رَكَدَhas grown still الرَجاءُhope فَماso no يَهُزُّكَstirs you مَأرِبُaim
رَكَدَ الرَجاءُ فَما يَهُزُّكَ مَأرِبُ
وَمَضىand has passed المِراحُexuberance فَماso no يهيجُكَrouses you مُطرِبُsource of delight
وَمَضى المِراحُ فَما يهيجُكَ مُطرِبُ
Hope has grown still; no aim stirs you.
Hope has waned, so what will rouse you, O dwelling of Ma'rib?
And exuberance has passed; no source of delight rouses you.
The singers have left, so what will stir you, O maker of music?
شَمسَgrew unruly الزَمانُtime فَماso not يَلينُyields وَرُبَّماand many a time
شَمسَ الزَمانُ فَما يَلينُ وَرُبَّما
أَخَذَtook الصَبِيُّthe child عِنانَهُits reins يَتَلَعَّبُplaying
أَخَذَ الصَبِيُّ عِنانَهُ يَتَلَعَّبُ
Time has grown unruly and will not yield, though many a time
The sun of time, so it does not soften, and sometimes
A child took its reins and played.
The boy takes the reins, playing.
وَأَرىand I see الحَوادِثَevents جامِحاتٍunbridled بَعدَماafter
وَأَرى الحَوادِثَ جامِحاتٍ بَعدَما
غَنِيَتused to be نَزائِعُهاtheir restless steeds تُقادُbeing led وَتُجنَبُand led alongside
غَنِيَت نَزائِعُها تُقادُ وَتُجنَبُ
And I see events unbridled, after
And I see raging misfortunes after what
Their restless steeds had long been led and brought alongside.
Their outbursts have been suppressed, controlled and avoided
فيon الجانِبِthe flank الوَحشِيِّouter مِنهاof them مُرتَقىًan ascent
في الجانِبِ الوَحشِيِّ مِنها مُرتَقىً
ماnot يستطاعcan be achieved وَسُورَةٌand a fury ماnot تُغلَبُcan be overcome
ما يستطاع وَسُورَةٌ ما تُغلَبُ
On their outer flank is a height
On the savage side of them a high road
Beyond reach, and a fury none can overcome.
That cannot be managed, and a firm wall that cannot be toppled
أَلقَتunleashed جَوافِلهاtheir stampeding steeds بِشَعبٍupon a people رازِحٍburdened
أَلقَت جَوافِلها بِشَعبٍ رازِحٍ
أَلِفَgrew accustomed to الهَوانَhumiliation يُجَرُّbeing dragged فيهِthrough it وَيُسحَبُand hauled
أَلِفَ الهَوانَ يُجَرُّ فيهِ وَيُسحَبُ
They unleashed their stampeding steeds upon a burdened people,
They have unleashed their torrents on a worn-out people
Accustomed to humiliation, dragged and hauled through it.
Who have become accustomed to humiliation, dragged and pulled about
عَرَفَknew النَوائِبَcalamities ناشِئاًin youth وَعَرَفنَهُand they knew it
عَرَفَ النَوائِبَ ناشِئاً وَعَرَفنَهُ
كَهلاًin middle age يَكُبُّfalling forward عَلىupon اليَدَينِboth hands وَيَحدَبُand stooping
كَهلاً يَكُبُّ عَلى اليَدَينِ وَيَحدَبُ
It knew calamities in youth, and they knew it
Who knew adversity in its beginnings and knew it
In middle age, falling upon both hands and stooping.
As an old man, bending over his hands and becoming humpbacked
وَلَئِنand though نَضاhas shed بُردَthe cloak الشَبابِof youth فَماyet has not نَضاshed
وَلَئِن نَضا بُردَ الشَبابِ فَما نَضا
مِنof جَهلِthe ignorance ذيone aged العِشرينَtwenty ماwhat يَتَجَلبَبُit clothes itself in
مِن جَهلِ ذي العِشرينَ ما يَتَجَلبَبُ
And though it shed the cloak of youth, it has not shed
And though he enjoyed the freshness of youth, he did not enjoy
The twenty-year-old's ignorance in which it clothes itself.
The ignorance of a twenty-year-old frolicking about
وَيحَalas for الكِنانَةِal-Kinanah كَيفَhow تَلعَبُplays أُمَّةٌa nation
وَيحَ الكِنانَةِ كَيفَ تَلعَبُ أُمَّةٌ
شَمطاءُgray-haired واهِنَةٌfrail وَشَعبٌand a people أَشيَبُwhite-haired
شَمطاءُ واهِنَةٌ وَشَعبٌ أَشيَبُ
Alas for al-Kinanah! How can a nation play—
Wake, O old age, how can a broken nation frolic
Gray-haired and frail, and a people white-haired with age?
Feeble, defeated, and a grey-haired people?
يَرجوhopes وَيَأمُلُand wishes وَالحَياةُwhile life صَريمَةٌfirm resolve
يَرجو وَيَأمُلُ وَالحَياةُ صَريمَةٌ
تَمضيpress forward نَوافِذُهاits binding decisions وَعَزمٌand a will يَدأَبُperseveres
تَمضي نَوافِذُها وَعَزمٌ يَدأَبُ
It hopes and wishes, while life is firm resolve,
It hopes and aspires while life is harsh
Whose decisions press forward, and a will that perseveres.
Its windows pass and determination labors
ادفَعpress forward بِنَفسِكَyourself لاdo not تَكُنbe مُتَهَيِّباًtimid
ادفَع بِنَفسِكَ لا تَكُن مُتَهَيِّباً
ماnever اِعتَزَّgained honor فيamong الأَقوامِpeoples مَنone who يَتَهَيَّبُis timid
ما اِعتَزَّ في الأَقوامِ مَن يَتَهَيَّبُ
Press forward yourself; do not be timid.
Push yourself forward, do not be intimidated
No timid man has ever gained honor among peoples.
None among nations have honor who are intimidated
عَجزُthe weakness الفَتىof a young man فيin ظَنِّهِhis conjecture وَرَجائِهِand his hope
عَجزُ الفَتى في ظَنِّهِ وَرَجائِهِ
الظَنُّconjecture يُخلِفُfails وَالرَجاءُand hope يُخَيَّبُis disappointed
الظَنُّ يُخلِفُ وَالرَجاءُ يُخَيَّبُ
A young man's weakness lies in his conjecture and hope:
The weakness of a young man is in his supposition and hope
Conjecture fails, and hope is disappointed.
Supposition disappoints and hope is deceived
شَرَفُthe honor الحَياةِof life وَعِزُّهاand its glory لِمُغامِرٍfor a bold adventurer
شَرَفُ الحَياةِ وَعِزُّها لِمُغامِرٍ
يَمضيpresses on فَلاand does not يَلويturn back وَلاnor يَتَنَكَّبُturn aside
يَمضي فَلا يَلوي وَلا يَتَنَكَّبُ
Life's honor and glory belong to the bold adventurer
The nobility and pride of life belong to the risk-taker
Who presses on, neither turning back nor turning aside.
Who goes forth, neither twisting nor turning back
اشرَعopen up لِأُمَّتِكَfor your nation الحَياةَlife وَلاand not يَكُنbe
اشرَع لِأُمَّتِكَ الحَياةَ وَلا يَكُن
لَكَfor you فيin حَياتِكَyour life غَيرُother than ذَلِكَthat مَأَرِبُan aim
لَكَ في حَياتِكَ غَيرُ ذَلِكَ مَأَرِبُ
Open life to your nation, and let there be no
Set out the life for your nation, let
Aim for you in your life besides that.
Nothing in your life be a preoccupation other than that
لَمnot يَعرِفِhave known الأَقوامُpeoples حَقّاًa duty واجِباًobligatory
لَم يَعرِفِ الأَقوامُ حَقّاً واجِباً
إِلّاexcept وَخدمتُهاand serving them أَحَقُّmore rightful وَأَوجَبُand more binding
إِلّا وَخدمتُها أَحَقُّ وَأَوجَبُ
Peoples have known no obligatory duty
No nations have known a right or a duty
Without service to them being more rightful and more binding.
Except that serving it is more right and obligatory
لَوif شِئتَyou wished لَمwould not تَعتَبreproach عَلَيكَyou وَلَمand would not يَلُمblame
لَو شِئتَ لَم تَعتَب عَلَيكَ وَلَم يَلُم
وَطَنٌa homeland أَسَأتَyou did badly بِهِtoward it الصَنيعَin your conduct مُعَذَّبُtormented
وَطَنٌ أَسَأتَ بِهِ الصَنيعَ مُعَذَّبُ
Had you wished, you would face neither reproach nor blame
If you wished, none would reproach you, and no homeland
From a tormented homeland you have treated badly.
Whose good you had marred would be tortured
تَعِبُwearied المَطالِبِby aspirations وَالرَجاءِand hope مُفَجَّعٌbereaved
تَعِبُ المَطالِبِ وَالرَجاءِ مُفَجَّعٌ
ماnever اِنفَكَّceased يُرزَأُto suffer loss بِالخُطوبِthrough calamities وَيُنكَبُand be afflicted
ما اِنفَكَّ يُرزَأُ بِالخُطوبِ وَيُنكَبُ
Wearied by striving and hope, bereaved,
The seeker of requests and hopes is devastated
It has never ceased to suffer loss through calamities and misfortune.
Never ceasing to be struck by disasters and defeated
ترميhurls يَدُthe hand الحِدثانِof vicissitudes مِنهُfrom it مُرَوَّعاًone terror-stricken
ترمي يَدُ الحِدثانِ مِنهُ مُرَوَّعاً
حَلَّbefell العِقابُpunishment بِهِit وَأَنتَwhile you المُذنِبُthe guilty one
حَلَّ العِقابُ بِهِ وَأَنتَ المُذنِبُ
The hand of vicissitudes hurls it about, terrified;
The hand of events throws him down in terror
Punishment has fallen upon it, while you are the guilty one.
Punishment has afflicted him while you are the guilty one
هَلis there عِندَwithin نَفسِكَyour soul لِلحِفاظِof protective honor بَقِيَّةٌa remnant
هَل عِندَ نَفسِكَ لِلحِفاظِ بَقِيَّةٌ
تَحميthat protects البَقِيَّةَthe remainder مِنof حَياةٍa life تُسلَبُbeing stolen
تَحمي البَقِيَّةَ مِن حَياةٍ تُسلَبُ
Is there any remnant of protective honor in your soul
Do you have any remnant in yourself to preserve
To guard what remains of a life being stolen?
To protect that remnant from a life that is despoiled?
ذَهَبَhave gone الأُلىthose who كانواwere الغِياثَthe succor لِأُمَّةٍfor a nation
ذَهَبَ الأُلى كانوا الغِياثَ لِأُمَّةٍ
حاقَengulfed البَلاءُcalamity بِهاit وَضاقَand narrowed المَذهَبُthe way out
حاقَ البَلاءُ بِها وَضاقَ المَذهَبُ
Gone are those who were the succor of a nation
The steadfast ones who were saviors of a nation have gone
Engulfed by calamity, with its way of escape narrowed.
Adversity has befallen it and the path has narrowed
صَدَعَتshattered تَصاريفُthe turns الخُطوبِof calamities رَجاءَهاits hope
صَدَعَت تَصاريفُ الخُطوبِ رَجاءَها
فَهَوىso it fell وَطاحَand brought down بِهاit الزَمانُtime القُلَّبُfickle
فَهَوى وَطاحَ بِها الزَمانُ القُلَّبُ
The turns of calamity shattered its hope;
The turns of fate have shattered its hope
It fell, and fickle time brought the nation down.
And it has fallen while fickle time overturns it
بَطَشَتstruck fiercely أَنامِلُهاits fingers فَأَعوَزَbut was lacking ساعِدٌa forearm
بَطَشَت أَنامِلُها فَأَعوَزَ ساعِدٌ
وَأَعانَand aided ساعِدُهاits forearm فَخانَbut betrayed المَنكِبُthe shoulder
وَأَعانَ ساعِدُها فَخانَ المَنكِبُ
Its fingers struck, but a forearm was lacking;
Its own fingers have failed and though its arm has been helped
And its forearm lent aid, but the shoulder betrayed it.
That arm has betrayed the shoulder
ذَهَبَتcarried away مُلِمّاتُthe calamities الزَمانِof time بِنورِهاits light
ذَهَبَت مُلِمّاتُ الزَمانِ بِنورِها
مِمّاthrough what تَكُرُّthey charge عَلىupon الهُداةِthe guides وَتَجلِبُand raise a clamor
مِمّا تَكُرُّ عَلى الهُداةِ وَتَجلِبُ
Time's calamities carried away its light,
The time's own calamities have taken away its light
As they charge upon the guides and raise their clamor.
With how they resent its guides and incite against them
فيat كُلِّevery مَطلَعِrising شارِقٍof the sun وَمَغيبِهِand its setting
في كُلِّ مَطلَعِ شارِقٍ وَمَغيبِهِ
قَمَرٌa moon يَزولُpasses away وَفَرقَدٌand a Farqad star يَتَغَيَّبُvanishes
قَمَرٌ يَزولُ وَفَرقَدٌ يَتَغَيَّبُ
At every rising of the sun and its setting,
At every bright rising and setting
A moon passes away, and a Farqad star vanishes.
A moon passes away and a bright star sets
رُزِئَتwas bereft of بنيهاits sons الصالِحينَthe virtuous وَغودِرَتand was left
رُزِئَت بنيها الصالِحينَ وَغودِرَت
وَلهَىdistraught مُرَوَّعَةًterrified تَرِنُّwailing وَتَندُبُand lamenting
وَلهَى مُرَوَّعَةً تَرِنُّ وَتَندُبُ
Bereft of its virtuous sons, it was left
Its righteous children were scorned and were wronged
Distraught and terrified, wailing and lamenting.
And it wanders terrified, crying and lamenting
تَلِغُlap العَواديthe predators فيin نَقيعِthe pool دِمائِهاof its blood
تَلِغُ العَوادي في نَقيعِ دِمائِها
فَيَطيبُso it tastes pleasant مِنfrom فَرطِthe intensity الغَليلِof burning thirst وَيَعذُبُand tastes sweet
فَيَطيبُ مِن فَرطِ الغَليلِ وَيَعذُبُ
The predators lap at the pool of its blood;
Disasters take pleasure in the gurgling of its blood
In their fierce thirst it tastes pleasant and sweet.
To the point of excess bitterness and torment
لَمnot يَبقَremains مِنهاof it غَيرُbut شِلوٍa carcass مُسلَمٍabandoned
لَم يَبقَ مِنها غَيرُ شِلوٍ مُسلَمٍ
عَكَفَتgathered عَلَيهِover it ضِباعُهاits hyenas وَالأَذؤُبُand the wolves
عَكَفَت عَلَيهِ ضِباعُها وَالأَذؤُبُ
Nothing remains of it but an abandoned carcass,
Nothing remains of it but a submissive weakling
Around which its hyenas and wolves have gathered.
Its predators and wild beasts crowd around it
يَدعوالحُماةَit calls the defenders الناصِرينَthe rescuers وَدونَهُمand in their way
يَدعوالحُماةَ الناصِرينَ وَدونَهُم
نابٌa fang يَهالُis frightened النَصرُaid مِنهُby it وَمَخلَبُand a claw
نابٌ يَهالُ النَصرُ مِنهُ وَمَخلَبُ
It calls the defenders who would help it, but in their way are
It calls out for its protecting supporters, but below them
A fang that frightens aid itself, and a claw.
There is a gaping mouth from which support and claws are absent
نامَslept الخَلِيُّthe carefree man فَماso does not يُحِسُّfeel مُصابَهاits calamity
نامَ الخَلِيُّ فَما يُحِسُّ مُصابَها
وَأَبىand denied عَلَيَّme النَومَsleep قَلبٌa heart مُتعَبٌweary
وَأَبى عَلَيَّ النَومَ قَلبٌ مُتعَبٌ
The carefree man sleeps, feeling nothing of its calamity;
The carefree one sleeps, unaware of its affliction,
But a weary heart denies me sleep.
While an exhausted heart refuses me sleep
تَجِدُfind القُلوبُhearts عَزاءَهاtheir solace وَعَزاؤُهُand its solace
تَجِدُ القُلوبُ عَزاءَها وَعَزاؤُهُ
أَعياproved beyond reach وَأَعوزُand hardest to obtain ماwhat يُرامُis desired وَيُطلَبُand sought
أَعيا وَأَعوزُ ما يُرامُ وَيُطلَبُ
Hearts find their solace, but its solace
Hearts find their consolation, and its consolation
Has proved beyond reach, the hardest thing desired and sought.
Has weakened, deficient in what is sought and desired
عَزَّيتُهُI consoled it فَأَبىbut it refused وَماand there is no مِنany ريبَةٍsuspicion
عَزَّيتُهُ فَأَبى وَما مِن ريبَةٍ
غَيريsomeone other than me يَخونُbetrays وَغَيرُهُand one other than it يَتَرَيَّبُsuspects
غَيري يَخونُ وَغَيرُهُ يَتَرَيَّبُ
I consoled it, but it refused; there is no suspicion:
I consoled it, but it refused while there is no doubt
Others, not I, betray; other hearts, not mine, mistrust.
That another betrays, and another harbors suspicion
وَأَناand I الوَفِيُّthe loyal one إِذاwhen تَقَلَّبَchanges sides خائِنٌa traitor
وَأَنا الوَفِيُّ إِذا تَقَلَّبَ خائِنٌ
شَرُّthe worst الرِجالِof men الخائِنُthe traitor المُتَقَلِّبُthe fickle one
شَرُّ الرِجالِ الخائِنُ المُتَقَلِّبُ
And I am faithful when a traitor changes sides;
While I am the loyal one, when the betrayer changes
The worst of men is the fickle traitor.
The worst of men is the inconstant betrayer
لَمnot أَدرِI knew إِذwhen جُنَّfell الظَلامُdarkness أَلَوعَةٌwas it anguish?
لَم أَدرِ إِذ جُنَّ الظَلامُ أَلَوعَةٌ
بَينَwithin الحَشاthe breast أَمor ذاتُa creature bearing سُمٍّvenom تَلسَبُstings
بَينَ الحَشا أَم ذاتُ سُمٍّ تَلسَبُ
When darkness fell, I could not tell: was it anguish
I do not know, when the darkness gathered, was it a burning thirst
Within my breast, or a venomous creature stinging?
Among the gravel, or a venomous snake that creeps about?
فيin القَلبِthe heart مِنfrom مَضَضِthe bitter sting الهُمومِof cares مُثَقَّفٌa straightened spear
في القَلبِ مِن مَضَضِ الهُمومِ مُثَقَّفٌ
ماضٍpiercing وَمَكروهُand dreaded الضَريبَةِin its stroke أَشطَبُa grooved sword
ماضٍ وَمَكروهُ الضَريبَةِ أَشطَبُ
In my heart, from the bitter sting of cares, is a straightened spear,
In my heart, from the anguish of worries, is an expert
Piercing, and a grooved sword with a dreaded stroke.
In the past and hated misfortunes, a recorder
قُلsay لِلفَوارِسِto the horsemen وَالأَسِنَّةِand the spearheads وَالظُبىand the sword edges
قُل لِلفَوارِسِ وَالأَسِنَّةِ وَالظُبى
الهَمُّgrief أَطعَنُmore piercing فيinto القُلوبِhearts وَأَضرَبُand harder-striking
الهَمُّ أَطعَنُ في القُلوبِ وَأَضرَبُ
Tell the horsemen, the spearheads, and the sword edges:
Say to the horsemen, the swordsmen, and the young gazelles
Grief pierces hearts more deeply and strikes them harder.
Worry is the most piercing stab in hearts and the most penetrating
لَوif طارَit flew فيin الهَيجاءِbattle عَنfrom يَدِthe hand قاذِفٍof a thrower
لَو طارَ في الهَيجاءِ عَن يَدِ قاذِفٍ
ذابَwould melt الحَديدُiron لَهُbefore it وَريعَand would be terrified الأُسرُبُlead
ذابَ الحَديدُ لَهُ وَريعَ الأُسرُبُ
Were it hurled in battle from a thrower's hand,
If it flew in the air from the hand of a caster
Iron would melt before it, and lead would recoil in fear.
Iron would melt from it, and flocks take fright
حَربٌa war يَصُدُّturns away البَأسُvalor عَنfrom هَبَواتِهاits dust clouds
حَربٌ يَصُدُّ البَأسُ عَن هَبَواتِها
وَيَهابُand fears غَمرَتَهاits depths الكَمِيُّthe armored warrior المِحرَبُbattle-hardened
وَيَهابُ غَمرَتَها الكَمِيُّ المِحرَبُ
A war from whose dust even valor turns away,
War turns away its violence from its frenzies
And whose depths the armored, battle-hardened warrior fears.
And the unflinching warrior shrinks from its flood
ماnot الحَربُwar مَوقِعَةٌa battle يَطيحُfalls بِهاin it الفَتىthe young man
ما الحَربُ مَوقِعَةٌ يَطيحُ بِها الفَتى
الحَربُwar ماwhat يُشقيmakes wretched النُفوسَsouls وَيُنصِبُand exhausts
الحَربُ ما يُشقي النُفوسَ وَيُنصِبُ
War is not a battle in which a young man falls;
War is not an encounter in which the young man falls
War is what makes souls wretched and exhausts them.
War is that which makes souls miserable and erects
كَذَبَتlied ظِلالُthe shades السِلمِof peace كَمhow many مِنof وادِعٍthose at ease
كَذَبَت ظِلالُ السِلمِ كَم مِن وادِعٍ
فيهِنَّbeneath them يَرجوwishes لَوif only يُصابُhe be struck فَيُعطَبُand then perish
فيهِنَّ يَرجو لَو يُصابُ فَيُعطَبُ
The shades of peace lie: how many a man at ease
The shadows of peace have lied - how many who bid farewell
Beneath them longs to be struck and perish!
Hope in them that if they are struck they will be mended
ماnot العَيشُliving فيin ظِلِّthe shadow الهُمومِof cares بِنافِعٍof use
ما العَيشُ في ظِلِّ الهُمومِ بِنافِعٍ
المَوتُdeath أَنفَعُmore beneficial لِلحَزينِto the sorrowful وَأَطيَبُand sweeter
المَوتُ أَنفَعُ لِلحَزينِ وَأَطيَبُ
Life beneath the shadow of cares is of no use;
Life in the shadow of worries is not beneficial
Death is more helpful to the sorrowful, and sweeter.
Death is more beneficial for the grieved and more wholesome
رَيبُthe blows المنونِof death إِذاwhen الحَياةُlife تَنَكَّرَتturns hostile
رَيبُ المنونِ إِذا الحَياةُ تَنَكَّرَت
أَدنىnearer لِآمالِto the hopes النُفوسِof souls وَأَقرَبُand closer
أَدنى لِآمالِ النُفوسِ وَأَقرَبُ
The blows of death, when life turns hostile,
Fear of death, when life is hateful
Are nearer and closer to the hopes of souls.
Is nearest to the hopes of souls and most fitting
مِصرُEgypt الحَياةُlife وَحُبُّهاand love of it الشَرَفُthe honor الَّذيwhich
مِصرُ الحَياةُ وَحُبُّها الشَرَفُ الَّذي
بِطِرازِهِin its embroidery العاليlofty أُدِلُّI take pride وَأُعجَبُand marvel
بِطِرازِهِ العالي أُدِلُّ وَأُعجَبُ
Egypt is life, and love of it the honor
My stance on life and love of it is the nobility with which
In whose lofty embroidery I glory and marvel.
I am distinguished and made most wondrous
نَفسيmy soul وَماand whatever مَلَكتَpossessed يَدايَmy two hands لِأُمَّتيfor my nation
نَفسي وَما مَلَكتَ يَدايَ لِأُمَّتي
وَسَراةُand the noblest آبائيof my forefathers وَمَنand those whom أَناI مُنجِبُbeget as worthy offspring
وَسَراةُ آبائي وَمَن أَنا مُنجِبُ
My soul and all my hands possess belong to my nation,
My soul and what my hands possess belong to my nation
And my noble forefathers, and the worthy children I beget.
And the honorable ancestors from whom I originate
عَلَّمتُهُمI taught them حُبَّlove البِلادِof the homeland أَجِنَّةًas unborn children
عَلَّمتُهُم حُبَّ البِلادِ أَجِنَّةً
وَذَويand as wearers تَمائِمَof amulets يُنصِتونَthey listen وَأَخطُبُand I speak
وَذَوي تَمائِمَ يُنصِتونَ وَأَخطُبُ
I taught them love of the homeland while still unborn,
I taught them love of country as innate
And as children wearing amulets; they listen while I speak.
While those with protective charms listen as I speak
يَقضيfulfills سُلَيمانُSulayman المُبارَكُthe blessed حَقَّهاits due
يَقضي سُلَيمانُ المُبارَكُ حَقَّها
وَتَصونُand safeguards حُرمَتَهاits sanctity الرَضِيَّةُthe worthy زَينَبُZaynab
وَتَصونُ حُرمَتَها الرَضِيَّةُ زَينَبُ
Blessed Sulayman fulfills its due,
May Solomon the Blessed fulfil its due
And worthy Zaynab safeguards its sanctity.
And al-Radhiyya Zaynab preserve its sanctity
أَبُنَيَّO my little son إِنَّكَindeed you لِلبِلادِbelong to the homeland وَإِنَّهاand indeed it
أَبُنَيَّ إِنَّكَ لِلبِلادِ وَإِنَّها
لَكَfor you بَعدَafter والِدَكَyour father التُراثُthe inheritance الطَيِّبُgoodly
لَكَ بَعدَ والِدَكَ التُراثُ الطَيِّبُ
My little son, you belong to the homeland, and it
My son, you belong to the country and it
Is your goodly inheritance after your father.
Belongs to you, after your father, as worthy inheritance
شَمِّرtuck up إِزارَكَyour waistcloth إِنif نُدِبتَyou are summoned لِنَصرِهاto aid it
شَمِّر إِزارَكَ إِن نُدِبتَ لِنَصرِها
إِنَّindeed الكَريمَthe noble man لِمِثلِfor the like of ذَلِكَthat يُندَبُis summoned
إِنَّ الكَريمَ لِمِثلِ ذَلِكَ يُندَبُ
Tuck up your waistcloth if called to its defense;
Roll up your sleeves if you are called to its victory
The noble man is summoned for such deeds.
The generous man is indeed called to such
وَإِذاand if بُليتَyou are tried بِجاهِلٍby a fool يَستامُهاwho bids to buy it
وَإِذا بُليتَ بِجاهِلٍ يَستامُها
فَقُلِthen say المَنِيَّةُdeath دونَbefore ذَلِكَthat مَركَبُa mount
فَقُلِ المَنِيَّةُ دونَ ذَلِكَ مَركَبُ
And if you are tried by a fool who bids to buy it,
And if you are tested by an ignorant one who insults it
Then say: death is a mount to ride before that.
Say: death is preferable to that, a ship
مَهلاًhold on فَماfor not وَطَنيmy homeland الأَعَزُّdearest بِضاعَةٌmerchandise
مَهلاً فَما وَطَني الأَعَزُّ بِضاعَةٌ
تُزجىto be peddled وَلاnor قَوميmy people مَتاعٌwares يُجلَبُbrought to market
تُزجى وَلا قَومي مَتاعٌ يُجلَبُ
Hold! My dearest homeland is no merchandise
Stop! My most precious homeland is no merchandise
To be peddled, nor are my people wares to be brought to market.
To be bartered, nor are my people goods to be imported
أَمسِكhold back يَدَيكَyour two hands فَإِنَماfor only هِيَit صَفقَةٌa bargain
أَمسِك يَدَيكَ فَإِنَما هِيَ صَفقَةٌ
سوأىvile يُسَبُّis reviled بِهاbecause of it الكَريمُthe noble man وَيُثلَبُand defamed
سوأى يُسَبُّ بِها الكَريمُ وَيُثلَبُ
Hold back your hands: this is only a bargain,
Restrain yourself, for it is merely a deal
A vile one, that brings the noble man abuse and dishonor.
The generous man is insulted and stripped for it
ماnot شَقَّwas hard مَكروهُthe unpleasantness الأُمورِof affairs عَلىupon اِمرِئٍa man
ما شَقَّ مَكروهُ الأُمورِ عَلى اِمرِئٍ
إِلّاexcept وَتِلكَand that أَشَقُّharder مِنهُthan it وَأَصعَبُand more difficult
إِلّا وَتِلكَ أَشَقُّ مِنهُ وَأَصعَبُ
No grievous event has ever burdened a man
No adversity in affairs has afflicted a person
But that bargain is more burdensome and harder still.
Except that this is more adverse and difficult than it
وَلَقَدand indeed رَأَيتُI have seen مِنَof العَجائِبِwonders ماwhat كَفىsufficed
وَلَقَد رَأَيتُ مِنَ العَجائِبِ ما كَفى
فَإِذاthen behold الَّذيwhat مَنَّيتَyou promised نَفسَكَyourself أَعجَبُmore astonishing
فَإِذا الَّذي مَنَّيتَ نَفسَكَ أَعجَبُ
I have indeed seen wonders enough,
And indeed I have seen among wonders enough
Yet behold: what you promised yourself is stranger still.
That what you wished for yourself would be most wondrous
أَأَبيعُshall I sell? عَظمَthe bones أَبيof my father وَلحمَand the flesh عَشيرَتيof my kinsfolk
أَأَبيعُ عَظمَ أَبي وَلحمَ عَشيرَتي
المَجدُglory يَغضَبُgrows angry وَالمَروءَةُand chivalry تَعتِبُreproaches
المَجدُ يَغضَبُ وَالمَروءَةُ تَعتِبُ
Shall I sell my father's bones and my kinsfolk's flesh?
Shall I sell the bone of my father and flesh of my tribe?
Glory grows angry, and chivalry reproaches.
Glory is angered and manliness reproached
وَإِذاand when الفَتىthe young man المَغرورُdeluded باعَsells بِلادَهُhis country
وَإِذا الفَتى المَغرورُ باعَ بِلادَهُ
فَالمالُthen wealth مِنfrom أَعدائِهِhis enemies وَالمَنصِبُand office
فَالمالُ مِن أَعدائِهِ وَالمَنصِبُ
And when the deluded young man sells his country,
When the deluded young man sells his homeland
His wealth and office come from his enemies.
Wealth is from his enemies, and position
ماnot المَرءُa man إِلّاexcept قَومُهُhis people وَبِلادُهُand his country
ما المَرءُ إِلّا قَومُهُ وَبِلادُهُ
فَاِنظُرso look إِلىto أَيِّwhich المَواطِنِhomelands تُنسَبُyou belong
فَاِنظُر إِلى أَيِّ المَواطِنِ تُنسَبُ
A man is nothing but his people and his country;
A man is nothing but his nation and homeland
So look to which homeland you belong.
So look at which homelands you will be attributed
وَاِستَفتِand consult أَصداءَthe echoes القُبورِof the graves فَإِنَّهاfor indeed they
وَاِستَفتِ أَصداءَ القُبورِ فَإِنَّها
لَتَبينُsurely reveal عَنabout مَعنىthe meaning الحَياةِof life وَتُعرِبُand speak plainly
لَتَبينُ عَن مَعنى الحَياةِ وَتُعرِبُ
And ask the echoes of the graves, for they
And ask the echoes of tombs, for they
Surely reveal life's meaning and speak it plainly.
Make clear the meaning of life and explain
إِنَّindeed الرُفاتَmortal remains لَتَستَعِزُّsurely take pride بِأَرضِهاin their land
إِنَّ الرُفاتَ لَتَستَعِزُّ بِأَرضِها
وَثَرىand the soil البِلادِof the homeland إِلىto النُفوسِsouls مُحَبَّبُbeloved
وَثَرى البِلادِ إِلى النُفوسِ مُحَبَّبُ
Indeed, mortal remains take pride in their own soil;
Indeed the dead are proud of its soil
And the homeland's earth is dear to souls.
And a country's earth is beloved to souls
لَيسَnot التَعَصُّبُpartisanship لِلرِجالِfor men مَعَرَّةًa disgrace
لَيسَ التَعَصُّبُ لِلرِجالِ مَعَرَّةً
إِنَّindeed الكَريمَthe noble man لِقَومِهِfor his people يَتَعَصَّبُtakes sides
إِنَّ الكَريمَ لِقَومِهِ يَتَعَصَّبُ
Partisanship is no disgrace for men;
Zeal for men is no disgrace
The noble man takes his people's side.
The generous man has zeal for his nation
عَوِّدaccustom بَنيكَyour sons الخَيرَto goodness إِنَّindeed نُفوسَهُمtheir souls
عَوِّد بَنيكَ الخَيرَ إِنَّ نُفوسَهُم
صُحُفٌpages بِماwith whatever شاءَتwills يَمينُكَyour right hand تُكتَبُare written
صُحُفٌ بِما شاءَت يَمينُكَ تُكتَبُ
Train your sons in goodness, for their souls
Accustom your children to goodness, for their souls
Are pages written with whatever your right hand wills.
Are pages on which your right hand writes what it wills
ماnot لِلبَنينِfor sons مِنَof الخِلالِqualities سِوىexcept الَّذيwhat
ما لِلبَنينِ مِنَ الخِلالِ سِوى الَّذي
سَنَّتestablished لَهُمfor them أُمٌّa mother وَأَورَثَهُمand bequeathed to them أَبُa father
سَنَّت لَهُم أُمٌّ وَأَورَثَهُم أَبُ
Sons have no qualities beyond those
Children have no traits but those
A mother established for them and a father bequeathed.
A mother established for them, and a father bequeathed
لِلمَرءِfor a man مِنfrom شَرَفِthe honor العَشيرَةِof the clan زاجِرٌa restraint
لِلمَرءِ مِن شَرَفِ العَشيرَةِ زاجِرٌ
وَمِنَand from الخِلالِqualities الصالِحاتِworthy مُؤَدِّبُa tutor
وَمِنَ الخِلالِ الصالِحاتِ مُؤَدِّبُ
A man's clan honor supplies a restraint,
A person has from his clan's nobility a deterrent
And worthy traits supply a tutor.
And from good traits a nurturer
وَلِكُلِّand for every نَفسٍsoul فيin الحَياةِlife سَبيلُهاits path
وَلِكُلِّ نَفسٍ في الحَياةِ سَبيلُها
وَنَصيبُهاand its share مِمّاof what تَجُرُّit draws to itself وَتَكسِبُand earns
وَنَصيبُها مِمّا تَجُرُّ وَتَكسِبُ
Every soul has its own path in life,
And for each soul in life there is its path
And its share of what it draws to itself and earns.
And its share of what it earns and acquires
مِنamong أَنعُمِthe blessings التاريخِof history أَنَّthat حِسابَهُits reckoning
مِن أَنعُمِ التاريخِ أَنَّ حِسابَهُ
حَقٌّjust وَأَنand that قَضاءَهُits judgment لاnot يُشجَبُis condemned
حَقٌّ وَأَن قَضاءَهُ لا يُشجَبُ
Among history's blessings is that its reckoning
Among the favors of history is that its account
Is just, and its judgment cannot be condemned.
Is truth, and its decree cannot be rejected
تَقِفُstand الخَلائِقُall creatures تَحتَbeneath رايَةِthe banner عَدلِهِof its justice
تَقِفُ الخَلائِقُ تَحتَ رايَةِ عَدلِهِ
فَيُقامُthen is raised ميزانُthe balance الحُقوقِof rights وَيُنصَبُand set upright
فَيُقامُ ميزانُ الحُقوقِ وَيُنصَبُ
All creatures stand beneath the banner of its justice;
People stand under the banner of its justice
Then the balance of rights is raised and set upright.
So the scale of rights is erected and set up
فيin مَوقِفٍan assembly جَلَلٍmomentous تَجيشُsurge جُموعُهُits multitudes
في مَوقِفٍ جَلَلٍ تَجيشُ جُموعُهُ
فَيُداسُso is trampled فيهِthere مُتَوَّجٌa crowned one وَمُعَصَّبُand a turbaned one
فَيُداسُ فيهِ مُتَوَّجٌ وَمُعَصَّبُ
In a momentous assembly, its multitudes surge,
In a majestic stand, its masses surge
And crowned and turbaned men are trampled there.
And the crowned and the turbaned are trampled
مَلَكَhas mastered الزَمانَtime فَماso no لِعَصرٍan age has موئِلٌrefuge
مَلَكَ الزَمانَ فَما لِعَصرٍ موئِلٌ
يَحميهِthat protects it مِنهُfrom it وَماand no لِجيلٍa generation has مَهرَبُescape
يَحميهِ مِنهُ وَما لِجيلٍ مَهرَبُ
It has mastered time; no age has a refuge
It ruled time, so no era has a refuge
To shield it from history, nor has any generation an escape.
That will protect it from Him, nor does a generation have an escape
دَجَتِgrew dark الحَقائِقُtruths حِقبَةًfor an age ثُمَّthen اِنبَرىit stepped forth
دَجَتِ الحَقائِقُ حِقبَةً ثُمَّ اِنبَرى
فَتَبَلَّجَتso they shone forth وَاِنجابَand lifted عَنهاfrom them الغَيهَبُthe deep darkness
فَتَبَلَّجَت وَاِنجابَ عَنها الغَيهَبُ
Truths lay dark for an age; then it stepped forth,
Truths were obscured for a period, then arose
And they shone, and deep darkness lifted from them.
And dawned, and the unseen responded to it
ياO نيلُNile وَالموفونَand those keeping faith فيكَwith you قَلائِلٌfew
يا نيلُ وَالموفونَ فيكَ قَلائِلٌ
لَيتَwould that الذُعافَdeadly poison لِمَنfor whoever يَخونُكَbetrays you مَشرَبُa drink
لَيتَ الذُعافَ لِمَن يَخونُكَ مَشرَبُ
O Nile, those who keep faith with you are few;
O Nile, few are enshrouded in you
Would that deadly poison were the drink of those who betray you!
Would that thirst be the lot of one who betrays you as drink
أَيَخونُdoes he betray? عَهدَكَyour covenant غادِرٌa traitor فَيَضُمُّهُso it embraces him
أَيَخونُ عَهدَكَ غادِرٌ فَيَضُمُّهُ
ماwhat lies بَينَbetween جانِحَتَيكَyour two wings وادٍa valley مُخصِبُfertile
ما بَينَ جانِحَتَيكَ وادٍ مُخصِبُ
Does a traitor break your covenant, yet find himself embraced
Does a traitor violate your covenant, including it
By a fertile valley between your two wings?
Between your two banks, in a fertile valley?
قَتَلَkilled الوَفاءَloyalty فَماyet not غَضِبتَyou grew angry وَإِنَّماand only
قَتَلَ الوَفاءَ فَما غَضِبتَ وَإِنَّما
يَحميdefends الحَقيقَةَtruth مَنone who يَغارُfeels protective zeal وَيَغضَبُand grows angry
يَحمي الحَقيقَةَ مَن يَغارُ وَيَغضَبُ
He killed loyalty, but you did not grow angry; only
He killed loyalty, yet you were not angry, but rather
Those who feel protective zeal and anger defend truth.
He who envies and rages protects the truth
تَهَبُyou grant الحَياةَlife لَهُto him وَلَيسَand there is not لِقاتِلٍfor a murderer
تَهَبُ الحَياةَ لَهُ وَلَيسَ لِقاتِلٍ
فيunder غَيرِother than حُكمِكَyour rule مِنany حَياةٍlife توهَبُis granted
في غَيرِ حُكمِكَ مِن حَياةٍ توهَبُ
You grant him life, though no murderer
You grant life to him, yet there is no life for a killer
Is granted life under any rule but yours.
In your rule, that can be granted
أَولَعتَyou made enamored بِالغَدرِof treachery النُفوسَsouls وَغَرَّهاand deceived them
أَولَعتَ بِالغَدرِ النُفوسَ وَغَرَّها
أَمَلٌa hope يُخادِعُهاthat deceives them وَبَرقٌand lightning خُلَّبُdeceptive and rainless
أَمَلٌ يُخادِعُها وَبَرقٌ خُلَّبُ
You made souls enamored of treachery, and they were deceived
You have infatuated souls with treachery and deceived them
By hope that tricks them, and lightning without rain.
With a hope that dupes them and a delusive mirage
ماnot لِلحَقيقَةِfor truth مَنanyone who يُحاميdefends بَعدَafter ماthat
ما لِلحَقيقَةِ مَن يُحامي بَعدَ ما
وَهنَhas weakened الأَشَدُّthe strongest مِنَof الحُماةِthe guardians الأَصلَبُthe staunchest
وَهنَ الأَشَدُّ مِنَ الحُماةِ الأَصلَبُ
Truth has no one to defend it, now that
None remains to protect the truth after
The strongest, staunchest of its guardians has weakened.
The firmest of protectors has been weakened
سَلنيask me بِأَدواءِabout the ailments الشُعوبِof peoples فَإِنَّنيfor indeed I
سَلني بِأَدواءِ الشُعوبِ فَإِنَّني
طَبٌّa physician بِأَدواءِin the ailments الشُعوبِof peoples مُجَرِّبُexperienced
طَبٌّ بِأَدواءِ الشُعوبِ مُجَرِّبُ
Ask me about the ailments of peoples, for I
Send me the remedies of nations, for I
Am a practiced physician in the ailments of peoples.
Am a physician experienced in the remedies of nations
إِنَّindeed الشُعوبَpeoples إِذاwhen اِستَمَرَّcontinues جُثومُهاtheir crouching
إِنَّ الشُعوبَ إِذا اِستَمَرَّ جُثومُها
جَثَمَcrouches الرَدىdeath مِنfrom حَولِهاaround them يَتَرَقَّبُlying in wait
جَثَمَ الرَدى مِن حَولِها يَتَرَقَّبُ
Indeed, when peoples persist in crouching low,
When nations' stagnancy continues, degeneration lingers around them
Death crouches around them, lying in wait.
There is no cure for a nation
لَيسَnot الشِفاءُhealing بِزائِلٍdeparting عَنfrom أُمَّةٍa nation
لَيسَ الشِفاءُ بِزائِلٍ عَن أُمَّةٍ
حَتّىuntil يَزولَvanishes تَفَرُّقٌdivision وَتَحَزُّبُand factionalism
حَتّى يَزولَ تَفَرُّقٌ وَتَحَزُّبُ
Healing does not leave a nation
Until division and partisanship are gone
Until division and factionalism vanish.
Who will give me a people in experience, not the strong
مَنwho ليfor me بِشَعبٍwith a people فيin الكِنانَةِal-Kinanah لاnot القُوىthe forces
مَن لي بِشَعبٍ في الكِنانَةِ لا القُوى
تَنشَقُّsplit apart مِنهُfrom it وَلاnor الهَوىdesire يَتَشَعَّبُbranches apart
تَنشَقُّ مِنهُ وَلا الهَوى يَتَشَعَّبُ
Who will grant me a people in al-Kinanah whose forces do not
Splitting from it, nor desire branching into it
Split away from it, and whose desires do not branch apart?
United, seeking life as if it is
مُتَأَلِّبٌunited يَبغيseeking الحَياةَlife كَأَنَّهُas though it were
مُتَأَلِّبٌ يَبغي الحَياةَ كَأَنَّهُ
جَيشٌan army عَلىagainst أَعدائِهِits enemies يَتَأَلَّبُmustering
جَيشٌ عَلى أَعدائِهِ يَتَأَلَّبُ
United, seeking life, as though it were
An army pouncing on its enemies
An army mustering against its enemies.
God determines the lives of nations
اللَهُGod يقدِرُordains لِلشُعوبِfor peoples حَياتَهاtheir life
اللَهُ يقدِرُ لِلشُعوبِ حَياتَها
وَيُجيرُهاand shelters them مِمّاfrom what تَخافُthey fear وَتَرهَبُand dread
وَيُجيرُها مِمّا تَخافُ وَتَرهَبُ
God ordains life for peoples,
And protects them from what they fear and dread
And shelters them from what they fear and dread.
And when He decides on an affair, then for His decree
وَإِذاand when قَضىHe decrees أَمراًa matter فَلَيسَthen there is no لِحُكمِهِfor His judgment
وَإِذا قَضى أَمراً فَلَيسَ لِحُكمِهِ
بَينَamong المَمالِكِkingdoms وَالشُعوبِand peoples مُعَقَّبُone to overturn it
بَينَ المَمالِكِ وَالشُعوبِ مُعَقَّبُ
And when He decrees a thing, His judgment has no
Among kingdoms and nations there is no rescinder
One to overturn it among kingdoms and peoples.
Where are the working men? For it is only
أَينَwhere الرِجالُthe men العامِلونَwho act فَإِنَّماfor only
أَينَ الرِجالُ العامِلونَ فَإِنَّما
تَبقىendure المَمالِكُkingdoms بِالرِجالِthrough men وَتَذهَبُand pass away
تَبقى المَمالِكُ بِالرِجالِ وَتَذهَبُ
Where are the men of action? For it is only
Through men that kingdoms last and pass away
Through men that kingdoms endure and pass away.
Partial English translation: 159 of 160 Arabic lines translated.