أصاخَتshe listened intently فقالتand she said وقْعُhoofbeat أجردَsleek steed شَيظمِtall and powerful
أصاخَت فقالت وقْعُ أجردَ شَيظمِ
وشامَتْand she watched فقالتْand she said لَمعُflash أبيضَbright sword مِخذَمِkeen-cutting
وشامَتْ فقالتْ لَمعُ أبيضَ مِخذَمِ
She listened and said, “The hoofbeat of a sleek, towering steed.”
Her tent pitched, she said, "The ringing sound of the barefoot!"
She watched and said, “The flash of a bright, keen-cutting sword.”
And when she smiled, she said, "The flashing light of the bright-toothed!"
وماand not ذُعِرَتْshe was startled إلاّexcept لَجْرسِby the jingling حُلِيِّهَاof her jewelry
وما ذُعِرَتْ إلاّ لَجْرسِ حُلِيِّهَا
ولاand not لَمَحَتْshe glimpsed إلاّexcept بُرىًanklets منof مُخدَّمan ankleted leg
ولا لَمَحَتْ إلاّ بُرىً من مُخدَّم
Yet nothing startled her but the jingling of her jewelry,
She was not startled save by the tinkling of her anklets,
and she glimpsed only the anklets of an ankleted leg.
Nor did she behold aught but the lightning of her tent's ridge pole.
ولاand not طَعِمَتْshe tasted إلاّexcept غِراراًa scant measure منَof الكَرَىsleep
ولا طَعِمَتْ إلاّ غِراراً منَ الكَرَى
حِذارَfor fear of كَلُوءِa vigilant watcher العينِthe eye غيرِnot مُهَوِّمdozing
حِذارَ كَلُوءِ العينِ غيرِ مُهَوِّم
She tasted only a scant measure of sleep,
She tasted only the fresh draught of wine
fearing a watchful eye that never dozed;
Beware the evil eye of one who is not apprehensive.
حِذارَfor fear of فَتىًa youth يَلْقَىwho meets الغَيورَthe jealous guardian بحتْفِهِwith his death
حِذارَ فَتىً يَلْقَى الغَيورَ بحتْفِهِ
ويَمْرُقُand slips out تحتَbeneath الليلِthe night منfrom جِلدthe skin أرقَمof a speckled serpent
ويَمْرُقُ تحتَ الليلِ من جِلد أرقَم
fearing a youth who meets the jealous guardian with his death
Beware a knight who meets the jealous with his death
and slips beneath the night out of a serpent’s skin.
And steals away beneath the night from the skin of a mottled snake.
وقالتand she said هوَhe اللْيثُthe lion الطَّروقُthe night visitor بذيat Dhu الغضاal-Ghada
وقالت هوَ اللْيثُ الطَّروقُ بذي الغضا
فليسَso is not حَفيفُthe rustling الغِيلِof the thicket إلاّexcept لِضَيغمa lion’s
فليسَ حَفيفُ الغِيلِ إلاّ لِضَيغم
She said, “It is the lion visiting Dhu al-Ghada by night;
She said, "He is the formidable lion with sharp claws.
the thicket’s rustling can belong only to a lion.”
The neighing of the steed is nothing to him but the braying of a donkey."
يَعِزُّit pains علىupon الحسناءِthe beauty أنthat أطأI tread القَناthe spears
يَعِزُّ على الحسناءِ أن أطأ القَنا
وأعثِرَand stumble فيin ذَيْلِthe trailing ranks الخَميسِof the army العَرَمرَمthe vast
وأعثِرَ في ذَيْلِ الخَميسِ العَرَمرَم
It pains the beauty that I tread upon spears
It grieves me, for the sake of the beautiful woman, to tread on the train
and stumble in the trailing ranks of a vast army.
And stumble in the skirt of her robe on Thursday eve.
تَوَدُّshe wishes لوَif only انّthat الليْلَthe night كفْؤٌa match لشَعْرِهاfor her hair
تَوَدُّ لوَ انّ الليْلَ كفْؤٌ لشَعْرِها
فيَسْتُرَso it might conceal أوضاحَthe white markings الجَوادِof the steed المُسَوَّمthe distinguished
فيَسْتُرَ أوضاحَ الجَوادِ المُسَوَّم
She wishes the night could match her hair
She wishes the night were equal to her hair
and conceal the white markings of the distinguished steed.
So it could veil the splendor of her smooth-necked steed.
ولمand not تَدرِshe knew أنّيthat I ألَبسُwear الفَجَرthe dawn والدُّجَىand the darkness
ولم تَدرِ أنّي ألَبسُ الفَجَر والدُّجَى
وأسفِرُand uncover my face للغَيْرانِbefore the jealous man بعدَafter تَلَثُّميmy veiling
وأسفِرُ للغَيْرانِ بعدَ تَلَثُّمي
She did not know that I wear both dawn and darkness
But she does not know that I clothe both dawn and dusk in darkness
and uncover my face before the jealous man after veiling it.
And reveal the crescent moon to others after concealment.
وماand not كلُّevery حَيٍّencampment قدْindeed طَرَقْتُI visited by night بهاجِعٍsleeping
وما كلُّ حَيٍّ قدْ طَرَقْتُ بهاجِعٍ
وماand not كلّevery ليْلٍnight قدindeed سَرَيْتُI traveled by night بمُظلِمdark
وما كلّ ليْلٍ قد سَرَيْتُ بمُظلِم
Not every encampment I have visited by night lay sleeping,
Not every living soul have I visited by night
nor was every night through which I traveled dark.
Nor every dark night have I traveled in darkness.
وكمْand how many كُرْبَةٍa distress كَشَّفْتُهَاI dispelled it بثَلاثَةٍwith three
وكمْ كُرْبَةٍ كَشَّفْتُهَا بثَلاثَةٍ
منof الصُّحبِthe companions خَيفانٍa swift horse وماضٍand a cutting sword ولهذمand a keen spear
من الصُّحبِ خَيفانٍ وماضٍ ولهذم
How many a distress I have dispelled with three
How many sorrows have I dispelled with three friends:
companions: a swift horse, a cutting sword, and a keen spear!
A tent, a sword, and a wine skin.
وماand not الفتكُlethal daring فتكthe daring الضاربof one striking الهامَheads فيin الوغىbattle
وما الفتكُ فتك الضارب الهامَ في الوغى
ولكنّهُbut it فَتْكُthe daring العَميدِof the stricken lover المُتيَّمthe love-enslaved
ولكنّهُ فَتْكُ العَميدِ المُتيَّم
True daring is not the daring of one who strikes heads in battle,
Slaying in battle is no slaying by one who splits skulls in the fray
but the daring of the stricken, love-enslaved lover.
But only by one who cleaves foreheads in the mellay.
وبينَand among حَصَىbeads الياقوتِof ruby لَبّاتُbosom-hollows خائفٍof one afraid
وبينَ حَصَى الياقوتِ لَبّاتُ خائفٍ
حَبِيبٍdear إليهto him لوif تَوَسّدَhe used as a pillow مِعْصَميmy wrist
حَبِيبٍ إليه لو تَوَسّدَ مِعْصَمي
Among ruby beads lie the bosom-hollows of one afraid,
I slept in fear amidst rubies like a frightened
who would gladly pillow his head upon my wrist.
Lover embracing his beloved's wrist.
جهلتُI did not know الهوىlove حتىuntil اختبرْتُI experienced عذابَهُits torment
جهلتُ الهوى حتى اختبرْتُ عذابَهُ
كماas اختبرَexperienced الرِّعْديدthe coward بأسَthe might المُصَمِّمof the resolute warrior
كما اختبرَ الرِّعْديد بأسَ المُصَمِّم
I knew nothing of love until I tested its torment,
I was ignorant of passion until I experienced its torment
as a coward tests the might of a resolute warrior.
As al-Ra'di experienced the might of the Determiner.
وقُدْتُand I led إلىto نَفْسيmy soul منّيةَthe death نَفسِهاof itself
وقُدْتُ إلى نَفْسي منّيةَ نَفسِها
كماas أُحِرقتْwas burned فيin نارِهاhis fire كَفُّthe hand مُضْرِمof a fire-kindler
كما أُحِرقتْ في نارِها كَفُّ مُضْرِم
I led my soul’s own death toward it,
I ignited within myself a fire, kindled by my soul
as a fire-kindler’s hand is burned in the fire he lights.
As a palm is burned in its own flame.
ومِمّاand among what شَجَانيgrieved me فيin العَلاقَةِlove أنّنيwas that I
ومِمّا شَجَاني في العَلاقَةِ أنّني
شَرِبْتُdrank ذُعافاًpoison قاتِلاًdeadly لَذَّthat tasted sweet فيin فميmy mouth
شَرِبْتُ ذُعافاً قاتِلاً لَذَّ في فمي
Among the things that grieved me in love was that I
Among that which pained me in this affair is that I
drank deadly poison that tasted sweet in my mouth.
Drank a fatal, sweet poison from her lips.
رَمَيْتُI shot بسَهْمٍwith an arrow لمnot يُصِبْit hit وأصابَنيand it struck me
رَمَيْتُ بسَهْمٍ لم يُصِبْ وأصابَني
فألقَيْتُso I cast away قَوْسيmy bow عنfrom يَدَيَّmy two hands وأسهمُيand my arrows
فألقَيْتُ قَوْسي عن يَدَيَّ وأسهمُي
I shot an arrow that missed its mark and struck me,
I shot an arrow that missed and struck me
then cast my bow and arrows from my hands.
So I cast aside my bow and arrows.
ألاindeed إنّtruly جِسماًa body كانَonce يَحْمِلُcarried هِمّتيmy ambition
ألا إنّ جِسماً كانَ يَحْمِلُ هِمّتي
تَطاوَحَwas tossed فيinto شدْقٍa jaw منof الدهرِTime أضجَمcrooked
تَطاوَحَ في شدْقٍ من الدهرِ أضجَم
Indeed, a body that once carried my ambition
Behold, a body that once bore my pride
has been tossed into Time’s crooked jaw.
Now tosses about dejectedly in the mouth of Fate!
ومنand among عَجَبٍwonders أنّيthat I هَرمْتُgrew old ولمand not أشِبْturned gray
ومن عَجَبٍ أنّي هَرمْتُ ولم أشِبْ
ومَنand whoever يَلَبسِwears الهِجرَانَestrangement والبَينَand separation يَهرَمgrows old
ومَن يَلَبسِ الهِجرَانَ والبَينَ يَهرَم
It is strange that I have grown old without turning gray;
Strangely, I grew old but did not mature.
whoever wears estrangement and separation grows old.
He who wears the garments of separation and estrangement grows old.
لعَلّperhaps فنىًextinction يقضيfulfills لُبانَةَthe desire هالِكٍof a dying man
لعَلّ فنىً يقضي لُبانَةَ هالِكٍ
إذاif كانit is لاnot يقضيfulfilling لُبانَةَthe longing مُغْرَمof a lover
إذا كان لا يقضي لُبانَةَ مُغْرَم
Perhaps extinction will fulfill a dying man’s desire,
Perhaps some artist will complete the decoration of a ruin
if it will not fulfill a lover’s longing.
If he cannot complete the decoration of a lover.
وكمand how many دونَbetween me and أرْوَىArwa منof كَميٍّa champion مُلأّمٍarmored
وكم دونَ أرْوَى من كَميٍّ مُلأّمٍ
وشَعْبٍand a company شَتيتٍscattered بعدهاafter her لمnot يُلأّمْwas reunited
وشَعْبٍ شَتيتٍ بعدها لم يُلأّمْ
How many an armored champion stands between me and Arwa,
How many a desolate, ruined abode have I passed
and how many a scattered company, not reunited after her!
And a devastated, contaminated watering place!
ألاindeed ليْتَwould that شِعْريI knew هلwhether يروعُfrightens خِيامَهَاher tents
ألا ليْتَ شِعْري هل يروعُ خِيامَهَا
عِثارُthe stumbling المَذاكيof seasoned steeds بالقَنَاover the spears المُتَحَطِّمthe shattered
عِثارُ المَذاكي بالقَنَا المُتَحَطِّم
Would that I knew whether her tents are frightened
Alas, would that I knew if the swaying of tents troubles her
by seasoned steeds stumbling over shattered spears.
The stumbling of the camels' drivers over the tangled guy ropes.
فلوso if أنّنيI أسطيعُcould أثقَلْتُI would burden خِدرَهَاher curtained chamber
فلو أنّني أسطيعُ أثقَلْتُ خِدرَهَا
بماwith what فوقis upon راياتِthe banners المُعِزِّof al-Mu‘izz منof الدّمblood
بما فوق راياتِ المُعِزِّ من الدّم
Were I able, I would weigh down her curtained chamber
Had I been able, I would have weighted her tent's skirt
with the blood upon al-Mu‘izz’s banners:
With more than the banners of the mighty army.
منَamong اللاّءِthose which لاnot يَصْدُرْنَreturn إلاّexcept رَوِيّةfully sated
منَ اللاّءِ لا يَصْدُرْنَ إلاّ رَوِيّة
كأنّas though عليهاupon them صِبْغَthe dye خَمْرٍof wine وعَنْدَمand dragon’s blood
كأنّ عليها صِبْغَ خَمْرٍ وعَنْدَم
those that never return except fully sated,
When she pronounces the "L", naught issues but gentle utterance
as though dyed with wine and dragon’s blood.
As if smeared with the dye of wine mixed with pure musk.
كأنّas though قَنَاهَاtheir shafts المُلْدَthe supple وهيwhile they خَوافِقٌflutter
كأنّ قَنَاهَا المُلْدَ وهي خَوافِقٌ
قُدُودُthe figures المَهاof oryxes فيin كلّevery رَيْطٍcloth مُسَهَّمarrow-patterned
قُدُودُ المَها في كلّ رَيْطٍ مُسَهَّم
Their supple shafts, while the banners flutter, seem
It seems as if her slender waists are, when she sways,
the figures of oryxes in arrow-patterned cloth.
Like the pliant boughs of sandalwood, none of which is rigid.
لهاthey have العَذبَاتُthe streamers الحُمْرُthe red تَهْفُوfluttering كأنّهَاas though they
لها العَذبَاتُ الحُمْرُ تَهْفُو كأنّهَا
حَواشيthe fringes بروقٍof lightning أوor ذوائبُthe trailing locks أنجُمof stars
حَواشي بروقٍ أو ذوائبُ أنجُم
Their red streamers flutter as though they were
When the zephyrs stir them, it seems that they are stirred
the fringes of lightning or the trailing locks of stars.
Like the swaying litters of the beautifully robed.
إذاwhen زَعْزَعَتْهُنَّshake them الرّياحُthe winds تَزَعْزَعَتْshake
إذا زَعْزَعَتْهُنَّ الرّياحُ تَزَعْزَعَتْ
مَواكِبُprocessions مُرّانِof spear-shafts الوشيجِthe interwoven المُقَوَّمthe straightened
مَواكِبُ مُرّانِ الوشيجِ المُقَوَّم
When the winds shake them, there shake
Each chieftain drives his steed against the foe,
processions of straightened, interwoven spear-shafts.
Against every unruly dullard, one who controls the reins.
يُقَدّمُهَاadvances them للطّعْنِfor thrusting كلّevery شَمَرْدَلٍtall vigorous warrior
يُقَدّمُهَا للطّعْنِ كلّ شَمَرْدَلٍ
علىupon كُلّevery خَوّارِresponsive to العِنانِthe rein مطَهَّمsplendid steed
على كُلّ خَوّارِ العِنانِ مطَهَّم
Every tall, vigorous warrior advances them for thrusting,
Troops who, in war, plunge into the blade
mounted on a splendid steed responsive to the rein.
Each a pilgrim clad in ihram in threat of death.
كتائبbattalions تُزْجيbring forward كُلَّevery بُهْمَةِchampion مَعْرَكٍof battle
كتائب تُزْجي كُلَّ بُهْمَةِ مَعْرَكٍ
أبيِّscorning الدّنَاياbaseness والفِرارِand flight غَشَمْشَمfiercely charging
أبيِّ الدّنَايا والفِرارِ غَشَمْشَم
Battalions bring forward every champion of battle,
They attend battles with nothing but insolence
scorning baseness and flight, a fiercely charging warrior.
And strike skulls with nothing but clumsiness.
فماso not يشهَدُونَthey enter الحربَwar غيرَexcept in تَغَطْرسٍproud fearlessness
فما يشهَدُونَ الحربَ غيرَ تَغَطْرسٍ
ولاand not يَضرِبونَthey strike الهامَheads غيرexcept with تَجَهضُمtowering strength
ولا يَضرِبونَ الهامَ غير تَجَهضُم
They enter war only with proud fearlessness,
Having turned their gaze away from the Caliph,
and strike heads only with towering strength.
The most learned, who knows the mysteries of God without being taught.
غَدَوْاthey went ناكِسيlowering أبصارِهمtheir eyes عنaway from خَليفةٍa caliph
غَدَوْا ناكِسي أبصارِهم عن خَليفةٍ
عليمٍknowing بسّرGod’s secret اللّهِGod غيرِnot مُعَلَّمtaught
عليمٍ بسّر اللّهِ غيرِ مُعَلَّم
They went with eyes lowered before a caliph
And the spirit of guidance in a body of light sustained
who knows God’s secret without being taught;
By a ray from the Most High, who is beyond incarnation.
وروحِand a spirit هُدىًof guidance فيin جسمa body نورٍof light يُمِدُّهُsustains him
وروحِ هُدىً في جسم نورٍ يُمِدُّهُ
شُعاعٌa ray منfrom الأعلىthe Most High الذيwho لمnot يُجَسَّمwas embodied
شُعاعٌ من الأعلى الذي لم يُجَسَّم
a spirit of guidance in a body of light, sustained
And the one connected through causes between God and him
by a ray from the Most High, who has no bodily form;
An unsevered passage from the Origin, Most Wise.
ومُتّصِلٍand a connection بينَbetween الإلهِGod وبيْنَهُand him
ومُتّصِلٍ بينَ الإلهِ وبيْنَهُ
مُمَرtightly twisted منamong الأسْبابِthe cords لمnot يَتَصَرَّمwas severed
مُمَر من الأسْبابِ لم يَتَصَرَّم
and between God and him an unbroken connection,
If you do not know the reality of his virtue,
a tightly twisted cord among the cords of connection.
Ask the Revelation sent down about him and you will know.
إذاif أنْتَyou لمnot تَعْلَمْknow حقيقَةَthe truth فَضْلِهِof his excellence
إذا أنْتَ لم تَعْلَمْ حقيقَةَ فَضْلِهِ
فسائِلْthen ask بهِabout him الوَحْيَthe revelation المُنَزَّلَthe revealed تَعْلمyou will know
فسائِلْ بهِ الوَحْيَ المُنَزَّلَ تَعْلم
If you do not know the truth of his excellence,
Upon every line of his noble face is proof
ask the revealed revelation about him, and you will know.
For the beholding eye, lines clearly marked.
علىupon كلّevery خَطٍّline منamong أسِرّةِthe tracings وجهِهِof his face
على كلّ خَطٍّ من أسِرّةِ وجهِهِ
دِليلٌa sign لعينِfor the eye النّاظِرِof the observer المُتَوَسِّمthe discerning
دِليلٌ لعينِ النّاظِرِ المُتَوَسِّم
Upon every line among the tracings of his face
By God, were people not to derive his traits from God,
lies a sign for the discerning observer’s eye.
He would not be conceived nor imagined.
فأُقسِمُso I swear لوif لمnot يأخُذِreceived النّاسُthe people وَصفَهُhis description
فأُقسِمُ لو لم يأخُذِ النّاسُ وَصفَهُ
عنِfrom اللّهِGod لمnot يُعْقَلْhe could be comprehended ولمand not يُتَوَهَّمhe could be imagined
عنِ اللّهِ لم يُعْقَلْ ولم يُتَوَهَّم
I swear: had people not received his description
Adorned with the splendor of the Firm Truth, a bare blade,
from God, he could neither be comprehended nor imagined.
And heir to the clear, decisive verses.
مُقَلَّدُgirded with مَضّاءٍa keen blade منof الحقّtruth صارمٍcutting
مُقَلَّدُ مَضّاءٍ من الحقّ صارمٍ
ووارثُand inheritor مسطورٍof written scripture منof الآيthe verses مُحكَمfirmly established
ووارثُ مسطورٍ من الآي مُحكَم
He is girded with a keen, cutting sword of truth
His knowledge encompasses mysteries not told through experience,
and inherits a firmly established scripture of verses;
And he wears a forbearance beyond learning through discipline.
ومِدْرَهُand eloquent spokesman غَيْبٍfor the unseen لاnot مُعَنّىone schooled by تَجَارِبٍtrials
ومِدْرَهُ غَيْبٍ لا مُعَنّى تَجَارِبٍ
ولابسُand wearer حِلْمٍof forbearance لاnot مُعارُa borrower تَحَلُّمof affected patience
ولابسُ حِلْمٍ لا مُعارُ تَحَلُّم
an eloquent spokesman for the unseen, not one schooled by trials,
Independent by nature of all external aid,
wearing forbearance, not borrowing a show of patience.
He has the nobility of character without pretense.
غَنيٌّhaving no need بماthrough what فيis in الطْبعِinnate nature عنfor مُستَفادِهِhis acquired qualities
غَنيٌّ بما في الطْبعِ عن مُستَفادِهِ
لهُhis كَرَمُgenerosity الأخْلاقِof character دونَwithout التكرُّمaffected generosity
لهُ كَرَمُ الأخْلاقِ دونَ التكرُّم
His innate nature makes acquired qualities needless;
And though indebted, were it not for Grace, his glory
his character is generous without affected generosity.
Would return to one unseen and unspoken to.
ودانٍand approachable ولولاand but for الفضْلُgraciousness رُدّwould be returned جَلالُهُhis majesty
ودانٍ ولولا الفضْلُ رُدّ جَلالُهُ
إلىto غَيرِwhat is not مَرْئِيٍّseen وغيرِand not مُكلَّمaddressed
إلى غَيرِ مَرْئِيٍّ وغيرِ مُكلَّم
He is approachable; but for his graciousness, his majesty would return
When enemies rush madly forth, he repels their onslaught
to what can neither be seen nor addressed.
Against a solid trunk that fells calamities harshly.
إذاif كانthere is منْamong أيّامِهِhis days لكَfor you شافِعٌan intercessor
إذا كان منْ أيّامِهِ لكَ شافِعٌ
إلىtoward أمَلٍa hope فاخْصِمْthen challenge بهwith it الدهْرTime واقصِمand break its power
إلى أمَلٍ فاخْصِمْ به الدهْر واقصِم
If one of his days intercedes for you
He marched against them as humiliated captives march,
toward a hope, challenge Time with it and break its power.
Shackled and defeated at the first advance.
إذاif أنْتَyou لمnot تْعدَمْlack رِضاهُhis favor الذيwhich بهِthrough it
إذا أنْتَ لم تْعدَمْ رِضاهُ الذي بهِ
يفوزprosper بنوthe sons الدنياof this world فلستَthen you are not بمُعْدِمdestitute
يفوز بنو الدنيا فلستَ بمُعْدِم
If you do not lack his favor, through which
I think he must have commanded the prey birds in some way,
the sons of this world prosper, you are not destitute.
Though I did not say so, otherwise they would not have smiled.
إذاif لمnot تُكَرّمْكَennoble you الطِّباعُthe natural dispositions بُحبّهِwith love for him
إذا لم تُكَرّمْكَ الطِّباعُ بُحبّهِ
فلستَthen you are not علىin the eyes of ذيone possessing نُهْيَةٍunderstanding بمُكَرَّمhonored
فلستَ على ذي نُهْيَةٍ بمُكَرَّم
If your nature does not ennoble you with love for him,
If he travels beneath the clouds he illuminates their darkness,
you are not honored in the eyes of anyone with understanding.
And were he to travel beneath Arbad's darkness, it would clear.
ألاindeed إنّماonly الأقدارُdestinies طَوْعُobedient to بَنانِهِhis fingertips
ألا إنّما الأقدارُ طَوْعُ بَنانِهِ
فحارِبْهُso fight him تُحْرَبْyou will be despoiled أوor فسالِمْهُthen make peace with him تَسْلمyou will be safe
فحارِبْهُ تُحْرَبْ أو فسالِمْهُ تَسْلم
Indeed, destinies obey his fingertips:
When he stands fast, fears find rest and settle.
fight him and be despoiled, or make peace with him and be safe.
Thus, the waverers were the first refugees.
إمامُan imam هُدىًof guidance ماnot التفَّhas wrapped ثوبُa robe نُبُوّةٍof prophecy
إمامُ هُدىً ما التفَّ ثوبُ نُبُوّةٍ
علىaround ابنa descendant نبيٍّof a prophet منهthan he باللّهof God أعْلمmore knowing
على ابن نبيٍّ منه باللّه أعْلم
An imam of guidance: no robe of prophecy ever wrapped
War's fangs laugh, bared,
a prophet’s descendant more knowing of God than he.
At its heroes in the deadly crisis.
ولاand not بَسَطَتْextended أيديthe hands العُفاةِof petitioners بَنانَهاtheir fingers
ولا بَسَطَتْ أيدي العُفاةِ بَنانَها
إلىtoward أرْيَحيٍّan openhanded man منهthan he أنْدىmore generous وأكرَمand more noble
إلى أرْيَحيٍّ منه أنْدى وأكرَم
Nor have the hands of petitioners extended their fingers
A knight appears upon it without armor
toward anyone more openhanded or generous than he.
And a swimmer plunges into it without restraint.
ولاand not التَمَعَshone التّاجُthe crown المفصَّلُexquisitely arranged نَظمُهُits setting
ولا التَمَعَ التّاجُ المفصَّلُ نَظمُهُ
علىupon مَلِكٍa king منهthan he أجَلَّmore majestic وأعْظَمand greater
على مَلِكٍ منه أجَلَّ وأعْظَم
Nor has a crown with exquisitely arranged jewels shone
No bold stroke of a warrior beyond his defense,
upon a king more majestic or greater than he.
No stab in the pupils without inflicting pain.
ففِيهِso in him لنفسٍfor a soul ماwhen استدَلّتْit seeks evidence دلالةٌa sign
ففِيهِ لنفسٍ ما استدَلّتْ دلالةٌ
وعِلْمٌand knowledge لأخرىfor another لمnot تُدَبِّرْit reflected فتَعْلمand thus knew
وعِلْمٌ لأخرى لم تُدَبِّرْ فتَعْلم
In him is a sign for a soul seeking evidence,
Terror seized them so they gained neither booty
and knowledge for another that has not reflected enough to know.
Nor did the heroes return other than disappointed.
إذاwhen جَمَحَran wild الأعداءُthe enemies رَدّhe turned back جِماحَهُمْtheir unruliness
إذا جَمَحَ الأعداءُ رَدّ جِماحَهُمْ
إلىto جَذَعٍan ever-young power يُزجيdriving الحوادثَevents أزلمrelentless
إلى جَذَعٍ يُزجي الحوادثَ أزلم
When enemies run wild, he turns their unruliness over
It fills a hearing with the trembling of earthquake
to an ever-young, relentless power that drives events.
And fills a sight with the flashing of lightning.
فسارَso he led بهمthem سَيرَthe movement الذَّلولof a docile mount براكِبٍwith a rider
فسارَ بهم سَيرَ الذَّلول براكِبٍ
وشَلَّهُمُand drove them شَلّthe driving الطّلِيحِof an exhausted beast المُسَدَّمblocked in its path
وشَلَّهُمُ شَلّ الطّلِيحِ المُسَدَّم
He leads them as a rider leads a docile mount
A calamitous deluge or torrential downpour,
and drives them like an exhausted beast whose path is blocked.
A stalwart lion with bloodstained claw.
وأحسبُهُand I think him أوحىto have revealed بأمْرٍa command إلىto الظُّبَىthe sword-edges
وأحسبُهُ أوحى بأمْرٍ إلى الظُّبَى
ولوand if لمnot يكُنْwere ماwhat قلتُI said لمnot تتبسَّمthey would smile
ولو لم يكُنْ ما قلتُ لم تتبسَّم
I think he revealed a command to the sword-edges;
When its standards seize the chest of a huge army,
were what I said untrue, they would not smile.
You see the backs of fleeing men beneath the palms.
إذاwhen سارَhe marches تحتَbeneath النَّقْعthe dust جَلّىhe dispels ظلامَهُits darkness
إذا سارَ تحتَ النَّقْع جَلّى ظلامَهُ
ولوeven if سارَhe marched منهof it تحتَbeneath أربَدَa gray cloud أقْتَمdark
ولو سارَ منه تحتَ أربَدَ أقْتَم
When he marches beneath the dust, he dispels its darkness,
They drive them stumbling over every track of Dawsar,
even if he marches beneath its grayest, darkest clouds.
Over which are the viceroys in howdahs strapped.
وإنand if ثَبَّتَhe steadied الأقدامَthe feet قَرّتْthey stood firm قرارَهَاin their place
وإن ثَبَّتَ الأقدامَ قَرّتْ قرارَهَا
فكانَthen became الهِدانُthe sluggish man النِّكسُthe weakling أوّلَthe first مُقْدِمto advance
فكانَ الهِدانُ النِّكسُ أوّلَ مُقْدِم
If he steadies men’s feet, they stand firmly in place,
Musk is wasted on it just as ambergris is wasted
and the sluggish weakling becomes the first to advance.
On the skin of a leopard smeared with musk.
وتضحكُand laughs سِنُّthe tooth الحرْبِof war وهيwhile it مَلِيّةٌhas ample power
وتضحكُ سِنُّ الحرْبِ وهي مَلِيّةٌ
لأبْطالهاfor its champions بالمأزِقِto bring a predicament المُتَجَهِّمgrim
لأبْطالها بالمأزِقِ المُتَجَهِّم
War bares its teeth in laughter, though it has ample power
It walks slowly in the tumult while its swords
to bring its champions into a grim predicament.
Flow with blood though unpoisoned and unstained.
فيَغْدوُso advances عليهاagainst it فارسٌa knight غيرُnot دارعٍarmored
فيَغْدوُ عليها فارسٌ غيرُ دارعٍ
ويَرْدىand gallops إليهاtoward it سابحٌa swift-swimming horse غيرُnot مُلجَمbridled
ويَرْدى إليها سابحٌ غيرُ مُلجَم
A knight advances against it without armor,
Neither spears nor heroes return other than
and a swift-swimming horse gallops toward it without a bridle.
Murmuring and mumbling in disappointment.
فلاso not الضّربُthe striking فوقَupon الهامِheads هَبراًwith hacking blows بقاتِلٍkilling
فلا الضّربُ فوقَ الهامِ هَبراً بقاتِلٍ
ولاand not الطعّنُthe thrusting فيinto الأحداقeyes شزْراًsidelong بمؤلمpainful
ولا الطعّنُ في الأحداق شزْراً بمؤلم
Then hacking blows upon heads do not kill,
At times you see it somber, lacking good tidings,
nor do sidelong thrusts into eyes cause pain.
At others, cheerful but lacking joy.
أهابَhe inspired awe فهمso they لاnot يَظفَرُونَfind بخالِعٍa rebel
أهابَ فهم لا يَظفَرُونَ بخالِعٍ
وجادَand he gave generously فهمso they لاnot يَظفَرُونَfind بمُعْدِمa destitute man
وجادَ فهم لا يَظفَرُونَ بمُعْدِم
He inspired awe, so they find no rebel;
You used to know, when your blades were not nicked,
he gave generously, so they find no destitute man.
That the skull had not been nicked.
لقدindeed رَتَعَتْhave grazed آمالُنَاour hopes منwithin جَنَابِهِhis precinct
لقد رَتَعَتْ آمالُنَا من جَنَابِهِ
بِغَيرِin no وَبِيِّpestilential المَرتَعِpasture المُتَوَخِّمunhealthy
بِغَيرِ وَبِيِّ المَرتَعِ المُتَوَخِّم
Our hopes have grazed within his precinct
You preceded all to ancient glory
in no pestilential, unhealthy pasture,
And surpassed time itself in longevity.
بحْيثُwhere يكونُis الماءُthe water غيرَnot مُكدَّرٍmuddied
بحْيثُ يكونُ الماءُ غيرَ مُكدَّرٍ
لوارِدِهِfor those approaching it والحوضُand the basin غيرَnot مُهدَّمbroken down
لوارِدِهِ والحوضُ غيرَ مُهدَّم
where the water remains untroubled
You are not as Shu'aybah left part of Adham,
for those who come to drink, and the basin is not broken.
Nor as the tribes of Jurhum erected their encampment.
فَشِيمواso watch for لَهَاهُhis abundant gifts منof عطاءٍgiving ونائِلٍand bounty
فَشِيموا لَهَاهُ من عطاءٍ ونائِلٍ
إذاwhen شِيمَis watched for نَوْءٌrain منfrom سِماكٍSimak ومِرزَمand Mirzam
إذا شِيمَ نَوْءٌ من سِماكٍ ومِرزَم
Watch for his abundant gifts and bounty
Rather, you are a lofty mountain whose summit towers,
when rain is sought from Simak and Mirzam.
An impregnable, lofty palace, none of whose towers lean.
ولاand do not تسألواask عنabout جارِهِhis neighbor إنّindeed جارَهُhis neighbor
ولا تسألوا عن جارِهِ إنّ جارَهُ
هوis البَدرُthe full moon لاnot يُرْقَىcan be climbed إليهِto it بسلُمَّby a ladder
هو البَدرُ لا يُرْقَى إليهِ بسلُمَّ
Do not ask about his neighbor: his neighbor
When a structure God alone raised remains erect
is the full moon, unreachable by any ladder.
Though the world may collapse, it will not collapse.
لكَyours الدّهْرُTime والأيّامُand the days تجريrun صرُوفُهاtheir vicissitudes
لكَ الدّهْرُ والأيّامُ تجري صرُوفُها
بماaccording to what شِئْتَyou wish منْof حَتْفٍdeath ورِزْقٍand sustenance مقسَّمapportioned
بما شِئْتَ منْ حَتْفٍ ورِزْقٍ مقسَّم
Time is yours, and the days’ vicissitudes run
Your first to proclaim God's greatness proclaimed it first,
according to your will, in death and apportioned sustenance.
And your first to revere God revered Him first.
وأنتَand you بدأتَbegan الصّفْحَpardoning عنof كلّevery مُذنبٍsinner
وأنتَ بدأتَ الصّفْحَ عن كلّ مُذنبٍ
وأنْتَand you سَنَنْتَestablished العفْوَforgiveness عنof كلّevery مجْرِمoffender
وأنْتَ سَنَنْتَ العفْوَ عن كلّ مجْرِم
You first offered pardon to every sinner,
You extend hands from which pours the dew,
and established forgiveness for every offender.
When the heavens of others are not clouded.
وكُلُّand every أنَاةٍpatience فيin مَواطِنِthe places سُؤدَدٍof lordship
وكُلُّ أنَاةٍ في مَواطِنِ سُؤدَدٍ
ولاbut none كأناةٍlike patience منfrom قديرٍa powerful ruler مُحَكَّمsovereign
ولا كأناةٍ من قديرٍ مُحَكَّم
Every act of patience has its place in lordship,
Behold, you are a torrent from the loftiest principle
but none equals patience from a powerful, sovereign ruler.
Returning to an ocean of holiness, surging full!
ومَنand whoever يَتَيَقّنْknows with certainty أنّthat للعَفْوِpardon has مَوضِعاًa place
ومَن يَتَيَقّنْ أنّ للعَفْوِ مَوضِعاً
منbeside السيْفِthe sword يَصْفَحْoverlooks عنmuch of كثيرٍwrongdoing ويَحلُمand shows forbearance
من السيْفِ يَصْفَحْ عن كثيرٍ ويَحلُم
Whoever knows that pardon has a place
It seems you do not consider your palms
beside the sword overlooks much and shows forbearance.
To pour on the worthy unless compelled.
وماand not الرّأيُsound judgment إلاّexcept بَعْدَafter طولِlengthy تَثَبُّتٍdeliberation
وما الرّأيُ إلاّ بَعْدَ طولِ تَثَبُّتٍ
ولاand not الحَزْمُresolve إلاّexcept بَعدَafter طولِlengthy تَلَوُّمconsideration
ولا الحَزْمُ إلاّ بَعدَ طولِ تَلَوُّم
Sound judgment comes only after long deliberation,
For you there is no favor without perfecting it
and resolve only after long consideration.
No boon of long duration unless completed.
رأيتُكَI have seen you مَنwhoever تَرْزُقْهُyou provide for يُرْزَقْis provided for منby الورىmankind
رأيتُكَ مَن تَرْزُقْهُ يُرْزَقْ من الورى
دِراكاًsuccessively ومَنand whoever تَحرِمْyou deprive منamong الناسpeople يُحْرَمis deprived
دِراكاً ومَن تَحرِمْ من الناس يُحْرَم
I have seen that whoever you provide for receives provision from mankind
Through you the honor between Bakka and Yathrib remains
in succession, while whoever you deprive is deprived.
As do the rites between Hatim and Muzdalifah.
ومَنand whoever لمnot تُؤيِّدْyou support مُلْكَهُhis kingdom يَهْوِfalls عَرشُهُhis throne
ومَن لم تُؤيِّدْ مُلْكَهُ يَهْوِ عَرشُهُ
ومَنْand whoever لمnot تُثَبِّتْyou secure عِزَّهhis might يَتَهَدَّمit crumbles
ومَنْ لم تُثَبِّتْ عِزَّه يَتَهَدَّم
Whoever’s kingdom you do not support has his throne fall,
Thus, the people of earth continuously invoke blessings upon you,
and whoever’s might you do not secure sees it crumble.
Whether a worshiper in prayer or one pronouncing peace.
لكَyours البِدَراتُthe moneybags النُّجْلُthe large منfrom كلevery طَلقةٍopenhanded one
لكَ البِدَراتُ النُّجْلُ من كل طَلقةٍ
عَرُوبٍwinsome كوجهِlike the face الضاحكِof one laughing المتبسِّمsmiling
عَرُوبٍ كوجهِ الضاحكِ المتبسِّم
Yours are the great moneybags, from every openhanded,
If my love for you has been delayed
winsome giver, like a laughing, smiling face;
I have no precedence in professing God's Oneness.
كأسنِمَةِlike the humps الآبالِof camels أوor كحُدُوجِهَاlike their howdahs
كأسنِمَةِ الآبالِ أو كحُدُوجِهَا
فمِنso some زاهِقٍrising above عنa strap نِسَعةٍand bound fast ones too meet it or be checked. ومُزَمَّمand bound fast
فمِن زاهِقٍ عن نِسَعةٍ ومُزَمَّم
like the humps of camels, or their howdahs,
I praised you with knowledge of what I was saying
some rising beyond their straps, others bound fast.
If another claims differently, his claim is baseless.
متىwhenever يَتَشَذّرْtosses proudly تحتْهَاbeneath them العُودُthe old camel يَتَّئِدit slows
متى يَتَشَذّرْ تحتْهَا العُودُ يَتَّئِد
وإنْand if يَتَدَافَعْpresses forward تحتهاbeneath them الزَّولُthe vigorous camel يَدرِمit takes short steps
وإنْ يَتَدَافَعْ تحتها الزَّولُ يَدرِم
Whenever an old camel tosses proudly beneath them, it slows;
Even if I were to journey to where the paths end,
if a vigorous one presses forward beneath them, it takes short steps.
I would not be embarrassed nor ashamed.
وكانتْand once ملوكُthe kings الأرضof the earth تبجَحُboasted بالقِرىof hospitality
وكانتْ ملوكُ الأرض تبجَحُ بالقِرى
قِرىthe hospitality المَحضِof pure milk فيin اللأواءhardship غيرِnot مُصَرَّمinterrupted
قِرى المَحضِ في اللأواء غيرِ مُصَرَّم
The kings of the earth once boasted of hospitality:
You combine all aright speech scattered in the world
serving pure milk in hardship without interruption.
Some explicit and some ambiguous.
وتَفْخَرُand prided themselves أنthat أعْطَتْthey gave نَجائبَnoble camels صِرْمَةًa herd
وتَفْخَرُ أن أعْطَتْ نَجائبَ صِرْمَةً
وماand what أثّgathered thickly منof بَرْكِkneeling camels الحِواءِin the enclosure المصتَّمthe crowded
وما أثّ من بَرْكِ الحِواءِ المصتَّم
They prided themselves on giving a herd of noble camels
Men know only what they know
and the thick gatherings of kneeling beasts within their enclosure.
That is the mark of the Guarded Tablet.
فقدfor indeed تَهَبُyou may bestow الدّنْياthe world وأنجُمُwhile the stars سعْدِهاof its good fortune
فقد تَهَبُ الدّنْيا وأنجُمُ سعْدِها
طوالِعُrising شتّىvariously منamong فُرادىsingle ones وتَوأمand pairs
طوالِعُ شتّى من فُرادى وتَوأم
But you may bestow the world while its fortunate stars
When intellects fall short due to its sublimity
rise variously, singly and in pairs.
To conceal God's mysteries becomes an obligation.
وماand not الجودُgenerosity جُوداًtrue generosity فيin سِواكَanyone but you حَقيقَةًin truth
وما الجودُ جُوداً في سِواكَ حَقيقَةً
وماand not هوit إلاّexcept كالحديثِlike a tale المُرَجَّمconjectural
وما هو إلاّ كالحديثِ المُرَجَّم
Generosity in anyone but you is not truly generosity;
If the confusion of tongues is by Divine Decree
it is only like a tale founded on conjecture.
Then a translator is inevitably required.
فلوfor if أنّهُit فيwere in النّفسthe soul لمnot يكُit would be غُصّةًa choking burden
فلو أنّهُ في النّفس لم يكُ غُصّةً
ولوand if أنّهُit فيwere in الطْبعinnate nature لمnot يُتَجَشَّمit would be strained for
ولو أنّهُ في الطْبع لم يُتَجَشَّم
Were it rooted in the soul, it would not be a choking burden;
Evidence of this is that God flattened the earth
were it innate, it would not require strained effort.
Yet it was not traversed without a guide.
وجُودُكَand your generosity جُودٌgenerosity ليسَnot بالمالِin money وحدهُalone
وجُودُكَ جُودٌ ليسَ بالمالِ وحدهُ
إذاwhen نَهَضَتْtakes up كفٌّa hand بأعباءthe burdens مَغْرَمof an expense
إذا نَهَضَتْ كفٌّ بأعباء مَغْرَم
Your generosity is not generosity in money alone,
No man was ever granted all wisdom of speech
when a hand takes up the burdens of an expense,
If he did not understand or comprehend.
ولكِنْbut بهwith it بَدْءاًto begin وبالعيشِand with life كلّهِin its entirety
ولكِنْ به بَدْءاً وبالعيشِ كلّهِ
حميداًpraiseworthy علىdespite العِلاّتِthe troubles غيرَnot مُذَمَّمblamed
حميداً على العِلاّتِ غيرَ مُذَمَّم
but begins with money and extends to life in its entirety,
To you belongs virtue, even from you comes every bounty for me,
praiseworthy despite its troubles, without reproach;
And all guidance - what guide does not bestow grace!
وبالمجْدِand with glory إنّindeed المجدَglory أجزلُthe richest نائِلٍgift
وبالمجْدِ إنّ المجدَ أجزلُ نائِلٍ
وبالعَفْوِand with pardon إنّindeed العفُوَpardon أكبرُthe greatest مَغنَمgain
وبالعَفْوِ إنّ العفُوَ أكبرُ مَغنَم
and to glory, for glory is the richest gift,
When the waterway overflowed with blood in floods
and to pardon, for pardon is the greatest gain.
None seeking it attained purity but through you.
فَمنso who مُخبريwill inform me عنabout ذاthis العِيانvisible reality الذيwhich أرىI see
فَمن مُخبري عن ذا العِيان الذي أرى
فإنّfor indeed يقينيmy certainty فيهabout it مثلُlike تَوَهُّميmy imagining
فإنّ يقيني فيه مثلُ تَوَهُّمي
Who can explain this sight before my eyes?
You have armies of God, among them His meteors,
My certainty about it resembles my imagining.
Of blazing fire and cascading sparks.
خَلاlacked منكyou عصْرٌan age أوّلٌearlier كانit was مثلَماjust as
خَلا منك عصْرٌ أوّلٌ كان مثلَما
نباrecoiled السمعُthe hearing عنfrom بيْتٍa verse منof الشِّعرpoetry أخرمmetrically defective
نبا السمعُ عن بيْتٍ من الشِّعر أخرم
An earlier age lacked you, and was like
You lead them in ranks, and the ranks are pilgrims
a defective verse from which the ear recoils.
Each a devotee robed for the Ancient House, revered.
فأمّاas for اللّياليthe nights الغابراتُthe remaining فأدركَتْthey attained
فأمّا اللّيالي الغابراتُ فأدركَتْ
مَآربَهَاtheir wishes منfor بهجةٍdelight وتكرُّمand generosity
مَآربَهَا من بهجةٍ وتكرُّم
As for the nights yet remaining, they have attained
As your grandfather marched from Miná
their wishes for delight and generosity;
And Jesus led the Disciples, son of Mary.
وأمّاand as for اللّياليthe nights السالفاتُthe past فقَطّعَتْthey bit
وأمّا اللّيالي السالفاتُ فقَطّعَتْ
أنامِلَهَاtheir fingertips منfrom حَسرَةٍgrief وتَنَدُّمand regret
أنامِلَهَا من حَسرَةٍ وتَنَدُّم
as for the nights already past, they have bitten
No place of refuge remains inaccessible to you
their fingertips in grief and regret.
Even if it were located atop the mountain of Arqam.
ولاand no عَجَبٌwonder أنthat كُنْتَyou are خَيرَthe best مُتَوَّجٍcrowned man
ولا عَجَبٌ أن كُنْتَ خَيرَ مُتَوَّجٍ
فجَدُّكَfor your forefather بالبَطحاءِat al-Batha خيرُthe best مُعمَّمturbaned man
فجَدُّكَ بالبَطحاءِ خيرُ مُعمَّم
It is no wonder that you are the best of crowned men:
Were it to hang from the claw of a mighty 'Anqa
your forefather at al-Batha was the best of turbaned men.
Or spend the night atop the peak of A'sam.
ولمand not تَلبَسِyou wore التّيجانَcrowns للجِهَةِfor the purpose الّتيwhich
ولم تَلبَسِ التّيجانَ للجِهَةِ الّتي
أرادَintended بهاby them الأملاكُthe kings منamong كلّevery جَهْضَمmighty man
أرادَ بها الأملاكُ من كلّ جَهْضَم
You did not wear crowns for the purpose
The nights have excused you, and time has warned
intended by the mighty kings who wore them.
That misfortunes will come, so prepare and be cautious.
ولاand not لاتّقادٍfor a blaze مِنfrom سَناهَاtheir radiance عَقَدْتَهاyou bound them on
ولا لاتّقادٍ مِن سَناهَا عَقَدْتَها
ولكنbut لأمْرٍfor a purpose ماcertain وغْيبٍand a mystery مُكتَّمconcealed
ولكن لأمْرٍ ما وغْيبٍ مُكتَّم
Nor did you bind them on for the blaze of their radiance,
Your warriors, none dons armor
but for a certain purpose and a concealed mystery.
And none reins his swimming steed.
إذاif كانthere is أمْنٌsecurity يَشْمَلُencompassing الأرضَthe earth كلَّهاall of it
إذا كان أمْنٌ يَشْمَلُ الأرضَ كلَّها
فلاthen no بُدّalternative فيهاin it منto دليلٍa guide مُقَدَّمset at the head
فلا بُدّ فيها من دليلٍ مُقَدَّم
If security is to encompass the whole earth,
No hero strikes a skull beyond his defense
it must have a guide set at its head.
Nor stabs deep in the pupils with a painful stab.
وأشْهَدُand I testify أنّthat الدّينَreligion أنْتَyou مَنارُهُare its beacon
وأشْهَدُ أنّ الدّينَ أنْتَ مَنارُهُ
وعُرْوَتُهُand its handle الوُثْقَىthe firmest التيwhich لمnot تُفَصَّمhas been broken
وعُرْوَتُهُ الوُثْقَى التي لم تُفَصَّم
I testify that you are religion’s beacon
Dread seized them, so they gain neither booty
and its firmest handle, which has never been broken.
Nor do the heroes return other than frustrated.
وللّهِand God has سَيْفٌa sword ليسَnot يَكْهَمُgrows blunt حَدُّهُits edge
وللّهِ سَيْفٌ ليسَ يَكْهَمُ حَدُّهُ
علىalthough أنّهit إنif لمnot تَقَلَّدْهُyou gird yourself with it يَكْهَمgrows blunt
على أنّه إن لم تَقَلَّدْهُ يَكْهَم
God has a sword whose edge does not grow blunt;
It fills a hearing with the trembling of earthquake
yet if you do not gird yourself with it, it grows blunt.
And fills a vision with the flashing of lightning.
وللَوحْيِand revelation has بُرهانٌa proof ألَدٌّunyielding خِصامُهُits disputation
وللَوحْيِ بُرهانٌ ألَدٌّ خِصامُهُ
ولكنّهُbut it إنif لمnot تُؤيّدْهُyou uphold it يُخْصَمis defeated in argument
ولكنّهُ إن لم تُؤيّدْهُ يُخْصَم
Revelation has a proof unyielding in dispute;
A calamitous flood or torrential downpour
yet if you do not uphold it, it is defeated.
A stalwart lion with bloodstained claws.
وللدّهْرِand Time has سَجْلٌa brimming bucket منof حَياةٍlife ومنand of رَدىًdeath
وللدّهْرِ سَجْلٌ من حَياةٍ ومن رَدىً
ولكنّهُbut it منfrom بَطْنِthe hollow كَفّيكَof your two palms يَنهَميpours
ولكنّهُ من بَطْنِ كَفّيكَ يَنهَمي
Time has a brimming bucket of life and death,
When its flags seize the chest of a huge army
yet it pours from the hollows of your palms.
You see the backs of fleeing men beneath the palms.
فلاso do not تَتَكَلّفْtrouble yourself للخميسِfor the army منof العِدىthe enemies
فلا تَتَكَلّفْ للخميسِ من العِدى
خَميساًwith an army ولكِنْbut رُعْهُfrighten it باسمِكَwith your name يُهزَمit is routed
خَميساً ولكِنْ رُعْهُ باسمِكَ يُهزَم
Do not trouble yourself to meet an enemy army
They drive them stumbling over every Dawsar track
with an army: frighten it with your name, and it is routed.
Over which are the viceroys in howdahs strapped.
ومُضْرَمَةِand many a fiery الأنفاسِof breaths جَمْرٌembers وطيسُهاits furnace
ومُضْرَمَةِ الأنفاسِ جَمْرٌ وطيسُها
شَرَنْبَثَةِcoarse الكَفّينِof both hands فاغرةِgaping الفَمof mouth
شَرَنْبَثَةِ الكَفّينِ فاغرةِ الفَم
Many a war with fiery breaths and a furnace of embers,
Musk is wasted on it just as ambergris is wasted
coarse of hand and gaping of mouth,
On the skin of a leopard smeared with musk.
ضَرُوسٍfiercely biting لهاit has أبْناءُsons صدْقٍloyal تَحُثُّهَاurging it onward
ضَرُوسٍ لها أبْناءُ صدْقٍ تَحُثُّهَا
فمِنْso among them خادِرٍa lair-dwelling lion وَرْدٍtawny وأشْجَعَand a fearless warrior أيْهَمindomitable
فمِنْ خادِرٍ وَرْدٍ وأشْجَعَ أيْهَم
fiercely biting, with loyal sons who urge it onward—
It walks slowly in the tumult while its blades
a tawny lion in its lair, or a fearless, indomitable warrior—
Flow with blood though unpoisoned and unstained.
رَدَدْتَyou turned back رِماحَيْهَاits two spears بأوّلِat the first لحظَةٍglance
رَدَدْتَ رِماحَيْهَا بأوّلِ لحظَةٍ
وزعْزَعْتَand you shook رُكْنَيْهاits two pillars بأوّلِat the first مَقْدَمadvance
وزعْزَعْتَ رُكْنَيْها بأوّلِ مَقْدَم
you turned back its two spears at your first glance
Neither spears nor heroes return other than
and shook its two pillars at your first advance.
Murmuring and mumbling in disappointment.
وأرْعَنَand a towering host يحْمُومcoal-black كأنّas though أديمَهُits surface
وأرْعَنَ يحْمُوم كأنّ أديمَهُ
إذاwhen شُرِعَتْwere leveled أرماحُهُits spears ظَهرُthe back شَيهَمof a porcupine
إذا شُرِعَتْ أرماحُهُ ظَهرُ شَيهَم
And many a towering, coal-black host whose surface seemed,
You raised against the enemy's skull a banner
when its spears were leveled, a porcupine’s back:
And dyed the dawn's forehead with pitch darkness.
هَريتُwide-mouthed شُدوقthe jaws الأُسْدِof lions يُطوَىis enfolded عجاجهits dust
هَريتُ شُدوق الأُسْدِ يُطوَى عجاجه
علىaround عَنْقَفيرٍa vast host يأكلُdevouring الناسَpeople صَيلَمannihilating
على عَنْقَفيرٍ يأكلُ الناسَ صَيلَم
wide as lions’ jaws, its dust enfolded
You left a reddish dye from their blood
a vast, annihilating host that devoured men.
Upon the claws of the swords that have not been sharpened.
فأركانُهُso its pillars مِنlike يذْبُلِYadhbul وعَمَايَةٍand Amayah
فأركانُهُ مِن يذْبُلِ وعَمَايَةٍ
وأعلامُهُand its standards مِنlike أعفُرٍA‘fur ويَلَملَمand Yalamlam
وأعلامُهُ مِن أعفُرٍ ويَلَملَم
Its pillars were like Yadhbul and Amayah,
For you are God's armies, among them His meteors,
its standards like A‘fur and Yalamlam.
Of blazing fire and cascading sparks.
إذاwhen أخذَتْoccupied أعلامُهits standards صَدْرَthe front مِقْنَبٍof a cavalry troop
إذا أخذَتْ أعلامُه صَدْرَ مِقْنَبٍ
رأيتَyou saw شَرَورَىSharawra تحتَbeneath نخلٍpalms مكَمَّمwith covered fruit
رأيتَ شَرَورَى تحتَ نخلٍ مكَمَّم
When its standards occupied a cavalry troop’s front,
You lead them in ranks, and the ranks are pilgrims
you saw Sharawra beneath palms with covered fruit.
Each a devotee robed for the Ancient House, revered.
أُسِفَّwas sprinkled عليهِupon it المِسكُmusk والنَّقْعُand dust مثلماjust as
أُسِفَّ عليهِ المِسكُ والنَّقْعُ مثلما
أُسِفَّwas sprinkled نَؤورٌsoot فوقَupon جِلْدٍskin مُوَشَّمtattooed
أُسِفَّ نَؤورٌ فوقَ جِلْدٍ مُوَشَّم
Musk and dust were sprinkled over it as
As your grandfather marched from Miná
soot is sprinkled upon tattooed skin.
And Jesus led the Disciples, son of Mary.
يسيرُit moves رُوَيْداًslowly فيin الوَغىbattle وحَديدُهُand its iron
يسيرُ رُوَيْداً في الوَغى وحَديدُهُ
يسيلُflows ذُعافاًdeadly poison وهْوَwhile it غَيرُnot مُسَمَّمpoisoned
يسيلُ ذُعافاً وهْوَ غَيرُ مُسَمَّم
It moves slowly in battle, while its iron
So no place of refuge remains inaccessible to you
flows with deadly poison, though it is not poisoned.
Even were it located atop the mountain of Arqam.
فماso not تَنْطِقُspeak الأرماحُthe spears غيرَexcept with تَصَلْصُلٍclanging
فما تَنْطِقُ الأرماحُ غيرَ تَصَلْصُلٍ
ولاand not تَرْجِعُanswer الأبْطالُthe champions غيرَexcept with تَغَمْغُمlow rumbling
ولا تَرْجِعُ الأبْطالُ غيرَ تَغَمْغُم
Its spears speak only with a clanging sound,
Were it to hang from the claw of a mighty 'Anqa
and its champions answer only with low rumbling.
Or spend the night atop the peak of A'sam.
فيَملأso it fills سَمْعاًan ear منwith رواعِدَthunderclaps رُجَّفٍtrembling
فيَملأ سَمْعاً من رواعِدَ رُجَّفٍ
ويملأand fills عَيْناًan eye منwith بوارِقَlightning-flashes ضُرَّمblazing
ويملأ عَيْناً من بوارِقَ ضُرَّم
It fills the ear with trembling thunderclaps
I saw the ribs of the lion bend
and fills the eye with blazing lightning-flashes:
Over the hump of a gaunt camel eating bitter colocynth.
غِطَمٌّimmense خِضَمُّoceanic in المَوجits waves أورَقُgray جَحفَلٌa vast host
غِطَمٌّ خِضَمُّ المَوج أورَقُ جَحفَلٌ
لُهامٌengulfing كمِرْداةِlike a shattering stone الصّفيحِof rock slabs المُلَملَمrounded
لُهامٌ كمِرْداةِ الصّفيحِ المُلَملَم
an immense, gray host, oceanic in its waves,
Its pillars are now withering and bleak
engulfing, like a rounded stone that shatters rock slabs.
Its flags are now feeble and unraveling.
كأنّas though عليهupon it اليَمَّthe sea باليَمِّagainst the sea تَنْكَفيoverturn
كأنّ عليه اليَمَّ باليَمِّ تَنْكَفي
غَوارِبُهُits crests واللّيْلَand night بالليلِagainst night يَرتَميis hurled
غَوارِبُهُ واللّيْلَ بالليلِ يَرتَمي
As though upon it sea fell against sea,
When its flags seize the chest of a huge army
its crests overturned, and night was hurled against night.
You see the backs of fleeing men beneath the palms.
فلاso no راجِعٌreturning one باللأمِwith armor غيرَexcept مُبتَّكٍcut to pieces
فلا راجِعٌ باللأمِ غيرَ مُبتَّكٍ
ولاand none بحَبيكِwith the woven metal البَيضِof helmets غيرَexcept مُهَدَّمbattered down
ولا بحَبيكِ البَيضِ غيرَ مُهَدَّم
No one returns with armor except cut to pieces,
They drive them stumbling over every Dawsar track
nor with woven helmets except battered down,
Over which are the viceroys in howdahs strapped.
ولاand none بنَواصيwith the forelocks الخيلِof horses غيرَexcept خضِيبَةٍdyed with blood
ولا بنَواصي الخيلِ غيرَ خضِيبَةٍ
ولاand none بحَديدِwith the steel الهِندِof India غيرَexcept مُثَلَّمnotched
ولا بحَديدِ الهِندِ غيرَ مُثَلَّم
nor with horses’ forelocks except dyed with blood,
Musk is wasted on it just as ambergris is wasted
nor with Indian steel except notched.
On the skin of a leopard smeared with musk.
رفعْتَyou raised علىabove هامِthe heads العدىof enemies منهfrom it قَسْطَلاًa dust-cloud
رفعْتَ على هامِ العدى منه قَسْطَلاً
خَضَبْتَyou dyed مَشيبَthe gray hair الفجرِof dawn منهfrom it بعِظلِمwith dark pigment
خَضَبْتَ مَشيبَ الفجرِ منه بعِظلِم
You raised from it a dust-cloud over the enemies’ heads,
It walks slowly in the tumult while its blades
dyeing dawn’s gray hair with its dark pigment.
Flow with blood though they are unpoisoned and unstained.
وغادَرْتَand you left صِبغاًa stain منof نجيعِfresh blood دمائِهمtheir blood
وغادَرْتَ صِبغاً من نجيعِ دمائِهم
علىupon ظُفُرِthe claw النّصْلِof the blade الذيwhich لمnot يُقَلَّمwas trimmed
على ظُفُرِ النّصْلِ الذي لم يُقَلَّم
You left a stain of their fresh blood
The spears do not speak save with the clattering of bones
upon the blade’s untrimmed claw.
And the heroes do not return save with groaning and moaning.
لديكَwith you جنُودُthe troops اللّهِof God منْهاamong them رُجُومُهُHis missiles
لديكَ جنُودُ اللّهِ منْها رُجُومُهُ
فمنso some مارِجٍa twisting flame نارٍof fire وكِسْفٍand a fragment مُضَرَّمblazing
فمن مارِجٍ نارٍ وكِسْفٍ مُضَرَّم
God’s troops are with you, including His missiles:
Voices fill the hearing amidst trembling earthquake
twisting flames of fire and blazing fragments.
And sights fill the eye amidst flashing lightning.
تقودُهُمُyou lead them فيin الجيشthe army والجيشُand the army مَنسَكٌa place of worship
تقودُهُمُ في الجيش والجيشُ مَنسَكٌ
وكُلٌّand all حَجيجٌpilgrims مِنwhether مُحِلٍّunconsecrated ومُحْرِمor consecrated
وكُلٌّ حَجيجٌ مِن مُحِلٍّ ومُحْرِم
You lead them in the army, and the army is a place of worship;
A croucher in the wave's swell, a snarler of white foam,
all are pilgrims, whether outside or within consecration.
A resolute lion with bloodstained green claws.
كماas سارmarched فيamong الأنصارthe Ansar جَدُّكَyour forefather منfrom مِنىًMina
كما سار في الأنصار جَدُّكَ من مِنىً
وقادَand led الحواريّينَthe disciples عيسىJesus بنُson مريمof Mary
وقادَ الحواريّينَ عيسى بنُ مريم
As your forefather marched among the Ansar from Mina,
As if the darkness and the night together enshroud
and Jesus son of Mary led the disciples.
Its brooding darkness, the darkness heaping darkness.
فلاso no مُهْجَةٌliving soul فيon الأرضِearth منكَfrom you مَنيعَةٌprotected
فلا مُهْجَةٌ في الأرضِ منكَ مَنيعَةٌ
ولوeven if قطَرَتْit dripped منfrom رِيقِthe saliva أرقطَof a speckled أرقَمserpent
ولو قطَرَتْ من رِيقِ أرقطَ أرقَم
No living soul on earth is beyond your reach,
So no regrets come with disappointment other than from
even if it dripped from a speckled serpent’s saliva,
One who gains nothing, and no shattered bones other than from one demolished.
ولوeven if أنّهاit نِيطَتْwere suspended بمِخْلَبِfrom a claw قَسْوَرٍof a lion
ولو أنّها نِيطَتْ بمِخْلَبِ قَسْوَرٍ
ولوeven if أنهاit باتَتْspent the night علىupon رَوْقِa horn أعصَمof a mountain goat
ولو أنها باتَتْ على رَوْقِ أعصَم
even if it hung upon a lion’s claw,
No bloodied horse reins other than crimson
even if it spent the night upon a mountain goat’s horn.
No Indian swords other than nicked and notched.
لقدindeed أعذَرَتْleft no excuse فيكَconcerning you اللياليthe nights وأنْذَرَتْand warned
لقد أعذَرَتْ فيكَ الليالي وأنْذَرَتْ
فقُلْso say للخطوبِto calamities استَأخِريdraw back أوor تقدَّميadvance
فقُلْ للخطوبِ استَأخِري أو تقدَّمي
The nights have left no excuse concerning you and have given warning;
You raised over the enemy's skull a banner
tell calamities, “Draw back or advance.”
And dyed the grey dawn with it, dense darkness.
قُصاراكyour utmost aim مَلْكُdominion الأرضِover the earth لاnot ماwhat يَرَوْنَهُthey see
قُصاراك مَلْكُ الأرضِ لا ما يَرَوْنَهُ
منof الحظّfortune فيهاin it والنَّصِيبِand the share المُقَسَّمapportioned
من الحظّ فيها والنَّصِيبِ المُقَسَّم
Your utmost aim is dominion over the earth, not what they see
You left a reddish dye from their blood
of fortune in it and an apportioned share.
Upon the blade of the sword that was not polished.
ولاand no بدّalternative منto تلكَthat event التيwhich تجمعُgathers الوَرىmankind
ولا بدّ من تلكَ التي تجمعُ الوَرى
علىupon لاحِبٍa clear road يَهْديleading إلىto الحَقّtruth أقوَمmost direct
على لاحِبٍ يَهْدي إلى الحَقّ أقوَم
That event must come which gathers mankind
For you, Time and days flow with events
upon a clear road leading most directly to truth.
As you desire, whether death or allotted fortune.
فقدfor indeed سئِمَتْhave wearied بِيضُthe bright الظُّبىsword-edges منof جفُوُنهاtheir sheaths
فقد سئِمَتْ بِيضُ الظُّبى من جفُوُنها
وكانتْand they were متىwhenever تألَفْthey grow familiar with سِوَىanything besides الهامheads تَسْأمwearying
وكانتْ متى تألَفْ سِوَى الهام تَسْأم
The bright sword-edges have wearied of their sheaths;
You began with pardon for all sinners
whenever they grow familiar with anything but heads, they weary.
And established the custom of amnesty for all offenders.
وقدand indeed غَضِبَتْthey grew angry للدّينِfor religion باسطَstretching out كَفّهِits palm
وقد غَضِبَتْ للدّينِ باسطَ كَفّهِ
إليهِنّtoward them فيacross الآفاقِthe horizons كالمُتَظَلِّمlike one seeking redress
إليهِنّ في الآفاقِ كالمُتَظَلِّم
They have grown angry for religion, which stretches its palm
While every respite in dire straits
toward them across the horizons like one seeking redress;
Comes from the Powerful, The Wise Ordainer.
وللعَرَبِand for the Arabs العَرْباءِthe true Arabs ذَلّتْwere humbled خدُودُهَاtheir cheeks
وللعَرَبِ العَرْباءِ ذَلّتْ خدُودُهَا
وللفَترَةِand for the interregnum العَمْياءِthe blind فيin الزّمَنِthe age العَميthe blind
وللفَترَةِ العَمْياءِ في الزّمَنِ العَمي
and for the true Arabs, whose cheeks have been humbled;
And whoever knows for certain that pardon has a place
and for the blind interregnum in this blind age;
Refrains from the sword, though angry, and shows clemency.
وللعِزّand for power فيin مِصرٍEgypt يُرَدُّis handed back سَريرُهُits throne
وللعِزّ في مِصرٍ يُرَدُّ سَريرُهُ
إلىto ناعِبٍa crow بالبَينِof separation يَنْعِقُcroaking أسْحَمblack
إلى ناعِبٍ بالبَينِ يَنْعِقُ أسْحَم
and for power in Egypt, whose throne is handed back
Reason comes only after careful deliberation
to a black crow croaking of separation;
And wisdom only after long experience.
وللمُلْكِand for sovereignty فيin بغدادَBaghdad أنthat رُدّwas handed back حُكمُهُits rule
وللمُلْكِ في بغدادَ أن رُدّ حُكمُهُ
إلىto عَضُدٍan upper arm فيwithout غَيرِa hand كَفٍّor a wrist too its loss is felt. ومِعْصَمand wrist
إلى عَضُدٍ في غَيرِ كَفٍّ ومِعْصَم
and for sovereignty in Baghdad, whose rule has been handed back
I saw that you grant provision to those you provide for
to an upper arm without a hand or wrist;
While those deprived by you are deprived.
إلىto شِلْوِa carcass مَيْتٍdead فيin ثيابِthe clothes خليفةٍof a caliph
إلى شِلْوِ مَيْتٍ في ثيابِ خليفةٍ
وبضعand pieces لحامof flesh فيin إهابa hide مورمswollen
وبضع لحام في إهاب مورم
to a dead carcass dressed in a caliph’s clothes,
I saw that when you strengthen a kingdom its authority endures
and chunks of flesh inside a swollen hide.
And when you do not secure glory, it crumbles.
فإنso if يكنis العبدthe slave اللئيمbase نجارهhis lineage
فإن يكن العبد اللئيم نجاره
فماthen not هوhe منthan أهْلِthe people العِراقِof Iraq بألأمbaser
فما هو من أهْلِ العِراقِ بألأم
If the slave is base in his lineage,
You hold the universe in your grasp
he is no baser than the people of Iraq:
So flatter misfortune or make peace with it, and it will comply.
سَوامٌlivestock رِتاعٌgrazing بينَamid جَهْلٍignorance وحَيرَةٍand bewilderment
سَوامٌ رِتاعٌ بينَ جَهْلٍ وحَيرَةٍ
ومُلْكٌand a kingdom مُضاعٌsquandered بينَbetween تُرْكٍTurks ودَيْلَمand Daylam
ومُلْكٌ مُضاعٌ بينَ تُرْكٍ ودَيْلَم
grazing livestock amid ignorance and bewilderment,
Surely events are submissive to your fingertips
a kingdom squandered between Turks and Daylam.
So eliminate the problem there, decisively it will be eliminated.
كأنْas though قدalready كشَفْتَyou cleared الأمرَthe matter عنof شُبُهاتِهِits ambiguities
كأنْ قد كشَفْتَ الأمرَ عن شُبُهاتِهِ
فلمso not يُضْطَهَدْis oppressed حَقٌّa right ولمand not يُتَهَضّمis diminished
فلم يُضْطَهَدْ حَقٌّ ولم يُتَهَضّم
It is as though you have already cleared the matter of its ambiguities,
And naught remains for Fate but trespass
and no right is oppressed or diminished.
While the length of its cord is in your hands, so break it.
وفاضَand overflowed دماًwith blood مَدُّthe flood الفُراتِof the Euphrates ولمand not يَجُزْwas lawful
وفاضَ دماً مَدُّ الفُراتِ ولم يَجُزْ
لِوارِدِهِfor those approaching it طُهْرٌpurification بغَيرِwithout تَيَمُّمdry ablution
لِوارِدِهِ طُهْرٌ بغَيرِ تَيَمُّم
The Euphrates’ flood has overflowed with blood, and purification is not lawful
Naught remains of them but disgrace and humiliation
for those approaching it except through dry ablution.
More despised than the lowly slave and more humiliated.
فلاso may not حَمَلَتْcarry فُرسانَthe knights حرْبٍof war جِيادُهَاtheir steeds
فلا حَمَلَتْ فُرسانَ حرْبٍ جِيادُهَا
إذاif لمnot تَزُرْهُمْyou visit them منwith كُمَيتٍbay horses وأدهَمand black horses
إذا لم تَزُرْهُمْ من كُمَيتٍ وأدهَم
May their steeds never carry warriors into battle
Swords like scabbards, and a state
if your bay and black horses do not visit them.
That coils in humiliation like a pliant stick.
ولاand may not عَذُبَtaste sweet الماءُthe water القَراحُthe pure لِشارِبٍto a drinker
ولا عَذُبَ الماءُ القَراحُ لِشارِبٍ
وفيwhile on الأرضِearth مَرْوانِيّةٌa Marwanid woman غيرُnot أيِّمwidowed
وفي الأرضِ مَرْوانِيّةٌ غيرُ أيِّم
May pure water never taste sweet to a drinker
So they walk proudly in coats of mail
while a Marwanid woman on earth remains unwidowed.
While they walk in humble robes of patchwork.
ألاindeed إنّtruly يوْماًa day هاشميّاًHashimite أظَلَّهُمْhas overshadowed them
ألا إنّ يوْماً هاشميّاً أظَلَّهُمْ
يُطيِرُsends flying فَراشَfragments الهامِof skulls عنfrom كلevery مِجثمresting place
يُطيِرُ فَراشَ الهامِ عن كل مِجثم
Indeed, a Hashimite day has cast its shadow over them,
They are the chronic ill which spread
sending skull-fragments flying from every resting place;
To your rifts - though minor - and your bones - though solid.
كيوْمِlike the day يَزيدٍof Yazid والسّباياwhile the captive women طَريدةٌwere driven prey
كيوْمِ يَزيدٍ والسّبايا طَريدةٌ
علىupon كلّevery مَوّارِrestless المِلاطِof flanks عَشَمْشَمsturdy camel
على كلّ مَوّارِ المِلاطِ عَشَمْشَم
like Yazid’s day, when captive women were driven
They are the ones who ignited that kindling
upon every sturdy camel with restless flanks.
Which blazed though unkindled.
وقدand indeed غَصّتِwas choked البَيْداءُthe wilderness بالعِيسِwith pale camels فوقَهاupon them
وقد غَصّتِ البَيْداءُ بالعِيسِ فوقَها
كرائِمُthe noble women أبناءِof the descendants النّبيّof the Prophet المكَرَّمthe honored
كرائِمُ أبناءِ النّبيّ المكَرَّم
The wilderness was choked with pale camels, bearing
They are the ones who made lawful the inheritance
the noble women descended from the honored Prophet.
Of their Prophet for the illegitimate Taym without right.
ذُعِرْنَthey were frightened بأبناءِby the offspring الضّبابِof al-Dibab وأعْوَجٍand A‘waj
ذُعِرْنَ بأبناءِ الضّبابِ وأعْوَجٍ
فأبْكَينَso they made weep أبناءَthe offspring الجَديلِof al-Jadil وشَدْقَمand Shadqam
فأبْكَينَ أبناءَ الجَديلِ وشَدْقَم
They were frightened by the offspring of al-Dibab and A‘waj,
By what decree of God when they reject it?
and made the offspring of al-Jadil and Shadqam weep.
Could they offer other than the appointed?
يَشُلّونَهاthey drive them فيupon كُلّevery غاربِback دَوسَرٍof a mighty camel
يَشُلّونَها في كُلّ غاربِ دَوسَرٍ
عليهِupon it الوَلاياsaddle-cloths بالخِشاشِwith the nose-rein مُخَزَّمpierced
عليهِ الوَلايا بالخِشاشِ مُخَزَّم
They drive them upon the backs of mighty camels,
By what law of Revelation and the Chosen could
covered with saddle-cloths and pierced for their nose-reins.
They make his progeny drink poisoned nectar?
فماso not فيin حَريمٍa sanctuary بعدَهَاafter them منْany تَحَرُّجٍrestraint
فما في حَريمٍ بعدَهَا منْ تَحَرُّجٍ
ولاand not هَتْكُviolation سِترٍof a veil بعدَهاafter them بمحَرَّمforbidden
ولا هَتْكُ سِترٍ بعدَها بمحَرَّم
After them, no sanctuary gives cause for restraint,
They did not regret that there was no pact
nor is any violation of a veil forbidden after theirs.
Rather, pledges to them are like the ropes of Shadham.
فإنْso if يَتَخَرّمْis taken by death خيرُthe best سبطَيْof the two grandsons مَحمّدٍof Muhammad
فإنْ يَتَخَرّمْ خيرُ سبطَيْ مَحمّدٍ
فإنّthen indeed وليّthe guardian الثّارِof vengeance لمnot يَتَخَرَّمhas been taken by death
فإنّ وليّ الثّارِ لم يَتَخَرَّم
Though the best of Muhammad’s two grandsons has been taken by death,
By God! A day will come for the Hashimi
the guardian of vengeance has not been taken.
That scatters the nests of resolve from all cowards.
ألاindeed سائِلُواask عنهُabout him البَتْولَal-Batul فتُخبَرُواthen you will be told
ألا سائِلُوا عنهُ البَتْولَ فتُخبَرُوا
أكانَتْwas she لهُto him أُمّاًa mother وكانand was he لهاto her ابنَمa son
أكانَتْ لهُ أُمّاً وكان لها ابنَم
Ask al-Batul about him, and you will be told:
Like the day of Yazid when the captive women
was she his mother, and was he her son?
Were driven upon the smoothest camel saddles.
ألاindeed إنtruly وتراًa blood-debt فيهمagainst them غيرnot ضائعlost
ألا إن وتراً فيهم غير ضائع
وطلابand seekers وترof vengeance منكمamong you غيرnot نومasleep
وطلاب وتر منكم غير نوم
Indeed, a blood-debt against them has not been lost,
The plain was congested with bodies upon which
and the seekers of vengeance among you are not asleep.
Were the honorable sons of the Prophet, dignified.
فلمْso not يَبقَremains للمِقدارِfor destiny إلاَّexcept تَعِلّةٌa brief delay
فلمْ يَبقَ للمِقدارِ إلاَّ تَعِلّةٌ
لديكَwith you مَداهاits limit فاحسِمِso cut off الدّاءَthe disease يُحسَمit will be ended
لديكَ مَداها فاحسِمِ الدّاءَ يُحسَم
Nothing remains for destiny but a brief delay,
They startled the sons of mirage and crookedness
whose limit is with you: cut off the disease, and it is ended.
And made weep the people of Judayl and Shaddakh.
ولمand not يبْقَremain منهُمْof them غيرُexcept فَقْعٍtruffles بقَرقَرٍon a barren plain
ولم يبْقَ منهُمْ غيرُ فَقْعٍ بقَرقَرٍ
أذَلَّmore abased منthan العَفْرِthe dust الذّلِيلِthe lowly وأرغَمand more humbled
أذَلَّ من العَفْرِ الذّلِيلِ وأرغَم
Nothing remains of them but truffles on a barren plain,
Those who shackled them in every westward Dawsar
more abased and humbled than the lowly dust.
Upon which were the viceroys in howdahs strapped.
سيُوفٌswords كأغمادِlike the sheaths السّيوفِof swords ودولَةٌand a dynasty
سيُوفٌ كأغمادِ السّيوفِ ودولَةٌ
تَثَنّىswaying دلالاًcoquettishly كالقضيبlike a branch المُنَعَّمpampered
تَثَنّى دلالاً كالقضيب المُنَعَّم
Swords like the sheaths of swords, and a dynasty
You have never been immune to any place of refuge
swaying coquettishly like a pampered branch.
Even were it concealed in the bosom of Arqam.
فتَمْشونُso you walk فيin وَشيِthe patterned weave الدّروعِof armor سوابغاًample
فتَمْشونُ في وَشيِ الدّروعِ سوابغاً
ويمَشونَand they walk فيin وَشيِthe patterned weave الُبرودِof robes المُنَمنَمembroidered
ويمَشونَ في وَشيِ الُبرودِ المُنَمنَم
You walk in the patterned weave of ample armor,
Had it been suspended from the claw of a mighty 'Anqa
while they walk in the ornamented weave of embroidered robes.
Or spent the night atop the peak of A'sam.
وإنّاand we وإيّاهُمْand they كَمَارِنِlike a supple shaft نَبْعَةٍof nab‘ wood
وإنّا وإيّاهُمْ كَمَارِنِ نَبْعَةٍ
تَهَضّمَcrushing نَجمْاًa shoot منof يَراعٍreed مُهَضَّمfragile
تَهَضّمَ نَجمْاً من يَراعٍ مُهَضَّم
We and they are like a supple shaft of nab‘ wood
There remains among them an unfailing bond
crushing a shoot of fragile reed.
And seekers of a bond from you that never sleeps.
وماand not عاثَravaged فيهِمْthem مِقْوَلٌa tongue مثلُlike مِقوَليmy tongue
وما عاثَ فيهِمْ مِقْوَلٌ مثلُ مِقوَلي
ولاand not لاحَappeared فيهمupon them مِيسَمٌa branding iron مثلُlike مِيسَميmy branding iron
ولا لاحَ فيهم مِيسَمٌ مثلُ مِيسَمي
No tongue has ravaged them like my tongue,
So the cunning of fate has no stratagem left
nor has a branding iron marked them like mine.
Except trespass for you there to check - so checkmate it.
وأولىand more deserving بلَوْمٍof blame منthan أُمَيّةَUmayyah كُلّهاall of it
وأولى بلَوْمٍ من أُمَيّةَ كُلّها
وإنthough جَلّtranscends أمْرٌan affair منany مَلامٍblame ولُوَّمand blamers
وإن جَلّ أمْرٌ من مَلامٍ ولُوَّم
More deserving of blame than all Umayyah—
And naught remains of them but disgrace and humiliation
though the affair transcends blame and those who blame—
More despised than the slave and more disgraced than the intermediate.
أُناسٌpeople هُمُthey الدّاءُthe disease الدّفينُthe hidden الذيwhich سَرَىspread
أُناسٌ هُمُ الدّاءُ الدّفينُ الذي سَرَى
إلىto رِمَمٍremains بالطَّفِّat al-Taff منكمof yours وأعظُمand bones
إلى رِمَمٍ بالطَّفِّ منكم وأعظُم
are people who are the hidden disease that spread
Swords like scabbards, and a state
to your remains and bones at al-Taff.
That coils in humiliation like a pliant stick.
هُمُthey قَدَحُواstruck تِلكَthose الزّنادَfire-sticks التيwhich وَرَتْkindled
هُمُ قَدَحُوا تِلكَ الزّنادَ التي وَرَتْ
ولوand if لمْnot تُشَبَّwere lit النّارُthe fire لمnot تَتَضَرّمit would blaze
ولو لمْ تُشَبَّ النّارُ لم تَتَضَرّم
They struck those fire-sticks that kindled;
So they walk proudly in coats of mail
had the fire not been lit, it would not have blazed.
While they walk in humble robes of patchwork.
وهُمand they رَشّحُواnominated تَيْماًTaym لإرْثِfor the inheritance نَبيّهِمْof their Prophet
وهُم رَشّحُوا تَيْماً لإرْثِ نَبيّهِمْ
وماand not كانَwas تَيْمِيٌّa Taymite إليهِto him بمُنتَمrelated
وما كانَ تَيْمِيٌّ إليهِ بمُنتَم
They nominated Taym to inherit their Prophet,
They are the chronic ill which spread
though no Taymite was related to him.
To your veins - though fine - and your bones, though solid.
علىby أيّwhich حُكْمِdecree اللّهِof God إذwhen يأفكونَهُthey falsify it
على أيّ حُكْمِ اللّهِ إذ يأفكونَهُ
أُحِلَّwas made lawful لهمfor them تقديمُadvancing غيرِone not المُقدَّمgiven precedence
أُحِلَّ لهم تقديمُ غيرِ المُقدَّم
By what decree of God, which they falsify,
They were the ones who unsheathed the swords of that betrayal
was advancing one not given precedence made lawful for them?
By which 'Ali was struck, though not by ibn Muljam's sword.
وفيand in أيّwhich دِينِreligion الوَحيِof revelation والمُصْطَفَىand the chosen recipient لَهُof it
وفي أيّ دِينِ الوَحيِ والمُصْطَفَى لَهُ
سَقَوْاthey made drink آلَهُhis family ممزوجَa mixture صابٍof aloe بعَلقَمwith colocynth
سَقَوْا آلَهُ ممزوجَ صابٍ بعَلقَم
And in what religion of revelation and its chosen recipient
And with the hatred of paganism, it still
did they make his family drink aloe mixed with bitter colocynth?
Seethes, never cooling nor allaying.
فماso not نَقَمواthey resented أنّthat الصّنيعَةَkindness لمnot تكُنْhad existed
فما نَقَموا أنّ الصّنيعَةَ لم تكُنْ
ولكنّهاbut they منهمfrom them شَناشِنُingrained traits أخْزَمْof Akhzam
ولكنّها منهم شَناشِنُ أخْزَمْ
They did not resent that kindness had been withheld;
And for vengeance taken at Badr, your blood
rather, theirs were Akhzam’s ingrained ways.
Was shed, and every barefoot captive was shackled to you.
وتاللّهِand by God ماnot للّهِfor God بادَرَhastened فَوتَهَاlest it escape
وتاللّهِ ما للّهِ بادَرَ فَوتَهَا
ذَوُوthe authors إفكِهمof their falsehood منwhether مُهْوَإٍone driven by desire أوor مُنَقَّمone resentful
ذَوُو إفكِهم من مُهْوَإٍ أو مُنَقَّم
By God, it was not for God that they hastened lest it escape,
They refuse to let its oozing wounds heal
those authors of falsehood, whether driven by desire or resentment.
Remaining forever enraged, boiling with hidden rancor.
ولكِنّbut أمراًa matter كانَhad been أُبْرِمَsettled بَيْنَهُمْamong them
ولكِنّ أمراً كانَ أُبْرِمَ بَيْنَهُمْ
وإنthough قالَsaid قوْمٌsome people فَلتَةٌan unpremeditated affair غيرُnot مُبْرَمsettled
وإن قالَ قوْمٌ فَلتَةٌ غيرُ مُبْرَم
Rather, a matter had been settled among them,
They graze dangerously, wildly, against one
though some called it an unpremeditated, unsettled affair.
With elongated sword strike, fleet, hardened warrior.
بأسْيافِby the swords ذاكَof that البَغْيrebellion أوّلَat the first سَلَّهَاdrawing of them
بأسْيافِ ذاكَ البَغْي أوّلَ سَلَّهَا
أُصِيبَwas struck down عليٌّAli لاnot بسيْفِby the sword ابنِof Ibn ملجمMuljam
أُصِيبَ عليٌّ لا بسيْفِ ابنِ ملجم
By the swords of that rebellion, at their first drawing,
Scarcely meeting white swords other than from the claws
Ali was struck down, not by Ibn Muljam’s sword;
Scarcely drinking from cups other than of blood.
وبالحِقْدِand by rancor حِقْدِthe rancor الجاهِلِيّةِof the age of ignorance إنّهُindeed it
وبالحِقْدِ حِقْدِ الجاهِلِيّةِ إنّهُ
إلىto الآنَthis day لمnot يَظْعَنْhas departed ولمand not يَتَصَرَّمhas ended
إلى الآنَ لم يَظْعَنْ ولم يَتَصَرَّم
and by rancor, the rancor of the age of ignorance, which
At times somber, lacking good news,
to this day has neither departed nor ended.
At others cheerful, but lacking joy.
وبالثّارِand in vengeance فيfor بَدْرٍBadr أُرِيقَتْwas shed دِماؤكُمْyour blood
وبالثّارِ في بَدْرٍ أُرِيقَتْ دِماؤكُمْ
وقِيدَand was led إليكُمْagainst you كلّevery أجْردَsleek steed صِلدِمsturdy
وقِيدَ إليكُمْ كلّ أجْردَ صِلدِم
In vengeance for Badr your blood was shed,
You used to be known
and every sleek, sturdy steed was led against you.
ويَأبَىand refuses لكُمfor you منto allow أنthat يُطَلّgo unavenged نَجِيعُهاits spilled blood
ويَأبَى لكُم من أن يُطَلّ نَجِيعُها
فُتُوٌّyoung warriors غِضابٌangry مِنْamong كمِيٍّarmored champions ومُعْلِمand marked warriors
فُتُوٌّ غِضابٌ مِنْ كمِيٍّ ومُعْلِم
Yet refusing to let its spilled blood go unavenged for you
are angry young warriors, armored or bearing battle-marks.
يَرِيعُونَthey rally فيin الهَيجاbattle إلىto ذيone possessing حَفيظَةٍprotective honor
يَرِيعُونَ في الهَيجا إلى ذي حَفيظَةٍ
طويلِlong نِجادِof sword-belt السيْفِthe sword أبلَجَbright-faced خِضرمabundantly generous
طويلِ نِجادِ السيْفِ أبلَجَ خِضرم
In battle they rally to a man of fierce protective honor,
long of sword-belt, bright-faced, abundantly generous;
قلِيلِseldom لِقاءِmeeting البِيضِwhite beauties إلاّexcept منَamong الظُّبَىsword-edges
قلِيلِ لِقاءِ البِيضِ إلاّ منَ الظُّبَى
قليلِseldom شَرابِdrinking الكَأسِthe cup إلاّexcept منَof الدّمblood
قليلِ شَرابِ الكَأسِ إلاّ منَ الدّم
seldom meeting white beauties except the sword-edges,
seldom drinking from a cup except of blood.
فطَوْراًso at times تَرَاهُyou see him مُؤدَماًflesh-side exposed غيرَnot مُبْشَرٍskin-side exposed
فطَوْراً تَرَاهُ مُؤدَماً غيرَ مُبْشَرٍ
وطوْراًand at times تَراهُyou see him مُبْشَراًskin-side exposed غيرَnot مُؤدَمflesh-side exposed
وطوْراً تَراهُ مُبْشَراً غيرَ مُؤدَم
At times you see him flesh-side exposed, not skin-side exposed;
at times skin-side exposed, not flesh-side exposed.
وكُنتُمْand you were إذاwhenever ماindeed لمnot تُثَلَّمْwere notched شِفارُكمْyour cutting edges
وكُنتُمْ إذا ما لم تُثَلَّمْ شِفارُكمْ
عِلمناwe knew بأنّthat الهامَheads غيرُnot مُثَلَّمnotched
عِلمنا بأنّ الهامَ غيرُ مُثَلَّم
Whenever your cutting edges were not notched,
we knew that heads had not been notched.
سبقْتُمْyou preceded إلىto المَجْدِglory القديمِthe ancient بأسْرِهِin its entirety
سبقْتُمْ إلى المَجْدِ القديمِ بأسْرِهِ
وبُؤتُمْand attained بِعادِيٍّprimeval glory علىthan الدّهرِTime أقدَمolder
وبُؤتُمْ بِعادِيٍّ على الدّهرِ أقدَم
You preceded all others to ancient glory in its entirety
and attained a primeval glory older than Time.
وليسَand not كماlike what أبْقَتْleft behind ضُبَيْعَةُDubay‘ah أضْجَمٍof Adjam
وليسَ كما أبْقَتْ ضُبَيْعَةُ أضْجَمٍ
وليسَand not كماlike what شادَتْbuilt قبائلُthe tribes جُرْهُمof Jurhum
وليسَ كما شادَتْ قبائلُ جُرْهُم
It is not like what Dubay‘ah of Adjam left behind,
nor like what the tribes of Jurhum built;
ولكِنّbut طَوداًa mountain لمnot يُحَلْحَلْwas shifted رَسِيُّهُits settled mass
ولكِنّ طَوداً لم يُحَلْحَلْ رَسِيُّهُ
وفارعَةًand a lofty height قَعْساءimpregnable لمnot تُتَسَنَّمwas climbed
وفارعَةً قَعْساء لم تُتَسَنَّم
rather, a mountain whose settled mass has never been shifted,
and a lofty, impregnable height never climbed.
إذاwhen ماindeed بِناءٌa structure شادَهُraised it اللّهُGod وَحْدَهُalone
إذا ما بِناءٌ شادَهُ اللّهُ وَحْدَهُ
تَهَدّمَتِcrumbled الدّنْياthe world ولمْand not يَتَهَدّمit crumbled
تَهَدّمَتِ الدّنْيا ولمْ يَتَهَدّم
When God alone has raised a structure,
the world may crumble, but it does not crumble.
فمُكْبِرُكُمْso one magnifying you للّهِof God أوّلٌthe foremost مُكْبِرٍmagnifier
فمُكْبِرُكُمْ للّهِ أوّلٌ مُكْبِرٍ
ومُعْظِمُكُمْand one honoring you للّهِof God أوّلُthe foremost مُعْظِمhonorer
ومُعْظِمُكُمْ للّهِ أوّلُ مُعْظِم
Whoever magnifies you is foremost in magnifying God,
and whoever honors you is foremost in honoring God.
تَمُدّونَyou extend منْfrom أيْدٍhands تَغَيَّمُgathering clouds بالنّدَىof bounty
تَمُدّونَ منْ أيْدٍ تَغَيَّمُ بالنّدَى
إذاwhen ماindeed سَماءُthe sky القوْمِof the people لمnot تَتَغَيّمgathers clouds
إذا ما سَماءُ القوْمِ لم تَتَغَيّم
You extend hands that gather clouds of bounty
when the people’s sky gathers no clouds.
ألاindeed إنّكُمْyou مُزْنٌrain-clouds منof العُرْفِkindness فائِضٌoverflowing
ألا إنّكُمْ مُزْنٌ من العُرْفِ فائِضٌ
يُرَدُّis traced back إلىto بحْرٍa sea منof القُدْسِholiness مُفْعَمbrimming
يُرَدُّ إلى بحْرٍ من القُدْسِ مُفْعَم
Indeed, you are rain-clouds overflowing with kindness,
fed by a sea brimming with holiness.
كأنّكُمُas though you لاnot تَحْسَبُونَconsider أكُفّكُمyour palms
كأنّكُمُ لا تَحْسَبُونَ أكُفّكُم
تُفيضُto pour bounty علىupon العافيthe petitioner إذاif لمnot يُحَكَّمhe chooses its measure
تُفيضُ على العافي إذا لم يُحَكَّم
It is as though you do not consider your palms
to have poured bounty upon a petitioner unless he chooses its measure.
فلاso no صَفَدٌgift منكُمْfrom you إذاif لمnot يكُنْit brings غِنىًprosperity
فلا صَفَدٌ منكُمْ إذا لم يكُنْ غِنىً
ولاand no مِنّةٌfavor طَوْلٌa bounty إذاif لمnot تُتَمَّمَis completed
ولا مِنّةٌ طَوْلٌ إذا لم تُتَمَّمَ
No gift from you counts unless it brings prosperity,
nor is a favor a bounty unless it is completed.
بِكُمْthrough you عَزّgained honor ماwhat بَينَis between البَقيعِal-Baqi‘ ويَثرِبٍand Yathrib
بِكُمْ عَزّ ما بَينَ البَقيعِ ويَثرِبٍ
ونُسِّكand was sanctified ماwhat بَينَis between الحَطيمِal-Hatim وزمزمand Zamzam
ونُسِّك ما بَينَ الحَطيمِ وزمزم
Through you, what lies between al-Baqi‘ and Yathrib gained honor,
and what lies between al-Hatim and Zamzam was sanctified.
فلاso may not بَرِحَتْcease تَترَىto follow successively عليكمُupon you منfrom الوَرىmankind
فلا بَرِحَتْ تَترَى عليكمُ من الوَرى
صَلاةُthe prayer مُصَلٍّof one praying أوor سَلامُthe greeting مُسَلِّمof one greeting
صَلاةُ مُصَلٍّ أو سَلامُ مُسَلِّم
May there never cease to follow upon you, from mankind,
the prayer of one who prays or the greeting of one who greets.
لئنif indeed كانَthere is ليfor me عنfrom وُدّكُمloving you مُتأخَّرٌa holding back
لئن كانَ لي عن وُدّكُم مُتأخَّرٌ
فماthen none ليَfor me فيin التّوحِيدِaffirming God’s unity منof مُتَقَدَّمadvancement
فما ليَ في التّوحِيدِ من مُتَقَدَّم
If I should hold back from loving you,
I could have no advance in affirming God’s unity.
مدَحْتُكُمُI praised you عِلْماًknowing بماwhat أنَاI قائِلٌsay
مدَحْتُكُمُ عِلْماً بما أنَا قائِلٌ
إذاwhile كانis غَيريanother than me زاعِماًclaiming كُلًّevery مَزْعَمclaim
إذا كان غَيري زاعِماً كُلًّ مَزْعَم
I praised you knowing what I say,
while others make every kind of claim.
ولوand if أنّنيI أجريran إلىtoward حيْثُwhere لاno مدىlimit
ولو أنّني أجري إلى حيْثُ لا مدى
منof القوْلِspeech لمnot أحْرَجْI would incur blame ولمand not أتَأثّمI would incur sin
من القوْلِ لم أحْرَجْ ولم أتَأثّم
Were I to run toward a boundless extent
of speech, I would incur neither blame nor sin.
لكمyours جامعُthe sum النُّطْقِof speech المُفَرَّقِdispersed فيamong الورىmankind
لكم جامعُ النُّطْقِ المُفَرَّقِ في الورى
فمِنwhether بينِamong مشْرُوحٍclearly expounded speech وآخَرَand another مُبْهَمobscure
فمِن بينِ مشْرُوحٍ وآخَرَ مُبْهَم
Yours is the sum of speech dispersed among mankind,
whether clearly expounded or obscure.
وفيand among النّاسِpeople عِلْمٌknowledge لاnot يَظُنّونَthey imagine غَيرَهُanything beyond it
وفي النّاسِ عِلْمٌ لا يَظُنّونَ غَيرَهُ
وذلكَand that عُنْوانُthe heading الصّحيفِof the scroll المُختَّمthe sealed
وذلكَ عُنْوانُ الصّحيفِ المُختَّم
People possess knowledge beyond which they imagine nothing,
yet that is only the heading of a sealed scroll.
إذاif كانَتِare الألْبابُthe minds يَقْصُرُfalling short شَأوُهَاtheir reach
إذا كانَتِ الألْبابُ يَقْصُرُ شَأوُهَا
فظُلْمٌthen an injustice لِسِرِّto the secret اللّهِof God إنْif لمnot يُكتَّمit is concealed
فظُلْمٌ لِسِرِّ اللّهِ إنْ لم يُكتَّم
When minds cannot reach far enough,
it is an injustice to God’s secret if it is not concealed.
إذاif كانَwas تَفْريقُthe division اللُّغاتِof languages لِعِلّةٍfor a purpose
إذا كانَ تَفْريقُ اللُّغاتِ لِعِلّةٍ
فلاthen no بُدّalternative فيهاamong them منto وَسيطٍan intermediary مُتَرجِمtranslating
فلا بُدّ فيها من وَسيطٍ مُتَرجِم
If languages were divided for a purpose,
there must be among them an intermediary who translates.
وآيَةُand a sign هذاof this أنthat دَحَاspread out اللّهُGod أرْضَهُHis earth
وآيَةُ هذا أن دَحَا اللّهُ أرْضَهُ
ولكنّهَاyet it لمnot تُرْسَwas anchored منwithout غيرِany مَعلَمlandmark
ولكنّهَا لم تُرْسَ من غيرِ مَعلَم
A sign of this is that God spread out His earth,
yet it was not anchored without a landmark.
ولمand not يُؤتَis given مَرْءٌa man حِكمَةَthe wisdom القولِof speech كلَّهاall of it
ولم يُؤتَ مَرْءٌ حِكمَةَ القولِ كلَّها
إذاif هُوَhe لمnot يَفْهَمْunderstands ولمand not يَتَفَهّمseeks understanding
إذا هُوَ لم يَفْهَمْ ولم يَتَفَهّم
No man is given the whole wisdom of speech
unless he understands and seeks understanding.
لكَyours الفَضْلُthe excellence حتىso that منكfrom you ليfor me كلُّevery نعمَةٍblessing
لكَ الفَضْلُ حتى منك لي كلُّ نعمَةٍ
وكُلُّand every هُدىًguidance ماnot كُلّevery هادٍguide بمُنْعِمa benefactor
وكُلُّ هُدىً ما كُلّ هادٍ بمُنْعِم
Yours is the excellence: from you I receive every blessing
and every guidance; not every guide is a benefactor.
وإنّيand I وإنْthough شَطّis distant المَزارُthe meeting place لَراجِعٌsurely return
وإنّي وإنْ شَطّ المَزارُ لَراجِعٌ
إلىto وُدّthe love قلْبٍof a heart فيin your protection ذراكencamped too it stays in its shelter. مُخَيِّمencamped
إلى وُدّ قلْبٍ في ذراك مُخَيِّم
Though the place of meeting is distant, I return
to the love of a heart encamped in your protection,
بأنْصَحَwith purer devotion منthan جَيبِthe breast المحِبّof the lover علىdespite النّوَىseparation
بأنْصَحَ من جَيبِ المحِبّ على النّوَى
وأطْهَرَand cleaner منthan ثَوبِthe robe الحَرامِof the consecrated pilgrim المُهَيْنِمsoftly praying
وأطْهَرَ من ثَوبِ الحَرامِ المُهَيْنِم
with devotion purer than a lover’s breast despite separation,
and cleaner than the robe of a softly praying pilgrim.
وضِعْفُand twice الذيwhat جَمجَمْتُI murmured غيرَnot مُصَرِّحdeclaring plainly
وضِعْفُ الذي جَمجَمْتُ غيرَ مُصَرِّح
منof الشكْرِthanks ماwhat صَرّحْتُI declared plainly غيرnot مجَمجِمmurmuring
من الشكْرِ ما صَرّحْتُ غير مجَمجِم
Twice what I murmured without declaring
is the thanks I declared without murmuring.
وأُقْسِمُand I swear أنيthat I فيكَin devotion to you وحديalone لَشيعَةٌam surely a following
وأُقْسِمُ أني فيكَ وحدي لَشيعَةٌ
وكنْتُand I have been أبَرَّthe most truthful القائِلينَof those speaking بمُقْسَمan oath
وكنْتُ أبَرَّ القائِلينَ بمُقْسَم
I swear that in devotion to you I alone am a whole following;
I have been the most truthful of those who swear.
ولولاand were it not for قَطِينٌa household فيin قَصِيٍّa distant place منَof النّوَىseparation
ولولا قَطِينٌ في قَصِيٍّ منَ النّوَى
لماthen not كانwould be ليfor me فيin الزّابِal-Zab منany مُتَلَوَّمlingering place
لما كان لي في الزّابِ من مُتَلَوَّم
Were it not for a household in a distant place of separation,
I would have no lingering place in al-Zab.
وفيand in ذَمَلانِthe quick trotting العِيسِof pale camels كِلْتَاboth مَآربيmy aims
وفي ذَمَلانِ العِيسِ كِلْتَا مَآربي
إذاwhen أرْقَلَتْthey speed along بيwith me منwhether أَمُونٍa reliable mount وعَيْهَمor a tireless one
إذا أرْقَلَتْ بي من أَمُونٍ وعَيْهَم
In the pale camels’ quick trotting lie both my aims,
when reliable, tireless mounts speed along with me.
فمنهاso one of them إذاwhen عَدّتْكَpasses beyond you شِيعَةُthe company رِحْلَتيof my departure
فمنها إذا عَدّتْكَ شِيعَةُ رِحْلَتي
ومنهاand one of them إذاwhen أمّتْكَmakes for you شِيعَةُthe company مَقدَميof my arrival
ومنها إذا أمّتْكَ شِيعَةُ مَقدَمي
One is fulfilled when my departing company passes beyond you,
the other when my arriving company makes for you.
وأينَand where تكونُwould be الأرحَبِيّةُthe Arhab camels فيin السُّرَىnight travel
وأينَ تكونُ الأرحَبِيّةُ في السُّرَى
وشَدْوِيand my singing علىupon كِيرانِهاtheir saddles وترَنُّميand my chanting
وشَدْوِي على كِيرانِها وترَنُّمي
What place would the Arhab camels have in night travel,
and my singing and chanting upon their saddles,
إذاif لمnot أُجاوِزْI cross فَدْفَداًa wilderness بعْدَafter فَدْفَدٍa wilderness
إذا لم أُجاوِزْ فَدْفَداً بعْدَ فَدْفَدٍ
إليكَtoward you وأطْويand traverse مَخْرِماًa mountain pass بعدafter مَخْرِمa mountain pass
إليكَ وأطْوي مَخْرِماً بعد مَخْرِم
if I did not cross wilderness after wilderness
toward you, and traverse mountain pass after mountain pass?
وخَيرُand the best ازديارٍvisiting غِبُّهُits intervals وعلىand across النّوَىdistance
وخَيرُ ازديارٍ غِبُّهُ وعلى النّوَى
يُحَجُّpilgrimage is made إلىto البيْتِthe House العَتيقِthe ancient المُحَرَّمthe sacred
يُحَجُّ إلى البيْتِ العَتيقِ المُحَرَّم
The best visiting is at intervals; across great distances
pilgrimage is made to the ancient, sacred House.
وعِنْديand I have علىdespite نأيِthe remoteness المَزارِof the meeting place وبُعْدِهِand its distance
وعِنْدي على نأيِ المَزارِ وبُعْدِهِ
قصائِدُpoems تَشْرَىflashing كالجُمانِlike pearls المُنظَّمstrung together
قصائِدُ تَشْرَى كالجُمانِ المُنظَّم
Despite the remoteness and distance of our meeting place, I have
poems that flash like pearls strung together.
إذاif أشْأمَتْthey travel to Syria كانَتْthey are لُبانَةَthe longing مُعْرِقٍof one bound for Iraq
إذا أشْأمَتْ كانَتْ لُبانَةَ مُعْرِقٍ
وإنand if أعْرَقَتْthey travel to Iraq كانَتْthey are لُبانَةَthe longing مُشئمof one bound for Syria
وإن أعْرَقَتْ كانَتْ لُبانَةَ مُشئم
If they travel to Syria, they are the longing of one bound for Iraq;
if they travel to Iraq, they are the longing of one bound for Syria.
تَطَاوَلُthey rise above عنbeyond أقْدارِthe worth قَوْمٍof people جلالَةًin majesty
تَطَاوَلُ عن أقْدارِ قَوْمٍ جلالَةً
وتَصْغُرُand fall short عنof قَدْرِthe worth الإمامof the imam المعظَّمthe revered
وتَصْغُرُ عن قَدْرِ الإمام المعظَّم
In majesty they rise above the worth of other people,
yet fall short of the revered imam’s worth.
وأيَّand which قَوافيrhymes الشعرِof poetry فيكَabout you أحُوكُهَاcan I weave
وأيَّ قَوافي الشعرِ فيكَ أحُوكُهَا
وماand not تركَleft التّنزيلُrevelation منany مُتَرَدَّمgap to mend
وما تركَ التّنزيلُ من مُتَرَدَّم
What rhymes of poetry can I weave about you,
when revelation has left no gap to mend?
ولوْand if أنّindeed عُمْريmy lifetime بالِغٌcould reach فيكَconcerning you هِمّتيmy ambition
ولوْ أنّ عُمْري بالِغٌ فيكَ هِمّتي
لَثَقّفْتُI would refine بَيتاًone verse ألفَa thousand عامٍyears مُجَرَّمcompleted
لَثَقّفْتُ بَيتاً ألفَ عامٍ مُجَرَّم
If my lifetime could match my ambition concerning you,
I would refine one verse for a thousand completed years.
أُسيءُI distrust ظُنونيmy judgments بالثّناءِabout praise وأنتَحيand turn
أُسيءُ ظُنوني بالثّناءِ وأنتَحي
لِذَمّto censuring ثنائيmy eulogy وهوthough it غيرُnot مذمّمblameworthy
لِذَمّ ثنائي وهو غيرُ مذمّم
I distrust my praise and turn
to censuring my eulogy, though it is not blameworthy;
كمَنْlike one who لامَblamed نَفْساًa soul وهيwhile it غَيرُnot ملُومَةٍdeserving blame
كمَنْ لامَ نَفْساً وهي غَيرُ ملُومَةٍ
وأُفْحِمَand was silenced ظَنّاًin supposition وهوthough he ليسnot بمُفحمtongue-tied
وأُفْحِمَ ظَنّاً وهو ليس بمُفحم
like one who blames a soul that deserves no blame,
and is thought silenced though he is not tongue-tied.
ولمّاand when تَلَقّتْكَcame to meet you المَواسِمُthe festive seasons آنِفاًrecently
ولمّا تَلَقّتْكَ المَواسِمُ آنِفاً
تَرَبّصْتُI waited حتىuntil جئتُI came فَرداًalone بمَوسمwith a festival
تَرَبّصْتُ حتى جئتُ فَرداً بمَوسم
When the festive seasons recently came to meet you,
I waited until I came alone with a festival,
لِيَعلَمَso that may know أهْلُthe people الشّرْقِof the East والغَرْبِand the West أنّنيthat I
لِيَعلَمَ أهْلُ الشّرْقِ والغَرْبِ أنّني
بنفسيَthrough myself لاnot بالوفدِthrough the delegation كانwas تَقَدُّميmy precedence
بنفسيَ لا بالوفدِ كان تَقَدُّمي
so that the people of East and West might know
that my precedence came through myself, not through the delegation.
Partial English translation: 309 of 400 Arabic lines translated.