خَفَّdeparted القَطينُthe camp-dwellers فَراحواso they left at evening مِنكَfrom you أَوor بَكَرواthey left at dawn
خَفَّ القَطينُ فَراحوا مِنكَ أَو بَكَروا
وَأَزعَجَتهُمand drove them away نَوىًseparation فيin صَرفِهاits turnings غِيَرُchanges
وَأَزعَجَتهُم نَوىً في صَرفِها غِيَرُ
The camp-dwellers departed, leaving you at evening or at dawn,
And separation drove them away, its course full of change.
كَأَنَّنيas though I شارِبٌa drinker يَومَon the day اِستُبِدَّsole possession was taken بِهِمof them
كَأَنَّني شارِبٌ يَومَ اِستُبِدَّ بِهِم
مِنof قَرقَفٍstrong wine ضُمِّنَتهاit was stored in حِمصُHims أَوor جَدَرُJadar
مِن قَرقَفٍ ضُمِّنَتها حِمصُ أَو جَدَرُ
As though I were a drinker on the day they were taken away,
Of wine that Hims or Jadar had held.
جادَتpoured generously بِهاwith it مِنamong ذَواتِthose with القارِpitch مُترَعَةٌa brimming vessel
جادَت بِها مِن ذَواتِ القارِ مُترَعَةٌ
كَلفاءُdark-stained يَنحَتُّflakes off عَنfrom خُرطومِهاits spout المَدَرُthe clay
كَلفاءُ يَنحَتُّ عَن خُرطومِها المَدَرُ
A brimming jar, one of the pitch-lined vessels, poured it forth,
Dark-stained, with clay flaking from its spout.
لَذٌّpleasure-loving أَصابَتstruck حُمَيّاهاits heady force مُقاتِلَهُhis vital parts
لَذٌّ أَصابَت حُمَيّاها مُقاتِلَهُ
فَلَمso it did not تَكَدalmost تَنجَليclear عَنfrom قَلبِهِhis heart الخُمَرُthe drunken haze
فَلَم تَكَد تَنجَلي عَن قَلبِهِ الخُمَرُ
A pleasure-loving drinker, whose vital parts its heady force struck,
So the drunken haze scarcely cleared from his heart.
كَأَنَّنيas though I ذاكَthat man أَوor ذوone with لَوعَةٍanguish خَبَلَتderanged
كَأَنَّني ذاكَ أَو ذو لَوعَةٍ خَبَلَت
أَوصالَهُhis limbs أَوor أَصابَتstruck قَلبَهُhis heart النُشَرُspells
أَوصالَهُ أَو أَصابَت قَلبَهُ النُشَرُ
As though I were that man, or one whose anguish had deranged
His limbs, or whose heart had been struck by spells.
شَوقاًin longing إِلَيهِمfor them وَوَجداًand passion يَومَon the day أُتبِعُهُمI sent after them
شَوقاً إِلَيهِم وَوَجداً يَومَ أُتبِعُهُم
طَرفيmy gaze وَمِنهُمand of them بِجَنبَيon either side of كَوكَبٍKawkab زُمَرُbands
طَرفي وَمِنهُم بِجَنبَي كَوكَبٍ زُمَرُ
In longing for them and passion, the day I sent after them
My gaze, while bands of them flanked Kawkab.
حَثّواthey urged on المَطِيَّthe mounts فَوَلَّتناso turned toward us مَناكِبُهاtheir shoulders
حَثّوا المَطِيَّ فَوَلَّتنا مَناكِبُها
وَفيand in الخُدورِthe curtained litters إِذاwhen باغَمتَهاyou cooed to them الصُوَرُneck-turning gazelles
وَفي الخُدورِ إِذا باغَمتَها الصُوَرُ
They urged the mounts, which showed us their shoulders,
And in the curtained litters were neck-turning gazelles when you cooed to them.
يُبرِقنَthey flash لِلقَومِbefore the men حَتّىuntil يَختَبِلنَهُمُthey derange them
يُبرِقنَ لِلقَومِ حَتّى يَختَبِلنَهُمُ
وَرَأيُهُنَّand their judgment ضَعيفٌweak حينَwhen يُختَبَرُit is tested
وَرَأيُهُنَّ ضَعيفٌ حينَ يُختَبَرُ
They flash before the men until they rob them of their senses,
But their judgment is weak when put to the test.
ياah قاتَلَmay confound اللَهُGod وَصلَthe love of الغانِياتِbeautiful women إِذاwhen
يا قاتَلَ اللَهُ وَصلَ الغانِياتِ إِذا
أَيقَنَّthey knew for certain أَنَّكَthat you مِمَّنare among those whom قَدalready زَهاovertook الكِبَرُold age
أَيقَنَّ أَنَّكَ مِمَّن قَد زَها الكِبَرُ
Ah, may God confound lovely women's love, when
They know that you are one whom old age has overtaken.
أَعرَضنَthey turned away لَمّاwhen حَنىbent قَوسيmy bow مُوَتِّرُهاits stringer
أَعرَضنَ لَمّا حَنى قَوسي مُوَتِّرُها
وَاِبيَضَّand grew white بَعدَafter سَوادِthe blackness of اللِمَّةِthe shoulder-length locks الشَعَرُthe hair
وَاِبيَضَّ بَعدَ سَوادِ اللِمَّةِ الشَعَرُ
They turned away when its stringer bent my bow,
And the hair grew white after my locks had been black.
ماnot يَرعَوينَthey heed إِلىto داعٍa caller لِحاجَتِهِfor his need
ما يَرعَوينَ إِلى داعٍ لِحاجَتِهِ
وَلاand not لَهُنَّfor them إِلىtoward ذيa man with شَيبَةٍgray hair وَطَرُdesire
وَلا لَهُنَّ إِلى ذي شَيبَةٍ وَطَرُ
They heed no caller seeking his desire,
Nor have they any desire for a gray-haired man.
شَرَّقنَthey went east إِذwhen عَصَرَwrung dry العيدانَthe branches بارِحُهاtheir hot wind
شَرَّقنَ إِذ عَصَرَ العيدانَ بارِحُها
وَأَيبَسَتand dried up غَيرَexcept مَجرىthe course of السِنَّةِal-Sinna الخُضَرُthe greenery
وَأَيبَسَت غَيرَ مَجرى السِنَّةِ الخُضَرُ
They went east when the hot wind wrung the branches dry,
And the greenery dried up, save along al-Sinna's course.
فَالعَينُso the eye عانِيَةٌafflicted بِالماءِwith water تَسفَحُهُpours it out
فَالعَينُ عانِيَةٌ بِالماءِ تَسفَحُهُ
مِنbecause of نِيَّةٍa distant journey فيin تَلاقيmeeting أَهلِهاits people ضَرَرُhardship
مِن نِيَّةٍ في تَلاقي أَهلِها ضَرَرُ
So the eye is captive to the water it pours out,
Over a distant journey, with hardship in meeting its people.
مُنقَضِبينَcut off اِنقِضابَlike the severing of الحَبلِa rope يَتبَعُهُمfollows them
مُنقَضِبينَ اِنقِضابَ الحَبلِ يَتبَعُهُم
بَينَbetween الشَقيقِal-Shaqiq وَعَينِand Ayn المَقسِمِal-Maqsim البَصَرُthe gaze
بَينَ الشَقيقِ وَعَينِ المَقسِمِ البَصَرُ
Cut off like a severed rope; after them follows
Between al-Shaqiq and Ayn al-Maqsim, my gaze.
حَتّىuntil هَبَطنَthey descended مِنَfrom الواديthe valley لِغَضبَتِهِtoward its rocky tract
حَتّى هَبَطنَ مِنَ الوادي لِغَضبَتِهِ
أَرضاًa land تَحُلُّdwells بِهاin it شَيبانُShayban أَوor غُبَرُGhubar
أَرضاً تَحُلُّ بِها شَيبانُ أَو غُبَرُ
Until they descended from the valley toward its rocky tract,
A land where Shayban or Ghubar dwell.
حَتّىuntil إِذاwhen هُنَّthey وَرَّكنَput behind them القَصيمَal-Qasim وَقَدand already
حَتّى إِذا هُنَّ وَرَّكنَ القَصيمَ وَقَد
أَشرَفنَthey reached the heights أَوor قُلنَthey said هَذاthis الخَندَقُthe trench الحَفَرُal-Hafar
أَشرَفنَ أَو قُلنَ هَذا الخَندَقُ الحَفَرُ
Until, when they had left al-Qasim behind, and had
Reached the heights, or said, 'This is the trench, al-Hafar,'
وَقَعنَthey halted أُصلاًin the late afternoon وَعُجناand we turned aside مِنfrom نَجائِبِناour choice camels
وَقَعنَ أُصلاً وَعُجنا مِن نَجائِبِنا
وَقَدand already تُحُيِّنَhad been timed مِنby ذيone with حاجَةٍa need سَفَرُa journey
وَقَد تُحُيِّنَ مِن ذي حاجَةٍ سَفَرُ
They halted late in the day, and we turned aside from our choice camels,
A journey by a man in need having been timed,
إِلىto اِمرِئٍa man لاnot تُعَرّيناleave us bereft نَوافِلُهُhis additional gifts
إِلى اِمرِئٍ لا تُعَرّينا نَوافِلُهُ
أَظفَرَهُgave him victory اللَهُGod فَليَهنِئso may be sweet لَهُto him الظَفَرُvictory
أَظفَرَهُ اللَهُ فَليَهنِئ لَهُ الظَفَرُ
Toward a man whose gifts never leave us bereft;
God gave him victory—may that victory be sweet to him.
الخائِضِthe one plunging into الغَمرَdeep waters وَالمَيمونِand auspicious طائِرُهُhis omen
الخائِضِ الغَمرَ وَالمَيمونِ طائِرُهُ
خَليفَةِthe caliph of اللَهِGod يُستَسقىis prayed for بِهِthrough him المَطَرُrain
خَليفَةِ اللَهِ يُستَسقى بِهِ المَطَرُ
Who plunges into deep waters, whose omen is blessed,
God's caliph, through whom rain is sought.
وَالهَمُّand concern بَعدَafter نَجِيِّthe secret counsel of النَفسِthe soul يَبعَثُهُrouses him
وَالهَمُّ بَعدَ نَجِيِّ النَفسِ يَبعَثُهُ
بِالحَزمِto firm resolve وَالأَصمَعانِand the two keen ones القَلبُthe heart وَالحَذَرُand caution
بِالحَزمِ وَالأَصمَعانِ القَلبُ وَالحَذَرُ
Concern, after the soul's secret counsel, rouses him
To firm resolve, with the two keen powers: heart and caution.
وَالمُستَمِرُّand proceeding steadily بِهِthrough him أَمرُthe affairs of الجَميعِall فَماso no
وَالمُستَمِرُّ بِهِ أَمرُ الجَميعِ فَما
يَغتَرُّهُtakes him unawares بَعدَafter تَوكيدٍsecuring لَهُfor it غَرَرُdeception
يَغتَرُّهُ بَعدَ تَوكيدٍ لَهُ غَرَرُ
Through him all affairs proceed steadily, so no
Deception catches him unawares once he has secured them.
وَماnor الفُراتُthe Euphrates إِذاwhen جاشَتsurged حَوالِبُهُits tributaries
وَما الفُراتُ إِذا جاشَت حَوالِبُهُ
فيon حافَتَيهِits two banks وَفيand in أَوساطِهِits midst العُشَرُmilkweed
في حافَتَيهِ وَفي أَوساطِهِ العُشَرُ
Nor is the Euphrates, when its tributaries surge,
With milkweed on both banks and in its midst,
وَذَعذَعَتهُand buffeted it رِياحُthe winds of الصَيفِsummer وَاِضطَرَبَتand churned
وَذَعذَعَتهُ رِياحُ الصَيفِ وَاِضطَرَبَت
فَوقَover الجَآجِئِthe boats' prows مِنfrom آذِيِّهِits billows غُدُرُpools
فَوقَ الجَآجِئِ مِن آذِيِّهِ غُدُرُ
And summer winds buffet it, and churn
Pools of its billowing water over the boats' prows,
مُسحَنفِراًrushing furiously مِنfrom جِبالِthe mountains of الرومِRum تَستُرُهُscreen it
مُسحَنفِراً مِن جِبالِ الرومِ تَستُرُهُ
مِنهاfrom them أَكافيفُjutting ridges فيهاin them دونَهُbefore it زُوَرُcrooked slopes
مِنها أَكافيفُ فيها دونَهُ زُوَرُ
Rushing from the mountains of Rum, screened
By their jutting ridges, with crooked slopes before it,
يَوماًever بِأَجوَدَmore generous مِنهُthan him حينَwhen تَسأَلُهُyou ask him
يَوماً بِأَجوَدَ مِنهُ حينَ تَسأَلُهُ
وَلاnor بِأَجهَرَmore splendid مِنهُthan him حينَwhen يُجتَهَرُhe is beheld
وَلا بِأَجهَرَ مِنهُ حينَ يُجتَهَرُ
Ever more generous than he is when you ask him,
Nor more splendid than he is when beheld.
وَلَمand did not يَزَلcease بِكَwith you واشيهِمtheir slanderer وَمَكرُهُمُand their scheming
وَلَم يَزَل بِكَ واشيهِم وَمَكرُهُمُ
حَتّىuntil أَشاطواthey wasted بِغَيبٍin secret لَحمَthe flesh of مَنthose whom يَسَرواthey gambled over
حَتّى أَشاطوا بِغَيبٍ لَحمَ مَن يَسَروا
Their slanderer and their scheming kept at you
Until, in secret, they wasted the flesh of those they gambled over.
فَمَنso whoever يَكُنis طاوِياًwithholding عَنّاfrom us نَصيحَتَهُhis loyal advice
فَمَن يَكُن طاوِياً عَنّا نَصيحَتَهُ
وَفيand in يَدَيهِhis hands بِدُنياover the worldly wealth of غَيرِناothers besides us حَصَرُtightfistedness
وَفي يَدَيهِ بِدُنيا غَيرِنا حَصَرُ
Whoever withholds his loyal counsel from us,
And keeps his hands clenched over others' worldly wealth,
فَهوَthen he فِداءُa ransom for أَميرِthe commander of المُؤمِنينَthe faithful إِذاwhen
فَهوَ فِداءُ أَميرِ المُؤمِنينَ إِذا
أَبدىbared النَواجِذَthe back teeth يَومٌa day باسِلٌfierce ذَكَرُvirile
أَبدى النَواجِذَ يَومٌ باسِلٌ ذَكَرُ
Let him be ransom for the Commander of the Faithful when
A fierce, virile day bares its back teeth.
مُفتَرِشٌspreading out كَاِفتِراشِas spreads اللَيثِthe lion كَلكَلَهُhis chest
مُفتَرِشٌ كَاِفتِراشِ اللَيثِ كَلكَلَهُ
لِوَقعَةٍfor a battle كائِنٍthere will be فيهاin it لَهُfor him جَزَرُslaughtered prey
لِوَقعَةٍ كائِنٍ فيها لَهُ جَزَرُ
He spreads his breast low as a lion spreads its chest,
For a battle where slaughtered prey will be his.
مُقَدِّمٌleading forward ماءَتَيtwo hundred أَلفٍthousand لِمَنزِلَةٍto a position
مُقَدِّمٌ ماءَتَي أَلفٍ لِمَنزِلَةٍ
ماnot إِنindeed رَأىhas seen مِثلَهُمtheir like جِنٌّjinn وَلاnor بَشَرُhumans
ما إِن رَأى مِثلَهُم جِنٌّ وَلا بَشَرُ
Leading two hundred thousand toward a position,
Whose like neither jinn nor humans have seen.
يَغشىhe advances upon القَناطِرَthe bridges يَبنيهاhe builds them وَيَهدِمُهاand demolishes them
يَغشى القَناطِرَ يَبنيها وَيَهدِمُها
مُسَوِّمٌmarked for battle فَوقَهُabove him الراياتُthe banners وَالقَتَرُand dust
مُسَوِّمٌ فَوقَهُ الراياتُ وَالقَتَرُ
He advances on bridges, building and demolishing them,
Marked for battle, banners and dust above him,
حَتّىuntil تَكونَthere is لَهُمfor them بِالطَفِّat al-Taff مَلحَمَةٌa great battle
حَتّى تَكونَ لَهُم بِالطَفِّ مَلحَمَةٌ
وَبِالثَوِيَّةِand at al-Thawiyya لَمnot يُنبَضwas twanged بِهاthere وَتَرُa bowstring
وَبِالثَوِيَّةِ لَم يُنبَض بِها وَتَرُ
Until a great battle is theirs at al-Taff,
And at al-Thawiyya, where no bowstring has twanged,
وَتَستَبينَand becomes plain لِأَقوامٍto peoples ضَلالَتُهُمtheir error
وَتَستَبينَ لِأَقوامٍ ضَلالَتُهُم
وَيَستَقيمَand is straightened الَّذيthe one who فيin خَدِّهِhis cheek صَعَرُa haughty tilt
وَيَستَقيمَ الَّذي في خَدِّهِ صَعَرُ
And certain peoples' error becomes plain to them,
And the man with a haughty tilt to his cheek is straightened.
وَالمُستَقِلُّand the one bearing بِأَثقالِthe burdens of العِراقِIraq وَقَدand already
وَالمُستَقِلُّ بِأَثقالِ العِراقِ وَقَد
كانَتthere had been لَهُfor him نِعمَةٌa favor فيهِمamong them وَمُدَّخَرُand a stored reserve
كانَت لَهُ نِعمَةٌ فيهِم وَمُدَّخَرُ
And he shoulders Iraq's heavy burdens, already
Having favors to his credit among them, and a reserve in store.
فيin نَبعَةٍa bow-wood tree مِنof قُرَيشٍQuraysh يَعصِبونَthey bind themselves بِهاto it
في نَبعَةٍ مِن قُرَيشٍ يَعصِبونَ بِها
ماnot إِنindeed يُوازىis matched بِأَعلىwith the highest of نَبتِهاits growth الشَجَرُthe trees
ما إِن يُوازى بِأَعلى نَبتِها الشَجَرُ
In a bow-wood tree of Quraysh to which they bind themselves,
No tree can match the height of its growth.
تَعلوit rises above الهِضابَthe hills وَحَلّواand they settled فيin أَرومَتِهاits root
تَعلو الهِضابَ وَحَلّوا في أَرومَتِها
أَهلُpeople of الرِباءِeminence وَأَهلُand people of الفَخرِglory إِنif فَخَرواthey boast
أَهلُ الرِباءِ وَأَهلُ الفَخرِ إِن فَخَروا
It rises above the hills, and at its root have settled
People of eminence, people of glory when they boast.
حُشدٌmustered together عَلىfor الحَقِّthe truth عَيّافوabhorrers of الخَناobscenity أُنُفٌproud
حُشدٌ عَلى الحَقِّ عَيّافو الخَنا أُنُفٌ
إِذاwhen أَلَمَّتbefell بِهِمthem مَكروهَةٌan adversity صَبَرواthey endured
إِذا أَلَمَّت بِهِم مَكروهَةٌ صَبَروا
Mustered for truth, abhorring obscenity, proud,
When adversity befalls them, they endure.
وَإِنand if تَدَجَّتspread darkness عَلىover الآفاقِthe horizons مُظلِمَةٌa dark calamity
وَإِن تَدَجَّت عَلى الآفاقِ مُظلِمَةٌ
كانَthere was لَهُمfor them مَخرَجٌa way out مِنهاof it وَمُعتَصَرُand a refuge
كانَ لَهُم مَخرَجٌ مِنها وَمُعتَصَرُ
And if a dark calamity shrouds the horizons,
They have a way out of it and a refuge.
أَعطاهُمُgave them اللَهُGod جَدّاًgood fortune يُنصَرونَthey are granted victory بِهِthrough it
أَعطاهُمُ اللَهُ جَدّاً يُنصَرونَ بِهِ
لاno جَدَّgood fortune إِلّاbut صَغيرٌsmall بَعدُthereafter مُحتَقَرُdespised
لا جَدَّ إِلّا صَغيرٌ بَعدُ مُحتَقَرُ
God gave them good fortune through which they prevail;
All other fortune thereafter is small and despised.
لَمnot يَأشَرواthey grew insolent فيهِin it إِذwhen كانواthey were مَوالِيَهُits masters
لَم يَأشَروا فيهِ إِذ كانوا مَوالِيَهُ
وَلَوand if يَكونُit were لِقَومٍfor a people غَيرِهِمother than them أَشِرواthey would grow insolent
وَلَو يَكونُ لِقَومٍ غَيرِهِم أَشِروا
They did not grow insolent in it when they were its masters,
Though, had another people possessed it, they would have grown insolent.
شُمسُuntamable العَداوَةِin enmity حَتّىuntil يُستَقادَredress is exacted لَهُمfor them
شُمسُ العَداوَةِ حَتّى يُستَقادَ لَهُم
وَأَعظَمُand the greatest of الناسِpeople أَحلاماًin forbearance إِذاwhen قَدَرواthey have power
وَأَعظَمُ الناسِ أَحلاماً إِذا قَدَروا
Untamable in enmity until redress is exacted for them,
Yet the most forbearing of people when they have power.
لاnot يَستَقِلُّcan shoulder ذَوُوthose with الأَضغانِgrudges حَربَهُمُwar against them
لا يَستَقِلُّ ذَوُو الأَضغانِ حَربَهُمُ
وَلاand not يُبَيِّنُshows فيin عيدانِهِمtheir stems خَوَرُweakness
وَلا يُبَيِّنُ في عيدانِهِم خَوَرُ
Those bearing grudges cannot shoulder war against them,
Nor does weakness show in their stems.
هُمُthey الَّذينَare those who يُبارونَvie with الرِياحَthe winds إِذاwhen
هُمُ الَّذينَ يُبارونَ الرِياحَ إِذا
قَلَّgrew scarce الطَعامُfood عَلىfor العافينَseekers of bounty أَوor قَتَرواthey became poor
قَلَّ الطَعامُ عَلى العافينَ أَو قَتَروا
They are those who vie with the winds when
Food grows scarce for seekers of bounty, or they become poor.
بَنيsons of أُمَيَّةَUmayya نُعماكُمyour beneficence مُجَلِّلَةٌall-enfolding
بَني أُمَيَّةَ نُعماكُم مُجَلِّلَةٌ
تَمَّتit was perfected فَلاso no مِنَّةٌreproachful reminding of favors فيهاin it وَلاand no كَدَرُtaint
تَمَّت فَلا مِنَّةٌ فيها وَلا كَدَرُ
Sons of Umayya, your beneficence enfolds all;
Perfected, with no reproachful reminders and no taint.
بَنيsons of أُمَيَّةَUmayya قَدindeed ناضَلتُI fought دونَكُمُin your defense
بَني أُمَيَّةَ قَد ناضَلتُ دونَكُمُ
أَبناءَthe sons of قَومٍa people هُمُthey آوَواgave shelter وَهُمand they نَصَرواgave aid
أَبناءَ قَومٍ هُمُ آوَوا وَهُم نَصَروا
Sons of Umayya, I have fought in your defense
The sons of a people who gave shelter and aid.
أَفحَمتُI silenced عَنكُمon your behalf بَنيthe sons of النَجّارِal-Najjar قَدalready عَلِمَتhas learned
أَفحَمتُ عَنكُم بَني النَجّارِ قَد عَلِمَت
عُلياthe nobility of مَعَدٍّMaʿadd وَكانواand they had طالَماlong هَدَرواbellowed
عُليا مَعَدٍّ وَكانوا طالَما هَدَروا
I silenced al-Najjar's sons for you; this is known to
Maʿadd's nobility, though those men had long bellowed.
حَتّىuntil اِستَكانواthey submitted وَهُمand they مِنّيbecause of me عَلىin مَضَضٍbitter pain
حَتّى اِستَكانوا وَهُم مِنّي عَلى مَضَضٍ
وَالقَولُand words يَنفُذُpierce ماwhat لاnot تَنفُذُpierce الإِبَرُneedles
وَالقَولُ يَنفُذُ ما لا تَنفُذُ الإِبَرُ
Until they submitted, bitterly chafing at me;
Words pierce where needles cannot.
بَنيsons of أُمَيَّةَUmayya إِنّيindeed I ناصِحٌa faithful counselor لَكُمُto you
بَني أُمَيَّةَ إِنّي ناصِحٌ لَكُمُ
فَلاso never يَبيتَنَّlet him spend the night فيكُمamong you آمِناًsafe زُفَرُZufar
فَلا يَبيتَنَّ فيكُم آمِناً زُفَرُ
Sons of Umayya, I am a faithful counselor to you;
So let Zufar never spend a night safe among you.
وَاِتَّخِذوهُand take him عَدُوّاًas an enemy إِنَّindeed شاهِدَهُhis visible nature
وَاِتَّخِذوهُ عَدُوّاً إِنَّ شاهِدَهُ
وَماand what تَغَيَّبَis hidden مِنof أَخلاقِهِhis character دَعَرُdepravity
وَما تَغَيَّبَ مِن أَخلاقِهِ دَعَرُ
Take him for an enemy: his outward nature
And the hidden parts of his character are depravity.
إِنَّindeed الضَغينَةَresentment تَلقاهاyou encounter it وَإِنeven if قَدُمَتit has grown old
إِنَّ الضَغينَةَ تَلقاها وَإِن قَدُمَت
كَالعَرِّlike mange يَكمُنُit lies dormant حيناًfor a time ثُمَّthen يَنتَشِرُspreads
كَالعَرِّ يَكمُنُ حيناً ثُمَّ يَنتَشِرُ
You will encounter resentment, even when it is old,
Like mange: it lies dormant awhile, then spreads.
وَقَدand indeed نُصِرتَyou were granted victory أَميرَcommander of المُؤمِنينَthe faithful بِناthrough us
وَقَد نُصِرتَ أَميرَ المُؤمِنينَ بِنا
لَمّاwhen أَتاكَcame to you بِبَطنِin the heart of الغوطَةِal-Ghuta الخَبَرُthe news
لَمّا أَتاكَ بِبَطنِ الغوطَةِ الخَبَرُ
Through us, Commander of the Faithful, you were granted victory
When the news reached you in the heart of al-Ghuta.
يُعَرِّفونَكَthey showed you رَأسَthe head of اِبنِIbn الحُبابِal-Hubab وَقَدand already
يُعَرِّفونَكَ رَأسَ اِبنِ الحُبابِ وَقَد
أَضحىhe had become وَلِلسَيفِand the sword had فيin خَيشومِهِhis nasal passage أَثَرُa mark
أَضحى وَلِلسَيفِ في خَيشومِهِ أَثَرُ
They showed you Ibn al-Hubab's head, and now
The sword had left its mark in his nasal passage.
لاnot يَسمَعُhe hears الصَوتَthe sound مُستَكّاًstopped up مَسامِعُهُhis ears
لا يَسمَعُ الصَوتَ مُستَكّاً مَسامِعُهُ
وَلَيسَand he does not يَنطِقُspeak حَتّىuntil يَنطِقَspeaks الحَجَرُstone
وَلَيسَ يَنطِقُ حَتّى يَنطِقَ الحَجَرُ
He hears no sound, his ears stopped up,
And will not speak until stone speaks.
أَمسَتcame to evening إِلىat جانِبِthe side of الحَشّاكِal-Hashshak جيفَتُهُhis corpse
أَمسَت إِلى جانِبِ الحَشّاكِ جيفَتُهُ
وَرَأسُهُand his head دونَهُbefore it اليَحمومُal-Yahmum وَالصِوَرُand al-Siwar
وَرَأسُهُ دونَهُ اليَحمومُ وَالصِوَرُ
His corpse lay by al-Hashshak at evening,
His head lay beyond al-Yahmum and al-Siwar.
يَسأَلُهُasks him الصُبرُthe steadfast men مِنof غَسّانَGhassan إِذwhen حَضَرواthey arrived
يَسأَلُهُ الصُبرُ مِن غَسّانَ إِذ حَضَروا
وَالحَزنُand the hardy men كَيفَhow قَراكَhosted you الغِلمَةُthe lads الجَشَرُthe pasture-dwellers
وَالحَزنُ كَيفَ قَراكَ الغِلمَةُ الجَشَرُ
The steadfast men of Ghassan, when they arrived, asked him,
And the hardy ones: 'How did the pasture-dwelling lads host you?'
وَالحارِثَand al-Harith بنَibn أَبيAbi عَوفٍAwf لَعِبنَthey toyed بِهِwith him
وَالحارِثَ بنَ أَبي عَوفٍ لَعِبنَ بِهِ
حَتّىuntil تَعاوَرَهُtook turns upon him العِقبانُthe eagles وَالسُبَرُand hawks
حَتّى تَعاوَرَهُ العِقبانُ وَالسُبَرُ
And al-Harith ibn Abi Awf—they toyed with him,
Until eagles and hawks took turns upon him.
وَقَيسَand Qays عَيلانَAylan حَتّىuntil أَقبَلواthey came forward رَقَصاًdancing
وَقَيسَ عَيلانَ حَتّى أَقبَلوا رَقَصاً
فَبايَعوكَthen they pledged allegiance to you جِهاراًopenly بَعدَafter ماthat كَفَرواthey repudiated allegiance
فَبايَعوكَ جِهاراً بَعدَ ما كَفَروا
And Qays Aylan, until they came dancing,
Then openly pledged allegiance to you after repudiating it.
فَلاso may not هَدىguide اللَهُGod قَيساًQays مِنout of ضَلالَتِهِمtheir error
فَلا هَدى اللَهُ قَيساً مِن ضَلالَتِهِم
وَلاand no لَعاًrecovery لِبَنيfor the sons of ذَكوانَDhakwan إِذwhen عَثَرواthey stumbled
وَلا لَعاً لِبَني ذَكوانَ إِذ عَثَروا
May God never guide Qays out of their error,
Nor any recovery come to the sons of Dhakwan when they stumble.
ضَجّواthey cried out مِنَat الحَربِwar إِذwhen عَضَّتit bit غَوارِبَهُمtheir withers
ضَجّوا مِنَ الحَربِ إِذ عَضَّت غَوارِبَهُم
وَقَيسُand Qays عَيلانَAylan مِنamong أَخلاقِهاits traits الضَجَرُimpatience
وَقَيسُ عَيلانَ مِن أَخلاقِها الضَجَرُ
They cried out at war when it bit their withers,
And impatience is among Qays Aylan's traits.
كانواthey were ذَويpossessors of إِمَّةٍgood estate حَتّىuntil إِذاwhen عَلِقَتcaught
كانوا ذَوي إِمَّةٍ حَتّى إِذا عَلِقَت
بِهِمthem حَبائِلُsnares لِلشَيطانِof Satan وَاِبتَهَرواand they boasted falsely
بِهِم حَبائِلُ لِلشَيطانِ وَاِبتَهَروا
They had enjoyed a good estate, until
Satan's snares caught them, and they boasted falsely.
صُكّواthey were hurled عَلىonto شارِفٍan aged she-camel صَعبٍdifficult مَراكِبُهاher riding places
صُكّوا عَلى شارِفٍ صَعبٍ مَراكِبُها
حَصّاءَbare لَيسَthere is not لَهاon her هُلبٌtail-hair وَلاnor وَبَرُbody-hair
حَصّاءَ لَيسَ لَها هُلبٌ وَلا وَبَرُ
They were hurled onto an aged she-camel whose riding was hard,
Bare, with neither tail-hair nor body-hair.
وَلَمand did not يَزَلcease بِسُلَيمٍupon Sulaym أَمرُthe command of جاهِلِهاits fool
وَلَم يَزَل بِسُلَيمٍ أَمرُ جاهِلِها
حَتّىuntil تَعَيّاbecame unmanageable بِهاwith them الإيرادُgoing to water وَالصَدَرُand returning from water
حَتّى تَعَيّا بِها الإيرادُ وَالصَدَرُ
The command of Sulaym's fool kept pressing upon them,
Until taking them to water and back became unmanageable.
إِذas يَنظُرونَthey look وَهُمwhile they يَجنونَharvest حَنظَلَهُمtheir bitter colocynth
إِذ يَنظُرونَ وَهُم يَجنونَ حَنظَلَهُم
إِلىtoward الزَوابيal-Zawabi فَقُلناso we said بُعدَafter ماthat نَظَرواthey looked
إِلى الزَوابي فَقُلنا بُعدَ ما نَظَروا
As they looked on, harvesting their bitter colocynth,
Toward al-Zawabi; after they looked, we said:
كَرّواthey turned back إِلىto حَرَّتَيهِمtheir two lava-fields يَعمُرونَهُماthey settle them both
كَرّوا إِلى حَرَّتَيهِم يَعمُرونَهُما
كَماjust as تَكُرُّreturn إِلىto أَوطانِهاtheir home grounds البَقَرُcattle
كَما تَكُرُّ إِلى أَوطانِها البَقَرُ
'They returned to their two lava-fields to settle them,
As cattle return to their home grounds.'
فَأَصبَحَتso became مِنهُمُof them سِنجارُSinjar خالِيَةًempty
فَأَصبَحَت مِنهُمُ سِنجارُ خالِيَةً
فَالمَحلَبِيّاتُthen al-Mahlabiyyat فَالخابورُthen al-Khabur فَالسُرَرُthen al-Surar
فَالمَحلَبِيّاتُ فَالخابورُ فَالسُرَرُ
Thus Sinjar became empty of them,
Then al-Mahlabiyyat, then al-Khabur, then al-Surar.
وَماand not يُلاقونَthey connect with فَرّاصاًFarras إِلىin نَسَبٍlineage
وَما يُلاقونَ فَرّاصاً إِلى نَسَبٍ
حَتّىuntil يُلاقِيَmeets جَديَthe Kid of الفَرقَدِal-Farqad القَمَرُthe moon
حَتّى يُلاقِيَ جَديَ الفَرقَدِ القَمَرُ
They have no genealogical link with Farras,
Until the moon meets the Kid of al-Farqad.
وَلاnor الضَبابَal-Dabab إِذاwhen اِخضَرَّتgrew green عُيونُهُمُtheir eyes
وَلا الضَبابَ إِذا اِخضَرَّت عُيونُهُمُ
وَلاnor عُصَيَّةَUsayya إِلّاexcept أَنَّهُمthat they بَشَرُare human
وَلا عُصَيَّةَ إِلّا أَنَّهُم بَشَرُ
Nor with al-Dabab, when their eyes grow green,
Nor with Usayya, except that they are human.
وَماand not سَعىstrove مِنهُمُof them ساعٍa striver لِيُدرِكَناto catch up with us
وَما سَعى مِنهُمُ ساعٍ لِيُدرِكَنا
إِلّاexcept تَقاصَرَhe fell short عَنّاof us وَهوَwhile he مُنبَهِرُgasping
إِلّا تَقاصَرَ عَنّا وَهوَ مُنبَهِرُ
None of them ever strove to catch us,
Without falling short of us, gasping for breath.
وَقَدand indeed أَصابَتbefell كِلاباًKilab مِنfrom عَداوَتِناour enmity
وَقَد أَصابَت كِلاباً مِن عَداوَتِنا
إِحدىone of الدَواهيthe calamities الَّتيthat تُخشىare feared وَتُنتَظَرُand awaited
إِحدى الدَواهي الَّتي تُخشى وَتُنتَظَرُ
Our enmity has brought upon Kilab
One of those calamities men dread and await.
وَقَدand indeed تَفاقَمَgrew grave أَمرٌan affair غَيرُnot مُلتَئِمٍreconcilable
وَقَد تَفاقَمَ أَمرٌ غَيرُ مُلتَئِمٍ
ماnot بَينَناbetween us فيهِin it أَرحامٌties of kinship وَلاnor عِذَرُexcuses
ما بَينَنا فيهِ أَرحامٌ وَلا عِذَرُ
An irreconcilable affair has grown grave,
In which no ties of kinship bind us, and no excuses remain.
أَمّاas for كُلَيبُKulayb بنُibn يَربوعٍYarbuʿ فَلَيسَthen there is not لَهُمfor them
أَمّا كُلَيبُ بنُ يَربوعٍ فَلَيسَ لَهُم
عِندَat المَكارِمِnoble deeds لاno وِردٌgoing to water وَلاnor صَدَرُreturning from water
عِندَ المَكارِمِ لا وِردٌ وَلا صَدَرُ
As for Kulayb ibn Yarbuʿ, they have
At noble deeds, no journey to water and no return.
مُخَلَّفونَleft behind وَيَقضيand settle الناسُthe people أَمرَهُمُtheir affairs
مُخَلَّفونَ وَيَقضي الناسُ أَمرَهُمُ
وَهُمwhile they بِغَيبٍin absence وَفيand in عَمياءَblind confusion ماnot شَعَرواthey perceived
وَهُم بِغَيبٍ وَفي عَمياءَ ما شَعَروا
Left behind while others settle their affairs,
They are absent, in blind confusion, knowing nothing.
مُلَطَّمونَslapped back بِأَعقارِat the edges of الحِياضِthe watering troughs فَماso never
مُلَطَّمونَ بِأَعقارِ الحِياضِ فَما
يَنفَكُّceases مِنfrom دارِمِيٍّa Darimi فيهِمِon them أَثَرُa mark
يَنفَكُّ مِن دارِمِيٍّ فيهِمِ أَثَرُ
Slapped back at the edges of the watering troughs, and never
Does a Darimi's mark upon them fade.
بِئسَwretched الصُحاةُthe sober men وَبِئسَand wretched الشَربُthe drinking شُربُهُمُtheir drinking
بِئسَ الصُحاةُ وَبِئسَ الشَربُ شُربُهُمُ
إِذاwhen جَرىflowed فيهِمِamong them المُزّاءُstrong wine وَالسَكَرُand intoxicating drink
إِذا جَرى فيهِمِ المُزّاءُ وَالسَكَرُ
Wretched are the sober men, and wretched is their drinking,
When strong wine and intoxicating drink flow among them.
قَومٌa people تَناهَتcame fully إِلَيهِمto them كُلُّevery فاحِشَةٍobscenity
قَومٌ تَناهَت إِلَيهِم كُلُّ فاحِشَةٍ
وَكُلُّand every مُخزِيَةٍdisgrace سُبَّتwas reviled بِهاwith it مُضَرُMudar
وَكُلُّ مُخزِيَةٍ سُبَّت بِها مُضَرُ
A people to whom every obscenity has come,
And every disgrace with which Mudar is reviled.
عَلىon العِياراتِasses هَدّاجونَshambling قَدalready بَلَغَتhas reached
عَلى العِياراتِ هَدّاجونَ قَد بَلَغَت
نَجرانَNajran أَوor حُدِّثَتwas informed of سَوآتِهِمtheir shameful deeds هَجَرُHajar
نَجرانَ أَو حُدِّثَت سَوآتِهِم هَجَرُ
Shambling on asses—their shame has reached
Najran, or Hajar has been told their shameful deeds.
الآكِلونَthose eating خَبيثَthe foul الزادِprovisions وَحدَهُمُalone
الآكِلونَ خَبيثَ الزادِ وَحدَهُمُ
وَالسائِلونَand those asking بِظَهرِat the back of الغَيبِthe unseen ماwhat الخَبَرُthe news
وَالسائِلونَ بِظَهرِ الغَيبِ ما الخَبَرُ
Those who eat foul provisions by themselves,
And ask, out of sight, 'What is the news?'
وَاِذكُرand mention غُدانَةَGhudana عِدّاناًgoat herds مُزَنَّمَةًear-tagged
وَاِذكُر غُدانَةَ عِدّاناً مُزَنَّمَةً
مِنَof الحَبَلَّقِsmall hairless goats تُبنىare built حَولَهاaround them الصِيَرُpens
مِنَ الحَبَلَّقِ تُبنى حَولَها الصِيَرُ
And remember Ghudana: ear-tagged goat herds,
Of the small, hairless breed, with pens built around them.
تَمذيthey ooze pre-seminal fluid إِذاwhen سَخُنَتthey grow hot فيin قُبلِthe fronts of أَدرُعِهاtheir shifts
تَمذي إِذا سَخُنَت في قُبلِ أَدرُعِها
وَتَزرَئِمُّand huddle up إِذاwhen ماever بَلَّهاwets them المَطَرُrain
وَتَزرَئِمُّ إِذا ما بَلَّها المَطَرُ
They ooze pre-seminal fluid when hot, down the fronts of their shifts,
And huddle together whenever rain wets them.
وَماand not غُدانَةُGhudana فيin شَيءٍanything مَكانَهُمُtheir standing
وَما غُدانَةُ في شَيءٍ مَكانَهُمُ
أَلحابِسوthe ones keeping back الشاءِsheep حَتّىuntil تَفضُلَremain السُؤَرُleftovers
أَلحابِسو الشاءِ حَتّى تَفضُلَ السُؤَرُ
Ghudana have no standing in anything,
Those who keep back the sheep until leftovers remain.
يَتَّصِلونَthey claim kinship بِيَربوعٍwith Yarbuʿ وَرِفدُهُمُand their contribution
يَتَّصِلونَ بِيَربوعٍ وَرِفدُهُمُ
عِندَat التَرافُدِmutual giving مَغمورٌovershadowed وَمُحتَقَرُand despised
عِندَ التَرافُدِ مَغمورٌ وَمُحتَقَرُ
They claim kinship with Yarbuʿ, though their contribution,
When gifts are pooled, is overshadowed and despised.
صُفرُyellow اللِحىbeards مِنfrom وَقودِthe burning of الأَدخِناتِsmoky fires إِذاwhen
صُفرُ اللِحى مِن وَقودِ الأَدخِناتِ إِذا
رَدَّrepelled الرِفادَthe givers وَكَفَّand the hand of الحالِبِthe milker القَرِرُthe bitter cold
رَدَّ الرِفادَ وَكَفَّ الحالِبِ القَرِرُ
Yellow-bearded from the burning of smoky fires, when
Bitter cold drives back the givers and the milker's hand,
ثُمَّthen الإِيابُreturning إِلىto سودٍblack women مُدَنَّسَةٍsullied
ثُمَّ الإِيابُ إِلى سودٍ مُدَنَّسَةٍ
ماnot تَستَحِمُّthey bathe إِذاwhen ماever اِحتَكَّتِitched النُقَرُthe sores
ما تَستَحِمُّ إِذا ما اِحتَكَّتِ النُقَرُ
Then returning to black, sullied women,
Who do not bathe even when their sores itch.
قَدindeed أَقسَمَswore المَجدُglory حَقّاًtruly لاnot يُحالِفُهُمallies with them
قَد أَقسَمَ المَجدُ حَقّاً لا يُحالِفُهُم
حَتّىuntil يُحالِفَallies with بَطنَthe inside of الراحَةِthe palm الشَعَرُhair
حَتّى يُحالِفَ بَطنَ الراحَةِ الشَعَرُ
Glory has truly sworn never to ally with them
Until hair grows on the inside of the palm.
Sol 6.1