قَبَسٌa firebrand بَدَاappeared مِنْfrom جَانِبِthe side الصَّحرَاءِof the desert
قَبَسٌ بَدَا مِنْ جَانِبِ الصَّحرَاءِ
هَلْhas ...? عَادَreturned عَهْدُthe age الْوَحْيِof revelation فِيin سِيناءِSinai
هَلْ عَادَ عَهْدُ الْوَحْيِ فِي سِيناءِ
A firebrand appeared from the desert's edge.
A gleam appeared from the side of the desert,
Has the age of revelation returned to Sinai?
Has the era of revelation returned to Sinai?
أَرْنُوI gaze إِلىtoward الطُّورِthe Mount الأَشَمِّthe lofty فَأَجْتَلِيand behold
أَرْنُو إِلى الطُّورِ الأَشَمِّ فَأَجْتَلِي
إيماضَthe flashing بَرْقٍof lightning وَاضِحَclear الإِيمَاءِin indication
إيماضَ بَرْقٍ وَاضِحَ الإِيمَاءِ
I gaze toward the lofty Mount and behold
I yearn for the most fragrant Mount, so I may kindle
Lightning flashing with a clear portent,
A lightning flash of a clear gesture,
حَيْثُwhere الْغَمَامَةُthe cloud وَالْكَلِيمُand God's interlocutor مَرَوَّعٌterrified
حَيْثُ الْغَمَامَةُ وَالْكَلِيمُ مَرَوَّعٌ
أَرْسَتْsettled وَقُوراًsolemnly أَيَّماwhat a إِرْسَاءِsettling
أَرْسَتْ وَقُوراً أَيَّما إِرْسَاءِ
Where the cloud, while God's interlocutor stood terrified,
Where the clouds and the fearful Moses were,
Settled with solemn, utter steadiness,
It hovered solemnly, however it settled,
دَكْنَاءُdark-hued مُثْقَلَةُladen الْجَوَانِبِin the sides رَهْبَةًwith dread
دَكْنَاءُ مُثْقَلَةُ الْجَوَانِبِ رَهْبَةً
مَكْظُومَةُholding in النِّيرَانِfires فِيin الأَحْشَاءِthe depths
مَكْظُومَةُ النِّيرَانِ فِي الأَحْشَاءِ
Dark, its sides laden with dread,
Its darkened sides weighed down by awe,
With fires pent up within its depths,
Its fires stifled within its innards,
حَتَّىuntil تَكَلَّمَspoke رَبُّهاits Lord فَتَمَزَّقَتْand it split apart
حَتَّى تَكَلَّمَ رَبُّها فَتَمَزَّقَتْ
بَيْنَamid الصَّوَاعِبِthunderbolts فِيin radiance سَنىًand splendor وَسَنَاءِline_11
بَيْنَ الصَّوَاعِبِ فِي سَنىً وَسَنَاءِ
Until its Lord spoke, and it split apart
Until its Lord spoke and it burst asunder
Amid thunderbolts, in radiance and splendor.
Among the thunderbolts in glory and loftiness.
وَتَنَزَّلَتْand descended أَحْكَامُهُHis decrees فِيupon لَوْحِهَاits tablet
وَتَنَزَّلَتْ أَحْكَامُهُ فِي لَوْحِهَا
مَكْتُوبَةًwritten آيَاتُهَاtheir signs بِضِيَاءِin light
مَكْتُوبَةً آيَاتُهَا بِضِيَاءِ
And His decrees descended upon its tablet,
And His rulings descended in its tablets,
Their signs inscribed in light.
Its signs written in radiance.
أَتْرَىdo you think? الْعِنَايَةَProvidence بَعْدَafter لأْيٍhardship هَيَّأتْprepared
أَتْرَى الْعِنَايَةَ بَعْدَ لأْيٍ هَيَّأتْ
للشَّرْقِfor the East مَنْجَاةًdeliverance مِنَfrom الْغَمَّاءِdistress
للشَّرْقِ مَنْجَاةً مِنَ الْغَمَّاءِ
Do you think Providence, after long hardship, has prepared
Do you see how Providence then prepared
Deliverance for the East from distress?
For the East a salvation from gloom?
فَأُتِيحَso was made available فِيon لَوْحِthe tablet الْوَصَايَاof commandments جَانِبٌa space
فَأُتِيحَ فِي لَوْحِ الْوَصَايَا جَانِبٌ
خَالٍblank لَمُؤْتَنَفِfor a fresh beginning مِنَof الإِيصَاءِinstruction
خَالٍ لَمُؤْتَنَفِ مِنَ الإِيصَاءِ
And so a space was made available on the tablet of commandments,
So a clear space was afforded in the tablets of behests
Blank, for instruction to begin anew?
Empty for the inspired to fill with wisdom,
وَتَخَلَّفَتْand remained بَيْنَamong الرِّمَالِthe sands مَظِنَّةٌa prospect
وَتَخَلَّفَتْ بَيْنَ الرِّمَالِ مَظِنَّةٌ
لِتَفَجُّرٍof bursting forth فِيin الصَّخرَةِthe rock الصَّماءِthe solid
لِتَفَجُّرٍ فِي الصَّخرَةِ الصَّماءِ
And among the sands there remained a prospect
And a spring remained among the sands
Of a spring bursting from the solid rock?
To gush forth from the silent boulder.
قَدْindeed آنَthe time has come لِلْعَاشِينَfor those groping فِيin ظَلْمَائِهِمْtheir darkness
قَدْ آنَ لِلْعَاشِينَ فِي ظَلْمَائِهِمْ
حِقْباًfor ages خُرُوجُهُمُtheir emergence مِنَfrom الظَّلمَاءِthe darkness
حِقْباً خُرُوجُهُمُ مِنَ الظَّلمَاءِ
The time has come for those groping in their darkness
The time has come for those living in their darkness
For ages to emerge from the gloom.
For an era of their emergence from obscurity.
إِنَّيindeed I لِمَيْمُونُsurely fortunate النَّقيبَةِin disposition مُلْهَمٌinspired
إِنَّي لِمَيْمُونُ النَّقيبَةِ مُلْهَمٌ
إِبْرَاءُhealing زَمْنَاهُمْtheir infirm وَرِيُّand quenching ظِمَاءِthirsty ones
إِبْرَاءُ زَمْنَاهُمْ وَرِيُّ ظِمَاءِ
Indeed, fortunate in spirit, I am inspired
I am the inspired miner,
To heal their infirm and quench the thirsty,
To heal their era and quench their thirst.
إِنْif لَمْnot يَقُدْهُمْguides them قَائِدٌa leader ذُوpossessing مِرَّةٍstrength
إِنْ لَمْ يَقُدْهُمْ قَائِدٌ ذُو مِرَّةٍ
وَالبَأْسُand courage قَدْmay يُنْجِيsave مِنَfrom البْأْسَاءِmisery
وَالبَأْسُ قَدْ يُنْجِي مِنَ البْأْسَاءِ
If no leader endowed with strength guides them—
If a leader of courage does not guide them,
And courage may deliver them from misery.
War can sometimes save from wars.
هَلْis there? مِنْany بَشِيرٍbearer of good news أَوْor نَذِيرٍwarner قادِرٍcapable
هَلْ مِنْ بَشِيرٍ أَوْ نَذِيرٍ قادِرٍ
مُتَبَيِّنdiscerning مِنْهُمْamong them مَكَانَthe place الدَّاءِof the ailment
مُتَبَيِّن مِنْهُمْ مَكَانَ الدَّاءِ
Is there a bearer of good news, or a capable warner,
Is there a herald or a warner, capable,
Who discerns where their sickness lies,
Clarifying for them where the malady lies,
يَهْدِيهُمُguides them سُبُلَthe paths الرُّقِيِّof progress مُلاَئِماًin harmony
يَهْدِيهُمُ سُبُلَ الرُّقِيِّ مُلاَئِماً
لِزَمانِهِمْwith their times وَطَرائِقَand the ways الْعَلْيَاءof eminence
لِزَمانِهِمْ وَطَرائِقَ الْعَلْيَاء
Who guides them along paths of progress, in keeping
To guide them to the paths of advancement, suiting
With their times, and along ways to eminence?
His time and the ways of the enlightened?
أَلشَّاعِرِيَّةpoetry لاَnot تَزَالُceases كَعَهْدِهاas before
أَلشَّاعِرِيَّة لاَ تَزَالُ كَعَهْدِها
بَعْدَafter النُّبوَّةِprophecy مَهْبِطَthe landing place الإِيحَاءِof inspiration
بَعْدَ النُّبوَّةِ مَهْبِطَ الإِيحَاءِ
Poetry remains, as it has always been,
Poetry has not fallen from its former station
After prophecy, the place where inspiration descends.
After prophecy, the descent of inspiration.
وَالصَّوْتُand the voice إِنْif تَدْعُcalls الْحَقِيقَةُTruth صَوْتُهَاits voice
وَالصَّوْتُ إِنْ تَدْعُ الْحَقِيقَةُ صَوْتُهَا
وَالنُّورُand the light نُورُthe light خَيَالِهَاof its imagination الْوَضَّاءthe radiant
وَالنُّورُ نُورُ خَيَالِهَا الْوَضَّاء
And when Truth calls, the voice is poetry's voice;
If truth calls out, its voice is poetry,
And the light is the light of its radiant imagination.
And its light, the light of its imagination's brilliance.
يَاO شَيْخَelder سِينَاءَof Sinai الَّتيwhich بُعِثَwas sent forth الْهُدَىguidance
يَا شَيْخَ سِينَاءَ الَّتي بُعِثَ الْهُدَى
مِنْfrom تِيهِهَاits wilderness فِيin آيَةٍa sign غَرَّاءِradiant
مِنْ تِيهِهَا فِي آيَةٍ غَرَّاءِ
O elder of Sinai, where guidance was sent forth
O sheikh of Sinai from whence guidance stemmed
From its wilderness in a radiant sign!
From its wilderness in a wondrous sign!
سَنَرَىwe shall see وَأَنْتَwhile you مُعَرِّبٌa spokesman عَنْfor حَقِّهاits right
سَنَرَى وَأَنْتَ مُعَرِّبٌ عَنْ حَقِّها
كَيْفَhow الموَاتُbarren land يَفُوزُprevails بِالأَحْيَاءِthrough the living
كَيْفَ الموَاتُ يَفُوزُ بِالأَحْيَاءِ
We shall see, as you speak for its rights,
We shall see, while you translate its truth,
How barren land prevails through the living.
How barrenness can gain life.
هَذِيthis النِّيابَةُdeputation شَرَّفَتْكَhonored you وَشَرَّفَتْand honored
هَذِي النِّيابَةُ شَرَّفَتْكَ وَشَرَّفَتْ
بِكَthrough you فِيin الْبِلاَدِthe country مكَانَةَthe standing الأُدَبَاءِof men of letters
بِكَ فِي الْبِلاَدِ مكَانَةَ الأُدَبَاءِ
This deputation has honored you, and honored
This deputyship has ennobled you, and through you
Through you the standing of men of letters in the land.
Gave the status of men of letters its esteem in the lands.
قَأَهْنَأْso rejoice بِمَنْصِبِهَاin its office الرَّفِيعِthe lofty وَإِنْand even if تَكُنْare
قَأَهْنَأْ بِمَنْصِبِهَا الرَّفِيعِ وَإِنْ تَكُنْ
أَعْبَاؤُهَاits burdens مِنْamong أَفْدَحِthe heaviest الأَعْبَاءِburdens
أَعْبَاؤُهَا مِنْ أَفْدَحِ الأَعْبَاءِ
So rejoice in its lofty office, even if
I congratulate you on its lofty post, though
Its burdens are among the heaviest burdens.
Its duties are among the gravest burdens.
حَسْبُenough for القَرِيضِpoetry زِرَايَةًof belittlement فَاثْأَرْso avenge لَهُit
حَسْبُ القَرِيضِ زِرَايَةً فَاثْأَرْ لَهُ
وَارْفَعْand raise بِنَاءَكَyour building فَوْقَabove كُلِّevery بِنَاءِbuilding
وَارْفَعْ بِنَاءَكَ فَوْقَ كُلِّ بِنَاءِ
Enough of poetry's belittlement—avenge it,
Let the ode suffice as a token, so take revenge for it
And raise your building above every building.
And raise your edifice above all others.
وَأَرِand show الأُلىthose who جَارُواacted unjustly عَلَىtoward أَرْبَابِهِits masters
وَأَرِ الأُلى جَارُوا عَلَى أَرْبَابِهِ
آفَاتِthe harms تِلْكَof that الخُطَّةpolicy العَوْجَاءِcrooked
آفَاتِ تِلْكَ الخُطَّة العَوْجَاءِ
And show those who wronged its masters
Show the kin of Ula tyrants the harms
The harms of that crooked policy.
Of that crooked conspiracy.
إِنَّindeed التَّوَاكُلَmutual shirking وَالتَّخاذُلَand desertion وَالقِلَىand hatred
إِنَّ التَّوَاكُلَ وَالتَّخاذُلَ وَالقِلَى
لأَقَلُّare surely the least مَاwhat جَلَبَتْit brought مِنَof الأَرْزَاءِcalamities
لأَقَلُّ مَا جَلَبَتْ مِنَ الأَرْزَاءِ
Indeed, mutual shirking, desertion, and hatred
Indolence, cowardice and slothfulness
Are the least of the calamities it brought,
Are the least of what misfortunes have brought.
وَتَنَزُّلِand the decline الأَقْوَامِof peoples عَنْfrom أَخْطَارِهَاtheir standing
وَتَنَزُّلِ الأَقْوَامِ عَنْ أَخْطَارِهَا
وَتَعَسُّفand the tyranny الحُكِّامِof rulers وَالكُبَرَاءِand grandees
وَتَعَسُّف الحُكِّامِ وَالكُبَرَاءِ
Along with peoples' decline from their standing,
The decline of nations from their perils
And the tyranny of rulers and grandees.
And the tyranny of rulers and grandees,
أَبْنَاءُthe sons يَعْرُبَof Ya'rub فِيin أَسىًgrief مِنْover حِقْبَةٍan age
أَبْنَاءُ يَعْرُبَ فِي أَسىً مِنْ حِقْبَةٍ
شَقِيتَsuffered بِهَاin it الآدابُletters جِدَّutterly شَقَاءِmisery
شَقِيتَ بِهَا الآدابُ جِدَّ شَقَاءِ
The sons of Ya'rub grieve over an age
Children of Arabs in sorrow for an era
In which letters suffered utter misery.
In which literature was most miserably wretched,
جَنَفَacted unjustly البُغَاةُthe oppressors بِهَاin it عَلَىtoward أَهْلِthe people النُّهَىof reason
جَنَفَ البُغَاةُ بِهَا عَلَى أَهْلِ النُّهَى
وَاسْتُعْبِدَand were enslaved العُلَمَاءُthe learned لِلْجُهَلاَءِto the ignorant
وَاسْتُعْبِدَ العُلَمَاءُ لِلْجُهَلاَءِ
Oppressors dealt unjustly with men of reason in it,
Wherein the wicked treated unjustly the people of virtue
And the learned were enslaved to the ignorant.
And the learned were enslaved to the ignorant,
وَتَخَيَّلand imagined السَّادَاتُthe masters فِيamong أَقْوَامِهِمْtheir peoples
وَتَخَيَّل السَّادَاتُ فِي أَقْوَامِهِمْ
شُعَرَاءَهَاtheir poets ضَرْباًa kind مِنَof الأُجرَاءِhired hands
شُعَرَاءَهَا ضَرْباً مِنَ الأُجرَاءِ
And masters imagined, among their peoples,
And the elite imagined among their peoples
Their poets to be a class of hired hands.
Their poets were a kind of hirelings,
وَهُمُand they الَّذِينَare those who تَنَاشَدُواrecited to one another أَقْوَالَهُمْtheir words
وَهُمُ الَّذِينَ تَنَاشَدُوا أَقْوَالَهُمْ
لِلْفَخْرِfor pride آوِنَةًat times وَلِلتَّأسَاءِand for consolation
لِلْفَخْرِ آوِنَةً وَلِلتَّأسَاءِ
Yet these were the very men who recited their words to one another,
While they are those whose words were recited
At times for pride, and for consolation.
For pride, solace and consolation,
وَبِفَضْلِهِمْand through their merit غُذِيَتْwere nourished غِرَاثُthe plantings عُقُولِهِمْof their minds
وَبِفَضْلِهِمْ غُذِيَتْ غِرَاثُ عُقُولِهِمْ
مِنْfrom كُلِّevery فَاكِهَةٍfruit أَلَذَّthe sweetest غِذَاءِsustenance
مِنْ كُلِّ فَاكِهَةٍ أَلَذَّ غِذَاءِ
And thanks to them, the plantings of their minds were nourished
And by whose grace the meager minds of these
With the sweetest sustenance from every fruit.
Were fed from every most delicious fruit,
وَبِنفحَةٍand by a breath مِنْهُمْfrom them غَدَتْbecame أَسْمَاؤُهُمْtheir names
وَبِنفحَةٍ مِنْهُمْ غَدَتْ أَسْمَاؤُهُمْ
مِنْamong خَالِدَاتِthe enduring ones الذِّكْرِof remembrance فِيamong الأَسْمَاءِnames
مِنْ خَالِدَاتِ الذِّكْرِ فِي الأَسْمَاءِ
And through a breath from them, their names became
And by whose breath their names became
Among names whose memory lives forever.
Part of the immortal names remembered,
أصْلِحْcorrect بِهِمْthrough them رَأْيَthe view الأُولَىof those who خَالُوهُمُthought them
أصْلِحْ بِهِمْ رَأْيَ الأُولَى خَالُوهُمُ
آلاتِinstruments تَهْنِئَةٍof congratulation لَهُمْfor them وَعَزَاءِand condolence
آلاتِ تَهْنِئَةٍ لَهُمْ وَعَزَاءِ
Through them, correct the view of those who thought them
Reform through them the opinion of the kin, who opposed them,
Instruments of congratulation and condolence for themselves.
Implements of congratulation and consolation to them,
وَلْتَشْهَدِand let witness الأَوْطَانُthe homelands مَاwhat حَسَنَاتُهُمْtheir merits
وَلْتَشْهَدِ الأَوْطَانُ مَا حَسَنَاتُهُمْ
فِيin المَنَصِبِoffice الْعَالِيthe high وَفِيand in الإِثْرَاءِenrichment
فِي المَنَصِبِ الْعَالِي وَفِي الإِثْرَاءِ
Let the homelands witness what their merits are
And let the homelands witness their virtues
In high office and in enrichment.
In this lofty office and in enrichment.
وَلْتَعْلَمِand let know الأَيَّامُthe days مَاwhat هُوَis شأْنُهُمْtheir standing
وَلْتَعْلَمِ الأَيَّامُ مَا هُوَ شأْنُهُمْ
فِيin كُلِّevery مَوْقِفِstance عِزَّةٍof dignity وَإِبَاءِand proud refusal
فِي كُلِّ مَوْقِفِ عِزَّةٍ وَإِبَاءِ
And let the days know their standing
And let the days know their quality
In every stance of dignity and proud refusal.
In every station of pride and refusal.
يَاO بَاعِثَreviver المَجْدِof glory الْقَدِيمِthe ancient بِشِعْرِهthrough his poetry
يَا بَاعِثَ المَجْدِ الْقَدِيمِ بِشِعْرِه
وَمُجَدِّدَand renewer الْعَرَبِيَّةof Arabic الْعَربَاءthe pure
وَمُجَدِّدَ الْعَرَبِيَّة الْعَربَاء
O reviver of ancient glory through his poetry,
O reviver of ancient glory through his poetry
And renewer of pure Arabic!
And renewer of pure Arabic!
أَنْتَyou الأَمِيرُthe prince وَمَنْand whoever يَكُنْهُis one بِالْحِجَىthrough intellect
أَنْتَ الأَمِيرُ وَمَنْ يَكُنْهُ بِالْحِجَى
فَلَهُthen for him بِهِthrough it تِيهٌpride عَلَىover الأُمَرَاءِprinces
فَلَهُ بِهِ تِيهٌ عَلَى الأُمَرَاءِ
You are the prince; whoever is one through intellect
You are the prince, and whoever rivals you
May, through it, hold his head high above princes.
His madness rivals only princes.
أَلْيَوْمَtoday عِيدُكَyour festival وَهْوَand it is عِيدٌa festival شَامِلٌall-embracing
أَلْيَوْمَ عِيدُكَ وَهْوَ عِيدٌ شَامِلٌ
لِلضَّادِfor ḍād (Arabic) فِيin مُتَبَايَنِwidely differing الأَرْجَاءِregions
لِلضَّادِ فِي مُتَبَايَنِ الأَرْجَاءِ
Today is your festival, a festival embracing
Today is your feast day, and it is one encompassing
The tongue of ḍād in widely scattered regions.
The letter D across far-flung regions.
فِيin مِصْرَEgypt يُنْشِدُsings مِنْfrom بَنِيهاher sons مُنْشِدٌa singer
فِي مِصْرَ يُنْشِدُ مِنْ بَنِيها مُنْشِدٌ
وَصَدَاهُand his echo فِيin الْبَحْرَيْنِBahrain وَالزَّوْرَاءِand al-Zawra
وَصَدَاهُ فِي الْبَحْرَيْنِ وَالزَّوْرَاءِ
In Egypt, one of her sons sings,
In Egypt, one of its sons recites poetry,
And his echo is in Bahrain and al-Zawra.
And its echo resonates in the Two Seas and Al-Zawra.
عِيدٌa festival بِهِthrough it اتَّحدَتْunited قُلُوبُthe hearts شُعُوبِهَاof her peoples
عِيدٌ بِهِ اتَّحدَتْ قُلُوبُ شُعُوبِهَا
وَلَقَدْand indeed تَكُونُmay be كَثِيرَةُnumerous الأَهْواءِthe inclinations
وَلَقَدْ تَكُونُ كَثِيرَةُ الأَهْواءِ
A festival that has united the hearts of her peoples,
A feast day in which its people's hearts united,
Though their inclinations may be many.
Though they are often of diverse opinions.
كَمْhow often رِيمَwas sought تَجْدِيدٌrenewal لِغَابِرِof bygone مَجْدِهَاglory of hers
كَمْ رِيمَ تَجْدِيدٌ لِغَابِرِ مَجْدِهَا
فَجَنَىthen did harm عَلَيْهَagainst it تَشَعُّبthe divergence الآرَاءِof opinions
فَجَنَى عَلَيْهَ تَشَعُّب الآرَاءِ
How often renewal of her bygone glory was sought,
What renewal of its lost glory, which sectarianism
Only for divided opinions to undo it!
Preyed upon with its proliferation of views!
مَاhow أَبْهَجَjoyous الشَّمسَthe sun الَّتِيthat لاَحَتْappeared لَهَاto her
مَا أَبْهَجَ الشَّمسَ الَّتِي لاَحَتْ لَهَا
بَعْدَafter الْقُنُوطِdespair وَطَالَعَتْand rose بِرجَاءِwith hope
بَعْدَ الْقُنُوطِ وَطَالَعَتْ بِرجَاءِ
How joyous the sun that appeared to her
How the sun shining upon it gladdened,
After despair, and rose bearing hope!
After despair, rising with hope!
أَلشِّعرُpoetry أَدْنَىbrought near غَايَةًa goal لَمْnot يَسْتَطِعْcould
أَلشِّعرُ أَدْنَى غَايَةً لَمْ يَسْتَطِعْ
إِدْنَاءَهَاbring it near عَزْمٌresolve وَحُسْنُand good بَلاَءِendeavor
إِدْنَاءَهَا عَزْمٌ وَحُسْنُ بَلاَءِ
Poetry brought near a goal beyond the power
Poetry cannot be lowered from the summit
Of resolve and valiant endeavor to bring near.
Which no determination and patience have attained.
مَاnothing السِّحرُmagic إِلاَّbut شِعْرُpoetry أَحْمَدَof Ahmad مَالِكاًholding
مَا السِّحرُ إِلاَّ شِعْرُ أَحْمَدَ مَالِكاً
مِنْهَاfrom her الْقِيَادَthe reins بِلُطْفِthrough gentleness الاسْتِهْوَاءِof enchantment
مِنْهَا الْقِيَادَ بِلُطْفِ الاسْتِهْوَاءِ
Magic is nothing but Ahmad's poetry, wielding
What sorcery but Ahmad Shawqi's poetry
Her reins through gentle enchantment.
Gently leading it with subtle suggestion?
قَدْindeed هَيَّأتْprepared آيَاتُهُhis verses لِوُفُودِهَاfor her delegations
قَدْ هَيَّأتْ آيَاتُهُ لِوُفُودِهَا
فِيin مِصْرَEgypt عَنْfrom أُمَمٍnations أَحَبَّthe dearest لِقَاءِmeeting
فِي مِصْرَ عَنْ أُمَمٍ أَحَبَّ لِقَاءِ
His wondrous verses have prepared for her delegations
As if its verses prepared for its delegations
In Egypt, from many nations, the dearest meeting.
In Egypt the happiest of meetings.
لاَnot يُوقِظَawakens الأَقْوَامَpeoples إِلاَّexcept مُنْشِدٌa singer
لاَ يُوقِظَ الأَقْوَامَ إِلاَّ مُنْشِدٌ
غَردٌmelodious يُنَبِّهrouses نَائِمَsleeping الأَصْدَاءِechoes
غَردٌ يُنَبِّه نَائِمَ الأَصْدَاءِ
Only a singer awakens peoples,
Only a singer awakens slumbering peoples,
A melodious one who rouses sleeping echoes.
A warbler alerting the heedless echoes.
كَلاًّno! وَلَيْسَand there is not لَهَاfor her فَخَارٌpride خَالِصٌunalloyed
كَلاًّ وَلَيْسَ لَهَا فَخَارٌ خَالِصٌ
كَفَخَارِهَاlike her pride بِنَوَابِغِin outstanding الشُّعرَاءِpoets
كَفَخَارِهَا بِنَوَابِغِ الشُّعرَاءِ
No! She has no unalloyed pride
Never did it have a special pride
Like her pride in her outstanding poets.
Like its pride in its brilliant poets.
ياO مِصْرُEgypt بَاهِيvie proudly with كُلَّevery مِصْرٍland بِالأولَىthrough those whom
يا مِصْرُ بَاهِي كُلَّ مِصْرٍ بِالأولَى
أَنْجَبْتِyou bore مِنْfrom أَبْنَائِكِyour sons الْعُظَمَاءِthe great
أَنْجَبْتِ مِنْ أَبْنَائِكِ الْعُظَمَاءِ
O Egypt, outshine every land with those
O Egypt, most splendid of Egypts!
Great sons of yours whom you have brought forth.
You mothered among your children the greatest.
حَفَلُواthey celebrated لأَحْمَدَfor Ahmad حَفْلَةًa celebration مَيْمُونَةًauspicious
حَفَلُوا لأَحْمَدَ حَفْلَةً مَيْمُونَةً
لَمْnot تَأْتِappeared فيin نَبَإٍa report مِنَof الأَنْبَاءِreports
لَمْ تَأْتِ في نَبَإٍ مِنَ الأَنْبَاءِ
They held for Ahmad an auspicious celebration
They gathered about Ahmad in fortunate assembly
Never before reported in any tidings.
The like of which news never proclaimed.
مَاnothing أَحْمَدٌAhmad إلاَّbut لِوَاءُthe banner بِلاَدِهِof his country
مَا أَحْمَدٌ إلاَّ لِوَاءُ بِلاَدِهِ
فِيin الشَّرْقِthe East يَخْفُقُflutters فَوْقَabove كُلِّevery لِوَاءِbanner
فِي الشَّرْقِ يَخْفُقُ فَوْقَ كُلِّ لِوَاءِ
Ahmad is nothing but his country's banner,
Ahmad is but the banner of his country
Fluttering in the East above every banner.
Fluttering over every banner in the East.
عَلَمٌa standard بِهِthrough it الوَادِيthe valley أَنَافَtowered عَلَىabove ذُرىًpeaks
عَلَمٌ بِهِ الوَادِي أَنَافَ عَلَى ذُرىً
شُمِّlofty الْجِبَالِmountains بِذُرْوَةٍwith a summit شَمَّاءِlofty
شُمِّ الْجِبَالِ بِذُرْوَةٍ شَمَّاءِ
A standard through which the valley towers above the peaks
A flag by which the Nile knew the heights
Of lofty mountains, with a lofty summit.
Of mountain peaks loftier than any summit.
بَسَمَتْsmiled ذُؤَابَتُهُits crest وَمَاand nothing زَانَadorned الرُّبَىthe hills
بَسَمَتْ ذُؤَابَتُهُ وَمَا زَانَ الرُّبَى
فِيon هَامَهَاtheir crowns كَالحِلْيَةِlike the ornament الْبَيْضَاءِwhite
فِي هَامَهَا كَالحِلْيَةِ الْبَيْضَاءِ
Its crest smiled; nothing adorned the hills
His cheeks shone, and what ornament graced
Upon their crowns like that white ornament.
Its zeal like a pure white necklace!
هَلْis there? فِيamong لِدَاتٍpeers أَبِيof Abu عَلِيٍّAli نِدُّهُhis equal
هَلْ فِي لِدَاتٍ أَبِي عَلِيٍّ نِدُّهُ
إِنْif يَصْدُرَاboth proceed عَنْfrom هِمَّةambition وَمَضَاءِand resolve
إِنْ يَصْدُرَا عَنْ هِمَّة وَمَضَاءِ
Is there an equal to Abu Ali among his peers,
Is there in the works of Abi ‘Ali a match for him,
When both proceed from ambition and resolve?
If they embarked with fervor and purpose?
أَوْor شَاعِرٍa poet كَأَبِيlike Abu حُسَيْنٍHusayn آخِذٍtaking
أَوْ شَاعِرٍ كَأَبِي حُسَيْنٍ آخِذٍ
مِنْfrom كُلِّevery حَالٍcircumstance مَأْخَذَthe approach الْحُكَمَاءِof the wise
مِنْ كُلِّ حَالٍ مَأْخَذَ الْحُكَمَاءِ
Or a poet like Abu Husayn, who takes
Or a poet like Abi Husayn, who adopted
In every circumstance the approach of the wise?
The ways of the wise in every situation?
فَهِمَhe understood الحَيَاةَlife عَلَىaccording to حَقِيقَةِthe reality أَمْرِهَاof its nature
فَهِمَ الحَيَاةَ عَلَى حَقِيقَةِ أَمْرِهَا
فأَحَبَّهاand he loved it مَوْفُورَةَabundant النَّعمَاءِin blessings
فأَحَبَّها مَوْفُورَةَ النَّعمَاءِ
He understood life in the truth of its nature,
He understood life in its reality,
And loved it abundant in blessings.
So loved it, rich in blessings.
يَجْنِيhe gathers دَوَانِيهَاits near fruits وَلاَand not يَثْنِيهِdeters him مَاwhat
يَجْنِي دَوَانِيهَا وَلاَ يَثْنِيهِ مَا
دُونَbefore القَواصِيthe distant ones مِنْof شَدِيدِsevere عَنَاءِtoil
دُونَ القَواصِي مِنْ شَدِيدِ عَنَاءِ
He gathers its nearby fruits, and is not deterred by what
He plucks its fruits without being discouraged by
Lies before the distant ones of arduous toil.
Anything less than the greatest tribulation,
يقْضِيfulfills مُنَاهُhis wishes أَنَاقَةًelegantly فِيin عيْشِهِhis life
يقْضِي مُنَاهُ أَنَاقَةً فِي عيْشِهِ
وَيَفِيَand fulfills بِحَقِّthe due المَجْدِof glory أَيَّthe fullest وَفَاءِfidelity
وَيَفِيَ بِحَقِّ المَجْدِ أَيَّ وَفَاءِ
He fulfills his desires with elegance in living,
Spending his days in comfort and in his life,
And pays glory its due with fullest fidelity.
And fulfilling the right to glory, loyally.
عَظُمَتْwere great مَوَاهِبُهُhis gifts وَأَحْرَزَand he attained مَاwhat اشْتَهَىhe desired
عَظُمَتْ مَوَاهِبُهُ وَأَحْرَزَ مَا اشْتَهَى
مِنْof فِطْنَةٍinsight خَلاَّبَةٍcaptivating وَذَكَاءِand intelligence
مِنْ فِطْنَةٍ خَلاَّبَةٍ وَذَكَاءِ
Great are his gifts, and he has attained all he desired
His talents have grown, and he has attained what he desired
Of captivating insight and intelligence.
Of subtle wit and clear intellect.
إِنْif تَلْقَهُyou meet him تَلْقَyou meet النُّبوغَgenius مُمَثَّلاًembodied
إِنْ تَلْقَهُ تَلْقَ النُّبوغَ مُمَثَّلاً
فِيin صُورَةِa form لَمَّاحَةِflashing اللَّأْلاَءِwith brilliance
فِي صُورَةِ لَمَّاحَةِ اللَّأْلاَءِ
If you meet him, you meet genius embodied
If you meet him, you meet brilliant genius
In a form flashing with brilliance,
In the image of the sheen of pearls.
طُبِعَتْwas fashioned مِنَfrom الحُسْنِbeauty العَتِيقِvenerable بِطَابَعٍwith a stamp
طُبِعَتْ مِنَ الحُسْنِ العَتِيقِ بِطَابَعٍ
وَضَّاحِradiant آيَاتٍsigns بَدِيعِwondrous رُوَاءِloveliness
وَضَّاحِ آيَاتٍ بَدِيعِ رُوَاءِ
Fashioned from venerable beauty, bearing a stamp
It was stamped with enduring beauty in a way
Of radiant signs and wondrous loveliness.
Clear, lucid signs, gently flowing.
زَانَadorned الخَيَالُimagination جَمَالَهَاits beauty بِسِمَاتِهِwith its marks
زَانَ الخَيَالُ جَمَالَهَا بِسِمَاتِهِ
وَأَعَارَهَاand lent it قَسَمَاتِهِits features لِبَقَاءِfor endurance
وَأَعَارَهَا قَسَمَاتِهِ لِبَقَاءِ
Imagination adorned its beauty with its marks,
Imagination adorned its beauty with its traits
And lent it its features to endure.
And gave it shares of its perpetuity.
واليَوْمَand today إِذْwhen وَلَّىdeparted الصَّبَاyouth لَمْnot يَبْقَremains مِنْany
واليَوْمَ إِذْ وَلَّى الصَّبَا لَمْ يَبْقَ مِنْ
أَثَرٍtrace عَلَيْهَاupon it عَالِقٍclinging بَفَنَاءِto decay
أَثَرٍ عَلَيْهَا عَالِقٍ بَفَنَاءِ
And today, though youth has departed, no trace remains
And now, when youth has passed, no trace
Upon it that clings to decay.
Clings to it of decay and demise.
لاَnot شَيءَanything أَرْوَعُmore wondrous إِذْwhen تَكُونُyou are جَلِيسَهُhis companion
لاَ شَيءَ أَرْوَعُ إِذْ تَكُونُ جَلِيسَهُ
مِنْthan ذلِكَthat الرَّجُلِman القَرِيبِnear النَّائِيdistant
مِنْ ذلِكَ الرَّجُلِ القَرِيبِ النَّائِي
Nothing is more wondrous, when you sit with him,
Nothing is more wondrous than when she is his companion,
Than that man, so near and yet so distant.
That man, strange yet familiar,
أَبَداًalways يُقَلَّبُturns نَاظِرَيْهِhis two eyes وَفِيهِمَاand in them
أَبَداً يُقَلَّبُ نَاظِرَيْهِ وَفِيهِمَا
تَقْلِيبُa rolling أَمْوَاجٍof waves مِنَof الأَضْوَاءِlights
تَقْلِيبُ أَمْوَاجٍ مِنَ الأَضْوَاءِ
He is forever turning his eyes, and within them
Whose eyes forever rove, and in them
Roll waves of light.
Crash waves of lights and illuminations.
يرَنْوhe gazes إِلىtoward العَلْياthe heights بِسَاميwith a lofty طَرْفِهِglance of his
يرَنْو إِلى العَلْيا بِسَامي طَرْفِهِ
وَيُلاَحِظُand regards الدُّنْيَاthe world بِلاَwithout إِزْرَاءِdisdain
وَيُلاَحِظُ الدُّنْيَا بِلاَ إِزْرَاءِ
He gazes toward the heights with an exalted glance,
He aspires to the heights with his noble gaze,
And regards the world without disdain.
And observes the world without disdain.
يُغْضِيoverlooks سَمَاحاًgenerously عنْover كَثِيرٍmuch جَفْنُهُhis eyelid
يُغْضِي سَمَاحاً عنْ كَثِيرٍ جَفْنُهُ
وَضَمِيرُهُand his conscience أَدْنَىnearer إِلىto الإِغْضَاءِoverlooking
وَضَمِيرُهُ أَدْنَى إِلى الإِغْضَاءِ
His eyelid graciously overlooks much,
His eyelids overlook much in kindness,
And his conscience is readier still to overlook.
And his conscience tends to forgiveness.
فَإِذَاso when تُحَدِّثُهُyou speak to him فَإِنَّthen indeed لَصَوْتَهَsurely his voice
فَإِذَا تُحَدِّثُهُ فَإِنَّ لَصَوْتَهَ
لَحْناًa melody رَخِيمَsoft الْوَقْعِin impact فيin الْحَوْبَاءِthe soul
لَحْناً رَخِيمَ الْوَقْعِ في الْحَوْبَاءِ
When you speak to him, his voice has
So when you converse with him, his voice has
A melody that falls softly upon the soul.
A gentle tone, softly thrilling in serenity.
فِيin نُطْقِهِhis speech الدُّرُّpearls النَفِيسُprecious وَإِنَّماand only
فِي نُطْقِهِ الدُّرُّ النَفِيسُ وَإِنَّما
تَصْطَادُهُcatch it الأَسْمَاعُthe ears بِالإِصْغَاءِby listening closely
تَصْطَادُهُ الأَسْمَاعُ بِالإِصْغَاءِ
In his speech are precious pearls, which
In his speech is precious pearl, and only
Ears catch only by listening closely.
The ears hunt it through attentive listening.
لَكِنَّbut ذَاكَthat الصَّوْتَvoice مِنْdespite خَفْضٍsoftness بِهِin it
لَكِنَّ ذَاكَ الصَّوْتَ مِنْ خَفْضٍ بِهِ
يَسْمُوraises الْحِفَاظُdefense of honor بِهِwith it إِلىto الْجَوْزَاءِal-Jawza
يَسْمُو الْحِفَاظُ بِهِ إِلى الْجَوْزَاءِ
Yet that voice, for all its softness,
But that voice, with its quietness,
A sense of honor raises to al-Jawza.
Raises the barrier between them to loftiness.
أَعْظِمْhow great بِشَوْقِيis Shawqi ذَائِداًdefending عَنْon behalf of قَوْمِهِhis people
أَعْظِمْ بِشَوْقِي ذَائِداً عَنْ قَوْمِهِ
وَبِلاَدِهِand his country فِيin الأَزْمَةِthe crisis النَّكرَاءِdreadful
وَبِلاَدِهِ فِي الأَزْمَةِ النَّكرَاءِ
How great is Shawqi, defending his people
Inform al-Shawqi, keeping ill-will from his people
And his country in the dreadful crisis!
And land in their painful situation,
لَتَكَادُyou almost surely تَسْمَعُhear مِنْfrom صَريرِthe scratching يَرَاعِهِof his reed pen
لَتَكَادُ تَسْمَعُ مِنْ صَريرِ يَرَاعِهِ
زأْراًa roar كَزَأْرِlike the roar الأُسْدِof lions فِيin الْهَيْجَاءِbattle
زأْراً كَزَأْرِ الأُسْدِ فِي الْهَيْجَاءِ
You can almost hear from the scratching of his reed pen
That you can almost hear in his growling
A roar like lions roaring in battle.
A lion’s roar in fury,
وَتَرَىand you see كَأّزْنِدَةٍlike fire-strikers يَطِيرُflies شَرَارُهَاtheir sparks
وَتَرَى كَأّزْنِدَةٍ يَطِيرُ شَرَارُهَا
مُتَدَارِكاًin quick succession فِيamong الأَحْرُفِletters السَّوْدَاءِblack
مُتَدَارِكاً فِي الأَحْرُفِ السَّوْدَاءِ
And you see sparks flying as from fire-strikers,
And see, like blazing embers spraying sparks,
In quick succession amid the black letters.
His invectives rushing to blackened letters.
وَتُحِسُّand you feel نَزْفَthe bleeding حُشَاشَةٍof a life-force مَكْلُومَةٍwounded
وَتُحِسُّ نَزْفَ حُشَاشَةٍ مَكْلُومَةٍ
بِمَقَاطِرِin droplets الْياقُوتَةِof ruby الحُمْرَاءِred
بِمَقَاطِرِ الْياقُوتَةِ الحُمْرَاءِ
And feel a wounded life-force bleeding
And you sense the oozing of stifled madness
In droplets of red ruby.
In showers of crimson ruby.
فِيin كُلِّevery فَنٍart مِنْof فُنُونِthe arts قَرِيضِهِof his poetry
فِي كُلِّ فَنٍ مِنْ فُنُونِ قَرِيضِهِ
مَاnot زَالَceased فَوْقَabove مَطَامِعِthe aspirations النُّظرَاءِof peers
مَا زَالَ فَوْقَ مَطَامِعِ النُّظرَاءِ
In every art among the arts of his poetry,
In every poetic genre he remains
He has remained beyond his peers' aspirations.
Above the aspirations of his peers.
أَمَّاas for جَزَالَتُهُhis forceful eloquence فَغَايَةُit is the utmost مَاthat انْتَهَتْreached
أَمَّا جَزَالَتُهُ فَغَايَةُ مَا انْتَهَتْ
شَرَفاًin excellence إِليْهِto it جَزَالَةُthe eloquence الفُصَحَاءِof the eloquent
شَرَفاً إِليْهِ جَزَالَةُ الفُصَحَاءِ
As for his forceful eloquence, it is the furthest height
As for his gravity, it has reached the utmost limits
The eloquence of the eloquent has nobly attained.
To which the gravity of the eloquent aspired.
وَتَكَادُand almost رِقَّتهُhis tenderness تَسِيلُflows بِلَفْظِهِthrough his words
وَتَكَادُ رِقَّتهُ تَسِيلُ بِلَفْظِهِ
فِيinto المُهْجَةِthe soul الظَّمأَىthirsty مَسِيلَthe flowing المَاءِof water
فِي المُهْجَةِ الظَّمأَى مَسِيلَ المَاءِ
And his tenderness almost flows through his words
And his gentleness almost flows in his words
Into the thirsty soul like flowing water.
Into the arid soul, like water.
لَوْلاَwere it not for الْجَديدُthe new مِنَamong الْحَلَىthe ornaments فِيin نَظْمِهِhis verse
لَوْلاَ الْجَديدُ مِنَ الْحَلَى فِي نَظْمِهِ
لَمْnot تَعْزُهُyou attribute it إِلاَّexcept إِلىto الْقُدَمَاءِthe ancients
لَمْ تَعْزُهُ إِلاَّ إِلى الْقُدَمَاءِ
Were it not for the new ornaments in his verse,
Were it not for the novel delicacies in his prosody,
You would attribute it only to the ancients.
Only the ancients would value him.
نَاهِيكَit is enough for you بِالْوَشْيِthe embroidery الأَنِيقِelegant وَقَدْand indeed زَهَاflourished
نَاهِيكَ بِالْوَشْيِ الأَنِيقِ وَقَدْ زَهَا
مَاas much as شَاءَit wished فِيin الدِّيبَاجَةِthe brocade الْحَسْنَاءِbeautiful
مَا شَاءَ فِي الدِّيبَاجَةِ الْحَسْنَاءِ
The elegant embroidery is wonder enough, flourishing
Not to mention the refined elegance which he has adorned
As it pleases upon the lovely brocade.
However he wished with the most beautiful fabrics.
يَسْرِيpasses نَسِمُa breeze اللُّطْفِof grace فِيthrough زِينَاتِهَاits adornments
يَسْرِي نَسِمُ اللُّطْفِ فِي زِينَاتِهَا
مَسْرَىthe passage الصِّباof the east wind فِيthrough الرَّوْضَةِthe garden الْغَنَّاءِluxuriant
مَسْرَى الصِّبا فِي الرَّوْضَةِ الْغَنَّاءِ
A breeze of grace passes through its adornments
The breeze of subtle kindness blows through its ornaments
As the east wind passes through a luxuriant garden.
Like the morning breeze in a singing garden.
هَتَكَتْtore aside قَريحَتُهُhis poetic gift السُّجوفَthe curtains وَأَقْبَلَتْand advanced
هَتَكَتْ قَريحَتُهُ السُّجوفَ وَأَقْبَلَتْ
تَسْبِيcaptivates خَبَايَاthe secrets النَّفسِof the soul كلَّutter سِبَاءِcaptivity
تَسْبِي خَبَايَا النَّفسِ كلَّ سِبَاءِ
His poetic gift tore the curtains aside and came forward,
His talent tore away gloom and turned
Utterly captivating the soul's hidden secrets.
To plunder the soul's secrets, sparing none.
فَإِذَاand behold النَّوَاظِرُthe eyes بَيْنَamong مُبْتَكرَاتِهِhis inventions
فَإِذَا النَّوَاظِرُ بَيْنَ مُبْتَكرَاتِهِ
تُغْزَىare assailed بِكُلِّby every حَيِيةbashful عَذْرَاءِvirgin
تُغْزَى بِكُلِّ حَيِية عَذْرَاءِ
And behold, amid his inventions, the eyes
So sights are overwhelmed among its innovations
Are conquered by every bashful virgin.
By every vitality of an unspoiled virgin.
فِيin شدْوِهِhis singing وَنُوَاحِهِand his lament رَجْعٌan echo لِمَاof what
فِي شدْوِهِ وَنُوَاحِهِ رَجْعٌ لِمَا
طَوِيَتْwere folded عَلَيْهِaround it سَرَائِرُthe hidden hearts الأَحْيَاءِof the living
طَوِيَتْ عَلَيْهِ سَرَائِرُ الأَحْيَاءِ
In his singing and lament is an echo of what
In his singing and weeping are echoes of
The hidden hearts of the living enfold.
What the lives of the living have obscured.
هَلْis there? فِيin السَّماعِwhat is heard لِبَثfor expressing آلامِthe pains الْجَوَىof burning passion
هَلْ فِي السَّماعِ لِبَث آلامِ الْجَوَى
كَنُوَاحِهِlike his lament وَكَشَدْوِهِand like his singing بِغِنَاءِin song
كَنُوَاحِهِ وَكَشَدْوِهِ بِغِنَاءِ
Is there anything heard, for voicing the pains of passion,
Is there any listening to the expression of the agony of passion
Like his lamenting and his melodious singing?
Like his elegies and songs?
يشْجِيmoves to sorrow قَدِيمُthe old كَلاَمِهِof his words كَجَدِيدهِlike his new
يشْجِي قَدِيمُ كَلاَمِهِ كَجَدِيدهِ
وَأَرَىand I find الْقَدِيمَthe old يَزِيدُincreases فِيin الإِشْجَاءِmoving to sorrow
وَأَرَى الْقَدِيمَ يَزِيدُ فِي الإِشْجَاءِ
His old words stir sorrow like his new,
His ancient words revive the new,
And I find the old more deeply moving.
And I see the old grow more moving.
فَمِنَfor among الْكَلاَمِwords مُعَتَّقaged ones إِنْif ذُقْتَهُyou taste it
فَمِنَ الْكَلاَمِ مُعَتَّق إِنْ ذُقْتَهُ
ألْفَيْتَهُyou find it كَمُعَتَّقlike aged الصَّهبَاءِtawny wine
ألْفَيْتَهُ كَمُعَتَّق الصَّهبَاءِ
For some words are aged; if you taste them,
Some speech, when you taste it, you find
You find them like well-aged tawny wine.
Aged like the vintages of arrow poison.
مَلأَتْfilled شَوَارِدُهُhis wandering verses الْحَوَاضِرَthe cities حِكْمَةًwith wisdom
مَلأَتْ شَوَارِدُهُ الْحَوَاضِرَ حِكْمَةً
وَغَزَتْand raided نُجُوعَthe hamlets الْجَهْلِof ignorance فِيin البَيْدَاءِthe desert
وَغَزَتْ نُجُوعَ الْجَهْلِ فِي البَيْدَاءِ
His wandering verses filled the cities with wisdom,
His passions have filled the cities with wisdom
And raided ignorance's hamlets in the desert.
And invaded the habitats of ignorance in the wilderness.
وَتُرَىand are seen الدَّرَارِيbrilliant stars فِيin بُحُورِthe seas عَرُوضَهِof his prosody
وَتُرَى الدَّرَارِي فِي بُحُورِ عَرُوضَهِ
وَكَأّنَّهنَّand as though they دَنَتْdrew near بِهِنَّthrough them مَرَائِيviewing glasses
وَكَأّنَّهنَّ دَنَتْ بِهِنَّ مَرَائِي
And brilliant stars appear in the seas of his meters,
You see the pearly lights in the seas of his prosody
As though viewing glasses had drawn them near.
As if they approached with their shimmering luster.
كَمْhow many فِيin مَوَاقِفِهِhis stances وَفِيand in نَزَعَاتِهِhis inclinations
كَمْ فِي مَوَاقِفِهِ وَفِي نَزَعَاتِهِ
مِنْof مُرْقِصَاتِdelights that make one dance الْفَنِّart وَالإِنْشَاءِand composition
مِنْ مُرْقِصَاتِ الْفَنِّ وَالإِنْشَاءِ
How many, in his stances and his inclinations,
How much in his positions and tendencies
Are delights of art and composition that set one dancing!
Of the dances of art and composition!
كَمْhow many فِيin سَوَانِحِهِhis inspirations وَفِيand in خَطَرَاتِهِhis passing thoughts
كَمْ فِي سَوَانِحِهِ وَفِي خَطَرَاتِهِ
مِنْof مُعْجِزَاتِmiracles الْخَلْقِof creation وَالإِبْدَاءِand expression
مِنْ مُعْجِزَاتِ الْخَلْقِ وَالإِبْدَاءِ
How many, in his inspirations and passing thoughts,
How much in his ideas and thoughts
Are miracles of creation and expression!
Of the miracles of creation and innovation!
رَسَمَdrew النُّبوغُgenius لَهُfor him بِمُخْتَلِفَاتِهَاthrough their diversity
رَسَمَ النُّبوغُ لَهُ بِمُخْتَلِفَاتِهَا
صُوَراًimages جَلاَئِلَmajestic فِيin عُيُونthe eyes الرَّائِيof the beholder
صُوَراً جَلاَئِلَ فِي عُيُون الرَّائِي
Genius drew for him, through their diversity,
Genius depicted for him in their diversities
Majestic images in the beholder's eyes.
Sublime images in the eyes of the beholder.
أَلمَمْتُI touched upon مِنْof شَوْقِيShawqi بِنَحُوٍan aspect وَاحِدٍone
أَلمَمْتُ مِنْ شَوْقِي بِنَحُوٍ وَاحِدٍ
وَجَلاَلُهُand his grandeur مُتَعَدِّدُmany-sided الأَنْحَاءِin aspects
وَجَلاَلُهُ مُتَعَدِّدُ الأَنْحَاءِ
I have touched on only one aspect of Shawqi,
I have united in my longing in one approach,
While his grandeur has many aspects.
While his grandeur has diverse aspects.
مَلأَتْfilled مَحَاسِنُهَاits beauties قُلُوبَthe hearts وَلاَتِهِof his supporters
مَلأَتْ مَحَاسِنُهَا قُلُوبَ وَلاَتِهِ
وَتَثَبَّتتْand took firm root فِيin أَنْفْسِthe souls الأَعْدَاءِof enemies
وَتَثَبَّتتْ فِي أَنْفْسِ الأَعْدَاءِ
Its beauties filled the hearts of his supporters,
Its beauties have filled the hearts of his nation,
And settled firmly in his enemies' souls.
And settled in the souls of his enemies.
لِلهِGod be praised for شَوْقِيShawqi سَاجِياًcalm أَوْor ثَائِراًraging
لِلهِ شَوْقِي سَاجِياً أَوْ ثَائِراً
كَاللَّيْثِlike the lion وَالْبُرْكَانِand the volcano وَالدَّأْمَاءِand the ocean
كَاللَّيْثِ وَالْبُرْكَانِ وَالدَّأْمَاءِ
God be praised for Shawqi, calm or raging,
For God, al-Shawqi raging or defiant
Like the lion, the volcano, and the ocean!
As a lion, volcano, and lightning!
لِلهِGod be praised for شَوْقِيShawqi فِيin طَرَائِقِthe ways أَخْذِهِof his grasping
لِلهِ شَوْقِي فِي طَرَائِقِ أَخْذِهِ
بِطَرَائِفِthe rarities الأَحْوَالِof circumstances وَالأَشْيَاءِand things
بِطَرَائِفِ الأَحْوَالِ وَالأَشْيَاءِ
God be praised for Shawqi and his ways of grasping
For God, al-Shawqi in the ways he seizes
The rarities of circumstances and things!
Marvels of circumstances and things!
فِيin لَهْوِهِhis amusement وَسُرُورِهِand his joy فِيin زُهْوِهِhis pride
فِي لَهْوِهِ وَسُرُورِهِ فِي زُهْوِهِ
وَغُرُورِهِand his conceit فِيin الْبَثِّoutpouring وَالإِشْكَاءِand complaint
وَغُرُورِهِ فِي الْبَثِّ وَالإِشْكَاءِ
In his amusement and his joy, in his pride
In his amusement, joy, pride and crying his sorrows
And his conceit, in outpouring and complaint;
In his love for the Nile, worship of the Bountiful.
فِيin حُبِّهhis love للِنِّيلِfor the Nile وَهْوَand it is عِبَادَةٌworship
فِي حُبِّه للِنِّيلِ وَهْوَ عِبَادَةٌ
للِرَازِقِof the provider الْعُوَّادِever-returning بِالآلاَءِwith blessings
للِرَازِقِ الْعُوَّادِ بِالآلاَءِ
In his love for the Nile, which is worship
In his devotion to his land and infatuation
Of the provider who returns again with blessings;
With the beauty of that luxuriant garden!
فِيin بِرِّهِhis devotion بِبِلاَدِهِto his country وَهِيَامِهِand his infatuation
فِي بِرِّهِ بِبِلاَدِهِ وَهِيَامِهِ
بِجَمَالِwith the beauty تَلْكَof that الْجَنَّةparadise الْفَيْحَاءِspacious
بِجَمَالِ تَلْكَ الْجَنَّة الْفَيْحَاءِ
In his devotion to his country and his infatuation
In his pride in its rebirth from decay
With the beauty of that spacious paradise;
Where the pillars of its brilliant youth collapse!
فِيin وَصْفَهِhis description النْعَمَthe blessings التِيthat خصتwas endowed بِهَاwith them
فِي وَصْفَهِ النْعَمَ التِي خصت بِهَا
مِنof حُسْنِthe beauty مُرْتَبُعٍof a spring dwelling وَطِيبِand wholesomeness هَوَاءِof air
مِن حُسْنِ مُرْتَبُعٍ وَطِيبِ هَوَاءِ
In his description of the blessings bestowed upon it,
In thanking those who protect its meadows
Its lovely springtime dwelling and its wholesome air;
And guardians of its seed from martyrs!
فِيin ذِكْرِهِhis mention مُتَبَاهِياًproudly آثَارَهَاof its monuments
فِي ذِكْرِهِ مُتَبَاهِياً آثَارَهَا
وَمَآثِرَand the glorious deeds الأَجْدَادِof grandfathers وَالآباءِand fathers
وَمَآثِرَ الأَجْدَادِ وَالآباءِ
In his proud mention of its monuments
In urging the supporters of its oneness to
And the glorious deeds of grandfathers and fathers;
Affection that gathers and unifies them as brothers!
فِيin فَخْرِهِhis pride بِنُهُوضِهَاin its rising حَيْثُwhere الرَّدَىdeath
فِي فَخْرِهِ بِنُهُوضِهَا حَيْثُ الرَّدَى
يَهْوِيstrikes down بِهَامِthe heads شَبَابِهَاof its youth النُّبهَاءِthe gifted
يَهْوِي بِهَامِ شَبَابِهَا النُّبهَاءِ
In his pride in its rising, where death
Firmly constructed in its pillar, for the cohesion
Strikes down the heads of its gifted youth;
Of its limbs and members!
فِيin شُكْرِهِhis gratitude لِلْمَانِعِينَto the defenders حِياَضَهَاof its watering places
فِي شُكْرِهِ لِلْمَانِعِينَ حِياَضَهَا
وَحُمَاةِand defenders بَيْضَتِهَاof its heartland مِنَamong الشُّهدَاءِmartyrs
وَحُمَاةِ بَيْضَتِهَا مِنَ الشُّهدَاءِ
In his gratitude to those who defend its watering places,
In advising knowledge, which protects its people
And the martyrs who guard its heartland;
From disbelief and confusion!
فِيin حَثَّهhis urging أَعْوَانَthe supporters وَحْدَتِهَاof its unity عَلَىtoward
فِي حَثَّه أَعْوَانَ وَحْدَتِهَا عَلَى
وُدٍّaffection يُؤَلِّفُunites شَمْلَهُمْtheir company وَإِخَاءِand brotherhood
وُدٍّ يُؤَلِّفُ شَمْلَهُمْ وَإِخَاءِ
In his urging the champions of its unity toward
In describing the wonders wrought
Affection that gathers them together, and brotherhood,
By nations who awoke while we slumber!
مَتَثَبِّتينَmaking secure مِنَof الْبِنَاءِthe building برُكْنِهِby its cornerstone
مَتَثَبِّتينَ مِنَ الْبِنَاءِ برُكْنِهِ
لِتَمَاسُكِfor the cohesion الأَعْضَادِof supports وَالأَجْزَاءِand parts
لِتَمَاسُكِ الأَعْضَادِ وَالأَجْزَاءِ
Steadying the building by its cornerstone,
A description he mastered, enticing his people
So that its supports and parts hold firm;
To learn the noblest things from them!
فِيin نُصْحِهِhis counsel بِالعِلْمِto pursue knowledge وَهْوَand it is لأَهْلِهِfor its possessors
فِي نُصْحِهِ بِالعِلْمِ وَهْوَ لأَهْلِهِ
حِرْزٌa safeguard مِنَagainst الإِيهَانِweakening وَالإِيهَاءِand collapse
حِرْزٌ مِنَ الإِيهَانِ وَالإِيهَاءِ
In his counsel to pursue knowledge, which for its possessors is
He left no strange marvel, whether in earth
A safeguard against weakening and collapse;
Or highest heaven, that remains concealed!
فِيin وَصْفِهِhis description الآيَاتِthe marvels مِمَّاof what أبْدَعَتْcreated
فِي وَصْفِهِ الآيَاتِ مِمَّا أبْدَعَتْ
أُممٌnations يَقِظْنَawoke وَنَحْنُwhile we فِيin إِغْفَاءِslumber
أُممٌ يَقِظْنَ وَنَحْنُ فِي إِغْفَاءِ
In his description of marvels created by
This, alongside what my mind cannot encompass
Nations that awoke while we slumbered;
Or describe, even briefly, in praise.
وَصْفٌa description تَفَنَّنhe showed artistry فِيهِin it يُغْرِيurges قَوْمَهُhis people
وَصْفٌ تَفَنَّن فِيهِ يُغْرِي قَوْمَهُ
بِالأَخْذِto learn عَنْهَاfrom them أشْرَفَthe noblest الإِغْراءِencouragement
بِالأَخْذِ عَنْهَا أشْرَفَ الإِغْراءِ
A description wrought with skill, urging his people
The wonders of genius in him have attained completion,
To learn from them with the noblest encouragement.
Surpassing all eulogies in every way.
لَمْnot يُبْقِleft مِنْany عَجَبٍwonder عُجَابٍastonishing خَافِياًhidden
لَمْ يُبْقِ مِنْ عَجَبٍ عُجَابٍ خَافِياً
فِيin بَطْنِthe belly أَرْضٍof earth أَوْor بِظَهْرِon the back سَمَاءِof heaven
فِي بَطْنِ أَرْضٍ أَوْ بِظَهْرِ سَمَاءِ
He left no astonishing wonder hidden,
So if I falter and do not fulfill its rights,
In the earth's belly or on heaven's back.
Then forgiveness remains a sufficient excuse.
هَذَاthis إِلىin addition to مَاwhat لاَnot يُحِيطُencompasses بِوَصْفِهِits description
هَذَا إِلى مَا لاَ يُحِيطُ بِوَصْفِهِ
فِكْرِيmy thought وَدُونَand falls short of أَقَلَّهِits least part إِطْرَائِيmy praise
فِكْرِي وَدُونَ أَقَلَّهِ إِطْرَائِي
This, besides what cannot be encompassed in description
What blame to one turning from a summit,
By my thought; my praise falls short of its smallest part.
While the distance is for equals and peers?
بَلَغتْreached خِلاَلُthe qualities الْعَبْقَرِيَّةof genius تِمَّهاtheir fullness
بَلَغتْ خِلاَلُ الْعَبْقَرِيَّة تِمَّها
فِيهِin him وَجَازَتْand surpassed شَأْوَthe reach كُلِّof every ثَنَاءِpraise
فِيهِ وَجَازَتْ شَأْوَ كُلِّ ثَنَاءِ
The qualities of genius reached their fullness
You know what I desire for him, woven
In him, and passed beyond the reach of every praise.
From a lifetime of friendship and sacrifice.
فَإذَاso if عَيِيتُI falter وَلَمْand not أَقُمْI fulfill بِحُقُوقِهَاtheir due
فَإذَا عَيِيتُ وَلَمْ أَقُمْ بِحُقُوقِهَا
فَلَقَدْthen indeed يَقُومُmay stand الْعُذْرُthe excuse بالإِبْلاءِthrough earnest effort
فَلَقَدْ يَقُومُ الْعُذْرُ بالإِبْلاءِ
So if I falter and fail to give them their due,
O keeper of the covenant to whom I pray, without fear
My earnest effort may serve as my excuse.
My call will fail before him!
مَاذَاwhat blame عَلَىupon مُتَنَكِّبone turning aside عَنْfrom غَايَةٍa goal
مَاذَا عَلَى مُتَنَكِّب عَنْ غَايَةٍ
وَالشَّوْطُand the race لِلأَنْدادِis for equals والأَكْفَاءِand peers
وَالشَّوْطُ لِلأَنْدادِ والأَكْفَاءِ
What blame is there on one who turns aside from a goal,
Help your brother, and make him victorious
When the race is for equals and peers?
In a way none equals among the eloquent!
أًعَلِمْتَdo you know? مَاwhat مِنّيfrom me هَوَاهُhis love وَإِنَّهُand indeed it
أًعَلِمْتَ مَا مِنّي هَوَاهُ وَإِنَّهُ
لَنَسِيجُis surely a fabric عُمْرٍof a lifetime صَدَاقَةٍof friendship وَفِدَاءِand sacrifice
لَنَسِيجُ عُمْرٍ صَدَاقَةٍ وَفِدَاءِ
Do you know how great my love for him is? It is
The occasion is momentous, and my spirit
Indeed the fabric of a lifetime of friendship and sacrifice.
Restrains me, so minimize, God reward you, his due!
أَيْO حَافِظَkeeper الْعَهْدِof the pledge الَّذِيwhom أَدْعُوI call وَمَاand not
أَيْ حَافِظَ الْعَهْدِ الَّذِي أَدْعُو وَمَا
أَخْشَىI fear لَدَيْهِwith him أَنْthat يَخِيبَmay fail دُعَائِيmy call
أَخْشَى لَدَيْهِ أَنْ يَخِيبَ دُعَائِي
O keeper of the pledge, whom I call, without
Nobility refuses you be seen
Fearing that my call will fail with him,
As other than first among the loyal.
أَدْرِكْcome to the aid of أَخاكَyour brother وَأَوْلِهِand grant him نَصْراًhelp بِمَاin what
أَدْرِكْ أَخاكَ وَأَوْلِهِ نَصْراً بِمَا
يَنْبُوproves too hard بِهِfor him إِلاَّكَexcept you فِيamong الْبُلَغَاءِthe eloquent
يَنْبُو بِهِ إِلاَّكَ فِي الْبُلَغَاءِ
Come to your brother's aid, and grant him help in what
The lofty East, delighted,
Defeats all eloquent men except you.
Cherishing the brilliant for the brilliant!
جلis great المَقَامُthe occasion وقَدْand indeed كَبَتْstumbled بِيwith me هِمَّتيmy aspiration
جل المَقَامُ وقَدْ كَبَتْ بِي هِمَّتي
فَأَقِلْso lift me up جَزَاكَmay reward you اللهُGod خَيْرَthe best جَزَاءِreward
فَأَقِلْ جَزَاكَ اللهُ خَيْرَ جَزَاءِ
The occasion is great, and my aspiration has stumbled with me,
O you whose friendship proved pure, and whose
So lift me up—may God reward you with the best reward.
Was proven to me in fortune and trial!
يَأْبَىrefuses عَلَيْكَfor you النُّبلُnobility إِلاَّexcept أَنْthat تُرَىyou be seen
يَأْبَى عَلَيْكَ النُّبلُ إِلاَّ أَنْ تُرَى
فِيamong أَوَّلِthe first الْوَافِينَof the faithful لِلزُّمَلاَءِto colleagues
فِي أَوَّلِ الْوَافِينَ لِلزُّمَلاَءِ
Your nobility allows nothing but that you be seen
Honor me the day of obligation with his patronage,
Among the first to remain faithful to colleagues.
And honor him the day of obligation with my loyalty!
وَالشَّرْقُand the East عَالِيraised الرَّأْسِin head مَوْفُوُرُabundant الرِّضَىin contentment
وَالشَّرْقُ عَالِي الرَّأْسِ مَوْفُوُرُ الرِّضَى
بِرِعَايَةِthrough the care النُّبغَاءِof the gifted لِلنُّبغَاءِfor the gifted
بِرِعَايَةِ النُّبغَاءِ لِلنُّبغَاءِ
And the East holds its head high, full of contentment,
In the literary club I knew his station,
At the gifted caring for the gifted.
And his finest station was beyond doubt!
يَاO مَنْyou whose صَفَاwas pure لِيfor me وُدُّهُhis affection وَصَفَاand was pure لَهُfor him
يَا مَنْ صَفَا لِي وُدُّهُ وَصَفَا لَهُ
وُدِّيmy affection عَلَىthrough السَّرَّاءِprosperity والضَّرَّاءِand adversity
وُدِّي عَلَى السَّرَّاءِ والضَّرَّاءِ
O you whose affection for me is pure, and for whom is pure
May this feast day bring you, in future years,
My affection, in prosperity and adversity,
The like of it in health and clarity!
فَأَعَزَّنِيso strengthened me يَوْمَon the day الْحِفَاظِof defending honor وَلاَؤُهhis loyalty
فَأَعَزَّنِي يَوْمَ الْحِفَاظِ وَلاَؤُه
وَأَعَزَّهُand strengthened him يَوْمَon the day الْحِفَاظِof defending honor وَلاَئِيmy loyalty
وَأَعَزَّهُ يَوْمَ الْحِفَاظِ وَلاَئِي
His loyalty strengthened me on the day of defending honor,
And my loyalty strengthened him on the day of defending honor.
وَعَرَفْتُand I recognized فِيin نَادِيthe assembly الْبَيَانِof eloquence مَكَانَهُhis place
وَعَرَفْتُ فِي نَادِي الْبَيَانِ مَكَانَهُ
وَمَكَانُهُand his place الأَسْنَىthe most exalted بِغَيْرِwithout مِرَاءِdispute
وَمَكَانُهُ الأَسْنَى بِغَيْرِ مِرَاءِ
And I recognized his place in the assembly of eloquence;
His place, without dispute, is the most exalted.
يَهْنِيكَmay gladden you هَذَاthis الْعِيدُfestival دُمْremain مُسْتَقْبِلاًwelcoming
يَهْنِيكَ هَذَا الْعِيدُ دُمْ مُسْتَقْبِلاً
أَمْثَالَهُits like فِيin صِحَّةhealth وَصَفَاءِand serenity
أَمْثَالَهُ فِي صِحَّة وَصَفَاءِ
May this festival bring you joy; keep welcoming
Its like in health and serenity.
Partial English translation: 232 of 238 Arabic lines translated.