أَثَرُthe outline of الهَوادِجِthe howdahs فيin عِراصِthe open expanses of البيدِthe deserts
أَثَرُ الهَوادِجِ في عِراصِ البيدِ
مِثلُlike الجِبالِmountains عَلىupon الجِمالِthe camels القودِlong-necked
مِثلُ الجِبالِ عَلى الجِمالِ القودِ
The outline of the howdahs in the desert's open plains—
like mountains upon long-necked camels.
يَطلُعنَthey emerge مِنfrom رَملِthe sands of الشَقيقِal-Shaqiq لَواغِباًweary
يَطلُعنَ مِن رَملِ الشَقيقِ لَواغِباً
زَحفَthe advance of الجَنوبِthe south wind بِعارِضٍwith a raincloud مَمدودِoutstretched
زَحفَ الجَنوبِ بِعارِضٍ مَمدودِ
They emerge, weary, from the sands of al-Shaqiq,
like the south wind advancing with an outstretched raincloud.
كَمhow many بانَdeparted فيamong المُتَحَمِّلينَthose setting out عَشِيَّةًone evening
كَم بانَ في المُتَحَمِّلينَ عَشِيَّةً
مِنof ذيone with لَمىًdusky lips خِصرِcool of الرَضابِsaliva بَرودِrefreshing
مِن ذي لَمىً خِصرِ الرَضابِ بَرودِ
How many departed among the travelers one evening,
with dusky lips and cool, refreshing saliva!
وَقَصيبِand a slender bough of إِسحِلَةٍan isḥil tree لَوِif only اِنعَطَفَbent الصِباyouth
وَقَصيبِ إِسحِلَةٍ لَوِ اِنعَطَفَ الصِبا
يَوماًone day لَناtoward us بِقَوامِهِwith his figure الأُملودِsupple
يَوماً لَنا بِقَوامِهِ الأُملودِ
And many an isḥil bough—if only youth had bent
his supple figure toward us for a day!
مَرّواthey passed عَلىover رَملَيthe two sand tracts of زَرودَZarud فَهَلso do تَرَىyou see
مَرّوا عَلى رَملَي زَرودَ فَهَل تَرَى
إِلصاقَةًa clinging لِحَشىًof a heart بِرَملِto the sands of زَرودِZarud
إِلصاقَةً لِحَشىً بِرَملِ زَرودِ
They passed over Zarud's twin sands; can you see
a heart clinging to the sands of Zarud?
مُتَلَفِّتينَturning back مِنَfrom القِبابِthe domed litters كَأَنَّماas though اِنstart of 'veiled themselves'
مُتَلَفِّتينَ مِنَ القِبابِ كَأَنَّما اِن
تَقَبواcompletion of 'veiled themselves' بِأَعيُنِwith the eyes of رَبرَبِa herd of gazelles وَخُدودِand cheeks
تَقَبوا بِأَعيُنِ رَبرَبِ وَخُدودِ
Looking back from their domed litters, as though they had
veiled themselves in gazelles' eyes and cheeks.
غَرَسواthey planted الغُصونَthe boughs عَلىupon النَقاthe sandhill وَتَرَنَّحواand swayed
غَرَسوا الغُصونَ عَلى النَقا وَتَرَنَّحوا
مِنof كُلِّevery مائِلَةِswaying of الغَدائِرِtresses رودِtender young beauty
مِن كُلِّ مائِلَةِ الغَدائِرِ رودِ
They planted boughs upon the dune and swayed,
with every tender beauty of flowing tresses.
إِنَّindeed اللَآليthe pearls بَينَbetween أَصدافِthe shells of اللَمىdusky lips
إِنَّ اللَآلي بَينَ أَصدافِ اللَمى
غَلَبَتovercame مَراشِفُهاtheir kissable lips عَلىover مَجلوديmy endurance
غَلَبَت مَراشِفُها عَلى مَجلودي
Indeed, the pearls between the shells of dusky lips—
their kissable lips have overcome my endurance.
وَلَوَواand they deferred بِوَعديtheir promise to me يَومَon the day خَفَّdeparted قَطينُهُمtheir household
وَلَوَوا بِوَعدي يَومَ خَفَّ قَطينُهُم
وَمِنَand among الصُدودِforms of aversion اللَيُّprocrastination بِالمَوعودِover what was promised
وَمِنَ الصُدودِ اللَيُّ بِالمَوعودِ
They deferred their promise to me when their household departed;
delaying what is promised is a form of aversion.
لَمdid not تُرضِنيsatisfy me تِلكَthose اللَياليnights عَنهُمُregarding them
لَم تُرضِني تِلكَ اللَيالي عَنهُمُ
بِنَوالِهِمwith their favors فَأَقولَso that I might say يَوماًone day عوديreturn!
بِنَوالِهِم فَأَقولَ يَوماً عودي
Those nights never won my contentment with them
through their favors, that I should ever say, 'Return!'
سِيّانِequal قُربُهُمُtheir nearness عَلَيَّto me وَبُعدُهُمand their distance
سِيّانِ قُربُهُمُ عَلَيَّ وَبُعدُهُم
لَولاbut for الجَوىlove's burning وَعَلاقَةُand the attachment of المَعمودِthe love-stricken
لَولا الجَوى وَعَلاقَةُ المَعمودِ
Their nearness and their distance are alike to me,
but for love's burning and a stricken lover's attachment.
رَبَعَتlingered عَلىover آثارِكُمyour traces نَجدِيَّةٌa cloud from Najd
رَبَعَت عَلى آثارِكُم نَجدِيَّةٌ
غَرّاءُbright ذاتُpossessing بَوارِقٍlightning flashes وَرُعودِand thunderclaps
غَرّاءُ ذاتُ بَوارِقٍ وَرُعودِ
A cloud from Najd lingered over your traces,
bright, laden with lightning flashes and thunder.
تَسقيit waters مَعالِمَlandmarks مِنكُمُleft by you لَولاbut for النَوىseparation
تَسقي مَعالِمَ مِنكُمُ لَولا النَوى
لَمnot أَرمِهاI would assail them بِقِلىًwith hatred وَلاnor بِصُدودِwith aversion
لَم أَرمِها بِقِلىً وَلا بِصُدودِ
It waters landmarks left by you which, but for separation,
I would never have met with hatred or aversion.
وَلَعُجتُand I would have turned aside فيهاthere طارِحاًcasting off عَنfrom ناظِريmy eyes
وَلَعُجتُ فيها طارِحاً عَن ناظِري
ثِقلَthe burden of الدُموعِtears وَثانِياًand bending مِنof جيديmy neck
ثِقلَ الدُموعِ وَثانِياً مِن جيدي
I would have turned aside there, casting from my eyes
the burden of tears, and bending my neck.
هَلwill تَبرُدونَyou cool حَرارَةًthe burning مِنof حائِمٍone circling in thirst
هَل تَبرُدونَ حَرارَةً مِن حائِمٍ
حَرّانَparched عَنfrom ذاكَthat الغَديرِpool مَذودِdriven away
حَرّانَ عَن ذاكَ الغَديرِ مَذودِ
Will you cool the burning of one circling in thirst,
parched and driven away from that pool?
فَلَقَدfor indeed تَمَعَّكَhe rolled فيin مَواطِئِthe footprints of عيسيكُمyour pale camels
فَلَقَد تَمَعَّكَ في مَواطِئِ عيسيكُم
يَومَon the day of الوَداعِfarewell تَمَعُّكَwith the rolling of المَؤودِone weighed down
يَومَ الوَداعِ تَمَعُّكَ المَؤودِ
For he rolled in the footprints of your pale camels
on farewell day, as one crushed beneath a burden.
وَأَماand indeed وَذَيّاكَby that very الغُزَيِّلُlittle gazelle إِنَّهُindeed he
وَأَما وَذَيّاكَ الغُزَيِّلُ إِنَّهُ
عَرَضَoffered الزَلالَlimpid water وَحالَand barred دونَthe way to وُروديmy coming to drink
عَرَضَ الزَلالَ وَحالَ دونَ وُرودي
Ah, by that little gazelle! He
offered limpid water, then barred my coming to drink.
أَغدوI go out at dawn إِلىto طَردِhunt الظِباءِgazelles وَأَنثَنيand I return
أَغدو إِلى طَردِ الظِباءِ وَأَنثَني
وَأَناwhile I am الطَريدَةُthe quarry لِلظِباءِof the gazelles الغيدِslender-necked
وَأَنا الطَريدَةُ لِلظِباءِ الغيدِ
I go out at dawn to hunt gazelles, and return
myself the quarry of slender-necked gazelles.
حَتّامَhow long تَعتَلِقُwill cling to البَطالَةُidleness مِقوَديmy rein
حَتّامَ تَعتَلِقُ البَطالَةُ مِقوَدي
وَيَعودُنيand revisits me لِهوىfor love of الظَعائِنِwomen in litters عيديmy recurring longing
وَيَعودُني لِهوى الظَعائِنِ عيدي
How long will idleness cling to my rein,
and my old longing revisit me for love of the women in litters?
عُشرونَtwenty أَردَفَهاfollowed them الزَمانُtime بِأَربَعٍwith four
عُشرونَ أَردَفَها الزَمانُ بِأَربَعٍ
أَرهَفنَنيthey honed me وَمَنَعنَand prevented مِنfrom تَجريديmy unsheathing
أَرهَفنَني وَمَنَعنَ مِن تَجريدي
Twenty years, to which time added four,
have honed me, yet kept me from being unsheathed.
أَعلَقتُI hung فيamid سِربِthe flock of الخُطوبِcalamities حَبائِلِsnares
أَعلَقتُ في سِربِ الخُطوبِ حَبائِلِ
وَقَدَحتُand I struck sparks فيin ظُلمِthe darkness of الأُمورِaffairs زُنوديmy fire-sticks
وَقَدَحتُ في ظُلمِ الأُمورِ زُنودي
I hung my snares amid the flock of calamities,
and struck my fire-sticks in the darkness of affairs.
وَكَرَعتُand I drank deeply فيof حُلوِthe sweetness of الزَمانِtime وَمُرِّهِand its bitterness
وَكَرَعتُ في حُلوِ الزَمانِ وَمُرِّهِ
ماas much as شِئتُI wished وَاِعتَقَبَand took turns العَواجِمُthose testing by biting عوديmy timber
ما شِئتُ وَاِعتَقَبَ العَواجِمُ عودي
I drank deeply of time's sweetness and its bitterness,
as much as I wished; testers took turns trying my timber.
وَفَرَعتُand I climbed رابِيَةَthe hill of العُلىglory مُتَمَهِّلاًat leisure
وَفَرَعتُ رابِيَةَ العُلى مُتَمَهِّلاً
أَجريI run أَمامَahead of الطالِبِthe pursuer المَجهودِhard-pressed
أَجري أَمامَ الطالِبِ المَجهودِ
I climbed the hill of glory at my leisure,
running ahead of the hard-pressed pursuer.
وَخَبَطتُand I struck فيamong المُتَعَرِّضينَthose challenging me بِقَولَةٍwith an utterance
وَخَبَطتُ في المُتَعَرِّضينَ بِقَولَةٍ
جَدّاءَtrenchant مِنamong بِدَعِthe marvels of الزَمانِthe age شَرودِfar-ranging
جَدّاءَ مِن بِدَعِ الزَمانِ شَرودِ
I struck at those who challenged me with an utterance,
trenchant, a far-ranging marvel of the age.
فَضَرَبتُso I struck أَوجُهَهُمtheir faces بِغَيرِwithout مَناصِلٍblades
فَضَرَبتُ أَوجُهَهُم بِغَيرِ مَناصِلٍ
وَهَزَمتُand I routed جَمعَهُمُtheir host بِغَيرِwithout جُنودِsoldiers
وَهَزَمتُ جَمعَهُمُ بِغَيرِ جُنودِ
Thus I struck their faces without blades,
and routed their host without soldiers.
ماnot ضَرَّنيit harmed me لَمّاwhen فَلَلتُI blunted غُروبَهُمtheir keen edges
ما ضَرَّني لَمّا فَلَلتُ غُروبَهُم
أَنّيthat I كَثُرتُwas a multitude لَهُمagainst them وَقَلَّand few were عَديديmy numbers
أَنّي كَثُرتُ لَهُم وَقَلَّ عَديدي
It did me no harm, when I blunted their keen edges,
that I was a multitude against them, though my numbers were few.
وَأَبيby my father الَّذيwhom حَسَدَالرِجالُthe men envied قَديمَهُhis ancient distinction
وَأَبي الَّذي حَسَدَالرِجالُ قَديمَهُ
إِنَّindeed المَناقِبَvirtues آيَةُthe sign of المَحسودِthe envied
إِنَّ المَناقِبَ آيَةُ المَحسودِ
By my father, whose ancient distinction men have envied—
virtues are the mark of one envied—
ذوpossessor of السِنِّyears وَالشَرَفِand honor الَّذيwho جَمَعَتgathered بِهِin him
ذو السِنِّ وَالشَرَفِ الَّذي جَمَعَت بِهِ
كَفّاهُhis two hands أَخمِطَهَthe reins (uncertain reading) العُلىglory وَالجودِand generosity
كَفّاهُ أَخمِطَهَ العُلى وَالجودِ
the man of years and honor, in whom
his two hands gathered the [reins] of glory and generosity.
إِحدىone of أَخامِصِهِhis foot-arches رِقابُthe necks of عُداتِهِhis enemies
إِحدى أَخامِصِهِ رِقابُ عُداتِهِ
مِنamong سَيِّدِa lord بَلَغَwho reached العُلىeminence وَمَسودِand a subject
مِن سَيِّدِ بَلَغَ العُلى وَمَسودِ
Beneath one arch of his foot lie his enemies' necks,
whether lords who have reached eminence or subjects.
فَالآنَso now إِذwhen نَبَذَcast away المَشيبُgray hair شَبيبَتيmy youth
فَالآنَ إِذ نَبَذَ المَشيبُ شَبيبَتي
نَبذَlike casting away القَذىa mote وَأَقامَand straightened مِنof تَأويديmy crookedness
نَبذَ القَذى وَأَقامَ مِن تَأويدي
Now that gray hair has cast away my youth
as one casts out a mote, and straightened my crookedness;
وَفَرَرتُand I passed beyond مِنfrom سِنِّthe age of القُروحِfull-grown steeds تَجارِباًin experience
وَفَرَرتُ مِن سِنِّ القُروحِ تَجارِباً
وَعَساand hardened عَلىagainst قَعَسِthe stubbornness of السِنينَthe years عَموديmy backbone
وَعَسا عَلى قَعَسِ السِنينَ عَمودي
and I have outstripped mature steeds in experience,
and my backbone has hardened against the stubborn years;
وَلَبِستُand I donned فيin الصِفَرِpoverty العُلىeminence مُستَبدِلاًexchanging
وَلَبِستُ في الصِفَرِ العُلى مُستَبدِلاً
أَطواقَهاits necklaces بِتَمائِمِin place of the amulets of المَولودِa newborn
أَطواقَها بِتَمائِمِ المَولودِ
and I donned eminence even in poverty, exchanging
a newborn's amulets for its necklaces;
وَصَفَقتُand I clasped فيin أَيديthe hands of الخَلائِفِthe caliphs راهِناًpledging
وَصَفَقتُ في أَيدي الخَلائِفِ راهِناً
لَهُمُto them يَديmy hand بِوَثائِقٍwith covenants وَعُقودِand bonds
لَهُمُ يَدي بِوَثائِقٍ وَعُقودِ
and clasped the caliphs' hands, pledging
my hand to them with covenants and solemn bonds;
وَحَلَلتُand I occupied عِندَهُمُamong them مَحَلَّthe place of المُجتَبىthe chosen
وَحَلَلتُ عِندَهُمُ مَحَلَّ المُجتَبى
وَنَزَلتُand I dwelt مِنهُمamong them مَنزِلَin the station of المَودودِthe beloved
وَنَزَلتُ مِنهُم مَنزِلَ المَودودِ
and held among them the place of one chosen,
and dwelt among them in the station of one beloved—
فَغَرَgaped العَدُوُّthe foe يُريدُseeking ذَمَّto disparage فَضائِليmy virtues
فَغَرَ العَدُوُّ يُريدُ ذَمَّ فَضائِلي
هَيهاتَfar from it! أُلجِمَmay be bridled فوكَyour mouth بِالجُلمودِwith a boulder
هَيهاتَ أُلجِمَ فوكَ بِالجُلمودِ
the foe gaped, seeking to disparage my virtues.
Far from it! May your mouth be bridled with a boulder!
هَمساًsoftly! فَكَمfor how many أَسكَتُّI silenced قَبلَكَbefore you كاشِحاًa spiteful foe
هَمساً فَكَم أَسكَتُّ قَبلَكَ كاشِحاً
بِمَناقِبيwith my virtues وَعَلَيَّand to my credit فَضلُa surplus مَزيدِof further merit
بِمَناقِبي وَعَلَيَّ فَضلُ مَزيدِ
Softly! How many a spiteful foe before you I have silenced
with my virtues, while I still had more to spare!
ماwhy ليshould I أُريغُseek النَصفَfairness مِنfrom مُتَحامِلٍone prejudiced against me
ما لي أُريغُ النَصفَ مِن مُتَحامِلٍ
أَوor أَطلُبُseek الإِجمالَgracious treatment عِندَfrom حَسودِan envious man
أَو أَطلُبُ الإِجمالَ عِندَ حَسودِ
Why should I seek fairness from one prejudiced against me,
or look for graciousness in an envious man?
أَمor كَيفَhow يَرأَمُنيcan he cherish me وَليسَwhen he is not بِمُنجِبيone who begot me
أَم كَيفَ يَرأَمُني وَليسَ بِمُنجِبي
أَتَرىdo you think الرَؤومَthe nurturing mother تَكونُcan be غَيرَother than وَلودِone who has borne
أَتَرى الرَؤومَ تَكونُ غَيرَ وَلودِ
How can he cherish me when he did not beget me?
Can a nurturing mother be one who has never borne?
فَلَأَنهَضَنَّso I shall surely rise إِلىto المَعاليthe heights نَهضَةًin a rising
فَلَأَنهَضَنَّ إِلى المَعالي نَهضَةً
مِلءَfilling الزَمانِall time تَفيthat compensates بِطولِfor the length of قُعوديmy sitting idle
مِلءَ الزَمانِ تَفي بِطولِ قُعودي
I shall surely rise toward the heights with a rising
that fills all time and makes amends for my long sitting.
إِجمَحcharge forward أَمامَكَstraight ahead of you إِنif هَمَمتَyou resolve بِفَعلَةٍupon a deed
إِجمَح أَمامَكَ إِن هَمَمتَ بِفَعلَةٍ
وَتَغابَand feign unawareness عَنof عَذلٍreproach وَعَنand of تَفنيدِfaultfinding
وَتَغابَ عَن عَذلٍ وَعَن تَفنيدِ
Charge straight ahead if you resolve upon a deed,
and feign unawareness of reproach and faultfinding.
وَإِذاand if التَفَتَّyou look back إِلىat العَواقِبِthe consequences بَدَّلَتthey exchange
وَإِذا التَفَتَّ إِلى العَواقِبِ بَدَّلَت
قَلبَthe heart of الجَرِيِّthe bold man بِمُهجَةِfor the spirit of الرِعديدِthe coward
قَلبَ الجَرِيِّ بِمُهجَةِ الرِعديدِ
If you look back at consequences, they exchange
the bold man's heart for a coward's spirit.
قَدindeed قُلتُI said لِلإِبِلِto the camels الطِلاحِworn-out حَدَوتُهاI urged them with song
قَد قُلتُ لِلإِبِلِ الطِلاحِ حَدَوتُها
غَلَسَin the predawn darkness of الظَلامِthe night بِسائِقٍwith a driver غَريدِtuneful
غَلَسَ الظَلامِ بِسائِقٍ غَريدِ
I said to the weary camels, urging them with song
in the dark before dawn, with a tuneful driver—
مِنof كُلِّevery مَضطَرِبِtrembling of الزَمامِrein كَأَنَّهُas though it
مِن كُلِّ مَضطَرِبِ الزَمامِ كَأَنَّهُ
فيin اللَيلِthe night ثُمَّthen بِأَرقَمٍby a speckled snake مَطرودِpursued
في اللَيلِ ثُمَّ بِأَرقَمٍ مَطرودِ
each with its rein trembling, as though it
were then pursued in the night by a speckled snake.
فَتَلَtwisted الطَوىhunger أَجوافَهاtheir bellies بِظُهورِهاagainst their backs
فَتَلَ الطَوى أَجوافَها بِظُهورِها
وَأَحَلَّand made lawful أَكلَeating لُحومِهاtheir flesh لِلبيدِfor the deserts
وَأَحَلَّ أَكلَ لُحومِها لِلبيدِ
Hunger had twisted their bellies against their backs,
and given the wastes leave to devour their flesh.
إِنif لَمnot تَرَيyou see كافيthe most capable of الكُفاةِthe capable فَلَمthen not يَزَلwill cease
إِن لَم تَرَي كافي الكُفاةِ فَلَم يَزَل
مِنكُنَّamong you مَسقِطُthe falling of ظالِعٍone lame أَوor مودِone perishing
مِنكُنَّ مَسقِطُ ظالِعٍ أَو مودِ
'If you do not see Kafi al-Kufat, there will be no end
to one of you falling lame or perishing.'
بِهُداهُby his guidance يَستَضويseeks light الوَرىmankind وَبَهَديِهِand by his example
بِهُداهُ يَستَضوي الوَرى وَبَهَديِهِ
قَرُبَgrew short الطَريقُthe road لَهُمfor them إِلىto المَعبودِthe Worshipped One
قَرُبَ الطَريقُ لَهُم إِلى المَعبودِ
By his guidance mankind seeks light; by his example
the road to the Worshipped One has grown short for them.
أُسدٌa lion إِذاwhen جَرَّhe drew القَبائِلَthe tribes خَلفَهُbehind him
أُسدٌ إِذا جَرَّ القَبائِلَ خَلفَهُ
حَلَّhe unbound الطُلىnecks بِلِوائِهِwith his banner المَعقودِtied fast
حَلَّ الطُلى بِلِوائِهِ المَعقودِ
A lion: when he draws the tribes behind him,
he unbinds necks with his tightly knotted banner.
وَمُقَصِّرٍand one short فيin الطولِlength غَيرِnot مُقَصِّرٍfalling short
وَمُقَصِّرٍ في الطولِ غَيرِ مُقَصِّرٍ
فيin الضَربِstriking يَقطَعُit severs كُلَّevery حَبلِcord of وَريدِa jugular vein
في الضَربِ يَقطَعُ كُلَّ حَبلِ وَريدِ
And a blade, short in length but never falling short
in striking, severs every jugular cord.
وَمُزَعزَعٍand a brandished shaft مِثلِlike الجَريرِa halter-rope إِذاwhen اِنحَنىit bent
وَمُزَعزَعٍ مِثلِ الجَريرِ إِذا اِنحَنى
لِلطَعنِto thrust شُيِّعَit was escorted بِالطِوالِby the long spears الميدِswaying
لِلطَعنِ شُيِّعَ بِالطِوالِ الميدِ
And a brandished shaft, like a halter-rope, when bent
to thrust, is escorted by long, swaying spears.
ماnever مَرَّhe went forth يَسحَبُtrailing مِنهُsome of it إِلّاexcept رَدَّهُhe returned it
ما مَرَّ يَسحَبُ مِنهُ إِلّا رَدَّهُ
رَيّانَsated يَقطُرُdripping مِنwith دِماءِthe blood of الصَيدِproud chiefs
رَيّانَ يَقطُرُ مِن دِماءِ الصَيدِ
No shaft he went forth trailing did he bring back save
sated, dripping with the blood of proud chiefs.
وَالجَيشُand the army يَرفَعُraises عِمَّةًa turban مِنof قَسطَلٍdust
وَالجَيشُ يَرفَعُ عِمَّةً مِن قَسطَلٍ
فَوقَabove القَناthe spears وَيجُرُّand trails ذَيلَa train of حَديدِiron
فَوقَ القَنا وَيجُرُّ ذَيلَ حَديدِ
The army raises a turban of dust
above the spears and trails a skirt of iron.
سَلَفٌa vanguard لِكُلِّfor every كَتيبَةٍbattalion يَطَأُhe tramples العِدىthe foes
سَلَفٌ لِكُلِّ كَتيبَةٍ يَطَأُ العِدى
فيهاwithin it مُفاجَأَةٌa sudden assault بِغَيرِwithout وَعيدِa threat
فيها مُفاجَأَةٌ بِغَيرِ وَعيدِ
At the head of every battalion he tramples the foe,
within it, by surprise and without a threat.
فيamong غِلمَةٍyoung warriors حَمَلواthey bore القَناthe spears وَتَحَمَّلواand shouldered
في غِلمَةٍ حَمَلوا القَنا وَتَحَمَّلوا
أَعباءَthe burdens of يَومِthe day of المَأزِقِbattle المَشهودِmuch-witnessed
أَعباءَ يَومِ المَأزِقِ المَشهودِ
Among young warriors who bear spears and shoulder
the burdens of the much-witnessed day of battle.
قَومٌmen إِذاwhen رَكِبواthey mount الجِيادَthe steeds تَجَلبَبواthey cloak themselves
قَومٌ إِذا رَكِبوا الجِيادَ تَجَلبَبوا
بِقَساطِلٍin dust clouds وَتَعَمَّمواand turban themselves بِبُنودِwith banners
بِقَساطِلٍ وَتَعَمَّموا بِبُنودِ
Men who, when they mount their steeds, cloak themselves
in dust clouds and wind banners into turbans.
وَإِذاand when سَرواthey travel by night كَمَنواthey hide كُمونَwith the hiding of أَراقِمٍspeckled snakes
وَإِذا سَروا كَمَنوا كُمونَ أَراقِمٍ
وَإِذاand when لَقواthey meet the foe بَرَزواthey emerge بُروزَwith the emergence of أُسودُlions
وَإِذا لَقوا بَرَزوا بُروزَ أُسودُ
When they travel by night, they hide like speckled snakes;
when they meet the foe, they emerge like lions.
وَإِذاand when هَتَفتَyou call بِهِمto them لِيَومِfor a day of كَريهَةٍbattle
وَإِذا هَتَفتَ بِهِم لِيَومِ كَريهَةٍ
تَدمىbleed غَوارِبُthe upper ridges of نَحرِهاits breast المَورودِapproached
تَدمى غَوارِبُ نَحرِها المَورودِ
When you summon them for a day of battle,
the heights of whose breast run blood as men approach,
كَثَرواthey outnumber الحَصىthe pebbles بِجُموعِهِمwith their hosts وَتَلاحَقواand rally
كَثَروا الحَصى بِجُموعِهِم وَتَلاحَقوا
بِكَto you مِنas قِيامٍmen standing فيin السُروجِthe saddles قُعودِseated
بِكَ مِن قِيامٍ في السُروجِ قُعودِ
their hosts outnumber the pebbles, and they rally
to you—upright in their saddles, though seated.
كَمhow many مِنa عَدوٍّfoe قَدindeed أَباتَhe left overnight كَأَنَّماas though
كَم مِن عَدوٍّ قَد أَباتَ كَأَنَّما
يَطويhe folds الضُلوعَhis ribs عَلىaround قَناًspears مَقصودِbroken
يَطوي الضُلوعَ عَلى قَناً مَقصودِ
How many an enemy he has left all night as though
folding his ribs around splintered spears,
لِوَعيدِat the threat of مُحتَضِرِone confronting العِدىthe foes بِحُسامِهِwith his keen sword
لِوَعيدِ مُحتَضِرِ العِدى بِحُسامِهِ
قَبلَbefore اِحتِمالِharboring ضَغائِنٍgrudges وَحُقودِand hatreds
قَبلَ اِحتِمالِ ضَغائِنٍ وَحُقودِ
at the threat of one who faces foes with his keen sword,
before ever harboring grudges and hatred.
وَمُؤَلَّلاتٍand sharp-pointed ones كَالرِماحِlike lances تَلَمَّظَتlicked her lips
وَمُؤَلَّلاتٍ كَالرِماحِ تَلَمَّظَت
فيهاwithin them المَنونُDeath تَلَمُّظَwith the lip-licking of المَزؤودِone terrified
فيها المَنونُ تَلَمُّظَ المَزؤودِ
And pointed forms, like lances, within which Death
licked her lips like one struck with terror;
سودُblack of المَخاطِمِnosepieces يَنتَظِمنَthey enclose مَحاسِناًbeautiful features
سودُ المَخاطِمِ يَنتَظِمنَ مَحاسِناً
بيضاًwhite يُضِئنَshining عَلىagainst اللَياليthe nights السودِblack
بيضاً يُضِئنَ عَلى اللَيالي السودِ
black of nosepiece, they enclose beautiful features,
white, shining against the black nights,
كَتَفَتُّحِlike the opening of النُوّارِblossoms فَتَّقَهُsplit it open الحَياthe rain
كَتَفَتُّحِ النُوّارِ فَتَّقَهُ الحَيا
أَوor كَالصَباحِlike dawn فَرىthat cleft الدُجىthe darkness بِعَمودِwith a shaft of light
أَو كَالصَباحِ فَرى الدُجى بِعَمودِ
like blossoms opening, unfurled by rain,
or dawn cleaving the darkness with a shaft of light.
ماnot زالَceased to be قَدرٌa cauldron مِنfrom حَقيرَةِthe humble spoils of سَيفِهِhis sword
ما زالَ قَدرٌ مِن حَقيرَةِ سَيفِهِ
عَلَماًa landmark أَمامَbefore رِواقِهِhis pavilion المَمدودِoutspread
عَلَماً أَمامَ رِواقِهِ المَمدودِ
A cauldron from his sword's humblest spoils has ever stood
as a landmark before his outspread pavilion;
وَجَفانِand bowls of جودٍgenerosity كَالرَكاياlike wells تُستَقىdrawn from
وَجَفانِ جودٍ كَالرَكايا تُستَقى
أَبَداًalways بِأَيديby the hands of نُزَّلٍguests وَوُفودَand delegations
أَبَداً بِأَيدي نُزَّلٍ وَوُفودَ
and generous bowls, like wells, are drawn from
unceasingly by the hands of guests and delegations.
كَمhow many حَجَّةٍa proof لَكَof yours فيin النَوافِلِvoluntary good deeds نَوَّهَتhas exalted
كَم حَجَّةٍ لَكَ في النَوافِلِ نَوَّهَت
بِدُعاءِwith the call of دينِthe faith of العَدلِjustice وَالتَوحيدِand divine unity
بِدُعاءِ دينِ العَدلِ وَالتَوحيدِ
How many a proof in your voluntary good deeds has exalted
the call of the faith of justice and divine unity!
وَمَجادِلٍand a disputant أَدمىbloodied جَدالُكَyour disputation قَلبَهُhis heart
وَمَجادِلٍ أَدمى جَدالُكَ قَلبَهُ
وَأَعَضَّهُand made him bite بِجَوانِبِinto the sides of الصَيخودِhard rock
وَأَعَضَّهُ بِجَوانِبِ الصَيخودِ
And many a disputant whose heart your disputation bloodied,
and whom it made bite the sides of hard rock.
وَشَفَيتَand you cured مُمتَرِضَthose sick in الهُدىguidance مِنamong مَعشَرٍa people
وَشَفَيتَ مُمتَرِضَ الهُدى مِن مَعشَرٍ
سَدّواwho blocked the way مِنَwith الآراءِopinions غَيرَnot سَديدِsound
سَدّوا مِنَ الآراءِ غَيرَ سَديدِ
You cured those sick in guidance among a people
who barred the way with opinions far from sound.
قارَعتَهُمyou contested them بِالقَولِwith words حَتّىuntil أَذعَنواthey yielded
قارَعتَهُم بِالقَولِ حَتّى أَذعَنوا
وَأَطَلتَand you prolonged نَومَthe sleep of الصارِمِthe keen sword المَغمودِsheathed
وَأَطَلتَ نَومَ الصارِمِ المَغمودِ
You contested them with words until they yielded,
and prolonged the sleep of the sheathed, keen sword.
جَمرٌembers بِمَسهَكَةِin the scouring-place of الرِياحِthe winds نَسَفتَهُyou scattered them
جَمرٌ بِمَسهَكَةِ الرِياحِ نَسَفتَهُ
كانَhad been الضَلالُerror يَمُدُّهُfeeding it بِوَقودِwith fuel
كانَ الضَلالُ يَمُدُّهُ بِوَقودِ
Embers in the winds' scouring-ground—you scattered them;
error had been feeding them with fuel.
فيin كُلِّevery مُعضِلَةٍhard question أَضَبَّwas shut fast رِتاجُهاits gate
في كُلِّ مُعضِلَةٍ أَضَبَّ رِتاجُها
يُلقيcasts إِلَيكَto you الدينُreligion بِالإِقليدِwith the key
يُلقي إِلَيكَ الدينُ بِالإِقليدِ
In every hard question whose gate is bolted fast,
religion casts its key to you.
فَاللَهُthus God يَشكُرُgives thanks for وَالنَبيُّand the Prophet مُحَمَّدٌMuhammad
فَاللَهُ يَشكُرُ وَالنَبيُّ مُحَمَّدٌ
وَقَفاتِthe stands of مُبدٍone who begins فيin النِضالِthe struggle مُعيدِone who renews
وَقَفاتِ مُبدٍ في النِضالِ مُعيدِ
Thus God gives thanks, and the Prophet Muhammad,
for the stands of one who begins and renews the struggle.
رَأيٌa judgment يُغَبُّallowed to mature إِذاwhen الرِجالُmen تَلَهوَجواhastily muddle
رَأيٌ يُغَبُّ إِذا الرِجالُ تَلَهوَجوا
الآراءَtheir opinions أَوor عَجِلواrush عَنِpast التَسديدِsound judgment
الآراءَ أَو عَجِلوا عَنِ التَسديدِ
A judgment allowed to mature, when other men hastily muddle
their opinions, or hurry past sound deliberation.
لَوif كانَit were يُمكُنَنيpossible for me التَقَلُّبُto travel لَمnot يَكُنwould be
لَو كانَ يُمكُنَني التَقَلُّبُ لَم يَكُن
إِلّاexcept إِلَيكَtoward you تَهائِميmy lowland journeys وَنُجوديand my upland journeys
إِلّا إِلَيكَ تَهائِمي وَنُجودي
If I could travel, none of my journeys would be
except toward you, through lowlands or uplands.
وَطَوَيتُand I would traverse ماhowever بَعُدَتfar مَسافَةَthe distance بَينَناbetween us
وَطَوَيتُ ما بَعُدَت مَسافَةَ بَينَنا
إِنَّindeed البَعيدَthe far إِلَيكَtoward you غَيرُnot بَعيدُfar
إِنَّ البَعيدَ إِلَيكَ غَيرُ بَعيدُ
I would fold away the distance between us, however far;
indeed, no distance is far when it leads to you.
وَأَنَختُand I would kneel عيسيmy pale camels فيin جَنابِكَyour precinct طارِحاًcasting down
وَأَنَختُ عيسي في جَنابِكَ طارِحاً
بِفَناءِin the courtyard of دارِكَyour house أَنسُعيmy saddle-girths وَقُتوديand my camel-saddles
بِفَناءِ دارِكَ أَنسُعي وَقُتودي
I would kneel my pale camels in your precinct, casting
my saddle-girths and camel-saddles into your courtyard.
وَتَرَكتُand I would leave أَسوُقَهاtheir shanks نُكوسَturned backward عَقيرَةٍlike a hamstrung beast
وَتَرَكتُ أَسوُقَها نُكوسَ عَقيرَةٍ
مُتَبَدِّلاتِexchanging صَوارِمٍsharp swords بِقُيودِin place of fetters
مُتَبَدِّلاتِ صَوارِمٍ بِقُيودِ
I would leave their shanks turned back, like hamstrung beasts,
exchanging their fetters for sharp swords.
بَينِbetween me وَبَينَكَand you حُرمَتانِtwo sacred bonds تَلاقَتاhave met
بَينِ وَبَينَكَ حُرمَتانِ تَلاقَتا
نَثريmy prose الَّذيwhich بِكَfrom you يَقتَديtakes its example وَقَصيديand my poetry
نَثري الَّذي بِكَ يَقتَدي وَقَصيدي
Between me and you two sacred bonds have met:
my prose, which follows your example, and my poetry.
وَوَصايِلُand the ties of الأَدَبِliterature الَّذيwhich تَصِلُbind الفَتىa young man
وَوَصايِلُ الأَدَبِ الَّذي تَصِلُ الفَتى
لاnot بِاِتِّصالِthrough the connection of قَبائِلٍtribes وَجُدودِand forefathers
لا بِاِتِّصالِ قَبائِلٍ وَجُدودِ
And ties of literature that bind a man to you,
not bonds of tribes and forefathers.
قَدindeed كُنتُI used to أَعقُلُhobble عَنaway from سِواكَall but you عَقائِليmy prized she-camels
قَد كُنتُ أَعقُلُ عَن سِواكَ عَقائِلي
وَأَصونُand guard دُرَّthe pearls of قلائِديmy necklaces وَعُقوديand my strings
وَأَصونُ دُرَّ قلائِدي وَعُقودي
I kept my prized she-camels hobbled against all but you,
and guarded the pearls of my necklaces and strings.
وَأَحوكُand I weave أَفوافَthe striped fabrics of القَريضِpoetry فَلاso I do not أَرىconsider
وَأَحوكُ أَفوافَ القَريضِ فَلا أَرى
أَنّيthat I أُدَنِّسُsoil بِاللِئامِwith base men بُروديmy mantles
أَنّي أُدَنِّسُ بِاللِئامِ بُرودي
I weave the striped fabrics of poetry, unwilling
to soil my mantles with ignoble men.
وَلَقَدand indeed ذَمَمتُI disparaged الناسَpeople قَبلَكَbefore you كُلَّهُمall of them
وَلَقَد ذَمَمتُ الناسَ قَبلَكَ كُلَّهُم
فَالآنَso now طُرَّقَa way is opened ليfor me إِلىto المَحمودِone worthy of praise
فَالآنَ طُرَّقَ لي إِلى المَحمودِ
I have disparaged all people before you;
now a path has opened for me to one worthy of praise.
إِنif أُهدِI offer أَشعاريmy poems إِلَيكَto you فَإِنَّهُthen it is
إِن أُهدِ أَشعاري إِلَيكَ فَإِنَّهُ
كَالسَردِlike woven mail أَعرِضُهُI display it عَلىbefore داوودِDavid
كَالسَردِ أَعرِضُهُ عَلى داوودِ
If I offer my poems to you, it is
like chain mail I display before David.
لَكِنَّنيbut I أَعطَيتُgave صَفوَthe purest of خَواطِريmy thoughts
لَكِنَّني أَعطَيتُ صَفوَ خَواطِري
وَسَقَيتُand I gave to drink ماwhat صَبَّتpoured عَلَيَّupon me رُعوديmy thunders
وَسَقَيتُ ما صَبَّت عَلَيَّ رُعودي
Yet I have given the purest of my thoughts,
and given you to drink what my thunders poured upon me.
وَسَمَحتُand I freely gave بِالمَوجودِwhat was available عِندَwithin بَلاغَتيmy eloquence
وَسَمَحتُ بِالمَوجودِ عِندَ بَلاغَتي
إِنّيindeed I كَذاكَthus أَجودُgive generously بِالمَوجودِof what I possess
إِنّي كَذاكَ أَجودُ بِالمَوجودِ
I freely gave what my eloquence had at hand;
thus do I give generously of what I possess.
Sol 6.1