فيin عُنفُوانِthe prime of الصِباyouth ماnot كُنتُI was بِالغَزِلِamorous
في عُنفُوانِ الصِبا ما كُنتُ بِالغَزِلِ
فَكَيفَso how أَصبوcan I yearn وَسِنِيّwhile my years سِنُّare the age of مُكتَهِلِa middle-aged man
فَكَيفَ أَصبو وَسِنِيّ سِنُّ مُكتَهِلِ
In the prime of youth I was not amorous;
In the vigor of youth I was not inclined to love poems,
How, then, should I yearn now, when my years are a middle-aged man's?
So how can I be inclined now that my hair has turned white?
كَأَنَّنيas though I بِمَشيَبيwith my gray hair وَهوَwhile it مُشتَعِلٌis ablaze
كَأَنَّني بِمَشيَبي وَهوَ مُشتَعِلٌ
بَياضُهُits whiteness بِسَوادِwith the blackness of الفاحِمِcoal-black hair الرَّجِلِflowing
بَياضُهُ بِسَوادِ الفاحِمِ الرَّجِلِ
As though I, with my gray hair, blazing
It is as if my white hair were aflame,
In its whiteness, wore the black of coal-black, flowing hair.
Its whiteness contrasting with the blackness of the vigorous man.
إِنَّindeed الحِسانَbeautiful women يَرَينَconsider الشَيبَgray hair أَقبَحَuglier مِنthan
إِنَّ الحِسانَ يَرَينَ الشَيبَ أَقبَحَ مِن
شَينِthe blemish of البَياضِwhiteness عَثاravaged فيin أَسوَدِthe blackness of المُقَلِthe pupils
شَينِ البَياضِ عَثا في أَسوَدِ المُقَلِ
Beautiful women consider gray hair uglier than
Al-Hissan sees white hair as uglier than
The blemish of whiteness ravaging the pupils' blackness.
The blemish of white in the midst of black hair.
لَمnot أُمسِI became فيin غَمراتِthe depths of العِشقِlove مُنغَمِساًimmersed
لَم أُمسِ في غَمراتِ العِشقِ مُنغَمِساً
وَلَمand not تُؤَنِّفنِيَrebuked me العُذّالُthe censurers بِالعَذَلِwith reproach
وَلَم تُؤَنِّفنِيَ العُذّالُ بِالعَذَلِ
I have never been immersed in the depths of love,
I was not immersed in the depths of passion,
Nor have the censurers rebuked me with reproaches.
Nor was I reproached by the blamer with flirtation.
وَأَخفَقُand the least successful of الناسِpeople مَسعىًin endeavor كُلُّevery مُختَبِلٍderanged person
وَأَخفَقُ الناسِ مَسعىً كُلُّ مُختَبِلٍ
يَهذيraves بِصاحِبِabout one with قَلبٍa heart غَيرِnot مُختَبِلِderanged
يَهذي بِصاحِبِ قَلبٍ غَيرِ مُختَبِلِ
The least successful in endeavor is every deranged man
People fail in their endeavors, each one confused,
Who raves about someone whose heart is not deranged.
Infatuated with one whose heart is not confused.
مَنwhoever يَهوَloves يَهوِfalls إِلىto قَعرِthe depths of الهَوانِhumiliation عَمىًblindly
مَن يَهوَ يَهوِ إِلى قَعرِ الهَوانِ عَمىً
شَتّانَhow different بَينَbetween شَجٍa grief-stricken person عانٍa captive وَبَينَand between خَليsomeone carefree
شَتّانَ بَينَ شَجٍ عانٍ وَبَينَ خَلي
Whoever loves falls blindly into the depths of humiliation;
He who desires, desires to the depth of disgrace blindly,
How different a grieving captive is from someone carefree!
Vast is the difference between a hardy, high, and base, despicable man.
وَماand not اِزدَهانيbeguiled me سَرابُthe mirage of المَكرِguile وَالحِيَلِand tricks
وَما اِزدَهاني سَرابُ المَكرِ وَالحِيَلِ
وَلاnor دَهانيafflicted me شَرابُthe wine of الكَرمِthe vine بِالخَبَلِwith madness
وَلا دَهاني شَرابُ الكَرمِ بِالخَبَلِ
The mirage of guile and tricks has never beguiled me,
Their evil deeds have defeated my glory - no wonder!
Nor has the vine's wine afflicted me with madness.
Amr, by his evil, in war turned back Aly.
وَالنَفسُand the soul تَوّاقَةٌfull of longing لَكِنbut يُطامِنُهاrestrains it
وَالنَفسُ تَوّاقَةٌ لَكِن يُطامِنُها
إِذاwhen اِشرَأَبَّتit cranes upward حِجىًan intellect أَرسىmore firmly grounded مِنَthan الجَبَلِthe mountain
إِذا اِشرَأَبَّت حِجىً أَرسى مِنَ الجَبَلِ
The soul is full of longing, but it is restrained,
If you are weary of evil folk of little worth,
When it cranes upward, by an intellect firmer than a mountain.
The noble one should not be hurt by the tolerant.
فَالعُمرُfor life ظِلٌّa shadow عَلىover الإِنسانِa person مُنتَقِلٌpassing
فَالعُمرُ ظِلٌّ عَلى الإِنسانِ مُنتَقِلٌ
وَلَيسَand there is not فيon الأَرضِthe earth ظِلٌّa shadow غَيرُnot مُنتَقِلِpassing
وَلَيسَ في الأَرضِ ظِلٌّ غَيرُ مُنتَقِلِ
Life is a shadow passing over a person,
The sediment of the flood of filth plays with me,
And no shadow on earth is without movement.
It is Zuhā when it reflects the sun in Libra.
وَخَيرُand the best of ماwhat نِلتَyou attained مِنfrom دُنياكَyour world مُقتَبِساًacquiring
وَخَيرُ ما نِلتَ مِن دُنياكَ مُقتَبِساً
عِلمٌknowledge وَلَكِنbut إِذاwhen ماindeed زِينَit is adorned بِالعَمَلِwith action
عِلمٌ وَلَكِن إِذا ما زِينَ بِالعَمَلِ
The best thing you acquire from your world
This is well known of fate, and never
Is knowledge—but only when adorned with action.
Have the people of high morals been the prey of low tongues.
لاdo not تَترُكَنَّever abandon التُّقىpiety يَوماًone day فَتُهمِلَهُand so neglect it
لا تَترُكَنَّ التُّقى يَوماً فَتُهمِلَهُ
نَوماًin sleep فَلَستَfor you are not بِمَتروكٍabandoned وَلاnor هَمَلِleft untended
نَوماً فَلَستَ بِمَتروكٍ وَلا هَمَلِ
Never abandon piety one day, neglecting it
Between right and wrong they are not safe,
In sleep: you are neither abandoned nor left untended.
And the kohl of the eyes is not like kohl.
واهاًah! لِمُستَيقِظٍfor one awakened مِنfrom نَومِthe sleep of غَفلَتِهِhis heedlessness
واهاً لِمُستَيقِظٍ مِن نَومِ غَفلَتِهِ
لِفَهمِto understand آدابِthe learning of أَهلِthe people of الأَعصُرِthe ages الأُوَلِthe earliest
لِفَهمِ آدابِ أَهلِ الأَعصُرِ الأُوَلِ
Ah, for someone awakened from the sleep of heedlessness,
Woe to every drowning man who finds faults in others
To understand the learning of people of the earliest ages!
While he himself is full of faults.
هُمُthey الأُلىare those who زَيَّنواadorned الدُنياthe world بِفَضلِهِمُwith their excellence
هُمُ الأُلى زَيَّنوا الدُنيا بِفَضلِهِمُ
وَاِستَبدَلواand exchanged مِنfrom قَشيبِthe fresh finery of العَيشِlife بِالسَّمَلِfor threadbare rags
وَاِستَبدَلوا مِن قَشيبِ العَيشِ بِالسَّمَلِ
They are the ones who adorned the world with their excellence
My only sin is the length of my exile, and he
And traded life's fresh finery for threadbare rags.
On whom exile is prolonged will be visited by boredom.
فَماso not اِستَمالَتهُمenticed them الدُّنياthe world بِزُخرُفِهاwith its ornaments
فَما اِستَمالَتهُم الدُّنيا بِزُخرُفِها
وَلاnor اِزدَهَتهُمbeguiled them بِتَفصيلٍin detail وَلاnor جُمَلِin sum
وَلا اِزدَهَتهُم بِتَفصيلٍ وَلا جُمَلِ
The world did not entice them with its ornaments,
My weakness has necessitated for me the disgrace of indolence,
Nor beguile them, in detail or in sum.
Otherwise, if I moved about, honor would lie in movement.
قالواthey said اِمتَدِحpraise عُظَماءَthe great among الناسِpeople قُلتُI said لَهُمto them
قالوا اِمتَدِح عُظَماءَ الناسِ قُلتُ لَهُم
خوفُfear of الزَنابيرِwasps يَثنينيdeters me عَنِfrom العَسَلِhoney
خوفُ الزَنابيرِ يَثنيني عَنِ العَسَلِ
They said, 'Praise the great among mankind.' I told them,
I will strive to refute the intense blame,
'Fear of wasps deters me from the honey.'
And silence the vile after my departure.
وَالأُسدُand lions تَهرُبُflee مِنfrom قَرصِthe bite of الذُّبابِflies وَماand how
وَالأُسدُ تَهرُبُ مِن قَرصِ الذُّبابِ وَما
أَغرىavid خِساسَthe basest of الوَرىmankind بِالسادَةِfor the masters النُّبُلِthe noble
أَغرى خِساسَ الوَرى بِالسادَةِ النُّبُلِ
Lions flee the biting of flies; how avid
Think not the light of the sun is weakened
The basest people are to assail noble masters!
By whatever clouds or dust that fills the air.
سَوءاتُهُمtheir shameful parts هَزَمَتdefeated مَجديmy glory وَلاand no عَجَبٌwonder
سَوءاتُهُم هَزَمَت مَجدي وَلا عَجَبٌ
عَمرٌوAmr بِسَوءَتِهِwith his private parts فيin الحَربِbattle رَدَّturned back عَليAli
عَمرٌو بِسَوءَتِهِ في الحَربِ رَدَّ عَلي
Their shameful parts have defeated my glory—no wonder:
I do not blame my envious one for his deception against me,
Amr turned Ali back in battle with his private parts.
Falsely, while I have neither done nor said.
إِنif ضِقتَyou run short ذَرعاًof patience بِأَقوامٍwith people سَواسِيَةٍall alike
إِن ضِقتَ ذَرعاً بِأَقوامٍ سَواسِيَةٍ
فَماfor not الكَريمُthe noble man بِأَنto يُؤذىbe harmed بِمُحتَمِلِone to endure
فَما الكَريمُ بِأَن يُؤذى بِمُحتَمِلِ
If you lose patience with people all alike,
Lower yourself, for the full moon in the sky,
A noble man is not one to endure being harmed.
When barking dogs clamor at it, is not diminished.
أَمسىis now قَرارَةُthe cesspool of سَيلِa torrent of الخُرءِexcrement يَعبَثُtoys بيwith me
أَمسى قَرارَةُ سَيلِ الخُرءِ يَعبَثُ بي
فَهوَso he is السُّهاSuha إِذwhen يُعيدُrestores الشَمسَthe sun فيin الحَمَلِAries
فَهوَ السُّها إِذ يُعيدُ الشَمسَ في الحَمَلِ
The cesspool of a torrent of excrement now toys with me;
They are carriers of the burden of disgrace,
He is Suha, restoring the sun in Aries.
And they are stronger than camels in carrying its load.
هَذاthis مِنَof الدَّهرِtime مَشهورٌwell known وَماand not بَرِحَتhave ceased
هَذا مِنَ الدَّهرِ مَشهورٌ وَما بَرِحَت
أَهلُthe people of المَعاليlofty merit ذُرابىtargets of the barbs of أَلسُنِthe tongues of السفلِthe lowly
أَهلُ المَعالي ذُرابى أَلسُنِ السفلِ
This is well known of time; ever have
Their only armor is insulting in every dreadful situation,
People of lofty merit been prey to the lowly's tongues.
Both when it is folded up and when it is spread out.
بَينَbetween الصِّحاحِthe sound وَبَينَand between العورِthe one-eyed لاmay they not سَلِمواbe spared
بَينَ الصِّحاحِ وَبَينَ العورِ لا سَلِموا
بَونٌa gulf وَماand not حَوَرُthe whiteness of العَينَينِthe two eyes كَالكَحَلِlike natural dark rims
بَونٌ وَما حَوَرُ العَينَينِ كَالكَحَلِ
Between the sound and the one-eyed—may they never be spared!—
The people of wildness, when an evil wind blows,
There is a gulf: white eyes are not naturally dark-rimmed eyes.
People avoid it, whether near or distant.
تَبّاًperdition! لِكُلِّto every غَريقٍone drowning فيin مَعايِبِهِhis faults
تَبّاً لِكُلِّ غَريقٍ في مَعايِبِهِ
يَعيبُhe faults خَلَّةَa trait of مَنone who ماnot فيهِin him مِنany خَلَلِflaw
يَعيبُ خَلَّةَ مَن ما فيهِ مِن خَلَلِ
Perdition to everyone drowning in his own faults
If they are pleased they roar, and if angry they all
Who faults a trait in someone without a flaw!
Bare their fangs like an enraged lion.
وَلَيسَand not ذَنبيmy fault سِوىexcept طولِthe length of الثَّواءِresidence وَمَنand whoever
وَلَيسَ ذَنبي سِوى طولِ الثَّواءِ وَمَن
طالَlasts long الثَّواءُthe residence عَلَيهِfor him رِيعَis assailed بِالمَلَلِby boredom
طالَ الثَّواءُ عَلَيهِ رِيعَ بِالمَلَلِ
My only fault is staying too long; whoever
They are accustomed to victory; their affliction is praiseworthy;
Remains too long is assailed by boredom.
And the horses stumble over the slain and wounded.
وَالعَجزُand helplessness أَوجَبَimposed ليon me ذُلَّthe humiliation of الخُمولِobscurity وَلَوand if
وَالعَجزُ أَوجَبَ لي ذُلَّ الخُمولِ وَلَو
أَنّيI تَنَقَّلتُmoved about كانَwould be العِزُّhonor فيin النُّقَلِtravel
أَنّي تَنَقَّلتُ كانَ العِزُّ في النُّقَلِ
Helplessness imposed on me the humiliation of obscurity; had
The people of courage, when a north wind blows,
I moved about, honor would have been in traveling.
People barter it from near and far.
لأَنزَعَنI will surely draw فيon قِسِيِّthe bows of الذَّمِّblame مُجتَهِداًstriving
لأَنزَعَن في قِسِيِّ الذَّمِّ مُجتَهِداً
فَأُصمِيَنَّthen I will surely kill outright لِئاماًbase men بَعدَafter مُرتَحَليmy departure
فَأُصمِيَنَّ لِئاماً بَعدَ مُرتَحَلي
I will strive to draw the bows of blame
If the days treat me well, and if they are harsh, all of them
And strike base men dead after my departure.
Are like an enraged lion baring its fangs.
لاdo not تَحسِبَنever suppose أَنَّthat نورَthe light of الشَّمسِthe sun يُوهِنُهُweakens it
لا تَحسِبَن أَنَّ نورَ الشَّمسِ يُوهِنُهُ
ماwhat أُلبِسَwas clothed upon الجوُّthe sky مِنof غَيمcloud وَمِنand of طَفَلِdusk
ما أُلبِسَ الجوُّ مِن غَيم وَمِن طَفَلِ
Never suppose the sun's light is weakened
They disparage me saying I am from Baniyas, but how much
By the clouds and dusk in which the sky is clothed.
A pleasant living have I enjoyed in its shady shadows!
وَماand not ألومُI blame حَسوديmy envier فيfor تَقَوُّلِهِhis fabrications
وَما ألومُ حَسودي في تَقَوُّلِهِ
زوراًfalsely عَلَيَّagainst me وَلَمwhen I did not أَفعَلdo وَلَمand did not أَقُلِsay
زوراً عَلَيَّ وَلَم أَفعَل وَلَم أَقُلِ
I do not blame my envier for fabricating
And its people are like pure gold coins without
Lies against me about what I neither did nor said.
Any cheating, confusion, or fraud among them.
خَفِّضtake it easy عَلَيكَon yourself فَماfor not بَدرُthe full moon of السَماءِthe sky إِذاwhen
خَفِّض عَلَيكَ فَما بَدرُ السَماءِ إِذا
ماindeed الكَلبُthe dog أَوسَعَهُoverwhelms it نَبحاًwith barking بِمُحتَفِلِpaying heed
ما الكَلبُ أَوسَعَهُ نَبحاً بِمُحتَفِلِ
Take it easy: the full moon in the sky, when
Pearls come from oyster shells, roses grow amid
A dog overwhelms it with barking, pays no heed.
Thorns, and the narcissus with dew comes from an onion bulb.
هُمُthey زَوامِلُpack beasts for ثِقلِthe weight of العارِdisgrace مُعنقةًhurrying along
هُمُ زَوامِلُ ثِقلِ العارِ مُعنقةً
وَهُمand they عَلىin حَملِهِcarrying it أَقوىstronger مِنَthan الإِبِلِcamels
وَهُم عَلى حَملِهِ أَقوى مِنَ الإِبِلِ
They are pack beasts bearing the weight of disgrace, hurrying along;
O Lord of a pure white complexion from which black pupils shine,
They are stronger at carrying it than camels.
And pink cheeks within which red lips smile like chrysolite beads.
حِداؤُهاtheir driving song شَتمُهُمabuse of them فيin كُلِّevery موحِشَةٍwilderness
حِداؤُها شَتمُهُم في كُلِّ موحِشَةٍ
تُطوىare folded up وَتُنشَرُand spread out فيهاin it ألعَنُthe most accursed of السُبُلِroads
تُطوى وَتُنشَرُ فيها ألعَنُ السُبُلِ
Their driving song is abuse of them, in every wilderness
When she turns to show us her cheeks, milk oozes forth
Where the most accursed roads are folded up and spread out.
And roses blush with shy modesty.
ماnot يَقدرونَthey can عَلىto إِخفائِهِمtheir concealing حَسَبيmy lineage
ما يَقدرونَ عَلى إِخفائِهِم حَسَبي
وَذاكَand that أَسيرُmore widely current بَينَamong الناسِpeople مِنthan مَثَلِa proverb
وَذاكَ أَسيرُ بَينَ الناسِ مِن مَثَلِ
They cannot conceal my lineage,
Red are her pillows, sleepless are her eyelids,
Which travels among people more widely than a proverb.
Intoxicating is her glance like that of a reveler.
وَلَوand if دَعَوتُI called لَلَبَّتنيwould surely answer me ضراغمةlions
وَلَو دَعَوتُ لَلَبَّتني ضراغمة
تَدأىrally إِلىto جاحِمٍa furnace بِالحَربِwith war مُشتَعِلِablaze
تَدأى إِلى جاحِمٍ بِالحَربِ مُشتَعِلِ
If I called, lions would surely answer me,
She casts arrows that blind, though her admirers
Rallying to a furnace blazing with war.
See clearly, for she is a better archer than the clan of Thu'al.
كُلٌّeach مِنَof القَومِthe company إِنif يَركَبhe rides إِلىinto رَهَجٍbattle dust
كُلٌّ مِنَ القَومِ إِن يَركَب إِلى رَهَجٍ
يَوماًone day تَرَجَّلَdismounts رَأسُthe head of الفارِسِthe horseman البَطَلِthe hero
يَوماً تَرَجَّلَ رَأسُ الفارِسِ البَطَلِ
Whenever one of that company rides into battle dust,
I have repelled with the chastity of the chaste without
The heroic horseman's head dismounts that day.
Weakness, fear, or alarm.
قَومٌa people إِذاwhen حَمَلواthey charge فيin الرَّوعِbattle terror خِلتَهُمُyou think them الthe (word continues)
قَومٌ إِذا حَمَلوا في الرَّوعِ خِلتَهُمُ ال
أَتِيَّtorrent مُنحَدِراًdescending مِنfrom ذِروَةِthe summit of الجَبَلِthe mountain
أَتِيَّ مُنحَدِراً مِن ذِروَةِ الجَبَلِ
A people whose charge amid battle's terror makes you think them a
How many lines that delight the listeners -
Torrent descending from a mountain's summit.
Flawless in meaning without any error.
معوَّدواaccustomed to النَّصرvictory مَحمودٌpraiseworthy بلاؤُهُمُtheir prowess
معوَّدوا النَّصر مَحمودٌ بلاؤُهُمُ
وَالخَيلُwhile the horses تَعثُرُstumble بِالأَشلاءِover severed limbs وَالقُلَلِand heads
وَالخَيلُ تَعثُرُ بِالأَشلاءِ وَالقُلَلِ
Accustomed to victory, their prowess is praiseworthy
I have composed them like radiant pearls
While horses stumble over severed limbs and heads.
That adorn their reciter and relieve his boredom.
أَهلُproviders of الجِفانِgreat food bowls إِذاwhen هَبَّتblows شَآمِيَةٌa northerly wind
أَهلُ الجِفانِ إِذا هَبَّت شَآمِيَةٌ
يَمتارُهاseek provisions from them الناسُpeople مِنincluding حافٍthe barefoot وَمُنتَعِلِand the shod
يَمتارُها الناسُ مِن حافٍ وَمُنتَعِلِ
Providers of great food bowls when a northerly wind blows,
If God has advanced some people and delayed me,
From which people seek provisions, barefoot and shod alike.
The sun at its zenith is eclipsed from Saturn.
إِنif أَرضَI am pleased يَرضَواthey are pleased وَإِنand if أَسخَطI am displeased فَكُلُّهُمthen all of them
إِن أَرضَ يَرضَوا وَإِن أَسخَط فَكُلُّهُم
كَاللَيثِlike a lion يَكشِرُbares عَنrevealing أَنيابِهِhis fangs العُصُلِcurved
كَاللَيثِ يَكشِرُ عَن أَنيابِهِ العُصُلِ
If I am pleased, they are pleased; if displeased, every one of them
Where can my soul find peace from their crowds?
Is like a lion baring its curved fangs.
Upon the course of death my soul is more at rest.
إِنif عابَنيhe faults me أَنَّنيthat I مِنam from بانياسَBaniyas فَكَمthen how much
إِن عابَني أَنَّني مِن بانياسَ فَكَم
عَيشٍlife نَعِمتُI enjoyed بِهِin it فيin ظِلِّهاits shade الخَضَلِverdant
عَيشٍ نَعِمتُ بِهِ في ظِلِّها الخَضَلِ
If he faults me for being from Baniyas, how much
I have left the sea of poetry for people, so let them derive
Life I have enjoyed in its verdant shade!
What they wish of praise from me.
وَأَهلُهاand its people كَالدَّنانيرِlike dinars الصِحاحِthe sound بِلاwithout
وَأَهلُها كَالدَّنانيرِ الصِحاحِ بِلا
غِشٍّfraud وَلاnor بَهرَجٍcounterfeiting فيهِمamong them وَلاnor زَغَلِadulteration
غِشٍّ وَلا بَهرَجٍ فيهِم وَلا زَغَلِ
Its people are like sound dinars, without
And deposit from my mouth into your hearing
Fraud, counterfeiting, or adulteration among them.
Glistening pearls of poetry, not borrowed.
فَالدُرُّfor pearls مِنfrom صَدَفٍshells وَالوَردُand roses يَطلُعُgrow بَيbetween (begins)
فَالدُرُّ مِن صَدَفٍ وَالوَردُ يَطلُعُ بَي
نَcompletes 'between' الشَوكِthe thorns وَالنَرجِسُand narcissus الرَيّانُlush مِنfrom بَصَلِbulbs
نَ الشَوكِ وَالنَرجِسُ الرَيّانُ مِن بَصَلِ
Pearls come from shells, and roses rise among
Whether you are preparing or improvising,
The thorns, and lush narcissus from bulbs.
The best preparation is what comes extemporaneously.
ياah رُبَّmany a بيضٍfair woman سَلَلنthey drew البيضَbright swords مِنfrom حَدَقٍpupils
يا رُبَّ بيضٍ سَلَلن البيضَ مِن حَدَقٍ
سودٍblack وَمِسنَand they swayed بِأعطافِwith the bends of القَناspear-shafts الذُّبُلِslender
سودٍ وَمِسنَ بِأعطافِ القَنا الذُّبُلِ
Ah, how many fair women drew bright swords from
I have shunned it disdainfully, wanting nothing to do with it,
Black pupils, and swayed with the bends of slender spear-shafts!
For I have neither she-camel nor camel in it.
هيفُslender الخُصورِin the waists نَقِيّاتُspotless الثُغورِin the mouths أَثيthick (begins)
هيفُ الخُصورِ نَقِيّاتُ الثُغورِ أَثي
ثاتُcompletes 'thick' الشُعورِin hair هَجَرنَthey forsook الكُحلkohl لِلكَحَلِfor natural dark rims
ثاتُ الشُعورِ هَجَرنَ الكُحل لِلكَحَلِ
Slender-waisted, with spotless mouths and thick
How can I seek the hands I kiss
Hair, they forsook kohl for naturally dark-rimmed eyes.
When my shoes are more worthy of kissing?
مِنfrom كُلِّevery مُرتَجَّةِquivering الأَردافِin the buttocks إِنif نَهَضتَyou rise
مِن كُلِّ مُرتَجَّةِ الأَردافِ إِن نَهَضتَ
شَكَتcomplained مَعاطِفُهاher sides جَوراًof oppression مِنَfrom الكَفَلِthe rump
شَكَت مَعاطِفُها جَوراً مِنَ الكَفَلِ
Each with quivering buttocks: when rising,
If a hand does not enrich the one who praises,
Her sides complain of oppression from her rump.
Along with wealth, God has paralyzed it.
مِثلُlike الشُموسِsuns اِنسَرىhas cleared عَنهاfrom them الغَمامُthe clouds إِذاwhen
مِثلُ الشُموسِ اِنسَرى عَنها الغَمامُ إِذا
غازَلنَناthey flirted with us مِنfrom وَراءِbehind السِّجفِthe curtain وَالكَلِلِand the canopies
غازَلنَنا مِن وَراءِ السِّجفِ وَالكَلِلِ
Like suns from which clouds have cleared, when
Ever since I have known this world,
They flirt with us from behind curtains and canopies.
I have not been seen grazing in the pasture of baseness.
لَوif كانَwere حُسنُthe beauty of زَليخاًZulaikha حُسنهُنَّtheir beauty وَقَدwhen
لَو كانَ حُسنُ زَليخاً حُسنهُنَّ وَقَد
خَلَتshe was alone بِيوسُفَwith Yusuf قدَّtorn الثَوبُthe shirt مِنfrom قُبُلِthe front
خَلَت بِيوسُفَ قدَّ الثَوبُ مِن قُبُلِ
Had Zulaikha's beauty been theirs, when
High ideals, if fate treats me harshly,
She was alone with Yusuf, the shirt would have been torn in front.
I will solace myself with music and poetry.
وَشادِنٍand a young gazelle مِثلlike بَدرِthe moon of التمِّfullness يَبسِمُsmiles عَنrevealing
وَشادِنٍ مِثل بَدرِ التمِّ يَبسِمُ عَن
ثَغرٍa mouth كَلُؤلُؤِlike pearls of سِمطٍa necklace واضِحٍbright رَتلِevenly arranged
ثَغرٍ كَلُؤلُؤِ سِمطٍ واضِحٍ رَتلِ
And a young gazelle, like the full moon, smiling to reveal
Do not covet what you cannot attain of this
A mouth like pearls in a bright, evenly ordered necklace.
World, for livelihood cannot be secured through ruses.
مَتىwhenever تَثَنّىhe sways وَأَبدىand displays وَجنَتَيهِhis two cheeks لَناto us
مَتى تَثَنّى وَأَبدى وَجنَتَيهِ لَنا
فَالبانُthen the ban-tree مُنخَزِلٌis abashed وَالوَردُand the rose فيin خَجَلِshame
فَالبانُ مُنخَزِلٌ وَالوَردُ في خَجَلِ
Whenever he sways and reveals his cheeks to us,
God has decreed a provision for me which I will attain -
The ban-tree is abashed, and the rose is ashamed.
It is unavoidable, just like my death.
حُمرٌred مَراشِفُهُhis lips نَشوىdrunken مَعاطِفُهُhis swaying sides
حُمرٌ مَراشِفُهُ نَشوى مَعاطِفُهُ
مُعَربِدٌriotous لَحظُهُhis glance كَالشارِبِlike the drinker الثَّمِلِthe drunken
مُعَربِدٌ لَحظُهُ كَالشارِبِ الثَّمِلِ
Red are his lips; drunken are his swaying sides;
Bounty and wealth are two beloved things when combined,
His glance is unruly, like a drunken drinker.
But does dawn ever coincide with the wolf?
يَرميhe shoots فَيُصميand kills outright وَلاand not تَنميwound without killing outright لَواحِظُهُhis glances
يَرمي فَيُصمي وَلا تَنمي لَواحِظُهُ
قُلوبَناour hearts فَهيَfor they أَرمىare better shots مِنthan بَنيthe sons of ثُعَلِThu'al
قُلوبَنا فَهيَ أَرمى مِن بَني ثُعَلِ
He shoots and kills outright; his glances never merely wound
Secrecy of heart is the abode where a prudent man’s secret dwells;
Our hearts: they outshoot the Banu Thu'al.
The foolish man has no sound opinion or counsel.
رَدَدتُI withdrew عَنهُمfrom them يَديmy hand رَدَّwith the restraint of العَفافِchastity بِلاwithout
رَدَدتُ عَنهُم يَدي رَدَّ العَفافِ بِلا
ضَعفٍweakness عَرانيbefalling me وَلاnor خَوفٍfear وَلاnor وَجَلِdread
ضَعفٍ عَراني وَلا خَوفٍ وَلا وَجَلِ
I withdrew my hand from them with chastity's restraint, without
Beware of associating with those who are not kindred spirits,
Weakness befalling me, or fear, or dread.
For wax melts only from contact with flame.
وَكَمand many قَوافٍverses تَروقُdelight السامِعينَthe hearers مَعاmeanings (begins)
وَكَم قَوافٍ تَروقُ السامِعينَ مَعا
نيهاtheir (completes 'meanings') بِلاwithout خَطَأerror فيهاin them وَلاnor خَطَلِfoolish excess
نيها بِلا خَطَأ فيها وَلا خَطَلِ
And many verses delight their hearers with
His dwelling was on the peaks of mountains,
Their meanings, free of error or foolish excess.
But he was annoyed by honey and honeycomb after.
نَظَمتُهاI strung them كَعُقودِlike necklaces of الدُرِّpearls ناصِعَةًgleaming
نَظَمتُها كَعُقودِ الدُرِّ ناصِعَةً
تُحِلُّthey free مُنشِدَهاtheir reciter مِنfrom رِبقَةِthe fetters of العَطَلِbeing unadorned
تُحِلُّ مُنشِدَها مِن رِبقَةِ العَطَلِ
I strung them like gleaming necklaces of pearls,
Solitude, when one is withdrawn
Freeing their reciter from the bonds of being unadorned.
From false friends, is most intimate - so shun them and do not decay.
إِنif قَدَّمَadvanced اللَهُGod أَقواماًsome people وَأَخَّرَنيand held me back
إِن قَدَّمَ اللَهُ أَقواماً وَأَخَّرَني
فَالشَمسُfor the sun مُنحَطَّةٌis lower فيat الأَوجِthe apogee عَنthan زُحَلِSaturn
فَالشَمسُ مُنحَطَّةٌ في الأَوجِ عَن زُحَلِ
If God has advanced some people and held me back,
None in your time can you call a true friend
Even at its apogee the sun is lower than Saturn.
Except one who has some self-interest.
وَأَينَand where is راحَةُthe rest of روحيmy soul مِنamid زحامِهِمُtheir jostling
وَأَينَ راحَةُ روحي مِن زحامِهِمُ
عَلىat الرَّكِيِّthe well البَكِيِّscant-watered المَوتُdeath أَروَحُmore restful ليfor me
عَلى الرَّكِيِّ البَكِيِّ المَوتُ أَروَحُ لي
How could my soul find rest amid their jostling
O group who have rejected the honorable with rejection,
Around a scant-watered well? Death is more restful for me.
The beauty of their deeds in word and action has made me wonder!
تَرَكتُI left لِلناسِto people بَحرَthe sea of الشِّعرِpoetry فَليَرِدواso let them come to drink
تَرَكتُ لِلناسِ بَحرَ الشِّعرِ فَليَرِدوا
وَقَدand indeed قَنَعتُI was content مِنَof الأَمواهِthe waters بِالوَشَلِwith a trickle
وَقَد قَنَعتُ مِنَ الأَمواهِ بِالوَشَلِ
I left the sea of poetry to people: let them come to drink;
It is as if in their self-righteousness they are Hanbalites
I have been content with a trickle of water.
Who see all people of ethics as apostates.
وَالبَحرُand the sea فيهِin it لَآلٍpearls كَالسَماءِlike the sky بِهاin it الthe (word continues)
وَالبَحرُ فيهِ لَآلٍ كَالسَماءِ بِها ال
نُجومُstars مَنwhoever رامَهاseeks them أَعياgrows weary وَلَمand does not يَصِلِreach
نُجومُ مَن رامَها أَعيا وَلَم يَصِلِ
In the sea are pearls, as in the sky are
If the Commander of the Faithful saw them, he would not have said:
Stars: whoever seeks them grows weary and never reaches them.
Incline to this prosody, O Ibn al-Aswad ad-Du'ali!
أَنِفتُI disdained مِنfrom طَمَعٍgreed مُدنٍleading إِلىto طَبعٍmoral filth
أَنِفتُ مِن طَمَعٍ مُدنٍ إِلى طَبعٍ
وَعِفتُand loathed لَبسَةَthe garb of ذُلِّthe humiliation of الحَرفِdeprivation وَالأَمَلِand hope
وَعِفتُ لَبسَةَ ذُلِّ الحَرفِ وَالأَمَلِ
I disdained greed that leads to moral filth
Whoever among them is praised at night says foolishly:
And loathed the humiliating garb of deprivation and hope.
Turn away! For my brain is not to be influenced!
إِنَّindeed القَناعَةَcontentment لَمhas not تَخلَعshed مَلابِسَهاits garments
إِنَّ القَناعَةَ لَم تَخلَع مَلابِسَها
إِلّاexcept عَلىupon رَجُلٍa man ناهيكَwhat a fine example مِنof رَجُلِa man
إِلّا عَلى رَجُلٍ ناهيكَ مِن رَجُلِ
Contentment has never shed its garments
In truth he said: Does it find him influenced
Except upon a man—what a man indeed!
By praise, while he is intensely stingy?
صُنpreserve ماءَthe water of وَجهِكَyour face عَنfrom ذُلِّthe humiliation of السُؤالِbegging وَلَوeven if
صُن ماءَ وَجهِكَ عَن ذُلِّ السُؤالِ وَلَو
أَتاكَbrings you إِهراقُهُspilling it بِالمالِwith wealth وَالخَوَلِand servants
أَتاكَ إِهراقُهُ بِالمالِ وَالخَوَلِ
Preserve your face's dignity from the humiliation of begging, even if
The most dishonest people of this time are those who praise them,
Spilling it brings you wealth and servants.
So keep silent, and their critics speak truthfully, and say:
وَاِستَرزِقِand seek sustenance from اللَهَGod مِمّاfrom what فيis in خَزائِنِهِHis treasuries
وَاِستَرزِقِ اللَهَ مِمّا في خَزائِنِهِ
تُدَلyou are granted ascendancy بِفَيضِthrough the abundance of أَياديهِHis favors وَلَمand not تُذَلِbe humbled
تُدَل بِفَيضِ أَياديهِ وَلَم تُذَلِ
Seek sustenance from God, from what is in His treasuries;
None but the foolish has become elevated in my eyes,
His overflowing favors grant you ascendancy, not abasement.
Lofty in appearance, lowly in heart.
ماwhat يُعطِكَgives you اللَهُGod لاnot يَمنَعكَهُcan withhold it from you أَحَدٌanyone
ما يُعطِكَ اللَهُ لا يَمنَعكَهُ أَحَدٌ
وَلَيسَand not ماwhat بُتَّwas severed مِنof شَيءٍanything بِمُتَّصَلِjoined
وَلَيسَ ما بُتَّ مِن شَيءٍ بِمُتَّصَلِ
What God gives you, no one can withhold from you;
Enough, O Time! I do not cease to thirst,
And nothing severed is joined.
And I do not see you as a heavy rain cloud.
فَاِشمَخso hold high بِأَنفِكَyour nose عَنaway from خَزمِthe nose-piercing of المَطامِعِgreed لاdo not
فَاِشمَخ بِأَنفِكَ عَن خَزمِ المَطامِعِ لا
تُقِمplace بِهِit فيin مَقامِthe position of الآنُفِthe noses الذُّلَلِthe submissive
تُقِم بِهِ في مَقامِ الآنُفِ الذُّلَلِ
Hold your nose high, away from greed's piercing; do not
You have persistently turned your back on me, and have not
Place it among submissive noses.
Inclined toward me nor swerved from your course.
تَخشىfear عَرانينُهاtheir nose-tips خَرماًbeing torn إِذاif نَفَرَتthey balk
تَخشى عَرانينُها خَرماً إِذا نَفَرَت
فَالذُّلُّfor humiliation يَسحَبُهاdrags them فيin الرَيثِslowness وَالعَجَلِand haste
فَالذُّلُّ يَسحَبُها في الرَيثِ وَالعَجَلِ
Their nose-tips fear being torn whenever they balk;
You have not stopped oppressing the noble,
Humiliation drags them along, slowly and swiftly.
While the Prophet's progeny are my model.
ياO نَفسُsoul صَبراًpatience عَلىwith ماwhat قَدindeed مُنيتِyou were afflicted بِهِwith it
يا نَفسُ صَبراً عَلى ما قَد مُنيتِ بِهِ
فَالحُرُّfor the freeborn يَصبِرُendures عِندَat الحادِثِthe calamity الجَلَلِthe grave
فَالحُرُّ يَصبِرُ عِندَ الحادِثِ الجَلَلِ
O soul, endure patiently what has afflicted you:
The freeborn endure when grave calamity strikes.
لاno بُدَّescape أَنthat يَستَقيلَseek pardon for الدَهرُtime عَثرَتَهُits stumble
لا بُدَّ أَن يَستَقيلَ الدَهرُ عَثرَتَهُ
فيناagainst us وَفيand against غَيرِناothers وَالدَّهرُand time ذوhas دُوَلِchanging fortunes
فينا وَفي غَيرِنا وَالدَّهرُ ذو دُوَلِ
Time must yet seek pardon for its stumble
Against us and others; time has its changing fortunes.
ياO مَنyou who تَضَلَّعَdrank your fill رِيّاًto satiety إِنif ضَمِنتَyou pledged فَماthen not الthe (word continues)
يا مَن تَضَلَّعَ رِيّاً إِن ضَمِنتَ فَما ال
حِرصانُcraving (uncertain reading) إِلّاexcept عَلىfor الظاميthe thirsty مِنَamong الأَسِلِthe spears
حِرصانُ إِلّا عَلى الظامي مِنَ الأَسِلِ
O you who have drunk your fill, if you pledge, then
The craving is only for the thirsty among the spears.
وَماand not تَرَكتُI abandoned مَقالَthe utterance of الشِّعرِpoetry عَنfrom خَوَرٍweakness
وَما تَرَكتُ مَقالَ الشِّعرِ عَن خَوَرٍ
وَلاnor اِنتِجاعَseeking bounty from كِرامِthe generous among النّاسِpeople مِنthrough كَسَلِlaziness
وَلا اِنتِجاعَ كِرامِ النّاسِ مِن كَسَلِ
I did not abandon the utterance of poetry through weakness,
Nor seeking the bounty of generous people through laziness.
لَكِنbut أَرونيshow me كَريماًa generous man فيin الزَمانِthe age وَماand whatever
لَكِن أَروني كَريماً في الزَمانِ وَما
شِئتُمyou wish مِنَof المَدحِpraise فَاِستَملوهُtake it in dictation مِنfrom قِبَليmy side
شِئتُم مِنَ المَدحِ فَاِستَملوهُ مِن قِبَلي
But show me a generous man in this age, and whatever
Praise you desire, take its dictation from me.
وَاِستَودِعواand deposit مِنfrom فَميmy mouth أَصدافَin the shells of سَمعِكُمُyour hearing
وَاِستَودِعوا مِن فَمي أَصدافَ سَمعِكُمُ
دُرّاًpearls تَنَظَّمَstrung together شِعراًas poetry غَيرَnot مُنتَحَلِplagiarized
دُرّاً تَنَظَّمَ شِعراً غَيرَ مُنتَحَلِ
Deposit, from my mouth, in the shells of your hearing
Pearls strung into poetry that is not plagiarized.
إِنif كُنتَyou are مُحتَفِلاًcomposing carefully أَوor كُنتَyou are مُرتَجِلاًimprovising
إِن كُنتَ مُحتَفِلاً أَو كُنتَ مُرتَجِلاً
فَخَيرُthen the finest مُحتَفِلٍcareful composer فيهِin it وَمُرتَجِلِand improviser
فَخَيرُ مُحتَفِلٍ فيهِ وَمُرتَجِلِ
Whether you compose with care or improvise,
Here is the finest careful composer and improviser.
شَمَختُI held myself high مِنهُabove it إِباءًin proud refusal عَنهُaway from it مُزدَرِياًscornful
شَمَختُ مِنهُ إِباءً عَنهُ مُزدَرِياً
بِهِof it فَلاso neither ناقَتيmy she-camel فيهِis in it وَلاnor جَمَليmy camel
بِهِ فَلا ناقَتي فيهِ وَلا جَمَلي
I held myself above it in proud refusal, scorning
It: neither my she-camel nor my camel has any part in it.
وَكَيفَand how أَسعىcan I seek إِلىtoward أَيدٍhands أُقَبِّلُهاI kiss
وَكَيفَ أَسعى إِلى أَيدٍ أُقَبِّلُها
وَالبَتكُwhen severing أَولىis more fitting بِهاfor them عِنديin my view مِنَthan القُبَلِkisses
وَالبَتكُ أَولى بِها عِندي مِنَ القُبَلِ
How could I seek hands to kiss
When severing them seems to me more fitting than kisses?
إِذاif يَدٌa hand لَمdoes not تُفِدbenefit بِالرِّفدِwith a gift مُمتَدِحاًa praising poet
إِذا يَدٌ لَم تُفِد بِالرِّفدِ مُمتَدِحاً
مَعَdespite الغِنىwealth فَرَماهاthen may He strike it اللَهُGod بِالشَلَلِwith paralysis
مَعَ الغِنى فَرَماها اللَهُ بِالشَلَلِ
If a hand gives no gift to a praising poet,
Despite its wealth, may God strike it with paralysis!
لَمnot يَسمَحِhas allowed الدَّهرُtime مُذsince ألفيتُI was found فيهِwithin it بِأَنthat
لَم يَسمَحِ الدَّهرُ مُذ ألفيتُ فيهِ بِأَن
رَأَيتَنيyou saw me راتِعاًgrazing فيin مَرتَعِthe pasture of الجَذَلِjoy
رَأَيتَني راتِعاً في مَرتَعِ الجَذَلِ
Since I was found within it, time has never allowed
You to see me grazing in the pasture of joy.
أَليَّةًan oath إِنif نَأَتwithdraw عَنّيfrom me نَوائِبُهُits calamities
أَليَّةً إِن نَأَت عَنّي نَوائِبُهُ
لأَشدُوَنَّI will surely sing بِأَهزاجيwith my hazaj songs وَبِالرَّمَلِand in ramal
لأَشدُوَنَّ بِأَهزاجي وَبِالرَّمَلِ
I swear: if its calamities withdraw from me,
I will sing my hazaj songs and my ramal.
وَعَيبُand the fault of شِعرِيَmy poetry أَنَّis that الوَردَroses يُشبِهُهُresemble it
وَعَيبُ شِعرِيَ أَنَّ الوَردَ يُشبِهُهُ
وَأَنَّand that جُلَّmost of بَنيthe sons of ذاthis الدَّهرِage كَالجُعَلِare like dung beetles
وَأَنَّ جُلَّ بَني ذا الدَّهرِ كَالجُعَلِ
The fault of my poetry is that roses resemble it,
And most sons of this age are like dung beetles.
لاdo not تَأسَفَنَّever grieve عَلىover ماwhat لَمnot تَنَلهُyou attain it مِنَof الthe (word continues)
لا تَأسَفَنَّ عَلى ما لَم تَنَلهُ مِنَ ال
دُنياworld فَلَيسَfor not يُنالُis gained الرِّزقُlivelihood بِالحِيَلِby tricks
دُنيا فَلَيسَ يُنالُ الرِّزقُ بِالحِيَلِ
Never grieve over what you have not attained from the
World: livelihood is not gained through tricks.
اللَهُGod قَدَّرَordained ليfor me رِزقاًa livelihood سَأُدرِكُهُI will attain it
اللَهُ قَدَّرَ لي رِزقاً سَأُدرِكُهُ
لاno بُدَّescaping مِنهُfrom it كَماjust as لاno بُدَّescaping مِنfrom أَجَليmy appointed death
لا بُدَّ مِنهُ كَما لا بُدَّ مِن أَجَلي
God has ordained a livelihood for me that I will attain;
It is inevitable, just as my appointed death is inevitable.
وَالفَضلُand merit وَالمالُand wealth مَحبوبانِboth beloved ماnot اِجتَمَعاhave united
وَالفَضلُ وَالمالُ مَحبوبانِ ما اِجتَمَعا
وَهَلand does تُوافيcoincide الضُحىthe forenoon يَوماًever مَعَwith الأَصُلِlate afternoons
وَهَل تُوافي الضُحى يَوماً مَعَ الأَصُلِ
Merit and wealth are both beloved; they never meet.
Does morning ever coincide with late afternoon?
سَرارَةُthe innermost part of القَلبِthe heart مَأوىthe refuge of سِرِّthe secret of كُلِّevery فَتىًman
سَرارَةُ القَلبِ مَأوى سِرِّ كُلِّ فَتىً
مُستَحصَفٍfirm عَقلُهُin his intellect لاno رَأيَjudgment لِلمَذِلِfor the loose-tongued
مُستَحصَفٍ عَقلُهُ لا رَأيَ لِلمَذِلِ
The heart's innermost chamber shelters the secret of every man
Whose mind is firm; the loose-tongued have no judgment.
مَنone whom لَمnot تُجانِسهُyou resemble فَاِحذَرthen beware أَنof تُجالِسَهُsitting with him
مَن لَم تُجانِسهُ فَاِحذَر أَن تُجالِسَهُ
فَالشَمعُfor wax لَمdoes not يَحتَرِقburn إِلّاexcept مِنَbecause of الفَتلِthe wick
فَالشَمعُ لَم يَحتَرِق إِلّا مِنَ الفَتلِ
Beware of sitting with someone unlike yourself:
Wax burns only because of the wick.
قَدonce كانَwas فيon قُلَلِthe summits of الأَجبالِmountains مَسكَنُهُits home
قَد كانَ في قُلَلِ الأَجبالِ مَسكَنُهُ
فَاِعتاضَthen it took in exchange بِالنارِfire بَعدَafter الشَهدِhoneycomb وَالعَسَلِand honey
فَاِعتاضَ بِالنارِ بَعدَ الشَهدِ وَالعَسَلِ
Its home once lay on the summits of mountains;
Then it took fire in exchange for honeycomb and honey.
وَالأُنسُand companionship فيlies in وَحدَةِthe solitude of الإِنسانِa person مُنفَرِداًalone
وَالأُنسُ في وَحدَةِ الإِنسانِ مُنفَرِداً
عَنِapart from الأَخِلّاءِfriends فَاِهجُرهُمso abandon them وَلاand do not تُبَلِcare
عَنِ الأَخِلّاءِ فَاِهجُرهُم وَلا تُبَلِ
Companionship lies in a person's solitude, apart
From friends: abandon them, and do not care.
ماnot فيin زَمانِكَyour age مَنanyone whom تُصفيyou give sincere الودادَaffection لَهُto him
ما في زَمانِكَ مَن تُصفي الودادَ لَهُ
مِنَamong الأَخِلّاءِfriends إِلّاexcept وَهوَwhile he ذوhas دَخَلِhidden deceit
مِنَ الأَخِلّاءِ إِلّا وَهوَ ذو دَخَلِ
In your age, none to whom you give sincere affection
Among your friends is without hidden deceit.
ياO مَعشَراًpeople نَبَذواwho cast aside العَلياءَeminence نَبذَهُمُas they cast aside
يا مَعشَراً نَبَذوا العَلياءَ نَبذَهُمُ
غُرَّthe brightest of المَحاسِنِvirtues فيin قَولٍspeech وَفيand in عَمَلِdeed
غُرَّ المَحاسِنِ في قَولٍ وَفي عَمَلِ
O people who cast away eminence as they cast away
The brightest virtues in speech and deed!
كَأَنَّهُمas though they فيin تَعاليهِمtheir arrogance حَنابِلَةٌwere Hanbalis
كَأَنَّهُم في تَعاليهِم حَنابِلَةٌ
يَرَونَthey deem كُلَّevery بَنيson of الآدابِletters مُعتَزِليa Mu'tazilite
يَرَونَ كُلَّ بَني الآدابِ مُعتَزِلي
As though, in their arrogance, they were Hanbalis
Who deem every man of letters a Mu'tazilite.
فَلَوso if رَآهُمhad seen them أَميرُthe Commander of المُؤمِنينَthe Faithful لماhe would not
فَلَو رَآهُم أَميرُ المُؤمِنينَ لما
قالَhave said انحُfollow ذاthis النَحوَcourse ياO باAbu (vocative) الأَسوَدِal-Aswad الدُّؤَليal-Du'ali
قالَ انحُ ذا النَحوَ يا با الأَسوَدِ الدُّؤَلي
Had the Commander of the Faithful seen them, he would not
Have said, 'Follow this course, O Abu al-Aswad al-Du'ali.'
مَنone who باتَbecomes مُمتَدَحاًpraised فيهِمamong them يَقُلsays سَفَهاًfoolishly
مَن باتَ مُمتَدَحاً فيهِم يَقُل سَفَهاً
تَنَحَّstand aside إِنَّindeed دِماغيmy mind غَيرُnot مُنفَعِلِresponsive
تَنَحَّ إِنَّ دِماغي غَيرُ مُنفَعِلِ
Anyone praised among them foolishly says,
'Stand aside: my mind is unresponsive
لِلحَقِّto truth قالَhe said وَهَلand do تَلقاهُyou find him مُنفَعِلاًresponsive
لِلحَقِّ قالَ وَهَل تَلقاهُ مُنفَعِلاً
لِلمَدحِto praise وَهوَwhile he شَديدُintense in العِشقِlove لِلبَخَلِfor stinginess
لِلمَدحِ وَهوَ شَديدُ العِشقِ لِلبَخَلِ
To truth,' he says. And would you find him responsive
To praise, when he loves stinginess so fiercely?
فَأَكذَبُso the greatest liar among الناسِpeople فيin ذاthis الدَّهرِage مادِحُهُمtheir panegyrist
فَأَكذَبُ الناسِ في ذا الدَّهرِ مادِحُهُم
فَاِسكُتso be silent وَأَصدَقُهُمand the most truthful of them هاجيهُمُtheir satirist فَقُلِso speak
فَاِسكُت وَأَصدَقُهُم هاجيهُمُ فَقُلِ
The greatest liar among people in this age is their panegyrist:
So be silent. Their satirist is the truest, so speak.
لَمnot يَرتَفِعhas risen فيهِin it عِنديin my view غَيرُexcept ذيone possessed of سَفَهٍfolly
لَم يَرتَفِع فيهِ عِندي غَيرُ ذي سَفَهٍ
فيin العَينِthe eye مُرتَفِعٍhigh فيin القَلبِthe heart مُستَفِلِlow
في العَينِ مُرتَفِعٍ في القَلبِ مُستَفِلِ
In my view, none has risen in this age but a fool,
High in outward sight, but low within the heart.
حَتّامَuntil when ياO دَهرُTime لاnot أَنفَكّI cease being ذاone with ظَمَأٍthirst
حَتّامَ يا دَهرُ لا أَنفَكّ ذا ظَمَأٍ
وَلاand not أَراكَI see you بِوِردٍwith water ناقِعاًquenching غُلَليmy burning thirst
وَلا أَراكَ بِوِردٍ ناقِعاً غُلَلي
How long, O Time, must I remain thirsty,
Without seeing you bring water to quench my burning thirst?
قَلَبتَyou turned ليto me عامِداًdeliberately ظَهرَthe back of المِجَنِّthe shield وَلَمand did not
قَلَبتَ لي عامِداً ظَهرَ المِجَنِّ وَلَم
تَعطِفshow kindness عَلَيَّto me وَلَمand have not تَنفَكَّceased being ذاpossessed of مَيَلِbias
تَعطِف عَلَيَّ وَلَم تَنفَكَّ ذا مَيَلِ
You deliberately turned your shield's back to me, and never
Showed me kindness; you have never ceased to be partial.
وَماand not بَرِحتَhave you ceased عَلىagainst الأَحرارِthe freeborn مُجتَرِئاًacting boldly
وَما بَرِحتَ عَلى الأَحرارِ مُجتَرِئاً
ليfor me أُسوَةٌan example فيin ذَراريthe descendants of خاتَمِthe Seal of الرُّسُلِthe Messengers
لي أُسوَةٌ في ذَراري خاتَمِ الرُّسُلِ
You have never stopped assailing the freeborn;
I have an example in the descendants of the Seal of the Messengers.
Partial English translation: 126 of 188 Arabic lines translated.