خَلِيليّ غُضّا ساعَةً وَتَهَجَّرا

خَلِيليّ غُضّا ساعَةً وَتَهَجَّرا

وَلُوما عَلى ما أَحدَثَ الدَهرُ أَو ذَرا

وَلُوما عَلى ما أَحدَثَ الدَهرُ أَو ذَرا

My two friends, lower your gaze a while and travel at noon.

My dear friend was cross with me for an hour, then became estranged,

Blame what Time has brought about, or leave it be.

Blaming what time had done, be it good or bad.

أَلَم تَعلَما أَنَّ اِنصِرافاً فَسُرعَةً

أَلَم تَعلَما أَنَّ اِنصِرافاً فَسُرعَةً

لِسَيرٍ أَحَقُّ اليومَ مِن أَن تُقَصِّرا

لِسَيرٍ أَحَقُّ اليومَ مِن أَن تُقَصِّرا

Do you not know that departing, then hastening

My friend, don't you know that to go back from estrangement

on your journey, is fitter today than lingering?

Is better today than to cut off ties and depart?

وَلاَ تَسأَلا إِنَّ الحَياةَ قَصِيرَةٌ

وَلاَ تَسأَلا إِنَّ الحَياةَ قَصِيرَةٌ

فَطِيرا لِرَوعاتِ الحَوادِثِ أَو قِرا

فَطِيرا لِرَوعاتِ الحَوادِثِ أَو قِرا

Do not ask: life is short.

And don't ask - life itself is short -

Fly from the terrors of calamities, or stay.

So be resigned to the blows of fate and be patient.

وَإِن جاءَ أَمرٌ لا تُطِيقانِ دَفعَهُ

وَإِن جاءَ أَمرٌ لا تُطِيقانِ دَفعَهُ

فَلاَ تَجزَعا مِمّا قَضى اللَهُ واِصبِرا

فَلاَ تَجزَعا مِمّا قَضى اللَهُ واِصبِرا

If something comes whose onslaught you cannot repel,

Don't you know regret is of little use

do not despair at what God has decreed; be patient.

When a thing turns away and retreats?

أَلَم تَعلَما أَنَّ المَلاَمَةَ نَفعُها

أَلَم تَعلَما أَنَّ المَلاَمَةَ نَفعُها

قَلِيلُ إِذَا ما الشَيءُ وَلّى فَأَدبَرا

قَلِيلُ إِذَا ما الشَيءُ وَلّى فَأَدبَرا

Do you not know that reproach brings

Reproach and blame, then nothing

little benefit once something has departed and turned away?

Can restore what was fated and decreed.

تهِيجُ اللِحاءَ وَالمَلاَمَةَ ثُمَّ ما

تهِيجُ اللِحاءَ وَالمَلاَمَةَ ثُمَّ ما

تُقَرِّبُ شَيئاً غَيرَ ما كَانَ قُدِّرا

تُقَرِّبُ شَيئاً غَيرَ ما كَانَ قُدِّرا

It stirs quarrelling and blame, yet

God has hidden the knowledge of fate from all creatures,

brings nothing nearer beyond what was decreed.

Knowing what has passed and what is postponed.

لَوى اللَهُ عِلمَ الغَيبِ عَمَّن سِواءَهُ

لَوى اللَهُ عِلمَ الغَيبِ عَمَّن سِواءَهُ

وَيَعلَمُ مِنهُ ما مَضى وتأَخَّرا

وَيَعلَمُ مِنهُ ما مَضى وتأَخَّرا

God withheld knowledge of the unseen from all besides Himself;

I have ridden through good and bad times,

He knows what has passed and what comes later.

And known days that turn the hair of youths gray.

رَكِبتُ الأُمُورَ صَعبَها وَذَلُولَها

رَكِبتُ الأُمُورَ صَعبَها وَذَلُولَها

وَقاسَيتُ أيَّاماً تُشِيبُ الحَزَوَّرا

وَقاسَيتُ أيَّاماً تُشِيبُ الحَزَوَّرا

I rode through affairs, both their unruly and their tractable sides,

I followed the Messenger of God when he came with guidance

and endured days that turn a sturdy youth gray.

Reciting a scripture like scattered stars.

تَبِعتُ رَسُولَ اللَهِ إِذ جاءَ بالهُدى

تَبِعتُ رَسُولَ اللَهِ إِذ جاءَ بالهُدى

وَيَتلُو كِتاباً كالمَجَرَّةِ نَيِّرا

وَيَتلُو كِتاباً كالمَجَرَّةِ نَيِّرا

I followed God's Messenger when he brought guidance,

And I fought on until I and those with me

reciting a book luminous as the Milky Way.

Saw the hawk of Suhayl when it appeared and winked.

وَجاهَدتُ حَتّى ما أُحِسُّ وَمَن مَعِي

وَجاهَدتُ حَتّى ما أُحِسُّ وَمَن مَعِي

سُهَيلاً إِذا ما لاَحَ ثُمَّتَ غَوَّرا

سُهَيلاً إِذا ما لاَحَ ثُمَّتَ غَوَّرا

I fought until neither I nor those with me could discern

I keep to piety and am content with its actions,

Suhayl when it appeared and then sank from sight.

And I feared the feared hellfire's heat.

أُقِيمُ عَلىالتَقوى وَأَرضى بِفِعِلها

أُقِيمُ عَلىالتَقوى وَأَرضى بِفِعِلها

وَكُنتُ مِنَ النارِ المَخُوفَةِ أَوجرا

وَكُنتُ مِنَ النارِ المَخُوفَةِ أَوجرا

I abide in piety and delight in practicing it,

I traveled among monks crossing their religion,

and was deeply afraid of the dreaded Fire.

And marched among rabbis beyond what they marched.

وَطوَّفتُ في الرُهبانِ أَعبُرُ دِينَهُم

وَطوَّفتُ في الرُهبانِ أَعبُرُ دِينَهُم

وسَيَّرتُ في الأَحبارِ مَا لَم تُسَيِّرا

وسَيَّرتُ في الأَحبارِ مَا لَم تُسَيِّرا

I wandered among monks, examining their religion,

So my heart is now healthy but

and journeyed among rabbis as you two never journeyed.

Remembers something past now gone its way,

فَأَصبَحَ قَلبِي قَد صَحا غَيرَ أَنَّهُ

فَأَصبَحَ قَلبِي قَد صَحا غَيرَ أَنَّهُ

وَكُلُّ اِمرِىءٍ لاَقٍ مِنَ الدَهرِ قِنطِرا

وَكُلُّ اِمرِىءٍ لاَقٍ مِنَ الدَهرِ قِنطِرا

My heart came to its senses, except that it—

And a troubled heart needs to remember.

and everyone meets a grievous trial from Time—

My regret is like that of Numan ibn Muharraq

تَذَكَّرَ شَيئاً قَد مَضى لِسَبِيِلِهِ

تَذَكَّرَ شَيئاً قَد مَضى لِسَبِيِلِهِ

وَمِن حاجَةِ المَحزُونِ أَن يَتَذَكَّرا

وَمِن حاجَةِ المَحزُونِ أَن يَتَذَكَّرا

remembered something that had gone its way.

Seeing their land today empty of them.

It is part of the sorrowful person's need to remember.

Old and young alike, their faces

نَدَامايَ عِندَ المُنذِرِ بِنِ مُحَرِّقٍ

نَدَامايَ عِندَ المُنذِرِ بِنِ مُحَرِّقٍ

أَرَى اليَومَ مِنهُم ظاهِرَ الأَرضِ مُقفِرا

أَرَى اليَومَ مِنهُم ظاهِرَ الأَرضِ مُقفِرا

My drinking companions at al-Mundhir ibn Muharriq's:

Like dinars minted in Qaysar's land.

today I see the earth's surface empty of them.

And I'm still trying between door and house

كُهُولاً وَشُبَّاناً كأَنَّ وُجُوهَهُم

كُهُولاً وَشُبَّاناً كأَنَّ وُجُوهَهُم

دَنانِيرُ مِمَّا شِيفَ في أَرضِ قَيصَرا

دَنانِيرُ مِمَّا شِيفَ في أَرضِ قَيصَرا

Mature men and youths, whose faces seemed

In Najran, until I fear being Christianized,

like dinars polished in Caesar's land.

When a king of Jafnah's clan, his mother's brothers

وَما زِلتُ أَسعَى بينَ بابٍ وَدارةٍ

وَما زِلتُ أَسعَى بينَ بابٍ وَدارةٍ

بِنَجرانَ حَتّى خِفتُ أَن أَتَنَصَّرا

بِنَجرانَ حَتّى خِفتُ أَن أَتَنَصَّرا

I kept going between a gate and a courtyard

Being Banu Imru' al-Qays, most noble,

in Najran, until I feared becoming Christian.

Returns us our cup, and the grilled meat

إذَا مَلِكٌ مِن آلِ جَفنَةَ خَالُهُ

إذَا مَلِكٌ مِن آلِ جَفنَةَ خَالُهُ

وََأَعمامُهُ آلُ اِمرىءٍ القَيسِ أَزهَرا

وََأَعمامُهُ آلُ اِمرىءٍ القَيسِ أَزهَرا

When a king whose maternal uncle belonged to Jafna's house,

Shared between us, and the well-wrapped bread,

and whose paternal uncles were Imru' al-Qays's house, shone forth,

Araq made in Iraq, and wine from Yemen,

يَرُدُّ عَلَينا كَأسَهُ وَشِواءَهُ

يَرُدُّ عَلَينا كَأسَهُ وَشِواءَهُ

مُنَاصَفَةً والشَرعَبِيَّ المُحَبّرا

مُنَاصَفَةً والشَرعَبِيَّ المُحَبّرا

he passed us his cup and his roast meat

And perfumed Misk from Darin, most fragrant.

in equal shares, and patterned Shar'abi cloth,

Those took me away, passed on their way,

وَرَاحا عِراقيّاً وَرَيطاً يَمانيّاً

وَرَاحا عِراقيّاً وَرَيطاً يَمانيّاً

وَمُعتَبَطاً مِن مِسكِ دَارِينَ أَذفَرا

وَمُعتَبَطاً مِن مِسكِ دَارِينَ أَذفَرا

Iraqi wine and Yemeni wraps,

And I hoped after them to have a long life.

and freshly taken, pungent musk from Darin.

But my life is no more than the call of a horseman

أُولَئِكَ أَخداني مَضَوا لِسَبيِلِهِم

أُولَئِكَ أَخداني مَضَوا لِسَبيِلِهِم

وَأَصبَحتُ أَرجُو بَعدَهُم أَن أُعَمَّرا

وَأَصبَحتُ أَرجُو بَعدَهُم أَن أُعَمَّرا

Those were my companions; they have gone their way,

Who summoned his mount then went off in haste.

while I have come to hope for long life after them.

It is a land where the sick wind has woven

وَمَا عُمُري إِلاَّ كَدَعوَةِ فارِطٍ

وَمَا عُمُري إِلاَّ كَدَعوَةِ فارِطٍ

دَعا راعِياً ثمَّ اِستمرَّ فأَدبَرا

دَعا راعِياً ثمَّ اِستمرَّ فأَدبَرا

My lifetime is only like the call of a water-scout

Its strips, which I crossed with a litter of cane.

who called a shepherd, then continued on and departed.

Meadows, thickets, where the leaves grow after

وَأَرضٍ عَليها نَسجُ رِيحٍ مَرِيضَةٍ

وَأَرضٍ عَليها نَسجُ رِيحٍ مَرِيضَةٍ

قَطَعتُ بحُرجُوجٍ مُسَانَدَةٍ القَرا

قَطَعتُ بحُرجُوجٍ مُسَانَدَةٍ القَرا

And a land bearing the woven tracery of a feeble wind

The trees complain, moan, and murmur bitterly,

I crossed on a lean she-camel with a lofty back,

And slap the proud roebuck, so that it leaves

مَروجٍ طَرُوجٍ تَبعَثُ الوُرقَ بَعدَما

مَروجٍ طَرُوجٍ تَبعَثُ الوُرقَ بَعدَما

يُعرِّسنَ شَكوى آهَةً وَتَذَمُّرا

يُعرِّسنَ شَكوى آهَةً وَتَذَمُّرا

swift-ranging and long-striding, rousing the gray camels after

The thicket, though it had appeared impartial.

they had halted to rest, complaining with sighs and grumbling.

They were stirred up by the trampling hooves

وَتَبتَزُّ يَعفُورَ الصَرِيمِ كِناسَهُ

وَتَبتَزُّ يَعفُورَ الصَرِيمِ كِناسَهُ

فَتُخرِجُهُ مِنهُ وَإِن كانَ مُظهِرا

فَتُخرِجُهُ مِنهُ وَإِن كانَ مُظهِرا

She robs the thicket's gazelle of its lair

Of a wild donkey herd in the summertime's heat.

and drives it out, even at noon.

The land gave them its ground and sky,

كَناشِطَةٍ مِن وَحشِ حَومَلَ حُرَّةٍ

كَناشِطَةٍ مِن وَحشِ حَومَلَ حُرَّةٍ

أَنامَت لَدَى الذَينَينِ بِالفافِ جُؤذَرا

أَنامَت لَدَى الذَينَينِ بِالفافِ جُؤذَرا

Like a roaming, noble wild cow of Hawmal,

But when the sun rose they fled like slaves.

who laid her calf to sleep near al-Dhaynayn amid tangled growth.

He was roused to action, though his back complained,

رَأَى حَيثُ أَمسى أَطلَسَ اللَونِ بائِساً

رَأَى حَيثُ أَمسى أَطلَسَ اللَونِ بائِساً

حريصاً تُسَمِّيهِ الشَياطِينُ نَهسَرا

حريصاً تُسَمِّيهِ الشَياطِينُ نَهسَرا

Where it spent the evening, it saw a wretched, ash-gray beast,

With no crime, so he sought help against them.

ravenous, whom the devils call Nahsar:

When he saw them, they were his only thought,

طَوِيلُ القَرا عارِي الأَشاجعِ شاحِبٌ

طَوِيلُ القَرا عارِي الأَشاجعِ شاحِبٌ

كَشِقِّ العَصا فُوهُ إِذا مَا تَضَوَّرا

كَشِقِّ العَصا فُوهُ إِذا مَا تَضَوَّرا

long-backed, with fleshless paw-joints, gaunt,

And he saw no trouble that could change his mind.

his mouth like a split stick when he groaned with hunger.

He pranced like a zealous stallion, shaking his head,

فَباتَ يُذَكِّيهِ بِغَيرِ حَدِيدَةٍ

فَباتَ يُذَكِّيهِ بِغَيرِ حَدِيدَةٍ

أَخو قَنَصٍ يُمسي ويُصبحُ مُفطِرا

أَخو قَنَصٍ يُمسي ويُصبحُ مُفطِرا

He spent the night slaughtering it without an iron blade,

As the sculptor made the Phoenician figure with curled hair.

a born hunter who feeds at evening and dawn.

So he was to her as one who had caught her unwilling,

إِذَا ما رَأَى مِنهُ كُراعاً تَحَرَّكَت

إِذَا ما رَأَى مِنهُ كُراعاً تَحَرَّكَت

أَصابَ مَكانَ القَلبِ مِنهُ فَفَرفَرا

أَصابَ مَكانَ القَلبِ مِنهُ فَفَرفَرا

Whenever he saw one of its legs stir,

Stirring up hatred, aversion, spite and estrangement.

he struck its heart, and it convulsed.

A gentle spirit possessed her, as though it were

فَلاَقَت بَياناً عِندَ أَحدَثِ مَعهَدٍ

فَلاَقَت بَياناً عِندَ أَحدَثِ مَعهَدٍ

إِهاباً وَمَعبُوطاً مِن الجَوفِ أَحمَرا

إِهاباً وَمَعبُوطاً مِن الجَوفِ أَحمَرا

She found clear evidence at their latest meeting-place:

Flitting butterflies of bright varied colors,

a hide and freshly shed, red blood from the belly,

Like two honey-gatherers from India

وَخَدّاً كَبُرقُوعِ الفَتاةِ مُلَمَّعٍ

وَخَدّاً كَبُرقُوعِ الفَتاةِ مُلَمَّعٍ

وَرَوقَينِ لَمّا يَعدُوَا أَن تَقَشَّرا

وَرَوقَينِ لَمّا يَعدُوَا أَن تَقَشَّرا

and a cheek mottled like a maiden's veil,

Buying musk and ambergris in Darin,

and two horns grown no further than shedding their sheaths.

So when he saw he could not win her heart,

فَلَمّا سَقاهَا البأَسَ واِرتَدَّ لُبُّها

فَلَمّا سَقاهَا البأَسَ واِرتَدَّ لُبُّها

إِليها وَلَم يَتُرك لَها مُتَذَكَّرا

إِليها وَلَم يَتُرك لَها مُتَذَكَّرا

When he had made her drink anguish and her reason returned

And marriage was the best he could obtain,

to her, leaving her no living reminder,

He dragged her by the legs, her face scratched

فَطافت ثلاثاً بَينَ يَومٍ وَلَيلةٍ

فَطافت ثلاثاً بَينَ يَومٍ وَلَيلةٍ

وَكانَ النَكيرُ أَن تُضيِفَ وَتَجأَرا

وَكانَ النَكيرُ أَن تُضيِفَ وَتَجأَرا

she wandered for three days and nights;

By the gravel, though she was a delicate young maiden

her protest was to turn aside and bellow.

In a meadow, like the ankles of a young gazelle

فَبَاتَت كَأَنَّ بَطنَها طَيُّ رَيطَةٍ

فَبَاتَت كَأَنَّ بَطنَها طَيُّ رَيطَةٍ

إِلى نَعِجٍ مِن ضائِنِ الرَملِ أعفَرا

إِلى نَعِجٍ مِن ضائِنِ الرَملِ أعفَرا

Then she spent the night, her belly like a folded cloth,

Scraped bare by the twisted ropes of the litter.

beside a pale, dust-colored mound among the sand's sheep-like dunes,

Her groans were like the moaning

إِلى دِفءِ أَرطَاةًٍ تُثيرُ كِناسها

إِلى دِفءِ أَرطَاةًٍ تُثيرُ كِناسها

تَبَوّأُ مِنها آخِرَ الليلِ مُجفَرا

تَبَوّأُ مِنها آخِرَ الليلِ مُجفَرا

beside the warmth of an arta shrub, hollowing her lair.

Of camels bound for trellised huts.

At night's end she settled beneath it in a roomy shelter.

When they arrived their throats were like funnels

يَزِلُّ النَدى عَن مِدربَيها كَأَنَّهُ

يَزِلُّ النَدى عَن مِدربَيها كَأَنَّهُ

جُمانٌ جَرَى في سِلكِهِ فَتَحدَّرا

جُمانٌ جَرَى في سِلكِهِ فَتَحدَّرا

Dew slipped from her two horns, as though it were

As the flautist blows in the dawn discordantly.

pearls running along their thread and sliding down.

And if she rose up in the watering-place it poured

تَلأَلأَ كالشِعرى العَبُورِ إِذا بَدَت

تَلأَلأَ كالشِعرى العَبُورِ إِذا بَدَت

وَكانَ عَماءٌ دُونَها فَتَحَسَّرا

وَكانَ عَماءٌ دُونَها فَتَحَسَّرا

It glittered like Sirius, the Crossing Star, when it appears

Down her loose hips until she wanted to return.

and the cloud before it has drawn away.

Both her herdsmen wore striped robes, obstinate

فَهَايَجَها حُمشُ القَوائِمِ سابِحٌ

فَهَايَجَها حُمشُ القَوائِمِ سابِحٌ

رَعى بِجِواءِ الجِنِّ بالصَيفِ أَشهُرا

رَعى بِجِواءِ الجِنِّ بالصَيفِ أَشهُرا

Then a slender-legged, swift-running bull stirred her,

Men of Kinanah who had become wealthy.

one that had grazed for summer months at Jiwa al-Jinn.

Leave that now, but do you see a shining light

أُتِيحَ لَها مِن أَرضِهِ وَسَمائِهِ

أُتِيحَ لَها مِن أَرضِهِ وَسَمائِهِ

فَلَمّا رآهَا مَطلِعَ الشَمسِ بَربَرا

فَلَمّا رآهَا مَطلِعَ الشَمسِ بَربَرا

He was allotted to her from his land and sky;

Flashing from honorable character and nobility?

when he saw her at sunrise, he grunted,

Spending the night in vigil on his right side,

كَبَربَرَةِ الرُومِيّ أُوجِعَ ظَهرُهُ

كَبَربَرَةِ الرُومِيّ أُوجِعَ ظَهرُهُ

عَلى غَيرِ جُرمٍ فاِستَضافَ لِيُنصَرا

عَلى غَيرِ جُرمٍ فاِستَضافَ لِيُنصَرا

like the babble of a Roman whose back was hurt

While the left rises to perform the night prayer.

without any crime, and who sought shelter to obtain help.

No matter what the enemy says of us, they say

فَلَمّا رَآها كانَتِ الهَمَّ والهَوى

فَلَمّا رَآها كانَتِ الهَمَّ والهَوى

وَلَم يَرَ غَمّاً عِندَها مُتَغَيِّرا

وَلَم يَرَ غَمّاً عِندَها مُتَغَيِّرا

When he saw her, she became his concern and desire,

Good or at least nothing perverse.

and he saw that her grief had not changed.

Our horses are not trained to turn aside in battle,

فَباهَى كَفَحلِ الشِولِ يَنفُضُ رَأسَهُ

فَباهَى كَفَحلِ الشِولِ يَنفُضُ رَأسَهُ

كَما خَيَّسَ الوَضعُ الفَنِيقَ المُجَفَّرا

كَما خَيَّسَ الوَضعُ الفَنِيقَ المُجَفَّرا

He strutted like the sire of dry she-camels, tossing his head,

Or shy from the colors of our horses in the fray,

as the wada' plant subdued a broad-bellied, pampered camel-stallion.

To think our reddened spear-heads enemies,

فَكانَ إِليها كالَّذي إِصطادَ بِكرَها

فَكانَ إِليها كالَّذي إِصطادَ بِكرَها

شِقاقاً وبُغضاً أَو أَطَمَّ وَأَهجَرا

شِقاقاً وبُغضاً أَو أَطَمَّ وَأَهجَرا

To her he was like the one who had hunted her firstborn,

Or that the wounded, fallen are foes.

in hostility and hatred—or worse and more outrageous.

No tribe of Arabs has been known

وَجالَت بِها رُوحٌ خِفافٌ كَأَنَّها

وَجالَت بِها رُوحٌ خِفافٌ كَأَنَّها

خَذارِيفُ تَذرِي ساطِعَ اللَونِ أَكدَرا

خَذارِيفُ تَذرِي ساطِعَ اللَونِ أَكدَرا

Light spirits swirled about her, as though they were

To have more births or marriage with foreigners,

spinning tops scattering a rising, dusky cloud,

To return faster if we are driven back,

كَأَصدَافِ هِندِبَّينِ زُبٍّ لِحاهُماَ

كَأَصدَافِ هِندِبَّينِ زُبٍّ لِحاهُماَ

بِدارِينَ يَبتَاعانِ مِسكاً وَعَنَبَرا

بِدارِينَ يَبتَاعانِ مِسكاً وَعَنَبَرا

like the shell-caskets of two shaggy-bearded Indians

To be more generous if we are victorious,

buying musk and ambergris in Darin.

Or to be more entitled to treat guests well

فَلَمّا رَأَى أَن لَم يُصادِف فُؤادَها

فَلَمّا رَأَى أَن لَم يُصادِف فُؤادَها

وَكانَ النِكاحُ خَيرُهُ ما تَيَسَّرا

وَكانَ النِكاحُ خَيرُهُ ما تَيَسَّرا

When he saw that he had not reached her heart—

For months, even if the stay grows long,

and the best mating is what comes easily—

To be more gracious freeing their prisoner,

كَسا جَذبُ رِجلَيها صَفِيحَةَ وَجهِهِ

كَسا جَذبُ رِجلَيها صَفِيحَةَ وَجهِهِ

وَرَوقَيِة رِبعِيَّ الخُزَامَى المُنَوَّرا

وَرَوقَيِة رِبعِيَّ الخُزَامَى المُنَوَّرا

the pull of her hind legs covered the flat of his face

Or kinder than us, releasing him and thanking,

and his two horns with spring-grown lavender in bloom,

More obliged not to leave anyone in need,

بِمَرجٍ كَسا القُريانُ ظَاهِرَ لِيطِها

بِمَرجٍ كَسا القُريانُ ظَاهِرَ لِيطِها

جِساداً مِنَ القُرَّاصِ أَحوَى وأَصفَرا

جِساداً مِنَ القُرَّاصِ أَحوَى وأَصفَرا

in a meadow where the watercourses clothed her outer hide

So he remains loaded with chains and fettered,

with dark and yellow splashes of qurras flowers.

Our swords studded with pounds of silver,

إِذا هَبَطا غَيثاً كَأَنَّ جمَادَهُ

إِذا هَبَطا غَيثاً كَأَنَّ جمَادَهُ

مُجَلّلَةً مِنها زَرَابِيُّ عَبقَرا

مُجَلّلَةً مِنها زَرَابِيُّ عَبقَرا

When the two descended into rain-fed pasture, its dry ground seemed

Our stirrups on days of excitement embellished.

spread with carpets of 'Abqar woven from those flowers.

Our glory reached the sky, and that of our ancestors,

وَمَسرُوحةٍ مِثلِ الجَرادِ وَزَعتُها

وَمَسرُوحةٍ مِثلِ الجَرادِ وَزَعتُها

وَكَلَّفتُها سِيداً أَزَلَّ مُصَدَّرا

وَكَلَّفتُها سِيداً أَزَلَّ مُصَدَّرا

And a roaming herd, like locusts, I held in check,

And still we hope for even greater eminence,

and set against it a wolf-like steed, lean-hipped and broad-chested,

We are the kin of Samah after

أَشَقَّ قَسامِيّاً رَبَاعِيَّ جانِبٍ

أَشَقَّ قَسامِيّاً رَبَاعِيَّ جانِبٍ

وَقارِحَ جَنبٍ سُلَّ أَقَرحَ أَشقَرا

وَقارِحَ جَنبٍ سُلَّ أَقَرحَ أَشقَرا

tall and handsome, four-year-old on one side,

Refusing from the uncles generous gifts and dwellings.

full-toothed on the other, finely drawn, blaze-faced and chestnut.

So the keen sword took Samah's life

وَكانَ أَمامَ القَومِ مِنهُم رَبِيئَةٌ

وَكانَ أَمامَ القَومِ مِنهُم رَبِيئَةٌ

فَأَوفَى يَفاعاً مِن بَعِيدٍ فَبَشَّرا

فَأَوفَى يَفاعاً مِن بَعِيدٍ فَبَشَّرا

Ahead of the company they had a lookout,

After that, for you, far removed from birth!

who climbed a height far away and brought good news.

While Kinda was staying in al-Aqiq,

فَكانَ اِقتِحَاماً لَم يُنِيخُوا مَطِيَّهُم

فَكانَ اِقتِحَاماً لَم يُنِيخُوا مَطِيَّهُم

وَسَوَّمنَ رَكضاً دارِعِينَ وحُسَّرا

وَسَوَّمنَ رَكضاً دارِعِينَ وحُسَّرا

Then came a headlong charge; they did not kneel their mounts,

And Aqq and his uncles we crushed severely.

but charged at a gallop, armored and unarmored alike.

We drove Mudhij from their dwellings,

فَنَهنَهتُهُ حَتّى لَبِستُ مُفَاضَةً

فَنَهنَهتُهُ حَتّى لَبِستُ مُفَاضَةً

مُضاعَفَةً كَالنِهيِ رِيحَ وأُمطِرا

مُضاعَفَةً كَالنِهيِ رِيحَ وأُمطِرا

I restrained him until I had put on a flowing coat of mail,

And Hamdan we gave poisoned arrows to drink.

double-woven, like a pool stirred by wind and rain.

We displaced Khath'am from their homes,

وَجمَّعتُ بَزّي فَوقَهُ فَدَفَعتُهُ

وَجمَّعتُ بَزّي فَوقَهُ فَدَفَعتُهُ

وَوَزَّعتُ مِنهُ رَهبَةً أَن يُكَسَّرا

وَوَزَّعتُ مِنهُ رَهبَةً أَن يُكَسَّرا

I gathered my equipment over him and urged him forward,

And so they departed steeped in grief.

then checked him, fearing he might be broken.

Ulya of Ma'add knew our affliction,

وَذَكَّرتُهُ في أَوَّلِ الجَريِ باِسمِهِ

وَذَكَّرتُهُ في أَوَّلِ الجَريِ باِسمِهِ

وَأَيَّهتُهُ حَتّى أَفاقَ وأَبصَرا

وَأَيَّهتُهُ حَتّى أَفاقَ وأَبصَرا

At the start of the run I reminded him of his name,

And we warned Najran with spiritedletters,

and called to him until he steadied and saw clearly.

We withheld Manqi'a of water after

فظَلَّ يُجارِيهِم كَأَنَّ هُوِيَّهُ

فظَلَّ يُجارِيهِم كَأَنَّ هُوِيَّهُ

هُوِيُّ قُطَامِيِّ مِنَ الطَيرِ أَمغَرا

هُوِيُّ قُطَامِيِّ مِنَ الطَيرِ أَمغَرا

He kept racing them, his swoop seeming

It had flowed freely, meandering in the land.

the swoop of a reddish falcon among the birds.

We were struck by the notches of spears as though

أَزُجُّ بِذَلقِ الرُمحِ لَحيَيهِ سايِقاً

أَزُجُّ بِذَلقِ الرُمحِ لَحيَيهِ سايِقاً

نَزائِعَ مَا ضَمَّ الخَمِيسُ وَضَمَّرا

نَزائِعَ مَا ضَمَّ الخَمِيسُ وَضَمَّرا

I thrust the spear's point beside his jaws, driving

Against our foes, ruined when the thrusts struck.

the far-brought horses the army had gathered and trained lean.

And we struck Banu Darim with cavalry,

يَمُرُّ كَمِرِّيخِ المُغالِي اِنتَحَت بِهِ

يَمُرُّ كَمِرِّيخِ المُغالِي اِنتَحَت بِهِ

شِمالُ عِبَادِيِّ عَلى الرِيحِ أَعسَرا

شِمالُ عِبَادِيِّ عَلى الرِيحِ أَعسَرا

He sped like a long-range archer's long arrow, aimed by

And Dhubyan and Ibn al-Jun with memorable blows

a left-handed 'Ibadi's left hand against the wind.

There the tribe of Madhhij were weak and frail

فَلَمّا أَبَى أَن يَنزَعَ القَودُ لَحمَهُ

فَلَمّا أَبَى أَن يَنزَعَ القَودُ لَحمَهُ

نَزَعنا المَدِيدَ وَالمَرِيدَ لِيَضمُرا

نَزَعنا المَدِيدَ وَالمَرِيدَ لِيَضمُرا

When exercise on the lead would not strip his flesh,

After we had become like red dead bodies.

we withdrew barley-water and soaked bread to make him lean.

We drove Ma'add from Sharahil

شَدِيدُ قِلاَتِ المَوقِفَينِ كَأَنَّمَا

شَدِيدُ قِلاَتِ المَوقِفَينِ كَأَنَّمَا

نَهى نَفَساً أَو قَد أَرادَ لِيَزفِرا

نَهى نَفَساً أَو قَد أَرادَ لِيَزفِرا

Firm in the hollows on either side, as though

After we had seen them with the dawn arising.

he held back a breath or was about to snort.

We rescued from Asad straying multitudes

لَهُ عُنُقٌ فِي كَاهِلٍ غَيرِ جَأنَبٍ

لَهُ عُنُقٌ فِي كَاهِلٍ غَيرِ جَأنَبٍ

فَمَدَّ بِلَحيَيه وَنُحِّيَ مُدبِرا

فَمَدَّ بِلَحيَيه وَنُحِّيَ مُدبِرا

He has a neck set in withers neither short nor thick;

At the warning of the crow but then betrayed us.

he stretched out his jaws and was turned away, moving off.

You saw many corpses of Banu Sa'd there,

وَبَطنٌ كَظَهرِ التُرسِ لَو نِيطَ أَربَعَاً

وَبَطنٌ كَظَهرِ التُرسِ لَو نِيطَ أَربَعَاً

فَأَصبَحَ صِفراً بَطنُهُ قَد تَخَرخَرا

فَأَصبَحَ صِفراً بَطنُهُ قَد تَخَرخَرا

And a belly like a shield's back: were he tethered four days,

Witnesses being the two sons of Hummad the red.

his belly would become empty and rumble hollow.

By my life, I warned Sa'd's settlements

وَيُبقِي وَجِيفُ الأَربَعِ السُودِ جَوزَهُ

وَيُبقِي وَجِيفُ الأَربَعِ السُودِ جَوزَهُ

كَما بُنِيَ التَابُوتُ أَجوفَ مُجفَرا

كَما بُنِيَ التَابُوتُ أَجوفَ مُجفَرا

The galloping of his four black legs leaves his middle

To reflect on their dreams and take heed.

like a chest built hollow and roomy.

And I gave time to my kinsmen until they resisted me

وَِأُمسِكَ في دُهمٍ كَأَنَّ حَنِينَها

وَِأُمسِكَ في دُهمٍ كَأَنَّ حَنِينَها

فَحِيحُ الأَفاعِي أُعجِلَت أَن تُحَجَّرا

فَحِيحُ الأَفاعِي أُعجِلَت أَن تُحَجَّرا

He was kept among black camels whose groaning seemed

And the vilest of them estranged me.

the hiss of vipers hurried into rocky shelter.

They are a bitter foe to every rider,

إذَا هِيَ سِيقَت دَافَعَت ثِفِناتها

إذَا هِيَ سِيقَت دَافَعَت ثِفِناتها

إِلى سُرَرٍ بُجرٍ مَزادا مُقيَّرا

إِلى سُرَرٍ بُجرٍ مَزادا مُقيَّرا

When driven, they thrust their calloused knees

Whether urging his mount or seeking to flee.

toward swollen navels, like tarred waterskins.

I said nothing until they blamed my tribe,

لَها حَجَلُ قُرعُ الرُّؤُوسِ تَحَدَّرَت

لَها حَجَلُ قُرعُ الرُّؤُوسِ تَحَدَّرَت

عَلى هامِها بالصَيفِ حَتّى تَمَوَّرا

عَلى هامِها بالصَيفِ حَتّى تَمَوَّرا

They have large, bald-headed ticks that have descended

Nufayl ibn 'Amr, al-Wahid, and Ja'far.

upon their heads in summer until they swarm.

No life compares to those lives!

وَتَضرِبُ فِي الماءِ الَّذي كانَ آجِناً

وَتَضرِبُ فِي الماءِ الَّذي كانَ آجِناً

إِذا أَورَدَ الرَاعِي النَضِيحَ المُجَيَّرا

إِذا أَورَدَ الرَاعِي النَضِيحَ المُجَيَّرا

They plunge into water that has grown foul,

When matters become confused and chaotic.

when the herdsman brings them to the lime-plastered trough,

I've not seen among unveiled nomad women

حَناجِرَ كالأَقماعِ فُحّاً حَنِينُها

حَناجِرَ كالأَقماعِ فُحّاً حَنِينُها

كَما نَفَخَ الزَمّارُ في الصبُّحِ زَمجَرا

كَما نَفَخَ الزَمّارُ في الصبُّحِ زَمجَرا

throats like funnels, their groaning a hiss,

Any more reviling to guests or uglier.

as a piper blows into reed pipes with a booming sound.

Or greedier, their mouths like their heads,

وَإِن هِيَ عَلَّت فِي النَضيحِ تَصَبَّبَت

وَإِن هِيَ عَلَّت فِي النَضيحِ تَصَبَّبَت

عَثانِينُها حَتّى تُرِيدَ لِتَصدُرا

عَثانِينُها حَتّى تُرِيدَ لِتَصدُرا

When they drink again at the trough, there is dripping

Looking out from women's litters, unkempt and dirty.

from their chin-beards until they are ready to leave the water.

With larger feet, smaller lips,

كِلا رَاعِيَيها أَطلَسُ اللَونِ ثَوبُهُ

كِلا رَاعِيَيها أَطلَسُ اللَونِ ثَوبُهُ

عَنودَانِ مِن كِنانةٍ قَد تَسَرَّرا

عَنودَانِ مِن كِنانةٍ قَد تَسَرَّرا

Each of their two herdsmen has an ash-gray garment:

And wider mouths, spreading nostrils.

two headstrong men from Kinana who have taken concubines.

With the largest bellies beneath armor

فَذَر ذا ولكِن هَل تَرَى ضَوءَ بارِقٍ

فَذَر ذا ولكِن هَل تَرَى ضَوءَ بارِقٍ

يُضيءُ مِن الأَعراضِ أَثلاً وَعَرعَرا

يُضيءُ مِن الأَعراضِ أَثلاً وَعَرعَرا

Leave that; but do you see the flash of lightning

Bursting its straps if stuffed with minced meat.

lighting tamarisks and junipers in the valleys?

Most hateful to a miserable husband, both

يَبِيتُ عَلَى تَثليِثَ أَيمَنُ صَوِبِهِ

يَبِيتُ عَلَى تَثليِثَ أَيمَنُ صَوِبِهِ

وَأَيسَرُه يَعلُو الكَراءَ فَكَركَرا

وَأَيسَرُه يَعلُو الكَراءَ فَكَركَرا

Its right-hand rain spends the night over Tathlith,

Crunching dates in their cheeks like kernels.

while its left rises over al-Kara, then Karkar.

Of women who when dawn rises

وَمَهما يَقُل فِينَا العَدُوُّ فَإِنَّهُم

وَمَهما يَقُل فِينَا العَدُوُّ فَإِنَّهُم

يَقُولُونَ مَعرُوفاً وَآخَرَ مُنكَرا

يَقُولُونَ مَعرُوفاً وَآخَرَ مُنكَرا

Whatever the enemy may say about us, they

Take their places in camel-hair robes.

say something fair and something objectionable.

When the Sa'di boasts, tell him

وَإِنّا أُناسُ لاَ نُعَوِّذُ خَيلَنا

وَإِنّا أُناسُ لاَ نُعَوِّذُ خَيلَنا

إذَا مَا التَقَينا أَن تَحِيدَ وتَنفِرا

إذَا مَا التَقَينا أَن تَحِيدَ وتَنفِرا

We are a people who put no protective charms on our horses

"You lagged behind; God gave you no superiority."

against swerving and bolting when we clash.

If you seek high status, you don't deserve it,

وَتُنكِرُ يَومَ الرَّوعِ أَلوانَ خَيِلنا

وَتُنكِرُ يَومَ الرَّوعِ أَلوانَ خَيِلنا

مِنَ الطَعنِ حَتَّى تَحسِبَ الجَونَ أَشقَرا

مِنَ الطَعنِ حَتَّى تَحسِبَ الجَونَ أَشقَرا

On the day of terror you cannot recognize our horses' colors

If you stretch out your palms for glory, you fall short.

from the stabbing, until you think a black horse chestnut.

When the Sa'di turns away he turns away like a thief,

وَلَيسَ بِمَعرُوفٍ لَنا أَن نَرُدَّها

وَلَيسَ بِمَعرُوفٍ لَنا أَن نَرُدَّها

صِحاحاً وَلاَ مُستَنكَراً أَن تُعَقَّرا

صِحاحاً وَلاَ مُستَنكَراً أَن تُعَقَّرا

It is not our custom to bring them back

So dawns on him notorious, despicable disgrace.

unhurt, nor is their being hamstrung unusual.

When the Sa'di gags, he kisses the penis

وَما عُلِمَت مِن عُصبَةٍ عَرَبِيَّهٍ

وَما عُلِمَت مِن عُصبَةٍ عَرَبِيَّهٍ

كَمِيلادِنَا مِنّا أَعَزَّ وَأَكبَرا

كَمِيلادِنَا مِنّا أَعَزَّ وَأَكبَرا

No Arab clan has been known

And takes it in his mouth, finding it sweet.

of birth like ours, mightier or greater than we,

He winks at the couple in superiority, both of them,

وَأَكثَرَ مِنّا نَاكِحاً لِغَرِيبَةٍ

وَأَكثَرَ مِنّا نَاكِحاً لِغَرِيبَةٍ

أُصيِبَت سِباءً أَو أَرادَت تَخَيُّرا

أُصيِبَت سِباءً أَو أَرادَت تَخَيُّرا

or with more men than us marrying a foreign woman

In perverted desire, like a twittering priest.

taken captive or wishing to choose for herself,

وَأَسرَعَ مِنّا إِن طُرِدنا اِنصِرَافةً

وَأَسرَعَ مِنّا إِن طُرِدنا اِنصِرَافةً

وأَكرَمَ مِنّا إِن طَرَدنا وأَظفَرا

وأَكرَمَ مِنّا إِن طَرَدنا وأَظفَرا

or swifter than us in wheeling back when pursued,

or nobler and more victorious when we pursue,

وَأَجدَرَ أَلاّ يَقصُرُوا عَن كَرامةٍ

وَأَجدَرَ أَلاّ يَقصُرُوا عَن كَرامةٍ

ثَوِيّاً وَإِن كانَ الإِقامَةُ أَشهُرا

ثَوِيّاً وَإِن كانَ الإِقامَةُ أَشهُرا

or likelier not to fall short in honoring

a guest, even if his stay lasts months,

وَأَعفَى إذا مَا أَطلَقُوا عَن أَسِيرِهِم

وَأَعفَى إذا مَا أَطلَقُوا عَن أَسِيرِهِم

وَأَكرَمَ مِنّا مُطلِقِينَ وَأَشكَرا

وَأَكرَمَ مِنّا مُطلِقِينَ وَأَشكَرا

or more forgiving when releasing their captive,

or nobler than us in setting free, or more grateful,

وَأَجدَرَ أَلاّ يَترُكُوا عانِياً لَهُم

وَأَجدَرَ أَلاّ يَترُكُوا عانِياً لَهُم

فيَغُبرَ حَولاً في الحَدِيدِ مُكَفَّرا

فيَغُبرَ حَولاً في الحَدِيدِ مُكَفَّرا

or less likely to leave a prisoner of theirs

to languish a year in irons, humiliated.

نُحَلِّي بِأَرطالِ اللُجَينِ سُيُوفَنا

نُحَلِّي بِأَرطالِ اللُجَينِ سُيُوفَنا

وَنَعلُو بِها يَومَ الهِياجِ السَنَوَّرا

وَنَعلُو بِها يَومَ الهِياجِ السَنَوَّرا

We adorn our swords with pounds of silver,

and strike armor with them on the day of battle.

بَلَغنا السَماءَ مَجدَنا وَجُدُودَنا

بَلَغنا السَماءَ مَجدَنا وَجُدُودَنا

وَإِنّا لَنَرجُو فَوقَ ذَلِكَ مَظهَرا

وَإِنّا لَنَرجُو فَوقَ ذَلِكَ مَظهَرا

We have reached the sky with our glory and ancestry,

and hope to rise to a station beyond that.

وَنَحنُ حَدَرنا رَهطَ سامَةَ بَعدَمَا

وَنَحنُ حَدَرنا رَهطَ سامَةَ بَعدَمَا

أَبَنُّو مِنَ الأَجبابِ مَبدىً وَمَحضَرا

أَبَنُّو مِنَ الأَجبابِ مَبدىً وَمَحضَرا

We drove Samah's people down after

they had settled by the wells, in desert camp and settled home.

فَماتَ بِسِيفِ الجَوّ جَوِّ خَمِيلَةٍ

فَماتَ بِسِيفِ الجَوّ جَوِّ خَمِيلَةٍ

فَيا بُعدَ هَذا مولِداً مِنكَ مُقبَرا

فَيا بُعدَ هَذا مولِداً مِنكَ مُقبَرا

He died at the edge of al-Jaww, the Jaww of Khamila:

ah, how far your grave here lies from your birthplace!

وَكِندَةُ كَانَت بِالعَقِيقِ مُقِيمَةً

وَكِندَةُ كَانَت بِالعَقِيقِ مُقِيمَةً

وَعَكُّ فَكُلاًّ قَد طَحَرناهُ مَطحَرا

وَعَكُّ فَكُلاًّ قَد طَحَرناهُ مَطحَرا

Kinda had been living at al-'Aqiq,

and 'Akk; we drove each utterly away.

وَقَد آنَسَت مِنّا قَضاَعَةُ كَالِئاً

وَقَد آنَسَت مِنّا قَضاَعَةُ كَالِئاً

فَأَضحَوا بِبُصرَى يَعصِرُونَ الصَنَوبَرا

فَأَضحَوا بِبُصرَى يَعصِرُونَ الصَنَوبَرا

Quda'a sensed a watcher from among us,

and ended up in Busra, extracting pine resin.

كِنانَةُ بِينَ البَحرِ والصَخرِ دارُها

كِنانَةُ بِينَ البَحرِ والصَخرِ دارُها

فَأَسكَنَها أَن لَم تَجِد مُتَأَخَّرا

فَأَسكَنَها أَن لَم تَجِد مُتَأَخَّرا

Kinana's home lies between the sea and the rocks;

their lack of a place to retreat kept them there.

وَنَحنُ أَزَلنا مِذحِجاً عَن دِيارِها

وَنَحنُ أَزَلنا مِذحِجاً عَن دِيارِها

وَهَمدَانَ أسقَينا السِمامَ وَحِميَرا

وَهَمدَانَ أسقَينا السِمامَ وَحِميَرا

We displaced Madhhij from its lands,

and made Hamdan and Himyar drink poisons.

وَنَحنُ أَزَلنا خَثعَماً عَن دِيارِها

وَنَحنُ أَزَلنا خَثعَماً عَن دِيارِها

فَزالَت وَكَانَت أَهلَ تَرجٍ وَعَثَّرا

فَزالَت وَكَانَت أَهلَ تَرجٍ وَعَثَّرا

We displaced Khath'am from its lands;

it departed, though it had inhabited Tarj and 'Aththar.

وَقَد عَلِمَت عُليَا مَعَدٍّ بَلاَءَنا

وَقَد عَلِمَت عُليَا مَعَدٍّ بَلاَءَنا

وَنَجرانَ زُرنا باللَهامِيمِ ضُمَّرا

وَنَجرانَ زُرنا باللَهامِيمِ ضُمَّرا

The noblest of Ma'add have known our prowess;

we visited Najran with mighty, lean steeds.

وَنَحنُ مَنَعنا مَنقَعَ الماءِ بَعدَما

وَنَحنُ مَنَعنا مَنقَعَ الماءِ بَعدَما

جَرى مُسهِلاً في الأَرضِ ثُمَّ تَحَيَّرا

جَرى مُسهِلاً في الأَرضِ ثُمَّ تَحَيَّرا

We defended the gathering-place of water after

it flowed across level ground, then pooled.

مُصابِينَ خِرصانَ الرِماحِ كأَنَّنا

مُصابِينَ خِرصانَ الرِماحِ كأَنَّنا

لأَعدَائِنا نُكبٌ إِذَا الطَعنُ أفقَرا

لأَعدَائِنا نُكبٌ إِذَا الطَعنُ أفقَرا

Struck by spearheads, we seemed

adverse winds to our enemies when stabbing exposed gaps.

وَكُلَّ مَعَدٍّ قَد أَحَلَّت رِمَاحُنا

وَكُلَّ مَعَدٍّ قَد أَحَلَّت رِمَاحُنا

مَرَادِيَ بَحرٍ ذِي غَوَارِبَ أَخضَرا

مَرَادِيَ بَحرٍ ذِي غَوَارِبَ أَخضَرا

Our spears have sent all Ma'add

to the deadly reaches of a green sea with towering waves.

وَعَلقَمَةَ الجُعفيَّ أَدرَكَ رَكضُنا

وَعَلقَمَةَ الجُعفيَّ أَدرَكَ رَكضُنا

عَلى الخَيلِ إِذ صامَ النَهارُ وَهَجَّرا

عَلى الخَيلِ إِذ صامَ النَهارُ وَهَجَّرا

Our galloping overtook 'Alqama al-Ju'fi

on horseback, when the day stood still in its noon heat.

وَكانَ عِقَالٌ مُؤلِياً بِأَلِيَّةٍ

وَكانَ عِقَالٌ مُؤلِياً بِأَلِيَّةٍ

ليَستَلِبَن أَثوَابَهُ أَو لِيُعذَرا

ليَستَلِبَن أَثوَابَهُ أَو لِيُعذَرا

'Iqal had sworn an oath

that he would surely strip away his garments or be excused.

فَلَمّا دَعا مُرَّانَ أَقَبلَ نَحرهُ

فَلَمّا دَعا مُرَّانَ أَقَبلَ نَحرهُ

سِناناً مِنَ الخطِّيِّ أَسمَرَ مِسعَرا

سِناناً مِنَ الخطِّيِّ أَسمَرَ مِسعَرا

When he called Murran, his throat faced

the point of a brown, battle-kindling Khatti spear.

وَلاَقاَهُ مِنّا فَارِسٌ غيرُ جَيدَرٍ

وَلاَقاَهُ مِنّا فَارِسٌ غيرُ جَيدَرٍ

فَأَكرَهَ فِيهِ الرُمحَ حَتّى تَفَطَّرا

فَأَكرَهَ فِيهِ الرُمحَ حَتّى تَفَطَّرا

A horseman of ours, no squat fellow, met him

and forced the spear into him until it splintered.

وَنَحنُ ضَرَبنا بالصَفَا آلَ داَرِمٍ

وَنَحنُ ضَرَبنا بالصَفَا آلَ داَرِمٍ

وَذُبيانَ وابنَ الجَونِ ضرَباً مُذَكَّرا

وَذُبيانَ وابنَ الجَونِ ضرَباً مُذَكَّرا

At al-Safa we struck the house of Darim,

Dhubyan and Ibn al-Jawn, with a mighty blow.

تَوَهَّنُ فِيهِ المَضرَحِيَّةُ بَعدَما

تَوَهَّنُ فِيهِ المَضرَحِيَّةُ بَعدَما

نَهَلنَ نَجِيعاً كَالمَجاسِدِ أَحمَرا

نَهَلنَ نَجِيعاً كَالمَجاسِدِ أَحمَرا

White, broad-winged eagles spent the early night there after

drinking red gore like crimson-dyed cloth.

أَرَحنَا مَعَدّاً مِن شَرَاحِيلَ بَعدَمَا

أَرَحنَا مَعَدّاً مِن شَرَاحِيلَ بَعدَمَا

أَرَاهُم مَعَ الصُبحِ الكَواكِبَ مُظهِرا

أَرَاهُم مَعَ الصُبحِ الكَواكِبَ مُظهِرا

We relieved Ma'add of Sharahil after

he had shown them stars at dawn and at noon,

وَمِن أَسَدٍ أَغوى كُهُولاً كَثِيرَةً

وَمِن أَسَدٍ أَغوى كُهُولاً كَثِيرَةً

بِنَهيِ غُرابٍ ثُمَّ بَاعَ وحَرَّرا

بِنَهيِ غُرابٍ ثُمَّ بَاعَ وحَرَّرا

and led many elders of Asad astray

at Ghurab's pool, then sold some and freed others.

رَأَيتُم بَنِي سَعدٍ كُلُولاً كَثِيرَةً

رَأَيتُم بَنِي سَعدٍ كُلُولاً كَثِيرَةً

شَهِيدٌ بِذاكَ اِبنا حُمَادِ بنِ أَحمَرا

شَهِيدٌ بِذاكَ اِبنا حُمَادِ بنِ أَحمَرا

You have seen Banu Sa'd, many of them weary;

the two sons of Humad ibn Ahmar bear witness to that.

لَعَمرِي لَقَد أَنذَرتُ سَعداً أُناتَها

لَعَمرِي لَقَد أَنذَرتُ سَعداً أُناتَها

لِتَنظُرَ فِي أَحلاَمِها وَتُفَكِّرا

لِتَنظُرَ فِي أَحلاَمِها وَتُفَكِّرا

By my life, I warned Sa'd and gave them time

to consult their judgment and reflect.

وَأَمَهَلتُ أَهلَ الدَارِ حَتّى تَظَاهَرُوا

وَأَمَهَلتُ أَهلَ الدَارِ حَتّى تَظَاهَرُوا

عَلَيَّ وَقالَ العُريُ مِنهُم فأَهجَرا

عَلَيَّ وَقالَ العُريُ مِنهُم فأَهجَرا

I gave the people of the dwelling respite until they united

against me, and a naked fellow among them spoke obscenely.

وَهُم حَرمَلٌ مُرٌ عَلى كُلِّ رَاكِبٍ

وَهُم حَرمَلٌ مُرٌ عَلى كُلِّ رَاكِبٍ

مُشِيحٍ وَِإن كانَ الِفرارُ مُثَوَرا

مُشِيحٍ وَِإن كانَ الِفرارُ مُثَوَرا

They are bitter harmal to every rider

pressing onward, even when flight has been stirred up.

وَما قُلتُ حَتّى قالَ شَتمُ عَشِيرتي

وَما قُلتُ حَتّى قالَ شَتمُ عَشِيرتي

نُفَيلَ بنَ عَمرِوٍ وَالوَحِيدَ وجَعفَرا

نُفَيلَ بنَ عَمرِوٍ وَالوَحِيدَ وجَعفَرا

I did not speak until he spoke abuse of my clan:

Nufayl ibn 'Amr, al-Wahid and Ja'far,

وَحَيَّ أَبِي بَكرٍ وَلا حَيَّ مِثلُهُم

وَحَيَّ أَبِي بَكرٍ وَلا حَيَّ مِثلُهُم

إِذا بَلَغَ الأَمرُ الدَثُورُ الُمذَمَّرا

إِذا بَلَغَ الأَمرُ الدَثُورُ الُمذَمَّرا

and Abu Bakr's clan, whom no clan equals

when a ruinous affair reaches its fiercest pitch.

وَلَم أَرَ فِيمَن وَجَّنَ الجِلدَ نِسوةً

وَلَم أَرَ فِيمَن وَجَّنَ الجِلدَ نِسوةً

أَسَبَّ لأَِضيَافٍ وَأَقبَحَ مَحجَرا

أَسَبَّ لأَِضيَافٍ وَأَقبَحَ مَحجَرا

Among those who pound leather, I have never seen women

more abusive to guests or uglier about the eyes,

وَأَكثَرَ غُولاً أُستُها مِثلُ رَأسِها

وَأَكثَرَ غُولاً أُستُها مِثلُ رَأسِها

يُرَى مِن نِصاءِ الناسِ أَصهَبَ أَزعَرا

يُرَى مِن نِصاءِ الناسِ أَصهَبَ أَزعَرا

more treacherous—her arse like her head,

seen among people's women, reddish-haired and scant-haired—

وَأَعظَمَ أَقدَماً وأَصغَرَ أَسؤُقاً

وَأَعظَمَ أَقدَماً وأَصغَرَ أَسؤُقاً

وَأَعظَمَ أَفواهاً وَأَرحَبَ مِنخَرا

وَأَعظَمَ أَفواهاً وَأَرحَبَ مِنخَرا

with larger feet and smaller shins,

larger mouths and wider nostrils,

وَأَعظَمَ بَطناً تَحتَ دِرعٍ تَخَالُهُ

وَأَعظَمَ بَطناً تَحتَ دِرعٍ تَخَالُهُ

إذَا حُشِيَ التَبِّيَّ زِقّتاً مُقَيَّرا

إذَا حُشِيَ التَبِّيَّ زِقّتاً مُقَيَّرا

or a larger belly beneath a tunic, which you would think,

when stuffed with tabbi dates, a tarred wineskin,

وَأَبغَى عَلى زَوجٍ لَئِيمٍ كِلاَهُما

وَأَبغَى عَلى زَوجٍ لَئِيمٍ كِلاَهُما

إِذَا التَمرُ في أَعفَاجِهِنَّ تَقَرقَرا

إِذَا التَمرُ في أَعفَاجِهِنَّ تَقَرقَرا

or more insolent toward a husband, both of them vile,

when dates rattle in their intestines,

مِنَ النِسوَةِ اللاّتِي إذَا تَلَعَ الضُحَى

مِنَ النِسوَةِ اللاّتِي إذَا تَلَعَ الضُحَى

تَبَوَّأنَ مَبدًى مِن ثُمَالَ وَمَحضَرا

تَبَوَّأنَ مَبدًى مِن ثُمَالَ وَمَحضَرا

among those women who, when morning rises,

occupy Thumal's desert camp and settled home.

إذَا ذَكَرَ السَعدِيُّ فَخراً فَقُل لَهُ

إذَا ذَكَرَ السَعدِيُّ فَخراً فَقُل لَهُ

تَأَخَّر فَلَم يَجعَل لَكَ اللَهُ مَفخَرا

تَأَخَّر فَلَم يَجعَل لَكَ اللَهُ مَفخَرا

If a Sa'di mentions a boast, tell him:

Stand back; God has given you nothing to boast of.

فَإِن تُرِدِ العَليا فَلَستَ بِأَهلِها

فَإِن تُرِدِ العَليا فَلَستَ بِأَهلِها

وَإِن تَبسُطِ الكَفَّينِ لِلمَجدِ تَقصُرا

وَإِن تَبسُطِ الكَفَّينِ لِلمَجدِ تَقصُرا

If you seek high honor, you are not worthy of it;

if you stretch both palms toward glory, they fall short.

إِذا أَدلَجَ السَعدِِيُّ أَدلَجَ سارِقاً

إِذا أَدلَجَ السَعدِِيُّ أَدلَجَ سارِقاً

فَأَصبَحَ مَخطُوماً بِلُؤمٍ مُعَذَّرا

فَأَصبَحَ مَخطُوماً بِلُؤمٍ مُعَذَّرا

When a Sa'di travels at night, he travels as a thief;

by morning he is nose-haltered and cheek-strapped with baseness.

إِذا أَنعَظَ السَعدِيُّ قَبَّلَ أَيرَهُ

إِذا أَنعَظَ السَعدِيُّ قَبَّلَ أَيرَهُ

وَأَلقَمَهُ فاهُ فَكانَ لَهُ حِرا

وَأَلقَمَهُ فاهُ فَكانَ لَهُ حِرا

When a Sa'di gets an erection, he kisses his penis

and puts it into his mouth, which becomes a vulva for him.

وَيَغمُزُ مِنهُ الفائِقَينِ كِلَيهِما

وَيَغمُزُ مِنهُ الفائِقَينِ كِلَيهِما

عَلى شَهوَةٍ غَمزَ الطَبِيبِ المُحَنجِرا

عَلى شَهوَةٍ غَمزَ الطَبِيبِ المُحَنجِرا

He fondles both of his throat-bones

in lust, as a physician presses the throat.