كانَتthere was قُبَيلَshortly before العَصرِthe afternoon مَركَبَةٌa carriage
كانَت قُبَيلَ العَصرِ مَركَبَةٌ
تَجريruns بِمَنwith those who فيهاin it مِنَamong السَفرِthe travelers
تَجري بِمَن فيها مِنَ السَفرِ
Shortly before afternoon, there was a carriage
In the late afternoon a carriage
It was just before late afternoon, a carriage
running with the travelers it carried,
Carried its passengers on their journey
Was speeding along with its passengers,
ماwhat lies بَينَbetween مُنخَفِضa low place وَمُرتَفِعٍand a height
ما بَينَ مُنخَفِض وَمُرتَفِعٍ
عالlofty وَبَينَand between السَهلlevel ground وَالوَعرِand rugged terrain
عال وَبَينَ السَهل وَالوَعرِ
between low ground and a height
Through the ups and downs of hills
Traversing between the lowlands and the heights,
lofty, and between level ground and rugged terrain.
And between hard and easy terrain
Between the level plains and the rugged terrain,
وَتَخُطُّand traces بِالعَجَلاتِwith the wheels سائِرَةًwhile traveling
وَتَخُطُّ بِالعَجَلاتِ سائِرَةً
فيin الأَرضِthe earth إِسطاراwritten lines وَلاand not تَدريknows
في الأَرضِ إِسطارا وَلا تَدري
As it traveled, its wheels traced
Rolling smoothly on its wheels
Etching lines upon the earth with its wheels as it moved,
lines upon the earth, without its knowing.
Leaving tracks in the earth unaware
Inscribing rows, yet unaware of what it wrote.
كَتَبَتit wrote بِلاwithout حِبرink وَعَزَّand proved difficult عَلىfor
كَتَبَت بِلا حِبر وَعَزَّ عَلى
الأَقلامِthe pens حَرفٌa letter دونَwithout ماany حِبرِink
الأَقلامِ حَرفٌ دونَ ما حِبرِ
It wrote without ink; yet hard it is for
It wrote without ink, too hard
It wrote without ink, though it is rare for
pens to write a single letter without any ink.
For pens, letters without any ink
Pens to trace a letter lacking ink.
سَيّارَةٌa roving vehicle فيon الأَرضِthe earth ماnot فَتِأَتceased
سَيّارَةٌ في الأَرضِ ما فَتِأَت
كَالطَيرِlike a bird مِنfrom وَكرٍa nest إِلىto وَكرِa nest
كَالطَيرِ مِن وَكرٍ إِلى وَكرِ
Ever roaming the earth, it never ceased
A vehicle roaming the land restless
A vehicle roaming the earth, never ceasing,
to go like a bird from nest to nest.
Like a bird flitting from nest to nest
Like a bird flitting from nest to nest,
تَأبىrefuses وَتَأنَفُand disdains أَنthat يَلِمَّbefall بِهاit
تَأبى وَتَأنَفُ أَن يَلِمَّ بِها
تَعَبfatigue وَأَنand to تَشكوcomplain سِوىexcept الزَجرِurging cries
تَعَب وَأَن تَشكو سِوى الزَجرِ
It refused and disdained to be beset
Disdaining weariness or complaint
Refusing and disdaining to be touched by fatigue,
by fatigue, or to complain except of urging cries.
Except for the whip's strict urge
Or to complain of anything save the driver's urge.
حَمَلَتit carried مِنamong الرُكّابِthe passengers كُلَّevery فَتىًyoung man
حَمَلَت مِن الرُكّابِ كُلَّ فَتىً
حَسَنَhandsome الرُواءin appearance وَكُلَّand every ذيperson of قَدرِstanding
حَسَنَ الرُواء وَكُلَّ ذي قَدرِ
Among its passengers it carried every young man
Bearing youths, all fine and worthy
Carrying among its passengers every handsome youth
of handsome appearance, and everyone of standing.
Some speaking of hopes still ahead
Of fine appearance, and men of high standing.
يَتَحَدَّثونَthey converse فَذاكَso that one عَنabout أَمَلٍa hope
يَتَحَدَّثونَ فَذاكَ عَن أَمَلٍ
آتcoming وَذاand this one عَنabout سالِفِthe past of العُمرِlife
آت وَذا عَن سالِفِ العُمرِ
They talked: one about a hope
Others of life already passed
Conversations flowing, one speaking of a hope
to come, another about his past life.
Conversing as it glided on unswerving
To come, and another of days long past.
يَتَحَدَّثونthey converse وَتِلكَwhile that one سائِرَةٌtravels
يَتَحَدَّثون وَتِلكَ سائِرَةٌ
بِالقَومِwith the company لاnot تَلويturns aside عَلىfor أَمرِanything
بِالقَومِ لا تَلوي عَلى أَمرِ
They talked, while it traveled
As if it set a goal to meet the sun
They conversed while it carried the group onward,
with the company, turning aside for nothing.
Where it sinks while the land still glows
Heeding nothing else in its course,
فَكَأَنَّماso as though ضَرَبَتit set لَهاfor itself أَجَلاًa deadline
فَكَأَنَّما ضَرَبَت لَها أَجَلاً
أَنto تَلتَقيmeet وَالشَمسَwith the sun فيin خِدرِa secluded chamber
أَن تَلتَقي وَالشَمسَ في خِدرِ
It seemed to have set itself a deadline
Until when it reached the wilderness
As though it had appointed a fixed time
to meet the sun in a secluded chamber.
Stretching out yellowed at its edges
To meet the sun within its setting chamber.
حَتّىuntil إِذاwhen صارَتit arrived بِداحِيَةٍat an open plain
حَتّى إِذا صارَت بِداحِيَةٍ
مَمدودَةٍextended أَطرافَهاits edges صُفرِyellow
مَمدودَةٍ أَطرافَها صُفرِ
Until, when it reached an open plain
A wheel broke off and tumbled down
Until, upon reaching a vast, open wasteland
stretching far, its edges yellow,
Shattering a rock into splinters
Stretching out with desolate, yellowed horizons,
سَقَطَتfell مِنَfrom العَجَلاتِthe wheels واحِدَةٌone
سَقَطَت مِنَ العَجَلاتِ واحِدَةٌ
فَطَحَطَّمَتthen it shattered إِرَباًinto pieces عَلىupon الصَخرِthe rocks
فَطَحَطَّمَت إِرَباً عَلى الصَخرِ
one of its wheels fell off
The passengers grew uneasy, disturbed
One of the wheels detached and fell,
and shattered into pieces upon the rocks.
By the adversity they now faced
Shattering into fragments against the rock.
فَتَشاءَمَthen feared ill fortune الرُكّابthe passengers وَاِضطَرَبواand grew agitated
فَتَشاءَمَ الرُكّاب وَاِضطَرَبوا
مِمّاfrom what أَلَمَّbefell بِهِمthem مِنَof الضَرِّharm
مِمّا أَلَمَّ بِهِم مِنَ الضَرِّ
The passengers feared ill fortune and grew agitated
Scattered, their order now dispersed
The passengers were filled with dread and turmoil
by the harm that had befallen them.
How many patterns unravel into chaos!
At the calamity that had befallen them.
وَتَفَرَّقواand they dispersed بَعدَafter اِنتِظامِهِمِtheir orderly gathering
وَتَفَرَّقوا بَعدَ اِنتِظامِهِمِ
بَدَداin scattered groups وَكَمand how many نَظمٍordered arrangements إِلىinto نَثرِscattering
بَدَدا وَكَم نَظمٍ إِلى نَثرِ
They dispersed after being gathered together,
The sun poured out its rays to clothe
They scattered in disarray after being united,
scattered—how often order turns to dispersal!
The earth's surface in a coat of dust
For how often does order dissolve into chaos?
وَالشَمسُand the sun قَدhad سالَتstreamed أَشِعَّتُهاits rays
وَالشَمسُ قَد سالَت أَشِعَّتُها
تَكسوclothes أَديمَthe skin of الأَرضِthe earth بِالتِبرِin gold dust
تَكسو أَديمَ الأَرضِ بِالتِبرِ
The sun's rays had streamed forth,
The horizon glowed red as if
The sun poured forth its flowing rays,
clothing the earth's skin in gold dust.
Enraged at fate and passing days
Cladding the earth's surface in liquid gold.
وَالأُفقُand the horizon مُحمَرٌّreddened كَأَنَّas though بِهِwithin it
وَالأُفقُ مُحمَرٌّ كَأَنَّ بِهِ
حَنَقاًanger عَلىagainst الأَيّامthe days وَالدَهرِand time
حَنَقاً عَلى الأَيّام وَالدَهرِ
The horizon was red, as though it harbored
And the people's hearts perturbed
The horizon blushed red, as though harboring
anger against the days and time.
Were restless as if on hot coals
Rage against the passing days and fate itself.
وَالقَومُand the people واجِفَةٌtrembling قُلوبُهُمُtheir hearts
وَالقَومُ واجِفَةٌ قُلوبُهُمُ
قَلَقاًwith anxiety كَأَنَّهُمas though they عَلىupon الجَمرِlive coals
قَلَقاً كَأَنَّهُم عَلى الجَمرِ
The people's hearts were trembling
Among them a buxom maiden
The group stood with hearts trembling
with anxiety, as though they stood on live coals.
Alluring, with a witty tongue
In anxiety, as if standing upon hot coals.
قَدindeed كانَthere was بَينَamong الجَمعِthe company ناهِدَةُbudding
قَد كانَ بَينَ الجَمعِ ناهِدَةُ
الثَديَينِthe two breasts ذاتُpossessing مَلاحَةٍbeauty تُغريthat entices
الثَديَينِ ذاتُ مَلاحَةٍ تُغري
Among the company was a maiden with budding
Wept copious tears like a weakened vine
Among the crowd was a young maiden
breasts, endowed with alluring beauty.
As the sun sank in the west
Of blossoming beauty and captivating grace.
تَبكيshe weeps بُكاءَthe weeping of القانِطينthe despairing وَماand how
تَبكي بُكاءَ القانِطين وَما
أَسخىabundant دُموعَthe tears of الغادَةِthe graceful maiden البِكرِthe virgin
أَسخى دُموعَ الغادَةِ البِكرِ
She wept as the despairing weep—and how
Dropping pearls and petals of roses
Weeping the tears of the despairing; oh, how
freely flow a virgin maiden's tears!
Two suns - were it not for their bond -
Profusely flow the tears of a maiden unwed.
وَقَفَتshe stood وَشَمسُand the sun of الأُفقِthe horizon غارِبَةٌsetting
وَقَفَت وَشَمسُ الأُفقِ غارِبَةٌ
تَذريscatters عُلىًaloft كَالوَردِlike roses كَالقَطرِlike raindrops
تَذري عُلىً كَالوَردِ كَالقَطرِ
She stood while the sun on the horizon was setting,
Would not have wept for separation
She stood as the sun dipped below the horizon,
scattering aloft, like roses, like raindrops.
She turned her eyes in panic
Shedding tears like dew upon roses.
شَمسانَtwo suns لَولاwere it not أَنَّthat بَينَهُماbetween them
شَمسانَ لَولا أَنَّ بَينَهُما
صِلَةٌa bond لَمّاwould not بَكَتاthey both wept مِنَfrom الهَجرِparting
صِلَةٌ لَمّا بَكَتا مِنَ الهَجرِ
Two suns—had there not been between them
Like a startled gazelle in fright
Two suns they seemed; were it not for a bond
a bond, they would not have wept at parting.
When a youth like the dawn -
Between them, they would not weep at parting.
وَتُديرُand she turns عَنينَهاher two eyes عَلىin جَزَعٍpanic
وَتُديرُ عَنينَها عَلى جَزَعٍ
كَالظَبيِlike a gazelle مُلتَفِتاًlooking back مِنَfrom الذُعرِfright
كَالظَبيِ مُلتَفِتاً مِنَ الذُعرِ
She turned her eyes in panic,
Nay, he surpassed the dawn - approached
Turning her eyes about in sheer alarm,
like a gazelle looking back in fright.
And said: How strange! Why do you weep,
Like a gazelle glancing back in terror,
وَإِذاand suddenly فَتىًa young man كَالفَجرِlike dawn طَلعَتُهُhis countenance
وَإِذا فَتىً كَالفَجرِ طَلعَتُهُ
بَلrather رُبَّماperhaps أَربىsurpassed عَلىbeyond الفَجرِdawn
بَل رُبَّما أَربى عَلى الفَجرِ
And suddenly a young man, his countenance like dawn—
Moon-faced beauty?
When suddenly a youth appeared, bright as the dawn,
indeed, perhaps surpassing dawn—
She replied: I fear the night will trap me
Nay, perhaps surpassing the dawn in radiance.
وافىcame إِلَيهاto her قائِلاًsaying عَجَباًhow strange
وافى إِلَيها قائِلاً عَجَباً
مِمَّwhy البُكاءُthe weeping شَقيقَةَsister of البَدرِthe full moon
مِمَّ البُكاءُ شَقيقَةَ البَدرِ
came to her, saying: How strange!
How desolate is the darkness in this waste!
He approached her, asking in wonderment:
Why these tears, sister of the full moon?
What I dread most is my blood spilled
"Why do you weep, O sister of the full moon?"
قالَتshe said أَخافُI fear اللَيلَthe night يَدهَمُنيovertakes me
قالَت أَخافُ اللَيلَ يَدهَمُني
ماhow أَوحَشَdesolate الظَلماءِdarkness فيin القَفرِthe wilderness
ما أَوحَشَ الظَلماءِ في القَفرِ
She said: I fear night will descend upon me;
By the wicked traitor's villainous hand.
She replied, "I fear the night overtaking me;
how desolate is darkness in the wilderness!
Woe is me! Henry the accursed -
How desolate is the darkness in this wasteland."
وَأَشَدُّand the greatest ماwhat أَخشاهُI fear it سَفكُthe shedding of دَميmy blood
وَأَشَدُّ ما أَخشاهُ سَفكُ دَمي
بِيَدِby the hand of الأَثيمِthe sinful one اللِصِّthe thief ذيpossessor of الغَدرِtreachery
بِيَدِ الأَثيمِ اللِصِّ ذي الغَدرِ
What I fear most is the shedding of my blood
Though you know not - is the son of Death!
"And what I dread most is the spilling of my blood
by the sinful, treacherous thief,
He lies in ambush so no foot
At the hands of the sinful, treacherous thief."
هِنريHenry اللَعينthe accursed وَماand not الفَتىthe young man هِنريHenry
هِنري اللَعين وَما الفَتى هِنري
إِلّاexcept اِبنُthe son of أُمِّthe mother of المَوتِDeath لَوif تَدريyou knew
إِلّا اِبنُ أُمِّ المَوتِ لَو تَدري
Henry the accursed—and that young man Henry
Or breeze can pass by unopposed
"Henry the Accursed—and who is this Henry
is none but the son of Death's mother, if you knew.
My wretched fate! The road that leads
But the very son of Death itself, if you but knew?"
رَصَدَlay in wait for السَبيلَthe road فَماso not تَمُرُّpasses بِهِby him
رَصَدَ السَبيلَ فَما تَمُرُّ بِهِ
قَدَمa foot وَلاnor النَسَماتُthe breezes إِذas تَسريthey glide
قَدَم وَلا النَسَماتُ إِذ تَسري
He lies in wait on the road, and none passes him—
Me home lies in the grasp of the unworthy.
"He stalks this path, letting pass
not a foot, nor the breezes as they glide.
Truly I know my feet hurry me
Neither footstep nor the drifting breeze."
واalas شَقوَتيmy misery إِنَّindeed الطَريقَthe road إِلىto
وا شَقوَتي إِنَّ الطَريقَ إِلى
سَكَنيmy home عَلىpast مُستَحسَنِan admirer of النَكرِwickedness
سَكَني عَلى مُستَحسَنِ النَكرِ
Alas for my misery! The road to
Relentlessly towards my grave
"Oh, woe is me! For the road to my home
my home passes the admirer of wickedness.
The youth retorted: Do not despair!
Lies across this path of peril and dread."
إِنّيindeed I لَأَعلَمُcertainly know إِنَّماonly قَدَميmy foot
إِنّي لَأَعلَمُ إِنَّما قَدَمي
تَسعىhastens حَثيثاًswiftly بيwith me إِلىto القَبرِthe grave
تَسعى حَثيثاً بي إِلى القَبرِ
I know that my foot is only
Your fear will not avail you, pure one.
"And I know with certainty that my steps
hurrying me toward the grave.
Take courage and rely on me
Are hastening me towards the grave."
قالَsaid الفَتىthe youth هَيهاتِfar be it خَوفُكِyour fear لَنwill not
قالَ الفَتى هَيهاتِ خَوفُكِ لَن
يُجديكِhelp you شَيئاًanything رَبَّةَlady of الطُهرِpurity
يُجديكِ شَيئاً رَبَّةَ الطُهرِ
The youth said: Away with that! Your fear will not
For I will protect you from Henry.
The youth replied, "Nay! Your fear will not
help you at all, lady of purity.
She said: I fear to impose
Avail you anything, O mistress of purity."
فَتَشَجَّعيso take courage وَعَلَيَّand on me فَاِتَّكِليso rely
فَتَشَجَّعي وَعَلَيَّ فَاِتَّكِلي
فَأَناfor I am الَّذيthe one who يَحميكِprotects you مِنfrom هِنريHenry
فَأَنا الَّذي يَحميكِ مِن هِنري
So take courage, and rely on me,
On your delicate, tender youth.
"Take heart and place your trust in me,
for I am the one who will protect you from Henry.
But he assured her: Do not fret or doubt
For I am the one who shall shield you from Henry."
قالَتshe said أَخافُI fear مِنَfrom الخَأونِthe treacherous one عَلىfor
قالَت أَخافُ مِنَ الخَأونِ عَلى
هَذاthis الشَبابِyouth الناعِمِtender النَضرِradiant
هَذا الشَبابِ الناعِمِ النَضرِ
She said: I fear the treacherous man might harm
That I am confident of victory.
She said, "I fear what that traitor might do
this tender, radiant youth.
Reassured, the ship of the desert sailed on
To such tender, blooming youth as yours."
فَأَجابَهاso he answered her لاdo not تَجزَعيpanic وَثِقيand trust
فَأَجابَها لا تَجزَعي وَثِقي
أَنّيthat I عَلىin ثِقَةٍconfidence مِنَof النَصرِvictory
أَنّي عَلى ثِقَةٍ مِنَ النَصرِ
He answered her: Do not panic, and trust
As if untouched by any flaw
He answered, "Do not despair, but trust
that I am confident of victory.
And the restless night surged
That I am certain of my victory."
عادَتit resumed كَأَنas though لَمnot يَعرُهاbefall it خَلَلٌa defect
عادَت كَأَن لَم يَعرُها خَلَلٌ
تَخِدُcleaves القِفارَthe wilderness سَفينَةُthe ship of البَرِّthe land
تَخِدُ القِفارَ سَفينَةُ البَرِّ
It resumed, as though no defect had beset it,
Like the soul's turmoil in the heart
The ship of the desert returned to its course as if unharmed,
the ship of the land cleaving the wilderness.
As though hopes were boundless
Cutting across the wastelands once more.
وَاللَيلُand the night مُعتَكِرٌmurky يَجيشُsurges كَماas
وَاللَيلُ مُعتَكِرٌ يَجيشُ كَما
جاشَتsurged هُمومُthe sorrows of النَفسِthe soul فيwithin الصَدرِthe breast
جاشَت هُمومُ النَفسِ في الصَدرِ
The night was murky, surging as
And the sea rose and ebbed
The night was pitch-black, surging like
the soul's sorrows surge within the breast.
Its stars shone out
The tumultuous worries within a human breast.
فَكَأَنَّهُso as though it الآمالُthe hopes واسِعَةٌboundless
فَكَأَنَّهُ الآمالُ واسِعَةٌ
وَالبَحرُand the sea فيin مَدflood tide وَفيand in جَزرِebb tide
وَالبَحرُ في مَد وَفي جَزرِ
It seemed like hopes, boundless,
Gleaming pearls and brilliant jewels
Vast as boundless hopes, it seemed
and like the sea at flood and ebb.
The moon rose in spite of
Like the sea in its ebb and flow.
وَكَأَنَّand as though أَنجُمُهits stars وَقَدand indeed سَطَعَتshone
وَكَأَنَّ أَنجُمُه وَقَد سَطَعَت
دَمعُthe tears of الدَلالcoquetry وَناصِعُand pure white الدُرِّpearls
دَمعُ الدَلال وَناصِعُ الدُرِّ
Its stars, shining forth, seemed
Lofty clouds trying to hide its light
And its stars, shining forth, appeared
tears of coquetry and pure white pearls.
Shedding beams with the hue
Like tears of coquetry or brilliant pearls.
وَالبَدرُand the full moon أَسفَرَshone forth رُغمَdespite شامِخَةٍa towering height
وَالبَدرُ أَسفَرَ رُغمَ شامِخَةٍ
قَدhad حاوَلَتtried تَطويهِto enfold it كَالسِرِّlike a secret
قَد حاوَلَت تَطويهِ كَالسِرِّ
The full moon shone forth despite a towering height
Of smooth skin and lips' sheen
The full moon revealed its face, despite the towering clouds
that had tried to enfold it like a secret.
As if the fair one rose
That sought to hide it like a secret.
أَلقىcast أَشِعَّتُهُits rays فَكانَso there was لَهاto them
أَلقى أَشِعَّتُهُ فَكانَ لَها
لَونُthe hue of اللُجَينsilver وَلُؤلُؤُand the pearls of الثَغرِthe mouth
لَونُ اللُجَين وَلُؤلُؤُ الثَغرِ
It cast its rays, and they took on
From her bedchamber or a castle's doll
It cast its beams, possessing the hue
the hue of silver and the pearls of a mouth.
And the wings of darkness recoiled
Of silver and the luster of pearly teeth.
فَكَأَنَّهُso as though it الحَسناءُthe beautiful woman طالِعَةٌemerging
فَكَأَنَّهُ الحَسناءُ طالِعَةٌ
مِنfrom خِدرِهاher chamber أَوor دُميَةُa figurine of القَصرِthe palace
مِن خِدرِها أَو دُميَةُ القَصرِ
It seemed a beautiful woman emerging
In shame, while the moon revealed all
Looking like a beauty emerging from her boudoir,
from her chamber, or a palace figurine.
The paths were illuminated
Or a statue gracing a palace hall.
وَكَأَنَّماand as though جُنحُthe wing of الظَلامِdarkness جَنىcommitted
وَكَأَنَّما جُنحُ الظَلامِ جَنى
ذَنباًa sin فَجاءَso came البَدرُthe full moon كَالعُذرِlike an apology
ذَنباً فَجاءَ البَدرُ كَالعُذرِ
It seemed the wing of darkness had committed
For the mount, once vague as the sea
As if the wing of darkness had committed a sin,
a sin, and the full moon came as an apology.
Galloping like an arrow in flight
And the moon had come to offer apology.
وَضَحَتbecame clear مَسالِكُpaths لِلمَطِيَّةِto the mount قَدhad
وَضَحَت مَسالِكُ لِلمَطِيَّةِ قَد
كانَتbeen شَبيهَlike غَوامِضِthe mysteries of البَحرِthe sea
كانَت شَبيهَ غَوامِضِ البَحرِ
Paths became clear to the mount; they had
Or a phantom rushing on its way
The paths became clear for the carriage,
been like the sea's hidden mysteries.
While the riders reveled and rejoiced
Which had been as obscure as the depths of the sea.
فَغدَتso it became تُحاكيresembling السَهمَthe arrow مُنطَلِقاًlet fly
فَغدَت تُحاكي السَهمَ مُنطَلِقاً
فيin جَريِهاits running وَالطَيفَand the phantom إِذas يَسريit travels by night
في جَريِها وَالطَيفَ إِذ يَسري
So it came to resemble an arrow let fly,
Chanting the finest poetry
It began to rival a speeding arrow in its course,
in its running, and a phantom traveling by night.
Until when they reached a pass
Or a phantom passing in the night.
وَالقَومُand the company فيin لَهوdiversion وَفيand in طَرَبٍdelight
وَالقَومُ في لَهو وَفي طَرَبٍ
يَتَناشَدونَrecite to one another أَطايِبَthe finest of الشِعرِpoetry
يَتَناشَدونَ أَطايِبَ الشِعرِ
The company, in diversion and delight,
The mare halted, rousing from a stupor
The travelers were in mirth and joy,
recited to one another the finest poetry.
Lizette and her companion dismounted
Reciting to one another the finest verses.
حَتّىuntil إِذاwhen صارَتit arrived بِمُنعَرِجٍat a bend
حَتّى إِذا صارَت بِمُنعَرِجٍ
وَقَفَتit stopped كَمُنتَبِهٍlike one waking مِنَfrom السُكرِdrunkenness
وَقَفَت كَمُنتَبِهٍ مِنَ السُكرِ
Until, when it reached a bend,
Following afoot after the trail
Until, reaching a winding bend, it halted
it stopped like someone waking from drunkenness.
The excellent steed dashed off
Like one suddenly sobering from intoxication.
فَتَرَجَّلَتso she alighted ليزاLisa وَصاحِبَهاand her companion
فَتَرَجَّلَت ليزا وَصاحِبَها
وَمَشَتand she walked وَأَعقَبَهاand he followed her عَلىupon الأَثرِthe trail
وَمَشَت وَأَعقَبَها عَلى الأَثرِ
Then Lisa alighted with her companion;
Continuing its gallop and flight
Lisa dismounted with her companion;
she walked, and he followed in her tracks.
The beauty walked on, downcast
She walked on, and he followed in her footsteps.
وَاِستَأنَفَتand resumed تِلكَthat المَطِيَّةُmount ماwhat
وَاِستَأنَفَت تِلكَ المَطِيَّةُ ما
قَدhad كانَbeen مِنof كَرadvancing وَمِنand of فَرِّretreating
قَد كانَ مِن كَر وَمِن فَرِّ
And that mount resumed what
No rambling or arrogance remained
While the carriage resumed its struggle,
had been its advances and retreats.
Where could she ramble when assailed
Charging forward and retreating in turn.
مَشَتِwalked المَليحَةthe beautiful woman وَهيَwhile she was مُطرِقَةٌlowering her head
مَشَتِ المَليحَة وَهيَ مُطرِقَةٌ
ماnot ثَمَّthere مِنany تيهconceit وَلاnor كِبرِpride
ما ثَمَّ مِن تيه وَلا كِبرِ
The beautiful woman walked with her head lowered;
By cares, some as heavy as stone?
The beauty walked with head bowed low,
there was no conceit or pride.
She tasted no wine, mistaking it
With neither arrogance nor haughty pride.
أَنّىhow تَتيهbe conceited وَقَدwhen already أَناخَsettled بِهاupon her
أَنّى تَتيه وَقَد أَناخَ بِها
هَمsorrow وَبَعضُand some الهَمِّsorrow كَالوَقرِlike a heavy load
هَم وَبَعضُ الهَمِّ كَالوَقرِ
How could she be proud, when upon her had settled
For what gives joy when spirits burn low
How could she be proud, when worry burdened her?
sorrow—and some sorrow is like a heavy load?
In a forest whose twisting paths
For some cares weigh as heavy as lead.
لَمdid not تَحتَثيsip خَمراwine وَتَحسَبُهاand you think her
لَم تَحتَثي خَمرا وَتَحسَبُها
مِمّاfrom what بِهاafflicts her نَشوىdrunk مِنَwith الخَمرِwine
مِمّا بِها نَشوى مِنَ الخَمرِ
She had drunk no wine, yet you would think her,
Mimic its colors, folds and growth
She had tasted no wine, yet one would deem her
from what afflicted her, drunk with wine.
Winding paths widened just barely
Intoxicated, from the weight of her distress.
فيin غابَةٍa forest تَحكيresembling ذَوائِبَهاher tresses
في غابَةٍ تَحكي ذَوائِبَها
فيin لَونِهاits color وَاللَفand folding وَالنَشرِand unfurling
في لَونِها وَاللَف وَالنَشرِ
In a forest resembling her tresses
For the wolf and leopard to prowl
In a forest that mimicked her flowing tresses
in its color, its folding and unfurling,
As dark as the darkest night
In color, in tangles, and in spread.
ضاقَتwere dense ذَوائِبُهاits treetops فَماand not اِنفَرَجَتopened
ضاقَت ذَوائِبُها فَما اِنفَرَجَت
إِلّاexcept لِسَيرِfor the passage of الذِئبthe wolf وَالنَمرِand the leopard
إِلّا لِسَيرِ الذِئب وَالنَمرِ
its treetops were so dense they opened
Though many a night shines bright
Its branches were so thick they barely parted
only for the passage of wolf and leopard.
The shining moon contended with it
Save for the passage of the wolf and tiger.
كَاللَيلَةِlike the night اللَيلاءِpitch-black ساجِيَةًhushed
كَاللَيلَةِ اللَيلاءِ ساجِيَةً
وَلَرُبَّand many a لَيلٍnight ساطِعٍradiant غِرِّguileless
وَلَرُبَّ لَيلٍ ساطِعٍ غِرِّ
Hushed like a night of deepest darkness—
As the infidel contends unbelief
Dark and still as the gloomiest night,
though many a night is radiant and guileless.
It bent protectively over a gazelle
Though some nights are bright yet beguiling.
قَدhad حاوَلَattempted القَمَرُthe moon المُنيرُshining بِهاwithin it
قَد حاوَلَ القَمَرُ المُنيرُ بِها
ماwhat حاوَلَattempted الإيماُfaith فيamid الكُفرِunbelief
ما حاوَلَ الإيماُ في الكُفرِ
The shining moon had attempted within it
And wild cat - have you seen stranger bedfellows?
The bright moon struggled within that gloom,
what faith has attempted amid unbelief.
A falcon and pigeon - how bizarre
Like faith struggling against disbelief.
تَحنوbends tenderly عَلىover ظَبيa gazelle وَقَسوَرَةٍand a lion
تَحنو عَلى ظَبي وَقَسوَرَةٍ
أَرَأَيتُمُhave you seen سِرَّينِtwo secrets فيin صَدرِa breast
أَرَأَيتُمُ سِرَّينِ في صَدرِ
It bent tenderly over a gazelle and a lion—
The pigeon takes refuge with the falcon!
Enclosing a gazelle and a lion together;
have you seen two secrets in one breast?
Yet she escaped unharmed
Have you ever seen two such secrets in one breast?
صَقرa falcon وَوَرقاءand a gray dove وَمِنand of عَجَبٍwonder
صَقر وَوَرقاء وَمِن عَجَبٍ
أَنthat تَحتَميseeks refuge الوَرقاءُthe gray dove بِالصَقرِwith the falcon
أَن تَحتَمي الوَرقاءُ بِالصَقرِ
A falcon and a gray dove—and it is strange
Despite the evil in its nature
A falcon and a dove; and what a wonder
that the dove should seek refuge with the falcon!
She walked on, followed by one whose sins
That the dove seeks shelter with the falcon.
هَذاthis وَأَعجَبُand stranger أَنَّهاthat she سَلِمَتremained unharmed
هَذا وَأَعجَبُ أَنَّها سَلِمَت
مِنهُby him عَلىdespite ماwhat فيهِwithin him مِنof غَدرِtreachery
مِنهُ عَلى ما فيهِ مِن غَدرِ
This—and stranger still, she remained unharmed
And burdens were hardly minute
Yet stranger still, she remained unharmed
by him, despite the treachery within him.
Long was their trek, long their march
By him, despite his treacherous nature.
ظَلَّتshe kept تَسيرwalking وَظَلَّand he kept يَتبَعُهاfollowing her
ظَلَّت تَسير وَظَلَّ يَتبَعُها
ماnot نَمَّbetrayed مِنany إِثمsin وَلاnor وِزرِguilt
ما نَمَّ مِن إِثم وَلا وِزرِ
She kept walking, and he kept following her,
But the night is ever fleeting
She walked on, and he trailed behind
betraying no trace of sin or guilt.
When dawn broke, darkness lifted
With no hint of sin or wicked intent.
طالَgrew long الطَريقthe road وَطالَand grew long سَيرَهُماtheir journey
طالَ الطَريق وَطالَ سَيرَهُما
لَكِنَّbut عُمرَthe lifetime of اللَيلِthe night فيin قِصَرِshortening
لَكِنَّ عُمرَ اللَيلِ في قِصَرِ
The road was long, and long was their journey,
Like a veil, the land could be seen
The path was long, and long was their journey,
yet the night's lifetime was growing short.
The woods where she wandered
But the lifespan of the night was dwindling.
حَتّىuntil إِذاwhen سَفَرَunveiled itself الصَباحmorning وَقَدand had
حَتّى إِذا سَفَرَ الصَباح وَقَد
رُفِعَbeen lifted الظَلامdarkness وَكانَand it was كَالسِترِlike a curtain
رُفِعَ الظَلام وَكانَ كَالسِترِ
Until, when morning unveiled itself,
Were about to reveal her, shameless, to the river
Until the morning broke, unveiling its face
darkness had lifted—it had been like a curtain—
She turned to her companion, eyes brimming
And lifting the darkness like a heavy curtain.
وَالغابُand the forest أَوشَكَwas about أَنto يَبوحَreveal بِهاher
وَالغابُ أَوشَكَ أَن يَبوحَ بِها
وَبِهِand him بِلاwithout حَذَرٍreserve إِلىto النَهرِthe river
وَبِهِ بِلا حَذَرٍ إِلى النَهرِ
and the forest was about to reveal her
With magic, face blooming with joy
And the forest was about to yield them up
and him, without reserve, to the river,
And said: No danger remains
To the riverbank, unguarded and exposed.
نَظَرَتshe looked إِلَيهِat him بِمُقلَةٍwith an eye طَفَحَتbrimming
نَظَرَت إِلَيهِ بِمُقلَةٍ طَفَحَت
سِحراwith enchantment وَوَجهٍand a face فاضَoverflowing بَِلبِشرِwith gladness
سِحرا وَوَجهٍ فاضَ بَِلبِشرِ
she looked at him with an eye brimming
For us to fear or heed!
She gazed at him with eyes brimming with charm,
with enchantment, and a face overflowing with gladness.
See, dawn is about to wipe out
And a face radiant with joy.
قالَتshe said لَهُto him لَمnot ةَبقَremains مِنany خَطَرٍdanger
قالَت لَهُ لَم ةَبقَ مِن خَطَرٍ
جَمٍّgreat نُحاذِرُهwe beware of it وَلاnor نَذرِwarnings
جَمٍّ نُحاذِرُه وَلا نَذرِ
She said to him: Nothing remains of the danger,
The bright stars' glow
She said to him, "No great danger remains
the grave danger we feared, nor any ominous sign.
And I see it creeping into darkness -
For us to fear, nor any ill omen."
أُنظُرlook فَإِنَّfor indeed الصُبحَdawn أَوشَكَis about أَنto
أُنظُر فَإِنَّ الصُبحَ أَوشَكَ أَن
يَمحوerase ضِياءَthe light of الأَنجُمِthe stars الزُهرِshining
يَمحو ضِياءَ الأَنجُمِ الزُهرِ
Look: dawn is about to
Can this be the creep of gray in your hair?
"Look! The dawn is about to erase
erase the light of the shining stars.
I hear the birds' voices rise
The brilliance of the shining stars."
وَأَراهُand I see it دَبَّcrept إِلىinto الظَلامِdarkness فَهَلso is
وَأَراهُ دَبَّ إِلى الظَلامِ فَهَل
هَذاthis دَبيبُthe creeping of الشَيبِgrayness فيinto الشَعرِhair
هَذا دَبيبُ الشَيبِ في الشَعرِ
I see it creeping into darkness—is
Among the date palms, stray camels and lote trees.
"I see it creeping into the darkness; is this
this the creeping of grayness into hair?
The youth replied: Was I ever in danger?
Like the creeping of gray into dark hair?"
وَأَسمَعُand I hear فَأَصواتُfor the voices of الطُيورِthe birds عَلَتrose
وَأَسمَعُ فَأَصواتُ الطُيورِ عَلَت
بَينَamong النَقاthe dunes وَالضالand the wild lote trees وَالسِدرِand the lote trees
بَينَ النَقا وَالضال وَالسِدرِ
And I hear—the birds' voices have risen
She exclaimed: How strange! Do you not know?
"And listen! The voices of the birds have risen
among the dunes, the wild lote trees, and the lote trees.
So he told her: I was never in danger,
Amidst the dunes, the wild trees, and the lotus."
قالَsaid الفَتىthe youth أَوor كُنتُI was فيin خَطَرٍdanger
قالَ الفَتى أَو كُنتُ في خَطَرٍ
قالَتshe said لَهُto him عَجَباًhow strange أَلَمdid not تَدرِyou know
قالَت لَهُ عَجَباً أَلَم تَدرِ
The youth said: Or was I in danger?
For my companion was none but Henry!
The youth asked, "Were you then in danger?"
She said to him: How strange! Did you not know?
She recoiled in terror but he said:
She replied in wonder, "Did you not know?"
فَأَجابَهاso he answered her ماnot كانَwas فيin خَطَرٍdanger
فَأَجابَها ما كانَ في خَطَرٍ
مَنwhoever كانَwas صاحِبُهُhis companion الفَتىthe young man هَنريHenry
مَن كانَ صاحِبُهُ الفَتى هَنري
He answered her: No one was in danger
Do not panic; listen to my tale!
He answered her, "There was never danger for one
whose companion was the young man Henry.
I was never evil, nor am I
Who was accompanied by the youth Henry."
فَتَقَهقَرَتso she recoiled فَزَعاًin fright فَقالَso he said لَهاto her
فَتَقَهقَرَت فَزَعاً فَقالَ لَها
لاdo not تَهلَعيpanic وَاِصغيand listen إِلىto حُرِّa free man
لا تَهلَعي وَاِصغي إِلى حُرِّ
She recoiled in fright, and he said to her:
A man who finds evil pleasant
She recoiled in terror, but he said to her:
Do not panic; listen to a free man.
Rather I am an age that passes
"Do not fear, but listen to a free man's words."
ماnot كُنتُI was بِالشِرّيرِan evil man قَطever وَلاnor
ما كُنتُ بِالشِرّيرِ قَط وَلا
الرَجُلُthe man الَّذيwho يَرتاحُtakes pleasure لِلشَرِّin evil
الرَجُلُ الَّذي يَرتاحُ لِلشَرِّ
I have never been an evil man, nor
As ages have passed among men
"I was never wicked, nor was I ever
a man who takes pleasure in evil.
Indeed I brought danger to a band
A man who found pleasure in evil deeds."
لَكِنَّنيbut I am دَهرٌa fate يَجوزُovertakes عَلىupon
لَكِنَّني دَهرٌ يَجوزُ عَلى
دَهرٍa fate يَجوزُovertakes عَلىupon بَنيthe children of الدَهرِtime
دَهرٍ يَجوزُ عَلى بَني الدَهرِ
But I am a fate that overtakes
Itself dangerous to the helpless
"But I am a fate imposed upon fate,
a fate that overtakes the children of time.
They killed my father wrongfully
A destiny visited upon the sons of time."
بَلrather إِنَّنيindeed I am خَطَرٌa danger عَلىto فِأَةٍa band
بَل إِنَّني خَطَرٌ عَلى فِأَةٍ
مِنهاfrom it عَلىat خَطَرٍrisk ذَويthose with الضُرِّaffliction
مِنها عَلى خَطَرٍ ذَوي الضُرِّ
Rather, I am a danger to a band
So I killed them lawfully
"I am but a danger to a certain faction
from whom the afflicted are at risk.
To me, justice means its course should run
Who themselves are a danger to the weak."
قَتَلواthey killed أَبيmy father ظُلماًunjustly فَقَتَلتُهُمُso I killed them
قَتَلوا أَبي ظُلماً فَقَتَلتُهُمُ
عَدلjustly وَحَسبِيَand sufficient for me العَدلُjustice أَنthat يَجريprevail
عَدل وَحَسبِيَ العَدلُ أَن يَجري
They killed my father unjustly, so I killed them
No safety between them and me
"They killed my father unjustly, so I killed them in justice,
justly; it is enough for me that justice prevail.
No safety between wolf and rat
And it suffices me that justice be done."
لاno سِلمَpeace ماin what lies بَينيbetween me وَبَينَهُمُand them
لا سِلمَ ما بَيني وَبَينَهُمُ
لاno سِلمَpeace بَينَbetween الهِرthe cat وَالفَأرِand the mouse
لا سِلمَ بَينَ الهِر وَالفَأرِ
There is no peace between me and them,
They will see, in death, just vengeance
"There is no peace between me and them,
no peace between cat and mouse.
With none to intercede or prevent reprisal
Just as there is no peace between cat and mouse."
سَيَرَونَthey will see فيin المَوتِdeath مُنتَقِماًan avenger
سَيَرَونَ في المَوتِ مُنتَقِماً
لاno شافِعَintercessor فيin الأَخذِthe taking بِالثَأرِof vengeance
لا شافِعَ في الأَخذِ بِالثَأرِ
In death they will see an avenger,
By God, I never forgot you, Father!
"They shall see in death an avenger
no intercessor in the taking of vengeance.
Nor was placated for your murder
Who accepts no intercession in taking his due."
تَاللَهِby God ماnot أَنساكَI forget you ياO أَبَتيmy father
تَاللَهِ ما أَنساكَ يا أَبَتي
أَبَداever وَلاnor أُغضيturn a blind eye عَلىto الوِترِthe blood-debt
أَبَدا وَلا أُغضي عَلى الوِترِ
By God, I shall not forget you, Father,
She said: You have stirred my ardour
"By God, I shall never forget you, Father,
ever, nor overlook the blood-debt.
So I am yours, whatever my fate
Nor shall I rest until the debt is paid."
قالَتshe said لَقَدindeed هَيَّجتَyou stirred ليfor me شَجَناًsorrow
قالَت لَقَد هَيَّجتَ لي شَجَناً
فَإِلَيكَso to you ماwhat قَدhad كانَhappened مِنof أَمريmy affair
فَإِلَيكَ ما قَد كانَ مِن أَمري
She said: You have stirred sorrow in me;
The King summoned my father and brother
She said, "You have stirred a deep sorrow within me,
so hear what has happened to me.
Together to the palace
So listen now to the tale of my own plight."
بَعَثَsent المَليكُthe king إِلىto أَبيmy father فَمَضىso he went
بَعَثَ المَليكُ إِلى أَبي فَمَضى
وَأَخيand my brother مَعاًtogether تَوّاًimmediately إِلىto القَصرِthe palace
وَأَخي مَعاً تَوّاً إِلى القَصرِ
The king sent for my father, and off he went,
My father lies in his grave
"The King summoned my father, so he went
and my brother with him, straight to the palace.
My brother in prison's shackles
With my brother, straight to the palace."
فَإِذاand suddenly أَبيmy father فيin القَبرِthe grave مُرتَهَنٌheld fast
فَإِذا أَبي في القَبرِ مُرتَهَنٌ
وَإِذاand suddenly أَخيmy brother فيin رِبقَةِthe fetter of الأَسرِcaptivity
وَإِذا أَخي في رِبقَةِ الأَسرِ
And there was my father, held fast in the grave,
O my arms, you are severed!
"Then suddenly, my father was hostage to the grave,
and my brother in the fetters of captivity.
Time's betrayal deserves severance
And my brother in the shackles of captivity."
ياO ساعِدَيَّmy two arms بُتِرتُماyou both were severed وَيَدُand the hand of
يا ساعِدَيَّ بُتِرتُما وَيَدُ
الدَهرِtime الخَأونِtreacherous أَحَقُّmore deserving بَِلبَترِof severing
الدَهرِ الخَأونِ أَحَقُّ بَِلبَترِ
O my two arms, you have been severed—and the hand
My tusks and claws are blunted
"Oh, my two arms, you have been severed!
of treacherous time is more deserving of severing.
After you, with neither fang nor talon
Yet the hand of treacherous Fate deserved it more."
نابيmy fang وَظِفريand my claw بِتُّI was left بَعدَكُماafter you both
نابي وَظِفري بِتُّ بَعدَكُما
وَحديalone بِلاwithout نابa fang وَلاnor ظِفرِa claw
وَحدي بِلا ناب وَلا ظِفرِ
My fang and my claw, after you both I was left
Woe unto the injustice of time upon us!
"My fang and claw you were; without you
alone, without fang or claw.
And woe unto all who are fooled!
I am left alone, defenseless and weak."
وَيلاهُalas مِنfrom جورِthe injustice of الزَمانِtime بِناtoward us
وَيلاهُ مِن جورِ الزَمانِ بِنا
وَالوَيلُand woe مِنهُfrom it لِكُلِّto every مُغتَرِّdeluded person
وَالوَيلُ مِنهُ لِكُلِّ مُغتَرِّ
Alas for time's injustice toward us,
We are like death grazing
"Woe unto us from the cruelty of Time,
and woe from it to everyone deceived!
On our souls, ceaseless and persisting
And woe from it to all who are deceived."
وَكَأَنَّناand as though we وَالمَوتُand Death يَرتَعُgrazes فيin
وَكَأَنَّنا وَالمَوتُ يَرتَعُ في
أَرواحِناour souls مَرعىa pasture وَمُستَمريand a feaster
أَرواحِنا مَرعى وَمُستَمري
It is as though we and Death, grazing in
When she finished, wonderment seized him
"As if we are but a pasture for Death
our souls, were a pasture and its feasting grazer.
Bewildered, as if spellbound
Where it grazes upon our very souls."
لَمّاwhen اِنتَهَتshe finished وَإِذاand suddenly بِهِhe was دَهِشٌastonished
لَمّا اِنتَهَت وَإِذا بِهِ دَهِشٌ
حَيرانُbewildered كَالمَأخوذِlike one seized بِالسِحرِby magic
حَيرانُ كَالمَأخوذِ بِالسِحرِ
When she finished, there he was, astonished,
He wanted to speak but dumbness held him
When she finished, he stood there amazed,
bewildered, as though held by a spell.
Eloquence confined under duress
Bewildered, like one under a spell.
شاءَwanted الكَلامَspeech فَنالَهُso overtook him خَرَسٌmuteness
شاءَ الكَلامَ فَنالَهُ خَرَسٌ
كُلُّall البَلاغَةِeloquence تَحتَbeneath ذاthis الحَصرِspeechlessness
كُلُّ البَلاغَةِ تَحتَ ذا الحَصرِ
He wanted to speak, but muteness overtook him;
Just so, she was entranced
He sought to speak, but silence seized him,
all eloquence lies beneath such tongue-tied silence.
By her inclination for this strange youth
And all eloquence failed in that constraint.
وَكَذَلِكَand likewise الغَيداءُthe graceful maiden أَذهَلَهاdazed her
وَكَذَلِكَ الغَيداءُ أَذهَلَها
مَيلٌan inclination إِلىtoward هَذاthis الفَتىyouth الغِرِّguileless
مَيلٌ إِلى هَذا الفَتى الغِرِّ
And likewise the graceful maiden was dazed
Sister! she cried, drawing near to him
Likewise, the maiden was stunned
by an inclination toward this guileless youth.
With the wide-eyed gaze of joy
By a sudden pull toward this daring youth.
قالَتshe said أَخيmy brother وَاللَهby God وَاِقتَرَبَتand she approached
قالَت أَخي وَاللَه وَاِقتَرَبَت
تَرنوgazes إِلَيهِat him بِمُقلَةِwith the eye of العَفرِa pale gazelle
تَرنو إِلَيهِ بِمُقلَةِ العَفرِ
She said: My brother, by God! And she drew near,
And as he removed his cloak
She cried, "By God, my brother!" and drew near,
gazing at him with the eyes of a pale gazelle.
Concealment lifted to reveal all
Gazing at him with the eyes of a doe.
وَإِذاand suddenly بِهِhe أَلقىcast off عَباءَتَهُhis cloak
وَإِذا بِهِ أَلقى عَباءَتَهُ
بَرَحَdeparted الخَفاءُconcealment بِهاwith it عَنِfrom الجَهرِplain sight
بَرَحَ الخَفاءُ بِها عَنِ الجَهرِ
And suddenly he cast off his cloak,
Sister! Victor! My soul! My twin, my treasure!
And suddenly he cast aside his cloak,
and with it concealment departed, leaving him revealed.
They embraced and the youth wept for joy
Revealing the truth for all to see.
صاحَتshe cried أَخيmy brother فَِكتورُVictor واO طَرَبيmy joy
صاحَت أَخي فَِكتورُ وا طَرَبي
روحيmy soul شَقيقيmy brother مُهجَتيmy heart's blood ذُخريmy treasure
روحي شَقيقي مُهجَتي ذُخري
She cried: My brother Victor! Oh, my joy!
For steam is born of heat
She shouted, "My brother Victor! Oh, what joy!
My soul, my brother, my heart's blood, my treasure!
And down both cheeks tears fell
My soul, my kin, my heart's blood, my treasure!"
وَتَعانَقاand they both embraced فَبَكىso wept الفَتىthe youth فَرَحاًwith joy
وَتَعانَقا فَبَكى الفَتى فَرَحاً
إِنَّindeed البُخارَvapor نَتيجَةُthe product of الحَرِّheat
إِنَّ البُخارَ نَتيجَةُ الحَرِّ
They embraced, and the youth wept with joy;
Like drops atop flower buds
They embraced, and the youth wept for joy,
indeed, vapor is the product of heat.
Tell those who complain of fate:
For steam is but the product of the heat.
وَتَساقَطَتand fell فيupon الخَدِّthe cheek أَدمُعُهاher tears
وَتَساقَطَت في الخَدِّ أَدمُعُها
كَالقَطرِlike raindrops فَوقَupon نَواضِرِthe fresh blossoms of الزَهرِflowers
كَالقَطرِ فَوقَ نَواضِرِ الزَهرِ
Her tears fell upon her cheek
There must be sweet and bitter
And her tears fell upon his cheek
like raindrops upon fresh blossoms.
Show patience if faced with calamities
Like dew dropping onto fresh blossoms.
قُلsay لِلأُلىto those who يَشكونَcomplain of دَهرَهُمُtheir time
قُل لِلأُلى يَشكونَ دَهرَهُمُ
لاno بُدَّescape منfrom حُلوsweetness وَمِنand from مُرِّbitterness
لا بُدَّ من حُلو وَمِن مُرِّ
Tell those who complain of their time:
For hardship surely ends in ease
Say to those who complain of their fate:
There is no escaping sweetness and bitterness.
"There must be the sweet along with the bitter."
صَبراًpatience إِذاwhen جَلَلٌa grave calamity أَصابَكُمُbefalls you
صَبراً إِذا جَلَلٌ أَصابَكُمُ
فَالعُسرُfor hardship آخِرُهُits end إِلىtoward اليُسرِease
فَالعُسرُ آخِرُهُ إِلى اليُسرِ
Be patient when a great calamity strikes you,
"Have patience if calamity befalls you,
for hardship ends in ease.
For hardship leads, in the end, to ease."
Partial English translation: 185 of 188 Arabic lines translated.