وَدِّع هُرَيرَةَ إِنَّ الرَكبَ مُرتَحِلُ

وَدِّع هُرَيرَةَ إِنَّ الرَكبَ مُرتَحِلُ

وَهَل تُطيقُ وَداعاً أَيُّها الرَجُلُ

وَهَل تُطيقُ وَداعاً أَيُّها الرَجُلُ

Bid Hurayra farewell; the caravan is departing.

Bid Huraira farewell, the caravan is departing

But can you bear a farewell, O man?

Can you, O man, bear to say farewell?

غَرّاءُ فَرعاءُ مَصقولٌ عَوارِضُها

غَرّاءُ فَرعاءُ مَصقولٌ عَوارِضُها

تَمشي الهُوَينا كَما يَمشي الوَجي الوَحِلُ

تَمشي الهُوَينا كَما يَمشي الوَجي الوَحِلُ

Radiant-faced and long-haired, her side teeth gleaming,

A smooth-flanked, nimble she-camel, polished are her limbs

she walks softly, like someone sore-footed and mired in mud.

She walks like an ostrich walking through mud

كَأَنَّ مِشيَتَها مِن بَيتِ جارَتِها

كَأَنَّ مِشيَتَها مِن بَيتِ جارَتِها

مَرُّ السَحابَةِ لا رَيثٌ وَلا عَجَلُ

مَرُّ السَحابَةِ لا رَيثٌ وَلا عَجَلُ

Her walk from her neighbor's house is like

As if her gait were from her neighbor's house

the passing of a cloud, neither slow nor hurried.

Passing of a cloud, neither slow nor hasty

تَسمَعُ لِلحَليِ وَسواساً إِذا اِنصَرَفَت

تَسمَعُ لِلحَليِ وَسواساً إِذا اِنصَرَفَت

كَما اِستَعانَ بِريحٍ عِشرِقٌ زَجِلُ

كَما اِستَعانَ بِريحٍ عِشرِقٌ زَجِلُ

You hear her ornaments whisper when she turns away,

You can hear the tinkling of her ornament when she turns

like a rustling senna bush helped by the wind.

As the whizzing sound made by an ear-pierced Arab youth

لَيسَت كَمَن يَكرَهُ الجيرانُ طَلعَتَها

لَيسَت كَمَن يَكرَهُ الجيرانُ طَلعَتَها

وَلا تَراها لِسِرِّ الجارِ تَختَتِلُ

وَلا تَراها لِسِرِّ الجارِ تَختَتِلُ

She is not one whose appearance the neighbors dislike,

She is not one who the neighbors dislike her appearance

nor do you see her stealthily prying into a neighbor's secrets.

Nor do they see her spying on the neighbor

يَكادُ يَصرَعُها لَولا تَشَدُّدُها

يَكادُ يَصرَعُها لَولا تَشَدُّدُها

إِذا تَقومُ إِلى جاراتِها الكَسَلُ

إِذا تَقومُ إِلى جاراتِها الكَسَلُ

It would almost fell her, did she not brace herself—

Exhaustion nearly makes her collapse were it not for her perseverance

the languor, when she rises to visit her neighbors.

When she rises to walk with her lazy companions

إِذا تُعالِجُ قِرناً ساعَةً فَتَرَت

إِذا تُعالِجُ قِرناً ساعَةً فَتَرَت

وَاِهتَزَّ مِنها ذَنوبُ المَتنِ وَالكَفَلُ

وَاِهتَزَّ مِنها ذَنوبُ المَتنِ وَالكَفَلُ

When she wrestles with an equal for a while, she tires,

When she contends with a rival for a moment, she rests

and her lower back and rump sway.

And the tails and humps on her back sway

مِلءُ الوِشاحِ وَصِفرُ الدَرعِ بَهكَنَةٌ

مِلءُ الوِشاحِ وَصِفرُ الدَرعِ بَهكَنَةٌ

إِذا تَأَتّى يَكادُ الخَصرُ يَنخَزِلُ

إِذا تَأَتّى يَكادُ الخَصرُ يَنخَزِلُ

Full in her sash, loose in her shift, soft and plump,

The full saddle blanket and yellow coat are adornments

when she moves gently, her waist almost gives way.

When she comes, her waist seems to bend

صَدَّت هُرَيرَةُ عَنّا ما تُكَلِّمُنا

صَدَّت هُرَيرَةُ عَنّا ما تُكَلِّمُنا

جَهلاً بِأُمِّ خُلَيدٍ حَبلَ مَن تَصِلُ

جَهلاً بِأُمِّ خُلَيدٍ حَبلَ مَن تَصِلُ

Hurayra has turned away from us and does not speak to us.

Huraira turned away from us, not speaking to us

What folly in Umm Khulayd! Whose bond will she maintain?

Ignorant of Umm Khulaid who she is intimate with

أَأَن رَأَت رَجُلاً أَعشى أَضَرَّ بِهِ

أَأَن رَأَت رَجُلاً أَعشى أَضَرَّ بِهِ

رَيبُ المَنونِ وَدَهرٌ مُفنِدٌ خَبِلُ

رَيبُ المَنونِ وَدَهرٌ مُفنِدٌ خَبِلُ

Is it because she saw a night-blind man, harmed by

Did she see a blind man whom the specter of death addled

the calamities of fate and a wit-destroying, maddening age?

And time made him senile and confused?

نِعمَ الضَجيعُ غَداةَ الدَجنِ يَصرَعَها

نِعمَ الضَجيعُ غَداةَ الدَجنِ يَصرَعَها

لِلَّذَةِ المَرءِ لا جافٍ وَلا تَفِلُ

لِلَّذَةِ المَرءِ لا جافٍ وَلا تَفِلُ

A fine bedfellow on a cloudy morning, laying her down

A fine bedmate in the morning after spending the night

for a man's pleasure, neither harsh nor foul-smelling.

For the pleasure of a man, neither dry nor sated

هِركَولَةٌ فُنُقٌ دُرمٌ مَرافِقُها

هِركَولَةٌ فُنُقٌ دُرمٌ مَرافِقُها

كَأَنَّ أَخمَصَها بِالشَوكِ مُنتَعِلُ

كَأَنَّ أَخمَصَها بِالشَوكِ مُنتَعِلُ

Full-hipped and pampered, her elbows softly rounded,

A lanky, long-necked camel, her companions

as though the hollow of her foot were shod with thorns.

As if her hooves are shod with thorns

إِذا تَقومُ يَضوعُ المِسكُ أَصوِرَةً

إِذا تَقومُ يَضوعُ المِسكُ أَصوِرَةً

وَالزَنبَقُ الوَردُ مِن أَردانِها شَمِلُ

وَالزَنبَقُ الوَردُ مِن أَردانِها شَمِلُ

When she rises, musk wafts from clustered pods,

When she stands, musk diffuses from her breast

and rosy jasmine oil spreads from her sleeves.

And the flowers' perfume from her chest wraps around

ما رَوضَةٌ مِن رِياضِ الحَزنِ مُعشَبَةٌ

ما رَوضَةٌ مِن رِياضِ الحَزنِ مُعشَبَةٌ

خَضراءُ جادَ عَلَيها مُسبِلٌ هَطِلُ

خَضراءُ جادَ عَلَيها مُسبِلٌ هَطِلُ

No grassy meadow among the meadows of the uplands,

No garden among the gardens of sorrow is grassed

green, lavishly watered by a pouring raincloud,

Green, with a pouring rain upon it gushing

يُضاحِكُ الشَمسَ مِنها كَوكَبٌ شَرِقٌ

يُضاحِكُ الشَمسَ مِنها كَوكَبٌ شَرِقٌ

مُؤَزَّرٌ بِعَميمِ النَبتِ مُكتَهِلُ

مُؤَزَّرٌ بِعَميمِ النَبتِ مُكتَهِلُ

whose radiant blossoms smile back at the sun,

The sun smiles upon it like a rising star

girdled with thick, full-grown vegetation,

Girded with the robes of vegetation, laden

يَوماً بِأَطيَبَ مِنها نَشرَ رائِحَةٍ

يَوماً بِأَطيَبَ مِنها نَشرَ رائِحَةٍ

وَلا بِأَحسَنَ مِنها إِذ دَنا الأُصُلُ

وَلا بِأَحسَنَ مِنها إِذ دَنا الأُصُلُ

is ever sweeter than she in the fragrance it spreads,

Never a day that was sweeter than it spreading fragrance

nor more beautiful than she when late afternoon draws near.

Nor more beautiful than when its origin drew near

عُلَّقتُها عَرَضاً وَعُلَّقَت رَجُلاً

عُلَّقتُها عَرَضاً وَعُلَّقَت رَجُلاً

غَيري وَعُلَّقَ أُخرى غَيرَها الرَجُلُ

غَيري وَعُلَّقَ أُخرى غَيرَها الرَجُلُ

I fell in love with her by chance, while she fell for a man

I admired her figure and another admired her legs

other than me, and that man fell for another woman besides her.

And another admired a different woman's legs

وَعَلَّقَتهُ فَتاةٌ ما يُحاوِلُها

وَعَلَّقَتهُ فَتاةٌ ما يُحاوِلُها

مِن أَهلِها مَيِّتٌ يَهذي بِها وَهِلُ

مِن أَهلِها مَيِّتٌ يَهذي بِها وَهِلُ

And a maiden loved him, though he did not seek her,

And a girl admired him who did not attempt to seduce her

one of her people; dying, he raves about her, distraught.

Of his family, though one infatuated with her wanders confused

وَعُلِّقَتني أُخَيرى ما تُلائِمُني

وَعُلِّقَتني أُخَيرى ما تُلائِمُني

فَاِجتَمَعَ الحُبَّ حُبّاً كُلُّهُ تَبِلُ

فَاِجتَمَعَ الحُبَّ حُبّاً كُلُّهُ تَبِلُ

And another woman fell for me, though she does not suit me.

And another admired me who does not suit me

Thus love came together, all of it a wasting passion.

So love gathered, all of it matured

فَكُلُّنا مُغرَمٌ يَهذي بِصاحِبِهِ

فَكُلُّنا مُغرَمٌ يَهذي بِصاحِبِهِ

ناءٍ وَدانٍ وَمَحبولٌ وَمُحتَبِلُ

ناءٍ وَدانٍ وَمَحبولٌ وَمُحتَبِلُ

Each of us is love-stricken, raving about the beloved,

Each of us lovesick, infatuated with his companion

far or near, ensnared or ensnaring.

Yearning, brought near, fettered, and fettering

قالَت هُرَيرَةُ لَمّا جِئتُ زائِرَها

قالَت هُرَيرَةُ لَمّا جِئتُ زائِرَها

وَيلي عَلَيكَ وَوَيلي مِنكَ يا رَجُلُ

وَيلي عَلَيكَ وَوَيلي مِنكَ يا رَجُلُ

Hurayra said, when I came to visit her,

Huraira said, when I came visiting her:

'Woe to me over you, and woe to me from you, O man!'

Woe to you from me, O man!

يا مَن يَرى عارِضاً قَد بِتُّ أَرقُبُهُ

يا مَن يَرى عارِضاً قَد بِتُّ أَرقُبُهُ

كَأَنَّما البَرقُ في حافاتِهِ الشُعَلُ

كَأَنَّما البَرقُ في حافاتِهِ الشُعَلُ

O you who see a raincloud I have watched all night,

O you who see a cheek whose lightning on its edges

as though the lightning at its edges were flames!

Is like lightning in its edges flashing

لَهُ رِدافٌ وَجَوزٌ مُفأَمٌ عَمِلٌ

لَهُ رِدافٌ وَجَوزٌ مُفأَمٌ عَمِلٌ

مُنَطَّقٌ بِسِجالِ الماءِ مُتَّصِلُ

مُنَطَّقٌ بِسِجالِ الماءِ مُتَّصِلُ

It has trailing banks and a swollen, rain-working heart,

It has a back, neck, and curly hair, a creation

girdled with unbroken bucketfuls of water.

Girded with necklaces of water, joined

لَم يُلهِني اللَهوُ عَنهُ حينَ أَرقُبُهُ

لَم يُلهِني اللَهوُ عَنهُ حينَ أَرقُبُهُ

وَلا اللَذاذَةُ مِن كَأسٍ وَلا الكَسَلُ

وَلا اللَذاذَةُ مِن كَأسٍ وَلا الكَسَلُ

Amusement did not distract me from it as I watched,

Revelry did not distract me from it when I saw its nape

nor the pleasure of a cup, nor languor.

Nor did pleasures of a cup, or laziness

فَقُلتُ لِلشَربِ في دُرنى وَقَد ثَمِلوا

فَقُلتُ لِلشَربِ في دُرنى وَقَد ثَمِلوا

شيموا وَكَيفَ يَشيمُ الشارِبُ الثَمِلُ

شيموا وَكَيفَ يَشيمُ الشارِبُ الثَمِلُ

So I said to the drinkers in Durna, already drunk,

So I said to those drinking until drunk in a circle:

'Watch!'—but how can a drunken drinker watch?—

Be dignified! How can the sated be dignified?

بَرقاً يُضيءُ عَلى أَجزاعِ مَسقِطِهِ

بَرقاً يُضيءُ عَلى أَجزاعِ مَسقِطِهِ

وَبِالخَبِيَّةِ مِنهُ عارِضٌ هَطِلُ

وَبِالخَبِيَّةِ مِنهُ عارِضٌ هَطِلُ

lightning illuminating the valley bends where it falls,

Lightning illuminating the trunks of its cloudburst

while at al-Khabiyya a cloud from it pours down rain.

And the ruinous rain from it pouring

قالوا نِمارٌ فَبَطنُ الخالِ جادَهُما

قالوا نِمارٌ فَبَطنُ الخالِ جادَهُما

فَالعَسجَدِيَّةُ فَالأَبلاءُ فَالرِجَلُ

فَالعَسجَدِيَّةُ فَالأَبلاءُ فَالرِجَلُ

They said: Nimar, then the valley of al-Khal—it drenched them both,

They said, "Sprinkling," so its collected clouds poured on them

then al-'Asjadiyya, then al-Abla', then al-Rijal.

Al-Asjadiyya, then Al-Abla, then the leg

فَالسَفحُ يَجري فَخِنزيرٌ فَبُرقَتُهُ

فَالسَفحُ يَجري فَخِنزيرٌ فَبُرقَتُهُ

حَتّى تَدافَعَ مِنهُ الرَبوُ فَالجَبَلُ

حَتّى تَدافَعَ مِنهُ الرَبوُ فَالجَبَلُ

Then al-Safh flows, then Khinzir and its stony sandflat,

Then the torrent flowing, then a creek, then its downpour

until the rises, then the mountain, surged with its waters,

Until the highlands and mountains repelled it

حَتّى تَحَمَّلَ مِنهُ الماءَ تَكلِفَةً

حَتّى تَحَمَّلَ مِنهُ الماءَ تَكلِفَةً

رَوضُ القَطا فَكَثيبُ الغَينَةِ السَهِلُ

رَوضُ القَطا فَكَثيبُ الغَينَةِ السَهِلُ

until its water was borne with difficulty

Until Ma'qil took from it a burden of water

by Rawd al-Qata, then the gentle dune of al-Ghayna.

The meadow of wild cats and the easy slope of Ghaniyya

يَسقي دِياراً لَها قَد أَصبَحَت عُزُباً

يَسقي دِياراً لَها قَد أَصبَحَت عُزُباً

زوراً تَجانَفَ عَنها القَودُ وَالرَسَلُ

زوراً تَجانَفَ عَنها القَودُ وَالرَسَلُ

It waters dwellings of hers that have now become remote,

Watering dwellings that had become desolate

off the track, avoided by led horses and grazing herds.

A land whose fires and messengers had departed from it

وَبَلدَةً مِثلِ ظَهرِ التُرسِ موحِشَةٍ

وَبَلدَةً مِثلِ ظَهرِ التُرسِ موحِشَةٍ

لِلجِنِّ بِاللَيلِ في حافاتِها زَجَلُ

لِلجِنِّ بِاللَيلِ في حافاتِها زَجَلُ

And a desolate land, like the back of a shield,

And a town like the back of a shield, desolate

where at night the jinn make a clamor along its edges,

Where jinn wail on its outskirts at night

لا يَتَنَمّى لَها بِالقَيظِ يَركَبُها

لا يَتَنَمّى لَها بِالقَيظِ يَركَبُها

إِلّا الَّذينَ لَهُم فيما أَتَوا مَهَلُ

إِلّا الَّذينَ لَهُم فيما أَتَوا مَهَلُ

none sets out for it in summer's heat, riding across it,

None who ascend it in the heat except those who are safe

except those with patience for what they undertake.

I passed by it with swift, sturdy she-camels

جاوَزتُها بِطَليحٍ جَسرَةٍ سُرُحٍ

جاوَزتُها بِطَليحٍ جَسرَةٍ سُرُحٍ

في مِرفَقَيها إِذا اِستَعرَضتَها فَتَلُ

في مِرفَقَيها إِذا اِستَعرَضتَها فَتَلُ

I crossed it on a weary, sturdy, long-striding she-camel;

On whose sides, when she displays them, are hollows

seen from the side, her elbows turn outward.

"Either you see us barefoot, we have no sandals

إِمّا تَرَينا حُفاةً لا نِعالَ لَنا

إِمّا تَرَينا حُفاةً لا نِعالَ لَنا

إِنّا كَذَلِكَ ما نَحفى وَنَنتَعِلُ

إِنّا كَذَلِكَ ما نَحفى وَنَنتَعِلُ

If you see us barefoot, with no sandals,

We are just like that, we do not guard or wear sandals"

that is how we are: now barefoot, now shod.

I gained access to the house's lord in his unawareness

فَقَد أُخالِسُ رَبَّ البَيتِ غَفلَتَهُ

فَقَد أُخالِسُ رَبَّ البَيتِ غَفلَتَهُ

وَقَد يُحاذِرُ مِنّي ثُمَّ ما يَئلُ

وَقَد يُحاذِرُ مِنّي ثُمَّ ما يَئلُ

Often I steal a chance while the master of the house is off guard,

And he may be wary of me then show no concern

though he is wary of me, yet finds no escape.

And I may lead the boys one day and they follow me

وَقَد أَقودُ الصَبى يَوماً فَيَتبَعُني

وَقَد أَقودُ الصَبى يَوماً فَيَتبَعُني

وَقَد يُصاحِبُني ذو الشِرَّةِ الغَزِلُ

وَقَد يُصاحِبُني ذو الشِرَّةِ الغَزِلُ

Often I lead youthful passion for a day, and it follows me,

And the slender youth may accompany me, flexing

and often a passionate, amorous man keeps me company.

And I went early to the shop, the crippled following me

وَقَد غَدَوتُ إِلى الحانوتِ يَتبَعُني

وَقَد غَدَوتُ إِلى الحانوتِ يَتبَعُني

شاوٍ مِشَلٌّ شَلولٌ شُلشُلٌ شَوِلُ

شاوٍ مِشَلٌّ شَلولٌ شُلشُلٌ شَوِلُ

Often I have gone early to the tavern, followed by

Swaying, limping, hobbling, deformed

a meat-roaster, quick-handed, nimble, fleet, brisk,

Amongst youths like Indian swords, well aware

في فِتيَةٍ كَسُيوفِ الهِندِ قَد عَلِموا

في فِتيَةٍ كَسُيوفِ الهِندِ قَد عَلِموا

أَن لَيسَ يَدفَعُ عَن ذي الحيلَةِ الحِيَلُ

أَن لَيسَ يَدفَعُ عَن ذي الحيلَةِ الحِيَلُ

among young men like the swords of India, who well know

That ruses do not ward off one of cunning and schemes

that stratagems do not protect the man of cunning.

I competed with them over cannabis reeds, reclining

نازَعتُهُم قُضُبَ الرَيحانِ مُتَّكِئاً

نازَعتُهُم قُضُبَ الرَيحانِ مُتَّكِئاً

وَقَهوَةً مُزَّةٌ راوُوقُها خَضِلُ

وَقَهوَةً مُزَّةٌ راوُوقُها خَضِلُ

Reclining, I shared with them sprigs of sweet basil

And coffee bringing sleep, its cups green

and tart wine, its strainer dripping.

They do not awake from it while it is a wager

لا يَستَفيقونَ مِنها وَهيَ راهَنَةٌ

لا يَستَفيقونَ مِنها وَهيَ راهَنَةٌ

إِلّا بِهاتِ وَإِن عَلَّوا وَإِن نَهِلوا

إِلّا بِهاتِ وَإِن عَلَّوا وَإِن نَهِلوا

They do not come to their senses from it while it is still there,

Except by screaming, though they went high and got drunk

except to say, 'Bring it!' whether drinking again or taking their first draught.

With it the jar-bearer runs, his robes gathered

يَسعى بِها ذو زُجاجاتٍ لَهُ نُطَفٌ

يَسعى بِها ذو زُجاجاتٍ لَهُ نُطَفٌ

مُقَلِّصٌ أَسفَلَ السِربالِ مُعتَمِلُ

مُقَلِّصٌ أَسفَلَ السِربالِ مُعتَمِلُ

A man with bottles hurries about with it, wearing earrings,

Hemmed at the lower garment, filled

his tunic's lower hem tucked up, busy at his work.

And the responsive one's leggings sound when he walks

وَمُستَجيبٍ تَخالُ الصَنجَ يَسمَعُهُ

وَمُستَجيبٍ تَخالُ الصَنجَ يَسمَعُهُ

إِذا تُرَجِّعُ فيهِ القَينَةُ الفُضُلُ

إِذا تُرَجِّعُ فيهِ القَينَةُ الفُضُلُ

And an answering lute—you would think the harp hears it—

When the ankle rattles the coins' clinking

when the singing-girl, in her single garment, trills to it.

From all that is a day I sported on it

مِن كُلِّ ذَلِكَ يَومٌ قَد لَهَوتُ بِهِ

مِن كُلِّ ذَلِكَ يَومٌ قَد لَهَوتُ بِهِ

وَفي التَجارِبِ طولُ اللَهوِ وَالغَزَلُ

وَفي التَجارِبِ طولُ اللَهوِ وَالغَزَلُ

From all that, many a day I have spent in pleasure,

And in experiences, the length of play and amusements

and among my experiences are long revelry and love.

And those trailing the trains of their robes, lurking

وَالساحِباتُ ذُيولَ الخَزِّ آوِنَةً

وَالساحِباتُ ذُيولَ الخَزِّ آوِنَةً

وَالرافِلاتُ عَلى أَعجازِها العِجَلُ

وَالرافِلاتُ عَلى أَعجازِها العِجَلُ

And women trailing silk hems from time to time,

And those with thick ankles above their heels

and women strutting with rounded pads upon their rumps.

Inform Yazid ibn Shayban, fully informed:

أَبلِغ يَزيدَ بَني شَيبانَ مَألُكَةً

أَبلِغ يَزيدَ بَني شَيبانَ مَألُكَةً

أَبا ثُبيتٍ أَما تَنفَكُّ تَأتَكِلُ

أَبا ثُبيتٍ أَما تَنفَكُّ تَأتَكِلُ

Carry a message to Yazid of Banu Shayban:

Abu Thubayt, do you not cease nibbling at our hills?

Abu Thubayt, will you not cease burning with rage?

Are you not done gouging our milestones?

أَلَستَ مُنتَهِياً عَن نَحتِ أَثلَتِنا

أَلَستَ مُنتَهِياً عَن نَحتِ أَثلَتِنا

وَلَستَ ضائِرَها ما أَطَّتِ الإِبِلُ

وَلَستَ ضائِرَها ما أَطَّتِ الإِبِلُ

Will you not stop hewing at our tamarisk?

You are not harming them however far the camels range

You will not harm it as long as camels groan.

You seduce against us the party of Mas'ud and his brothers

تُغري بِنا رَهطَ مَسعودٍ وَإِخوَتِهِ

تُغري بِنا رَهطَ مَسعودٍ وَإِخوَتِهِ

عِندَ اللِقاءِ فَتُردي ثُمَّ تَعتَزِلُ

عِندَ اللِقاءِ فَتُردي ثُمَّ تَعتَزِلُ

You incite Mas'ud's band and his brothers against us

When we meet, then you chase them away and withdraw

at the encounter, bring them to ruin, then stand aside.

I will recognize you if the forces come against us

لَأَعرِفَنَّكَ إِن جَدَّ النَفيرُ بِنا

لَأَعرِفَنَّكَ إِن جَدَّ النَفيرُ بِنا

وَشُبَّتِ الحَربُ بِالطُوّافِ وَاِحتَمَلوا

وَشُبَّتِ الحَربُ بِالطُوّافِ وَاِحتَمَلوا

I shall surely know you if the call to arms grows urgent for us,

And war grows hot from circling them while they assault

and war is kindled by the roving heralds, and they depart.

Like the butt of a boulder, one day to split it

كَناطِحٍ صَخرَةً يَوماً لِيَفلِقَها

كَناطِحٍ صَخرَةً يَوماً لِيَفلِقَها

فَلَم يَضِرها وَأَوهى قَرنَهُ الوَعِلُ

فَلَم يَضِرها وَأَوهى قَرنَهُ الوَعِلُ

Like one butting a rock one day to split it:

But it did no damage while its horn weakened

he did not harm it; the ibex only weakened his horn.

I will recognize you if our enmity grows serious

لَأَعرِفَنَّكَ إِن جَدَّت عَداوَتُنا

لَأَعرِفَنَّكَ إِن جَدَّت عَداوَتُنا

وَاِلتُمِسَ النَصرُ مِنكُم عوضُ تُحتَمَلُ

وَاِلتُمِسَ النَصرُ مِنكُم عوضُ تُحتَمَلُ

I shall surely know you if our enmity becomes earnest,

And victory is sought from you, endured as recompense

and help is sought from you—you are forever borne away.

It fixes the spears of resolute men on our sycamores

تُلزِمُ أَرماحَ ذي الجَدَّينِ سَورَتَنا

تُلزِمُ أَرماحَ ذي الجَدَّينِ سَورَتَنا

عِندَ اللِقاءِ فَتُرديهِم وَتَعتَزِلُ

عِندَ اللِقاءِ فَتُرديهِم وَتَعتَزِلُ

You set Dhu al-Jaddayn's spears to meet our onslaught

When we meet, so you chase them away and withdraw

at the encounter, bringing them to ruin while you stand aside.

Do not sit while you have consumed it as firewood

لا تَقعُدَنَّ وَقَد أَكَّلتَها حَطَباً

لا تَقعُدَنَّ وَقَد أَكَّلتَها حَطَباً

تَعوذُ مِن شَرِّها يَوماً وَتَبتَهِلُ

تَعوذُ مِن شَرِّها يَوماً وَتَبتَهِلُ

Do not sit back after you have fed it firewood,

Seeking refuge from its evil one day and praying

seeking refuge from its evil one day and praying fervently.

There were among the People of the Cave, if they had sat

قَد كانَ في أَهلِ كَهفٍ إِن هُمُ قَعَدوا

قَد كانَ في أَهلِ كَهفٍ إِن هُمُ قَعَدوا

وَالجاشِرِيَّةِ مَن يَسعى وَيَنتَضِلُ

وَالجاشِرِيَّةِ مَن يَسعى وَيَنتَضِلُ

There were among the people of Kahf, if they stayed behind,

And the Decisive Battalion, some who strove and toiled

and al-Jashiriyya, men who strove and exchanged arrows.

Ask the Bani Asad about us, for they know

سائِل بَني أَسَدٍ عَنّا فَقَد عَلِموا

سائِل بَني أَسَدٍ عَنّا فَقَد عَلِموا

أَن سَوفَ يَأتيكَ مِن أَنبائِنا شَكَلُ

أَن سَوفَ يَأتيكَ مِن أَنبائِنا شَكَلُ

Ask Banu Asad about us, for they know

That the form of our news will reach you

that a sample of our exploits will reach you.

And ask Qushayr and Abdillah, all of them

وَاِسأَل قُشَيراً وَعَبدَ اللَهِ كُلُّهُمُ

وَاِسأَل قُشَيراً وَعَبدَ اللَهِ كُلُّهُمُ

وَاِسأَل رَبيعَةَ عَنّا كَيفَ نَفتَعِلُ

وَاِسأَل رَبيعَةَ عَنّا كَيفَ نَفتَعِلُ

Ask Qushayr and 'Abd Allah, all of them,

And ask Rabee'a about us, how we act

and ask Rabi'a about us, and how we act.

We fight them, then we kill them

إِنّا نُقاتِلُهُم ثُمَّتَ نَقتُلُهُم

إِنّا نُقاتِلُهُم ثُمَّتَ نَقتُلُهُم

عِندَ اللِقاءِ وَهُم جاروا وَهُم جَهِلوا

عِندَ اللِقاءِ وَهُم جاروا وَهُم جَهِلوا

We fight them, then we kill them

When we meet, while they were neighbors and ignoramuses

when we meet, for they have wronged us and acted foolishly.

Nay! You claimed that we do not fight you

كَلّا زَعَمتُم بِأَنّا لا نُقاتِلُكُم

كَلّا زَعَمتُم بِأَنّا لا نُقاتِلُكُم

إِنّا لِأَمثالِكُم يا قَومَنا قُتُلُ

إِنّا لِأَمثالِكُم يا قَومَنا قُتُلُ

No! You claimed that we would not fight you.

We only fight the likes of you, O our people, the slain!

For men like you, O our people, we are killers,

Until the leader of the people reclines

حَتّى يَظَلَّ عَميدُ القَومِ مُتَّكِئاً

حَتّى يَظَلَّ عَميدُ القَومِ مُتَّكِئاً

يَدفَعُ بِالراحِ عَنهُ نِسوَةٌ عُجُلُ

يَدفَعُ بِالراحِ عَنهُ نِسوَةٌ عُجُلُ

until the tribe's chief is left reclining,

While the women drive away flies with palm branches

while hurried women fend things off him with their palms.

An Indian struck him and aimed straight

أَصابَهُ هِندُوانِيٌّ فَأَقصَدَهُ

أَصابَهُ هِندُوانِيٌّ فَأَقصَدَهُ

أَو ذابِلٌ مِن رِماحِ الخَطِّ مُعتَدِلُ

أَو ذابِلٌ مِن رِماحِ الخَطِّ مُعتَدِلُ

An Indian sword struck him and killed him outright,

Or a wavering spear cast from the battle line

or a straight, seasoned shaft from the spears of al-Khatt.

We stab the camels in the hidden places of their saddlebags

قَد نَطعَنُ العيرَ في مَكنونِ فائِلِهِ

قَد نَطعَنُ العيرَ في مَكنونِ فائِلِهِ

وَقَد يَشيطُ عَلى أَرماحِنا البَطَلُ

وَقَد يَشيطُ عَلى أَرماحِنا البَطَلُ

Often we spear the ass in the hidden flesh of its haunch,

And the hero is whipped by our spears

and many a champion perishes upon our spears.

Will you desist? None deters the transgressors

هَل تَنتَهونَ وَلا يَنهى ذَوي شَطَطٍ

هَل تَنتَهونَ وَلا يَنهى ذَوي شَطَطٍ

كَالطَعنِ يَذهَبُ فيهِ الزَيتُ وَالفُتُلُ

كَالطَعنِ يَذهَبُ فيهِ الزَيتُ وَالفُتُلُ

Will you desist? Nothing restrains men of excess

Like stabbing in which oil and blood flow

like spear-thrusts that consume oil and wicks.

By the life of Him who destiny traced its passions

إِنّي لَعَمرُ الَّذي خَطَّت مَناسِمُها

إِنّي لَعَمرُ الَّذي خَطَّت مَناسِمُها

لَهُ وَسيقَ إِلَيهِ الباقِرُ الغُيُلُ

لَهُ وَسيقَ إِلَيهِ الباقِرُ الغُيُلُ

Indeed, by the life of Him for whom their hoof-pads traced tracks,

To Him the pouring rain returned

and to whom the fat cattle were driven:

If you kill a leader who was not preventing

لَئِن قَتَلتُم عَميداً لَم يَكُن صَدَداً

لَئِن قَتَلتُم عَميداً لَم يَكُن صَدَداً

لَنَقتُلَن مِثلَهُ مِنكُم فَنَمتَثِلُ

لَنَقتُلَن مِثلَهُ مِنكُم فَنَمتَثِلُ

if you have slain a chief who was not confronting you,

We will kill the like of him from you and reciprocate

we shall surely kill his like among you, and exact like for like.

If you deprive us of the thick of battle

لَئِن مُنيتَ بِنا عَن غِبِّ مَعرَكَةٍ

لَئِن مُنيتَ بِنا عَن غِبِّ مَعرَكَةٍ

لَم تُلفِنا مِن دِماءِ القَومِ نَنتَفِلُ

لَم تُلفِنا مِن دِماءِ القَومِ نَنتَفِلُ

If you are afflicted by us after a battle,

You will not find us drinking the blood of people and delighting

you will not find us disowning the tribe's bloodshed.

We are the horsemen on the day of calamity, overflowing

نَحنُ الفَوارِسُ يَومَ الحِنوِ ضاحِيَةً

نَحنُ الفَوارِسُ يَومَ الحِنوِ ضاحِيَةً

جَنبي فُطَيمَةَ لا ميلٌ وَلا عُزُلُ

جَنبي فُطَيمَةَ لا ميلٌ وَلا عُزُلُ

We are the horsemen on the day of al-Hinw, in broad daylight,

Set Futi'ma aside, neither inclination nor separation

on either side of Futayma, neither unsteady in the saddle nor unarmed.

They said, "Ride!" And we said that is our custom

قالوا الرُكوبَ فَقُلنا تِلكَ عادَتُنا

قالوا الرُكوبَ فَقُلنا تِلكَ عادَتُنا

أَو تَنزِلونَ فَإِنّا مَعشَرٌ نُزُلُ

أَو تَنزِلونَ فَإِنّا مَعشَرٌ نُزُلُ

They said, 'Mount!' We said, 'That is our custom.'

Or will you dismount? We are a people who dismount

Or will you dismount? For we are a people who fight on foot.