أَلاAh! حَيِّsalute رَبعَthe site of المَنزِلِthe dwelling المُتَقادِمِthe long-aged
أَلا حَيِّ رَبعَ المَنزِلِ المُتَقادِمِ
وَماand not حَلَّdwelt مُذsince حَلَّتshe dwelt بِهِin it أُمُّUmm (mother of) سالِمِSalim
وَما حَلَّ مُذ حَلَّت بِهِ أُمُّ سالِمِ
Ah, salute the long-aged dwelling's site,
Alas, greet the quarters of the advancing abode
where none has dwelt since Umm Salim dwelt there.
And what befell since the mother of Salim befell it
تَميمِيَّةٌa Tamimi woman حَلَّتshe settled بِحَومانَتَيon the two sandy flats of قَسىًQasa
تَميمِيَّةٌ حَلَّت بِحَومانَتَي قَسىً
حِمىa protected pasture الخَيلِthe horses ذادَتdrove off عَنfrom قَسىًQasa فَالصَرائِمِthen al-Sara'im
حِمى الخَيلِ ذادَت عَن قَسىً فَالصَرائِمِ
A Tamimi woman settled on Qasa's two sandy flats,
A Tamimi woman halted at two rugged tracts
a preserve whose horses defended Qasa, then al-Sara'im.
Horses’ preserve warded off from the rugged tracts despite the necklaces
أَبَيتِyou refused فَلاso not تَقضينَyou repay دَيناًa debt وَطالَماand how often
أَبَيتِ فَلا تَقضينَ دَيناً وَطالَما
بَخِلتِyou were stingy بِحاجاتِwith the needs of الصَديقِthe friend المُكارِمِthe generous
بَخِلتِ بِحاجاتِ الصَديقِ المُكارِمِ
You refused and pay no debt, though often
You refused so do not settle a debt though you were stingy
you have begrudged the needs of a generous friend.
With the needs of the generous friend
بِناwithin us كَالجَوىlike burning grief مِمّاfrom what يُخافُis feared وَقَدand indeed نَرىwe see
بِنا كَالجَوى مِمّا يُخافُ وَقَد نَرى
شِفاءَa cure for القُلوبِthe hearts الصادِياتِthe thirsty الحَوائِمِthe circling
شِفاءَ القُلوبِ الصادِياتِ الحَوائِمِ
Within us is something like burning grief from what we fear, yet we see
We are like the passionate love from what is feared and we do see
a cure for thirsty, circling hearts.
Healing of hearts, the deviating, perplexed
أَعاذِلَO reproachful woman هيجينيrouse me لِبَينٍfor a parting مُصارِمٍutterly severing
أَعاذِلَ هيجيني لِبَينٍ مُصارِمٍ
غَداًtomorrow أَوor ذَرينيleave me مِنfree from عِتابِthe reproach of المُلاوِمِthe fault-finder
غَداً أَو ذَريني مِن عِتابِ المُلاوِمِ
O reproachful woman, rouse me for a final parting
Reproach me or leave me to the terrible separation
tomorrow, or spare me the fault-finder's reproach.
Tomorrow or spare me from the blame of the constant companion
أَغَرَّكِhas it deluded you? مِنّيabout me أَنَّماthat only قادَنيled me الهَوىpassion
أَغَرَّكِ مِنّي أَنَّما قادَني الهَوى
إِلَيكِto you وَماand no عَهدٌpledge لَكُنَّof you women بِدائِمِlasting
إِلَيكِ وَما عَهدٌ لَكُنَّ بِدائِمِ
Has it deluded you about me that passion alone led me
Did the passion that led me to you delude you
to you, though no pledge of you women endures?
And there is no covenant you would have to be lasting?
أَلاAh! رُبَّماoften هاجَstirred التَذَكُّرُremembrance وَالهَوىand passion
أَلا رُبَّما هاجَ التَذَكُّرُ وَالهَوى
بِتَلعَةَat Tal'a إِرشاشَthe sprinkling of الدُموعِthe tears السَواجِمِthe streaming
بِتَلعَةَ إِرشاشَ الدُموعِ السَواجِمِ
Ah, remembrance and passion have often stirred
Alas, sometimes remembering and passion were aroused
at Tal'a the sprinkling of streaming tears.
With the flow of the pouring, copious tears
عَفَتfaded قَرقَرىQarqara وَالوَشمُand al-Washm حَتّىuntil تَنَكَّرَتbecame unrecognizable
عَفَت قَرقَرى وَالوَشمُ حَتّى تَنَكَّرَت
أَوارِيُّهاits tethering-stakes وَالخَيلُand the horses ميلُslanting الدَعائِمِthe supports
أَوارِيُّها وَالخَيلُ ميلُ الدَعائِمِ
Qarqara and al-Washm have faded beyond recognition,
The anklets jingled, and the tattoo until its features changed
their tethering-stakes grown strange, the horses' legs slanting.
And the horses tilt the tent poles
وَأَقفَرَand became deserted واديthe valley of ثَرمَداءَTharmada' وَرُبَّماand often
وَأَقفَرَ وادي ثَرمَداءَ وَرُبَّما
تَدانىdrew close بِذيat Dhu بَهدىBahda حُلولُthe encampments of الأَصارِمِthe clans
تَدانى بِذي بَهدى حُلولُ الأَصارِمِ
The valley of Tharmada' is deserted, though often
And the valley of Tharmada dried up, and sometimes
the clans' encampments lay close at Dhu Bahda.
The resolutes draw near Thi Al-Bahda with their swords
لَقَدindeed وَلَدَتbore أُمُّthe mother of الفَرَزدَقِal-Farazdaq فاجِراًa libertine
لَقَد وَلَدَت أُمُّ الفَرَزدَقِ فاجِراً
وَجاءَتand brought forth بِوَزوازٍa restless runt قَصيرِshort القَوائِمِthe legs
وَجاءَت بِوَزوازٍ قَصيرِ القَوائِمِ
Al-Farazdaq's mother surely bore a libertine
Indeed, the mother of Al-Farazdaq gave birth to a debaucher
and brought forth a restless, short-legged runt.
And brought an ape with short legs
وَماand not كانَwas جارٌa neighbor لِلفَرَزدَقِof al-Farazdaq مُسلِمٌMuslim
وَما كانَ جارٌ لِلفَرَزدَقِ مُسلِمٌ
لِيَأمَنَcould feel safe from قِرداًan ape لَيلُهُhis night غَيرُnot نائِمِsleeping
لِيَأمَنَ قِرداً لَيلُهُ غَيرُ نائِمِ
No Muslim neighbor of al-Farazdaq
And no neighbor of Al-Farazdaq, a Muslim, felt secure
could feel safe from an ape whose night is sleepless.
From a monkey whose night was not sleepy
يُوَصِّلُhe joins حَبلَيهِhis two ropes إِذاwhen جَنَّdarkened لَيلُهُhis night
يُوَصِّلُ حَبلَيهِ إِذا جَنَّ لَيلُهُ
لِيَرقىto climb إِلىto جاراتِهِhis female neighbors بِالسَلالِمِby ladders
لِيَرقى إِلى جاراتِهِ بِالسَلالِمِ
He joins his two ropes when his night grows dark
He ties his ropes when his night comes
to climb by ladders to his female neighbors.
To climb to his neighbors with the ladders
أَتَيتَyou violated حُدودَthe bounds of اللَهِGod مُذsince أَنتَyou يافِعٌa youth
أَتَيتَ حُدودَ اللَهِ مُذ أَنتَ يافِعٌ
وَشِبتَand you grew gray فَماyet not يَنهاكَrestrains you شيبُthe grayness of اللَهازِمِthe jaw-muscles
وَشِبتَ فَما يَنهاكَ شيبُ اللَهازِمِ
You have violated God's bounds since you were a youth,
You have transgressed the limits of Allah since you were a youth
and have grown gray, yet your graying jaws do not restrain you.
And grew old, yet your old age does not forbid you
تَتَبَّعُyou pursue فيin الماخورِthe brothel كُلَّevery مُريبَةٍdisreputable woman
تَتَبَّعُ في الماخورِ كُلَّ مُريبَةٍ
وَلَستَand you are not بِأَهلِworthy of المُحصَناتِthe chaste women الكَرائِمِthe noble
وَلَستَ بِأَهلِ المُحصَناتِ الكَرائِمِ
In the brothel you pursue every disreputable woman,
You pursue every crafty one in the tavern
and you are unworthy of chaste, noble women.
And you are not of the people of the virtuous, honorable women
رَأَيتُكَI saw you لاnot توفيkeeping faith بِجارٍwith a neighbor أَجَرتَهُyou sheltered
رَأَيتُكَ لا توفي بِجارٍ أَجَرتَهُ
وَلاnor مُستَعِفّاًabstaining عَنfrom لِئامِthe vile kinds of المَطاعِمِsustenance
وَلا مُستَعِفّاً عَن لِئامِ المَطاعِمِ
I saw you keeping no faith with a neighbor you had sheltered,
I saw you not fulfilling a covenant with a neighbor you made a pact with
nor abstaining from dishonorable sustenance.
Nor refusing the blame of the hands that outstretch
هُوَhe الرِجسُthe filth ياO أَهلَpeople of المَدينَةِMedina فَاِحذَرواso beware
هُوَ الرِجسُ يا أَهلَ المَدينَةِ فَاِحذَروا
مُداخِلَthe intrusions of رِجسٍa filthy man بِالخَبيثاتِin foul deeds عالِمِversed
مُداخِلَ رِجسٍ بِالخَبيثاتِ عالِمِ
He is filth, people of Medina; beware
He is impure, O people of Medina, so beware
the intrusions of a filthy man versed in foul deeds.
The approaches of an impurity, knowledgeable of the wicked women
لَقَدindeed كانَwas إِخراجُthe expulsion of الفَرَزدَقِal-Farazdaq عَنكُمُfrom your midst
لَقَد كانَ إِخراجُ الفَرَزدَقِ عَنكُمُ
طَهوراًa cleansing لِماof what بَينَbetween المُصَلّىthe prayer ground وَواقِمِand Waqim
طَهوراً لِما بَينَ المُصَلّى وَواقِمِ
Expelling al-Farazdaq from your midst was indeed
Indeed, expelling Al-Farazdaq from you
a cleansing of all between the prayer ground and Waqim.
Was a purification between the praying place and the frequenter
تَدَلَّيتَyou lowered yourself تَزنيto fornicate مِنfrom ثَمانينَeighty قامَةًbody-lengths
تَدَلَّيتَ تَزني مِن ثَمانينَ قامَةً
وَقَصَّرتَand you fell short عَنof باعِthe reach of العُلىloftiness وَالمَكارِمِand noble deeds
وَقَصَّرتَ عَن باعِ العُلى وَالمَكارِمِ
You lowered yourself to fornicate from eighty body-lengths high,
You have hanged around debauching eighty heights
yet fell short of the reach of loftiness and noble deeds.
And fallen short of the utmost high morals
أَتَمدَحُdo you praise? ياO اِبنَson of القَينِthe smith سَعداًSa'd وَقَدand indeed جَرَتflew
أَتَمدَحُ يا اِبنَ القَينِ سَعداً وَقَد جَرَت
لِجِعثِنَfor Ji'thin فيهِمamong them طَيرُهاher birds بِالأَشائِمِwith ill omens
لِجِعثِنَ فيهِم طَيرُها بِالأَشائِمِ
Do you praise Sa'd, son of the smith, though
How do you, O son of Al-Qayn, praise Sa’d though
Ji'thin's birds among them have brought her ill omens?
The birds of calamity have assailed them with the worst of calamities?
وَإِنَّكَand indeed you ياO اِبنَson of القَينِthe smith سَعداًSa'd وَقَدand indeed تَرىyou see
وَإِنَّكَ يا اِبنَ القَينِ سَعداً وَقَد تَرى
أَديمَكَyour hide مِنهاfrom them واهِياًweakened غَيرَnot سالِمِsound
أَديمَكَ مِنها واهِياً غَيرَ سالِمِ
Yet you, son of the smith, praise Sa'd, though you see
And you, O son of Al-Qayn, Sa’d while you see
your hide weakened by them, far from sound.
Your hide is weak, unsafe from them
وَإِنَّكَand indeed you ياO اِبنَson of القَينِthe smith لَستَyou are not بِنافِخٍblowing
وَإِنَّكَ يا اِبنَ القَينِ لَستَ بِنافِخٍ
بِكيرِكَwith your bellows إِلّاexcept قاعِداًseated غَيرَnot قائِمِstanding
بِكيرِكَ إِلّا قاعِداً غَيرَ قائِمِ
And you, son of the smith, never blow
And you, O son of Al-Qayn, are no blower
your bellows except seated, never standing.
With your bellows unless sitting, not getting up
فَماso not وَجَدَfound الجيرانُthe neighbors حَبلَthe rope of مُجاشِعٍMujashi'
فَما وَجَدَ الجيرانُ حَبلَ مُجاشِعٍ
وَفِيّاًfaithful وَلاnor ذاpossessing مِرَّةٍstrength فيin العَزائِمِresolutions
وَفِيّاً وَلا ذا مِرَّةٍ في العَزائِمِ
The neighbors did not find Mujashi's rope
So the neighbors did not find a sympathetic rope
faithful, nor strong in resolve.
Or one who is gallant, determined in his resolves
وَلامَتand blamed قُرَيشٌQuraysh فيover الزُبَيرِal-Zubayr مُجاشِعاًMujashi'
وَلامَت قُرَيشٌ في الزُبَيرِ مُجاشِعاً
وَلَمand not يَعذُرواthey excused مَنthose who كانَwere أَهلَdeserving of المَلاوِمِblame
وَلَم يَعذُروا مَن كانَ أَهلَ المَلاوِمِ
Quraysh blamed Mujashi' over al-Zubayr,
And Quraysh blamed Al-Zubayr, sympathetic
and did not excuse those deserving blame.
And did not excuse one who was apt to stick around
وَقالَتand said قُرَيشٌQuraysh لَيتَwould that جارَthe neighbor of مُجاشِعٍMujashi'
وَقالَت قُرَيشٌ لَيتَ جارَ مُجاشِعٍ
دَعاhad called شَبَثاًShabath أَوor كانَhad been جارَthe neighbor of اِبنِthe son of خازِمِKhazim
دَعا شَبَثاً أَو كانَ جارَ اِبنِ خازِمِ
Quraysh said, 'Would that Mujashi's neighbor
And Quraysh said, if only a sympathetic neighbor
had called Shabath, or been Ibn Khazim's neighbor.'
Called out Shabth or was a neighbor of the son of Khaazim
وَلَوand if حَبلَthe rope of تَيمِيٍّa Taymi تَناوَلَhad taken hold of جارُكُمyour neighbor
وَلَو حَبلَ تَيمِيٍّ تَناوَلَ جارُكُم
لَماthen not كانَwould have been عاراًa disgrace ذِكرُهُhis mention فيat المَواسِمِthe seasonal gatherings
لَما كانَ عاراً ذِكرُهُ في المَواسِمِ
Had your neighbor taken hold of a Taymi's rope,
And if the rope of the Taymi had seized your neighbor
his mention at seasonal gatherings would not have been a disgrace.
Its mention would not have been shameful during the seasons
فَغَيرُكَso someone other than you أَدّىfulfilled لِلخَليفَةِfor the caliph عَهدَهُhis pledge
فَغَيرُكَ أَدّى لِلخَليفَةِ عَهدَهُ
وَغَيرُكَand someone other than you جَلّىcleared away عَنfrom وُجوهِthe faces of الأَهاتِمِthe Ahatim
وَغَيرُكَ جَلّى عَن وُجوهِ الأَهاتِمِ
Someone other than you fulfilled his pledge to the caliph,
While someone else fulfilled his covenant to the Caliph
and someone else cleared shame from the faces of the Ahatim.
And someone else disclosed from faces of the frowning
فَإِنَّfor indeed وَكيعاًWaki' حينَwhen خارَتfaltered مُجاشِعٌMujashi'
فَإِنَّ وَكيعاً حينَ خارَت مُجاشِعٌ
كَفىsufficed for شَعبَmending صَدعِthe breach of الفِتنَةِdiscord المُتَفاقِمِthe widening
كَفى شَعبَ صَدعِ الفِتنَةِ المُتَفاقِمِ
For Waki', when Mujashi' faltered,
For when Mujashi’ abandoned, Waqi’
was enough to mend discord's widening breach.
Sufficed to heal the crevasse of the intensifying strife
لَقَدindeed كُنتَyou were فيهاin it ياO فَرَزدَقُFarazdaq تابِعاًa follower
لَقَد كُنتَ فيها يا فَرَزدَقُ تابِعاً
وَريشُand the feathers of الذُنابىthe tail تابِعٌfollow لِلقَوادِمِthe leading wing feathers
وَريشُ الذُنابى تابِعٌ لِلقَوادِمِ
You were only a follower in it, Farazdaq,
You used to be, O Farazdaq, a follower in it
and tail feathers follow the leading wing feathers.
And the feather of the tail follows the leaders
نُدافِعُwe defend عَنكُمyou كُلَّevery يَومِday of عَظيمَةٍgrave peril
نُدافِعُ عَنكُم كُلَّ يَومِ عَظيمَةٍ
وَأَنتَand you قُراحِيٌّa Qurahi بِسَيفِon the shore of الكَواظِمِal-Kawazim
وَأَنتَ قُراحِيٌّ بِسَيفِ الكَواظِمِ
We defend you on every day of grave peril,
We defend you every day of great happenings
while you are a Qurahi on the shore of al-Kawazim.
While you, with the sword of the silent, are a sword holder
أَباهِلَO Bahila ماnot أَحبَبتُI desired قَتلَthe killing of اِبنِthe son of مُسلِمٍMuslim
أَباهِلَ ما أَحبَبتُ قَتلَ اِبنِ مُسلِمٍ
وَلاnor أَنthat تَروعواyou terrorize قَومَكُمyour people بِالمَظالِمِwith injustices
وَلا أَن تَروعوا قَومَكُم بِالمَظالِمِ
O Bahila, I did not desire the killing of Ibn Muslim,
I wish I did not love killing the son of Muslim
nor that you terrorize your people with injustice.
Nor that you panic your people with injustices
أَباهِلَO Bahila قَدindeed أَوفَيتُمُyou have full recompense مِنfor دِمائِكُمyour blood
أَباهِلَ قَد أَوفَيتُمُ مِن دِمائِكُم
إِذاif ماindeed قَتَلتُمyou kill رَهطَthe kin of قَيسِQays بنِson of عاصِمِAsim
إِذا ما قَتَلتُم رَهطَ قَيسِ بنِ عاصِمِ
O Bahila, you have full recompense for your blood
I wish you have paid off from your blood
if you kill the kin of Qays ibn Asim.
When you killed the folk of Qays ibn ‘Aasim
تُحَضِّضُyou urge ياO اِبنَson of القَينِthe smith قَيساًQays لِيَجعَلواso they bring
تُحَضِّضُ يا اِبنَ القَينِ قَيساً لِيَجعَلوا
لِقَومِكَupon your people يَوماًa day مِثلَlike يَومِthe day of الأَراقِمِthe Araqim
لِقَومِكَ يَوماً مِثلَ يَومِ الأَراقِمِ
You urge Qays, son of the smith, to bring
You, O son of Al-Qayn, provoke Qays to make
upon your people a day like the day of the Araqim.
For your folk a day like the day of Arqam
إِذاwhen رَكِبَتmounted قَيسٌQays خُيولاًhorses مُغيرَةًraiding
إِذا رَكِبَت قَيسٌ خُيولاً مُغيرَةً
عَلىagainst القَينِthe smith يَقرَعhe gnashes سِنَّthe tooth of خَزيانَa disgraced man نادِمِregretful
عَلى القَينِ يَقرَع سِنَّ خَزيانَ نادِمِ
When Qays mounts raiding horses
When Qays rides prepared horses
against the smith, he gnashes his teeth, disgraced and regretful.
Against Qayn, they will strike the teeth of Khuzaymah the regretful
وَقَبلَكَand before you ماindeed أَخزىdisgraced الأُخَيطِلُal-Ukhaytil قَومَهُhis people
وَقَبلَكَ ما أَخزى الأُخَيطِلُ قَومَهُ
وَأَسلَمَهُمand abandoned them لِلمَأزِقِto the battle's press المُتَلاحِمِthe close-fought
وَأَسلَمَهُم لِلمَأزِقِ المُتَلاحِمِ
Before you, al-Ukhaytil shamed his people
And before you, how Al-Ukhaidhir disgraced his people
and abandoned them to the press of close-fought battle.
And delivered them to the narrow, pressing predicament
رُوَيدَكُمُtake your time مَسحَrubbing الصَليبِthe cross إِذاwhen دَناapproached
رُوَيدَكُمُ مَسحَ الصَليبِ إِذا دَنا
هِلالُthe crescent of الجِزىtribute وَاِستَعجِلواand hasten بِالدَراهِمِwith the dirhams
هِلالُ الجِزى وَاِستَعجِلوا بِالدَراهِمِ
Take your time rubbing the cross when there approaches
Hold back your greed when the crescent of Al-Jiza draws near
the tribute crescent, and hurry with the dirhams.
And hasten with the dirhams
وَماand not زالَceased فيamong قَيسٍQays فَوارِسُhorsemen مَصدَقٍof proven valor
وَما زالَ في قَيسٍ فَوارِسُ مَصدَقٍ
حُماةٌdefenders وَحَمّالونَand bearers of ثِقلَthe weight of المَغارِمِindemnities
حُماةٌ وَحَمّالونَ ثِقلَ المَغارِمِ
Qays has always had true horsemen,
And among Qays there remain horsemen of Musaddaq
defenders who shoulder heavy indemnities.
Protectors and carriers of heavy fines
وَقَيسٌand Qays هُمُthey الفَضلُthe advantage الَّذيwhich نَستَعِدُّهُwe hold ready
وَقَيسٌ هُمُ الفَضلُ الَّذي نَستَعِدُّهُ
لِفَضلِfor excellence in المَساعيstriving وَاِبتِناءِand building المَكارِمِnoble deeds
لِفَضلِ المَساعي وَاِبتِناءِ المَكارِمِ
Qays is the advantage we hold in reserve
And Qays, they are the merit we seek out
for excellence in striving and the building of honor.
For the merit of the efforts and building of morals
إِذاwhen حَدَبَتrallied قَيسٌQays عَلَيَّaround me وَخِندِفٌand Khindif
إِذا حَدَبَت قَيسٌ عَلَيَّ وَخِندِفٌ
أَخَذتُI drew بِفَضلِon the bounty of الأَكثَرينَthe most numerous الأَكارِمِthe noblest
أَخَذتُ بِفَضلِ الأَكثَرينَ الأَكارِمِ
When Qays and Khindif rally around me,
When Qays inclines toward me and Khandif
I draw on the bounty of the most numerous and noblest.
I take by the merit of the more generous of the generous
أَناI اِبنُthe son of فُروعِthe branches of المَجدِglory قَيسٍQays وَخِندِفٍand Khindif
أَنا اِبنُ فُروعِ المَجدِ قَيسٍ وَخِندِفٍ
بَنَواthey built لِيَfor me عادِيّاًan 'Ad-like edifice رَفيعَlofty الدَعائِمِthe pillars
بَنَوا لِيَ عادِيّاً رَفيعَ الدَعائِمِ
I am the son of glory's branches, Qays and Khindif;
I am the son of the heights of glory of Qays and Khandif
they built me an 'Ad-like edifice with lofty pillars.
They built for me an adversary, high in pillars
فَإِنso if شِئتَyou wish مِنfrom قَيسٍQays ذُرىthe heights of مُتَمَنِّعٍan impregnable stronghold
فَإِن شِئتَ مِن قَيسٍ ذُرى مُتَمَنِّعٍ
وَإِنand if شِئتَyou wish طَوداًa mountain خِندِفِيَّKhindifi المَخارِمِthe passes
وَإِن شِئتَ طَوداً خِندِفِيَّ المَخارِمِ
If you wish, from Qays come an impregnable stronghold's heights;
So if you wish from Qays an impregnable clan
or, if you wish, a mountain with Khindifi passes.
And if you wish a Qhandifi battalion of warriors
أَلَمhave you not? تَرَنيseen me أُرديstriking down بِأَركانِwith the pillars of خِندِفٍKhindif
أَلَم تَرَني أُردي بِأَركانِ خِندِفٍ
وَأَركانِand the pillars of قَيسٍQays نِعمَexcellent is كَهفُthe refuge of المُراجِمِthe stone-hurler
وَأَركانِ قَيسٍ نِعمَ كَهفُ المُراجِمِ
Have you not seen me strike men down with Khindif's pillars
Do you not see me donned in the pillars of Khandif
and Qays's pillars—a fine refuge for a stone-hurler!
And the pillars of Qays - excellent is the cave of those sought for protection
وَقَيسٌand Qays هُمُthey الكَهفُthe refuge الَّذيwhich نَستَعِدُّهُwe hold ready
وَقَيسٌ هُمُ الكَهفُ الَّذي نَستَعِدُّهُ
لِدَفعِto repel الأَعاديthe enemies أَوor لِحَملِto shoulder العَظائِمِgrave burdens
لِدَفعِ الأَعادي أَو لِحَملِ العَظائِمِ
Qays is the refuge we keep ready
And Qays, they are the cave we seek out
to repel enemies or shoulder grave burdens.
To ward off enemies or carry the greatest of matters
بَنوthe sons of المَجدِglory قَيسٌQays وَالعَواتِكُand the 'Atikas مِنهُمُamong them
بَنو المَجدِ قَيسٌ وَالعَواتِكُ مِنهُمُ
وَلَدنَthey bore بُحوراًoceans لِلبُحورِto the oceans الخَضارِمِthe vast and bountiful
وَلَدنَ بُحوراً لِلبُحورِ الخَضارِمِ
Qays are glory's sons, and the 'Atikas are among them;
The sons of glory are Qays, and the bright rising stars among them
they bore oceans to vast, overflowing oceans.
Gave birth to seas for the tumultuous seas
لَقَدindeed حَدَبَتrallied قَيسٌQays وَأَفناءُand the branches of خِندِفٍKhindif
لَقَد حَدَبَت قَيسٌ وَأَفناءُ خِندِفٍ
عَلىaround مُرهَبٍa feared man حامٍguarding ذِمارَthe honor of المَحارِمِsacred kin
عَلى مُرهَبٍ حامٍ ذِمارَ المَحارِمِ
Qays and the branches of Khindif have indeed rallied
Indeed, Qays inclined along with the foyers of Khandif
around a feared man who guards his sacred kin's honor.
Upon a dreadful lion, biting the forbidden
فَماso not زادَنيincreased for me بُعدُthe length of المَدىthe span نَقضَthe slackening of مِرَّةٍstrength
فَما زادَني بُعدُ المَدى نَقضَ مِرَّةٍ
وَلاnor رَقَّsoftened عَظميmy bone لِلضُروسِfor the molars العَواجِمِthe gnawing
وَلا رَقَّ عَظمي لِلضُروسِ العَواجِمِ
The long span has never slackened my strength,
Yet the distance of the farthest did not break a pact for me
nor has my bone softened for gnawing molars.
Nor did the bones of my elderly weaken from the most vicious
تَرانيyou see me إِذاwhen ماindeed الناسُpeople عَدّواrecounted قَديمَهُمtheir ancient glories
تَراني إِذا ما الناسُ عَدّوا قَديمَهُم
وَفَضلَand excellence in المَساعيstriving مُسفِراًbright-faced غَيرَnot واجِمِdowncast
وَفَضلَ المَساعي مُسفِراً غَيرَ واجِمِ
You see me, when men recount their ancient glories
You see me, when people count their ancient times
and excellent exploits, bright-faced, never downcast.
And the merits of the efforts, uncovered, not sluggish
بِأَيّامِthrough the battle-days of قَوميmy people ماnot لِقَومِكَfor your people مِثلُهاtheir like
بِأَيّامِ قَومي ما لِقَومِكَ مِثلُها
بِهاthrough them سَهَّلواthey smoothed عَنّيfor me خَبارَthe yielding ground of الجَراثِمِthe mounds
بِها سَهَّلوا عَنّي خَبارَ الجَراثِمِ
Through my people's battle-days, unmatched by yours,
By the days of my people not like your people’s days
they smoothed for me the yielding ground of the mounds.
Through them they eased for me news of wickedness
إِذاwhen أَلجَمَتbridled قَيسٌQays عَناجيجَspirited steeds كَالقَناlike spear-shafts
إِذا أَلجَمَت قَيسٌ عَناجيجَ كَالقَنا
مَجَجنَthey spat دَماًblood مِنfrom طولِthe length of عَلكِchewing الشَكائِمِthe bits
مَجَجنَ دَماً مِن طولِ عَلكِ الشَكائِمِ
When Qays bridles steeds straight as spear-shafts,
When Qays bridle hard bits like canals
they spit blood from long chewing on the bits.
It pours blood from the length of riding the burdens
سَبَواthey took captive نِسوَةَthe women of النُعمانِal-Nu'man وَاِبنَيand the two sons of مُحَرِّقٍMuharriq
سَبَوا نِسوَةَ النُعمانِ وَاِبنَي مُحَرِّقٍ
وَعِمرانَand 'Imran قادواthey led عَنوَةًby force بِالخَزائِمِwith nose-rings
وَعِمرانَ قادوا عَنوَةً بِالخَزائِمِ
They took al-Nu'man's women and Muharriq's two sons captive,
They captured the women of Nu’man and the sons of Muharib
and led 'Imran by force with nose-rings.
And they forcefully drove along Imran’s family with the spoils
وَهُمand they أَنزَلواbrought down الجَونَينِthe two Jawns فيin حَومَةِthe thick of الوَغىbattle
وَهُم أَنزَلوا الجَونَينِ في حَومَةِ الوَغى
وَلَمand not يَمنَعِprotected الجَونَينِthe two Jawns عَقدُthe knotting of التَمائِمِamulets
وَلَم يَمنَعِ الجَونَينِ عَقدُ التَمائِمِ
They brought the two Jawns down in the heart of battle,
And they brought down Al-Jawnayn in the scorching heat of the tumult
and knotted amulets did not protect the two Jawns.
And the Al-Jawnayn; the necklaces did not withhold them
كَأَنَّكَas though you لَمnot تَشهَدwitnessed لَقيطاًLaqit وَحاجِباًand Hajib
كَأَنَّكَ لَم تَشهَد لَقيطاً وَحاجِباً
وَعَمروَand 'Amr بنَson of عَمروٍ'Amr إِذwhen دَعواthey called ياO لَدارِمِDarim, to the rescue
وَعَمروَ بنَ عَمروٍ إِذ دَعوا يا لَدارِمِ
As though you had not witnessed Laqit and Hajib,
As if you did not witness Laqeet and Haajib
and 'Amr ibn 'Amr, when they cried, 'To our aid, Darim!'
And ‘Amr ibn ‘Amr when they called out, O Darim!
وَلَمand not تَشهَدِyou witnessed الجَونَينِthe two Jawns وَالشِعبَand the ravine ذاhaving الصَفاsmooth rock
وَلَم تَشهَدِ الجَونَينِ وَالشِعبَ ذا الصَفا
وَشَدّاتِand the charges of قَيسٍQays يَومَthe day of دَيرِDayr الجَماجِمِal-Jamajim
وَشَدّاتِ قَيسٍ يَومَ دَيرِ الجَماجِمِ
nor witnessed the two Jawns and the smooth-rock ravine,
And you did not witness Al-Jawnayn and Ash-Shi’b ath-Thafa
and Qays's charges on the day of Dayr al-Jamajim.
And the firm heroes of Qays the Day of Deer Al-Jamajim
أَكَلَّفتَhave you burdened? قَيساًQays أَنbecause نَباfailed to cut سَيفُthe sword of غالِبٍGhalib
أَكَلَّفتَ قَيساً أَن نَبا سَيفُ غالِبٍ
وَشاعَتand spread لَهُabout him أُحدوثَةٌa tale فيat المَواسِمِthe seasonal gatherings
وَشاعَت لَهُ أُحدوثَةٌ في المَواسِمِ
Have you blamed Qays because Ghalib's sword failed
You tasked Qays to resound with the sword of Ghalib
and a tale about him spread at the seasonal gatherings?
And it gained currency at the seasons
بِسَيفِwith the sword of أَبيAbu (father of) رَغوانَRaghwan سَيفِthe sword of مُجاشِعٍMujashi'
بِسَيفِ أَبي رَغوانَ سَيفِ مُجاشِعٍ
ضَرَبتَyou struck وَلَمand not تَضرِبyou struck بِسَيفِwith the sword of اِبنِthe son of ظالِمِZalim
ضَرَبتَ وَلَم تَضرِب بِسَيفِ اِبنِ ظالِمِ
With Abu Raghwan's sword, the sword of Mujashi',
With the sword of Abi Raghwaan, the sword of Mujashi’
you struck, not with Ibn Zalim's sword.
You struck, and did not strike with the sword of the son of Thaalim
ضَرَبتَyou struck بِهِwith it عِندَbefore الإِمامِthe imam فَأُرعِشَتthen were made to tremble
ضَرَبتَ بِهِ عِندَ الإِمامِ فَأُرعِشَت
يَداكَyour two hands وَقالواand they said مُحدَثٌnewly made غَيرُnot صارِمِsharp-cutting
يَداكَ وَقالوا مُحدَثٌ غَيرُ صارِمِ
You struck with it before the imam; trembling seized
You struck with it in the presence of the Imam, so
your hands, and they said, 'New-made, not sharp.'
Your hands quaked, and they said, an innovator, not sharp
ضَرَبتَyou struck بِهِwith it عُرقوبَthe hock of نابٍan old she-camel بِصَوأَرٍat Saw'ar
ضَرَبتَ بِهِ عُرقوبَ نابٍ بِصَوأَرٍ
وَلاand not تَضرِبونَyou strike البيضَhelmets تَحتَbeneath الغَماغِمِthe battle's rumbling
وَلا تَضرِبونَ البيضَ تَحتَ الغَماغِمِ
You struck with it an old she-camel's hock at Saw'ar,
You struck with it ‘Urqub, a molar in Saw’ar
but you do not strike helmets beneath battle's rumbling.
And you do not strike the eggs beneath the clouds
عَنيفٌrough بِهَزِّat brandishing السَيفِthe sword قَينُthe smith of مُجاشِعٍMujashi'
عَنيفٌ بِهَزِّ السَيفِ قَينُ مُجاشِعٍ
رَفيقٌdeft بِأَخراتِwith the sockets of الفُؤوسِthe axes الكَرازِمِthe heavy ones
رَفيقٌ بِأَخراتِ الفُؤوسِ الكَرازِمِ
Rough at brandishing a sword is Mujashi's smith,
Violent is Qayn of Mujashi’ in brandishing the sword
but deft with the sockets of heavy axes.
Gentle with the back of the heads of the sturdy
سَتُخبَرُyou will be told ياO اِبنَson of القَينِthe smith أَنَّthat رِماحَناour spears
سَتُخبَرُ يا اِبنَ القَينِ أَنَّ رِماحَنا
أَباحَتopened لَناto us ماwhat بَينَbetween فَلجٍFalj وَعائِمِand 'A'im
أَباحَت لَنا ما بَينَ فَلجٍ وَعائِمِ
You will learn, son of the smith, that our spears
You will be informed, O son of Qayn, that our spears
opened to us all between Falj and 'A'im.
Made lawful for us what is between a creek and tent pegs
أَلاAh! رُبَّmany a قَومٍpeople قَدindeed وَفَدناwe visited عَلَيهِمُthem
أَلا رُبَّ قَومٍ قَد وَفَدنا عَلَيهِمُ
بِصُمِّwith the solid shafts of القَناspears وَالمُقرَباتِand the favored steeds الصَلادِمِthe stout
بِصُمِّ القَنا وَالمُقرَباتِ الصَلادِمِ
Ah, many a people we have visited
Indeed, how many a people we visited
with solid spears and stout, favored steeds.
With the silence of the spear and the solid striking
لَقَدindeed حَظِيَتwon good fortune يَوماًone day سُلَيمٌSulaym وَعامِرٌand 'Amir
لَقَد حَظِيَت يَوماً سُلَيمٌ وَعامِرٌ
وَعَبسٌand 'Abs بِتَجريدِby drawing السُيوفِthe swords الصَوارِمِthe sharp-cutting
وَعَبسٌ بِتَجريدِ السُيوفِ الصَوارِمِ
Sulaym and 'Amir once won good fortune,
Indeed, Sulaym, ‘Aamir and ‘Abs attained one day
and 'Abs, by drawing sharp swords.
The drawing of the cutting swords
وَعَبسٌand 'Abs وَهُمand they يَومَon the day of الفَروقَينِal-Faruqayn طَرَّقواbattered
وَعَبسٌ وَهُم يَومَ الفَروقَينِ طَرَّقوا
بِأَسيافِهِمwith their swords قُدموسَthe massive part of رَأسِthe head of صُلادِمِa hulking warrior
بِأَسيافِهِم قُدموسَ رَأسِ صُلادِمِ
'Abs, on the day of al-Faruqayn, battered
And ‘Abs - and when the two parties met - they
with their swords the massive head of a hulking warrior.
Pounded with their swords the skull of Suladim
وَإِنّيand indeed I وَقَيساًwith Qays ياO اِبنَson of قَينِthe smith of مُجاشِعٍMujashi'
وَإِنّي وَقَيساً يا اِبنَ قَينِ مُجاشِعٍ
كَريمٌnoble أُصَفّيI reserve مِدحَتيmy praise لِلأَكارِمِfor the noble
كَريمٌ أُصَفّي مِدحَتي لِلأَكارِمِ
And I, with Qays, O son of Mujashi's smith,
While I and Qays, O son of Qayn Mujashi’
am noble, reserving my praise for the noble.
Are honorable, I flatter my praise for the honorable
إِذاwhen عُدَّتِwere counted الأَيّامُthe battle-days أَخزَيتَyou disgraced دارِماًDarim
إِذا عُدَّتِ الأَيّامُ أَخزَيتَ دارِماً
وَتُخزيكَand disgrace you ياO اِبنَson of القَينِthe smith أَيّامُthe battle-days of دارِمِDarim
وَتُخزيكَ يا اِبنَ القَينِ أَيّامُ دارِمِ
When battle-days are counted, you disgrace Darim,
When the days are counted, O son of Darim, you will be disgraced
and Darim's battle-days disgrace you, smith's son.
And the days, O son of Al-Qayn, will disgrace you
أَلَمdid you not? تُعطِgive غَصباًunder compulsion ذاDhu (possessor of) الرُقَيبَةِal-Ruqayba حُكمَهُhis judgment
أَلَم تُعطِ غَصباً ذا الرُقَيبَةِ حُكمَهُ
وَمُنيَةُand the desire of قَيسٍQays فيin نَصيبِthe share of الزَهادِمِthe Zahadim
وَمُنيَةُ قَيسٍ في نَصيبِ الزَهادِمِ
Did you not submit under duress to Dhu al-Ruqayba's judgment,
Did you not wrongfully deprive Tha ar-Ruqaybah of his rule
while Qays's desire lay in the Zahadim's share?
While the death of Qays was in the share of the subduers?
وَأَنتُمand you فَرَرتُمfled عَنaway from ضِرارٍDirar وَعَثجَلٍand 'Athjal
وَأَنتُم فَرَرتُم عَن ضِرارٍ وَعَثجَلٍ
وَأَسلَمَand abandoned مَسعودٌMas'ud عُداةَthe enemies of الحَناتِمِthe Hanatim
وَأَسلَمَ مَسعودٌ عُداةَ الحَناتِمِ
You fled, abandoning Dirar and 'Athjal,
While you fled from Thirrar and ‘Athjal
and Mas'ud abandoned the enemies of the Hanatim.
And Mas’ud delivered the enemies of Hanatim
وَفيand on أَيِّwhich يَومٍday فاضِحٍdisgraceful لَمnot تُقَرَّنواwere you bound together
وَفي أَيِّ يَومٍ فاضِحٍ لَم تُقَرَّنوا
أُسارىas captives كَتَقرينِlike the yoking of البِكارِyoung camels المَقاحِمِthe headlong ones
أُسارى كَتَقرينِ البِكارِ المَقاحِمِ
On what disgraceful day were you not bound together
And on which scandalous day were you not
as captives, like headlong young camels yoked together?
Paired as captives like the pairing of the shameless slanderers?
وَيَومَand on the day of الصَفاal-Safa كُنتُمyou were عَبيداًslaves لِعامِرٍto 'Amir
وَيَومَ الصَفا كُنتُم عَبيداً لِعامِرٍ
وَبِالحَزنِand at al-Hazn أَصبَحتُمyou became عَبيدَthe slaves of اللَهازِمِthe Lahazim
وَبِالحَزنِ أَصبَحتُم عَبيدَ اللَهازِمِ
On the day of al-Safa you were slaves to 'Amir,
And the day of As-Safa you were slaves to ‘Aamir
and at al-Hazn you became slaves of the Lahazim.
And in sorrow you were slaves to the defeated
وَلَيلَةِand on the night of واديthe valley of رَحرَحانَRahrahan رَفَعتُمُyou sped
وَلَيلَةِ وادي رَحرَحانَ رَفَعتُمُ
فِراراًin flight وَلَمand not تَلوُواyou turned back رَفيفَthe fluttering of النَعائِمِostriches
فِراراً وَلَم تَلوُوا رَفيفَ النَعائِمِ
On the night in the valley of Rahrahan you sped
And the night of Wadi Rahrahaan, you fled
in flight, never turning back, fluttering like ostriches.
Without twisting the gentle ostriches
تَرَكتُمyou left أَباAbu (father of) القَعقاعِal-Qa'qa' فيin الغُلِّthe fetters مُبعَداًcast away
تَرَكتُم أَبا القَعقاعِ في الغُلِّ مُبعَداً
وَأَيُّand which أَخٍbrother لَمnot تُسلِمواyou surrendered لِلأَداهِمِto black shackles
وَأَيُّ أَخٍ لَم تُسلِموا لِلأَداهِمِ
You left Abu al-Qa'qa' cast away in fetters,
You left Abu Al-Qa’qa’ distanced in captivity
and what brother have you not surrendered to black shackles?
And which brother did you not deliver to the destroyers?
تَرَكتُمyou left مَزاداًMazad عِندَwith عَوفٍ'Awf يَقودُهُhe led him
تَرَكتُم مَزاداً عِندَ عَوفٍ يَقودُهُ
بِرُمَّةِby the worn rope of مَخذولٍa forsaken man عَلىfor الدَينِthe debt غارِمِliable
بِرُمَّةِ مَخذولٍ عَلى الدَينِ غارِمِ
You left Mazad with 'Awf, who led him
You left Mazad with ‘Awf leading him
by the worn rope of a forsaken, debt-burdened man.
In the bond of the abandoned, fined for his religion
وَلامَتand blamed قُرَيشٌQuraysh فيover الزُبَيرِal-Zubayr مُجاشِعاًMujashi'
وَلامَت قُرَيشٌ في الزُبَيرِ مُجاشِعاً
وَلَمand not يَعذِرواthey excused مَنthose who كانَwere أَهلَdeserving of المَلاوِمِblame
وَلَم يَعذِروا مَن كانَ أَهلَ المَلاوِمِ
Quraysh blamed Mujashi' over al-Zubayr,
And Quraysh blamed Al-Zubayr, sympathetic
and did not excuse those deserving blame.
And did not excuse one who was apt to stick around
وَقالَتand said قُرَيشٌQuraysh لَيتَwould that جارَthe neighbor of مُجاشِعٍMujashi'
وَقالَت قُرَيشٌ لَيتَ جارَ مُجاشِعٍ
دَعاhad called شَبَثاًShabath أَوor كانَhad been جارَthe neighbor of اِبنِthe son of خازِمِKhazim
دَعا شَبَثاً أَو كانَ جارَ اِبنِ خازِمِ
Quraysh said, 'Would that Mujashi's neighbor
And Quraysh said, if only a sympathetic neighbor
had called Shabath, or been Ibn Khazim's neighbor.'
Called out Shabth or was a neighbor of the son of Khaazim
إِذاwhen نَزَلواthey camped in نَجداًNajd سَمِعتُمyou heard مَلامَةًreproach
إِذا نَزَلوا نَجداً سَمِعتُم مَلامَةً
بِجَمعٍin a gathering مِنَof الأَعياصِthe A'yas أَوor آلِthe house of هاشِمِHashim
بِجَمعٍ مِنَ الأَعياصِ أَو آلِ هاشِمِ
When they camp in Najd, you hear reproach
If they descend to Najd, you would hear blame
in a gathering of the A'yas or the house of Hashim:
Against a group of the grocers or the family of Hashim
أَحاديثُthe tales of رُكبانِriders on المَحَجَّةِthe highroad كُلَّماwhenever
أَحاديثُ رُكبانِ المَحَجَّةِ كُلَّما
تَأَوَّهنَthey groaned خوصاًsunken-eyed دامِياتِbleeding المَناسِمِthe footpads
تَأَوَّهنَ خوصاً دامِياتِ المَناسِمِ
tales of riders on the highroad, whenever
The talk of the riders of pilgrimage, whenever
their sunken-eyed camels groan, their footpads bleeding.
They sigh over Khuws, bloody wounds
وَجارَتand wronged عَلَيكُمyou فيin الحُكومَةِarbitration مِنقَرٌMinqar
وَجارَت عَلَيكُم في الحُكومَةِ مِنقَرٌ
كَماas جارَwas unjust عَوفٌ'Awf فيover قَتيلِthe man slain by الصَماصِمِkeen swords
كَما جارَ عَوفٌ في قَتيلِ الصَماصِمِ
Minqar wronged you in arbitration,
And ‘Awf gained mastery over you in governance
as 'Awf was unjust over the man slain by keen swords.
As ‘Awf gained mastery over the slain of As-Samasim
وَأَخزاكُمُand disgraced you عَوفٌ'Awf كَماas قَدindeed خَزيتُمُyou were disgraced
وَأَخزاكُمُ عَوفٌ كَما قَد خَزيتُمُ
وَأَدرَكَand avenged عَمّارٌ'Ammar تِراتِthe blood-debts of البَراجِمِthe Barajim
وَأَدرَكَ عَمّارٌ تِراتِ البَراجِمِ
'Awf disgraced you, as you had already been disgraced,
And ‘Awf disgraced you as you have been disgraced
and 'Ammar avenged the blood-debts of the Barajim.
And ‘Ammar attained the flesh of Al-Barajim
لَقَدindeed ذُقتَyou tasted مِنّيfrom me طَعمَthe flavor of حَربٍwar مَريرَةٍbitter
لَقَد ذُقتَ مِنّي طَعمَ حَربٍ مَريرَةٍ
وَماand not أَنتَyou إِنif جارَيتَyou rivaled قَيساًQays بِسالِمِsafe
وَما أَنتَ إِن جارَيتَ قَيساً بِسالِمِ
You have tasted from me the flavor of bitter war,
Indeed, you have tasted from me a bitter war
and you will not be safe if you rival Qays.
And you, if you contend with Qays, are not safe
قُفَيرَةُQufayra مِنfrom قِنٍّa born slave لِسَلمىbelonging to Salma اِبنِson of جَندَلٍJandal
قُفَيرَةُ مِن قِنٍّ لِسَلمى اِبنِ جَندَلٍ
أَبوكَyour father اِبنُهاher son بَينَamong الإِماءِthe slave-women الخَوادِمِthe serving
أَبوكَ اِبنُها بَينَ الإِماءِ الخَوادِمِ
Qufayra came of a born slave of Salma ibn Jandal;
An ignoble one from the maids of Salma bint Jundal
your father is her son, among the serving slave-women.
Your father was her son among the serving maids
سَيُخبَرُhe will be told ماwhat أَبلَتwore down سُيوفُthe swords of مُجاشِعٍMujashi'
سَيُخبَرُ ما أَبلَت سُيوفُ مُجاشِعٍ
ذَويthose possessing الحاجِneeds وَالمُستَعمَلاتِand the hard-worked mounts الرَواسِمِthe swiftly striding
ذَوي الحاجِ وَالمُستَعمَلاتِ الرَواسِمِ
It will be told how Mujashi's swords wore down
It will be related what the swords of Mujashi’ have tested
people in need and hard-worked, swiftly striding mounts.
Possessors of need and hired hands of officials
Sol 6.1