عَفا واسِطٌ مِن آلِ رَضوى فَنَبتَلُ

عَفا واسِطٌ مِن آلِ رَضوى فَنَبتَلُ

فَمُجتَمَعُ الحُرَّينِ فَالصَبرُ أَجمَلُ

فَمُجتَمَعُ الحُرَّينِ فَالصَبرُ أَجمَلُ

Wasit lies desolate of Radwa's folk, and Nabtal;

A mediator from the virtuous family of Raddwa has appeared, so let us put him to the test

and the meeting-place of al-Hurrayn—patience is more seemly.

When the free and enslaved come together, patience is most beautiful

فَرابِيَةُ السَكرانِ قَفرٌ فَما بِها

فَرابِيَةُ السَكرانِ قَفرٌ فَما بِها

لَهُم شَبَحٌ إِلّا سَلامٌ وَحَرمَلُ

لَهُم شَبَحٌ إِلّا سَلامٌ وَحَرمَلُ

And al-Sakran's hill is barren: upon it

The dwelling of a drunkard is empty, containing nothing

no figure of theirs remains, save salam acacias and harmal rue.

Except apparitions, greetings, and the soft sand

صَحا القَلبُ إِلّا مِن ظَعائِنَ فاتَني

صَحا القَلبُ إِلّا مِن ظَعائِنَ فاتَني

بِهِنَّ اِبنُ خَلّاسٍ طُفَيلٌ وَعَزهَلُ

بِهِنَّ اِبنُ خَلّاسٍ طُفَيلٌ وَعَزهَلُ

My heart has sobered, save for women in litters, taken beyond my reach

My heart recovered, except from the charms of maidens

by Tufayl son of Khallas and ʿAzhal.

Among them the son of Khallas and Tufayl and 'Azzahal

كَأَنّي غَداةَ اِنصَعنَ لِلبَينِ مُسلَمٌ

كَأَنّي غَداةَ اِنصَعنَ لِلبَينِ مُسلَمٌ

بِضَربَةِ عُنقٍ أَو غَوِيٌّ مُعَذَّلُ

بِضَربَةِ عُنقٍ أَو غَوِيٌّ مُعَذَّلُ

On the morning they set off to part, I seemed delivered up

It was as if one morning I surrendered to separation as a Muslim

to a stroke at the neck, or a wayward man reproached,

With a stroke to the neck or as an enslaved convict

صَريعُ مُدامٍ يَرفَعُ الشَربُ رَأسَهُ

صَريعُ مُدامٍ يَرفَعُ الشَربُ رَأسَهُ

لِيَحيا وَقَد ماتَت عِظامٌ وَمَفصِلُ

لِيَحيا وَقَد ماتَت عِظامٌ وَمَفصِلُ

felled by wine, whose drinking companions raise his head

A drunkard’s corpse raises its head to live though its bones and joints are dead

to revive him, though his bones and joints are dead.

We drag him at times and take care of him at others, and he barely retains his senses

نُهاديهِ أَحياناً وَحيناً نَجُرُّهُ

نُهاديهِ أَحياناً وَحيناً نَجُرُّهُ

وَما كادَ إِلّا بِالحُشاشَةِ يَعقِلُ

وَما كادَ إِلّا بِالحُشاشَةِ يَعقِلُ

Sometimes we support him walking, sometimes drag him;

When they lifted up a bone, his chest struggled

he scarcely understands, save with life's last flicker.

While another, from what he obtained from it, is smeared

إِذا رَفَعوا عَظماً تَحامَلَ صَدرُهُ

إِذا رَفَعوا عَظماً تَحامَلَ صَدرُهُ

وَآخَرُ مِمّا نالَ مِنها مُخَبَّلُ

وَآخَرُ مِمّا نالَ مِنها مُخَبَّلُ

When they raise a limb, his chest bears down heavily,

I drank until a train came to me from Palestine, heavily laden

and another is numbed by what it has received of the wine.

With goats from Ma’zra loaded, taken up and lowered

شَرِبتُ وَلاقاني لِحَلِّ أَلِيَّتي

شَرِبتُ وَلاقاني لِحَلِّ أَلِيَّتي

قِطارٌ تَرَوّى مِن فَلَسطينَ مُثقَلُ

قِطارٌ تَرَوّى مِن فَلَسطينَ مُثقَلُ

I drank; to undo my oath there met me

It stops at times so singing or roasting meat comes between us

a heavily laden camel-train, well supplied with drink from Palestine.

Pleasant to one resting, delicious to one drinking, it sends me into reverie

عَلَيهِ مِنَ المِعزى مُسوكٌ رَوِيَّةٌ

عَلَيهِ مِنَ المِعزى مُسوكٌ رَوِيَّةٌ

مُمَلَّأَةٌ يُعلى بِها وَتُعَدَّلُ

مُمَلَّأَةٌ يُعلى بِها وَتُعَدَّلُ

Upon it were goatskin vessels, full of liquid,

An intoxication that came upon us was followed by things

filled to the brim, piled high and balanced.

That we take pride in and from which we drink

فَقُلتُ اِصبَحوني لا أَبا لِأَبيكُمُ

فَقُلتُ اِصبَحوني لا أَبا لِأَبيكُمُ

وَما وَضَعوا الأَثقالَ إِلّا لِيَفعَلوا

وَما وَضَعوا الأَثقالَ إِلّا لِيَفعَلوا

So I said, 'Give me a morning drink—may your father be fatherless!'

It crept through the bones as if it were the creeping

They set down the loads only to do so.

Of ants in a valley meandering

أَناخوا فَجَرّوا شاصِياتٍ كَأَنَّها

أَناخوا فَجَرّوا شاصِياتٍ كَأَنَّها

رِجالٌ مِنَ السودانِ لَم يَتَسَربَلوا

رِجالٌ مِنَ السودانِ لَم يَتَسَربَلوا

They made the camels kneel, then dragged out skins with raised legs, as though they were

So I said, “Kill it, unpleasant though it is,

black men who had donned no tunics.

And make it most fragrant when killed”

وَجاؤوا بِبَيسانِيَّةٍ هِيَ بَعدَما

وَجاؤوا بِبَيسانِيَّةٍ هِيَ بَعدَما

يَعُلُّ بِها الساقي أَلَذُّ وَأَسهَلُ

يَعُلُّ بِها الساقي أَلَذُّ وَأَسهَلُ

They brought Baysan wine, which, once

The son of a city grew up in her lap, living in her touch

the cupbearer serves another round, is sweeter and smoother.

If he feared sparse rain upon her, he would channel a brook that trickles

تَمُرُّ بِها الأَيدي سَنيحاً وَبارِحاً

تَمُرُّ بِها الأَيدي سَنيحاً وَبارِحاً

وَتوضَعُ بِاللَهُمَّ حَيِّ وَتُحمَلُ

وَتوضَعُ بِاللَهُمَّ حَيِّ وَتُحمَلُ

Hands pass it rightward and leftward;

I have no fault in you except that you shorten your blame of me

it is set down with 'O God, grant life!' and lifted up.

I will leave you and do what I was doing

فَتوقَفُ أَحياناً فَيَفصِلُ بَينَنا

فَتوقَفُ أَحياناً فَيَفصِلُ بَينَنا

غِناءُ مُغَنٍّ أَو شِواءٌ مُرَعبَلُ

غِناءُ مُغَنٍّ أَو شِواءٌ مُرَعبَلُ

At times it is halted; our drinking is broken by

And shun you beautifully, and the first of our passionate nights will avoid us

a singer's song or roast meat cut in pieces.

When the folly of a lover had passed from me

فَلَذَّت لِمُرتاحٍ وَطابَت لِشارِبٍ

فَلَذَّت لِمُرتاحٍ وَطابَت لِشارِبٍ

وَراجَعَني مِنها مِراحٌ وَأَخيَلُ

وَراجَعَني مِنها مِراحٌ وَأَخيَلُ

It delighted the joyful and was pleasant to the drinker;

The deliberated of my needs appeared

from it gaiety returned to me, and I swaggered.

To a obsessive thought from the family of Thumayya, the one

فَما لَبَّثَتنا نَشوَةٌ لَحِقَت بِنا

فَما لَبَّثَتنا نَشوَةٌ لَحِقَت بِنا

تَوابِعُها مِمّا نُعَلُّ وَنُنهَلُ

تَوابِعُها مِمّا نُعَلُّ وَنُنهَلُ

One flush of intoxication scarcely held us before we were overtaken

Whose abode has a locked gate and a staff with bells

by its following waves, from second rounds and first draughts poured for us.

And a desolate place where its ostriches seem to be,

تَدِبُّ دَبيباً في العِظامِ كَأَنَّهُ

تَدِبُّ دَبيباً في العِظامِ كَأَنَّهُ

دَبيبُ نِمالٍ في نَقاً يَتَهَيَّلُ

دَبيبُ نِمالٍ في نَقاً يَتَهَيَّلُ

It creeps through the bones, with a creeping like

In its furthest parts, a disheveled hummal

ants creeping through a crumbling sand dune.

You see the gleaming sand in it as if it were

فَقُلتُ اِقتُلوها عَنكُمُ بِمِزاجِها

فَقُلتُ اِقتُلوها عَنكُمُ بِمِزاجِها

وَأَطيِب بِها مَقتولَةً حينَ تُقتَلُ

وَأَطيِب بِها مَقتولَةً حينَ تُقتَلُ

So I said, 'Kill it off for yourselves with its mixing-water;

Men who sometimes don clothes and sometimes go naked

and how sweet it is, slain, when it is slain!'

And a frightening wasteland where its hyenas do not wink

رَبَت وَرَبا في حَجرِها اِبنُ مَدينَةٍ

رَبَت وَرَبا في حَجرِها اِبنُ مَدينَةٍ

يَظَلُّ عَلى مِسحاتِهِ يَتَرَكَّلُ

يَظَلُّ عَلى مِسحاتِهِ يَتَرَكَّلُ

It grew, and in its lap grew a son of the town,

Nor do the eyes of its guide neglect it out of fear

who spends the day stamping upon his spade.

In every distant, frightful place, there are no known paths

إِذا خافَ مِن نَجمٍ عَلَيها ظَماءَةً

إِذا خافَ مِن نَجمٍ عَلَيها ظَماءَةً

أَدَبَّ إِلَيها جَدوَلاً يَتَسَلسَلُ

أَدَبَّ إِلَيها جَدوَلاً يَتَسَلسَلُ

When he fears a star may bring it thirst,

Or signs, and no watering place in it

he sends a rippling stream creeping toward it.

Sporting places of jinn, as if their soil,

أَعاذِلَ إِلّا تُقصِري عَن مَلامَتي

أَعاذِلَ إِلّا تُقصِري عَن مَلامَتي

أَدَعكِ وَأَعمِد لِلَّذي كُنتُ أَفعَلُ

أَدَعكِ وَأَعمِد لِلَّذي كُنتُ أَفعَلُ

O reproaching woman, unless you cease your blame,

When the winds blow through it, is sifted

I shall leave you and turn to what I used to do,

I endured when al-Hirba’ was closer, as if it were

وَأَهجُركِ هِجراناً جَميلاً وَيَنتَحي

وَأَهجُركِ هِجراناً جَميلاً وَيَنتَحي

لَنا مِن لَيالينا العَوارِمِ أَوَّلُ

لَنا مِن لَيالينا العَوارِمِ أَوَّلُ

and leave you with a gracious parting, while there approaches

A Yemeni pilgrim or a shackled prisoner

for us the first of our riotous nights.

To the son of Asid Khalid—empty plateaus of Ta’ruwiyy carried us

فَلَمّا اِنجَلَت عَنّي صَبابَةُ عاشِقٍ

فَلَمّا اِنجَلَت عَنّي صَبابَةُ عاشِقٍ

بَدا لِيَ مِن حاجاتِيَ المُتَأَمَّلُ

بَدا لِيَ مِن حاجاتِيَ المُتَأَمَّلُ

When a lover's yearning had cleared from me,

Through which fierce wastelands crawl

what I contemplated among my needs appeared to me:

You see the fox on it as if it were,

إِلى هاجِسٍ مِن آلِ ظَمياءَ وَالَّتي

إِلى هاجِسٍ مِن آلِ ظَمياءَ وَالَّتي

أَتى دونَها بابٌ بِصِرّينَ مُقفَلُ

أَتى دونَها بابٌ بِصِرّينَ مُقفَلُ

toward a stirring memory of Zamya's folk, and of her

When rising alert, a fully caparisoned steed

before whom stood a locked gate at Sirrin.

You see the red-necked bustard striking its boundary,

وَبَيداءَ مِمحالٍ كَأَنَّ نَعامَها

وَبَيداءَ مِمحالٍ كَأَنَّ نَعامَها

بِأَرجائِها القُصوى أَباعِرُ هُمَّلُ

بِأَرجائِها القُصوى أَباعِرُ هُمَّلُ

And a drought-stricken desert, whose ostriches seemed

Feeble as a chick emerging from an egg

at its farthest edges like untended camels;

Cleaving the smoothness of the slopes from their fetus,

تَرى لامِعاتِ الآلِ فيها كَأَنَّها

تَرى لامِعاتِ الآلِ فيها كَأَنَّها

رِجالٌ تَعَرّى تارَةً وَتَسَربَلُ

رِجالٌ تَعَرّى تارَةً وَتَسَربَلُ

you see the mirage's flickerings there, as though they were

A brother of barren stupidity and most vile

men who now strip naked, now don robes;

The journey did not stop until her dwellings stooped

وَجَوزِ فَلاةٍ ما يُغَمَّضُ رَكبُها

وَجَوزِ فَلاةٍ ما يُغَمَّضُ رَكبُها

وَلا عَينُ هاديها مِنَ الخَوفِ تَغفُلُ

وَلا عَينُ هاديها مِنَ الخَوفِ تَغفُلُ

and the heart of a wilderness whose riders never close their eyes,

However packed and unpacked they were

nor does their guide's eye lapse, from fear;

And entrusting them to every departing dwelling

بِكُلِّ بَعيدِ الغَولِ لا يُهتَدى لَهُ

بِكُلِّ بَعيدِ الغَولِ لا يُهتَدى لَهُ

بِعِرفانِ أَعلامٍ وَما فيهِ مَنهَلُ

بِعِرفانِ أَعلامٍ وَما فيهِ مَنهَلُ

through every far-reaching waste, where no way is found

Whose flight saw that her ruins swayed

by recognizing landmarks, and no watering-place exists;

Until they were obscured, as if their eyes

مَلاعِبُ جِنّانٍ كَأَنَّ تُرابَها

مَلاعِبُ جِنّانٍ كَأَنَّ تُرابَها

إِذا اِطَّرَدَت فيهِ الرِياحُ مُغَربَلُ

إِذا اِطَّرَدَت فيهِ الرِياحُ مُغَربَلُ

haunts of jinn, whose dust seems,

Were remnants of a leather waterbag or a patched waterskin

when winds sweep through it, to have been sifted.

And the gazelles’ eyes met, so they are stripped

أَجَزتُ إِذا الحِرباءُ أَوفى كَأَنَّهُ

أَجَزتُ إِذا الحِرباءُ أَوفى كَأَنَّهُ

مُصَلٍّ يَمانٍ أَو أَسيرٌ مُكَبَّلُ

مُصَلٍّ يَمانٍ أَو أَسيرٌ مُكَبَّلُ

I crossed them when the chameleon climbed high, as though it were

By misery and exhaustion, and made to dwindle

a Yemeni at prayer, or a shackled captive.

Their remnants went to every barren land

إِلى اِبنِ أَسيدٍ خالِدٍ أَرقَلَت بِنا

إِلى اِبنِ أَسيدٍ خالِدٍ أَرقَلَت بِنا

مَسانيفُ تَعرَوري فَلاةً تَغَوَّلُ

مَسانيفُ تَعرَوري فَلاةً تَغَوَّلُ

Toward Khalid son of Asid, there sped with us

That, after resettling, has open space and knee room

forward-straining camels, crossing a treacherous wilderness.

They fell upon it as birds do, and it contains

تَرى الثَعلَبَ الحَولِيَّ فيها كَأَنَّهُ

تَرى الثَعلَبَ الحَولِيَّ فيها كَأَنَّهُ

إِذا ما عَلا نَشزاً حِصانٌ مُجَلَّلُ

إِذا ما عَلا نَشزاً حِصانٌ مُجَلَّلُ

You see a yearling fox there, as though,

Nothing but a barn returned to by one limping

when it climbs a rise, it were a blanketed stallion.

Unless there were camels moaning in their resting places

تَرى العِرمِسَ الوَجناءَ يَضرِبُ حاذَها

تَرى العِرمِسَ الوَجناءَ يَضرِبُ حاذَها

ضَئيلٌ كَفَرّوجِ الدَجاجَةِ مُعجَلُ

ضَئيلٌ كَفَرّوجِ الدَجاجَةِ مُعجَلُ

You see the sturdy, broad-cheeked she-camel, her haunch struck by

And pregnant ones like folded up crates, shriveled

a frail, premature calf, like a hen's chick;

Bearing heavy needs that drive them back

يَشُقُّ سَماحيقَ السَلا عَن جَنينِها

يَشُقُّ سَماحيقَ السَلا عَن جَنينِها

أَخو قَفرَةٍ بادي السَغابَةِ أَطحَلُ

أَخو قَفرَةٍ بادي السَغابَةِ أَطحَلُ

the thin birth-membranes are torn from her foetus by

To the best dwelling, urged by one emaciated

a grey-brown brother of the waste, his hunger plain to see.

Until I arrived, arriving at Khalid’s side—

فَما زالَ عَنها السَيرُ حَتّى تَواضَعَت

فَما زالَ عَنها السَيرُ حَتّى تَواضَعَت

عَرائِكُها مِمّا تُحَلُّ وَتُرحَلُ

عَرائِكُها مِمّا تُحَلُّ وَتُرحَلُ

The journey never relented upon her until there sank

So the best hoped for youth and the most expected!

her fleshy masses, from being unsaddled and saddled,

O Khalid, your spacious refuge for those who have descended

وَتَكليفُناها كُلَّ نازِحَةِ الصُوى

وَتَكليفُناها كُلَّ نازِحَةِ الصُوى

شَطونٍ تَرى حَرباءَها يَتَمَلمَلُ

شَطونٍ تَرى حَرباءَها يَتَمَلمَلُ

and from our driving her through every land of far-spaced cairns,

And your rain has sufficed the vagabonds unleashed

remote, where you see its chameleon writhing.

He is the auspicious leader and the one sought

وَقَد ضَمَرَت حَتّى كَأَنَّ عُيونَها

وَقَد ضَمَرَت حَتّى كَأَنَّ عُيونَها

بَقايا قِلاتٍ أَو رَكِيٌّ مُمَكَّلُ

بَقايا قِلاتٍ أَو رَكِيٌّ مُمَكَّلُ

She had grown lean, until her eyes seemed

To steady a millstone that was shaking

the remnants of rock-pools, or a nearly drained well.

Your strong, seasoned wood refused anything but firmness

وَغارَت عُيونُ العيسِ وَاِلتَقَتِ العُرى

وَغارَت عُيونُ العيسِ وَاِلتَقَتِ العُرى

فَهُنَّ مِنَ الضَرّاءِ وَالجَهدِ نُحَّلُ

فَهُنَّ مِنَ الضَرّاءِ وَالجَهدِ نُحَّلُ

The pale camels' eyes sank, and their harness-loops drew together;

And sufficed you only as one who attains his request

from hardship and exhaustion they were gaunt.

O you who strives to reach Khalid—be gentle with him

وَصارَت بَقاياها إِلى كُلِّ حُرَّةٍ

وَصارَت بَقاياها إِلى كُلِّ حُرَّةٍ

لَها بَعدَ إِسآدٍ مِراحٌ وَأَفكَلُ

لَها بَعدَ إِسآدٍ مِراحٌ وَأَفكَلُ

The survivors were all noble she-camels,

And limit some of what you are doing!

still spirited and trembling after a night's march.

For if the distance were great for you, would Khalid

وَقَعنَ وُقوعَ الطَيرِ فيها وَما بِها

وَقَعنَ وُقوعَ الطَيرِ فيها وَما بِها

سِوى جِرَّةٍ يَرجِعنَها مُتَعَلَّلُ

سِوى جِرَّةٍ يَرجِعنَها مُتَعَلَّلُ

They alighted there as birds alight, with nothing in them

Be your equal or bear what is carried?

to sustain them but cud that they chewed again,

It refuses you to overpower or attain him

وَإِلّا مَبالٌ آجِنٌ في مُناخِها

وَإِلّا مَبالٌ آجِنٌ في مُناخِها

وَمُضطَمِراتٌ كَالفَلافِلِ ذُبَّلُ

وَمُضطَمِراتٌ كَالفَلافِلِ ذُبَّلُ

and only stale urine at their kneeling-place,

A narrative whose truth the people doubt and interpret

and shrivelled pellets, withered like peppercorns.

Umayya, al-'Asi—though Khalid calls them,

حَوامِلُ حاجاتٍ ثِقالٍ تَرُدُّها

حَوامِلُ حاجاتٍ ثِقالٍ تَرُدُّها

إِلى حَسَنِ النُعمى سَواهِمُ نُسَّلُ

إِلى حَسَنِ النُعمى سَواهِمُ نُسَّلُ

Bearers of weighty needs, which are brought

Hisham answers them with action and resolve

to gracious bounty by gaunt, fleet-footed camels,

They are the eye of water; with them and in their presence

إِلى خالِدٍ حَتّى أَنَخنَ بِخالِدٍ

إِلى خالِدٍ حَتّى أَنَخنَ بِخالِدٍ

فَنِعمَ الفَتى يُرجى وَنِعمَ المُؤَمَّلُ

فَنِعمَ الفَتى يُرجى وَنِعمَ المُؤَمَّلُ

to Khalid, until they kneeled beside Khalid:

Is deliverance and transformation from fear

how excellent the young man hoped in, how excellent the one sought!

Allah watered a land—Khalid, best of its people,

أَخالِدُ مَأواكُم لِمَن حَلَّ واسِعٌ

أَخالِدُ مَأواكُم لِمَن حَلَّ واسِعٌ

وَكَفّاكَ غَيثٌ لِلصَعاليكِ مُرسَلُ

وَكَفّاكَ غَيثٌ لِلصَعاليكِ مُرسَلُ

O Khalid, your shelter is spacious for whoever alights,

With a downpour whose isolation caused it to erode

and your two hands are rain sent forth to the destitute.

When the north wind stabbed its valleys,

هُوَ القائِدُ المَيمونُ وَالمُبتَغى بِهِ

هُوَ القائِدُ المَيمونُ وَالمُبتَغى بِهِ

ثَباتُ رَحىً كانَت قَديماً تَزَلزَلُ

ثَباتُ رَحىً كانَت قَديماً تَزَلزَلُ

He is the auspicious commander, through whom is sought

The irrigation of the lowlands was most sweet

the steadiness of a millstone that in former days would quake.

When the wind shook it, it dragged its train

أَبى عودُكَ المَعجومُ إِلّا صَلابَةً

أَبى عودُكَ المَعجومُ إِلّا صَلابَةً

وَكَفّاكَ إِلّا نائِلاً حينَ تُسأَلُ

وَكَفّاكَ إِلّا نائِلاً حينَ تُسأَلُ

Your wood, tested by biting, admits nothing but hardness,

As a heavy crocodile creeps

and your two hands only bounty when you are asked.

Salty, as if the lightning in its rooms

أَلا أَيُّها الساعي لِيُدرِكَ خالِداً

أَلا أَيُّها الساعي لِيُدرِكَ خالِداً

تَناهَ وَأَقصِر بَعضَ ما أَنتَ تَفعَلُ

تَناهَ وَأَقصِر بَعضَ ما أَنتَ تَفعَلُ

O you who strive to catch up with Khalid,

Were lamps or bundles of blazing kindling

desist, and curtail some of what you are doing!

So when he headed towards Yamaama, intending it,

فَهَل أَنتَ إِن مَدَّ المَدى لَكَ خالِدٌ

فَهَل أَنتَ إِن مَدَّ المَدى لَكَ خالِدٌ

مُوازِنُهُ أَو حامِلٌ ما يُحَمَّلُ

مُوازِنُهُ أَو حامِلٌ ما يُحَمَّلُ

Can you, if Khalid extends the course before you,

The south wind called him, so he turned, writhing

equal him, or bear what he is made to bear?

He watered La’la’ and the two Qurnas, but could barely stand

أَبى لَكَ أَن تَسطيعَهُ أَو تَنالَهُ

أَبى لَكَ أَن تَسطيعَهُ أَو تَنالَهُ

حَديثٌ شَآكَ القَومُ فيهِ وَأَوَّلُ

حَديثٌ شَآكَ القَومُ فيهِ وَأَوَّلُ

You are barred from outmatching him or reaching him by

The weight of him on La’la’

a recent record in which his people outstripped you, and an ancient one:

And he left Ukum al-Hazn floating as if

أُمَيَّةُ وَالعاصي وَإِن يَدعُ خالِدٌ

أُمَيَّةُ وَالعاصي وَإِن يَدعُ خالِدٌ

يُجِبهُ هِشامٌ لِلفَعالِ وَنَوفَلُ

يُجِبهُ هِشامٌ لِلفَعالِ وَنَوفَلُ

Umayya and al-Asi; and if Khalid calls,

With what it drew from him, kneading bowls bubbled

Hisham and Nawfal answer him for noble deeds.

And there rose for ad-Dahna’ a salty ground as if

أولَئِكَ عَينُ الماءِ فيهِم وَعِندَهُم

أولَئِكَ عَينُ الماءِ فيهِم وَعِندَهُم

مِنَ الخيفَةِ المَنجاةُ وَالمُتَحَوَّلُ

مِنَ الخيفَةِ المَنجاةُ وَالمُتَحَوَّلُ

They are the spring of water; among them and with them

It were laden with fragrant gum, heavy

are escape from fear and a place to turn.

And he arrived at Ma’rasaniyaat, so gazelles frolicked

سَقى اللَهُ أَرضاً خالِدٌ خَيرُ أَهلِها

سَقى اللَهُ أَرضاً خالِدٌ خَيرُ أَهلِها

بِمُستَفرِغٍ باتَت عَزاليهِ تَسحَلُ

بِمُستَفرِغٍ باتَت عَزاليهِ تَسحَلُ

May God water a land whose best inhabitant is Khalid,

In its meadow, made fat by him

with a cloud pouring itself out, whose spouts stream all night.

Indeed, al-Jihaaf has committed against people a crime

إِذا طَعَنَت ريحُ الصَبا في فُروجِهِ

إِذا طَعَنَت ريحُ الصَبا في فُروجِهِ

تَحَلَّبَ رَيّانُ الأَسافِلِ أَنجَلُ

تَحَلَّبَ رَيّانُ الأَسافِلِ أَنجَلُ

When the east wind pierces its gaps,

For which the complaint and hopes are to Allah

it milks out its rain, water-laden below and broad.

Ask the family of Marwan—what of a pact

إِذا زَعزَعَتهُ الريحُ جَرَّ ذُيولَهُ

إِذا زَعزَعَتهُ الريحُ جَرَّ ذُيولَهُ

كَما زَحَفَت عوذٌ ثِقالٌ تُطَفِّلُ

كَما زَحَفَت عوذٌ ثِقالٌ تُطَفِّلُ

When the wind shakes it, it drags its skirts,

And weak rope that does not cease to be connected?

like heavy, newly calved camels creeping along with their calves.

With the caprice of a bandit after Mus'ab has passed,

مُلِحٌّ كَأَنَّ البَرقَ في حَجَراتِهِ

مُلِحٌّ كَأَنَّ البَرقَ في حَجَراتِهِ

مَصابيحُ أَو أَقرابُ بُلقٍ تَجَفَّلُ

مَصابيحُ أَو أَقرابُ بُلقٍ تَجَفَّلُ

Unrelenting, as though the lightning in its chambers were

Disheveled, never ransomed or washed

lamps, or the flanks of piebald horses bolting.

Al-Jihaaf brought him to you, then ordered him

فَلَمّا اِنتَحى نَحوَ اليَمامَةِ قاصِداً

فَلَمّا اِنتَحى نَحوَ اليَمامَةِ قاصِداً

دَعَتهُ الجَنوبُ فَاِنثَنى يَتَخَزَّلُ

دَعَتهُ الجَنوبُ فَاِنثَنى يَتَخَزَّلُ

When it headed straight toward al-Yamama,

To kill your neighbors midst the houses

the south wind called it, and it turned, swaying heavily.

Your neighbors had what, had you invited them to it,

سَقى لَعلَعاً وَالقُرنَتَينِ فَلَم يَكَد

سَقى لَعلَعاً وَالقُرنَتَينِ فَلَم يَكَد

بِأَثقالِهِ عَن لَعلَعٍ يَتَحَمَّلُ

بِأَثقالِهِ عَن لَعلَعٍ يَتَحَمَّلُ

It watered Laʿlaʿ and al-Qurnatayn, and could scarcely

Would have brought you the most rational of mankind

haul its heavy burdens away from Laʿlaʿ.

So change it, O Quraysh, or your rule

وَغادَرَ أُكمَ الحَزنِ تَطفو كَأَنَّها

وَغادَرَ أُكمَ الحَزنِ تَطفو كَأَنَّها

بِما اِحتَفَلَت مِنهُ رَواجِنُ قُفَّلُ

بِما اِحتَفَلَت مِنهُ رَواجِنُ قُفَّلُ

It left the hillocks of al-Hazn afloat, as though they were,

Will become disgusting and rejected by Quraysh!

with what they had gathered from it, homebound ships at anchor.

And we will shame some naked people who dislike it,

وَشَرَّقَ لِلدَهنا مُلِثٌّ كَأَنَّهُ

وَشَرَّقَ لِلدَهنا مُلِثٌّ كَأَنَّهُ

مُحَمَّلُ بَزٍّ ذو جَلاجِلَ مُثقَلُ

مُحَمَّلُ بَزٍّ ذو جَلاجِلَ مُثقَلُ

It headed east for al-Dahna, lingering, as though it were

And live nobly or die and be killed

a cloth-laden pack-beast, hung with bells and heavily burdened.

And if you tolerate them, there is no tolerance,

وَبِالمَعرَسانِيّات حَلَّ وَأَرزَمَت

وَبِالمَعرَسانِيّات حَلَّ وَأَرزَمَت

بِرَوضِ القَطا مِنهُ مَطافِلُ حُفَّلُ

بِرَوضِ القَطا مِنهُ مَطافِلُ حُفَّلُ

It settled at al-Maʿrasaniyyat, and there lowed

However heavy, except the people's blood is heavier

at Rawd al-Qata its mothers with young, full-uddered.

And if you turn away from us in this matter of right, we will not

لَقَد أَوقَعَ الجَحّافُ بِالبِشرِ وَقعَةٌ

لَقَد أَوقَعَ الجَحّافُ بِالبِشرِ وَقعَةٌ

إِلى اللَهِ مِنها المُشتَكى وَالمُعَوَّلُ

إِلى اللَهِ مِنها المُشتَكى وَالمُعَوَّلُ

Al-Jahhaf indeed inflicted at al-Bishr a blow

Be blind to truth! Rather, we ask about the right!

for which complaint and recourse are to God.

We can descend on the fearful and dreadful gap

فَسائِل بَني مَروانَ ما بالُ ذِمَّةٍ

فَسائِل بَني مَروانَ ما بالُ ذِمَّةٍ

وَحَبلٍ ضَعيفٍ لا يَزالُ يُوَصَّلُ

وَحَبلٍ ضَعيفٍ لا يَزالُ يُوَصَّلُ

Ask the sons of Marwan: what has become of a covenant

With might—and the day at hand is most serious

and a weak cord continually spliced together,

بِنَزوَةِ لِصٍّ بَعدَ ما مَرَ مُصعَبٌ

بِنَزوَةِ لِصٍّ بَعدَ ما مَرَ مُصعَبٌ

بِأَشعَثَ لا يُفلى وَلا هُوَ يُغسَلُ

بِأَشعَثَ لا يُفلى وَلا هُوَ يُغسَلُ

through a thief's pounce, after Musʿab had passed

with a shaggy head, neither deloused nor washed?

أَتاكَ بِهِ الجَحّافُ ثُمَّ أَمَرتَهُ

أَتاكَ بِهِ الجَحّافُ ثُمَّ أَمَرتَهُ

بِجيرانِكُم وَسطَ البُيوتِ تُقَتَّلُ

بِجيرانِكُم وَسطَ البُيوتِ تُقَتَّلُ

Al-Jahhaf brought it to you; then you commanded him

concerning your neighbours, slaughtered amid their homes.

لَقَد كانَ لِلجيرانِ ما لَو دَعَوتُمُ

لَقَد كانَ لِلجيرانِ ما لَو دَعَوتُمُ

بِهِ عاقِلَ الأَروى أَتَتكُم تَنَزَّلُ

بِهِ عاقِلَ الأَروى أَتَتكُم تَنَزَّلُ

The neighbours had a claim such that, had you called

with it the ibex sheltered in the heights, they would have come down to you.

فَإِلّا تُغَيِّرها قُرَيشٌ بِمُلكِها

فَإِلّا تُغَيِّرها قُرَيشٌ بِمُلكِها

يَكُن عَن قُرَيشٍ مُستَمازٌ وَمَزحَلُ

يَكُن عَن قُرَيشٍ مُستَمازٌ وَمَزحَلُ

Unless Quraysh, with its sovereignty, sets this right,

there will be a retreat and a way to move away from Quraysh.

وَنَعرُر أُناساً عَرَّةً يَكرَهونَها

وَنَعرُر أُناساً عَرَّةً يَكرَهونَها

وَنَحيا كِراماً أَو نَموتَ فَنُقتَلُ

وَنَحيا كِراماً أَو نَموتَ فَنُقتَلُ

We shall inflict on some people a scourge they hate,

and live honourably, or die by being slain.

وَإِن تَحمِلوا عَنهُم فَما مِن حَمالَةٍ

وَإِن تَحمِلوا عَنهُم فَما مِن حَمالَةٍ

وَإِن ثَقُلَت إِلّا دَمُ القَومِ أَثقَلُ

وَإِن ثَقُلَت إِلّا دَمُ القَومِ أَثقَلُ

If you undertake compensation on their behalf, no indemnity—

however heavy—is heavier than the people's blood.

وَإِن تَعرِضوا فيها لَنا الحَقَّ لا نَكُن

وَإِن تَعرِضوا فيها لَنا الحَقَّ لا نَكُن

عَنِ الحَقِّ عُمياناً بَلِ الحَقَّ نَسأَلُ

عَنِ الحَقِّ عُمياناً بَلِ الحَقَّ نَسأَلُ

If, in this matter, you offer us justice, we shall not be

blind to justice; rather, justice is what we ask.

وَقَد نَنزِلُ الثَغرَ المَخوفَ وَيُتَّقى

وَقَد نَنزِلُ الثَغرَ المَخوفَ وَيُتَّقى

بِنا البَأسُ وَاليَومُ الأَغَرُّ المُحَجَّلُ

بِنا البَأسُ وَاليَومُ الأَغَرُّ المُحَجَّلُ

We do indeed occupy the dreaded frontier; protection is sought

through us against war's fury and the white-blazed, white-stockinged day.