تَحِنُّyearns بِزَوراءِat Zawra المَدينَةِMedina ناقَتيmy she-camel
تَحِنُّ بِزَوراءِ المَدينَةِ ناقَتي
حَنينَthe yearning of عَجولٍa bereaved cow تَبتَغِseeking البَوَّthe stuffed calf رائِمِmotherly and yearning
حَنينَ عَجولٍ تَبتَغِ البَوَّ رائِمِ
My she-camel yearns at Zawra of Medina,
My she-camel yearns for the outskirts of the city,
like a bereaved cow seeking her stuffed calf, still yearning.
Yearning like a calf seeking pasture at dusk.
وَياand oh لَيتَwould that زَوراءَZawra المَدينَةِMedina أَصبَحَتhad come to be
وَيا لَيتَ زَوراءَ المَدينَةِ أَصبَحَت
بِأَحفارِat the wells of فَلجٍFalj أَوor بِسَيفِon the coast of الكَواظِمِal-Kawazim
بِأَحفارِ فَلجٍ أَو بِسَيفِ الكَواظِمِ
Would that Zawra of Medina had come to lie
If only the city outskirts were transformed
at the wells of Falj, or on the coast of al-Kawazim.
Into digging pits or by Sword of Judgement made flat!
وَكَمand how many نامَslept عَنّيheedless of me بِالمَدينَةِin Medina لَمnot يُبَلcare
وَكَم نامَ عَنّي بِالمَدينَةِ لَم يُبَل
إِلَيَّfor me اِطِّلاعَthe rising of النَفسِthe soul دونَbeneath الحَيازِمِthe ribs
إِلَيَّ اِطِّلاعَ النَفسِ دونَ الحَيازِمِ
How many slept heedless of me in Medina, not caring
How often I slept in the city, unaware—
that my soul was rising beneath my ribs.
My soul kept from prying—of wiles and sly tricks,
إِذاwhen جَشَأَتrose in anguish نَفسيmy soul أَقولُI say لَهاto it اِرجِعيreturn
إِذا جَشَأَت نَفسي أَقولُ لَها اِرجِعي
وَرائِكِbehind you وَاِستَحيِيand be ashamed before بَياضَthe whiteness of اللَهازِمِthe jaws
وَرائِكِ وَاِستَحيِي بَياضَ اللَهازِمِ
When my soul rises in anguish, I tell it, 'Return
When my soul grew impudent, I'd say to her: "Turn back!
behind you, and be ashamed before the white hair at your jaws.'
Be ashamed before whiteness of scattered remnants!"
فَإِنَّfor indeed الَّتيthat which ضَرَّتكَharmed you لَوif ذُقتَyou tasted طَعمَهاits flavor
فَإِنَّ الَّتي ضَرَّتكَ لَو ذُقتَ طَعمَها
عَلَيكَupon you مِنَamong الأَعباءِthe burdens يَومَon the day of التَخاصُمِdisputation
عَلَيكَ مِنَ الأَعباءِ يَومَ التَخاصُمِ
For that which harmed you—if you tasted its flavor—
For she who harmed you, if you'd tasted her poison,
will be among your burdens on the day of disputation.
Would burden you amid disputes of Judgement Day.
وَلَستَand you are not بِمَأخوذٍheld accountable بِلَغوٍfor idle speech تَقولُهُyou speak it
وَلَستَ بِمَأخوذٍ بِلَغوٍ تَقولُهُ
إِذاif لَمnot تَعَمَّدdeliberately intend عاقِداتِbinding العَزائِمِresolutions
إِذا لَم تَعَمَّد عاقِداتِ العَزائِمِ
You are not held accountable for idle words you speak,
You're not one who lightly utters words
unless you deliberately intend binding resolutions.
Unless with purpose you've girded determined will.
وَلَمّاand when أَبَواthey refused إِلّاanything but الرَحيلَdeparture وَأَعلَقواand fastened
وَلَمّا أَبَوا إِلّا الرَحيلَ وَأَعلَقوا
عُرىًloops فيinto بُرىًnose-rings مَخشوشَةٍfitted with nose-pegs بِالخَزائِمِwith nose-rings
عُرىً في بُرىً مَخشوشَةٍ بِالخَزائِمِ
When they insisted on departure and fastened
When they refused but to depart, and tethered
loops to nose-rings fitted with nose-pegs,
On saddles—slit, rugged—mouths grim with insult,
وَراحواand departed بِجُثمانيwith my body وَأَمسَكَand held قَلبَهُits heart
وَراحوا بِجُثماني وَأَمسَكَ قَلبَهُ
حُشاشَتُهُits remaining spark of life بَينَbetween المُصَلّىal-Musalla وَواقِمِand Waqim
حُشاشَتُهُ بَينَ المُصَلّى وَواقِمِ
they carried off my body, while its heart was held
And took off with my body, my heart held back,
by its remaining spark of life between al-Musalla and Waqim.
Clutched in anxiety 'tween worshipper and pillar,
أَقولُI say لِمَغلوبٍto a vanquished one أَماتَdeadened عِظامَهُhis bones
أَقولُ لِمَغلوبٍ أَماتَ عِظامَهُ
تَعاقُبُthe succession of أَدراجِcourses of النُجومِthe stars العَوائِمِthe drifting ones
تَعاقُبُ أَدراجِ النُجومِ العَوائِمِ
I say to a vanquished one whose bones were deadened
I say to one defeated, whom time with passing stars
by the succession of the courses of drifting stars:
Has turned his bones to dust: "If we call, you answer not,
إِذاwhen نَحنُwe نادَيناcalled أَبىhe refused أَنto يُجيبُناanswer us
إِذا نَحنُ نادَينا أَبى أَن يُجيبُنا
وَإِنand even if نَحنُwe فَدَّيناهُoffered ourselves as his ransom غَيرَexcept for الغَماغِمِmurmurs
وَإِن نَحنُ فَدَّيناهُ غَيرَ الغَماغِمِ
when we call, he refuses to answer us,
And if we ransom you with more than clouds,
even when we offer ourselves as his ransom, except with murmurs.
You give us naught but drippings of the rain."
سَيُدنيكَwill bring you near مِنto خَيرِthe best of البَرِيَّةِcreation فَاِعتَدِلso sit upright
سَيُدنيكَ مِن خَيرِ البَرِيَّةِ فَاِعتَدِل
تَناقُلُthe alternation of نَصَّswift urging of اليَعمُلاتِthe sturdy she-camels الرَواسِمِthe swiftly striding ones
تَناقُلُ نَصَّ اليَعمُلاتِ الرَواسِمِ
You will be brought near the best of creation—so sit upright—
Fate will bring you the best of mankind; so be just—
by the alternating swift strides of sturdy, striding she-camels,
Transferring texts of laws inscribed on tablets.
إِلىto المُؤمِنِthe believer الفَكّاكِthe liberator of كُلَّevery مُقَيَّدٍfettered man
إِلى المُؤمِنِ الفَكّاكِ كُلَّ مُقَيَّدٍ
يَداهُhis two hands وَمُلقيand the remover of الثِقلِthe burden عَنfrom كُلِّevery غارِمِdebtor
يَداهُ وَمُلقي الثِقلِ عَن كُلِّ غارِمِ
to the believer who releases every fettered man
To believer who frees all shackled at wrist
with his two hands, and lifts the burden from every debtor,
And unburdens others of each heavy debt,
بِكَفَّينِwith two hands بَيضاوَينِshining white فيin راحَتَيهِماtheir two palms
بِكَفَّينِ بَيضاوَينِ في راحَتَيهِما
حَياlife-giving rain كُلُّevery شَيءٍthing بِالغُيوثِthrough rains السَواجِمِpouring
حَيا كُلُّ شَيءٍ بِالغُيوثِ السَواجِمِ
with two shining hands, within whose palms
With two hands—whitened palms—in them contained
lies life-giving rain for everything, in pouring showers;
Life of all things by rains of succor are sustained,
بِخَيرِwith the best يَدَيtwo hands of مَنwhoever كانَwas بَعدَafter مُحَمَّدٍMuhammad
بِخَيرِ يَدَي مَن كانَ بَعدَ مُحَمَّدٍ
وَجارَيهِand his two neighbors وَالمَظلومِand the wronged one لِلَّهِfor God صائِمِfasting
وَجارَيهِ وَالمَظلومِ لِلَّهِ صائِمِ
with the finest pair of hands since Muhammad,
By the best of hands, after Mohammed,
his two neighbors, and the wronged man who fasted for God.
And his noble kin from Hashim's line descended.
فَلَمّاthen when حَباcrept away واديWadi القُرىal-Qura مِنfrom وَرائِناbehind us
فَلَمّا حَبا وادي القُرى مِن وَرائِنا
وَأَشرَفنَand they overlooked أَقتارَedges of الفِجاجِthe mountain passes القَوائِمِthe rising ones
وَأَشرَفنَ أَقتارَ الفِجاجِ القَوائِمِ
When Wadi al-Qura crept away behind us,
When valley of Qura to our rear unfurled
and the camels overlooked the edges of the rising mountain passes,
And we climbed the mountain ridges rising in sight,
لَوىturned كُلُّevery مُشتاقٍlonging man مِنَamong القَومِthe company رَأسَهُhis head
لَوى كُلُّ مُشتاقٍ مِنَ القَومِ رَأسَهُ
بِمُغرَورِقاتٍwith tear-brimming eyes كَالشِنانِlike worn waterskins الهَزائِمِthe split ones
بِمُغرَورِقاتٍ كَالشِنانِ الهَزائِمِ
each longing man among the company turned his head,
Each longing one among our band turned his head,
with eyes brimming like worn, leaking waterskins.
Blinded by cascades like defeated warriors in flight.
وَأَيقَنَand knew أَنّاthat we لاnot نَرُدُّturn back صُدورَهاtheir breasts
وَأَيقَنَ أَنّا لا نَرُدُّ صُدورَها
وَلَمّاand not yet تُواجِهّاface us جِبالُthe mountains of الجَراجِمِal-Jarajim
وَلَمّا تُواجِهّا جِبالُ الجَراجِمِ
He knew we would not turn their breasts back,
And realized we'd not return to visit them,
though the mountains of al-Jarajim had not yet faced us.
When mountains of separation stood in our way.
أَكُنتُمhad you ظَنَنتُمsupposed رِحلَتيmy journey تَنثَنيwould turn back بِكُمto you
أَكُنتُم ظَنَنتُم رِحلَتي تَنثَني بِكُم
وَلَمand not يَنقُدِundo الإِدلاجُnight travel طَيَّthe folds of العَمائِمِthe turbans
وَلَم يَنقُدِ الإِدلاجُ طَيَّ العَمائِمِ
Did you suppose my journey would turn back to you
Did you think my journey would conclude with you,
before night travel had undone the folds of our turbans?
When the twisting of turbans had not yet come undone?
لَبِئسَpoor indeed إِذاًthen حاميthe defender of الحَقيقَةِhonor وَالَّذيand the one who
لَبِئسَ إِذاً حامي الحَقيقَةِ وَالَّذي
يُلاذُrefuge is sought بِهِin him فيamid المُعضِلاتِinsoluble troubles العَظائِمِthe great ones
يُلاذُ بِهِ في المُعضِلاتِ العَظائِمِ
Then poor indeed would be the defender of honor, and he
How ugly—the guardian of truth who takes refuge
in whom refuge is sought amid great, insoluble troubles.
In Him when tangled in life's awful calamities!
وَمائِنand a waterhole كَأَنَّas though الدِمنَthe dung فَوقَupon جَمامِهِits still pools
وَمائِن كَأَنَّ الدِمنَ فَوقَ جَمامِهِ
عِباءٌcloaks كَسَتهُclothed it مِنthrough فُروجِgaps of المَخارِمِthe mountain passes
عِباءٌ كَسَتهُ مِن فُروجِ المَخارِمِ
And a waterhole: the dung upon its still pools seemed
Mourner—as if sitariat on his head
like cloaks laid over it, through gaps in the mountain passes,
Were a gown whose tatters the squalls make dance!
رِياحٌwinds عَلىabove أَعطانِهِits camel-watering grounds حَيثُwhere تَلتَقيthey meet
رِياحٌ عَلى أَعطانِهِ حَيثُ تَلتَقي
عَفاit faded وَخَلاand was deserted مِنsince عَهدِهِits time المُتَقادِمِancient
عَفا وَخَلا مِن عَهدِهِ المُتَقادِمِ
by winds meeting above its camel-watering grounds;
Winds flapping his ropes where East and West
it had faded and lay deserted since its ancient days.
Have worn his covenant threadbare in time long past.
وَرَدتُI reached water وَأَعجازُand the last parts of النُجومِthe stars كَأَنَّهاas though they
وَرَدتُ وَأَعجازُ النُجومِ كَأَنَّها
وَقَدwhile already غارَhad sunk تاليهاtheir following one هَجائِنُnoble pale camels هاجِمِa herd rushing to water
وَقَد غارَ تاليها هَجائِنُ هاجِمِ
I reached it while the last of the stars seemed—
I returned with stars in reverse—as if
their follower having sunk—like pale camels crowding toward water.
Their pursuer attacked from rear, striking necks down.
بِغيدٍwith supple-necked camels وَأَطلاحٍand exhausted ones كَأَنَّas though عُيونَهاtheir eyes
بِغيدٍ وَأَطلاحٍ كَأَنَّ عُيونَها
نِطاقٌa girdle أَظَلَّتهاovershadowed them قِلاتُhollows of الجَماجِمِthe skulls
نِطاقٌ أَظَلَّتها قِلاتُ الجَماجِمِ
I came with supple-necked and exhausted camels, whose eyes seemed
With ringing of bells—their eyes like a circlet
a girdle shaded by the hollows of their skulls.
Shading them—ring of prominent cheekbones encased.
كَأَنَّas though رِحالَsaddles of المَيسِhackberry wood ضَمَّتenclosed حِبالُهاtheir ropes
كَأَنَّ رِحالَ المَيسِ ضَمَّت حِبالُها
قَناطِرَarches طَيِّlaid courses of الجَندَلِstone المُتَلاجِمِinterlocking
قَناطِرَ طَيِّ الجَندَلِ المُتَلاجِمِ
As though the ropes of their hackberry saddles enclosed
As if legs of ibex were entwined by ropes
arches of close-laid, interlocking stone.
Of howdah—compacted, bound tight in a mass.
إِلَيكَto you وَلِيَّguardian of الحَقِّright لاقىjoined غُروضَهاtheir front girths
إِلَيكَ وَلِيَّ الحَقِّ لاقى غُروضَها
وَأَحقابَهاand their rear girths إِدراجُهاtheir swift advance بِالمَناسِمِwith padded feet
وَأَحقابَها إِدراجُها بِالمَناسِمِ
To you, guardian of right, their breast-girths were brought together
Before you, Defender of Truth, their necks reached out
with their rear girths by the swift working of their padded feet:
And their humps, as you called them, arranged in due place.
نَواهِضَrising she-camels يَحمِلنَthey carry الهُمومَthe cares الَّتيwhich جَفَتdrove away
نَواهِضَ يَحمِلنَ الهُمومَ الَّتي جَفَت
بِناwith us عَنaway from حَشاياthe bedding of المُحصَناتِchaste women الكَرائِمِthe noble ones
بِنا عَن حَشايا المُحصَناتِ الكَرائِمِ
rising camels carrying the cares that drove
High-bred steeds carrying cares that dried up
us away from the bedding of noble, chaste women,
Within us, of noble ladies aloof in their tents.
لِيَبلُغنَso they may reach مِلءَone filling الرَرضِthe earth نوراًwith light وَرَحمَةًand mercy
لِيَبلُغنَ مِلءَ الرَرضِ نوراً وَرَحمَةً
وَعَدلاًand justice وَغَيثَand rain for المُغبِراتِthe dust-covered lands القَواتِمِthe darkened ones
وَعَدلاً وَغَيثَ المُغبِراتِ القَواتِمِ
to reach one who fills the earth with light and mercy,
To fill the earth with light, mercy, justice,
with justice, and rain for dark, dust-covered lands.
Rain for the dusty, late watering at end of bleak days.
جُعِلتَyou were made لِأَهلِfor the people of الرَرضِthe earth أَمناًsafety وَرَحمَةًand mercy
جُعِلتَ لِأَهلِ الرَرضِ أَمناً وَرَحمَةً
وَبُرءًand healing لِئاثارِfor the scars of القُروحِsores الكَوالِمِwounding
وَبُرءً لِئاثارِ القُروحِ الكَوالِمِ
You were made safety and mercy for the people of the earth,
You were made secure refuge and mercy for mankind,
and healing for the scars of wounding sores,
Cure for wounds that multiply and cannot be staunched.
كَماas بَعَثَsent اللَهُGod النَبِيَّthe Prophet مُحَمَّداًMuhammad
كَما بَعَثَ اللَهُ النَبِيَّ مُحَمَّداً
عَلىafter فَترَةٍa lapse وَالناسُwhile the people مِثلَlike البَهائِمِbeasts
عَلى فَترَةٍ وَالناسُ مِثلَ البَهائِمِ
as God sent the Prophet Muhammad
Just as God sent as prophet Mohammed
after a lapse, when people were like beasts.
When mankind was beastlike, in days of ignorance lost,
وَرِثتُمyou inherited قَناةَthe spear-shaft of المُلكِkingship غَيرَnot through كَلالَةٍcollateral kinship
وَرِثتُم قَناةَ المُلكِ غَيرَ كَلالَةٍ
عَنِfrom اِبنِson of مَنافٍManaf عَبدِ'Abd شَمسٍShams وَهاشِمِand Hashim
عَنِ اِبنِ مَنافٍ عَبدِ شَمسٍ وَهاشِمِ
You inherited the spear-shaft of kingship, not through collateral kinship,
You inherited canal of kingship without thirst
from Manaf's offspring, 'Abd Shams and Hashim.
From Banu Hashim and sons of Manaf, noblest of kin.
أَبَأناwe avenged بِهِمwith them قَتلىslain men وَماand no فيin دِمائِهِمtheir blood
أَبَأنا بِهِم قَتلى وَما في دِمائِهِم
وَفاءٌfull requital وَهُنَّyet they الشافِياتُthe healing draughts الحَوائِمِthe circling thirsty ones
وَفاءٌ وَهُنَّ الشافِياتُ الحَوائِمِ
We avenged slain men with them, though in their blood
By their blood they swore, and their blood
there was no full requital; yet it healed the circling, thirsty ones.
Was sincere, though they the healing flasks were smashed.
جَزىmay reward اللَهُGod قَوميmy people إِذwhen أَرادَsought خِفارَتيbreaching my protection
جَزى اللَهُ قَومي إِذ أَرادَ خِفارَتي
قُتَيبَةُQutayba سَعيَthe striving of الرَفضَلينَthe most excellent الأَكارِمِthe noblest
قُتَيبَةُ سَعيَ الرَفضَلينَ الأَكارِمِ
May God reward my people, when my protection was threatened
May God reward my people, for when they sought my life,
by Qutayba, with the reward of the noblest, most generous men's striving.
Qutaiba strove to gain two honorable men.
هُمُthey سَمِعواheard يَومَon the day of المُحَصسَبِal-Muhassab مِنfrom مِنىًMina
هُمُ سَمِعوا يَومَ المُحَصسَبِ مِن مِنىً
نِدائيmy cry إِذِwhen اِلتَفَّتgathered رِفاقُcompanies of المَواسِمِthe pilgrimage seasons
نِدائي إِذِ اِلتَفَّت رِفاقُ المَواسِمِ
They heard, on the day of al-Muhassab at Mina,
They heard—while crowds at Minna gathered—my call
my cry, when the pilgrimage companies gathered.
When raiders turned their backs preparing to flee.
هُمُthey طَلَبوهاsought it بِالسُيوفِwith swords وَبِالقَناand with spears
هُمُ طَلَبوها بِالسُيوفِ وَبِالقَنا
وَجُردٍand sleek horses شَجٍgashed أَفواهُهاtheir mouths بِالشَكائِمِby bits
وَجُردٍ شَجٍ أَفواهُها بِالشَكائِمِ
They sought it with swords and spears,
They pursued with swords and sharp spears
and sleek horses whose mouths were gashed by bits,
That bare their teeth, hurling vile insults.
تُقادُare led وَماand never رُدَّتwere turned back إِذاwhen ماever تَوَهَّسَتthey trod forcefully
تُقادُ وَما رُدَّت إِذا ما تَوَهَّسَت
إِلىtoward البَأسِbattle بِالمُستَبسِلينَbearing death-defying warriors الضَراغِمِthe lions
إِلى البَأسِ بِالمُستَبسِلينَ الضَراغِمِ
led forward, never turned back when they trod
Urged on but not held back when facing the valiant
toward battle bearing death-defying, lionlike warriors.
With bared heads, catastrophic for wicked foes.
كَأَنَّكَas though you لَمnot تَسمَعheard تَميمَنTamim إِذاwhen دَعَتcalled
كَأَنَّكَ لَم تَسمَع تَميمَن إِذا دَعَت
تَميمُنTamim وَلَمand not تَسمَعheard بِيَومِof the day of اِبنِson of خازِمِKhazim
تَميمُن وَلَم تَسمَع بِيَومِ اِبنِ خازِمِ
As though you had not heard Tamim when
As if you never heard of Tameem's raids, when called,
Tamim called, nor heard of the day of Ibn Khazim.
Tameem responds, oblivious to Ibn Khazim's day.
وَقَبلَكَand before you عَجَّلناwe hastened اِبنَson of عَجلى'Ajla حِمامَهُhis death
وَقَبلَكَ عَجَّلنا اِبنَ عَجلى حِمامَهُ
بِأَسيافِناwith our swords يَصدَعنَthey split هامَcrowns of الجَماجِمِthe skulls
بِأَسيافِنا يَصدَعنَ هامَ الجَماجِمِ
Before you, we hastened Ibn 'Ajla's death
Before you we hurried Ibn ‘Ajlaa to his fate
with our swords, splitting the crowns of skulls.
With our swords splitting skulls and piercing bones.
وَماand never لَقِيَتmet قَيسُQays اِبنُson of عَيلانَ'Aylan وَقعَةًa battle
وَما لَقِيَت قَيسُ اِبنُ عَيلانَ وَقعَةً
وَلاnor حَرَّthe heat of يَومٍa day مِثلَlike يَومِthe day of الأَراقِمِal-Araqim
وَلا حَرَّ يَومٍ مِثلَ يَومِ الأَراقِمِ
Qays ibn 'Aylan never met a battle
Qais Ibn ‘Ailaan met no disasters,
or the heat of a day like the day of al-Araqim,
Nor fought a day like the day of Al-‘Araaqim.
عَشِيَّةَon the evening لاقىmet اِبنُson of الحُبابُal-Hubab حِسابَهُhis reckoning
عَشِيَّةَ لاقى اِبنُ الحُبابُ حِسابَهُ
بِسِنجارَat Sinjar أَنضاءَbare blades of السُيوفِthe swords الصَوارِمِthe keen-edged ones
بِسِنجارَ أَنضاءَ السُيوفِ الصَوارِمِ
on the evening Ibn al-Hubab met his reckoning
The eve Ibn Al-Hubaab faced his reckoning
at Sinjar, facing the bare blades of keen-edged swords.
In Sinjar, swords polished and gleaming struck.
نَبَحتَyou barked لِقَيسٍfor Qays نَبحَةًa bark لَمnot تَدَعleave لَهاfor it
نَبَحتَ لِقَيسٍ نَبحَةً لَم تَدَع لَها
أُنوفَنnoses وَمَرَّتand flew past طَيرُهاits birds بِالأَشائِمِwith ill omens
أُنوفَن وَمَرَّت طَيرُها بِالأَشائِمِ
You barked a bark for Qays that left it
For Qais we barked a bark leaving no trace
no noses intact, and its birds flew with ill omens.
Of honor; their shame our hissing arrows hit.
نَدِمتَyou regretted عَلىyour العِصيانِrebellion لَمّاwhen رَأَيتَناyou saw us
نَدِمتَ عَلى العِصيانِ لَمّا رَأَيتَنا
كَأَنّاas though we ذُرىsummits of الأَطوادِthe mountains ذاتِhaving المَخارِمِmountain passes
كَأَنّا ذُرى الأَطوادِ ذاتِ المَخارِمِ
You regretted rebellion when you saw us,
You regretted rebellion when you saw us
like the summits of mountains cut with passes,
Like mountain goats with split cheeks and tattered ears.
عَلىin طاعَةٍobedience لَوif أَنَّindeed أَجبالَthe mountains of طَيِّئٍTayy
عَلى طاعَةٍ لَو أَنَّ أَجبالَ طَيِّئٍ
عَمَدنَthey attempted لَهاit وَالهَضبَand the crags هَضبَcrags of التَهائِمِthe Tihamas
عَمَدنَ لَها وَالهَضبَ هَضبَ التَهائِمِ
steadfast in obedience: even if the mountains of Tayy
Obedient though mountains of Taiy sided with them,
and the crags, the crags of the Tihamas, attempted
And plateau carried what no plateau has carried before.
لِيَنقُلنَهاto move it لَمnot يَستَطِعنَthey could الَّذيwhat رَساstood firm
لِيَنقُلنَها لَم يَستَطِعنَ الَّذي رَسا
لَهاfor it عِندَwith عالٍan Exalted One فَوقَabove سَبعينَseven heavens (text uncertain) دائِمِeverlasting
لَها عِندَ عالٍ فَوقَ سَبعينَ دائِمِ
to shift it, they could not move what stood firm
When commoners fail to acknowledge and obey,
for it with the Exalted, Everlasting One above the seven heavens.
Naught remains between them and us but swish of sword slashes.
وَأَلقَيتَand you cast away مِنfrom كَفَّيكَyour two hands حَبلَthe cord of جَماعَةٍthe community
وَأَلقَيتَ مِن كَفَّيكَ حَبلَ جَماعَةٍ
وَطاعَةَand obedience to مَهدِيٍّa rightly guided ruler خَديدِdeep-cutting in النَقائِمِvengeance
وَطاعَةَ مَهدِيٍّ خَديدِ النَقائِمِ
You cast from your hands the cord of the community
Qais stirs up against me only the worthless rabble,
and obedience to a rightly guided ruler whose vengeance cuts deep.
Scorned riffraff with vile organs for hearing,
فَإِنso if تَكُis قَيسٌQays فيover قُتَيبَةَQutayba أُغضِبَتangered
فَإِن تَكُ قَيسٌ في قُتَيبَةَ أُغضِبَت
فَلاthen may not عَطَسَتit sneeze إِلّاexcept بِأَجدَعَthrough a severed nose راغِمِhumbled
فَلا عَطَسَت إِلّا بِأَجدَعَ راغِمِ
If Qays was angered over Qutayba,
Yet insulting my Tameem and praising Qais,
may it sneeze only through a mutilated, humbled nose.
You're either mad for ‘Ailaan or Suhool the scatterbrain.
وَماand not كانَhe was إِلّاexcept باهِلِيّاًa man of Bahila مُجَدَّعاًmutilated
وَما كانَ إِلّا باهِلِيّاً مُجَدَّعاً
طَغىhe rebelled فَسَقَيناهُso we gave him to drink بِكَأسِfrom the cup of اِبنِson of خازِمِKhazim
طَغى فَسَقَيناهُ بِكَأسِ اِبنِ خازِمِ
He was only a mutilated man of Bahila,
Bring for judgment your sire and his brother—
who rebelled; we gave him Ibn Khazim's cup to drink.
Both shamed alike in the cloak of disgrace.
لَقَدindeed شَهِدَتwas present قَيسٌQays فَماbut not كانَwas نَصرُهاits support for
لَقَد شَهِدَت قَيسٌ فَما كانَ نَصرُها
قُتَيبَةَQutayba إِلّاanything but عَضَّهاits biting بِالأَباهِمِof the thumbs
قُتَيبَةَ إِلّا عَضَّها بِالأَباهِمِ
Qays was indeed present, but its support
If you were one of them you'd not fatigue praising them,
for Qutayba was nothing but biting its thumbs.
But a donkey with legs like date palm stalks!
فَإِنso if تَقعُدواyou sit out تَقعُدsit out لِئامٌbase men أَذِلَّةٌhumiliated
فَإِن تَقعُدوا تَقعُد لِئامٌ أَذِلَّةٌ
وَإِنand if عُدتُمُyou return عُدناwe return بِبيضٍwith bright swords صَوارِمِkeen-edged
وَإِن عُدتُمُ عُدنا بِبيضٍ صَوارِمِ
If you sit out, base, humiliated men sit out;
I protect my Tameem from the likes of you—
and if you return, we return with bright, cutting swords.
I am her son and her famous knight of seasons.
أَتَغضَبُare you angry أَنthat أُذناthe two ears of قُتَيبَةَQutayba حُزَّتاwere cut off
أَتَغضَبُ أَن أُذنا قُتَيبَةَ حُزَّتا
جِهارَنopenly وَلَمand not تَغضَبyou were angry لِيَومِat the day of اِبنِson of خازِمِKhazim
جِهارَن وَلَم تَغضَب لِيَومِ اِبنِ خازِمِ
Are you angry that Qutayba's ears were cut off
I am Tameem's son, the champion behind her
openly, though you were not angry at Ibn Khazim's day?
When the criminal submits to inviolable laws.
وَماand none مِنهُماof those two إِلّاbut بَعَثناwe sent بِرَأسِهِhis head
وَما مِنهُما إِلّا بَعَثنا بِرَأسِهِ
إِلىto الشَأمِal-Sham فَوقَupon الشاحِجاتِthe braying mounts الرَواسِمِthe swiftly striding ones
إِلى الشَأمِ فَوقَ الشاحِجاتِ الرَواسِمِ
Of those two, there was none whose head we did not send
When the faces of people sweat under their turbans
to al-Sham upon braying, swift-striding mounts,
From exertion, under the mid-day sun,
تَذَبذَبُit sways فيin المِخلاةِthe feedbag تَحتَbeneath بُطونِهاtheir bellies
تَذَبذَبُ في المِخلاةِ تَحتَ بُطونِها
مُحَذَّفَةَclipped الرَذنابِtails جُلحَbare المَقادِمِforeheads
مُحَذَّفَةَ الرَذنابِ جُلحَ المَقادِمِ
swaying in the feedbag beneath their bellies,
My father when asked: "Who are you, proud one?"
with clipped tails and bare foreheads.
Would say: "Of what people is this defiant hero?"
سَتَعلَمُyou will learn أَيُّwhich of الوَدِيَينِthe two valleys لَهُhas الثَرىmoist soil
سَتَعلَمُ أَيُّ الوَدِيَينِ لَهُ الثَرى
قَديمَنfrom of old وَأَولىand is worthier بِالبُحورِof the seas الخَضارِمِthe vast ones
قَديمَن وَأَولى بِالبُحورِ الخَضارِمِ
You will learn which of the two valleys has moist soil
Vile wretch selling Qais honor for profit—
from of old, and is worthier of vast seas:
They are builders of glory and noble deeds!
أَوادٍis a valley بِهِin it صِنُّthe stench of الوِبارِhyraxes يُسيلُهُmakes it flow
أَوادٍ بِهِ صِنُّ الوِبارِ يُسيلُهُ
إِذاwhen بالَurinates فيهِin it الوَبرُthe hyrax فَوقَabove الخَراشِمِthe rocky crags
إِذا بالَ فيهِ الوَبرُ فَوقَ الخَراشِمِ
a valley where the stench of hyraxes makes it flow
The highwaymen learned no captives like our captives,
when a hyrax urinates there above the rocky crags,
Nor our ransacking with the overwhelming conquests.
كَوادٍlike a valley بِهِin it البَيتُthe House العَتيقُthe Ancient تَمُدُّهُfeed it
كَوادٍ بِهِ البَيتُ العَتيقُ تَمُدُّهُ
بُحورٌseas طَمَتoverflowed مِنfrom عَبدِ'Abd شَمسٍShams وَهاشِمِand Hashim
بُحورٌ طَمَت مِن عَبدِ شَمسٍ وَهاشِمِ
or a valley holding the Ancient House, fed
When the valiant grew weary of carrying blood money,
by overflowing seas from 'Abd Shams and Hashim?
Every debt collector turned to our graves.
فَماthen nothing بَينَbetween مَنwhoever لَمnot يُعطِgives سَمعاًa hearing وَطاعَةًand obedience
فَما بَينَ مَن لَم يُعطِ سَمعاً وَطاعَةً
وَبَينَand between تَميمٍTamim غَيرُother than حَزِّslitting الحَلاقِمِthroats
وَبَينَ تَميمٍ غَيرُ حَزِّ الحَلاقِمِ
Between whoever gives neither a hearing nor obedience
Each victim seeking refuge comes running to us,
and Tamim lies nothing but the slitting of throats.
And every oppressor flees exhausted from our grip.
وَكانَand there were لَهُمfor them يَومانِtwo days كاناthey were عَلَيهِمُagainst them
وَكانَ لَهُم يَومانِ كانا عَلَيهِمُ
كَأَيّامِlike the days of عادِن'Ad بِالنُحوسِwith ill fortunes الرَشائِمِmarked
كَأَيّامِ عادِن بِالنُحوسِ الرَشائِمِ
They had two days that fell upon them
‘Aamir refused to take one captive of theirs
like the days of 'Ad, marked with ill fortune.
When we had a hundred of theirs within our grasp.
وَيَومٌand a day لَهُمfor them مِنّاfrom us بِحَومانَةَat Hawmana اِلتَقَتclosed together
وَيَومٌ لَهُم مِنّا بِحَومانَةَ اِلتَقَت
عَلَيهِمover them ذُرىcrests of حَوماتِsurging swells of بَحرٍa sea قُماقِمِmighty
عَلَيهِم ذُرى حَوماتِ بَحرٍ قُماقِمِ
And at Hawmana they had a day from us, when
They said: Give us more, they are worthless,
the crests of the swells of a mighty sea closed over them.
Though they be ruinous troublers of sublime gathering.
تَخَلّىforsook عَنِthe الدُنياworld قُتَيبَةُQutayba إِذwhen رَأىhe saw
تَخَلّى عَنِ الدُنيا قُتَيبَةُ إِذ رَأى
تَميماًTamim عَلَيهاupon it البيضُthe helmets تَحتَbeneath العَمائِمِthe turbans
تَميماً عَلَيها البيضُ تَحتَ العَمائِمِ
Qutayba forsook this world when he saw
They deemed an eyebrow more costly to ransom,
Tamim, with helmets beneath its turbans,
And its folk more deserving of glorious days.
غَداةَon the morning اِضمَحَلَّتvanished قَيسُQays عَيلانَ'Aylan إِذwhen دَعاhe called
غَداةَ اِضمَحَلَّت قَيسُ عَيلانَ إِذ دَعا
كَماas يَضمَحِلُّvanishes الآلُthe mirage فَوقَabove المَخارِمِthe mountain passes
كَما يَضمَحِلُّ الآلُ فَوقَ المَخارِمِ
on the morning Qays 'Aylan vanished when he called,
Unlike Kulayb or any like Darim's father,
as a mirage vanishes above mountain passes.
Swords of India—their attacks may slice a talisman,
لِتَمنَعَهُso it might defend him قَيسٌQays وَلاyet no قَيسَQays عِندَهُbeside him
لِتَمنَعَهُ قَيسٌ وَلا قَيسَ عِندَهُ
إِذاwhen ماever دَعاhe called أَوor يَرتَقيhe climbs فيon السَلالِمِthe ladders
إِذا ما دَعا أَو يَرتَقي في السَلالِمِ
He called for Qays to protect him, yet no Qays was beside him
Sometimes severing the neck's hanging taweez,
when he called or climbed up ladders.
The day we shaded ‘Aamir at Hawazan's valley,
تُحَرِّكُmoves قَيسٌQays فيon رُؤوسٍheads لَئيمَةٍignoble
تُحَرِّكُ قَيسٌ في رُؤوسٍ لَئيمَةٍ
أُنوفَنnoses وَآذاناًand ears لِئامَignoble in المَصالِمِtheir severed stumps
أُنوفَن وَآذاناً لِئامَ المَصالِمِ
Qays moves, on ignoble heads,
Where sons of ‘Aamir were all triumphant victors,
noses and ears with ignoble stumps.
When Tufayl son of Malik left Qurzul routed,
وَلَمّاand when رَأَيناwe saw المُشرِكينَthe idolaters يَقودُهُمleading them
وَلَمّا رَأَينا المُشرِكينَ يَقودُهُم
قُتَيبَةُQutayba زَحفاًadvancing in force فيin جُموعِhosts of الزَمازِمِswarming multitudes
قُتَيبَةُ زَحفاً في جُموعِ الزَمازِمِ
When we saw the idolaters being led
And we struck Shutayr son of Khalid, whose mother
by Qutayba, advancing in swarming hosts,
Would recognize him by the washbowl that caught his blood.
ضَرَبناwe struck بِسَيفٍwith a sword فيin يَمينِكَyour right hand لَمnot نَدَعleave
ضَرَبنا بِسَيفٍ في يَمينِكَ لَم نَدَع
بِهِwith it دونَshort of بابِthe gate of الصينِChina عَيناًan eye لِظالِمِof a tyrant
بِهِ دونَ بابِ الصينِ عَيناً لِظالِمِ
we struck with a sword in your right hand, leaving
The day of Ibn Dhi Saydan, their spear shafts impaled him,
with it no tyrant's eye short of China's gate.
His rear flanked by the piercing tips of lances.
بِهِwith it ضَرَبَstruck اللَهُGod الَّذينَthose who تَحَزَّبواformed factions
بِهِ ضَرَبَ اللَهُ الَّذينَ تَحَزَّبوا
بِبَدرٍat Badr عَلىupon أَعناقِهِمtheir necks وَالمَعاصِمِand wrists
بِبَدرٍ عَلى أَعناقِهِم وَالمَعاصِمِ
With it God struck those who formed factions
While we split the skull of Ibn Khuwaylid,
at Badr, upon their necks and wrists.
More than the mother of chicks among piercing claws.
فَإِنَّfor indeed تَميماًTamim لَمnot تَكُنwas أُمُّهُhis mother اِبتَغَتsought
فَإِنَّ تَميماً لَم تَكُن أُمُّهُ اِبتَغَت
لَهُfor him صِحَّةًhealth فيin مَهدِهِhis cradle بِالثَمائِمِwith amulets
لَهُ صِحَّةً في مَهدِهِ بِالثَمائِمِ
Tamim's mother never sought
We left eighty mature warriors of Hilal Ibn ‘Aamir
health for him in his cradle through amulets.
For the vultures tearing with might and talons slashing.
كَأَنَّas though أَكُفَّhands of القابِلاتِthe midwives لِأُمِّهِfor his mother
كَأَنَّ أَكُفَّ القابِلاتِ لِأُمِّهِ
رَمَينَthey cast forth بِعادِيِّa charging one among الأُسودِthe lions الدَراغِمِthe mighty lions
رَمَينَ بِعادِيِّ الأُسودِ الدَراغِمِ
As though the hands of his mother's midwives
With Dahna sands we buried ‘Ayylan,
had cast forth a charging lion among mighty lions.
In a grave mound piled high with her tumulus.
تَأَزَّرَhe girded himself بَينَamong القابِلاتِthe midwives وَلَمand not يَكُنwas
تَأَزَّرَ بَينَ القابِلاتِ وَلَم يَكُن
لَهُfor him تَوأَمٌa twin إِلّاexcept دَهاءٌcunning لِحازِمِof a resolute man
لَهُ تَوأَمٌ إِلّا دَهاءٌ لِحازِمِ
He girded himself among the midwives, and had
We prevented Mas'ad from our spears,
no twin but the cunning of a resolute man.
Ever facing the cowardly, never the valiant.
وَضَبَّةُand Dabba أَخواليmy maternal uncles هُمُthey الهامَةُthe head الَّتيwhich
وَضَبَّةُ أَخوالي هُمُ الهامَةُ الَّتي
بِهاwith it مُضَرٌMudar دَمّاغَةٌa skull-crusher لِلجَماجِمِof skulls
بِها مُضَرٌ دَمّاغَةٌ لِلجَماجِمِ
Dabba, my maternal uncles, are the head
With knotted shanks like lanterns fused together,
with which Mudar crushes skulls.
Polished white with the legs of Ostriches.
إِذاwhen هِيَit ماسَتstrode proudly فيin الحَديدِarmor وَأَعلَمَتand donned battle-marks
إِذا هِيَ ماسَت في الحَديدِ وَأَعلَمَت
تَميمٌTamim وَجاشَتand surged كَالبُحورِlike the seas الخَضارِمِthe vast ones
تَميمٌ وَجاشَت كَالبُحورِ الخَضارِمِ
When it strides in iron, and battle-marks are donned by
We broke the nose of ‘Aylaan with spears
Tamim, surging like vast seas,
And white-legged mares with pedigrees pure.
فَماthen not الناسُthe people فيin جَمعَيهِمُtheir two hosts غَيرُother than حِشوَةٍfilling
فَما الناسُ في جَمعَيهِمُ غَيرُ حِشوَةٍ
إِذاwhen خَمَدَfell silent الأَصواتُthe voices غَيرَexcept for الغَماغِمِmurmurs
إِذا خَمَدَ الأَصواتُ غَيرَ الغَماغِمِ
the people in their two hosts are mere filling,
Had it been Qais instead of ‘Aylaan that perished
when voices fall silent save for murmurs.
From tips of tent pegs and guy-ropes lying crushed,
كَذَبتَyou lied اِبنِson of دِمنَdung-heaps of الأَرضِthe earth وَاِبنَand son of مَراغَهاits wallowing-place
كَذَبتَ اِبنِ دِمنَ الأَرضِ وَاِبنَ مَراغَها
لَآلُindeed the kin of تَميمٍTamim بِالسُيوفِwith swords الصَوارِمِkeen-edged
لَآلُ تَميمٍ بِالسُيوفِ الصَوارِمِ
You lie, son of the earth's dung heaps and son of its wallowing-place!
They would be like cuttlefish washed ashore
The kin of Tamim, with their keen-edged swords,
From the sea, flailing severed from their limbs.
جَلَواcleared away هُمَماًgloom فَوقَfrom above الوُجوهِthe faces وَأَنزَلواand brought down
جَلَوا هُمَماً فَوقَ الوُجوهِ وَأَنزَلوا
بِعَيلانَupon 'Aylan أَيّاماًdays عِظامَmighty in المَلاحِمِslaughters
بِعَيلانَ أَيّاماً عِظامَ المَلاحِمِ
swept gloom from faces and brought down
We are a people who buy with our blood
upon 'Aylan days of mighty slaughter.
Abodes of demise, yearning for glorious deeds.
تُعَيِّرُناyou taunt us with أَيَّمَdays of قَيسٍQays وَلَمand not نَدَعwe left
تُعَيِّرُنا أَيَّمَ قَيسٍ وَلَم نَدَع
لِعَيلانَfor 'Aylan أَنفاًa nose مُستَقيمَstraight in الخَياشِمِthe nostrils
لِعَيلانَ أَنفاً مُستَقيمَ الخَياشِمِ
You taunt us with Qays's battle-days, though we left
Are we not most deserving when people compete
'Aylan no nose with unbroken nostrils.
For glory, with prolific performers of favors?
فَماand not أَنتَyou مِنof قَيسٍQays فَتَنبَحَso you may bark دونَهاin its defense
فَما أَنتَ مِن قَيسٍ فَتَنبَحَ دونَها
وَلاnor مِنof تَميمٍTamim فيamong الرُؤوسِthe chiefs الأَعاظِمِthe greatest
وَلا مِن تَميمٍ في الرُؤوسِ الأَعاظِمِ
You are not of Qays, to bark in its defense,
Kings whose abundance would overwhelm you
nor of Tamim among its mightiest chiefs.
And submerge you in their deep billowing storms,
وَإِنَّكَand indeed you إِذwhen تَهجوlampoon تَميمَنTamim وَتَرتَشيand accept as bribes
وَإِنَّكَ إِذ تَهجو تَميمَن وَتَرتَشي
تَبابينَshort breeches of قَيسٍQays أَوor سُحوقَworn-out lengths of العَمائِمِturbans
تَبابينَ قَيسٍ أَو سُحوقَ العَمائِمِ
When you lampoon Tamim and take as bribes
Weighed against mountains, we would tip the scales,
Qays's short breeches or its worn-out turbans,
With mountain massifs, gigantic and lofty.
كَمُهريقِlike one pouring out ماءٍwater بِالفَلاةِin the wilderness وَغَرَّهُand deceived him
كَمُهريقِ ماءٍ بِالفَلاةِ وَغَرَّهُ
سَرابٌa mirage أَثارَتهُstirred it رِياحُwinds of السَمائِمِscorching heat
سَرابٌ أَثارَتهُ رِياحُ السَمائِمِ
you are like one spilling water in the wilderness, deceived
Gaze from your perch overlooking us
by a mirage stirred by the winds of scorching heat.
With distant hills, rising high, peaks like spear heads.
بَلىyes indeed وَأَبيكَby your father الكَلبِthe dog إِنّيindeed I لَعالِمٌsurely know
بَلى وَأَبيكَ الكَلبِ إِنّي لَعالِمٌ
بِهِمthem فَهُمُfor they الأَدنَونَthe nearest يَومَon the day of التَلاحُمِclose combat
بِهِم فَهُمُ الأَدنَونَ يَومَ التَلاحُمِ
Yes, by your dog of a father, I know
Had the sun been asked who is our peer,
them well: they are the nearest when ranks clash.
Or inclined for Hashim's sons with favor,
فَقَرِّبso bring near إِلىto أَشياخِناour elders إِذsince دَعَوتَهُمyou summoned them
فَقَرِّب إِلى أَشياخِنا إِذ دَعَوتَهُم
أَباكَyour father وَدَعدِعand cry da'da بِالجِداءِto the goat-kids التَوائِمِthe twins
أَباكَ وَدَعدِع بِالجِداءِ التَوائِمِ
Bring close to our elders, since you summoned them,
How can you face Darim where his kin
your father, and cry 'da'da' to the twin goat-kids.
Merge into celestial sphere, the double star of brilliance?
فَلَوfor if كُنتَyou were مِنهُمof them لَمnot تَعِبfind fault with مِدحَتيmy praise لَهُمof them
فَلَو كُنتَ مِنهُم لَم تَعِب مِدحَتي لَهُم
وَلَكِنbut حِمارٌan ass وَشيُهُits markings بِالقَوائِمِon the legs
وَلَكِن حِمارٌ وَشيُهُ بِالقَوائِمِ
Had you belonged to them, you would not fault my praise of them;
Our swords left ‘Aylaan only stumps and palms
but you are an ass, whose markings are on its legs.
With the spear shafts' ends striking the rear of their necks.
مَنَعتُI defended تَميماًTamim مِنكَagainst you إِنّيindeed I أَناI اِبنُهاits son
مَنَعتُ تَميماً مِنكَ إِنّي أَنا اِبنُها
وَراجِلُهاand its foot-warrior المَعروفُthe well-known عِندَat المَواسِمِthe seasonal gatherings
وَراجِلُها المَعروفُ عِندَ المَواسِمِ
I defended Tamim against you: I am its son,
Days we witnessed their women as small stars
its foot-warrior, well known at the gatherings.
Wandering in the night, their banners stripped.
أَناI اِبنُson of تَميمٍTamim وَالمُحاميand the defender وَرائَهاbehind it
أَنا اِبنُ تَميمٍ وَالمُحامي وَرائَها
إِذاwhen أَسلَمَabandoned الجانيthe offender ذِمارَthe protected honor of المَحارِمِthose inviolate
إِذا أَسلَمَ الجاني ذِمارَ المَحارِمِ
I am Tamim's son and the defender behind it,
The day of woe for Qais at Dhi Najb,
when the offender abandons the honor of those under protection,
Bereft of many orphans in the house of mourning,
إِذاwhen ماever وُجوهُfaces of الناسِthe people سالَتran جِباهُهاtheir foreheads
إِذا ما وُجوهُ الناسِ سالَت جِباهُها
مِنَwith العَرَقِsweat المَعبوطِfreshly flowing تَحتَbeneath العَمائِمِthe turbans
مِنَ العَرَقِ المَعبوطِ تَحتَ العَمائِمِ
when people's foreheads run
While we at Dafinah left Hudhayl's band
with fresh-flowing sweat beneath their turbans.
Keeping night vigil, though heads in slumber bowing.
أَبيmy father مَنone who إِذاwhen ماever قيلَit was said مَنwho أَنتَyou مُعتَزٍproud of his lineage
أَبي مَن إِذا ما قيلَ مَن أَنتَ مُعتَزٍ
إِذاwhen قيلَit was said مِمَّنfrom whom قَومُthe people of هَذاthis المُراجِمِstone-hurler
إِذا قيلَ مِمَّن قَومُ هَذا المُراجِمِ
My father is one who, when asked, 'Who are you?' proudly declares his lineage,
I swear by the shrine maidens dancing to Mina,
when asked, 'Of what people is this stone-hurler?'
Circling with yearning around the Precinct's walls,
أَدِرسانَworn rags of قَيسٍQays لاno أَباfather لَكَfor you تَشتَريyou buy
أَدِرسانَ قَيسٍ لا أَبا لَكَ تَشتَري
بِأَعراضِwith the honor of قَومٍa people هُمwho are بُناةِbuilders of المَكارِمِnoble deeds
بِأَعراضِ قَومٍ هُم بُناةِ المَكارِمِ
Do you buy Qays's worn rags—fatherless wretch—
Disheveled, fearing no blurring of their modesty
with the honor of a people who build noble deeds?
When their ornaments brushed against the turbans,
وَماand not عَلِمَhave known الرَقوامُthe peoples مِثلَlike أَسيرِناour captive
وَما عَلِمَ الرَقوامُ مِثلَ أَسيرِنا
أَسيرَنa captive وَلاnor إِجدافِناour tombs (text uncertain) بِالكَواظِمِat al-Kawazim
أَسيرَن وَلا إِجدافِنا بِالكَواظِمِ
No peoples have known a captive like ours,
That Qais Ibn ‘Aylaan will find with Tameem
nor tombs like ours at al-Kawazim.
No treaty intact, their progeny reject compliance.
إِذاwhen عَجَزَwere unable الأَحياءُthe living clans أَنto يَحمِلواbear دَماًblood-money
إِذا عَجَزَ الأَحياءُ أَن يَحمِلوا دَماً
أَناخَknelt إِلىbeside أَجداثِناour tombs كُلُّevery غارِمِdebtor
أَناخَ إِلى أَجداثِنا كُلُّ غارِمِ
When living clans cannot shoulder blood-money,
By my life! If Hawazin tended to their affairs
every debtor kneels beside our tombs.
They would dwell in the Abode of Blame with vile outcasts.
تَرىyou see كُلُّevery مَظلومٍwronged man إِلَيناto us فِرارُهُhis flight
تَرى كُلُّ مَظلومٍ إِلَينا فِرارُهُ
وَيَهرُبُand flees مِنّاfrom us جَهدَهُwith all his strength كُلُّevery ظالِمِwrongdoer
وَيَهرُبُ مِنّا جَهدَهُ كُلُّ ظالِمِ
You see every wronged man flee to us,
Had I not shunned attacking Suleim,
and every wrongdoer flee from us with all his strength.
I would have served them a cup of deadly poison.
أَبَتrefused عامِرٌ'Amir أَنto يَأخُذواthey accept بِأَسيرِهِمfor their captive
أَبَت عامِرٌ أَن يَأخُذوا بِأَسيرِهِم
مِئينَhundreds مِنَof الأَسرىthe prisoners لَهُمbelonging to them عِندَwith دارِمِDarim
مِئينَ مِنَ الأَسرى لَهُم عِندَ دارِمِ
'Amir refused to accept for their captive
You are not of ‘Aylaan's Qais among the tribes,
hundreds of their prisoners held by Darim.
Nor of their lofty skulls and prominent bones.
وَقالواand they said لَهُمto them زيدواadd more عَلَيهِمto them فَإِنَّهُمfor they
وَقالوا لَهُم زيدوا عَلَيهِم فَإِنَّهُم
لَغاءٌworthless وَإِنeven if كانواthey were ثُغامَwhite thugham grass اللَهازِمِat the jaws
لَغاءٌ وَإِن كانوا ثُغامَ اللَهازِمِ
They said to them, 'Add more to them, for they
If Qais were mustered, you'd be the unworthy few,
are worthless, though their jaw-hair is white as thugham grass.'
Most distant from Qais' lineage—learned man knows!
رَأَواthey saw حاجِباًHajib أَغلىcostlier فِداءًin ransom وَقَومَهُand his people
رَأَوا حاجِباً أَغلى فِداءً وَقَومَهُ
أَحَقَّmore deserving بِأَيّامِof days of العُلىeminence وَالمَكارِمِand noble deeds
أَحَقَّ بِأَيّامِ العُلى وَالمَكارِمِ
They saw Hajib as deserving a higher ransom, and his people
You're the lowest cowards of ‘Aylaan
as worthier of days of eminence and noble deeds.
And weakest when events require heroes.
فَلاso not نَقتُلُwe kill الأَسرىthe captives وَلَكِنbut نَفُكُّهُمwe release them
فَلا نَقتُلُ الأَسرى وَلَكِن نَفُكُّهُم
إِذاwhen أَثقَلَweighed down الأَعناقَthe necks حَملُthe burden of المَغارِمِransom debts
إِذا أَثقَلَ الأَعناقَ حَملُ المَغارِمِ
We do not kill captives, but free them
My maternal uncles are the august glory
when the load of ransom debts weighs down their necks.
With which Mudar's drums make the skulls resound.
فَهَلthen will ضَربَةُa blow by الرومِيِّthe Byzantine جاعِلَةٌprovide لَكُمfor you
فَهَل ضَربَةُ الرومِيِّ جاعِلَةٌ لَكُم
أَباًa father عَنinstead of كُلَيبٍKulayb أَوor أَباًa father مِثلَlike دارِمِDarim
أَباً عَن كُلَيبٍ أَو أَباً مِثلَ دارِمِ
Will a Byzantine's blow provide you
When they're adorned with necklaces and don their war caps,
a father other than Kulayb, or one like Darim?
Tameem rises like the towering waves of seas.
كَذاكَthus سُيُفُswords of الهِندِIndia تَنبوglance off ظُباتُهاtheir edges
كَذاكَ سُيُفُ الهِندِ تَنبو ظُباتُها
وَيَقطَعنَand they cut أَحياناًsometimes مَناطَthe hanging-place of التَمائِمِamulets
وَيَقطَعنَ أَحياناً مَناطَ التَمائِمِ
So it is: the edges of Indian swords sometimes glance off,
People assembled are naught but rabble
and sometimes cut the place where amulets hang.
Once the din and clamor turn to silence.
وَيَومَand on a day جَعَلناwe made الظِلَّthe shade فيهِon it لِعامِرٍfor 'Amir
وَيَومَ جَعَلنا الظِلَّ فيهِ لِعامِرٍ
مُصَمَّمَةًa blade cutting straight through تَفأىcleaves شُؤونَsutures of الجَماجِمِthe skulls
مُصَمَّمَةً تَفأى شُؤونَ الجَماجِمِ
And on a day when we gave 'Amir, for shade,
Accursed liar—lowly worm denying Tameem
a blade cutting straight through, splitting the sutures of skulls;
And earth's Creator! Tameem's stalwart heroes
فَمِنهُنَّand among them يَومٌa day لِلبَريكَينِof al-Barikayn إِذwhen تَرىconsider
فَمِنهُنَّ يَومٌ لِلبَريكَينِ إِذ تَرى
بَنوsons of عامِرٍ'Amir أَنthat غانِمٌa winner of spoil كُلُّevery سالِمِsurvivor
بَنو عامِرٍ أَن غانِمٌ كُلُّ سالِمِ
among those days was the day of al-Barikayn, when
With gleaming swords have lowered the pride
Banu 'Amir thought every survivor had won spoil.
Of ‘Aylaan, inflicting upon them days of epic wars.
وَمِنهُنَّand among them إِذwhen أَرخىlet loose طُفَيلُTufayl اِبنُson of مالِكٍMalik
وَمِنهُنَّ إِذ أَرخى طُفَيلُ اِبنُ مالِكٍ
عَلىupon قُرزُلٍQurzul رِجليboth legs of رَكوضِa galloper الهَزائِمِrouts
عَلى قُرزُلٍ رِجلي رَكوضِ الهَزائِمِ
And among them, when Tufayl ibn Malik let loose
You taunt me over Qais' days, yet I left no
upon Qurzul his legs, galloping in flight.
‘Aylaan nose straight with symmetrical features.
وَنَحنُand we ضَرَبناstruck مِنof شُتَيرِShutayr اِبنِson of خالِدٍKhalid
وَنَحنُ ضَرَبنا مِن شُتَيرِ اِبنِ خالِدٍ
عَلىupon حَيثُthe place where تَستَسقيهِseeks water from him أُمُّmother of الجَماجِمِthe skulls
عَلى حَيثُ تَستَسقيهِ أُمُّ الجَماجِمِ
We struck Shutayr ibn Khalid
So you are neither Qais defending them
upon the place from which the mother of skulls draws drink.
Nor Tameem, among the greatest of renown.
وَيَومَand the day of اِبنِson of ذيDhi سَيدانَSaydan إِذwhen فَوَّزَتcarried away بِهِhim
وَيَومَ اِبنِ ذي سَيدانَ إِذ فَوَّزَت بِهِ
إِلىto المَوتِdeath أَعجازُbutts of الرِماحِthe spears الغَواشِمِthe ruthless ones
إِلى المَوتِ أَعجازُ الرِماحِ الغَواشِمِ
And the day of Ibn Dhi Saydan, when they bore him away
Yet insulting Tameem while praising Qais
to death—the butts of ruthless spears.
You are either mad for ‘Aylaan or a Suhooli buffoon.
وَنَحنُand we ضَرَبناstruck هامَةَskull of اِبنِson of خُوَيلِدٍKhuwaylid
وَنَحنُ ضَرَبنا هامَةَ اِبنِ خُوَيلِدٍ
يَزيدَYazid عَلىupon أُمِّmother of الفِراخِthe chicks الجَواثِمِthe crouching ones
يَزيدَ عَلى أُمِّ الفِراخِ الجَواثِمِ
We struck the skull of Ibn Khuwaylid,
I have prevented the likes of you from attacking Tameem—
Yazid, upon the mother of the crouching chicks.
I am her son and famous knight of all seasons.
وَنَحنُand we قَتَلناkilled اِبنَيthe two sons of هُتَيمٍHutaym وَأَدرَكَتand overtook
وَنَحنُ قَتَلنا اِبنَي هُتَيمٍ وَأَدرَكَت
بُجَيراًBujayr بِناwith us رُكضُthe galloping of الذُكورِthe stallions الصَلادِمِthe powerful ones
بُجَيراً بِنا رُكضُ الذُكورِ الصَلادِمِ
We killed Hutaym's two sons, and
I am Tameem's son and her defending champion
the gallop of mighty stallions brought us up with Bujayr.
When the fugitive seeks inviolable sanctuaries.
وَنَحنُand we قَسَمناsplit مِنof قُدامَةَQudama رَأسَهُhis head
وَنَحنُ قَسَمنا مِن قُدامَةَ رَأسَهُ
بِصَدعٍwith a cleft عَلىacross يافوخِهِhis crown مُتَفاقِمِgaping
بِصَدعٍ عَلى يافوخِهِ مُتَفاقِمِ
We split Qudama's head
The day Tameem dons their white apparel
with a gaping cleft across his crown.
Under turbans, during major rituals and rites,
وَعَمراًand 'Amr أَخاbrother of عَوفٍ'Awf تَرَكناwe left بِمُلتَقىًat a meeting
وَعَمراً أَخا عَوفٍ تَرَكنا بِمُلتَقىً
مِنَof الخَيلِthe horses فيamid سامٍa towering cloud مِنَof النَقعِdust قاتِمِdark
مِنَ الخَيلِ في سامٍ مِنَ النَقعِ قاتِمِ
And 'Amr, brother of 'Awf, we left at a meeting
Qais Ibn ‘Aylaan will find with Tameem
of horses, amid a towering cloud of dark dust.
No treaties left, their progeny reject compliance.
وَنَهنُand we تَرَكناleft مِنof هِلالِHilal اِبنِson of عامِرٍ'Amir
وَنَهنُ تَرَكنا مِن هِلالِ اِبنِ عامِرٍ
ثَمانينَeighty كَهلاًmature men لِلنُسورِfor the vultures القَشاعِمِthe aged ones
ثَمانينَ كَهلاً لِلنُسورِ القَشاعِمِ
We left of Hilal ibn 'Amir
By my life! If Hawazin tended to their affairs
eighty mature men for the aged vultures,
They would dwell in the Abode of Blame with vile outcasts.
بِدَهناin the Dahna of تَميمٍTamim حَيثُwhere سُدَّتclosed عَلَيهِمُaround them
بِدَهنا تَميمٍ حَيثُ سُدَّت عَلَيهِمُ
بِمُعتَرَكٍon a battlefield مِنof رَملِهاits sand المُتَراكِمِheaped up
بِمُعتَرَكٍ مِن رَملِها المُتَراكِمِ
in Tamim's Dahna, where they were hemmed in
Had I not disdained to war with Suleim,
on a battlefield of its heaped-up sand.
I would have served them a cup of fatal poison.
وَنَحنُand we مَنَعناwithheld مِنfrom مَصادٍMasad رِماحَناour spears
وَنَحنُ مَنَعنا مِن مَصادٍ رِماحَنا
وَكُنّاand we were إِذاwhen يَلقَينَthey met غَيرَnot حَوائِمِhovering
وَكُنّا إِذا يَلقَينَ غَيرَ حَوائِمِ
We held our spears back from Masad,
You are not Qais of ‘Aylaan among the tribes,
though whenever they met an enemy they never hovered indecisively:
Neither their lofty skulls and prominent bones.
رُدَينِيَّةًRudayni spears صُمَّsolid الكُعوبِat the joints كَأَنَّهاas though they
رُدَينِيَّةً صُمَّ الكُعوبِ كَأَنَّها
مَصابيحُlamps فيin تَركيبِهاtheir construction المُتَلاحِمِclosely joined
مَصابيحُ في تَركيبِها المُتَلاحِمِ
Rudayni spears with solid joints, like
When Qais is gathered, you are the unworthy few,
lamps in their tightly joined construction.
Most distant from the Qais' pristine stock—for scholars know!
وَنَحنُand we جَدَعناcut off أَنفَnose of عَيلانَ'Aylan بِالقَناwith spears
وَنَحنُ جَدَعنا أَنفَ عَيلانَ بِالقَنا
وَبِالراسِياتِand with firmly planted blades البيضِthe bright ones ذاتِhaving القَوائِمِhilts
وَبِالراسِياتِ البيضِ ذاتِ القَوائِمِ
We cut off 'Aylan's nose with spears
You are the lowest cowards of ‘Aylaan
and firm-standing, bright blades fitted with hilts.
And weakest when events require heroes.
وَلَوand if أَنَّindeed قَيساًQays قَيسَQays عَيلانَ'Aylan أَصبَحَتcame to be
وَلَو أَنَّ قَيساً قَيسَ عَيلانَ أَصبَحَت
بِمُستَنِّin the streaming course of أَبوالِurine of الرُبابِal-Ribab وَدارِمِand Darim
بِمُستَنِّ أَبوالِ الرُبابِ وَدارِمِ
If Qays, Qays 'Aylan, were to find themselves
I wonder that Qais took upon herself
in the coursing stream of al-Ribab's and Darim's urine,
Stubborn folly, author of calamities.
لَكانواthey would be كَأَقذاءٍlike specks طَفَتfloated فيin غُطامِطٍa roaring swell
لَكانوا كَأَقذاءٍ طَفَت في غُطامِطٍ
مِنَof البَحرِthe sea فيamid آذِيِّهاits waves المُتَلاطِمِcrashing together
مِنَ البَحرِ في آذِيِّها المُتَلاطِمِ
they would be like specks floating in the roar
Seeking protection in Muraagha and its people—
of the sea, amid its crashing waves.
Yet none of them for Qais would be my equal!
فَإِنّاfor we أُناسٌa people نَشتَريwe buy بِدِمائِناwith our blood
فَإِنّا أُناسٌ نَشتَري بِدِمائِنا
دِيارَdwellings of المَناياdeaths رَغبَةًout of longing فيfor المَكارِمِnoble deeds
دِيارَ المَنايا رَغبَةً في المَكارِمِ
We are a people who buy with our blood
How strange Kulayb insults me, when Kulayb
the dwellings of death, longing for noble deeds.
Was a milking ground for vilest obscenities.
أَلَسناare we not أَحَقَّmost deserving الناسِof people يَومَon the day تَقايَسواthey vied
أَلَسنا أَحَقَّ الناسِ يَومَ تَقايَسوا
إِلىfor المَجدِglory بِالمُستَأثِراتِof peerless distinctions الجَسائِمِthe great ones
إِلى المَجدِ بِالمُستَأثِراتِ الجَسائِمِ
Are we not the worthiest of men, when they vie
for glory, to claim the greatest, peerless honors?
مُلوكٌkings إِذاwhen طَمَّتoverflowed عَلَيكَover you بُحورُهاtheir seas
مُلوكٌ إِذا طَمَّت عَلَيكَ بُحورُها
تَطَحطَحتَyou were shattered فيamid آذِيِّهاtheir waves المُتَصادِمِcolliding
تَطَحطَحتَ في آذِيِّها المُتَصادِمِ
Kings: when their seas surge over you,
you are shattered amid their colliding waves.
إِذاwhen ماever وُزِنّاwe were weighed بِالجِبالِagainst mountains رَأَيتَناyou saw us
إِذا ما وُزِنّا بِالجِبالِ رَأَيتَنا
نَميلُwe outweigh بِأَنضادِheaps of الجِبالِthe mountains الأَضاخِمِthe mightiest
نَميلُ بِأَنضادِ الجِبالِ الأَضاخِمِ
When we are weighed against mountains, you see us
outweigh heaps of the mightiest mountains.
تَراناyou see us إِذاwhen صَعَّدتَyou raised عَينَكَyour gaze مُشرِفاًtowering
تَرانا إِذا صَعَّدتَ عَينَكَ مُشرِفاً
عَلَيكَover you بِأَطوادٍlike mountains طِوالِlofty المَخارِمِin their passes
عَلَيكَ بِأَطوادٍ طِوالِ المَخارِمِ
When you raise your eyes, you see us towering
over you like mountains with lofty passes.
وَلَوand if سُؤِلَتwere asked مَنwho كُفأُناour equals الشَمسُthe sun أَومَأَتwould point
وَلَو سُؤِلَت مَن كُفأُنا الشَمسُ أَومَأَت
إِلىto اِبنَيthe two sons of مَنافٍManaf عَبدِ'Abd شَمسٍShams وَهاشِمِand Hashim
إِلى اِبنَي مَنافٍ عَبدِ شَمسٍ وَهاشِمِ
Were the sun asked, 'Who are our equals?' it would point
to Manaf's two sons, 'Abd Shams and Hashim.
وَكَيفَand how تُلاقيcan you meet دارِماًDarim حَيثُwhere تَلتَقيmeet
وَكَيفَ تُلاقي دارِماً حَيثُ تَلتَقي
ذُراهاits summits إِلىat حَيثُthe place of النُجومِthe stars التَوائِمِthe paired ones
ذُراها إِلى حَيثُ النُجومِ التَوائِمِ
And how can you meet Darim, whose
summits meet where the paired stars lie?
لَقَدindeed تَرَكَتhave left قَيساًQays ظُباتُedges of سُيوفِناour swords
لَقَد تَرَكَت قَيساً ظُباتُ سُيوفِنا
وَأَيدٍand hands بِأَعجازِon the butts of الرِماحِthe spears اللَهاذِمِthe sharp ones
وَأَيدٍ بِأَعجازِ الرِماحِ اللَهاذِمِ
The edges of our swords have left Qays—
and hands upon the butts of sharp spears—
وَقائِعَbattles of أَيّامٍdays أَرَينَshowed نِسائَهُمtheir women
وَقائِعَ أَيّامٍ أَرَينَ نِسائَهُم
نَهاراًby day صَغيراتِthe small ones among النُجومِthe stars العَوائِمِthe drifting ones
نَهاراً صَغيراتِ النُجومِ العَوائِمِ
with battles of days that showed their women
the tiny, drifting stars in broad daylight.
بِذيat Dhu نَجَبٍNajab يَومٌa day لِقَيسٍfor Qays شَريدُهُits fugitives
بِذي نَجَبٍ يَومٌ لِقَيسٍ شَريدُهُ
كَثيرُmany اليَتامىorphans فيin ظِلالِshadows of المَآتِمِmourning assemblies
كَثيرُ اليَتامى في ظِلالِ المَآتِمِ
At Dhu Najab was a day for Qays, its rout
leaving many orphans in the shadow of mourning assemblies.
وَنَحنُand we تَرَكناleft بِالدَفينَةِat al-Dafina حاضِراًa settled clan
وَنَحنُ تَرَكنا بِالدَفينَةِ حاضِراً
لِئالِof the kin of سُلَيمٍSulaym هامُهُمtheir heads غَيرُnot نائِمِsleeping
لِئالِ سُلَيمٍ هامُهُم غَيرُ نائِمِ
We left at al-Dafina a settled clan
of the house of Sulaym, their heads never resting.
حَلَفتُI swore بِرَبِّby the Lord of الراقِصاتِthe dancing she-camels إِلىtoward مِنىًMina
حَلَفتُ بِرَبِّ الراقِصاتِ إِلى مِنىً
يَقينَthey shelter نَهاراًby day دامِياتِbleeding المَناسِمِat the footpads
يَقينَ نَهاراً دامِياتِ المَناسِمِ
I swore by the Lord of the camels dancing toward Mina,
sheltering their riders by day, their padded feet bleeding,
عَلَيهِنَّupon them شُعثٌdisheveled men ماnot اِتَّقواthey guarded themselves مِنagainst وَريقَةٍscorching heat (text uncertain)
عَلَيهِنَّ شُعثٌ ما اِتَّقوا مِن وَريقَةٍ
إِذاwhen ماever اِلتَظَتflared شَهبائُهاits gray blaze بِالعَمائِمِamong the turbans
إِذا ما اِلتَظَت شَهبائُها بِالعَمائِمِ
bearing disheveled men unshielded from scorching heat,
when its gray blaze flamed among their turbans:
لَتَحتَلِبَنwill surely milk قَيسُQays اِبنُson of عَيلانَ'Aylan لَقحَةًa milk-giving she-camel
لَتَحتَلِبَن قَيسُ اِبنُ عَيلانَ لَقحَةً
صَرىًwith stored-up milk ثَرَّةًabundant أَخلافُهاher teats غَيرَnot رائِمِmotherly
صَرىً ثَرَّةً أَخلافُها غَيرَ رائِمِ
Qays ibn 'Aylan will surely milk a she-camel
with stored-up milk and abundant teats, but no motherly tenderness.
لَعَمريby my life لَئِنif indeed لامَتblamed هَوازِنُHawazin أَمرَهاits course
لَعَمري لَئِن لامَت هَوازِنُ أَمرَها
لَقَدindeed أَصبَحَتit has become حَلَّتsettled بِدارِin the abode of المَلاوِمِblame
لَقَد أَصبَحَت حَلَّت بِدارِ المَلاوِمِ
By my life, if Hawazin blames its course,
it has indeed come to dwell in the abode of blame.
وَلَولاand but for اِرتِفاعيmy holding myself above عَنover سُلَيمٍSulaym سَقَيتُهاI would give it to drink
وَلَولا اِرتِفاعي عَن سُلَيمٍ سَقَيتُها
كِئاسَcups of سِمامٍpoisons مُرَّةًbitter وَعَلاقِمِand colocynth
كِئاسَ سِمامٍ مُرَّةً وَعَلاقِمِ
Had I not held myself above Sulaym, I would have given it
cups of bitter poison and colocynth to drink.
فَماfor not أَنتُمُyou مِنof قَيسِQays عَيلانَ'Aylan فيamong الذُرىthe summits
فَما أَنتُمُ مِن قَيسِ عَيلانَ في الذُرى
وَلاnor مِنamong أَثافيهاits hearthstones العِظامِthe great ones الجَماجِمِthe foremost heads
وَلا مِن أَثافيها العِظامِ الجَماجِمِ
You are not among the peaks of Qays 'Aylan,
nor among its mighty hearthstones and foremost heads.
إِذاwhen حُصِّلَتis sifted قَيسٌQays فَأَنتُمthen you are قَليلُهاits lesser part
إِذا حُصِّلَت قَيسٌ فَأَنتُم قَليلُها
وَأَبعَدُهاand its furthest مِنfrom صُلبِloins of قَيسٍQays لِعالِمِto one who knows
وَأَبعَدُها مِن صُلبِ قَيسٍ لِعالِمِ
When Qays is sifted, you are its lesser part,
furthest from Qays's loins, as anyone knowledgeable knows.
وَأَنتُمand you are أَذَلُّthe lowliest of قَيسِQays عَيلانَ'Aylan حُبوَةًin seated assemblies
وَأَنتُم أَذَلُّ قَيسِ عَيلانَ حُبوَةً
وَأَعجَزُهاand its most helpless عِندَin الأُمورِaffairs العَوارِمِthe fierce ones
وَأَعجَزُها عِندَ الأُمورِ العَوارِمِ
You are the lowliest of Qays 'Aylan in council,
and its most helpless in fierce affairs.
وَماand not كانَwere هَذاthese الناسُpeople حَتّىuntil هَداهُمُguided them
وَما كانَ هَذا الناسُ حَتّى هَداهُمُ
بِناthrough us اللَهُGod إِلّاanything but مِثلَlike شاءِsheep among البَهائِمِbeasts
بِنا اللَهُ إِلّا مِثلَ شاءِ البَهائِمِ
These people, until God guided them
through us, were nothing but sheep among beasts.
فَماand none مِنهُمُof them إِلّاbut يُقادُis led بِأَنفِهِby his nose
فَما مِنهُمُ إِلّا يُقادُ بِأَنفِهِ
إِلىto مَلِكٍa king مِنof خِندِفٍKhindif بِالخَزائِمِwith nose-rings
إِلى مَلِكٍ مِن خِندِفٍ بِالخَزائِمِ
Not one of them but is led by his nose
with nose-rings to a king of Khindif.
عَجِبتُI marvel إِلىat قَيسٍQays وَماand what قَدindeed تَكَلَّفَتit undertook
عَجِبتُ إِلى قَيسٍ وَما قَد تَكَلَّفَت
مِنَof الشِقوَةِmisery الحَمقاءِfoolish ذاتِbringing النَقائِمِvengeance
مِنَ الشِقوَةِ الحَمقاءِ ذاتِ النَقائِمِ
I marvel at Qays and what it has undertaken
of foolish misery, bringing vengeance.
يَلوذُنَthey seek refuge مِنّيfrom me بِالمَراغَةِwith al-Maragha وَاِبنِهاand her son
يَلوذُنَ مِنّي بِالمَراغَةِ وَاِبنِها
وَماand neither مِنهُماof the two مِنّيfrom me لِقَيسٍfor Qays بِعاصِمِa protector
وَما مِنهُما مِنّي لِقَيسٍ بِعاصِمِ
They seek refuge from me with al-Maragha and her son,
yet neither can protect Qays from me.
فَياoh عَجَباwhat a wonder حَتّىeven كُلَيبٌKulayb تَسُبُّنيinsults me
فَيا عَجَبا حَتّى كُلَيبٌ تَسُبُّني
وَكانَتand was كُلَيبٌKulayb مَدرَجاًa thoroughfare لِلمَشاتِمِfor insults
وَكانَت كُلَيبٌ مَدرَجاً لِلمَشاتِمِ
How astonishing—even Kulayb insults me,
though Kulayb has been a thoroughfare for insults.
Partial English translation: 220 of 266 Arabic lines translated.
Sol 6.1