أَعَرَفتَhave you recognized رَبعاًa dwelling-site غَيرَnot آهِلinhabited
أَعَرَفتَ رَبعاً غَيرَ آهِل
قَفرَdesolate الرُسومِthe traces بِبَطنِin the valley of حائِلHa'il
قَفرَ الرُسومِ بِبَطنِ حائِل
Have you recognized a dwelling with no inhabitants,
I knew a deserted quarter,
its traces desolate in the valley of Ha'il?
Empty ruins in the belly of peaks,
أَقوىbecame deserted وَغَيَّرَهُand altered it اِختِلاalternation (start)
أَقوى وَغَيَّرَهُ اِختِلا
فُalternation (end) تَناسُخِsuccession الحِجَجِthe years النَواسِلswiftly passing
فُ تَناسُخِ الحِجَجِ النَواسِل
It lay deserted, changed by the alternation
Overpowered and changed by vicissitudes -
of successive, swiftly passing years.
Successive pilgrimages of descendants.
خَلَقاًworn away كَأَنَّas though تُرابَthe dust مَدits two paths (start)
خَلَقاً كَأَنَّ تُرابَ مَد
رَجَتَيهِits two paths (end) يُنخَلُis sifted بِالمَناخِلthrough sieves
رَجَتَيهِ يُنخَلُ بِالمَناخِل
Worn away, as though the dust of its two paths
Created as though the soil of edifices
were being sifted through sieves;
Swept by its foundations with winnowers,
وَكَأَنَّماand as though بَسَطَspread الشَواthe palm-leaf cutters (start)
وَكَأَنَّما بَسَطَ الشَوا
طِبُthe palm-leaf cutters (end) بَينَهاbetween them حُصُرَmats الرَوامِلthe mat-weavers
طِبُ بَينَها حُصُرَ الرَوامِل
as though the palm-leaf cutters had spread
As though it had spread the terraces
the mat-weavers' mats between them.
Among which tents of poles were planted.
بانَdeparted الخَليطُthe companions مِنَfrom الخَليthe companions (start)
بانَ الخَليطُ مِنَ الخَلي
طِthe companions (end) لِداعِيَيat the twin summons of بَينٍseparation مُعاجِلhurried
طِ لِداعِيَي بَينٍ مُعاجِل
The companions parted from their companions
The mixed throng of both callers was seen
at the twin summons of hurried separation.
In haste between the two swift ones.
وَخَلاand was left without القَرينُthe companion مِنَfrom القَريthe companion (start)
وَخَلا القَرينُ مِنَ القَري
نِthe companion (end) مِنَfrom القُوىthe strands وَمِنَand from الحَبائِلthe cords
نِ مِنَ القُوى وَمِنَ الحَبائِل
One companion was left without the other,
And the rider was separated from the rider
without the strands and cords that bound them.
Of strength and the bonds of kinship.
وَصَلواthey joined العَشِيَّthe evening إِلىto الجَواthe heart of night (start)
وَصَلوا العَشِيَّ إِلى الجَوا
شِنِthe heart of night (end) وَالغُدُوَّand morning travel إِلىto الأَصائِلlate afternoons
شِنِ وَالغُدُوَّ إِلى الأَصائِل
They joined evening to the heart of night,
They arrived at nightfall and at dawn
and morning travel to late afternoon,
To Al-Jawshin and Al-Asail.
بِالعيسِon pale camels مُصغِيَةَinclining الخُدوthe cheeks (start)
بِالعيسِ مُصغِيَةَ الخُدو
دِthe cheeks (end) لِأَزمَلِtoward the loud call of الحاديthe camel-driver المُوائِلseeking safety
دِ لِأَزمَلِ الحادي المُوائِل
on pale camels inclining their cheeks
With lambs obeying the shepherds
toward the loud call of the driver seeking safety:
For the one driving the stragglers;
قوداًlong-necked تَجاسَرُadvance boldly بِالحُدوwith the howdahs (start)
قوداً تَجاسَرُ بِالحُدو
جِwith the howdahs (end) بِشاطِئِalong the edge of الشَرَفِthe height المُقابِلfacing
جِ بِشاطِئِ الشَرَفِ المُقابِل
long-necked, boldly bearing the howdahs
Leaders daring the shore
along the edge of the facing height.
Of glory opposite and facing.
فَمَضَواso they departed وَصَحبيwhile my companions قائِلوresting at noon (start)
فَمَضَوا وَصَحبي قائِلو
نَresting at noon (end) بِظِلِّin the shade of أَهيَفَa slender shelter ذيhaving مَخايِلwavering shapes
نَ بِظِلِّ أَهيَفَ ذي مَخايِل
They went on while my companions rested at noon
So they went on, and my companions said
beneath a slender shelter of wavering shapes,
In the shadow of bending oh mentor!
قَليقٍquivering لِأَفنانِunder the varied gusts of الرِياthe winds (start)
قَليقٍ لِأَفنانِ الرِيا
حِthe winds (end) لِلاقِحٍfor the rain-bearing مِنهاamong them وَحائِلand the barren
حِ لِلاقِحٍ مِنها وَحائِل
quivering under the winds' varied gusts,
Calm before the winds of the bells
whether rain-bearing or barren;
For bees among them and barriers.
مِنfrom بَينِamong مُعتَدِلِupright البِناthe structure (start)
مِن بَينِ مُعتَدِلِ البِنا
ءِthe structure (end) وَبَينَand among ضاحيexposed الظِلِّthe shade مائِلleaning
ءِ وَبَينَ ضاحي الظِلِّ مائِل
some of its structure standing upright,
Between correct and leaning
some leaning, its shade exposed.
Its pegs are the tent poles ornamented with burdens.
أَوتادُهُits stakes وُرُكُrear supports الرِحاthe saddles (start)
أَوتادُهُ وُرُكُ الرِحا
لِthe saddles (end) مُطَنَّباتٍguyed بِالحَمائِلwith carrying-straps
لِ مُطَنَّباتٍ بِالحَمائِل
Its stakes were the rear supports of saddles,
And the pillar of its center
guyed with carrying-straps;
Are spiked Yemeni partitions.
وَعِمادُand the supports of أَوسَطِهِits center عتاfine (start)
وَعِمادُ أَوسَطِهِ عتا
قُfine (end) صَفائِحِblades اليَمَنِYemen الفَواصِلkeen-cutting
قُ صَفائِحِ اليَمَنِ الفَواصِل
its central supports were fine
And appointed over it
keen-cutting blades of Yemen,
Of the cooking and embers were.
وَسَماand rose عَلَيهِabove it مِنfrom بُروmantles (start)
وَسَما عَلَيهِ مِن بُرو
دِmantles (end) الأَتحمِيَّةِAthami cloth وَالمَراجِلand figured fabrics
دِ الأَتحمِيَّةِ وَالمَراجِل
and above it rose mantles
Until when the shadows bent
of Athami cloth and figured fabrics.
After the trotting of Mudaris
حَتّىuntil إِذاwhen صَغَتِinclined الظِلاthe shadows (start)
حَتّى إِذا صَغَتِ الظِلا
لُthe shadows (end) بُعَيدَshortly after هَروَلَةِthe scurrying of العَساقِلthe mirages
لُ بُعَيدَ هَروَلَةِ العَساقِل
Until the shadows inclined,
And knees of the camels gave birth
shortly after the mirages' scurrying,
And the hollows of ostriches
وَاِنجَبنَand drew away عَنfrom حَدَبِthe rounded tops of الإِكاthe hills (start)
وَاِنجَبنَ عَن حَدَبِ الإِكا
مِthe hills (end) وَعَنand from جَماعيرِheaps الجَراوِلrough stones
مِ وَعَن جَماعيرِ الجَراوِل
and drew away from the rounded hilltops
From between its pastures or wadis
and the heaps of rough stones,
Inverted with the ties of resolutions and crises
وَصَغاand inclined العَشِيُّthe evening وَبانَand became distinct أَلcolors (start)
وَصَغا العَشِيُّ وَبانَ أَل
وانُcolors (end) المِساحِthe dark rocks مِنَfrom الأَعابِلthe white rocks
وانُ المِساحِ مِنَ الأَعابِل
and evening inclined, and the colors
They watched the shepherdesses when they were summoned
of dark rocks stood out from white rocks:
With luggage and travelling companies,
مِنfrom بَينِamong رُيَّعِهاits swift camels الضَواforeleg-stretching (start)
مِن بَينِ رُيَّعِها الضَوا
بِعِforeleg-stretching (end) أَوor شَوامِذِهاits lofty ones الشَوائِلtail-raising
بِعِ أَو شَوامِذِها الشَوائِل
among its swift, foreleg-stretching camels
With baby camels and tents
or its lofty, tail-raising ones,
Adorned for them the anklets’ harmony,
مَعكوسَةًturned backward بِعُرىwith loops of الحَزاthe girths (start)
مَعكوسَةً بِعُرى الحَزا
ئِمِthe girths (end) وَالأَزِمَّةِand the halters بِالحَدائِلwith twisted cords
ئِمِ وَالأَزِمَّةِ بِالحَدائِل
turned back with loops of girths
Until there passed by us, laughing,
and halters, with twisted cords.
Through a thicket of cotton, carrier.
فَتَروso you see (irregular form) النَجائِبِthe noble camels حينَwhen رُدْwere brought back (start)
فَتَرو النَجائِبِ حينَ رُدْ
دَتwere brought back (end) بِالرِحالِwith saddles وَبِالرَحائِلand with riding-litters
دَت بِالرِحالِ وَبِالرَحائِل
So you see the noble camels when brought back
They were heading to the ancestors, the predecessors,
with saddles and riding-litters,
Of brilliance, attack, and struggle.
بِالمَيسِwith hackberry wood وَالحُصُرِand mats الجِياfine (start)
بِالمَيسِ وَالحُصُرِ الجِيا
دِfine (end) يَزينُهاadorns them رَقمُthe pattern of العَثاكِلdate-clusters
دِ يَزينُها رَقمُ العَثاكِل
with hackberry wood and fine mats
So they startled when they recognized someone standing
adorned with patterns of date-clusters,
Below the flag and below the standard.
حَتّىuntil مَرَرنَthey passed بِناby us يَخِدstriding swiftly (start)
حَتّى مَرَرنَ بِنا يَخِد
نَstriding swiftly (end) خِلالَthrough ذيDhu قَطَنٍQatan فَحامِلthen Hamil
نَ خِلالَ ذي قَطَنٍ فَحامِل
until they passed us, striding swiftly
They saw the gazelles. They heard the voice
through Dhu Qatan and then Hamil,
Of a snarling cur or a howling baboon.
يَسمونthey rise لِلسَلَفِtoward the preceding company المُقَدْforemost (start)
يَسمون لِلسَلَفِ المُقَدْ
دَمِforemost (end) ذيpossessing البَهاءِsplendor وَذيand possessing التَهاوُلawe-inspiring grandeur
دَمِ ذي البَهاءِ وَذي التَهاوُل
rising toward the foremost company,
I continued lending them
splendid and awe-inspiring.
Talk from truth or lies.
فَنَفرنَso they shied حينَwhen عَرَفنَthey recognized شَخmy figure (start)
فَنَفرنَ حينَ عَرَفنَ شَخ
صِيَmy figure (end) ماثِلاًstanding دونَbefore الرَواحِلthe mounts
صِيَ ماثِلاً دونَ الرَواحِل
They shied when they recognized my figure
And I exerted myself. Then I said
standing before the mounts,
In lower jesting of jesters:
نَظَرَthe gaze of الظِباءِgazelles سَمِعنَthat heard صَوthe sound of (start)
نَظَرَ الظِباءِ سَمِعنَ صَو
تَthe sound of (end) مُكَلِّبٍa houndsman أَوor صَوتَthe sound of حابِلa snare-setter
تَ مُكَلِّبٍ أَو صَوتَ حابِل
looking like gazelles that have heard
Words that almost descend
a houndsman's voice or a snare-setter's call.
More logical than great minds.
ماnot زِلتُI ceased أَقتَرِضُI draw upon الحَديtalk (start)
ما زِلتُ أَقتَرِضُ الحَدي
ثَtalk (end) لَهُنَّfor them مِنfrom حَقٍّtruth وَباطِلand falsehood
ثَ لَهُنَّ مِن حَقٍّ وَباطِل
I kept drawing out talk
And I poured on them from the right, once,
for them, true and false;
And from the qualities another time.
وَأَجِدُّand I speak earnestly ثُمَّthen أَقولُI say فيin
وَأَجِدُّ ثُمَّ أَقولُ في
أَدنىthe slightest مُهازَلَةِbanter of المُهازِلthe jester
أَدنى مُهازَلَةِ المُهازِل
I spoke earnestly, then spoke
Like the shepherd when he handled
in a jester's lightest banter,
The unforeseen game that assails.
قَولاًwords يَكادُalmost يُنَزَّلُbrings down الthe
قَولاً يَكادُ يُنَزَّلُ ال
أَروىmountain goats مِنَfrom الشُعُفِthe summits العَواقِلsheltering
أَروى مِنَ الشُعُفِ العَواقِل
words that could almost bring down
Until I made them listen
mountain goats from their sheltering summits.
To my talk after the shooting of arrows
وَأَصَبُّهُنَّand I woo them مِنَfrom الأَيthe right (start)
وَأَصَبُّهُنَّ مِنَ الأَي
منِthe right (end) مَرَّةًonce وَعَنِand from الشَمائِلthe left sides
منِ مَرَّةً وَعَنِ الشَمائِل
I wooed them from the right
And they submitted to me in some
at one time, and from the left,
Submission instead of conflict and dispute
فِعلَlike the action of المُديرِthe circling hunter إِذاwhen أَداhe circles (start)
فِعلَ المُديرِ إِذا أَدا
رَhe circles (end) بِغِرَّةِupon the unwariness of الصَيدِthe game المُخاتِلthe cunning one
رَ بِغِرَّةِ الصَيدِ المُخاتِل
like a circling hunter when he turns
And they glanced through the bushes
to catch unsuspecting game by guile.
With the eyes of startled cows
حَتّىuntil أرعَوَينَthey heeded إِلىtoward حَدِيmy talk (start)
حَتّى أرعَوَينَ إِلى حَدِي
ثِيَmy talk (end) بَعدَafter إِرعادِthe trembling of الخَصائِلthe muscles
ثِيَ بَعدَ إِرعادِ الخَصائِل
Until they heeded my talk,
From everyone seen
after their muscles had trembled,
With cheeks and mole on fingertips
وَخَضَعنَand they yielded ليto me بَعضَsome الخُضوsubmission (start)
وَخَضَعنَ لي بَعضَ الخُضو
عِsubmission (end) عَنِaway from التَنازُحِkeeping distant وَالتَحاوُلand turning away
عِ عَنِ التَنازُحِ وَالتَحاوُل
and yielded somewhat to me,
Silent, resembling the dwellings
leaving off their distancing and turning away.
Of the Sabbath ghosts in repose
وَرَنَونَand they gazed مِنthrough خَلَلِthe gaps in الخُدوthe curtains (start)
وَرَنَونَ مِن خَلَلِ الخُدو
رِthe curtains (end) بِأَعيُنِwith the eyes of البَقَرِwild cows الخَواذِلapart from the herd
رِ بِأَعيُنِ البَقَرِ الخَواذِل
They gazed through the curtains
Or a ewe yearning for the object
with the eyes of wild cows apart from the herd,
Of love of the parts and joints
مِنfrom كُلِّevery ذيone having ذَنَبٍa trailing tail يُرىis seen
مِن كُلِّ ذي ذَنَبٍ يُرى
بِخُدودِهِon its cheeks وَشمُthe tattooed marks of الأَنامِلfingers
بِخُدودِهِ وَشمُ الأَنامِل
from each trailing shelter whose cheeks
As though the air makes its garment flutter
bore the tattooed marks of fingers:
With the fans of the disputants
كُمتٍdark-brown تُشَبِّهُهاyou liken them to عِتاfine (start)
كُمتٍ تُشَبِّهُها عِتا
قَfine (end) قَرائِنِpaired sandals of السِبتِtanned leather العَواطِلunadorned
قَ قَرائِنِ السِبتِ العَواطِل
dark-brown shelters you would liken to fine
The knights of darkness dressed it
pairs of unadorned tanned-leather sandals,
With their black hands in mourning
لَأمٍclosely fitted تَحِنُّhums بشهِunclear in the supplied text مَزاpipes (start)
لَأمٍ تَحِنُّ بشهِ مَزا
ميرُpipes (end) الجَنائِبِthe led mounts وَالأَشامِلand north winds
ميرُ الجَنائِبِ وَالأَشامِل
closely fitted, humming—[word unclear]—
So its sleeping innards
with the pipes of led mounts and north winds.
Seem like the bellies of pregnant she-camels
وَكَأَنَّماand as though يُذريscatters الهَباairborne dust (start)
وَكَأَنَّما يُذري الهَبا
ءَairborne dust (end) بِهِthrough it مَراويحُfanning wings المَجادِلthe mighty falcons
ءَ بِهِ مَراويحُ المَجادِل
As though dust were scattered through it
Were it not for the watching of eyes
by the fanning wings of mighty falcons,
When they winked and someone said
صَلتِsmooth العَوارِضِthe sides لَبَّسَتclothed
صَلتِ العَوارِضِ لَبَّسَت
هُit سُدولَهاits curtains أَيديthe hands of السَوادِلthe drapers
هُ سُدولَها أَيدي السَوادِل
smooth-sided, clothed
And fear of the telling of the anecdote
in curtains by the hands of drapers;
In the assembly and gatherings
فَكَأَنَّso as though نائِسَهُits swaying part العَراʿarār flowers (start)
فَكَأَنَّ نائِسَهُ العَرا
رُʿarār flowers (end) عَرارُʿarār flowers بُطنانِthe inner hollows of الخَمائِلthe thickets
رُ عَرارُ بُطنانِ الخَمائِل
what swayed upon it seemed ʿarār flowers,
And conviction of repeated news
the ʿarār deep within the thickets.
Of problems and entanglements
لَولاwere it not for مُراقَبَةُthe watchfulness of العُيوthe eyes (start)
لَولا مُراقَبَةُ العُيو
نِthe eyes (end) إِذاwhen شَزَرنَthey look askance وَقيلُand the words of قائِلa speaker
نِ إِذا شَزَرنَ وَقيلُ قائِل
Were it not for watchful eyes
And my watching for a tomorrow and what
when they look askance, and a speaker's words,
I mean by overflowing saying
وَمَخافَةٌand fear لِنَباof the report of المَقاthe talk (start)
وَمَخافَةٌ لِنَبا المَقا
لَةِthe talk (end) فيin المَقامَةِthe assembly وَالمَحافِلand gatherings
لَةِ في المَقامَةِ وَالمَحافِل
and fear of the report of our talk
After the farewells I certainly healed
in assemblies and gatherings,
The pillars from entanglements
وَتَيَقُّنُand taking as certain الخَبَرِthe report المُرَجْconjectured (start)
وَتَيَقُّنُ الخَبَرِ المُرَجْ
جَمِconjectured (end) ذيhaving المُشاكَلَةِresemblance المُشاكِلplausibly resembling
جَمِ ذي المُشاكَلَةِ المُشاكِل
and conjectured rumor being taken as certain,
From me and you at the edge
with its plausible resemblances,
Of advancing resources and streams
وَتَنَظُّريand my looking ahead لِغَدٍto tomorrow وَماand what
وَتَنَظُّري لِغَدٍ وَما
أَعنىI am concerned about بِهِin it مِنfrom فَرطِthe excess of قائِلa speaker
أَعنى بِهِ مِن فَرطِ قائِل
and my looking toward tomorrow, and what
Far from it! It has spoiled what you have
troubles me in a speaker's excess,
Of connections and means
بَعدَafter القَصاءِseparation لَقَدindeed شَفَيI soothed (start)
بَعدَ القَصاءِ لَقَد شَفَي
تُI soothed (end) الحَائِماتِthe thirsting longings مِنَof الغَلائِلburning inward anguish
تُ الحَائِماتِ مِنَ الغَلائِل
after our separation I would have soothed
And your rope frayed when you avoided
the thirsting longings of their burning anguish,
What spoils from ropes
مِنّيfrom me وَمِنكِand from you عَلىdespite حِذاfear (start)
مِنّي وَمِنكِ عَلى حِذا
رِfear (end) رَدىthe ruin of المَصادِرِdeparture-points وَالمَناهِلand watering places
رِ رَدى المَصادِرِ وَالمَناهِل
in me and you, despite fear
And you were miserly to destiny
of ruin at departure-points and watering places.
In appeasing the flatterers
هَيهاتَfar from it أَخلَقَgrew worn ماwhat لَدَيwith you (start)
هَيهاتَ أَخلَقَ ما لَدَي
كِyou (suffix) مَنَof العَلائِقِthe bonds وَالوَسائِلand means of approach
كِ مَنَ العَلائِقِ وَالوَسائِل
Far from it! What you had has worn away—
With a reader that effaces
the bonds and means of reaching you.
Remembrance of joining ties
وَاِرتَثَّand became frayed حَبلُكَyour cord إِذwhen نَأَيyou withdrew (start)
وَاِرتَثَّ حَبلُكَ إِذ نَأَي
تِyou withdrew (end) بِماas يَرِثُّgrows frayed مِنَamong الحَبائِلcords
تِ بِما يَرِثُّ مِنَ الحَبائِل
Your cord frayed when you withdrew,
You roam confused, not pitched
as cords grow frayed;
Nor awake, nor grazing to the mounts
وَطَوَيتِand you turned كَشحاًa flank لِلصَريtoward severance (start)
وَطَوَيتِ كَشحاً لِلصَري
مَةِtoward severance (end) فيin مُجامَلَةِthe courtesy of المُجامِلthe courteous one
مَةِ في مُجامَلَةِ المُجامِل
you turned aside, bent on severance,
And you recalled the people of Ruwaimah
while showing the courtesy of the courteous,
Deluded memory of the like!
بِقِرانِwith a bond جاذِبَةٍdrawing away تُنَسْmakes forget (start)
بِقِرانِ جاذِبَةٍ تُنَسْ
سِيmakes forget (end) عَهدَthe pledge of ذيone possessing الوَصلِaffection المُواصِلmaintaining the bond
سِي عَهدَ ذي الوَصلِ المُواصِل
with a pulling bond that makes one forget
The smell of estrangement from endearment
the pledge of one who keeps affection.
Pure hide of mature she camels
حَتّامَhow long أَنتَyou تَهيمُwander love-struck لاno
حَتّامَ أَنتَ تَهيمُ لا
حَتّامَhow long بِالأُنسِfor companionship المُزايِلdeparting
حَتّامَ بِالأُنسِ المُزايِل
How long will you wander love-struck? No—
And closing of swollen
how long for companionship that departs?
Returning high and low
لاnot تَستَفيقُyou regain your senses وَلاnor تَفيyou awake (start)
لا تَستَفيقُ وَلا تَفي
قُyou awake (end) وَلاnor تَريعُyou return إِلىto العَواذِلthe reproaching women
قُ وَلا تَريعُ إِلى العَواذِل
You neither regain your senses nor awake,
Its habit to you is bewildered, addled
nor heed the reproaching women.
I uncover its darkness with the union
وَذَكَرتَand you recalled أَهلَthe people of رُوَيمَتَيRuwaymatayn (start)
وَذَكَرتَ أَهلَ رُوَيمَتَي
نِRuwaymatayn (end) تَوَهُّماًin fancy ذِكرَthe recollection of المُماثِلone similarly situated
نِ تَوَهُّماً ذِكرَ المُماثِل
You recalled the people of Ruwaymatayn,
Of owl’s gatherings disgraced!
in fancy, as one in like circumstances recalls,
Like one whose wounds left him
شَمَّthe sniffing of العَلوقِthe yearning she-camel مِنَamong الهِجاwhite thoroughbred camels (start)
شَمَّ العَلوقِ مِنَ الهِجا
نِwhite thoroughbred camels (end) نَقِيَّclean أَجلادٍhides قَواحِلparched
نِ نَقِيَّ أَجلادٍ قَواحِل
like the sniffing of a yearning white-bred she-camel
Naught but rags
at clean, parched hides.
Clothed when they meet
وand مُغَمِّضٍan obscure way أَشِبٍّtangled مَخوfeared (start)
و مُغَمِّضٍ أَشِبٍّ مَخو
فِfeared (end) رَدىthe deadly danger of الأَعاليthe heights وَالأَسافِلand the depths
فِ رَدى الأَعالي وَالأَسافِل
And many an obscure, tangled way, feared
With rough coarse wool
for deadly heights and depths,
From hastened feeble
قَدindeed بِتُّI spent the night أَدأَبُهُI labor along it إِلَيtoward
قَد بِتُّ أَدأَبُهُ إِلَي
كَyou بِغَيهِبٍin deep darkness هَدِبِfringed الغَياطِلwith dense shadows
كَ بِغَيهِبٍ هَدِبِ الغَياطِل
I spent the night laboring along toward you,
Or azure color
in darkness fringed with dense shadows,
Of ewes drawing udders
أَجتابُI cleave ظُلمَتَهُits darkness بِضَخon a massive one (start)
أَجتابُ ظُلمَتَهُ بِضَخ
مِon a massive one (end) مَجامِعِthe joints of الدَأَياتِthe vertebrae بازِلa mature camel
مِ مَجامِعِ الدَأَياتِ بازِل
cleaving its gloom on a massive,
Like kohl
mature camel, broad at the joints of its vertebrae,
Periods separated Al-Rabee
كَمُكَدَّمٍlike a bite-marked wild ass لَمnot يُبقِleft قاhis hunter (start)
كَمُكَدَّمٍ لَم يُبقِ قا
نِصُهُhis hunter (end) لَهُagainst him غَيرَother than الحَبائِلthe snares
نِصُهُ لَهُ غَيرَ الحَبائِل
like a bite-marked wild ass whose hunter
From pasturage and runnels
had no means left against him but snares.
Until when the she camels bellow
يَكسونَهُthey clothe him عِندَat اللِقاmating-time (start)
يَكسونَهُ عِندَ اللِقا
حِmating-time (end) نِطافَdrops ذيof abundant خَضَلٍwetness شُلاشِلflowing in streams
حِ نِطافَ ذي خَضَلٍ شُلاشِل
They drenched him at mating-time
And are like palm trees
with drops of profusely streaming moisture,
He recalls the fodder. And in the fodder
مِنfrom مُعجِلِswiftly discharged مَهوٍthin fluid رَذيdripping (start)
مِن مُعجِلِ مَهوٍ رَذي
مٍdripping (end) أَوor كُمَيتِdark-brown اللَونِin color آيِلthickened
مٍ أَو كُمَيتِ اللَونِ آيِل
from swiftly discharged, thin,
The remainder of fodders had melted
dripping fluid, or a dark-brown, thickened liquid;
Or a bundle of pistachios remained
مِنfrom طَيِّlean females مُنجَذِبِdrawn away الفِراthe foals (start)
مِن طَيِّ مُنجَذِبِ الفِرا
رِthe foals (end) ضُروعُهاtheir udders مِثلُlike المَكاحِلkohl-vials
رِ ضُروعُها مِثلُ المَكاحِل
from lean females with their foals drawn away,
With little pregnant ewes
whose udders were like kohl-vials,
Whites that warble as though they
حُقبٌwhite-flanked females تَفَرَّقَتِscattered الرَبيin spring (start)
حُقبٌ تَفَرَّقَتِ الرَبي
عَin spring (end) مِنَover الرُباthe hillocks وَمِنَand over المَسايِلthe watercourses
عَ مِنَ الرُبا وَمِنَ المَسايِل
white-flanked, scattered in spring
Are texts of Indian swords
over hillocks and watercourses,
So he drives them on and carries them
حَتّىuntil إِذاwhen بُهمىbrome grass المِتاthe uplands (start)
حَتّى إِذا بُهمى المِتا
نِthe uplands (end) جَرَتmatured وَكانَتand was كَالنَسائِلlike trailing locks
نِ جَرَت وَكانَت كَالنَسائِل
until the brome grass of the uplands
To the absence of carriers
matured, like trailing locks,
He watches over their valleys and joins
وَرَمىand struck مَناخِرَهاtheir nostrils السَفىthe grass awns
وَرَمى مَناخِرَها السَفى
مِنهُfrom it بِمُركوزٍwith embedded ones وَذابِلand withered ones
مِنهُ بِمُركوزٍ وَذابِل
and its awns struck their nostrils,
The distant outcast throng
some embedded and some withered.
They say, “Enough!” and he continues
ذَكَرَhe remembered الثِمادَthe shallow pools وَفيand in الثِماthe shallow pools (start)
ذَكَرَ الثِمادَ وَفي الثِما
دِthe shallow pools (end) وَقَدwhile already ذَوىhad dried باقيthe remaining الثَمائِلpuddles
دِ وَقَد ذَوى باقي الثَمائِل
He remembered the shallow pools, where
Persistent plunging
the remaining puddles had dried away,
Kindler of fires on live coals
أَوor شالُscant remnants of أَنطِفَةٍdrops بَقيremained (start)
أَو شالُ أَنطِفَةٍ بَقي
نَremained (end) بِحَومِaround أَرخافٍsoft stones قَلائِلfew
نَ بِحَومِ أَرخافٍ قَلائِل
or scant drops that remained
When the clashes became tumultuous
around a few soft stones,
I relied on you O Yazeed
بيضٌwhite يَلُحنَgleaming كَأَنَّهُنْas though they (start)
بيضٌ يَلُحنَ كَأَنَّهُنْ
نَas though they (end) مُتونُthe backs of أَسيافٍswords فَواصِلkeen-cutting
نَ مُتونُ أَسيافٍ فَواصِل
white, gleaming as though they were
And excellent is the relied upon means
the backs of keen-cutting swords.
I hope for supererogation from your hands
فَاِنصاعَso he turned away يَطرُدُهاdriving them وَيَحand urging them (start)
فَاِنصاعَ يَطرُدُها وَيَح
مِلُهاand urging them (end) عَلىover غَيبِunseen reaches of المَحامِلthe paths
مِلُها عَلى غَيبِ المَحامِل
He turned away, driving them and urging
And you have abundant supererogation
them over unseen reaches of their paths,
With a visit that wipes out
يَرعىhe watches هَواديهاtheir leaders وَيُلand brings along (start)
يَرعى هَواديها وَيُل
حِقُand brings along (end) بالِيَthe weary الخُذلِstragglers الزَوامِلtrotting
حِقُ بالِيَ الخُذلِ الزَوامِل
watching their leaders and bringing along
The breeds with us, firm and shouldered
the weary, trotting stragglers.
Does it increase, O son of Zarah’s horsemen
يَقلونَthey bound قَلواًin bounds وَهوَwhile he يَزtrots (start)
يَقلونَ قَلواً وَهوَ يَز
مُلُtrots (end) مِراخاءًwith long, easy strides مُواغِلpressing farther
مُلُ مِراخاءً مُواغِل
They bounded, while he trotted,
And protective allies for allies
running freely on, pressing farther,
And son of the crowned for the crowned
ضَرِمُfierce الشَذاةِin vigor عَلىagainst الحَميthe asses (start)
ضَرِمُ الشَذاةِ عَلى الحَمي
رِthe asses (end) إِذاwhen غَداhe goes forth صَخِبُloud الصَلاصِلwith clattering cries
رِ إِذا غَدا صَخِبُ الصَلاصِل
fierce in his drive against the asses,
And eminent for the eminent
loud with clattering cries as he went.
And son of dodder for the dodder
إِنّيindeed I اِعتَمَدتُكَhave relied on you ياO يَزيYazid (start)
إِنّي اِعتَمَدتُكَ يا يَزي
دُYazid (end) وَنِعمَand excellent is مُعتَمَدُthe support of الوَسائِلmeans of appeal
دُ وَنِعمَ مُعتَمَدُ الوَسائِل
I have turned to you, O Yazid,
Mischievous, scheming, undertaker
a fine support for every means of appeal.
And the elders, the early ones
أَرجوI hope for نَوافِلَgifts مِنfrom يَدَيyour two hands (start)
أَرجو نَوافِلَ مِن يَدَي
كَyour (suffix) وَأَنتَand you مَبسوطُunstinting النَوافِلin gifts
كَ وَأَنتَ مَبسوطُ النَوافِل
I hope for gifts from your hands,
Wealthy and of lasting renown
for you are unstinting in gifts,
And the middle aged disputants
بِزِوَرَّةٍon a great she-camel تَمطوstretches النُسوthe straps (start)
بِزِوَرَّةٍ تَمطو النُسو
عَthe straps (end) بِناbeneath us مَطاthe stretch of صُلبٍa backbone وَكاهِلand withers
عَ بِنا مَطا صُلبٍ وَكاهِل
on a great she-camel stretching the straps
The tallest in rivalry
beneath us with the stretch of back and withers.
And the defenders, the benefactors
أَيَزيدُO Yazid يَاِبنَO son of ذَراthe loftiest الحَواchaste women (start)
أَيَزيدُ يَاِبنَ ذَرا الحَوا
صِنِchaste women (end) وَالعَقائِلِand noble ladies لِلعَقائِلborn to noble ladies
صِنِ وَالعَقائِلِ لِلعَقائِل
O Yazid, son of the loftiest chaste women
For every confused person’s means
and noble ladies born of noble ladies,
And the most fragrant, the most generous
وَاِبنَand son of المُتَوَّجِthe crowned one لَلمُتَوْto a crowned one (start)
وَاِبنَ المُتَوَّجِ لَلمُتَوْ
وَجِto a crowned one (end) وَالحُلاحِلِand the great lord لِلحُلاحِلto a great lord
وَجِ وَالحُلاحِلِ لِلحُلاحِل
son of a crowned one born to a crowned one,
The superior in preference
and of a lord born to a lord;
And son of the most courageous and noble
وَاِبنَand son of القَماقِمَةِthe great chiefs القَماthe princes (start)
وَاِبنَ القَماقِمَةِ القَما
مِسَةِthe princes (end) الخَلاجِمَةِthe mighty lords المَقاوِلthe rulers
مِسَةِ الخَلاجِمَةِ المَقاوِل
son of great chiefs and princes,
Of early great effects
mighty lords and rulers,
And son of the daring, son of resolve
وَالأَقدَمينَand the earliest الأَوَّليthe foremost (start)
وَالأَقدَمينَ الأَوَّلي
نَthe foremost (end) غِنىًin wealth وَذِكراًand renown غَيرَnot خامِلobscure
نَ غِنىً وَذِكراً غَيرَ خامِل
the earliest and foremost
Of effects and possessions
in wealth and undimmed renown,
The most courageous son of the noble
وَالخِضرِمينَand the lavishly generous المُخصِميthe victorious disputants (start)
وَالخِضرِمينَ المُخصِمي
نَthe victorious disputants (end) الأَطوَلينَthe highest لَدىwhen التَطاوُلvying for height
نَ الأَطوَلينَ لَدى التَطاوُل
the lavishly generous, prevailing in disputes,
To each by devious contriving
the highest when men vie for height,
He attained the loftiest of matters
وَالدافِعينَand the defenders النافِعيthe benefactors (start)
وَالدافِعينَ النافِعي
نَthe benefactors (end) لِكُلِّfor every مُختَبِطٍseeker of bounty وَسائِلand petitioner
نَ لِكُلِّ مُختَبِطٍ وَسائِل
defenders and benefactors
When they were undertaken
of every seeker of bounty and every petitioner,
And if mounts collide
وَالأَطيَبينَand the finest الأَكرَميthe most generous (start)
وَالأَطيَبينَ الأَكرَمي
نَthe most generous (end) الأَفضَلينَthe best لَدىwhen التَفاضُلcomparing merit
نَ الأَفضَلينَ لَدى التَفاضُل
the finest and most generous,
In prosperity or tremors
the best when merit is compared,
The people of Iraq have no business with him
وَاِبنَand son of الأَغَرّينَthe illustrious الكِراthe nobles (start)
وَاِبنَ الأَغَرّينَ الكِرا
مِthe nobles (end) ذَويpossessors of المَآثيرِdeeds of renown الأَوائِلancient
مِ ذَوي المَآثيرِ الأَوائِل
son of the illustrious nobles,
Without familiarity or alliance
possessors of ancient deeds of renown,
And you see in his presence
وَاِبنَand son of الهُمامِthe high-minded man ابنِson of الخِياthe choicest (start)
وَاِبنَ الهُمامِ ابنِ الخِيا
رِthe choicest (end) ذَويpossessors of المَآثِرِnoble deeds وَالمَآكِلand feasts
رِ ذَوي المَآثِرِ وَالمَآكِل
son of the high-minded man, son of the choicest,
Of dignity and the assembly of tribes
possessors of noble deeds and plentiful feasts.
Between newcomers he greets
إِنَّindeed الأَغَرَّthe illustrious one اِبنَson of الكَراthe nobles (start)
إِنَّ الأَغَرَّ اِبنَ الكَرا
مِthe nobles (end) لِكُلِّwith every بِطريقٍgreat commander مُخايِلvying in distinction
مِ لِكُلِّ بِطريقٍ مُخايِل
Indeed, the illustrious son of nobles
And departing streams
rivals every great commander.
Good is the climate to him if you
سامىhe aspired to جَسيماتِmighty الأُموaffairs (start)
سامى جَسيماتِ الأُمو
رِaffairs (end) فَنالَهاand attained them عِندَupon التَناوُلreaching for them
رِ فَنالَها عِندَ التَناوُل
He aspired to mighty affairs
Ward off intimacy or descent
and attained them when he reached for them.
It gives hopes when asked
وَإِذاand when تَزاحَمَتِcrowded together المَناthe shoulders (start)
وَإِذا تَزاحَمَتِ المَنا
كِبُthe shoulders (end) فيin الرَخاءِprosperity وَفيand in الزَلازِلupheavals
كِبُ في الرَخاءِ وَفي الزَلازِل
When shoulders crowd together,
To fulfill what gives every hopeful ambition
in prosperity or upheaval,
And it is generous from a fresh eye
لاsought refuge (start) ذَتsought refuge (end) بِهِin him أَهلُthe people of العِراIraq (start)
لا ذَت بِهِ أَهلُ العِرا
قِIraq (end) بِلاwithout أَلَفَّa faltering man وَلاnor مُواكِلa shirker
قِ بِلا أَلَفَّ وَلا مُواكِل
the people of Iraq take refuge in him,
West torrent valley streams
with neither faltering nor shirking.
Neither diminishing of waters nor
وَتَرىand you see لَدَيهِin his presence مِنَamong الرِفاthe companies (start)
وَتَرى لَدَيهِ مِنَ الرِفا
قِthe companies (end) وَحَضرِand the presence of جُمّاعِgatherings of القَبائِلthe tribes
قِ وَحَضرِ جُمّاعِ القَبائِل
You see companies gathered about him
Illness of enterers from entrances
and throngs from all the tribes,
Does it increase, O pillar of glory
مِنfrom بَينِamong وَارِدَةٍan arriving company يُماwater is drawn (start)
مِن بَينِ وَارِدَةٍ يُما
حُwater is drawn (end) لَهاfor it وَصادِرَةٍand a departing company نَواهِلwith thirst quenched
حُ لَها وَصادِرَةٍ نَواهِل
some arriving, with water drawn for them,
For the garlanded and every doer?
others departing, their thirst quenched.
A king whom kings obey
نِعمَexcellent is المُناخُthe camping-place إِلَيهِbeside him أَنyou (start)
نِعمَ المُناخُ إِلَيهِ أَن
تَyou (end) لِدَفعِfor repelling ضَميمٍinjury أَوor لِنازِلa calamity
تَ لِدَفعِ ضَميمٍ أَو لِنازِل
An excellent one to camp beside are you,
Keener sighted than abandoned mounts
to ward off injury or a calamity.
You see him host the noble
تُعطيyou grant الرَغائِبَdesired gifts حينَwhen يُخلfails (start)
تُعطي الرَغائِبَ حينَ يُخل
لِفُfails (end) ماwhat يُؤَمِّلُhopes for كُلَّevery آمِلhopeful person
لِفُ ما يُؤَمِّلُ كُلَّ آمِل
You grant desired gifts when
And doing good, undertaken
every hopeful person's hopes fail.
Immersing the arts in attainment
وَتَجودُand you give generously مِنfrom عَينٍa spring ضَفوbrim-filling (start)
وَتَجودُ مِن عَينٍ ضَفو
فِbrim-filling (end) الغَربِthe bucket مُترَعَةِbrimming الجَداوِلthe channels
فِ الغَربِ مُترَعَةِ الجَداوِل
You give from a spring whose buckets brim,
When the hand’s lion prevailed
its channels filled to overflowing:
Uttering conversation, saying
لاnot الثَمدُscant water يَنقُصُهاdiminishes it وَلاnor
لا الثَمدُ يَنقُصُها وَلا
عَلَلُrepeated draughts الدِخالِcrowded drinking مِنَamong المَداخِلthose admitted
عَلَلُ الدِخالِ مِنَ المَداخِل
neither scant water diminishes it, nor
To the silent the separated joints
repeated draughts by those admitted to drink.
Below the closed eye
أَيَزيدُO Yazid عَمَّencompassed المَجدُglory مِنfrom
أَيَزيدُ عَمَّ المَجدُ مِن
كَyou المُحتَفينَthe barefoot وَكُلَّand every ناعِلsandaled person
كَ المُحتَفينَ وَكُلَّ ناعِل
O Yazid, your glory has encompassed
From exits and entrances
the barefoot and everyone wearing sandals.
I seek refuge in your conquest, O Yazeed
مَلِكٌa king تَدينُobey لَهُhim المُلوthe kings (start)
مَلِكٌ تَدينُ لَهُ المُلو
كُthe kings (end) أَشَمُّlofty عَصّاءُdefiant of العَواذِلthe reproaching women
كُ أَشَمُّ عَصّاءُ العَواذِل
A king whom kings obey,
It is time to detach relations
lofty, defiant of reproach;
In the confused roads of purpose
تَرّاكُhabitually abandoning أَندِيَةِthe assemblies of السَفاfolly (start)
تَرّاكُ أَندِيَةِ السَفا
هُfolly (end) وَقائِلٌand a speaker لِلخَيرِfor good فاعِلa doer
هُ وَقائِلٌ لِلخَيرِ فاعِل
abandoning the assemblies of folly,
And the meeting place of rising valleys
speaking for good and doing it,
He mixed the armies with armies
غَمرُlavish البَديهَةِin spontaneous response بِالنَواwith gifts (start)
غَمرُ البَديهَةِ بِالنَوا
لِwith gifts (end) إِذاwhen غَداhe goes forth سَبطُopen الأَنامِلin the fingers
لِ إِذا غَدا سَبطُ الأَنامِل
lavish in spontaneous gifts,
And bombs with bombs
open-fingered when he goes forth,
In every lofty, brilliant
نَطِقُeloquent المَقالَةِin speech قائِلُpronouncing
نَطِقُ المَقالَةِ قائِلُ
لِلمُستَكِنّاتِfor hidden matters المَفاصِلthe decisive distinctions
لِلمُستَكِنّاتِ المَفاصِل
eloquent in speech, pronouncing
Dusk or twilight
the decisive distinctions of hidden matters,
Renewing traces, having much Müd
تَحتَbeneath المُغَمَّضَةِthe obscure difficulty العَماdark and difficult (start)
تَحتَ المُغَمَّضَةِ العَما
سِdark and difficult (end) مِنَamong المَخارِجِways out وَالمَداخِلand ways in
سِ مِنَ المَخارِجِ وَالمَداخِل
beneath dark, obscure difficulties,
And stirring the reckless souls
in their ways out and their ways in.
Like the mewing of wild cats when
أَزرىdiminished بِخُفضِكَyour ease ياO يَزيYazid (start)
أَزرى بِخُفضِكَ يا يَزي
دُYazid (end) أَوانُthe time of تَجريدِunsheathing المَناصِلthe blades
دُ أَوانُ تَجريدِ المَناصِل
Your ease was diminished, O Yazid,
The storyteller cannot say, a sayer said
by the hour when blades were unsheathed,
You continued waving over your head
فيamid مُستَحيرِthe swirling of رَدىthe destruction of المَنوdeath (start)
في مُستَحيرِ رَدى المَنو
نِdeath (end) وَمُلتَقىand the meeting-place of الأَسَلِthe spears النَواهِلdrinking their fill
نِ وَمُلتَقى الأَسَلِ النَواهِل
amid death's swirling destruction,
A flag atop a standard
where thirsting spears meet.
Shading its shadows the corpses
خَلَطَmingled العضساكِرَthe armies (irregular spelling) بِالعَساwith armies (start)
خَلَطَ العضساكِرَ بِالعَسا
كِرِwith armies (end) وَالقَنابِلَand companies بِالقَنابِلwith companies
كِرِ وَالقَنابِلَ بِالقَنابِل
It mingled armies with armies
Of possessor of supplies and floods
and companies with companies,
Scattering the heap and leaving
فيin كُلِّevery أَرعَنَrugged host ذيhaving بَواflashes (start)
في كُلِّ أَرعَنَ ذي بَوا
رِقَflashes (end) بِالعَشِيِّin the evening وَذيand having هَواطِلtorrents
رِقَ بِالعَشِيِّ وَذي هَواطِل
in every rugged host, flashing
What comes from streams
in the evening and pouring down torrents,
With picks in which flags
مُتَجَدِّدِever-renewing الآثارِthe tracks ذيhaving
مُتَجَدِّدِ الآثارِ ذي
لَجَبٍtumult كَثيرٍgreat وَحىthe cries of الصَواهِلneighing horses
لَجَبٍ كَثيرٍ وَحى الصَواهِل
leaving ever-renewed tracks, full of
Appear between intervals of rain
great tumult and the cries of neighing horses,
In which the drinking horns of blood appear
كَوَغىlike the clamor of القَطاsandgrouse ماnot يَستَبيcan discern (start)
كَوَغى القَطا ما يَستَبي
نُcan discern (end) بِهِamid it المُحَدِّثُthe speaker قيلَthe words of قائِلanother speaker
نُ بِهِ المُحَدِّثُ قيلَ قائِل
like the clamor of sandgrouse, where one cannot
To warble from a body and means
distinguish a speaker's words.
And indeed you were patient from harm
ماnot زِلتَyou ceased تَخفِقُflutters فَوقَabove رَأyour head (start)
ما زِلتَ تَخفِقُ فَوقَ رَأ
سِكَyour head (end) رايَةٌa banner فيat رَأسِthe tip of عامِلa spear-shaft
سِكَ رايَةٌ في رَأسِ عامِل
Above your head there has always fluttered
And the measuring of measurers
a banner at the tip of a spear-shaft,
So you went out initiating
تَغشىenters بِحِزقَيهاwith its two divisions المَتاdeadly places (start)
تَغشى بِحِزقَيها المَتا
لِفَdeadly places (end) ذاتَpossessing دُفّاعٍa surging rush وَوابِلand a downpour
لِفَ ذاتَ دُفّاعٍ وَوابِل
entering deadly places with its two divisions,
The vanguards of the early tribe
surging and pouring down torrents,
And your house took the most virtuous that settled
تَذَرُleaves الإِكامَthe hills فَضاًstripped bare وَتَجand drains (start)
تَذَرُ الإِكامَ فَضاً وَتَج
هَرُand drains (end) ماwhatever وَرَدتَyou reached مِنَamong المَناهِلwatering places
هَرُ ما وَرَدتَ مِنَ المَناهِل
leaving the hills stripped bare and draining
At the peak of the highest dunes
whatever watering places you reach,
And you descended from the path of lowliness
بِمقانِبٍwith cavalry bands فيهاwithin them المَناdeaths (start)
بِمقانِبٍ فيها المَنا
ياdeaths (end) بَينَamong أَثناءِthe folds of القَساطِلdust-clouds
يا بَينَ أَثناءِ القَساطِل
with cavalry bands in which death lurks
To an impregnable abode
amid the folds of dust-clouds,
And your traits refused that their surface be razed
فيهاwithin them سَفاسيقُstreaks of الدَماblood (start)
فيها سَفاسيقُ الدَما
ءِblood (end) يَلُحنَgleam مِنof جَسِدٍclotted blood وَسائِلand flowing blood
ءِ يَلُحنَ مِن جَسِدٍ وَسائِل
where streaks of blood
By the blows of pickaxes
gleam, clotted or flowing.
And you attained the best that you sought
وَلَقَدand indeed صَبَرتَyou refrained عَنfrom المُسيthe wrongdoer (start)
وَلَقَد صَبَرتَ عَن المُسي
ءِthe wrongdoer (end) وَعَنand from مُكايَلَةِrepaying in kind المُكايِلone who repays in kind
ءِ وَعَن مُكايَلَةِ المُكايِل
You have indeed refrained from the wrongdoer
Of noble deeds and virtues
and from repaying one who repays in kind;
And you took your moon with the right
فَخَرَجتَso you went forth مُبتَدِئاًtaking the lead نَفوoutstripping (start)
فَخَرَجتَ مُبتَدِئاً نَفو
ذَoutstripping (end) سَوابِقِthe foremost of العُصَبِthe bands الأَوائِلthe earlier ones
ذَ سَوابِقِ العُصَبِ الأَوائِل
so you went forth in the lead, outstripping
In winning the traits of the competitor
the foremost bands of those before you.
وَاِحتَلَّand settled بَيتُكَyour house حَيثُwhere حلْit settled (start)
وَاِحتَلَّ بَيتُكَ حَيثُ حلْ
لَit settled (end) بِذِرَوَةِat the summit of القُحَمِthe great elder men الأَطاوِلthe loftiest
لَ بِذِرَوَةِ القُحَمِ الأَطاوِل
Your house settled where it did,
at the summit of the greatest, loftiest men;
وَنَزلتَand you settled عَنaway from عِرضِthe quarter of الذَليthe lowly man (start)
وَنَزلتَ عَن عِرضِ الذَلي
لِthe lowly man (end) بِمَنزِلٍin an abode أَشِبِdense المَعاقِلwith strongholds
لِ بِمَنزِلٍ أَشِبِ المَعاقِل
you settled far from the lowly man's quarter,
in an abode dense with strongholds.
وَأَبَتand refused صَفاتُكَyour rock أَنthat يُؤَيْbe marked (start)
وَأَبَت صَفاتُكَ أَن يُؤَيْ
يِسَbe marked (end) صَفحَهاits surface وَقعُthe blows of المَعاوِلpickaxes
يِسَ صَفحَها وَقعُ المَعاوِل
Your rock refused to let its surface
be marked by the blows of pickaxes.
وَبَلَغتَand you attained أَفضَلَthe finest ماwhat تُريyou seek (start)
وَبَلَغتَ أَفضَلَ ما تُري
دُyou seek (end) مِنَamong المَكارِمِnoble deeds وَالفَضائِلand virtues
دُ مِنَ المَكارِمِ وَالفَضائِل
You attained the finest of what you sought
in noble deeds and virtues,
وَأَخَذتَand you took قَمرَكَyour winnings بِاليَميin the right hand (start)
وَأَخَذتَ قَمرَكَ بِاليَمي
نِin the right hand (end) بِفَوزِby winning خَصلاتِthe successful shots of المُناضِلthe competing archer
نِ بِفَوزِ خَصلاتِ المُناضِل
and took your winnings in your right hand,
winning the successful shots of a competing archer.
Partial English translation: 223 of 234 Arabic lines translated.
Sol 6.1