رُوَيدَكَtake it slowly ياO هَذاthis المَليكُthe king الحَلاحِلُthe mighty lord
رُوَيدَكَ يا هَذا المَليكُ الحَلاحِلُ
فَماfor not المَجدُglory إِلّاexcept بَعضُsome of ماwhat أَنتَyou فاعِلُdo
فَما المَجدُ إِلّا بَعضُ ما أَنتَ فاعِلُ
Take it slowly, O mighty king!
For glory is only part of what you do.
دَعِleave الشِعرَpoetry حَتّىuntil يَشمَلَit encompasses الحَدَّthe limit حِكمَةًin wisdom
دَعِ الشِعرَ حَتّى يَشمَلَ الحَدَّ حِكمَةً
وَشَأنَكَand your affair وَالدُنياand the world فَأَنتَfor you are المُقابَلُthe one confronted
وَشَأنَكَ وَالدُنيا فَأَنتَ المُقابَلُ
Leave poetry until, in wisdom, it encompasses the limit;
And deal with the world, for you are the one it confronts.
فَقَدfor indeed جُزتَyou surpassed مِقدارَthe measure of الشَجاعَةِcourage وَالنَدىand generosity
فَقَد جُزتَ مِقدارَ الشَجاعَةِ وَالنَدى
وَتِربُكَand your age-mate فيin لِعبِthe play of الصِباyouth مُتَشاغِلُabsorbed
وَتِربُكَ في لِعبِ الصِبا مُتَشاغِلُ
You have surpassed the measure of courage and generosity,
While your age-mate is absorbed in youthful play.
وَأَدرَكتَand you attained ماwhat فَوقَis beyond الكَمالِperfection وَلَمand not يُقَلwas said
وَأَدرَكتَ ما فَوقَ الكَمالِ وَلَم يُقَل
لِمِثلكَto one like you فيat ذِيthis السِنِّage إِنَّكَthat you are كامِلُperfect
لِمِثلكَ في ذِي السِنِّ إِنَّكَ كامِلُ
You have attained what lies beyond perfection, though none has said
To one like you at this age, 'You are perfect.'
أَخَذتَyou took hold بِأَعضادِby the arms of العَشيرَةِthe clan بَعدَماafter
أَخَذتَ بِأَعضادِ العَشيرَةِ بَعدَما
هَوَتit fell وَعَلَتand overtopped مِنهاfrom among it الرُؤُوسَthe heads الأَسافِلُthe lowly
هَوَت وَعَلَت مِنها الرُؤُوسَ الأَسافِلُ
You took the clan by its arms after
It fell, and the lowly within it rose above its heads.
وأَنقَذتَهاand you rescued it مِنfrom بَعدِafter أَنthat لَعِبَتplayed بِهاwith it
وأَنقَذتَها مِن بَعدِ أَن لَعِبَت بِها
يَدُthe hand of الدَهرِtime وَاِستَولَتand took control عَلَيهاover it الزَلازِلُearthquakes
يَدُ الدَهرِ وَاِستَولَت عَلَيها الزَلازِلُ
And rescued it after it had been toyed with
By time's hand, and earthquakes had taken hold of it.
فَأَنتَso you are لِناشِيهاto its youth أَخٌa brother وَلِطِفلِهاand to its child
فَأَنتَ لِناشِيها أَخٌ وَلِطِفلِها
أَبٌa father راحِمٌmerciful وَاِبنٌand a son لِذيto one with الشَيبِgray hair واصِلُdutiful
أَبٌ راحِمٌ وَاِبنٌ لِذي الشَيبِ واصِلُ
So you are a brother to its youth, and to its child
A merciful father, and a dutiful son to the gray-haired.
عَلىalthough أَنَّكَyou are المَولىthe lord الَّذيwho يُقتَدىis followed بِهِas a model
عَلى أَنَّكَ المَولى الَّذي يُقتَدى بِهِ
وَلَكِنَّbut طَبعاًa disposition تَقتَضيهِrequire it الشَمائِلُthe noble qualities
وَلَكِنَّ طَبعاً تَقتَضيهِ الشَمائِلُ
Though you are the lord whose example is followed,
This is a disposition that noble qualities require.
أَطاعَتobeyed لَكَyou الأَيّامُthe days كَرهاًunwillingly وَسَلَّمَتand handed over
أَطاعَت لَكَ الأَيّامُ كَرهاً وَسَلَّمَت
إِلَيكَto you مَقاليدَthe keys of الأُمُورِaffairs القَبائِلُthe tribes
إِلَيكَ مَقاليدَ الأُمُورِ القَبائِلُ
The days obeyed you unwillingly, and there were surrendered
To you the keys of affairs by the tribes.
فَقُلso tell لِلّياليto the nights كَيفَhow تَجريrun صُرُوفُهاtheir reversals
فَقُل لِلّيالي كَيفَ تَجري صُرُوفُها
فَماfor not الفَضلُexcellence شَيءٌa thing غَيرُother than ماwhat أَنتَyou قائِلُsay
فَما الفَضلُ شَيءٌ غَيرُ ما أَنتَ قائِلُ
Tell the nights how their reversals are to run,
For excellence is nothing other than what you say.
فَقَدfor indeed أَذعَنتthey submitted لِلخَوفِto fear مِنكَof you وَأَهطَعَتand hastened
فَقَد أَذعَنت لِلخَوفِ مِنكَ وَأَهطَعَت
إِلىto قَولِthe word of مَأمُولٍone looked to in hope تَلَقّاهُhas met him آمِلُa hopeful seeker
إِلى قَولِ مَأمُولٍ تَلَقّاهُ آمِلُ
They have yielded through fear of you and hastened
To the word of one looked to in hope, whom a hopeful seeker meets.
زَهَتgrew splendid بِكَthrough you آفاقُthe horizons of البِلادِthe lands وَأَخصَبَتand grew fertile
زَهَت بِكَ آفاقُ البِلادِ وَأَخصَبَت
رُباهاtheir hills وَطابَتand became wholesome فيon ذُراهاtheir heights المَآكِلُfoods
رُباها وَطابَت في ذُراها المَآكِلُ
The lands' horizons grew splendid through you, and fertile grew
Their hills, while food grew wholesome on their heights.
وَنامَتand slept عُيُونٌeyes رُبَّماsometimes عافَتِshunned الكَرىslumber
وَنامَت عُيُونٌ رُبَّما عافَتِ الكَرى
بِلاwithout رَمَدٍeye inflammation فيهاin them وَقَرَّتand grew still بَلابِلُanxious cares
بِلا رَمَدٍ فيها وَقَرَّت بَلابِلُ
And eyes slept that had sometimes shunned slumber,
Though no inflammation ailed them; anxious cares grew still.
تَرَكتَyou left الغُواةَthe errant الغُثرَthe uncouth فَوضىin disorder وَطالَماand for long
تَرَكتَ الغُواةَ الغُثرَ فَوضى وَطالَما
غَدَتthey were وَلَهاand they had مِنfrom قَبلُbefore فيناamong us مَحافِلُassemblies
غَدَت وَلَها مِن قَبلُ فينا مَحافِلُ
You left the uncouth, errant ones in disarray, though long
Before, they had held assemblies among us.
وَأَوليتَهاand you bestowed on them مِنكَfrom you الهَوانَhumiliation وَأَصبَحَتand they became
وَأَوليتَها مِنكَ الهَوانَ وَأَصبَحَت
وَكُلُّand every غَويٍّerrant man خاشِعٌsubmissive مُتضائِلُdiminished
وَكُلُّ غَويٍّ خاشِعٌ مُتضائِلُ
You dealt them humiliation, and now
Every errant man is humbled and diminished.
وَلَمand not يَبقَremained مِنof حِزبِthe faction of الضَلالِerror اِبنُa son of غَيَّةٍillicit birth
وَلَم يَبقَ مِن حِزبِ الضَلالِ اِبنُ غَيَّةٍ
عَلىon الأَرضِthe earth إِلّاexcept وَهوَand he is خَزيانُdisgraced خامِلُobscure
عَلى الأَرضِ إِلّا وَهوَ خَزيانُ خامِلُ
No bastard from the faction of error remained
On earth except disgraced and obscure.
رَفَعتَyou raised عِمادَthe pillar of المَجدِglory مِنfrom بَعدِafter ماthat وَهىweakened
رَفَعتَ عِمادَ المَجدِ مِن بَعدِ ما وَهى
وَرثَّand grew worn وَأَضحىand became رُكنُهُits mainstay وَهوَwhile it was مائِلُleaning
وَرثَّ وَأَضحى رُكنُهُ وَهوَ مائِلُ
You raised the pillar of glory after it had weakened
And grown worn, its mainstay now leaning.
وَأَحيَيتَand you revived رُوحَthe spirit of الجُودِgenerosity مِنfrom بَعدِafter ماthat قَضىdied
وَأَحيَيتَ رُوحَ الجُودِ مِن بَعدِ ما قَضى
وَرَدَّand returned عَلَيهِupon it التُربَthe earth حاثٍa scatterer وَهائِلُand a heaper
وَرَدَّ عَلَيهِ التُربَ حاثٍ وَهائِلُ
You revived the spirit of generosity after it had died
And scatterer and heaper had cast earth back over it.
وَقُمتَand you upheld بِأَحكامِthe rulings of الشَريعَةِthe sacred law فَاِستَوَتso became equal
وَقُمتَ بِأَحكامِ الشَريعَةِ فَاِستَوَت
لَدَيكَbefore you ذَوُوthe possessors of الأَجبالِthe mountains طَيٌّTayy وَوائِلُand Wa'il
لَدَيكَ ذَوُو الأَجبالِ طَيٌّ وَوائِلُ
You upheld the sacred law's rulings, making equal
Before you the mountain folk, Tayy and Wa'il.
وَأَوهَيتَand you weakened كَيدَthe scheming of الفاسِقينَthe sinners فَأَصبَحُواso they became
وَأَوهَيتَ كَيدَ الفاسِقينَ فَأَصبَحُوا
وَناصِرُهُمand their supporter مِنamong جُملَةِthe whole of الناسِmankind خاذِلُforsaking them
وَناصِرُهُم مِن جُملَةِ الناسِ خاذِلُ
You weakened the sinners' schemes, leaving them
With their supporter, among mankind, forsaking them.
وَداوَيتَand you healed قَرحاًa sore كانَthat was فيin كَبدِthe liver of العُلىglory
وَداوَيتَ قَرحاً كانَ في كَبدِ العُلى
تَبَطَّنهُinhabited its depths داءٌa disease مِنَof الغِلِّrancor قاتِلُdeadly
تَبَطَّنهُ داءٌ مِنَ الغِلِّ قاتِلُ
You healed a sore within the liver of glory,
Deep within which lay a deadly sickness of rancor.
لَعَمريby my life لَنِعمَexcellent indeed المَرءُthe man أَنتَyou إِذاwhen اِلتقَتmet
لَعَمري لَنِعمَ المَرءُ أَنتَ إِذا اِلتقَت
صُدُورthe chests of المَذاكيmature chargers وَالخِفافُand the light الذَوابِلُslender lances
صُدُور المَذاكي وَالخِفافُ الذَوابِلُ
By my life, you are an excellent man when they meet—
The chests of mature chargers and light, slender lances.
وَنِعمَand excellent المُرَجّىthe hoped-for one فيin السِنينِdrought years إِذاwhen اِستَوَتbecame equal
وَنِعمَ المُرَجّى في السِنينِ إِذا اِستَوَت
مِنَin الضُرِّhardship أَبناءُthe sons of السُرىnight travel وَالأَرامِلُand widows
مِنَ الضُرِّ أَبناءُ السُرى وَالأَرامِلُ
And excellent the man looked to in drought years, when equal
In hardship are night travelers and widows.
وَنِعمَand excellent المُراعيthe guardian لِلنَّزيلِof the guest إِذاwhen غَداhe became
وَنِعمَ المُراعي لِلنَّزيلِ إِذا غَدا
أَكيلاًdespoiled وَأَفنىand exhausted مالَهُhis wealth مَنthose whom يُنازِلُhe confronts
أَكيلاً وَأَفنى مالَهُ مَن يُنازِلُ
And excellent the guardian of the guest when he becomes
Despoiled, his wealth exhausted by those he confronts.
وَنِعمَand excellent الصَريخُthe rescuer المُستَجاشُcalled for armed aid إِذاwhen اِرتَوَتdrank their fill
وَنِعمَ الصَريخُ المُستَجاشُ إِذا اِرتَوَت
لَدىamid الرَوعِbattle-terror مِنfrom هامِthe heads of الكُماةِwarriors المَناصِلُthe blades
لَدى الرَوعِ مِن هامِ الكُماةِ المَناصِلُ
And excellent the rescuer called for armed aid, when they drink their fill—
The blades—from warriors' heads amid battle-terror.
وَنِعمَand excellent لِسانُthe tongue of القَومِthe people إِمّاwhen تَأَخَّرَتheld back
وَنِعمَ لِسانُ القَومِ إِمّا تَأَخَّرَت
عَنِfrom القَولِspeaking ساداتُthe lords of الرِجالِmen المَعاوِلُthose relied upon
عَنِ القَولِ ساداتُ الرِجالِ المَعاوِلُ
And excellent the people's tongue, when they hang back
From speaking—the foremost, trusted men.
وَنِعمَand excellent مُناخُthe resting place of الرَكبِthe riders أَهدىguided لَهُto it السُرىnight travel
وَنِعمَ مُناخُ الرَكبِ أَهدى لَهُ السُرى
سَناthe glow of النارِthe fire فيin الظَلماءِdarkness وَالعامُand the year ماحِلُbarren
سَنا النارِ في الظَلماءِ وَالعامُ ماحِلُ
And excellent the caravan's resting place, to which night travel is guided
By firelight in the darkness, while the year is barren.
فَيَاso O سائِليone asking me عَنabout شَأنِthe affairs of فَضلٍFadl وَلَمand not يَزَلhas ceased
فَيَا سائِلي عَن شَأنِ فَضلٍ وَلَم يَزَل
بَغيضاًhateful إِليَّto me العالِمُthe knowing man المُتَجاهِلُfeigning ignorance
بَغيضاً إِليَّ العالِمُ المُتَجاهِلُ
O you who ask me of Fadl's deeds—always
Hateful to me is the knowing man who feigns ignorance.
سَلِask القَومَthe people عَنهُabout him يَومَon the day جاءَتthey came وَأَقبَلَتand advanced
سَلِ القَومَ عَنهُ يَومَ جاءَت وَأَقبَلَت
تَخُبُّtrot المَذاكيthe mature chargers تَحتَهاbeneath them وَتُناقِلُand change stride swiftly
تَخُبُّ المَذاكي تَحتَها وَتُناقِلُ
Ask the people about him, the day they came and advanced,
Mature chargers trotting beneath them and swiftly changing stride.
أَغارَتthey raided عَلىagainst دَربِthe road of الحَنائِدِal-Hana'id غارَةًa raid
أَغارَت عَلى دَربِ الحَنائِدِ غارَةً
يَطيرُfly الحَصاthe pebbles مِنfrom وَقعِهاtheir impact وَالجَراوِلُand rocks
يَطيرُ الحَصا مِن وَقعِها وَالجَراوِلُ
They raided the road of al-Hana'id in an onslaught
Whose impact sent pebbles and rocks flying.
لَهاthey had فَيلَقٌa host بِالجَوِّin al-Jaww ذِيpossessing النَخلِpalms كامِنٌconcealed
لَها فَيلَقٌ بِالجَوِّ ذِي النَخلِ كامِنٌ
وَرَيعانُهاand their first rush لِلمَسجِدِto the mosque الفَردِthe isolated شامِلُencompassing
وَرَيعانُها لِلمَسجِدِ الفَردِ شامِلُ
They had a host concealed in palm-filled al-Jaww,
And their first rush encompassed the isolated mosque.
وَطارَدَتِand they pursued الفِتيانَthe young warriors فيهاin it وَأَظهَرَتand proclaimed
وَطارَدَتِ الفِتيانَ فيها وَأَظهَرَت
كُناهاtheir bynames وَكُلٌّand each عارِفٌknowing مَنwhom يُجادِلُhe fought
كُناها وَكُلٌّ عارِفٌ مَن يُجادِلُ
They pursued the young warriors there and proclaimed
Their bynames, each knowing whom he fought.
فَوَلَّتso turned away حُماةُthe defenders of القَومِthe people خَيلاًon horseback وَلَمand not تَزَلceased
فَوَلَّت حُماةُ القَومِ خَيلاً وَلَم تَزَل
بَنُوthe sons of الحَربِwar فيon يَومِthe day of التَلاقيencounter تُحاوِلُstrove
بَنُو الحَربِ في يَومِ التَلاقي تُحاوِلُ
The people's mounted defenders turned away, while still
The sons of war strove on the day of encounter.
فَراحَتthen swept عَلَيهاagainst them الخَيلُthe cavalry فَاِنبَعَثَتso arose لَهاagainst them
فَراحَت عَلَيها الخَيلُ فَاِنبَعَثَت لَها
جَحافِلُhosts of جَمعٍan army تَقتَفيهاfollowed by جَحافِلُhosts
جَحافِلُ جَمعٍ تَقتَفيها جَحافِلُ
Then the cavalry swept against them, and there arose to face them
An army's hosts, followed by yet more hosts.
فَحاصَتso swerved aside حِذارَfor fear of القَتلِdeath وَالأَسرِand capture خَيلُهُhis cavalry
فَحاصَت حِذارَ القَتلِ وَالأَسرِ خَيلُهُ
وَسُمرُand the brown القَناlances فيهنَّamong them صادٍthirsty وَناهِلُand sated
وَسُمرُ القَنا فيهنَّ صادٍ وَناهِلُ
His cavalry swerved aside for fear of death and capture,
Brown lances among them, some thirsty and some sated.
فَأَورَدَهُمso he brought them to صَدرَthe breast of الحِصانِthe stallion كَأَنَّماas though
فَأَورَدَهُم صَدرَ الحِصانِ كَأَنَّما
لَهُfor him المَوتُdeath جُندٌan army بِالمُعادينَover the enemies كافِلُcharged
لَهُ المَوتُ جُندٌ بِالمُعادينَ كافِلُ
He confronted them with his stallion's chest, as though
Death were an army at his command, charged with his enemies.
وَعاجَلَand he swiftly delivered طَعناًa thrust سَيِّدَto the chief of القَومِthe people فَاِغتَدَواso they became
وَعاجَلَ طَعناً سَيِّدَ القَومِ فَاِغتَدَوا
وَقَدand indeed عافَrejected كُلٌّeach مِنهُمُof them ماwhat يُحاوِلُhe attempted
وَقَد عافَ كُلٌّ مِنهُمُ ما يُحاوِلُ
He swiftly thrust at the people's chief, so they became
Men who had each rejected what they had attempted.
بِهاwith it رَدَّhe restored أَرواحَthe spirits of التَواليthe rear ranks وَقَدand indeed غَدَتthey had become
بِها رَدَّ أَرواحَ التَوالي وَقَد غَدَت
إِذاwhen ثارَrose مِنهُمamong them راجِلٌa foot-soldier طاحَfell راجِلُa foot-soldier
إِذا ثارَ مِنهُم راجِلٌ طاحَ راجِلُ
With it he restored the spirits of the rear ranks; things had reached the point
That when a foot-soldier among them rose, a foot-soldier fell.
أَقولُI say وَقَدwhile indeed طالَgrew long اِهتِماميmy worry وَعَبرَتيand my tears
أَقولُ وَقَد طالَ اِهتِمامي وَعَبرَتي
عَلىon الخَدِّthe cheek مِنهاamong them مُستَهِلٌّstreaming وَجائِلُand wandering
عَلى الخَدِّ مِنها مُستَهِلٌّ وَجائِلُ
I say, my anxiety prolonged, and my tears
Upon my cheek, some streaming and some wandering,
وَقَدand indeed قَلِقَتgrew restless مِنّيwithin me الحَشاthe inward parts وَتَتابَعَتand followed one another
وَقَد قَلِقَت مِنّي الحَشا وَتَتابَعَت
ظَواهِرُoutgoing أَنفاسٍbreaths وَأُخرىand others دَواخِلُincoming
ظَواهِرُ أَنفاسٍ وَأُخرى دَواخِلُ
My inward parts restless within me, and following one another
Breaths going out and others coming in:
أَياO نَفسُsoul صَبراًpatience لِلبَلاياwith afflictions فَرُبَّماfor sometimes
أَيا نَفسُ صَبراً لِلبَلايا فَرُبَّما
أَتىcame فَرَجٌrelief لِلمَرءِto a man وَالمَرءُwhile the man غافِلُunaware
أَتى فَرَجٌ لِلمَرءِ وَالمَرءُ غافِلُ
O soul, be patient with afflictions, for sometimes
Relief comes to a man while he is unaware.
فَكَمhow often ضاقَnarrowed أَمرٌa matter ثُمَّthen وَافىarrived اِتِّساعُهُits widening
فَكَم ضاقَ أَمرٌ ثُمَّ وَافى اِتِّساعُهُ
وَماand no عاجِلٌimmediate thing إِلّاexcept وَيَتلوهُand follows it آجِلُa later thing
وَما عاجِلٌ إِلّا وَيَتلوهُ آجِلُ
How often a matter narrowed, then its opening arrived!
No immediate thing but a later thing follows it.
وَقَدand may يَأمَنُbe safe from النَقصَdiminution السُهاSuha لِاِحتِقارِهِbecause it is deemed slight
وَقَد يَأمَنُ النَقصَ السُها لِاِحتِقارِهِ
وَيَخشىand fears الخُسوفَeclipse البَدرُthe full moon وَالبَدرُand the full moon كامِلُcomplete
وَيَخشى الخُسوفَ البَدرُ وَالبَدرُ كامِلُ
Suha may escape diminution because it is held so slight,
While the full moon fears eclipse, though it is complete.
وَماand not بَينَbetween مَوتُورٍone wronged وَلاnor بَينَbetween واتِرٍone who wrongs
وَما بَينَ مَوتُورٍ وَلا بَينَ واتِرٍ
لِفَصلِfor settling القَضاjudgment إِلّاexcept لَيالٍnights قلائِلُfew
لِفَصلِ القَضا إِلّا لَيالٍ قلائِلُ
Between one wronged and one who wrongs there lie
Only a few nights before judgment is passed.
وَلَيسَand it is not عَجيباًstrange أَنthat يُحَقَّرَis belittled عالِمٌa learned man
وَلَيسَ عَجيباً أَن يُحَقَّرَ عالِمٌ
لَدىbefore ضِدِّهِhis opposite أَوor أَنthat يُوَقَّرَis honored جاهِلُan ignorant man
لَدى ضِدِّهِ أَو أَن يُوَقَّرَ جاهِلُ
It is no wonder that a learned man is belittled
By his opposite, or an ignorant man honored.
فَقَدfor indeed رُبَّماsometimes لِلجَدِّbecause of good fortune يُكرَمُis honored ناهِقٌa braying ass
فَقَد رُبَّما لِلجَدِّ يُكرَمُ ناهِقٌ
فَيُخلىso is cleared لَهُfor him المَرعىthe pasture وَيُحرَمُand is denied صاهِلُa neighing horse
فَيُخلى لَهُ المَرعى وَيُحرَمُ صاهِلُ
For sometimes, through good fortune, a braying ass is honored,
The pasture cleared for it, while a neighing horse is denied.
وَقَدand may يُلبَسُbe dressed in الدِيباجَbrocade قِردٌa monkey وَلُعبَةٌand a plaything
وَقَد يُلبَسُ الدِيباجَ قِردٌ وَلُعبَةٌ
وَتُلوىand are wound بِأَعناقِaround the necks of الرِجالِmen السَلاسِلُchains
وَتُلوى بِأَعناقِ الرِجالِ السَلاسِلُ
A monkey and a plaything may be dressed in brocade,
While chains are wound around men's necks.
وَماand not الدَهرُtime إِلّاexcept فَرحَةٌjoy ثُمَّthen تَرحَةٌsorrow
وَما الدَهرُ إِلّا فَرحَةٌ ثُمَّ تَرحَةٌ
تَناوَبُهاalternate with it الأَيّامُthe days وَالكُلُّand all زائِلُpassing away
تَناوَبُها الأَيّامُ وَالكُلُّ زائِلُ
Time is nothing but joy followed by sorrow,
Which the days alternate, and all passes away.
فَقِرّيso be still حَياءًout of modesty وَاِطمَئِنّيand be at peace جَلادَةًwith fortitude
فَقِرّي حَياءً وَاِطمَئِنّي جَلادَةً
فَأَيُّfor which كَريمٍnoble man سالَمتهُhave made peace with him الغَوائِلُcalamities
فَأَيُّ كَريمٍ سالَمتهُ الغَوائِلُ
So be still out of modesty, and rest firm in fortitude;
With what noble man have calamities made peace?
فَماfor not أَناI بِالعَلِّa weakling الجزُوعِfretful إِذاwhen عَرىbefell
فَما أَنا بِالعَلِّ الجزُوعِ إِذا عَرى
مِنَfrom الدَهرِtime خَطبٌa misfortune أَوor تَعَرّضَarose نازِلُa calamity
مِنَ الدَهرِ خَطبٌ أَو تَعَرّضَ نازِلُ
I am no fretful weakling when there befalls
From time a misfortune, or a calamity arises.
وَماand not كانَwas حَمليmy bearing لِلأَذىof injury عَنfrom ضَراعَةٍweakness
وَما كانَ حَملي لِلأَذى عَن ضَراعَةٍ
وَلَكِنbut لِأَمرٍfor a purpose كانَwas مِنّيfrom me التَثاقُلُholding back
وَلَكِن لِأَمرٍ كانَ مِنّي التَثاقُلُ
My bearing injury was not out of weakness,
But for a purpose I held myself back.
وَإلّاotherwise فَعِنديI have لِلسُرىfor night travel أَرحَبِيَّةٌan Arhab she-camel
وَإلّا فَعِندي لِلسُرى أَرحَبِيَّةٌ
وَعَزمٌand resolve يَفُلُّthat blunts السَيفَthe sword وَالسَيفُwhile the sword فاصِلُsharp
وَعَزمٌ يَفُلُّ السَيفَ وَالسَيفُ فاصِلُ
Otherwise, I have an Arhab she-camel for night journeys,
And a resolve that blunts the sword, though the sword is keen.
وَفِيَّand in me عَلىdespite عَضِّthe biting of اللَياليthe nights بَقِيَّةٌremaining strength
وَفِيَّ عَلى عَضِّ اللَيالي بَقِيَّةٌ
وَإِنeven if قُطِعَتwere severed مِنfrom راحَتَيّmy two palms الأَنامِلُthe fingers
وَإِن قُطِعَت مِن راحَتَيّ الأَنامِلُ
Some strength remains in me despite the nights' biting,
Even if the fingers are severed from my two palms.
وَلِيand I have عَنfrom مَكانِthe place of الذُلِّhumiliation مَنأىًa refuge وَمَرحَلٌand a way to leave
وَلِي عَن مَكانِ الذُلِّ مَنأىً وَمَرحَلٌ
وَذاand these الناسُpeople فيin الدُنياthe world غَريبٌa stranger وَآهِلُand a settled resident
وَذا الناسُ في الدُنيا غَريبٌ وَآهِلُ
I have a refuge and a way to leave the place of humiliation;
These people in the world are strangers and dwellers at home.
وَلَستُand I am not غَريباًa stranger أَينَwherever كُنتُI am وَإِنَّماbut rather
وَلَستُ غَريباً أَينَ كُنتُ وَإِنَّما
مَعانِيَّmy meanings غُربٌforeign فيamong الوَرىmankind لاnot المَنازِلُthe dwellings
مَعانِيَّ غُربٌ في الوَرى لا المَنازِلُ
I am no stranger wherever I may be; rather,
My meanings are foreign among mankind, not my dwellings.
وَلَولاand were it not for رَجائِيmy hope فيin الأَميرِthe emir لَقَلَّصَتwould have sped away
وَلَولا رَجائِي في الأَميرِ لَقَلَّصَت
بِرَحليwith my saddle عَنِfrom الدارِthe abode القِلاصُthe young she-camels العباهِلُthe unrestrained
بِرَحلي عَنِ الدارِ القِلاصُ العباهِلُ
Were it not for my hope in the emir, they would have sped away—
The unrestrained young she-camels, bearing my saddle from this abode.
وَلَكِنbut إِذاwhen ماever النَفسُthe soul جاشَتsurged وَعَدتَهاyou promised it
وَلَكِن إِذا ما النَفسُ جاشَت وَعَدتَها
بِماwith what وَعَدَتنيpromised me فيهِconcerning him تِلكَthose المَخائِلُsigns
بِما وَعَدَتني فيهِ تِلكَ المَخائِلُ
But whenever the soul surges, you promise it
What those signs promised me concerning him.
فَيَسكُنُso calms مِنهاwithin it الجَأشُthe heart حَتّىuntil كَأَنَّنيas though I
فَيَسكُنُ مِنها الجَأشُ حَتّى كَأَنَّني
بِهاthrough it فَوقَabove أَعلامِthe peaks of المَجَرَّةِthe Milky Way نازِلُdwelling
بِها فَوقَ أَعلامِ المَجَرَّةِ نازِلُ
Its heart then grows calm, until I seem
Through it to dwell above the Milky Way's peaks.
وَحُقَّand it is right لِمثليfor one like me أَنto يُؤَمِّلَplace his hope in مِثلَهُone like him
وَحُقَّ لِمثلي أَن يُؤَمِّلَ مِثلَهُ
وَفيand among الناسِpeople مَأمُولٌone hoped in يُرَجّىlooked to in hope وَآمِلُand one who hopes
وَفي الناسِ مَأمُولٌ يُرَجّى وَآمِلُ
One such as I is right to place his hopes in one such as him;
Among men are those looked to in hope and those who hope.
لِأَنَّbecause عَلِيّاًAli جَدَّهُhis grandfather عَمِّيَmy paternal uncle الَّذيwho
لِأَنَّ عَلِيّاً جَدَّهُ عَمِّيَ الَّذي
يَطُولُrises above بِهِthrough him بَيتيmy house عَلىover مَنwhoever يُطاوِلُvies in height
يَطُولُ بِهِ بَيتي عَلى مَن يُطاوِلُ
For Ali, his grandfather, is my paternal uncle,
Through whom my house towers over whoever vies in height.
وَضَبّارُand Dabbar جَدّيmy grandfather عَمُّهُhis paternal uncle وَكِلاهُماand both of them
وَضَبّارُ جَدّي عَمُّهُ وَكِلاهُما
خَليصانِboth pure of lineage وَالعَمُّand the paternal uncle المُهَذَّبُthe noble ناجِلُa progenitor
خَليصانِ وَالعَمُّ المُهَذَّبُ ناجِلُ
And Dabbar, my grandfather, is his uncle, and both
Are pure of lineage; the noble uncle is a progenitor.
وَيَجمَعُناand unites us فيthrough الأُمَّهاتِthe mothers اِبنُthe son of يُوسُفٍYusuf
وَيَجمَعُنا في الأُمَّهاتِ اِبنُ يُوسُفٍ
عَلِيٌّAli وَنُعمانand Nu'man الأَغَرُّthe illustrious الحُلاحِلُthe mighty lord
عَلِيٌّ وَنُعمان الأَغَرُّ الحُلاحِلُ
On our mothers' side we are united by Yusuf's son,
Ali, and Nu'man, the illustrious, mighty lord.
وَلِيَand I have دُونَbesides هَذاthis عِندَwith فَضلٍFadl وَسيلَةٌa means of approach
وَلِيَ دُونَ هَذا عِندَ فَضلٍ وَسيلَةٌ
إِذاwhen اِنقَطَعَتare cut off فيماwith سِواهُothers than him الوَسائِلُthe means
إِذا اِنقَطَعَت فيما سِواهُ الوَسائِلُ
Besides this, I have with Fadl a means of approach,
When all means fail with anyone else.
وَعِنديand I have مِنَof المدحِpraise الَّذيwhich ماnot اِهتَدىfound a way لَهُto it
وَعِندي مِنَ المدحِ الَّذي ما اِهتَدى لَهُ
جَريرٌJarir وَلاnor تِلكَthose الفُحولُmaster poets الأَوائِلُof old
جَريرٌ وَلا تِلكَ الفُحولُ الأَوائِلُ
I have praise to which none found the way—
Not Jarir, nor those master poets of old.
أَقَرَّacknowledged بِفَضلِthe excellence of الفَضلِFadl بادٍa nomad وَحاضِرٌand a townsman
أَقَرَّ بِفَضلِ الفَضلِ بادٍ وَحاضِرٌ
وَساقَand brought إِلَيهِto him الشُكرَthanks حافٍa barefoot man وَناعلُand a shod man
وَساقَ إِلَيهِ الشُكرَ حافٍ وَناعلُ
Nomad and townsman acknowledged Fadl's excellence,
And barefoot and shod brought him thanks.
وَأَضحىand became سَريرُthe throne of المُلكِkingship يَختالُstrutting فَرحَةًwith joy
وَأَضحى سَريرُ المُلكِ يَختالُ فَرحَةً
بِهِbecause of him وَتَجَلَّتand cleared away عَنهُfrom it تِلكَthose القَساطِلُdust clouds
بِهِ وَتَجَلَّت عَنهُ تِلكَ القَساطِلُ
The royal throne now struts for joy
Because of him, and those dust clouds have cleared from it.
فَياso O نَحسُill fortune سِرgo بُعداًfar away وَسُحقاًand into banishment وَلاand do not تَجُزpass
فَيا نَحسُ سِر بُعداً وَسُحقاً وَلا تَجُز
بِداريby my house مَدىthroughout الأَيّامِthe days أُمُّكَyour mother هابِلُbereaved
بِداري مَدى الأَيّامِ أُمُّكَ هابِلُ
O ill fortune, go far away, into banishment, and do not pass
By my house for all time—may your mother be bereaved!
فَقَدfor indeed حالَbarred فَضلٌFadl دونَaccess to ماwhat أَنتَyou طالِبٌseek
فَقَد حالَ فَضلٌ دونَ ما أَنتَ طالِبٌ
لَدَيَّwith me وَذُوand one possessing الإِحسانِkindness وَالجُودِand generosity فاضِلُnoble
لَدَيَّ وَذُو الإِحسانِ وَالجُودِ فاضِلُ
Fadl has barred the way to what you seek
Here with me; the man of kindness and generosity is noble.
وَأَصبَحَand became دُونيin my defense راجِحٌRajih وَكَأَنَّهُand as though he
وَأَصبَحَ دُوني راجِحٌ وَكَأَنَّهُ
أَخُوa possessor of غايَةٍa goal صَعبُunyielding in العَريكَةِtemperament باسِلُvaliant
أَخُو غايَةٍ صَعبُ العَريكَةِ باسِلُ
And Rajih now stands in my defense, as though he were
A man of purpose, unyielding in temper, valiant.
مُلوكٌkings هُمُthey الشُمُّthe lofty الرَواسيfirm mountains رَزانَةًin gravity
مُلوكٌ هُمُ الشُمُّ الرَواسي رَزانَةً
إِذاwhen ماever اِستَخَفَّunsettled الحِلمَforbearance حَقٌّtruth وَباطِلُand falsehood
إِذا ما اِستَخَفَّ الحِلمَ حَقٌّ وَباطِلُ
Kings, who in gravity are towering, rooted mountains,
When truth and falsehood make forbearance falter.
وَإِنand if نَهَضُواthey rose يَوماًone day لِحَربٍfor war رَأَيتَهُمyou saw them
وَإِن نَهَضُوا يَوماً لِحَربٍ رَأَيتَهُم
كَأَنَّهُمُas though they فَوقَupon الجِيادِthe fine horses الأَجادِلُfalcons
كَأَنَّهُمُ فَوقَ الجِيادِ الأَجادِلُ
If one day they rise to war, you see them
Like falcons upon their noble steeds.
نَماهُمraised them إِلىto العَلياءِthe heights أَشرَفُthe noblest والِدٍfather
نَماهُم إِلى العَلياءِ أَشرَفُ والِدٍ
تَقُومُstand لَهُfor him بِالمَأثُراتِthrough noble deeds الدَلائِلُthe proofs
تَقُومُ لَهُ بِالمَأثُراتِ الدَلائِلُ
The noblest father raised them to the heights,
Whose glorious deeds are attested by proofs:
أَبُوAbu القاسِمِal-Qasim المَلكُthe king الَّذيwho عُرِفَتwere known بِهِthrough him
أَبُو القاسِمِ المَلكُ الَّذي عُرِفَت بِهِ
حِدادُthe keen المَواضيcutting swords وَالعِتاقُand thoroughbreds الصَواهِلُneighing
حِدادُ المَواضي وَالعِتاقُ الصَواهِلُ
Abu al-Qasim, the king through whom were known
The keen, cutting swords and thoroughbred, neighing steeds.
هُمامٌa high-hearted lord لَهُhe has عَزمٌresolve وَحَزمٌand prudence وَمَحتِدٌand ancestral stock
هُمامٌ لَهُ عَزمٌ وَحَزمٌ وَمَحتِدٌ
كَريمٌnoble وَبَأسٌand might لاnot يُطاقُwithstood وَنائِلُand bounty
كَريمٌ وَبَأسٌ لا يُطاقُ وَنائِلُ
A high-hearted lord with resolve, prudence, and lineage
That is noble, with irresistible might and bounty,
وَعَدلٌand justice تَساوىbecame equal فيهِin it سامٍShem وَيافِثٌand Japheth
وَعَدلٌ تَساوى فيهِ سامٍ وَيافِثٌ
وَحامٍand Ham وَمُبدِيand one displaying قطعِهِhis severance of ties وَالمَواصِلُand one maintaining ties
وَحامٍ وَمُبدِي قطعِهِ وَالمَواصِلُ
And justice in which Shem and Japheth are equal,
And Ham, the openly estranged and the keeper of ties.
وَلاand may not بَرِحَتcease تَسطُوassailing رَبيعَةُRabi'a فيamong العِدىthe enemies
وَلا بَرِحَت تَسطُو رَبيعَةُ في العِدى
بِمِثلِهِمُwith their like ماas long as طَبَّقَcovered الأَرضَthe earth وابِلُheavy rain
بِمِثلِهِمُ ما طَبَّقَ الأَرضَ وابِلُ
May Rabi'a never cease to assail their foes
With men like them, as long as heavy rain covers the earth,
وَماand as long as ناحَcooed mournfully قُمرِيُّthe turtledove of الحَمامِthe doves وَماand as long as دَعاcalled
وَما ناحَ قُمرِيُّ الحَمامِ وَما دَعا
أَخُوone possessing فاقَةٍneed وَاستَجلَبَand drew forth المَدحَpraise باذِلُa giver
أَخُو فاقَةٍ وَاستَجلَبَ المَدحَ باذِلُ
As long as the turtledove laments, and as long as there calls
A man in need, and a giver draws forth praise.
وَعاشُواand may they live جَميعاًall together فيin نَعيمٍbliss وَغِبطَةٍand joy
وَعاشُوا جَميعاً في نَعيمٍ وَغِبطَةٍ
وَحاسِدُهُمand their envier فيin غُمَّةٍgloom لاnot تُزايِلُleaves
وَحاسِدُهُم في غُمَّةٍ لا تُزايِلُ
May they all live in bliss and joy,
And their envier in a gloom that never leaves him.
Sol 6.1