مَرَّتpassed كبارِقَةِlike a lightning flash in السَّحابِthe clouds
مَرَّت كبارِقَةِ السَّحابِ
ثُمَّthen انْطَوَتْfolded away طَيَّlike the folding of الكِتَابِa scroll
ثُمَّ انْطَوَتْ طَيَّ الكِتَابِ
They passed like a flash of lightning in the clouds,
The lightning of clouds flashed by,
then folded away like a scroll.
Then folded away into the book.
أَيَّامُdays of وصْلٍunion كالشَّباlike youth (begins)
أَيَّامُ وصْلٍ كالشَّبا
بِyouth (ends) مَضَتْpassed بأَيَّامِwith the days of الشَّبَابِyouth
بِ مَضَتْ بأَيَّامِ الشَّبَابِ
Days of union, like youth,
Days of union like youth
passed away with the days of youth.
Passed with the days of youth.
أَغْفَلْتُI neglected وَجْهَthe face of شَبيبَتيmy youth
أَغْفَلْتُ وَجْهَ شَبيبَتي
حتَّىuntil تَنَقَّبَit veiled itself بِالنِّقَابِwith a veil
حتَّى تَنَقَّبَ بِالنِّقَابِ
I neglected the face of my youth
I was heedless of my youthful face
until it donned a veil.
Until it was veiled with a veil.
وذَهَلْتand I lost sight عنof شَمْسthe sun of الصباyouth
وذَهَلْت عن شَمْس الصبا
حتَّىuntil تَوارَتْit disappeared بِالحِجَابِbehind the curtain
حتَّى تَوارَتْ بِالحِجَابِ
And I lost sight of youth's sun
And I forgot about the sun of youth
until it disappeared behind a curtain.
Until it disappeared behind the veil.
أَيامَin the days when أَغْنانِيfreed me صِباyouth (begins)
أَيامَ أَغْنانِي صِبا
يَmy عَنfrom التَّعَرُّضِresorting للتَّصَابِيto feigned youth
يَ عَن التَّعَرُّضِ للتَّصَابِي
In the days when my youth freed me
O days that delighted my youth!
from resorting to feigned youth.
Keep away from frivolity!
للهby God أَيامٌdays مضَتْpassed
لله أَيامٌ مضَتْ
بينَamong الحبائِبِthe beloveds والحَبَابِand wine
بينَ الحبائِبِ والحَبَابِ
What days passed, by God,
By God, days have passed
among beloveds and wine!
Between the loved ones and the lovers.
ومَليحةٍand a beauty كالبدْرlike the full moon دَمْـtears (begins)
ومَليحةٍ كالبدْر دَمْـ
ـعيmy tears (ends) بَعْدهاafter her مثلُlike السَّحابِthe clouds
ـعي بَعْدها مثلُ السَّحابِ
And a beauty like the full moon—my
And a beauty like the full moon then appeared
tears after her are like clouds.
Who settles with the does among the does.
أَدْعوI call for الوِصَالunion فلاyet not أَرَىI see
أَدْعو الوِصَال فلا أَرَى
غيرَother than الجوىanguish بِيwithin me منas جَوابِan answer
غيرَ الجوى بِي من جَوابِ
I call for union, yet see
If she were to move away from her meadows
no answer but the anguish within me.
The herd would feel the loss when she left it.
ماnot كُنْتُI was أَحْسِبthinking عِنْدهاwith her
ما كُنْتُ أَحْسِب عِنْدها
أَنِّيthat I أُنَاقَشُam closely questioned فِيin الحِسابِthe reckoning
أَنِّي أُنَاقَشُ فِي الحِسابِ
I never reckoned, with her,
She grazes on my green livelihood with aloofness
that I would be questioned so closely in the reckoning.
Does she think it is some grass?
ياO عاذلينreproachers كَشَفْتُمyou exposed
يا عاذلين كَشَفْتُم
غَيِّيmy error وأَخْفَيْتُمand you concealed صَوابِيmy rightness
غَيِّي وأَخْفَيْتُم صَوابِي
O reproachers, you laid bare
So every short-sighted one in cities, nay palaces,
my error and concealed my rightness.
Became like a player on one leg.
زدتُمyou increased غَراميmy passion لاno نَقَصdecrease
زدتُم غَرامي لا نَقَص
حينwhen زدتمyou increased فيin عتابيreproaching me
حين زدتم في عتابي
You increased my passion, not diminished it,
She got used to sleeping on hillocks until
when you increased your reproaches.
She carried some hillocks in her robe.
هيshe قدalready كفتكمspared you ماwhat أرادwanted (begins)
هي قد كفتكم ما أراد
تُمyou (plural verb ending) بالصُّدودِthrough aversion والاجْتِنَابِand avoidance
تُم بالصُّدودِ والاجْتِنَابِ
She has already spared you what you wanted
The musk given away by her hands
through her aversion and avoidance.
Is exposed by traces of some scabies.
دعْهاleave her كماas شاءَتshe wishes تُماshe delays (begins)
دعْها كما شاءَت تُما
طِلshe delays (ends) بالرِّضَاin granting favor أَوor بالرُّضَابthe nectar of her lips
طِل بالرِّضَا أَو بالرُّضَاب
Leave her to delay as she pleases,
She is one who shows aloofness to the daughter of nobility
whether her favor or the nectar of her lips.
Yet meets her for the sake of some raisin.
فَلَمَدْحfor indeed praising مَوْلىthe lord of الخلقِcreation أَحْـsweeter (begins)
فَلَمَدْح مَوْلى الخلقِ أَحْـ
ـلَىsweeter (ends) مِنْthan ثَنَايَاهاher front teeth العِذابِthe sweet ones
ـلَى مِنْ ثَنَايَاها العِذابِ
For praising the lord of creation is
She does not like wine in the cup
sweeter than her sweet front teeth.
But likes the milk of good fortune in the little skin bag.
مَلِكٌa king لهbefore him الأَمْلاكُthe kings تدenter (begins)
مَلِكٌ له الأَمْلاكُ تد
خُلenter (ends) سُجَّداًprostrate مِنْthrough كُلِّevery بَابgate
خُل سُجَّداً مِنْ كُلِّ بَاب
A king before whom other kings
She counts dried meat as food, and who
enter prostrate through every gate.
Would desire it but the wolf if hungry?
تأْتيهthey come to him خاشعةَhumbled in الوُجوfaces (begins)
تأْتيه خاشعةَ الوُجو
هfaces (ends) لَديهِbefore him خاضِعَةَbowed in الرِّقَابِthe necks
ه لَديهِ خاضِعَةَ الرِّقَابِ
They come to him with humbled faces,
The cheek prospered in beauty, and the waist
their necks bowed before him.
Exclusively in its meadows prospered in leanness.
مَلكُking of الأَنَامِmankind ولاand not أُحاI make exceptions (begins)
مَلكُ الأَنَامِ ولا أُحا
شِيI make exceptions (ends) والمُلوكِand of kings ولاand not أُحَابيI show favoritism
شِي والمُلوكِ ولا أُحَابي
King of mankind—I make no exception—
She tortured me with her love, and that is sweet torture,
and of kings; I show no favoritism.
Woe to me from the bitter sweetness!
إِنْif أَظْلَمَgrew dark الخَطْبُthe calamity المُلِمُّthe impending one
إِنْ أَظْلَمَ الخَطْبُ المُلِمُّ
فرأْيُهthen his judgment مثلُlike الشِّهابِa shooting star
فرأْيُه مثلُ الشِّهابِ
If an impending calamity grows dark,
Many a night I spent with her, and the Pleiades
his judgment is like a shooting star.
Saw me spend some of its rising stars with her.
أَوْor خَاطَبتْكaddressed you النَّائِباthe calamities (begins)
أَوْ خَاطَبتْك النَّائِبا
تُcalamities (ends) فعِندهthen with him فصْلُdecisiveness of الخِطابِspeech
تُ فعِنده فصْلُ الخِطابِ
Or if calamities address you,
The sides of the mouth almost perished
with him lies the decisive answer.
From my kissing and drinking from its water.
يشفِيhe heals الصُّدورَhearts بِفعلِهwith his deeds
يشفِي الصُّدورَ بِفعلِه
يومَon the day of النَّوالِgiving أَوِor الضِّرَابِcombat
يومَ النَّوالِ أَوِ الضِّرَابِ
He heals hearts with his deeds
Ah! Woe to me for a time that deceived,
on the day of gifts or combat.
And an era that was unripe and wet.
فَلِقَاؤهso meeting him يومَon the day of الوعيـthe threat (begins)
فَلِقَاؤه يومَ الوعيـ
ـدthreat (ends) وَجُودُهand his generosity قبلَbefore الطِّلابِthe asking
ـد وَجُودُه قبلَ الطِّلابِ
One meets him on the day of threats,
That was a life, how ugly, O what a shame was my deed!
and his generosity comes before the asking.
When I did not fulfill when my love was fulfilled.
منfrom بَأْسِهhis might غابَvanished الغَضَنْthe lion (begins)
من بَأْسِه غابَ الغَضَنْ
فرlion (ends) خَائِفاًfearfully فيin كُلِّevery غَابِthicket
فر خَائِفاً في كُلِّ غَابِ
From fear of his might, the lion vanished,
I have nothing but my tears, which if
hiding fearfully in every thicket.
One saw my dryness, he would see them like my flood.
ولِبَطْشهand because of his might خبَّاhid المهنَّـthe Indian sword (begins)
ولِبَطْشه خبَّا المهنَّـ
ـدُIndian sword (ends) شَفْرَتَيهِits two edges فيin القِرَابthe sheath
ـدُ شَفْرَتَيهِ في القِرَاب
At his might, the Indian blade hid
The stars of tears do not cease rising
both its edges in its sheath.
Although I saw them set in the west.
يأَيُّهاO الملِكُking الَّذيwho
يأَيُّها الملِكُ الَّذي
يُعطِيgives الكثيرَabundantly بلاwithout حِسابreckoning
يُعطِي الكثيرَ بلا حِساب
O king who
I cry for what has passed, not for what is to come,
gives abundantly without reckoning,
So O eye, do not weep pouring out.
أُنْهيI submit إِليكَto you وأَشْتكِيand I complain
أُنْهي إِليكَ وأَشْتكِي
فَقْرِيof my poverty وضُرِّيand my affliction واكْتِئابيand my despair
فَقْرِي وضُرِّي واكْتِئابي
I lay my plight before you and complain of
The misfortunes of time have sickened me, but
my poverty, my affliction, and my despair.
The healing is with the Merciful against them.
ولقدand indeed عَجَزْتُI became unable لفرطbecause of excessive فَقْـpoverty (begins)
ولقد عَجَزْتُ لفرط فَقْـ
ـرِيmy poverty (ends) عنto obtain طَعامِيmy food أَوor شَرَابِيmy drink
ـرِي عن طَعامِي أَو شَرَابِي
Indeed, through excessive poverty, I cannot
Death, the burner of catastrophes,
afford my food or drink.
Cares not when the winds of affliction blow.
ولقدand indeed كُسيتُI was clothed منin النُّحـemaciation (begins)
ولقد كُسيتُ من النُّحـ
ـولِemaciation (ends) كمَاjust as عَرِيتُI was stripped منof الثِّيابِclothes
ـولِ كمَا عَرِيتُ من الثِّيابِ
Indeed, I have been clothed in emaciation,
One whom the world revolves around,
just as I have been stripped of clothes.
So do not be surprised if he remains still like a pole.
فاغْنَمso gain ثَوابِيreward through me لاmay you not شغِلـbe distracted (begins)
فاغْنَم ثَوابِي لا شغِلـ
ـتَyou (verb ending) ولاnor فَرَغْتَbe free منof الثَّوابِreward
ـتَ ولا فَرَغْتَ من الثَّوابِ
So earn reward through me; may you never be distracted
He has floods in hearts that are valleys,
from reward, nor ever finish earning it.
And His grip is on necks that He dominates.
آذَنَتْنَاannounced to us يومَon the day at اللوىal-Liwa بالحَرْبwar
آذَنَتْنَا يومَ اللوى بالحَرْب
أَسْهُمُthe arrows of التُّركِthe Turks فيin عُيونِthe eyes of العُرْبِthe Arabs
أَسْهُمُ التُّركِ في عُيونِ العُرْبِ
On the day at al-Liwa, they announced war on us:
Every face bows down to Him, either
the arrows of the Turks in Arab eyes.
With prostration in obedience, or with dragging.
ورمَتْand they struck كُلَّeveryone منwho رَآهاsaw them سِوىexcept قلـheart (begins)
ورمَتْ كُلَّ من رَآها سِوى قلـ
ـبِيmy heart (ends) فإِنِّيfor I أَرْمِيcast إِليهَاtoward them قَلْبِيmy heart
ـبِي فإِنِّي أَرْمِي إِليهَا قَلْبِي
They struck everyone who saw them, except my
Awe made the turns of nights victorious,
heart, for I cast my heart toward them.
So they are made triumphant through fright.
وغَدتand they became سالباتٍrobbers of عقليmy reason ولمand did not تَقْـkill (begins)
وغَدت سالباتٍ عقلي ولم تَقْـ
ـتُلْkill (ends) وقَتْليand my being killed أَسَرُّmore pleasing ليto me مِنْthan سلبيmy being robbed
ـتُلْ وقَتْلي أَسَرُّ لي مِنْ سلبي
They robbed me of my reason, yet did not
And splendors that revere the Majesty
kill me; being killed would please me more than being robbed.
Beyond descriptions except by negation.
وَوَراءَand behind السُّجوفِthe curtains محتجباتٌveiled women
وَوَراءَ السُّجوفِ محتجباتٌ
تَهْتَزُّtremble أَنوارُهاtheir lights بالْحُجْبِwithin the veils
تَهْتَزُّ أَنوارُها بالْحُجْبِ
And behind the curtains are veiled women,
Everyone who is narrowed by time,
their lights trembling within the veils.
Descends from His vast mercy.
لُثِّمتْshe was kissed فوقover نَقْبِهاher veil-opening فَهنِيئاًso what bliss
لُثِّمتْ فوق نَقْبِها فَهنِيئاً
ولاand no غَرْوَwonder فالهَناfor bliss فيis in النَّقْبِthe opening
ولا غَرْوَ فالهَنا في النَّقْبِ
She was kissed over her veil's opening—what bliss!
He releases the captive, revives the glory of the degraded,
No wonder: bliss is in the opening.
The strength of the fallen, provision of travelers.
وتبدَّتand she appeared مليحةًa beauty قدhaving تبدَّتbecome a desert-dweller
وتبدَّت مليحةً قد تبدَّت
تسْكُنُshe lives in الشِّعبthe ravine معwith ظِباءِthe gazelles of الشِّعبthe ravine
تسْكُنُ الشِّعب مع ظِباءِ الشِّعب
She appeared a beauty who had become a desert-dweller,
They erred about the captives in His grip,
living in the ravine with its gazelles.
Rather those are clouds He pulls.
لوif نأَتْshe went away عنfrom فَلاتِهاher wilderness لأَحسَّwould feel السِّـthe herd (begins)
لو نأَتْ عن فَلاتِها لأَحسَّ السِّـ
ـرْبُherd (ends) إِذwhen فارقَتْهshe left it نَقْصَthe diminution of السِّربthe herd
ـرْبُ إِذ فارقَتْه نَقْصَ السِّرب
If she left her wilderness, the herd would feel,
The spread of His generosity shone like rays,
when she departed, the loss within its ranks.
And His forbearance extended like rain lasting long.
ترتعيshe grazes on بالصُّدودِwith aversion أَخضرَthe greenery of عَيْشِيmy life
ترتعي بالصُّدودِ أَخضرَ عَيْشِي
أَتُراهاdo you suppose she ظَنَّتْهthought it بَعْضَsome of العُشْبthe grass
أَتُراها ظَنَّتْه بَعْضَ العُشْب
With her aversion she grazes on my life's greenery;
His guidance is always to divert
did she think it was some grass?
Mankind away from clamor and contention.
فغداthen became كُلُّevery قاصِرrestrained in الطَّرفِgaze فيin المُدْthe cities (begins)
فغدا كُلُّ قاصِر الطَّرفِ في المُدْ
نِcities (ends) بلrather القَصْرِthe palace كاعِباًa budding maiden فيwithin كَعْبِan ankle
نِ بل القَصْرِ كاعِباً في كَعْبِ
Every modest-eyed girl in the cities became—
I gained the outer forms of happiness, while the Most Majestic obtained all the pith,
nay, in the palace—a budding maiden at her ankle.
And He in every garden for great things,
أَلِفَتْshe grew accustomed to نَوْمَهاher sleeping علىon الكُثْبthe dunes حتَّىuntil
أَلِفَتْ نَوْمَها على الكُثْب حتَّى
حَمَلتshe carried فيin الإِزَارِthe waist-wrapper بَعْضَsome of الكُثْبِthe dunes
حَمَلت في الإِزَارِ بَعْضَ الكُثْبِ
She grew accustomed to sleeping on dunes, until
Is obtaining some, while others are in collecting wood.
she carried some dunes within her waist-wrapper.
Acts of devotion have given Him honey, for which He is
يَفْضَحُputs to shame المسكَmusk ماwhat يُرىis seen بِيدَيْهاon her hands
يَفْضَحُ المسكَ ما يُرى بِيدَيْها
مِنْof بَقاياthe remnants of طِلاءِointment for بَعْضِsome of الجُرْبthe mangy beasts
مِنْ بَقايا طِلاءِ بَعْضِ الجُرْب
What is seen upon her hands puts musk to shame:
A bee, so it's no wonder if a Bee produces honey.
remnants of ointment for some mangy beasts.
Kings saw His love a duty, and no duty is like
وهيand she ممَّنis among those who تُبدِيshow الصُّدودaversion لِبنْتto the daughter of الـthe
وهي ممَّن تُبدِي الصُّدود لِبنْت الـ
ـكَرْمِvine وصْلاًin attachment لدَرِّto the milk of أُمِّthe mother of السَّقْبthe camel-calf
ـكَرْمِ وصْلاً لدَرِّ أُمِّ السَّقْب
She is one who shuns the daughter of the
The love of the Caller to righteousness.
vine, favoring the milk of a camel-calf's mother.
And all crowns, if bound on Him,
لاnot تُحِبُّshe loves المُدامَwine فيin الكأْسthe cup لكنbut
لا تُحِبُّ المُدامَ في الكأْس لكن
لبَنَthe milk of البَختِBactrian camels فيin خَلَنجِthe khalanj wood of القُعْبِthe bowl
لبَنَ البَختِ في خَلَنجِ القُعْبِ
She does not love wine in a cup, but
Become like them through affiliation.
Bactrian-camel milk in a khalanj-wood bowl.
I have become rich with His views and with happiness
وتَعُدُّand she regards الهبيدَcolocynth seeds قوتاًas food ومنand who لِلصَّfor the lover (begins)
وتَعُدُّ الهبيدَ قوتاً ومن لِلصَّ
بِّlover (ends) لوif تشتهيهshe craved him مثلُlike الضَّبِّthe lizard
بِّ لو تشتهيه مثلُ الضَّبِّ
She counts colocynth seeds as food; who could help the
Away from blaming in tumult and contention.
lover if she craved him as she craves a lizard?
Books that subjugate necks-but I never realized
أَخصبَgrew fertile الوجهُthe face بالجمالِwith beauty وخصَّand was singled out الـthe
أَخصبَ الوجهُ بالجمالِ وخصَّ الـ
ـخَصْرُwaist فيin فَلاَتِهاher wilderness بالجَدْبfor drought
ـخَصْرُ في فَلاَتِها بالجَدْب
Her face grew fertile with beauty, while the
That swords are among some books.
waist alone in her wilderness was marked by drought.
The miraculous words from Him covered the horizons,
عَذَّبَتْنيshe tormented me بِحُبِّهاwith her love وهوthough it عَذْبis sweet in الطـtaste (begins)
عَذَّبَتْني بِحُبِّها وهو عَذْب الطـ
ـعمِtaste (ends) وَيْلِيwoe to me منfrom الأُجَاجthe brine العَذْبِthe sweet
ـعمِ وَيْلِي من الأُجَاج العَذْبِ
She tormented me with her love, though it is sweet to the
At times with conduct, and times with exertion.
taste—woe to me from this sweet brine!
So if He traveled east, He and the sun,
رُبَّmany a ليلٍnight واصلْتُهاI joined her فِيهin it والشُّهـand the stars (begins)
رُبَّ ليلٍ واصلْتُها فِيه والشُّهـ
ـبُstars (ends) تَرانِيsee me وَاصَلْتُI joined بعضَone of الشُّهْبthe stars
ـبُ تَرانِي وَاصَلْتُ بعضَ الشُّهْب
Many a night I joined her, while the
He would meet it from the west before it.
stars saw that I had joined one of the stars.
I complain to You of what I cannot compute,
والثَّنايَاand the front teeth نُقْلَىmy sweetmeats وقدand indeed كادَalmost يُفْنَىwas exhausted
والثَّنايَا نُقْلَى وقد كادَ يُفْنَى
ماءُthe moisture of أَطرافِهاtheir tips بلَثْميby my kissing وشُربيand my drinking
ماءُ أَطرافِها بلَثْمي وشُربي
Her front teeth were my sweetmeats; almost spent
While You are enough for me in computation.
was their tips' moisture from my kissing and drinking.
My ability fell short of complaining, but
آهِah واحسرتيand alas for me لدهرٍfor an age أَغرَّradiant
آهِ واحسرتي لدهرٍ أَغرَّ
وزمانٍand a time غضٍّtender وعيشٍand a life رطْبluxuriant
وزمانٍ غضٍّ وعيشٍ رطْب
Ah, my regret for a radiant age,
I submit my grievance, not complaining.
a tender time and a luxuriant life!
I am in what may God protect You from,
ذاكthat عَيْشٌwas life ياO قبحَugliness ياO لؤمَbaseness of فِعْليmy deed
ذاك عَيْشٌ يا قبحَ يا لؤمَ فِعْلي
حينَwhen لمnot أَقْضِI met إِذْas تَقَضَّىit ended نَحْبيmy death
حينَ لم أَقْضِ إِذْ تَقَضَّى نَحْبي
That was life! How ugly, how base my deed,
In worries that indicate the wretchedness of my condition,
not to meet my end when it reached its end!
And injustices to my side. And how much
ليسَthere is not إِلاَّexcept دَمْعِيmy weeping الَّذيwhich منْwhoever رَأَىsaw جفـeyelid (begins)
ليسَ إِلاَّ دَمْعِي الَّذي منْ رَأَى جفـ
ـنِيmy eyelid (ends) رَآهsaw it كأَنَّas though دَمْعِيَmy tears هُدْبيmy eyelashes
ـنِي رَآه كأَنَّ دَمْعِيَ هُدْبي
There is only my weeping: whoever sees my
Stiff-neckedness that wrings my side!
eyelid sees tears as though they were my lashes.
I have no helper, no supporter, no confidante,
أَنجمthe stars of الدَّمعtears لاnot تغيبُset شروقاًrising
أَنجم الدَّمع لا تغيبُ شروقاً
مَعalthough أَنِّيI رأَيْتُهاsaw them فيin الْغَرْبthe west; tear duct
مَع أَنِّي رأَيْتُها في الْغَرْب
The stars of tears rise and never set,
No lover, no family, no friend.
though I have seen them in the west.
Some of me abandoned some of me until
أَناI أَبكيweep لِماfor what مَضىpassed لاَnot لِماfor what يأِْتِيis coming
أَنا أَبكي لِما مَضى لاَ لِما يأِْتِي
فياso O عَيْنُeye لاdo not تَنيslacken فيin السَّكبpouring tears
فيا عَيْنُ لا تَني في السَّكب
I weep for what has passed, not what is coming;
My body disowned my heart.
so, O eye, do not slacken in pouring tears.
Solitude, resignation, neediness,
أَمرضَتْنيsickened me خطوبُthe calamities of ذاthis الدهرِage لكنbut
أَمرضَتْني خطوبُ ذا الدهرِ لكن
عِنْدwith عبدِAbd الرَّحيمِal-Rahim مِنْهاfor them طِبِّيmy cure
عِنْد عبدِ الرَّحيمِ مِنْها طِبِّي
The calamities of this age have sickened me, but
Seizing opportunities, worries, and my hump.
my cure for them is with Abd al-Rahim.
I am dead; they have not buried me, for
الأَجَلُّthe most exalted الموقِّيwho shields from النكباتِcalamities الرthe mountain peaks (begins)
الأَجَلُّ الموقِّي النكباتِ الر
عنَmountain peaks (ends) إِذwhen رُعنthey were frightened بالرِّياحby winds النُّكْبِblowing crosswise
عنَ إِذ رُعن بالرِّياح النُّكْبِ
The most exalted, shielding against calamities the
Burying the righteous is in soil.
mountain peaks when crosswinds frighten them.
Every ease I see has become, in my regard,
مَنhe who مَدارُthe revolution of الدُّنياthe world عليهdepends on him فَلاso do not تَعـmarvel (begins)
مَن مَدارُ الدُّنيا عليه فَلا تَعـ
ـجَبْmarvel (ends) إِذاif كانhe is ثَابِتاًfirm كالقُطْبlike the axis
ـجَبْ إِذا كان ثَابِتاً كالقُطْب
He on whom the world revolves—do not
Difficulty, so easy is like difficult.
marvel if he stands firm like its axis.
And every enemy leaned on me,
ولهand his is الرِّيُّthe quenching فيin القلوبِthe hearts الصَّوادِيthe thirsty ones
وله الرِّيُّ في القلوبِ الصَّوادِي
ولهand his is الغُلُّthe fetter فيupon الرقابthe necks الْغُلْبِthe thick ones
وله الغُلُّ في الرقاب الْغُلْبِ
His is the slaking of thirsty hearts,
Neither ceasing in my wounding nor my skinning.
and his the fetter upon thick necks.
The aim of this one is killing me, that one meeting me,
كُلُّevery وجهٍface لهbefore him يُعَفَّرis dust-smeared إِمَّاeither
كُلُّ وجهٍ له يُعَفَّر إِمَّا
بسجودٍthrough prostration لطاعةٍin obedience أَوor سَحْبِdragging
بسجودٍ لطاعةٍ أَو سَحْبِ
Every face is rubbed in dust before him, either
This one capturing me, that one robbing me.
through a prostration of obedience or through dragging.
How many foolish ones transgressed in insulting me
هَيبةٌawe أَرْغَبتaroused desire in صروفَthe vicissitudes of اللَّيالِيthe nights
هَيبةٌ أَرْغَبت صروفَ اللَّيالِي
فَهِيand so it منهاagainst them مَنصورةٌis aided to victory بالرُّعبthrough terror
فَهِي منها مَنصورةٌ بالرُّعب
An awe that made the vicissitudes of night yearn;
And did not find a deterrent from insulting me!
it is victorious against them through terror.
And how many liars about me were believed until
ومَعالٍand lofty qualities تجِلُّare too great قدراًin worth عنfor الأَوdescriptions (begins)
ومَعالٍ تجِلُّ قدراً عن الأَو
صافِdescriptions (ends) إِلاexcept عنfor وصفهاdescribing them بالسَّلْبِby negation
صافِ إِلا عن وصفها بالسَّلْبِ
And lofty qualities too great in worth for
What they fabricated became like the truth in lies.
description, except through what they are not.
And enviers, it is said about the nightshade:
كلُّeveryone منwho ضيَّقclosed in الزَّمانُtime عليهupon him
كلُّ من ضيَّق الزَّمانُ عليه
نازِلٌlodges منهwith him فيin الفِناءِthe courtyard الرَّحْبthe spacious
نازِلٌ منه في الفِناءِ الرَّحْب
Everyone on whom time has closed in
His body never leaves the nightshade.
lodges in his spacious courtyard.
I wonder why I am envied, O people,
وهْوَand he فَكُّis the freeing of الأَسيرthe captive مُحْييthe reviver of رَميمَthe crumbling remains of الـthe
وهْوَ فَكُّ الأَسير مُحْيي رَميمَ الـ
ـمجدِglory قوتُthe sustenance of الثاوينthose who stay زادُthe provisions of الرَّكبthe travelers
ـمجدِ قوتُ الثاوين زادُ الرَّكب
He frees the captive, revives the crumbling remains of
While my condition is truly pitiful.
glory, feeds those who stay, and provisions travelers.
Is it my status, or my position, or my riches sufficing me,
غَلِطُواthey were mistaken مَاnot هيَthey are الأساريرُthe palm-lines فيin كفـhands (begins)
غَلِطُوا مَا هيَ الأساريرُ في كفـ
ـيهhis two hands (ends) بلrather تلكthose مِسحبٌa drawing device للسُّحبfor the clouds
ـيه بل تلك مِسحبٌ للسُّحب
They are mistaken: those are not palm-lines in his
Or overpowering my envier, or defeating him?
hands, but a means of drawing down clouds.
If my fortune has not come to life after death,
شاعspread مثلَlike الشُّعاعrays of light جودُthe bounty of يديهhis hands
شاع مثلَ الشُّعاع جودُ يديه
ورَسَاand stood firm حِلْمُهhis forbearance كمِثْلِjust like الهُضْبِthe hills
ورَسَا حِلْمُه كمِثْلِ الهُضْبِ
His hands' bounty spread like rays of light,
And my winds have not indicated any winds.
while his forbearance stood firm like hills.
I would get what I wish if I had, with You,
أَبداًalways قَصْدُهhis aim عَنaway from الخلْقmankind صَرْفturning away الصَّرmisfortune (begins)
أَبداً قَصْدُه عَن الخلْق صَرْف الصَّر
فِmisfortune (ends) منfrom بينهمamong them وخَطْمُand bridling الخَطْبِcalamity
فِ من بينهم وخَطْمُ الخَطْبِ
His aim is always to turn away from mankind the shifts of
Fortune-but fortune is not from my earning.
fortune in their midst, and bridle calamity.
And close relatives of lineage disowned me,
ظَفِرَwon النَّاسُpeople بالقشورِthe husks منof السَّعْـgood fortune (begins)
ظَفِرَ النَّاسُ بالقشورِ من السَّعْـ
ـدِgood fortune (ends) وحَازَand took الأَجَلُّthe most exalted جُلَّmost of اللُّبِّthe kernel
ـدِ وحَازَ الأَجَلُّ جُلَّ اللُّبِّ
People won only the husks of good
No rather, they are scorpions in the chest.
fortune; the most exalted took most of its kernel.
They usurped my inheritance rights in the service,
وهْوand he فيin كُلِّevery روضةٍgarden لِلْمعاليof lofty deeds
وهْو في كُلِّ روضةٍ لِلْمعالي
فيengaged in اقتطافٍharvesting وغيرُهand others فيengaged in حَطْبِgathering firewood
في اقتطافٍ وغيرُه في حَطْبِ
In every garden of lofty deeds, he
Since their religion permits usurpation.
plucks the fruit, while others gather firewood.
They are transgressors, breakers, flesh-eaters,
أَنْحلَتْهmade him lean عبادةٌworship هوhe فيهاin it
أَنْحلَتْه عبادةٌ هو فيها
منin مَضاءٍkeenness ورِقَّةٍand slenderness كالعَضْبِlike a sharp sword
من مَضاءٍ ورِقَّةٍ كالعَضْبِ
Worship has made him lean; in it he is,
Not birds picking up seeds.
in keenness and slenderness, like a sharp sword.
They claimed my wealth was theirs,
هُوhe صبٌّis passionately in love بهاwith it فلاso no غَرْوwonder أَنthat ينـhe grows thin (begins)
هُو صبٌّ بها فلا غَرْو أَن ينـ
ـحَلgrows thin (ends) إِنَّindeed النُّحولَleanness حَلْيُis the adornment of الصَّبِّthe lover
ـحَل إِنَّ النُّحولَ حَلْيُ الصَّبِّ
He is in love with it, so no wonder he grows
Coveting it after me and craving it before me.
thin: leanness adorns the lover.
They spoke the truth in their speech, for remoteness
ورأَتand deemed حبَّهlove for him الملوكُthe kings منamong الفرobligations (begins)
ورأَت حبَّه الملوكُ من الفر
ضِobligations (ends) ولاand no فرضَobligation مثلُequals حُبُّlove for النَّدبthe generous man
ضِ ولا فرضَ مثلُ حُبُّ النَّدب
Kings saw loving him as an obligation,
Of closeness is evidence of remoteness of the heart.
and no obligation is like loving the generous man.
I have rights, the least of which is to be rewarded
وجميعُand all التِّيجانthe crowns إِنif عصبُوهاthey bind them on
وجميعُ التِّيجان إِن عصبُوها
فهوthen he قدhas صارbecome مثلَهمtheir equal بالعَصْبthrough head-binding
فهو قد صار مثلَهم بالعَصْب
All the crowns—if they bind them on,
With the peace of rest, and safe pasture.
he is their equal through his own head-binding.
Where is my praise, where is my gratitude? Nay,
غَنيتhave been spared بالآراءِthrough counsels مِنْهfrom him وبالسعـand through good fortune (begins)
غَنيت بالآراءِ مِنْه وبالسعـ
ـدِgood fortune (ends) عنfrom الطَّعْنspear-thrusts فيin الوَغَىbattle والضَّرْبِand blows
ـدِ عن الطَّعْن في الوَغَى والضَّرْبِ
His counsels and good fortune have spared them
Where is my reverence-this and that my love?
spear-thrusts and blows in battle.
What sin did I commit? Indeed excellent
كُتبٌletters تَضْرِبstrike الرِّقَابnecks ولمand did not أَدْI know (begins)
كُتبٌ تَضْرِب الرِّقَاب ولم أَدْ
رِI know (ends) بأَنَّthat السيوفَswords بعضُare some of الكُتْبthe letters
رِ بأَنَّ السيوفَ بعضُ الكُتْب
Letters strike necks, though I never
Are the sins I committed, for I have come repentant of my sins.
knew that swords were among letters.
A kind look and glance from You give me life,
معجزُwondrous القولِspeech منهfrom him قدhas طَبَّقencompassed الآthe horizons (begins)
معجزُ القولِ منه قد طَبَّق الآ
فاقhorizons (ends) بالسِّيرby walking تَارَةًat times والوَثْبِand leaping
فاق بالسِّير تَارَةً والوَثْبِ
His wondrous speech has filled the
And attain its reward from my Lord.
horizons, sometimes walking, sometimes leaping.
I am pleased with the nobility
فهوso it لوif سَارtraveled مَشْرِقاًeastward هوit والشمـand the sun (begins)
فهو لو سَار مَشْرِقاً هو والشمـ
ـسُsun (ends) لوافىwould arrive مِنْfrom قبلهاbefore her لِلْغَرْبat the west
ـسُ لوافى مِنْ قبلها لِلْغَرْب
If it and the sun journeyed eastward,
That You make my striking other than this strike.
it would reach the west before her.
Through You my hand becomes without need,
أَناI أشْكوcomplain إليكَto you ماof what لمnot يَدُرْoccurred ليto me
أَنا أشْكو إليكَ ما لم يَدُرْ لي
فيin حِسابٍreckoning وأَنْتَand you مِنْهagainst it حَسْبيare enough for me
في حِسابٍ وأَنْتَ مِنْه حَسْبي
I complain to you of what never entered
And my hopes succeed, my wound is healed, and my hump rises.
my reckoning; against it, you alone suffice me.
قَلَّwas too low قدرِيmy station عنfor العِتابِreproach ولكنbut
قَلَّ قدرِي عن العِتابِ ولكن
أَناI أُنْهِيsubmit تَظَلُّميmy grievance لاnot عتبيmy reproaches
أَنا أُنْهِي تَظَلُّمي لا عتبي
My station is too low for reproach, but
I submit my grievance, not my reproaches.
أَناI فيماam amid what يُعيذُكprotects you اللهُGod منهfrom it
أَنا فيما يُعيذُك اللهُ منه
فيin هُمومٍcares عَنof سُوءِthe wretchedness of حَالِيَmy state تُنْبِيthey tell
في هُمومٍ عَن سُوءِ حَالِيَ تُنْبِي
I suffer what God shelters you from:
cares that reveal the wretchedness of my state,
واهتضامٍand oppression لِجَانِبيof my dignity ولَكمْand how many مُدْa knife (begins)
واهتضامٍ لِجَانِبي ولَكمْ مُدْ
يةknife (ends) صدٍّof rejection يُحَزُّis cut منهاby it جَنْبيmy side
ية صدٍّ يُحَزُّ منها جَنْبي
and indignity inflicted on me—how many a
knife of rejection cuts into my side!
لاno مُعينيhelper of mine لاno ناصِريchampion of mine لاno حَميميintimate of mine
لا مُعيني لا ناصِري لا حَميمي
لاno حَبيبيbeloved of mine لاno أُسرتيfamily of mine لاno صَحْبيcompanions of mine
لا حَبيبي لا أُسرتي لا صَحْبي
No helper, no champion, no intimate,
no beloved, no family, no companions.
قَدْhave تبَرَّاdisowned بعضيmy parts عنfrom البَعضِthe others حتَّىuntil
قَدْ تبَرَّا بعضي عن البَعضِ حتَّى
كَبِديmy liver قدْhas تَبَرَّأَتْdisowned مِنْfrom قَلْبيmy heart
كَبِدي قدْ تَبَرَّأَتْ مِنْ قَلْبي
My own parts have disowned one another, until
my liver has disowned my heart.
وَحْدَةٌsolitude واستكانةٌand abasement وافتقارٌand destitution
وَحْدَةٌ واستكانةٌ وافتقارٌ
واغتنامٌand plunder وكُرْبةٌand anguish واكَرْبِيand oh my anguish
واغتنامٌ وكُرْبةٌ واكَرْبِي
Solitude, abasement, destitution,
plunder and anguish—oh, my anguish!
أَناI مَيْتٌam dead ماnot غَيَّبونيthey buried me إِذsince البِرُّkindness
أَنا مَيْتٌ ما غَيَّبوني إِذ البِرُّ
بمثليto someone like me تَغْيِيبُهis burying him فيin التُّربthe earth
بمثلي تَغْيِيبُه في التُّرب
I am dead, yet they have not buried me, though kindness
to one like me lies in hiding him in the earth.
كلُّevery يسْرٍease أَراهI see it قدhas صارbecome فيin حقِّـcase (begins)
كلُّ يسْرٍ أَراه قد صار في حقِّـ
ـيَmy عُسراًhardship فالسَّهْلso the easy مثلُis like الصَّعبthe difficult
ـيَ عُسراً فالسَّهْل مثلُ الصَّعب
Every ease I see has become, for
me, hardship; the easy is like the difficult.
وتمالاَand banded together عَلَيَّagainst me كلُّevery عدوٍّenemy
وتمالاَ عَلَيَّ كلُّ عدوٍّ
لاnot يَنِيhe slackens فيin ثَلْميinjuring me ولاnor فيin ثَلْبيdefaming me
لا يَنِي في ثَلْمي ولا في ثَلْبي
Every enemy has banded together against me,
never ceasing to injure or defame me.
قصْدُthe intention of هذاthis one قَتْليis killing me وهَذاand this one مُلاقاmeeting (begins)
قصْدُ هذا قَتْلي وهَذا مُلاقا
تيmeeting me (ends) وهذاand this one أسْريtaking me captive وهَذَاand this one نَهْبيplundering me
تي وهذا أسْري وهَذَا نَهْبي
This one intends to kill me, that one to confront
me; this one to take me captive, that one to plunder me.
كمhow many سفيهٍa fool عليَّagainst me أَسرفَwent too far فيin سبّـinsulting (begins)
كم سفيهٍ عليَّ أَسرفَ في سبّـ
ـيme ولمand did not يَلْقfind ناهِياًanyone forbidding عَنْfrom سَبِّيinsulting me
ـي ولم يَلْق ناهِياً عَنْ سَبِّي
How many a fool has gone too far in insulting
me, and found no one to forbid my abuse!
وكذوبٍand a liar عليَّagainst me صُدِّقwas believed حتَّىuntil
وكذوبٍ عليَّ صُدِّق حتَّى
صَارَbecame كالصِّدْقlike truth ماwhat افْترىhe fabricated منْof كَذْبِlies
صَارَ كالصِّدْق ما افْترى منْ كَذْبِ
And how many a liar against me has been believed, until
his fabricated lies became as good as truth!
وحسودٍand an envier كماas يُقالis said علىto الصَّلْـthe backbone (begins)
وحسودٍ كما يُقال على الصَّلْـ
ـبbackbone (ends) فلاso may not زالcease جِسْمُهhis body فيin الصَّلْبِcrucifixion
ـب فلا زال جِسْمُه في الصَّلْبِ
And an envier to the backbone, as they say—
may his body ever suffer crucifixion!
ليتwould that شِعْريI knew علامَwhy أُحْسَدُI am envied ياO قوpeople (begins)
ليت شِعْري علامَ أُحْسَدُ يا قو
مُpeople (ends) وحاليand my condition حقيقةٌdeserving بالنَّدبِof lamentation
مُ وحالي حقيقةٌ بالنَّدبِ
Would that I knew why I am envied, O
people, when my condition deserves lamentation!
أَمَكَانِيis it my place أَمْor مَنْصِبيmy office أَمْor غِنَىthe wealth of كفَّـhands (begins)
أَمَكَانِي أَمْ مَنْصِبي أَمْ غِنَى كفَّـ
ـيْيmy two hands (ends) أَمْor قَهْرُsubduing حاسِديmy envier أَمْor غَلْبيmy triumph
ـيْي أَمْ قَهْرُ حاسِدي أَمْ غَلْبي
Is it my place, my office, or the riches of my
hands, my subduing my envier, or my triumph?
إِنindeed حَظِّيmy luck ماnot هبّawakened بَعْدُyet منfrom النَّوsleep (begins)
إِن حَظِّي ما هبّ بَعْدُ من النَّو
مsleep (ends) ورِيحِيand my wind ماnot آذنَتْannounced بالهَبِّits blowing
م ورِيحِي ما آذنَتْ بالهَبِّ
My luck has not yet awakened from
sleep, nor has my wind announced its blowing.
نِلْتُI would attain ماwhat أَرْتجيهI hope for لوif كانَthere were ليfor me عنـwith (begins)
نِلْتُ ما أَرْتجيه لو كانَ لي عنـ
ـدكَwith you (ends) بَخْتٌluck والبَخْتُand luck لاnot مِنfrom كَسْبيmy earning
ـدكَ بَخْتٌ والبَخْتُ لا مِن كَسْبي
I would attain what I hope for, if I had with
you some luck—and luck is not something I can earn.
ودهَتْنِيand afflicted me أَقاربٌkinsmen ليof mine منthrough الأَنْـlineage (begins)
ودهَتْنِي أَقاربٌ لي من الأَنْـ
ـسابlineage (ends) لاَno بَلْrather عَقارِبٌscorpions فيin اللَّبthe heart
ـساب لاَ بَلْ عَقارِبٌ في اللَّب
Kinsmen related to me by
lineage have afflicted me—no, rather scorpions at heart.
غصبونيthey usurped from me حَقِّيmy right منof الإِرْثِinheritance فيin الخدservice (begins)
غصبوني حَقِّي من الإِرْثِ في الخد
مَةِservice (ends) إِذsince دينُهمtheir creed جَوازُis permitting الغَصْبِusurpation
مَةِ إِذ دينُهم جَوازُ الغَصْبِ
They usurped my inherited right in
service, since their creed permits usurpation.
همthey بُزَاةٌare hawks كواسِرٌpredatory آكلاتُeaters of الـthe
هم بُزَاةٌ كواسِرٌ آكلاتُ الـ
ـلحمflesh ماnot همُthey طيورُbirds لَقْطpicking up الحَبِّgrain
ـلحم ما همُ طيورُ لَقْط الحَبِّ
They are hawks, predatory eaters of
flesh, not birds that pick up grain.
زعَمُواthey claimed أَنَّthat مالكِيmy master هُوis ممدوmy praised one (begins)
زعَمُوا أَنَّ مالكِي هُو ممدو
حِيَmy praised one (ends) يهْوىdesires بُعديmy distance ويَشْنأُand hates قُربيmy nearness
حِيَ يهْوى بُعدي ويَشْنأُ قُربي
They claimed that my master, the one I
praise, loves my distance and hates my nearness.
صدقواthey spoke truly فيin مَقالهمtheir saying إِنَّindeed بُعدَthe remoteness of الـthe
صدقوا في مَقالهم إِنَّ بُعدَ الـ
ـقُربِnearness مِنْهto him دليلٌis proof of بُعدِremoteness of القَلْبِthe heart
ـقُربِ مِنْه دليلٌ بُعدِ القَلْبِ
They spoke truly: the remoteness of
nearness to him proves a remoteness of heart.
ليI have حقوقٌrights أَقلُّهاthe least of them أَنthat أُجازىI be rewarded
لي حقوقٌ أَقلُّها أَن أُجازى
بسكونِwith tranquility of المثْوَىthe dwelling وأَمْنand safety of السِّرْبone's person
بسكونِ المثْوَى وأَمْن السِّرْب
I have rights; the least is to be rewarded
with a settled dwelling and personal safety.
أَينwhere مَدْحِيmy praise وأَيْنand where حَمدِيmy thanks لاno بلrather
أَين مَدْحِي وأَيْن حَمدِي لا بل
أَينwhere إِجْلاَلِيmy reverence ذاthis وهَذَاand this حُبِّيmy love
أَين إِجْلاَلِي ذا وهَذَا حُبِّي
Where is my praise, and where my thanks? No, rather,
where is this reverence of mine, and this love?
أَيُّwhat ذنبٍsin أَذنَبْتُهI committed it ونعمand yes أَذْI sinned (begins)
أَيُّ ذنبٍ أَذنَبْتُه ونعم أَذْ
نَبْتُI sinned (ends) قدindeed جئتُI have come تَائِباًrepentant مِنْof ذَنْبيmy sin
نَبْتُ قد جئتُ تَائِباً مِنْ ذَنْبي
What sin have I committed? Yes, I have
sinned; I come repentant of my sin.
عَطْفَةٌa tender turn والتفاتَةٌand a glance منكfrom you تُحييrevives
عَطْفَةٌ والتفاتَةٌ منك تُحيي
نيme وتَلْقَىand you receive ثَوابَهاits reward مِنْfrom رَبِّيmy Lord
ني وتَلْقَى ثَوابَها مِنْ رَبِّي
One tender turn, one glance from you would revive
me, and you would receive its reward from my Lord.
أَناI رَاضٍam content منwith الكَرامَةِhonor أَنthat تجـyou make (begins)
أَنا رَاضٍ من الكَرامَةِ أَن تجـ
ـعلyou make (ends) ضَرْبِيmy beating منof غَيرِanother than هَذَاthis الضَّرْبsort; beating
ـعل ضَرْبِي من غَيرِ هَذَا الضَّرْب
I would be content with this honor: that you
make my beating of a different sort than this.
بكthrough you تَغْنَىgrows rich يديmy hand وتَنْجَحُand succeed آماhopes (begins)
بك تَغْنَى يدي وتَنْجَحُ آما
لِيmy hopes (ends) ويُؤسَىand is healed جُرحِيmy wound ويَعْلُوand rises كَعْبيmy standing
لِي ويُؤسَى جُرحِي ويَعْلُو كَعْبي
Through you my hand grows rich and my
hopes succeed, my wound is healed, and my standing rises.
Partial English translation: 147 of 204 Arabic lines translated.