يا دارُ ما طَرِبَت إِلَيكِ النَوقُ

يا دارُ ما طَرِبَت إِلَيكِ النَوقُ

إِلّا وَرَبعُكِ شائِقٌ وَمَشوقُ

إِلّا وَرَبعُكِ شائِقٌ وَمَشوقُ

O dwelling, never did the she-camels yearn for you

O home, the she-camels yearned not for you,

but your grounds awakened longing and were themselves filled with longing.

But your quarters were alluring and enticing,

جاءَتكِ تَمرَحُ في الأَزِمَّةِ وَالبُرى

جاءَتكِ تَمرَحُ في الأَزِمَّةِ وَالبُرى

وَالزَجرُ وِردٌ وَالسِياطُ عَليقُ

وَالزَجرُ وِردٌ وَالسِياطُ عَليقُ

They came to you, frolicking in their reins and nose-rings,

They came to you frolicking in prosperity and blessings,

with urging shouts for drink and whips for fodder.

Goading and whips being commonplace,

وَتَحِنُّ ما جَدَّ المَسيرُ كَأَنَّما

وَتَحِنُّ ما جَدَّ المَسيرُ كَأَنَّما

كُلُّ البِلادِ مُحَجَّرٌ وَعَقيقُ

كُلُّ البِلادِ مُحَجَّرٌ وَعَقيقُ

They yearn whenever the journey presses on, as though

And they pined for the long journey as though

all lands were Muhajjar and Aqiq.

Every region was rugged and stony ground.

دارٌ تَمَلَّكَها الفِراقُ فَرَقَّها

دارٌ تَمَلَّكَها الفِراقُ فَرَقَّها

بِالمَحلِ مِن أَسرِ الغَمامِ طَليقُ

بِالمَحلِ مِن أَسرِ الغَمامِ طَليقُ

A dwelling taken over by separation, then enslaved

A home that separation took possession of and scattered

with drought by one free of the clouds' captivity.

Among its dwellers from the bonds of clouds set loose.

شَرِقَت بِأَدمُعِها المَطيُّ كَأَنَّما

شَرِقَت بِأَدمُعِها المَطيُّ كَأَنَّما

فيها حَنينُ اليَعمَلاتِ شَهيقُ

فيها حَنينُ اليَعمَلاتِ شَهيقُ

The riding camels choked on their tears, as though

It shed tears with its weeping until the courser

the swift she-camels' yearning cries there were sobs.

Seemed to have in it the moaning of ostriches.

خَفَقَت يَمانِيَةٌ عَلى أَرجائِها

خَفَقَت يَمانِيَةٌ عَلى أَرجائِها

وَطَغَت عَلَيها زَعزَعٌ وَخَريقُ

وَطَغَت عَلَيها زَعزَعٌ وَخَريقُ

A Yemeni wind fluttered over its bounds,

A Yemeni she-camel circled its corners

and a gale and a rending wind overwhelmed it.

As clamor and neighing rose high above it.

في كُلِّ إِصباحٍ وَكُلِّ عَشِيَّةٍ

في كُلِّ إِصباحٍ وَكُلِّ عَشِيَّةٍ

يَسري عَلَيها لِلدُموعِ فَريقُ

يَسري عَلَيها لِلدُموعِ فَريقُ

Every morning and every evening,

Every morn and evening a band for tears

a troop of tears travels over it.

Marched over it to lament and weep.

سَخِطَ الغُرابُ عَلى المَساقِطِ بَينَها

سَخِطَ الغُرابُ عَلى المَساقِطِ بَينَها

فَلَهُ بِإِنجازِ الفِراقِ نَعيقُ

فَلَهُ بِإِنجازِ الفِراقِ نَعيقُ

The crow grew angry at the landing-places there,

The raven grew angry at its ruins between them

so it caws to bring separation to completion.

So it had the separation to shriek about.

فَتَوَزَّعَت تِلكَ القَذاةَ نَواظِرٌ

فَتَوَزَّعَت تِلكَ القَذاةَ نَواظِرٌ

وَتَقَسَّمَت تِلكَ الشَجاةَ حُلوقُ

وَتَقَسَّمَت تِلكَ الشَجاةَ حُلوقُ

Thus eyes shared that mote,

Those languid gazes scattered and

and throats divided that choking thorn.

Those tender throats were split.

الآنَ أَقبَلَ بي الوَقارُ عَنِ الصَبا

الآنَ أَقبَلَ بي الوَقارُ عَنِ الصَبا

فَغَضَضتُ طَرفي وَالظِباءُ تَروقُ

فَغَضَضتُ طَرفي وَالظِباءُ تَروقُ

Now dignity has turned me away from youthful passion,

Now dignity beyond youth has come over me

so I lowered my gaze, though the gazelles delight the eye.

So I cast down my eyes and the does leap.

وَلَوَ اِنَّني لَم أُعطِ مَجدي حَقَّهُ

وَلَوَ اِنَّني لَم أُعطِ مَجدي حَقَّهُ

أَنكَرتُ طَعمَ العِزِّ حَينَ أَذوقُ

أَنكَرتُ طَعمَ العِزِّ حَينَ أَذوقُ

And had I not given my glory its due,

Had I not given my glory its due,

I would have found honor's taste strange when I tasted it.

I would have denied the taste of honor when I taste it.

رَمَتِ المَعالي فَاِمتَنَعنَ وَلَم يَزَل

رَمَتِ المَعالي فَاِمتَنَعنَ وَلَم يَزَل

أَبَداً يُمانِعُ عاشِقاً مَعشوقُ

أَبَداً يُمانِعُ عاشِقاً مَعشوقُ

I sought the heights, but they refused; never has

I aspired to the heights but they evaded me and

a beloved ever ceased resisting a lover.

My beloved never ceased to be aloof from a lover.

وَصَبَرتُ حَتّى نِلتُهُنَّ وَلَم أَقُل

وَصَبَرتُ حَتّى نِلتُهُنَّ وَلَم أَقُل

ضَجَراً دَواءُ الفارِكِ التَطليقُ

ضَجَراً دَواءُ الفارِكِ التَطليقُ

I endured until I gained them, and did not say

I was patient until I attained them and said not

in frustration, 'The cure for an unloving wife is divorce.'

In annoyance, “The cure for one far off is to break away.”

ما كُنتُ أَوَّلَ مَن جَثا بِقَميصِهِ

ما كُنتُ أَوَّلَ مَن جَثا بِقَميصِهِ

عَبَقُ الفَخارِ وَجَيبُهُ مَخروقُ

عَبَقُ الفَخارِ وَجَيبُهُ مَخروقُ

I was not the first upon whose shirt settled

I was not the first to bow down with his shirt

the fragrance of glory, though its collar was torn.

Scented with dust and his pocket torn.

كَثُرَت أَمانيُّ الرِجالِ وَلَم تَزَل

كَثُرَت أَمانيُّ الرِجالِ وَلَم تَزَل

مُتَوَسِّعاتٌ وَالزَمانُ يَضيقُ

مُتَوَسِّعاتٌ وَالزَمانُ يَضيقُ

Men's hopes multiplied and have remained

The hopes of men multiplied and never ceased

ever expanding, while time grows narrow.

To expand while time grew narrower.

مِن كُلِّ جِسمٍ تَقتَضيهِ حُفرَةٌ

مِن كُلِّ جِسمٍ تَقتَضيهِ حُفرَةٌ

فَكَأَنَّهُ مِن طينِها مَخلوقُ

فَكَأَنَّهُ مِن طينِها مَخلوقُ

From every body a pit demands its due,

For each body there is a niche that claims it

as though it were created from that pit's clay.

As though it were created of its clay.

وَمَفازَةٍ تَلِدُ الهَجيرَ خَرَقتُها

وَمَفازَةٍ تَلِدُ الهَجيرَ خَرَقتُها

وَالأَرضُ مِن لَمعِ السَرابِ بُروقُ

وَالأَرضُ مِن لَمعِ السَرابِ بُروقُ

Many a desert that gives birth to midday heat I crossed,

And a mirage that gives birth to delusion―I ripped it open

while the earth was flashes of the mirage's gleam.

While the land gleamed with the flash of a mirage.

بِنَجاءِ صامِتَةِ البُغامِ كَأَنَّها

بِنَجاءِ صامِتَةِ البُغامِ كَأَنَّها

وَالآلُ يَركُضُ في الفَلاةِ فَنيقُ

وَالآلُ يَركُضُ في الفَلاةِ فَنيقُ

On a swift she-camel, silent in her lowing, as though she—

With the silent ululation of she-camels, as though

with the mirage galloping in the waste—were a pampered camel-stallion.

They and the family were running in the desert wasteland.

سَبَقَت إِلَيكَ العَزمَ طائِشَةُ الخُطى

سَبَقَت إِلَيكَ العَزمَ طائِشَةُ الخُطى

فَنَجَت وَأَعناقُ المَطيِّ تَفوقُ

فَنَجَت وَأَعناقُ المَطيِّ تَفوقُ

With flying steps she outran resolve toward you,

Your determination outstripped its wild-roaming footsteps,

and sped away while the riding camels' necks gasped.

So it was saved, while the necks of the steeds vied in speed.

جَذَبَت بِضَبعي مِن تِهامَةَ قاصِداً

جَذَبَت بِضَبعي مِن تِهامَةَ قاصِداً

وَالنَجمُ في بَحرِ الظَلامِ غَريقُ

وَالنَجمُ في بَحرِ الظَلامِ غَريقُ

She drew me by the arm from Tihamah, bound for my goal,

It dragged me from Tihama heading purposefully

while the stars were drowned in the sea of darkness.

While the star in the sea of darkness was drowning.

مَستَشرِياً بَرقاً تَقَطَّعَ خَيطُهُ

مَستَشرِياً بَرقاً تَقَطَّعَ خَيطُهُ

فَلَهُ عَلى طُرَرِ البِلادِ شُروقُ

فَلَهُ عَلى طُرَرِ البِلادِ شُروقُ

Pursuing lightning whose thread had snapped apart,

Letting loose a lightning whose thread was severed,

whose flashes rose along the fringes of the land.

So that the horizons had glimmers of its dawn.

هَزَّ المَجَرَّةَ أُفقُهُ وَكَأَنَّها

هَزَّ المَجَرَّةَ أُفقُهُ وَكَأَنَّها

غُصنٌ بِأَحداقِ النُجومِ وَريقُ

غُصنٌ بِأَحداقِ النُجومِ وَريقُ

Its horizon shook the Milky Way, as though it were

Its horizon shook the galaxy as though it were

a branch leafed with the stars' eyes.

A bough with the brilliance of the stars thickening.

مَجَّ الظَلامُ الفَجرَ عَنهُ كَأَنَّما ال

مَجَّ الظَلامُ الفَجرَ عَنهُ كَأَنَّما ال

أَضواءُ في شَفَةِ الغَياطِلِ ريقُ

أَضواءُ في شَفَةِ الغَياطِلِ ريقُ

Darkness spat the dawn from itself, as though the

Darkness obscured dawn from it as though

lights were spittle on the lip of dense darkness.

There were no lights on the lip of darkness.

وَاللَيلُ مَحلولُ النِطاقِ عَنِ الضُحى

وَاللَيلُ مَحلولُ النِطاقِ عَنِ الضُحى

عارٍ وَعِقدُ الصُبحِ فيهِ وَثيقُ

عارٍ وَعِقدُ الصُبحِ فيهِ وَثيقُ

Night, its girdle loosened, stands stripped of daylight,

And the night with loosed waistband from dawn

naked, with dawn's necklace fastened firmly upon it.

Was disgraced, and the knot of morning tied fast.

ما كانَ إِلّا هَجعَةٌ حَتّى اِنثَنى

ما كانَ إِلّا هَجعَةٌ حَتّى اِنثَنى

وَالطَرفُ مِن سُكرِ النُعاسِ مُفيقُ

وَالطَرفُ مِن سُكرِ النُعاسِ مُفيقُ

There was only a brief sleep before he stirred again,

It was only a slumber until it tossed

his eye recovered from the intoxication of drowsiness.

With eyes bleary from the intoxication of drowsiness.

وَتَماسَكَت تِلكَ العَمائِمُ بَعدَما

وَتَماسَكَت تِلكَ العَمائِمُ بَعدَما

أَرخى جَوانِبَها كَرىً وَخُفوقُ

أَرخى جَوانِبَها كَرىً وَخُفوقُ

Those turbans held firm again after

Those turbans clung together after

sleep and nodding had loosened their sides.

Its edges had been loosened, pendulous and fluttering.

ما رُفِّهَت رُكبانُها إِلّا وَفي

ما رُفِّهَت رُكبانُها إِلّا وَفي

جِلدِ الظَلامِ مِنَ الضِياءِ خُروقُ

جِلدِ الظَلامِ مِنَ الضِياءِ خُروقُ

Her riders found no respite except when, in

Their riders were not well-seated but on

the skin of darkness, there were rents of light.

The skin of darkness were holes of light piercing through.

يا ناقَ عاصي مَن يُماطِلُكِ السُرى

يا ناقَ عاصي مَن يُماطِلُكِ السُرى

فَلَحيقُ غَيرِكِ بِالعِقالِ خَليقُ

فَلَحيقُ غَيرِكِ بِالعِقالِ خَليقُ

O she-camel, defy whoever delays your night journey,

O she-camel, recalcitrant, who makes the pace slow for you

for any swift camel but you is fit for the hobble.

So that others than you are more apt with the nose-rein?

وَرِدي حِياضَ فَتى مَعَدٍّ كُلُّها

وَرِدي حِياضَ فَتى مَعَدٍّ كُلُّها

فَالحَبلُ أَتلَعُ واّلقَليبُ عَميقُ

فَالحَبلُ أَتلَعُ واّلقَليبُ عَميقُ

And drink at all the pools of Ma'add's young lord,

Return to the enclosure of a Ma’addi young man, all of it

for the rope reaches far and the well is deep.

With plaited palm-leaf rope whose heart is profound.

وَإِذا تَراخَت حَبوَتي أَوثَقتُها

وَإِذا تَراخَت حَبوَتي أَوثَقتُها

بِفِناءِ بَيتٍ تُربُهُ العَيّوقُ

بِفِناءِ بَيتٍ تُربُهُ العَيّوقُ

When my knee-wrap slackened, I bound it fast

When my saddle-girths grow slack I tighten them

in the courtyard of a house whose dust is Capella.

In the courtyard of a house whose soil is dragon’s blood.

في بَلدَةٍ حَرَمٌ عَلى أَعدائِهِ

في بَلدَةٍ حَرَمٌ عَلى أَعدائِهِ

وَعَلى النَوائِبِ رَبوَةٌ إِزليقُ

وَعَلى النَوائِبِ رَبوَةٌ إِزليقُ

In a town that is forbidden ground to his enemies,

In a township inviolable to its enemies

and to calamities a slippery hill.

And impregnable to misfortunes, a stronghold natural.

تَتَزاحَمُ الأَضيافُ في أَبياتِهِ

تَتَزاحَمُ الأَضيافُ في أَبياتِهِ

فِرَقاً تَحِنُّ إِلى القِرى وَتَتوقُ

فِرَقاً تَحِنُّ إِلى القِرى وَتَتوقُ

Guests crowd together in his dwellings,

The guests throng in its dwellings

in groups yearning for hospitality and longing for it.

As fellow tribes that yearn for settlements and pine.

وَإِذا رَآهُم لَم يَقُل مُتَمَثِّلاً

وَإِذا رَآهُم لَم يَقُل مُتَمَثِّلاً

أَبَني الزَمانِ لِكُلِّ رَحبٍ ضيقُ

أَبَني الزَمانِ لِكُلِّ رَحبٍ ضيقُ

And when he sees them, he does not say, quoting a verse,

When he saw them he did not say pretentiously,

'O children of Time, every spacious place has its narrowness.'

“O children of the age, for each expanse is confining.”

عَجَباً لِرَبعِكَ كَيفَ تُخصِبُ أَرضُهُ

عَجَباً لِرَبعِكَ كَيفَ تُخصِبُ أَرضُهُ

وَجَنابُهُ بِدَمِ السَوامِ شَريقُ

وَجَنابُهُ بِدَمِ السَوامِ شَريقُ

How astonishing your dwelling: how does its soil grow fertile

Wondrous is your dwelling place, how its land thrives,

while its precincts choke on the blood of livestock?

While its shoulder is dyed with the blood of miscreants.

وَالخَيلُ تَعلَمُ أَنَّ حَشوَ ظُهورِها

وَالخَيلُ تَعلَمُ أَنَّ حَشوَ ظُهورِها

مِنهُ نُهىً يَنجابُ عَنها الموقُ

مِنهُ نُهىً يَنجابُ عَنها الموقُ

The horses know that what occupies their backs

The horses know that the stuffing of their saddles

is wisdom from him, from which folly falls away.

Is unlawful for them so the branding-iron shuns them.

ما زالَ يَجنُبُها إِلى أَعدائِهِ

ما زالَ يَجنُبُها إِلى أَعدائِهِ

وَالشَمسُ تَسحَبُ وَالفَلاةُ تَضيقُ

وَالشَمسُ تَسحَبُ وَالفَلاةُ تَضيقُ

He never ceased leading them toward his enemies,

He continues to spare them for his enemies

while the sun trailed and the desert grew cramped.

While the sun drags on and the desert grows confining.

مِن كُلِّ رَقّاصٍ كَأَنَّ صَهيلَهُ

مِن كُلِّ رَقّاصٍ كَأَنَّ صَهيلَهُ

نَغَمٌ وَما مَجَّ الطِعانُ رَحيقُ

نَغَمٌ وَما مَجَّ الطِعانُ رَحيقُ

Each a prancing steed, whose neigh seems

The neigh of each gallant steed is like

a melody, and what spear-thrusts spit out, pure wine.

A tune, though the lance’s thrust is not fragrant.

طِرفٌ تَعَوَّدَ أَن يُخَلَّقَ وَجهُهُ

طِرفٌ تَعَوَّدَ أَن يُخَلَّقَ وَجهُهُ

في حَيثُ يَنضو النَقعَ وَهوَ سَبوقُ

في حَيثُ يَنضو النَقعَ وَهوَ سَبوقُ

A noble steed accustomed to having its face perfumed

A gaze accustomed to being narrowed so his face

where it sheds the dust, always in the lead.

Becomes slender at the thinning out of fat.

ذو جِلدَةٍ حَمراءَ تَحسَبُ أَنَّها

ذو جِلدَةٍ حَمراءَ تَحسَبُ أَنَّها

مِن طولِ تَخليقِ الرِهانِ خُلوقُ

مِن طولِ تَخليقِ الرِهانِ خُلوقُ

Its hide is red; you would imagine it

Of ruddy complexion you would think it

from long anointing at the races, to be saffron perfume.

Was from the long-established wagers on racing.

وَاليَومُ مَلطومُ السَوالِفِ بِالظُبى

وَاليَومُ مَلطومُ السَوالِفِ بِالظُبى

وَاللَيلُ مُرتَعِدُ النُجومِ خَفوقُ

وَاللَيلُ مُرتَعِدُ النُجومِ خَفوقُ

And day is slapped on the sides of its neck by sword-edges,

Today the twilight converses with the oryx

and night flutters, its stars trembling.

While tonight the trembling stars wander.

لَقَطَت نُفوسَهُمُ شِفاهُ صَوارِمٍ

لَقَطَت نُفوسَهُمُ شِفاهُ صَوارِمٍ

فَرَغَت وَأَسيافُ العَوامِلِ روقُ

فَرَغَت وَأَسيافُ العَوامِلِ روقُ

The lips of sharp swords gathered up their souls,

Their souls were snatched away by the lips of Indian swords

then finished their work, while the spear-blades were horns.

So they surged ahead while the blades of disasters quivered.

في كُلِّ يَومٍ يَندُبونَ مُصارِعاً

في كُلِّ يَومٍ يَندُبونَ مُصارِعاً

لِلوَحشِ فيها وَالنُسورِ طُروقُ

لِلوَحشِ فيها وَالنُسورِ طُروقُ

Every day they lament sites of slaughter

Every day they mourn a fallen warrior

where wild beasts and vultures come by night,

For the beasts there and the vultures circling.

نَشوانَةُ الأَعطافِ مِن دَمِ فِتيَةٍ

نَشوانَةُ الأَعطافِ مِن دَمِ فِتيَةٍ

فيهِم صَبوحٌ لِلرَدى وَغَبوقُ

فيهِم صَبوحٌ لِلرَدى وَغَبوقُ

their flanks drunk with young men's blood,

The flexing of the biceps from the blood of young men

in whom Death finds its morning and evening draughts.

Among whom the morning light shone while they were unmindful.

تَبكي عَلَيها غَيرَ راحِمَةٍ لَها

تَبكي عَلَيها غَيرَ راحِمَةٍ لَها

بِالهاطِلاتِ رَواعِدٌ وَبُروقُ

بِالهاطِلاتِ رَواعِدٌ وَبُروقُ

Over them, without pity for them, weep

It weeps for them without pity,

thunderclouds and lightning in pouring showers.

With pouring rains and lightning striking.

وَتَبَلَّغَت آراؤُهُ فَكَأَنَّها

وَتَبَلَّغَت آراؤُهُ فَكَأَنَّها

طَلَعَت وَفي سَجفِ الغُيوبِ فُتوقُ

طَلَعَت وَفي سَجفِ الغُيوبِ فُتوقُ

His judgments reach so far, it is as though they

And his views circulated until they seemed

rise where rifts open in the curtain of the unseen.

To rise while the clouds obscured them.

وَيَكُرُّ وَالفَرَسُ الجَوادُ مُبَلِّدٌ

وَيَكُرُّ وَالفَرَسُ الجَوادُ مُبَلِّدٌ

وَيَقُدُّ وَالعَضبُ الحُسامُ مَعوقُ

وَيَقُدُّ وَالعَضبُ الحُسامُ مَعوقُ

He charges while the noble horse balks,

He turns back while the excellent steed goes slowly

and cleaves while the keen cutting blade is checked.

And he leads ahead while the blade of the sword drags.

كَرّاتُ مَن شُدَّت قَوائِمُ عَزمِهِ

كَرّاتُ مَن شُدَّت قَوائِمُ عَزمِهِ

فَلَها رَسيمٌ في العُلى وَعَنيقُ

فَلَها رَسيمٌ في العُلى وَعَنيقُ

The charges of one whose resolve's legs are braced,

Swerves from one whose feet determination bound

giving it a swift trot and a rapid stride among the heights.

So that for him in the heights there was a gentle breeze and intimacy.

كَفّاهُ أَدَّبَتا السِهامَ فَما لَها

كَفّاهُ أَدَّبَتا السِهامَ فَما لَها

في النَبضِ عَن خَطَإِ البَنانِ مُروقُ

في النَبضِ عَن خَطَإِ البَنانِ مُروقُ

His hands disciplined the arrows; they have no

His two palms sufficed to train the arrows, so that for them

escape, when loosed, from a finger's error.

In throbbing there was no deviation from precise striking.

لَولا اِحتِذاءُ السَهمِ طاعَةَ قَوسِهِ

لَولا اِحتِذاءُ السَهمِ طاعَةَ قَوسِهِ

ما شَيَّعَ النَصلُ المُصَمِّمَ فوقُ

ما شَيَّعَ النَصلُ المُصَمِّمَ فوقُ

Had the arrow not copied the obedience of his bow,

Were it not for the arrow’s obedience to the bow,

no nock would have sent the piercing point on its way.

The resolute blade would not have bade farewell aloft.

يُدني الحِمامَ بِكَفِّهِ مُتَرَسِّلٌ

يُدني الحِمامَ بِكَفِّهِ مُتَرَسِّلٌ

لِقَضائِهِ نائي السِنانِ رَشيقُ

لِقَضائِهِ نائي السِنانِ رَشيقُ

It brings death near in his hand, moving unhurriedly,

He brings the doves near with his palm in a leisurely way

to enact its decree, long-pointed and slender.

For his decree, the starling arrow-heads graceful.

نُفِضَت عَلى الأَيّامِ مِنهُ شَمائِلٌ

نُفِضَت عَلى الأَيّامِ مِنهُ شَمائِلٌ

أَبرَزنَ وَجهَ الدَهرِ وَهوَ طَليقُ

أَبرَزنَ وَجهَ الدَهرِ وَهوَ طَليقُ

Virtues from him were scattered over the days,

From him fine qualities were scattered on the days

revealing Time's face, beaming.

That brought out the face of time radiant and unfettered.

وَأَقامَ أَسواقَ الضِرابِ فَلِلرَدى

وَأَقامَ أَسواقَ الضِرابِ فَلِلرَدى

فيهِنَّ مِن سَبيِ النُفوسِ رَقيقُ

فيهِنَّ مِن سَبيِ النُفوسِ رَقيقُ

He established markets of sword-blows, and Death has

And he held markets for striking, so for souls

slaves there from the capture of souls.

Captured there, the tender were precious.

نَفسي فِداؤُكَ أَيُّ يَومٍ لَم تَقُم

نَفسي فِداؤُكَ أَيُّ يَومٍ لَم تَقُم

لَكَ فيهِ مِن جَلَبِ القَواضِبِ سوقُ

لَكَ فيهِ مِن جَلَبِ القَواضِبِ سوقُ

My soul be your ransom! On what day has there not arisen

My soul be your ransom, what day did you not stand

for you a market in the traffic of cutting swords?

For you among the ships bringing fighters?

قَمَرٌ يَهابُ المَوتُ ضَوءَ جَبينِهِ

قَمَرٌ يَهابُ المَوتُ ضَوءَ جَبينِهِ

وَاليَومَ خَوّارُ العَجاجِ غَسوقُ

وَاليَومَ خَوّارُ العَجاجِ غَسوقُ

A moon whose brow's light Death fears,

A moon, death fears the gleam of his forehead,

while day, bellowing with battle-dust, is dark.

While today the heelbones of the mighty are breaking.

وَالسَيفُ لَيسَ يُهابُ قَبلَ قِراعِهِ

وَالسَيفُ لَيسَ يُهابُ قَبلَ قِراعِهِ

حَتّى يَمَسُّ العَينَ مِنهُ بَريقُ

حَتّى يَمَسُّ العَينَ مِنهُ بَريقُ

The sword is not feared before its clash,

The sword is not feared before the clashing with it

until a flash from it touches the eye.

Until its blade touches the eye with its flash.

عَشِقَ السَماحَ وَكُلُّ سِحرٍ لِلمُنى

عَشِقَ السَماحَ وَكُلُّ سِحرٍ لِلمُنى

فيهِ بِأَنفاثِ السُؤالِ يُحيقُ

فيهِ بِأَنفاثِ السُؤالِ يُحيقُ

He loved generosity; every spell for wishes

He loved benevolence, and for every charm leading to success

takes hold in him through a petition's whispered spells.

In it, with the breath of asking, he blew upon.

طَهَّرتُ قَلبي مُذ عَلِمتُ بِأَنَّهُ

طَهَّرتُ قَلبي مُذ عَلِمتُ بِأَنَّهُ

لِسُرى مَدائِحِهِ العِظامِ طَريقُ

لِسُرى مَدائِحِهِ العِظامِ طَريقُ

I purified my heart once I knew that it was

I purified my heart after I knew

a path for the night journey of mighty praises of him.

That for the pace of his glorious praises noble souls were a path.

كَم كاهِلٍ لِلشِعرِ أَثقَلَ نَعتُهُ

كَم كاهِلٍ لِلشِعرِ أَثقَلَ نَعتُهُ

عِطفَيهِ وَهوَ لِما يَؤُدُّ مُطيقُ

عِطفَيهِ وَهوَ لِما يَؤُدُّ مُطيقُ

How many a bearer of verse is weighed down by his portrayal—

How many shoulders of those who bore his fame

on both sides—though able to endure what burdens him!

His generosity weighed down, though able to fulfill their duty.

طَأطَأتَ فَرعَ المَجدِ ثُمَّ جَنَيتَهُ

طَأطَأتَ فَرعَ المَجدِ ثُمَّ جَنَيتَهُ

فَاِرتَدَّ وَهوَ عَلى عِداكَ سَحوقُ

فَاِرتَدَّ وَهوَ عَلى عِداكَ سَحوقُ

You bent down glory's branch, then harvested it,

You bowed the branch of glory then plucked it

and it sprang back, towering above your enemies.

So it recoiled while it was above your hands outstretched.

فَرعٌ أَشارَ إِلى السَماءِ فَجازَها

فَرعٌ أَشارَ إِلى السَماءِ فَجازَها

حَتّى كَأَنَّ لَهُ النُجومَ عُروقُ

حَتّى كَأَنَّ لَهُ النُجومَ عُروقُ

A branch that pointed toward the sky and passed beyond it,

A branch that pointed to the sky until

until the stars seemed to be its roots.

It seemed the stars were its roots.

وَمُبَخَّلٍ شَهِدَت عَلَيهِ يَمينُهُ

وَمُبَخَّلٍ شَهِدَت عَلَيهِ يَمينُهُ

في حَيثُ يَمنَعُها النَدى وَيَعوقُ

في حَيثُ يَمنَعُها النَدى وَيَعوقُ

And many a man branded stingy—his right hand testified against him

And a grudging man whose oath bore witness against him

where he barred it from generosity and restrained it.

Where generosity prevented it and confined it.

يَبكي إِذا بَكَتِ السَحابُ كَأَنَّهُ

يَبكي إِذا بَكَتِ السَحابُ كَأَنَّهُ

أَبَداً عَلى الطَرفِ الغَمامِ شَفيقُ

أَبَداً عَلى الطَرفِ الغَمامِ شَفيقُ

He weeps when the clouds weep, as though he were

He weeps when the clouds weep as though

forever tender toward the cloud's eye.

He were always a sympathetic horizon for the clouds.

وَإِذا تَعَرَّضَ عارِضٌ أَغضى لَهُ

وَإِذا تَعَرَّضَ عارِضٌ أَغضى لَهُ

أَلّا يَرى الأَنواءَ كَيفَ تُريقُ

أَلّا يَرى الأَنواءَ كَيفَ تُريقُ

And when a raincloud appears, he closes his eyes to it,

If an objection presented itself he turned from it

lest he see how the rain-bearing stars pour forth.

Not to look upon caprices, observing how they flow.

لَو أَبدَتِ الأَيّامُ جانِبَ وَجهِهِ

لَو أَبدَتِ الأَيّامُ جانِبَ وَجهِهِ

لَتَشَبَّثَتهُ مَظالِمٌ وَحُقوقُ

لَتَشَبَّثَتهُ مَظالِمٌ وَحُقوقُ

If the days revealed the side of his face,

If the days had revealed his aspect

grievances and rightful claims would cling to him.

Injustices and rights would have clung to him.

إِن سارَ سارَ إِلى النِزالِ بِخِفيَةٍ

إِن سارَ سارَ إِلى النِزالِ بِخِفيَةٍ

حَتّى كَأَنَّ سِلاحَهُ مَسروقُ

حَتّى كَأَنَّ سِلاحَهُ مَسروقُ

If he goes, he goes to battle secretly,

If he marched, he marched into battle secretly

as though his weapon were stolen.

Until his weapon seemed stolen.

بَيتٌ أَقامَ البُخلُ فيهِ فَاِستَوى

بَيتٌ أَقامَ البُخلُ فيهِ فَاِستَوى

بِفِنائِهِ المَحرومُ وَالمَرزوقُ

بِفِنائِهِ المَحرومُ وَالمَرزوقُ

A house where stinginess took up residence, so equal were

A house where stinginess resided and leveled

in its courtyard the deprived and the well-provided.

The deprived and the prosperous in its courtyard.

يَرجو بُلوغَ نَداكَ وَهوَ مُحَقِّقٌ

يَرجو بُلوغَ نَداكَ وَهوَ مُحَقِّقٌ

مَع حِرصِهِ أَنَّ الجَوادَ عَتيقُ

مَع حِرصِهِ أَنَّ الجَوادَ عَتيقُ

He hopes to match your bounty, though he knows for certain,

He hopes to attain your bounty while certain

despite his eagerness, that the generous steed is thoroughbred.

That the excellent steed is rare.

في الطينَةِ البَيضاءِ غَرسُكَ إِنَّهُ

في الطينَةِ البَيضاءِ غَرسُكَ إِنَّهُ

غَرسٌ تَداوَلُهُ البِقاعُ عَريقُ

غَرسٌ تَداوَلُهُ البِقاعُ عَريقُ

Your planting is in white clay; it is

In pure white lineage your root, it

a deep-rooted planting passed from land to land.

Is a root generations of many lands have handed down.

فَإِذا اِلتَثَمتَ فَكُلُّ وَجهٍ باسِلٌ

فَإِذا اِلتَثَمتَ فَكُلُّ وَجهٍ باسِلٌ

وَإِذا حَسَرتَ فَكُلُّ خَدٍّ روقُ

وَإِذا حَسَرتَ فَكُلُّ خَدٍّ روقُ

When you veil your face, every face is stern;

When you smile, every face stands out beaming

when you uncover it, every cheek is fair.

And when you frown, every cheek appears radiant.

اللَهُ جارَكَ وَالمَطيُّ جَوائِرٌ

اللَهُ جارَكَ وَالمَطيُّ جَوائِرٌ

وَالنَصرُ دِرعُكَ وَالحُسامُ ذَليقُ

وَالنَصرُ دِرعُكَ وَالحُسامُ ذَليقُ

May God be your protector while the riding camels stray,

May God guard you, the steed act as protection

and victory your shield while the sword is keen.

And victory arm you while the sword-blade is sharp.

لا زِلتَ تَجنُبُ مِن سُيوفِكَ في العِدى

لا زِلتَ تَجنُبُ مِن سُيوفِكَ في العِدى

نَحراً يَخُبُّ وَراءَهُ التَشريقُ

نَحراً يَخُبُّ وَراءَهُ التَشريقُ

May you ever drive, with your swords, among your foes

You continue to avoid from your swords in hostilities

a slaughter behind which the sun-drying of flesh trots.

A throat that deteriorates with the shouts of “Bravo!”

وَإِذا جَهَرتَ بِصَوتِ عَزمِكَ مُسمِعاً

وَإِذا جَهَرتَ بِصَوتِ عَزمِكَ مُسمِعاً

أَصغى إِلَيكَ اليُمنُ وَالتَوفيقُ

أَصغى إِلَيكَ اليُمنُ وَالتَوفيقُ

And when you proclaim your resolve's voice, making it heard,

When you declared your will aloud making heard

good fortune and success listen to you.

Auspiciousness and success inclined toward you.

شَرَّفتَ مَدحي فَاِعتَلى بِكَ طَودُهُ

شَرَّفتَ مَدحي فَاِعتَلى بِكَ طَودُهُ

وَمِنَ المَدائِحِ فائِقٌ وَمَفوقُ

وَمِنَ المَدائِحِ فائِقٌ وَمَفوقُ

You ennobled my praise, and through you its mountain rose high;

You ennobled my praise so its loftiness

among praises are those that surpass and those surpassed.

Arose through you, surpassing and transcendent.

شَهِدَت لَهُ خَيلُ الخَواطِرِ أَنَّهُ

شَهِدَت لَهُ خَيلُ الخَواطِرِ أَنَّهُ

خَيرُ الصَهيلِ وَما سِواهُ نَهيقُ

خَيرُ الصَهيلِ وَما سِواهُ نَهيقُ

The horses of thought testified for it that it is

The steeds of thoughts testified that it

the finest neighing, and all besides it is braying.

Is the best of neighing while other than it is whinnying.