أَتُنكِرُdo you fail to recognize رَسمَthe traces of الدارِthe dwelling أَمor أَنتَyou عارِفُone who knows
أَتُنكِرُ رَسمَ الدارِ أَم أَنتَ عارِفُ
أَلاah لاno بَلِrather العِرفانُrecognition فالدَمعُso the tears ذارِفُstreaming
أَلا لا بَلِ العِرفانُ فالدَمعُ ذارِفُ
Do you fail to recognize the dwelling's traces, or do you know them?
Can you deny knowing this abode, or are you familiar with it?
Do you deny the traces of the abode, or do you recognize them?
Ah, no: I recognize them, and tears stream down,
No, but familiarity - so tears are pouring down.
Nay, it is recognition, and thus the tears are shedding,
رَشاشاًin sprays كَماjust as انهَلَّتgushed شَعيبٌa sewn waterskin أَسافَهاdamaged it
رَشاشاً كَما انهَلَّت شَعيبٌ أَسافَها
عَنيفٌa rough handler بِخَرزِin stitching السَيرِthe leather thong أَوor مُتَعانِفُdeliberately rough
عَنيفٌ بِخَرزِ السَيرِ أَو مُتَعانِفُ
in sprays, as a sewn waterskin gushes, its seams damaged
It rains just as brooks of Shuaib overflowed,
Scattering like water from a worn skin pouring out its contents,
by a rough stitcher of leather thongs, or one deliberately rough.
Ferociously with the clinking of the saddlebags, or mutually bumping.
Rough with the stitching of the strap, or handled violently.
بِمُنخَرقِat the open pass of النَقعَينِal-Naqʿayn غَيَّرَchanged رَسمَهاits traces
بِمُنخَرقِ النَقعَينِ غَيَّرَ رَسمَها
مَرابِعُspringtimes مَرَّتpassed بَعدَناafter us وَمَصايفُand summers
مَرابِعُ مَرَّت بَعدَنا وَمَصايفُ
At the open pass of al-Naqʿayn, its traces were changed
With battered camel saddles, it changed its shape.
At Munkharaq al-Naq'ayn, its traces have been altered
by springtimes that passed after us, and summers.
Encampments passed by after us as well as meadows.
By spring rains and summer showers that passed after us.
كَلِفتُI became enamored بِهاof her لاnot حُبَّlove for مَنwhoever كانَwas قَبلَهاbefore her
كَلِفتُ بِها لا حُبَّ مَن كانَ قَبلَها
وَكلُّand every مُحِبٍّlover لاno مَحالَةَescape آلِفُattached
وَكلُّ مُحِبٍّ لا مَحالَةَ آلِفُ
I became enamored of her, not of anyone before her;
I was burdened with it, not out of love for those who were before it,
I became enamored with her—not like the love of one who came before,
and every lover inevitably grows attached.
And every lover inevitably becomes intimate.
For every lover is, inevitably, attached.
إِذwhen الناسُthe people ناسٌtrue people والبِلادُand the land بِغِرَّةٍin unsuspecting ease
إِذ الناسُ ناسٌ والبِلادُ بِغِرَّةٍ
وإِذand when أُمُّmother of عَمّارٍAmmar صَديقٌa friend مُساعِفُaccommodating
وإِذ أُمُّ عَمّارٍ صَديقٌ مُساعِفُ
When people were truly people, and the land lay unsuspecting,
Since people are just people, and countries are deceptive,
When people were truly people, and the land was at ease,
and when Umm Ammar was an accommodating friend;
And since the mother of Ammar is a doubling friend.
And when Umm 'Ammar was a helpful friend.
وإِذand when نَحنُwe أَمّاas for مَنwhoever مَشىcame بِمَوَدَّةٍin friendship
وإِذ نَحنُ أَمّا مَن مَشى بِمَوَدَّةٍ
فَنَرضىso we are pleased وأَمّاbut as for مَنwhoever وشىslandered فنُخالِفُso we oppose
فَنَرضى وأَمّا مَن وشى فنُخالِفُ
and when, as for anyone who came in friendship,
And since we - if one came in cordiality - are pleased,
Back when we would be pleased with those who walked in friendship,
we were pleased, but opposed whoever carried slander.
And if one was hostile, we oppose.
And as for the slanderer, we would oppose him.
إِذاwhen نَزاواتُthe surges of الحُبِّlove أَحدثنَthey caused بَينَناbetween us
إِذا نَزاواتُ الحُبِّ أَحدثنَ بَينَنا
عِتاباreproach تَراضَيناwe reconciled وَعادَand returned العَواطِفُthe affections
عِتابا تَراضَينا وَعادَ العَواطِفُ
When love's sudden surges brought between us
When the coquetries of love caused disputes between us,
If the sudden impulses of love caused between us
reproaches, we reconciled, and affection returned.
Our conciliation returned, and feelings came back.
Some reproach, we reconciled and affections returned.
وَكُلُّand every حَديثِthought of النَفسِthe soul ماas long as لَمnot أُلاقِهاI meet her
وَكُلُّ حَديثِ النَفسِ ما لَم أُلاقِها
رَجيعٌa rehash وَمِمَّاand among what حَدَّثَتكَshe told you طَرائِفُnovelties
رَجيعٌ وَمِمَّا حَدَّثَتكَ طَرائِفُ
Every thought within my soul, unless I meet her,
And everything the soul speaks of unless I meet it,
And all my soul's whispering when I did not meet her
is a rehash; some things she told you are novelties.
Are empty words, and of what it tells you subtleties.
Was echoed thought, and what it told you were mere novelties.
وإِنّيand I لأُخليsurely leave vacant لِلفَتاةِfor the young woman فِراشَهاher bed
وإِنّي لأُخلي لِلفَتاةِ فِراشَها
وأُكثِرُand I often undertake هَجرَabandoning البَيتِthe house والقَلبُwhile the heart آلِفُattached
وأُكثِرُ هَجرَ البَيتِ والقَلبُ آلِفُ
I leave the young woman's bed to her,
And I indeed leave the maiden’s bed for her,
Indeed, I leave the young woman's bed empty for her,
and often keep away from the house, though my heart remains attached,
And abandon the house frequently while the heart is intimate.
And I often abandon the house, though the heart is fond,
حِذارَfor fear of الرَدىdeath أَوor خَشيَةًfearing أَنthat تَجُرَّنيshe drags me
حِذارَ الرَدى أَو خَشيَةً أَن تَجُرَّني
إِلىinto موبِقٍruinous wrongdoing أُرمَىI am accused بِهِof it أَوor أُقاذِفُI trade accusations
إِلى موبِقٍ أُرمَى بِهِ أَو أُقاذِفُ
for fear of death, or lest she drag me
Fearing depravity, or scared that it would lead me,
Out of caution against ruin, or fear that she might drag me
into ruinous wrongdoing, for which I am accused or trade accusations.
To destruction I would be hurled into or precipitates.
Into a peril where I would be cast down or tossed about.
وَإِنّيand I بِماof what بَينَbetween الضُلوعِthe ribs مِنof امرىءٍa man
وَإِنّي بِما بَينَ الضُلوعِ مِن امرىءٍ
إِذاwhen ماan emphatic particle تَنازَعناwe exchanged الحَديثَconversation لعارِفُsurely know
إِذا ما تَنازَعنا الحَديثَ لعارِفُ
I know what lies between a man's ribs,
And indeed in my chest lives a man,
And truly, regarding what lies within a man's ribs,
whenever we exchange words.
Who, if we disputed speech, is knowledgeable.
When we exchange conversation, I am well-aware.
ذَكَرتُI remembered هَواهاher love ذِكرَةًonce فَكأَنَّماand it was as though
ذَكَرتُ هَواها ذِكرَةً فَكأَنَّما
أَصابَstruck بِهاthrough that memory إِنسانَthe pupil of عَينيَّmy two eyes طارِفُan eye-striking object
أَصابَ بِها إِنسانَ عَينيَّ طارِفُ
I remembered her love once, and it was as though
I remembered her in a way that it was as if,
I recalled her love—a memory as if
something struck the pupils of my eyes at the memory.
A man was afflicted in his eyes by a roving glance.
A foreign speck had struck the pupil of my eye.
وَلَمand not تَرَsaw عَينيmy eye مِثلَthe like of سِربٍa flock رأَيتُهُI saw it
وَلَم تَرَ عَيني مِثلَ سِربٍ رأَيتُهُ
خَرَجنَthey came out عَليناtoward us مِنfrom زُقاقِthe lane of ابنِson of واقِفِWaqif
خَرَجنَ عَلينا مِن زُقاقِ ابنِ واقِفِ
My eye has never seen a flock like the one I saw
And your eyes have not seen the likes of a flock I saw,
My eye has never seen the likes of a flock I saw,
coming out toward us from Ibn Waqif's lane.
Which came out to us from the lane of Ibn Waqif.
Emerged before us from the alley of Ibn Waqif.
خَرَجنَthey came out بأَعناقِwith necks of الظباءِgazelles وأَعيُنand eyes of الthe
خَرَجنَ بأَعناقِ الظباءِ وأَعيُن ال
جآذِرِoryx calves وارتَجَّتand quivered بِهنَّon them الرَوادِفُthe buttocks
جآذِرِ وارتَجَّت بِهنَّ الرَوادِفُ
They came out with gazelles' necks and the eyes of the
They came out with the necks of mountain cows and eyes of,
They came out with the necks of does and the eyes
oryx calves, while their buttocks quivered.
A rutting camel; with them the riders swayed.
Of wild calves, while their hips swayed as they moved.
طَلَعنَthey appeared عَليناbefore us بَينَamong بِكرٍa maiden غَريرَةٍinnocent
طَلَعنَ عَلينا بَينَ بِكرٍ غَريرَةٍ
وَبَينَand among عوانٍa mature woman كالغَمامَةِlike a cloud ناصِفِmiddle-aged
وَبَينَ عوانٍ كالغَمامَةِ ناصِفِ
They appeared before us, some innocent maidens,
They appeared between Bhakar the charming,
They appeared to us—some naive virgins,
others mature women, cloudlike and in midlife.
And Awan like a splitting cloud.
And some mature, like a cloud in mid-sky.
خَرَجنَthey came out عَليناtoward us لاnot غُشينَenveloped بِهوبَةٍby fear
خَرَجنَ عَلينا لا غُشينَ بِهوبَةٍ
وَلاnor وَشوشيّاتُslight-bodied women الحِجالِthe curtained chambers الزَعانِفُthe lowly ones
وَلا وَشوشيّاتُ الحِجالِ الزَعانِفُ
They came out to us, untouched by fear,
They came out to us neither covered in a storm,
They came out to us, not clad in rags,
nor were they slight-bodied, lowly women of curtained chambers.
Nor the confusion of armored skirts.
Nor were they base women of mixed lineage.
تَضَمَّخنَthey smeared themselves بِالجاديِّwith saffron حَتّىuntil كأَنّماas though
تَضَمَّخنَ بِالجاديِّ حَتّى كأَنّما
الأُنوفُthe noses إِذاwhen استَعرَضتَهنَّyou surveyed them رَواعِفُbleeding
الأُنوفُ إِذا استَعرَضتَهنَّ رَواعِفُ
They smeared themselves with saffron, until it seemed
Bedewed with duskiness as if their noses,
They perfumed themselves with saffron until it seemed
their noses, when you surveyed them, were bleeding.
Were carrots when displayed bending branches.
That their noses, if you looked, were bleeding.
كَشَفنَthey uncovered شُنوفاًearrings عَنfrom شُنوفٍearrings وَأَعرَضَتand came into view
كَشَفنَ شُنوفاً عَن شُنوفٍ وَأَعرَضَت
خُدودٌcheeks وَمالَتand inclined بِالفُروعِwith the tresses السَوالِفُthe sides of the neck
خُدودٌ وَمالَت بِالفُروعِ السَوالِفُ
They revealed earrings above earrings; into view came
They revealed cheeks over cheeks and turned away,
They revealed earrings upon earrings, and turned aside
cheeks, and their necks inclined with their tresses.
Cheeks while the dangling earrings swayed.
With their cheeks, their side-locks tilting with their hair.
يُدافِعنَthey push forward أفخاذاًthighs لَهُنَّof theirs كأَنَّهاas though they were
يُدافِعنَ أفخاذاً لَهُنَّ كأَنَّها
مِنَamong البُدنِthe fat camels أَفخاذُthe thighs of الهِجانِwhite thoroughbred camels العَلائِفِthe fodder-fed ones
مِنَ البُدنِ أَفخاذُ الهِجانِ العَلائِفِ
They thrust forward thighs that seemed
They walked proudly, their thighs as if,
They moved thighs that seemed,
the thighs of fat, white, fodder-fed camels.
They were, from the bodies, the thighs of musicians with waving robes.
In their plumpness, like the thighs of stall-fed white camels.
عَلَيهنَّon them مِنfrom صُنعِthe workmanship of المَدينَةِMedina حِليَةٌornaments
عَلَيهنَّ مِن صُنعِ المَدينَةِ حِليَةٌ
جُمانٌpearls كأَعناقِlike the necks of الدَباyoung locusts وَرَفارِفُand pendants
جُمانٌ كأَعناقِ الدَبا وَرَفارِفُ
They wore ornaments crafted in Medina:
Upon them were ornamentations made from the city,
Upon them was jewelry crafted in Medina,
pearls like the necks of young locusts, and pendants.
Necklaces like pythons’ necks and fluttering pennants.
Pearls like locust necks and fluttering green silk.
إِذاwhen خُرِقَتwere torn أَقدامُهنَّtheir feet بِمِشيةby walking
إِذا خُرِقَت أَقدامُهنَّ بِمِشية
تَناهَينَthey held back وانباعَتand stretched out لَهُنَّbefore them النَواصِفُthe broad level stretches
تَناهَينَ وانباعَت لَهُنَّ النَواصِفُ
When walking tore their feet,
When their feet were uncovered as they walked proudly,
If their feet moved in a walk,
they held back, and broad stretches opened before them.
Their anklets rang and the sleigh bells jingled.
They held back, while their servants hastened.
يَنُؤنَthey rise heavily بأَكفالٍwith buttocks ثِقالٍheavy وَأَسوقٍand legs
يَنُؤنَ بأَكفالٍ ثِقالٍ وَأَسوقٍ
خِذالٍfailing them وَأَعضادٍand upper arms كَسَتهاclothed them المَطارِفُthe bordered mantles
خِذالٍ وَأَعضادٍ كَسَتها المَطارِفُ
They struggle to rise with heavy buttocks and legs
Swaying with heavy ankles, shanks,
They rise with heavy hips and shanks,
that fail them, and upper arms clothed in bordered mantles.
Thighs, and legs which their garments covered.
Full and soft, and arms draped in embroidered robes.
وَيَكسِرنَand they interrupt أَوساطَthe middles of الأَحاديثِconversations بِالمُنىwith wishes
وَيَكسِرنَ أَوساطَ الأَحاديثِ بِالمُنى
كَماjust as كَسَرbroke البَرديَّthe papyrus reeds فيin الماءِthe water غارِفُa water-scooper
كَما كَسَر البَرديَّ في الماءِ غارِفُ
They break off conversations midway with wishes,
And they interrupted the words’ middles charmingly,
They interrupt their conversations with wishful sighs,
as a water-scooper breaks papyrus reeds in the water.
As the cold north wind disturbed the water noisily.
As one drawing water breaks the papyrus reeds.
وأدنَيتِنيand you drew me close حَتّىuntil إِذاwhen ماan emphatic particle جَعَلتِنيyou placed me
وأدنَيتِني حَتّى إِذا ما جَعَلتِني
لَدىbeside الخَصرِthe waist أَوor أَدنىnearer استَقَلَّكseized you راجِفُa tremor
لَدى الخَصرِ أَو أَدنى استَقَلَّك راجِفُ
You drew me close, until, when you had placed me
And you brought me close until you made me,
You drew me close, until when you had placed me
beside your waist, or nearer, a tremor seized you.
Near the waist or closer; it startled the timid one.
By your waist or nearer, a trembling seized you.
فإِنso if شِئتِyou wish واللَهِby God انصَرفتُI depart وإِنَّنيthough I
فإِن شِئتِ واللَهِ انصَرفتُ وإِنَّني
مِنof أَنthat لاnot تَرينيyou see me بَعدَafter هَذاthis لَخائِفُsurely afraid
مِن أَن لا تَريني بَعدَ هَذا لَخائِفُ
If you wish, by God, I will leave; yet I
So if you wish - by Allah - I shall leave, and indeed,
If you wish, by God, I shall depart, for I am
fear that after this you may not see me again.
I am afraid after this to not see you again.
Indeed fearful that you might never see me after this.
رأَتshe saw ساعِديthe two forearms of غولٍa ghoul وَتَحتَand beneath ثيابِهِhis clothes
رأَت ساعِدي غولٍ وَتَحتَ ثيابِهِ
جَناجِنُbreastbones يَدمىbleeds حَدُّهاtheir edges وَقَراقِفُand knobby joints
جَناجِنُ يَدمى حَدُّها وَقَراقِفُ
She saw a ghoul's two forearms, and beneath his clothes
She saw my arm was strong, and beneath his clothes,
She saw the forearm of a demon, and beneath his clothes
were breastbones with bleeding edges, and knobby joints.
Were scars whose edges bled and scabbed.
Are ribs whose edges bleed, and trembling cold.
وَقَدand indeed شَئِزَتrecoiled أُمُmother of الصَبيَّينِthe two boys أَنbecause رأَتshe saw
وَقَد شَئِزَت أُمُ الصَبيَّينِ أَن رأَت
أَسيراًa captive بِساقيهِon his two legs نُدوبٌscars نَواسِفُraw and abraded
أَسيراً بِساقيهِ نُدوبٌ نَواسِفُ
The mother of the two boys recoiled when she saw
And the mother of the two boys was appalled when she saw,
Umm al-Sabiyayn was unsettled when she saw
a captive with raw scars on both his legs.
A captive - his legs had injuries from fetters.
A captive with deep, eroding scars upon his legs.
فإِنso if تُنكِريyou find strange صَوتَthe sound of الحَديدِiron وَمِشيَةًand a gait
فإِن تُنكِري صَوتَ الحَديدِ وَمِشيَةً
فإِنيthen I بِماof what يأَتيcomes بِهِwith it اللَهُGod عارِفُaware
فإِني بِما يأَتي بِهِ اللَهُ عارِفُ
If you find the iron's clank and my gait strange,
So if you deny the voice of iron and a gait,
If you recoil at the clanking of iron and my gait,
I understand whatever God brings.
Then I know what Allah will bring - I am aware.
Then know that I accept whatever God brings forth.
وإِنand if كُنتِyou were مِنfrom خَوفٍfear رَجَعتِyou drew back فإِنَّنيthen I
وإِن كُنتِ مِن خَوفٍ رَجَعتِ فإِنَّني
مِنَbefore اللَهِGod والسُلطانِand the ruler والإِثمِand sin راجِفُtrembling
مِنَ اللَهِ والسُلطانِ والإِثمِ راجِفُ
If you have drawn back in fear, then I
And if you went back in fear, then I
And if you turned back out of fear, then I
tremble before God, the ruler, and sin.
Fear Allah, the Sultan, and sin - quivering.
Am trembling before God, the Sultan, and sin.
وَقَدand indeed زَعَمَتclaimed أُمُّmother of الصَبيينِthe two boys أَنَّنيthat I
وَقَد زَعَمَت أُمُّ الصَبيينِ أَنَّني
أَقَرَّgrew cold فؤاديmy heart وازدَهَتنيand swept me away المَخاوِفُthe fears
أَقَرَّ فؤادي وازدَهَتني المَخاوِفُ
The mother of the two boys has claimed that
And the mother of the two boys claimed that I,
Umm al-Sabiyayn has claimed that I
my heart froze and fears swept me away.
Comforted my heart and anxieties overwhelmed me.
Have a settled heart, yet am overwhelmed by fears.
وَقَدand indeed عَلِمَتknew أُمُّmother of الصَبيَّينthe two boys أَنَّنيthat I
وَقَد عَلِمَت أُمُّ الصَبيَّين أَنَّني
صَبورٌpatient عَلىwith ماwhatever جَرَّفتنيswept me away الجَوارِفُthe sweeping torrents
صَبورٌ عَلى ما جَرَّفتني الجَوارِفُ
Yet the mother of the two boys knows that
And the mother of the two boys knew that I
Yet Umm al-Sabiyayn knows well that I
I endure whatever the sweeping torrents have done to me.
Am patient with what calamities reproached me.
Am patient against whatever calamities sweep over me.
وإِنّيand I لَعَطّافٌsurely quick to rally إِذاwhen قيلَit is said مَنwho فَتىًa brave man
وإِنّي لَعَطّافٌ إِذا قيلَ مَن فَتىً
وَلَمand not يَكُwas إِلاexcept صالِحُthe best of القَومِthe people عاطِفُone who rallies
وَلَم يَكُ إِلا صالِحُ القَومِ عاطِفُ
I am quick to rally when the call is, 'Who is a man of courage?'
And I am affectionate when asked who is the gallant one,
I am one who charges back when they ask, "Who is the hero?"
and only the best of the people rallies.
And none would be but the good of the people - merciful.
And none but the noble of the tribe returns to the fray.
وَأُوشِكُand I hasten لَفَّto embroil القَومِone band بِالقَومِwith another band لِلَّتيin that which
وَأُوشِكُ لَفَّ القَومِ بِالقَومِ لِلَّتي
يَخافُfears المُرَجّىthe man granted respite والحَرونُand the stubborn one المُخالِفُthe opponent
يَخافُ المُرَجّى والحَرونُ المُخالِفُ
I quickly embroil one band with another in what
I am about to turn the people to the people for she,
I am prone to clash tribe against tribe for that cause
the man given respite and the stubborn opponent fear.
Who fears the death and the wicked who differ.
Which even the hopeful and the stubborn opponent fear.
وإِنّيand I لأُرجيsurely give respite to المَرءَthe man أَعرِفُI know غِشَّهُhis deceit
وإِنّي لأُرجي المَرءَ أَعرِفُ غِشَّهُ
وأُعرِضُand I turn away عَنfrom أَشياءَthings فيهاin them مَقاذِفُperils
وأُعرِضُ عَن أَشياءَ فيها مَقاذِفُ
I give a man respite, though I know his deceit,
And I hope for the man - I know his faults -
I may grant respite to a man whose deceit I know,
and turn away from things that hold perils.
And overlook things in which are precipitations.
And I turn away from matters that carry insults.
فَلاso do not تَعجَبيbe surprised أُمَّmother of الصَبييَّنِthe two boys قَدmay تُرىbe seen
فَلا تَعجَبي أُمَّ الصَبييَّنِ قَد تُرى
بِناin us غِبطَةٌenvied good fortune والدَهرُand time فيهِin it عَجارِفُharsh upheavals
بِنا غِبطَةٌ والدَهرُ فيهِ عَجارِفُ
Do not wonder, mother of the two boys; there may appear
So do not wonder, mother of the two boys, you may see,
So do not marvel, Umm al-Sabiyayn, for there may appear
good fortune for us—time has its rough upheavals.
In us fortune, and fate has in it storms.
Joy within us, though time holds tyranny.
عَسىperhaps آمِناًa secure man فيin حَربِناwar against us أَنthat تُصيبَهُstrike him
عَسى آمِناً في حَربِنا أَن تُصيبَهُ
عواقِبُthe consequences of أَيامٍdays وَيأَمَنَand finds safety خائِفُa frightened man
عواقِبُ أَيامٍ وَيأَمَنَ خائِفُ
Perhaps one secure in his war against us will be struck
Perhaps secure in our war, what may afflict him,
Perhaps one safe in our war might be struck by
by the aftermath of days, while a frightened man finds safety.
Are the consequences of days, and the fearful may find safety.
The turn of days, while the fearful becomes safe.
فيُبكينَthen they make weep منwhoever أَمسىbecame بِناover us اليَومَtoday شامِتاًgloating
فيُبكينَ من أَمسى بِنا اليَومَ شامِتاً
وَيُعقِبنَناand give us our turn إِنَّindeed الأُمورَevents صَرائِفُever-changing
وَيُعقِبنَنا إِنَّ الأُمورَ صَرائِفُ
They will make those weep who gloat over us today,
Then those who exult over us today will cry,
Thus making weep those who gloat over us today,
and grant us our turn; events have their reversals.
And tell us fortunes are fickle.
And giving us the turn; for fortunes are ever-changing.
وَإِنand if يَكُis أَمرٌan outcome غَيرَother than ذاكَthat فإِنَّنيthen I
وَإِن يَكُ أَمرٌ غَيرَ ذاكَ فإِنَّني
لَراضٍsurely content بِقَدرِwith the decree of اللَهِGod لِلحَقِّof what is right عارِفُaware
لَراضٍ بِقَدرِ اللَهِ لِلحَقِّ عارِفُ
If the outcome is otherwise, I
And if the matter is other than that, then I
And if the outcome is otherwise, then I
am content with God's decree and acknowledge what is right.
Am content with Allah’s decree - knowledgeable of the truth.
Am content with God's decree, acknowledging the truth.
وإِنّيand I إِذاwhen أَغضىturns a blind eye الفَتىthe man عَنto ذِمارِهِwhat he must defend
وإِنّي إِذا أَغضى الفَتى عَن ذِمارِهِ
لَذوsurely possessed of شَفَقٍanxious concern عَلىfor الذِمارِwhat must be defended مُشارِفُwatchful
لَذو شَفَقٍ عَلى الذِمارِ مُشارِفُ
When a man turns a blind eye to what he must defend,
And when the gallant overlooks his vineyard,
And I, when a youth overlooks the defense of his honor,
I am watchful, full of concern for what must be defended.
He is gentle to the vineyard - an adjacent neighbor.
Am jealous for my honor, standing watch over it.
وَينفُخُand puff out أَقوامٌsome men عَليَّagainst me سُحورَهُمtheir lungs
وَينفُخُ أَقوامٌ عَليَّ سُحورَهُم
وَعيداًin threats كَماjust as تَهويrush down الرِياحُthe winds العَواصِفُthe stormy ones
وَعيداً كَما تَهوي الرِياحُ العَواصِفُ
Some men puff out their lungs against me
And some people blow on me their magic,
Tribes blow their threats upon me
in threats, as storm winds rush down.
And a feast as the violent winds blow.
Like the blowing of stormy winds.
وأُطرِقَand I lower my head إِطراقَthe head-lowering of الشُجاعِthe serpent وإِنَّنيthough I
وأُطرِقَ إِطراقَ الشُجاعِ وإِنَّني
شِهابٌa blazing flame لَدىamid الهَيجاbattle وَنابٌand a fang مُقَاصِفُcrushing
شِهابٌ لَدى الهَيجا وَنابٌ مُقَاصِفُ
I bow my head like a serpent, though I am
And I lowered my gaze like the valiant, and I
Yet I bow my head in the silence of the brave, for I am
a blazing flame in battle, and a crushing fang.
Am a flame next to passions and a sharp co-striker.
A meteor in battle, and a crushing fang.
وَداويَّةٍand many a desert سَيرُthe journey of القَطاsandgrouse مِنfrom فَلاتِهاits wastes
وَداويَّةٍ سَيرُ القَطا مِن فَلاتِها
إِلىto مائِهاits water خِمسٌa five-day trek لَهاfor it مُتَقاذِفُfar-flung
إِلى مائِها خِمسٌ لَها مُتَقاذِفُ
And many a desert, where the sandgrouse's journey from its wastes
And Dawiyya - from its plains to its waters,
Many a wasteland, where the sandgrouse flies from its void
to its water is a far-flung five-day trek—
A five day journey with precipices between.
To its water, a five-day journey across vast distances.
بُطونٌhollows مِنَof المَوماةِthe wilderness بَعَّدَset far apart بَينَهاbetween them
بُطونٌ مِنَ المَوماةِ بَعَّدَ بَينَها
ظُهورٌridges بَعيدٌfar-reaching تَيهُهاtheir trackless wastes وأَطايفُand outlying tracts
ظُهورٌ بَعيدٌ تَيهُها وأَطايفُ
hollows of wilderness, set far apart by
Dunes from Al-Mawma’ah whose backs are distant from each other,
Depths of the wilderness, separated by
ridges of far-stretching trackless land and outlying tracts.
Far apart, losing its way while the mirages play.
Ridges, their trackless paths remote and winding.
يَحارُloses his way بِهاin it الهاديthe guide وَيَغتالُand stealthily slay رَكبَهاits caravan
يَحارُ بِها الهادي وَيَغتالُ رَكبَها
تُنائِفُdesert expanses فيat أَطرافِهِنَّtheir edges تَنائِفُdesert expanses
تُنائِفُ في أَطرافِهِنَّ تَنائِفُ
The guide loses his way there, and its caravan is stealthily slain
The guide wanders confused in it and its traveling party is ambushed,
There the guide is bewildered, and the riders are swallowed
by deserts with more deserts at their edges.
By curves where they curve.
By deserts encompassed by yet more deserts.
هَواجِرُnoonday heats لَوif يُشوىwere roasted بِهاin them النَيُّraw flesh أَنضَجَتthey would cook
هَواجِرُ لَو يُشوى بِها النَيُّ أَنضَجَت
مُتونَthe backs of المَهاoryx مِنfrom طَبخِهِنَّtheir baking heat شَواسِفُshriveled
مُتونَ المَها مِن طَبخِهِنَّ شَواسِفُ
Noonday heats that, if raw flesh were roasted in them, would cook
Emigrants - if meat was roasted because of them,
Noon heats—if raw meat were roasted therein,
the oryxes' backs, shriveled by their baking heat.
The innards of the cooking pot would be cooked from their heat.
It would cook the backs of the oryx until they dried out.
تَرىyou see وَرَقَthe complexions of الفِتيانِthe young men فيهاin it كأَنَّهاas though they were
تَرى وَرَقَ الفِتيانِ فيها كأَنَّها
دَراهِمُdirhams مِنهاamong them جائزاتٌsound coins وَزائِفُand debased ones
دَراهِمُ مِنها جائزاتٌ وَزائِفُ
There you see the young men's complexions as though they were
You see the faces of youths in it as if they are,
You see the youths' coins scattered therein, as if
dirhams, some sound and some debased.
Dirhams - some of which are valid and others counterfeit.
They were dirhams, some valid and some counterfeit.
يَظَلُّremains by day بِهاin it عَيرُthe wild ass of الفَلاةِthe desert كأَنَّهُas though it were
يَظَلُّ بِها عَيرُ الفَلاةِ كأَنَّهُ
مِنَfrom الحَرِّthe heat مَرثومُbattered الخَياشِمِthe nostrils راعِفُnosebleeding
مِنَ الحَرِّ مَرثومُ الخَياشِمِ راعِفُ
The desert's wild ass remains there as though,
The traveling party of the desert takes shade in it as if it,
There the wild ass of the desert stands, as if
from the heat, its nostrils were battered and bleeding.
From the heat, is feverish with inflamed nostrils panting.
From the heat, his nose is broken and bleeding.
إِذاwhen ماan emphatic particle أَتاهاcame to it القَومُthe men هَوَّلَmade terrifying سَيرَهُمtheir journey
إِذا ما أَتاها القَومُ هَوَّلَ سَيرَهُم
تَجاوبُthe answering cries of جِنّانٍjinn بِهاin it وَعَوارِفُand calling spirits
تَجاوبُ جِنّانٍ بِها وَعَوارِفُ
When the men reach it, their journey is made terrible
When people come to it, the Jinn cry out in it and spirits,
When men enter it, their journey is made terrifying
by answering cries of jinn there and other calling spirits.
The guide takes shade in it turning his glance,
By the echoing cries of Jinns and spirits.
وَيَومٍand a day مِنَof الجَوزاءِal-Jawza يَلجأُseek refuge وَحشُهُits wild creatures
وَيَومٍ مِنَ الجَوزاءِ يَلجأُ وَحشُهُ
إِلىin الظِلِّthe shade حَتّىuntil اللَيلَnight هُنَّthey حَواقِفُlying curled up
إِلى الظِلِّ حَتّى اللَيلَ هُنَّ حَواقِفُ
And a day of al-Jawza, when the wild creatures seek
From fright invoking his craving while standing still.
And on a day of Gemini's heat, when the wild beasts seek refuge
shade until night, lying curled up.
I crossed it with she-camels whose saddlebags betrayed them,
In the shade, curled up until nightfall.
يَظَلُّremains by day بِهاin it الهاديthe guide يُقَلِّبُturning about طَرفَهُhis gaze
يَظَلُّ بِها الهادي يُقَلِّبُ طَرفَهُ
مِنَfrom الهَولِterror يَدعوcries out لَهفَهُhis anguish وَهوَwhile he واقِفُstands
مِنَ الهَولِ يَدعو لَهفَهُ وَهوَ واقِفُ
The guide keeps casting his eyes about there,
So it humbled the valleys while the eyes overflowed.
The guide stands turning his gaze,
calling out in anguish from terror, standing still.
I controlled traveling at night until its saddlebags cracked,
Crying out his distress in terror as he stands.
قَطَعتُI crossed بِأَطلاحٍon exhausted camels تَخَوَّنَهاwore them away السُّرىnight travel
قَطَعتُ بِأَطلاحٍ تَخَوَّنَها السُّرى
فَدَقَّand thinned الهَواديthe necks والعيونُwhile the eyes ذَوارِفُstreaming
فَدَقَّ الهَوادي والعيونُ ذَوارِفُ
I crossed it on exhausted camels, worn away by night travel,
And its howdahs slipped as the wrappers were not advanced.
I traversed it with emaciated camels, worn by night travel,
which thinned their necks, while their eyes streamed.
And until its rear met its van,
Their necks thinned and their eyes streaming.
مَلَكتُI mastered بِهاupon them الإِدلاجَnight travel حَتّىuntil تَخدَّدَتbecame furrowed
مَلَكتُ بِها الإِدلاجَ حَتّى تَخدَّدَت
عَرائِكُهاtheir humps وَلانَand grew slack مِنهاof them السَوالِفُthe sides of the neck
عَرائِكُها وَلانَ مِنها السَوالِفُ
I mastered the night journey on them until furrows formed
If the rear is not helped by replacements.
I drove them through the night until their humps
in their humps, and the sides of their necks grew slack.
Travel denied it all those of little worth,
Were furrowed and their necks became limp.
وَحتّىand until التَقَتmet أَحقابُهاtheir rear straps وَغُروضُهاand their belly-girths
وَحتّى التَقَت أَحقابُها وَغُروضُها
إِذاwhen لَمnot يُقَدَّمwere set forward لِلغُروضِfor the girths السَنائِفُthe breast-straps
إِذا لَم يُقَدَّم لِلغُروضِ السَنائِفُ
Until their rear straps met their belly-girths,
So there remained only the lofty unsoiled she-camels.
Until their rear straps and belly girths met,
when no breast-straps were set forward to hold the girths.
Of a he-goat or smooth rock behind its boulder,
Had the breast-straps not been adjusted forward.
نَفىweeded out السَيرُtravel عَنهاfrom them كُلَّevery ذاتِone possessing ذَمامَةٍa fault
نَفى السَيرُ عَنها كُلَّ ذاتِ ذَمامَةٍ
فَلَمso not يَبقَremained إِلاexcept المُشرِفاتُthe tall she-camels العَلائِفُthe fodder-fed ones
فَلَم يَبقَ إِلا المُشرِفاتُ العَلائِفُ
Travel weeded out every beast with a fault,
It has an ibex like an ornamented camel saddle.
The journey stripped away every weak one among them,
leaving only the tall, fodder-fed ones,
With me is a friend who will not complain of a companion wronging him,
Leaving only the tall, strong-bred mounts.
مِنَamong العَيسِthe pale camels أَوor جَلسٍa sturdy male camel وَراءَbehind سَديسِهِhis sixth tooth
مِنَ العَيسِ أَو جَلسٍ وَراءَ سَديسِهِ
لَهُhe has بازِلٌa fully emerged fang مِثلُlike الجُمانَةِa pearl رادِفُfollowing
لَهُ بازِلٌ مِثلُ الجُمانَةِ رادِفُ
among the pale camels, or a sturdy male whose sixth tooth
Nor of the mixed company that gathered them.
White camels, or sturdy ones past their prime,
is followed by a pearl-like, fully emerged fang.
Caravanners - when called upon lions, guides - when lost,
With tusks gleaming like pearls.
مَعيwith me صاحِبٌa companion لاnot يَشتَكيcomplains الصاحِبُthe companion العِدىthe distant one
مَعي صاحِبٌ لا يَشتَكي الصاحِبُ العِدى
صَحابَتُهُمtheir companionship وَلاnor الخَليطُthe associate المؤالِفُthe familiar one
صَحابَتُهُم وَلا الخَليطُ المؤالِفُ
With me is company; no distant companion complains
The speculations missed them.
With me is a companion; no friend complains of his enmity,
of their companionship, nor any familiar associate.
When the guided was told enjoy yourself and your peer,
Nor does the intimate associate find fault.
سَراةٌnobles إِذاwhen آبواthey return لُيوثٌlions إِذاwhen دُعواthey are called
سَراةٌ إِذا آبوا لُيوثٌ إِذا دُعوا
هُداةٌguides إِذاwhen أَعيىwas baffled الظَنونُthe guesser المُصادِفُwho chances on the way
هُداةٌ إِذا أَعيى الظَنونُ المُصادِفُ
Nobles when they return, lions when called,
But he could not and the petitioner left.
Noble when they return, lions when called to war,
guides when the lucky guesser is baffled.
They saw a partnership in them - a rightful claim - and tasked,
Guides when even the sharpest guess fails.
إِذاwhen قيلَit is said لِلمُعيىto the exhausted man بِهِby it وَزَميلِهِand his fellow rider
إِذا قيلَ لِلمُعيى بِهِ وَزَميلِهِ
تَروَّحset out at evening فَلَمbut not يَسطِعhe could وَراحَwhile set out المُسالِفُthe rider going ahead
تَروَّح فَلَم يَسطِع وَراحَ المُسالِفُ
When the man exhausted by his mount and his fellow rider are told,
The owners of remnants with what the destitute ate.
If it is said to the exhausted rider and his fellow:
'Set out at evening,' and he cannot, though the rider ahead moves on,
Owners of resting camels who stomped angrily,
"Move on," and he cannot, while the others press ahead.
رأَواthey deemed شِركَةًsharing فيهِنَّin them حقّاًa right وَكَلَّفواand tasked
رأَوا شِركَةً فيهِنَّ حقّاً وَكَلَّفوا
أُولاتِthose possessing البَقاياremaining strength ماwhat أَكَلَّexhausted الضَعائِفُthe weak she-camels
أُولاتِ البَقايا ما أَكَلَّ الضَعائِفُ
they see sharing those mounts as a right, and charge
When the bowstrings were taut and short strings hummed.
They consider sharing their mounts a duty, and burden
the beasts with stamina with what exhausted the weaker ones.
So they delivered necessities and fulfilled a need,
The remaining strong camels with what wearied the weak.
أَولاتِthose possessing المِراحِhigh spirits الخَانِفاتِmoving sideways عَلىdespite الوَجىsore feet
أَولاتِ المِراحِ الخَانِفاتِ عَلى الوَجى
إِذاwhen قارَبَshortened الشَدَّthe running stride القِصارُthe short ones الكَواتِفُthe close-striding ones
إِذا قارَبَ الشَدَّ القِصارُ الكَواتِفُ
Spirited beasts, swerving despite sore feet,
While in life we have needs and duties.
Lively mounts, twisting in pain from the hoof-soreness,
when the short, close-striding camels shorten their run.
Excellent is the man - not bidding farewell to one destroyed,
When the short-stepped camels struggle to run.
فَبَلَّغنَso they conveyed us to حاجاتٍgoals وَقَضَّينَand fulfilled حاجَةًa need
فَبَلَّغنَ حاجاتٍ وَقَضَّينَ حاجَةً
وَفيand in الحَيِّthe tribe حاجاتٌneeds لَناfor us وَتكالِفُand burdens
وَفي الحَيِّ حاجاتٌ لَنا وَتكالِفُ
They conveyed us to our goals and fulfilled a need,
Nor lying - Abu Sulaiman the merciful.
They reached their goals and fulfilled a need,
while in the tribe we have needs and burdens.
To his worldly neighbor and hostile foreigners,
While in the tribe, other needs and duties await us.
وَنِعمَand excellent is الفَتىthe young man وَلاand not يُودّعُis bidden farewell هالِكاًas one dead
وَنِعمَ الفَتى وَلا يُودّعُ هالِكاً
وَلاnor كَذِباًfalsely أَبوfather of سُلَيمانَSulayman عاطِفُturning in kindness
وَلا كَذِباً أَبو سُلَيمانَ عاطِفُ
A fine young man—not farewelled as one dead,
When the peak journeys and it is humpbacked with precipices.
Excellent is the youth—he does not abandon the fallen,
nor spoken of falsely—is Abu Sulayman, who turns in kindness
And it quickly reached the castle at dusk crumbling,
Nor is it a lie: Abu Sulayman is benevolent.
لِجارَتِهِto his female neighbor الدُنياthe nearest وَلِلجانبِand to the stranger العِدىthe distant
لِجارَتِهِ الدُنيا وَلِلجانبِ العِدى
إِذاwhen الشُولُthe dry she-camels راحَتreturn at evening وَهيَwhile they are حُدبٌhunched شَواسِفُwasted
إِذا الشُولُ راحَت وَهيَ حُدبٌ شَواسِفُ
to his nearest neighbor and the distant stranger,
The homes dust covers while the jug is pouring.
Close to his neighbor in kindness, yet against the enemy,
when the dry she-camels return, hunched and wasted,
It shakes off from its guests what it sees distresses them,
When the camels return, lean and dried out.
وَبادَرَهاand outran them قَصرَthe shortness of العَشيَّةِthe evening قَرمُهاtheir stallion
وَبادَرَها قَصرَ العَشيَّةِ قَرمُها
ذَرىthe shelter of البَيتِthe tent يَغشاهُovertakes him مِنَfrom القُرِّthe cold آزِفُan approaching onset
ذَرى البَيتِ يَغشاهُ مِنَ القُرِّ آزِفُ
and their stallion races them as evening shortens,
Mercifully hurrying with food and baking bread.
Their master hurries to them in the short evening,
to the tent's shelter, overtaken by approaching cold.
As if he did not find misery or hunger one night,
To the shelter of the tent, while biting cold engulfs him.
يُنَفِّضُshakes off عَنfrom أَضيافِهِhis guests ماwhat يَرىhe sees بِهِمupon them
يُنَفِّضُ عَن أَضيافِهِ ما يَرى بِهِم
رَحيمانtwo compassionate ones ساعٍone hurrying بِالطَعامِwith food وَلاحِفُand one providing coverings
رَحيمان ساعٍ بِالطَعامِ وَلاحِفُ
He relieves his guests of whatever distress he sees in them:
And in good and kindness, he discloses the harm.
He shakes off the distress he sees in his guests;
two kindly souls, one serving food, one providing coverings.
He sleeps away from the neighbors, secluding his ignorance,
Two merciful hands: one bringing food, the other a cover.
كأَنas though لَمnot يَجِدhe experienced بؤساًmisery وَلاnor جُوعَthe hunger of لَيلَةٍa night
كأَن لَم يَجِد بؤساً وَلا جُوعَ لَيلَةٍ
وَفيand through الخَيرgoodness والمَعروفِand kindness لِلضُرِّof suffering كاشِفُa dispeller
وَفي الخَير والمَعروفِ لِلضُرِّ كاشِفُ
As though he had never known hardship or a night of hunger;
Tranquil at the edges of forbearance - describing good.
As if he never knew misery or hunger for a single night,
through goodness and kindness, he removes suffering.
When the people became agitated for slander and spread open,
For in goodness and kindness is the removal of harm.
يَبيتُhe spends the night عَنfrom الجيرانِthe neighbors مُعزِبَkeeping far away جَهلِهِhis rashness
يَبيتُ عَن الجيرانِ مُعزِبَ جَهلِهِ
مُريحَgiving rest to حَواشيthe fringes of الحِلمِforbearance للخَيرِof goodness واصِفُone who commends
مُريحَ حَواشي الحِلمِ للخَيرِ واصِفُ
He passes the night keeping his rashness far from his neighbors,
The chests of rancor - in it a mixer and snatcher.
He passes the night keeping his ignorance far from neighbors,
keeping the fringes of his forbearance at rest, commending goodness.
He walked straight, his efforts growing life,
Restful in forbearance, prescribing the good.
إِذاwhen القَومُthe men هَشّواbecame eager لِلطِّعانِfor spear-thrusting وَأَشرَعواand leveled
إِذا القَومُ هَشّوا لِلطِّعانِ وَأَشرَعوا
صُدورَthe fronts of القَناthe spears مِنهاamong them مُزَجُّpushed forward وَخاطِفُand darting
صُدورَ القَنا مِنها مُزَجُّ وَخاطِفُ
When the men eagerly take to thrusting and level
And they left eternal life - firmly standing.
When the people rush to the lance-thrusting and level
their spearheads, some pushed forward, some darting,
He is the one piercing the smooth mounts, executing their blades,
The chests of spears—some piercing, some snatching—
مَضىhe advanced قُدُماًstraight ahead يُنميincreases الحَياةَlife عَناؤهُhis striving
مَضى قُدُماً يُنمي الحَياةَ عَناؤهُ
وَيَدعواand he calls الوَفاةَdeath الخُلدَeverlasting life ثَبتٌsteadfast مواقِفُholding his ground
وَيَدعوا الوَفاةَ الخُلدَ ثَبتٌ مواقِفُ
he advances straight ahead, his striving increasing life,
As their origins - from it unsheathing and standing guard.
He charges forward, his toil enhancing life,
and calls death everlasting life, steadfast in his stands.
And he was not from what he attained fatigue in it,
Calling death "eternity," firm in his stance.
هوَhe الطَاعِنُthe one who thrusts النَجلاءَthe gaping wound مُنفِذُdriving through نَصلِهاits blade
هوَ الطَاعِنُ النَجلاءَ مُنفِذُ نَصلِها
كَمبدَئِهاlike its point of entry مِنهاfrom it مُرِشٌّspraying وَواكِفُand dripping
كَمبدَئِها مِنها مُرِشٌّ وَواكِفُ
He deals the gaping thrust, driving its blade clean through,
Nor an outsider whose duties exhausted him.
He deals the wide wound, driving the blade through
with spray and dripping at the exit as at the entry.
As it entered, leaving it spraying and dripping.
وَماand not كانَwas مِمّاof what نالَhe attained فيهاin it كَلالَةًcollateral inheritance
وَما كانَ مِمّا نالَ فيها كَلالَةً
وَلاnor خارِجياًan upstart أَنفَذَتهُadvanced him التَكالِفُlabored striving
وَلا خارِجياً أَنفَذَتهُ التَكالِفُ
What he won there was no collateral inheritance,
He showed no fatigue in what he achieved there,
nor was he an upstart advanced by labored striving.
Nor was he an outsider worn down by burdens.
Partial English translation: 139 of 142 Arabic lines translated.
Sol 6.1