سِوَىapart from الْحُبِّlove لاdoes not تَشْفِيheal الْفُؤَادَthe heart المُكَلَّمَاthe wounded
سِوَى الْحُبِّ لا تَشْفِي الْفُؤَادَ المُكَلَّمَا
وَلاnor يَهْنِيءُdoes it give joy وَإِنْeven if كَانَit is مُؤْلِمَاpainful
وَلا يَهْنِيءُ وَإِنْ كَانَ مُؤْلِمَا
Only love can heal the wounded heart.
And nothing else brings it joy, even when love is painful.
وَمَاand زَالَremains ذُوone possessing الْقَلْبِthe heart الخَلِّيِempty مِنَof الهَوَىpassion
وَمَا زَالَ ذُو الْقَلْبِ الخَلِّيِ مِنَ الهَوَى
كَظَمْآنَlike a thirsty one لاnot يُرْوِيquenches لَهُfor him مَوْرِدٌa spring ظَمَاthirst
كَظَمْآنَ لا يُرْوِي لَهُ مَوْرِدٌ ظَمَا
One whose heart remains empty of passion
Is like a thirsty person whom no spring can satisfy.
هُوَit is الْدَّهْرُtime كَالتَّيَّارِlike a torrent يَكْتَسِحُsweeps away الْوَرَىpeople
هُوَ الْدَّهْرُ كَالتَّيَّارِ يَكْتَسِحُ الْوَرَى
بِلَيْلٍwith a night مِنَof الأَحْدَاثِevents أَعْكَرَdarker أُهْيَمَاdeeply dark
بِلَيْلٍ مِنَ الأَحْدَاثِ أَعْكَرَ أُهْيَمَا
Time is a torrent sweeping humanity away
Through a night of events, darker and more turbid still.
فَمَاso how أَجْدَرَfitting الْقَلْبَيْنِthe two hearts فِيهِwithin it تَلاقَيَاmet
فَمَا أَجْدَرَ الْقَلْبَيْنِ فِيهِ تَلاقَيَا
عَلَىupon سِقْوَةٍmisery أَنْthat يَسْلُوهَاthey forget it وَيَنْعَمَاand find delight
عَلَى سِقْوَةٍ أَنْ يَسْلُوهَا وَيَنْعَمَا
How fitting that two hearts meeting amid it
Should forget their misery and find delight.
كَمَاjust as يَتَلاقَىmeet فِيon طَرِيقٍa road مَخُوفَةٍfrightening
كَمَا يَتَلاقَى فِي طَرِيقٍ مَخُوفَةٍ
غَرِيبَانِtwo strangers نَالَتْhas afflicted شُقَّةُthe distance السَّيْرِof travel مِنْهُمَاboth of them
غَرِيبَانِ نَالَتْ شُقَّةُ السَّيْرِ مِنْهُمَا
As two strangers meet on a fearful road,
Both worn down by the long journey.
وَكَمْand how many عَاشِقٍa lover يَسْلُوforgets رَزَايَاهُhis troubles بِالْهَوَىthrough passion
وَكَمْ عَاشِقٍ يَسْلُو رَزَايَاهُ بِالْهَوَى
وَقَدْand perhaps يَجْتَلِيhe beholds وَجْهَthe face النَّعِيمِof bliss تَوَهُّمَاin imagination
وَقَدْ يَجْتَلِي وَجْهَ النَّعِيمِ تَوَهُّمَا
How many lovers forget their troubles through love
And glimpse the face of bliss in imagination.
كَسَالِكِlike a traveler on وَعْزٍrough ground رَاقَهُdelighted him حُسْنُthe beauty كَوْكَبٍof a star
كَسَالِكِ وَعْزٍ رَاقَهُ حُسْنُ كَوْكَبٍ
فَأَرْجُلُهُso his feet تَدْمَىbleed وَعَيْنَاهُwhile his eyes فِيare in السَّمَاthe sky
فَأَرْجُلُهُ تَدْمَى وَعَيْنَاهُ فِي السَّمَا
Like a traveler on rough ground captivated by a star's beauty:
His feet bleed while his eyes remain on the sky.
فَإِنْand if نَالَهُbefalls him فِيin الحُبِّlove خَطْبٌa calamity فَإِنَّهُthen he
فَإِنْ نَالَهُ فِي الحُبِّ خَطْبٌ فَإِنَّهُ
لَيَقْضِيwould surely choose خَلِيفاًas a successor أَنْto يَمُوتَdie فَيَسْلَمَاand be safe
لَيَقْضِي خَلِيفاً أَنْ يَمُوتَ فَيَسْلَمَا
And if disaster strikes him in love,
He would rather perish than live on unharmed.
عَفَاmay forgive اللهGod عَنْa صَبٍّpassionate lover شَهِيدِmartyr of غَرَامِهِhis passion
عَفَا الله عَنْ صَبٍّ شَهِيدِ غَرَامِهِ
أَصَابَhe found جِرَاحاًwounds حَيْثُمَاwherever ظَنَّhe expected مَرْهَمَاa balm
أَصَابَ جِرَاحاً حَيْثُمَا ظَنَّ مَرْهَمَا
May God forgive a lover martyred by his passion,
Who found wounds wherever he expected balm.
فتىa young man كَانَwas ذَاpossessing جَاهٍstanding وَعِلْمٍand knowledge وَفِطْنَةٍand intelligence
فتى كَانَ ذَا جَاهٍ وَعِلْمٍ وَفِطْنَةٍ
كَرِيمَnoble in السَّجَايَاqualities مُسْتَحَبّاًbeloved مُكَرَّمَاhonored
كَرِيمَ السَّجَايَا مُسْتَحَبّاً مُكَرَّمَا
He was a young man of standing, learning, and intelligence,
Noble in character, beloved and honored.
وَلَكِنْbut لِكُلٍّfor everyone حَيْثُwhere جَلَّتْgrow great سُعُودُهُhis fortunes
وَلَكِنْ لِكُلٍّ حَيْثُ جَلَّتْ سُعُودُهُ
شَقَاءٌmisfortune يُوَافِيهِcomes to him أَّجَلَّgreater وَأَعْظَمَاand mightier
شَقَاءٌ يُوَافِيهِ أَّجَلَّ وَأَعْظَمَا
Yet whenever someone's good fortune grows great,
Misfortune may come to him greater still.
سَبَتْcaptivated لُبَّهُhis mind أَسْمَاءُAsma مُنْذُsince احْتِلامِهِhis coming of age
سَبَتْ لُبَّهُ أَسْمَاءُ مُنْذُ احْتِلامِهِ
فَكَانَand so was الْهَوَىpassion يَنْمُوgrowing بِهِwithin him كُلَّمَاwhenever نَمَاhe grew
فَكَانَ الْهَوَى يَنْمُو بِهِ كُلَّمَا نَمَا
Asma captivated his mind from his coming of age,
And his passion grew as he grew.
تَعَلَّقَهَاhe loved her حُوريَّةًas a heavenly maiden حَصَرِيَّةًsingular
تَعَلَّقَهَا حُوريَّةً حَصَرِيَّةً
يَكَادُalmost يَكُونُwas النُّورُlight مِنْهَاfrom her تَبَسُّمَاa smile
يَكَادُ يَكُونُ النُّورُ مِنْهَا تَبَسُّمَا
He loved her as a singular heavenly maiden,
As though the light from her were a smile.
تَرَاءتْappeared مَعَانِيهَاher qualities بِمِرْآةِin the mirror of قَلْبِهِhis heart
تَرَاءتْ مَعَانِيهَا بِمِرْآةِ قَلْبِهِ
فَثَبَّتَهُاand fixed them فِيهَاwithin it الْغَرَامُpassion وَأَحْكَمَاfirmly
فَثَبَّتَهُا فِيهَا الْغَرَامُ وَأَحْكَمَا
Her qualities appeared in the mirror of his heart,
Where passion fixed them firmly.
لَهَاshe has شَعَرٌhair كَاللَّيْلِlike night يَجْلُوillumines سَوَادَهُits darkness
لَهَا شَعَرٌ كَاللَّيْلِ يَجْلُو سَوَادَهُ
بَيَاضُthe whiteness نَهَارٍof day يَبْهَرُdazzles المُتَوَسِّمَاthe discerning viewer
بَيَاضُ نَهَارٍ يَبْهَرُ المُتَوَسِّمَا
Her hair was like night, its darkness lit
By the white of day, dazzling whoever looked closely.
وَعَيْنَانِand two eyes كَالنَّجْمَيْنِlike two stars فِيin حَلَكِthe blackness الدُّجَىof deep night
وَعَيْنَانِ كَالنَّجْمَيْنِ فِي حَلَكِ الدُّجَى
هُمَاthey both نِعْمَةُthe blessing الدُّنْيَاof the world وَشِقْوَتُهَاand its misery سُمَاrose
هُمَا نِعْمَةُ الدُّنْيَا وَشِقْوَتُهَا سُمَا
And her eyes were like two stars in the depth of night;
Together they held the world's blessing and its sorrow.
وَأَهْدَابُand lashes of أَجْفَانَeyelids تَخَالُyou imagine أَشِعَّةٌrays
وَأَهْدَابُ أَجْفَانَ تَخَالُ أَشِعَّةٌ
مُصَفَّفَةًarranged غَرَّاءَradiant تُعْكَسُreflected عَنْهُمَاfrom them both
مُصَفَّفَةً غَرَّاءَ تُعْكَسُ عَنْهُمَا
The lashes of her eyelids seemed like rays
Arranged in bright rows and reflected from her eyes.
ومُنْفَرِجٌand finely shaped مِنْof خَالِصِpure الْعَاجِivory مَارِنٌa nose
ومُنْفَرِجٌ مِنْ خَالِصِ الْعَاجِ مَارِنٌ
كَأَنَّas though الْهَوَىlove قَدْindeed بُثَّwas diffused فِيمَاin what تَنَسَّمَاit breathed
كَأَنَّ الْهَوَى قَدْ بُثَّ فِيمَا تَنَسَّمَا
And a finely shaped nose of pure ivory
Seemed to breathe out love with every breath.
تُبَالِغُthey exaggerate فِيهِabout it الْحَاسِدَاتُthe envious women وِشَايَةًin slander
تُبَالِغُ فِيهِ الْحَاسِدَاتُ وِشَايَةً
وَمَاand what حُجَّةُargument of الْوَاشِيthe slanderer إِذَاwhen الْحَقtruth أَفْحَمَاsilences
وَمَا حُجَّةُ الْوَاشِي إِذَا الْحَق أَفْحَمَا
Envious women spread exaggerated slander about it,
But what case has a slanderer when truth silences her?
فَرُبَّand perhaps سَوِيٍّsomething sound عُدَّis deemed عَيْباًa flaw بِمَوْضِعٍin one place
فَرُبَّ سَوِيٍّ عُدَّ عَيْباً بِمَوْضِعٍ
وَفِيand in غَيْرِهِanother لِلْحُسْنِfor beauty كَانَit is مُتَمِّمَاa completion
وَفِي غَيْرِهِ لِلْحُسْنِ كَانَ مُتَمِّمَا
A feature sound in itself may be counted a flaw in one place
And elsewhere complete a person's beauty.
وَرُبَّand perhaps غَرِيبٍsomething unusual فِيin المَلامِحِfeatures زَانَهَاadorns them
وَرُبَّ غَرِيبٍ فِي المَلامِحِ زَانَهَا
وَكَانَand is بِهَاthrough them مِنْof مُحْكَمِharmonious الوَضْعِarrangement أَوْسَمَاmore beautiful
وَكَانَ بِهَا مِنْ مُحْكَمِ الوَضْعِ أَوْسَمَا
An unusual feature may adorn a face
And make its whole arrangement more beautiful.
وَثَغْرٌand a mouth كَمَاas شَفَّتْshone through عَنِfrom الرَّاحِwine كَأْسُهَاits glass
وَثَغْرٌ كَمَا شَفَّتْ عَنِ الرَّاحِ كَأْسُهَا
يُتَوِّجُهَاcrowns it رُدُّthe return of الْحَبَابِbubbles مُنَظَّمَاarranged
يُتَوِّجُهَا رُدُّ الْحَبَابِ مُنَظَّمَا
And a mouth like a glass through which wine shines,
Crowned by an ordered line of bubbles.
وَخَصْرٌand a waist إِلَيْهِto it يَنْتَهِيends رَحْبُthe breadth of صَدْرِهَاher chest
وَخَصْرٌ إِلَيْهِ يَنْتَهِي رَحْبُ صَدْرِهَا
وَقَدْand indeed دَقَّgrew slender حَتَّىuntil خِيلَit seemed بِالثَّوْبِwithin the dress مُبْرَمَاtwisted
وَقَدْ دَقَّ حَتَّى خِيلَ بِالثَّوْبِ مُبْرَمَا
And a waist beneath her broad chest,
So slender it seemed twisted within her dress.
فَإِنْand if أَقْبَلَتْshe approached فَالغُصْنُthen a branch أَثْقَلَهُweighed down by الْجَنَىfruit
فَإِنْ أَقْبَلَتْ فَالغُصْنُ أَثْقَلَهُ الْجَنَى
فَمَالَso it bent قَلِيلاًslightly وَاسْتَوَىand straightened مُتَقَوِّمَاupright
فَمَالَ قَلِيلاً وَاسْتَوَى مُتَقَوِّمَا
When she approached, she was like a fruit-laden branch
That bends slightly and then rises straight.
تَعَلَّقَهَاhe loved her غِرّاًas a guileless child لَعُوباًplayful مِنَfrom الصِّبَاchildhood
تَعَلَّقَهَا غِرّاً لَعُوباً مِنَ الصِّبَا
فَمَاand no sooner شَبَّhe matured إِلاَّthan رَاحَhe became وَلْهَانَdistraught مُغْرَمَاenamored
فَمَا شَبَّ إِلاَّ رَاحَ وَلْهَانَ مُغْرَمَا
He fell for her as a guileless, playful child,
And reached manhood lovesick and enthralled.
وَلازَمَهَاand he stayed by her كَالظِّلِّlike a shadow غَيْرَwithout مُفَارِقٍparting
وَلازَمَهَا كَالظِّلِّ غَيْرَ مُفَارِقٍ
مَشُوقاًyearning عَلَىthrough كَرِّthe passing of اللَّيَالِيthe nights مُتَيَّمَاinfatuated
مَشُوقاً عَلَى كَرِّ اللَّيَالِي مُتَيَّمَا
He stayed beside her like a shadow, never parting,
Yearning and infatuated as nights passed.
وَكَانَتْand she was عَلَىwith الأَيَّامِthe days تَزْدَادُgrowing بَهْجَةًin radiance
وَكَانَتْ عَلَى الأَيَّامِ تَزْدَادُ بَهْجَةً
وَيَزْدَادُand he grew إِعْجَاباًin admiration بِهَاof her وَتَهَيُّمَاand infatuation
وَيَزْدَادُ إِعْجَاباً بِهَا وَتَهَيُّمَا
With the days she grew more radiant,
And his admiration and infatuation grew.
وَكَانَand he was عَلَىin جَهْلٍignorance يَعِيشُliving بِحُبِّهَاthrough his love of her
وَكَانَ عَلَى جَهْلٍ يَعِيشُ بِحُبِّهَا
وَبِالأَمَلِand with hope المَدْفُونِburied فِيهِwithin him تَكتَمَاconcealed
وَبِالأَمَلِ المَدْفُونِ فِيهِ تَكتَمَا
He lived in ignorance through his love for her,
Concealing the hope buried within him.
يُسَرُّhe rejoices سُرُورَthe joy of الطِّفْلِa child بِالأُمِّat its mother إِنْif دَنَتْshe draws near
يُسَرُّ سُرُورَ الطِّفْلِ بِالأُمِّ إِنْ دَنَتْ
وَيَبْكِيand he weeps إِذَاwhen بَانَتْshe departs كَطِفْلٍlike a child تَيَتَّمَاorphaned
وَيَبْكِي إِذَا بَانَتْ كَطِفْلٍ تَيَتَّمَا
He rejoiced like a child when its mother draws near
And wept when she left, like an orphaned child.
وَلَمْand she did not تُدْنِهِbring him close غَضَّin the freshness of الشَّبَابِyouth فَيَشْفِيto heal
وَلَمْ تُدْنِهِ غَضَّ الشَّبَابِ فَيَشْفِي
وَلَمْnor did she تُقْصِهِsend him away قَبْلَbefore الشَّبَابِyouth فيُفْطَمَاso he might be weaned
وَلَمْ تُقْصِهِ قَبْلَ الشَّبَابِ فيُفْطَمَا
She did not draw him close in the bloom of youth to heal him,
Nor send him away earlier so he might be weaned from her.
فَكَاتِبَهَاso he wrote to her يَشْكثوcomplaining إِلَيْهَاto her عَذَابهُof his torment
فَكَاتِبَهَا يَشْكثو إِلَيْهَا عَذَابهُ
وَيَرْجُوand he hopes ذَلِيلاًhumbly أَنْthat تَرِقَّshe softens وَتَزْحَمَاand shows mercy
وَيَرْجُو ذَلِيلاً أَنْ تَرِقَّ وَتَزْحَمَا
So he wrote to her, telling her of his torment,
And humbly begged her to soften and show compassion.
وَلَكِنْbut جَفَتْshe shunned فَانْدَكَّso collapsed مَعْقِلَthe fortress of صَبْرِهِhis patience
وَلَكِنْ جَفَتْ فَانْدَكَّ مَعْقِلَ صَبْرِهِ
وَأَعْياهُand exhausted him دَفْعُfending off اليَأْسِdespair عَنْهُfrom him فَسَلَّمَاso he yielded
وَأَعْياهُ دَفْعُ اليَأْسِ عَنْهُ فَسَلَّمَا
But she turned away, and the fortress of his patience collapsed;
Unable to fend off despair, he surrendered.
لأَيَّfor which المُلُوكِking الصِّيدِmighty صَرْحٌa palace مُمَرَّدٌlofty
لأَيَّ المُلُوكِ الصِّيدِ صَرْحٌ مُمَرَّدٌ
كَبُرْجٍlike a tower وَمَاand no الأَبْرَاجُtowers مِنْهُthan it بِأَفْحَمَاgreater
كَبُرْجٍ وَمَا الأَبْرَاجُ مِنْهُ بِأَفْحَمَا
For which mighty king was this lofty palace built,
Towerlike, with no towers grander than it?
تَمَنْطَقَit girded itself مِنْwith أَنْوَارِهِits lights بِعَقَائِقٍwith bands
تَمَنْطَقَ مِنْ أَنْوَارِهِ بِعَقَائِقٍ
وَقُلِّدَand it was adorned فَوْقَabove الرَّأْسِthe head دُرّاًwith pearls وأَنْجُمَاand stars
وَقُلِّدَ فَوْقَ الرَّأْسِ دُرّاً وأَنْجُمَا
It girded itself with bands of light
And wore pearls and stars above its head.
نَعمْyes هُوَit is لِلْمُلُوكِfor kings عَتِيقَةٌancient
نَعمْ هُوَ لِلْمُلُوكِ عَتِيقَةٌ
وَلَكِنْbut غَدَتْit became لِلفُحْشِfor vice دَاراًa house وَبِئْسَمَاand wretched indeed
وَلَكِنْ غَدَتْ لِلفُحْشِ دَاراً وَبِئْسَمَا
Yes, it was an ancient royal place,
But it became a house of vice, and a wretched one.
حَبَاهُbestowed it أَمِيرٌa prince غَاشِمٌoppressive لأَسَافِلٍupon the lowly
حَبَاهُ أَمِيرٌ غَاشِمٌ لأَسَافِلٍ
بِعِرْضٍat the cost of honor تَوَلاَّهُhe took it وَرُدَّand it returned مُثَلَّمَاdamaged
بِعِرْضٍ تَوَلاَّهُ وَرُدَّ مُثَلَّمَا
A tyrannical prince bestowed it on the lowly
At the cost of an honor he took and returned damaged.
كَذَاthus يَفْعَلُacts الطَّاغِيthe tyrant المُطَاعُobeyed فَإِنَّهُfor he
كَذَا يَفْعَلُ الطَّاغِي المُطَاعُ فَإِنَّهُ
لَيَفْتُكُsurely kills مَحْموداًwhile praised وَيَسْلِبُand plunders مُنْعِمَاwhile called generous
لَيَفْتُكُ مَحْموداً وَيَسْلِبُ مُنْعِمَا
So acts an obeyed tyrant:
He kills and wins praise; he plunders and is called generous.
بِنَاءٌa building بِمَالِwith the money of النَّاسِthe people قامَrose جِبَايَةًthrough taxation
بِنَاءٌ بِمَالِ النَّاسِ قامَ جِبَايَةً
وَلَوْand if ذَوَّبُواthey melted تَذْهِيبَهُits gilding لَجَرَىit would flow دَمَاas blood
وَلَوْ ذَوَّبُوا تَذْهِيبَهُ لَجَرَى دَمَا
The building rose from money collected from the people;
If its gilding were melted, it would run as blood.
هُنَالِكَthere أَنْوَارٌlights شَوَائِمُconfronting لِلدجَىthe darkness
هُنَالِكَ أَنْوَارٌ شَوَائِمُ لِلدجَى
رَوَامٍcasting بِهَاwith them مَدْحُورةًdriven back كُلَّeverywhere they reach; the text is irregular here مُرْتَمَىa place reached
رَوَامٍ بِهَا مَدْحُورةً كُلَّ مُرْتَمَى
There, lights cast their glow into the darkness,
Driving it back wherever they reached.
جَواعِلُmaking أَيَّامِthe days of الَّذِيthe one whose هنَّthey are لَيْلهُhis night
جَواعِلُ أَيَّامِ الَّذِي هنَّ لَيْلهُ
نَهَاراًa day طَوِيلاًlong لاnot يُرَىseen مُتَقَسِّمَاdivided
نَهَاراً طَوِيلاً لا يُرَى مُتَقَسِّمَا
They make the days of one whose nights they illuminate
A long, unbroken day.
يُعَظِّمْنَهُthey exalt him عَنْbeyond أَنْthat يَمُرَّshould pass زَمَانُهُhis time
يُعَظِّمْنَهُ عَنْ أَنْ يَمُرَّ زَمَانُهُ
مُنَاراًilluminated كَحُكْمِlike the rule of اللهِGod وَالبَعْضُwhile a part مُظْلِمَاis dark
مُنَاراً كَحُكْمِ اللهِ وَالبَعْضُ مُظْلِمَا
They glorify him as though his time could pass
All in light, like God's rule, with no part dark.
إِذَاwhen خِشِيَfears الْجَانِيthe wrongdoer لِقَاءَmeeting ضَمِيرِهِhis conscience
إِذَا خِشِيَ الْجَانِي لِقَاءَ ضَمِيرِهِ
أَدَالَhe substitutes مِنَfor اللَّيْلِthe night المَصَابِيحَlamps وَاحْتَمَىand shelters himself
أَدَالَ مِنَ اللَّيْلِ المَصَابِيحَ وَاحْتَمَى
When the wrongdoer fears meeting his conscience,
He replaces night with lamps and takes shelter.
مَصَابِيحُlamps يَسْتَعْدِيseeks aid بِهَاwith them مَنْone who يُضِيئُهَاlights them
مَصَابِيحُ يَسْتَعْدِي بِهَا مَنْ يُضِيئُهَا
عَلَىagainst ظُلُمَاتِthe darkness of اللَّيْلِnight أَوْor تَتجَرَّمَاbe deemed guilty
عَلَى ظُلُمَاتِ اللَّيْلِ أَوْ تَتجَرَّمَا
With these lamps, the one who lights them calls for aid
Against night's darkness, as though it were guilty.
هُنَالِكَthere إِطْعَامٌfood is served كَثِيرٌabundantly وَإِنَّمَاbut only
هُنَالِكَ إِطْعَامٌ كَثِيرٌ وَإِنَّمَا
يَخُصُّhe singles out بِهِwith it مَنْwhoever كَانَis لِلْحَقِّmost unfair to truth أَهْضَمَاmost unjust
يَخُصُّ بِهِ مَنْ كَانَ لِلْحَقِّ أَهْضَمَا
There is abundant food there, but
It is reserved for whoever most diminishes the truth.
وَمَنْand among جُمْهُورٌa crowd تَخَالُyou imagine رِجَالَهُمْtheir men
وَمَنْ جُمْهُورٌ تَخَالُ رِجَالَهُمْ
نِسَاءٌwomen مُحَلاَّةًadorned وَنِسْوَتَهُمْand their women دُمَىdolls
نِسَاءٌ مُحَلاَّةً وَنِسْوَتَهُمْ دُمَى
And there is a crowd whose men you would take
For adorned women, and whose women seem like dolls.
يَمِيلُونَthey sway مِنْfrom فَرْطِexcess of المَسَرَّةِjoy نَشْوَةًintoxicated
يَمِيلُونَ مِنْ فَرْطِ المَسَرَّةِ نَشْوَةً
وَيُنْشِدُand sings كُلٌّeach مِنْهُمُof them مُتَرَنِّمَاmelodiously
وَيُنْشِدُ كُلٌّ مِنْهُمُ مُتَرَنِّمَا
They sway, intoxicated by excess of pleasure,
And each sings in a lilting voice.
فَيَاso O أَيُّهَاyou الْعَافِيvisitor المُلِمُّarriving بِدَارِهِمْat their house
فَيَا أَيُّهَا الْعَافِي المُلِمُّ بِدَارِهِمْ
رُوَيْدَكَslow down لاdo not تَغْبِطْenvy غَنِيّاًa rich man مُذَممَاdisgraced
رُوَيْدَكَ لا تَغْبِطْ غَنِيّاً مُذَممَا
O traveler who happens upon their house,
Pause; do not envy a rich man held in disgrace.
أَيُغْبَطُis he envied مَنْwho جَادَتْgave يَدَاهُhis hands بِعِرْضِهِhis honor
أَيُغْبَطُ مَنْ جَادَتْ يَدَاهُ بِعِرْضِهِ
لِمَاbecause أَنَّهُhe أَثْرَىgrew rich بِذَاكَthrough that فَأَكْرِمَاand was honored
لِمَا أَنَّهُ أَثْرَى بِذَاكَ فَأَكْرِمَا
Should one be envied for giving up his honor
Because he grew rich by doing so?
وَمَنْand whoever يَلْتَمِسْseeks رِزْقاًa livelihood وَهَذَاwhile this سَبِيلُهُis his way
وَمَنْ يَلْتَمِسْ رِزْقاً وَهَذَا سَبِيلُهُ
فَأَخْلِقْhow deserving بِهِhe is أَنْto يُسْتَهَانَbe despised وَيُرْجَماand be stoned
فَأَخْلِقْ بِهِ أَنْ يُسْتَهَانَ وَيُرْجَما
Whoever seeks a livelihood by that path
Deserves contempt and reproach.
هَنِيئاًblessed be لَكَfor you الإِعْسَارُhardship وَالعِرْضُwhile honor سَالِمٌis safe
هَنِيئاً لَكَ الإِعْسَارُ وَالعِرْضُ سَالِمٌ
وَكُنْand be مَاwhatever يَشَاءُwills اللهُGod جَوْعَانَhungry مُعْدِمَاdestitute
وَكُنْ مَا يَشَاءُ اللهُ جَوْعَانَ مُعْدِمَا
Be content with hardship while your honor remains intact,
And, as God wills, endure hunger and poverty.
تَرقَّبْawait عِقَابَthe punishment of اللهِGod فِيهِمْamong them هُنَيْهَةa little while
تَرقَّبْ عِقَابَ اللهِ فِيهِمْ هُنَيْهَة
تَجِدْyou will find عِيدَهُمْtheir festival هَذَاthis تَحَوَّلَturned مَأَتْمَاto mourning
تَجِدْ عِيدَهُمْ هَذَا تَحَوَّلَ مَأَتْمَا
Wait a little for God's punishment of them:
You will find their festival turned to mourning.
كُلواeat وَاشْرَبُواand drink مَاwhat لَذَّكُمْpleases you وَحَلالَكُمْand is lawful for you
كُلوا وَاشْرَبُوا مَا لَذَّكُمْ وَحَلالَكُمْ
وَفُضُّواand unseal زُجَاجَthe bottles of السَّلْسَبِيلِsweet drink المُخَتَّمَاsealed
وَفُضُّوا زُجَاجَ السَّلْسَبِيلِ المُخَتَّمَا
Eat and drink whatever pleases you and is lawful for you;
Unseal the bottles of sweet, pure drink.
وَطُوفُواand roam سُكَارَىdrunk رَاقِصِينَdancing وَأَنْشِدُواand sing
وَطُوفُوا سُكَارَى رَاقِصِينَ وَأَنْشِدُوا
وَلاand do not تَسْمَعُواlisten to صَوْتَthe voice of الضَّمِيرِconscience مُؤَثِّمَاaccusing
وَلا تَسْمَعُوا صَوْتَ الضَّمِيرِ مُؤَثِّمَا
Roam drunkenly, dance, and sing,
And do not listen to the accusing voice of conscience.
فَمَاfor it هِيَis إِلاَّonly لَحْظَةٌa moment ثُمَّthen يَنْقَضِيpasses
فَمَا هِيَ إِلاَّ لَحْظَةٌ ثُمَّ يَنْقَضِي
فَسُرُّواso enjoy بِهَاit مَاas much as تَسْتَطِيعُونَyou can رَيْثَمَاwhile it lasts
فَسُرُّوا بِهَا مَا تَسْتَطِيعُونَ رَيْثَمَا
For it is only a moment, and then it passes;
Enjoy it as much as you can while it lasts.
وَمَنْand whoever أَمْكَنَتْهُis granted فُرْصَةٌan opportunity غَيْرَwithout عَالِمٍknowing
وَمَنْ أَمْكَنَتْهُ فُرْصَةٌ غَيْرَ عَالِمٍ
بِمَاwhat بَعْدَهَاcomes after it فَلْيَنْهَبِlet him seize الصَّفْوَpleasure مَغْنَمَاas a prize
بِمَا بَعْدَهَا فَلْيَنْهَبِ الصَّفْوَ مَغْنَمَا
Whoever has an opportunity, unaware
Of what follows it, may seize pleasure as a prize.
وَلأَغْوِيand to tempt عِبَادَthe servants of اللهِGod أَسْمَاءُO Asma وَابْذُلِيand offer
وَلأَغْوِي عِبَادَ اللهِ أَسْمَاءُ وَابْذُلِي
لِحَاظَكِyour glances آلاءًas gifts وَإِنْeven if كُنَّthey are أَسْهُمَاarrows
لِحَاظَكِ آلاءً وَإِنْ كُنَّ أَسْهُمَا
And to tempt God's servants, Asma, offer
The gifts of your glances, though they are arrows.
مُحِبُّوكِyour lovers كُثْرٌare many وَالأَبَرُّand the most devoted مُعَاقبٌis punished
مُحِبُّوكِ كُثْرٌ وَالأَبَرُّ مُعَاقبٌ
وَمَنْand whoever بَرَّis faithful بِالحَسْنَاءِto the beauty عُوقِبَis punished مُجْرِمَاas a criminal
وَمَنْ بَرَّ بِالحَسْنَاءِ عُوقِبَ مُجْرِمَا
Your lovers are many, and the most devoted is punished;
Whoever is faithful to a beauty is treated like a criminal.
يُحِبُّكِhe loves you حَتَّىuntil أَنْتِyou مَعْنَىthe meaning of حَيَاتِهِhis life
يُحِبُّكِ حَتَّى أَنْتِ مَعْنَى حَيَاتِهِ
إِذَنْthen هُوَhe أَوْلَىmore deserving أَنْto يُسَاءَbe mistreated وَيُظْلَمَاand wronged
إِذَنْ هُوَ أَوْلَى أَنْ يُسَاءَ وَيُظْلَمَا
He loves you so deeply that you are the meaning of his life;
Thus he is deemed the most deserving of mistreatment.
وَمَهْمَاand however يَجِدَّintensifies الوَجْدُlonging فِيهِin him فَبَالِغِيthen go further
وَمَهْمَا يَجِدَّ الوَجْدُ فِيهِ فَبَالِغِي
بِهَزْلِكِwith your mockery حَتَّىuntil تَقْتُلِيهِyou kill him تَهَكُّمَاin derision
بِهَزْلِكِ حَتَّى تَقْتُلِيهِ تَهَكُّمَا
And however fiercely longing grows in him, carry on
With your mockery until it kills him in scorn.
فَلَمَّاand when رَأَىhe saw أَنَّthat الرَّجَاءَhope مُضَيَّعٌwas wasted
فَلَمَّا رَأَى أَنَّ الرَّجَاءَ مُضَيَّعٌ
وَأَنَّand that مَنَارَthe beacon of بَانَreceded وَأَعْتَمَاand grew dark
وَأَنَّ مَنَارَ بَانَ وَأَعْتَمَا
When he saw that hope was wasted
And that its beacon had receded and gone dark,
مَضَىhe went يَتَمَشَّىwalking فِيin الْحَدِيقَةِthe garden مُغْضَباًangry
مَضَى يَتَمَشَّى فِي الْحَدِيقَةِ مُغْضَباً
يَكَادُalmost الأَسَىsorrow فِيهِwithin him يُثِيرُkindled جَهَنَّمَاhell
يَكَادُ الأَسَى فِيهِ يُثِيرُ جَهَنَّمَا
He went walking angrily in the garden,
His grief almost kindling hell within him.
يَرُوحُhe goes وَيَغْدُوand comes خَائِفاًafraid ثُمَّthen رَاجِياًhopeful
يَرُوحُ وَيَغْدُو خَائِفاً ثُمَّ رَاجِياً
وَيَبْكِيand weeps حَزِيناًsad آسِفاًregretful مُتَوَجِّمَاgloomy
وَيَبْكِي حَزِيناً آسِفاً مُتَوَجِّمَا
He paced back and forth, afraid, then hopeful,
And wept in sorrow, regret, and gloom.
تُشَاكَis pricked بِمَرْأَىby the sight of ذَلِكَthat الرَّوْضِgarden عَيْنُهُhis eye
تُشَاكَ بِمَرْأَى ذَلِكَ الرَّوْضِ عَيْنُهُ
وَيَحْسَبُand he imagines فِيهِin it سَائِغَsweet الماءِwater عَلْقَمَاbitter colocynth
وَيَحْسَبُ فِيهِ سَائِغَ الماءِ عَلْقَمَا
The sight of that garden stung his eyes,
And he imagined its sweet water as bitter colocynth.
فَيَاso what لَعِقَابِpunishment for الفَرْعِthe branch وَالأَصْلُwhile the root قَدْhas جَنَىsinned
فَيَا لَعِقَابِ الفَرْعِ وَالأَصْلُ قَدْ جَنَى
لِيَغْدُوَso that it becomes أَنْكَىmost painful مَاwhat يَكُونُit can be وَأَصْرَمَاand most severe
لِيَغْدُوَ أَنْكَى مَا يَكُونُ وَأَصْرَمَا
What punishment for the branch when the root had sinned,
Making the blow as painful and severe as it could be!
يَقُولُhe says أَسِيفاًsorrowfully لَيْتَنِيif only I كُنْتُwere مُدْقِعاًdestitute
يَقُولُ أَسِيفاً لَيْتَنِي كُنْتُ مُدْقِعاً
مِنَfrom الفَقْرِpoverty لَمْnot أَمْلِكْI owned رِدَاءًa cloak وَمَطْعَمَاor food
مِنَ الفَقْرِ لَمْ أَمْلِكْ رِدَاءً وَمَطْعَمَا
He said sorrowfully, 'If only I were destitute,
So poor that I owned neither cloak nor food.
وَياand O لَيْتَنِيif only I أَقْضِيspent نَهَارِيmy day مُتْعَباًexhausted
وَيا لَيْتَنِي أَقْضِي نَهَارِي مُتْعَباً
وَأَحْسُدُand I envied فِيat اللَّيْلِnight الأَصِحَّاءِthe healthy نُوَّمَاsleepers
وَأَحْسُدُ فِي اللَّيْلِ الأَصِحَّاءِ نُوَّمَا
If only I spent my days exhausted
And at night envied the healthy their sleep.
وَيَاand O لَيْتَنِيif only I شَيْخٌwere an old man ضَئِيلٌfrail مُحَدَّبٌbent
وَيَا لَيْتَنِي شَيْخٌ ضَئِيلٌ مُحَدَّبٌ
أَسِيفٌgrieving عَلَىover عَهْدٍa time حَبِيبٍbeloved تَقَدَّمَاgone by
أَسِيفٌ عَلَى عَهْدٍ حَبِيبٍ تَقَدَّمَا
If only I were a frail, bent old man,
Mourning a beloved time long past.
إِذَنْthen كَانَwould be هَذَاthis العَيْشُlife كَأْساًa cup مَسُوغَةًeasy to swallow
إِذَنْ كَانَ هَذَا العَيْشُ كَأْساً مَسُوغَةً
بِصَبْرِيwith my patience أُحَلِّيهِI would sweeten it وَإِنْeven if يَكُit were عَلْقَمَاbitter colocynth
بِصَبْرِي أُحَلِّيهِ وَإِنْ يَكُ عَلْقَمَا
Then this life would have been a drink I could swallow;
My patience would sweeten it, though it were bitter.'
أَيَنْفَعُنِيwill benefit me جَاهِيmy standing وَعِلْمِيand my learning وَفِطْنَتِيand my intelligence
أَيَنْفَعُنِي جَاهِي وَعِلْمِي وَفِطْنَتِي
وَهَلْand have عَصَمَتْprotected قَبْلِيbefore me سِوَايَanyone besides me فَأُعُصَمَاso I should be protected
وَهَلْ عَصَمَتْ قَبْلِي سِوَايَ فَأُعُصَمَا
Will my status, learning, and intelligence help me?
Have they protected anyone before me, that they should protect me?
وَلَكِنْbut أَرَىI see أَنَّthat المَذَاهِبَthe paths ضِقْنَhave narrowed بِيaround me
وَلَكِنْ أَرَى أَنَّ المَذَاهِبَ ضِقْنَ بِي
وَأَنَّand that مَمَاتِيmy death قَدْindeed غَدَاhas become مُتَحَتِّمَاinevitable
وَأَنَّ مَمَاتِي قَدْ غَدَا مُتَحَتِّمَا
But I see every path has narrowed around me,
And my death has become inevitable.
وَإِنْand if يَرْمِنيthey accuse me بِالجُبْنِof cowardice قَوْمٌsome people فَإِنَّنِيthen I
وَإِنْ يَرْمِني بِالجُبْنِ قَوْمٌ فَإِنَّنِي
رَأَيْتُI saw اتِّقَاءَavoiding الضَّيْمِhumiliation بِالمَوْتِthrough death أَحْزَماas wisest
رَأَيْتُ اتِّقَاءَ الضَّيْمِ بِالمَوْتِ أَحْزَما
Though some may call me a coward,
I deem death the surest escape from humiliation.
إِذَاwhen اشْتَدَّgrows intense غَلْيٌboiling فِيin إِنَاءٍa vessel فَمَاthen what الَّذِيis it that
إِذَا اشْتَدَّ غَلْيٌ فِي إِنَاءٍ فَمَا الَّذِي
يُعَابُis blamed عَلَيْهِon it إِنْif وَهَىit weakens وَتَحَطَّمَاand shatters
يُعَابُ عَلَيْهِ إِنْ وَهَى وَتَحَطَّمَا
When boiling grows too fierce inside a vessel, what
Blame falls on it if it weakens and breaks?
وَإِنand if رَزَحَweighs down الْحَمَّالَthe porter مِنْfrom وِقْرِthe weight of حِمْلِهِhis load
وَإِن رَزَحَ الْحَمَّالَ مِنْ وِقْرِ حِمْلِهِ
أَيُلْقِيهِshould he throw it عَنْهُoff himself أَمْor يُطَاوِعُobey لُوَّمَاthe reproachers
أَيُلْقِيهِ عَنْهُ أَمْ يُطَاوِعُ لُوَّمَا
And if the weight of a load crushes its bearer,
Should he cast it off or obey those who reproach him?'
فَلَمَاand when انْتَهَىhe finished أَوْرَىhe fired الزِّنَادَthe trigger مُسَدَّداًaiming
فَلَمَا انْتَهَى أَوْرَى الزِّنَادَ مُسَدَّداً
إِلَىtoward قَلْبِهِhis heart فَانْحَطَّand he fell بِالدِّمَاin blood
إِلَى قَلْبِهِ فَانْحَطَّ بِالدِّمَا
When he had finished, he fired the gun, aiming
At his heart, and fell in his blood.
كَأَنَّas though بِنَاءًa building رَاسِخاًfirmly rooted فِيin مَكَانِهِits place
كَأَنَّ بِنَاءً رَاسِخاً فِي مَكَانِهِ
هَوَىfell بِشهَابٍby a meteor مُحْرِقٍburning وَتَهَدَّمَاand collapsed
هَوَى بِشهَابٍ مُحْرِقٍ وَتَهَدَّمَا
As though a building firmly rooted in its place
Had been struck by a burning meteor and collapsed.
كَأَنَّas though الْجَمَادَthe inert body النَّاضِحَoozing الدَّمَblood لَمْhad not يَكُنْbeen
كَأَنَّ الْجَمَادَ النَّاضِحَ الدَّمَ لَمْ يَكُنْ
سَمِيعاًhearing بَصِيراًseeing مُدْرِكاًunderstanding مُتَكَلِّمَاspeaking
سَمِيعاً بَصِيراً مُدْرِكاً مُتَكَلِّمَا
As though the blood-soaked, motionless body had never been
One that heard, saw, understood, and spoke.
كَأَنْas though لَمْnot يَكُنْthere had been عِلْمٌknowledge هُنَاكَthere وَلاnor نُهىًreason
كَأَنْ لَمْ يَكُنْ عِلْمٌ هُنَاكَ وَلا نُهىً
وَلَمْnor يَكُthere had been فَضْلٌvirtue يُسْتَفَادُbenefited from مُيَمَّمَاsought after
وَلَمْ يَكُ فَضْلٌ يُسْتَفَادُ مُيَمَّمَا
As though no learning or judgment had been there,
No valued excellence from which others might benefit.
كَأَنْas though لَمْnot يَكُنْthere had been حُبٌّlove فَصَدُّthen rejection by حَبِيبَةٍa beloved
كَأَنْ لَمْ يَكُنْ حُبٌّ فَصَدُّ حَبِيبَةٍ
فَيَأْسٌthen despair كَبُرَكَانٍlike a volcano يَثُورُerupting تَضَرُّمَاblazing
فَيَأْسٌ كَبُرَكَانٍ يَثُورُ تَضَرُّمَا
As though there had been no love, no beloved's rejection,
No despair erupting like a blazing volcano.
فَمَوْتُand so the death of بَرِيءٍan innocent man حَيْثَمَاwhile بَاتَlives جَدُّهُhis grandfather
فَمَوْتُ بَرِيءٍ حَيْثَمَا بَاتَ جَدُّهُ
أَثِيمَاًguilty بِأَمْوَالِon the wealth of الْعِبَادِthe people مُنَعَّمَاliving in luxury
أَثِيمَاً بِأَمْوَالِ الْعِبَادِ مُنَعَّمَا
So an innocent man dies while his grandfather
Lives in guilty luxury on the people's money.
Translation model: Sol 6