أَماطَتshe drew aside لِثاماًa veil عَنfrom أَقاحِdaisies الدَمائِثِsoft grounds
أَماطَت لِثاماً عَن أَقاحِ الدَمائِثِ
بِمِثلِwith the like of أَساريعِcaterpillars الحُقوفِcurving dunes العَثاعِثِsoft-sanded
بِمِثلِ أَساريعِ الحُقوفِ العَثاعِثِ
She drew aside a veil from the daisies of the soft ground,
She unveiled a watering place from the remains of campsites
with fingers like caterpillars of the soft, curving dunes.
Like the quick-moving floodwaters' torrents
وَنَصَّتand she bared عَنِfrom الغَصنِthe bough الرَطيبِsupple سَوالِفاًsides of the neck
وَنَصَّت عَنِ الغَصنِ الرَطيبِ سَوالِفاً
يَشُبُّintensifies سَناهاtheir radiance لَونَthe hue أَحوىdark جَثاجِثِbushy growth
يَشُبُّ سَناها لَونَ أَحوى جَثاجِثِ
She bared the sides of a neck like a supple bough,
And plucked stories from the fragrant branch
whose radiance heightened the hue of dark, bushy growth.
Whose old age resembles the color of withered skulls
وَلاثَتand she wrapped تُثَنّيfolding مِرطَهاher cloak دِعصَa sand mound رَملَةٍa patch of sand
وَلاثَت تُثَنّي مِرطَها دِعصَ رَملَةٍ
سَقاهاwatered it مُجاجُfine spray الطَلِّdew غِبَّafter الدَثائِثِgentle showers
سَقاها مُجاجُ الطَلِّ غِبَّ الدَثائِثِ
She wrapped her cloak, folding it around a sandy mound
She circled, folding her cloak, around a hill of sand
watered by the dew's fine spray after gentle showers.
Watered by bitter sap from ruptured skins
أَماindeed وَتَكافىand the symmetry ماwhat تجنُّconceal ثِيابهاher clothes
أَما وَتَكافى ما تجنُّ ثِيابها
أَلِيَّةَan oath بَرٍّan upright man لاnot أَلِيَّةَan oath حانِثِa perjurer
أَلِيَّةَ بَرٍّ لا أَلِيَّةَ حانِثِ
Indeed, by the symmetry of what her clothes conceal—
I swear, her clothes make up for what they lack
an upright man's oath, not a perjurer's—
An upright woman's garb, not a corrupt one's
لَقَدcertainly نَفَثَتbreathed أَلحاظُهاher glances فيinto فُؤادِهِhis heart
لَقَد نَفَثَت أَلحاظُها في فُؤادِهِ
جَوىًa burning ache لاnot كَطِبِّlike the sorcery of العاقِداتِknot-tying women النَوافِثِwomen who blow
جَوىً لا كَطِبِّ العاقِداتِ النَوافِثِ
her glances have breathed into his heart
Indeed, her glances instilled in his heart
a burning ache unlike the sorcery of knot-tying women who blow.
A passion not like knotted necklaces' embers
فَإِنso if لاnot تَكُنshe has بَتَّتsevered نِياطَthe tether فُؤادِهِhis heart
فَإِن لا تَكُن بَتَّت نِياطَ فُؤادِهِ
فَقَدthen indeed غادَرَتهُshe left him فيin مَخاليبِthe claws ضابِثِa clutching beast
فَقَد غادَرَتهُ في مَخاليبِ ضابِثِ
If she has not severed the tether of his heart,
If she hasn't captivated his heart
she has left him in a clutching beast's claws.
Then she left it in the claws of a ferocious beast
سَجيرَيَّmy two close companions مِنof شَمسِShams بنِson of عَمرِوʿAmr بنِson of غانِمGhānim
سَجيرَيَّ مِن شَمسِ بنِ عَمرِو بنِ غانِم
وَنَصرِand Naṣr بنِson of زَهرانَZahrān بنِson of كَعبِKaʿb بنِson of حارِثِḤārith
وَنَصرِ بنِ زَهرانَ بنِ كَعبِ بنِ حارِثِ
My two companions, of Shams son of ʿAmr son of Ghānim,
Sajira daughter of Shams son of ‘Amr son of Ghanim
and Naṣr son of Zahrān son of Kaʿb son of Ḥārith:
And Nasr son of Zuhran son of Ka’b son of Harith
هَلِis الرَبعُthe campsite بِالخَرجَينِat al-Kharjayn فَالقاعِthen al-Qāʿ فَاللِوىthen al-Liwā
هَلِ الرَبعُ بِالخَرجَينِ فَالقاعِ فَاللِوى
فَأَنقاءِthen the sand dunes جَنبَيboth sides of مائِرٍMāʾir فَالعَناكِثِthen al-ʿAnākith
فَأَنقاءِ جَنبَي مائِرٍ فَالعَناكِثِ
is the campsite at al-Kharjayn, then al-Qāʿ, then al-Liwā,
Is it Dharib and Kharjain, then Qa’a, then Liwa
then the dunes on either side of Māʾir, then al-ʿAnākith,
Then wide slopes of Ma’ir, then ‘Anak?
عَلىin العَهدِits former state أَمor أَوفىfulfilled بِهِagainst it الدَهرُTime نَذرَهُits vow
عَلى العَهدِ أَم أَوفى بِهِ الدَهرُ نَذرَهُ
فَكَرَّso assailed البِلىdecay فيهِin it بِأَيدٍwith hands عَوائِثِravaging
فَكَرَّ البِلى فيهِ بِأَيدٍ عَوائِثِ
still as we knew it, or has Time fulfilled its vow against it,
By your vows, or did time void its pledge
and decay assailed it with ravaging hands?
And decrepitude corroded it with destroying hands?
فَلاso do not تَطوِياyou two traverse أَرضاًland حَوَتهُthat held it هُديتُماmay you both be guided
فَلا تَطوِيا أَرضاً حَوَتهُ هُديتُما
وَمَهماand whatever تَنَلyou gain مِنfrom مَوقِفٍa halt غَيرِnot رائِثِlingering
وَمَهما تَنَل مِن مَوقِفٍ غَيرِ رائِثِ
Do not pass over the land that holds it—may you both be guided.
So do not refuse any land you two embraced
Whatever you gain from a halt without lingering—
And whatever stance you take, take it generously
تَجَدُّدَrenewal of عَهدٍacquaintance أَوor قَضاءَdischarging مَذَمَّةan obligation
تَجَدُّدَ عَهدٍ أَو قَضاءَ مَذَمَّة
فَعاجاso you two turn صُدورَthe breasts اليَعمُلاتِswift she-camels الدَلائِثِeasy-gaited
فَعاجا صُدورَ اليَعمُلاتِ الدَلائِثِ
renewed acquaintance or the discharge of an obligation—
Renewing a pact or avenging a crime
turn toward it the breasts of your swift, easy-gaited she-camels,
Would vex the chests of hard-working camels
عَلىtoward ماثِلٍa standing trace هابيdusty العِراصِcourtyards كَأَنَّهُas though it
عَلى ماثِلٍ هابي العِراصِ كَأَنَّهُ
عَلىafter قِدَمِthe antiquity of الأَيامِthe days تَخطيطُscribbling عابِثِan idler
عَلى قِدَمِ الأَيامِ تَخطيطُ عابِثِ
toward a standing trace with dusty courtyards, as though it were,
On a lover whose love fades, as if
after the passing of days, an idler's scribbling.
A child scribbled aimlessly on his thigh
فَوارَيتُso I concealed عَنِconcerning شَوقٍlonging أَقَرَّتacknowledged صَبابَتيmy passion
فَوارَيتُ عَنِ شَوقٍ أَقَرَّت صَبابَتي
حَثاحِثَrestless stirrings مِنهاfrom it تَهتديare guided بِحَثائِثِby urgings
حَثاحِثَ مِنها تَهتدي بِحَثائِثِ
I concealed my longing, though my passion acknowledged
I took refuge from a passion that addled my mind
its restless stirrings, one guided by another.
Rushing blindly wherever it led me
وَقَدand already أَزعَجَتstirred دَمعيmy tears بَواعِثُimpulses مِلfrom (text unclear) أَسىsorrow
وَقَد أَزعَجَت دَمعي بَواعِثُ مِل أَسى
فَأَجشَمتُso I compelled نَفسيmyself رَدعَto restrain تِلكَthose البَواعِثِimpulses
فَأَجشَمتُ نَفسي رَدعَ تِلكَ البَواعِثِ
Impulses of sorrow had stirred my tears,
Then it receded, gnawing in the darkness
but I compelled myself to restrain those impulses,
Gnawing a fire glimpsed among the plowshares
عَلىalthough أَنَّهاthey اِرتَدَّتrecoiled تَأَكَّلُgnawing فيwithin الحَشاthe breast
عَلى أَنَّها اِرتَدَّت تَأَكَّلُ في الحَشا
تَأَكّلَthe gnawing of نارٍa fire أُرِّيَتkindled بِالمَحارِثِwith pokers
تَأَكّلَ نارٍ أُرِّيَت بِالمَحارِثِ
though they recoiled and gnawed within my breast,
May God water Liwa’s dwelling place the night they camped
as fire eats when kindled with pokers.
Daughters of darkness, adorned in their finery
سَقىmay water اللَهُGod مَثوىa resting place بِاللِوىat al-Liwā لَيلَةَa night when اِلتَوَتcoiled
سَقى اللَهُ مَثوى بِاللِوى لَيلَةَ اِلتَوَت
بَناتُthe daughters الدُجىdarkness مُغدَودِناتِthickly tangled الخَنائِثِfolds
بَناتُ الدُجى مُغدَودِناتِ الخَنائِثِ
May God water a resting place at al-Liwā, on a night when
With our specters while jinn played the flute
the daughters of darkness coiled their thickly tangled folds
Its whimpering joined by their whimpering
بِأَشباحِناaround our bodies وَالجِنُّand the jinn تَعزِفُplay music بِالفَلاin the waste
بِأَشباحِنا وَالجِنُّ تَعزِفُ بِالفَلا
هَثاهِثُهاtheir murmurs مَوصولَةُjoined بِهَثاهِثِto further murmurs
هَثاهِثُها مَوصولَةُ بِهَثاهِثِ
around our bodies, while the jinn played music in the waste,
Their cheeks puffed, covering the faces of warriors
their murmurs joined to further murmurs.
With pebbles and hailstones
وَقدand already زَفَرَتexhaled صِرٌّan icy wind فَغَشَّتso covered صُدورهاits fronts
وَقد زَفَرَت صِرٌّ فَغَشَّت صُدورها
وُجوهَthe faces المَهاريriding camels بِالحَصىwith pebbles وَالكَثاكِثِand grit
وُجوهَ المَهاري بِالحَصى وَالكَثاكِثِ
An icy wind had exhaled, and its onrushing fronts covered
Their slender waists meet us
the riding camels' faces with pebbles and grit.
As if they touched the faces with grasping claws
يَواجِهُناconfront us شَفّانُهاits icy gusts فَكَأَنَّماso as though
يَواجِهُنا شَفّانُها فَكَأَنَّما
تَمسُّtouch الوُجوهthe faces بِالأَكُفِّwith palms الشَرائِثِrough and cracked
تَمسُّ الوُجوه بِالأَكُفِّ الشَرائِثِ
Its icy gusts confronted us, as though
You can see the band, some wearing necklaces
rough, cracked palms were touching our faces.
Others with turbans wrapped round and round
تَرىyou see الرَكبَthe caravan مِنamong them مُدلٍone lowering لِفيهِto his mouth عِطافَهُhis cloak
تَرى الرَكبَ مِن مُدلٍ لِفيهِ عِطافَهُ
وَآخَرَand another ثانٍdoubling لِلعِمامَةِthe turban لائِثِwinding it around
وَآخَرَ ثانٍ لِلعِمامَةِ لائِثِ
You saw riders lowering their cloaks to their mouths,
But it was only the wish of every highborn lady
and another doubling his turban and winding it around.
To hear the flutes played by fat-fingered girls
وَلَمand not يَكُthere was إِلّاexcept حَتُّurging كُلِّevery نَجيبَةٍnoble she-camel
وَلَم يَكُ إِلّا حَتُّ كُلِّ نَجيبَةٍ
تَغولُdevours الفَلاthe wastes بِالمُزبِداتِwith foaming strides الحَثائِثِswift
تَغولُ الفَلا بِالمُزبِداتِ الحَثائِثِ
There was nothing for it but to urge each noble she-camel on,
While riding at the pace of their steeds
devouring the wastes in foaming bursts of haste.
They glimpsed a light between the walls and dunes
فَبَيناso while نواصيهِمtheir forelocks بِحَثِّwith urging مَطِيِّهِمtheir mounts
فَبَينا نواصيهِم بِحَثِّ مَطِيِّهِم
رَأَواthey saw لَمحَةًa gleam بَينَbetween الصُوىthe waymarks وَالأَواعِثِand soft sands
رَأَوا لَمحَةً بَينَ الصُوى وَالأَواعِثِ
While they bent their heads to urging their mounts,
“It’s a star,” they said, but the most perceptive said
they saw a gleam between the waymarks and soft sands.
“Which star shines between the sands at night?”
فَقالواso they said سَناthe light of نَجمٍa star فَقالَthen said أَريبُهُمtheir shrewdest man
فَقالوا سَنا نَجمٍ فَقالَ أَريبُهُم
سَناthe light of أَيُّwhich نَجمٍstar لاحَshone بَينَbetween أَيافِثِAyāfith
سَنا أَيُّ نَجمٍ لاحَ بَينَ أَيافِثِ
They said, 'A star's light'; their shrewdest man replied,
“It’s the fire of Al-Harith stoking its flames
'What star's light has shone between Ayāfith?
Not lit by tinder or steel striking flint”
هِيَit is النارُthe fire شَبَّkindled الحارِثِيُّal-Ḥārithī وَقودَهاits fuel
هِيَ النارُ شَبَّ الحارِثِيُّ وَقودَها
وَلَمand did not يَقتَدِحهاhe strike it بِالزِنادِwith fire-sticks المُغالِثِfaulty
وَلَم يَقتَدِحها بِالزِنادِ المُغالِثِ
It is the fire whose fuel al-Ḥārithī has kindled,
So we inclined to the hospitality of great-souled Majid
and he did not strike it with faulty fire-sticks.'
Magnanimous, no miser or deceitful friend
فَمِلناso we turned إِلىtoward رَحبِspacious المَباءَةِdwelling ماجِدٍa noble man
فَمِلنا إِلى رَحبِ المَباءَةِ ماجِدٍ
عَظيمِgreat المَقاريguest-bowls غَيرِnot جِبسٍa base fellow كُنابِثِboorish
عَظيمِ المَقاري غَيرِ جِبسٍ كُنابِثِ
So we turned toward a noble man with a spacious dwelling,
When we arrived, our arrival did not please him
with great guest-bowls, no base, boorish fellow.
Nor did we make excuses or vain entreaties
فَلَمّاso when أَنَخناwe made our camels kneel لَمnot يَؤُدهُburden him مَناخُناour encampment
فَلَمّا أَنَخنا لَم يَؤُدهُ مَناخُنا
وَلَمand did not نَتَعَلَّلwe make do عِندَهُwith him بِالعَلائِثِwith mixed provisions
وَلَم نَتَعَلَّل عِندَهُ بِالعَلائِثِ
When we made our camels kneel, our encampment did not burden him,
He leaned on his spear practicing his skill
nor did we make do there with mixed provisions.
While they readied themselves to repel raiders
وَمالَand he turned عَلىtoward البركِthe kneeling herd الهَواجِدsleeping مُصلتاًwith sword drawn
وَمالَ عَلى البركِ الهَواجِد مُصلتاً
وَهُنَّand they معدّاتٌwere kept ready لدفعِto avert المغارِثِpangs of hunger
وَهُنَّ معدّاتٌ لدفعِ المغارِثِ
He turned toward the kneeling, sleeping herd, sword drawn,
He drew a sword whose edges are forever
kept ready to stave off the pangs of hunger.
Honed to pierce the most armored coats
فَحَكَّمso he gave authority to سَيفاًa sword لاnot تزالُcease ظُباتُهُits edges
فَحَكَّم سَيفاً لا تزالُ ظُباتُهُ
مُحَكَّمَةًgiven authority فيover الناوِياتِfat she-camels المَثائِثِwell-fleshed
مُحَكَّمَةً في الناوِياتِ المَثائِثِ
He gave judgment to a sword whose edges never ceased
He lunged, and snatched away one of their camels
to rule over fat, well-fleshed she-camels.
From the herd, with no restraining rope or tether
فَعَيَّثَso he roamed ثُمَّthen اِعتامَselected مِنهُنَّfrom them بَكرَةًa young she-camel
فَعَيَّثَ ثُمَّ اِعتامَ مِنهُنَّ بَكرَةً
مِنَamong الكومِhigh-humped camels لَمnot يَعلَقtouched بِهاher حَبلُa rope طامِثِa menstruating woman
مِنَ الكومِ لَم يَعلَق بِها حَبلُ طامِثِ
He roamed among them, then chose a young she-camel,
He cut its lead rope and it collapsed as if
one of the high-humped, untouched by a menstruating woman's rope.
Its pregnant hump were the ship Titanic
فَتَرَّso he severed وَظيفَيهاher two shanks فَخَرَّتand she fell كَأَنَّماas though
فَتَرَّ وَظيفَيها فَخَرَّت كَأَنَّما
حَوالِبُthe milk-veins رُفغَيهاher two groins مُتونُthe backs الحَفافِثِlarge snakes
حَوالِبُ رُفغَيها مُتونُ الحَفافِثِ
He severed her two shanks, and she fell as though
He turned to another and she protected herself, so he
the milk-veins at her groins were the backs of great snakes.
Parried with his shield and turned to a third
وَمالَand he turned لِأُخرىto another فَاِتَّقَتهُso she shielded herself from him بِسَقبِهاwith her male calf
وَمالَ لِأُخرى فَاِتَّقَتهُ بِسَقبِها
فَجَدَّلَهُso he felled it قَصعاًwith a crushing stroke وَمالَand he turned لِثالِثِto a third
فَجَدَّلَهُ قَصعاً وَمالَ لِثالِثِ
He turned to another, and she shielded herself with her male calf;
Whom he missed as she recoiled, and his slaves rose
he felled it with a crushing stroke and turned to a third.
To seize them and snatch away their belongings
فَغادَرَهُso he left it يَكبوstumbling down وَقامَand rose عَبيدُهُhis slaves
فَغادَرَهُ يَكبو وَقامَ عَبيدُهُ
فَمِنso some كاشِطٍskinning عَنaway from نَيِّهِنَّtheir fat وَفارِثِand gutting
فَمِن كاشِطٍ عَن نَيِّهِنَّ وَفارِثِ
He left it stumbling down, and his slaves rose:
The cooking pots clanged as if
some skinning to reveal their fat, others gutting them.
Echoing the ringing of heavy rain
وَأَرزَمَتِand rumbled الدُهمُthe black pots الرِغابُample كَأَنَّهاas though they
وَأَرزَمَتِ الدُهمُ الرِغابُ كَأَنَّها
تُرَدِّدُecho إِرزامَthe lowing المَتاليshe-camels followed by calves الرَواغِثِnursing
تُرَدِّدُ إِرزامَ المَتالي الرَواغِثِ
The great black pots rumbled, as though
We stayed awake enjoying the breeze after our meal
echoing the lowing of nursing she-camels followed by their calves.
On pillows and carpets and household goods
وَبِتناand we spent the night نُعاطيexchanging الراحَwine بَعدَafter اِكتِفائِناeating our fill
وَبِتنا نُعاطي الراحَ بَعدَ اِكتِفائِنا
عَلىupon مُحزَئِلّاتٍplump cushions وِثارٍsoft أَثائِثِthickly piled
عَلى مُحزَئِلّاتٍ وِثارٍ أَثائِثِ
Having eaten our fill, we passed the night exchanging wine,
Blessed is that gallant man, drawer of dew
on plump, soft, thickly piled cushions.
Refuge of the troubled, and haven of the lost
فَنِعمَso excellent is فَتىa youth for الجلّىgreat crises وَمُستَنبِطُand a bringer forth of النَدىbounty
فَنِعمَ فَتى الجلّى وَمُستَنبِطُ النَدى
وَمَلجَأُand a refuge for مَكروبٍone distressed وَمَفزَعُand a haven for لاهِثِone breathless
وَمَلجَأُ مَكروبٍ وَمَفزَعُ لاهِثِ
How fine a youth for great crises, a bringer forth of bounty,
Iyadh son of ‘Amr son of Al-Halith son of Jabir
a refuge for the distressed, a haven for the breathless:
Son of Zayd son of Manzur son of Zayd son of Warith
عِياذُʿIyādh بنson of عَمروʿAmr بنِson of الحَليسِal-Ḥalīs بنِson of جابِرِJābir بibn (first fragment)
عِياذُ بن عَمرو بنِ الحَليسِ بنِ جابِرِ ب
نِibn (second fragment) زَيدِZayd بنِson of مَنظورِManẓūr بنِson of زَيدِZayd بنِson of وارِثِWārith
نِ زَيدِ بنِ مَنظورِ بنِ زَيدِ بنِ وارِثِ
ʿIyādh son of ʿAmr son of al-Ḥalīs son of Jābir, son
Do not let days make me forget your vow at Liwa
of Zayd son of Manẓūr son of Zayd son of Wārith.
No, what I hoped for will never fade
فَلاso may not تُنسِنيmake me forget الأَيامُthe days عَهدَكَyour bond بِاللِوىat al-Liwā
فَلا تُنسِني الأَيامُ عَهدَكَ بِاللِوى
أَجَلyes إِنَّindeed ماwhat أَرَّبتI firmly bound لَيسَis not بِناكِثِone that breaks faith
أَجَل إِنَّ ما أَرَّبت لَيسَ بِناكِثِ
May the days never make me forget your bond at al-Liwā;
Time taught me to abandon a land made lawful
yes, what I have firmly bound will not fail.
By the encroachment of enemies and turn of fate
عَدانيprevented me أَنfrom أَزدارَvisiting أَرضاًland حَلَلتهاyou settled in
عَداني أَن أَزدارَ أَرضاً حَلَلتها
ظُهورُthe ascendancy الأَعاديthe enemies وَاِعتِنانُand the intrusion الحَوادِثِcalamities
ظُهورُ الأَعادي وَاِعتِنانُ الحَوادِثِ
What kept me from visiting the land where you settled
Though I do not flinch from misfortune
was the ascendancy of enemies and the intrusion of calamities.
Or complain of entanglements in adversity
عَلىalthough أَنَّنيI لاdo not أَستَكينُyield لِنَكبَةٍto misfortune
عَلى أَنَّني لا أَستَكينُ لِنَكبَةٍ
وَلاand do not أَتَعاياbecome baffled بِاِختِباطِby the battering الهَنابِثِtangled troubles
وَلا أَتَعايا بِاِختِباطِ الهَنابِثِ
Yet I do not yield to misfortune,
I have at times met fate’s caprice with acceptance
nor am I baffled by the battering of tangled troubles.
At others, confrontation and rivalry
تَفَوَّقتُI sipped دَرَّthe milk الدَهرِTime طَوراًat one time مُلائِماًcongenial
تَفَوَّقتُ دَرَّ الدَهرِ طَوراً مُلائِماً
وَطَوراًand at another time يُلاقينيit meets me بِبَطشٍwith an assault مُشارِثِquarrelsome
وَطَوراً يُلاقيني بِبَطشٍ مُشارِثِ
I have sipped Time's milk, at times congenial,
For no golden age lasts indefinitely
at times meeting me with a quarrelsome assault.
Just as no dark age persists eternally
كَماjust as لَمnot يَكُنwas عَصرُthe season النَضارَةِflourishing لابِثاًenduring
كَما لَم يَكُن عَصرُ النَضارَةِ لابِثاً
كَذَلِكَlikewise عَصرُthe season البُؤسِmisery لَيسَis not بِلابِثِenduring
كَذَلِكَ عَصرُ البُؤسِ لَيسَ بِلابِثِ
Just as the season of flourishing did not linger,
Reap what your hands have sown, for if you leave it
so the season of misery will not linger.
It will not linger, awaiting an heir
أَفِدgive away ماwhat اِستَفادَتهُhave acquired يَداكَyour two hands فَإِنَّهُfor it
أَفِد ما اِستَفادَتهُ يَداكَ فَإِنَّهُ
عَلَيكَwith you إِذاif لَمnot تُمضِهِyou spend it غَيرُnot ماكِثِremaining
عَلَيكَ إِذا لَم تُمضِهِ غَيرُ ماكِثِ
Give away what your hands have acquired, for
Do not deny worthy causes what will soon
unless you spend it, it will not remain yours.
Be distributed as inheritance to heirs
وَلاand do not تَمنَعَنwithhold مِنfrom أَوجُهِthe ways الحَقِّright مِثلَماwealth like that which
وَلا تَمنَعَن مِن أَوجُهِ الحَقِّ مِثلَما
يَكونُwill be وَشيكاًsoon لِاِستِهامِfor division into shares المَوارِثِinheritances
يَكونُ وَشيكاً لِاِستِهامِ المَوارِثِ
Do not withhold from rightful causes wealth like that
You hoarded it in life and lamented its loss
soon to be divided into shares of inheritance.
Scattered now by destructive and plundering hands
ضَنَنتَyou hoarded بِهِit حَيّاًwhile alive وَبُؤتَand bore بِإِصرِهِits burden
ضَنَنتَ بِهِ حَيّاً وَبُؤتَ بِإِصرِهِ
وَقَدand already آضَbecame نَهباًplunder بَينَamong أَيدٍhands قَواعِثِgrasping
وَقَد آضَ نَهباً بَينَ أَيدٍ قَواعِثِ
You hoarded it in life and bore its burden,
And you moldered into dust, your grave concealed
while it became plunder among grasping hands.
By earth heaped on it by grubby hands
وَغودِرتَand you were left فيin غبرٍdusty earth يُواريconceals تُرابُهاits soil
وَغودِرتَ في غبرٍ يُواري تُرابُها
ضَريحَكَyour grave بِالأَيديby hands الحَواثيscooping earth النَوابِثِdigging
ضَريحَكَ بِالأَيدي الحَواثي النَوابِثِ
You were left in dusty earth whose soil conceals
Wealth lives on only in how you spent it
your grave, cast in by scooping, digging hands.
If its accounts are examined in retrospect
فَماso nothing is المالُwealth إِلّاexcept ماwhat ذُكِرتَyou are remembered بِبَذلِهِfor giving
فَما المالُ إِلّا ما ذُكِرتَ بِبَذلِهِ
إِذاwhen بُحِثَتare examined أَنباؤُهُits stories فيin المَباحِثِinquiries
إِذا بُحِثَت أَنباؤُهُ في المَباحِثِ
Wealth is only what you are remembered for giving,
Some people admire poetry to excess though
when its stories are examined in inquiry.
To me it is more contemptible than an expectorator
حَباbestowed upon الشِعرَpoetry تَعظيماًhonor أُناسٌsome people وَإِنَّهُyet it
حَبا الشِعرَ تَعظيماً أُناسٌ وَإِنَّهُ
لِأَحقَرُis indeed baser عِنديto me مِنthan نُفاثَةِthe spittle نافِثِone who spits
لِأَحقَرُ عِندي مِن نُفاثَةِ نافِثِ
Some people have bestowed honor on poetry, yet
Does the sea care if it surges
to me it is baser than the spittle of one who spits.
And floods over its currents' turmoil?
وَهَلand does يَحفَلُheed البَحرُthe sea اللُغامfoam إِذاwhen غَمىit spreads over
وَهَل يَحفَلُ البَحرُ اللُغام إِذا غَمى
فَطاحَand tumbles عَلىupon تَيّارِهِits current المُتَلاطِثِclashing
فَطاحَ عَلى تَيّارِهِ المُتَلاطِثِ
Does the sea heed the foam when it spreads
If I steeled myself to resuscitate it
and tumbles upon its clashing current?
I would extract from it only abstruse conundrums
فَلَوso if أَنَّنيI أَجشَمتُforced نَفسيmyself اِنبِعاثَهُto set it flowing
فَلَو أَنَّني أَجشَمتُ نَفسي اِنبِعاثَهُ
لأَخرَجتُI would bring out مِنهُfrom it غامِضاتِdeeply hidden المَباحِثِsubjects
لأَخرَجتُ مِنهُ غامِضاتِ المَباحِثِ
If I forced myself to set poetry flowing,
And reveal from its hidden essence an obscure secret
I would bring out its deeply hidden subjects,
Buried where no diligent seeker succeeded
وَأَبدَيتُand I would reveal مِنfrom مَكنونِهِits concealment غامِضَthe hidden depth سِرِّهِits secret
وَأَبدَيتُ مِن مَكنونِهِ غامِضَ سِرِّهِ
مَدافِنَburied treasures لَمnot يَظفَرuncovered بِهاthem أَبثُthe probing آبِثِa searcher
مَدافِنَ لَم يَظفَر بِها أَبثُ آبِثِ
and reveal from its concealment its secret depths—
Some disgraced people have surpassed in poetry
buried treasures no searcher's probing had uncovered.
And so were honored, though verse is perfect nonsense
تَفَوَّقَhave sipped درَّthe milk الشِعرِpoetry قَومٌpeople أَذِلَّةٌlowly
تَفَوَّقَ درَّ الشِعرِ قَومٌ أَذِلَّةٌ
فَعَزّواso they rose in honor بِهِthrough it وَالشِعرُand poetry جَمُّabounds in المَرامِثِsaltwort pastures
فَعَزّوا بِهِ وَالشِعرُ جَمُّ المَرامِثِ
Humble folk have sipped the milk of poetry
If I were to trim its fanciful margins
and risen by it; poetry abounds in saltwort pastures.
I would leave them only the coarse dregs
وَلَوand if أَنَّنيI أُمريmilked حَواشِكَmilk-swollen udders دَرِّهِits milk
وَلَو أَنَّني أُمري حَواشِكَ دَرِّهِ
تَرَكتُI would leave لَهُمfor them مِنهُfrom it فَظوظَliquid dregs المَفارِثِpaunches
تَرَكتُ لَهُم مِنهُ فَظوظَ المَفارِثِ
If I milked the swollen udders where its milk collects,
Look at me, though thankless, confident
I would leave them only the liquid dregs of its paunches.
My steady resolve no hesitation altered
أرانيI see myself وَلاand no كُفرانَdisbelief بِاللَهِin God واثِقاًconfident
أراني وَلا كُفرانَ بِاللَهِ واثِقاً
بِتَأريبِin wise planning حَزمٍprudent resolve عَقدُهُits knot غَيرُnot والِثِslack
بِتَأريبِ حَزمٍ عَقدُهُ غَيرُ والِثِ
I see myself—without denying God—confident
When I am determined to forget the past
in prudent resolve, whose knot is never slack.
With an unwavering will that no advice diverted
إِذاwhen ماindeed اِمتَضَيتُI unsheathe الماضِيَينِthe two keen blades عَزيمَةًa determination
إِذا ما اِمتَضَيتُ الماضِيَينِ عَزيمَةً
مُصَمِّمَةًunyielding لَمnot تَرتَدِعchecked بِالرَبائِثِby hindrances
مُصَمِّمَةً لَم تَرتَدِع بِالرَبائِثِ
When I draw my two keen blades—a determination
And composed, though events may challenge it
unyielding, checked by no hindrance,
They are deflected, advancing steadily undeterred
وَحَزماًand a prudence إِذاwhen ماindeed الحادِثاتُcalamities اِعتَرَضنَهُconfront it
وَحَزماً إِذا ما الحادِثاتُ اِعتَرَضنَهُ
تَصَدّعنَthey split away عَنهُfrom it مُقدِماًadvancing غَيرَnot رائِثِdelaying
تَصَدّعنَ عَنهُ مُقدِماً غَيرَ رائِثِ
and a prudence which, when calamities confront it,
Whenever I approach a formidable crisis
sees them split away as it advances without delay—
That makes men’s feet stumble in uncertainty
وَإِنّيand I مَتىwhenever أُشرِفlook upon عَلىa مُصمَئِلَّةٍformidable calamity
وَإِنّي مَتى أُشرِف عَلى مُصمَئِلَّةٍ
تُثَأثِئُmakes falter أَقدامَthe feet الرِجالِmen الدَلاهِثِswift
تُثَأثِئُ أَقدامَ الرِجالِ الدَلاهِثِ
whenever I look upon a formidable calamity
I rise above the crumbling edifice of every disaster
that makes swift men's feet falter,
Cascading with the strikes of fate
عَلَوتُI rise above عَلىupon أَكتادِthe shoulders كُلّevery مُلِمَّةٍdisaster
عَلَوتُ عَلى أَكتادِ كُلّ مُلِمَّةٍ
تَرَدّىcloaked بِأَعطافِin the folds الخُطوبِafflictions الكَوارِثِruinous
تَرَدّى بِأَعطافِ الخُطوبِ الكَوارِثِ
I mount the shoulders of every disaster
One came to me on an untamed colt
cloaked in the folds of ruinous afflictions.
Her trailing skirt touching the racing steed’s hind legs
أَتَتنيcame to me عَلىon طَلحِacacia الشَواجِنِbranching ravines والغَضاand ghaḍā trees
أَتَتني عَلى طَلحِ الشَواجِنِ والغَضا
تُناطُhung بِأَعجازِat the hindquarters المطِيِّmounts الدَلاهِثِswift
تُناطُ بِأَعجازِ المطِيِّ الدَلاهِثِ
There came to me on valley acacia and ghaḍā wood,
What occupies your minds distressed me
hung at the hindquarters of fleet mounts,
Saddening the heart of a man bereft of heirs
مَآلِكُmessages مَلَّكنَmade possess الخَواطِرَthe thoughts مَزعَجاًan unsettling burden
مَآلِكُ مَلَّكنَ الخَواطِرَ مَزعَجاً
مِنَof الحُزنِgrief فيin قَلبِthe heart اِمرئٍa man غَيرِnot واهِثِfainthearted
مِنَ الحُزنِ في قَلبِ اِمرئٍ غَيرِ واهِثِ
messages that lodged unsettling grief in my thoughts,
Yes, it is time, may God prolong your lives
within the heart of a man not fainthearted.
To awaken, and reconsider your perilous state
أَجَلyes آنَthe time has come عَمرُby the life of اللَهِGod أَنto تَتَيَقَّظواawaken
أَجَل آنَ عَمرُ اللَهِ أَن تَتَيَقَّظوا
وَأَنand to تَتَلافَواrepair أَمرَكُمyour affairs ذاpossessing النَكائِثِunraveling bonds
وَأَن تَتَلافَوا أَمرَكُم ذا النَكائِثِ
Yes, by God's life, it is time for you to wake
You have resorted to the counsel of an unwise man
and repair your affairs, with their unraveling bonds.
One neither prudent nor adept in managing crises
فَزِعتُمyou sought refuge إِلىin رَأيِthe counsel اِمرِئٍa man غَيرِnot زُمَّلٍa weakling
فَزِعتُم إِلى رَأيِ اِمرِئٍ غَيرِ زُمَّلٍ
وَلاand not آنِحٍa groaner عِندَwhen اِحتِمالِbearing اللَحائِثِhardships
وَلا آنِحٍ عِندَ اِحتِمالِ اللَحائِثِ
You have sought the counsel of a man no weakling,
Curse you if I refrain from advising you
no groaner beneath the weight of hardships.
For I will give you the counsel of a wise man
لَعاًrecovery لَكُمto you إِنthough أَنأَI am far عَنكُمfrom you فَإِنَّنيnevertheless I
لَعاً لَكُم إِن أَنأَ عَنكُم فَإِنَّني
سَأُمحِضُكُمshall sincerely give you رَأيَthe counsel اِمرِئٍa man غَيرِnot غالِثِdeceitful
سَأُمحِضُكُم رَأيَ اِمرِئٍ غَيرِ غالِثِ
May you recover! Though I am far from you,
Consult the stalwart sons of Malawith about your affairs
I shall give you the sincere counsel of a man without guile.
For you will not lack stalwart sons of a stalwart tribe
أَليثواbind بِأَبناءِto the sons المَلاوِثِturbaned chiefs رَأيَكُمyour counsel
أَليثوا بِأَبناءِ المَلاوِثِ رَأيَكُم
فَلَنso you will not تَعدمواlack أَبناءَsons شُمٍّproud men مَلاوِثِturbaned
فَلَن تَعدموا أَبناءَ شُمٍّ مَلاوِثِ
Bind your counsel to the sons of turbaned chiefs,
You know the merit of your stalwart heroes
for you will not lack sons of proud, turbaned men,
And tales of generous nobles, ever stalwart
مَغاوِثَhelpers مِنكُمamong you قَدalready عَرَفتُمyou know بَلاءَهُمtheir valor
مَغاوِثَ مِنكُم قَد عَرَفتُم بَلاءَهُم
وَأَنباءَand the accounts ساداتٍlords كِرامٍnoble مَغاوِثِgiving succor
وَأَنباءَ ساداتٍ كِرامٍ مَغاوِثِ
helpers among you whose valor you know,
I fear if war horses stumble in the swamps
and the deeds of noble lords who give succor.
Hardships will plague you, then reversals
فَإِنّيfor I إِخالُthink الخَيلَthe horses تَعثُرُstumble بِالقَناamong spears
فَإِنّي إِخالُ الخَيلَ تَعثُرُ بِالقَنا
سَتُرهِقُكُمwill press upon you مِنfrom عَثعَثٍʿAthʿath فَالمَباعِثِthen al-Mabāʿith
سَتُرهِقُكُم مِن عَثعَثٍ فَالمَباعِثِ
I think the horses, stumbling among spears,
Atop them, men who never reconcile
will press upon you from ʿAthʿath and al-Mabāʿith.
When they clash with you grasping in rage
عَلَيهاupon them رِجالٌmen لاno هَوادَةَleniency عِندَهُمwith them
عَلَيها رِجالٌ لا هَوادَةَ عِندَهُم
إِذاwhen عَلِقوكُمthey seize you بِالأَكُفِّwith hands الشَوابِثِclinging
إِذا عَلِقوكُم بِالأَكُفِّ الشَوابِثِ
They bear men who offer no truce
They are curs; if provoked, they will unleash upon you
when they seize you in their clinging hands.
Greater woes than any past calamities
فَإنّfor indeed كِلاباًKilāb هذهِthis إِنif تُرعكُمُit frightens you
فَإنّ كِلاباً هذهِ إِن تُرعكُمُ
تَعِثwill wreak havoc فيكمُamong you جُهداًwith all its might أشدَّthe fiercest المَعائِثِhavoc
تَعِث فيكمُ جُهداً أشدَّ المَعائِثِ
For this Kilāb, if it frightens you,
They have reaped the harvest of their covenant
will work the fiercest havoc among you with all its might.
While you are bound by a rotten and feeble covenant
وَقَدand already أَبرَمواthey firmly twisted إِحصادَthe tightening مِرَّةِthe strands حَبلِهِمtheir rope
وَقَد أَبرَموا إِحصادَ مِرَّةِ حَبلِهِم
وَعُدتُمand you returned بِحَبلٍwith a rope ذيpossessing أسونٍworn strands رَثائِثِtattered
وَعُدتُم بِحَبلٍ ذي أسونٍ رَثائِثِ
They have firmly twisted and tightened the strands of their rope,
I would not have tarried to help you if able
while you return with a rope of tattered strands.
Lingering devotedly, not quickly departing
وَماand not كُنتُwas I إِنwhen شَمَّرتُI bestirred myself فيكُمamong you مَواقِفيmy stands
وَما كُنتُ إِن شَمَّرتُ فيكُم مَواقِفي
بِوَقّافَةٍa hesitator فيكُمamong you وَلاnor مُتَماكِثِa lingerer
بِوَقّافَةٍ فيكُم وَلا مُتَماكِثِ
When I made my stand among you in earnest, I was not
Nor have I shirked to diligently advise you
one to hesitate among you or linger.
In times past or present
وَلاnor لُمتُdid I blame نَفسيmyself فيfor اِجتِهادِstriving نَصيحَةٍto give counsel
وَلا لُمتُ نَفسي في اِجتِهادِ نَصيحَةٍ
لَكُمto you فيin قَديمٍformer times قَبلَbefore هذاthis وَحادِثِand recent times
لَكُم في قَديمٍ قَبلَ هذا وَحادِثِ
Nor did I reproach myself for striving to counsel you,
But estrangement has come between us, and fate
in former times before this or in recent times.
Has brought misfortunes to heartbreaking degrees
فإِنso if حالَintervened نَأيٌdistance دونَكُمbetween us and you وَتَعَرَّضَتand arose
فإِن حالَ نَأيٌ دونَكُم وَتَعَرَّضَت
غُروبُthe sharp edges خُطوبٍtroubles لِلقُلوبِhearts نَواقِثِpiercing
غُروبُ خُطوبٍ لِلقُلوبِ نَواقِثِ
If distance has come between us, and there have arisen
You will not lack the caring advice of a devoted man
the sharp edges of troubles that pierce hearts,
Or the sage counsel of one knowledgeable in affairs
فَلَنso you will not تَعدِمواlack مِنّيfrom me نَصيحَةَthe counsel مُشفِقٍone who cares
فَلَن تَعدِموا مِنّي نَصيحَةَ مُشفِقٍ
وَرَأيَand the judgment عَليمٍone knowledgeable لِلأُمورِwith affairs مُماغِثِgrappling
وَرَأيَ عَليمٍ لِلأُمورِ مُماغِثِ
you will not lack from me the counsel of one who cares,
When hot tempers cool regarding a matter
and the judgment of one who knows and grapples with affairs.
Do not be surprised by the drawing of sharp swords
إِذاif الذكَرُthe male blade العَضبُkeen-edged اِنثَنىrecoils عَنfrom ضَريبَةٍa stroke
إِذا الذكَرُ العَضبُ اِنثَنى عَن ضَريبَةٍ
فَلاthen no غَروَwonder مِنat the glancing off نَبوِswords السُيوفِfemale blades were soft to cut with? no, feminine? feminine swords are normally inferior to the masculine ones. الأَنائِثِsoft, female
فَلا غَروَ مِن نَبوِ السُيوفِ الأَنائِثِ
If the keen male blade recoils from a stroke,
If you show weakness, you will be like morsels
it is no wonder that female blades glance off.
Chewed by a nursling's slobbery gums
فَإِنso if تَهنواyou weaken تَضحَواyou become رَغيغَةَa soft paste ماضِغٍa chewer
فَإِن تَهنوا تَضحَوا رَغيغَةَ ماضِغٍ
تُلَوِّقُهاmix مَرثاًkneading أَنامِلُthe fingers مارِثِa kneader
تُلَوِّقُها مَرثاً أَنامِلُ مارِثِ
If you weaken, you will become a soft paste for a chewer,
Had I been among you, I would have guided your affairs
mixed and kneaded by a kneader's fingers.
And treated the most nagging of your problems
وَلَوand if أَنَّنيI فيكُمwere among you أَسَوتُI would heal كُلومَكُمyour wounds
وَلَو أَنَّني فيكُم أَسَوتُ كُلومَكُم
وَداوَيتُand treat مِنهاtheir غاثِقاتِsuppurating الغَثائِثِfestering sores
وَداوَيتُ مِنها غاثِقاتِ الغَثائِثِ
Had I been among you, I would have healed your wounds
I would have led you to drink from the fresh sweet spring
and treated their worst festering sores,
And brought together your far-flung diversity
وَسُقتُand I would lead إِلىto النَبعِnabʿ trees الغَريفِthick-growing وَقَرَّبَتand would draw together
وَسُقتُ إِلى النَبعِ الغَريفِ وَقَرَّبَت
مُلاءَمَتيmy mending شَتّىthe scattered الثَأىbreaches المُتَشاعِثِragged
مُلاءَمَتي شَتّى الثَأى المُتَشاعِثِ
led you to thick-growing nabʿ trees, while
But misguided matters have led you astray
my mending drew together your scattered, ragged breaches.
Driving back the falcons in confused panic
وَلَكِنbut أَضَلَّتكُمhave misled you أُمورٌmatters إِخالُهاI think them
وَلَكِن أَضَلَّتكُم أُمورٌ إِخالُها
تَرُدُّmake الصُقورَfalcons نُهزَةًprey لِلأَباغِثِfor weaker birds
تَرُدُّ الصُقورَ نُهزَةً لِلأَباغِثِ
But matters have misled you that, I think,
Far be it from you to accept a disastrous folly
would make falcons a prey for weaker birds.
That you would wander wearing clothes of regret
وَحاشاكُمُand may you be spared مِنfrom صَلقَةٍa blow مُصمَئِلَّةٍformidable
وَحاشاكُمُ مِن صَلقَةٍ مُصمَئِلَّةٍ
تَمشونَyou walk مِنهاbecause of it فيin ثِيابِthe clothes الطَوامِثِmenstruating women
تَمشونَ مِنها في ثِيابِ الطَوامِثِ
May you be spared a formidable blow
If you divert your affairs from their course
that sends you walking in menstruating women's clothes.
They will be hostage to your enemies' arbitrary whims
ذِمارَكُمwhat you must defend إِنif تَصرِفواyou turn away عَنهُfrom it حَدَّكُمyour edge
ذِمارَكُم إِن تَصرِفوا عَنهُ حَدَّكُم
يَكُنwill be رَهنَhostage to أَيدٍhands لِلأَعاديthe enemies هَوائِثِplundering
يَكُن رَهنَ أَيدٍ لِلأَعادي هَوائِثِ
If you turn your edge away from what you must defend,
Between you and me, for the excess of my passion
it will lie hostage to your enemies' plundering hands.
And the vicissitudes of my quarrelsome nature
وَإِنّيand I وَإِيَّاكُمand you لِماbecause of what قَدmay يَغولُنيthwart me
وَإِنّي وَإِيَّاكُم لِما قَد يَغولُني
وَفَرطِand the excess نِزاعيmy yearning وَالَّذيand that which هُوَis رائِثيholding me back
وَفَرطِ نِزاعي وَالَّذي هُوَ رائِثي
As for me and you—because of what may thwart me,
Are like water and tinder struggling with their bonds
my yearning's excess, and whatever holds me back—
Though all paths forward are blocked
لَكَالماءِare indeed like water وَالصديانِand the thirsty man نازَعَstraining against قَيدَهُhis tether
لَكَالماءِ وَالصديانِ نازَعَ قَيدَهُ
وَقَدand already حُصِرَتwere closed عَنهُto him رِحابُthe wide spaces المَباعِثِways of escape
وَقَد حُصِرَت عَنهُ رِحابُ المَباعِثِ
we are like water and a thirsty man straining against his tether,
Men from Hayy and Qarwath, Jafar's tribe
with the wide ways of escape closed to him.
With rugged and towering warriors
أَيَحسُنُis it fitting هاءُby (oath particle) اللَهِGod خَدعُthe deceit عَدُوِّكُمyour enemy
أَيَحسُنُ هاءُ اللَهِ خَدعُ عَدُوِّكُم
وَيُلهيكُمُand distracts you غَرسُthe planting الوَدِيِّdate-palm saplings الجَثاجِثِshort and bushy
وَيُلهيكُمُ غَرسُ الوَدِيِّ الجَثاجِثِ
Is your enemy's deceit acceptable, by God,
What will save you if you do not defend your lands
while planting short, bushy date-palms distracts you?
Barren wastes where neither tents nor structures stand
فَمَنso who مُبلِغٌwill convey عَنّيfrom me ملدّاًto Muladd وَبَحزَجاًand Baḥzaj
فَمَن مُبلِغٌ عَنّي ملدّاً وَبَحزَجاً
وَقَومَهُماand their two peoples أَهلَthe men اللِمامِhair-locks الكَثائِثِthick
وَقَومَهُما أَهلَ اللِمامِ الكَثائِثِ
Who will convey from me to Muladd and Baḥzaj,
Seeking refuge in its mountains, but their passes
and their people, the men of thick locks,
Are as hazardous as the deserts' empty wastes
وَمَنand whoever حَلَّsettled بِالحَبلِalong the sand ridge الشَجيرِwooded إِلىas far as المَلاal-Malā
وَمَن حَلَّ بِالحَبلِ الشَجيرِ إِلى المَلا
وَحُلّالand the dwellers تِلكَthose الدائِراتِbasins اللَوابِثِenduring
وَحُلّال تِلكَ الدائِراتِ اللَوابِثِ
and those settled along the wooded sand ridge as far as al-Malā,
Only ships and swamps remain, lest you be
and the dwellers of those enduring basins,
Accomplices in shedding unlawful blood
رِجالاًmen مِنَof الحَيَّينِthe two tribes عَمرِوʿAmr بنِson of مالِكٍMālik
رِجالاً مِنَ الحَيَّينِ عَمرِو بنِ مالِكٍ
وَكِندَةَand Kindah جدّاًearnestly غَيرَnot قَولِthe speech المُغالِثِa muddler
وَكِندَةَ جدّاً غَيرَ قَولِ المُغالِثِ
men of the two tribes, ʿAmr son of Mālik
Like dismembered corpses left embracing the sands
and Kindah—earnestly, not with a muddler's words:
Content with certain perdition in the dunes' swells
أَلاlisten إِنَّماonly السَلوُthe honey الَّذيwhich تُخلِصونَهُyou purify
أَلا إِنَّما السَلوُ الَّذي تُخلِصونَهُ
وَتَأقيطُand making dried curds أَثوارٍbowls كَتِلكَlike those العَبائِثِidle pursuits
وَتَأقيطُ أَثوارٍ كَتِلكَ العَبائِثِ
Listen: the honey you purify
Like the fate of Rabee’ and ‘Umur and their ilk
and making bowlfuls of dried curds—such idle pursuits—
And those who pitched their tents on those barren flats
تعِلَّةُa pastime أَيّامٍdays وَقَدand already شارَفتكُمُhave loomed over you
تعِلَّةُ أَيّامٍ وَقَد شارَفتكُمُ
شَوازِبُهاtheir lean horses بِالمارِقينَbearing marauders الأَخائِثِvile
شَوازِبُها بِالمارِقينَ الأَخائِثِ
are only a pastime for a few days; already there loom over you
Whenever they sight game near an oasis
their lean horses, bearing vile marauders,
They race to its outskirts with their hunting beasts
كَتائِبُbattalions مِنfrom حَيِّthe tribe القَروطِal-Qarūṭ وَجَعفَرٍand Jaʿfar
كَتائِبُ مِن حَيِّ القَروطِ وَجَعفَرٍ
لَهاthey have زَجلٌa clamor ذوpossessing غَيطَلٍdense tumult وَلَثالِثِand mingled voices
لَها زَجلٌ ذو غَيطَلٍ وَلَثالِثِ
battalions from the tribe of al-Qarūṭ and Jaʿfar,
Or Labw, where the land is marked out for their abode
with a roar of dense tumult and mingled voices.
With sands of Hajoun or the fields of Haraith
فَماthen nothing is لَكُمyours إِنif لَمnot تَحوطواyou guard ذِمارَكمwhat you must defend
فَما لَكُم إِن لَم تَحوطوا ذِمارَكم
سَوامٌgrazing livestock وَلاnor دارٌa dwelling بِحَتّىat Ḥattā وَدامِثِand Dāmith
سَوامٌ وَلا دارٌ بِحَتّى وَدامِثِ
If you do not guard what is yours to defend, you will have
The counsel of ‘Amr son of Malik I convey
neither grazing livestock nor a dwelling at Ḥattā or Dāmith,
And of Kindah's lineage, no false words
وَخَتٍّand Khaṭṭ فَإِنso if تَستَعصِمواyou seek protection بِجِبالِهاin their mountains
وَخَتٍّ فَإِن تَستَعصِموا بِجِبالِها
فَأَوعارُهاthen their rugged heights مِثلare like السُهولِplains البَوارِثِsoft and open
فَأَوعارُها مِثل السُهولِ البَوارِثِ
or Khaṭṭ; if you seek protection in their mountains,
Who will inform Mildad and Buhzurj
their rugged heights will be like soft, open plains.
And their tribe, masters of ignoble traits
فَلاso no وَزَرٌrefuge إِلّاexcept القَواضِبُcutting swords وَالقَناand spears
فَلا وَزَرٌ إِلّا القَواضِبُ وَالقَنا
وَإِلّاand otherwise فَكونواbecome مِنamong جُناةِgatherers الطَرائِثِṭurthūth plants
وَإِلّا فَكونوا مِن جُناةِ الطَرائِثِ
There is no refuge but cutting swords and spears;
Who will take the sturdy rope to the chieftain
otherwise, become gatherers of desert ṭurthūth plants,
And those spinning circles, ever gyrating?
كَأَشلاءِlike the scattered remnants مَنthose who قَدalready حَلَّsettled بِالرَملِin the sands راضِياًcontent
كَأَشلاءِ مَن قَد حَلَّ بِالرَملِ راضِياً
بِخُطَّةِwith a condition خَسفٍabasement بِالمَلاin al-Malā المُتَواعِثِsoft-sanded
بِخُطَّةِ خَسفٍ بِالمَلا المُتَواعِثِ
like the scattered remnants of those settled in the sands, content
Men from the living Hayy clan, ‘Amr ibn Malik
with a condition of abasement in al-Malā's soft sands,
And Kinda, elders, not vainglorious boasts
كَدَأبِlike the custom رَبيعٍRabīʿ وَالعُمورِand al-ʿUmūr وَلَفِّهاand their adherents
كَدَأبِ رَبيعٍ وَالعُمورِ وَلَفِّها
وَمَنand whoever حَلَّsettled أَرفاغاًspacious tracts بِتِلكَin those المَرامِثِsaltwort lands
وَمَن حَلَّ أَرفاغاً بِتِلكَ المَرامِثِ
like the custom of Rabīʿ, al-ʿUmūr, and their adherents,
Beware, the only plan that will save you
and those settled in the spacious tracts of those saltwort lands.
Is mending your fibers and trimming your frays
إِذاwhen آنَسواthey spot ضَبّاًa lizard بِجانِبِbeside كُديَةٍa rocky hillock
إِذا آنَسوا ضَبّاً بِجانِبِ كُديَةٍ
أَحالواthey set upon عَلىtoward حافاتِهاits edges بِالمَباحِثِwith digging tools
أَحالوا عَلى حافاتِها بِالمَباحِثِ
When they spot a lizard beside a rocky hillock,
The signs of days creeping up on you
they set upon its edges with digging tools,
With forces of rebels and betrayers
أَوِor اللَبوِal-Labū حَيُa tribe اِنتاطَتِbore far away الأَرضُthe land دارَهاits dwelling
أَوِ اللَبوِ حَيُ اِنتاطَتِ الأَرضُ دارَها
بِرَملِin the sands حَجونٍḤajūn أَوor بِقاعِin the plain الحَرائِثِal-Ḥarāʾith
بِرَملِ حَجونٍ أَو بِقاعِ الحَرائِثِ
or like al-Labū, a tribe whose dwelling lies far afield,
Contingents from Hayy al-Qarwath and Jafar
in the sands of Ḥajūn or the plain of al-Ḥarāʾith.
With a noisy troop and clamoring warriors
Sol 6.1