تَنَبَّهْawake فَزَنْجُfor the Zanj of اللَّيْلِnight نَازَلَهُengaged them in combat القِبْطُthe Copts
تَنَبَّهْ فَزَنْجُ اللَّيْلِ نَازَلَهُ القِبْطُ
وَدُهْمُand the black steeds of الدُّجىdarkness تَكْبُوstumble وشُهْبُand the gray steeds of الضّياlight تَخْطوstride
وَدُهْمُ الدُّجى تَكْبُو وشُهْبُ الضّيا تَخْطو
Awake! The Copts have engaged the Zanj of night in combat.
The dark rouse to the night's Zenj; the dawn cascades it
The black steeds of darkness stumble, while light's gray steeds stride.
Its gloom swells in darkness while the dawn gleams pass
وَفَرَّand fled نَجَاشِيُّthe Negus of الظَّلاَمِdarkness وَقَدْhaving already رَأىseen
وَفَرَّ نَجَاشِيُّ الظَّلاَمِ وَقَدْ رَأى
مُقَوْقِسٌthe Muqawqis of جيشthe army of الصُّبحِdawn فيat إثرِهhis heels يَسْطُوassailing
مُقَوْقِسٌ جيش الصُّبحِ في إثرِه يَسْطُو
The Negus of darkness fled, having seen
Jonashi, the darkness, fled, seeing
the Muqawqis of dawn's army charging at his heels.
Muqauqis marching the dawn troops in its wake
وَغَابَتْand vanished عَلاَمَاتُthe signs of الدُّجَىdarkness السُّودُthe black عِندمَاwhen
وَغَابَتْ عَلاَمَاتُ الدُّجَى السُّودُ عِندمَا
تَرَاءَتْappeared لَهَاbefore them رَايَاتُthe banners of شَمْسِthe sun of الضُّحَىforenoon الشُّمْطُthe gray-streaked
تَرَاءَتْ لَهَا رَايَاتُ شَمْسِ الضُّحَى الشُّمْطُ
The black signs of darkness vanished when
The signs of darkness vanished when
the gray-streaked banners of the forenoon sun appeared before them.
They saw the banners of the smiling morn unfurl
وَسَلَّتْand drew يَمِينْthe right hand of البَرْقِlightning فيin الشَّرْقِthe east صَارِماًa sharp sword
وَسَلَّتْ يَمِينْ البَرْقِ في الشَّرْقِ صَارِماً
تُقَدُّare cleft بِهِby it أتْرَاسُthe shields of سُحْبِthe clouds of الحَيَاrain اللُّمْطُthe smooth
تُقَدُّ بِهِ أتْرَاسُ سُحْبِ الحَيَا اللُّمْطُ
Lightning's right hand drew a sharp sword in the east,
The bolt of the dawn brandished its sword in the East
cleaving the smooth shields of rain clouds.
Leading the stratus clouds, like a drove behind it
وَرُكِّبَand were mounted فِيin بُرْجِthe tower of الغَمَامِthe clouds مَدَافِعٌcannons
وَرُكِّبَ فِي بُرْجِ الغَمَامِ مَدَافِعٌ
يضرجهاreddens them رعدthunder كمَاjust as ضرجreddened النفطnaphtha
يضرجها رعد كمَا ضرج النفط
Cannons were mounted in the clouds' tower;
Cannons were mounted in the cloud tower
thunder reddens them, as naphtha reddens.
Thundering as oil thunders
وَهزَّتْand brandished يَدُthe hand of الإشْرَاقِsunrise شَمْسَthe sun of شُعَاعِهَاits rays
وَهزَّتْ يَدُ الإشْرَاقِ شَمْسَ شُعَاعِهَا
فَبَانَand appeared بِفَوْدِat the temple of الدَّجْنِcloud-darkness مِنْfrom لَمْعِهَاits gleam وَخْطُa streak of gray
فَبَانَ بِفَوْدِ الدَّجْنِ مِنْ لَمْعِهَا وَخْطُ
The hand of sunrise brandished the sun of its rays,
The hand of daybreak shook the sun of its rays
and its gleam showed a streak of gray at cloud-darkness's temple.
Showing, in the darkness fleeing, its flash brilliance
وَوَلَّتْand fled نُجُومُthe stars of اللَّيْلِnight وَالصُّبْحُwith dawn خَلْفَهَاbehind them
وَوَلَّتْ نُجُومُ اللَّيْلِ وَالصُّبْحُ خَلْفَهَا
كَأمْوَاجِlike waves of بَحْرٍa sea قَدْalready تَكَنَّفَهَاhas enclosed them شَطُّa shore
كَأمْوَاجِ بَحْرٍ قَدْ تَكَنَّفَهَا شَطُّ
Night's stars fled, with dawn behind them,
The stars of night turned away behind it
like waves of a sea enclosed by a shore.
Like sea waves enclosed by the shore
بِحَيْثُwhere ترَىyou see الجَوْزَاءَal-Jawza وَالنسرُwith al-Nasr خَلْفَهَاbehind her
بِحَيْثُ ترَى الجَوْزَاءَ وَالنسرُ خَلْفَهَا
كَمُخْتَالَةlike a strutting woman قَدْalready جَدَّhave hastened فيin إثْرِهَاher wake المِرَطُthe cloaks
كَمُخْتَالَة قَدْ جَدَّ في إثْرِهَا المِرَطُ
There you see al-Jawza, with al-Nasr behind her,
Where you see Aljawza and the eagle behind it
like a strutting woman whose cloaks hasten after her.
Like a swaggering one with the horses behind him trotting
وَحَيْثُand where بَنُوthe sons of نَعْشٍNa'sh وَنَعْشٌwith Na'sh أمَامَهَاbefore them
وَحَيْثُ بَنُو نَعْشٍ وَنَعْشٌ أمَامَهَا
كَجَوْفِlike hollow-bellied حَدَاةٍcamel-drivers خَلْفَbehind مَحْمَلِهَاtheir litter تَمْطُوstriding
كَجَوْفِ حَدَاةٍ خَلْفَ مَحْمَلِهَا تَمْطُو
And there are Banu Na'sh, with Na'sh before them,
And where the sons and father of Na'sh, Na'sh before it
like hollow-bellied camel-drivers striding behind their litter.
Like the hollow of a swordfish behind its cargo gliding
وَحَيْثُand where الثُّرَيَّاthe Pleiades شَنَّفَتْhave adorned أذْنَthe ear of قُطْبِهَاtheir pole
وَحَيْثُ الثُّرَيَّا شَنَّفَتْ أذْنَ قُطْبِهَا
كَمَاjust as شَنَّفَadorns الآذَانَears بِالدُّرَرِwith pearls القُرْطُan earring
كَمَا شَنَّفَ الآذَانَ بِالدُّرَرِ القُرْطُ
And there the Pleiades adorn their pole's ear,
Where the Pleiades cocked to the Pole an ear
as an earring adorns ears with pearls.
As an ear-ringing cocked with pearls the ears
وَحَيْثُand where سِمَاكُthe Simak of البَحْرِthe sea حَارَis bewildered دَلِيلُهُits guide
وَحَيْثُ سِمَاكُ البَحْرِ حَارَ دَلِيلُهُ
كَمَاjust as حَارَis bewildered صَبٌّa passionate lover عَنْهُfrom him أحْبَابُهُhis beloved ones شَطُّواhave gone far
كَمَا حَارَ صَبٌّ عَنْهُ أحْبَابُهُ شَطُّوا
And there the sea's Simak has a bewildered guide,
Where the compass of the sea was confused
like a bewildered lover whose beloved ones have gone far away.
As the loved ones were confused from it, swam away
وَحَيْثُand where نُجُومُthe stars of الهَقْعَةِal-Haq'a الغُرُّthe radiant أطْلَعَتْhave brought forth
وَحَيْثُ نُجُومُ الهَقْعَةِ الغُرُّ أطْلَعَتْ
هَوَادِجَhowdahs تَعْلُوrise فِيin الفَلاَةِthe wilderness وَتَنْحَطُّand sink
هَوَادِجَ تَعْلُو فِي الفَلاَةِ وَتَنْحَطُّ
And there the radiant stars of al-Haq'a have brought forth
Where you see stars rise in the stellar sphere
howdahs rising and falling in the wilderness.
Pregnant she-camels roam the wild and kneel down
وَحَيْثُand where السُّهَىal-Suha فِيin لُجِّةِthe depths of البَحْرِthe sea سَابِحٌswimming
وَحَيْثُ السُّهَى فِي لُجِّةِ البَحْرِ سَابِحٌ
كَسَارِlike a night traveler بِمَوْمَاةٍin a trackless desert أضَرَّhas harmed بِهِhim الشَّحْطُgreat distance
كَسَارِ بِمَوْمَاةٍ أضَرَّ بِهِ الشَّحْطُ
And there al-Suha swims in the sea's depths,
Where Suhayl1
like a night traveler in a trackless desert, worn down by distance.
, in the sea's far depth, swims
وَحَيْثُand where تَرَىyou see الشِّعْرَىal-Shi'ra المُضَلَّلastray سَعْيُهَاits course
وَحَيْثُ تَرَى الشِّعْرَى المُضَلَّل سَعْيُهَا
كَركْبٍlike a band of riders بِقفْرٍin a wasteland عَنْfrom رَوَاحِلِهَاtheir mounts حَطُّواhave dismounted
كَركْبٍ بِقفْرٍ عَنْ رَوَاحِلِهَا حَطُّوا
And there you see al-Shi'ra, astray in its course,
Like an afflicted one, collapsed to it in pain
like riders in a wasteland, dismounted from their mounts.
Where you see As-Shi'ra2
وَحَيْثُand where سُهَيْلٌSuhayl فِيin مَجَرَّةِthe Milky Way of أفْقِهِits horizon
وَحَيْثُ سُهَيْلٌ فِي مَجَرَّةِ أفْقِهِ
كَخَائِضِlike one wading through نَهْرِa river دَأبُهُhis habit الرَّفْعُlifting وَالحَطُّand lowering
كَخَائِضِ نَهْرِ دَأبُهُ الرَّفْعُ وَالحَطُّ
And there Suhayl, in its horizon's Milky Way,
led astray in her course
is like a river-wader, forever lifting and lowering.
Like a band fallen from its she-camel's high back
وَحَيْثُand where الدُّجَىdarkness قَدْalready شَابَهُhas grayed it الصُّبْحُdawn بِالسَّنَاwith radiance
وَحَيْثُ الدُّجَى قَدْ شَابَهُ الصُّبْحُ بِالسَّنَا
كَزنْجِيَّةِlike a Zanj woman لِلشَّيْبِof gray hair فِيat فَوْدِهَاher temple وَخْطَa streak
كَزنْجِيَّةِ لِلشَّيْبِ فِي فَوْدِهَا وَخْطَ
And there dawn has grayed the darkness with radiance,
Where Suhail sways in the river of its horizon
like a Zanj woman with a streak of gray at her temple.
Rising and falling the wont of his pace
وَحَيْثُand where تَرَىyou see الإصْبَاحَdawn زَوْرَقَa boat of فِضَّةٍsilver
وَحَيْثُ تَرَى الإصْبَاحَ زَوْرَقَ فِضَّةٍ
عَلَىupon بَحْرِa sea of فَيْرُوزٍturquoise بِهِin which الدُّرُّpearls يَنْقَطُّfall in drops
عَلَى بَحْرِ فَيْرُوزٍ بِهِ الدُّرُّ يَنْقَطُّ
And there you see dawn, a boat of silver,
Where dusk was streaked with grey by the dawn
upon a turquoise sea where pearls fall in drops.
Like a black woman with streaks of grey in her braids
فَبَادِرْso hasten إلَىto رَوْضٍa garden سَقَىwatered الغَيْمُthe clouds رَبْعَهُits grounds
فَبَادِرْ إلَى رَوْضٍ سَقَى الغَيْمُ رَبْعَهُ
فَأخْصَبَand made fertile مِنْfrom رَيَّاهُits watering مَاwhat أمْحَلَmade barren القَحْطُdrought
فَأخْصَبَ مِنْ رَيَّاهُ مَا أمْحَلَ القَحْطُ
So hasten to a garden whose grounds the clouds have watered,
Where you see the morn, a silver boat
making fertile with their watering what drought had made barren.
On a turquoise sea, sprinkling pearls
فَفَرْعُfor the tresses of الدُّجَىdarkness يَخْفَىfade وَفَرْقُand the hair-parting of الضُّحىforenoon يُرَىappears
فَفَرْعُ الدُّجَى يَخْفَى وَفَرْقُ الضُّحى يُرَى
وَطَرْفُand the eye of المَهَاthe oryx يَرْنُوgazes وَجِيدُand the neck of الرُّبَىthe hills يَعطوstretches upward
وَطَرْفُ المَهَا يَرْنُو وَجِيدُ الرُّبَى يَعطو
Darkness's tresses fade, and forenoon's hair-parting appears;
So come to a meadow the rain watered its expanse
the oryx's eye gazes, and the hills' neck stretches upward.
Fertilizing by its watering whatever famished there
وَأفْلِand pick clean بِأيْدِيwith the forelegs of العِيسpale camels نَاصِيَةَthe forelock of الفَلاَthe wilderness
وَأفْلِ بِأيْدِي العِيس نَاصِيَةَ الفَلاَ
فَقَدْfor indeed صَارَhas become مِنْfrom خَطْوٍstepping لأرْجُلِهاfor their feet مشطُa comb
فَقَدْ صَارَ مِنْ خَطْوٍ لأرْجُلِها مشطُ
Pick clean the desert's forelock with pale camels' forelegs,
Where a bough hides in the gloom and a twig shows in the light
for their feet, through their stepping, have become a comb.
An eye glimpses and an antelope forelock capers
وَخُطَّand inscribe بِأقْلاَمِwith the pens of السُّرَىnight travel صَفْحَةَthe page of الثَّرَىthe earth
وَخُطَّ بِأقْلاَمِ السُّرَى صَفْحَةَ الثَّرَى
لِتُنْتِجَto bring forth حَرْفَاa letter زَانَهُadorned it اللِّينُsuppleness وَالنَّقْطُand dots
لِتُنْتِجَ حَرْفَا زَانَهُ اللِّينُ وَالنَّقْطُ
Inscribe earth's page with the pens of night travel,
About the tales of love question every lover
to bring forth a letter adorned with suppleness and dots.
Whose tears avow and whose anguish exhausts
وَسَلْand ask عَنْabout أحَادِيثِthe tales of الهَوَىpassion كُلَّevery مُغْرَمٍlove-stricken one
وَسَلْ عَنْ أحَادِيثِ الهَوَى كُلَّ مُغْرَمٍ
يُصَادِقُهُbefriends him دَمْعٌtears وَيُرْهِقُهُand oppresses him ضَغْطُdistress
يُصَادِقُهُ دَمْعٌ وَيُرْهِقُهُ ضَغْطُ
Ask every love-stricken one about the tales of passion,
Since the hand of the cloud wrote on the meadow script
whom tears befriend and distress oppresses.
Lines with fingers of hanging pearls strung
فَقَدْfor indeed خَطَّhas written كَفُّthe palm of الغَيْمِthe clouds فيon مُهْرَقِthe parchment of الرُّبَىthe hills
فَقَدْ خَطَّ كَفُّ الغَيْمِ في مُهْرَقِ الرُّبَى
سُطُوراًlines بِأيْدِيwith the hands of الطَّلّdew ماno بَيْنَهَاbetween them نَقْطُdots
سُطُوراً بِأيْدِي الطَّلّ ما بَيْنَهَا نَقْطُ
The clouds' palm has written on the hills' parchment
And lips of flowers smiled at the kiss
lines by the hands of dew, without dots between them.
Of evening, so musk and scent reposed on it
وَرَاقَتْand delighted حِيَاضُthe pools of الزَّهْرِflowers سَرْحَa grazing flock of سَحَائِبٍclouds
وَرَاقَتْ حِيَاضُ الزَّهْرِ سَرْحَ سَحَائِبٍ
لِتَكْرَعَto drink فِيهَاfrom them مِثْلَمَاjust as كَرَعَdrank البَطُّducks
لِتَكْرَعَ فِيهَا مِثْلَمَا كَرَعَ البَطُّ
The pools of flowers charmed a grazing flock of clouds,
The roses' cheek was veiled from its steed
to drink from them as ducks drink.
So comfort, joy, and rest slept on it
وَقَبَّلَand kissed ثَغْرُthe mouth of العَصْرِafternoon خَدَّthe cheek of شَقَائِقٍanemones
وَقَبَّلَ ثَغْرُ العَصْرِ خَدَّ شَقَائِقٍ
لأنْفِfor the nose of الرُّبَىthe hills منْfrom نَشْرِthe fragrance of عَنْبَرِهَاtheir ambergris عَفْطُa snort
لأنْفِ الرُّبَى منْ نَشْرِ عَنْبَرِهَا عَفْطُ
Afternoon's mouth kissed the cheek of anemones;
Doves sang on the boughs of araks3
the hills' nose snorts at their ambergris fragrance.
warbling
وَحَجَّبَand veiled خَدَّthe cheek of الوَرْدِthe rose خودa young maiden of ركابَهاher camel-train
وَحَجَّبَ خَدَّ الوَرْدِ خود ركابَها
فَنَمَّbut betrayed عَليهَاher الطيبperfume والنشرand fragrance والقسطand costus
فَنَمَّ عَليهَا الطيب والنشر والقسط
A maiden of her camel-train veiled the rose's cheek,
Like tattoo on the shoulders of a smooth cheek
but perfume, fragrance, and costus betrayed her.
The bride of the glade was escorted in her halo's gown
وَغَنَّتْand sang عَلَىupon عُودِa branch of الأرَاكِthe arak tree حَمَائِمdoves
وَغَنَّتْ عَلَى عُودِ الأرَاكِ حَمَائِم
كَحَلْيٍlike jewelry عَلَىupon أعْطَافِthe shoulders of خُودٍa young maiden لَهُit has لَغْطُa clinking
كَحَلْيٍ عَلَى أعْطَافِ خُودٍ لَهُ لَغْطُ
Doves sang upon a branch of the arak tree,
Her dishevelled hair crowning her
like ornaments clinking on a young maiden's shoulders.
Of ruddy cheeks and pretty glance
وَزُفَّتْand was led as a bride عَرُوسُthe bride of الرَّوْضِthe garden فيin حَلْيٍthe jewels of نَوْرِهَاher blossoms
وَزُفَّتْ عَرُوسُ الرَّوْضِ في حَلْيٍ نَوْرِهَا
وَجَلَّلَهَاand covered her مِنْfrom آسِهَاher myrtle الشَّعَرُhair السَّبْطُstraight-flowing
وَجَلَّلَهَا مِنْ آسِهَا الشَّعَرُ السَّبْطُ
The garden-bride was escorted in her blossoms' jewels,
Pearls her necklace and the gulf her anklets
and straight-flowing hair of myrtle covered her.
Her dress was brocaded with daybreak's saffron
مُوَرَّدَةُrose-tinted الخَدَّيْنِin both cheeks مَعْسُولَةُhoney-sweet اللَّمَىdark lips
مُوَرَّدَةُ الخَدَّيْنِ مَعْسُولَةُ اللَّمَى
لَهَاshe has الزَّهْرُflowers عِقْدٌa necklace وَالْخَلِيجُand the canal لَهُfor it سِمْطُa strand
لَهَا الزَّهْرُ عِقْدٌ وَالْخَلِيجُ لَهُ سِمْطُ
Rose-tinted in both cheeks, honey-sweet in her dark lips,
Her caftan spun from the spring's silk
flowers are her necklace, the canal its strand.
Her anklets wrought from the leaves of streams
فَمِنْand from عَسْجَدِthe gold of الإشْرَاقِsunrise دُبِّجَwas brocaded ثَوْبُهَاher robe
فَمِنْ عَسْجَدِ الإشْرَاقِ دُبِّجَ ثَوْبُهَا
وَمِنْand from خَزّthe silk of دِيبَاجِthe brocade of الرَّبِيعِspring لَهَاshe has مَرْطُa mantle
وَمِنْ خَزّ دِيبَاجِ الرَّبِيعِ لَهَا مَرْطُ
Her robe was brocaded from the gold of sunrise,
Her earrings made from the cores of blooms
and spring's silken brocade furnished her mantle.
Heal with the chalices of hanging fruits the lovesick's illness
وَمِنْand from وَرَقِthe silver of الأنْهَارِrivers قَدْindeed صِيغَwas fashioned حِجْلُهَاher anklet
وَمِنْ وَرَقِ الأنْهَارِ قَدْ صِيغَ حِجْلُهَا
وَمِنْand from جَوْهَرِthe gems of الأزْهَارِflowers صَارَbecame لَهَاfor her قُرْطُan earring
وَمِنْ جَوْهَرِ الأزْهَارِ صَارَ لَهَا قُرْطُ
Her anklet was fashioned from the rivers' silver,
That anguished and hunched her
and the gems of flowers became her earring.
A goblet with which, when morn breaks, to delight
وَدَاوِand heal بِكَاسَاتِwith cups of الطِّلاَwine سُقْمَthe sickness of مُهْجَةِa heart
وَدَاوِ بِكَاسَاتِ الطِّلاَ سُقْمَ مُهْجَةِ
أضَرَّhas harmed بِهَاit هَمُّworry وَأوْجَفَهَاand made it tremble غَطُّsuffocation
أضَرَّ بِهَا هَمُّ وَأوْجَفَهَا غَطُّ
Heal with cups of wine the sickness of a heart
Capers over the night of glooms
harmed by care and set trembling by suffocation.
A libertine trapped in the glass like fire in flint
مُدَامٌwine لَهَاit has فِيin الدَّنْthe wine-jar صُبْحُa dawn of مَسَرَّةٍjoy
مُدَامٌ لَهَا فِي الدَّنْ صُبْحُ مَسَرَّةٍ
يَصُولُassails عَلَىagainst لَيْلِthe night of الهُمُومِsorrows وَيْشَتَطُّand rages
يَصُولُ عَلَى لَيْلِ الهُمُومِ وَيْشَتَطُّ
Wine that holds within its jar a dawn of joy,
That if struck, its sparks cease not
assailing the night of sorrows and raging fiercely.
Comprehensive wine, yellow, red, coffee brown
مُعَتَّقَةٌaged فيin الكَأسِthe cup كَالنَّارِlike fire فِيin الصَّفَاflint
مُعَتَّقَةٌ في الكَأسِ كَالنَّارِ فِي الصَّفَا
إذَاwhen قُدِحَتْit is struck لَمْnot يَخْبُdies out منْfrom زَنْدِهَاits firestick سَقْطُa spark
إذَا قُدِحَتْ لَمْ يَخْبُ منْ زَنْدِهَا سَقْطُ
Aged wine, in the cup like fire within flint:
Clear drink, hot and icy cold dark blue
when struck, no spark from its firestick dies.
With it circles a full moon whose stature and rise
شَمُولٌwine طِلاًthickened wine صَفْرَاءُyellow حمرَاءُred قَهَوةٌappetite-quenching wine
شَمُولٌ طِلاً صَفْرَاءُ حمرَاءُ قَهَوةٌ
سُلاَفٌfree-run wine حَياًrain صَهْبَاءُtawny wine حَمْيَاءُfiery wine إسْفِنطُspiced wine
سُلاَفٌ حَياً صَهْبَاءُ حَمْيَاءُ إسْفِنطُ
Wine, thickened wine—yellow, red, appetite-quenching wine;
Are like a sun striding over minute sand
free-run wine, rain, tawny wine, fiery wine, spiced wine.
With youths whose intimacy knot holds fast
يَطُوفُpasses round بِهَاwith it بَدْرٌa full moon كَأنَّas though قَوَامَهُhis figure
يَطُوفُ بِهَا بَدْرٌ كَأنَّ قَوَامَهُ
وَطَلْعَتَهُand his face شَمْسٌa sun علىupon فَنَنٍa bough تَخْطُوstrides
وَطَلْعَتَهُ شَمْسٌ على فَنَنٍ تَخْطُو
A full moon passes it round, as though his figure
Kinship lies in intimacy to them and kin binding
and face were a sun striding upon a bough.
My eyes delight in them, in them mine heart is pleased
لَدَىamong فِتْيَةٍyoung men قَدْalready أحْكَمُواhave tightened عَقْدَthe knot of أنْسِهِمْtheir fellowship
لَدَى فِتْيَةٍ قَدْ أحْكَمُوا عَقْدَ أنْسِهِمْ
عَلَيْهِمْwith them يَكُونُrests الحَلُّthe loosening فيin الأنْسِfellowship وَالرَّبْطُand binding
عَلَيْهِمْ يَكُونُ الحَلُّ في الأنْسِ وَالرَّبْطُ
Among young men who have tightened their fellowship's knot,
While my heart saddens from them, of them the remoteness rifts
in fellowship, loosening and binding rest with them.
A young oryx who the heart and thoughts fed
يَقَرُّdelights بِعَيْنِيmy eye فِيهِمُamong them القُرْبُnearness وَالرّضَىand favor
يَقَرُّ بِعَيْنِي فِيهِمُ القُرْبُ وَالرّضَى
وَيُحْزِنُand saddens قَلْبِيmy heart مِنْهُمُfrom them البُعْدُdistance وَالشَّطُّand estrangement
وَيُحْزِنُ قَلْبِي مِنْهُمُ البُعْدُ وَالشَّطُّ
Nearness to them and their favor delight my eye,
Not acacia leaves or salty salsolas
while distance and estrangement from them sadden my heart.
I nestled his love in my eyelids and essence
يُعَاطِيهِمُserves them ظَبْيٌa gazelle رَعَىgrazed upon القَلْبَthe heart وَالحَشَاand the inner breast
يُعَاطِيهِمُ ظَبْيٌ رَعَى القَلْبَ وَالحَشَا
وَلَمْand not يَكُwas مَرْعَاهُhis pasture الأثِيلُtamarisk وِلاَnor الخَمْطُbitter shrubs
وَلَمْ يَكُ مَرْعَاهُ الأثِيلُ وِلاَ الخَمْطُ
A gazelle who grazed upon heart and breast passes it to them;
None before nested it, neither a bough nor a twig
his pasture was neither tamarisk nor bitter shrubs.
And I made for him of my eyes' plenty, tears to reap
أوَيْتُI sheltered هَوَاهُhis love فِيin جُفُونِيmy eyelids وَمُهْجَتِيand my heart
أوَيْتُ هَوَاهُ فِي جُفُونِي وَمُهْجَتِي
وَلَمْand not يَأوِهِsheltered him مِنْfrom قَبْلُbefore جِذْعٌa tree-trunk وِلاَnor سَقْطُa sandbank
وَلَمْ يَأوِهِ مِنْ قَبْلُ جِذْعٌ وِلاَ سَقْطُ
I sheltered his love in my eyelids and my heart;
With the dust of my tears' pearls, for palm's soil, enough
no tree-trunk or sandbank had sheltered him before.
On his cheek is a mole whence love began
وَأوْرَدْتُهُand I brought him to drink مِنْfrom فَيْضِthe overflow of عَيْنِيmy eye مَدَامِعاًpools of tears
وَأوْرَدْتُهُ مِنْ فَيْضِ عَيْنِي مَدَامِعاً
لِكَفّfor the palm of الثَّرَىthe earth مِنْfrom دُرّthe pearls of أدْمُعِهَاits tears لَقْطُgleaning
لِكَفّ الثَّرَى مِنْ دُرّ أدْمُعِهَا لَقْطُ
I brought him to tear-pools from my eye's overflow;
And from its spot on the page script lines set out
earth's palm gleans pearls from its tears.
In his mouth flowers, blossoms and coy glances
عَلَىupon خَدّهِhis cheek خَالٌa mole بِهِwith it بَدَأbegan الهَوَىlove
عَلَى خَدّهِ خَالٌ بِهِ بَدَأ الهَوَى
وَمِنْand from نَقْطِهِits dot فيon اللَّوْحِthe tablet يَبْتَدِئُbegins الخَطُّwriting
وَمِنْ نَقْطِهِ في اللَّوْحِ يَبْتَدِئُ الخَطُّ
Upon his cheek is a mole with which love began;
And life's nectar and breeze and honey and cloves
writing begins from its dot upon the tablet.
Features apportioned the quarters of my heart to it
وَفِيand in ثَغْرِهِhis mouth الأزْهَارُflowers وَالزُّهْرُand stars وَالسَّنَاand radiance
وَفِي ثَغْرِهِ الأزْهَارُ وَالزُّهْرُ وَالسَّنَا
وَقَطْرُand droplets of الحَيَاrain والرَّاحُand wine وَالشَّهْدُand honey وَالأقْطُand dried curds
وَقَطْرُ الحَيَا والرَّاحُ وَالشَّهْدُ وَالأقْطُ
Within his mouth are flowers, stars, and radiance,
Would that from it for me since it shared, a share just!
raindrops, wine, honey, and dried curds.
When he draws near or visits, it's life and blessing
رَشاًa fawn قَسَطَتْapportioned أعْشَارَthe tenths of قَلْبِيmy heart لِحَاظُهُhis glances
رَشاً قَسَطَتْ أعْشَارَ قَلْبِي لِحَاظُهُ
فَيَاoh, then لَيْتَwould that لِيI had مِنْهَاfrom them وَقَدْnow that قَسَمَتْthey have divided قِسْطُa share
فَيَا لَيْتَ لِي مِنْهَا وَقَدْ قَسَمَتْ قِسْطُ
A fawn whose glances apportioned my heart into tenths—
When he calls or turns away, it's wringing and expanse
would that I had a share from them, now they have divided it!
If he glimpses, Zephyr visits him, Pleasing is
إذَاwhen مَاindeed نَأىhe goes away أوْor زَارَvisits فَالمَوْتُthen death وَالْمُنَىand wishes fulfilled
إذَا مَا نَأى أوْ زَارَ فَالمَوْتُ وَالْمُنَى
وَمَهْمَاand whenever رَنَاhe gazes أوْor غَضَّlowers his eyes فَالقَبْضُthen anguish وَالبَسْطُand delight
وَمَهْمَا رَنَا أوْ غَضَّ فَالقَبْضُ وَالبَسْطُ
When he goes away or visits: death or wishes fulfilled;
If he shines, it's the early morning horse chasing
whenever he gazes or lowers his eyes: anguish or delight.
As if his cheek and mole are on his cheek
وَإنْand if مَاسَhe sways فَالْخَيْزُورُthen bamboo يَعْطِفُهُbends it الصَّبَاthe east wind
وَإنْ مَاسَ فَالْخَيْزُورُ يَعْطِفُهُ الصَّبَا
وَإنْand if لاَحَhe appears فَالدَّاجِيthen the darkness عَنِfrom الصُّبْحِdawn يَنْغَطُّsinks away
وَإنْ لاَحَ فَالدَّاجِي عَنِ الصُّبْحِ يَنْغَطُّ
If he sways, he is bamboo bent by the east wind;
Roses held in their wrapping crimson leaf
if he appears, darkness sinks away before dawn.
A king of beauty who mastered my heart with his power
كَأنَّas though عِذَارَيْهِhis two beard-lines وَسَالِفَand the forelock of صُدْغِهِhis temple
كَأنَّ عِذَارَيْهِ وَسَالِفَ صُدْغِهِ
عَلَىupon خَدّهِhis cheek وَرْدٌa rose حَمَتْhave guarded آسَهُits myrtle الرُّقْطُthe speckled creatures
عَلَى خَدّهِ وَرْدٌ حَمَتْ آسَهُ الرُّقْطُ
His two beard-lines and the forelock of his temple seem
How not! And isn’t a love-king’s power subduing!
a rose upon his cheek, its myrtle guarded by speckled creatures.
He is like a rose when it unravels and a leaf when it thrives
مَلِيكُa king of جَمَالٍbeauty ذَلَّsubmitted قَلْبِيmy heart لِعِزّهِto his might
مَلِيكُ جَمَالٍ ذَلَّ قَلْبِي لِعِزّهِ
وَمَاand not ذَلَّsubmitted لَوْلاَbut for عِزُّthe might of مُلْكِthe kingdom of الهَوَىlove قَطُّever
وَمَا ذَلَّ لَوْلاَ عِزُّ مُلْكِ الهَوَى قَطُّ
A king of beauty, to whose might my heart submitted;
Like a lion when it attacks and a deer when it capers
it never would have bowed but for love's sovereign might.
If antagonized, overpowered; if struck, perished; and if plotted, ruined
فَكَالْوَرْدِso like a rose إنْif يَفْتَرَّhe smiles وَالوُرْقِand gray doves إنْif شَدَاhe sings
فَكَالْوَرْدِ إنْ يَفْتَرَّ وَالوُرْقِ إنْ شَدَا
وكَاللَّيْثِand like a lion إنif يَشْتَطَّhe rages والظَّبْيand a gazelle إنْif يَعْطُhe stretches upward
وكَاللَّيْثِ إن يَشْتَطَّ والظَّبْي إنْ يَعْطُ
Like a rose when he smiles, and gray doves when he sings;
A steed conversant with clemency and calmness both habit
like a lion when he rages, a gazelle when he stretches upward.
So laudable this shapely curly-haired knight
عَدِمْتُmay I lose فُؤَادِيmy heart إنْif تَعَلَّقْتُI become attached to غَيْرَهُanother than him
عَدِمْتُ فُؤَادِي إنْ تَعَلَّقْتُ غَيْرَهُ
وَهَلْand can يُوجَدُexist المَشْرُوطُthe conditioned إنْif فُقِدَis absent الشَّرْطُthe condition
وَهَلْ يُوجَدُ المَشْرُوطُ إنْ فُقِدَ الشَّرْطُ
May I lose my heart if I become attached to another!
He’s the essence supreme; the rest, if counted, superfluous
Can the conditioned exist when its condition is absent?
For him the august spirit and luck and excellence
وَلاand not خَضَعَتْhas submitted نَفْسِيmy soul لِصَائِلِto the onslaught of عِزّهِhis might
وَلا خَضَعَتْ نَفْسِي لِصَائِلِ عِزّهِ
وَبِيضُwhile the white ظُبَيblades of المَسْعُودِal-Mas'ud فيin النَّقْعِbattle-dust تَشْتَطُّrage
وَبِيضُ ظُبَي المَسْعُودِ في النَّقْعِ تَشْتَطُّ
Nor has my soul bowed to the onslaught of his might,
His palm bears the cloud's bounty; his arm, might and vigor
while al-Mas'ud's white blades rage in battle-dust.
His stature combined valor and munificence traits
مَلِيكٌa king لَهُbefore him تَعْنُوbow المُلُوكُthe kings وَكَيْفَand how لاَnot
مَلِيكٌ لَهُ تَعْنُو المُلُوكُ وَكَيْفَ لاَ
وَصَارمُهُand his sharp sword كَالأيْنِlike a serpent شِيمَتُهُits nature القَطُّcutting off
وَصَارمُهُ كَالأيْنِ شِيمَتُهُ القَطُّ
A king before whom kings bow—and how could they not,
Like rain, he pours; like a lion, strides
when his sword, like a serpent, is given to severing?
He outfitted the Raq`a saddle with the steed and oryx
أعَدُّوهُthey made him their resource فَاعْتَدُّواand were equipped وَأمُّوهُand sought him فَاغْتَنَوْاand grew rich
أعَدُّوهُ فَاعْتَدُّوا وَأمُّوهُ فَاغْتَنَوْا
وَبَارَوْهُand rivaled him فَاعْتَلُّواand fell ill وَرَامُوهُand assailed him فَانْحَطُّواand fell low
وَبَارَوْهُ فَاعْتَلُّوا وَرَامُوهُ فَانْحَطُّوا
They made him their resource and were equipped; they sought him and grew rich.
His swords are white; his horses gray
They rivaled him and fell ill; they assailed him and fell low.
An army whose wings soar with havoc
جَوَادٌa generous man تَرَدَّىclothed himself in البَأسَvalor وَاللِّينَand gentleness حُلَّةًas a robe
جَوَادٌ تَرَدَّى البَأسَ وَاللِّينَ حُلَّةً
فَيَاoh, then حَبَّذَاhow admirable مِنْهُin him الفَتَىthe young man الجَعِدُfirm البَسْطُopen-handed
فَيَا حَبَّذَا مِنْهُ الفَتَى الجَعِدُ البَسْطُ
A generous man, robed in valor and gentleness—
His claw is death and his fang perdition
how admirable in him the firm, open-handed young man!
The swords of his resolve lop the heads of mutiny
هُوَhe الجَوْهَرُthe substance الأسِنَىthe most radiant النَّفِيسُthe precious وَغَيْرُهُand anyone else
هُوَ الجَوْهَرُ الأسِنَى النَّفِيسُ وَغَيْرُهُ
إذَاif عُدَّreckoned فهْوَthen he is النَّكْسُthe base وَالعرْضُand the accident وَالسَّقْطُand the refuse
إذَا عُدَّ فهْوَ النَّكْسُ وَالعرْضُ وَالسَّقْطُ
He is the most radiant, precious substance; anyone else,
The pens might improve but for the scribes, enough
when reckoned, is base, an accident, mere refuse.
His whiteness in skirmishes laughs
لَهُhis is هَامَةُthe head of العَلْيَاءِloftiness وَالسَّعْدِand good fortune وَالذُّرَىand the heights
لَهُ هَامَةُ العَلْيَاءِ وَالسَّعْدِ وَالذُّرَى
وَكَفُّand the palm of النَّدَىgenerosity وَالزَّنْدُand the forearm وَاليَدُand the hand وَالإبْطُand the armpit
وَكَفُّ النَّدَى وَالزَّنْدُ وَاليَدُ وَالإبْطُ
His is the head of loftiness, good fortune, and the heights,
Swearing they are peaks though low mounds
and generosity's palm, forearm, hand, and armpit.
His white enjoins, if blood of enemies seethes
صَفَتْis pure ذَاتُهُhis essence عَنْfrom خَلْطِthe admixture of شَيْءٍanything يَشِينُهَاthat mars it
صَفَتْ ذَاتُهُ عَنْ خَلْطِ شَيْءٍ يَشِينُهَا
فَلِلَّهGod be praised for صَفْوٌa purity لاَnot يُدَنِّسُهُsoils it خَلْطُadmixture
فَلِلَّه صَفْوٌ لاَ يُدَنِّسُهُ خَلْطُ
His essence is pure of any admixture that might mar it;
Only to reap the two veins, not to reconcile
God be praised for a purity no mixture soils!
His white imposes on the enemies’ ends in the Raq`a
وَنَبَّهَand awakened سَارِيthe traveler of لَيْلِهِhis night عُمَرَUmar النَّدَىof generosity
وَنَبَّهَ سَارِي لَيْلِهِ عُمَرَ النَّدَى
لِذَلِكَfor that reason فِيamid نَوْمِthe sleep of الغُفَاةِthe sleepers لَهُhe has غَطُّsnoring
لِذَلِكَ فِي نَوْمِ الغُفَاةِ لَهُ غَطُّ
His night-traveler awakened Umar of generosity;
And no wonder; isn’t imposition from a crocodile's traits?
thus he snores amid the sleepers' slumber.
His white plays with the rankings in the Raq`a goals
وَجَانَسَand harmonized بَيْنَbetween البَأسِvalor وَالجُودِand generosity شَخْصُهُhis person
وَجَانَسَ بَيْنَ البَأسِ وَالجُودِ شَخْصُهُ
فَكَالغَيْثِso like rain إذْwhen يَسْخُوhe gives freely كَاللَّيْثِlike a lion إذْwhen يَسْطُوhe assails
فَكَالغَيْثِ إذْ يَسْخُو كَاللَّيْثِ إذْ يَسْطُو
His person harmonized valor and generosity:
Kicks a ball over the ground like a cat
like rain when giving freely, like a lion when assailing.
The Commander of the Faithful’s trenchant blade whereby
وَدَبَّجَand brocaded مِرْطَthe mantle of النَّقْعِbattle-dust بِالخَيْلِwith horses وَالظُّبَىand sword-edges
وَدَبَّجَ مِرْطَ النَّقْعِ بِالخَيْلِ وَالظُّبَى
فَأسْيَافُهُfor his swords بِيِضٌare white وَأفْرَاسُهُand his steeds نَبْطُwhite-bellied
فَأسْيَافُهُ بِيِضٌ وَأفْرَاسُهُ نَبْطُ
He brocaded battle-dust's mantle with horses and sword-edges:
He remedies time’s scourge, should it distort propriety
his swords are white, his steeds white-bellied.
He unsheathed it only ascertained that it
وَجَيْشاًand an army جَنَاحَاهُits two wings يَرِفَّانِflutter بِالرَّدَىwith doom
وَجَيْشاً جَنَاحَاهُ يَرِفَّانِ بِالرَّدَى
فَمِخْلَبُهُso its talon مَوْتٌdeath وَمِنْسَرُهُand its beak قِمْطُbonds
فَمِخْلَبُهُ مَوْتٌ وَمِنْسَرُهُ قِمْطُ
And an army whose two wings flutter with doom—
Is a Yameni blade whose sharpness pours forth
its talon is death, its beak bonds.
Of a people occupying every grace company
تَقُطُّcut off رُؤُوسَthe heads of البَغْيِrebellion أسْيَافُthe swords of عَزْمِهِhis resolve
تَقُطُّ رُؤُوسَ البَغْيِ أسْيَافُ عَزْمِهِ
وَقَدْand indeed يُصْلِحُsets right الأقْلاَمَthe pens لِلْكَاتِبِfor the scribe القَطُّtrimming
وَقَدْ يُصْلِحُ الأقْلاَمَ لِلْكَاتِبِ القَطُّ
The swords of his resolve cut off rebellion's heads;
So laudable a people! So laudable a band!
indeed, trimming sets a scribe's pens right.
Their lineage as though, belonged it to a star, sets not
وَتَضْحَكُand laugh فِيin الهَيْجَاbattle مَبَاسِمُthe smiling mouths of بِيضِهِhis bright swords
وَتَضْحَكُ فِي الهَيْجَا مَبَاسِمُ بِيضِهِ
فَتَحْلِفُso you swear إلاonly أنَّهَاthat they are قِمَمٌcrests شُمْطٌgray-streaked
فَتَحْلِفُ إلا أنَّهَا قِمَمٌ شُمْطٌ
The smiling mouths of his bright swords laugh in battle,
Nor for a moon darkens nor a sun blankets
till you swear they can only be gray-streaked crests.
With the steed they built the canopy of pure religion
وَتَشْرُطُand lance إنْif هَاجَتْthey are roused دِمَاءَthe blood of عُدَاتِهَاtheir enemies
وَتَشْرُطُ إنْ هَاجَتْ دِمَاءَ عُدَاتِهَا
لَدَىamid النَّقْعِbattle-dust إجْهَازَa finishing off of الوَريدَيْنِboth jugulars لاَnot الشَّرْطُmere scarification
لَدَى النَّقْعِ إجْهَازَ الوَريدَيْنِ لاَ الشَّرْطُ
When roused, they lance their enemies' blood
And led victory's racers, behind them the steeds raced
amid the dust—a fatal severing of both jugulars, not mere bloodletting.
Lions beneath the armours as though
وتشرطand cuts short آجَالَthe lifespans of العدىthe enemies فمthe mouth of غربهَاtheir cutting edge
وتشرط آجَالَ العدى فم غربهَا
وَلاand no غروwonder فَالتمسَاحfor the crocodile مِنْamong شَأنِهits habits الشرطُslashing
وَلا غرو فَالتمسَاح مِنْ شَأنِه الشرطُ
The mouth of their cutting edge cuts short the enemies' lifespans;
Robes of superior quality their forms jacket
no wonder, for slashing is the crocodile's habit.
Apportion, they attain; attacked, they accord
وتلعبand they play بالهامَاتwith heads فيin النقعbattle-dust شُرَّعاًoutstretched
وتلعب بالهامَات في النقع شُرَّعاً
تَلاَعُبَlike the playing of فَوْقَupon الأرْضِthe ground بالكرةwith a ball القِطُّthe cat
تَلاَعُبَ فَوْقَ الأرْضِ بالكرة القِطُّ
Outstretched, they play with heads in battle-dust,
Assailed, they retreat; asked, they impart
as a cat plays with a ball upon the ground.
Thoroughbreds war robes invest
حُسَامُthe sword of أمِيرِthe Commander of المُؤْمِنِينِthe Faithful الذيwho بِهِwith it
حُسَامُ أمِيرِ المُؤْمِنِينِ الذي بِهِ
يُعَالِجُtreats دَاءَthe disease of الدَّهْرِtime إنْif أعْضَلَgrows intractable الخَلْطُthe bodily humor
يُعَالِجُ دَاءَ الدَّهْرِ إنْ أعْضَلَ الخَلْطُ
The sword of the Commander of the Faithful, who with it
With them strides the resolute, smooth-moving patch
treats time's disease when the bodily humor grows intractable.
If a peril mounts or piles up a hazard
وَمَاand not سَلَّهُhe draws it إلاَّwithout تَيَقَّنَbeing certain أنَّهُthat it is
وَمَا سَلَّهُ إلاَّ تَيَقَّنَ أنَّهُ
حُسَامٌa sword يَمَانِيٌّYemeni بِهِby which الهَامُheads يَنْقَطُّare severed
حُسَامٌ يَمَانِيٌّ بِهِ الهَامُ يَنْقَطُّ
He never draws it without being certain that it is
It deletes as writing deleted on a page
a Yemeni sword by which heads are severed.
How would peril mutiny when his sword
مِنَfrom القَوْمِthe people حَازُواwho possessed رَهْطَthe clan of كُلّevery فَضِيلَةٍvirtue
مِنَ القَوْمِ حَازُوا رَهْطَ كُلّ فَضِيلَةٍ
فَيَاoh, then حَبَّذَاhow splendid قَوْمٌa people وَيَاand oh حَبَّذَاhow splendid رَهْطُa clan
فَيَا حَبَّذَا قَوْمٌ وَيَا حَبَّذَا رَهْطُ
From a people who possessed the clan of every virtue—
Against the sedition letters if inscribed, erases?
what a splendid people, what a splendid clan!
With it he fortified in the firmament the stations of Sa’udad4
لَهُمthey have حَسَبٌancestral nobility لَوif كَانَit belonged لِلنَّجْمِto the star لَمnot يَغِبwould it set
لَهُم حَسَبٌ لَو كَانَ لِلنَّجْمِ لَم يَغِب
وَلِلْبَدْرِand to the full moon لَمْnot يَخْسِفْwould it be eclipsed وَلِلشَّمْسِand to the sun لمْnot تَغْطُwould it sink
وَلِلْبَدْرِ لَمْ يَخْسِفْ وَلِلشَّمْسِ لمْ تَغْطُ
Their ancestral honor, were it the star's, would keep it from setting,
So no wonder platforms were made by its tread lofty
the full moon from eclipse, and the sun from sinking.
A pen of his skewers and mends; beholds!
بَنَوْاthey built قُبَّةَthe dome of الدّينِthe faith الحَنِيفِيّthe upright بِالظُّبَيwith sword-edges
بَنَوْا قُبَّةَ الدّينِ الحَنِيفِيّ بِالظُّبَي
وَقادواand led جِيَادَthe steeds of النَّصْرِvictory يَتْبَعُهَاfollowing them القِبْطُthe Copts
وَقادوا جِيَادَ النَّصْرِ يَتْبَعُهَا القِبْطُ
They built the dome of the upright faith with sword-edges,
A professional with whom clenching and spreading apt
and led victory's steeds, with the Copts following.
Bestowing bounties, he enlivens propitious existence
بَرُوعُونَterrifying مِنْfrom تَحْتِbeneath الدُّرُوعِarmor كَأنَّهُمْas though they were
بَرُوعُونَ مِنْ تَحْتِ الدُّرُوعِ كَأنَّهُمْ
لُيُوثٌlions كَسَتْهَاclothed them فَضْلthe surplus of أثْوَابِهَاtheir robes الرُّقْطُthe spotted beasts
لُيُوثٌ كَسَتْهَا فَضْل أثْوَابِهَا الرُّقْطُ
They are terrifying beneath their armor, as though they were
Executing justice, he lives thereby fair allotment
lions whom spotted beasts clothed in their spare robes.
In his palm lies a sea whose favour’s copious floods
إذَاwhen تُوزِعُواthey are challenged صَالُواthey assail وَإنْand if سُولِمُواthey are met peacefully وَفَوْاthey keep faith
إذَا تُوزِعُوا صَالُوا وَإنْ سُولِمُوا وَفَوْا
وَإنْand if قُصِدُواthey are sought يُولُواthey bestow favors وَإنْand if سُئِلُواthey are asked يُعْطُواthey give
وَإنْ قُصِدُوا يُولُوا وَإنْ سُئِلُوا يُعْطُوا
When challenged, they assail; when met in peace, they keep faith;
With no depth and no shore to its expanse
when sought, they bestow favors; when asked, they give.
He called me from afar in breeze of his pure stream
هُمَامٌa magnanimous man شُجَاعٌbrave فِيin الحُرُوبِwars تَحُفُّهُsurround him
هُمَامٌ شُجَاعٌ فِي الحُرُوبِ تَحُفُّهُ
كُمَاةٌarmored champions بِهِمْbearing them تَخْطُوstride المُسَوَّمَةُthe marked steeds المُلْطُsleek
كُمَاةٌ بِهِمْ تَخْطُو المُسَوَّمَةُ المُلْطُ
A magnanimous warrior, brave in wars, surrounded by
Begot thereby for me magic lines fortune scribed
armored champions whom marked, sleek steeds bear onward.
It, unless a torrent I neighboured but does
إذَاwhen جَنَّdarkens خَطْبٌa calamity أوْor تَرَاكَمَpiles up حَادِثٌa disaster
إذَا جَنَّ خَطْبٌ أوْ تَرَاكَمَ حَادِثٌ
مَحَاهُhe erases it كَمَاjust as فِيon اللَّوْحِthe tablet قدْalready مُحِيَis erased الخَطُّwriting
مَحَاهُ كَمَا فِي اللَّوْحِ قدْ مُحِيَ الخَطُّ
When calamity darkens or a disaster piles up,
Any that a rainstorm bordered fear aridity?
he erases it as writing is erased from a tablet.
My lord! O refuge cave and he with whom
وَكَيْفَand how يَجِنُّcan rage الخَطْبُcalamity بَغْياًrebelliously وَسَيْفُهُwhile his sword
وَكَيْفَ يَجِنُّ الخَطْبُ بَغْياً وَسَيْفُهُ
لَهُit has فِيamong حُرُوفِthe letters of البَغْيِrebellion إنْif كُتِبَتْthey are written كَشْطُerasure
لَهُ فِي حُرُوفِ البَغْيِ إنْ كُتِبَتْ كَشْطُ
How could calamity rage rebelliously, when his sword
On plain of hopes and the star I feel secure
scrapes away rebellion's letters, if ever they are written?
Son of one whose prized virtues the realms suffused
بِهِthrough him عَزَّgrew mighty فِيin العَلْيَاthe heights مَرَاتِبُranks of سُؤْدَدٍmastery
بِهِ عَزَّ فِي العَلْيَا مَرَاتِبُ سُؤْدَدٍ
فَلاَso no غَرْوَwonder إنْif عَزَّتْgain honor بِوَطْأتِهِthrough his tread البُسْطُthe carpets
فَلاَ غَرْوَ إنْ عَزَّتْ بِوَطْأتِهِ البُسْطُ
Through him ranks of mastery grew mighty in the heights;
For him the glory ancestry and the honor scionage
no wonder carpets gain honor beneath his tread.
I congratulate you on the auspicious feast but
لَهُhe has قَلَمٌa pen يُرْدِيkills وَيُجْدِيand enriches فَيَالَهُwhat a
لَهُ قَلَمٌ يُرْدِي وَيُجْدِي فَيَالَهُ
يَرَاعٌreed pen بِهِthrough which قَدْindeed أحْكِمَare perfected القَبْضُwithholding وَالبسْطُand bestowal
يَرَاعٌ بِهِ قَدْ أحْكِمَ القَبْضُ وَالبسْطُ
His is a pen that kills and enriches—what a
I congratulate it as from your tidings joy reached
reed, through which withholding and bestowal are perfected!
So a thousand congratulations and a thousand more
إذَاwhen نَوَّلَhe bestows المَعْرُوفَbounty حَيَّاsalutes بِهِfor it الحَيَاthe rain
إذَا نَوَّلَ المَعْرُوفَ حَيَّا بِهِ الحَيَا
وَإنْand if أنْصَفَhe does justice to الإنصَافَfairness بَاءَgains بِهِby it القَسْطُequity
وَإنْ أنْصَفَ الإنصَافَ بَاءَ بِهِ القَسْطُ
When he bestows bounty, the rain salutes him for it;
Till counting fails or metering destabilizes
when he does fairness justice, equity gains by it.
At your door the slave proffers an unsullied eulogy
وَفِيand in كَفِّهِhis palm بَحْرٌa sea طَمَىhas overflowed فَيْضُthe flood of فَضْلِهِhis bounty
وَفِي كَفِّهِ بَحْرٌ طَمَى فَيْضُ فَضْلِهِ
فَلَيْسَso there is not لَهُfor it قَعْرٌa bottom وَلَيْسَand there is not لَهُfor it شَطُّa shore
فَلَيْسَ لَهُ قَعْرٌ وَلَيْسَ لَهُ شَطُّ
Within his palm is a sea whose flood of bounty overflows;
Its beauty a crown; its rhythm anklets
it has neither bottom nor shore.
That kiss your fortunes and gift necklaces
دَعَانِيcalled me عَلَىacross بُعْدٍa distance نَقِيُّthe purity of نَوَالِهِhis giving
دَعَانِي عَلَى بُعْدٍ نَقِيُّ نَوَالِهِ
فَوَلَّدَand produced لِيfor me شَكْلاًa figure بِهِthrough which سَعِدَgrew auspicious الخَطُّthe line
فَوَلَّدَ لِي شَكْلاً بِهِ سَعِدَ الخَطُّ
The purity of his giving called me from afar,
Their words pearls and their metrics an arm band5
and brought forth for me a figure whose lines proved auspicious.
So live safe under the bond of an allegiance
ومَاand not هُوَhe إلاَّbut الغَيْثُrain جَاوَرْتُهُI settled beside him وَهَلْand would
ومَا هُوَ إلاَّ الغَيْثُ جَاوَرْتُهُ وَهَلْ
يَخَافُfear جِوَارَthe neighborhood of الغَيْثِrain مَنْone whom مَسَّهُhas touched القَحْطُdrought
يَخَافُ جِوَارَ الغَيْثِ مَنْ مَسَّهُ القَحْطُ
He is nothing but rain, and I settled beside him—would
In whose wellbeing compacting and binding conjoin
one touched by drought fear living beside rain?
May you, thereby, avail the helpless and revive the dew
أمَوْلايَO my lord يَاO كَهْفَcave of المَلاَذِrefuge وَمَنْand he who بِهِthrough him
أمَوْلايَ يَا كَهْفَ المَلاَذِ وَمَنْ بِهِ
عَلَىupon سَرْحَةِthe great tree of الآمَالِhopes وَالنَّجْمِand the stars أحْتَطُّI alight
عَلَى سَرْحَةِ الآمَالِ وَالنَّجْمِ أحْتَطُّ
O my lord, cave of refuge, and he through whom
The world flourish and the touch of blains heal
I alight upon the great tree of hopes and upon the stars!
You are the one if a distress mounts or transgresses
وَيَاand O ابْنَson of الذِيhim who عَمَّencompassed الوَرَىmankind بِفَضَائِلٍwith virtues
وَيَا ابْنَ الذِي عَمَّ الوَرَى بِفَضَائِلٍ
لَهُhis is المَجْدُglory جَدٌّa grandfather وَالفَخَارُand renown لَهُhis سِبْطُa grandson
لَهُ المَجْدُ جَدٌّ وَالفَخَارُ لَهُ سِبْطُ
O son of him who encompassed mankind with virtues,
For you the annulment, the conjoining, the lifting, and lowering
whose grandfather is glory and whose grandson is renown!
You remain what the dawn recounts in its register
أهَنِّيكَI congratulate you بِالعِيدِon the feast السَّعِيدِthe happy وَإنَّمَاthough truly
أهَنِّيكَ بِالعِيدِ السَّعِيدِ وَإنَّمَا
أهَنِّيهِI congratulate it إذْsince وَافَاهُhas come to it مِنْfrom بِشْرِكُمْyour cheer بَسْطُjoy
أهَنِّيهِ إذْ وَافَاهُ مِنْ بِشْرِكُمْ بَسْطُ
I congratulate you on the happy feast, though truly
Of one whose eyes contain the sun in their waters
I congratulate it, since your cheer has brought it joy.
To trill over the Nay flutes the morn rousing
فَهُنِّيتَهُmay you be congratulated on it ألْفاًa thousand times وَألْفاًand a thousand وَمِثْلَهَاand as many again
فَهُنِّيتَهُ ألْفاً وَألْفاً وَمِثْلَهَا
إلَىuntil أنْthat يَضَلَّloses its way العَدُّcounting أوْor يَعْجُزَfails الضَّبْطُreckoning
إلَى أنْ يَضَلَّ العَدُّ أوْ يَعْجُزَ الضَّبْطُ
May you be congratulated on it a thousand times, a thousand, and as many again,
The dark rouse to the night's Zenj; the dawn cascades it
until counting loses its way or reckoning fails.
And ignore one who remains reciting in the dimness
لِبَابِكَto your gate أهْدَىoffered العَبْدُthe servant عَذْرَاءَa maiden مِدْحَةٍode of praise
لِبَابِكَ أهْدَى العَبْدُ عَذْرَاءَ مِدْحَةٍ
لَهَاshe has الحُسْنُbeauty تَاجٌa crown وَالجَمَالُand loveliness لَهَاshe has قُرْطُan earring
لَهَا الحُسْنُ تَاجٌ وَالجَمَالُ لَهَا قُرْطُ
To your gate this servant offered a maiden ode of praise,
The gloom swelled and the night's troop with grey streaked
with beauty for her crown and loveliness her earring.
1 Suhail: Canopus star
تُقَبِّلُshe kisses يُمْنَاكُمْyour right hand وَتُهْدِيand offers قَلاَئِداًnecklaces
تُقَبِّلُ يُمْنَاكُمْ وَتُهْدِي قَلاَئِداً
لَهَاthey have اللَّفْظُwording دُرُّpearls وَالعَرُوضُand meter لَهُfor it سِمْطُa string
لَهَا اللَّفْظُ دُرُّ وَالعَرُوضُ لَهُ سِمْطُ
She kisses your right hand and offers necklaces
2 As-Shi'ra: star in the Big Bear constellation
whose pearls are words, and whose string is meter.
3 Arak: a tree whose wood is used to make musical instruments like the oud
فَدُمْso remain فِيin أمَانٍsafety تَحْتَbeneath عَقْدِa covenant of وِلاَيَةٍrule
فَدُمْ فِي أمَانٍ تَحْتَ عَقْدِ وِلاَيَةٍ
بِصِحَّتِهَاthrough its soundness قَدْindeed أحْكِمَare secured العَقْدُthe knot وَالرَّبْطُand binding
بِصِحَّتِهَا قَدْ أحْكِمَ العَقْدُ وَالرَّبْطُ
Remain secure beneath a covenant of rule,
4 Sa’udad: Umayyad ruler, Sa’d bin Abi Waqqas.
whose soundness has made knot and bond firm.
5 Arm band: woman’s ornament worn on the upper arm
لِيَغْنَىso may prosper بِكَthrough you العَانِياthe afflicted وَيَحْيand may live بِكَthrough you النَّدَىgenerosity
لِيَغْنَى بِكَ العَانِيا وَيَحْي بِكَ النَّدَى
وَتَزْهُوand may flourish بِكthrough you الدُّنْيَاthe world ويُشْفَىand may be healed بكthrough you اللُّمْطُthe leprous
وَتَزْهُو بِك الدُّنْيَا ويُشْفَى بك اللُّمْطُ
So the afflicted may prosper through you, and generosity live through you,
the world flourish through you, and the leprous be healed through you.
فَأنْتfor you are الذِيhe who إنْif صَالَassails خَطْبٌa calamity أوor اعْتَدَىtransgresses
فَأنْت الذِي إنْ صَالَ خَطْبٌ أو اعْتَدَى
لَكَyours are النَّقْضُunmaking وَالإبْرَامُand making firm وَالرَّفْعُand raising وَالحَطُand lowering
لَكَ النَّقْضُ وَالإبْرَامُ وَالرَّفْعُ وَالحَطُ
For you are he who, when calamity attacks or transgresses,
has the unmaking and making firm, the raising and lowering.
وَلاَand never زِلْتَmay you cease تَبْقَىto endure مَاas long as حَكَىresembles الصُّبْحُdawn جَدْوَلاًa stream
وَلاَ زِلْتَ تَبْقَى مَا حَكَى الصُّبْحُ جَدْوَلاً
لإنْسَانِfor the pupil of عَيْنthe eye of الشَّمْسِthe sun فيin مَائِهِits water غَطُّa plunge
لإنْسَانِ عَيْن الشَّمْسِ في مَائِهِ غَطُّ
May you endure as long as dawn resembles a stream
in whose water the pupil of the sun's eye plunges,
لِتَشْدُوso may sing عَلَىupon العِيدَانthe lutes هَاتِفَهُits songbird الضُّحَىat forenoon
لِتَشْدُو عَلَى العِيدَان هَاتِفَهُ الضُّحَى
تَنَبَّهْawake فَزَنْجُfor the Zanj of اللَّيْلِnight نَاجَزَهُengaged them in battle القِبْطُthe Copts
تَنَبَّهْ فَزَنْجُ اللَّيْلِ نَاجَزَهُ القِبْطُ
so its songbird may sing upon the lutes at forenoon:
Awake! The Copts have joined battle with the Zanj of night.
وَتُعْرِضَand may you turn away عَمَّنfrom him who ظَلَّkept يُنْشِدُreciting فيin الدُّجَىdarkness
وَتُعْرِضَ عَمَّن ظَلَّ يُنْشِدُ في الدُّجَى
تَجَلَّتْshe revealed herself وَفَوْدُwhile the temple of اللَّيْلِnight بِالشَّيْبِwith gray hair مُخْتَطُّis streaked
تَجَلَّتْ وَفَوْدُ اللَّيْلِ بِالشَّيْبِ مُخْتَطُّ
And may you turn away from him who kept reciting in the darkness:
She revealed herself, while night's temple was streaked with gray.
Partial English translation: 178 of 188 Arabic lines translated.