فُهْspeak بِالمُرادِwith the intended meaning عَنِabout الغَرامِpassionate love وَأَعربِand speak plainly
فُهْ بِالمُرادِ عَنِ الغَرامِ وَأَعربِ
وَدَعِand leave الكنايَةَindirect allusion لاnot الصّراحَةَfrankness وَاِكتبِand write
وَدَعِ الكنايَةَ لا الصّراحَةَ وَاِكتبِ
Speak what you mean about passionate love, and make it plain.
Speak openly of passion, explain it,
Leave allusion, not frankness, and write.
Abandon innuendo, be explicit and write.
إِنّindeed الهَوىlove ماnot شَأنُهُits nature كِتمانهُconcealing it
إِنّ الهَوى ما شَأنُهُ كِتمانهُ
وَلَئِنand even if كَتَمتَyou concealed فَإِنّهُthen indeed it لاnot يَختَبيstays hidden
وَلَئِن كَتَمتَ فَإِنّهُ لا يَختَبي
Concealment is not love's nature;
For passion's wont is not concealment,
even if you conceal it, it will not stay hidden.
And though you hide it, it won't disappear from sight.
إِنّindeed النُّحولَemaciation عَلىof الهَوىlove لَعلامةٌsurely a sign
إِنّ النُّحولَ عَلى الهَوى لَعلامةٌ
مِثلُlike الدُّموعِtears إِذاwhen جَرَتthey flow تَهديguide الغَبيthe dull-witted one
مِثلُ الدُّموعِ إِذا جَرَت تَهدي الغَبي
Wasting away is surely a sign of love,
The wasting of my body reveals my passion
like tears that, when they flow, enlighten the dull-witted.
Like tears that flow and give away the fool.
مَنْwho ذاthat one الَّذيwho لَمhas not يَنتَحِلْwasted away جُثمانُهُhis body
مَنْ ذا الَّذي لَم يَنتَحِلْ جُثمانُهُ
وَمِنَand from الغَرامِpassionate love دُموعُهُhis tears لَمhave not تسكبِbeen shed
وَمِنَ الغَرامِ دُموعُهُ لَم تسكبِ
Who is there whose body has not wasted away,
Who doesn't feign illness because of love,
and whose tears have not been shed from love?
With passions tears left unshed?
إِنّيindeed I اِمرُؤٌa man أَلِفَgrew accustomed to الصّبابَةَardent longing وَالهَوىand love
إِنّي اِمرُؤٌ أَلِفَ الصّبابَةَ وَالهَوى
وَأَخوand a companion of الصّبابَةِardent longing حالُهُhis state لَمhas not تَعزبِescaped notice
وَأَخو الصّبابَةِ حالُهُ لَم تَعزبِ
I am a man familiar with yearning and love,
I'm one accustomed to youth and passion,
and a lover's condition has not gone unnoticed.
A comrade of youth - his state was unavoidable.
لَعِبَتplayed بِهِwith him أَيديthe hands of الصّبابَةِardent longing وَالجَوىand heartache
لَعِبَت بِهِ أَيدي الصّبابَةِ وَالجَوى
وَيَدُand the hand of الغَرامِpassionate love بِغَيرِهِwith anyone other than him لَمhas not تَلعَبِplayed
وَيَدُ الغَرامِ بِغَيرِهِ لَم تَلعَبِ
The hands of yearning and heartache have played with him,
The hands of youth and passion toyed with him
while love's hand has played with none but him.
While others hands did not play.
وَإِذاand when حَكَمتُI judge عَلىconcerning الصّبابَةِardent longing أَنَّهاthat it
وَإِذا حَكَمتُ عَلى الصّبابَةِ أَنَّها
نارٌfire فَحُكميthen my judgment بِالسّديدِis sound الأَصوَبِmost correct
نارٌ فَحُكمي بِالسّديدِ الأَصوَبِ
And when I judge passionate longing to be
When I judge youth to be fire,
fire, my judgment is sound and most correct.
My judgment is most correct and proper.
أَهوىI love المُهَفهَفَthe slender-waisted one وَهوَand he is خُوطَةُa tender shoot بانَةٍa bān tree
أَهوى المُهَفهَفَ وَهوَ خُوطَةُ بانَةٍ
بِاللينِwith softness يَقسوhe is cruel حَيثُsince كانَhe was مُعذِّبيmy tormentor
بِاللينِ يَقسو حَيثُ كانَ مُعذِّبي
I love the slender-waisted one, a tender shoot of a bān tree.
I love one soft and delicate like a tender sprig,
In his softness he is cruel, for he is my tormentor.
Yet firmness becomes harshness towards me, his tortured one.
خَشفٌa fawn مِنَfrom الأَعرابِthe Bedouins أَلمَىdusky-lipped أَلعسٌdark-lipped
خَشفٌ مِنَ الأَعرابِ أَلمَى أَلعسٌ
أَلِفَgrew accustomed to النِّفارَflight مَعَwith المَهاthe oryx والرّبْرَبِand antelope herds
أَلِفَ النِّفارَ مَعَ المَها والرّبْرَبِ
A Bedouin fawn with dusky, dark-tinted lips,
A cheeky Bedouin, a mischievous imp,
accustomed to flight among the oryx and antelope herds.
Used to ostrich riding and fun and games.
يَهوىhe loves النِّفارَflight وَلَيسَand does not يألفُgrow familiar with عاشِقاًa lover
يَهوى النِّفارَ وَلَيسَ يألفُ عاشِقاً
وَعَلىand toward التَّواصُلِunion فيin أَشدِّthe fiercest تأزّبِaversion
وَعَلى التَّواصُلِ في أَشدِّ تأزّبِ
He loves fleeing and grows familiar with no lover,
He loves ostrich riding yet doesn't love a lover,
and feels the fiercest aversion to union.
And is averse to intimacy though in dire need of company.
ماnot إِنat all (emphasis) سَلَوتI ceased longing وَلَستُand I do not أَسلوforget حُبَّهُlove for him
ما إِن سَلَوت وَلَستُ أَسلو حُبَّهُ
وَعَلىand despite التّباعُدِseparation لَستُI am not بِالمُتجنَّبِone who is shunned
وَعَلى التّباعُدِ لَستُ بِالمُتجنَّبِ
I have never ceased loving, nor will I forget my love for him.
I don't flirt though I'm no ascetic,
Despite the distance, I am not estranged.
Nor do I shun all company and retreat.
ماnot كانَwas هَجريmy estrangement موجِباًa cause of سلوانَهُforgetting him
ما كانَ هَجري موجِباً سلوانَهُ
بَلrather لَوeven if غَداbecame الهِجرانُestrangement لاnot عَنfrom مُوجبِa cause
بَل لَو غَدا الهِجرانُ لا عَن مُوجبِ
Being forsaken did not make me forget him,
My aloofness doesn't cause his aloofness,
even if estrangement came without a cause.
Even if aloofness occurred, it wasn't warranted.
بَلrather أَوجَبَmade necessary الهِجرانَestrangement مَنthe one who حَكَمdecreed الجَفاcruelty
بَل أَوجَبَ الهِجرانَ مَن حَكَم الجَفا
إِنَّindeed الهَوىlove عَنfrom عاشِقٍa lover لَمhas not been يسلبِstripped away
إِنَّ الهَوى عَن عاشِقٍ لَم يسلبِ
Rather, the one who decreed cruelty required estrangement;
Rather, cruelty itself caused our estrangement -
love is not stripped from a lover.
For passion isn't wrested from a lover.
يَجريcourses التخيُّلُimagining فيthrough الخَيالِthe imagination بِوَصلِهِof union with him
يَجري التخيُّلُ في الخَيالِ بِوَصلِهِ
فَأمدّso I stretch آماليmy hopes كَمَدِّlike the stretching of الأَشعَبيal-Ashʿabi
فَأمدّ آمالي كَمَدِّ الأَشعَبي
The imagining of union with him courses through my fancy,
My imagination runs wild with fantasies of union,
so I stretch my hopes as al-Ashʿabi stretches his.
So I extend my hopes like al-Ashhabi extending his spear.
أَحكيI resemble الَّذيthe one who بِالجَهلِin ignorance يَجعَلُmakes كَفَّهُhis palm
أَحكي الَّذي بِالجَهلِ يَجعَلُ كَفَّهُ
شَرَكاًa snare يَصيدُcatches الطَّيرَbirds فيin وَهمِthe fancy of الغَبيthe fool
شَرَكاً يَصيدُ الطَّيرَ في وَهمِ الغَبي
I resemble the man who, in ignorance, makes his palm
Like the ignorant man whose empty hand,
a snare, catching birds in a fool's fancy.
He thinks, can catch birds in his deluded dreams.
غُنجٌa coquettish one تَكَحَّلَapplied kohl فيin اِحوِرارٍblack-and-white eye contrast ساحرٍenchanting
غُنجٌ تَكَحَّلَ في اِحوِرارٍ ساحرٍ
وَالسِّحرُand magic كُحلkohl فيin جُفونِthe eyelids of الأَهدَبِthe long-lashed one
وَالسِّحرُ كُحل في جُفونِ الأَهدَبِ
A coquettish one, kohl-eyed in enchanting black-and-white contrast;
A slender gazelle with bewitching, languid eyes,
and magic is kohl upon the eyelids of the long-lashed one.
Magic is the kohl in the eyes of the wanton.
وَجُفونُهُand his eyelids قَدindeed صحَّحَتconfirmed فيin كَسرِهاtheir drooping
وَجُفونُهُ قَد صحَّحَت في كَسرِها
سِحرَthe magic of اللِّحاظِglances فَشِمتُso I beheld ماwhat لمwas not يُحسَبِexpected
سِحرَ اللِّحاظِ فَشِمتُ ما لم يُحسَبِ
His eyelids, in their languid droop, have confirmed
And those eyes in their almond shape
the magic of his glances; I beheld what was not expected.
Show the magic of a glance I'd not expected.
ماnot كُنتُhad I أَعلَمُknown قَبلَbefore عَقرَبِthe scorpion-curl of صُدغِهِhis temple
ما كُنتُ أَعلَمُ قَبلَ عَقرَبِ صُدغِهِ
لسعَthe sting of الأفاعيvipers دونَless than لَسعthe sting of العَقربِthe scorpion
لسعَ الأفاعي دونَ لَسع العَقربِ
Before the scorpion-curl at his temple, I did not know
Before the sting of his cheek I hadn't known
that vipers' stings fall short of a scorpion's sting.
Snakebites, only the scorpion's sting.
يَفتَرُّparts in a smile عَنto reveal شَنَبِthe cool freshness of اللّآليpearls ثَغرُهُhis mouth
يَفتَرُّ عَن شَنَبِ اللّآلي ثَغرُهُ
وَالدُّرُّand pearls يَبرقُflash فيin الرِّضابِthe saliva الأَطيَبِthe sweetest
وَالدُّرُّ يَبرقُ في الرِّضابِ الأَطيَبِ
His mouth parts to reveal cool, pearly teeth,
His mouth parts from his downy lip,
and pearls flash in the sweetest saliva.
And pearls flash in the most delightful grounds.
ماnot البرقُlightning خَطّافُa snatcher of العُقولِminds وَإِنَّماbut rather
ما البرقُ خَطّافُ العُقولِ وَإِنَّما
خَطفُthe snatching of العُقولِminds لِبَرقِbelongs to the flash of ثَغرِthe mouth of الأَشنَبِthe fresh-toothed one
خَطفُ العُقولِ لِبَرقِ ثَغرِ الأَشنَبِ
It is not lightning that snatches minds; rather,
It's not the lightning that steals hearts and minds -
minds are stolen by the flash of his pearly-toothed mouth.
Rather, hearts and minds are stolen by the flash of his lips.
قبَضَhe grasped الكُؤوسَthe cups وصَبَّand poured فيهاinto them خَمرَةًwine
قبَضَ الكُؤوسَ وصَبَّ فيها خَمرَةً
وَقَدِand indeed اِحتَساهاhe sipped it كَالفراتِlike fresh water الأَعذَبِthe sweetest
وَقَدِ اِحتَساها كَالفراتِ الأَعذَبِ
He grasped the cups and poured wine into them,
He took up the wine cups and filled them
and sipped it like the sweetest fresh water.
With the choicest wine, pure as the Euphrates.
فَرَأَيتُso I saw شَمساًa sun ضمنَهاwithin it شَمسٌa sun بَدَتappeared
فَرَأَيتُ شَمساً ضمنَها شَمسٌ بَدَت
وَبِهاand around it الهِلالُthe crescent أَحاطَencircled لَيسَnot بِمُختَبيhidden
وَبِها الهِلالُ أَحاطَ لَيسَ بِمُختَبي
Then I saw a sun within which another sun appeared,
I saw a sun therein, and another sun appeared
and a crescent encircled it, plainly in sight.
With the crescent encircling it, unveiled.
وَغَدَتand it began تغيِّبto disappear فيbetween هِلالَيْthe two crescents of مَبسمٍa smiling mouth
وَغَدَت تغيِّب في هِلالَيْ مَبسمٍ
تَجتَازُpasses فيthrough شَفَقِthe twilight of العَقيقِcarnelian لمغربِtoward sunset
تَجتَازُ في شَفَقِ العَقيقِ لمغربِ
It began to vanish between the two crescents of a smiling mouth,
It began to set between his crescent smile,
passing through carnelian twilight toward its setting.
Crossing the red horizon of his rosy cheek.
وَإِخالُهاand I fancy it مِنfrom صَدرِهِhis breast قَدalready أَسفَرَتshone forth
وَإِخالُها مِن صَدرِهِ قَد أَسفَرَت
وَكَأنَّهاand as though it إِذwhen أَسفَرتshone forth لمhad not تغرُبِset
وَكَأنَّها إِذ أَسفَرت لم تغرُبِ
I fancy it has shone forth from his breast,
And when it disappeared from his breast,
as though, on shining forth, it had never set.
It was as if, though it had set, it never disappeared.
مُتوقِّدُblazing الوجناتِcheeks مِنfrom ماءِthe water of البَهاbeauty
مُتوقِّدُ الوجناتِ مِن ماءِ البَها
وَالماءُyet water مِنهُfrom it النارُfire لَمhas not تَتَلهَّبِflared up
وَالماءُ مِنهُ النارُ لَم تَتَلهَّبِ
His cheeks blaze with the water of beauty,
Ablaze are his cheeks with the water of splendor -
yet fire has never blazed forth from water.
Yet from him the fire was lit but didn't burn.
كَتبَwrote الجَمالُbeauty عَلىon صَحيفَةِthe page of خَدِّهِhis cheek
كَتبَ الجَمالُ عَلى صَحيفَةِ خَدِّهِ
حُسناًloveliness يَسيلُflows وَماؤُهُand its water لَمhas not ينضبِrun dry
حُسناً يَسيلُ وَماؤُهُ لَم ينضبِ
Beauty wrote upon the page of his cheek
Beauty wrote upon the page of his cheek
a flowing loveliness whose water has never run dry.
A beauty whose flowing water never ebbed.
قَدindeed أَترَبَتهhas dusted it يَدُthe hand of المَلاحَةِgrace وَالبَهاand beauty
قَد أَترَبَته يَدُ المَلاحَةِ وَالبَها
بِفَتيتِwith powdered مِسكٍmusk مِنfrom عِذارٍcheek-down طَيِّبِfragrant
بِفَتيتِ مِسكٍ مِن عِذارٍ طَيِّبِ
The hand of grace and beauty has dusted it
The hand of bliss and splendor nurtured him
with powdered musk from fragrant cheek-down.
With pure musk fragments from sweet perfume.
وَدِرايَتيand my knowledge حَسبَaccording to العَوائدِcustoms إِذas جَرَتthey have prevailed
وَدِرايَتي حَسبَ العَوائدِ إِذ جَرَت
أَنّthat الكتابَthe written page بِسُندُسٍwith fine silk لَمhas not يتربِbeen dusted
أَنّ الكتابَ بِسُندُسٍ لَم يتربِ
Yet I know, from the customs long observed,
And my knowledge of convention is that
that no written page has been dusted with fine silk.
Books are not scented with silk.
ماnot بانَappeared بَدرُthe full moon of جَبينِهِhis brow إِلّاexcept that هَوَتfell
ما بانَ بَدرُ جَبينِهِ إِلّا هَوَت
شَمسُthe sun of الضُّحىlate morning قبلَbefore الزوالِnoon لِمغربِtoward the west
شَمسُ الضُّحى قبلَ الزوالِ لِمغربِ
No sooner did the full moon of his brow appear than
No sooner did the full moon of his brow emerge
the morning sun sank westward before noon.
Than the dawn sun set ere reaching zenith at noon.
فَأْمُرْso command نُجومَthe stars of اللَّيلِnight أَنto تَخفىhide فَفيfor in
فَأْمُرْ نُجومَ اللَّيلِ أَن تَخفى فَفي
فَلَكthe sphere of الجَبينِthe brow يَلوحُgleams أَضوَأُthe brightest كَوكَبِstar
فَلَك الجَبينِ يَلوحُ أَضوَأُ كَوكَبِ
So command the stars of night to hide, for in
So for the stars of night - conceal yourselves For in the horizon of his brow shines the brightest star.
the sphere of his brow the brightest star gleams.
Rather, say to the suns of east and west - vanish!
بَلrather قُلsay لِشَمسِto the sun of الشرقِthe east وَالأفقِand the horizon اِختَفيhide
بَل قُل لِشَمسِ الشرقِ وَالأفقِ اِختَفي
فَلَقَدfor indeed بَدَتhas appeared فيin الشَّرقِthe east شَمسُthe sun of المغربِthe West
فَلَقَد بَدَت في الشَّرقِ شَمسُ المغربِ
Rather, tell the sun of the east and the horizon: Hide!
For in the east has dawned the sun of the west.
For the sun of the West has appeared in the East.
The vast sea of eloquence, the ink well
الجَهبَذُthe consummate master الحَبرُthe learned scholar الَّذيwho عَنabout فَضلِهِhis excellence
الجَهبَذُ الحَبرُ الَّذي عَن فَضلِهِ
يَعيَاfails البَيانُexpression وَعَنهُand of him لَيسَis not بمُعرِبِable to speak plainly
يَعيَا البَيانُ وَعَنهُ لَيسَ بمُعرِبِ
The consummate master, the learned scholar, whose excellence
Whose eloquence leaves rhetoric confounded and perplexed.
defeats expression, leaving it unable to speak of him;
The knowing sea into which, but for his name,
العارِفُthe sage البحرُthe ocean الَّذيwho بِسِوىwith any but اِسمِهِhis name
العارِفُ البحرُ الَّذي بِسِوى اِسمِهِ
دَرَجthe scroll of المَعارفِknowledge والحِجىand reason لمhas not يُكتَبِbeen inscribed
دَرَج المَعارفِ والحِجى لم يُكتَبِ
the sage, the ocean, with whose name alone
Knowledge and wisdom are poured but not written.
the scroll of knowledge and reason has been inscribed;
The hidden jewel in the oyster shell of nobility,
الجَوهَرُthe jewel المَكنونُconcealed فيin صَدفِthe shell of العُلىexalted rank
الجَوهَرُ المَكنونُ في صَدفِ العُلى
دُرُّthe pearl of المَحاسِنِvirtues فيin الطّرازِthe embroidery المُذْهَبِgilded
دُرُّ المَحاسِنِ في الطّرازِ المُذْهَبِ
the jewel concealed within the shell of exalted rank,
The strung pearl in the most splendid golden thread.
the pearl of virtues in gilded embroidery;
The ingenious poet, the eloquent brother of wisdom,
الشّاعِرُthe poet الفطِنُdiscerning الأَريبُclever أَخوpossessor of الحِجىreason
الشّاعِرُ الفطِنُ الأَريبُ أَخو الحِجى
رَبُّmaster of القَوافيrhymes وَالبيانِand eloquence الأَعجَبِmost wondrous
رَبُّ القَوافي وَالبيانِ الأَعجَبِ
the discerning, clever poet, possessed of reason,
Master of rhyme and most wondrous rhetoric.
master of rhymes and most wondrous eloquence;
My ear, my support, the most eminent orator
المِصْقَعُthe eloquent speaker التوُّpeerless الخَطيبthe orator المُعتَليrising above
المِصْقَعُ التوُّ الخَطيب المُعتَلي
حِذْقاًin mastery عَلىabove قِسِّQuss of البَيانِeloquence وَيعربِand Yaʿrub
حِذْقاً عَلى قِسِّ البَيانِ وَيعربِ
the eloquent, peerless orator, who rises
Skilled in the tools of rhetoric, explicating and explicating.
in mastery above eloquence's Quss and Yaʿrub.
Whenever he declaimed in assemblies with brilliance,
ماnot قامَstood يَخطبُto orate مَوسِماًat a gathering بِمَصاقِعٍamong eloquent speakers
ما قامَ يَخطبُ مَوسِماً بِمَصاقِعٍ
إِلّاexcept that وَعَجزاًand helplessly أَسرَعواthey hastened فيinto المَهربِflight
إِلّا وَعَجزاً أَسرَعوا في المَهربِ
Never did he stand to speak at a gathering of orators
The rivals hastily retreated in confusion.
but, helpless, they hurried into flight.
No ear heard his words but woke
ماnot حَلَّentered سَمعاًan ear لَفظُهُhis utterance إِلّاexcept that غَداit became
ما حَلَّ سَمعاً لَفظُهُ إِلّا غَدا
مُتَشنِّفاًadorned with earrings فيwith لُؤلُؤٍpearls لَمnot يثقبِpierced
مُتَشنِّفاً في لُؤلُؤٍ لَم يثقبِ
Never did his utterance enter an ear but it became
The next day lively as a polished pearl.
adorned with earrings of unpierced pearls.
No heart was touched by his verse but became,
ماnot حَلَّentered قَلبَاًa heart نَظمُهُhis verse إِلّاexcept that غَداit became
ما حَلَّ قَلبَاً نَظمُهُ إِلّا غَدا
بَعدَafter الشّفاhealing مِنfrom دائِهِits ailment لمno longer يوصَبِafflicted
بَعدَ الشّفا مِن دائِهِ لم يوصَبِ
Never did his verse enter a heart but it became,
After recovering from its sickness, perfectly healed.
once healed of its ailment, no longer afflicted.
Magnanimous, for he made awe his garb -
شَهمٌnoble-hearted لَقَدindeed جَعَلَmade المَهابَةَdignity ثَوبَهُhis robe
شَهمٌ لَقَد جَعَلَ المَهابَةَ ثَوبَهُ
وَأَرىand I regard المَهابَةَdignity ثَوبَas the robe of كلّevery مهذَّبِrefined man
وَأَرى المَهابَةَ ثَوبَ كلّ مهذَّبِ
A noble soul, who has made dignity his robe,
All refined men are clothed in awe, I observe.
and I see dignity as the robe of every refined man.
Noble, eminent, glorious and proud,
قَرمٌa chieftain شَريفٌnoble سَيِّدٌa lord وَسَمَيْدَعٌand a generous leader
قَرمٌ شَريفٌ سَيِّدٌ وَسَمَيْدَعٌ
بِالمَجدِin glory يُكسىhe is clothed بِالسّيادَةِin lordship مُحتبيseated wrapped
بِالمَجدِ يُكسى بِالسّيادَةِ مُحتبي
A chieftain, noble, a lord and magnanimous leader,
Robed in glory and pride, cloaked in honor.
clothed in glory, he sits wrapped in lordship.
When the horses of pride race in an assembly,
ماnot إِنْat all (emphasis) جَرَتraced خَيلُthe horses of الفَخارِpride بِمَحفَلٍat an assembly
ما إِنْ جَرَت خَيلُ الفَخارِ بِمَحفَلٍ
إِلّاexcept that أَتىhe came فيon أَصهَبٍa chestnut steed وَبِأَشهَبِand with a gray steed
إِلّا أَتى في أَصهَبٍ وَبِأَشهَبِ
Never have the horses of pride raced at an assembly
He comes on a dapple-gray and a roan.
but he came on a chestnut and with a gray steed.
He rode the lofty steeds until, competing,
وَقَدِand indeed اِمتَطىhe mounted العَلياءَexalted rank حَتّىuntil زاحَمتit jostled
وَقَدِ اِمتَطى العَلياءَ حَتّى زاحَمت
فيin السّيرِthe journey أَكنافَthe edges of السَّماءِheaven بمِنكَبِwith a shoulder
في السّيرِ أَكنافَ السَّماءِ بمِنكَبِ
He mounted exalted rank until it jostled
Their hooves pressed the edges of the sky.
the edges of heaven with its shoulder as it moved.
He shod his Thuraya so that as she walked,
جَعَلَhe made الثّريّاthe Pleiades نَعلَهُhis sandal إذْfor سَيرُهاits strap
جَعَلَ الثّريّا نَعلَهُ إذْ سَيرُها
كانwas الهلالُthe crescent يلوحُgleaming غيرَnot محجَّبِveiled
كان الهلالُ يلوحُ غيرَ محجَّبِ
He made the Pleiades his sandal, for its strap
The crescent gleamed unveiled.
was the crescent, gleaming without a veil.
Truly he was nurtured on glories and sublimities,
وَلَقَدand indeed تَرَعرَعhe grew up فيamid المَفاخِرِglories والعُلىand exalted rank
وَلَقَد تَرَعرَع في المَفاخِرِ والعُلى
وَالمَجدُand glory فيin الشَّرفِhonor العَجيبِwondrous الأَعجبِmost wondrous
وَالمَجدُ في الشَّرفِ العَجيبِ الأَعجبِ
He grew up amid glories and exalted rank,
And glory resides in the wondrous, splendid nobility.
and grandeur, in wondrous—most wondrous—honor.
What need has he of the crown of glory?
ماذاwhat اِفتِخارboasting مِنَfrom المَعاليlofty honors تاجهُhis crown
ماذا اِفتِخار مِنَ المَعالي تاجهُ
وَلِذاand therefore غَدَتthey became كالخفِّlike a slipper أَوor كالجُؤربِlike a sock
وَلِذا غَدَت كالخفِّ أَو كالجُؤربِ
What boasting in lofty honors that crown him,
Thus it was like shoes to him, or socks.
when they have thus become like a slipper or a sock?
The full moon of perfection - and every full moon
بَدرُthe full moon of الكَمالِperfection وَكُلُّand every بَدرٍfull moon أَصلُهُits origin
بَدرُ الكَمالِ وَكُلُّ بَدرٍ أَصلُهُ
فيin الغَربِthe West يَنشأarises كَالحُسامِlike a sword الأحدَبِcurved
في الغَربِ يَنشأ كَالحُسامِ الأحدَبِ
The full moon of perfection—and every full moon has its origin
In the west rises, like the curved sword.
in the West, emerging like a curved sword.
If it didn't set in the west it wouldn't gleam -
لَوif لَمnot يَكُنhe were فيin الغَربِthe West ماnot غَربتset ذُكاDhukā (the sun)
لَو لَم يَكُن في الغَربِ ما غَربت ذُكا
وَلَهاand for her اِكتِسابُacquiring النورِlight أَعظمُthe greatest مَطلبِquest
وَلَها اِكتِسابُ النورِ أَعظمُ مَطلبِ
If he were not in the West, Dhukā would not set,
To acquire light is its greatest goal.
for gaining light is her greatest quest.
Don't you see, at dawn, her radiance
أَفَلاdo you not تَرىsee عندَat الشُّروقِsunrise ضِياءَهاher radiance
أَفَلا تَرى عندَ الشُّروقِ ضِياءَها
يَقوىgrows strong وَيَضعفُand weakens فيin الدنوِّdrawing near لِمغربِto the west
يَقوى وَيَضعفُ في الدنوِّ لِمغربِ
Do you not see her radiance at sunrise,
Strengthens and weakens as she nears the western horizon?
growing strong, then weakening as she nears the west?
That is only because of her nearing it,
ماnot كانَwas ذاthis إِلّاexcept لِفَرْطِbecause of extreme دُنوِّهاher nearness
ما كانَ ذا إِلّا لِفَرْطِ دُنوِّها
أَوor بُعدِهاher distance مِنfrom ذيthe possessor of الجمالِbeauty الأَغرَبِmost wondrous
أَو بُعدِها مِن ذي الجمالِ الأَغرَبِ
That is only from her extreme nearness
Or distance from the Most Strange, Most Beautiful.
or her distance from the one of most wondrous beauty.
No fault in it but what it contains
لاno عَيبَflaw فيهin him غَيرَexcept ماwhat يَحويهِhe possesses it مِنْof
لا عَيبَ فيه غَيرَ ما يَحويهِ مِنْ
شَرَفٍhonor وَمَجدٍand glory فيamong الكرامِthe noble مرجَّبِvenerated
شَرَفٍ وَمَجدٍ في الكرامِ مرجَّبِ
He has no fault save what he possesses of
Of nobility and glory in manhood cloaked in honor.
honor and glory, revered among the noble.
Whenever I saw nobility in manhood,
ماnot إِنat all (emphasis) رَأَيتhave I seen مِنَamong الكرامِthe noble نَجابةًnobility
ما إِن رَأَيت مِنَ الكرامِ نَجابةً
إِلّاexcept that غَدَتit came مِنfrom ذاthis النجيبِnoble man الأَنجَبِmost noble
إِلّا غَدَت مِن ذا النجيبِ الأَنجَبِ
Never have I seen nobility among the noble
It was from this most noble manhood.
but it sprang from this noblest of noble men.
Whom dilemmas have tried and in turn saw
مَنْone whom جَرَّبَتْهُhave tested him المُعضِلاتُdaunting difficulties فَأَبصَرَتand they found
مَنْ جَرَّبَتْهُ المُعضِلاتُ فَأَبصَرَت
مِنهُin him لِحُسنِfor the soundness of الرأيِjudgment خيرthe best مدرَّبِseasoned man
مِنهُ لِحُسنِ الرأيِ خير مدرَّبِ
One whom daunting difficulties have tested and found
In his sound opinion the best training.
in him the most seasoned master of sound judgment.
His habit is none but generosity and rectitude -
ماnot دَأبُهُhis constant practice إِلّاexcept المَكارمُnoble deeds والنّدىand generosity
ما دَأبُهُ إِلّا المَكارمُ والنّدى
وَعَلىand in المَكارِمِnoble deeds غَيرُهanyone other than him لمhas not يدأبِpersevered
وَعَلى المَكارِمِ غَيرُه لم يدأبِ
His constant pursuit is only noble deeds and generosity,
None but him made those his habit.
while no other perseveres in noble deeds.
His wont is none but praise and commendation -
ماnot جَأبُهُhis gain إِلّاexcept المحامِدُpraiseworthy deeds وَالثّناand praise
ما جَأبُهُ إِلّا المحامِدُ وَالثّنا
وَسِوىand apart from المَحامِدِpraiseworthy deeds وَالثّناand praise لَمhas not يَجأبِhe earned
وَسِوى المَحامِدِ وَالثّنا لَم يَجأبِ
His gain is nothing but praiseworthy deeds and praise,
Apart from praise and commendation he had no wont.
and he has earned nothing but praiseworthy deeds and praise.
And I summarized when I praised his excellence,
وَقَدِand indeed اِختَصرتI was brief إِذِwhen اِمتَدحتُI praised جَنابَهُhis noble person
وَقَدِ اِختَصرت إِذِ اِمتَدحتُ جَنابَهُ
وَأَرىand I deem قَصيرَshort of الباعِreach مَنwhoever لَمdoes not يُطنِبِspeak at length
وَأَرى قَصيرَ الباعِ مَن لَم يُطنِبِ
I have been brief in praising his noble person,
Deeming brief all who did not expatiate.
and I deem short of reach whoever does not speak at length.
If extravagant in praising him, I've not innovated -
وَإِذاand if غَلَوتI went to extremes بِمدحِهِin praising him لمdid not أَبتَدِعْinvent
وَإِذا غَلَوت بِمدحِهِ لم أَبتَدِعْ
بَلrather لَستُI am not بِالغاليan exaggerator وَلاnor بِالمَغرِبِone making outlandish claims
بَل لَستُ بِالغالي وَلا بِالمَغرِبِ
If I go to extremes in his praise, I invent nothing;
For I'm no extremist or hyperbolist.
rather, I am neither excessive nor outlandish.
Truly I've praised his excellence in a poem
وَلَقَدand indeed مَدَحتI praised جَنابَهُhis noble person بِقَصيدَةٍwith a poem
وَلَقَد مَدَحت جَنابَهُ بِقَصيدَةٍ
لَوif لَمnot تَكُنit were فيin مَدحِهِhis praise لمwould not تعذُبِbe sweet
لَو لَم تَكُن في مَدحِهِ لم تعذُبِ
I have praised his noble person with a poem
That, were it not in his praise, would lack sweetness.
that would not be sweet were it not in his praise.
A delightful ode of the rarest odes,
غرّاءُradiant مِنamong غُررِthe choicest of القَصائِدِpoems قَدindeed أَتَتhas come
غرّاءُ مِن غُررِ القَصائِدِ قَد أَتَت
بِكراًa virgin تَميسswaying gracefully وَلَمand not تَكُنshe was بِالثيِّبِa previously wedded woman
بِكراً تَميس وَلَم تَكُن بِالثيِّبِ
Radiant, one of the choicest poems, she has come
Chaste though not prim.
a virgin swaying gracefully, never previously wed.
Adorned in praising him, and imbued
وَتَزيَّنَتand she adorned herself فيin مَدحِهِhis praise وَتَضمَّخَتand she anointed herself
وَتَزيَّنَت في مَدحِهِ وَتَضمَّخَت
بِالمِسْكِwith musk منfrom طِيبthe fragrance of الثناءpraise الطيّبِfragrant
بِالمِسْكِ من طِيب الثناء الطيّبِ
She adorned herself in his praise and anointed herself
With the choicest fragrance of beautiful praise.
with musk from the scent of fragrant praise.
And dyed in celebrating him and thanking him -
وَتَخضَّبَتand she dyed herself فيin حَمدِهِpraising him وَبِشُكرِهِand with thanks to him
وَتَخضَّبَت في حَمدِهِ وَبِشُكرِهِ
وَبِغَيرِand with anything but ذاكَthat الحَمدِpraise لَمdid not تَتَخضَّبِdye herself
وَبِغَيرِ ذاكَ الحَمدِ لَم تَتَخضَّبِ
She dyed herself with praise of him and thanks to him,
Apart from that praise it wore no dye.
and with nothing but that praise did she dye herself.
She drew near though prohibited, for you're prohibited -
حَلَّتbecame lawful لِمَحرَمهاto her unmarriageable kinsman وَإنّكand indeed you مُحرمٌin ritual consecration
حَلَّت لِمَحرَمها وَإنّك مُحرمٌ
وهيَand she الحرامُis forbidden علىto البعيدthe distant one الأجنبيthe stranger
وهيَ الحرامُ على البعيد الأجنبي
She is lawful to her unmarriageable kinsman, though you are in ritual consecration,
While prohibited to the distant stranger.
yet forbidden to the distant stranger.
Brought to you though you weren't her suitor -
زُفَّتshe was led as a bride إِلَيكَto you وَأَنتَand you لَستَare not بِخاطبٍa suitor
زُفَّت إِلَيكَ وَأَنتَ لَستَ بِخاطبٍ
أَنَّىhow تزفُّis she led as a bride وَقَبلهand before it لَمhad not تخطَبِbeen sought in marriage
أَنَّى تزفُّ وَقَبله لَم تخطَبِ
She was brought to you as a bride, though you are no suitor;
However could she be brought before being sought?
how can she be brought, never having been sought before?
If you accept her, that is her hope,
إِنif كُنتَyou are تَقبَلُهاaccepting her فَذاكَthen that رَجاؤُهاher hope
إِن كُنتَ تَقبَلُها فَذاكَ رَجاؤُها
وَلَهاand for her المَسرَّةُjoy فيin بُلوغِattaining المَأرَبِthe desired end
وَلَها المَسرَّةُ في بُلوغِ المَأرَبِ
If you accept her, that is her hope;
And hers is the joy of attaining her goal.
her joy lies in attaining her desire.
But if you spurn - you, the most generous host -
وَلَئِنand even if طردتَyou drove away وَأَنتَand you أَكرَمthe most generous قابلٍreceiver
وَلَئِن طردتَ وَأَنتَ أَكرَم قابلٍ
لِنَظيرِهاof one like her فَعَلىthen upon الحظوظِfortunes تعتُّبيmy reproach
لِنَظيرِها فَعَلى الحظوظِ تعتُّبي
And if you drive her away, though you are the most generous receiver
She'll blame her luck, though your peer.
of her like, my reproach falls upon fortune.
Make peace, forget earthly sorrows,
وَاِسلَمand be safe وَدُمand remain فيin الصَّفوِserenity مِنfrom كَدَرِthe murk of الدُنىearthly worlds
وَاِسلَم وَدُم في الصَّفوِ مِن كَدَرِ الدُنى
ماas long as قدindeed حَلاis sweet صوتُthe voice of الحمامdoves المطربِmelodious
ما قد حَلا صوتُ الحمام المطربِ
Remain safe, and ever serene, free of the world's murk,
For the carefree voice of the singing dove calls.
as long as the doves' melodious voice is sweet,
Or isn't the son of Fathallah's beautiful poetry,
أَوماor as long as اِبنُIbn فَتحِFath اللَّهِAllah طَيّبperfumed نَظمِهِhis verse
أَوما اِبنُ فَتحِ اللَّهِ طَيّب نَظمِهِ
مِنfrom مِسكِthe musk of مَدحِكَpraise of you بِالشذاءِwith fragrance الطيّبِsweet
مِن مِسكِ مَدحِكَ بِالشذاءِ الطيّبِ
or as long as Ibn Fath Allah perfumes his verse
Praising you in the sweetest fragrance, like musk?
with sweet fragrance from the musk of your praise.
Partial English translation: 133 of 134 Arabic lines translated.