أَرقتُI lay awake وَشَرُّand the worst الداءِof affliction هَمٌa care مُؤَرِّقkeeping one awake
أَرقتُ وَشَرُّ الداءِ هَمٌ مُؤَرِّق
كَأَنّيas though I أَسيرٌa captive جانَبَkept away from النَومَsleep موثَقُfettered
كَأَنّي أَسيرٌ جانَبَ النَومَ موثَقُ
I lay awake; the worst affliction is care that will not let one sleep.
I stayed awake while the worst kind of care is disturbing anxiety
As though I were a fettered captive, estranged from sleep,
As if I were a captive walking alongside sleep, tied up
تذَكرremembering سَلمىSalma أَوor صَريعٌone laid low لِصَحبِهِto his companions
تذَكر سَلمى أَو صَريعٌ لِصَحبِهِ
يَقولُsays إِذاwhen ماemphatic particle عَزَّتgrows scarce الخَمرُwine أَنفِقواspend freely!
يَقولُ إِذا ما عَزَّت الخَمرُ أَنفِقوا
remembering Salma—or one laid low, who to his companions
Remembering Salma or a comrade urging his friends
says, when wine grows scarce, "Spend freely!"
When the wine was scarce, saying "Spend!"
يَشُبُّkindles حُمَيّاthe heat of الكَأسِthe cup فيهِwithin him إِذاwhen اِنتَشىhe grows drunk
يَشُبُّ حُمَيّا الكَأسِ فيهِ إِذا اِنتَشى
قَديمُlong-standing in الخِتامِsealing بابِلِيٌّBabylonian مُعَتَّقُaged
قَديمُ الخِتامِ بابِلِيٌّ مُعَتَّقُ
When he grows drunk, the cup's fierce heat is kindled within him
He kindles the brightness of the cup when it lights up
by a long-sealed Babylonian vintage, aged.
Ancient sealed Babylonian wine
يَقولُsays الشُروبُthe seasoned drinker أَيُّwhat داءٍailment أَصابَهُhas struck him
يَقولُ الشُروبُ أَيُّ داءٍ أَصابَهُ
أَتَخبيلُis it derangement by جِنٍّjinn أَمor دَهاهُhas overwhelmed him المُرَوَّقُthe clarified wine
أَتَخبيلُ جِنٍّ أَم دَهاهُ المُرَوَّقُ
The seasoned drinker asks, "What sickness has struck him?
Drinking asks "What malady has befallen him?
Is it madness wrought by jinn, or has clarified wine undone him?"
Is it madness of jinn or has pure wine intoxicated him?"
يَموتُhe dies وَيَحياand revives تارَةًby turns مِنfrom دَبيبِهاits creeping through him
يَموتُ وَيَحيا تارَةً مِن دَبيبِها
وَلَيسَand there is not لَهُfor him أَنto يُفصِحَmake clear القيلَspeech مَنطِقُpower of utterance
وَلَيسَ لَهُ أَن يُفصِحَ القيلَ مَنطِقُ
He dies and revives by turns as it creeps through him,
He dies and comes back to life again from its yet unclear effect
and has no speech with which to make his words clear.
And he cannot speak plainly, his tongue tied up
وَأَعجَبَand it pleased سَلمىSalma أَنَّthat سَلمىSalma كَأَنَّهاshe was as though
وَأَعجَبَ سَلمى أَنَّ سَلمى كَأَنَّها
مِنin الحُسنِbeauty حَوراءُa dark-eyed doe المَدامِعِat the tear ducts مُرشِقُslender
مِن الحُسنِ حَوراءُ المَدامِعِ مُرشِقُ
It pleased Salma that Salma resembled,
And Salma was amazed that Salma is as if
in beauty, a slender doe with lustrous, dark eyes.
A radiant houri from the place of tears
دَعاهاbeckoned her إِلىto ظِلٍّshade تُزَجّىshe gently drives غَزالَهاher fawn
دَعاها إِلى ظِلٍّ تُزَجّى غَزالَها
مَعَagainst الحَرِّthe heat عُمرِيٌّold-grown مِنof السِدرِlote trees مُورِقُleafy
مَعَ الحَرِّ عُمرِيٌّ مِن السِدرِ مُورِقُ
She is drawn into shade while gently driving her fawn,
He called her to enjoy the shade, shading her gazelle
by an ancient, leafy lote tree against the heat.
A blossoming lotus tree sheltering from the heat
تَعَطَّفَshe bent tenderly أَحياناًat times عَلَيهِover him وَتارَةًand at other times
تَعَطَّفَ أَحياناً عَلَيهِ وَتارَةً
تَكادُshe almost وَلَمand did not تَغفُلgrow heedless مِنfrom الوُجدِlove تَخرَقُlose her senses
تَكادُ وَلَم تَغفُل مِن الوُجدِ تَخرَقُ
Sometimes she bends tenderly over him, and sometimes
Sometimes acting sympathetic and sometimes
she nearly loses her senses with love, yet never grows heedless.
She almost pierces from passion but does not neglect
وَلِلحليِand the ornaments have وَسواسٌa whispering rustle عَلَيهاupon her إِذاwhen مَشَتshe walks
وَلِلحليِ وَسواسٌ عَلَيها إِذا مَشَت
كَماjust as اِهتَزَّrustled فيin ريحٍa breeze مِنَof الصَيفِsummer عَشرِقُsenna
كَما اِهتَزَّ في ريحٍ مِنَ الصَيفِ عَشرِقُ
Her ornaments whisper upon her when she walks,
And her ornaments have a temptation about her when she walks
like senna rustling in a summer breeze.
As a twig sways in the summer breeze
إِذاwhen قَتَلَتshe kills لَمnot يُؤدَis paid blood-money شَيئاًanything قَتيلُهاher victim
إِذا قَتَلَت لَم يُؤدَ شَيئاً قَتيلُها
بَرَهرَهَةٌa soft, full-bodied woman رَيّاplump تُوَدُّshe is loved وَتُعشَقُand adored
بَرَهرَهَةٌ رَيّا تُوَدُّ وَتُعشَقُ
When she slays, no blood-money is paid for her victim—
If she kills you, her victim does not pay blood money
a soft, full-bodied beauty, loved and adored.
She is mirthful, loving, and passionate
وَتَبسِمُand she smiles عَنrevealing غُرِّbright-white teeth رُواءٍbeautiful كَأَنَّهاas though they were
وَتَبسِمُ عَن غُرِّ رُواءٍ كَأَنَّها
أَقاحٍdaisies بِرَيّانٍin a well-watered patch مِنof الرَوضِmeadow مُشرِقُshining
أَقاحٍ بِرَيّانٍ مِن الرَوضِ مُشرِقُ
She smiles, revealing beautiful, bright-white teeth, as though
She smiles showing bright white teeth as if
they were daisies in a lush, radiant meadow.
She were blossoms smiling from the meadow
كَأَنَّas though رُضابَthe nectar of المِسكِmusk فَوقَupon لِثاتِهاher gums
كَأَنَّ رُضابَ المِسكِ فَوقَ لِثاتِها
وَكافورَand camphor داريٍّof a perfumer وَراحاًand wine تُصَفَّقُbeing decanted
وَكافورَ داريٍّ وَراحاً تُصَفَّقُ
As though musk's nectar rested upon her gums,
As though scent of musk is above her teeth
and a perfumer's camphor, and wine decanted clear.
And camphor of Dari, diffusing fragrance
حَمَتهُshe guarded it مِنfrom الصاديthe thirsty man فَلَيسَso she does not تُنيلُهُgrant it
حَمَتهُ مِن الصادي فَلَيسَ تُنيلُهُ
وَإِنeven if ماتَhe dies ماas long as غَنّىsings الحَمامُthe dove المُطَوَّقُring-necked
وَإِن ماتَ ما غَنّى الحَمامُ المُطَوَّقُ
She guards it from the thirsty man and never grants it,
If she becomes angry, the doves in the dovecote will not appease her
even should he die, as long as ring-doves sing.
And if he dies, the confined pigeons will not benefit
تَكونُshe is وَإِنeven if أَعطَتكَshe gives you عَهداًa pledge كَأَنَّهاas though she were
تَكونُ وَإِن أَعطَتكَ عَهداً كَأَنَّها
إِذاwhen رُمتَyou seek مِنهاfrom her الوُدَّaffection نَجمٌa star مُحَلِّقُsoaring high
إِذا رُمتَ مِنها الوُدَّ نَجمٌ مُحَلِّقُ
Even if she gives you a pledge, she becomes,
She will be as if she gave you a promise like
when you seek her affection, a star soaring high.
A star swiftly disappearing if you fall out of her love
فَبَرَّحَso they tormented بيme مِنهاover her عُداةٌhostile people فَصَرمُهاand her estrangement
فَبَرَّحَ بي مِنها عُداةٌ فَصَرمُها
عَلَيَّupon me غَرامٌlasting torment واِدِّكارٌand remembrance مُشَوِّقُarousing longing
عَلَيَّ غَرامٌ واِدِّكارٌ مُشَوِّقُ
Hostile folk have tormented me over her; her estrangement
So her enemies separated her from me and her alienation
is lasting torment to me, and remembrance stirs longing.
Became an endless longing that consumes me
وَقالَand said العَدُوُّthe enemy وَالصَديقُand the friend كِلاهُماboth of them
وَقالَ العَدُوُّ وَالصَديقُ كِلاهُما
لِنابِغَةَal-Nabigha has البَكرِيِّal-Bakri شِعرٌpoetry مُصَدَّقُbelieved true
لِنابِغَةَ البَكرِيِّ شِعرٌ مُصَدَّقُ
Enemy and friend have both declared:
The enemy and the friend alike said
"Al-Nabigha al-Bakri's poetry speaks truth."
“True is the poetry of Naabighah Al-Dhubyani”
فَأَحكَمُso the soundest أَلبابَminds of الرِجالِmen ذووpossessors of التُقىpiety
فَأَحكَمُ أَلبابَ الرِجالِ ذوو التُقى
وَكُلُّand every اِمرىءٍperson لاnot يَتَّقيfears اللَهَGod أَحمَقُis foolish
وَكُلُّ اِمرىءٍ لا يَتَّقي اللَهَ أَحمَقُ
Those possessing piety have the soundest minds among men;
Therefore the minds of reasonable, God-fearing men prevail
everyone who does not fear God is foolish.
And whoever fears not God is a fool
وَلِلناسِand people have أَهواءٌdesires رَشَتّىdiverse (text uncertain) هُمومُهُمtheir cares
وَلِلناسِ أَهواءٌ رَشَتّى هُمومُهُم
تَجَمَّعُcome together أَحياناًsometimes وَحيناًand at times تَفَرَّقُscatter
تَجَمَّعُ أَحياناً وَحيناً تَفَرَّقُ
People have their passions; their cares are diverse,
People have various passions - their concerns
sometimes gathering together, sometimes scattering.
Sometimes gather and sometimes disperse
وَزَرعٌand a crop وَكُلُّand every الزَرعِcrop يُشبِهُresembles أَصلَهُits stock
وَزَرعٌ وَكُلُّ الزَرعِ يُشبِهُ أَصلَهُ
هُمُthey وُلِدواwere born شَتّىdifferent مُكِيسٌshrewd وَمُحمِقُand foolish
هُمُ وُلِدوا شَتّى مُكِيسٌ وَمُحمِقُ
They are a crop, and every crop resembles its stock;
And crops resemble their origin:
they were born different—one shrewd, another foolish.
They were created diverse, some wise and some stupid
فَذوso the possessor of الصَمتِsilence لاnot يُجنيbrings harm عَلَيهِupon him لِسانُهُhis tongue
فَذو الصَمتِ لا يُجني عَلَيهِ لِسانُهُ
وَذوand the possessor of الحِلمِforbearance مَهدِيُّis guided وَذوand the possessor of الجَهلَignorance أَخرَقُis reckless
وَذو الحِلمِ مَهدِيُّ وَذو الجَهلَ أَخرَقُ
The silent man's tongue brings no harm upon him;
Therefore one who is silent will not slip by his tongue
the forbearing man is guided, the ignorant man reckless.
One who is forbearing leads rightly while an ignorant one trips up
وَلَستُand I am not وَإِنeven if سُرَّare delighted الأَعاديthe enemies بِهالِكٍone who perishes
وَلَستُ وَإِن سُرَّ الأَعادي بِهالِكٍ
وَلَيسَand not يُنَجّينيcan save me مِنَfrom المَوتِdeath مُشفِقُa compassionate person
وَلَيسَ يُنَجّيني مِنَ المَوتِ مُشفِقُ
I am not doomed, even if my enemies rejoice,
And if my enemies rejoice at my demise
nor can a caring friend save me from death.
There is none to save me from death, not even a protector
وَأَشوَسَand many a fierce-eyed man ذيpossessing ضِغنٍrancor تَراهُyou see him كَأَنَّهُas though he were
وَأَشوَسَ ذي ضِغنٍ تَراهُ كَأَنَّهُ
إِذاwhen أَنشَدَتrecite يَوماًone day رَواتيmy transmitters مُخَنَّقُbeing strangled
إِذا أَنشَدَت يَوماً رَواتي مُخَنَّقُ
And many a glowering man, full of rancor, you see as though
The most vicious person with grudges that you see is as though
he were being strangled when my reciters chant one day.
Whenever I recite my poetry, he is being strangled
وَلَمand not يَأتِهِhas reached him عَنّيfrom me مِنَof الشَتمِabuse عاذِرٌanything affording excuse
وَلَم يَأتِهِ عَنّي مِنَ الشَتمِ عاذِرٌ
خَلاexcept أَنَّthat أَمثاليmy sayings تُصيبُstrike home وَتَعرُقُand strip to the bone
خَلا أَنَّ أَمثالي تُصيبُ وَتَعرُقُ
Yet no abuse of mine has reached him to give him cause,
He did not excuse me for insulting except
except that my sayings strike home and cut to the bone.
That ones like me make mistakes and get soaked in sweat
وَبُدِّلتُand I was given in exchange مِنfor سَلمىSalma وَحُسنِand the beauty of صِفاتِهاher qualities
وَبُدِّلتُ مِن سَلمى وَحُسنِ صِفاتِها
رُسوماًtraces كَسَحقِlike the worn fabric of البُردِa cloak بَلrather هِيَthey أَخلَقُare more threadbare
رُسوماً كَسَحقِ البُردِ بَل هِيَ أَخلَقُ
In place of Salma and her lovely qualities I was given
I substituted the beautiful qualities of Salma
traces like a threadbare cloak—indeed, still more worn.
With pictures like scattered pearl dust - or even worse
عَفَتهاeffaced them خَساgusts of (reading uncertain) الأَرواحِthe winds تُذرىscattering dust خِلالَهاthrough them
عَفَتها خَسا الأَرواحِ تُذرى خِلالَها
وَجالَand swirled عَلىover القَضِّgravel التُرابthe dust المُدَقَّقُfinely pulverized
وَجالَ عَلى القَضِّ التُراب المُدَقَّقُ
Gusts of wind have effaced them, blowing dust through their midst,
Her chastity surpassed spirits flowing through her
and finely powdered dust has swirled across the gravel.
And the dust of dry earth covered the surface of her grave
وَغَيَّرَهاand changed them جونٌa dark cloud رُكامٌpiled high مُجَلجِلٌthundering
وَغَيَّرَها جونٌ رُكامٌ مُجَلجِلٌ
أَجَشُّhoarse-voiced خَصيفُmottled in اللَونِcolor يَخبوit dims وَيَبرُقُand flashes
أَجَشُّ خَصيفُ اللَونِ يَخبو وَيَبرُقُ
A dark, piled-up, thundering cloud has changed them,
A change in weather, clouds amassing, churning,
hoarse-voiced, mottled in color, darkening and flashing.
The color changing from green to yellow to glistening white
يَلاليglitters وَميضٌa flash مُستَطيرٌfar-spreading يَشُبُّهُsetting it alight
يَلالي وَميضٌ مُستَطيرٌ يَشُبُّهُ
كَماas جالَwheeled فيamong دُهمٍdark ones مِنَof الخَيلِhorses أَبلَقُa piebald
كَما جالَ في دُهمٍ مِنَ الخَيلِ أَبلَقُ
A far-spreading flash glitters and sets it alight,
Lightning flashing - a fleeting glow resembling
like a piebald horse wheeling among black steeds.
What shone on a dusky steed, very quick
تَنوءُthey strain بِأَحمالٍunder burdens ثِقالٍheavy وَكُلُّهاand all of them
تَنوءُ بِأَحمالٍ ثِقالٍ وَكُلُّها
وَقَدhaving غَرَقَتbecome drenched بِالماءِwith water رَيّانُwater-swollen مُتأَقُfull to bursting
وَقَد غَرَقَت بِالماءِ رَيّانُ مُتأَقُ
They strain beneath heavy loads, and each of them,
Bearing heavy burdens while being inundated by water
drenched in water, is swollen and full to bursting.
Their wicks extinguished if lamps tilt over
كَأَنَّas though مَصابيحاًlamps غَذاfed الزَيتُthe oil فُتلَهاtheir wicks
كَأَنَّ مَصابيحاً غَذا الزَيتُ فُتلَها
ذُبالاًwick-threads بِهِwithin it باتَتspent the night إِذاwhen التَجَّit roared تَذلَقُflaring
ذُبالاً بِهِ باتَت إِذا التَجَّ تَذلَقُ
As though lamps whose wicks were fed by oil
Its rooms seem to have lost their corners
burned as tapers within it all night, flaring when it roared.
And look like a polished Indian sword or a burning desert
كَأَنَّas though خَلاياbereaved she-camels فيهِwithin it ضَلَّتhad strayed رِباعُهاtheir young
كَأَنَّ خَلايا فيهِ ضَلَّت رِباعُها
وَلَجَّةُand the clamor of حُجّاجٍpilgrims وَغابٌand a forest يُحَرَّقُbeing burned
وَلَجَّةُ حُجّاجٍ وَغابٌ يُحَرَّقُ
As though she-camels whose young had strayed were within it,
The south wind and breeze made its dates decay,
and pilgrims' clamor, and a forest burning.
Some shrivel while others remain juicy
تَمَرَّضَit moved languidly تَمريهِdrawing rain from it الجَنوبُthe south wind مَعَwith الصِباthe east wind
تَمَرَّضَ تَمريهِ الجَنوبُ مَعَ الصِبا
تَهامٍTihaman يَمانٍYemeni أَنجَدٌentering Najd وَهوَwhile it مُعرِقُheads toward Iraq
تَهامٍ يَمانٍ أَنجَدٌ وَهوَ مُعرِقُ
It moves languidly; the south wind and east wind milk it,
It washes away high ground never flooded before
Tihaman and Yemeni, reaching Najd and heading toward Iraq.
And cleaves solid rock, bursting forth generously
يَسُحُّit pours رَواياwaterskins فَهوَand it is دانٍlow-hanging يَثُجُّهاemptying them in torrents
يَسُحُّ رَوايا فَهوَ دانٍ يَثُجُّها
هَرِيتُwide-open at العَزاليthe spouts كُلُّهاall of them مُتَبَعِّقُgushing
هَرِيتُ العَزالي كُلُّها مُتَبَعِّقُ
It pours out waterskins, hanging low and emptying them,
It watered after barren ground: plains and salt marshes
all their spouts wide open, bursting with torrents.
Tabuk and Ruwaqa were watered by it
يُسيلُit makes flow رِمالاsands لَمnot تَسِلhad flowed قَبلَbefore صَوبِهِits downpour
يُسيلُ رِمالا لَم تَسِل قَبلَ صَوبِهِ
وَشَقَّand split الصَفّاsmooth stone مِنهُfrom it مَعَwith الصَخرِrock مُغدِقُa deluge
وَشَقَّ الصَفّا مِنهُ مَعَ الصَخرِ مُغدِقُ
It makes sands flow that never flowed before its downpour,
All Al-Butheeri mountains became
and its deluge splits smooth stone and rock.
Not a thread remained unsogged
سَقىit watered بَعدَafter مَحلوبٍMahlub سَناماًSanam وَلَعلَعاًand La'la'
سَقى بَعدَ مَحلوبٍ سَناماً وَلَعلَعاً
وَقَدand already رُوِيَتwas watered مِنهُby it تَبوكٌTabuk وَأَروقُand Arwaq
وَقَد رُوِيَت مِنهُ تَبوكٌ وَأَروقُ
After Mahlub, it watered Sanam and La'la',
When it separated over the abode its poles collapsed
and Tabuk and Arwaq had already drunk their fill from it.
Then heavy torrents came from its cloud downpour
وَأَضحَتand became جِبالُthe mountains of البُحتَرِيّينَthe Buhturis كُلُّهاall of them
وَأَضحَت جِبالُ البُحتَرِيّينَ كُلُّها
وَماand not قَطَنٌQatan مِنهاamong them بِناجٍescaping تُغَرَّقُwere submerged
وَما قَطَنٌ مِنها بِناجٍ تُغَرَّقُ
All the Buhturis' mountains came to be
When its strength weakened it could no longer stand
submerged, and Qatan among them did not escape.
The north wind toppled it, crushing it down
إِذاwhen فُرَّقٌbands of clouds فيover الدارِthe dwellings خارَتlowed فَنُتِّجَتthen were delivered
إِذا فُرَّقٌ في الدارِ خارَت فَنُتِّجَت
أَتىcame بَعدَهاafter them مِنfrom دُلَّحِheavy-laden العَينِrain clouds فُرَّقُbands
أَتى بَعدَها مِن دُلَّحِ العَينِ فُرَّقُ
When bands of cloud lowed over the dwellings and gave birth,
Among its ruins are traces of forgotten encampments
more bands of heavy-laden rain clouds followed them.
Its dawn is brightened by flower illumination
فَأَقلَعَthen it ceased إِذwhen خَفَّgrew light الرَبابُthe low clouds فَلَمand no longer يَقُمremained
فَأَقلَعَ إِذ خَفَّ الرَبابُ فَلَم يَقُم
رُكامٌa cloud mass تُزَجّيهِdrives it الشَمالُthe north wind وَتَسحَقُand grinds away
رُكامٌ تُزَجّيهِ الشَمالُ وَتَسحَقُ
Then it ceased as the low clouds thinned; no mass remained
Nothing left but ruins with gazelles frolicking around them
of piled cloud, driven and shredded by the north wind.
And acacia trees shedding its ripe fruit to the ground
فَمِنهُso from it كَأَمثالِlike العُهونِdyed wool دِيارُهاher dwellings
فَمِنهُ كَأَمثالِ العُهونِ دِيارُها
لَهاthey have صَبَحٌa rosy brightness نَورٌblossom مِنَof الزَهرِflowers مُونِقُdelightful
لَها صَبَحٌ نَورٌ مِنَ الزَهرِ مُونِقُ
From it, her dwellings became like tufts of colored wool,
Desolate remains like an abandoned chicken coop
with a rosy brightness, a lovely bloom of flowers.
Filled with eggs scattered in the meadow
عَفَتwere effaced غَيرَexcept أَطلالٍruins تَعَطَّفُcircle حَولَهاaround them
عَفَت غَيرَ أَطلالٍ تَعَطَّفُ حَولَها
مَراشيقُslender antelopes أُدمٌpale دَرُّهاtheir milk يُتَفَوَّقُis sipped
مَراشيقُ أُدمٌ دَرُّها يُتَفَوَّقُ
They have vanished save for ruins, around which wander
It leads the filled water skins when its plumage grows
slender, pale antelopes, whose milk is sipped in little draughts.
A twittering francolin and "Niqniq" sandgrouse
وَشوهٌand ungainly ostriches كَأَمثالِlike السَبائِجِblack mantles أُبَّدٌwild
وَشوهٌ كَأَمثالِ السَبائِجِ أُبَّدٌ
لَهاthey have مِنfrom نِتاجِthe hatching of البيضِeggs فيin الرَوضِthe meadow دَردَقُsmall chicks
لَها مِن نِتاجِ البيضِ في الرَوضِ دَردَقُ
And wild, ungainly ostriches, like black mantles,
It almost ties its neck if touched so delicate
have little chicks hatched from eggs in the meadow.
Its coated wings, blue and fragile
يَقودُleads الرِئالَthe ostrich chicks حينَwhen يَشتَدُّgrows strong ريشُهاtheir plumage
يَقودُ الرِئالَ حينَ يَشتَدُّ ريشُها
خَريقانِtwo witless ones مِنamong رُبدٍgray ostriches جَفولٌa skittish hen وَنِقنِقُand a booming cock
خَريقانِ مِن رُبدٍ جَفولٌ وَنِقنِقُ
The chicks, when their feathers grow strong, are led
Their chicks differ - some fully feathered while others incomplete
by two witless gray birds—a skittish hen and a booming cock.
So half of them are stolen away in their creation
يَكادُit almost إِذاwhen ماemphatic particle اِحتَكَّit scratches itself يَعقِدُknots عُنقَهُits neck
يَكادُ إِذا ما اِحتَكَّ يَعقِدُ عُنقَهُ
مِنَfrom اللِينsuppleness مَكسُوُّfeather-clad on الجَناحَينِboth wings أَزرَقُblue-gray
مِنَ اللِين مَكسُوُّ الجَناحَينِ أَزرَقُ
When it scratches itself, it almost knots its neck,
Birds always cooing as if they spend nights
so supple is the blue-gray bird with feather-clad wings.
Gathering with jinn repeating "halhalah"
فُراسُنُهاtheir feet شَتّانِare unequal وافٍone complete وَناقِصٌand one deficient
فُراسُنُها شَتّانِ وافٍ وَناقِصٌ
فَأَنصافُهاso their halves مِنهُنَّfrom them فيin الخَلقِcreation تُسرَقُare stolen
فَأَنصافُها مِنهُنَّ في الخَلقِ تُسرَقُ
Their feet are unequal, one complete and another deficient;
You see the bulls' wrath defending access
so half of each is stolen from them in their making.
Each equipped with a weapon, polished and sharp
نَقانِقُostriches عَجمٌinarticulate أُبَّدٌwild وَكَأَنَّماand as though
نَقانِقُ عَجمٌ أُبَّدٌ وَكَأَنَّما
مَعَamong الجِنِّthe jinn باتَتthey spent the night بِالمَواسيwith razors تُحَلَّقُbeing shaved
مَعَ الجِنِّ باتَت بِالمَواسي تُحَلَّقُ
Mute, wild ostriches, as though
The pregnant camels lead the herd early in the day
they spent the night with jinn being shaved with razors.
When driven back in the afternoon they are quick and alert
تَرىyou see حِزَقَbands of الثيرانِwild bulls يَحمينَguarding حائِلاًa cow not in calf
تَرى حِزَقَ الثيرانِ يَحمينَ حائِلاً
فَكُلٌّand each لَهُhas لَدنٌa supple سِلاحٌweapon مُذَلَّقُsharpened
فَكُلٌّ لَهُ لَدنٌ سِلاحٌ مُذَلَّقُ
You see bands of wild bulls guarding a cow not in calf,
With some staring wildly exerting great effort
each with a supple, sharp-pointed weapon.
Behind the rear they have weapons and gear attached
تُزَجّىgently drive المهاthe oryx cows السَفعُdark الحُدودِat the cheeks (reading uncertain) جَآذِراًcalves
تُزَجّى المها السَفعُ الحُدودِ جَآذِراً
وراداًcoming to water إِذاwhen رُدَّتturned back مِنfrom الرِيِّfull drinking تَسنَقُthey refuse more
وراداً إِذا رُدَّت مِن الرِيِّ تَسنَقُ
Dark-cheeked oryx cows gently drive their calves,
When they turn around their bellies appear like swords
coming to water, then, sent back full, refusing more.
Removed from scabbards - polished and gleaming
وَتَخذُلُand stay behind بِالقيعانِin the flatlands عِينٌwide-eyed cows هَوامِلٌroaming untended
وَتَخذُلُ بِالقيعانِ عِينٌ هَوامِلٌ
لَهاthey have زَمَعٌdewclaws مِنfrom خَلفِbehind رُحٍّsplayed hooves مُعَلَّقُhanging
لَها زَمَعٌ مِن خَلفِ رُحٍّ مُعَلَّقُ
Wide-eyed, untended cows linger apart in the flatlands,
Pregnant she camel wobbles carrying heavy loads
their dewclaws hanging behind their splayed hooves.
While each step barely avoids tripping over
إِذاwhen أَجفَلَتthey take fright جالَتthey wheel كَأَنَّas though مُتونَهاtheir backs
إِذا أَجفَلَت جالَت كَأَنَّ مُتونَها
سُيوفٌswords جَرىruns فيهاthrough them مِنَfrom العِتقِfine quality رَونَقُa sheen
سُيوفٌ جَرى فيها مِنَ العِتقِ رَونَقُ
When startled, they wheel, their backs seeming
If stampeded they race like an escaping
swords gleaming with the sheen of finest quality.
Ghassanid beloved set free from bondage
وَكُلُّand every مِسَحٍّswift runner أَخدَرِيٍّAkhdari wild ass مُكَدَّمٍscarred by bites
وَكُلُّ مِسَحٍّ أَخدَرِيٍّ مُكَدَّمٍ
لَهُhe has عانَةٌa herd فيهاamong them يَظَلُّhe spends the day وَيَشهَقُand brays
لَهُ عانَةٌ فيها يَظَلُّ وَيَشهَقُ
And every swift, bite-scarred Akhdari wild ass
And she once was thin, so pregnancy took its toll,
has a herd among which he spends the day and brays.
She returned fat - her meat soaked with grease
بِأَكفالِهاupon their rumps مِنfrom ذَبِّهِhis driving them بِشَباتِهِwith his sharp teeth
بِأَكفالِها مِن ذَبِّهِ بِشَباتِهِ
خُدودٌfurrows وَماand what يَلقىhe meets أَمَرُّis bitterer وَأَعلَقُand more tenacious
خُدودٌ وَما يَلقى أَمَرُّ وَأَعلَقُ
Their rumps bear, from his driving them with sharp teeth,
When her robe is removed two thin weaklings emerge
furrows; what he meets is bitterer and harder to shake.
Humbled and disheveled, heads bowed down
إِذاwhen اِنصَدَعَتthey scatter وَاِنصاعَand he wheels كانَit is كَأَنَّماas though
إِذا اِنصَدَعَت وَاِنصاعَ كانَ كَأَنَّما
بِهِin him وَهوَwhile he يَحدوهاdrives them مِنَfrom الجِنِّthe jinn أَولَقُmadness
بِهِ وَهوَ يَحدوها مِنَ الجِنِّ أَولَقُ
When they scatter and he wheels after them, it is as though
And milk that seems to have oil floating over its cream
jinn-born madness possessed him as he drove them.
If the horses taste it, the fastest among them win the race
هَوامِلُuntended beasts فيin دارٍan abode كَأَنَّas though رُسومَهاits traces
هَوامِلُ في دارٍ كَأَنَّ رُسومَها
مِنَfrom الدَرسِeffacement عادِيٌّan ancient مِنَof الكُتبِwritings مُهرَقُparchment
مِنَ الدَرسِ عادِيٌّ مِنَ الكُتبِ مُهرَقُ
Untended beasts in an abode whose traces seem,
So I gathered short-tailed sheep, some
so effaced, an ancient parchment from a book.
Too feeble to carry the weight of swords
فَمِنهُنَّand among them نُؤيٌa drainage trench خاشِعٌsunken وَمُشَعَّثٌand a battered tent peg
فَمِنهُنَّ نُؤيٌ خاشِعٌ وَمُشَعَّثٌ
وَسفعٌand blackened hearthstones ثَلاثٌthree قَدalready بَلَينَworn away وَأَورَقُand gray ash
وَسفعٌ ثَلاثٌ قَد بَلَينَ وَأَورَقُ
Among them are a sunken rain-trench and a battered tent peg,
To a dinner mat which - rather than feathers - has rags
three worn, blackened hearthstones, and gray ash.
And a stomach so perforated it might tear
فَجَشَّمتُso I made undertake hardship نَفسيmyself يَومَon the day عَيَّfailed جَوابُهاits answer
فَجَشَّمتُ نَفسي يَومَ عَيَّ جَوابُها
وَعَينِيَand my eye مِنwith ماءِwater from الشُؤونِthe tear ducts تَرَقرَقُbrims
وَعَينِيَ مِن ماءِ الشُؤونِ تَرَقرَقُ
So, the day it failed to answer, I forced myself onward,
I endure with the lack of water angering me
my eye brimming with water from the tear ducts,
Almost ripping apart from exertion
مِنَof الأَرضِthe earth دَوِّيّاًa trackless waste يُخافُis feared بِهاthere الرَدىdeath
مِنَ الأَرضِ دَوِّيّاً يُخافُ بِها الرَدى
مَهامِهَdeserts مِمحالاًutterly barren بِهاthere الآلُmirage يَخفِقُflickers
مَهامِهَ مِمحالاً بِها الآلُ يَخفِقُ
across a trackless stretch of earth where death is feared,
So I blamed myself the day her reply was delayed
vast, barren wastes where mirage flickers.
My eyes full of tears profusely flowing
تُغَربِلُهُsifts it ذَيلُthe trailing skirt of الرِياحِthe winds تُرابَهاits dust
تُغَربِلُهُ ذَيلُ الرِياحِ تُرابَها
فَلَيسَso there is no لِوَحشِيٌّfor a wild creature بِهاthere مُتَعَلَّقُmeans of subsistence
فَلَيسَ لِوَحشِيٌّ بِها مُتَعَلَّقُ
The trailing skirts of the winds sift its dust,
Thunderously from earth fearing evil
and no wild creature finds sustenance there.
Haughtily disregarding ties of kinship
يَهاthere (defective text) جِيَفُcarcasses of الحَسرىexhausted beasts أَرومٌtree stumps عِظامُهاtheir bones
يَها جِيَفُ الحَسرى أَرومٌ عِظامُها
إِذاwhen صَفَّحَتthey show their sides فيin الآلِthe mirage تَبدوthey appear وَتَغرَقُand sink
إِذا صَفَّحَت في الآلِ تَبدو وَتَغرَقُ
There lie carcasses of exhausted beasts, their bones like stumps,
Its trails swept by tail winds of change
appearing and sinking when seen broadside in the mirage.
So no wild animal will have a place therein
كَأَنَّas though مُلاءَsheets of المَحضِpure milk فَوقَabove مُتونِهاits expanses
كَأَنَّ مُلاءَ المَحضِ فَوقَ مُتونِها
تَرىyou see الأُكمَhillocks مِنهُin it تَرتَديclothe themselves وَتُنَطَّقُand gird themselves
تَرى الأُكمَ مِنهُ تَرتَدي وَتُنَطَّقُ
As though sheets of pure milk covered its expanses,
Oh withering corpse whose bones
you see the hillocks clothed and girdled in it.
When exhumed appear then disappear from sight
وَيَومٍand a day مِنَof الجَوزاءِal-Jawza مُستَوقِدُsetting ablaze الحَصىthe pebbles
وَيَومٍ مِنَ الجَوزاءِ مُستَوقِدُ الحَصى
تَكادُalmost عِضاهُthe thorn trees of البيدِthe deserts مِنهُfrom it تَحَرَّقُburn up
تَكادُ عِضاهُ البيدِ مِنهُ تَحَرَّقُ
And a day of al-Jawza, setting pebbles ablaze,
As though the patches of its skin if gathered
when even the desert's thorn trees all but burn.
Would be sufficient leather to perfectly cover it
لَهُit has نِيرَتاtwo fires of حَرٍّheat سَمومٌa scorching wind وَشَمسُهُand its sun
لَهُ نِيرَتا حَرٍّ سَمومٌ وَشَمسُهُ
صِلابُhard الصَفاsmooth rocks مِنfrom حَرِّهاits heat تَتَشَقَّقُsplit apart
صِلابُ الصَفا مِن حَرِّها تَتَشَقَّقُ
It has two fires of heat: the scorching wind and its sun,
On a blazing day heated stones bursting into flames
whose heat splits the hardest smooth rocks.
With deadly poison - its hellish sun
إِذاwhen الريحُthe wind لَمnot تَسكُنgrows still وَهاجَand rages سَعيرُهاits blaze
إِذا الريحُ لَم تَسكُن وَهاجَ سَعيرُها
وَخَبَّand scurries السَفاchaff فيهاin it وَجالَand whirls المُخَزَّقُal-Mukhazzaq, a desert demon
وَخَبَّ السَفا فيها وَجالَ المُخَزَّقُ
When the wind does not fall still and its blaze rages,
The surface of hilltops crack from its scorching heat
and chaff scurries through it, and al-Mukhazzaq whirls,
When the winds relent not and its raging continues
وَظَلَّتand remain حَرابِيُّthe chameleons of الفَلاةِthe desert كَأَنَّهاas though they
وَظَلَّت حَرابِيُّ الفَلاةِ كَأَنَّها
مِنof الخَردَلِmustard المَطروقِpounded بِالخَلِّwith vinegar تَنشِقُbreathe in
مِن الخَردَلِ المَطروقِ بِالخَلِّ تَنشِقُ
the desert's chameleons remain as though
Darkness overwhelms it with lightning strikes
breathing in mustard pounded with vinegar.
Desert ruins as though struck
بِأَدماءَon a pale she-camel مِنof حُرذِchoice stock (text uncertain) الهِجانِwhite camels نَجيبَةٍnoble
بِأَدماءَ مِن حُرذِ الهِجانِ نَجيبَةٍ
أَجادَbred well بِهاwith her فَحَلٌa stallion نَجيبٌnoble وَأَينُقُand she-camels
أَجادَ بِها فَحَلٌ نَجيبٌ وَأَينُقُ
On a noble pale she-camel, of choice white stock,
By nails producing sparks bursting forth
bred to excellence by a noble sire and she-camels.
Stained in blood yet noble prize
بَقِيَّةُa remnant of ذَودٍa small herd كَالمَهاlike oryx أَمَّهاتُهاher mothers
بَقِيَّةُ ذَودٍ كَالمَها أَمَّهاتُها
تَخَيَّرُهاchose her ثُمَّthen اِصطَفاهاselected her مُحَرَّقُMuharriq
تَخَيَّرُها ثُمَّ اِصطَفاها مُحَرَّقُ
A survivor of a small herd, her mothers like oryx,
The elite bull took its pick one by one
Muharriq chose her, then singled her out.
The rest are pregnant sheep selected then confiscated
لَهاshe has كاهِلٌwithers مِثلُlike الغَبيطِa camel litter مُؤَرَّبٌstrongly built
لَها كاهِلٌ مِثلُ الغَبيطِ مُؤَرَّبٌ
وَأَتلَعُand a high neck مَصفوحُbroad and flat at العَلابيthe neck sinews عَشَنَّقُlong
وَأَتلَعُ مَصفوحُ العَلابي عَشَنَّقُ
She has strong-built withers like a camel litter,
Wide sturdy shoulders like a goblet, grooved and polished
and a long, lofty neck with broad, flat sinews;
Mouth agape ready to clamp up and bite
وَجُمجُمَةٌand a skull كَالقَبرِlike a grave-mound بادٍvisible شُؤونُهاits sutures
وَجُمجُمَةٌ كَالقَبرِ بادٍ شُؤونُها
وَسامِعَتاand two ears of نابٍan old she-camel وَلحيٌand a jaw مُعَرَّقُstripped of flesh
وَسامِعَتا نابٍ وَلحيٌ مُعَرَّقُ
a skull like a grave-mound, its sutures showing,
A hollow skull as if its secrets and thoughts
ears like an old she-camel's, and a fleshless jaw;
Vanished leaving bare teeth and a shriveled beard
وَعَينانand two eyes كَحَلاوانِkohl-rimmed تَنفيexpel قَذاهُماtheir specks
وَعَينان كَحَلاوانِ تَنفي قَذاهُما
إِذاwhen طَرَفَتblink أَشفارُthe eyelashes of عَينٍan eye وَحِملِقُand its inner lid
إِذا طَرَفَت أَشفارُ عَينٍ وَحِملِقُ
two kohl-dark eyes that drive away their specks
Eyes like antimony removing impurities if blinked
when the eyelashes and inner eyelids blink;
With thick lashes and arched eyebrow
وَخَدّانِand two cheeks زاناadorn وَجهَthe face of عَنسٍa sturdy she-camel كَأَنَّهاas though she
وَخَدّانِ زانا وَجهَ عَنسٍ كَأَنَّها
وَقَدhaving ضَمَرَتgrown lean قَرمٌa breeding stallion مِنَamong الأُدمِpale camels أَشدَقُwide-mouthed
وَقَد ضَمَرَت قَرمٌ مِنَ الأُدمِ أَشدَقُ
two cheeks adorning a sturdy she-camel's face, as though,
Blushing cheeks beautifying the face of a delicate female idol
now lean, she were a wide-mouthed pale breeding stallion;
As though a fox left its covert under the red skin
وَخَطمٌand a muzzle كَسَتهُshe clothed it واضِحاًin whiteness مِنfrom لُغامِهاher foam
وَخَطمٌ كَسَتهُ واضِحاً مِن لُغامِها
نَفاهُcast it out مِنَfrom اللَحيَينِthe two jaws دَردٌtoothless gums وَأَروَقُand projecting teeth
نَفاهُ مِنَ اللَحيَينِ دَردٌ وَأَروَقُ
a muzzle that she clothes in the whiteness of her foam,
Clearly visible thin lips from the bristles surrounding it
cast from her jaws by toothless gums and jutting teeth.
Highlighted by a few soft facial hairs
يُبَلُّis moistened كَنَعلِlike a sandal of السِبتِtanned hide طوراًat times وَتارَةًand at other times
يُبَلُّ كَنَعلِ السِبتِ طوراً وَتارَةً
يَكُفُّwards off الشَذاbiting flies مِنهاfrom her خَرِيعٌa drooping lip وَأَفرَقُand a cleft lip
يَكُفُّ الشَذا مِنها خَرِيعٌ وَأَفرَقُ
At times it is wetted like a sandal of tanned hide; at others
Sipping like camel's foot alternately resting
her slack, cleft lip wards biting flies away.
Then slaughtering prey captured in its grip
يَعومُswim ذِراعاهاher two forearms وَعَضدانِand two upper arms مارَتاswing
يَعومُ ذِراعاها وَعَضدانِ مارَتا
فَكُلٌّso each لَهُhas جافٍstanding clear عَنِof الدِفِّthe flank مِرفَقُan elbow
فَكُلٌّ لَهُ جافٍ عَنِ الدِفِّ مِرفَقُ
Her forearms swim, and her upper arms swing,
Its cannons float with visible forearms looking like
each with an elbow held clear of her flank.
Ghassanid arches fully drawn and tightened
مُضَبَّرَةٌcompactly built أُجدٌfirm كَأَنَّas though مَحالَهاher vertebrae
مُضَبَّرَةٌ أُجدٌ كَأَنَّ مَحالَها
وَماand what is بَينَbetween مَتنَيهاher back's two ridges بِناءٌa structure مُوَثَّقُstrongly secured
وَما بَينَ مَتنَيها بِناءٌ مُوَثَّقُ
Compactly built and firm, as though her vertebrae
Sturdy and robust like a tower between her shoulders and hips
and the space between her back's ridges were a solid structure.
Held together by a solid tightly constructed frame
وَتَلويand she swishes بِجَثلٍa bushy tail كالإِهانِlike a palm's flower-cluster كَأَنَّهاas though she
وَتَلوي بِجَثلٍ كالإِهانِ كَأَنَّها
بِهِupon it بَلَحٌunripe dates خُضرٌgreen صِغارٌsmall وَأَعذُقُand bunches
بِهِ بَلَحٌ خُضرٌ صِغارٌ وَأَعذُقُ
She swishes a bushy tail like a palm's flower-cluster, as though
Twisting with a fleshy tail as though it were
it bore small green dates and bunches.
Unripe fruits on a green palm tree newly sprouted
مَناسِمُthe pads of رِجلَيهاher two hind feet إِذاwhen ماemphatic particle تَقاذَفَتfling forward
مَناسِمُ رِجلَيها إِذا ما تَقاذَفَت
يَداهاher forelegs وَحُثَّتand she is urged on بِالدَوائِرِwith circling whip-blows تَلحَقُcatch up
يَداها وَحُثَّت بِالدَوائِرِ تَلحَقُ
The pads of her hind feet, whenever
When it moves its ankles rapidly in circular motion
her forelegs fling forward and circling blows urge her, catch up.
Speeding up to overtake pulled by strong ropes
عَلىalong لاla- (fragment of 'clear road') حِبٍhib (completing 'clear road') يَزدادُincreases فيwith اللُبسِuse جِدَّةًin freshness
عَلى لا حِبٍ يَزدادُ في اللُبسِ جِدَّةً
وَيَبلىand wears away عَنِthrough الإِعفاءِbeing left unused طوراًat times وَيَخلُقُand becomes worn
وَيَبلى عَنِ الإِعفاءِ طوراً وَيَخلُقُ
Along a clear road that grows fresher with use,
Becoming more stubborn to control when fully dressed
yet at times wears away and grows threadbare through neglect.
Then getting tame losing touch after undressed
تُقِّلِّبُshe turns over أَخفافاًfootpads بِعَوجٍon crooked legs كَأَنَّهاas though they
تُقِّلِّبُ أَخفافاً بِعَوجٍ كَأَنَّها
مَرادِيُّpunting poles of غَسَانِيَّةٍa Ghassanite boat حينَwhen تَعتِقُit moves swiftly
مَرادِيُّ غَسَانِيَّةٍ حينَ تَعتِقُ
She turns her footpads on crooked legs that look
Tossing gently swaying as though it were a
like a Ghassanite boat's punting poles as it speeds along.
Ghassanid beloved set free from bondage
وَكانَتand she was ضِناكاًplump قَدalready عَلاrose over النَحضُflesh عَظمَهاher bones
وَكانَت ضِناكاً قَد عَلا النَحضُ عَظمَها
فَعادَتbut became مَنيناًwasted لَحمُهاher flesh مُتَعَرِّقُstripped away
فَعادَت مَنيناً لَحمُها مُتَعَرِّقُ
Once she was plump, her flesh rising over her bones,
As though oil floats above its cream so delicious
but she became wasted, her flesh stripped away.
The fastest horses race if they get the first taste
إِذاwhen حُلَّis unfastened عَنهاfrom her كُورُهاher saddle خَرَّcollapse عِندَهُbeside it
إِذا حُلَّ عَنها كُورُها خَرَّ عِندَهُ
طَليحانtwo exhausted ones مُجتَرٌّone chewing cud وَأَشعَثُand a shaggy one مُطرِقُbowing his head
طَليحان مُجتَرٌّ وَأَشعَثُ مُطرِقُ
When her saddle is taken off, beside it collapse
two weary creatures: one chewing cud, one shaggy and bowed.
وَماءٍand water كَأَنَّas though الزَيتَoil فَوقَupon جِمامهُits still surface
وَماءٍ كَأَنَّ الزَيتَ فَوقَ جِمامهُ
مَتىwhenever ماemphatic particle يَذُقهُtaste it فُرَّطُthe water-scouts of القَومِthe company يَسبِقُvomits
مَتى ما يَذُقهُ فُرَّطُ القَومِ يَسبِقُ
And water, as though oil lay on its still surface,
any of the party's water-scouts who tastes it vomits.
فَوَصَّلتُso I joined أَرماثاًpieces of rope قِصاراshort وَبَعضُهاand some of them
فَوَصَّلتُ أَرماثاً قِصارا وَبَعضُها
ضَعيفُweak in القُوىtheir strands بِمَحمَلِwith the sword-belt السَيفِbound with it securely interrupted after this sentence due to lack of time allotted for this task. موثَقُsolidly fastened
ضَعيفُ القُوى بِمَحمَلِ السَيفِ موثَقُ
I joined short pieces of rope together, some of them
weak in their strands and bound with my sword-belt,
إِلىto سَفرَةٍa leather provision-bag أَمّاas for عُراهاits handles فَرَثَّةٌthey were worn
إِلى سَفرَةٍ أَمّا عُراها فَرَثَّةٌ
ضِعافٌweak وَأَمّاand as for بَطنُهاits belly فَمُخَرَّقُit was perforated
ضِعافٌ وَأَمّا بَطنُها فَمُخَرَّقُ
to a leather provision-bag whose handles were worn,
weak, while its belly was riddled with holes.
أَلُدُّI pour into the mouth بِماwith what آلَتit brought up مِنَof الماءِwater جَسرَةًa sturdy she-camel
أَلُدُّ بِما آلَت مِنَ الماءِ جَسرَةً
تَكادُshe almost إِذاwhen لُدَّتmade to drink مِنَfrom الجُهدِexhaustion تَشرَقُchokes
تَكادُ إِذا لُدَّت مِنَ الجُهدِ تَشرَقُ
With what water it brought up, I drench a sturdy she-camel,
who almost chokes from exhaustion when made to drink.
Partial English translation: 154 of 164 Arabic lines translated.
Sol 6.1