The following poem, whose Arabic text is woven into the story above, is
taken from the walls of the Hall of the Twin Sisters in the Alhambra. It is
thought to have been written by Ibn Zamrak (1333-1393), poet
and minister to the Caliph in Grenada during the time the Alhambra was
built. The translation from Arabic into English is my own.
Poem from the Hall of the Twin Sisters
تبيت له خمس الثريّا معيذةً
The five Pleiades spend the night as his talisman
و يصبح معتلُّ النواسم راقيا
& in the morning, rise windborne
به القَبّة الغراء قلّ نظيرها
In the enchanted dome that makes all we see in it seem small.
تَرى الحسن فيها مستكنّا و بديا
See beauty that wishes to be here and near:
تَمدّ لها الجوزاءُ كفّ مصافح
Orion reaches his wide, forgiving hand toward it;
و يدنوا لها بدرُ السماء مناجيا
The full moon of heaven draws near in secret conversation;
و تهوي النجوم الزهر لو ثبتَتْ بها
& the bright stars descend, wanting to be steadfast among its flowers—
و لم تك فى أفق السماء جواريا
To no longer circle the distant lands of the sky,
ولو مثلتْ فى ساحتيها و سابقَت
But be like those in its courtyards who came before them,
الى خدمةً تَرضيه منها الجواريا
Among the servants that please him with their presence.
و لا ءجبُ أن فاتَت الشهب فى العلى
Nor is it any wonder the stars scatter from the heavens
و أن جاوزت فيها المدى المتناهيا
To become twin in the reach of this farthest destination,
فبين يدىْ مولاىَ قَامت الخدمة
Ascending before the king in service:
و مَن خدم الأعلى اُستفَاد المعاليا
For whoever serves God seeks to redeem the broken fragments of heaven.
بها البْهوقَد حاز البهاء و قد غدا
By this, the halls have attained their brilliance & nurtured