وَسَمَتكَmay it mark you حالِيَةُthe adornment الرَبيعِof spring المُرهِمُsoft-raining
وَسَمَتكَ حالِيَةُ الرَبيعِ المُرهِمُ
وَسَقَتكَand may it water you ساقِيَةُthe watering stream الغَمامِof clouds المُرزِمِthundering
وَسَقَتكَ ساقِيَةُ الغَمامِ المُرزِمِ
May the adornment of soft-raining spring grace you,
The morning breeze of spring caressed you,
And may the stream of the thundering clouds water you.
And the drizzle of laden clouds watered you.
وَغَدَتand may it come at dawn عَلَيكَupon you مِنَfrom الحَياrain بِمُوَدِّعٍwith a farewell-bearer
وَغَدَت عَلَيكَ مِنَ الحَيا بِمُوَدِّعٍ
لاnot عَنfrom قِلىًaversion وَمِنَand from النَدىdew بِمُسَلِّمِwith a greeter
لا عَن قِلىً وَمِنَ النَدى بِمُسَلِّمِ
And may it come at dawn with rain bidding you farewell,
Life bid you farewell with great affection,
Not out of aversion, and with dew greeting you.
With neither scarcity nor dew being stingy.
قَدindeed كُنتُI used to أَعذُلُreproach قَبلَbefore مَوتِكَyour death مَنwhoever بَكىwept
قَد كُنتُ أَعذُلُ قَبلَ مَوتِكَ مَن بَكى
فَاليَومَbut today ليfor me عَجَبٌastonishment مِنَat المُتَبَسِّمِthe smiling one
فَاليَومَ لي عَجَبٌ مِنَ المُتَبَسِّمِ
Before your death I used to reproach whoever wept;
Before your death, I would chide those who wept.
Today I marvel at anyone who smiles.
But today, I wonder at those who smile.
وَأَذودُand I ward off دَمعيmy tears أَنlest يَبُلَّthey wet مَحاجِريmy eye sockets
وَأَذودُ دَمعي أَن يَبُلَّ مَحاجِري
فَاليَومَbut today أَعلَمُهُI teach them بِماwhat لَمnot يَعلَمِthey knew
فَاليَومَ أَعلَمُهُ بِما لَم يَعلَمِ
And I used to keep my tears from wetting my eye sockets;
I hold back my tears lest they stain my cheeks.
Today I teach them what they never knew.
Today I know what I did not know before.
لاnever قُلتُshall I say بَعدَكَafter you لِلمَدامِعِto the tear ducts كَفكِفيhold back
لا قُلتُ بَعدَكَ لِلمَدامِعِ كَفكِفي
مِنfrom عَبرَةٍa tear وَلَوَeven if اِنَّindeed دَمعيmy tears مِنfrom دَميmy blood
مِن عَبرَةٍ وَلَوَ اِنَّ دَمعي مِن دَمي
Never, after you, shall I tell my tear ducts to hold back
After you, I told my tears: Stop flowing
A tear, even if my tears are drawn from my blood.
Out of grief, even if my tears are made of blood.
إِنَّindeed اِبنَthe son of موسىMusa وَالبَقاءُand life إِلىuntil مَدىًa term
إِنَّ اِبنَ موسى وَالبَقاءُ إِلى مَدىً
أَعطىhe yielded القِيادَthe reins بِمارِنٍwith a supple nose لَمnever يُخطَمِwas haltered
أَعطى القِيادَ بِمارِنٍ لَم يُخطَمِ
Indeed Ibn Musa—life lasts only to a term—
The son of Musa and eternal life
Yielded the reins with a nose never before haltered.
Gave leadership with palms that were unscarred.
وَمَضىand he passed away رَحيضَwashed clean الثَوبِin garment غَيرَnot مُدَنَّسٍstained
وَمَضى رَحيضَ الثَوبِ غَيرَ مُدَنَّسٍ
وَقَضىand he died نَقِيَّpure العودِin stock غَيرَnot مُوَصَّمِblemished
وَقَضى نَقِيَّ العودِ غَيرَ مُوَصَّمِ
And passed away with his garment washed clean, unstained,
He left his clothes unstained,
And died pure of stock, without a blemish.
And his chaste being unmarred.
وَحَماهُand protected him أَبيَضُthe spotlessness عِرضِهِof his honor وَثَنائِهُand his good name
وَحَماهُ أَبيَضُ عِرضِهِ وَثَنائِهُ
ضَمُّclasping اليَدَينِboth hands إِلىaround بَياضِthe whiteness الدِرهَمِof the dirham
ضَمُّ اليَدَينِ إِلى بَياضِ الدِرهَمِ
And his spotless honor and good name protected him
The whiteness of his honor and praise protected him,
From clasping both hands around the gleaming dirham.
Like clasped hands over unblemished coins.
وَغَنيand he had no need عَنِof الدُنياthe world وَكانَand he was شَجىًa choking bone لَهاfor it
وَغَني عَنِ الدُنيا وَكانَ شَجىً لَها
إِنَّindeed الغَنِيَّthe wealthy man قَذىًa mote لِطَرفِin the eye المُعدِمِof the penniless
إِنَّ الغَنِيَّ قَذىً لِطَرفِ المُعدِمِ
He needed nothing from the world and was a choking bone in its throat;
He was needless of this world though he mourned it,
The wealthy man is a mote in the penniless man's eye.
For the wealthy are but firewood for the destitute.
مَلَأَhe filled الزَمانَthe age مَنائِحاًwith gifts وَجَرائِحاًand wounds
مَلَأَ الزَمانَ مَنائِحاً وَجَرائِحاً
خَبَطاًstriking بِبُؤسىwith misery فيamong الرِجالِmen وَأَنعُمِand blessings
خَبَطاً بِبُؤسى في الرِجالِ وَأَنعُمِ
He filled the age with gifts and wounds,
He filled time with tragedies and wounds,
Striking among men with misery and blessings.
Roving amongst men, both happy and miserable.
وَاِستَخدَمَand he employed الأَيّامَthe days فيfor أَوطارِهِhis purposes
وَاِستَخدَمَ الأَيّامَ في أَوطارِهِ
فَبَلَغنَso they reached أَبعَدَthe farthest غايَةِlimit المُستَخدَمِof the servant
فَبَلَغنَ أَبعَدَ غايَةِ المُستَخدَمِ
And put the days to work for his purposes;
He made the most of his days in their phases,
They reached the farthest limit of service.
Until he reached the furthest extent of service.
اليَومَtoday أَغمَدتُI sheathed المُهَنَّدَthe Indian-forged sword فيin الثَرىthe earth
اليَومَ أَغمَدتُ المُهَنَّدَ في الثَرى
وَدَفَنتُand I buried هَضبَthe heights مُتالِعٍof Mutaliʿ وَيَلَملَمِand Yalamlam
وَدَفَنتُ هَضبَ مُتالِعٍ وَيَلَملَمِ
Today I have sheathed the Indian-forged sword in the earth,
Today I sheathed the polished sword in the earth,
And buried the heights of Mutaliʿ and Yalamlam.
And buried the peak of great mountains.
وَغَدَتand became عَرانينُthe noses العُلىof high honor وَأَكُفُّهاand its hands
وَغَدَت عَرانينُ العُلى وَأَكُفُّها
مِنfrom بَينِamong أَجدَعَthe nose-severed بَعدَهُafter him أَوor أَجذَمِthe hand-severed
مِن بَينِ أَجدَعَ بَعدَهُ أَو أَجذَمِ
And the noses of high honor and its hands have become
The maidens of nobility now walk barefoot,
Either bereft of nose or bereft of hand after him.
Mutilated after him or completely lame.
مُتَبَلِّجٌradiant كَرَماًwith generosity إِذاwhen سُئِلَwas requested الجَداbounty
مُتَبَلِّجٌ كَرَماً إِذا سُئِلَ الجَدا
مَطَرَhe rained النَدىbounty أَمَماًclose at hand وَلَمand never يَتَغَيَّمِgrew overcast
مَطَرَ النَدى أَمَماً وَلَم يَتَغَيَّمِ
Radiant with generosity whenever bounty was sought,
Smiling through his generosity when asked to give,
He rained bounty close at hand, never clouding over.
He rained dew withoutgathering clouds.
جَذلانُjoyous تُطلِعُreveal مِنهُin him أَندِيَةُthe assemblies العُلىof high honor
جَذلانُ تُطلِعُ مِنهُ أَندِيَةُ العُلى
وَجهاًa face كَريمَnoble الخَدِّof cheek غَيرَnot مُلَطَّمِslapped
وَجهاً كَريمَ الخَدِّ غَيرَ مُلَطَّمِ
Joyous, the assemblies of high honor revealed in him
Slender, yet revealing the brilliance of nobility,
A face of noble cheek, never slapped.
A face like the reddened cheek, unblemished.
يَرميhe meets المَغارِمَfinancial burdens بِالتِلادِwith inherited wealth وَيَنثَنيand turns away
يَرمي المَغارِمَ بِالتِلادِ وَيَنثَني
ثَلِجَcool الضَميرِof heart كَأَنَّهُas though he لَمhad not يُغرَمِpaid a loss
ثَلِجَ الضَميرِ كَأَنَّهُ لَم يُغرَمِ
He met financial burdens with his inherited wealth, then turned away
He throws away treasures casually,
With a cool heart, as though he had paid nothing.
As if his conscience were frozen, untouched by love.
الواهِبَthe giver النَعَمَof camels الجَراجِرَbellowing عادَةًas a habit
الواهِبَ النَعَمَ الجَراجِرَ عادَةً
مِنfrom ذيone possessing يَدَينِtwo hands إِذاwhen سَخاhe gave generously لَمnever يَندَمِregretted
مِن ذي يَدَينِ إِذا سَخا لَم يَندَمِ
The giver of bellowing camels, as his custom was,
The Giver of Bounties by nature,
From a man with two giving hands, who never regretted generosity.
Never regrets what He gives with His two hands.
جاءَتcame بِهاwith them حُمرَthe ruddy growth الرَبيعِof spring مَشيدَةًtall-grown
جاءَت بِها حُمرَ الرَبيعِ مَشيدَةً
حَمراءَred تَحسَبُهاyou would think them عُروقَroots العَندَمِof red dyewood
حَمراءَ تَحسَبُها عُروقَ العَندَمِ
Spring's ruddy growth brought them forth, tall-grown,
They came with the red blossoms of spring,
Red, as though they were roots of red dyewood.
Red as if they were the veins of oleander.
مُتَبَقِّلاتٌgrazing herbs بِاللَديدِat al-Ladid وَرامَةٍand Rama
مُتَبَقِّلاتٌ بِاللَديدِ وَرامَةٍ
بَينَamong القَناlances المَنزوعِpulled free وَالمُتَلَهذِمِand splintered
بَينَ القَنا المَنزوعِ وَالمُتَلَهذِمِ
Grazing on fresh herbs at al-Ladid and Rama,
Half-asleep amidst branches and vineyards,
Among lances pulled free and splintered.
Between severed cane and crumbling pillars.
بِيَدَيin the two hands of أَغَرَّa radiant man يَرُدُّhe brings back أَلوِيَةَbanners القَناof lances
بِيَدَي أَغَرَّ يَرُدُّ أَلوِيَةَ القَنا
غِبَّafter الوَقائِعِthe battles يُعتَصَرنَthey are wrung out مِنَof الدَمِblood
غِبَّ الوَقائِعِ يُعتَصَرنَ مِنَ الدَمِ
In the hands of a radiant man who brought back the lance-banners
With his hands he turns back the banners of cane,
After battles, with blood wrung from them.
Squeezing blood from the thick of events.
وَيَقولُand he says لِلنَفسِto the soul الكَريمَةِnoble سَلِّميyield yourself
وَيَقولُ لِلنَفسِ الكَريمَةِ سَلِّمي
يَومَon the day اللِقاءِof battle وَلاand not يَقولُhe says لَهاto it اِسلَميstay safe
يَومَ اللِقاءِ وَلا يَقولُ لَها اِسلَمي
And told his noble soul, 'Yield yourself,'
And he says to his noble soul: Greet
On the day of battle, not, 'Keep yourself safe.'
The day of meeting, but do not say: I submit!
هَتَفَcalled الحِمامُdeath بِهِto him فَكانَso it was وَصاتَهُhis final injunction
هَتَفَ الحِمامُ بِهِ فَكانَ وَصاتَهُ
بَذلُbestowing الرَغائِبِprized gifts وَاِحتِمالُand bearing المَغرَمِfinancial burdens
بَذلُ الرَغائِبِ وَاِحتِمالُ المَغرَمِ
Death called him, and his last injunction was
The doves called him, so their covenant with him
To bestow prized gifts and shoulder financial burdens.
Was sacrificing pleasures and bearing difficulties.
هَلdoes يورِثُleave as inheritance الرَجُلُthe man الكَريمُnoble إِذاwhen مَضىhe departs
هَل يورِثُ الرَجُلُ الكَريمُ إِذا مَضى
إِلّاexcept بَواقِيَlasting remnants مِنof عُلىًhigh honor وَتَكَرُّمِand generosity
إِلّا بَواقِيَ مِن عُلىً وَتَكَرُّمِ
When a noble man departs, does he leave
Does the generous man bequeath after death
Anything but enduring honors and generosity?
Anything but the best of honor and nobility?
يَأبىrefuses النَدىgenerosity تَركَleaving الثَراءِwealth عَلىwith الفَتىthe man
يَأبى النَدى تَركَ الثَراءِ عَلى الفَتى
وَيَقِلُّand is small ميراثُthe inheritance الجَوادِof the generous man المُنعِمِthe benefactor
وَيَقِلُّ ميراثُ الجَوادِ المُنعِمِ
Generosity refuses to leave wealth with a man,
The dew refuses to stop raining on the youth,
And small is the inheritance of the generous benefactor.
And the inheritance of the generous is scarce.
مَلَأَتfilled فَضائِلُكَyour virtues البِلادَthe lands وَنَقَّبَتand roamed
مَلَأَت فَضائِلُكَ البِلادَ وَنَقَّبَت
فيthrough الأَرضِthe earth يَقذِفُهاhe casts them الخَبيرُthe knowing one إِلىbefore العَميthe blind
في الأَرضِ يَقذِفُها الخَبيرُ إِلى العَمي
Your virtues filled the lands and roamed
Your virtues filled the lands and dug through
Through the earth, the knowing casting them before the blind.
The earth - the expert casts them into the depths.
فَكَأَنَّso it is as though مَجدَكَyour glory بارِقٌlightning فيin مُزنَةٍa raincloud
فَكَأَنَّ مَجدَكَ بارِقٌ في مُزنَةٍ
قِبَلَbefore العُيونِthe eyes وَغُرَّةٌand a white blaze فيon أَدهَمِa black horse
قِبَلَ العُيونِ وَغُرَّةٌ في أَدهَمِ
Your glory is like lightning in a raincloud
So your glory is like lightning in the scales,
Before all eyes, and a white blaze on a black horse.
Dazzling to the eyes and a wrap in black velvet.
أَنعاكَI announce your death لِلخَيلِto the horses المُغيرَةِraiding شُزَّباًlean
أَنعاكَ لِلخَيلِ المُغيرَةِ شُزَّباً
خَبَطَplunged into المَغارَthe raid بِهِنَّwith them مَنone who لَمhad not يُجرِمِdone wrong
خَبَطَ المَغارَ بِهِنَّ مَن لَم يُجرِمِ
I announce your death to the lean raiding horses;
You fed the stampeding horses to the point of obesity,
One who had done no wrong drove them into the raid.
Hitting with them those who did not sin.
كَالسِربِlike a herd أَوجَسَsensed نَبأَةًa faint sound مِنfrom قانِصٍa hunter
كَالسِربِ أَوجَسَ نَبأَةً مِن قانِصٍ
فَمَضىso it sped on يَلُفُّcrowding مُؤَخَّراًits rear بِمُقَدَّمُinto its front
فَمَضى يَلُفُّ مُؤَخَّراً بِمُقَدَّمُ
Like a herd sensing a faint sound from a hunter,
Like a flock startled by the shrieking of a bowman,
It sped on, its rear crowding into its front.
It went circling with the rear ahead.
وَاليَومُand the day مُقذٍstinging لِلعُيونِto the eyes بِنَقعِهِwith its dust
وَاليَومُ مُقذٍ لِلعُيونِ بِنَقعِهِ
لاnot يَهتَديfinds its way فيهِwithin it البَنانُthe fingers إِلىto الفَمِthe mouth
لا يَهتَدي فيهِ البَنانُ إِلى الفَمِ
The day stung eyes with its dust;
Today is painful to the eyes with its darkness,
Fingers could not find their way to the mouth within it.
Wherein the youth cannot find his mouth.
لَمnot يَبقَremained غَيرُexcept شَفافَةٍa thin glimmer مِنof شَمسِهِits sun
لَم يَبقَ غَيرُ شَفافَةٍ مِن شَمسِهِ
كَمَضيقِlike the narrow opening وَجهِof the face الفارِسِof the rider المُتَلَثِّمِveiled
كَمَضيقِ وَجهِ الفارِسِ المُتَلَثِّمِ
Only a thin glimmer of its sun remained,
Nothing remains but some sunlight behind his veil,
Like the narrow opening over a veiled rider's face.
Like the slit of a masked horseman’s visor.
مِنamong خائِضٍone wading غَمرَin the depths الدِماءِof blood يَبُلُّهُdrenches him
مِن خائِضٍ غَمرَ الدِماءِ يَبُلُّهُ
بَلَّthe wetting النَدىof dew مَطَرَthe rain القَناof lances المُتَحَطِّمِsplintering
بَلَّ النَدى مَطَرَ القَنا المُتَحَطِّمِ
One waded in deep blood, drenched
One who plunged into blood till the dew covered him,
As by dew, by the downpour of splintering lances;
Trickling on the shattered cane.
أَوor ناقِشٍone plucking مِنfrom جِلدِهِhis skin شَوكَthe thorns القَناof lances
أَو ناقِشٍ مِن جِلدِهِ شَوكَ القَنا
عَنout of كُلِّevery فاغِرَةٍgaping wound كَشَدقِlike the mouth الأَعلَمِof a cleft-lipped man
عَن كُلِّ فاغِرَةٍ كَشَدقِ الأَعلَمِ
Or plucked the thorns of lances from his skin,
Or one whose skin was calloused by the cane’s thorns,
Out of every gaping wound, like a cleft-lipped man's mouth;
Baring his teeth at every widening of the mouth.
أَوor مُفلِتٍone escaping حُمَةَthe sharp point السِنانِof the spearhead نَجَتcarried to safety بِهِwith him
أَو مُفلِتٍ حُمَةَ السِنانِ نَجَت بِهِ
رَوعاءُa frightened mare لاnot تَدَعُyields العِذارَthe cheekstrap لِمُلجِمِto a bridler
رَوعاءُ لا تَدَعُ العِذارَ لِمُلجِمِ
Or escaped the spearpoint, carried to safety by
Or one who slipped the reins, saved by it,
A frightened mare that yielded no cheekstrap to a bridler.
A steer that leaves no room for the bridle.
يَنزوmakes leap بِهِhim الفَرعُalarm الكَذوبُfalse وَيَتَّقيand he dreads
يَنزو بِهِ الفَرعُ الكَذوبُ وَيَتَّقي
مُرَّthe bitterness الحَديثِof the tale بِكُلِّof every يَومٍday أَيوَمِdire
مُرَّ الحَديثِ بِكُلِّ يَومٍ أَيوَمِ
False alarm made him start, and he dreaded
The tall tales shrink from him, and he avoids
The bitter tale of every dire battle-day.
The bitterness of talk each and every day.
وَيَروعُهُand terrifies him وَصفُthe account الشُجاعِof the brave man لِطَعنَةٍof a thrust
وَيَروعُهُ وَصفُ الشُجاعِ لِطَعنَةٍ
مِنfrom ذابِلٍa slender spear أَوor ضَربَةٍa blow مِنfrom مِخذَمِa keen sword
مِن ذابِلٍ أَو ضَربَةٍ مِن مِخذَمِ
The brave man's account of a thrust terrified him,
And the description of a brave man’s stab
From a slender spear, or a blow from a keen sword,
Frightens him, or a blow from a blunt sword.
حَتّىuntil يَظُنَّhe thinks الصُبحَthe dawn سَيفاًa sword مُنتَضىًdrawn
حَتّى يَظُنَّ الصُبحَ سَيفاً مُنتَضىً
أَهوىswooped إِلَيهِtoward him مَعَwith الكَمِيِّthe armored warrior المُعلِمِbearing a battle-mark
أَهوى إِلَيهِ مَعَ الكَمِيِّ المُعلِمِ
Until he thought the dawn a drawn sword
Until he thinks the dawn is a drawn sword
Swooping upon him with a warrior bearing his battle-mark.
That fell along with disaster’s tidings.
وَمُقاوِمٍand an adversary عَرَضَdisplayed الكَلامُspeech بُرودَهُits patterned robes
وَمُقاوِمٍ عَرَضَ الكَلامُ بُرودَهُ
فيهِنَّamong them بَينَbetween مُعَضَّدٍcross-striped وَمُسَهَّمِand arrow-patterned
فيهِنَّ بَينَ مُعَضَّدٍ وَمُسَهَّمِ
And an adversary, as speech displayed its robes—
A resistant one whom the cold of speech pierced
Among them, cross-striped and arrow-patterned ones.
Among supported allies and invested troops.
أَغضىbowed لَهاbefore them المُتَشَدِّقونَthe loud-mouthed وَسَلَّمواand yielded
أَغضى لَها المُتَشَدِّقونَ وَسَلَّموا
لِهَديرِto the roaring شِقشِقَةِthroat-pouch الفَنيقِof the stud camel المُقرَمِprized for breeding
لِهَديرِ شِقشِقَةِ الفَنيقِ المُقرَمِ
The loud-mouthed bowed before them and yielded
The pretentious were humbled and surrendered
To the roar of the prized stud-camel's throat-pouch.
To the clanging of the seasoned Phoenician sword.
بِالرَأيِwith judgment تَقبَلُهُaccept it العُقولُminds ضَرورَةًof necessity
بِالرَأيِ تَقبَلُهُ العُقولُ ضَرورَةً
عِندَin the face of النَوائِبِcalamities لاnot بِكَيفَwith 'how?' وَلالِمِand not 'why?'
عِندَ النَوائِبِ لا بِكَيفَ وَلالِمِ
With judgment that minds must accept
Reason necessarily accepts his opinion
In calamities, without asking how or why.
When disasters strike, not according to whim.
حَمَلَhe bore العَظائِمَgreat troubles وَالمَغارِمَand financial burdens ناهِضاًrising to the task
حَمَلَ العَظائِمَ وَالمَغارِمَ ناهِضاً
وَمَضىand he went عَلىalong وَضَحِthe clear course الطَريقِof the road الأَقوَمِstraightest
وَمَضى عَلى وَضَحِ الطَريقِ الأَقوَمِ
He rose to bear great troubles and financial burdens,
He carried the greatest deeds and sacrifices, striding
And went along the clear, straightest road,
And walked the straightest path, most direct,
حَتّىuntil إِذاwhen أَرمىrubbed raw الجِذابُthe tugging مِلاطُهُhis flanks
حَتّى إِذا أَرمى الجِذابُ مِلاطُهُ
وَأَوىand settled الزِمامُthe halter لِأَنفِهِagainst his nose وَالمَلطَمِand muzzle
وَأَوى الزِمامُ لِأَنفِهِ وَالمَلطَمِ
Until, when the tugging rubbed his flanks raw
Until the puller threw his rope,
And the halter settled against his nose and muzzle,
And the bridle bit reached the nose and brow.
طَرَحَhe cast off الوُسوقَthe loads فَلَمand did not يَدَعleave مِنfrom بَعدِهِafter him
طَرَحَ الوُسوقَ فَلَم يَدَع مِن بَعدِهِ
عِندَin the face of العَظيمَةِa great calamity حامِلاًa bearer لِلمُعظَمِof the greatest burden
عِندَ العَظيمَةِ حامِلاً لِلمُعظَمِ
He cast off the loads, leaving none after him
He threw down the burdens, and left no one after him
To bear the greatest burden in a great calamity.
To carry the glorious in the gatherings.
كَالنِقضِlike a worn-out camel قَدalready عَرَكَrubbed against الدُؤوبَceaseless toil صِفاحُهُhis flanks
كَالنِقضِ قَد عَرَكَ الدُؤوبَ صِفاحُهُ
عَركَthe rubbing الضِباعِof shoulders مِنَagainst العِنانِthe rein المُؤدِمِleather-covered
عَركَ الضِباعِ مِنَ العِنانِ المُؤدِمِ
Like a spent camel, his flanks had grappled with ceaseless toil,
As if it were untying the tightly knit, his breath failed,
As shoulders chafe against a leather-covered rein.
Like the panting of foxes on the leading strap.
رَقَدَslept المُلوكُkings بِحَزمِthrough the prudence of أَبلَجَa radiant man رَأيُهُhis judgment
رَقَدَ المُلوكُ بِحَزمِ أَبلَجَ رَأيُهُ
فَلَقٌdaybreak لِعاشِيَةِfor the dim-sighted العُقولِminds النُوَّمِslumbering
فَلَقٌ لِعاشِيَةِ العُقولِ النُوَّمِ
Kings slept secure in the resolve of a radiant man, whose judgment
Kings slept in the wisdom his insightful plan encompassed,
Was daybreak to dim-eyed, slumbering minds.
Splitting the minds of dreamers.
تَنفَضُّfall away عَنهُfrom him النائِباتُcalamities كَأَنَّهاas though they were
تَنفَضُّ عَنهُ النائِباتُ كَأَنَّها
وَبَرُthe hair المُوَقَّعِof the oft-branded camel نَشَّsizzled تَحتَbeneath الميسَمِthe branding iron
وَبَرُ المُوَقَّعِ نَشَّ تَحتَ الميسَمِ
Calamities fell away from him as though they were
Disasters shake off him as if they are
The hair of an oft-branded camel, sizzling beneath the branding iron.
Falling dust beneath the seal’s flourishing inscription.
كانواthey used to إِذاwhen قَعَدَsank down البِكارُyoung camels بِثِقلِهِمbeneath their weight
كانوا إِذا قَعَدَ البِكارُ بِثِقلِهِم
قالواthey said لِذاto this العودِold camel الجُلالِgreat تَقَدَّمِadvance
قالوا لِذا العودِ الجُلالِ تَقَدَّمِ
When young camels sank beneath their weight,
When the youths sat heavily due to their status,
They would tell this great old camel, 'Go forward!'
They said to this tall wood: Step forward!
عَمريby my life لَقَدindeed قَذَفواthey hurled الكُروبَsorrows بِفارِجٍat a dispeller
عَمري لَقَد قَذَفوا الكُروبَ بِفارِجٍ
مِنهُin him وَقَدand indeed رَجَمواthey stoned الخُطوبَcalamities بِمِرجَمِwith a stone-thrower
مِنهُ وَقَد رَجَموا الخُطوبَ بِمِرجَمِ
By my life, they cast their sorrows upon a dispeller
My life! They threw worries into the Euphrates with disdain,
In him, and stoned calamities with a stone-thrower.
And they stoned misfortunes with pelting.
فَكَأَنَّماso it was as though قَرَعواthey clashed القَناlances بِعُتَيبَةٍwith ʿUtayba
فَكَأَنَّما قَرَعوا القَنا بِعُتَيبَةٍ
وَلَقواand they faced العِداfoes بِرَبيعَةِwith Rabiʿa بنِson of مُكَدَّمِMukaddam
وَلَقوا العِدا بِرَبيعَةِ بنِ مُكَدَّمِ
As though they clashed lances with ʿUtayba at their side,
As if they struck the cane with Utaybah
And faced their foes with Rabiʿa ibn Mukaddam.
And met the foe with Rabiah bin Mudarib.
رَقاءُa charmer أَضغانٍof grudges يَسُلُّhe draws out شَباتَهاtheir sharp edges
رَقاءُ أَضغانٍ يَسُلُّ شَباتَها
حَتّىuntil يُغَيِّرَhe alters طَبعَthe nature سُمِّof the venom الأَرقَمِof the speckled serpent
حَتّى يُغَيِّرَ طَبعَ سُمِّ الأَرقَمِ
A charmer of grudges, drawing out their sharp edges,
Delicate branches whose youths
Until he altered the nature of the speckled serpent's venom.
Change the nature of lethal poison.
سَبعٌseven وَتِسعونَand ninety اِهتَبَلنَthey seized لَكَfor you العِداthe foes
سَبعٌ وَتِسعونَ اِهتَبَلنَ لَكَ العِدا
حَتّىuntil مَضَواthey passed away وَغَبَرتَand you remained غَيرَnot مُذَمَّمِblamed
حَتّى مَضَوا وَغَبَرتَ غَيرَ مُذَمَّمِ
Ninety-seven years seized your foes for you,
Ninety-seven withered because of you,
Until they passed away and you remained without reproach.
Until they passed away, while you remained unblemished.
لَمdid not يَلحَقواthey catch up فيهاthroughout them بِشَأوِكَwith your pace بَعدَماafter
لَم يَلحَقوا فيها بِشَأوِكَ بَعدَما
أَمَلواthey hoped فَعاقَهُمُbut it hindered them اِعتِراضُthe intervention الأَزلَمِof relentless Time
أَمَلوا فَعاقَهُمُ اِعتِراضُ الأَزلَمِ
They never matched your pace throughout those years, though
Afterwards, they did not match your status,
They had hoped; relentless Time's intervention held them back.
Once they lost hope of crossing the impassable path.
إِلّاexcept بَقاياremnants مِنof غُبارِكَyour dust أَصبَحَتthey became
إِلّا بَقايا مِن غُبارِكَ أَصبَحَت
غُصَصاًchoking obstructions وَأَقذاءًand motes لِعَينٍfor an eye أَوor فَمِa mouth
غُصَصاً وَأَقذاءً لِعَينٍ أَو فَمِ
Except for remnants of your dust, which became
Save for some remnant dust that remained
Choking obstructions and motes in an eye or mouth.
As stings and motes for an eye or mouth.
إِنif يَتبَعواthey follow عَقِبَيكَyour heels فيin طَلَبِpursuit of العُلىhigh honor
إِن يَتبَعوا عَقِبَيكَ في طَلَبِ العُلى
فَالذِئبُfor the wolf يَعسُلُlopes فيin طَريقِthe path الضَيغَمِof the lion
فَالذِئبُ يَعسُلُ في طَريقِ الضَيغَمِ
If they follow your heels in pursuit of high honor,
If they follow your tracks seeking nobility,
The wolf, too, lopes along the lion's path.
Then the wolf makes honey on the road of the assassin!
هَلis there مِنany أَبٍfather كَأَبيlike my father لِجُرحِfor the wound مُلِمَّةٍof a calamity
هَل مِن أَبٍ كَأَبي لِجُرحِ مُلِمَّةٍ
أَعياdefied cure وَشَعبِand the breach عَظيمَةٍof a great calamity لَمnot يُلأَمِwas mended
أَعيا وَشَعبِ عَظيمَةٍ لَم يُلأَمِ
Is there a father like mine for a calamity's wound
Is there a father like my father for a deep,
Beyond cure, and a mighty breach still unmended?
Painful wound, a mighty misfortune that cannot be blamed?
إِنَّindeed الخُطوبَcalamities الطارِقاتِstriking by night فَجَعنَناbereaved us
إِنَّ الخُطوبَ الطارِقاتِ فَجَعنَنا
بِحِمىof the protection الأَبِيِّof the proud man وَجُنَّةِand the shield المُستَلئِمِof the armored man
بِحِمى الأَبِيِّ وَجُنَّةِ المُستَلئِمِ
The calamities that strike by night have bereaved us
Tragedies have left us bereaved,
Of the proud man's refuge and the armored man's shield,
With the passion of the father and the intimacy of the intimate.
بِمُمَهَّلٍof one granted respite فيamong الغابِرينَthose remaining مُؤَخَّرٍheld back
بِمُمَهَّلٍ في الغابِرينَ مُؤَخَّرٍ
وَمُحَفَّزٍand one hastened فيamong السابِقينَthose gone before مُقَدَّمِplaced foremost
وَمُحَفَّزٍ في السابِقينَ مُقَدَّمِ
Of one long spared, held back among those remaining,
With slackness for those gone,
And hastened, placed foremost among those gone before.
And momentum for the forerunners.
الطاهِرِthe pure اِبنِson of الطاهِرينَthe pure وَمَنand whoever يَكُنis descended
الطاهِرِ اِبنِ الطاهِرينَ وَمَن يَكُن
لِأَبٍthrough a father إِلىtraced to جِذمِthe stock النُبُوَّةِof prophethood يَعظُمِgrows great
لِأَبٍ إِلى جِذمِ النُبُوَّةِ يَعظُمِ
The pure son of the pure; whoever descends
The pure son of two pure ones, and who can be
Through a father from prophethood's stock grows great.
For a father a cause of pride up to the pillar of prophethood?
مِنfrom مَعشَرٍa people تَخِذواwho took المَكارِمَnoble deeds طُعمَةًas sustenance
مِن مَعشَرٍ تَخِذوا المَكارِمَ طُعمَةً
وَرَوُواand drank their fill مِنَof الشَرَفِhonor الأَعَزِّthe mightiest الأَقدَمِmost ancient
وَرَوُوا مِنَ الشَرَفِ الأَعَزِّ الأَقدَمِ
From a people who took noble deeds as their sustenance,
From a folk who made virtues their food,
And drank their fill of the mightiest, most ancient honor:
And drank from ancient, mighty honor.
مِنincluding جائِدٍa giver أَوor ذائِدٍa defender أَوor عاقِرٍa camel-slaughterer
مِن جائِدٍ أَو ذائِدٍ أَو عاقِرٍ
أَوor ماطِرٍa showerer of bounty أَوor مُنعِمٍa benefactor أَوor مُرغِمِa humbler of foes
أَو ماطِرٍ أَو مُنعِمٍ أَو مُرغِمِ
Givers, defenders, or slaughterers of feast-camels,
Whether charging or repelling, barren or fruitful,
Or showerers of bounty, benefactors, or humblers of foes.
Giving or preventing or forcing.
وَفَرواthey reserved عَلىfor المَجدِglory المُشيدِloftily built هُمومَهُمtheir cares
وَفَروا عَلى المَجدِ المُشيدِ هُمومَهُم
وَتَهاوَنواand made light بِالنائِلِof gain المُتَهَدِّمِthat crumbles
وَتَهاوَنوا بِالنائِلِ المُتَهَدِّمِ
They reserved all their care for lofty glory,
They overlooked their concerns for erected glory,
And thought little of perishable gain.
And took lightly the attainer, however strong.
عيصٌa thicket أَلَفَّdensely intertwined تَقابَلَتfaced one another شُعُباتُهُits branches
عيصٌ أَلَفَّ تَقابَلَت شُعُباتُهُ
فيin المَجدِglory شَجرَthe intertwining مُقَوَّمٍof an upright stem لِمُقَوَّمِwith an upright stem
في المَجدِ شَجرَ مُقَوَّمٍ لِمُقَوَّمِ
A dense thicket whose branches faced one another
Aloes whose branches intertwined
In glory, upright stem interwoven with upright stem.
Into confirmed glory for its counterpart.
يَتَعاوَرونَthey pass back and forth المَكرُماتِnoble deeds وِلادَةًby birth
يَتَعاوَرونَ المَكرُماتِ وِلادَةً
مِنfrom بَينِamong جَدٍّa grandfather فيin المَكارِمِnoble deeds وَاِبنِمِand a son
مِن بَينِ جَدٍّ في المَكارِمِ وَاِبنِمِ
They pass noble deeds from one to another by birth,
Birth after birth they pass down generosity,
Between grandsire and son in noble deeds.
Among fathers of generosity and sons.
قَدindeed قُلتُI said لِلحُسّادِto the envious حينَwhen تَقارَضواthey exchanged
قَد قُلتُ لِلحُسّادِ حينَ تَقارَضوا
حُرَقَthe burning القُلوبِof hearts جَوىًin anguish وَحَرقَand the grinding الأُرَّمِof molars
حُرَقَ القُلوبِ جَوىً وَحَرقَ الأُرَّمِ
I told the envious, when they exchanged
I said to the enviers when they waged war,
The anguish of burning hearts and the gnashing of molars:
Burning hearts with yearning and devising evil:
لاdo not تَحسُدواenvy المُتَرادِفينَthose following one another عَلىtoward العُلىhigh honor
لا تَحسُدوا المُتَرادِفينَ عَلى العُلى
وَالغالِبينَand those prevailing عَلىover السَنامِthe hump الأَكوَمِloftiest
وَالغالِبينَ عَلى السَنامِ الأَكوَمِ
Do not envy those who follow one another toward greatness,
Do not envy those who repeatedly ascend to the heights
And hold mastery over the loftiest hump,
And defeat all on the lofty, stacked saddlebags.
وَالطاعِنينَand those thrusting بِكُلِّwith every جَدٍّforefather مِدعَسٌa fierce lancer
وَالطاعِنينَ بِكُلِّ جَدٍّ مِدعَسٌ
وَالماطِرينَand those showering بِكُلِّwith every نيلٍgift مُرزِمِthunderous
وَالماطِرينَ بِكُلِّ نيلٍ مُرزِمِ
And the spear-thrusters, each forefather a mighty lancer,
Those who criticize every grandfather are despicable,
And the showerers of bounty, each gift thunderous.
As are those who find fault with every ancestor.
لَكُمُyours are الفُضولُthe leftovers إِذاwhen تَكونُthere is وَقيعَةٌa battle
لَكُمُ الفُضولُ إِذا تَكونُ وَقيعَةٌ
أَوor غارَةٌa raid وَلَهُمand theirs is صَفِيُّthe choicest المَغنَمِspoil
أَو غارَةٌ وَلَهُم صَفِيُّ المَغنَمِ
Yours are the leftovers whenever a battle takes place,
You take spoils when there is booty,
Or a raid; theirs is the choicest spoil.
While they take the choicest part of the plunder.
عَطِرونَfragrant ماnothing لِأُنوفِكُمfor your noses مِنof طيبِهِمtheir perfume
عَطِرونَ ما لِأُنوفِكُم مِن طيبِهِم
بَينَamong المَجامِعِgatherings غَيرَexcept شَمِّthe smelling المَرغَمِof nose-rubbing dust
بَينَ المَجامِعِ غَيرَ شَمِّ المَرغَمِ
Fragrant are they, yet your noses gain from their perfume
You scent from their perfumes what your noses dislike,
At gatherings only the smell of humiliating dust.
While they assemble a smell other than bitter aloe.
يَتَسانَدونَthey lean إِلىupon عُلىgreatness عادِيَّةٍancient as ʿAd
يَتَسانَدونَ إِلى عُلى عادِيَّةٍ
وَمَكارِمٍand noble deeds قُدمٍancient وَمَجدٍand glory قَشعَمِage-old
وَمَكارِمٍ قُدمٍ وَمَجدٍ قَشعَمِ
They lean upon greatness ancient as ʿAd,
They help each other to a towering, ancient nobility
And noble deeds of old, and age-old glory,
And generosity - established, well-rooted.
مُتَزَيِّدينَgiving ever more إِلىin response to السُؤالِrequests وَعِندَكُمwhile among you
مُتَزَيِّدينَ إِلى السُؤالِ وَعِندَكُم
أُمُّthe mother العَظاءِof lizards مُفِذَّةًbearing a single young لَمnever تُتئِمِbears twins
أُمُّ العَظاءِ مُفِذَّةً لَم تُتئِمِ
Giving ever more when asked, while among you
Increasing while you resort to begging,
The mother of lizards bears one at a time, never twins.
Though the ‘Mother of Disgrace’ is not accustomed to you.
فَتَعَلَّقواso cling to عَجَبَthe rump المَذَلَّةِof humiliation وَاِترُكواand abandon
فَتَعَلَّقوا عَجَبَ المَذَلَّةِ وَاِترُكوا
رَفعَraising العُيونِthe eyes إِلىtoward البِناءِthe edifice الأَعظَمِgreatest
رَفعَ العُيونِ إِلى البِناءِ الأَعظَمِ
So cling to the rump of humiliation, and stop
So cling to the wonder of humiliation, and leave off
Raising your eyes to the greatest edifice.
Raising your eyes to the greatest edifice.
تِلكَthose are الأُسودُthe lions فَمَنso who يَجُرُّcan drag away فَريسَهاtheir prey
تِلكَ الأُسودُ فَمَن يَجُرُّ فَريسَها
أَمor مَنwho يَمُرُّpasses بِغابِهاthrough their forest المُتَأَجِّمِdense with thickets
أَم مَن يَمُرُّ بِغابِها المُتَأَجِّمِ
Those are the lions; who can drag away their prey,
Those are lions - who then can drag its prey,
Or pass through their densely tangled forest?
Or pass through its dreadful forest?
حُطَّتwere set down بِأَطرافِat the edges البِلادِof the lands قُبورُهُمtheir graves
حُطَّت بِأَطرافِ البِلادِ قُبورُهُم
رُقُمُpatterns النُجومِof stars سُقوفُthe ceilings لَيلٍof a night مُظلِمِdark
رُقُمُ النُجومِ سُقوفُ لَيلٍ مُظلِمِ
Their graves were laid at the edges of the lands,
Their graves are positioned at the edges of the lands,
Star-patterns on the ceilings of a dark night.
Like starry dots under a dark, gloomy night.
وَكَفاكَand it suffices you مِنas شَرَفِnobility القَبيلِof the clan بِأَنthat تَرىyou see
وَكَفاكَ مِن شَرَفِ القَبيلِ بِأَن تَرى
بَدَدَthe scattering القُبورُof graves لِمُنجِدٍfor a traveler to Najd أَوor مُتهِمِa traveler to Tihama
بَدَدَ القُبورُ لِمُنجِدٍ أَو مُتهِمِ
The clan's nobility is proved enough when you see
It is enough pride for you that their graves are scattered
Its graves scattered before travelers in Najd or Tihama.
For a helper or the accused.
عُدّواthey were reckoned جِبالاًmountains لِلعَلاءِof high honor وَإِنeven though غَدَواthey became
عُدّوا جِبالاً لِلعَلاءِ وَإِن غَدَوا
أَمشاجَmingled strains مَجدٍof glory فيin رَمائِمِdecaying remains أَعظُمِof bones
أَمشاجَ مَجدٍ في رَمائِمِ أَعظُمِ
They were reckoned mountains of high honor, though they became
They considered them mountains of elevation, though they lie
Mingled strains of glory in crumbling bones.
Corpses of greater glory, piled up.
وَضَعَتlaid down بِتِلكَin those صَفايِحاًstone slabs وَضَرايِحاًand tombs
وَضَعَت بِتِلكَ صَفايِحاً وَضَرايِحاً
أَثقالَthe loads أَوطَفَof a thick-fringed cloud بِالرُعودِwith thunder مُزَمزِمِrumbling
أَثقالَ أَوطَفَ بِالرُعودِ مُزَمزِمِ
Within those slabs and sepulchers were laid
They placed over them cenotaphs and headstones -
The loads of a thick-fringed cloud, rumbling with thunder.
Weights pulled down by thunder, like Al-Muzdalifah.
وَسَقَتand watered ثَراهُنَّtheir earth الدُموعُtears مُرِشَّةًsprinkling
وَسَقَت ثَراهُنَّ الدُموعُ مُرِشَّةً
فَغَنينَso they had no need عَنof قَطرِthe drops الغَمائِمِof clouds وَالسُمِيand skies
فَغَنينَ عَن قَطرِ الغَمائِمِ وَالسُمِي
Tears watered their earth in showers,
Tears, pouring down, watered their soil,
So they needed no drops from clouds or skies.
So they had no need for cloud drops or rainwater.
جَدَثٌa grave بِبابِلَin Babylon أُشرِجَتwere fitted together رُجُماتُهُits burial stones
جَدَثٌ بِبابِلَ أُشرِجَت رُجُماتُهُ
طَبَقاًas a covering عَلىover مَطَرِthe rain النَدىof bounty المُتَهَزِّمِthunderously crashing
طَبَقاً عَلى مَطَرِ النَدى المُتَهَزِّمِ
A grave in Babylon, its burial stones fitted together
A grave was dug in Babylon whose stones
As a covering over bounty's thunderous rain.
Were set, layer upon layer, to hold back pouring dew.
ضِمنَit enclosed السَماحَةِgenerosity فيin مَلاثِthe fold إِزارِهِof his waist-wrap
ضِمنَ السَماحَةِ في مَلاثِ إِزارِهِ
وَالمَجدُand glory فيin نُوّارِهِits blossoms المُتَكَمِّمِenclosed in buds
وَالمَجدُ في نُوّارِهِ المُتَكَمِّمِ
It holds generosity in the fold of his waist-wrap,
Containing generosity in the folds of its covering,
And glory in its still-unopened blossoms.
And glory in its luminous niche.
لاdo not تَحسَبَنever deem جَدَثاًa burial-place طَواهُenfolded it ضَريحُهُhis sepulcher
لا تَحسَبَن جَدَثاً طَواهُ ضَريحُهُ
قَبراًa grave فَذاكَfor that is مَغارُthe setting-place بَعضِof one الأَنجُمِof the stars
قَبراً فَذاكَ مَغارُ بَعضِ الأَنجُمِ
Do not deem the resting place enclosed by his sepulcher
Do not reckon it a grave covered by a tomb,
A grave: it is the setting-place of one of the stars.
For it is the cave of one of the stars.
أَعرَيتَyou bared ظَهريmy back لِلعِداto foes وَلَوِeven if اِتَّقىit sought protection
أَعرَيتَ ظَهري لِلعِدا وَلَوِ اِتَّقى
بِزُهاءِin a multitude مُزدَحِمِcrowded العَديدِin numbers عَرَمرَمِa vast host
بِزُهاءِ مُزدَحِمِ العَديدِ عَرَمرَمِ
You have bared my back to foes, even if it were guarded
You exposed my back to the foe, though it fears
By the multitude of a vast, tightly thronging host.
The likes of a massive, intermingled army.
وَكَشَفتَand you exposed لِلأَيّامِto the days عَورَةَthe vulnerability مَقتَليof my fatal spot
وَكَشَفتَ لِلأَيّامِ عَورَةَ مَقتَلي
حَتّىuntil رَدَدنَthey returned عَلَيَّagainst me بَعدَكَafter you أَسهُميmy arrows
حَتّى رَدَدنَ عَلَيَّ بَعدَكَ أَسهُمي
And exposed my fatal weak point to the days,
And you unveiled to Time the disgrace of my murder,
Until, after you, they turned my own arrows back upon me.
So its arrows turned back to me after you.
قَدindeed كُنتَyou were ماthat which stood بَينيbetween me وَبَينَand between سِهامِهاtheir arrows
قَد كُنتَ ما بَيني وَبَينَ سِهامِها
فَاليَومَbut today لاnot يُخطينَthey miss شاكِلَةَthe flank الرَمِيof the target
فَاليَومَ لا يُخطينَ شاكِلَةَ الرَمِي
You used to stand between me and their arrows;
You used to stand between me and its arrows,
Today they never miss the flank they shoot at.
But today, wearing armor cannot stop an archer.
هَلwill تَسمَعَنَّyou surely hear مِنَfrom الزَمانِTime ظُلامَتيmy grievance
هَل تَسمَعَنَّ مِنَ الزَمانِ ظُلامَتي
فيماconcerning what جَنىit perpetrated وَإِلىwhile to الزَمانِTime تَظَلُّميis my complaint
فيما جَنى وَإِلى الزَمانِ تَظَلُّمي
Will you hear my grievance against Time
Will you hear from Time my darknesses
For its crimes, while to Time itself I complain?
Regarding what it reaped? And to Time I complain!
قُلsay لِلنَوائِبِto calamities لاnot أُقيلُكَI pardon you عَثرَةًa stumble
قُل لِلنَوائِبِ لا أُقيلُكَ عَثرَةً
فَتَشَزَّنيso brace yourself لِوَقائِعيfor my battles وَاِستَسلِميand surrender
فَتَشَزَّني لِوَقائِعي وَاِستَسلِمي
Tell calamities, 'I shall pardon you no stumble;
Say to misfortunes: I will not pardon you a stumble
Brace yourselves for my battles, and surrender.'
That makes me bow to my circumstances - surrender!
لاdo not تَصفَحَنَّever pardon عَنِfor المُلِمِّthe afflicting calamity إِذاwhen جَنىit wrongs
لا تَصفَحَنَّ عَنِ المُلِمِّ إِذا جَنى
وَإِذاand when المَضارِبُthe striking-points أَمكَنَتكَbecome accessible to you فَصَمِّمِthen strike through
وَإِذا المَضارِبُ أَمكَنَتكَ فَصَمِّمِ
Never forgive a visiting calamity when it wrongs you;
I will not overlook the offender when it transgresses,
And when a strike is within your power, drive it home.
And if the striking one enables you, then be resolute!
فَالغِمرُfor the fool مَنis one who تَرَكَabandons الجَزاءَrequital عَلىfor الأَذىharm
فَالغِمرُ مَن تَرَكَ الجَزاءَ عَلى الأَذى
وَأَقامَand keeps يَنظُرُawaiting عُذرَةًan excuse مِنfrom مُجرِمِa wrongdoer
وَأَقامَ يَنظُرُ عُذرَةً مِن مُجرِمِ
For the fool is one who leaves harm unrequited
For the deluded is one who forgoes retaliation for harm
And waits for an excuse from a wrongdoer.
And remains observing, seeking an excuse for the sinner.
وَمَحوكَةٍand a woven poem كَالدِرعِlike chain mail أَحكَمَmade firm سَردَهاits linked weave
وَمَحوكَةٍ كَالدِرعِ أَحكَمَ سَردَها
صَنَعٌa craftsman فَأَفصَحَand spoke eloquently فيin الزَمانِthe age الأَعجَمِtongue-tied
صَنَعٌ فَأَفصَحَ في الزَمانِ الأَعجَمِ
And a poem woven like mail, its links perfected
Intricately woven like armor, its links serried,
By a craftsman who spoke clearly in a tongue-tied age:
A craft eloquently made in an inarticulate age.
عَضَّلتُهاI kept her unwed زَمَناًfor a time لِأَطلُبَto seek كُفؤَهاher equal
عَضَّلتُها زَمَناً لِأَطلُبَ كُفؤَها
وَزَفَفتُهاand I led her as a bride لَكَto you نِعمَexcellent is بَعلُthe husband الأَيِّمِof the unwed woman
وَزَفَفتُها لَكَ نِعمَ بَعلُ الأَيِّمِ
I kept her unwed awhile, seeking her equal,
I trained it for a time seeking its match,
And led her as a bride to you—how fine a husband for the unwed!
And presented it to you, O noble husband.
إِنّيindeed I نَزَلتُhave lodged وَكُنتُthough I was غَيرَnot مُذَلَّلٍhumbled
إِنّي نَزَلتُ وَكُنتُ غَيرَ مُذَلَّلٍ
بَيتَin the house المُهانِof the humiliated وَأَنتَwhile you are عَينُthe very essence المُكرَمِof the honored
بَيتَ المُهانِ وَأَنتَ عَينُ المُكرَمِ
I have lodged, though I was never humbled,
I came as your bride though not degraded,
In the house of the humiliated, while you are honor itself.
A home of dishonor while you are the eye of the venerated.
Sol 6.1