ألا عِم صباحاً أيها الربع منعما

ألا عِم صباحاً أيها الربع منعما

وحدِّث حديثاً عن مُيَيمَ مُنَعِّما

وحدِّث حديثاً عن مُيَيمَ مُنَعِّما

Ah, good morning, O dwelling, blessed with ease!

Behold a good morning, O land of promise

And tell a tale of Muyaym, bringing delight.

And relate a tale of a life of ease and comfort

تنعَّمْ تَنَعَّمْ أيها الربْعُ إنما

تنعَّمْ تَنَعَّمْ أيها الربْعُ إنما

يُنَعَّمُ عيشاً من يراك تنعُّما

يُنَعَّمُ عيشاً من يراك تنعُّما

Enjoy ease, enjoy ease, O dwelling; indeed,

Take your ease, take your ease, O land

whoever sees you enjoying ease is blessed in life.

Only he who sees you at ease can live comfortably

وعظم حبيباً لا يراك دوامه

وعظم حبيباً لا يراك دوامه

وما دمت إلا بالبُكَا لك عظَّما

وما دمت إلا بالبُكَا لك عظَّما

And honor a lover who does not see you continually;

And hold your beloved dear, whose constancy

while you endure, only through tears has he honored you.

As long as you remain, is but in tears magnified

ألا إن من يهوى ويعلم مثل ما

ألا إن من يهوى ويعلم مثل ما

أرى بك قبل اليوم حَبَّ تَكَلُّما

أرى بك قبل اليوم حَبَّ تَكَلُّما

Surely one who loves and knows the like of what

Behold, he who loves and knows what I have known

I see in you from before today would cherish speech.

Sees in you, before this day, a dumb love emboldened

ألا من يراني عندك اليوم لن يرى

ألا من يراني عندك اليوم لن يرى

ولم ير في الماضي وآتٍ لمثل ما

ولم ير في الماضي وآتٍ لمثل ما

Whoever sees me beside you today will never see—

Behold, none who sees me here with you today will see

nor has seen in the past or coming time—the like of what

What was, is or will be, the like of what

تعلم ولا تنس الربيع المربعا

تعلم ولا تنس الربيع المربعا

ومربع فتيان لنا بك مُعْلَما

ومربع فتيان لنا بك مُعْلَما

you know; and do not forget the flourishing spring,

Remember and forget not the square spring

or our young men's spring encampment, marked here in you.

And square youths to us by you are marked

ألا لا فعن محبوب حدّث وخَبِّري

ألا لا فعن محبوب حدّث وخَبِّري

وحَيِّ سلاماً أو فَرُدَّ تَسَلُّمَا

وحَيِّ سلاماً أو فَرُدَّ تَسَلُّمَا

Ah, no—speak of a beloved, and give news;

Behold, speak not of the beloved, but inform

offer a greeting of peace, or return a salutation.

And give a greeting of peace or singly greet

تكلّم ومثلي بالسؤال لأجدَرُ

تكلّم ومثلي بالسؤال لأجدَرُ

ومثلك بالفُتْيا ولو كنتُ أبْكَما

ومثلك بالفُتْيا ولو كنتُ أبْكَما

Speak: one like me is worthier of asking,

Speak you, though like me asking be more apt

and one like you of answering, even were I mute.

And like you answering, even if I were mute

فأين اللوائي قد تركت تركنني

فأين اللوائي قد تركت تركنني

سوالف أيام أسيراً متيَّما

سوالف أيام أسيراً متيَّما

Where are those women whom I left, who left me

Where are they whose threads I left, leaving me

in days gone by, captive and enslaved by love?

Conversing the days, a fervent lover

وأين اللوائي قد عهدت بمعهد

وأين اللوائي قد عهدت بمعهد

بك اليوم لا يلفى لهنَّ تخيما

بك اليوم لا يلفى لهنَّ تخيما

Where are those women I knew at a stopping-place

Where are they, whom you covenanted

here, where today no encampment of theirs is found?

By you today, no forgetfulness for them finds refuge

فأين لهُنَّ السَّير أين تيمّموا

فأين لهُنَّ السَّير أين تيمّموا

وأين لهُنَّ السبر أين تيمّما

وأين لهُنَّ السبر أين تيمّما

Where did they journey? Where did they head?

Where is their journey, where did they intend?

And where was their search directed—where did it head?

And where is their span, where did they aim?

أمُرُّ على العهد الذي قد عهدتم

أمُرُّ على العهد الذي قد عهدتم

أم الخلف في أوصافهنَّ تحرجما

أم الخلف في أوصافهنَّ تحرجما

I pass by the haunt you once knew;

Did they pass the covenant you covenanted?

or has broken faith amassed among their qualities?

Or change in their ways ashamed you?

فإن لم تجب جهلاً فلست بمعذر

فإن لم تجب جهلاً فلست بمعذر

وإن لم تجب كتْماً لك النارُ مُلْجَما

وإن لم تجب كتْماً لك النارُ مُلْجَما

If you fail to answer through ignorance, you are not excused;

If not from ignorance, no excuse you have

and if you conceal your answer, fire shall be your bridle.

If not from concealment, for you hellfire is stoked

فأقبَلْتُ لمَّا أن رأيت صُمُوتَه

فأقبَلْتُ لمَّا أن رأيت صُمُوتَه

على القلب علَّ القلبَ يُصْمِتُ مُغْرَما

على القلب علَّ القلبَ يُصْمِتُ مُغْرَما

So, when I saw its silence, I turned

So I came when I saw its silence

to the heart, hoping the heart might quiet a love-stricken man,

Upon the heart, upon the heart silence imposes the enamored

بِقَوليَ صبراً وا فؤادِيَ لم تكن

بِقَوليَ صبراً وا فؤادِيَ لم تكن

لأخرس من فتيا وأحرى مصمما

لأخرس من فتيا وأحرى مصمما

saying, 'Patience, O my heart! You were not

With my words, patience, and O my heart, you were not

mute in giving counsel; more fittingly, be resolute.'

To the mute of youths more rightful, and seemlier silent

فقال وأين الصَّبْرُ والصبرَ أجْرَعُ

فقال وأين الصَّبْرُ والصبرَ أجْرَعُ

وأقبل للربع السؤال مُسَجَّما

وأقبل للربع السؤال مُسَجَّما

It said, 'Where is patience? I swallow bitter aloes,'

So it said: where is patience, and the most bitter patience?

and turned to the dwelling, pouring out questions:

And turned to the spring with questioning engraved

ألا أيها الربع الجوابُ مُوَجَّبٌ

ألا أيها الربع الجوابُ مُوَجَّبٌ

عليك فعن محبوب جاوب لتغنما

عليك فعن محبوب جاوب لتغنما

'O dwelling, an answer is obligatory

Behold, O spring, the answer is incumbent

upon you: answer about a beloved, that you may gain.

Upon you, so of the beloved answer and gain

تَكَلَّمْ تَكَلَّمْ فالسكوت لمن يُرَى

تَكَلَّمْ تَكَلَّمْ فالسكوت لمن يُرَى

يُكَلِّمُ لَمْ يحسنْ تكلم تكلّما

يُكَلِّمُ لَمْ يحسنْ تكلم تكلّما

Speak, speak! Silence, for one seen

Speak, speak, for silence is for he who would be seen

addressing another, is not fitting; speak, speak.

Speaking, but speaks not well, to speak, speak

وإلا فصفها لي بما كان وصفها

وإلا فصفها لي بما كان وصفها

وصف لي بلاداً يمّمتها تيمّما

وصف لي بلاداً يمّمتها تيمّما

Otherwise, describe her to me as she was,

Or describe her to me as she was described

and describe the lands toward which she headed.

Describe to me lands she roamed and intended

وثبّت قليباً قد تحرّق كلُّه

وثبّت قليباً قد تحرّق كلُّه

من الشوق والأشواق تحرق محسما

من الشوق والأشواق تحرق محسما

And steady a little heart that has burned entirely

And steady my heart nearly burnt whole

with longing; longings burn with a searing heat.'

With passion and passions burning a combustible

فقال ولا تعجب ولكنك اعتبر

فقال ولا تعجب ولكنك اعتبر

هنيئاً مريئاً لا تكون مصلما

هنيئاً مريئاً لا تكون مصلما

It said, 'Do not marvel, but take heed;

So it said: marvel not, but learn

may this bring ease and satisfaction; do not be cut off.

Happy, seen, be not an opponent

فثبت بأوصاف ووصف مرونق

فثبت بأوصاف ووصف مرونق

لمحبوب كيما أن ترسب مرجما

لمحبوب كيما أن ترسب مرجما

Be steadfast through descriptions and a radiant portrait

Affirmed by traits and the graceful depiction

of a beloved, so that you may settle, weighted down:

Of the beloved, that you be successful and opposed

بمحبوب شمس فاقت الشمس في الضحى

بمحبوب شمس فاقت الشمس في الضحى

لها قمرٌ فاقت به قمراً نما

لها قمرٌ فاقت به قمراً نما

a beloved who is a sun surpassing the sun at forenoon.

With a beloved sun surpassing sun at dawn

She has a moon by which she surpasses the waxing moon.

With a moon surpassing moons she outshone

وحوراء لن تلفى تضاهي نواظراً

وحوراء لن تلفى تضاهي نواظراً

وثغراً شتيتاً لا يحاكى تبسما

وثغراً شتيتاً لا يحاكى تبسما

No dark-eyed beauty could be found to rival her eyes,

And a houri whom no match in glance is found

or a mouth with spaced teeth, unrivaled in smiling,

Nor scattered smile that can be imitated

وفرعاً على المتنين جعداً ومنكبا

وفرعاً على المتنين جعداً ومنكبا

مديداً وخدّاً سال تحت مسحَّما

مديداً وخدّاً سال تحت مسحَّما

and curly tresses upon both sides of her back, and a shoulder

A branch on flexing shoulders, curled and sloped

long, and a cheek sloping beneath dark hair,

Outstretched, with cheek dripping beneath a crown

وجيد ظباء الرمل فاق محاسنا

وجيد ظباء الرمل فاق محاسنا

وصدراً به رمانتان تركَّما

وصدراً به رمانتان تركَّما

and a neck surpassing the beauty of sand-gazelles' necks,

And a gazelle's neck excelling in beauty

and a breast upon which two pomegranates rise in rounded heaps.

And breast wherein two pomegranates are formed

لها عضدٌ لو أبصر المرء عابداً

لها عضدٌ لو أبصر المرء عابداً

لصار لها عبداً وصار مخدّما

لصار لها عبداً وصار مخدّما

She has an upper arm which, if a worshipping man saw it,

She has an upper arm, that if beheld, worshipingly

would make him her slave, put to her service.

One would become her servant, and her aide

ومعصمها فيه البنان وكفّها

ومعصمها فيه البنان وكفّها

فأنعم به كفّاً بناناً ومعصما

فأنعم به كفّاً بناناً ومعصما

And her wrist, with its fingers and her palm—

Her wrist, wherein is softness, and palm

how splendid it is: palm, fingers, and wrist!

Most delicate, palms and wrist

وكشح لطيفٌ لا يوَصَّف خصره

وكشح لطيفٌ لا يوَصَّف خصره

وعجزٌ من الرؤيا يصبّر مُغلما

وعجزٌ من الرؤيا يصبّر مُغلما

And a slender side whose waist cannot be described,

And slight hips beyond description at her waist

and a rump whose sight makes the lustful man patient.

And buttocks visions deter the resolute

وضاد لها لو أبصر المرء مكثرا

وضاد لها لو أبصر المرء مكثرا

لريء من الإكثار أبهَتَ أزرما

لريء من الإكثار أبهَتَ أزرما

And her 'ḍād'—were a talkative man to see it,

As if the night upon her were draping, though she stood

he would be seen, despite his talking, more stunned and silenced.

In her abode like the rising sun in the sky

وفخذٌ وليس الوصف يأتي بوصفه

وفخذٌ وليس الوصف يأتي بوصفه

سوى أنه قد سُلَّ سَلاً مجسّما

سوى أنه قد سُلَّ سَلاً مجسّما

And a thigh which description cannot adequately describe,

She gives drink of limpid rain with wine

except that it has been drawn out in a fully embodied form.

And after sleep's diversion, the purest water

وساقٌ ووصف الساق منها خدلّجٌ

وساقٌ ووصف الساق منها خدلّجٌ

على قدم أقدامه لك مغنما

على قدم أقدامه لك مغنما

And a shank—her shank is described as plump—

With musk and camphor, and the scent of clove

upon a foot whose steps are a boon to you.

Her touched garments exude, sniffed

تسير كأنَّ الليل داجٍ وإن ثوت

تسير كأنَّ الليل داجٍ وإن ثوت

ببيت لها كالشمس بازغةَ السما

ببيت لها كالشمس بازغةَ السما

She walks as though the night were dark; and if she stays

And a lover, when drawn near her, for him

in her home, she is like the sun rising in the sky.

Remoteness with bliss, drunk, she makes covet

وتسقي رحيقاً سلسبيلاً مع الكرى

وتسقي رحيقاً سلسبيلاً مع الكرى

وبعد المنام الصرف تسقيه أشبما

وبعد المنام الصرف تسقيه أشبما

She serves sweet-flowing nectar with drowsiness,

But she, how many anxieties below her level

and after sleep she serves it pure and cold,

Perplexed by the flock of sand grouse

بمسك وكافور وري القرنفل

بمسك وكافور وري القرنفل

تفوح ثيابُ اللَّمسِ منه تنسّما

تفوح ثيابُ اللَّمسِ منه تنسّما

with musk, camphor, and the fragrance of cloves.

Dense, like a mirror, some think

The garments touching her waft its fragrant breath.

The atmosphere with her like a clogged atmosphere

وصاحٍ لدى التقريب منها يكن له

وصاحٍ لدى التقريب منها يكن له

بُعَيدَ مع التنعيم سكر تحتُّما

بُعَيدَ مع التنعيم سكر تحتُّما

And a sober man, upon approaching her, will have

With her, smooth-skinned camels, deem her

shortly afterward, amid delight, an inevitable intoxication.

Chaff the journey of the emaciated dispersed

ولكنها كم دونها من مهامهٍ

ولكنها كم دونها من مهامهٍ

تحيّر من سرب القطا متحوِّما

تحيّر من سرب القطا متحوِّما

But how many wildernesses lie before reaching her,

And reckon the sailor's plank, if she disturbed

bewildering even the circling sandgrouse of a flock!

Like lines and a tablet atop lines marked

صفاصف كالمرآة يحسب سائرٌ

صفاصف كالمرآة يحسب سائرٌ

بها الجوَّ أن قد كان جوّاً مجهّما

بها الجوَّ أن قد كان جوّاً مجهّما

Flatlands like a mirror, where a traveler thinks

And her terrors lean to cover he who walked by her

the atmosphere has become a gloomy sky.

And walked with her, you see him troubled

بها كالجمال الراسمات تخالُها

بها كالجمال الراسمات تخالُها

هشيماً رمى سير الهجيف تهشما

هشيماً رمى سير الهجيف تهشما

There, like swiftly pacing camels, you imagine them

She has no peer among peers, so alas

as dry fragments shattered by the gaunt runner's pace.

The coolness in her the cold can withstand if camping

وتحسب لوح الرحل إذ هي أزعجت

وتحسب لوح الرحل إذ هي أزعجت

كحرف ولوحٍ فوق حرفٍ مرقّما

كحرف ولوحٍ فوق حرفٍ مرقّما

And you imagine the saddle-board, when it is jolted,

Think not the blazing hot amidst her

like a slender camel, a patterned board above a slender camel.

Equals the stoking of hellfire

وأهوالها مالت لإدلاج من سرى

وأهوالها مالت لإدلاج من سرى

وسار بها منها تراه موجَّما

وسار بها منها تراه موجَّما

Their terrors incline the night traveler toward night journeys;

Realms of smooth plains, and the smooth

one traveling through them you see struck dumb by them.

With her, when the landmarks of affairs are seen perplexed

فلا مثلها فيفا فيافٍ ولا يفي

فلا مثلها فيفا فيافٍ ولا يفي

من القرِّ فيها البرد لو يتخيّما

من القرِّ فيها البرد لو يتخيّما

No desert among deserts is like this one; nor could

If this be so, can you convey to me for her

cold suffice against its chill, even if it camped there.

Dishevelled hair, and plaits closely braided?

ولا تحسب القيظ الموقّظ وسطها

ولا تحسب القيظ الموقّظ وسطها

يضاهَى ولو أوقدت حرَّ جهنّما

يضاهَى ولو أوقدت حرَّ جهنّما

Nor think the rousing summer heat in its midst

Unruly, unkempt, indecent, exposed

could be matched, even by kindling Hell's heat.

From the most splendid, splendid ladies

مهالك قاعاً صفصفاً والصفا صفي

مهالك قاعاً صفصفاً والصفا صفي

بها إذ يرى صَمْدَ المعالم مصهما

بها إذ يرى صَمْدَ المعالم مصهما

Deadly tracts, a flat bare plain, its smooth rock laid bare,

With what select, choice depiction you described her

where the towering landmarks appear ashen.

Describe purely, by selective describers honoured

فإن يك هذا هل تبلغني لها

فإن يك هذا هل تبلغني لها

هجانٌ شقاميم وخذب مصمّما

هجانٌ شقاميم وخذب مصمّما

If this is so, will there carry me to her

Submissive between humiliation and company

a white, tall, massive, resolute she-camel,

Her pasturing of the meadows she frequents

عذافرةٌ عَنْسٌ عرانَةٌ جسرة

عذافرةٌ عَنْسٌ عرانَةٌ جسرة

عن اليعملات الناجيات معيهما

عن اليعملات الناجيات معيهما

stout, hardy, firm, and powerful,

So that tends for her by duty, and that for her

outstripping the fleet she-camels and exhausting them?

Tending duty, the handler exalted

على الأين مِرْقال مع الخب وصفها

على الأين مِرْقال مع الخب وصفها

صفا بانتخاب الناخبين تكرما

صفا بانتخاب الناخبين تكرما

Despite fatigue, she is swift-paced, with a trot; her description

Until for her among the mounts, a vessel

was refined by the selectors' choice, nobly.

Like your anxiety, if resolving upon cares determined

مذللة بين الدُّلَيمِ ومعشر

مذللة بين الدُّلَيمِ ومعشر

يؤالفها رعي الرياض تخضُّما

يؤالفها رعي الرياض تخضُّما

Tamed among al-Dulaym and a company

You would think, looking at the death from the disobedient

that accustoms her to grazing meadows and munching fresh fodder,

Though you disobey her not if dying you determined

فذاك لها يرعى بنص وذا لها

فذاك لها يرعى بنص وذا لها

بِرَعْي النَّصِيِّ الناصب المتسنّما

بِرَعْي النَّصِيِّ الناصب المتسنّما

one tends her at a swift pace, another

As if the daughters of thought scattered upon her

by grazing tall naṣī grass rising on the heights.

When atop her they ride, ordered you would find

فصار لها بين الركائب مركب

فصار لها بين الركائب مركب

كهمِّكَ إن تعزم على الهم مصرما

كهمِّكَ إن تعزم على الهم مصرما

Thus, among the riding camels, she became a mount

And seemly whatever she reveals through her carriage

like your resolve when you set decisively upon a purpose.

And appears what is hidden, measured and aligned

تخال بها نظر الممات من العصى

تخال بها نظر الممات من العصى

ولا لك تعصى لو تموت تقصّما

ولا لك تعصى لو تموت تقصّما

In her you imagine death's gaze at the sight of sticks;

And resolved with a lord, no lording his abode

yet she will not disobey you, even if she dies shattered.

For the pleasures of cooing, amusement, and food

كأن بنات الفكر انثرن فوقها

كأن بنات الفكر انثرن فوقها

متى فوقها تركب وجدتّ تنظّما

متى فوقها تركب وجدتّ تنظّما

As though the daughters of thought were scattered above her,

For its owner, unyielding in matters, and she was not

whenever you ride upon her, you find them ordered.

To fill from it the breast sweetly and bite-sized

ويحسن ما تبديه منها بمتنها

ويحسن ما تبديه منها بمتنها

ويظهر ما يخفى ويأْتِ مقوّما

ويظهر ما يخفى ويأْتِ مقوّما

What you reveal of her upon her back becomes beautiful;

He sleeps preoccupied with worries, people around him

what is hidden appears and comes forth straightened.

And for her in private no security he feels

وعزم بربٍ لا مربٍّ ببيته

وعزم بربٍ لا مربٍّ ببيته

لما لذَّ من مغنى ولهو ومطعما

لما لذَّ من مغنى ولهو ومطعما

And resolve in a master who does not linger at home

If he worries, no young gazelle dissuades him

for the pleasures of song, diversion, and food.

Nor knows what in the heart overnight fretted

لصاحبه صرم الأمور ولم تكن

لصاحبه صرم الأمور ولم تكن

لتملأ منه الصدر حلواً وعلقما

لتملأ منه الصدر حلواً وعلقما

Its possessor has decisive command of affairs; it was not

He loves what from glory his world is built upon

to fill his breast with sweetness and bitterness.

Not like one whose building is ever demolished

يبيت يعاطي الهمَّ والناس حوله

يبيت يعاطي الهمَّ والناس حوله

وليس لها بالسر منه تسلُّما

وليس لها بالسر منه تسلُّما

He spends the night contending with care, people around him,

And company noble, glorious, connected

yet none of his secret is delivered to them.

Generous, protective, dignified, revered

إذا همَّ لا تثنيه غيداء طفلة

إذا همَّ لا تثنيه غيداء طفلة

ولم تدر ما بالقلب بات وخمَّما

ولم تدر ما بالقلب بات وخمَّما

When he resolves, no soft, youthful maiden diverts him;

Vigilant, prudent, valiant and forbearing

she knows not what dwelt and brooded in his heart.

Wary, secretive, high-minded, not doubtful

يحب الذي يبنى من المجد دهره

يحب الذي يبنى من المجد دهره

وليس الذي يبني كمن هو أهدما

وليس الذي يبني كمن هو أهدما

He loves the glory built throughout his lifetime;

If the drowsy in knowledge spoke

one who builds is not like one who demolishes.

Or of religion, or others, him you would find prominent

وصحبٌ كرامٌ ماجدٌ متسلسلٌ

وصحبٌ كرامٌ ماجدٌ متسلسلٌ

جوادٌ خِضَمٌّ لوذعيٌّ معظَّما

جوادٌ خِضَمٌّ لوذعيٌّ معظَّما

And noble companions: illustrious, of continuous lineage,

Adapting them if considered of sound opinion

generous, ocean-abundant, quick-witted, revered,

And resisting them if ignorant and blameworthy

همامٌ كُمَيٌّ باسلٌ وحلاحلٌ

همامٌ كُمَيٌّ باسلٌ وحلاحلٌ

أريب سريٌّ مصقعٌ ليس مفحَما

أريب سريٌّ مصقعٌ ليس مفحَما

high-mettled, armored, valiant, and chieftain-like,

All of them in counting exonerated

astute, highborn, eloquent, not silenced.

And among the people none deemed beyond them advanced

إذا في العلوم الناعسون تكلّموا

إذا في العلوم الناعسون تكلّموا

أو الدين أو أخرى تراه تسنَّما

أو الدين أو أخرى تراه تسنَّما

When the drowsy speak about the sciences,

The generous, generous among most generous

or religion, or another matter, you see him rise above.

As if for the virtuous, the virtuous they serve

يؤالفهم من كان في الرأي محسبا

يؤالفهم من كان في الرأي محسبا

وياباهم من كان خِبّاً ملعثما

وياباهم من كان خِبّاً ملعثما

Whoever is sound in judgment befriends them;

A generous one, generous among most generous

whoever is deceitful and muddled in speech rejects them.

Of noble roots the joiner conjoined

فكلّهم في العد عُدَّ مبرّأً

فكلّهم في العد عُدَّ مبرّأً

وفي القوم لا تحسب سواهم مقدَّما

وفي القوم لا تحسب سواهم مقدَّما

Every one of them is reckoned blameless;

He is the succor for the pillars, and the pillar singularly

among the people, deem none but them foremost.

He is unmatched among succors, absently adjoined

كرامٌ كرامٌ من كرامٍ أجلّةٍ

كرامٌ كرامٌ من كرامٍ أجلّةٍ

كأنهم للفاضل الفضل أخدما

كأنهم للفاضل الفضل أخدما

Noble, noble, descended from eminent nobles,

Absent of absents of the absent, in scene

as though they set excellence to serve the excellent.

Through him and by him whoever wills witnesses marked

كريم كرام الأكرماء تكرُّما

كريم كرام الأكرماء تكرُّما

أصيلُ أصول الواصلين تصمصما

أصيلُ أصول الواصلين تصمصما

The noble one of the noble, most generous in generosity,

A secret to the secret of secrets clearest by him

the pure-rooted root of those who attain, steadfast in purity.

And most hidden of the witnesses' witnessing, wisest

هو الغوث للأقطاب والقطب مفردا

هو الغوث للأقطاب والقطب مفردا

هو الفرد في الأغواث غيباً مطلسما

هو الفرد في الأغواث غيباً مطلسما

He is the Ghawth of the Poles, the peerless Pole;

A spirit to the spirit of the spirit in spirit scenting

he is the unique one among the Ghawths, a talisman-veiled mystery.

By it and by it the sweet basil and spirit perfected

غيوبُ غيوبِ الغيبِ صارت بمشهدٍ

غيوبُ غيوبِ الغيبِ صارت بمشهدٍ

له وبه من شاء يشهد أسهما

له وبه من شاء يشهد أسهما

The mysteries of the mysteries of the Unseen became a witnessed presence

And lights of the light of the light overflowing in his light

for him; through him, whoever wishes witnesses portions.

And his lights the illuminator's lights assimilated

وسرٌّ لسرِّ السرِّ أُوضح عنده

وسرٌّ لسرِّ السرِّ أُوضح عنده

وأخفى شهود الشاهدين وأحكما

وأخفى شهود الشاهدين وأحكما

A secret of the secret of the Secret was made clear with him;

So his reverence is the light of elation, and his knowledge

he concealed the witnesses' witnessing and made it firm.

Removes the ignorance that masked and gloomed

وروح لروح الروح في الرَّوح رائحٌ

وروح لروح الروح في الرَّوح رائحٌ

به وبه الريحان والرّوح منعما

به وبه الريحان والرّوح منعما

A spirit for the spirit of the Spirit moves in repose

A light for piety, hope with acceptance

through him; through him, sweet basil and repose are blessed.

And asceticism, fear with certainty and forbearance

وأنوار نور النور فاضت بنوره

وأنوار نور النور فاضت بنوره

وأنواره نور الدياجي مسجّما

وأنواره نور الدياجي مسجّما

The lights of the light of the Light overflowed through his light;

Intellect and surrender, pardoning creation

his lights illuminate the dark nights, pouring forth.

And knowing the love of God, and kind

فخشيته نور انشراحٍ وعلمه

فخشيته نور انشراحٍ وعلمه

يزيل من الجهل الذي قد تغمّما

يزيل من الجهل الذي قد تغمّما

His awe is a light of expansion, and his knowledge

The cosmos yield to him in all their matters

removes the ignorance that has become clouded.

And intimacy to the Master, breasts and kneaded

ونورٌ لتقوى والرجاء مع الرضا

ونورٌ لتقوى والرجاء مع الرضا

وزهدٍ وخوفٍ مع يقين وأحلما

وزهدٍ وخوفٍ مع يقين وأحلما

A light of piety and hope, joined with contentment,

When the cosmos arrived, or pressed their matters

asceticism and fear, with certainty and greater forbearance,

He deters them, resisted, demolished

وعقل وإسلامٌ وعفو عن الورى

وعقل وإسلامٌ وعفو عن الورى

ومعرفة حب الإله ومرحما

ومعرفة حب الإله ومرحما

intellect and Islam, and forgiveness of creatures,

He hinders whoever hinders from him, taking

and knowledge of God's love and compassion.

Provisions, so he befriends them with misery, imposed

تؤب له الأكوان في كل أمرها

تؤب له الأكوان في كل أمرها

وآب إلى المولى صدوراً ومجثما

وآب إلى المولى صدوراً ومجثما

The worlds turn to him in all their affairs;

His gifts the God sharpened, so sharpened

he returns to the Lord, in departure and repose.

The hearts of enemies, confined, hardened

إذا جاءت الأكوان أو آد أمرها

إذا جاءت الأكوان أو آد أمرها

ينهنهه عنها يذاد مهدّما

ينهنهه عنها يذاد مهدّما

When the worlds come, or their affairs grow burdensome,

A protector, the furthest reaches threading, cloaked

he restrains the burden from them; it is driven off and shattered.

In extending misery to the envoys’ misery, honoured

يعيق به من عيق عنه تزوّد

يعيق به من عيق عنه تزوّد

فيألفه بتّاً بتاتٍ فيلزما

فيألفه بتّاً بتاتٍ فيلزما

One barred from him clings to him for provision,

And acknowledging glory, enduring and struggling

then cleaves to him utterly and firmly, adhering.

With a folk, most wretched of folk, peaceful

مواهبه شجّ الإله فشجَّتِ

مواهبه شجّ الإله فشجَّتِ

قلوب العدا حبساً مصرّاً مصرّما

قلوب العدا حبساً مصرّاً مصرّما

His gifts are God's outpouring, and they have cleft

By it the eye as the eye delineated

the enemies' hearts, confining, persistent, and decisive.

And as the safeguarding eye, the eying deterred

وحامٍ مدى اللأوى ذماراً ومعطفا

وحامٍ مدى اللأوى ذماراً ومعطفا

بمد الألا خب السفير تكرّما

بمد الألا خب السفير تكرّما

A guardian throughout hardship of honor and compassion,

Onto the prosperous pours his rain, whoever

extending blessings as the envoy hurries, generously.

Took refuge in his creation wherever

ومعترف للمجد جلد وجائد

ومعترف للمجد جلد وجائد

بأمة عجف أمة البر أسلما

بأمة عجف أمة البر أسلما

An acknowledger of glory, hardy, and a generous giver

Attaining thereby ample livings and others

to a famished people, a people submitted to goodness.

And feeding dreams you wish imagining

بها العين كالعين التي قد تقنطر

بها العين كالعين التي قد تقنطر

وكالعين حفظاً كالعيون تحذْرما

وكالعين حفظاً كالعيون تحذْرما

There, gold is like a spring that has amassed abundance,

If panic consecutively takes its panic

and like an eye in guarding, like watchmen speaking swiftly.

Consecutively by his side the panic is broken

يفيض على العافين مأو لمن لجا

يفيض على العافين مأو لمن لجا

خليقته تضفي على الخلق حيثما

خليقته تضفي على الخلق حيثما

He lavishes upon supplicants, a refuge for whoever seeks shelter;

In the struggle of want, when time comes

his nature bestows upon creation wherever

Preparing pots, settled, ignited

ينال به وفراً سراة وغيرها

ينال به وفراً سراة وغيرها

ويقري لأحلامٍ تشاء تحلُّما

ويقري لأحلامٍ تشاء تحلُّما

notables and others obtain abundance through him.

A pasture for him the expanse of demise knelt

He offers hospitality to minds aspiring to forbearance.

With aged praise, howling winds calmed

إذا ذعرٌ لجا تتابع ذعره

إذا ذعرٌ لجا تتابع ذعره

تتابع بجٍّ منه للذعر مقصما

تتابع بجٍّ منه للذعر مقصما

If a frightened person seeks refuge as his fright mounts,

No sight wanders astray, nor transgresses

lavish giving follows from him, shattering that fright.

To it an inheritance from whom excellence demarcated

بمعترك عند الجياع أوانه

بمعترك عند الجياع أوانه

جوابٍ قدورٌ راسياتٌ مرذَّما

جوابٍ قدورٌ راسياتٌ مرذَّما

Amid a throng of hungry people, at its appointed time,

And from his light creation, if it escapes

stand basins and firmly set cauldrons, overflowing.

Does the sun deny, but who darkness embodied?

مناخٌ له رحب الفنا جفلت له

مناخٌ له رحب الفنا جفلت له

بمدح تليد ذالقات مجرجما

بمدح تليد ذالقات مجرجما

His encampment has a spacious court; there hasten to him

So its immoralities he saw his Lord

fluent tongues, resounding with age-old praise.

For it influence, seeing goodness determined

ولا بصرٌ كلاًّ يزيغ ولا طغى

ولا بصرٌ كلاًّ يزيغ ولا طغى

له إرث من لم يبق فضلاً مسنّما

له إرث من لم يبق فضلاً مسنّما

No gaze of his ever wavered or overstepped;

And its disobedience vigorously thrusts

his is an inheritance from one who left no excellence unsurmounted.

To well-pleased, well-satisfying, imposed

ومترعة من نوره الخلق إن درت

ومترعة من نوره الخلق إن درت

وللشمس لم ينكر سوى من يكن عما

وللشمس لم ينكر سوى من يكن عما

Creation is filled with his light, if only it knew;

By the favour of the God of the throne, favoured his favour

none denies the sun except one who is blind.

Swords to virtues, seven engraved

فأمّارةٌ بالسوء أبصر ربها

فأمّارةٌ بالسوء أبصر ربها

له أثراً يبصر على الخير أحزما

له أثراً يبصر على الخير أحزما

The master of a soul commanding evil perceives

Virtues, outpourings, alerted

his influence, gaining clearer sight and greater resolve in goodness.

His attributes the sea’s overflow flooding

ولوّامة منها حثيثاً يزجُّها

ولوّامة منها حثيثاً يزجُّها

لراضيةٍ مرضيّةٍ وملزِّما

لراضيةٍ مرضيّةٍ وملزِّما

A self-reproaching soul he drives swiftly onward

Every sea of the unknown he traversed

to one pleased and pleasing, holding it fast.

And from objection to whom is revered refrained

بفضل إله العرش فُضِّلَ فضلهُ

بفضل إله العرش فُضِّلَ فضلهُ

سيوف إلى الخيرات سبعاً ترقّما

سيوف إلى الخيرات سبعاً ترقّما

By the grace of the God of the Throne, his excellence was favored:

To God is the sea of permission, a sea to his order

seven swords, marked out for good deeds.

And the sea of attributes, the senses from them refrained

عروف غروفٌ نابه متنبّهٌ

عروف غروفٌ نابه متنبّهٌ

شمائله فيض البحور غطمطما

شمائله فيض البحور غطمطما

Deeply knowing, drawing abundantly, distinguished, alert,

A sea to a secret, then intellect rooted

his qualities are the roaring outpouring of seas.

And a sea to a soul, a sea to heart and reasoned

فكل بحور الغيب قد خاض سائراً

فكل بحور الغيب قد خاض سائراً

ولم يثن عن بغيا إلى من تعظّما

ولم يثن عن بغيا إلى من تعظّما

He traversed all the seas of the Unseen, journeying,

A tablet and throne, then chair and their veil

and was not turned from seeking the Exalted One.

And a sea to spheres, so from them advanced

فلله بحر الإذن بحرٌ لأمره

فلله بحر الإذن بحرٌ لأمره

وبحر الصفات الحس عنهم تسنّما

وبحر الصفات الحس عنهم تسنّما

To God belongs the sea of permission, and a sea of His command,

An encompassing sea and angels supreme

and the sea of attributes; beyond them he rose above sensation.

And a sea to strikes, jinn and venomous

وبحر لسرٍّ ثَمَّ عقلٍ تأصّلاً

وبحر لسرٍّ ثَمَّ عقلٍ تأصّلاً

وبحر لروحٍ بحر قلب وأُقْلُما

وبحر لروحٍ بحر قلب وأُقْلُما

And a sea of a secret, then of an intellect rooted firmly,

And a sea here to secrets, though their secret

and a sea of spirit, a sea of heart, and a Pen,

And of paradise and hellflowed and crept

ولوحٍ وعرشٍ ثم كرس وحَجْبِهِمْ

ولوحٍ وعرشٍ ثم كرس وحَجْبِهِمْ

وبَحْرٌ لأفلاكٍ فعنهم تقدّما

وبَحْرٌ لأفلاكٍ فعنهم تقدّما

and a Tablet and a Throne, then a Footstool and their veiling,

A sea to Him of encompassing knowledge our Lord

and a sea of celestial spheres; beyond them he advanced.

By it the pillars drowned, in it divided

وبحر محيطٌ والملائكة العلى

وبحر محيطٌ والملائكة العلى

وبحر لأَبْآسٍ وجنٍّ ومنسما

وبحر لأَبْآسٍ وجنٍّ ومنسما

And an encompassing sea, and the exalted angels,

Its essence in God remains submerged

and a sea of might, of jinn, and of breath.

Its appearance amongst people divided

وبحر هنا للسرِّ قد كُنَّ سِرُّهُ

وبحر هنا للسرِّ قد كُنَّ سِرُّهُ

وعن جنّةٍ والنار سار وسرَّما

وعن جنّةٍ والنار سار وسرَّما

And here a sea of the secret—his secret has been concealed;

You see the guest and poor of status and high estate

beyond Paradise and Hell he traveled and severed attachment.

And all people of needs have gained balm

وبحر له عن ذي إحاطة ربنا

وبحر له عن ذي إحاطة ربنا

به غرق الأقطاب فيه تقسّما

به غرق الأقطاب فيه تقسّما

And he has a sea beyond these: our Lord's encompassing;

So that for him property, and that ennobled

through it the Poles drown, and within it portions are divided.

And that for him condition, and that learned

فباطنه في الله دام مسغرقا

فباطنه في الله دام مسغرقا

وظاهره بين الأنام مقسّما

وظاهره بين الأنام مقسّما

His inward self remained wholly absorbed in God;

And that for him exoneration, and immunity seen for this

his outward self was apportioned among humankind.

And that ruling, and that judging assumed

ترى الضيف والمسكين ذا الوضع والعلى

ترى الضيف والمسكين ذا الوضع والعلى

وكل ذوي الحاجات قد حاز مرهما

وكل ذوي الحاجات قد حاز مرهما

You see the guest and the needy, those of low and high station,

And that for him allotment, provisioning his fortune

and all who have needs have obtained a balm.

And that for him arrow, with arrows attained

فذاك له مالٌ وذاك معزَّزٌ

فذاك له مالٌ وذاك معزَّزٌ

وذاك له حالٌ وذاك تعلّما

وذاك له حالٌ وذاك تعلّما

One has wealth; another is honored;

That for him dread and trembling seen for this

another has a spiritual state; another has learned.

And that for him bestowal and width for the hopeful

وذاك له بُرءٌ ودرءٌ يُرى لذا

وذاك له بُرءٌ ودرءٌ يُرى لذا

وذاك له حكمٌ وذاك تحكّما

وذاك له حكمٌ وذاك تحكّما

One has healing; protection is seen for another;

And that you would see withdrawal, chancing upon his heart

another has judgment; another exercises authority.

And that you would see abandonment, repelling peaceful

وذاك له سهمٌ يوفّر حظه

وذاك له سهمٌ يوفّر حظه

وذاك له سَهْمٌ أصيب بِأَسْهمَا

وذاك له سَهْمٌ أصيب بِأَسْهمَا

One has a portion that increases his allotment;

Tolerating kindness beautifully, and greeting

another has an arrow: he has been struck by arrows.

If no lawfulness in it he saw marked

وذاك له هشٌّ ورعش يرى لذا

وذاك له هشٌّ ورعش يرى لذا

وذاك له سنح وبرح لمرتما

وذاك له سنح وبرح لمرتما

One has a cheerful welcome; trembling is seen for another;

If it be, the Qur'an molded his manners

one has a favorable omen, another an unfavorable one for his aim.

And the excellence of natures came to be embossed

وذاك يُرى جذلان صادف قلبه

وذاك يُرى جذلان صادف قلبه

وذاك يُرى خذلان عاكس مسلما

وذاك يُرى خذلان عاكس مسلما

One is seen joyful: it has touched his heart;

If the beneficent showered favour for its clouds

another shows abandonment, opposing one who submits.

With flood and torrent obtained pouring coagulated

مجازٍ على الإحسان حُسناً وصافحٌ

مجازٍ على الإحسان حُسناً وصافحٌ

إذا لم يكن شرعٌ يراه مسلهما

إذا لم يكن شرعٌ يراه مسلهما

He repays goodness with goodness and forgives,

Or the surging drew purification for its brilliance

unless a ruling of the Law makes him stern.

With a splendid, splendid, illuminating moon darkened

فإن يك فالقرآن خلق لخُلقه

فإن يك فالقرآن خلق لخُلقه

وجاء له حسن الطبائع جرجما

وجاء له حسن الطبائع جرجما

If there is such a ruling, the Qur'an is the pattern of his character;

Pillar of the religion, as long as tradition lasts

excellent dispositions came to him abundantly.

Hope of hopes of the people coagulated

إذا استمطر العافي نوالاً لسحبه

إذا استمطر العافي نوالاً لسحبه

بوبلٍ ووكفٍ نال سكباً تركّما

بوبلٍ ووكفٍ نال سكباً تركّما

When a supplicant asks his clouds to rain generosity,

And neither aged, nor youthful is he

with downpour and steady dripping he obtains a heaped-up outpouring.

For he is the legacy of ancients, stars

أو استضوأ الساري قبيساً لضوئه

أو استضوأ الساري قبيساً لضوئه

ببدر بهيٍّ باهرٍ ضاء مظلما

ببدر بهيٍّ باهرٍ ضاء مظلما

Or when a night traveler seeks a spark from his light,

Inheriting him lineage, then lineage endlessly

a radiant, dazzling full moon illuminates the darkness.

And bequeathing him branch, completing branch

عميد عماد الدين ما دام ديدن

عميد عماد الدين ما دام ديدن

مؤمَّلُ آمال الأنام مؤمّما

مؤمَّلُ آمال الأنام مؤمّما

Chief and mainstay of religion, so long as its practice endures,

the hoped-for fulfillment of humankind's hopes, their sought destination.

وليس قشيباً ذا وليس بسابيء

وليس قشيباً ذا وليس بسابيء

له إنه إرث الأوائل أنجما

له إنه إرث الأوائل أنجما

This is no new thing, nor is he a buyer

of it: it is the ancients' inheritance, star upon star.

توارثه أصلاً فأصلاً بلا انتها

توارثه أصلاً فأصلاً بلا انتها

وأورثه فرعاً ففرعاً متمّما

وأورثه فرعاً ففرعاً متمّما

He inherited it, root after root, without end,

and passed it on, branch after branch, bringing it to completion.