ماwhat بعدَafter يومِكَyour day للحزينِfor the sorrowful الموجَعِthe afflicted
ما بعدَ يومِكَ للحزينِ الموجَعِ
غيرُexcept العويلwailing وأنَّةُand the groan المتفَجِّعِof the bereaved
غيرُ العويل وأنَّةُ المتفَجِّعِ
After your day, what remains for the sorrowful, afflicted man
After your day, the grief-stricken has naught
but wailing and the groan of the bereaved?
But wailing and lament of the bereaved
يومٌa day أُصيبَwas stricken الدينُreligion فيهin it وعُطِّلَتْand were suspended
يومٌ أُصيبَ الدينُ فيه وعُطِّلَتْ
أحكامُهits laws فكأنَّهُso it is as though لمnot يُشْرَعِordained
أحكامُه فكأنَّهُ لم يُشْرَعِ
A day on which religion was stricken and suspended
A day when religion was struck and its rulings suspended
were its laws, as though it had never been ordained.
As though it had never been legislated
واشتطَّand overstepped أحكامُthe decrees الردَىof death وتطاولتْand reached upward
واشتطَّ أحكامُ الردَى وتطاولتْ
أيديthe hands المَنونِof Death إِلىto السَّنامِthe summit الأرفعِthe loftiest
أيدي المَنونِ إِلى السَّنامِ الأرفعِ
Death's decrees overstepped their bounds, and upward reached
The rulings of misguidance grew rampant
the hands of Death, toward the loftiest summit.
And the hands of fate reached to the highest status
أنحَىassailed الكُسوفُthe eclipse علىupon الهِلالِthe crescent المجتلىrevealed to view
أنحَى الكُسوفُ على الهِلالِ المجتلى
وأجرَّand silenced شِقشقةthe outpouring الخطيبof the orator المِصْقَعِthe eloquent
وأجرَّ شِقشقة الخطيب المِصْقَعِ
The eclipse assailed the crescent revealed to view,
The eclipse leaned over the faded crescent
and silenced the outpouring of the eloquent orator.
And the crack of the orator thundered loud
ومضَىand departed الذيhe whom كُنَّاwe used to نروعُterrify بذِكرهِwith mention of him
ومضَى الذي كُنَّا نروعُ بذِكرهِ
نُوَبَthe vicissitudes الزمانِof time فماso no لهُfor him منany مرجعِreturn
نُوَبَ الزمانِ فما لهُ من مرجعِ
Gone is he with whose name we used to terrify
And he who we feared the mention of is gone
the vicissitudes of Time; for him there is no return.
The turns of time left him no return
قادتُled حزامتهُhis resolve المَنونDeath كأنَّماas though
قادتُ حزامتهُ المَنون كأنَّما
يحدُوhe drove onward بموهونِwith a weakened beast القفارof the deserts موقّعِsore-footed
يحدُو بموهونِ القفار موقّعِ
His resolve led Death, as though
His destiny led him as if driving
he were driving a desert-worn, sore-footed beast.
A roaming camel in the barren desert
منwho ذاis it that رأىsaw البدرَthe full moon المنيرَthe radiant وقدand already هَوىhad fallen
من ذا رأى البدرَ المنيرَ وقد هَوى
فيinto التُربِthe dust والطودَand the mountain الرفيعَthe lofty وقدand already نُعِيwas announced dead
في التُربِ والطودَ الرفيعَ وقد نُعِي
Who has seen the radiant full moon fallen
Who has seen the shining full moon fall
into dust, and the lofty mountain declared dead?
Into the sand and the high sand dunes and heard of his death
منwho ذاis it that رأىsaw الأسَدَthe lion المُدِلَّconfident ببأسِهin his might
من ذا رأى الأسَدَ المُدِلَّ ببأسِه
شِلواًa carcass طريحاًcast down بالعراءin the open البلْقَعِthe barren
شِلواً طريحاً بالعراء البلْقَعِ
Who has seen the lion, confident in his might,
Who has seen the fierce lion felled by his might
a carcass cast down in the barren open?
Lying dead in the open wilderness
منwho ذاis it that رأىsaw الملِكَthe king المحجَّبَthe secluded بارزاًexposed
من ذا رأى الملِكَ المحجَّبَ بارزاً
ملقىًcast down بمنزِلةِin the condition الذليلِof the abased الأضرعِthe most humbled
ملقىً بمنزِلةِ الذليلِ الأضرعِ
Who has seen the secluded king exposed,
Who has seen the veiled King appear
cast down like the most abased and humbled?
Cast aside to the station of the humbled weak
منwho ذاis it that رأىsaw الأنِفَthe proud الحمِيَّthe honor-defending يقودُهُleads him
من ذا رأى الأنِفَ الحمِيَّ يقودُهُ
كَفُّthe hand المنيةِof death بالخشاشِby the nose-ring الأطوعِutterly submissive
كَفُّ المنيةِ بالخشاشِ الأطوعِ
Who has seen the proud defender of his honor led
Who has seen the haughty led by the hand of death
by Death's hand, with a nose-ring of utter submission?
With a submissive palm to his pliant neck
أعزِزْhow grievous عليَّto me بأنthat أُسَرِّحَI let roam ناظرِيmy gaze
أعزِزْ عليَّ بأن أُسَرِّحَ ناظرِي
فيin مجمعٍan assembly وسِواكَand someone other than you صدرُthe chief المجمعِof the assembly
في مجمعٍ وسِواكَ صدرُ المجمعِ
How grievous to me to let my gaze roam
Honor me by allowing my eyes
through an assembly with someone else at its head.
To roam freely, none but you at their fore
أعزِزْhow grievous عليَّto me بأنthat يحدِّثَshould speak to نفْسَهُhimself
أعزِزْ عليَّ بأن يحدِّثَ نفْسَهُ
بالأمنof safety بعدَكafter you كلُّevery نابيuneasy in المضجعِthe bed
بالأمن بعدَك كلُّ نابي المضجعِ
How grievous to me that he should speak to himself
Honor me by having everyone feel safe
of safety after you—every man once restless in bed.
After you, every tossing turner in bed
أعززhow grievous عليَّto me بأنthat يبُزَّكَshould despoil you حاسِراًunarmored
أعزز عليَّ بأن يبُزَّكَ حاسِراً
منone who كانhad been يُحْجِمُshrinking back عنكَfrom you بينamong الدُرَّعِthe armored men
من كان يُحْجِمُ عنكَ بين الدُرَّعِ
How grievous to me that, unarmored, he should despoil you—
Honor me by your open defiance
one who shrank from you among armored men.
Of those who shunned you amongst the armored men
ماذاwhat harm علىto الأقدارِthe fates لوif صفحتْthey had spared لناfor us
ماذا على الأقدارِ لو صفحتْ لنا
يومon the day اللقاءِof battle عنfrom الكَمِيِّthe armored warrior الأروعِthe awe-inspiring
يوم اللقاءِ عن الكَمِيِّ الأروعِ
What harm to the fates, had they spared for us
What could fate have done if it pardoned us
the awe-inspiring warrior on the day of battle?
The day we met the most noble and virtuous
ماذاwhat harm علىto رَيْبِthe vicissitudes المَنونِof Death لَوَif اَنّهit
ماذا على رَيْبِ المَنونِ لَوَ اَنّه
قَبِلَaccepted الفِداransom فنجودُthen we would give generously عنكin your stead بِمقنَعِwith a sufficient ransom
قَبِلَ الفِدا فنجودُ عنك بِمقنَعِ
What harm to Death's vicissitudes, had it
What could the doubt of death have done if only
accepted ransom, and we given enough in your stead?
It would accept our sacrifice that we may ransom you
لهفيmy anguish عليكَover you لمستجيرٍfor a seeker of refuge يبتَغِيseeking
لهفي عليكَ لمستجيرٍ يبتَغِي
وَزَراًa refuge لديكَwith you وماand no لهُfor him منany مفزعِplace of refuge
وَزَراً لديكَ وما لهُ من مفزعِ
I grieve for you, for the refuge-seeker seeking
My longing for you is for one seeking refuge
shelter with you, with no other place to turn.
Support from you though he has no other escape
لهفيmy anguish عليكَover you لخائفٍfor one afraid ومؤَمِّلٍand one hopeful
لهفي عليكَ لخائفٍ ومؤَمِّلٍ
ومنازَعٍand one contested فيin حقِّهِhis right ومدفَّعِand one repelled
ومنازَعٍ في حقِّهِ ومدفَّعِ
I grieve for you, for the fearful and the hopeful,
My longing for you is for one fearful and hopeful
for one whose right is contested, and one turned away.
And disputing his rights, warding off harm
لهفيmy anguish عليكَover you لثلَّةٍfor a band غادرتَهاyou left behind
لهفي عليكَ لثلَّةٍ غادرتَها
هَمَلاًuntended لذُؤبانِto the wolves الفَلاof the wilderness والأضبُعِand the hyenas
هَمَلاً لذُؤبانِ الفَلا والأضبُعِ
I grieve for you, for the band you left
My longing for you is for a group you left
untended to the wolves and hyenas of the wild.
Prey to the sly and ravenous wolves
ماnot كنتُI was أحسبُthinking أنَّthat فوقَكabove you حادثاًa calamity
ما كنتُ أحسبُ أنَّ فوقَك حادثاً
تُلْقِيyou would surrender إِلىto يدِهits hand مقادةَthe reins طيِّعِof one compliant
تُلْقِي إِلى يدِه مقادةَ طيِّعِ
I never thought a calamity stood above you
I did not expect that a mishap would befall you
to whose hand you would yield the reins of a compliant man.
Handing the reins over to an obedient hand
ماnot كنتI was أحسبُthinking أنthat تُصَمَّyou would be deafened عنto الذيthe one who
ما كنت أحسبُ أن تُصَمَّ عن الذي
يدعوكَcalls you للجُلَّىfor a grave crisis وأنتwhile you are بمسمعِwithin earshot
يدعوكَ للجُلَّى وأنت بمسمعِ
I never thought you would be deaf to him
I did not expect that you would be deaf to one
who calls you in grave crisis, while you are within earshot.
Calling you openly and you able to hear
منwho للمَعاليfor noble deeds بَعدafter يومِكَyour day اِنهاindeed they
من للمَعالي بَعد يومِكَ اِنها
تبكيweep عليكَfor you وقدand now فُقِدَْتyou are lost بأربَعِfourfold
تبكي عليكَ وقد فُقِدَْت بأربَعِ
Who is left for noble deeds after your day? They
After your day, who is left for the noble ones
weep for you, now lost, with fourfold tears.
Who weep over you now that the best is gone
مَنْwho للعُفاةِfor the petitioners المرملينَthe destitute رمَتْsent بهمْthem
مَنْ للعُفاةِ المرملينَ رمَتْ بهمْ
آمالُهمtheir hopes نحوَtoward الجَنابِthe domain المُمْرِعِthe fertile
آمالُهم نحوَ الجَنابِ المُمْرِعِ
Who is left for the destitute petitioners, driven
After you, who remains for the displaced migrants
by their hopes toward the fertile threshold?
Whose hopes migrated to the generous threshold
شَدُّواthey tightened الرِحالَthe saddles وأعملواand urged onward أنضاءَهُمْtheir weary mounts
شَدُّوا الرِحالَ وأعملوا أنضاءَهُمْ
ورمَوْاand sent بهاthem جُدَدَthe clear tracks الطريقof the road المَهْيَعِthe broad
ورمَوْا بها جُدَدَ الطريق المَهْيَعِ
They tightened their saddles and urged their weary mounts onward,
They journeyed far and roamed ceaselessly
sending them along the tracks of the broad highway,
And wandered the paths of desolation
حتَّىuntil إِذاwhen سَمِعُواthey heard بيومِكَof your day عطَّلُواthey left idle
حتَّى إِذا سَمِعُوا بيومِكَ عطَّلُوا
أنضاءَهُمْtheir weary mounts منsome عاقرٍone who hamstrings ومُجعْجَعِand one who tethers
أنضاءَهُمْ من عاقرٍ ومُجعْجَعِ
until, hearing of your day, they left idle
Until when they heard of your day, they unpacked
their weary mounts—some hamstringing them, others tethering them.
Their belongings, barren and shaken
جمحتْran headlong بكَwith you الهِممُambitions التيwhich لاdo not تنثنيturn back
جمحتْ بكَ الهِممُ التي لا تنثني
عماfrom what تُريغُthey seek منof الجَنابِthe domain الأمنعِthe most impregnable
عما تُريغُ من الجَنابِ الأمنعِ
Your ambitions bore you headlong, never turning back
The resolute goals that do not bend
from the most impregnable domain they sought.
From what they seek to obtain from the Impenetrable
ووقفتَand you stood حيثُwhere السيفُthe sword يُرعِدُquivered متنُهُits back
ووقفتَ حيثُ السيفُ يُرعِدُ متنُهُ
لمnot ترتعدْdid you tremble فَرقَاًin fear ولمnor تتخَشَّعِdid you humble yourself
لم ترتعدْ فَرقَاً ولم تتخَشَّعِ
You stood where the sword's spine quivered;
You stood where the sword sparkled brightly
you neither trembled with fear nor humbled yourself,
Neither trembling with fear nor displaying weakness
فيin موقفٍa stance بينَamid الصوارمِthe keen swords والقَنَاand the spears
في موقفٍ بينَ الصوارمِ والقَنَا
دحضٍslippery ويومٍand a day لكريهةِof battle أشنَعِmost dreadful
دحضٍ ويومٍ لكريهةِ أشنَعِ
in a stance amid keen swords and spears,
In a stand amongst swords and spears
on treacherous ground, on a day most hideous for war.
A breach and a day of horrid evil
وحسرتَand you bared فيهthere عنfrom ذراعكyour arm جاهداًstriving hard
وحسرتَ فيه عن ذراعك جاهداً
والبيضُwhile bright swords ترتعfeasted فيon الطُّلَىthe necks والأذرُعِand the arms
والبيضُ ترتع في الطُّلَى والأذرُعِ
There you bared your arm, striving hard,
Baring your arm and fighting vigorously
while bright swords feasted on necks and arms.
While others shook in coats of mail and armor
وكرهتَand you abhorred مأثورَthe transmitted الحديثِtale فلمso you did not تَلُذْseek shelter
وكرهتَ مأثورَ الحديثِ فلم تَلُذْ
بالعفوِin pardon مأسوراًas a captive ولمnor تتضَرَّعِdid you plead
بالعفوِ مأسوراً ولم تتضَرَّعِ
You abhorred the tale that would be told, and did not seek shelter
You hated the worn words and found no joy
in pardon as a captive, nor did you plead.
In pardoning while shackled and pleading
ضاقتْgrew narrow بكfor you الدنياthe world فعِفْتَso you spurned جِوارَهاits company
ضاقتْ بك الدنيا فعِفْتَ جِوارَها
ونزعتَand you set out نحوtoward الخُلدِeternity أكرمَin the noblest منزعِdeparture
ونزعتَ نحو الخُلدِ أكرمَ منزعِ
The world grew narrow for you, so you spurned its company
The world was too narrow for you so you shunned its vicinity
and departed toward eternity in the noblest departure.
And headed for eternity, a most honorable retreat
ياO ضيعةَloss الإِسلامِof Islam بعدَكَafter you إِنَّهindeed it
يا ضيعةَ الإِسلامِ بعدَكَ إِنَّه
غَرَضٌa target لكلِّfor every مُبَدِّلٍdistorter ومضَيِّعِand squanderer
غَرَضٌ لكلِّ مُبَدِّلٍ ومضَيِّعِ
Alas for Islam's loss after you! It
O citadel of Islam now desolate without you
is a target for every distorter and squanderer.
For it is a target for every traitor and saboteur
ياO طامعاًone hoping فيfor أنthat يقومَshould rise بنصرهِto its defense
يا طامعاً في أن يقومَ بنصرهِ
أشياعُهits partisans زاحمْpress forward بِحَدٍّwith a blade أوor دعِgive up
أشياعُه زاحمْ بِحَدٍّ أو دعِ
O you who hope there will rise to its defense
O you who hopes his devotees will rise to his victory
its partisans: press forward with a blade, or give up.
Contending with a claim or call unheeded
أماas for عُبيدُUbayd اللّهِAllah أسلمَهُabandoned him الأُلىthose who
أما عُبيدُ اللّهِ أسلمَهُ الأُلى
ضَمِنواpledged الدفاعَdefense لكلِّagainst every خَطْبٍcalamity مضلعِcrushing
ضَمِنوا الدفاعَ لكلِّ خَطْبٍ مضلعِ
As for Ubayd Allah, he was forsaken by those
But Allah's servants whom he entrusted
who pledged defense against every crushing calamity.
Failed to defend against every dangerous scheme
خَاضُواthey plunged بهwith him الغَمَراتِinto perils ثمthen تخاذلواwithdrew their support
خَاضُوا به الغَمَراتِ ثم تخاذلوا
وتقاعسُواand hung back عنهfrom him دُوَيْنَjust before المصرعِthe fatal fall
وتقاعسُوا عنه دُوَيْنَ المصرعِ
They plunged with him into peril, then withdrew their support
They plunged into ambushes but then became reluctant
and hung back from him just before his fatal fall.
And abandoned it, nearing the places of death
وتسَرَّعُواand hurried away عندat اللِّقاءِthe encounter وخلَّفْواand left behind
وتسَرَّعُوا عند اللِّقاءِ وخلَّفْوا
فيin النَقْعِthe dust ثبتَone steadfast of الجأشِheart لمnot يتسرَّعِhurrying away
في النَقْعِ ثبتَ الجأشِ لم يتسرَّعِ
At the encounter they hurried away, and left behind
They were hasty to flee at the encounter and left behind
in the dust a steadfast heart, who did not hurry away.
The steadfast brave who did not hastily flee
ويلُwoe to اُمِّهِits mother نصراًsuch aid لَوَif only اَنَّthat رجالَهُhis men
ويلُ اُمِّهِ نصراً لَوَ اَنَّ رجالَهُ
زحفواhad advanced إِلىtoward الأعداءthe enemies قيْدَthe breadth الإِصْبَعِof a finger
زحفوا إِلى الأعداء قيْدَ الإِصْبَعِ
Woe to its mother—what aid! If only his men
May his mother be bereft of victory if his men
had advanced toward the enemy a finger's breadth.
Marched not against the enemy bound wrist-to-wrist
وردواthey entered بهِwith him حتىuntil إِذاwhen حَمِيَgrew fierce الوغَىthe battle
وردوا بهِ حتى إِذا حَمِيَ الوغَى
صدرواthey withdrew وخلَّوْهُand left him لُقَىًcast aside لمnot يُرفَعِlifted
صدروا وخلَّوْهُ لُقَىً لم يُرفَعِ
They entered with him; then, when battle grew fierce,
And returned him until when the fight intensified
they withdrew and left him cast down, never lifted.
They shielded him, not to be lifted from his place
منwho ذاis it that يَذُبُّdefends عنon behalf of الشريعةِthe sacred law بعدَهُafter him
من ذا يَذُبُّ عن الشريعةِ بعدَهُ
بلسانِwith a tongue فصّالdecisive وقلبِand a heart سُمَيْدَعِnobly valiant
بلسانِ فصّال وقلبِ سُمَيْدَعِ
Who will defend the sacred law after him
After him, who will defend the ways of faith
with a decisive tongue and a nobly valiant heart?
With eloquent words and sincere intentions
منwho ذاis it that يمدstretches إِلىtoward الأعاديthe foes بعدَهُafter him
من ذا يمد إِلى الأعادي بعدَهُ
باعاًan arm's reach أمقَّlong وهمَّةًand a resolve لمnot تُقْذَعِdeterred
باعاً أمقَّ وهمَّةً لم تُقْذَعِ
Who, after him, will stretch toward the foes
After him, who will extend to the enemies
a long-reaching arm and a resolve never deterred?
Selling hopes short and ambitions unfulfilled
منwho ذاis it that يحاولُpursues غايةًa goal صعُبَتْproved difficult علىfor
من ذا يحاولُ غايةً صعُبَتْ على
طُلّابِهاits seekers وثنيَّةًand a mountain pass لمnot تُطْلَعِascended
طُلّابِها وثنيَّةً لم تُطْلَعِ
Who will pursue a goal too hard for
After him, who will attempt a lofty goal made hard
its seekers, and a mountain pass never ascended,
For its seekers and uncharted territory
ويبُزُّand strips رَبَّthe lord المُلْكِof kingship قُلَّةَthe pinnacle أمنِهِof his security
ويبُزُّ رَبَّ المُلْكِ قُلَّةَ أمنِهِ
حتىuntil ينوءَhe strains بركنِهunder his pillar المتضَعْضِعِthe tottering
حتى ينوءَ بركنِه المتضَعْضِعِ
and rob the lord of kingship of the pinnacle of his safety,
And openly dishonor the lack of might of the Lord of Lords
until he strains beneath his tottering pillar?
Until His weakened Pillar trembles to its foundations
لمnot يبقَremains منanyone يثنَىone bends عليهfor him بِخِنْصُرٍwith a little finger
لم يبقَ من يثنَى عليه بِخِنْصُرٍ
مُذْsince غِبْتَyou vanished أوor يومىone points إِليهto him بإِصبُعِwith a finger
مُذْ غِبْتَ أو يومى إِليه بإِصبُعِ
No one remains for whom a little finger is bent
None are left to be praised since you left
since you vanished, or to whom a finger points.
Or pointed at with a finger in your absence
منfrom أينَwhere بعدَكafter you منone who يُخَافُis feared ويُرْتَجَىand hoped in
من أينَ بعدَك من يُخَافُ ويُرْتَجَى
زالhas vanished الحِذارfear وسُدَّand was closed بابُthe gate المطمعِof hope
زال الحِذار وسُدَّ بابُ المطمعِ
Where, after you, is one to fear and hope in?
From where after you comes one who is feared or hoped for
Fear has vanished, and the gate of hope is shut.
Fear has ceased and the door of hopes is shut
ماnot زلتَyou ceased تسهرُstaying awake فيin ترصُّدِwatching for غايةٍa goal
ما زلتَ تسهرُ في ترصُّدِ غايةٍ
للمجدِof glory أخطأهاmissed it عُيونُthe eyes الهُجَّعِof sleepers
للمجدِ أخطأها عُيونُ الهُجَّعِ
You never ceased keeping vigil for a goal
You remained sleepless watching for a glorious chance
of glory missed by the eyes of sleepers.
Missed by drowsy eyes in their slumber
وتُخَلِّفُand you leave behind الباغينَthose seeking شأوَكَyour reach فيin العُلَىloftiness
وتُخَلِّفُ الباغينَ شأوَكَ في العُلَى
ماranging بَينَbetween حَسْرَىthe exhausted فيin الغُبارِthe dust وظُلَّعِand the lame
ما بَينَ حَسْرَى في الغُبارِ وظُلَّعِ
You left those seeking your reach in loftiness behind,
Leaving the tyrants confused with your affair on high
some exhausted in the dust, others limping.
Between sorrow in the dust and black darkness
وتكلِّفُand you task القُبَّthe hollow-flanked الشوازبَlean steeds غايةًwith a goal
وتكلِّفُ القُبَّ الشوازبَ غايةً
تُهدِيbestows الكلالَexhaustion إِلىon البُروقthe lightning flashes اللُّمَّعِthe gleaming
تُهدِي الكلالَ إِلى البُروق اللُّمَّعِ
You tasked hollow-flanked, lean steeds with a goal
You tasked the gray-haired elders with a goal
that wearied even the gleaming lightning.
That sends insomnia to bright eyes awake
وتقودُand you lead ذاone possessing لجَبٍclamor كأنas though زُهَاءَهُits multitude
وتقودُ ذا لجَبٍ كأن زُهَاءَهُ
وطفاءa dense cloud تُحدىis driven بالبليلِby a moist wind الزعزعِthe tempestuous
وطفاء تُحدى بالبليلِ الزعزعِ
You led a clamorous host, whose multitude seemed
As if destiny was determined to guide
a dense cloud driven by a damp, tempestuous wind.
To moderation, not to be exceeded
يُضحيbecomes بهbecause of it غَمَمُthe thick cover الروابيof the hills جلحةًbare
يُضحي به غَمَمُ الروابي جلحةً
وتنشُّand dries up منهbecause of it ذخيرةَthe reserve المستنقعِof the marsh
وتنشُّ منه ذخيرةَ المستنقعِ
It left the thickly covered hills bare
The sanctuary of protected family in battle is not
and dried up the marsh's stored waters.
Respected by you, nor the guarantee of armor
وتخوضُand you plunge through منخرقَthe breaches الصفوفِof the ranks بذُبَّلٍwith slender spears
وتخوضُ منخرقَ الصفوفِ بذُبَّلٍ
سُمْرٍbrown تثقفهنُّstraighten them عُوجُthe crooked الأضلُعِribs
سُمْرٍ تثقفهنُّ عُوجُ الأضلُعِ
You plunged through breaches in the ranks with slender
Until passion seizes you and you find no
brown spears, straightened by crooked ribs.
Help against the spark of piercing blades
فإِذاand whenever رقعتَyou patch بهاwith them إِهابَthe hide مقنَّعٍof a helmeted warrior
فإِذا رقعتَ بها إِهابَ مقنَّعٍ
غادرتَyou leave خَرْقاًa rent مالهُit has no منany مرقَعِpatch
غادرتَ خَرْقاً مالهُ من مرقَعِ
Whenever you patched a helmeted warrior's hide with them,
Of no use to you were steeds whose necks
you left a rent for which there was no patch.
Were like towering pillars shaking to their foundations
وكأنماand as though حُجُبُthe membranes القلوبِof hearts وقدand already بداappeared
وكأنما حُجُبُ القلوبِ وقد بدا
منهاfrom them وِجارُthe lair الأرقمof the speckled serpent المتطَلِّعِthe peering
منها وِجارُ الأرقم المتطَلِّعِ
The heart's membranes, with a point emerging
And warriors who overcome necks and youths
from them, seemed the lair of a speckled serpent peering out.
Wild, dragging the sword and claiming courage
ويُضيءُand he shines فيin سُدَفِthe dark veils العَجاجof battle-dust بجذوةٍwith a firebrand
ويُضيءُ في سُدَفِ العَجاج بجذوةٍ
قدalready أُشعِلتْwas kindled بيدby the hand القُيونِof smiths لتُبَّعِfor Tubba'
قد أُشعِلتْ بيد القُيونِ لتُبَّعِ
And he shone through the dusk of battle-dust with a firebrand
Where are the towering fortresses whose loss
kindled by the hands of smiths for Tubba',
Is the pride of the weak and protection of the abstainer
منfrom كلِّevery دُرِّيِّpearl-bright الفِرَنْدِblade-pattern كأنماas though
من كلِّ دُرِّيِّ الفِرَنْدِ كأنما
حبَّاتُbeads عِقْدٍof a necklace فوقَهُupon it متقطِّعِbroken
حبَّاتُ عِقْدٍ فوقَهُ متقطِّعِ
from every blade with pearl-bright markings, as though
Where are the treasures you amassed for disasters
beads from a broken necklace lay upon it.
Feared for their first signs and dangerous schemes
ترميyou send بهit نحوtoward المدَجَّجthe mail-clad warrior قاطِعاًcutting
ترمي به نحو المدَجَّج قاطِعاً
فيمُرُّand it passes فيهِthrough him كأنَّهas though he لمwere not يُقْطَعِcut
فيمُرُّ فيهِ كأنَّه لم يُقْطَعِ
You sent it cutting toward the mail-clad warrior,
Where are the mature she-camels heading to battle
and it passed through him as though he had not been cut.
Charging from behind hill and dune unseen
طُبِعَتْwere forged مضاربُهits striking edges الرِّقاقُthe slender غوامِضَاًsubtly
طُبِعَتْ مضاربُه الرِّقاقُ غوامِضَاً
فكأنهاso they seem مرهومَةٌrain-washed لمnot تُطْبَعِforged
فكأنها مرهومَةٌ لم تُطْبَعِ
Its slender striking edges were forged so subtly
Where are the swords that circle in their sheaths
they seemed rain-washed, not forged.
As dear moments bid farewell escorted by grief
كَلِفٌenamored بحبَّاتِof the kernels القلوبof hearts كأنَّماas though
كَلِفٌ بحبَّاتِ القلوب كأنَّما
يبغيit seeks الوقوفَto learn علىof الضميرِthe inner secret المودَعِstored away
يبغي الوقوفَ على الضميرِ المودَعِ
Enamored of the kernels of hearts, as though
Where are the veils - when viewed their visitors
it sought to learn the secret stored within.
Prostrate and bow down worshipping
وكأنَّماand as though لَزِمَclung to القضاءُFate غِرارَهُits cutting edge
وكأنَّما لَزِمَ القضاءُ غِرارَهُ
حتىso that يَدُلَّit may guide علىto سَواءِthe exact center المقْطَعِof the cut
حتى يَدُلَّ على سَواءِ المقْطَعِ
As though Fate clung to its cutting edge
Time advised us and called loudly announcing
to guide it to the precise place to cut.
Its flaws, if only a listening ear would heed
لاneither حرمةُthe sanctity الجُنَنِof shields الحصينةِthe sturdy فيin الوغىbattle
لا حرمةُ الجُنَنِ الحصينةِ في الوغى
تُرعَىis respected لديكَby you ولاnor ذِمامُthe covenant الأدرُعِof coats of mail
تُرعَى لديكَ ولا ذِمامُ الأدرُعِ
Neither the sanctity of sturdy shields in war
Its gentle counsels but none sensed them
was honored by you, nor the covenant of coats of mail,
Except the wise whose knowledge was of no use
حتىuntil استبدَّlaid sole claim بكto you الحِمامُDeath فلمand not تجدْyou found
حتى استبدَّ بك الحِمامُ فلم تجدْ
عوناًaid علىagainst سُمرthe brown اللِّدانِsupple spears الشُرَّعِleveled
عوناً على سُمر اللِّدانِ الشُرَّعِ
until Death laid sole claim to you, and you found no
Why the blame and companions who are led
aid against the brown, supple, leveled spears.
By rushing steeds leaving the slow behind
لمnot تُغْنavailed عنكyou ضوامِرٌlean steeds أعناقُهاtheir necks
لم تُغْن عنك ضوامِرٌ أعناقُها
عاسلنَswayed alongside عاليةَthe upper shafts القَنَاof the spears المتزعزِعِthe quivering
عاسلنَ عاليةَ القَنَا المتزعزِعِ
Lean steeds did not avail you, their necks
Who fools you to remain, fleeting ones
swaying beside the trembling tops of spears,
Who do not pause or those gone never to return
ومقاومٌand champions غلبُthick الرقابof neck وفتيةٌand young men
ومقاومٌ غلبُ الرقاب وفتيةٌ
شُوسٌfierce-eyed تجرُّdragging السَّمهريَّthe Samhari spear وتدَّعيand proclaiming their lineage
شُوسٌ تجرُّ السَّمهريَّ وتدَّعي
nor thick-necked champions, nor young men,
The certainty of parting has cut off all hope
fierce-eyed, dragging Samhari spears and proclaiming their lineage.
Of remaining, for parting is the end of all gatherings
أينwhere الحصونُare the fortresses الشامخاتُthe towering فِناؤُهاtheir courts
أين الحصونُ الشامخاتُ فِناؤُها
وَزَرُa refuge الذليلِfor the abased وعصمَةُand protection المتمنِّعِfor the defiant
وَزَرُ الذليلِ وعصمَةُ المتمنِّعِ
Where are the towering fortresses, whose courts
Tears precede the newborn's cry, knowing
sheltered the abased and protected the defiant?
Of death, he and his fate already destined
أينwhere الذخائرُare the stores حُزْتَهاyou amassed them لملِمَّةٍfor a calamity
أين الذخائرُ حُزْتَها لملِمَّةٍ
تُخْشَىare feared بوادِرُهاits first onsets وخطبٍand a crisis مُضلِعِcrushing
تُخْشَى بوادِرُها وخطبٍ مُضلِعِ
Where are the stores you amassed for a calamity
Naught remains of the generations of mankind
whose onset was feared, and for a crushing crisis?
Except news of their sunset after dawn
أينwhere الأُغيلِمَةُare the young lads الخِفافُswift إِلىto الوَغَىbattle
أين الأُغيلِمَةُ الخِفافُ إِلى الوَغَى
يَغْشَوْنَهُthey plunge into it منsome حاسرٍunarmored ومقنَّعِand helmeted
يَغْشَوْنَهُ من حاسرٍ ومقنَّعِ
Where are the young lads, swift to battle,
All proceed to what they hope so one bold
plunging into it, some unarmored, others helmeted?
By the sword is more tranquil than the pained
أينwhere السِماطُare the ranks تكرُّdart back and forth فيalong أطرافهِits edges
أين السِماطُ تكرُّ في أطرافهِ
لحظاتُthe glances مصحوبِof a steadfast الفؤادِheart مُشَيَّعِbold
لحظاتُ مصحوبِ الفؤادِ مُشَيَّعِ
Where are the ranks, along whose edges darted
O grave into which a scroll of dew has been emptied
the glances of a stout-hearted, fearless man?
Wear for it the garb of gardens and bloom
أينwhere الحِجابُis the curtain إِذاwhen تقَرَّىhe settled أهطعتْhurried forward
أين الحِجابُ إِذا تقَرَّى أهطعتْ
زُوَّارُهُhis visitors منsome ساجدينَprostrating ورُكَّعِand bowing
زُوَّارُهُ من ساجدينَ ورُكَّعِ
Where is the curtain? When he took his place, hastened
O grave into which the sea has poured, leave
his visitors, some prostrate, others bowing.
No brine for people around you and be ever cleansing
نصحَcounseled الزمانُTime لناus ونادَىand called out مُعْلِناًproclaiming
نصحَ الزمانُ لنا ونادَى مُعْلِناً
بعيُوبهِits faults لوif only أنَّthat مستمِعَاًa listener يعِيwould heed
بعيُوبهِ لو أنَّ مستمِعَاً يعِي
Time counseled us and cried aloud,
O grave into which the full moon has set, be
proclaiming its faults—if only a listener would heed!
Ever bright after it, illuminating the horizon
لطُفَتْwere subtle مواعِظُهits admonitions فلمand not يَشْعُرْperceived بهاthem
لطُفَتْ مواعِظُه فلم يَشْعُرْ بها
إِلّاexcept اللبيبُthe discerning وعِلْمُهand his knowledge لمnot ينفَعِavailed
إِلّا اللبيبُ وعِلْمُه لم ينفَعِ
Its admonitions were subtle; none perceived them
No surprise you contain chivalry, piety
but the discerning, whose knowledge did not avail him.
Religion, worldly joys - never cracking or splitting
فيمَwhy التلوّمُthe delay والرِفاقُwhile the companions يسوقُهمْdrives them
فيمَ التلوّمُ والرِفاقُ يسوقُهمْ
عجلانُa hasty driver يُلحِقُjoining مبطِئاًa laggard بالمُسْرِعِto the swift
عجلانُ يُلحِقُ مبطِئاً بالمُسْرِعِ
Why linger, when our companions are driven
Verily gazes and hearts are small
by a hasty driver joining the laggard to the swift?
Containing the great with no difficulty
منwho ذاis it that يغرُّكَdeceives you بالمُقَامِwith staying أذاهبٌone departing?
من ذا يغرُّكَ بالمُقَامِ أذاهبٌ
لاnot ينثنيturning back أمor غابرٌone remaining لمnot يربَعِlingering
لا ينثني أم غابرٌ لم يربَعِ
Who can deceive you into staying: one departing
Their depths were rent by thundering clouds
who never turns back, or one remaining who does not tarry?
And poured on you torrents of tears
قطعَcut off الرجاءَhope عنof البقاءendurance يقينُنَاour certainty
قطعَ الرجاءَ عن البقاء يقينُنَا
أنthat التفرُّقَseparation غايةُis the end المتجمِّعِof those assembled
أن التفرُّقَ غايةُ المتجمِّعِ
Our certainty has cut off hope of lasting:
Becoming over you dripping from the clouds
separation is the end of all who gather.
Your surface soaked with cascading sins
سبقcame first البكاءُweeping منfrom الوليدthe newborn لعلمهِthrough its knowledge
سبق البكاءُ من الوليد لعلمهِ
بالموتِof death فهوso it وحتفُهand its doom فيin موضعِone place
بالموتِ فهو وحتفُه في موضعِ
A newborn's weeping comes first, through its knowledge
The breeze blew its soul into your soil
of death: it and its doom share one place.
Flowing over your resting place never blocked
ماnever ذَرَّrose قَرْنُthe rim الشمسِof the sun إِلّاwithout آذنتْannouncing
ما ذَرَّ قَرْنُ الشمسِ إِلّا آذنتْ
بغروبهاits setting لماwhen بدَتْit appeared فيin المطلعِthe place of rising
بغروبها لما بدَتْ في المطلعِ
No rim of the sun rises without announcing
It split open its pockets, cloudbursts
its setting, as soon as it appears in the east.
With thunder and watered you with a flood of tears
كلٌّeveryone إِلىtoward أملa hope يصيرُgoes فَمُقْعَصٌso one killed outright
كلٌّ إِلى أمل يصيرُ فَمُقْعَصٌ
بالسيفِby the sword أروحُis more at rest منthan مَهيضٍone broken موجَعِin pain
بالسيفِ أروحُ من مَهيضٍ موجَعِ
Each goes toward a hope; one felled outright
Becoming over you sprinklings from the clouds
by the sword is more at rest than one broken and in pain.
Drenching your open ground with streaming sins
ياO قبرُgrave أُفْرِغَwas poured فيكinto you سَجْلٌa brimming bucket منof نَدَىًbounty
يا قبرُ أُفْرِغَ فيك سَجْلٌ من نَدَىً
فالْبسْso wear لهfor him حُلَلَthe robes الرِّياضِof gardens وأمْرِعِand grow lush
فالْبسْ له حُلَلَ الرِّياضِ وأمْرِعِ
O grave, a brimming bucket of bounty was poured into you;
The breeze spilled its soul upon your grave
wear for him the robes of gardens, and grow lush.
Flowing over your place of rest unhindered
ياO قبرُgrave غاضَsank away البحرُthe sea فيكinto you فلاso do not تدَعْleave
يا قبرُ غاضَ البحرُ فيك فلا تدَعْ
للناسfor the people حولَكَaround you غُلَّةًa burning thirst لمnot تُنْقَعِquenched
للناس حولَكَ غُلَّةً لم تُنْقَعِ
O grave, the sea has sunk into you; do not leave
the people around you with any thirst unquenched.
ياO قبرُgrave غابvanished البدرُthe full moon فيكwithin you فلاso do not تكنْbe
يا قبرُ غاب البدرُ فيك فلا تكنْ
منfrom بعدِهafter him إِلّاanything but مُنيرَradiant in المطلَعِthe place of rising
من بعدِه إِلّا مُنيرَ المطلَعِ
O grave, the full moon has vanished within you; do not be
after him anything but a radiant place of rising.
لاno غروَwonder إِنْif حُزْتَyou contained المروءةَnobility والتُقَىand piety
لا غروَ إِنْ حُزْتَ المروءةَ والتُقَى
والدينَand religion والدنياand the world ولمand not تتصَدَّعِsplit apart
والدينَ والدنيا ولم تتصَدَّعِ
No wonder if you contain nobility and piety,
religion and the world, without splitting apart.
إِنَّindeed النواظرَeyes والقلوبَand hearts صغيرةٌare small
إِنَّ النواظرَ والقلوبَ صغيرةٌ
تحويcontain الكبيرَthe great وليسand it is not بالمستبدَعunheard-of
تحوي الكبيرَ وليس بالمستبدَع
Eyes and hearts are small,
yet hold the great; this is no unheard-of thing.
شقَّتْtore عليكover you جيوبَهاits collars شهَّاقَةٌa sobbing cloud
شقَّتْ عليك جيوبَها شهَّاقَةٌ
برعودِهاwith its thunders وسقتْكand watered you فيضَa flood الأدمُعِof tears
برعودِها وسقتْك فيضَ الأدمُعِ
A sobbing cloud tore open its collars over you
with its thunder, and watered you with a flood of tears.
وغدتْand came at dawn عليكover you منfrom الغَمامِthe clouds مُرِشَّهٌa shower
وغدتْ عليك من الغَمامِ مُرِشَّهٌ
نضحَتْsprinkled فِناءَكyour courtyard بالذَّنوبِwith a bucket المُتْرَعِthe brimming
نضحَتْ فِناءَك بالذَّنوبِ المُتْرَعِ
At dawn a shower came over you from the clouds,
sprinkling your courtyard with a brimming bucket.
وصَبَاand yearned النسيمُthe breeze إِلىtoward ثَراكَyour earth برَوْحِهwith its soothing breath
وصَبَا النسيمُ إِلى ثَراكَ برَوْحِه
وجرَىand flowed علىover مغناكَyour abode غيرَnot مُرَوَّعِfrightened
وجرَى على مغناكَ غيرَ مُرَوَّعِ
The breeze yearned toward your earth with its soothing breath,
and flowed over your abode, unafraid.
Partial English translation: 150 of 164 Arabic lines translated.
Sol 6.1