اُنشُرUnfold حَديثاًa tale قَديماًold كُنتَyou used to تَطويهِkeep it folded away
اُنشُر حَديثاً قَديماً كُنتَ تَطويهِ
وَأَبدِand reveal ذِكرَthe memory of حَبيبٍa beloved كُنتَyou used to تُخفيهِconceal him
وَأَبدِ ذِكرَ حَبيبٍ كُنتَ تُخفيهِ
Unfold an old tale you used to keep folded away,
and reveal the memory of a beloved you used to conceal.
وَلاand do not تُعَرِّضhint وَصَرِّحand speak plainly لاnot بِتَورِيَةٍwith equivocation
وَلا تُعَرِّض وَصَرِّح لا بِتَورِيَةٍ
وَلاand do not تُمَرِّضstate doubtfully وَصَحِّحand affirm لاnot بِتَمويهِwith disguise
وَلا تُمَرِّض وَصَحِّح لا بِتَمويهِ
Do not hint; speak plainly, without equivocation.
Do not hedge; affirm it, without disguise.
إِنَّindeed الحَبيبَthe beloved الَّذيwho هامَbecame madly enamored الفُؤادُthe heart بِهِwith him
إِنَّ الحَبيبَ الَّذي هامَ الفُؤادُ بِهِ
هامٍflowing لَهُfor him دَمعُthe tears of عَينيmy eye إِذwhen أُسَمّيهِI name him
هامٍ لَهُ دَمعُ عَيني إِذ أُسَمّيهِ
Indeed, the beloved with whom my heart is mad—
my eye's tears flow for him whenever I name him.
فيin ناظِرَيهِhis two eyes وَفيand in فيهِhis mouth لِناظِرِهِfor his beholder
في ناظِرَيهِ وَفي فيهِ لِناظِرِهِ
ماthat which لاnot يَلومُكَblames you يَوماًever لائِمٌa blamer فيهِfor it
ما لا يَلومُكَ يَوماً لائِمٌ فيهِ
In his two eyes and his mouth, for whoever beholds him,
is that for which no blamer can ever blame you.
لِلوَردِto roses وَالدُرِّand pearls خَدّاهُhis two cheeks وَمَبسِمُهُand his smiling mouth
لِلوَردِ وَالدُرِّ خَدّاهُ وَمَبسِمُهُ
وَلِلرُدَينِيِّand to a Rudayni spear مُهتَزّاًswaying تثنيهِhis bending
وَلِلرُدَينِيِّ مُهتَزّاً تثنيهِ
Roses and pearls are his cheeks and smiling mouth;
his swaying bends are a Rudayni spear.
وَلِلأَقاحِand to daisies وَلِلتُفّاحِand to apples مَبسَمُهُhis smiling mouth
وَلِلأَقاحِ وَلِلتُفّاحِ مَبسَمُهُ
وَخَدُّهُand his cheek وَاِمتِياحيand my drawing الراحَwine منfrom فيهِhis mouth
وَخَدُّهُ وَاِمتِياحي الراحَ من فيهِ
Daisies and apples are his smiling mouth
and his cheek—and I draw wine from his mouth.
مَنwho مُنصِفيwill grant me justice مِنagainst بَديعِa marvel of الحُسنِbeauty مُعتدلwell-proportioned الthe
مَن مُنصِفي مِن بَديعِ الحُسنِ مُعتدل ال
قَوامِstature أَحوىdark-eyed كَحيلِkohl-dark الطَرفِof gaze ساجيهِtranquil in gaze
قَوامِ أَحوى كَحيلِ الطَرفِ ساجيهِ
Who will grant me justice against this marvel of beauty, balanced in
stature, dark-eyed, his gaze kohl-dark and tranquil?
حُلوُgraceful المَعاطِفِin bodily curves مُحلَوليsweet المَراشِفِin lips مُهsway-
حُلوُ المَعاطِفِ مُحلَولي المَراشِفِ مُه
تَزُّ-ing الرَوادِفِin the hips ماnot يَصحوhe sobers مِنَfrom التيهِproud disdain
تَزُّ الرَوادِفِ ما يَصحو مِنَ التيهِ
Graceful in his curves, honey-sweet upon the lips,
with swaying hips, never sobering from proud disdain.
ظَبيٌa gazelle مِنَamong التُركِthe Turks لَمnot تَترُكhave left لَواحِظُهُhis glances
ظَبيٌ مِنَ التُركِ لَم تَترُك لَواحِظُهُ
شَيئاًanything مِنَof الحُسنِbeauty إِلّاexcept وَهيَwhile they تَحويهِcontain it
شَيئاً مِنَ الحُسنِ إِلّا وَهيَ تَحويهِ
A Turkish gazelle, whose glances have left
nothing of beauty that they do not possess.
ضاقَتbecame narrow عَلَيَّupon me بِهِbecause of him الدُنياthe world بِماdespite what رَحُبَتit held in breadth
ضاقَت عَلَيَّ بِهِ الدُنيا بِما رَحُبَت
لِلضيقِbecause of narrowness فيin لَحظِهِhis gaze وَالضيقand narrowness فيin فيهِhis mouth
لِلضيقِ في لَحظِهِ وَالضيق في فيهِ
Through him the world, for all its breadth, has closed upon me,
for the narrowness of his gaze and the narrowness of his mouth.
فِعلthe effect of اليَغاليقِthe kerchiefs أَدهىmore devastating فيin الجُسومِbodies مِنthan الthe
فِعل اليَغاليقِ أَدهى في الجُسومِ مِن ال
ياسيخِyasikh arrow مُندَفِعاًshot forth عَنfrom قَوسِthe bow of راميهِits archer
ياسيخِ مُندَفِعاً عَن قَوسِ راميهِ
The kerchiefs wreak more havoc on bodies than the
yasikh arrow shot from its archer's bow.
واهاًah! لَهُfor him كُلَّماwhenever اِرتَجَّتquiver أَسافِلُهُhis lower parts
واهاً لَهُ كُلَّما اِرتَجَّت أَسافِلُهُ
وَآهand ah! مِنهُbecause of him إِذاwhen اِهتَزَّتsway أَعاليهِhis upper parts
وَآه مِنهُ إِذا اِهتَزَّت أَعاليهِ
Ah, for him, whenever his lower body quivers!
And ah, because of him, when his upper body sways!
تُديرُpass around كَأسينِtwo cups عَيناهُhis two eyes وَمُقلَتُهُand his pupil
تُديرُ كَأسينِ عَيناهُ وَمُقلَتُهُ
عَلىto النَديمِthe drinking companion فَفيand into سُكرينِtwo intoxications تُلقيهِcasts him
عَلى النَديمِ فَفي سُكرينِ تُلقيهِ
His eyes and his pupil pass around two cups
to the drinking companion, plunging him into double drunkenness.
فَأَوَّلُso the first of الشَربِthe drinkers سُكراًin drunkenness مِنfrom هَواهُlove of him أَناI
فَأَوَّلُ الشَربِ سُكراً مِن هَواهُ أَنا
فَليso I have خِمارٌa hangover عَسىperhaps فوهُhis mouth يُداويهِwill cure it
فَلي خِمارٌ عَسى فوهُ يُداويهِ
I am the first of the drinkers drunk on love of him;
I have a hangover his mouth may cure.
ياO للرِجالِmen, help! لظَبيٍagainst a gazelle صائِدٍhunting أَسَداًa lion
يا للرِجالِ لظَبيٍ صائِدٍ أَسَداً
قاسيhard الفُؤادof heart عَلىtoward صَبٍّa passionate lover يُقاسيهِwho suffers him
قاسي الفُؤاد عَلى صَبٍّ يُقاسيهِ
Men, come help against a gazelle hunting a lion,
hard-hearted toward a passionate lover who suffers him!
يَجنيhe offends عَلَيَّagainst me فَأَستَحليyet I find sweet جنايَتَهُhis offense
يَجني عَلَيَّ فَأَستَحلي جنايَتَهُ
وَماand how أَمَرَّbitter وَماand how أَحلىsweet تَجنيهِhis wrongdoing
وَما أَمَرَّ وَما أَحلى تَجنيهِ
He wrongs me, yet I find his wrongdoing sweet;
how bitter, and how sweet, his offenses!
دَعنيleave me مِنَaside from الرَشَأِthe young gazelle النَجدِيِّof Najd فَالرَشَأُfor the young gazelle الthe
دَعني مِنَ الرَشَأِ النَجدِيِّ فَالرَشَأُ ال
تُركِيُّTurkish أُوقِعتُI was cast فيinto أَشراكِthe snares of حُبّيهِhis love
تُركِيُّ أُوقِعتُ في أَشراكِ حُبّيهِ
Spare me the gazelle of Najd, for it is the
Turkish gazelle whose love has snared me.
فَصُدغُهُfor his temple-lock صَولَجانٌa polo mallet خالُهُhis mole كُرَةٌa ball
فَصُدغُهُ صَولَجانٌ خالُهُ كُرَةٌ
وَالخالُand the mole حَبَّةُthe core of قَلبيmy heart لاnot أُخَلّيهِI let it go
وَالخالُ حَبَّةُ قَلبي لا أُخَلّيهِ
His temple-lock is a polo mallet, his mole a ball;
that mole is my heart's core: I will not let it go.
بِسَهمِwith the arrow of ناظِرِهِhis gaze عَنfrom قَوسِthe bow of حاجِبِهِhis eyebrow
بِسَهمِ ناظِرِهِ عَن قَوسِ حاجِبِهِ
يَرميhe shoots at فُؤاديmy heart عَلىwith عَمدٍdeliberate intent فَيُصميهِand strikes it dead
يَرمي فُؤادي عَلى عَمدٍ فَيُصميهِ
With the arrow of his gaze, from his eyebrow's bow,
he deliberately shoots my heart and strikes it dead.
وَلَستُand I do not أَنظُرُهُlook at him إِلاexcept مُخالَسَةًfurtively
وَلَستُ أَنظُرُهُ إِلا مُخالَسَةً
أَكادُI nearly مِنbecause of تَرَفٍdelicacy بِاللَحظِwith a glance أُدميهِdraw his blood
أَكادُ مِن تَرَفٍ بِاللَحظِ أُدميهِ
I look at him only furtively;
so delicate is he, I nearly draw his blood with a glance.
أَعياhas exhausted تَلافيهِwinning him back صَبّاًa passionate lover لَيسَnot يُشرِكُhe associates a partner فيin الthe
أَعيا تَلافيهِ صَبّاً لَيسَ يُشرِكُ في ال
هَوىlove وَكَمand how many آيverses of تَوحيدٍoneness تلافيهِhe recited about him
هَوى وَكَم آي تَوحيدٍ تلافيهِ
Winning him back has wearied a lover devoted to him alone in
love; how many verses of oneness he has recited about him!
وَلَمand not يَزَلhe has ceased بَينَbetween عَذلٍreproach فيهِconcerning him يَدرَؤُهُhe wards it off
وَلَم يَزَل بَينَ عَذلٍ فيهِ يَدرَؤُهُ
عَنهُfrom him وَواشٍand a slanderer لَهُfor him شاوٍscorching يُداريهِhe humors him
عَنهُ وَواشٍ لَهُ شاوٍ يُداريهِ
He remains between reproaches for him, which he wards
away from him, and a scorching slanderer whom he humors.
شُربوشُهُhis sharbush cap نَكَسَتhas drooped مِنهُbecause of it عَمامَةُthe turban of مَنone who
شُربوشُهُ نَكَسَت مِنهُ عَمامَةُ مَن
فيin الحُبِّlove دُلِّهَis maddened فيهِover him أَيَّutter تَدليهِbewilderment
في الحُبِّ دُلِّهَ فيهِ أَيَّ تَدليهِ
His sharbush bows the turban of one
utterly maddened by love for him.
وَماand never تَأَمَّلتُI contemplated وَجديmy passion فيfor مَحاسِنِهِhis beauties
وَما تَأَمَّلتُ وَجدي في مَحاسِنِهِ
إِلّاwithout تَأَمَّلتُI considered وَجديmy passion مِنfrom مساويهِhis faults
إِلّا تَأَمَّلتُ وَجدي مِن مساويهِ
Never have I contemplated my passion for his beauties
without seeing that my passion springs from his faults.
مَتىwhenever تَحَرَّجتُI scrupled مِنabout شُربِdrinking المُدامِwine شداhe sang
مَتى تَحَرَّجتُ مِن شُربِ المُدامِ شدا
فَدَسَّso he slipped فيinto أَدَبيmy verse خَمراًwine يُغَنّيهِhe sings it
فَدَسَّ في أَدَبي خَمراً يُغَنّيهِ
Whenever I scruple to drink wine, he sings,
smuggling into my verse a wine he sings of.
ياO مَنyou who يَلومُblame أعِدrepeat ذِكرىthe memory of الحَبيبِthe beloved فَماfor not
يا مَن يَلومُ أعِد ذِكرى الحَبيبِ فَما
يُنسيهِmakes one forget him شَيءٌanything بَلِrather الأَيّامُthe days تُنشيهِrevive him
يُنسيهِ شَيءٌ بَلِ الأَيّامُ تُنشيهِ
O you who blame me, repeat the beloved's memory, for nothing
makes me forget him; rather, the days revive him.
وَاِذكُرand recall دِمَشقَDamascus فَإِنَّfor indeed اللَهَGod فَضَّلَهاfavored her
وَاِذكُر دِمَشقَ فَإِنَّ اللَهَ فَضَّلَها
عَلىabove البِلادِthe lands بِماthrough what لاnot يُمتَرىis doubted فيهِabout it
عَلى البِلادِ بِما لا يُمتَرى فيهِ
And recall Damascus, for God has favored her
above other lands with what cannot be doubted.
زَهَتshe glories بِجامِعِهاin her great mosque وَالنَسرِand the Eagle مُمتطِياًriding
زَهَت بِجامِعِها وَالنَسرِ مُمتطِياً
قَوادِمَthe leading flight-feathers of النَسرِthe Eagle تَتلوهاfollow them خَوافيهِits trailing flight-feathers
قَوادِمَ النَسرِ تَتلوها خَوافيهِ
She glories in her great mosque, the Eagle riding
the Eagle's leading feathers, its trailing feathers following.
وَقَدand indeed أَناخَتhas settled عَلىupon الجَوزاءِGemini قُبَّتُهُits dome
وَقَد أَناخَت عَلى الجَوزاءِ قُبَّتُهُ
تُبديdisplaying الهِلالَthe crescent الَّذيwhich لاnot شَيءَanything يُخفيهِconceals it
تُبدي الهِلالَ الَّذي لا شَيءَ يُخفيهِ
Its dome has settled upon Gemini,
displaying the crescent that nothing can hide.
شَكَّتshe pierced بِسَفّودِهاwith her skewer جَوزَthe middle of الهِلالِthe crescent وَقَدand indeed
شَكَّت بِسَفّودِها جَوزَ الهِلالِ وَقَد
نَحَتshe turned بِهِwith it نَحوَtoward قَلبِthe heart of الحوتِthe Fish تَشويهِto roast it
نَحَت بِهِ نَحوَ قَلبِ الحوتِ تَشويهِ
With her skewer she pierces the crescent's middle, and
turns it toward the Fish's heart to roast it.
وَبابُand the Gate of جيرونَJayrun قَدindeed فارَتhas gushed بِساحَتِهِin its courtyard
وَبابُ جيرونَ قَد فارَت بِساحَتِهِ
فَوّارَةٌa fountain هِيَit ظِئرُthe wet nurse of الجَديِthe Kid تَرويهِgiving it drink
فَوّارَةٌ هِيَ ظِئرُ الجَديِ تَرويهِ
At Jayrun Gate there has gushed, in its courtyard,
a fountain, wet nurse to the Kid, giving it drink.
ياO حَبَّذاhow lovely جَنَّةٌa garden بابُthe Gate of البَريدِthe Post بِهاwithin it
يا حَبَّذا جَنَّةٌ بابُ البَريدِ بِها
وَالحُسنُand beauty قَدindeed حُشِيَتhave been filled مِنهُwith it حَواشيهِits margins
وَالحُسنُ قَد حُشِيَت مِنهُ حَواشيهِ
How lovely a garden with Bab al-Barid within it,
and beauty filling all the gate's surroundings!
فَالمَرجُthen the meadow فَالنَهرُthen the river فَالقَصرُthen the palace المُنيفُtowering عَلىabove الthe
فَالمَرجُ فَالنَهرُ فَالقَصرُ المُنيفُ عَلى ال
قُصورِpalaces فَالشَرَفُthen al-Sharaf الأَعلىthe Upper فَبانيهِthen its builder
قُصورِ فَالشَرَفُ الأَعلى فَبانيهِ
Then the meadow, the river, the palace towering above the
palaces, then al-Sharaf al-Aʿla and its builder;
فَالجِسرُthen the bridge جِسرُthe Bridge of اِبنِIbn شَواسٍShawas فَنَيرَبُهاthen her Nayrab
فَالجِسرُ جِسرُ اِبنِ شَواسٍ فَنَيرَبُها
تَحلوare sweet مَعانيهِits charms لاnot تَخلوare deserted مَغانيهِits haunts
تَحلو مَعانيهِ لا تَخلو مَغانيهِ
then the bridge, Ibn Shawas's Bridge, then her Nayrab:
its charms are sweet, its haunts never deserted.
كَأَنَّas though فيat رَأسِthe summit of عِلِّيينَʿIlliyyin رَبوَتَهاher hill
كَأَنَّ في رَأسِ عِلِّيينَ رَبوَتَها
يَجريflows بِهاthere كَوثَرٌa Kawthar سُبحانَglory to مُجريهِthe One who makes it flow
يَجري بِها كَوثَرٌ سُبحانَ مُجريهِ
Her hill seems atop ʿIlliyyin;
a Kawthar flows there—glory to Him who makes it flow!
تِلكَthose المَرابِعُthe pleasure grounds لاnot حَزوىHazwa وَكاظِمَةٌand Kazimah
تِلكَ المَرابِعُ لا حَزوى وَكاظِمَةٌ
وَلاnor العَقيقُal-ʿAqiq بَواديهِits open country بِواديهِto its valley
وَلا العَقيقُ بَواديهِ بِواديهِ
Those are the pleasure grounds—not Hazwa and Kazimah;
nor can al-ʿAqiq's open country match its valley.
أَقَلُّthe smallest شِعبٍravine تَراهُyou see it فيin دِمَشقَDamascus يُواmatch-
أَقَلُّ شِعبٍ تَراهُ في دِمَشقَ يُوا
في-es شِعبَthe Ravine of بَوّانَBawwan وافيfull of الفَخرpride وَالتيهِand vainglory
في شِعبَ بَوّانَ وافي الفَخر وَالتيهِ
The smallest ravine you see in Damascus can
match Bawwan's ravine, full of pride and vainglory.
دَعleave aside شِعبَthe Ravine of بَوانَBawwan ياO مَنyou who بِالهَجينِwith a crossbred horse أَتىcame
دَع شِعبَ بَوانَ يا مَن بِالهَجينِ أَتى
مُطَهَّماًa fine-built horse عَرَبِياًArabian كَيin order to يُباريهِrace it
مُطَهَّماً عَرَبِياً كَي يُباريهِ
Leave Bawwan's ravine, you who brought a crossbred
to race against a fine-built Arabian.
كَمhow many يَومa day of سَبتٍSaturday بَديعٍmarvelous فيin دِمَشقَDamascus أَتىcame
كَم يَوم سَبتٍ بَديعٍ في دِمَشقَ أَتى
بِحُسنِwith the beauty of مَنone whom يوسُفُJoseph الصديقُthe Truthful يَحكيهِresembles him
بِحُسنِ مَن يوسُفُ الصديقُ يَحكيهِ
How many a wondrous Saturday has come in Damascus
with the beauty of one whom Joseph the Truthful resembles!
إِذاwhen تَأَمَّلتَهاyou contemplate her مِنfrom كُلِّevery ناحِيَةٍside
إِذا تَأَمَّلتَها مِن كُلِّ ناحِيَةٍ
دَعَتكَcall you لِلعَجَبِto wonder الباديmanifest دَواعيهِits causes
دَعَتكَ لِلعَجَبِ البادي دَواعيهِ
When you contemplate her from every side,
her manifest wonders invite your amazement.
بِهاwithin her الجَواسِقُthe pavilions أَمثالَlike المَراكِبِships فيin
بِها الجَواسِقُ أَمثالَ المَراكِبِ في
بَحرِthe sea of البَساتينِorchards تَعلوهاrise above them صَواريهِits masts
بَحرِ البَساتينِ تَعلوها صَواريهِ
Her pavilions are like ships upon
a sea of orchards, its masts rising above them.
كَأَنَّas though مِشمِشَهاher apricots فيamong دَوحِهِtheir spreading trees ثَمَرُfruit of الthe
كَأَنَّ مِشمِشَها في دَوحِهِ ثَمَرُ ال
جِنانِgardens تَجنيهِgathers it مِنهاfrom them كَفُّthe hand of جانيهِits gatherer
جِنانِ تَجنيهِ مِنها كَفُّ جانيهِ
Her apricots upon their spreading trees seem fruit of the
gardens of Paradise, gathered by the gatherer's hand.
كَأَنَّماas though كُلُّevery غُصنٍbranch مِنهُof it ذوpossessing كَرَمٍgenerosity
كَأَنَّما كُلُّ غُصنٍ مِنهُ ذو كَرَمٍ
تَحُلُّalight فيamong الناسِpeople أَيدٍhands مِنfrom أَياديهِits benefactions
تَحُلُّ في الناسِ أَيدٍ مِن أَياديهِ
As though each branch of it were a generous lord,
whose bountiful hands descend among the people.
بِهاin her الهَزاراتُthe nightingales تَشدوsing فيbehind سَتائِرِcurtains of أَوlea-
بِها الهَزاراتُ تَشدو في سَتائِرِ أَو
راقٍ-ves فَنَحنُand we بِماat what تَأتيهِthey perform فيin التيهِbewilderment
راقٍ فَنَحنُ بِما تَأتيهِ في التيهِ
Nightingales sing there behind curtains of
leaves; we are lost in wonder at their song.
كَأَنَّas though نايَthe flute of زُنامٍZunam فيin مَناقِرِهاtheir beaks
كَأَنَّ نايَ زُنامٍ في مَناقِرِها
وعودُand the lute of إِسحَقIshaq تَتَلوهُfollow it مَثانيهِits paired strings
وعودُ إِسحَق تَتَلوهُ مَثانيهِ
It is as though Zunam's flute were in their beaks,
with Ishaq's lute, its paired strings following it.
كَأَنَّas though فيon كُلِّevery عودٍbough عودَthe lute of جارِيَةٍa maiden
كَأَنَّ في كُلِّ عودٍ عودَ جارِيَةٍ
بِصَدرِهاat her breast مِنهُfrom it مَولودٌa newborn يُناغيهِcooing to it
بِصَدرِها مِنهُ مَولودٌ يُناغيهِ
As though each bough held a maiden's lute,
with its newborn at her breast, cooing back to it.
لاnot شَيءَanything أَحسَنَmore beautiful مِنهاthan her غَيرexcept سيرَةِthe conduct of سُلsul-
لا شَيءَ أَحسَنَ مِنها غَير سيرَةِ سُل
طانِ-tan الأَنامِmankind الَّذيwho تَعلوrise high مَعاليهِhis noble deeds
طانِ الأَنامِ الَّذي تَعلو مَعاليهِ
Nothing is lovelier than her, save the conduct of the
sultan of mankind, whose noble deeds rise high:
الظاهِرِal-Zahir المَلِكِthe king الغازيal-Ghazi الغِياثِthe succor مَتىwhenever
الظاهِرِ المَلِكِ الغازي الغِياثِ مَتى
يُعذَلhe is reproached عَلىfor الجودِgenerosity يَزدَدhe increases فيin تَناهيهِits utmost extent
يُعذَل عَلى الجودِ يَزدَد في تَناهيهِ
al-Zahir, the king, al-Ghazi, the succor—whenever
rebuked for generosity, he carries it still further.
كَأَنَّهُas though he فيamong الوَرىmankind فَصلُthe season of الرَبيعِspring زَهَتshine
كَأَنَّهُ في الوَرى فَصلُ الرَبيعِ زَهَت
فيthroughout العامِthe year أَيّامُهُhis days حَتّىeven لَياليهِhis nights
في العامِ أَيّامُهُ حَتّى لَياليهِ
He is like spring among mankind; his days shine
throughout the year—even his nights.
فَلَمso not يَكُنhas been خائِفاًfearful فيamong الناسِpeople آمِلُهُone who hopes in him
فَلَم يَكُن خائِفاً في الناسِ آمِلُهُ
فَقراًpoverty وَلاnor خائِباًdisappointed بِاليَأسِin despair راجيهِone who looks to him
فَقراً وَلا خائِباً بِاليَأسِ راجيهِ
No one among men who hopes in him is fearful of
poverty, nor is his expectant seeker disappointed and despairing.
فَمِنهُso from him يَسعىstrides إِلىto الحَربِwar اِبنُson of بَجدَتِهاits essence
فَمِنهُ يَسعى إِلى الحَربِ اِبنُ بَجدَتِها
وَلِلنَجاحِand success has جَناحٌa wing فيin مَساعيهِhis endeavors
وَلِلنَجاحِ جَناحٌ في مَساعيهِ
From him a master of battle strides to war,
and success has a wing in his endeavors.
تَهابُهُfear him الخَيلُthe horses وَالفُرسانُand the horsemen هَيبَتَهاas they fear
تَهابُهُ الخَيلُ وَالفُرسانُ هَيبَتَها
ذاthe one with اللِبدَتَينِthe two manes جَثاcrouched فيin الغيلِthe thicket يَحميهِguarding it
ذا اللِبدَتَينِ جَثا في الغيلِ يَحميهِ
Horses and horsemen fear him as they fear
a lion with twin manes, crouched in the thicket, guarding it.
لَمّاwhen رَأَوthey saw أَنَّهُمthat they مِنfrom خَوفِfear of سَطوَتِهِhis onslaught
لَمّا رَأَو أَنَّهُم مِن خَوفِ سَطوَتِهِ
نَعامُostriches دَوٍّa wilderness تَبارىracing each other فيin نَواحيهِits reaches
نَعامُ دَوٍّ تَبارى في نَواحيهِ
When they saw themselves, for fear of his assault, as
ostriches of the waste, racing through its reaches,
أَمسَواthey reached evening وَرَكضُهُمُand their galloping لَوif كانَwere فيin لَهَواthroa-
أَمسَوا وَرَكضُهُمُ لَو كانَ في لَهَوا
تِ-ts of الطِفلِthe child ماnot كانَwould be ذاكَthat الرَكضُgalloping يُؤذيهِhurting him
تِ الطِفلِ ما كانَ ذاكَ الرَكضُ يُؤذيهِ
by evening their galloping, had it been in the
throat of a child, would not have hurt him.
بِبَأسِهِthrough his might أَمِنَbecame safe الثَغرُthe frontier المَخوفَthe dreaded danger فَماso not
بِبَأسِهِ أَمِنَ الثَغرُ المَخوفَ فَما
يَخافُit fears فيthroughout الدَهرِtime صدماًa blow مِنfrom دَواهيهِits calamities
يَخافُ في الدَهرِ صدماً مِن دَواهيهِ
His might has freed the frontier from danger, so it
never fears a blow from time's calamities.
مَلكٌa king لَدىamid الحَربِwar تَستَخذيsubmit المُلوكُthe kings لَهُto him
مَلكٌ لَدى الحَربِ تَستَخذي المُلوكُ لَهُ
ذُلاًin humiliation وَفيand in السِلمِpeace تَستَجديbeg for أَياديهِhis favors
ذُلاً وَفي السِلمِ تَستَجدي أَياديهِ
A king before whom kings submit in war,
in humiliation, and in peace beg for his favors.
تَبّاًperdition لَناon us إِنif مَدَحناwe praise غَيرَهُother than him مَلِكاًa king
تَبّاً لَنا إِن مَدَحنا غَيرَهُ مَلِكاً
بِالحَمدِwith acclaim وَالمَدحِand praise وَالتَنويهِand celebration نَنويهِwe single him out
بِالحَمدِ وَالمَدحِ وَالتَنويهِ نَنويهِ
Perdition on us if we praise another as king,
singling him out for acclaim, praise, and renown!
وَهوَand he الجَديرُthe one deserving بِشُكرِof the gratitude of الناسِpeople كُلِّهِمُall of them
وَهوَ الجَديرُ بِشُكرِ الناسِ كُلِّهِمُ
وَمَدحِand the praise of كُلِّevery اِمرِئٍperson جادَتexcel قَوافيهِhis rhymes
وَمَدحِ كُلِّ اِمرِئٍ جادَت قَوافيهِ
He deserves the gratitude of all people,
and the praise of every person whose rhymes excel.
فَماfor not رَأىhave seen الناسُpeople قِدماًof old مِثلَهُhis like مَلِكاًa king
فَما رَأى الناسُ قِدماً مِثلَهُ مَلِكاً
كَلاno indeed وَلاnor بَعدُafterward لاmay not زالَتcease مَعاليهِhis glories
كَلا وَلا بَعدُ لا زالَت مَعاليهِ
People never saw his like as king of old,
no, nor afterward—may his glories never cease!
وَمَنand whoever رَمىsends بِقَوافيهِwith his rhymes إِلىtoward حَلَبٍAleppo
وَمَن رَمى بِقَوافيهِ إِلى حَلَبٍ
يَحلُبmilks بِهاthere خَيرَthe best دَرٍّmilky yield مِنfrom أَمانيهِhis wishes
يَحلُب بِها خَيرَ دَرٍّ مِن أَمانيهِ
Whoever sends his rhymes toward Aleppo
milks there the richest yield of all his hopes.
بَنىbuilt بِهِthrough him اللَهُGod لِلإِسلامِfor Islam فيin حَلَبٍAleppo
بَنى بِهِ اللَهُ لِلإِسلامِ في حَلَبٍ
سوراًa wall مَنيعاًimpregnable تَعالىexalted is اللَهُGod بانيهِits builder
سوراً مَنيعاً تَعالى اللَهُ بانيهِ
Through him God built for Islam in Aleppo
an impregnable wall—exalted be God, its builder!
أَساسُهُits foundation العَدلُjustice وَالإِحسانُand beneficence يَدعَمُهُsupports it
أَساسُهُ العَدلُ وَالإِحسانُ يَدعَمُهُ
وَالنَصرُand victory يَثنيهِreinforces it وَالتَأييدُand divine aid يُعليهِraises it
وَالنَصرُ يَثنيهِ وَالتَأييدُ يُعليهِ
Its foundation is justice; beneficence supports it,
victory reinforces it, and divine aid raises it high.
وَدونَهُand before it البيضُthe bright swords بيضُthe bright blades of الهِندِIndia مُصلَتَةًunsheathed
وَدونَهُ البيضُ بيضُ الهِندِ مُصلَتَةً
وَالسُّمرُand the brown spears سُمرُthe brown shafts of القناthe lances تَدمىare bloodied عَواليهِtheir tips
وَالسُّمرُ سُمرُ القنا تَدمى عَواليهِ
Before it are bright blades, Indian blades unsheathed,
and brown shafts, brown spears whose tips are bloodied.
كُلُّall المَمالِكِthe kingdoms تَرجوhope أَنto تَكونَbecome لَهُhis
كُلُّ المَمالِكِ تَرجو أَن تَكونَ لَهُ
مُلكاًa possession أَنِلهاgrant them إِلَهيmy God ماwhat تُرَجّيهِthey hope for
مُلكاً أَنِلها إِلَهي ما تُرَجّيهِ
All kingdoms hope to become
his domain; my God, grant them what they hope for!
ياO صَفوَةَthe chosen one of اللَهِGod مِنfrom بَدوٍnomads وَمِنand from حَضَرٍtownsfolk
يا صَفوَةَ اللَهِ مِن بَدوٍ وَمِن حَضَرٍ
أَنتَyou الَّذيthe one who لَمnot يَكُنhas been خَلقٌany creature يُضاهيهِmatches him
أَنتَ الَّذي لَم يَكُن خَلقٌ يُضاهيهِ
O God's chosen one from nomads and townsfolk,
you are he whom no creature has ever matched.
فَالبَدرُfor the full moon يَقصُرُfalls short باعاًin reach أَنto يُساجِلَهُrival him
فَالبَدرُ يَقصُرُ باعاً أَن يُساجِلَهُ
وَالشَمسُand the sun تَصغُرُis too small قَدراًin stature أنto تُباهيهِvie with him in glory
وَالشَمسُ تَصغُرُ قَدراً أن تُباهيهِ
The full moon lacks the reach to rival him,
and the sun is too low in rank to vie with him.
وَهَلand can طَنينُthe ringing of ذُبابِthe edge of السَيفِthe sword فيin رَهَجٍbattle-dust
وَهَل طَنينُ ذُبابِ السَيفِ في رَهَجٍ
يُرىbe thought طَنينُthe buzzing of ذُبابِthe flies of الصَّيفِsummer يَحكيهِimitates it
يُرى طَنينُ ذُبابِ الصَّيفِ يَحكيهِ
Can the ringing of a sword's edge in battle-dust
be thought matched by the buzzing of summer flies?
وَهَلand can سَرابa mirage بِبَطنِin the hollow of القاعِthe plain مُلتَمِعٌglittering
وَهَل سَراب بِبَطنِ القاعِ مُلتَمِعٌ
كَالبَحرِlike the sea يَوماًever إِذاwhen جاشَتsurge أَواذيهِits waves
كَالبَحرِ يَوماً إِذا جاشَت أَواذيهِ
Can a mirage glittering in a hollow plain
ever be like the sea when its waves surge?
وَماand not الغَضَنفَرُthe lion فيin الآجامِthe thickets مُفتَرِساًhunting prey
وَما الغَضَنفَرُ في الآجامِ مُفتَرِساً
يَوماًever بِأَفتَكَmore deadly مِنهُthan he فيamong أَعاديهِhis enemies
يَوماً بِأَفتَكَ مِنهُ في أَعاديهِ
Nor is a lion hunting in the thickets
ever more deadly than he among his enemies.
لَمnot يَبلُغِhave attained الفُرسُthe Persians وَالأَتراكُand the Turks وَالعَرَبُand the Arabs الthe
لَم يَبلُغِ الفُرسُ وَالأَتراكُ وَالعَرَبُ ال
ماضونَancients وَالرومُand the Romans عُشراًa tenth مِنof أَياديهِhis favors
ماضونَ وَالرومُ عُشراً مِن أَياديهِ
Never did the Persians, Turks, or Arabs of
old, nor the Romans, attain a tenth of his favors.
مَنwho تُبَّعٌTubbaʿ مَنwho أَنوAnu- شِروانَ-shirwan مَنwho هُوَis he سَلSel-
مَن تُبَّعٌ مَن أَنو شِروانَ مَن هُوَ سَل
جوقٌ-juk وَمَنand who قَيصَرٌCaesar فيamong أَهلِthe men of ناديهِhis court
جوقٌ وَمَن قَيصَرٌ في أَهلِ ناديهِ
Who is Tubbaʿ, who Anushirwan, who is
Seljuk, and who is Caesar among the men of his court?
يَرىhe sees بِآرائِهِthrough his judgments فيin اليَومِtoday أَمرَthe affairs of غَدٍtomorrow
يَرى بِآرائِهِ في اليَومِ أَمرَ غَدٍ
كَأَنَّماas though الغَيبُthe unseen بِالنَجوىin secret يُناجيهِwhispers to him
كَأَنَّما الغَيبُ بِالنَجوى يُناجيهِ
With his judgment he sees tomorrow's affairs today,
as though the unseen were whispering secrets to him.
فَماfor not السَعادَةُhappiness إِلّاexcept فيin أَوامِرِهِhis commands
فَما السَعادَةُ إِلّا في أَوامِرِهِ
وَلاand not السَعادَةُhappiness إِلاexcept فيin نَواهيهِhis prohibitions
وَلا السَعادَةُ إِلا في نَواهيهِ
Happiness lies only in his commands,
and happiness lies only in his prohibitions.
فَدَهرُناso our age بِلِسانِin the language of الحالِcircumstance قالَhas said لَناto us
فَدَهرُنا بِلِسانِ الحالِ قالَ لَنا
بُشرىgood tidings لِطائِعِهِto whoever obeys him وَيلٌwoe لِعاصيهِto whoever defies him
بُشرى لِطائِعِهِ وَيلٌ لِعاصيهِ
Our age has told us in the language of circumstance:
Good tidings to whoever obeys him; woe to whoever defies him!
كَمhow many صادَhe captured أَصيَدَa proud lord قَسراًby force فَهوَand he is عانيهِhis captive
كَم صادَ أَصيَدَ قَسراً فَهوَ عانيهِ
يَبكيweeping عَلىover مَلكٍa kingship وافاهُhas reached him ناعيهِits death-announcer
يَبكي عَلى مَلكٍ وافاهُ ناعيهِ
How many a proud lord he has captured by force, now his prisoner,
weeping for a kingship whose death-tidings have reached him!
إِنif كانَwere أَهلوهُhis kin ماan emphasizing particle بَينَamong الوَرىmankind شُهُباًblazing stars
إِن كانَ أَهلوهُ ما بَينَ الوَرى شُهُباً
فيin مُلكِهِمtheir kingship فَهوَthen he شَمسٌa sun بَينَamong أَهليهِhis kin
في مُلكِهِم فَهوَ شَمسٌ بَينَ أَهليهِ
If his kin among mankind were blazing stars
in their kingship, he is a sun among his kin.
يُغنيenriches عُفاةَseekers of نَداهُhis bounty سَيبُthe outpouring of نائِلِهِhis gifts
يُغني عُفاةَ نَداهُ سَيبُ نائِلِهِ
جوداًgenerously وَيَفنيand annihilates عِداهُhis enemies سَيلُthe torrent of واديهِhis valley
جوداً وَيَفني عِداهُ سَيلُ واديهِ
The outpouring of his gifts enriches those who seek his bounty
so generously, while his valley's flood destroys his foes.
حَتّىuntil إِذاwhen ماan emphasizing particle رَأَوهُthey see him راكِباًriding فَرَساًa horse
حَتّى إِذا ما رَأَوهُ راكِباً فَرَساً
تَرَجَّلَdismount الهامُthe heads يَهويfalling عَنfrom هَواديهِtheir necks
تَرَجَّلَ الهامُ يَهوي عَن هَواديهِ
Until, when they see him mounted on a horse,
heads dismount, tumbling from their necks.
فَفيso in مَضَلَّتِهاtheir delusion بَلrather فيin مَذَلَّتِهاtheir abasement
فَفي مَضَلَّتِها بَل في مَذَلَّتِها
تَهويfall أَعاديهِhis enemies إِذwhen تَنويthey intend تُناويهِto oppose him
تَهوي أَعاديهِ إِذ تَنوي تُناويهِ
In their delusion—rather, in their abasement—
his enemies fall when they intend to oppose him.
مِنfrom خَوفِهِfear of him اللَيلُthe night ماnot تَسريcreep by night عَقارِبُهُits scorpions
مِن خَوفِهِ اللَيلُ ما تَسري عَقارِبُهُ
عَلىover الصَعيدِthe earth وَلاnor تُؤذيharm أَفاعيهِits vipers
عَلى الصَعيدِ وَلا تُؤذي أَفاعيهِ
For fear of him, night's scorpions never creep
over the earth, nor do its vipers harm.
وَقَدand indeed عَجِبتُI have marveled لِبَحرٍat a sea طابَgrew sweet فَاِرتَوَتِso drank their fill الthe
وَقَد عَجِبتُ لِبَحرٍ طابَ فَاِرتَوَتِ ال
بِلادُlands مِنهُfrom it وَرَبعيwhile my dwelling لَيسَnot يَسقيهِwaters it
بِلادُ مِنهُ وَرَبعي لَيسَ يَسقيهِ
Yet I marvel at a sea grown sweet, from which the
lands drink their fill, while it does not water my dwelling.
هَذاthis وَماand not زِلتُI have ceased فيin كُلِّevery المَحافِلِassembly مُثprais-
هَذا وَما زِلتُ في كُلِّ المَحافِلِ مُث
نِياً-ing عَلَيهِhim فَماand not آلوI stint دَواعيهِits occasions
نِياً عَلَيهِ فَما آلو دَواعيهِ
All this, though I have always, in every gathering,
praised him, neglecting no occasion to do so.
وَليand I have مَديحٌa panegyric يَهَشُّare eager السامِعونَthe listeners إِلىfor
وَلي مَديحٌ يَهَشُّ السامِعونَ إِلى
سَماعِهِhearing it فيهِabout him ماnot أَقوَتhave mismatched rhyme-vowels قَوافيهِits rhymes
سَماعِهِ فيهِ ما أَقوَت قَوافيهِ
I have a panegyric whose listeners are eager to
hear it in his praise; its rhymes have no discordant vowels.
ياO لَيتَwould that نائِمَthe sleeping حَظّيmy fortune هَبَّsprang up مُنتَبِهاًawake
يا لَيتَ نائِمَ حَظّي هَبَّ مُنتَبِهاً
بِيَقظَةٍthrough an awakening مِنهُfrom him بَعدَafter الفَقرِpoverty تُغنيهِenriching it
بِيَقظَةٍ مِنهُ بَعدَ الفَقرِ تُغنيهِ
If only my sleeping fortune would spring awake,
roused by him to riches after poverty!
إِنif يَفعَلِhe does الخَيرَgood بيto me يَجزِmay reward الإِلَهُGod بِهِfor it
إِن يَفعَلِ الخَيرَ بي يَجزِ الإِلَهُ بِهِ
مَنwhoever يَفعَلِdoes الخَيرَgood لاnot يَعدَمlacks جَوازيهِits rewards
مَن يَفعَلِ الخَيرَ لا يَعدَم جَوازيهِ
If he does me good, may God reward him for it;
whoever does good never lacks its rewards.
فَنالَso may he attain مُلكَthe kingdom of سُلَيمانٍSolomon وَعاشَand may he live بِهِin it
فَنالَ مُلكَ سُلَيمانٍ وَعاشَ بِهِ
ماas long as عاشَlived نَوحNoah سَعيداًhappy فيin تَرَقّيهِhis advancement
ما عاشَ نَوح سَعيداً في تَرَقّيهِ
May he gain Solomon's kingdom and live in it
as long as Noah lived, happy in his advancement.
Translation model: Sol 6.1