مَاذَاwhat طَحَاswept away بِكَwith you يَاO صَنَّاجَةَcymbal-playing bard of الأدَبِliterature
مَاذَا طَحَا بِكَ يَا صَنَّاجَةَ الأدَبِ
هَلاَّwhy not شَدَوْتَyou sang بِأَمْدَاحِin praise of ابْنَةِthe daughter of العَرَبِthe Arabs
هَلاَّ شَدَوْتَ بِأَمْدَاحِ ابْنَةِ العَرَبِ
What has swept you away, O cymbal-playing bard of letters?
What misfortune has befallen you, O bard of literature?
Why have you not sung the praises of the daughter of the Arabs?
Why don't you sing the praises of the daughter of the Arabs?
أطَارَdrove away نَوْمَكَyour sleep أَحْدَاثٌevents وَجَمْتَyou fell silent لَهَاbefore them
أطَارَ نَوْمَكَ أَحْدَاثٌ وَجَمْتَ لَهَا
فَبِتَّso you spent the night تَنْفُخُsighing بَيْنَbetween الهَمِّsorrow والْوَصَبِand suffering
فَبِتَّ تَنْفُخُ بَيْنَ الهَمِّ والْوَصَبِ
Events have driven away your sleep, and you fell silent before them,
Events have disrupted your slumber, so you moan
So you spent the night sighing between sorrow and suffering.
And spend the night sighing amidst anxiety and insomnia.
وَالْيَعْرُبِيَّةُand Arabic أَنْدىmost mellifluous مَاwhat بَعَثْتَyou sent forth بِهِthrough it
وَالْيَعْرُبِيَّةُ أَنْدى مَا بَعَثْتَ بِهِ
شَجْواًa lament مِنَfrom الْحُزنِsorrow أَوْor شَدْواًa song منَfrom الطَّرَبdelight
شَجْواً مِنَ الْحُزنِ أَوْ شَدْواً منَ الطَّرَب
And Arabic is the sweetest medium through which you send forth
And Al-Ya'rubiyya is the most brilliant thing you have composed,
A lament born of sorrow, or a song born of delight.
Whether it is a lament of sorrow or lyrics of joy.
رُوحٌa spirit مِنَfrom اللّهِGod أَحْيَتْawakened كُلَّevery نَازِعَةٍimpulse
رُوحٌ مِنَ اللّهِ أَحْيَتْ كُلَّ نَازِعَةٍ
مِنَof البَيَانِeloquence وَآتَتْand granted كُلَّevery مُطَّلَبِdesire
مِنَ البَيَانِ وَآتَتْ كُلَّ مُطَّلَبِ
A spirit from God, she awakened every impulse
It is a spirit from God that has revived every unwilling
Of eloquence, and granted every desire.
Aspect of rhetoric and fulfilled every demand.
أَزْهَىmore radiant مِنَthan الأَمَلِhope البَسَّامِsmiling مَوْقِعُهَاher impression
أَزْهَى مِنَ الأَمَلِ البَسَّامِ مَوْقِعُهَا
وَجَرْسُand the ring of أَلْفَاظِهَاher words أَحْلَىsweeter مِنَthan الضَّرَبِwhite honey
وَجَرْسُ أَلْفَاظِهَا أَحْلَى مِنَ الضَّرَبِ
Her impression is more radiant than smiling hope,
More delightful than hopeful promises is where it is placed,
And the ring of her words is sweeter than white honey.
And the rhythm of its words sweeter than beats.
وَسْنَىdrowsy بِأخْبِيَةِin the tents of الصَّحْرَاءِthe desert يُوقِظهَاawakens her
وَسْنَى بِأخْبِيَةِ الصَّحْرَاءِ يُوقِظهَا
وَحْيٌinspiration مِنَfrom الشَّمْسِthe sun أَوْor همْسٌa whisper مِنَfrom الشهبِshooting stars
وَحْيٌ مِنَ الشَّمْسِ أَوْ همْسٌ مِنَ الشهبِ
Drowsy in the desert tents, she is awakened
The nomad is roused in the thick of the desert by its chant,
By inspiration from the sun, or whispers from shooting stars.
Or a ray from the sun or a whisper from the shooting stars.
تُحْدَىare urged by song بِهَاwith her اليَعْمَلاَتُswift she-camels الكُومُhigh-humped إِنْif لَغِبَتْthey tire
تُحْدَى بِهَا اليَعْمَلاَتُ الكُومُ إِنْ لَغِبَتْ
فَلاَso not تُحِسُّthey feel بِإِنْضَاءٍexhaustion وَلاَnor لَغَبِfatigue
فَلاَ تُحِسُّ بِإِنْضَاءٍ وَلاَ لَغَبِ
With her, swift, high-humped she-camels are urged onward when weary,
With it the solid mountains are challenged if they are stubborn,
And feel neither exhaustion nor fatigue.
So they feel no brilliance and no stubbornness.
تَهْتَزُّthey sway فَوْقَover بِحَارِseas of الآلِmirage رَاقِصَةًdancing
تَهْتَزُّ فَوْقَ بِحَارِ الآلِ رَاقِصَةً
وَالنَّصْبُand camel-song لِلنيبِfor old she-camels يَجْلُوdispels كُرْبَةَthe burden of النَّصَبِweariness
وَالنَّصْبُ لِلنيبِ يَجْلُو كُرْبَةَ النَّصَبِ
They sway, dancing over seas of mirage,
The daughters of the tribe are drawn to it fascinated,
And the camel-song dispels the old she-camels' burden of weariness.
And love sprouts between wonder and wonder.
لَمْdid not تَعْرِفknow السَّوْطَthe whip إِلاَّexcept صَوْتَthe voice of مُرْتَجِزٍa rajaz-chanter
لَمْ تَعْرِف السَّوْطَ إِلاَّ صَوْتَ مُرْتَجِزٍ
كَأنَّas though فيin فيهِhis mouth مِزْماراًa flute مِنَof القَصَبِreeds
كَأنَّ في فيهِ مِزْماراً مِنَ القَصَبِ
They have known no whip but a rajaz-chanter's voice,
When they peer out from behind their veils they see it as a guard,
As though a reed flute were within his mouth.
So their yearning for it is endless.
تُصْغِيlisten إِلَىto صَوْتِهِhis voice الأَطْيَارُthe birds صَامِتَةًsilently
تُصْغِي إِلَى صَوْتِهِ الأَطْيَارُ صَامِتَةً
إِذَاwhen تَردَّدَit echoes بَيْنَamong القُورِflat-topped hills وَالهِضَبِand heights
إِذَا تَردَّدَ بَيْنَ القُورِ وَالهِضَبِ
The birds listen silently to his voice
Each girl sees it in the full moon, the sword, the darkness, and the clouds,
When it echoes among flat-topped hills and heights.
It is the adornment of nothingness when it occupies its mind,
كَأنَّهُas though he وَظَلاَمُand the darkness of اللَّيْلnight يَكْنٌفُهُenfolds him
كَأنَّهُ وَظَلاَمُ اللَّيْل يَكْنٌفُهُ
غُثَاءَةٌa scrap of flotsam قُذِفَتْwas hurled فيinto مَائِجٍa surging sea لَجِبِroaring
غُثَاءَةٌ قُذِفَتْ في مَائِجٍ لَجِبِ
As though, with the darkness of night enfolding him,
Or when its devil shakes the strings of its speech,
He were a scrap of flotsam hurled into a surging, roaring sea.
So beware of the coming calamities and the pitfalls of passions.
قَدْindeed خَالَطَmingled with الوَحْشَwild beasts حَتَّىuntil مَاnot يُرَوّعُهَاhe frightens them
قَدْ خَالَطَ الوَحْشَ حَتَّى مَا يُرَوّعُهَا
إِذَاwhen تَعَرَّضَhe appears لَمْdo not تَنْفِرْthey flee وَلَمْand do not تَثِبِthey leap away
إِذَا تَعَرَّضَ لَمْ تَنْفِرْ وَلَمْ تَثِبِ
He has mingled with wild beasts until he no longer frightens them;
It has never touched paper or pen,
When he appears, they neither flee nor leap away.
Yet its opinion outweighs papers and books.
يَرْنُوhe gazes بِعَيْنٍwith an eye عَلَىinto الظَّلْمَاءِthe darkness صَادِقَةٍunerring
يَرْنُو بِعَيْنٍ عَلَى الظَّلْمَاءِ صَادِقَةٍ
كَأَعْيُنِlike the eyes of النَّسْرِthe eagle أَنّىwherever صُوّبَتْthey are aimed تُصِبِthey strike
كَأَعْيُنِ النَّسْرِ أَنّى صُوّبَتْ تُصِبِ
He gazes into the darkness with an unerring eye,
It flies to war briskly without armor
Like the eagle's eyes, striking wherever they are aimed.
When war is raging armor is of no use.
هُوَhe الْحَيَاةُlife بِقَفْرٍin a wilderness لاno حَياةَlife بِهشin it
هُوَ الْحَيَاةُ بِقَفْرٍ لا حَياةَ بِهش
كالمَاءِlike water فيin الصّخْرِrock أَوْor كالمَاءِlike water فيin الْحَطَبِwood
كالمَاءِ في الصّخْرِ أَوْ كالمَاءِ في الْحَطَبِ
He is life in a wilderness where no life exists,
If a scream calls it, that is its call,
Like water in rock, or water in wood.
And if the causes of fear call it, it does not respond.
يَبِيتُhe spends the night مِنْwithin نَفْسِهِhimself فيin مَنْزِلٍa dwelling خَضِلٍdewy
يَبِيتُ مِنْ نَفْسِهِ في مَنْزِلٍ خَضِلٍ
وَمِنْand within شَبَاthe keen edges of بِيضِهِhis bright swords فيin مَعْقلٍa stronghold أَشِبِthicketed
وَمِنْ شَبَا بِيضِهِ في مَعْقلٍ أَشِبِ
Within himself he spends the night in a dewy dwelling,
The beautiful neighbor does not make it lower its gaze,
And within his bright swords' keen edges, in a thicketed stronghold.
As if its eyelids are fixed to the peak of a tent.
يَهْتَزُّhe thrills للجُودِto generosity والمَشْتَاةُwhile winter بَاخِلَةٌis miserly
يَهْتَزُّ للجُودِ والمَشْتَاةُ بَاخِلَةٌ
وَالقُرُّand bitter cold يَعْقِدُbinds رَأْسَthe head of الكلْبِthe dog بالذّنَبِto its tail
وَالقُرُّ يَعْقِدُ رَأْسَ الكلْبِ بالذّنَبِ
He thrills to generosity while winter is miserly,
It is an island that is barren in every direction,
And bitter cold binds the dog's head to its tail.
Yet fertile in the realms of manners and literature.
تهْفُوyearn إِلَيْهِtoward him بَنَاتُthe daughters of الْحَيّthe tribe مُعْجَبَةًadmiring
تهْفُو إِلَيْهِ بَنَاتُ الْحَيّ مُعْجَبَةً
وَالْحُبُّand love يَنْبُتُgrows بَيْنَbetween العُجْبِself-admiration وَالعَجَبِand wonder
وَالْحُبُّ يَنْبُتُ بَيْنَ العُجْبِ وَالعَجَبِ
The tribe's maidens yearn toward him in admiration,
Barrenness in which dreams grow lush,
And love grows between self-admiration and wonder.
For even rocks can crack and reveal gold.
إِذَاwhen تَنَقَّبْنَthey veil their faces إِذْas يَلْقَيْنهُthey meet him خَفَراًout of modesty
إِذَا تَنَقَّبْنَ إِذْ يَلْقَيْنهُ خَفَراً
فَشَوقُهُنَّthen their longing إِليْهِfor him غَيْرُis not مُنْتقِبِveiled
فَشَوقُهُنَّ إِليْهِ غَيْرُ مُنْتقِبِ
When they veil their faces in modesty as they meet him,
Every garden in the land wishes its flowers
Their longing for him remains unveiled.
Could give it a kiss from its soil.
تَرَاهُsees him كُلُّevery فَتَاةٍmaiden حِينَwhen تَفْقِدُهُshe misses him
تَرَاهُ كُلُّ فَتَاةٍ حِينَ تَفْقِدُهُ
فيin البَدْرِthe full moon والسَّيْفِand the sword والضِّرغَامِand the lion وَالسُّحُبِand the clouds
في البَدْرِ والسَّيْفِ والضِّرغَامِ وَالسُّحُبِ
Every maiden, when she misses him, sees him
And pearls would tremble if they could be
In the full moon, the sword, the lion, and the clouds.
Strung into a poem or prose from his speeches.
زَيْنُthe adornment of الفِنَاءِthe courtyard إِذَاwhen مَاindeed حَلَّhe loosens حَبْوَتَهُhis knee-wrap
زَيْنُ الفِنَاءِ إِذَا مَا حَلَّ حَبْوَتَهُ
لِلْقَوْلِto speak لَبَّاهُanswers him مِنْهُfrom it كُلُّevery مُنْتَخَبِchoice expression
لِلْقَوْلِ لَبَّاهُ مِنْهُ كُلُّ مُنْتَخَبِ
The courtyard's adornment: whenever he loosens his knee-wrap
O neighbor of the sublime sanctuary, its resident
To speak, every choice word answers his call.
Has watered the ancient pacts, every pouring cloud.
أَوْor هَزَّplucks شَيْطَانُهُhis demon أَوتَارَthe strings of مَنْطِقِهِhis speech
أَوْ هَزَّ شَيْطَانُهُ أَوتَارَ مَنْطِقِهِ
فَاخْشَthen fear الأَتِيَّthe torrent وَحَاذِرْand beware صَوْلَةَthe onslaught of العُبُبِsurges
فَاخْشَ الأَتِيَّ وَحَاذِرْ صَوْلَةَ العُبُبِ
Or if his demon plucks the strings of his speech,
My ties with you have strengthened bonds,
Then fear the torrent and beware the onslaught of its surges.
For they are ties of the Qur'an and ancestry.
مَامَسَّhe never touched بِالكَفِّwith his hand أَوْرَاقاًpapers وَلاَnor قَلَماًa pen
مَامَسَّ بِالكَفِّ أَوْرَاقاً وَلاَ قَلَماً
وَرَأْيُهُyet his judgment زِنَةُthe weight of الأَوْرَاقِpapers وَالكُتُبِand books
وَرَأْيُهُ زِنَةُ الأَوْرَاقِ وَالكُتُبِ
He has never touched paper or pen with his hand,
I see your ignorance with the eye of my imagination,
Yet his judgment weighs as much as pages and books.
And imagination has the eye of the roaming scout.
يَطِيرُhe flies لِلحَرْبِinto battle خِفّاًlightly غَيْرَnot مُدَّرِعٍarmored
يَطِيرُ لِلحَرْبِ خِفّاً غَيْرَ مُدَّرِعٍ
فيin شِدَّةِthe strength of البَأْسِcourage مَاthat which يُغْنِيdispenses عَنِwith اليَلَبarmor
في شِدَّةِ البَأْسِ مَا يُغْنِي عَنِ اليَلَب
He flies lightly into battle, wearing no armor;
I envision the crowds gathered for consultation,
In mighty courage lies what makes armor needless.
Yet I hear no nonsense nor clamor.
إذَاwhen دَعَاهُsummons him صَرِيخٌa caller for help كَانَhe becomes دَعْوَتَهُthe answer to his call
إذَا دَعَاهُ صَرِيخٌ كَانَ دَعْوَتَهُ
وَإنْand if دَعَتْهُsummon him دَوَاعِيthe promptings of الذُّعْرِterror لَمْdoes not يُجِبِhe answer
وَإنْ دَعَتْهُ دَوَاعِي الذُّعْرِ لَمْ يُجِبِ
When a caller for help summons him, he is the answer to that call;
Each lad wrapped in his cloak, wearing it,
But when the promptings of terror summon him, he does not answer.
Speaking off the cuff, avoiding estrangement.
لاَdoes not تَرْهَبُfear الْجَارَةُthe neighboring woman الْحَسْنَاءُbeautiful نَظْرتَهُhis gaze
لاَ تَرْهَبُ الْجَارَةُ الْحَسْنَاءُ نَظْرتَهُ
كَأَنَّas though أَجْفَانَهُhis eyelids شُدَّتْwere tethered إِلَىto طَنُبِa tent-rope
كَأَنَّ أَجْفَانَهُ شُدَّتْ إِلَى طَنُبِ
The beautiful neighboring woman does not fear his gaze,
I glimpse the fire that is lit in the dark,
As though his eyelids were tethered to a tent-rope.
For the traveler by night, the lost, and the weary.
جَزِيرَةٌa peninsula أَجْدَبَتْbecame barren فِin كُلِّevery نَاحِيَةٍquarter
جَزِيرَةٌ أَجْدَبَتْ فِ كُلِّ نَاحِيَةٍ
وَأَخْصَبَتْand became fertile فيin نَوَاحِيthe realms of الخُلْقِcharacter والأَدَبِand culture
وَأَخْصَبَتْ في نَوَاحِي الخُلْقِ والأَدَبِ
A peninsula barren in every quarter,
A fire, but it is imagined as hope,
Yet fertile in the realms of character and culture.
When hopes are dashed it does not go out.
جَدْبٌbarrenness بِهِwithin it تَنْبُتُgrows الأَحْلاَمُwisdom زَاكِيَةًflourishing
جَدْبٌ بِهِ تَنْبُتُ الأَحْلاَمُ زَاكِيَةً
إِنَّindeed الحِجَارَةَstones قَدْmay تَنْشَقُّsplit open عَنْto reveal ذَهَبِgold
إِنَّ الحِجَارَةَ قَدْ تَنْشَقُّ عَنْ ذَهَبِ
A barrenness in which wisdom grows luxuriant:
The symbol of life and generosity it always tosses
Indeed, stones may split open to reveal gold.
Sparks into the air above the hills.
تَوَدُّwishes كُلُّall ريَاضِthe gardens of الأَرْضِthe earth لَوْthat مُنِحَتْwere granted
تَوَدُّ كُلُّ ريَاضِ الأَرْضِ لَوْ مُنِحَتْ
أَزْهَارُهَاtheir blossoms قُبْلَةًa kiss مِنْfrom خَدِّهَاher cheek التَّرِبِdust-covered
أَزْهَارُهَا قُبْلَةً مِنْ خَدِّهَا التَّرِبِ
All the gardens of the earth wish that
Arwa stokes its embers whenever it calms down,
Their blossoms were granted a kiss from her dust-covered cheek.
Throwing large logs onto its coals.
وَتَرْتَجِيand wish الغِيدُgraceful women لَوْthat كَانَتْmight become لآلِئُهَاtheir pearls
وَتَرْتَجِي الغِيدُ لَوْ كَانَتْ لآلِئُهَا
نَظْماًstrung verse مِنَof الشِّعْرِpoetry أَوْor نَثْراًscattered prose مِنَof الْخُطَبِorations
نَظْماً مِنَ الشِّعْرِ أَوْ نَثْراً مِنَ الْخُطَبِ
And graceful women wish their pearls could become
I see the people on the day of the raid assembled
Poetry strung in verse, or orations scattered as prose.
For death, conquest, or defeat.
يَاO جِيرَةَneighbors of الْحَرَمِthe Sanctuary المَزْهُوِّmade proud سَاكِنُهُits dweller
يَا جِيرَةَ الْحَرَمِ المَزْهُوِّ سَاكِنُهُ
سقَىmay water العُهُودَthe days الْخَوالِيbygone كُلُّevery مُنْسَكِبِdownpour
سقَى العُهُودَ الْخَوالِي كُلُّ مُنْسَكِبِ
O neighbors of the Sanctuary, whose dweller is proud,
They return evil for evil when it suddenly hits them,
May every downpour water the bygone days.
While their banner flutters over them.
لِيI have بيْنَكُمْamong you صِلَةٌa bond عَزَّتْgrew strong أوَاصِرُهَاits ties
لِي بيْنَكُمْ صِلَةٌ عَزَّتْ أوَاصِرُهَا
لأَنَّهَاbecause it صِلَةُthe bond of القُرآنِthe Quran وَالنَّسَبِand kinship
لأَنَّهَا صِلَةُ القُرآنِ وَالنَّسَبِ
I have a bond among you whose ties are strong,
I attend the poets whose tongues are swords,
For it is the bond of the Quran and kinship.
Wielders of eloquence, fierce and sharp.
أرىI see بعَيْنِthrough the eye of خَياليmy imagination جاهِليَّتكُمْyour pre-Islamic age
أرى بعَيْنِ خَيالي جاهِليَّتكُمْ
ولِلتَّخيُّلِand imagination has عَيْنُthe eye of القَائِفِthe tracker الدَّربِpracticed
ولِلتَّخيُّلِ عَيْنُ القَائِفِ الدَّربِ
Through my imagination's eye I see your pre-Islamic age;
Abu Basir whose tone, if it were
Imagination has the eye of a practiced tracker.
Made into arrows, would be the sharpest arrows.
وَأَشْهَدُand I witness الْحَشْدَthe throng لِلشُّورَىfor consultation قَدِalready اجْتَمعُواthey assembled
وَأَشْهَدُ الْحَشْدَ لِلشُّورَى قَدِ اجْتَمعُوا
وَلَسْتُand I do not أَسْمَعُhear مِنْany لَغْوٍidle talk وَلاَnor صَخَبِclamor
وَلَسْتُ أَسْمَعُ مِنْ لَغْوٍ وَلاَ صَخَبِ
I witness the throng assembled for consultation,
When he chooses rhymes and shoots them,
And hear neither idle talk nor clamor
They rotate with the orbiting celestial pole.
مِنْfrom كُلِّevery مُكْتَهِلٍmature man بالبُرْدِin a striped cloak مُشْتَمِلٍwrapped
مِنْ كُلِّ مُكْتَهِلٍ بالبُرْدِ مُشْتَمِلٍ
لِلقَوْلِin speech مُرْتَجِلٍextemporaneous لِلهُجْرِobscenity مُجْتَنِبِavoiding
لِلقَوْلِ مُرْتَجِلٍ لِلهُجْرِ مُجْتَنِبِ
From any mature man wrapped in a striped cloak,
At times I close my eyes then open them
Speaking extemporaneously and shunning obscenity.
To the glory of the brilliant light of truth.
وَأَلْمَحُand I glimpse النَّارَthe fire فيin الظَّلْمَاءِthe darkness قَدْalready نُصِبَتْwas set up
وَأَلْمَحُ النَّارَ في الظَّلْمَاءِ قَدْ نُصِبَتْ
لِطَارِقِfor the traveler of اللَّيْلِnight وَالْحَيْرَانِand the bewildered والسَّغبِand the hungry
لِطَارِقِ اللَّيْلِ وَالْحَيْرَانِ والسَّغبِ
I glimpse the fire set up in the darkness
A light from God which dazzled the people with its radiance,
For the night traveler, the bewildered, and the hungry.
And the light of God cannot be veiled.
نَارٌa fire وَلَكِنَّهاbut it قَدْindeed صُوِّرَتْwas fashioned أَمَلاًas hope
نَارٌ وَلَكِنَّها قَدْ صُوِّرَتْ أَمَلاً
بَرْداًas coolness إِذَاwhen خَابَتِfail الآمَالُhopes لَمْdoes not يَخِبِit fail
بَرْداً إِذَا خَابَتِ الآمَالُ لَمْ يَخِبِ
A fire, yet fashioned into hope,
The articulate chapters of the Qur'an spoke
A cooling solace that never fails when hopes fail.
Silencing the clamor of spears and staves.
رَمْزُthe symbol of الْحَيَاةِlife وَرَمْزُand the symbol of الْجُودِgenerosity مَاnot فَتِئَتْit has ceased
رَمْزُ الْحَيَاةِ وَرَمْزُ الْجُودِ مَا فَتِئَتْ
فَوْقَabove الثَّنِيَّاتِmountain passes تَرْمِيcasts الجَوَّinto the air باللَّهَبِflame
فَوْقَ الثَّنِيَّاتِ تَرْمِي الجَوَّ باللَّهَبِ
A symbol of life and a symbol of generosity, it never ceases
And the best of Quraish stood up, the son of its chieftains
To cast flame into the air above the mountain passes.
Calling to God with determination and dedication.
يَشُبُّهَاkindles it أرْيحيa generous soul كُلَّمَاwhenever هَدَأَتْit subsides
يَشُبُّهَا أرْيحي كُلَّمَا هَدَأَتْ
أَلْقَىhe throws عَلَىonto جَمْرِهَاits embers جَزْلاًstout pieces مِنَof الحَطَبِfirewood
أَلْقَى عَلَى جَمْرِهَا جَزْلاً مِنَ الحَطَبِ
A generous soul kindles it; whenever it subsides,
With eloquence, Hāshimī in its style, if it were
He throws stout firewood onto its embers.
Made into lineages they would not fray or waste away.
وَأُبْصِرُand I see القَوْمَthe people يَوْمَon the day of الرَّوْعِterror قَدْalready حُشِدُواwere mustered
وَأُبْصِرُ القَوْمَ يَوْمَ الرَّوْعِ قَدْ حُشِدُوا
لِلْمَوتِfor death يَجْتَاحُoverwhelming أَوْor لِلنَّصْرِfor victory وَالغَلَبِand triumph
لِلْمَوتِ يَجْتَاحُ أَوْ لِلنَّصْرِ وَالغَلَبِ
I see the people mustered on the day of terror
The soul of time is pleased with it and rejoices,
For overwhelming death, or victory and triumph.
Eras have passed while it remains pleased.
يَرْمُونَthey hurl بِالشَّرِّwith evil شَراًevil حِينَwhen يفْجَؤُهُمْit surprises them
يَرْمُونَ بِالشَّرِّ شَراً حِينَ يفْجَؤُهُمْ
وَرَايُهُمْand their banner فَوْقَهُمْabove them خَفَّاقَةُfluttering العَذَبِin its streamers
وَرَايُهُمْ فَوْقَهُمْ خَفَّاقَةُ العَذَبِ
They hurl evil against evil when it surprises them,
The foundations shook, the forts trembled,
Their banner above them, its streamers fluttering.
At its magnificence, the white forts in the burial grounds.
وَأَحْضُرُand I attend الشُّعَرَاءَthe poets اللُّسْنَeloquent قدْalready وَقَفُواthey stood
وَأَحْضُرُ الشُّعَرَاءَ اللُّسْنَ قدْ وَقَفُوا
وَلِلْبَيانِand eloquence has فِعَالُthe effect of الصَّارِمِthe cutting sword الذَّرِبِkeen
وَلِلْبَيانِ فِعَالُ الصَّارِمِ الذَّرِبِ
I stand among the eloquent poets as they rise,
The daughter of ‘Adnan became, due to it,
And eloquence does the work of a keen, cutting sword.
Lost, dragging the train of her gown.
أَبُوfather of بَصيرٍBasir لَهُhe has نَبْرٌa ringing voice لَوْif اتُّخِذَتْwere fashioned
أَبُو بَصيرٍ لَهُ نَبْرٌ لَوْ اتُّخِذَتْ
مِنْهُfrom it السِّهَامُarrows لَكَانَتْthey would be أَسْهُمَthe arrows of النُّوَبِcalamities
مِنْهُ السِّهَامُ لَكَانَتْ أَسْهُمَ النُّوَبِ
Abu Basir has a ringing voice: were arrows fashioned
She won a sturdy pillar, unshakable,
From it, they would be the arrows of calamity.
Of rhetoric and a rope that does not waver.
إِذَاif رَمَاهَاhe shot them كمَاas يَخْتَارُhe chooses قَافِيَةًa rhyme
إِذَا رَمَاهَا كمَا يَخْتَارُ قَافِيَةً
دَارتْthey would wheel مَعَwith الفَلَكِthe heavens الدَّوَّارِrevolving فيaround قُطُبِan axis
دَارتْ مَعَ الفَلَكِ الدَّوَّارِ في قُطُبِ
If he shot them as he chooses a rhyme,
She has not strayed from the protection of Islam
They would wheel with the wheeling heavens around an axis.
On smooth ground, and from its glory in a fertile land.
وَأُغْمِضُand I close العَيْنَmy eye حِيناًawhile ثُمَّthen أَفْتَحُهَاI open it
وَأُغْمِضُ العَيْنَ حِيناً ثُمَّ أَفْتَحُهَا
عَلَىupon جَلاَلٍmajesty بِنُورِwith the light of الْحَقِّtruth مُؤتَشِبِentwined
عَلَى جَلاَلٍ بِنُورِ الْحَقِّ مُؤتَشِبِ
I close my eyes awhile, then open them
Until the nights cast her in their scrolls,
Upon majesty entwined with the light of truth.
And her authority came crashing down.
نُورٌa light مِنَfrom اللّهِGod هَالَawed القَوْمَthe people سَاطِعُهُits radiance
نُورٌ مِنَ اللّهِ هَالَ القَوْمَ سَاطِعُهُ
وَلَيْسَand not يُحْجَبُis concealed نُورُthe light of اللّهِGod بِالْحُجُبِby veils
وَلَيْسَ يُحْجَبُ نُورُ اللّهِ بِالْحُجُبِ
A light from God whose radiance awed the people:
The foolish foreign woman rampaged
God's light cannot be concealed by veils.
Against the daughter of the desert in an army of rabble
تَكَلَّمَتْspoke سُوَرُthe chapters of القُرْآنِthe Quran مُفْصِحَةًwith clarity
تَكَلَّمَتْ سُوَرُ القُرْآنِ مُفْصِحَةً
فَأَسْكَتَتْso they silenced صَخَبَthe clamor of الأَرْمَاحِspears والقُضُبِand swords
فَأَسْكَتَتْ صَخَبَ الأَرْمَاحِ والقُضُبِ
The Quran's chapters spoke with clarity,
Led by every ignorant kinsman of a donkey,
Silencing the clamor of spears and swords.
His hands stained with the blood of Arabs, red.
وَقَامَand arose خَيْرُthe finest of قُرَيْشٍQuraysh وَابْنُand the son of سَادَتِهَاits chiefs
وَقَامَ خَيْرُ قُرَيْشٍ وَابْنُ سَادَتِهَا
يَدْعُوcalling إِلَىto اللّهِGod فيwith عَزْمٍresolve وفيand with دَأبِperseverance
يَدْعُو إِلَى اللّهِ في عَزْمٍ وفي دَأبِ
The finest of Quraysh, the son of its chiefs, arose,
They left no buildings standing but destroyed ones,
Calling to God with resolve and perseverance.
No group but scattered groups.
بِمَنْطِقٍwith speech هَاشمِيِّHashimite الوَشْيin embroidery لَوْif نُسِجَتْwere woven
بِمَنْطِقٍ هَاشمِيِّ الوَشْي لَوْ نُسِجَتْ
مِنْهُfrom it الأَصَائِلُlate afternoons لَمْwould not تَنْصُلْfade وَلَمْnor تغِبِset
مِنْهُ الأَصَائِلُ لَمْ تَنْصُلْ وَلَمْ تغِبِ
With speech of Hashimite embroidery—if late afternoons were woven
As if ‘Adnan never filled the cosmic horizons
From it, they would neither fade nor set.
From east to west with his wonders.
طَابَتْgrew joyful بِهِthrough him أَنْفُسُthe souls of الأيَّامِthe days وَابْتَهَجتْand rejoiced
طَابَتْ بِهِ أَنْفُسُ الأيَّامِ وَابْتَهَجتْ
ومَرَّand passed دَهْرٌan age وَدَهْرٌand an age وَهيwhile they لَمْhad not تَطِبِknown joy
ومَرَّ دَهْرٌ وَدَهْرٌ وَهي لَمْ تَطِبِ
Through him the souls of the days grew joyful and rejoiced;
A raging flood came and took the best treasures of the land,
Age after age had passed while they had known no joy.
And the eloquent tongue was lost to oblivion.
وَهُزَّتِand were shaken الرَّاسِيَاتُthe firmly rooted mountains الشمُّlofty وَارْتَعَدَتْand trembled
وَهُزَّتِ الرَّاسِيَاتُ الشمُّ وَارْتَعَدَتْ
لِهَوْلِهِin awe of him البَاتِرَاتُthe cleaving swords البِيضُbright فيwithin القُرُبِsheaths
لِهَوْلِهِ البَاتِرَاتُ البِيضُ في القُرُبِ
The lofty, firmly rooted mountains were shaken, and there trembled
Were it not for the heart of Abu Bakr, it would not
In awe of him the bright, cleaving swords within their sheaths.
Have found its way back to life, the daughter of the nomads.
وَأَصْبَحَتْand became بِنْتُthe daughter of عَدْنَانٍAdnan بِنَفْحَتِهِthrough his breath
وَأَصْبَحَتْ بِنْتُ عَدْنَانٍ بِنَفْحَتِهِ
تِيهاًin pride تُجَرِّرُtrailing مِنsome of أَذْيالِهَاher robe-hems القُشُبِfresh
تِيهاً تُجَرِّرُ مِن أَذْيالِهَا القُشُبِ
Through his breath, Adnan's daughter began
He protected it with care unlike any other,
To trail her fresh robe-hems in pride.
And what he forbade was forbidden to the plunderers.
فَازَتْshe gained برُكْنٍa pillar شَديدٍmighty غَيْرِnot مُنْصَدِعٍcracked
فَازَتْ برُكْنٍ شَديدٍ غَيْرِ مُنْصَدِعٍ
مِنof البَيَانِeloquence وَحَبْلٍand a rope غَيْرِnot مُضْطَرِبِwavering
مِن البَيَانِ وَحَبْلٍ غَيْرِ مُضْطَرِبِ
She gained a mighty pillar, uncracked,
He restored its much frequented abode with his zeal,
Of eloquence, and a rope that never wavers.
And embraced it with kind and affectionate care.
وَلَمْand did not تَزَلْcease مِنْwithin حِمىthe protection of الإِسْلاَمِIslam فيin كَنَفٍa shelter
وَلَمْ تَزَلْ مِنْ حِمى الإِسْلاَمِ في كَنَفٍ
سَهْلٍgentle وَمْنand through عِزِّهits might فيin مَنْزِلٍa dwelling خَصِبfertile
سَهْلٍ وَمْن عِزِّه في مَنْزِلٍ خَصِب
She remained within Islam's protection, in a shelter
O party of goodness for the eloquent tongue and its supporters!
Of ease, and through its might in a fertile dwelling,
Greetings to you all, O best of allies!
حَتَّىuntil رَمَتْهَاstruck her اللَّيَاليthe nights فيin فَرَائدهاher choicest jewels
حَتَّى رَمَتْهَا اللَّيَالي في فَرَائدها
وَخَرَّand fell سُلْطَانُهَاher sovereignty يَنْهَارُcollapsing مِنْdown صَبَبِa slope
وَخَرَّ سُلْطَانُهَا يَنْهَارُ مِنْ صَبَبِ
Until the nights struck her in her choicest jewels,
Come! Time is fleeting, it has an appointed term,
And her sovereignty fell, collapsing down a slope.
Though I do not claim time is made of gold.
وَعَاثَتand ran riot الْعُجْمَةُforeign speech الْحَمْقَاءُfoolish ثَائِرَةًrising
وَعَاثَت الْعُجْمَةُ الْحَمْقَاءُ ثَائِرَةً
عَلَىagainst ابْنَةِthe daughter of البِيدِthe deserts فيwith جَيْشٍan army مِنَof الرَّهَبِterror
عَلَى ابْنَةِ البِيدِ في جَيْشٍ مِنَ الرَّهَبِ
Foolish foreign speech ran riot, rising
Man's life in this world is but his stay in it,
Against the daughter of the deserts with an army of terror,
A stay like a specter, flowers, and seeds.
يَقُودُهُleads it كُلُّevery وَلاَّغٍblood-lapper أَخِيpossessed of إِحَنٍgrudges
يَقُودُهُ كُلُّ وَلاَّغٍ أَخِي إِحَنٍ
مُضَمَّخٍdrenched بِدِمَاءِwith the blood of العُرْبِthe Arabs مُخْتَضِبِstained
مُضَمَّخٍ بِدِمَاءِ العُرْبِ مُخْتَضِبِ
Led by every blood-lapper, a bearer of grudges,
Time hastens on, days rush ahead,
Drenched and stained with Arab blood.
While we only understand laziness and stupidity.
لَمْdid not يُبْقِhe leave فِيهَاwithin her بِنَاءًa structure غَيْرَnot مُنْتقِضٍdemolished
لَمْ يُبْقِ فِيهَا بِنَاءً غَيْرَ مُنْتقِضٍ
مِنَof الفَصِيحِeloquent speech وَشَمْلاًnor a unity غَيْرَnot مُنْقضَبِsevered
مِنَ الفَصِيحِ وَشَمْلاً غَيْرَ مُنْقضَبِ
He left within her no structure undemolished
Novelties are many, they block the sun,
Of eloquent speech, nor any unity unsevered.
Without gaining the fame of a name or title.
كَأَنَّas though عَدْنَانَAdnan لَمْhad not تَملأْfilled بَدَائِعُهُhis marvels
كَأَنَّ عَدْنَانَ لَمْ تَملأْ بَدَائِعُهُ
مَسامِعَthe ears of الكَوْنِthe universe مِنْamong نَاءٍthe distant وَمُقْتَرِبِand the near
مَسامِعَ الكَوْنِ مِنْ نَاءٍ وَمُقْتَرِبِ
As though Adnan's marvels had never filled
Translations wage overt war, impregnating
The universe's ears, both far and near.
The eloquent language - so alas for war!
مَضَتْcarried away بِخَيْرِthe finest كُنوزِtreasures of الأَرْضِthe earth جَائِحةٌa calamity
مَضَتْ بِخَيْرِ كُنوزِ الأَرْضِ جَائِحةٌ
وَغَابَتand vanished اللُّغَةُthe language الفُصْحَىclassical مَعَamong الغَيَبِthe vanished
وَغَابَت اللُّغَةُ الفُصْحَى مَعَ الغَيَبِ
A calamity carried away the earth's finest treasures,
We pick a word from a foreign land modifying it,
And the classical language vanished among the vanished.
While its equivalents in our own are countless.
لَوْلاbut for فُؤَادٌFuad أَبُوfather of الفَارُوقِFaruq مَاwould not وجَدَتْshe have found
لَوْلا فُؤَادٌ أَبُو الفَارُوقِ مَا وجَدَتْ
إِلَىto الْحَيَاةِlife ابنَةُthe daughter of الأَعْرَابِthe Bedouins مِنْany سَبَبِmeans
إِلَى الْحَيَاةِ ابنَةُ الأَعْرَابِ مِنْ سَبَبِ
But for Fuad, father of Faruq, there would have been no
Like the mirage of water in the desert when
Path to life for the daughter of the Bedouins.
A fancied image from a cloud appears deceptively.
أعَزَّhe fortified مِنْهَاof hers حِمىًa sanctuary رِيعَتْwere terrorized كَرَائِمُهُits precious treasures
أعَزَّ مِنْهَا حِمىً رِيعَتْ كَرَائِمُهُ
وَكَانَand became مَمْنُوعُهُits inviolate domain نَهْباًplunder لمُنْتهِبِfor a plunderer
وَكَانَ مَمْنُوعُهُ نَهْباً لمُنْتهِبِ
He fortified her sanctuary, whose precious treasures had been terrorized,
He who does not differentiate between the spring and the dusty place
And whose inviolate domain had become plunder for a plunderer.
Has wronged the daughter of glorious Quraish then fought against her
وَرَدَّand reversed بِالمَجْمَعِthrough the Academy المَعْمُورِflourishing غُرْيَتَهَاher exile (apparently غُرْبَتَهَا)
وَرَدَّ بِالمَجْمَعِ المَعْمُورِ غُرْيَتَهَا
وَحَاطَهاand surrounded her بِكَرِيمِwith noble العَطْفِaffection والْحَدَبِand care
وَحَاطَها بِكَرِيمِ العَطْفِ والْحَدَبِ
Through the flourishing Academy he ended her exile,
With an ignorant, raving campaign,
And surrounded her with noble affection and care.
We abandon the generous, eloquent Arabic expression
يَاO عُصْبَةَband of الَخَيْرِgoodness لِلْفُصْحَىfor classical Arabic وَشِيعَتِهاand its supporters
يَا عُصْبَةَ الَخَيْرِ لِلْفُصْحَى وَشِيعَتِها
حَيَّاكِmay salute you صَوْبُthe showers of الْحَيَاlife-giving rain يَاO خِيرَةَthe finest of العُصَبِbands
حَيَّاكِ صَوْبُ الْحَيَا يَا خِيرَةَ العُصَبِ
O benevolent band serving classical Arabic and its supporters,
For an imported exotic one.
May showers of life-giving rain salute you, O finest of bands.
Yet in dictionaries there is endless treasure
هَلمَّcome فَالْوَقْتُfor time أَنْفَاسٌis breaths لَهَاthey have أَمَدٌa limit
هَلمَّ فَالْوَقْتُ أَنْفَاسٌ لَهَا أَمَدٌ
وَلاَand not أقُولُI say بأنَّthat الوَقْتَtime مِنْis of ذَهَبِgold
وَلاَ أقُولُ بأنَّ الوَقْتَ مِنْ ذَهَبِ
Come: time is breaths whose span has a limit;
For one who can distinguish between jewels and pebbles.
And I do not say that time is made of gold.
How many words we repeat until exhausted,
فَإِنَّمَاfor only المَرْءُa person فِin الدُّنْيَاthe world إِقَامَتُهُhis stay
فَإِنَّمَا المَرْءُ فِ الدُّنْيَا إِقَامَتُهُ
إِقَامَةُthe stay of الطَّيْفِa passing vision وَالأَزْهَارِand flowers وَالْحَبَبِand bubbles
إِقَامَةُ الطَّيْفِ وَالأَزْهَارِ وَالْحَبَبِ
A person's stay in this world is only
Gasping from the toil and effort.
The stay of a passing vision, flowers, and bubbles.
While words lie locked in the darkness of gloom,
الدَّهْرُtime يُسرِعُhastens وَالأَيَّامُand the days مُعْجِلَةٌhurrying
الدَّهْرُ يُسرِعُ وَالأَيَّامُ مُعْجِلَةٌ
وَنَحْنُand we لَمْhave not نَدْرِknown غَيْرَanything but الوَخْدِlong strides والْخَببِand trotting
وَنَحْنُ لَمْ نَدْرِ غَيْرَ الوَخْدِ والْخَببِ
Time hastens, and the days hurry onward,
Never seeing the light of a waiting eye.
While we have known only striding and trotting.
As if the two guardians have taken charge of them,
وَالمُحْدَثَاتُand new inventions تَسُدُّblots out الشَّمْسَthe sun كَثْرَتُهَاtheir abundance
وَالمُحْدَثَاتُ تَسُدُّ الشَّمْسَ كَثْرَتُهَا
وَلَمْand have not تَفُزْwon بِخَيَالِeven a shadow of اسْمٍa name وَلاَnor لَقَبِa title
وَلَمْ تَفُزْ بِخَيَالِ اسْمٍ وَلاَ لَقَبِ
The new inventions are so numerous that they blot out the sun,
Never to return again to this life.
Yet have not won even the shadow of a name or title.
O aged master of Dhad, your memories are immortal.
وَالتَّرْجَمَاتُand translations تَشُنُّunleash الْحَرْبَwar لاَقِحَةًpregnant with strife
وَالتَّرْجَمَاتُ تَشُنُّ الْحَرْبَ لاَقِحَةً
عَلَىagainst الفَصِيحpure Arabic فَيَاoh then لِلْوَيْلِwhat woe وَالْحَرَبِand ruin
عَلَى الفَصِيح فَيَا لِلْوَيْلِ وَالْحَرَبِ
And translations unleash a war pregnant with strife
In the annals of time and history.
Against pure Arabic—alas for woe and ruin!
I am at your service, O King of the Nile and its Maker,
نَطيرُwe fly لِلَّفْظِafter a word نَسْتَجْدِيهbegging it مِنْfrom بَلَدٍa land
نَطيرُ لِلَّفْظِ نَسْتَجْدِيه مِنْ بَلَدٍ
نَاءٍfar away وَأَمثْالُهُand its equivalents مِنَّاamong us عَلَىat كَثَبِclose hand
نَاءٍ وَأَمثْالُهُ مِنَّا عَلَى كَثَبِ
We fly after a word, begging it from a land
O Guardian of religion, etiquette, and nobility.
Far away, while its equivalents lie close at hand among us.
This is your plantation, its towering trees
كَمُهْرِقِlike one pouring out المَاءwater فيin الصَّحْراءِthe desert حِينَwhen بَدَاappeared
كَمُهْرِقِ المَاء في الصَّحْراءِ حِينَ بَدَا
لِعَيْنِهِbefore his eyes بَارِقٌa lightning flash مِنْfrom عَارِضٍa raincloud كَذِبِdeceptive
لِعَيْنِهِ بَارِقٌ مِنْ عَارِضٍ كَذِبِ
Like one pouring out his water in the desert when there appears
Sway, kissed by the breeze in splendor and playfulness.
Before his eyes a flash from a lying raincloud.
Kingship is yours, by attainment and endowment,
أَزْرَىbelittled بِبِنْتِthe daughter of قُرَيْشٍQuraysh ثمَّthen حَارَبَهاfought her
أَزْرَى بِبِنْتِ قُرَيْشٍ ثمَّ حَارَبَها
مَنْone who لاَdoes not يُفرِّقُdistinguish بَيْنَbetween النَّبْعِthe nabʿ tree وَالغَرَبِand the willow
مَنْ لاَ يُفرِّقُ بَيْنَ النَّبْعِ وَالغَرَبِ
He belittled the daughter of Quraysh, then fought her—
Exalted over all other grants and acquisitions.
One who cannot distinguish the nabʿ tree from the willow.
You are the captain and operator of this ship,
وَرَاحَand went forth فِيin حَمْلَةٍan assault رَعْنَاءَfoolish طَائِشَةٍreckless
وَرَاحَ فِي حَمْلَةٍ رَعْنَاءَ طَائِشَةٍ
يَصُولُcharging بالْخَائِبَيْنwith the two failures الْجَهْلِignorance وَالشَّغَبِand tumult
يَصُولُ بالْخَائِبَيْن الْجَهْلِ وَالشَّغَبِ
He went forth in a foolish, reckless assault,
Fearing no harm from tremors.
Charging with those two failures: ignorance and tumult.
You spur on this nation in the arena of competition,
أنْتْرُكُshall we abandon العَرَبيَّArabic السَّمْحَgracious مَنْطِقُهُin its speech
أنْتْرُكُ العَرَبيَّ السَّمْحَ مَنْطِقُهُ
إلَىfor دَخِيلٍan intruder مِنَamong الألْفَاظِwords مُغْتَرِبِforeign
إلَى دَخِيلٍ مِنَ الألْفَاظِ مُغْتَرِبِ
Shall we abandon Arabic, so gracious in its speech,
Leaving no rival in the dust.
For a foreign intruder among words, alien to us?
God's Trust is protected in the hands of a King
وَفِيand in المَعَاجِمِdictionaries كَنْزٌa treasure لاَno نَفَادَexhaustion لَهُfor it
وَفِي المَعَاجِمِ كَنْزٌ لاَ نَفَادَ لَهُ
لِمَنْfor whoever يُمَيِّزُdistinguishes بَيْنَbetween الدُّرِّpearls وَالسُّخُبِand unjeweled necklaces
لِمَنْ يُمَيِّزُ بَيْنَ الدُّرِّ وَالسُّخُبِ
In the dictionaries lies an inexhaustible treasure
Who anticipates God and accounts to God.
For whoever distinguishes pearls from unjeweled necklaces.
It is penetrating vision, like the light of dawn,
كَمْhow many لَفْظَةٍa word جُهِدَتْwas exhausted مِمَّاby how much نُكرِّرُهَاwe repeat it
كَمْ لَفْظَةٍ جُهِدَتْ مِمَّا نُكرِّرُهَا
حَتَّىuntil لَقَدْindeed لَهَثتْit panted مِنْfrom شِدَّةِthe intensity of التَّعَبِfatigue
حَتَّى لَقَدْ لَهَثتْ مِنْ شِدَّةِ التَّعَبِ
How many a word has been exhausted by our repeating it,
Vanquishing the darkness of night, un-obscured and undimmed.
Until it has panted from sheer fatigue!
It is determination like steel, that if it sought
وَلَفْظَةٍand a word سُجِنَتْwas imprisoned فيin جَوْفِthe depths of مُظْلِمَةٍa dark chamber
وَلَفْظَةٍ سُجِنَتْ في جَوْفِ مُظْلِمَةٍ
لَمْhas not تَنْظُرseen الشَّمْسُthe sun مِنْهَاfrom it عَيْنَthe eye of مُرْتَقِبِone awaiting
لَمْ تَنْظُر الشَّمْسُ مِنْهَا عَيْنَ مُرْتَقِبِ
And another word has been imprisoned in a dark chamber,
To pluck the flowers of the stars, it would attain what it desired.
Its expectant eye never seen by the sun.
It has resolutely moved forward to its purpose,
كَأنَّمَاas though قَدْindeed تَوَلَّىwent away القَارِظَانِthe two qaraz-gatherers بِهَاwith it
كَأنَّمَا قَدْ تَوَلَّى القَارِظَانِ بِهَا
فَلَمْand did not يَؤُوبَاthe two return إِلَىto الدَّنْيَاthe world وَلَمْand did not تَؤُبِit return
فَلَمْ يَؤُوبَا إِلَى الدَّنْيَا وَلَمْ تَؤُبِ
As though the two qaraz-gatherers had carried it away,
Hastening over the dust of doubt and suspicion.
And neither they nor it had returned to the world.
Look and see if Egypt has ever known
يَاO شِيخَةَelders of الضَّادِḍād (Arabic) وَالذِّكْرَىand remembrance مُخَلِّدَةٌimmortalizing
يَا شِيخَةَ الضَّادِ وَالذِّكْرَى مُخَلِّدَةٌ
هُنَاhere يُؤَسَّسُis founded مَاwhat تَبْنُونَyou build لِلْعَقِبِfor posterity
هُنَا يُؤَسَّسُ مَا تَبْنُونَ لِلْعَقِبِ
O elders of the language of ḍād—remembrance makes you immortal—
Such sovereignty at its peak, with the strongest pillars.
Here is founded what you build for posterity.
It possesses vast knowledge and wealth,
هُنَاhere تَخُطُّونَyou inscribe مَجْداًa glory مَاnever جَرَىran قَلَمٌa pen
هُنَا تَخُطُّونَ مَجْداً مَا جَرَى قَلَمٌ
بِمِثْلِهِwith its like فيthroughout مَدَىthe span of الأَدْهَارِthe ages وَالْحِقَبِand eras
بِمِثْلِهِ في مَدَى الأَدْهَارِ وَالْحِقَبِ
Here you inscribe a glory no pen has written
Abundant fortune and stature.
Anything like throughout the ages and eras.
The heart of Fuad built Egypt's eternal glory, and secluded it
لَبَّيْكَat your service يَاO مَلِكَking of الوَادِيthe Valley وَمُنْشِئَهُand its builder
لَبَّيْكَ يَا مَلِكَ الوَادِي وَمُنْشِئَهُ
يَاO حَارِسَguardian of الدِّينreligion وَالآدَابِand letters وَالْحسَبِand ancestral honor
يَا حَارِسَ الدِّين وَالآدَابِ وَالْحسَبِ
At your service, O king of the Valley and its builder,
For his righteous hand does not conceal.
O guardian of religion, letters, and ancestral honor.
Who will inform the Arabs that Dhad
هَذَاthese غِرَاسُكَyour plantings قَدْalready مَاسَتْswayed بَوَاسِقُهُtheir tall trees
هَذَا غِرَاسُكَ قَدْ مَاسَتْ بَوَاسِقُهُ
تُدَاعِبُplay with الرِّيحَthe wind فيin زَهْوٍpride وَفيand in لَعِبِmerriment
تُدَاعِبُ الرِّيحَ في زَهْوٍ وَفي لَعِبِ
These are your plantings; their tall trees now sway,
Has attained the proximity of Egypt's highest authority?
Playing with the wind in pride and merriment.
He restored its glory when its pillars leaned,
المُلْكkingship فِيin بَيْتِكمْyour house كَسْباًas an achievement وَمَوْهِبَةًand a gift
المُلْك فِي بَيْتِكمْ كَسْباً وَمَوْهِبَةً
يُزْهَىtakes pride عَلَىover كلِّevery مَوْهُوبٍgift وَمُكْتَسَبِand achievement
يُزْهَى عَلَى كلِّ مَوْهُوبٍ وَمُكْتَسَبِ
Kingship in your house, both earned and bestowed,
So close to the greatest of kin and most sublime of pedigrees.
Outshines everything bestowed or earned.
Live for glory until you reach the height of its splendor,
سَفِينَةٌa ship أَنْتَyou مُجْرِيهَاits pilot وَكَالِئُهَاand its guardian
سَفِينَةٌ أَنْتَ مُجْرِيهَا وَكَالِئُهَا
مِنَagainst الزَّعَازِعِtempests لاَdoes not تَخْشَىit fear أَذَىthe harm of العَطَبِshipwreck
مِنَ الزَّعَازِعِ لاَ تَخْشَى أَذَى العَطَبِ
A ship whose course you set and whose safety you guard
And for loftiness, dew, knowledge, and propriety.
Against tempests: it fears no harm from shipwreck.
And may Farouq live as a shining star in its ascent,
وَأُمَّةٌand a nation أنْتَyou مَجْرِيهَاits guide وَحَافِزُهَاand its spur
وَأُمَّةٌ أنْتَ مَجْرِيهَا وَحَافِزُهَا
فيin حَلْبَةِthe arena of السَّبْقِracing لاَdoes not تُبْقيleave عَلَىany of القَصَبِthe victor's reeds
في حَلْبَةِ السَّبْقِ لاَ تُبْقي عَلَى القَصَبِ
And a nation whose course you guide and whose speed you spur,
Good fortune, pinnacle of aspirations and nobility.
On the racecourse, leaving no victor's reed unclaimed.
وَدِيعَةُthe trust of اللّهِGod صِينَتْwas safeguarded فيin يَدَيْthe hands of مَلِكٍa king
وَدِيعَةُ اللّهِ صِينَتْ في يَدَيْ مَلِكٍ
للّهِfor God مُرْتَقِبwatchful للّهِfor God مُحْتَسِبِseeking reward
للّهِ مُرْتَقِب للّهِ مُحْتَسِبِ
God's trust has been safeguarded in the hands of a king
Watchful for God, seeking God's reward.
بَصِيرَةٌan insight كَضِيَاءِlike the light of الصُّبْحِdawn لَوْif لَطَمَتْit struck
بَصِيرَةٌ كَضِيَاءِ الصُّبْحِ لَوْ لَطَمَتْ
غَيَاهِبَthe deepest darkness of اللَّيْلِnight لمwould not يُظْلِمْgrow dark وَلَمْnor يُهَبِbe feared
غَيَاهِبَ اللَّيْلِ لم يُظْلِمْ وَلَمْ يُهَبِ
An insight like the light of dawn: if it struck
The depths of night, night would no longer be dark or feared.
وَعَزْمَةٌand a resolve كَحَديدِlike the steel of النَّصْلِthe blade لَوْif طَلَبَتْit sought
وَعَزْمَةٌ كَحَديدِ النَّصْلِ لَوْ طَلَبَتْ
زُهْرَthe bright ones of الكَواكِبِthe stars نَالَتْit would attain غَايَةَthe utmost of الطَّلَبِthe quest
زُهْرَ الكَواكِبِ نَالَتْ غَايَةَ الطَّلَبِ
And a resolve like the steel of a blade: if it sought
The bright stars, it would attain the utmost of its quest.
قَدْindeed صَمَّمَتْit resolved فَمَضَتْthen proceeded عَجْلَىhurriedly لِمقْصِدَهَاtoward its goal
قَدْ صَمَّمَتْ فَمَضَتْ عَجْلَى لِمقْصِدَهَا
تَحثُوflinging التُّرابَdust بِوَجْهِinto the face of الشَّكِّdoubt وَالرِّيَبِand misgivings
تَحثُو التُّرابَ بِوَجْهِ الشَّكِّ وَالرِّيَبِ
It has resolved and hastened toward its goal,
Flinging dust into the face of doubt and misgivings.
فَانْظُرْso look تَرىyou will see مِصْرَEgypt هَلْcan تَلْقَىyou find لَهَاfor her مَثَلاًan equal
فَانْظُرْ تَرى مِصْرَ هَلْ تَلْقَى لَهَا مَثَلاً
فيin صَوْلَةِthe might of المُلْكِkingship أَوْفىor in قُوَّةِthe strength of الأُهَبِpreparedness
في صَوْلَةِ المُلْكِ أَوْفى قُوَّةِ الأُهَبِ
Look, then, and see Egypt: can you find her equal
In royal might or in the strength of her preparedness?
فَثَرْوَةٌthus a wealth مِنْof سَريِّthe noblest of العِلْمِlearning وَاسِعَةٌvast
فَثَرْوَةٌ مِنْ سَريِّ العِلْمِ وَاسِعَةٌ
وَثَرْوَةٌand a wealth مِنْof سريِّnoble الْجَاهِstation وَالنَّشَبِand possessions
وَثَرْوَةٌ مِنْ سريِّ الْجَاهِ وَالنَّشَبِ
A vast wealth of the noblest learning,
And a wealth of noble station and possessions.
بَنَىbuilt فُؤَادُFuad بِنَاءَin the manner of الْخَالدِيِنَthe immortals مِصْرَEgypt واحْتَجَبَتْand she was veiled
بَنَى فُؤَادُ بِنَاءَ الْخَالدِيِنَ مِصْرَ واحْتَجَبَتْ
فَإِنَّfor indeed بِرَّthe beneficence of يَدَيْهِhis hands غَيْرُis not مُحْتَجِبِconcealed
فَإِنَّ بِرَّ يَدَيْهِ غَيْرُ مُحْتَجِبِ
Fuad built Egypt as the immortals build, and she was veiled;
For the beneficence of his hands is not concealed.
مَنْwho مُبْلِغُwill tell العُرْبِthe Arabs أَنَّthat الضَّادَḍād (Arabic) قَدْhas indeed بَلَغتْreached
مَنْ مُبْلِغُ العُرْبِ أَنَّ الضَّادَ قَدْ بَلَغتْ
بِقُرْبِthrough closeness to صَاحِبِthe ruler of مِصْرٍEgypt أَرْفَعَthe highest الرُّتَبِranks
بِقُرْبِ صَاحِبِ مِصْرٍ أَرْفَعَ الرُّتَبِ
Who will tell the Arabs that the language of ḍād has reached,
Through closeness to Egypt's ruler, the highest ranks?
أَعَادَhe restored مَجْداًa glory لَهَاto her مَالَتْhad leaned دَعَائِمُهُits pillars
أَعَادَ مَجْداً لَهَا مَالَتْ دَعَائِمُهُ
فَيَاoh then لهَاfor her قُرْبَةًa devotional deed مَنْamong أَعْظَمِthe greatest القُرَبِdevotional deeds
فَيَا لهَا قُرْبَةً مَنْ أَعْظَمِ القُرَبِ
He restored to her a glory whose pillars had leaned:
What a deed of devotion for her, among the greatest deeds!
وَحَفَّهَاand surrounded her بِسِيَاجٍwith a fence مِنْof عِنَايَتِهِhis care
وَحَفَّهَا بِسِيَاجٍ مِنْ عِنَايَتِهِ
كَمَاas تُحَفُّare fringed جُفُونُthe lids of العَيْنِthe eye بالهُدُبِwith lashes
كَمَا تُحَفُّ جُفُونُ العَيْنِ بالهُدُبِ
He surrounded her with a fence of his care,
As eyelids are fringed with lashes.
إِنْif عَقَّهَاwere unfilial to her أَهْلُthe people of وَادِيهاher valley وَجيرَتُهاand her neighbors
إِنْ عَقَّهَا أَهْلُ وَادِيها وَجيرَتُها
فَأَنْتَthen you أَحْنَىare more tender عَلَيْهَاtoward her مِنْthan أَخٍa brother وَأَبِand a father
فَأَنْتَ أَحْنَى عَلَيْهَا مِنْ أَخٍ وَأَبِ
If the people of her valley and her neighbors have been unfilial to her,
You are more tender toward her than brother or father.
رَأَتْshe saw بِرَبْعِكَin your abode عِزَّthe splendor of المُلْكِkingship فَانْصَرَفَتْso she turned away
رَأَتْ بِرَبْعِكَ عِزَّ المُلْكِ فَانْصَرَفَتْ
عَنْfrom ذِكرmention of لُبْنَىLubna وَذِكْرَىand remembrance of رَبْعِهَاher dwelling الْخرِبِruined
عَنْ ذِكر لُبْنَى وَذِكْرَى رَبْعِهَا الْخرِبِ
In your abode she saw royal splendor and turned away
From mention of Lubna and memories of her ruined dwelling.
لاَذَتْshe sought refuge بِأَكْبَرِwith the greatest مِعْوَانٍhelper لِذِيfor one with أمَلٍa hope
لاَذَتْ بِأَكْبَرِ مِعْوَانٍ لِذِي أمَلٍ
نَاءٍdistant وَأَشْرَفِand the noblest عُنْوَانٍname لِمُنْتَسِبِfor one claiming affiliation
نَاءٍ وَأَشْرَفِ عُنْوَانٍ لِمُنْتَسِبِ
She sought refuge with the greatest helper for one whose hope is
Distant, and the noblest name for one claiming affiliation.
عِشْlive لِلْكِنَانةِfor Kinana تَبْلُغْthat she may reach أَوْجَthe summit of عِزَّتِهَاher glory
عِشْ لِلْكِنَانةِ تَبْلُغْ أَوْجَ عِزَّتِهَا
وَلْلعُلاَand for eminence وَالنَّدَىand generosity وَالعِلمِand knowledge والأدَبِand literature
وَلْلعُلاَ وَالنَّدَى وَالعِلمِ والأدَبِ
Live for Kinana, that she may attain the summit of her glory,
And for eminence, generosity, knowledge, and literature.
وَعاشَand may live فَارُوقFaruq نَجْماًas a star فيin تأَلُّقِهِhis radiance
وَعاشَ فَارُوق نَجْماً في تأَلُّقِهِ
سَعْدُSaʿd (fortune) السُّعودِal-Suʿud (fortunes) وَفِيهand in him مُنْتَهَىthe utmost of الأَرَبِdesire
سَعْدُ السُّعودِ وَفِيه مُنْتَهَى الأَرَبِ
And may Faruq live, a star as radiant as
Saʿd al-Suʿud, in whom every wish finds fulfillment.
Partial English translation: 167 of 198 Arabic lines translated.