أَلْجَدِيدَانِday and night حَرْبُwar against كُلِّevery جَدِيدِnew thing
أَلْجَدِيدَانِ حَرْبُ كُلِّ جَدِيدِ
هَذِهِthis صَرْعَةُdownfall الْعَتِيِّthe proud one المَرِيدِthe defiant one
هَذِهِ صَرْعَةُ الْعَتِيِّ المَرِيدِ
Day and night wage war on all that is new.
The war against every novelty is the downfall of the obstinate traditionalist.
This is the downfall of the proud, defiant one.
It is no easy task to reform the morals of one accustomed to conformity.
غَيْرُnot سَهْلٍeasy إِصْلاَحُreforming مَفْسَدَةِcorruption الأَخْـmorals (beginning)
غَيْرُ سَهْلٍ إِصْلاَحُ مَفْسَدَةِ الأَخْـ
ـلاَقِmorals (ending) فِيمَاin what دَعَوْهُthey called it بِالتَّقْلِيدِas tradition
ـلاَقِ فِيمَا دَعَوْهُ بِالتَّقْلِيدِ
It is no easy task to mend the corruption of morals
The discernment of men has stagnated in its stillness, and decay was good for it in its stagnation.
in what they have called tradition.
O enemy of ignorance posing as knowledge, in its dubious, accustomed guise!
رَكَدَتْstagnated فِيin قرَارِهِits depths فِطَنُwits النَّاthe people (beginning)
رَكَدَتْ فِي قرَارِهِ فِطَنُ النَّا
سِpeople (ending) وَطَابَand became pleasing الْقَذَىthe scum لَهَاto them فِيin الرُّكُودstagnation
سِ وَطَابَ الْقَذَى لَهَا فِي الرُّكُود
People's wits stagnated in its depths,
Glory to what you sought; take the cup of misfortune from that inveterate foe.
and the scum became pleasing to them in their stagnation.
You have persistently faced the bull-headed enemy, meeting disaster upon disaster.
يَاO عَدُوَّenemy الجَهْلِignorance المُمَوَّهِdisguised بِالعِلْـas knowledge (beginning)
يَا عَدُوَّ الجَهْلِ المُمَوَّهِ بِالعِلْـ
ـمِknowledge (ending) عَلَىin شَكْلِهِits guise المُرِيبِdubious الْعَتِيدever-present
ـمِ عَلَى شَكْلِهِ المُرِيبِ الْعَتِيد
O enemy of ignorance disguised as knowledge,
Fallacies have long been weapons and armor for your opponent, sinister and unbending.
in its dubious, ever-present guise!
So you have exchanged blows until you pierced him with a decisive arrow in the jugular vein.
جَلَلٌmomentous مَاwhat ابْتَغَيْتَهُyou sought it فَخَذِso take الطَّعْـthe stab (beginning)
جَلَلٌ مَا ابْتَغَيْتَهُ فَخَذِ الطَّعْـ
ـنَةَstab (ending) مِنْfrom ذلِكَthat الْعَدُوِّthe enemy اللَّدُودِimplacable
ـنَةَ مِنْ ذلِكَ الْعَدُوِّ اللَّدُودِ
Momentous is what you sought; take, then, the stab
Yes! And let him not gloat that you died a martyr in the wake of a thousand martyrs.
from that implacable enemy.
For you have gained spoils from his warriors more precious than any he can barter.
ظِلْتَyou remained جِدَّutterly الْعَنِيدِunyielding تَلْقَىyou confront كَمِيّاًa mailed warrior
ظِلْتَ جِدَّ الْعَنِيدِ تَلْقَى كَمِيّاً
فِيin مِرَاسِpracticing الآفَاتِevils جِدًّextremely عَنِيدِobstinate
فِي مِرَاسِ الآفَاتِ جِدًّ عَنِيدِ
You remained utterly steadfast, confronting a mailed warrior
May the citadel of stagnation in the garrison of zeal collapse over it, and may the army of stagnation retreat!
most obstinate in his practice of evil.
And may the forces of hard work weaken in their entrenchment, remnants of bygone eras,
وَالأَبَاطِيلُand falsehoods مِنْsince قَدِيمٍancient times نِصَالٌblades
وَالأَبَاطِيلُ مِنْ قَدِيمٍ نِصَالٌ
وَدُرُوعٌand shields لِخَصْمِكَfor your adversary الصِّنْدِيدِthe mighty warrior
وَدُرُوعٌ لِخَصْمِكَ الصِّنْدِيدِ
Falsehoods have long been blades
Having wavered, before you, in their conviction that life lies in renewal.
and shields for your mighty adversary.
Yes! And for generations after you, what fires you have ignited - they will not be extinguished!
فَتَصَاوَلْتُمَاso you two fought إِلَىuntil أَنْthat تَرَدَّيْـyou fell (beginning)
فَتَصَاوَلْتُمَا إِلَى أَنْ تَرَدَّيْـ
ـتَyou fell (ending) بِسَهْمٍby an arrow مُصَمِّمٍunerring فِيin الْوَرِيدِthe jugular
ـتَ بِسَهْمٍ مُصَمِّمٍ فِي الْوَرِيدِ
So you two fought until you fell,
Torches burn out, but the blazing sparks from them will remain, filling the universe.
an unerring arrow piercing your jugular.
Yes! And for generations, your melodious voice will echo back, repeated endlessly.
نَمْsleep وَلاَand let not يُشْمِتَنَّهُmake him gloat أنْthat رُyou departed (beginning)
نَمْ وَلاَ يُشْمِتَنَّهُ أنْ رُ
حْتَyou departed (ending) شَهِيداًa martyr فِيin إِثْرِthe wake of أَلْفِa thousand شَهِيدِmartyrs
حْتَ شَهِيداً فِي إِثْرِ أَلْفِ شَهِيدِ
Sleep; let him not gloat that you departed
The groves will fall silent, and ears will fill with the sound of your elegy and song.
a martyr, following a thousand martyrs.
Woe to Lebanon! How vilely it has cast down its lofty glory, made desolate in its corner!
فَلَقَدْfor indeed نِلْتَyou struck مِنْamong مَفَاتِلِهِhis sinews أَمْـmost impregnable (beginning)
فَلَقَدْ نِلْتَ مِنْ مَفَاتِلِهِ أَمْـ
ـنَعَهَاtheir most impregnable (ending) جَانباًin flank بِسَهْمٍwith an arrow سَدِيدwell-aimed
ـنَعَهَا جَانباً بِسَهْمٍ سَدِيد
For you struck his sinews at their most
What misery has rent its children asunder and bloodied the heart of each admirer and follower!
impregnable point with a well-aimed arrow.
It has afflicted me, leaving me distraught, weeping and scattered.
ثُلَّwas toppled عَرْشُthe throne الْجُمُودِstagnation فِيin مَعْقِلِthe stronghold الحرْzeal (beginning)
ثُلَّ عَرْشُ الْجُمُودِ فِي مَعْقِلِ الحرْ
صِzeal (ending) عَلَيْهِfor it وَفُلَّand was routed جَيْشُthe army الْجُمُودِstagnation
صِ عَلَيْهِ وَفُلَّ جَيْشُ الْجُمُودِ
Stagnation's throne was toppled in the stronghold of zeal
I fled northward, so the living temple, planted in days gone by, might revive me.
for its defense, and stagnation's army was routed.
I asked the cedars, the most ancient ancestry rooted in the world’s bosom, ever alert and martyred:
وَتَرَاختْand slackened قُوَىthe strength الدَّوَائِبِthe tireless workers فِيin تَمْentrenchment (beginning)
وَتَرَاختْ قُوَى الدَّوَائِبِ فِي تَمْ
كِينِهِits entrenchment (ending) مِنْfrom مُخَلَّفَاتِremnants عُهوُدِeras
كِينِهِ مِنْ مُخَلَّفَاتِ عُهوُدِ
The strength of those tirelessly entrenching it slackened,
How did you shoulder the immense burden, though but a sapling, that weighed upon that tender youth?
those remnants of bygone eras,
The least we carry is enough to cow the strong, unless supported by resilience and aid.
عَنْthrough يَقِينٍcertainty مِنَamong الأُولَىthose who رَابَهُمْtroubled them قَبْbefore (beginning)
عَنْ يَقِينٍ مِنَ الأُولَى رَابَهُمْ قَبْ
لَكَbefore you (ending) أَنَّthat الحَيَاةَlife فِيin التَّجْدِيدِrenewal
لَكَ أَنَّ الحَيَاةَ فِي التَّجْدِيدِ
through certainty among those whom it troubled before you
The least we carry is enough to cow the strong, unless supported by resilience and aid.
that life lies in renewal.
But the cedars do not hesitate with an answer, for the secret lies in the heart of the grandson.
نَمْsleep وَحَسْبُand enough for الأَجْيَالِthe generations بَعْدَكَafter you مَاwhat أَذْyou kindled (beginning)
نَمْ وَحَسْبُ الأَجْيَالِ بَعْدَكَ مَا أَذْ
كَيْتَyou kindled (ending) مِنْof شُعْلَةٍa flame لِغَيْرِnot destined for خُمُودextinction
كَيْتَ مِنْ شُعْلَةٍ لِغَيْرِ خُمُود
Sleep; enough for the generations after you is what you kindled—
That splendid youth went about his duty, as every splendid suitor is wont to do,
a flame never to be extinguished.
With inflamed, passionate heart. Between his ribs the illness of the desperate took root.
تَطْفَأُgo out النَّيِّرَاتُthe luminaries وَالقَبْسُand the flame السَّاthe shining (beginning)
تَطْفَأُ النَّيِّرَاتُ وَالقَبْسُ السَّا
طِعُshining (ending) مِنْهَاfrom them يَظَلُّremains مِلْءَfilling الْوُجُودexistence
طِعُ مِنْهَا يَظَلُّ مِلْءَ الْوُجُود
The luminaries go out, yet the shining flame
He transcended life and mankind within it, lonely since time immemorial,
drawn from them remains, filling existence.
Seeking something other than what people seek from it, arriving at a spring not commonly accessed,
نَمْsleep وَحَسْبُand enough for الأجْياَلِthe generations مِنْfrom صَوْتِكَyour voice الرَّthe resonant (beginning)
نَمْ وَحَسْبُ الأجْياَلِ مِنْ صَوْتِكَ الرَّ
نَّانِresonant (ending) رَجْعٌan echo مُؤَبَّدُperpetuated التَّرْدِيدِrepetition
نَّانِ رَجْعٌ مُؤَبَّدُ التَّرْدِيدِ
Sleep; enough for the generations, from your resonant voice,
Satisfying his eyes with light - nothing contents them but distant flashes.
is an echo whose repetition is eternal.
Thrilled to hear, in the unseen world, the beautiful rhythmic chanting of that melodious ode.
يَسْكُتُfalls silent الأيْكُthe grove وَالمَسَامِعُand the ears مَلأىfull
يَسْكُتُ الأيْكُ وَالمَسَامِعُ مَلأى
بِصَدَىwith the echo النوْحِlament مِنكfrom you والتغرِيدِand birdsong
بِصَدَى النوْحِ مِنك والتغرِيدِ
The grove falls silent, while ears remain full
Pursuing his course, unwavering and bold, content with torment and martyrdom.
of the echo of your lament and birdsong.
His breaths fade in the path of goodness, poised between firing arrows and climbing high.
وَيْحَalas for لُبْنَانَLebanon مَاwhat دَهَىbefell العِزَّةَpride الْقَعْـthe unbending (beginning)
وَيْحَ لُبْنَانَ مَا دَهَى العِزَّةَ الْقَعْـ
ـسَاءَunbending (ending) مِنْهُof it فِيin رُكنِهَاits pillar المَهْدُودِshattered
ـسَاءَ مِنْهُ فِي رُكنِهَا المَهْدُودِ
Alas for Lebanon! What has struck its unbending pride
He guides the people through eloquence and personal example, not by promises or threats.
in its shattered pillar?
If he contested with deceivers, he would relinquish the burden and live blissfully untroubled.
أَيُّwhat رُزْءٍcalamity شَجَاgrieved بَنِيهِits sons وَأَدْمَىand wounded
أَيُّ رُزْءٍ شَجَا بَنِيهِ وَأَدْمَى
فِيin الحَشَىthe innermost heart كُلَّevery مُعْجَبٍadmirer وَمُرِيدِand follower
فِي الحَشَى كُلَّ مُعْجَبٍ وَمُرِيدِ
What calamity has grieved its sons and wounded
But the honest reformer is one who is steadfast, not given to empty pledges or intimidation.
every admirer and follower in the depths of the heart!
God-fearing, he takes no pleasure in life unless he draws near to his desired goal.
نَالَنِيbefell me مِنْهُof it طَائِلٌa great share فَتَلَفَّـso I turned (beginning)
نَالَنِي مِنْهُ طَائِلٌ فَتَلَفَّـ
ـتُّI turned (ending) بِطَرْفٍwith an eye بَاكٍweeping وَفِكْرٍand a mind شَرِيدِwandering
ـتُّ بِطَرْفٍ بَاكٍ وَفِكْرٍ شَرِيدِ
A great share of it befell me, and I turned
Where is Jesus, and the crown of thorns from the excess of Rome? Where is his crown of roses?
with weeping eyes and a wandering mind.
Which of their crowns is the emblem through time of guidance, redemption, and freeing slaves?
وَانْتَحَيْتُand I headed toward الشَّمَالَthe north فَالْهَيْكَلَthen the sanctuary الْـthe (prefix)
وَانْتَحَيْتُ الشَّمَالَ فَالْهَيْكَلَ الْـ
ـحَيَّliving بِهِin it مِنْfrom غِرَاسِplantings عَهْدٍan age عَهِيدancient
ـحَيَّ بِهِ مِنْ غِرَاسِ عَهْدٍ عَهِيد
I headed north, toward the living sanctuary
Which of their crowns is the hallmark of justice and mercy for the oppressed and aggrieved?
there, planted in an age long past.
O youth of the cedars! Did you wish anything of this world besides what ennobles each follower?
اَسْأَلُI ask الأَرْزَthe cedar وَهْوَand it is أَقْدَمُthe oldest جَدٍforefather
اَسْأَلُ الأَرْزَ وَهْوَ أَقْدَمُ جَدٍ
مِنْamong لِدَاتِcontemporaries الدُّنْيَاthe world سَمِيعٍhearing شَهِيدِwitnessing
مِنْ لِدَاتِ الدُّنْيَا سَمِيعٍ شَهِيدِ
I ask the cedar, the oldest forefather,
Can unalloyed virtue exist, and virtue thereby negate all abstraction?
a contemporary of the world, hearing and witnessing:
Can guidance spread, and the prayers of worshippers be safe from corruption by the Worshipped?
كَيْفَhow حَمَّلْتَyou burdened وَالأَمَانَةُand the trust وِقْرٌa heavy load
كَيْفَ حَمَّلْتَ وَالأَمَانَةُ وِقْرٌ
هَمَّكَyour care الضَّخمَimmense قَلْبَthe heart ذَاكَthat الْوَلِيدِnewborn
هَمَّكَ الضَّخمَ قَلْبَ ذَاكَ الْوَلِيدِ
How did you lay—when a trust is a heavy burden—
Can all-encompassing love be rid of hatred, and forbearance rid of smoldering grudges?
your immense care upon that newborn's heart?
Will each rising nation pay required alms, pardoned for its uprising and each exile for his banishment?
وَأَقَلُّand the least الذِيwhat نُحَمَّلُwe are made to bear مُوهٍweakening
وَأَقَلُّ الذِي نُحَمَّلُ مُوهٍ
لِصِلابِto the stoutest الْقُوَىstrengths وَبِالصَّبْرِand to patience مُودِdestructive
لِصِلابِ الْقُوَى وَبِالصَّبْرِ مُودِ
Even the least of what we are made to bear weakens
Will the nations be made equal, so no overlord or underling is heard among them?
the stoutest strength and destroys patience.
Will bonds be loosed in consciousness and meaning, for those absurd bonds are the worst?
وَأَقَلُّand the least الذِيwhat نُحَمَّلُwe are made to bear مُوهٍweakening
وَأَقَلُّ الذِي نُحَمَّلُ مُوهٍ
لِصِلابِto the stoutest الْقُوَىstrengths وَبِالصَّبْرِand to patience مُودِdestructive
لِصِلابِ الْقُوَى وَبِالصَّبْرِ مُودِ
Even the least of what we are made to bear weakens
Will frontiers be protected from one who covets them, his heeding of limits being necessary?
the stoutest strength and destroys patience.
Can souls be cured of the malady of ignorance and the plague of lethal discord?
فَإِذَاand behold الأَرْزُthe cedar لاَnot يُحِيرُreturns جَوَاباًan answer
فَإِذَا الأَرْزُ لاَ يُحِيرُ جَوَاباً
وَإِذَاand behold السِّرُّthe secret فِيin ضَمِيرِthe innermost soul الْحَفِيدthe grandson
وَإِذَا السِّرُّ فِي ضَمِيرِ الْحَفِيد
And behold, the cedar returned no answer;
They are wracking ordeals, tasting the direst forms of misery.
and behold, the secret lay in the grandson's innermost soul.
He ceaselessly dispensed them, not hoarding his supremely lucid expression, his great exertion -
رَاحَwent forth ذَاكَthat الفَتَىyouth المجِيدُillustrious يُؤَدِّيperforms
رَاحَ ذَاكَ الفَتَى المجِيدُ يُؤَدِّي
مَاwhat يُؤَدِّيهِhe performs كُلُّevery دَاعٍherald مَجِيدِillustrious
مَا يُؤَدِّيهِ كُلُّ دَاعٍ مَجِيدِ
That illustrious youth went forth to perform
In odes that fascinated with each subtle charm and useful phrase.
what every illustrious herald performs.
What mystery in that wand, freely flowing as wine from the grape cluster?
نَازِحاًfar from home مُلْهَبَaflame الْفُؤَادِthe heart اسْتَكَنَّتْlodged
نَازِحاً مُلْهَبَ الْفُؤَادِ اسْتَكَنَّتْ
بَيْنَbetween جَنْبَيْهِhis two sides عِلَّةُthe ailment المَفؤُودِthe heart-stricken
بَيْنَ جَنْبَيْهِ عِلَّةُ المَفؤُودِ
Far from home, his heart aflame, there had lodged
What abundance cascades like blood from his wounds in his sprinkling and verse?
between his ribs the ailment of a stricken heart.
What inspiration casts a mold that he brings to life with such mastery and excellence?
يَتَخَطَّىtraverses الْحَيَاةَlife وَالإِنْسَand humankind فِيهَاwithin it
يَتَخَطَّى الْحَيَاةَ وَالإِنْسَ فِيهَا
مُوحَشاًlonely مُنْذُsince كَانَhe was لَدْنَsupple الْعُودِthe stem
مُوحَشاً مُنْذُ كَانَ لَدْنَ الْعُودِ
He traversed life and the people within it,
He let flow, from an impassioned heart guided by sound reason, a stream of glory.
lonely ever since his stem was supple.
Whoever examines his signs sees the white meteors against the dark night,
رَاجِياًhoping غَيْرَother than مَاwhat رَجَاhoped النَّاسُpeople مِنْهَاfrom it
رَاجِياً غَيْرَ مَا رَجَا النَّاسُ مِنْهَا
وَارِداًseeking water غَيْرَother than حَوْضِهَاits pool المَوْروُدِfrequented
وَارِداً غَيْرَ حَوْضِهَا المَوْروُدِ
Hoping for something other than what people hoped of it,
Or traces their extent, finds it unlimited.
seeking water at a pool other than its frequented one.
Among people of medicine, sixty or seventy fashion them from iron.
مُشْبِعاًfilling مُقْلَتَيْهِhis two eyes نُوراًwith light وَمَاand not يَقْhe draws light (beginning)
مُشْبِعاً مُقْلَتَيْهِ نُوراً وَمَا يَقْ
بِسُhe draws light (ending) إِلاَّexcept سَنَىradiance وَمِيضa flash بَعِيدِdistant
بِسُ إِلاَّ سَنَى وَمِيض بَعِيدِ
Filling his eyes with light, yet drawing
While the roofs of houses are woven from cane or timber in settlements and encampments -
only the radiance of a distant flash.
Is it odd that East and West meet in mourning for that peerless genius?
طَرِباًenraptured لاِسْتِماعِهِby his hearing هَزَجاًa chant فِيin الْـthe (prefix)
طَرِباً لاِسْتِماعِهِ هَزَجاً فِي الْـ
ـغَيْبِunseen جَزْلَrich الإِيقَاعِrhythm عَذْبَsweet النَّشِيدِsong
ـغَيْبِ جَزْلَ الإِيقَاعِ عَذْبَ النَّشِيدِ
Enraptured by a chant he heard
O kindred, converging in throngs of oncoming waves,
in the unseen, rich in rhythm, sweet in song.
If you walk in his funeral procession with unparalleled majesty,
نَاهِجاًtreading نَهْجَهُhis path أَبِياًproud and unyielding جَرِيئاًcourageous
نَاهِجاً نَهْجَهُ أَبِياً جَرِيئاً
رَاضِياًcontent بِالْعَذَابِwith torment وَالتَّسْهِيدِand sleeplessness
رَاضِياً بِالْعَذَابِ وَالتَّسْهِيدِ
Treading his own path with proud resolve and courage,
He merits such homage as no solemn rite can repay.
content with torment and sleeplessness.
Number him, though you number his traits of brilliance, you will not reckon them all.
تَتَلاَشَىfade away أَنْفَاسُهُhis breaths فِيin سَبِيلِthe path الْـthe (prefix)
تَتَلاَشَى أَنْفَاسُهُ فِي سَبِيلِ الْـ
ـخَيْرِgoodness بَيْنَbetween التَّصْوَيبِdescent وَالتَّصْعِيدِand ascent
ـخَيْرِ بَيْنَ التَّصْوَيبِ وَالتَّصْعِيدِ
His breaths faded along the path
God is pleased with you today; every bereaved requires consolation for the departed.
of goodness, between descent and ascent.
Alas, that a day of bereavement should be the return of that beloved, and not a day of celebration!
يُرْشِدُguides النَّاسَpeople بِالْبَيَانِthrough eloquence وَبِالْقُدْand by example (beginning)
يُرْشِدُ النَّاسَ بِالْبَيَانِ وَبِالْقُدْ
وَةِexample (ending) لاَnot بِالْوُعُودِthrough promises أَوْor بِالْوَعِيدِthrough threats
وَةِ لاَ بِالْوُعُودِ أَوْ بِالْوَعِيدِ
He guides people through eloquence and
He is returned from foreign parts to the cedar's land, cherished not to be sent away again.
example, not through promises or threats.
He did not relinquish its nobility for an instant, nor did they permit him to be generous.
لَوْif يُجَارِيgoes along with المُضَلِّليِنَthe misleaders لأَلْقَىhe would cast aside الْـthe (prefix)
لَوْ يُجَارِي المُضَلِّليِنَ لأَلْقَى الْـ
ـعِبْءَburden عَنْهُfrom himself وَعَاشَand would live جِدَّmost سَعِيدhappily
ـعِبْءَ عَنْهُ وَعَاشَ جِدَّ سَعِيد
Had he gone along with the misleaders, he would have laid
Lebanon's secret is it cannot be consoled like its loyal and affectionate son.
his burden aside and lived most happily.
So let that cedar grove receive him as solace and peace for the eminent departed!
إِنَّمَاonly المُصْلِحُthe reformer الأَمِينُfaithful هُوَhe الصَّاthe steadfast (beginning)
إِنَّمَا المُصْلِحُ الأَمِينُ هُوَ الصَّا
بِرُsteadfast (ending) غَيْرُnot الْوَاهِيthe feeble وَلاَand not الرِّعْدِيدthe coward
بِرُ غَيْرُ الْوَاهِي وَلاَ الرِّعْدِيد
The faithful reformer is none other than the steadfast,
And may his spirit, when it stirs to life from the sky of eternity, emblem of eternity, be comforted.
neither feeble nor cowardly.
قَانِتٌdevout لاَnot يَلَذَّهُdelights him الْعَيْشُlife مَاas long as لَمْnot
قَانِتٌ لاَ يَلَذَّهُ الْعَيْشُ مَا لَمْ
يُدْنِهِdraws him near مِنْto مَرَامِهِhis aim المَنْشُودِlonged-for
يُدْنِهِ مِنْ مَرَامِهِ المَنْشُودِ
Devout, he finds no pleasure in life unless it
brings him closer to his longed-for aim.
أَيْنَwhere عِيسَىJesus وَتَاجُهُand his crown الشَّوْكُthorns مِنْbeside مُتْthe pampered man (beginning)
أَيْنَ عِيسَى وَتَاجُهُ الشَّوْكُ مِنْ مُتْ
رَفِpampered man (ending) رُومَاRome وَتَاجُهُand his crown مِنْof وُرُودِroses
رَفِ رُومَا وَتَاجُهُ مِنْ وُرُودِ
How does Jesus, crowned with thorns, compare with the pampered man
of Rome, whose crown is made of roses?
أَيُّwhich تَاجَيْهِمَاof their two crowns هُوَis العَدْلُjustice وَالرَّحْـand mercy (beginning)
أَيُّ تَاجَيْهِمَا هُوَ العَدْلُ وَالرَّحْـ
ـمَةُmercy (ending) لِلْمُسْتَضَامِfor the oppressed وَالمَنْكُودِand the unfortunate
ـمَةُ لِلْمُسْتَضَامِ وَالمَنْكُودِ
Which of their two crowns is justice and mercy
for the oppressed and the unfortunate?
اَيُّwhich تَاجَيْهِمَاof their two crowns عَلَىthroughout الدَّهْرِtime عُنْemblem (beginning)
اَيُّ تَاجَيْهِمَا عَلَى الدَّهْرِ عُنْ
وَانُemblem (ending) الْهُدَىguidance وَالْفِدَىand redemption وَعَتْقُand freeing الْعَبِيدِslaves
وَانُ الْهُدَى وَالْفِدَى وَعَتْقُ الْعَبِيدِ
Which of their two crowns is, throughout time, the emblem
of guidance, redemption, and the freeing of slaves?
أَيْO فَتَىyouth الأَرْزِthe cedar هَلْdid أَرَدْتَyou desire مِنَof الدُّنْthe world (beginning)
أَيْ فَتَى الأَرْزِ هَلْ أَرَدْتَ مِنَ الدُّنْ
يَاworld (ending) سِوَىother than مَاwhat يَعُزُّeludes كُلَّevery مُرِيدِseeker
يَا سِوَى مَا يَعُزُّ كُلَّ مُرِيدِ
O youth of the cedar, did you desire of this world
anything but what eludes every seeker?
هَلْcan يَكُونُexist الخَيْرُgoodness المُجَرَّدُpure وَالخَـand goodness (beginning)
هَلْ يَكُونُ الخَيْرُ المُجَرَّدُ وَالخَـ
ـيْرُgoodness (ending) بِهَاin it يَنْتَفِيceases to exist عَلَىin التَّجْرِيدِpure abstraction
ـيْرُ بِهَا يَنْتَفِي عَلَى التَّجْرِيدِ
Can pure goodness exist, when goodness
in this world is impossible in a wholly pure form?
هَلْcan يَشِيعُspread الْهُدَىguidance وَتَسْلَمُand remain free مِنْfrom زَيْـdeviation (beginning)
هَلْ يَشِيعُ الْهُدَى وَتَسْلَمُ مِنْ زَيْـ
ـغٍdeviation (ending) صِلاَتُbonds الْعِبَادِworshippers بِالمَعْبُودِwith the Worshipped
ـغٍ صِلاَتُ الْعِبَادِ بِالمَعْبُودِ
Can guidance spread, and can the bonds of worshippers
with the Worshipped remain free from deviation?
هَلْcan يُدَالُbe granted victory الحُبُّlove الْعَمِيمُall-embracing مِنَover البَغْـhatred (beginning)
هَلْ يُدَالُ الحُبُّ الْعَمِيمُ مِنَ البَغْـ
ـضَاءِhatred (ending) وَالحِلْمِand forbearance مِنْover شِفَاءِgratification الْحُقُودِthe spiteful one
ـضَاءِ وَالحِلْمِ مِنْ شِفَاءِ الْحُقُودِ
Can all-embracing love prevail over hatred,
and forbearance over the spiteful one's gratification?
هَلْcan تُؤَدَّىbe paid زَكَاةُalms كُلِّevery حَرِيـdispossessed person (beginning)
هَلْ تُؤَدَّى زَكَاةُ كُلِّ حَرِيـ
ـبٍdispossessed person (ending) قَائِمٍestablished عُذْرُهُhis justification وَكُلِّand every طَرِيدِoutcast
ـبٍ قَائِمٍ عُذْرُهُ وَكُلِّ طَرِيدِ
Can alms be paid to every dispossessed person
whose claim is justified, and to every outcast?
هَلْcan يُسَاوَىequality be established بَيْنَamong الشُّعُوبِpeoples فَلاَso not يُسْbe heard (beginning)
هَلْ يُسَاوَى بَيْنَ الشُّعُوبِ فَلاَ يُسْ
مَعُbe heard (ending) فِيهِمْamong them بِسَائِدٍof a master وَمَسُودِand a subject
مَعُ فِيهِمْ بِسَائِدٍ وَمَسُودِ
Can equality be established among peoples, so no one hears
among them of a master and a subject?
هَلْcan تُفَكُّbe broken الْقُيُودُchains حِسّاًphysically وَمَعْنىًand figuratively
هَلْ تُفَكُّ الْقُيُودُ حِسّاً وَمَعْنىً
وَالسَّخَافَاتُand follies شَرُّthe worst تِلْكَthose الْقُيُودَchains
وَالسَّخَافَاتُ شَرُّ تِلْكَ الْقُيُودَ
Can chains be broken, literal and figurative—
follies being the worst of those chains?
هَلْcan يَصُونُprotect الْحُدُودَborders مِنْfrom طَامِعٍa covetous person يَطْـhe covets (beginning)
هَلْ يَصُونُ الْحُدُودَ مِنْ طَامِعٍ يَطْـ
ـمَعhe covets (ending) فِيهَاthem لُزُومُهُhis observance لِلْحُدُودِof the limits
ـمَع فِيهَا لُزُومُهُ لِلْحُدُودِ
Can the borders be guarded against a covetous man
who covets them, by his keeping within bounds?
هَلْcan تَصِحُّrecover النُّفُوسُsouls مِنْfrom عِلَّةِthe ailment الْجَignorance (beginning)
هَلْ تَصِحُّ النُّفُوسُ مِنْ عِلَّةِ الْجَ
هْلِignorance (ending) وَمِنْand from آفَةِthe scourge الشِّقَاقِdiscord المُبِيدِannihilating
هْلِ وَمِنْ آفَةِ الشِّقَاقِ المُبِيدِ
Can souls be cured of the sickness of ignorance
and the scourge of annihilating discord?
مرْهِقَاتٌexhausting مِنَof المُنَىhopes ذَاقَhe tasted فِيهَاin them
مرْهِقَاتٌ مِنَ المُنَى ذَاقَ فِيهَا
كُلَّevery لَوْنٍkind مِنَof الْعَنَاءِsuffering الشَّدِيدِsevere
كُلَّ لَوْنٍ مِنَ الْعَنَاءِ الشَّدِيدِ
Exhausting hopes, in whose pursuit he tasted
every kind of grievous suffering.
بَثَّهَاhe spread them دَائِباًtirelessly وَلَمْand did not يَدَّخِرْspare دُوtoward (beginning)
بَثَّهَا دَائِباً وَلَمْ يَدَّخِرْ دُو
نَtoward (ending) الْبَلاَغِproclamation المَبِينِclear مِنْany مَجْهُودeffort
نَ الْبَلاَغِ المَبِينِ مِنْ مَجْهُود
He spread them tirelessly, sparing
no effort toward clear proclamation,
فِيon طُرُوسٍpages رَاعَتْastonished بِكُلِّwith every طَرِيفٍnovelty
فِي طُرُوسٍ رَاعَتْ بِكُلِّ طَرِيفٍ
مِنْfrom أَفَانِينِهِhis varied arts وَكُلِّand every مُفِيدِuseful thing
مِنْ أَفَانِينِهِ وَكُلِّ مُفِيدِ
on pages that astonished with every novelty
from his varied arts, and every useful thing.
أَيwhat سِرٍّmystery فِيin ذَلِكَthat الْقَلَمِpen الْقَاthe dripping (beginning)
أَي سِرٍّ فِي ذَلِكَ الْقَلَمِ الْقَا
طِرِdripping (ending) مَاwhat تَقْطُرُdrips ابْنَةُthe daughter الْعُنْقُودِthe grape-cluster
طِرِ مَا تَقْطُرُ ابْنَةُ الْعُنْقُودِ
What mystery dwells in that pen, which drips
what the daughter of the grape-cluster drips?
أَيُّwhat فَيْضٍoutpouring يَصُبُّgushes صَبَّlike the gushing الْجِرَاحاwounds (beginning)
أَيُّ فَيْضٍ يَصُبُّ صَبَّ الْجِرَاحا
تِwounds (ending) دَماًblood فِيin نَثِيرِهِhis prose وَالْقَصِيدِand verse
تِ دَماً فِي نَثِيرِهِ وَالْقَصِيدِ
What outpouring gushes, as wounds gush
blood, through his prose and verse?
أَيُّwhat وَحْيٍinspiration يَصُوغُfashions رَسْماًa drawing فَيُحْييـthen brings to life
أَيُّ وَحْيٍ يَصُوغُ رَسْماً فَيُحْييـ
ـهِit بِذَاكَwith that التَّقْدِيرِproportion وَالتَّجْويدِand mastery
ـهِ بِذَاكَ التَّقْدِيرِ وَالتَّجْويدِ
What inspiration fashions a drawing, then brings it
to life with such proportion and mastery?
دَرَّmay flow فِيin المَجْدِglory دَرُّهُhis bounty مِنْfrom فُؤَادٍa heart
دَرَّ فِي المَجْدِ دَرُّهُ مِنْ فُؤَادٍ
ثَائِرٍrebellious يَهْتَدَيis guided بِعَقْلٍby a mind رَشِيدِjudicious
ثَائِرٍ يَهْتَدَي بِعَقْلٍ رَشِيدِ
May his bounty flow in glory from a heart
in revolt, guided by a judicious mind!
مَنْwhoever يُطَالِعْreads آيَاتِهِhis wondrous verses يَرَsees فِعْلَthe effect الشُّـmeteors (beginning)
مَنْ يُطَالِعْ آيَاتِهِ يَرَ فِعْلَ الشُّـ
ـهُبِmeteors (ending) الْبِيضِwhite فِيin الدَّيَاجِيthe depths of night السُّودblack
ـهُبِ الْبِيضِ فِي الدَّيَاجِي السُّود
Whoever reads his wondrous verses sees the effect
of white meteors in the black depths of night.
أَوْor يُتَابِعْfollows آثَارَهَاtheir traces يَتَبَيَّنْperceives
أَوْ يُتَابِعْ آثَارَهَا يَتَبَيَّنْ
مِنْfrom مَدَاهَاtheir reach مَاwhat لَيْسَis not بِالمَحدُودbounded
مِنْ مَدَاهَا مَا لَيْسَ بِالمَحدُود
Or whoever follows their traces perceives
in their reach what has no limit,
بَيْنَamong أَهْلِpeople of الطُّبِّstoreys (contextual reading) سِتِّينَsixty أَوْor سَبْseventy (beginning)
بَيْنَ أَهْلِ الطُّبِّ سِتِّينَ أَوْ سَبْ
عِينَseventy (ending) يَسْتَصْنِعُونَهَاthey have them made مِنْfrom حَدِيدِiron
عِينَ يَسْتَصْنِعُونَهَا مِنْ حَدِيدِ
among those whose buildings rise sixty or seventy storeys,
built to their order out of iron,
وَقَطِينِand dwellers in الْبُيُوتِhouses مِنْof وَبَرٍanimal hair أَوْor
وَقَطِينِ الْبُيُوتِ مِنْ وَبَرٍ أَوْ
مَدَرٍclay فِيin النُّجُوعِencampments أَوْor فِيin النُّجُودِuplands
مَدَرٍ فِي النُّجُوعِ أَوْ فِي النُّجُودِ
and dwellers in houses of animal hair
or clay, in encampments or on uplands.
هَلْis عَجِيبٌstrange أَنْthat يَجْمَعَunites الشَّرْقَthe East وَالغَرْand the West (beginning)
هَلْ عَجِيبٌ أَنْ يَجْمَعَ الشَّرْقَ وَالغَرْ
بَWest (ending) مُصَابٌa calamity فِيafflicting الْعَبْقَرِيِّthe genius الْفَرِيدِpeerless
بَ مُصَابٌ فِي الْعَبْقَرِيِّ الْفَرِيدِ
Is it strange that East and West should be united
by the loss of that peerless genius?
يَاO بَنِيsons أُمِّهِhis mother الَّذِينَwho تَلاَقَوْاgathered
يَا بَنِي أُمِّهِ الَّذِينَ تَلاَقَوْا
فِيin وُفُودٍdelegations تَمُوجُsurge تِلْوَafter وُفُودdelegations
فِي وُفُودٍ تَمُوجُ تِلْوَ وُفُود
O sons of his mother, who have gathered
in delegations surging, delegation after delegation,
إِنْif تَسِيرُواyou proceed بِنَعْشِهِwith his bier فِيin جَلاَلٍsolemn grandeur
إِنْ تَسِيرُوا بِنَعْشِهِ فِي جَلاَلٍ
لَمْnot يُشَاهَدْhas been witnessed فِيin مَوْكِبٍa procession مَشْهُودِpublicly witnessed
لَمْ يُشَاهَدْ فِي مَوْكِبٍ مَشْهُودِ
if you bear his bier with a solemn grandeur
never witnessed in any public procession,
فَلَهُfor he is owed الذِّمَّةُthe obligation الَّتِيwhich لَيْسَnot تُوفَىis repaid
فَلَهُ الذِّمَّةُ الَّتِي لَيْسَ تُوفَى
بِضُروبِby forms of التَّكْرِيمٍhonor وَالتَّمْجِيدِand glorification
بِضُروبِ التَّكْرِيمٍ وَالتَّمْجِيدِ
you owe him a debt that cannot be repaid
by any forms of honor or glorification.
عَدِّدُوهُrecount his qualities وَإِنْand if تَعُدُّواyou count فَلَنْthen never تُحْـyou enumerate (beginning)
عَدِّدُوهُ وَإِنْ تَعُدُّوا فَلَنْ تُحْـ
ـصُواyou enumerate (ending) مَزَايَاthe gifts النُّبُوغِgenius فِيin التَّعْدِيدenumeration
ـصُوا مَزَايَا النُّبُوغِ فِي التَّعْدِيد
Recount his qualities; even if you count, you will never
exhaust the gifts of genius in the counting.
رَضِيَis pleased الْحَقTruth عَنْكُمُwith you الْيَوْمَtoday مَاnot كُـevery (beginning)
رَضِيَ الْحَق عَنْكُمُ الْيَوْمَ مَا كُـ
ـلُّevery (ending) فَقِيدٍdeparted one مُؤَبَّنٍeulogized بِفَقِيدِa true loss
ـلُّ فَقِيدٍ مُؤَبَّنٍ بِفَقِيدِ
Truth is pleased with you today; not every
eulogized departed one is truly a loss.
أَسَفاًalas أَنْthat يَكُونَshould be يَوْمَa day عَزَاءٍmourning
أَسَفاً أَنْ يَكُونَ يَوْمَ عَزَاءٍ
عَوْدُthe return ذَاكَthat الْحَبِيبِbeloved لاَnot يَوْمَa day عِيدِcelebration
عَوْدُ ذَاكَ الْحَبِيبِ لاَ يَوْمَ عِيدِ
Alas that it should be a day of mourning
when that beloved returns, not a day of celebration!
رُدَّwas returned مِنْfrom غُرْبَةٍexile عَلَىto الأَرْزِthe cedar مَحْمُوborne (beginning)
رُدَّ مِنْ غُرْبَةٍ عَلَى الأَرْزِ مَحْمُو
لاًborne (ending) عَزِيزاًhonored وَلَيْسَand not بِالمَرْدُودِrejected
لاً عَزِيزاً وَلَيْسَ بِالمَرْدُودِ
Returned from exile to the cedar, borne
in honor, not cast away.
لَمْnot يُزَايِلْpart from كِرَامَهَاits noble people عَنْout of قِلىًhatred كَلاَّcertainly not
لَمْ يُزَايِلْ كِرَامَهَا عَنْ قِلىً كَلاَّ
وَلَمْand did not يَسْمَحُواpart بِهِwith him عَنْout of جُودِgenerosity
وَلَمْ يَسْمَحُوا بِهِ عَنْ جُودِ
He did not leave its noble people out of hatred—no!
Nor did they let him go out of generosity.
سِرُّthe secret لُبْنَانَLebanon أَنَّهُthat it لَيْسَnot يُسْلَىis forgotten
سِرُّ لُبْنَانَ أَنَّهُ لَيْسَ يُسْلَى
كَيْفَhow سَلْوَىforgetting ابْنِهِits son الْوَفِيِّfaithful الْوَدُودِloving
كَيْفَ سَلْوَى ابْنِهِ الْوَفِيِّ الْوَدُودِ
Lebanon's secret is that it can never be forgotten;
how could its faithful, loving son forget?
فَلْيَكُنْso may be فَيءٌthe shade ذلِكَthat الأَرْزِcedar بَرْداًcoolness
فَلْيَكُنْ فَيءٌ ذلِكَ الأَرْزِ بَرْداً
وَسَلاَماًand peace عَلَىupon المَشُوقِthe yearning one الْعَمِيدِthe love-stricken one
وَسَلاَماً عَلَى المَشُوقِ الْعَمِيدِ
May the shade of that cedar be coolness
and peace upon the yearning, love-stricken one.
وَلْتَطِبْand may be gladdened رُوحُهُhis soul إِذَاwhen هِيَit حَيَّتْgreets
وَلْتَطِبْ رُوحُهُ إِذَا هِيَ حَيَّتْ
مِنْfrom سَمَاءِthe heaven الْخُلُودِimmortality رَمْزُthe emblem الْخُلُودِimmortality
مِنْ سَمَاءِ الْخُلُودِ رَمْزُ الْخُلُودِ
And may his soul be gladdened as it greets,
from the heaven of immortality, the emblem of immortality.
Partial English translation: 73 of 146 Arabic lines translated.