الشمسُthe sun عنْهُbefore it كليلَةٌdimmed أجفانُهاits eyelids
الشمسُ عنْهُ كليلَةٌ أجفانُها
عَبرَىtearful يَضِيقُcannot contain بسرّهاits secret كِتمانُهاits concealment
عَبرَى يَضِيقُ بسرّها كِتمانُها
Before it, the sun's eyelids are dimmed,
The sun is veiled from it each night, its eyelids
tearful, its concealment unable to contain its secret.
Cross the horizon, its secret is confined by its concealment.
لوif تستطيعُcould endure ضِياءَهُits radiance لَدَنَتْit would approach لهُit
لو تستطيعُ ضِياءَهُ لَدَنَتْ لهُ
يَعْشوgazes dimly إلىtoward لَمَعانِهِits gleam لَمَعانُهاits own gleam
يَعْشو إلى لَمَعانِهِ لَمَعانُها
Could it endure its radiance, it would draw near;
If its radiance could reach out to it,
its own gleam gazes dimly toward that gleam.
It would come at dawn to its shining.
وأُريكَهاand I show it to you تَخْبوfading علىdespite بُرَحائِهاits fierce heat
وأُريكَها تَخْبو على بُرَحائِها
لمdid not تَخْفَremain concealed مُذْعِنَةًsubmissive ولاnor إذعانُهاits submission
لم تَخْفَ مُذْعِنَةً ولا إذعانُها
And I show you the sun fading despite its fierce heat;
And its pillars hide its platforms,
neither its submissive self nor its submission is concealed.
Neither humbled nor obedient.
إيوانُa palace-hall مَلْكٍof a king لوif رأتْهُshe saw it فارسٌPersia
إيوانُ مَلْكٍ لو رأتْهُ فارسٌ
ذُعِرَتْwas terrified وخَرّand fell لسَمكِهِbefore its height إيوانهاher palace-hall
ذُعِرَتْ وخَرّ لسَمكِهِ إيوانها
A king's hall—if Persia were to see it,
The palace of a king, if a horseman saw it,
she would be terrified, and her hall would fall before its height.
Would be startled and fall to its loftiness, its palace.
واستعظَمَتْand deemed immense ماwhat لمdid not يُخلِّدْimmortalize مثلَهُits like
واستعظَمَتْ ما لم يُخلِّدْ مثلَهُ
سابورُهَاher Shapur قِدْماًlong ago ولاnor ساسانُهاher Sasan
سابورُهَا قِدْماً ولا ساسانُها
She would marvel at what neither
And it would see as great what Sābūr
her Shapur of old nor her Sasan immortalized its like.
Did not immortalize with his feet or the Sāsānians.
سجَدَتْshe prostrated إلىbefore النيرانِthe fires أعصُرَهاthrough her ages ولوand if
سجَدَتْ إلى النيرانِ أعصُرَها ولو
بَصُرَتْshe saw بهit سَجَدَتْwould prostrate لهbefore it نيرانُهاher fires
بَصُرَتْ به سَجَدَتْ له نيرانُها
She bowed before fires throughout her ages; yet if
The temples of its eras prostrated to the fires, and if
she saw it, her fires themselves would bow before it.
It saw Him, their fires would prostrate to Him.
بلindeed لوif تُجادلُهاargued with her بهِthrough it ألبابُهاher intellects
بل لو تُجادلُها بهِ ألبابُها
فيconcerning اللّهGod قامَwas established لحُسنِهِthrough its beauty بُرهانُهاher proof
في اللّه قامَ لحُسنِهِ بُرهانُها
Indeed, were her intellects to argue with her through it
Rather, if its wise minds disputed with it about God,
concerning God, its beauty would establish her proof.
Its proof of His beauty would stand.
أوَماdo you not ترىsee الدّنْياthe world وجامعَand the entirety حُسنْهِاof her beauty
أوَما ترى الدّنْيا وجامعَ حُسنْهِا
صُغرىsmall لديهbeside it وهيwhile she يعظُمُis great شانهاin stature
صُغرى لديه وهي يعظُمُ شانها
Do you not see the world, with all its beauty,
Do you not see the world and the collector of all its beauty
small beside it, though her stature is great?
As small next to it, while it magnifies its affair?
لولاwere it not for الذيthe one whom فُتِنَتْshe was captivated بهby him لاستعْبَرَتْshe would weep
لولا الذي فُتِنَتْ به لاستعْبَرَتْ
ثكلىbereaved تَفُضُّburst open ضُلوعَهاher ribs أشجانهاher sorrows
ثكلى تَفُضُّ ضُلوعَها أشجانها
Were it not for him who enchants her, she would weep,
Were it not for the one it was infatuated with, it would shed tears
bereaved, her sorrows bursting through her ribs.
As a bereaved woman, its ribs pouring with sighs.
خَضِلُdewy البشاشةِwith cheerfulness مُرْتَوٍsated منfrom مائهاher waters
خَضِلُ البشاشةِ مُرْتَوٍ من مائها
فكأنّهُas though it were متَهَلِّلٌradiant جَذْلانُهاher joyous one
فكأنّهُ متَهَلِّلٌ جَذْلانُها
Dewy with cheerfulness, sated with her waters,
The smile of its crescent rising in its waters
it seems her own radiant, joyous one.
As if it were a wispy beardlet.
يَنْدىsheds dew فتنْشأُand so arise فيin تَنَقُّلِthe shifting فَيْئِهِof its shade
يَنْدى فتنْشأُ في تَنَقُّلِ فَيْئِهِ
غُرُّbright ones السحائبِof the clouds مُسبِلاًsending down هَطَلانهاtheir torrents
غُرُّ السحائبِ مُسبِلاً هَطَلانها
It sheds dew, and as its shade shifts, there arise
The dew descends and rains form during its passage,
bright clouds whose torrents it sends streaming down.
The pride of clouds pouring down their drops.
وكأنّand as though قُدسَQuds ويذبُلاًand Yadhbul رَفَداboth supported ذُرَىthe crests
وكأنّ قُدسَ ويذبُلاً رَفَدا ذُرَى
أعلامِهِof its towers حتىuntil رَسَتْstood firm أركانُهاtheir foundations
أعلامِهِ حتى رَسَتْ أركانُها
As though Quds and Yadhbul supported the crests
And it seems as though Quds and Yathrib were a cloak
of its towers until their foundations stood firm.
Whose standards the Prophet spread until they settled into place.
تَغدوbecome القصورُthe palaces البِيضُwhite فيin جَنَباتِهِits flanks
تَغدو القصورُ البِيضُ في جَنَباتِهِ
صُوْراًinclining إليهtoward it يَكِلُّfalters عنهbefore it عِيانُهاtheir sight
صُوْراً إليه يَكِلُّ عنه عِيانُها
The white palaces about its flanks become
The white palaces in its surroundings appear
inclined toward it, their gaze unequal to it.
As images surrendering their sight to it.
والقُبةُand the dome البَيضاءُwhite طائِرَةٌsoaring بهِupon it
والقُبةُ البَيضاءُ طائِرَةٌ بهِ
تَهويsweep down بمُنخَرقِthrough the passage الصَّباof the east wind أعنانُهاits lofty reaches
تَهوي بمُنخَرقِ الصَّبا أعنانُها
The white dome soars upon it,
And the white dome is like a bird in it
its lofty reaches sweeping through the east wind's passage.
Diving with the piercing wind in its nostrils.
ضُرِبَتْwas draped بأرْوِقَةٍwith canopies تُرَفرِفُfluttering فوقَهاabove it
ضُرِبَتْ بأرْوِقَةٍ تُرَفرِفُ فوقَها
فهوىand so swooped بفُتْخِwith supple قوادمflight feathers خَفقَانهاtheir fluttering
فهوى بفُتْخِ قوادم خَفقَانها
It is draped with canopies fluttering above it,
Struck by arcades fluttering over it
their flutter swooping on supple, broad flight feathers.
So it descended with the fluttering of their bases.
عَلياءُa lofty height مُوفِيَةٌovertopping علىabove عَليائِهِits heights
عَلياءُ مُوفِيَةٌ على عَليائِهِ
فيin حيْثُwhere أسلَمَabandoned مُقلَةًan eye إنسانُهاits pupil
في حيْثُ أسلَمَ مُقلَةً إنسانُها
A lofty height overtopping its heights,
Lofty, fulfilling its loftiness,
where the pupil has abandoned the eye.
Where it surrendered, bent, its humanity.
بُطْنانُهاits inner faces وَشيُthe brocade البُرودِof patterned cloaks وعَصْبُهاand its striped fabrics
بُطْنانُها وَشيُ البُرودِ وعَصْبُها
فكأنّماas though قوهِيُّهاits Quhi cloth ظُهرْانهاits outer faces
فكأنّما قوهِيُّها ظُهرْانها
Its inner faces are brocaded cloaks and striped fabrics,
Its bricks and granite and marble façade
as though its Quhi cloth formed its outer faces.
Are like its firmly standing mountains.
نِيطَتْwere hung أكاليلٌgarlands بهاupon it مَنظومَةٌstrung together
نِيطَتْ أكاليلٌ بها مَنظومَةٌ
فغَداand so began يُضاحِكُto smile at دُرَّهاits pearls مَرجانُهاits coral
فغَدا يُضاحِكُ دُرَّها مَرجانُها
Strung garlands have been hung upon it,
It is adorned with garlands of pearls,
so its coral smiles at its pearls.
So its pearls smile with coral.
وتَعرّضَتْand spread out طُرَرُthe fringes السُّتورِof the curtains كأنّهاas though they were
وتَعرّضَتْ طُرَرُ السُّتورِ كأنّها
عذَباتُtrailing ends أوشِحَةٍof sashes يروقُdelights جُمانهاtheir pearls
عذَباتُ أوشِحَةٍ يروقُ جُمانها
The curtains' fringes spread out, as though
And the curtains of its friezes are as though
the trailing ends of sashes whose pearls delight the eye.
They are sections of adorned panels, their beauty seducing.
وكأنّand as though أفوافَvariegated patterns الرّياضِof the gardens نُثِرْنَwere scattered فيupon
وكأنّ أفوافَ الرّياضِ نُثِرْنَ في
صَفَحَاتِهاits surfaces فَتَفَوّفَتْand became variegated ألوانُهاtheir colors
صَفَحَاتِها فَتَفَوّفَتْ ألوانُها
As though the variegated patterns of gardens were scattered upon
And it is as though the gardens were scattered in
its surfaces, their colors becoming richly patterned.
Its spaces, their colors intricately arranged.
فأدِرْso turn جُفونَكَyour eyelids واكتحِلْand anoint your eyes بمناظِرٍwith sights
فأدِرْ جُفونَكَ واكتحِلْ بمناظِرٍ
غَشّىoverlaid فِرندَthe patterned sheen لُجَيْنِهاof their silver عِقْيانهاtheir pure gold
غَشّى فِرندَ لُجَيْنِها عِقْيانها
Then turn your eyes and anoint them with sights
Turn your eyelids, line them with sights
whose pure gold overlays the patterned sheen of their silver.
That covered its smooth marble with fog.
لِترىso you may see فنونَthe arts السحْرِof magic أمثِلةًembodied forms وماand what
لِترى فنونَ السحْرِ أمثِلةً وما
يُدريinforms الجَهولَthe ignorant لَعَلّهاperhaps they are أعيانُهاits very realities
يُدري الجَهولَ لَعَلّها أعيانُها
To see the arts of enchantment embodied—and what
You will see the arts of sorcery embodied, though
can inform the ignorant? Perhaps these are enchantment itself.
The ignorant know not if they are real or imaginary.
مُستَشرِفاتٍpeering out منfrom خُدورِsecluded chambers أوانِسٍof graceful maidens
مُستَشرِفاتٍ من خُدورِ أوانِسٍ
مصفوفَةٍarrayed قدalready فُصّلتُwere jewel-set تِيجانهاtheir crowns
مصفوفَةٍ قد فُصّلتُ تِيجانها
Peering forth from the secluded chambers of graceful maidens,
Projecting themselves from the chambers of houris
arrayed in rows, their crowns set with jewels.
Arranged, their crowns detailed.
مُتَقابِلاتٍfacing one another فيin مَراتِبِهاtheir places جَنَتْbrought about
مُتَقابِلاتٍ في مَراتِبِها جَنَتْ
حرْباًwar علىagainst البِيضِthe fair women الحِسانِthe beautiful حسانهاtheir beauties
حرْباً على البِيضِ الحِسانِ حسانها
Facing one another in their places, their beauties have brought
Facing each other in their degrees, they brought
war upon fair, beautiful women.
War upon the beautiful ivory, beauty against beauty.
فاخلَعْso cast off حميداًpraiseworthy بينهاamong them عُذْرَthe excuse الصِّباof youth
فاخلَعْ حميداً بينها عُذْرَ الصِّبا
ولُيبْدِand let reveal سِرَّthe secret ضمائِرٍof hearts إعلانُهاtheir disclosure
ولُيبْدِ سِرَّ ضمائِرٍ إعلانُها
So cast off youth's excuse among them, worthy of praise,
So shed your chastity among them, let the
and let their disclosure reveal the secrets of hearts.
Secrets of hearts be revealed.
وحَباكَهاand he bestowed them on you كِلفُenamored الضُّلوعin the ribs بحسنهاof their beauty
وحَباكَها كِلفُ الضُّلوع بحسنها
رَيّانُsated جانحةٍin his breast بهاwith them مَلآنهاfilled with them
رَيّانُ جانحةٍ بها مَلآنها
He bestowed them on you, his ribs enamored of their beauty,
They captivated sick hearts with their beauty
his breast sated with them, filled with them.
Watering, flooding them.
تُسْليconsole المُحِبَّthe lover عنfor الحبيبِthe beloved وتجتَنيand harvest
تُسْلي المُحِبَّ عن الحبيبِ وتجتَني
ثمرَthe fruits النفوسof souls مُحَرَّماًforbidden سُلْوانُهاforgetting them
ثمرَ النفوس مُحَرَّماً سُلْوانُها
They console the lover for the beloved and harvest
Distracting lovers from their beloved, stealing
the fruits of souls, while forgetting them is forbidden.
The fruits of souls, though forbidden its fruits.
رَدّتْreturned علىto الشّعراءthe poets ماwhat حاكَتْwove لهاfor them
رَدّتْ على الشّعراء ما حاكَتْ لها
غُرُّthe finest القوافيrhymes بِكرُهَاtheir virgin ones وعَوانُهاand their seasoned ones
غُرُّ القوافي بِكرُهَا وعَوانُها
They return to the poets what was woven for them by
They surpassed the poets in what poetry composed for them
brilliant rhymes, both virgin and seasoned.
The pride of rhymes in its stringing and capping.
وأتَتْand came تُجَرِّرُtrailing فيin ذيولِthe trains قصائدٍof odes
وأتَتْ تُجَرِّرُ في ذيولِ قصائدٍ
يكفيكَsuffices you عنin place of سِحْرِthe magic البَيانof eloquence بيانهاtheir eloquence
يكفيكَ عن سِحْرِ البَيان بيانها
They came trailing in the trains of odes,
They came dragging the trains of poems
their eloquence sufficing you in place of eloquence's magic.
Its rhetoric enough to dazzle eloquence.
أعْيَتْconfounded لَبيباًa discerning man وهيwhile they are مَوقِعُthe resting place طَرْفِهِof his gaze
أعْيَتْ لَبيباً وهي مَوقِعُ طَرْفِهِ
فقَضَىand so pronounced عليهupon him بجهلِهِhis ignorance عرفانُهاknowledge of them
فقَضَى عليه بجهلِهِ عرفانُها
They confound the discerning man even as his gaze rests on them;
Exhausting the adept while the glancing of an eye
knowing them condemns him to ignorance.
Doomed him in his ignorance.
إبراهِمِيّةُIbrahim's سُودَدٍin nobility تُعزَىare ascribed إلىto
إبراهِمِيّةُ سُودَدٍ تُعزَى إلى
نَجْرِthe stock الكِرامِof noble men جِنانُهاits gardens ومَعانُهاand its dwellings
نَجْرِ الكِرامِ جِنانُها ومَعانُها
Ibrahim's in noble sovereignty, ascribed to
Abrahamic blackness attributed
the stock of the generous are its gardens and dwellings.
To the offspring of nobles, their gardens and dwellings.
فكأنّهُas though he were سيفُSayf بنُson of ذيDhi يَزَنٍYazan بهاwithin it
فكأنّهُ سيفُ بنُ ذي يَزَنٍ بها
وكأنّهاand as though it were صَنعاءُSana'a أوor غُمدانهاits Ghumdan
وكأنّها صَنعاءُ أو غُمدانها
Within it, he seems Sayf ibn Dhi Yazan,
As if it were Saif ibn Dhi Yazan in it
and it seems Sana'a, or its Ghumdan.
And as if it were Sanaa or its sheath.
سُحِبَتْwere trailed بهاwithin it أردانُهhis sleeves فتَضَوّعَتْand spread fragrance
سُحِبَتْ بها أردانُه فتَضَوّعَتْ
عَبَقاًa fragrance بصائِكِwith the clinging scent مِسكِهِof his musk أردانُهاits sleeves
عَبَقاً بصائِكِ مِسكِهِ أردانُها
His sleeves trailed within it, and its own sleeves spread
Ardhan’s musk was poured over it, so it reeked
fragrance from the clinging scent of his musk.
With your intermingled scent, the perfume of Ardhan.
وكأنّماand as though لَبِسَتْit donned شَبيبَتَهُhis youth وقَدْwhile already
وكأنّما لَبِسَتْ شَبيبَتَهُ وقَدْ
غادىmet at dawn النّدَىthe dew متهَلِّلاًradiant رَيعانهاits prime
غادى النّدَى متهَلِّلاً رَيعانها
As though it had donned his youth, while
As if it wore his youth, and the dew
its radiant prime met the dew at dawn.
Dripped down, moistening its meadows.
وكأنّماand as though الفِرْدَوسُParadise دارُthe abode قرارِهِof his repose
وكأنّما الفِرْدَوسُ دارُ قرارِهِ
وكأنّand as though شافعَthe intercessor جودِهِfor his generosity رِضْوانهاits Ridwan
وكأنّ شافعَ جودِهِ رِضْوانها
As though Paradise were his settled home,
As though paradise were its dwelling
and the intercessor for his bounty its Ridwan.
And its intercessor were God’s good pleasure.
أبدَتْdisplayed لَمرآكَat your appearance الجَليلِmajestic جَلالَةًmajesty
أبدَتْ لَمرآكَ الجَليلِ جَلالَةً
يعلوrises لمكرمةٍthrough an honor بذاكby that مَهانهاits lowly part
يعلو لمكرمةٍ بذاك مَهانها
It displayed majesty at your majestic appearance;
It showed your brilliant mirror majesty,
through that honor even its lowly parts rise.
Exalted by some favor, though it abased its place.
وهَفَتْand quivered جوانبُهاits sides ولولاand were it not for ماwhat رَساsettled firmly
وهَفَتْ جوانبُها ولولا ما رَسا
منof عبءthe weight مجْدكَof your glory ماnot استقَرّremained steady مكانهاits place
من عبء مجْدكَ ما استقَرّ مكانها
Its sides quivered; were it not for what settled firmly
Its sides hunched over, if not for the weight of your glory
of the weight of your glory, it would not remain in place.
That settled in its position.
ولَنِعْمَand how excellent مَغنىan abode اللهوِof pleasure تَرأمُcherish ظِلَّهits shade
ولَنِعْمَ مَغنى اللهوِ تَرأمُ ظِلَّه
آرامُthe gazelles وَجْرَةَof Wajra رُحْنَcame at evening أوor أُدْمانهاits tawny deer
آرامُ وَجْرَةَ رُحْنَ أو أُدْمانها
What an excellent abode of pleasure, whose shade is cherished by
How excellent is the amusement of its shadow,
Wajra's gazelles coming home at evening, or its tawny deer.
The repose of its fragrance, or its company!
ونخالُهاand we imagine it صَفراءa golden wine عارَضَتِconfronted الدُّجىthe darkness
ونخالُها صَفراء عارَضَتِ الدُّجى
وسَرَتْand traveled by night فنادَمَand drank with كوكباًa star نَدمانُهاits drinking companion
وسَرَتْ فنادَمَ كوكباً نَدمانُها
We imagine it a golden wine confronting darkness,
Its date palms are blond, contending with darkness,
traveling by night, its drinking companion sharing a cup with a star.
Traveling like stars twinkling at night.
قدُمتْgrew old تُزايلُpassing beyond أعصُراًages كَرّتْrolled onward علىover
قدُمتْ تُزايلُ أعصُراً كَرّتْ على
حَوبائِهاits vital essence لمّاwhen انقَضَىperished جُثمانهاits body
حَوبائِها لمّا انقَضَى جُثمانها
It has aged, passing beyond ages that rolled over
It came, outlasting eras which
its vital essence once its body had perished.
Rolled over their mounds when their bodies decayed.
وأتتْand passed علىduring عهدِthe reign التّبابعِof the Tubba' kings مُدّةًa period
وأتتْ على عهدِ التّبابعِ مُدّةً
غَضّاًfresh علىdespite مَرّthe passage الزّمانِof time زمانهاits age
غَضّاً على مَرّ الزّمانِ زمانها
It passed an age in the time of the Tubba' kings,
It came in days of chaos for a period
its own age fresh despite the passage of time.
Young, while time's bitterness grew old.
يَمَنِيّةُYemeni الأرْبابِin owners نجرانيّةُNajrani الthe
يَمَنِيّةُ الأرْبابِ نجرانيّةُ ال
أنسابِlineages حيثُwhere سَمَتْrose high بهاwith it نَجرانُهاits Najran
أنسابِ حيثُ سَمَتْ بها نَجرانُها
Yemeni in its owners, Najrani in
Yemenite in its lords, Najranite in its
lineage, wherein its Najran raised it high.
Lineages, where Najran attributed it to them.
أوor كِسْرَويّةُKisra's مَحتدٍin stock وأرومةٍand ancestry
أو كِسْرَويّةُ مَحتدٍ وأرومةٍ
شَمطاءُgray-haired يُدعَىis called باسمِهاby its name دِهقانُهاits estate-master
شَمطاءُ يُدعَى باسمِها دِهقانُها
Or of Kisra's stock and ancestry,
Or Sasanian, belonging to a Kisra or an Armah,
gray-haired, its estate-master called by its name.
A Shamitah claimed in its name by a dihqan.
أوor قَرقَفٍwine ممّاof what تنشّىintoxicates الرّومَthe Romans لاnot
أو قَرقَفٍ ممّا تنشّى الرّومَ لا
نَشَواتُهاits intoxications ذُمّتْwere condemned ولاnor نَشوانُهاits intoxicated drinker
نَشَواتُها ذُمّتْ ولا نَشوانُها
Or a wine of the kind that intoxicates the Romans—neither
Or a Qarqaf, which the Romans prospered,
its intoxications nor its drinker condemned.
Whose achievements were not slighted or belittled.
كانhad اقتناهاpossessed it الجاثلِيقُthe Catholicos يُكِنُّهَاkept it sheltered
كان اقتناها الجاثلِيقُ يُكِنُّهَا
ويَصُونُand protects دُرّةَa pearl غائصٍof a diver صَوّانهاits keeper
ويَصُونُ دُرّةَ غائصٍ صَوّانها
The Catholicos once possessed it, keeping it sheltered,
The Catholicus acquired it, treasured it,
its keeper treasuring it as a diver's pearl.
And protected the jewel of a diver, guarding it.
فيamong مَعشرٍa company منof قومهhis people عَثَرَتْtripped بهمthem
في مَعشرٍ من قومه عَثَرَتْ بهم
نُوَبُthe calamities الزّمانِof time فغالَهمand destroyed them حِدثانهاits vicissitudes
نُوَبُ الزّمانِ فغالَهم حِدثانها
Among a company of his people, brought stumbling by
Among a group of his people, the turns of fate
time's calamities, its upheavals destroying them.
Tested them, so its newness overwhelmed them.
كرُمَتْwas noble ثَرىًin soil متأرِّجاًfragrant وتوسّطتْand lay amidst
كرُمَتْ ثَرىً متأرِّجاً وتوسّطتْ
أرضَthe land البَطارقِof patricians مُشرِفاًtowering أفدانهاits palaces
أرضَ البَطارقِ مُشرِفاً أفدانها
Noble in its fragrant soil, it lay amidst
It honored crumbling earth and centered
the land of patricians, its palaces towering high.
The land of the Berbers, its banners raised.
لمdid not يُضرِمواthey kindle ناراًa fire لهَيبتِهاin awe of it ولمْand did not
لم يُضرِموا ناراً لهَيبتِها ولمْ
يَسطَعْrise بأكنافِthrough the reaches الفَضاءof open space دُجانهاits dark smoke
يَسطَعْ بأكنافِ الفَضاء دُجانها
They lit no fire in awe of it, nor
They did not kindle a fire whose flames
did its dark smoke rise across the reaches of open space.
Shone at the horizons’ edges.
فكأنّand as though هيكَلَهاits temple تَقَدّمَadvanced رايَةًas a standard
فكأنّ هيكَلَها تَقَدّمَ رايَةً
وكأنّand as though صَفّthe rank الدّارعينَof armored men دِنانُهاits wine-jars
وكأنّ صَفّ الدّارعينَ دِنانُها
As though its temple had advanced as a standard,
As though its temple preceded as a banner
and its wine-jars were a rank of armored men.
And the army’s ranks were its minarets.
غَنِيَتْlong remained تطوفُcircling بهاaround it ولائدُهمْtheir serving girls كماas
غَنِيَتْ تطوفُ بها ولائدُهمْ كما
طافَتْcircled برَبّاتِaround the ladies الحِجالِof curtained chambers قِيانهاtheir singing girls
طافَتْ برَبّاتِ الحِجالِ قِيانها
Long their serving girls circled around it, as
Their newborns circumambulated it, as
singing girls circled the ladies of curtained chambers.
The dromedaries of pilgrims circled their homes.
قدindeed أُوتِيَتْwas given منsome of عِلمِهمْtheir learning فكأنّهاand so it seems
قد أُوتِيَتْ من عِلمِهمْ فكأنّها
أحبارُthe scholars تلكof those الكُتبِbooks أوor رُهبانهاtheir monks
أحبارُ تلك الكُتبِ أو رُهبانها
It has been given some of their learning, so it seems
It was given some of their knowledge, so it seemed
the scholars of those books, or their monks.
The monks of those books or their priests.
جازتْهُمُoutlived them تَرْمَدُّracing فيin غُلَوائِهاits impetuous course
جازتْهُمُ تَرْمَدُّ في غُلَوائِها
فتُخُرّمواand were carried off by death وخَلاand lay empty لهاfor it مَيدانُهاits field
فتُخُرّموا وخَلا لها مَيدانُها
It outlived them, racing on in its impetuous course;
It surpassed them, pardoning in its glory,
they were carried off by death, and its field lay open to it.
While they crouched, ceding its grounds.
فكَلَتْكَso guarded you ناجودٌa wine-flask تديرُcirculate كؤوسَهاits cups
فكَلَتْكَ ناجودٌ تديرُ كؤوسَها
هِيفٌslender-waisted women تُجاذبُpull against قُضْبَهاtheir boughs كُثبانهاtheir dunes
هِيفٌ تُجاذبُ قُضْبَها كُثبانها
So a wine-flask guards you, its cups circulated by
So it is like a Najud camel circling its cups
slender-waisted women, their dunes tugging against their supple boughs.
Or a dune contending with its spear.
منamong قاصراتِthose lowering الطَّرْفِthe gaze كلّeach خريدةٍsecluded maiden
من قاصراتِ الطَّرْفِ كلّ خريدةٍ
لمdid not يأتِcome دونَbetween you and وِصالهاunion with her هِجرانُهاher estrangement
لم يأتِ دونَ وِصالها هِجرانُها
Among those who lower their gaze, each a secluded maiden
Of virgins, no beloved attained
whose estrangement has not stood in the way of union.
Union without its separation tormenting him.
لمdid not تَدْرِknow ماwhat حَرُّthe burning الوَداعِof farewell ولاnor شجَتْgrieved
لم تَدْرِ ما حَرُّ الوَداعِ ولا شجَتْ
صَبّاًa passionate lover بمُنْعَرَجِat the bend اللوىof al-Liwa أظعانهاher caravans
صَبّاً بمُنْعَرَجِ اللوى أظعانها
She has never known farewell's burning, nor have her caravans
It knew not the bitterness of farewells, nor moaned
grieved a lover at the bend of al-Liwa.
In the bends of passion, sighing grief.
قدalready ضُرّجَتْwas stained بدمwith the blood الحياءof modesty فأقبلتْand approached
قد ضُرّجَتْ بدم الحياء فأقبلتْ
متظلّماًcomplaining منof وَردهاher rose سُوسانهاher lily
متظلّماً من وَردها سُوسانها
Stained with the blood of modesty, she approaches,
It came to you blushing in the blood of modesty, then
her lily protesting against her rose.
Complained of captivity to its sea, as though
تشكوcomplains of الصِّفادَthe fetters لبُهْرِهاbecause of her breathlessness فكأنّماand as though
تشكو الصِّفادَ لبُهْرِها فكأنّما
رَسَفَانُthe shuffling عانٍof a captive دَلُّهاher coyness رَسَفانهاher fettered gait
رَسَفَانُ عانٍ دَلُّها رَسَفانها
She complains of fetters in her breathlessness, as though
Its two irrigated plains were its captive, captive to them.
her coy, fettered gait were a captive's shuffling.
It blamed you for some wrong, though it was a fawn
سامتْهُshe subjected him to بعضَsome الظلمinjustice وهيwhile she is غريرةٌinnocent
سامتْهُ بعضَ الظلم وهي غريرةٌ
لاnot ظُلمُهاher injustice يُخْشَىis feared ولاnor عُدوانهاher aggression
لا ظُلمُها يُخْشَى ولا عُدوانها
She subjects him to a little injustice, innocent as she is;
Whose wrongdoing was not feared, nor transgression.
neither her injustice nor her aggression is feared.
So it came to you between shirts and skirts
فأتَتْهُand she came to him بينamid قَراطِقٍtunics ومَناطِقٍand girdles
فأتَتْهُ بين قَراطِقٍ ومَناطِقٍ
يُثْنىis folded علىover سِيَرائِهاher striped silk خَفْتانهاher caftan
يُثْنى على سِيَرائِها خَفْتانها
She came to him in tunics and girdles,
Whose sewing drew praise for its tailor.
her caftan folded over her striped silk.
And if it gained your heart with what it adorned and enabled,
وإذاand when ارتمَتْهُshe shot at him بماwith what تَريشُshe feathers ومُكّنَتْand was enabled
وإذا ارتمَتْهُ بما تَريشُ ومُكّنَتْ
فأصابَand so struck أسْودَthe black core قلْبِهِof his heart إمكانُهاher opportunity
فأصابَ أسْودَ قلْبِهِ إمكانُها
When she shoots at him with the arrows she feathers, given her chance,
Striking the black of your heart as it willed.
that chance strikes the black core of his heart.
It knew not what made the king most resolute to resist it,
لمdid not تَدْرِshe know ماwhat أصْمَىmortally struck المليكَthe king أنَزْعُهاwas it her bow-drawing
لم تَدْرِ ما أصْمَى المليكَ أنَزْعُها
بسديدِwith the unerring aim ذاكof that الرّمْيshot أوor حُسبانهاher darts
بسديدِ ذاك الرّمْي أو حُسبانها
She knew not what mortally struck the king: was it her drawing
With the precision of its shot, or its reckoning.
of that unerring shot, or her darts?
In movements like the winds of youth on the path of temptation,
فيin أريَحِيّاتٍbuoyant impulses كرَيْعانِlike the prime الصِّبَاof youth
في أريَحِيّاتٍ كرَيْعانِ الصِّبَا
حَركاتُهاher movements وعلىand upon النُّهىreason إسْكانهاher stilling
حَركاتُها وعلى النُّهى إسْكانها
In buoyant impulses like youth's first bloom
Its acts, though it was still on the path of prohibition.
are her movements, while her stillness rests upon reason.
And if the prime of youth is met with amusements,
ولئنand if indeed تَلَقّيْتَyou welcomed الشّبابَyouth وعَصْرَهُand its season
ولئن تَلَقّيْتَ الشّبابَ وعَصْرَهُ
بالمُلْهِياتِwith diversions فَعَصْرُهاthen their season وأوانهاand their time
بالمُلْهِياتِ فَعَصْرُها وأوانها
If you welcome youth and its season
Then its prime is its season.
with diversions, this is their season and their hour.
And if a soul stubborn to your humbling and softening
ولئنand if indeed أبَتْrefused لكyou خفْضَthe ease ذاكَof that ولِينَهُand its softness
ولئن أبَتْ لك خفْضَ ذاكَ ولِينَهُ
نفسٌa soul كهَضْبِlike the heights عَمايَتينِof 'Amayatayn جَنانهاits heart
نفسٌ كهَضْبِ عَمايَتينِ جَنانها
And if that ease and softness are denied you by
Like the ridge of two sand dunes between gardens.
a soul whose heart is like the heights of 'Amayatayn,
Before the white of cheeks made you forget
فلقبلَماfor long before أسْلتْكَdistracted you عنfrom بِيضthe fair الدُّمىdoll-like beauties
فلقبلَما أسْلتْكَ عن بِيض الدُّمى
بِيضٌbright swords تُكسَّرُare shattered فيin الوغىbattle أجفانهاtheir sheaths
بِيضٌ تُكسَّرُ في الوغى أجفانها
long before, you were distracted from fair, doll-like beauties by
The white that shatters amidst clamor, their eyelids.
bright swords whose sheaths are shattered in battle.
And a horde that rouses swords against it when
وضرائبٌand hard targets تُنبيturn back الحُسامَthe keen sword مَضارِباًat its striking edges
وضرائبٌ تُنبي الحُسامَ مَضارِباً
أردَتْkilled شَراسَتُهاtheir fierceness فخِيفَand so was feared لِيانُهاtheir gentleness
أردَتْ شَراسَتُها فخِيفَ لِيانُها
And hard targets that turn back the sword's cutting edges—
Its audacity desired, frightening even the brave.
their fierceness has killed, so even their gentleness is feared.
And a dynasty whose reign abandoned protecting
وأُبُوّةٌand forefathers هجَرَتْabandoned مَقاصِرَthe secluded halls مُلكِهاof their kingship
وأُبُوّةٌ هجَرَتْ مَقاصِرَ مُلكِها
فكأنّمَاand as though أسْيافُهاtheir swords أوطانُهاtheir homelands
فكأنّمَا أسْيافُها أوطانُها
And forefathers who abandoned the secluded halls of their kingship,
Its kingdom, as though its swords were its home.
as though their swords were their homelands.
A people whose days are its determination
قَوْمٌa people هُمُthey are أيّامُهُمْtheir battle-days إقدامُهاtheir daring
قَوْمٌ هُمُ أيّامُهُمْ إقدامُها
وجِلادُهاand their combat وضِرابُهاand their swordplay وطِعانُهاand their spear-thrusts
وجِلادُها وضِرابُها وطِعانُها
A people who themselves are their battle-days' daring,
And its whip, its striking, and its spears.
their combat, their swordplay, and their spear-thrusts.
And if the steeds merrily race,
وإذاand when تَمَطّرَتِstreamed forth الجِيادُthe steeds سَوابِقاًracing ahead
وإذا تَمَطّرَتِ الجِيادُ سَوابِقاً
فبهمthen through them تَكَنُّفُهاtheir flanking وهمand they are فُرسانهاtheir horsemen
فبهم تَكَنُّفُها وهم فُرسانها
When the steeds pour forth in racing strides,
Then its heroes are its horsemen.
it is they who flank them, they who ride them.
And if they challenge a city, their roar
وإذاand when تَحَدّوْاthey challenged بَلْدَةًa town فبِزَأرِهِمthen from their roaring
وإذا تَحَدّوْا بَلْدَةً فبِزَأرِهِم
صَعَقاتُهاits thunderclaps وببَأسِهِمْand from their might رَجَفانُهاits trembling
صَعَقاتُها وببَأسِهِمْ رَجَفانُها
When they challenge a town, from their roaring come
Shakes it, their might makes it quake.
its thunderclaps, and from their might its trembling.
On their faces, the moons of battle appear
آلُthe kin الوَغىof battle تَبدوappear علىupon قَسَماتهمْtheir faces
آلُ الوَغى تَبدو على قَسَماتهمْ
أقْمارُهَاits moons وتحفُّهُمْand surround them شُهبانُهاits meteors
أقْمارُهَا وتحفُّهُمْ شُهبانُها
The kin of war: upon their faces appear
As their armor, their shooting stars adorning them.
its moons, and its meteors surround them.
They reach the heat of its hell if its heroes
يَصْلَونَbrave حرَّthe heat جحيمهاof its inferno إنif عرّدَتْfled
يَصْلَونَ حرَّ جحيمها إن عرّدَتْ
أبطالُهاits champions وتَزَاورَتْand turned aside أقرانهاits matched opponents
أبطالُها وتَزَاورَتْ أقرانها
They brave the heat of its inferno when
Rally, and its equals come together.
its champions flee and its matched opponents turn aside.
An obstinate horde, the mountains are humble before them,
جُرْثومَةٌa root-stock منهاfrom which الجِبالُthe mountains الشُّمُّlofty لمnot
جُرْثومَةٌ منها الجِبالُ الشُّمُّ لم
يُغْضَضْwas humbled متالِعُهاits Mutali' ولاnor ثَهلانُهاits Thahlan
يُغْضَضْ متالِعُها ولا ثَهلانُها
A root from which spring lofty mountains; never
Their sharpness undimmed, their blades unbroken.
have its Mutali' or its Thahlan been humbled.
It returned you, and you are the Arab to whom
رُدّتْwas traced back إليكto you فأنتَfor you are يعرُبُهاits Ya'rub الذيwho
رُدّتْ إليك فأنتَ يعرُبُها الذي
تُعْزَىit is ascribed إليهto him وجعْفَرٌand Ja'far قَحطانهاits Qahtan
تُعْزَى إليه وجعْفَرٌ قَحطانها
That stock is traced back to you: you are its Ya'rub, to whom
It is attributed, and Ja‘far is its descendant.
it is ascribed, and Ja'far is its Qahtan.
So boast of the crowns of kings and its kingdom,
فافخَرْso glory بتيجانِin the crowns المُلوكِof kings ومُلكِهاand their kingship
فافخَرْ بتيجانِ المُلوكِ ومُلكِها
فلأنتَfor you indeed are غيرُnot مُدافَعٍcontested خُلصانُهاtheir pure essence
فلأنتَ غيرُ مُدافَعٍ خُلصانُها
So glory in kings' crowns and their kingship,
For you are none other than its protector.
for you are, undisputed, their purest essence.
By God, you are about to hastily
للّهِby God أنْتَyou مُواشِكاًhastening عجِلاًeagerly إلىtoward
للّهِ أنْتَ مُواشِكاً عجِلاً إلى
جَدوَىthe bounty يَدٍof a hand مَدُّthe flood الفُراتِof the Euphrates بَنانهاits fingertips
جَدوَى يَدٍ مَدُّ الفُراتِ بَنانها
How admirable you are, hastening eagerly toward
Reach the legacy a hand stretches over the Euphrates’ daughters.
the bounty of a hand whose fingers are the Euphrates in flood.
One aged redeems you from hopes, who never rested
يَفديكَmay he ransom you ذوone possessing سِنَةٍdrowsiness عنtoward الآمالِaspirations لمnot
يَفديكَ ذو سِنَةٍ عن الآمالِ لم
يألَفْhas known مَضاجعَthe couches سُؤدَدٍof nobility وَسْنانهاits drowsy one
يألَفْ مَضاجعَ سُؤدَدٍ وَسْنانها
May one who sleeps through aspirations ransom you, whose drowsy self has never
On the beds of Suddad or Sinan.
grown familiar with nobility's couches.
Five wishes pour from it in torrents
تَرِدُcome to drink الأمانيhopes الخِمسُthirsty for five days منهfrom him مَشارِعاًwatering places
تَرِدُ الأماني الخِمسُ منه مَشارِعاً
مِلءَfull الحِياضthe basins مُحَلَّأًdriven away ظَمآنُهاtheir thirsty one
مِلءَ الحِياض مُحَلَّأً ظَمآنُها
Hopes, thirsty for five days, reach watering places from him,
Filling the ponds, its thirsty camels gathered.
the basins full, yet their thirsty one driven away.
From every bare-headed rock, every string of poetry
منamong كلevery عاريbare اللِّيتِof neck منof نَظمthe necklace التيof those which
من كل عاري اللِّيتِ من نَظم التي
رَجَحَتْoutweighed بخيرِin the finest تجارَةٍtrade أثمانهاtheir prices
رَجَحَتْ بخيرِ تجارَةٍ أثمانها
Each such man has a neck bare of the necklace of those
Which surpassed in the best of transactions, their prices.
whose prices outweigh others in the finest trade.
Drawing near the question is a clerk from Sa‘da
يُدنيbrings close السؤالَentreaty إليهto him عاملُthe shaft صَعدَةٍof a straight spear
يُدني السؤالَ إليه عاملُ صَعدَةٍ
مُتَغَلْغِلٌpenetrating بينwithin الشِّغافِthe heart's membrane سِنانهاits spearhead
مُتَغَلْغِلٌ بين الشِّغافِ سِنانها
A straight spear's shaft brings entreaty close to him,
Entangled in the beards, his teeth bared.
its point penetrating deep within the heart's membrane.
Aspiration raised you above them, which neither
أعْلتْكَraised you عنهمabove them هِمّةٌan ambition لمnot يَعتلِقْcling
أعْلتْكَ عنهم هِمّةٌ لم يَعتلِقْ
مَثْنىthe paired النّجومstars بهاto it ولاnor وُحدانهاtheir single ones
مَثْنى النّجوم بها ولا وُحدانها
An ambition has raised you above them, to which neither
The pair of stars nor a single one aimed for.
the stars in pairs nor those alone can cling.
You brought the horizons’ lands into your grasp,
دانَيْتَyou brought close أقْطارَthe regions البلادِof the land بعَزْمَةٍwith a resolve
دانَيْتَ أقْطارَ البلادِ بعَزْمَةٍ
مُلقىًlaid وراءbeyond الخافِقَينِthe two horizons جِرانهاits camel-neck
مُلقىً وراء الخافِقَينِ جِرانها
You have brought the regions of the land close through a resolve
Cast behind the two easts, their mountains surrounded.
whose camel-neck is laid beyond the two horizons.
And those horizons of the kingdom are not
وهيand they are الأقاصيthe farthest reaches منof ثُغورthe frontiers المُلكof the realm لاnot
وهي الأقاصي من ثُغور المُلك لا
تُخشَىare feared مخاوِفُهاtheir dangers وأنتَand you are أمانُهاtheir security
تُخشَى مخاوِفُها وأنتَ أمانُها
Even the farthest frontiers of the realm—
Feared in their fears, while you are their safety.
their dangers are not feared, for you are their security.
Girded with the sword of the Caliphate, which
متقلّداًgirded with سيفَthe sword الخِلافَةِof the caliphate للّتيfor that which
متقلّداً سيفَ الخِلافَةِ للّتي
يُلقَىis cast إليهto him إذاwhen استمرّgrew taut عِنانُهاits reins
يُلقَى إليه إذا استمرّ عِنانُها
Girded with the caliphate's sword for that cause
Is surrendered to you if its reins slacken.
whose reins are cast to him when they grow taut.
The steeds are driven into battle as though
تُزْجَىare driven الجِيادُthe steeds إلىto الجِلادcombat كأنّماas though
تُزْجَى الجِيادُ إلى الجِلاد كأنّما
سَرعانُthe swift flock واردةِcoming to water القَطاof sandgrouse سَرعانهاtheir swift ranks
سَرعانُ واردةِ القَطا سَرعانها
The steeds are driven to combat, as though
Sari‘ and Wārida were its swift ones.
their swift ranks were sandgrouse hurrying to water.
And the standards of the soldiers are shaken, correspondently
وتُهَزُّand are shaken ألويَةُthe banners الجنودِof the armies خَوافِقاًfluttering
وتُهَزُّ ألويَةُ الجنودِ خَوافِقاً
تحتَbeneath العَجاجِthe dust كَواسِراًswooping عِقبانهاtheir eagles
تحتَ العَجاجِ كَواسِراً عِقبانها
The armies' banners are shaken, fluttering,
Beneath the clouds, their eagles soaring.
beneath the dust, their eagles swooping.
Until, with you astride, the enemy’s land
حتىuntil إذاwhen حرِجَتْbecame cramped بهby him أرْضُthe land العدىof the enemy
حتى إذا حرِجَتْ به أرْضُ العدى
مُتَمَطّياًstretching himself out وتَضايقَتْand grew narrow أعطانهاits encampments
مُتَمَطّياً وتَضايقَتْ أعطانها
Until, when the enemy's land is cramped by him,
Was disturbed and its plains constricted.
stretching himself out, and its encampments become narrow,
It surrendered its reins to you, and before it
ألقَتْcast مقالِيداًkeys إليهto him وقبلَهُand before him
ألقَتْ مقالِيداً إليه وقبلَهُ
ماانفكّnever desisted خالعُهاits rebel ولاnor خُلعانهاits rebels
ماانفكّ خالعُها ولا خُلعانها
it casts its keys to him; before him,
Neither its removal nor deposition ceased.
neither its lone rebel nor its rebel bands had desisted.
Do not say that the religion and world are his
لاdo not قلتَyou said إنّthat الدّينَfaith والدّنْياand the world لَهُfor him
لا قلتَ إنّ الدّينَ والدّنْيا لَهُ
عِوَضٌa recompense ولُؤمُand the baseness مقالةٍof a saying بُهْتانُهاits falsehood
عِوَضٌ ولُؤمُ مقالةٍ بُهْتانُها
Never say that faith and worldly dominion are for him
Substitutes, the claim of a terrible liar.
a recompense: a saying's baseness lies in its falsehood.
The destination of requests and delegations when
أمَدُthe goal المَطالبِof quests والوفودِand delegations إذاwhen حَدَتْdrove onward
أمَدُ المَطالبِ والوفودِ إذا حَدَتْ
فَوْتَbeyond the reach العيونِof eyes رِكابُهاtheir mounts رُكبانهاtheir riders
فَوْتَ العيونِ رِكابُها رُكبانها
He is the goal of quests and delegations, when riders drive
The loss of eyes afflicted its riders, mounted.
their mounts beyond the eye's reach.
The dew grew accustomed to descending on it, as though
ألِفَbecame accustomed to النّدَىgenerosity دَأباًa constant practice عليهfor him كأنّهُas though it were
ألِفَ النّدَى دَأباً عليه كأنّهُ
رَتْكُthe trot المَطِيِّof mounts إليهِtoward him أوor وَخَدانهاtheir swift stride
رَتْكُ المَطِيِّ إليهِ أو وَخَدانها
He has made generosity his constant habit, as though it were
It were the resting place of a mount or its kneading.
the trot of mounts toward him, or their swift stride.
Forgiving of deadly sins, welcoming
غَفّارُa great forgiver مُوبِقَةِthe ruinous الجَرائمoffenses صافحٌpardoning
غَفّارُ مُوبِقَةِ الجَرائم صافحٌ
وسَجِيّةٌand a disposition منof ماجِدٍa noble man غُفرانهاtheir forgiveness
وسَجِيّةٌ من ماجِدٍ غُفرانها
Forgiver of ruinous offenses, pardoning,
And well-mannered, its forgiveness exalted.
their forgiveness a noble man's nature.
If speech leans to generosity, excel
شيمqualities إذاwhen ماindeed القولspeech حنyearned تبرعتfreely gave
شيم إذا ما القول حن تبرعت
كرماًgenerously فأسجحand became gracious عطفهاtheir tenderness وحنانهاand their compassion
كرماً فأسجح عطفها وحنانها
Qualities that, when speech cries out, freely bestow
In kindness, the tilt of its bend generosity.
generosity, their tenderness and compassion proving gracious.
Though I fall short in thanking it, it has not
إنّيindeed I وإنand although قصّرْتُfell short عنof شكريهmy thanks to him لمnot
إنّي وإن قصّرْتُ عن شكريه لم
يَغْمَطْdiminished لَدَيّin my eyes صنيعَةًa kindness كُفرانهاingratitude for it
يَغْمَطْ لَدَيّ صنيعَةً كُفرانها
Though I fall short in thanking him, never
Deprived me before it of thanklessness.
has ingratitude diminished a kindness in my eyes.
I was like al-Walid, but the sons of
كنتُI was الوليدَal-Walid فلمand did not يُنازِعْهُrival him بنوthe sons of
كنتُ الوليدَ فلم يُنازِعْهُ بنو
خاقانَKhaqan مكرمةًin noble generosity ولاnor خاقانهاtheir Khaqan
خاقانَ مكرمةً ولا خاقانها
I was al-Walid; neither the sons of
Khaqan did not rival it in honor or state.
Khaqan nor their Khaqan rivaled him in noble bounty.
Favors like first rainclouds, guarantors
مِنَنٌfavors كباكِرَةِlike the early rain الغَمامِof clouds كفيلةٌguaranteeing
مِنَنٌ كباكِرَةِ الغَمامِ كفيلةٌ
بالنُّجْحِsuccess موقوفٌresting عليهupon him ضَمانهاtheir guarantee
بالنُّجْحِ موقوفٌ عليه ضَمانها
Favors like the early raincloud, guaranteeing
Of success, depending on it assurance.
success, their guarantee resting upon him.
Oh my woe from me upon me if I am silenced
ياO وَيْلَتَاmy woe منّيfrom me عليّupon me أمُخْرِسيis what silences me
يا وَيْلَتَا منّي عليّ أمُخْرِسي
إحسانُهاtheir kindness أوor مُغرِقيwhat drowns me طُوفانهاtheir flood
إحسانُها أو مُغرِقي طُوفانها
Alas for me, through my own fault! Am I silenced
From its benevolence or drowned in its flood!
by their kindness, or drowned by their flood?
I have toward it nothing but my heart aflame
ماnot ليfor me بهاfrom them إلاّexcept احتراقُthe burning جوانحيof my breast
ما لي بها إلاّ احتراقُ جوانحي
يُدنيbrings close إليكto you ودادَهاits affection حَرَّانهاits fevered ardor
يُدني إليك ودادَها حَرَّانها
From them I have only the burning of my breast;
Drawing its affection to you, burning.
its fevered ardor brings its affection close to you.
May its greatness last for us, shaded
دامَتْmay endure لناfor us تلكthose العُلىheights متَفَيّئاًproviding shade
دامَتْ لنا تلك العُلى متَفَيّئاً
أظْلالُهَاtheir shadows مُتَهَدّلاًhanging low أفنانهاtheir branches
أظْلالُهَا مُتَهَدّلاً أفنانها
May those heights endure for us, shade spreading
By its shadows, its branches overhanging.
from their shadows, their branches hanging low.
And may it submit to the folly of youth and the injustice
واسلَمْand remain safe لغَضّfor tender شبيبَةٍyouth ولدولَةٍand for a state
واسلَمْ لغَضّ شبيبَةٍ ولدولَةٍ
عَزّتْgrew mighty وعَزّand grew mighty مؤيَّداًupheld سلطانهاits sovereign
عَزّتْ وعَزّ مؤيَّداً سلطانها
And remain safe for tender youth and for a state
Of fortune, mighty, its authority supported!
that stands mighty, its sovereign mighty and upheld.
Partial English translation: 199 of 200 Arabic lines translated.