عُوجَا العَنَاجِيجَ حَتَّى تَساَلاَ الطَّلَلاَ

عُوجَا العَنَاجِيجَ حَتَّى تَساَلاَ الطَّلَلاَ

قَد كَان مَا كَانَ بي مِن أمرِهِ جَلَلا

قَد كَان مَا كَانَ بي مِن أمرِهِ جَلَلا

Turn aside the swift steeds, you two, until you question the ruined campsite.

The beloveds bent their necks as the ruins were laid waste

What I suffered on its account was grievous.

What has happened to me was indeed momentous

حَلَّتُه بَعدَ الأُولى حلُّوهُ إِذ ظَعَنُوا

حَلَّتُه بَعدَ الأُولى حلُّوهُ إِذ ظَعَنُوا

أيدِى الزَّعَازِعِ مِن نَسجِ البِلَى حُلَلا

أيدِى الزَّعَازِعِ مِن نَسجِ البِلَى حُلَلا

After those who had dwelt there departed, it was clothed

They deserted me after the first separation, though they were bent

by the hands of gales in garments woven of decay.

By the machinations of fading vicissitudes into garments of humility

فَخِلتُ خَالاً بَقَايَا الآِ طَامِسَةً

فَخِلتُ خَالاً بَقَايَا الآِ طَامِسَةً

أو وَحياً أو وَشياً أو وَشماً عَلاَخِلَلا

أو وَحياً أو وَشياً أو وَشماً عَلاَخِلَلا

I imagined the fading remnants of its traces a beauty mark,

So I was left with barely discernible vestiges

or writing, or embroidery, or a tattoo showing through gaps.

Or an apparition, phantom, or stain covered in patches

قِفََا بِه وأَبكِيَاهُ إِنَّ بي عِلَلاَ

قِفََا بِه وأَبكِيَاهُ إِنَّ بي عِلَلاَ

مِن فَرطِ وَجدِى بِهِ كَى تُشفِيَا العِلَلا

مِن فَرطِ وَجدِى بِهِ كَى تُشفِيَا العِلَلا

Stop beside it and weep over it, you two; I have ailments

Stop at it and bewail it, for in me are maladies

from my excessive longing for it, so that you might cure them.

From the intensity of my passion for it, so that it may cure my ailments

قَد أنهَلتني بِهِجُملٌ عَلَى مَهَلٍ

قَد أنهَلتني بِهِجُملٌ عَلَى مَهَلٍ

خَمرَ التَّصَابي وعَلَّتني بِهَا عَلَلا

خَمرَ التَّصَابي وعَلَّتني بِهَا عَلَلا

There Juml slowly gave me a first draught

With it, assemblies overwhelmed me at a leisurely pace

of the wine of youthful dalliance, then draught after draught.

With cups of musk, which intoxicated me with them

سَلاَهُ عَن أهلِهِ إني بِهِم كَلِفٌ

سَلاَهُ عَن أهلِهِ إني بِهِم كَلِفٌ

وإِنَّ عَينَ الوَفَا أن تَسأَلاَ فَسَلا

وإِنَّ عَينَ الوَفَا أن تَسأَلاَ فَسَلا

Ask it about its people; I am devoted to them.

Ask about his family, for I am charged with them

The very essence of fidelity is that you ask—so ask.

And the eye of loyalty is to ask, so ask

أقَمتُ فِيهِ زَمَاناً في بُلَهنِيَةٍ

أقَمتُ فِيهِ زَمَاناً في بُلَهنِيَةٍ

جَذلاَنَ أرفُلُ في بُردِ الصِّبَا ثَمِلا

جَذلاَنَ أرفُلُ في بُردِ الصِّبَا ثَمِلا

I lived there for a time in ease,

I stayed with it a time in oblivion

joyful, strutting in youth's mantle, intoxicated.

Reveling in the chill of youth, ripe

قَالاَ أَلَم تَسلُ عن تِذكَارِ أزمنِهِ

قَالاَ أَلَم تَسلُ عن تِذكَارِ أزمنِهِ

فَقلتُ مَا رَبِحَ المَشغُوفُ يَومَ سَلا

فَقلتُ مَا رَبِحَ المَشغُوفُ يَومَ سَلا

They said, 'Have you not ceased recalling its days?'

They said, "Do you not ask about the memorials of its times?"

I said, 'The love-stricken man gained nothing the day he forgot.'

So I said, "The passionate does not profit on the day of asking"

ما جَنَّةُ الخُلدِ في جََحِيمِ صَبَا

ما جَنَّةُ الخُلدِ في جََحِيمِ صَبَا

بَاتٍ تُشَبُّ لِمَن بِالوَجدِ قَد شُغِلا

بَاتٍ تُشَبُّ لِمَن بِالوَجدِ قَد شُغِلا

What is the garden of eternity amid the hellfire of passionate loves,

The eternal garden is not in the hell of one

kindled for one engrossed in longing?

Who spends the night raging with passion and is preoccupied

لا أنسَى لَوعَةَ يَومَ البَينِ ظَعنُهُمُ

لا أنسَى لَوعَةَ يَومَ البَينِ ظَعنُهُمُ

تَحدُو الحُدَاةُ بها العَيدِيَّةَ الذُّلَلا

تَحدُو الحُدَاةُ بها العَيدِيَّةَ الذُّلَلا

I cannot forget the anguish of parting day, their departing caravan,

I do not forget the anguish of the day of separation, their departure

as the camel-drivers urged on its docile 'Idiyya camels.

Measured by milestones - the outstretched fingers of the guiding posts

عَالَوا عَلَى كُلِّ وَهمٍ هَو دَجاً وعَلَو

عَالَوا عَلَى كُلِّ وَهمٍ هَو دَجاً وعَلَو

هَا بالخُدُورِ وعَالَوا فَوقَهَا الكِلَلا

هَا بالخُدُورِ وعَالَوا فَوقَهَا الكِلَلا

They hoisted a howdah onto every massive camel, and raised

They went high above every fanciful illusion and ascended

it with curtained chambers, then raised canopies above it.

With litters above them and above the litters, pavilions

ما زَلتُ أرمُقُهُم والآلُ دُونَهُمُ

ما زَلتُ أرمُقُهُم والآلُ دُونَهُمُ

حَتَّى تَرَقرَقَ دَمعُ العَينِ فَأَنهَمَلا

حَتَّى تَرَقرَقَ دَمعُ العَينِ فَأَنهَمَلا

I kept watching them, with the mirage between us,

I continued to watch them while the family was beneath them

until tears welled in my eyes and poured forth.

Until the tears of my eyes overflowed and slipped down

عَهدِى بِهَا قَبلُ أَن تُحدََى مَطِيُّهُمُ

عَهدِى بِهَا قَبلُ أَن تُحدََى مَطِيُّهُمُ

نَاءَت فَفَصَّمَتِ الخَلخَالَ والحِجَلا

نَاءَت فَفَصَّمَتِ الخَلخَالَ والحِجَلا

I remember her before their mounts were driven away:

My pact with it before their riding-beasts were goaded -

she rose heavily, breaking the anklet and ankle-ring.

The bangles clinked and the anklets jingled

تَجلُو أغَرَّ شَتِيتَ النَّبتِ مُرتَشَفاً

تَجلُو أغَرَّ شَتِيتَ النَّبتِ مُرتَشَفاً

عُودُ الأَرَاكَةِ مِنهُ الخَمرَ والعَسَلا

عُودُ الأَرَاكَةِ مِنهُ الخَمرَ والعَسَلا

She bares a gleaming mouth with widely spaced teeth, from which

Appearing in the sleeve of the delicate young shoot of nim was

the arak twig sips wine and honey.

The citron-wood stirring the wine and honey

فِيهِ وفي المَيس مِنهَا مَا تَذُمُّ لَهُ

فِيهِ وفي المَيس مِنهَا مَا تَذُمُّ لَهُ

نَورُ الأَقَاحِى وخُوطَ البَانَةِ الخِضِلا

نَورُ الأَقَاحِى وخُوطَ البَانَةِ الخِضِلا

In it and in her swaying gait is what makes you slight

In it and in the mouth of the cup are virtues

daisy blossoms and the ban tree's lush branch.

It covets, like the light of flames and strips of motley cloth

قَالُوا تُذَكِّرُنَا جُملُ الظِّبَاءَ إِذَا

قَالُوا تُذَكِّرُنَا جُملُ الظِّبَاءَ إِذَا

نَصَّت وتُذكِرُ إِن تَرنُ المَهَا الهَمَلا

نَصَّت وتُذكِرُ إِن تَرنُ المَهَا الهَمَلا

They said, 'Juml recalls the gazelles to us when

They said, "The herd of mountain goats reminds us when

she lifts her head, and the roaming oryx when she gazes.'

They bleat," and it reminds if the waving palm tree sways

فَقُلتُ لَم تكنِ الآرَامُ تُشبِهُهُا

فَقُلتُ لَم تكنِ الآرَامُ تُشبِهُهُا

ولا المَهَا هَمَلاً جِيداً ولا مُقَلا

ولا المَهَا هَمَلاً جِيداً ولا مُقَلا

I said, 'The gazelles did not resemble her,

So I said, "Their bleating does not resemble this

nor the roaming oryx, in neck or eyes.'

Nor are they delicate, fine mountain goats or weaklings"

قَالُوا لَقَد زَانَ جُملاً جَعلُ لُؤلِئِهَا

قَالُوا لَقَد زَانَ جُملاً جَعلُ لُؤلِئِهَا

حَلياُ فًقُلتُ وأني تَألَفَ العَطَلا

حَلياُ فًقُلتُ وأني تَألَفَ العَطَلا

They said, 'Juml was indeed adorned by making her pearls

The blood of its lovers was shed, so they have no

into jewelry.' I said, 'How could she be accustomed to being unadorned?'

Sense - would one in love with a slain man have any sense?

ما زَانَها الحَلىُ بَل زَانَتهُ وَيحَكُمُ

ما زَانَها الحَلىُ بَل زَانَتهُ وَيحَكُمُ

فَجُملُ لِلحَلىِ لَو لم تَجهَلُوهُ حِلَى

فَجُملُ لِلحَلىِ لَو لم تَجهَلُوهُ حِلَى

Jewelry did not adorn her; she adorned it—woe to you!

If it spoke from the heights of a towering ascent to plead,

Juml is an adornment to jewelry, if only you understood.

Its cooing voice would entice down the doves

قَالُوا تُذَكِّرُنَا اللَّيلَ البَهِيمَ إِذَا

قَالُوا تُذَكِّرُنَا اللَّيلَ البَهِيمَ إِذَا

مَا أرخَتِ الفَرعَ فَوقَ المَتنِ فَانسَدَلا

مَا أرخَتِ الفَرعَ فَوقَ المَتنِ فَانسَدَلا

They said, 'She recalls the pitch-black night to us when

Saying, "O beloved! You have prolonged absence - enough!

she lets her hair fall over her back, hanging loose;

Have you made us equal after us as a substitute?"

والشَّمسَ مَهما تُمِط الخِمَارَ سَناً

والشَّمسَ مَهما تُمِط الخِمَارَ سَناً

والدِّعصَ مُرتَكَماً إِن هَزَّتِ الكَفِلا

والدِّعصَ مُرتَكَماً إِن هَزَّتِ الكَفِلا

and the sun in radiance whenever she removes her veil;

So I said, "Do not think I have taken

and a heaped sand dune when she sways her haunches.'

A substitute from you, nor listened to any justice in loving you"

فَقُلتُ لَم تَكُ في هَذا مَلاَحَتُهَا

فَقُلتُ لَم تَكُ في هَذا مَلاَحَتُهَا

ولاَ تَدَلُّلُها إِن وَصَلَت أُصُلا

ولاَ تَدَلُّلُها إِن وَصَلَت أُصُلا

I said, 'Her loveliness is not confined to this,

And I have not been consoled for your distance after your remoteness

nor her coy charm when she grants union at dusk.'

Nor hesitated in my devotion to you out of boredom

طُلَّت دِماءُ مُحبِّيها فَلَيسَ لَهُم

طُلَّت دِماءُ مُحبِّيها فَلَيسَ لَهُم

عَقلٌ أَيُلفي قَتيلٌ في الهَوى عُقِلا

عَقلٌ أَيُلفي قَتيلٌ في الهَوى عُقِلا

Her lovers' blood goes unavenged; for them there is no

O beloved! I am one firm in calamities when

blood-money—has one slain by love ever been compensated?

The claws of adversities bare themselves against me

لَو كَلَّمَت في أَعالِي شاهِقٍ وَعَلا

لَو كَلَّمَت في أَعالِي شاهِقٍ وَعَلا

لاستَنزَلَت بِحُميَّا نَغمَتِها الوِعَلا

لاستَنزَلَت بِحُميَّا نَغمَتِها الوِعَلا

If she spoke to an ibex on the heights of a lofty peak,

I accomplish momentous affairs when I desire, even if

her voice's intoxicating ardor would bring the ibexes down.

I venture upon the formidable and the difficult - it becomes easy

تَقولُ جُملٌ أَطَلتَ الهَجرَ وَيكَ فَهَل

تَقولُ جُملٌ أَطَلتَ الهَجرَ وَيكَ فَهَل

جَعَلتَ مِنَّا سِوانا بَعدَنا بَدَلا

جَعَلتَ مِنَّا سِوانا بَعدَنا بَدَلا

Juml says, 'You have prolonged estrangement—ah! Have you

Threats from enemies do not deter me -

taken someone other than us as a replacement after us?'

I have been tested before, so I know the brave hero

فَقُلتُ لا تَحسبينِي آخِذاً بَدَلاً

فَقُلتُ لا تَحسبينِي آخِذاً بَدَلاً

مِنكُم ولا سامِعاً في حُبِّكُم عَدَلا

مِنكُم ولا سامِعاً في حُبِّكُم عَدَلا

I said, 'Do not think I would take a substitute

But the news came to me that the vile ones have become notorious

for you, or heed reproach concerning my love for you.

For villainy - they boast, "This is really immorality!"

ولا تَسَلَّيتُ عَنكُم بَعدَ بُعدِكُمُ

ولا تَسَلَّيتُ عَنكُم بَعدَ بُعدِكُمُ

وَلا تَوَانَيتُ عَن وَصلِي لَكُم مَلَلا

وَلا تَوَانَيتُ عَن وَصلِي لَكُم مَلَلا

Nor have I found consolation away from you since your departure,

Boasting is only for one whose birth was pure

nor slackened from weariness in keeping my bond with you.'

And who was nurtured by firmly established ancestry

يَا جُملُ إني لَجَلدٌ في الخُطُوبِ إِذَا

يَا جُملُ إني لَجَلدٌ في الخُطُوبِ إِذَا

أبدَت نَواجِذَها المُعوَجَّةَ العُصُلا

أبدَت نَواجِذَها المُعوَجَّةَ العُصُلا

O Juml, I am indeed steadfast amid calamities when

Your boasting in corners is nothing but laughable -

they bare their crooked, twisted molars.

You have never been accustomed to knowledge or deeds

سَهلُ السَّجِيّةِ مَرهُوبَ الأَذَيَّةِ مَر

سَهلُ السَّجِيّةِ مَرهُوبَ الأَذَيَّةِ مَر

جُوُّ العَطِيَّةِ بَذَّالٌ لِمَن سَأَلا

جُوُّ العَطِيَّةِ بَذَّالٌ لِمَن سَأَلا

Easy in disposition, feared for the harm I inflict, hoped-for

You have corrupted religion until it has become mixed-up

in my gifts, lavish toward anyone who asks.

And knowledge until it has tattered remnants

إني كَمِىٌّ قوي الجَأشِ ثَابَتُهُ

إني كَمِىٌّ قوي الجَأشِ ثَابَتُهُ

عِندَ الشَّدَائِدِ إِن تَلحَق خُصىً بِكُلَى

عِندَ الشَّدَائِدِ إِن تَلحَق خُصىً بِكُلَى

I am a warrior, strong and steady of heart,

The wares of Iblis thrive because of you, so for you

in hardships, even when testicles draw up toward kidneys.

In the heart of Iblis is a love that does not compare

أُجِلَّ خَطباً حِينَ شِئتُ وإِن

أُجِلَّ خَطباً حِينَ شِئتُ وإِن

يَمَّمتُ مُستَعظَماً مُستَصعَباً سُهَلا

يَمَّمتُ مُستَعظَماً مُستَصعَباً سُهَلا

I deem a crisis grave when I choose; and if

You obeyed him, so you have become his messengers -

I approach something considered great and difficult, it grows easy.

Disobedient to his commandments, you messengers!

لَيسَ الوَعِيدُ مِنَ الأَعدَا يُنَهنُهني

لَيسَ الوَعِيدُ مِنَ الأَعدَا يُنَهنُهني

جُرِّبتُ قَبلُ فَأُلفِيتُ الفَتَى البَطَلا

جُرِّبتُ قَبلُ فَأُلفِيتُ الفَتَى البَطَلا

Threats from enemies do not deter me;

More astray than all who have gone astray

I was tested before and found to be the heroic young man.

Is he who led you astray from the paths

لَكِنني جَاءني أنَّ الأُلَى اشتَهَرُوا

لَكِنني جَاءني أنَّ الأُلَى اشتَهَرُوا

باللُّؤمِ قَد فَخَرُوا هَا إِنَّ ذَا لَبَلا

باللُّؤمِ قَد فَخَرُوا هَا إِنَّ ذَا لَبَلا

Yet word has reached me that those renowned

When the intimates gather, your title

for baseness have boasted—behold, this is indeed an affliction!

Belies you, while the case testifies, altering titles

ما الفَخرُ إلاَّ لِمَن طَابَت أرُومَتُهُ

ما الفَخرُ إلاَّ لِمَن طَابَت أرُومَتُهُ

وكَانَ يُنمَى لأصلٍ ثَابِتٍ أَصُلا

وكَانَ يُنمَى لأصلٍ ثَابِتٍ أَصُلا

Boasting belongs only to one whose lineage is pure,

We came to you with a delegation from the Bani Hasan

who traces his descent to an origin firmly rooted.

Whose noses look down on all the high-minded

مَا فَخرُكُم في الزَّوَايَا غَيرَ مُضحكَةٍ

مَا فَخرُكُم في الزَّوَايَا غَيرَ مُضحكَةٍ

لم تألَفُوا أبَدا عِلماً ولاَ عَمَلا

لم تألَفُوا أبَدا عِلماً ولاَ عَمَلا

Your boasting among the Zawaya is nothing but a joke;

When we alighted, you disdained us stingily

you have never been familiar with either knowledge or deeds.

Though almost your father welcomes all who alight

أفسَدتُمُ الدِّينَ حَتَّى صَارَ مُختَلِطاً

أفسَدتُمُ الدِّينَ حَتَّى صَارَ مُختَلِطاً

والعِلمَ حتى تَرَدَّى سابِغاتِ بِلى

والعِلمَ حتى تَرَدَّى سابِغاتِ بِلى

You corrupted religion until it became confused,

You betrayed us and betrayal was your wont

and learning until it donned ample garments of decay.

Before, and you prepared infirmities for our lodging

راجَت بِضاعَةُ إِبليسٍ بِكُم فَلَكُم

راجَت بِضاعَةُ إِبليسٍ بِكُم فَلَكُم

في قَلبِ إِبليسَ حُبٌّ لَم يَشبِ بِقِلَى

في قَلبِ إِبليسَ حُبٌّ لَم يَشبِ بِقِلَى

Iblis's merchandise flourished through you, so you have

You harassed us with what your women are accustomed to

in Iblis's heart a love unmixed with hatred.

The hand of a wretched harassing woman was paralyzed

طَاوَعتُمُوهُ فَأصبَحتُم لَهُ رُسلاً

طَاوَعتُمُوهُ فَأصبَحتُم لَهُ رُسلاً

تَعصُونَ لِمَأمُورَاتِهِ الرُّسلا

تَعصُونَ لِمَأمُورَاتِهِ الرُّسلا

You obeyed him and became his messengers,

Is this what the proud, honorable ones do when

defying the true messengers to carry out his commands.

Delegations of honorable, eminent nobles come to them?

لاَحَىَّ أجدَرَ بِالمَلحَاةِ أجمِعَهَا

لاَحَىَّ أجدَرَ بِالمَلحَاةِ أجمِعَهَا

مِنكُم ولاَحَىَّ أغوَى مِنكُمُ سُبُلا

مِنكُم ولاَحَىَّ أغوَى مِنكُمُ سُبُلا

No tribe is more deserving of every rebuke

May Allah fight you from every living thing - damned are you!

than you, nor is any tribe more misguided in its paths.

In time, none like you has been created possessing faults

يَكسُو إِذَا اجتمَعَ الأَندَاءُ نَادِيكُم

يَكسُو إِذَا اجتمَعَ الأَندَاءُ نَادِيكُم

والحَالُ شَاهِدَةٌ صِرفَ الخَنَا

والحَالُ شَاهِدَةٌ صِرفَ الخَنَا

When gatherings convene, your council clothes them

Your wickedness and deception and disobedience and cunning have been brought together in you by Allah

in sheer foulness—the circumstances bear witness.

If you are mentioned in the regions of Muslims, you show disgust

جِئنَاكُمُ مَعَ وَفدٍ مِن بني حَسَنٍ

جِئنَاكُمُ مَعَ وَفدٍ مِن بني حَسَنٍ

شُمِّ الأنُوفِ على كُلِّ العُلاَ اشتَمَلا

شُمِّ الأنُوفِ على كُلِّ العُلاَ اشتَمَلا

We came to you with a delegation from Banu Hasan,

The intellect of the suckling babe among you, while still nursing

proud-nosed men embracing every height of honor.

Is like the intellect of one whose hair has turned white in his locks

لَمَّا نَزَلَنا تََهَاوَنتُم بِنَا بُخُلاًَ

لَمَّا نَزَلَنا تََهَاوَنتُم بِنَا بُخُلاًَ

إِذ ذَا كَدَ أبُكُمُ مَع كُلِّ مَن نَزَلا

إِذ ذَا كَدَ أبُكُمُ مَع كُلِّ مَن نَزَلا

When we lodged, you slighted us out of stinginess,

O my ignoble son! With what were you boasting,

for such was your father's habit toward everyone who lodged.

Rendering me ignorant of your dishonorable ancestry?

وخُنتُمُونَا وكَانَ الغَدرُ دَيدَنَكُم

وخُنتُمُونَا وكَانَ الغَدرُ دَيدَنَكُم

قدما وهَيَّأتُمُ العَورَا لَنَا نُزُلا

قدما وهَيَّأتُمُ العَورَا لَنَا نُزُلا

You betrayed us; treachery had been your custom

Do not seek benefit from the Family of Zain,

of old, and you prepared disgrace as our hospitality.

For they did not raise you up, nor did you attain hopes through them

وخَاذَفَتنَا بِمَا ألفَت نِسَاؤُكُمُ

وخَاذَفَتنَا بِمَا ألفَت نِسَاؤُكُمُ

شَلَّت يَدُ امرَأةٍ خذَّافَةٍ شَلَلا

شَلَّت يَدُ امرَأةٍ خذَّافَةٍ شَلَلا

Your women pelted us with what they were accustomed to;

You were disgraced among people and degraded

may the hand of a stone-flinging woman be utterly paralyzed!

And you became disgraced among people and degraded

أهَكَذَا تَفعَلُ الشُّمُّ الكِرَامُ إِذَا

أهَكَذَا تَفعَلُ الشُّمُّ الكِرَامُ إِذَا

وَافي الوُفُودُ الكِرَامُ السَّادَةَ الفُضُلا

وَافي الوُفُودُ الكِرَامُ السَّادَةَ الفُضُلا

Is this how proud, noble people behave when

Whoever seeks elevation through them, his paths are straitened

noble delegations come to eminent, honorable lords?

For they are harsh shepherds, all of them ignorant

لَحَاكُمُ اللهُ مِن حَىٍّ فَحَيُّكُمُ

لَحَاكُمُ اللهُ مِن حَىٍّ فَحَيُّكُمُ

لَم يُلفَ في الدَّهرِ مَعنِياً بِمَا جَمُلا

لَم يُلفَ في الدَّهرِ مَعنِياً بِمَا جَمُلا

May God disgrace you as a tribe; your tribe

As for your cherished support, it is feasible

has never been found concerned with anything worthy.

If not for your poverty and begging for crumbs

تَبًّالَكُم لَم يَكُن مَن جَاءَ نَادِيَكُم

تَبًّالَكُم لَم يَكُن مَن جَاءَ نَادِيَكُم

يُلفي بِهِ إمرَأَةً حَسنَا ولاَ رَجُلا

يُلفي بِهِ إمرَأَةً حَسنَا ولاَ رَجُلا

Woe to you! No one who came to your gathering

You have continually praised them fulsomely, trailing

ever found there a good woman or a good man.

The trains of your gown, though the one praised did not give at all

يُلغِى سَعَالِىَ تجري بَينَ أخبِيَةٍ

يُلغِى سَعَالِىَ تجري بَينَ أخبِيَةٍ

تَأوي إِلَيهَا قُرُودٌ مُلِّئَت بُخُلا

تَأوي إِلَيهَا قُرُودٌ مُلِّئَت بُخُلا

He finds she-ghouls running among tents

The elder, O Ghumr, is only one who ascended in

where monkeys filled with stinginess take shelter.

The degrees of the Hallowed Court and peered downward

قَد أورَثَتكُم وأَولَتكُم أوَائلُكُم

قَد أورَثَتكُم وأَولَتكُم أوَائلُكُم

اللُّؤمَ والمَكرَ والعِصيَان والحِيلا

اللُّؤمَ والمَكرَ والعِصيَان والحِيلا

Your forebears bequeathed and bestowed upon you

Love of Him pervaded everything with a living soul

baseness, deceit, disobedience, and tricks.

And His knowledge encompassed all who sought refuge in Him

فَجَمَّعَ اللهُ فِيكُم كُلَّ مَلأَمَةٍ

فَجَمَّعَ اللهُ فِيكُم كُلَّ مَلأَمَةٍ

إِن تُذكَرُوا بِنَواحِىِ مُسلِمٍ تَفَلا

إِن تُذكَرُوا بِنَواحِىِ مُسلِمٍ تَفَلا

Thus God gathered every disgrace within you;

And the development of knowledge in Him quenched the thirst

if you are mentioned near a Muslim, he spits.

Of gnosis - all who dwelt in His protection became devoted

فَعَقلُ ذِى المَهدِ مِنكُم وَهوَ مُرتَضِعٌ

فَعَقلُ ذِى المَهدِ مِنكُم وَهوَ مُرتَضِعٌ

كَعَقلِ مَن شَيبُهُ في فَودِهِ اشتَعَلا

كَعَقلِ مَن شَيبُهُ في فَودِهِ اشتَعَلا

The mind of one of your sucklings in the cradle

And every trace of hesitation in Him was avoided

is like the mind of one whose temples blaze with gray hair.

And the veil of vain desire was removed from Him and united

يَا نَجلَ بي بِمَاذَا كُنتَ مُفتَخِراً

يَا نَجلَ بي بِمَاذَا كُنتَ مُفتَخِراً

أخِلتني جَاهِلاَ آبَاءَكَ الأُوُلا

أخِلتني جَاهِلاَ آبَاءَكَ الأُوُلا

O son of Bi, of what were you boasting?

Holding fast to the bond of submission, avoiding

Did you imagine me ignorant of your forefathers?

Caprice, directing with the hand of empowerment, compliant

لا تَحجُ في آلِ زَينٍ نَيلَ مُنفَعَةٍ

لا تَحجُ في آلِ زَينٍ نَيلَ مُنفَعَةٍ

لَم يَرفَعُوكَ وَلَم تَبلُغ بِهِم أمَلا

لَم يَرفَعُوكَ وَلَم تَبلُغ بِهِم أمَلا

Do not seek any benefit among the house of Zayn;

As for the one who was concealed in baseness

they did not elevate you, nor did you attain your hopes through them.

Passions and fantasies coursed through his heart

قَد كُنتَ مُمتَهَناً في النَّاسِ مُبتَذَلاً

قَد كُنتَ مُمتَهَناً في النَّاسِ مُبتَذَلاً

وصِرتَ مُمتَهناً في النَّاسِ مُبتَذَلا

وصِرتَ مُمتَهناً في النَّاسِ مُبتَذَلا

You were held cheap and despised among people,

Engrossed with people's faults, filled up

and have become held cheap and despised among people.

If God is mentioned, he mentions sheep or camels

مَن رَامَ رَفعاً بِهِم ضَاقَت مَذَاهِبُهُ

مَن رَامَ رَفعاً بِهِم ضَاقَت مَذَاهِبُهُ

فَهُم رُعاةٌ جُفَاةٌ كُلُّهُم جُهَلا

فَهُم رُعاةٌ جُفَاةٌ كُلُّهُم جُهَلا

Whoever seeks elevation through them finds his paths narrowed,

So he is not an elder, and whoever takes him as his authority

for they are rude shepherds, all ignorant.

To the path of disobedience, vain desire and arrival

أمَّا إعَانتُكَ المَلهُوفَ مُمَكِنِةٌ

أمَّا إعَانتُكَ المَلهُوفَ مُمَكِنِةٌ

لَولاَ إفتِقَارُكَ وإستِطعَامُكَ الُخَلا

لَولاَ إفتِقَارُكَ وإستِطعَامُكَ الُخَلا

As for your helping the distressed, it might be possible,

And your being the son of Jalaa requires proof

were it not for your poverty and begging food from friends.

Since the truth with us is that you are the son of emptiness

ما زِلتَ تطرِيهُم مَدحاً تُجَرِّرُ مِن

ما زِلتَ تطرِيهُم مَدحاً تُجَرِّرُ مِن

أَذيَالِ مِينِكَ والمَمدُوحَ مَا بَذَلا

أَذيَالِ مِينِكَ والمَمدُوحَ مَا بَذَلا

You kept lavishly praising them, trailing

You were a sponging foundling, and grew up just as

the skirts of your lies, while the praised man gave nothing.

You were a child, and were not occupied with attaining nobility

مَا الشَّيخُ يَا غُمرُ إِلا مَن تَصَعَّدَ في

مَا الشَّيخُ يَا غُمرُ إِلا مَن تَصَعَّدَ في

مَرَاتِبِ الحَضَرَاتِ الغُرِّ وأنسَفَلا

مَرَاتِبِ الحَضَرَاتِ الغُرِّ وأنسَفَلا

A shaykh, you fool, is only one who has ascended through

If they present you for composing poetry, then

the ranks of radiant presences, and also descended;

Chaff may be fed when no food can be found

وخَامَرَ الحُبُّ مِنهُ كُلَّ مَا نَفَسٍ

وخَامَرَ الحُبُّ مِنهُ كُلَّ مَا نَفَسٍ

وعَمَّ مِنهُ جَمِيعَ العَالمِينَ إِلَى

وعَمَّ مِنهُ جَمِيعَ العَالمِينَ إِلَى

whose every breath has been permeated by love,

As for your pretense of piety, it is pure treason -

and whose favors have encompassed all the worlds;

You did not intend by it the face of God, Most High

وجُرِّبَ العِلمُ فِيهِ بَاطِنَاً وَسَقَى

وجُرِّبَ العِلمُ فِيهِ بَاطِنَاً وَسَقَى

عِرفَانُهُ كُلَّ مَن آوَى إِلَيهِ وِلَى

عِرفَانُهُ كُلَّ مَن آوَى إِلَيهِ وِلَى

whose knowledge has been tested inwardly, and whose

Rather, it was hypocrisy from you for the flock, so that

gnosis has watered all who sought his shelter and friendship;

You may hunt from them when they swarm to gifts like bees

وجَانَبَت كُلَّ مَومُوقٍ قُرُونُتُهُ

وجَانَبَت كُلَّ مَومُوقٍ قُرُونُتُهُ

وُدكَّ عَنهُ حِجَابُ الغَىِّ فأتَّصَلا

وُدكَّ عَنهُ حِجَابُ الغَىِّ فأتَّصَلا

whose soul has shunned every cherished thing;

And that your mother never straightened her spine denies

the veil of error was shattered from him, and he attained union,

What you said, indicating that she was not honored with reason

مُستَمسِكاً بِعُرَى التَّسلِيمِ مُجتنِباً

مُستَمسِكاً بِعُرَى التَّسلِيمِ مُجتنِباً

مُصِّرفاً بِيدِ التَّمكِينِ مُمتَثِلا

مُصِّرفاً بِيدِ التَّمكِينِ مُمتَثِلا

holding fast to the bonds of surrender, abstaining,

It does not enter one's heart that you could disparage me

directed by the hand of empowerment, obedient.

When I am a branch of the towering tree of language

أمَّا الذي كَانَ في السُّفلِىِّ مُحتَجِباً

أمَّا الذي كَانَ في السُّفلِىِّ مُحتَجِباً

رَانَت عَلَى قَلبِهِ الأهوَاءُ والخُيُلا

رَانَت عَلَى قَلبِهِ الأهوَاءُ والخُيُلا

But one who remains veiled in the lower realm,

I practiced composing poetry before you and did not

whose heart is coated by passions and conceit,

Recite it to them without it pleasing their hearing and dissolving

مُكردَساً بِعُيُوبِ النَّاسِ مُمتَلِئاً

مُكردَساً بِعُيُوبِ النَّاسِ مُمتَلِئاً

إِن يُذكَرِ اللهُ يَذكُر شَاءً أو إِبِلا

إِن يُذكَرِ اللهُ يَذكُر شَاءً أو إِبِلا

heaped up and filled with people's faults,

And they admired it, and were satisfied with my discourse while you - when

who, when God is mentioned, mentions sheep or camels,

You were absent from it, it only increased with me in elevation and ascent

فَلَيسَ شَيخاً ومَن يَجعَلهُ حُجَّتَهُ

فَلَيسَ شَيخاً ومَن يَجعَلهُ حُجَّتَهُ

ِإلَى طَرِيقِ المَعَاصِى والهَوَى وَصَلا

ِإلَى طَرِيقِ المَعَاصِى والهَوَى وَصَلا

is no shaykh; whoever makes him his authority

How many feeble poets I have left routed in adversity

has reached the path of sins and desire.

When the wounds of satire became congealed

وكَونُكَ إبنَ جَلاَ يَحتَاجُ بَيِّنَةً

وكَونُكَ إبنَ جَلاَ يَحتَاجُ بَيِّنَةً

إِذِ الصَّوابُ عِندَنَا أنَّكَ إبنُ خَلا

إِذِ الصَّوابُ عِندَنَا أنَّكَ إبنُ خَلا

Your being 'Ibn Jala' requires evidence,

So here is a pearl of poetry not contrived

for we think the truth is that you are 'Ibn Khala.'

That will give you a drink if you understand its essence, O dolt!

قَد كُنتَ طِفلاً طُفَيلِيًّا وشِبتَ كَمَا

قَد كُنتَ طِفلاً طُفَيلِيًّا وشِبتَ كَمَا

قَد كُنتَ طِفلاً فَلَم تُشغَل بِنَيلِ عُلا

قَد كُنتَ طِفلاً فَلَم تُشغَل بِنَيلِ عُلا

You were a freeloading child, and grew gray just as

Respond quickly - do not prolong it for me

you were in childhood, never occupied with attaining honor.

For I was not one to prolong it for you

إِن قَدَّمُوكَ لإنشاءِ القَرِيضِ فَقَد

إِن قَدَّمُوكَ لإنشاءِ القَرِيضِ فَقَد

يُرعَى الهَشِيمُ إِذَا لَم يُوَجَدنَّ كَلا

يُرعَى الهَشِيمُ إِذَا لَم يُوَجَدنَّ كَلا

If they put you forward to compose verse, remember:

dry stalks are grazed when no fresh pasture is found.

أمَّا إِدِّعَاؤُكَ لِلتَّقُوَى فَمَحضُ خَنًى

أمَّا إِدِّعَاؤُكَ لِلتَّقُوَى فَمَحضُ خَنًى

لَم تَقصُدنَّ بِهِ وَجهَ الإلَه عَلا

لَم تَقصُدنَّ بِهِ وَجهَ الإلَه عَلا

As for your claim to piety, it is sheer foulness;

you never sought through it the face of God, exalted is He.

بل كَانَ مِنكَ رِيَاءً لِلرَّعِيةِ كَى

بل كَانَ مِنكَ رِيَاءً لِلرَّعِيةِ كَى

تَصطَادَ مِنهُم إِذَا أمُّوا العَطَا نِحَلا

تَصطَادَ مِنهُم إِذَا أمُّوا العَطَا نِحَلا

Rather, it was ostentation before the people, so that

you might snare presents from them when they turned to giving.

وَكَونُ أُمِّكَ ما عَقَّت يُكَذِّبُهُ

وَكَونُ أُمِّكَ ما عَقَّت يُكَذِّبُهُ

ما عاشَ بَيٌّ مُهاناً جائِعاً وَجِلا

ما عاشَ بَيٌّ مُهاناً جائِعاً وَجِلا

The claim that your mother was never undutiful is contradicted

by the life Bayy led, humiliated, hungry, and afraid.

وكَونُ بي أبِيكََ القدمِ شِيمَتهُ

وكَونُ بي أبِيكََ القدمِ شِيمَتهُ

بَينَ الوَرَى أَخذُهُ في كَفِّهِ أُكُلا

بَينَ الوَرَى أَخذُهُ في كَفِّهِ أُكُلا

And Bi, your father—his habit from of old

among people was to take food in his palm.

مَا زَالَ يَرفُلُ في عُرىٍ ومَسغَبةٍ

مَا زَالَ يَرفُلُ في عُرىٍ ومَسغَبةٍ

يَجُرُّ أَذيَالَ ذُلٍّ بَينَ كُلِّ مَلا

يَجُرُّ أَذيَالَ ذُلٍّ بَينَ كُلِّ مَلا

He went on strutting in nakedness and hunger,

dragging the skirts of humiliation through every assembly.

لِم لاَ تَكَن كَاسِيًّا بَيًّا ومُطعِمَهُ

لِم لاَ تَكَن كَاسِيًّا بَيًّا ومُطعِمَهُ

وأنتَ نَجلٌ لبي بِئسَ مَا نَجَلا

وأنتَ نَجلٌ لبي بِئسَ مَا نَجَلا

Why did you not clothe Bayy and feed him,

you, a son of Bi—wretched was what he begot!

عَيَّرتَ بِالجَهلِ أصلِى غَيرَ مُدَّكِرٍ

عَيَّرتَ بِالجَهلِ أصلِى غَيرَ مُدَّكِرٍ

بَيًّا وبي طَالَمَا جَهِلا

بَيًّا وبي طَالَمَا جَهِلا

You reproached my lineage for ignorance, forgetting

that Bayy and Bi were long ignorant.

وإِنَّ نَانَا التى قَد قُلتَ مُشعِرَةٌ

وإِنَّ نَانَا التى قَد قُلتَ مُشعِرَةٌ

مِن كُلِّ وجهٍ بِأن لَم تُعزَ لِلعُقَلا

مِن كُلِّ وجهٍ بِأن لَم تُعزَ لِلعُقَلا

And the 'nana' you uttered indicates

in every way that you are not counted among the rational.

ولَيسَ يَدخُلُ قَلباً أَن تُلَحَنني

ولَيسَ يَدخُلُ قَلباً أَن تُلَحَنني

وقَد تَفَرَّعتُ مِن طَودِ اللُّغَى القُلَلا

وقَد تَفَرَّعتُ مِن طَودِ اللُّغَى القُلَلا

It enters no one's mind that you could fault my grammar,

when I have scaled the summits of language's mountain.

مَارَستُ قَبلَكَ إنشَاءَ القَرِيضِ وَمَا

مَارَستُ قَبلَكَ إنشَاءَ القَرِيضِ وَمَا

أنشَدتُهُم لَذَّ في آذِنِهِم وحَلا

أنشَدتُهُم لَذَّ في آذِنِهِم وحَلا

I practiced composing verse before you, and what

I recited to them was delightful and sweet in their ears.

واستَحسَنُوا وأرتَضوا حَوكِى وأَنتَ إِذَا

واستَحسَنُوا وأرتَضوا حَوكِى وأَنتَ إِذَا

ما غِبتَهُ ازدَادَ عِندِى رِفعَةً وعَلا

ما غِبتَهُ ازدَادَ عِندِى رِفعَةً وعَلا

They admired and approved my weaving; when you

disparage it, it only gains stature and height with me.

كَم شَاعِرٍ ذَرِبٍ غَادَرتُ في كُرَبٍ

كَم شَاعِرٍ ذَرِبٍ غَادَرتُ في كُرَبٍ

إِذ صَارَ بالهَجوِ القُرحُ مُندَمِلا

إِذ صَارَ بالهَجوِ القُرحُ مُندَمِلا

How many a sharp-tongued poet have I left in distress,

when, through satire, the wound came to heal.

فَهَاكَ دُرَّ قَرِيضٍ غَيرِ مُعتَسَفِ

فَهَاكَ دُرَّ قَرِيضٍ غَيرِ مُعتَسَفِ

يَسقِيكَ إِن تَدرِ مَعنَى كُنهِهِ خَبَلا

يَسقِيكَ إِن تَدرِ مَعنَى كُنهِهِ خَبَلا

Take, then, these pearls of verse, unforced,

which, if you grasp their deepest meaning, will make you drink madness.

أجِب عَلَى عَجَلٍ لاَ تَرخِ لِى طِوَلاً

أجِب عَلَى عَجَلٍ لاَ تَرخِ لِى طِوَلاً

فَإِنني لَم أكُن أرخِى لَكَ الطِّوَلا

فَإِنني لَم أكُن أرخِى لَكَ الطِّوَلا

Reply in haste; do not let my tether run long,

for I never let your tether run long.