ماwhat بالُcondition دَفِّكَyour flank بِالفِراشِon the bedding مَذيلاsprawled
ما بالُ دَفِّكَ بِالفِراشِ مَذيلا
أَقَذىًa mote? بِعَينِكَin your eye أَمor أَرَدتَdid you intend رَحيلاdeparture
أَقَذىً بِعَينِكَ أَم أَرَدتَ رَحيلا
Why is your flank sprawled upon the bedding?
What's with your tossing around in bed so late?
Is there a mote in your eye, or have you resolved to depart?
Are your eyes sore, or did you intend departure?
لَمّاwhen رَأَتshe saw أَرَقيmy sleeplessness وَطولَand the length of تَقَلُّبيmy tossing
لَمّا رَأَت أَرَقي وَطولَ تَقَلُّبي
ذاتَat the time of العِشاءِnightfall وَلَيلِيَand my night المَوصولاunbroken
ذاتَ العِشاءِ وَلَيلِيَ المَوصولا
When she saw my sleeplessness and my long tossing,
When she saw my wakefulness and constant turning,
at nightfall, and my unbroken night,
The possessor of the evening meal and my connected night.
قالَتshe said خُلَيدَةُKhulayda ماwhat عَراكَbefell you وَلَمand had not تَكُنshe been
قالَت خُلَيدَةُ ما عَراكَ وَلَم تَكُن
قَبلَbefore الرُقادِsleep عَنِabout الشُؤونِaffairs سَؤولاinquisitive
قَبلَ الرُقادِ عَنِ الشُؤونِ سَؤولا
Khulayda said, 'What has befallen you?'—though she had not been
Khulaydah said “What's wrong with you? You weren't like this
inquisitive about affairs before sleep.
Before sleep, occupied with worries.”
أَخُلَيدَO Khulayd إِنَّindeed أَباكِyour father ضافَvisited وِسادَهُhis pillow
أَخُلَيدَ إِنَّ أَباكِ ضافَ وِسادَهُ
هَمّانِtwo cares باتاspent the night جَنبَةًat his side وَدَخيلاand within
هَمّانِ باتا جَنبَةً وَدَخيلا
O Khulayd, your father's pillow has been visited
I said “O Khulaydah, your father spread his pillow
by two cares that stayed the night, one beside him and one within.
Preoccupied with two concerns, an outsider and intruder.
طَرَقاthey came by night فَتِلكَso those are هَماهِميmy anxious murmurs أَقريهِماI entertain them both
طَرَقا فَتِلكَ هَماهِمي أَقريهِما
قُلُصاًyoung she-camels لَواقِحُpregnant كَالقِسِيِّlike bows وَحولاand barren
قُلُصاً لَواقِحُ كَالقِسِيِّ وَحولا
They came by night; these are my anxious murmurs. I entertain them with
They knocked on the door, so those are my concerns.
young she-camels, pregnant and barren, curved like bows,
Welcome them, O you with straight and twisted spear.
شُمَّhigh الكَواهِلِwithers جُنَّحاًslanting أَعضادُهاtheir upper forelegs
شُمَّ الكَواهِلِ جُنَّحاً أَعضادُها
صُهباًtawny تُناسِبُtracing lineage to شَدقَماًShadqam وَجَديلاand Jadil
صُهباً تُناسِبُ شَدقَماً وَجَديلا
high at the withers, their upper forelegs slanting,
With shoulders whose wings suit a lined, poetic mouth
tawny, of the lineage of Shadqam and Jadil.
And gray temples that match an articulate, eloquent man.
كانَتwere نَجائِبَchoice camels of مُنذِرٍMundhir وَمُحَرِّقٍand Muharriq
كانَت نَجائِبَ مُنذِرٍ وَمُحَرِّقٍ
أُمّاتُهُنَّtheir dams وَطَرقُهُنَّand their sire فَحيلاa vigorous stud
أُمّاتُهُنَّ وَطَرقُهُنَّ فَحيلا
The choice camels of Mundhir and Muharriq were
They were signals of warning and burning,
their dams, and their sire was a vigorous stud.
Their mothers and their knocking are cunning.
وَكَأَنَّand as though رَيِّضَهاtheir unbroken one إِذاwhen باشَرتَهاyou handle her
وَكَأَنَّ رَيِّضَها إِذا باشَرتَها
كانَتshe was مُعاوِدَةَaccustomed to الرَحيلِtravel ذَلولاdocile
كانَت مُعاوِدَةَ الرَحيلِ ذَلولا
Even their unbroken one, when you handle her,
It's as if when you release it, intending return,
seems accustomed to journeys, docile.
It comes back again, accustomed to departure.
حوزِيَّةًstrong and fleet طُوِيَتdrawn tightly عَلىaround زَفَراتِهاher ribs
حوزِيَّةً طُوِيَت عَلى زَفَراتِها
طَيَّthe arching of القَناطِرِbridges قَدalready نَزَلنَthey settled نُزولاa settling
طَيَّ القَناطِرِ قَد نَزَلنَ نُزولا
Spirited, her frame drawn tight around her ribs,
Bent over its neighs, it descended slopes
arched like bridges that have settled into place.
Folding the aqueducts, dismounting.
وَكَأَنَّماand as though اِنتَطَحَتbutted عَلىupon أَثباجِهاtheir broad backs
وَكَأَنَّما اِنتَطَحَت عَلى أَثباجِها
فُدُرٌgreat bucks بِشابَةَat Shaba قَدalready تَمَمنَthey grew fully into وُعولاibex
فُدُرٌ بِشابَةَ قَد تَمَمنَ وُعولا
It is as though upon their broad backs were butting
As if it crouched over its shanks
great bucks of Shaba, fully grown into ibex.
A young camel, grown up and braying.
قُذُفَbounding الغُدُوِّat dawn إِذاwhen غَدَونَthey set out in the morning لِحاجَةٍfor an errand
قُذُفَ الغُدُوِّ إِذا غَدَونَ لِحاجَةٍ
دُلُفَslow-stepping الرَواحِat evening إِذاwhen أَرَدنَthey wanted قُفولاa return
دُلُفَ الرَواحِ إِذا أَرَدنَ قُفولا
They bound out at dawn when they go on an errand,
Thrown towards morning errands when they set out
and step slowly homeward at evening when they seek to return.
And returning home when they intend to come back.
لاnot يَتَّخِذنَthey take إِذاwhen عَلَونَthey mount مَفازَةًa desert waste
لا يَتَّخِذنَ إِذا عَلَونَ مَفازَةً
إِلّاexcept بَياضَthe whiteness of الفَرقَدَينِthe two Farqad stars دَليلاas a guide
إِلّا بَياضَ الفَرقَدَينِ دَليلا
When they mount a desert waste, they take
They do not take a wilderness route
only the whiteness of the two Farqad stars as their guide.
Unless guided by the whiteness of the two temple muscles.
قوداًlong-necked تَذارَعُmeasuring with strides غولَthe vastness of كُلِّevery تَنوفَةٍwilderness
قوداً تَذارَعُ غولَ كُلِّ تَنوفَةٍ
ذَرعَas the measuring of النَواسِجِweavers مُبرَماًtwisted yarn وَسَحيلاand single-stranded yarn
ذَرعَ النَواسِجِ مُبرَماً وَسَحيلا
Long-necked, they measure out the vastness of every wilderness,
Led by every long speckled hyena
as weavers measure twisted and single-stranded yarn.
And the outstretched hand of the weaver fully extended.
وَإِذاand when تَرَقَّصَتِdanced المَفازَةُthe desert waste غادَرَتshe left behind
وَإِذا تَرَقَّصَتِ المَفازَةُ غادَرَت
رَبِذاًa nimble driver يُبَغِّلُtrotting like a mule خَلفَهاbehind her تَبغيلاa mule-like trot
رَبِذاً يُبَغِّلُ خَلفَها تَبغيلا
And when the desert danced, she left
When the wilderness quaked, it left behind
a nimble driver behind her, trotting like a mule,
A stupid lizard clasping its back.
زَجِلَloud with الحُداءِdriving-song كَأَنَّas though فيin حَيزومِهِhis chest
زَجِلَ الحُداءِ كَأَنَّ في حَيزومِهِ
قَصَباًreed-pipes وَمُقنِعَةَand head-raising الحَنينِmoaning عَجولاa bereaved she-camel
قَصَباً وَمُقنِعَةَ الحَنينِ عَجولا
loud in his driving-song, as though within his chest were
The singing of the ostrich, as if its throat contains
reed-pipes and a bereaved she-camel raising her head to moan.
Reeds and a loving, passionate deaf person.
وَإِذاand when تَرَجَّلَتِrose high الضُحىthe morning sun قَذَفَتshe cast بِهِwith him
وَإِذا تَرَجَّلَتِ الضُحى قَذَفَت بِهِ
فَشَأَونَso they outstripped عُقبَتَهُhis turn on foot فَظَلَّso he remained ذَميلاtrotting
فَشَأَونَ عُقبَتَهُ فَظَلَّ ذَميلا
When the morning sun climbed high, she cast him down;
When the forenoon dismounted it, it threw him
they outstripped his spell on foot, and he kept trotting.
So his heel was exposed and he remained humiliated.
حَتّىuntil إِذاwhen حَسَرَwithdrew الظَلامُthe darkness وَأَسفَرَتand she entered daylight
حَتّى إِذا حَسَرَ الظَلامُ وَأَسفَرَت
فَرَأَتthen she saw أَوابِدَwild creatures يَرتَعينَgrazing هُجولاhollows
فَرَأَت أَوابِدَ يَرتَعينَ هُجولا
Until, when darkness drew away and she entered daylight,
Until when darkness pulled over and the ruins
she saw wild creatures grazing in hollows,
Saw wandering game animals confused.
حَدَتِshe drove onward السَرابَthe mirage وَأَلحَقَتand caught up with أَعجازَهاtheir hindquarters
حَدَتِ السَرابَ وَأَلحَقَت أَعجازَها
روحٌwide-set legs يَكونُis وُقوعُهاtheir touching down تَحليلاmomentary
روحٌ يَكونُ وُقوعُها تَحليلا
she drove the mirage onward, while her hindquarters were overtaken by
It rounded up the mirage and aligned its heels
wide-set legs whose touching down was only momentary.
With a spirit whose fall is dissolution.
وَجَرىand it ran عَلىover حَدَبِthe humps of الصُوىthe cairns فَطَرَدنَهُso they drove it
وَجَرى عَلى حَدَبِ الصُوى فَطَرَدنَهُ
طَردَthe driving of الوَسيقَةِa driven-off herd فيthrough السَماوَةِal-Samawa طولاfar
طَردَ الوَسيقَةِ في السَماوَةِ طولا
It ran over the humps of the cairns, and they drove it onward,
And it ran on the ridge of the enclosure, chasing it
like a herd driven off, far across al-Samawa,
Like chasing the stallion in the race course.
فيin مَهمَهٍa trackless waste قَلِقَتrocked بِهِin it هاماتُهاtheir heads
في مَهمَهٍ قَلِقَت بِهِ هاماتُها
قَلَقَthe rocking of الفُؤوسِaxeheads إِذاwhen أَرَدنَthey were about to نُصولاslip free
قَلَقَ الفُؤوسِ إِذا أَرَدنَ نُصولا
through a trackless waste where their heads rocked
In confusion, its zeal shook its thoughts
like axeheads shaking when about to slip free.
Like the confusion of spears when they intend to set out.
حَتّىuntil وَرَدنَthey reached water لِتِمِّat the end of خِمسٍa five-day watering interval بائِصٍarduous
حَتّى وَرَدنَ لِتِمِّ خِمسٍ بائِصٍ
جُدّاًa scant-watered well تَعاوَرَهُswept it in turn الرِياحُthe winds وَبيلاunwholesome
جُدّاً تَعاوَرَهُ الرِياحُ وَبيلا
At the end of an arduous five-day thirst, they reached
Until they arrived at the ruins of a dilapidated well,
a scant, unwholesome well swept by winds,
A barrier which the winds swapped and replaced.
سُدُماًsilt-choked إِذاwhen اِلتَمَسَsought الدِلاءُthe buckets نِطافَهُits scant water
سُدُماً إِذا اِلتَمَسَ الدِلاءُ نِطافَهُ
صادَفنَthey found مَشرِفَةَhigh المَثابِthe drawing-place دَحولاdeep recesses
صادَفنَ مَشرِفَةَ المَثابِ دَحولا
choked with silt: when the buckets sought its scant water,
They collected supplies from their bags
they found deep recesses beneath the high drawing-place.
Various pieces of wood that you see connected.
جَمَعواthey gathered قُوىًrope-strands مِمّاfrom what تَضُمُّheld رِحالُهُمtheir saddles
جَمَعوا قُوىً مِمّا تَضُمُّ رِحالُهُم
شَتّىvaried in النِجارِmake تَرىyou see بِهِنَّin them وُصولاsplices
شَتّى النِجارِ تَرى بِهِنَّ وُصولا
They gathered ropes from what their saddles held,
They watered valleys whose echo in the evening
of various makes, with splices visible in them.
You hear from their depths splashing.
فَسَقَواso they watered صَوادِيَthirsty she-camels يَسمَعونَthey hear عَشِيَّةًat evening
فَسَقَوا صَوادِيَ يَسمَعونَ عَشِيَّةً
لِلماءِof the water فيin أَجوافِهِنَّtheir bellies صَليلاringing
لِلماءِ في أَجوافِهِنَّ صَليلا
They watered the thirsty camels, hearing at evening
Until when the argument of its panting cooled down
the water ringing within their bellies.
And they remained behind their withers bent over.
حَتّىuntil إِذاwhen بَرَدَcooled السِجالُthe full buckets لُهاثَهاtheir panting
حَتّى إِذا بَرَدَ السِجالُ لُهاثَها
وَجَعَلنَand they placed خَلفَbehind غُروضِهِنَّtheir girths ثَميلاsettled water
وَجَعَلنَ خَلفَ غُروضِهِنَّ ثَميلا
When the full buckets had cooled their panting,
And they flooded out after their exhaustion, gushing
and they had stored a pool behind their girths,
From He Who Has Lightning when they shepherded sheep.
وَأَفَضنَand they brought up بَعدَafter كُظومِهِنَّtheir withholding بِجِرَّةٍwith cud
وَأَفَضنَ بَعدَ كُظومِهِنَّ بِجِرَّةٍ
مِنfrom ذيDhu الأَبارِقِal-Abariq إِذwhen رَعَينَthey grazed حَقيلاHaqil
مِن ذي الأَبارِقِ إِذ رَعَينَ حَقيلا
and, after holding it back, brought up their cud
They sat on their saddles so the sound of tree trunks tapping
from Dhu al-Abariq, when they had grazed in Haqil,
Bounced off the smooth pebbles where they settled.
قَعَدواthey sat عَلىupon أَكوارِهاher camel-saddles فَتَرَدَّفَتso she followed in turn
قَعَدوا عَلى أَكوارِها فَتَرَدَّفَت
صَخِبَloud with الصَدىecho جَذَعَthe roots of الرِعانِhill-spurs رَجيلاhard underfoot
صَخِبَ الصَدى جَذَعَ الرِعانِ رَجيلا
they mounted her saddles, and she followed a track
The touch of hands followed anxiously
loud with echoes, at the roots of hill-spurs, hard underfoot,
Casting glances at the two caves furtively.
مُلسَsmooth الحَصىpebbles باتَتshe spent the night تَوَجَّسَsensing فَوقَهُabove it
مُلسَ الحَصى باتَت تَوَجَّسَ فَوقَهُ
لَغَطَthe cries of القَطاsandgrouse بِالجَلهَتَينِbeside the two banks نُزولاsettling
لَغَطَ القَطا بِالجَلهَتَينِ نُزولا
with smooth pebbles; she spent the night sensing above it
It came with a faint soul after six months
the cries of sandgrouse settling beside both banks.
Who had either died or barely clung to life.
يَتبَعنَthey follow مائِرَةَswinging اليَدَينِforelegs شِمِلَّةًa swift she-camel
يَتبَعنَ مائِرَةَ اليَدَينِ شِمِلَّةً
أَلقَتshe dropped بِمُختَرَقِat the crossing-place of الرِياحِthe winds سَليلاa foal
أَلقَت بِمُختَرَقِ الرِياحِ سَليلا
They followed a swift one whose forelegs swung,
It shook its saddlebags, unloading provisions for the departing caravan
who had dropped a foal where the winds crossed.
Like the shaking of an ostrich divorcing its pair.
جاءَتshe brought forth بِذيwith one possessing رَمَقٍa breath of life لِسِتَّةِat six أَشهُرٍmonths
جاءَت بِذي رَمَقٍ لِسِتَّةِ أَشهُرٍ
قَدalready ماتَhe died أَوor جَرَضَhe struggled to swallow الحَياةَlife قَليلاa little
قَد ماتَ أَو جَرَضَ الحَياةَ قَليلا
She brought forth a barely breathing foal at six months,
Inform the Commander of the Faithful with a message
already dead, or struggling to swallow a little life.
Of complaint prolonged and painful wailing.
نَفَضَتshe shook out بِأَصهَبَwith a tawny foal لِلمِراحِfor frisking شَليلَهاher birth-membrane
نَفَضَت بِأَصهَبَ لِلمِراحِ شَليلَها
نَفضَthe shaking of النَعامَةِan ostrich زِفَّهاits down المَبلولاsodden
نَفضَ النَعامَةِ زِفَّها المَبلولا
Ready to frisk, she shook off her membranes with a tawny foal,
From an emigrant whose worries to you have multiplied
as an ostrich shakes its sodden down.
If he could find a way to meet you.
أَبلِغconvey أَميرَthe Commander of المُؤمِنينَthe Faithful رِسالَةًa message
أَبلِغ أَميرَ المُؤمِنينَ رِسالَةً
شَكوىa complaint إِلَيكَto you مُطِلَّةًreaching upward وَعَويلاand a lament
شَكوى إِلَيكَ مُطِلَّةً وَعَويلا
Convey to the Commander of the Faithful a message—
Constant roaming and time have tried him
a complaint reaching toward you, and a lament,
With sorrow and he hates to be negligent.
مِنfrom نازِحٍa distant man كَثُرَتbecame many إِلَيكَtoward you هُمومُهُhis cares
مِن نازِحٍ كَثُرَت إِلَيكَ هُمومُهُ
لَوif only يَستَطيعُhe could إِلىto اللِقاءِmeeting سَبيلاa way
لَو يَستَطيعُ إِلى اللِقاءِ سَبيلا
from a distant man whose cares turn thickly toward you,
And old age on its appearance has passed
if only he could find a way to meet you.
Periods that melted away his honor.
طالَgrew long التَقَلُّبُthe wandering وَالزَمانُand the years وَرابَهُand troubled him
طالَ التَقَلُّبُ وَالزَمانُ وَرابَهُ
كَسَلٌweariness وَيَكرَهُand he hates أَنto يَكونَbe كَسولاidle
كَسَلٌ وَيَكرَهُ أَن يَكونَ كَسولا
Long have his wanderings and years continued; he is troubled by
So most of his concerns are like the bending of a bow
weariness, though he hates to be idle.
Crooked when straightened, intending deviation.
وَعَلاand overtook المَشيبُgray hair لِداتِهِhis peers وَمَضَتand passed لَهُfor him
وَعَلا المَشيبُ لِداتِهِ وَمَضَت لَهُ
حِقَبٌlong ages نَقَضنَthey unraveled مَريرَهُhis cord المَجدولاtightly braided
حِقَبٌ نَقَضنَ مَريرَهُ المَجدولا
Gray hair has overtaken his peers, and for him have passed
Like the remnants of an Indian, his eyelids
long ages that unraveled his tightly braided cord.
Have withered but there is no weakness in his bones.
فَكَأَنَّso as though أَعظُمَهُhis bones مَحاجِنُhooks of نَبعَةٍa nabʿ tree
فَكَأَنَّ أَعظُمَهُ مَحاجِنُ نَبعَةٍ
عوجٌcrooked قَدُمنَthey grew old فَقَدso already أَرَدنَthey tended toward نُحولاwasting
عوجٌ قَدُمنَ فَقَد أَرَدنَ نُحولا
His bones are like hooks of a nabʿ tree,
Worries have accustomed and overtaken him and joy avoids him
crooked and old, now tending toward wasting,
So that he awakes feeling heavily burdened.
كَبَقِيَّةِlike the remnant of الهِندِيِّan Indian blade أَمسىbecame جَفنُهُits sheath
كَبَقِيَّةِ الهِندِيِّ أَمسى جَفنُهُ
خَلَقاًthreadbare وَلَمand not يَكُit was فيagainst العِظامِbones نَكولاfaltering
خَلَقاً وَلَم يَكُ في العِظامِ نَكولا
like the remnant of an Indian blade whose sheath has grown
And his heart has folded over the decree of fate
threadbare, though it never faltered against bones.
A cobbler, who has taken the awl as a friend.
تُغلىis prized حَديدَتُهُits steel وَتُنكِرُand does not recognize لَونَهُits color
تُغلى حَديدَتُهُ وَتُنكِرُ لَونَهُ
عَينٌan eye رَأَتهُthat saw it فيin الشَبابِyouth صَقيلاpolished
عَينٌ رَأَتهُ في الشَبابِ صَقيلا
Its steel is prized, but its color is unrecognized by
O Guardian of God’s Command, my tribe
an eye that saw it polished in youth.
Its protection has become dispersed remnants.
أَلِفَgrew familiar with الهُمومُcares وَسادَهُhis pillow وَتَجَنَّبَتand avoided
أَلِفَ الهُمومُ وَسادَهُ وَتَجَنَّبَت
رَيّانَwell-fed يُصبِحُhe becomes in the morning فيin المَنامِsleep ثَقيلاheavy
رَيّانَ يُصبِحُ في المَنامِ ثَقيلا
Cares have grown familiar with his pillow, and avoid
They crossed the Najd, roaming as if they are
the well-fed man who lies heavy in sleep till morning.
A people who wrongfully killed a victim.
وَطَوىand he bound الفُؤادَthe heart عَلىto قَضاءِfulfilling صَريمَةٍa firm resolve
وَطَوى الفُؤادَ عَلى قَضاءِ صَريمَةٍ
حَذّاءَswift and sharp وَاتَّخَذَand took الزَماعَdetermination خَليلاas a companion
حَذّاءَ وَاتَّخَذَ الزَماعَ خَليلا
He bound his heart to carrying out a firm resolve,
They sing poetry of a slanted enclosure
swift and sharp, and took determination as his companion.
Where at every stop, they leave behind people.
أَوَلِيَّO guardian of أَمرِthe charge of اللَهِGod إِنَّindeed عَشيرَتيmy kinsmen
أَوَلِيَّ أَمرِ اللَهِ إِنَّ عَشيرَتي
أَمسىbecame سَوامُهُمُtheir grazing herds عِزينَscattered bands فُلولاbroken remnants
أَمسى سَوامُهُمُ عِزينَ فُلولا
O guardian of God's charge, my kinsmen—
Two months of Spring whose milk they do not taste
their grazing herds have become scattered bands, broken remnants.
Except sour, unripe, and nauseating.
قَطَعواthey crossed اليَمامَةَal-Yamama يَطرُدونَdriving onward كَأَنَّهُمas though they were
قَطَعوا اليَمامَةَ يَطرُدونَ كَأَنَّهُم
قَومٌa people أَصابواthey slew ظالِمينَwrongfully قَتيلاa slain man
قَومٌ أَصابوا ظالِمينَ قَتيلا
They crossed al-Yamama, driving their herds, as though they were
Until when its paths converge and the shepherds
a people who had unjustly slain a man.
Herd in its pasture, harvested and reaped.
يَحدونَthey drive with song حُدباًhumpbacked camels مائِلاًleaning أَشرافُهاtheir high parts
يَحدونَ حُدباً مائِلاً أَشرافُها
فيat كُلِّevery مَنزِلَةٍstopping-place يَدَعنَthey leave رَعيلاa band
في كُلِّ مَنزِلَةٍ يَدَعنَ رَعيلا
They drive humpbacked camels whose high parts lean,
They came to their women in misfortune without leaving
leaving a band behind at every stopping-place.
Anything but the evil of destitution under them.
شَهرَيthe two months of رَبيعٍRabiʿ ماnot تَذوقُtaste لَبونُهُمtheir milch-camels
شَهرَي رَبيعٍ ما تَذوقُ لَبونُهُم
إِلّاexcept حُموضاًsalt-plants وَخمَةًunwholesome وَدَويلاand withered herbage
إِلّا حُموضاً وَخمَةً وَدَويلا
For the two months of Rabiʿ, their milch-camels taste
O Guardian of God’s Command, we are a people
only rank salt-plants and withered herbage.
Upright, bowing morning and evening dutifully.
حَتّىuntil إِذاwhen جُمِعَتthey were gathered تُخَيِّرَwas selected طِرقُهاtheir stud
حَتّى إِذا جُمِعَت تُخَيِّرَ طِرقُها
وَثَنىand drove back الرِعاءُthe herdsmen شَكيرَهاtheir young stock المَنخولاsifted out
وَثَنى الرِعاءُ شَكيرَها المَنخولا
When they were gathered, their stud was selected,
Arabs who see God as having rights in our wealth
and the herdsmen drove back the sifted-out young ones.
The due charity legislated in revelation.
وَأَتَواand they brought نِسائَهُمُtheir women بِنيبٍwith aged she-camels لَمnot يَدَعleft
وَأَتَوا نِسائَهُمُ بِنيبٍ لَم يَدَع
سوءُthe harshness of المَحابِسِconfinement تَحتَهُنَّbeneath them فَصيلاa suckling calf
سوءُ المَحابِسِ تَحتَهُنَّ فَصيلا
They brought their women aged she-camels;
A people who when deprived of their livelihood
harsh confinement had left no suckling calves beneath them.
And losing the declaration of God’s Oneness.
أَوَلِيَّO guardian of أَمرِthe charge of اللَهِGod إِنّاindeed we مَعشَرٌa people
أَوَلِيَّ أَمرِ اللَهِ إِنّا مَعشَرٌ
حُنُفاءُupright believers نَسجُدُwe bow in worship بُكرَةًin the morning وَأَصيلاand in the evening
حُنُفاءُ نَسجُدُ بُكرَةً وَأَصيلا
O guardian of God's charge, we are a people
So relieve the oppressions that have weakened our children
of upright faith, bowing in worship morning and evening.
And save our torn condition, consumed.
عَرَبٌArabs نَرىwe recognize لِلَّهِfor God فيin أَموالِناour wealth
عَرَبٌ نَرى لِلَّهِ في أَموالِنا
حَقَّthe due of الزَكاةِobligatory alms مُنَزَّلاًsent down تَنزيلاby revelation
حَقَّ الزَكاةِ مُنَزَّلاً تَنزيلا
Arabs, we recognize God's claim upon our wealth:
We will then see your charity if you give it
the due of zakat, sent down by revelation.
As a grace from our Lord and generosity from you.
قَومٌa people عَلىsteadfast in الإِسلامِIslam لَمّاhave not يَمنَعواthey withhold
قَومٌ عَلى الإِسلامِ لَمّا يَمنَعوا
ماعونَهُمtheir aid وَيُضَيِّعواand neglect التَهليلاthe declaration of God's oneness
ماعونَهُم وَيُضَيِّعوا التَهليلا
A people steadfast in Islam, who have not withheld
You are the Caliph, wise in judgment and action
their aid or neglected the declaration of God's oneness.
And when you want punishment for an oppressor.
فَاِدفَعso repel مَظالِمَwrongs عَيَّلَتthat impoverished أَبناءَناour children
فَاِدفَع مَظالِمَ عَيَّلَت أَبناءَنا
عَنّاfrom us وَأَنقِذand rescue شِلوَناour carcass المَأكولاdevoured
عَنّا وَأَنقِذ شِلوَنا المَأكولا
Drive away the wrongs that have impoverished our children
Your father struck with his sword in Medina alone
from us, and rescue our half-devoured carcass.
A people who altogether were recalcitrant.
فَنَرىthen we regard عَطِيَّةَthe gift of ذاكَthat إِنif أَعطَيتَهُyou grant it
فَنَرى عَطِيَّةَ ذاكَ إِن أَعطَيتَهُ
مِنfrom رَبِّناour Lord فَضلاًbounty وَمِنكَand from you جَزيلاabundant generosity
مِن رَبِّنا فَضلاً وَمِنكَ جَزيلا
Then, if you grant it, we shall see that gift
They killed the son of ‘Affan the Caliph wrongfully
as bounty from our Lord and abundant generosity from you.
He appealed but I saw none as abandoned as him.
أَنتَyou الخَليفَةُthe caliph حِلمُهُhis forbearance وَفَعالُهُand his deeds
أَنتَ الخَليفَةُ حِلمُهُ وَفَعالُهُ
وَإِذاand when أَرَدتَyou intend لِظالِمٍfor a wrongdoer تَنكيلاexemplary punishment
وَإِذا أَرَدتَ لِظالِمٍ تَنكيلا
You are the caliph in forbearance and deeds,
After that, their stick cracked
and when you will a wrongdoer's chastisement.
And their sword was surrendered and removed.
وَأَبوكَand your father ضارَبَfought بِالمَدينَةِin Medina وَحدَهُalone
وَأَبوكَ ضارَبَ بِالمَدينَةِ وَحدَهُ
قَوماًa people هُمُthey جَعَلواmade الجَميعَthe united community شُكولاfactions
قَوماً هُمُ جَعَلوا الجَميعَ شُكولا
Your father fought alone in Medina
Until the blind chaos of strife
a people who made the united community into factions.
Ignited whose record was serious.
قَتَلواthey killed اِبنَthe son of عَفّانَʿAffan الخَليفَةَthe caliph مُحرِماًsacrosanct
قَتَلوا اِبنَ عَفّانَ الخَليفَةَ مُحرِماً
وَدَعاand he called فَلَمbut not أَرَI saw مِثلَهُone like him مَخذولاabandoned
وَدَعا فَلَم أَرَ مِثلَهُ مَخذولا
They killed Ibn ʿAffan, the caliph, whose blood was sacrosanct;
The Umayyads weighed their matter so they summoned for it
he called for aid, and I have seen none so abandoned.
Those who were neither deceived nor unknown.
فَتَصَدَّعَتso splintered مِنfrom بَعدِafter ذاكَthat عَصاهُمُtheir staff
فَتَصَدَّعَت مِن بَعدِ ذاكَ عَصاهُمُ
شِقَقاًinto fragments وَأَصبَحَand became سَيفُهُمtheir sword مَسلولاdrawn
شِقَقاً وَأَصبَحَ سَيفُهُم مَسلولا
After that their staff splintered
Marwan was their wisest when
into fragments, and their sword stood drawn.
The most serious matters occurred and the best questioned.
حَتّىuntil إِذاwhen اِستَعَرَتflared up عَجاجَةُthe dust-storm of فِتنَةٍstrife
حَتّى إِذا اِستَعَرَت عَجاجَةُ فِتنَةٍ
عَمياءَblind كانَwas كِتابُهاits decree مَفعولاfulfilled
عَمياءَ كانَ كِتابُها مَفعولا
When the dust-storm of strife flared up,
For a period he raised his tail in Medina
blind strife whose decree was fulfilled,
And saw cultivation and palm trees in it.
وَزَنَتweighed أُمَيَّةُUmayya أَمرَهاits affairs فَدَعَتso it summoned لَهُfor them
وَزَنَت أُمَيَّةُ أَمرَها فَدَعَت لَهُ
مَنone who لَمnot يَكُنwas غُمراًinexperienced وَلاnor مَجهولاunknown
مَن لَم يَكُن غُمراً وَلا مَجهولا
Umayya weighed its affairs and summoned to them
And the homes of a kingdom that strife destroyed
one neither inexperienced nor unknown:
With doves nesting in it shaded.
مَروانُMarwan أَحزَمُهاtheir most resolute إِذاwhen نَزَلَتbefell بِهِupon him
مَروانُ أَحزَمُها إِذا نَزَلَت بِهِ
حُدبُthe ruggedness of الأُمورِaffairs وَخَيرُهاand their best مَسؤولاwhen asked
حُدبُ الأُمورِ وَخَيرُها مَسؤولا
Marwan, their most resolute when he faced
I swear a sincere oath
rugged affairs, and their best when counsel was sought.
I will not lie to the Caliph at all today.
أَزمانَin the days when رَفَّعَhe lifted بِالمَدينَةِin Medina ذَيلَهُhis hem
أَزمانَ رَفَّعَ بِالمَدينَةِ ذَيلَهُ
وَلَقَدand indeed رَأىhe saw زَرعاًcrops بِهاthere وَنَخيلاand palm trees
وَلَقَد رَأى زَرعاً بِها وَنَخيلا
In the days when he lifted his hem in Medina,
I have not visited the family of Abu Khubayb
he had indeed seen crops there and palm trees,
Intending to change my pledge ever.
وَدِيارَand dwellings of مُلكٍkingship خَرَّبَتهاruined them فِتنَةٌstrife
وَدِيارَ مُلكٍ خَرَّبَتها فِتنَةٌ
وَمُشَيَّداًand a lofty building فيهِwithin it الحَمامُdoves ظَليلاshaded
وَمُشَيَّداً فيهِ الحَمامُ ظَليلا
and royal dwellings ruined by strife,
Nor have I come to Nujaydah ibn ‘Uwaymir
and a lofty, shaded building with doves within.
Seeking guidance so he increases my misguidance.
إِنّيindeed I حَلَفتُswore عَلىupon يَمينٍan oath بَرَّةٍrighteous
إِنّي حَلَفتُ عَلى يَمينٍ بَرَّةٍ
لاnot أَكذِبُI tell falsehood to اليَومَtoday الخَليفَةَthe caliph قيلاin speech
لا أَكذِبُ اليَومَ الخَليفَةَ قيلا
I have sworn a righteous oath:
It is from the Blessing of the Merciful, not my scheming
today I will speak no falsehood to the caliph.
I consider it an excess favor upon me.
ماnot زُرتُI visited آلَthe household of أَبيAbu خُبَيبٍKhubayb وافِداًas a delegate
ما زُرتُ آلَ أَبي خُبَيبٍ وافِداً
يَوماًon any day أُريدُI seek لِبَيعَتيfor my allegiance تَبديلاa change
يَوماً أُريدُ لِبَيعَتي تَبديلا
I never visited the house of Abu Khubayb as a delegate,
For a period, I held firm to my people and the community
on any day seeking to change my allegiance.
As a rider holds firm the saddle of his riding camel.
وَلاnor أَتَيتُI went to نُجَيدَةَNujayda اِبنَson of عُوَيمِرٍʿUwaymir
وَلا أَتَيتُ نُجَيدَةَ اِبنَ عُوَيمِرٍ
أَبغيI seek الهُدىguidance فَيَزيدَنيso he increases me in تَضليلاmisguidance
أَبغي الهُدى فَيَزيدَني تَضليلا
Nor did I go to Nujayda ibn ʿUwaymir,
I left every hypocrite turning about
seeking guidance, only for him to lead me further astray.
Who found the slopes as his true religion.
مِنthrough نِعمَةِthe favor of الرَحمَنِthe All-Merciful لاnot مِنthrough حيلَتيmy cunning
مِن نِعمَةِ الرَحمَنِ لا مِن حيلَتي
إِنّيindeed I أَعُدُّcount لَهُfor Him عَلَيَّupon me فُضولاfavors
إِنّي أَعُدُّ لَهُ عَلَيَّ فُضولا
That is through the All-Merciful's favor, not my cunning;
The dogmatic of the scrubby pasture, its puppies still
I count His favors toward me many.
Among the dissenters, commotion and tails.
أَزمانَin the days when قَوميmy people وَالجَماعَةَand the community كَالَّذيlike one who
أَزمانَ قَومي وَالجَماعَةَ كَالَّذي
لَزِمَheld fast to الرِحالَةَthe saddle أَنlest تَميلَit tilt مَميلاaside
لَزِمَ الرِحالَةَ أَن تَميلَ مَميلا
In the days when my people and the community were like one
From all of them, taking the pledge has ended
holding fast to his saddle lest it tilt aside,
Wiping the palms passing the handkerchief.
وَتَرَكتُand I left كُلَّevery مُنافِقٍhypocrite مُتَقَلِّبٍfickle
وَتَرَكتُ كُلَّ مُنافِقٍ مُتَقَلِّبٍ
وَجَدَfound التَلاتِلَupheavals دينَهُhis faith مَدخولاcorrupted
وَجَدَ التَلاتِلَ دينَهُ مَدخولا
I left every fickle hypocrite
If the Quraysh ignited their fires
whose faith upheavals found corrupted,
And bent their resentments and camel humps.
ذَخِرَwell-stocked الحَقيبَةِthe saddlebag ماnot تَزالُceases قُلوصُهُhis young she-camel
ذَخِرَ الحَقيبَةِ ما تَزالُ قُلوصُهُ
بَينَamong الخَوارِجِthe Kharijites هِزَّةًa jolting وَذَويلاand an ambling
بَينَ الخَوارِجِ هِزَّةً وَذَويلا
his saddlebag well-stocked; his young she-camel never ceases
Your father is their master and you their leader
to jolt and amble among the Kharijites.
And strongest in firm resolve when matters turn serious.
مِنamong كُلِّهِمall of them أَمسىby evening he أَلَمَّtouched upon بِبَيعَةٍa pledge of allegiance
مِن كُلِّهِم أَمسى أَلَمَّ بِبَيعَةٍ
مَسحَthe wiping of الأَكُفِّhands تَعاوَرُtake turns with المَنديلاthe towel
مَسحَ الأَكُفِّ تَعاوَرُ المَنديلا
Among them all, he has touched upon a pledge of allegiance
The emissaries disobeyed when you sent them
like wiping hands that take turns with a towel.
And came with claims, if you had known the aggression.
وَإِذاand when قُرَيشٌQuraysh أَوقَدَتkindled نيرانَهاits fires
وَإِذا قُرَيشٌ أَوقَدَت نيرانَها
وَثَنَتand doubled ضَغائِنَrancors بَينَهاamong them وَذُحولاand blood-feuds
وَثَنَت ضَغائِنَ بَينَها وَذُحولا
And when Quraysh kindles its fires
Those whom you ordered to be just
and doubles the rancors and blood-feuds among its members,
Did not do what you ordered in the least.
فَأَبوكَso your father سَيِّدُهاits lord وَأَنتَand you أَميرُهاits commander
فَأَبوكَ سَيِّدُها وَأَنتَ أَميرُها
وَأَشَدُّهاand their strongest عِندَat العَزائِمِresolute undertakings جولاin action
وَأَشَدُّها عِندَ العَزائِمِ جولا
your father is its lord, and you its commander,
They took the officer and cut up his chin
and its strongest in action when resolve is called for.
With the whips, standing tied up.
إِنَّindeed السُعاةَthe tax-collectors عَصَوكَdisobeyed you حينَwhen بَعَثتَهُمyou sent them
إِنَّ السُعاةَ عَصَوكَ حينَ بَعَثتَهُم
وَأَتَواand brought دَواعِيَcauses of calamity لَوif عَلِمتَyou knew وَغولاdeep-reaching
وَأَتَوا دَواعِيَ لَو عَلِمتَ وَغولا
The tax-collectors disobeyed you when you sent them,
Until when they left in his bones
and brought, if you knew, deep-reaching causes of calamity.
No flesh or sense intact.
إِنَّindeed الَّذينَthose whom أَمَرتَهُمyou ordered أَنto يَعدِلواact justly
إِنَّ الَّذينَ أَمَرتَهُم أَن يَعدِلوا
لَمnot يَفعَلواthey did مِمّاof what أَمَرتَyou ordered فَتيلاa date-stone thread
لَم يَفعَلوا مِمّا أَمَرتَ فَتيلا
Those whom you ordered to act justly
Out of fear of the burning heat of a ‘Shumus’
did not carry out a thread's worth of your commands.
He forgot the pact, left under its blazing sun.
أَخَذواthey seized العَريفَthe headman فَقَطَّعواso they slashed حَيزومَهُhis chest
أَخَذوا العَريفَ فَقَطَّعوا حَيزومَهُ
بِالأَصبَحِيَّةِwith Asbahi whips قائِمَنstanding مَغلولاfettered
بِالأَصبَحِيَّةِ قائِمَن مَغلولا
They seized the headman and slashed his chest
Duhym wrote and those gathered around it
with Asbahi whips, while he stood fettered,
Unjustly, so its justice was duplicated.
حَتّىuntil إِذاwhen لَمnot يَترُكواthey left لِعِظامِهِupon his bones
حَتّى إِذا لَم يَترُكوا لِعِظامِهِ
لَحماًflesh وَلاnor لِفُؤادِهِin his heart مَعقولاreason
لَحماً وَلا لِفُؤادِهِ مَعقولا
until they left upon his bones
They went early with their writ of accusation
no flesh, and in his heart no reason.
The whips overpowered its saddle straps.
نَسِيَhe forgot الأَمانَةَthe trust مِنfrom مَخافَةِfear of لُقَّحٍpregnant whips
نَسِيَ الأَمانَةَ مِن مَخافَةِ لُقَّحٍ
شُمُسٍunruly تَرَكنَthey left بِضَبعِهِon his upper arm مَجزولاdeeply cut
شُمُسٍ تَرَكنَ بِضَبعِهِ مَجزولا
He forgot his trust for fear of pregnant whips,
From an agent of yours whom if you dismiss
unruly ones that left a deep gash in his upper arm.
He intends betrayal and aggression.
كَتَبَhe recorded الدُهَيمُDuhaym وَماand what تَجَمَّعَgathered حَولَهاaround her
كَتَبَ الدُهَيمُ وَما تَجَمَّعَ حَولَها
ظُلماًunjustly فَجاءَso he produced بِعَدلِهاher equivalent مَعدولاdistorted
ظُلماً فَجاءَ بِعَدلِها مَعدولا
He entered Duhaym and what had gathered around her
He corrupts the trust, if you were to know his actions
unjustly, producing a distorted equivalent for her.
You would leave him completely separated.
وَغَدَواand they went off بِصَكِّهِمُwith their writ وَأَحدَبَand a bent-backed man أَسأَرَتleft behind
وَغَدَوا بِصَكِّهِمُ وَأَحدَبَ أَسأَرَت
مِنهُof him السِياطَthe whips يَراعَةًa reed إِجفيلاtrembling
مِنهُ السِياطَ يَراعَةً إِجفيلا
They went off with their writ and a bent-backed man,
Writings he left made the wealthy destitute
whom the whips had left a trembling reed,
And the poor dejected.
مِنfrom عامِلٍan official مِنهُof his إِذاwhen غَيَّبتَهُyou put him out of sight
مِن عامِلٍ مِنهُ إِذا غَيَّبتَهُ
غالىhe overreached يُريدُseeking خِيانَةًtreachery وَغُلولاand embezzlement
غالى يُريدُ خِيانَةً وَغُلولا
at the hands of an official of his who, once beyond your sight,
They took his supplies so he sits
overreaches, seeking treachery and embezzlement.
Unable to journey from his towns.
خَرِبَrotten in الأَمانَةِtrustworthiness لَوif أَحَطتَyou knew fully بِفِعلِهِhis deeds
خَرِبَ الأَمانَةِ لَو أَحَطتَ بِفِعلِهِ
لَتَرَكتَyou would leave مِنهُof him طابِقاًa half مَفصولاsevered
لَتَرَكتَ مِنهُ طابِقاً مَفصولا
Rotten in trust—if you knew all his deeds,
He invokes the Commander of the Faithful while over him
you would leave one half of him severed from the other.
Is a tear the winds blow about.
كُتُباًwrits تَرَكنَthey left غَنِيَّناour rich man ذاpossessing خَلَّةٍneed
كُتُباً تَرَكنَ غَنِيَّنا ذا خَلَّةٍ
بَعدَafter الغِنىwealth وَفَقيرَناand our poor man مَهزولاwasted away
بَعدَ الغِنى وَفَقيرَنا مَهزولا
Writs that left our rich man in want
Like a dove whose wing the archers broke
after wealth, and our poor man wasted away.
Crying out on the road aimlessly.
أَخَذواthey took حُمولَتَهُhis pack-animals فَأَصبَحَso he became قاعِداًstranded
أَخَذوا حُمولَتَهُ فَأَصبَحَ قاعِداً
لاnot يَستَطيعُhe can عَنِaway from الدِيارِthe dwellings حَويلاa move
لا يَستَطيعُ عَنِ الدِيارِ حَويلا
They took his pack-animals, and he was left stranded,
Spring has arrived and its step has come near
unable to move away from his dwelling.
And it saw knots in its surroundings scattered about.
يَدعوhe calls upon أَميرَthe Commander of المُؤمِنينَthe Faithful وَدونَهُand before him
يَدعو أَميرَ المُؤمِنينَ وَدونَهُ
خَرقٌa vast waste تَجُرُّdrag بِهِthrough it الرِياحُthe winds ذُيولاtrailing skirts
خَرقٌ تَجُرُّ بِهِ الرِياحُ ذُيولا
He calls upon the Commander of the Faithful, but between them lies
With cheeks glowing in it, graying
a vast waste where winds drag their trailing skirts,
Picking at the hands, its appearance bound up.
كَهُداهِدٍlike a dove كَسَرَbroke الرُماةُthe archers جَناحَهُhis wing
كَهُداهِدٍ كَسَرَ الرُماةُ جَناحَهُ
يَدعوhe calls بِقارِعَةِon the beaten part of الطَريقِthe road هَديلاa coo
يَدعو بِقارِعَةِ الطَريقِ هَديلا
like a dove whose wing the archers broke,
Like the smoke of a campsite at the top of a hill
cooing upon the beaten roadway.
Two brambles have scattered in the rain.
وَقَعَarrived الرَبيعُspring وَقَدand already تَقارَبَhad shortened خَطوُهُhis steps
وَقَعَ الرَبيعُ وَقَد تَقارَبَ خَطوُهُ
وَرَأىand he saw بِعَقوَتِهِnear his dwelling أَزَلَّlean-hipped نَسولاswift-moving
وَرَأى بِعَقوَتِهِ أَزَلَّ نَسولا
Spring came, though his steps had grown short,
If I survive, I will call for a piercing stab
and he saw near his dwelling a lean-hipped, swift-moving wolf,
That leaves the noble obligations few.
مُتَوَضِّحَwhite-marked الأَقرابِflanks فيهِin him شُهبَةٌgrayness
مُتَوَضِّحَ الأَقرابِ فيهِ شُهبَةٌ
نَهِشَthin-fleshed اليَدَينِforelegs تَخالُهُyou think him مَشكولاhobbled
نَهِشَ اليَدَينِ تَخالُهُ مَشكولا
white-marked along the flanks, touched with gray,
I see one who leaves ambitions for God consciousness
thin in the forelegs, looking as though hobbled,
From us came with good morals in that.
كَدُخانِlike the smoke of مُرتَجِلٍa man on foot بِأَعلىat the head of تَلعَةٍa gully
كَدُخانِ مُرتَجِلٍ بِأَعلى تَلعَةٍ
غَرثانَhungry ضَرَّمَhe kindled عَرفَجاًʿarfaj shrubs مَبلولاdamp
غَرثانَ ضَرَّمَ عَرفَجاً مَبلولا
like the smoke of a man on foot at the head of a gully,
Their dwellings were built above a position
hungry, setting damp ʿarfaj brushwood alight.
Where fleas cannot find rest.
وَلَئِنand if indeed سَلِمتُI survive لَأَدعُوَنَّI shall surely call بِطَعنَةٍfor a spear-thrust
وَلَئِن سَلِمتُ لَأَدعُوَنَّ بِطَعنَةٍ
تَدَعُthat leaves الفَرائِضَtribute-camels بِالشُرَيفِat al-Shurayf قَليلاfew
تَدَعُ الفَرائِضَ بِالشُرَيفِ قَليلا
If I survive, I shall surely call for a spear-thrust
And it came alive to greet them so he set upon them
that leaves few tribute-camels at al-Shurayf.
A pact that Muslims see as burdensome.
وَأَرىand I think الَّذيthe one who يَدَعُabandons المَطامِعَgreed لِلتُقىfor piety
وَأَرى الَّذي يَدَعُ المَطامِعَ لِلتُقى
مِنّاamong us أَتىhas shown خُلُقاًa character بِذاكَthereby جَميلاnoble
مِنّا أَتى خُلُقاً بِذاكَ جَميلا
I think that whoever forsakes greed for piety
I left my people dividing their matters
among us has thereby shown a noble character.
To you, or lingering for a bit?
بُنِيَتwere fashioned مَرافِقُهُنَّtheir elbows فَوقَabove مَزَلَّةٍa slippery place
بُنِيَت مَرافِقُهُنَّ فَوقَ مَزَلَّةٍ
لاnot يَستَطيعُcan بِهاthere القُرادُthe tick مَقيلاa midday resting-place
لا يَستَطيعُ بِها القُرادُ مَقيلا
Their elbows are fashioned above a slippery place,
They took the newborn violently unjust
where no tick can find a midday resting-place.
And it is ascribed to the Commander horrible.
وَأَتاهُمُand came to them يَحياYahya فَشَدَّso he bound عَلَيهِمُupon them
وَأَتاهُمُ يَحيا فَشَدَّ عَلَيهِمُ
عَقداًan obligation يَراهُregard it المُسلِمونَthe Muslims ثَقيلاheavy
عَقداً يَراهُ المُسلِمونَ ثَقيلا
Yahya came to them and bound upon them
an obligation the Muslims regard as heavy.
وَتَرَكتُand I left قَوميmy people يَقسِمونَweighing أُمورَهُمtheir affairs
وَتَرَكتُ قَومي يَقسِمونَ أُمورَهُم
أَإِلَيكَis it to you? أَمor يَتَلَبَّثونَthey wait قَليلاa little
أَإِلَيكَ أَم يَتَلَبَّثونَ قَليلا
I left my people weighing their affairs:
whether to come to you or wait a little.
أَخَذواthey took المَخاضَpregnant she-camels مِنَfrom الفَصيلِthe weanling calf غُلُبَّةًby force
أَخَذوا المَخاضَ مِنَ الفَصيلِ غُلُبَّةً
ظُلماًunjustly وَيُكتَبُand is recorded لِلأَميرِfor the emir أَفيلاa young calf
ظُلماً وَيُكتَبُ لِلأَميرِ أَفيلا
They forcibly took the pregnant dams away from the weanlings,
unjustly, while a calf is recorded for the emir.
Partial English translation: 178 of 184 Arabic lines translated.
Sol 6.1