لِغَيرِ العُلى مِنّي القِلى وَالتَجَنُّبُ

لِغَيرِ العُلى مِنّي القِلى وَالتَجَنُّبُ

وَلَولا العُلى ما كُنتُ في الحُبِّ أَرغَبُ

وَلَولا العُلى ما كُنتُ في الحُبِّ أَرغَبُ

For all but lofty honor, I have aversion and avoidance.

For the high-minded I have little virtue and avoidance,

Were it not for lofty honor, I would not desire love.

And were it not for the high-minded, I would not seek love.

إِذا اللَهُ لَم يَعذُركَ فيما تَرومُهُ

إِذا اللَهُ لَم يَعذُركَ فيما تَرومُهُ

فَما الناسُ إِلّا عاذِلٌ أَو مُؤَنِّبُ

فَما الناسُ إِلّا عاذِلٌ أَو مُؤَنِّبُ

If God does not excuse you in what you seek,

If God does not excuse you for what you intend,

then people are nothing but censurers or reproachers.

Then people are but blamers or reproachers.

مَلَكتُ بِحِلمي فُرصَةً ما اِستَرَقَّها

مَلَكتُ بِحِلمي فُرصَةً ما اِستَرَقَّها

مِنَ الدَهرِ مَفتولُ الذِراعَينِ أَغلَبُ

مِنَ الدَهرِ مَفتولُ الذِراعَينِ أَغلَبُ

Through my forbearance I won an opportunity that no one had wrested

With my forbearance I gained a chance that I seized

from time, even a mighty man of sinewy arms.

From time, though fate's arms be stronger.

فَإِن تَكُ سِنّي ما تَطاوَلَ باعُها

فَإِن تَكُ سِنّي ما تَطاوَلَ باعُها

فَلي مِن وَراءِ المَجدِ قَلبٌ مُدَرَّبُ

فَلي مِن وَراءِ المَجدِ قَلبٌ مُدَرَّبُ

If my years have not yet extended their reach,

If my years reach what their length encompassed,

I have a seasoned heart in pursuit of glory.

Then behind glory my heart is well-trained.

فَحَسبِيَ أَنّي في الأَعادي مُبَغَّضٌ

فَحَسبِيَ أَنّي في الأَعادي مُبَغَّضٌ

وَأَنّي إِلى غُرِّ المَعالي مُحَبَّبُ

وَأَنّي إِلى غُرِّ المَعالي مُحَبَّبُ

It is enough for me that I am hated among enemies,

It suffices me that I am hated by enemies

and dear to the brightest heights of honor.

And beloved unto the noblest goals.

وَلِلحِلمِ أَوقاتٌ وَلِلجَهلِ مِثلُها

وَلِلحِلمِ أَوقاتٌ وَلِلجَهلِ مِثلُها

وَلَكِنَّ أَوقاتي إِلى الحِلمِ أَقرَبُ

وَلَكِنَّ أَوقاتي إِلى الحِلمِ أَقرَبُ

Forbearance has its times, and folly has as many,

Forbearance has its times and ignorance has the like,

but my times incline more toward forbearance.

But my times are closer to forbearance.

يَصولُ عَلَيَّ الجاهِلونَ وَأَعتَلي

يَصولُ عَلَيَّ الجاهِلونَ وَأَعتَلي

وَيُعجِمُ فيَّ القائِلونَ وَأُعرِبُ

وَيُعجِمُ فيَّ القائِلونَ وَأُعرِبُ

The foolish assail me, and I rise above them;

The ignorant assault me and I rise above,

speakers speak obscurely of me, while I speak plainly.

And those who speak in me babble while I articulate.

يَرَونَ اِحتِمالي غَصَّةً وَيَزيدُهُم

يَرَونَ اِحتِمالي غَصَّةً وَيَزيدُهُم

لَواعِجَ ضَغنٍ أَنَّني لَستُ أَغضَبُ

لَواعِجَ ضَغنٍ أَنَّني لَستُ أَغضَبُ

They find my forbearance a choking grief, and it increases their

They see my endurance as an annoyance, and it increases

burning rancor that I do not grow angry.

The barking pangs in them that I do not rage.

وَأُعرِضُ عَن كَأسِ النَديمِ كَأَنَّها

وَأُعرِضُ عَن كَأسِ النَديمِ كَأَنَّها

وَميضُ غَمامٍ غائِرُ المُزنِ خُلَّبُ

وَميضُ غَمامٍ غائِرُ المُزنِ خُلَّبُ

I turn away from my drinking companion's cup, as though it were

I turn away from the cup of the companion as though it were

a cloud's deceptive gleam, its rainclouds receding.

The fading of a passing cloud, dimmed of lightning.

وَقورٌ فَلا الأَلحانُ تَأسِرُ عَزمَتي

وَقورٌ فَلا الأَلحانُ تَأسِرُ عَزمَتي

وَلا تَمكُرُ الصَهباءُ بي حينَ أَشرَبُ

وَلا تَمكُرُ الصَهباءُ بي حينَ أَشرَبُ

I am dignified: melodies do not capture my resolve,

And dignified, so tunes do not capture my resolve,

nor does tawny wine beguile me when I drink.

Nor does the blond one conspire against me when I drink.

وَلا أَعرِفُ الفَحشاءَ إِلّا بِوَصفِها

وَلا أَعرِفُ الفَحشاءَ إِلّا بِوَصفِها

وَلا أَنطِقُ العَوراءَ وَالقَلبُ مُغضَبُ

وَلا أَنطِقُ العَوراءَ وَالقَلبُ مُغضَبُ

I know obscenity only from its description,

I know not indecency but by its description,

nor utter an ugly word even when my heart is angered.

And I speak not of disgrace while my heart is angry.

تَحَلَّمُ عَن كَرِّ القَوارِضِ شيمَتي

تَحَلَّمُ عَن كَرِّ القَوارِضِ شيمَتي

كَأَنَّ مُعيدَ المَدحِ بِالذَمِّ مُطنِبِ

كَأَنَّ مُعيدَ المَدحِ بِالذَمِّ مُطنِبِ

My character bears the repeated attacks of biting slanders,

My nature is forbearing from the harm of carnivores,

as though one repaying praise with blame were lavish in praise.

As though the praiser through blame were erecting a monument.

لِساني حَصاةٌ يَقرَعُ الجَهلَ بِالحِجى

لِساني حَصاةٌ يَقرَعُ الجَهلَ بِالحِجى

إِذا نالَ مِنّي العاضِهُ المُتَوَثِّبِ

إِذا نالَ مِنّي العاضِهُ المُتَوَثِّبِ

My tongue is a stone that strikes folly with reason,

My tongue a pebble that strikes ignorance with argument,

whenever a pouncing slanderer assails me.

When the biter pounces at me from afar.

وَلَستُ بِراضٍ أَن تَمَسَّ عَزائِمي

وَلَستُ بِراضٍ أَن تَمَسَّ عَزائِمي

فُضالاتِ ما يُعطي الزَمانُ وَيَسلُبُ

فُضالاتِ ما يُعطي الزَمانُ وَيَسلُبُ

I will not consent to let my resolves touch

I am not pleased that the bounties that time gives and takes away

the scraps of what time bestows and takes away.

Touch my resolves.

غَرائِبُ آدابٍ حَباني بِحِفظِها

غَرائِبُ آدابٍ حَباني بِحِفظِها

زَماني وَصَرفُ الدَهرِ نِعمَ المُؤَدِّبِ

زَماني وَصَرفُ الدَهرِ نِعمَ المُؤَدِّبِ

Rare refinements, the keeping of which was bestowed on me

Marvels of manners that my time endowed me in retaining them,

by my age—time's reversals are an excellent teacher.

My time and the turning of fate, what an excellent tutor!

تُرَيِّشُنا الأَيّامُ ثُمَّ تَهيضُنا

تُرَيِّشُنا الأَيّامُ ثُمَّ تَهيضُنا

أَلا نِعمَ ذا البادي وَبِئسَ المُعَقِّبُ

أَلا نِعمَ ذا البادي وَبِئسَ المُعَقِّبُ

Days give us feathers, then break our wings;

The days feather us then rouse us—

how fine this beginning, how wretched what follows!

Behold, excellent is the first but miserable is the successor!

نَهَيتُكَ عَن طَبعِ اللِئامِ فَإِنَّني

نَهَيتُكَ عَن طَبعِ اللِئامِ فَإِنَّني

أَرى البُخلَ يَأتي وَالمَكارِمَ تُطلَبُ

أَرى البُخلَ يَأتي وَالمَكارِمَ تُطلَبُ

I forbade you the nature of the base, for I

I warned you against the nature of villains, for I see

see stinginess come unbidden, while noble qualities must be sought.

Stinginess comes while generosity is sought.

تَعَلَم فَإِنَّ الجودَ في الناسِ فِطنَةٌ

تَعَلَم فَإِنَّ الجودَ في الناسِ فِطنَةٌ

تَناقَلَها الأَحرارُ وَالطَبعُ أَغلَبُ

تَناقَلَها الأَحرارُ وَالطَبعُ أَغلَبُ

Know that generosity among people is an insight

You know that generosity among people is cleverness

passed down by noble souls, though inborn nature prevails.

Passed down by the noble while nature overcomes.

تُضافِرُني فيكَ الصَوارِمُ وَالقَنا

تُضافِرُني فيكَ الصَوارِمُ وَالقَنا

وَيَصحَبُني مِنكَ العُذَيقُ المُرَجَّبُ

وَيَصحَبُني مِنكَ العُذَيقُ المُرَجَّبُ

Keen swords and spears lend me their aid with you,

Against you the swords and spears ally with me

and from you the cherished, propped-up little palm keeps me company.

And the intimate relationship that buds accompanies me.

نَصَحتُ وَبَعضُ النُصحِ في الناسِ هُجنَةٌ

نَصَحتُ وَبَعضُ النُصحِ في الناسِ هُجنَةٌ

وَبَعضُ التَناجي بِالعِتابِ تَعَتُّبُ

وَبَعضُ التَناجي بِالعِتابِ تَعَتُّبُ

I offered counsel, though some counsel among people is a disgrace,

I advised and some advice among people is madness,

and some private reproach is merely faultfinding.

And some whispering is with reproach and blame.

فَإِن أَنتَ لَم تُعطِ النَصيحَةَ حَقَّها

فَإِن أَنتَ لَم تُعطِ النَصيحَةَ حَقَّها

فَرُبَّ جَموحٍ كَلَّ عَنهُ المُؤَنِّبُ

فَرُبَّ جَموحٍ كَلَّ عَنهُ المُؤَنِّبُ

If you do not give counsel its due,

If you do not give advice its due right,

many an unruly soul has exhausted his reprover.

Then many a stubborn one is stopped by the reproacher.

سَقى اللَهُ أَرضاً جاوَرَ القَطرُ رَوضَها

سَقى اللَهُ أَرضاً جاوَرَ القَطرُ رَوضَها

إِذِ المُزنُ تَسقي وَالأَباطِحُ تَشرَبُ

إِذِ المُزنُ تَسقي وَالأَباطِحُ تَشرَبُ

May God water a land whose meadow kept company with rain,

God watered a land whose verdure adjoined its meadow,

when rainclouds watered and gravelly valleys drank.

When the clouds were pouring and the lowlands drinking.

ذَكَرتُ بِها عَصرَ الشَبابِ فَحَسرَةً

ذَكَرتُ بِها عَصرَ الشَبابِ فَحَسرَةً

أَفَدتُ وَقَد فاتَ الَّذي كُنتُ أَطلُبُ

أَفَدتُ وَقَد فاتَ الَّذي كُنتُ أَطلُبُ

There I recalled the time of youth, and regret

I recalled through it the time of youth and regretfully

was what I gained, for what I sought had passed.

Wasted it, once passed what I was seeking.

سَكَنتُكِ وَالأَيّامُ بيضٌ كَأَنَّها

سَكَنتُكِ وَالأَيّامُ بيضٌ كَأَنَّها

مِنَ الطيبِ في أَثوابِنا تَتَقَلَّبُ

مِنَ الطيبِ في أَثوابِنا تَتَقَلَّبُ

I dwelt in you when the days were bright, as though they

I resided with you while the days were eggs as though

turned within our garments, so fragrant were they.

They rolled in our clothes scented with perfume.

وَيُعجِبُني مِنكَ النَسيمُ إِذا هَفا

وَيُعجِبُني مِنكَ النَسيمُ إِذا هَفا

أَلا كُلَّ ما سَرى عَنِ القَلبِ مُعجِبُ

أَلا كُلَّ ما سَرى عَنِ القَلبِ مُعجِبُ

Your breeze delights me when it gently stirs;

And I like the breeze from you when it blows gently—

indeed, whatever brings the heart relief is delightful.

Behold, all that emanates from the heart is wondrous.

وَفي الوَطَنِ المَألوفِ لِلنَفسِ لَذَّةٌ

وَفي الوَطَنِ المَألوفِ لِلنَفسِ لَذَّةٌ

وَإِن لَم يُنِلنا العِزَّ إِلّا التَقَلُّبُ

وَإِن لَم يُنِلنا العِزَّ إِلّا التَقَلُّبُ

In the familiar homeland the soul finds delight,

And in the familiar homeland there is a delight for the self

even though only wandering has brought us honor.

Even if we obtain no honor but roaming.

وَبَرقٍ رَقيقِ الطُرَّتَينِ لَحَظتُهُ

وَبَرقٍ رَقيقِ الطُرَّتَينِ لَحَظتُهُ

إِذِ الجَوُّ خَوّارُ المَصابيحِ أَكهَبُ

إِذِ الجَوُّ خَوّارُ المَصابيحِ أَكهَبُ

I watched a lightning flash, delicate at either edge,

I glimpsed delicate lightning whose gowns

while the sky was dusky and its lamps faint.

When the atmosphere ripped like extinguished candles.

فَمَرَّ كَما مَرَّت ذَوائِبُ عُشوَةٍ

فَمَرَّ كَما مَرَّت ذَوائِبُ عُشوَةٍ

تُقادُ بِأَطرافِ الرِماحِ وَتُجنَبُ

تُقادُ بِأَطرافِ الرِماحِ وَتُجنَبُ

It passed as the tresses of a night-torch pass,

It passed as the bundles of a picnic pass

borne on spearpoints and led alongside.

Herded by the tips of spears and avoided.

نَظَرتُ وَأَلحاظُ النُجومِ كَليلَةٌ

نَظَرتُ وَأَلحاظُ النُجومِ كَليلَةٌ

وَهَيهاتَ دونَ البَرقِ شَأوٌ مُغَرِّبُ

وَهَيهاتَ دونَ البَرقِ شَأوٌ مُغَرِّبُ

I gazed while the stars' glances were dim;

We returned with it plunged with its abundant rain

how far away! A vast distance lay between me and the lightning.

As the hamlet greeted the ground—what billowing clouds!

فَما اللَيلُ إِلّا فَحمَةٌ مُستَشَفَّةٌ

فَما اللَيلُ إِلّا فَحمَةٌ مُستَشَفَّةٌ

وَما البَرقُ إِلّا جَمرَةٌ تَتَلَهَّبُ

وَما البَرقُ إِلّا جَمرَةٌ تَتَلَهَّبُ

Night was only a translucent piece of charcoal,

As though the returning of frogs behind it

and lightning only an ember blazing.

Were whistling attempted by the perforated bucket.

أَمِن بَعدِ أَن أَجلَلتَها وَرَقَ الدُجى

أَمِن بَعدِ أَن أَجلَلتَها وَرَقَ الدُجى

سِراعاً وَأَغصانُ الأَزِمَّةِ تُجذَبُ

سِراعاً وَأَغصانُ الأَزِمَّةِ تُجذَبُ

Is it after you draped them in the leaves of darkness,

We turned with it the water of darkness pouring

swift, while the branches of the reins were tugged,

And for the night a milky way with droplets.

وَعُدنا بِها مَمغوطَةً بِنُسوعِها

وَعُدنا بِها مَمغوطَةً بِنُسوعِها

كَما صافَحَ الأَرضَ السَراءُ المُعَبِّبُ

كَما صافَحَ الأَرضَ السَراءُ المُعَبِّبُ

and we returned with them stretched taut beneath their girths,

It startles the fowl from their burrows

as luxuriant bow-wood brushed the earth—

So however it meets them they are startled.

كَأَنَّ تَراجيعَ الحُداةِ وَراءَها

كَأَنَّ تَراجيعَ الحُداةِ وَراءَها

صَفيرٌ تَعاطاهُ اليَراعُ المُثَقَّبُ

صَفيرٌ تَعاطاهُ اليَراعُ المُثَقَّبُ

as though the cameleers' refrains behind them

And it enjoys sipping the water gently as though

were whistles taken up by a perforated reed;

With glory a cool mouth with darkness drinking.

وَرَدنَ بِها ماءَ الظَلامِ سَواغِباً

وَرَدنَ بِها ماءَ الظَلامِ سَواغِباً

وَلِلَّيلِ جَوٌّ بِالدَرارِيِّ مُعشِبُ

وَلِلَّيلِ جَوٌّ بِالدَرارِيِّ مُعشِبُ

there they reached the water of darkness, hungry,

We surrendered to it the secret of concerns from our eyes

while night's sky was lush with brilliant stars;

And the secret of glory between souls is veiled.

تُنَفِّرُ ذَودَ الطَيرِ عَن وَكَراتِها

تُنَفِّرُ ذَودَ الطَيرِ عَن وَكَراتِها

فَكُلٌّ إِذا لاقَيتَهُ مُتَغَرِّبُ

فَكُلٌّ إِذا لاقَيتَهُ مُتَغَرِّبُ

they startled flocks of birds from their nests,

For glory my smiling in its proximity is prohibited

so each one you encountered was far from home,

And not one tribulation in it shook me.

وَتَلتَذُّ رَشفَ الماءِ رَنقاً كَأَنَّهُ

وَتَلتَذُّ رَشفَ الماءِ رَنقاً كَأَنَّهُ

مَعَ العِزِّ ثَغرٌ بارِدُ الظَلمِ أَشنَبُ

مَعَ العِزِّ ثَغرٌ بارِدُ الظَلمِ أَشنَبُ

and relished sipping muddy water, as though it were,

My suspicions in calamities are startled

in honor's company, a fresh-toothed mouth, its moisture cool;

And my determination avoids requests.

أَذَعنا لَهُ سِرَّ الكَرى مِن عُيونِنا

أَذَعنا لَهُ سِرَّ الكَرى مِن عُيونِنا

وَسِرُّ العُلى بَينَ الجَوانِحِ يُحجَبُ

وَسِرُّ العُلى بَينَ الجَوانِحِ يُحجَبُ

we disclosed to it the secret of sleep from our eyes,

I traversed a pitch dark night, singing antiphony,

while lofty honor's secret lay hidden between our ribs—

While the night prowlers howled.

حَرامٌ عَلى المَجدِ اِبتِسامي لِقُربِهِ

حَرامٌ عَلى المَجدِ اِبتِسامي لِقُربِهِ

وَما هَزَّني فيهِ العَناءُ المُقَطِّبُ

وَما هَزَّني فيهِ العَناءُ المُقَطِّبُ

that glory is denied my smile when it draws near?

If I wished, the doves would sing to me at dusk,

Nor has frown-making toil shaken me in its pursuit.

But I drink from the water of my eyes.

تَهُرُّ ظُنوني في المَآرِبِ إِربَةٌ

تَهُرُّ ظُنوني في المَآرِبِ إِربَةٌ

وَيَجنُبُ عَزمي في المَطالِبِ مَطلَبُ

وَيَجنُبُ عَزمي في المَطالِبِ مَطلَبُ

An ambition sets my conjectures snarling amid my aims,

I say when the night conversations delve in the darkness,

and a goal leads my resolve alongside in the quest.

Discussions that seem rising and setting.

وَدَهماءَ مِن لَيلِ التَمامِ قَطَعتُها

وَدَهماءَ مِن لَيلِ التَمامِ قَطَعتُها

أُغَنّي حِداءً وَالمَراسيلُ تَطرَبُ

أُغَنّي حِداءً وَالمَراسيلُ تَطرَبُ

Many a dark night at its longest I traversed,

Sing to me in talk for I have seen

singing camel-chants while the fleet camels thrilled.

The sweetest words are those that enchant.

وَلَو شِئتُ غَنَّتني الحَمامُ عَشيَّةً

وَلَو شِئتُ غَنَّتني الحَمامُ عَشيَّةً

وَلَكِنَّني مِن ماءِ عَينَيَّ أَشرَبُ

وَلَكِنَّني مِن ماءِ عَينَيَّ أَشرَبُ

Had I wished, doves would have sung to me one evening,

Singing, when it probes the ears, is not

but I drink from the water of my own eyes.

Trustworthy over its constantly moving robe.

أَقولُ إِذا خاضَ السَميرانِ في الدُجى

أَقولُ إِذا خاضَ السَميرانِ في الدُجى

أَحاديثَ تَبدو طالِعاتٍ وَتَغرُبُ

أَحاديثَ تَبدو طالِعاتٍ وَتَغرُبُ

I say, when two night-companions delve in the darkness into

And drowsiness from the wine of sleep I startled it

tales that appear, rising, and set:

While the specter of concerns in the eye floats and settles.

أَلا غَنِّياني بِالحَديثِ فَإِنَّني

أَلا غَنِّياني بِالحَديثِ فَإِنَّني

رَأَيتُ أَلَذَّ القَولِ ما كانَ يُطرِبُ

رَأَيتُ أَلَذَّ القَولِ ما كانَ يُطرِبُ

Come, both of you, sing to me with tales, for I

It has an eyelid that conjures sleep upon it

have found the sweetest speech to be that which delights.

To it as restfulness alighted upon a starry night.

غِناءً إِذا خاضَ المَسامِعَ لَم يَكُن

غِناءً إِذا خاضَ المَسامِعَ لَم يَكُن

أَميناً عَلى جِلبابِهِ المُتَجَلبِبُ

أَميناً عَلى جِلبابِهِ المُتَجَلبِبُ

A song that, when it enters the ears, leaves

I traversed the terrain’s paths heedlessly and deliberately—

the cloaked man unable to safeguard his cloak.

You find with them the hands of steads playing.

وَنَشوانَ مِن خَمرِ النُعاسِ ذَعَرتُهُ

وَنَشوانَ مِن خَمرِ النُعاسِ ذَعَرتُهُ

وَطَيفُ الكَرى في العَينِ يَطفو وَيَرسُبُ

وَطَيفُ الكَرى في العَينِ يَطفو وَيَرسُبُ

One drunk on the wine of drowsiness I startled,

It is not my desire to blame the companion, but

while sleep's specter floated and sank within his eye.

As boots and horseshoes meet in traveling.

لَهُ مُقلَةٌ يَستَنزِلُ النَومَ جَفنُها

لَهُ مُقلَةٌ يَستَنزِلُ النَومَ جَفنُها

إِلَيهِ كَما اِستَرخى عَلى النَجمِ هَيدَبُ

إِلَيهِ كَما اِستَرخى عَلى النَجمِ هَيدَبُ

He has an eye whose lid draws sleep down

I wondered how others accompanied its star

upon him, as a trailing cloud droops over a star.

While my traveling in it, O girl of the people, is more wondrous.

سَلَكتُ فِجاجَ الأَرضِ غُفلاً وَمَعلَماً

سَلَكتُ فِجاجَ الأَرضِ غُفلاً وَمَعلَماً

تَجِدُّ بِها أَيدي المَطايا وَتَلعَبُ

تَجِدُّ بِها أَيدي المَطايا وَتَلعَبُ

I traveled earth's broad passes, unmarked and marked,

I travel and my saddle is studded with stars,

where the mounts' forelegs labor and play.

I camp while my abode in the highlands is carpeted.

وَما شَهوَتي لَومَ الرَفيقِ وَإِنَّما

وَما شَهوَتي لَومَ الرَفيقِ وَإِنَّما

كَما يَلتَقي في السَيرِ ظِلفٌ وَمِخلَبُ

كَما يَلتَقي في السَيرِ ظِلفٌ وَمِخلَبُ

It is not my desire to blame my companion; rather,

And the smooth flanks in its sides

it is as a cloven hoof and a claw meet on the road.

Are cradles for the highland’s edges and playground.

عَجِبتُ لِغَيري كَيفَ سايَرَ نَجمَها

عَجِبتُ لِغَيري كَيفَ سايَرَ نَجمَها

وَسَيرِيَ فيها يَا اِبنَةَ القَومِ أَعجَبُ

وَسَيرِيَ فيها يَا اِبنَةَ القَومِ أَعجَبُ

I marveled how another kept pace with its star,

It drags across the road’s surface jaggedly

yet my journey through it, O daughter of the clan, is stranger.

Cast aside by a horn of the sun—broken!

أَسيرُ وَسَرجي بِالنِجادِ مُقَلَّدٌ

أَسيرُ وَسَرجي بِالنِجادِ مُقَلَّدٌ

وَأَثوي وَبَيتي بِالعَوالي مُطَنَّبُ

وَأَثوي وَبَيتي بِالعَوالي مُطَنَّبُ

I ride with my saddle hung with sword-belts,

A day with the radiance of swords shredded

and camp with my tent guyed by tall spears.

And a sky with the redness of spears gilded.

وَمَصقولَةِ الأَعطافِ في جَنَباتِها

وَمَصقولَةِ الأَعطافِ في جَنَباتِها

مِراحٌ لِأَطرافِ العَوالي وَمَلعَبُ

مِراحٌ لِأَطرافِ العَوالي وَمَلعَبُ

And a host with burnished flanks, along whose sides

You see the day red like blood

are a pasture and a playground for tall spears' tips,

Poured upon the atmosphere dripping.

تَجُرُّ عَلى مَتنِ الطَريقِ عَجاجَةً

تَجُرُّ عَلى مَتنِ الطَريقِ عَجاجَةً

يُطارِحُها قَرنٌ مِنَ الشَمسِ أَعضَبُ

يُطارِحُها قَرنٌ مِنَ الشَمسِ أَعضَبُ

trails a dust-cloud along the roadway,

We clashed with the enemies and the night is spreading

with which a clipped horn of the sun contends.

Its corridors, the army tents most ruined.

نَهارٌ بِلَألاءِ السُيوفِ مُفَضَّضٌ

نَهارٌ بِلَألاءِ السُيوفِ مُفَضَّضٌ

وَجَوٌّ بِحَمراءِ الأَنابيبِ مُذهَبُ

وَجَوٌّ بِحَمراءِ الأَنابيبِ مُذهَبُ

A day silvered by the brilliance of swords,

We seized them with swords and spears

and a sky gilded with red spear-shafts.

While the shepherd of the night stars wanders confused.

تَرى اليَومَ مُحمَرَّ الخَوافي كَأَنَّما

تَرى اليَومَ مُحمَرَّ الخَوافي كَأَنَّما

عَلى الجَوِّ غَربٌ مِن دَمٍ يَتَصَبَّبُ

عَلى الجَوِّ غَربٌ مِن دَمٍ يَتَصَبَّبُ

You see the day red in its inner feathers, as though

If it were a firm matter they would reason it

a great bucket of blood were pouring over the sky.

But it is the matter that is not tried.

صَدَمنا بِها الأَعداءَ وَاللَيلُ ضارِبٌ

صَدَمنا بِها الأَعداءَ وَاللَيلُ ضارِبٌ

بِأَرواقِهِ جَونُ المِلاطَينِ أَخطَبُ

بِأَرواقِهِ جَونُ المِلاطَينِ أَخطَبُ

We struck the foes with it, while night spread

They dread the dawn’s emergence while behind

its curtains, black on both flanks and dusky gray.

The night’s veil a day guts twisting.

أَخَذنا عَلَيهِم بِالصَوارِمِ وَالقَنا

أَخَذنا عَلَيهِم بِالصَوارِمِ وَالقَنا

وَراعي نُجومِ اللَيلِ حَيرانُ مُغرِبُ

وَراعي نُجومِ اللَيلِ حَيرانُ مُغرِبُ

We hemmed them in with keen swords and spears,

All heavy of chest from the clamor of spears

while the watcher of night's stars was bewildered and far astray.

Is swift to passion while death hastens bringing.

فَلَو كانَ أَمراً ثابِتاً عَقَلوا لَهُ

فَلَو كانَ أَمراً ثابِتاً عَقَلوا لَهُ

وَلَكِنَّهُ الأَمرُ الَّذي لا يُجَرَّبُ

وَلَكِنَّهُ الأَمرُ الَّذي لا يُجَرَّبُ

Had it been a settled matter, they would have understood it,

He gathers when the war overwhelms his strength

but it was something that cannot be tried out.

As the deceivers gathered and the water runs out.

يُراعونَ إِسفارَ الصَباحِ وَإِنَّما

يُراعونَ إِسفارَ الصَباحِ وَإِنَّما

وَراءَ لِثامِ اللَيلِ يَومٌ عَصَبصَبُ

وَراءَ لِثامِ اللَيلِ يَومٌ عَصَبصَبُ

They watch for morning's brightness, yet in truth

Horses are but like the flints of their hooves—

behind night's veil lies a grievously hard day.

So either triumphant or disappointed plunder.

وَكُلُّ ثَقيلِ الصَدرِ مِن جَلَبِ القَنا

وَكُلُّ ثَقيلِ الصَدرِ مِن جَلَبِ القَنا

خَفيفِ الشَوى وَالمَوتُ عَجلانُ مُقرِبُ

خَفيفِ الشَوى وَالمَوتُ عَجلانُ مُقرِبُ

And every heavy-chested steed of the spears' drove,

Leave the glory of ancestry O unjust people

nimble-limbed, while death hastens near,

For neither is the water to be had nor the earth good.

يَجُمُّ إِذا ما اِستَرعَفَ الكَرُّ جُهدَهُ

يَجُمُّ إِذا ما اِستَرعَفَ الكَرُّ جُهدَهُ

كَما جَمَّتِ الغُدرانُ وَالماءُ يَنضُبُ

كَما جَمَّتِ الغُدرانُ وَالماءُ يَنضُبُ

recovers when the charge bleeds away its strength,

If you are among the descendants of Fihr like stars

as pools fill again while their water recedes.

When one star sets another rises.

وَما الخَيلُ إِلّا كَالقِداحِ نُجيلُها

وَما الخَيلُ إِلّا كَالقِداحِ نُجيلُها

لِغُنمٍ فَإِمّا فائِزٌ أَو مُخَيَّبُ

لِغُنمٍ فَإِمّا فائِزٌ أَو مُخَيَّبُ

Horses are only like lot-arrows that we cast

My reputation among you is attributed openly

for gain: either a winner or one disappointed.

While not all stars are attributed!

دَعوا شَرَفَ الأَحسابِ يا آلَ ظالِمٍ

دَعوا شَرَفَ الأَحسابِ يا آلَ ظالِمٍ

فَلا الماءُ مَورودٌ وَلا التُربُ طَيِّبُ

فَلا الماءُ مَورودٌ وَلا التُربُ طَيِّبُ

Leave aside claims of noble lineage, O house of Zalim;

You accompanied the youth of noble women, continuous

the water is not sought, nor is the earth wholesome.

From the cutting of peers—no blood shedder!

لَئِن كُنتُمُ في آلِ فِهرٍ كَواكِباً

لَئِن كُنتُمُ في آلِ فِهرٍ كَواكِباً

إِذا غاضَ مِنها كَوكَبٌ فاضَ كَوكَبُ

إِذا غاضَ مِنها كَوكَبٌ فاضَ كَوكَبُ

If you are stars within the house of Fihr,

I refine my thoughts praising villains

whenever one star wanes, another wells forth,

So I am truest in fair meanings and I lie.

فَنَعتي كَنَعتِ البَدرِ يُنسَبُ بَينَكُم

فَنَعتي كَنَعتِ البَدرِ يُنسَبُ بَينَكُم

جَهاراً وَما كُلُّ الكَواكِبِ تُنسَبُ

جَهاراً وَما كُلُّ الكَواكِبِ تُنسَبُ

then I am described as the full moon, named among you

Praise is but for the Prophet and his family—

openly; not every star is named.

It is intended while some words are better avoided.

صَحِبتُم خِضابَ الزاعِبيّاتِ ناصِلاً

صَحِبتُم خِضابَ الزاعِبيّاتِ ناصِلاً

وَمِن عَلَقِ الأَقرانِ ما لا يُخَضِّبُ

وَمِن عَلَقِ الأَقرانِ ما لا يُخَضِّبُ

You kept company with the Za'ibi spears' dye as it faded,

Worthier of my praise is one whose pride honors me

and some opponents' clotted blood gives no dye.

And only the refined thank the beneficent.

أُهَذِّبُ في مَدحِ اللِئامِ خَواطِري

أُهَذِّبُ في مَدحِ اللِئامِ خَواطِري

فَأَصدُقُ في حُسنِ المَعاني وَأَكذِبُ

فَأَصدُقُ في حُسنِ المَعاني وَأَكذِبُ

I refine my thoughts in praising the base,

I see poetry in them enduring as though

and speak truth in the beauty of my meanings, yet lie.

The long-necked birds hover with poems.

وَما المَدحُ إِلّا في النَبيِّ وَآلِهِ

وَما المَدحُ إِلّا في النَبيِّ وَآلِهِ

يُرامُ وَبَعضُ القَولِ ما يُتَجَنَّبُ

يُرامُ وَبَعضُ القَولِ ما يُتَجَنَّبُ

Only praise of the Prophet and his family

And they said “Wondrous! His wonder at himself!”

is sought; some speech is to be avoided.

And where in eras is one like my father?

وَأَولى بِمَدحي مَن أُعِزُّ بِفَخرِهِ

وَأَولى بِمَدحي مَن أُعِزُّ بِفَخرِهِ

وَلا يَشكُرُ النَعماءَ إِلّا المُهَذَّبُ

وَلا يَشكُرُ النَعماءَ إِلّا المُهَذَّبُ

Most deserving of my praise is one I honor for his glory,

By your life, I was not wondrous but in praising them

and only the well-bred give thanks for blessings.

And verses are thought to make me arrogant.

أَرى الشِعرَ فيهِم باقِياً وَكَأَنَّما

أَرى الشِعرَ فيهِم باقِياً وَكَأَنَّما

تُحَلِّقُ بِالأَشعارِ عَنقاءُ مُغرِبُ

تُحَلِّقُ بِالأَشعارِ عَنقاءُ مُغرِبُ

I see poetry about them enduring; it is as though

I ready for my pride in stance Muhammad

the far-ranging phoenix soars away with poems.

And I call upon Ali for the heights when I mount.

وَقالوا عَجيبٌ عُجبُ مِثلي بِنَفسِهِ

وَقالوا عَجيبٌ عُجبُ مِثلي بِنَفسِهِ

وَأَينَ عَلى الأَيّامِ مِثلُ أَبي أَبُ

وَأَينَ عَلى الأَيّامِ مِثلُ أَبي أَبُ

They said the self-admiration of one like me was strange;

and where, through all the ages, is a father like my father?

لَعَمرُكَ ما أُعجِبتُ إِلّا بِمَدحِهِم

لَعَمرُكَ ما أُعجِبتُ إِلّا بِمَدحِهِم

وَيُحسَبُ أَنّي بِالقَصائِدِ مُعجَبُ

وَيُحسَبُ أَنّي بِالقَصائِدِ مُعجَبُ

By your life, my pride is only in praising them,

yet I am thought proud of the poems.

أَعِدُّ لِفَخري في المَقامِ مُحَمَّداً

أَعِدُّ لِفَخري في المَقامِ مُحَمَّداً

وَأَدعو عَليّاً لِلعُلى حينَ أَركَبُ

وَأَدعو عَليّاً لِلعُلى حينَ أَركَبُ

I count Muhammad as my pride in the assembly,

and invoke Ali for lofty honor when I ride.