ماwhat ails للُهدَىguidance كالأَربُعlike dwellings الأَدراسِworn-out
ما للُهدَى كالأَربُع الأَدراسِ
أوor كالرُقودِlike sleepers بهَبوةِin the dust of الأَرماسِthe graves
أو كالرُقودِ بهَبوةِ الأَرماسِ
What ails guidance, like worn-out dwellings,
The guidance is not like the four blind ones
or like sleepers in the dust of graves?
Or like sleeping in the dens of foxes
ماwhat ails للحقائقِthe truths والحُقُوقِand the rights كأَنَّهاas though they
ما للحقائقِ والحُقُوقِ كأَنَّها
شَبَحٌa ghost الرُسومِof outlines بصَفحةِon a sheet of القِرطاسِpaper
شَبَحٌ الرُسومِ بصَفحةِ القِرطاسِ
What ails truths and rights, as though they were
Truths and rights are not like an apparition
a ghost of outlines on a sheet of paper?
Of drawings on a page of paper
أَنّيhow أُشِيدَتwere erected للطُغاةِfor the tyrants مَدارسٌschools
أَنّي أُشِيدَت للطُغاةِ مَدارسٌ
وغداand became الهُداةُthe guides فماًa mouth بلاwithout أَضراسِteeth
وغدا الهُداةُ فماً بلا أَضراسِ
How were schools erected for tyrants,
I saw schools built for tyrants
while the guides became a mouth without teeth?
While the righteous became mute without teeth
وقَدِand indeed استَسَرwas concealed ضِياؤُهُits radiance منby عُصبةٍa faction
وقَدِ استَسَر ضِياؤُهُ من عُصبةٍ
همthey are آلthe house of فوتيPhotius معwith أُوليthe followers of برداسِBardas
هم آل فوتي مع أُولي برداسِ
Its radiance was concealed by a faction:
Its light was concealed by a horde
the house of Photius, with the followers of Bardas.
The descendants of Photius and the wearers of cassocks
لمّاwhen طَوىrolled up اللَهُGod انتشارَthe spread of ظلامِهِمtheir darkness
لمّا طَوى اللَهُ انتشارَ ظلامِهِم
أرمىcast بهمthem فيinto ظُلمةِthe darkness of الأَغلاسِthe predawn hours
أرمى بهم في ظُلمةِ الأَغلاسِ
When God rolled up their spreading darkness,
When God folded the spread of their darkness
He cast them into the darkness before dawn.
He threw them into the gloom of shackles
كمhow many حطَّbrought low مرتفعَone with lofty الذُرىsummits منafter بعدِthat he had— (continued) option أَنafter
كم حطَّ مرتفعَ الذُرى من بعدِ أَن
قدindeed كانَbeen فوقَupon أَسِرَّةٍthrones وكراسيand chairs
قد كانَ فوقَ أَسِرَّةٍ وكراسي
How many a high-crested one He brought low, after he
How many lofty ones were razed after
had been upon thrones and chairs!
They were atop couches and chairs
قُطِعواthey were cut off كعِضوٍlike a limb فاسدٍdiseased منfrom جِسمِهِhis body
قُطِعوا كعِضوٍ فاسدٍ من جِسمِهِ
فرُمُواthen they were cast away وكانتand it was ضربةًa blow فيto الراسِthe head
فرُمُوا وكانت ضربةً في الراسِ
They were cut off like a diseased limb from his body,
They were cut off like a rotten limb from its body
then cast away; it was a blow to the head.
And were tossed away with a strike to the head
سِربٌa flock غداًbecame (contextual reading) مُتَوسوِساًwhisper-ridden مُتَدلساًdissembling
سِربٌ غداً مُتَوسوِساً مُتَدلساً
معwith كلevery غُمرٍinexperienced fool ماذقinsincere دلاسرdeceiver (unclear form)
مع كل غُمرٍ ماذق دلاسر
A flock grew whisper-ridden and dissembling,
A horde tomorrow being superstitious and deceitful
with every ignorant, insincere deceiver.
With every stupid drunk who tasted the cups
فكأَنَّماso it is as though رأيُthe doctrine of التَناسخِtransmigration صادقٌis true
فكأَنَّما رأيُ التَناسخِ صادقٌ
أُسُدٌlions تُرىare seen فيin صورةthe likeness of النَسناسِapes
أُسُدٌ تُرى في صورة النَسناسِ
It is as though the doctrine of transmigration were true:
It is as if the idea of reincarnation is true
lions are seen in the likeness of apes.
A lion seen in the form of a cat
قومٌa people لذُلِّهِمِto their humiliation أُقِيمَwas established دليلُهمtheir proof
قومٌ لذُلِّهِمِ أُقِيمَ دليلُهم
ناراًas a fire يُطافُis carried around بهاwith it علىamong الجُلاسِthose seated
ناراً يُطافُ بها على الجُلاسِ
A people whose proof, to their humiliation, was made
A people whose humiliation was made an emblem
a fire carried around among those seated.
Circulated among them at the gatherings
أَضحتit became كأَورَشَليمَlike Jerusalem فيin أَيديthe hands of الوَرىhumankind
أَضحت كأَورَشَليمَ في أَيدي الوَرى
مَثوىan abode of الرضىfavor ومَحَلَّةَand a dwelling of الأَقداسِholy things
مَثوى الرضى ومَحَلَّةَ الأَقداسِ
It became like Jerusalem in human hands,
They became like Jerusalem in the hands of foes
an abode of favor and a dwelling of holy things.
An abode of pleasure and sanctum of holiness
هلis it that إِنَّindeed أُورَشَلِيمJerusalem عرشَthe throne of إِلهِناour God
هل إِنَّ أُورَشَلِيم عرشَ إِلهِنا
موضوعُthe setting for كلِّevery خديعةٍdeception وتَناسِand willful forgetting
موضوعُ كلِّ خديعةٍ وتَناسِ
Is Jerusalem, the throne of our God,
Is Jerusalem the throne of our God
the setting for every deception and willful forgetting?
Subject to every deceit and impiety?
ماnot كلُّevery ساطعةِshining one among المعادنِthe metals عَسجَدٌis gold
ما كلُّ ساطعةِ المعادنِ عَسجَدٌ
كمhow great بينَbetween إِبريزٍpure gold وبينَand between نُحاسِcopper
كم بينَ إِبريزٍ وبينَ نُحاسِ
Not every shining metal is gold:
Not all that glitters is gold
how great the difference between pure gold and copper!
What a difference between ebony and brass
فهُناكَso there نورٌis a light غيرُnot محسوسٍperceived by the senses وذيand this
فهُناكَ نورٌ غيرُ محسوسٍ وذي
نارٌis a fire تُرىseen منby ناظرٍan eye حَسَّاسِsensitive
نارٌ تُرى من ناظرٍ حَسَّاسِ
There is a light beyond the senses, whereas this is
There, an unfelt light, one that
a fire visible to a sensitive eye.
Can be seen by a sensitive eye
نُورٌa light بصُنعِthrough the making of اللَهِGod لاnot بتَصَنُّعِthrough the artifice of الthe (continued)
نُورٌ بصُنعِ اللَهِ لا بتَصَنُّعِ ال
مَطرانِmetropolitan والقِسِيسِand the priest والشمَّاسِand the deacon
مَطرانِ والقِسِيسِ والشمَّاسِ
A light made by God, not by the artifice of the
A light made by God, not by the craft
metropolitan, the priest, and the deacon.
Of patriarchs, priests, and deacons
مستقبسوهُthose who kindle it منfrom الأُولىthose who سَلَفُواpreceded بأَنby having— (continued) option
مستقبسوهُ من الأُولى سَلَفُوا بأَن
تُستَقبَسَbe kindled النِيرانُthe fires منfrom مِقباسِa firebrand
تُستَقبَسَ النِيرانُ من مِقباسِ
Its kindlers inherit from their predecessors the practice that
They derived it from the early ones and preceded
fires should be kindled from a firebrand.
In deriving fires from tinder
فكأَنهمso it is as though they ضربواfashioned لنورِfor the light of سنائهِits brilliance
فكأَنهم ضربوا لنورِ سنائهِ
مَثَلاًa likeness منfrom المِشكاةِthe niche والنِبراسِand the lamp
مَثَلاً من المِشكاةِ والنِبراسِ
It is as though they fashioned for the light of its brilliance
So they made for the light of His glory
a likeness from the niche and the lamp.
An example of lamp and lantern
ماذاكُمُthat is not نُوراًa light تراهُyou see it وَهوَand it إذwhen
ماذاكُمُ نُوراً تراهُ وَهوَ إذ
يبدوappears فترمُقُهُthen behold it عُيُونُthe eyes of الناسِpeople
يبدو فترمُقُهُ عُيُونُ الناسِ
That is no light you see, when it
What light do you see and it
appears and people's eyes behold it.
Appears, so eyes of people glimpse it?
أَبدُواreveal الذيwhat دبَّرتموهُyou devised فماso why لَهُis it
أَبدُوا الذي دبَّرتموهُ فما لَهُ
متستِّراًhidden فيin الكِنِّthe shelter والديماسِand the vault
متستِّراً في الكِنِّ والديماسِ
Reveal what you have devised—why is it
Reveal what you conspired, for it has no
kept hidden in shelter and vault?
Place concealed in the fold and cloak
لوif كانwere ذاthis حقاًtrue جلياًmanifest واضحاًclear
لو كان ذا حقاً جلياً واضحاً
ماnot احتاجَwould it need للإِخفاءِconcealment والإِلباسِand disguise
ما احتاجَ للإِخفاءِ والإِلباسِ
Were this true, manifest, and clear,
If it were a clear and obvious right
it would need neither concealment nor disguise.
It would have no need for concealment and dress
ذيthis رتبةٌis a rite مثبوتةٌestablished لاnot حِيلةٌa trick
ذي رتبةٌ مثبوتةٌ لا حِيلةٌ
مبثوثةٌspread abroad بقبائلamong the tribes of الأَجناسِhumankind
مبثوثةٌ بقبائل الأَجناسِ
This is an established rite, not a trick
This is an established position, no machinations
spread among the tribes of humankind.
Scattered among tribes and nationalities
ولقدand indeed أتىset forth فيهاconcerning it فُخولوجينُناour Euchologion
ولقد أتى فيها فُخولوجينُنا
وبهِand through it لهاfor it فيamong الرُوسِthe heads أقدمُthe oldest راسِhead
وبهِ لها في الرُوسِ أقدمُ راسِ
Our Euchologion has indeed set it forth,
In it came our theologians
and through it, its head stands oldest among heads.
And through it, it has the oldest authority in Rome
تَتَقدَّسُare consecrated النِيرانُthe fires جَمراًas embers مثلَماjust as
تَتَقدَّسُ النِيرانُ جَمراً مثلَما
تتقدَّسُare consecrated الأَمواهُthe waters يومَon the day of غطاسِEpiphany
تتقدَّسُ الأَمواهُ يومَ غطاسِ
Fires are consecrated as embers, just as
The fires sanctify the embers as
waters are consecrated on Epiphany.
The waters sanctify on the day of Epiphany
فكِلاهماso both of them حَلَّdwelt الإِلهُGod بهِin it فَلِنso soften
فكِلاهما حَلَّ الإِلهُ بهِ فَلِن
طبعاًin nature وأَيقِنand believe firmly أَيُّهذاO you الجاسيhard-hearted one
طبعاً وأَيقِن أَيُّهذا الجاسي
For God has dwelt in both; soften
So both were permitted by God, let us
your nature and believe, you hard-hearted one.
By nature know which of the two pollutes
واقدِمand come forward فماfor it is not عُلَّيقةٌa bush بلbut جُذوةٌa glowing brand
واقدِم فما عُلَّيقةٌ بل جُذوةٌ
أَورىkindled الزِنادَthe firesticks بهاwith it فماso there is no منany ياسِdespair
أَورى الزِنادَ بها فما من ياسِ
Come forward: it is no bush, but a glowing brand.
This has its limit and measure: its burning
He kindled the firesticks with it: there is no despair.
With its candles and kindling of every size
وأَنسand take comfort بهاin it ناراًas a fire تُضيءُshining بفندهاwith its falsehood
وأَنس بها ناراً تُضيءُ بفندها
واخلَعand take off نِعالthe sandals of المكرِcunning والادلاسِand deceit
واخلَع نِعال المكرِ والادلاسِ
And take comfort in it, a fire shining with its falsehood,
With it you see risen at the Resurrection
and take off the sandals of cunning and deceit.
Folk in sin and impurities
نارٌa fire ذكتflared وخُمودُهاand its dying down ودخَانُهاand its smoke
نارٌ ذكت وخُمودُها ودخَانُها
أنواعُهاits varieties دلَّتpointed علىto الأجناسِthe kinds
أنواعُها دلَّت على الأجناسِ
A fire flared; its dying down and its smoke,
Dragged like startled horses during
its varieties, revealed its kinds.
Chanting and Mass
هَضَمَتit digested لكلِّevery مَوَاددٍmaterial غذيتit was fed بهاwith it
هَضَمَت لكلِّ مَوَاددٍ غذيت بها
فقضيَّةٌso a proposition لمdid not تفتقرneed لقياسِa syllogism
فقضيَّةٌ لم تفتقر لقياسِ
It digested every material with which it was fed:
Where do injuries converge in the abode
a proposition that needed no syllogism.
Of the feared sea of sins and impurities?
ذاthis حدُّهاis its definition وقِياسُهاand its measure إحراقُهاis its burning
ذا حدُّها وقِياسُها إحراقُها
بشُموعهاthrough its candles ووهيجِand the glow of كلevery مقاسِmeasured thing
بشُموعها ووهيجِ كل مقاسِ
That is its definition; its measure is its burning,
Among the wonders is that sanctified wonders
through its candles and the glow of every measured thing.
Are held in the gathering of the unclean
فترىso you see بهاتيكَin that القيامةِResurrection church قائماًstanding
فترى بهاتيكَ القيامةِ قائماً
أقوامَهاits people بالإِثمِin sin والأَرجاسِand defilement
أقوامَها بالإِثمِ والأَرجاسِ
Thus, in that church of the Resurrection, you see standing
So look, O knight son of knights, with insight
its people amid sin and defilement.
You will find guidance where there is misguidance
يَجُرونَthey run كالفَرَسlike the horse الصَهُولloudly neighing بضَجَّةٍwith clamor
يَجُرونَ كالفَرَس الصَهُول بضَجَّةٍ
فيat حينماthe time of الترتيلِchanting والقُدَّاسِand Mass
في حينما الترتيلِ والقُدَّاسِ
They run like a loudly neighing horse, clamoring,
The sons of Rome missed their target
at the time of chanting and Mass.
Their glory was marred with the blemish of Fez
أَنىhow الجرائحُthe wounds تُلتَقىare encountered فيat مُلتَقىa confluence
أَنى الجرائحُ تُلتَقى في مُلتَقى
بحرِthe sea of الخَناobscenity المحذورِdreaded والأَدناسِand filth
بحرِ الخَنا المحذورِ والأَدناسِ
How can wounds be encountered at the confluence
They placed their hope in their calculations
of the dreaded sea of obscenity and filth?
So they were carried upon biers
ومنand among العجائبِthe wonders انthat تُؤَمَّshould be sought عجائبٌwonders
ومن العجائبِ ان تُؤَمَّ عجائبٌ
قُدسيَّةٌholy فيin مَجمَعِa gathering of الأَنجاسِthe unclean
قُدسيَّةٌ في مَجمَعِ الأَنجاسِ
Among the wonders is that wonders should be sought,
They are the pagan unbelievers whose practice
holy ones, in a gathering of the unclean.
Is to bow to fire and embers
فتَفرَّسَنَّso look discerningly بذيinto this الضَلالةِerror والدَهاand cunning
فتَفرَّسَنَّ بذي الضَلالةِ والدَها
تلقىyou will find الهُدىguidance ياO فارسَFaris ابنَson of فِراسِFiras
تلقى الهُدى يا فارسَ ابنَ فِراسِ
Look discerningly into this error and cunning:
They wanted elevation by raising that elevation
you will find guidance, O Faris, son of Firas.
So they were humbled by lowering their elevation among people
أَرمَىaimed بنوthe sons of الرومِRum المَرامَat the target فاخطأُواbut they missed
أَرمَى بنو الرومِ المَرامَ فاخطأُوا
ثُلِمَتwas notched أَرُومتُهمtheir rootstock بأَثلَمِwith the bluntest فاسِaxe
ثُلِمَت أَرُومتُهم بأَثلَمِ فاسِ
The sons of Rum aimed at the target but missed;
A difficult folk, each being
their rootstock was notched by the bluntest axe.
Difficult to deal with and difficult to lead
وضعواthey placed رجاءهمُtheir hope علىupon أَحسابِهِمtheir pedigrees
وضعوا رجاءهمُ على أَحسابِهِم
فلِذاكَso for that reason قدindeed حُمِلواthey were driven علىto الآياسِdespair
فلِذاكَ قد حُمِلوا على الآياسِ
They set their hopes upon their pedigrees,
They wandered in the sea of their misguidance as if
and so were driven into despair.
They were ships devoid of captain and anchorage
فَهُمُso they are المَجوسُthe Magians المُلحِدونَunbelieving وشأنُهمand their practice
فَهُمُ المَجوسُ المُلحِدونَ وشأنُهم
انis to يَسجُدواbow down للنارِto fire والأَقباسِand firebrands
ان يَسجُدوا للنارِ والأَقباسِ
They are the unbelieving Magians, whose practice is
They did not necessitate by their confusion
to bow down to fire and firebrands.
Except seizing of morsels and clothing
رامواthey sought السَناءَglory برفعِby raising ذيَّاكَthat السَنىglow
راموا السَناءَ برفعِ ذيَّاكَ السَنى
فمُنُواso they were afflicted بخفضِwith the lowering of سَنائِهمtheir glory فيamong الناسِpeople
فمُنُوا بخفضِ سَنائِهم في الناسِ
They sought glory by raising that glow,
They kept to obeying the sinful as
but were afflicted with diminished glory among people.
The slave keeps to the orders of the slave trader
قومٌa people سَواسِيَةٌall alike فكُلٌّso each منهمُof them
قومٌ سَواسِيَةٌ فكُلٌّ منهمُ
صعبٌdifficult مُمارسةًto deal with وصعبُand difficult in مِراسِtemper
صعبٌ مُمارسةً وصعبُ مِراسِ
A people all alike: each of them
Woe to them! What will be their recompense
is difficult to deal with and hard of temper.
On the day of recompense and the balance of justice?
عَطِبُواthey perished ببحرِin the sea of ضَلالِهمtheir error فكأَنَّهمso it is as though they
عَطِبُوا ببحرِ ضَلالِهم فكأَنَّهم
سُفُنٌare ships خَلَتdevoid منof ريّسٍa captain ومَراسيand anchors
سُفُنٌ خَلَت من ريّسٍ ومَراسي
They perished in the sea of their error, as though they were
Do not be surprised if they transgressed in what they sought
ships without a captain or anchors.
And if they were unjust and harsh without measure
ماnot أوجبواdid they affirm باللُبسِthrough deception سالبَthe negative of أمرهمtheir case
ما أوجبوا باللُبسِ سالبَ أمرهم
إلّاexcept لسلبِto plunder مآكلfood ولِباسِand clothing
إلّا لسلبِ مآكل ولِباسِ
They affirmed their negative case through deception
For the love of worldly paper surrendered
only to plunder food and clothing.
The Most High to the crucifixion by Judas
لَزِمواthey clung to الخُضوعَsubmission لِذيto the author of المعاثرِstumbling مثلماjust as
لَزِموا الخُضوعَ لِذي المعاثرِ مثلما
لَزِمَclung to الرقيقُthe slaves أوامرَthe commands of النَخَّاسِthe slave-trader
لَزِمَ الرقيقُ أوامرَ النَخَّاسِ
They clung to submission to the author of stumbling, just as
What does hypocrisy say? A people saying
slaves cling to the slave-trader's commands.
They are traditions of splendor and bankruptcy
سُحقاًaway لهمwith them ماذاwhat يكونwill be جَزاؤُهمtheir recompense
سُحقاً لهم ماذا يكون جَزاؤُهم
يومon the day of الجَزاءِrequital ومَقسِطِand the just weighing of القِسطاسِthe balance
يوم الجَزاءِ ومَقسِطِ القِسطاسِ
Away with them! What will their recompense be
Who is best at saving the people of Hell
on the day of requital and the balance's just weighing?
Through intentional deceit? He is the worst trustee
لاdo not تَعجَبَنَّmarvel إذاif بَغَواthey transgress فيماin what ابتَغَواthey seek
لا تَعجَبَنَّ إذا بَغَوا فيما ابتَغَوا
وإذاand if جَسَواthey grow hard وَقَسَواand cruel بغيرِwithout قياسِmeasure
وإذا جَسَوا وَقَسَوا بغيرِ قياسِ
Do not marvel if they transgress in what they seek,
How can prostration befit the fire which
or if they grow hard and cruel beyond measure.
Is the trickery of opinions and senses?
فمَحَبَّةُfor the love of الوَرَقِsilver الدنيَّةُbase اسلمتdelivered
فمَحَبَّةُ الوَرَقِ الدنيَّةُ اسلمت
رَبَّthe Lord of العُلىthe heights للصَلبِto crucifixion منby يوداسِJudas
رَبَّ العُلى للصَلبِ من يوداسِ
For the base love of silver delivered
How can deceit be allowed from those who made
the Lord of the heights to crucifixion at Judas's hands.
One who did not submit to their misguidance like an anvil?
ماذاwhat is this النفاقُhypocrisy يقولُsay قومٌsome people إِنَّهاthese are
ماذا النفاقُ يقولُ قومٌ إِنَّها
سُنَنٌpractices منarising from الإِملاقِdestitution والإِفلاسِand bankruptcy
سُنَنٌ من الإِملاقِ والإِفلاسِ
What is this hypocrisy? Some people say these are
It demolished the foundation of the covenant of Peter
practices born of destitution and bankruptcy.
Which the Merciful established, the best foundation
مَنwhoever أَحسَنَis skilled at استنقاذَrescuing آلthe household of جهنَّمٍGehenna
مَن أَحسَنَ استنقاذَ آل جهنَّمٍ
بالغِشِّthrough fraud عمداًdeliberately فَهوَthen he is شَرُّthe worst مُؤاسِcomforter
بالغِشِّ عمداً فَهوَ شَرُّ مُؤاسِ
Whoever skillfully rescues the household of Gehenna
One of good, united and holy together
through deliberate fraud is the worst comforter.
Divinity in the trinity of holiness
أَنىhow السُجودُbowing down يَلِيقُbefits بالنارِthe fire التيwhich
أَنى السُجودُ يَلِيقُ بالنارِ التي
هيis خُدعةُa deception of الآراءِjudgments والأحواسِand senses
هي خُدعةُ الآراءِ والأحواسِ
How can bowing down befit a fire that
And the apostles, after the three
is a deception of judgments and senses?
Became the fourth pillar
أَنَّيhow يجوزُis permissible المَكرُdeceit ممَّنfrom those who صَيَّرواmade
أَنَّي يجوزُ المَكرُ ممَّن صَيَّروا
مَنwhoever لمdid not يُصِخheed لضَلالِهِمtheir error كمُداسِlike something trampled
مَن لم يُصِخ لضَلالِهِم كمُداسِ
How can deceit be permissible from those who made
Those who raced in love surpassed
anyone who ignored their error like something trampled?
The running of horses, mules, and stallions
هَدماًdemolishing لأُسِّthe foundation of بِناءِthe building of بِيعةِthe church of بِطرُسٍPeter
هَدماً لأُسِّ بِناءِ بِيعةِ بِطرُسٍ
مَنwhich أَسَّهاfounded it الرحمنُthe Merciful خيرَon the finest أَساسِfoundation
مَن أَسَّها الرحمنُ خيرَ أَساسِ
Demolishing the foundation of the building of Peter's church,
Seeking, not by sword or purse, so leave
which the Merciful founded upon the finest foundation!
A people who raided with sword and purses
ذيthis خَيرُis the best واحدةٍone وجامعةٍand universal معاًtogether
ذي خَيرُ واحدةٍ وجامعةٍ معاً
قُدسيَّةٍholy بمُثلَّثِthrough the threefold الأَقداسِholiness
قُدسيَّةٍ بمُثلَّثِ الأَقداسِ
This is the best, both one and universal,
Fold and triple the misguidance of the folk
holy through the Thrice-Holy.
Who rejected the five in the hexad
والرُسلُand the apostles أَضحَواbecame لابتناءِfor establishing حُقوقِهاits rights
والرُسلُ أَضحَوا لابتناءِ حُقوقِها
بعدَafter الثلثةِthe three رابعَthe fourth of الأَدماسِthe foundations
بعدَ الثلثةِ رابعَ الأَدماسِ
The apostles became, for establishing its rights,
Great is the difference between the veracity
after the three, the fourth of its foundations.
Of the lion of the den and the gazelle of Kinas
مَنthose whose فيin المَحَبَّةِlove جَريُهمrunning أَربىsurpassed علىbeyond
مَن في المَحَبَّةِ جَريُهم أَربى على
جَريِthe running of الخُيُولِhorses الضُمرlean والأَفراسِand steeds
جَريِ الخُيُولِ الضُمر والأَفراسِ
Their running in love surpassed
And the love they display seduces you
the running of lean horses and steeds.
Dressed in the garb of tenderness
ساعينَstriving لاwith no سيفاًsword ولاnor كيساًpurse فَدَعso leave aside
ساعينَ لا سيفاً ولا كيساً فَدَع
قوماًpeople سطواwho attacked بالسيفِwith the sword والأَكياسِand purses
قوماً سطوا بالسيفِ والأَكياسِ
Striving with neither sword nor purse—so leave aside
How many hardened hearts were split open
people who attacked with swords and purses.
By their love, and it was most stubborn
ثُنِّيwas doubled وثُلِّثَand trebled غَيُّthe error of آلِthe people of أرابعٍfourths (unclear reference)
ثُنِّي وثُلِّثَ غَيُّ آلِ أرابعٍ
جحدواthey denied بهنَّwith them الخمسَthe five فيwithin الأَسداسِthe sixes
جحدوا بهنَّ الخمسَ في الأَسداسِ
The error of the people of fourths was doubled and trebled;
They did to the hearts of people multiples of what
with them they denied the five within the sixes.
Diamonds did to some of the statues
شَتَّانَhow far apart فيماin what lies بينَbetween أَنif صدَقَspeaks truly النُهىsound judgment
شَتَّانَ فيما بينَ أَن صدَقَ النُهى
ليثُa lion of العرينِthe den وبينَand between ظبيِa gazelle of كِناسِthe covert
ليثُ العرينِ وبينَ ظبيِ كِناسِ
How far apart, if sound judgment speaks truly,
In every land grew branches of their knowledge
are a lion in its den and a gazelle in its covert!
Which grew and so produced good plants
ويَرُوقُكَand delights you الحُبُّthe love الذيwhich يُبدُونَهُthey display
ويَرُوقُكَ الحُبُّ الذي يُبدُونَهُ
متوشِّحاًdraped بملابسِin the garments of الإِيناسِfriendliness
متوشِّحاً بملابسِ الإِيناسِ
The love they display delights you,
O best of those advised by obedience to their patriarch
draped in the garments of friendliness.
So honor through them the advisor and the advised
كمhow many أفلقواthey split بالوعظِthrough preaching قلباًa heart جامداًhardened
كم أفلقوا بالوعظِ قلباً جامداً
بهِمِthrough them استلانَit softened وكانَand it had been اعظمَthe greatest قاسِhard-hearted one
بهِمِ استلانَ وكانَ اعظمَ قاسِ
How many a hardened heart they split with preaching!
The Pope succeeded to the position of the Church, God's deputy
Through them it softened, though it had been hardest of all.
The conclusive judge in dew and clothing
فعلواthey did بأَفئِدةِto the hearts of الورىhumankind أَضعافَmany times ماwhat
فعلوا بأَفئِدةِ الورى أَضعافَ ما
فعلتdid دِماthe blood of بعضِcertain الدُمىfigures بالماسِto diamond
فعلت دِما بعضِ الدُمى بالماسِ
They did to human hearts many times what
This is the great patriarch, preceded by
the blood of certain figures did to diamond.
Patriarchs to the last breath
وبكلand in every قُطرٍland نمَّspread قَطرُthe drops of علومِهِمtheir learning
وبكل قُطرٍ نمَّ قَطرُ علومِهِم
ونماand grew فأَنمىthen fostered جِيّدَthe finest الأَغراسِplantings
ونما فأَنمى جِيّدَ الأَغراسِ
In every land the drops of their learning spread,
He whose mandate came in Noah
and grew, fostering the finest plantings.
And Jacob, with every resemblance and pun
ياO خيرَbest of منthose who سِيسواwere governed بطاعةِthrough obedience to حِبرِهِمtheir pontiff
يا خيرَ من سِيسوا بطاعةِ حِبرِهِم
فاكرِمso how noble بِهِمthey are منas سائسٍgovernor ومُساسِand governed
فاكرِم بِهِم من سائسٍ ومُساسِ
O best of those governed through obedience to their pontiff,
His authority in the two worlds, and his rule
how noble they are, governor and governed!
In the two abodes, is fate itself
خَلَفَthe successor of الصَفاCephas رأَسَhead of الكنيسةِthe Church نائبَdeputy of اللَهِGod
خَلَفَ الصَفا رأَسَ الكنيسةِ نائبَ اللَهِ
المحكَّمَentrusted with authority فيin النَدَىgenerosity والباسِand might
المحكَّمَ في النَدَى والباسِ
Cephas's successor, head of the Church, God's deputy,
O you who thickened the wound of disobedience, rejoice in
entrusted with authority in generosity and might.
His obedience, it will heal your festering wound
هذاthis هُوَis الحِبرُthe pontiff العظيمُgreat مُقدَّمُforemost among الthe (continued)
هذا هُوَ الحِبرُ العظيمُ مُقدَّمُ ال
أَحبارِpontiffs حتىuntil آخِرِthe last of الأَنفاسِthe breaths
أَحبارِ حتى آخِرِ الأَنفاسِ
This is the great pontiff, foremost among the
General jurisdiction is reserved to him, so everyone
pontiffs, until his final breath.
Appointed by him is an absolute trustee
مَنwhose رَسمهُimage قدalready جاءَappeared فيin نُوحٍNoah
مَن رَسمهُ قد جاءَ في نُوحٍ
ويعقوبٍand Jacob بكلِّwith every تشابُهٍresemblance وجِناسِand correspondence
ويعقوبٍ بكلِّ تشابُهٍ وجِناسِ
His image had already appeared in Noah
O companion, cast off the garb of wickedness
and Jacob, with every resemblance and correspondence.
And remove the gown of anxiety and whisperings
سُلطانُهُhis authority فيin العالَمينَthe worlds وحُكمُهُand his rule
سُلطانُهُ في العالَمينَ وحُكمُهُ
فيin الخافِقَينِEast and West مسيِّرٌdirects أوراسِAwras (unclear term)
في الخافِقَينِ مسيِّرٌ أوراسِ
His authority is in the worlds, and his rule
And give glad tidings of what you attained of the attainment of guidance
through East and West directs Awras.
Give mankind tidings of the measured attainment
ياO مُثخِناًone deepening جُرحَthe wound of المعاصيsins لُذَّseek refuge بطاin obe- (continued)
يا مُثخِناً جُرحَ المعاصي لُذَّ بطا
عتهِ-dience to him فيُوسِيthen he will heal جُرحَكyour wound المتماسيfestering
عتهِ فيُوسِي جُرحَك المتماسي
O you whose wound of sins is deep, seek refuge in obe-
Do not neglect the benevolence of God forgetfully
dience to him, and he will heal your festering wound.
But be to evil people the greatest consoler
انindeed القَضاءَjudgment العامَuniversal خُصَّwas reserved بهِto him فكلٌّso everyone
ان القَضاءَ العامَ خُصَّ بهِ فكلٌّ
منwhom ولاهُhe appointed مجردٌis free of أوكاسِdeficiencies (uncertain reading)
من ولاهُ مجردٌ أوكاسِ
Universal judgment was reserved to him; everyone
And beware neglecting truth intentionally, for it
whom he appointed is free of deficiencies.
Is worse than forgetfulness, that neglect
ياO صاحfriend فاطرحso cast off عنكَfrom yourself جِلبابَthe cloak of الردىruin
يا صاح فاطرح عنكَ جِلبابَ الردى
واخلَعand take off رِداءَthe robe of الهمِّanxiety والوَسواسِand obsessive doubt
واخلَع رِداءَ الهمِّ والوَسواسِ
O friend, cast off the cloak of ruin,
Perceive piety from the cup of his covenant
and take off the robe of anxiety and obsessive doubt.
Of which none has savored its first draught but the taster
وابشِرand rejoice بماin what قدindeed نِلتَyou attained منthrough نَيلِattaining الهُدىguidance
وابشِر بما قد نِلتَ من نَيلِ الهُدى
بِشرَwith the joy of الوَرىhumankind بالنِيلin the Nile ذيpossessing المِقياسِthe measuring gauge
بِشرَ الوَرى بالنِيل ذي المِقياسِ
Rejoice in the guidance you have attained,
And if you are invited to diversion, be the brother
as people rejoice in the Nile with its measuring gauge.
Of Anasah, not her devilish seducer
لاdo not تُلغِdisregard إِحسانَthe kindness of الإِلهِGod تَناسِياًthrough willful forgetting
لا تُلغِ إِحسانَ الإِلهِ تَناسِياً
بلrather كُنbe لسُوءِof the wrongdoing of الناسِpeople أكبَرَthe greatest ناسِforgetter
بل كُن لسُوءِ الناسِ أكبَرَ ناسِ
Do not disregard God's kindness through willful forgetting;
Behold, I cannot get my fill of its cup
rather, be the greatest forgetter of people's wrongdoing.
Give me to drink from the decanter, not the cup
واحذَرand beware of تَناسيwillfully forgetting الحقِّthe truth عمداًdeliberately انهُfor indeed
واحذَر تَناسي الحقِّ عمداً انهُ
شَرٌّworse منthan الناسيone who forgets هوis المُتَناسيone who pretends to forget
شَرٌّ من الناسي هو المُتَناسي
Beware of deliberately forgetting the truth, for
How many a sober mind did it intoxicate
worse than one who forgets is one who pretends to forget.
The wine of life from the noblest cups
واحسُand sip التُقىpiety منfrom كأسِthe cup of بِيعتِهِHis church التيwhich
واحسُ التُقى من كأسِ بِيعتِهِ التي
ماnot لَذَّwas delightful غيرُanything other than سُلافِهاits pure wine للحاسيto the drinker
ما لَذَّ غيرُ سُلافِها للحاسي
Sip piety from the cup of His church,
How many crooked ones did it straighten
whose pure wine alone delights the drinker.
Burdened with an awful, twisted staff
وإذاand if دُعِيتَyou are called إلىto السلوّforgetting فكنthen be اخاa brother of الal- (continued)
وإذا دُعِيتَ إلى السلوّ فكن اخا ال
خَنساءِKhansa’ عنapart from شَيطانِهاher devil الخنَّاسِslinking
خَنساءِ عن شَيطانِها الخنَّاسِ
And if called to forget, be a brother of al-
Awakening drowsy eyelids, forbidden sights
Khansa’, apart from her slinking devil.
From every withering, drowsy glance
هاbehold إِنَّنيindeed I لاdo not أَرتَوِيquench my thirst منfrom كأسِهاher cup
ها إِنَّني لا أَرتَوِي من كأسِها
هاتِcome اسقِنيgive me drink بالزِقِّfrom the wineskin لاnot بالكاسِfrom the cup
هاتِ اسقِني بالزِقِّ لا بالكاسِ
Behold, I cannot quench my thirst from her cup!
How much were they persecuted and overcome, yet they
Come, pour me a wineskin, not a cup!
Were victorious without spear or breastplate
كمhow many اسكرَتshe intoxicated عقلاًan intellect حساthat drank منfrom حانِهاher tavern
كم اسكرَت عقلاً حسا من حانِها
خمرَthe wine of الحِجىreason منfrom أَشرفِthe noblest الاكواسِcups
خمرَ الحِجى من أَشرفِ الاكواسِ
How many an intellect she intoxicated, drinking from her tavern
How many hearts were the sermons of its messengers able to divert
the wine of reason from the noblest cups!
Deaf without arrow or bow
كمhow many قَوَّمَتshe straightened متعوّجاًone straying عنfrom رُشدِهِhis right guidance
كم قَوَّمَت متعوّجاً عن رُشدِهِ
كَلِفاًenamored بقَدٍّof a figure اهيفٍslender ميّاسِswaying
كَلِفاً بقَدٍّ اهيفٍ ميّاسِ
How many a man straying from right guidance she set straight,
How many minds did wickedness control with ignorance
enamored of a slender, swaying figure,
But it is a remedy for every illness
مستهّدَkept sleepless الأَجفانِin the eyelids ممنوعَdenied الكَرىsleep
مستهّدَ الأَجفانِ ممنوعَ الكَرى
منby كلevery لحظٍglance ذابلٍlanguid نَعّاسِdrowsy
من كل لحظٍ ذابلٍ نَعّاسِ
his eyelids kept awake, denied all sleep,
It wed me in the arenas of its glory
by every languid, drowsy gaze!
So I have no need for a wedding or weddings
كمhow often ذاthis قَدِindeed اضطُهِدَتshe was persecuted وماand not غُلِبَتwas she defeated وقدand indeed
كم ذا قَدِ اضطُهِدَت وما غُلِبَت وقد
ظَفِرَتshe triumphed بغيرِwithout أَسنَّةٍspearheads وتِراسand shields
ظَفِرَت بغيرِ أَسنَّةٍ وتِراس
How often she was persecuted, yet never defeated, and
In it the stars of faith were built after
she triumphed without spearheads or shields!
Guidance was empty like the four blind ones
كمhow many أَغرَضَتmade a target قلباًa heart مواعظُthe exhortations of رُسلِهاher apostles
كم أَغرَضَت قلباً مواعظُ رُسلِها
فصُميthen it was struck down بلاwithout سهمٍan arrow ولاnor أَقواسbows
فصُمي بلا سهمٍ ولا أَقواس
How many a heart her apostles' exhortations made a target,
then struck down without arrow or bows!
كمhow many حكَّمتshe made wise عقلاًan intellect تَحكَّمَهُruled it الرَدىruin
كم حكَّمت عقلاً تَحكَّمَهُ الرَدى
بالجهلِthrough ignorance فَهيَso she is لكلِّfor every سُقمٍsickness آسa physician
بالجهلِ فَهيَ لكلِّ سُقمٍ آس
How many an intellect she made wise, though ruin ruled it
through ignorance; she is a physician for every sickness.
عَرَّستُI encamped فيwithin أَرجاءِthe precincts of حَلبةِthe racecourse of مجدِهاher glory
عَرَّستُ في أَرجاءِ حَلبةِ مجدِها
فَغِنيتُso I had no need عنof عِرسٍa spouse وعنnor of أعراسِwedding feasts
فَغِنيتُ عن عِرسٍ وعن أعراسِ
I encamped within the precincts of her racecourse of glory,
and needed neither spouse nor wedding feasts.
فيهاwithin her ذُرىthe heights of الإِيمانِfaith شِيدتwere raised بعدَماafter
فيها ذُرى الإِيمانِ شِيدت بعدَما
خِلتُI deemed الهُدىguidance كالأَربعِlike dwellings الأَدارسِworn-out
خِلتُ الهُدى كالأَربعِ الأَدارسِ
Within her, the heights of faith were raised, after
I had deemed guidance like worn-out dwellings.
Partial English translation: 156 of 164 Arabic lines translated.