خُذاtake, you two حَدِّثانيtell me, you two عنabout فُلٍso-and-so وفُلانِand so-and-so
خُذا حَدِّثاني عن فُلٍ وفُلانِ
لعلّيperhaps I أرىmay see باقٍa survivor علىdespite الحدثانtime's calamities
لعلّي أرى باقٍ على الحدثان
Come, you two, tell me of so-and-so and so-and-so,
Tell me, my two friends, about a certain man and a certain woman,
perhaps I may find someone surviving time's calamities.
Perhaps I will find those who remain eternal.
وعنand about دُولٍdynasties جُسنَthat overran الديارَthe lands وأهلِهَاand their people
وعن دُولٍ جُسنَ الديارَ وأهلِهَا
فَنِيْنَthey perished وصرفُbut the vicissitudes of الدَّهْرtime ليسare not بفانperishing
فَنِيْنَ وصرفُ الدَّهْر ليس بفان
And of dynasties that overran the lands and their people:
And about lands whose people adorned them beautifully,
they perished, but time's vicissitudes do not perish.
Yet time's vicissitudes are not everlasting.
وعنْand about هَرَميْthe two pyramids of مِصْرَEgypt الغداةَthis morning أَمُتّعاare they both blessed
وعنْ هَرَميْ مِصْرَ الغداةَ أَمُتّعا
بشرخِwith the prime of شبابٍyouth أمor هماthe two of them هَرِمانare aged
بشرخِ شبابٍ أم هما هَرِمان
And Egypt's two pyramids this morning: are they still blessed
And about how my two pyramids of Egypt entertained me
with youth's prime, or are they grown old?
At dawn with the bloom of youth or are they now decrepit?
وعنand about نخلتَيْthe two palms of حُلوانHulwan كيفhow تَنَاءَتاthey grew apart
وعن نخلتَيْ حُلوان كيف تَنَاءَتا
ولمand did not يطوياthe two fold كشحاًa flank علىover شنآنhatred
ولم يطويا كشحاً على شنآن
And Hulwan's two palms: how did they grow apart,
And about the two palm trees of Hulwan, how they leaned towards each other,
though neither had folded its flank over hatred?
Without covering enmity with friendship.
وطالَand grew long ثواءُthe dwelling of الفرقدينthe two Farqad stars بِغِبْطَةٍin bliss
وطالَ ثواءُ الفرقدين بِغِبْطَةٍ
أماdid they not علماboth know أَنthat سوفَwould يَفْترِقانthey part
أما علما أَن سوفَ يَفْترِقان
Long have the two Farqad stars dwelt in bliss;
And the joy of the two turtle doves lasted blissfully,
did they not know that they would part?
As if they didn't know they would eventually part.
وزايلَand separated بينbetween الشعريينthe two Shi‘ra stars مُصَرِّفٌa disposing power
وزايلَ بين الشعريين مُصَرِّفٌ
منof الدهرtime لاnot وانٍflagging ولاand not مُتَوانslack
من الدهر لا وانٍ ولا مُتَوان
A power parted the two Shi‘ra stars,
And time, the changer, came between the two poets,
a power of time, neither flagging nor slack.
Relentless and unstopping.
فإنand if تذهبِgoes الشّعْرىal-Shi‘ra العبورُal-‘Abur لشانهاon her own business
فإن تذهبِ الشّعْرى العبورُ لشانها
فإنthen indeed الغُميصاal-Ghumaysa فيis in بَقِيّةِa remainder of شانan affair
فإن الغُميصا في بَقِيّةِ شان
Should al-Shi‘ra al-‘Abur go her own way,
If the departure of the Pleiades eclipsed their glory,
al-Ghumaysa is left with an unfinished affair.
The Gemini constellation remains eternally radiant.
وجُنand went mad سهيلٌSuhayl بالثريَّاfor al-Thurayya جنونَهُwith his madness
وجُن سهيلٌ بالثريَّا جنونَهُ
ولكنْbut سلاهُask him, you two كيفَhow يلتقيانthe two can meet
ولكنْ سلاهُ كيفَ يلتقيان
And Suhayl went mad for al-Thurayya, utterly mad;
Suhail fell madly in love with Thurayya,
but ask him, you two: how can they meet?
But how did it lead them to meet?
وهيهاتِand how far away منthrough جورِthe injustice of القضاءِfate وعَدْلهand its justice
وهيهاتِ من جورِ القضاءِ وعَدْله
شآميةٌa Syrian woman ألوتْwithheld بِدَيْنِthe debt owed to يمانa Yemeni
شآميةٌ ألوتْ بِدَيْنِ يمان
How far away—through fate's injustice and justice—
Alas, from the injustice and justice of fate,
is the Syrian woman who withheld a Yemeni's due!
A Shamiyya tribe embraced the religion of Yaman.
فأجمعَso he resolved on عنهاaway from her آخرَthe rest of الدهرtime سَلْوَةًforgetfulness
فأجمعَ عنها آخرَ الدهر سَلْوَةً
علىwith طَمَعٍa hope خَّلاهُhe left it للدَّبرانِto al-Dabaran
على طَمَعٍ خَّلاهُ للدَّبرانِ
So he resolved to forget her for the rest of time,
So it collected salvation from the end of time
leaving his hope to al-Dabaran.
Upon hopes it left to pass away.
وأعْلَنَand proclaimed صَرْفُthe vicissitudes of الدَّهْرِtime لابْنيْto the two sons of نُوَيْرَةٍNuwayra
وأعْلَنَ صَرْفُ الدَّهْرِ لابْنيْ نُوَيْرَةٍ
بيومwith a day of ثناءٍsundering غالَthat destroyed كلَّall تدانيcloseness
بيوم ثناءٍ غالَ كلَّ تداني
Time's vicissitudes proclaimed to Nuwayra's two sons
And the vicissitudes of time revealed clearly to the two sons of Nuwairah
a day of sundering that destroyed all closeness.
A day of glorious praise unmatched by any coyness.
وكاناand they both were كَنَدْمانيlike the two boon companions of جذيمةَJadhima حِقْبَةًfor an age
وكانا كَنَدْماني جذيمةَ حِقْبَةً
منof الدَّهْرِtime لوif only لمnot تَنْصَرِمْit came to an end لأوانat its appointed time
من الدَّهْرِ لو لم تَنْصَرِمْ لأوان
They were like Jadhima's two boon companions for an age
They were like the ostriches of Judhaymah for a period of time
of time—if only it had not ended when it did.
As if the appointed time had not yet passed.
فهانَso was held cheap دمٌblood بينbetween الدَّكادكِal-Dakadik واللّوىand al-Liwa
فهانَ دمٌ بين الدَّكادكِ واللّوى
وماyet not كانَwas it فيin أمثالهاcircumstances like them بمهانheld cheap
وما كانَ في أمثالها بمهان
Blood was held cheap between al-Dakadik and al-Liwa,
So bloodshed occurred between clans slashing with swords and stabbing with spears
though in such circumstances it was not held cheap.
And none worthy of praise but the two horsemen.
فضاعتْso were wasted دموعٌtears باتall night kept يَبْعَثُهاsending them forth الأسىsorrow
فضاعتْ دموعٌ بات يَبْعَثُها الأسى
يُهَيّجِهُstirs it قبرٌa grave بكلِّin every مكانplace
يُهَيّجِهُ قبرٌ بكلِّ مكان
So tears went to waste, sent forth all night by sorrow,
The Spring passed while dogs howled,
sorrow stirred by a grave in every place.
Without affectionate friends beyond Oman.
ومالَand it swooped علىupon عبسٍ‘Abs وذبيانَand Dhubyan مَيْلَةًa swoop
ومالَ على عبسٍ وذبيانَ مَيْلَةً
فأَوْدىand destroyed بِمَجْنيٍّone wronged عليهagainst him وجانيand a wrongdoer
فأَوْدى بِمَجْنيٍّ عليه وجاني
And it swooped upon ‘Abs and Dhubyan,
It bent the branches of misery upon the two sons of Wael
destroying both the wronged and the wrongdoer.
Saplings of calamity upon tender youth.
فَعُوجاso turn aside, you two علىto جَفرِJafr الهباءةِal-Haba’a عَوجةًa detour
فَعُوجا على جَفرِ الهباءةِ عَوجةً
لضيعةِfor the loss of أعلاقٍprecious lives هناكthere ثَمَانيeight
لضيعةِ أعلاقٍ هناك ثَمَاني
Make a detour, you two, to Jafr al-Haba’a,
Kulaib attacked with a mortal stab
for the loss there of eight precious lives.
Where the heroes held a market of spears.
دماءٌblood جرتflowed منهاfrom it التلاعthe ravines بملئهاto their full capacity
دماءٌ جرت منها التلاع بملئها
ولاand no ذَحْلَblood-feud إلاexcept أنthat جرىraced فَرَسانtwo horses
ولا ذَحْلَ إلا أن جرى فَرَسان
Blood that made the ravines run full,
Uday spent the nights in sins, burning
with no cause for vengeance except that two horses raced.
With a fire devoid of smoke.
وأيَّامُand days of حربwar لاnot يُنادىwas called for وَليدُهاits newborn
وأيَّامُ حرب لا يُنادى وَليدُها
أهابَcalled forth بهاthem فيamong الحيِّthe tribe يومُa day of رهانwagering
أهابَ بها في الحيِّ يومُ رهان
And days of war whose newborn went uncalled:
So necks of honored men bowed down
a day of wagering called them forth among the tribe.
Accustomed to the utmost glory everywhere.
فباتَso lay through the night الرَّبيعُal-Rabi‘ والكلابُand the dogs تَهُرُّهُgrowling at him
فباتَ الرَّبيعُ والكلابُ تَهُرُّهُ
ولاand no مثلَequal to مُودٍa dead man مِنْfrom وراءِbeyond عمانOman
ولا مثلَ مُودٍ مِنْ وراءِ عمان
So al-Rabi‘ lay that night with dogs growling at him,
They rushed to meet the swords and the spears
and none could match the dead man beyond Oman.
With every shining forehead and brilliant face.
وأَنْحَىand it struck علىat ابنيthe two sons of وائلٍWa'il فَتَهَاصَراand they grappled together
وأَنْحَى على ابني وائلٍ فَتَهَاصَرا
غُصُونَthe branches of الرَّدىdeath منof كَزةٍone stock وَلِدَانtwo children
غُصُونَ الرَّدى من كَزةٍ وَلِدَان
And it struck Wa'il's two sons, who wrestled together
No cheek but imprinted with the indentations of swords,
with death's branches—two children of a single stock.
No chest but pinned with the tips of spears.
تَعَاطَىoverreached كُلَيْبٌKulayb فاستمرَّand was carried off بِطَعْنَةٍby a spear-thrust
تَعَاطَى كُلَيْبٌ فاستمرَّ بِطَعْنَةٍ
أقامَتْset up بهاthrough it الأبطالُthe champions سُوقَa market of طِعانspearplay
أقامَتْ بها الأبطالُ سُوقَ طِعان
Kulayb overreached, and a spear-thrust carried him off,
It filtered to the valleys among the people, then recoiled
for which the heroes opened a market of spearplay.
With plunder and Morganatic wives.
وباتَand spent the night عديٌّ‘Adi بالذنائبِat al-Dhana’ib يَصْطَليbeing scorched
وباتَ عديٌّ بالذنائبِ يَصْطَلي
بنارِby a fire of وغلاًrancor ليستْthat was not بذاتِpossessing دُخَانِsmoke
بنارِ وغلاً ليستْ بذاتِ دُخَانِ
And ‘Adi spent the night at al-Dhana’ib, scorched
And it executed its rule upon the clan of Qailah
by a fire of rancor that gave no smoke.
Upon a colt they had tamed and trained.
فَذلَّتْso were humbled رقابٌnecks منof رجالٍmen أعزَّةٍmighty
فَذلَّتْ رقابٌ من رجالٍ أعزَّةٍ
غليهمْto them تَناهىreached its height عزُّthe glory of كلِّevery مكانplace
غليهمْ تَناهى عزُّ كلِّ مكان
Thus the necks of mighty men were humbled,
Had the injustice of time wished and not wished,
men in whom the glory of every place had reached its height.
The life of Udhair would have been saved from harm.
وهَبُّواand they sprang up يلاقونto meet الصوارمَkeen swords والقناand spears
وهَبُّوا يلاقون الصوارمَ والقنا
بكلِّwith every جَبينٍforehead واضحٍbright وَلَبانand breast
بكلِّ جَبينٍ واضحٍ وَلَبان
They sprang up to meet keen swords and spears
Which tribe did it not utterly shatter,
with every bright forehead and breast.
With the early death of their excellent youth or their helpers?
فلاso no خدَّcheek إلاexcept فيهin it حدُّthe edge of مهنَّدٍan Indian sword
فلا خدَّ إلا فيه حدُّ مهنَّدٍ
ولاand no صدرَbreast إلاexcept فيهin it صدرthe point of سنانa spearhead
ولا صدرَ إلا فيه صدر سنان
No cheek lacked the edge of an Indian blade,
My friend, I saw and heard of the calamity,
no breast lacked a spearhead's point.
So if you two doubt, just ask me.
وصالَand it assailed علىagainst الجَوْنَينِthe two Jawns بالشّعْبِat al-Shi‘b فانثنىthen returned
وصالَ على الجَوْنَينِ بالشّعْبِ فانثنى
بأسلابِwith the spoils of مطلولٍone unavenged ورِبْقَةِand the halter of عانa captive
بأسلابِ مطلولٍ ورِبْقَةِ عان
And it assailed the two Jawns at al-Shi‘b and returned
Take from my mouth the facts, soon they will show
with an unavenged man's spoils and a captive's halter.
What I see of them, not what you two see.
وأمْضىand enforced علىupon أَبناءِthe sons of قَيْلَةَQayla حُكْمَهُits judgment
وأمْضى على أَبناءِ قَيْلَةَ حُكْمَهُ
علىdespite شرِسٍfierceness أدْلَوْاthey asserted بهthrough it وَليانand gentleness
على شرِسٍ أدْلَوْا به وَليان
And it enforced its judgment upon Qayla's sons,
Do not promise me I will live until tomorrow,
despite the fierceness and gentleness they asserted.
Perhaps death will come before what you promise.
ولوand had شاءَwished عُدوانthe aggression of الزمانtime ولمand did not يَشاwish
ولو شاءَ عُدوان الزمان ولم يَشا
لكانَit would have been عذيرَthe champion of الحيِّthe tribe منagainst عَدَوَان‘Adwan
لكانَ عذيرَ الحيِّ من عَدَوَان
Had time's aggression wished—and it did not—
And awaken me, Caregiver, with the dawn whenever
it would have championed the tribe against ‘Adwan.
I neglect it, spur me on and drive me forward.
وأيُّand what قبيلٍtribe لمnot يُصدَّعْhas been scattered جَمِيعُهُمْtheir whole company
وأيُّ قبيلٍ لم يُصدَّعْ جَمِيعُهُمْ
بِبَكْرٍby a first occurrence منof الأرْزَاءِcalamities أوor بِعَوانby a repeated one
بِبَكْرٍ من الأرْزَاءِ أو بِعَوان
And what tribe has not had its company scattered
I close my eyelids as if I'm asleep
by a first calamity or a recurring one?
While my heart flutters within anxiously.
خليليَّmy two friends أبْصَرْتُI saw الردىdeath وسَمِعْتُهُand heard it
خليليَّ أبْصَرْتُ الردى وسَمِعْتُهُ
فإنْand if كُنْتُماyou two are فيin مِرْيَةٍdoubt فَسَلانيthen ask me, you two
فإنْ كُنْتُما في مِرْيَةٍ فَسَلاني
My two friends, I have seen death and heard it;
O Abu Hassan, your brother has passed away.
if you are in doubt, ask me.
Oh, how my soul yearns! Brothers have not reunited!
خُذَاtake, you two مِنْfrom فميmy mouth هَّلاwhy not? وسوفَand soon فإننيfor I
خُذَا مِنْ فمي هَّلا وسوفَ فإنني
أرىI see مِنهماin the two of them غيرَother than الذيwhat تَرَيانyou both see
أرى مِنهما غيرَ الذي تَرَيان
Take ‘why not?’ and ‘soon’ from my lips, for I
O Abu Hassan, one of your hands was crippled.
see in them something other than what you see.
Do you have the patience and grace of two hands?
ولاand do not تعدانيpromise me, you two أنْthat أعيشَI live إلىuntil غدٍtomorrow
ولا تعداني أنْ أعيشَ إلى غدٍ
لعلَّperhaps المناياdeath's decrees دونَcome before ماwhat تعدانyou both promise
لعلَّ المنايا دونَ ما تعدان
Do not promise me that I shall live till tomorrow;
O Abu Hassan, hand over the goblets that evoke
death may intervene before what you promise.
Every temptation to overwhelming passion.
وَنَبّهنيand woke me ناعٍa death-announcer معwith الصُّبْحِdawn كُلَّماwhenever
وَنَبّهني ناعٍ مع الصُّبْحِ كُلَّما
تَشَاغَلْتُI distracted myself عنهfrom him عنَّhe appeared ليto me وعنانيand troubled me
تَشَاغَلْتُ عنه عنَّ لي وعناني
And a death-announcer woke me at dawn; whenever
O Abu Hassan, lay down your weapons, for they
I tried to ignore him, he appeared and troubled me.
Are death, even if fools call them safety.
أَغَمّضُI close أجفانيmy eyelids كأنّيَas though I نائمٌwere asleep
أَغَمّضُ أجفاني كأنّيَ نائمٌ
وقدwhile already لَجّتِpersisted الأحشاءُthe innards فيin الخَفَقَانthrobbing
وقد لَجّتِ الأحشاءُ في الخَفَقَان
I close my eyelids as though asleep,
O Abu Hassan, can one ward off his fate
while my depths persist in throbbing.
With the hands of the brave or the plots of the cowardly?
أباO father of حسنٍHasan أماas for أخوكَyour brother فقدthen indeed قَضَىhe died
أبا حسنٍ أما أخوكَ فقد قَضَى
فياthen, O لهفَanguish of نفسيmy soul ماwhenever التقىmeet أخوانtwo brothers
فيا لهفَ نفسي ما التقى أخوان
Abu Hasan, as for your brother, he has passed away;
O Abu Hassan, when death's time comes,
alas for my soul whenever two brothers meet!
It will not be delayed if guaranteed.
أباO father of حسنٍHasan إحدىone of يديكَyour two hands رُزِئْتَهاyou were bereaved of it
أبا حسنٍ إحدى يديكَ رُزِئْتَها
فهلْso is there لكَfor you بالصَّبرِfor patience الجميلِnoble يدانtwo hands
فهلْ لكَ بالصَّبرِ الجميلِ يدان
Abu Hasan, one of your two hands has been taken from you;
I speak as if I don't care but my tears flow,
have you two hands to sustain noble patience?
Revealing the madness within me.
أباO father of حسنٍHasan أعْرِunsaddle المذاكيَthe seasoned steeds شُزَّباًlean
أبا حسنٍ أعْرِ المذاكيَ شُزَّباً
تجرُّdragging إلىtoward الهيجاءِthe battle كلَّevery عنانrein
تجرُّ إلى الهيجاءِ كلَّ عنان
Abu Hasan, unsaddle the lean, seasoned steeds
O Abu Hassan, if Muhammad has passed away
that drag every rein toward the fray.
Never, my enemy! For you are not like me.
أباO father of حَسَنٍHasan ألْقِlay down السَّلاحَthe weapons فإنهاfor they are
أبا حَسَنٍ ألْقِ السَّلاحَ فإنها
مَنَاياdeath's decrees وإنthough قالَsays الجهولُthe ignorant one أمانيhopes
مَنَايا وإن قالَ الجهولُ أماني
Abu Hasan, lay down your weapons: these are
I find you did not witness when they stared at him
death's decrees, though the ignorant call them hopes.
And he cried loudly, "O So-and-so!"
أباO father of حسنٍHasan هلcan يدفعُward off المرءُa man حَيْنَهhis appointed death
أبا حسنٍ هل يدفعُ المرءُ حَيْنَه
بأيدِwith the strength of شُجَاعٍa brave man أوor بكيدwith the cunning of جبانa coward
بأيدِ شُجَاعٍ أو بكيد جبان
Abu Hasan, can a man ward off his appointed death
They prevented him a little, then turned away scowling
with a brave man's strength or a coward's cunning?
In the looseness of their garments' hems.
أباO father of حسنٍHasan إنindeed المناياdeath's decrees وُقِيتَهاmay you be spared them
أبا حسنٍ إن المنايا وُقِيتَها
إذاwhen أبلغتthey strike home لمnot تتبعare followed بضمانby compensation
إذا أبلغت لم تتبع بضمان
Abu Hasan, death's decrees—may you be spared them—
My brother Azeem, his resolves continue
once they strike home, bring no compensation.
With the support of firm determination and strong will.
أقولI speak كأنيas though I لستُam not أحفلُcaring وانبرتْand sprang forth
أقول كأني لستُ أحفلُ وانبرتْ
دموعيmy tears فأبدتْso revealed ماwhat يُجِنُّconceals جَنانيmy heart
دموعي فأبدتْ ما يُجِنُّ جَناني
I speak as though I did not care, but forth came
He saw everything people consider beyond him
my tears, revealing what my heart conceals.
Yet turned away from it, rich without it, indifferent to it.
أباO father of حسنٍHasan إنif كانhas أوْدَىperished مُحَمَّدٌMuhammad
أبا حسنٍ إن كان أوْدَى مُحَمَّدٌ
وهيهاتand how far apart عَدْويmy running فيكَfor you مِنْfrom رسفانيmy fettered steps
وهيهات عَدْوي فيكَ مِنْ رسفاني
Abu Hasan, if Muhammad has indeed perished—
A man who frightened me with deserts and darkness,
how far my running for you is from my fettered steps!
Lands of tents or saddlebags.
أجِدَّكَin earnest, I ask you لمdid not تَشْهَدْهُyou witness him إذاwhen أحدَقُواthey surrounded بهhim
أجِدَّكَ لم تَشْهَدْهُ إذا أحدَقُوا به
ونادىand he cried بأعلىat the highest pitch of الصوتِthe voice ياO لَفُلانso-and-so, to the rescue
ونادى بأعلى الصوتِ يا لَفُلان
Tell me truly: did you not see him when they surrounded him,
The verses of Bakr bin Wael appealed to him
and he cried at the top of his voice, ‘So-and-so, to my aid!’?
But did not make him repeat any of them twice.
تَوقوْهُthey avoided him شيئاًa little ثمthen كَروُّاthey charged back وجَعْجَعواand hemmed in
تَوقوْهُ شيئاً ثم كَروُّا وجَعْجَعوا
بأَرْوَعَagainst a splendid man فَضْفاضِample الرِّداءِof cloak هِجانpure-bred
بأَرْوَعَ فَضْفاضِ الرِّداءِ هِجان
They kept clear of him awhile, then charged back and hemmed in
He speaks little of what disturbs him
a splendid, ample-cloaked man of pure lineage.
Though he does not stop suspecting.
أخيa brother of عَزَماتٍfirm resolves لاnot يزالُceases يَحُثُّهَاurging them on
أخي عَزَماتٍ لا يزالُ يَحُثُّهَا
بحزمٍwith prudence مُعينٍsupporting أوor بِعزْمِwith resolve مُعَانsupported
بحزمٍ مُعينٍ أو بِعزْمِ مُعَان
A man of firm resolves, forever spurring them on
A father who, if he follows his approval, is affectionate,
with supporting prudence or resolve supported in turn.
Yet if you seek his friendship, he is distant.
رأىhe regarded كلَّall ماthat يستعظمُdeem great الناسُpeople دونَهُbeneath him
رأى كلَّ ما يستعظمُ الناسُ دونَهُ
فولَّىso he turned away غنياًwithout need عنهof it أوor متغانيprofessing no need
فولَّى غنياً عنه أو متغاني
He saw everything people deem great as beneath him,
May Allah reward you! You frightened the enemies and secured them,
and turned away, needing none of it or professing no need.
So you tasted calamity and safety.
فتىًa youth كانwho used to يضعْرَورِيride bareback over الفيافيَthe wastelands والدُّجىand the dark nights
فتىً كان يضعْرَورِي الفيافيَ والدُّجى
ذواتُpossessed of جماحٍbolting أوor ذَوَاتُpossessed of حرانbalking
ذواتُ جماحٍ أو ذَوَاتُ حران
A youth who rode the wastelands bareback, while the dark nights
When you frightened men, fear them,
ran wild or stubbornly refused to move.
For you will not be rewarded with love for abasing yourself.
تَدَاعَتْrallied together لهagainst him أبياتُthe houses of بكرِBakr بنِson of وائلٍWa'il
تَدَاعَتْ له أبياتُ بكرِ بنِ وائلٍ
ولمand did not تُرْجِعْنَهُsend him back لاmay you not ظَفِرْتِtriumph بِثانover another
ولم تُرْجِعْنَهُ لا ظَفِرْتِ بِثان
The houses of Bakr ibn Wa'il rallied against him,
Winds blew at you tempestuously,
and did not send him back—may you never win another!
So how did the pillar of Aban bend or soften?
قليلُlittle given to حديثِtalk of النَّفْسِthe self فيماabout what يرُوعُهُfrightens him
قليلُ حديثِ النَّفْسِ فيما يرُوعُهُ
وإنeven though لمnot يَزَلْcease منin ظَنّهhis reckoning بِمكانat a place
وإن لم يَزَلْ من ظَنّه بِمكان
Little given to inward fretting over what alarmed him,
Yes, Lord of the famous calamity, the mourned
though it always had a place in his reckoning.
Slain with the spearhead piercing his heart.
أبيٌّunyielding وإنْyet if يتبعis followed رضاهُhis pleasure فَمُصْحِبٌthen amenable
أبيٌّ وإنْ يتبع رضاهُ فَمُصْحِبٌ
بعيدٌdistant وإنyet if يُطْلَبْis sought جَدَاهhis bounty فدانthen near
بعيدٌ وإن يُطْلَبْ جَدَاه فدان
Unyielding, yet amenable when his wishes were followed;
The coat of mail of Aasim was removed for Bistam
distant, yet near whenever his bounty was sought.
So he fell just as the grinding stones of oil fell.
لكfor you اللهُGod خوَّفْتَyou frightened العداthe foes وأمِنْتَهُمْand trusted them
لك اللهُ خوَّفْتَ العدا وأمِنْتَهُمْ
فَذُقْتَso you tasted الرَّدىdeath منthrough خِيْفةٍfear وأَمانand security
فَذُقْتَ الرَّدى من خِيْفةٍ وأَمان
God be with you: you frightened your foes and trusted them,
By my life, O Badr of Dujannah,
and tasted death through fear and trust.
Six months passed without you in it or eight.
إذاif أنتَyou خَوَّفْتyou frighten الرِّجالَthe men فَخَفْهُمُthen fear them
إذا أنتَ خَوَّفْت الرِّجالَ فَخَفْهُمُ
فإنَّكَfor you لاnot تُجْزىare requited هوىًwith love بِهَوانfor humiliation
فإنَّكَ لا تُجْزى هوىً بِهَوان
If you frighten men, fear them yourself:
And which father did the she-camels not stand for
for humiliation wins you no love in return.
Whose resolve fell short of intention the second time?
رِياحٌRiyah; winds وَهَبْهَاand suppose them عَارَضَتْكَopposed you عَوَاصِفاًas tempests
رِياحٌ وَهَبْهَا عَارَضَتْكَ عَوَاصِفاً
فكيفthen how انثنَىbent أوor لانَsoftened رُكْنُthe buttress of أبَانAban
فكيف انثنَى أو لانَ رُكْنُ أبَان
Riyah—suppose they confronted you as storm winds:
And which young man, had he come to you armed,
how could Aban's buttress bend or soften?
When were hands without construction ever fit?
بلىindeed ربَّmany a مشهورِrenowned البلاءِin battle مُشَيَّعٍstouthearted
بلى ربَّ مشهورِ البلاءِ مُشَيَّعٍ
قتيلٍslain بمنخوبِby one hollowed الفؤادِin heart هِدَانa craven weakling
قتيلٍ بمنخوبِ الفؤادِ هِدَان
Yes, many a man renowned in battle, stouthearted,
What deluded you but fate in Bāsil
has been slain by a hollow-hearted, craven weakling.
That you clicked your tongues announcing him?
أُنِيحَتْwas brought to bear لبسطامٍagainst Bistam حديدةُthe iron blade of عاصِمٍ‘Asim
أُنِيحَتْ لبسطامٍ حديدةُ عاصِمٍ
فخرَّso he fell كماas خَرَّتْfell سَحُوقُa towering palm لِيَانof Liyan
فخرَّ كما خَرَّتْ سَحُوقُ لِيَان
‘Asim's iron blade was brought to bear on Bistam,
They say, "Do not go far," by Allah it suits him,
and he fell as a towering palm of Liyan falls.
Yet the camel caravan and travel provisions have been cut off.
بنفسيmyself as ransom وَأهْليand my family أيُّwhat a بَدْرِfull moon دُجُنَّةٍof darkness
بنفسي وَأهْلي أيُّ بَدْرِ دُجُنَّةٍ
لستٍّafter six nights خَلَتْhad passed منْof شهْرِهِits month وثمانand eight
لستٍّ خَلَتْ منْ شهْرِهِ وثمان
Myself and my family his ransom—what a full moon in darkness,
And they refuse anything but "if only" or "perhaps"
with six nights of its month gone by, and eight more!
While whence do the winged obtain flight?
وأيُّand what an أبيٍّunyielding man لاnot تقومُwithstand لهhim الرُّبَىthe hills
وأيُّ أبيٍّ لا تقومُ له الرُّبَى
ثَنَىturned aside عَزْمَهُhis resolve دونَbefore القرارةِthe resting place ثانa deflector
ثَنَى عَزْمَهُ دونَ القرارةِ ثان
What an unyielding man, whom even hills could not withstand:
Gently with wishes! Muhammad's visitation
someone turned his resolve aside before he reached his resting place!
Crossed the highest sphere, beyond all return.
وأيُّand what a فتىًyouth لوif جاءكمْhe came to you فيin سلاحهhis armor
وأيُّ فتىً لو جاءكمْ في سلاحه
متىwhen صَلُحَتْwas sound كفٌّa hand بغيرِwithout بَنَانfingers
متى صَلُحَتْ كفٌّ بغيرِ بَنَان
And what a youth, had he come to you in his armor!
It is enough for death to succeed in taking the like of him.
When was a hand ever sound without its fingers?
It suffices me, even if it missed him, two would suffice me.
وماand what غرَّكُمْemboldened you لولاbut for القضاءُfate بباسِلٍagainst a valiant man
وما غرَّكُمْ لولا القضاءُ بباسِلٍ
أصاخhe listened فقعقعتمْthen you rattled لهfor him بِشِنَانwith dry waterskins
أصاخ فقعقعتمْ له بِشِنَان
What but fate emboldened you against a valiant man
May showers irrigate you plentifully, like my tears,
who listened while you rattled dry waterskins at him?
Or like your generosity, a downpour
يقولونthey say لاmay you not تَبْعَدْbe far away وللهِand to God belongs دَرُّهُhis excellence
يقولون لا تَبْعَدْ وللهِ دَرُّهُ
وقدthough already حِيلَa barrier was put بينbetween العَيْرِthe wild ass والنَّزَوانand leaping
وقد حِيلَ بين العَيْرِ والنَّزَوان
They say, ‘May you not be far away!’—God bless his worth—
Between the plain and the sand dunes,
though the wild ass has been barred from leaping.
The remnants of rain ever dripping
ويأْبَوْنَand they insist on إلاnothing but لَيْتَهif only he وَلَعَلَّهُand perhaps he
ويأْبَوْنَ إلا لَيْتَه وَلَعَلَّهُ
ومنْand from أينَwhere للمقصوصِfor the clipped-winged one بالطيرانcomes flight
ومنْ أينَ للمقصوصِ بالطيران
They insist on ‘if only he’ and ‘perhaps he’—
Upon your grave until the two earthen flasks meet.
but how can one whose wings are clipped take flight?
O Abu Hassan, fulfill the rightful expectation,
رويدَgently with الأمَانيthe hopes إنَّindeed رزءَthe loss of محمدٍMuhammad
رويدَ الأمَاني إنَّ رزءَ محمدٍ
عَدَاprevented الفلكَthe sphere الأَعْلَىhighest عنِfrom الدورانturning
عَدَا الفلكَ الأَعْلَى عنِ الدوران
Gently with hopes: the loss of Muhammad
For you were both nurtured on affection.
has stopped the highest sphere from turning.
Hold yourself together a little. You are not the first afflicted
وَحَسْبُand enough for المناياdeath's decrees أنْto تفوزَprevail بِمِثْلهِover one like him
وَحَسْبُ المنايا أنْ تفوزَ بِمِثْلهِ
كفاكِit suffices you ولوand if أخطأتِهِyou had missed him لكفانيit would have sufficed me
كفاكِ ولو أخطأتِهِ لكفاني
Enough for death to triumph over one like him!
By separation from a loved one or the betrayal of time.
Enough for you—had you missed him, that would have sufficed me.
They criticize you while the criticizers altogether
سقاكَmay it water you كدمعيlike my tears أوor كجودكlike your bounty وابلٌa downpour
سقاكَ كدمعي أو كجودك وابلٌ
منfrom المزنِthe rainclouds بينbetween السحِّpouring والهَمَلانand streaming
من المزنِ بين السحِّ والهَمَلان
May a downpour water you, like my tears or your bounty,
Are suspect if they were to follow the people's ways.
from rainclouds, between pouring and streaming:
Be forbearing, protective, patient, composed,
شآبيبَbursts غيثٍof rain لاnot تزالُcease مُلثَّةًlingering
شآبيبَ غيثٍ لا تزالُ مُلثَّةً
بقبرِكَat your grave حتىuntil يلتقيmeet الثَّريانthe two moist earth-layers
بقبرِكَ حتى يلتقي الثَّريان
bursts of rain that never cease to linger
And take only what you call for.
at your grave, until the two moist layers of earth meet.
And return to the remaining loved ones among you
أباO father of حسنٍHasan وفِّgive fully اعتزاءَكyour kinship حَقَّهُits due
أبا حسنٍ وفِّ اعتزاءَك حَقَّهُ
فقدfor indeed كنتماyou both were أُرْضِعْتُماsuckled بلبانon breast-milk
فقد كنتما أُرْضِعْتُما بلبان
Abu Hasan, do full justice to your kinship:
With abundant affection and tenderness from you.
you two were suckled on the same milk.
Take him, draw him into your two wings,
تماسكْhold firm قليلاًa little لستَyou are not أولَthe first مبتلىًafflicted one
تماسكْ قليلاً لستَ أولَ مبتلىً
ببينِby the parting of حبيبِa loved one أوor بغَدْرِby the betrayal of زمانtime
ببينِ حبيبِ أو بغَدْرِ زمان
Hold firm awhile; you are not the first afflicted
For they both nestle glory.
by a loved one's parting or time's betrayal.
In vain, he doesn't know what is joy or sorrow.
أثاكِلَتَيْهِO you two women bereaved of him والثَّواكِلُand bereaved women جَمَّةٌare many
أثاكِلَتَيْهِ والثَّواكِلُ جَمَّةٌ
لوif only أنكماyou both بالنَّاسِby others' example تأتسيانtake consolation
لو أنكما بالنَّاسِ تأتسيان
O you two women bereaved of him—and bereaved women are many—
Reliant on two weak hands and a tongue.
if only you would take comfort from others!
Perhaps if you shade him under your shadow
أذيلاlet yourselves go, both وَصُوناand guard yourselves, both واجْزَعاand grieve, both وتَجَلَّداand endure, both
أذيلا وَصُونا واجْزَعا وتَجَلَّدا
ولاand do not تأخُذاtake up, both إلاexcept بماof what تَدَعانyou both lay aside
ولا تأخُذا إلا بما تَدَعان
Be unrestrained yet guarded; grieve yet stand firm,
Tomorrow - for this life alternates.
and take up only what you lay aside.
Solace for you, Muhammad
وعُوداand turn, both علىto الباقيthe survivor المخلَّفِleft behind فيكماamong you both
وعُودا على الباقي المخلَّفِ فيكما
بفضلِwith abundant حُنُوٍّtenderness منكماfrom you both وحنانand affection
بفضلِ حُنُوٍّ منكما وحنان
Turn to the survivor left among you
Dwells amorously with the nymphs in Paradise.
with abundant tenderness and affection from you both.
خُذاهَtake him, both فَضُمَّاهthen clasp him, both إلىto كَنَفَيْكُماyour two sides
خُذاهَ فَضُمَّاه إلى كَنَفَيْكُما
فإنّهُماfor they both للمجدِfor nobility مُكْتَنِفَانprovide shelter
فإنّهُما للمجدِ مُكْتَنِفَان
Take him and clasp him to your two sides,
for those two sides shelter nobility.
سدىًleft untended ليسnot يَدْريhe knows ماwhat السرورjoy is وماand what الأسىsorrow is
سدىً ليس يَدْري ما السرور وما الأسى
مُحِيلٌreliant علىon ضَعْفَيْthe two frailties of يدٍa hand ولسانand a tongue
مُحِيلٌ على ضَعْفَيْ يدٍ ولسان
Left untended, knowing neither joy nor sorrow,
reliant on the two frailties of hand and tongue.
لعلكماperhaps you both إنif تستظلاَّtake shelter, both بظلّهِin his shade
لعلكما إن تستظلاَّ بظلّهِ
غداًtomorrow إنَّindeed هذاthis الدَّهرَage ذوpossesses ضربانa restless pulse
غداً إنَّ هذا الدَّهرَ ذو ضربان
Perhaps you two will shelter in his shade
tomorrow—for time has a restless pulse.
لشعركماmay it clothe you both السلوانُsolace إنindeed محمداًMuhammad
لشعركما السلوانُ إن محمداً
مجاورَdwelling beside حُورٍhouris فيin الجِنَانِthe gardens of Paradise حسانfair
مجاورَ حُورٍ في الجِنَانِ حسان
May solace clothe you both: Muhammad
dwells beside fair houris in the gardens of Paradise.
Partial English translation: 139 of 148 Arabic lines translated.
Sol 6.1