وَفىhe fulfilled بِمَواعيدِthe promises of الخَليطِthe companions وَأَخلَفواand they broke their promises
وَفى بِمَواعيدِ الخَليطِ وَأَخلَفوا
وَكَمand how often وَعَدواthey promised القَلبَthe heart المُعَنّىthe tormented وَلَمand did not يَفواfulfill their promises
وَكَم وَعَدوا القَلبَ المُعَنّى وَلَم يَفوا
He fulfilled the companions' promises, though they failed to keep them.
They broke their word though we met as comrades,
How often they promised the tormented heart, yet did not fulfill their promises!
And oft did they promise my trusting heart but fail.
وَماand what ضَرَّهُمharmed them أَنthat لَمnot يَجودواthey bestow بِمُقنِعٍwith a satisfying amount
وَما ضَرَّهُم أَن لَم يَجودوا بِمُقنِعٍ
مِنَof النَيلِfavor received إِذwhen مَنَّواthey held out hope قَليلاًa little وَسَوَّفواand kept postponing
مِنَ النَيلِ إِذ مَنَّوا قَليلاً وَسَوَّفوا
And what harm befell them for not granting enough
Little they reck that they gave no cup to slake me,
of favor, when they held out scant hope and kept delaying?
Though they promised rivers of wine that should never fail.
أَفيis there in كُلِّevery يَومٍday لَفتَةٌa glance ثُمَّthen عَبرَةٌa tear
أَفي كُلِّ يَومٍ لَفتَةٌ ثُمَّ عَبرَةٌ
عَلىover رَسمِthe trace of دارٍa dwelling أَوor مَطيٌّriding camels مُوَقَّفُhalted
عَلى رَسمِ دارٍ أَو مَطيٌّ مُوَقَّفُ
Must every day bring a glance, then a tear
Each day a bane then a burning sigh
over the traces of a dwelling, or riding camels brought to a halt?
For the line of a camp, or a halted steed.
وَرَكبٍand a company of riders عَلىon الأَكوارِcamel saddles يَثنيturns رِقابَهُمtheir necks
وَرَكبٍ عَلى الأَكوارِ يَثني رِقابَهُم
لِداعيtoward the summons of الصِباyouth عَهدٌa bond قَديمٌold وَمَألَفُand a familiar haunt
لِداعي الصِبا عَهدٌ قَديمٌ وَمَألَفُ
And riders in camel saddles, their necks turned
A tribe, their necks bowed in the drowsy air,
toward youth's summons by an old bond and a familiar haunt.
Obeying the zephyr's urge and the plead.
فَمِنso among واجِدٍa grief-stricken man قَدalready أَلزَمَhas pressed القَلبَthe heart كَفَّهُhis palm
فَمِن واجِدٍ قَد أَلزَمَ القَلبَ كَفَّهُ
وَمِنand among طَرَبٍan impassioned man يَعلوclimbs اليَفاعَhigh ground وَيُشرِفُand looks out
وَمِن طَرَبٍ يَعلو اليَفاعَ وَيُشرِفُ
So among them is one grief-stricken, pressing his palm to his heart,
Some stoop, hearts gripped in the hand of longing,
and one impassioned, climbing high ground and looking out,
Others topsyturvy and distraught.
وَمُستَعبِرٍand one weeping قَدalready أَتبَعَhas followed الدَمعَtears زَفرَةًwith a sigh
وَمُستَعبِرٍ قَد أَتبَعَ الدَمعَ زَفرَةً
تَكادُnearly لَهاbecause of it عوجُthe curves of الضُلوعِthe ribs تَثَقَّفُstraighten
تَكادُ لَها عوجُ الضُلوعِ تَثَقَّفُ
and one weeping, who follows his tears with a sigh
Others still, tears pursue their sighs
at which the curves of his ribs nearly straighten.
Till the shaking ribs seem ready to snap.
قَضىhe uttered ماwhatever قَضىhe uttered مِنof أَنَّةِa moan of الشَوقِlonging وَاِنثَنىand turned away
قَضى ما قَضى مِن أَنَّةِ الشَوقِ وَاِنثَنى
بِدارِat the abode of الجَوىburning heartache وَالقَلبُand the heart يَهفوflutters وَيَرجُفُand trembles
بِدارِ الجَوى وَالقَلبُ يَهفو وَيَرجُفُ
He uttered what moans of longing he would, and turned away
Spend the day pining, night in the tribe,
at the abode of heartache, his heart fluttering and trembling.
The heart fluttering, pulsing in fright,
وَلَمand did not تُغنِavail حَتّىuntil زايَلَparted البُعدُdistance بَينَناbetween us
وَلَم تُغنِ حَتّى زايَلَ البُعدُ بَينَنا
وَحَتّىand until رَماناstruck us الأَزلَمُFate المُتَغَطرِفُthe overbearing
وَحَتّى رَمانا الأَزلَمُ المُتَغَطرِفُ
It availed nothing until distance parted us,
Nothing avails till we meet again
and until overbearing Fate struck us.
And the Grim Tyrant's caprice unite.
كَأَنَّas though اللَياليthe nights كُنَّthey had آلَينَsworn حَلفَةًan oath
كَأَنَّ اللَيالي كُنَّ آلَينَ حَلفَةً
بِأَنthat لاnot يُرىbe seen فيهِنَّwithin them شَملٌa company مُؤَلَّفُreunited
بِأَن لا يُرى فيهِنَّ شَملٌ مُؤَلَّفُ
As though the nights had sworn an oath
As though the nights conspired together
that no company be seen reunited within them.
To grant no wished-for union and delight
أَلَمَّvisited خَيالُthe phantom of العامِريَّةِthe woman of ʿAmir بَعدَماafter
أَلَمَّ خَيالُ العامِريَّةِ بَعدَما
تَبَطَّنَناhad enfolded us جَفنٌan eyelid مِنَof اللَيلِnight أَوطَفُthick-lashed
تَبَطَّنَنا جَفنٌ مِنَ اللَيلِ أَوطَفُ
The phantom of the woman of ʿAmir came visiting after
Till in the dark engulfed, thought wanders
a thick-lashed eyelid of night had enfolded us,
To hosts noisy with zeal for the fight,
يُحَيِّيgreeting طِلاحاًweary men حينَwhen هَمّواthey intended بِوَقعَةٍto lie down
يُحَيِّي طِلاحاً حينَ هَمّوا بِوَقعَةٍ
تَهاوَواthey toppled عَلىonto الأَذقانِthe chins مِمّاfrom what تَعَسَّفواthey traversed without paths
تَهاوَوا عَلى الأَذقانِ مِمّا تَعَسَّفوا
greeting weary men just as they meant to lie down;
Clamoring and tumbling in chaos
they toppled onto their chins from their rough, pathless journey,
For one rash drink of death's bitter cup
وَقيذينَstupefied قَدalready مالَhad tilted النُعاسُdrowsiness بِهامِهِمtheir heads
وَقيذينَ قَد مالَ النُعاسُ بِهامِهِم
كَماjust as أَرعَشَتmade tremble أَيديthe hands of المُعاطينَthose passing cups قَرقَفُwine
كَما أَرعَشَت أَيدي المُعاطينَ قَرقَفُ
stupefied, with drowsiness bending their heads,
Others whom sleep weighs on their eyelids
as wine makes cup-passers' hands tremble.
As though drunkards' hands were trembling and numb
أَعاريبَBedouins لاnot يَدرونَthey know ماwhat الريفُcultivated country بِالفَلاin the wilderness
أَعاريبَ لا يَدرونَ ما الريفُ بِالفَلا
وَلاand do not يَغبِطونَenvy القَومَthe people إِمّاwhen تَرَيَّفواthey settle in fertile country
وَلا يَغبِطونَ القَومَ إِمّا تَرَيَّفوا
Bedouins in the wilderness, not knowing what cultivated country is,
Vagabonds knowing naught of the countryside,
nor envying people when they settle in fertile country.
Caring naught how the cultured fare,
رَذاياexhausted mounts of هَوىًlove إِنif عَنَّappears بَرقٌlightning تَطاوَلواthey stretch upward
رَذايا هَوىً إِن عَنَّ بَرقٌ تَطاوَلوا
وَإِنand if عارَضواthey encounter الطَيرَthe birds الغَواديsetting out at dawn تَعَيَّفواthey read bird-omens
وَإِن عارَضوا الطَيرَ الغَوادي تَعَيَّفوا
Love's exhausted mounts: if lightning appears, they stretch upward,
Sparks aspiring if lightning took them,
and if they encounter birds at dawn, they read their omens,
Taking aim if they saw hawks in air.
تَوارِكَabandoners لِلشَقِّof the region الَّذيwhich هُوَit is آمِنٌsafe
تَوارِكَ لِلشَقِّ الَّذي هُوَ آمِنٌ
نَوازِلَsettling بِالأَرضِin the land الَّتيwhich هِيَit is أَخوَفُmore fearsome
نَوازِلَ بِالأَرضِ الَّتي هِيَ أَخوَفُ
abandoning the region that is safe,
Shunning the safe shore for the fraught,
settling in the land that is more fearsome.
Seeking the dangerous, shunning the tame.
أَياO وَقفَةَpause of التَوديعِfarewell هَلwill فيكِin you راجِعٌrepeating
أَيا وَقفَةَ التَوديعِ هَل فيكِ راجِعٌ
إِشارَتَهُits gesture ذاكَthat البَنانُfingertips المُطَرَّفُhenna-tipped
إِشارَتَهُ ذاكَ البَنانُ المُطَرَّفُ
O pause of farewell, will there return in you
O bitter halt where we turned to part,
the gesture of those henna-tipped fingers?
Did your waving grove give a sign?
وَهَلand will مُطمِعيgiving me hope ذاكَthat الغَزالُgazelle بِلَفتَةٍof a glance
وَهَل مُطمِعي ذاكَ الغَزالُ بِلَفتَةٍ
وَإِنand even if ثَوَّرَroused الرَكبُthe riders العِجالَthe swift camels وَأَوجَفواand spurred onward
وَإِن ثَوَّرَ الرَكبُ العِجالَ وَأَوجَفوا
And will that gazelle offer me hope of a glance,
O did my love with a tender look
even if the riders rouse the swift camels and speed away?
Hint though the troop trotted on as if lame?
عَشيَّةَthat evening لاnot يَنفَكُّceases لَحظٌa gaze مُبَهَّتٌbewildered
عَشيَّةَ لا يَنفَكُّ لَحظٌ مُبَهَّتٌ
مُراقَبَةًwatching مِنّاfrom us وَدَمعٌand tears مُكَفكَفُheld back
مُراقَبَةً مِنّا وَدَمعٌ مُكَفكَفُ
That evening, a bewildered gaze never ceased
Evenings when eager gaze met gaze
its watch among us, and tears were held back.
And tears flowed free and men kissed.
فَلِلَّهِso, to God belongs مَنthe one whom غَنّىsang الحُداةُthe camel-drivers وَراءَهُbehind him
فَلِلَّهِ مَن غَنّى الحُداةُ وَراءَهُ
وَلِلَّهِand to God belongs ماwhat وارىconcealed العَبيطُthe new litter المُسَجَّفُcurtained
وَلِلَّهِ ما وارى العَبيطُ المُسَجَّفُ
How wondrous, by God, the one behind whom the camel-drivers sang,
God spare the reveling rake full of song
and how wondrous, by God, what the new, curtained litter concealed!
And the wanton number full of sins.
وَسائِلَةٍand a woman asking عَنّيabout me كَأَنِّيَas though I لَمnot أَلِجhad entered
وَسائِلَةٍ عَنّي كَأَنِّيَ لَم أَلِج
حِمىthe protected lands of قَومِهاher people وَاليَومُand the day بِالنَقعِwith dust مُسدِفُdarkened
حِمى قَومِها وَاليَومُ بِالنَقعِ مُسدِفُ
And a woman inquires about me, as though I had not entered
One asks of me as though I never trod
her people's protected lands, with the day darkened by dust.
Her tribe, while the day for war drums is ripe.
لَئِنif indeed كُنتُI am مَجهولاًunknown بِذُلِّيَthrough my abasement فيin الهَوىlove
لَئِن كُنتُ مَجهولاً بِذُلِّيَ في الهَوى
فَإِنّيthen indeed I بِعِزّيthrough my might عِندَamong غَيرِكِothers than you أَعرَفُam better known
فَإِنّي بِعِزّي عِندَ غَيرِكِ أَعرَفُ
If I am unknown through my abasement in love,
If unknown to her for love's sick pain
then to those other than you I am better known by my might.
I am best known for my worth by another.
فَلاso do not تَعجَبيmarvel أَنّيthat I تَعَرَّقَنيhas gnawed me to the bone الضَنىwasting sickness
فَلا تَعجَبي أَنّي تَعَرَّقَني الضَنى
فَإِنَّfor indeed الهَوىlove يَقوىgrows stronger عَلَيَّagainst me وَأَضعُفُand I grow weaker
فَإِنَّ الهَوى يَقوى عَلَيَّ وَأَضعُفُ
Do not marvel that wasting sickness has gnawed me to the bone,
Marvel not that grief has mastered me,
for love grows stronger against me, and I grow weaker.
For passion saps me though I am strong.
يُقَرَّعُis cowed بِاِسميby my name الجَيشُthe army ثُمَّthen يَرُدُّنيturns me back
يُقَرَّعُ بِاِسمي الجَيشُ ثُمَّ يَرُدُّني
إِلىto طاعَةِobedience to الحَسناءِthe beautiful woman قَلبٌa heart مُكَلَّفُinfatuated
إِلى طاعَةِ الحَسناءِ قَلبٌ مُكَلَّفُ
An army is cowed by my name, yet back I am drawn
I am summoned by name to ride then returned
to obedience to the beauty by an infatuated heart.
To serve my belle by a heart held in thrall.
سَليask بيabout me أَلَمdid I not أَنغَلُّplunge فيinto لَهَواتِهاits throats
سَلي بي أَلَم أَنغَلُّ في لَهَواتِها
وَفَحلُand the bull of الرَدىDeath دونيbefore me بِنابَيهِwith its two fangs يَصرُفُgnashes
وَفَحلُ الرَدى دوني بِنابَيهِ يَصرُفُ
Ask about me: did I not plunge into its throats,
Ask me why I haunt the lands of delight
while Death's bull gnashed its two fangs before me?
While the steed of mischief curbs me with his rein.
سَليask بيabout me أَلَمdid I not أَحمِلbring to bear عَلىagainst الضيمِoppression ساعِديmy forearm
سَلي بي أَلَم أَحمِل عَلى الضيمِ ساعِدي
وَقَدthough already ثُلِمَwas notched الماضيthe keen blade وَرُضَّand was crushed المُثَقَّفُthe straightened spear
وَقَد ثُلِمَ الماضي وَرُضَّ المُثَقَّفُ
Ask about me: did I not bring my arm to bear against oppression,
Ask me why I flinch not from injury
though the keen blade was notched and the straightened spear crushed?
Though the past is flawed and the scar still hurts.
سَليask بيabout me أَلَمdid I not أَثنِturn back الأَعِنَّةَthe reins ظافِراًvictorious
سَلي بي أَلَم أَثنِ الأَعِنَّةَ ظافِراً
تُحَدِّثُrecounts عَنof يَوميmy battle-day نِزارٌNizar وَخِندِفُand Khindif
تُحَدِّثُ عَن يَومي نِزارٌ وَخِندِفُ
Ask about me: did I not turn the reins back victorious,
Ask me why I hone not my trophied blade
with Nizar and Khindif recounting my battle-day?
That tells of my day, my star flashed and serf.
وَحَيٍّand many a clan تَخَطَّتcarried across بيme أَعَزَّthe mightiest of بُيوتِهِits houses
وَحَيٍّ تَخَطَّت بي أَعَزَّ بُيوتِهِ
صُدورُthe points of المَواضيthe keen swords وَالوَشيجُand the spearshafts المُرَعَّفُblood-dripping
صُدورُ المَواضي وَالوَشيجُ المُرَعَّفُ
And many a clan, through whose mightiest houses I was borne
By what villager's hovels my thoroughbred passed,
by keen swords' points and blood-dripping spearshafts.
My lordly chest pushing through the throng.
سَليask بيabout me أَلَمdid I not أَصبِرendure عَلىthrough الظَمءِthirst بَعدَماafter
سَلي بي أَلَم أَصبِر عَلى الظَمءِ بَعدَما
هَوىswept downward بِالمَهاريwith the Mahri camels نَفنَفٌan abyss ثُمَّthen نَفنَفُanother abyss
هَوى بِالمَهاري نَفنَفٌ ثُمَّ نَفنَفُ
Ask about me: did I not endure thirst after
Ask me why I have not slaked my thirst
gulf after gulf had swept the Mahri camels downward?
Though stirrup cups passed and did pass along.
وَكُلُّand every غُلامٍyouth مِلءُfilling دِرعَيهِhis two coats of mail نَجدَةٌvalor
وَكُلُّ غُلامٍ مِلءُ دِرعَيهِ نَجدَةٌ
وَلَوثَةُand a touch of wildness أَعرابيَّةٍBedouin وَتَغَطرُفُand haughtiness
وَلَوثَةُ أَعرابيَّةٍ وَتَغَطرُفُ
And every youth, his two coats of mail filled with courage,
On each saddlebag a line of pure stock
a touch of Bedouin wildness, and haughtiness,
On each damsel a veil or a shawl.
عَلىupon كُلِّeach طاوٍlean steed فيهِin him جَدٌّvigor وَمَيعَةٌand spirited speed
عَلى كُلِّ طاوٍ فيهِ جَدٌّ وَمَيعَةٌ
وَطاوِيَةٍand a lean mare فيهاin her هِبابٌfriskiness وَعَجرَفُand headlong force
وَطاوِيَةٍ فيها هِبابٌ وَعَجرَفُ
on each lean steed endowed with vigor and spirited speed,
The evening's potion is poured and the dregs
and each lean mare with friskiness and headlong force.
Are bitter gall that sears as it falls.
وَقَدand already أُتبِعَتwere made to follow سُمرُthe brown shafts of العَواليthe long spears زِجاجَهاtheir butt-spikes
وَقَد أُتبِعَت سُمرُ العَوالي زِجاجَها
وَحَنَّand moaned مِنَfrom الإِنباضِbowstring-plucking جَزعٌstreaked bow-wood مُعَطَّفُbent
وَحَنَّ مِنَ الإِنباضِ جَزعٌ مُعَطَّفُ
And the brown shafts of the long spears were made to follow their butt-spikes,
On each warrior glory and purpose shine
and a bent, streaked bow moaned as its string was plucked.
On each winsome maid a skirt and a scarf.
فَإِنso if تَسمَعواyou hear صَوتَthe sound of المُرِنّاتِthe ringing bows تَعلَمواyou will know
فَإِن تَسمَعوا صَوتَ المُرِنّاتِ تَعلَموا
بِمَنfor whom جَعَلَتbegan تَدعوto call النَواعيthe death-announcers وَتَهتُفُand cry aloud
بِمَن جَعَلَت تَدعو النَواعي وَتَهتُفُ
If you hear the sound of the ringing bows, you will know
Hear the ringing neighs and you understand
for whom the death-announcers began to call and cry.
Whose soft voice summoned the echoing vale.
لَناours is الدَولَةُthe dynasty الغَرّاءُradiant ماnever زالَceased عِندَهاwith it
لَنا الدَولَةُ الغَرّاءُ ما زالَ عِندَها
مِنَagainst الجَورِinjustice واقٍa protector أَوor مِنَagainst الظُلمِoppression مُنصِفُa redresser
مِنَ الجَورِ واقٍ أَو مِنَ الظُلمِ مُنصِفُ
Ours is the radiant dynasty; with it there has always been
Ours is the state where justice prevails,
a shield against injustice or a redresser of wrong.
Where wrongs are redressed and never deferred.
بَعيدَةُfar-reaching in صَوتٍrenown فيin العُلىglory غَيرُnot رافِعٍraising
بَعيدَةُ صَوتٍ في العُلى غَيرُ رافِعٍ
بِهاwithin it صَوتَهُhis voice المَظلومُthe wronged وَالمُتَحَيَّفُand the despoiled
بِها صَوتَهُ المَظلومُ وَالمُتَحَيَّفُ
Far-reaching is its renown in glory; none raises
None hear the oppressed, none hear the cry
his voice within it as one wronged or despoiled.
Of the victim seeking justice, his plaint unheard.
وَنَحنُand we أَعَزُّthe mightiest of الناسِpeople شَرقاًin the east وَمَغرِباًand in the west
وَنَحنُ أَعَزُّ الناسِ شَرقاً وَمَغرِباً
وَأَكرَمُand the noblest of أَبصارٍeyes عَلىupon الأَرضِthe earth تَطرِفُthat blink
وَأَكرَمُ أَبصارٍ عَلى الأَرضِ تَطرِفُ
And we are the mightiest of people, east and west,
Greatest of men in East and West are we,
and the noblest eyes that blink upon the earth.
Noblest of sight upon earth's broad flank.
بَنوsons of كُلِّevery فَيّاضِone overflowing اليَدَينِin both hands مِنَwith النَدىbounty
بَنو كُلِّ فَيّاضِ اليَدَينِ مِنَ النَدى
إِذاwhen جادَhe gives generously أَلغىdisregards ماwhat يَقولُsays المُعَنِّفُthe rebuker
إِذا جادَ أَلغى ما يَقولُ المُعَنِّفُ
Sons of every man whose two hands overflow with bounty,
Sons of the open-handed, sons of dew
who, when he gives, disregards whatever the rebuker says;
Of liberal hand makes vows of the mean shrink.
وَكُلِّand every مُحَيّاًone greeted بِالسَلامِwith peace مُعَظَّمٍhonored
وَكُلِّ مُحَيّاً بِالسَلامِ مُعَظَّمٍ
كَثيرٍmany إِلَيهِtoward him الناظِرُthe onlooker المُتَشَوِّفُeagerly looking
كَثيرٍ إِلَيهِ الناظِرُ المُتَشَوِّفُ
and of every honored man greeted with peace,
Each hailer of peace is exalted in rank,
toward whom many an eager onlooker gazes;
Each gazer enraptured as though at a shrine.
وَأَبيَضَand a fair-faced man بَسّامٍever-smiling كَأَنَّas though جَبينَهُhis brow
وَأَبيَضَ بَسّامٍ كَأَنَّ جَبينَهُ
سَناthe radiance of قَمَرٍa moon أَوor بارِقٌa lightning flash مُتَكَشِّفُunveiled
سَنا قَمَرٍ أَو بارِقٌ مُتَكَشِّفُ
and of a fair-faced, ever-smiling man, whose brow seems
White smiling it seems as if his brow
the radiance of a moon or a lightning flash unveiled.
Were ray of moonlight or lightning's shine.
حَيِيٌّmodest فَإِنbut if سيمَhe is subjected to الهَوانَhumiliation رَأَيتَهُyou see him
حَيِيٌّ فَإِن سيمَ الهَوانَ رَأَيتَهُ
يَشُدُّcharges fiercely وَلاand no ماضيkeen blade الغِرارَينِof two edges مُرهَفُsharpened
يَشُدُّ وَلا ماضي الغِرارَينِ مُرهَفُ
Modest, yet if offered humiliation, you see him
Raise the cloak of humiliation, still you will know
charge as no keen, sharpened double-edged blade can.
No coward's mantle can make his glories fade.
لَناours are الجَبَهاتُthe foreheads المُستَنيراتُradiant فيin العُلىglory
لَنا الجَبَهاتُ المُستَنيراتُ في العُلى
إِذاwhen اِلتَثَمَveiled their faces الأَقوامُthe peoples ذُلّاًin abasement وَأَغدَفواand lowered their veils
إِذا اِلتَثَمَ الأَقوامُ ذُلّاً وَأَغدَفوا
Ours are the foreheads radiant in glory,
For us the luminous brows that rise
when peoples veil their faces in abasement and lower their veils.
When nations crouch, abased and afraid.
أَبوناour forefather الَّذيthe one whose أَبدىbrought forth بِصِفّينَat Siffin سَيفَهُhis sword
أَبونا الَّذي أَبدى بِصِفّينَ سَيفَهُ
ضُغاءَthe whimpering of اِبنِson of هِندٍHind وَالقَناand the spears يَتَقَصَّفُwere splintering
ضُغاءَ اِبنِ هِندٍ وَالقَنا يَتَقَصَّفُ
Our forefather is he whose sword at Siffin drew forth
Our father revealed his sword and its edge
Ibn Hind's whimpering, while the spears splintered;
At Siffin till Hind's son was prone.
وَمِنand from قَبلِbefore ماwhat أَبلىhe achieved valiantly بِبَدرٍat Badr وَغَيرَهاand elsewhere
وَمِن قَبلِ ما أَبلى بِبَدرٍ وَغَيرَها
وَلاand no مَوقِفٍbattlefield إِلّاexcept لَهُhe has فيهِin it مَوقِفُa stand
وَلا مَوقِفٍ إِلّا لَهُ فيهِ مَوقِفُ
and earlier, his valiant deeds at Badr and elsewhere.
Before that, Badr and thicker frays
There is no battlefield where he has not made a stand.
In each a mighty feat was shown.
وَرِثناwe inherited رَسولَthe Messenger of اللَهِGod عُلويَّthe exalted part of مَجدِهِhis glory
وَرِثنا رَسولَ اللَهِ عُلويَّ مَجدِهِ
وَمُعظَمُand most of ماwhat ضَمَّenfolded الصَفاal-Safa وَالمُعَرَّفُand al-Muʿarraf
وَمُعظَمُ ما ضَمَّ الصَفا وَالمُعَرَّفُ
We inherited God's Messenger's exalted glory,
We inherited the Prophet's sublime renown,
and most of what al-Safa and al-Muʿarraf enfold.
We the Precinct's honor and grace.
وَعِندَand in the view of رِجالٍsome men أَنَّthat جُلَّmost of تُراثِهِhis inheritance
وَعِندَ رِجالٍ أَنَّ جُلَّ تُراثِهِ
قَضيبٌa staff مُحَلّىًadorned أَوor رِداءٌa cloak مُفَوَّفُstriped
قَضيبٌ مُحَلّىً أَو رِداءٌ مُفَوَّفُ
Yet some men hold that most of his inheritance
Some say our heritage was but
is an adorned staff or a striped cloak.
Staff streaked with honey or perfumed cloth.
يُريدونَthey want أَنthat نُلقيwe place إِلَيهِمto them أَكُفَّناour palms
يُريدونَ أَن نُلقي إِلَيهِم أَكُفَّنا
وَمِنand with دَمِناour blood أَيديهِمُtheir hands الدَهرَforever تَنطِفُdrip
وَمِن دَمِنا أَيديهِمُ الدَهرَ تَنطِفُ
They want us to place our hands in theirs,
They wish our hands to them were thrown
while their hands forever drip with our blood.
Who doctored faith and made themselves its face.
فَلِلَّهِso, by God! ماhow أَقسىhard ضَمائِرَthe consciences of قَومِناour people
فَلِلَّهِ ما أَقسى ضَمائِرَ قَومِنا
لَقَدindeed جاوَزواthey have exceeded حَدَّthe limit of العُقوقِfilial disloyalty وَأَسرَفواand gone to excess
لَقَد جاوَزوا حَدَّ العُقوقِ وَأَسرَفوا
How hard, by God, are our people's consciences!
This humblest father you see
They have passed the bounds of filial disloyalty and gone to excess.
First in glory, last in the race,
يَضَنّونَthey begrudge أَنthat نُعطىwe be granted نَصيباًa share مِنَof العُلاglory
يَضَنّونَ أَن نُعطى نَصيباً مِنَ العُلا
وَقَدthough already عالَجواthey have grappled with دَينَthe debt of العُلىglory وَتَسَلَّفواand borrowed in advance
وَقَد عالَجوا دَينَ العُلى وَتَسَلَّفوا
They begrudge our being granted a share of glory,
Who reconciles the kings when enraged
though they have grappled with glory's debt and borrowed it.
And murder is writ on each hardened face.
وَهَذاand this is أَبيmy father الأَدنىthe nearest الَّذيwhom تَعرِفونَهُyou know him
وَهَذا أَبي الأَدنى الَّذي تَعرِفونَهُ
مُقَدَّمُforemost in مَجدٍglory أَوَّلٌa pioneer وَمُخَلَّفُand a successor
مُقَدَّمُ مَجدٍ أَوَّلٌ وَمُخَلَّفُ
And this is my own father, whom you know,
If he says, stop wrath, let calm thoughts rule,
foremost in glory, a pioneer and a successor,
They halt though churning with ire inside.
مُؤَلِّفُreconciling ماwhat is بَينَbetween المُلوكِthe kings إِذاwhen هَفَواthey act rashly
مُؤَلِّفُ ما بَينَ المُلوكِ إِذا هَفَوا
وَأَشفَواand draw near عَلىto حَزِّthe severing of الرِقابِnecks وَأَشرَفواand come to the brink
وَأَشفَوا عَلى حَزِّ الرِقابِ وَأَشرَفوا
a reconciler among kings when they act rashly
If he says, peace, don't push things too far,
and approach the cutting of throats, poised on the brink.
Their heads bow though their hearts swell with pride.
إِذاwhen قالَhe says رُدّواbring back غارِبَthe hump of الحِلمِforbearance راجَعواthey relent
إِذا قالَ رُدّوا غارِبَ الحِلمِ راجَعوا
وَإِنand if قالَhe says مَهلاًgently بَعضَless of ذاthis الجَدِّvehemence وَقَّفواthey halt
وَإِن قالَ مَهلاً بَعضَ ذا الجَدِّ وَقَّفوا
When he says, 'Bring back forbearance's hump,' they relent;
Only yesterday, their sovereign prayed
and if he says, 'Easy—less of this vehemence,' they halt.
While turned from him in hatred and doubt.
وَبِالأَمسِand yesterday لَمّاwhen صالَattacked قادِرُthe mighty ruler of مُلكِهِمtheir kingdom
وَبِالأَمسِ لَمّا صالَ قادِرُ مُلكِهِم
وَأَعرَضَand stood revealed مِنهُof him الجانِبُthe side المُتَخَوَّفُdreaded
وَأَعرَضَ مِنهُ الجانِبُ المُتَخَوَّفُ
And yesterday, when their kingdom's mighty ruler attacked,
He tended him gently until the rancor faded
and his dreaded side stood revealed,
And smiling came after the storm and the shout.
تَلافاهُhe won him over حَتّىuntil سامَحَrelinquished الضَغنَrancor قَلبُهُhis heart
تَلافاهُ حَتّى سامَحَ الضَغنَ قَلبُهُ
وَأَسمَحَand he relented لَمّاwhen قيلَit was said لاnot يَتَأَلَّفُhe could be reconciled
وَأَسمَحَ لَمّا قيلَ لا يَتَأَلَّفُ
he won him over until his heart relinquished rancor,
The Lord's Regent he was, his deeds healing
and he relented when it was said he could not be reconciled.
The royal treasure, graceful and deft.
وَكانَand he was وَليُّthe guardian of العَقدِthe compact وَالعَهدِand the covenant بَينَهُbetween him
وَكانَ وَليُّ العَقدِ وَالعَهدِ بَينَهُ
وَبَينَand between بَهاءِBaha المُلكِal-Mulk يَسعىworking وَيَلطُفُand acting tactfully
وَبَينَ بَهاءِ المُلكِ يَسعى وَيَلطُفُ
He oversaw the compact and covenant between him
Till Uqbah's whisperings bred secret treason,
and Baha al-Mulk, working with tact.
Offering the rope of betrayal to cleft.
وَلَمّاand when اِلتَقىhe met نَجوىthe secret counsel of عُقَيلٍʿUqayl لِنَبوَةٍtoward defiance
وَلَمّا اِلتَقى نَجوى عُقَيلٍ لِنَبوَةٍ
وَمَدَّand extended لَهُمto them حَبلاًa rope مِنَof الغَدرِtreachery مُحصَفُa cunning man
وَمَدَّ لَهُم حَبلاً مِنَ الغَدرِ مُحصَفُ
And when he faced ʿUqayl's secret plotting toward defiance,
He turned his shoulder, abandoning them
and a cunning man extended them a rope of treachery,
To the lance's point and the sword's thirst.
لَوىhe twisted عِطفَهُhis flank لَيَّlike the twisting of القَنيِّthe spearshafts رِقابَهُمtheir necks
لَوى عِطفَهُ لَيَّ القَنيِّ رِقابَهُم
وَلَوand had لِسِواهُfor anyone other than him اِستَعطَفواthey sought favor ماnot تَعَطَّفواthey would have relented
وَلَو لِسِواهُ اِستَعطَفوا ما تَعَطَّفوا
he twisted his flank as spearshafts twist their necks;
Had it been other they had sought his grace
and had favor been sought for anyone else, they would not have relented.
And had not spurned it and been the first.
وَسَلand ask مُضَراًMudar لَمّاwhen سَماhe advanced لِدِيارِهاtoward its lands
وَسَل مُضَراً لَمّا سَما لِدِيارِها
فَهَبَّso he sprang up وَنامَwhile slept العاجِزُthe helpless man المُتَضَعَّفُdeemed weak
فَهَبَّ وَنامَ العاجِزُ المُتَضَعَّفُ
And ask Mudar: when he advanced toward their lands,
Summoning Mudar, its protection he vowed.
he sprang into action while the feeble, helpless man slept.
The helpless fell and slept as if drunk
تَوَلَّجَهاhe entered them كَالسَيلِlike a torrent صُلحاًby treaty وَعَنوَةًand by force
تَوَلَّجَها كَالسَيلِ صُلحاً وَعَنوَةً
فَأَبقىso he spared وَرَدَّand sent back البيضَthe bright swords ظَمأىthirsty تَلَهَّفُyearning
فَأَبقى وَرَدَّ البيضَ ظَمأى تَلَهَّفُ
He entered them like a torrent, by treaty and by force,
He flooded it, peace and by force, a torrent
and spared them, returning the bright swords thirsty and yearning.
Leaving the white stars thirsty, forlorn, sunk.
لَهُhe has وَقَفاتٌstands بَالحَجيجِamong the pilgrims شُهودُهاtheir witnesses
لَهُ وَقَفاتٌ بَالحَجيجِ شُهودُها
إِلىuntil عَقِبِthe end of الدُنياthe world مِنىًMina وَالمُخَيَّفُand al-Mukhayyaf
إِلى عَقِبِ الدُنيا مِنىً وَالمُخَيَّفُ
His stands among the pilgrims have as their witnesses,
Scenes of his glory at Minna ever live,
until the world's end, Mina and al-Mukhayyaf.
Signposts for time and for night's dark gate.
وَمِنand of مَأثُراتٍglorious deeds غَيرَother than هاتيكَthose لَمnot تَزَلhave ceased
وَمِن مَأثُراتٍ غَيرَ هاتيكَ لَم تَزَل
لَهاthey have عُنُقٌa neck عالٍlofty عَلىabove الناسِpeople مُشرِفُtowering
لَها عُنُقٌ عالٍ عَلى الناسِ مُشرِفُ
And other glorious deeds besides those still have
Deeds not those alone by which towers are raised
a lofty neck towering above mankind.
High over men by will or by fate.
حَمىhe guarded فاهُhis mouth عَنfrom بُسطِthe carpets of المُلوكِkings وَقَدthough already كَبَتhad fallen prone
حَمى فاهُ عَن بُسطِ المُلوكِ وَقَد كَبَت
عَلَيهاupon them جِباهٌforeheads مِنof رِجالٍmen وَآنُفُand noses
عَلَيها جِباهٌ مِن رِجالٍ وَآنُفُ
He kept his mouth from the carpets of kings, though
Their clamor for power he turned into shame
men's foreheads and noses had fallen upon them.
Though over them regal brows frowned.
زِمامُa rein of عُلاًglory لَوif غَيرُهُanyone other than him رامَsought جَرَّهُto pull it
زِمامُ عُلاً لَو غَيرُهُ رامَ جَرَّهُ
لَساقَwould have driven بِهِwith it حادٍa camel-driver مِنَof الذُلِّhumiliation مُعنِفُharsh
لَساقَ بِهِ حادٍ مِنَ الذُلِّ مُعنِفُ
A rein of glory: had another sought to draw it,
Reins once his, another would find them jerked
a harsh driver of abasement would have driven him by it.
And himself deep in humiliation drowned.
جَرىhe ran ماas far as جَرىhe ran قَبليbefore me وَهاand here أَناI am خَلفَهُbehind him
جَرى ما جَرى قَبلي وَها أَنا خَلفَهُ
إِلىtoward الأَمَدِthe goal الأَقصىfarthest أُغِذُّI hasten وَأوجِفُand gallop
إِلى الأَمَدِ الأَقصى أُغِذُّ وَأوجِفُ
He ran as far as he ran before me; here I am behind him,
My deeds pace his though I follow behind
toward the farthest goal, hastening and galloping.
To time's furthest edge sustained, secure.
وَلَولاand were it not for مُراعاةُregard for الأُبوَّةِfatherhood جُزتُهُI would have surpassed him
وَلَولا مُراعاةُ الأُبوَّةِ جُزتُهُ
وَلَكِنbut لِغَيرِfor something other than العَجزِweakness ماindeed أَتَوَقَّفُI hold back
وَلَكِن لِغَيرِ العَجزِ ما أَتَوَقَّفُ
But for regard for fatherhood, I would have surpassed him,
But for respect I would make him regret
yet it is not through weakness that I hold back.
Though not from weakness do I abstain.
حَذَفتُI cut away فُضولَthe excesses of العَيشِlife حَتّىuntil رَدَدتُهاI brought them back
حَذَفتُ فُضولَ العَيشِ حَتّى رَدَدتُها
إِلىto دونِbelow ماwhat يَرضىis content بِهِwith it المُتَعَفِّفُthe self-denying man
إِلى دونِ ما يَرضى بِهِ المُتَعَفِّفُ
I cut away life's excesses until I brought them
I put away plenty, reducing it
below what even the self-denying would accept.
To what an ascetic would see fit.
وَأَمَّلتُand I hoped أَنto أَجريrace خَفيفاًunburdened إِلىtoward العُلىglory
وَأَمَّلتُ أَن أَجري خَفيفاً إِلى العُلى
إِذاif شِئتُمُyou wish أَنto تَلحَقواcatch up فَتَخَفَّفواthen lighten yourselves
إِذا شِئتُمُ أَن تَلحَقوا فَتَخَفَّفوا
I hoped to race unburdened toward glory;
I hoped to rise light to the most high
if you wish to catch up, lighten yourselves.
If you too would rise, make yourself light.
حَلَفتُI swore بِرَبِّby the Lord of البُدنِthe sacrificial camels تَدمىbleed نُحورُهاtheir throats
حَلَفتُ بِرَبِّ البُدنِ تَدمى نُحورُها
وَبِالنَفَرِand by the companies الأَطوارِof diverse kinds لَبّواwho chanted the pilgrim's call وَعَرَّفواand stood at Arafat
وَبِالنَفَرِ الأَطوارِ لَبّوا وَعَرَّفوا
I swore by the Lord of the sacrificial camels, their throats bleeding,
I swear by the firm-necked steeds, their flanks flecked with blood,
and by the varied bands who chanted the pilgrim's call and stood at Arafat:
That carried the pure when all fled the fight.
لَأَبتَذِلَنَّI shall surely expend النَفسَmy soul حَتّىuntil أَصونَهاI preserve it
لَأَبتَذِلَنَّ النَفسَ حَتّى أَصونَها
وَغَيرِيَwhile someone other than me فيin قَيدٍa fetter مِنَof الذُلِّhumiliation يَرسُفُshuffles in shackles
وَغَيرِيَ في قَيدٍ مِنَ الذُلِّ يَرسُفُ
I shall surely expend my soul until I preserve it,
I will hazard my soul to save it
while another shuffles in humiliation's fetter.
While others are shackled in chains of disgrace.
فَقَدfor indeed طالَماmany a time ضَيَّعتُI squandered فيin العَيشِlife فُرصَةًan opportunity
فَقَد طالَما ضَيَّعتُ في العَيشِ فُرصَةً
وَهَلand does يَنفَعُbenefit المَلهوفُthe anguished man ماwhat يَتَلَهَّفُhe laments
وَهَل يَنفَعُ المَلهوفُ ما يَتَلَهَّفُ
For many a time I let an opportunity in life slip away,
Long the chance for great deeds slipped away
and does all his lamenting help the anguished man?
While the longing soul still longing pined.
وَإِنَّand indeed قَوافيthe rhymes of الشِعرِpoetry ماas long as لَمnot أَكُنI am لَهاthere for them
وَإِنَّ قَوافي الشِعرِ ما لَم أَكُن لَها
مُسَفسَفَةٌdebased فيهاamong them عَتيقٌa thoroughbred وَمُقرِفُand a half-bred
مُسَفسَفَةٌ فيها عَتيقٌ وَمُقرِفُ
And poetry's rhymes, unless I am there for them,
My poetry's rhymes, I was never enthralled
are debased; among them are thoroughbred and half-bred.
By forms borrowed freely or slaves of their time.
أَناI am الفارِسُthe horseman الوَثّابُthe leaping rider فيonto صَهَواتِهاtheir saddlebacks
أَنا الفارِسُ الوَثّابُ في صَهَواتِها
وَكُلُّand every مُجيدٍmaster poet جاءَhas come بَعدِيَafter me مُردَفُa pillion rider
وَكُلُّ مُجيدٍ جاءَ بَعدِيَ مُردَفُ
I am the horseman who leaps onto their saddlebacks,
I am the stalwart knight who ventures them boldly
and every master who has come after me rides pillion.
With each innovator following behind.
Sol 6.1