ماwhy بُكاءُweeping الكَبيرِthe old man بِالأَطلالِat the ruined camps
ما بُكاءُ الكَبيرِ بِالأَطلالِ
وَسُؤاليand my questioning فَهَلso will تَرُدُّanswer سُؤاليmy questioning
وَسُؤالي فَهَل تَرُدُّ سُؤالي
Why does an old man weep over the ruined camps,
The weeping of elders over ruins,
and why do I question them—will they answer my questions?
And my question - will you answer my question?
دِمنَةٌan abandoned campsite قَفرَةٌdesolate تَعاوَرَهاrepeatedly visited it الصَيthe summer (start)
دِمنَةٌ قَفرَةٌ تَعاوَرَها الصَي
فُsummer (end) بِريحَينِwith two winds مِنof صَباًan east wind وَشَمالِand a north wind
فُ بِريحَينِ مِن صَباً وَشَمالِ
A deserted campsite, visited again and again by summer,
A barren wasteland buffeted by winds
with two winds, the east and the north.
From the east and from the north.
لاتَnot the time for هَنّاnow ذِكرىremembrance جُبَيرَةَJubayra أَوor مَنwhoever
لاتَ هَنّا ذِكرى جُبَيرَةَ أَو مَن
جاءَcame مِنهاfrom her بِطائِفِwith a haunting visitation of الأَهوالِthe terrors
جاءَ مِنها بِطائِفِ الأَهوالِ
This is no time to remember Jubayra, or whoever
No memories here of Jubayrah or those
came from her with a haunting visitation of terrors.
Who came from it bearing awful burdens.
حَلَّsettled أَهليmy people بَطنَthe valley of الغَميسِal-Ghamis فَبادَوthen Baduli (start)
حَلَّ أَهلي بَطنَ الغَميسِ فَبادَو
ليBaduli (end) وَحَلَّتand she settled عُلوِيَّةًupland بِالسِخالِat al-Sikhal
لي وَحَلَّت عُلوِيَّةً بِالسِخالِ
My people settled in the valley of al-Ghamis, then Baduli,
My people settled in the belly of darkness and perished
while she settled upland at al-Sikhal.
For me, while lofty dwellings fell into ruin.
تَرتَعيshe grazes over السَفحَal-Safh, the slope فَالكَثيبَthen al-Kathib, the dune فَذاthen Dhu قاQar (start)
تَرتَعي السَفحَ فَالكَثيبَ فَذا قا
رٍQar (end) فَرَوضَthen Rawd, the meadow of القَطاal-Qata, the sandgrouse فَذاتَthen Dhat الرِئالِal-Ri'al, the ostrich chicks
رٍ فَرَوضَ القَطا فَذاتَ الرِئالِ
She ranges over al-Safh, then al-Kathib, then Dhu Qar,
It grazes the slopes, then the hills, then wanders
then Rawd al-Qata, then Dhat al-Ri'al.
Among the meadows where young gazelles play.
رُبَّmany a خَرقٍvast wilderness مِنfrom دونِهاbefore reaching her يُخرِسُsilences السَفthe travelers (start)
رُبَّ خَرقٍ مِن دونِها يُخرِسُ السَف
رَtravelers (end) وَميلٍand a mile يُفضيleads إِلىto أَميالِmiles
رَ وَميلٍ يُفضي إِلى أَميالِ
Many a wilderness lies short of her, silencing travelers,
Many are the mountain passes that make the traveler silent
and many a mile leads on to miles,
And the slopes that lead to more slopes.
وَسِقاءٍand a waterskin يوكىis tied shut عَلىat تَأَقِfullness of المَلthe filling (start)
وَسِقاءٍ يوكى عَلى تَأَقِ المَل
ءِfilling (end) وَسَيرٍand travel وَمُستَقىand a water source of أَوشالِtrickling springs
ءِ وَسَيرٍ وَمُستَقى أَوشالِ
and a waterskin tied shut at brimming fullness,
A waterskin lamenting the filling of skins,
and travel, and water drawn from trickling springs,
Travels and wells and twisting paths.
وَاِدِّلاجٍand night travel بَعدَafter المَنامِsleep وَتَهجيand midday travel (start)
وَاِدِّلاجٍ بَعدَ المَنامِ وَتَهجي
رٍmidday travel (end) وَقُفٍّand rocky upland وَسَبسَبٍand a bare plain وَرِمالِand sands
رٍ وَقُفٍّ وَسَبسَبٍ وَرِمالِ
and night journeys after sleep, and midday travel,
Routes taken after sleep, wandering, stopping,
and rocky heights, bare plains, and sands,
And moving on, and hills of sand.
وَقَليبٍand a well أَجنٍstagnant كَأَنَّas though مِنَof الريthe feathers (start)
وَقَليبٍ أَجنٍ كَأَنَّ مِنَ الري
شِfeathers (end) بِأَرجائِهِat its edges لُقوطَgleanings of نِصالِarrowheads
شِ بِأَرجائِهِ لُقوطَ نِصالِ
and a stagnant well, as though the feathers
A kettle blackened as if spears
at its edges were scattered arrowheads.
Had pierced its edges from all directions.
فَلَئِنyet even if شَطَّgrew distant بيfrom me المَزارُthe place of visiting لَقَدindeed أَغI go forth (start)
فَلَئِن شَطَّ بي المَزارُ لَقَد أَغ
دوI go forth (end) قَليلَfew in الهُمومِcares ناعِمَat ease in بالِmind
دو قَليلَ الهُمومِ ناعِمَ بالِ
Though her dwelling lies far from me, I once went forth
So if the shrine has revived me, I was
with few cares and a mind at ease,
Little troubled, living softly.
إِذwhen هِيَshe الهَمُّthe concern وَالحَديثُand the talk وَإِذand when تَعshe disobeys (start)
إِذ هِيَ الهَمُّ وَالحَديثُ وَإِذ تَع
صيshe disobeys (end) إِلَيَّfor my sake الأَميرَthe prince ذاlord of الأَقوالِthe chieftains
صي إِلَيَّ الأَميرَ ذا الأَقوالِ
when she was my concern and my talk, and would disobey
For it is my preoccupation and my discourse,
for my sake the prince, lord of chieftains.
And if the prince calls me, a man of words,
ظَبيَةٌa gazelle مِنfrom ظِباءِgazelles of وَجرَةَWajra أَدماpale-coated (start)
ظَبيَةٌ مِن ظِباءِ وَجرَةَ أَدما
ءُpale-coated (end) تَسَفُّshe nibbles الكَباثَripe arak berries تَحتَbeneath الهَدالِthe mistletoe
ءُ تَسَفُّ الكَباثَ تَحتَ الهَدالِ
A pale gazelle from the gazelles of Wajra,
A gazelle of gazelles and spotted fawns
nibbling ripe arak berries beneath the mistletoe.
Who kick up dust beneath the shrubs,
حُرَّةٌnoble-born طَفلَةُdelicate in الأَنامِلِthe fingertips تَرتَبshe tends (start)
حُرَّةٌ طَفلَةُ الأَنامِلِ تَرتَب
بُshe tends (end) سُخاماًsoft black hair تَكُفُّهُshe gathers it بِخِلالِwith hairpins
بُ سُخاماً تَكُفُّهُ بِخِلالِ
Noble-born, delicate-fingered, she tends
A free mare, nimble, barely restrained
soft black hair, gathering it with hairpins.
By the bridle, a mother of a young gazelle.
وَكَأَنَّand as though السُموطَthe necklace-strands عَكَّفَهاcurved them السَلthe thread (start)
وَكَأَنَّ السُموطَ عَكَّفَها السَل
كُthread (end) بِعِطفَيon both sides of جَيداءَa long-necked doe أُمِّmother of غَزالِa fawn
كُ بِعِطفَي جَيداءَ أُمِّ غَزالِ
And the necklace-strands, curved by their thread, seem
Her withers, it seems, caressed by a soft palm,
to rest at the sides of a long-necked doe, mother of a fawn.
The gentle hand of a doe, mother of a fawn.
وَكَأَنَّand as though الخَمرَthe wine العَتيقَthe aged مِنَof الإِthe isfant wine (start)
وَكَأَنَّ الخَمرَ العَتيقَ مِنَ الإِ
سفَنطِisfant wine (end) مَمزوجَةًmixed بِماءٍwith water زُلالِlimpid
سفَنطِ مَمزوجَةً بِماءٍ زُلالِ
And as though aged isfant wine
And the old wine seems mixed
were mixed with limpid water,
With pure water from Isfahan.
باكَرَتهاdrew it at dawn الأَغرابُthe large buckets فيin سِنَةِdrowsiness of النَوthe sleep (start)
باكَرَتها الأَغرابُ في سِنَةِ النَو
مِsleep (end) فَتَجريthen it flows خِلالَthrough شَوكِthorns of السَيالِthe sayal acacias
مِ فَتَجري خِلالَ شَوكِ السَيالِ
drawn at dawn by great buckets while sleep lingered,
Wild cows bred her in a rainy year
flowing among the thorns of sayal acacias.
So she flows between sharp thorns.
فَاِذهَبيso go away ماnot إِلَيكِtoward you أَدرَكَنيovertook me الحِلthe good sense (start)
فَاِذهَبي ما إِلَيكِ أَدرَكَني الحِل
مُgood sense (end) عَدانيturned me aside عَنfrom ذِكرِكُمremembering you all أَشغاليmy affairs
مُ عَداني عَن ذِكرِكُم أَشغالي
Go, then: I am not coming to you; good sense has overtaken me;
So go - dreams have come upon me.
my affairs have turned me from remembering you all.
My work has distracted me from remembering you.
وَعَسيرٍand a headstrong she-camel أَدماءَpale-coated حادِرَةِfull and prominent in العَيthe eye (start)
وَعَسيرٍ أَدماءَ حادِرَةِ العَي
نِeye (end) خَنوفٍswaying in gait عَيرانَةٍwild-ass-strong شِملالِswift
نِ خَنوفٍ عَيرانَةٍ شِملالِ
And many a headstrong, pale camel, full-eyed,
A camel loud in breathing, gloomy, wearing a neck shade,
swaying in her stride, wild-ass-strong and swift,
Bellowing, fleet footed, shaggy neck hair.
مِنfrom سَراةِthe finest of الهِجانِthe purebred camels صَلَّبَهاhardened her العُضthe coarse fodder (start)
مِن سَراةِ الهِجانِ صَلَّبَها العُض
ضُcoarse fodder (end) وَرَعيُand grazing in الحِمىthe protected pasture وَطولُand length of الحِيالِbarrenness
ضُ وَرَعيُ الحِمى وَطولُ الحِيالِ
from the finest purebred camels, hardened by coarse fodder,
The drought has shriveled her; she was not pitied
grazing in protected pasture, and long barrenness—
By companions or served by slaves.
لَمnot تَعَطَّفshe bent tenderly عَلىtoward حُوارٍa camel-calf وَلَمand not يَقhe cuts (start)
لَم تَعَطَّف عَلى حُوارٍ وَلَم يَق
طَعhe cuts (end) عُبَيدٌUbayd عُروقَهاher veins مِنfor خُمالِlameness
طَع عُبَيدٌ عُروقَها مِن خُمالِ
she never bent tenderly over a calf, nor has
I blamed her for the hardness of the earth,
Ubayd cut her veins for lameness.
Though her shining metal parts have worn out.
قَدindeed تَعَلَّلتُهاI diverted myself riding her عَلىamid نَكَظِhardship of المَيthe journey (start)
قَد تَعَلَّلتُها عَلى نَكَظِ المَي
طِjourney (end) وَقَدwhile already خَبَّdanced لامِعاتُthe gleams of الآلِthe mirage
طِ وَقَد خَبَّ لامِعاتُ الآلِ
I have diverted myself riding her through arduous travel,
She wanders the wasteland aimlessly
while the gleaming mirages danced,
Except for fate and appointed terms.
فَوقَacross دَيمومَةٍa trackless wilderness تَغَوَّلُpreys بِالسَفupon the travelers (start)
فَوقَ دَيمومَةٍ تَغَوَّلُ بِالسَف
رِtravelers (end) قِفارٍdesolate إِلّاexcept مِنَfor الآجالِthe herds of wild beasts
رِ قِفارٍ إِلّا مِنَ الآجالِ
over a trackless wilderness that destroys travelers,
And when the darkness recedes and they hope
desolate except for herds of wild beasts.
The rain will come after nights,
وَإِذاand when ماemphatic particle الضَلالُlosing the way خيفَwas feared وَكانَand was الthe
وَإِذا ما الضَلالُ خيفَ وَكانَ ال
وِردُwatering خِمساًon the fifth day يَرجونَهُthey hoped for it عَنafter لَيالِnights
وِردُ خِمساً يَرجونَهُ عَن لَيالِ
And when losing the way was feared, and the next watering
And the changers of camp are roused among the tribe,
was on the fifth day, hoped for after nights,
While the weavers are secluded in their tents,
وَاِستُحِثَّand were urged on المُغَيِّرونَthe fast-moving riders مِنَof القَوthe company (start)
وَاِستُحِثَّ المُغَيِّرونَ مِنَ القَو
مِcompany (end) وَكانَand was النُطافُthe remaining water ماwhat فيin العَزاليthe waterskin spouts
مِ وَكانَ النُطافُ ما في العَزالي
and the company's swift-moving riders were urged on,
A mare runs like a fleet ostrich,
and the only water was what remained in the waterskin spouts,
Separating the bundle on the saddle.
مَرِحَتfrisked حُرَّةٌa noble she-camel كَقَنطَرَةِlike the bridge of الروthe Roman (start)
مَرِحَت حُرَّةٌ كَقَنطَرَةِ الرو
مِيِّRoman (end) تَفريcleaves الهَجيرَthe midday heat بِالإِرقالِwith a swift trot
مِيِّ تَفري الهَجيرَ بِالإِرقالِ
a noble camel frisked, like a Roman bridge,
She overtakes the wild goats and mountain ridges
cleaving the midday heat with a swift trot.
With a quickness to plunge into ravines.
تَقطَعُshe crosses الأَمعَزَthe stony ground المُكَوكِبَstudded with stones وَخداًat a long stride
تَقطَعُ الأَمعَزَ المُكَوكِبَ وَخداً
بِنَواجٍwith swift limbs سَريعَةِquick in الإيغالِpressing onward
بِنَواجٍ سَريعَةِ الإيغالِ
She crosses the stone-studded gravel at a long stride,
Antar's horse who, when spurred, runs
on swift limbs, quick to press onward.
Like the trotting of a lively, prancing steed,
عَنتَريسٌpowerfully built تَعدوshe runs إِذاwhen مَسَّهاtouched her السَوthe whip (start)
عَنتَريسٌ تَعدو إِذا مَسَّها السَو
طُwhip (end) كَعَدوِlike the running of المُصَلصِلِthe loud-braying ass الجَوّالِthe roamer
طُ كَعَدوِ المُصَلصِلِ الجَوّالِ
Powerfully built, she runs when the whip touches her,
Whose flanks the summer heat and hooves have smoothed
like the loud-braying, roaming wild ass,
On the mountain path like an archer's bow.
لاحَهُmade him lean الصَيفُthe summer وَالصِيالُand mating-fights وَإِشفاand concern (start)
لاحَهُ الصَيفُ وَالصِيالُ وَإِشفا
قٌconcern (end) عَلىfor صَعدَةٍa tall she-ass كَقَوسِlike a bow of الضَاللِwild lote-wood
قٌ عَلى صَعدَةٍ كَقَوسِ الضَاللِ
made lean by summer, mating-fights, and concern
Dazzling the heart unto madness, distracting it
for a tall she-ass, like a bow of wild lote-wood,
From her - evil is such a distraction,
مُلمِعٍpregnant لاعَةِburning in الفُؤادِthe heart إِلىfor جَحa foal (start)
مُلمِعٍ لاعَةِ الفُؤادِ إِلى جَح
شٍfoal (end) فَلاهُhe weaned him عَنهاfrom her فَبِئسَand wretched is الفاليthe weaner
شٍ فَلاهُ عَنها فَبِئسَ الفالي
pregnant, her heart burning for a foal
Malicious toward the tribe, evil of soul,
he weaned from her—an evil weaner!
Who casts his ropes with throwing sticks.
ذوpossessed of أَذاةٍharmfulness عَلىtoward الخَليطِthe herd خَبيثُvicious in الthe
ذو أَذاةٍ عَلى الخَليطِ خَبيثُ ال
نَفسِtemperament يَرميhe strews مَراغَهُhis dust-wallow بِالنُسالِwith shed hair
نَفسِ يَرمي مَراغَهُ بِالنُسالِ
Harmful to the herd, vicious in
He startled the mare in the dust and chased
temperament, he strews his dust-wallow with shed hair.
Her insistently to the drummer's call.
غادَرَhe left الجَحشَthe foal فيin الغُبارِthe dust وَعَدّاand he drove
غادَرَ الجَحشَ في الغُبارِ وَعَدّا
هاher حَثيثاًswiftly لِصُوَّةِto the rocky landmark of الأَدحالِthe hollows
ها حَثيثاً لِصُوَّةِ الأَدحالِ
He left the foal in the dust and drove
I likened my she-camel as she veered
her swiftly toward the rocky landmark of the hollows.
Right of pasture after weariness and exertion.
ذاكَthat شَبَّهتُI likened ناقَتيmy she-camel عَنon يَمينِthe right of الthe
ذاكَ شَبَّهتُ ناقَتي عَن يَمينِ ال
رَعنِmountain spur بَعدَafter الكَلالِexhaustion وَالإِعمالِand hard exertion
رَعنِ بَعدَ الكَلالِ وَالإِعمالِ
To that I likened my camel, to the right of
And she complains to me, moaning piteously,
the mountain spur, after exhaustion and hard exertion.
Her chest galled like the soles of sandals.
وَتَراهاand you see her تَشكوcomplaining إِلَيَّto me وَقَدwhen she had آbecome (start)
وَتَراها تَشكو إِلَيَّ وَقَد آ
لَتbecome (end) طَليحاًworn out تُحذىis shod with صُدورَfront parts of النِعالِthe sandals
لَت طَليحاً تُحذى صُدورَ النِعالِ
You see her complaining to me, having become
The saddle has dug into her back
worn out, shod with the foreparts of sandals,
So you see the vertebrae of one hour then departure.
نَقَبَworn through الخُفِّthe foot-pad لِلسُرىfrom night travel فَتَرىand you see الأَنthe girths (start)
نَقَبَ الخُفِّ لِلسُرى فَتَرى الأَن
ساعَgirths (end) مِنfrom حِلِّunsaddling ساعَةٍan hour وَاِرتِحالِand saddling up
ساعَ مِن حِلِّ ساعَةٍ وَاِرتِحالِ
her foot-pads worn through by night travel; you see the girths,
She limped in the fetlocks as if
from an hour's unsaddling and saddling,
Crippled, swaying above a lame leg.
أَثَّرَتleft marks فيon جَناجِنٍbreastbones كَإِرانِlike a bier of الthe
أَثَّرَت في جَناجِنٍ كَإِرانِ ال
مَيتِdead person عولينَraised فَوقَabove عوجٍcurved limbs رِسالِeasy-moving
مَيتِ عولينَ فَوقَ عوجٍ رِسالِ
have scarred breastbones like a dead man's bier,
Do not complain to me of the pain of travel,
raised above curved, easy-moving legs.
Nor of the saddle-cloth nor of exhaustion.
لاdo not تَشَكّيcomplain إِلَيَّto me مِنof أَلَمِpain of النِسthe girth (start)
لا تَشَكّي إِلَيَّ مِن أَلَمِ النِس
عِgirth (end) وَلاnor مِنof حَفاًsore feet وَلاnor مِنof كَلالِfatigue
عِ وَلا مِن حَفاً وَلا مِن كَلالِ
Do not complain to me of the girth's pain,
Do not complain but seek the black hill,
nor of sore feet, nor of fatigue.
Home of dew and home of action.
لاdo not تَشَكّيcomplain إِلَيَّto me وَاِنتَجِعيand seek the bounty of الأَسal-Aswad (start)
لا تَشَكّي إِلَيَّ وَاِنتَجِعي الأَس
وَدَal-Aswad (end) أَهلَa man of النَدىgenerosity وَأَهلَand a man of الفِعالِnoble deeds
وَدَ أَهلَ النَدى وَأَهلَ الفِعالِ
Do not complain to me; seek the bounty of al-Aswad,
A fresh branch that quivers on the bough
a man of generosity and a man of deeds.
Of glory, pouring copious dew, firm stepping.
فَرعُa shoot of نَبعٍa nab‘ tree يَهتَزُّsways فيin غُصُنِthe bough of المَجthe glory (start)
فَرعُ نَبعٍ يَهتَزُّ في غُصُنِ المَج
دِglory (end) غَزيرُabundant in النَدىgenerosity شَديدُmighty in المِحالِpower
دِ غَزيرُ النَدى شَديدُ المِحالِ
A shoot of the nab‘ tree, swaying in the bough of glory,
There lies honor and piety, and the quarrel
lavish in generosity, mighty in power.
Of the guest, and the bearing of heavy loads.
عِندَهُwith him الخَزمُrestraint وَالتُقىand piety وَأَساand healing for الصَرthe fall (start)
عِندَهُ الخَزمُ وَالتُقى وَأَسا الصَر
عِfall (end) وَحَملٌand bearing لِمُضلِعِof back-breaking الأَثقالِburdens
عِ وَحَملٌ لِمُضلِعِ الأَثقالِ
With him are restraint, piety, and healing for a fall,
And keeping ties of kin - mankind knows -
and the bearing of back-breaking burdens,
And freeing prisoners from shackles.
وَصِلاتُand maintaining الأَرحامِkinship ties قَدindeed عَلِمَknew الناthe people (start)
وَصِلاتُ الأَرحامِ قَد عَلِمَ النا
سُpeople (end) وَفَكُّand freeing الأَسرىthe captives مِنَfrom الأَغلالِthe fetters
سُ وَفَكُّ الأَسرى مِنَ الأَغلالِ
and maintaining kinship ties, as people well know,
And humility of the dear soul toward
and freeing captives from fetters,
Remembrance when breasts of people meet.
وَهَوانُand holding cheap النَفسِthe life العَزيزَةِthe precious لِلذَكfor renown (start)
وَهَوانُ النَفسِ العَزيزَةِ لِلذَك
رِrenown (end) إِذاwhen ماemphatic particle اِلتَقَتmet صُدورُtips of العَواليthe lofty spears
رِ إِذا ما اِلتَقَت صُدورُ العَوالي
and holding his precious life cheap for renown,
Giving, when asked, though blame be forthcoming,
when the tips of lofty spears meet,
For he does not care.
وَعَطاءٌand giving إِذاwhen سَأَلتَyou ask إِذاwhen العِذthe excuse (start)
وَعَطاءٌ إِذا سَأَلتَ إِذا العِذ
رَةُexcuse (end) كانَتwas عَطِيَّةَthe gift of البُخّالِthe misers
رَةُ كانَت عَطِيَّةَ البُخّالِ
and giving when you ask, when excuses
Loyalty, when you promise, your ropes never breaking
are the gifts of misers,
As you tie rope to rope.
وَوَفاءٌand fidelity إِذاwhen أَجَرتَyou grant protection فَماand never غُرwere betrayed (start)
وَوَفاءٌ إِذا أَجَرتَ فَما غُر
رَتwere betrayed (end) حِبالٌbonds وَصَلتَهاyou joined them بِحِبالِto bonds
رَت حِبالٌ وَصَلتَها بِحِبالِ
and fidelity when you grant protection: never are bonds
Comfortable, your people rest in your shade
joined to your bonds betrayed.
Rising for you as the crescent rises.
أَريَحِيٌّopen-handed صَلتٌnoble-faced يَظَلُّremains لَهُbefore him القَوthe people (start)
أَريَحِيٌّ صَلتٌ يَظَلُّ لَهُ القَو
مُpeople (end) رُكوداًmotionless قِيامَهُمtheir standing لِلهِلالِfor the crescent moon
مُ رُكوداً قِيامَهُم لِلهِلالِ
Open-handed, noble-faced; men remain before him
Whether he punishes, it is affection,
motionless, as they stand watching the crescent moon.
And if he gives copiously, he cares not.
إِنif يُعاقِبhe punishes يَكُنit is غَراماًlasting ruin وَإِنand if يُعhe gives (start)
إِن يُعاقِب يَكُن غَراماً وَإِن يُع
طِhe gives (end) جَزيلاًlavishly فَإِنَّهُthen he لاdoes not يُباليcare
طِ جَزيلاً فَإِنَّهُ لا يُبالي
If he punishes, it is lasting ruin; if he gives
He bestows bounty on the crowd like an orchard
lavishly, he pays it no heed.
Swaying before children.
يَهَبُhe gives الجِلَّةَthe mature she-camels الجَراجِرَthe bellowing ones كَالبُسlike the orchard (start)
يَهَبُ الجِلَّةَ الجَراجِرَ كَالبُس
تانِorchard (end) تَحنوthey bend tenderly لِدَردَقٍtoward little ones أَطفالِyoung calves
تانِ تَحنو لِدَردَقٍ أَطفالِ
He gives mature, bellowing she-camels, like an orchard,
And girls run beneath the ancient willow,
bending tenderly toward tiny young calves,
And the knight in trailing garb.
وَالبَغاياand the slave-girls يَركُضنَthey kick up أَكسِيَةَrobes of الإِضthe crimson silk (start)
وَالبَغايا يَركُضنَ أَكسِيَةَ الإِض
ريجِcrimson silk (end) وَالشَرعَبِيَّand Shar‘abi cloth ذاhaving الأَذيالِthe trailing skirts
ريجِ وَالشَرعَبِيَّ ذا الأَذيالِ
and slave-girls, kicking up robes of crimson silk
Horses as if they were shafts of lightning,
and trailing Shar‘abi cloth,
Galloping with the speed of heroes.
وَجِياداًand fine horses كَأَنَّهاas though they were قُضُبُshoots of الشَوthe shawhat tree (start)
وَجِياداً كَأَنَّها قُضُبُ الشَو
حَطِshawhat tree (end) تَعدوthey run بِشِكَّةِwith the battle-gear of الأَبطالِthe heroes
حَطِ تَعدو بِشِكَّةِ الأَبطالِ
and fine horses, like shoots of shawhat trees,
Tambourines and silver platters
running with heroes' battle-gear,
And girls swaying beneath the men.
وَالمَكاكيكَand goblets وَالصِحافَand platters مِنَof الفِضthe silver (start)
وَالمَكاكيكَ وَالصِحافَ مِنَ الفِض
ضَةِsilver (end) وَالضامِزاتِand the silent camels تَحتَbeneath الرِجالِthe men
ضَةِ وَالضامِزاتِ تَحتَ الرِجالِ
and goblets and platters of silver,
How many tribes were given to drink
and silent camels beneath their riders.
At dusk from his pool and were content?
رُبَّmany a حَيٍّtribe أَشقاهُمُhe made them wretched آخِرَthe remainder of الدَهthe time (start)
رُبَّ حَيٍّ أَشقاهُمُ آخِرَ الدَه
رِtime (end) وَحَيٍّand a tribe سَقاهُمُhe watered them بِسِجالِwith brimming buckets
رِ وَحَيٍّ سَقاهُمُ بِسِجالِ
Many a tribe he made wretched for all remaining time,
Battles blazed but were not extinguished
and many a tribe he watered with brimming buckets.
When he reduced them beneath his rule.
وَلَقَدand indeed شُبَّتِwere kindled الحُروبُthe wars فَماyet not غُمyou were overwhelmed (start)
وَلَقَد شُبَّتِ الحُروبُ فَما غُم
مِرتَyou were overwhelmed (end) فيهاin them إِذwhen قَلَّصَتthey drew away عَنfrom حِيالِbarrenness
مِرتَ فيها إِذ قَلَّصَت عَن حِيالِ
Wars were indeed kindled, yet you were not overwhelmed,
Behold, again and again, each was given
when they cast off barrenness.
Sandals studded with examples.
هَأُلىthese ثُمَّthen هَأُلىthese كُلّاًeach اِعطَيyou gave (start)
هَأُلى ثُمَّ هَأُلى كُلّاً اِعطَي
تَyou gave (end) نِعالاًsandals مَحذُوَّةًcut بِمِثالِto a pattern
تَ نِعالاً مَحذُوَّةً بِمِثالِ
These men, then those—you gave each
Thus I see those who obey your staff
sandals cut to the same pattern.
Exalted, while the heels of your obedient rise high.
فَأَرىso I see مَنwhoever عَصاكَdisobeyed you أَصبَحَbecame مَخذوforsaken (start)
فَأَرى مَن عَصاكَ أَصبَحَ مَخذو
لاًforsaken (end) وَكَعبُand the standing of الَّذيthe one who يُطيعُكَobeys you عاليhigh
لاً وَكَعبُ الَّذي يُطيعُكَ عالي
I see that whoever disobeyed you became forsaken,
You are better than ten thousand thousand
while the standing of whoever obeys you is high.
Of men when faces touch the ground.
أَنتَyou خَيرٌbetter مِنthan أَلفِa thousand أَلفٍthousand مِنَof القَوthe people (start)
أَنتَ خَيرٌ مِن أَلفِ أَلفٍ مِنَ القَو
مِpeople (end) إِذاwhen ماemphatic particle كَبَتfell face-down وُجوهُfaces of الرِجالِthe men
مِ إِذا ما كَبَت وُجوهُ الرِجالِ
You are better than a million of the people,
And for one such as you who has gathered
when men's faces fall to the ground.
An army, the death blow is refused.
وَلِمِثلِand with the like of الَّذيwhat جَمَعتَyou amassed مِنَof العُدthe equipment (start)
وَلِمِثلِ الَّذي جَمَعتَ مِنَ العُد
دَةِequipment (end) تَأبىyou reject حُكومَةَthe ruling of المُقتالِthe domineering judge
دَةِ تَأبى حُكومَةَ المُقتالِ
With equipment such as you have amassed,
Your ancient, veteran army of noblemen
you reject a domineering judge's ruling.
Lords of domed tents and feasts.
جُندُكَyour army التالِدُthe long-established العَتيقُthe ancient مِنَfrom الthe
جُندُكَ التالِدُ العَتيقُ مِنَ ال
ساداتِlords أَهلِmen of القِبابِthe pavilions وَالآكالِand revenues
ساداتِ أَهلِ القِبابِ وَالآكالِ
Your long-established, ancient army consists of
No deviation in battle, no discord,
lords, men of pavilions and revenues,
No reserves, no foster sons.
غَيرُnot ميلٍfaltering وَلاnor عَواويرَfaint-hearted فيin الهَيthe battle (start)
غَيرُ ميلٍ وَلا عَواويرَ في الهَي
جاbattle (end) وَلاnor عُزَّلٍunarmed وَلاnor أَكفالِriders behind others
جا وَلا عُزَّلٍ وَلا أَكفالِ
not faltering or faint-hearted in battle,
Shields woven by David for war
nor unarmed, nor riding behind others,
Borne on camel back.
وَدُروعٌand coats of mail مِنof نَسجِthe weaving of داوُودَDavid فيin الحَرthe war (start)
وَدُروعٌ مِن نَسجِ داوُودَ في الحَر
بِwar (end) وَسوقٌand greaves يُحمَلنَthey are carried فَوقَupon الجِمالِthe camels
بِ وَسوقٌ يُحمَلنَ فَوقَ الجِمالِ
and coats of mail, of David's weaving, for war,
Raiment like ashes to guard
and greaves carried upon camels,
Against dew and shade.
مُلبَساتٌwrapped مِثلَlike الرَمادِashes مِنَin الكُرthe coarse woolen cloth (start)
مُلبَساتٌ مِثلَ الرَمادِ مِنَ الكُر
رَةِcoarse woolen cloth (end) مِنfrom خَشيَةِfear of النَدىthe dew وَالطِلالِand light rain
رَةِ مِن خَشيَةِ النَدى وَالطِلالِ
wrapped in ash-colored coarse woolen cloth,
No ease allowed for the friend
for fear of dew and light rain.
But to fight the enemy in battle.
لَمnot يُيَسَّرنَthey were readied لِلصَديقِfor the friend وَلَكِنbut
لَم يُيَسَّرنَ لِلصَديقِ وَلَكِن
لِقِتالِto fight العَدُوِّthe enemy يَومَon the day of القِتالِbattle
لِقِتالِ العَدُوِّ يَومَ القِتالِ
They were not readied for a friend, but
For one who makes destiny
to fight the enemy on the day of battle,
His adversary, without refuge or ally.
لِاِمرِئٍfor a man يَجعَلُprepares الأَداةَthe equipment لِرَيبِagainst the hazards of الthe
لِاِمرِئٍ يَجعَلُ الأَداةَ لِرَيبِ ال
دَهرِtime لاnot مُسنَدٍa sluggard وَلاnor زُمّالِa coward
دَهرِ لا مُسنَدٍ وَلا زُمّالِ
for a man who readies equipment against the hazards of
Every year leading horses to horses
time, no sluggard and no coward.
Openly, the morning after polishing swords.
كُلَّevery عامٍyear يَقودُhe leads خَيلاًhorses إِلىagainst خَيhorses (start)
كُلَّ عامٍ يَقودُ خَيلاً إِلى خَي
لٍhorses (end) دِفاقاًsurging غَداةَat dawn غِبِّafter الصِقالِthe polishing of weapons
لٍ دِفاقاً غَداةَ غِبِّ الصِقالِ
Every year he leads horses against horses,
He subdued the giddy when they disliked religion,
surging at dawn after the polishing of weapons.
With a raid and assault.
هُوَhe دانَsubdued الرَبابَal-Rabab إِذwhen كَرِهواthey rejected الديthe submission (start)
هُوَ دانَ الرَبابَ إِذ كَرِهوا الدي
نَsubmission (end) دِراكاًin swift succession بِغَزوَةٍwith a raid وَصِيالِand assault
نَ دِراكاً بِغَزوَةٍ وَصِيالِ
He subdued al-Rabab when they rejected submission,
Then he quenched them at the watering pace
with raids and assaults in swift succession.
And sated the sins of the filled valley.
ثُمَّthen أَسقاهُمُhe gave them drink عَلىamid نَفَدِexhaustion of العَيthe livelihood (start)
ثُمَّ أَسقاهُمُ عَلى نَفَدِ العَي
شِlivelihood (end) فَأَروىand he quenched ذَنوبَa great bucketful of رِفدٍaid مُحالِpower
شِ فَأَروى ذَنوبَ رِفدٍ مُحالِ
Then he gave them drink when their livelihood failed,
A spacious tent the guest retreats to
quenching them with a great bucketful of powerful aid:
And tent ropes linked to ropes.
فَخمَةًa massive host يَلجَأُseeks refuge المُضافُthe hard-pressed إِلَيهاin it
فَخمَةً يَلجَأُ المُضافُ إِلَيها
وَرِعالاًand squadrons مَوصولَةًjoined بِرِعالِto squadrons
وَرِعالاً مَوصولَةً بِرِعالِ
a massive host where the hard-pressed seek refuge,
It casts out the elder from his sons
and squadrons linked with squadrons,
And turns away the white haired recluse.
تُخرِجُit takes out الشَيخَthe old man مِنfrom بَنيهِhis sons وَتُلويand carries off
تُخرِجُ الشَيخَ مِن بَنيهِ وَتُلوي
بِلَبونِthe milk-camels of المِعزابَةِthe far-roaming herdsman المِعزالِthe solitary one
بِلَبونِ المِعزابَةِ المِعزالِ
taking the old man from his sons and carrying off
Then the giddy complained as if suffering
the milk-camels of the far-roaming, solitary herdsman.
The punishment of words.
ثُمَّthen دانَتsubmitted بَعدُafterward الرِبابُal-Rabab وَكانَتand was
ثُمَّ دانَت بَعدُ الرِبابُ وَكانَت
كَعَذابٍlike torment عُقوبَةُthe punishment of الأَقوالِthe chieftains
كَعَذابٍ عُقوبَةُ الأَقوالِ
Then al-Rabab submitted at last, and
For yearning, long imprisonment, and gathering
the punishment of the chieftains was like torment,
Scattered ones, and travel, and endurance
عَنafter تَمَنٍّlonging وَطولِand length of حَبسٍdetention وَتَجميand gathering (start)
عَن تَمَنٍّ وَطولِ حَبسٍ وَتَجمي
عِgathering (end) شَتاتٍscattered bands وَرِحلَةٍand journeying وَاِحتِمالِand carrying away
عِ شَتاتٍ وَرِحلَةٍ وَاِحتِمالِ
after longing, long detention, and gathering
From the ostrich chicks when they disliked adversity,
scattered bands, journeying, and bearing away,
And deer, and writhing snakes.
مِنfrom نَواصيthe forelocks of دودانَDudan إِذwhen كَرِهواthey disliked البَأthe battle (start)
مِن نَواصي دودانَ إِذ كَرِهوا البَأ
سَbattle (end) وَذُبيانَand Dhubyan وَالهِجانِand the purebred camels الغَواليthe precious ones
سَ وَذُبيانَ وَالهِجانِ الغَوالي
from Dudan's forelocks, when they shrank from battle,
Then you brought together with a spring
and Dhubyan, and the precious purebred camels.
When you directed a condition away from a condition.
ثُمَّthen وَصَلتَyou joined صِرَّةًbitter cold بِرَبيعٍto spring
ثُمَّ وَصَلتَ صِرَّةً بِرَبيعٍ
حينَwhen صَرَّفتَyou changed حالَةًa condition عَنfrom حالِa condition
حينَ صَرَّفتَ حالَةً عَن حالِ
Then you joined bitter cold to spring,
How many valleys did you drain that day,
when you changed one condition into another.
And captives from the tribe of killers!
رُبَّmany a رَفدٍgift هَرَقتَهُyou poured it out ذَلِكَthat اليَوthe day (start)
رُبَّ رَفدٍ هَرَقتَهُ ذَلِكَ اليَو
مَday (end) وَأَسرىand captives مِنfrom مَعشَرٍa company of أَقتالِmatched rivals
مَ وَأَسرى مِن مَعشَرٍ أَقتالِ
Many a gift you poured out that day,
And elderly champions on the cushions of the litter,
and captives from a company of matched rivals,
And women as if they were the pleasers.
وَشُيوخٍand old men حَربىstripped of their wealth بِشَطّيon both sides of أَريكٍArik
وَشُيوخٍ حَربى بِشَطّي أَريكٍ
وَنِساءٍand women كَأَنَّهُنَّas though they were السَعاليthe she-ghouls
وَنِساءٍ كَأَنَّهُنَّ السَعالي
and old men stripped of their wealth on Arik's two sides,
And two partners in much wealth
and women who seemed like she-ghouls,
Who had pledged to reduce it.
وَشَريكَينِand two partners فيin كَثيرٍmuch مِنَof الماthe wealth (start)
وَشَريكَينِ في كَثيرٍ مِنَ الما
لِwealth (end) وَكاناand the two had been مُحالِفَيpartners in إِقلالِpoverty
لِ وَكانا مُحالِفَي إِقلالِ
and two partners in abundant wealth,
They divided the fresh plunder -
who had been partners in poverty.
Both were men of property.
قَسَماthe two divided الطارِفَthe newly acquired التَليدَthe long-held مِنَof الغُنthe booty (start)
قَسَما الطارِفَ التَليدَ مِنَ الغُن
مِbooty (end) فَآباso the two returned كِلاهُماboth of them ذوpossessing مالِwealth
مِ فَآبا كِلاهُما ذو مالِ
They divided new possessions and old among the booty,
You will remain thus, then never change,
and both returned possessing wealth.
Remaining for them eternal as mountains.
لَنwill never تَزالواyou all cease كَذَلِكُمthus, addressing you all ثُمَّthen لاnot زِلyou cease (start)
لَن تَزالوا كَذَلِكُم ثُمَّ لا زِل
تَyou cease (end) لَهُمfor them خالِداًeverlasting خُلودَas enduring as الجِبالِthe mountains
تَ لَهُم خالِداً خُلودَ الجِبالِ
You will always remain thus; and may you never cease
to abide for them, enduring as the mountains.
Partial English translation: 148 of 150 Arabic lines translated.
Sol 6.1