شَوقlonging يُحركنيstirs me إِلىtoward الحَدباءal-Hadba
شَوق يُحركني إِلى الحَدباء
فيat صَدرthe beginning of كُلevery صَبيحةmorning وَمَساءand evening
في صَدر كُل صَبيحة وَمَساء
Longing stirs me toward al-Hadba
Longing moves me to al-Hadbaa'
at the beginning of every morning and evening.
Every morn and eve my yearning grows
أَصبوI yearn إِلىfor تلكَthose الدِيارdwellings كَماas صَباyearned
أَصبو إِلى تلكَ الدِيار كَما صَبا
هَيمthirst-crazed العِطاشthe thirsty إِلىfor زلالclear, sweet الماءwater
هَيم العِطاش إِلى زلال الماء
I yearn for those dwellings as yearn
I pine for those abodes like one athirst
the thirst-crazed thirsty for clear, sweet water.
Who to fresh water yearns and longing knows
دارa dwelling أضاءَتwas illumined بِالآمينby al-Amin وَولدهand his children
دار أضاءَت بِالآمين وَولده
أَكرمhow noble بِتلكَare those السادةlords الأُمناءtrustworthy
أَكرم بِتلكَ السادة الأُمناء
A dwelling illumined by al-Amin and his children—
A home alit by al-Ameen and his son
how noble are those trustworthy lords!
Most generous, most faithful folk arose
ياO قَلبheart أَيwhat ثَلاثةthree قَطَنواsettled بِهاin it
يا قَلب أَي ثَلاثة قَطَنوا بِها
أَجبالmountains? علمof knowledge أَمor نُجومstars سَماءof heaven
أَجبال علم أَم نُجوم سَماء
O heart, what a trio has settled there—
O heart, what three made their abode therein?
mountains of knowledge, or stars of heaven?
Are they mountains of knowledge or stars that glows?
أَمor هُمthey غيوثrains قَدhave همتpoured down أَنواؤهمtheir rain-stars
أَم هُم غيوث قَد همت أَنواؤهم
لِلّهto God درbounty, in praise أَولئكthose الأَنواءrain-bringing stars
لِلّه در أَولئك الأَنواء
Or are they rains whose rain-stars have poured down?
Or clouds whose rains the thirsting earth relieve?
God bless those rain-bringing stars!
God bless those clouds when they o'erflow!
أَمor هُمthey بِحارseas نَدىof generosity تروقdelights ماؤهاtheir water
أَم هُم بِحار نَدى تروق ماؤها
فَتَسللتthen it trickled فيthrough الموصلMosul الخَضراءgreen
فَتَسللت في الموصل الخَضراء
Or are they seas of generosity whose water delights,
Or are they seas whose waters are most pure
then trickled through green Mosul?
That through the verdant Mosul gently flows?
أَمor هُمthey رِياضgardens عُلاof eminence زَهتflourished أَورادهاtheir roses
أَم هُم رِياض عُلا زَهت أَورادها
فَتكللتthen were garlanded فيin القاعةthe plain الوَعساءsoft-sanded
فَتكللت في القاعة الوَعساء
Or are they gardens of eminence whose roses flourished,
Or gardens whose flowers are abloom, that grace
then were garlanded in the soft-sanded plain?
The hall, enhancing its beauty as it grows
وَصُدورand foremost men أَفضالof virtue كَأَنas though صُدورهمtheir breasts
وَصُدور أَفضال كَأَن صُدورهم
ملئَتwere filled بِنورwith light تُقىof piety وَنورand light ذكاءof intelligence
ملئَت بِنور تُقى وَنور ذكاء
And foremost men of virtue, as though their breasts
Their hearts o'erflow with light of piety
were filled with the light of piety and intelligence.
And beams of knowledge, brightly gleaming shows
وَأسودand lions غابof thickets إِذsince نمتهمtraced them نسبةa lineage
وَأسود غاب إِذ نمتهم نسبة
مِنfrom حَيدرHaydar الكرارthe Ever-Charging وَالزَهراءand al-Zahra
مِن حَيدر الكرار وَالزَهراء
And lions of the thickets, traced by their lineage
They are lions, though night their grandeur hides
to Haydar the Ever-Charging and al-Zahra.
Scions of Haydar and Zahra's heroic brows
سَبَقواthey led بِمضمارon the racecourse of الفَصاحةeloquence إِذfor هُمthey
سَبَقوا بِمضمار الفَصاحة إِذ هُم
أَسباطdescendants أَفصحthe most eloquent ناطقspeaker بالظاءof ẓāʾ
أَسباط أَفصح ناطق بالظاء
They led the race of eloquence, for they are
They led in eloquence, masters of speech
descendants of the most eloquent speaker of ẓāʾ.
Not of poets, though with deepest verse it flows
وَتَقَلدواand they donned دررpearls النظامof verse وَإنهمand indeed they
وَتَقَلدوا درر النظام وَإنهم
لَيسواthey are not مِنamong الشعراءpoets وَالشعراءand Sirius, in wordplay
لَيسوا مِن الشعراء وَالشعراء
They wore pearls of verse, though they
They donned the pearls of composition, though
are not among poets, nor are they Sirius;
No poets they, nor yet among poets shows
بَلrather هُمthey بدورfull moons فيin الدجنةthe darkness أشرَقَتshone
بَل هُم بدور في الدجنة أشرَقَت
وَتَلألأتand sparkled فيin اللَيلةthe night الليلاءpitch-black
وَتَلألأت في اللَيلة الليلاء
rather, they are full moons that shone in the darkness
In clear constellations their mansions shone
and sparkled in the pitch-black night.
Illuming the dark night with radiance it throws
وَمِنand among العَجائبthe wonders إنindeed قَلبيmy heart عِندهمwith them
وَمِن العَجائب إن قَلبي عِندهم
وَالجسمand the body منيof mine حلsettled فيin الزوراءal-Zawra
وَالجسم مني حل في الزوراء
Among the wonders is that my heart is with them,
A marvel that while my body lingers here
while my body has settled in al-Zawra.
My heart by their dwellings finds its repose
طالَrose اليَراعthe reed pen بِهمthrough them فَنمقthen inscribed لُؤلُؤاًpearls
طالَ اليَراع بِهم فَنمق لُؤلُؤاً
أربتsurpassed جَواهرهits jewels علىbeyond اللألاءradiance
أربت جَواهره على اللألاء
The reed pen rose through them and inscribed pearls,
My tears for them abundant pearls have shed
whose jewels surpassed radiance.
That on my cheeks like glistening beads now shows
لَمnot أنسI forget إِذwhen وَردتarrived عليto me سلافةchoice wine
لَم أنس إِذ وَردت علي سلافة
مِنfrom دنهمtheir wine jar كَالقَهوةlike wine الصَهباءtawny
مِن دنهم كَالقَهوة الصَهباء
I have not forgotten when choice wine reached me
The wine of their land came to me from afar
from their wine jar, like tawny wine.
I drank until intoxicated, cure of my woes
فَسكرتso I became drunk مِنfrom تلكthat العقارwine وَلَمand not أَزَلI cease
فَسكرت مِن تلك العقار وَلَم أَزَل
أشفيI heal بِهاwith it سَقميmy sickness وَفرطand excess عَنائيof my suffering
أشفي بِها سَقمي وَفرط عَنائي
I became drunk on that vintage, and still
Their gifts circled my neck binding me to them
with it I heal my sickness and excessive suffering.
I am to their loyalty now captive who knows
طَوقتمyou encircled بعقودكمwith your necklaces ياO سادتيmy masters
طَوقتم بعقودكم يا سادتي
جيديmy neck فَصرتso I became لَكُمyours رَقيقa bondslave وَلاءin devotion
جيدي فَصرت لَكُم رَقيق وَلاء
With your necklaces, my masters, you encircled
Who will grant me strength for all they've given me
my neck; I became your bondslave in devotion.
High reward for generosity that o'erflows?
مَنwho ليfor me بِأَنthat أَقوىI can bear عَلىunder نعمائكمyour favors
مَن لي بِأَن أَقوى عَلى نعمائكم
وَجَزاؤهاand their repayment مِنamong جُملةthe totality of النعماءfavors
وَجَزاؤها مِن جُملة النعماء
Who can help me bear your favors,
Whene'er I read it enlightens my eyes
when even repaying them is itself a favor?
Bringing solace and healing, banishing woes
ماwhat للصَحيفةabout the page كُلَّماwhenever كَررتهاI reread it
ما للصَحيفة كُلَّما كَررتها
كانَتit was ضِياءthe light of نَواظِريmy eyes وَشفائيand my healing
كانَت ضِياء نَواظِري وَشفائي
What is it about this page, that whenever I reread it,
My joy 'mongst the people, wish of my soul
it lights my eyes and brings me healing?
My comfort in comfort and in suffering shows
هيit بغيَتيmy desire بَينamong العِبادpeople وَمنيتيand my wish
هي بغيَتي بَين العِباد وَمنيتي
هِيit راحَتيmy comfort فيin راحَتيmy palm وَشَقائيand my misery
هِي راحَتي في راحَتي وَشَقائي
It is my desire among people and my wish;
I kissed it and placed it atop my brow
it is my comfort, in my palm and in my misery.
Protection 'gainst enemies, barrier it throws
قَبلتهاI kissed it وَوضعتهاand placed it فيupon هامَتيmy head
قَبلتها وَوضعتها في هامَتي
لِتَكونso it may be ليfor me رصداًa safeguard مِنagainst الأَعداءenemies
لِتَكون لي رصداً مِن الأَعداء
I kissed it and placed it upon my head
Perfume like the Zawra's breeze it exudes
to be my safeguard against enemies.
Life to the living its vitality bestows
أَهدَتit gave لَناto us عطراًperfume كَأَنas though عَبيقهits aroma
أَهدَت لَنا عطراً كَأَن عَبيقه
أرجthe fragrance of النَسيمthe breeze سرىdrifted مِنfrom الزَوراءal-Zawra
أرج النَسيم سرى مِن الزَوراء
It gave us perfume whose aroma seemed
Dear Saar brought tidings of joy with his gift
the breeze's fragrance drifting from al-Zawra.
Waking the dead with his magic, cure he now shows
أَكرمhow noble بسارis a night-traveler قَدalready أَتىcame بِسرورهwith his gladness
أَكرم بسار قَد أَتى بِسروره
سحراًbefore dawn فأحياso revived مَيتthe dead one among الأَحياءthe living
سحراً فأحيا مَيت الأَحياء
How noble the night-traveler who brought his gladness
Relating your traces in its folds, the air
before dawn, reviving the dead one among the living!
With its fragrance is perfumed, where'er it blows
وَرَوىand recounted لَناto us آثاركمyour deeds فيwithin طيهits folds
وَرَوى لَنا آثاركم في طيه
فَالجَوso the air مِنهُfrom it معنبرamber-scented الأَرجاءin its reaches
فَالجَو مِنهُ معنبر الأَرجاء
He recounted your deeds to us within its folds;
Taras described the aroma's diffusion
from it, the air is amber-scented everywhere.
As generously as clouds their rain bestows
طرسa page حَكىechoed نَشرthe spreading scent of العَبيرperfume مسلسلاًin a chain
طرس حَكى نَشر العَبير مسلسلاً
منfrom أذخرidhkhir grass بِأَذاخرamong idhkhir grasses وَسَحاءand saḥāʾ plants
من أذخر بِأَذاخر وَسَحاء
A page that echoed perfume's spreading scent, in a chain
At his words, longing stirred deep in my soul
from idhkhir, among idhkhir grasses and saḥāʾ plants.
To health restoring those cures he gently shows
فَترنحتso swayed عَذباتthe fringes of أَعطافيmy sides لَهُfor it
فَترنحت عَذبات أَعطافي لَهُ
وَسَرَتand coursed حميّاthe heady force of البرءhealing فيthrough أَدوائيmy ailments
وَسَرَت حميّا البرء في أَدوائي
The fringes at my sides swayed for it,
I bid Saar hasten to their dunes, though hot
and healing's heady force coursed through my ailments.
Too hot for horses there, even cures he knows
فَأَشَرتso I pointed لِلساريto the night-traveler إِلىtoward كُثبانهمtheir dunes
فَأَشَرت لِلساري إِلى كُثبانهم
عجturn aside بِالحِمىtoward the sanctuary إِنif جزتyou pass بِالجَرعاءby al-Jar‘a
عج بِالحِمى إِن جزت بِالجَرعاء
So I pointed the night-traveler toward their dunes:
Go circling Rammah's turns when time allows
Turn toward the sanctuary if you pass al-Jar‘a.
Converging skillfully where the hall shows
وَانزلand alight بِمنعطفاتat the bends of رامةRama ساعةfor an hour
وَانزل بِمنعطفات رامة ساعة
متيامناًbearing right عَنfrom قاعةthe plain الوَعساءsoft-sanded
متيامناً عَن قاعة الوَعساء
Alight for an hour at the bends of Rama,
Take the middle third of Nuqa's wares
bearing right from the soft-sanded plain.
Two thirds rough, uneven, no beauty it shows
وَاعدلand turn عَلىtoward الأثلاثal-Athlath مِنfrom سلعSal‘ النقاal-Naqa
وَاعدل عَلى الأثلاث مِن سلع النقا
فَالرقمتينthen al-Raqmatayn فَلعلعthen La‘la‘ فَشظاءthen Shaza
فَالرقمتين فَلعلع فَشظاء
Turn toward al-Athlath, by Sal‘ al-Naqa,
When you enter their dwellings, courteous be
then al-Raqmatayn, then La‘la‘, then Shaza.
Balanced and just, not haughty pride it shows
وَإِذاand when حَلَلتyou alight قبيلjust before حلةthe encampment of ربعهمtheir dwelling
وَإِذا حَلَلت قبيل حلة ربعهم
ملturn عادِلاًaside للحلةtoward al-Hilla الفَيحاءspacious
مل عادِلاً للحلة الفَيحاء
When you alight just before their dwelling's encampment,
With warm greetings sent by one who yearns
turn aside toward spacious al-Hilla.
Far, somber, weeping, send it where love flows
وَصلand join التحيةgreeting بِالتَحيةto greeting عاجِلاًswiftly
وَصل التحية بِالتَحية عاجِلاً
عَنfrom مُغرمan enamored man دنفlovesick كَئيبsorrowful نائيfar away
عَن مُغرم دنف كَئيب نائي
Join greeting to greeting swiftly,
Whene'er I recall them, sighs rise within
from an enamored, lovesick, sorrowful man far away.
Like breaths drawn by one death's agony knows
ماnever كررتwas repeated ذكراهمtheir memory إِلاexcept عَلَتrose
ما كررت ذكراهم إِلا عَلَت
زَفراتهhis sighs بِتنفسwith drawing الصُعداءheavy breaths
زَفراته بِتنفس الصُعداء
Whenever their memory is repeated, there rise
Nay, barely the thought of them and tears pour down
his sighs as he draws heavy breaths.
My cheeks, with blood commingling as grief grows
كَلاindeed وَلاand never خَطرواcrossed the mind لَهُof him إِلاexcept جَرَتflowed
كَلا وَلا خَطروا لَهُ إِلا جَرَت
عبراتهُhis tears مَمزوجةmingled بِدِماءwith blood
عبراتهُ مَمزوجة بِدِماء
Indeed, whenever they cross his mind, there flow
O dwellers of Hadbaa, will you return?
his tears, mingled with blood.
Reviving me, o dwellers of Hadbaa?
ياO ساكِنيdwellers of الحَدباءal-Hadba هَلis there مِنany عَودةreturn
يا ساكِني الحَدباء هَل مِن عَودة
أَحياI may live بِهاby it ياO ساكِنيdwellers of الحَدباءal-Hadba
أَحيا بِها يا ساكِني الحَدباء
O dwellers of al-Hadba, is there a return
Though you've left, our bond remains unbroken
by which I may live, O dwellers of al-Hadba?
My old love for you time cannot erode
ياO ناقِضيbreakers of وَصليmy bond وَلَستand I am not بِناقضbreaking
يا ناقِضي وَصلي وَلَست بِناقض
وَجديmy yearning القَديمold بكمfor you وَلاnor برحائيmy anguish
وَجدي القَديم بكم وَلا برحائي
O you who break our bond, I do not break
If rain is scarce in your lands, my tears here
my old yearning for you, nor relinquish my anguish.
Will water your plains as plentifully they flowed
إِنif شحتwere stingy الأَنواءthe rain-stars فيin أَقطاركمyour lands
إِن شحت الأَنواء في أَقطاركم
فَمَدامعيthen my tears تربيexceed عَلىbeyond الأَنواءthe rain-stars
فَمَدامعي تربي عَلى الأَنواء
If the rain-stars are stingy over your lands,
Who will quench for me the fires of my youth?
then my tears surpass the rain-stars.
Favor me with reunion my longing to goad?
مَنwho ليfor me بِأَنthat أطفيI quench غَليلthe burning thirst of صَبابَتيmy yearning
مَن لي بِأَن أطفي غَليل صَبابَتي
مِنكُمfrom you أهيلdear people of مَوَدتيmy affection بِلقائيby meeting me
مِنكُم أهيل مَوَدتي بِلقائي
Who will grant that I quench my yearning's burning thirst
Alas! How can one who suffers absence's pangs
from you, dear ones I love, through a meeting with me?
Hope for nearness? One day roasts, another loads!
هَيهاتfar-fetched كَيفَhow يَرومseeks قُرباًnearness مَنone لَهُwho has
هَيهات كَيفَ يَروم قُرباً مَن لَهُ
يَومانtwo days يَومa day of قلىaversion وَيَومand a day of تناءseparation
يَومان يَوم قلى وَيَوم تناء
Far-fetched! How can one seek nearness who has
By your splendid glory - and truly it is
two days: a day of aversion and a day of separation?
An oath - for you my soul ardently slowed
فَوَحقso, by the right of مَجدكمyour glory الأَثيلfirmly rooted وَإنهand indeed it
فَوَحق مَجدكم الأَثيل وَإنه
قسمan oath لَقَدindeed كَلفتbecame enamored بِكُمof you أَحشائيmy entrails
قسم لَقَد كَلفت بِكُم أَحشائي
By your firmly rooted glory—and it is
I'll not turn from loving you, for loving you
an oath—my very entrails have become enamored of you.
Is my creed, allegiance that tightly is sewed
لاnot أَنثنيI turn away عَنfrom حُبكمloving you إِذfor حُبكمyour love
لا أَنثني عَن حُبكم إِذ حُبكم
وَهَواكُمand passion for you دينيmy faith وَعقدand the bond of وَلائيmy allegiance
وَهَواكُم ديني وَعقد وَلائي
I will not turn from loving you, for your love
Patience, to you I incline, for worry and love
and passion for you are my faith and my bond of allegiance.
Have wearied me, solace and help erode
فَإِلَيكso away with you ياO صَبريmy patience تَنحwithdraw فَإِنَّنيfor I
فَإِلَيك يا صَبري تَنح فَإِنَّني
قَدhas جَدَgrown fierce بيupon me وَجديmy yearning وَعزand grew scarce عَزائيmy consolation
قَد جَدَ بي وَجدي وَعز عَزائي
Away with you, my patience; withdraw, for I
Would one who suffers seek rest for a heart
am gripped by fierce yearning, and consolation is scarce.
That tastes nothing but bitterness grief has showed?
أَترومdo you seek راحةrest قَلبfor a heart عانcaptive نازحfar away
أَتروم راحة قَلب عان نازح
لَمnot يلفfound غَيرother than منعمa giver بِشَقاءof misery
لَم يلف غَير منعم بِشَقاء
Do you seek rest for the heart of a far-off captive
Gentle counselor, I am not the first
who has found only a giver of misery?
To lower his gaze, leave me, let my tears flowed
وَصهand hush عذوليmy censurer لَستُyou are not أَولthe first ناصحadviser
وَصه عذولي لَستُ أَول ناصح
خَفضbe gentle عَليكwith yourself وَخَلنيand leave me وَبَلائيand my affliction
خَفض عَليك وَخَلني وَبَلائي
Hush, my censurer; you are not the first adviser.
A composer came unveiling those tents
Be gentle with yourself, and leave me to my affliction.
And their dwellers, but to meet Spring he forbode
وَاسمعand hear نِظاماًverses جاءَنيreached me يَفترsmiling to reveal عَنabout
وَاسمع نِظاماً جاءَني يَفتر عَن
تِلكَthose الخِيامtents وَزائِريand visitors to الخيماءal-Khaymaʾ
تِلكَ الخِيام وَزائِري الخيماء
Hear verses that reached me, smiling to reveal
Your love raised me to glorious ancestry
those tents and the visitors to al-Khaymaʾ.
When calamity strikes, my defenders they showed
فَأَبىso refused مشافهةa face-to-face meeting with الرَبيعspring بِرَوضةin the garden of الthe, continued
فَأَبى مشافهة الرَبيع بِرَوضة ال
حَيclan المَنيعunassailable تلفتيmy backward glances وَعَنائيand my suffering
حَي المَنيع تلفتي وَعَنائي
Yet a face-to-face meeting with spring in the garden of the
In their excellence I rise, though tired my hand
unassailable clan was barred by my backward glances and suffering.
As I cling to the Pillar, fatigued though I slowed
وَلَقَدand indeed رَفَعتI was exalted بِحبكمthrough loving you وَبِنسبَتيand through my kinship
وَلَقَد رَفَعت بِحبكم وَبِنسبَتي
لِبَنيwith the sons of العُلىloftiness وَالفَخرand glory وَالآلاءِand bounty
لِبَني العُلى وَالفَخر وَالآلاءِ
Indeed, I was exalted through loving you and through my kinship
Shall I turn from the servant of God whose dust
with the sons of loftiness, glory, and bounty.
Is my gold, whose gardens my spirit have goaded?
فَهُمfor they نَصيريmy helpers إِنif خذلتI am forsaken بِحادثby a calamity
فَهُم نَصيري إِن خذلت بِحادث
وَهُمand they مَلاذيmy refuge إِنif عدتassail أعدائيmy enemies
وَهُم مَلاذي إِن عدت أعدائي
They are my helpers if a calamity leaves me forsaken,
Whose place is my refuge, perfection my goal
and my refuge if my enemies assail me.
My meadow, my shade when fierce heat overloaded?
وَبجدهمand through their forefather أَسموI rise وَقَدand indeed طالَتstretched out يَديmy hand
وَبجدهم أَسمو وَقَد طالَت يَدي
عِندَwhen استلامtouching الرُكنthe Corner بِالاعياءwith exhaustion
عِندَ استلام الرُكن بِالاعياء
Through their forefather I rise; my hand has stretched out
Whose praise is sweet nectar, remembrance the wine
in exhaustion to touch the Corner.
That revives me, whose soil is the wealth I have hoarded?
أَأَصدshall I turn away عَنfrom جدa forefather وَعَبدand ‘Abd اللَهAllah ليis mine
أَأَصد عَن جد وَعَبد اللَه لي
وَأحادand shun عَنهُhim وَفيand in بَقاهhis survival بَقائيmy survival
وَأحاد عَنهُ وَفي بَقاه بَقائي
Shall I turn from a forefather, when ‘Abd Allah is mine,
Whose banner's my fortress, loyalty my armor
and shun him, when his survival is my survival?
On his shore I find purity, ne'er corroded
وَترابهand his dust ذَهَبيmy gold وَرَوضةand the garden of فَضلهhis bounty
وَترابه ذَهَبي وَرَوضة فَضله
طَربيmy joy وَصارفand the banisher of أَزمةthe crisis of اللاواءhardship
طَربي وَصارف أَزمة اللاواء
His dust is my gold, and the garden of his bounty
Trust is the alif, all eloquence the baa
my joy and the banisher of hardship's crisis.
Taa, communication, thaa, every praise lauded
وَمَحلهand his abode ليfor me مَرجعa place of return وَكَمالهand his perfection
وَمَحله لي مَرجع وَكَماله
ليfor me مَرتعa pasture وَظلالand the shade of أَفيائيmy shelters
لي مَرتع وَظلال أَفيائي
His abode is my place of return, and his perfection
Jeem, the beauty, haa the wisdom supreme
my pasture and the shade of my shelters.
Khaa, prosperity, khaa, every gift loaded
وَثَناؤهand his praise طيبيmy perfume النَدىfresh وَذكرهand his remembrance
وَثَناؤه طيبي النَدى وَذكره
وَرديmy draught الرويthirst-quenching وَفيand in ثَراهhis soil ثَرائيmy wealth
وَردي الروي وَفي ثَراه ثَرائي
His praise is my fresh perfume, and his remembrance
Daal, humility, dhaal, brilliant mind
my thirst-quenching draught; in his soil lies my wealth.
Raa, leadership, and zaa, best reward coded
وَوَلاؤهand devotion to him ليfor me سنةa rule وَلواؤهand his banner
وَوَلاؤه لي سنة وَلواؤه
ليfor me جَنةa shield وَعَلىand upon صَفاهhis purity صَفائيmy purity
لي جَنة وَعَلى صَفاه صَفائي
Devotion to him is my rule, and his banner
Seen, distinction, sheen, prevalent wisdom
my shield; upon his purity rests my purity.
Saad, purity, daad, all brilliance exploded
ألفalif الأَمانةof trustworthiness باءbāʾ كُلevery بَلاغةeloquence
ألف الأَمانة باء كُل بَلاغة
تاءtāʾ التَواصلof fellowship ثاءthāʾ كُلevery ثَناءpraise
تاء التَواصل ثاء كُل ثَناء
Alif of trustworthiness; bāʾ of every eloquence;
Taa, pleasantness, zaa, fruitful shade
tāʾ of fellowship; thāʾ of every praise;
Ayn, care, ghayn, every melody loaded
جيمjīm الجَمالof beauty وحاءand ḥāʾ أَفضَلthe finest حكمةwisdom
جيم الجَمال وحاء أَفضَل حكمة
خاءkhāʾ الرَخاءof ease وَخاءand khāʾ كُلevery سَخاءgenerosity
خاء الرَخاء وَخاء كُل سَخاء
jīm of beauty, and ḥāʾ of the finest wisdom;
Faa, success, qaaf, nearness has risen high
khāʾ of ease, and khāʾ of every generosity;
Kaaf, self-sufficiency, laam, loyalty crowded
دالdāl الدنوof nearness وَذالand dhāl ذهنa mind نيرluminous
دال الدنو وَذال ذهن نير
راءrāʾ الرِياسةof leadership زايzāy خَيرthe finest جَزاءrecompense
راء الرِياسة زاي خَير جَزاء
dāl of nearness, and dhāl of a luminous mind;
Meem, status, noor, penetrating light
rāʾ of leadership; zāy of the finest recompense;
Waw, loyalty, haa, every guidance goaded
سينsīn السَناءof radiance وَشينand shīn رُشدgood judgment شايعwidespread
سين السَناء وَشين رُشد شايع
صادṣād الصَفاءof purity وَضادand ḍād كُلevery ضياءlight
صاد الصَفاء وَضاد كُل ضياء
sīn of radiance, and shīn of widespread good judgment;
Yaa, discretion, leadership, life
ṣād of purity, and ḍād of every light;
And providence, certainty, generosity loaded
طاءṭāʾ الطَراوةof freshness ظاءẓāʾ ظلshade مخصبfertile
طاء الطَراوة ظاء ظل مخصب
عَين‘ayn العِنايةof care غينghayn كُلevery غِناءabundance
عَين العِناية غين كُل غِناء
ṭāʾ of freshness; ẓāʾ of fertile shade;
May God protect his side and yours too
‘ayn of care; ghayn of every abundance;
And send abundant rain when supplicated
فاءfāʾ الفَلاحof success وَقافand qāf قُربnearness قَدhas سَماrisen
فاء الفَلاح وَقاف قُرب قَد سَما
كافkāf الكِفايةof sufficiency لامlām كُلevery وَلاءallegiance
كاف الكِفاية لام كُل وَلاء
fāʾ of success, and qāf of exalted nearness;
To you and to him the heaviest showers
kāf of sufficiency; lām of every allegiance;
In welcome fields and places dedicated
ميمmīm المَكانةof eminence نونnūn نورlight ثاقبpiercing
ميم المَكانة نون نور ثاقب
واوwāw الوَفاءof fidelity وَهاءand hāʾ كُلevery هداءguidance
واو الوَفاء وَهاء كُل هداء
mīm of eminence; nūn of piercing light;
Watering days of joy when together we drank
wāw of fidelity, and hāʾ of every guidance;
In gatherings where passion fermented and brewed
ياءyāʾ الكياسةof sagacity وَالرياسةand leadership وَالحَياand modesty
ياء الكياسة وَالرياسة وَالحَيا
وَاليمنand good fortune وَالإِيقانand certainty وَالإِيتاءand giving
وَاليمن وَالإِيقان وَالإِيتاء
yāʾ of sagacity, leadership, and modesty,
As though they and it never were
good fortune, certainty, and giving.
Just a dream that passed as in slumber I snoozed
فَرعىso may guard الإِلهGod جَنابهhis person وَرَعاكُمand may guard you
فَرعى الإِله جَنابه وَرَعاكُم
وَسَقىand may water الوَليthe following rain مَواطنthe abodes of الآلاءbounty
وَسَقى الوَلي مَواطن الآلاء
May God guard his person and guard you,
Will you return one morn as dawn breaks
and may the following rain water the abodes of bounty.
The abode perfumed as the watchmen are eluded?
وَعَلَيكُمand upon you وَعَلَيهand upon him أَغدقlavish ماطرa raincloud
وَعَلَيكُم وَعَلَيه أَغدق ماطر
سحاًin torrents وَجاءand reached مَواقفthe stations of الانضاءweariness
سحاً وَجاء مَواقف الانضاء
Upon you and him may a lavish raincloud
Shall I walk atop the desert laughing
pour in torrents and reach the stations of weariness.
Timid yet bold, in garments of shyness secluded?
سَقياًblessings of rain لأَيامon days سَعدتI was happy بجيرةwith neighbors
سَقياً لأَيام سَعدت بجيرة
سامرتهمI kept night company with them بِمجامعat the meeting places of الأَهواءaffections
سامرتهم بِمجامع الأَهواء
Blessings of rain on the days when I was happy with neighbors
Bestower of days, how you've favored many a lad
with whom I kept night company where affections met.
Only to later deprive him of gifts he had wooed!
فَكَأَنَّنيso as though I وَكَأَنَّهاand as though they لَماwhen مَضَتthey passed
فَكَأَنَّني وَكَأَنَّها لَما مَضَت
حُلمa dream مَضىpassed مَعwith يَقظةawakening from الإِغفاءslumber
حُلم مَضى مَع يَقظة الإِغفاء
It is as though I, and those days when they passed,
Will happiness return to us soon, I implore
were a dream that passed with awakening from slumber.
One day, then allow me to remain by your side?
أَفهلwill then تَعودreturn لَناto us وَانشقand I inhale فيin الضُحىthe morning
أَفهل تَعود لَنا وَانشق في الضُحى
طيبthe fragrance of المَكانthe place بِغفلةwhile unaware الرقباءthe watchers
طيب المَكان بِغفلة الرقباء
Will they return to us, and shall I inhale in the morning
O Joy, hope is not lost, nor the thread of my wishes
the place's fragrance while the watchers are unaware,
Cut off, but knotted still, tightly to hope I have glued
وَأَسيرand I walk مِنfrom فَوقupon البَسيطةthe earth ضاحِكاًlaughing
وَأَسير مِن فَوق البَسيطة ضاحِكاً
جَذلاًjoyful وَأرفلand I trail فيin ذُيولthe skirts of حَياءmodesty
جَذلاً وَأرفل في ذُيول حَياء
and walk upon the earth, laughing,
I remain as I am, destiny before me
joyful, trailing the skirts of modesty?
Yearning ahead, fate behind wherever I'm stewed
ذاsuch شيمةthe way of الأَيامdays كَمhow often أَولتbestowed upon فَتىa youth
ذا شيمة الأَيام كَم أَولت فَتى
مَنحاًgifts وَتمنحهand reward him بِسَلبby stripping away عَطاءa gift
مَنحاً وَتمنحه بِسَلب عَطاء
Such is the way of days: how often they have bestowed on a youth
gifts, then rewarded him by stripping gifts away!
أَفهلwill then تَعودreturn لَناto us المَسرةhappiness عاجِلاًswiftly
أَفهل تَعود لَنا المَسرة عاجِلاً
يَوماًfor a day وَأسمحand I gladly relinquish بَعدهafter it بِبَقاءremaining life
يَوماً وَأسمح بَعده بِبَقاء
Will happiness return to us swiftly
for a day, after which I would gladly relinquish the rest of life?
ياO سَعدSa‘d ماnot انقطعwas severed الرَجاءhope وَلاnor عرىunraveled
يا سَعد ما انقطع الرَجاء وَلا عرى
حَبلthe cord of المُنىwishes بَلrather تَمwas completed عَقدthe knot of رَجائيmy hope
حَبل المُنى بَل تَم عَقد رَجائي
O Sa‘d, hope has not been severed, nor come undone
the cord of wishes; rather, my hope's knot is complete.
وَأَناand I عَلىin حاليmy state أَقَمتremained وَهَكَذاand thus
وَأَنا عَلى حالي أَقَمت وَهَكَذا
شَوقيmy longing أَماميbefore me وَالقَضاءand fate وَرائيbehind me
شَوقي أَمامي وَالقَضاء وَرائي
I have remained as I was, and thus
my longing is before me, and fate behind me.
Partial English translation: 134 of 142 Arabic lines translated.