وَقَفتُI stood عَلىby دارٍa dwelling لِميَّةَbelonging to Mayyah غَيَّرَتaltered
وَقَفتُ عَلى دارٍ لِميَّةَ غَيَّرَت
مَعالِمَهاits landmarks هوجُraging الرياحِthe winds النَواسِفdust-scattering
مَعالِمَها هوجُ الرياحِ النَواسِف
I stood by Mayyah's dwelling, altered
I stood at the abode of Layla which strong winds
I stood at Mayya's abode, whose traces were effaced
in its landmarks by the furious, dust-scattering winds.
Had changed, erasing its familiar features.
By the violent, sweeping gusts of the wind.
فَأَسبَلَتِthen shed العَينانِboth eyes دَمعاًtears كأنهُas though it were
فَأَسبَلَتِ العَينانِ دَمعاً كأنهُ
جُمانٌpearls وَهىcame loose منfrom سلكِهِits string مُتَرادِفone after another
جُمانٌ وَهى من سلكِهِ مُتَرادِف
Then both eyes shed tears, as though they were
My eyes poured tears like scrolling lines
My eyes then poured forth tears, streaming like
pearls slipping loose from their string, one after another.
Of poetry, so copious and successive.
Pearls scattering from a broken string, falling one after another.
أُسائِلُهاI question it عَنabout فَرطِthe excess of ماwhat بيafflicts me وَإِنَّنيthough indeed I
أُسائِلُها عَن فَرطِ ما بي وَإِنَّني
بِعُجمَةِof the speechlessness of أَحجارِstones الدِيارِthe dwellings لَعارِفsurely aware
بِعُجمَةِ أَحجارِ الدِيارِ لَعارِف
I question it about my overwhelming anguish, although I
I asked about the cause of our separation, though
I question the ruins out of my overwhelming grief, though indeed I
well know the speechlessness of the dwelling's stones.
I knew the muteness of its walls and stones.
Am well aware that the stones of the dwelling cannot speak.
لِعَهديas I remember بِهاof it بيضٌfair-skinned maidens أَوانِسُgracious companions كَالدُمىlike dolls
لِعَهدي بِها بيضٌ أَوانِسُ كَالدُمى
غَرائِرُinnocent maidens عَمّاfrom what لاnot يحلُّis lawful صَوادِفُturning away
غَرائِرُ عَمّا لا يحلُّ صَوادِفُ
As I remember it, there were fair, gracious maidens like dolls,
For our past days were white, intimate, like the gatherings
I remember when white-skinned, sociable maidens like statues dwelt there,
innocent, shunning whatever is unlawful.
Of friends, concealing what is indecent to disclose.
Innocent souls, turning away from all that is forbidden.
إِذاwhen ماemphatic particle سَحَبنَthey trailed الأَتحمِيَّthe At'hami cloth تَمايَلَتswayed
إِذا ما سَحَبنَ الأَتحمِيَّ تَمايَلَت
غُصونُboughs النَقاthe sand dunes مالَتtilted بِهنَّwith them الرَوادِفthe full hips
غُصونُ النَقا مالَت بِهنَّ الرَوادِف
Whenever they trailed their At'hami robes, there swayed
When the fox cried out, the branches of the withered lotus
When they trailed their striped robes, they swayed
boughs of the sand dunes, tilted by their full hips.
Swayed, and they swayed with it the singing doves.
Like branches on a sand dune, weighed down by heavy hips.
وَفيهِنَّand among them مِقلاقُrestlessly loose الوِشاحِthe sash كَأنَّهاas though she were
وَفيهِنَّ مِقلاقُ الوِشاحِ كَأنَّها
قَضيبٌa branch إِذاwhen ماسَتshe swayed منof البانِthe ban tree وارِفُleafy
قَضيبٌ إِذا ماسَت من البانِ وارِفُ
Among them is one with a loose, shifting sash, as though she were
Among them the scarves flutter as if they were
Among them is one whose sash hangs loose, as though she were
a leafy branch of the ban tree whenever she sways.
A rod, bending to the ground from the weight.
A leafy willow branch, trembling as she walks with pride.
أَلاah لَيتَif only شِعريmy knowing أَينَwhere مِنّيfrom me مَزارُهاher visiting-place
أَلا لَيتَ شِعري أَينَ مِنّي مَزارُها
وَقدand already حالَتِstood between الصُمّانُal-Summan دونيin my way وَواصِفand Wasif
وَقد حالَتِ الصُمّانُ دوني وَواصِف
Ah, if only I knew how far from me her dwelling lies,
Oh would that I knew where his tomb was,
Oh, how I wish I knew where her dwelling place lies now,
with al-Summan and Wasif now blocking my way.
Though distance and description stood between us.
When the lands of Summan and Wasif stand between us.
أَظَلُّI remain نَهاريall my day أَنكُتُI scratch الأَرضَthe ground واجِماًsilent with grief
أَظَلُّ نَهاري أَنكُتُ الأَرضَ واجِماً
وَفيand in كَبديmy liver بِاللَيلِat night تُحمىare heated المَراصِفُthe irons
وَفي كَبدي بِاللَيلِ تُحمى المَراصِفُ
All day I keep scratching the ground, silent with grief,
By day I walk the land silent and brooding
I spend my day striking the earth in silent desolation,
and in my liver at night the irons are heated.
At night, my heart burns with embers in my chest.
While at night, burning coals are stoked within my heart.
وَأَجهدُand I struggle يومَon the day of البَينِparting أَنthat يَظهَرَappear الهَوىlove
وَأَجهدُ يومَ البَينِ أَن يَظهَرَ الهَوى
وَقدyet already أَعلَنَتهُhave proclaimed it الساجِماتُthe streaming eyes الذَوارِفُthe tear-shedding ones
وَقد أَعلَنَتهُ الساجِماتُ الذَوارِفُ
And I struggle on the day of parting lest love show itself,
I struggle throughout the pain of absence trying
On the day of parting, I strove to keep my passion hidden,
yet the streaming, tear-shedding eyes have already proclaimed it.
To restrain my passion, though windswept plains reveal it.
Yet the streaming, shedding tears proclaimed it to all.
وَإِنّيand indeed I وَإِنeven though كانَتwas إِلىtoward الغَورِal-Ghawr, the lowlands نِيَّتيmy intention
وَإِنّي وَإِن كانَت إِلى الغَورِ نِيَّتي
لَفيsurely among الرَبرَبِthe gazelle herd النَجدِيِّof Najd لِلقَلبِfor the heart شاغِفُa heart-piercer
لَفي الرَبرَبِ النَجدِيِّ لِلقَلبِ شاغِفُ
And though my intended journey is toward al-Ghawr,
And if my intention is to visit his grave,
And though my journey is bound for the lowlands of Ghaur,
surely, among Najd's gazelle herd is one who pierces my heart.
My heart flutters anxiously in anticipation.
My heart remains captivated by the gazelles of Najd.
أَقولُI say لِرَكبٍto riders يَمَّمواwho headed toward قُلَّةَthe summit of الحِمىthe protected pasture
أَقولُ لِرَكبٍ يَمَّموا قُلَّةَ الحِمى
عَلىon شَدقَميّاتٍbroad-mouthed she-camels طَوَتهاmade them lean التَنائِفthe trackless wastes
عَلى شَدقَميّاتٍ طَوَتها التَنائِف
I say to riders bound for the summit of al-Hima,
I say to a caravan determined to cross the deserted land
I say to a caravan aiming for the peaks of the sanctuary,
on broad-mouthed she-camels worn lean by the trackless wastes:
On she-camels whose curves sway with their walk:
Mounted on strong camels, worn thin by the endless deserts:
قِفواstop حَدِّثونيtell me عَنabout أَجارِعِsandy tracts of رامَةٍRama
قِفوا حَدِّثوني عَن أَجارِعِ رامَةٍ
عَسىperhaps أَنبَجَسَتgushed forth فيهاin them السَحابthe clouds العَواطِفُthe returning ones
عَسى أَنبَجَسَت فيها السَحاب العَواطِفُ
Stop, and tell me of Rama's sandy tracts;
Stop and tell me of the meadows of Ramah,
"Halt and tell me of the sandy stretches of Rama,
perhaps the returning clouds have poured forth there.
If clouds have rained down there, pouring out sorrows.
Have the benevolent clouds poured their rain upon them?"
وَهلand have أَمرَعَتgrown lush أَجراعُthe sandy tracts of لَعلَعLa'la' بَعدَناafter we left
وَهل أَمرَعَت أَجراعُ لَعلَع بَعدَنا
وَهلand have رُدِّدَتbeen repeated فيهاin them اللُحونُthe melodies الهَواتِفُthe ringing ones
وَهل رُدِّدَت فيها اللُحونُ الهَواتِفُ
And have the sandy tracts of La'la' grown lush since we left?
And have the meadows of Layla’ echoed with sound since we left?
"And have the slopes of La’la’ bloomed fertile since we left?
And have the ringing melodies echoed there?
Have anthems replayed in them?
And do the echoing melodies of birds still resonate there?"
سَقىmay it water هَضَباتٍhillocks بعدَbeyond ماMa, a name fragment وانَwan, a name fragment فيin الحِمىthe protected pasture
سَقى هَضَباتٍ بعدَ ما وانَ في الحِمى
منfrom المُزنِthe rain-clouds ثَجّاحُtorrent-pouring العَزاليِّthe spouts واكِفstreaming
من المُزنِ ثَجّاحُ العَزاليِّ واكِف
May the hillocks beyond Mawan in al-Hima be watered
It has watered plateaus after desire faded,
May the pouring rain water the hills beyond Ma’wan in the sanctuary,
by a rain-cloud whose spouts pour down in streaming torrents.
As the rain of beneficence soaked the highlands.
From heavy clouds with bursting spouts, unceasing.
وَجادَand may it drench رُبوعاًdwellings بِاللِوىat al-Liwa كلُّevery مُطفِلٍmother-cloud
وَجادَ رُبوعاً بِاللِوى كلُّ مُطفِلٍ
أَجشُّhoarse هَزيمٍthunderous وَدقُهُits rain مُتَرادِفُsuccessive
أَجشُّ هَزيمٍ وَدقُهُ مُتَرادِفُ
And may every mother-cloud drench the dwellings at al-Liwa,
And it poured generosity in the meadows - every parasite
May every thundering cloud be generous to the dwellings at Al-Liwa,
hoarse with thunder, its rain falling in successive showers.
Was routed, and routed again likewise.
With deep, rumbling thunder and rain falling in sheets.
فَليfor I have سَكنٌa beloved ماemphatic particle بَينَamong مُلتَفِّthe tangled growth of دَوحِهاits great trees
فَلي سَكنٌ ما بَينَ مُلتَفِّ دَوحِها
يَعزُّis hard عَليهِfor him أَنthat يَطولَlast long التَقاذُفbeing flung far apart
يَعزُّ عَليهِ أَن يَطولَ التَقاذُف
For I have a beloved among its tangled, great trees,
So I have a dwelling between the encampments of her tribe
For a beloved of mine dwells amidst its tangled thickets,
who finds it painful that our far-flung separation should last.
Too difficult for exchanging messages to reach.
Who finds it grievous that our separation has grown so long.
يَظَلُّhe keeps إِذاwhen أَضمَرتُI harbor لِلبَينِfor parting نِيَّةًan intention
يَظَلُّ إِذا أَضمَرتُ لِلبَينِ نِيَّةً
يُرامِقُنيwatching me وَالدَمعُwhile tears هامٍpouring وَذارِفُand streaming
يُرامِقُني وَالدَمعُ هامٍ وَذارِفُ
Whenever I harbor an intention to depart, he keeps
It remains overlooking me when I decide to leave,
Whenever I resolved to depart, he would remain
watching me, with tears pouring and streaming.
Gazing at me while tears pour profusely.
Gazing at me while tears welled up and flowed.
خَليلَيَّmy two friends وَدَّعتُI bade farewell to التَصابيyouthful dalliance وَقُوِّضَتand were dismantled
خَليلَيَّ وَدَّعتُ التَصابي وَقُوِّضَت
مَآربُdesires ليof mine فيin رَبعهِits dwelling وَمواقِفُand lingering places
مَآربُ لي في رَبعهِ وَمواقِفُ
My two friends, I have bidden youthful dalliance farewell; dismantled are
O my friend, I bid farewell to pleasures, and my hopes
O my two friends, I have bid farewell to youthful folly,
my desires in its dwelling and the places where I lingered.
In his land were destroyed, and the covenants.
And my desires and stations in its realm have been dismantled.
وَأذَّنَand called out صُبحُthe dawn of الشَيبِgray hair فيin لَيلِthe night of لِمَّتيmy locks
وَأذَّنَ صُبحُ الشَيبِ في لَيلِ لِمَّتي
فَفِئتُso I returned وَلكِنيyet I عَلىfor اللَيلِthe night آسِفُgrieving
فَفِئتُ وَلكِني عَلى اللَيلِ آسِفُ
And the dawn of gray hair has called out in the night of my locks,
The dawn of old age gave notice in the night of my adversity,
The dawn of gray hair has called out in the night of my dark locks,
so I turned back, yet I grieve for that night.
So I turned away, though I regret the night.
So I have awakened, yet I mourn the passing of that night.
وَباعَدَand went far away مَنthe one who كُنّاwe used to نُسَرُّbe gladdened بِقُربِهِby his nearness
وَباعَدَ مَن كُنّا نُسَرُّ بِقُربِهِ
وَآخرُand another مَطوِيٌّwrapped عَليهِaround him اللَفائِفُthe shrouds
وَآخرُ مَطوِيٌّ عَليهِ اللَفائِفُ
And one whose nearness delighted us has gone far away,
It distanced those we delighted in their nearness,
Time has distanced those whose nearness once brought us joy,
while another lies with shrouds wrapped around him.
While others passed away, and time brought additional sorrows.
While others lie wrapped within their burial shrouds.
رِجالٌmen وَأَوقاتٌand times وَشَرخُand the prime of شَبيبَةٍyouth
رِجالٌ وَأَوقاتٌ وَشَرخُ شَبيبَةٍ
مَضواhave passed وَزمانٌand a time بِالحَبيبُwith the beloved مُساعِفُfavorable
مَضوا وَزمانٌ بِالحَبيبُ مُساعِفُ
Men, times, and the prime of youth
Men, eras, and the prime of my youth are gone,
Noble men, precious times, and the flower of youth
have passed, as has a time that favored us with the beloved.
While days with the beloved were redoubled.
Have all passed, along with an era when fortune favored lovers.
فَقُلso say ماwhat تَشاyou wish فيabout مُهجَةٍa heart قَدalready تَصَدَّعَتhas split apart
فَقُل ما تَشا في مُهجَةٍ قَد تَصَدَّعَت
بِلَوعَةِwith the anguish of مَوتورٍone bereaved بِماfrom what أَناI واصِفُam describing
بِلَوعَةِ مَوتورٍ بِما أَنا واصِفُ
So say what you will of a heart already split apart
So say what you wish to a heart that is cracked
So say what you will of a heart that has been shattered
by a bereft man's anguish at what I describe.
With the sorrow of loss - I speak from experience.
By the anguish of a bereft soul, describing what I now endure.
جَعَلتُI made سَميريmy evening companion حينَwhen عَزَّgrew scarce مُسامِريmy fellow-talker
جَعَلتُ سَميري حينَ عَزَّ مُسامِري
دَفاتِرَbooks أَملَتهاdictated them القُرونُthe generations السَوالِفُthe bygone ones
دَفاتِرَ أَملَتها القُرونُ السَوالِفُ
I chose as my evening companion, when such company grew scarce,
I made my nights, when companionship was denied me,
I took for my companion, when true friends grew scarce,
books dictated by the generations long past.
Pages written by centuries of stories.
Volumes dictated by the centuries of old.
فَطَوراًso at times أُناجيI converse privately with كُلَّevery حَبرٍscholar مُوَفَّقٍaccomplished
فَطَوراً أُناجي كُلَّ حَبرٍ مُوَفَّقٍ
إِذاwhen ماemphatic particle دَعاhe calls لَبَّتanswered دُعاهُhis summons المَعارِفُthe branches of knowledge
إِذا ما دَعا لَبَّت دُعاهُ المَعارِفُ
So at times I converse privately with every accomplished scholar,
Sometimes I converse with every worthy scholar
At times I converse with every wise and guided scholar,
whenever he calls, the branches of knowledge answer his summons.
When his call stirs the gentle passions.
Whose call all forms of knowledge answer instantly.
وَطَوراًand at times كَأَنّيas though I were مَعwith زُهَيرِZuhayr وَجَروَلٍand Jarwal
وَطَوراً كَأَنّي مَع زُهَيرِ وَجَروَلٍ
وَطَوراًand at times يُناجينيconfide in me مُلوكٌkings غَطارِفُillustrious
وَطَوراً يُناجيني مُلوكٌ غَطارِفُ
And at times it is as though I am with Zuhayr and Jarwal,
And sometimes it is as if I am with Zuhair and Jarwal,
At other times, I feel I am with the poets Zuhair and Jarwal,
and at times illustrious kings confide in me.
Or kings of imagination speak to me.
Or that majestic kings are holding council with me.
تَسَلَّيتُI found consolation عَنfor كُلٍّall بِتِذكارِby recalling عُصبَةٍa band
تَسَلَّيتُ عَن كُلٍّ بِتِذكارِ عُصبَةٍ
لَهُمthey have فيin العُلاlofty honor مَجدٌglory تَليدٌinherited وَطارِفُand newly won
لَهُم في العُلا مَجدٌ تَليدٌ وَطارِفُ
I consoled myself for them all by recalling a band
I consoled myself about all through memories of a people
I found solace from all things in the memory of a clan
whose lofty glory is both inherited and newly won:
Whose glory in high deeds was longstanding and singular.
Who possess in the heights of nobility a glory both ancient and new.
بِهاfirst fragment of 'noble men' لَيلُsecond fragment of 'noble men' سادواthey ruled مَنthose who يَليهِمare near them وَمنand those who نَأىare far away
بِها لَيلُ سادوا مَن يَليهِم وَمن نَأى
كُهوفٌcaves of refuge حَصيناتٌimpregnable إِذاwhen اِضطُرَّis hard-pressed خائِفُa frightened man
كُهوفٌ حَصيناتٌ إِذا اِضطُرَّ خائِفُ
noble men who ruled those near them and those far away,
With them the night was illumined. They mastered those around them
Noble masters who ruled over those near and far alike,
impregnable caves when a frightened man is driven to seek refuge,
And those distant - like fortified caves for one in distress.
Impregnable sanctuaries for the fearful when distress compels them.
مَطاعيمُlavish feeders فيin اللأوىhardship مَطاعينُfierce spear-thrusters فيin الوغىbattle
مَطاعيمُ في اللأوى مَطاعينُ في الوغى
بُحورُseas of نَدىًgenerosity لاnot يَجتَويهِنَّfinds them foul غارِفُone drawing water
بُحورُ نَدىً لا يَجتَويهِنَّ غارِفُ
lavish feeders in hardship, fierce spear-thrusters in battle,
Welcoming in privation, obeyed in commotion,
Feeders of the hungry in famine, strikers of the enemy in war,
seas of bounty no one drawing from them finds foul,
Seas that no turbulence could stir.
Oceans of generosity that no seeker ever finds distasteful.
رَبيعٌa springtime لِأَقوامٍfor peoples جَفَتهُمcast them off بِلادُهُمtheir lands
رَبيعٌ لِأَقوامٍ جَفَتهُم بِلادُهُم
إِذاwhen اِستَحكَمَتtighten their grip غُبرُthe dust-gray ones السِنينَthe years الجَواحِفُthe devastating ones
إِذا اِستَحكَمَت غُبرُ السِنينَ الجَواحِفُ
a springtime for peoples whom their own lands have cast off,
A springtime for people whose homelands had abandoned them
A springtime for peoples whose own lands have forsaken them,
when the dust-gray, devastating years tighten their grip.
When the calamities of years overwhelmed.
When the dusty, devastating years tighten their grip.
يَعولونَهُمthey support them فَضلاًout of generosity وَلاand no صِهرَmarriage tie بَينَهُمbetween them
يَعولونَهُم فَضلاً وَلا صِهرَ بَينَهُم
وَلاnor نَسَبٌkinship يُدنيهِمُbrings them close أَوor تَعارُفُacquaintance
وَلا نَسَبٌ يُدنيهِمُ أَو تَعارُفُ
They support them out of generosity, with no marriage ties between them,
They adopted them out of merit, with no marriage
They sustain them out of grace, though no kinship binds them,
nor kinship bringing them close, nor acquaintance.
Or lineage binding them, nor even familiarity.
Nor any lineage or prior acquaintance draws them near.
يُنَسّونَهُمthey make them forget أَخدانَهُمtheir companions وَدِيارَهُمand their homes
يُنَسّونَهُم أَخدانَهُم وَدِيارَهُم
فَكمso how many أَرمَلٍa destitute man فيin أَدهَمِthe black fetters of الفَضلِbounty راسِفُshuffling in shackles
فَكم أَرمَلٍ في أَدهَمِ الفَضلِ راسِفُ
They make them forget their companions and their homes—
They forgot their own brothers and homes
They make them forget their old friends and lost homes,
how many a needy man shuffles in bounty's black fetters!
So many widows lament the nobility of the buried!
For how many a destitute soul walks shackled in the chains of their kindness.
لِيَهنِmay it gladden بَنيthe sons of الشَهمِthe gallant الغَضَنفَرِthe lion قاسِمٍQasim
لِيَهنِ بَني الشَهمِ الغَضَنفَرِ قاسِمٍ
مَآثِرُhonorable deeds تَبقىthat endure ماas long as تَخلَّفَremains خالِفُa successor
مَآثِرُ تَبقى ما تَخلَّفَ خالِفُ
May the sons of the gallant lion Qasim be gladdened by
Good fortunes to the proud tribe of Qasim
Congratulations to the sons of the gallant lion, Qasim,
deeds of honor lasting as long as successors remain.
Whose glories remain long after opponents vanish.
For virtues that shall endure as long as generations succeed one another.
أُولاكَthose بَنوsons of خَيرٍgoodness لهُready for it إِنif أَرَدتَهُyou seek it
أُولاكَ بَنو خَيرٍ لهُ إِن أَرَدتَهُ
وَإِنand if كانَit is شَرّاًevil فَالأُسودُthen the lions الزَوالِفُadvancing
وَإِن كانَ شَرّاً فَالأُسودُ الزَوالِفُ
Those are sons of goodness, ready for it if you seek it;
They are a people of nobility, if you desire it,
They are the sons of goodness itself, if you seek it,
but if you seek evil, they are the advancing lions.
But if evil, then dark lions that ravage.
But if evil is sought, they are lions on the prowl.
وَلَأيٍand my allegiance (probable reading) لهُمis theirs لكِنbut لِمَنfor the one who حلَّdwelt فيin الثَرىthe earth
وَلَأيٍ لهُم لكِن لِمَن حلَّ في الثَرى
مَزيدُgreater اِختِصاصٍcloseness بيto me وَماand no ثَمَّthere عاطِفُpartiality
مَزيدُ اِختِصاصٍ بي وَما ثَمَّ عاطِفُ
My allegiance is theirs, but for the one who lies beneath the earth
I wish them well, but I have a greater attachment
I owe them loyalty, but especially to the one laid in the earth,
there is a closer bond with me, without any partiality.
To one who settled in the grave - no emotions beyond.
Who holds a special place with me, where no other sympathy lies.
سَقىmay He water اللَهُGod قَبراًa grave حلَّهُhe entered it سَيبَa flood of رَحمَةٍmercy
سَقى اللَهُ قَبراً حلَّهُ سَيبَ رَحمَةٍ
وَلَقّاهُand grant him فَوزاًtriumph يَومَon the day تُتلىare read الصَحائِفُthe scrolls
وَلَقّاهُ فَوزاً يَومَ تُتلى الصَحائِفُ
May God water the grave he entered with a flood of mercy,
May God water a grave in which Saib rests,
May God water the grave he occupies with a torrent of mercy,
and grant him triumph on the day the scrolls are read.
And join him to success on the Day of Reckoning.
And grant him triumph on the Day the scrolls are read.
لَقَدindeed بانَdeparted مَحمودُpraiseworthy النَقيبَةِin character لَمnever يَكُنhe was
لَقَد بانَ مَحمودُ النَقيبَةِ لَم يَكُن
بِطائِشِrash لُبٍّof mind وَالسُيوفُwhile the swords رَواعِفُdripping blood
بِطائِشِ لُبٍّ وَالسُيوفُ رَواعِفُ
Indeed, a man of praiseworthy character has departed; he was never
Indeed Mahmoud of Naqibah was seen to be no reckless soul
He has departed, a man of praiseworthy character, never
rash of mind when swords dripped blood.
When swords were harvesting lives.
Losing his wits even when swords dripped with blood.
وَليand I have بَعدَهُafter him وُدٌّaffection بِأَروَعَfor a splendid man ماجِدٍnoble
وَلي بَعدَهُ وُدٌّ بِأَروَعَ ماجِدٍ
أَبِيٍّhigh-minded لِخَلّاتِto the virtues of الكِرامِthe generous مُحالِفُa sworn ally
أَبِيٍّ لِخَلّاتِ الكِرامِ مُحالِفُ
And after him, my affection is for a splendid, noble man,
And I have, after him, a love of the most glorious Mansur -
After him, my affection turns to a magnificent, noble soul,
high-minded, sworn to the virtues of the generous.
A father to the noble ones, and steadfast in covenant.
A proud spirit, allied eternally with the virtues of the generous.
إِذاwhen الرائِدُthe pasture-scout الزَهافُthe roving one أَخفَقَfailed سَعيُهُhis effort
إِذا الرائِدُ الزَهافُ أَخفَقَ سَعيُهُ
وَضاقَتand constricted بِأَربابِaround the owners of المَواشيlivestock النَفانِفُthe vast open wastes
وَضاقَت بِأَربابِ المَواشي النَفانِفُ
When the roving pasture-scout's efforts fail,
When the deluded leader fails in his endeavor
When the weary scout fails in his endeavor,
and the vast wastes constrict around livestock owners,
And those who tend livestock despair from want -
And the vast deserts become too narrow for the herdsmen,
هُنالِكَthere إِمّاeither رافِدٌa helper أَوor مُمَوِّلٌa giver of wealth
هُنالِكَ إِمّا رافِدٌ أَو مُمَوِّلٌ
يَلوذُseek refuge بهِin him الهُلّاكُthe perishing بادٍnomad وَعاكِفُand resident
يَلوذُ بهِ الهُلّاكُ بادٍ وَعاكِفُ
there he is, either a helper or a provider of wealth,
Thereupon, either a supporter appears, or a reinforcer
There you will find him, either giving support or bestowing wealth,
in whom the perishing seek refuge, nomad and resident alike.
To whom the desperate flees, pleading and obedient.
Whom the desperate seek for refuge, both nomad and settler.
كَذاlikewise الرَوعُterror إِنif أَبدىbares نَواجِذَthe molars of عابِسٍa scowler
كَذا الرَوعُ إِن أَبدى نَواجِذَ عابِسٍ
وَخَفَّتand grow light حُلومٌminds وَاِستُطيرَتand are startled into flight شَراسِفُrib-tips
وَخَفَّت حُلومٌ وَاِستُطيرَت شَراسِفُ
So too, when terror bares the teeth of a scowling face,
So too, if adversity bares its claws
Likewise in war, when it bares its frowning fangs,
and minds grow flighty and ribs flutter with fright,
And hearts cower, and fierce minds withdrawal -
And minds grow light with panic, and hearts tremble in the chest,
تَرىyou see قَسَماتِthe features of الأَريَحِيِّthe open-handed man اِبنson of قاسمٍQasim
تَرى قَسَماتِ الأَريَحِيِّ اِبن قاسمٍ
تَهلَّلُbeam نوراًwith light وَالوُجوهُwhile faces كَواسِفُdarkened
تَهلَّلُ نوراً وَالوُجوهُ كَواسِفُ
you see the features of the open-handed son of Qasim
You will see the visage of Ibn Qasim glow radiantly
You see the features of the high-spirited Ibn Qasim
beam with light while other faces darken.
While faces around him grim with fear.
Beaming with light while other faces are eclipsed by gloom.
وَإِنand if قيلَit is said عَبدservant of, a name element اللَهِGod, a name element وافىhas arrived لِمُشكَلٍfor a difficulty
وَإِن قيلَ عَبد اللَهِ وافى لِمُشكَلٍ
تَبَجَّحَrejoices مَضهودٌan oppressed man وَفاءَand comes round مُخالِفُan adversary
تَبَجَّحَ مَضهودٌ وَفاءَ مُخالِفُ
And if they say, 'Abd Allah has come to resolve a difficulty,'
And if it is said Abdullah fulfilled a difficult matter,
If it is said, "Abdullah has arrived to solve a dilemma,"
the oppressed rejoices, and the adversary comes round.
A resentful critic will pronounce it a violation.
The oppressed rejoice, and the opponent yields.
أَلَمhave not تَرَهُyou seen him يُعطيgive الجَزيلَlavish amounts مِنَof اللُهاgifts
أَلَم تَرَهُ يُعطي الجَزيلَ مِنَ اللُها
وَيَقتَحِمُand plunges into الأَهوالَterrors وَهيَthough they are مَخاوِفُfearsome
وَيَقتَحِمُ الأَهوالَ وَهيَ مَخاوِفُ
Have you not seen him bestow lavish gifts
Did you not see him generously giving and boldly
Do you not see him bestowing abundant gifts,
and plunge into horrors, fearsome though they are?
Confronting terrors - though they are fears?
And storming through terrors when they are most fearful?
فَقُلso tell لِاِمرىءٍa man يَسعىstriving لِيُدرِكَto attain شأوَهُhis reach
فَقُل لِاِمرىءٍ يَسعى لِيُدرِكَ شأوَهُ
رُوَيدَكَtake it slowly دونَbefore المَجدِglory فيحٌvast expanses صَفاصِفlevel wastes
رُوَيدَكَ دونَ المَجدِ فيحٌ صَفاصِف
So tell a man striving to match his reach:
So say to one who strives to attain his goal:
So say to the man who strives to reach his stature:
Go slowly: before glory stretch vast, level wastes.
"Gently! Glory lies not in heights you can scale."
"Hold back! Before such glory lie vast, empty wastelands."
تَعَشَّقتَyou fell in love with أَمراًa thing فيin كفِّthe hand of سَيِّدٍa master
تَعَشَّقتَ أَمراً في كفِّ سَيِّدٍ
فَهَيهاتَhow far from you تَأتيyou accomplish فِعلَهُhis deeds أَوor تُناصِفُattain even half
فَهَيهاتَ تَأتي فِعلَهُ أَو تُناصِفُ
You have set your heart on something in a master's hand;
You fell in love with something in the hand of a master;
"You have desired a quality held in a master’s hand,"
how far you are from matching his deeds, or doing even half!
It is futile! His actions you cannot match!
"How impossible for you to match his deeds or even come close!"
فَماfor it is nothing المَجدُglory إِلّاbut قُنَّةٌa summit فيon مُمَنَّعٍan inaccessible mountain
فَما المَجدُ إِلّا قُنَّةٌ في مُمَنَّعٍ
وَدونَand before اِرتِقاهاclimbing it مُعضِلاتٌdaunting difficulties مَتالِفُdeadly hazards
وَدونَ اِرتِقاها مُعضِلاتٌ مَتالِفُ
For glory is only a summit on an inaccessible mountain,
For glory is but a treasure in the forbidden;
For glory is but a peak on an inaccessible mountain,
and before its ascent lie daunting trials and deadly hazards.
Below reaching it are formidable obstacles.
And to ascend it, one must face deadly perils.
وَدونَكَand take أَبياتاًverses شَوارِدَroaming far فيamong المَلاthe throng
وَدونَكَ أَبياتاً شَوارِدَ في المَلا
تُهَزُّare swayed إِذاwhen تُتلىare recited لَهُنَّfor them السَوالِفُthe necks
تُهَزُّ إِذا تُتلى لَهُنَّ السَوالِفُ
And take these verses, roaming far among the throng;
And I have verses wandering desolate in the highlands
So take these verses that shall roam through the lands,
when they are recited, they set necks swaying.
That tremble when recited by the storytellers.
Making heads nod in rhythm when they are recited.
أَوابِدُwild creatures إِلّاexcept فيin مَديحِكَyour praise أُنسُهاtheir ease
أَوابِدُ إِلّا في مَديحِكَ أُنسُها
نَوفِرُskittish (probable reading) إِلّاexcept عَنfrom عُلاكَyour exalted glory عَوازِفُturning away
نَوفِرُ إِلّا عَن عُلاكَ عَوازِفُ
Wild creatures, at ease only in praising you,
Desolate, but for your praise giving them life,
Rare jewels that find no comfort save in your praise,
skittish, shunning all but your exalted glory.
Silent, but for your greatness awakening music.
Shy and elusive, turning away from all highness but yours.
وَأَسحَنُand the finest (probable reading) خَتمٍending لِلنِّظامto the verse إِذاwhen اِنتَهىit is complete
وَأَسحَنُ خَتمٍ لِلنِّظام إِذا اِنتَهى
صَلاةٌa blessing وَتَسليمُand salutation الإِلهِof God المُضاعَفُmultiplied
صَلاةٌ وَتَسليمُ الإِلهِ المُضاعَفُ
And the finest close for the verse, when it is complete,
No verse is a finer seal than salawat and peace
And the finest seal for this poem as it concludes
is God's blessing and salutation, multiplied,
Upon the God who multiplies blessings,
Is the prayer and the redoubled peace of God,
عَلىupon المُصطَفىthe Chosen One الهاديthe guide الأَمينِthe trustworthy one وَآلهِand his family
عَلى المُصطَفى الهادي الأَمينِ وَآلهِ
وَأَصحابهِand his companions ماas long as طافَcircles فيin البَيتِthe House طائِفُone who circles
وَأَصحابهِ ما طافَ في البَيتِ طائِفُ
upon the Chosen One, the guiding, trustworthy one, and his family,
And upon the Trustworthy Guide, his family
Upon the Chosen One, the Guide, the Trustworthy, and his kin,
and his Companions, as long as anyone circles the House.
And companions - as long as pilgrims circle the House.
And his companions, as long as pilgrims circle the Holy House.
Claude 2 is inferred from the historical translator configuration. The original record does not identify its model. Gemini 3.5 Flash is a user-supplied attribution. The original record does not identify its model.