تَأَوَّبَcame by night طَيْفٌa phantom مِنْfrom سَمِيرَةَSamira زَائِرٌvisiting
تَأَوَّبَ طَيْفٌ مِنْ سَمِيرَةَ زَائِرٌ
وَمَاand not الطَّيْفُthe phantom إِلَّاexcept مَاwhat تُريهِshow him الْخَوَاطِرُthoughts
وَمَا الطَّيْفُ إِلَّا مَا تُريهِ الْخَوَاطِرُ
A visiting phantom of Samira came by night.
A specter from Samirah came to visit
And a phantom is only what thoughts make one see.
Though a specter is but what fancies conjure
طَوَىcrossed سُدْفَةَthe gloom of الظَّلْمَاءِdarkness وَاللَّيْلُand the night ضَارِبٌspreading
طَوَى سُدْفَةَ الظَّلْمَاءِ وَاللَّيْلُ ضَارِبٌ
بِأَرْوَاقِهِwith its curtains وَالنَّجْمُand the star بِالأُفْقِon the horizon حَائِرُbewildered
بِأَرْوَاقِهِ وَالنَّجْمُ بِالأُفْقِ حَائِرُ
It crossed the veil of darkness while night spread
It crossed the gloom of night when darkness prevailed
Its curtains, and the star stood bewildered on the horizon.
With its veils, and the stars wandered confused
فَيَاso oh لَكَfor you مِنْof طَيْفٍa phantom أَلَمَّvisited وَدُونَهُand before it
فَيَا لَكَ مِنْ طَيْفٍ أَلَمَّ وَدُونَهُ
مُحِيطٌan ocean مِنَof الْبَحْرِthe sea الْجَنُوبِيِّsouthern زَاخِرُsurging
مُحِيطٌ مِنَ الْبَحْرِ الْجَنُوبِيِّ زَاخِرُ
What a phantom, visiting while before it lay
O what a painful specter, with surrounding seas
A surging ocean of the southern sea!
Of the south gushing forth unrestrained
تَخَطَّىcrossed إِليَّto me الأَرْضَthe earth وَجْدَاًin longing وَمَاand not لَهُfor it
تَخَطَّى إِليَّ الأَرْضَ وَجْدَاً وَمَا لَهُ
سِوَىexcept نَزَواتِsurges of الشَّوقِyearning حَادٍa camel-driver وَزَاجِرُand a goad
سِوَى نَزَواتِ الشَّوقِ حَادٍ وَزَاجِرُ
It crossed the earth to me in longing, with no
It hastened to me ardently though it possessed
Driver or goad but the surges of yearning.
Naught but the passion of longing, stern and defiant
أَلَمَّvisited وَلَمْand did not يَلْبَثْlinger وَسَارَand departed وَلَيْتَهُand would that it
أَلَمَّ وَلَمْ يَلْبَثْ وَسَارَ وَلَيْتَهُ
أَقَامَstayed وَلَوْand even if طَالَتْgrew long عَلَيَّupon me الدَّيَاجِرُthe dark nights
أَقَامَ وَلَوْ طَالَتْ عَلَيَّ الدَّيَاجِرُ
It visited, did not linger, and departed; would that it
It pained me, lingered not, and went away—would that
Had stayed, even if the dark nights grew long upon me.
It had stayed, however long my vigil endured
تَحَمَّلَendured أَهْوَالَterrors of الظَّلامِdarkness مُخَاطِراًtaking risks
تَحَمَّلَ أَهْوَالَ الظَّلامِ مُخَاطِراً
وَعَهْدِيand my knowledge بِمَنْof her who جَادَتْwas generous بِهِwith it لاnot تُخَاطِرُtakes risks
وَعَهْدِي بِمَنْ جَادَتْ بِهِ لا تُخَاطِرُ
It braved the terrors of darkness, taking risks,
Braving the horrors of darkness, venturing forth
Though I know she who bestowed it takes no risks.
While I in she who sent it have trust without doubt
خُمَاسِيَّةٌa five-year-old لَمْdid not تَدْرِknow مَاwhat اللَّيْلُthe night وَالسُّرَىand night travel
خُمَاسِيَّةٌ لَمْ تَدْرِ مَا اللَّيْلُ وَالسُّرَى
وَلَمْand did not تَنْحَسِرْwithdraw عَنْfrom صَفْحَتَيْهَاher two cheeks السَّتَائِرُthe curtains
وَلَمْ تَنْحَسِرْ عَنْ صَفْحَتَيْهَا السَّتَائِرُ
A five-year-old, knowing nothing of night or night journeys,
A quintet who know not what night is, nor has
And no curtains have drawn back from her two cheeks.
modesty lifted from their faces the veils
عَقِيلَةُthe cherished one among أَتْرَابٍgirls her age تَوَالَيْنَgathered in succession حَوْلَهَاaround her
عَقِيلَةُ أَتْرَابٍ تَوَالَيْنَ حَوْلَهَا
كَمَاas دَارَcircled بِالْبَدْرِaround the full moon النُّجُومُthe stars الزَّواهِرُshining
كَمَا دَارَ بِالْبَدْرِ النُّجُومُ الزَّواهِرُ
The cherished one among companions gathered around her,
Darling children clustered around their father
As shining stars circle the full moon.
Like stars encircling the full moon in its glory
غَوَافِلُinnocent girls لاnot يَعْرِفْنَknow بُؤْسَhardship of مَعِيشَةٍliving
غَوَافِلُ لا يَعْرِفْنَ بُؤْسَ مَعِيشَةٍ
وَلاand not هُنَّthey بِالْخَطْبِof the calamity الْمُلِمِّbefalling شَواعِرُaware
وَلا هُنَّ بِالْخَطْبِ الْمُلِمِّ شَواعِرُ
Innocent girls, knowing no hardship of living,
Heedless, unaware of the woes of life
Nor aware of the calamity that descends.
Nor stirred by grave events however shocking
تَعَوَّدْنَbecame accustomed to خَفْضَease of الْعَيْشِlife فِيin ظِلِّshelter of وَالِدٍa father
تَعَوَّدْنَ خَفْضَ الْعَيْشِ فِي ظِلِّ وَالِدٍ
رَحِيمٍcompassionate وَبَيْتٍand a house شَيَّدَتْهُbuilt it الْعَنَاصِرُancestral roots
رَحِيمٍ وَبَيْتٍ شَيَّدَتْهُ الْعَنَاصِرُ
Accustomed to life's ease in the shelter of a father,
Accustomed are they to humble living in the shade
Compassionate, and a house raised by ancestral roots.
Of a merciful father and home built by the elements
فَهُنَّso they كَعُنْقُودِlike the cluster of الثُّرَيَّاthe Pleiades تَأَلَّقَتْgleamed
فَهُنَّ كَعُنْقُودِ الثُّرَيَّا تَأَلَّقَتْ
كَواكِبُهُits stars فِيin الأُفْقِthe horizon فَهْيَso they are سَوَافِرُunveiled
كَواكِبُهُ فِي الأُفْقِ فَهْيَ سَوَافِرُ
They are like the Pleiades' cluster, aglow—
Thus are they as a cluster of ripe grapes
Its stars on the horizon, unveiled.
Whose stars shone in the firmament, wandering
تُمَثِّلُهَاportrays her الذِّكْرَىmemory لِعَيْنِيto my eye كَأَنَّنِيas though I
تُمَثِّلُهَا الذِّكْرَى لِعَيْنِي كَأَنَّنِي
إِلَيْهَاtoward her عَلَىacross بُعْدٍa distance مِنَof الأَرْضِthe earth نَاظِرُgazing
إِلَيْهَا عَلَى بُعْدٍ مِنَ الأَرْضِ نَاظِرُ
Memory portrays her before my eye, as though I
In my memory they resemble apparitions
Were gazing toward her across the distance of the earth.
Though from afar on earth I watch over
فَطَوْرَاًso sometimes أَخَالُI suppose الظَّنَّsupposition حَقَّاًtrue وَتَارَةًand sometimes
فَطَوْرَاً أَخَالُ الظَّنَّ حَقَّاً وَتَارَةً
أَهِيمُI wander distraught فَتَغْشَىso veils مُقْلَتَيَّmy two eyes السَّمَادِرُvisual haze
أَهِيمُ فَتَغْشَى مُقْلَتَيَّ السَّمَادِرُ
At times I take imagining for truth, and at others
Sometimes fancying them real, other times
I wander distraught, and a haze veils my two eyes.
Melancholy shrouds my eyelids in gloom
فَيَاso oh بُعْدَthe distance of مَاwhat بَيْنِيbetween me وَبَيْنَand between أَحِبَّتِيmy loved ones
فَيَا بُعْدَ مَا بَيْنِي وَبَيْنَ أَحِبَّتِي
وَيَاand oh قُرْبَthe nearness of ماwhat الْتَفَّتْwrapped themselves عَلَيهِaround it الضَّمائِرُhearts
وَيَا قُرْبَ ما الْتَفَّتْ عَلَيهِ الضَّمائِرُ
How far is the space between me and my loved ones,
Ah, the distance between me and my loved ones!
Yet how near is what our hearts embrace!
And how minds were brought close in intimacy!
وَلَوْلاand were it not for أَمَانِيhopes of النَّفْسِthe soul وَهْيَand they are حَياتُهَاits life
وَلَوْلا أَمَانِي النَّفْسِ وَهْيَ حَياتُهَا
لَمَاwould not طَارَfly لِيfor me فَوْقَabove الْبَسِيطَةِthe earth طَائِرُa bird
لَمَا طَارَ لِي فَوْقَ الْبَسِيطَةِ طَائِرُ
Were it not for the soul's hopes, which are its life,
Were it not for the soul’s hopes—its life—
No bird would fly for me above the earth.
No bird would have flown for me above the desert
فَإِنْso if تَكُنِbe الأَيَّامُthe days فَرَّقْنَhave separated بَيْنَنَاbetween us
فَإِنْ تَكُنِ الأَيَّامُ فَرَّقْنَ بَيْنَنَا
فَكُلُّthen every امْرِئٍperson يَوْمَاًone day إِلَىto اللَّهِGod صَائِرُreturning
فَكُلُّ امْرِئٍ يَوْمَاً إِلَى اللَّهِ صَائِرُ
If the days have parted us,
If days have parted us, to God we each
Then every person one day returns to God.
One day shall return, a destined journey
هِيَit is الدَّارُthe world مَاnot الأَنْفَاسُbreaths إِلَّاexcept نَهَائِبٌplunder
هِيَ الدَّارُ مَا الأَنْفَاسُ إِلَّا نَهَائِبٌ
لَدَيْهَاwith it وماand not الأَجْسَامُbodies إِلَّاexcept عَقَائِرُslaughtered victims
لَدَيْهَا وما الأَجْسَامُ إِلَّا عَقَائِرُ
Such is the world: breaths are only spoils
There lies the abode, with breaths but sighs
To it, and bodies only slaughtered victims.
To it, bodies but victims offered forth
إِذَاif أَحْسَنَتْacted kindly يَوْماًone day أَسَاءَتْdid harm ضُحَىthe forenoon of غَدٍtomorrow
إِذَا أَحْسَنَتْ يَوْماً أَسَاءَتْ ضُحَى غَدٍ
فَإِحْسَانُهَاso its kindness سَيْفٌa sword عَلَىupon النَّاسِpeople جَائِرُunjust
فَإِحْسَانُهَا سَيْفٌ عَلَى النَّاسِ جَائِرُ
If it shows kindness one day, it harms us the next forenoon;
When favorable one day, another morn wrongs,
Its kindness is a sword that wrongs mankind.
Its favor a sword unjust upon the people
تَرُبُّrears الْفَتَىthe youth حَتَّىuntil إِذَاwhen تَمَّbecame complete أَمْرُهُhis development
تَرُبُّ الْفَتَى حَتَّى إِذَا تَمَّ أَمْرُهُ
دَهَتْهُstruck him down كَمَاas رَبَّreared الْبَهِيمَةthe beast جَازرُa butcher
دَهَتْهُ كَمَا رَبَّ الْبَهِيمَة جَازرُ
It rears a youth until he reaches his prime,
It raises a youth until his affair concludes
Then strikes him down, as a butcher rears a beast.
Then slaughters him as a beast by the butcher
لَهَاit has تَرَةٌa wrong فِيin كُلِّevery حَيٍّliving being وَماand not لَهَاit has
لَهَا تَرَةٌ فِي كُلِّ حَيٍّ وَما لَهَا
عَلَىdespite طُولِthe long duration of مَاwhat تَجْنِيit perpetrates عَلَىagainst الْخَلْقِcreation وَاتِرُa wrongdoer
عَلَى طُولِ مَا تَجْنِي عَلَى الْخَلْقِ وَاتِرُ
It wrongs every living soul, yet it has
For each living being it sets a trap, unfailing
No one to wrong it, for all its long offenses against creation.
However much it sins against mankind, a tyrant
كَثِيرَةُmany أَلْوَانِcolors of الْوِدَادِaffection مَلِيَّةٌdeserving
كَثِيرَةُ أَلْوَانِ الْوِدَادِ مَلِيَّةٌ
بِأَنْthat يَتَوَقَّاهَاbeware of it الْقَرِينُthe companion الْمُعَاشِرُwho keeps close company
بِأَنْ يَتَوَقَّاهَا الْقَرِينُ الْمُعَاشِرُ
Many-colored in affection, it well deserves
Fickle in the guises of love it dons
To be guarded against by its close companion.
Hoping its companion not see through its act
فَمَنْso whoever نَظَرَconsiders الدُّنْيَاthe world بِحِكْمَةِwith the wisdom of نَاقِدٍa discerning judge
فَمَنْ نَظَرَ الدُّنْيَا بِحِكْمَةِ نَاقِدٍ
دَرَىknows أَنَّهَاthat it بَيْنَamong الأَنَامِhumankind تُقَامِرُgambles
دَرَى أَنَّهَا بَيْنَ الأَنَامِ تُقَامِرُ
Whoever views the world with a discerning judge's wisdom
Who views the world with the eye of a critic
Knows that it gambles among humankind.
Sees that with people it gambles and toys
صَبَرْتُI endured عَلَىdespite كُرْهٍaversion لِمَاbecause of what قَدْalready أَصَابَنِيbefell me
صَبَرْتُ عَلَى كُرْهٍ لِمَا قَدْ أَصَابَنِي
وَمَنْand whoever لَمْdid not يَجِدْfind مَنْدُوحَةًa way out فَهْوَthen he صَابِرُendures
وَمَنْ لَمْ يَجِدْ مَنْدُوحَةً فَهْوَ صَابِرُ
I endured reluctantly what had befallen me;
I suffered patiently what had befallen me
Whoever finds no way out must endure.
And when escapes fail, patience excuses one
وَماand not الْحِلْمُforbearance عِنْدَduring الْخَطْبِcalamity وَالْمَرْءُwhile a person عَاجِزٌpowerless
وَما الْحِلْمُ عِنْدَ الْخَطْبِ وَالْمَرْءُ عَاجِزٌ
بِمُسْتَحْسَنٍadmirable كَالْحِلْمِlike forbearance وَالْمَرْءُwhile a person قَادِرُable
بِمُسْتَحْسَنٍ كَالْحِلْمِ وَالْمَرْءُ قَادِرُ
Nor is forbearance in calamity, when a man is powerless,
Wisdom amid adversity, when one is helpless,
As admirable as forbearance when a man has power.
Is not as worthy as when one is able
وَلَكِنْbut إِذَاwhen قَلَّgrew scarce النَّصِيرُthe helper وَأَعْوَزَتْand were lacking
وَلَكِنْ إِذَا قَلَّ النَّصِيرُ وَأَعْوَزَتْ
دَوَاعِيmeans of الْمُنىhopes فَالصَّبْرُthen patience فِيهِin it الْمَعَاذِرُjustifications
دَوَاعِي الْمُنى فَالصَّبْرُ فِيهِ الْمَعَاذِرُ
But when helpers are few, and lacking are
But when supporters are few and hopes fail,
The means to fulfill hopes, patience has its justifications.
Patience therein is the refuge for all
فَلاso let not يَشْمَتِgloat الأَعْدَاءُenemies بِيover me فَلَرُبَّمَاfor perhaps
فَلا يَشْمَتِ الأَعْدَاءُ بِي فَلَرُبَّمَا
وَصَلْتُI reached لِمَاto what أَرْجُوهُI hope for it مِمَّاfrom what أُحَاذِرُI fear
وَصَلْتُ لِمَا أَرْجُوهُ مِمَّا أُحَاذِرُ
Let my enemies not gloat over me, for I may
Let not my enemies gloat over me, for soon
Reach what I hope for through what I fear.
I may attain what I fear and guard against
فَقَدْfor sometimes يَسْتَقِيمُbecome straight الأَمْرُthe affair بَعْدَafter اعْوِجَاجِهِits crookedness
فَقَدْ يَسْتَقِيمُ الأَمْرُ بَعْدَ اعْوِجَاجِهِ
وَتَنْهَضُand raise بِالْمَرْءِa person الْجُدُوُدfortunes الْعَوَاثِرُstumbling
وَتَنْهَضُ بِالْمَرْءِ الْجُدُوُد الْعَوَاثِرُ
For affairs may straighten after going awry,
Affairs may yet go aright after crookedness
And stumbling fortunes may lift a man.
And the stumbling blocks may bring a man success
وَلِيand I have أَملٌhope فِيin اللَّهِGod تَحْيَاrevive بِهِthrough it الْمُنَىhopes
وَلِي أَملٌ فِي اللَّهِ تَحْيَا بِهِ الْمُنَى
وَيُشْرِقُand shines وَجْهُthe face of الظَّنِّexpectation والْخَطْبُwhile calamity كَاشِرُbaring its teeth
وَيُشْرِقُ وَجْهُ الظَّنِّ والْخَطْبُ كَاشِرُ
I have hope in God, by which desires revive,
In God, I have a hope by which wishes survive
And expectation's face shines though calamity bares its teeth.
The aspect of fancying shines, and events are kind
وَطِيدٌsteadfast يَزِلُّslips الْكَيْدُguile عَنْهُfrom it وَتَنْقَضِيand ends
وَطِيدٌ يَزِلُّ الْكَيْدُ عَنْهُ وَتَنْقَضِي
مُجَاهَدَةُthe struggle against الأَيَّامِthe days وَهْوَwhile it مُثَابِرُperseveres
مُجَاهَدَةُ الأَيَّامِ وَهْوَ مُثَابِرُ
Steadfast: guile slips away from it, and an end comes to
I have a stalwart spirit whom guile declines
The struggle against the days, while it perseveres.
And the struggle of days will eventually cease
إِذَاif الْمَرْءُa person لَمْdoes not يَرْكَنْrely إِلَىon اللَّهِGod فِيconcerning الَّذِيwhat
إِذَا الْمَرْءُ لَمْ يَرْكَنْ إِلَى اللَّهِ فِي الَّذِي
يُحَاذِرُهُhe fears it مِنْfrom دَهْرِهِhis time فَهْوَthen he خَاسِرُa loser
يُحَاذِرُهُ مِنْ دَهْرِهِ فَهْوَ خَاسِرُ
If a man does not rely on God concerning what
When a man rests not in God against what
He fears from his days, he is a loser.
he dreads of fate, he is lost
وَإِنْand if هُوَhe لَمْdoes not يَصْبِرْendure عَلَىin the face of ماwhat أَصَابَهُbefell him
وَإِنْ هُوَ لَمْ يَصْبِرْ عَلَى ما أَصَابَهُ
فَلَيْسَthen there is not لَهُfor him فِيin مَعْرِضِthe arena of الْحَقِّtruth نَاصِرُa champion
فَلَيْسَ لَهُ فِي مَعْرِضِ الْحَقِّ نَاصِرُ
And if he does not endure what befalls him,
If he bears not patiently what befell him
He has no champion in the arena of truth.
Then when truth surfaces, he has no victor
وَمَنْand whoever لَمْhas not يَذُقْtasted حُلْوَsweetness of الزَّمَانِtime وَمُرَّهُand its bitterness
وَمَنْ لَمْ يَذُقْ حُلْوَ الزَّمَانِ وَمُرَّهُ
فَمَاthen not هُوَhe إِلَّاexcept طَائِشُflighty of اللُّبِّmind نَافِرُskittish
فَمَا هُوَ إِلَّا طَائِشُ اللُّبِّ نَافِرُ
Whoever has not tasted time's sweetness and bitterness
He who tastes not the sweet and bitter of life
Is merely flighty of mind and skittish.
Is but a wild creature, fleeing and straying
وَلَوْلاand were it not for تَكَالِيفُburdens of السِّيَادَةِleadership لَمْwould not يَخِبْfail
وَلَوْلا تَكَالِيفُ السِّيَادَةِ لَمْ يَخِبْ
جَبَانٌa coward وَلَمْand would not يَحْوِattain الْفَضِيلَةَexcellence ثَائِرُa challenger
جَبَانٌ وَلَمْ يَحْوِ الْفَضِيلَةَ ثَائِرُ
But for the demands of eminence, there would be no failure
Were it not for duties of leadership, no coward
For a coward, nor would a bold contender gain excellence.
Would withhold himself, or hero remain dormant
تقلُّdiminish دَوَاعِيimpulses of النَّفْسِthe soul وَهْيَwhile it ضَعِيفَةٌweak
تقلُّ دَوَاعِي النَّفْسِ وَهْيَ ضَعِيفَةٌ
وَتَقْوَىand strengthen هُمُومُconcerns of الْقَلْبِthe heart وَهْوَwhile it مُغَامِرُventuresome
وَتَقْوَى هُمُومُ الْقَلْبِ وَهْوَ مُغَامِرُ
The soul's impulses dwindle when it is weak,
Only seeking livelihood, every ascetic
And the heart's concerns grow strong when it is venturesome.
Would restrain himself, and every man bear patiently
وَكَيْفَand how يَبِينُbecomes clear الْفَضْلُmerit وَالنَّقْصُand deficiency فِيamong الْوَرَىpeople
وَكَيْفَ يَبِينُ الْفَضْلُ وَالنَّقْصُ فِي الْوَرَى
إِذَاif لَمْnot تَكُنْare سَوْمَthe valuation of الرِّجَالِmen الْمَآثِرُglorious deeds
إِذَا لَمْ تَكُنْ سَوْمَ الرِّجَالِ الْمَآثِرُ
How can merit and deficiency be distinguished among people
Had the means of supremacy been through wealth
If noble deeds do not measure the worth of men?
Every man of merit would seek wealth and trade
وَمَاand not حَمَلَcarried السَّيْفَthe sword الْكَمِيُّthe armored warrior لِزِينَةٍfor adornment
وَمَا حَمَلَ السَّيْفَ الْكَمِيُّ لِزِينَةٍ
وَلَكِنْbut لأَمْرٍfor a purpose أَوْجَبَتْهُrequired it الْمَفَاخِرُdeeds of honor
وَلَكِنْ لأَمْرٍ أَوْجَبَتْهُ الْمَفَاخِرُ
The armored warrior did not carry his sword for adornment,
But noble souls scorn baseness, preferring
But for a duty demanded by deeds of honor.
High-minded poverty to wealth degrading
إِذَاif لَمْnot يَكُنْis إِلَّاexcept الْمَعِيشَةَlivelihood مَطْلَبٌa goal
إِذَا لَمْ يَكُنْ إِلَّا الْمَعِيشَةَ مَطْلَبٌ
فَكُلُّthen every زَهِيدٍscant thing يُمْسِكُsustains النَّفْسَthe soul جَابِرُsufficient
فَكُلُّ زَهِيدٍ يُمْسِكُ النَّفْسَ جَابِرُ
If livelihood is the only goal,
I who covet honor am not deterred from its pursuit
Then any little thing that sustains the soul is enough.
By comfort, nor does destitution thwart my course
فَلَوْلاso were it not for الْعُلاgreatness مَاnot أَرْسَلَloosed السَّهْمَthe arrow نَازِعٌan archer
فَلَوْلا الْعُلا مَا أَرْسَلَ السَّهْمَ نَازِعٌ
وَلاand not شَهَرَbrandished السَّيْفَthe sword الْيَمَانِيَّYemeni شَاهِرُone who brandishes
وَلا شَهَرَ السَّيْفَ الْيَمَانِيَّ شَاهِرُ
Were it not for greatness, no archer would loose an arrow,
Neither am I, if nearness visits me, smiling
Nor would any wielder brandish the Yemeni sword.
Nor am I, if distance parts me, morose
مِنَof الْعَارِshame أَنْthat يَرْضَىaccepts الدَّنِيَّةَhumiliation مَاجِدٌa noble man
مِنَ الْعَارِ أَنْ يَرْضَى الدَّنِيَّةَ مَاجِدٌ
وَيَقْبَلَand accepts مَكْذُوبَfalse الْمُنَىhopes وَهْوَwhile he صَاغِرُabased
وَيَقْبَلَ مَكْذُوبَ الْمُنَى وَهْوَ صَاغِرُ
It is shameful for a noble man to accept humiliation,
Poverty, if honor is unstained, does not shame
And embrace false hopes while abased.
As wealth, if one has no merit, does not honor
إِذَاif كُنْتَyou are تَخْشَىafraid of كُلَّevery شَيءٍthing مِنَfrom الرَّدىdeath
إِذَا كُنْتَ تَخْشَى كُلَّ شَيءٍ مِنَ الرَّدى
فَكُلُّthen all الَّذِيthat فيin الْكَوْنِthe universe لِلنَّفْسِto the soul ضَائِرُharmful
فَكُلُّ الَّذِي في الْكَوْنِ لِلنَّفْسِ ضَائِرُ
If you fear death from everything,
When the flies of swords no longer roam
Then everything in the universe is harmful to the soul.
Its sheath in war is a conspicuous stigma
فَمِنْfor from صِحَّةِhealth of الإِنْسَانِa human being ماthat which فِيهِin it سُقْمُهُhis illness
فَمِنْ صِحَّةِ الإِنْسَانِ ما فِيهِ سُقْمُهُ
وَمِنْand from أَمْنِهِhis safety مَاthat which فَاجَأَتْهُtook him by surprise الْمَخَاطِرُdangers
وَمِنْ أَمْنِهِ مَا فَاجَأَتْهُ الْمَخَاطِرُ
For in a person's health may lie his illness,
If I have nothing now but a humble portion
And from his very safety dangers take him unawares.
Shared among family, absent and present
عَلَيَّupon me طِلابُseeking الْعِزِّhonor مِنْfrom مُسْتَقَرِّهِits dwelling place
عَلَيَّ طِلابُ الْعِزِّ مِنْ مُسْتَقَرِّهِ
وَلاand no ذَنْبَblame لِيfor me إِنْif عَارَضَتْنِيopposed me الْمَقَادِرُdecrees of fate
وَلا ذَنْبَ لِي إِنْ عَارَضَتْنِي الْمَقَادِرُ
Mine is to seek honor where it dwells,
How many a hero has time made decay
And I am not to blame if decrees of fate oppose me.
And how many a lord has fate brought low
فَمَاfor not كُلُّevery مَحْلُولِgentle in الْعَرِيكَةِdisposition خَائِبٌa failure
فَمَا كُلُّ مَحْلُولِ الْعَرِيكَةِ خَائِبٌ
وَلاand not كُلُّevery مَحْبُوكِtightly wrought in التَّرِيكَةِhelmet ظَافِرُvictorious
وَلا كُلُّ مَحْبُوكِ التَّرِيكَةِ ظَافِرُ
For not every man of gentle disposition is a failure,
What stalwart sword did dullness not strike
Nor every man in a tightly wrought helmet victorious.
And what sturdy steed did hooves not betray
فَمَاذَاso what عَسَىcould الأَعْدَاءُenemies أَنْto يَتَقَوَّلُواfabricate
فَمَاذَا عَسَى الأَعْدَاءُ أَنْ يَتَقَوَّلُوا
عَليَّagainst me وعِرْضِيwhile my honor نَاصِحُpure of الْجَيْبِthe bosom وَافِرُintact
عَليَّ وعِرْضِي نَاصِحُ الْجَيْبِ وَافِرُ
What, then, could enemies fabricate
Truth shall one day be clear to the beholder
Against me, when my honor is pure of heart and intact?
And the secrets of scheming souls will emerge
فَلِيfor I have فِيin مرَادِthe pursuit of الْفَضْلِvirtue خَيْرُthe best مَغَبَّةٍoutcome
فَلِي فِي مرَادِ الْفَضْلِ خَيْرُ مَغَبَّةٍ
إِذَاwhen شَانَdishonored حَيَّاًa clan بِالْخِيَانَةِthrough treachery ذَاكِرُone who mentions
إِذَا شَانَ حَيَّاً بِالْخِيَانَةِ ذَاكِرُ
For mine, in pursuing virtue, is the best outcome,
This is but a cloud, then it shall dissipate
When a speaker stains a clan with treachery.
Its darkness, and God aids whom He wills
مَلَكْتُI controlled عُقَابَthe eagle of المُلكِsovereignty وَهْيَwhile it كَسِيرَةٌbroken-winged
مَلَكْتُ عُقَابَ المُلكِ وَهْيَ كَسِيرَةٌ
وَغَادَرْتُهَاand I left it فِيin وَكْرِهَاits nest وَهْيَwhile it طَائِرُable to fly
وَغَادَرْتُهَا فِي وَكْرِهَا وَهْيَ طَائِرُ
I mastered the eagle of sovereignty when it was broken-winged,
Though after hopes were shared among
And left it in its nest, able to fly.
The beloved, prison gloom closed in around me
وَلَوْand if رُمْتُI sought مَاwhat رَامsought امْرُؤٌa man بِخِيَانَةٍthrough treachery
وَلَوْ رُمْتُ مَا رَام امْرُؤٌ بِخِيَانَةٍ
لَصَبَّحنِيwould greet me at dawn قِسْطٌa share مِنَof الْمَالِwealth غَامِرُabundant
لَصَبَّحنِي قِسْطٌ مِنَ الْمَالِ غَامِرُ
Had I sought what a man sought through treachery,
Yet wait, O people of the world, for we
A vast share of wealth would have greeted me at dawn.
Are bound for an end where all is manifest
وَلَكِنْbut أَبَتْrefused نَفْسِيmy soul الْكَرِيمَةُnoble سَوْأَةًa disgrace
وَلَكِنْ أَبَتْ نَفْسِي الْكَرِيمَةُ سَوْأَةً
تُعَابُwould be reproached بِهَاfor it والدَّهْرُand time فِيهِin it الْمعايِرُreproaches
تُعَابُ بِهَا والدَّهْرُ فِيهِ الْمعايِرُ
But my noble soul refused a disgrace
To it labored breaths will calm, and twist
For which it would be blamed; time has its reproaches.
Around the celestial sphere its burdens
فَلاso do not تَحْسَبَنَّever suppose الْمَالَwealth يَنْفَعُbenefits رَبَّهُits owner
فَلا تَحْسَبَنَّ الْمَالَ يَنْفَعُ رَبَّهُ
إِذَاif هُوَhe لَمْdid not تَحْمَدْpraise قِرَاهُhis hospitality العَشَائِرُthe clans
إِذَا هُوَ لَمْ تَحْمَدْ قِرَاهُ العَشَائِرُ
Do not think wealth benefits its master
There truth rises and clearly appears
If the clans do not praise his hospitality.
While the edifice of falsehood stumbles and falls
فَقَدْfor sometimes يَسْتَجِمُّaccumulates الْمَالُwealth وَالْمَجْدُwhile glory غَائِبٌabsent
فَقَدْ يَسْتَجِمُّ الْمَالُ وَالْمَجْدُ غَائِبٌ
وَقَدْand sometimes لاnot يَكُونُexists الْمَالُwealth والْمَجْدُwhile glory حاضِرُpresent
وَقَدْ لا يَكُونُ الْمَالُ والْمَجْدُ حاضِرُ
Wealth may accumulate while glory is absent,
And soon the whole matter will conclude
And wealth may be lacking while glory is present.
For no first exists without a last to follow
وَلَوْand if أَنَّthat أَسْبَابَmeans of السِّيَادَةِleadership بِالْغِنَىthrough wealth
وَلَوْ أَنَّ أَسْبَابَ السِّيَادَةِ بِالْغِنَى
لَكَاثَرَwould rival رَبَّthe possessor of الْفَضْلِvirtue بِالْمَالِwith wealth تَاجِرُa merchant
لَكَاثَرَ رَبَّ الْفَضْلِ بِالْمَالِ تَاجِرُ
If the means of eminence lay in riches,
A merchant would rival a man of virtue with wealth.
فَلاso no غَرْوَwonder أَنْthat حُزْتُI gained الْمَكَارِمَnoble honors عَارِياًstripped bare
فَلا غَرْوَ أَنْ حُزْتُ الْمَكَارِمَ عَارِياً
فَقَدْfor sometimes يَشْهَدُwitnesses السَّيْفُthe sword الْوَغَىbattle وَهْوَwhile it حَاسِرُunsheathed
فَقَدْ يَشْهَدُ السَّيْفُ الْوَغَى وَهْوَ حَاسِرُ
No wonder I won noble honors while stripped bare,
For a sword may witness battle unsheathed.
أَنَاI الْمَرءُthe man لاnot يَثْنِيهِturns him aside عَنْfrom دَرَكِattaining الْعُلاgreatness
أَنَا الْمَرءُ لا يَثْنِيهِ عَنْ دَرَكِ الْعُلا
نَعِيمٌluxury وَلاand not تَعْدُوassail عَلَيْهِagainst him الْمَفَاقِرُprivations
نَعِيمٌ وَلا تَعْدُو عَلَيْهِ الْمَفَاقِرُ
I am the man not turned from attaining greatness
By luxury, nor assailed by privations.
قَؤُولٌbold in speech وَأَحْلامُwhile the judgments of الرِّجَالِmen عَوَازِبٌabsent
قَؤُولٌ وَأَحْلامُ الرِّجَالِ عَوَازِبٌ
صَؤُولٌfierce in attack وَأَفْوَاهُwhile the mouths of الْمَنَايَاdeaths فَوَاغِرُgaping
صَؤُولٌ وَأَفْوَاهُ الْمَنَايَا فَوَاغِرُ
Bold in speech when men's judgment has fled,
Fierce in attack when the mouths of death gape open.
فَلاso not أَنَاI إِنْif أَدْنَانِيَbrought me near الْوَجْدُwealth بَاسِمٌsmiling
فَلا أَنَا إِنْ أَدْنَانِيَ الْوَجْدُ بَاسِمٌ
وَلاand not أَنَاI إِنْif أَقْصَانِيَsent me far away الْعُدْمُdestitution بَاسِرُscowling
وَلا أَنَا إِنْ أَقْصَانِيَ الْعُدْمُ بَاسِرُ
I do not smile if wealth brings me near,
Nor scowl if destitution sends me far away.
فَمَاfor not الْفَقْرُpoverty إِنْif لَمْnot يَدْنَسِis stained الْعِرْضُhonor فَاضِحٌdisgracing
فَمَا الْفَقْرُ إِنْ لَمْ يَدْنَسِ الْعِرْضُ فَاضِحٌ
وَلاand not الْمَالُwealth إِنْif لَمْnot يَشْرُفِis noble الْمَرْءُa person سَاتِرُcovering shame
وَلا الْمَالُ إِنْ لَمْ يَشْرُفِ الْمَرْءُ سَاتِرُ
Poverty does not disgrace a man if his honor is unsoiled,
Nor does wealth cover shame if a man has no nobility.
إِذَاif ماindeed ذُبَابُthe edge of السَّيفِthe sword لَمْnot يَكُis مَاضِياًkeen
إِذَا ما ذُبَابُ السَّيفِ لَمْ يَكُ مَاضِياً
فَحِلْيَتُهُthen its ornament وَصْمٌa blemish لَدَىin الْحَرْبِwar ظَاهِرُapparent
فَحِلْيَتُهُ وَصْمٌ لَدَى الْحَرْبِ ظَاهِرُ
If a sword's edge is not keen,
Its ornament is a blemish plainly seen in war.
فَإِنْso if كُنْتُI was قَدْalready أَصْبَحْتُhave become فَلَّone broken by رَزِيَّةٍa calamity
فَإِنْ كُنْتُ قَدْ أَصْبَحْتُ فَلَّ رَزِيَّةٍ
تَقَاسَمَهَاshared it فِيamong الأَهْلِkin بَادٍa desert-dweller وحَاضِرُand a townsman
تَقَاسَمَهَا فِي الأَهْلِ بَادٍ وحَاضِرُ
If I have become one broken by a calamity
That desert-dweller and townsman among my kin have shared,
فَكَمْfor how many بَطَلٍa hero فَلَّblunted الزَّمَانُtime شَبَاتَهُhis sharp edge
فَكَمْ بَطَلٍ فَلَّ الزَّمَانُ شَبَاتَهُ
وَكَمْand how many سَيِّدٍa lord دَارتْturned عَلَيْهِagainst him الدَّوائِرُturns of fortune
وَكَمْ سَيِّدٍ دَارتْ عَلَيْهِ الدَّوائِرُ
How many a hero's keen edge has time blunted,
And how many a lord has been beset by fortune's reversals!
وَأَيُّand what حُسَامٍa keen sword لَمْnot تُصِبْهُstruck it كَلالَةٌdullness
وَأَيُّ حُسَامٍ لَمْ تُصِبْهُ كَلالَةٌ
وَأَيُّand what جَوَادٍa steed لَمْnot تَخُنْهُbetrayed it الْحَوافِرُthe hooves
وَأَيُّ جَوَادٍ لَمْ تَخُنْهُ الْحَوافِرُ
What keen sword has never been dulled,
And what steed has never been betrayed by its hooves?
فَسَوْفَso will يَبِينُbecome clear الحَقُّtruth يَوْماًone day لِنَاظِرٍto an observer
فَسَوْفَ يَبِينُ الحَقُّ يَوْماً لِنَاظِرٍ
وَتَنْزُوand leap forth بِعَوْرَاءِwith the shame of الْحقُودِthe spiteful man السَّرائِرُsecrets
وَتَنْزُو بِعَوْرَاءِ الْحقُودِ السَّرائِرُ
One day the truth will become clear to an observer,
And secrets will leap forth with the spiteful man's shame.
وَمَاand not هِيَit إِلَّاexcept غَمْرَةٌan engulfing ordeal ثُمَّthen تَنْجَلِيclears away
وَمَا هِيَ إِلَّا غَمْرَةٌ ثُمَّ تَنْجَلِي
غَيَابَتُهَاits darkness وَاللَّهُand God مَنْwhomever شَاءَHe wills نَاصِرُa helper
غَيَابَتُهَا وَاللَّهُ مَنْ شَاءَ نَاصِرُ
It is only a flood of trouble; then comes the lifting of
Its darkness, and God helps whomever He wills.
فَقَدْfor indeed حَاطَنيprotected me فيin ظُلْمَةِdarkness of الْحَبْسِprison بَعْدَماafter
فَقَدْ حَاطَني في ظُلْمَةِ الْحَبْسِ بَعْدَما
تَرَامَتْhurled forth بِأَفْلاذِwith fragments of الْقُلُوبِhearts الْحَنَاجِرُthroats
تَرَامَتْ بِأَفْلاذِ الْقُلُوبِ الْحَنَاجِرُ
For He protected me in the darkness of prison, after
Throats had flung forth fragments of hearts.
فَمَهْلاًso gently بَنِيchildren of الدُّنْياthe world عَلَيْنَاtoward us فَإِنَّنَاfor indeed we
فَمَهْلاً بَنِي الدُّنْيا عَلَيْنَا فَإِنَّنَا
إِلَىtoward غَايَةٍan end تَنْفَتُّcome apart فِيهَاwithin it الْمَرائِرُstout twisted ropes
إِلَى غَايَةٍ تَنْفَتُّ فِيهَا الْمَرائِرُ
Be gentle with us, children of the world, for we
Are bound for an end where stout ropes come apart.
تَطُولُgrow long بِهَاat it الأَنْفَاسُbreaths بُهْراًin gasping وَتَلْتَوِيand twist
تَطُولُ بِهَا الأَنْفَاسُ بُهْراً وَتَلْتَوِي
عَلَىaround فَلْكَةِthe rounded knee joint of السَّاقَيْنِthe two legs فِيهَاin it الْمآزِرُwaist-wraps
عَلَى فَلْكَةِ السَّاقَيْنِ فِيهَا الْمآزِرُ
There breaths lengthen in gasps, and there coil
The waist-wraps around the rounded joints of the legs.
هُنَالِكَthere يَعْلُوrises الْحَقُّtruth وَالْحَقُّand truth وَاضِحٌclear
هُنَالِكَ يَعْلُو الْحَقُّ وَالْحَقُّ وَاضِحٌ
وَيَسْفُلُand sinks كَعْبُthe standing of الزُّورِfalsehood وَالزُّورُand falsehood عَاثِرُstumbling
وَيَسْفُلُ كَعْبُ الزُّورِ وَالزُّورُ عَاثِرُ
There truth rises, and truth is plain,
And falsehood's stature sinks, and falsehood stumbles.
وَعَمَّاand after قَلِيلٍa little while يَنْتَهِيends الأَمْرُthe affair كُلُّهُall of it
وَعَمَّا قَلِيلٍ يَنْتَهِي الأَمْرُ كُلُّهُ
فَمَاfor no أَوَّلٌbeginning إِلَّاexcept وَيَتْلُوهُand follows it آخِرُan end
فَمَا أَوَّلٌ إِلَّا وَيَتْلُوهُ آخِرُ
Soon the whole affair will end,
For every beginning is followed by an end.
Partial English translation: 100 of 134 Arabic lines translated.