أَعْطىgave الشَّبابَyouth مِنَof الآرابِdesires ماwhat طَلبَاit sought
أَعْطى الشَّبابَ مِنَ الآرابِ ما طَلبَا
وَراحَand went يَخْتالُstrutting فيin ثَوْبَيْthe two robes of هَوىًlove وَصِباand youthful passion
وَراحَ يَخْتالُ في ثَوْبَيْ هَوىً وَصِبا
He gave youth the desires it sought,
Youth granted me whatsoever I desired
and went strutting in the two robes of love and youthful passion.
And donned the garb of passion and constancy
لَمْdid not يُدْرِكِovertake الشَّيْبُgray hair إِلاّexcept فَضْلَthe remainder of صَبْوَتِهhis youthful passion
لَمْ يُدْرِكِ الشَّيْبُ إِلاّ فَضْلَ صَبْوَتِه
كَماas يُغادِرُleaves behind فَضْلَthe remainder of الْكَأْسِthe cup مَنْwhoever شَرِباdrank
كَما يُغادِرُ فَضْلَ الْكَأْسِ مَنْ شَرِبا
Gray hair overtook only the remainder of his youthful ardor,
Grey hairs attained naught but his youth’s remainder
as a drinker leaves the remainder of the cup.
As the last drops remain when the cup is drained
رَأَىhe saw الشَّبِيبَةَyouth خَطّاًa script مُونِقاًbeautiful فَدَرىso he knew
رَأَى الشَّبِيبَةَ خَطّاً مُونِقاً فَدَرى
أَنَّthat الزَّمانَtime سَيَمْحُوwill erase مِنْهُfrom it ماwhat كَتَباit wrote
أَنَّ الزَّمانَ سَيَمْحُو مِنْهُ ما كَتَبا
He saw youth as a beautiful script and knew
When hoariness wrote its faint line
that time would erase from it what it had written.
He knew time would blot out all it had penned
إِنَّindeed الثَّلاثِينَthirty years لَمْdid not يُسْفِرْنَunveil عَنْabout أَحَدٍanyone
إِنَّ الثَّلاثِينَ لَمْ يُسْفِرْنَ عَنْ أَحَدٍ
إِلاّexcept ارْتَدىhe put on بِرِداءِa cloak of الشِّيْبِgray hair وانْتَقَبَاand veiled himself
إِلاّ ارْتَدى بِرِداءِ الشِّيْبِ وانْتَقَبَا
Thirty years have unveiled no one
Thirty brought forth in any man
without his donning a cloak of gray hair and veiling himself.
Save he who wore grey hair’s gown and turban
وَالْمَرْءُand a man مَنْone who شَنَّlaunched فِيupon الأَيّامِthe days غارَتَهُhis raid
وَالْمَرْءُ مَنْ شَنَّ فِي الأَيّامِ غارَتَهُ
فَبادَرَso he hastened to الْعَيْشَlife بِاللَّذّاتِwith pleasures وَانْتَهَباand plundered
فَبادَرَ الْعَيْشَ بِاللَّذّاتِ وَانْتَهَبا
A man is one who launches his raid upon the days,
He who sharpened time’s arrows at morn
and hastens to life's pleasures, plundering
And hastened after pleasures to plunder them
ماwhat شاءَhe wished فَلْيَتَّخِذْso let him make أَيّامَهُhis days فُرَصاًopportunities
ما شاءَ فَلْيَتَّخِذْ أَيّامَهُ فُرَصاً
فَلَيْسَfor no يَوْمٌday بِمَرْدُودٍcan be restored إِذاwhen ذَهَبَاit has gone
فَلَيْسَ يَوْمٌ بِمَرْدُودٍ إِذا ذَهَبَا
whatever he wishes; let him make his days opportunities,
Let him make of his days opportunities
for no day can be brought back once it is gone.
No day returns once gone, no breath recalled
هَلِis الصِّبيyouth غَيْرُother than مَحْبُوبٍa beloved ظَفِرْتُI won بِهِhim
هَلِ الصِّبي غَيْرُ مَحْبُوبٍ ظَفِرْتُ بِهِ
لَمْdid not أَقْضِI fulfill مِنْfrom حُبِّهِhis love قَبْلَbefore النَّوىseparation أَرَباa desire
لَمْ أَقْضِ مِنْ حُبِّهِ قَبْلَ النَّوى أَرَبا
Is youth anything but a beloved I won,
Was not my love an unloved boy I gained?
in whose love I had not fulfilled my desire before separation?
Before I’d had my fill, the stars set at dawn
إِنِّيindeed I لأَحْسُدُsurely envy مَنْwhoever طاحَcarried away الْغَرامُpassion بِهِhim
إِنِّي لأَحْسُدُ مَنْ طاحَ الْغَرامُ بِهِ
وَجَاذَبَتْهُand tugged at him حِبالُthe cords of الشَّوْقِlonging فَانْجَذَباso he was drawn along
وَجَاذَبَتْهُ حِبالُ الشَّوْقِ فَانْجَذَبا
Indeed, I envy whoever passion has carried away,
How I envy him consumed by love-fires
whom longing's cords have tugged and drawn along.
Whose heartstrings passion tugged till they snapped
وَالْعَجْزُand helplessness أَنْthat أَتْرُكَI leave الأُوْطارِwishes مُقْبِلَةًapproaching
وَالْعَجْزُ أَنْ أَتْرُكَ الأُوْطارِ مُقْبِلَةً
حتّىuntil إِذاwhen أَدْبَرَتْthey turned away حاوَلْتُهاI sought them طَلَباin pursuit
حتّى إِذا أَدْبَرَتْ حاوَلْتُها طَلَبا
Helplessness is to leave my wishes as they approach,
How powerless am I to leave the wine-cups
then, when they turn away, attempt to pursue them.
Till they’re empty, then seek them though fled
مالِيwhat is with me وَلِلْحَظِّand with fortune لاdoes not يَنْفَكُّcease يَقْذِفُcasting بِيme
مالِي وَلِلْحَظِّ لا يَنْفَكُّ يَقْذِفُ بِي
صُمِّunyielding الْمَطالِبِgoals لاno وِرْداًarrival at water وَلاnor قَرَباapproach to water
صُمِّ الْمَطالِبِ لا وِرْداً وَلا قَرَبا
What is it with me and fortune, which keeps casting me
My fate and luck relent not tossing me
against unyielding goals, neither reaching water nor drawing near?
Hardships, no gifts or wishes granted
أَصْبَحْتُI have become فِيin قَبْضَةِthe grasp of الأَيّامِthe days مُرْتَهَناًheld hostage
أَصْبَحْتُ فِي قَبْضَةِ الأَيّامِ مُرْتَهَناً
نائِيfar from الْمَحَلِّthe dwelling طَرِيداًbanished عَنْهُfrom it مُغْتَرِباexiled
نائِي الْمَحَلِّ طَرِيداً عَنْهُ مُغْتَرِبا
I have become a hostage in the grip of the days,
I pledged myself to the grip of time
far from home, banished from it, a stranger.
Far from home, an exile chased away
أَلَحَّpersisted دَهْرٌan age لَجُوجٌobstinate فِيin مُعانَدَنِيopposing me
أَلَحَّ دَهْرٌ لَجُوجٌ فِي مُعانَدَنِي
فَكُلَّماand whenever رُضْتُهI tamed it فِيtoward مَطْلَبٍa goal صَعُباit grew unruly
فَكُلَّما رُضْتُه فِي مَطْلَبٍ صَعُبا
A stubborn age persisted in opposing me,
Relentless time persisted tormenting me
and whenever I tamed it toward a goal, it grew unruly.
If I sought an arduous desire from it
كَخائِضِlike one wading through الُوَحْلِthe mud إِذْwhen طالَgrew long الْعَناءُsuffering بِهِfor him
كَخائِضِ الُوَحْلِ إِذْ طالَ الْعَناءُ بِهِ
فَكُلَّماand whenever قَلْقَلَتْهُjolted him نَهْضَةٌan effort to rise رَسَباhe sank
فَكُلَّما قَلْقَلَتْهُ نَهْضَةٌ رَسَبا
Like a man wading through mud, whose suffering grows long:
Like one toiling in mud when tired of strife
whenever an effort to rise jolts him, he sinks.
Each effort to escape it bogged him deeper
لأَسْلُكَنَّI shall surely traverse صُرُوفَthe reversals of الدَّهْرِtime مُقْتَحِماًplunging into
لأَسْلُكَنَّ صُرُوفَ الدَّهْرِ مُقْتَحِماً
هُوْلاًa terror يُزَهِّدُmakes renounce فِيin الأَيّامِthe days مَنْwhoever رَغِباdesired them
هُوْلاً يُزَهِّدُ فِي الأَيّامِ مَنْ رَغِبا
I shall surely traverse time's reversals, plunging into
I will brave the turns of time undaunted
a terror that makes those who desired life renounce their days.
Fears that would make the bold flee terrified
غَضْبانَangry لِلْمَجْدِfor glory طَلاّباًseeking بِثَأْرِvengeance for عُلاًhigh honor
غَضْبانَ لِلْمَجْدِ طَلاّباً بِثَأْرِ عُلاً
وَاللَّيْثُand the lion أَفْتَكُdeadliest ماwhat لاقىit meets إِذاwhen غَضِباenraged
وَاللَّيْثُ أَفْتَكُ ما لاقى إِذا غَضِبا
Angry for glory, seeking vengeance for high honor;
Let no fear of it curb your desire
the lion is deadliest to all it meets when enraged.
The exalted soul disdains unease
عِنْدِيI have عَزائمُfirm resolutions of رَأْيٍjudgment لُوْif لَقِيتُI met بِهاwith them
عِنْدِي عَزائمُ رَأْيٍ لُوْ لَقِيتُ بِها
صَرْفَthe reversals of الزَّمانِtime لَوَلىّit would turn away مُمْعِناًheadlong هَرَباin flight
صَرْفَ الزَّمانِ لَوَلىّ مُمْعِناً هَرَبا
I possess firm resolves of judgment; if I met with them
Be as you wish if you bring no disgrace
the reversals of time, time would turn and flee headlong.
No shame to a sword but to be called “blunt”
لاdo not يَمْنَعَنَّكَever deter you مِنْfrom أَمْرٍa matter مَخافَتُهُfear of it
لا يَمْنَعَنَّكَ مِنْ أَمْرٍ مَخافَتُهُ
لَيْسَnot الْعُلىlofty glory النَفِيسِprecious يَكْرَهُshrinks from الْعَطَباdestruction
لَيْسَ الْعُلى النَفِيسِ يَكْرَهُ الْعَطَبا
Do not let fear of a matter keep you from it;
Seek not the aloof with irksome persistence
precious glory does not shrink from destruction.
Rarely is an eager lover appeased
كُنْbe كَيْفَhowever شِئْتَyou wish إِذاprovided ماemphasis لَمْdo not تَخِمْflinch فَرَقاًin fear
كُنْ كَيْفَ شِئْتَ إِذا ما لَمْ تَخِمْ فَرَقاً
لاno عَيْبَfault لِلسَّيْفِin a sword إِلاّexcept أَنْthat يُقالَit be said نَباit failed to strike
لا عَيْبَ لِلسَّيْفِ إِلاّ أَنْ يُقالَ نَبا
Be however you wish, provided you do not flinch in fear;
Time’s daughters will know what they have wrought
a sword has no fault save being said to have failed its stroke.
Should creative thought’s daughters rage at me
لاdo not تَلْحَblame فِيin طَلَبseeking الْعَلْياءِthe highest glory ذاone with كَلَفٍardent devotion
لا تَلْحَ فِي طَلَب الْعَلْياءِ ذا كَلَفٍ
فَقَلَّماfor seldom أَعْتَبَappeases الْمُشْتاقُthe yearning man مَنْwhoever عَتَباreproached
فَقَلَّما أَعْتَبَ الْمُشْتاقُ مَنْ عَتَبا
Do not blame one devoted to seeking the highest glory;
These meters - if a theme arm itself against me
seldom does the yearning man appease his reproacher.
They are what my resolve desires - spear or gazelle
لَتَعْلَمَنَّthey shall surely learn بَناتُthe daughters of الدَّهْرِtime ماwhat صَنَعَتْthey did
لَتَعْلَمَنَّ بَناتُ الدَّهْرِ ما صَنَعَتْ
إِذاwhen اسْتَشاطَتْflare up بَناتُthe daughters of الْفِكْرِthought لِيon my behalf غَضَباin anger
إِذا اسْتَشاطَتْ بَناتُ الْفِكْرِ لِي غَضَبا
The daughters of time shall surely learn what they have done,
Rare beauties led to a king
when the daughters of thought flare with anger on my behalf.
Save he allowed them love and dalliance
هِيَthey are الْقَوافِيthe rhymes فَإِنْand if خَطْبٌa calamity تَمَرَّسَgrapples بِيwith me
هِيَ الْقَوافِي فَإِنْ خَطْبٌ تَمَرَّسَ بِي
فَهُنَّthen they are ماwhatever شاءَdesired عَزْمِيmy resolve مِنْof قَنَاًspears وَظُباand blades
فَهُنَّ ما شاءَ عَزْمِي مِنْ قَنَاً وَظُبا
They are the rhymes; if a calamity grapples with me,
Wondrous ones the caravan attained not
they become whatever spears and blades my resolve desires.
Save their guides lamented the return
عَقائِلٌnoble ladies قَلَّماseldom زُفَّتْwere led as brides إِلىto مَلِكٍa king
عَقائِلٌ قَلَّما زُفَّتْ إِلى مَلِكٍ
إلاّexcept أَباحَhe granted لَهُنَّto them الْوُدَّaffection وَالنَّشَباand wealth
إلاّ أَباحَ لَهُنَّ الْوُدَّ وَالنَّشَبا
Noble ladies, seldom led as brides to a king
From each beauty who takes souls captive
without his granting them affection and wealth.
If her voice echoes, it stirs confusion
غَرائِبٌrare wonders ماnever حَداurged by song الرَّكْبُthe riders الرِّكابَthe mounts بِهاwith them
غَرائِبٌ ما حَدا الرَّكْبُ الرِّكابَ بِها
إِلاّexcept تَرَنَّحْنّthey swayed مِنْfrom تَرْجِيعهِاtheir repeated melody طَرَباin rapture
إِلاّ تَرَنَّحْنّ مِنْ تَرْجِيعهِا طَرَبا
Rare wonders: no riders have sung them to urge their mounts
Dawn’s lightning flashed and the night fires blazed
without the mounts swaying in rapture at their refrains.
Each gust of wind enflamed them further
مِنْof كُلِّevery حَسْناءَbeauty تَقْتادُleads captive النُّفُوسَsouls هَوىًthrough love
مِنْ كُلِّ حَسْناءَ تَقْتادُ النُّفُوسَ هَوىً
إِذاwhen أَلَمَّalights بِسَمْعٍupon an ear رَجْعُهاits echo خَلَباit enchants
إِذا أَلَمَّ بِسَمْعٍ رَجْعُها خَلَبا
Each a beauty, leading souls captive through love;
The paths of hopes were illuminated
when its echo alights upon an ear, it enchants.
Abandoning kings for their superiors
شامَتْthey watched بُرُوقَlightnings of حَياًrain باتَتْcontinued through the night تَشِبُّblazing كَماas
شامَتْ بُرُوقَ حَياً باتَتْ تَشِبُّ كَما
تُجاذِبُtugs الرِّيحُthe wind عَنْfrom أَرْماحِهاits spears الْعَذَباthe tassels
تُجاذِبُ الرِّيحُ عَنْ أَرْماحِها الْعَذَبا
They watched rain's lightning blaze through the night, as
Seeking the most luminous, generous and noble
the wind tugs tassels from its spears.
The proudest, strongest and best descended
وَاسْتَوْضَحَتْand they discerned سبُلًthe paths of الآمالِhopes حائِدَةًturning away
وَاسْتَوْضَحَتْ سبُلً الآمالِ حائِدَةً
عَنِfrom الْمُلُوكِkings إِلىtoward أَعْلاهُمُthe highest of them حَسَباin nobility
عَنِ الْمُلُوكِ إِلى أَعْلاهُمُ حَسَبا
They discerned the paths of hope, turning away
It spread the glory-kingdom’s shade
from kings toward the noblest of them in ancestral honor.
Rejoicing where the halo of rule poured forth
تَؤُمُّthey seek أَبْهَرَهُمْthe most radiant of them فَضْلاًin excellence وَأَغْمَرَهُمْand the most lavish of them
تَؤُمُّ أَبْهَرَهُمْ فَضْلاً وَأَغْمَرَهُمْ
بَذْلاًin giving وَأَفْخَرَهُمْand the most glorious of them فِعْلاًin deeds وَمُنْتَسَباand in descent
بَذْلاً وَأَفْخَرَهُمْ فِعْلاً وَمُنْتَسَبا
They seek the most radiant of them in excellence, the most lavish
Impregnable, flourishing, victorious
in giving, the most glorious in deeds and ancestry.
In purpose and thought – the elite
تَفَيَّأَتْthey sheltered in ظِلَّthe shade of فَخْرِPride الْمُلْكِof the Realm وَاغْتَبَطَتْand rejoiced
تَفَيَّأَتْ ظِلَّ فَخْرِ الْمُلْكِ وَاغْتَبَطَتْ
بِحَيْثُwhere حُلَّwas loosed عِقالُthe fetter of الْمُزْنِthe rainclouds فَانْسَكَباand it poured down
بِحَيْثُ حُلَّ عِقالُ الْمُزْنِ فَانْسَكَبا
They sheltered in the shade of Fakhr al-Mulk and rejoiced,
Of a people who always roused against each foe
where the rainclouds' fetter was loosed and they poured down.
Fires whose flames punished their enemies
حَتّىuntil إِذاwhen وَرَدَتْthey arrived تَهْفُوfluttering قَلائِدَهاtheir necklaces
حَتّى إِذا وَرَدَتْ تَهْفُو قَلائِدَها
أَلْفَتْthey found أَغَرَّa radiant man بِتاجِwith the crown of الْمَجْدَglory مُعْتَصِباcrowned
أَلْفَتْ أَغَرَّ بِتاجِ الْمَجْدَ مُعْتَصِبا
Until, arriving with their necklaces fluttering,
Flashing blades in their hands like lightning
they found a radiant man wearing the crown of glory.
When it dwells in heavy rainclouds
أَشَمَّproud أَشْوَسَstern مَضْرُوباًpitched سُرادِقُهُhis pavilion
أَشَمَّ أَشْوَسَ مَضْرُوباً سُرادِقُهُ
عَلىover الْمَالِكِthe ruler مُرْخٍlowering دُونَهاbefore it الْحُجُباthe curtains
عَلى الْمَالِكِ مُرْخٍ دُونَها الْحُجُبا
Proud and stern, his pavilion pitched
Of each most splendid one, when the steps
above the ruler, letting curtains fall before it.
Of defenders fell short facing hated things
مُمَنَّعَunassailable in الْعِزِّhonor مَعْمُورَflourishing الْفِناءِthe courtyard بِهِthrough him
مُمَنَّعَ الْعِزِّ مَعْمُورَ الْفِناءِ بِهِ
مُظَفَّرَvictorious in الْعَزْمِresolve وَالآراءِand counsel مُنْتَجَباchosen
مُظَفَّرَ الْعَزْمِ وَالآراءِ مُنْتَجَبا
Unassailable in honor, his courtyard flourishing through him,
Not like one whose aspirations fell short
victorious in resolve and counsel, a chosen man.
Deeming far that which had drawn near
مِنْfrom مَعْشَرٍa people طالَماoften شَبُّواthey kindled بِكُلِّin every وَغىًbattle
مِنْ مَعْشَرٍ طالَما شَبُّوا بِكُلِّ وَغىً
ناراًa fire تَظَلُّremain أَعادِيهِمْtheir enemies لهَاfor it حَطَباfuel
ناراً تَظَلُّ أَعادِيهِمْ لهَا حَطَبا
From a people who have often kindled in every battle
With resolute purpose their blows would have cracked
a fire whose fuel their enemies remain.
Impenetrable cliffs of the towering mounts
بِيضٌwhite swords تَوَقَّدُblaze فِيin أَيْمانِهِمْtheir right hands شُعَلٌflames
بِيضٌ تَوَقَّدُ فِي أَيْمانِهِمْ شُعَلٌ
هِيَthey are الصَّواعِقُthunderbolts إِذْwhen تَسْتَوْطِنُinhabit السُّحُباthe clouds
هِيَ الصَّواعِقُ إِذْ تَسْتَوْطِنُ السُّحُبا
White blades—flames blaze in their right hands;
Open-veined, with a lineage from Tayyi’
they are thunderbolts when they take up residence in the clouds.
His eloquence, had it been mere words, would suffice
مِنْfrom كُلِّevery أرْوَعَawe-inspiring man مَضّاءٍresolute man إِذاwhen قَصُرتْgrew short
مِنْ كُلِّ أرْوَعَ مَضّاءٍ إِذا قَصُرتْ
خُطىthe steps of الْمُحامِينَthe defenders فِيin مَكْرُوهَةٍadversity وَثَباhe leaped
خُطى الْمُحامِينَ فِي مَكْرُوهَةٍ وَثَبا
Each a formidable, resolute man; when they falter—
Destroyers of wealth never built it up
the defenders' strides in adversity—he leaps forward.
Cultivators of hopes never destroyed them
ذاsuch a man لاnot كَمَنْlike one whose قَصَّرَتْfell short فِيin الْمَجْدِglory هِمَّتُهُhis ambition
ذا لا كَمَنْ قَصَّرَتْ فِي الْمَجْدِ هِمَّتُهُ
فَباتَso he became يَسْتَبْعِدُdeeming distant الْمَرْمىthe target الَّذِيwhich قَرُباwas near
فَباتَ يَسْتَبْعِدُ الْمَرْمى الَّذِي قَرُبا
Such a man—not like one whose ambition falls short of glory,
Kin of generosity, his origins were pure
and who comes to deem distant the target that lies near.
Generosity flows in one of such descent
عَضْبِkeen-edged in الْعَزِيمَةِresolve لَوْif لاقَتْmet مَضارِبُهاits striking edges
عَضْبِ الْعَزِيمَةِ لَوْ لاقَتْ مَضارِبُها
طُوْداًa mountain مِنَamong الْمُشْرِفاتِthe lofty peaks الصُّمِّsolid لاَنْقَضَباit would be cleft
طُوْداً مِنَ الْمُشْرِفاتِ الصُّمِّ لاَنْقَضَبا
Keen-edged in resolve: if its striking edges met
As for kings, why heed my ambitions?
a mountain among the lofty, solid peaks, it would be cleft.
Grey hairs seem white atop white hair
زاكِيpure in الْعُرُوقِlineage لَهُhe has مِنْfrom طَيِّءٍTayyi' حَسَبٌnobility
زاكِي الْعُرُوقِ لَهُ مِنْ طَيِّءٍ حَسَبٌ
لُوْif كَانَit were لَفْظاًwords لَكانَit would be النَّظْمَpoetry وَالْخُطَباand oratory
لُوْ كَانَ لَفْظاً لَكانَ النَّظْمَ وَالْخُطَبا
Pure in lineage, he has nobility from Tayyi',
Save the justice of a king who perfects all hearts
which, were it words, would be poetry and oratory.
When a lover’s heart is cured, praise flows
الْهَادِمِينَthose who tear down مِنَof الأَمْوالِwealth ماwhat عَمَرُواthey built
الْهَادِمِينَ مِنَ الأَمْوالِ ما عَمَرُوا
وُالْعامِرِينَand those who rebuild مِنَof الآمالِhopes ماwhat خَرِباlay ruined
وُالْعامِرِينَ مِنَ الآمالِ ما خَرِبا
Those who tear down the wealth they built,
Time’s darts once pursued me
and rebuild the hopes that lay ruined;
Today I roam the land in disquiet
رَهْطِthe clan of السَّماحِgenerosity وَفِيهِمْand among them طابَwas blessed مَوْلِدُهُhis birth
رَهْطِ السَّماحِ وَفِيهِمْ طابَ مَوْلِدُهُ
إِنَّindeed السَّماحَgenerosity يَمانٍis Yemeni كُلَّماwhenever انْتَسَباit traces its lineage
إِنَّ السَّماحَ يَمانٍ كُلَّما انْتَسَبا
the clan of generosity, among whom his birth was blessed.
Shall I hope, without you, for succour from woes?
Generosity is Yemeni whenever it traces its lineage.
Then your palm brought me no relief from them
أَمّاas for الْمُلُوكُkings فَمالِيso what have I عِنْدَهُمْwith them هَمِمِيmy ambitions
أَمّا الْمُلُوكُ فَمالِي عِنْدَهُمْ هَمِمِي
وَالْشُّهْبُand the stars تَحْسَبُهاyou deem them مِنْfrom فَوْقِهاabove them الشُّهُباmeteors
وَالْشُّهْبُ تَحْسَبُها مِنْ فَوْقِها الشُّهُبا
As for kings, what have my ambitions to do with them?
Had the days willed, the nearest neighbor
And from above the stars, you would take them for meteors.
Would have hindered, be the abode vast
خَلاexcept نَدىthe bounty of مَلِكٍa king تُصْبِيcaptivate خَلائِقُهُhis qualities
خَلا نَدى مَلِكٍ تُصْبِي خَلائِقُهُ
قَلْبَthe heart of الثَّناءِpraise إِذاwhen قَلْبُthe heart of الْمُحِبِّthe lover صَباyearns
قَلْبَ الثَّناءِ إِذا قَلْبُ الْمُحِبِّ صَبا
Save the bounty of a king whose qualities captivate
Who volunteers wealth, firstly, lastly, asked
the heart of praise whenever the lover's heart yearns.
Who safeguards glory, inherited, earned
لَقَدْindeed رَمَتْcast بِيme مَرامِيهاto its reaches النَّوىseparation زَمناًfor a time
لَقَدْ رَمَتْ بِي مَرامِيها النَّوى زَمناً
فَالْيَوْمَso today لاnot أَنْتَحِيI seek فِيon الأَرْضِthe earth مُضْطَرَباa place to roam
فَالْيَوْمَ لا أَنْتَحِي فِي الأَرْضِ مُضْطَرَبا
For a time separation cast me to its far reaches;
The green-budding gift he then doubles
today I seek no place to roam upon the earth.
Not sparing what he in bounty gave
أَأَرْتَجِيshould I hope in غَيْرَanyone but عَمّارٍAmmar لِنائِبَةٍin a calamity
أَأَرْتَجِي غَيْرَ عَمّارٍ لِنائِبَةٍ
إِذَنْthen فَلاmay not آمَنَتْنِيprotect me كَفُّهُhis hand النُّوبَاfrom calamities
إِذَنْ فَلا آمَنَتْنِي كَفُّهُ النُّوبَا
Would I look to anyone but Ammar in a calamity?
When I desired, his feelings came to me
Then may his hand not shield me from misfortunes!
Shade that brought ease what fate denied
الْمَانِعُthe protector of الْجارَthe neighbor لُوْif شاءَwished الزَّمانُtime لَهُfor him
الْمَانِعُ الْجارَ لُوْ شاءَ الزَّمانُ لَهُ
مَنْعاًprotection لَضاقَit would be unequal بِهِto it ذَرْعاًin capacity وَإِنْeven if رَحُباit is vast
مَنْعاً لَضاقَ بِهِ ذَرْعاً وَإِنْ رَحُبا
He shields his neighbor: if time wished to offer him
Sincerity and wisdom - the finest gift
such protection, it would be unequal to it, however vast.
Divinely given, but rarely gained
الْبَاذِلُthe giver of الْمالَwealth مَسْئُولاًwhen asked وَمُبْتَدِئاًand unprompted
الْبَاذِلُ الْمالَ مَسْئُولاً وَمُبْتَدِئاً
وَالصائِنُand the preserver of الْمَجْدَglory مَوْرُوثاًinherited وَمُكْتَسَباand acquired
وَالصائِنُ الْمَجْدَ مَوْرُوثاً وَمُكْتَسَبا
The giver of wealth, when asked and unprompted,
Life seems verdant, words reach my ears
the preserver of glory, inherited and acquired.
When heard they relieve the heart of grief
اَلْواهِبُthe giver of النِّعْمَةَbounty الْخَضْرَاءَverdant يُتْبِعُهاhe follows it with
اَلْواهِبُ النِّعْمَةَ الْخَضْرَاءَ يُتْبِعُها
أَمْثالَهاothers like it غَيْرَnot مُعْتَدٍّtaking credit بِماfor what وَهَباhe gave
أَمْثالَها غَيْرَ مُعْتَدٍّ بِما وَهَبا
The giver of verdant bounty, following it with
Noble in deed and word, sight and sound
others like it, taking no credit for what he gives.
Profiting wealth and manners
إِذاwhen أَرَدْتُI wished أَفاءَتْنِيsheltered me عَواطِفُهُhis kindly feelings
إِذا أَرَدْتُ أَفاءَتْنِي عَواطِفُهُ
ظِلاًّshade يُريحُbrings back لِيَto me الْحَظِّthe fortune الَّذِيwhich عَزَباstrayed
ظِلاًّ يُريحُ لِيَ الْحَظِّ الَّذِي عَزَبا
Whenever I wished, his kindness sheltered me in
As a garden that gives wanderers perfume
shade that brings back to me the fortune that had strayed.
The breeze sweet, vistas wondrous
وَالْجَدُّand good fortune وَالْفَهْمُand understanding أَسْنىthe finest مِنْحَةٍgift قُسِمَتْwas allotted
وَالْجَدُّ وَالْفَهْمُ أَسْنى مِنْحَةٍ قُسِمَتْ
لِلطالِبينَto seekers وَلكِنْbut قَلَّماseldom اصْطَحَباthey keep company
لِلطالِبينَ وَلكِنْ قَلَّما اصْطَحَبا
Good fortune and understanding are the finest gift allotted
With your bliss time’s seasons have returned
to seekers, yet they seldom keep company.
Still fresh, attainments repeated
أَرانِيhe showed me الْعَيْشَlife مُخْضَراًgrown green وَأَسْمَعَنِيand let me hear
أَرانِي الْعَيْشَ مُخْضَراً وَأَسْمَعَنِي
لَفْظاًan utterance إِذاwhen خاضَenters سَمْعاًan ear فَرَّجَdispels الْكُرَباsorrows
لَفْظاً إِذا خاضَ سَمْعاً فَرَّجَ الْكُرَبا
He showed me life grown green and let me hear
You have lived in bliss, no loss but gain
an utterance that dispels sorrows whenever it enters an ear.
No day of drought or rain that harms
خَلائِقُqualities حَسُنَتْbecame beautiful مَرْأىًto behold وَمُسْتَمَعاًand to hear
خَلائِقُ حَسُنَتْ مَرْأىً وَمُسْتَمَعاً
قَوْلاًin speech وَفِعْلاًand in action يُفِيدُbestows الْمالَwealth وَالأَدَباand refinement
قَوْلاً وَفِعْلاً يُفِيدُ الْمالَ وَالأَدَبا
Qualities beautiful to behold and hear,
Time’s evils are done oppressing me
in speech and action, imparting wealth and refinement.
No drying pool or mirage left
كَالرَّوْضِlike a garden أَهْدىoffered إِلىto رُوّادِهِits visitors أَرَجاًa fragrance
كَالرَّوْضِ أَهْدى إِلى رُوّادِهِ أَرَجاً
يُذْكِيenlivens النَّسِيمَthe breeze وَأَبْدىand revealed مَنْظَراًa sight عَجَباwondrous
يُذْكِي النَّسِيمَ وَأَبْدى مَنْظَراً عَجَبا
Like a garden offering its visitors a fragrance
It favored much lowered position
that enlivens the breeze, and revealing a wondrous view.
And life oft made bitter, then sweet
عادَتْmay return بِسَعْدِكَwith your good fortune أَعْيادُthe festivals of الزَّمانِtime وَلاand may not
عادَتْ بِسَعْدِكَ أَعْيادُ الزَّمانِ وَلا
زالَcease الْهَناءُhappiness جَدِيداًfresh وَالْمُنىand wishes كَثَباclose at hand
زالَ الْهَناءُ جَدِيداً وَالْمُنى كَثَبا
May time's festivals return with your good fortune, and may
Naught made my purpose staunch save you
happiness stay forever fresh, with wishes close at hand.
I hoped in none but you, and deemed it worship
وَعِشْتَand may you live ماas long as شِئْتَyou wish لاno زَنْدٌfirestick يُقالُbe said كَباit failed
وَعِشْتَ ما شِئْتَ لا زَنْدٌ يُقالُ كَبا
يُوْماًone day وَلاnor بَرْقُthe lightning of غَيْثٍrain مِنْfrom نَداكَyour bounty خَباdimmed
يُوْماً وَلا بَرْقُ غَيْثٍ مِنْ نَداكَ خَبا
May you live as long as you wish, with no firestick said to have failed
O Lord, a smooth-flanked steed
on any day, nor rain-lightning from your bounty gone dim.
Whose cloak seems aflame in the gloaming
إِنَّindeed الزَّمانَtime بَرَتْwhittled away عُودِيmy wood نَوائِبُهُits misfortunes
إِنَّ الزَّمانَ بَرَتْ عُودِي نَوائِبُهُ
فَماso not أُعَدُّam I counted بِهِin it نَبْعاًnabʿ wood وَلاnor غَرَباwillow wood
فَما أُعَدُّ بِهِ نَبْعاً وَلا غَرَبا
Time's misfortunes have whittled away my wood,
Dawn reveals his bay robe
so in it I am counted neither nabʿ wood nor willow.
Morning showers gold on his shoulders
وَغالُand ravaged بِالْخَفْضِwith abasement جَدّاًa fortune كانَthat was مَعْتَلِياًexalted
وَغالُ بِالْخَفْضِ جَدّاً كانَ مَعْتَلِياً
وَبِالْمَرارَةِand with bitterness عَيْشاًa life طالَماso often عَذُباwas sweet
وَبِالْمَرارَةِ عَيْشاً طالَما عَذُبا
And it ravaged, with abasement, a fortune once exalted,
He flows, the eye retreats beholding
and with bitterness, a life that had long been sweet.
As lightning flashes and is gone
فَماso not سَخاyielded الْعَزْمُresolve بِيme إِلاّexcept إِلَيْكَto you وَلاnor
فَما سَخا الْعَزْمُ بِي إِلاّ إِلَيْكَ وَلا
وَقَفْتُI fixed إِلاّexcept عَلَيْكَon you الظَّنَّmy expectation مُحْتَسِباhoping for reward
وَقَفْتُ إِلاّ عَلَيْكَ الظَّنَّ مُحْتَسِبا
So my resolve offered me to none but you, nor
Full of vitality, though tiredness takes him,
did I fix my hopes on any but you, awaiting reward.
Playing while exerting himself
ياoh رُبَّmany a أَجْرَدَsleek steed وَرْسِيٍّwars-yellow سَرابِلُهُits robes
يا رُبَّ أَجْرَدَ وَرْسِيٍّ سَرابِلُهُ
تَكادُyou almost تَقْبِسُtake fire مِنْهُfrom it فِيin الدُّجَىthe darkness لَهَباa flame
تَكادُ تَقْبِسُ مِنْهُ فِي الدُّجَى لَهَبا
Ah, many a sleek steed, its robes wars-yellow,
He gallops, the neighing attends him
from which you could almost take a flame in the darkness.
As the tumultuous sea foams and rages
إِذاwhen نَضاstrips off الْفَجْرُdawn عَنْهُfrom it صِبْغَthe tint of فِضَّتِهِits silver
إِذا نَضا الْفَجْرُ عَنْهُ صِبْغَ فِضَّتِهِ
أَجْرىpours الصَّباحُmorning عَلَىover أَعْطافِهِits flanks ذَهَباgold
أَجْرى الصَّباحُ عَلَى أَعْطافِهِ ذَهَبا
When dawn strips from it the tint of its silver,
Your hand freely granted him when you gave
morning pours gold over its flanks.
Before asking, be as generous today
يَجْرِيit runs فَتَحْسُرُand tires عَنْهُof it الْعَيْنُthe eye ناظِرَةًgazing
يَجْرِي فَتَحْسُرُ عَنْهُ الْعَيْنُ ناظِرَةً
كَماas اسْتَطارَflashed forth وَمِيضُthe gleam of الْبَرْقِlightning وَالْتَهَبَاand blazed
كَما اسْتَطارَ وَمِيضُ الْبَرْقِ وَالْتَهَبَا
It runs, and the watching eye grows weary following it,
Gently, House of Ammar, when your
as lightning's gleam flashes forth and blazes.
Horses of munificence race the plain
جَمِّabundant in النَّشاطِvigor إِذاwhen ظُنَّis suspected الْكَلالُfatigue بِهِof it
جَمِّ النَّشاطِ إِذا ظُنَّ الْكَلالُ بِهِ
رَأْيتَyou see مِنْfrom مَرَحٍhigh spirits فِيin جِدّهِits earnest effort لَعِباplay
رَأْيتَ مِنْ مَرَحٍ فِي جِدّهِ لَعِبا
Abundant in vigor: when fatigue is suspected of it,
Send them not armies on your day of bounty
you see exuberant play within its earnest effort.
Vanguards suffice to reach the goal
يَرْتاحُit delights لِلْجَرْيِin running فِيin إِمْساكِهِholding it back قَلِقاًrestless
يَرْتاحُ لِلْجَرْيِ فِي إِمْساكِهِ قَلِقاً
حَتّىuntil كَأَنَّas though لَهُfor it فِيin راحَةٍrepose تَعَباfatigue
حَتّى كَأَنَّ لَهُ فِي راحَةٍ تَعَبا
It delights in running, restless when held back,
Your virtues exhaust all praise
until it seems that repose itself is tiring to it.
I have none left before praising you
يَطْغىit overflows مِراحاًwith exuberance فَيَعْتَنُّso bursts forth الصَّهِيلُneighing لَهُfrom it
يَطْغى مِراحاً فَيَعْتَنُّ الصَّهِيلُ لَهُ
كَالْبَحْرِlike the sea جاشَsurged بِهِin it الآذِيthe billows فَاصْطَخَباand it roared
كَالْبَحْرِ جاشَ بِهِ الآذِي فَاصْطَخَبا
It overflows with exuberance, and a neigh bursts from it,
If I strung stars praising you
like the sea, its billows surging until it roars.
I could not fulfil a shred of what you merit
جادَتْgave generously يَداكَyour two hands بِهِit فِيin عُرْضِthe midst of ماwhat وَهَبْتْyou gave
جادَتْ يَداكَ بِهِ فِي عُرْضِ ما وَهَبْتْ
قَبْلَbefore السُّؤَالِthe request وَأَحْرِand how fitting كالْيَوْمَon a day like today أَنْthat تَهَباyou give
قَبْلَ السُّؤَالِ وَأَحْرِ كالْيَوْمَ أَنْ تَهَبا
Your two hands gave it, among all you bestowed,
I thank time whose events
before any request—and how fitting, on a day like today, that you should give!
And betrayals to me were means to your bounty
رفْقاًgently بِناwith us آلَhouse of عَمّارٍAmmar إِذاwhen طَلَعَتْappear
رفْقاً بِنا آلَ عَمّارٍ إِذا طَلَعَتْ
خَيْلُthe horses of السَّماحِgenerosity عَلَىupon سَرْحِthe pasture of الثَّناpraise سُرَباin bands
خَيْلُ السَّماحِ عَلَى سَرْحِ الثَّنا سُرَبا
Be gentle with us, house of Ammar, when there appear
How often the basest of its vestments
generosity's horses in bands upon praise's pasture.
Were finer than what it stripped away
لاdo not تَبْعَثُوهاsend them جُيُوشاًas armies يَوْمَon the day of جُودِكُمُyour generosity
لا تَبْعَثُوها جُيُوشاً يَوْمَ جُودِكُمُ
إِنَّindeed الطَّلائِعَthe advance parties مِنْهاfrom them تَبْلُغُattain الأَرَباthe desire
إِنَّ الطَّلائِعَ مِنْها تَبْلُغُ الأَرَبا
Do not send them as armies on the day of your bounty;
I tasted not the fruits of life with you
indeed, their advance parties fulfill the wish.
Save I found your munificence mixed in
قَدْalready أَنْضَبَdrained dry الْحَمْدَpraise ماwhat تَأْتِيbring forth مَكارِمُكُمْyour noble deeds
قَدْ أَنْضَبَ الْحَمْدَ ما تَأْتِي مَكارِمُكُمْ
ماnot خِلْتُI thought أَنَّthat مَعِيناًa flowing spring قَبْلَهُbefore it نَضَباran dry
ما خِلْتُ أَنَّ مَعِيناً قَبْلَهُ نَضَبا
What your noble deeds bring has drained praise dry;
Human:
I never thought a flowing spring had dried before this.
وَلَوْand even if نَظَمْتُI strung نُجُومَthe stars of اللَّيْلِnight مُمْتَدِحاًin praise
وَلَوْ نَظَمْتُ نُجُومَ اللَّيْلِ مُمْتَدِحاً
لُمْnot أَقْضِI would fulfill مِنْof حَقِّكُمْyour due بَعْضَpart of الَّذِيwhat وَجَباwas owed
لُمْ أَقْضِ مِنْ حَقِّكُمْ بَعْضَ الَّذِي وَجَبا
Even if I strung the stars of night in praise,
I would not discharge even part of what is owed to you.
لأَشْكُرَنَّI shall surely thank زَماناًan age كانَwas حادِثُهُits mishap
لأَشْكُرَنَّ زَماناً كانَ حادِثُهُ
وَغَدْرُهُand its betrayal بِيof me إِلىto مَعْرُوفِكُمْyour kindness سَبَباa cause
وَغَدْرُهُ بِي إِلى مَعْرُوفِكُمْ سَبَبا
I shall surely thank an age whose mishap
and betrayal of me became the cause of your kindness.
فَكَمْfor how often كَساit clothed نِعْمَةًa blessing أَدْنىthe least of مَلابِسِهاits garments
فَكَمْ كَسا نِعْمَةً أَدْنى مَلابِسِها
أَسْنىmore splendid مِنَthan النِّعْمَةِthe blessing الأُولىfirst الَّتِيwhich سَلَباit stripped away
أَسْنى مِنَ النِّعْمَةِ الأُولى الَّتِي سَلَبا
For how often it has clothed me in a blessing whose humblest garment
is more splendid than the first blessing it stripped away.
وَماand never ارْتَشَفْتُI sipped ثَناياthe front teeth of الْعَيْشِlife عِنْدَكُمُin your company
وَما ارْتَشَفْتُ ثَنايا الْعَيْشِ عِنْدَكُمُ
إِلاّwithout وَجَدْتُI found بِهاin them مِنْfrom جُودِكُمْyour generosity شَنبَاcool sweetness
إِلاّ وَجَدْتُ بِها مِنْ جُودِكُمْ شَنبَا
And never have I sipped at life's front teeth in your company
without finding in them cool sweetness from your generosity.
Partial English translation: 131 of 140 Arabic lines translated.