بشار بن برد: قَدْ لاَمنِي فِي خَلِيلَتِي عُمَرُ Bashar ibn Burd, I was rebuked

قَدْ لاَمنِي فِي خَلِيلَتِي عُمَرُ                 وَاللَّوْمُ فِي غَيْرِ كُنْهِهِ قَدَرُ
قال أفق قلتُ لا فقال بلى             قد شاع في الناس عنكم الخبر
فَقلْتُ إِنْ شَاعَ مَا اعْتِذَارِيَ مِـ          ـمَّا لَيْسَ لِي فِيهِ عِنْدَهُمْ عُذُرُ
لا أكتم الناس حب قاتلتي               لاَ لاَ وَلاَ أكْرَهُ الَّذِي ذَكَرُوا
لُومَا فَلاَ لَوْمَ بَعْدَهَا أبَداً                  صاحبكم والجليل محتضرُ
قم قم إليهم فقل لهم قد أبى               وقال لا لا أفيقُ فانتحروا
مَاذَا عَسَى أنْ يَقُولَ قَائِلُهُم              وذا هوى ً ساق حينهُ القدرُ
يا قَوْمِ مَا لِي وَمَا لَهُم أبَداً              يَنْظُرُ في عَيْبِ غَيْرِه الْبَطِرُ
يَا عَجَباً لِلْخِلاَفِ يَا عَجَباً           بفي الذي لام في الهوى الحجر
ما لام في ذي مودة ٍ أحدٌ                  يُؤْمِنُ باللّهِ قمْ فَقَدْ كَفَرُوا
حسبي وحسبُ التي كلفت بها          مني ومنها الحديث والنظرُ
أوْ قُبْلَة ٌ فِي خِلاَلِ ذَاكَ وَلاَ                 بَأسَ إِذَا لَمْ تُحللِ الأُزُرُ
أوْ لَمْسُ ما تَحْتَ مرْطِهَا بِيَدِي          والباب قد حال دونه الستر
والساق براقة ٌ خلاخلها              والصوت عالٍ فقد علا البهر
واسترخت الكف للغزال           وقالـت اله عني والدمع منحدرُ
اذْهَبْ فَمَا أنْتَ كالَّذِي ذَكرُوا               أنْتَ وَرَبِّي مُعَارِكٌ أشِرُ
وغابت اليوم عنك حاضنتي            فاللَّهُ لِي الْيَوْمَ مِنْكَ مُنْتَصِرُ
يا رب خذ لي فقد ترى ضعفي        من فاسق الكف ما له شكر
أهوى إلى معضدي فرضضهُ             ذو قوة ٍ ما يطاق مقتدر
يلصقُ بي لحنة ً له خشنت                  ذَاتَ سوَادٍ كَأنَّهَا الإِبَرُ
حَتَّى اقْتَهَرْنِي وَإِخْوَتِي غَيَبٌ         وَيْلِي عَلَيْهِمْ لَوْ أنَّهُمْ حَضَرُوا
أقسمُ بالله ما نجوت بها                 إذهب فأنت المسور الظفرُ
كيف بأمي إذا رأت شفتي            وكيف إن شاع منك ذا الخبرُ
أم كيف لا كيف لي بحاضنتي           يا حِبُّ لَوْ كَانَ ينْفَعُ الْحَذَرُ
قلتُ لها عند ذاك يا سكني                لا بأس إني مجربٌ حذرُ
قولي لهم بقة ٌ لها ظفرُ                 إن كان في البق ما له ظفرُ

Omar rebuked me for my girl friend and the rebuke was decided upon with others of his ilk.

He said, "Get up!", I said, "No.", then he said, "Yes, but of course, the report about you is already popularized among the people."

So I said, "If it´s popularized, why should I apologize? I had nothing to do with it. They have  

an - no alibi.

I don´t hide from the people a love for my executioner. No, no, I don´t hate the one they mention.

Never rebuking her, while your buddy and Beauty are dying!

Get up, turn on them, and tell them ´desist already´!" But he said, "No, if I don´t come too, then they have already hanged themselves!"

"What should their advocate claim? Predestination urged on the passion!

Oh people, what is wrong with us, the discontented always finding fault in the other?

How strange? On the contrary, how odd? In the mouth of this one censure for forbidden pleasure.

No one believing in God rebukes this friendship, rise up, but already they disbelieve!

My esteem and the extent to which I fell in love with her, is a private matter, the conversation and the contemplation,

or a kiss during which, but never mind if you will not absolve the weakness*,

or petting what´s under her dress with my palm, the guard at his post,

the thigh intentionally flashed, her ankle bracelets and voice elevated, the belabored breathing.

I relaxed the hand for the spinner, and she said, "make passionate love to me" tears flowing down.

"Get out of here, for you are not as they say, you, by god, are an arrogant prick!"

"She was absent from you the entire day, bitch! Because God was victorious over you on that day on my behalf.

Oh lord, lead me, for you know my weakness. What thanks is there for a fornicating fingerer?

I grab my backer so he´s gratified. Such potency, he´s not able to bear up under this talented power.

On account of it a pun has stuck to me "Roughy", such a defamation as if I were the Bed of Nails.

Even if I subdue myself and fraternize secretly undercover, it would overpower them, if they were present.

I swear by God she didn´t even attempt to save herself!" "Get out of here, for you the fingernail is clipped!**

How will it be for my mother when sees my lip? And how will it be if this news about you is popularized?

Or how, no, how for me? Come, into my arms, oh love, if it is to be, caution needs to be exercised."

I said to her at that moment, "Honey, it´s alright, I´m experienced, and cautious.

Tell them, it´s from a bedbug, but the Bedbug no longer has a nail."

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translated into English with comments by Mark Frederick Westergreen

Background Information: A long fingernail was a sign of a powerful and successful man. To have someone else clip your nail was to be put in your proper place and humiliated by one of a higher rank (v. Lane)

* the term is also its own antonym, and means "strength"
** could also be rendered as: "the victor is vanquished, or hedge in"

References: Line 10 of this poem references the Qur’an 63.3, from the Sura "the Hypocrites".

I have to plug both ArabicAlmanac & Adab

بشار بن برد -- كل امرئٍ نصبٌ لحاجته -- Bashar ibn Burd -- Every one a cairn to his business

كل امرئٍ نصبٌ لحاجته       وعَلَيْهِ يُحْمَلُ أوْ لَهُ نَصَبُهْ
فاربع على خلقٍ لهُ خطرٌ   فِي الصَّالِحِينَ يَفُوزُ مُحْتَسِبُهْ
عيُّ الشريف يشينُ منصبهُ    وتَرَى الْوَضِيعَ يَزِينُهُ أدَبُهْ
وحراثة التقوى لمحترثٍ        كَرَمُ الْمَعَادِ وَمَا لَهُ حَسَبُهْ
وتَنَقُّصُ الْمَوْلَى مَوَالِيَهُ           عَارٌ يَكُونُ بِوَجْهِهِ نَدَبُهْ
وإذا نسيبكَ غلَّ ساعدهُ          ونأى فليس بنافعٍ نسبه
ومِنَ الْبَلاَء أخٌ جِنَايَتُهُ             عَلَقٌ بِنَا وَلِغَيْرِنَا نَشَبُهْ
خُذْ مِنْ صَدِيقِكَ غَيْرَ مُتْعِبِه        إن الجواد يؤودهُ تعبه
وَاسْتَغْنِ بِالْوَجَبَاتِ عَنْ ذَهَبٍ    لَمْ يَبْقَ قَبْلَكَ لاِمْرِىء ٍ ذَهَبُهْ
يَرِدُ الْحَرِيصُ عَلَى مَتَالِفِهِ         واللَّيث يبعثُ حتفهُ كلبهْ

Every one, a cairn to his business, either he carries it out, or for him there will be a calamity!

Therefore a residence over people is a danger for him, with good works he can win a reward in the hereafter. 
The governor is impotent, he discredits his position, observe the plebeian adorning himself with propriety,  
cultivating piety to earn the munificence of the afterlife and what it will pay him.

The patron’s following decreases, dishonor is a scare upon his face.

If a relative refuses his relief and remains remote then there is no return from the relationship.

The curse of a brother, his crime, blood clings to us but to our neighbors he is committed.

Taking effortlessly on account of your association, the generosity burdens him to the point of discomfort.

He has no need with portions of gold, but he will not give gold to another in your presence.

The one bent on his removal repays, the one in charge has the dog put down!

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English Translation by Mark F Westergreen

A great resource for arabic linguists

بشار بن برد يا صاح قم Bashar ibn Burd, Comrade, get up

يا صاح قمْ فاسقني بالكأس إعرابا ولا تُطعْ عاقباً فينا وعقَّابا
إنّ الهوى حسنٌ حتَّى تدنِّسهُ فاطْلُبْ هَوَاكَ سَتيراً وارْعَ أحْبابا
واحفظ لسانك في الواشين إنَّ لهمْ عيْناً ترُودُ وتنْفيراً وإِلْهابا
لا تغش سرَّ فتاة ٍ كُنْتَ تألفُها إنَّ الكريم لها راعٍ وإن تابا
واسعدْ بما قال في الحلم ابنُ "ذي يزنٍ" يلهو الكرامُ ولا ينسون أحسابا
جَدُّ امْرىء ٍ جَارَهُ من كلِّ فاضحة ٍ فانهض بجدٍّ تنلْ جاهاً وإكسابا
قدْ شفَّني حزنٌ ضاق الفواد ُبه وسرَّني زائرٌ في النَّوم منتابا
باتت عروساً وبتنا معرسينَ بها حتَّى رأينا بياضَ الصُّبح منجابا
وقائلٍ :نامَ عنْ "أسماءَ" شاكية ً لا نَوَّمتْ عيْنه إِنْ كان كذَّابَا
ما زلْتُ في الْغَمِّ من وِرْدٍ يُقلِّبُها كأنَّني فيه لا ألقى له بابَا
بلْ كيْف أُسقى علَى الرَّيْحان مُتَّكئاً وقدْ تعلَّقتُ من "أسماءَ" أسبابا
عاد الهوى بلقاء الغرِّ منْ "جشمٍ" يمشين تحت الغمام الغرِّ أترابا
علِّقتُ منهنَّ شمسَ الدَّجن أو قمراً غدا لنا لابساً درعاً وجلبابا
لا أشْتهي بهواهُ جِنَّة ً أُنُفاً ولوْ تَدَلَّتْ لنا تِيناً وأعْنَابَا
للَّه دَرُّ فتاة ٍ منْ بني «جُشم» ما أحْسنَ الْعيْنَ والْخدَّيْن والنَّابَا
تريكَ في القول جشَّاباً وإنْ ضحكتْ أرتك من ثغرها المثلوج جشّابا
بدا لنا منظرٌ منها اعتبرتُ به وشاهدُ المسك يلقى الأنف ما غابا
قدْ زُيِّنتْ بالْمُحيَّا صُورة ً عجباً وزانها كفلٌ رابٍ وما عابا
إذا رآها نساءُ الحيِّ قلن لها: سُبْحان منْ صاغها! يُغْرقْن إِطْنابا
كأنَّما خُلقتْ منْ جِلْد لُؤْلُوة ٍ نفساً من العطرِ إنْ حرَّكتها ثابا
يطيبُ مسوكها منْ طيب ريقتها وإنْ ألمَّ بجلدٍ جلدها طابا
تلْك التي أرْجَلَتْني بالْهوى سنة ً وكُنْتُ للْمُهْرة الْحسْناء رَكَّابا
لم أنسها طالعتْ منْ تحت كلَّتها فأعْلقتْ عامرِيًّا بعْد ما شَابَا
يا «أسْم» جُودي بِمْعرُوفٍ نعِيشُ بِهِ ولا تكُونِي لنا حرْباً وأوْصابا
واللهِ أنْساكِ يا «أسْماءُ» ما طَرفَتْ عيني وما قرقرَ القمريُّ إطرابا

Friend, get up and give me a drink in a glass like a real Arab, not keeping tabs amongst us and punishing.
The pleasure is fine until you debase it, demanding your secret desire and scarring loved ones.
Keep your tongue from scorning what they hold dear, seducing, estranging, and setting ablaze.
Don´t kiss and tell if you are intimate with her, (let it be) honorable, admirable and imploring.
Be happy with that crazy comment of “Yazan´s” son, The noble ones love to have fun but do not forget about their reputations.
Always bringing up the complaints of his kinsmen on account of every dishonor, in order to raise anew that you bestow respect and presents.
Certainly my lips are grieved and my heart saddened, my secret visitor in sleep exposed.
She was the bride and we were the grooms for her, until we saw the light of dawn penetrating.
Someone said, "forget, what´s his name,  the accused,  his can´t be lulled to sleep" - that´d be perjury.
I´m still upset from his arrival with roses, she fell head over heels for him, it caused me to not greet him at the door.
Nay how could I drink at his departure, being burned, yet being devoted to what´s his name, and for self-purposes. 
The pleasure returned in the risky rendezvous with Fatty, walking under perilous clouds, paramours.
I keep some of them tied up and waiting - domesticated suns or moons, we have tomorrow to wear armor and a pinafore.
Don´t be seduced by his pleasure garden - refuse, but figs and dates if it is us you want to pamper.
How excellent a girl of the Gush family, what´s better her eyes, cheeks or pearly whites?
She describes you in biting terms, ridiculing you in laughter with her ice cold lips -bitterly.
To us she certainly made a scene, I learned a lesson from him, witnessing the groveling conclusion and surrendering of pride - what a finale!
She dolled herself up into a striking image, compared to that her ass is used and only worthy of abuse.
When the women of the tribe on seeing her say „her shape is sublime“ they are engaging in exaggeration.
As if she were a string of pearls, or a drug that excited them and set them erotically dancing.
The musk of her sweet sweat is pleasing, yet it pains me to whip her hide for the pleasure.
This is the year in which I became a man acquainted in the ways of pleasure, and for that filly I was the best rider.
I will not forget her climbing up from down under and pouring herself out, her breasts suspended, after that I was a man.
May the reputation of my generosity be famous as long as we live, so don´t be enraged at us or pained.
and may God cause you, whatever your name is, not to forget, for one moment, the pleasure.

translated into English by Mark F Westergreen

بشار بن برد - منَ المشهورِ بالحبِّ "Whoever would be Renowned in Hanky-Panky" by Bashar ibn Burd

منَ المشهورِ بالحبِّ إِلَى قَاسِيَة ِ الْقَلْبِ

 سَلاَمُ اللّه ذِي الْعَرَشِ على وجهكِ ياحبِّي

فأمَّا بعدُ يا قرَّة َ عيني ومنى قلبي

ويا نفسي التي تســكُنُ بَيْنَ الْجَنْبِ والْجَنْبِ

لقدْ أنكرتُ يا عبدَ جفاءً منكِ في الكتبِ

أعَنْ ذَنْبٍ وَلاَ واللَّهِ مَا أحْدَثْتُ مِنْ ذَنْبِ

ولاَ والله ما في الشَّرْقِ منْ أنثى ولاَ الغربِ

سِوَاكِ اليوم أهواها على جدِ ولا لعبِ

Whoever would be renowned in hanky-panky, ought to become hardhearted.
Your semblance is the peace that surpasses all understanding, honey.
So then, my darling and the destiny of my heart,
Yeah even my soulmate who resides here within this home.
Certainly I don´t know what you mean, Abbey, the messages from you were so harsh.
A howler? No, by God, what have I made for a howler?
No, by God, not in the East, nor in the West, there is no handmaiden
except you. Today I dropped her, in all seriousness and no hoax.*

translated by Mark F Westergreen

Meaningful glances alone can still be ambiguous or unsatisfying. Gifts are more substantial, and as fetishists go, few can outdo the lover who dropped her used toothbrush that Bashar ibn Burd picked up. The grateful poet said, "I kissed the thing that touched her mouth, and wished I were it."

*the last line can also be read:

Today I picked up your toothbrush, in all seriousness and it didn't dash hopes.