Sol 6.1

  1. تبسم ثغر للصباح شنيب

    فلاح بغرد الليل منه مشيب

    A cool, bright-toothed mouth of morning smiled,

    and grayness from it gleamed in the night's [unclear word].

  2. وفرّت ظباء الزهر من قائص الضيا

    كما نفرت خوف الغضنفر نيب

    The gazelles of the blossoms fled the hunter of radiance,

    as aged she-camels flee in fear of a lion.

  3. وراع نجيب الغيم واجر رعده

    كما ارتاع من صوت الجلاجل ذيب

    The cloud's noble camel was startled by its thunder's [unclear word],

    as a wolf is startled by the sound of bells.

  4. وأذرت جفون السحب عبرة مزنها

    وقد حان من تلك النجوم غروب

    The clouds' eyelids shed the tears of their rain-clouds,

    when those stars were due to set.

  5. وفضّ ختام الروض عن نشر طيبه

    فهبّ نسيم للنسيب نسيب

    The garden's seal was broken, releasing its fragrance,

    and a breeze arose, akin to love's verse.

  6. وأومض برق من ثنايا عذيبه

    فسح سحاب للدموع سكوب

    Lightning flashed from the front teeth of its sweet mouth,

    and a cloud poured copious tears.

  7. ولاح جبين للغزالة نير

    فماس قوام للقضب وطيب

    The sun's radiant forehead appeared,

    and the boughs' graceful forms swayed, with fragrance.

  8. وأشبه غصن البان في الدوح منبرا

    فقام عليه للحمام وخطيب

    A bān-tree branch among the trees resembled a pulpit,

    and upon it stood a preacher for the doves.

  9. وللطفل في فهد الأزاهر لهجة

    وللريح من حجر الرياض هبوب وللزه

    The child has a voice in the flowers' ‘leopard’ [unclear wording],

    and the wind blows from the gardens' lap; and for the [broken word],

  10. في هام الأراكة وقفة

    وللنهر ما بين الغصون دبيب

    a pause upon the arāk tree's crown,

    while the river creeps between the branches.

  11. سقى الدمع أكناف العقيق وإن غدا

    يشابهه في الحد حين يصوب

    May tears water the reaches of al-ʿAqīq, even if they come

    to resemble it at the edge as they stream.

  12. وحي الحيا وادي الغضا وأهيله

    وإن شب منه في الفؤاد لهيب

    May rain greet the valley of al-Ghaḍā and its dear people,

    even if a flame from it blazes in the heart.

  13. فيا أربعا مذ رضت نجم رياضها

    تلاعب فيها شمال وجنوب

    O dwelling places, since I tended your gardens' herbage,

    north and south winds have played within you.

  14. بعيشك هل تدرين أن مدامعي

    تشيع جوى الفؤاد يذوب

    By your life, do you know that my tears

    escort the heart's anguish as it melts?

  15. فللحسن منكن النضارة والبها

    وللحزن منا أعين وقلوب

    From you, beauty has freshness and splendor;

    from us, sorrow has eyes and hearts.

  16. ويا ليلة قد شب عمرو وصالها

    عن الطوق لما إن دعاه مشيب

    O night, the ʿAmr of whose union outgrew

    his collar when gray hair summoned him!

  17. كأنّ دجاها دوحة بين أيكها

    فؤادي وحبي طائر وقضيب

    As though its darkness were a great tree, within whose thickets

    my heart and my love were a bird and a branch.

  18. رشفت بها كأس الهوى ومنادمي

    مهاة بألباب الأسود لعوب

    I sipped the cup of passion there, and my drinking companion

    was a she-oryx playing with the minds of lions.

  19. كحيلة مجرى الطرف أما جبينها

    فراء وأما ثغرها فشنيب

    Dark with kohl around her eyes; as for her forehead,

    [unclear]; as for her mouth, it is cool and bright-toothed.

  20. أيا علمي نجد أما من مسامر

    يسامره حتى الصباح غريب

    O two landmarks of Najd, is there no night companion

    with whom a stranger may converse until morning?

  21. غريب إذا ما سودّ وجه الدجى وإن

    تبسم ثغر الصبح فهو كئيب

    A stranger when the face of darkness blackens, and even if

    morning's mouth smiles, he is dejected.

  22. كئيب حزين نازح الدار شفه

    سقام كما شاء الغرام مذيب

    Dejected, sorrowful, far from home, worn down

    by a wasting sickness, as love has willed.

  23. ينوح على ما فات من عيشه وهل

    يريح نواح أوفيد نديب

    He mourns the life that has passed him by; but does

    lamentation bring relief, or a dirge avail?

  24. وما هاجني إلا حمام لشدويه

    أنين إذا جن الظلام يطيب

    Nothing stirred me but a dove whose two songs

    hold a moan that grows sweet when darkness falls.

  25. عليم بطرف السجع أما أنينه

    فوجل وأما نوحه فنسيب

    Skilled in the subtleties of cooing; as for its moan,

    it is fear, while its lament is love's verse.

  26. يظن حزينا نائحا فوق أيكه

    وما هو إلا صادح وطروب

    It is thought sorrowful, lamenting above its thicket,

    yet it is only singing and full of delight.

  27. أسائله عن حاله فيجيبني

    وسيان منا سائل ومجيب

    I ask it about its condition, and it answers me;

    the questioner and answerer among us are alike.

  28. فيا قلب والأحشاء غير جواذع

    أما حان بعد البين منك وجيب

    O heart—though the innards are not anguished [reading uncertain]—

    has the time not come for your throbbing after separation?

  29. ويا دمع والأجفان غير موانع

    أما آن من صوب العهاد صبيب

    O tears—though the eyelids do not bar you—

    is it not time for a torrent like recurring rains?

  30. ويا صب والأيام غير رواجع

    أما لك من داء الفراق طبيب

    O lovesick one—though the days do not return—

    have you no physician for the sickness of separation?

  31. فكل صباحي لوعة وتاسف

    وكل مسائي أنة ونحيب

    Every morning of mine is anguish and regret,

    and every evening a groan and sobbing.

  32. أراعي أفقول النجم وهو مسامر

    وأرعى بزوغ الفجر وهو رقيب

    I watch the stars' setting, while they keep me company,

    and watch dawn's rising, while it keeps watch over me.

  33. ويكفيني لهف البعاد وطالما

    رتعت بروض القرب وهو خصيب

    The grief of distance is enough for me; how long

    I grazed in the garden of nearness while it was fertile!

  34. ويحزنني شخص المزار قلما

    يسر محب قد جفاه حبيب

    The shape of the meeting-place saddens me; seldom

    is a lover gladdened when a beloved has shunned him.

  35. ولما دعا داعي الوادع وفجعت

    غرابيب بين نعيهن نعيب

    When the caller of farewell called, and grief was dealt

    by pitch-black ravens of separation whose tidings were croaks,

  36. تعرّض لي بالأبرقين بوارق

    يشوقك منها صادق وكذوب

    flashes appeared before me at al-Abraqayn;

    both their truthful and their false flashes awaken longing.

  37. فغادوتها الأشواق وهي روائح

    وهل يتساوى ناوح وقريب

    Longings sought them at dawn [reading uncertain], while they departed at evening;

    can one far away and one nearby be alike?

  38. يمينا لأطوى شقة البيد مسرعا

    بحرف لها مثل الرياح هبوب

    I swear to cross the desert's expanse swiftly,

    upon a lean she-camel that surges like the winds.

  39. غدا فرة كرماء عوجاء جسرة

    جموع علنداة قلوص ركوب

    She has become [unclear], noble, bent-limbed and sturdy,

    strong-striding, massive, a young riding she-camel,

  40. شمردلة قوداء عنس شملة

    أمون صلخداة صموت لعوب

    tall and powerful, long-necked, full-grown, swift,

    reliable, firm, quiet and playful,

  41. مكلثمة العشون مهصومة الكلا

    تخب كأيم في الفلاة بسيب

    rounded about the chin and hollow about the flanks [readings uncertain],

    trotting like a serpent moving freely through the waste.

  42. دميلة سير لا أزال لوخدها

    أحول بأعناق الصبا وأجوب

    Smooth of gait; for her swift pace I never cease

    to turn with the necks of the east wind and roam,

  43. لشهد في بطحاء مكة غادة

    بها الحسن خال والجمال نسيب

    to behold upon Mecca's gravel plain a maiden

    whose maternal uncle is beauty and whose kinsman is loveliness,

  44. وأسمع في أطيارها من سجعه

    تشق قلوب لا تشق جيوب

    and hear among her birds cooing

    that rends hearts, not garment collars,

  45. وأنشق من أرجائها كل عاطر

    يضوع عند التنشق طيب

    and inhale from her environs every fragrant breath

    whose sweetness spreads when inhaled,

  46. وألثم من نورها كل مبسم

    تمازج فيه سكر وحليب

    and kiss every smiling mouth among her blossoms,

    where sugar and milk mingle.

  47. فيا غاديا يطوي الفلا بعزائم

    لها في غرامي سابق ونجيب

    O traveler crossing the wilderness at dawn with resolve,

    for which my ardor has a racer and a noble mount:

  48. لئن طوحت أيدي النوى بك غيلة

    فيمم محل الأمن فهو قريب

    if the hands of distance treacherously cast you away,

    make for the place of safety, for it is near.

  49. وإن ضقت ذرعا فأعمل العيس قاصدا

    حمى المصطفى المختار فهو رحيب

    If your resources fail, set the pale camels moving toward

    the sanctuary of the Chosen One, for it is spacious.

  50. نبئ شريف صادق القول مرسل

    عزيز وكي مجتبى وحبيب

    A noble prophet, truthful in speech, sent as a messenger,

    mighty, [unclear epithet], elect and beloved,

  51. جليل عظيم خاتم الرسل فاتح

    خليل شفيع أرحي وهوب

    august, great, seal of the messengers, an opener,

    an intimate friend, an intercessor, generous [reading uncertain], lavish in giving,

  52. بشير نذير حاشر الخلق عاقب

    سراج منير طاهر وحسيب

    a bringer of good tidings, a warner, gatherer of mankind, the last successor,

    a radiant lamp, pure and noble,

  53. مطاع مكين صفوة الله مرتضى

    نقي تقي خاشع ومنيب

    obeyed, firmly established, God's chosen one, approved,

    unblemished, devout, humble and turning back to God,

  54. غمام الندى شمس الهدى واضح

    السنا جميل الثنا خير الأنام مجيب

    a cloud of generosity, the sun of guidance, clear

    in radiance, fair in praise, the best of mankind, responsive,

  55. مصيب لأعراض العلا قبل رميه

    ولا عجب أن اللبيب مصيب

    hitting the targets of high honor before releasing his shot;

    no wonder that the discerning one hits his mark.

  56. أعم الورى جودا وألمع واضحا

    وحسبك غيث ملمع وسكوب

    Most encompassing of mankind in generosity, brightest in radiance;

    sufficient for you is rain that flashes and pours.

  57. ففي كل غيث ما سواه تجهم

    وفي كل شمس ما عداه شحوب

    Every rain other than him has gloom,

    and every sun other than him has pallor.

  58. عليه لسيما المعجزات أدلة

    وفيه لبذل المكرمات ضروب

    Upon him are proofs in the marks of miracles,

    and within him are many forms of bestowing noble gifts.

  59. تسنم أعلى ذروة العز مجده

    وألبس ثوب الفخر وهو قشيب

    His glory ascended the highest summit of honor,

    and he was clothed in a fresh robe of pride.

  60. وسار إلى المعراج في حفظ ربه

    وجبريل حاد والبراق نجيب

    He traveled to the Ascension under his Lord's protection,

    with Gabriel as the camel-driver and al-Burāq as his noble mount.

  61. وما زال حتى جاوز الحجب وارتقى

    محلا عليه للجمال ندوب

    He continued until he passed beyond the veils and rose

    to a station bearing beauty's marks.

  62. وشاهد وجه الحق والحق ناظر

    إليه بعين الاصطفا ومثيب

    He beheld the face of the Truth, and the Truth looked

    upon him with the eye of election, rewarding him.

  63. وقال له سل تعط واشفع بعزة

    تشفع وقل تسمع فأنت حبيب

    He said to him: ‘Ask and be given; intercede with honor,

    and your intercession will be accepted; speak and be heard, for you are beloved.

  64. ولا تخش بعد القرب بيتا ووحشة

    فأنت مكين عندنا وقريب

    Do not fear, after nearness, a dwelling or loneliness,

    for you are firmly established with Us, and near.’

  65. وعاد قرير العين بالفوز والرضا

    إلى بيته والصدر منه رحيب

    He returned with gladdened eyes, with success and approval,

    to his home, his breast expansive.

  66. وأصبح ينبي عن عظيم مقامه

    بصادع حق لم تشبه عيوب

    He began telling of his exalted station,

    proclaiming a truth untainted by faults.

  67. وقام يدعوى الحق للخلق فاهتدى

    منيب إلى الدعوى وضل مريب

    He rose to call creation to the Truth; guided was

    one who turned toward the call, while the doubter went astray.

  68. وطابق بين البذل والمنع في الورى

    فحبب منه مشهد ومغيب

    He balanced giving and withholding among mankind,

    so both his presence and his absence were beloved.

  69. ومر على نبت الحمى وهو مجذب

    فاصبح بعد الجذب وهو خصيب

    He passed the sanctuary's vegetation while it was drought-stricken,

    and after drought it became fertile.

  70. وبدر الدجى قد شق شوقا لقربه

    كما حن خوف البعد منه عسيب

    The full moon of darkness split in longing for his nearness,

    as a palm branch yearned in fear of distance from him.

  71. وشمس الضحى ردت له وبكفه

    جرى وتثنى سلسل وقضيب

    The morning sun was returned for him, and in his palm

    clear water flowed and a branch bent.

  72. وأبدى ببدر سعد لصبحه

    ونجم شقاء للعداة يصيب

    At Badr he displayed good fortune for his dawn,

    and a star of misery striking his enemies.

  73. وفي أحد قد وحد النصر دينه

    فعززا إسلام وذل صيلب

    At Uḥud victory united his religion,

    so Islam grew mighty and the cross was humbled.

  74. دعا الدين من أقطاره فأجابه

    فيا حبذا داع له ومجيب

    He called religion from its far reaches, and it answered him;

    how excellent its caller and its answerer!

  75. وجلل أرض الكفر جيشين واحدا

    يجول وجيشا في السماء يجوب

    He covered the land of unbelief with two armies: one

    ranging upon it, and another roaming in the sky.

  76. إذا شخصت في ذلك الجيش أعين

    تمزّق من هذا حشا وقلوب

    When eyes stared toward that army,

    entrails and hearts were torn by this one.

  77. وإن شكت الهيجا والهيج أذاقها

    زعافا عن السم الزعاف بنوب

    If battle and tumult complained, he made them taste

    a venom that stood in place of deadly poison [reading uncertain].

  78. وإن صال خطب كف شعراء كفه

    ولم تثنه عما أراد خطوب

    If calamity charged, his bristling hand checked it,

    and hardships did not turn him from his purpose.

  79. فكم قد سبى من ضيغم لا تهوله

    نوائب تغتال الحجا وحروب

    How many a lion he captured, undaunted by

    calamities that overthrow reason, or by wars!

  80. وكم قد علا بالغضب قرما فتله

    صريعا ولم ينقذه منه هروب

    How often he overpowered a champion in anger and cast him down

    slain, with flight unable to save him!

  81. وللسمو إشراق يزيح دجى الوغى

    وللبيض في هام العداة غروب

    Loftiness has a radiance that dispels battle's darkness,

    and white blades have a setting in the enemies' heads.

  82. وللجو طرف بالعجاج مكحل

    وللأرض خدّ بالنجيع خصيب

    The air has an eye darkened with dust,

    and the earth a cheek rich with blood.

  83. سجية وضاح يضاعف بشره

    إذا ما اغتدى وجه الكماة قطوب

    His nature is radiant; his cheerful welcome doubles

    when the champions' faces become grim.

  84. وصبح نجاح إن دجى ليل فتنه

    وصدر ارتياح إن أضر لغوب

    A dawn of success when the night of turmoil darkens,

    a breast of comfort when weariness afflicts,

  85. وليث كفاح إن تراكم حارث

    وغيث سماح إن تكاثر حوب

    a lion in combat when calamity mounts [reading uncertain],

    and a rain of generosity when sin multiplies.

  86. همام لهامات المصائب قارع

    هزبر لأعناق الهياج ركوب

    A hero striking the heads of calamities,

    a lion riding the necks of tumult,

  87. بكل شجاع لا يهاب فؤاده

    حوادث خطب هو لهنّ مهيب

    with every brave warrior whose heart fears not

    the calamities of disaster, while they fear him.

  88. تؤيده في الحرب نفسه أبية

    وقلب على كل الحروب عصيب

    His proud soul supports him in war,

    and a heart tough against every battle,

  89. ورمح للبات الصناديد طاعن

    وسيف لأعناق الطغاة ضروب

    and a spear piercing the throats of champions,

    and a sword striking the necks of tyrants,

  90. وطرف نجيب طامح الطرف سابق

    مروح إذا هاج الهياج طروب

    and a noble steed, lofty-eyed and swift,

    fresh in spirit, delighted when battle flares,

  91. عتيل عربض مرهف القرن أجرد

    أسيل سيوح أعوجيّ جنوب

    burly, robust, slender-forelocked and sleek-coated,

    smooth-cheeked, far-ranging, of Aʿwaj's breed, swift,

  92. طمر على سبق العتاق محافظ

    جواد على السير الشريد دؤوب

    a leaper preserving its lead over thoroughbreds,

    a fine steed tireless in its headlong roaming.

  93. يفوت وميض البرق والريح ذاهبا

    ويختطف الأبصار حين يؤوب

    It outstrips lightning's flash and the wind going forth,

    and snatches away eyes when it returns.

  94. له كفل كالترس محدودب الضلا

    ومتن عظيم المنكبين نحوب

    It has a croup like a shield, convex ribs,

    and a back with great shoulders, lean,

  95. وساق ظليم زانه دور حافر

    وجيد غزال طال فيه سبيب

    an ostrich's shank adorned by a rounded hoof,

    and a gazelle's neck with a long flowing mane,

  96. وأذنا خذور كالسنان ومقلتا

    طلى راعه القناص فهو هيوب

    the ears of a secluded doe, like spearheads, and the eyes

    of a fawn frightened by the hunter, timid,

  97. طويل الخطا عبل القوائم ضامر

    قصير المطا رحب اللبان لعوب

    long-striding, stout-legged, slender,

    short-backed, broad-chested and playful,

  98. بعيد المدى عالي الذرا

    سالم الشطا تروقك منه غرة وعسيب

    far-ranging, high at the withers,

    sound in its tendons, pleasing you with its blaze and tail.

  99. مكر مفر مقبل مدير معا

    كبرق سحاب أنشأته جنوب

    Charging, retreating, advancing and turning together,

    like lightning from a cloud raised by a south wind,

  100. بنقع به سمر الرياح قبائل

    وجوّ به بيض الصفاح شعوب

    amid dust where brown winds are tribes,

    and air where white sword-blades are nations.

  101. فيا لك منها عامل ومثقّف

    وحسبك منها مخرم ورسوب

    What a spear-shaft and a straightened lance you have there!

    Sufficient for you are their piercer and deep-plunger.

  102. حراد ظبا تستتبع النصر يا لها

    نجوما بآفاق الرقاب تغيب

    Keen edges that draw victory after them—what

    stars, disappearing on the horizons of necks!

  103. قضت يوم بدر باكتمال مصدق

    ومحق عدو قد حواه قليب

    On the day of Badr they decreed the fullness of a believer,

    and the extinction of an enemy enclosed by a well.

  104. يجردهها في النقع ليث كسا العدا

    ثياب هوان حشوهن شعوب

    A lion unsheathes them amid dust, clothing enemies

    in garments of humiliation whose stuffing is Death.

  105. ترفع قدرا في العلا عن مشابه

    فليس له في العالمين ضروب

    He rose in rank within glory beyond any likeness,

    and has no equals in all the worlds.

  106. نبئ كريم قد قصدت جنابه

    ومن يقصد المختار كيف يخيب

    A generous prophet whose presence I have sought;

    how can one who seeks the Chosen One be disappointed?

  107. طويل نجاد فيه مدحي مقصر

    رفيع عماد إن نحته ركوب

    Long of sword-belt, whom my praise falls short of honoring,

    lofty of tent-pole, toward whom mounts make their way.

  108. محبب أوصاف ألم تر مدحه

    يلد إذا كررته ويطيب

    Beloved in his qualities—do you not see that his praise

    delights when repeated, and grows sweet?

  109. تسلسل مدحي في غريب حديثه

    فصح به أن الحديث غريب

    My praise ran in a chain through his rare account,

    proving thereby that the account is rare.

  110. وكم مدحة لي فيه عالجها الغنا

    وحطّت بها عنّي لديه ذنوب

    How many a praise of him of mine has song shaped,

    through which sins were lifted from me in his presence!

  111. فيا ربّ لا تكشف عيوبا سترتها

    فأنت عليها شاهد ورقيب

    O Lord, do not expose faults You have concealed,

    for You witness them and keep watch.

  112. ويا رب لا تكشف عيوبا سترتها

    فأنت عليها شاهد ورقيب

    O Lord, do not expose faults You have concealed,

    for You witness them and keep watch.

  113. ويا رب المختار فرج بليتي

    فأنت عليها شاهد ورقيب

    O Lord of the Chosen One, relieve my affliction,

    for You witness it and keep watch.

  114. ويا رب لا تردد دعائي خائبا

    ومن لم توفقه فكيف يتوب

    O Lord, do not send my prayer back disappointed;

    how can one You have not aided repent?

  115. دعوتك مضطرا وجئتك تائبا

    فأنت لقولي سامع ومجيب

    I called upon You in distress and came to You repentant,

    for You hear my words and answer.

  116. فوفق وسامح واعف واغفر خطيئتي

    فأنت سميع للدعاء قريب

    Grant success, pardon, remit, and forgive my sin,

    for You hear prayer and are near.

  117. وصل على المختار ما لاح بارق

    وأرعد وسميّ وهبّ جنوب

    Bless the Chosen One as long as lightning flashes,

    early seasonal rain thunders, and a south wind blows.

  118. وبارك على آل النبي وصحبه

    متى ما انثنى غصن وما كثيب

    Bless the Prophet's family and his companions,

    whenever a branch bends—and a dune [wording incomplete].