أَقَمناwe dwelt وَرَبَّتناand nurtured us الدِيارُthe dwellings وَلاand not أَرىI see
أَقَمنا وَرَبَّتنا الدِيارُ وَلا أَرى
كَمَربَعِناlike our spring dwelling بَينَbetween الحَنِيَّينِal-Haniyyayn مَربَعاa spring dwelling
كَمَربَعِنا بَينَ الحَنِيَّينِ مَربَعا
We dwelt, and the dwellings nurtured us; I see no
We settled, though homesickness overwhelmed,
spring dwelling like ours between al-Haniyyayn.
I see no square like ours between the sands.
أَلاah حَبَّhow dear بِالواديthe valley الَّذيwhere رُبَّماsometimes نَرىwe see
أَلا حَبَّ بِالوادي الَّذي رُبَّما نَرى
بِهِin it مِنfrom جَميعِall of الحَيِّthe tribe مَرأىًa sight وَمَسمَعاand a sound
بِهِ مِن جَميعِ الحَيِّ مَرأىً وَمَسمَعا
Ah, how dear the valley where we would sometimes see
Oh how I love the valley we may see,
sights of the whole tribe, and hear their sounds.
Within it, from all the tribes, sights and sounds!
أَلاah لاdo not تَلوماyou two blame القَلبَthe heart أَنthat يَتَخَشَّعاit humble itself
أَلا لا تَلوما القَلبَ أَن يَتَخَشَّعا
فَقَدfor indeed هاجَتِstirred الأَحزانُthe griefs قَلباًa heart مُفَزَّعاfrightened
فَقَد هاجَتِ الأَحزانُ قَلباً مُفَزَّعا
Ah, do not, you two, blame the heart for bowing in sorrow;
Reproach not my heart if it melts with woe,
griefs have stirred a frightened heart.
For sorrows have stirred a heart filled with dread.
وَجوداand you two bestow generously لِهِندٍupon Hind بِالكَرامَةِhonor مِنكُماfrom you two
وَجودا لِهِندٍ بِالكَرامَةِ مِنكُما
وَماand whatever شِئتُماyou two wish أَنto تَمنَعاwithhold بَعدُafterward فَاِمنَعاthen withhold it
وَما شِئتُما أَن تَمنَعا بَعدُ فَاِمنَعا
Both of you lavish honor upon Hind,
Bestow, O Hind, generosity upon me,
and afterward withhold whatever you wish to withhold.
Deny me what you wish after this if you please.
وَماand not حَفَلَتcared هِندٌHind تَعَرُّضَthe presentation of حاجَتيmy entreaty
وَما حَفَلَت هِندٌ تَعَرُّضَ حاجَتي
وَلاnor نَومَthe sleep of عينَيَّmy two eyes الغِشاشَscant المُرَوَّعاfrightened
وَلا نَومَ عينَيَّ الغِشاشَ المُرَوَّعا
Hind cared nothing for my proffered entreaty,
Hind cares not for my plea,
nor for my eyes' scant, frightened sleep.
Nor the deceitful sleep of my anxious eyes.
بِعَينِيَbefore my eyes مِنof جارٍa neighbor عَلىamid غُربَةِthe remoteness of النَوىseparation
بِعَينِيَ مِن جارٍ عَلى غُربَةِ النَوى
أَرادَhe sought بِسُلمانينَat Sulmanayn بَيناًparting فَوَدَّعاso he bade farewell
أَرادَ بِسُلمانينَ بَيناً فَوَدَّعا
Before my eyes is a neighbor, far away in separation,
My neighbor eyed me as I left my people,
who sought to part at Sulmanayn and bade farewell.
He wanted to bid farewell to both Sulaymans.
لَعَلَّكَperhaps you فيare in شَكٍّdoubt مِنَabout البَينِthe parting بَعدَماafter
لَعَلَّكَ في شَكٍّ مِنَ البَينِ بَعدَما
رَأَيتَyou saw الحَمامَthe doves الوُرقَgray فيin الدارِthe dwelling وُقَّعاperched
رَأَيتَ الحَمامَ الوُرقَ في الدارِ وُقَّعا
Perhaps you still doubt the parting, even after
You may doubt our parting after seeing
seeing gray doves perched in the dwelling.
The doves cooing in the abode.
كَأَنَّas though غَماماًa cloud فيin الخُدورِthe curtained litters الَّتيwhich غَدَتdeparted in the morning
كَأَنَّ غَماماً في الخُدورِ الَّتي غَدَت
دَناdrew near ثُمَّthen هَزَّتهُstirred it الصَباthe east wind فَتَرَفَّعاso it rose
دَنا ثُمَّ هَزَّتهُ الصَبا فَتَرَفَّعا
As though a cloud within the curtained litters that departed
Like a cloud in the beloved homes that came near,
drew near, then the east wind stirred it and it rose.
Then the morning breeze lifted it and it ascended.
فَلَيتَso, if only رِكابَthe riding-camels of الحَيِّthe tribe يَومَon the day تَحَمَّلواthey departed
فَلَيتَ رِكابَ الحَيِّ يَومَ تَحَمَّلوا
بِحَومانَةِat Hawmanat الدَرّاجِal-Darraj أَصبَحنَthey awoke ظُلَّعاlame
بِحَومانَةِ الدَرّاجِ أَصبَحنَ ظُلَّعا
If only the tribe's riding-camels, the day they departed,
If only the horses of the tribe on the day they bore
had awoken lame at Hawmanat al-Darraj!
The mincing walk were still rapturous.
بَنيsons of مالِكٍMalik إِنَّindeed الفَرَزدَقَal-Farazdaq لَمnot يَزَلhas ceased
بَني مالِكٍ إِنَّ الفَرَزدَقَ لَم يَزَل
فَلُوَّa colt of المَخازيdisgraces مِنfrom لَدُنthe time أَنthat تَيَفَّعاhe grew into youth
فَلُوَّ المَخازي مِن لَدُن أَن تَيَفَّعا
Sons of Malik, al-Farazdaq has never ceased to be
O Banu Malik, al-Farazdaq is unmatched,
a colt of disgraces, ever since he grew into youth.
A twisting serpent since he could first hiss.
رَمَيتُI shot at اِبنَthe son of ذيthe possessor of الكيرَينِthe two bellows حَتّىuntil تَرَكتُهُI left him
رَمَيتُ اِبنَ ذي الكيرَينِ حَتّى تَرَكتُهُ
قَعودَa riding-camel of القَوافيrhymes ذاbearing عُلوبٍscars مُوَقَّعاsore-marked
قَعودَ القَوافي ذا عُلوبٍ مُوَقَّعا
I shot at the son of the man with two bellows until I left him
I pelted Ibn Dhi'l-Kila with verses until I left him
a riding-camel of rhymes, covered in scars and sores.
Sitting, composing poetry with a trembling hand.
وَفَقَّأتُand I gouged out عَينَيboth eyes of غالِبٍGhalib عِندَbeside كيرِهِhis bellows
وَفَقَّأتُ عَينَي غالِبٍ عِندَ كيرِهِ
وَأَقلَعتُand I desisted عَنfrom أَنفِthe nose of الفَرَزدَقِal-Farazdaq أَجدَعاnose-cropped
وَأَقلَعتُ عَن أَنفِ الفَرَزدَقِ أَجدَعا
I gouged out Ghalib's eyes beside his bellows,
I blinded the eyes of Ghalib at his Kira
and ceased only after leaving al-Farazdaq nose-cropped.
And turned from the prominent nose of al-Farazdaq the dock-nosed.
مَدَدتُI extended لَهُfor him الغاياتِthe courses حَتّىuntil نَخَستُهُI goaded him
مَدَدتُ لَهُ الغاياتِ حَتّى نَخَستُهُ
جَريحَwounded at الذُنابىthe tail فانِيَworn out in السِنِّthe teeth مُقطَعاexhausted
جَريحَ الذُنابى فانِيَ السِنِّ مُقطَعا
I extended his courses until I goaded him,
I stretched the spearheads toward him until I stabbed him,
wounded at the tail, worn of tooth, and exhausted.
The wounded dock-tailed one, bent with old age.
ضَغاsquealed قِردُكُمyour monkey لَمّاwhen اِختَطَفتُI snatched فُؤادَهُhis heart
ضَغا قِردُكُم لَمّا اِختَطَفتُ فُؤادَهُ
وَلِاِبنِand before the son of وَثيلٍWathil كانَwas خَدُّكَyour cheek أَضرَعاmore submissive
وَلِاِبنِ وَثيلٍ كانَ خَدُّكَ أَضرَعا
Your monkey squealed when I snatched his heart;
Your monkey grimaced when I snatched his heart,
before Ibn Wathil, your cheek was humbler still.
And Ibn Wathil’s cheek became scarred.
وَماand not غَرَّdeceived أَولادُthe sons of القُيونِthe smiths مُجاشِعاًMujashi'
وَما غَرَّ أَولادُ القُيونِ مُجاشِعاً
بِذيwith one possessing صَولَةٍfierce might يَحميwho guards العَرينَthe lair المُمَنَّعاimpregnable
بِذي صَولَةٍ يَحمي العَرينَ المُمَنَّعا
The smiths' sons did not deceive Mujashi'
The sons of the weasels did not boast, humbled,
with a fierce defender of the impregnable lair.
By the one with might defending the forbidden den.
وَياand oh لَيتَwould that شِعريI knew ماwhat تَقولُwill say مُجاشِعٌMujashi'
وَيا لَيتَ شِعري ما تَقولُ مُجاشِعٌ
وَلَمand not تَتَّرِكhave left كَفّاكَyour two hands فيin القَوسِthe bow مَنزَعاa draw
وَلَم تَتَّرِك كَفّاكَ في القَوسِ مَنزَعا
Would that I knew what Mujashi' will say,
Would that I know what the humbled one says
when your two hands have left no draw in the bow.
As your hands left not the bow taut.
وَأَيَّةُand what أَحلامٍjudgments رَدَدنَbrought back مُجاشِعاًMujashi'
وَأَيَّةُ أَحلامٍ رَدَدنَ مُجاشِعاً
يُعَلّونَthey are given repeated draughts ذيفاناًdeadly poison مِنَof السُمِّpoison مُنقَعاsteeped
يُعَلّونَ ذيفاناً مِنَ السُمِّ مُنقَعا
What judgments have brought Mujashi' back
What visions turned back the humbled one
to be plied again with deadly, steeped poison?
Exalting a poisoned arrowhead.
أَلاah رُبَّماoften باتَspent the night الفَرَزدَقُal-Farazdaq قائِماًstanding
أَلا رُبَّما باتَ الفَرَزدَقُ قائِماً
عَلىover حَرِّthe heat of نارٍa fire تَترُكُthat leaves الوَجهَthe face أَسفَعاblackened
عَلى حَرِّ نارٍ تَترُكُ الوَجهَ أَسفَعا
Ah, often al-Farazdaq spent the night standing
Beware, sometimes al-Farazdaq remains awake
over the heat of a fire that leaves the face blackened.
At the burning embers leaving the face darkened.
وَكانَand had been المَخازيdisgraces طالَماfor so long نَزَلَتdescending بِهِupon him
وَكانَ المَخازي طالَما نَزَلَت بِهِ
فَيُصبِحُso he awakens مِنهاbecause of them قاصِرَlowering الطَرفِhis gaze أَخضَعاmore submissive
فَيُصبِحُ مِنها قاصِرَ الطَرفِ أَخضَعا
Disgraces had so long been descending upon him,
And al-Makhzumi is often stripped
leaving him downcast and more submissive at dawn.
To awaken with eyes tearful and downcast.
وَإِنَّand indeed ذِيادَrepelling اللَيلِthe night لاnot تَستَطيعُهُyou can do it
وَإِنَّ ذِيادَ اللَيلِ لا تَستَطيعُهُ
وَلاnor الصُبحَthe dawn حَتّىuntil يَستَنيرَit brightens فَيَسطَعاthen shines
وَلا الصُبحَ حَتّى يَستَنيرَ فَيَسطَعا
Indeed, you cannot repel the night,
He cannot bear the nights of Dhi'ad
nor the dawn, until it brightens and shines.
Until the dawn shines radiantly.
تَرَكتُI left لَكَfor you القَينَينِthe two smiths قَينَيthe two smiths of مُجاشِعٌMujashi'
تَرَكتُ لَكَ القَينَينِ قَينَي مُجاشِعٌ
وَلاand not يَأخُذانِthey obtain النِصفَtheir due شَتّىseparately وَلاnor مَعاtogether
وَلا يَأخُذانِ النِصفَ شَتّى وَلا مَعا
I left you the two smiths—the two smiths of Mujashi'—
I left you the two Qain, O humbled one,
who cannot gain their due, either apart or together.
Who do not take half a goatskin, even shared.
وَقَدand indeed وَجَدانيthey found me حينَwhen مُدَّتwere stretched حِبالُناour ropes
وَقَد وَجَداني حينَ مُدَّت حِبالُنا
أَشَدَّfiercer مُحاماةًin defense وَأَبعَدَand farther مَنزَعاin reach
أَشَدَّ مُحاماةً وَأَبعَدَ مَنزَعا
They found me, when our ropes were stretched,
They found me, when our bonds were extended,
fiercer in defense and farther in reach.
A fierce defender, refusing to yield.
وَإِنّيand indeed I أَخوam the brother of الحَربِwar الَّتيwhich يُصطَلىone endures the heat بِهاof it
وَإِنّي أَخو الحَربِ الَّتي يُصطَلى بِها
إِذاwhen حَمَلَتهُit bears him فَوقَbeyond حالٍhis condition تَشَنَّعاhe grows fierce
إِذا حَمَلَتهُ فَوقَ حالٍ تَشَنَّعا
I am the brother of war, in whose heat a man burns;
I am the brother of war, ignited
when it bears him beyond his wont, he grows fierce.
When it bore the excellent away angrily.
وَأَدرَكتُand I caught up with مَنthose who قَدalready كانَwere قَبليbefore me وَلَمand not أَدَعI left
وَأَدرَكتُ مَن قَد كانَ قَبلي وَلَم أَدَع
لِمَنfor whoever كانَwas بَعديafter me فيin القَصائِدِodes مَصنَعاa place to work
لِمَن كانَ بَعدي في القَصائِدِ مَصنَعا
I caught up with my predecessors and left no
I surpassed those before me and left
scope for those after me to work upon odes.
No achievement in poetry for those after me.
تَفَجَّعَlamented بِسطامٌBistam وَخَبَّرَهُand informed him الصَدىthe grave-owl
تَفَجَّعَ بِسطامٌ وَخَبَّرَهُ الصَدى
وَماand what يَمنَعُprevents الأَصداءَthe grave-owls أَلّاfrom تَفَجَّعاlamenting
وَما يَمنَعُ الأَصداءَ أَلّا تَفَجَّعا
Bistam lamented, and the grave-owl brought him word;
Bishr lamented and the echo informed him,
what keeps the grave-owls from lamenting?
What prevents echoes from lamenting as well?
سَيَترُكُwill abandon زيقٌZiq صِهرَthe marriage tie to آلِthe house of مُجاشِعٍMujashi'
سَيَترُكُ زيقٌ صِهرَ آلِ مُجاشِعٍ
وَيَمنَعُand will withhold زيقٌZiq ماwhatever أَرادَhe wishes لِيَمنَعاto withhold
وَيَمنَعُ زيقٌ ما أَرادَ لِيَمنَعا
Ziq will abandon his marriage tie to Mujashi's house;
Zaig will leave the in-laws of the humbled one
Ziq will withhold whatever he wishes to withhold.
And Zaig will prevent what he wanted to prevent.
أَتَعدِلُdo you equate مَسعوداًMas'ud وَقَيساًand Qays وَخالِداًand Khalid
أَتَعدِلُ مَسعوداً وَقَيساً وَخالِداً
بِأَقيانِwith the smiths of لَيلىLayla لاnot نَرىwe see لَكَfor you مَقنَعاa convincing case
بِأَقيانِ لَيلى لا نَرى لَكَ مَقنَعا
Do you set Mas'ud, Qays, and Khalid on a par
Do I compare Mas’ud, Qais and Khalid
with Layla's smiths? We see no convincing case for you.
To the intelligentsia of Layla’s time? I see no comparison.
وَلَمّاand when غَرَرتُمyou deceived مِنfrom أُناسٍpeople كَريمَةًa noble woman
وَلَمّا غَرَرتُم مِن أُناسٍ كَريمَةً
لَؤُمتُمyou proved base وَضِقتُمand were unequal بِالكَرائِمِto noblewomen أَذرُعاin capacity
لَؤُمتُم وَضِقتُم بِالكَرائِمِ أَذرُعا
When you deceived a noble woman from her people,
When you were deceived by noble folk
you showed your baseness and could not cope with noblewomen.
You were cursed and narrowed by the generous.
فَلَوso, if لَمnot تُلاقواyou had encountered قَومَthe people of حَدراءَHadra قَومَهاher people
فَلَو لَم تُلاقوا قَومَ حَدراءَ قَومَها
لَوَسَّدَهاhe would have pillowed her on كيرَthe bellows of القُيونِthe smiths المُرَقَّعاpatched
لَوَسَّدَها كيرَ القُيونِ المُرَقَّعا
Had you not encountered Hadra's people—her own people—
If they did not meet the people of Hadra'
he would have pillowed her on the smiths' patched bellows.
The shame of Qain would have spread.
رَأىsaw القَينُthe smith أَختانَthe in-laws of الشَناءَةِloathsomeness قَدalready جَنَواhad reaped
رَأى القَينُ أَختانَ الشَناءَةِ قَد جَنَوا
مِنَfrom الحَربِwar جَرباءَscabrous المَساعِرِin its fires سَلفَعاa fierce virago
مِنَ الحَربِ جَرباءَ المَساعِرِ سَلفَعا
The smith saw that the loathsome in-laws had reaped
Qain saw the two sisters of Shan'a
from war a fierce virago, scabrous in her fires.
Return from war grim and burnt.
وَإِنَّكَand indeed you لَوif راجَعتَreturned to شَيبانَShayban بَعدَهاafterward
وَإِنَّكَ لَو راجَعتَ شَيبانَ بَعدَها
لَأُبتَwould have returned بِمَصلومِwith severed الخَياشيمِnostrils أَجدَعاnose-cropped
لَأُبتَ بِمَصلومِ الخَياشيمِ أَجدَعا
Had you returned to Shayban afterward,
The riders of Qain despaired
you would have come back nose-cropped, with severed nostrils.
Moving the iron of Qain bitterly and shamefully.
إِذاwhen فَوَّزَتshe crossed the wastes عَنaway from نَهرَبينَNahrabayn تَقاذَفَتflung far away
إِذا فَوَّزَت عَن نَهرَبينَ تَقاذَفَت
بِحَدراءَwith Hadra دارٌa dwelling لاnot تُريدُwishing لِتَجمَعاto unite
بِحَدراءَ دارٌ لا تُريدُ لِتَجمَعا
When she crossed the wastes away from Nahrabayn,
Without Allah's deliverance, Hadra' would have been
a dwelling flung Hadra far away, seeking no reunion.
Dragged to the evil of crooked plowing and sowing.
وَأَضحَتand became رِكابُthe riding-camels of القَينِthe smith مِنfrom خَيبَةِthe failure of السُرىnight travel
وَأَضحَت رِكابُ القَينِ مِن خَيبَةِ السُرى
وَنَقلِand transporting حَديدِthe iron of القَينِthe smith حَسرىexhausted وَظُلَّعاand lame
وَنَقلِ حَديدِ القَينِ حَسرى وَظُلَّعا
The smith's camels were left, by a fruitless night journey
Defiled, she was cleansed of his company,
and hauling the smith's iron, exhausted and lame.
And he turned to the evil of beds, bedded.
وَحَدراءُand Hadra لَوif لَمnot يُنجِهاhad saved her اللَهُGod بُرِّزَتwould have been brought out
وَحَدراءُ لَو لَم يُنجِها اللَهُ بُرِّزَت
إِلىto شَرِّthe worst ذيpossessor of حَرثٍtilth دَمالاًin manure وَمَزرَعاand cultivated field
إِلى شَرِّ ذي حَرثٍ دَمالاً وَمَزرَعا
Had God not saved Hadra, she would have been brought out
Humaidah was al-Farazdaq's neighbor,
to the worst cultivator, in manure and in tilth.
He socialized at her abode and with the docked-one.
وَقَدand indeed كانَhe was نِجساًunclean طُهِّرَتshe was purified مِنfrom جِماعِهِintercourse with him
وَقَد كانَ نِجساً طُهِّرَت مِن جِماعِهِ
وَآبَand he returned إِلىto شَرِّthe worst of المَضاجِعِbeds مَضجَعاas a bed
وَآبَ إِلى شَرِّ المَضاجِعِ مَضجَعا
He was unclean; she was purified of intercourse with him,
I will mention what you did not at Minaqar
and he returned to the worst bed of all.
And will expose from Humaidah what is uglier.
حُمَيدَةُHumayda كانَتwas لِلفَرَزدَقِto al-Farazdaq جارَةًa female neighbor
حُمَيدَةُ كانَت لِلفَرَزدَقِ جارَةً
يُنادِمُhe drank with حَوطاًHawt عِندَهاat her place وَالمُقَطَّعاand al-Muqatta'
يُنادِمُ حَوطاً عِندَها وَالمُقَطَّعا
Humayda was a neighbor of al-Farazdaq;
The disciples of the Prophet called you, but you were
he drank with Hawt and al-Muqatta' at her place.
Devils, O wooden crosses embellished!
سَأَذكُرُI shall recall ماwhat لَمnot تَذكُرواyou recalled عِندَamong مِنقَرٍMinqar
سَأَذكُرُ ما لَم تَذكُروا عِندَ مِنقَرٍ
وَأُثنيand follow with بِعارٍa disgrace مِنfrom حُمَيدَةَHumayda أَشنَعاfouler
وَأُثني بِعارٍ مِن حُمَيدَةَ أَشنَعا
I shall recall what you did not recall among Minqar,
A misleading neighbor fooled you,
and follow it with a fouler disgrace from Humayda.
His sword held high, his hands not retracting.
دَعاكُمcalled you حَوارِيُّthe disciple of الرَسولِthe Messenger فَكُنتُمُso you were
دَعاكُم حَوارِيُّ الرَسولِ فَكُنتُمُ
عَضاريطَmenial hirelings ياO خُشبَlogs of الخِلافِwillow المُصَرَّعاfelled
عَضاريطَ يا خُشبَ الخِلافِ المُصَرَّعا
The Messenger's disciple called you, and you proved to be
Ibn Dhi'al's son altogether came to you
menial hirelings, O felled willow logs!
While you were counting scattered sheep.
أَغَرَّكَdid he deceive you جارٌa neighbor ضَلَّwent astray قائِمُthe hilt of سَيفِهِhis sword
أَغَرَّكَ جارٌ ضَلَّ قائِمُ سَيفِهِ
فَلاso may he not رَجَعَbring back الكَفَّينِboth hands إِلّاexcept مُكَنَّعاcrippled
فَلا رَجَعَ الكَفَّينِ إِلّا مُكَنَّعا
Did a neighbor whose sword-hilt went astray deceive you?
You count killing the Prophet as your best effort,
May he return only with crippled hands!
O Banu Dawtarah, don the concealers!
وَآبَand returned اِبنُthe son of ذَيّالٍDhayyal جَميعاًintact وَأَنتُمُwhile you
وَآبَ اِبنُ ذَيّالٍ جَميعاً وَأَنتُمُ
تَعُدّونَreckon غُنماًas booty رَحلَهُhis saddle المُتَمَزَّعاtorn to pieces
تَعُدّونَ غُنماً رَحلَهُ المُتَمَزَّعا
Ibn Dhayyal returned intact, while you
You cry over the past before you, tearfully,
reckon his torn saddle as booty.
Though if you cry, your eyes pour no tears.
فَلاso do not تَدعُcall upon جاراًa neighbor مِنfrom عِقالٍ'Iqal تَرىyou see لَهُhe has
فَلا تَدعُ جاراً مِن عِقالٍ تَرى لَهُ
ضَواغِطَhemorrhoids يُلثِقنَthat moisten الإِزارَthe loincloth وَأَضرُعاand udders
ضَواغِطَ يُلثِقنَ الإِزارَ وَأَضرُعا
Do not call on a neighbor from 'Iqal whom you see has
By your life, the lords of the humbled one were not generous
hemorrhoids that wet his loincloth, and udders.
Nor the rulers of Dabba concealed.
فَلاso no قَينَsmith شَرٌّis worse مِنthan أَبيthe father of القَينِthe smith مَنزِلاًin station
فَلا قَينَ شَرٌّ مِن أَبي القَينِ مَنزِلاً
وَلاand no لُؤمَbaseness إِلّاexcept دونَbelow لُؤمِكِyour baseness صَعصَعاSa'sa'
وَلا لُؤمَ إِلّا دونَ لُؤمِكِ صَعصَعا
No smith is worse in station than the smith's father,
Do I compare Yarbu'a, the effeminate humbled one,
and all baseness falls below your baseness, Sa'sa'.
To Iyad of Arwah when shaken?
تَعُدّونَyou count عَقرَhamstringing النيبِold she-camels أَفضَلَthe finest سَعيِكُمof your endeavors
تَعُدّونَ عَقرَ النيبِ أَفضَلَ سَعيِكُم
بَنيsons of ضَوطَرىDawtara هَلّاwhy not الكَمِيَّthe armored warrior المُقَنَّعاhelmeted
بَني ضَوطَرى هَلّا الكَمِيَّ المُقَنَّعا
You count hamstringing old she-camels your finest endeavor,
Yarbu'a will meet the power of Iyad
sons of Dawtara—why not the helmeted warrior?
And glory that refused the pulling of pegs.
وَتَبكيand you weep عَلىover ماwhat فاتَescaped قَبلَكَbefore you دارِماًDarim
وَتَبكي عَلى ما فاتَ قَبلَكَ دارِماً
وَإِنand if تَبكِyou weep لاdo not تَترُكleave بِعَينِكَin your eye مَدمَعاa tear
وَإِن تَبكِ لا تَترُك بِعَينِكَ مَدمَعا
You weep over what Darim missed before your time;
They are the people, had az-Zubair sought their night camp,
if you weep, leave not a tear in your eye.
He would not have spent the night anxious and hopeful.
لَعَمرُكَby your life ماnot كانَتwere حُماةُthe defenders of مُجاشِعٍMujashi'
لَعَمرُكَ ما كانَت حُماةُ مُجاشِعٍ
كِراماًnoble وَلاnor حُكّامُthe judges of ضَبَّةَDabba مَقنَعاworthy of approval
كِراماً وَلا حُكّامُ ضَبَّةَ مَقنَعا
By your life, Mujashi's defenders were never
The people know our Indian swords
noble, nor were Dabba's judges worthy of approval.
Broke the iron of white swords until they cracked.
أَتَعدِلُdo you equate يَربوعاًYarbu' خَناثىthe effeminates of مُجاشِعٍMujashi'
أَتَعدِلُ يَربوعاً خَناثى مُجاشِعٍ
إِذاwhen هُزَّwere shaken بِالأَيديby hands القَناthe spears فَتَزَعزَعاthen quivered
إِذا هُزَّ بِالأَيدي القَنا فَتَزَعزَعا
Do you equate Yarbu' with Mujashi's effeminates,
Oh how many tyrants who had prestige
when spears are shaken in men's hands and quiver?
We served the cup of death until they were stained!
تُلاقيyou encounter لِيَربوعٌfor Yarbu' إِيادَthe bulwark of أَرومَةٍa lineage
تُلاقي لِيَربوعٌ إِيادَ أَرومَةٍ
وَعِزّاًand might أَبَتrefused أَوتادُهُits stakes أَنto تُنَزَّعاbe uprooted
وَعِزّاً أَبَت أَوتادُهُ أَن تُنَزَّعا
In Yarbu' you find the bulwark of a lineage,
Coins guided horses never led by the humbled one
and might whose stakes refuse to be uprooted.
To see and hear the excellent chief's place of death.
وَجَدتَyou found لِيَربوعٍfor Yarbu' إِذاwhen ماever عَجَمتَهُمyou tested them
وَجَدتَ لِيَربوعٍ إِذا ما عَجَمتَهُم
مَنابِتَgroves of نَبعٍnab' bow-wood لَمnot يُخالِطنَmingled with خِروَعاcastor plants
مَنابِتَ نَبعٍ لَم يُخالِطنَ خِروَعا
You find in Yarbu', when you put them to the test,
We confronted Bishr and he was thrown in battle,
groves of nab' bow-wood, unmixed with castor plants.
His saddle slipping until it rattled.
هُمُthey القَومُare the people لَوif باتَspent the night الزُبَيرُal-Zubayr إِلَيهِمُwith them
هُمُ القَومُ لَو باتَ الزُبَيرُ إِلَيهِمُ
لَماwould not باتَhave spent the night مَفلولاًdefeated وَلاnor مُتَطَلَّعاpeering out
لَما باتَ مَفلولاً وَلا مُتَطَلَّعا
They are the people: had al-Zubayr spent the night with them,
Hani' called Bakr who bit Hani'
he would not have spent it defeated or peering out.
The fetters of shame summer and winter.
وَقَدand indeed عَلِمَknow الأَقوامُthe peoples أَنَّthat سُيوفَناour swords
وَقَد عَلِمَ الأَقوامُ أَنَّ سُيوفَنا
عَجَمنَtested حَديدَthe iron of البَيضِthe helmets حَتّىuntil تَصَدَّعاit split
عَجَمنَ حَديدَ البَيضِ حَتّى تَصَدَّعا
The peoples know that our swords
We crowned for Ibn Kabshah his crown
have tested the helmets' iron until it split.
And he met a horseman in the group's embrace.
أَلاah رُبَّmany a جَبّارٍmighty lord عَلَيهِupon him مَهابَةٌawe
أَلا رُبَّ جَبّارٍ عَلَيهِ مَهابَةٌ
سَقَيناهُwe gave him to drink كَأسَthe cup of المَوتِdeath حَتّىuntil تَضَلَّعاhe drank his fill
سَقَيناهُ كَأسَ المَوتِ حَتّى تَضَلَّعا
Ah, many a mighty lord, surrounded by awe,
We cracked the iron for Qabus son of Munthir
we gave death's cup to drink until he drank his fill.
And Hassan when he cannot deflect disgrace.
نَقودُwe lead جِياداًnoble steeds لَمnot تَقُدهاled them مُجاشِعٌMujashi'
نَقودُ جِياداً لَم تَقُدها مُجاشِعٌ
تَكونُthey are مِنَwithin الأَعداءِthe enemies' مَرأىًsight وَمَسمَعاand hearing
تَكونُ مِنَ الأَعداءِ مَرأىً وَمَسمَعا
We lead noble steeds that Mujashi' has never led,
One day our horses' hooves made
that are within the enemies' sight and hearing.
A pathway for the eminent crowned one's death place.
تَدارَكنَthey overtook بِسطاماًBistam فَأُنزِلَso he was brought down فيin الوَغىbattle
تَدارَكنَ بِسطاماً فَأُنزِلَ في الوَغى
عِناقاًin a grapple وَمالَand tilted السَرجُthe saddle حَتّىuntil تَقَعقَعاit rattled
عِناقاً وَمالَ السَرجُ حَتّى تَقَعقَعا
They overtook Bistam, and he was brought down in battle
Al-Hirmas experienced our swords
in a grapple; the saddle tilted until it rattled.
Splitting the ram leader's head until it cracked.
دَعاcalled upon هانِئٌHani بَكراًBakr وَقَدand already عَضَّbit هانِئاًHani
دَعا هانِئٌ بَكراً وَقَد عَضَّ هانِئاً
عُرىthe loops of الكَبلِthe fetter فيناamong us الصَيفَthrough summer وَالمُتَرَبَّعاand springtime
عُرى الكَبلِ فينا الصَيفَ وَالمُتَرَبَّعا
Hani called upon Bakr, though Hani was already being bitten
We supported Bahira who contained
by the fetter's loops among us, through summer and spring.
The striking of the five-headed serpent.
وَنَحنُand we خَضَبناstained لِاِبنِfor the son of كَبشَةَKabsha تاجَهُhis crown
وَنَحنُ خَضَبنا لِاِبنِ كَبشَةَ تاجَهُ
وَلاقىand he met اِمرَأًa man فيin ضَمَّةِthe crush of الخَيلِthe horses مِصقَعاa mighty striker
وَلاقى اِمرَأً في ضَمَّةِ الخَيلِ مِصقَعا
We stained Ibn Kabsha's crown,
He saw with his own eyes the strongest company,
and he met a mighty striker in the crush of horses.
The shrieking winds and the shaking banner.
وَقابوسَand Qabus أَعضَضناwe made bite الحَديدَthe iron اِبنَson of مُنذِرٍMundhir
وَقابوسَ أَعضَضنا الحَديدَ اِبنَ مُنذِرٍ
وَحَسّانَand Hassan إِذwhen لاnot يَدفَعُhe repels الذُلَّhumiliation مَدفَعاby any defense
وَحَسّانَ إِذ لا يَدفَعُ الذُلَّ مَدفَعا
We made iron bite Qabus, son of Mundhir,
Our horsemen call not 'oh there' of the humbled one
and Hassan, when he had no means of warding off humiliation.
If the day has inauspicious stars.
وَقَدand indeed جَعَلَتmade يَوماًone day بِطِخفَةَat Tikhfa خَيلُناour horses
وَقَد جَعَلَت يَوماً بِطِخفَةَ خَيلُنا
مَجَرّاًa dragging-ground لِذيfor the wearer of التاجِthe crown الهُمامِthe valiant lord وَمَصرَعاand a death-place
مَجَرّاً لِذي التاجِ الهُمامِ وَمَصرَعا
One day at Tikhfa, our horses made
Among us is he who wore down Sudais ibn Malik
a dragging-ground and death-place for the valiant wearer of the crown.
And startled the birds from Ju'adah's abode.
وَقَدand indeed جَرَّبَlearned by trial الهِرماسُal-Hirmas أَنَّthat سُيوفَناour swords
وَقَد جَرَّبَ الهِرماسُ أَنَّ سُيوفَنا
عَضَضنَthey bit بِرَأسِinto the head of الكَبشِthe ram حَتّىuntil تَصَدَّعاit split
عَضَضنَ بِرَأسِ الكَبشِ حَتّى تَصَدَّعا
Al-Hirmas has learned by trial that our swords
Leave your blaming Ju'adah, we only
bit the ram's head until it split.
Reached him when he met Ibn Bibah the docked one.
وَنَحنُand we تَدارَكناovertook بَحيراًBahir وَقَدand already حَوىhad gathered
وَنَحنُ تَدارَكنا بَحيراً وَقَد حَوى
نِهابَthe plunder of العُنابَينِal-'Unabayn الخَميسُthe army لِيَربَعاto take a quarter-share
نِهابَ العُنابَينِ الخَميسُ لِيَربَعا
We overtook Bahir, after there had been gathered
We struck the pillar of silence and loud did
al-'Unabayn's plunder by the army, for him to take his quarter-share.
The beetle lament the parting's link.
فَعايَنَthen he beheld بِالمَرّوتِat al-Marrut أَمنَعَthe most unassailable مَعشَرٍcompany
فَعايَنَ بِالمَرّوتِ أَمنَعَ مَعشَرٍ
صَريخَthe rescuers of رِياحٍRiyah وَاللِواءَand the banner المُزَعزَعاfluttering
صَريخَ رِياحٍ وَاللِواءَ المُزَعزَعا
At al-Marrut he beheld the most unassailable company,
Is it your horses or mine in Balqa that won
Riyah's rescuers, and the fluttering banner:
The pillars of the noble tribe's throne to shake?
فَوارِسَhorsemen لاnot يَدعونَcall يالَhelp, O مُجاشِعٍMujashi'
فَوارِسَ لا يَدعونَ يالَ مُجاشِعٍ
إِذاwhen كانَit was يَوماًa day ذاwith كَواكِبَstars أَشنَعاdreadful
إِذا كانَ يَوماً ذا كَواكِبَ أَشنَعا
horsemen who do not cry, 'Help, Mujashi'!'
If our horses witnessed the day of Waqitain,
when it is a grim day, filled with stars.
The captives would not have woken to shackles and misery.
وَمِنّاand among us الَّذيthe one who أَبلىsorely tried صُدَيَّSudayy بنَson of مالِكٍMalik
وَمِنّا الَّذي أَبلى صُدَيَّ بنَ مالِكٍ
وَنَفَّرَand scared away طَيراًbirds عَنfrom جُعادَةَJu'ada وُقَّعاperched
وَنَفَّرَ طَيراً عَن جُعادَةَ وُقَّعا
Among us is he who sorely tried Sudayy son of Malik,
We rode as lords behind and they were shaded,
and scared perched birds away from Ju'ada.
By the perfect litters the excellent banners.
فَدَعso leave عَنكَaside from yourself لَوماًreproach فيconcerning جُعادَةَJu'ada إِنَّماonly
فَدَع عَنكَ لَوماً في جُعادَةَ إِنَّما
وَصَلناهُwe joined him إِذwhen لاقىhe met اِبنَthe son of بَيبَةَBayba أَقطَعاmaimed
وَصَلناهُ إِذ لاقى اِبنَ بَيبَةَ أَقطَعا
So spare yourself reproach over Ju'ada; we only
Those are achievements the humbled one did not attain,
joined him when he met Ibn Bayba, maimed.
You were preceded, so do not despair of death in anguish.
ضَرَبناwe struck عَميدَthe leader of الصِمَّتَينِal-Simmatayn فَأَعوَلَتso she wailed
ضَرَبنا عَميدَ الصِمَّتَينِ فَأَعوَلَت
جُداعُJuda' عَلىover صَلتِone smooth المَفارِقِat the hair-partings أَنزَعاreceding at the temples
جُداعُ عَلى صَلتِ المَفارِقِ أَنزَعا
We struck the leader of al-Simmatayn, and she wailed—
Juda'—over the smooth-crowned man with receding hair.
أَخَيلُكَwas it your cavalry أَمor خَيليmy cavalry بِبَلقاءَat Balqa أَحرَزَتsecured
أَخَيلُكَ أَم خَيلي بِبَلقاءَ أَحرَزَت
دَعائِمَthe pillars of عَرشِthe throne of الحَيِّthe tribe أَنlest يَتَضَعضَعاit collapse
دَعائِمَ عَرشِ الحَيِّ أَن يَتَضَعضَعا
Was it your cavalry or mine that at Balqa secured
the pillars of the tribe's throne against collapse?
وَلَوand if شَهِدَتhad witnessed يَومَthe day of الوَقيطَينِal-Waqitayn خَيلُناour cavalry
وَلَو شَهِدَت يَومَ الوَقيطَينِ خَيلُنا
لَماwould not قاظَتِhave spent summer الأَسرىthe captives القِطاطَal-Qitat وَلَعلَعاand La'la'
لَما قاظَتِ الأَسرى القِطاطَ وَلَعلَعا
Had our cavalry witnessed the day of al-Waqitayn,
the captives would not have summered at al-Qitat and La'la'.
رَبَعناwe took a quarter-share وَأَردَفناand carried behind us المُلوكَthe kings فَظَلَّلواso they shaded
رَبَعنا وَأَردَفنا المُلوكَ فَظَلَّلوا
وِطابَthe milk-skins of الأَحاليبِthe milkings الثُمامَthumam-grass المُنَزَّعاuprooted
وِطابَ الأَحاليبِ الثُمامَ المُنَزَّعا
We took the quarter-share and carried kings behind us; they shaded
the milk-skins with uprooted thumam-grass.
فَتِلكَso those مَساعٍare achievements لَمnot تَنَلهاattained them مُجاشِعٌMujashi'
فَتِلكَ مَساعٍ لَم تَنَلها مُجاشِعٌ
سُبِقتَyou have been outstripped فَلاso do not تَجزَعpanic مِنَat المَوتِdeath مَجزَعاin terror
سُبِقتَ فَلا تَجزَع مِنَ المَوتِ مَجزَعا
Those are achievements Mujashi' never attained.
You have been outstripped; do not shrink in terror from death.
Partial English translation: 126 of 136 Arabic lines translated.
Sol 6.1