نَسِيَ الطينُ ساعَةً أَنَّهُ طينٌ

نَسِيَ الطينُ ساعَةً أَنَّهُ طينٌ

حَقيرٌ فَصالَ تيها وَعَربَد

حَقيرٌ فَصالَ تيها وَعَربَد

Clay forgot for a moment that it was clay,

The clay forgot for a moment that it was just clay,

The clay forgot for a moment that it was only clay,

lowly clay, and swaggered in arrogance and ran riot.

So it strutted arrogantly and acted pompously.

Basely formed, yet it swaggered in arrogance and ran wild.

وَكَسى الخَزُّ جِسمَهُ فَتَباهى

وَكَسى الخَزُّ جِسمَهُ فَتَباهى

وَحَوى المالَ كيسُهُ فَتَمَرَّد

وَحَوى المالَ كيسُهُ فَتَمَرَّد

And silk clothed its body, so it boasted;

It clothed its body in silk, so it became conceited,

Fine silk clothed his body, so he strutted with boastfulness,

and its purse held money, so it rebelled.

And filled its purse with money, so it rebelled.

And his purse held wealth, so he turned rebellious.

يا أَخي لا تَمِل بِوَجهِكَ عَنّي

يا أَخي لا تَمِل بِوَجهِكَ عَنّي

ما أَنا فَحمَة وَلا أَنتَ فَرقَد

ما أَنا فَحمَة وَلا أَنتَ فَرقَد

My brother, do not turn your face away from me:

My brother, do not turn your face from me disdainfully,

O my brother, do not turn your face away from me in disdain;

I am no lump of coal, nor are you the star Farqad.

I am not just a lump, and you are not a precious gem.

I am not a lump of coal, nor are you a shining star.

أَنتَ لَم تَصنَعِ الحَريرَ الَّذي

أَنتَ لَم تَصنَعِ الحَريرَ الَّذي

تَلبَس وَاللُؤلُؤَ الَّذي تَتَقَلَّد

تَلبَس وَاللُؤلُؤَ الَّذي تَتَقَلَّد

You did not make the silk that

You did not weave the silk you wear,

You did not weave the silk that you wear,

you wear, nor the pearls you hang about your neck.

Nor string the pearls you flaunt.

Nor did you craft the pearls that adorn your neck.

أَنتَ لا تَأكُلُ النُضارَ إِذا جِع

أَنتَ لا تَأكُلُ النُضارَ إِذا جِع

ت وَلا تَشرَبُ الجُمانَ المُنَضَّد

ت وَلا تَشرَبُ الجُمانَ المُنَضَّد

You do not eat gold when you hunger,

When hungry, it's not succulent fruits you eat,

You do not consume gold when you hunger,

nor drink pearls strung in rows.

Nor do you drink vintage wines when thirsty.

Nor do you drink strings of pearls to quench your thirst.

أَنتَ في البُردَةِ المُوَشّاةِ مِثلي

أَنتَ في البُردَةِ المُوَشّاةِ مِثلي

في كِسائي الرَديمِ تَشقى وَتُسعَد

في كِسائي الرَديمِ تَشقى وَتُسعَد

You in your embroidered cloak are like me

In your coat of wool, you're just like me

You, in your embroidered cloak, are just like me,

in my threadbare garment: you suffer and are happy.

In my old clothes, suffering and feeling joy.

Wrapped in my tattered garment: we both suffer and find joy.

لَكَ في عالَمِ النَهارِ أَماني

لَكَ في عالَمِ النَهارِ أَماني

وَرُأى وَالظَلامُ فَوقَكَ مُمتَد

وَرُأى وَالظَلامُ فَوقَكَ مُمتَد

You have wishes in the world of daylight,

You have hopes and dreams in the world of light,

In the daylight world, you harbor hopes and visions,

and visions, with darkness stretching above you.

While darkness hangs over me.

While the darkness stretches vast above you.

وَلِقَلبي كَما لِقَلبِكَ أَحلا

وَلِقَلبي كَما لِقَلبِكَ أَحلا

مٌ حِسانٌ فَإِنَّهُ غَيرُ جَلمَد

مٌ حِسانٌ فَإِنَّهُ غَيرُ جَلمَد

And my heart, like yours, has dreams—

But my heart, like yours, has beautiful, tender dreams-

And my heart, just like yours, holds beautiful dreams;

beautiful ones, for it is not a stone.

For it is not rigid and hard.

For truly, it is not made of solid rock.

أَأَمانِيَّ كُلَّها مِن تُرابٍ

أَأَمانِيَّ كُلَّها مِن تُرابٍ

وَأَمانيكَ كُلَّها مِن عَسجَد

وَأَمانيكَ كُلَّها مِن عَسجَد

Are all my wishes made of dust,

My dreams are all made of dust,

Are all my hopes composed only of dust,

and all your wishes made of gold?

While yours are made of alabaster.

While all your desires are forged from gold?

وَأَمانِيَّ كُلُّها لِلتَلاشي

وَأَمانِيَّ كُلُّها لِلتَلاشي

وَأَمانيكَ لِلخُلودِ المُؤَكَّد

وَأَمانيكَ لِلخُلودِ المُؤَكَّد

And are all my wishes destined to vanish,

My dreams are bound to fade away,

Are my hopes destined to vanish into nothingness,

and yours destined for assured eternity?

While you expect yours to last forever.

While yours are guaranteed eternal life?

لا فَهَذي وَتِلكَ تَأتي وَتَمضي

لا فَهَذي وَتِلكَ تَأتي وَتَمضي

كَذَويها وَأَيُّ شَيءٍ يُؤَبَّد

كَذَويها وَأَيُّ شَيءٍ يُؤَبَّد

No: these and those come and go,

But neither will last, both will vanish,

No! Both yours and mine come and go alike,

like those who hold them; what thing lasts forever?

For what thing endures eternally?

Just like their owners; for what in this world lasts forever?

أَيُّها المُزدَهي إِذا مَسَّكَ السُقــ

أَيُّها المُزدَهي إِذا مَسَّكَ السُقــ

ـمُ أَلا تَشتَكي أَلا تَتَنَهَّد

ـمُ أَلا تَشتَكي أَلا تَتَنَهَّد

O vainglorious one, when sickness touches you,

You who are so arrogant - when misfortune strikes you,

O you who boast! When sickness strikes your frame,

do you not complain, do you not sigh?

Won't you complain? Won't you moan?

Do you not complain? Do you not heave heavy sighs?

وَإِذا راعَكَ الحَبيبُ بِهَجرٍ

وَإِذا راعَكَ الحَبيبُ بِهَجرٍ

وَدَعَتكَ الذِكرى أَلا تَتَوَجَّد

وَدَعَتكَ الذِكرى أَلا تَتَوَجَّد

And when your beloved distresses you by forsaking you,

And when your lover abandons you,

And if your beloved terrifies you with desertion,

and memory calls you, do you not ache with longing?

Won't memory's call make you burn?

And memories summon you, do you not ache with longing?

أَنتَ مِثلي يَبَشُّ وَجهُكَ لِلنُعمى

أَنتَ مِثلي يَبَشُّ وَجهُكَ لِلنُعمى

وَفي حالَةِ المَصيبَةِ يَكمَد

وَفي حالَةِ المَصيبَةِ يَكمَد

You are like me: your face beams at good fortune,

Like me, your face beams when life is kind,

You are like me: your face brightens at blessings,

and darkens in times of calamity.

And in times of sorrow, it withers.

And in times of calamity, it turns dark with grief.

أَدُموعي خِل وَدَمعُكَ شَهدٌ

أَدُموعي خِل وَدَمعُكَ شَهدٌ

وَبُكائي زُل وَنَوحُكَ سُؤدُد

وَبُكائي زُل وَنَوحُكَ سُؤدُد

Are my tears vinegar and your tears honey,

My tears are vinegar while yours are honey,

Are my tears vinegar, while your tears are honey?

and my weeping humiliation, but your lamentation nobility?

My weeping is cheap, while yours is precious.

Is my weeping a humiliation, while your wailing is glory?

وَاِبتِسامي السَرابُ لا رَيَّ فيهِ

وَاِبتِسامي السَرابُ لا رَيَّ فيهِ

وَاِبتِساماتُكَ اللَآلي الخَرَّد

وَاِبتِساماتُكَ اللَآلي الخَرَّد

And is my smile a mirage that quenches no thirst,

My smile is a mirage, containing no water,

Is my smile a dry mirage that offers no water,

while your smiles are unpierced pearls?

While your smiles are shimmering pearls.

While your smiles are pristine, unpierced pearls?

فَلَكٌ واحِدٌ يُظِلُّ كِلَينا

فَلَكٌ واحِدٌ يُظِلُّ كِلَينا

حارَ طَرفي بِه وَطَرفُكَ أَرمَد

حارَ طَرفي بِه وَطَرفُكَ أَرمَد

One firmament shelters us both;

The same sun shades us both,

A single firmament shades the both of us,

my gaze is bewildered by it, while your eye is inflamed.

Scorching my eyes while yours go blind.

Where my gaze wanders in wonder, and yours is bleary with ailment.

قَمَرٌ واحِدٌ يُطِلُّ عَلَينا

قَمَرٌ واحِدٌ يُطِلُّ عَلَينا

وَعَلى الكوخ وَالبِناءِ المُوَطَّد

وَعَلى الكوخ وَالبِناءِ المُوَطَّد

One moon looks down on us,

The same moon looms over us,

A single moon looks down upon us both,

and on the hut and the firmly founded building.

On cottage and castle both it shines.

Upon the humble hut and the fortified palace alike.

إِن يَكُن مُشرِقاً لِعَينَيكَ إِنّي

إِن يَكُن مُشرِقاً لِعَينَيكَ إِنّي

لا أَراهُ مِن كُوَّةِ الكوخِ أَسوَد

لا أَراهُ مِن كُوَّةِ الكوخِ أَسوَد

If it is radiant to your eyes, I

If to your eyes its light is radiant,

If it shines brightly for your eyes, I assure you,

do not see it black through the hut's window.

To me, from my hut, it appears black.

I do not see it as black from the window of my hut.

النُجومُ الَّتي تَراها أَراها

النُجومُ الَّتي تَراها أَراها

حينَ تَخفى وَعِندَما تَتَوَقَّد

حينَ تَخفى وَعِندَما تَتَوَقَّد

The stars you see, I see,

The stars you see, I also see,

The very stars you behold, I behold as well,

when they are hidden and when they blaze.

When they fade, and when they glow bright.

Both when they vanish and when they blaze with light.

لَستَ أَدنى عَلى غِناكَ إِلَيها

لَستَ أَدنى عَلى غِناكَ إِلَيها

وَأَنا مَعَ خَصاصَتي لَستُ أُبعَد

وَأَنا مَعَ خَصاصَتي لَستُ أُبعَد

Despite your wealth, you are no nearer to them,

You are not nearer to them though wealthy,

You are no closer to them, despite your wealth,

and despite my poverty, I am no farther.

While I, though deprived, am not far.

Nor am I, in my poverty, any further away.

أَنتَ مِثلي مِنَ الثَرى وَإِلَيهِ

أَنتَ مِثلي مِنَ الثَرى وَإِلَيهِ

فَلِماذا يا صاحِبي التيه وَالصَد

فَلِماذا يا صاحِبي التيه وَالصَد

You, like me, are from the earth and return to it;

You and I both come from dust, and back to dust

You are like me: from the soil you came, and to it you return;

so why, my friend, this arrogance and rejection?

We will return, my friend- So why the aloofness and rebuff?

So why, my friend, this arrogance and this turning away?

كُنتَ طِفلاً إِذ كُنتُ طِفلا وَتَغدو

كُنتَ طِفلاً إِذ كُنتُ طِفلا وَتَغدو

حينَ أَغدو شَيخاً كَبيراً أَدرَد

حينَ أَغدو شَيخاً كَبيراً أَدرَد

You were a child when I was a child, and you will be,

As infants we were peers, and as bent old men,

You were a child when I was a child, and you shall become,

when I become an old man, aged and toothless.

We will be equal, quavering side by side.

When I do, an old man, toothless and withered.

لَستُ أَدري مِن أَينَ جِئت وَلا ما

لَستُ أَدري مِن أَينَ جِئت وَلا ما

كُنتُ أَو ما أَكونُ يا صاحِ في غَد

كُنتُ أَو ما أَكونُ يا صاحِ في غَد

I do not know where I came from, nor what

I do not know where I came from, what I was,

I do not know from where I came, nor what

I was or what I shall be tomorrow, my friend.

Or what I will be tomorrow, O friend!

I was, or what I shall become tomorrow, my friend.

أَفَتَدري إِذَن فَخَبِّر وَإِلّا

أَفَتَدري إِذَن فَخَبِّر وَإِلّا

فَلِماذا تَظُنُّ أَنَّكَ أَوحَد

فَلِماذا تَظُنُّ أَنَّكَ أَوحَد

Do you know, then? Tell me; otherwise,

Do you know? Then enlighten me! If not,

Do you know, then? Tell me! And if not,

why do you think yourself peerless?

Why do you assume you are matchless?

Why do you presume that you are singular and supreme?

أَلَكَ القَصرُ دونَهُ الحَرَسُ الشا

أَلَكَ القَصرُ دونَهُ الحَرَسُ الشا

كي وَمِن حَولِهِ الجِدارُ المُشَيَّد

كي وَمِن حَولِهِ الجِدارُ المُشَيَّد

Is the palace yours, with armed guards before it,

Does the palace belong to you, guarded by soldiers,

Is the palace yours, guarded by armed sentries,

and a lofty wall surrounding it?

Surrounded by walls you have built?

And surrounded by high, fortified walls?

فَاِمنَعِ اللَيلَ أَن يَمُدَّ رَواقاً

فَاِمنَعِ اللَيلَ أَن يَمُدَّ رَواقاً

فَوقَه وَالضَبابَ أَن يَتَلَبَّد

فَوقَه وَالضَبابَ أَن يَتَلَبَّد

Then stop the night from spreading a canopy

Then forbid the night to cast its veil upon it,

Then forbid the night from spreading its canopy

over it, and the fog from gathering thickly.

And mist to wrap round its heights!

Over your towers, and stop the fog from gathering thick.

وَاِنظُرِ النورَ كَيفَ يَدخُلُ لا يَط

وَاِنظُرِ النورَ كَيفَ يَدخُلُ لا يَط

لُبُ أُذناً فَما لَهُ لَيسَ يُطرَد

لُبُ أُذناً فَما لَهُ لَيسَ يُطرَد

And see how the light enters without asking

See how the light enters without asking permission -

And observe the light: how it enters without asking

permission—why is it not driven out?

It does not even knock, yet is not turned away.

For permission; see how it cannot be expelled.

مرقَدٌ واحِدٌ نَصيبُكَ مِنهُ

مرقَدٌ واحِدٌ نَصيبُكَ مِنهُ

أَفَتَدري كَم فيكَ لِلذَرِّ مَرقَد

أَفَتَدري كَم فيكَ لِلذَرِّ مَرقَد

One bed is your share of it;

One grave is all that will be your share and mine -

One sleeping spot is your share of that vast space;

do you know how many beds for ants are within you?

Do you know how much of it will be yours?

Yet do you know how many specks of dust find a bed within you?

ذُدتَني عَنه وَالعَواصِفُ تَعدو

ذُدتَني عَنه وَالعَواصِفُ تَعدو

في طِلابي وَالجَوُّ أَقتَمَ أَربَد

في طِلابي وَالجَوُّ أَقتَمَ أَربَد

You drove me away from it, while storms raced

You denied me shelter when storms raged

You drove me from your door while storms raged,

in pursuit of me, and the sky was dust-darkened and ash-gray.

And I sought refuge, while the sky darkened and grew cold.

Pursuing me, while the sky was dark and ashen.

بَينَما الكَلبُ واجِدٌ فيهِ مَأوىً

بَينَما الكَلبُ واجِدٌ فيهِ مَأوىً

وَطَعاما وَالهُرُّ كَالكَلبِ يُرفَد

وَطَعاما وَالهُرُّ كَالكَلبِ يُرفَد

While the dog finds shelter there

Yet the dog finds shelter there, and food,

Yet the dog finds a shelter within your walls,

and food, and the cat, like the dog, is provided for.

While the donkey, like the dog, is given fodder.

And food; and the cat, like the dog, is fed.

فَسَمِعتُ الحَياةَ تَضحَكُ مِنّي

فَسَمِعتُ الحَياةَ تَضحَكُ مِنّي

أَتَرَجّى مِنك وَتَأبى وَتُجحِد

أَتَرَجّى مِنك وَتَأبى وَتُجحِد

Then I heard life laughing at me,

So I heard life laughing at me

Then I heard Life laughing at my plight:

as I begged of you and you refused and withheld.

As I hoped in you, and you refused and rejected me.

That I beg from you, while you refuse and deny.

أَلَكَ الرَوضَةُ الجَميلَةُ فيها

أَلَكَ الرَوضَةُ الجَميلَةُ فيها

الماء وَالطَير وَالأَزاهِر وَالنَد

الماء وَالطَير وَالأَزاهِر وَالنَد

Is the beautiful garden yours, containing

Does that lovely garden belong to you,

Do you own the beautiful garden, wherein lie

water, birds, blossoms, and perfume?

With its water, birds and blooming flowers?

The water, the birds, the flowers, and the dew?

فَاِزجِرِ الريحَ أَن تَهُز وَتَلوي

فَاِزجِرِ الريحَ أَن تَهُز وَتَلوي

شَجَرَ الرَوضِ إِنَهُ يَتَأَوَّد

شَجَرَ الرَوضِ إِنَهُ يَتَأَوَّد

Then forbid the wind to shake and twist

Then restrain the wind from shaking and twisting

Then rebuke the wind! Forbid it from shaking

the garden's trees: they sway.

The trees - for it makes them sway.

And twisting the garden trees, which bend under its force.

وَاِلجُمِ الماءَ في الغَدير وَمُرهُ

وَاِلجُمِ الماءَ في الغَدير وَمُرهُ

لا يُصَفِّق إِلّا وَأَنتَ بِمَشهَد

لا يُصَفِّق إِلّا وَأَنتَ بِمَشهَد

And bridle the water in the pool, and command it

And calm the water in the pond, order it

Bridle the water in the pool, and command it

not to clap unless you are present.

Not to ripple except when you are present.

Not to ripple with applause unless you are watching.

إِنَّ طَيرَ الأَراكِ لَيسَ يُبالي

إِنَّ طَيرَ الأَراكِ لَيسَ يُبالي

أَنتَ أَصغَيتَ أَم أَنا إِن غَرَّد

أَنتَ أَصغَيتَ أَم أَنا إِن غَرَّد

The birds of the arak trees do not care

The birds will not care if you or I listen

The bird of the Arak tree pays no mind,

whether you listen or I, when they sing.

When they sing - they will warble on unimpeded.

Whether you listen or I, when it sings its song.

وَالأَزاهيرُ لَيسَ تَسخَرُ مِن فَق

وَالأَزاهيرُ لَيسَ تَسخَرُ مِن فَق

ري وَلا فيكَ لِلغِنى تَتَوَدَّد

ري وَلا فيكَ لِلغِنى تَتَوَدَّد

And the flowers do not mock my poverty,

And the flowers will not mock my poverty,

The flowers do not mock my poverty,

nor court you for your wealth.

Nor fawn over you for your wealth.

Nor do they court your favor because of your wealth.

أَلَكَ النَهرُ إِنَّهُ لِلنَسيمِ الرَط

أَلَكَ النَهرُ إِنَّهُ لِلنَسيمِ الرَط

بِ دَرب وَلِلعَصافيرِ مَورِد

بِ دَرب وَلِلعَصافيرِ مَورِد

Is the river yours? It is, for the moist breeze,

Does the river belong to you? It is a path

Is the river yours? No, it is a path for the moist breeze,

a path, and for sparrows a watering place.

For the gentle breeze, and home to the birds.

And a watering place for the sparrows.

وَهوَ لِلشُهبِ تَستَحِمُّ بِهِ في الصَي

وَهوَ لِلشُهبِ تَستَحِمُّ بِهِ في الصَي

فِ لَيلاً كَأَنَّها تَتَبَرَّد

فِ لَيلاً كَأَنَّها تَتَبَرَّد

And it is for the stars that bathe in it in summer,

At night the gray hairs bathe in it, seeming

It belongs to the stars that bathe in it on summer

at night, as though cooling themselves.

To turn even colder in its chilly water.

Nights, as though seeking to cool their heat.

تَدَّعيهِ فَهَل بِأَمرِكَ تَجري

تَدَّعيهِ فَهَل بِأَمرِكَ تَجري

في عُروقِ الأَشجارِ أَو يَتَجَعَّد

في عُروقِ الأَشجارِ أَو يَتَجَعَّد

You claim it; does it flow at your command

You claim it is yours - but does it flow

You claim it, but is it by your command that sap flows

through the veins of trees, or ripple?

In the veins of trees by your command?

In the veins of trees, or that the water ripples?

كانَ مِن قَبلُ أَن تَجيء وَتَمضي

كانَ مِن قَبلُ أَن تَجيء وَتَمضي

وَهوَ باقٍ في الأَرضِ لِلجَزر وَالمَد

وَهوَ باقٍ في الأَرضِ لِلجَزر وَالمَد

It existed before your coming and going,

It was here before you came and will remain

It was here before you arrived, and it shall remain after you leave,

and remains on earth for ebb and flow.

After you go, ebbing and flowing as always.

Enduring upon the earth for the ebb and the flow.

أَلَكَ الحَقلُ هَذِهِ النَحلُ تَجني

أَلَكَ الحَقلُ هَذِهِ النَحلُ تَجني

الشَهدَ مِن زَهرِه وَلا تَتَرَدَّد

الشَهدَ مِن زَهرِه وَلا تَتَرَدَّد

Is the field yours? These bees gather

Do you own these fields? The bees gather

Is the field yours? Look at these bees gathering

honey from its flowers without hesitation.

Nectar from their flowers, freely wandering.

Nectar from its blooms without hesitation.

وَأَرى لِلنِمالِ مُلكاً كَبيراً

وَأَرى لِلنِمالِ مُلكاً كَبيراً

قَد بَنَتهُ بِالكَدحِ فيه وَبِالكَد

قَد بَنَتهُ بِالكَدحِ فيه وَبِالكَد

And I see a vast kingdom belonging to the ants,

I see the ants have a vast kingdom

And I see the ants possessing a vast kingdom there,

which they have built there with labor and toil.

They built with toil, with sweat and labor.

Which they built with toil and ceaseless labor.

أَنتَ في شَرعِها دَخيلٌ عَلى الحَق

أَنتَ في شَرعِها دَخيلٌ عَلى الحَق

ل وَلِصٌّ جَنى عَلَيها فَأَفسَد

ل وَلِصٌّ جَنى عَلَيها فَأَفسَد

By their law, you are an intruder upon the field,

You are a trespasser in their land, a thief

By their laws, you are but an intruder in the field,

and a thief who wronged them and caused ruin.

Who has ravaged it, leaving destruction in your wake.

And a thief who has trespassed and caused ruin.

لَو مَلَكتَ الحُقولَ في الأَرضِ طُرّاً

لَو مَلَكتَ الحُقولَ في الأَرضِ طُرّاً

لَم تَكُن مِن فَراشَةِ الحَقلِ أَسعَد

لَم تَكُن مِن فَراشَةِ الحَقلِ أَسعَد

Even if you owned every field on earth,

If you owned all the fields on earth, by force,

Even if you owned every field upon the earth,

you would be no happier than the field's butterfly.

You would not be happier than a meadow butterfly.

You would not be happier than the butterfly of the field.

أَجَميلٌ ما أَنتَ أَبهى مِنَ الوَر

أَجَميلٌ ما أَنتَ أَبهى مِنَ الوَر

دَةِ ذاتِ الشَذى وَلا أَنتَ أَجوَد

دَةِ ذاتِ الشَذى وَلا أَنتَ أَجوَد

Are you beautiful? You are no lovelier than the rose

Are you more beautiful than the rose, more fragrant?

Are you beautiful? You are not more splendid than the rose,

with its fragrance, nor are you more generous.

Are you more generous, more bountiful?

With its fragrance, nor are you more generous.

أَم عَزيز وَلِلبَعوضَةِ مِن خَدَّي

أَم عَزيز وَلِلبَعوضَةِ مِن خَدَّي

كَ قوت وَفي يَدَيكَ المُهَنَّد

كَ قوت وَفي يَدَيكَ المُهَنَّد

Or mighty? A mosquito feeds on your cheeks,

Or are you mighty? The gnat draws nourishment

Or are you mighty? Yet the mosquito finds food

though an Indian-steel sword is in your hands.

From your cheeks, and your hands cannot drive it away.

Upon your cheek, even while you hold a sword.

أَم غَنِيٌّ هَيهاتِ تَختالُ لَولا

أَم غَنِيٌّ هَيهاتِ تَختالُ لَولا

دودَةُ القَزِّ بِالحَباءِ المُبَجَّد

دودَةُ القَزِّ بِالحَباءِ المُبَجَّد

Or rich? Hardly! You could not swagger, but for

Or are you wealthy? Never! You swagger only

Or are you rich? Impossible! You would not strut

the silkworm, in its gift of striped cloth.

Because the lowly worm spins for you silk robes.

Were it not for the silkworm weaving your striped robes.

أَم قَوِيٌّ إِذَن مُرِ النَومَ إِذ يَغـ

أَم قَوِيٌّ إِذَن مُرِ النَومَ إِذ يَغـ

ـشاك وَاللَيلُ عَن جُفونِكَ يَرتَد

ـشاك وَاللَيلُ عَن جُفونِكَ يَرتَد

Or strong? Then command sleep, when it overtakes you,

Or are you powerful? Then command sleep

Or are you strong? Then command sleep, when it overtakes

and night to retreat from your eyelids.

To leave you, and drive old age from your temples.

Your eyes, to depart and leave your eyelids be.

وَاِمنَعِ الشَيبَ أَن يَلِمَّ بِفَو

وَاِمنَعِ الشَيبَ أَن يَلِمَّ بِفَو

دَيك وَمُر تَلبُثِ النَضارَةُ في الخَد

دَيك وَمُر تَلبُثِ النَضارَةُ في الخَد

And prevent gray hair from touching your temples,

Are you all knowing? What is that fancy

And forbid gray hair from touching your temples,

and command youthful bloom to linger in your cheek.

Which steals through your mind in the depth of night?

And command youth to remain eternal in your cheek.

أَعَليمٌ فَما الخَيالُ الَّذي يَطـ

أَعَليمٌ فَما الخَيالُ الَّذي يَطـ

ـرُقُ لَيلاً في أَيِّ دُنيا يولَد

ـرُقُ لَيلاً في أَيِّ دُنيا يولَد

Are you learned? What is the vision that visits

What is this life you discern, then loses sight of?

Are you all-knowing? Then what is the imagination that visits

by night? In what world is it born?

What is this time you blame, then sing praise of?

By night—in what world is it born?

ما الحَياةُ الَّتي تَبين وَتَخفى

ما الحَياةُ الَّتي تَبين وَتَخفى

ما الزَمانُ الَّذي يُذَم وَيُحمَد

ما الزَمانُ الَّذي يُذَم وَيُحمَد

What is life, which appears and disappears?

O clay! You are not purer or loftier

What is this life that appears and then vanishes?

What is time, which is blamed and praised?

Than dust I trample or use as a pillow.

What is this time that is cursed and praised?

أَيُّها الطينُ لَستَ أَنقى وَأَسمى

أَيُّها الطينُ لَستَ أَنقى وَأَسمى

مِن تُرابٍ تَدوسُ أَو تَتَوَسَّد

مِن تُرابٍ تَدوسُ أَو تَتَوَسَّد

O clay, you are no purer or loftier

whether you crumble or do not crumble, still

O clay! You are no purer and no more sublime

than the dust you tread upon or use as a pillow.

You are but a driven slave, a subjugated thing.

Than the dirt you tread upon or rest your head against.

سُدتَ أَو لَم رَسُد فَما أَنتَ إِلّا

سُدتَ أَو لَم رَسُد فَما أَنتَ إِلّا

حَيَوانٌ مُسَيَّرٌ مُستَعبَد

حَيَوانٌ مُسَيَّرٌ مُستَعبَد

Whether you rule or not, you are nothing but

Any palace you build will someday decay,

Whether you ruled or did not rule, you are nothing but

an animal, controlled and enslaved.

Any robe you weave will one day unravel.

A creature directed by fate, enslaved by circumstance.

إِنَّ قَصراً سَمَكتُهُ سَوفَ يَندَكُّ

إِنَّ قَصراً سَمَكتُهُ سَوفَ يَندَكُّ

وَثَوباً حَبَكتَهُ سَوفَ يَنقَد

وَثَوباً حَبَكتَهُ سَوفَ يَنقَد

Indeed, a palace I have raised will crumble,

Do not let your heart become a home for strife -

The palace you raised high shall surely crumble,

and a garment you have woven will unravel.

My heart has become a temple for the beloved.

And the robe you wove shall surely be torn apart.

لا يَكُن لِلخِصامِ قَلبَكَ مَأوىً

لا يَكُن لِلخِصامِ قَلبَكَ مَأوىً

إِنَّ قَلبي لِلحَبيبِ أَصبَحَ مَعبَد

إِنَّ قَلبي لِلحَبيبِ أَصبَحَ مَعبَد

Let your heart be no refuge for strife;

I have more right to love than you, am worthier of it

Do not let your heart become a shelter for enmity;

my heart has become a temple for the beloved.

Than a garment which wears out or wealth which dwindles.

For my heart has become a temple for the beloved.

أَنا أَولى بِالحُبِّ مِنك وَأَحرى

أَنا أَولى بِالحُبِّ مِنك وَأَحرى

مِن كِساءٍ يَبلى وَمالٍ يَنفَد

مِن كِساءٍ يَبلى وَمالٍ يَنفَد

I have a greater claim to your love, and am worthier of it,

I am more worthy of your love, and more deserving,

than a garment that wears out and wealth that runs out.

Than a garment that wears out and wealth that fades away.