew old praising them
Mixed it from her own sweat with rosewater.
And turned away from them every transgressive guest
فأتتْso she achieved منَin التَّرتِيبِcomposition ماwhat أعيتْshe baffled بِهِwith it
فأتتْ منَ التَّرتِيبِ ما أعيتْ بِهِ
عندin العبارَةِexpression ذاَthe possessor of المَقالspeech الأيّدِpowerful
عند العبارَةِ ذاَ المَقال الأيّدِ
Thus she achieved a composition that baffled
This is my talk of you, and perhaps I
The powerful speaker when he tried to put it into words.
Will gain love for it if I am not envied
مَنْwhoever كانَwas يزعُمُclaiming غَيرَother than هذاthis فَليَقُلْthen let him say
مَنْ كانَ يزعُمُ غَيرَ هذا فَليَقُلْ
هّذاthis المُرَكَّبُcompound مِثلُlike ذَاكَthat المُفرَدِunmixed substance
هّذا المُرَكَّبُ مِثلُ ذَاكَ المُفرَدِ
Whoever claims otherwise, let him say:
In it I was highly creative about the crescent and its full moon
“This compound is like that unmixed substance.”
And sun - most creatively said to the reciter
هّذيthis one التيwhom هَاbehold نِلْتَهَاyou won her بِعَزِيمَةٍthrough determination
هّذي التي هَا نِلْتَهَا بِعَزِيمَةٍ
أمْor هِيَshe is دَعْوَةُthe prayer of عابِدٍa worshipper مُتَهَجِّدِkeeping night vigil
أمْ هِيَ دَعْوَةُ عابِدٍ مُتَهَجِّدِ
Have you won this one—behold!—through resolve,
You continue in pride and joy
Or is she the prayer of a worshipper keeping night vigil?
And the sweetest living renewed
مِاnot مِثلُهَاher equal بَينَamong المَلابسِgarments حُلَّةًas a robe
مِا مِثلُهَا بَينَ المَلابسِ حُلَّةً
عِندَamong الملوكkings ولاَand not كمثلِكَlike you مُرتَدِيa wearer
عِندَ الملوك ولاَ كمثلِكَ مُرتَدِي
Among garments there is no robe like her
And you lived what you wished until you see
Among kings, nor any wearer like you.
The vision ennobling you to the truest purpose
يَاO أهلَpeople of بَيتٍa house شِختُI grew old فيin أمدَاحِهِمtheir praises
يَا أهلَ بَيتٍ شِختُ في أمدَاحِهِم
وطَرَدْتُand I drove out عَنهَاfrom them كُلَّevery ضَيفَنِuninvited guest مُعتَدِtrespassing
وطَرَدْتُ عَنهَا كُلَّ ضَيفَنِ مُعتَدِ
O people of a house, in whose praises I have grown old,
With family, companions, followers
And from which I drove every trespassing, uninvited guest:
And caretakers, and the Prophet Muhammad
هَذاthis حَديِثيmy account عَنكُمُof you ولَعَلَّنيand perhaps I
هَذا حَديِثي عَنكُمُ ولَعَلَّني
أحظَىwin favor لَهُfor it بِالحُبّthrough love إنْif لَمْnot أُحسَدِI am envied
أحظَى لَهُ بِالحُبّ إنْ لَمْ أُحسَدِ
This is my account of you, and perhaps I
Will win love for it, if I am not envied.
أبْدَعتُI crafted originally فِيهِin it عَنِabout الهِلالِthe crescent وبدْرِهِand its full moon
أبْدَعتُ فِيهِ عَنِ الهِلالِ وبدْرِهِ
والشَّمسِand the sun أبدَعَthe most original قَولَةٍutterance لِلمُنشِدِfor the reciter
والشَّمسِ أبدَعَ قَولَةٍ لِلمُنشِدِ
In it I fashioned, of the crescent and its full moon,
And the sun, the most original utterance for a reciter.
لاَmay you not زِلتُمُcease فيin غِبطَةٍfelicity ومَسَرَةٍand delight
لاَ زِلتُمُ في غِبطَةٍ ومَسَرَةٍ
ولَذيذِand pleasant عَيشٍlife بِالهَناin happiness مُتَجَدّدrenewed
ولَذيذِ عَيشٍ بِالهَنا مُتَجَدّد
May you ever remain in felicity and delight,
And delightful living, renewed in happiness.
وَعَمرتُمْand may you live مَاas long as شِئتُمْyou wish حتَّىuntil تَرَواyou see
وَعَمرتُمْ مَا شِئتُمْ حتَّى تَرَوا
رؤيَاthe vision of تَشَرُّفِكُمْyour gaining honor لأصْدَقَtoward the truest مَقصَدِgoal
رؤيَا تَشَرُّفِكُمْ لأصْدَقَ مَقصَدِ
And may you live as long as you wish, until you see
A vision of your gaining honor, toward the truest goal,
بِالآلِby the family وَالأصْحابِand the companions وَالأتبَاعِand the followers
بِالآلِ وَالأصْحابِ وَالأتبَاعِ
وَالمُتَصَرفِينَand those directing affairs وبِالنَّبيّand by the Prophet مُحَمَّدِMuhammad
وَالمُتَصَرفِينَ وبِالنَّبيّ مُحَمَّدِ
By the family, the companions, and the followers,
And those who direct affairs, and by the Prophet Muhammad.
Partial English translation: 140 of 150 Arabic lines translated.