بانَتdeparted سُلَيمىSulayma وَأَقوىand became deserted بَعدَهاafter her تُبَلُTubal
بانَت سُلَيمى وَأَقوى بَعدَها تُبَلُ
فالفَأوُthen al-Fa'w مِنin رُحبِهِits broad expanse البِرِّيتُal-Birrit فَالرِجَلُthen al-Rijal
فالفَأوُ مِن رُحبِهِ البِرِّيتُ فَالرِجَلُ
Sulayma departed, and Tubal lay deserted after her,
Then al-Fa'w, al-Birrit in its broad expanse, and al-Rijal.
وَقَفتُI stood فيin دارِهاher dwelling أُصلاًat evening أُسائِلُهاquestioning it
وَقَفتُ في دارِها أُصلاً أُسائِلُها
فَلَمbut did not تَجِبanswer دارُهاher dwelling وَاِستَعجَمَand became speechless الطَلَلُthe ruins
فَلَم تَجِب دارُها وَاِستَعجَمَ الطَلَلُ
I stood in her dwelling at evening, questioning it,
But her dwelling did not answer; the ruins remained speechless.
لَمّاwhen تَذَكَّرتُI remembered مِنهاfrom her وَهِيَwhile she نازِحَةٌwas far away
لَمّا تَذَكَّرتُ مِنها وَهِيَ نازِحَةٌ
مَواعِداًpromised meetings قَدalready طَبَتهاhad drawn her away دونِيَapart from me العِلَلُexcuses
مَواعِداً قَد طَبَتها دونِيَ العِلَلُ
When I remembered, while she was far away,
Promised meetings from which excuses had drawn her away from me,
ظَلَّتkept عَساكِرُhosts مِنof حُزنٍsorrow تُراوِحُنيvisiting me in turns
ظَلَّت عَساكِرُ مِن حُزنٍ تُراوِحُني
وَسَكرَةٌand a stupor بَطَنَتlodged within فَالقَلبُso the heart مُختَبَلُis distraught
وَسَكرَةٌ بَطَنَت فَالقَلبُ مُختَبَلُ
Hosts of sorrow kept visiting me in turns,
And a stupor lodged within me, leaving my heart distraught.
بانَتshe departed وَناءَتand went far away وَأَبكىand made weep رَسمُthe traces دِمنَتِهاof her abandoned dwelling
بانَت وَناءَت وَأَبكى رَسمُ دِمنَتِها
عَيناًan eye تَسيلُflowing كَماas يَنفيwashes away القَذيmotes الوَشَلُa trickle of water
عَيناً تَسيلُ كَما يَنفي القَذي الوَشَلُ
She departed far away, and the traces of her abandoned dwelling made weep
An eye flowing as a trickle of water washes away motes.
وَقَدand already تَبَدَّتhad appeared بِهاthere هَوجاءُa wild wind مُعصِفَةٌtempestuous
وَقَد تَبَدَّت بِها هَوجاءُ مُعصِفَةٌ
حَنّانَةٌwailing فَتُرابُso the dust الدارِof the dwelling مُنتَخَلُis sifted
حَنّانَةٌ فَتُرابُ الدارِ مُنتَخَلُ
A wild, tempestuous wind had appeared there,
Wailing, so that the dwelling's dust was sifted.
كُلُّall الرِياحِthe winds تُسَدّيهاweave its warp وَتُلحِمُهاand weave its weft
كُلُّ الرِياحِ تُسَدّيها وَتُلحِمُها
وَكُلُّand every غَيثٍrainstorm رُكامheaped غَيمُهُits clouds زَجِلُthunderous
وَكُلُّ غَيثٍ رُكام غَيمُهُ زَجِلُ
All the winds weave its warp and weft,
And every rainstorm whose clouds are heaped and thunderous.
لَهُit has بُروقٌlightning flashes تَهيجُthat stir الرَعدُthe thunder آوِنَةًat intervals
لَهُ بُروقٌ تَهيجُ الرَعدُ آوِنَةً
كَماas تَضَرَّمَblazed فيalong حافاتِهاits edges الشُعَلُthe flames
كَما تَضَرَّمَ في حافاتِها الشُعَلُ
Its lightning stirs the thunder at intervals,
As flames blaze along its edges.
كَأَنَّas though فيwithin مُزنِهِits rain-clouds بُلقاًpiebald mares مُشَهَّرَةًconspicuously marked
كَأَنَّ في مُزنِهِ بُلقاً مُشَهَّرَةً
بِيضَwhite الوُجوهِof face وَفيand in آذانِهاtheir ears شَقَلُearrings
بِيضَ الوُجوهِ وَفي آذانِها شَقَلُ
As though within its rain-clouds were conspicuous piebald mares,
White-faced, with earrings in their ears.
باتَتthey spent the night تَذُبُّdriving away فُحولاًstallions عَنfrom مَهارَتِهاtheir foals
باتَت تَذُبُّ فُحولاً عَن مَهارَتِها
فَصَدَّso turned away عَنfrom عَسبِهاmating with them عِلجٌa burly male وَمُفتَحِلُand a virile stallion
فَصَدَّ عَن عَسبِها عِلجٌ وَمُفتَحِلُ
They spent the night driving stallions away from their foals,
So a burly male and a virile stallion were kept from mating with them.
كَأَنَّas though مَصقولَةًpolished swords بَيضاًwhite يُهَّدُthreats were made بِهاwith them
كَأَنَّ مَصقولَةً بَيضاً يُهَّدُ بِها
لَهُit has سَجيمَةُa flowing stream جَودٍof abundant rain كُلُّهاall of it هَطِلُpouring
لَهُ سَجيمَةُ جَودٍ كُلُّها هَطِلُ
As though polished white swords were brandished in threat within it,
It has a copious stream of rain, all pouring down.
لَهُit has حَنينٌa moaning إِذاwhen ماever جاشَit surges مُبتَرِكاًsettling low
لَهُ حَنينٌ إِذا ما جاشَ مُبتَرِكاً
كَماas تَحِنُّmoan إِلىtoward أَطفالِهاtheir young الإِبِلُthe camels
كَما تَحِنُّ إِلى أَطفالِها الإِبِلُ
It moans when it surges, settling low,
As camels moan toward their young.
تَرىyou see العَزاليthe rain-spouts مُقيماًremaining ماnot يُفارِقُهاleaving them
تَرى العَزالي مُقيماً ما يُفارِقُها
فاقَit surpassed الغُيوثَthe rains بِجَودٍin abundance حينَwhen يَحتَفِلُit gathers its strength
فاقَ الغُيوثَ بِجَودٍ حينَ يَحتَفِلُ
You see it abiding at its rain-spouts, never leaving them;
It surpasses other rains in abundance when it gathers its strength.
يوهيweakens السَناسِنَthe projecting ribs مِنهاof it صَوبُthe downpour رَيِّقِهِof its first rain
يوهي السَناسِنَ مِنها صَوبُ رَيِّقِهِ
فَلَيسَso there is no فيin غَيمِهِits clouds فَتقٌrent وَلاnor خَلَلُgap
فَلَيسَ في غَيمِهِ فَتقٌ وَلا خَلَلُ
Its first downpour weakens the ruins' projecting ribs,
And in its clouds there is neither a rent nor a gap.
حَتّىuntil إِذاwhen عَمَّهاit covered it بِالماءِwith water وَاِمتَلَأَتand it filled
حَتّى إِذا عَمَّها بِالماءِ وَاِمتَلَأَت
ساقَتdrove تَوالِيَهُits trailing parts شامِيَّةٌa wind from Syria شَمِلُnortherly
ساقَت تَوالِيَهُ شامِيَّةٌ شَمِلُ
Until, when it flooded the place and it filled with water,
A northerly wind from Syria drove its trailing clouds away.
كَساit clothed العِراصَthe open grounds رِياضاًin meadows حينَwhen فارقَهاit left them
كَسا العِراصَ رِياضاً حينَ فارقَها
كَالعَبقَرِيِّlike Abqari brocade رِواءًin beauty كُلُّهاall of them خَضِلُmoist
كَالعَبقَرِيِّ رِواءً كُلُّها خَضِلُ
When it left, it clothed the open grounds in meadows,
Like Abqari brocade in beauty, all drenched with moisture.
مِنof حَنوَةٍchamomile يُعجِبُdelights الرُوّادَthe pasture-scouts بَهجَتَهاits splendor
مِن حَنوَةٍ يُعجِبُ الرُوّادَ بَهجَتَها
وَمِنand of خُزامىlavender وَكِرشٍand kirsh herbs زانَهاadorned them النَفَلُclover
وَمِن خُزامى وَكِرشٍ زانَها النَفَلُ
Of chamomile whose splendor delights the pasture-scouts,
And lavender and kirsh, adorned by clover.
مِنهاamong them ذُكورٌhardy plants وَأَحرارٌand delicate plants مُؤَنَّقَةٌexquisite
مِنها ذُكورٌ وَأَحرارٌ مُؤَنَّقَةٌ
بَداappeared لَهاupon them صَبَحٌrosy brightness فَالنَبتُso the growth مُكتَهِلُis mature
بَدا لَها صَبَحٌ فَالنَبتُ مُكتَهِلُ
Among them are hardy plants and exquisite, delicate ones;
A rosy brightness appeared upon them, and the growth was mature.
بِهاthere الظِباءُthe gazelles مَطافيلٌwith young تُرَبِّعُهاgraze it in spring
بِها الظِباءُ مَطافيلٌ تُرَبِّعُها
وَالعِينُand broad-eyed wild cows وَالعونُand mature cows فيin أَكنافِهاits reaches هَمَلُroaming loose
وَالعِينُ وَالعونُ في أَكنافِها هَمَلُ
Gazelles with young graze there in spring,
And broad-eyed, mature wild cows roam loose in its reaches.
وَكُلُّand every أَخرَجَpied ostrich أَبدىshowed البيضَwhiteness جُؤجُؤُهُits breast
وَكُلُّ أَخرَجَ أَبدى البيضَ جُؤجُؤُهُ
كَأَنَّهُas though it بِغُدافِيَّينِin two black ravens مُشتَمِلُis wrapped
كَأَنَّهُ بِغُدافِيَّينِ مُشتَمِلُ
And every pied ostrich, its breast showing white,
Seems wrapped in two black ravens.
كَأَنَّas though رِجلَيهِits two legs لَمّاwhen حَلَّit settled بَينَهُماbetween them
كَأَنَّ رِجلَيهِ لَمّا حَلَّ بَينَهُما
رِجلاًthe two legs of مُصارِعِa wrestler of قِرنٍa rival حينَwhen يَعتَقِلُhe locks legs
رِجلاً مُصارِعِ قِرنٍ حينَ يَعتَقِلُ
As though its legs, when it settled between them,
Were a wrestler's legs as he locks his rival in a hold.
لَهُit has فَراسِنُfoot-pads مِنهاamong them باطِنٌan inner pad كمُلَتfully formed
لَهُ فَراسِنُ مِنها باطِنٌ كمُلَت
وَفِرسِنٌand a foot-pad نِصفُهاhalf of it فيin الخَلقِits formation مُفتَصَلُsplit off
وَفِرسِنٌ نِصفُها في الخَلقِ مُفتَصَلُ
It has foot-pads, an inner one fully formed,
And another pad with half of it split off in its shape.
ظَلَّit kept يُراطِنُchattering to عُجماًspeechless creatures وَهِيَwhile they تَتبَعُهُfollow it
ظَلَّ يُراطِنُ عُجماً وَهِيَ تَتبَعُهُ
نَقانِقاًostrich hens زَعِلاتٍlively قادَهاled them زَعِلُa lively male
نَقانِقاً زَعِلاتٍ قادَها زَعِلُ
It kept chattering to speechless creatures following it:
Lively ostrich hens, led by a lively male.
كَأَنَّas though أَعناقَهاtheir necks مِنbecause of طولِهاtheir length عُمُدٌare pillars
كَأَنَّ أَعناقَها مِن طولِها عُمُدٌ
وَكُلُّهاand all of them مِنfrom نَشاطٍliveliness يَعتَريthat seizes them جَذِلُare joyous
وَكُلُّها مِن نَشاطٍ يَعتَري جَذِلُ
Their necks, in their length, seem like pillars,
And all are joyous with the liveliness that seizes them.
كَالحُبشِlike Abyssinians مِنهاsome of them عَلىupon أَثباجِهاtheir backs بُرَدٌcloaks
كَالحُبشِ مِنها عَلى أَثباجِها بُرَدٌ
قُرعٌbald-headed يَعِنُّpresents himself بِهاamong them هَيقٌa male ostrich لَهاto them شَوِلُtail-raising
قُرعٌ يَعِنُّ بِها هَيقٌ لَها شَوِلُ
Some are like Abyssinians with cloaks upon their backs,
Bald-headed; a tail-raising male ostrich presents himself to them.
فَالوَحشُso the wild beasts فيon رَيعِهاits uplands يَرعَينَgraze مُؤتَنِفاًfresh pasture
فَالوَحشُ في رَيعِها يَرعَينَ مُؤتَنِفاً
وَقَدand once تَكونُyou were بِهِthere إِذwhen رَبعُهاher dwelling أَهِلُwas inhabited
وَقَد تَكونُ بِهِ إِذ رَبعُها أَهِلُ
The wild beasts graze fresh pasture on its uplands,
Yet once you were there, when her dwelling was inhabited.
تَلوحُshow فيهِthere رُسومُthe traces الدارِof the dwelling دارِسَةًfaded
تَلوحُ فيهِ رُسومُ الدارِ دارِسَةً
كماas تَلوحُshow عَلىupon المَسقولَةِthe polished blade الخِلَلُthe markings
كما تَلوحُ عَلى المَسقولَةِ الخِلَلُ
The dwelling's faded traces show there,
As markings show upon a polished blade.
إِلاexcept الأَثافيthe hearthstones ضَبَتهاscorched them النارُthe fire تَلفَحُهاlicking them
إِلا الأَثافي ضَبَتها النارُ تَلفَحُها
وَهامِدٌand dead ash بَينَهاbetween them فيin لَونِهِits color طَحَلُgray-green darkness
وَهامِدٌ بَينَها في لَونِهِ طَحَلُ
Except the hearthstones, scorched and licked by fire,
And dead ash between them, gray-green in color.
وَالنُؤيُand the drainage trench فيهاthere وَمَشجوجٌand a battered grinding-stone يُجاوِرُهُbeside it
وَالنُؤيُ فيها وَمَشجوجٌ يُجاوِرُهُ
وَلَيسَand does not أَنthough شُجَّit was battered بِالأَفهارِwith pounding-stones يَرتَمِلُcrumble to sand
وَلَيسَ أَن شُجَّ بِالأَفهارِ يَرتَمِلُ
The drainage trench remains there, with a battered grinding-stone beside it;
Though struck with pounding-stones, it does not crumble to sand.
فَقَدfor indeed بَكَيتُI wept علىover رَسمٍtraces لِدَمنَتِهاof her abandoned dwelling
فَقَد بَكَيتُ على رَسمٍ لِدَمنَتِها
فَالقَلبُso the heart مِنfrom ذِكرِهاremembering her ماas long as عِشتُI live مُختَبَلُis distraught
فَالقَلبُ مِن ذِكرِها ما عِشتُ مُختَبَلُ
I have wept over the traces of her abandoned dwelling,
And remembering her leaves my heart distraught as long as I live.
كَأَنّنيas though I نَصِبٌwere weary مُضنىًwasted تُماطِلُهُholds him in suspense
كَأَنّني نَصِبٌ مُضنىً تُماطِلُهُ
حُمّىa fever تَخَوَّنُهُwears him down حُمّىa fever وَيَندَمِلُand he recovers
حُمّى تَخَوَّنُهُ حُمّى وَيَندَمِلُ
As though I were weary and wasted, held in suspense
By fever: fever wears him down, then he recovers.
لَوif ماتَdied حَيٌّa living person مِنfrom الأَطلالِthe ruins تَقتُلُهُkilling him
لَو ماتَ حَيٌّ مِن الأَطلالِ تَقتُلُهُ
إِذَنthen لَمِتُّI would have died وَعَينيand my eye دَمعُهاits tears سَبَلُpouring
إِذَن لَمِتُّ وَعَيني دَمعُها سَبَلُ
If a living man could die, killed by abandoned ruins,
Then I would have died, with tears pouring from my eye.
أَنّىhow وَكَيفَand by what means طِلابيmy pursuit حُرَّةًof a noble woman شَحَطَتgone far away
أَنّى وَكَيفَ طِلابي حُرَّةً شَحَطَت
وَالرَأسُand the head مِنfrom غُلَواءِthe rampant spread الشَيبِof gray hair مُشتَعِلُis ablaze
وَالرَأسُ مِن غُلَواءِ الشَيبِ مُشتَعِلُ
How, and by what means, can I pursue a noble woman gone far away,
When my head is ablaze with rampant gray hair?
رِبَحلَةًa full-bodied woman إِنif مَشَتshe walks أَرخَتshe relaxes مَفاصِلَهاher joints
رِبَحلَةً إِن مَشَت أَرخَت مَفاصِلَها
فَاِرتَجَّso sway مِنfrom بُدنِهاher fullness الأَوصالُthe limbs وَالكَفَلُand the buttocks
فَاِرتَجَّ مِن بُدنِها الأَوصالُ وَالكَفَلُ
A full-bodied woman who, when she walks, relaxes her joints,
So that her limbs and buttocks sway with her fullness.
شَمسُthe sun النَهارِof daytime وَبَدرُand the full moon اللَيلِof night سُنَّتُهاher face
شَمسُ النَهارِ وَبَدرُ اللَيلِ سُنَّتُها
زِينُthe adornment الحُلِيِّof jewels وَلاand does not يُزريdiminish بِهاher العَطَلُbeing unadorned
زِينُ الحُلِيِّ وَلا يُزري بِها العَطَلُ
Her face is the daytime sun and the full moon of night;
She adorns her jewels, and being unadorned does not diminish her.
عَجزاءُfull-hipped عَبهَرَةٌtall and soft غَرّاءُradiant مُكمَلَةٌperfectly formed
عَجزاءُ عَبهَرَةٌ غَرّاءُ مُكمَلَةٌ
فيin مُقلَتَيهاher two eyes وَإِنeven if لَمnot تَكتَحِلshe applies kohl كَحَلُnatural dark rims
في مُقلَتَيها وَإِن لَم تَكتَحِل كَحَلُ
Full-hipped, tall and soft, radiant, perfectly formed,
Her eyes have dark rims even without kohl.
ماnot دُميَةٌan image ظَلَّتkept الرِهبانُthe monks تَعهَدُهاtending it
ما دُميَةٌ ظَلَّت الرِهبانُ تَعهَدُها
يَوماًever بِأَحسَنَfairer مِنهاthan her حينَwhen تَغتَسِلُshe bathes
يَوماً بِأَحسَنَ مِنها حينَ تَغتَسِلُ
No image that monks have kept tending
Was ever fairer than she is when she bathes.
يَعلوfalls over مَآكِمَهاher buttocks فَرعٌhair لَهاof hers حَسَنٌbeautiful
يَعلو مَآكِمَها فَرعٌ لَها حَسَنٌ
مِنَof السُخامِfine black hair أَثيتٌthick نَبتُهُits growth رَجِلُwavy
مِنَ السُخامِ أَثيتٌ نَبتُهُ رَجِلُ
Beautiful hair falls over her buttocks,
Fine and black, thick-grown and gently wavy.
وَزانَand adorned أَنيابَهاher canine teeth مِنهاof hers إِذاwhen اِبتَسَمَتshe smiled
وَزانَ أَنيابَها مِنها إِذا اِبتَسَمَت
أَحوىdark اللِثاتِof gums شَتيتٌspaced نِبتُهُits growth رَتِلُevenly set
أَحوى اللِثاتِ شَتيتٌ نِبتُهُ رَتِلُ
And when she smiles, her canine teeth are graced
By a dark-gummed row, its teeth spaced and evenly set.
كَأَنَّas though رِيقَتَهاher saliva فِيin مُضاجِعِهاher beds
كَأَنَّ رِيقَتَها فِي مُضاجِعِها
شيبَتwere mingled بِهاwith it الثَلجُsnow وَالكافورُand camphor وَالعَسَلُand honey
شيبَت بِها الثَلجُ وَالكافورُ وَالعَسَلُ
As though her saliva, when she lies in bed,
Had snow, camphor, and honey mingled into it.
ياoh لَيتَwould that حَظِّيَmy share مِنهاfrom her مِنof فَواضِلَهاher favors
يا لَيتَ حَظِّيَ مِنها مِن فَواضِلَها
مِمّاof what أُؤَمِّلُI hope for مِنهاfrom her نَظرَةٌa glance بَجَلُsufficient
مِمّا أُؤَمِّلُ مِنها نَظرَةٌ بَجَلُ
Would that my share of her abundant favors,
Of all I hope from her, were a glance—enough for me.
أَبيتُI spend the night ظُهراًfrom back لِبَطنٍto belly مَنfrom تَذَكُّرِهاremembering her
أَبيتُ ظُهراً لِبَطنٍ مَن تَذَكُّرِها
كَماas تَقَلَّبَturned about مِمّاfrom what يَشتَكيhe suffers المَغِلُone with belly-pain
كَما تَقَلَّبَ مِمّا يَشتَكي المَغِلُ
Remembering her, I spend the night turning from back to belly,
Like one with belly-pain turning from his suffering.
قَلبيmy heart يَئِبُّturns back إِلَيهاto her مِنfrom تَذَكُّرِهاremembering her
قَلبي يَئِبُّ إِلَيها مِن تَذَكُّرِها
كَماas يَئِبُّturns back إِلىtoward أَوطانِهِits homes الجَمَلُthe camel
كَما يَئِبُّ إِلى أَوطانِهِ الجَمَلُ
My heart turns back to her at the memory of her,
As a camel turns back toward its home.
أَهذيI rave بِهاabout her فيin مَناميmy sleep وَهِيَwhile she نازِحَةٌis far away
أَهذي بِها في مَنامي وَهِيَ نازِحَةٌ
كَأَنَّنيas though I مُوثَقٌwere bound فيin القِدِّrawhide straps مُكتَبَلَshackled
كَأَنَّني مُوثَقٌ في القِدِّ مُكتَبَلَ
I rave about her in my sleep, though she is far away,
As though bound and shackled in rawhide straps.
فَقُلتُso I said لِلنَفسِto the soul سِرّاًsecretly وَهِيَwhile it مُثبَتَةٌwas stricken
فَقُلتُ لِلنَفسِ سِرّاً وَهِيَ مُثبَتَةٌ
وَالحِلمُand forbearance مِنّيis mine إِذاwhen ماever مَعشَرٌa people جَهِلواact foolishly
وَالحِلمُ مِنّي إِذا ما مَعشَرٌ جَهِلوا
So I told my soul in secret, while it lay stricken,
And forbearance is mine when a people act foolishly:
كَمhow many مِنof مُؤَمِّلِone hoping for شَيءٍsomething لَيسَdoes not يُدرِكُهُattain it
كَم مِن مُؤَمِّلِ شَيءٍ لَيسَ يُدرِكُهُ
وَالمَرءُand a man يُزريbrings low بِهِhim فيin دَهرِهِhis lifetime الأَمَلُhope
وَالمَرءُ يُزري بِهِ في دَهرِهِ الأَمَلُ
How many hope for something they never attain!
Hope brings a man low throughout his life.
يَرجوhe hopes for الثَراءَwealth وَيَرجوand hopes for الخُلدَimmortality ذاpossessing أَمَلٍhope
يَرجو الثَراءَ وَيَرجو الخُلدَ ذا أَمَلٍ
وَدونَand before ماwhat يَرتَجيhe hopes for الأَقدارُfates وَالأَجَلُand the appointed end
وَدونَ ما يَرتَجي الأَقدارُ وَالأَجَلُ
He hopes for wealth and hopes for immortality, full of hope,
But fate and the appointed end stand before what he hopes for.
وَالدَهرُand time يُبليwears down الفَتىthe young man حَتّىuntil يُغَيِّرَهُit changes him
وَالدَهرُ يُبلي الفَتى حَتّى يُغَيِّرَهُ
كَماas تَغَيَّرَchanged بَعدَafter الجِدَّةِnewness السَمَلُthe rag
كَما تَغَيَّرَ بَعدَ الجِدَّةِ السَمَلُ
Time wears a man down until it changes him,
As a rag changes after its newness.
وَالأَقوَرِينَand the two ravagers يَراهاhe sees them فيin تَقَلُّبِهِhis changing fortunes
وَالأَقوَرِينَ يَراها في تَقَلُّبِهِ
كَماas تَقَلَّبَturned about خَلفَbehind الباقِرِthe cattle herd العَجَلُthe calves
كَما تَقَلَّبَ خَلفَ الباقِرِ العَجَلُ
And he sees the two ravagers as his fortunes turn,
As calves turn about behind the herd of cattle.
لاnot يُصبِحُenters morning المَرءُthe man ذوpossessing اللُبِّunderstanding الأَصيلِsound وَلاnor
لا يُصبِحُ المَرءُ ذو اللُبِّ الأَصيلِ وَلا
يُمسيenters evening عَلىin آلَةٍa condition إِلّاexcept لَهُhe has عَمَلُwork
يُمسي عَلى آلَةٍ إِلّا لَهُ عَمَلُ
A man of sound understanding neither enters morning nor
Evening in any condition without work to do.
وَفيand through الأَناةِdeliberation يُصيبُobtains المَرءُthe man حاجَتَهُhis need
وَفي الأَناةِ يُصيبُ المَرءُ حاجَتَهُ
وَقَدand sometimes يُصيبُobtains نَجاحَsuccess الحاجَةِin the pursuit العَجِلُthe hasty man
وَقَد يُصيبُ نَجاحَ الحاجَةِ العَجِلُ
Through deliberation a man obtains his need,
Yet the hasty man may also succeed in his pursuit.
إِحذَرbeware ذَويthose possessing الضِغنِmalice لاdo not تَأمَنtrust against بَوائِقَهُمtheir treacheries
إِحذَر ذَوي الضِغنِ لا تَأمَن بَوائِقَهُم
وَإِنand if طُلِبتَyou are pursued فَلاthen do not تَغفَلgrow heedless إِذاwhen غَفَلواthey grow heedless
وَإِن طُلِبتَ فَلا تَغفَل إِذا غَفَلوا
Beware those harboring malice; do not trust them against treachery.
If you are pursued, do not grow heedless when they do.
قَدsometimes يَسبِقُoutstrip المَرءُa man أَوتارٌgrievances يُطالِبُهاhe seeks to avenge
قَد يَسبِقُ المَرءُ أَوتارٌ يُطالِبُها
وَيُدرِكُand obtains الوِترَvengeance بَعدَafter الإِمَّةِbewilderment الخَبِلُthe witless man
وَيُدرِكُ الوِترَ بَعدَ الإِمَّةِ الخَبِلُ
A man may be outstripped by grievances he seeks to avenge,
While even the witless gain vengeance after bewilderment.
كُلُّall المَصائِبِcalamities إِنeven if جَلَّتthey are grave وَإِنand even if عَظُمَتthey are great
كُلُّ المَصائِبِ إِن جَلَّت وَإِن عَظُمَت
إِلّاexcept المُصيبَةُa calamity فيin دَينِthe faith الفَتىof a man جَلَلُare slight
إِلّا المُصيبَةُ في دَينِ الفَتى جَلَلُ
All calamities, though grave and great,
Except a calamity in a man's faith, are slight.
وَالشِعرُand poetry شَتّىis various يَهيمُwander الناطِقونَits speakers بِهِthrough it
وَالشِعرُ شَتّى يَهيمُ الناطِقونَ بِهِ
مِنهُsome of it غُثاءٌis froth وَمِنهُand some of it صادِقٌis true مَثَلُproverbial speech
مِنهُ غُثاءٌ وَمِنهُ صادِقٌ مَثَلُ
Poetry is various; its speakers wander through it.
Some is froth, and some is true, proverbial speech.
مِنهُsome of it أَهاذٍis babbling تُشَجّىthat distresses مَنwhoever تَكَلَّفَهاstrains to compose it
مِنهُ أَهاذٍ تُشَجّى مَن تَكَلَّفَها
وَالبَسطُand expansive verse وَالفَحمُand poetic speechlessness وَالتَقييدُand constrained verse وَالرَمَلُand ramal verse
وَالبَسطُ وَالفَحمُ وَالتَقييدُ وَالرَمَلُ
Some is babbling that distresses those who strain to compose it,
And expansive verse, poetic speechlessness, constrained verse, and ramal.
وَالناسُand people فيin الشِعرِpoetry فَرّاثٌare scavengers وَمُجتَلِبٌand borrowers
وَالناسُ في الشِعرِ فَرّاثٌ وَمُجتَلِبٌ
وَناطِقٌand a speaker مُحتَذٍimitating مِنهُمamong them وَمُفتَعِلُand an inventor
وَناطِقٌ مُحتَذٍ مِنهُم وَمُفتَعِلُ
In poetry people are scavengers and borrowers,
Some speakers are imitators, and some inventors.
ذَرleave ذاthat وَرَشِّحand nurture بُيوتاًverses أَنتَyou حائِكُهاweave them
ذَر ذا وَرَشِّح بُيوتاً أَنتَ حائِكُها
لاno بُدَّescaping مِنهاthe need for them كِراماًnoble حينَwhen تَرتَحِلُyou depart
لا بُدَّ مِنها كِراماً حينَ تَرتَحِلُ
Leave that; nurture verses that you yourself weave,
Noble ones you cannot do without when you depart.
وَبَلدَةٍand many a land مُقفَرٍdeserted أَصواءُthe cairns لاحِبِهاof its highway
وَبَلدَةٍ مُقفَرٍ أَصواءُ لاحِبِها
يَكادُalmost يَشمَطُturns gray-haired مِنfrom أَهوالِهاits terrors الرَجُلُa man
يَكادُ يَشمَطُ مِن أَهوالِها الرَجُلُ
And many a land whose highway cairns stand deserted,
Its terrors could almost turn a man's hair gray.
سَمِعتُI heard مِنهاthere عَزيفَthe eerie sounds الجِنِّof the jinn ساكِنِهاinhabiting it
سَمِعتُ مِنها عَزيفَ الجِنِّ ساكِنِها
وَقَدand already عَرانِيَhad fallen over me مِنof لَونِthe hue الدُجىof darkness طَفَلُdusk
وَقَد عَرانِيَ مِن لَونِ الدُجى طَفَلُ
I heard there the eerie sounds of the jinn inhabiting it,
While dusk-colored darkness had fallen over me.
تُجاوِبُanswer البومُthe owls أَصداءًmale owls تُجاوِبُهاthat answer them
تُجاوِبُ البومُ أَصداءً تُجاوِبُها
وَالذِئبُand the wolf يَعويhowls بِهاthere فيin عَينِهِits eye حَوَلُa squint
وَالذِئبُ يَعوي بِها في عَينِهِ حَوَلُ
Owls answer other owls that answer them,
And the wolf howls there, cross-eyed.
حَتّىuntil إِذاwhen الصُبحُmorning ساقَdrove اللَيلَthe night يَطرُدُهُpursuing it
حَتّى إِذا الصُبحُ ساقَ اللَيلَ يَطرُدُهُ
وَالشَمسُand the sun فيin فَلَكٍan orbit تَجريruns لَهاit has حُوَلُrounds
وَالشَمسُ في فَلَكٍ تَجري لَها حُوَلُ
Until morning drives the night away, pursuing it,
And the sun runs in its orbit, making its rounds.
تَشويroasts جَنادِبَهاits locusts شَيّاًa roasting إِذاwhen صَهَدَتits heat blazes
تَشوي جَنادِبَها شَيّاً إِذا صَهَدَت
تَكادُalmost مِنهاfrom it ثِيابُthe clothes الرَكلِof the travelers تَشتَعِلُcatch fire
تَكادُ مِنها ثِيابُ الرَكلِ تَشتَعِلُ
It roasts the land's locusts when its heat blazes,
Almost setting the travelers' clothes alight.
تَرىyou see الحَرابِيَّthe chameleons فيهاthere وَهيَwhile they خاطِرَةٌswagger
تَرى الحَرابِيَّ فيها وَهيَ خاطِرَةٌ
وَكُلُّand every ظِلٍّshadow قَصيرٌis short حينَwhen يَعتَدِلُit stands overhead
وَكُلُّ ظِلٍّ قَصيرٌ حينَ يَعتَدِلُ
You see chameleons there, swaggering,
And every shadow is short when the sun stands overhead.
ظَلَّتkept عَصافيرُهاits sparrows فيupon الأَرضِthe ground حاجِلَةٌhopping
ظَلَّت عَصافيرُها في الأَرضِ حاجِلَةٌ
لَمّاwhen تَوَقَّدَblazed مِنهاof it القاعُthe plain وَالقُلَلُand the hilltops
لَمّا تَوَقَّدَ مِنها القاعُ وَالقُلَلُ
Its sparrows kept hopping upon the ground,
When its plain and hilltops blazed with heat.
قَدindeed جُبتُهاI crossed it وَظِلامُand the darkness اللَيلِof night أَقطَعُهُI cleave it
قَد جُبتُها وَظِلامُ اللَيلِ أَقطَعُهُ
بِجَسرَةٍon a stout she-camel لَمnot يُخالِطaffected رِجلَهاher legs عَقَلُcrookedness
بِجَسرَةٍ لَم يُخالِط رِجلَها عَقَلُ
I have crossed it, cleaving the darkness of night,
On a stout she-camel whose legs are free of crookedness.
عَيرانَةٍwild-ass-like كَقَريعِlike the sire الشَولِof dry she-camels مُجفَرَةٍbarrel-bodied
عَيرانَةٍ كَقَريعِ الشَولِ مُجفَرَةٍ
فيin المِرفَقَينِthe two elbows لَهاshe has عَنaway from دَفِّهاher flank فَتَلُoutward splaying
في المِرفَقَينِ لَها عَن دَفِّها فَتَلُ
Wild-ass-like and barrel-bodied, like the sire of dry she-camels,
Her elbows splay well away from her flanks.
كَأَنَّas though فيin رِجلِهاher legs لَمّاwhen مَشَتshe walks رَوَحاًoutward spreading
كَأَنَّ في رِجلِها لَمّا مَشَت رَوَحاً
وَلاand not يُرىis seen قَفَدٌstiffness فيهاin her وَلاnor حَلَلُjoint looseness
وَلا يُرى قَفَدٌ فيها وَلا حَلَلُ
As though her legs spread outward when she walks,
With neither stiffness nor looseness to be seen.
تَخديtrot swiftly بِهاcarrying her مُجمَراتٌcompact feet ماnot يُؤَيِّسُهاdaunts them
تَخدي بِها مُجمَراتٌ ما يُؤَيِّسُها
مَروٌflint وَلاnor أَمعَزٌstony ground حامٍscorching وَلاnor جَبَلُa mountain
مَروٌ وَلا أَمعَزٌ حامٍ وَلا جَبَلُ
Compact feet carry her at a swift trot, undaunted
By flint, scorching stony ground, or mountains.
كَأَنَّهاas though she وَرِكابُand the mounts القَومِof the company تَتبَعُهاfollow her
كَأَنَّها وَرِكابُ القَومِ تَتبَعُها
نَوّاحَةٌwere a wailing woman قَدalready شَجاهاhad grieved her مَأتَمٌa mourning gathering ثَكِلُbereaved
نَوّاحَةٌ قَد شَجاها مَأتَمٌ ثَكِلُ
As though she, with the company's mounts following her,
Were a wailing woman grieved by a bereaved gathering.
تَنضوshe wears out جِذاعَyoung ones المَهارىof the Mahri camels وَهِيَwhile she رَيِّضَةٌis barely broken in
تَنضو جِذاعَ المَهارى وَهِيَ رَيِّضَةٌ
وَلاand not تُمالِكُهاkeep pace with her العِيدِيَّةُthe Idiyya camels الذُلُلُtractable
وَلا تُمالِكُها العِيدِيَّةُ الذُلُلُ
She wears out young Mahri camels, though barely broken in,
And the tractable Idiyya camels cannot keep pace with her.
مِثلَlike الحَنِيّاتِbows صُفراًyellow وَهيَwhile they قَدhave ذَبَلَتwithered
مِثلَ الحَنِيّاتِ صُفراً وَهيَ قَد ذَبَلَت
وَالقَومُand the men مِنfrom عُدَواءِthe hardship السَيرِof travel قَدhave ذَبَلواwithered
وَالقَومُ مِن عُدَواءِ السَيرِ قَد ذَبَلوا
Like yellow bows, they have grown thin and withered,
And the men have withered from the hardship of travel.
كَالحُرسِlike the speechless لاnot يَستَبينُdistinguishes السَمعُthe ear مَنطِقَهُمtheir speech
كَالحُرسِ لا يَستَبينُ السَمعُ مَنطِقَهُم
كَأَنَّهُمas though they مِنfrom سُلافِthe choicest portion الخَمرِof wine قَدhave ثَمِلواbecome drunk
كَأَنَّهُم مِن سُلافِ الخَمرِ قَد ثَمِلوا
Like the speechless, their words cannot be distinguished by the ear,
As though they were drunk on the choicest wine.
لَمّاwhen رَأَيتَهُمُI saw them غُنّاًnasal-voiced إِذاwhen نَطَقواthey spoke
لَمّا رَأَيتَهُمُ غُنّاً إِذا نَطَقوا
وَكُلُّand all أَصواتِهِمtheir voices مِمّاfrom what بِهِمafflicted them صَحِلُwere hoarse
وَكُلُّ أَصواتِهِم مِمّا بِهِم صَحِلُ
When I saw them speaking nasally,
Their voices all hoarse from their suffering,
وَهُمand they يَميلونَsway إِذwhen حَلَّsettled النُعاسُdrowsiness بِهِمupon them
وَهُم يَميلونَ إِذ حَلَّ النُعاسُ بِهِم
كَماas يَميلُsways إِذاwhen ماever أُقعِدَis seated الثَمِلُthe drunkard
كَما يَميلُ إِذا ما أُقعِدَ الثَمِلُ
And swaying as drowsiness settled upon them,
As a drunkard sways when seated,
قُلتُI said أَنيخواmake the camels kneel فَعاجواso they turned مِنby أَزِمَّتِهاtheir reins
قُلتُ أَنيخوا فَعاجوا مِن أَزِمَّتِها
فَكُلُّهُمand each of them عِندَbeside أَيديهِنَّtheir forelegs مُنجَدِلُlay sprawled
فَكُلُّهُم عِندَ أَيديهِنَّ مُنجَدِلُ
I said, 'Make the camels kneel'; they turned them by their reins,
And every man lay sprawled beside their forelegs.
نامواthey slept قَليلاًbriefly غِشاشاًlightly ثُمَّthen أَفزَعَهُمstartled them
ناموا قَليلاً غِشاشاً ثُمَّ أَفزَعَهُم
وَردٌa tawny lion يَسوقُdriving تَواليthe last hours اللَيلِof night مُقتَبِلُapproaching
وَردٌ يَسوقُ تَوالي اللَيلِ مُقتَبِلُ
They slept briefly and lightly, then were startled
By a tawny lion advancing, driving night's last hours before him.
شَدّواthey tightened نُسوعَthe girth-straps المَطاياof the mounts وَهِيَwhile they جائِلَةٌwere slipping
شَدّوا نُسوعَ المَطايا وَهِيَ جائِلَةٌ
بَعدَafter الضُفورِthe braided girths سِراعاًquickly ثُمَّتَthen اِرتَحَلواthey departed
بَعدَ الضُفورِ سِراعاً ثُمَّتَ اِرتَحَلوا
They tightened the mounts' girth-straps, which were slipping,
After the braided girths, in haste; then they departed.
يَنوونَthey make for مَسلَمَةَMaslama الفَيّاضَoverflowing نائِلُهُhis bounty
يَنوونَ مَسلَمَةَ الفَيّاضَ نائِلُهُ
وَكَعبُهُand his heel فيupon يَفاعِthe heights المَجدِof glory مُعتَدِلُstands firm
وَكَعبُهُ في يَفاعِ المَجدِ مُعتَدِلُ
They make for Maslama, whose bounty overflows,
And whose heel stands firm on the heights of glory.
صُلبُstrong القَناةِof shaft رَباhe rose high وَالحَزمُand resolve شيمَتُهُis his nature
صُلبُ القَناةِ رَبا وَالحَزمُ شيمَتُهُ
فَلَيسَso there is no فيin أَمرِهِhis affairs وَهنٌweakness وَلاnor هَزَلُfrivolity
فَلَيسَ في أَمرِهِ وَهنٌ وَلا هَزَلُ
Strong of shaft, he rose high, with resolve his nature;
There is neither weakness nor frivolity in his affairs.
قَضاؤُهُhis judgment مُستَقيمٌis straight غَيرُnot ذيpossessing عِوَجٍcrookedness
قَضاؤُهُ مُستَقيمٌ غَيرُ ذي عِوَجٍ
فَلَيسَso there is no فيin حُكمِهِhis rule حَيفٌinjustice وَلاnor مَيَلُpartiality
فَلَيسَ في حُكمِهِ حَيفٌ وَلا مَيَلُ
His judgment is straight, without crookedness,
And his rule contains neither injustice nor partiality.
وَأَنتَand you حِرزُare the refuge بَنيof the sons مَروانَof Marwan كُلُّهُمُall of them
وَأَنتَ حِرزُ بَني مَروانَ كُلُّهُمُ
أَنتَyou لَهُمfor them وَلِمَنand for whoever يَعروهُمُvisits them جَبَلُare a mountain
أَنتَ لَهُم وَلِمَن يَعروهُمُ جَبَلُ
You are the refuge of all the sons of Marwan;
For them and those who visit them, you are a mountain.
نَمَتكَgave you birth مِنamong عَبدِAbd شَمسٍShams خَيرُهُمthe finest of them حَسَباًin lineage
نَمَتكَ مِن عَبدِ شَمسٍ خَيرُهُم حَسَباً
إِذاwhen الكِرامُnoble men إِلىaccording to أَحسابِهِمtheir lineages حَصَلواare reckoned
إِذا الكِرامُ إِلى أَحسابِهِم حَصَلوا
The finest in lineage among Abd Shams gave you birth,
When noble men are reckoned by their lineages.
ذَووpossessors جُدودٍof good fortunes إِذاwhen ماever نوضِلَتthey are challenged نَضَلَتthey prevail
ذَوو جُدودٍ إِذا ما نوضِلَت نَضَلَت
إِنَّindeed الجُدودَfortunes تَلاقىmeet ثُمَّthen تَنتَضِلُcontend
إِنَّ الجُدودَ تَلاقى ثُمَّ تَنتَضِلُ
Men of good fortune, whose fortunes win when challenged:
Fortunes meet and then contend.
القائِلُthe speaker of الفَصلَdecisive judgment وَالمَيمونُand auspicious طائِرُهُhis omen
القائِلُ الفَصلَ وَالمَيمونُ طائِرُهُ
فَلَيسَso there is no فيin قَولِهِhis speech هَذرٌbabble وَلاnor خَطَلُfoolishness
فَلَيسَ في قَولِهِ هَذرٌ وَلا خَطَلُ
He speaks decisively, and his omen is auspicious;
His speech contains neither babble nor foolishness.
لاnot يَنقُضُhe unravels الأَمرَthe matter إِلّاexcept رَيثَlong enough to يُبرِمُهُbind it firmly
لا يَنقُضُ الأَمرَ إِلّا رَيثَ يُبرِمُهُ
وَلَيسَand does not يَثنيهِturn him عَنfrom أَمرِthe course التُقىof piety كَسَلُlaziness
وَلَيسَ يَثنيهِ عَن أَمرِ التُقى كَسَلُ
He unravels a matter only long enough to bind it firm,
And laziness does not turn him from the course of piety.
إِنَّindeed الَّذينَthose whom بِهِمwith them يَرمونَthey assail صَخرَتَهُhis rock
إِنَّ الَّذينَ بِهِم يَرمونَ صَخرَتَهُ
لَنnever يَبلُغوهُwill they reach him وَإِنeven if عَزّواthey are mighty وَإِنand even if كَمَلواthey are accomplished
لَن يَبلُغوهُ وَإِن عَزّوا وَإِن كَمَلوا
Those whom they hurl against his rock
Will never reach him, however mighty and accomplished they are.
لَنnever يُدرِكوكَwill they attain you وَلَنand never يَلحَقكَwill catch up with you شَأوُهُمُtheir reach
لَن يُدرِكوكَ وَلَن يَلحَقكَ شَأوُهُمُ
حَتّىuntil يَلِجpasses بَينَthrough سَمِّthe eye الإِبرَةِof the needle الجَمَلُthe camel
حَتّى يَلِج بَينَ سَمِّ الإِبرَةِ الجَمَلُ
They will never attain you, nor will their reach catch up with you,
Until a camel passes through the eye of a needle.
أَعدَدتَyou prepared لِلحَربَfor war أَقراناًcompanions وَهُمand they حَسَبٌare sufficient
أَعدَدتَ لِلحَربَ أَقراناً وَهُم حَسَبٌ
السَيفُthe sword وَالدِرعُand the armor وَالخِنذيذُand the noble stallion وَالبَطَلُand the champion
السَيفُ وَالدِرعُ وَالخِنذيذُ وَالبَطَلُ
You have prepared companions for war, and they suffice:
The sword, the armor, the noble stallion, and the champion.
إِذاwhen فَغِمتَyou assail بِقَومٍa people جِئتَyou come to أَرضَهُمُtheir land
إِذا فَغِمتَ بِقَومٍ جِئتَ أَرضَهُمُ
بِجَحفَلٍwith a vast host أَرعَنِrugged الحافاتِof flanks تَنتَقِلُyou march
بِجَحفَلٍ أَرعَنِ الحافاتِ تَنتَقِلُ
When you assail a people, you come into their land,
Marching with a vast host whose flanks are like mountain spurs.
يُصِمُّdeafens فيهِwithin it المُوَصّىthe instructed man مَنwhoever يُجاوِبُهُanswers him
يُصِمُّ فيهِ المُوَصّى مَن يُجاوِبُهُ
مِنfrom رِزِّthe rumbling عَودٍof old camels إِذاwhen سارواthey march وَإِنand even if نَزَلواthey halt
مِن رِزِّ عَودٍ إِذا ساروا وَإِن نَزَلوا
Within it, the man receiving orders deafens whoever answers him,
Amid the rumbling of old camels, whether marching or halted.
تُعَضِّلُstrains الأَرضَthe earth مِنهُbeneath it وَهيَwhile it مُثقَلَةٌis burdened
تُعَضِّلُ الأَرضَ مِنهُ وَهيَ مُثقَلَةٌ
قَدalready هَدَّهاhas broken it down كَثرَةُthe multitude الأَقوامِof men وَالثَقَلُand baggage
قَد هَدَّها كَثرَةُ الأَقوامِ وَالثَقَلُ
The earth strains beneath it, heavily burdened,
Broken down by the multitude of men and baggage.
فيهِwithin it العَناجيجُnoble horses يَبريpares down الغَزوُcampaigning أَسمَنَهاthe fattest of them
فيهِ العَناجيجُ يَبري الغَزوُ أَسمَنَها
بَريَlike the paring القِداحِof arrow-shafts عَلَيهاupon them جِنَّةٌdemons بُسُلُfierce
بَريَ القِداحِ عَلَيها جِنَّةٌ بُسُلُ
There are noble horses in it; campaigning pares down the fattest
As arrow-shafts are pared; upon them ride fierce demons.
قُبُّdrawn in البُطونِof belly قَدalready اِقوَرَّتhave grown hollow مَحاسِنُهاtheir fine forms
قُبُّ البُطونِ قَد اِقوَرَّت مَحاسِنُها
وَفيand in النُحورِthe breasts إِذاwhen اِستَقبَلتَهاyou face them رَهَلُfleshy fullness
وَفي النُحورِ إِذا اِستَقبَلتَها رَهَلُ
Their bellies drawn in, their fine forms have grown hollow,
Yet their breasts, seen head-on, are fleshy and full.
يَصيحُcry out نِسوانُهُمtheir women لَمّاwhen هَزَمتَهُمُyou defeat them
يَصيحُ نِسوانُهُم لَمّا هَزَمتَهُمُ
كَماas يَصيحُcry out عَلىupon ظَهرِthe surface الصَفاof smooth rock الحَجَلُthe partridges
كَما يَصيحُ عَلى ظَهرِ الصَفا الحَجَلُ
Their women cry out when you defeat them,
As partridges cry upon the surface of smooth rock.
إِنif قُلتَyou say يَوماًone day لِفُرسانٍto horsemen ذَويpossessing حَسَبٍnoble lineage
إِن قُلتَ يَوماً لِفُرسانٍ ذَوي حَسَبٍ
توصيهُمُinstructing them فيin الوَغىbattle أَنِthat اِحمِلواcharge حَمَلواthey charge
توصيهُمُ في الوَغى أَنِ اِحمِلوا حَمَلوا
If one day you tell horsemen of noble lineage,
Instructing them in battle, 'Charge,' they charge.
النازِلونَthose who dismount إِذاwhen ماever المَوتُdeath حَلَّcomes بِهِمupon them
النازِلونَ إِذا ما المَوتُ حَلَّ بِهِم
إِذاwhen الكُماةُarmored champions إِلىto face أَمثالِهاtheir equals نَزَلواdismount
إِذا الكُماةُ إِلى أَمثالِها نَزَلوا
Those who dismount when death comes upon them,
When armored champions dismount to face their equals.
Sol 6.1