أَرابَكِtroubled you مِنfrom مَشيبيmy graying ماwhatever أَراباtroubled
أَرابَكِ مِن مَشيبي ما أَرابا
وَماand not هَذاthis البَياضُwhiteness عَلَيَّupon me عاباbrought disgrace
وَما هَذا البَياضُ عَلَيَّ عابا
Let whatever troubles you about my graying trouble you;
Your gray hair does not trouble me,
This whiteness has brought no disgrace upon me.
Nor does this whiteness upon me displease.
لَئِنif indeed أَبغَضتِyou hated مِنّيin me شَيبَthe gray hair رَأسيof my head
لَئِن أَبغَضتِ مِنّي شَيبَ رَأسي
فَإِنّيthen I مُبغِضٌam a hater مِنكِin you الشَباباyouth
فَإِنّي مُبغِضٌ مِنكِ الشَبابا
If you hate in me the gray hair of my head,
If you dislike the gray hair on my head,
Then I hate in you your youth.
Then I dislike your youthfulness.
يَذُمُّreproach البيضُfair women مِنfrom جَزَعٍdistress مَشيبيmy graying
يَذُمُّ البيضُ مِن جَزَعٍ مَشيبي
وَدَلُّand the coquetry البيضِof fair women أَوَّلُthe first ماthing that أَشاباmade gray
وَدَلُّ البيضِ أَوَّلُ ما أَشابا
Fair women reproach my graying in their distress,
My hair turns white with sadness,
Yet fair women's coquetry first turned me gray.
And the onset of gray is the first sign of aging.
وَكانَتand it was سَكرَةٌan intoxication فَصَحَوتُthen I sobered مِنهاfrom it
وَكانَت سَكرَةٌ فَصَحَوتُ مِنها
وَأَنجَبَand proved nobler مَنwhoever أَبىrefused ذاكَthat الشَراباwine
وَأَنجَبَ مَن أَبى ذاكَ الشَرابا
It was an intoxication, and I have sobered from it;
I was once intoxicated but then awakened,
He who refused that wine proved nobler.
And he who refused yielded to wine.
يَميلُsways بيme الهَوىpassion طَرَباًin delight وَأَنأىand I draw away
يَميلُ بي الهَوى طَرَباً وَأَنأى
وَيَجذِبُنيand draws me الصِباyouthful folly غَزَلاًtoward love فَآبىbut I refuse
وَيَجذِبُني الصِبا غَزَلاً فَآبى
Passion sways me with delight, but I draw away;
Passion inclines me to confusion and I recoil,
Youthful folly draws me toward love, but I refuse.
While youthfulness pulls me insistently and I refuse.
وَيَمنَعُنيand restrains me العَفافُchastity كَأَنَّas though بَينيbetween me
وَيَمنَعُني العَفافُ كَأَنَّ بَيني
وَبَينَand between مَآرِبيmy desires مِنهُfrom it هِضاباmountain ridges
وَبَينَ مَآرِبي مِنهُ هِضابا
Chastity restrains me, as though between me
Chastity prevents me as though
And my desires it had set mountain ridges.
Between me and fulfilling my desires lie ridges.
نَصَلتُI slipped free عَنِfrom الصِباyouthful folly وَمُصاحِبيهِand its companions
نَصَلتُ عَنِ الصِبا وَمُصاحِبيهِ
وَأَبدَلَنيand replaced for me الزَمانُtime بِهِمin their place صِحاباcompanions
وَأَبدَلَني الزَمانُ بِهِم صِحابا
I have slipped free of youthful folly and its companions,
I parted from youth and my peers,
And time has given me companions in their place.
And time replaced them with new companions.
وَلَمّاand when جَدَّgrew earnest جَدُّthe resolve البَينِof separation فيناamong us
وَلَمّا جَدَّ جَدُّ البَينِ فينا
وَهَبتُI gave لَهُto it الظَعائِنَthe camel-borne women وَالقِباباand the domed tents
وَهَبتُ لَهُ الظَعائِنَ وَالقِبابا
When separation's resolve grew stern among us,
When separation grew firm between us,
I yielded to it the camel-borne women and the domed tents.
I surrendered the love songs and tents.
وَماand not رَوَّعتُI frightened مِنfrom جَزَعٍdistress جَناناًa heart
وَما رَوَّعتُ مِن جَزَعٍ جَناناً
وَلاand not رَوَّيتُI watered مِنwith دَمعٍtears جَناباa dwelling's grounds
وَلا رَوَّيتُ مِن دَمعٍ جَنابا
I frightened no heart out of anguish,
I did not frighten the gardens with sadness,
Nor watered any dwelling's grounds with tears.
Nor water them with a torrent of tears.
دَعينيlet me أَطلُبُseek الدُنياthe world فَإِنّيfor I
دَعيني أَطلُبُ الدُنيا فَإِنّي
أَرىI consider المَسعودَthe fortunate one مَنwhoever رُزِقَwas granted الطَلاباthe drive to strive
أَرى المَسعودَ مَن رُزِقَ الطَلابا
Let me seek the world, for I
Leave me to seek this world, for I see
Count fortunate the man granted the will to strive,
Good fortune in one who earns a livelihood,
وَمَنand whoever أَبقىleft لِآجِلِهِfor his future حَديثاًa story
وَمَن أَبقى لِآجِلِهِ حَديثاً
وَمَنand whoever عانىundertook لِعاجِلِهِfor his present اِكتِساباearning
وَمَن عانى لِعاجِلِهِ اِكتِسابا
And he who leaves a story for his future,
And leaves behind a legacy for his sake,
And he who labors for gain in his present.
And suffers for the sake of his provision.
وَماand not المَغبونُthe cheated one إِلّاexcept مَنwhoever دَهَتهُit afflicted him
وَما المَغبونُ إِلّا مَن دَهَتهُ
وَلاand not مَجداًglory وَلاand not جِدَةًwealth أَصاباhe attained
وَلا مَجداً وَلا جِدَةً أَصابا
The truly cheated man is only he whom it afflicts,
The only loser is one whom life deceived,
Who has attained neither glory nor wealth.
Who attained neither glory nor merit.
فَلاthen not وَاللَهِby God أَترُكُهاI abandon it خَليّاًcarefree
فَلا وَاللَهِ أَترُكُها خَليّاً
وَلَمّاand not yet أَجنُبِI led beside me الأُسدَthe lions الغِضاباthe angry
وَلَمّا أَجنُبِ الأُسدَ الغِضابا
No, by God, I will not leave it carefree,
No, by God, I will not leave it empty-handed,
Before I have led the angry lions beside me.
Without unleashing the lions of rage upon it.
وَأَركَبُهاand I mount her مُحَصَّنَةًguarded شَبوباًfiery
وَأَركَبُها مُحَصَّنَةً شَبوباً
تُمانِعُdenies غَيرَany but فارِسِهاher rider الرِكاباmounting
تُمانِعُ غَيرَ فارِسِها الرِكابا
I will mount her, guarded and fiery,
I will mount it tightly girded,
Denying mounting to all but her own rider.
As none but its rider occupies the stirrups.
إِذاwhen نَهنَهتُهاI restrained her أَرِنَتshe grew frisky جِماحاًin bolting
إِذا نَهنَهتُها أَرِنَت جِماحاً
إِلىtoward أَمَليmy hope تُجاذِبُنيshe tugs against me جِذاباtugging
إِلى أَمَلي تُجاذِبُني جِذابا
When I restrain her, she exults in bolting,
When I spur it on, it shows its wings,
Tugging against me toward my hope.
Pulling me eagerly toward my hopes.
فَإِمّاthen either أَملَأُI fill الدُنياthe world عَلاءًwith exaltation
فَإِمّا أَملَأُ الدُنيا عَلاءً
وَإِمّاor else أَملَأُI fill الدُنياthe world مُصاباwith calamity
وَإِمّا أَملَأُ الدُنيا مُصابا
Either I shall fill the world with exaltation,
Either I will fill the world with glory,
Or I shall fill the world with calamity.
Or I will fill it with misfortune.
سَجيَّةُthe nature مَنof one who رَعىtended الأَيّامَthe days حَتّىuntil
سَجيَّةُ مَن رَعى الأَيّامَ حَتّى
أَشابَhe made gray جَماجِماًskulls مِنهاamong them وَشاباand grew gray
أَشابَ جَماجِماً مِنها وَشابا
Such is the nature of one who has tended the days until
The nature of one who tends the days until
He has grayed their skulls, and himself grown gray.
He and they turn gray with age.
وَهَلand can تُشويmiss the vital mark حَقائِقُthe certainties أَلمَعيٍّof a keen-witted man
وَهَل تُشوي حَقائِقُ أَلمَعيٍّ
إِذاwhen ماindeed ظَنَّhe surmised أَغرَضَhe hit the target أَوor أَصاباstruck home
إِذا ما ظَنَّ أَغرَضَ أَو أَصابا
Can a keen-witted man's certainties miss their vital mark,
Can truths of the brilliant remain hidden
When his surmise hits the target or strikes home?
If he supposes or attains a purpose?
وَلَمand not أَرَI have seen كَالمَآرِبِlike ambitions رامِياتٍthings casting
وَلَم أَرَ كَالمَآرِبِ رامِياتٍ
بِناus الدُنياthrough the world بِعاداًfar away وَاِقتِراباand close at hand
بِنا الدُنيا بِعاداً وَاِقتِرابا
I have seen nothing like ambitions for casting
I have not seen the blows of fate
Us through the world, far away and close at hand.
Throwing us far and bringing us near like that.
تُخَوِّضُناmake us wade through البِحارَthe seas مُزَمجِراتٍroaring
تُخَوِّضُنا البِحارَ مُزَمجِراتٍ
وَتُسلِكُناand lead us through المَضايِقَthe narrow passages وَالعُقاباand mountain passes
وَتُسلِكُنا المَضايِقَ وَالعُقابا
They drive us into roaring seas,
Roaring seas plunge us into danger,
And lead us through straits and mountain passes.
And treacherous straits lead us astray.
وَأَعظَمُand greater مِنthan عُبابِthe surge البَحرِof the sea حِرصٌis greed
وَأَعظَمُ مِن عُبابِ البَحرِ حِرصٌ
عَلىfor الأَرزاقِsustenance أَركَبَناmade us ride العُباباthe surge
عَلى الأَرزاقِ أَركَبَنا العُبابا
Greater than the sea's swelling surge is the greed
Greater than the perils of the sea is a greed
For sustenance that has set us riding that surge.
For wealth that drives us into excess.
وَغُلبٌand mighty men كَالقَواضِبِlike cutting swords مِنfrom قُرَيشٍQuraysh
وَغُلبٌ كَالقَواضِبِ مِن قُرَيشٍ
يَرَونَthey regard القَواضِبَcutting swords وَالكِعاباand full-breasted maidens
يَرَونَ القَواضِبَ وَالكِعابا
And mighty men of Quraysh, like cutting swords,
There are conquests like ships of Quraysh
Who look upon cutting swords and full-breasted maidens.
They see ships and fleet camels.
فَماfor not وَلَدَbegot الأَجارِبُthe scabby ones مِنof تَميمٍTamim
فَما وَلَدَ الأَجارِبُ مِن تَميمٍ
نَظيرَهُمُtheir equal وَلاnor الشُعرُthe hairy ones الرُقاباin the neck
نَظيرَهُمُ وَلا الشُعرُ الرُقابا
The scabby ones of Tamim have not begotten
The foreigners did not beget
Their equal, nor have the hairy-necked ones.
Anyone like them, nor did the elevated bring forth the likes of them.
وَإِنَّand indeed المَجدَglory قَدalready عَلِمَتknew مَعَدٌّMa'add
وَإِنَّ المَجدَ قَد عَلِمَت مَعَدٌّ
وَدارَand the abode العِزِّof honor وَالنَسَبَand kinship القُراباclose
وَدارَ العِزِّ وَالنَسَبَ القُرابا
Ma'add knows well that glory,
The glory knows the tribe of Ma‘add,
The seat of honor, and close kinship,
The abode of might, lineage, and kinship.
لَأَطوَلِهِمsurely for their longest-reaching إِذاwhen رَكِبواthey ride رِماحاًin spears
لَأَطوَلِهِم إِذا رَكِبوا رِماحاً
وَأَعلاهُمand their loftiest إِذاwhen نَزَلواthey alight قِباباin tents
وَأَعلاهُم إِذا نَزَلوا قِبابا
Belong to those with the longest spears when mounted,
The tallest when they mount spears,
And the loftiest tents when they alight,
The highest when they pitch tents.
وَأَغزَرِهِمand their most abundant إِذاwhen سُئِلواthey are asked عَطاءًin gifts
وَأَغزَرِهِم إِذا سُئِلوا عَطاءً
وَأَوحاهُمand their swiftest إِذاwhen غَضِبواthey are angered ضِراباin striking
وَأَوحاهُم إِذا غَضِبوا ضِرابا
The most abundant gifts when asked,
The most generous when asked to give,
And the swiftest blows when angered.
The fiercest when they are enraged in battle.
بَنوthe sons عَمِّof the uncle النَبيِّof the Prophet وَأَقرَبوهُand his nearest kin
بَنو عَمِّ النَبيِّ وَأَقرَبوهُ
وَأَلصَقُهُمand those of them closest بِهِto him عِرقاًin lineage لُباباpure
وَأَلصَقُهُم بِهِ عِرقاً لُبابا
The sons of the Prophet's uncle and his nearest kin,
The Prophet's paternal uncles, his nearest kin,
Those closest to him in purest lineage.
And those most closely tied to him in bloodline.
عُلىًglory بيدِin the hand الحُسَينِof al-Husayn ذُؤابَتاهاits two crests
عُلىً بيدِ الحُسَينِ ذُؤابَتاها
وَفَرعاهاand its two branches اللَذاthe two which كَثُراgrew abundant وَطاباand grew fine
وَفَرعاها اللَذا كَثُرا وَطابا
Glory whose two crests are in al-Husayn's hand,
‘Ali in the hands of al-Husayn brandished
And whose two branches have grown abundant and fair.
Its hilt, and its blade brought abundant good.
وَكانَتand it was لاnot تُجارُprotected مِنَfrom الأَعاديthe enemies
وَكانَت لا تُجارُ مِنَ الأَعادي
فَسانَدَso supported غَربُهُhis keen edge ذاكَthat النِصاباfoundation
فَسانَدَ غَربُهُ ذاكَ النِصابا
It was not shielded from enemies,
It did not allow the enemies to share in its grace,
So his keen edge buttressed that foundation.
So its west side supported that scabbard.
وَحَصَّنَهاand he fortified it فَلَيسَso not يَنالُcan obtain مِنهاfrom it
وَحَصَّنَها فَلَيسَ يَنالُ مِنها
ذَنوباًa full bucket مَنwhoever يَهُمُّtries وَلاnor ذِناباa scant remainder
ذَنوباً مَن يَهُمُّ وَلا ذِنابا
He fortified it, so none can gain from it
He fortified it, so none who intend evil or sin
A full bucket, or even a scant remainder, however they try.
Can attain it with misdeed or corruption.
هُمامٌa valiant lord ماnot يَزالُceases بِكُلِّin every أَرضٍland
هُمامٌ ما يَزالُ بِكُلِّ أَرضٍ
يُبَرقِعُveils تُربُهاits dust الخَيلَthe horses العِراباthe purebred Arab
يُبَرقِعُ تُربُها الخَيلَ العِرابا
A valiant lord: always, in every land,
They are heroic and in every land
Its dust veils the purebred Arab horses.
Their steeds’ hooves stir the dust.
نَزائِعَchoice steeds كَالسِهامِlike arrows كُسينَwere clothed نَحضاًin flesh
نَزائِعَ كَالسِهامِ كُسينَ نَحضاً
خَفيفاًlight لاnot اللُؤامَmatched arrow-feathers وَلاnor اللُغاباmismatched arrow-feathers
خَفيفاً لا اللُؤامَ وَلا اللُغابا
Choice steeds, like arrows, clothed in flesh
Like well-aimed arrows and polished blades,
That is light—not in matched feathers or mismatched ones.
Light yet not crooked or bent.
مُحَبَّسَةًheld in readiness عَلىfor الأَهوالِterrors تَلقىyou meet
مُحَبَّسَةً عَلى الأَهوالِ تَلقى
بِهاwith them العُقبانَthe eagles رافِعَةَraising الذُنابىthe tail-feathers
بِها العُقبانَ رافِعَةَ الذُنابى
Held in readiness for terrors; you meet
Imprisoned by calamities, they meet
With them the eagles, their tail-feathers raised.
The misfortunes with raised tails.
يُوَقِّرُهاhe steadies them فَتَحسَبُهاso you think them أُسوداًlions
يُوَقِّرُها فَتَحسَبُها أُسوداً
وَيُطلِقُهاand he releases them فَتَحسَبُهاso you think them ذِئاباwolves
وَيُطلِقُها فَتَحسَبُها ذِئابا
He holds them steady, and you think them lions;
He honors them thinking them lions
He lets them loose, and you think them wolves.
And unleashes them thinking them wolves.
وَأَعطَتهُand gave him الرُؤوسَthe heads مُسَوَّماتٌmarked steeds
وَأَعطَتهُ الرُؤوسَ مُسَوَّماتٌ
تَدُقُّyou crush بِهاwith them الجَنادِلَthe boulders وَالظِراباand the hillocks
تَدُقُّ بِها الجَنادِلَ وَالظِرابا
Marked steeds have yielded him their heads,
They gave him the heads - bloodstained witnessed -
With which you crush boulders and hillocks.
With which he pounds the skulls and breastbones.
إِذاwhen قَطَعَتthey covered بِهِcarrying him شَأواًa distance بَلاهاhe tested them
إِذا قَطَعَت بِهِ شَأواً بَلاها
بِأَبعَدَwith a farther غايَةٍgoal وَأَمَدَّand a longer قاباspan
بِأَبعَدَ غايَةٍ وَأَمَدَّ قابا
When they have carried him a distance, he tests them
If he disputes with them a matter, he resolves it
With a farther goal and a longer span.
By taking it to the farthest extent.
تَجاوَزُهُpass him by المَقاوِلُthe chieftains وَهوَwhile he باقٍremains
تَجاوَزُهُ المَقاوِلُ وَهوَ باقٍ
يَبُذُّoutstrips رِقابَthe necks غُلبِهِمِof their champions غِلاباin rivalry
يَبُذُّ رِقابَ غُلبِهِمِ غِلابا
Chieftains pass him by, while he endures,
They threaten him and he remains steadfast,
Outstripping the necks of their champions in rivalry.
Severing the necks of their warriors with conquest.
كَنَصلِlike the blade السَيفِof a sword تَسلَمُstay sound شَفرَتاهُits two edges
كَنَصلِ السَيفِ تَسلَمُ شَفرَتاهُ
وَيُخلِقُand it wears out كُلَّevery أَيّامٍfew days قِراباa sheath
وَيُخلِقُ كُلَّ أَيّامٍ قِرابا
Like a sword-blade whose two edges stay sound,
Like the hilt of a sword kept sharp,
While every few days it wears out another sheath.
He creates new glories every day.
إِذاwhen اِشتَجَرَentangled القَناthe spears فَصَلَhe severed الهَواديthe necks
إِذا اِشتَجَرَ القَنا فَصَلَ الهَوادي
وَإِنand if قَرَّfalls still الوَغىthe battle فَصَلَhe settles الخِطاباthe discourse
وَإِن قَرَّ الوَغى فَصَلَ الخِطابا
When the spears entangle, he severs necks;
When the valley is tumultuous he separates the discord,
When battle falls still, he settles discourse.
And when the conflict calms he concludes the arguments.
بَلىindeed وَبَلَتand tested يَداهُhis two hands مِنَamong الأَعاديthe enemies
بَلى وَبَلَت يَداهُ مِنَ الأَعادي
أَراقِمَvipers نُزَّعاًdarting وَقَناًand spears صِلاباrigid
أَراقِمَ نُزَّعاً وَقَناً صِلابا
Indeed, his hands have tested, among his foes,
Yes, his hands have indeed
Darting vipers and rigid spears.
Spilled the blood of many obstinate enemies.
فَقَوَّمَso he straightened بِالأَذىwith hurt مِنهاamong them صِعاداًspear-shafts
فَقَوَّمَ بِالأَذى مِنها صِعاداً
وَذَلَّلَand he tamed بِالرُقىwith charms مِنهاamong them صِعاباintractable ones
وَذَلَّلَ بِالرُقى مِنها صِعابا
With hurt he straightened their spear-shafts,
So he rectified the wrongs among them with harm
And with charms he tamed their intractable serpents.
And subdued the ruggedness in them with kindness.
وَغادَرَand he left كُلَّevery أَرقَمَviper ذيpossessing طُلوعٍa rising
وَغادَرَ كُلَّ أَرقَمَ ذي طُلوعٍ
عَلىagainst الأَعداءِthe foes يَدَّرِعُarmors itself with التُراباthe dust
عَلى الأَعداءِ يَدَّرِعُ التُرابا
He left every viper that reared
He spared every hand dyed red in battle
Against enemies itself armored in dust.
To cover the enemies with dust.
حَذارِbeware بَنيsons الضَغائِنِof rancor مِنof جَريٍّa daring man
حَذارِ بَني الضَغائِنِ مِن جَريٍّ
إِذاwhen ماindeed الرَيبُperil بادَهَهُsurprised him أَراباhe aroused alarm
إِذا ما الرَيبُ بادَهَهُ أَرابا
Beware, sons of rancor, of a daring man
Beware of the rancor of Banū l-Ḍughaynah
Who arouses alarm when peril surprises him.
When doubts expose their hidden spite.
يَعَضُّhe bites عَلىupon لَواحِظَsidelong glances أُفعُوانٍof a great serpent
يَعَضُّ عَلى لَواحِظَ أُفعُوانٍ
فَإِنthen if سيمَhe was subjected to الأَذىharm طَلَبَhe sought الوِثاباspringing
فَإِن سيمَ الأَذى طَلَبَ الوِثابا
He bites down on a great serpent's sidelong glances;
They strike with the fangs of deadly snakes -
If subjected to harm, he seeks to spring.
If the injury is reported the leap comes easily.
وَإِنَّand indeed وَراءَbehind ذاكَthat الحِلمِforbearance صَولاًis an onslaught
وَإِنَّ وَراءَ ذاكَ الحِلمِ صَولاً
وَإِنَّand indeed لِتِلكُمُfor that البُقياclemency عِقاباis punishment
وَإِنَّ لِتِلكُمُ البُقيا عِقابا
Behind that forbearance lies an onslaught,
Behind that forbearance is ferocity,
And that clemency has its punishment.
And for those smiles lies a punishment.
وَلَوand even if أَنَّthat الضَراغِمَthe lions نابَذَتهُchallenged him
وَلَو أَنَّ الضَراغِمَ نابَذَتهُ
تَوَلَّجَhe would enter خَلفَهاbehind them أَجَماًthickets وَغاباand forests
تَوَلَّجَ خَلفَها أَجَماً وَغابا
Were lions to challenge him,
Had calamities assailed him,
He would pursue them into thickets and forests.
He would have slipped away behind them for some time.
رَماكُمhe assailed you بِالضَوامِرِwith lean steeds مُقرَباتٍkept close at hand
رَماكُم بِالضَوامِرِ مُقرَباتٍ
يُزاوِلنَthey negotiate المَحانِيَthe bends وَالشِعاباand the ravines
يُزاوِلنَ المَحانِيَ وَالشِعابا
He hurled at you lean steeds kept close at hand,
You threw them with shots from a bow bent double,
Negotiating bends and ravines.
Cleaving the mountain paths and ravines.
وَيُعجِلنَand they outpace الصَريخَthe caller for help وَهُنَّwhile they زَورٌare visitors
وَيُعجِلنَ الصَريخَ وَهُنَّ زَورٌ
إِلىto الأَعداءِthe enemies يُرسِلنَthey let flow اللُعاباsaliva
إِلى الأَعداءِ يُرسِلنَ اللُعابا
They outpace the caller for help, and come as visitors
And you hastened their shriek though it was false
To the enemy, letting their saliva stream.
To release spittle at the enemies.
فَأَرعىso he made graze مِنfrom جَماجِمِكُمyour skulls جَميماًa dense growth
فَأَرعى مِن جَماجِمِكُم جَميماً
وَأَمطَرَand he rained down مِنfrom دِمائِكُمُyour blood سَحاباclouds
وَأَمطَرَ مِن دِمائِكُمُ سَحابا
He grazed them on a thick growth of your skulls,
So it guarded their skulls, raining down
And poured down clouds of your blood.
A cloud from their blood.
لَكَyours الهِمَمُthe high resolves الَّتيwhich عَرَفَknow الأَعاديthe enemies
لَكَ الهِمَمُ الَّتي عَرَفَ الأَعادي
تَشُبُّkindle بِكُلِّin every مُظلِمَةٍdarkness شِهاباa flame
تَشُبُّ بِكُلِّ مُظلِمَةٍ شِهابا
Yours are the high resolves your enemies know,
Yours are the resolves the enemies have known
Kindling a flame in every darkness.
To flame in every darkness like meteors.
إِذاwhen خَفَقَتstirred رِياحُthe winds العَزمِof resolve فيهاwithin them
إِذا خَفَقَت رِياحُ العَزمِ فيها
تَبَلَّجَbrightened عارِضٌa cloud مِنهاfrom them فَصاباthen poured
تَبَلَّجَ عارِضٌ مِنها فَصابا
When the winds of resolve stir within them,
When the winds of determination flare up in them,
A cloud gleams forth from them and pours down.
A dazzling lightning bolt strikes from them.
وَمُشرَعَةِand a host with leveled الأَسِنَّةِspearheads ذاتِpossessing جَرسٍa din
وَمُشرَعَةِ الأَسِنَّةِ ذاتِ جَرسٍ
يَقودُleads عُقابُthe eagle رايَتِهاof its banner العُقاباthe eagles
يَقودُ عُقابُ رايَتِها العُقابا
And many a host with leveled spearheads, ringing loud,
With bared blades and clashing noise,
Its banner's eagle leading the eagles,
Their standard is carried by soaring eagles.
تَخوضُwades through اللَيلَthe night يَلمَعُflash جانِباهاits two flanks
تَخوضُ اللَيلَ يَلمَعُ جانِباها
كَأَنَّas though الصُبحَdawn قَدalready حَدَرَlowered النِقاباthe veil
كَأَنَّ الصُبحَ قَد حَدَرَ النِقابا
Wades through night, its flanks flashing,
They penetrate the night; its sides shine
As though dawn had drawn down its veil.
As though dawn has let down its veil.
لَهاit has فيin فُرجَةِthe opening الفَجرِof dawn اِختِلاطٌa tumult
لَها في فُرجَةِ الفَجرِ اِختِلاطٌ
يَرُدُّreturns الصُبحَmorning مِنbecause of رَهَجٍdust غِياباto concealment
يَرُدُّ الصُبحَ مِن رَهَجٍ غِيابا
At dawn's first opening it raises such tumult
At first light they blend in,
That its dust veils the morning from sight.
Repelling dawn with the darkness of their departure.
وَتَغدوand sets forth كَالكَواكِبِlike stars لامِعاتٍgleaming
وَتَغدو كَالكَواكِبِ لامِعاتٍ
تُمَزِّقُrends مِنfrom عَجاجَتِهاits dust cloud الحِجاباthe veil
تُمَزِّقُ مِن عَجاجَتِها الحِجابا
It sets forth like gleaming stars,
They rise like shining stars
Rending the veil of its own dust cloud.
Shredding the veil of dark with their brilliance.
يُصافِحُهاclasps hands with it شُعاعُthe ray الشَمسِof the sun حَتّىuntil
يُصافِحُها شُعاعُ الشَمسِ حَتّى
كَأَنَّas though عَلىupon الظُبىthe blades ذَهَباًgold مُذاباmolten
كَأَنَّ عَلى الظُبى ذَهَباً مُذابا
Sunbeams clasp hands with it, until
The rays of sunlight greet them
The blades seem covered in molten gold.
As though the mountain gazelles were bathed in melted gold.
صَدَمتَyou struck بِهاwith it العَدوَّthe foe وَأَنتَwhile you تَدعوcall
صَدَمتَ بِها العَدوَّ وَأَنتَ تَدعو
نَزالِcome to combat فَأَيُّthen which داعِيَةٍchallenger أَجاباanswered
نَزالِ فَأَيُّ داعِيَةٍ أَجابا
With it you struck the enemy, calling
You attacked the foe while supplicating
'Come to combat!'—and which challenger answered?
Battle - so which call was more graciously answered?
وَقَوَّضتَand you struck down الخِيامَthe tents تَذُبُّward off عَنهاfrom them
وَقَوَّضتَ الخِيامَ تَذُبُّ عَنها
أُسودُlions وَغىًof battle وَأَصفَرتَand you emptied الوِطاباthe milk-skins
أُسودُ وَغىً وَأَصفَرتَ الوِطابا
You struck down the tents, defended by
You demolished the tents, though lions protected them,
Lions of battle, and emptied the milk-skins.
And you yellowed the pastures.
رَأَيناwe saw الطايِعَal-Ta'i المَيمونَthe auspicious بَدءاًat first
رَأَينا الطايِعَ المَيمونَ بَدءاً
يَسُلُّكَdrawing you forth فيin النَوائِبِcalamities وَاِعتِقاباand afterward
يَسُلُّكَ في النَوائِبِ وَاِعتِقابا
We saw the auspicious al-Ta'i, from the first,
We saw good fortune leading you smoothly at first
Drawing you forth in calamities, and afterward.
Through difficulties and returning to the attack.
وَلَمّاand when جَرَّبَhe tested البيضَthe white swords المَواضيthe keen
وَلَمّا جَرَّبَ البيضَ المَواضي
رَآكَhe saw you مِنَthan الظُبىthe blades أَمضىkeener ذُباباin point
رَآكَ مِنَ الظُبى أَمضى ذُبابا
When he tested the keen white swords,
When it tested the whites in the meadows
He found your point keener than those blades.
It found you firmer than any housefly.
فَأَلحَمَكَthen he pitted you against العِدىthe foes حَتّىuntil تَهاوَواthey fell
فَأَلحَمَكَ العِدى حَتّى تَهاوَوا
وَلاand not دِمَناًheaps of rancor تَحِسُّyou sense وَلاnor ضِباباlizards
وَلا دِمَناً تَحِسُّ وَلا ضِبابا
He thrust you into battle with the foes until they fell,
It joined you to the foe until they collapsed
And you sensed neither heaps of rancor nor lurking lizards.
And you sensed neither blood nor dust.
هُناكَthere قُدومُthe coming أَعيادٍof festivals طِراقٍsuccessive
هُناكَ قُدومُ أَعيادٍ طِراقٍ
تَصوبُpour العِزَّhonor ماwherever وَجَدَتthey find مَصاباan outlet
تَصوبُ العِزَّ ما وَجَدَت مَصابا
There come festivals, one after another,
There were happy feast days coming to you
Pouring down honor wherever they find an outlet.
To restore might wherever it was lost.
وَأَيّامٌand days تَجوزُpass عَلَيكَover you بيضٌbright
وَأَيّامٌ تَجوزُ عَلَيكَ بيضٌ
وَقَدand already قَرَعَتthey knocked مِنَof الإِقبالِgood fortune باباa door
وَقَد قَرَعَت مِنَ الإِقبالِ بابا
Bright days pass over you,
And days passing over you bringing glad tidings,
Having knocked upon a door of good fortune.
After knocking at the door of favors.
فَكَمso how many يَومٍa day كَيَومِكَlike your day قُدتَyou led فيهِin it
فَكَم يَومٍ كَيَومِكَ قُدتَ فيهِ
عَلىupon الغُرَرِwhite-blazed steeds المَقانِبِcavalry squadrons وَالرِكاباand riding-camels
عَلى الغُرَرِ المَقانِبِ وَالرِكابا
How many a day like yours have you led
How many days were there like your day
Cavalry squadrons and riding-camels, astride white-blazed steeds,
When you led the risky raids and mounted warriors?
إِلىto البَلَدِthe city الأَمينِthe secure مُقَوَّماتٍwell-trained
إِلى البَلَدِ الأَمينِ مُقَوَّماتٍ
يُماطِلُهاit delays them التَعَجُّلَhastening وَالإِياباand returning
يُماطِلُها التَعَجُّلَ وَالإِيابا
Toward the Secure City, well-trained,
To the secure city, columns heading
Which delays their haste and their return.
For delay though they hastened and returned
بِحَيثُwhere تُفَرِّغُunload الكومُthe high-humped المَطاياriding-camels
بِحَيثُ تُفَرِّغُ الكومُ المَطايا
حَقائِبَهاtheir bags وَتَحتَقِبُand shoulder الثَواباthe reward
حَقائِبَها وَتَحتَقِبُ الثَوابا
Where the high-humped riding-camels unload
Where the caravan empties its bundles
Their baggage and shoulder their reward.
And hopes to gain the reward.
مَعالِمُlandmarks إِنif أَجالَturns الطَرفَthe gaze فيهاamong them
مَعالِمُ إِن أَجالَ الطَرفَ فيها
مُصِرُّthe obstinate one القَومِof the people أَقلَعَdesists أَوor أَناباrepents
مُصِرُّ القَومِ أَقلَعَ أَو أَنابا
Landmarks where, if he lets his gaze roam among them,
If he strains his eyes upon its landmarks,
The people's obstinate man desists or repents.
The people's guide turns back or returns.
فَفُزتَso you won بِهاthrough them ثَمانِيَeight مُعلَماتٍdistinguished ones
فَفُزتَ بِها ثَمانِيَ مُعلَماتٍ
نَصَرتَyou supported بِهاthrough them النُبوَّةَprophethood وَالكِتاباand the Book
نَصَرتَ بِها النُبوَّةَ وَالكِتابا
Thus you gained through them eight distinguished achievements,
You won it with eight pillars
Through which you championed prophethood and the Book.
Through which you supported prophethood and scripture.
بَعَثتُI sent لَكَto you الثَناءَpraise عَلىfor صَنيعٍa benefaction
بَعَثتُ لَكَ الثَناءَ عَلى صَنيعٍ
إِذاwhen ماindeed هِبتَyou feared دَعوَتَهُits summons أَهاباit summoned
إِذا ما هِبتَ دَعوَتَهُ أَهابا
I sent you praise for a deed of kindness
I sent you congratulations for your feat
Which called you forth whenever you feared its summons.
Whenever you answered its call boldly.
رَغائِبُbounties قَدalready قَطَعنَhave ended حَنينَthe yearning عيسٍof pale camels
رَغائِبُ قَد قَطَعنَ حَنينَ عيسٍ
فَلاso not نَأياًdistance أُريغُI seek وَلاnor اِغتِراباexile
فَلا نَأياً أُريغُ وَلا اِغتِرابا
Bounties that have silenced the yearning of pale camels,
The yearnings of ‘Īsá have been cut off,
So I seek neither distance nor exile.
So I neither retreat nor withdraw.
وَقَبلَand before اليَومِtoday ماnot أَغمَدنَthey sheathed عَنّيaway from me
وَقَبلَ اليَومِ ما أَغمَدنَ عَنّي
مِنَof الأَيّامِthe days نائِبَةًa calamity وَناباand a fang
مِنَ الأَيّامِ نائِبَةً وَنابا
Before today, they had not sheathed away from me
What days have concealed from me
Any calamity of the days, or any fang.
Of misfortunes and returning - before today!
Sol 6.1