أَحسَنُthe finest ماwhat فيهِin it يُسرِحُlets wander النَظَرَthe gaze
أَحسَنُ ما فيهِ يُسرِحُ النَظَرَ
وادٍa valley بِحَيثُwhere الأُردُنِّthe Jordan يَنفَجِرbursts forth
وادٍ بِحَيثُ الأُردُنِّ يَنفَجِر
The finest of its sights lets the gaze wander:
The most beautiful thing in it is the flowing gaze
a valley where the Jordan bursts forth.
Of a valley where the Jordan gushes forth
غارَتgrew jealous عَلَيهِover it النُجودُthe uplands مِنfrom شَغَفٍpassion
غارَت عَلَيهِ النُجودُ مِن شَغَفٍ
فَالغورُand the lowland ماwhat بَينَهُنَّbetween them مُنحَصِرُenclosed
فَالغورُ ما بَينَهُنَّ مُنحَصِرُ
The uplands grew jealous over it in their passion,
The stars swooped down upon it out of passion
and the lowland lies enclosed between them.
So the depression between them was confined
قامَتstood عَلىon الجانِبَينِthe two sides تَخفِرُهُguarding it
قامَت عَلى الجانِبَينِ تَخفِرُهُ
كَذَلِكَthus الحُسنُbeauty شَأنُهُits way الخَفَرُmodesty
كَذَلِكَ الحُسنُ شَأنُهُ الخَفَرُ
They stood on either side to guard it:
They stood on both sides fluttering over it
such is beauty—modesty is its way.
Such is the affair of beauty, stealthy
مُبتَدِئُbeginning الجَريَthe flow فيin الشَمالِthe north لَدىbeside
مُبتَدِئُ الجَريَ في الشَمالِ لَدى
شَيخٌan elder لَهُhis الكِبرُpride باتَhas become وَالكِبَرُand old age
شَيخٌ لَهُ الكِبرُ باتَ وَالكِبَرُ
Beginning its course in the north beside
At the start of its flow in the north next to
an elder in whom pride and advancing age abide,
An old man whose greatness has passed and greatness remains
هاوٍfalling إِلىtoward المَوتِdeath فيin الجَنوبِthe south لَدىbeside
هاوٍ إِلى المَوتِ في الجَنوبِ لَدى
بَحرٌa sea وَلاand not كَالبِحارُlike other seas يَحتَضِرُbreathes its last
بَحرٌ وَلا كَالبِحارُ يَحتَضِرُ
falling toward death in the south beside
Plunging to death in the south next to
a sea unlike other seas, breathing its last.
A sea that, unlike seas, expires
وَمَنand one who يَعُمُّcovers البَياضَwhiteness لِمَّتَهُhis locks
وَمَن يَعُمُّ البَياضَ لِمَّتَهُ
فَهَلso does سِوىother than المَوتَdeath باتَhas come to يَنتَظِرُawait
فَهَل سِوى المَوتَ باتَ يَنتَظِرُ
And one whose locks are wholly whitened—
And whoever’s whiteness is filled out by age
what but death does he now await?
Is there anything left for him but waiting for death?
ياO شَرقَeast of هُوَHu- (part of Hunin) نينٌ-nin (completes Hunin) كَمhow much لَدَيكَbeside you جَرىflowed
يا شَرقَ هُوَ نينٌ كَم لَدَيكَ جَرى
مَعينٌclear spring-water ماءَwater حَصباؤُهُits pebbles دُرَرُpearls
مَعينٌ ماءَ حَصباؤُهُ دُرَرُ
O east of Hunin, how much has flowed beside you:
O East, it is a river with how many a spring
clear spring-water whose pebbles are pearls!
Whose rushing rivulets are pearls
الشَطرُone half تَلُّTell القاضيal-Qadi يُسَلسِلُهُsends it murmuring
الشَطرُ تَلُّ القاضي يُسَلسِلُهُ
وَالشَطرُand the other half مِنfrom بانياسَBanias يَنحَدِرُdescends
وَالشَطرُ مِن بانياسَ يَنحَدِرُ
One half Tell al-Qadi sends murmuring onward,
Half of it descends from Qadisha and is chained
and the other half descends from Banias.
And half of it descends from Banias
وَالحاصِبانيand the Hasbani باتَhas come to إِثرَهاafter it
وَالحاصِباني باتَ إِثرَها
يَشتَدُّhastens فيin الجَريَflowing لَيسَdoes not يَصطَبِرُwait patiently
يَشتَدُّ في الجَريَ لَيسَ يَصطَبِرُ
And the Hasbani follows in its wake,
Al-Hasbani meanwhile strengthens its flow
hastening in its course, unable to wait.
It does not grow calm as it runs
يَملَأُfills مِنهاfrom them الأُردُنَّthe Jordan بِركَتُهُits pool
يَملَأُ مِنها الأُردُنَّ بِركَتُهُ
وَيَزدَهيand grows splendid مَرجَmeadow حَولِهِaround it الخُضرُgreen
وَيَزدَهي مَرجَ حَولِهِ الخُضرُ
From them the Jordan fills its pool,
It fills the Jordan with its blessings
and the green meadows around it grow splendid.
And around it the meadows flourish
حَيثُwhere وَشيجُdense growth اليَراعِof reeds مُشتَبِكٌintertwined
حَيثُ وَشيجُ اليَراعِ مُشتَبِكٌ
كَأَنَّماas though الخَطُّKhatt's spears ثُمَّthere وَالسَمُرُand tawny lances
كَأَنَّما الخَطُّ ثُمَّ وَالسَمُرُ
There the dense reeds intertwine,
Where the oleander’s entanglement is intertwined
like Khatt's spears and tawny lances standing there.
As if it were the line and dots
حَيثُwhere نُمُوَّgrowth النَباتِof plants مُعجِزَةٌa miracle
حَيثُ نُمُوَّ النَباتِ مُعجِزَةٌ
كَأَنَّماas though سوقُstalks قَمحِهِof its wheat الشَجَرُtrees
كَأَنَّما سوقُ قَمحِهِ الشَجَرُ
There the growth of plants is a miracle,
Where the growth of plants is a miracle
as though its wheat-stalks were trees.
As if the trees were marketing its wheat
وَالصَيدُand game ماnot إِنindeed يَزالُceases عَنat كَثِبٍclose range
وَالصَيدُ ما إِن يَزالُ عَن كَثِبٍ
لاno كِنَّcover مِنbetween دونِهِit and the observer وَلاand no قَتَرُhunting-blinds
لا كِنَّ مِن دونِهِ وَلا قَتَرُ
And game remains close at hand,
And hunting never ceases to be plentiful
with neither cover nor hunting-blind before it.
Neither scarce nor meager
بُحَيرَةٌa lake لَمdid not يُرِمlinger (reading uncertain) بِساحَتِهاwithin its expanse
بُحَيرَةٌ لَم يُرِم بِساحَتِها
ضاقَwas too narrow بِهاfor it أَنto تَقِلُّهُbear it الصِغَرُsmallness
ضاقَ بِها أَن تَقِلُّهُ الصِغَرُ
He did not linger within one lake;
A lake which no one dared enter into
its smallness made it too narrow to bear him.
Its expanse was too narrow to contain it
يَمَّمَheaded toward أُخرىanother وَرامَand sought ثالِثَةًa third
يَمَّمَ أُخرى وَرامَ ثالِثَةً
لَقَدindeed تَرامَتstretched far بِهِwith it نَوىdistances شُطرُdirections
لَقَد تَرامَت بِهِ نَوى شُطرُ
He headed toward another and sought a third:
It spanned another and ambitiously spanned a third
far-flung journeys bore him in distant directions.
Many intentions have been joined together by it
أَمَّنsecured جَسَرَالنباتَJisr al-Nabat مَعبَرَهُits crossing
أَمَّن جَسَرَالنباتَ مَعبَرَهُ
وَرُبَّماand sometimes خاضَwaded دونَهُbeneath it الجَسَرُthe bridge
وَرُبَّما خاضَ دونَهُ الجَسَرُ
He secured Jisr al-Nabat as his crossing,
Whoever bridged the vegetation a crossing
and sometimes the bridge itself waded beneath him.
Perhaps waded through it without a bridge
حَتّىuntil إِذاwhen فاضَoverflowed مِنfrom هُناكَthere غَدَتbecame
حَتّى إِذا فاضَ مِن هُناكَ غَدَت
أَرضَthe land البَطيحاءِof al-Batiha مِنهُthrough it تَزدَهِرُflourishing
أَرضَ البَطيحاءِ مِنهُ تَزدَهِرُ
Until, when he overflowed from there,
Until when it overflowed from there
the land of al-Batiha flourished through him.
The land of Al-Batiha flourished because of it
أَرضٌa land عَلَتovertopped ماؤُهُits water مَناكِبَهاits shoulders
أَرضٌ عَلَت ماؤُهُ مَناكِبَها
وَباتَand began مِنهاfrom it فيinto البَحرِthe sea يَنفَغِرُpouring forth
وَباتَ مِنها في البَحرِ يَنفَغِرُ
A land whose shoulders his waters overtopped,
Land whose water rose above its shoulders
and from it he poured into the sea.
And now pours into the sea through its mouths
أَقبِلcame forward يَرغىfoaming وَماthough no بِهِin it قَطَمٌlust
أَقبِل يَرغى وَما بِهِ قَطَمٌ
وَظَلَّand continued يَعدوrunning وَماthough no بِهِin it بَطَرُarrogance
وَظَلَّ يَعدو وَما بِهِ بَطَرُ
He came foaming, though no lust possessed him,
It came rushing with no obstacle in its way
and kept running, though no arrogance possessed him.
And it continued galloping with no flaw
حَتّىuntil إِذاwhen ماindeed مِياهِهِits waters اِختَلَطَتmingled
حَتّى إِذا ما مِياهِهِ اِختَلَطَت
بِهِwith it تَوَلّاهُovertook it بَغتَةًsuddenly سَكَرُstupor
بِهِ تَوَلّاهُ بَغتَةً سَكَرُ
Until, when his waters mingled
Until when its waters mixed
with it, a sudden stupor overtook him.
Suddenly intoxication overcame it
مِنfrom بَعدِafter تِلكَthat الحَياةُlife باتَbecame بِهِwithin it
مِن بَعدِ تِلكَ الحَياةُ باتَ بِهِ
مَيتاًdead وَفيand in البَحرِthe sea يَغرَقُdrowns النَهرُthe river
مَيتاً وَفي البَحرِ يَغرَقُ النَهرُ
After all that life, within it he became
After that life it was left
dead—and in the sea the river drowns.
Dead while the river drowns in the sea
بَحرُthe Sea الجَليلِof Galilee الَّذيwhose شَواطِئُهُshores
بَحرُ الجَليلِ الَّذي شَواطِئُهُ
فيin كُلِّevery شَبرٍhandspan مِنof رَحبِهاtheir expanse أَثَرُa trace
في كُلِّ شَبرٍ مِن رَحبِها أَثَرُ
The Sea of Galilee, whose shores
The Sea of Galilee whose shores
hold a trace in every span of their expanse.
In every expanse of its breadth are traces
غَذاnourished دِماءَthe blood المَسيحِof Christ مَورِدُهُits watering-place
غَذا دِماءَ المَسيحِ مَورِدُهُ
وَراقَهُand delighted him مِنهُfrom it ريقُهُits clear draught النَضِرُfresh
وَراقَهُ مِنهُ ريقُهُ النَضِرُ
Its watering-place nourished Christ's blood,
Its nourishment is the blood of Christ
and its fresh, clear draught delighted him.
His pure saliva made it lush
وَبَينَand amid أَمواجِهِits waves وَأَربَعَهُand its dwelling-places
وَبَينَ أَمواجِهِ وَأَربَعَهُ
كانَتwere تَجلىrevealed آياتِهِhis signs الكِبَرُmighty
كانَت تَجلى آياتِهِ الكِبَرُ
Amid its waves and its dwelling-places
And between its waves and its expanses
his mighty signs were revealed.
His great signs were revealed
كَمhow many فيهِin it لِلكاتِبينَfor writers مِنof سَيرٍnarratives
كَم فيهِ لِلكاتِبينَ مِن سَيرٍ
وَكَمand how many نَبيينَprophets فيهِin it تُدَّكَرُare remembered
وَكَم نَبيينَ فيهِ تُدَّكَرُ
How many narratives it holds for writers,
How many narratives are there for the writers
and how many prophets are remembered there!
And how many prophets are remembered in it
عيسىJesus حَوارِيُّهُhis disciple وَصَفوَتُهُand his chosen ones
عيسى حَوارِيُّهُ وَصَفوَتُهُ
وَالناسُand the people مِنfrom حَولٍaround وَعظُهُhis preaching زُمَرُthrongs
وَالناسُ مِن حَولٍ وَعظُهُ زُمَرُ
Jesus, his disciple, and his chosen ones,
Jesus and his disciples and his elite
and people in throngs around his preaching;
And the people around him crowds
وَالصائِدونَand the fishermen الأُلىwho لَهُhis اِتَّبَعواfollowed
وَالصائِدونَ الأُلى لَهُ اِتَّبَعوا
هَدىguidance وَذاكَand that الشِراعُsail مُنتَشِرُunfurled
هَدى وَذاكَ الشِراعُ مُنتَشِرُ
and the fishermen who followed his
And the first converts who followed
guidance, while that sail stood unfurled;
Guidance, and that banner spread
وَكَفرٌand Kafr ناحومَNahum مَعَwith عَجائِبِهاits wonders
وَكَفرٌ ناحومَ مَعَ عَجائِبِها
وَمَنand those who بِهاthere آمَنواbelieved وَمَنand those who سَفَرواjourneyed
وَمَن بِها آمَنوا وَمَن سَفَروا
and Kafr Nahum, with its wonders,
And the disbelief of Nahum with all its wonders
and those who believed there, and those who journeyed;
And those who believed in it and those who traveled
وَالمُجدِلُand al-Majdal القَريَةَthe village الَّتيwhich نَشَأَتarose
وَالمُجدِلُ القَريَةَ الَّتي نَشَأَت
مَريَمَMary مِنهاfrom it وَالطيبُand fragrance مُنتَشِرُspreading
مَريَمَ مِنها وَالطيبُ مُنتَشِرُ
and al-Majdal, the village from which arose
And Magdala the town where
Mary, with fragrance spreading abroad;
Mary grew up and good scent spreads
وَالزُهدُand asceticism فيهِwithin it الأَفراحُjoys قَدhad دَمَجَتmerged
وَالزُهدُ فيهِ الأَفراحُ قَد دَمَجَت
وَالفَقرُand poverty مَعَهُwith it البَيانُeloquence وَالفَقرُand aphorisms
وَالفَقرُ مَعَهُ البَيانُ وَالفَقرُ
and asceticism in which joys were enfolded,
And asceticism in it and joy are joined
and poverty accompanied by eloquence and aphorisms;
Together with destitution, eloquence, and destitution
وَالخُبزُand bread تَقرىfeeds as guests الأُلوفُthousands كَسَرتَهُits broken morsel
وَالخُبزُ تَقرى الأُلوفُ كَسَرتَهُ
وَالمَشيُand walking فَوقَupon المِياهِthe waters مُشتَهِرُcelebrated
وَالمَشيُ فَوقَ المِياهِ مُشتَهِرُ
and bread whose broken morsel feeds thousands,
And bread that thousands broke
and the celebrated walking upon the waters;
And walking above water overtly
وَالقَولُand the saying هَذيthis الفَتاةُgirl نائِمَةٌasleep
وَالقَولُ هَذي الفَتاةُ نائِمَةٌ
وَالبِكرُand the maiden عَزريلُAzrael نَحوَهاtoward her بَكَرُcame early
وَالبِكرُ عَزريلُ نَحوَها بَكَرُ
and the saying, 'This girl is sleeping,'
And the saying “this girl is asleep”
though Azrael had come early to the maiden.
While the angel Azrael approached her
وَكَمand how often نَبَتarose بِالسَفينِabout the ships عاصِفَةًa storm
وَكَم نَبَت بِالسَفينِ عاصِفَةً
وَظَنَّand it was thought أَنَّthat الرِكابَthe passengers قَدhad غَبَرواperished
وَظَنَّ أَنَّ الرِكابَ قَد غَبَروا
How often a storm arose about the ships,
And how many a storm the boat endured
and the passengers were thought to have perished!
And the passengers thought that they were perished
فَسَكَنَthen calmed البَحرَthe sea وَهوَwhile it مُضَّطَرِبٌwas turbulent
فَسَكَنَ البَحرَ وَهوَ مُضَّطَرِبٌ
مِنfrom بَعدِafter ماthat اِستَصرَخواthey cried for help وَماand that جَأَرواthey cried aloud
مِن بَعدِ ما اِستَصرَخوا وَما جَأَروا
Then he calmed the sea while it was raging,
So the sea calmed while raging
after they cried for help and raised their voices.
After they screamed and wailed
سَجاgrew calm بِإيماءَةٍat a gesture لَهُof his وَنَجاand escaped
سَجا بِإيماءَةٍ لَهُ وَنَجا
مِنfrom حَملَتِهِits assault الأَلواحُthe planks وَالدَسَرُand the fastenings
مِن حَملَتِهِ الأَلواحُ وَالدَسَرُ
It quieted at his gesture, and were saved
With a gesture it submitted to Him and was saved
from its assault the planks and their fastenings.
The planks and poles from its load
فيon ضِفَّتيthe two shores هَذِهِof this البُحَيرَةَlake لَوif
في ضِفَّتي هَذِهِ البُحَيرَةَ لَو
تُبحِرُyou sail الفِكرُin thought حارَتِbecame bewildered الفِكرُthought
تُبحِرُ الفِكرُ حارَتِ الفِكرُ
On the two shores of this lake, if
On the banks of this lake if
you sail in thought, thought loses its way.
Thought would sail the seas of thought would be lost
كَمhow much خَبَأَhid الدَهرُtime فيin جَوانِبِهاits sides
كَم خَبَأَ الدَهرُ في جَوانِبِها
وَكَمand how much رَمىcast فَوقَupon مَوجِهاits waves القَدَرُfate
وَكَم رَمى فَوقَ مَوجِها القَدَرُ
How much time has hidden along its shores,
How much has time hidden in its edges
and how much fate has cast upon its waves!
And how much has fate cast on its waves
ماwhat are الأَبحُرُthe seas السَبعُseven مِنbeside نَتائِجِهاits legacies
ما الأَبحُرُ السَبعُ مِن نَتائِجِها
ماwhat are الرومُthe Romans ماwhat is الهِندُIndia ثُمَّthen ماwhat are الخَزَرُthe Khazars
ما الرومُ ما الهِندُ ثُمَّ ما الخَزَرُ
What are the seven seas beside its legacies?
Not the seven seas compared to its consequences
What are the Romans, India, and then the Khazars?
Not Rome, nor India, nor then Khazaria
وَقَومُand the people موسىof Moses لَهُمfor them بِساحَتِهاwithin its precincts
وَقَومُ موسى لَهُم بِساحَتِها
مَركَعٌa kneeling-place صَدَقَtrue وَأَدمعand tears غَزَرُabundant
مَركَعٌ صَدَقَ وَأَدمع غَزَرُ
And Moses' people have within its precincts
And Moses’ people prostrated in its plain
a true place of kneeling, and abundant tears.
Bowing, sincere, with copious tears
فيin طَبَرِيّاTiberias مَواقِفٌstations حَمَدَتwere praised
في طَبَرِيّا مَواقِفٌ حَمَدَت
وَأَرضُهاand its land مُقَدَّسٌholy وَمُغتَفَرُand a place of forgiveness
وَأَرضُها مُقَدَّسٌ وَمُغتَفَرُ
In Tiberias are praiseworthy sacred stations,
In Tiberias there are praised stands
and its soil is holy and a place of forgiveness.
And its land is sanctified and pardoned
بِهاthere رِجالُthe men التَلمودِof the Talmud قَدhad سَكَنواdwelt
بِها رِجالُ التَلمودِ قَد سَكَنوا
وَجُلَّand most آرائَهُمof their opinions بِهاthere زَبَرواthey recorded
وَجُلَّ آرائَهُم بِها زَبَروا
There the men of the Talmud dwelt,
The men of the Talmud lived in it
and there they recorded most of their opinions.
And most of their opinions were passed down in it
وَكَمand how many نَبىprophets فيin ذيthese البِلادِlands قَفاfollowed
وَكَم نَبى في ذي البِلادِ قَفا
موسىMoses وَكَمand how often مَرَّpassed هَهُناhere الخَضرُal-Khidr
موسى وَكَم مَرَّ هَهُنا الخَضرُ
How many prophets in these lands followed
And how many prophets in this country stood up
Moses, and how often al-Khidr passed here!
Moses and how much did Al-Khidr frequent it
يَكفيكَsuffices you ماwhat فيin الأُردُنِّthe Jordan مِنof عَبَرٍlessons
يَكفيكَ ما في الأُردُنِّ مِن عَبَرٍ
نَهرٌa river عَلَيهِacross it آباؤُهُمtheir forefathers عَبَرواcrossed
نَهرٌ عَلَيهِ آباؤُهُم عَبَروا
The lessons within the Jordan suffice you:
The lessons of the Jordan are enough for you
a river across which their forefathers crossed.
A river whose fathers crossed over it
وَإِنand indeed يَحيىYahya عَلىupon شَواطِئِهِits shores
وَإِن يَحيى عَلى شَواطِئِهِ
بَينَbefore يَدَيهِhis hands الأَنامِmankind تَطَهَّرُwas purified
بَينَ يَدَيهِ الأَنامِ تَطَهَّرُ
And Yahya, upon its shores—
And John in its banks
before him mankind was purified.
Purified himself in front of the people
ماwhat is القَنجُthe Ganges ماwhat is النَيلُthe Nile فيbeside جَوانِبِهِits shores
ما القَنجُ ما النَيلُ في جَوانِبِهِ
ماwhat is دِجلَةَthe Tigris ماwhat is الفُراتُthe Euphrates يُعتَبَرُtaken into account
ما دِجلَةَ ما الفُراتُ يُعتَبَرُ
What are the Ganges and Nile beside it?
What are the Nile and the Euphrates compared to its edges
What account is taken of the Tigris or Euphrates?
What are the Tigris and the Euphrates considered
وَالغورُand the lowland بَينَbetween البَحرَينِthe two seas مُنبَسِطٌoutspread
وَالغورُ بَينَ البَحرَينِ مُنبَسِطٌ
تُسرِحُroam فيهِin it الجَآذِرُyoung gazelles العُفرُdun-colored
تُسرِحُ فيهِ الجَآذِرُ العُفرُ
And the lowland stretches between the two seas,
And Al-Ghor between the two seas stretches out
where dun young gazelles roam.
Where dinosaurs roamed in its bareness
لَوif طَبَّقَتهُcovered it أَيديthe hands الوَرىof humanity عَمَلاًwith cultivation
لَو طَبَّقَتهُ أَيدي الوَرى عَمَلاً
عضلىupon (corrupt text) فِلَسطينَPalestine فاضَتِoverflowed المِيَرُprovisions
عضلى فِلَسطينَ فاضَتِ المِيَرُ
If human hands covered it with cultivation,
If the hands of civilization cultivated it for work
provisions would overflow upon Palestine.
Palestine overflowed despite its barrenness
قَدindeed كانَwas وَالماءُand the water غابِراًformerly شَرَعاspread equally
قَد كانَ وَالماءُ غابِراً شَرَعا
وَالآنَand now ماnot إِنindeed يَكادُhardly يَنحَسِرُrecedes
وَالآنَ ما إِن يَكادُ يَنحَسِرُ
Once, in former times, the water spread everywhere,
It used to be deep water inexpanse
and even now it scarcely recedes.
And now it can barely recede
بُحَيرَةُa lake كُلِّevery شَأنِهاaspect of it عَجَبُa wonder
بُحَيرَةُ كُلِّ شَأنِها عَجَبُ
وَهيَand it مِنَin الحُسنِbeauty كُلِّهاall of it غُرَرُradiant excellences
وَهيَ مِنَ الحُسنِ كُلِّها غُرَرُ
A lake whose every aspect is a wonder,
A lake whose whole affair is wonder
all of it radiant with beauty.
And in all beauty it is exotic jewels
لِلَهِto God دَرُّexcellence الكَنَديof al-Kindi واصِفُهاits describer
لِلَهِ دَرُّ الكَنَدي واصِفُها
كَأَنَّهاas though it فيin نِهارِهاits daylight قَمَرُa moon
كَأَنَّها في نِهارِها قَمَرُ
God bless al-Kindi, who described it:
Praise be to Al-Kandeel its describer
it is like a moon in its daylight.
It is as if it were the moon in its light
كانَتused to تَحُفُّsurround الجِنانِthe gardens دَورَتَهاits perimeter
كانَت تَحُفُّ الجِنانِ دَورَتَها
وَالآنَand now تَحتَفُّsurround دورَهاits circuit السِدَرُlote-trees
وَالآنَ تَحتَفُّ دورَها السِدَرُ
Gardens once encircled its perimeter,
It used to encircle the gardens in its circuit
and now lote-trees surround it.
And now the Sidra trees encircle its circuit
مِرآةَa mirror نورٍof light مِنَfrom السُفوحِthe slopes لَهاfor it
مِرآةَ نورٍ مِنَ السُفوحِ لَها
إِطارَa frame نورٍof light لَمnot تَحكِهِmatched it الأَطَرُother frames
إِطارَ نورٍ لَم تَحكِهِ الأَطَرُ
A mirror of light, with, from the slopes,
A mirror of light from the slopes it possesses
a frame of light unmatched by other frames.
A frame of light no frames have confined
كَأَنَّهاas though it فيin صَفائِهاits clarity فَلَكُa firmament
كَأَنَّها في صَفائِها فَلَكُ
وَفَلكُهاand its boats فيهِwithin it أَنجُمٌstars زَهَرُbrilliant
وَفَلكُها فيهِ أَنجُمٌ زَهَرُ
In its clarity it is like a firmament,
It is as if in its serenity it is a cosmos
and its boats within it are brilliant stars.
And its cosmos has blossoming stars in it
أَجمَدَhow cold-hearted بِقَومٍa people رَأَواwho saw مَحاسِنَهاits beauties
أَجمَدَ بِقَومٍ رَأَوا مَحاسِنَها
يَوماًone day فَماyet did not أَنشَدواsing وَلاnor شَعَرواfeel
يَوماً فَما أَنشَدوا وَلا شَعَروا
How cold-hearted a people who saw its beauties
It inspired a people who saw its beauty
one day, yet neither sang nor felt!
One day so they did not versify or poetize
عِندَat الشَمالِthe north الأُردِنِّthe Jordan وارِدُهاits incoming river
عِندَ الشَمالِ الأُردِنِّ وارِدُها
وَفيand in جَنوبِيَّهاits southern part لَهُfor it صَدَرُa departure
وَفي جَنوبِيَّها لَهُ صَدَرُ
In the north the Jordan enters it,
The Jordan is at its northern side provisioning it
and in its south the river has its departure.
And in its southern side it has a breast
شَريعَةٌa religious law مِنَfrom مِياهِهاits waters ظَهَرَتemerged
شَريعَةٌ مِنَ مِياهِها ظَهَرَت
وَقَدand indeed تَلَتهاfollowed it شَرائِعُreligious laws أُخَرُothers
وَقَد تَلَتها شَرائِعُ أُخَرُ
A religious law emerged from its waters,
A law emerged from its waters
and other religious laws followed it.
And other laws followed it
عَلَمُtaught (contextual reading) عيسىJesus هُناhere شَريعَتَهُhis law
عَلَمُ عيسى هُنا شَريعَتَهُ
وَقَومُand the people موسىof Moses تَوراتَهُمtheir Torah فَسَرواexpounded
وَقَومُ موسى تَوراتَهُم فَسَروا
Jesus taught his law here,
Jesus’ banner his law here
and Moses' people expounded their Torah.
And Moses’ people deciphered their Torah
وَفيand in حُروبِthe wars الصَليبِof the Cross قَدhad رُفِعَتbeen raised
وَفي حُروبِ الصَليبِ قَد رُفِعَت
أَعلامُthe banners دينِof the faith الَّذيof him whom نِمتَbrought forth مُضَرُMudar
أَعلامُ دينِ الَّذي نِمتَ مُضَرُ
And during the wars of the Cross were raised
And in the Crusades the banners were raised
the banners of the faith of him whom Mudar brought forth.
Of the religion whose shoots have grown from Muḍar
ياO يَومَday حِطينَof Hattin كَمhow much حَطَطَتyou brought down مِنَof الإِal-I- (part of 'the Franks')
يا يَومَ حِطينَ كَم حَطَطَت مِنَ الإِ
فرِنجِ-franj (completes 'the Franks') شَأَناًstanding ماnot كانَwas يَنكَسِرbreakable
فرِنجِ شَأَناً ما كانَ يَنكَسِر
O day of Hattin, how far you brought down the
O day of Hittin, how you lowered
Franks' standing, once seemingly unbreakable!
From the Franks glory that did not crumble
هَبّواsurged مِنَfrom الغَربِthe west كَالجَرادِlike locusts فَلَمand not
هَبّوا مِنَ الغَربِ كَالجَرادِ فَلَم
يَكُنthere was لِشَرقٍfor the east بَردَهُمto repel them قُدَرُpower
يَكُن لِشَرقٍ بَردَهُم قُدَرُ
They surged from the west like locusts, and there was
They came from the West like locusts so no
no power in the east to repel them.
East had the capability to repel their harm
وَاِستَفتَحواand conquered القُدسَJerusalem وَالبِلادِand the lands وَلَمand not
وَاِستَفتَحوا القُدسَ وَالبِلادِ وَلَم
يَعصِresisted عَلَيهِمthem بَدوٌdesert-dwellers وَلاnor حَضَرُtownspeople
يَعصِ عَلَيهِم بَدوٌ وَلا حَضَرُ
They conquered Jerusalem and the lands, and neither
And Jerusalem was conquered and no
desert-dwellers nor townspeople resisted them.
Bedouin or urban dwellers resisted
وَهَدَّدواand threatened المَسجِدَthe Mosque الحَرامِSacred وَكَمand how often
وَهَدَّدوا المَسجِدَ الحَرامِ وَكَم
دَعاprayed مَلَبٍa pilgrim answering the call فيهِwithin it وَمُعتَمِرُand an umrah pilgrim
دَعا مَلَبٍ فيهِ وَمُعتَمِرُ
They threatened the Sacred Mosque, where so often
And they threatened the Sacred Mosque, and how much
pilgrims answering the call and performing umrah prayed.
A confused pilgrim in it screamed and stoned
وَكادَand nearly يَبكيwept الميزانَthe balance فيهِthere دَماًblood
وَكادَ يَبكي الميزانَ فيهِ دَماً
وَرَقَّand softened مِمّاfrom what أَصابَناbefell us الحَجَرُstone
وَرَقَّ مِمّا أَصابَنا الحَجَرُ
And there the balance almost wept blood,
And blood almost shed in it unjustly
and stone softened at what befell us.
Our stone softened from what afflicted it
وَنابِتُand befell (corrupt text) المُسلِمينَthe Muslims داهِيَةًa calamity
وَنابِتُ المُسلِمينَ داهِيَةً
دَهماءَdark and terrible قَدhad عَمَّهُمencompassed them بِهاthrough it الذُعرُdread
دَهماءَ قَد عَمَّهُم بِها الذُعرُ
A calamity befell the Muslims,
And the plants of the Muslims were scattered
dark and terrible, filling them all with dread.
Bewildered, overtaken by terror
فَكُلُّso every كَفٍّhand أَصابَهاstruck it شَلَلُparalysis
فَكُلُّ كَفٍّ أَصابَها شَلَلُ
وَكَمand how many عَزَمَa resolve أَصابَهُstruck it خورُweakness
وَكَم عَزَمَ أَصابَهُ خورُ
Every hand was struck with paralysis,
And every group that supported them turned
and many a resolve was struck with weakness.
And their knights became prey for gazelles
وَكُلُّand every جَمعٍhost ناواهُمopposed them اِنقَلَبَتturned
وَكُلُّ جَمعٍ ناواهُم اِنقَلَبَت
فُرسانُهُits horsemen وَهيَwhile they لِلظَبيِfor sword-edges جُزُرُslaughtered prey
فُرسانُهُ وَهيَ لِلظَبيِ جُزُرُ
Every host that opposed them saw
And Jiluq was besieged, and if it were taken
its horsemen turned into meat for sword-edges.
No cities would remain for us nor shelter
وَحوصِرَتand was besieged جَلَّقٌJilliq وَلَوand if أَخَذَتwas taken
وَحوصِرَت جَلَّقٌ وَلَو أَخَذَت
لَمnot تَبقَwould remain مُدنٌcities لَناfor us وَلاnor مَدَرُsettlements
لَم تَبقَ مُدنٌ لَنا وَلا مَدَرُ
Jilliq was besieged; had it been taken,
And it was said the Abode of Islam is confined
no cities or settlements would have remained to us.
And danger encircled the rest of its lands
وَقيلَand it was said دارُthe realm الإِسلامِof Islam قَدhad حَصَرَتbeen surrounded
وَقيلَ دارُ الإِسلامِ قَد حَصَرَت
وَحَفَّand encircled باقيthe remainder بِلادِهِof its lands الخَطَرُdanger
وَحَفَّ باقي بِلادِهِ الخَطَرُ
It was said: 'The realm of Islam is surrounded,'
The terror they evoked did not cease to fill hearts
and danger encircled its remaining lands.
And precaution did not benefit them
ماnot زالَceased مِلءَfilling القُلوبِhearts رُعبَهُمfear of them
ما زالَ مِلءَ القُلوبِ رُعبَهُم
وَلَمand not يَكُنwas نافِعاًbeneficial لَهاto them الحَذَرُcaution
وَلَم يَكُن نافِعاً لَها الحَذَرُ
Fear of them continued to fill hearts,
Until Salah al-Din al-Ayyubi faced them
and caution brought those hearts no benefit.
And he had the ministry of Shirkuh
حَتّىuntil تَوَلّىtook command زَنكيZanki فَنازَلَهُمand fought them
حَتّى تَوَلّى زَنكي فَنازَلَهُم
وَكانَand there was مِنfrom شيركوShirku لَهُfor him وَزرُsupport
وَكانَ مِن شيركو لَهُ وَزرُ
Until Zanki took command and fought them,
The vanguard of victory in the state of Nur al-Din
with support from Shirku.
A just king wearing the burdens
طَليعَةَthe first signs النَصرِof victory فيin وِلايَةِthe reign نوNu- (part of Nur)
طَليعَةَ النَصرِ في وِلايَةِ نو
رِ-r (completes Nur) الدينِal-Din مَلِكٌa king بِالعَدلِwith justice يَأتَزِرُgirds himself
رِ الدينِ مَلِكٌ بِالعَدلِ يَأتَزِرُ
The first signs of victory came in the reign of Nur
A mujahid, a warrior whose speech
al-Din, a king girded with justice:
Regarding the conquest and justice circulated
مُجاهِدٌa warrior ماهِدٌa consolidator بِخُطبَتِهِthrough his proclamation
مُجاهِدٌ ماهِدٌ بِخُطبَتِهِ
فيin الفَتحِconquest وَالعَدلِand justice سارَتspread السِيَرُthe accounts
في الفَتحِ وَالعَدلِ سارَت السِيَرُ
a warrior and consolidator, whose proclamations
The Prophet would approve of his conduct
spread in accounts of conquest and justice.
And the likes of his guidance Umar would accept
تُقِرُّdelights عَينَthe eye النَبِيِّof the Prophet سيرَتُهُhis conduct
تُقِرُّ عَينَ النَبِيِّ سيرَتُهُ
وَيَرتَضيand approves مِثلَthe like هَديِهِof his guidance عُمَرُUmar
وَيَرتَضي مِثلَ هَديِهِ عُمَرُ
His conduct would delight the Prophet's eye,
Then came his successor Ibn Ayyub
and Umar would approve guidance like his.
Nothing delighted him but following his path
ثُمَّthen اِبنُthe son أَيّوبٍof Ayyub جاءَهُcame after him خَلَفاas successor
ثُمَّ اِبنُ أَيّوبٍ جاءَهُ خَلَفا
وَلَيسَand were not إِلّاexcept سُروجِهِhis saddles سُرَرُbeds
وَلَيسَ إِلّا سُروجِهِ سُرَرُ
Then Ibn Ayyub came as his successor,
He prepared the seat of Al-Ma’z and it transformed
with no beds but his saddles.
With Yusuf to a prideful Egypt
مَهَّدَsubdued دارَthe realm المَعزِof al-Muizz فَاِنقَلَبَتand it became
مَهَّدَ دارَ المَعزِ فَاِنقَلَبَت
بِيوسُفَthrough Yusuf مِصرَEgypt وَهيَwhile it تَفتَخِرُgloried
بِيوسُفَ مِصرَ وَهيَ تَفتَخِرُ
He subdued the realm of al-Muizz, and it became,
When matters straightened for him and no
through Yusuf, an Egypt proud of itself.
Watcher remained and the clouds cleared
لَمّاwhen سَتقامَتbecame orderly (corrupt text) لَهُfor him الأُمورَaffairs وَلَمand not
لَمّا سَتقامَت لَهُ الأُمورَ وَلَم
يَبقَremained رَقيبٌa rival وَاِنجابَتand cleared away الغُمَرُtroubles
يَبقَ رَقيبٌ وَاِنجابَت الغُمَرُ
When affairs were set right for him, and no
He came with a great army whose
rival remained, and the clouds of trouble cleared,
Lions if passionated their passion is the passion of Sa’d
أَقبَلَadvanced فيwith جَحفَلٍan army لَهُhaving لَجَبُa clamor
أَقبَلَ في جَحفَلٍ لَهُ لَجَبُ
يَطلُبُseeking ثَأرَvengeance الدينِfor the faith الَّذيwhich وَتَرواthey wronged
يَطلُبُ ثَأرَ الدينِ الَّذي وَتَروا
he advanced with a clamorous army,
They knew nothing but piercing the necks
seeking vengeance for the faith they had wronged.
And nothing but stirring the steeds
بِفِتيَةٍwith young men سُمرُهُمtheir dusky beloveds إِذاwhen عَشِقواthey loved
بِفِتيَةٍ سُمرُهُم إِذا عَشِقوا
سُمرُdusky صِعادٍlance-shafts وَبيضُهُمand their fair beloveds بَتَرُcleaving swords
سُمرُ صِعادٍ وَبيضُهُم بَتَرُ
With young men whose dusky loves, when they loved,
He alighted on the lake’s coast while
were dusky lance-shafts, and whose fair loves were cleaving swords.
They crawled toward him from every crevice
غَيرَother than طِعانِthrusting النُحورِinto throats ماnot عَرَفواthey knew
غَيرَ طِعانِ النُحورِ ما عَرَفوا
وَغَيرَand other than جَردِsleek الخُيولِhorses ماnot زَجَرواthey goaded
وَغَيرَ جَردِ الخُيولِ ما زَجَروا
They knew nothing but thrusting into throats,
So he stood to confront them
and goaded nothing but sleek horses.
In the plain from Lubya and they battled
أَناخَencamped فيon شاطِئِthe shore البُحَيرَةِof the lake إِذwhen
أَناخَ في شاطِئِ البُحَيرَةِ إِذ
إِلَيهِat him عَنrevealing كُلِّevery ناجِذٍback tooth كَشَرواthey snarled
إِلَيهِ عَن كُلِّ ناجِذٍ كَشَروا
He encamped upon the lake's shore, when
The day the two armies met and the
they bared every back tooth at him.
Commotion subsided as if it were hell
فَقامَso he rose مِنfrom أَرضِهِhis ground لِصَدمِهِمto strike them
فَقامَ مِن أَرضِهِ لِصَدمِهِم
فيin السَهلِthe plain مِنof لوبِياءَLubiya وَاِشتَجَرواand they clashed
في السَهلِ مِن لوبِياءَ وَاِشتَجَروا
He rose from his ground to strike them
The day the two armies met and the
on the plain of Lubiya, and they clashed.
Scale stood depending on its tilting for victory
يَومَthe day تَلاقىmet الجَمعانِthe two hosts وَالتَظَّتand blazed الthe (word fragment)
يَومَ تَلاقى الجَمعانِ وَالتَظَّت ال
هَيجاءُbattle حَتّىuntil كَأَنَّهاas though it سَقَرُSaqar
هَيجاءُ حَتّى كَأَنَّها سَقَرُ
The day the two hosts met and there blazed the
East and West after long turmoil
battle, until it seemed like Saqar;
Stood still and the arena was confined
يَومَthe day تَلاقىmet الجَمعانِthe two hosts وَاِنتَصَبَand stood upright الthe (word fragment)
يَومَ تَلاقى الجَمعانِ وَاِنتَصَبَ ال
ميزانُbalance رَهنَhinging on اِنحِرافِهِits tilt الظَفَرُvictory
ميزانُ رَهنَ اِنحِرافِهِ الظَفَرُ
the day the two hosts met and stood upright the
For three, and the battle between them
balance, victory hinging on its tilt.
Was battle unlike any day before it
الشَرقُthe east وَالغَربُand the west بَعدَafter طولِa long وَغىstruggle
الشَرقُ وَالغَربُ بَعدَ طولِ وَغى
تَواقَفاstood facing each other وَالبِرازُand the encounter مُختَصَرُconcentrated
تَواقَفا وَالبِرازُ مُختَصَرُ
East and west, after a long struggle,
The heavy shower of the arrows of Saladin’s army
stood facing each other, the encounter concentrated
Assailed them, if a trench were beyond it, it would save them
ثَلاثَةًthree days وَالنِزالُand the fighting بِينَهُماbetween them
ثَلاثَةً وَالنِزالُ بِينَهُما
نِزالٌa battle مِنfrom بَعدِafter يَومِهِits day العُصَرُages
نِزالٌ مِن بَعدِ يَومِهِ العُصَرُ
for three days, while their fighting
He attacked displaying his back to them
was a battle whose day would be followed by ages.
As if they were a people who had rebelled shaking boughs
فَأَمطَرَتهُمthen rained upon them قَسِيُّthe bows جَيشِof the army صَلاSala- (part of Salah)
فَأَمطَرَتهُم قَسِيُّ جَيشِ صَلا
حِ-h (completes Salah) الدينِal-Din نُبلاًarrows مِنbelow دونِهِits intensity المَطَرُthe rain
حِ الدينِ نُبلاً مِن دونِهِ المَطَرُ
Then the bows of Salah
The enemy tasted from the sip of their stab
al-Din's army rained arrows on them, outdoing the rain.
A cup that fermented without grapes
وَدَواthey wished وَقَدwhen أَبصَروهُthey saw it عارِضَهُمtheir approaching storm-cloud
وَدَوا وَقَد أَبصَروهُ عارِضَهُم
لَوif only سَتَرتُهُمhid them مشنfrom (corrupt text) دونِهِit حَفَرُpits
لَو سَتَرتُهُم مشن دونِهِ حَفَرُ
Seeing its storm-cloud facing them, they wished
When the matter became other than what they calculated
that pits might hide them from it.
And the people were patient beyond their patience
كَأَنَّماas though قَوماًa people وَقَدwhen وَثَبواthey sprang
كَأَنَّما قَوماً وَقَد وَثَبوا
زَعازِعٌfierce gusts لِلغُصونِthe branches تَهتَصِرُbend
زَعازِعٌ لِلغُصونِ تَهتَصِرُ
Those men, when they sprang, were as though
They turned their backs to Yusuf like prey
fierce gusts bending branches.
He takes from them more than leaves
ذاقَtasted العِداthe enemies مِنfrom سُلافِthe pure wine طَعنِهِمof their thrusts
ذاقَ العِدا مِن سُلافِ طَعنِهِم
كَأساًa cup بِغَيرِwithout العَنقودِthe grape-cluster تَختَمِرُferments
كَأساً بِغَيرِ العَنقودِ تَختَمِرُ
The enemies tasted, from the pure wine of their thrusts,
They recoiled terrified when they saw
a cup that ferments without a grape-cluster.
Red death as if they were red
لَمّاwhen بَداproved الأَمرُthe matter غَيرَother than ماwhat حَسَبواthey reckoned
لَمّا بَدا الأَمرُ غَيرَ ما حَسَبوا
وَالناسُand the men مِنbeyond فَوقِthe extent صَبرِهِمof their endurance صَبَرواendured
وَالناسُ مِن فَوقِ صَبرِهِم صَبَروا
When matters proved otherwise than they had reckoned,
The Patriarch retreated with his knights
and their opponents surpassed them in endurance,
Deceit did not fool him like it fooled others
وَلَواthey turned ظَبىthe sword-edges يوسُفَof Yusuf ظُهورَهُمtheir backs
وَلَوا ظَبى يوسُفَ ظُهورَهُم
تَأخُذُtake مِنهاfrom them فَوقَmore than الَّذيwhat تَذَرُthey spare
تَأخُذُ مِنها فَوقَ الَّذي تَذَرُ
they turned their backs to Yusuf's sword-edges,
No wonder he survived though an earthly form surrounded him
which took more of them than they spared.
It is the custom of the owner of the land, he buried who he buried
ضَياغِمَlions أَجفَلواfled in panic وَقَدwhen نَظَرواthey saw
ضَياغِمَ أَجفَلوا وَقَد نَظَروا
حُمرَthe red forms المَناياof death كَأَنَّهُمas though they حُمرُasses
حُمرَ المَنايا كَأَنَّهُم حُمرُ
Lions fled in panic when they saw
They sloped toward Hittin seeking salvation
the red deaths, as though they were asses.
But neither rib nor heel saved them
وَأَدبَرَand withdrew القُمصَthe count مَعَwith فَوارِسِهِhis horsemen
وَأَدبَرَ القُمصَ مَعَ فَوارِسِهِ
ماnot غَرَّهُdeceived him مِثلَlike غَيرِهِothers الغُرَرُfalse hopes
ما غَرَّهُ مِثلَ غَيرِهِ الغُرَرُ
And the count withdrew with his horsemen;
And the Sabbath revealed their defeat
false hopes did not deceive him as they did the others.
And the king was among those captured
لاno عَجَبَwonder أَنthat نَجاhe escaped وَحيطَthough surrounded بِهِon all sides
لا عَجَبَ أَن نَجا وَحيطَ بِهِ
عادَةًthe custom ذيof this الأَرضِland نَشَرَraising مِنthose who قَبرواwere buried
عادَةً ذي الأَرضِ نَشَرَ مِن قَبروا
No wonder he escaped, though surrounded:
Despite that in a presence of esteem they were
this land's custom is to raise those who are buried.
Like palm trees planted around his tomb
مالواturned لِحِطّينَtoward Hattin طالِبينَseeking نَجاescape
مالوا لِحِطّينَ طالِبينَ نَجا
فَلَمbut not يَفِدهُمavailed them ضَلعٌa hillside وَلاnor دَبَرُshelter behind it
فَلَم يَفِدهُم ضَلعٌ وَلا دَبَرُ
They turned toward Hattin seeking escape,
And the Templars in their coats of mail
but neither hillside nor shelter availed them.
Nothing remained but bodies wrapped
وَأَسفَرَand disclosed السَبتَSaturday عِنabout (corrupt text) هَزيمَتِهِمtheir defeat
وَأَسفَرَ السَبتَ عِن هَزيمَتِهِم
وَأَصبَحَand became المُلكُthe king ضِمنَamong مَنthose who أُسِرواwere captured
وَأَصبَحَ المُلكُ ضِمنَ مَن أُسِروا
Saturday disclosed their defeat,
They did not cower for a moment though they were defeated
and the king was among those taken captive.
But the lion is less than it without the panther
وَفَوقَand upon ذاكَthat الصَعيدِplain نائِمَهُمtheir fallen men
وَفَوقَ ذاكَ الصَعيدِ نائِمَهُم
كَأَنَّهُas though they النَخلُpalm-trees وَهوَwhile they مُنقَعِرُwere uprooted
كَأَنَّهُ النَخلُ وَهوَ مُنقَعِرُ
Those lying upon that plain
In a presence they were noble around his tomb
were like uprooted palm-trees.
Such to him from his burial place eminence
وَالهَيكَلِيّونَand the Templars مِنamong قَساوِرِهِمtheir lionlike warriors
وَالهَيكَلِيّونَ مِن قَساوِرِهِم
لَمnot يَبقَremained إِلّاexcept هَياكِلَframes دَثِرُruined
لَم يَبقَ إِلّا هَياكِلَ دَثِرُ
And the Templars, among their lionlike warriors,
They were pushed humiliated toward Yusuf
left nothing but ruined frames.
Their necks bent, their gaze cast down
لَمnot يَجبَنواwere cowardly ساعَةًfor a moment وَإِنeven though خَذِلواdefeated
لَم يَجبَنوا ساعَةً وَإِن خَذِلوا
وَإِنَّماyet indeed اللَيثُthe lion دونَهُbelow it النَمِرُthe tiger
وَإِنَّما اللَيثُ دونَهُ النَمِرُ
They were never cowardly, though defeated;
Debasement made them seem
yet the tiger ranks below the lion.
Like drunken folk as if resurrected
فيin حَضرَةٍa precinct مِنof شُعَيبٍShuayb قَq- (incomplete particle) شَعَبواassembled
في حَضرَةٍ مِن شُعَيبٍ قَ شَعَبوا
كَذاthus لَهُمfor them عَنtoward مِزارِهِhis shrine زورُaversion
كَذا لَهُم عَن مِزارِهِ زورُ
In a precinct of Shuayb they had assembled;
Yusuf an age of a kingdom’s rectitude
such was their aversion to visiting his shrine.
In every matter inclined to righteousness
فَأُزلِفواso they were brought near نَحوَtoward يوسُفَYusuf خَضَعاًbowed
فَأُزلِفوا نَحوَ يوسُفَ خَضَعاً
رِقابَهُمtheir necks ناكِساًcast down لَهُمtheir بَصَرُgaze
رِقابَهُم ناكِساً لَهُم بَصَرُ
They were brought toward Yusuf, bowed,
He felt ashamed at shedding their blood
their necks low, their eyes cast down.
His shyness and all creatures blossoms
تُرهِقَهُمoverwhelms them ذِلَّةًhumiliation وَتَحسَبُهُمand you think them
تُرهِقَهُم ذِلَّةً وَتَحسَبُهُم
قَوماًa people سُكارىdrunken كَأَنَّهُمas though they حُشِرواwere gathered for judgment
قَوماً سُكارى كَأَنَّهُم حُشِروا
Humiliation overwhelmed them; you would think them
The fathers refused to kill them
drunken people, as though gathered for judgment.
He pardoned when he pardoned, and he was capable
يوسُفَYusuf عَصرٍof an age صَلاحُthe righteousness مَملَكَةٍof a kingdom
يوسُفَ عَصرٍ صَلاحُ مَملَكَةٍ
بِكُلِّto every أَمرٍcommand لِلبِرِّof goodness مُؤتَمَرُobedient
بِكُلِّ أَمرٍ لِلبِرِّ مُؤتَمَرُ
Yusuf of an age, the righteousness of a kingdom,
A pardon with which he also pardoned them extended
obedient to every command of goodness.
From his mildness the plain widened and the rugged narrowed
أَصبَحَbecame مُستَحيِياًa preserver of دِماءَهُمtheir blood
أَصبَحَ مُستَحيِياً دِماءَهُم
حَياؤُهُhis modesty والخَلائِقُand the virtues الزُهرُradiant
حَياؤُهُ والخَلائِقُ الزُهرُ
Their blood was spared by
At Arnat his vow was with a hand
his modesty and his radiant virtues.
For too long vows did not adorn it
أَبىrefused عَلَيهِto allow him الأَباءُnobility مَصرَعَهُمtheir slaughter
أَبى عَلَيهِ الأَباءُ مَصرَعَهُم
وَعَفَّand restrained himself إِذwhen عَفَّhe pardoned وَهوَthough he مُقتَدِرُwas powerful
وَعَفَّ إِذ عَفَّ وَهوَ مُقتَدِرُ
His nobility refused to let him slay them,
And he said as he draped it with his sword
and he restrained himself when pardoning, though powerful.
He married the hilt with congratulations bloodied
عَفواًa pardon بِهِwith it عَمَّهُمhe embraced them وَأَخرَجَand excluded مِنone who
عَفواً بِهِ عَمَّهُم وَأَخرَجَ مِن
بِنكَثِهِthrough his oath-breaking السَهلُthe plain ضاقَgrew cramped وَالوَعرُand rugged land
بِنكَثِهِ السَهلُ ضاقَ وَالوَعرُ
He embraced them in pardon, excepting one
His sword the groom, he the mention
whose treachery cramped plain and rugged land alike.
Then the king became fearful, doubting
وَفيfulfilled (contextual reading) بِأَرناطَupon Arnat نَذرُهُhis vow بيدٌyet
وَفي بِأَرناطَ نَذرُهُ بيدٌ
إِذfor طالَماlong لَمnot تَحكِmatched بِهِit النَذرُother vows
إِذ طالَما لَم تَحكِ بِهِ النَذرُ
He fulfilled his vow upon Arnat—yet
That with the sword he would surprise him
how long other vows had failed to match it!
When he saw the Prince’s prostrated body
وَقالَand said إِذwhen تَلَّهُhe felled him بِصارِمِهِwith his sharp sword
وَقالَ إِذ تَلَّهُ بِصارِمِهِ
هاhere أَناI ذاam لِلنَبِيِّfor the Prophet أَنتَصِرُavenge
ها أَنا ذا لِلنَبِيِّ أَنتَصِرُ
And he said, as he felled him with his sword:
He said, seeking the Prince’s forgiveness, I denounce
'Here I am, championing the Prophet.'
So terror momentarily hatched from him when
أَزوَجَwedded بَينَamid التَهليلِthe declaration of God's oneness مُهجَتَهُhis lifeblood
أَزوَجَ بَينَ التَهليلِ مُهجَتَهُ
مَخضوبَةًblood-dyed صارِماًa sharp sword هُوَit is الذِكرُthe virile blade
مَخضوبَةً صارِماً هُوَ الذِكرُ
Amid cries of God's oneness, he wedded his lifeblood
He was given good tidings that no harm would befall him
to a blood-dyed sword, the virile blade.
He was punished with imprisonment, certain of redemption
فَأَصبَحَso became المُلكُthe king وَهوَwhile he مُرتَجِفٌwas trembling
فَأَصبَحَ المُلكُ وَهوَ مُرتَجِفٌ
ماnot شَكَّdoubted أَنَّthat بِالحُسامِwith the sword يَبتَدِرُhe would be struck next
ما شَكَّ أَنَّ بِالحُسامِ يَبتَدِرُ
The king began trembling,
And the kingship alongside blindness deprivation
not doubting that the sword would strike him next.
The back-breaking blow to the Franks became
أَبصَرَsaw جِسمَthe body البِرِنسَof the prince مُنعَفِراًlying in dust
أَبصَرَ جِسمَ البِرِنسَ مُنعَفِراً
فَقالَand said إِثرَafter البِرِنسِthe prince أَقتَفِرُI shall follow
فَقالَ إِثرَ البِرِنسِ أَقتَفِرُ
He saw the prince's body lying in the dust,
The battle of Hittin since they appeared
and said: 'I shall follow after the prince.'
It is as if Ali is Hittin’s starting point
فَأَفرَخَso subsided الرَوعُterror مِنهُfrom him ساعَةًat once إِذwhen
فَأَفرَخَ الرَوعُ مِنهُ ساعَةً إِذ
بُشِّرَhe was given good news أَنthat لَنnot يُصيبِهُwould befall him ضَرَرُharm
بُشِّرَ أَن لَن يُصيبِهُ ضَرَرُ
His terror subsided at once when
And every conquest after it news
he was given the good news that no harm would befall him.
Ibn Ayyub’s fortune to attain it
عوقِبَwas punished بِالأَسرِwith captivity موقِنٌcertain بَرديof death (corrupt text)
عوقِبَ بِالأَسرِ موقِنٌ بَردي
وَجَلَّand seemed great مُلكاًas a kingdom مَعَbeside العَمىblindness العورُone-eyedness
وَجَلَّ مُلكاً مَعَ العَمى العورُ
Punished with captivity, though certain of death,
And God created him uniquely for it
he found one-eyedness a great kingdom beside blindness.
And the army whose call became
قاصِمَةَback-breaking الظَهرِthe back لِلفِرِنجِfor the Franks غَدَتbecame
قاصِمَةَ الظَهرِ لِلفِرِنجِ غَدَت
وَقعَةَthe battle قَرنىof the two Horns حِطينَof Hattin مُذsince ظَهَرواthey appeared
وَقعَةَ قَرنى حِطينَ مُذ ظَهَروا
Back-breaking for the Franks became
Inscribed on the tablet for them reward
the battle of the Horns of Hattin, since their arrival.
A people who relieved the people when they wearied
كَأَنas though عَلياthe heights حَطينَof Hattin مُبتَدَأٌa grammatical subject
كَأَن عَليا حَطينَ مُبتَدَأٌ
وَكُلُّand every فَتحٍconquest مِنfrom بَعدِهاafter it خَبَرُa predicate
وَكُلُّ فَتحٍ مِن بَعدِها خَبَرُ
As though Hattin's heights were a grammatical subject,
And who by staying up brought relief to the people
and every subsequent conquest its predicate.
Through them the ancestors of Islam ascended
حَظُّthe fortune اِبنِof the son أَيّوبَof Ayyub أَنto يَفوزَwin بِهاit
حَظُّ اِبنِ أَيّوبَ أَن يَفوزَ بِها
وَاللَهُand God مِنamong خَلقِهِHis creatures لَهُfor him أُثرُfavor
وَاللَهُ مِن خَلقِهِ لَهُ أُثرُ
Ibn Ayyub's fortune was to win it,
After its people had stumbled
and God favored him among His creatures.
And to Ibn Shadhi renown that circulated
وَحَظُّand the fortune جَيشٍof an army لِيَfor me (wording unclear) النِداءُthe call غَدَتbecame
وَحَظُّ جَيشٍ لِيَ النِداءُ غَدَت
فيin اللَوحِthe Tablet مَكتوبَةٌwritten لَهُfor it الأَجرُthe reward
في اللَوحِ مَكتوبَةٌ لَهُ الأَجرُ
And the army's fortune—[unclear phrase about the call]—became
In every place as if it were dripping
a reward inscribed for it upon the Tablet.
He stood alone facing the Franks
قَومٌa people أَراحواgave rest الأَقوامَto peoples إِذwhen تَعِبواthey grew weary
قَومٌ أَراحوا الأَقوامَ إِذ تَعِبوا
وَقَدand indeed أَنامواput to sleep الأَنامَmankind إِذwhile سَهِرواthey kept vigil
وَقَد أَناموا الأَنامَ إِذ سَهِروا
People who gave other peoples rest while themselves weary,
And the people of every faith cowered
and put mankind to sleep while themselves keeping vigil.
Until he regained most of the lands
بِهِمthrough them جُدودَthe fortunes الإِسلامِof Islam قَدhad صَعِدَتrisen
بِهِم جُدودَ الإِسلامِ قَد صَعِدَت
مِنfrom بَعدِafter ماthat كانَhad أَهلُهُits people عَثَرواstumbled
مِن بَعدِ ما كانَ أَهلُهُ عَثَروا
Through them Islam's fortunes rose,
And Jerusalem compliant and the boulder
after its people had stumbled.
The two hundred fortresses used to protect them
وَلِاِبنِand for the son شاذيof Shadhi ذِكرُfame شَذاهُits fragrance سَرىspread
وَلِاِبنِ شاذي ذِكرُ شَذاهُ سَرى
فيin كُلِّevery قَطرٍregion كَأَنَّهُas though it القَطرُrain
في كُلِّ قَطرٍ كَأَنَّهُ القَطرُ
For the son of Shadhi, fame's fragrance spread
Impenetrable when our frontiers were exposed
through every region, as though it were rain.
From every fortress he uncovered their disgrace
قامَstood بِوَجهِagainst الفِرِنجِthe Franks مُنفَرِداًalone
قامَ بِوَجهِ الفِرِنجِ مُنفَرِداً
وَالقَومُwhile the people مِنfrom كُلِّevery أُمَّةٍnation جَمَرواassembled
وَالقَومُ مِن كُلِّ أُمَّةٍ جَمَروا
He stood alone against the Franks,
By the sword, he did not walk toward them drunk
while they gathered from every nation,
And Sur remained unbreachable in its strongholds
حَتّىuntil اِستَرَدَّhe recovered البِلادَthe lands أَكثَرَهاmost of them
حَتّى اِستَرَدَّ البِلادَ أَكثَرَها
وَأَصبَحُand became القُدسُJerusalem دانٍsubmissive وَالصَخرُand the Rock
وَأَصبَحُ القُدسُ دانٍ وَالصَخرُ
until he recovered most of the lands,
And in every direction images defending it
and Jerusalem yielded, and the Rock.
Who pardoned them in his benevolence
كانَتwere مِئتُa hundred الحُصونِfortresses تَعصِمُهُمprotecting them
كانَت مِئتُ الحُصونِ تَعصِمُهُم
مَنيعَةًimpregnable إِذwhile ثُغورَناour frontiers ثَغرُopen gaps
مَنيعَةً إِذ ثُغورَنا ثَغرُ
A hundred fortresses had protected them,
And his slackness, and they were many
impregnable, while our frontiers lay as open gaps.
They all refused in its ruggedness
مِنfrom كُلِّevery حِصنٍfortress أَماطَhe removed عَرَّتُهُمtheir scourge
مِن كُلِّ حِصنٍ أَماطَ عَرَّتُهُم
بِالسَيفِwith the sword لَمnot يَمشِwalked نَحوَهُمtoward them خَمرُunder cover
بِالسَيفِ لَم يَمشِ نَحوَهُم خَمرُ
From every fortress he removed their scourge
So it was refuge and pressing for them
by the sword, not approaching them under cover.
Reproach in forbearance and loyalty is a hero’s slip
وَاِستَعصَمَتand held fast صورٌTyre فيin مَعاقِلِهاits strongholds
وَاِستَعصَمَت صورٌ في مَعاقِلِها
وَكُلُّand every طَرفٍeye بِهِwithin it لَهاtoward it صُوَرُinclination
وَكُلُّ طَرفٍ بِهِ لَها صُوَرُ
Tyre held fast within its strongholds,
For it is the best trait of mankind
and every eye was drawn toward it.
What is the point of patience long in a man
مَنthrough فَرَطَthe abundance ماof what عَمَّهُمhe embraced them with بِرَأفَتِهِof his compassion
مَن فَرَطَ ما عَمَّهُم بِرَأفَتِهِ
وَفَلتِهِand his releasing فَلَهُمtheir defeated remnant وَقَدwhen كَثَرواthey grew numerous
وَفَلتِهِ فَلَهُم وَقَد كَثَروا
Through the abundance of compassion he showed them,
If the point of shortness did not sell him
and his letting their defeated remnants escape, they grew many.
He was gentle and forbearing
فَاِمتَنَعواso they entrenched themselves كُلُّهُمall of them بِعَقوَتِهاwithin its precincts
فَاِمتَنَعوا كُلُّهُم بِعَقوَتِها
فَهيَso it لَهُمfor them مَلجَاٌa refuge وَمُعتَصِرُand a sanctuary
فَهيَ لَهُم مَلجَاٌ وَمُعتَصِرُ
They all entrenched themselves within its precincts,
Like a sword in water, its sharpness sparks
and it became their refuge and sanctuary.
The fervor of power nothing corrupted it
إِنif عيبَwas faulted بِالحِلمِfor forbearance وَالوَفاand fidelity بَطَلٌa hero
إِن عيبَ بِالحِلمِ وَالوَفا بَطَلٌ
فَإِنَّهُthen it خَيرُthe finest ماin which هَفاerred البَشَرُhumanity
فَإِنَّهُ خَيرُ ما هَفا البَشَرُ
If a hero is faulted for forbearance and fidelity,
And the torrent of forbearance nothing muddied it
that is the finest error humanity has made.
He did not know irritation from the turmoil
ماnot شانَdisgraced طولُthe length الأَنّاةِof patience فيin رَجُلٍa man
ما شانَ طولُ الأَنّاةِ في رَجُلٍ
إِنif لَمnot يَكُنhad شانَdisgraced باعَهُhis reach القِصَرُshortness
إِن لَم يَكُن شانَ باعَهُ القِصَرُ
Long patience never disgraced a man,
And both sides were irritated
unless shortness had already disgraced his reach.
Until he completely unveiled their disgrace
قَدindeed كانَhe was فيin رِقَّةٍtenderness وَفيand in جَلَدٍendurance
قَد كانَ في رِقَّةٍ وَفي جَلَدٍ
كَالسَيفِlike a sword فيin ماءٍits sheen حَدُّهُits edge الشَرَرُsparks
كَالسَيفِ في ماءٍ حَدُّهُ الشَرَرُ
In tenderness and endurance he was
Nothing of his worries alleviated
like a sword in its sheen, its edge all sparks:
Who fortified the Abode of Islam after separation
جَمرَةَan ember بِأسٍof valor ماnot شابَهاmixed with it وَهَلfear
جَمرَةَ بِأسٍ ما شابَها وَهَل
غَمرَةَan ocean حِلمٍof forbearance ماnot شابَهاmixed with it كَدَرُmurk
غَمرَةَ حِلمٍ ما شابَها كَدَرُ
an ember of valor unmixed with fear,
Like that, below it are spears
an ocean of forbearance unmixed with murk.
The frontiers of the kingdom did not distract him
ماnot كانَwas يَدريhe knew مِنَfrom الوَغىwarfare ضَجَراًweariness
ما كانَ يَدري مِنَ الوَغى ضَجَراً
وَالكُلُّwhile everyone فيon الجانِبَينِboth sides قَدhad ضَجَرواgrown weary
وَالكُلُّ في الجانِبَينِ قَد ضَجَروا
He knew no weariness of warfare,
From a frontier, nor an onlooker fascinated him
though everyone on both sides had grown weary.
And it was forbidden for the enemy to mention him
حَتّىuntil يَميطَhe removed العُوارُthe blemish أَجمَعُهُall of it
حَتّى يَميطَ العُوارُ أَجمَعُهُ
ماnot هانَgrew light مِنamong كُلِّall هَمِّهِhis cares العُسرُhardship
ما هانَ مِن كُلِّ هَمِّهِ العُسرُ
Until he removed every blemish,
In their lands, his mention is fragrance
no hardship among all his cares grew light.
The bones of kings stand at his door
أَمَّنsecured دارَthe realm الإِسلامِof Islam بَعدَafter عَناtoil
أَمَّن دارَ الإِسلامِ بَعدَ عَنا
كَذَلِكَthus الشُهدُhoney دونَهُbefore it الإِبَرُneedles
كَذَلِكَ الشُهدُ دونَهُ الإِبَرُ
He secured the realm of Islam after toil:
And he is the greatest decay
so it is with honey—needles stand before it.
And the eminent bow, humbled at his soil
لَمnot يُلهِهِdistracted him عَنfrom ثُغورِthe frontiers مَملَكَةٍof a kingdom
لَم يُلهِهِ عَن ثُغورِ مَملَكَةٍ
ثَغَرَa smiling mouth وَلاnor ناظِرٌan eye بِهِwithin it حورُdark-and-white beauty
ثَغَرَ وَلا ناظِرٌ بِهِ حورُ
He was not distracted from a kingdom's frontiers
The head with the highest crown wrist-deep
by a smiling mouth or a dark, lovely eye.
Prominence lives on after its owner
وَكانَand was مِنof حُرمَةِthe respect العَدُوِّof the enemy لَهُfor him
وَكانَ مِن حُرمَةِ العَدُوِّ لَهُ
أَنَّthat ذِكرُهُhis memory فيin بِلادِهِمtheir lands عَطِرُfragrant
أَنَّ ذِكرُهُ في بِلادِهِم عَطِرُ
Such was the enemy's respect for him
And renown remains even if you become different
that his memory is fragrant in their lands.
And we after all that and this
تَغدوcome to be عِظامُthe great ones المُلوكِamong kings واقِفَةًstanding
تَغدو عِظامُ المُلوكِ واقِفَةً
بِبابِهِat his door وَهوَthough he أَعظَمُbones (contextual reading) نَخرُdecayed
بِبابِهِ وَهوَ أَعظَمُ نَخرُ
Great kings come to stand
Nothing remains but narration and passing the night
at his door, though he is but decayed bones.
وَيَنحَنيand bends حاسِراًbareheaded بِتُربَتِهِat his tomb
وَيَنحَني حاسِراً بِتُربَتِهِ
رَأسٌa head بِأَعلىwith the loftiest التيجانِcrowns مُعتَجِرُadorned
رَأسٌ بِأَعلى التيجانِ مُعتَجِرُ
Bareheaded, at his tomb, bends
a head adorned with the loftiest crowns.
وَالفَضلُand virtue يَحياlives مِنfrom بَعدِafter صاحِبِهِits possessor
وَالفَضلُ يَحيا مِن بَعدِ صاحِبِهِ
وَالذِكرُand remembrance يَبقىremains وَلَوeven if عُدتَyou become غَيرُdifferent
وَالذِكرُ يَبقى وَلَو عُدتَ غَيرُ
Virtue lives on after its possessor,
and remembrance remains, even if you are changed.
وَنَحنُand we مِنfrom بَعدِafter كُلِّall ذاكَthat وَذاand this
وَنَحنُ مِن بَعدِ كُلِّ ذاكَ وَذا
لَمnot يَبقَremains إِلّاexcept الحَديثُtalk وَالسَمَرُand evening tales
لَم يَبقَ إِلّا الحَديثُ وَالسَمَرُ
And we, after all that and this,
have nothing left but talk and evening tales.
Partial English translation: 273 of 280 Arabic lines translated.