شَرِبتُI drank سُلافَthe choicest wine of العِشقِlove فيin صَبوتيmy youthful passion صِرفاundiluted
شَرِبتُ سُلافَ العِشقِ في صَبوتي صِرفا
وَلَستُand I do not أَرىsee فيin العِشقِlove عَنaway from سَكرَتيmy drunkenness صَرفاa turning
وَلَستُ أَرى في العِشقِ عَن سَكرَتي صَرفا
I drank love's choicest wine undiluted in my youthful passion.
I drank the draught of love in my youth unmixed
And in love I see no escape from my drunkenness.
And in love I see no cure for my intoxication
أَدَمتُI prolonged بِهاwith it سُكريmy drunkenness أُواصِلُI continue رَشفَهاsipping it
أَدَمتُ بِها سُكري أُواصِلُ رَشفَها
فَماand not زالَceased مِنهاof it الرِّشفُthe sipping يَستَعقبُbrings after it الرّشفاanother sip
فَما زالَ مِنها الرِّشفُ يَستَعقبُ الرّشفا
I prolonged my intoxication with it, continually sipping it.
I prolonged my drunkenness, continuing to sip
Thus sip after sip of it has followed without end.
For one sip follows another without cease
وَمِلتُand I leaned بِهاthrough it سُكراًdrunkenly عَلىtoward الوَجدِecstasy وَالجَوىand inward burning
وَمِلتُ بِها سُكراً عَلى الوَجدِ وَالجَوى
وَفِعلَand the effect of سُلافthe choicest wine of العشقِlove فيupon الصبّthe love-stricken لاnot يَخفىis hidden
وَفِعلَ سُلاف العشقِ في الصبّ لا يَخفى
Drunk with it, I leaned toward ecstasy and inward burning.
And I was sated with drunkenness for ardour and passion
The effect of love's wine upon the lover is plain.
And the effect of love's draught in youth cannot be hidden
وَجُبتُand I traversed الفَلاthe deserts فيهاin it تَزيدincreases صَبابتيmy longing
وَجُبتُ الفَلا فيها تَزيد صَبابتي
وَأَصبوand I yearn بهاthrough it وَجداًin ecstasy وَأَنسىand I forget بِهاthrough it الإِلفاthe companion
وَأَصبو بها وَجداً وَأَنسى بِها الإِلفا
I roamed the deserts in it, my longing ever growing.
I attained maturity in it, increasing my ardour
I yearn through it in ecstasy, and through it forget my companion.
Becoming drunken with it, forgetting familiarity
أَهيمُI wander distractedly بِلاwithout قَلبٍa heart عَنِfrom الحِسِّthe senses غائِباًabsent
أَهيمُ بِلا قَلبٍ عَنِ الحِسِّ غائِباً
فَكالظّبيَةِthus like the doe الثّكلىbereaved إِذاwhen فَقَدتshe loses خشفاa fawn
فَكالظّبيَةِ الثّكلى إِذا فَقَدت خشفا
I wander heartless, absent from my senses,
I wander without feeling, my senses absent
like a bereaved doe when she has lost her fawn.
Like a bereft gazelle when she loses her fawn
وَأَشجوand I grieve بِلاwithout عقلٍreason أَسيرُI proceed مَعَwith الهَوىdesire
وَأَشجو بِلا عقلٍ أَسيرُ مَعَ الهَوى
فَلاand no نكرَwrong أَدريهِI recognize وَلاand not أَعرِفُI know العُرفاright
فَلا نكرَ أَدريهِ وَلا أَعرِفُ العُرفا
I grieve without reason, following desire.
I complain without reason, captive to passion
I recognize no wrong and know no right.
Not recognizing harm or knowing custom
فَمِنso from جبلٍa mountain أَعلوI climb لِوادٍto a valley نَزَلتهُI descended into it
فَمِن جبلٍ أَعلو لِوادٍ نَزَلتهُ
وَلَكِنbut بِطَرحِby flinging النّفسِthe self أَحذِفُهاI hurl it حَذفاheadlong
وَلَكِن بِطَرحِ النّفسِ أَحذِفُها حَذفا
From a mountain I climb, I descend into a valley,
Though from a high mountain I descended into a valley
but by flinging myself down, hurling myself headlong.
With composure I plunge myself headlong
أُصَوّتُI cry out وَلهاناًbewildered وَأَرقُصُand I dance مولعاًinfatuated
أُصَوّتُ وَلهاناً وَأَرقُصُ مولعاً
وَأَضرِبُand I strike فيagainst a palm كَفٍّa palm عَلىin صَبوَتيmy passion كَفّاa palm
وَأَضرِبُ في كَفٍّ عَلى صَبوَتي كَفّا
I cry out bewildered and dance in infatuation.
I sing distractedly and dance enraptured
In my passion I strike one palm against the other.
Clapping my hands together in my intoxication
تَسيلُflow دُموعُthe tears of العَينِthe eye مِنّيfrom me تَشوُّقاًin longing
تَسيلُ دُموعُ العَينِ مِنّي تَشوُّقاً
فَكَمand how many سالَflowed مِنof وادٍa valley إِذاwhen وَكَفتthey poured وَكفاin streams
فَكَم سالَ مِن وادٍ إِذا وَكَفت وَكفا
Tears flow from my eyes in longing.
Tears flow from my eyes in yearning
How many a valley has streamed when they poured forth!
As abundant as valleys flow when rain pours
وَتَجريand they flow وَقَدwhile indeed ذابَتhave melted جُفونيmy eyelids مِنَfrom البكاweeping
وَتَجري وَقَد ذابَت جُفوني مِنَ البكا
وَقَدand indeed كانَتِused to الأَجفانُthe eyelids تَحبِسُهاhold them back وَقفاchecked
وَقَد كانَتِ الأَجفانُ تَحبِسُها وَقفا
They flow, my eyelids melted by weeping,
They flow though my lids had held them back
though those eyelids once held them back.
For my lids had prevented their shedding
وَأَسهرand I stay awake كُلَّall اللّيلِthe night يكرهُنيdetests me الكرىsleep
وَأَسهر كُلَّ اللّيلِ يكرهُني الكرى
وَأَكرَههُand I detest it طَبعاًby nature فَيَجفوso it shuns كَماas يجفىit is shunned
وَأَكرَههُ طَبعاً فَيَجفو كَما يجفى
I stay awake all night; sleep detests me.
I stay awake all night though weariness dislikes me
I naturally detest it too: it shuns me as it is shunned.
And I naturally dislike it, remaining aloof
تُساهِرُنيkeep vigil with me عَينُthe eyes of النّجومِthe stars سَواهراًwakeful
تُساهِرُني عَينُ النّجومِ سَواهراً
فَإِنْso if عَينُهاtheir eyes أَغفَتhave slumbered فَطرفِيَthen my eye قَدindeed أَغفىhas slumbered
فَإِنْ عَينُها أَغفَت فَطرفِيَ قَد أَغفى
The watching eyes of the stars keep vigil with me.
The eyes of the stars keep me company through the night
If their eyes have slumbered, then mine have slumbered too.
And though their eyes grow weary, mine remain open
أُشاهِدهاI watch them مِنfrom نَحوِthe direction of شَرقٍeast لِمَغربٍtoward west
أُشاهِدها مِن نَحوِ شَرقٍ لِمَغربٍ
تَسيرُthey move بِحُسنِwith grace of السّيرِmovement تبديdisplaying لَناto us الظّرفاelegance
تَسيرُ بِحُسنِ السّيرِ تبدي لَنا الظّرفا
I watch them from the east toward the west,
I watch them from east to west
moving gracefully, displaying their elegance to us.
Marching beautifully, revealing their elegance
وَينقطُand drips مِنهاfrom them الحسنُbeauty وَاللُّطفُand grace دافِقاًin a flood
وَينقطُ مِنها الحسنُ وَاللُّطفُ دافِقاً
وَأَبهِجand how delightful بِهاthey are إِذْwhen تنقطthey drip الحُسنَbeauty وَاللّطفاand grace
وَأَبهِج بِها إِذْ تنقط الحُسنَ وَاللّطفا
Beauty and grace drip from them in a flood.
Beauty and charm pour forth from them
How delightful they are, dripping beauty and grace!
And I rejoice as beauty and charm emanate
فَمِنand among them راقِصٍa dancer بالنورwith light أَحسَنthe loveliest رقصَةٍdance
فَمِن راقِصٍ بالنور أَحسَن رقصَةٍ
بِهاwith it يَخطِفُit steals الأَلبابَthe minds مِنfrom أَهلِهاtheir owners خَطفاaway
بِها يَخطِفُ الأَلبابَ مِن أَهلِها خَطفا
Some dance with light in the loveliest dance,
Among dancers with the light, none dance better
stealing their beholders' minds away.
Snatching hearts and minds with their grace
وَمِنand among them طالِعٍone rising كَالسّهمِlike an arrow مِنfrom جَوفِthe depths of شَرقِهِits east
وَمِن طالِعٍ كَالسّهمِ مِن جَوفِ شَرقِهِ
وَمِنand among them غارِبٍone setting فيin الغَربِthe west وَالغَربُand the west قَدindeed أَخفىhas concealed
وَمِن غارِبٍ في الغَربِ وَالغَربُ قَد أَخفى
Some rise like arrows from the depths of their east.
Among risers like arrows from the east
Some set in the west, which conceals them.
And setters in the west where they disappear
كُراتٌballs مِنَof الدّرِّpearls الثّمينِprecious بِمِحجَنٍwith a hooked stick
كُراتٌ مِنَ الدّرِّ الثّمينِ بِمِحجَنٍ
لَهاfor them الشّرقُthe east ضرّابٌa striker فَيَقذِفُهاthen flings them قَذفاforcefully
لَها الشّرقُ ضرّابٌ فَيَقذِفُها قَذفا
Balls of precious pearl—with a hooked stick
Spheres of precious pearls with razors
the east strikes them, sending them flying.
The east casts them forcefully
وَياand oh حُسنَهاtheir beauty بِالبدرِwith the full moon يَطلعrising بَينَهاamong them
وَيا حُسنَها بِالبدرِ يَطلع بَينَها
يَمُدّit spreads عَلىover الآفاقِthe horizons مِنfrom ضَوئِهِits light سِجفاcurtains
يَمُدّ عَلى الآفاقِ مِن ضَوئِهِ سِجفا
How lovely they are with the full moon rising among them,
How beautiful with the moon rising between them
spreading curtains of its light across the horizons!
Extending its light over the horizons
مَليكٌa king عَظيمmighty in الجندِarmy سارَmarched بِجُندِهِwith his troops
مَليكٌ عَظيم الجندِ سارَ بِجُندِهِ
مِنَfrom الشّرقِthe east نَحوَtoward الغربِthe west قَدindeed زَحَفواthey advanced زَحفاin a march
مِنَ الشّرقِ نَحوَ الغربِ قَد زَحَفوا زَحفا
A king with a mighty army marches with his troops.
A mighty king marched with his army
From east toward west they advance.
From east to west swarming forth
يَكرُّhe charges بِسَيفِwith the sword of الضّوءِlight يَضرِبُstriking صائِلاًfiercely
يَكرُّ بِسَيفِ الضّوءِ يَضرِبُ صائِلاً
بِزنجِat the Zanj of الدّجىnight حتّىuntil يُذيقَهُمhe makes them taste الحَتفاdeath
بِزنجِ الدّجى حتّى يُذيقَهُم الحَتفا
He charges with the sword of light, striking fiercely
Brandishing the sword of light, striking as a warrior
at the Zanj of night, until he makes them taste death.
At the darkness of night until tasting the blow
كَأَنَّas though الثّريّاthe Pleiades بَينَbefore أَيديهِhim إِذwhen بَدَتthey appeared
كَأَنَّ الثّريّا بَينَ أَيديهِ إِذ بَدَت
جَواهِرُjewels مِنof دُرٍّpearls لَقَدindeed نظمتwere strung شِنفاas an earring
جَواهِرُ مِن دُرٍّ لَقَد نظمت شِنفا
The Pleiades, appearing before him, seem
As if the Pleiades appeared before him
jewels of pearl strung into an earring.
Jewels of pearls, strung together as a necklace
وَإِلّاor else كَعُنقودٍlike a cluster مِنَof الدّرِّpearls حَبُّهُits berries
وَإِلّا كَعُنقودٍ مِنَ الدّرِّ حَبُّهُ
لَهاfor them الشّجرthe tree الدُّرِّيُّpearly يَحمِلُهاbears them قِطفاin bunches
لَها الشّجر الدُّرِّيُّ يَحمِلُها قِطفا
Or they resemble a cluster whose berries are pearls,
Or else like a cluster of pearls on a pearl tree
borne in bunches by a pearly tree.
That carries them, ready to pluck
وَإِنَّand indeed هِلالَthe crescent of الأُفقِthe horizon وَهوَwhile it اِبنُis aged أَربَعٍfour days
وَإِنَّ هِلالَ الأُفقِ وَهوَ اِبنُ أَربَعٍ
وَلاand no ضَوءَlight فيin نِصفone half وَنصفٌand one half بهِin it يُلفَىis found
وَلا ضَوءَ في نِصف وَنصفٌ بهِ يُلفَى
The crescent on the horizon, four days old,
The new crescent of the horizon, son of the fourth night
has one half unlit, while light is found in the other.
Without light in half, the other half shrouded
كَقُرصٍlike a disk مِنَof البلّورِcrystal قَدindeed جاءَcame خاطِفa snatcher
كَقُرصٍ مِنَ البلّورِ قَد جاءَ خاطِف
لِيَخطِفَهto snatch it فَزعانَfrightened فَاختَطَفso he snatched النّصفاthe half
لِيَخطِفَه فَزعانَ فَاختَطَف النّصفا
It is like a crystal disk approached by a thief,
Like a crystal disk that came suddenly
who came in fright to snatch it, and snatched away half.
To snatch, startling, seizing half for itself
إِلىuntil أَنthat يُسَلَّunsheathes المشرقthe east الصّبحmorning صارِماas a sword
إِلى أَن يُسَلَّ المشرق الصّبح صارِما
يبينُappears عَلىacross الآفاقِthe horizons يَكشِفُهاunveils them كَشفاcompletely
يبينُ عَلى الآفاقِ يَكشِفُها كَشفا
Until the east unsheathes morning as a sword,
Until the sunrise of morning is unleashed, fierce
appearing across the horizons, laying them bare.
Revealing the horizons, disclosing all
وَيَضرِبُand strikes فيthrough جَيشِthe army of الظّلامِdarkness بِقُوَّةٍwith force
وَيَضرِبُ في جَيشِ الظّلامِ بِقُوَّةٍ
فَكَمand how many قَدindeed رَمىit felled عنقاًa neck وَكَمand how many قَدindeed رَمىit felled كِتفاa shoulder
فَكَم قَد رَمى عنقاً وَكَم قَد رَمى كِتفا
It strikes forcefully through the army of darkness.
Striking the army of darkness with force
How many necks it has felled, how many shoulders!
How many necks and shoulders struck down!
وَيَأتيَand comes سُلطانَthe sovereign of الكواكِبthe stars بَعدَهُafter it
وَيَأتيَ سُلطانَ الكواكِب بَعدَهُ
وَمِنand from ضَوئِهits light كلُّall الكَواكِبِthe stars قَدindeed يخفىdisappear
وَمِن ضَوئِه كلُّ الكَواكِبِ قَد يخفى
After it comes the sovereign of the stars,
Then follows the sultan of stars after it
whose light makes all the stars disappear.
And by its light all the stars disappear
نَهاريmy daytime وَلَيليand my nighttime بِالصّبابَةِin longing هائِمwandering
نَهاري وَلَيلي بِالصّبابَةِ هائِم
وماand not قلتI said حينduring الوجدpassion آهِah ولاand not أُفّاugh
وما قلت حين الوجد آهِ ولا أُفّا
By day and night I wander, lost in longing.
My days and nights lost in intoxication
Yet in my passion I have said neither 'Ah!' nor 'Ugh!'
Never saying "alas!" or "woe" in passion
أَحِنُّI yearn إِلىfor رَبعِthe dwelling of الحَبيبِthe beloved تَشوّقاlongingly
أَحِنُّ إِلى رَبعِ الحَبيبِ تَشوّقا
وَأَذكُرُand I recall خِصبَthe abundance of العَيشِlife وَالمَنهَلِand the spring الأَصفىclearest
وَأَذكُرُ خِصبَ العَيشِ وَالمَنهَلِ الأَصفى
I yearn longingly for the beloved's dwelling.
I yearn for the land of my beloved in longing
I recall life's abundance and its clearest spring.
Recalling the bounty of life at the pure spring
وَأَذكُرand I recall قُربَthe nearness of الدّارِthe home مِنto دارِthe home of فاتِنيmy enchanter
وَأَذكُر قُربَ الدّارِ مِن دارِ فاتِني
وَوَقتاًand a time بِذاكَin that الرّبعِdwelling أَحييتهُI spent it قَصفاin revelry
وَوَقتاً بِذاكَ الرّبعِ أَحييتهُ قَصفا
I recall how near my home was to my enchanter's,
I recall how near my abode was to hers
and a time in that dwelling that I spent in revelry.
The time I enjoyed in that land untroubled
أُشاهِدُI behold فيهِin it الحِبّthe beloved ماnot ليfor me مُراقِبٌa watcher
أُشاهِدُ فيهِ الحِبّ ما لي مُراقِبٌ
وَأَقطِفُand I pluck وَردَthe rose of الخدّthe cheek فيin مُقلَتيmy eye قَطفاby plucking
وَأَقطِفُ وَردَ الخدّ في مُقلَتي قَطفا
There I behold the beloved, with no one watching me.
I used to observe love there, no watcher over me
With my eye I pluck the rose of his cheek.
Plucking rosebuds from her cheek unfettered
وَأُبصِرُand I see ماwhat قَدindeed حازَهُhe possesses مِنof مَحاسِنٍbeauties
وَأُبصِرُ ما قَد حازَهُ مِن مَحاسِنٍ
تَحَلَّتthey adorned بِهِhim ذاتاًin his being وَكانَتand were لَهُhis وَصفاattributes
تَحَلَّت بِهِ ذاتاً وَكانَت لَهُ وَصفا
I see the beauties he possesses,
I saw the beauty she possessed
which adorn his very being and are his attributes.
That adorned her essence and was her description
وَكُنتُand I was لَهُfor him فيهِin it نَديماًan intimate companion مُسامراًan evening conversationalist
وَكُنتُ لَهُ فيهِ نَديماً مُسامراً
نُديرُwe pass around سلافَthe choicest wine of الأُنسِintimacy نَشرَبهاwe drink it صِرفاundiluted
نُديرُ سلافَ الأُنسِ نَشرَبها صِرفا
There I was his intimate companion in evening conversation.
I was her boon companion, conversing together
We passed around the wine of intimacy, drinking it undiluted.
We drank the draught of intimacy undiluted
وَلَيسand not الجَفاestrangement يَجريpasses خطوراًas a thought بِخاطِريthrough my mind
وَلَيس الجَفا يَجري خطوراً بِخاطِري
وَمِنand among ديدَنيmy habits أَنْthat كنتُI was فيin طَوعِهِhis obedience كفّاa hand
وَمِن ديدَني أَنْ كنتُ في طَوعِهِ كفّا
Estrangement never even crossed my mind.
No estrangement flowed in my thoughts
It was my habit to be a hand at his command.
It was my way to submit to her will
وَلَكِنbut جَفانيhe shunned me وَالغَرامُwhile passion مُدامَةٌis wine
وَلَكِن جَفاني وَالغَرامُ مُدامَةٌ
تُحدّثنيit tells me وَهماfalsely بِأنّيَthat I لاnot أجفىam shunned
تُحدّثني وَهما بِأنّيَ لا أجفى
But he shunned me, while passion was a wine
But she was harsh though love is a habit
falsely assuring me that I would not be shunned.
That tells me I cannot endure her aloofness
وَكُنتُand I was بِهاby it المُغترَّdeceived وَالعقلwhile reason ذاهِبٌwas gone
وَكُنتُ بِها المُغترَّ وَالعقل ذاهِبٌ
وَلاand no بِدعَwonder فَالمُغترُّfor the deceived مِنin عَقلِهِhis reason خَفّاis deficient
وَلا بِدعَ فَالمُغترُّ مِن عَقلِهِ خَفّا
I was deceived by it, my reason gone.
I was infatuated, senseless
No wonder: the deceived man is light of mind.
It is no wonder, for the lovesick lose their senses
نَفانِيَhe banished me بِالهِجرانِthrough abandonment لِلقَفرِto the wilderness وَالهاًbewildered
نَفانِيَ بِالهِجرانِ لِلقَفرِ وَالهاً
وَياand oh ضَيعَةَthe ruin of الوَلهانِthe bewildered lover لِلقَفرِto the wilderness إِذْwhen يُنفىhe is banished
وَيا ضَيعَةَ الوَلهانِ لِلقَفرِ إِذْ يُنفى
Through abandonment he banished me, bewildered, to the wilderness.
She neglected me, discarding me to the wilderness
How lost is the bewildered lover when banished to the wilderness!
Oh what ruin for the crazed to be discarded!
رَضيتُI accepted بِماwhat فيهِin it قَضىhe decreed فَهوَfor he عادِلٌis just
رَضيتُ بِما فيهِ قَضى فَهوَ عادِلٌ
وَلَمand not يَرتَكِبhe committed فيماin what قَضىhe decreed الحَيفَinjustice والجَنفاand partiality
وَلَم يَرتَكِب فيما قَضى الحَيفَ والجَنفا
I accepted his decree, for he is just.
I am content with His decree, for He is just
In his judgment he committed neither injustice nor partiality.
Not committing in His decree any wrong or injustice
جَميلٌbeautiful تُضيءُshines الشّمسthe sun مِنfrom حُسنِthe beauty of وَجههِhis face
جَميلٌ تُضيءُ الشّمس مِن حُسنِ وَجههِ
فَلَولاso were it not for مُحيّاهُhis countenance بِهاin it الضّوءُlight لَمnot يُلفىwould be found
فَلَولا مُحيّاهُ بِها الضّوءُ لَم يُلفى
He is beautiful: the sun shines from the beauty of his face.
A beauty the sun illuminates from his lovely face
Without his countenance, no light would be found in it.
Otherwise, were it not lit by it, it would be veiled
فَإِنْso if مَدَّهاhe supplies it بِالضّوءِwith light ضاءَتit shines مُنيرةًradiantly
فَإِنْ مَدَّها بِالضّوءِ ضاءَت مُنيرةً
وَإِنْand if يُغضِhe turns his gaze عَنهاaway from it أَصبَحَتit becomes تَكتَسيclothed in الكسفاeclipse
وَإِنْ يُغضِ عَنها أَصبَحَت تَكتَسي الكسفا
If he supplies it with light, it shines radiantly.
For if she extends it with light, it shines luminous
If he turns away from it, it clothes itself in eclipse.
And if she looks away, it is shrouded in darkness
وَلَوand if لَمnot يُمِدَّhe supplies البدرthe full moon فيwith بَعضِsome of نورِهِhis light
وَلَو لَم يُمِدَّ البدر في بَعضِ نورِهِ
لَدامَit would endure لَهُfor it لبسwearing السّرارmoonless darkness مَعَwith الإِخفاconcealment
لَدامَ لَهُ لبس السّرار مَعَ الإِخفا
Had he not supplied the full moon with some of his light,
If the moon did not extend to it some of its light
it would forever wear the darkness of moonless nights and concealment.
Its concealment in darkness would persist
وَجَبهَتُهُand his brow بَدرٌa full moon وَجَبهَةُand the brow of ضَيغَمٍa lion
وَجَبهَتُهُ بَدرٌ وَجَبهَةُ ضَيغَمٍ
جَبيناهُhis brow's two sides صبحاthe two dawns of الحسنbeauty كَمhow many خَطَفاthey captivated طرفاa gaze
جَبيناهُ صبحا الحسن كَم خَطَفا طرفا
His brow is a full moon, and a lion's brow.
The full moon faced him with the radiance of dawn
Its two sides are beauty's twin dawns—how many eyes they captivate!
What a splendid visage the dawn adorned!
وَبيand I am smitten with البَدرُthe full moon إِذwhen فيon جَبهَةِthe brow of اللّيثِthe lion قَدindeed بَداit appeared
وَبي البَدرُ إِذ في جَبهَةِ اللّيثِ قَد بَدا
وَمِنand from حَولِهِaround it صبحانtwo dawns فيهِthere لَقَدindeed حَفّاflanked it
وَمِن حَولِهِ صبحان فيهِ لَقَد حَفّا
I am smitten with that moon appearing on the lion's brow,
Dawn shone on the lion's brow
with two dawns flanking it there.
With twilight surrounding, surely it beamed
وَوَجنَتُهand his cheek رَوضُa meadow of المَحاسِنِbeauties وَالبهاand splendor
وَوَجنَتُه رَوضُ المَحاسِنِ وَالبها
مِنَat الغايَةِthe limit القُصوىutmost عَلىin الأَكمَلِthe most perfect الأَصفىthe purest
مِنَ الغايَةِ القُصوى عَلى الأَكمَلِ الأَصفى
His cheek is a meadow of beauty and splendor,
His cheeks are the garden of beauty and brilliance
at the utmost height of perfection and purity.
The utmost extent of perfection and purity
وَرَوضِand a garden of وُرودٍroses أَينَعَتthey bloomed بِنَضارَةٍwith freshness
وَرَوضِ وُرودٍ أَينَعَت بِنَضارَةٍ
فَدامَتso they lasted وَلَمand not تَذبُلْwithered وَلَمand not تقتطفwere plucked قَطفاby picking
فَدامَت وَلَم تَذبُلْ وَلَم تقتطف قَطفا
And a garden of roses blooming fresh,
The Imam of the exalted, the splendid, the dewy
lasting, never withering, never plucked.
He preceded them alone though they followed behind
وَماand not هِيَit إِلّاexcept جنّةُthe paradise of الحُسنِbeauty وَالبهاand splendor
وَما هِيَ إِلّا جنّةُ الحُسنِ وَالبها
بِنارٍwith a fire بِهاwithin it حلَّتdwelling وَلَيسَand not لَهاfor it اِطفاextinguishing
بِنارٍ بِها حلَّت وَلَيسَ لَها اِطفا
It is nothing but a paradise of beauty and splendor,
Ally of the heights, that pledged to him
with a fire dwelling within it that cannot be quenched.
To be his confidante, and did not break her oath
وَشامَتهand his beauty mark مِسكthe musk of الجَمالِbeauty الّتيwhich اِزدَرَتdisdained
وَشامَته مِسك الجَمالِ الّتي اِزدَرَت
بِمسكِthe musk of غَزالِthe deer of المسكِmusk مَعdespite طيبِهِits pleasantness عَرفاin scent
بِمسكِ غَزالِ المسكِ مَع طيبِهِ عَرفا
His beauty mark is beauty's musk, disdaining
Dignitary of nobles, rather prince of glories
the musk-deer's musk, for all its fragrant scent.
Suns atop the high heavens towering above
وَمُقلَتِهand his eye الوَطفاءِlong-lashed سيفُa sword مُهنَّدٍof Indian steel
وَمُقلَتِه الوَطفاءِ سيفُ مُهنَّدٍ
يَموجُripples بِهِwithin it مِنof جَوهَرِthe essence of الحسنِbeauty ماwhat شَفّاshines through
يَموجُ بِهِ مِن جَوهَرِ الحسنِ ما شَفّا
His long-lashed eye is a sword of Indian steel,
He settled as a sun, no other vying with him
within which ripples the gleaming essence of beauty.
Nor shoulder disputing him for height
فَكَمand how many قَتلتit killed صَبّاًa lover وَكَمand how many جَرحتit wounded حشاًa heart
فَكَم قَتلت صَبّاً وَكَم جَرحت حشاً
وَهَلand does يَقتلُkill المُضنىthe wasted lover سِوىother than المُقلةthe eye الوَطفاlong-lashed
وَهَل يَقتلُ المُضنى سِوى المُقلة الوَطفا
How many lovers it has killed, how many hearts it has wounded!
Though exaltation was the crown of another
What kills the wasted lover but the long-lashed eye?
Indeed, it wished to be his humble hat
وَإِنسانُهاand its pupil هاروتُHarut يوحيimparts بِسِحرِهِhis magic
وَإِنسانُها هاروتُ يوحي بِسِحرِهِ
وَلَولاand were it not for اِنطِباقُthe closing of الجفنِthe eyelid مِنهاover it لَهُfor him كَفّاa restraint
وَلَولا اِنطِباقُ الجفنِ مِنها لَهُ كَفّا
Its pupil is Harut, imparting his magic.
Lofty aspirations are his in every state
Were the closing eyelid not a restraint upon him,
Fine in substance and excellent in category
لَكانَthere would be الّذيthe one who يَخلوis free مِنَof العِشقِlove عادِماnonexistent
لَكانَ الّذي يَخلو مِنَ العِشقِ عادِما
وَلَمand not يَكwould be صَبٌّa lover لِلصّبابَةِhis longing قَدindeed أَخفىhaving concealed
وَلَم يَك صَبٌّ لِلصّبابَةِ قَد أَخفى
there would be no one free of love,
O excellence of character with excellence of nature
nor any lover who had concealed his longing.
With gentleness of temper, perfecting deed and depiction
وَريقَتُهُand his saliva ماءُthe water of الحَياةِlife وَخَمرةٌand a wine
وَريقَتُهُ ماءُ الحَياةِ وَخَمرةٌ
لَهاfor it الدّرّpearl وَالياقوتُand ruby قَدindeed خلقاwere fashioned ظرفاas a vessel
لَها الدّرّ وَالياقوتُ قَد خلقا ظرفا
His saliva is the water of life, and a wine
A noble, bright of face, beaming with joy
for which pearl and ruby were fashioned as a vessel.
At dawn exultant and delighted
بِهاthrough it المَيتُthe dead قَدindeed يَحياmay live إِذاif صُبّis poured نُقطَةٌa drop
بِها المَيتُ قَد يَحيا إِذا صُبّ نُقطَةٌ
بِفيهِinto his mouth كَماjust as أَنّindeed المَريضَthe sick بِهاthrough it يَشفىare healed
بِفيهِ كَما أَنّ المَريضَ بِها يَشفى
Through it the dead may live, if a drop is poured
A generous, open-handed, peaceful man
into their mouth, just as the sick are healed by it.
He is the sea of dew and giving, bestowing bounty
وَقامَتهُand his stature الهَيفاءslender كَالغصنِlike a branch مائِساًswaying
وَقامَتهُ الهَيفاء كَالغصنِ مائِساً
تَميلُbends بِهِit لِلميسinto swaying ريحُthe wind of الصَّباthe east عَطفاwith a bend
تَميلُ بِهِ لِلميس ريحُ الصَّبا عَطفا
His slender stature is like a swaying branch,
The sea is but as a drop of his giving
bent into a sway by the east wind.
If it claims to match his generosity
قَناةٌa spear لِطَعنِfor piercing العاشِقينَlovers تَقوَّمتwas made straight
قَناةٌ لِطَعنِ العاشِقينَ تَقوَّمت
وَلَكِنّهاbut it تَهتزُّtrembles مِنfrom لينِهاits softness عِطفاin its sides
وَلَكِنّها تَهتزُّ مِن لينِها عِطفا
A spear made straight to pierce lovers,
Ali is true to his word, never violating a promise
yet its softness makes its sides tremble.
His way is a natural hatred of faithlessness
فَواso oh لَوعةَthe burning of الأَحشاءِthe heart بِالبعدُfrom distance وَالنّوىand separation
فَوا لَوعةَ الأَحشاءِ بِالبعدُ وَالنّوى
وَواحَسرَتيand alas for me ياoh لَهفَthe anguish of قَلبيَmy heart ياoh لَهفاanguish
وَواحَسرَتي يا لَهفَ قَلبيَ يا لَهفا
Oh, the burning of my heart from distance and separation!
Valiant, fearsome lion, a fierce lion's den
Alas for me! Oh, my heart's anguish, oh, its anguish!
How the mighty lions cowered before him!
وَهَيهاتَand how far away سلوانيmy forgetting مَحاسِنَهُhis beauties الّتيwhich
وَهَيهاتَ سلواني مَحاسِنَهُ الّتي
تَفانَتperished بِهاbecause of them الأَرواحُsouls فيin حُبِّهloving him جزفاbeyond measure
تَفانَت بِها الأَرواحُ في حُبِّه جزفا
How far I am from forgetting those beauties of his,
If they but heard his name in the jungle
for which souls have perished in loving him beyond all measure!
They would fear for their souls to be seized
وَعاذِلَةٍand a female censurer تَنهىforbids المُحِبّthe lover عَنِfrom الهَوىdesire
وَعاذِلَةٍ تَنهى المُحِبّ عَنِ الهَوى
فَقَدfor indeed سَكَتَتshe kept silent ألفاa thousand times وَقَدand indeed نَطَقَتshe spoke خُلفاfalsehood
فَقَد سَكَتَت ألفا وَقَد نَطَقَت خُلفا
And a woman who censures the lover, forbidding desire,
He has spears and swords, a thicket and jungle
has kept silent a thousand times, then spoken falsehood.
Needing no shelter or cave in the wilderness
عَذوليmy censurer لَحاكَrebuke you اللَّهُGod تَنهىyou forbid جَهالةًignorantly
عَذولي لَحاكَ اللَّهُ تَنهى جَهالةً
أَخاthe devotee of العِشقِlove عَنfrom عِشقٍlove وَماand not كانَhe was مُنكفَّاdesisting
أَخا العِشقِ عَن عِشقٍ وَما كانَ مُنكفَّا
My censurer, may God rebuke you! In ignorance you forbid
When war grows fierce and tumultuous
a devotee of love to love, though he has never desisted.
And the enemy's army stands ready for battle
أَلَستَdo you not تَخافُfear اللَّهGod وَالخوفُand fear واجِبٌis obligatory
أَلَستَ تَخافُ اللَّه وَالخوفُ واجِبٌ
تَذمُّyou disparage لَديَّbefore me الحِبَّthe beloved تَبغيseeking بِهِthereby الكفّاrestraint
تَذمُّ لَديَّ الحِبَّ تَبغي بِهِ الكفّا
Do you not fear God, when fear is obligatory?
He rode into the arena alone, challenging
You disparage the beloved before me, seeking thereby to restrain me.
They turned in fear, not glancing behind
وَتَسعىand you go إِلىto المَحبوبِthe beloved نمّاًslanderously تَذمّنيdisparaging me
وَتَسعى إِلى المَحبوبِ نمّاً تَذمّني
لِتُطفِئto extinguish نورَthe light of العشقِlove وَالنورand the light لاnot يُطفىis extinguished
لِتُطفِئ نورَ العشقِ وَالنور لا يُطفى
You go to the beloved with slander, disparaging me,
At once a skilled warrior assailed them
to extinguish love's light—but that light cannot be extinguished.
Shaking their steeds violently with his attack
فَدَعنيso leave me وَشَأنيand my affairs فيin الهَوىlove وَصَبابَتيand my longing
فَدَعني وَشَأني في الهَوى وَصَبابَتي
فَعَذلكَfor your blame لاnot يُجديhelps فَعَنso from عَذلِكَyour blaming اِكتَفّاdesist
فَعَذلكَ لا يُجدي فَعَن عَذلِكَ اِكتَفّا
Leave me to my own affairs in love and longing.
Had he stood alone for battle
Your blame is useless; desist from blaming me.
All the lions combined would not match him
جُبِلتُI was fashioned عَلىfor حبِّloving المَليحthe beautiful وَمدحَتيand my praise of
جُبِلتُ عَلى حبِّ المَليح وَمدحَتي
عليّاًAli أَباAbu المصباحِal-Misbah مَنwho قَدindeed حَوىpossesses اللّطفاgrace
عليّاً أَبا المصباحِ مَن قَد حَوى اللّطفا
I was fashioned to love the beautiful, and my praise is for
For how many equal a single one!
Ali, Abu al-Misbah, who possesses grace.
The full moon is peerless, the stars numerous
كَمالٌperfection جَمالُthe beauty of الدّهرِthe age مَجدُthe glory of اِفتِخارهِits pride
كَمالٌ جَمالُ الدّهرِ مَجدُ اِفتِخارهِ
وَمُقلَتُهand its eye الحَوراdark-pupiled وَرَونَقُهُand its radiance الأَصفىpurest
وَمُقلَتُه الحَورا وَرَونَقُهُ الأَصفى
Perfection, the beauty of the age, the glory of its pride,
They cannot equal it, this is clear
its dark-pupiled eye and purest radiance.
How excellent is the steed when mounting!
إِمامleader of ذَويthose possessing العَلياءِeminence وَالمجدِand glory وَالنّدىand generosity
إِمام ذَوي العَلياءِ وَالمجدِ وَالنّدى
تَقَدَّمهمhe preceded them فَرداًalone وَقَدwhile indeed وَقَفواthey stood خَلفاbehind
تَقَدَّمهم فَرداً وَقَد وَقَفوا خَلفا
Leader of those endowed with eminence, glory, and generosity,
When he rises, red and Bactrian
he stands alone ahead of them, while they stand behind.
A groomed, bright bay, pleasing to behold
حَليفally of المَعاليlofty honors حالَفَتهthey pledged to him بِأنّهاthat they
حَليف المَعالي حالَفَته بِأنّها
تَكونُwould be لَهُhis قِنّاًslaves فَلَمand not تُخلفِthey broke الحِلفاthe pact
تَكونُ لَهُ قِنّاً فَلَم تُخلفِ الحِلفا
An ally of lofty honors, which pledged themselves
Stout-necked, tall, long of limb
to be his slaves, and did not break their pact.
With ample neck surely etched with good fortune
وَجيهُforemost among كِرامٍnobles بلrather أميرُprince of أماجدٍillustrious men
وَجيهُ كِرامٍ بل أميرُ أماجدٍ
شُموسsuns عَلىupon هامِthe head of السّهىal-Suha اِعتلَواthey mounted القَحفاthe skull
شُموس عَلى هامِ السّهى اِعتلَوا القَحفا
Foremost among nobles—indeed, a prince of illustrious men,
Fleet-footed and blessed, very adorned
suns that have mounted the crown of al-Suha's head.
None match it in form or attributes
وَفيand in فَلكِthe sphere of العَلياءِeminence قَدindeed حَلَّhe occupied مَنزلاًa dwelling
وَفي فَلكِ العَلياءِ قَد حَلَّ مَنزلاً
بَناهُhe built it مِنَof العَلياءِeminence أَتقَنَهُhe perfected it رَصفاin masonry
بَناهُ مِنَ العَلياءِ أَتقَنَهُ رَصفا
In the sphere of eminence he has occupied a dwelling,
If an army marched and he was among them in darkness
built of eminence, its masonry perfected.
His brilliance in it would suffice for light
لَهُfor it العِزُّmight رُكنٌa cornerstone وَالمَعاليand lofty honors دَعائِمsupports
لَهُ العِزُّ رُكنٌ وَالمَعالي دَعائِم
لَهُfor it المَجدُglory حيطانwalls وَصارَand became لَهfor it السّقفاthe roof
لَهُ المَجدُ حيطان وَصارَ لَه السّقفا
Its cornerstone is might; its supports are lofty honors.
If it competes in speed with lightning and no wind blew
Glory is its walls, and has become its roof.
It would not race it, though storms raged
لَهُfor it السّعدgood fortune بانٍa builder والجَمالُand beauty مُهندسan architect
لَهُ السّعد بانٍ والجَمالُ مُهندس
وَطَوَّقهُand encircled it الحسنbeauty يَحتاطُهُsurrounding it سِجفاas curtains
وَطَوَّقهُ الحسن يَحتاطُهُ سِجفا
Good fortune is its builder, beauty its architect.
When his forelegs rise against the foe
Beauty encircles it, surrounding it with curtains.
Wanting the Pleiades or merely to prance
تَوَطَّنَهhe dwelt in it شَمساًas a sun فَلَمso not يَكُنِcould السّهىal-Suha
تَوَطَّنَه شَمساً فَلَم يَكُنِ السّهى
يُساميهِequal his height كَعباًat the ankle أَوor يُزاحمهjostle him كِتفَاat the shoulder
يُساميهِ كَعباً أَو يُزاحمه كِتفَا
He dwelt there as a sun, so al-Suha could not
O valiant, matchless one
match his ankle in height or jostle his shoulder.
With whom all glory is intertwined
وَإِنand though كانَتِmay be العَلياءُeminence تاجاًa crown لِغَيرِهِfor another
وَإِن كانَتِ العَلياءُ تاجاً لِغَيرِهِ
لَعَمريَby my life كَمhow often ودَّتْit wished تَكونto be لَهfor him خِفَّاa slipper
لَعَمريَ كَم ودَّتْ تَكون لَه خِفَّا
Though eminence may be a crown for others,
God protect you from every harm
by my life, how often it wished to be his slipper!
That troubled my verses, causing them to sway
هُمامٌa noble man لَهfor him كَسبearning المَحامِدpraises شيمَةٌan innate trait
هُمامٌ لَه كَسب المَحامِد شيمَةٌ
وَماand not زالَceased مَطبوعاًnaturally inclined عَلىto زَرعِهِhis sowing العُرفاkindness
وَما زالَ مَطبوعاً عَلى زَرعِهِ العُرفا
A noble man whose nature is to earn praise,
In thought arose a daughter of eloquence
ever naturally inclined to sow kindness.
The structure of her verse flowing with purity
لَهُhe has الهِمّةُambition العَلياءُlofty فيin كلِّevery حالَةٍcircumstance
لَهُ الهِمّةُ العَلياءُ في كلِّ حالَةٍ
لَقَدindeed حَسُنَتit is admirable جِنساًin kind وَقَدand indeed حَسُنَتit is admirable صنفاin variety
لَقَد حَسُنَت جِنساً وَقَد حَسُنَت صنفا
His ambition is lofty in every circumstance.
She appeared as a bride adorned with beauty
It is admirable in kind and admirable in every form.
My thoughts gave her to you, and she was brought to you
ياoh حُسنَthe beauty of أَخلاقٍmanners بِحُسنِwith beautiful غَرائزٍinstincts
يا حُسنَ أَخلاقٍ بِحُسنِ غَرائزٍ
بِرقَّةِwith gentleness of طَبعٍnature حَسَّنَhe beautified الفعلَdeed وَالوَصفاand character
بِرقَّةِ طَبعٍ حَسَّنَ الفعلَ وَالوَصفا
How lovely are manners born of lovely instincts!
Earlier my thoughts had brought her sister to you
A gentle nature beautifies both deed and character.
A bride, gentle and kind
كَريمٌgenerous صَبيحُfair of الوَجهِface سالَoverflowing بَشاشَةًwith cheer
كَريمٌ صَبيحُ الوَجهِ سالَ بَشاشَةً
وَأَصبَحَand became فيin بَدرِthe full moon of التهلّلِgladness مُحتَفّاenfolded
وَأَصبَحَ في بَدرِ التهلّلِ مُحتَفّا
Generous and fair-faced, he overflows with cheer,
Now I propose to you her sister
enfolded in the full moon of gladness.
Be her betrothed, in-law, and bride-price
جَوادٌbountiful سَخِيٌّliberal أَريَحِيٌّopenhearted وَإِنّهand indeed he
جَوادٌ سَخِيٌّ أَريَحِيٌّ وَإِنّه
لَبَحْرُis truly an ocean of النّدىgenerosity وَالجودِand giving يوليbestowing النّدىkindness جزفاwithout measure
لَبَحْرُ النّدى وَالجودِ يولي النّدى جزفا
Bountiful, liberal, openhearted—indeed,
She adorns if you inscribe verses
an ocean of generosity and giving, bestowing kindness without measure.
Rarely did adornment grace script as she did
فَماso not البحرُthe sea إِلّاexcept مثلَlike بلّةthe wetness of مِخيَطٍa needle
فَما البحرُ إِلّا مثلَ بلّة مِخيَطٍ
مِنَfrom البحرِthe sea إِنْif يَنسبِit is compared إِلىto جودِهِhis generosity كفّاof hand
مِنَ البحرِ إِنْ يَنسبِ إِلى جودِهِ كفّا
The sea is only like the wetness of a needle
Accept her then, and let your acceptance be her dowry
dipped in the sea, when compared with his generous hand.
Do not reject her or treat her with disdain
عَلِيُّlofty in السّجاياcharacter لَيسَnot يخلفُhe breaks مَوعِداa promise
عَلِيُّ السّجايا لَيسَ يخلفُ مَوعِدا
وَدَيدَنُهand his habit طَبعاًnaturally كَراهَتهhis detestation of الخُلفاbroken promises
وَدَيدَنُه طَبعاً كَراهَته الخُلفا
Lofty in character, he never breaks a promise.
Remain a sun of virtues and heights
His natural habit is to detest broken promises.
Shining, never eclipsed, always appearing
شُجاعٌbrave هِزبرُlion of الغابِthe woods لَيثُlion of عَرينَةٍa den
شُجاعٌ هِزبرُ الغابِ لَيثُ عَرينَةٍ
وَكَمand how many عِندَهُbefore him الآسادُlions قَدindeed رَغِمَتwere humbled أَنفاin the nose
وَكَم عِندَهُ الآسادُ قَد رَغِمَت أَنفا
Brave, a lion of the woods, a lion of the den,
Your servant the lantern remains a candle
before whom many lions have had their noses humbled in the dust.
Ever lit, never extinguished or put out
وَلَوand if سَمِعتْheard فيin الغابِthe woods ذِكراهmention of him أُسْدهاtheir lions
وَلَو سَمِعتْ في الغابِ ذِكراه أُسْدها
لَمِنْهُsurely from him عَلىfor أَرواحِهاtheir lives خافَتِthey would fear الخَطفاsnatching away
لَمِنْهُ عَلى أَرواحِها خافَتِ الخَطفا
If the forest's lions heard him mentioned,
You attained what you hoped for, so remain
they would fear that he might snatch away their lives.
Protected by God and blessed with favour
لَهُfor him السُّمْرُbrown spears وَالأَسيافُand swords غِيلٌa thicket وغابةٌand a forest
لَهُ السُّمْرُ وَالأَسيافُ غِيلٌ وغابةٌ
وَلَمand not يَتَّخِذhe took فيin القفرِthe wilderness غيلاًa thicket وَلاand no كَهفاcave
وَلَم يَتَّخِذ في القفرِ غيلاً وَلا كَهفا
His thicket and forest are brown spears and swords.
For as long as the zephyrs of morn blow
He has taken neither thicket nor cave in the wilderness.
Swaying the branches, bending with charm
إِذاwhen هاجَتِrages الهَيجاءُbattle وَالحَربُand war بِالوَغىwith tumult
إِذا هاجَتِ الهَيجاءُ وَالحَربُ بِالوَغى
وَجَيشُand the army of العِدىthe enemies لِلحربِfor battle قَدindeed قامَhas risen وَاِصطفّاand lined up
وَجَيشُ العِدى لِلحربِ قَد قامَ وَاِصطفّا
When battle rages and war resounds with its tumult,
No lover engrossed in praising you says
and the enemy army has risen and drawn up for battle,
I drank the draught of love in my youth unmixed
وَقَدand indeed جالَhe ranged فيin المَيدانِthe field فَرداًalone مُبارزاًchallenging
وَقَد جالَ في المَيدانِ فَرداً مُبارزاً
لَولَّوْاthey would turn away علىin خَوفٍfear وَماand not اِلتَفتواlook خَلفاbehind
لَولَّوْا على خَوفٍ وَما اِلتَفتوا خَلفا
and he has ranged the field alone, challenging them,
they would turn away in fear, never looking back.
وَفيand in الحالِthe instant قَدindeed حَلَّتdescended بِهمupon them أُمّUmm ملدَمٍMildam
وَفي الحالِ قَد حَلَّت بِهم أُمّ ملدَمٍ
بِعُنفٍviolently وَقَدand indeed هَزَّتshook فَرائِصهمtheir flanks رَجفاwith trembling
بِعُنفٍ وَقَد هَزَّت فَرائِصهم رَجفا
At once Umm Mildam, the fever, descends upon them
violently, shaking their flanks with trembling.
وَلَوand if أَنّهhe قَدindeed صَفّdrew up لِلحَربِfor battle وَحدَهُalone
وَلَو أَنّه قَد صَفّ لِلحَربِ وَحدَهُ
وَقامَتand stood جميعُall الأُسْدِthe lions فيto fight him حَربِهِin ranks صفّاin a line
وَقامَت جميعُ الأُسْدِ في حَربِهِ صفّا
If he alone drew up for battle,
and all the lions stood in ranks to fight him,
لَمّاthey would not كافأُوهmatch him حيثُwhen رامواthey sought حِرابَهُto fight him
لَمّا كافأُوه حيثُ راموا حِرابَهُ
وَلاand no بِدعَwonder كَمhow many مِنof واحِدٍa single one يَعدِلُequals الأَلْفاa thousand
وَلا بِدعَ كَم مِن واحِدٍ يَعدِلُ الأَلْفا
they could not match him when they sought to wage war against him.
No wonder: how many a single man equals a thousand!
أَمَاis not البدرُthe full moon فَردٌone وَالنّجومُand the stars كَثيرَةٌmany
أَمَا البدرُ فَردٌ وَالنّجومُ كَثيرَةٌ
وَلَيسَتand they do not تُساويهِequal it وَذاand this الأمرُmatter لاnot يَخفىis hidden
وَلَيسَت تُساويهِ وَذا الأمرُ لا يَخفى
Is not the full moon one, while the stars are many?
Yet they do not equal it, as is plain.
وَأَنعِمand how splendid بِهِhe is فيat حينthe time يَركَبُhe rides طِرفهhis steed
وَأَنعِم بِهِ في حين يَركَبُ طِرفه
وَماand how أَحسنَhandsome الضِّرغامَthe lion إِذْwhen يَركَبُhe rides الطِّرفاthe steed
وَما أَحسنَ الضِّرغامَ إِذْ يَركَبُ الطِّرفا
How splendid he is when he mounts his steed!
How handsome the lion is when riding the steed!
هوَit الأَحمَرُthe chestnut الدّرويشُal-Darwish بَحرٌan ocean مُشَذَّبٌlean-limbed
هوَ الأَحمَرُ الدّرويشُ بَحرٌ مُشَذَّبٌ
وَسيمٌhandsome يُقِرُّdelights العينَthe eye مرآهُits appearance والطَّرفاand the gaze
وَسيمٌ يُقِرُّ العينَ مرآهُ والطَّرفا
It is the chestnut al-Darwish, an ocean, lean-limbed,
handsome, its appearance delighting the eye and gaze.
وَثيجٌsturdy وَعنجوجٌand a spirited steed طَويلُlong in قَوائمٍlegs
وَثيجٌ وَعنجوجٌ طَويلُ قَوائمٍ
وَعنقand a trot ذَريعswift قَدindeed حَكتresembled أُذنهits ear السِّنفاthe pod
وَعنق ذَريع قَد حَكت أُذنه السِّنفا
Sturdy, a spirited steed, long-legged,
swift at the trot, its ear resembling a pod.
طَليعٌa leader وَمَيمونٌand auspicious أَغرّwhite-blazed مُحَجّلwhite-stockinged
طَليعٌ وَمَيمونٌ أَغرّ مُحَجّل
وَلاand no مثلَequal قَدindeed ضاهاهُhas matched it ذاتاًin being وَلاand no وَصفاattribute
وَلا مثلَ قَد ضاهاهُ ذاتاً وَلا وَصفا
A leader, auspicious, white-blazed, white-stockinged,
with no equal matching it in being or attributes.
فَلَوso if سارَtraveled رَكبٌa caravan وَهوَwhile it فيهِwas among them بِظُلمَةٍin darkness
فَلَو سارَ رَكبٌ وَهوَ فيهِ بِظُلمَةٍ
بِغُرَّتِهِwith its white blaze فيهاin it عَنِfor الضّوءِlight لاِستَكفىthey would be satisfied
بِغُرَّتِهِ فيها عَنِ الضّوءِ لاِستَكفى
If a caravan traveled in darkness with it among them,
its white blaze would suffice them for light.
وَإِنْand if يَعدُit runs فاقَit surpasses البرقَlightning سبقاًin speed ولَمand not يَكُنcould
وَإِنْ يَعدُ فاقَ البرقَ سبقاً ولَم يَكُن
تُجاريهِkeep pace with it مِنany ريحٍwind وَلَوeven if عَصَفَتit blew fiercely عَصفاin a gale
تُجاريهِ مِن ريحٍ وَلَو عَصَفَت عَصفا
When it runs, it outstrips lightning, and no
wind could keep pace with it, however fiercely it blew.
إِذاwhen اِرتَفَعتrise أَيديهِits forelegs لِلعَدوِto run خِلتهُyou would think it
إِذا اِرتَفَعت أَيديهِ لِلعَدوِ خِلتهُ
يُريدseeking الثّريّاthe Pleiades أَوor يريدُseeking بِهاwith them الطّرفاal-Tarf
يُريد الثّريّا أَو يريدُ بِها الطّرفا
When its forelegs rise to run, you would think it
seeking the Pleiades, or aiming with them at al-Tarf.
فَياso oh أَيّهاyou الشّهمُgallant man العَديمُwithout مِثالُهُhis equal
فَيا أَيّها الشّهمُ العَديمُ مِثالُهُ
وَياand oh مَنْone who بِهِin him كلُّall المَكارِمِnoble qualities قَدindeed تلفَىare found
وَيا مَنْ بِهِ كلُّ المَكارِمِ قَد تلفَى
O gallant man, without an equal,
O you in whom every noble quality is found!
إِلَيكَto you حَماكَprotect you اللَّهُGod مِنfrom كلِّevery آفَةٍharm
إِلَيكَ حَماكَ اللَّهُ مِن كلِّ آفَةٍ
مُخدَّرَةًa secluded maiden هَزَّتshe swayed بِمَدحتكin praising you العِطفاher side
مُخدَّرَةً هَزَّت بِمَدحتك العِطفا
To you—may God protect you from every harm—I bring
a secluded maiden, swaying her form in praise of you.
لَقَدindeed نَشَأَتshe grew فيin الفِكرِthought بِنتa daughter of بَلاغَةٍeloquence
لَقَد نَشَأَت في الفِكرِ بِنت بَلاغَةٍ
يَسيلُflows بَديعthe wondrous artistry of النّظمِverse فيin حُسنِهاher beauty رَصفاfinely arranged
يَسيلُ بَديع النّظمِ في حُسنِها رَصفا
A daughter of eloquence has grown within my thought.
Wondrous verse flows through her beauty, finely arranged.
تَجَلَّتshe appeared عَروساًas a bride تَكتَسيclothed in الحسنَbeauty وَالبهاand splendor
تَجَلَّت عَروساً تَكتَسي الحسنَ وَالبها
لَكَto you الفكرُthought أَهداهاpresented her وَقَدand indeed زَفَّهاescorted her as a bride زَفّاin procession
لَكَ الفكرُ أَهداها وَقَد زَفَّها زَفّا
She appears as a bride, clothed in beauty and splendor.
Thought has presented her to you, escorting her as a bride.
وَمِنand from قَبلهاbefore her قَدindeed زفّescorted as a bride فكريَmy thought أختَهاher sister
وَمِن قَبلها قَد زفّ فكريَ أختَها
إِليكَto you عَروساًas a bride قَدindeed غَدَتshe became غادَةa graceful maiden وَطفاlong-lashed
إِليكَ عَروساً قَد غَدَت غادَة وَطفا
Before her, my thought escorted her sister
to you as a bride, a graceful, long-lashed maiden.
وَقَدand indeed خَطَبتكshe sought your hand الآنَnow ياoh بَعلhusband of أُختهاher sister
وَقَد خَطَبتك الآنَ يا بَعل أُختها
فَكُنتَso you were لَهاfor her المَخطوبَthe chosen groom وَالصّهرand the in-law والسِّلفاand the co-brother-in-law
فَكُنتَ لَها المَخطوبَ وَالصّهر والسِّلفا
Now she has sought your hand, O husband of her sister.
You became her chosen groom, her in-law, and her co-brother-in-law.
تزيِّنُshe adorns إِنْif تكتَبْshe is written لجينَthe silver of صَحيفَةٍa page
تزيِّنُ إِنْ تكتَبْ لجينَ صَحيفَةٍ
وَقَلَّand rare لَهاfor her مثلan equal لَقدindeed زيّنshe adorned الصّحفاthe pages
وَقَلَّ لَها مثل لَقد زيّن الصّحفا
If written, she adorns the silver of a page.
Few are her equals; she has indeed adorned the pages.
فَكُنso be جاعِلاًmaking منكَfrom you القَبولacceptance صَداقهاher dowry
فَكُن جاعِلاً منكَ القَبول صَداقها
وَتنقيطَهاand her bridal gift أَنthat لاnot تُعابَshe is faulted وَلاand not تُجفىshe is shunned
وَتنقيطَها أَن لا تُعابَ وَلا تُجفى
Let your acceptance be her dowry,
and her bridal gift be that she is neither faulted nor shunned.
وَلاand may you not زِلتَcease to be شَمساًa sun لِلمَكارِمِof noble deeds وَالعُلىand eminence
وَلا زِلتَ شَمساً لِلمَكارِمِ وَالعُلى
تُضيءُyou shine فَلَمand not تَكسفare eclipsed وَتَبدوand you appear فَلاand not تخفىare hidden
تُضيءُ فَلَم تَكسف وَتَبدو فَلا تخفى
May you ever remain a sun of noble deeds and eminence,
shining uneclipsed, appearing without concealment.
وَمَخدومكand your master المِصباحُal-Misbah لاmay he not زالَcease to be شَمعَةًa candle
وَمَخدومك المِصباحُ لا زالَ شَمعَةً
تُضيءshining دَواماًforever لاnot تقطّtrimmed ولاand not تطفىextinguished
تُضيء دَواماً لا تقطّ ولا تطفى
May your master al-Misbah ever remain a candle,
shining forever, never trimmed or extinguished.
وَنِلتand may you attain الّذيwhat تَرجوyou hope for ماwhat أَنتyou آملٌdesire
وَنِلت الّذي تَرجو ما أَنت آملٌ
وَدُمتَand may you remain بِحفظِin the protection of اللَّهِGod وَاللّطفand grace محتَفّاenfolded
وَدُمتَ بِحفظِ اللَّهِ وَاللّطف محتَفّا
May you gain what you hope for, all that you desire.
May you remain enfolded in God's protection and grace,
مَدىthroughout الدّهرِtime ماas long as هبَّتblows نسيمٌa breeze مِنَfrom الصَّباthe east wind
مَدى الدّهرِ ما هبَّت نسيمٌ مِنَ الصَّبا
فأَرقَصَتِso it makes dance الأغصانَthe branches تَعطِفُهاbending them عَطفاwith a bend
فأَرقَصَتِ الأغصانَ تَعطِفُها عَطفا
throughout time, as long as an east breeze blows,
making the branches dance, bending them,
وَماand as long as مُغرَمٌone enamored فيin عِشقِlove of مَدحِكpraising you قائلٌsays
وَما مُغرَمٌ في عِشقِ مَدحِك قائلٌ
شَربتُI drank سُلافَthe choicest wine of العِشقِlove فيin صَبوتَيmy youthful passion صِرفاundiluted
شَربتُ سُلافَ العِشقِ في صَبوتَي صِرفا
and as long as one enamored of praising you says:
I drank love's choicest wine undiluted in my youthful passion.
Partial English translation: 166 of 216 Arabic lines translated.