أَلاah! ناشِداًone seeking ذاكَthat الجَنابَdomain المُمَنَّعاimpregnable
أَلا ناشِداً ذاكَ الجَنابَ المُمَنَّعا
وَجُرداًand sleek steeds يُناقِلنَbearing along الوَشيجَthe spears المُزَعزَعاquivering
وَجُرداً يُناقِلنَ الوَشيجَ المُزَعزَعا
Will no one seek that impregnable domain,
and sleek steeds bearing quivering spears,
وَمَنand him who يَملَأُfills الأَيّامَthe days بَأساًwith valor وَنائِلاًand bounty
وَمَن يَملَأُ الأَيّامَ بَأساً وَنائِلاً
وَتُثنىand are bowed لَهُto him الأَعناقُthe necks خَوفاًin fear وَمَطمَعاand hope
وَتُثنى لَهُ الأَعناقُ خَوفاً وَمَطمَعا
and him who fills the days with valor and bounty,
to whom necks bow in fear and hope?
أَجُلّيwas it brought forth? إِلَيهِbefore him ذَلِكَthat الخَطبُcalamity مُقدِماًadvancing boldly
أَجُلّي إِلَيهِ ذَلِكَ الخَطبُ مُقدِماً
وَقَدand indeed كانَit used to لاnot يَلقاهُmeet him إِلّاexcept مُرَوَّعاterrified
وَقَد كانَ لا يَلقاهُ إِلّا مُرَوَّعا
Was that calamity brought before him boldly,
though it once met him only in terror?
وَجازَand passed أَضاميمَthe gathered hosts البِلادِof the lands مُغَيرَةًraiding
وَجازَ أَضاميمَ البِلادِ مُغَيرَةً
وَحَيَّand the people نِزارٍof Nizar حاسِرينَunarmored وَدُرَّعاand mailed
وَحَيَّ نِزارٍ حاسِرينَ وَدُرَّعا
It passed the lands' gathered raiding hosts,
and Nizar's people, unarmored and mailed,
وَسُمرُand brown spears عُقَيلٍof Uqayl تَحمِلُbear المَوتَdeath أَحمَراًblood-red
وَسُمرُ عُقَيلٍ تَحمِلُ المَوتَ أَحمَراً
وَبيضُand bright swords عُقَيلٍof Uqayl تَقطُرُdrip السَمَّpoison مُنقَعاsteeped
وَبيضُ عُقَيلٍ تَقطُرُ السَمَّ مُنقَعا
while Uqayl's brown spears bore blood-red death,
and Uqayl's bright swords dripped steeped poison.
وَلَمand did not تَخشَfear مِنfrom حَدِّthe edge الصَوارِمِof sharp swords مَضرَباًa stroke
وَلَم تَخشَ مِن حَدِّ الصَوارِمِ مَضرَباً
وَلَمand did not تَلقَmeet مِنfrom أَيديthe hands القَبائِلِof the tribes مَدفَعاresistance
وَلَم تَلقَ مِن أَيدي القَبائِلِ مَدفَعا
It feared no stroke from the edges of swords,
and met no resistance from the tribes' hands.
رَأىit saw وَرَقَthe plates البيضِof helmets الخِفافِlight هَشائِماًshattered scraps
رَأى وَرَقَ البيضِ الخِفافِ هَشائِماً
وَشَوكَand the thorns العَواليof long spears ناسِلاًfalling away أَوor مُنَزَّعاplucked out
وَشَوكَ العَوالي ناسِلاً أَو مُنَزَّعا
It saw the plates of light helmets as shattered scraps,
and spearheads as thorns shed or plucked away.
هُوَit is القَدَرُfate الأَقوىthe stronger الَّذيthat يَقصِفُsnaps القَناthe spears
هُوَ القَدَرُ الأَقوى الَّذي يَقصِفُ القَنا
وَيَلويand twists مِنَof الجَبّارِthe tyrant جيداًa neck وَأَخدَعاand a neck-vein
وَيَلوي مِنَ الجَبّارِ جيداً وَأَخدَعا
It is the stronger fate that snaps the spears,
and twists the tyrant's neck and neck-vein,
وَيَستَهزِمُand routs الجُردَthe sleek steeds الجِيادَsplendid تَخالُهاyou would think them
وَيَستَهزِمُ الجُردَ الجِيادَ تَخالُها
بِحافِلَةِamid the throng الأَبطالِof champions سِرباًa flock مُذَعذَعاscattered
بِحافِلَةِ الأَبطالِ سِرباً مُذَعذَعا
and routs the sleek, splendid steeds—you would think them,
amid the throng of champions, a scattered flock.
تَرىyou see الظُفُرَthe claw الماضيkeen الشَباةِof point قُلامَةًa clipping
تَرى الظُفُرَ الماضي الشَباةِ قُلامَةً
إِذاwhen غالَبَit contends with الأَقدارَfates وَالباعَand the armspan إِصبَعاa finger
إِذا غالَبَ الأَقدارَ وَالباعَ إِصبَعا
You see the keen-pointed claw as a mere clipping,
when it wrestles fate, and the armspan as a finger.
أَتانيit reached me وَغولُand the vast wastes الأَرضِof the earth بَينيbetween me وَبَينَهُand him
أَتاني وَغولُ الأَرضِ بَيني وَبَينَهُ
فَياso oh! لَكَwhat a رُزءاًbereavement ماhow أَمَضَّsearing وَأَوجَعاand painful
فَيا لَكَ رُزءاً ما أَمَضَّ وَأَوجَعا
It reached me, though earth's vast wastes lay between me and him—
what a loss: how searing and painful!
جَوانِبُfragments أَنباءٍof news وَدَدتُI wished بِأَنَّنيthat I
جَوانِبُ أَنباءٍ وَدَدتُ بِأَنَّني
صَمَمتُwere deaf لَهاto them ماas long as أَورَقَputs forth leaves العودُthe branch مَسمَعاin hearing
صَمَمتُ لَها ما أَورَقَ العودُ مَسمَعا
Fragments of news—I wished that I
were deaf to them as long as branches put forth leaves.
تَصامَمتُI feigned deafness حَتّىso that أُبلِغَI might give النَفسَthe soul عُذرَةًan excuse
تَصامَمتُ حَتّى أُبلِغَ النَفسَ عُذرَةً
وَماand not أَنطَقَgave voice to الناعونَthe death-announcers إِلّاexcept لِأَسمَعاthat I might hear
وَما أَنطَقَ الناعونَ إِلّا لِأَسمَعا
I feigned deafness to give my soul an excuse,
but the death-announcers were given voice only that I might hear
بِأَنَّthat أَباAbu حَسّانَHassan كُبَّتwere overturned جِفانُهُhis serving bowls
بِأَنَّ أَبا حَسّانَ كُبَّت جِفانُهُ
وَأُخمِدَand were quenched نيرانُthe fires القِرىof hospitality يَومَon the day وَدَّعاhe said farewell
وَأُخمِدَ نيرانُ القِرى يَومَ وَدَّعا
that Abu Hassan's bowls had been overturned,
and hospitality's fires quenched the day he said farewell.
أَعَزُّdearer عَلىto عَينيmy eye مِنَthan العينِthe eye مَوضِعاًin place
أَعَزُّ عَلى عَيني مِنَ العينِ مَوضِعاً
وَأَلطَفُand gentler فيin قَلبيmy heart مِنَthan القَلبِthe heart مَوقِعاin position
وَأَلطَفُ في قَلبي مِنَ القَلبِ مَوقِعا
He held a place dearer to my eye than the eye itself,
and gentler in my heart than the heart itself.
أَكُنُّI conceal غَليليmy burning grief بِالضُلوعِwithin the ribs وَلَمand did not أَجِدfind
أَكُنُّ غَليلي بِالضُلوعِ وَلَم أَجِد
لِقَلبيfor my heart وَراءَbeyond الهَمِّsorrow مُذsince غابَhe vanished مَطلَعاan outlet
لِقَلبي وَراءَ الهَمِّ مُذ غابَ مَطلَعا
I hide my burning grief within my ribs, and have found
no outlet for my heart beyond sorrow since he vanished.
وَفارَقَنيand he left me مِثلَlike النَعيمِbliss مُفارِقاًdeparting
وَفارَقَني مِثلَ النَعيمِ مُفارِقاً
وَوَدَّعَنيand bade me farewell مِثلَlike الشَبابِyouth مُوَدِّعاbidding farewell
وَوَدَّعَني مِثلَ الشَبابِ مُوَدِّعا
He left me as bliss departs,
and bade me farewell as youth says farewell.
عَلاrose high الوَجدُgrief بيwithin me حَتّىuntil كَأَنas though لَمnot أَرَI saw الرَدىdeath
عَلا الوَجدُ بي حَتّى كَأَن لَم أَرَ الرَدى
يَخُطُّmarks out لِجَنبٍfor a flank قَبلَbefore جَنبِكَyour flank مَصرَعاa place of falling
يَخُطُّ لِجَنبٍ قَبلَ جَنبِكَ مَصرَعا
Grief overwhelmed me, as though I had never seen death
mark a place of falling for any flank before yours.
لَقَدindeed صَغَّرَmade small الأَرزاءَthe calamities زُرؤُكَthe loss of you قَبلَهاbefore them
لَقَد صَغَّرَ الأَرزاءَ زُرؤُكَ قَبلَها
وَهَوَّنَand made light عِنديin my eyes النازِلَthe calamity المُتَوَقَّعاexpected
وَهَوَّنَ عِندي النازِلَ المُتَوَقَّعا
Your loss made small the calamities that follow it,
and made the expected blow seem light to me.
فَإِنso if لَمnot تَزَلperish نَفسيmy soul عَليكَover you فَإِنَّهاthen it
فَإِن لَم تَزَل نَفسي عَليكَ فَإِنَّها
سَتُنفِدُwill exhaust أَنفاساًbreaths حِراراًhot وَأَدمُعاand tears
سَتُنفِدُ أَنفاساً حِراراً وَأَدمُعا
If my soul has not perished in grief for you, then it
will exhaust its hot breaths and tears.
فَياso O لائِمَيَّmy two reproachers اليَومَtoday لاno صَبرَpatience بَعدَهُafter him
فَيا لائِمَيَّ اليَومَ لا صَبرَ بَعدَهُ
فَطيراso fly, you two بِأَعباءِwith the burdens المَلامَةِof blame أَوor قَعاalight, you two
فَطيرا بِأَعباءِ المَلامَةِ أَو قَعا
O my two reproachers today, there is no patience after him;
fly off with your burdens of blame, or alight.
بِرُغمِكَagainst your will أَجمَمتَyou gave rest to الصَوارِمَthe sharp swords وَالقَناand the spears
بِرُغمِكَ أَجمَمتَ الصَوارِمَ وَالقَنا
وَأَخلَيتَand you emptied يَومَon the day الرَوعِof terror بيضاًhelmets وَأَدرُعاand coats of mail
وَأَخلَيتَ يَومَ الرَوعِ بيضاً وَأَدرُعا
Against your will, you gave the swords and spears rest,
and left helmets and mail empty on the day of terror.
وَمُنتَجِعٍand a foraging host أَرضَthe land العَدوِّof the enemy تَخالُهُyou would think it
وَمُنتَجِعٍ أَرضَ العَدوِّ تَخالُهُ
جِبالَthe mountains شَرَورىof Sharawra طُلنَtowering over مَيثاًsoft lowlands وَأَجرَعاand gravelly plains
جِبالَ شَرَورى طُلنَ مَيثاً وَأَجرَعا
And many a host foraging in enemy land—you would think it
Sharawra's mountains towering over soft and gravelly ground.
إِذاwhen وَرَدَتit came to drink أَنقاعَpools ماءٍof water وَقيعَةٍin a hollow
إِذا وَرَدَت أَنقاعَ ماءٍ وَقيعَةٍ
أَنَشَّتit drained عَلىto the exclusion of أُخراهُits rearguard بِالماءِwith the water أَجمَعاentirely
أَنَشَّت عَلى أُخراهُ بِالماءِ أَجمَعا
When it reached pools of water in a hollow,
it drained all the water, leaving none for its rearguard.
إِذاwhen اِنقادَit moved onward عُلوِيّاًtoward the uplands حَسِبتَyou would think جِيادَهُits steeds
إِذا اِنقادَ عُلوِيّاً حَسِبتَ جِيادَهُ
إِكاماًhillocks عَليهِنَّupon them الأَجادِلُthe falcons وُقَّعاperched
إِكاماً عَليهِنَّ الأَجادِلُ وُقَّعا
When it moved toward the uplands, you would think its steeds
hillocks with falcons perched upon them.
مَطَوتَyou drove onward بِهِwith it حَتّىuntil اِستَراثَslackened جِماحُهُits headlong rush
مَطَوتَ بِهِ حَتّى اِستَراثَ جِماحُهُ
وَجَعجَعَand it halted بِالبَيداءِin the desert حَسرىexhausted وَظُلَّعاand lame
وَجَعجَعَ بِالبَيداءِ حَسرى وَظُلَّعا
You drove it onward until its headlong rush slackened,
and it halted in the desert, exhausted and lame.
مِنَof القَومِthe men طارواthey flew فيthrough الفَلاthe wilderness كُلَّevery طَيرَةٍflight
مِنَ القَومِ طاروا في الفَلا كُلَّ طَيرَةٍ
وَمَدّواand they stretched إِلىtoward الأَحسابِnoble lineages بوعاًan armspan وَأَذرُعاand arms
وَمَدّوا إِلى الأَحسابِ بوعاً وَأَذرُعا
Men who flew through the wilderness in every flight,
and stretched spans and arms toward noble lineage.
إِذاwhen لَبِسواthey wore الرَيطَfine robes اليَمانيYemeni وَأَقبَلواand came forward
إِذا لَبِسوا الرَيطَ اليَماني وَأَقبَلوا
يَجُرّونَtrailing مِنهاof them الشَرعَبِيِّthe Sharabi cloth المُضَلَّعاstriped
يَجُرّونَ مِنها الشَرعَبِيِّ المُضَلَّعا
When they donned Yemeni robes and came forward,
trailing their striped Sharabi cloth,
حَسِبتَyou would think أَسودَlions الغابِof the forest رُحنَgoing forth عَشِيَةًat evening
حَسِبتَ أَسودَ الغابِ رُحنَ عَشِيَةً
تَخالُyou would imagine بِهِنَّin them البابِليَّBabylonian wine المُشَعشَعاmixed with water
تَخالُ بِهِنَّ البابِليَّ المُشَعشَعا
you would think them forest lions going forth at evening,
you would fancy diluted Babylonian wine within them.
صِفاحُsurfaces خُدودٍof cheeks كَالذَوابِلِlike slender spears طَلقَةٍcheerful
صِفاحُ خُدودٍ كَالذَوابِلِ طَلقَةٍ
يُبادونَthey are slain بِالظَلماءِin the darkness لَحماًflesh مُبَضَّعاcut to pieces
يُبادونَ بِالظَلماءِ لَحماً مُبَضَّعا
Cheeks, slender as spear-shafts, open and cheerful—
they are slain in the darkness, their flesh cut to pieces.
وَأَبيَضَand a fair-faced man مِنfrom عَلياthe highest stock مَعَدٍّof Maadd سَماrose بِهِwith him
وَأَبيَضَ مِن عَليا مَعَدٍّ سَما بِهِ
إِلىto السورَةِthe rank العَلياhighest أَبٌa father غَيرُnot أَضرَعاabased
إِلى السورَةِ العَليا أَبٌ غَيرُ أَضرَعا
And a fair-faced man of Maadd's highest stock, whom
an unbowed father raised to the loftiest rank.
كَأَنَّكَas though you تَلقىmeet وَجهَهُhis face البَدرَthe full moon طالِعاًrising
كَأَنَّكَ تَلقى وَجهَهُ البَدرَ طالِعاً
إِذاwhen اِبتَدَرَrushed toward القَومُthe men الرِواقَthe canopy المُرَفَّعاraised high
إِذا اِبتَدَرَ القَومُ الرِواقَ المُرَفَّعا
It was as though you met the rising full moon in his face,
when the men hastened beneath the lofty canopy.
فَإِنbut if أُلهِبَتwas kindled فيهِin him الحَفيظَةُproud wrath خِلتَهُyou would think him
فَإِن أُلهِبَت فيهِ الحَفيظَةُ خِلتَهُ
وَراءَbehind اللِثامِthe face-veil الأَرقَمَthe speckled serpent المُتَطَلِّعاrearing up
وَراءَ اللِثامِ الأَرقَمَ المُتَطَلِّعا
But if proud wrath was kindled in him, you would think him
a speckled serpent rearing behind his veil.
يَقومُhe rises اِهتِزازَwith the quivering الرُمحِof a spear خَبَّتshook كُعوبُهُits joints
يَقومُ اِهتِزازَ الرُمحِ خَبَّت كُعوبُهُ
وَيَقعُدُand he sits إِقعاءَcrouching like اِبنِIbn (son of) عَيلٍAyl تَسَمُّعاlistening keenly
وَيَقعُدُ إِقعاءَ اِبنِ عَيلٍ تَسَمُّعا
He rose like a quivering spear whose joints shook,
and crouched like the beast Ibn Ayl, listening keenly.
ضَمومٌholding close عَلىto الهَمِّthe care الَّذيthat باتَspent the night ضَيفَهُas his guest
ضَمومٌ عَلى الهَمِّ الَّذي باتَ ضَيفَهُ
جَموحٌheadstrong عَلىin الأَمرِthe undertaking الَّذيthat كانَhe had أَزمَعاresolved upon
جَموحٌ عَلى الأَمرِ الَّذي كانَ أَزمَعا
He held close the care that spent the night as his guest,
headstrong in the undertaking he had resolved upon,
صَليبٌsteadfast عَلىunder قَرعِthe blows الخُطوبِof calamities كَأَنَّماas though
صَليبٌ عَلى قَرعِ الخُطوبِ كَأَنَّما
يُرادينِthey contend with طوداًa mountain مِنof عَمايَةَAmaya أَفرَعاlofty
يُرادينِ طوداً مِن عَمايَةَ أَفرَعا
steadfast beneath calamities' blows, as though
they wrestled a lofty mountain of Amaya.
وَكَمand how many مِثلَهُlike him يَستَفرِغُexhausts الدَمعَtears رُزؤُهُhis loss
وَكَم مِثلَهُ يَستَفرِغُ الدَمعَ رُزؤُهُ
وَيوهيand weakens صَفاةَthe rock القَلبِof the heart حَتّىuntil تَصَدَّعاit splits
وَيوهي صَفاةَ القَلبِ حَتّى تَصَدَّعا
How many like him, whose loss exhausts tears
and weakens the heart's rock until it splits!
إِذاwhen أَحجَمَdrew back الأَقوامُthe peoples دونَbefore ثَنِيَةٍa mountain pass
إِذا أَحجَمَ الأَقوامُ دونَ ثَنِيَةٍ
تُجيزُleading across إِلىto بَحبوحَةِthe heartland المَجدِof glory أَطلَعاhe climbed
تُجيزُ إِلى بَحبوحَةِ المَجدِ أَطلَعا
When others drew back before a mountain pass
leading to glory's heartland, he climbed it.
تَراهُyou see him الثِفالَthe slow-moving العودَold camel فيin حُجَراتِهِhis chambers
تَراهُ الثِفالَ العودَ في حُجَراتِهِ
وَفيand in كَبَّةِthe crush الرَوعِof terror الغُلامَthe youth السَرَعرَعاnimble
وَفي كَبَّةِ الرَوعِ الغُلامَ السَرَعرَعا
At home you saw him as a slow, mature camel,
and in terror's crush as a nimble youth.
فَياso O بانِياًbuilder لِلعِزِّof honor ثُلَّمَwas breached مابَنىwhat he built
فَيا بانِياً لِلعِزِّ ثُلَّمَ مابَنى
وَياand O راعِياًguardian لِلمَجدِof glory أُهمِلَwas neglected ماwhat رَعىhe tended
وَيا راعِياً لِلمَجدِ أُهمِلَ ما رَعى
O builder of honor, what you built has been breached!
O guardian of glory, what you tended has been abandoned!
فَقَدتُكَI lost you فَقدَlike the loss الناظِرينِof the two pupils تُخُرِّماboth torn away
فَقَدتُكَ فَقدَ الناظِرينِ تُخُرِّما
جَميعاًboth عَنِfrom العَينَينِthe two eyes وَاِختُلِجاand were plucked out مَعاtogether
جَميعاً عَنِ العَينَينِ وَاِختُلِجا مَعا
I lost you like the two pupils torn away,
both from the eyes, plucked out together.
تَهافَتَfell apart ثَوبُthe garment المَجدِof glory بَعدَكَafter you عَنfrom بِلىًwear
تَهافَتَ ثَوبُ المَجدِ بَعدَكَ عَن بِلىً
كَأَنَّكَas though you لَمnot تَرقَعpatched مِنَof الأَرضِthe earth مَرقَعاa patch
كَأَنَّكَ لَم تَرقَع مِنَ الأَرضِ مَرقَعا
Glory's garment fell apart with wear after you,
as though you had never mended a single patch of earth.
لَئِنindeed if بُزَّwas robbed هَذاthis الحَيُّclan مِنكَof you عِمادَهُits pillar
لَئِن بُزَّ هَذا الحَيُّ مِنكَ عِمادَهُ
فَغَيرُthen not عَجيبٍsurprising أَنthat يَعِزَّit is mighty وَيَمنُعاand resists
فَغَيرُ عَجيبٍ أَن يَعِزَّ وَيَمنُعا
If this clan has been robbed of you, its pillar,
it is no wonder that it remains mighty and defiant.
فَقَدfor indeed تَسمَعُcan hear الأُذُنانِthe two ears أَوعِبَّmade complete صَلمُهاtheir cropping
فَقَد تَسمَعُ الأُذُنانِ أَوعِبَّ صَلمُها
وَيُدرِكُand perceives أَنفٌa nose فَغَمَّةَa waft الطيبِof perfume أَجدَعاsevered
وَيُدرِكُ أَنفٌ فَغَمَّةَ الطيبِ أَجدَعا
For ears may hear though completely cropped,
and a severed nose discern a waft of perfume.
وَإِنand if يَمضِpasses away نَصلٌa blade مِنof عُقَيلٍUqayl نَجِدwe find لَهُfor it
وَإِن يَمضِ نَصلٌ مِن عُقَيلٍ نَجِد لَهُ
مَناصِلَsword-blades فيin أَيديthe hands الصِياقِلِof the polishers قُطَّعاkeen-cutting
مَناصِلَ في أَيدي الصِياقِلِ قُطَّعا
If a blade of Uqayl passes away, we find for it
keen blades in the hands of polishers.
فَماfor not غيضَwas diminished ذاكَthat الماءُwater حَتّىuntil عَلاrose over
فَما غيضَ ذاكَ الماءُ حَتّى عَلا
الرُبىthe hills وَلاand not اِجتُثَّwas uprooted ذاكَthat الأَصلُroot حَتّىuntil تَفَرَّعاit branched
الرُبى وَلا اِجتُثَّ ذاكَ الأَصلُ حَتّى تَفَرَّعا
That water was not diminished until it rose over
the hills; nor was that root uprooted before it branched.
وَإِنand if يَختَلِسناsnatches from us ذَلِكَthat العَضبَkeen sword حادِثٌa calamity
وَإِن يَختَلِسنا ذَلِكَ العَضبَ حادِثٌ
فَمِنso from بَعدِafter ماthe time when أَبقىhe left الغِمادَthe sheath المُرَصَّعاjeweled
فَمِن بَعدِ ما أَبقى الغِمادَ المُرَصَّعا
If a calamity snatches that keen sword from us,
it is only after he has left the jeweled sheath behind.
مُجاوِرُa neighbor قَومٍof a people أُنزِلواwho were lodged دارَin a dwelling غُربَةٍof exile
مُجاوِرُ قَومٍ أُنزِلوا دارَ غُربَةٍ
إِذاwhen ظَعَنواthey depart لاnot يُظعِنونَthey make depart المُشَيَّعاthe escort
إِذا ظَعَنوا لا يُظعِنونَ المُشَيَّعا
He dwells beside a people lodged in a house of exile,
who depart without taking their escort along.
وَلاand not يَستَجِدّونَthey replace with new اللِباسَthe clothing مِنَbecause of البِلىwear
وَلا يَستَجِدّونَ اللِباسَ مِنَ البِلى
وَلاand not يَعمُرونَthey repair المَنزِلَthe dwelling المُتَضَعضِعاcrumbling
وَلا يَعمُرونَ المَنزِلَ المُتَضَعضِعا
They do not renew their clothing when it wears out,
nor repair their crumbling dwelling.
بَطيؤونَslow عَنto answer داعيthe caller اللِقاءِto meeting تَخالُهُمyou would think them
بَطيؤونَ عَن داعي اللِقاءِ تَخالُهُم
إِذاwhen ماever دَعواthey are called يَوماًone day مُرِمَّينَsilent هُجَّعاsleeping
إِذا ما دَعوا يَوماً مُرِمَّينَ هُجَّعا
Slow to answer the call to meeting—you would think them,
when summoned one day, silent and asleep.
حَفائِرٌgraves أَلقىcast الجودُgenerosity أَفلاذَpieces كِبدِهِof its liver
حَفائِرٌ أَلقى الجودُ أَفلاذَ كِبدِهِ
بِهِنَّin them وَخَطَّand marked out المَجدُglory فيهِنَّwithin them مَضجَعاa bed
بِهِنَّ وَخَطَّ المَجدُ فيهِنَّ مَضجَعا
Graves where generosity cast pieces of its liver,
and glory marked out a bed within them.
وَحُطَّand was laid down بِهِنَّin them الرَحلُthe saddle تَدمىbleed صِفاحُهُits flanks
وَحُطَّ بِهِنَّ الرَحلُ تَدمى صِفاحُهُ
كَماas أَفرَدَabandoned الحَيُّthe tribe الأَجَبَّthe flat-humped camel المُوَقَّعاsaddle-galled
كَما أَفرَدَ الحَيُّ الأَجَبَّ المُوَقَّعا
There the saddle was laid down, with its flanks bleeding,
as a tribe abandons a flat-humped, saddle-galled camel.
إِجِدُّكَin earnest لاnot تَلقىyou find لِذاfor this المَجدِglory جامِعاًa gatherer
إِجِدُّكَ لا تَلقى لِذا المَجدِ جامِعاً
وَلاand not لِلمَعاليfor noble deeds الغُرُّradiant بَعدَكَafter you مَجمَعاa gathering-place
وَلا لِلمَعالي الغُرُّ بَعدَكَ مَجمَعا
Truly, you will find no gatherer of this glory,
nor, after you, a meeting-place for radiant excellences.
وَكانَand was طَريقُthe road الجودِof generosity عِندَكَwith you مَأمَناًsafe
وَكانَ طَريقُ الجودِ عِندَكَ مَأمَناً
فَأَذأَبَthen became wolf-ridden بِالقَومِwith the men اللِئامِbase وَأَسبَعاand beast-ridden
فَأَذأَبَ بِالقَومِ اللِئامِ وَأَسبَعا
The road of generosity was safe with you,
but became wolf-ridden and beast-ridden with base men.
أَسَيتُI grieved عَلىover آلِthe house المُسَيَّبِof al-Musayyab أَنَّهُمُfor they
أَسَيتُ عَلى آلِ المُسَيَّبِ أَنَّهُمُ
بُدورُfull moons المَعاليof noble deeds غارِباتٍsetting وَطُلَّعاand rising
بُدورُ المَعالي غارِباتٍ وَطُلَّعا
I grieved for the house of al-Musayyab, for they
are full moons of noble deeds, setting and rising.
تَفَرّواthey split apart تَفَرّيlike the splitting السَجلِof a bucket دُقَّwas worn thin أَديمُهُits leather
تَفَرّوا تَفَرّي السَجلِ دُقَّ أَديمُهُ
وَلَمّاand had not يَدَعleft فيهِin it الخَوارِزُthe stitchers مَرقَعاa patchable spot
وَلَمّا يَدَع فيهِ الخَوارِزُ مَرقَعا
They split apart like a bucket whose leather was worn thin,
and the stitchers had left no place in it to patch.
مَضواthey passed away بَعدَafter ماhaving أَبقواthey left إِلىto المَجدِglory مَنهِجاًa road
مَضوا بَعدَ ما أَبقوا إِلى المَجدِ مَنهِجاً
رُكوباًwell-traveled بِأَعلىat the highest غارِبِridge الأَرضِof the earth مَهيعاbroad
رُكوباً بِأَعلى غارِبِ الأَرضِ مَهيعا
They passed away after leaving a road to glory,
a broad, well-traveled highway atop the earth's highest ridge.
إِذاwhen وَضَعواthey sped فيهِalong it أَجازواthey passed through إِلىto العُلىgreatness
إِذا وَضَعوا فيهِ أَجازوا إِلى العُلى
وَإِنand if سارَtraveled فيهِalong it الناسُthe people أَرذىit exhausted وَأَظلَعاand made lame
وَإِن سارَ فيهِ الناسُ أَرذى وَأَظلَعا
When they sped along it, they passed through to greatness;
when other men walk it, it leaves them spent and lame.
وَلَمand did not يَترُكواthey leave فيon نَصلِthe blade شَنعاءَof disgrace مَضرِباًa striking edge
وَلَم يَترُكوا في نَصلِ شَنعاءَ مَضرِباً
وَلَمand did not يَدَعواthey leave فيin قَوسِthe bow عَلياءَof high honor مَنزَعاan undrawn reach
وَلَم يَدَعوا في قَوسِ عَلياءَ مَنزَعا
They left no striking edge on the blade of disgrace,
nor any undrawn reach in the bow of high honor.
تَغالَتهُمُsnatched them away أَيديthe hands المَنونِof death عَلائِقاًprecious possessions
تَغالَتهُمُ أَيدي المَنونِ عَلائِقاً
مِنَof العِزِّhonor قَدalready زايَلنَhad left عاداًAd وَتُبَّعاand Tubba
مِنَ العِزِّ قَد زايَلنَ عاداً وَتُبَّعا
Death's hands snatched them away—precious possessions
of honor that had already departed from Ad and Tubba.
أَخِلّايَmy friends ماnot أَبقواthey left لِعَينِيَfor my eye قُرَّةًcomfort
أَخِلّايَ ما أَبقوا لِعَينِيَ قُرَّةً
وَلاand not زَوَّدواthey provided إِلّاexcept الحَنينَlonging المُرَجَّعاreverberating
وَلا زَوَّدوا إِلّا الحَنينَ المُرَجَّعا
My friends left no comfort for my eye,
nor any provision but reverberating longing.
وَكانواand they were عَلىthrough الأَيّامِthe days مَلهىًa delight وَمَطرَباًand a joy
وَكانوا عَلى الأَيّامِ مَلهىً وَمَطرَباً
فَقَدbut indeed أَصبَحواthey have become لِلقَلبِfor the heart مَبكىًa cause for tears وَمَجزَعاand for anguish
فَقَد أَصبَحوا لِلقَلبِ مَبكىً وَمَجزَعا
Through the days they were delight and gladness,
but now they are the heart's cause for tears and anguish.
كَأَنَّas though عُقاراًwine بَعدَهُمafter them بابِلَيَّةًBabylonian
كَأَنَّ عُقاراً بَعدَهُم بابِلَيَّةً
تَخالُyou would feel بِهاfrom it فيin الرَأسِthe head نَكباءَa crosswind زَعزَعاviolent
تَخالُ بِها في الرَأسِ نَكباءَ زَعزَعا
It is as though, after them, there were Babylonian wine,
making you feel a raging crosswind in your head,
لَهاit has رَقَصاتٌdancing motions فيin الذَوائِبِthe locks of hair وَالشَوىand the limbs
لَها رَقَصاتٌ في الذَوائِبِ وَالشَوى
تَرُدُّit turns جَبانَthe coward القَومِof the people نَدباًbrave مُشَيَّعاemboldened
تَرُدُّ جَبانَ القَومِ نَدباً مُشَيَّعا
with dancing motions in the locks and limbs,
turning the people's coward into a brave, emboldened man.
شَرِبتُI drank بِهاof it شُربَas drinks الظَمِيَّةِthe thirst-parched one صادَفَتon finding
شَرِبتُ بِها شُربَ الظَمِيَّةِ صادَفَت
قَرارَa pool عُبابيٍّsurging مِنَof الماءِwater مُترَعاbrimming
قَرارَ عُبابيٍّ مِنَ الماءِ مُترَعا
I drank it as a thirst-parched creature drinks on finding
a brimming pool of surging water.
سَقاكُمmay it water you وَماand not سَقيُthe watering السَحائِبِof the clouds غَمرَةًa flood
سَقاكُم وَما سَقيُ السَحائِبِ غَمرَةً
مِنَof الجودِgenerosity أَمرىmore nourishing مَنthan نَداكُمyour bounty وَأَمرَعاand more fertile
مِنَ الجودِ أَمرى مَن نَداكُم وَأَمرَعا
May you be watered—though the clouds' drenching gift
is no more nourishing or fruitful than your bounty—
نِشاصُa towering cloud الثَرَيّاof the Pleiades كُلَّماwhenever هَبَّflashed بَرقُهُits lightning
نِشاصُ الثَرَيّا كُلَّما هَبَّ بَرقُهُ
تَذَبذَبَit flickered يُزجيdriving onward عارِضاًa rain-bank مُتَرَفِّعاlofty
تَذَبذَبَ يُزجي عارِضاً مُتَرَفِّعا
by the Pleiades' towering cloud; whenever its lightning flashes,
it flickers, driving a lofty rain-bank.
حَدَتهُdrove it مِنَfrom الغَورَينِthe two lowlands هَوجاءَa wild wind كُلَّماwhenever
حَدَتهُ مِنَ الغَورَينِ هَوجاءَ كُلَّما
وَنىit slackened عَجرَفَتshe buffeted فيهِagainst it فَخَبَّso it trotted وَأَوضَعاand galloped
وَنى عَجرَفَت فيهِ فَخَبَّ وَأَوضَعا
A wild wind from the two lowlands drives it; whenever
it slackens, she buffets it, and it trots and gallops.
تَلُفُّshe whirls بِهِit about لَفَّlike the herding الحُداةِof camel-drivers جَمائِلاًcamel herds
تَلُفُّ بِهِ لَفَّ الحُداةِ جَمائِلاً
يُزادُit is driven عَنِaway from البَيداءِthe desert طَرداًchased مُدَفَّعاthrust onward
يُزادُ عَنِ البَيداءِ طَرداً مُدَفَّعا
She whirls it as camel-drivers wheel their herds,
driven from the desert, chased and thrust along.
كَأَنَّas though بِقَعقاعِin the clattering الرُعودِof thunder عَشِيَةًat evening
كَأَنَّ بِقَعقاعِ الرُعودِ عَشِيَةً
عِشاراًpregnant she-camels يُراغينَbellowed to الجُلالَthe huge bull camel الجَلَنفَعاhulking
عِشاراً يُراغينَ الجُلالَ الجَلَنفَعا
As though, in the clattering thunder of evening,
pregnant she-camels bellowed to a huge, hulking bull camel.
كَأَنَّas though اليَمانِيَّthe Yemeni weaver حاكَwove فيalong أُخرَياتِهِits rear
كَأَنَّ اليَمانِيَّ حاكَ في أُخرَياتِهِ
فَأَعرَضَthen broadened أَبرادَthe cloaks الرَبابِof the clouds وَأَوسَعاand made ample
فَأَعرَضَ أَبرادَ الرَبابِ وَأَوسَعا
As though the Yemeni weaver had woven along its rear,
making the clouds' cloaks broad and ample,
إِلىuntil أَنthe time when تَفَرّىtore apart مِنthrough جَلابيبِهِits cloaks الصَباthe east wind
إِلى أَن تَفَرّى مِن جَلابيبِهِ الصَبا
كَأَنَّas though عَلىacross الجَرباءِthe sky رَيطاًfine cloth مُقَطَّعاcut into strips
كَأَنَّ عَلى الجَرباءِ رَيطاً مُقَطَّعا
until the east wind tore its cloaks apart,
as though strips of fine cloth lay across the sky.
فَشَقَّthen it split عَلىذاكَover that التُرابِsoil مَزادَهُits waterskins
فَشَقَّ عَلىذاكَ التُرابِ مَزادَهُ
وَخَوّىand bent low عَلىover تِلكَthose القُبورِgraves وَجَعجَعاand settled
وَخَوّى عَلى تِلكَ القُبورِ وَجَعجَعا
Then it split its waterskins over that soil,
and bent low and settled upon those graves.
فَبُعداًso away لِطيبِwith the sweetness العَيشِof life بَعدَafter فِراقِكُمparting from you
فَبُعداً لِطيبِ العَيشِ بَعدَ فِراقِكُم
فَلاso may not أَسمَعَmake himself heard الداعيthe caller إِلَيهِto it وَلاand not دَعاcall
فَلا أَسمَعَ الداعي إِلَيهِ وَلا دَعا
Away with life's sweetness after parting from you!
May its caller neither make himself heard nor call!
وَلاand no أَسَفاًsorrow لَلدَهرِfor time إِنif صَدَّit turns away مُؤيساًbringing despair
وَلا أَسَفاً لَلدَهرِ إِن صَدَّ مُؤيساً
وَلاand no مَرحَباًwelcome بِالدَهرِto time إِنif عادَit returns مُطمِعاholding out hope
وَلا مَرحَباً بِالدَهرِ إِن عادَ مُطمِعا
No sorrow for time if it turns away, bringing despair,
and no welcome to time if it returns, holding out hope.
وَإِنand if عَثَرَstumble الأَحياءُthe living مِنfrom بَعدِafter مَوتِكُمyour death
وَإِن عَثَرَ الأَحياءُ مِن بَعدِ مَوتِكُم
فَلاthen no دَعدَعاًsoothing 'steady!' لِلعاثِرينَfor those who stumble وَلاand no لَعا'rise again!'
فَلا دَعدَعاً لِلعاثِرينَ وَلا لَعا
If the living stumble after your death,
no 'Steady!' for those who stumble, no 'Rise again!'
Sol 6.1