هبsuppose النبطthe Nabataeans لمdid not تعرفknow طريقاًa path إلىto العلىglory
هب النبط لم تعرف طريقاً إلى العلى
ولاnor سمعتheard أخبارtales of كعبKa'b وحاتمand Hatim
ولا سمعت أخبار كعب وحاتم
Suppose the Nabataeans knew no path to glory,
The Nabateans did not know the path to excellence,
Nor had heard the tales of Ka'b and Hatim;
Nor heard they the tales of Ka'b and Hatim.
فماwhat, then لقريشwith Quraysh وهيthough it is أكبرthe greatest حجةproof
فما لقريش وهي أكبر حجة
نقيمwe uphold بهاthrough it شرعthe law of الندىgenerosity والمكارمand noble virtues
نقيم بها شرع الندى والمكارم
What, then, ails Quraysh, though it is the greatest proof
What is it to Quraysh, though she be the greatest authority,
By which we uphold the law of generosity and noble virtues,
If we establish through her the law of glory and nobility?
تكلفناit compels us بعدafter الولاءloyalty عقوقهاdisloyalty to it
تكلفنا بعد الولاء عقوقها
علىin the face of الضيمoppression أوor نقضbreaking العرىthe bonds والعزائمand firm resolves
على الضيم أو نقض العرى والعزائم
That it compels us, after loyalty, to turn against it
After loyalty, to wrong her were ungracious-
In the face of oppression, or to break bonds and firm resolves?
Though she do us wrong or break our pledges and oaths sworn.
عسىperhaps شيمةthe disposition of الأنباطthe Nabataeans وهيthough it is ذميمةblameworthy
عسى شيمة الأنباط وهي ذميمة
تغيرهاchange it الأسباطthe scions منfrom آلthe House of هاشمHashim
تغيرها الأسباط من آل هاشم
Perhaps the Nabataeans' disposition, blameworthy though it is,
Mayhap the ignoble habits of the Nabateans,
Will be changed by the scions of the House of Hashim.
Will be changed by the Hashimites, scions of Al-Asbat.
Sol 6.1