ألاOh! حيِّgreet منfor أجلِthe sake of الحبيبِthe beloved المَغانياthe dwelling places
ألا حيِّ من أجلِ الحبيبِ المَغانيا
لبِسنَthey wore البلىdecay مماfrom what لبسْنَthey wore الليالياthe nights
لبِسنَ البلى مما لبسْنَ اللياليا
Oh, greet the dwelling places for the beloved's sake.
Sing for the beloved, O singer!
They have donned decay from all the nights they have worn.
Wear out your voice as the nights wear out their garments,
وبُدِّلنَand they were given instead أُدْماناًwhite gazelles وبدِّلْنَand they were given instead باقراًa herd of wild cattle
وبُدِّلنَ أُدْماناً وبدِّلْنَ باقراً
كبِيضِlike white الثيابِgarments المَرْوَزِيّةِMarwazi جازِياliving on herbage without water
كبِيضِ الثيابِ المَرْوَزِيّةِ جازِيا
They have been given white gazelles instead, and herds of wild cattle,
And change your tone and change your style,
like white Marwazi garments, living on herbage without water.
Like the embroidered white robes of Jurzan so fair,
كأنَّas though بهاin them البَردَيْنِthe two cool hours أبلاقَpiebald beasts شِيمةٍmarkings
كأنَّ بها البَردَيْنِ أبلاقَ شِيمةٍ
بُنِينَwere built إذاwhen أشرفْنَthey appeared above تلكَthose الروابياhills
بُنِينَ إذا أشرفْنَ تلكَ الروابيا
As though there, in the two cool hours, the piebald-marked beasts
As if the two Iblaq were maidens of noble birth
had been built up when they appeared above those hills.
Who when they lean forth from those hills
تطايرُdart about أُلاّفٌcompanions تَشِيعُdisperse وتلتقيand meet
تطايرُ أُلاّفٌ تَشِيعُ وتلتقي
كماas لاقتِmet الزُّهْرُthe radiant العذارىmaidens العَذارياother maidens
كما لاقتِ الزُّهْرُ العذارى العَذاريا
Companionable herds dart about, disperse, and meet,
Scattered bands unite and meet,
as radiant maidens meet other maidens.
As flowers met virgins equal in their charms,
كماas خَرَّfell فيinto أيديthe hands of التلاميذthe apprentices بينَهمْamong them
كما خَرَّ في أيدي التلاميذ بينَهمْ
حصىstones جوهرٍof gems لاقَيْنَthey met بالأمسِyesterday جالِياa polisher
حصى جوهرٍ لاقَيْنَ بالأمسِ جالِيا
As into apprentices' hands, among them, fall
As the pupils' hands, when yesterday they met,
gemstones that met a polisher yesterday.
Scattered gems that had been hoarded jealously,
خبأنَthey hid بهاin them الغُنَّthe nasal-voiced young الغِضاضَthe tender ones فأصبحَتْso they became
خبأنَ بها الغُنَّ الغِضاضَ فأصبحَتْ
لهنَّfor them مَراداًa grazing ground والسِّخالَand the fawns مَخابياhiding places
لهنَّ مَراداً والسِّخالَ مَخابيا
They hid their tender, nasal-voiced young there, so the ruins became
They hid their throats' soft beauty and were fain
pasture for them and hiding places for their fawns.
To grant the wish those swooning lovers sigh for vain.
وماand no بدَلٌsubstitute منfor ساكنِthe inhabitant of الدارِthe dwelling أنthat ترىyou see
وما بدَلٌ من ساكنِ الدارِ أن ترى
بأرجائِهاat its edges القصوىthe farthest النعاجَthe wild cows الجوازياliving on herbage without water
بأرجائِها القصوى النعاجَ الجوازيا
It is no substitute for the dwelling's inhabitant to see
How changed is he who dwelt in this abode
at its farthest edges wild cows living on herbage without water.
To see its distant parts filled with wild goats at play!
تحمَّلَdeparted منهاfrom them الحيُّthe tribe وانصرفَتْand turned away بهمْwith them
تحمَّلَ منها الحيُّ وانصرفَتْ بهمْ
نوىًa departure لمnot يكنْwas منْwhoever قادَهاdirected it لكَtoward you آوِياcompassionate
نوىً لم يكنْ منْ قادَها لكَ آوِيا
The tribe departed from them, carried away
He who still lived here left against his will,
by a departure whose guide felt no pity for you.
Led by a fate that never could to thee be kind.
فإنْso if أكُI am ودّعتُI bade farewell to الشبابَyouth فلمْthen not أكنْwas I
فإنْ أكُ ودّعتُ الشبابَ فلمْ أكنْ
علىin عهدِthe time of إذْwhen ذاكَthat الأخلاءthe close friends زارياdisparaging
على عهدِ إذْ ذاكَ الأخلاء زاريا
Though I have bid farewell to youth, I was never
Long, long has night enfolded me since once
in those days one to disparage my close friends.
My staff stood steady, though the ground beneath might slide.
حَناكَbent you اللياليthe nights بعدَafter ماthat كنتَyou were مرّةًonce
حَناكَ الليالي بعدَ ما كنتَ مرّةً
سَوِيَّstraight العصاthe staff لوif only كنَّthey were يُبقينَthey let endure باقياanyone enduring
سَوِيَّ العصا لو كنَّ يُبقينَ باقيا
The nights have bent you after once you were
But night has turned insistently to gloom,
straight as a staff—if only they let anyone endure!
And troubled waters once so clear are troubled still.
فلماand when أبتshe refused إلاanything but اطراقاًdowncast silence بودهاin her affection
فلما أبت إلا اطراقاً بودها
وتكديرهاand her muddying الشربthe draught الذيwhich كانwas صافياclear
وتكديرها الشرب الذي كان صافيا
When she offered only downcast silence in her affection,
I drank it sparkling once, now troubled; and how strange
and muddied the draught that once was clear,
Are concurring fates! The troubled soul is yoked to night.
شربتI drank برنقٍwith turbidity منof هواهاher love مكدرٍmuddied
شربت برنقٍ من هواها مكدرٍ
وكيفand how يعافdisdains الرنقُmuddy water منone who كانwas صادياthirsty
وكيف يعاف الرنقُ من كان صاديا
I drank a turbid, muddied draught of her love.
If day and night alike one's wishes foil,
How can one athirst disdain muddy water?
Nothing so stops vexation's growth as fixed resolve.
إذاwhen ماindeed تقاضىexacted payment from المرءَthe man يومٌa day وليلةٌand a night
إذا ما تقاضى المرءَ يومٌ وليلةٌ
تقاضاهُpressed him for payment شيءٌsomething لاnot يمَلُّtires of التَّقاضياexacting payment
تقاضاهُ شيءٌ لا يمَلُّ التَّقاضيا
When a day and a night exact their due from a man,
My firm intent is that I will not mix
something that never tires of exacting payment presses him.
My soul, my life, with direr ills that burden me,
وإنّيand indeed I لَمِمّاam certainly one to أنْto أُجَشِّمَburden صُحبَتيmy companions
وإنّي لَمِمّا أنْ أُجَشِّمَ صُحبَتي
ونفسيَand myself والعيسَand the pale camels الهمومَcares الأقاصياthe far-reaching ones
ونفسيَ والعيسَ الهمومَ الأقاصيا
I am indeed one to burden my companions,
Warned by my ignorance. I see so clear
myself, and the pale camels with far-reaching cares.
What gloomy thoughts upon my mind have brought.
وإنيand indeed I لَينْهانيindeed restrains me عنِfrom الجهلِfolly إنّنيthat I indeed
وإني لَينْهاني عنِ الجهلِ إنّني
أرىI see واضحاًbright منْof لِمَّتيmy hair كانَwas داجياdark
أرى واضحاً منْ لِمَّتي كانَ داجيا
What indeed restrains me from folly is that I
Naught limits trials like experience;
see brightness in my hair where once there was darkness,
I find no guide like time's recurring message.
وطُولِand lengthy تَجاريبِexperience of الأمورِaffairs ولاand not أرىI see
وطُولِ تَجاريبِ الأمورِ ولا أرى
لذيfor one possessing نُهيَةٍreason مثلَlike التَّجاريبِexperience ناهياa restraint
لذي نُهيَةٍ مثلَ التَّجاريبِ ناهيا
and long experience of affairs; I see
A thought took wing at night, but nothing tells
no restraint like experience for a man of reason.
Of thought at night like hasty deed come morning.
وهَمٍّand a care طرىarose منfrom بعدِafter ليلٍa night ولاand not ترىyou see
وهَمٍّ طرى من بعدِ ليلٍ ولا ترى
لهَمٍّfor a care طَراthat arose مثلَlike الصَّريمةِfirm resolve قاضياa dispeller
لهَمٍّ طَرا مثلَ الصَّريمةِ قاضيا
And many a care arose after a night; you will find
By a mirage the thirsty dupes are fooled.
no dispeller of a sudden care like firm resolve.
It flies as the deluded think to grasp the flying sprite.
وجَدّاءَand a barren waste مِجْرازٍutterly bare تَخالُyou take for سرابَهاits mirage
وجَدّاءَ مِجْرازٍ تَخالُ سرابَها
إذاwhen اطَّردَflowed on البيدُthe deserts السِّباعُthe beasts العوادياthe prowling ones
إذا اطَّردَ البيدُ السِّباعُ العواديا
And a barren, utterly bare waste, whose mirage you would take,
Midway between two springs our guide must be,
when it streams across the deserts, for prowling beasts,
Lest we should miss the union of the meeting waters.
عميقةِdeep بينَbetween المنهلَيْنِthe two watering places دليلُناour guide
عميقةِ بينَ المنهلَيْنِ دليلُنا
بهاthrough it أنto نؤمَّwe head toward الفرقدَFarqad المُتصابياthe youthful one
بها أن نؤمَّ الفرقدَ المُتصابيا
deep between two watering places—our guide
When night spreads there her canopy so dark,
through it was to head toward the youthful Farqad.
The genius of the waste sings songs unto the wold.
إذاwhen الليلُnight غشّاهاcovered it كسوراًfolds عريضةًbroad
إذا الليلُ غشّاها كسوراً عريضةً
تغنَّتْsang بهاin it جِنُّthe spirits of الخلاءِthe wilderness الأغانياsongs
تغنَّتْ بها جِنُّ الخلاءِ الأغانيا
When night covered it in broad folds,
I made me towards another land more bright,
the spirits of the wilderness sang their songs there.
Cheered by a morn whose breezes shift the skiey clouds,
قطعتُI crossed إلىtoward مجهولِunknown أخرىanother أنيسَهاits company
قطعتُ إلى مجهولِ أخرى أنيسَها
بخُوصٍon hollow-eyed camels يُقلِّبْنَthey toss النِّطافِthe drops الهَوامياthe streaming ones
بخُوصٍ يُقلِّبْنَ النِّطافِ الهَواميا
I crossed it toward another wilderness whose inhabitants were unknown,
We scare the game at times or sometimes wing
on hollow-eyed camels tossing streaming drops.
Our arrows at a victim from our place of vantage.
نَشُجُّwe cleave بهنَّwith them البِيدَthe deserts أمّاًheading straight وتارةًand sometimes
نَشُجُّ بهنَّ البِيدَ أمّاً وتارةً
علىalong شرَكٍbranching tracks نرميwe drive بهنَّwith them المَرامياthe distant goals
على شرَكٍ نرمي بهنَّ المَراميا
We cleave the deserts on them, heading straight, and sometimes
When the fleet ostrich starts, his footing fails,
along branching tracks we drive them toward distant goals.
And swifter than the ridges of the sands he rushes madly.
إذاwhen قالَsaid عاجٍʿĀj! (camel-call) راكبٌa rider زلجَتْthey glided بهِwith him
إذا قالَ عاجٍ راكبٌ زلجَتْ بهِ
زَليجاًa gliding gait يُدانيbrings near البرزخَthe distance المُتمادياthe far-extending one
زَليجاً يُداني البرزخَ المُتماديا
Whenever a rider cried 'ʿĀj!', they glided along with him,
A ransom for a band of early day companions,
a gliding gait that brought the far-extending distance near.
Who helped me at the pitchfork with their persons and their wealth,
فداءٌa ransom لركْبٍfor riders منfrom نُميرٍNumayr تداركواthey overtook
فداءٌ لركْبٍ من نُميرٍ تداركوا
حنيفةَHanifa بالنِّشّاشِat al-Nishshash أهليmy family ومالِياand my wealth
حنيفةَ بالنِّشّاشِ أهلي ومالِيا
May there be a ransom for riders of Numayr who overtook
Who smote wrongdoing men, though innocence might suffer,
Hanifa at al-Nishshash: my family and my wealth.
When ignorance provoked the deed that out of justice grew.
أصابواthey struck رجالاًmen آمنينَsecure وربّماand sometimes
أصابوا رجالاً آمنينَ وربّما
أصابَbefell بريئاًan innocent person حُرْمُthe offense of منْone who كانَwas جانياan offender
أصابَ بريئاً حُرْمُ منْ كانَ جانيا
They struck men secure in peace; sometimes
When our loud cry for help startled the air,
an offender's wrongdoing befalls an innocent man.
Their 'Here am I' drove off the spoilers of our goods.
فلمّاand when سعىran فيناamong us الصريخُthe cry for help وربّماand often
فلمّا سعى فينا الصريخُ وربّما
بلبَّيْكَwith 'At your call!' أنجدْناwe aided الصريخَthe seeker of help المُنادياthe calling one
بلبَّيْكَ أنجدْنا الصريخَ المُناديا
When the cry for help ran among us—and often
We rode when day broke clearly fast and far,
with 'At your call!' we have aided the caller seeking help—
Of that tribe seeing only the well-armed rear-guard.
ركِبْناwe mounted وقدْand already جدَّتْhad grown grave جَدادِDisaster ولاand not ترىyou see
ركِبْنا وقدْ جدَّتْ جَدادِ ولا ترى
منَamong القومِthe men إلاّexcept مُحْمِشَone spurring الجَرْدِthe sleek horses حامِياa defender
منَ القومِ إلاّ مُحْمِشَ الجَرْدِ حامِيا
we mounted, with Disaster grown grave; you would see
A race of ravening wolves, who when day dawns
among the men only defenders spurring sleek horses.
Will keep the wild game racing to the evening shadows.
نَزائعَimported steeds منfrom أولادِthe offspring of أعوجَAʿwaj قلّماseldom
نَزائعَ من أولادِ أعوجَ قلّما
تَزالُcease إلىtoward الهَيجاbattle صباحاًin the morning غوادياgoing forth
تَزالُ إلى الهَيجا صباحاً غواديا
Imported steeds descended from Aʿwaj, seldom
Proud lions maned whose swords when battle stirred
ceasing to set out at morning for the fray,
Smote terrible as doom decreed by judges wise.
بأُسدٍbearing lions علىupon أكتافِهنَّtheir shoulders إذاwhen عصواthey struck
بأُسدٍ على أكتافِهنَّ إذا عصوا
بأسيافِهمْwith their swords كانواthey were حتوفاًdeaths قواضياdecisive
بأسيافِهمْ كانوا حتوفاً قواضيا
bearing lions on their shoulders, who, when they struck
None turned of our rearmost but met us or outran,
with their swords, were deaths that made an end.
While we ignored the laggards, pressing on the foremost.
وماand not يأتليspares effort منْwhoever كانَwas منّاof us وراءَناbehind us
وما يأتلي منْ كانَ منّا وراءَنا
لحاقاًto catch up وماand not نحنوwe turn back لمنْfor whoever كانَwas تالياfollowing
لحاقاً وما نحنو لمنْ كانَ تاليا
Whoever of us was behind spared no effort
We charged them, reined our steeds, no word we spoke,
to catch up; we did not turn back for those following.
Bared the keen Yemen blade that glitteringly flashes.
فلمّاand when لحقْناهمْwe caught them شددْناwe charged ولمْand not يكنْthere was
فلمّا لحقْناهمْ شددْنا ولمْ يكنْ
كِلامٌtalk وجرَّدْناand we unsheathed الصَّفيحَthe broad blades اليَمانياthe Yemeni ones
كِلامٌ وجرَّدْنا الصَّفيحَ اليَمانيا
When we caught them, we charged; there was no
A shower of javelins flew between, we shot,
talk, and we unsheathed the broad Yemeni blades.
No random shots; each finds the mark his arrow seeks.
هوىfell بينَناbetween us رِشْقانِtwo volleys ثُمّتَthen لمْnot يكنْthere was
هوى بينَنا رِشْقانِ ثُمّتَ لمْ يكنْ
رِماءٌarchery وألقىand threw down القوسَthe bow منone who كانَwas رامياan archer
رِماءٌ وألقى القوسَ من كانَ راميا
Two volleys fell between us; then there was no
You would suppose the thickets' very judgement day,
more shooting, and the archer cast away his bow.
As the keen falchions played beneath those coverts green.
وكانَand it became امتِصاعاًswordplay تحسِبُyou would think الهامَthe heads تحتَهُbeneath it
وكانَ امتِصاعاً تحسِبُ الهامَ تحتَهُ
جنىthe fruit of الشَّرْيِthe bitter-apple plant تُهويهِsend it tumbling السيوفُthe swords المهاوياthe plunging ones
جنى الشَّرْيِ تُهويهِ السيوفُ المهاويا
It became swordplay; beneath it you would think the heads
Awhile, then they withdrew by stealthy paths,
were bitter-apple fruit sent tumbling by the plunging swords.
Winding anomalous ways down secluded valleys.
فدُرْناso we wheeled عليهمagainst them ساعةًfor a while ثمَّthen خبَّبواthey trotted off
فدُرْنا عليهم ساعةً ثمَّ خبَّبوا
عباديدَin scattered bands يعدُونَthey race through الفِجاجَthe passes الأقاصياthe farthest ones
عباديدَ يعدُونَ الفِجاجَ الأقاصيا
We wheeled against them awhile, then they trotted off
While our keen swords from every bare arm fell
in scattered bands, racing through the farthest passes.
Shearing both belt and robe, both raiment and the frame beneath.
وأسيافُناand our swords يُسْقِطْنَcut down منfrom كلِّevery مَنكِبٍshoulder
وأسيافُنا يُسْقِطْنَ من كلِّ مَنكِبٍ
وحبلٍand neck-sinew ويُذْرِينَand scatter الفَراشَthe skull fragments المَذارياthe flying ones
وحبلٍ ويُذْرِينَ الفَراشَ المَذاريا
Our swords struck pieces from every shoulder
When we had left them all a gory heap of slain
and neck-sinew, scattering the flying skull fragments.
Whose latest groan the Lord of Mercy hardly heard,
فلمّاand when تركْناهمْwe left them بكلِّin every قَرارةٍhollow
فلمّا تركْناهمْ بكلِّ قَرارةٍ
جُثىًheaps of bodies لمْnot يُوارِcovered اللهُGod منهاof them المَعارياthe naked parts
جُثىً لمْ يُوارِ اللهُ منها المَعاريا
When we left them in every hollow,
We turned back where the lion crouches, lo!
heaps of bodies whose naked parts God did not cover,
Our heels were ruddy with the life blood welling high.
رجعْناwe returned كأنَّlike الأسْدَthe lions فيin ظلِّthe shade of غابِهاtheir thickets
رجعْنا كأنَّ الأسْدَ في ظلِّ غابِها
ضرَجْناwe stained دماًwith blood منهاof them الكُعوبَthe spear-joints الأعالياthe upper ones
ضرَجْنا دماً منها الكُعوبَ الأعاليا
we returned like lions in the shade of their thickets.
We stained the cheeks of every hypocrite therewith,
We had stained our spears' upper joints with blood.
Made drink the hot blood poured from hands that slaughter deal.
شكَكْناwe pierced بهاwith them فيinto صدرِthe breast of كلِّevery منافقٍhypocrite
شكَكْنا بها في صدرِ كلِّ منافقٍ
نَوافذَpiercing thrusts يَنْشَحْنَdrain العروقَthe veins العواصياthe stubborn ones
نَوافذَ يَنْشَحْنَ العروقَ العواصيا
With them we pierced every hypocrite's breast,
You see Al-'Akr in chest and chin dyed red,
with penetrating thrusts that drained the stubborn veins.
His mailcoat pierced in four-and-twenty places.
ترىyou see الأزرقِيَّthe blue steel point الحشْرَthe slender sharp one فيin الصَّعدةِthe straight spear التيwhich
ترى الأزرقِيَّ الحشْرَ في الصَّعدةِ التي
وفىcovered fully الدِّرعُthe coat of mail منهاof it أربعاًfour وثمانياand eight
وفى الدِّرعُ منها أربعاً وثمانيا
You see the slender blue steel point upon the straight spear,
Two hands that might the swinging Crab control
of which the mail has taken in four and eight of its length.
And grasp the Lion's unshorn locks in fight.
تصيدُit hunts بكفَّيْwith both hands of كلِّevery أروَعَgallant man ماجدٍnoble
تصيدُ بكفَّيْ كلِّ أروَعَ ماجدٍ
قلوبَthe hearts of رجالٍmen مُشْرِعينَleveling العوالياthe lance-points
قلوبَ رجالٍ مُشْرِعينَ العواليا
It hunts, in both hands of every gallant nobleman,
A people who when men complain of wrong,
the hearts of men leveling their lance-points.
Plant their long spears aright and so redress the wrong.
وكنّاand we were إذاwhen قيلَit was said اظْعَنواdepart! قدalready أُتيتُمُyou have been attacked
وكنّا إذا قيلَ اظْعَنوا قد أُتيتُمُ
أقمناwe remained ولمand not يُصبِحْcame at morning بناwith us الظعنُdeparture غادياgoing forth
أقمنا ولم يُصبِحْ بنا الظعنُ غاديا
When we were told, 'Depart! You have been attacked!'
Meet were they on a fearful day to stain
we stayed; no morning departure carried us away.
Their loosened hair with blood, and leave the victim slain.
بِحَيِّamong a tribe حِلالٍsettled يَرْكزونَthey plant رماحَهمْtheir spears
بِحَيِّ حِلالٍ يَرْكزونَ رماحَهمْ
علىagainst الظلْمِoppression حتىuntil يصبحَbecomes الأمنُsafety داجياdarkly encompassing
على الظلْمِ حتى يصبحَ الأمنُ داجيا
Among a settled tribe who plant their spears
If we are harmed, we do not care but bravely bear,
against oppression, until safety spreads its dark covering.
Misfortune patiently, like noble chiefs of liberal soul.
جديرونَworthy يومَon the day of الروعِterror أنْto نخضِبَwe dye القَناthe lances
جديرونَ يومَ الروعِ أنْ نخضِبَ القَنا
وأنand to نتركَwe leave الكبشَthe ram-like champion المُدَجَّجَthe fully armored one ثاوياfallen
وأن نتركَ الكبشَ المُدَجَّجَ ثاويا
We are worthy, on the day of terror, to dye the lances,
We saved our tribe what time the heat of battle burned,
and leave the armored ram of a champion fallen.
Joining against Jumran's whelps our raging squadrons.
وإنْand if نِيلَharm was inflicted منّاon us لمْnot نلعْwe lament أنthat يُصيبَناbefall us
وإنْ نِيلَ منّا لمْ نلعْ أن يُصيبَنا
نوائبُmisfortunes يلقَيْنَthey meet الكريمَthe noble man المُحامياthe defender
نوائبُ يلقَيْنَ الكريمَ المُحاميا
If harm is done to us, we do not lament that we suffer
Hanifa – when God willed not that their midst
the misfortunes that meet the noble defender.
Should boast a single cool, calm man to curb their zeal,
ونحنُand we كفَيْناshielded قومَناour people يومَon the day of ناعتٍNaʿit
ونحنُ كفَيْنا قومَنا يومَ ناعتٍ
وجُمْرانَand Jumran جَمعاًa host بالقنابلِwith squadrons بارِياchallenging
وجُمْرانَ جَمعاً بالقنابلِ بارِيا
We shielded our people, on the day of Naʿit
We came when they in fancied security reposed,
and Jumran, from a host challenging us in squadrons:
Then taught them lessons harsh as we had taught our foes.
حنيفةَHanifa إذْwhen لمnot يجعلِplaced اللهُGod فيهمِamong them
حنيفةَ إذْ لم يجعلِ اللهُ فيهمِ
رشيداًa right-minded man ولاnor منهمْfrom among them عنِfrom الغيِّerror ناهياone restraining
رشيداً ولا منهمْ عنِ الغيِّ ناهيا
Hanifa, among whom God had placed
Smote them like ravening beasts, though dens secure
no right-minded man, nor any to restrain them from error.
Were there, like lions maddened in the desert wold,
أتَوْناthey came against us وهمْand they were عَرْضٌa vast host وجئناand we came عصابةًa band
أتَوْنا وهمْ عَرْضٌ وجئنا عصابةً
فذاقواso they tasted الذيwhat كنّاwe were نُذيقُmaking taste الأعادياthe enemies
فذاقوا الذي كنّا نُذيقُ الأعاديا
They came against us, a vast host; we came as a band,
With honest blades, while round us our bold troop
and they tasted what we made our enemies taste.
Pressing and circling gave example how to strike.
ضربْناهمُwe struck them ضربَthe striking of الجنابىthe waterer علىat جِبىًa watering basin
ضربْناهمُ ضربَ الجنابى على جِبىً
غرائبَstrange camels تغشاهُthey crowd it حِراراًparched صَوادياthirsty
غرائبَ تغشاهُ حِراراً صَواديا
We struck them as a waterer at a basin strikes
You see Al-Mashrafi, his fearful blows fall fast
strange camels that crowd it, parched and thirsty,
Blood-red upon his pummel till it blushed before.
بأسيافِwith swords of صدقٍtrue mettle فيin أكُفِّthe hands of عصابةٍa band
بأسيافِ صدقٍ في أكُفِّ عصابةٍ
كرامٍnoble men أبَواthey refused فيin الحربِwar إلاّanything but تأسِياfollowing one another's example
كرامٍ أبَوا في الحربِ إلاّ تأسِيا
with swords of true mettle in the hands of a band
You would suppose the arm grew long that day for us,
of noble men who in war insisted on following one another's example.
Both hosts were linked together by that red rain dripping slow,
ترىyou see المَشْرَفِيَّthe Mashrafi sword العَضْبَthe keen one ضُرِّجَwas stained مَتنُهُits flat
ترى المَشْرَفِيَّ العَضْبَ ضُرِّجَ مَتنُهُ
دماًwith blood صارَbecame جَوناًblack بعدماafter كانَit was صافياbright
دماً صارَ جَوناً بعدما كانَ صافيا
You see the keen Mashrafi sword, its flat stained
When we smote off their eggs, the brooding parent birds
with blood, turned black after once being bright.
Swooped down, but only found their callow young laid low.
كأنَّas though اليدَthe hand استَلَّتْunsheathed لناfor us فيin عَجاجةٍa dust-cloud
كأنَّ اليدَ استَلَّتْ لنا في عَجاجةٍ
لناfor us ولهمand for them قرناًa horn منof الشمسِthe sun ضاحياshining
لنا ولهم قرناً من الشمسِ ضاحيا
As though a hand had unsheathed for us in the dust-cloud,
The greedy heads that look for prey alone,
for us and them, a shining horn of the sun.
Came there and met a fate they had not sought to know.
إذاwhen ماindeed ضربْناwe struck البَيضَthe helmets والبَيضُand the helmets مُطبَقٌwere closed
إذا ما ضربْنا البَيضَ والبَيضُ مُطبَقٌ
علىover الهامِthe heads أدركْنَthey reached الفِراخَthe chicks (brains) اللَّواطياthe nestling ones
على الهامِ أدركْنَ الفِراخَ اللَّواطيا
When we struck the helmets, while the helmets were closed
Off went the proud neck, arrogant in its strength,
over the heads, our swords reached the nestling chicks.
Kicked by the falling beast amidst the slippery mire.
ورأسٍand a chief غزاناraided us كيْto يصيبَwin غنيمةًbooty
ورأسٍ غزانا كيْ يصيبَ غنيمةً
أتاناhe came to us فلاقىand met غيرَother than ماwhat كانَhe was راجياhoping for
أتانا فلاقى غيرَ ما كانَ راجيا
And many a chief raided us to win booty;
Still in the battle's freight some noble band
he came to us and met something other than what he hoped.
Will live, praise God! though destiny some lives deny.
هذَذْناwe hacked القفاthe nape منهُof him وقدْand already كانَhe was عاتياًinsolent
هذَذْنا القفا منهُ وقدْ كانَ عاتياً
بهِin him الكِبْرُpride يُلويtwisted أخدَعَيْهِhis two neck-veins الملاوِياthe twisting ones
بهِ الكِبْرُ يُلوي أخدَعَيْهِ الملاوِيا
We hacked his nape—he had been insolent,
Safe from all tribes behind stand my brave kin,
pride twisting his neck-veins in disdain.
Nor fear they harm from any foe who stands behind.
ضربْناهُwe struck him أمَّthe crown of الرأسِthe head أوor عَضَّbit عندَناin our keeping
ضربْناهُ أمَّ الرأسِ أو عَضَّ عندَنا
بساقَيْهِinto his two shins حِجْلٌa fetter يتركُleaving العظمَthe bone بادياexposed
بساقَيْهِ حِجْلٌ يتركُ العظمَ باديا
We struck him on the crown, or in our keeping a fetter bit
I was declared too weak to bear the heavy load
into his two shins, leaving the bone exposed.
Of such a house, but arduous toil I still defy.
وإنّاand we indeed لنُنْضيwe indeed wear down الحربُwar منّاof us جماعةًa company
وإنّا لنُنْضي الحربُ منّا جماعةً
وكعْباًand standing لناfor us والحمدُand praise للهِto God عالياhigh
وكعْباً لنا والحمدُ للهِ عاليا
We indeed wear war down with a company of our men,
A people you will see who fight and fling
and our standing, praise be to God, is high.
The ranks of battle open and the gates of triumph high.
وإنّيand I indeed لاnot أخشىfear وراءَbehind عشيرَتيmy clan
وإنّي لا أخشى وراءَ عشيرَتي
عدوّاًan enemy ولاnor يخشوْنَهُthey fear him منfrom ورائياbehind me
عدوّاً ولا يخشوْنَهُ من ورائيا
Behind my clan, I have no fear of
Weigh us with mankind in the balance; we
an enemy, nor do they fear him with me behind them.
Outweigh their dreams of glory and ascend the scale.
أبىprevented ذاكَthat أنّيthat I دونَin defense of أحسابِthe ancestral honors of عامرٍʿAmir
أبى ذاكَ أنّي دونَ أحسابِ عامرٍ
مِذَبٌّa defender وإنّيand I indeed كنتُhave been للضَّيمِtoward humiliation آبياrefusing
مِذَبٌّ وإنّي كنتُ للضَّيمِ آبيا
That fear is prevented by my being, in defense of ʿAmir's ancestral honor,
Our road descended to the meadows green,
a protector, one who has always refused humiliation.
Nor like the Red Rock's bandits did we hunt the cave.
وإنّيand I indeed منof القومِthe people الذينwho ترىyou see لهمْfor them
وإنّي من القومِ الذين ترى لهمْ
سِجالاًwater-buckets وأبواباًand doorways تُفيضُpour forth المقارياdishes for guests
سِجالاً وأبواباً تُفيضُ المقاريا
I am of the people for whom you see
With Ibnujwan's brave son and Ibn Muhorriq
buckets and doorways pouring forth dishes for guests.
We came, they led the victims in the rear.
إذاwhen الناسُthe people ماجُواsurged أوor وزنْتَyou weighed حُلومَهمْtheir judgment
إذا الناسُ ماجُوا أو وزنْتَ حُلومَهمْ
بأحلامِناagainst our judgment كنّاwe were الجبالَthe mountains الرواسياthe firmly rooted ones
بأحلامِنا كنّا الجبالَ الرواسيا
When people surge, or you weigh their judgment
There were the 'Udas, the Ch Chaled's nobles,
against ours, we are firmly rooted mountains.
Brave lances all; rivals for fame and high emprise.
وبالشِّعْبِand at the pass أسْهَلْناwe descended to the plain الحضيضَthe low ground ولمْand not نكنْwe were
وبالشِّعْبِ أسْهَلْنا الحضيضَ ولمْ نكنْ
بشِعبِat the pass of الصَّفاal-Safa ممّنْamong those who أرادَsought المخابياhiding places
بشِعبِ الصَّفا ممّنْ أرادَ المخابيا
At the pass we descended to the low ground, and were not
We met the foe at Duftaf, firm as rocks
at the pass of al-Safa among those seeking hiding places.
Immovable, with iron moulds hammered in showers.
أتيْناwe came معَwith ابنِthe son of الجَونِal-Jawn وابنَيْand the two sons of مُحرِّقٍMuharriq
أتيْنا معَ ابنِ الجَونِ وابنَيْ مُحرِّقٍ
مَعَدٌّMaʿadd يسوقونَthey drove الكِباشَthe rams المَذاكياthe fully mature ones
مَعَدٌّ يسوقونَ الكِباشَ المَذاكيا
We came with Ibn al-Jawn and the two sons of Muharriq,
When we had charged their squadrons with our troops
Maʿadd, driving forward the full-grown rams.
Cased in their mail, lances chosen carefully,
بنوthe sons of عُدَسٍʿUdas فيهمْamong them وأفناءُand the branches of خالدٍKhalid
بنو عُدَسٍ فيهمْ وأفناءُ خالدٍ
قُرومٌgreat camel-stallions تَسامىvied in eminence عزّةًin might وتَباغياand rivalry
قُرومٌ تَسامى عزّةً وتَباغيا
Among them were the sons of ʿUdas and the branches of Khalid,
Urged by the hindmost of the flying steeds
great camel-stallions vying in might and rivalry.
You might have deemed them plashing in a shoreless sea,
لَقُوناthey met us بدُفّاعٍwith an onrushing host كأنَّas though أتِيَّهُits torrent
لَقُونا بدُفّاعٍ كأنَّ أتِيَّهُ
أتِيُّa torrent فُراتيٍّof the Euphrates يدُقُّshattering الصوارياthe masts
أتِيُّ فُراتيٍّ يدُقُّ الصواريا
They met us with a rushing host, whose torrent seemed
We marched on them with swords bare in our hands
a Euphrates torrent shattering masts.
Like lions wroth, and pitiless in onset high.
فلمّاand when رمَيْناهمْwe hurled against them بكلِّevery مؤزَّرٍwell-girded warrior
فلمّا رمَيْناهمْ بكلِّ مؤزَّرٍ
بغُضْفٍin ample coats of mail تَخيَّرْنَthey chose الظُّهارَthe backs الخوافياthe hidden ones
بغُضْفٍ تَخيَّرْنَ الظُّهارَ الخوافيا
When we hurled against them every well-girded warrior,
When we had hemmed them in on every side
in broad coats of mail fitted over concealed backs,
Fate's queernes caught them by the neck to die.
علىupon كلِّevery عِجزٍrump منof رَكوضٍa swift-running mare ترىyou see لهاfor her
على كلِّ عِجزٍ من رَكوضٍ ترى لها
هِجاراًa hobble يُقاسيcontending with طائفاًa circling creature مُتعادياracing
هِجاراً يُقاسي طائفاً مُتعاديا
on each swift-running mare's rump, where you could see
her binding wrestling with a circling, racing beast,
مشَيْناwe advanced إليهمْtoward them فيin الحديدِiron armor كأنّناas though we
مشَيْنا إليهمْ في الحديدِ كأنّنا
قياسِرُhuge camels لاقَتْhad met بالعَنِيّةِwith mange-salve طالِياa dauber
قياسِرُ لاقَتْ بالعَنِيّةِ طالِيا
we advanced toward them in iron, as though we were
huge camels met by a dauber carrying mange-salve.
إذاwhen نحنُwe لافَفْناهمُengaged them closely أخذتْهمُseized them
إذا نحنُ لافَفْناهمُ أخذتْهمُ
مَخاريقُlashing blades لاnot تُبقيleave منَof الروحِlife باقياany remnant
مَخاريقُ لا تُبقي منَ الروحِ باقيا
Whenever we engaged them at close quarters, they were seized
by lashing blades that left no remnant of life.
Partial English translation: 130 of 136 Arabic lines translated.
Sol 6.1