عُجturn aside بالحِمىto the sanctuary ياO راكِبَrider of الوَجناءِthe sturdy she-camel
عُج بالحِمى يا راكِبَ الوَجناءِ
فعَساكَso perhaps you تُحييrevive مَيّتَone dead among الأَحياءِthe living
فعَساكَ تُحيي مَيّتَ الأَحياءِ
Turn aside to the sanctuary, O rider of the sturdy she-camel,
Rouse thy steed worn with travel, rider,
For perhaps you may revive one dead among the living.
That thou mayest revive the dead-alive,
واقراand convey السلامَgreetings أُهَيلَdear inhabitants of ذَيَّاكَthat yonder الحِمىsanctuary
واقرا السلامَ أُهَيلَ ذَيَّاكَ الحِمى
عَنّيfrom me فإِنيfor I عنfrom حماهمtheir sanctuary ناءِam distant
عَنّي فإِني عن حماهم ناءِ
Convey greetings to the dear inhabitants of that sanctuary
And hail peace on my dear native land's folk,
From me, for I am far from their refuge.
Whence I am debarred; I hail those far.
إنif كنتَyou are تجهَلُdo not know مربعيmy dwelling فاِعشُوthen seek the glow إلىof
إن كنتَ تجهَلُ مربعي فاِعشُو إلى
نارٍa fire تُشَبُّkindled بزَفرَةِby a sigh الصُعَداءِdeep
نارٍ تُشَبُّ بزَفرَةِ الصُعَداءِ
If you do not know my dwelling, seek the glow of
If thou know not my square direct thy course
A fire kindled by a deep sigh.
To a fire whose blaze is the hill-tops' light.
أوor كَنتَyou are تجهَلَdo not know فيwithin الحِمىthe sanctuary أَرجاءَهمtheir quarters
أو كَنتَ تجهَلَ في الحِمى أَرجاءَهم
يهديكَguides you منهاfrom them تضوُّعُthe wafting of الأَرجاءِfragrances
يهديكَ منها تضوُّعُ الأَرجاءِ
Or if you do not know their quarters within the sanctuary,
If thou know not the breadth of this my stead,
The wafting fragrances from them will guide you.
The spreading lines of abandoned hearths will guide.
فأَنِخthen make your camel kneel بهاتيكَat those الرُبوعِabodes ولاand do not تقُلsay
فأَنِخ بهاتيكَ الرُبوعِ ولا تقُل
أَرَجُthe fragrance of النسيمthe breeze سَرىdrifted منfrom الزَوراءِal-Zawra
أَرَجُ النسيم سَرى من الزَوراءِ
Make your camel kneel at those abodes, and do not say:
Water thy beasts at those farms, nor say
The breeze's fragrance drifted from al-Zawra.
"The morn-breeze blows fresh from the hills."
فَسَقىso may it water ديارَthe dwellings of أحبَّتيmy loved ones صَوبُthe downpour of الحياrain
فَسَقى ديارَ أحبَّتي صَوبُ الحيا
بلrather أدمعيmy tears تُغنيsuffice عنinstead of الأنواءِthe rain-bearing stars
بل أدمعي تُغني عن الأنواءِ
May the downpour water my loved ones' dwellings;
Nay, my tears have watered the abodes of my loved ones,
Rather, my tears suffice instead of the rain-bearing stars.
My tears suffice when rains fail.
عَجباًhow wondrous لقلبٍa heart that سارَtraveled بينamong رِحالِهمtheir baggage
عَجباً لقلبٍ سارَ بين رِحالِهم
فكأنَّهُas though it were صاعُthe measuring cup of العَزيزِal-Aziz الرائيthe seer
فكأنَّهُ صاعُ العَزيزِ الرائي
How wondrous, a heart that traveled among their baggage!
A marvel that a heart roamed among their dwellings,
As though it were the measuring cup of al-Aziz, the seer.
As though it were the cup of the noble seer!
فغدوتso I became صُفرَempty of القَلبِheart بلrather صُفرَempty of الحشاthe inward parts
فغدوت صُفرَ القَلبِ بل صُفرَ الحشا
بلrather صُفرَbereft of رَبعٍan abode كانthere was فيهwithin it عَزائيmy solace
بل صُفرَ رَبعٍ كان فيه عَزائي
Thus I became empty of heart, indeed empty within,
So that my heart turned as yellow as saffron -- nay, as the bleach of constant tears.
And bereft of an abode where my solace lay.
O Dwellers in the Jordan's valley, have mercy on him
ياO ساكنيdwellers of الأُردُنِّJordan رِفقاًgentleness بالذيtoward the one who
يا ساكني الأُردُنِّ رِفقاً بالذي
لمnever يدعُcalled upon يوماًonce ساكنيthe dwellers of البطحاءِal-Batha
لم يدعُ يوماً ساكني البطحاءِ
O dwellers of Jordan, be gentle with one
Who forgot not a day the Sandy Hollow's denizens.
Who never once called upon the dwellers of al-Batha.
I have 'midst you all a secreted tear that sleepeth,
ليI have فيكمُfor you دمعٌtears يَنِمُّbetraying بسِرِّكُمyour secret
لي فيكمُ دمعٌ يَنِمُّ بسِرِّكُم
أبداًforever تكفكفهُwipes them away يدthe hand of البُرَحاءanguish
أبداً تكفكفهُ يد البُرَحاء
For you I have tears that betray your secret,
Which the hand of misery awakens time and tide.
Forever wiped away by the hand of anguish.
His sighs have kindled the burned-out hearths,
قدindeed أوقدتhave kindled زفراتُهhis sighs نارَthe fire of القِرىhospitality
قد أوقدت زفراتُه نارَ القِرى
فلذاكfor that reason تَعشوهاseek its glow ذووthose possessed of الأَهواءِpassions
فلذاك تَعشوها ذوو الأَهواءِ
His sighs have kindled the fire of hospitality;
Wherefore the passionate love their ruins.
Thus those possessed by passion seek its glow.
He sighed till his youth like morn drave towards westering
صَبٌّa passionate lover صباinclined نحوtoward الصَبابةِlonging والصِباand youth
صَبٌّ صبا نحو الصَبابةِ والصِبا
فصبابتيthus my longing منfrom صَبوتيmy infatuation وصِبائيand my youth
فصبابتي من صَبوتي وصِبائي
A lover inclined toward longing and youth:
And his ripening was mingled with his ripening sighs.
My longing springs from my infatuation and my youth.
Lo! the fire which burnt in Babel town
هاتيكمُthat yonder النارfire التيwhich فيin بابلٍBabylon
هاتيكمُ النار التي في بابلٍ
قدindeed أوقِدَتwas kindled منfrom جُذوَةِan ember of الأِحشاءِthe inward parts
قد أوقِدَت من جُذوَةِ الأِحشاءِ
That fire which burns in Babylon
Was kindled from the glow of his hot sighs.
Was kindled from an ember of the inward parts.
Had not my tears harmonized on your land
لولاwere it not for انسجامُthe streaming of مدامعيmy tears فيat سَفحكمyour slopes
لولا انسجامُ مدامعي في سَفحكم
لقَضَيتI would have perished عندamid تحرُّقيmy burning وبَلائيand my affliction
لقَضَيت عند تحرُّقي وبَلائي
Were it not for my tears streaming at your slopes,
I had died of anguish, of misery.
I would have perished in my burning and affliction.
O heart, why wert thou not cloven amid their ships
ياO قَلبِmy heart هلّاwhy did you not جُزتَcross فيin سُفُنthe ships of الحشاthe inward parts
يا قَلبِ هلّا جُزتَ في سُفُن الحشا
بحراًa sea طماthat swelled منfrom عَبرَتيmy tears وبكائيand my weeping
بحراً طما من عَبرَتي وبكائي
O heart, why did you not cross, in the inward parts' ships,
A sea cleft by my misery and tears!
A sea swollen by my tears and weeping?
Nay I forsook thee for one to whom passion
بلrather طِرتyou flew واO أسفاalas عليكfor you لغائلٍtoward a lurking harm
بل طِرت وا أسفا عليك لغائلٍ
يعروكbefalls you عندat مَواقعِthe occasions of الإيماءِbeckoning
يعروك عند مَواقعِ الإيماءِ
Instead you flew—alas for you!—toward a lurking harm
Exposes thee to all pit-falls of desire.
That befalls you wherever beckoning gestures occur.
Towards my dear native land and sweet companions,
نحوَtoward الدِيارِthe abodes دِيارِthe abodes of عَقدِthe binding of أليَّتيmy oath
نحوَ الدِيارِ دِيارِ عَقدِ أليَّتي
بِهِمِto them وَحلَّand the loosening of مآزِريmy waist-wraps وحِبائيand my knee-bands
بِهِمِ وَحلَّ مآزِري وحِبائي
Toward the abodes, the abodes where I bound my oath
In it were knit the twisted strands of my affection!
To them, and loosened my waist-wraps and knee-bands.
Farewell to the homesteads of my beloved!
منيfrom me السلامُgreetings علىupon رُبوعthe abodes of أحبَّتيmy loved ones
مني السلامُ على رُبوع أحبَّتي
متأَلِّقاًgleaming بسواطعِwith radiant flashes of اللألاءِbrilliance
متأَلِّقاً بسواطعِ اللألاءِ
From me, greetings upon my loved ones' abodes,
With a lustrous incandescent farewell!
Gleaming with radiant flashes of brilliance.
Waft, morning-breeze, from me the softest airs,
خذtake ياO نسيمَbreeze of الصُبحِmorning عنيfrom me أنعُماًblessings
خذ يا نسيمَ الصُبحِ عني أنعُماً
إنif كُنتَyou are ممَّنamong those who يَرتَضيare pleased ببَقائيby my survival
إن كُنتَ ممَّن يَرتَضي ببَقائي
Take my blessings, O morning breeze,
If thou of them approves my dwelling there.
If you are among those pleased by my remaining alive,
Towards the pure maid, the ensample to mankind,
نحوَtoward البتولthe Virgin الطُهرِthe pure مِنهاجthe path of الورىhumankind
نحوَ البتول الطُهرِ مِنهاج الورى
مَنshe who خُصِّصَتwas singled out بالنَجمَةِby the star الغرّاءِradiant
مَن خُصِّصَت بالنَجمَةِ الغرّاءِ
Toward the pure Virgin, the path of humankind,
She graced with the scintillating brilliant star.
She who was singled out by the radiant star.
Then spread thy wings over what I confided to thee,
وانشُرand unfold بِمَرِّكَas you pass طيَّthe folds of ماwhat استُودِعتَهُwas entrusted to you
وانشُر بِمَرِّكَ طيَّ ما استُودِعتَهُ
منfrom مُغرَمٍa lovesick one دَنِفٍailing كئيبٍsorrowful ناءِdistant
من مُغرَمٍ دَنِفٍ كئيبٍ ناءِ
As you pass, unfold what was entrusted to you
From a love-distracted woeful doleful wight,
By a lovesick, ailing, sorrowful, distant one.
And say "Peace be with thee!" to the one for whom
وقُلand say السلامُpeace عليكِupon you منfrom صَبٍّa passionate lover غداwho has become
وقُل السلامُ عليكِ من صَبٍّ غدا
يحنوbends أضالعهُhis ribs عنaway from الرَمضاءِthe scorching ground
يحنو أضالعهُ عن الرَمضاءِ
Say: Peace be upon you from a lover who has come
My soul yearns westwards, to the place of eve.
To bend his ribs away from the scorching ground.
Could I display my misery she would see --
لوif كانit were يُمكِنُpossible أنto يُريكِshow you ضَناءَهُhis wasting sickness
لو كان يُمكِنُ أن يُريكِ ضَناءَهُ
لأَراكِhe would show you لكنbut ليسَhe is not بالمُتَرائيone who appears
لأَراكِ لكن ليسَ بالمُتَرائي
If he could show you his wasting sickness,
But no vainglory enters into my intent.
He would show you, but he does not appear.
Hearken to the voice of his moaning to recognize
أصغِيlisten لصوتto the sound of أنينهِhis moaning كيso that تعرفيyou may know
أصغِي لصوت أنينهِ كي تعرفي
منfrom صوتِهhis voice ماwhat فيهِwithin him منof بَلواءِaffliction
من صوتِه ما فيهِ من بَلواءِ
Listen to the sound of his moaning, that you may know
What he is suffering from, by his voice's tone.
From his voice the affliction within him.
This is the voice whose rapt invocation
هذاthis هوis الصوتُthe voice الذيwith which يَدعوhe calls بهِwith it
هذا هو الصوتُ الذي يَدعو بهِ
جَهراًaloud وذاكand that بَمريمinvoking Mary العَذراءِthe Virgin
جَهراً وذاك بَمريم العَذراءِ
This is the voice with which he calls
Is addressed to Mary the pure maid.
Aloud, invoking Mary the Virgin:
Thou Daughter of princes, nay of the
ياO إِبنةَdaughter of الكُبَراءِthe great بلrather ياO إِبنَةَdaughter of الthe (continued)
يا إِبنةَ الكُبَراءِ بل يا إِبنَةَ ال
كُبَراءِgreat بلrather ياO إِبنَةَdaughter of الكُبَراءِthe great
كُبَراءِ بل يا إِبنَةَ الكُبَراءِ
O daughter of the great—rather, O daughter of the
Princes, nay of princes!
Great—rather, O daughter of the great!
Since I scented the fragrance of thy light relishing it,
مُذsince شِمتُI watched بارقَthe lightning of نوركِyour light مُتَنَفِّساًbreaking forth
مُذ شِمتُ بارقَ نوركِ مُتَنَفِّساً
راعىattended to النظيرَthe counterpart الطَرفُthe eye بالأَنواءِamong the rain-bearing stars
راعى النظيرَ الطَرفُ بالأَنواءِ
Since I watched the lightning of your light break forth,
The like marvelled to see its peer in lightsomeness.
My eye sought its counterpart among the rain-bearing stars.
By God, thy dawns were not occult to me
تاللَهِby God ماnot كانتwere بُروقُكِyour lightning flashes خُلَّباًdeceptive
تاللَهِ ما كانت بُروقُكِ خُلَّباً
مذsince أُردِفَتthey were followed بالديمةby steady rain الوَطفاءِabundant
مذ أُردِفَت بالديمة الوَطفاءِ
By God, your lightning flashes were not deceptive,
Since paired with the soft dark night.
Since they were followed by abundant, steady rain.
When their suns dawned upon Thy creatures' sight
لماwhen تَجلَّتrevealed themselves للعِبادِto humankind شُموسُهاher suns
لما تَجلَّت للعِبادِ شُموسُها
جَلَتِdispelled الغَياهِبَthe darkness عنthrough يَدٍa hand بَيضاءِwhite; beneficent
جَلَتِ الغَياهِبَ عن يَدٍ بَيضاءِ
When her suns revealed themselves to humankind,
The densest shadows vanished 'neath Thy white hand.
They dispelled the darkness with a white hand.
And saw the abundant outpouring of Thy bounty foaming,
ورأَواand they saw عُبابَthe swelling sea of الفضلِgrace أَزبَدَfoaming زاخِراًsurging
ورأَوا عُبابَ الفضلِ أَزبَدَ زاخِراً
فَثَنىso turned back السِنانَthe spearpoint قريبُهُمtheir near one والنائيand the distant one
فَثَنى السِنانَ قريبُهُم والنائي
They saw the swelling sea of grace surge with foam;
So friends near and far gladly bent the knee.
Their near and distant alike turned back their spearpoints.
And the pilgrims thronged Thee that they might fill
وتزاحَمَand crowded together الوُرّادُthe water-seekers فيكِabout you لِيَملأواto draw their fill
وتزاحَمَ الوُرّادُ فيكِ لِيَملأوا
منfrom فَيضِan outpouring of جودٍbounty حُفَّencircled باللألاءِby radiance
من فَيضِ جودٍ حُفَّ باللألاءِ
Water-seekers crowded about you to draw their fill
From Thy free generous outpouring.
From an outpouring of bounty encircled by radiance.
Many a fountain have the down-and-outs deserted
كمhow many مَنهَلٍa watering place صَدَرَdeparted العُفاةُthe alms-seekers صوادِياًthirsty
كم مَنهَلٍ صَدَرَ العُفاةُ صوادِياً
عنهُfrom it وبَحرُكِwhile your sea وافِرُis abundant in الإِعطاءِgiving
عنهُ وبَحرُكِ وافِرُ الإِعطاءِ
How many watering places have alms-seekers left thirsty,
To drink at Thy full bounteous sea.
While your sea is abundant in giving!
I'd give my life to save Thee, Thou moon who didst rise
أَفديكِI would ransom you منas a قَمَرٍmoon بَداappearing مُتَنَزِّهاًfree
أَفديكِ من قَمَرٍ بَدا مُتَنَزِّهاً
عنfrom نَقصِdiminishment of مَرتَبَةٍrank وَخَسفِand eclipse of ضِياءِradiance
عن نَقصِ مَرتَبَةٍ وَخَسفِ ضِياءِ
I would ransom you, a moon appearing free
Aloof from any lowly sphere's eclipse or waning ray.
From diminished rank and eclipsed radiance.
The lesser moons orbit Thy majesty, though they rise high,
تعنوbow لهُbefore it الأَقمارthe moons وهيwhile they طوالعٌare rising
تعنو لهُ الأَقمار وهي طوالعٌ
ويخِرُّand falls prostrate للأَذقانupon the chins ابنُthe son of ذُكاءِDhuka, the sun
ويخِرُّ للأَذقان ابنُ ذُكاءِ
The moons bow before it as they rise,
And the horizon bows low to the place of Thy dawning.
And dawn, the son of Dhuka, falls upon his chin.
All beauties are found in Thee, gathered completely,
قدindeed جُمِّعَتhave been gathered فيكِin you المحاسِنُthe beauties كُلُّهاall of them
قد جُمِّعَت فيكِ المحاسِنُ كُلُّها
فَلذاكَfor that reason مازِجُmingling حُبِّكِyour love بِدِمائيwith my blood
فَلذاكَ مازِجُ حُبِّكِ بِدِمائي
All beauties have been gathered in you;
Wherefore my love of Thee mingles with my life-blood.
Thus I mingle your love with my blood.
If Thou'rt the sun, then mortals are Thy planets;
إنif كنتِyou are شمساًa sun فالأنامُthen humankind كواكِبٌare stars
إن كنتِ شمساً فالأنامُ كواكِبٌ
أوor كنتِyou are بَدراًa full moon فَهيَthen they عينُare the very سُهاءِSuha
أو كنتِ بَدراً فَهيَ عينُ سُهاءِ
If you are a sun, humankind are stars;
Or if Thou'rt the full moon, then they are the Pleiades.
Or if you are the full moon, they are Suha itself.
Than whom none is more needful of Thy loftiness,
إّنيindeed I لأَحوجُam surely needier فيbefore عُلاكِyour exaltedness منَthan الذي'he who'
إّني لأَحوجُ في عُلاكِ منَ الذي
وقِياسُand the measure of قُربِكِcloseness to you مُنتفٍis ruled out بخَطائيby my wrongdoing
وقِياسُ قُربِكِ مُنتفٍ بخَطائي
Before your exaltedness, I am needier than 'he who';
Since by Thy favour he's drawn near, albeit stained with sins.
My wrongdoing rules out any measure of closeness to you.
If Thou dost transcend pinnacles in every way,
إنif كُنتِyou are فيin شَرَفthe nobility of العُلاhigh rank كُلِّيَّةa universal whole
إن كُنتِ في شَرَف العُلا كُلِّيَّة
فهَواكِthen love for you مِنيwithin me شاملُembraces الأَجزاءِthe parts
فهَواكِ مِني شاملُ الأَجزاءِ
If, in exalted nobility, you are a universal whole,
Then my love encompasses all parts.
My love for you embraces all my parts.
So contradiction cannot exist between us,
فلذاكfor that reason يَمتَنِعُis impossible التَناقُضُcontradiction بَينَناbetween us
فلذاك يَمتَنِعُ التَناقُضُ بَينَنا
وقِياسُهُand its syllogism يأتيكِbrings you بالأنباءِthe tidings
وقِياسُهُ يأتيكِ بالأنباءِ
Thus contradiction between us is impossible;
As this reasoning proves, and messages make clear.
Its syllogism brings you the tidings.
My passion is before me as though 'twere my deeds,
شَوقيmy longing أَماميahead of me كونَهُits being ليfor me فاعلاًa subject; an agent
شَوقي أَمامي كونَهُ لي فاعلاً
والحظُّand fortune مَفعولاًas an object يسيرُwalks وَرائيbehind me
والحظُّ مَفعولاً يسيرُ وَرائي
My longing is ahead of me, being my subject,
And fortune follows after as my actions trail.
And fortune, as an object, walks behind me.
While patience bows down its neck because it is now
والصَبرُand patience مُنخَفِضُlow in الجَنابِstanding لِأَنَّهُbecause it
والصَبرُ مُنخَفِضُ الجَنابِ لِأَنَّهُ
أَضحىhas become مُضافاًan annexed term فيin مَحلِّthe place of حِمائيmy sanctuary
أَضحى مُضافاً في مَحلِّ حِمائي
Patience stands low, because it
Annexed to the place of my protectress.
Has become an annexed term within my sanctuary.
So it's as though I'm a noun governed by "It is prescribed,"
فكأَنَّنيas though I were خَبَرٌthe predicate لإِنَّof inna واجبُrequiring الthe (continued)
فكأَنَّني خَبَرٌ لإِنَّ واجبُ ال
تأخيرpostponement عندaccording to أيِمَّةِthe masters of العَرْباءِthe pure Arabs
تأخير عند أيِمَّةِ العَرْباءِ
As though I were the predicate of inna, requiring
An imperative, at the time of the Arabs' night-march.
Postponement, according to the Arab masters.
If asked "Whom lovest thou?" I'd say, answering:
إِنif قيلit is asked مَنwhom تَهوىyou love أَجَبتُI answer مورِيّاًequivocally
إِن قيل مَن تَهوى أَجَبتُ مورِيّاً
مَنshe who كانتِwas السَرّاءَgladness للضَراءِin adversity
مَن كانتِ السَرّاءَ للضَراءِ
If asked whom I love, I answer equivocally:
"Her whose bliss to misery is guide."
She who was gladness in adversity.
O thou who blamest me, show justice! Thou'rt just;
ياO لائميmy censurer إِعدِلbe just; turn aside لأَنَّكَfor you عادلٌare just; turn aside
يا لائمي إِعدِل لأَنَّكَ عادلٌ
والعَذلُand censure يوجِبُcauses فيin الهوىlove إِغرائيmy further enticement
والعَذلُ يوجِبُ في الهوى إِغرائي
Be just, my censurer, for you are just;
And justice requires that love should lead me on.
Censure only provokes my passion further.
Where is the austere compared to the amiable?
أَينَhow far الشجيُّthe sorrowful one منَfrom الخَليِّthe carefree one مكانُهُis his station
أَينَ الشجيُّ منَ الخَليِّ مكانُهُ
باللَهِby God ياO ذاyou there خَلِّنيleave me وَبَلائيwith my affliction
باللَهِ يا ذا خَلِّني وَبَلائي
How far apart in station are the sorrowful and the carefree!
Nay, leave me, O critic of me and my misery!
By God, you there, leave me with my affliction.
Why show qualities that tempt me,
فعَلامَso why تَظهَرُdo you appear فيin صِفاتِكَyour guises مُغرِياًas an instigator
فعَلامَ تَظهَرُ في صِفاتِكَ مُغرِياً
مُتَلَوِّناًchanging colors كَتَلَوُّنِlike the color-changing of الحِرباءِthe chameleon
مُتَلَوِّناً كَتَلَوُّنِ الحِرباءِ
Why, then, do you appear in your guises as an instigator,
Capricious as the dappled snake's markings?
Changing colors like a chameleon?
Strange is my love for Mary -- marvel ye
إِنّيindeed I لأَغرَبُam surely more extraordinary فيin مَحَبَّةِthe love of مَريمٍMary
إِنّي لأَغرَبُ في مَحَبَّةِ مَريمٍ
عَجَباًas a marvel مِنthan العَنقاءِthe Anqa, the phoenix والزَرقاءِand al-Zarqa
عَجَباً مِن العَنقاءِ والزَرقاءِ
Indeed, in my love for Mary I am more extraordinary
At loving the brunette and the blonde!
As a marvel than the Anqa and al-Zarqa.
Canst dupe me? But that would be my misfortune!
أَتَرومُdo you seek تَخدَعُنيto deceive me وتِلكَand that مُصيبةٌis a calamity
أَتَرومُ تَخدَعُني وتِلكَ مُصيبةٌ
هَلّاhave you not سَمِعتَheard بِقِصَّةِthe story of الزَبّاءِal-Zabba
هَلّا سَمِعتَ بِقِصَّةِ الزَبّاءِ
Do you seek to deceive me? That is a calamity!
Hast not heard the tale of the grinning wolf?
Have you not heard the story of al-Zabba?
Hush, timorous critic, no bark makes shipwreck,
سِرgo ياO عَذوليmy censurer لاmay not كَباstumble بِكَwith you مَركبٌa mount
سِر يا عَذولي لا كَبا بِكَ مَركبٌ
وَنَباand may recoil لِسانُكَyour tongue عنfrom نَباءِnews of هَوائيmy love
وَنَبا لِسانُكَ عن نَباءِ هَوائي
Go, my censurer; may no mount stumble with you,
My tongue divulges my secret passion.
And may your tongue recoil from news of my love.
All creation proclaims my love,
كُلّيmy whole being لِسانٌis a tongue عنof غَراميmy passion ناطقٌspeaking
كُلّي لِسانٌ عن غَرامي ناطقٌ
والذِكرُand remembrance والتَفكيرُand thought مِنamong شُهَدائيmy witnesses
والذِكرُ والتَفكيرُ مِن شُهَدائي
My whole being is a tongue speaking of my passion;
Remembrance and contemplation being my witnesses;
Remembrance and thought are among my witnesses.
While I hid my mystery from thee, deceiving thee,
وكتَمتُand I concealed سِرّيmy secret عنfrom نَباكَyour knowledge مُغالِطاًmisleading
وكتَمتُ سِرّي عن نَباكَ مُغالِطاً
كيماso that أُواريI might hide النورَthe light بالظَلماءِin darkness
كيما أُواري النورَ بالظَلماءِ
I concealed my secret from your knowledge, misleading you,
That I might hide the light in darkness,
So that I might hide the light in darkness.
And thou abide obscured in the blind darkness,
فَتَكونُso you would be فيin ظُلَمِthe darkness of العَمىblindness مُتَسكِّعاًwandering aimlessly
فَتَكونُ في ظُلَمِ العَمى مُتَسكِّعاً
وَتسيرُand travel نورthe light of الهُدىguidance أَنضائيmy weary mounts
وَتسيرُ نور الهُدى أَنضائي
Thus you would wander blindly through darkness,
While the light of guidance illumines my pillars;
While my weary mounts travel by the light of guidance.
Until, pitying thy grief, I manifested my secret
حتىuntil إذاwhen أَشفقتُI feared منكَat your hands علىfor الأَسىmy grief
حتى إذا أَشفقتُ منكَ على الأَسى
أَبرَزتُI revealed سِرّيmy secret مُعلِناًopenly proclaiming بهُدائيmy guidance
أَبرَزتُ سِرّي مُعلِناً بهُدائي
Until, fearing for my grief at your hands,
And openly proclaimed my guiding pillars;
I revealed my secret, proclaiming my guidance.
And the eloquence of the aged shone upon me, singing:
وبَداand appeared لِسانُthe tongue of الشَيبِgray hair نَحويtoward me مُنشِداًchanting
وبَدا لِسانُ الشَيبِ نَحوي مُنشِداً
حقَّقتَyou fulfilled عَهدَthe covenant of مَحبَّتيmy love ووَلائيand my loyalty
حقَّقتَ عَهدَ مَحبَّتي ووَلائي
The tongue of gray hair appeared, chanting toward me:
"Thou hast realized the troth of my love and fealty;"
You have kept the covenant of my love and loyalty.
And I came to cry amongst my tribesfolk's throngs
وغدَوتُand I began أَهتِفُcalling out بينَamong أهلِthe people of عَشيرتيmy kin
وغدَوتُ أَهتِفُ بينَ أهلِ عَشيرتي
فيin أَشرَفِthe noblest الأَلقابِtitles والأَسماءِand names
في أَشرَفِ الأَلقابِ والأَسماءِ
I began calling out among my kinsfolk
With the noblest names and appellations.
In the noblest titles and names:
Mary the Maid, have mercy on me!
ياO مريمُMary البِكرُthe Virgin ارحَمينيhave mercy on me إِنَّنيindeed I
يا مريمُ البِكرُ ارحَميني إِنَّني
شَوقيmy longing أماميbefore me والقَضاءُand fate وَرائيbehind me
شَوقي أمامي والقَضاءُ وَرائي
O Mary the Virgin, have mercy on me, for
My passion is before me, and destiny behind!
My longing is before me, and fate behind me.
Mary the Maid, comfort me with a glance,
ياO مريمُMary البكرُthe Virgin ارحَمينِhave mercy on me بنَظرَةٍwith a glance
يا مريمُ البكرُ ارحَمينِ بنَظرَةٍ
كيماso that أراكِI may see you ولاتَand not حينَat the time of فَنائيmy perishing
كيما أراكِ ولاتَ حينَ فَنائي
O Mary the Virgin, have mercy on me with a glance,
That I may see Thee, in the hour of my death!
That I may see you—not when my hour of perishing comes.
Mary the Maid, bless me with a boon,
ياO مريمُMary البكرُthe Virgin اِرحَمينِhave mercy on me بنعمةٍwith grace
يا مريمُ البكرُ اِرحَمينِ بنعمةٍ
فيin مأربيmy desire مَعamid أَزمَتيmy distress وَعنائيand my suffering
في مأربي مَع أَزمَتي وَعنائي
O Mary the Virgin, have mercy on me with grace
In my dwelling, though in time of stress and misery!
In my desire, amid my distress and suffering.
Thou essence of glory, seen by Daniel
ياO سُدَّةَthrone of المجدِglory التيwhich قدindeed شوهدَتwas seen
يا سُدَّةَ المجدِ التي قد شوهدَت
منby دانيالَDaniel بلَيلَةِon the night of الرؤياءِthe vision
من دانيالَ بلَيلَةِ الرؤياءِ
O throne of glory that was seen
In a night-vision's dream,
By Daniel on the night of the vision!
Thou ladder which Jacob found, youthful prophet,
ياO سُلَّماًladder ألفاهُfound it يعقوبُJacob الفتىthe young man
يا سُلَّماً ألفاهُ يعقوبُ الفتى
فيin بيتthe house of إيلٍEl وهوَwhile he فيin المنفاءِexile
في بيت إيلٍ وهوَ في المنفاءِ
O ladder that the young Jacob found
In Beit-El, though far from the settlements,
At Bethel, while he was in exile!
Thou tabernacle of the covenant wherein Moses The Speaker
ياO قُبَّةَtabernacle of العَهدِthe covenant التيwhich قدindeed ضَمَّهاgathered it
يا قُبَّةَ العَهدِ التي قد ضَمَّها
موسىMoses الكليمُGod's interlocutor لشَعبهِfor his people الخَطّاءِsinful
موسى الكليمُ لشَعبهِ الخَطّاءِ
O tabernacle of the covenant, which
Enclosed his errant people,
Moses, God's interlocutor, gathered for his sinful people!
Thou bush which did not burn though fire blazed within
ياO منظراًvision لمnot يَخفَwas hidden رَسمُthe outline of ضِيائِهِits light
يا منظراً لم يَخفَ رَسمُ ضِيائِهِ
يومَon the day of اعتِلانِthe revelation of السِرِّthe mystery فيin البيداءِthe wilderness
يومَ اعتِلانِ السِرِّ في البيداءِ
O vision whose luminous outline was not hidden
When God appeared on Sinai's summit,
On the day the mystery was revealed in the wilderness!
Thou ship of Noah who voyaged in its hold
آنَستَyou perceived ياO موسىMoses لَظىًa flame قدindeed أوقِدَتwas kindled
آنَستَ يا موسى لَظىً قد أوقِدَت
بالطورِupon the mountain فيin عُلَّيقَةٍa bramble خَضراءِgreen
بالطورِ في عُلَّيقَةٍ خَضراءِ
You perceived, O Moses, a flame that had been kindled
Folk straying in the deluge of the sea,
Upon the mountain, in a green bramble.
Thou harp of David who hymned Thee
لاdo not تذهَلَنَّbe bewildered فإِنَّfor indeed أمرَكَyour matter واضحٌis clear
لا تذهَلَنَّ فإِنَّ أمرَكَ واضحٌ
إذsince تَمَّwas fulfilled ذاكthat بمَريمَthrough Mary العَذراءِthe Virgin
إذ تَمَّ ذاك بمَريمَ العَذراءِ
Do not be bewildered, for your matter is clear,
When graced with the sweetest melody,
Since that was fulfilled through Mary the Virgin.
Ezekiel witnessed Thee as a gate fast-barred
ياO طورَMount سيناSinai حينَwhen حلَّalighted بِسَفحهِat its foot
يا طورَ سينا حينَ حلَّ بِسَفحهِ
رَبٌّa Lord تعالىexalted عنbeyond عِيانِthe sight of الرائيthe beholder
رَبٌّ تعالى عن عِيانِ الرائي
O Mount Sinai, when there alighted at its foot
Which the God entered without hurt,
A Lord exalted beyond the beholder's sight!
Daniel imagined Thee as a lofty mountain
ياO فُلكَark of نوحٍNoah إذwhen نجاwere saved بِفنائِهِwithin its enclosure
يا فُلكَ نوحٍ إذ نجا بِفنائِهِ
قَومٌa people سَراةٌnoble منfrom ثَجاجِtorrents of الماءِwater
قَومٌ سَراةٌ من ثَجاجِ الماءِ
O Noah's ark, within whose enclosure were saved
Whereupon the Almighty descended with tidings;
A noble people from the torrents of water!
Isaiah saw Thee as an outspread cloud
داودDavid مَثَّلَهاdepicted her بآلةwith the instrument of نَظمِهِhis verse
داود مَثَّلَها بآلة نَظمِهِ
مُذsince خُصِّصَتshe was singled out بالنَغمةِfor the melody الحسناءِbeautiful
مُذ خُصِّصَت بالنَغمةِ الحسناءِ
David depicted her with the instrument of his verse,
Shading folk with fine rain,
Since she was singled out for the lovely melody.
Thou manna, Thou rod of Aaron, nay,
حِزقيلُEzekiel شاهَدهاsaw her كبابٍas a gate موصَدٍshut
حِزقيلُ شاهَدها كبابٍ موصَدٍ
وَلَجَentered الإِلهُGod بهِthrough it بغَيرِwithout أذاءِharm
وَلَجَ الإِلهُ بهِ بغَيرِ أذاءِ
Ezekiel saw her as a shut gate,
Thou cake simmering 'mid the cooking-stones,
Through which God entered without harm.
Thou temple built by Solomon, Thou star
دانيلُDaniel شَبَّههاlikened her بطورٍto a mountain شامخٍlofty
دانيلُ شَبَّهها بطورٍ شامخٍ
هَبَطَdescended العزيزُthe Mighty One عليهupon it بالأنباءِwith tidings
هَبَطَ العزيزُ عليه بالأنباءِ
Daniel likened her to a lofty mountain,
Appearing in the blackest night,
Upon which the Mighty One descended with tidings.
Thou pillar of morn guiding a nation
شَعياIsaiah رآكِsaw you غمامةًas a cloud مُمتَدَّةًspreading
شَعيا رآكِ غمامةً مُمتَدَّةً
قدindeed ظَلَّلَتsheltered أجزاهُhis limbs بالأَفياءِwith shade
قد ظَلَّلَت أجزاهُ بالأَفياءِ
Isaiah saw you as a spreading cloud
Led astray by temptation's misleading!
That sheltered his limbs in its shade.
Why enumerate Thy beauties? I'm overwhelmed!
ياO قِسطَjar of مَنٍّmanna ياO عَصاrod of هرونَAaron بلrather
يا قِسطَ مَنٍّ يا عَصا هرونَ بل
ياO جِزَّةًfleece تَخضَلُّgrowing moist بالأنداءِwith dew
يا جِزَّةً تَخضَلُّ بالأنداءِ
O jar of manna, O Aaron's rod—rather,
For the pride is in knowing one's limits.
O fleece growing moist with dew!
In Thee have I planted saplings to bear for me
ياO هَيكَلاًtemple قدindeed شادهُbuilt it سَلمانُSalman ياO
يا هَيكَلاً قد شادهُ سَلمانُ يا
نَجماًstar بداappearing فيin الليلةِthe night الليلاءِpitch-dark
نَجماً بدا في الليلةِ الليلاءِ
O temple that Salman built, O
The fruits of salvation; be not lacking in my fealty!
Star appearing in the blackest night!
Noblest wishes of the soul are Thine, in what she perceived
أنتِyou عَمودُare the pillar of الصبحِdawn يَهديguiding أمَّةًa people
أنتِ عَمودُ الصبحِ يَهدي أمَّةً
ضَلَّتthat strayed عنfrom الإِرشادِguidance بالإِغواءِthrough deception
ضَلَّت عن الإِرشادِ بالإِغواءِ
You are the pillar of dawn, guiding a people
Of her succeeding, and in Thee is my succeeding!
Led astray from guidance by deception.
By Thy love I have scaled the steps of glory,
ماذاwhat أعدّدshall I enumerate منof محاسنهاher beauties فقدfor indeed
ماذا أعدّد من محاسنها فقد
أعييتُI am exhausted إنindeed الفخرglory فيin الإعياءِexhaustion
أعييتُ إن الفخر في الإعياءِ
What shall I enumerate of her beauties? For
And by hope in Thee escaped the hold of woe.
I am exhausted; glory indeed lies in exhaustion.
Leave the slanderer rejected from Thee,
وَلَقَدand indeed غَرَستُI planted بهاin her مُنايَmy hopes لأَجتنيto reap
وَلَقَد غَرَستُ بها مُنايَ لأَجتني
ثَمَرَthe fruit of النَجاةsalvation فلاso do not تَنيbe remiss بِوَفائيtoward my fidelity
ثَمَرَ النَجاة فلا تَني بِوَفائي
I planted my hopes in her, that I might reap
Casting him down; such is the wont of the censurers!
The fruit of salvation; do not neglect my fidelity.
Grant my wish, O Maid, that I prevail
أحلىthe sweetest أمانيhopes of النفسthe soul منكِfrom you بماthrough what رأَتit saw
أحلى أماني النفس منكِ بما رأَت
منof فوزهاits triumph والفوزُand triumph فيكِin you غَنائيis my wealth
من فوزها والفوزُ فيكِ غَنائي
The soul's sweetest hopes come from you, through what it saw
In what I love, despite the critic's spleen.
Of its triumph; triumph in you is my wealth.
By God! Were Thy attributes to present themselves to my mind
دَرَجُthe steps of المعاليhigh rank حُزتهُI attained them فيthrough حُبِّهاher love
دَرَجُ المعالي حُزتهُ في حُبِّها
ونَجوتُand I escaped منfrom دَرَكِthe depths of الشقاmisery بِرَجائيthrough my hope
ونَجوتُ من دَرَكِ الشقا بِرَجائي
The steps of high rank I attained through her love;
I would bow down revering them in all fealty.
Through my hope I escaped the depths of misery.
And when I thought to behold Thee with a glance's clearness
فَدعيso leave الرقيبَthe watcher القالِhateful منكِfrom you بِمَعزِلٍapart
فَدعي الرقيبَ القالِ منكِ بِمَعزِلٍ
مُلقىًcast aside فهذيfor this شيمةُis the way of الرُقباءwatchers
مُلقىً فهذي شيمةُ الرُقباء
Leave the hateful watcher apart from you,
I returned with a thankful glance instead.
Cast aside, for such is the way of watchers.
If the eye's tears beset me insistently
واقفيand stand مَزاريat my tomb ياO بتولُVirgin أَفُزthat I may win بماwhat
واقفي مَزاري يا بتولُ أَفُز بما
أهوىI desire علىunder عَينthe eye of الخَليْthe carefree one العَوّاءِthe howler
أهوى على عَين الخَليْ العَوّاءِ
Stand at my tomb, O Virgin, that I may gain what
Their clarion is by the streaming verses.
I desire, under the eye of the carefree howler.
Before Thy mention I hesitate in awe,
قَسَماًI swear فَلوfor if طرقَتcame knocking صِفاتُكِyour attributes خاطِريat my mind
قَسَماً فَلو طرقَت صِفاتُكِ خاطِري
أَطرَقتُI would bow my head إِجلالاًin reverence لهاbefore them بِولائيin my devotion
أَطرَقتُ إِجلالاً لها بِولائي
I swear: if your attributes came knocking at my mind,
I revere, mentioning Thy name and praising Thee.
I would bow in reverence before them, in my devotion.
My meditation on Thy praise is the jeweller of my verse,
وإذاand if هَمَمتُI sought بأنto أراكِsee you بمُقلةٍwith an eye
وإذا هَمَمتُ بأن أراكِ بمُقلةٍ
حَوراءِbright, dark-pupilled عُدتُI returned بمُقلَةٍwith an eye شَكراءِgrateful
حَوراءِ عُدتُ بمُقلَةٍ شَكراءِ
If I sought to see you with an eye
And my speech articulates it with the fire of my mind,
Bright and dark-pupilled, I would return with a grateful eye.
That mine ear may delight in my utterance,
إِنif كانhas been سَجمُthe streaming of الدمعِtears طَرفيmy eye طارفاًstriking
إِن كان سَجمُ الدمعِ طَرفي طارفاً
فَجَلاؤُهُthen its polishing بَمراوِدِwith the kohl-sticks of الإِنشاءِpoetic composition
فَجَلاؤُهُ بَمراوِدِ الإِنشاءِ
If streaming tears have struck my eye,
And that my being may incline to the sweetest aroma;
It is polished by the kohl-sticks of poetic composition.
When I call Thee to mind, fear holds me back,
إِنيindeed I لأُحجِمُsurely draw back عِندَat ذِكركِmention of you رَهبةًin awe
إِني لأُحجِمُ عِندَ ذِكركِ رَهبةً
وأَجلُّand I revere ذِكريmy uttering إِسمكِyour name وثَنائيand my praise
وأَجلُّ ذِكري إِسمكِ وثَنائي
I draw back in awe at the mention of you,
And my recollection is Thy name and praise of Thee.
And revere my utterance of your name and my praise.
My thought is the fashioner of eulogies to Thee
فِكريmy thought بمدحكِin praising you صائغٌis a goldsmith لِقَصائديfor my poems
فِكري بمدحكِ صائغٌ لِقَصائدي
والنُطقُand speech يَسبِكُهاcasts them بِنارِin the fire of ذَكائيmy intelligence
والنُطقُ يَسبِكُها بِنارِ ذَكائي
My thought, in praising you, is the goldsmith of my poems;
And speech pours them forth with my mind's fire,
Speech casts them in the fire of my intelligence.
So mine ear delights in my words
كَيماso that أرىI may find سَمعيmy hearing يَلَذُّdelighting بمَنطِقيin my speech
كَيما أرى سَمعي يَلَذُّ بمَنطِقي
وتَميلَand sway منfrom طيبِthe sweetness of الشَذاthe fragrance أَعضائيmy limbs
وتَميلَ من طيبِ الشَذا أَعضائي
So that I may find my hearing delighting in my speech,
And my being savours their exquisite scent.
And my limbs swaying from the sweetness of the fragrance.
Partial English translation: 169 of 170 Arabic lines translated.