تَرَنَّمchant فيin نَهارِكَyour daytime مُستَعيناًseeking aid
تَرَنَّم في نَهارِكَ مُستَعيناً
بِذِكرِby remembering اللَهِGod فيamong المُتَرَنِّماتِthe chanting ones
بِذِكرِ اللَهِ في المُتَرَنِّماتِ
Chant during your day, seeking aid
Sing cheerfully in your daytime
by remembering God among the chanting ones.
Aided by remembering God in chantings,
عَنَيتُI meant بِهاby them القَوارِحَthe full-grown steeds وَهيَthough they are غُرٌّwhite-blazed
عَنَيتُ بِها القَوارِحَ وَهيَ غُرٌّ
وَلَسنَand they are not بِخَيلِكَyour steeds المُتَقَدِّماتِgoing ahead
وَلَسنَ بِخَيلِكَ المُتَقَدِّماتِ
By them I meant the full-grown steeds, though white-blazed,
I busied the ships while they were unweaned
not your steeds that go ahead.
Yet your horses were not trained for leading ahead,
يَبِتنَthey spend the night بِكُلِّin every مُظلِمَةٍdark place وَفَجٍّand mountain pass
يَبِتنَ بِكُلِّ مُظلِمَةٍ وَفَجٍّ
عَلىat حَوضِthe pool of الرَدىdeath مُتَجَهِّماتِscowling
عَلى حَوضِ الرَدى مُتَجَهِّماتِ
They spend the night in every dark place and mountain pass,
They spend nighttime in every dark and hollow
scowling beside the pool of death.
At the basin of ashes scowling,
إِذاwhen السُبُحُthe swift-running horses الجِيادُthe noble steeds أَرَحنَrested وَقتاًfor a time
إِذا السُبُحُ الجِيادُ أَرَحنَ وَقتاً
حَمَلنَكَthey carried you مُسرَجاتٍsaddled مُلجَماتِbridled
حَمَلنَكَ مُسرَجاتٍ مُلجَماتِ
When the swift, noble horses rest awhile,
When the dawn shone, the steeds were relieved for a while,
they bear you, saddled and bridled.
Bearing you on saddled and bridled.
وَهَينَمand whisper وَالظَلامُwhile the darkness عَلَيكَover you داجٍis deep
وَهَينَم وَالظَلامُ عَلَيكَ داجٍ
لَدىbeside وُرقٍgray doves سُمِعنَwere heard مُهَينَماتِcooing softly
لَدى وُرقٍ سُمِعنَ مُهَينَماتِ
And whisper while darkness lies deep over you,
While darkness upon you remains condensed,
beside gray doves heard cooing softly.
Near leaves, their rustling was heard.
وَلاand do not تُرجِعreturn بِإيماءِwith a gesture سَلاماًa greeting
وَلا تُرجِع بِإيماءِ سَلاماً
عَلىto بيضٍfair women أَشَرنَwho gestured مُسَلِّماتِgreeting
عَلى بيضٍ أَشَرنَ مُسَلِّماتِ
Do not return a greeting with a gesture
You do not return a greeting by gesture
to fair women who gesture their greetings.
To eggs which hatched submitting.
أُلاتُpossessors of الظَلمِtooth-luster جِئنَhave brought بِشَرِّwith the worst ظُلمٍinjustice
أُلاتُ الظَلمِ جِئنَ بِشَرِّ ظُلمٍ
وَقَدand indeed واجَهنَناthey faced us مُتَظَلِّماتِcomplaining of injustice
وَقَد واجَهنَنا مُتَظَلِّماتِ
Those with lustrous teeth have brought the worst injustice,
The women of darkness came with news of darkness
though they have faced us complaining of injustice.
And they encountered us complaining.
فَوارِسُriders فِتنَةٍof temptation أَعلامُbanners غَيٍّof error
فَوارِسُ فِتنَةٍ أَعلامُ غَيٍّ
لَقينَكَthey met you بِالأَساوِرِwith bracelets مُعلِماتِmarked out
لَقينَكَ بِالأَساوِرِ مُعلِماتِ
Riders of temptation, banners of error,
Horsemen of ordeal, signs of aberration
they met you marked out by bracelets.
Met you with bracelets informing.
وِسامٌbeautiful women ماnot اِقتَنَعنَthey were content بِحُسنِwith beauty أَصلٍof origin
وِسامٌ ما اِقتَنَعنَ بِحُسنِ أَصلٍ
فَجِئنَكَso they came to you بِالخِضابِwith henna مُوَسَّماتِadorned with marks
فَجِئنَكَ بِالخِضابِ مُوَسَّماتِ
Beautiful women, not content with natural beauty,
Medals were not satisfied with good origin
they came to you adorned with henna markings.
So they came to you, tattooed.
رَأَينَthey saw الوَردَthe rose فيin الوَجناتِthe cheeks حَيماًthirsting
رَأَينَ الوَردَ في الوَجناتِ حَيماً
فَغادَينَso they attended at dawn البَنانَthe fingertips مُعَنِّماتِreddening like ʿanam berries
فَغادَينَ البَنانَ مُعَنِّماتِ
They saw the rose thirsting in the cheeks,
They saw roses in the cheeks animated
so at dawn they reddened their fingers like ʿanam berries.
So they left the slopes, sleepy.
وَشَنَّفنَand adorned المَسامِعَthe ears قائِلاتٍspeaking
وَشَنَّفنَ المَسامِعَ قائِلاتٍ
وَكَلَّمنَand wounded القُلوبَthe hearts مُكَلِّماتِspeaking
وَكَلَّمنَ القُلوبَ مُكَلِّماتِ
They adorned the ears while speaking,
They aroused the hearings saying
and wounded hearts while addressing them.
And conversed with hearts conversing.
أَزَمنَthey bit لِجَهلِهِنَّthrough their ignorance حَصىًpebbles بِدُرٍّwith pearls
أَزَمنَ لِجَهلِهِنَّ حَصىً بِدُرٍّ
غَرائِبُrare ones لَمnot يَكُنَّthey were مُثَلَّماتِchipped
غَرائِبُ لَم يَكُنَّ مُثَلَّماتِ
In their ignorance they bit pebbles with pearls,
The strange wonders of ignorance timed
rare pearls that had not been chipped.
With pearls were not flawed.
أَجازَينَhave they repaid? التُرابَthe soil عَنِon behalf of البَراياcreatures
أَجازَينَ التُرابَ عَنِ البَرايا
بِأَكلِby devouring شُخوصِهاtheir forms المُتَجَسِّماتِembodied
بِأَكلِ شُخوصِها المُتَجَسِّماتِ
Have they repaid the soil on behalf of creatures
They rewarded the soil for burials
by devouring their embodied forms?
With their wrinkled old faces preserving.
نُقِعنَthey were steeped بِماءِin the water of زَمزَمَZamzam لاnot نَصارىChristians
نُقِعنَ بِماءِ زَمزَمَ لا نَصارى
وَلاnor مُجُساًMagians يَظَلنَthey remain مُزَمزَماتِmurmuring chants
وَلا مُجُساً يَظَلنَ مُزَمزَماتِ
They were steeped in Zamzam water, not Christians,
They fell prostrate with Zamzam water, not Christians
nor Magians, yet they keep murmuring chants.
Nor impure, thus remaining.
وَقَدand they may يُصبِحنَwake in the morning عَنfrom بِرٍّpiety وَنُسكٍand devotion
وَقَد يُصبِحنَ عَن بِرٍّ وَنُسكٍ
بِأَطيَبِwith the finest عَنبَرٍambergris مُتَنَسِّماتِbreathing fragrance
بِأَطيَبِ عَنبَرٍ مُتَنَسِّماتِ
And they may awaken from piety and devotion,
They may wake up refraining from righteousness and devotion
breathing the finest ambergris.
With the most fragrant amber perfuming.
كَأَنَّas though خَواتِمَthe seals الأَفواهِof mouths فُضَّتwere broken
كَأَنَّ خَواتِمَ الأَفواهِ فُضَّت
عَنِover الصُهبِthe golden wines العِذابِthe sweet ones مُخَتَّماتِsealed
عَنِ الصُهبِ العِذابِ مُخَتَّماتِ
As though the seals of mouths were broken
As if the seals on their mouths were opened
over sweet golden wines kept sealed.
From the sore punishment stamped.
كُؤوسٌcups مِنof أَجَلِّthe most exalted الراحِwine قَدراًin worth
كُؤوسٌ مِن أَجَلِّ الراحِ قَدراً
وَلَكِنbut ماnot يَزَلنَthey cease being مُفَدَّماتِcloth-stoppered
وَلَكِن ما يَزَلنَ مُفَدَّماتِ
Cups of wine most exalted in worth,
Goblets of the loveliest wine quality
yet they remain cloth-stoppered.
Yet they still bled.
يَكادُalmost الشُربُthe draught لاnot يَبليهِexhausts it عَصرٌan age
يَكادُ الشُربُ لا يَبليهِ عَصرٌ
إِذاwhen باشَرنَهُthey partake of it مُتَلَثِّماتِveiled at the mouth
إِذا باشَرنَهُ مُتَلَثِّماتِ
An age could scarcely exhaust the draught
Drinking does not wear it out by squeezing
when they partake of it, their mouths veiled.
When undertaken by those veiled.
ثَنَتهُنَّturned them away الجَماجِمُthe skulls عَنfrom مُرادٍa desire
ثَنَتهُنَّ الجَماجِمُ عَن مُرادٍ
بِشيبٍwith gray hair فَاِنثَنَينَso they turned away مُجَمجِماتِmumbling
بِشيبٍ فَاِنثَنَينَ مُجَمجِماتِ
Skulls turned them away from a desire
Their skulls bent them away from purpose
with gray hair, so they turned away mumbling.
With old age, so they bent.
خُمورُwines الريقِof saliva لَسنَthey are not بِكُلِّin every حالٍcase
خُمورُ الريقِ لَسنَ بِكُلِّ حالٍ
عَلىto طُلّابَهُنَّtheir seekers مُحَرَّماتِforbidden
عَلى طُلّابَهُنَّ مُحَرَّماتِ
The wines of saliva are not in every case
The wines of saliva were not by any case
forbidden to those who seek them.
Forbidden to their seekers prohibited.
وَلَكِنَّbut indeed الأَوانِسَthe young women باعِثاتٌsending
وَلَكِنَّ الأَوانِسَ باعِثاتٌ
رِكابُكَyour mounts فيinto مَهالِكَperils مُقتِماتِdust-darkened
رِكابُكَ في مَهالِكَ مُقتِماتِ
But young women send
But the girls are motivating
your mounts into dust-darkened perils.
Your steed in death to advance buried.
صَحِبنَكَthey accompanied you فَاِستَفَدتَso you gained بِهُنَّthrough them وَلَداًa child
صَحِبنَكَ فَاِستَفَدتَ بِهُنَّ وَلَداً
أَصابَكَhe struck you مِنfrom أَذاتِكَyour suffering بِالسِماتِwith marks
أَصابَكَ مِن أَذاتِكَ بِالسِماتِ
They accompanied you, and through them you gained a child
They accompanied you, so you benefited, begetting a son
who branded you with marks of suffering.
Who afflicted you with his arrows.
وَمَنand whoever رُزِقَwas granted البَنينِsons فَغَيرُis not ناءٍfar away
وَمَن رُزِقَ البَنينِ فَغَيرُ ناءٍ
بِذَلِكَthereby عَنfrom نَوائِبَcalamities مُسقِماتِsickening
بِذَلِكَ عَن نَوائِبَ مُسقِماتِ
Whoever is granted sons is not far
Whoever was graced with sons, then how fickle
thereby from sickening calamities.
With that, from the blows of misfortunes.
فَمِنfor from ثُكلٍbereavement يَهابُhe fears وَمِنand from عُقوقٍdisobedience
فَمِن ثُكلٍ يَهابُ وَمِن عُقوقٍ
وَأَرزاءٍand losses يَجِئنَthat come مُصَمِّماتِstriking to the core
وَأَرزاءٍ يَجِئنَ مُصَمِّماتِ
He fears bereavement and disobedience,
From bereavement he dreads, and from filial disobedience
and losses that come striking to the core.
And in-laws who come determined.
وَإِنand if نُعطَwe are given الإِناثَdaughters فَأَيُّthen what بُؤسٍmisery
وَإِن نُعطَ الإِناثَ فَأَيُّ بُؤسٍ
تَبَيَّنَappears فيin وجوهِfaces مُقَسَّماتِbeautifully formed
تَبَيَّنَ في وجوهِ مُقَسَّماتِ
And if we are given daughters, what misery
And if we give birth to girls, then what misery
appears in beautifully formed faces!
Appears in the faces allotted.
يُرِدنَthey desire بُعولَةًhusbands وَيُرِدنَand they desire حَلياًjewelry
يُرِدنَ بُعولَةً وَيُرِدنَ حَلياً
وَيَلقَينَand they meet الخُطوبَcalamities مُلَوَّماتِmuch reproached
وَيَلقَينَ الخُطوبَ مُلَوَّماتِ
They desire husbands and desire jewelry,
They want marital bonds and jewelry
and meet calamities much reproached.
And they meet suitors stung.
وَلَسنَand they are not بِدافِعاتٍdefenders يَومَon a day of حَربٍwar
وَلَسنَ بِدافِعاتٍ يَومَ حَربٍ
وَلاnor فيin غارَةٍa raid مُتَغَشِّماتِcharging recklessly
وَلا في غارَةٍ مُتَغَشِّماتِ
They are not defenders on a day of war,
They are not invaders on a day of war
nor reckless chargers in a raid.
Nor in a night raid invading.
وَدَفنٌand burial وَالحَوادِثُwhile calamities فاجِعاتٌare heartrending
وَدَفنٌ وَالحَوادِثُ فاجِعاتٌ
لِإِحداهُنَّfor one of them إِحدىone of المَكرُماتِthe noble deeds
لِإِحداهُنَّ إِحدى المَكرُماتِ
And burial—though calamities are heartrending—
A burial and events are agonizing
for one of them is among the noble deeds.
To one of the honored.
وَقَدand they may يَفقِدنَlose أَزواجاًhusbands كِراماًnoble
وَقَد يَفقِدنَ أَزواجاً كِراماً
فَياso alas لِلنِسوَةِfor the women المُتَأَيِّماتِwidowed
فَيا لِلنِسوَةِ المُتَأَيِّماتِ
They may lose noble husbands:
They may lose honored husbands
alas for the widowed women!
So oh for the widowed women.
يَلِدنَthey bear أَعادِياًenemies وَيَكُنَّand they become عاراًa disgrace
يَلِدنَ أَعادِياً وَيَكُنَّ عاراً
إِذاwhen أَمسَينَthey come to be فيamong المُتَهَضَّماتِthe oppressed
إِذا أَمسَينَ في المُتَهَضَّماتِ
They bear enemies and become a disgrace
They give birth to enemies yet are a disgrace
when they come to be among the oppressed.
If they become dishonored.
يَرُعنَكَthey alarm you إِنif خَدَمَنthey serve بِغَيرِwithout فَنٍّskill
يَرُعنَكَ إِن خَدَمَن بِغَيرِ فَنٍّ
إِذاwhen رُحنَthey go in the evening العَشيَّat dusk مُخَدَّماتِattended by servants
إِذا رُحنَ العَشيَّ مُخَدَّماتِ
They alarm you if they serve without skill,
They trouble you if they serve without skill
when they go forth at evening attended by servants.
When they return at night served.
وَأَمّاand as for الخَمرُwine فَهِيَit indeed تُزيلُremoves عَقلاًan intellect
وَأَمّا الخَمرُ فَهِيَ تُزيلُ عَقلاً
فَتَحتَyou opened بِهِwith it مَغالِقَlocks مُبهَماتِtightly shut
فَتَحتَ بِهِ مَغالِقَ مُبهَماتِ
As for wine, it removes an intellect
As for wine, it takes away the mind
with which you opened tightly shut locks.
So you unlock with it the ambiguous meanings sealed.
وَلَوand even if ناجَتكَwhispered to you أَقداحُthe goblets النَدامىof drinking companions
وَلَو ناجَتكَ أَقداحُ النَدامى
عَدَتthey turned away عَنfrom حَملِهاcarrying them مُتَنَدِّماتِrepentant
عَدَت عَن حَملِها مُتَنَدِّماتِ
Even if the drinkers' goblets whispered to you,
And if the cups of the penitent confided in you
they would shrink from being carried, repentant.
They would refrain from carrying regretting.
تَذيعُit divulges السِرَّthe secret مِنfrom حُرٍّa free man وَعَبدٍand a slave
تَذيعُ السِرَّ مِن حُرٍّ وَعَبدٍ
وَتُعرَبُand it reveals عَنabout كَنائِزَtreasuries مُعجَماتِobscure
وَتُعرَبُ عَن كَنائِزَ مُعجَماتِ
It divulges the secret of free man and slave,
It broadcasts the secret of freeman and slave
and reveals obscure treasuries.
And interprets the hidden lexicons.
وَيَنفُضُand shakes out إِلفُهاits devotee الراحاتِthe palms حَتّىuntil
وَيَنفُضُ إِلفُها الراحاتِ حَتّى
تَعودَthey become مِنَof النَفائِسِvaluables مُعدَماتِdevoid
تَعودَ مِنَ النَفائِسِ مُعدَماتِ
Its devotee shakes out his palms
Its intimacy unravels pleasures until
until they are empty of precious things.
It returns from the rarities devoid.
وَزَيَّنَتand it beautified القَبيحَthe ugly فَباشَرَتهُso they embraced it
وَزَيَّنَت القَبيحَ فَباشَرَتهُ
نُفوسٌsouls كُنَّthat were عَنهُfrom it مُخَزَّماتِrestrained by nose-rings
نُفوسٌ كُنَّ عَنهُ مُخَزَّماتِ
It beautified the ugly, which was then embraced
It beautified the ugly so the souls pursued it
by souls once restrained from it by nose-rings.
Which had been prohibiting it.
وَيَشرَبُهاand drinks it فَيَقلِسُهاthen vomits it غَويٌّa wayward man
وَيَشرَبُها فَيَقلِسُها غَويٌّ
لَقَدindeed شامَhe sniffed الخَفِيَّthe faintest مِنَof الشِماتِthe odors
لَقَد شامَ الخَفِيَّ مِنَ الشِماتِ
A wayward man drinks it, then brings it up;
A seducer drinks it so it entraps him
he has indeed sniffed the faintest odors.
He obtained the unperceived indications.
وَيَرفَعُand raise شَربُهاits drinkers لَغطاًa din بِجَهلٍin ignorance
وَيَرفَعُ شَربُها لَغطاً بِجَهلٍ
كَأَسرابٍlike flocks وَرَدنَthat arrived to drink مُسَدَّماتِdistressed
كَأَسرابٍ وَرَدنَ مُسَدَّماتِ
Its drinkers raise a din in ignorance,
Its drinking lifts ignorance clamorously
like flocks arriving to drink, distressed.
Like flocks which came crowded.
لَعَلَّperhaps الرُبدَthe dusky ostriches عُجنَturned toward لَهاit بِرَبعٍat a camping ground
لَعَلَّ الرُبدَ عُجنَ لَها بِرَبعٍ
فَإِضنَand became مِنَfrom السِفاهِfoolishness مُصَلَّماتِear-cropped
فَإِضنَ مِنَ السِفاهِ مُصَلَّماتِ
Perhaps the dusky ostriches turned toward it at a camping ground,
Perhaps degenerates kneaded it with fermentation
and became, through foolishness, ear-cropped.
So it overflowed with foolishness solidifying.
أَوor الغِربانَthe ravens مِلنَinclined لَهاtoward it بِبَيضٍwith eggs
أَو الغِربانَ مِلنَ لَها بِبَيضٍ
نَواصِعَpure white فَاِنثَنَينَthen they turned back مُحَمَّماتِcoal-blackened
نَواصِعَ فَاِنثَنَينَ مُحَمَّماتِ
Or ravens inclined toward it with eggs
Or the crows completed it with eggs
dazzling white, then turned back coal-black.
Peak white ones, bending.
فَإِنso if هَلَكَتperished خُروسُكِyour great wine jars أُمَّO Mother of لَيلىLayla
فَإِن هَلَكَت خُروسُكِ أُمَّ لَيلى
فَماthen not أَناI مِنamong صِحابِكِyour companions وَاللُمّاتِand gatherings
فَما أَنا مِن صِحابِكِ وَاللُمّاتِ
If your great jars perish, Umm Layla,
If the roosters of Layla perished
I am not among your companions or gatherings.
Then I am not of your companions, blaming!
فَعَنكِfor because of you تَعودُbecome أَبنِيَةُthe structures المَعاليof eminence
فَعَنكِ تَعودُ أَبنِيَةُ المَعالي
وَأَطلالُand the ruins النُهىof reason مُتَهَدِّماتِdemolished
وَأَطلالُ النُهى مُتَهَدِّماتِ
Because of you the structures of eminence
Because of you, the edifices of noble deeds return
and the ruins of reason become demolished.
And the ruins of restraint collapsed.
وَقَدand may يُضحيbecome by morning صُحاتُكِthose sobered from you أَهلَinmates of سَجنٍa prison
وَقَد يُضحي صُحاتُكِ أَهلَ سَجنٍ
وَتَلقَينَand you find الكُؤوسَthe cups مُحَطَّماتِshattered
وَتَلقَينَ الكُؤوسَ مُحَطَّماتِ
Those sobered from you may become prison inmates,
Your companions may become prisoners
and you find the cups shattered.
And meet the goblets broken.
وَلاand do not تُخبِرtell شُؤونَكَyour affairs وَاِجعَلَنهاand make them
وَلا تُخبِر شُؤونَكَ وَاِجعَلَنها
سَرائِرَsecrets فيin الضَميرِthe heart مُكَتَّماتِwell concealed
سَرائِرَ في الضَميرِ مُكَتَّماتِ
Do not tell your affairs; make them
Do not tell your affairs but keep them
secrets well concealed within the heart.
Secrets in the conscience concealed.
فَإِنَّfor indeed السِرَّthe secret فيin الخَلِدَينِthe two minds مَيِتٌdead
فَإِنَّ السِرَّ في الخَلِدَينِ مَيِتٌ
أَخوa dweller in لَحدَينِtwo graves بَينَamong مُقَسَّماتِbeautiful women
أَخو لَحدَينِ بَينَ مُقَسَّماتِ
For a secret in two minds is dead,
For the secret in both eternities is dead,
a dweller in two graves among beautiful women.
A brother to two graves allotted.
وَماand not الجاراتُthe neighboring women إِلّاexcept جارِياتٌrunning about
وَما الجاراتُ إِلّا جارِياتٌ
بِعَيبِكَwith your faults إِنif وجِدنَthey are found مُهَيَّماتِlove-crazed
بِعَيبِكَ إِن وجِدنَ مُهَيَّماتِ
The neighboring women do nothing but run about
The neighbors are but young maidens
with your faults, if found love-crazed.
About your fault, if they found hovering.
فَلاso do not تَسأَلask أَهِندٌis it Hind? أَمor لَميسٌLamis
فَلا تَسأَل أَهِندٌ أَم لَميسٌ
ثَوَتshe dwelt فيamong النِسوَةِthe women المُتَخَيِّماتِliving in tents
ثَوَت في النِسوَةِ المُتَخَيِّماتِ
So do not ask whether Hind or Lamis
Do not ask, is it a singing girl or a Laymis
dwelt among the women living in tents.
Who settled among the women residing.
وَلاand do not تَرمُقgaze at بِعَينِكَwith your eye رائِحاتٍwomen going out
وَلا تَرمُق بِعَينِكَ رائِحاتٍ
إِلىto حَمّامِهِنَّtheir bathhouse مُكَمَّماتِfully wrapped
إِلى حَمّامِهِنَّ مُكَمَّماتِ
Do not gaze with your eye at women going
Do not glance with your eye at departing winds
to their bathhouse, fully wrapped.
To their bathroom veiled.
فَكَمfor how often حَلَّتundid عُقودُnecklaces النَظمِof strung beads وَهناًat night
فَكَم حَلَّت عُقودُ النَظمِ وَهناً
عُقوداًbonds لِلرَشادِof right guidance مُنَظَّماتِwell arranged
عُقوداً لِلرَشادِ مُنَظَّماتِ
How often strung necklaces have undone at night
Many odes of poetry, their knots became weak,
well-ordered bonds of right guidance!
Knots for guidance composed.
وَكَمand how often جَنَتcommitted المَعاصِمُthe wrists مِنof مَعاصٍsins
وَكَم جَنَت المَعاصِمُ مِن مَعاصٍ
تَعودُbecome بِهاthrough them المَعاضِدُthe armlets مُعصِماتِwrist-binding
تَعودُ بِها المَعاضِدُ مُعصِماتِ
How many sins the wrists have committed,
Many strongholds from disobedience were plucked
through which armlets become wrist-binders!
By which the forearms are protected.
وَمَنand whoever عاشَرتَyou associate with مِنamong إِنسٍhumans فَحاذِرthen beware
وَمَن عاشَرتَ مِن إِنسٍ فَحاذِر
غَوائِلَthe treacheries مُرَّدٍof rebels مُتَهَكِّماتِmocking
غَوائِلَ مُرَّدٍ مُتَهَكِّماتِ
Whoever among humans you associate with, beware
Whoever you mingled with from humans, so beware
the mocking treacheries of rebels.
The pitfalls of a scorner mocking.
مَتّىwhenever يَطمَعنَthey covet فيكَyou يُرَينَthey display تيهاًarrogance
مَتّى يَطمَعنَ فيكَ يُرَينَ تيهاً
لِأَطيَبَof the finest مَطعَمٍfood مُتَأَجِّماتِweary from repetition
لِأَطيَبَ مَطعَمٍ مُتَأَجِّماتِ
Whenever they covet you, they display arrogance,
When they aspire to you, they show misguidance
grown weary even of the finest fare.
To the best delicacy postponing.
وَيَرفَعنَand raise المَقالَtheir speech عَلَيكَagainst you جَهلاًfoolishly
وَيَرفَعنَ المَقالَ عَلَيكَ جَهلاً
وَيَنفِدنَand exhaust الذَخائِرَthe stores مُغرِماتِimposing expense
وَيَنفِدنَ الذَخائِرَ مُغرِماتِ
They raise their speech against you foolishly,
They raise charges against you ignorantly
and exhaust the stores, imposing expense.
And spend your treasures infatuated.
تَوَهَّمنَthey imagined الظُنونَsuspicions فَكُنَّso they became ناراًa fire
تَوَهَّمنَ الظُنونَ فَكُنَّ ناراً
لِماabout what أُشعِرنَهُthey were made aware of it مُتَوَهِّماتِconjecturing
لِما أُشعِرنَهُ مُتَوَهِّماتِ
They imagined suspicions and became a fire,
They imagined suspicions so they became a fire
conjecturing about what they were told.
For what they felt imagining.
إِذاwhen زُيَّنَّthey are adorned فيin أَيّامِdays حَفلٍof festivity
إِذا زُيَّنَّ في أَيّامِ حَفلٍ
بَدَتappeared خَيلُthe steeds المَريدِof the rebel مُسَوَّماتِmarked out
بَدَت خَيلُ المَريدِ مُسَوَّماتِ
When they are adorned on festive days,
When adorned on days of merriment
the rebel's steeds appear, marked out.
The horses of suitors were presented.
فَغِرso provide for زُهرَthe beauties الحِجالِof curtained chambers وَلاand do not تُغِرهاmake them jealous
فَغِر زُهرَ الحِجالِ وَلا تُغِرها
فَتَسمَحlest they freely give بِالدُموعِwith tears مُسَجَّماتِstreaming
فَتَسمَح بِالدُموعِ مُسَجَّماتِ
Provide for the beauties of curtained chambers; do not make them jealous,
Disregard the blossoms of coquetry and do not fall for it
lest they freely shed streaming tears.
So you allow tears recorded.
وَلَيسَand is not عُكوفُهُنَّtheir devotion عَلىat المُصَلّىthe place of prayer
وَلَيسَ عُكوفُهُنَّ عَلى المُصَلّى
أَماناًsafety مِنfrom غِوارٍraids مُجرَماتِcriminal
أَماناً مِن غِوارٍ مُجرَماتِ
Their devotion at the place of prayer is not
Their sitting in the mosque is no safety
safety from criminal raids.
From sins heavily burdened.
وَلاand do not تَحمَدpraise حِسانَكَyour beauties إِنif تَوافَتthey arrive
وَلا تَحمَد حِسانَكَ إِن تَوافَت
بِأَيدٍwith hands لِلسُطورِfor written lines مُقَوِّماتِsetting straight
بِأَيدٍ لِلسُطورِ مُقَوِّماتِ
Do not praise your beauties if they arrive
Do not praise your beneficence if they concur
with hands that set written lines straight.
With hands correcting texts.
فَحَملُfor carrying مَغازِلِspindles النِسوانِof women أَولىis more fitting
فَحَملُ مَغازِلِ النِسوانِ أَولى
بِهُنَّfor them مِنَthan اليَراعِreed pens مُقَلَّماتِtrimmed
بِهُنَّ مِنَ اليَراعِ مُقَلَّماتِ
For carrying women's spindles is more fitting
Bearing the flirtations of women is more worthy of them
for them than trimmed reed pens.
Than pens markedly distinguished.
سِهامٌarrows إِنif عَرِفنَthey learn كِتابَthe writing لِسنٍof a language
سِهامٌ إِن عَرِفنَ كِتابَ لِسنٍ
رَجَعنَthey return بِماwith what يَسوءُharms مُسَمَّماتِpoisoned
رَجَعنَ بِما يَسوءُ مُسَمَّماتِ
They are arrows: if they learn a language's script,
Arrows, if they learned the book of evil
they return poisoned with what brings harm.
They would return with what is reprehensible poisoned.
وَيَترُكنَand they leave الرَشيدَthe wise man بِغَيرِwithout لُبٍّreason
وَيَترُكنَ الرَشيدَ بِغَيرِ لُبٍّ
أَتَينَthey came لِهَديَهfor his guidance مُتَعَلِّماتِas learners
أَتَينَ لِهَديَه مُتَعَلِّماتِ
They leave the wise man without reason,
They leave the rational with an undiscriminating mind
having come to learn his guidance.
When they came to guide learning.
وَإِنand if جِئنَthey visit المُنَجَّمَthe astrologer سائِلاتٍasking
وَإِن جِئنَ المُنَجَّمَ سائِلاتٍ
فَلَسنَthen they are not عَنِfrom الضَلالِerror بِمُنجَماتِdesisting
فَلَسنَ عَنِ الضَلالِ بِمُنجَماتِ
If they visit the astrologer with questions,
If they asked the astrologer as inquirers
they do not desist from error.
They are not by the astrologers rescued from misguidance.
لِيَأخِذنَlet them learn التَلاوَةَrecitation عَنfrom عَجوزٍan old woman
لِيَأخِذنَ التَلاوَةَ عَن عَجوزٍ
مِنَamong اللائيthose who فَغَرنَgape مُهَتَّماتِwith broken teeth
مِنَ اللائي فَغَرنَ مُهَتَّماتِ
Let them learn recitation from an old woman,
To take the recital from an old woman
among those who gape with broken teeth.
Of those who were concerned.
يُسَبِّحنَthey glorify المَليكَthe Sovereign بِكُلِّat every جُنحٍnightfall
يُسَبِّحنَ المَليكَ بِكُلِّ جُنحٍ
وَيَركَعنَand they bow الضُحىat forenoon مُتَأَثِّمَتِavoiding sin
وَيَركَعنَ الضُحى مُتَأَثِّمَتِ
They glorify the Sovereign at every nightfall,
They praise the King with every wing
and bow at forenoon, shunning sin.
And bow at dawn prejudiced.
فَماfor not عَيبٌa fault عَلىfor الفَتَياتِthe young women لَحنٌa grammatical error
فَما عَيبٌ عَلى الفَتَياتِ لَحنٌ
إِذاwhen قُلنَthey state المَرادَthe intended meaning مُتَرجِماتِexpressing it
إِذا قُلنَ المَرادَ مُتَرجِماتِ
A grammatical error is no fault in young women
No fault is on the girls, a melodious tone
when they express their intended meaning.
When they say the intended translated.
وَلاand do not يُدنَينَlet them be brought near مِنto رَجُلٍa man ضَريرٍblind
وَلا يُدنَينَ مِن رَجُلٍ ضَريرٍ
يُلَقِّنُهُنَّwho teaches them آياًverses مُحكَماتِdefinitive
يُلَقِّنُهُنَّ آياً مُحكَماتِ
They must not be brought near a blind man
Do not let them near a blind man
who teaches them definitive verses,
Who dictates to them verses firm.
سِوىexcept مَنone who كانَwas مُرتَعِشاًtrembling يَداهُhis two hands
سِوى مَن كانَ مُرتَعِشاً يَداهُ
وَلِمَّتهُand his locks مِنَamong المُتَثَغِّماتِthe whitening ones
وَلِمَّتهُ مِنَ المُتَثَغِّماتِ
except one whose two hands tremble
Except one whose hands trembled
and whose locks are turning white.
And his tongue of those stuttering.
وَإِنand if طاوَعنَthey obey أَمرَكَyour command فَإِنَّهُthen indeed it is غِيداًas supple beauties
وَإِن طاوَعنَ أَمرَكَ فَإِنَّهُ غِيداً
يُزِرنَthey visit عَرائِساًbrides مُتَيِمِّماتِheading toward them
يُزِرنَ عَرائِساً مُتَيِمِّماتِ
If they obey your command, then indeed it is as supple beauties
If they obey your order it is only blindness
that they visit brides, bound for them.
They visit brides emulsified.
أَخَذنَthey took كَريشِlike the feathers of طاوُوسٍa peacock لِباساًclothing
أَخَذنَ كَريشِ طاوُوسٍ لِباساً
وَمِسكاًand musk بِالضُحىin the forenoon مُتَلَغِّماتِsmearing around their mouths
وَمِسكاً بِالضُحى مُتَلَغِّماتِ
They took clothing like a peacock's feathers,
They wore peacock feathers as attire
and musk to smear around their mouths at forenoon.
And musk at dawn registering.
وَأَبعِدهُنَّand keep them away مِنfrom رَبّاتِmistresses of مَكرٍdeceit
وَأَبعِدهُنَّ مِن رَبّاتِ مَكرٍ
سَواحِرَsorceresses يَغتَدينَwho go out early مُعَزِّماتِchanting spells
سَواحِرَ يَغتَدينَ مُعَزِّماتِ
Keep them away from mistresses of deceit,
Take them away from the cunning ladies
sorceresses who go out early chanting spells.
Sorceresses who come determined.
يَقُلنَthey say نُهَيَّجُwe stir up الغُيّابَthe absent men حَتّىuntil
يَقُلنَ نُهَيَّجُ الغُيّابَ حَتّى
يَجيؤواthey come بِالرُكابِwith mounts مُزَمَّماتِfitted with nose-reins
يَجيؤوا بِالرُكابِ مُزَمَّماتِ
They say, 'We stir the absent men until
They say: We provoke the absent ones until
they come with their mounts fitted with nose-reins.
They come with sandals tied.
وَنَعطِفand we turn back هاجِرَthe deserter الخِلّانِof friends كَيماso that
وَنَعطِف هاجِرَ الخِلّانِ كَيما
يَزولُhe departs عَنِfrom السَجاياhabits المُسئِماتِwearisome
يَزولُ عَنِ السَجايا المُسئِماتِ
And we turn back the deserter of friends so that
We turn the pitchers of milk until
he abandons his wearisome habits.'
The misfortunes disappear from the imprisoned.
زَعَمنَthey claimed بِأَنَّthat فيin مَغنىthe dwelling of فَقيرٍa poor man
زَعَمنَ بِأَنَّ في مَغنى فَقيرٍ
عَلَيناbring us بِالجَوالِبِthe summoners مُوَذَّماتِhung with straps
عَلَينا بِالجَوالِبِ مُوَذَّماتِ
They claimed that in a poor man's dwelling—
They claimed that in the chant of a poor one
bring us the summoners, hung with straps!—
Are treasures for kings concealed.
زَعَمنَthey claimed بِأَنَّthat فيin مَغنىthe dwelling of فَقيرٍa poor man
زَعَمنَ بِأَنَّ في مَغنى فَقيرٍ
كُنوزاًtreasures لِلمُلوكِbelonging to kings مُصَتَّماتِsolidly amassed
كُنوزاً لِلمُلوكِ مُصَتَّماتِ
they claimed that in a poor man's dwelling
Do not let them enter your house by choice
are solidly amassed treasures belonging to kings.
I knew them to be blemished.
فَلاso do not يَدخُلنَlet them enter دارَكَyour house بِاِختِيارٍby choice
فَلا يَدخُلنَ دارَكَ بِاِختِيارٍ
فَقَدَfor indeed أَلفَيتُهُنَّI found them مُذَمَّماتِblameworthy
فَقَدَ أَلفَيتُهُنَّ مُذَمَّماتِ
Do not let them enter your house by choice,
If they secretly deceived your ignorance anticipating
for I have found them blameworthy.
Then it is right that they leave blamed.
وَإِنand if خالَسنَthey steal upon غِرَّتَكَyour unwariness اِرتِقاباًwatchfully
وَإِن خالَسنَ غِرَّتَكَ اِرتِقاباً
فَحَقٌّthen it is right أَنthat يَرُحنَthey leave مُشَتَّماتِinsulted
فَحَقٌّ أَن يَرُحنَ مُشَتَّماتِ
If they steal upon your unwariness, watching for it,
Equalize to you the Christian comrades
it is right that they leave insulted.
And an eye of a Jew and Muslim.
وَساوِand treat equally لَدَيكَin your regard أَترابَwomen of like age النَصارىamong Christians
وَساوِ لَدَيكَ أَترابَ النَصارى
وَعيناًand wide-eyed women مِنamong يَهودَJews وَمُسلِماتِand Muslim women
وَعيناً مِن يَهودَ وَمُسلِماتِ
Treat equally in your regard the Christian women of like age
Whoever you neighbored of pure and murky -
and wide-eyed women among Jews and Muslims.
Let the virtuous be honored.
وَمَنand whoever جاوَرتَyou live beside مِنamong حُنُفٍHanifs وَسِربٍand a flock of
وَمَن جاوَرتَ مِن حُنُفٍ وَسِربٍ
صَوابيءَSabian women فَليَبِنَّlet them depart مُكَرَّماتِhonored
صَوابيءَ فَليَبِنَّ مُكَرَّماتِ
Whomever you live beside among Hanifs, and a flock
All people are equal
of Sabian women, let them depart honored.
Even if wars kindled hot.
فَإِنَّfor indeed الناسَpeople كُلَّهُمall of them سَواءٌequal
فَإِنَّ الناسَ كُلَّهُم سَواءٌ
وَإِنeven if ذَكَتblaze الحُروبُthe wars مُضَرَّماتِkindled
وَإِن ذَكَت الحُروبُ مُضَرَّماتِ
For all people are equal,
Do not let an elderly poor man marry
even if wars blaze, fiercely kindled.
One of the girls luxuriating.
وَلاand do not يَتَأَهَّلَنlet marry شَيخٌan old man مُقِلٌّpoor
وَلا يَتَأَهَّلَن شَيخٌ مُقِلٌّ
بِمُعصُرَةٍto a newly mature girl مِنَamong المُتَنَعِّماتِthe pampered women
بِمُعصُرَةٍ مِنَ المُتَنَعِّماتِ
Let no poor old man marry
For poverty is a defect if appended
a newly mature girl among the pampered women.
To old age, it brings revered.
فَإِنَّfor indeed الفَقرَpoverty عَيبٌa flaw إِنif أُضيفَتis added
فَإِنَّ الفَقرَ عَيبٌ إِن أُضيفَت
إِلَيهِto it السَنَّold age جاءَit brings بِمُعَظَّماتِgreat misfortunes
إِلَيهِ السَنَّ جاءَ بِمُعَظَّماتِ
For poverty is a flaw; if added
But the marriage of this is a life era’s daughter
to it, old age brings great misfortunes.
Who avoided faces rouged.
وَلَكِنbut عِرسُthe wife ذَلِكَof that man بِنتُa daughter of دَهرٍtime
وَلَكِن عِرسُ ذَلِكَ بِنتُ دَهرٍ
تَجَنَّبَتshe avoided الوُجوهَfaces مُحَمَّماتِblackened
تَجَنَّبَت الوُجوهَ مُحَمَّماتِ
But that man's wife should be a daughter of time,
Of those who when a year is scarce
one who has shunned blackened faces,
Surpass misfortunes destructive.
مِنَamong اللائيthose who إِذاwhen لَمnot يُجدِbrings benefit عامٌa year
مِنَ اللائي إِذا لَم يُجدِ عامٌ
تَفَوَّقنَthey sip slowly الحَوادِثَcalamities مُعدِماتِdestitute
تَفَوَّقنَ الحَوادِثَ مُعدِماتِ
among those who, when a year brings no benefit,
Of street vendors, they avoided with every peg
sip their calamities in poverty;
And spent years criminalized.
مِنَamong الشُمطِthe gray-haired women اِعتَزَلنَwho secluded themselves بِكُلِّwith every عودٍold man
مِنَ الشُمطِ اِعتَزَلنَ بِكُلِّ عودٍ
وَأَفنَينَand exhausted السِنينَthe years مُجَرَّماتِfully completed
وَأَفنَينَ السِنينَ مُجَرَّماتِ
among gray-haired women who seclude themselves with every old man
Wealth overlooks a headstrong mistake
and have spent the years in full.
If your mentality submits.
وَيَغتَفِرُand excuses الغِنىwealth وَخَطّاًscattered gray hairs بِرَأسٍon a head
وَيَغتَفِرُ الغِنى وَخَطّاً بِرَأسٍ
إِذاif كانَتare قِواكَyour powers مُسَلَّماتِintact
إِذا كانَت قِواكَ مُسَلَّماتِ
Wealth excuses scattered gray hairs on a head,
One is enough for you so do not exceed
if your powers remain intact.
To another who brings agonizing.
وَواحِدَةٌand one woman كَفَتكَis enough for you فَلاso do not تُجاوِزgo beyond
وَواحِدَةٌ كَفَتكَ فَلا تُجاوِز
إِلىto أُخرىanother تَجيءُwho comes بِمُؤلِماتِwith painful things
إِلى أُخرى تَجيءُ بِمُؤلِماتِ
One woman is enough for you; do not go beyond her
If you oppressed a female companion with harm
to another who comes with painful things.
Then it is most proper to frighten with threats.
وَإِنand if أَرغَمتَyou humiliate صاحِبَةًa companion بِضَرٍّwith harm
وَإِن أَرغَمتَ صاحِبَةً بِضَرٍّ
فَأَجدِرthen it is likelier أَنthat تَروعَyou are alarmed بِمُعرِماتِby violent outbursts
فَأَجدِر أَن تَروعَ بِمُعرِماتِ
If you humiliate a companion through harm,
Glassware, if you are gentle with it but otherwise
you are likelier to be alarmed by violent outbursts.
You see its fragments fragmented.
زُجاجٌglass إِنif رَفِقتَyou handle gently بِهِit وَإِلّاand otherwise
زُجاجٌ إِن رَفِقتَ بِهِ وَإِلّا
رَأَيتَyou see ضُروبَهits varieties مُتَقَصِّماتِshattering
رَأَيتَ ضُروبَه مُتَقَصِّماتِ
They are glass, if you handle it gently; otherwise,
Guard yourself in the crevice from demonic spirits
you see its varieties shattering.
Who visit the stars darkened.
وَصِنand protect فيin الشَرخِyouth نَفسَكَyourself عَنfrom غَوانٍbeauties
وَصِن في الشَرخِ نَفسَكَ عَن غَوانٍ
يَزُرنَwho visit مَعَwith الكَواكِبِthe stars مُعتِماتِat nightfall
يَزُرنَ مَعَ الكَواكِبِ مُعتِماتِ
In youth protect yourself from beauties
The seducer may advance unto shelters
who visit with the stars at nightfall.
With wings in clouds starred.
فَقَدfor indeed يَسريmay travel by night الغَوِيُّthe wayward man إِلىtoward مَخازٍdisgraces
فَقَد يَسري الغَوِيُّ إِلى مَخازٍ
بِجِنحٍin the dark of night فيamid سَحائِبَclouds مُنجَماتِshowing stars
بِجِنحٍ في سَحائِبَ مُنجَماتِ
For a wayward man may travel toward disgraces
A spouse does not protect the deal like a husband
in the darkness of night amid clouds showing stars.
Who makes her of the prohibited.
وَماand nothing حَفِظَprotects الخَريدَةَthe secluded maiden مِثلُlike بَعلٍa husband
وَما حَفِظَ الخَريدَةَ مِثلُ بَعلٍ
تَكونُshe becomes بِهِthrough him مِنamong المُتَحَرِماتِthose held inviolable
تَكونُ بِهِ مِن المُتَحَرِماتِ
Nothing protects the secluded maiden like a husband,
He guards her loss from every matter
through whom she becomes inviolable.
And protects her from formidable tribulations.
يَحوطُhe safeguards ذِمارَهاher honor مِنfrom كُلِّevery خَطبٍcalamity
يَحوطُ ذِمارَها مِن كُلِّ خَطبٍ
وَيَمنَعُهاand shields her from مَصاعِبَunbroken stallions مُقرَماتِreserved for breeding
وَيَمنَعُها مَصاعِبَ مُقرَماتِ
He safeguards her honor from every calamity,
When the caves enticed them with lawful
and shields her from unbroken breeding stallions.
Your religion is piety and silence.
إِذاif الغارانِthe two hollows غِرتَهُماyou provision them بِحِلٍّwith lawful things
إِذا الغارانِ غِرتَهُما بِحِلٍّ
فَدينُكَthen your faith بِالتَوَرُّعِlies in scrupulousness وَالصُماتِand silence
فَدينُكَ بِالتَوَرُّعِ وَالصُماتِ
If you provision the two hollows with what is lawful,
This is the saying of an experienced advisor
your faith rests on scrupulousness and silence.
And advice for life and death.
فَهاذاso this قَولُis the speech of مُختَبِرٍan experienced man شَفيقٍcompassionate
فَهاذا قَولُ مُختَبِرٍ شَفيقٍ
وَنُصحٌand advice لِلحَياةِfor life وَلِلَمَماتِand for death
وَنُصحٌ لِلحَياةِ وَلِلَمَماتِ
This is the speech of an experienced, compassionate man,
Four natures were stamped with a matter
and advice for life and for death.
So they overflowed bearing it stamped.
طَبائِعُnatures أَربَعٌfour جُشَّمنَwere burdened with أَمراًa task
طَبائِعُ أَربَعٌ جُشَّمنَ أَمراً
فَإِضنَand became لِحَملِهِto bear it مُتَجَشِّماتِlaboring painfully
فَإِضنَ لِحَملِهِ مُتَجَشِّماتِ
Four natures were burdened with a task,
Spirits wandering in bodies
and came to bear it laboriously.
Disgraced that they appear embodied.
وَأَرواحٌand souls سَوالِكُpassing فيthrough جُسومٍbodies
وَأَرواحٌ سَوالِكُ في جُسومٍ
يُهَنَّthey are dishonored بِأَنby being يُرَينَseen مُجَسَّماتِembodied
يُهَنَّ بِأَن يُرَينَ مُجَسَّماتِ
And souls passing through bodies
are dishonored by being seen embodied.
Partial English translation: 190 of 192 Arabic lines translated.