كَمْhow many غادَرَhave left الشُّعَرَاءُthe poets مِنْof مُتَرَدَّمِa rent to be mended
كَمْ غادَرَ الشُّعَرَاءُ مِنْ مُتَرَدَّمِ
وَلَرُبَّand many a تَالٍfollower بَزَّsurpassed شَأْوَthe reach of مُقَدَّمِa forerunner
وَلَرُبَّ تَالٍ بَزَّ شَأْوَ مُقَدَّمِ
How many rents have the poets left unpatched!
How many eminent poets have passed away,
And many a follower has surpassed a forerunner's reach.
And how often an unknown versifier has excelled!
فِيin كُلِّevery عَصْرٍage عَبْقَرِيٌّa genius لاnot يَنِيtires
فِي كُلِّ عَصْرٍ عَبْقَرِيٌّ لا يَنِي
يَفْرِيworks الْفَرِيَّwonders بِكُلِّwith every قَوْلٍutterance مُحْكَمِfinely wrought
يَفْرِي الْفَرِيَّ بِكُلِّ قَوْلٍ مُحْكَمِ
In every age a genius never tires
In every age there is an incomparable genius
of working wonders with every finely wrought utterance.
Who pours forth eloquent and masterful verse.
وَكَفَاكَand enough for you بِيin me رَجُلاًas a man إِذَاwhen اعْتُقِلَis fettered النُّهَىreason
وَكَفَاكَ بِي رَجُلاً إِذَا اعْتُقِلَ النُّهَى
بِالصَّمْتِby silence أَوْor رَعَفَbleeds السِّنَانُthe spearhead بِعَنْدَمِwith crimson dye
بِالصَّمْتِ أَوْ رَعَفَ السِّنَانُ بِعَنْدَمِ
And in me you have man enough when reason is fettered
You are enough for me, O man, when virtuous conduct is shackled,
by silence, or the spearhead bleeds with crimson dye.
Either keeping silent or with a mouth full of decayed teeth.
أَحْيَيْتُI revived أَنْفَاسَthe breaths of الْقَرِيضِpoetry بِمنْطِقِيwith my speech
أَحْيَيْتُ أَنْفَاسَ الْقَرِيضِ بِمنْطِقِي
وَصَرَعْتُand I felled فُرْسَانَthe horsemen of الْعَجَاجِbattle-dust بِلَهْذَمِيwith my keen spear
وَصَرَعْتُ فُرْسَانَ الْعَجَاجِ بِلَهْذَمِي
I revived the breaths of poetry with my speech,
I have revived the spirit of poetry with my speech,
and felled the horsemen of battle-dust with my keen spear.
And felled the horsemen of injustice with my firm resolve.
وَفَرَعْتُand I scaled نَاصِيَةَthe crest of الْعُلاglory بِفَضَائِلٍwith virtues
وَفَرَعْتُ نَاصِيَةَ الْعُلا بِفَضَائِلٍ
هُنَّthey الْكَوَاكِبُthe stars فِيin النَّهَارِthe day الْمُظْلِمِdarkened
هُنَّ الْكَوَاكِبُ فِي النَّهَارِ الْمُظْلِمِ
And I scaled the crest of glory through virtues
I have reined in the top of greatness with merit—
that are stars in the darkened day.
They are the stars in the dark of night.
سَلْask مِصْرَEgypt عَنِّيabout me إِنْif جَهِلْتَyou do not know مَكَانَتِيmy standing
سَلْ مِصْرَ عَنِّي إِنْ جَهِلْتَ مَكَانَتِي
تُخْبِرْكَshe will tell you عَنْof شَرَفٍhonor وَعِزٍّand glory أَقْدَمِmost ancient
تُخْبِرْكَ عَنْ شَرَفٍ وَعِزٍّ أَقْدَمِ
Ask Egypt about me if you do not know my standing:
Ask Egypt about me, if you do not know my status—
she will tell you of honor and most ancient glory.
It will inform you of a nobility and honor most ancient.
بَلِهٌguileless نَشَأْتُI grew up مَعَwith النَّبَاتِvegetation بِأَرْضِهَاin her soil
بَلِهٌ نَشَأْتُ مَعَ النَّبَاتِ بِأَرْضِهَا
وَلَثَمْتُand I kissed ثَغْرَthe mouth of غَدِيرِهِits pool الْمُتَبَسِّمِsmiling
وَلَثَمْتُ ثَغْرَ غَدِيرِهِ الْمُتَبَسِّمِ
Guileless, I grew with the plants upon her soil,
Indeed I was born in its land with its plants
and kissed the smiling mouth of its pool.
And sucked the lips of its laughing brooks.
فَنَسِيمُهَاso her breeze رُوحِيmy soul وَمَعْدِنُand the substance of تُرْبِهَاher soil
فَنَسِيمُهَا رُوحِي وَمَعْدِنُ تُرْبِهَا
جِسْمِيmy body وَكَوْثَرُand the abundance of نِيلِهَاher Nile مَحْيَاthe life of دَمِيmy blood
جِسْمِي وَكَوْثَرُ نِيلِهَا مَحْيَا دَمِي
So her breeze is my soul, and the substance of her soil
Its breeze is my spirit, the ore of its soil my body,
is my body; her Nile's abundant stream is the life of my blood.
And the Nile’s / My blood gushes forth from its springs.
فَإِذَاso when نَطَقْتُI speak فَبِالثَّنَاءِthen in praise عَلَىof الَّذِيwhat
فَإِذَا نَطَقْتُ فَبِالثَّنَاءِ عَلَى الَّذِي
أَوْلَتْهُshe bestowed it مِنْof فَضْلٍfavor عَلَيَّupon me وَأَنْعُمِand blessings
أَوْلَتْهُ مِنْ فَضْلٍ عَلَيَّ وَأَنْعُمِ
So when I speak, it is in praise of what
So when I speak, it is with praise for Him
she has bestowed upon me of favor and blessings.
Who has granted me favor and blessing.
أَهْلِيmy family بِهَاin her وَأَحِبَّتِيand my loved ones وَكَفَىand enough بِهِمْin them
أَهْلِي بِهَا وَأَحِبَّتِي وَكَفَى بِهِمْ
فَخْراًas pride مَلَكْتُI seized بِهِthrough it عِنَانَthe reins of الأَنْجُمِthe stars
فَخْراً مَلَكْتُ بِهِ عِنَانَ الأَنْجُمِ
My family and my loved ones are there; they are enough
My family and loved ones are enough for me—
for pride, through which I have seized the reins of the stars.
The pride I possess has conquered the reins of the stars.
وَأَحَقُّand most deserving دَارٍa dwelling بِالْكَرَامَةِof honor مَنْزِلٌa home
وَأَحَقُّ دَارٍ بِالْكَرَامَةِ مَنْزِلٌ
لِلْقَلْبِfor the heart فِيهِin it عَلاقَةٌa bond لَمْnot تَصْرَمِbeen severed
لِلْقَلْبِ فِيهِ عَلاقَةٌ لَمْ تَصْرَمِ
And the dwelling most deserving of honor is a home
The worthiest home to live in
where the heart has a bond that has not been severed.
Is where the heart has an unsevered tie.
هِيَshe جَنَّةُthe garden of الْحُسْنِbeauty الَّتِيwhich زَهَرَاتُهَاher blossoms
هِيَ جَنَّةُ الْحُسْنِ الَّتِي زَهَرَاتُهَا
حُورُdark-eyed beauties الْمَهَاthe oryx وَهَزارُand the nightingale of أَيْكَتِهَاher grove فَمِيmy mouth
حُورُ الْمَهَا وَهَزارُ أَيْكَتِهَا فَمِي
She is the garden of beauty, whose blossoms
It is the garden of beauty whose flowers
are oryx-eyed beauties, and my mouth is her grove's nightingale.
Are the maidens of Paradise, and the chatter their mouths.
مَاnot إِنْindeed خَلَعْتُI took off بِهَاin her سُيُورَthe straps of تَمَائِمِيmy amulets
مَا إِنْ خَلَعْتُ بِهَا سُيُورَ تَمَائِمِي
حَتَّىuntil لَبِسْتُI put on بِهَاin her حَمَائِلَthe baldrics of مِخْذَمِيmy keen sword
حَتَّى لَبِسْتُ بِهَا حَمَائِلَ مِخْذَمِي
No sooner had I shed there the straps of my amulets
No sooner have I shed my amulets
than I donned there the baldrics of my keen sword.
Than I don my most resplendent attire,
وَغَنِيتُand I dispensed عَنْwith قُلَتِيmy play-stick بِعَامِلِfor the point of أَسْمَرٍa brown spear
وَغَنِيتُ عَنْ قُلَتِي بِعَامِلِ أَسْمَرٍ
وَسَلَوْتُand I forgot عَنْabout مَهْدِيmy cradle بِصَهْوَةِfor the back of أَدْهَمِa black steed
وَسَلَوْتُ عَنْ مَهْدِي بِصَهْوَةِ أَدْهَمِ
And I traded my play-stick for a brown spear's point,
I have dispensed with my worries thanks to a dark-skinned beauty,
and forgot my cradle for the back of a black steed.
And been consoled for my cradle by a tawny-complexioned gazelle.
وَفَجَرْتُand I made gush يَنْبُوعَthe spring of الْبَيَانِeloquence بِمَنْطِقٍwith speech
وَفَجَرْتُ يَنْبُوعَ الْبَيَانِ بِمَنْطِقٍ
عَذْبٍsweet رَوَيْتُI quenched بِهِwith it غَلِيلَthe burning thirst of الْحُوَّمِthose circling for water
عَذْبٍ رَوَيْتُ بِهِ غَلِيلَ الْحُوَّمِ
And I made the spring of eloquence gush with speech
I have unleashed the springs of eloquence with sweet speech
so sweet that I quenched with it the burning thirst of those circling for water.
With which I have quenched the thirst of the perturbed.
وَلَكَمْand how often أَثَرْتُI raised غَيَابَةًa shrouding cloud مِنْof قَسْطَلٍbattle-dust
وَلَكَمْ أَثَرْتُ غَيَابَةً مِنْ قَسْطَلٍ
بِمُهَنَّدِيwith my Indian blade وَحَلَلْتُand I untied عُقْدَةَthe knot of مُبْرَمِa tightly twisted cord
بِمُهَنَّدِي وَحَلَلْتُ عُقْدَةَ مُبْرَمِ
And how often I raised a shrouding cloud of battle-dust
And how often have I disentangled a knotty problem
with my Indian blade, and untied the knot of a tightly twisted cord!
With my piercing wit and unraveled stubborn complications!
أَخْتَالُI stride proudly طَوْرَاًat times فَوْقَupon ذِرْوةِthe summit of مِنْبَرٍa pulpit
أَخْتَالُ طَوْرَاً فَوْقَ ذِرْوةِ مِنْبَرٍ
وَأَكُرُّand I charge طَوْرَاًat times فَوْقَupon نَهْدٍa stout steed شَيْظَمِlong-limbed
وَأَكُرُّ طَوْرَاً فَوْقَ نَهْدٍ شَيْظَمِ
At times I stride proudly atop a pulpit's summit,
At times I strut atop the platform’s pinnacle,
and at times I charge upon a stout, long-limbed steed,
At others I leap over the summit of a towering mountain.
حَتَّىuntil رَبَأْتُI climbed مِنَamong الْمَعَالِيthe heights of honor هَضْبَةًa hill
حَتَّى رَبَأْتُ مِنَ الْمَعَالِي هَضْبَةً
شَمَّاءَlofty تُزْلِقُmakes slip أَخْمَصَthe arch of the foot الْمُتَسَنِّمِthe climber
شَمَّاءَ تُزْلِقُ أَخْمَصَ الْمُتَسَنِّمِ
until I climbed, among the heights of honor, a hill
Until I climbed from the heights a steep slope
lofty enough to make the climber's sole slip.
Slippery under the feet of an ambitious climber.
نَشَأَتْsprang forth بِطَبْعِيfrom my nature لِلْقَرِيضِin poetry بَدَائِعٌwonders
نَشَأَتْ بِطَبْعِي لِلْقَرِيضِ بَدَائِعٌ
لَيْسَتْare not بِنِحْلَةِborrowed from شَاعِرٍa poet مُتَقَدِّمِearlier
لَيْسَتْ بِنِحْلَةِ شَاعِرٍ مُتَقَدِّمِ
From my own nature sprang wonders of poetry,
I was born to compose poetry with novel charms—
not borrowed from an earlier poet.
Not the craft of some long-dead poet.
يَصْبُوis enamored بِهَاof them الحَكَمِيُّal-Hakami صَبْوَةَwith the longing of عَاشِقٍa lover
يَصْبُو بِهَا الحَكَمِيُّ صَبْوَةَ عَاشِقٍ
وَتَخِفُّand grows light مِنْfrom طَرَبٍrapture عَرِيكَةُthe temperament of مُسْلِمِMuslim
وَتَخِفُّ مِنْ طَرَبٍ عَرِيكَةُ مُسْلِمِ
Al-Hakami is enamored of them with a lover's longing,
The Hakami pours it forth in the ecstasy of a lover,
and Muslim's temperament grows light with rapture.
And Muslim turns aside, overcome by rapture.
قَوَّمْتُهُI straightened it بَعْدَafter اعْوِجَاجِthe bending of قَنَاتِهِits spear-shaft
قَوَّمْتُهُ بَعْدَ اعْوِجَاجِ قَنَاتِهِ
وَالرُّمْحُand the spear لَيْسَdoes not يَرُوقُplease غَيْرَunless مُقَوَّمِstraightened
وَالرُّمْحُ لَيْسَ يَرُوقُ غَيْرَ مُقَوَّمِ
I straightened it after its spear-shaft had bent,
I set it straight after the twisting of its course,
and a spear pleases only when straightened.
A spear is not pleasing unless made straight.
فِقَرٌpassages يَكَادُnearly السِّحْرُmagic يَبْلُغُreaches بَعْضَsome of مَاwhat
فِقَرٌ يَكَادُ السِّحْرُ يَبْلُغُ بَعْضَ مَا
فِيin طَيِّهَاtheir folds لَوْif كَانَit were غَيْرَnot مُحَرَّمِforbidden
فِي طَيِّهَا لَوْ كَانَ غَيْرَ مُحَرَّمِ
Passages—magic could nearly attain some of what
By it I could almost accomplish some of the wonders
lies folded within them, were it not forbidden.
Of sorcery, were that not forbidden.
مُتَشَابِهُmatching الطَّرَفَيْنِat both ends يُنْبِئُforetells صَدْرُهُits opening
مُتَشَابِهُ الطَّرَفَيْنِ يُنْبِئُ صَدْرُهُ
عَمَّاof what تَلاحَقَfollows فَهْوَso it is بَادِيplain in الْمَعْلَمِoutline
عَمَّا تَلاحَقَ فَهْوَ بَادِي الْمَعْلَمِ
With matching ends, its opening foretells
Well-matched on both sides, its meters indicate
what follows, so its outline is plain.
What it contains—the meaning is clear.
أَحْكَمْتُI perfected مَنْطِقَهُits utterance بِلَهْجَةِin the voice of مُفْلِقٍa master poet
أَحْكَمْتُ مَنْطِقَهُ بِلَهْجَةِ مُفْلِقٍ
يَقِظِkeen الْبَدِيهَةِof quick wit فِيin الْقَرِيضِpoetry مُحَكَّمِan acknowledged judge
يَقِظِ الْبَدِيهَةِ فِي الْقَرِيضِ مُحَكَّمِ
I perfected its utterance in a master poet's voice,
I have expressed it in articulate diction
quick of wit, an acknowledged judge of poetry.
That awakens intuitive understanding in the ode, artfully composed.
يَبْتَزُّstrips away أُهْبَةَthe equipment of كُلِّevery فَارِسِknight بُهْمَةٍfearsome
يَبْتَزُّ أُهْبَةَ كُلِّ فَارِسِ بُهْمَةٍ
وَيَزُمُّand reins in شِقْشِقَةَthe throat-pouch of الْفَتِيقِthe mighty الْمُقْرَمِstud-camel
وَيَزُمُّ شِقْشِقَةَ الْفَتِيقِ الْمُقْرَمِ
It strips the equipment from every fearsome knight,
It strips away the awe of every conceited horseman
and reins in the throat-pouch of the mighty stud-camel.
And loosens the glittering armor of the cavalier.
ذَلَّلْتُI subdued مِنْهُin it غَوَارِبَاًhumps لاnot تُمْتَطَىto be ridden
ذَلَّلْتُ مِنْهُ غَوَارِبَاً لا تُمْتَطَى
وَخَطَمْتُand I haltered مِنْهُin it مَوَارِنَاًmuzzles لَمْnot تُخْطَمِbeen haltered
وَخَطَمْتُ مِنْهُ مَوَارِنَاً لَمْ تُخْطَمِ
I subdued its humps that no one could ride,
From it I have tamed steeds not yet broken in
and haltered its muzzles that had never been haltered.
And left a mark on landmarks never before notched.
شِعْرٌpoetry جَمَعْتُI gathered بِهِin it ضُرُوبَkinds of مَحَاسِنٍbeauty
شِعْرٌ جَمَعْتُ بِهِ ضُرُوبَ مَحَاسِنٍ
لَمْnot تَجْتَمِعْcame together قَبْلِيbefore me لِحَيٍّfor a mortal مُلْهَمِinspired
لَمْ تَجْتَمِعْ قَبْلِي لِحَيٍّ مُلْهَمِ
Poetry in which I gathered kinds of beauty
A poetry that combines types of beauty
that, before me, had never been united for any inspired mortal.
Never assembled before in an inspired being.
فَإِذَاso when نَسَبْتُI sing of love فَتَنْتُI enchant كُلَّevery مُقَنَّعٍveiled one
فَإِذَا نَسَبْتُ فَتَنْتُ كُلَّ مُقَنَّعٍ
وَإِذَاand when نَأَمْتُI roar ذَعَرْتُI terrify كُلَّevery مُلَثَّمِmasked one
وَإِذَا نَأَمْتُ ذَعَرْتُ كُلَّ مُلَثَّمِ
So when I sing of love, I enchant every veiled one,
When I attribute it to myself I expose every pretender,
and when I roar, I terrify every masked one.
And when I recite it I rout every masked one.
كَالرَّوْضِlike a garden تَسْمَعُyou hear مِنْهُfrom it نَغْمَةَthe song of بُلْبُلٍa nightingale
كَالرَّوْضِ تَسْمَعُ مِنْهُ نَغْمَةَ بُلْبُلٍ
وَالْغِيْلُand the thicket تَسْمَعُyou hear مِنْهُfrom it زَأْرَةَthe roar of ضَيْغَمِa lion
وَالْغِيْلُ تَسْمَعُ مِنْهُ زَأْرَةَ ضَيْغَمِ
Like a garden, from which you hear a nightingale's song,
It is like a garden from which comes the melody of a bulbul,
and like a thicket, from which you hear a lion's roar.
While the grove—the roar of a lion can be heard.
أَدْرَكْتُI reached قَاصِيَةَthe furthest bounds of الْمَحَامِدِnoble deeds وَالْعُلاand glory
أَدْرَكْتُ قَاصِيَةَ الْمَحَامِدِ وَالْعُلا
وَشَأَوْتُand I outstripped فِيهَاin them كُلَّevery أَصْيَدَproud lord مُسْنِمِexalted
وَشَأَوْتُ فِيهَا كُلَّ أَصْيَدَ مُسْنِمِ
I reached the farthest bounds of noble deeds and glory,
I have attained the farthest reaches of praise and greatness
and outstripped in them every proud, exalted lord.
And roamed them hunting all desirable game.
فَأَنَاso I ابْنُthe son of نَفْسِيmyself إِنْif فَخَرْتُI boast وَإِنْand although أَكُنْI am
فَأَنَا ابْنُ نَفْسِي إِنْ فَخَرْتُ وَإِنْ أَكُنْ
لأَغَرَّto an illustrious one مِنْamong سَلَفِthe forebears of الأَكَارِمِthe nobles أَنْتَمِيI trace my descent
لأَغَرَّ مِنْ سَلَفِ الأَكَارِمِ أَنْتَمِي
So I am my own son, if I boast, although I
I am the son of my own soul when I boast; though I am
trace my descent to an illustrious one among noble forebears.
Prouder in lineage than the noblest ancestors.
وَالْفَخْرُand pride بِالآبَاءِin one's fathers لَيْسَis not بِنَافِعٍuseful
وَالْفَخْرُ بِالآبَاءِ لَيْسَ بِنَافِعٍ
إِنْif كَانَتْare الأَبْنَاءُthe sons خُورَweak in الأَعْظُمِbones
إِنْ كَانَتْ الأَبْنَاءُ خُورَ الأَعْظُمِ
And pride in one's fathers is of no use
To pride oneself on one’s forebears brings no benefit
if the sons are weak of bone.
If the descendants are the meanest of all people.
هَذَاthis وَرُبَّتَand many a لَذَّةٍpleasure بِاشَرْتُهَاI enjoyed it
هَذَا وَرُبَّتَ لَذَّةٍ بِاشَرْتُهَا
فِيin ظِلِّshade أَخْضَرَgreen بِالْعَرَارِwith arar blossoms مُنَمْنَمِembroidered
فِي ظِلِّ أَخْضَرَ بِالْعَرَارِ مُنَمْنَمِ
So much for that; and many a pleasure have I enjoyed
And how much pleasure I have experienced
in green shade embroidered with arar blossoms.
In the shade of the lush trees in the sand groves!
طَفِقَbegan النَّسِيمُthe breeze يَحُوكُweaving وَشْيَthe embroidery of بُرُودِهِits mantles
طَفِقَ النَّسِيمُ يَحُوكُ وَشْيَ بُرُودِهِ
بِأَنَامِلٍwith fingers تَمْرِيdrawing forth خُيُوطَthe threads of الْمِرْزَمِal-Mirzam
بِأَنَامِلٍ تَمْرِي خُيُوطَ الْمِرْزَمِ
The breeze began to weave the embroidery of its mantles
The breeze begins to spin its refreshing coolness
with fingers drawing forth the threads of al-Mirzam.
With fingers that run the woolen threads.
فَبِكُلِّso at every أُفْقٍhorizon مُزْنَةٌa raincloud فَيَّاضَةٌpouring forth
فَبِكُلِّ أُفْقٍ مُزْنَةٌ فَيَّاضَةٌ
وَبِكُلِّand on every أَرْضٍland جَدْوَلٌa stream كَالأَرْقَمِlike a speckled snake
وَبِكُلِّ أَرْضٍ جَدْوَلٌ كَالأَرْقَمِ
So at every horizon there is a raincloud pouring forth,
On every horizon stands a shining white cloud,
and on every stretch of earth a stream like a speckled snake.
On every land a brook flows like quicksilver.
هَاتِيكَthat one تَجْرِيflows فِيin السَّمَاءِthe sky كَأَنَّهَاas though it were
هَاتِيكَ تَجْرِي فِي السَّمَاءِ كَأَنَّهَا
سُفُنٌships وَهَذَاand this one فِيthrough الْخَمَائِلِthe groves يَرْتَمِيdarts
سُفُنٌ وَهَذَا فِي الْخَمَائِلِ يَرْتَمِي
That cloud glides across the sky like
Yonder they flow in the sky as if they were ships;
ships, while this stream darts through the groves.
The garden amid the robed and the adorned,
فَالرَّوْضُso the garden بَيْنَbetween مُوَشَّحٍsash-clad وَمُؤَزَّرٍand waist-wrapped
فَالرَّوْضُ بَيْنَ مُوَشَّحٍ وَمُؤَزَّرٍ
وَالزَّهْرُand the flowers بَيْنَbetween مُدَنَّرٍdinar-adorned وَمُدَرْهَمِand dirham-adorned
وَالزَّهْرُ بَيْنَ مُدَنَّرٍ وَمُدَرْهَمِ
So the garden is partly sash-clad, partly waist-wrapped,
The blossoms amid the gilded and reddened.
and the flowers are decked, some with dinars, some with dirhams.
The meadow’s expanse smiles with its flowers
طَلْقُradiant الْجَبِينِof brow تَبَسَّمَتْsmiled أَزْهَارُهُits flowers
طَلْقُ الْجَبِينِ تَبَسَّمَتْ أَزْهَارُهُ
عَنْrevealing دُرِّpearls of قَطْرٍraindrops كَالْعُقُودِlike necklaces مُنَظَّمِstrung
عَنْ دُرِّ قَطْرٍ كَالْعُقُودِ مُنَظَّمِ
Its brow is radiant; its flowers have smiled,
With a string of pearls like well-ordered necklaces.
revealing pearls of raindrops strung like necklaces.
The fragrance of the robe is as though the morning breeze
عَبِقُfragrant الإِزَارِof waist-cloth كَأَنَّمَاas though جَرَتِpassed الصَّبَاthe east wind
عَبِقُ الإِزَارِ كَأَنَّمَا جَرَتِ الصَّبَا
فِيهِthrough it بِجُؤْنَةِwith a perfume-casket of عَنْبَرٍambergris لَمْnot تُخْتَمِbeen sealed
فِيهِ بِجُؤْنَةِ عَنْبَرٍ لَمْ تُخْتَمِ
Its waist-cloth is fragrant, as though the east wind had passed
Blew into it the scent of untouched ambergris.
through it with an unsealed casket of ambergris.
The clouds—their branches swayed and trembled
صَبَحَgave a morning drink to الْغَمَامُthe clouds غُصُونَهُits boughs فَتَرَنَّحَتْso they swayed
صَبَحَ الْغَمَامُ غُصُونَهُ فَتَرَنَّحَتْ
طَرَباًin rapture لِرَجْعِat the refrain of الطَّائِرِthe bird الْمُتَرَنِّمِsinging
طَرَباً لِرَجْعِ الطَّائِرِ الْمُتَرَنِّمِ
The clouds gave its boughs a morning draught, and they swayed
In agitation at the return of the trilling bird.
in rapture at the refrain of the singing bird.
Its breeze is fragrant, its birds are melodious,
فَنَسِيمُهُso its breeze أَرِجٌfragrant وَطَائِرُand the bird of أَيْكِهِits grove
فَنَسِيمُهُ أَرِجٌ وَطَائِرُ أَيْكِهِ
هَزِجٌmelodious وَجَدْوَلُهُand its stream بَرُودُcool الْمَبْسِمِthe smiling mouth
هَزِجٌ وَجَدْوَلُهُ بَرُودُ الْمَبْسِمِ
So its breeze is fragrant, and the bird of its grove
Its brook refreshingly cool to drink.
is melodious, and its stream has a cool, smiling mouth.
The beauty of its view seizes the mind,
يَسْتَوْقِفُarrests الأَلْبَابَthe minds حُسْنُthe beauty of رُوَائِهِits appearance
يَسْتَوْقِفُ الأَلْبَابَ حُسْنُ رُوَائِهِ
وَيَصِيدُand captures عَيْنَthe eye of النَّاظِرِthe observer الْمُتَوَسِّمِdiscerning
وَيَصِيدُ عَيْنَ النَّاظِرِ الْمُتَوَسِّمِ
The beauty of its appearance arrests the minds,
And ensnares the eye of the delighted observer.
and captures the eye of the discerning observer.
Man is led by the hand of fate—it guides him
وَالْمَرْءُand man طَوْعُat the mercy of يَدِthe hand of الزَّمَانِtime يَقُودُهُit leads him
وَالْمَرْءُ طَوْعُ يَدِ الزَّمَانِ يَقُودُهُ
قَوْدَas one leads الْجَنِيبِa spare horse لِغَايَةٍtoward an end لَمْnot تُعْلَمِknown
قَوْدَ الْجَنِيبِ لِغَايَةٍ لَمْ تُعْلَمِ
And man is at the mercy of time's hand, which leads him
To an unknown destination he has not perceived.
as a spare horse is led, toward an unknown end.
A sphere turns while stars that do not disappear
فَلَكٌa celestial sphere يَدُورُrevolves وَأَنْجُمٌand stars لاnot تَأْتَلِيslacken
فَلَكٌ يَدُورُ وَأَنْجُمٌ لا تَأْتَلِي
تَبْدُوappear وَتَغْرُبُand set فِيin فَضَاءٍan expanse أَقْتَمِdusky
تَبْدُو وَتَغْرُبُ فِي فَضَاءٍ أَقْتَمِ
A celestial sphere revolves, and stars never slacken,
Rise and set in a lightless space.
appearing and setting in a dusky expanse.
Images which if summoned do not respond,
صُوَرٌforms إِذَاif نَادَيْتَهَاyou call to them لَمْnot تَسْتَجِبْrespond
صُوَرٌ إِذَا نَادَيْتَهَا لَمْ تَسْتَجِبْ
أَوْor رُمْتَyou seek مِنْهَاfrom them النُّطْقَspeech لَمْnot تَتَكَلَّمِspeak
أَوْ رُمْتَ مِنْهَا النُّطْقَ لَمْ تَتَكَلَّمِ
Forms—if you call to them, they do not answer,
Or if asked to speak, remain silent.
or seek speech from them, they do not speak.
So leave behind the unknown, and take for yourself
فَدَعِso leave الْخَفِيَّthe hidden وَخُذْand take لِنَفْسِكَfor yourself حَظَّهَاits share
فَدَعِ الْخَفِيَّ وَخُذْ لِنَفْسِكَ حَظَّهَا
مِمَّاof what بَدَاappears لَكَto you فَهْوَfor it is أَهْنَأُthe most satisfying مَغْنَمِgain
مِمَّا بَدَا لَكَ فَهْوَ أَهْنَأُ مَغْنَمِ
So leave the hidden, and take for yourself your share
Whatever appears to you, for it is the greatest prize.
of what appears to you: it is the most satisfying gain.
One cannot attain what is far removed from him,
لاnot يَسْتَطِيعُcan الْمَرْءُman يَبْلُغreach مَاwhat نَأَىlies far away
لا يَسْتَطِيعُ الْمَرْءُ يَبْلُغ مَا نَأَى
عَنْهُfrom him وَلَوْand even if صَعِدَhe climbs السَّمَاءَthe sky بِسُلَّمِon a ladder
عَنْهُ وَلَوْ صَعِدَ السَّمَاءَ بِسُلَّمِ
Man cannot reach what lies far
Even climbing the sky on a ladder.
from him, even if he climbs to the sky on a ladder.
While he cuts through the air proudly ascending,
بَيْنَاeven as يَشقُّit cleaves بِهِwith him الْجِوَاءَthe open air تَرَفُّعَاًraising him high
بَيْنَا يَشقُّ بِهِ الْجِوَاءَ تَرَفُّعَاً
أَهْوَىit casts down بِهِhim فِيinto كِسْرِthe corner of بَيْتٍa house مُظْلِمِdark
أَهْوَى بِهِ فِي كِسْرِ بَيْتٍ مُظْلِمِ
Even as it carries him through the air, raising him high,
He plummets with it into the ruins of a dark home.
it casts him down into the corner of a dark house.
Life is sweet unless it becomes
إِنَّindeed الْحَيَاةَlife شَهِيَّةٌsweet مَاas long as لَمْnot تَكُنْit is
إِنَّ الْحَيَاةَ شَهِيَّةٌ مَا لَمْ تَكُنْ
غَرَضاًa target لإِمْرَةِfor the rule of ظَالِمٍa tyrant لَمْnot يَرْحَمِshows mercy
غَرَضاً لإِمْرَةِ ظَالِمٍ لَمْ يَرْحَمِ
Life is indeed sweet, as long as it is not
The prey of an unjust tyrant who shows no mercy.
a target for the rule of a tyrant without mercy.
I do not approve the life of a coward, nor do I see
لاnot أَرْتَضِيI accept عَيْشَthe life of الْجَبَانِthe coward وَلاand not أَرَىI see
لا أَرْتَضِي عَيْشَ الْجَبَانِ وَلا أَرَى
فَضْلاًmerit لِذِيin one of حَسَبٍnoble descent إِذَاif لَمْnot يُقْدِمِhe acts boldly
فَضْلاً لِذِي حَسَبٍ إِذَا لَمْ يُقْدِمِ
I do not accept a coward's life, nor do I see
Virtue in one of noble stock if he does not show valor.
merit in a man of noble descent if he does not dare.
And how often have I torn away the mask of a battle,
وَلَرُبَّand many a مَلْحَمَةٍbattle سَرَيْتُI removed قِنَاعَهَاits veil
وَلَرُبَّ مَلْحَمَةٍ سَرَيْتُ قِنَاعَهَا
عَنfrom وَجْهِthe face of نَصْرٍvictory بِالْغُبَارِin dust مُلَثَّمِveiled
عَن وَجْهِ نَصْرٍ بِالْغُبَارِ مُلَثَّمِ
And many a battle's veil have I lifted
Exposing a victory obscured in swirling dust!
from the face of victory veiled in dust.
If man had knowledge of that which lies
لَوْif كَانَthere were لِلإِنْسَانِfor man عِلْمٌknowledge بِالَّذِيof what
لَوْ كَانَ لِلإِنْسَانِ عِلْمٌ بِالَّذِي
فِيin الْغَيْبِthe unseen لَمْnot يَفْرَحْhe would rejoice وَلَمْand not يَتَنَدَّمِhe would regret
فِي الْغَيْبِ لَمْ يَفْرَحْ وَلَمْ يَتَنَدَّمِ
If man had knowledge of what
In the unseen, he would neither rejoice nor regret.
lies in the unseen, he would neither rejoice nor regret.
So leave matters to their Disposer of affairs,
فَدَعِso leave الأُمُورَaffairs إِلَىto مُدَبِّرthe governor of شَأْنِهَاtheir course
فَدَعِ الأُمُورَ إِلَى مُدَبِّر شَأْنِهَا
وَارْغَبْand turn away عَنِfrom الدُّنْيَاthe world بِنَفْسِكَwith your soul تَسْلَمِyou will be safe
وَارْغَبْ عَنِ الدُّنْيَا بِنَفْسِكَ تَسْلَمِ
So leave affairs to the one who governs their course,
And turn away from worldly things yourself and be safe.
and turn your soul away from the world; you will be safe.
Partial English translation: 105 of 106 Arabic lines translated.