أَيَدَO hand الْمَنُونِقَدَحْتِof Death, you have struck أَيَّwhat زِنَادِfire-steel
أَيَدَ الْمَنُونِقَدَحْتِ أَيَّ زِنَادِ
وَأَطَرْتِand you made leap أَيَّةَwhat شُعْلَةٍa flame بِفُؤَادِيin my heart
وَأَطَرْتِ أَيَّةَ شُعْلَةٍ بِفُؤَادِي
O hand of Death, what fire-steel have you struck!
And what a flame you have set leaping in my heart!
أَوْهَنْتِyou weakened عَزْمِيmy resolve وَهْوَthough it was حَمْلَةُa charge فَيْلَقٍof an army
أَوْهَنْتِ عَزْمِي وَهْوَ حَمْلَةُ فَيْلَقٍ
وَحَطَمْتِand you shattered عُودِيmy shaft وَهْوَthough it was رُمْحُa lance طِرَادِfor jousting
وَحَطَمْتِ عُودِي وَهْوَ رُمْحُ طِرَادِ
You weakened my resolve, once an army's charge,
And shattered my shaft, once a jousting lance.
لَمْnot أَدْرِI knew هَلْwhether خَطْبٌa calamity أَلَمَّdescended بِسَاحَتِيupon my courtyard
لَمْ أَدْرِ هَلْ خَطْبٌ أَلَمَّ بِسَاحَتِي
فَأَنَاخَand knelt أَمْor سَهْمٌan arrow أَصابَstruck سَوَادِيmy heart
فَأَنَاخَ أَمْ سَهْمٌ أَصابَ سَوَادِي
I knew not whether calamity had come to my courtyard
And knelt there, or an arrow had struck my heart.
أَقْذَىirritated الْعُيُونَthe eyes فأَسْبَلَتْso they shed بِمَدَامِعٍtears
أَقْذَى الْعُيُونَ فأَسْبَلَتْ بِمَدَامِعٍ
تَجْرِيflowing عَلَىover الْخَدَّيْنِboth cheeks كَالْفِرْصَادِlike mulberries
تَجْرِي عَلَى الْخَدَّيْنِ كَالْفِرْصَادِ
It stung the eyes, and they let fall tears
That flow down both cheeks like mulberry juice.
ماnot كُنْتُI was أَحْسَبُنِيthinking myself أُرَاعُliable to alarm لِحَادِثٍby a calamity
ما كُنْتُ أَحْسَبُنِي أُرَاعُ لِحَادِثٍ
حَتَّىuntil مُنِيتُI was afflicted بِهِby it فَأَوْهَنَand it weakened آدِيmy strength
حَتَّى مُنِيتُ بِهِ فَأَوْهَنَ آدِي
I never thought I could be shaken by disaster,
Until it befell me and sapped my strength.
أَبْلَتْنِيَwore me away الحَسَراتُgriefs حَتَّىuntil لَمْnot يَكَدْwas nearly
أَبْلَتْنِيَ الحَسَراتُ حَتَّى لَمْ يَكَدْ
جِسْمِيmy body يَلُوحُappears لأَعْيُنِto the eyes الْعُوَّادِof visitors to the sick
جِسْمِي يَلُوحُ لأَعْيُنِ الْعُوَّادِ
Griefs have worn me down until scarcely
Can my body be seen by those who visit the sick.
أَسْتَنْجِدُI seek aid from الزَّفَراتِsighs وَهْيَthough they are لَوَافِحٌscorching
أَسْتَنْجِدُ الزَّفَراتِ وَهْيَ لَوَافِحٌ
وَأُسَفِّهُand I reproach الْعَبَرَاتِthe tears وَهْيَthough they are بِوَادِيplainly visible
وَأُسَفِّهُ الْعَبَرَاتِ وَهْيَ بِوَادِي
I call on sighs for help, though they scorch,
And reproach my tears, though they are plain to see.
لاneither لَوْعَتِيmy anguish تَدَعُleaves الْفُؤَادَthe heart وَلاnor يَدِيmy hand
لا لَوْعَتِي تَدَعُ الْفُؤَادَ وَلا يَدِي
تَقْوَىis strong enough عَلَىto رَدِّbring back الحَبِيبِthe beloved الْغَادِيdeparting
تَقْوَى عَلَى رَدِّ الحَبِيبِ الْغَادِي
Neither does my anguish leave my heart, nor does my hand
Have strength to bring back the departing beloved.
ياO دَهْرُTime فِيمَwhy فَجَعْتَنِيyou bereaved me بِحَلِيلَةٍof a wife
يا دَهْرُ فِيمَ فَجَعْتَنِي بِحَلِيلَةٍ
كَانَتْshe was خُلاصَةَthe essence عُدَّتِيof my resources وَعَتَادِيand my reserves
كَانَتْ خُلاصَةَ عُدَّتِي وَعَتَادِي
O Time, why have you bereaved me of a wife
Who was the essence of my resources and reserves?
إِنْif كُنْتَyou were لَمْnot تَرْحَمْmerciful to ضَنَايَmy wasting sickness لِبُعْدِهَاat her absence
إِنْ كُنْتَ لَمْ تَرْحَمْ ضَنَايَ لِبُعْدِهَا
أَفَلاthen did you not رَحِمْتَspare مِنَfrom الأَسىsorrow أَوْلادِيmy children
أَفَلا رَحِمْتَ مِنَ الأَسى أَوْلادِي
If you had no mercy on my wasting away at her absence,
Could you not have spared my children sorrow?
أَفْرَدْتَهُنَّyou left them alone فَلَمْso did not يَنَمْنَthey sleep تَوَجُّعَاًin pain
أَفْرَدْتَهُنَّ فَلَمْ يَنَمْنَ تَوَجُّعَاً
قَرْحَىsore الْعُيُونِthe eyes رَوَاجِفَtrembling الأَكْبَادِthe livers
قَرْحَى الْعُيُونِ رَوَاجِفَ الأَكْبَادِ
You left them alone; in pain they could not sleep,
Their eyes sore, their hearts trembling.
أَلْقَيْنَthey cast aside دُرَّthe pearls عُقُودِهِنَّof their necklaces وَصُغْنَand fashioned مِنْfrom
أَلْقَيْنَ دُرَّ عُقُودِهِنَّ وَصُغْنَ مِنْ
دُرِّpearls الدُّمُوعِof tears قَلائِدَnecklaces الأَجْيَادِof necks
دُرِّ الدُّمُوعِ قَلائِدَ الأَجْيَادِ
They cast aside their necklaces' pearls and fashioned from
The pearls of tears necklaces for their necks.
يَبْكِينَthey weep مِنْfrom وَلَهٍdistraught longing فِرَاقَseparation from حَفِيَّةٍa caring woman
يَبْكِينَ مِنْ وَلَهٍ فِرَاقَ حَفِيَّةٍ
كَانَتْshe was لَهُنَّto them كَثِيرَةَabundant in الإِسْعَادِbringing joy
كَانَتْ لَهُنَّ كَثِيرَةَ الإِسْعَادِ
Distraught, they weep at parting from a caring woman
Who had so often brought them joy.
فَخُدُودُهُنَّso their cheeks مِنَfrom الدُّمُوعِtears نَدِيَّةٌare moist
فَخُدُودُهُنَّ مِنَ الدُّمُوعِ نَدِيَّةٌ
وَقُلُوبُهُنَّand their hearts مِنَfrom الْهُمُومِcares صَوَادِيare parched
وَقُلُوبُهُنَّ مِنَ الْهُمُومِ صَوَادِي
Their cheeks are wet with tears,
While their hearts are parched with cares.
أَسَلِيلَةَO daughter الْقَمَرَيْنِof the two moons أَيُّwhat فَجِيعَةٍa calamity
أَسَلِيلَةَ الْقَمَرَيْنِ أَيُّ فَجِيعَةٍ
حَلَّتْbefell لِفَقْدِكِthrough losing you بَيْنَamong هَذَاthis النَّادِيgathering
حَلَّتْ لِفَقْدِكِ بَيْنَ هَذَا النَّادِي
O daughter of the two moons, what a calamity
Has your loss brought upon this gathering!
أَعزِزْhow grievous عَلَيَّto me بِأَنْthat أَرَاكِI see you رَهِينَةًa captive
أَعزِزْ عَلَيَّ بِأَنْ أَرَاكِ رَهِينَةً
فِيin جَوْفِthe depths أَغْبَرَof a dusty grave قَاتِمِdark الأَسْدَادِin its enclosures
فِي جَوْفِ أَغْبَرَ قَاتِمِ الأَسْدَادِ
How grievous to me to see you held captive
In the depths of a dusty grave with dark barriers,
أَوْor أَنْthat تَبِينِيyou depart عَنْfrom قَرَارَةِthe haven مَنْزِلٍof a home
أَوْ أَنْ تَبِينِي عَنْ قَرَارَةِ مَنْزِلٍ
كُنْتِyou were الضِيَاءَthe light لَهُfor it بِكُلِّin every سَوَادِdarkness
كُنْتِ الضِيَاءَ لَهُ بِكُلِّ سَوَادِ
Or see you part from the haven of a home
Whose light you were in every darkness.
لَوْif كَانَwere هَذَاthis الدَّهْرُTime يَقْبَلُto accept فِدْيَةًa ransom
لَوْ كَانَ هَذَا الدَّهْرُ يَقْبَلُ فِدْيَةً
بِالنَّفْسِwith my life عَنْكِfor you لَكُنْتُI would be أَوَّلَthe first فَادِيone to ransom
بِالنَّفْسِ عَنْكِ لَكُنْتُ أَوَّلَ فَادِي
If this Time would accept a ransom
Of my life for you, I would be the first to give it.
أَوْor كَانَwere it يَرْهَبُto fear صَوْلَةًan onslaught مِنْfrom فَاتِكٍa ruthless warrior
أَوْ كَانَ يَرْهَبُ صَوْلَةً مِنْ فَاتِكٍ
لَفَعَلْتُI would do فِعْلَthe deed الْحَارِثِof al-Harith بْنِson of عُبَادِ'Abbad
لَفَعَلْتُ فِعْلَ الْحَارِثِ بْنِ عُبَادِ
Or if it feared the onslaught of a ruthless warrior,
I would have done as al-Harith ibn 'Abbad did.
لَكِنَّهَاbut they are الأَقْدَارُfate's decrees لَيْسَis not بِنَاجِعٍof any avail
لَكِنَّهَا الأَقْدَارُ لَيْسَ بِنَاجِعٍ
فِيهاagainst them سِوَىexcept التَّسْلِيمِsurrender وَالإِخْلادِand submission
فِيها سِوَى التَّسْلِيمِ وَالإِخْلادِ
But these are fate's decrees; nothing avails
Against them but surrender and submission.
فَبِأَيِّso by what مَقْدِرَةٍpower أَرُدُّcan I repel يَدَthe hand الأَسَىof sorrow
فَبِأَيِّ مَقْدِرَةٍ أَرُدُّ يَدَ الأَسَى
عَنِّيfrom me وَقَدْwhen already مَلَكَتْit has seized عِنَانَthe reins رَشَادِيof my reason
عَنِّي وَقَدْ مَلَكَتْ عِنَانَ رَشَادِي
By what power, then, can I thrust sorrow's hand
Away from me, when it has seized the reins of my reason?
أَفَأَسْتَعِينُshall I then seek help from الصَّبْرَpatience وَهْوَthough it is قَسَاوَةٌhard-heartedness
أَفَأَسْتَعِينُ الصَّبْرَ وَهْوَ قَسَاوَةٌ
أَمْor أَصْحَبُkeep company with السُّلْوَانَforgetfulness وَهْوَthough it is تَعَادِيenmity
أَمْ أَصْحَبُ السُّلْوَانَ وَهْوَ تَعَادِي
Shall I seek patience's help, when it is hard-heartedness,
Or keep company with forgetfulness, when it is enmity?
جَزَعُthe anguish الْفَتَىof a man سِمَةُthe mark الْوَفَاءِof fidelity وصَبْرُهُand his patience
جَزَعُ الْفَتَى سِمَةُ الْوَفَاءِ وصَبْرُهُ
غَدْرٌbetrayal يَدُلُّhe indicates بِهِthrough it عَلَىto الأَحْقَادِresentments
غَدْرٌ يَدُلُّ بِهِ عَلَى الأَحْقَادِ
A man's anguish is the mark of fidelity; his patience
Is betrayal through which he reveals resentment.
وَمِنَand among الْبَلِيَّةِafflictions أَنْthat يُسَامَbe compelled أَخُوa man of الأَسَىsorrow
وَمِنَ الْبَلِيَّةِ أَنْ يُسَامَ أَخُو الأَسَى
رَعْيَto observe التَّجَلُّدِfortitude وَهْوَthough he is غَيْرُnot جَمَادِlifeless matter
رَعْيَ التَّجَلُّدِ وَهْوَ غَيْرُ جَمَادِ
It is itself an affliction that a grieving man should be required
To maintain fortitude, though he is not lifeless matter.
هَيْهَاتَfar be it بَعْدَكِafter you أَنْthat تَقَرَّshould be still جَوَانِحِيmy ribs
هَيْهَاتَ بَعْدَكِ أَنْ تَقَرَّ جَوَانِحِي
أَسَفاًin sorrow لِبُعْدِكِat your absence أَوْor يَلِينَgrow soft مِهَادِيmy bed
أَسَفاً لِبُعْدِكِ أَوْ يَلِينَ مِهَادِي
Never, after you, shall my breast find rest,
In sorrow at your absence, or my bed grow soft.
وَلَهِيmy yearning عَلَيكِfor you مُصاحِبٌaccompanies لِمَسِيرَتِيmy journey
وَلَهِي عَلَيكِ مُصاحِبٌ لِمَسِيرَتِي
وَالدَّمْعُand tears فِيكِfor you مُلازِمٌcling لِوِسَادِيto my pillow
وَالدَّمْعُ فِيكِ مُلازِمٌ لِوِسَادِي
My yearning for you accompanies my journey,
And tears for you never leave my pillow.
فَإِذَاso when انْتَبَهْتُI wake فَأَنْتِthen you are أَوَّلُthe first ذُكْرَتِيof my memories
فَإِذَا انْتَبَهْتُ فَأَنْتِ أَوَّلُ ذُكْرَتِي
وَإِذَاand when أَوَيْتُI retire فَأَنْتِthen you are آخِرُthe last زَادِيof my provisions
وَإِذَا أَوَيْتُ فَأَنْتِ آخِرُ زَادِي
When I wake, you are my first remembrance,
And when I retire, you are my last provision.
أَمْسَيْتُI have become بَعْدَكِafter you عِبْرَةًa lesson لِذَوِيfor those with الأَسَىsorrow
أَمْسَيْتُ بَعْدَكِ عِبْرَةً لِذَوِي الأَسَى
فِيon يَوْمِthe day كُلِّof every مُصِيبَةٍcalamity وَحِدَادِand mourning
فِي يَوْمِ كُلِّ مُصِيبَةٍ وَحِدَادِ
After you I have become a lesson to the sorrowful
On every day of calamity and mourning.
مُتَخَشِّعَاًsubdued أَمْشِيI walk الضَّرَّاءَunder cover كَأَنَّنِيas though I
مُتَخَشِّعَاً أَمْشِي الضَّرَّاءَ كَأَنَّنِي
أَخْشَىfear الْفُجَاءَةَa sudden attack مِنْfrom صِيَالِthe assault أَعَادِيof my enemies
أَخْشَى الْفُجَاءَةَ مِنْ صِيَالِ أَعَادِي
Subdued, I walk in hiding, as though I
Feared a sudden onslaught by my enemies.
مَاemphatic particle بَيْنَbetween حُزْنٍgrief بَاطنٍinward أَكَلَhas devoured الْحَشَاthe vitals
مَا بَيْنَ حُزْنٍ بَاطنٍ أَكَلَ الْحَشَا
بِلَهِيبِwith the flame سَوْرَتِهِof its fury وَسُقْمٍand sickness بَادِيoutwardly visible
بِلَهِيبِ سَوْرَتِهِ وَسُقْمٍ بَادِي
Between an inward grief that has devoured my vitals
With its raging flame, and a sickness plain to see.
وَرَدَarrived الْبَرِيدُthe courier بِغَيْرِwith other than ماwhat أَمَّلْتُهُI had hoped for
وَرَدَ الْبَرِيدُ بِغَيْرِ ما أَمَّلْتُهُ
تَعِسَmay he perish الْبَرِيدُthe courier وشَاهَand be disfigured وَجْهُthe face الْحَادِيof the camel-driver
تَعِسَ الْبَرِيدُ وشَاهَ وَجْهُ الْحَادِي
The courier arrived with news other than I had hoped;
Woe to the courier; may the camel-driver's face be marred!
فَسَقَطْتُso I fell مَغْشِيَّاًovercome عَلَيَّupon me كَأَنَّمَاas though
فَسَقَطْتُ مَغْشِيَّاً عَلَيَّ كَأَنَّمَا
نَهَشَتْhad bitten صَمِيمَthe very core الْقَلْبِof the heart حَيَّةُa serpent وَادِيof a valley
نَهَشَتْ صَمِيمَ الْقَلْبِ حَيَّةُ وَادِي
I fell unconscious, as though
A valley serpent had bitten the very core of my heart.
وَيْلُمِّهِwoe to its mother رُزءَاًa calamity أَطَارَmade leap نَعِيُّهُits death-tidings
وَيْلُمِّهِ رُزءَاً أَطَارَ نَعِيُّهُ
بِالْقَلْبِin the heart شُعْلَةَa flame مَارِجٍof smokeless fire وَقَّادِblazing
بِالْقَلْبِ شُعْلَةَ مَارِجٍ وَقَّادِ
Alas for that loss! Its death-tidings made leap
Within my heart a tongue of blazing, smokeless fire.
قَدْalready أَظْلَمَتْgrew dark مِنْهُfrom it الْعُيُونُthe eyes كَأَنَّماas though
قَدْ أَظْلَمَتْ مِنْهُ الْعُيُونُ كَأَنَّما
كَحَلlined with kohl الْبُكَاءُweeping جُفُونَهاtheir eyelids بِقَتَادِwith thornwood
كَحَل الْبُكَاءُ جُفُونَها بِقَتَادِ
My eyes grew dark from it, as though
Weeping had kohled their lids with thornwood.
عَظُمَتْgrew great مُصِيبَتُهُits calamity عَلَيَّfor me بِقَدْرِin proportion to مَاwhat
عَظُمَتْ مُصِيبَتُهُ عَلَيَّ بِقَدْرِ مَا
عَظُمَتْgrew great لَدَيَّbefore me شَمَاتَةُthe gloating الْحُسَّادِof the envious
عَظُمَتْ لَدَيَّ شَمَاتَةُ الْحُسَّادِ
The weight of this calamity grew for me in measure with
The swelling glee of those who envied me.
لامُواthey blamed عَلَىfor جَزَعِيmy anguish وَلَمَّاand not yet يَعْلَمُواdid they know
لامُوا عَلَى جَزَعِي وَلَمَّا يَعْلَمُوا
أَنَّthat الْمَلامَةَblame لاnot تَرُدُّturns back قِيَادِيmy reins
أَنَّ الْمَلامَةَ لا تَرُدُّ قِيَادِي
They blamed my anguish, not yet knowing
That blame cannot turn back my reins.
فَلَئِنْfor even if لَبِيدُLabid قَضَىdecreed بِحَوْلٍfor a year كَامِلٍcomplete
فَلَئِنْ لَبِيدُ قَضَى بِحَوْلٍ كَامِلٍ
فِيin الْحُزْنِmourning فَهْوَthen it is قَضَاءُthe judgment غَيْرِof one not جَوَادِgenerous
فِي الْحُزْنِ فَهْوَ قَضَاءُ غَيْرِ جَوَادِ
For though Labid prescribed a whole year
Of mourning, his was no generous judgment.
لَبِسَhe wore through الزَّمَانَTime عَلَىthrough اخْتِلافِthe variation صُرُوفِهِof its turns
لَبِسَ الزَّمَانَ عَلَى اخْتِلافِ صُرُوفِهِ
دُوَلاًin shifting fortunes وَفَلَّand blunted عَرَائِكَthe stubborn natures الآبَادِof ages
دُوَلاً وَفَلَّ عَرَائِكَ الآبَادِ
He wore through Time in all its changing turns,
Through shifting fortunes, and blunted the stubbornness of ages.
كَمْhow great a difference بَيْنَbetween عَادِيٍّan ancient man تَمَلَّىwho enjoyed fully عُمْرَهُhis lifetime
كَمْ بَيْنَ عَادِيٍّ تَمَلَّى عُمْرَهُ
حِقَباًfor ages وَبَيْنَand between حَدِيثَةِone recent in الْمِيلادِbirth
حِقَباً وَبَيْنَ حَدِيثَةِ الْمِيلادِ
How far apart are an ancient man who enjoyed his life
For ages, and a woman only lately born!
هَذَاthis one قَضَىfulfilled وَطَرَthe desire الْحَيَاةِof life وتِلْكَwhile that woman لَمْnot
هَذَا قَضَى وَطَرَ الْحَيَاةِ وتِلْكَ لَمْ
تَبْلُغْreached شَبِيبَةَthe prime عُمْرِهَاof her life الْمُعْتَادِcustomary
تَبْلُغْ شَبِيبَةَ عُمْرِهَا الْمُعْتَادِ
He had fulfilled life's desire, while she had not
Reached the customary prime of her years.
فَعَلامَso why أَتْبَعُshould I follow مَاwhat يَقُولُوَحُكْمُهُhe says, while his judgment
فَعَلامَ أَتْبَعُ مَا يَقُولُوَحُكْمُهُ
لاnot يَسْتَوِيholds true لِتَبَايُنِbecause of the disparity الأَضْدَادِbetween opposites
لا يَسْتَوِي لِتَبَايُنِ الأَضْدَادِ
Why then should I follow what he says, when his judgment
Cannot hold, given the disparity between opposites?
سِرْgo يَاO نَسِيمُbreeze فَبَلِّغِand convey to الْقَبْرَthe grave الَّذِيwhich is
سِرْ يَا نَسِيمُ فَبَلِّغِ الْقَبْرَ الَّذِي
بِحِمَىwithin the precinct الإِمَامِof the Imam تَحِيَّتِيmy greeting ووِدَادِيand my love
بِحِمَى الإِمَامِ تَحِيَّتِي ووِدَادِي
Go, O breeze, and convey to the grave that lies
Within the Imam's precinct my greetings and my love.
أَخْبِرْهُtell it أَنِّيthat I بَعْدَهُafter it فيamong مَعْشَرٍa people
أَخْبِرْهُ أَنِّي بَعْدَهُ في مَعْشَرٍ
يَسْتَجْلِبُونَseek to gain صَلاحَهُمْtheir prosperity بِفَسَادِيthrough my ruin
يَسْتَجْلِبُونَ صَلاحَهُمْ بِفَسَادِي
Tell it that, left behind, I live among people
Who seek their own prosperity through my ruin.
طُبِعُواthey were fashioned علىupon حَسَدٍenvy فَأَنْتَso you تَرَاهُمُsee them
طُبِعُوا على حَسَدٍ فَأَنْتَ تَرَاهُمُ
مَرْضَىsick الْقُلُوبِat heart أَصِحَّةَsound الأَجْسَادِin body
مَرْضَى الْقُلُوبِ أَصِحَّةَ الأَجْسَادِ
They were fashioned out of envy, and so you see them
Sick at heart, though sound in body.
وَلَوَand if انَّهُمْthat they عَلِمُواknew خَبِيئَةَthe hidden secret ماof what طَوَىhas stored away
وَلَوَ انَّهُمْ عَلِمُوا خَبِيئَةَ ما طَوَى
لَهُمُfor them الرَّدَىDeath لَمْnot يَقْدَحُواthey would strike بِزِنادِwith a fire-steel
لَهُمُ الرَّدَى لَمْ يَقْدَحُوا بِزِنادِ
Had they known the secret of what has been stored
For them by Death, they would strike no fire-steel.
كُلُّevery امْرِئٍperson يَوْماًone day مُلاقٍshall meet رَبَّهُhis Lord
كُلُّ امْرِئٍ يَوْماً مُلاقٍ رَبَّهُ
والنَّاسُand people فِيin الدُّنْيَاthis world عَلىat مِيعَادِan appointed time
والنَّاسُ فِي الدُّنْيَا عَلى مِيعَادِ
Every person shall one day meet their Lord,
And people in this world await an appointed time.
وَكَفَىand sufficient بِعَادِيَةِis the onslaught الْحَوَادِثِof calamities مُنْذِراًas a warning
وَكَفَى بِعَادِيَةِ الْحَوَادِثِ مُنْذِراً
لِلْغَافِلِينَfor the heedless لَوِif اكْتَفُواthey were satisfied بِعَوَادِيwith my misfortunes
لِلْغَافِلِينَ لَوِ اكْتَفُوا بِعَوَادِي
The onslaught of calamities is warning enough
For the heedless, if my misfortunes were enough for them.
فَلْيَنْظُرِso let look الإِنْسَانُa human being نَظْرَةَwith the gaze عَاقِلٍof a wise man
فَلْيَنْظُرِ الإِنْسَانُ نَظْرَةَ عَاقِلٍ
لِمَصَارِعِat the death-sites الآباءِof fathers وَالأَجْدَادِand forefathers
لِمَصَارِعِ الآباءِ وَالأَجْدَادِ
Let man look with a wise man's eye
At the places where fathers and forefathers fell.
عَصَفَswept violently الزَمَانُTime بِهِمْupon them فَبَدَّدَand scattered شَمْلَهُمْtheir gathering
عَصَفَ الزَمَانُ بِهِمْ فَبَدَّدَ شَمْلَهُمْ
فِيacross الأَرْضِthe earth بَيْنَbetween تَهَائِمٍlowlands وَنِجَادِand highlands
فِي الأَرْضِ بَيْنَ تَهَائِمٍ وَنِجَادِ
Time swept through them and scattered their gathering
Across the earth, among lowlands and highlands.
دَهْرٌan age كَأَنَّاas though we مِنْfrom جَرَائِرِthe crimes سِلْمِهِof its peace
دَهْرٌ كَأَنَّا مِنْ جَرَائِرِ سِلْمِهِ
فِيin حَرِّthe heat يَوْمِof a day كَرِيهَةٍof battle وجِلادِand combat
فِي حَرِّ يَوْمِ كَرِيهَةٍ وجِلادِ
An age in whose peace, through its crimes, we seem
To be in the heat of a day of battle and combat.
أَفْنَىdestroyed الْجَبَابِرَthe mighty مِنْamong مَقَاوِلِthe kings حِمْيَرٍof Himyar
أَفْنَى الْجَبَابِرَ مِنْ مَقَاوِلِ حِمْيَرٍ
وأُولِيand those possessing الزَّعَامَةِleadership مِنْamong ثَمُودَThamud وَعَادِand 'Ad
وأُولِي الزَّعَامَةِ مِنْ ثَمُودَ وَعَادِ
It destroyed the mighty among the kings of Himyar,
And those who held leadership among Thamud and 'Ad.
وَرَمَىand struck قُضَاعَةَQuda'a فَاسْتَبَاحَthen ravaged دِيارَهَاher dwellings
وَرَمَى قُضَاعَةَ فَاسْتَبَاحَ دِيارَهَا
بِالسُّخْطِwith the wrath مِنْfrom سابُورَShapur ذِيpossessor of الأَجْنَادِarmies
بِالسُّخْطِ مِنْ سابُورَ ذِي الأَجْنَادِ
It struck Quda'a and ravaged her dwellings
Through the wrath of Shapur, lord of armies.
وَأَصَابَand struck عَنْat عُرْضٍrandom إِيادَIyad فَأَصْبَحَتْso she became
وَأَصَابَ عَنْ عُرْضٍ إِيادَ فَأَصْبَحَتْ
مَنْكُوسَةَwith overturned الأَعْلامِbanners فِيin سِنْدَادِSindad
مَنْكُوسَةَ الأَعْلامِ فِي سِنْدَادِ
It struck Iyad at random, leaving her
With banners overturned in Sindad.
فَسَلِso ask الْمَدَائِنَal-Mada'in فَهْيَfor it is مَنْجَمُa mine عِبْرَةٍof lessons
فَسَلِ الْمَدَائِنَ فَهْيَ مَنْجَمُ عِبْرَةٍ
عَمَّاabout what رَأَتْit saw مِنْof حَاضِرٍa townsman أَوْor بَادِيa nomad
عَمَّا رَأَتْ مِنْ حَاضِرٍ أَوْ بَادِي
Ask al-Mada'in, for it is a mine of lessons,
About what it saw of townsman or nomad.
كَرَّتْcharged repeatedly عَلَيْهَاupon it الْحَادِثَاتُcalamities فَلَمْand did not تَدَعْleave
كَرَّتْ عَلَيْهَا الْحَادِثَاتُ فَلَمْ تَدَعْ
إِلَّاexcept بَقَايَاremnants أَرْسُمٍof ruins وَعِمَادِand pillars
إِلَّا بَقَايَا أَرْسُمٍ وَعِمَادِ
Calamities charged upon it and left
Nothing but remnants of ruins and pillars.
وَاعْكُفْand linger عَلَىbeside الْهَرَمَيْنِthe two pyramids واسْأَلْand ask عَنْهُمَاabout them both
وَاعْكُفْ عَلَى الْهَرَمَيْنِ واسْأَلْ عَنْهُمَا
بَلْهِيبَBalhib فَهْوَfor he is خَطِيبُthe orator ذَاكَof that الْوَادِيvalley
بَلْهِيبَ فَهْوَ خَطِيبُ ذَاكَ الْوَادِي
Linger beside the two pyramids and ask about them
Of Balhib, for he is that valley's orator.
تُنْبِئْكَwill tell you أَلْسِنَةُthe tongues الصُّمُوتِof the silent بِمَاof what جَرَىhappened
تُنْبِئْكَ أَلْسِنَةُ الصُّمُوتِ بِمَا جَرَى
فيthrough الدَّهْرِtime مِنْof عَدَمٍnonexistence ومِنْand of إِيْجَادِcoming into being
في الدَّهْرِ مِنْ عَدَمٍ ومِنْ إِيْجَادِ
The tongues of the silent will tell you what has passed
Through time, of passing away and coming into being.
أُمَمٌnations خَلَتْpassed away فَاسْتَعْجَمَتْand became obscure أَخْبَارُهاtheir histories
أُمَمٌ خَلَتْ فَاسْتَعْجَمَتْ أَخْبَارُها
حَتَّىuntil غَدَتْthey became مَجْهُولَةَunknown in الإِسْنَادِprovenance
حَتَّى غَدَتْ مَجْهُولَةَ الإِسْنَادِ
Nations passed away, and their histories grew obscure,
Until their sources could no longer be traced.
فَعَلامَso why يَخْشَىshould fear الْمَرْءُa man صَرْعَةَthe fatal fall يَوْمِهِof his day
فَعَلامَ يَخْشَى الْمَرْءُ صَرْعَةَ يَوْمِهِ
أَوَلَيْسَis it not أَنَّthat حَيَاتَهُhis life لِنَفَادِis bound to end
أَوَلَيْسَ أَنَّ حَيَاتَهُ لِنَفَادِ
Why then should a man fear the fall his day will bring?
Is his life not bound to end?
تَعَسَwretched is امْرُؤٌa man نَسِيَwho forgot الْمَعَادَthe Return وَمَاand did not دَرَىknow
تَعَسَ امْرُؤٌ نَسِيَ الْمَعَادَ وَمَا دَرَى
أَنَّthat الْمَنُونَDeath إِلَيْهِfor him بِالْمِرْصَادِlies in ambush
أَنَّ الْمَنُونَ إِلَيْهِ بِالْمِرْصَادِ
Wretched is the man who forgets the Return and does not know
That Death lies in ambush for him.
فَاسْتَهْدِso seek guidance from يَاO مَحْمُودُMahmud رَبَّكَyour Lord وَالْتَمِسْand seek
فَاسْتَهْدِ يَا مَحْمُودُ رَبَّكَ وَالْتَمِسْ
مِنْهُfrom Him الْمَعُونَةَhelp فَهْوَfor He is نِعْمَthe best الْهَادِيguide
مِنْهُ الْمَعُونَةَ فَهْوَ نِعْمَ الْهَادِي
Seek your Lord's guidance, O Mahmud, and ask
His help, for He is the best of guides.
وَاسْأَلْهُand ask Him مَغْفِرَةًforgiveness لِمَنْfor whoever حَلَّentered الثَّرَىthe earth
وَاسْأَلْهُ مَغْفِرَةً لِمَنْ حَلَّ الثَّرَى
بِالأَمْسِyesterday فَهْوَfor He is مُجِيبُthe answerer كُلof every مُنَادِيcaller
بِالأَمْسِ فَهْوَ مُجِيبُ كُل مُنَادِي
Ask Him to forgive the one who entered the earth
Yesterday, for He answers every caller.
هِيَshe is مُهْجَةٌlifeblood وَدَّعْتُI bade farewell to يَوْمَon the day زِيَالِهَاof her departure
هِيَ مُهْجَةٌ وَدَّعْتُ يَوْمَ زِيَالِهَا
نَفْسِيmy soul وَعِشْتُand I lived بِحَسْرَةٍin grief وَبِعَادِand separation
نَفْسِي وَعِشْتُ بِحَسْرَةٍ وَبِعَادِ
She is my lifeblood; on the day she departed I bade farewell to
My own soul, and lived in grief and separation.
تَاللهِby God ماnot جَفَّتْhave dried دُمُوعيmy tears بَعْدَمَاafter
تَاللهِ ما جَفَّتْ دُمُوعي بَعْدَمَا
ذَهَبَwent away الرَّدَىDeath بِكِwith you يَاO بْنَةَdaughter الأَمْجَادِof the noble
ذَهَبَ الرَّدَى بِكِ يَا بْنَةَ الأَمْجَادِ
By God, my tears have never dried since
Death carried you away, O daughter of the noble!
لاdo not تَحْسَبِينِيthink me مِلْتُto have turned عَنْكِaway from you مَعَwith الْهَوَىdesire
لا تَحْسَبِينِي مِلْتُ عَنْكِ مَعَ الْهَوَى
هَيْهَاتَfar from it مَاnot تَرْكُforsaking الْوَفاءِfidelity بِعَادِيis my habit
هَيْهَاتَ مَا تَرْكُ الْوَفاءِ بِعَادِي
Do not think I have turned from you, following desire;
Far from it! Forsaking loyalty is not my way.
قَدْindeed كِدْتُI almost أَقْضِيdied حَسْرَةًof grief لَوْif لَمْnot أَكُنْI were
قَدْ كِدْتُ أَقْضِي حَسْرَةً لَوْ لَمْ أَكُنْ
مُتَوَقِّعَاًexpecting لُقْيَاكِto meet you يَوْمَon the day مَعَادِيof my Return
مُتَوَقِّعَاً لُقْيَاكِ يَوْمَ مَعَادِي
I would almost have died of grief, had I not been
Expecting to meet you on the day of my Return.
فَعَلَيْكِso upon you مِنْfrom قَلْبِيmy heart التَّحِيَّةُgreetings كُلَّمَاwhenever
فَعَلَيْكِ مِنْ قَلْبِي التَّحِيَّةُ كُلَّمَا
نَاحَتْlaments مُطَوَّقَةٌa collared dove عَلَىupon الأَعْوَادِthe boughs
نَاحَتْ مُطَوَّقَةٌ عَلَى الأَعْوَادِ
So from my heart, greetings be upon you whenever
A collared dove laments upon the boughs.
Translation model: Sol 6.1