إِلَيْكَtoward you سَبَقْتُI outstripped أَقْدارَthe decrees الحِمامِof death
إِلَيْكَ سَبَقْتُ أَقْدارَ الحِمامِ
وعَنْكَand for your sake هَتَكْتُI tore aside أَسْتارَthe veils الظَّلامِof darkness
وعَنْكَ هَتَكْتُ أَسْتارَ الظَّلامِ
Toward you I outstripped the decrees of death,
And for your sake tore aside the veils of darkness.
وفِيكَand for your sake حَمَيْتُI barred مَثْوىthe lodging النَّوْمِof sleep جَفْنِيmy eyelid
وفِيكَ حَمَيْتُ مَثْوى النَّوْمِ جَفْنِي
وأَحْمَيْتُand I kindled الهَواجِرَthe noonday heats فِيwithin لِثامِيmy face-veil
وأَحْمَيْتُ الهَواجِرَ فِي لِثامِي
For you I barred sleep from its lodging in my eyelid,
And made the noonday heats blaze within my veil.
ونَحْوَكَand toward you جُبْتُI traversed لَيْلَthe night البِيدِof the deserts حَتَّىuntil
ونَحْوَكَ جُبْتُ لَيْلَ البِيدِ حَتَّى
تركتُI left دُجاهits darkness مفضوضbroken الختامِin its seal
تركتُ دُجاه مفضوض الختامِ
Toward you I traversed the desert night until
I left its darkness with its seal broken.
وزاحمتُand I jostled through الخطوبَcalamities إِلَيْكَtoward you حَتَّىuntil
وزاحمتُ الخطوبَ إِلَيْكَ حَتَّى
خَفيتُI was hidden عَلَىfrom المناياdeaths فِيin الزِّحَامِthe crush
خَفيتُ عَلَى المنايا فِي الزِّحَامِ
I jostled through calamities toward you until
Death lost sight of me amid the crush.
وعَنْكَand for your sake قَرعْتُI struck مَتْنَthe back الأَرْضِof the earth حَتَّىuntil
وعَنْكَ قَرعْتُ مَتْنَ الأَرْضِ حَتَّى
تَفَجَّرَit burst forth بالرِّياضِwith gardens وبالمُدامِand with wine
تَفَجَّرَ بالرِّياضِ وبالمُدامِ
For your sake I struck the earth's back until
It burst forth with gardens and wine.
زَمَانَwhen جَبَرْتَyou mended منin كَبِدِيmy liver صُدُوعاًrifts
زَمَانَ جَبَرْتَ من كَبِدِي صُدُوعاً
يُصَدِّعُsplits ذِكْرُهاtheir remembrance صُمَّthe solid السِّلامِrocks
يُصَدِّعُ ذِكْرُها صُمَّ السِّلامِ
When you mended rifts within my liver
Whose remembrance splits the hardest rocks;
وحِينَand when أَسَوْتَyou healed فِيin قَلْبيmy heart جِراحاًwounds
وحِينَ أَسَوْتَ فِي قَلْبي جِراحاً
قلوبُthe hearts الكاشِحِينَof the spiteful لَهَاbecause of them دَوَامِbleeding
قلوبُ الكاشِحِينَ لَهَا دَوَامِ
When you healed wounds within my heart
For which the hearts of spiteful enemies bleed;
ويومَand when حَمَيْتَنِيyou protected me منfrom كُلِّevery خَطبٍcalamity
ويومَ حَمَيْتَنِي من كُلِّ خَطبٍ
جديرٍfit أَنْto يَحُمَّbe decreed بِهِthrough it حِماميmy death
جديرٍ أَنْ يَحُمَّ بِهِ حِمامي
And when you protected me from every calamity
Fit to bring my appointed death.
فَبَيْنَso before يَدَيْكَyour two hands أَصْبَحَbecame فَضُّthe scattered state شَمْلِيof my company
فَبَيْنَ يَدَيْكَ أَصْبَحَ فَضُّ شَمْلِي
أَلِيفَjoined in الشِّعْبِreunion مُتَّسِقَharmonious النظامِin arrangement
أَلِيفَ الشِّعْبِ مُتَّسِقَ النظامِ
Before you, my scattered company became
Reunited, its arrangement harmonious.
وعندَand within حِماكَyour sanctuary أَمْسىbecame نَشرُthe scattered members سِرْبيof my flock
وعندَ حِماكَ أَمْسى نَشرُ سِرْبي
خَصِيبَrich in الرَّعْيِpasturage مَرْعِيَّwell-tended in السَّوَامِgrazing livestock
خَصِيبَ الرَّعْيِ مَرْعِيَّ السَّوَامِ
Within your sanctuary, my scattered flock became
Rich in pasture, its grazing herds protected.
وفيand in مَأْوَاكَyour shelter عادَbecame again شَرِيدُthe wanderer رَحْلِيof my household
وفي مَأْوَاكَ عادَ شَرِيدُ رَحْلِي
عزيزَsecure in الجارِits protector مَضْرُوبَpitched الخِيامِin tents
عزيزَ الجارِ مَضْرُوبَ الخِيامِ
In your shelter my wandering household became
Secure in its protector, its tents pitched.
ومنand through جَدْوَاكَyour bounty رُدَّwere restored دميmy blood ولَحْمِيand my flesh
ومن جَدْوَاكَ رُدَّ دمي ولَحْمِي
وَمَاand what انْتَقَتِpicked away الحوادِثُcalamities منfrom عِظَامِيmy bones
وَمَا انْتَقَتِ الحوادِثُ من عِظَامِي
Through your bounty my blood and flesh were restored,
And what calamities had picked away from my bones.
فَكَفْكَفْتَso you warded off الرَّدىdeath عنِّيfrom me بِكَفٍّwith a hand
فَكَفْكَفْتَ الرَّدى عنِّي بِكَفٍّ
تُثيرُstirs الغيثَrain فِيin الغَيْمِthe clouds الجَهامِrainless
تُثيرُ الغيثَ فِي الغَيْمِ الجَهامِ
You warded death away from me with a hand
That stirs rain within rainless clouds.
ولَقَّتْنِيand brought me to meet الأَمانِيhopes مِنْكَfrom you وَجْهاًa face
ولَقَّتْنِي الأَمانِي مِنْكَ وَجْهاً
يُنيرُlights الأَرْضَthe earth فِيin داجيthe deepest الظَّلامِdarkness
يُنيرُ الأَرْضَ فِي داجي الظَّلامِ
My hopes brought me to a face of yours
That lights the earth in deepest darkness.
كماjust as أَوْثَقْتَyou secured فِيin حَضْرٍsettled lands وثَغْرٍand frontier posts
كما أَوْثَقْتَ فِي حَضْرٍ وثَغْرٍ
عُرىthe bonds الإِسلامِof Islam منfrom بَعْدِafter انْفِصامِbreaking apart
عُرى الإِسلامِ من بَعْدِ انْفِصامِ
Just as you secured, in settled lands and frontier posts,
The bonds of Islam after their breaking;
وآوَيْتَand you sheltered الغريبَthe stranger وهلand is anyone غريبٌa stranger
وآوَيْتَ الغريبَ وهل غريبٌ
توخَّىwho sought ركنَthe cornerstone عِزِّكَof your might باسْتِلامِto touch reverently
توخَّى ركنَ عِزِّكَ باسْتِلامِ
And sheltered the stranger—is anyone a stranger
Who seeks to touch the cornerstone of your might?
بجودٍwith bounty لاnot يضيعُis lost بِهِthrough it رجاءٌany hope
بجودٍ لا يضيعُ بِهِ رجاءٌ
وجَدٍّand good fortune لاnot يَرِيعُyields إِلَىto مُسامِa rival
وجَدٍّ لا يَرِيعُ إِلَى مُسامِ
With bounty in which no hope is lost,
And good fortune that yields to no rival;
وإِقبالٍand prosperity تشيِّعُهُyou reinforce it بعزمٍwith resolve
وإِقبالٍ تشيِّعُهُ بعزمٍ
لأَمرِfor the command اللهof God ماضِيunyielding in الإِعْتزامِdetermination
لأَمرِ الله ماضِي الإِعْتزامِ
With prosperity you reinforce with resolve
Unswerving in determination to fulfill God's command;
وإِقدامٍand boldness تؤيِّدُهُyou strengthen it بحزمٍwith prudence
وإِقدامٍ تؤيِّدُهُ بحزمٍ
إِلَىagainst الأَعداءِthe enemies مشدودِtightly fastened الحزامِin girdle
إِلَى الأَعداءِ مشدودِ الحزامِ
With boldness you strengthen through prudence,
Firmly girded to confront your enemies;
وبأْسٍand might هلcan يُجيرُprotect الدهرُtime منهfrom it
وبأْسٍ هل يُجيرُ الدهرُ منه
بعيدَone far of الشَّأْوِreach أَوْor صعبَhard of المُرَامِattainment
بعيدَ الشَّأْوِ أَوْ صعبَ المُرَامِ
And might—from which can time protect
Anyone far beyond reach or difficult to assail,
ولوeven if بلغreached النُّسُورَthe Eagle stars بِهِwith him نسورٌeagles
ولو بلغ النُّسُورَ بِهِ نسورٌ
وطارَand flew بِهِwith him النَّعامُostriches إِلَىto النَّعَامِthe Ostrich stars
وطارَ بِهِ النَّعامُ إِلَى النَّعَامِ
Even if eagles bore him to the Eagle stars,
And ostriches flew him to the Ostrich stars?
بكلِّwith every مُظاهِرِwearer of layers الماذِيِّof fine mail لِبْساًas clothing
بكلِّ مُظاهِرِ الماذِيِّ لِبْساً
عَلَىover حَبَرَاتِthe striped robes أَنْعُمِكَof your favors الجِسامِimmense
عَلَى حَبَرَاتِ أَنْعُمِكَ الجِسامِ
With every warrior who layers fine mail
Over the striped robes of your immense favors,
يرىhe finds ثَمَرَthe fruit الحياةِof life لديكbeside you مُرّاًbitter
يرى ثَمَرَ الحياةِ لديك مُرّاً
إذَاif لَمْnot يُجْنَit is plucked منfrom شَجَرِthe tree الحِمامِof death
إذَا لَمْ يُجْنَ من شَجَرِ الحِمامِ
Who finds the fruit of life beside you bitter
Unless plucked from the tree of death;
وكلand every مُهَنَّدٍIndian-forged sword ضَرِمٍblazing شَذَاهُin its sting
وكل مُهَنَّدٍ ضَرِمٍ شَذَاهُ
يُرِيكَshows you الهندَIndia فِيin لَمْعِthe flash الضِّرَامِof flame
يُرِيكَ الهندَ فِي لَمْعِ الضِّرَامِ
And every Indian-forged sword, its sting ablaze,
Showing you India in the flash of flame;
ومُطَّرِدِand even-spaced in الكعوبِits joints أَصَمَّsolid لَدْنٍsupple
ومُطَّرِدِ الكعوبِ أَصَمَّ لَدْنٍ
ينادِيit cries فِيamong العِدىthe foes صَمِّيbe deaf! صَمامِO calamity!
ينادِي فِي العِدى صَمِّي صَمامِ
And every even-jointed, solid, supple spear,
Crying among the foe, 'Be deaf, O calamity!'
سفكتَyou shed بِهِنَّwith them كلَّevery دمٍblood حلالٍlawful to shed
سفكتَ بِهِنَّ كلَّ دمٍ حلالٍ
وصُنْتَand you protected بهنَّwith them كلevery دمٍblood حرامِforbidden to shed
وصُنْتَ بهنَّ كل دمٍ حرامِ
With these you shed every blood lawfully shed,
And with them guarded every blood held sacred.
وجلَّلْتَand you decked الخيولَthe horses بِهَاwith them نجوماًas stars
وجلَّلْتَ الخيولَ بِهَا نجوماً
تَطَلَّعُrising فِيin سَمواتِthe heavens القِيامِof upright forms
تَطَلَّعُ فِي سَمواتِ القِيامِ
With them you decked the horses in stars
Rising in the heavens of upright forms:
كتائبَbattalions يَنْتَهِبْنَthat plunder الأَرضَthe earth زحفاًas they advance
كتائبَ يَنْتَهِبْنَ الأَرضَ زحفاً
إذَاwhen أَوْجَسْنَthey sense منfrom جيشٍan army لُهامِvast
إذَا أَوْجَسْنَ من جيشٍ لُهامِ
Battalions that devour the earth as they advance
Whenever they sense a vast opposing army,
ويَبْعَثْنَand they send الرَّغامَdust إِلَىinto أُنوفٍnoses
ويَبْعَثْنَ الرَّغامَ إِلَى أُنوفٍ
وَقَدْthat had عَفَرَتْrubbed أُنوفاًnoses بالرَّغامِin the dust
وَقَدْ عَفَرَتْ أُنوفاً بالرَّغامِ
And send dust into noses
That once rubbed other noses in the dust.
سَمَوْتَyou rose بِهِنَّwith them ساميَةَhigh-held الهوادِيin necks
سَمَوْتَ بِهِنَّ ساميَةَ الهوادِي
لِكَلِّagainst every مُشَيَّدِlofty الشُّرُفاتِin battlements سامِtowering
لِكَلِّ مُشَيَّدِ الشُّرُفاتِ سامِ
You rose with them, their necks held high,
Against every towering, high-battlemented stronghold.
حقوقاًclaims للعُلاto glory خاصَمْتَyou contested فِيهَاfor them
حقوقاً للعُلا خاصَمْتَ فِيهَا
بماضِيَةِwith keen-edged الظُّبىblades لُدِّthe most obstinate الخِصامِopponents
بماضِيَةِ الظُّبى لُدِّ الخِصامِ
Claims to glory you contested
With keen-edged blades against the fiercest disputants.
وفيand upon عَرْشِthe throne السماءِof heaven قضاءa decree مُعْطٍgranting
وفي عَرْشِ السماءِ قضاء مُعْطٍ
يديكَyour two hands بِهِنَّthrough them مِلْكَdominion الإِحْتِكامِover judgment
يديكَ بِهِنَّ مِلْكَ الإِحْتِكامِ
Upon heaven's throne there is a decree granting
Your hands, through them, dominion and command.
فصُلْتَso you charged بِهَاwith them مليكاًas a king ذاpossessing انْتِصَارٍvictory
فصُلْتَ بِهَا مليكاً ذا انْتِصَارٍ
يؤيِّدُهُsupported by عزيزٌthe Almighty ذوpossessor of انْتِقامِvengeance
يؤيِّدُهُ عزيزٌ ذو انْتِقامِ
With them you charged, a victorious king,
Supported by the Almighty, Lord of vengeance.
وأَنحىand bore down سيفُكَyour sword الماضِيkeen عليهاupon them
وأَنحى سيفُكَ الماضِي عليها
فَعذْنَso they sought refuge بسيفِin the sword رحمتكَof your mercy الكهامِblunted
فَعذْنَ بسيفِ رحمتكَ الكهامِ
Your keen sword bore down upon them,
And they sought refuge in the blunted sword of your mercy,
بطاعتِكَthrough obedience to you الَّتِيwhich أَثْبَتْنَthey made firm منهاof it
بطاعتِكَ الَّتِي أَثْبَتْنَ منها
دعائِمَpillars قَدْthat had هَوَيْنَfallen إِلَىtoward انهِدامِcollapse
دعائِمَ قَدْ هَوَيْنَ إِلَى انهِدامِ
Through obedience to you, of which they made firm
Pillars that had been tumbling into ruin.
وأُبْتَand you returned تقودُleading خيلَthe cavalry اللهof God أَوْباًa homecoming
وأُبْتَ تقودُ خيلَ الله أَوْباً
شفىthat cured الإِسلامَIslam منof حَرِّthe heat الأُوامِof thirst
شفى الإِسلامَ من حَرِّ الأُوامِ
You returned leading God's cavalry, in a homecoming
That cured Islam of its burning thirst.
وقدand you had سَمَّيْتَهاnamed them فِيin كُلِّevery غَزوٍcampaign
وقد سَمَّيْتَها فِي كُلِّ غَزوٍ
مفاتيحَkeys الفتوحاتto the conquests العِظامِgreat
مفاتيحَ الفتوحات العِظامِ
You had named them, in every campaign,
The keys to mighty conquests.
وكمand how often قَوَّدْتَهاyou gave their command to يحيىYahya فَحَفَّتْso encircled
وكم قَوَّدْتَها يحيى فَحَفَّتْ
نجومُthe stars الليلِof night بالبدرِaround the full moon التَّمَامِin its fullness
نجومُ الليلِ بالبدرِ التَّمَامِ
How often you gave Yahya their command, and then
The stars of night encircled the moon in its fullness.
وعُدتَand you turned again بِهَاwith them عَلَىto حَكَمٍHakam تُعاليthey surpass
وعُدتَ بِهَا عَلَى حَكَمٍ تُعالي
وميضَthe flash البَرْقِof lightning فِيin جوِّthe expanse الغَمامِof clouds
وميضَ البَرْقِ فِي جوِّ الغَمامِ
You bestowed them in turn on Hakam, as they outshone
The flash of lightning in the cloud-filled air,
عروساًas a bridegroom كلَّto every بِكْرٍmaiden أَوْor عَوَانٍonce-wed woman
عروساً كلَّ بِكْرٍ أَوْ عَوَانٍ
منamong العَطِراتِthose perfumed بالمَوْتِwith death الزُّؤامِswift and deadly
من العَطِراتِ بالمَوْتِ الزُّؤامِ
Wedding every battle, maiden or once-wed,
Among those perfumed with swift, deadly death.
ورُبَّand many a عروسِbride فتحٍof conquest أَبرزاهاthe two displayed her
ورُبَّ عروسِ فتحٍ أَبرزاها
إِلَيْناto us منfrom مغازِيكَyour campaigns التُّؤَامِpaired
إِلَيْنا من مغازِيكَ التُّؤَامِ
Many a bride of conquest those two brought forth
To us from your paired campaigns,
موشَّحَةًsashed بأَرءَامٍwith gazelles وأُسْدٍand lions
موشَّحَةً بأَرءَامٍ وأُسْدٍ
متوَّجةًcrowned براياتٍwith banners وهامِand skulls
متوَّجةً براياتٍ وهامِ
Sashed with gazelles and lions,
Crowned with banners and skulls,
مقلَّدَةَnecklaced with السَّباياfemale captives والأُسارىand prisoners
مقلَّدَةَ السَّبايا والأُسارى
نظاماًas a string of jewels يستضيفُjoining إِلَىto نِظامِanother string
نظاماً يستضيفُ إِلَى نِظامِ
Necklaced with captive women and prisoners,
One string of jewels joining another:
فمنincluding ظبيٍa gazelle غريرٍinnocent فِيin عقالٍa tether
فمن ظبيٍ غريرٍ فِي عقالٍ
ومنand including ليثٍa lion هصورٍrending فِيin خِطامِa halter
ومن ليثٍ هصورٍ فِي خِطامِ
An innocent gazelle in a tether,
And a rending lion in a halter;
ومأْسورٍand one bound بِقدٍّwith a leather thong منinstead of سوارٍa bracelet
ومأْسورٍ بِقدٍّ من سوارٍ
ومكبولٍand one shackled بقيدٍwith a fetter منinstead of خدامِanklets
ومكبولٍ بقيدٍ من خدامِ
One bound with a leather thong instead of a bracelet,
Another shackled with a fetter instead of anklets;
حواسِرَunveiling عنfrom كواكبَstars منof وجوهٍfaces
حواسِرَ عن كواكبَ من وجوهٍ
طوالِعَrising فِيamid شعورٍhair منof ظَلامِdarkness
طوالِعَ فِي شعورٍ من ظَلامِ
Unveiling stars of faces
Rising amid hair of darkness;
رزَاياgrievous losses كلِّof every مُعْتاضِone who took in exchange المناياdeaths
رزَايا كلِّ مُعْتاضِ المنايا
سباياcaptives كلِّof every محمودِpraiseworthy in المَقامِhis stand
سبايا كلِّ محمودِ المَقامِ
The grievous losses of all who took death in exchange,
The captives of all whose stand deserved praise.
وَفِيand upon الوجناتِthe cheeks أَمثِلَةٌtraces تُرِيناshowing us
وَفِي الوجناتِ أَمثِلَةٌ تُرِينا
طِعانَكَyour spear-thrusts فِيin صدُورِهِمُtheir breasts الدَّواميbleeding
طِعانَكَ فِي صدُورِهِمُ الدَّوامي
Upon their cheeks are traces showing us
Your spear-thrusts in their bleeding breasts,
كمُشْعَرَةِlike the blood-marked beasts الحجيجِof the pilgrims تُساقُdriven هَدْياًas offerings
كمُشْعَرَةِ الحجيجِ تُساقُ هَدْياً
إِلَىto عَرَصاتِthe precincts مكَّةَof Mecca والمَقامِand the Station
إِلَى عَرَصاتِ مكَّةَ والمَقامِ
Like the pilgrims' blood-marked beasts, driven as offerings
To the precincts of Mecca and the Station.
وَقَدْand already ضُرِبَتْwere cast قِداحُthe lot-arrows الهندِof India فِيهِمْamong them
وَقَدْ ضُرِبَتْ قِداحُ الهندِ فِيهِمْ
لأَيسارِfor the gamesters الحياةِof life أَوْor الحِمامِdeath
لأَيسارِ الحياةِ أَوْ الحِمامِ
India's lot-arrows have been cast among them
For the gamesters of life or death:
فقِسْمٌso a share للمصانِعِfor palaces والحشاياand cushions
فقِسْمٌ للمصانِعِ والحشايا
وقسمand a share للمصارِعِfor places of death والرِّجَامِand grave-cairns
وقسم للمصارِعِ والرِّجَامِ
A share for palaces and cushions,
And a share for places of death and grave-cairns.
نفوساًsouls دونَهاin their defense ماتتdied كِراماًnobly
نفوساً دونَها ماتت كِراماً
وَقَدْand indeed ضَنَّتْthey guarded jealously بِهَاthem ضَنَّwith the stinginess اللِئامِof misers
وَقَدْ ضَنَّتْ بِهَا ضَنَّ اللِئامِ
Souls died nobly in their defense,
Having guarded them with misers' jealousy.
ففارَقْنَso they left الديارَtheir homes بلاwithout وداعٍfarewell
ففارَقْنَ الديارَ بلا وداعٍ
ولاقَيْنَand met الوجوهَfaces بِلاwithout سلامِgreeting
ولاقَيْنَ الوجوهَ بِلا سلامِ
They left their homes without farewell,
And met faces without greeting.
تُذَكِّرُناthey remind us دواهِيَof calamities بدَّلَتْناthat exchanged for us
تُذَكِّرُنا دواهِيَ بدَّلَتْنا
منinstead of الأَكنانِshelters ضاحِيَةَthe exposed expanse المَوَامِيof deserts
من الأَكنانِ ضاحِيَةَ المَوَامِي
They remind us of calamities that exchanged for us
Our shelters for the exposed desert wastes.
نغاوِرُwe raid قَفْرَهاtheir wilderness والليلُwhile the night داجٍis dark
نغاوِرُ قَفْرَها والليلُ داجٍ
ونعسِفُand we traverse بَحْرَهاtheir sea والموجُwhile the waves طامِare surging
ونعسِفُ بَحْرَها والموجُ طامِ
We raid their wilderness while night is dark,
And force our way across their sea while waves surge high.
ونؤنسُand we accustom بالمهالِكِto deadly places كلَّevery نفسٍsoul
ونؤنسُ بالمهالِكِ كلَّ نفسٍ
تَوَحَّشُthat feels desolate للغصونِamong branches بلاwithout حَمامِdoves
تَوَحَّشُ للغصونِ بلا حَمامِ
We accustom to deadly wastes every soul
That finds even branches desolate without doves.
ونَنْصِبُand we expose للصَّواخِدِto scorching heats كلَّevery وَجْهٍface
ونَنْصِبُ للصَّواخِدِ كلَّ وَجْهٍ
بعيدٍfar from أَنbeing يُحَيَّاgreeted بالسَّلامِwith peace
بعيدٍ أَن يُحَيَّا بالسَّلامِ
We expose to scorching heats every face
Far from any prospect of a greeting of peace.
تغرَّبَit wandered abroad فِيin البلادِthe lands فأَفْرَدَتْهُso they left it alone
تغرَّبَ فِي البلادِ فأَفْرَدَتْهُ
فقيدَbereft of العزِّhonor مجحودَdenied الذِّمامِprotection
فقيدَ العزِّ مجحودَ الذِّمامِ
It wandered abroad through lands that left it alone,
Bereft of honor, denied protection.
تجافىdraws away الأَرْضُthe earth عنهfrom him وَهْوَwhile he is مُعْيٍexhausted
تجافى الأَرْضُ عنه وَهْوَ مُعْيٍ
وتجفوهُand shun him المناهِلُwatering places وَهْوَwhile he is ظامِيthirsty
وتجفوهُ المناهِلُ وَهْوَ ظامِي
The earth draws away from him though he is exhausted,
And watering places shun him though he thirsts.
وَقَدْand already ضربَpitched الأَسىsorrow فِيهَاthere عليناover us
وَقَدْ ضربَ الأَسى فِيهَا علينا
رِواقاًa canopy يستضيءُtaking light منfrom الظَّلامِdarkness
رِواقاً يستضيءُ من الظَّلامِ
There sorrow has pitched above us
A canopy that takes its light from darkness.
فماso no نَجْمُstar الهدىof guidance إِلّاexcept سِنانيmy spearhead
فما نَجْمُ الهدى إِلّا سِناني
ولاand no فَلَقُdaybreak الضُّحىof morning إِلّاexcept حُسامِيmy sword
ولا فَلَقُ الضُّحى إِلّا حُسامِي
Our only guiding star is my spearhead,
And morning's only breaking light my sword.
وخُيِّلَتِand were imagined الأَهِلَّةُthe crescents ليby me قِسِيّاًas bows
وخُيِّلَتِ الأَهِلَّةُ لي قِسِيّاً
رمينَthey shot بِيَme الصَّباtoward the east wind رَمْيَas shooting السِّهامِarrows
رمينَ بِيَ الصَّبا رَمْيَ السِّهامِ
The crescents appeared to me as bows
That shot me toward the east wind like arrows,
إِماماًahead للرياحِof the winds مُشَرِّقَاتٍheading east
إِماماً للرياحِ مُشَرِّقَاتٍ
وَand مُنذِرُMundhir مَشْرِقُthe sunrise الدُّنياof the world إِماميbefore me
وَ مُنذِرُ مَشْرِقُ الدُّنيا إِمامي
Ahead of the winds as they journeyed east,
With Mundhir, the world's sunrise, before me.
وماand not شِيَمُthe ways الزمانِof time رَمَتْcast me إِلَيْهِtoward him
وما شِيَمُ الزمانِ رَمَتْ إِلَيْهِ
ولكنْbut رَمْيَةٌa shot منfrom غَيرِother than رامِan archer
ولكنْ رَمْيَةٌ من غَيرِ رامِ
It was not time's ways that cast me toward him,
But a shot loosed without an archer,
وتهيامُand love-crazed wandering الثناءِof praise إِلَىtoward مليكٍa king
وتهيامُ الثناءِ إِلَى مليكٍ
لَهُhe has بالحمدِfor praise وَجْدُthe passion المستهامِof the lovesick
لَهُ بالحمدِ وَجْدُ المستهامِ
And praise's passionate wandering toward a king
Whose yearning for praise is a lovesick lover's.
فماso not راعturned المشوقُthe yearning one إِلَىtoward غريبٍa stranger
فما راع المشوقُ إِلَى غريبٍ
ولاnor أَصغىlistened المحِبُّthe lover إِلَىto مَلامِreproach
ولا أَصغى المحِبُّ إِلَى مَلامِ
The yearning one did not turn toward a stranger,
Nor did the lover heed reproach.
فياso O عَجَبَwonder at الخطوبِcalamities يُبِحْنَlaying bare ستريmy covering
فيا عَجَبَ الخطوبِ يُبِحْنَ ستري
وَقَدْthough already أَيْقَنَّthey knew for certain أَنَّthat بِهِin him اعتصاميis my protection
وَقَدْ أَيْقَنَّ أَنَّ بِهِ اعتصامي
How strange that calamities should lay bare my covering,
Though they know for certain that in him I find protection!
وحَتَّامَand how long النوىseparation تهويhurls onward برحليmy saddle
وحَتَّامَ النوى تهوي برحلي
وَقَدْthough already عَقَدَتْit bound بذمَّتِهِto his pledge ذِمامِيmy covenant
وَقَدْ عَقَدَتْ بذمَّتِهِ ذِمامِي
How long must separation hurl my saddle onward,
Though it has bound my covenant to his protection?
فماand not فَكَّتْhas it ceased حُدَاءًcamel-singing عنfrom رِكابِيmy mounts
فما فَكَّتْ حُدَاءً عن رِكابِي
ولاnor كفَّتْwithdrawn يميناًa right hand منfrom زِماميmy halter
ولا كفَّتْ يميناً من زِمامي
It has never ceased its camel-song beside my mounts,
Nor drawn its right hand from my halter.
فليسso there is no لناfor us إِلَىto وَطَنٍa homeland مَرَدٌّreturn
فليس لنا إِلَى وَطَنٍ مَرَدٌّ
ولاnor فِيin دارِthe home قومٍof any people منany مُقامِabiding place
ولا فِي دارِ قومٍ من مُقامِ
We have no homeland to return to,
Nor any settled place in another people's land.
ولاnor حَلَّتْhas lodged بناwith us دارٌa home فزادَتْand exceeded
ولا حَلَّتْ بنا دارٌ فزادَتْ
عَلَىbeyond ذاتِthose possessing الحوافِرِhooves والسَّنَامِand a hump
عَلَى ذاتِ الحوافِرِ والسَّنَامِ
No dwelling has sheltered us that amounted to more
Than beasts with hooves and humps.
مخاضٌbirth-pangs مَاwith no لمولِدِهِfor their newborn رَضاعٌsuckling
مخاضٌ مَا لمولِدِهِ رَضاعٌ
وتَرْحَالٌand departure أَمَرُّmore bitter منthan الفِطَامِweaning
وتَرْحَالٌ أَمَرُّ من الفِطَامِ
Birth-pangs whose newborn finds no suckling,
And departure bitterer than weaning.
وعامُand a year مُقامِناof our stay عامٌis a year كيومٍlike a day
وعامُ مُقامِنا عامٌ كيومٍ
ويومُand a day رَحيلِناof our departure يومٌis a day كعامِlike a year
ويومُ رَحيلِنا يومٌ كعامِ
A year of our stay is a year like a day,
And a day of our departure a day like a year:
كيومِlike a day الهمِّof grief لَيْسَnot بذيhaving انتقاصٍdiminution
كيومِ الهمِّ لَيْسَ بذي انتقاصٍ
ويومِand a day اللهوِof pleasure لَيْسَnot بذيhaving تَمَامِcompletion
ويومِ اللهوِ لَيْسَ بذي تَمَامِ
Like a day of grief that never grows shorter,
And a day of pleasure never granted fullness.
كَأَنَّاas though we were فِيin المَنَازِلِthe lodgings طَلْعُthe blossom نخلٍof date palms
كَأَنَّا فِي المَنَازِلِ طَلْعُ نخلٍ
يُوَافِيovertakes أَهْلَهُits owners أَمَدُthe season الصِّرامِof harvesting
يُوَافِي أَهْلَهُ أَمَدُ الصِّرامِ
In our lodgings we are like date-palm blossom
Whose owners are overtaken by harvest-time.
وَمَاand not يُغْنيsaves خراجٌtribute منfrom خروجٍdeparture
وَمَا يُغْني خراجٌ من خروجٍ
وَلَيْسَnor يُجِيرُprotects غُرْمٌa payment منfrom غَرَامِlasting torment
وَلَيْسَ يُجِيرُ غُرْمٌ من غَرَامِ
No tribute saves us from departure,
Nor does payment shield us from lasting torment.
نُرَوَّعُwe are terrified بالنَّوىby separation والذُّعْرُwhile terror باقٍremains
نُرَوَّعُ بالنَّوى والذُّعْرُ باقٍ
وَنُفْجَأُand we are surprised بِالأَسىby grief والجُرْحُwhile the wound دامِis bleeding
وَنُفْجَأُ بِالأَسى والجُرْحُ دامِ
We are terrified by separation while terror still remains,
And ambushed by grief while the wound still bleeds.
وَمَاand not سَكَنَتْhave rested جُنوبٌsides فِيin مِهادٍa bed
وَمَا سَكَنَتْ جُنوبٌ فِي مِهادٍ
ولاnor مُلِئَتْhave been filled عيونٌeyes منwith مَنَامِsleep
ولا مُلِئَتْ عيونٌ من مَنَامِ
No sides have rested in a bed,
Nor have eyes had their fill of sleep.
كماas حُدِّثْتَyou were told عنof لَسْعِthe bites الأَفاعِيof vipers
كما حُدِّثْتَ عن لَسْعِ الأَفاعِي
يُعاوِدُreturns سُمُّهاtheir venom عاماًyear بِعامِafter year
يُعاوِدُ سُمُّها عاماً بِعامِ
As you have been told of vipers' bites,
Their venom returns year after year.
فهلso is there حَوْلٌa year يحولُthat passes بلاwithout رحيلٍdeparture
فهل حَوْلٌ يحولُ بلا رحيلٍ
ولَوْeven if شيئاًsomething نراهwe see فِيin المَنامِa dream
ولَوْ شيئاً نراه فِي المَنامِ
Will any year pass without departure,
Even if only something we might see in dreams?
وأفْجِعْand how grievous بالنَّوىis separation فِيin دارِan abode سَفْرٍof travel
وأفْجِعْ بالنَّوى فِي دارِ سَفْرٍ
فكَيْفَthen how about نوىًseparation عَلَىfrom دارِan abode المُقامِof settled life
فكَيْفَ نوىً عَلَى دارِ المُقامِ
How grievous is separation in an abode of travel—
What then of separation from an abiding home?
ومَنْand one who مَلَّwearied of الجلاءَexile فعاذَand sought refuge منهfrom it
ومَنْ مَلَّ الجلاءَ فعاذَ منه
بسُورِbehind the wall الأَمْنِof security فِيin البَلَدِthe city الحرامِsacred
بسُورِ الأَمْنِ فِي البَلَدِ الحرامِ
And one who tired of exile sought refuge from it
Behind security's wall in the Sacred City,
وشدَّand fastened يَدَيْهِhis two hands فِيin قربٍnearness وبعدٍand distance
وشدَّ يَدَيْهِ فِي قربٍ وبعدٍ
بحبلِto the rope المُنْذِرِof al-Mundhir المَلِكِthe king الهُمامِnoble-hearted
بحبلِ المُنْذِرِ المَلِكِ الهُمامِ
And fastened his hands, near and far,
To the rope of al-Mundhir, the noble-hearted king,
وَقَدْand already نَبَذَhe cast aside الأَنامَall people بكلِّin every أرضٍland
وَقَدْ نَبَذَ الأَنامَ بكلِّ أرضٍ
إِلَيْكَto you إِلَيْكَto you يَاO خَيْرَbest الأَنامِof humankind
إِلَيْكَ إِلَيْكَ يَا خَيْرَ الأَنامِ
Having cast aside all people in every land—
To you, to you, O best of humankind!
ومَنْand who ذاis there يَاO مليكاًking مُسْتَجاراًsought for refuge
ومَنْ ذا يَا مليكاً مُسْتَجاراً
سِواءَكَother than you للغريبِfor the stranger المُسْتَضَامِoppressed
سِواءَكَ للغريبِ المُسْتَضَامِ
Who else is there, O king sought for refuge,
Besides you for the oppressed stranger?
فإِنْso if هاجَstirs الرحيلُdeparture دفينَthe buried part سُقْمِيof my sickness
فإِنْ هاجَ الرحيلُ دفينَ سُقْمِي
فكَمْthen how often دافَعْتَyou have warded off منof ذَاكَthat السَّقامِsickness
فكَمْ دافَعْتَ من ذَاكَ السَّقامِ
If departure stirs my buried sickness,
How often you have warded off that illness!
وإِنand if أَذْمُمْI condemn عوائِدَthe recurring ways لؤمِof baseness دهريof my time
وإِن أَذْمُمْ عوائِدَ لؤمِ دهري
فَحَيّthen hail! عَلَىto عوائِدِكَyour recurring favors الكرامِnoble
فَحَيّ عَلَى عوائِدِكَ الكرامِ
If I condemn my time's habitual baseness,
Then hail your noble, recurring favors!
Translation model: Sol 6.1