ياO للطّلولfor the ruins! ويالهاand how wondrous they are! منof أرُبعِdwelling sites
يا للطّلول ويالها من أرُبعِ
مَثلتappeared لناto us بيْنَbetween اللّوىal-Liwa فالأجْرَعِand then al-Ajra‘
مَثلت لنا بيْنَ اللّوى فالأجْرَعِ
O the ruins, and what dwelling sites they are!
O you tall statuesque beauty
They appeared before us between al-Liwa and al-Ajra‘.
You appeared to us among the twisting sands
عجباًhow strange! نُجَدّدwe renew فيin عِراصِthe courtyards of رسومهاtheir traces
عجباً نُجَدّد في عِراصِ رسومها
عَهدَthe covenant of الهوىlove ونُجُودَهاand we drench them بالأدمُعِwith tears
عَهدَ الهوى ونُجُودَها بالأدمُعِ
How strange that, amid the courtyards of their traces, we renew
How strange we are renewed in following her traces
the covenant of love and drench them with tears.
The days of love and its generosity with tears
ونقولand we say ماwhat فعلdid الجميعthe gathered company وأينand where ليfor me
ونقول ما فعل الجميع وأين لي
ردُّthe return of الجوابan answer منfrom الخَلاءthe empty waste البَلْقَعِbarren
ردُّ الجواب من الخَلاء البَلْقَعِ
We ask, 'What became of the company?' Yet where can I
And we say what everyone did and where can I
find an answer from the empty, barren waste?
Get an answer in the empty wilderness
عَهديmy recollection بهاof them والدَّارُand the dwelling جامعَةٌbringing together لَناfor us
عَهدي بها والدَّارُ جامعَةٌ لَنا
زَمناًfor a time وشعبand the union of الحَيّthe clan لمhad not يتَصَدّعِsplit apart
زَمناً وشعب الحَيّ لم يتَصَدّعِ
I remember them when the dwelling gathered us
My pledge to her while the house gathered us
for a time, and the clan's union had not split apart.
For a time and the people of the district were not divided
والأصْفياءand the closest friends منamong الأحبّةthe loved ones جيرةٌneighbors
والأصْفياء من الأحبّة جيرةٌ
يَغْنَونthey dwell فيin المصْطَافِthe summer quarters والمُتَربَّعِand the spring encampment
يَغْنَون في المصْطَافِ والمُتَربَّعِ
The dearest of our loved ones were neighbors,
And the chaste, beloved neighbors
dwelling in the summer quarters and the spring encampment.
Who sing in the summer-place and the square
ولناand we have مسارحُplaces to roam فيin مَلاعبِplaygrounds للصّبىfor youth
ولنا مسارحُ في مَلاعبِ للصّبى
بيْنَamong الجآذرwild-ox calves والظَّباءand gazelles الرتَّعِfreely grazing
بيْنَ الجآذر والظَّباء الرتَّعِ
We had places to roam in the playgrounds of youth,
And we have playgrounds for the boys
among wild-ox calves and freely grazing gazelles:
Between the streams and the grazing gazelles
منof كلevery آنسةcharming maiden منعَّمةdelicate الشّوىin the limbs
من كل آنسة منعَّمة الشّوى
تختالshe struts بينbetween محبَّرٍembroidered cloth ومُوشعِand patterned cloth
تختال بين محبَّرٍ ومُوشعِ
each a charming maiden with delicate limbs,
From every lovely doe, perfumed with passion
strutting amid embroidered and patterned garments.
Sashaying between embroidered cloth and glossy silk
برزَتْshe came forth تثنّيswaying فيin الدّلالcoquetry كأنّماas though
برزَتْ تثنّي في الدّلال كأنّما
كُسيتwere clothed مجاسِدُهاher close-fitting gowns غصونَboughs of الخروعِthe castor plant
كُسيت مجاسِدُها غصونَ الخروعِ
She came forth, swaying coquettishly, as though
She came out, swaying coquettishly as if
her gowns were clad in castor-tree boughs.
Her pillows were draped with tendrils of basil
وبدتand she appeared ترقرقshimmering فيin فرندthe luster of شَبابِهاher youth
وبدت ترقرق في فرند شَبابِها
كالشَّمسlike the sun لائحةًshining أوانat the time of المطلعِsunrise
كالشَّمس لائحةً أوان المطلعِ
She appeared, shimmering in the luster of her youth,
And she appeared, shimmering in the prime of her youth
like the sun shining at the hour of sunrise.
Like the rising sun or at daybreak
ولهاand she has غديرa tress كالحنادسlike pitch-dark nights تحتهاbeneath it
ولها غدير كالحنادس تحتها
قَمرٌa moon لعَشرٍof ten days فيin الحسابthe reckoning وأربَعِand four
قَمرٌ لعَشرٍ في الحساب وأربَعِ
She had a tress like pitch-dark nights, beneath which
And she has a pond like the colored pebbles beneath her
was a moon fourteen days old by the reckoning.
A moon for ten in counting but only four
سربa flock of الأنيسdear companions بهin it غنَيْناwe dwelt مَرّةًonce
سرب الأنيس به غنَيْنا مَرّةً
زَمنin the days of الحمىthe protected pasture والسَّربٌand the flock غيرnot مُرَوّعِfrightened
زَمن الحمى والسَّربٌ غير مُرَوّعِ
A flock of dear companions, among whom we once dwelt,
A flock of friends with whom we were happy for a time
in the days of the protected pasture, the flock unafraid.
In days of love before the flock was frightened
ثمthen انقضىpassed عهدُthe days of الجميعthe gathered company وعهدناand our days
ثم انقضى عهدُ الجميع وعهدنا
لاnot غيرother than أناthat we كالهيامlike thirst-crazed camels النُّزّعِyearning for home
لا غير أنا كالهيام النُّزّعِ
Then the days of togetherness passed, and our days are
Then the time of all passed including ours
only this: we are like thirst-crazed, homesick camels.
Except I remain like a helpless gazelle
يَعتَادُناreturns to us حرُّthe burning of الصَّيانةِself-restraint كلَّماwhenever
يَعتَادُنا حرُّ الصَّيانةِ كلَّما
خطرتْstirred بهof it الذِّكرىremembrance خلالَamong الأضلعِthe ribs
خطرتْ به الذِّكرى خلالَ الأضلعِ
The burning of self-restraint returns to us whenever
She is used to my passion whenever
remembrance of it stirs between our ribs.
She crosses my mind through my ribs
ويهيجناand rouses us شمُّsmelling النسيمthe breeze إذاwhen جرىit flows
ويهيجنا شمُّ النسيم إذا جرى
ويشوقناand makes us yearn شيمْwatching البُروقthe lightning flashes اللَّمعِgleaming
ويشوقنا شيمْ البُروق اللَّمعِ
The scent of the breeze rouses us when it flows,
And the scent of the breeze awakens me when it blows
and watching flashing lightning fills us with longing.
And the lightning flashing excites me
طالhas lasted long الولوعِthe passion بذكرfor remembering أيّامthe days of الصّبىyouth
طال الولوعِ بذكر أيّام الصّبى
عبثاًin vain وهلand is there فيin ردّهاbringing them back منany مطمَعِhope
عبثاً وهل في ردّها من مطمَعِ
Long has our passion for recalling youth's days endured,
Longing for the days of youth was futile
in vain—for is there any hope of bringing them back?
Is there any hope of their return?
ولقدand indeed أرىI see ليfor myself فيin التعلُّلself-consolation راحةًcomfort
ولقد أرى لي في التعلُّل راحةً
بتذكّرby remembering الماضيthe past وإنand even if لمit does not يَرجعِreturn
بتذكّر الماضي وإن لم يَرجعِ
Yet I do find comfort in consoling myself
And I see comfort for myself in complaining
by remembering the past, though it does not return.
By remembering the past even if it doesn't come back
وأطيلand I prolong شكوىcomplaints about حالتيmy condition وإخَالنيand I think myself
وأطيل شكوى حالتي وإخَالني
فيin راحةٍcomfort وغنىًand wealth ولَمّاand not yet أقنَعِcontent
في راحةٍ وغنىً ولَمّا أقنَعِ
I prolong my complaints about my lot, though I think myself
And I prolong complaining of my state and my solitude
at ease and wealthy, but am not yet content.
In comfort, wealth and satisfaction I did not attain
كمhow many غابطone envying without malice ليme وهوwhile he دُونيَbelow me فيin الغنىwealth
كم غابط لي وهو دُونيَ في الغنى
لوif قسْتُI compared ماwhat معهُis with him رَضيتُI would be content بماwith what مَعيis with me
لو قسْتُ ما معهُ رَضيتُ بما مَعي
How many envy me, though poorer than I!
How many poor compared to me in wealth
If I compared what he has, I would be content with what I have.
If I counted what he has I wouldn't be satisfied with what I have
أوor ماnot كَفَانيspared me غُصّتيmy choking grief وتمسّكيand my holding fast
أو ما كَفَاني غُصّتي وتمسّكي
برضىto the favor of أبيAbu (father of) عبد‘Abd (servant of) الإلهal-Ilah (God) الأرْوَعِthe noble
برضى أبي عبد الإله الأرْوَعِ
Or has my choking grief not been eased by my holding fast
Or if my misfortune and my insistence
to the favor of the noble Abu ‘Abd al-Ilah?
On the consent of my father, the most noble, didn't satisfy me
حسْبيenough for me جوارُthe protection of محمّدٌMuhammad بنson of مُعمّرٍMu‘ammar
حسْبي جوارُ محمّدٌ بن مُعمّرٍ
ووقوعand the reception of شعريmy poetry منهwith him أحسنَthe finest موقعِplace
ووقوع شعري منه أحسنَ موقعِ
The protection of Muhammad ibn Mu‘ammar suffices me,
It's enough for me to be near Muhammad ibn Mu'ammar
and the finest reception my poetry finds with him,
And that he accepts my poetry in the best way
بسعَادةwith good fortune لإرادةٍfor a wish ووفادةand a visit
بسعَادة لإرادةٍ ووفادة
وزيادةand added bounty منfrom عادةa custom لمnot تقطعِbroken
وزيادة من عادة لم تقطعِ
with good fortune for my wishes and my visit,
With good fortune, desire, and loyalty
and added bounty from a custom never broken.
And excess of habit that did not cut off
وهوand he is الرَّبيعspringtime المستهلُّpouring rain غمامةُa cloud
وهو الرَّبيع المستهلُّ غمامةُ
غوثُthe relief of الأراملwidows واليتامىand orphans الجوّعِhungry
غوثُ الأرامل واليتامى الجوّعِ
He is springtime, a cloud pouring rain,
He is the rain cloud of spring
the relief of widows and hungry orphans,
Succor of widows and hungry orphans
والمطعمand the feeder of الأضيافguests طيَّبَthe finest of مالهhis wealth
والمطعم الأضياف طيَّبَ ماله
زمنin times of المحولdrought غداةon the morning of ريحa wind زَعْزَعِviolent
زمن المحول غداة ريح زَعْزَعِ
who feeds his guests the finest of his wealth
Who feeds guests with his good money
in times of drought, on a morning of raging wind.
After the years of drought and shaking winds
وهوand he is المطاولone vying in greatness والُمنافسand the competitor فيfor العُلىglory
وهو المطاول والُمنافس في العُلى
ويَعُدٌّand he considers أنthat لاno نفْعbenefit إنif لمnot يَنْفَعِhe benefits others
ويَعُدٌّ أن لا نفْع إن لم يَنْفَعِ
He vies and competes for the heights of glory,
He is the tall one competing for supreme height
and deems there is no benefit unless he benefits others.
Promising to be of no use if he does not benefit
ويَخالُand he believes أنthat المالwealth حينwhen يُضيعُهhe squanders it
ويَخالُ أن المال حين يُضيعُه
فيماon what يُفيدُbrings الحمدَpraise غيْرُnot مُضيّعِsquandered
فيما يُفيدُ الحمدَ غيْرُ مُضيّعِ
He holds that wealth, when he squanders it
And he reckons that wealth, when he wastes it
on what earns praise, has not been squandered.
On what brings praise, is not squandered
لمحمّدthrough Muhammad بنson of معمرMu‘ammar عَمُرْتflourished لناfor us
لمحمّد بن معمر عَمُرْت لنا
سُبلُthe paths of المنافعِbenefits فيalong الطَّريقthe road المهيعِbroad
سُبلُ المنافعِ في الطَّريق المهيعِ
Through Muhammad ibn Mu‘ammar, there have flourished for us
Muhammad ibn Mu'ammar, you lengthened
paths of benefit along the broad highway.
The roads of benefits on the difficult path for us
وإذاand when العُفاةpetitioners شكتcomplained of صروفَthe vicissitudes of زَمانهاtheir time
وإذا العُفاة شكت صروفَ زَمانها
ورأتand saw عليْهاfor them الرّزقlivelihood غيرnot مُوسَّعِmade plentiful
ورأت عليْها الرّزق غير مُوسَّعِ
When petitioners complain of their time's vicissitudes
And when the destitute complained of the vicissitudes of time
and find their livelihood constrained,
And saw sustenance scarce for them
قصدتthey sought أباAbu (father of) عبد‘Abd (servant of) الإلهal-Ilah (God) فخيَّمتthen they camped
قصدت أبا عبد الإله فخيَّمت
بفناءin the courtyard of رَحبٍspacious الدَّارthe house عَذبsweet المشرَعِthe watering place
بفناء رَحبٍ الدَّار عَذب المشرَعِ
they seek Abu ‘Abd al-Ilah and pitch their tents
They headed for Abu Abd Allah, so they camped
in his courtyard, his house spacious and his watering place sweet.
In the spacious courtyard of the sweet-watered house
يعطىhe gives بلاwithout مَنٍّreminding of favors نفائسthe treasures of مالهhis wealth
يعطى بلا مَنٍّ نفائس ماله
ويجودُand he gives generously عفواًunasked شيمةthe disposition of المتوَرّعِthe scrupulously pious
ويجودُ عفواً شيمة المتوَرّعِ
He gives the treasures of his wealth without reproach,
He gives generously without holding back treasures
and gives freely, unasked, as is the pious man's way.
And donates spontaneously, exemplifying self-restraint
مُتفردpeerless بالفضلin excellence لمdid not أرَI see مثلَهُhis equal
مُتفرد بالفضل لم أرَ مثلَهُ
فيin فضلِهhis excellence وبمثلِهand of his equal لمdid not أسمَعِI hear
في فضلِه وبمثلِه لم أسمَعِ
Peerless in excellence, I have never seen his like
Unique in his excellence, I have not seen his like
in merit, nor have I heard of his equal.
In his excellence, nor heard of his equal
منهاamong them نُهىًsound judgment وفصاحةٌand eloquence وسَماحةٌand generosity
منها نُهىً وفصاحةٌ وسَماحةٌ
وعزيمةٌand resolve فيin الخَيرgood لمَّاnot yet تُدْفعِbeen thwarted
وعزيمةٌ في الخَير لمَّا تُدْفعِ
Among his virtues are sound judgment, eloquence, and generosity,
From him, prohibition and eloquence and generosity
and a resolve for good that has not been thwarted,
And resolve for good even when opposed
وتَواضعٌand humility فيin فعْلهhis deeds ومَقالِهand his speech
وتَواضعٌ في فعْله ومَقالِه
تبدوappear عليهupon him دلائلthe signs of المُتَوَرِّعِthe scrupulously pious
تبدو عليه دلائل المُتَوَرِّعِ
and humility in his deeds and speech;
And humility in his actions and speech
the signs of piety are evident upon him.
The traits of reserve appear in him
وإذاand when أتتهcomes to him نعْمةa blessing لمdoes not تُطغِهmake him arrogant
وإذا أتته نعْمة لم تُطغِه
وإذاand when عرَتهُbefalls him مُلِّمةٌa calamity لمdoes not يضْرَعِhe cower
وإذا عرَتهُ مُلِّمةٌ لم يضْرَعِ
When a blessing comes to him, it does not make him arrogant;
And if a blessing comes to him, it does not make him haughty
when calamity befalls him, he does not cower.
And if an affliction touches him, he does not wilt
متحَمّلforbearing فيin حالthe circumstances of كلevery كريهةadversity
متحَمّل في حال كل كريهة
متنبّهalert للحادثto the event المتَوقّعِanticipated
متنبّه للحادث المتَوقّعِ
Forbearing in the face of every adversity,
Bearing patiently every repugnant situation
alert to each anticipated event.
Remaining vigilant of the expected events
منعتهkept him from همّتهُhis ambition الهجُوعslumber فلَمso did not ينَمْsleep
منعته همّتهُ الهجُوع فلَم ينَمْ
وكذاكَand likewise منwhoever طلَبsought العُلىglory لمdid not يَهْجَعِslumber
وكذاكَ من طلَب العُلى لم يَهْجَعِ
His ambition denied him slumber, so he did not sleep;
His resolve prevents him from weakness so he does not sleep
likewise, whoever seeks glory does not slumber.
Just as the seeker of high status does not slumber
ولهُand he has معَالٍhigh honors فيamong العَتيكal-‘Atik وسؤدَدٌand lordship
ولهُ معَالٍ في العَتيك وسؤدَدٌ
فيamong آلthe house of قَحطانَQahtan المُلوكthe kings وتُبَّعِand Tubba‘
في آل قَحطانَ المُلوك وتُبَّعِ
He has high honors among al-‘Atik, and lordship
And he has wealth in livestock and camels
among Qahtan's house of kings, and Tubba‘.
Among the kings of Qahtan and Tubba
زيدتwas increased بهthrough him الأَزْدُal-Azd افتخاراًin pride واغتدَتْand became
زيدت به الأَزْدُ افتخاراً واغتدَتْ
مضَرٌMudar تنافسcompetes فيfor أعزَّthe most exalted سُمَيدَعِnoble lord
مضَرٌ تنافس في أعزَّ سُمَيدَعِ
Through him al-Azd grew in pride, while
He added glory to Azd and arrogance to Mudar
Mudar came to vie for the most exalted noble lord.
Competing for the most noble lineage
حسدتenvied خؤولتُهhis maternal kin العمومةthe paternal uncles إذwhen رأتْthey saw
حسدت خؤولتُه العمومة إذ رأتْ
أدنىthe closest of الأقاربِthe relatives فيin المحلّthe station الأرْفعِthe highest
أدنى الأقاربِ في المحلّ الأرْفعِ
His maternal kin envied his paternal kin when they saw
His in-laws envied him when they saw
the closest relatives in the loftiest station.
The lowest relative in the highest position
ورأتand they saw فنونَvarieties of فضائلٍvirtues وكارِمand generosity
ورأت فنونَ فضائلٍ وكارِم
لمحمّدbelonging to Muhammad منfrom مقْتَفىًan emulated example أوor مُتْبَعِa followed example
لمحمّد من مقْتَفىً أو مُتْبَعِ
They saw many kinds of virtue and generosity
And they saw the diverse virtues and noble traits
belonging to Muhammad, from examples emulated or followed,
In Muhammad, whether followed or sought
ومآثرand noble deeds نطقتspoke بحمدin praise of محمَّدٌMuhammad
ومآثر نطقت بحمد محمَّدٌ
فيin كلevery قطرland كالخَطيبlike the orator المُصَقّعِeloquent
في كل قطر كالخَطيب المُصَقّعِ
and noble deeds that spoke Muhammad's praise
And glorious deeds spoke in praise of Muhammad
in every land, like an eloquent orator.
In every land like the eloquent orator
أمحمّدO Muhammad بنَson of مُعَمّرٍMu‘ammar أنتyou الَّذيthe one who
أمحمّد بنَ مُعَمّرٍ أنت الَّذي
أحيَيتَناyou gave us life بحَياwith the rain of الغُيومthe clouds الهُمَّعِpouring
أحيَيتَنا بحَيا الغُيوم الهُمَّعِ
O Muhammad ibn Mu‘ammar, you are the one
O Muhammad ibn Mu'ammar, you are the one who
who gave us life with the rain of pouring clouds.
Revived us with the life of passionate clouds
أنتَyou المُبيحُthe one granting access لناto us مراعيَpastures of أنعُمٍblessings
أنتَ المُبيحُ لنا مراعيَ أنعُمٍ
آمالُنَاour hopes فيهاin them سوارحُfreely roaming herds ترْتعيgrazing
آمالُنَا فيها سوارحُ ترْتعي
You open to us the pastures of blessings;
You who provide for us pastures of bliss
our hopes are roaming herds that graze therein.
In which our hopes graze
أنتَyou الَّذيthe one who تضعyou place الصّنيعةthe favor عنْدَناwith us
أنتَ الَّذي تضع الصّنيعة عنْدَنا
بصَوابwith the soundness of رأيthe judgment of الجُودgenerosity أحسَنthe best موضعِplace
بصَواب رأي الجُود أحسَن موضعِ
You are the one who places your favor with us
You who properly place favor with us
in the best place, with generosity's sound judgment.
With the wisdom of your generous opinion
أنتَyou المحقّjustified إذاwhen فخرتyou boast بسُؤدَدٍof lordship
أنتَ المحقّ إذا فخرت بسُؤدَدٍ
وعلىًand lofty rank وغيْرُكand others besides you ياO محمّدُّMuhammad مُدَّعيa pretender
وعلىً وغيْرُك يا محمّدُّ مُدَّعي
You speak truly when you boast of lordship
You are right to take pride in noble lineage
and lofty rank; others, O Muhammad, are mere pretenders.
While others, O Muhammad, falsely claim
ولكَand yours is الثّناءthe praise الطّيبُgood الحَسنbeautiful الَّذيthat
ولكَ الثّناء الطّيبُ الحَسن الَّذي
فيin الثّوابُreward لمنfor whoever يقولspeaks ومَنand whoever يعيunderstands
في الثّوابُ لمن يقول ومَن يعي
Yours is the good and beautiful praise that
And for you is goodly praise, beautifully given
holds reward for whoever utters it and whoever understands.
In reward for those who speak and listen
عُمِّرتَmay your life be prolonged ياابنO son of مُعَمرMu‘ammar وبقيتand may you remain فيamid
عُمِّرتَ ياابن مُعَمر وبقيت في
نعمblessings بقاءthe enduring life of النّاعمthe one at ease المُتَمَتّعthe one enjoying life
نعم بقاء النّاعم المُتَمَتّع
May you live long, O son of Mu‘ammar, and remain amid
You have lived long, O son of Mu'ammar, and remained
blessings, living in comfort and enjoyment.
In the blessings of comfortable life
وبلغتand may you attain عِزَّthe glory of سيادةٍlordship وسعادةٍand happiness
وبلغت عِزَّ سيادةٍ وسعادةٍ
فيamong سامعينlisteners منfrom البَرّيةhumankind طُوَّعِwillingly obedient
في سامعين من البَرّية طُوَّعِ
And may you attain the glory of lordship and happiness
And attained the glory of leadership and fortune
among those of humankind who listen and willingly obey.
Obeyed among people of the wilderness
تعْلوyou rise علىabove رتبthe ranks of المُلوكkings برتبةٍwith a rank
تعْلو على رتب المُلوك برتبةٍ
تحتَلّyou occupy فيin شرَفٍhonor أشمَّlofty ممنَّعِunassailable
تحتَلّ في شرَفٍ أشمَّ ممنَّعِ
You rise above the ranks of kings to a rank
You rise above the ranks of kings with a rank
you occupy in lofty, unassailable honor.
That occupies the most honorable and inaccessible position
فأليكَهاso take it أدبيَّةًliterary عربيَّةًArabic
فأليكَها أدبيَّةً عربيَّةً
كسُمَّوطlike strands of درٍّpearls بالنُّضارِwith gold مُرَضّعِstudded
كسُمَّوط درٍّ بالنُّضارِ مُرَضّعِ
Here, then, is a literary Arabic poem for you,
So for you this literary ode in Arabic
like strands of pearls studded with gold.
Like well-nursed pearls adorned with radiance
Sol 6.1