بانَdeparted الخَليطُthe companions فَشَطّواand went far away بِالرَعابيبِwith tender beauties
بانَ الخَليطُ فَشَطّوا بِالرَعابيبِ
وَهُنَّand they يُؤبَنَّare praised بَعدَafter الحُسنِbeauty بِالطيبِfor fragrance
وَهُنَّ يُؤبَنَّ بَعدَ الحُسنِ بِالطيبِ
The companions departed and went far away with the tender beauties.
The youths mingled, flirting with maidens,
And after their beauty, they are praised for their fragrance.
Who exude perfume after beauty.
فَهَيَّجواso they stirred الشَوقَlonging إِذwhen حَفَّتhurried away نَعامَتُهُمtheir company
فَهَيَّجوا الشَوقَ إِذ حَفَّت نَعامَتُهُم
وَأَورَثواand they bequeathed القَلبَthe heart صَدعاًa rift غَيرَnot مَشعوبِmended
وَأَورَثوا القَلبَ صَدعاً غَيرَ مَشعوبِ
So they stirred longing when their company hurried away,
They provoked longing when their ostriches gathered,
And left the heart a rift never mended.
And bequeathed hearts with unhealed cracks.
فَهُمso they حَزائِقُbands سارواtraveled نِيَّةًto a destination قُذُفاًfar-distant
فَهُم حَزائِقُ ساروا نِيَّةً قُذُفاً
لَمdid not يُنظِروكَwait for you سِراعاًhurrying نَحوَtoward مَلحوبِMalhub
لَم يُنظِروكَ سِراعاً نَحوَ مَلحوبِ
In bands they traveled toward a far-off destination,
They are neglected ruins who set out with intent
Not waiting for you, hurrying toward Malhub.
And did not wait for you, hastening to Malhub.
بَتّواsevered القَرينَةَthe bond فَاِنصاعَand sped away الحُداةُthe camel-drivers بِهِمwith them
بَتّوا القَرينَةَ فَاِنصاعَ الحُداةُ بِهِم
وَهُمand they ذَووpossessed of زَجَلٍresounding cries عالٍloud وَتَطريبِand tuneful singing
وَهُم ذَوو زَجَلٍ عالٍ وَتَطريبِ
They severed the bond, and the camel-drivers sped off with them,
They spent the night with the beloved, so the jealous bowed to them.
With loud, resounding cries and tuneful singing.
They are owners of glory, might, and coquetry.
مِنهُfrom it أَراجيزُrajaz chants تَزفيspeed along العِيسَthe pale camels إِذwhen حُدِيَتdriven by song
مِنهُ أَراجيزُ تَزفي العِيسَ إِذ حُدِيَت
وَفيand amid المَزاميرِthe piping أَصواتُthe voices of الصَلابيبِstrong-voiced men
وَفي المَزاميرِ أَصواتُ الصَلابيبِ
From it came rajaz chants that sped the pale camels as they were driven by song,
From it are ballads that drive the camels when they are led,
And amid the piping were the voices of strong-voiced men.
And in the zithers are sounds of clappers.
وَالعيسُand the pale camels مِنهُbecause of it كَأَنَّas though الذُعرَfear خالَطَهاhad entered them
وَالعيسُ مِنهُ كَأَنَّ الذُعرَ خالَطَها
أَوor نالَهاovertook them طائِفٌa passing terror مِنfrom ذيone possessing المَخاليبِclaws
أَو نالَها طائِفٌ مِن ذي المَخاليبِ
From that song, the pale camels seemed possessed by fear,
And the camels among them are as if fear mixed with them
Or touched by a passing terror from a clawed creature.
Or a blow from a curved sword afflicted them.
زانَadorned السُدولَthe hanging curtains عَلَيهاover them الرِقمُembroidery إِذwhen حُدِجَتthey were saddled
زانَ السُدولَ عَلَيها الرِقمُ إِذ حُدِجَت
بِكُلِّwith every زَوجٍfemale companion مِنin الديباجِbrocade مَحجوبِveiled
بِكُلِّ زَوجٍ مِن الديباجِ مَحجوبِ
Embroidery adorned their hanging curtains when they were saddled,
The litters are covered with every kind of brocade curtain,
With each woman veiled in brocade.
And in the howdahs are pampered virgins,
وَفيand in الهَوادِجِthe howdahs أَبكارٌmaidens مُنعَّمَةٌpampered
وَفي الهَوادِجِ أَبكارٌ مُنعَّمَةٌ
مِثلُlike الدُمىstatuettes هِجنَthey stirred شَوقاًlonging فيin المَجاريبِseasoned men
مِثلُ الدُمى هِجنَ شَوقاً في المَجاريبِ
In the howdahs were pampered maidens,
Like statues, passionate with longing under the canopies.
Like statuettes, awakening longing in seasoned men.
Whenever their veils are unveiled, their faces
كَأَنَّهاas though they كُلَّماwhenever اِبتُزَّتwere stripped away مَباذِلُهاtheir everyday garments
كَأَنَّها كُلَّما اِبتُزَّت مَباذِلُها
دُرٌّpearls بَدارينat Darin صافٍpure غَيرُnot مَثقوبِpierced
دُرٌّ بَدارين صافٍ غَيرُ مَثقوبِ
They seemed, whenever their everyday garments were stripped away,
Are like flawless round pearls, not pierced.
Like pure, unpierced pearls at Darin.
They have the curves of gazelles, and their faces
لَهاthey have سَوالِفُthe necks of غُزلانٍgazelles وَأَوجُهُهاand their faces
لَها سَوالِفُ غُزلانٍ وَأَوجُهُها
مِثلُlike الدَنانيرِgold dinars حُرّاتُflawless الأَشانيبِcool, lustrous teeth
مِثلُ الدَنانيرِ حُرّاتُ الأَشانيبِ
They had gazelles' necks, and their faces
Are like golden dinars with moving pupils.
Were like dinars, their cool teeth flawless.
As if the gold coins are placed between emeralds
كَأَنَّماas though الذَهَبُthe gold العِقيانُpure and native تَجعَلُهُset it
كَأَنَّما الذَهَبُ العِقيانُ تَجعَلُهُ
بَينَbetween الزُمُرُّدِemeralds أَوساطُthe midsections of اليَعاسيبِking bees
بَينَ الزُمُرُّدِ أَوساطُ اليَعاسيبِ
It was as though pure, native gold were being set
In the middle of chokers by the dressers.
Between emeralds by the midsections of king bees,
On the necks, soft as dove eggs, delicate,
عَلىupon نُحورٍthroats كَغِرقيlike the inner membrane of البَيضِeggs ناعِمَةٍtender
عَلى نُحورٍ كَغِرقي البَيضِ ناعِمَةٍ
يَعلُلنَهاthey repeatedly scent them بِمَجاميرٍwith incense-burners وَتَطييبِand perfuming
يَعلُلنَها بِمَجاميرٍ وَتَطييبِ
Upon tender throats, delicate as eggs' inner membranes,
Adorned with necklaces and perfume.
Which they repeatedly scented with incense and perfume.
Their breasts, harder than mirrors, swell out
لَهاthey have مَعاصِمُwrists غَصَّwere choked اليارِقاتُthe bracelets بِهاby them
لَها مَعاصِمُ غَصَّ اليارِقاتُ بِها
وَفيand within الخَلاخيلِthe anklets خَلقٌbodily flesh غَيرُnot مَعصوبِlean and sinewy
وَفي الخَلاخيلِ خَلقٌ غَيرُ مَعصوبِ
Their bracelets were choked by their wrists,
With every unconstrained movement in their anklets.
And within their anklets was flesh, not lean sinew.
Their beauties shine, smooth,
تَزهوshine المَحاسِنُthe charms مِنهاof them وَهِيَwhile they are ناعِمَةٌsoft and tender
تَزهو المَحاسِنُ مِنها وَهِيَ ناعِمَةٌ
بِكُلِّwith every جَثلٍthick lock غُدافِraven-dark اللَونِin color غِربيبِjet-black
بِكُلِّ جَثلٍ غُدافِ اللَونِ غِربيبِ
Their charms shone while they were soft and tender,
With every curl of brown hue, dyed.
With thick locks, raven-colored and jet-black.
The yellowness of their curves from the perfume on them
صُفرُyellow السَوالِفِthe sides of their necks مِنfrom نَضخِthe sprinkling of العَبيرِperfume بِهاupon them
صُفرُ السَوالِفِ مِن نَضخِ العَبيرِ بِها
تَبدوappear لَهاon them غُرَرٌluminous faces دونَbeyond الجَلابيبِthe outer cloaks
تَبدو لَها غُرَرٌ دونَ الجَلابيبِ
Their necks were yellow from perfume sprinkled upon them;
Shows them to have moles without veils.
Their luminous faces appeared beyond their cloaks.
They show palms that hunt hearts when they smile,
تُبديthey reveal أَكُفّاًhands تَصيدُcatch العاشِقينَlovers بِهاwith them
تُبدي أَكُفّاً تَصيدُ العاشِقينَ بِها
مِنهاsome of them خَضيبٌdyed وَمِنهاand some of them غَيرُnot مَخضوبِdyed
مِنها خَضيبٌ وَمِنها غَيرُ مَخضوبِ
They revealed hands with which they caught lovers,
Some rouged, some without rouge.
Some dyed, and others undyed.
Their grinning mouths, when they smile,
كَأَنَّas though أَفواهَهاtheir mouths الإِغريضُwhite hailstones إِذwhen بَسَمَتthey smiled
كَأَنَّ أَفواهَها الإِغريضُ إِذ بَسَمَت
أَوor أُقحُوانُthe daisies of رَبيعٍspring ذيrich in أَهاضيبِshowers
أَو أُقحُوانُ رَبيعٍ ذي أَهاضيبِ
When they smiled, their mouths seemed like white hailstones,
Are like meadows of springtime with bushes.
Or daisies of a spring rich in showers,
In a garden of the gardens of sorrow, smooth,
فيin رَوضَةٍa meadow مِنamong رِياضِthe meadows of الحَزنِthe uplands ناعِمَةٍlush
في رَوضَةٍ مِن رِياضِ الحَزنِ ناعِمَةٍ
تَجريflows الطِلالُdew عَلَيهاover it بَعدَafter شُؤبوبِa downpour
تَجري الطِلالُ عَلَيها بَعدَ شُؤبوبِ
In a lush meadow among the upland meadows,
The shadows flow over it after being watered.
Where dew trickles after a downpour.
As if I, drunk on the mention of them, am sated
كَأَنَّنيas though I شارِبٌa drinker مِنfrom ذِكرِهِمtheir memory ثَمِلٌdrunk
كَأَنَّني شارِبٌ مِن ذِكرِهِم ثَمِلٌ
لَذٌّdelighting يُعَلُّis plied again بِخَمرِwith the wine of الطاسِthe bowl وَالكوبِand the cup
لَذٌّ يُعَلُّ بِخَمرِ الطاسِ وَالكوبِ
Their memory makes me like a drunken drinker,
With a pleasure decorated by cups and wine.
Delighting in wine, plied again from bowl and cup,
A brother of chaste, noble revellers visited them
أَخوa companion of نَدامىdrinking friends كِرامٍnoble حَلَّarrived ضَيفُهُمُtheir guest
أَخو نَدامى كِرامٍ حَلَّ ضَيفُهُمُ
بِرَيَّةٍwith plentiful drink باتَspent the night يُسقىbeing served drink غَيرَnot مَسلوبِdeprived
بِرَيَّةٍ باتَ يُسقى غَيرَ مَسلوبِ
A companion of noble drinking friends, whose guest arrives
In a meadow where he passed the night watered without being robbed.
To plentiful drink and is plied all night, never deprived.
Their camels wander in it after they drank
تَدِبُّcreeps فيهاthrough it حُمَيّاهاits intoxicating warmth وَقَدand already شَرِبواthey drank
تَدِبُّ فيها حُمَيّاها وَقَد شَرِبوا
مِنهاsome of it قِطابٌmixed wine وَمِنهاand some of it غَيرُnot مَقطوبِmixed
مِنها قِطابٌ وَمِنها غَيرُ مَقطوبِ
Its heady warmth creeps through it, and they have drunk
Some pure, some not yet drawn.
Some of it mixed, and some unmixed.
A drink at which they sing, with basil between them
شَربٌa drinking company يُغَنّونَsing وَالريحانُand fragrant herbs بَينَهُمُamong them
شَربٌ يُغَنّونَ وَالريحانُ بَينَهُمُ
وَكُلُّand every جَحلٍgreat wine-vessel مِنَof الخُرطومِthe finest wine مَسحوبِdrawn off
وَكُلُّ جَحلٍ مِنَ الخُرطومِ مَسحوبِ
A drinking company sings, with fragrant herbs among them,
And each bucket-skin drawn from the hose.
And every great wine-vessel has its finest wine drawn off.
You see the legs of the wine, bending
تَرىyou see القَوائِمَthe legs مِنهُof it وَهيَwhile they are شائِلَةٌraised aloft
تَرى القَوائِمَ مِنهُ وَهيَ شائِلَةٌ
مِنfrom كُلِّevery ذيone with مُشعَرٍa hairy covering بِالقارمَربوبِtreated with pitch
مِن كُلِّ ذي مُشعَرٍ بِالقارمَربوبِ
You see its legs raised aloft,
From every drunken tall, long-necked one.
From every hairy wineskin treated with pitch.
Their spirits flow from it when filled
تَسيلُstream أَرواحُهاtheir spirits مِنهاfrom them إِذاwhen مُلِئَتthey are filled
تَسيلُ أَرواحُها مِنها إِذا مُلِئَت
حَتّىuntil تُفَرَّغُthey are emptied فيinto مَوتيthe lifeless الأَكاويبِcups
حَتّى تُفَرَّغُ في مَوتي الأَكاويبِ
Their spirits stream from them when they are filled,
Until poured into the vessels of my companions.
Until emptied into the lifeless cups.
The drinking-holes are all crowded, torment
إِنَّindeed المَناهَلَthe watering places جَمٌّabundant لَنwill not تُساعِفَناoblige us
إِنَّ المَناهَلَ جَمٌّ لَن تُساعِفَنا
مِنهاsome of them العِذابُsweet waters وَمِنهاand some of them غَيرُnot مَشروبِdrinkable
مِنها العِذابُ وَمِنها غَيرُ مَشروبِ
The watering places are many; not all will oblige us:
And lack of drink will not increase for us.
Some are sweet, and others undrinkable.
They incline toward every curvy gazelle, my brother,
تَحنوincline إِلىtoward كُلِّevery فِينانٍluxuriantly haired man أَخيone given to غَزَلٍlove
تَحنو إِلى كُلِّ فِينانٍ أَخي غَزَلٍ
صَوادِفٌturning away عَنfrom ذَويthose with الأَسنانِadvanced years وَالشيبِand gray hair
صَوادِفٌ عَن ذَوي الأَسنانِ وَالشيبِ
They incline toward every luxuriantly haired man given to love,
Flirts not concerned with gray hair or old age.
Turning away from men advanced in years and gray-haired.
Youth passes, and old age takes away its joy,
يَبلىwears away الشَبابُyouth وَيَنفيand banishes الشَيبُgray hair بَهجَتَهُits splendor
يَبلى الشَبابُ وَيَنفي الشَيبُ بَهجَتَهُ
وَالدَهرُand time ذوpossessed of العَوصِdifficulties يَأتيcomes بِالأَعاجيبِwith wonders
وَالدَهرُ ذو العَوصِ يَأتي بِالأَعاجيبِ
Youth wears away, and gray hair banishes its splendor;
And fate, crooked, brings wonders.
Time, full of difficulties, brings strange wonders.
What fate seeks, its claws attain,
ماwhatever يَطلُبِpursues الدَهرُtime تُدرِكهُovertake it مَخالِبُهُits claws
ما يَطلُبِ الدَهرُ تُدرِكهُ مَخالِبُهُ
وَالدَهرُand time بِالوِترِwith its blood-debt ناجٍescapes غَيرُnot مَطلوبِpursued
وَالدَهرُ بِالوِترِ ناجٍ غَيرُ مَطلوبِ
Whatever time pursues, its claws overtake;
And fate pierces with the bowstring when unsought.
Time escapes with its blood-debt, unpursued.
Are there any eminent, glorious people
هَلare there مِنany أُناسٍpeople أُوليpossessing مَجدٍglory وَمَأثُرَةٍand noble deeds
هَل مِن أُناسٍ أُولي مَجدٍ وَمَأثُرَةٍ
إِلّاexcept that يَشُدُّit attacks عَلَيهِمُagainst them شَدَّةَwith the charge of الذيبِthe wolf
إِلّا يَشُدُّ عَلَيهِمُ شَدَّةَ الذيبِ
Are there any people possessed of glory and noble deeds
Except the blows of fate have seized them?
Whom it does not attack with a wolf's charge,
Until deliberately its best ones are struck
حَتّىuntil يُصيبَit strikes عَلىwith عَمدٍdeliberate intent خِيارَهُمُtheir best
حَتّى يُصيبَ عَلى عَمدٍ خِيارَهُمُ
بِالنافِذاتِwith piercing shafts مِنَamong النُبلِthe arrows المَصائيبِtrue-hitting
بِالنافِذاتِ مِنَ النُبلِ المَصائيبِ
Until it deliberately strikes down their best
By arrows of death, calamities.
With piercing arrows that hit their mark?
I have found that the place of origin of the arrows of death
إِنّيindeed I وَجَدتُfound سِهامَthe arrows of المَوتِdeath مَعدَنُهاtheir source
إِنّي وَجَدتُ سِهامَ المَوتِ مَعدَنُها
بِكُلِّin every حَتمٍinevitable decree مِنَof الآجالِappointed lifespans مَكتوبِwritten
بِكُلِّ حَتمٍ مِنَ الآجالِ مَكتوبِ
I have found that death's arrows have their source
In every decree of fate is inscribed.
In every written, inevitable term of life.
Whoever faces affliction, then relief comes after it,
مَنwhoever يَلقَmeets بِلَوىaffliction يَنُبهُvisits him بَعدَهاafter it فَرَجٌrelief
مَن يَلقَ بِلَوى يَنُبهُ بَعدَها فَرَجٌ
وَالناسُand people بَينَbetween ذَويthose with روحٍease وَمَكروبِand one distressed
وَالناسُ بَينَ ذَوي روحٍ وَمَكروبِ
Whoever meets affliction is visited afterward by relief;
And people are between those with spirit and those troubled.
People are either at ease or distressed.
And between one calling to guidance, his companions.
وَبَينَand among داعٍone who calls إِلىtoward رُشدٍright guidance صَحابَتَهُhis companions
وَبَينَ داعٍ إِلى رُشدٍ صَحابَتَهُ
وَبَينَand among غاوٍone astray وَذيand one with مالٍwealth وَمَحروبِand one despoiled
وَبَينَ غاوٍ وَذي مالٍ وَمَحروبِ
Some call their companions toward right guidance,
And between one astray and owning wealth and warred upon.
Others are astray, wealthy, or despoiled.
A good life is goodness whose seeker prospers,
وَالعَيشُand life طُبيانِtwo teats طُبيٌone teat ثَرَّyields abundantly حالِبُهُits milker
وَالعَيشُ طُبيانِ طُبيٌ ثَرَّ حالِبُهُ
وَطُبيُand a teat of جَدّاءُa milkless beast ذاوٍwithered غَيرُnot مَحلوبِmilked
وَطُبيُ جَدّاءُ ذاوٍ غَيرُ مَحلوبِ
Life has two teats: one flows richly for its milker,
And the good life of the miserly is austereness without sweetness.
And a barren beast's teat, withered and unmilked.
Do not praise a man until you test him,
وَماand what is طِلابُكَyour pursuit of شَيئاًsomething لَستَyou are not نائِلَهُattaining it
وَما طِلابُكَ شَيئاً لَستَ نائِلَهُ
وَسَبُّكَand your cursing of الناسَpeople ظُلماًunjustly غَيرَother than تَعذيبِtorment
وَسَبُّكَ الناسَ ظُلماً غَيرَ تَعذيبِ
What is your pursuit of something you cannot attain,
And do not blame him without testing.
And your unjust abuse of people, but torment?
A boy obeys one who disciplines him,
عاتِبreprove أَخاكَyour brother وَلاand do not تُكثِرincrease مَلامَتَهblaming him
عاتِب أَخاكَ وَلا تُكثِر مَلامَتَه
وَزُرand visit صَديقَكَyour friend رِسلاًunhurriedly بَعدَafter تَغييبِan absence
وَزُر صَديقَكَ رِسلاً بَعدَ تَغييبِ
Reprove your brother, but do not overdo your blame;
And an old man does not obey you, no matter how you discipline.
And visit your friend unhurriedly after an absence.
Predispositions in character prevail,
وَإِنand if عُنيتَyou concern yourself بِمَعروفٍwith kindness فَقُلthen speak حَسَناًgraciously
وَإِن عُنيتَ بِمَعروفٍ فَقُل حَسَناً
وَلاand do not تَهِنfalter عَنbefore ذَويthose with ضِغنٍrancor لِتَهييبِbecause of intimidation
وَلا تَهِن عَن ذَوي ضِغنٍ لِتَهييبِ
If you undertake a kindness, speak graciously;
So a falcon is only gained through training.
And do not falter before the spiteful through intimidation.
If you travel to praise a king,
لاdo not تَحمَدَنَّever praise اِمرِأًa man حَتّىuntil تُجَرِّبَهُyou test him
لا تَحمَدَنَّ اِمرِأً حَتّى تُجَرِّبَهُ
وَلاand do not تَذُمَّنَّهُever condemn him مِنfrom غَيرِabsence of تَجريبِtesting
وَلا تَذُمَّنَّهُ مِن غَيرِ تَجريبِ
Never praise a man until you have tested him,
Then travel with poetry pure, not contrived.
Nor condemn him without a trial.
Praise Yazid but do not display in praising him
إِنَّindeed الغُلامَthe boy مُطيعٌobeys مَنwhoever يُؤَدِّبُهُdisciplines him
إِنَّ الغُلامَ مُطيعٌ مَن يُؤَدِّبُهُ
وَلاand will not يُطيعَكَobey you ذوone with شَيبٍgray hair لِتَأديبِthrough discipline
وَلا يُطيعَكَ ذو شَيبٍ لِتَأديبِ
A boy obeys whoever disciplines him,
The tinder ignited with kindling.
But a gray-haired man will not submit to your schooling.
Talents do not restrain their journey
إِنَّindeed السَلائِقَinnate dispositions فيin الأَخلاقِcharacter غالِبَةٌprevail
إِنَّ السَلائِقَ في الأَخلاقِ غالِبَةٌ
فَالصَقرُso the falcon لاnot يُقتَنىis kept إِلّاexcept بِتَدريبِthrough training
فَالصَقرُ لا يُقتَنى إِلّا بِتَدريبِ
Innate dispositions prevail in character;
Or deviate with the voices of ravens.
A falcon can be kept only through training.
The Caliph is a branch, when you trace his ancestry,
وَإِنand if رَحَلتَyou journey إِلىto مَلكٍa king لِتَمدَحَهُto praise him
وَإِن رَحَلتَ إِلى مَلكٍ لِتَمدَحَهُ
فَاِرحَلthen journey بِشِعرٍwith verse نَقِيٍّpolished غَيرِnot مَخشوبِrough-hewn
فَاِرحَل بِشِعرٍ نَقِيٍّ غَيرِ مَخشوبِ
If you journey to a king to praise him,
Free of blemishes, a protected lineage of nobility.
Take polished verse, not a rough-hewn draft.
War and Marwan cultivated him, and their origin
وَاِمدَحand praise يَزيدَYazid وَلاand do not تَظهَرopen outright بِمَدحَتِهِwith his praise
وَاِمدَح يَزيدَ وَلا تَظهَر بِمَدحَتِهِ
وَقُدand lead أُوائِلَهاits opening lines قَوداًa leading بِتَشبيبِwith a love prelude
وَقُد أُوائِلَها قَوداً بِتَشبيبِ
Praise Yazid, but do not open outright with his praise;
Goes back to the virtuous, untainted roots.
Lead its opening lines with a love prelude.
Four who were our imams raised you,
إِنَّindeed البَوارِحَill-omened passing beasts لاnot يَحبِسنَhalt رِحلَتَهُhis journey
إِنَّ البَوارِحَ لا يَحبِسنَ رِحلَتَهُ
وَلاand not يَعوجُturn aside بِأَصواتِat the calls of الغَرابيبِblack ravens
وَلا يَعوجُ بِأَصواتِ الغَرابيبِ
Ill-omened passing beasts do not halt his journey,
So rightly your kingdom is not transient.
Nor does he turn aside at the calls of black ravens.
He gave you a kingdom and piety - you who steer it
إِنَّindeed الخَليفَةَthe caliph فَرعٌa branch حينَwhen تَنسُبُهُyou trace his descent
إِنَّ الخَليفَةَ فَرعٌ حينَ تَنسُبُهُ
مِنَfrom الأَعاصيthe A'asi stock هِجانٌpure-bred خَيرُthe finest مَنسوبِin lineage
مِنَ الأَعاصي هِجانٌ خَيرُ مَنسوبِ
The caliph is a branch, when you trace his lineage,
After merits, one inspired to prophecy.
From the A'asi stock, pure-bred, of the finest descent.
Like the full moon, your worries exalted, derived
يَنميهِgives him his lineage حَربٌHarb وَمَروانُand Marwan وَأَصلُهُماand their roots
يَنميهِ حَربٌ وَمَروانُ وَأَصلُهُما
إِلىto جَراثيمُthe foundations of مَجدٍglory غَيرِnot مَأشوبِtainted
إِلى جَراثيمُ مَجدٍ غَيرِ مَأشوبِ
Harb and Marwan stand in his lineage, and their roots
From glories growing to calamities.
Reach back to the foundations of untainted glory.
A sea cultivated by boundless seas -
نَماكَgave you descent أَربَعَةٌfour men كانواwere أَئِمَّتَناour leaders
نَماكَ أَربَعَةٌ كانوا أَئِمَّتَنا
فَكانَso was مُلكُكَyour kingship حَقّاًrightful لَيسَnot بِالحوبِsinful
فَكانَ مُلكُكَ حَقّاً لَيسَ بِالحوبِ
Four who were our leaders gave you your lineage;
Those battle cries the children of battle cries.
So your kingship was rightful, not sinful.
A people born in Mecca, in its valley,
أَعطاكَgave you مُلكاًkingship وَتَقوىand piety أَنتَyou سائِسُهُits governor
أَعطاكَ مُلكاً وَتَقوى أَنتَ سائِسُهُ
بَعدَafter الفَضائِلِthe virtues مَنHe who أَوحىinspired إِلىto النوبِthe bees
بَعدَ الفَضائِلِ مَن أَوحى إِلى النوبِ
Kingship and piety were given to you—you govern the realm—
The people of Mecca, not Bedouins.
After other virtues, by Him who inspired the bees.
Most of them, when their wave flows,
كَالبَدرِlike the full moon أَبلَجُradiant عاليlofty الهَمِّin aspiration مُختَلَقٌwell-formed
كَالبَدرِ أَبلَجُ عالي الهَمِّ مُختَلَقٌ
يُنمىhis descent is traced إِلىto الأَبطَحِيّاتِthe Abtahi lineages المَصاعيبِthe formidable ones
يُنمى إِلى الأَبطَحِيّاتِ المَصاعيبِ
Radiant as the full moon, high in aspiration, well-formed,
With every lofty-gazing lion panicking.
He descends from the formidable Abtahi lineages.
And the warriors among the heroes - their zeal drives them
بَحرٌa sea نَمَتهُbegot him بُحورٌseas غَيرُnot ساجِيَةٍstill
بَحرٌ نَمَتهُ بُحورٌ غَيرُ ساجِيَةٍ
تِلكَthose المَخاصيبُthe bountiful ones أَبناءُsons of المَخاصيبِthe bountiful ones
تِلكَ المَخاصيبُ أَبناءُ المَخاصيبِ
A sea sprung from seas that never lie still:
To strike a deadly blow, slashing without cleaving.
Those bountiful men, sons of bountiful men.
You are the son of your father ‘Atikah, good-omened,
قَومٌa people بِمَكَّةَin Mecca فيon بَطحائِحاits gravel plains وُلِدواwere born
قَومٌ بِمَكَّةَ في بَطحائِحا وُلِدوا
أَبناءُsons of مَكَّةَMecca لَيسواthey are not بِالأَعاريبِBedouin Arabs
أَبناءُ مَكَّةَ لَيسوا بِالأَعاريبِ
A people born in Mecca, on its gravel plains,
The mother of kings, of the distinguished family.
Sons of Mecca, not Bedouin Arabs.
Whenever the kings once raced for glory,
الأَكثَرونَthe most numerous إِذاwhen ماemphasis سالَflows موجُهُمُtheir wave
الأَكثَرونَ إِذا ما سالَ موجُهُمُ
بِكُلِّwith every أَصيَدَproud man ساميlofty الطَرفِin gaze هُبهوبِtall and vigorous
بِكُلِّ أَصيَدَ سامي الطَرفِ هُبهوبِ
The most numerous, when their wave pours forth,
The racers were driven by the hounds.
With every proud man, high of gaze, tall and vigorous.
You raced the race of a purebred that had no rival,
وَالضارِبونَand those who strike مِنَof الأَبطالِthe champions هامَهُمُtheir heads
وَالضارِبونَ مِنَ الأَبطالِ هامَهُمُ
ضَرباًa striking طِلَخفاًcrushing وَهَكّاًand hacking غَيرَnot تَذبيبِmere swatting
ضَرباً طِلَخفاً وَهَكّاً غَيرَ تَذبيبِ
And those who strike the heads of champions,
Who split the hooves striking without being struck.
With crushing strokes and hacking, not mere swats.
Easy to get along with, he who forgives people their masses,
أَنتَyou اِبنُare the son of عاتِكَةَAtika المَيمونِblessed طائِرُهاher omen
أَنتَ اِبنُ عاتِكَةَ المَيمونِ طائِرُها
أُمُّmother of المُلوكِkings بَنيsons of الغُرِّthe illustrious المَناجيبِthe nobly bred
أُمُّ المُلوكِ بَني الغُرِّ المَناجيبِ
You are the son of Atika, whose omen is blessed,
Who clothes the barefoot with a slipper of hide.
Mother of kings, sons of illustrious, nobly bred men.
Until the latecomers precede after being left behind
إِذاwhen المُلوكُkings جَرَتraced يَوماًone day لِمَكرُمَةٍfor a noble deed
إِذا المُلوكُ جَرَت يَوماً لِمَكرُمَةٍ
جَريَthe running of المَحاضيرِswift steeds حُثَّتwere urged on بِالكَلابيبِwith hooks
جَريَ المَحاضيرِ حُثَّت بِالكَلابيبِ
When kings race one day for a noble deed,
At the famine, with meat and trembling.
Like swift steeds urged on with hooks,
You give life to alliances after they waned,
جَرَيتَyou raced جَريَthe running of عَتيقٍa thoroughbred لَمnot يَكُنwas وَكَلاًsluggish
جَرَيتَ جَريَ عَتيقٍ لَم يَكُن وَكَلاً
بَذَّoutstripped العَناجيجَthe noble steeds سَبقاًin the race غَيرَnot مَضروبِwhipped
بَذَّ العَناجيجَ سَبقاً غَيرَ مَضروبِ
You race like a thoroughbred that never flags,
Like rainfall giving life on a parched soul.
Outstripping the noble steeds in the race, unwhipped.
And you are, on a day of trial, the best of them,
سَهلُeasy المَباءَةِin access يَعفوseek الناسُthe people جَمَّتَهُhis brimming bounty
سَهلُ المَباءَةِ يَعفو الناسُ جَمَّتَهُ
يَكسوclothes الجِفانَthe platters سَديفاًwith hump-fat مِنfrom ذُرىthe tops of النِيبِold she-camels
يَكسو الجِفانَ سَديفاً مِن ذُرى النِيبِ
Easy to approach, his brimming bounty is sought by the people;
And the most generous of people when called.
He covers platters with fat from the humps of old she-camels,
A flood of heroes whose abundance overflows,
حَتّىuntil تَصُدَّturn away العَوافيbounty-seekers بَعدَماafter سَبَقَتthey raced ahead
حَتّى تَصُدَّ العَوافي بَعدَما سَبَقَت
عِندَduring المَجاعَةِfamine مِنfrom لَحمٍmeat وَتَرعيبِand great chunks of fat
عِندَ المَجاعَةِ مِن لَحمٍ وَتَرعيبِ
Until bounty-seekers turn away, having first raced there,
A torrent benefiting the easy and difficult ground.
During famine, from meat and great chunks of fat.
You see them mixed with tolerance when provoked
وَأَنتَand you تُحييrevive فِئاماًmultitudes بَعدَماafter هَمَدَتthey became lifeless
وَأَنتَ تُحيي فِئاماً بَعدَما هَمَدَت
إِحياءَthe reviving of غَيثٍrain بِصَوبِwith the downpour of نَفسٍa cloud حُلبوبِrichly rain-yielding
إِحياءَ غَيثٍ بِصَوبِ نَفسٍ حُلبوبِ
You revive multitudes after they have fallen lifeless,
And every strong, tall hero roaring.
As rain revives with a downpour from a richly yielding cloud.
They carry the courage of heroes when they ride
وَأَنتَand you خَيرُهُمُtheir best يَوماًone day لِمُختَبِطٍfor a seeker of aid
وَأَنتَ خَيرُهُمُ يَوماً لِمُختَبِطٍ
وَأَجودُand the most generous of الناسpeople جوداًin generosity عِندَwhen تَنجيبِbestowing choice gifts
وَأَجودُ الناس جوداً عِندَ تَنجيبِ
You are their best on a day when someone seeks aid,
Every racing steed of honest lineage.
And the most generous of people in bestowing choice gifts.
They charge wildly when their saddle-cloths are tested
وَجَحفَلٍand an army لَجِبٍclamorous جَمٍّnumerous صَواهِلُهُits neighing horses
وَجَحفَلٍ لَجِبٍ جَمٍّ صَواهِلُهُ
عَودٍbattle-seasoned يُجِدُّpresses across مَتونَthe backs of السَهلِthe plains وَاللوبِand lava fields
عَودٍ يُجِدُّ مَتونَ السَهلِ وَاللوبِ
And a clamorous host, with countless neighing horses,
By every valiant hero panicking the enemy.
Battle-seasoned, pressing over the backs of plains and lava fields.
If they subdue and steady them when their bridles shake,
تَرىyou see السَماحيجَlong-bodied mares فيهاin it وَهيَwhile they are مُسنَفَةٌfitted with breast-straps
تَرى السَماحيجَ فيها وَهيَ مُسنَفَةٌ
وَكُلَّand every فَحلٍstallion طُوالِtall الشَخصِin stature يَعبوبِfleet
وَكُلَّ فَحلٍ طُوالِ الشَخصِ يَعبوبِ
You see long-bodied mares in it, fitted with breast-straps,
They seize the people in towns and suburbs.
And every tall, fleet stallion.
And if they spur them with a whip or their cries,
يَحمِلنَthey carry بِزَّةَthe armor of أَبطالٍheroes إِذاwhen رَكِبواthey mount
يَحمِلنَ بِزَّةَ أَبطالٍ إِذا رَكِبوا
بِكُلِّwith every مُطَّرِدٍstraight spear صَدقِsturdy الأَنابيبِin its shaft-joints
بِكُلِّ مُطَّرِدٍ صَدقِ الأَنابيبِ
They carry the armor of heroes when they mount,
The saddle-cloths boil, confusing the foe’s saddle-cloths.
Each with a straight spear of sturdy shaft-joints.
Rising with them and an army like prowling wolves
تَرديgallop بِشُعثٍwith disheveled men إِذاwhen اِبتَلَّتbecome wet رَحاثِلُهاtheir saddlecloths
تَردي بِشُعثٍ إِذا اِبتَلَّت رَحاثِلُها
بِكُلِّthrough every فَجٍّpass مِنَbecause of الأَعداءِthe enemies مَرهوبِdreaded
بِكُلِّ فَجٍّ مِنَ الأَعداءِ مَرهوبِ
They gallop with disheveled men when their saddlecloths are soaked,
Is every horror on what was mounted.
Through every pass made fearsome by enemies.
Until they pour out groups after assembling,
إِنif سَكَّنوهاthey calm them وَشَدّواand tighten مِنon أَعِنَّتِهاtheir reins
إِن سَكَّنوها وَشَدّوا مِن أَعِنَّتِها
أَخَذنَthey carry بِالقَومِthe men along فيat حُضرٍa gallop وَتَقريبِand a canter
أَخَذنَ بِالقَومِ في حُضرٍ وَتَقريبِ
If they quiet them and tighten their reins,
Terrifying and overwhelming every terrified one.
They bear the men at gallop and canter;
It has rams whose blow fells them,
وَإِنand if مَرَوهاthey urge them بِقِدٍّwith a leather lash أَوor بِأَسؤُقِهِمwith their legs
وَإِن مَرَوها بِقِدٍّ أَو بِأَسؤُقِهِم
جاشَتsurged سَراحيبُlong-bodied steeds تَبريrace alongside لِلسَراحيبِother long-bodied steeds
جاشَت سَراحيبُ تَبري لِلسَراحيبِ
And if they urge them with leather lashes or their legs,
While the ram of your rank goes unfelled.
The long-bodied steeds surge, matching other long-bodied steeds.
Then it destroys the remnants of your enemy,
يَسموhe advances بِهاwith them وَبِجَيشٍand with an army كَالدَباlike locust young أَشِبٍdensely massed
يَسمو بِها وَبِجَيشٍ كَالدَبا أَشِبٍ
بِكُلِّinto every هَولٍterror عَلىregardless of ماwhat كانَit may be مَركوبِridden into
بِكُلِّ هَولٍ عَلى ما كانَ مَركوبِ
He advances with them and a host dense as locust young,
Who lie fallen between killer and mangled.
Riding into every terror, whatever it may be,
All together their hands were tied when captured
حَتّىuntil يَفُضَّhe scatters جُموعاًforces بَعدَماafter حَشَدَتthey mustered
حَتّى يَفُضَّ جُموعاً بَعدَما حَشَدَت
يُهالُone is terrified مِنهاby them وَيُغشىand is overcome كُلُّevery مَرعوبِterrified man
يُهالُ مِنها وَيُغشى كُلُّ مَرعوبِ
Until he scatters forces after they have mustered,
Tied back to their shoulders tightly bound.
At which men shudder and every terrified man swoons.
Dazed booty which the horses thought were
لَهُhe has كِباشٌbattle-rams بِوَقعِwith the blows of السَيفِthe sword يَغصِبُهاhe overpowers them
لَهُ كِباشٌ بِوَقعِ السَيفِ يَغصِبُها
وَكَبشُand the battle-ram of صَفِّكَyour line ماضٍadvancing غَيرُnot مَغصوبِoverpowered
وَكَبشُ صَفِّكَ ماضٍ غَيرُ مَغصوبِ
The foe has battle-rams he overpowers with sword-blows,
Like a flock of sheep from Azri'at captured.
But the ram of your battle-line presses on, never overpowered.
As if the wailing voices of the captive women
ثُمَّتَthen ناصِتfled فُلولاًas routed remnants مِنof عَدُوِّكُمُyour enemy
ثُمَّتَ ناصِت فُلولاً مِن عَدُوِّكُمُ
قَدalready أَجحَرَتretreated into holes بَينَbetween مَقتولٍone slain وَمَجنوبِand one led away captive
قَد أَجحَرَت بَينَ مَقتولٍ وَمَجنوبِ
Then they fled, shattered remnants of your enemy,
Were sounds of larks when twisted by the people.
Retreated into holes, some slain, others led away captive,
Sheep whose leader divides them,
شُدَّتwere bound يَداهُhis two hands جَميعاًtogether عِندَat مَأخَذِهِhis capture
شُدَّت يَداهُ جَميعاً عِندَ مَأخَذِهِ
شَدّاًa firm binding إِلىto جيدِهِhis neck رَبطاًa fastening بِتَقصيبِwith tight trussing
شَدّاً إِلى جيدِهِ رَبطاً بِتَقصيبِ
His two hands bound together when he is captured,
Gifted here, gifted there.
Bound fast to his neck, tightly trussed.
بَلهُnot to mention سُبِيٌّcaptives حَوَتهاgathered them الخَيلُthe cavalry تَحسَبُهاyou would reckon them
بَلهُ سُبِيٌّ حَوَتها الخَيلُ تَحسَبُها
زُهاءَabout as many as شاءٍsheep مِنَfrom الأَذرِيِّal-Adhri مَجلوبِbrought in
زُهاءَ شاءٍ مِنَ الأَذرِيِّ مَجلوبِ
Not to mention captives gathered by the cavalry, whom you would take
For a flock of sheep brought in from al-Adhri.
كَأَنَّas though رَنّاتِthe wails of نُسوانُthe women of السبِيِّthe captives وَقَدand already
كَأَنَّ رَنّاتِ نُسوانُ السبِيِّ وَقَد
أَلوىcarried off بِهاthem القَومُthe men أَصواتُthe calls of اليَعاقيبِmale partridges
أَلوى بِها القَومُ أَصواتُ اليَعاقيبِ
The wails of the captive women, when
The men carried them off, seemed like the calls of male partridges.
غُنمٌspoils يَظَلُّspends the day إِمامُthe leader of الناسthe people يَقسِمُهاdividing them
غُنمٌ يَظَلُّ إِمامُ الناس يَقسِمُها
فَبَينَso among مَوهوبَةٍa female captive bestowed مِنهاof them وَموهوبِand a male captive bestowed
فَبَينَ مَوهوبَةٍ مِنها وَموهوبِ
Spoils that the people's leader spends the day dividing,
Female and male captives alike bestowed as gifts.
Partial English translation: 139 of 146 Arabic lines translated.
Sol 6.1