وقالand he said أيضاًalso:
وقال أيضاً:
الطويلthe Ṭawīl meter
الطويل
And he also said:
Take the road to the right of the curve, O riders,
The Ṭawīl meter.
To ask that living man what the flock has done,
خُذواturn عَنtoward يَمينِthe right side of المُنحَنىthe bend أَيُّهاO الرَكبُriders
خُذوا عَن يَمينِ المُنحَنى أَيُّها الرَكبُ
لِنَسأَلَso that we may ask ذاكَthat الحَيَّencampment ماwhat صَنَعَdid السِّربُthe beloved band
لِنَسأَلَ ذاكَ الحَيَّ ما صَنَعَ السِّربُ
Turn to the right of the bend, O riders,
Maybe good news will revive the vitality of a languishing man,
that we may ask that encampment what has become of the beloved band.
Languishing with love-nothing can quench its burning in his heart,
عَسىperhaps خَبَرٌnews يُحييrevives حَشاشَةَthe last spark of life of وامِقٍa lover
عَسى خَبَرٌ يُحيي حَشاشَةَ وامِقٍ
صَريعِlaid low by غَرامٍpassion ماnever يَجِفُّdries لَهُfor him غَربُa stream of tears
صَريعِ غَرامٍ ما يَجِفُّ لَهُ غَربُ
Perhaps some news will revive a lover's last spark of life,
In his heart a fire of longing blazes, fanned
laid low by passion, whose stream of tears never dries.
By sighs of passion that distance cannot extinguish.
بِأَحشائِهِin his entrails نارُa fire اِشتِياقٍlonging يَشُبُّهاkindles it
بِأَحشائِهِ نارُ اِشتِياقٍ يَشُبُّها
زَفيرُa sigh جَوىًburning heartache يَأبىrefuses لَهاfor it النَأيُseparation أَنthat تَخبوit should die down
زَفيرُ جَوىً يَأبى لَها النَأيُ أَن تَخبو
In his entrails burns a fire of longing, kindled
Oh, would I knew-while events throng together
by sighs of heartache; separation will not let it die down.
And Time is a sword that brooks no withstanding,
أَلاah لَيتَwould that شِعريmy knowledge وَالحَوادِثُand calamities جَمَّةٌare many
أَلا لَيتَ شِعري وَالحَوادِثُ جَمَّةٌ
وَذاand this الدَّهرُtime سَيفٌa sword لاnot يُقامُcan be withstood لَهُagainst it عَضبُkeen-edged
وَذا الدَّهرُ سَيفٌ لا يُقامُ لَهُ عَضبُ
Ah, would that I knew—though calamities are many,
If after we left that fertile pasturage still
and time is a keen sword that none can withstand—
Affords good grazing to them, and if its sweet watering-places
عَنِabout الحَيِّthe people بِالجَرعاءِat al-Jarʿāʾ هَلwhether راقَpleased بَعدَناafter we left
عَنِ الحَيِّ بِالجَرعاءِ هَل راقَ بَعدَنا
لَهُمfor them ذَلِكَthat المَرعىpasture وَمَورِدهُand its watering place العَذبُsweet
لَهُم ذَلِكَ المَرعى وَمَورِدهُ العَذبُ
about the people at al-Jarʿāʾ: has, since we left,
Still flow,
that pasture and its sweet watering place delighted them?
And whether the north valley put forth its fruits
وَهَلand whether أَينعَripened الواديthe valley الشَمالِيُّnorthern وَاِكتَسَتand became clothed
وَهَل أَينعَ الوادي الشَمالِيُّ وَاِكتَسَت
عَثاكيلbranched fruit-stalks قِنوانٍdate clusters حَدائِقُهُits gardens الغلبُthickly grown
عَثاكيل قِنوانٍ حَدائِقُهُ الغلبُ
Has the northern valley ripened, and have
And clusters bent down the boughs of its thick-planted gardens,
its dense gardens clothed themselves in branching clusters of dates?
And if, after we had gone, the place agreed with a company
وَهَلand whether بَعدَناafter we left طابَbecame pleasant المُقامُdwelling لِمَعشَرٍfor a company
وَهَل بَعدَنا طابَ المُقامُ لِمَعشَرٍ
بِحَيثُwhere تَلاقىmeet ساحَةُthe open ground of الحَيِّthe encampment وَالدّربُand the road
بِحَيثُ تَلاقى ساحَةُ الحَيِّ وَالدّربُ
And, since our departure, has dwelling been pleasant for the company
Where the ground of the encampment adjoins the highway,
where the camp's open ground and the road meet?
And if they feel there a grief and yearning like ours
وَهَلand whether عِندَهُمthey have مِنany لَوعَةٍburning grief وَصَبابَةٍand longing
وَهَل عِندَهُم مِن لَوعَةٍ وَصَبابَةٍ
كَماas عِندَناwe have وَالحُبُّand love يشقيtorments بِهِthrough it الحِبُّthe lover
كَما عِندَنا وَالحُبُّ يشقي بِهِ الحِبُّ
Do they feel any burning grief and longing,
When love makes loving bitter to the lover.
as we do, when love makes the lover wretched?
Does the daughter of the wine-seller know that I
وَهَلand whether عَلِمتlearned بِنتُthe daughter of المَناوِلِal-Manāwil أَنَّنيthat I
وَهَل عَلِمت بِنتُ المَناوِلِ أَنَّني
بِأُخرىwith another woman سِواهاother than her لاnot أهيمُam infatuated وَلاnor أَصبوfeel drawn
بِأُخرى سِواها لا أهيمُ وَلا أَصبو
Has the daughter of al-Manāwil learned that I
Am distracted by none but her, neither waver nor rave but for her alone?
am neither infatuated with nor drawn to any woman but her?
She is white as the moon, lovely and shapely,
وَبَيضاءَand a fair woman مِثلَlike البَدرِthe full moon حُسناًin beauty وَشارَةًand bearing
وَبَيضاءَ مِثلَ البَدرِ حُسناً وَشارَةً
يزينُis made beautiful بِهاby her السِّبُّthe fine linen المُزَبرَقُpatterned وَالإِتبُand the shift
يزينُ بِها السِّبُّ المُزَبرَقُ وَالإِتبُ
And many a fair woman, like the full moon in beauty and bearing,
Adorning the dyed gown and soft raiment.
lends beauty to patterned fine linen and the shift.
When the women of the camp walk abroad, she excels them,
إِذاwhen ما(emphasis) نِساءُthe women of الحَيِّthe encampment رُحنَgo out فَإِنَّهاthen she
إِذا ما نِساءُ الحَيِّ رُحنَ فَإِنَّها
لَهاhers is النَّظرَةُthe glance الأُولىfirst عَلَيهنَّbefore them وَالعَقبُand the last
لَها النَّظرَةُ الأُولى عَلَيهنَّ وَالعَقبُ
When the women of the encampment go out, she
Drawing all eyes; the connoisseur of beauty is perplexed by her,
draws the first glance before them, and the last.
And among them she passes all compare or rival.
تَحَيَّرَlingered spellbound فيهاin her رائِقُthe purest الحُسنِbeauty فَاِغتَدَتso she became
تَحَيَّرَ فيها رائِقُ الحُسنِ فَاِغتَدَت
وَلَيسَand there is no لَهاfor her فيهِنَّamong them شَكلٌequal وَلاnor تِربُpeer
وَلَيسَ لَها فيهِنَّ شَكلٌ وَلا تِربُ
Pure beauty lingered spellbound in her, and she came to be
She made her appearance like a Dinor struck in gold, and coy glances
without equal or peer among those women.
And gestures of consent attended her; she saw me and disclosed
بَدَتshe appeared سافِراًunveiled مِنof ضَربِthe minting of دينارa dinar وَالصِّباand youth
بَدَت سافِراً مِن ضَربِ دينار وَالصِّبا
يُرَنِّحُهاsways her وَالدَّلُّand coquetry والتّيهُand proud airs وَالعُجبُand self-admiration
يُرَنِّحُها وَالدَّلُّ والتّيهُ وَالعُجبُ
She appeared unveiled, like a minted dinar, while youth
A wrist like creamy silver, round which desire writhes tortured.
swayed her, along with coquetry, proud airs, and self-admiration.
She said, “Strange man”, and the girl was strange;
رَأَتنيshe saw me فَأَبدَتso she revealed عَنfrom أَسيلٍa smooth cheek وَحَجَّبَتand veiled herself
رَأَتني فَأَبدَت عَن أَسيلٍ وَحَجَّبَت
بِذيwith an arm having مِعصَمٍa wrist جَدلٍfirmly formed يَغصُّchokes بِهِwith it القُلبُthe bracelet
بِذي مِعصَمٍ جَدلٍ يَغصُّ بِهِ القُلبُ
She saw me, revealed a smooth cheek, then veiled it
In the lawful wedding of free-born mates there is no crime or sin.
with an arm whose firm wrist choked its bracelet.
I said to her, “I am a familiar friend; I cherish a passion here,
وَقالَتand she said غَريبٌa stranger وَالفتاةُand the girl غَريبَةٌa stranger
وَقالَت غَريبٌ وَالفتاةُ غَريبَةٌ
وَلاand no فيin نِكاحِmarriage الحلِّlawfulness ذامٌreproach وَلاnor ذَنبُsin
وَلا في نِكاحِ الحلِّ ذامٌ وَلا ذَنبُ
She said, ‘A stranger—and the girl is a stranger too;
And I have no comrades or tribe in Baghdad.”
in lawful marriage there is neither reproach nor sin.’
She said, “Where are thy tribe and thy comrades, and where is this passion?”
فَقُلتُso I said لَهاto her إِنّيindeed I أَلوفٌam devoted وَليand I have هَوىًa love
فَقُلتُ لَها إِنّي أَلوفٌ وَلي هَوىً
وَماand not ليَfor me فيin بَغدادَBaghdad شِعبٌa clan وَلاnor سِربُa beloved band
وَما ليَ في بَغدادَ شِعبٌ وَلا سِربُ
I told her, ‘I am devoted, and I have a love,
I said, “ Where war and thrust of spear and blow are rife.”
but in Baghdad I have neither clan nor beloved band.’
She said, “I see the Bahrain is thy country, passion
فَقالَتso she said وَأَينَand where الشِّعبُthe clan وَالسِّربُand the beloved band وَالهَوىand the love
فَقالَت وَأَينَ الشِّعبُ وَالسِّربُ وَالهَوى
فَقُلتُso I said بِحَيثُwhere الكرُّthe charge وَالطَّعنُand spear-thrusts وَالضَّربُand blows
فَقُلتُ بِحَيثُ الكرُّ وَالطَّعنُ وَالضَّربُ
She asked, ‘Where are the clan, the beloved band, and your love?’
For kinsfolk fills thee; but where is the tribe?”
I said, ‘Where the charge, the thrust, and the blow are.’
I said, “Question the Hai encampment of Nizar and Ma’ad
فَقالَتso she said أَرىI see البحرَينBahrain دارَكَyour home وَالهَوىand the love
فَقالَت أَرى البحرَين دارَكَ وَالهَوى
بَنوكَyour sons وَهَذاand this ماwhat أَرىI see فَمنِso who الشِّعبُthe clan
بَنوكَ وَهَذا ما أَرى فَمنِ الشِّعبُ
She said, ‘I take Bahrain to be your home, and your love
Concerning their mightiest in urgent need when need stands confessed;
to be your sons—that is my view; but who is your clan?’
And ask them who of all our lineage, ancient or recent,
فَقُلتُso I said سَليask حيَّيthe two peoples of نِزارٍNizār وَيَعرُبٍand Yaʿrub
فَقُلتُ سَلي حيَّي نِزارٍ وَيَعرُبٍ
بِأَعظَمِهاabout their greatest خَطباًin grave affairs إِذاwhen اِستَبهَمَgrew obscure الخَطبُthe crisis
بِأَعظَمِها خَطباً إِذا اِستَبهَمَ الخَطبُ
I said, ‘Ask the two peoples of Nizār and Yaʿrub
Was noblest in descent when the line of descent was traced;
about their most formidable tribe when a crisis grows obscure,
And which smites hardest in battle and fray with levelled lance-head
وَأَمنعِهاand their best protector جاراًof a neighbor وأَوسعِهاand their broadest حِمىًprotected domain
وَأَمنعِها جاراً وأَوسعِها حِمىً
وَأَصعَبِهاand their most unassailable عِزّاًin might إِذاwhen اِستُرحِلَis saddled الصَعبُthe untamed camel
وَأَصعَبِها عِزّاً إِذا اِستُرحِلَ الصَعبُ
the best at protecting neighbors and broadest in sheltered domain,
When the dust of confusion bedims the horizons and the two hosts tremble;
the most unassailable in might when the untamed camel is saddled,
And which deals foulest death to a king who bares his cheek,
وَأَنهَرِهاand their most copious طَعناًin spear-thrusts وَضَرباًand blows وَنائِلاًand giving
وَأَنهَرِها طَعناً وَضَرباً وَنائِلاً
إِذاwhen اِغبَرّتِgrew dusty الآفاقُthe horizons وَاِهتَزَّتِand surged الحَربُwar
إِذا اِغبَرّتِ الآفاقُ وَاِهتَزَّتِ الحَربُ
the most copious in thrusts, blows, and gifts,
Steadfast in maintaining dominion and marshaling his armies;”
when the horizons are dust-darkened and war surges,
Then she said, “By my life, they are Rabi'a -
وأَقتلهاand their readiest slayer لِلملكِof the king صَعَّرَturned proudly خَدَّهُhis cheek
وأَقتلها لِلملكِ صَعَّرَ خَدَّهُ
قَديمُlong-standing اِنتِظامestablishment المُلكِof kingship وَالعَسكَرand the army اللَّجبُclamorous
قَديمُ اِنتِظام المُلكِ وَالعَسكَر اللَّجبُ
and the readiest to slay a king whose cheek is turned in pride
The daughters of grandeur, not curs nor whelps!”
by long-established sovereignty and a clamorous army.’
And she continued, “Had you but questioned Rabi'a one day
فَقالَتso she said لَعَمريby my life إِنَّهاit is indeed لِرَبيعَةٌsurely Rabīʿa
فَقالَت لَعَمري إِنَّها لِرَبيعَةٌ
بَناتُdaughters of المَعاليlofty deeds لاnot كِلابٌKilāb وَلاnor كَلبُKalb
بَناتُ المَعالي لا كِلابٌ وَلا كَلبُ
She said, ‘By my life, it is surely Rabīʿa,
Who prostrate East and West to them, and asked them
the daughters of lofty deeds—not Kilāb, nor Kalb.’
Which of them all was most generous in former and latter time,
وَلَوand if سُئِلَتwere asked يَوماًone day رَبيعَةُRabīʿa مَنwho بِهمthrough them
وَلَو سُئِلَت يَوماً رَبيعَةُ مَن بِهم
لَهاto her خَضَعتbowed وَاِرتَجَّتِand shook الشَرقُthe East وَالغَربُand the West
لَها خَضَعت وَاِرتَجَّتِ الشَرقُ وَالغَربُ
And if Rabīʿa were asked one day through whom
And purest in lineage when the line of sons gives place to sons,
East and West bowed to her and trembled,
The learned would inform you that Rabi'a
وَمَنand who خَيرُهاher best طُرّاًaltogether قَديماًof old وَسالِفاًand in former times
وَمَن خَيرُها طُرّاً قَديماً وَسالِفاً
وَأَنجبُهاand her noblest عَقباًin descendants إِذاwhen أَخلَفَfell short العَقبُthe descendants
وَأَنجبُها عَقباً إِذا أَخلَفَ العَقبُ
and who were the best of all her people in ancient and former days,
Were a mill that grinds down the seed of Abraham's son.
and noblest in descendants when descendants fall short,
They are all mankind, and people beside them are but surplusage
لأَخبرَwould surely declare أَهلُthe people of العِلمِknowledge أَنthat رَبيعَةًRabīʿa
لأَخبرَ أَهلُ العِلمِ أَن رَبيعَةً
رَحىًa millstone آلُthe house of إِبراهيمَIbrāhīm فيin سِرِّهاits heart القُطبُthe axle
رَحىً آلُ إِبراهيمَ في سِرِّها القُطبُ
those who know would declare that Rabīʿa
When a matter of weight impends, whom none but the valiant dare shoulder.
is a millstone, with the house of Ibrāhīm the axle at its heart.
By them may a distant goal be attained, and in their dwelling
هُمُthey النّاسُmankind كُلُّall النّاسِmankind وَالناسُand other people فَضلَةٌsurplus
هُمُ النّاسُ كُلُّ النّاسِ وَالناسُ فَضلَةٌ
إِذاwhen نابَbefell أَمرٌan ordeal أَطَّgroaned مِنfrom حَملِهِits burden الصُّلبُthe backbone
إِذا نابَ أَمرٌ أَطَّ مِن حَملِهِ الصُّلبُ
They are mankind, all mankind; other men are surplus,
He who seeks favour finds one of open hand amid fertile pastures;
when an ordeal comes whose burden makes the backbone groan.
In them resides the pact of munificence by ancestral right
بِهمthrough them يُدرَكَis attained الشَأوُthe goal البَعيدُdistant وَعِندَهُمand with them
بِهم يُدرَكَ الشَأوُ البَعيدُ وَعِندَهُم
لِمُلتَمِسِfor the seeker of المَعروفِkindness ذوa place with مَربَعٍpasture خَصبُfertile
لِمُلتَمِسِ المَعروفِ ذو مَربَعٍ خَصبُ
Through them the farthest goal is reached, and with them
Bequeathed from father to newborn son.
the seeker of kindness finds a fertile pasture.
But for their resolute hands and bounty of their nature
وَفيهمand among them رِباطُthe binding of المَكرُماتِnoble deeds وِراثَةًas inheritance
وَفيهم رِباطُ المَكرُماتِ وِراثَةً
يُورِّثُهاbequeaths them المولودَto the newborn والِدُهhis father النَدبُthe gallant
يُورِّثُها المولودَ والِدُه النَدبُ
Noble deeds are bound to them as an inheritance,
Earth would slip its tackle and the stars be numbered.
bequeathed to the newborn by his gallant father.
Lightly they move to answer War's imperative when it calls them,
وَلَولاand were it not for أَياديهمtheir favors وَفَضلُand the excellence of حُلومِهمtheir forbearance
وَلَولا أَياديهم وَفَضلُ حُلومِهم
لَزُلزلتwould have quaked الأَرضونَthe earths وَاِنقَصَّتِand plunged الشُهبُthe bright stars
لَزُلزلت الأَرضونَ وَاِنقَصَّتِ الشُهبُ
Were it not for their favors and surpassing forbearance,
Hard to drive when their blows fall heavy and thick.
the earths would have quaked and the bright stars fallen.
When a neighbor is stripped, their wealth belongs to the neighbor,
خِفافٌswift إِلىtoward داعيthe caller to الوَغىbattle غَيرَexcept أَنَّهُمthat they
خِفافٌ إِلى داعي الوَغى غَيرَ أَنَّهُم
ثِقالٌsteadfast إِذاwhen خَفَّتgrew skittish مَصاعيبُهاits untamable camels الهُلبُshaggy
ثِقالٌ إِذا خَفَّت مَصاعيبُها الهُلبُ
They are swift to answer the caller to battle, yet
Shared equally, seized neither by fraud nor force.
steadfast when its shaggy, untamable camels grow skittish.
Twixt the Nile and Sinai all hearkened to their command,
إِذاwhen الجارُthe neighbor أَمسىbecame نُهبةًplunder عِندَwith جارِهِhis neighbor
إِذا الجارُ أَمسى نُهبةً عِندَ جارِهِ
فَأَموالهُمthen their wealth لِلجارِfor the neighbor ماso long as بَينَهُمamong them نَهبُfree plunder
فَأَموالهُم لِلجارِ ما بَينَهُم نَهبُ
When a neighbor becomes prey in his neighbor's hands,
Even unto Syria where palms and convents arise.
their wealth is his to plunder while he is among them.
At the thought of their dominions the souls of the Byzantines quaked,
أَطاعَتobeyed لَهُمthem ماall that بَينَbetween مِصرَEgypt إِلىto القَناal-Qanā
أَطاعَت لَهُم ما بَينَ مِصرَ إِلى القَنا
إِلىto حَيثُwhere تَلقىmeets دارَهاits domain الشِّحرُal-Shiḥr وَالنُّقبُand al-Nuqb
إِلى حَيثُ تَلقى دارَها الشِّحرُ وَالنُّقبُ
All between Egypt and al-Qanā obeyed them,
And fire invaded the kings of Hind when her hosts were Light of hand to a summons of war, slow to refuse;
as far as where al-Shiḥr and al-Nuqb meet that domain.
Most often dressed in Yemeni brocade, not homespun.
وَجاشَتand seethed نُفوسُthe souls of الرومِthe Romans حَتّىeven مُلوكهاtheir kings
وَجاشَت نُفوسُ الرومِ حَتّى مُلوكها
إِذاwhen ذَكَرتَyou mentioned أَملاكَهُمtheir kings هَزَّهاshook them الرُعبُterror
إِذا ذَكَرتَ أَملاكَهُم هَزَّها الرُعبُ
The Romans' souls seethed, even those of their kings;
For them two fires burn eternally-one warms them
when you mentioned their kings, terror shook them.
With desire, the other knows no quenching of rage;
تَحِنُّyearn إِلىfor بَذلِbestowing النَوالِbounty أَكُفُّهُمtheir palms
تَحِنُّ إِلى بَذلِ النَوالِ أَكُفُّهُم
حَنيناًa yearning كَذاتِlike one with السَقبِa camel-calf فارقَهاleft her السَقبُthe camel-calf
حَنيناً كَذاتِ السَقبِ فارقَها السَقبُ
Their palms yearn to bestow bounty,
Two days are theirs - a day to grant the seeker his wish,
as a she-camel yearns when her calf has left her.
When bounty flows from them like the zephyr's breath not once but ever;
فَأَكثَرُso most ماtimes that تَلقاهُمُyou meet them وَلِباسُهُمand their clothing
فَأَكثَرُ ما تَلقاهُمُ وَلِباسُهُم
حَبيكُclose-woven الدِّلاصِpolished mail التُبَّعِيّاتِof Tubbaʿ لاnot العُصبُstriped cloths
حَبيكُ الدِّلاصِ التُبَّعِيّاتِ لا العُصبُ
Most often you meet them clad
And a day when the horses say, the swords and the levelled lance-heads,
in closely woven, gleaming Tubbaʿ mail, not striped cloth.
By them, and war, we were glutted, and battle surfeited.
لَهُمthey have أَبَداًalways نارانِtwo fires نارٌa fire بِهاat which الصِّلاwarming
لَهُم أَبَداً نارانِ نارٌ بِها الصِّلا
تَلذُّis delightful وَنارٌand a fire لاnot يُفارِقُهاleaves it العَضبُthe keen sword
تَلذُّ وَنارٌ لا يُفارِقُها العَضبُ
They always have two fires: one whose warmth
If they are taxed with fell dearth, their homes
is pleasant, and one the keen sword never leaves.
Are laden pulpits, not mere wicker-work and reed.”
وَأَيّامُهُمand their days يَومانِare two days يَومٌa day لِنائِلٍfor bounty
وَأَيّامُهُم يَومانِ يَومٌ لِنائِلٍ
يَقولُsay ذَوُواthose with الحاجاتِneeds مِنfrom فَيضِهِits abundance حَسبُenough
يَقولُ ذَوُوا الحاجاتِ مِن فَيضِهِ حَسبُ
Their days are two: a day of bounty,
Behold, by the life of love! they are my people I summon or name!
whose flood makes those in need cry, ‘Enough!’
And among them I boast myself nobler than the praised or blame
وَيَومٌand a day تَقولُsay الخَيلُthe horses وَالبيضُand the white blades وَالقَناand the spears
وَيَومٌ تَقولُ الخَيلُ وَالبيضُ وَالقَنا
بِهِon it وَالعِدىand the enemies قَطناenough for us فَلاso may not كانَتِthere be الحَربُwar
بِهِ وَالعِدى قَطنا فَلا كانَتِ الحَربُ
and a day when horses, white blades, and spears say,
I dwell among them in honour; I choose them and cleave to their tie;
along with their foes, ‘Enough for us! May war never be!’
And he who is most steadfast of soul when souls falter and bend is myself.
وَإِنand if ضُنَّone is stingy بِالعِدّانِwith young goats كانَwas قِراهُمُtheir guest-feast
وَإِن ضُنَّ بِالعِدّانِ كانَ قِراهُمُ
سَديفُslices of hump-fat المَتاليof camels with calves لاnot عَتودٌa young goat وَلاnor وَطبُa milk-skin
سَديفُ المَتالي لا عَتودٌ وَلا وَطبُ
Even when young goats are begrudged, their guest-feast is
Yet I stand here removed from them, an exile,
hump-fat from camels with calves, not a young goat or a milk-skin.
Not of my will, but Fate drove me to remoteness from their midst.
أُولَئِكَthose قَوميmy people حينَwhen أَدعوI proclaim وَأُسرَتيand my family
أُولَئِكَ قَومي حينَ أَدعو وَأُسرَتي
وَيُنجِبُنيand give me noble birth مِنهُمamong them شَمارِخَةٌtowering chiefs غُلبُthick-necked and strong
وَيُنجِبُني مِنهُم شَمارِخَةٌ غُلبُ
Those are my people when I proclaim them, and my family;
They are my heart core, my spirit and reason to be;
and towering, thick-necked chiefs among them give me noble lineage.
Though Fate forbid my tread their soil or near approach to their abodes
وَماand not أَناI فيهمamong them بِالمَهِينِlowly وَإِنَّنيand indeed I
وَما أَنا فيهم بِالمَهِينِ وَإِنَّني
إِذاwhen عُدَّis counted فَضلٌmerit فيهمُamong them الرَجلُthe man الضَربُlean and vigorous
إِذا عُدَّ فَضلٌ فيهمُ الرَجلُ الضَربُ
I am no lowly man among them; indeed,
In them I have a sword that flashes lightning
when their merit is reckoned, I am the lean, vigorous man.
When I unsheathe it against Time to make him cower, a craven hound
لِيَmine are البَيتُnoble lineage فيهمamong them وَالسَماحَةُand generosity وَالحِجاand wisdom
لِيَ البَيتُ فيهم وَالسَماحَةُ وَالحِجا
وَذوand one possessing الصَّبرِsteadfastness حينَduring الباسِcombat وَالمِقوَلُand the tongue الذَّربُkeen
وَذو الصَّبرِ حينَ الباسِ وَالمِقوَلُ الذَّربُ
Mine among them are noble lineage, generosity, and wisdom,
Though the sword's edge may mostly disappoint expectation
steadfastness in combat, and a sharp, eloquent tongue.
And fail and falter, mine never fails or falters
وَإِنَّand indeed اِنفراديmy separation عَنهُمُfrom them وَتَغَرُّبيand my exile
وَإِنَّ اِنفرادي عَنهُمُ وَتَغَرُّبي
تَرامىtoss about بِيَme الأَمواجُthe waves وَالحَزنُand rugged ground وَالسُهبُand open plains
تَرامى بِيَ الأَمواجُ وَالحَزنُ وَالسُهبُ
My separation from them and my exile,
A noble scion whose lofty aspirations
as waves, rugged ground, and plains toss me about,
The ambitions of chieftainship could not contain
بِغَيرِwithout اِختيارٍchoice كانَwas مِنّيfrom me وَلاnor قِلىًhatred
بِغَيرِ اِختيارٍ كانَ مِنّي وَلا قِلىً
وَإِنّهُمُand indeed they لَلعَينُare truly the eye وَالأَنفُand the nose وَالقَلبُand the heart
وَإِنّهُمُ لَلعَينُ وَالأَنفُ وَالقَلبُ
came about without my choice, nor out of hatred;
He takes up a burden of public cares, resolving them
for they are truly my eye, my nose, and my heart.
While sleep still locks his peers in its embrace
وَلَكِنَّهاbut they are الأَيّامُthe days تُبعِدُsend far away تارَةًsometimes
وَلَكِنَّها الأَيّامُ تُبعِدُ تارَةً
وَتُدنيand bring near وَلاand no بعدٌdistance يَدومُlasts وَلاnor قُربُnearness
وَتُدني وَلا بعدٌ يَدومُ وَلا قُربُ
But the days sometimes cast us far away,
A son of grandeur by early merit made his own,
and draw us near; neither distance nor nearness lasts.
So he attained high station while youths still slept
وَإِنّيand indeed I حَفِيٌّam eager for news عَنهُمُabout them وَمُسائِلٌand an inquirer
وَإِنّي حَفِيٌّ عَنهُمُ وَمُسائِلٌ
بِهِمabout them حيثُwherever يَثويstay السَفرُthe travelers أَوor ينزلُalight الرَّكبُthe riders
بِهِم حيثُ يَثوي السَفرُ أَو ينزلُ الرَّكبُ
I am eager for news of them, and ask
He is the full moon, only no veil hides his bright rays;
about them wherever travelers stay or riders alight.
The full moon's light cannot be covered by veils
وَكَمand many a قائِلٍspeaker لِيto me عدِّturn away عَنهُمfrom them فَإِنَّهُfor it is true that
وَكَم قائِلٍ لِي عدِّ عَنهُم فَإِنَّهُ
مَعَwith الأَلَمِthe pain المَضّاضِtormenting قَدmay يُقطَعُbe cut off الإِربُthe limb
مَعَ الأَلَمِ المَضّاضِ قَد يُقطَعُ الإِربُ
Many a man has told me, ‘Turn away from them, for
He is the lion, only the woods and hollows serve him for lurking-places;
a limb may be cut off when pain is tormenting.’
He is the trenchant blade, but every hardened spear-shaft is his kin
فَقُلتُso I said رُوَيداًgently قَدindeed صَدَقتَyou spoke truly وَذَلِكُمand that is
فَقُلتُ رُوَيداً قَد صَدَقتَ وَذَلِكُم
إِذاwhen لَمnot يَكُنthere is فيهِfor it لِحامِلِهِfor its bearer طِبُّa cure
إِذا لَم يَكُن فيهِ لِحامِلِهِ طِبُّ
I said, ‘Gently! You speak truly, but that is
He deals death, but kills not in unjust revenge;
when its bearer has no remedy for it.
He is the sea, though his watering-place is sweet
إِذاif لَمnot أُداوِI treat العُضوَthe limb إِلّاexcept بِقطعِهِby cutting it off
إِذا لَم أُداوِ العُضوَ إِلّا بِقطعِهِ
فَلاthen no قَصَبٌlong bones يَبقىremain لَعَمريby my life وَلاnor قُصبُentrails
فَلا قَصَبٌ يَبقى لَعَمري وَلا قُصبُ
If I treat each limb only by cutting it off,
And never since squadrons were arrayed in battle has any host prevailed against him but that the victory was his;
by my life, neither bones nor bowels will remain.’
Nor has any ancient domain, proud of its power, contested with him the field but that the advantage was his.
وَإِنّيand indeed I بِقَوميof my people لَلضَّنينُam truly protective وَإِنَّنيand indeed I
وَإِنّي بِقَومي لَلضَّنينُ وَإِنَّني
عَلىdespite بُعدِthe distance of داريmy home وَالتَنائيand separation بِهمtoward them حَدبُtenderly concerned
عَلى بُعدِ داري وَالتَنائي بِهم حَدبُ
I guard my people jealously, and
Wonderful tales have come to me concerning him,
though my home is distant and we are far apart, I care tenderly for them.
That make the listeners thrill and the troubled heart rejoice–
وَليand I have فيهمُamong them سَيفٌa sword إِذاwhen ما(emphasis) اِنتضَيتُهُI draw it
وَلي فيهمُ سَيفٌ إِذا ما اِنتضَيتُهُ
عَلىagainst الدَّهرِtime أَضحىit becomes وَهوَand it is مِنfrom خِيفَةٍfear كَلبُa dog
عَلى الدَّهرِ أَضحى وَهوَ مِن خِيفَةٍ كَلبُ
Among them I have a sword: whenever I draw it
Of gentle kindness towards his kin that no treachery taints;
against time, time becomes a frightened dog.
Of standing firm against their enemies, which admits no doubt or denial;
عَلىalthough أَنthat حَدَّthe edge of السَّيفِthe sword قَدmay رُبَّماsometimes نَباglance off
عَلى أَن حَدَّ السَّيفِ قَد رُبَّما نَبا
وَفُلَّand be notched وَهَذاand this one لاnot يُفَلُّis notched وَلاnor يَنبوglances off
وَفُلَّ وَهَذا لا يُفَلُّ وَلا يَنبو
Though a sword's edge may sometimes glance off
And of surrounding his people with a mail of ardour against attack
or be notched, this one neither chips nor glances off.
So dread departed from them and the commonalty grew at ease
همامٌa resolute lord عَلَتrose هِمّاتُهُhis aspirations فَكَأَنَّماso it is as though
همامٌ عَلَت هِمّاتُهُ فَكَأَنَّما
يُحاوِلُhe seeks أَمراًa goal دونَهُbelow it السَّبعَةُthe seven الشُّهبُshining stars
يُحاوِلُ أَمراً دونَهُ السَّبعَةُ الشُّهبُ
A resolute lord whose aspirations soar, as though
Father of Majid, look on those tied to you by blood
he seeks a goal beyond the seven shining stars.
With an eye of goodwill that sees not the spy and mischief-maker
عَلاsurpassed كُلَّevery باعٍreach باعُهُhis reach وَتَواضَعَتand humbled themselves
عَلا كُلَّ باعٍ باعُهُ وَتَواضَعَت
لِعِزَّتِهِbefore his might وَاِنقادَتand submitted العُجمُthe non-Arabs وَالعُربُand the Arabs
لِعِزَّتِهِ وَاِنقادَت العُجمُ وَالعُربُ
His reach exceeds every reach, and
For the love free from all alloy knows nothing of dissension s wiles,
non-Arabs and Arabs humble themselves and submit to his might.
While discord peering maliciously for flaws is the mark of the worthless.
سَليلُa scion of عُلاًgreatness مِنfrom دوحَةٍa mighty tree طابَgrew noble فرعُهاits branch
سَليلُ عُلاً مِن دوحَةٍ طابَ فرعُها
وَطالَتand towered ذُرىthe tops of أَغصانِهاits boughs وَزَكىand grew fertile التُربُthe soil
وَطالَت ذُرى أَغصانِها وَزَكى التُربُ
A scion of greatness, from a mighty tree whose branch is noble,
Scorn me not if I seek alliance outside the clan:
whose bough-tops tower and whose soil is fertile.
When you summon them in your hour of need, they hang back or hurry away, Bagatelles bearing falsehoods lightly as straws, rather air Itself-
يَبيتُspends the night مُناويهِhis adversary يُساوِرُwrestling with هَمَّهُhis worry
يَبيتُ مُناويهِ يُساوِرُ هَمَّهُ
وَيُقضىand doom is decreed عليهِagainst him قَبلَbefore يُقضىis fulfilled لَهُfor him نَحبُan allotted term
وَيُقضى عليهِ قَبلَ يُقضى لَهُ نَحبُ
His adversary spends the night wrestling with his worry,
I excel them by so much in height, the manifest difference of low and high ground!
and is doomed before his allotted term is fulfilled.
I vow by my life had you not borne me flawless goodwill
سَماrose لِلعُلاtoward greatness مِنfrom قَبلِbefore تَبقيلِsprouting hair on وَجهِهِhis face
سَما لِلعُلا مِن قَبلِ تَبقيلِ وَجهِهِ
فَأَدرَكَهاso he attained it وَالمأثراتُand glorious deeds لَهُfor him صَحبُcompanions
فَأَدرَكَها وَالمأثراتُ لَهُ صَحبُ
He rose toward greatness before his face sprouted hair,
To the land of Bahrain the ride had not drawn me to rugged wastes
and attained it, with glorious deeds for companions.
And again, thoughts broidered in fancy's loom
هُوَhe البَدرُthe full moon لَكِنbut لَيسَnot يَستُرُhides نُورَهُhis light
هُوَ البَدرُ لَكِن لَيسَ يَستُرُ نُورَهُ
حِجابٌa veil وَنورُand the light of البَدرِthe full moon يَستُرُهُhides it الحجبُthe veils
حِجابٌ وَنورُ البَدرِ يَستُرُهُ الحجبُ
He is the full moon, but his light is not hidden
Store I have that shall endure however time succeed time
by any veil, though veils hide the moon's light.
These from all but you I withhold and guard
هُوَhe اللَّيثُthe lion لَكِنbut غابُهُhis thicket البيضُthe white blades وَالقَناand spears
هُوَ اللَّيثُ لَكِن غابُهُ البيضُ وَالقَنا
هُوَhe النَّصلُthe blade لَكِنbut كُلُّevery مَتنٍback لَهُfor him قَربُa sheath
هُوَ النَّصلُ لَكِن كُلُّ مَتنٍ لَهُ قَربُ
He is the lion, but his thicket is white blades and spears;
Though dead bones should be sent to quicken at the incantations magic might revive
he is the blade, but every back is his sheath.
Then keep my cheek from being smitten in request though life
هُوَhe المَوتُdeath لَكِنbut لَيسَnot يَقتُلُkills غِيلَةًby stealth
هُوَ المَوتُ لَكِن لَيسَ يَقتُلُ غِيلَةً
هُوَhe البَحرُthe sea إِلّاexcept أَنَّthat مَورِدَهُhis watering place عَذبُsweet
هُوَ البَحرُ إِلّا أَنَّ مَورِدَهُ عَذبُ
He is death, but does not kill by stealth;
Were held less dear than lays flowed smooth as silk
he is the sea, except that his watering place is sweet.
And put back much of mean substance whose spending
وَماand no غالبتهُcontended with him مُنذُsince كانَhe existed كَتيبَةٌa battalion
وَما غالبتهُ مُنذُ كانَ كَتيبَةٌ
لِتظهِرَهُto overpower him إِلّاexcept وَكانَand was لَهُhis الغَلبُvictory
لِتظهِرَهُ إِلّا وَكانَ لَهُ الغَلبُ
No battalion has ever contended with him
Maintains nestling whose reach famine has withered and starved
to overcome him without victory being his.
For your sea though tossing has depth, your land
وَماand no هابَتِfeared الأَملاكkings بكراًa virgin مِنof العُلاhigh glory
وَما هابَتِ الأَملاك بكراً مِن العُلا
لِعِزَّتِهاbecause of her inaccessibility إِلّاexcept وَكانَand was لَهُhis الخَطبُthe courtship
لِعِزَّتِها إِلّا وَكانَ لَهُ الخَطبُ
No kings have feared a virgin prize of glory
Though small has width, and is free of reef and of bar
for her inaccessibility but he has become her suitor.
أَتانيreached me مِنَof الأَنباءِthe tidings عَنهُabout him غَرائِبٌmarvels
أَتاني مِنَ الأَنباءِ عَنهُ غَرائِبٌ
فَلَذَّتso delighted بِهاin them الأَسماعِthe ears وَاِستَبشَرَand rejoiced القَلبُthe heart
فَلَذَّت بِها الأَسماعِ وَاِستَبشَرَ القَلبُ
Marvelous tidings about him reached me;
ears delighted in them and the heart rejoiced:
بِعطفٍof an inclination عَلىtoward وُدِّlove of العَشيرَةِthe clan صادِقٍsincere
بِعطفٍ عَلى وُدِّ العَشيرَةِ صادِقٍ
وَرَفضِand rejection of عِداهاits enemies لاno محالٌfalsehood وَلاnor كذبُa lie
وَرَفضِ عِداها لا محالٌ وَلا كذبُ
his sincere devotion to love of the clan,
and rejection of its foes—no falsehood or lie—
وَتَجميرِهاand gathering it مِنfrom كُلِّevery أَوبٍdirection حميَّةًin protective zeal
وَتَجميرِها مِن كُلِّ أَوبٍ حميَّةً
عَلَيهاfor it فَزالَso vanished الخَوفُfear وَاِلتَأَمَand healed الشَّعبُthe rift
عَلَيها فَزالَ الخَوفُ وَاِلتَأَمَ الشَّعبُ
and gathering it from every quarter in protective zeal
for it; fear vanished and the rift was healed.
أَباO father of ماجِدٍMājid اِنظُرlook إِلىupon ذيone with قَرابَةٍkinship
أَبا ماجِدٍ اِنظُر إِلى ذي قَرابَةٍ
بِعَينِwith an eye of رِضاًfavor يُغضيlowers his gaze لَهاbefore it الخائِنُthe treacherous الخِبُّschemer
بِعَينِ رِضاً يُغضي لَها الخائِنُ الخِبُّ
Abū Mājid, look upon a kinsman
with a favoring eye before which the treacherous schemer lowers his gaze.
فَإِنَّfor indeed الوَدادَaffection المَحضَpure ماthat which لاnot يَشوبُهُtaints it اِخdecep- (start of اختلاب)
فَإِنَّ الوَدادَ المَحضَ ما لا يَشوبُهُ اِخ
تِلابٌ-tion (end of اختلاب) وَبَعضُand some of القَومِthe people شِيمَتُهُhis nature الخلبُdeceit
تِلابٌ وَبَعضُ القَومِ شِيمَتُهُ الخلبُ
For pure affection is that which is untainted by
deception; yet some men's nature is deceit.
وَغِظand anger بِاِصطِناعيby patronizing me مَعشَراًa company إِنif دَعوتهُمyou summon them
وَغِظ بِاِصطِناعي مَعشَراً إِن دَعوتهُم
لِنائِبَةٍfor a calamity أَبُّواthey refuse وَإِنand if أَمِنواfeel secure نَبّواthey clamor
لِنائِبَةٍ أَبُّوا وَإِن أَمِنوا نَبّوا
Anger a company by taking me under your patronage: if you summon them
in adversity, they refuse; when secure, they clamor.
خَطاطيفُswallows فيin حَملِcarrying الأَباطيلِfalsehoods بَلrather هُمُthey
خَطاطيفُ في حَملِ الأَباطيلِ بَل هُمُ
أَخَفُّare lighter وَفيand in الجُلّىa grave crisis كَأَنَّهُمُas though they were الخُشبُtimber
أَخَفُّ وَفي الجُلّى كَأَنَّهُمُ الخُشبُ
They are swallows in carrying falsehoods—indeed,
lighter still—but in grave crises they are like timber.
لِيَmine is الطَّولُsuperiority وَالفَضلُand excellence المُبينُmanifest عَلَيهمُover them
لِيَ الطَّولُ وَالفَضلُ المُبينُ عَلَيهمُ
وَهَلand can يَستَويbe equal عاليthe high الشَناخيبِmountain peaks وَالهُضبُand hills
وَهَل يَستَوي عالي الشَناخيبِ وَالهُضبُ
Mine is the ascendancy and manifest superiority over them;
can towering mountain peaks and hills be equal?
وَأُقسِمُand I swear لَولاbut for وُدُّكَyour affection المَحضُpure لَمnot تَخُضwould have journeyed
وَأُقسِمُ لَولا وُدُّكَ المَحضُ لَم تَخُض
إِلىto بَلَدِthe land of البَحرينِBahrain بِيwith me بُزَّلٌmature camels صُهبُtawny
إِلى بَلَدِ البَحرينِ بِي بُزَّلٌ صُهبُ
I swear: but for your pure affection, they would not have ventured
to Bahrain's land with me—those tawny, full-grown camels.
وَقَدand indeed كانَthere was لِيfor me فيin الأَرضِthe earth مَنأَىًa distant refuge وَمَرحَلٌand a place to journey
وَقَد كانَ لِي في الأَرضِ مَنأَىً وَمَرحَلٌ
وَماand what ضرُّharm أَهلِto people of الفَضلِmerit مِنfrom أَنَّهُمtheir being غَربُstrangers
وَما ضرُّ أَهلِ الفَضلِ مِن أَنَّهُم غَربُ
I had places of refuge and roads to travel in the earth;
what harm is it to men of merit to be strangers?
وَثانِيَةًand secondly أَنّيthat I أَغارُam jealous عَلَيكُمُfor you
وَثانِيَةً أَنّي أَغارُ عَلَيكُمُ
إِذاwhen ما(emphasis) جَزيلُrich النَّظمِverse سارَتtraveled بِهِwith it الكُتبُwritings
إِذا ما جَزيلُ النَّظمِ سارَت بِهِ الكُتبُ
And secondly, I jealously guard your honor
when rich verse is carried abroad in writings,
وَجاءَand came مَديحيmy praise فيconcerning سِواكُمothers than you فَياthen oh لَهاfor it
وَجاءَ مَديحي في سِواكُم فَيا لَها
حُوَيجِيَّةٌa petty matter يَأبىrefuses لَهاto allow it الماجِدُthe noble man النَدبُgallant
حُوَيجِيَّةٌ يَأبى لَها الماجِدُ النَدبُ
and my praise goes to others than you—what
a little matter that a noble, gallant man will not abide!
هُناكَthen يَقولُsay الناسُthe people لَوif أَنَّthat قَومَهُhis people
هُناكَ يَقولُ الناسُ لَو أَنَّ قَومَهُ
كِرامٌgenerous لَكانَتthen would be زِندهُمtheir fire-stick عَنهُfor him لاnot تَكبوfail to spark
كِرامٌ لَكانَت زِندهُم عَنهُ لا تَكبو
Then people will say, ‘Had his people
been generous, their fire-stick would not have failed him.’
فَإِنَّfor indeed اِمتِداحيmy praising غَيرَكُمothers than you كَهِجائكُمis like satirizing you
فَإِنَّ اِمتِداحي غَيرَكُم كَهِجائكُم
وَذَلِكَand that مِنّيfrom me إِنif تَحرَّيتَهُyou examine it carefully عَتبُa reproach
وَذَلِكَ مِنّي إِن تَحرَّيتَهُ عَتبُ
My praising others is like lampooning you;
if you examine it closely, it is a reproach from me.
وَعِنديَand I possess ممّاamong what يَنسِجُweave الفِكرُthought وَالحِجاand wisdom
وَعِنديَ ممّا يَنسِجُ الفِكرُ وَالحِجا
سَرابيلُgarments تَبقىendure ماas long as تَرادَفَتfollow one another الحِقبُthe ages
سَرابيلُ تَبقى ما تَرادَفَت الحِقبُ
I possess, among what thought and wisdom weave,
garments that endure as the ages follow one another.
أَضِنُّI withhold بِهاthem عَنfrom غَيرِكُمothers than you وَأَصونُهاand protect them
أَضِنُّ بِها عَن غَيرِكُم وَأَصونُها
وَلَوeven if بُعِثَwere resurrected الطائيُّthe Ṭāʾī ذُوpossessor of الجودِgenerosity أَوor كَعبُKaʿb
وَلَو بُعِثَ الطائيُّ ذُو الجودِ أَو كَعبُ
I withhold them from others and keep them safe,
even were the generous Ṭāʾī or Kaʿb brought back to life.
فَصُنso protect حُرَّthe dignity of وَجهيmy face عَنfrom سُؤالٍbegging فَإِنَّهُfor it
فَصُن حُرَّ وَجهي عَن سُؤالٍ فَإِنَّهُ
عَلَيَّfor me وَلَوeven if عاشَwere alive اِبنُIbn زائِدَةٍZāʾida صَعبُhard
عَلَيَّ وَلَو عاشَ اِبنُ زائِدَةٍ صَعبُ
So guard the dignity of my face from begging, for that
is hard for me, even were Ibn Zāʾida alive.
وَرُدَّand give in return كَثيراًmuch مِنfor يَسيرٍa little تَقُتyou may sustain بِهِwith it
وَرُدَّ كَثيراً مِن يَسيرٍ تَقُت بِهِ
فِراخاًfledglings قَدindeed اِستَولىovercame عَلىover ربعِهاtheir dwelling الجَدبُdrought
فِراخاً قَد اِستَولى عَلى ربعِها الجَدبُ
Give much in return for a little, to nourish with it
fledglings whose dwelling drought has overrun.
فَبَحرُكَfor your sea لِلوُرّادِfor water-seekers ذُوhas مُتَغَطمِطٍa roaring swell
فَبَحرُكَ لِلوُرّادِ ذُو مُتَغَطمِطٍ
وَرَبعُكَand your dwelling لِلوُفّادِfor arriving guests ذُوhas سَعَةٍample space رَحبُspacious
وَرَبعُكَ لِلوُفّادِ ذُو سَعَةٍ رَحبُ
For your sea has a roaring swell for those who draw water,
and your dwelling is broad and spacious for arriving guests.
Partial English translation: 127 of 166 Arabic lines translated.
Sol 6.1