أَناI لِلرَكائِبِfor the riding-camels إِنif عَرَضتُI come upon بِمَنزِلِat a dwelling
أَنا لِلرَكائِبِ إِن عَرَضتُ بِمَنزِلِ
وَإِذاand when القَنوعُcontentment أَطاعَنيobeys me لَمnot أَرحَلِI depart
وَإِذا القَنوعُ أَطاعَني لَم أَرحَلِ
I am for the riding-camels whenever I come upon a dwelling;
When the horses are at my abode, I do not depart,
and when contentment obeys me, I do not depart.
And when contentment obeys me, I do not move on.
لَمnot أَطلُبِI seek المُثريthe wealthy man البَخيلَthe miserly لِحاجَةٍfor a need
لَم أَطلُبِ المُثري البَخيلَ لِحاجَةٍ
أَبَداًever وَأَقنَعُand I am content بِالجَوادِwith the generous man المُرمِلِthe impoverished
أَبَداً وَأَقنَعُ بِالجَوادِ المُرمِلِ
I have never sought the wealthy miser for a need,
I never sought the miserly giver for any need,
ever, and I am content with the generous man who has nothing.
And I make do with the generous, though he be dusty.
وَأَرىand I see المُعَرِّضَone making indirect appeals بِاللَئيمِto the base man كَأَنَّهُas though he
وَأَرى المُعَرِّضَ بِاللَئيمِ كَأَنَّهُ
أَعشىdim-sighted اللِحاظِin gaze يَحُزُّcuts غَيرَother than المَفصِلِthe joint
أَعشى اللِحاظِ يَحُزُّ غَيرَ المَفصِلِ
I see one who appeals indirectly to a base man as though he were
I see the one who turns away the base as one
dim-sighted, cutting somewhere other than the joint.
Blind of vision, slaughtering other than the joint.
وَلَرُبَّand indeed many a مَولىًally لاnot يَغُضُّcurbs جِماحَهُhis unruliness
وَلَرُبَّ مَولىً لا يَغُضُّ جِماحَهُ
طولُlength العِتابِof reproach وَلاnor عَناءُthe labor العُذَّلِof reprovers
طولُ العِتابِ وَلا عَناءُ العُذَّلِ
Many an ally's unruliness is not curbed
And how many a master whose wrath is not curbed
by prolonged reproach or the labors of reprovers.
By long censure or the toil of rebuke -
يَطغىoversteps عَلَيكَagainst you وَأَنتَwhile you تَلأَمُmend شَعبَهُhis breach
يَطغى عَلَيكَ وَأَنتَ تَلأَمُ شَعبَهُ
كَالسَيفِlike a sword يَأخُذُcuts مِنfrom بَنانِthe fingers الصَيقَلِof the polisher
كَالسَيفِ يَأخُذُ مِن بَنانِ الصَيقَلِ
He oversteps against you while you mend his breach,
He prevails over you while you suffer his people
like a sword cutting into the polisher's fingers.
Like the sword that takes the softness from the polished.
أَبكيI weep عَلىover عُمرٍa life يُجاذِبُهُtugs at it الرَدىdeath
أَبكي عَلى عُمرٍ يُجاذِبُهُ الرَدى
جَذبَthe drawing الرِشاءِof the well-rope عَنِfrom القَليبِthe well الأَطوَلِthe deepest
جَذبَ الرِشاءِ عَنِ القَليبِ الأَطوَلِ
I weep over a life that death tugs at,
I weep for a life pulled by fate,
as a well-rope is drawn from the deepest well.
Pulled like the rope from the long wellwheel.
أَخلِقhow likely بِحَبلٍfor a rope مُرسَلٍlowered فيinto غَمرَةٍdeep water
أَخلِق بِحَبلٍ مُرسَلٍ في غَمرَةٍ
أَنthat سَوفَwill يَرفَعُهُraise it بَنانُthe fingers المُرسِلِof the one lowering it
أَن سَوفَ يَرفَعُهُ بَنانُ المُرسِلِ
How likely that a rope lowered into deep water
I created with a loose rope in a confused night,
will be raised by the fingers of the one who lowered it.
Hoping the Rope-thrower will lift it.
ماnot كُنتُI was أَطرَبُdelighted لِلِقاءِat meeting وَلاnor أَرىI feel
ما كُنتُ أَطرَبُ لِلِقاءِ وَلا أَرى
قَلَقاًunease لِبَينِat the separation الظاعِنِof the traveler المُتَحَمِّلِthe one setting out
قَلَقاً لِبَينِ الظاعِنِ المُتَحَمِّلِ
I never exulted in a meeting, nor felt
I was not disturbed by meetings, nor did I see
unease at the parting of a traveler setting out.
Worry in the separation of the burden-bearing camel.
أَلويI turn عِنانيmy reins عَنaway from مُنازَلَةِencountering الهَوىpassion
أَلوي عِناني عَن مُنازَلَةِ الهَوى
وَأَصُدُّand I turn aside عَنfrom ذِكرِmention الغَزالِof the gazelle المُغزِلِthe amorous
وَأَصُدُّ عَن ذِكرِ الغَزالِ المُغزِلِ
I turn my reins away from wrestling with passion,
I divert my rein from indulging passion,
and turn aside from mention of the amorous gazelle.
And I turn away from remembering the amorous gazelle.
وَأَزورُand I visit أَطرافَthe outskirts الثُغورِof the frontiers وَدونَهاand before them
وَأَزورُ أَطرافَ الثُغورِ وَدونَها
طَعنٌspear-thrusting يُبَرِّحُinflicts grievous pain بِالوَشيجِwith lance-shafts الذُبَّلِthe slender
طَعنٌ يُبَرِّحُ بِالوَشيجِ الذُبَّلِ
I visit the outlying frontier posts, and before them
And I visit the outskirts of encampments, and below them
lies grievous thrusting with slender lance-shafts.
A piercing that makes the dusty rags quiver.
أَأَنالُshall I obtain مِنof عَذبِthe sweetness الوِصالِof union وَدونَهُand before it
أَأَنالُ مِن عَذبِ الوِصالِ وَدونَهُ
مُرُّthe bitterness الإِباءِof refusal وَنَخوَةُand the pride المُتَدَلِّلِof the coy beloved
مُرُّ الإِباءِ وَنَخوَةُ المُتَدَلِّلِ
Shall I partake of the sweetness of union when before it lie
Shall I attain the sweetness of union, and beneath it -
bitter refusal and the pride of a coy beloved?
The bitterness of estrangement and the smoothness of the pampered?
ماnot كُنتُI was أَجرَعُgulping نُطفَةًa drop مَعسولَةًhoneyed
ما كُنتُ أَجرَعُ نُطفَةً مَعسولَةً
طَوعَin obedience to المُنىwishes وَإِناؤُهاwhile its vessel مِنis of حَنظَلِcolocynth
طَوعَ المُنى وَإِناؤُها مِن حَنظَلِ
I would never gulp down a honeyed drop
I never drank a sugared draft willingly,
at desire's bidding, its vessel made of colocynth.
Nor did I desire a cup made of Oleander wood.
أَعَقيلَةَO noble lady الحَيّينِof the two clans دونَكِsuit yourself فَاِرفَعيand lift
أَعَقيلَةَ الحَيّينِ دونَكِ فَاِرفَعي
ماwhatever شِئتِyou wish مِنof عَذَبِthe fringes القِناعِof the veil المُسبَلِthe hanging
ما شِئتِ مِن عَذَبِ القِناعِ المُسبَلِ
O noble lady of the two clans, suit yourself, and lift
Aqilah of the living, rise above me
whatever you wish of the fringes of your hanging veil.
With whatever you wish of the fresh gathered.
هَيهاتَfar from possible تَبلُغُكَreach you اللِحاظُglances وَبَينَناand between us
هَيهاتَ تَبلُغُكَ اللِحاظُ وَبَينَنا
هَضبٌrocky heights كَخُرطومِlike the snout الغَمامِof the cloud المُقبِلِthe advancing
هَضبٌ كَخُرطومِ الغَمامِ المُقبِلِ
Far too distant for glances to reach you! Between us stand
Alas! Her glances cannot reach you, for between us
rocky heights like the snout of an advancing cloud.
Is a slope like the trunk of the approaching cloud.
أَوطانُthe abodes غَيرِكِof others than you لِلضِيافَةِfor hospitality طَلقَةٌwelcoming
أَوطانُ غَيرِكِ لِلضِيافَةِ طَلقَةٌ
وَسِواكِand others than you فيin اللأواءِhardship رَحبُspacious المَنزِلِin lodging
وَسِواكِ في اللأواءِ رَحبُ المَنزِلِ
Others' abodes are welcoming to guests,
The homes of others are open to hospitality,
and others offer spacious lodging in hardship.
But only yours, in misfortune, has spacious quarters.
وَإِذاand when أَميرُthe Commander المُؤمِنينَof the Faithful أَضافَgives refuge ليfor me
وَإِذا أَميرُ المُؤمِنينَ أَضافَ لي
أَمَليmy hope نَزَلتُI lodge عَلىwith الجَوادِthe generous man المُفضِلِthe benefactor
أَمَلي نَزَلتُ عَلى الجَوادِ المُفضِلِ
And when the Commander of the Faithful gives refuge, for me, to
And when the Commander of the Faithful hosts me,
my hope, I lodge with the generous benefactor.
I hope my descent is upon the excellent steed.
بِالطائِعِthrough al-Ta'i المَيمونِthe auspicious أُنجِحَwas fulfilled مَطلَبيmy request
بِالطائِعِ المَيمونِ أُنجِحَ مَطلَبي
وَعَلَوتُand I rose حَتّىuntil ماnot يُطاوَلُis rivaled in height مَعقَليmy stronghold
وَعَلَوتُ حَتّى ما يُطاوَلُ مَعقَلي
Through the auspicious al-Ta'i, my request was granted,
With the obedient auspicious one I achieve my goal,
and I rose until my stronghold could not be rivaled.
And rise up so high none can vie with me.
قَرمٌa mighty camel-stallion إِذاwhen عَرَتِassail الخُطوبُcalamities مُراحَهُhis resting-ground
قَرمٌ إِذا عَرَتِ الخُطوبُ مُراحَهُ
أَدمىhe bloodies غَوارِبَهاtheir withers بِنابٍwith a fang أَعضَلِmassive
أَدمى غَوارِبَها بِنابٍ أَعضَلِ
A mighty camel-stallion: when calamities assail his resting-ground,
A warrior - when war presented its difficulties
he bloodies their withers with a massive fang.
His spear dampened its severity with stabbing.
مُتَوَغِّلٌventuring deep خَلفَbehind العَدوِّthe enemy وَعِلمُهُand his knowledge
مُتَوَغِّلٌ خَلفَ العَدوِّ وَعِلمُهُ
أَنَّthat الجَبانَthe coward إِذاwhen سَرىtravels by night لَمnot يوغِلِventures far
أَنَّ الجَبانَ إِذا سَرى لَم يوغِلِ
He ventures deep in pursuit of the enemy, knowing
One who penetrates behind the enemy, and his knowledge
that a coward, when marching by night, will not venture far.
That the coward, when he walks, does not penetrate.
وَإِذاand when تَنافَلَتِdivide among themselves الرِجالُmen غَنيمَةًa spoil
وَإِذا تَنافَلَتِ الرِجالُ غَنيمَةً
قَسَمَhe apportions التُراثَthe inheritance لَهاto them بِحَدِّwith the edge المُنصُلِof the blade
قَسَمَ التُراثَ لَها بِحَدِّ المُنصُلِ
When men divide a spoil among themselves,
And when the men share the spoils of war,
he apportions the inheritance to them with the blade's edge.
He distributes the inheritance with separation by lot.
ثَبتٌsteadfast لِهَجهَجَةِagainst the clamor الخُطوبِof calamities كَأَنَّماas though
ثَبتٌ لِهَجهَجَةِ الخُطوبِ كَأَنَّما
جاءَتthey came تُقَعقِعُrattling بِالشِنانِdry waterskins لِيَذبُلِat Yadhbul
جاءَت تُقَعقِعُ بِالشِنانِ لِيَذبُلِ
Steadfast against calamities' clamor, as though
Firm against the clamor of tribulations as if
they came rattling dry waterskins at Yadhbul.
He came to crack the armor with the whips.
رَأيُthe judgment الرَشيدِof al-Rashid وَهَيبَةُand the awe المَنصورِof al-Mansur فيin
رَأيُ الرَشيدِ وَهَيبَةُ المَنصورِ في
حُسنِthe beauty الأَمينِof al-Amin وَنِعمَةِand the grace المُتَوَكِّلِof al-Mutawakkil
حُسنِ الأَمينِ وَنِعمَةِ المُتَوَكِّلِ
Al-Rashid's judgment and al-Mansur's awe, in
The view of Al-Rashid and awe of Al-Mansur in
al-Amin's beauty and al-Mutawakkil's grace.
The beauty of Al-Amin and blessing of Al-Mu'takil.
آباؤُكَyour forefathers الغُرُّthe radiant الَّذينَwho إِذاwhen اِنتَمَواdeclared their lineage
آباؤُكَ الغُرُّ الَّذينَ إِذا اِنتَمَوا
ذَهَبواcarried off بِكُلِّevery تَطاوُلٍdistinction وَتَطَوُّلِand generosity
ذَهَبوا بِكُلِّ تَطاوُلٍ وَتَطَوُّلِ
Your radiant forefathers, who, when they declared their lineage,
Your noble fathers when they passed away
carried off every distinction and every act of generosity.
Took with them all vainglory and pretentiousness.
دَرَجواthey passed away كَماas دَرَجَpassed away القُرونُgenerations وَعِلمُهُمand their knowledge
دَرَجوا كَما دَرَجَ القُرونُ وَعِلمُهُم
أَنthat سَوفَwill يُخبِرُtell آخِرٌa later one عَنof أَوَّلِan earlier one
أَن سَوفَ يُخبِرُ آخِرٌ عَن أَوَّلِ
They passed away as generations passed away, knowing
They treaded as the centuries treaded, and their knowledge
that a later one would tell of an earlier one.
That the last will tell of the first.
نَسَبٌa lineage إِلَيكَreaching you تَجاذَبَتdrew between themselves أَشياخُهُits elders
نَسَبٌ إِلَيكَ تَجاذَبَت أَشياخُهُ
طِوَلاًa long tether مِنَfrom العَبّاسِal-Abbas غَيرَnot مُوَصَّلِspliced
طِوَلاً مِنَ العَبّاسِ غَيرَ مُوَصَّلِ
A lineage reaching you, whose elders drew between them
A lineage ascribed to you seized by its elders,
a long, unspliced tether from al-Abbas.
For ages from Al-'Abbas without being linked.
هَذيthis الخِلافَةُcaliphate فيin يَدَيكَyour hands زِمامُهاits reins
هَذي الخِلافَةُ في يَدَيكَ زِمامُها
وَسِواكَwhile others than you يَخبِطُblunder قَعرَin the depths لَيلٍof a night أَليَلِpitch-black
وَسِواكَ يَخبِطُ قَعرَ لَيلٍ أَليَلِ
Here is the caliphate, its reins in your hands,
This caliphate - its reins are in your hands,
while others blunder in the depths of pitch-black night.
While besides you others flounder in a gloomy night.
أَحرَزتَهاyou secured it دونَabove الأَنامِmankind وَإِنَّماand only
أَحرَزتَها دونَ الأَنامِ وَإِنَّما
خَلَعَshook off العَجاجَةَthe dust-cloud سابِقٌa frontrunner لَمnot يَذهَلِwas distracted
خَلَعَ العَجاجَةَ سابِقٌ لَم يَذهَلِ
You secured it above all mankind; only
You won it beyond all people, indeed,
an undistracted frontrunner shakes off the dust-cloud.
Only a precursor takes off the burdensome garment.
بِحَوادِرٍwith robust horses يُعنِقنَthey speed مِنfrom تَحتِbeneath القَناthe spears
بِحَوادِرٍ يُعنِقنَ مِن تَحتِ القَنا
عَنَقاًa swift pace يُعَرِّدُsends fleeing بِالذِئابِthe wolves العُسَّلِthe loping
عَنَقاً يُعَرِّدُ بِالذِئابِ العُسَّلِ
With robust horses speeding beneath the spears,
With perils that twist necks from beneath the spearheads
at a pace that sends loping wolves fleeing.
A neck adorned with battle ornaments.
غُرٌّwhite-blazed مُحَجَّلَةٌwhite-stockinged إِذاwhen اِحتَضَرَis joined الوَغىbattle
غُرٌّ مُحَجَّلَةٌ إِذا اِحتَضَرَ الوَغى
نَقَّبنَthey uncover عَنseek out يَومٍa day أَغَرَّwhite-blazed مُحَجَّلِwhite-stockinged
نَقَّبنَ عَن يَومٍ أَغَرَّ مُحَجَّلِ
White-blazed and white-stockinged, when battle is joined,
Proud warriors when war came to a head,
they uncover a white-blazed, white-stockinged day.
They dug up a day darker than pitch.
دُفِعَتthey were urged on فَأَيُّand which الحُزمِgirths عَنهاaround them لَمnot يَضِقtightened
دُفِعَت فَأَيُّ الحُزمِ عَنها لَم يَضِق
عَرَقاًwith sweat وَأَيُّand which اللُجمِbridles لَمnot يَتَصَلصَلِjingled
عَرَقاً وَأَيُّ اللُجمِ لَم يَتَصَلصَلِ
They were urged on—what girth around them did not tighten
Repulsed - so which resolve did not constrict
with sweat, and what bridle did not jingle?
A vein, and which determination did not waver?
سَلَخَshed الظَلامُdarkness إِهابَهُits hide وَتَهَلَّلَتand shone
سَلَخَ الظَلامُ إِهابَهُ وَتَهَلَّلَت
جَنَباتُthe sides ذاكَof that العارِصِlightning-flashing cloud المُتَهَلَّلِthe radiant
جَنَباتُ ذاكَ العارِصِ المُتَهَلَّلِ
Darkness shed its hide, and there shone
The darkness peeled away its covering and the
the sides of that radiant, lightning-flashing cloud.
Sides of that towering ascendant became exposed.
طَلَعَتrose بِوَجهِكَin your face غُرَّةٌa radiance نَبَويَّةٌprophetic
طَلَعَت بِوَجهِكَ غُرَّةٌ نَبَويَّةٌ
كَالشَمسِlike the sun تملَأُfilling ناظِرَthe eye المُتَأَمِّلِof the beholder
كَالشَمسِ تملَأُ ناظِرَ المُتَأَمِّلِ
A prophetic radiance rose in your face,
With your face there rose a prophetic innocence
like the sun, filling the beholder's eye.
Like the sun filling the viewer's eye.
وَإِذاand if نَبَتproved inhospitable بِكَto you فيin مُسالَمَةِmaking peace with العِدىthe foes
وَإِذا نَبَت بِكَ في مُسالَمَةِ العِدى
أَرضٌa land وَهَبتَyou gave تُرابَهاits soil لِلقَسطَلِto battle-dust
أَرضٌ وَهَبتَ تُرابَها لِلقَسطَلِ
And if, amid peace with foes, you are rebuffed by
And when an irrigated land grew with your reconciliation with the foe,
a land, you give its soil to battle-dust.
You donated its soil to the harvester.
وَفَوارِسٍand horsemen ماnot اِستَعصَمواsought refuge بِثَنيَّةٍin a mountain pass
وَفَوارِسٍ ما اِستَعصَموا بِثَنيَّةٍ
إِلّاexcept that طَلَعتَyou came upon عَلَيهِمُthem فيwith جَحفَلِa massive host
إِلّا طَلَعتَ عَلَيهِمُ في جَحفَلِ
And horsemen never sought refuge in a mountain pass
And horsemen who did not seek refuge in a pass,
without your coming upon them with a massive host.
Unless you rose over them fully armed.
شَرَدَتsped away بِناwith us ذُلُلُthe docile الرِكابِriding-camels كَأَنَّماas though
شَرَدَت بِنا ذُلُلُ الرِكابِ كَأَنَّما
يَذرَعنَthey measure بُردَةَthe cloak كُلِّof every قاعٍplain مُمحِلِdrought-stricken
يَذرَعنَ بُردَةَ كُلِّ قاعٍ مُمحِلِ
The docile riding-camels sped away with us, as though
The mounted beasts scattered us as if
measuring the cloak of every drought-stricken plain.
Each terrain relished our return.
وَالآلُand the mirage يَنهَضُraises بِالشُخوصِthe shapes أَمامَناbefore us
وَالآلُ يَنهَضُ بِالشُخوصِ أَمامَنا
وَيَمُدُّand stretches أَعناقَthe necks القِنانِof the hilltops المُثَّلِthe upright
وَيَمُدُّ أَعناقَ القِنانِ المُثَّلِ
The mirage raises shapes before us
And the retinues stood with their departure before us
and stretches the necks of the upright hilltops.
Extending the necks of their water-skin carriers.
مِنfrom كُلِّevery رابِيَةٍhillock تَرَفَّعَrose high جيدُهاits neck
مِن كُلِّ رابِيَةٍ تَرَفَّعَ جيدُها
فَكَأَنَّهُso it is as though هاديthe fore-neck حِصانٍof a stallion مُقبِلِapproaching
فَكَأَنَّهُ هادي حِصانٍ مُقبِلِ
From every hillock whose neck rose high,
From every ascending camel its neck rose
as though it were the fore-neck of an approaching stallion.
As if it were a guide for the approaching camel.
وَمُعَرَّسٍand a night-camp هَزِجِresounding with الوُحوشِwild beasts كَأَنَّماas though
وَمُعَرَّسٍ هَزِجِ الوُحوشِ كَأَنَّما
طَرَقَstruck المَسامِعَthe ears عَنfrom غَماغِمِthe gurgling مِرجَلِof a cauldron
طَرَقَ المَسامِعَ عَن غَماغِمِ مِرجَلِ
And a night-camp resounding with wild beasts, as though
And a snarling lion whose roar seemed to strike
its sounds struck the ears from the gurgling of a cauldron.
The hearing with the growling of the lioness.
عَرَكَتwore down جَوانِبَناour flanks الفَلاةُthe wilderness وَأَسرَعَتand worked swiftly
عَرَكَت جَوانِبَنا الفَلاةُ وَأَسرَعَت
فيinto العَظمِthe bone وَاِقتاتَتand fed on شُحومَthe fat البُزَّلِof mature camels
في العَظمِ وَاِقتاتَت شُحومَ البُزَّلِ
The wilderness wore down our flanks and worked swiftly
The wastelands grazed our flanks and hastened
into the bone, feeding on the fat of mature camels.
To the bone, devouring the fat of twisted ropes.
وَإِلَيكَand to you طَوَّحَflung بِالمَطيِّthe riding-camels مُغَرِّرٌan adventurer
وَإِلَيكَ طَوَّحَ بِالمَطيِّ مُغَرِّرٌ
عَصَفَتswept بِهِhim along أَيديthe forelegs المَطيِّof the mounts المُضلِلِthat lead astray
عَصَفَت بِهِ أَيدي المَطيِّ المُضلِلِ
To you an adventurer flung the riding-camels,
And to you one deceived by his mount swooped down,
swept along by the forelegs of mounts that led astray.
Blown by the hands of the mount to perdition.
فَأَتَتكَso they came to you تَلتَهِمُdevouring الهَواجِرَthe midday heat طُلَّحاًexhausted
فَأَتَتكَ تَلتَهِمُ الهَواجِرَ طُلَّحاً
وَالظِلُّand the shade بَينَbetween خِفافِهاtheir padded feet وَالجَروَلِand the pebbles
وَالظِلُّ بَينَ خِفافِها وَالجَروَلِ
They came to you exhausted, devouring the midday heat,
So he came to you consuming the desolate lands in haste,
with shade between their padded feet and the pebbles.
While shade was between his trot and canter.
وَخَفائِفاًand lightly laden فُجِعَتwere bereft بِكُلِّof every حَقيبَةٍsaddlebag
وَخَفائِفاً فُجِعَت بِكُلِّ حَقيبَةٍ
مَلأىfull وكُلِّand every مَزادِwaterskin ماءٍof water أَثجَلِheavy
مَلأى وكُلِّ مَزادِ ماءٍ أَثجَلِ
And lightly laden, bereft of every saddlebag
With light scouts woken in every saddlebag,
once full, and every heavy waterskin.
Filled, and every skin of water, overfilled.
وَعَلىand upon الرِحالِthe saddles عَصائِبٌheadcloths مُلتاثَةٌtwisted
وَعَلى الرِحالِ عَصائِبٌ مُلتاثَةٌ
تَلويwinding بِشَعرٍaround hair ثَمَّthere غَيرِnot مُرَجَّلِcombed
تَلوي بِشَعرٍ ثَمَّ غَيرِ مُرَجَّلِ
Upon the saddles are twisted headcloths,
And on the saddlebags were dishevelled headbands
winding around hair there left uncombed.
Twisted with hair, then unbraided.
عَلِقَتclung to حِبالَكَyour ropes ثُمَّthen أَقسَمَتِswore المُنىhopes
عَلِقَت حِبالَكَ ثُمَّ أَقسَمَتِ المُنى
أَنthat لاnot لُوينَwould be wound بِغَيرِaround any other than حَبلِكَyour rope أُنمُليmy fingertips
أَن لا لُوينَ بِغَيرِ حَبلِكَ أُنمُلي
Your ropes were clasped; then my hopes swore
Your tent ropes stretched out, then the wishes swore
that my fingertips would be wound round no rope but yours.
To not be coiled except by your ropes.
أَمَلٌa hope جَثاknelt بِفِناءِin the courtyard دارِكَof your house قاطِناًsettling
أَمَلٌ جَثا بِفِناءِ دارِكَ قاطِناً
وَكَأَنَّهُand as though it بِفِناءِat the verge وادٍof a valley مُبقِلِverdant
وَكَأَنَّهُ بِفِناءِ وادٍ مُبقِلِ
A hope knelt in your house's courtyard, settling there,
A hope sat wasting away in the courtyard of your house,
as though at the verge of a verdant valley.
As if in the courtyard of a torrent valley.
وَمُجَلِّلٌand all-enveloping يُنديmoistens يَدَيكَyour hands كَأَنَّماas though
وَمُجَلِّلٌ يُندي يَدَيكَ كَأَنَّما
غَطّاهُcovered it عُرفُthe mane العارِضِof the raincloud المُتَهَدِّلِthe low-hanging
غَطّاهُ عُرفُ العارِضِ المُتَهَدِّلِ
And, all-enveloping, it moistens your hands, as though
And a supplicant rubbing your hands as if
the mane of a low-hanging raincloud had covered it.
The clouds of the lofty covered him.
أَرجوكَI look to you لِلأَمرِfor the affair الخَطيرِthe momentous وَإِنَّماand indeed
أَرجوكَ لِلأَمرِ الخَطيرِ وَإِنَّما
يُرجىis sought المُعَظَّمُthe exalted لِلعَظيمِfor the great matter المُعضِلِthe difficult
يُرجى المُعَظَّمُ لِلعَظيمِ المُعضِلِ
I look to you for a momentous affair; indeed,
Alas - how many favors you adorned him with,
the exalted are sought for great, difficult matters.
Overflowing like the hems of the embroidered cloak.
وَأَرومُand I seek مِنfrom غُلَواءِthe exaltation عِزِّكَof your might غايَةًa summit
وَأَرومُ مِن غُلَواءِ عِزِّكَ غايَةً
قَعساءَunassailable تَستَلِبُstealing النَواظِرَall eyes مِنfrom عَلِon high
قَعساءَ تَستَلِبُ النَواظِرَ مِن عَلِ
I seek, from the soaring reach of your might, a summit
So he rose and circled like an eagle to the heights,
unassailable, stealing all eyes from on high.
While his enemy plunged headlong to the depths.
كَمhow many رامَهاsought it مِنكَfrom you الجَبانُthe coward فَراوَغَتbut it dodged
كَم رامَها مِنكَ الجَبانُ فَراوَغَت
شَقّاءَa broad-flanked mare يَلعَبُplays شِدقُهاher mouth-corner بِالمَسحَلِwith the bit
شَقّاءَ يَلعَبُ شِدقُها بِالمَسحَلِ
How many a coward sought it from you, but it dodged him,
And in his love - if he were an ancient friend
a broad-flanked mare whose mouth plays with the bit.
Or a seed that passed with a festering disease.
تُدميbloodies قُلوبَthe hearts الحاسِدينَof the envious وَتَنثَنيand wheels back
تُدمي قُلوبَ الحاسِدينَ وَتَنثَني
فَتَرُدُّand repels عادِيَةَthe assault الخُطوبِof calamities النُزَّلِthe descending
فَتَرُدُّ عادِيَةَ الخُطوبِ النُزَّلِ
It bloodies the hearts of the envious, then wheels about
The one with a twisted sneer - his forehead yielded to you
and repels the assaults of descending calamities.
Unacceptable and unreceiving.
ضاقَgrew cramped الزَمانُtime فَضاقَso became confined فيهِwithin it تَقَلُّبيmy movement
ضاقَ الزَمانُ فَضاقَ فيهِ تَقَلُّبي
كَالماءِlike water يَجمَعُgathering نَفسَهُitself فيin الجَدوَلِthe channel
كَالماءِ يَجمَعُ نَفسَهُ في الجَدوَلِ
Time grew cramped, and my movements within it were confined,
When he saw you, his steps grew short
like water gathering itself in a channel.
In fear, and he clamored in the outer hall.
هَذاthis الحُسَينُal-Husayn إِلىto عَلائِكَyour eminence يَنتَميtraces his lineage
هَذا الحُسَينُ إِلى عَلائِكَ يَنتَمي
شَرَفاًas an honor وَيَنسِبُand declares مَجدَهُhis glory فيin المَحفِلِthe assembly
شَرَفاً وَيَنسِبُ مَجدَهُ في المَحفِلِ
This al-Husayn traces himself to your eminence,
By God - you have left a lasting impression
as an honor, and declares his glory in the assembly.
By the hands of a maker of impressions without peer.
أَسلَفتَهُyou previously gave him وَعداًa promise عَلَيكَupon you تَمامُهُits fulfillment
أَسلَفتَهُ وَعداً عَلَيكَ تَمامُهُ
وَسَيُدرِكُand he will attain المَطلوبَwhat is sought إِنif لَمnot يَعجَلِhe hurries
وَسَيُدرِكُ المَطلوبَ إِن لَم يَعجَلِ
You gave him a promise whose fulfillment rests upon you,
You ennobled us beyond all people, indeed -
and he will attain what he seeks if he does not hurry.
The righteousness of a kinsman is the act of favor.
فَاِسمَحso be generous بِفِعلِكَin your deed بَعدَafter قَولِكَyour word إِنَّهُindeed it
فَاِسمَح بِفِعلِكَ بَعدَ قَولِكَ إِنَّهُ
لاnot يُحمَدُis praised الوَسميُّthe first autumn rain إِلّاexcept بِالوَليthrough the follow-up rain
لا يُحمَدُ الوَسميُّ إِلّا بِالوَلي
So be generous in deed after word; indeed,
You drew us like al-Jurayy drew to the heights,
the first autumn rain is praised only through the rain that follows.
And if a lofty one ascended, he did not descend.
فَلَعَلَّناso perhaps we نَمتاحُdraw by bucket إِنif لَمnot نَغتَرِفwe scoop
فَلَعَلَّنا نَمتاحُ إِن لَم نَغتَرِف
ماءَthe water المُنىof hopes وَنُعَلُّand are given a second drink إِنif لَمnot given a first drink we are نُنهَلِnot
ماءَ المُنى وَنُعَلُّ إِن لَم نُنهَلِ
Perhaps we may draw by bucket, if we cannot scoop,
For you are most right to lead and guide,
the water of hopes, and drink again, if not given a first draught.
And most zealous in guarding the Prophet's son.
كَمhow many وَقفَةٍa stand ناجَيتَهُyou spoke privately to him فيin ظِلِّهاits shelter
كَم وَقفَةٍ ناجَيتَهُ في ظِلِّها
وَالقَولُwhile speech يَغدُرُbetrays بِالخَطيبِthe orator المِقوَلِthe eloquent
وَالقَولُ يَغدُرُ بِالخَطيبِ المِقوَلِ
How many a stand, in whose shelter you spoke privately to him,
The dust of your gifts is ransomed
while speech betrayed the eloquent orator.
By the gifts of others with ample uddered sheep.
ثَبَّتَّyou steadied فيهاthere وِطاءَهُhis footing وَوَراءَهُand behind him
ثَبَّتَّ فيها وِطاءَهُ وَوَراءَهُ
جَزَعٌpanic يُقَلقِلُshakes مِنfrom قُلوبِthe hearts الجَندَلِof stones
جَزَعٌ يُقَلقِلُ مِن قُلوبِ الجَندَلِ
You steadied his footing there, while behind him lay
If not for your cloud of generosity, a rider would complain
a panic that would shake the hearts of stones.
Of deserts with his camel knelt at the watering place.
إيهٍcontinue وَكَمand how many مِنa نِعمَةٍfavor جَلَّلتَهُyou clothed him in
إيهٍ وَكَم مِن نِعمَةٍ جَلَّلتَهُ
تَضفوtrailing amply كَهُدّابِlike the fringes الرِداءِof the cloak المُخمَلِthe velvet
تَضفو كَهُدّابِ الرِداءِ المُخمَلِ
Ah, continue! How many a favor you clothed him in,
And worthier of praise is one who initiates kindness
trailing amply like the fringes of a velvet cloak.
That reaches wombs not reached before.
فَسَماso he rose وَحَلَّقَand soared كَالعُقابِlike an eagle إِلىto العُلىthe heights
فَسَما وَحَلَّقَ كَالعُقابِ إِلى العُلى
وَعَدوُّهُwhile his enemy يَهويplummets هُوِيَّthe plunging الأَجدَلِof the falcon
وَعَدوُّهُ يَهوي هُوِيَّ الأَجدَلِ
He rose and soared like an eagle to the heights,
My master - who can I hope to see you, and how can I
while his enemy plummeted like a falcon.
Attend your house while the enemy is at a distance?
وَبِوُدِّهِand it is his wish لَوif only كانَhe had been قَرناًa generation سالِفاًbygone
وَبِوُدِّهِ لَو كانَ قَرناً سالِفاً
أَوor نُطفَةًa drop of seed ذَهَبَتcarried off بِداءٍby a sickness مُغيِلِdestroying
أَو نُطفَةً ذَهَبَت بِداءٍ مُغيِلِ
He wishes he had been a bygone generation,
Look at me with some of your glance, a look
or a drop of seed carried off by a destroying sickness.
That raises my sight and elucidates my words.
وَمُشَمِّرِand one who raises العِرنَينِthe nose خَرَّfell جَبينُهُhis brow
وَمُشَمِّرِ العِرنَينِ خَرَّ جَبينُهُ
لَكَbefore you غَيرَnot مَقبولٍaccepted وَلاnor مُستَقبَلِwelcomed
لَكَ غَيرَ مَقبولٍ وَلا مُستَقبَلِ
And a man with an upturned nose fell upon his brow
For now I am not pleased while you afford me
before you, neither accepted nor welcomed.
The contentment of the ascetic and reserve of the reserved.
لَمّاwhen رَآكَhe saw you تَقاصَرَتgrew short خُطَواتُهُhis steps
لَمّا رَآكَ تَقاصَرَت خُطَواتُهُ
جَزَعاًin panic وَجَعجَعَand he halted بِالرِواقِat the portico الأَوَّلِthe first
جَزَعاً وَجَعجَعَ بِالرِواقِ الأَوَّلِ
When he saw you, his steps grew short
Hope, O Commander of the Faithful, we have the freedom
in panic, and he halted at the first portico.
To not sleep away from wishful thinking.
لِلَّهِGod's أَنتَyou لَقَدindeed أَثَرتَyou stirred صَنيعَةًa benefaction
لِلَّهِ أَنتَ لَقَد أَثَرتَ صَنيعَةً
بِيَدَيat the hands of مُعَمٍّone with noble paternal uncles فيin الصَنائِعِbenefactions مُخوَلِwith noble maternal uncles
بِيَدَي مُعَمٍّ في الصَنائِعِ مُخوَلِ
God bless you! You have stirred a benefaction
With a mouth - when speech lifts its veil -
at the hands of one with paternal and maternal uncles rich in benefactions.
Giving tidings even if not asked.
شَرَّفتَناyou honored us دونَّabove الأَنامِmankind وَإِنَّماand indeed
شَرَّفتَنا دونَّ الأَنامِ وَإِنَّما
بِرُّkindness القَريبِto kin عَلاقَةُthe bond المُتَفَضِّلِof the generous man
بِرُّ القَريبِ عَلاقَةُ المُتَفَضِّلِ
You honored us above mankind; indeed,
And a hand - if you wring its passing cloud -
kindness to kin is the bond of the generous man.
Pouring clear honeyed drink upon you.
وَجَذَبتَناand you drew us جَذبَthe pull الجَريرِof the halter-rope إِلىto العُلىthe heights
وَجَذَبتَنا جَذبَ الجَريرِ إِلى العُلى
وَإِذاand when اِرتَقىascends مُتَمَطِّرٌa proud-striding man لَمnot يَنزِلِdescends
وَإِذا اِرتَقى مُتَمَطِّرٌ لَم يَنزِلِ
You drew us to the heights as with a halter-rope,
You erase the myths of afflictions as the north wind
and when a proud-striding man ascends, he does not descend.
Erased the burdensome clouds.
فَلَأَنتَso indeed you أَولىare worthier بِالإِمامَةِof leadership وَالهُدىand guidance
فَلَأَنتَ أَولى بِالإِمامَةِ وَالهُدى
وَأَذَبُّand more protective عَنof وَلَدِthe offspring النَبيِّof the Prophet المُرسَلِthe sent
وَأَذَبُّ عَن وَلَدِ النَبيِّ المُرسَلِ
You are indeed worthier of leadership and guidance,
No fearful protector of your support takes shelter in a spear
and stauncher in defending the offspring of the sent Prophet.
If he wished to pierce with the bare blade.
أَغبارُlast drops دَرٍّof milk-flow مِنfrom عَطائِكَyour giving تُفتَدىare ransomed
أَغبارُ دَرٍّ مِن عَطائِكَ تُفتَدى
مِنfrom دَرِّthe milk-flow غَيرِكَof others than you بِالضُروعِwith udders الحُفَّلِthe brimming
مِن دَرِّ غَيرِكَ بِالضُروعِ الحُفَّلِ
The last drops of your bounty's milk-flow are ransomed
This Caliph does not deviate from the guidance
with brimming udders from the milk-flow of others.
If the night of the wakeful affliction sleeps.
لَولاwere it not for غَمامُthe cloud نَداكَof your bounty أَصبَحَwould become راكِبٌa rider
لَولا غَمامُ نَداكَ أَصبَحَ راكِبٌ
يَشكوcomplaining of الأُوامَburning thirst وَقَدalthough أَناخَhe knelt بِمَنهَلِat a watering-place
يَشكو الأُوامَ وَقَد أَناخَ بِمَنهَلِ
Without the cloud of your bounty, a rider would
When I rallied to his victory at the joined battle,
complain of burning thirst even after kneeling at a watering-place.
He repelled time, with my ankles fettered.
وَأَحَقُّand most worthy بِالإِطراءِof praise باعِثُthe sender مِنَّةٍof a favor
وَأَحَقُّ بِالإِطراءِ باعِثُ مِنَّةٍ
وَصَلَتjoined مِنَof الأَرحامِkinship bonds ماwhat لَمnot يوصَلِhad been joined
وَصَلَت مِنَ الأَرحامِ ما لَم يوصَلِ
Most worthy of praise is one who sends a favor
In it are my eulogies, as if I had poured
joining bonds of kinship that had not been joined.
All my arrows in that target.
مَولايَmy lord مَنwho ليfor me أَنthat أَراكَI see you وَكَيفَand how ليfor me
مَولايَ مَن لي أَن أَراكَ وَكَيفَ لي
بِحُضورِby attending دارِكَyour house وَالعَدوُّwhile the enemy بِمَعزَلِis kept apart
بِحُضورِ دارِكَ وَالعَدوُّ بِمَعزَلِ
My lord, who will let me see you, and how can I
With each rhyme when I released it,
attend your house with the enemy kept apart?
It yanked the rein of the hurried rider.
اِنظُرlook إِلَيَّupon me بِبَعضِwith a little of طَرفِكَyour gaze نَظرَةًa glance
اِنظُر إِلَيَّ بِبَعضِ طَرفِكَ نَظرَةً
يَسموrises لَهاbecause of it نَظَريmy sight وَيُعرِبُand speaks eloquently مِقوَليmy tongue
يَسمو لَها نَظَري وَيُعرِبُ مِقوَلي
Look upon me with a little of your gaze, a glance
And I gained from its breeze and vicinity
that lifts my sight and makes my tongue eloquent.
The most sublime of boons and most protected refuge.
فَالآنَso now لاnot أَرضىI am satisfied وَأَنتَwhile you مُمَوِّليare enriching me
فَالآنَ لا أَرضى وَأَنتَ مُمَوِّلي
بِرِضىwith the contentment القَنوعِof the contented man وَعِفَّةِand the restraint المُتَجَمِّلِof one maintaining dignity
بِرِضى القَنوعِ وَعِفَّةِ المُتَجَمِّلِ
Now, with you enriching me, I am not satisfied
with a contented man's contentment or a dignified man's restraint.
نُعمىthe bounty أَميرِof the Commander المُؤمِنينَof the Faithful حَريَّةٌdeserves
نُعمى أَميرِ المُؤمِنينَ حَريَّةٌ
أَنthat لاnot نَنامَwe sleep عَنِover الرَجاءِhope المُهمَلِthe neglected
أَن لا نَنامَ عَنِ الرَجاءِ المُهمَلِ
The Commander of the Faithful's bounty deserves
that we not slumber over hope left neglected.
بِفَمٍwith a mouth إِذاwhen رَفَعَlifts الكَلامُspeech سِجافَهُits curtain
بِفَمٍ إِذا رَفَعَ الكَلامُ سِجافَهُ
أَوحىannounces بِنائِلِهِhis bounty وَإِنeven if لَمnot يُسأَلِis asked
أَوحى بِنائِلِهِ وَإِن لَم يُسأَلِ
With a mouth that, when speech lifts its curtain,
announces his bounty even without being asked.
وَيَدٍand a hand إِذاwhen اِستَمطَرتَyou ask for rain from عابِرَthe passing مُزنِهاof its rainclouds
وَيَدٍ إِذا اِستَمطَرتَ عابِرَ مُزنِها
دَفَقَتpours عَلَيكَover you مِنَof الزُلالِcrystal-clear water السَلسَلِthe easy-flowing
دَفَقَت عَلَيكَ مِنَ الزُلالِ السَلسَلِ
And a hand that, when you ask its passing raincloud to rain,
pours over you crystal-clear, easy-flowing water.
تَمحوeffaces أَساطيرَthe records الخُطوبِof calamities كَماas مَحاeffaced
تَمحو أَساطيرَ الخُطوبِ كَما مَحا
مَرُّthe passing الشَمالِof the north wind مِنَfrom الغَمامِthe clouds المُثقَلِthe heavy-laden
مَرُّ الشَمالِ مِنَ الغَمامِ المُثقَلِ
It effaces the records of calamities, as
the passing north wind clears away rain-laden clouds.
لاnot يَحتَميseeks protection بِالرُمحِwith a spear باعُthe arm مُؤَيَّدٍof one strengthened
لا يَحتَمي بِالرُمحِ باعُ مُؤَيَّدٍ
لَوif شاءَhe wished طاعَنَhe would joust بِالسِماكِwith al-Simak الأَعزَلِthe Unarmed
لَو شاءَ طاعَنَ بِالسِماكِ الأَعزَلِ
A strengthened arm needs no spear for protection;
if he wished, he would joust with al-Simak the Unarmed.
هَذاthis الخَليفَةُcaliph لاnot يَغُضُّlowers his eyes عَنِaway from الهُدىguidance
هَذا الخَليفَةُ لا يَغُضُّ عَنِ الهُدى
إِنif نامَsleeps لَيلُthe night القائِمِof one standing in prayer المُتَبَتِّلِthe devout
إِن نامَ لَيلُ القائِمِ المُتَبَتِّلِ
This caliph never closes his eyes to guidance,
even if the devout man's night of prayer falls asleep.
لَمّاwhen أَهَبتُI called بِنَصرِهِfor his aid لِمُلِمَّةٍagainst a calamity
لَمّا أَهَبتُ بِنَصرِهِ لِمُلِمَّةٍ
دَفَعَdrove off الزَمانَtime وَقَدwhen أَناخَit had knelt بِكَلكَليupon my breast
دَفَعَ الزَمانَ وَقَد أَناخَ بِكَلكَلي
When I called for his aid against a calamity,
he drove off Time, which had knelt upon my breast.
واليتُI made successive فيهِabout him مَدائِحيmy praises فَكَأَنَّماso it is as though
واليتُ فيهِ مَدائِحي فَكَأَنَّما
أَفرَغتُI emptied نَبليmy arrows كُلَّهاall of them فيinto مَقتَلِa vital spot
أَفرَغتُ نَبلي كُلَّها في مَقتَلِ
I followed praise with praise for him, as though
I had emptied all my arrows into a vital spot.
مِنfrom كُلِّevery قافِيَةٍrhyme إِذاwhen أَطلَقتُهاI released it
مِن كُلِّ قافِيَةٍ إِذا أَطلَقتُها
عَطَفَتturned عِنانَthe reins الراكِبِof the rider المُستَعجِلِthe hastening
عَطَفَت عِنانَ الراكِبِ المُستَعجِلِ
With every rhyme that, when I released it,
turned the reins of the hastening rider.
وَظَفِرتُand I won مِنthrough نَفَحاتِهِhis wafts of bounty وَجِوارِهِand his protection
وَظَفِرتُ مِن نَفَحاتِهِ وَجِوارِهِ
بِأَجَلِّthe greatest نَعماءٍblessing وَأَحرَزِand the safest مَوئِلِrefuge
بِأَجَلِّ نَعماءٍ وَأَحرَزِ مَوئِلِ
Through his wafts of bounty and his protection I won
the greatest blessing and the safest refuge.
Partial English translation: 142 of 164 Arabic lines translated.