وصبتI grew lovesick ورَيعانُand the bloom الشبيبةِof youth مونقُlovely
وصبت ورَيعانُ الشبيبةِ مونقُ
وجفتand she turned away وقدand already لبسclothed المشيبgray hair المفرقُthe crown of the head
وجفت وقد لبس المشيب المفرقُ
I grew lovesick while the bloom of youth was lovely;
The blossoms of youth have withered and the garments of old age worn thin
she turned away once gray hair had clothed my crown.
The branches swayed gently in the breeze of youth, now rigid and stark
والغيدُand the graceful maidens طوعَobedient to نسيمِthe breeze of رَيعانِthe prime of الصِباyouth
والغيدُ طوعَ نسيمِ رَيعانِ الصِبا
يهتزُّsways غصنthe branch of شبابهنَّtheir youth المورقleafy
يهتزُّ غصن شبابهنَّ المورق
The graceful maidens, obedient to youth's fresh breeze,
And if the gray hairs of eve fall, the raven of night still circles above
have the leafy branch of their youth swaying.
A maiden turned and said, since we parted, my heart is captive to love unchained
والشيبُand gray hair إنif حطَّتalighted عقابُthe eagle of نهارهits daylight
والشيبُ إن حطَّت عقابُ نهاره
فغرابُthen the raven of ليلةِthe night of وصلِهنَّunion with them محلِّقtaking flight
فغرابُ ليلةِ وصلِهنَّ محلِّق
When the eagle of gray hair's daylight alights,
My tears flow freely, while smiles and joy remain
the raven of a night of union with them takes flight.
Though distance divided us, still our souls are connected and intertwined
أدرتdoes she know? فتاةُthe maiden of الحيِّthe tribe إنِّيthat I مذsince نأتshe went far away
أدرت فتاةُ الحيِّ إنِّي مذ نأت
قلبيmy heart أسيرُa captive of هوًىlove ودمعيand my tears مُطلقset free
قلبي أسيرُ هوًى ودمعي مُطلق
Does the tribe's maiden know that, since she went away,
My flowing tears illuminate like sparkling stars in the darkest of nights
my heart is love's captive, while my tears are free?
Our fleeting time together in the garden of youth was blissful yet brief
أناI والجوىand heartache والدمعُand tears وهيand she ومُهجتيand my lifeblood
أنا والجوى والدمعُ وهي ومُهجتي
طوعُobedient to البعادِseparation مغرّبٌwestbound ومشرّقand eastbound
طوعُ البعادِ مغرّبٌ ومشرّق
I, heartache, tears, she, and my lifeblood
The gentle breeze carried your sweet scent through the meadows afar
obey separation, some westbound, some eastbound.
Your radiant smiles outshone the brightest of blooms, illuminated from within
عافتshe disdained أخاthe brother of دمعيmy tears العقيقَcarnelian وثغرُهاand her mouth
عافت أخا دمعي العقيقَ وثغرُها
أمسىcame to يَضيءُshine بهwith it أخوهits brother الأبرقgleaming
أمسى يَضيءُ به أخوه الأبرق
She disdained carnelian, brother to my tears, while her mouth
Lost in sweet reverie, time passed swiftly, worries faded away
came to shine with its gleaming brother.
You conversed and laughed, then melancholy descended, dividing our hearts
للهhow wondrous موقفناour standing together صبيحةَthe morning when أجمعتshe resolved
لله موقفنا صبيحةَ أجمعت
بيناًdeparture لهat it جزعاًin anguish بريقيon my saliva أشرقI choke
بيناً له جزعاً بريقي أشرق
How wondrous our standing together that morning when she resolved
You turned away, veiling your light, though your beauty still dazzled and shone
to depart: in anguish at it, I choked on my saliva.
I said, none can compare to the Prophet's creation, perfection made flesh
ومسكتُand I held قلبيmy heart كيso that يقرَّit stays still وإنَّهalthough it
ومسكتُ قلبي كي يقرَّ وإنَّه
ليكادُindeed almost يلفظهexpels it الزفيرُthe sigh فيحرقand it burns
ليكادُ يلفظه الزفيرُ فيحرق
I held my heart to keep it still, though
A form so sublime, the clouds weep pearls of dew to reflect such unmatched grace
a sigh would almost cast it out and set it burning.
A being so pure, brought forth to shower all mankind with his mercy and grace
وكظمتُand I suppressed أنفاسيmy breaths الغداةَthat morning وفوقَهاand above them
وكظمتُ أنفاسي الغداةَ وفوقَها
كادتnearly مجامعُthe joints of أضلعيmy ribs تتفرَّقُcome apart
كادت مجامعُ أضلعي تتفرَّقُ
I suppressed my breaths that morning, and above them
Who only speaks goodness, though with each hair a tongue could give him praise
the joints of my ribs nearly came apart.
Noble lineage, though true nobility lies not in blood but in righteous deeds
جاذبتُهاI tugged against her فضلَthe loose fold of الرداءِthe cloak فأقبلتand she began
جاذبتُها فضلَ الرداءِ فأقبلت
بالعُنفforcefully تجمعُgathers ماwhat جذبتُI drew وأرفقand I act gently
بالعُنف تجمعُ ما جذبتُ وأرفق
I tugged against her at the loose fold of her cloak; she began
Look to whom elegance is bestowed, who speaks most eloquently
forcefully gathering back what I drew gently.
None but Muhammad whose virtues the cosmos extols in its ceaseless refrain
ومذand when استقلَّcarried away بهاher الفراقُseparation دعوتُهاI called to her
ومذ استقلَّ بها الفراقُ دعوتُها
بالدمعwith tears إذsince هوit مِنthan لِسانيmy tongue أطلقmore eloquent
بالدمع إذ هو مِن لِساني أطلق
When separation carried her away, I called to her
Our shelter in hardship, lightning flash in the darkest of skies
with tears, for they were more eloquent than my tongue.
The beacon that banishes the blindness of hearts, dispelling ignorance and lies
أللهfor God's sake ياO ذاتwearer of النطاقِthe girdle بواجمٍfor one struck dumb
ألله يا ذات النطاقِ بواجمٍ
لسُنُthe tongues of المدامعtears عنof جواهhis heartache تنطِقspeak
لسُنُ المدامع عن جواه تنطِق
For God's sake, O girdled maiden—a man struck dumb with grief:
When intellects falter and minds cannot unravel what lies obscured inside
the tongues of his tears speak of his heartache.
He brings forth the truth, no doubts can reside where his wisdom abides
وتذكَّريand remember عهدَthe bond of المودَّةِaffection بينناbetween us
وتذكَّري عهدَ المودَّةِ بيننا
أيَّامَthe days when أوقاتيmy hours بلهوكِin dalliance with you تُنفقare spent
أيَّامَ أوقاتي بلهوكِ تُنفق
Remember the bond of affection between us,
In silence his dignified wisdom resides, but when he deigns to speak, all subsist
the days when my hours were spent in dalliance with you.
His sound judgement and reason illuminate solutions no mind could assist
متألّفينunited in affection بحيثُwhere لاnot ظلُّthe shade of الهوىlove
متألّفين بحيثُ لا ظلُّ الهوى
صاحٍsober ولاnor صفوُthe clarity of الودادِaffection مرنَّقclouded
صاحٍ ولا صفوُ الودادِ مرنَّق
United in affection, where love's shade
His experience and prudence have plumbed all the depths past and present
was never sober, nor affection's clarity clouded.
Dispelling all darkness, allowing truth and knowledge to coexist
فيin روضةa garden عذراءَuntouched لمnot يبرحceased بهاthere
في روضة عذراءَ لم يبرح بها
يمريwaters مذانبهits channels الغمامthe clouds المغذقcopiously raining
يمري مذانبه الغمام المغذق
In an untouched garden, where never ceased
The radiant pillar of dawn, tearing asunder night's gloom and mist
the abundant clouds' watering of its channels.
In him all mankind see what they wish for themselves to embody and be
يسريsteals along النسيمُthe breeze عليلةٌtender أنفاسهُits breaths
يسري النسيمُ عليلةٌ أنفاسهُ
فيهاwithin it بنشرٍwith fragrance منfrom عبيركِyour perfume يعبَقis fragrant
فيها بنشرٍ من عبيركِ يعبَق
The breeze steals through, its breaths tender,
Wherever he traveled, his works illuminated all those who witnessed his deeds
fragrant there with the scent of your perfume.
All people as one sing his praise, the world with one voice agrees
وعيونand the eyes of نرجسُهاits narcissi المُندَّىdew-moistened غازلتflirted with
وعيون نرجسُها المُندَّى غازلت
منكِof you المحيَّاthe face وهوand it is شمسٌa sun تشرقrising
منكِ المحيَّا وهو شمسٌ تشرق
The eyes of its dew-moistened narcissi flirted with
Even if silent, creation would proclaim his name, for all nature o’erflows
your face, a rising sun.
And when calamities gather, his clouds come to nourish the seeds
فكأَنَّand as though فيwithin أجفانِهنَّtheir eyelids الطلَّthe dew منfrom
فكأَنَّ في أجفانِهنَّ الطلَّ من
أنوارthe radiance of وجهكِyour face أدمعٌtears تترقرقshimmering
أنوار وجهكِ أدمعٌ تترقرق
As though the dew within their eyelids were, from
Shading the land ‘neath his shade, raining blessings on all who have needs
your face's radiance, tears that shimmered.
Until meadows burst forth and the land splits with grassy green shoots
ولهوتُand I dallied منكِwith you بذاتwith one possessing خدرٍa secluded chamber زانَهاadorned her
ولهوتُ منكِ بذات خدرٍ زانَها
ثوبُthe robe of الشبابِyouth الغضّtender لاnot الإستبرقbrocade
ثوبُ الشبابِ الغضّ لا الإستبرق
I dallied with you, a secluded maiden adorned
Bestowing rich bounties beyond any wordsmith's descriptive conceits
by tender youth's robe, not brocade.
But only their gifts hint at his immeasurable mercies replete
طوراًat times تعاطينيyou offer me الحديثَconversation وتارةًand at other times
طوراً تعاطيني الحديثَ وتارةً
راحاًwine بهاthrough it شملُthe gathering of الهمومِcares يفرَّقis scattered
راحاً بها شملُ الهمومِ يفرَّق
Sometimes you offered me conversation, and sometimes
Whence branches extend through all time and progeny yet to bloom
wine, through which the gathered cares were scattered.
An ancient stock grafted where life’s river freely ran its course
قالتshe said وقدand after عاقرتُهاI drank with her منfrom كفِّهاher palm
قالت وقد عاقرتُها من كفِّها
صرفاًunmixed wine لهاit has نورٌbrightness يروقُdelighting ورونقand luster
صرفاً لها نورٌ يروقُ ورونق
She said, after I had drunk with her from her palm
It’s roots reaching heavenward, boughs without end seeking room
unmixed wine, bright, enchanting, and lustrous:
Whose nobility time cannot diminish or erode by its force
ألهاdoes it have? نظيرٌan equal قلتI said خلقُthe character of محمَّدٍMuhammad
ألها نظيرٌ قلت خلقُ محمَّدٍ
فيin لُطفِهits gentleness منهاthan it أرقُّfiner وأورقand more luxuriant
في لُطفِه منها أرقُّ وأورق
'Has it an equal?' I said, 'Muhammad's character,
Consider the evidence in each leaf and twig, can you presume
in its gentleness, is finer and more luxuriant.'
To doubt the elevated origins that shape its trajectory hence
خلقٌa character لأبلجَof a radiant man غيرnot معقودِconstrained الندىin generosity
خلقٌ لأبلجَ غير معقودِ الندى
ديمُthe gentle rains of الغمامِthe clouds غدتhave come to بهfrom it تتخلَّقlearn their manners
ديمُ الغمامِ غدت به تتخلَّق
A character belonging to a radiant man whose bounty is unrestrained;
Unlike the pretender whose claims by his actions are doomed
the clouds' gentle rains have learned their manners from it.
A lineage whose branches with glory effloresce
عذُبتgrew sweet بفيهin his mouth نعمyes فليسand he does not بغيرهاwith anything else
عذُبت بفيه نعم فليس بغيرها
يلقىgreet الذيthe one who منfrom جُودهhis bounty يسترزقseeks sustenance
يلقى الذي من جُوده يسترزق
'Yes' has grown sweet in his mouth; with nothing else
Whose forebears grasped at the heavens, rising over the tomb
does he greet whoever seeks sustenance from his bounty.
Beyond all horizons, transcending the realms between
ويودّand he wishes أنَّthat بكلِّat every منبتِgrowth-place of شعرةٍa hair
ويودّ أنَّ بكلِّ منبتِ شعرةٍ
منهupon him بقولsaying نعمyes لسانٌa tongue ينطقspeaks
منه بقول نعم لسانٌ ينطق
He wishes that at every place a hair grows
Their nobility eternal, illuminated, undimmed
upon him, a tongue would speak the word 'yes.'
In him and Abdel Karim their prowess is pristinely gleaned
أثرىhe grew rich منin الحسبlineage الكريمnoble وكلّand every مَنone who
أثرى من الحسب الكريم وكلّ مَن
أثرىgrew rich بلاwithout حسبٍlineage مقلٌّpoor مملقdestitute
أثرى بلا حسبٍ مقلٌّ مملق
He is rich in noble lineage; everyone who
As peers they excel, though unique their demeanor serene
grows rich without lineage is poor and destitute.
Sprouting on branches twined round their tree of esteem
فانظرso consider لمنfor whom عُرُبُloving brides of القوافيrhyme فيamong الورىmankind
فانظر لمن عُرُبُ القوافي في الورى
تُنشىare composed وأبكارُand virgins of المعانيmeanings تخلقare created
تُنشى وأبكارُ المعاني تخلق
Consider for whom, among mankind, loving brides of rhyme
Bearing fine fruits made perfect through efforts unseen
are composed, and virgin meanings created.
Molded as one for their virtues peerlessly keen
ماnot فيهمamong them إلاَّexcept محمَّدMuhammad صالحٌSalih
ما فيهم إلاَّ محمَّد صالحٌ
بالمدحwith praise جيدُthe neck of علائهِhis eminence يتطوَّقis garlanded
بالمدح جيدُ علائهِ يتطوَّق
None among them but Muhammad Salih
None can approach them, their magnificence supreme
has the neck of his eminence garlanded with praise.
As twins who together outshine all who vainly preen
المستجارُone whose refuge is sought منfrom الزمانtime بظلِّهin his shade
المستجارُ من الزمان بظلِّه
إنif جاءَit comes يرعدُthundering بالخطوبwith calamities ويبرقand flashing lightning
إن جاءَ يرعدُ بالخطوب ويبرق
In his shade, refuge is sought from time
Open your eyes and perceive what I've witnessed in dream
when it comes thundering and flashing with calamities.
Their merits converging, enmity melted away
والمستضاءُand one whose light is sought بوجههby his face إنif يدجُgrows dark منfrom
والمستضاءُ بوجهه إن يدجُ من
دُهُمِthe blackness of الحوادثِcalamities ليلُهنَّtheir night الأورقdusky
دُهُمِ الحوادثِ ليلُهنَّ الأورق
His face supplies light when, from
Hearts drawn together, divisions now meaningless seem
the blackness of calamities, their dusky night grows dark.
Radiance dawning with Hussein revealed in its beam
ومسددُand unerring in الآراءِjudgments أسهُمthe arrows of رأيهhis thought
ومسددُ الآراءِ أسهُم رأيه
غرضَthe target of القضاياquestions الغامضاتِobscure تطبّقstrike squarely
غرضَ القضايا الغامضاتِ تطبّق
Unerring in judgment, the arrows of his thought
With fortune beside them, singing joyous its hymn
strike the target of obscure questions.
Though all may desire to host them, the virtuous I deem
يقضانَwatchful قدalready سبرتfathomed تجاربُthe tests of حزمهhis resolve
يقضانَ قد سبرت تجاربُ حزمه
غورَthe depth of الزمانِtime بأيِّin whatever فنٍّguise يطرقit approaches
غورَ الزمانِ بأيِّ فنٍّ يطرق
Watchful, the tests of his resolve have fathomed
Most eager to meet them, their spirits aflame
time's depths, whatever guise it approaches in.
No blades can deter hearts seeking their asylum
إنif أبهمتgrew obscure يوماًone day مطالعُthe first signs of شبهةٍdoubt
إن أبهمت يوماً مطالعُ شبهةٍ
عمياءَblind فيهاwithin it الحقُّtruth لاnot يتحقَّقbecomes certain
عمياءَ فيها الحقُّ لا يتحقَّق
Should the first signs of some doubt one day grow obscure—
With light steps not burdened, though gravitas they claim
a blind doubt in which truth cannot be established—
Bearing duty's full weight, while others powers drain
يغشىovertakes نُعاسُthe drowsiness of الجهلِignorance تحتbeneath ظلامهاits darkness
يغشى نُعاسُ الجهلِ تحت ظلامها
بصرَthe vision of القلوبِhearts المدركاتِdiscerning فتخفقand they nod
بصرَ القلوبِ المدركاتِ فتخفق
the drowsiness of ignorance beneath its darkness overtakes
Yearners for the Ancient House, though ascetics who disdain
the vision of discerning hearts, until they nod.
Its comforts, preferring detachment to worldly acclaim
فعمودُthen the column of صبحِthe dawn of بيانهِhis exposition بضيائِهwith its light
فعمودُ صبحِ بيانهِ بضيائِه
غسقَthe gloom of العمىblindness لذويfor possessors of البصائرinsight يفلِقcleaves
غسقَ العمى لذوي البصائر يفلِق
Then the column of his exposition's dawn, with its light,
There each place becomes a sanctuary, worship unconstrained
cleaves blindness's gloom for those possessing insight.
Ever pilgrims, though settled and still
وإذاand when تحيَّرتbecome bewildered العقولُminds بمشكلٍby a problem
وإذا تحيَّرت العقولُ بمشكلٍ
صعبٍdifficult مجالthe scope of الوهمconjecture فيهwithin it ضيّقnarrow
صعبٍ مجال الوهم فيه ضيّق
When minds are bewildered by a problem,
While all turn to the Black Stone, their hands are unstained
difficult, with little room for conjecture,
At the sacrifice, one said: none but us is ordained
جَمعَhe unites العقولَminds علىupon الصوابِthe right answer بحجَّةٍwith an argument
جَمعَ العقولَ على الصوابِ بحجَّةٍ
فيهاwithin it احتمالُthe possibility of الريبِdoubt لاnot يتطرَّقfinds entry
فيها احتمالُ الريبِ لا يتطرَّق
he unites minds upon the right answer with an argument
From the Divine's sanctuary, beneath wings contained
into which no possibility of doubt can enter.
To the mosque of the Prophet, pure and unprofaned
فمنthus from السكينةِserenity والوقارِand dignity سكوتهُhis silence
فمن السكينةِ والوقارِ سكوتهُ
ولهand his is المقالُthe utterance الفصلُdecisive ساعةَwhen ينطقhe speaks
وله المقالُ الفصلُ ساعةَ ينطق
His silence comes from serenity and dignity;
A shrine that would come if the Black Stone pertained
his is the decisive word whenever he speaks.
There prostrating in homage from dawn until night waned
وعُلاؤهand his eminence الآفاقُthe horizons ضِقنَproved too narrow بعظمهاfor its greatness
وعُلاؤه الآفاقُ ضِقنَ بعظمها
وبعظمِand for the greatness of معجزهhis wonders البسيطةُthe earth أضيقnarrower still
وبعظمِ معجزه البسيطةُ أضيق
The horizons are too narrow for the greatness of his eminence;
Lips caressing his tomb while tears washed away every stain
for his mighty wonders, the earth is narrower still.
To the tomb of his heir, sanctified place is sustained
إمَّاif أقامَhe stays فمنهthen because of him طرفُthe gaze of الناسpeople فيupon
إمَّا أقامَ فمنه طرفُ الناس في
إنسانthe pupil of عينِthe eye of زمانِهمtheir age تتعلّقis fixed
إنسان عينِ زمانِهم تتعلّق
If he stays, people's gaze is fixed on him,
Holy by God's angels encircling the site
the pupil of the eye of their age.
Granting pardon and mercy for penitents pained
وبأيّand in whatever أرضٍland قدindeed سرىhe travels ففعالهthen his deeds
وبأيّ أرضٍ قد سرى ففعاله
عنaway from أهلهاits people عينthe eye of الحوادثِcalamities تَطبِقclose
عن أهلها عين الحوادثِ تَطبِق
Whatever land he travels through, his deeds
Interceding for Allah's grace to pervade
close calamities' eye against its people.
Proclaiming no glory but His is engrained
فالناسُso the people فيin جدواهhis bounty شخصٌa person واحدٌone
فالناسُ في جدواه شخصٌ واحدٌ
وبمدحهand in praising him الدنياthe world جميعاًall تنطقspeaks
وبمدحه الدنيا جميعاً تنطق
In receiving his bounty, mankind is a single person;
Raising banners of honor, no more to be drained
in praising him, the whole world speaks.
At the seat of their glory, ennobled its state
ونداهand his generosity لوif سكتواthey fell silent لنوَّهwould surely proclaim باسمهhis name
ونداه لو سكتوا لنوَّه باسمه
إنَّindeed الندىgenerosity لهوsurely is الخطيبُthe orator المفلقdazzling
إنَّ الندى لهو الخطيبُ المفلق
Were they silent, his generosity would proclaim his name:
As the standard of pride flutters proudly unfurled
generosity is indeed the dazzling orator.
Let joy light up Zawra, tranquility fete
وإذاand when ترادفتِfollowed one another المُحولُdroughts تشعَّبتbranched forth
وإذا ترادفتِ المُحولُ تشعَّبت
منهfrom him غمائمُclouds للبلادacross the lands تطبّقspread over
منه غمائمُ للبلاد تطبّق
When droughts follow one another, there branch forth
Pass the cup of glad tidings, honor elate
from him clouds that spread across the lands.
Their kin ever ready praise to create
وغداand came to يرفُّhover علىover البريَّةmankind ظلُّهاtheir shade
وغدا يرفُّ على البريَّة ظلُّها
وبريّقand with the nectar of النعماءِblessings فيهمupon them تغدقpour copiously
وبريّق النعماءِ فيهم تغدق
Their shade comes to hover over mankind,
From their line shoots have sprung forth in form delicate
and they pour the nectar of blessings upon them.
As the stars' gaze is fixed, rapturous their state
حتَّىuntil تمجُّgushes الأرضُthe earth ماءَthe water of نعيمهاits well-being
حتَّى تمجُّ الأرضُ ماءَ نعيمها
ريَّاwell-watered وبالعشبand with grass الثرىthe soil يتشقَّقsplits open
ريَّا وبالعشب الثرى يتشقَّق
Until the earth gushes with the water of its well-being,
They've enraptured my soul with their virtues innate
well-watered, its soil splitting open with grass.
Rising still as I fall before them prostrate
فتبيتُand it becomes حاليةًadorned بوشيwith the embroidery of ربيعهاits spring
فتبيتُ حاليةً بوشي ربيعها
ولساكنيهاand for its inhabitants العيشُlife غضًّاfresh يونقis delightful
ولساكنيها العيشُ غضًّا يونق
It becomes adorned with its spring's embroidery,
Were they given their due, then precedence they'd take
and life delights its inhabitants in freshness.
His noble traits perfume the air, beyond consummate
مننٌfavors تفوتsurpass الواصفينَthose who describe وإنَّماand only
مننٌ تفوت الواصفينَ وإنَّما
وصفُthe description of الأنامِmankind ببعضهاin some of them يستغرقis exhausted
وصفُ الأنامِ ببعضها يستغرق
Favors surpassing those who describe them; indeed,
Outshining the dazzling first blooms delicate
mankind's descriptive powers are exhausted by only some.
His smile's radiance shaming the sun beams elate
وإذاand when انتمىhe traces his lineage فلدوحةthen to the mighty tree of الشرفhonor التيwhich
وإذا انتمى فلدوحة الشرف التي
تنموgrows علىover مرِّthe passage of الزمانِtime وتورقand puts forth leaves
تنمو على مرِّ الزمانِ وتورق
When he traces his lineage, it is to honor's mighty tree, which
On his face rectitude beams, beauty ornate
grows through the passage of time and puts forth leaves.
Embodying all the fair virtues aggregate
وشجتintertwined قديماًlong ago سارياتُthe spreading strands of عروقهاits roots
وشجت قديماً سارياتُ عروقها
حيثwhere المجرَّةُthe Milky Way نهرُهاits river يتدفَّقflows
حيث المجرَّةُ نهرُها يتدفَّق
Its spreading roots intertwined long ago
By his power, time is fettered and fate
where the Milky Way flows as its river.
His generosity, all are made consecrate
فأصولُهاand its roots فوقَabove السماheaven وفروعُهاand its branches
فأصولُها فوقَ السما وفروعُها
شرفاًin honor إلىto مالاwhat has no نهايةَend تبسقrise high
شرفاً إلى مالا نهايةَ تبسق
Its roots are above heaven, and its branches
Beyond you now, the noble's predestined estate
rise in honor without end.
Leave vain boasts, for Mubarak will sate
وطريفُand the newly gained part of علياهُhis eminence يُريكَshows you تليدَهاits inherited glory
وطريفُ علياهُ يُريكَ تليدَها
فمنso who is المكذِّبُthe denier والطريفُwhile the new glory مصدّقconfirms
فمن المكذِّبُ والطريفُ مصدّق
His newly gained eminence reveals its inherited glory:
Their thirst, exalting their name voice elaborate
who could deny it, when the new confirms the old?
At his name the fainthearted will disintegrate
لاnot كالذيlike one whose بينَamong البريَّةِmankind أصلُهlineage
لا كالذي بينَ البريَّةِ أصلُه
خبرٌa tale علىin عَلِكِthe chewing of اللسانthe tongue يُلفَّقis fabricated
خبرٌ على عَلِكِ اللسان يُلفَّق
Not like one whose lineage among mankind
His palms fashioned oceans, floods devastate
is a tale fabricated as the tongue chews it.
For them clouds gathered dense to accumulate
مَلِكٌa king علىover أُولىthe foremost of الزمانِthe age قبيلهُhis clan
مَلِكٌ على أُولى الزمانِ قبيلهُ
بذوائبto the summits of الشرفhonor الرفيعlofty تعلَّقواthey clung
بذوائب الشرف الرفيع تعلَّقوا
A king over the foremost of the age; his clan
In peace, gentle rain to satiate
have clung to the summits of lofty honor.
In war, torrents of blood to decimate
طلبواthey sought سماءَthe heaven of المجدglory فابتدرتand sped بهمbearing them
طلبوا سماءَ المجد فابتدرت بهم
تسموrise قُدامىthe primary feathers of عزِّهمtheir might وتحلِّقand soar
تسمو قُدامى عزِّهم وتحلِّق
They sought glory's heaven, and swiftly bearing them,
His smile shines gently, his sword flashes irate
the pinions of their might rose and soared.
Ask who'd lead if chaos ruled that direful date
حتَّىuntil ارتقواthey ascended أفلاكهاits spheres وغداand became لهمtheirs
حتَّى ارتقوا أفلاكها وغدا لهم
دونapart from البريَّةmankind غربُهاits west والمشرقand east
دون البريَّة غربُها والمشرق
Until they ascended its spheres, and theirs became,
From afar he'd be hailed by hands gesticulate
apart from all mankind, its west and east.
Say who has outstripped all in nobility's race
وإلىand until انقطاعِthe ending of الدهرِtime فخرُthe pride of علاهمtheir eminence
وإلى انقطاعِ الدهرِ فخرُ علاهم
أبداًforever بهالتهاaround its halo الرفيعةexalted محدقencircling
أبداً بهالتها الرفيعة محدق
Until time ends, the pride of their eminence
Mohammed the Munificent, none can equate
will forever encircle its exalted halo.
His cheeks shining stars, his visage innate
فكفاهمso sufficient for them فخراًas honor بأنَّthat عشيرَهمtheir clan
فكفاهم فخراً بأنَّ عشيرَهم
فيهin him وفيand in عبدAbd الكريمal-Karim معرّقdeeply rooted
فيه وفي عبد الكريم معرّق
Enough honor for them that their clan
Marvel at seekers who bask in his light
is deeply rooted in him and in Abd al-Karim.
United though myriad, not one would escape
فهماso the two of them معاًtogether كفَّاtwo hands of نداًbounty وُصِلاwere joined بِهمto them
فهما معاً كفَّا نداً وُصِلا بِهم
وهُمُand they لتاجfor the crown of العزّhonor قدماًlong ago مِفرقthe crown of the head
وهُمُ لتاج العزّ قدماً مِفرق
Together, the two are hands of bounty joined to them,
The ages he filled with his virtues first-rate
while they have long been the brow for honor's crown.
O hosts that gather from everywhere to wait
فرعاtwo branches of عُلاهمtheir eminence فيin حديقةِthe garden of مجدهمtheir glory
فرعا عُلاهم في حديقةِ مجدهم
ماwhat أثمراهthe two produced طيّبٌgood مستوسقabundant
ما أثمراه طيّبٌ مستوسق
Two branches of their eminence in their glory's garden:
For them open generosity's gate
what the two have borne is good and abundant.
Though in these times, meanness we regularly rate
ضرباthe two struck بعرقٍwith a root واحدٍsingle فيin طينةٍclay
ضربا بعرقٍ واحدٍ في طينةٍ
هيit is منthan سواهاany other فيin المكارمnoble deeds أسبقforemost
هي من سواها في المكارم أسبق
They struck a single root in clay
To you my soul proffers its hand, hoping to sate
that surpasses all other clay in noble deeds.
Your wish for a gift not inspired by mandate
مَثَلانِtwo equals كلّeach منهماof the two ماwhenever برّزاthe two excelled
مَثَلانِ كلّ منهما ما برّزا
فيin السبقِthe race رهنَthe wager of ذويpossessors of المعاليeminence يغلقwins outright
في السبقِ رهنَ ذوي المعالي يغلق
Two equals: each, whenever both excel,
Now a rarity, loyalty obstinate
wins outright the highborn's wager in the race.
Noble souls freely give, it's in their nature innate
كالعينlike the eye تبلغُreaches اختُهاits sister الشأوَthe goal الذيwhich
كالعين تبلغُ اختُها الشأوَ الذي
بلغتهit reached إنif كلٌّeach إليهat it تحدّقgazes
بلغته إن كلٌّ إليه تحدّق
Like an eye whose sister reaches the goal
While base souls refuse, though pretend to donate
it reached, when each fixes its gaze upon it.
She came as fidelity dictated her gait
ياO نيّريtwo luminaries of فلكِthe sphere of المعاليhigh deeds مَنyou who غداcame to be
يا نيّري فلكِ المعالي مَن غدا
لهماfor the two بكلّin every سماءِheaven of مجدٍglory مَشرِقa place of rising
لهما بكلّ سماءِ مجدٍ مَشرِق
O two luminaries of high deeds' sphere, for whom
Though verse overflows, she's beyond conjugate
every heaven of glory holds a place of rising:
Amber perfumes the age with your legends elate
قرَّتwere gladdened بانسانيهماby their two pupils عيناكماyour two eyes
قرَّت بانسانيهما عيناكما
وعلىand upon القذىgrit أغضىclosed his eyes الحسودُthe envier المحنقenraged
وعلى القذى أغضى الحسودُ المحنق
your eyes are gladdened by their two pupils,
Hoping sincerely her scent to disseminate
while the enraged envier shuts his eyes upon grit.
She flew to you directly, no need to await
فلقدand indeed تباشرتِrejoiced النفوسُsouls بأوبةat the return of الthe
فلقد تباشرتِ النفوسُ بأوبة ال
هاديHadi وجُمَّعand was gathered أنسُهاtheir delight المتفرّقscattered
هادي وجُمَّع أنسُها المتفرّق
Souls indeed rejoiced at the return of al-
No other would woo her, to you she was fate
Hadi, and their scattered delight was gathered.
وسماand the heaven of المكارِمnoble deeds أشرقتshone لمَّاwhen بداappeared
وسما المكارِم أشرقت لمَّا بدا
نورُthe light of الحسينِal-Husayn بأُفقهاupon its horizon يتألَّقshines
نورُ الحسينِ بأُفقها يتألَّق
The heaven of noble deeds shone when there appeared
al-Husayn's light, sparkling upon its horizon.
قَدِماthe two arrived معاًtogether والسعدُand good fortune طائرُthe bird of يُمنِهits blessing
قَدِما معاً والسعدُ طائرُ يُمنِه
غَرِدٌsinging يرفُّflutters عليهماabove the two ويرنّقand hovers
غَرِدٌ يرفُّ عليهما ويرنّق
They arrived together, and good fortune's auspicious bird,
singing, fluttered above them and hovered.
ولئنand even if تشوّقتlonged البلادُthe lands إليهماfor the two
ولئن تشوّقت البلادُ إليهما
فإِلىyet for لقائِهماmeeting the two المعاليhigh honors أشوقmore eager
فإِلى لقائِهما المعالي أشوق
Though the lands longed for them,
high honors longed yet more to meet them.
لاmay not مسَّtouch أيديthe forelegs of الرامياتِthose hastening إلىto مِنًىMina
لا مسَّ أيدي الرامياتِ إلى مِنًى
نَصَبٌtoil ولاnor منهاof them عُقِرنَwere hamstrung الأسوُقthe shanks
نَصَبٌ ولا منها عُقِرنَ الأسوُق
May no toil touch the forelegs of those hastening to Mina,
nor may their shanks be hamstrung.
فلكعبةso toward the Kaaba of البيتthe House الحرامSacred بكعبتيcarrying the two Kaabas of
فلكعبة البيت الحرام بكعبتي
أملِthe hope of العفاةِsupplicants سرتtraveled خفائفlight-footed تُعنِقstride swiftly
أملِ العفاةِ سرت خفائف تُعنِق
Toward the Kaaba of the Sacred House, carrying the two Kaabas of
supplicants' hope, they traveled lightly, striding swiftly.
وبثقلand under the weight of أجرهماtheir reward ثقيلاتُheavy الخطاof step
وبثقل أجرهما ثقيلاتُ الخطا
صدرتreturned كأَنَّas though لهاthey have الرواسيthe mountains أوسقas loads
صدرت كأَنَّ لها الرواسي أوسق
Heavy-footed beneath the weight of the two men's reward,
they returned as though the mountains were their loads.
المُحرِمَينِthe two in ihram وإنeven if أحلاّthey left ihram دائماًalways
المُحرِمَينِ وإن أحلاّ دائماً
زهداًrenouncing بماwhat تهوىdesire النفوسُsouls وتعشقand love
زهداً بما تهوى النفوسُ وتعشق
Ever in ihram, the two, even after leaving it,
renouncing what souls desire and love.
فكأَنَّso as though كلَّevery مقامٍplace احتلاّthe two stayed بهin it
فكأَنَّ كلَّ مقامٍ احتلاّ به
حرمٌa sanctuary وحجٌّand a pilgrimage كلَّevery يومٍday يُخلقis made anew
حرمٌ وحجٌّ كلَّ يومٍ يُخلق
As though every place where the two stayed
were a sanctuary, and a pilgrimage were made anew each day.
والركنُand the Corner يشهدُbears witness أنَّthat كفهماtheir hand التيwhich
والركنُ يشهدُ أنَّ كفهما التي
استلمَتهtouched it لاno إثمٌsin بهاupon it متعلّقclinging
استلمَته لا إثمٌ بها متعلّق
The Corner bears witness that their hand, which
touched it, has no sin clinging to it.
نحراthe two slaughtered غداةَthe morning of النَفرdeparture هدياًa sacrificial animal قالit would say لمnot
نحرا غداةَ النَفر هدياً قال لم
يُقبلwas accepted سوايَexcept me لوَif انَّthat هدياًa sacrificial animal ينطقcould speak
يُقبل سوايَ لوَ انَّ هدياً ينطق
They slaughtered a sacrifice on departure's morning; it would say, 'None
but me was accepted,' if a sacrificial animal could speak.
وسرينَand they traveled at night منfrom حرمthe sanctuary of الإِلهGod جوانحاًinclining
وسرينَ من حرم الإِله جوانحاً
بهماcarrying the two إلىto حرمthe sanctuary of النبيّthe Prophet الأينقthe she-camels
بهما إلى حرم النبيّ الأينق
From God's sanctuary, inclining toward their destination, traveled
the she-camels, carrying them to the Prophet's sanctuary.
بيتٌa house لوif البيتُthe House استطاعَcould لجاءهُwould surely come to it
بيتٌ لو البيتُ استطاعَ لجاءهُ
بالركنِwith the Corner يسعىhurrying سعيَin the manner of مَنone who يتملّقseeks favor
بالركنِ يسعى سعيَ مَن يتملّق
A house to which the House itself, if it could, would come,
bringing its Corner, hastening like one seeking favor.
فالدهرُso time فيهthere محرّمٌin ihram فمقصِّرٌthen clipping its hair
فالدهرُ فيه محرّمٌ فمقصِّرٌ
والفخرُand glory فيهthere طائفٌcircling فمحلِّقthen shaving its head
والفخرُ فيه طائفٌ فمحلِّق
Time there enters ihram, then trims its hair;
glory circles there, then shaves its head.
عكفاthe two lingered بهthere يتمسَّكانِperfume themselves فناشقٌthen one inhaling
عكفا به يتمسَّكانِ فناشقٌ
لَثمَkissed الضريحَthe tomb ولاثمٌand one kissing يتنشَّقinhales
لَثمَ الضريحَ ولاثمٌ يتنشَّق
The two lingered there, perfuming themselves: one who inhaled
kissed the tomb, and one who kissed it inhaled its scent.
واستقبلاand the two turned toward حرمَthe sanctuary of الوصيِّthe Legatee وإنَّهand indeed it is
واستقبلا حرمَ الوصيِّ وإنَّه
حرمُthe sanctuary of الإِلهGod بهaround it الملائكُthe angels تحدِقgather in a ring
حرمُ الإِله به الملائكُ تحدِق
They turned toward the Legatee's sanctuary; it is indeed
God's sanctuary, ringed by angels.
وحمًىand a refuge يُجيرُprotects منfrom السعيرthe blazing fire لأنَّهbecause it
وحمًى يُجيرُ من السعير لأنَّه
نفحاتُwafts of عفوthe pardon of اللهGod منهfrom it تعبِقare fragrant
نفحاتُ عفو الله منه تعبِق
A refuge protecting against the blazing fire, because
wafts of God's pardon spread their fragrance from it.
فاستشفعاso the two sought intercession للهwith God فيهthere ويمّماand made for
فاستشفعا لله فيه ويمّما
نادٍa gathering بغيرwith anything other than العزِّhonor ليسَnot يُروَّقis adorned
نادٍ بغير العزِّ ليسَ يُروَّق
There they sought intercession with God, and made for
a gathering adorned with nothing but honor.
رُفِعتwere raised بأعلاin upper الكرخal-Karkh منهfrom it سُرادقٌcanopies
رُفِعت بأعلا الكرخ منه سُرادقٌ
بعلائِهاto their heights العيّوقal-Ayyuq, Capella لاnot يتعلّقcan reach
بعلائِها العيّوق لا يتعلّق
Its canopies were raised in upper al-Karkh;
al-Ayyuq cannot reach their heights.
جمعَgathered الصلاحَrighteousness علىupon التُقىpiety أطرافهُits bounds
جمعَ الصلاحَ على التُقى أطرافهُ
وغداand came to لواءُthe banner of الفخرِglory فيهtherein يخفقflutter
وغدا لواءُ الفخرِ فيه يخفق
Within its bounds, righteousness joined with piety;
the banner of glory came to flutter there.
فلتلبسso let don الزوراءُal-Zawra حلَّةthe garment of زهوِهاher pride
فلتلبس الزوراءُ حلَّة زهوِها
فالعيشُfor life رغدٌease والهناand happiness نُستوسِقwe gather in full
فالعيشُ رغدٌ والهنا نُستوسِق
Let al-Zawra don the robe of her pride,
for life is easy, and we gather joy in full.
أوماdo you not ترىsee كأسَthe cup of المسرَّةjoy تُجتلىis displayed
أوما ترى كأسَ المسرَّة تُجتلى
لعشيرةfor the clan of الشرفِhonor الرفيعِlofty وتُدهَقand filled to the brim
لعشيرة الشرفِ الرفيعِ وتُدهَق
Do you not see the cup of joy displayed
for the clan of lofty honor, filled to the brim?
عقدواthey convened النديَّthe gathering وللوفاءِand out of loyalty محبُّهمtheir admirer
عقدوا النديَّ وللوفاءِ محبُّهم
يُنشيcomposes المديحَpraise مُهنياًoffering congratulations وينمّقand embellishes
يُنشي المديحَ مُهنياً وينمّق
They convened the gathering; out of loyalty, their admirer
composes praise, offering congratulations and embellishing it.
والزهرُand the flowers منamong أبنائهمtheir sons ماwhile بينَهاamong them الthe
والزهرُ من أبنائهم ما بينَها ال
ندبُnoble man الرِضاal-Rida فيin خُلقهhis character تتخلَّقmodel their manners
ندبُ الرِضا في خُلقه تتخلَّق
The flowers among their sons, with the
noble al-Rida among them, take their character from his.
قدindeed أحدقتencircled منهُfrom him بأزهدِهاtheir most ascetic كماjust as
قد أحدقت منهُ بأزهدِها كما
تُمسيbecome بأزهرهاaround their brightest الكواكبُthe stars تحدقgather in a ring
تُمسي بأزهرها الكواكبُ تحدق
They have gathered around the most ascetic of them, just as
the stars gather around their brightest.
تسموrise لواحظُهمtheir glances إليهtoward him مُطرِقاًwith bowed head
تسمو لواحظُهم إليه مُطرِقاً
وإذاand when سمتrose منهfrom him اللواحظُthe glances تُطرِقbow down
وإذا سمت منه اللواحظُ تُطرِق
Their glances rise toward him as his head is bowed;
when his glances rise, theirs fall.
لوif أنصفتهthey did him justice الكاشحونthe enemies بنعلهwith his sandal
لو أنصفته الكاشحون بنعله
لتتوجواwould crown themselves وبشسعِهاand with its strap لتمنطقواwould gird themselves
لتتوجوا وبشسعِها لتمنطقوا
Had his enemies done him justice, with his sandal
they would crown themselves, and gird themselves with its strap.
عبِقتwere fragrant شمائلهُhis qualities فماand not رَيَّاthe fragrance of الصَباthe east wind
عبِقت شمائلهُ فما رَيَّا الصَبا
ممطورةَrain-washed الأنفاسِbreaths منهاthan them أعبقmore fragrant
ممطورةَ الأنفاسِ منها أعبق
His qualities are fragrant; not even the east wind's scent,
its breaths rain-washed, is more fragrant than they.
وجلتand polished محيَّاthe face of الدهرِtime بهجةُthe brightness of وجههhis face
وجلت محيَّا الدهرِ بهجةُ وجهه
فارتدَّso it returned وهوand it is منwith النضارةfreshness مُشرِقshining
فارتدَّ وهو من النضارة مُشرِق
The brightness of his face polished time's countenance,
and it emerged radiant with freshness.
وجهٌa face يلوحُshines عليهupon it عنوانُthe sign of النُهىreason
وجهٌ يلوحُ عليه عنوانُ النُهى
ويروقand delights فيهtherein منfrom الطلاقةِcheerful openness رَونَقluster
ويروق فيه من الطلاقةِ رَونَق
A face upon which the sign of reason shines,
and the luster of cheerful openness delights.
ومنand of الخلالِqualities الصالحاتِvirtuous قدindeed احتوىhe encompassed
ومن الخلالِ الصالحاتِ قد احتوى
مجموعَall of ماwhat هوis فيamong الورىmankind مُتفرّقscattered
مجموعَ ما هو في الورى مُتفرّق
Of virtuous qualities, he has encompassed
all that lies scattered among mankind.
فبعزِّهso by his might صرفُthe vicissitudes of الزمانِtime مقيدٌbound
فبعزِّه صرفُ الزمانِ مقيدٌ
وبجودهand by his generosity جودُthe bounty of العفاةِsupplicants مطوّقgarlanded
وبجوده جودُ العفاةِ مطوّق
By his might, time's vicissitudes are bound;
by his generosity, the supplicants' bounty is garlanded.
أمراهنيهO you competing with him فيin الفخارglory وراءَكمstand back
أمراهنيه في الفخار وراءَكم
عمَّنfrom one who إذwhen ابتدرَraced toward المدىthe goal لاnot يُلحقis overtaken
عمَّن إذ ابتدرَ المدى لا يُلحق
O rivals wagering against him in glory, stand back
from one who cannot be caught when he races toward the goal.
ودعواand leave الندىgenerosity فلهfor it belongs to him محمَّدُMuhammad جعفرٌJa'far
ودعوا الندى فله محمَّدُ جعفرٌ
يسقيwaters رياضَthe gardens of المكرماتِnoble deeds فتورِقand they put forth leaves
يسقي رياضَ المكرماتِ فتورِق
Leave generosity to Muhammad Ja'far, for it is his:
he waters gardens of noble deeds until they leaf.
ضرغامُa lion of هيجاءٍbattle إذاwhen ذُكرis mentioned اسمهhis name
ضرغامُ هيجاءٍ إذا ذُكر اسمه
فيon يومa day of روعٍterror للجموعto the armies تفرَّقواthey scatter
في يوم روعٍ للجموع تفرَّقوا
A lion of battle: when his name is mentioned
to armies on a day of terror, they scatter.
خُلِقتwere created أناملthe fingertips of راحتيهhis two palms أبحراًas seas
خُلِقت أنامل راحتيه أبحراً
يرويhe quenches thirst بهاwith them طوراًat times وطوراًand at times يغرِقdrowns
يروي بها طوراً وطوراً يغرِق
The fingertips of his two palms were created as seas:
with them he quenches thirst at times, and at times drowns.
نشأتarose لهنَّfor them غمائمclouds بينamong الورىmankind
نشأت لهنَّ غمائم بين الورى
عشرٌten بوارقهاtheir lightning flashes تضيءilluminate وتحرقand burn
عشرٌ بوارقها تضيء وتحرق
Clouds have arisen for them among mankind,
ten, whose lightning flashes illuminate and burn.
فيin السلمpeace وابلُهاtheir downpour النُضارgold وإنَّماbut
في السلم وابلُها النُضار وإنَّما
فيin الحربwar وابلُهاtheir downpour دمٌblood يتدفَّقgushing
في الحرب وابلُها دمٌ يتدفَّق
In peace, their downpour is gold; but
in war, their downpour is gushing blood.
ولهاand for them تبسمهُhis smile بريقٌlightning فيin الندىgenerosity
ولها تبسمهُ بريقٌ في الندى
وبسيفهand through his sword يومَthe day of الكريهةbattle تَبرُقthey flash
وبسيفه يومَ الكريهة تَبرُق
His smile is their lightning in generosity;
through his sword, on battle's day, they flash.
لوif قيلَit were asked يومَthe day of الروعterror منwho تِربُthe companion of الوغىbattle
لو قيلَ يومَ الروع من تِربُ الوغى
لأشارَwould surely point منfrom بُعدٍafar إليهtoward him الفيلقthe army
لأشارَ من بُعدٍ إليه الفيلق
Were it asked on terror's day, 'Who is war's companion?'
the army would point toward him from afar.
أوor قيلَit were asked أيُّwhich الناسِpeople أسبقُforemost للندىin generosity
أو قيلَ أيُّ الناسِ أسبقُ للندى
قلناwe would say محمدٌMuhammad الجوادthe generous الأسبقُthe foremost
قلنا محمدٌ الجواد الأسبقُ
Or were it asked, 'Who is foremost in generosity?'
we would say, 'Muhammad, the generous, the foremost.'
لججٌdeep seas أسرَّةُthe lines of راحتيهhis two palms ووجهُهand his face
لججٌ أسرَّةُ راحتيه ووجهُه
منهfrom him سهيلٌSuhayl, Canopus طالعٌrising يتألَّقshining
منه سهيلٌ طالعٌ يتألَّق
The lines of his palms are deep seas, and his face
is a rising Suhayl, shining forth from him.
فاعجبso marvel لأنضاءat the weary mounts of الوفودdelegations وأُنسهاand their ease
فاعجب لأنضاء الوفود وأُنسها
بسناهin his radiance إنwhen وردتthey arrive وليستand they do not تفرقُfear
بسناه إن وردت وليست تفرقُ
Marvel at the delegations' weary mounts, and their ease
in his radiance when they arrive, without fear.
ملأَhe filled الزمانtime فواضلاًwith favors وفضائلاًand virtues
ملأَ الزمان فواضلاً وفضائلاً
بهماbefore the two يكلُّgrows weary منof الفصيحthe eloquent person المَنطِقspeech
بهما يكلُّ من الفصيح المَنطِق
He has filled time with favors and virtues,
before both of which even eloquent speech falters.
ياO مَنthose whose رباعُهمtheir dwellings غدتbecame مملوَّةًfilled
يا مَن رباعُهم غدت مملوَّةً
بالوفدwith delegations منfrom كلِّevery الأماكنِplace تُطرقare visited
بالوفد من كلِّ الأماكنِ تُطرق
O you whose dwellings have become filled
with delegations, visited from every place:
فتحواthey opened لهمfor them بابَthe gate of السماحِgenerosity بهنَّin them فيin
فتحوا لهم بابَ السماحِ بهنَّ في
زمنٍan age بهin it بابُthe gate of السماحةِgenerosity مُغلقclosed
زمنٍ به بابُ السماحةِ مُغلق
you opened for them generosity's gate within those dwellings, in
an age when generosity's gate is closed.
قدindeed زفَّbrought in bridal procession فكريmy thought منfrom عقائِلهits noble maidens لكمto you
قد زفَّ فكري من عقائِله لكم
عذراءَa virgin ليسnot لغيركمfor anyone but you تتشوّقshe longs
عذراءَ ليس لغيركم تتشوّق
My thought has brought you, from among its noble maidens,
a virgin who longs for none but you.
أضحتshe became بجيبin the bosom of الدهرِtime جَونَةa casket of عنبرambergris
أضحت بجيب الدهرِ جَونَة عنبر
فيin نشرspreading ذكركمyour renown تضوعُdiffuses fragrance وتعبقand is fragrant
في نشر ذكركم تضوعُ وتعبق
She has become a casket of ambergris in time's bosom,
diffusing fragrance in the spreading of your renown.
جاءَتshe came كماas اقترحَproposed الوفاءُfidelity وإنeven if يكنbe
جاءَت كما اقترحَ الوفاءُ وإن يكن
كثرُplentiful القصيدُpoetry فغيرُهاyet another لاnot يُعشقis loved
كثرُ القصيدُ فغيرُها لا يُعشق
She came as fidelity proposed, and though
poetry be abundant, no other is loved.
وترىand deems الوفاloyalty نفسُthe soul of الكريمthe noble person لأهلهtoward his people
وترى الوفا نفسُ الكريم لأهله
فرضاًa duty ولوeven if بأَدائهby fulfilling it هيit تزهقperishes
فرضاً ولو بأَدائه هي تزهق
The noble soul deems loyalty toward its people
a duty, even if fulfilling it costs its life.
وتمجُّهand rejects it نفسُthe soul of اللئيمthe base person ولوeven if لَهاfor its sake
وتمجُّه نفسُ اللئيم ولو لَها
ماas long as دُمتَyou continue بالعسلwith honey المصفّىpurified تُلعِقyou feed it
ما دُمتَ بالعسل المصفّى تُلعِق
The base soul spurns it, even if, for its sake,
you keep feeding it purified honey.
Partial English translation: 131 of 232 Arabic lines translated.