ياO خدهَاher cheek وَتَثَنِّيand the swaying of قَدّهَاher stature الألِفِalif-like
يا خدهَا وَتَثَنِّي قَدّهَا الألِفِ
مَنْwho أطْلَعَmade rise الشَّمْسَthe sun فِيin غصْنِthe bough of النَّقَاthe sand dune التَّرِفِtender
مَنْ أطْلَعَ الشَّمْسَ فِي غصْنِ النَّقَا التَّرِفِ
O her cheek, and the swaying of her alif-slender form!
Who made the sun rise in the tender bough of a sand dune?
وَيَاand O فُتُوراًlanguor بلحظيْهَاin her two glances وَهُدْبِهِمَاand their lashes
وَيَا فُتُوراً بلحظيْهَا وَهُدْبِهِمَا
مَنْwho خَيَّرَgave a choice الظَّبْيَthe gazelle بَيْنَbetween الغَنْجِcoquetry وَالْوَطَفِand long lashes
مَنْ خَيَّرَ الظَّبْيَ بَيْنَ الغَنْجِ وَالْوَطَفِ
O languor in her two glances and their lashes!
Who gave the gazelle a choice between coquetry and long lashes?
وَيَاand O أرَاكَةَarak tree of عطْفَيْهَاher two sides وَلِينَهُمَاand their suppleness
وَيَا أرَاكَةَ عطْفَيْهَا وَلِينَهُمَا
منwho أوْقَفَpoised الغصْنَthe bough بَيْنَbetween اللينsoftness وَالهَيَفِand slenderness
من أوْقَفَ الغصْنَ بَيْنَ اللين وَالهَيَفِ
O arak tree of her sides and their suppleness!
Who poised the bough between softness and slenderness?
خُودٌa maiden بَدتshe appeared فَأرَتْكَso she showed you الظبيَthe gazelle فِيin غَيَدٍgraceful swaying
خُودٌ بَدت فَأرَتْكَ الظبيَ فِي غَيَدٍ
وَالزَّهْرَand flowers فِيin تَرَفٍdelicacy وَالبَدْرand the full moon فِيin شرفِeminence
وَالزَّهْرَ فِي تَرَفٍ وَالبَدْر فِي شرفِ
A maiden appeared, showing you the gazelle in graceful swaying,
flowers in delicacy, and the full moon in its eminence.
لاَno كَيْدَdevice للبدرِfor the full moon أنْto يَحْكِيimitate مَحَاسِنَهَاher charms
لاَ كَيْدَ للبدرِ أنْ يَحْكِي مَحَاسِنَهَا
وَلَوْand even if تَكَلَّفَit strained لَمْnot يُظْهِرْshow سِوَىexcept الكَلَفِdark spots
وَلَوْ تَكَلَّفَ لَمْ يُظْهِرْ سِوَى الكَلَفِ
The full moon has no device to imitate her charms;
even if it strained, it would show only its dark spots.
أعِيذُهَاI seek protection for her وَعُيُونُwhile the eyes of اللَّهGod تَحْرُسُهَاguard her
أعِيذُهَا وَعُيُونُ اللَّه تَحْرُسُهَا
منfrom محنَةِthe ordeal of العُجْبِself-admiration أوْor منfrom محنةِthe ordeal of الصَّلَفِarrogance
من محنَةِ العُجْبِ أوْ من محنةِ الصَّلَفِ
I seek protection for her, while God's eyes guard her,
from the ordeal of self-admiration or the ordeal of arrogance.
حَكَىrecounted ابنُIbn (son) زُهْرِZuhr محيَّاهَاher countenance لَنَاto us غُرَراًradiant tales
حَكَى ابنُ زُهْرِ محيَّاهَا لَنَا غُرَراً
يروِيnarrates سُهَيْلِيُّهَاher Suhayli عنfrom روضِهِhis garden الأنِفِuntouched
يروِي سُهَيْلِيُّهَا عن روضِهِ الأنِفِ
The Ibn Zuhr of her countenance recounted radiant tales to us;
her Suhayli narrates from his untouched garden.
وَوَاقِدُand Waqid (the kindler) الخَدّthe cheek عَنْfrom مَاءِthe water of الحَيَاءِmodesty رَوَىrelated
وَوَاقِدُ الخَدّ عَنْ مَاءِ الحَيَاءِ رَوَى
حَدِيثَthe tale of مُقْتَبِسٍone borrowing fire مِنْfrom عِنْدَthe presence of مُعْتَرِفِone who acknowledges
حَدِيثَ مُقْتَبِسٍ مِنْ عِنْدَ مُعْتَرِفِ
And her cheek's Waqid narrated from modesty's water
the tale of one borrowing fire from one who acknowledged it.
يُرِيكَshows you دراًpearls علىupon اليَاقُوتruby مبسمُهَاher smile
يُرِيكَ دراً على اليَاقُوت مبسمُهَا
فيغتديso it becomes هَازِئاًmocking بِالصْبحِat the dawn فِيin السُّدَفِthe darkness
فيغتدي هَازِئاً بِالصْبحِ فِي السُّدَفِ
Her smile shows you pearls upon ruby,
and so it mocks the dawn amid the darkness.
وَمَنْand whoever يَرَsees الدرَّthe pearls فِيin الياقُوتruby مُنْتَظِماًstrung in order
وَمَنْ يَرَ الدرَّ فِي الياقُوت مُنْتَظِماً
لَمْnot يَلْتَفِتْturn لنَثِيرِto the scattered الدرّpearls فِيin الصَّدَفِshells
لَمْ يَلْتَفِتْ لنَثِيرِ الدرّ فِي الصَّدَفِ
Whoever sees pearls strung within ruby
will not turn to pearls scattered in shells.
شَكَوْتُI complained of سُقْمِيmy sickness لِشَاكِيto the ailing لحظهاher glance فَسَطَاthen it attacked
شَكَوْتُ سُقْمِي لِشَاكِي لحظها فَسَطَا
يَاO مَنْwho رَأىhas seen دَنِفاًa lovesick person يسطوattacking عَلَىupon دَنِفِa lovesick person
يَا مَنْ رَأى دَنِفاً يسطو عَلَى دَنِفِ
I complained of my sickness to her ailing glance, and it attacked me.
O who has seen a lovesick person assault another?
وَقَدْand indeed عجبتُI marveled لِمُسْتَشْفٍat one seeking healing بِنَاظِرِهَاin her eye
وَقَدْ عجبتُ لِمُسْتَشْفٍ بِنَاظِرِهَا
وَالسِّحْرُwhile sorcery أوْدَعَlodged فِيهِin it آيَةَa sign of التَّلَفِdestruction
وَالسِّحْرُ أوْدَعَ فِيهِ آيَةَ التَّلَفِ
I have marveled at one seeking healing in her eye,
when sorcery has lodged in it a sign of destruction.
إنِّيindeed I لَهَاto her مِنْfor سقَامِيmy sickness جئتُcame معتذراًapologizing
إنِّي لَهَا مِنْ سقَامِي جئتُ معتذراً
إذْsince لَمْnot أكُنْI had مِتُّdied منْfrom وجديmy passion ومنand from تلفِيmy wasting
إذْ لَمْ أكُنْ مِتُّ منْ وجدي ومن تلفِي
I came to her apologizing for my sickness,
since I had not died of my passion and wasting.
وَعَاذلٍand a reproacher زَادَincreased فِيin تَرْكِيبِthe entanglement of عُجْمَتِهِhis inarticulacy
وَعَاذلٍ زَادَ فِي تَرْكِيبِ عُجْمَتِهِ
لماwhen صرفتُI turned عنَانِيmy rein عَنْهُaway from him لِلأسَفِin sorrow
لما صرفتُ عنَانِي عَنْهُ لِلأسَفِ
And a reproacher grew still more tangled in his inarticulacy
when, in sorrow, I turned my rein away from him.
وَجَدتُهُI found him عَادِماًlacking عدلاًjustice وَمَعْرِفَةًand understanding
وَجَدتُهُ عَادِماً عدلاً وَمَعْرِفَةً
قُلْتُI said انْصَرِفْdepart فَغَرَامِيfor my passion غَيْرُnot مُنْصَرِفِdivertible
قُلْتُ انْصَرِفْ فَغَرَامِي غَيْرُ مُنْصَرِفِ
I found him lacking justice and understanding.
I said, “Depart; my passion cannot be diverted.”
قَالَhe said ارْتَجِعْturn back قُلْتُI said إلاexcept عَنْfrom محبتهَاloving her
قَالَ ارْتَجِعْ قُلْتُ إلا عَنْ محبتهَا
قَالَhe said اسْتَمِعْlisten قُلْتُI said إلاَّexcept مِنْكَfrom you فَانْصَرِفِso depart
قَالَ اسْتَمِعْ قُلْتُ إلاَّ مِنْكَ فَانْصَرِفِ
He said, “Turn back.” I said, “Except from loving her.”
He said, “Listen.” I said, “Except to you—so depart.”
وَإنْand if ظَنَنْتَyou thought بِأنَّthat اللَّوْمَreproach يَعْطِفُنِيturns me
وَإنْ ظَنَنْتَ بِأنَّ اللَّوْمَ يَعْطِفُنِي
عَنْهَاaway from her إلَيْكَtoward you فإنِّيthen I غَيْرُnot مُنْعَطِفِturning
عَنْهَا إلَيْكَ فإنِّي غَيْرُ مُنْعَطِفِ
If you thought that reproach would turn me
from her toward you, I shall not turn.
وَإنْand if جهلْتَyou do not know بِمَاwhat ألْقَاهُI suffer of it مِنْof كَلَفٍconsuming passion
وَإنْ جهلْتَ بِمَا ألْقَاهُ مِنْ كَلَفٍ
فَلاَthen do not تَسَلْask غَيْرَother than أحْشَائِيmy entrails عَنabout الكَلَفِconsuming passion
فَلاَ تَسَلْ غَيْرَ أحْشَائِي عَن الكَلَفِ
If you do not know the consuming passion I suffer,
ask none but my entrails about that passion.
يَاO عَبْرَتِيmy tears انْهَمِلِيpour down يَاO دَمْعَتِيmy teardrop اشْتَعِلِيblaze
يَا عَبْرَتِي انْهَمِلِي يَا دَمْعَتِي اشْتَعِلِي
يَاO سَلْوَتِيmy solace ارْتَحِلِيdepart لاno لَوْعَتِيmy anguish اكْتَنِفِيenfold
يَا سَلْوَتِي ارْتَحِلِي لا لَوْعَتِي اكْتَنِفِي
O my tears, pour down! O my teardrop, blaze!
O my solace, depart! No—my anguish, enfold me!
بِيwithin me ظبيةٌa gazelle صَاغهَاfashioned her البَاريthe Creator وَصَوَّرَهَاand formed her
بِي ظبيةٌ صَاغهَا البَاري وَصَوَّرَهَا
مِنْfrom جَوْهَرِthe essence of اللُّطْفِgentleness أوْor منfrom عَنْبَرِthe ambergris of التَّرَفِluxury
مِنْ جَوْهَرِ اللُّطْفِ أوْ من عَنْبَرِ التَّرَفِ
Within me is a gazelle whom the Creator fashioned and formed
from the essence of gentleness, or from the ambergris of luxury.
كَمْhow often حَيَّرَتْshe bewildered فكرَthe mind of ذِيone possessing لبّintellect وَذيand one possessing نظرٍinsight
كَمْ حَيَّرَتْ فكرَ ذِي لبّ وَذي نظرٍ
وَكَمْand how often دَعَتْshe summoned مهجةًa soul للحُزْنِto sorrow وَالدَّنَفِand lovesickness
وَكَمْ دَعَتْ مهجةً للحُزْنِ وَالدَّنَفِ
How often she bewildered the minds of those possessing intellect and insight!
How often she summoned a soul to sorrow and lovesickness!
لآسِfor the myrtle of سَالِفِهَاher temple فِيamid وردِthe roses of وِجْنَتِهَاher cheek
لآسِ سَالِفِهَا فِي وردِ وِجْنَتِهَا
حَدِيقَةٌa garden لَمْnot يَنَلْهَاreached it كَفthe hand of مُقْتَطِفِa plucker
حَدِيقَةٌ لَمْ يَنَلْهَا كَف مُقْتَطِفِ
For the myrtle of her temple, amid the roses of her cheek,
there is a garden no plucker's hand has reached.
وَفِيand in حَدِيثِthe speech of ثنَايَاهَاher front teeth وَبَارِقِهَاand their gleam
وَفِي حَدِيثِ ثنَايَاهَا وَبَارِقِهَا
رِيٌّrefreshment لِمُرْتَشِفٍfor a sipper بُرْءٌhealing لِمُلْتَهِفِfor one yearning
رِيٌّ لِمُرْتَشِفٍ بُرْءٌ لِمُلْتَهِفِ
In the speech of her front teeth and their lightning
is refreshment for a sipper, healing for one who yearns.
وَلِلْوِشَاحِand for the sash اعْتِنَاقٌan embrace مَعْwith مَعَاطِفِهَاher curves
وَلِلْوِشَاحِ اعْتِنَاقٌ مَعْ مَعَاطِفِهَا
أمَاhave you not رَأيْتَseen اعْتِنَاقَthe embrace of اللاَّمِlam بِالألِفِwith alif
أمَا رَأيْتَ اعْتِنَاقَ اللاَّمِ بِالألِفِ
Her sash embraces her curves:
have you not seen the embrace of lam with alif?
شَمْسٌa sun لَهَاhers شَرَفٌeminence يَرْوِِيtransmits الجَلاَلَةَmajesty عنfrom
شَمْسٌ لَهَا شَرَفٌ يَرْوِِي الجَلاَلَةَ عن
مَوْلاَيmy lord عثمَانUthman كَهْفِthe refuge of العزّmight وَالشرفِand honor
مَوْلاَي عثمَان كَهْفِ العزّ وَالشرفِ
A sun whose eminence transmits majesty from
my lord Uthman, the refuge of might and honor.
مولىa lord قَضَىdecreed اللَّهُGod أنthat العزَّglory مُشْتَرِفٌrising
مولى قَضَى اللَّهُ أن العزَّ مُشْتَرِفٌ
بِهِthrough him فَأشْرَفَso it rose مِنْهُfrom him خَيْرَthe best مُشْتَرَفِheight
بِهِ فَأشْرَفَ مِنْهُ خَيْرَ مُشْتَرَفِ
A lord through whom God decreed that glory should rise—
through him it rose to the noblest height.
إنْif قَالَhe speaks أسْمَعَكَhe makes you hear السحرَmagic الحَلاَلَlawful وَإنْand if
إنْ قَالَ أسْمَعَكَ السحرَ الحَلاَلَ وَإنْ
يَخُطَّhe writes فَاعْجَبْthen marvel لروضٍat a garden خُطَّinscribed فيin الصحُفِthe pages
يَخُطَّ فَاعْجَبْ لروضٍ خُطَّ في الصحُفِ
If he speaks, he makes you hear lawful magic; and if
he writes, marvel at a garden inscribed upon the pages.
أبَتْrefused شَهَامَةُthe valor of أعرَاقٍroots لَهُhis كَرُمَتْnoble
أبَتْ شَهَامَةُ أعرَاقٍ لَهُ كَرُمَتْ
رُكْناًa support سِوَىother than المجْدِglory أوْor ظِلاَّshade سوَىother than الشَّرَفِhonor
رُكْناً سِوَى المجْدِ أوْ ظِلاَّ سوَى الشَّرَفِ
The valor of his noble roots refused
any support but glory, or any shade but honor.
ذُوpossessor of حكمةٍwisdom تُجْتَلَىrevealed فيin وجهthe face of مُحْتَكمٍone seeking judgment
ذُو حكمةٍ تُجْتَلَى في وجه مُحْتَكمٍ
وَهَيْبَةٍand awe تُتَّقَىheeded مِنْfrom غَيْرِone other than مُعْتَسِفِan oppressor
وَهَيْبَةٍ تُتَّقَى مِنْ غَيْرِ مُعْتَسِفِ
He possesses wisdom revealed before one seeking judgment,
and an awe that is heeded, though he is no oppressor.
حِلْمٌforbearance بَنَاهُhe built it بِعِلْمٍwith knowledge شَادَهُhe raised it فَغَدَاso it became
حِلْمٌ بَنَاهُ بِعِلْمٍ شَادَهُ فَغَدَا
يَرْوِيnarrates سُهَيْلِيُّهhis Suhayli عَنْfrom رَوْضِهِhis garden الأنِفِuntouched
يَرْوِي سُهَيْلِيُّه عَنْ رَوْضِهِ الأنِفِ
Forbearance he built with knowledge he raised, so that
his Suhayli narrates from his untouched garden.
يَمْحُوhe erases الظُّنُونَdoubts بِأنْوَارِwith the lights of اليقينcertainty إذَاwhen
يَمْحُو الظُّنُونَ بِأنْوَارِ اليقين إذَا
مَاemphatic particle اسْوَدَّgrew black لَيْلُthe night of الشكُوكِdoubts الحالِكِpitch-black السُّجُفِcurtains
مَا اسْوَدَّ لَيْلُ الشكُوكِ الحالِكِ السُّجُفِ
He erases doubts with the lights of certainty whenever
the night of doubts grows black, its curtains pitch-dark.
بَنَىhe built بِبأسٍwith valor وَجُودٍand generosity مَجْدَهُhis glory ومتىand whenever
بَنَى بِبأسٍ وَجُودٍ مَجْدَهُ ومتى
تُبْنَىis built العُلاَeminence بسوَىwith other than هَذَيْنِthese two تَنْخَسِفِit collapses
تُبْنَى العُلاَ بسوَى هَذَيْنِ تَنْخَسِفِ
He built his glory with valor and generosity; whenever
eminence is built with anything but these two, it collapses.
تَكَنَّفَتْهُenfolded him المَعَالِيhigh honors فَاسْتَقَرَّso he settled مِنَof الإreverence (word begins)
تَكَنَّفَتْهُ المَعَالِي فَاسْتَقَرَّ مِنَ الإ
جْلاَلِreverence (word continues) وَالِعّزand might وَالتَّمْكينِand established power فِيwithin كَنَفِa shelter
جْلاَلِ وَالِعّز وَالتَّمْكينِ فِي كَنَفِ
High honors enfolded him, and he settled within
the shelter of reverence, might, and established power.
شَهْمٌvaliant جَوَادٌgenerous إلَىtoward الخَيْرَاتِgood deeds مُزْدَلِفٌadvancing
شَهْمٌ جَوَادٌ إلَى الخَيْرَاتِ مُزْدَلِفٌ
وهَلْand have رَأيْتَyou seen جَوَاداًa noble steed غَيْرَnot مُزْدَلِفِadvancing
وهَلْ رَأيْتَ جَوَاداً غَيْرَ مُزْدَلِفِ
A valiant, generous man, advancing toward good deeds—
have you ever seen a noble steed that does not advance?
فِيin كَفهِhis palm قَلَمٌa pen فصلdecisiveness of الخطَابِdiscourse حَوَىcontains
فِي كَفهِ قَلَمٌ فصل الخطَابِ حَوَى
مَعْنىًmeaning سدِيداًsound وَقَوْلاًand speech غَيْرَnot مُخْتَلِفِinconsistent
مَعْنىً سدِيداً وَقَوْلاً غَيْرَ مُخْتَلِفِ
In his palm is a pen containing decisive discourse,
sound meaning, and speech without contradiction.
كَالسَّهْمِlike an arrow يُرْشَقُis shot فيinto احشَاءِthe entrails of حَاسِدِهِhis envier
كَالسَّهْمِ يُرْشَقُ في احشَاءِ حَاسِدِهِ
لَكِنَّهُyet it لِمُرَجِّيfor one hoping for الجُودِgenerosity كَالهَدَفِlike a target
لَكِنَّهُ لِمُرَجِّي الجُودِ كَالهَدَفِ
Like an arrow, it is shot into his envier's entrails;
yet for one hoping for generosity, it is like a target.
رَعَىhe tended الوَرَىhumankind بيدٍwith a hand بيضَاءَwhite (beneficent) كَمْhow often عَتَقَتْfreed
رَعَى الوَرَى بيدٍ بيضَاءَ كَمْ عَتَقَتْ
بِالبِيضwith silver وَالصفْرand gold حُرَّاa freeborn man غَيْرَnot مُنْكَشِفِexposed
بِالبِيض وَالصفْر حُرَّا غَيْرَ مُنْكَشِفِ
He tended humankind with a beneficent hand that so often freed,
with silver and gold, a freeborn man whose need remained concealed.
منone who لَيْسَdoes not يَسْمَعhear منfrom عرنينa nose منجدعmutilated
من لَيْسَ يَسْمَع من عرنين منجدع
وَلاَnor يعضbites عَلَىupon أحْشَاءthe entrails of مُلْتَهِفِone in anguish
وَلاَ يعض عَلَى أحْشَاء مُلْتَهِفِ
One who hears nothing from a mutilated nose,
nor gnaws upon the entrails of one in anguish.
مُجَرّدٌdrawing سَيْفَa sword of رَأيٍjudgment مِنْfrom عَزِيمَتِهِhis resolve
مُجَرّدٌ سَيْفَ رَأيٍ مِنْ عَزِيمَتِهِ
تكَادalmost أنْto تَخْشِيهِfear it أنْفُسُthe souls of التُّطَفِpearl earrings
تكَاد أنْ تَخْشِيهِ أنْفُسُ التُّطَفِ
Drawing from his resolve a sword of judgment,
the souls of pearl earrings almost fear it.
وَافَىhe came مِنَof الفَضْلِexcellence فيin نَصْرِchampioning الهُدَىguidance وإذاand when
وَافَى مِنَ الفَضْلِ في نَصْرِ الهُدَى وإذا
رَامَsought العِدَىthe foes كَيْدَهُto outwit him وَافىhe came بِكُلّwith every وَفِيfaithful ally
رَامَ العِدَى كَيْدَهُ وَافى بِكُلّ وَفِي
He came in excellence to champion guidance; and when
his foes sought to outwit him, he came with every faithful ally.
دَعَاهُsummoned him طُورُthe Mount of العُلاَeminence مِنْfrom غيرِabsence of مَاany رَهَبٍdread
دَعَاهُ طُورُ العُلاَ مِنْ غيرِ مَا رَهَبٍ
أقْبِلْcome عَلَىtoward اليُمْنِgood fortune يَاO مُوسَىMoses ولاand do not تَخَفِfear
أقْبِلْ عَلَى اليُمْنِ يَا مُوسَى ولا تَخَفِ
The Mount of Eminence called him, without any dread:
“Come toward good fortune, O Moses, and do not fear!”
يَلُوحُhe appears فرداًalone وَفِيand within مطويّthe folded depths of مُهْجَتِهِhis heart
يَلُوحُ فرداً وَفِي مطويّ مُهْجَتِهِ
مَاwhat يَعْلَمُknows اللَّهُGod مِنْof عزّmight وَمِنْand of شَرَفِhonor
مَا يَعْلَمُ اللَّهُ مِنْ عزّ وَمِنْ شَرَفِ
He appears alone, while within his folded heart
lie might and honor that God knows.
يَاO حَاسِداًenvier رَامَsought أنto يُخْفِيhide مَكَارِمَهُhis noble virtues
يَا حَاسِداً رَامَ أن يُخْفِي مَكَارِمَهُ
هَيْهَاتَfar from it مَاnot الصبْحُthe dawn إنْif أخْفَيْتَهُyou conceal it بِخَفِيّat all hidden
هَيْهَاتَ مَا الصبْحُ إنْ أخْفَيْتَهُ بِخَفِيّ
O envier who sought to hide his noble virtues,
far from it! Dawn is not hidden, though you conceal it.
وَإنْand if تَقِسْyou compare بِفَتَىwith the youth of الأنْصَارِthe Ansar ذَاone possessing نَسَبٍlineage
وَإنْ تَقِسْ بِفَتَى الأنْصَارِ ذَا نَسَبٍ
فَلاَthen do not تَقِسْهُcompare him فليسَfor it is not التمرُripe dates كالحَشَفِlike shriveled dates
فَلاَ تَقِسْهُ فليسَ التمرُ كالحَشَفِ
If you compare a man of lineage with the youth of the Ansar,
do not compare him: ripe dates are not shriveled fruit.
أخِلْتَdid you imagine ضِدَّيْنِtwo opposites فيin حَالٍone state قَدِindeed اجْتَمَعَاboth came together
أخِلْتَ ضِدَّيْنِ في حَالٍ قَدِ اجْتَمَعَا
فَكَيْفَso how تَجْمَعُdo you combine بَيْنَbetween العَدْلِjustice وَالجَنَفِand injustice
فَكَيْفَ تَجْمَعُ بَيْنَ العَدْلِ وَالجَنَفِ
Did you imagine two opposites had met in one state?
How, then, can you combine justice and injustice?
إنِّيindeed I حَلفْتُswore يَمِيناًan oath لاnot أحَنَّشُهُI break it (unclear form)
إنِّي حَلفْتُ يَمِيناً لا أحَنَّشُهُ
وَلِلْمُحِبّand the lover has يَمِينٌan oath بَرَّةُfaithful الحَلَفin its swearing
وَلِلْمُحِبّ يَمِينٌ بَرَّةُ الحَلَف
I have sworn an oath I shall not break;
a lover's oath is faithful in its swearing:
أنَّthat التُّقَىpiety وَالندَىand generosity وَالبأسَand valor قَدْindeed قُرِنُواwere joined
أنَّ التُّقَى وَالندَى وَالبأسَ قَدْ قُرِنُوا
بِشَخْصِهِin his person كَاقْترَانlike the joining of اللاَّمِlam بِالألِفِwith alif
بِشَخْصِهِ كَاقْترَان اللاَّمِ بِالألِفِ
that piety, generosity, and valor have been joined
in his person, as lam is joined with alif.
مَاnot فِيin الزَّمَانِthe age وَخيرُand the best of النَوْلِbounty أصْدَقُهُits most sincere
مَا فِي الزَّمَانِ وَخيرُ النَوْلِ أصْدَقُهُ
شِبْهٌan equal لَهُto him وَهَلِand is اليَاقُوتruby كَالخَزَفِlike pottery
شِبْهٌ لَهُ وَهَلِ اليَاقُوت كَالخَزَفِ
In this age—and the best bounty is the most sincere—
he has no equal: is ruby like pottery?
حَدّثْtell بِهِof him وَتَحَدَّثْand speak عَنْهُabout him وَأتِand come لهُto him
حَدّثْ بِهِ وَتَحَدَّثْ عَنْهُ وَأتِ لهُ
تَلْقَاهُyou will find him غَوْثَthe aid of المُنَادِيthe caller مَلْجَأthe refuge of اللَّهِفِthe distressed
تَلْقَاهُ غَوْثَ المُنَادِي مَلْجَأ اللَّهِفِ
Tell of him, speak about him, and come to him;
you will find him the caller's aid, the distressed one's refuge.
ومنand whoever تَكُنْis أسْرَةُthe family of الفَارُوقal-Faruq نَبْعَتُهُhis rootstock
ومن تَكُنْ أسْرَةُ الفَارُوق نَبْعَتُهُ
يَسْمُوrises بِأصْلٍthrough a root زَكِيّpure غَيْرِnot مُنْعَجِفِwithered
يَسْمُو بِأصْلٍ زَكِيّ غَيْرِ مُنْعَجِفِ
One whose stock is the family of al-Faruq
rises through a pure root that has not withered.
أنْصَارُsupporters of دِينthe faith of النَبِيّthe Prophet الهَاشِمِيّthe Hashimite وَمَنْand those who
أنْصَارُ دِين النَبِيّ الهَاشِمِيّ وَمَنْ
صَارُواbecame بِصُحْبَتِهِthrough his companionship فِيin أرْفَعthe loftiest الشَّرَفِhonor
صَارُوا بِصُحْبَتِهِ فِي أرْفَع الشَّرَفِ
Supporters of the Hashimite Prophet's faith, and those
who through his companionship attained the loftiest honor:
هُمُthey هُمُthey آلُthe house of سَعْدٍSa'd أنّindeed أيديَهُمْtheir hands
هُمُ هُمُ آلُ سَعْدٍ أنّ أيديَهُمْ
ضُرharm لِمُسْتَنْكِرٍto a denier نَفْعٌbenefit لِمُعْتَرِفِto one who acknowledges
ضُر لِمُسْتَنْكِرٍ نَفْعٌ لِمُعْتَرِفِ
they, they are the house of Sa'd; indeed, their hands are
harm to a denier, benefit to one who acknowledges.
غَابُواthey departed فَأبْدَتْso revealed بَنُوهُمْtheir sons بعدهمafter them غُرَراًradiant ones
غَابُوا فَأبْدَتْ بَنُوهُمْ بعدهم غُرَراً
تَمْحُوerase بِأضْوَاwith the lights of سَنَاهَاtheir splendor ظُلْمَةَthe darkness of السُّدَفِthe shadows
تَمْحُو بِأضْوَا سَنَاهَا ظُلْمَةَ السُّدَفِ
They departed, and their sons revealed radiant ones after them,
erasing the darkness of shadows with the lights of their splendor.
فَمِنْthus from شِهَاٍبShihab وَمِنْand from شَمْسٍShams وَمنْand from شَرَفٍSharaf
فَمِنْ شِهَاٍب وَمِنْ شَمْسٍ وَمنْ شَرَفٍ
أضَاءَshone نُورٌa light وَلَكنyet غَيْرُnot مُنْكَسِفِeclipsed
أضَاءَ نُورٌ وَلَكن غَيْرُ مُنْكَسِفِ
Thus from Shihab, from Shams, and from Sharaf,
a light shone forth, never eclipsed.
أخُوpossessor of النَوالِbounty وَبَحْرٌand a sea لِلْعُفَاةِfor seekers of gifts لِذَاtherefore
أخُو النَوالِ وَبَحْرٌ لِلْعُفَاةِ لِذَا
لَمْnot يَحْمِwithhold سَلْسَلَهُhis sweet-flowing water عَنْfrom كَفّthe palm of مُغْتَرِفِone scooping water
لَمْ يَحْمِ سَلْسَلَهُ عَنْ كَفّ مُغْتَرِفِ
A man of bounty, a sea for those seeking gifts; therefore
he did not withhold his sweet water from a scooping hand.
مُنِيتُI was afflicted فيin وَجْهِthe face of دَهْرِيmy age مَاwhat يُكَلِّفُهُit imposes it
مُنِيتُ في وَجْهِ دَهْرِي مَا يُكَلِّفُهُ
لَمَّاwhen كَفَانِيَhe spared me مَاwhat قَدْindeed عَزَّgrew difficult مِنْof كُلَفِburdens
لَمَّا كَفَانِيَ مَا قَدْ عَزَّ مِنْ كُلَفِ
I was tried, facing my age, by what it imposed,
when he relieved me of burdens grown too hard.
فَيَاso O ثَنَائِيَmy praise انْشُرْunfold مَاwhat طَوَاهُhe folded away وَسِرْand travel
فَيَا ثَنَائِيَ انْشُرْ مَا طَوَاهُ وَسِرْ
وَيَاand O رَجَائِيَmy hope لاَزِمْkeep to بَابَهُhis door وَقِفِand stand
وَيَا رَجَائِيَ لاَزِمْ بَابَهُ وَقِفِ
O my praise, unfold what he folded away, and travel!
O my hope, keep to his door and stand!
وَيَاand O فُؤَادِيَmy heart أظهرْreveal حبَّهُlove for him وَأقِمْand remain
وَيَا فُؤَادِيَ أظهرْ حبَّهُ وَأقِمْ
وَيَاand O لسَانِيَmy tongue حَرّرْcompose مدحَهُhis praise وَصِفِand describe
وَيَا لسَانِيَ حَرّرْ مدحَهُ وَصِفِ
O my heart, reveal your love for him and remain!
O my tongue, compose his praise and describe him!
وَيَاand O مديحيَmy panegyric هَذَاthis الطُّورُthe Mount فَاسْمُso rise لَهُtoward it
وَيَا مديحيَ هَذَا الطُّورُ فَاسْمُ لَهُ
وَلاَand do not تُعَرّجْturn aside عَلَىtoward الآكَامِhillocks وَالغَرَفِand shrubs
وَلاَ تُعَرّجْ عَلَى الآكَامِ وَالغَرَفِ
O my panegyric, this is the Mount: rise toward it,
and do not turn aside to hillocks and shrubs.
وَيَاand O بانيَmy builder هَذاthis التمرُripe dates فاجنِso pluck وكَلْand eat
وَيَا بانيَ هَذا التمرُ فاجنِ وكَلْ
وَلاَand do not تُزَاحِمْjostle عَلَىfor الكُرْنَابِcabbage وَالخَشَفِand shriveled dates
وَلاَ تُزَاحِمْ عَلَى الكُرْنَابِ وَالخَشَفِ
O my builder, here are dates: pluck and eat,
and do not jostle for cabbage and shriveled dates.
يَابْنO son of الكرَامthe noble السراةthe eminent السالفينthe forebears لقدindeed
يَابْن الكرَام السراة السالفين لقد
أصْبَحْتَyou have become بِالفَضْلِthrough excellence فِينَاamong us أفضلthe best الخَلَفِsuccessors
أصْبَحْتَ بِالفَضْلِ فِينَا أفضل الخَلَفِ
O son of noble, eminent forebears, truly
through excellence you have become the best successor among us.
وَلَمْand not أخلْكَI thought you لِغَيْرِof other than المَجْدِglory مُقْتَنِياًacquiring
وَلَمْ أخلْكَ لِغَيْرِ المَجْدِ مُقْتَنِياً
كَلاَّcertainly not وَلاَnor بِسِوَىwith anything but الإفْضَالِbeneficence ذَاpossessing كلَفِpassion
كَلاَّ وَلاَ بِسِوَى الإفْضَالِ ذَا كلَفِ
I never thought you would acquire anything but glory—
certainly not—or cherish anything but beneficence.
قَدْindeed كَانَwas دَهْرِيَmy age سَمْحاًgenerous فَالتَوَىthen it twisted جَنِفاًunjustly
قَدْ كَانَ دَهْرِيَ سَمْحاً فَالتَوَى جَنِفاً
فَمُذْso since عَرَفْتُكَI knew you لَمْnot يَجْنَفْit swerved وَلَمْnor يَحِفِit oppressed
فَمُذْ عَرَفْتُكَ لَمْ يَجْنَفْ وَلَمْ يَحِفِ
My age was generous, then twisted into injustice;
since I knew you, it has neither swerved nor oppressed.
فاسلمْso be safe ودمْand endure وَابقَand remain وَاعطفْand show kindness وارْقَand ascend واسْمand rise وَدمْand endure
فاسلمْ ودمْ وَابقَ وَاعطفْ وارْقَ واسْم وَدمْ
وَاوْصِلْand maintain ties وَمِلْand incline وَاعْطِand give وَامْنَعْand withhold واشْفِand heal واكتنِفِand enfold
وَاوْصِلْ وَمِلْ وَاعْطِ وَامْنَعْ واشْفِ واكتنِفِ
Be safe, endure, remain, show kindness, ascend, rise, endure;
maintain ties, incline, give, withhold, heal, and enfold.
Translation model: Sol 6.1