أَقِلّيlessen اللَومَthe blame عاذِلَO reproacher وَالعِتاباand the rebukes
أَقِلّي اللَومَ عاذِلَ وَالعِتابا
وَقوليand say إِنif أَصَبتُI was right لَقَدindeed أَصاباhe was right
وَقولي إِن أَصَبتُ لَقَد أَصابا
Lessen your blame, reproacher, and your rebukes,
Blame me less, O reproacher, and cease your blaming,
And say, if I am right, “He was indeed right.”
And say, though I was right, he too was right.
أَجَدِّكَtruly? ماnot تَذَكَّرُyou remember أَهلَthe people of نَجدٍNajd
أَجَدِّكَ ما تَذَكَّرُ أَهلَ نَجدٍ
وَحَيّاًand a tribe طالَwas long ماindeed اِنتَظَرواthey awaited الإِياباthe return
وَحَيّاً طالَ ما اِنتَظَروا الإِيابا
Truly, do you not remember the people of Najd,
Do you forget the people of Najd, and how long
And a tribe that long awaited the return?
They waited alive for my return?
بَلىyes فَاِرفَضَّthen poured out دَمعُكَyour tears غَيرَnot نَزرٍscant
بَلى فَاِرفَضَّ دَمعُكَ غَيرَ نَزرٍ
كَماas عَيَّنتَyou opened holes بِالسَرَبِwith leakage الطِباباthe leather seam-strips
كَما عَيَّنتَ بِالسَرَبِ الطِبابا
Yes—and your tears poured out, not scantily,
Indeed, let your tears flow copiously,
As when you pierce the leather seams and let them leak.
As you have set loose the rain from the clouds.
وَهاجَand stirred البَرقُthe lightning لَيلَةَthe night of أَذرِعاتٍAdhri'at
وَهاجَ البَرقُ لَيلَةَ أَذرِعاتٍ
هَوىًa longing ماnot تَستَطيعُyou can لَهُfor it طِلابَpursuit
هَوىً ما تَستَطيعُ لَهُ طِلابَ
The lightning, on a night at Adhri'at, stirred
And lightning flashed on the night of Azre'at,
A longing you cannot hope to pursue.
Seeking something it could never obtain.
فَقُلتُso I spoke بِحاجَةٍof a desire وَطَوَيتُand I concealed أُخرىanother
فَقُلتُ بِحاجَةٍ وَطَوَيتُ أُخرى
فَهاجَso it stirred عَلَيَّwithin me بَينَهُماbetween the two اِكتِئاباsorrow
فَهاجَ عَلَيَّ بَينَهُما اِكتِئابا
I spoke of one desire and concealed another,
I spoke of one need but concealed another,
And between the two it stirred sorrow in me.
And sadness came over me because of both.
وَوَجدٍand a passion قَدalready طَوَيتُI concealed يَكادُalmost مِنهُfrom it
وَوَجدٍ قَد طَوَيتُ يَكادُ مِنهُ
ضَميرُthe innermost core of القَلبِthe heart يَلتَهِبُblazes اِلتِهاباinto flame
ضَميرُ القَلبِ يَلتَهِبُ اِلتِهابا
And a passion I concealed, from which almost
Love I've hidden almost makes my heart
The heart's innermost core blazes into flame.
Burn with concealed passion.
سَأَلناهاwe asked her الشِفاءَfor healing فَماbut not شَفَتناshe healed us
سَأَلناها الشِفاءَ فَما شَفَتنا
وَمَنَّتناand she held out to us المَواعِدَpromises وَالخِلاباand beguilements
وَمَنَّتنا المَواعِدَ وَالخِلابا
We asked her for healing, but she did not heal us;
We asked her for healing but she did not heal us,
She held out promises and beguilements.
And she deceived us with promises and trysts.
لَشَتّانَhow far apart المُجاوِرُthe dweller near دَيرَthe monastery of أَروىArwa
لَشَتّانَ المُجاوِرُ دَيرَ أَروى
وَمَنand one who سَكَنَdwelt السَليلَةَal-Salila وَالجِناباand al-Jinab
وَمَن سَكَنَ السَليلَةَ وَالجِنابا
How far apart are the dweller by Arwa's monastery
Far different is he who dwells at the monastery of Arwa
And one who dwells in al-Salila and al-Jinab!
And he who lived at Sulailah and Jeneb.
أَسيلَةُsmooth مَعقِدِthe fastening-place of السِمطَينِthe two necklaces مِنهاon her
أَسيلَةُ مَعقِدِ السِمطَينِ مِنها
وَرَيّاand full-fleshed حَيثُwhere تَعتَقِدُshe fastens الحِقاباthe girdle
وَرَيّا حَيثُ تَعتَقِدُ الحِقابا
Smooth is her neck where the two necklaces meet,
Aseelah of the knotted headband, and Reya, where
And full her form where she fastens her girdle.
The tents are pitched.
وَلاand not تَمشيgo about اللِئامُthe base men لَهاfor her بِسِرٍّwith a secret
وَلا تَمشي اللِئامُ لَها بِسِرٍّ
وَلاand not تُهديshe sends لِجارَتِهاto her neighbor السِباباinsults
وَلا تُهدي لِجارَتِها السِبابا
No base men carry secret messages for her,
No scoundrels walk secretly to her
Nor does she send insults to her neighbor.
Nor does her neighbor cast aspersions at her.
أَباحَتopened up أُمُّUmm حَزرَةَHazra مِنwithin فُؤاديmy heart
أَباحَت أُمُّ حَزرَةَ مِن فُؤادي
شِعابَthe ravines of الحُبِّlove إِنَّindeed لَهُit has شِعاباravines
شِعابَ الحُبِّ إِنَّ لَهُ شِعابا
Umm Hazra opened within my heart
Umm Hazrah unlocked to me from her heart
The ravines of love—for love has ravines.
Valleys of love, for it has valleys.
مَتىwhenever أُذكَرI am mentioned بِخورِamong the cowards of بَنيthe sons of عِقالٍIqal
مَتى أُذكَر بِخورِ بَني عِقالٍ
تَبَيَّنَbecame apparent فيin وُجوهِهِمِtheir faces اِكتِئاباdejection
تَبَيَّنَ في وُجوهِهِمِ اِكتِئابا
Whenever I am mentioned among the cowards of Banu Iqal,
Whenever I remember the Khor of Bani 'Iqal
Dejection appears upon their faces.
Sadness appears clearly in their faces.
إِذاwhen لاقىencountered بَنوthe sons of وَقبانَWaqban غَمّاًdistress
إِذا لاقى بَنو وَقبانَ غَمّاً
شَدَدتُI tightened عَلىupon أُنوفِهِمِtheir noses العِصاباthe bandages
شَدَدتُ عَلى أُنوفِهِمِ العِصابا
When Banu Waqban encounter distress,
Whenever Bani Waqban face sorrow
I tighten the bandages upon their noses.
I tighten the headbands on their noses.
أَبىforbade ليfor me ماwhat مَضىhad gone before ليfor me فيin تَميمٍTamim
أَبى لي ما مَضى لي في تَميمٍ
وَفيand in فَرعَيthe two branches of خُزَيمَةَKhuzayma أَنthat أُعاباI be disparaged
وَفي فَرعَي خُزَيمَةَ أَن أُعابا
My past distinction in Tamim will not permit,
What transpired for me in Tameem prevents me
Nor in Khuzayma's two branches, that I be disparaged.
And in the two branches of Khuzaymah from complaining.
سَتَعلَمُyou shall learn مَنwhose يَصيرُturns out أَبوهُhis father قَيناًa smith
سَتَعلَمُ مَن يَصيرُ أَبوهُ قَيناً
وَمَنand whose عُرِفَتwere recognized قَصائِدُهُhis poems اِجتِلاباas borrowings
وَمَن عُرِفَت قَصائِدُهُ اِجتِلابا
You shall learn whose father turns out to be a smith,
You will know who becomes an ape of his father
And whose poems are known to be borrowed.
And whose poems are collected as examples.
أَثَعلَبَةَis it Tha'laba الفَوارِسِof the horsemen أَوor رِياحاًRiyah
أَثَعلَبَةَ الفَوارِسِ أَو رِياحاً
عَدَلتَyou equated بِهِمwith them طُهَيَّةَTuhayya وَالخِشاباand al-Khishab
عَدَلتَ بِهِم طُهَيَّةَ وَالخِشابا
Tha'laba of the horsemen, or Riyah—
Are the horsemen of Tha'labah or winds
Have you equated Tuhayya and al-Khishab with them?
That you compare with them Tuhayyah and Al-Khashab?
كَأَنَّas though بَنيthe sons of طُهَيَّةَTuhayya رَهطَthe clan of سَلمىSalma
كَأَنَّ بَني طُهَيَّةَ رَهطَ سَلمى
حِجارَةُthe stones of خارِئٍa defecating man يَرميhe throws at كِلاباdogs
حِجارَةُ خارِئٍ يَرمي كِلابا
The sons of Tuhayya, Salma's clan, are like
It is as if the people of Tuhayyah are pebbles
Stones a defecating man throws at dogs.
That dogs pelt with stones.
فَلاno indeed وَأَبيكَby your father ماnot لاقَيتُI met حَيّاًa tribe
فَلا وَأَبيكَ ما لاقَيتُ حَيّاً
كَيَربوعٍlike Yarbu' إِذاwhen رَفَعواthey raised العُقاباthe Eagle banner
كَيَربوعٍ إِذا رَفَعوا العُقابا
No, by your father, I have never met a tribe
By your father! Never in life have I met
Like Yarbu' when they raise the Eagle banner.
A people like Ya'rub when they raise the antelope horns.
وَماand not وَجَدَfound المُلوكُthe kings أَعَزَّmightier مِنّاthan us
وَما وَجَدَ المُلوكُ أَعَزَّ مِنّا
وَأَسرَعَand swifter مِنthan فَوارِسِناour horsemen اِستِلاباat plundering
وَأَسرَعَ مِن فَوارِسِنا اِستِلابا
Kings have found none mightier than us,
Nor have kings found us less honorable
Nor swifter at plundering than our horsemen.
Or horsemen swifter in pursuit than ours.
وَنَحنُand we الحاكِمونَthe judges عَلىover قُلاخٍQulakh
وَنَحنُ الحاكِمونَ عَلى قُلاخٍ
كَفَيناwe took care of ذاthe one bearing الجَريرَةِthe offense وَالمُصاباand the injured
كَفَينا ذا الجَريرَةِ وَالمُصابا
We are the judges over Qulakh;
We are the rulers over Qulakh;
We took care of the offender and the injured.
We sufficed for Dhi Jareerah and Al-Musab.
حَمَيناwe defended يَومَthe day of ذيDhu نَجَبٍNajab حِماناour sanctuary
حَمَينا يَومَ ذي نَجَبٍ حِمانا
وَأَحرَزناand we secured الصَنائِعَthe retainers وَالنِهاباand the spoils
وَأَحرَزنا الصَنائِعَ وَالنِهابا
On the day of Dhu Najab we defended our sanctuary,
We defended on the day of Dhi Najb, defending,
And secured the retainers and the spoils.
And we gained skills and plunder.
لَناwe have تَحتَbeneath المَحامِلِthe saddle-frames سابِغاتٌfull-length coats of mail
لَنا تَحتَ المَحامِلِ سابِغاتٌ
كَنَسجِlike the weaving of الريحِthe wind تَطرِدُdriving along الحَباباthe ripples
كَنَسجِ الريحِ تَطرِدُ الحَبابا
Beneath our saddle-frames are full-length coats of mail,
Beneath our howdahs are long-necked steeds
Like the wind's weaving as it drives the ripples.
Scattering dust like the scattering of winds.
وَذيand a wearer of تاجٍa crown لَهُhe has خَرَزاتُjewels of مُلكٍkingship
وَذي تاجٍ لَهُ خَرَزاتُ مُلكٍ
سَلَبناهُwe stripped him of السُرادِقَthe pavilion وَالحِجابَand the curtains
سَلَبناهُ السُرادِقَ وَالحِجابَ
And many a crowned ruler with royal jewels—
With a crown whose jewels are royal,
We stripped him of his pavilion and its curtains.
We plundered its canopy and screen.
أَلاindeed قَبَحَmay disgrace الإِلَهُGod بَنيthe sons of عِقالٍIqal
أَلا قَبَحَ الإِلَهُ بَني عِقالٍ
وَزادَهُمُand increase them بِغَدرِهِمِfor their treachery اِرتِياباin misgivings
وَزادَهُمُ بِغَدرِهِمِ اِرتِيابا
May God disgrace Banu Iqal,
May Allah disfigure Bani ‘Iqal!
And increase their misgivings for their treachery!
And increase their treachery and doubt!
أَجيرانَO neighbors of الزُبَيرِal-Zubayr بَرِئتُI am quit مِنكُمof you
أَجيرانَ الزُبَيرِ بَرِئتُ مِنكُم
فَأَلقواso throw down السَيفَthe sword وَاِتَّخِذواand take up العِياباstorage sacks
فَأَلقوا السَيفَ وَاِتَّخِذوا العِيابا
Neighbors of al-Zubayr, I disown you:
I am done, O hirelings of Az-Zubair, with you,
Throw down the sword and take up storage sacks.
So cast down the sword and take the blame!
لَقَدindeed غَرَّbetrayed القُيونُthe smiths دَماًblood كَريماًnoble
لَقَد غَرَّ القُيونُ دَماً كَريماً
وَرَحلاًand baggage ضاعَwas lost فَاِنتُهِبَthen was plundered اِنتِهاباutterly
وَرَحلاً ضاعَ فَاِنتُهِبَ اِنتِهابا
The smiths betrayed noble blood,
The blood they shed was noble,
And baggage that was lost and utterly plundered.
And possessions were lost and plundered.
وَقَدand already قَعِسَتarched backward ظُهورُهُمُtheir backs بِخَيلٍon horses
وَقَد قَعِسَت ظُهورُهُمُ بِخَيلٍ
تُجاذِبُهُمwrestle with them over أَعِنَّتَهاtheir reins جِذاباwith hard tugging
تُجاذِبُهُم أَعِنَّتَها جِذابا
Their backs arched backward on horses
Their backs were bent with horses
That wrestled with them over their reins, tugging hard.
Pulling them, tough and unyielding.
عَلامَwhy تَقاعَسونَdo you hang back وَقَدwhen already دَعاكُمhe called you
عَلامَ تَقاعَسونَ وَقَد دَعاكُم
أَهانَكُمُmay disgrace you الَّذيHe who وَضَعَset down الكِتاباthe Book
أَهانَكُمُ الَّذي وَضَعَ الكِتابا
Why do you hang back, when he has called you?
Why do you hold back when He has summoned you,
May He who set down the Book disgrace you!
Demeaning you, He who sent down the Book?
تَعَشّواthey supped مِنon خَزيرِهِمُtheir meat-gruel فَنامواthen slept
تَعَشّوا مِن خَزيرِهِمُ فَناموا
وَلَمand not تَهجَعslept قَرائِبُهُhis kinswomen اِنتِحاباfor wailing
وَلَم تَهجَع قَرائِبُهُ اِنتِحابا
They supped on their meat-gruel and slept,
You gorged yourselves on their meat, and slept
While his kinswomen found no sleep for wailing.
While their relatives did not sleep, crying in lament.
أَتَنسَونَdo you forget الزُبَيرَal-Zubayr وَرَهطَand the clan of عَوفٍAwf
أَتَنسَونَ الزُبَيرَ وَرَهطَ عَوفٍ
وَجِعثِنَand Ji'thin بَعدَafter أَعيَنَA'yan وَالرَباباand al-Rabab
وَجِعثِنَ بَعدَ أَعيَنَ وَالرَبابا
Do you forget al-Zubayr and the clan of Awf,
Do you forget Az-Zubair and the band of ‘Awf
And Ji'thin after A'yan, and al-Rabab?
And Ji’thun after they were gone?
وَخورُand the cowards of مُجاشِعٍMujashi' تَرَكواabandoned لَقيطاًLaqit
وَخورُ مُجاشِعٍ تَرَكوا لَقيطاً
وَقالواand said حِنوَthe hollow of عَينِكَyour eye وَالغُرابَand the crow
وَقالوا حِنوَ عَينِكَ وَالغُرابَ
The cowards of Mujashi' abandoned Laqit,
And Khor Mujashie they left as an orphan,
And said, “Your eye's hollow—and the crow!”
And said, ‘Shed tears for him, O crow!’
وَأَضبُعُand the hyenas of ذيDhu مَعارِكَMa'arik قَدindeed عَلِمتُمyou know
وَأَضبُعُ ذي مَعارِكَ قَد عَلِمتُم
لَقينَthey encountered بِجَنبِهِbeside him العَجَبَthe wonder العُجاباmost astonishing
لَقينَ بِجَنبِهِ العَجَبَ العُجابا
The hyenas of Dhu Ma'arik, as you know,
The wolf of Dhi Ma’arik, you know
Encountered beside him the strangest wonder.
He was found next to the wondrous marvel.
وَلاno indeed وَأَبيكَby your father ماnot لَهُمthey have عُقولٌminds
وَلا وَأَبيكَ ما لَهُم عُقولٌ
وَلاand not وُجِدَتwas found مَكاسِرُهُمtheir tested mettle صِلاباsound
وَلا وُجِدَت مَكاسِرُهُم صِلابا
No, by your father, they have no minds,
By your father! They have no minds
Nor was their tested mettle found sound.
And their skulls were not found to be hard.
وَلَيلَةَand the night of رَحرَحانِRahrahan تَرَكتَyou left شيباًgray-haired men
وَلَيلَةَ رَحرَحانِ تَرَكتَ شيباً
وَشُعثاًand disheveled men فيin بُيوتِكُمُyour houses سِغاباfamished
وَشُعثاً في بُيوتِكُمُ سِغابا
On the night of Rahrahan you left gray-haired men
The night of Rahrahran you left old men
And disheveled men starving in your houses.
And disheveled women in your homes as captives.
رَضِعتُمyou suckled ثُمَّthen سالَflowed عَلىover لِحاكُمyour beards
رَضِعتُم ثُمَّ سالَ عَلى لِحاكُم
ثُعالَةَa fox حَيثُwhen لَمnot تَجِدواyou found شَراباa drink
ثُعالَةَ حَيثُ لَم تَجِدوا شَرابا
You suckled; then down your beards flowed
You suckled, then soon the spittle drooled
A fox's milk, when you could find no drink.
Down your chins; you found no drink.
تَرَكتُمyou left بِالوَقيطِat al-Waqit عُضارِطاتٍloud-farting women
تَرَكتُم بِالوَقيطِ عُضارِطاتٍ
تُرَدِّفُride behind عِندَat رِحلَتِهاtheir departure الرِكاباthe riding camels
تُرَدِّفُ عِندَ رِحلَتِها الرِكابا
You left loud-farting women at al-Waqit,
You left she-camels moaning in Al-Waqeet
Riding behind on the camels when they departed.
Who follow behind the travelers’ mounts.
لَقَدindeed خَزِيَwas disgraced الفَرَزدَقُal-Farazdaq فيamong مَعَدٍّMa'add
لَقَد خَزِيَ الفَرَزدَقُ في مَعَدٍّ
فَأَمسىso became جَهدُthe utmost effort of نُصرَتِهِsupporting him اِغتِياباbackbiting
فَأَمسى جَهدُ نُصرَتِهِ اِغتِيابا
Al-Farazdaq was disgraced among Ma'add,
Indeed, Al-Farazdaq was disgraced in Ma’add;
And the utmost effort to support him became backbiting.
So his struggle resulted only in absence.
وَلاقىand encountered القَينُthe smith وَالنَخَباتُand the cowards غَمّاًdistress
وَلاقى القَينُ وَالنَخَباتُ غَمّاً
تَرىyou see لوكوفِin the streaming of عَبرَتِهِhis tears اِنصِباباa downpour
تَرى لوكوفِ عَبرَتِهِ اِنصِبابا
The smith and the cowards encountered distress;
And the Qain faced sorrow with the select;
You see his streaming tears pouring down.
You can see their tears flowing.
فَماand not هِبتُI feared الفَرَزدَقَal-Farazdaq قَدindeed عَلِمتُمyou know
فَما هِبتُ الفَرَزدَقَ قَد عَلِمتُم
وَماand not حَقُّthe right of اِبنِthe son of بَروَعَBarwa' أَنto يُهاباbe feared
وَما حَقُّ اِبنِ بَروَعَ أَن يُهابا
I never feared al-Farazdaq, as you know,
I did not rouse Al-Farazdaq, as you know,
Nor does Ibn Barwa' deserve to be feared.
Nor is it right for the son of Barwa’ to be feared.
أَعَدَّprepared اللَهُGod لِلشُعَراءِfor the poets مِنّيthrough me
أَعَدَّ اللَهُ لِلشُعَراءِ مِنّي
صَواعِقَthunderbolts يَخضَعونَthey bow لَهاbefore them الرِقاباtheir necks
صَواعِقَ يَخضَعونَ لَها الرِقابا
God has prepared, through me, for poets
God has prepared for me against the poets
Thunderbolts before which they bow their necks.
Lightning bolts to which they bow their heads.
قَرَنتُI chained العَبدَthe slave عَبدَthe slave of بَنيthe sons of نُمَيرٍNumayr
قَرَنتُ العَبدَ عَبدَ بَني نُمَيرٍ
مَعَwith القَينَينِthe two smiths إِذwhen غُلِباboth were defeated وَخاباand both failed
مَعَ القَينَينِ إِذ غُلِبا وَخابا
I chained the slave—the slave of Banu Numayr—
I linked the slave of Bani Numair
With the two smiths, when both were defeated and failed.
With the two Qainites when they were defeated and failed.
أَتانيreached me عَنfrom عَرادَةَArada قَولُa saying of سوءٍevil
أَتاني عَن عَرادَةَ قَولُ سوءٍ
فَلاno indeed وَأَبيby the father of عَرادَةَArada ماnot أَصاباhe was right
فَلا وَأَبي عَرادَةَ ما أَصابا
An evil saying from Arada reached me;
There came to me from ‘Iradah hateful words,
No, by Arada's father, he was not right.
But no - by ‘Iradah! He did not mean it.
لَبِئسَhow wretched الكَسبُthe gain تَكسِبُهُit earns it نُمَيرٌNumayr
لَبِئسَ الكَسبُ تَكسِبُهُ نُمَيرٌ
إِذاwhen اِستَأنوكَthey awaited you وَاِنتَظَرواand expected الإِياباthe return
إِذا اِستَأنوكَ وَاِنتَظَروا الإِيابا
Wretched is the gain Numayr earns
Evil is the livelihood that Numair earns
When they await you and expect your return.
When they ask you for help and await your return.
أَتَلتَمِسُdo they seek السِبابَinvective بَنوthe sons of نُمَيرٍNumayr
أَتَلتَمِسُ السِبابَ بَنو نُمَيرٍ
فَقَدindeed وَأَبيهِمُby their father لاقواthey encountered سِباباinvective
فَقَد وَأَبيهِمُ لاقوا سِبابا
Do the sons of Numayr seek invective?
Do Bani Numair seek insult, for by their father,
By their father, they have indeed met invective.
They have already met with insult!
أَناI البازيthe hawk المُدِلُّthe self-assured عَلىagainst نُمَيرٍNumayr
أَنا البازي المُدِلُّ عَلى نُمَيرٍ
أُتِحتُI was destined مِنَfrom السَماءِthe sky لَهاupon them اِنصِباباa swooping descent
أُتِحتُ مِنَ السَماءِ لَها اِنصِبابا
I am the hawk, bold against Numayr,
I am the falcon swooping down upon Numair;
Destined to swoop upon them from the sky.
I was unleashed from the sky against them.
إِذاwhen عَلِقَتfastened مَخالِبُهُits talons بِقَرنٍupon an adversary
إِذا عَلِقَت مَخالِبُهُ بِقَرنٍ
أَصابَit struck القَلبَthe heart أَوor هَتَكَrent الحِجاباthe protective membrane
أَصابَ القَلبَ أَو هَتَكَ الحِجابا
When its talons fasten upon an adversary,
When his claws take hold of a skull,
It strikes the heart or rends its covering.
They pierce the heart or rend the veil.
تَرىyou see الطَيرَthe birds العِتاقَthe noble تَظَلُّremain مِنهُbecause of it
تَرى الطَيرَ العِتاقَ تَظَلُّ مِنهُ
جَوانِحَbending لِلكَلاكِلِover their breasts أَنlest تُصاباthey be struck
جَوانِحَ لِلكَلاكِلِ أَن تُصابا
You see the noble birds remain, because of it,
You see the noble birds take cover from him;
Bent over their breasts lest they be struck.
It would be dangerous for the partridges to be struck.
فَلاso may not صَلّىbless الإِلَهُGod عَلىupon نُمَيرٍNumayr
فَلا صَلّى الإِلَهُ عَلى نُمَيرٍ
وَلاand not سُقِيَتmay be watered قُبورُهُمُtheir graves السَحاباby the clouds
وَلا سُقِيَت قُبورُهُمُ السَحابا
May God bestow no blessing upon Numayr,
So may Allah not pray upon Numair
Nor may the clouds water their graves!
Or water their graves with clouds.
وَخَضراءِand a greenish woman المَغابِنِin the body-folds مِنof نُمَيرٍNumayr
وَخَضراءِ المَغابِنِ مِن نُمَيرٍ
يَشينُdisgraces سَوادُthe darkness of مَحجِرِهاher eye-socket النِقاباthe veil
يَشينُ سَوادُ مَحجِرِها النِقابا
And a woman of Numayr, green in her body's folds—
The green palm groves of Numair -
The darkness of her eye-socket disgraces her veil.
The darkness of their walls disgraces the face veils.
إِذاwhen قامَتshe rises لِغَيرِfor other than صَلاةِa prayer وِترٍodd-numbered
إِذا قامَت لِغَيرِ صَلاةِ وِترٍ
بُعَيدَshortly after النَومِsleep أَنبَحَتِshe makes bark الكِلاباthe dogs
بُعَيدَ النَومِ أَنبَحَتِ الكِلابا
When she rises for something other than witr prayer,
When they stand for anything but the witr prayer
Shortly after sleep, she sets the dogs barking.
Late at night, the dogs start barking.
وَقَدand already جَلَّتhave aged نِساءُthe women of بَنيthe sons of نُمَيرٍNumayr
وَقَد جَلَّت نِساءُ بَني نُمَيرٍ
وَماand not عَرَفَتhave known أَنامِلُهاtheir fingertips الخِضابَhenna dye
وَما عَرَفَت أَنامِلُها الخِضابَ
The women of Banu Numayr have grown old,
The women of Bani Numair are so immoral
Yet their fingertips have never known henna.
Their fingers do not know kohl.
إِذاwhen حَلَّتencamp نِساءُthe women of بَنيthe sons of نُمَيرٍNumayr
إِذا حَلَّت نِساءُ بَني نُمَيرٍ
عَلىat تِبراكَTibrak خَبَّثَتِthey befoul التُراباthe soil
عَلى تِبراكَ خَبَّثَتِ التُرابا
When the women of Banu Numayr encamp
When the women of Bani Numair arrive
At Tibrak, they befoul the soil.
At a dung heap, they stir up the soil.
وَلَوand if وُزِنَتwere weighed حُلومُthe wisdom of بَنيthe sons of نُمَيرٍNumayr
وَلَو وُزِنَت حُلومُ بَني نُمَيرٍ
عَلىupon الميزانِthe scales ماnot وَزَنَتit would weigh ذُباباa fly
عَلى الميزانِ ما وَزَنَت ذُبابا
If the wisdom of Banu Numayr were weighed
If the bodies of Bani Numair were weighed
Upon the scales, it would not weigh a fly.
On a scale, they would not weigh a gnat.
فَصَبراًso patience ياO تُيوسَhe-goats of بَنيthe sons of نُمَيرٍNumayr
فَصَبراً يا تُيوسَ بَني نُمَيرٍ
فَإِنَّfor indeed الحَربَwar موقِدَةٌis kindling شِهاباa blaze
فَإِنَّ الحَربَ موقِدَةٌ شِهابا
Patience, you he-goats of Banu Numayr!
Patience, O she-camels of Bani Numair,
War is kindling a blaze.
For war's kindling are burning coals.
لَعَمروُby the life of أَبيthe father of نِساءِthe women of بَنيthe sons of نُمَيرٍNumayr
لَعَمروُ أَبي نِساءِ بَني نُمَيرٍ
لَساءَfoul indeed لَهاfor them بِمَقصَبَتيfrom my scathing tongue سِباباabuse
لَساءَ لَها بِمَقصَبَتي سِبابا
By the life of the father of Banu Numayr's women,
By the life of Bani Numair’s women,
Foul indeed is the abuse my scathing tongue brings them!
My whip will be enough insult for them.
سَتَهدِمُshall demolish حائِطَيthe two walls of قَرماءَQarma' مِنّيfrom me
سَتَهدِمُ حائِطَي قَرماءَ مِنّي
قَوافٍrhymes لاnot أُريدُI intend بِهاwith them عِتاباreproach
قَوافٍ لا أُريدُ بِها عِتابا
The two walls of Qarma' shall be demolished by my
I will demolish the castle walls of Qaram
Rhymes, with which I intend no gentle reproach.
With blows I do not intend as blame.
دَخَلنَthey entered قُصورَthe palaces of يَثرِبَYathrib مُعلِماتٍbearing battle-marks
دَخَلنَ قُصورَ يَثرِبَ مُعلِماتٍ
وَلَمand not يَترُكنَthey spared مِنin صَنعاءَSan'a باباa door
وَلَم يَترُكنَ مِن صَنعاءَ بابا
They entered Yathrib's palaces bearing battle-marks,
Singing slave-girls entered the palaces of Yathrib
And spared not a door in San'a.
And left not a single door in San’aa.
تَطولُكُمُtower above you حِبالُthe lions of بَنيthe sons of تَميمٍTamim
تَطولُكُمُ حِبالُ بَني تَميمٍ
وَيَحميand guards زَأرُهاtheir roar أَجَماًthickets وَغاباand forests
وَيَحمي زَأرُها أَجَماً وَغابا
The lions of Banu Tamim tower above you,
The ropes of Bani Tameem are long for you
And their roaring guards thickets and forests.
And their roar protects the forest and wilderness.
أَلَمdid not نُعتِقwe free نِساءَthe women of بَنيthe sons of نُمَيرٍNumayr
أَلَم نُعتِق نِساءَ بَني نُمَيرٍ
فَلاbut no شُكراًthanks جَزَينَthey repaid وَلاand no ثَواباrecompense
فَلا شُكراً جَزَينَ وَلا ثَوابا
Did we not free the women of Banu Numayr?
Did we not free Bani Numair’s women?
They repaid us with neither thanks nor recompense.
Yet they showed no gratitude or reward.
أَلَمhave not تَرَنيyou seen me صُبِبتُI was poured down عَلىupon عُبَيدٍUbayd
أَلَم تَرَني صُبِبتُ عَلى عُبَيدٍ
وَقَدand already فارَتseethed أَباجِلُهُhis veins وَشاباand he turned gray
وَقَد فارَت أَباجِلُهُ وَشابا
Have you not seen me poured down upon Ubayd,
Did you not see me set upon Bani Numair
While his veins seethed and he turned gray?
And heap more humiliation upon their noses?
أُعِدَّI prepare لَهُfor him مَواسِمَbranding-irons حامِياتٍsearing
أُعِدَّ لَهُ مَواسِمَ حامِياتٍ
فَيَشفيso cures حَرُّthe heat of شُعلَتِهاtheir flame الجِراباthe mangy
فَيَشفي حَرُّ شُعلَتِها الجِرابا
I prepare searing branding-irons for him;
I prepare for them seasons of protective warmth
The heat of their flame cures the mangy.
So the heat of its flames may heal their sores.
فَغُضَّso lower الطَرفَyour gaze إِنَّكَindeed you مِنare of نُمَيرٍNumayr
فَغُضَّ الطَرفَ إِنَّكَ مِن نُمَيرٍ
فَلاso neither كَعباًKa'b بَلَغتَyou attained وَلاnor كِلاباKilab
فَلا كَعباً بَلَغتَ وَلا كِلابا
Lower your gaze: you are of Numayr;
So turn away your eye, for you are of Numair,
You have reached neither Ka'b nor Kilab.
You have attained neither glory nor dogs.
أَتَعدِلُdo you equate دِمنَةًa dungheap خَبُثَتbecame foul وَقَلَّتand became small
أَتَعدِلُ دِمنَةً خَبُثَت وَقَلَّت
إِلىwith فَرعَينِtwo branches قَدindeed كَثُراboth grew numerous وَطاباand both grew pure
إِلى فَرعَينِ قَد كَثُرا وَطابا
Do you equate a dungheap, foul and small,
Do I equate a contemptible, vile dung beetle
With two branches grown numerous and pure?
To two noble branches that have thrived and excelled?
وَحُقَّand it is fitting لِمَنfor one whom تَكَنَّفَهُsurrounded him نُمَيرٌNumayr
وَحُقَّ لِمَن تَكَنَّفَهُ نُمَيرٌ
وَضَبَّةُand Dabba لاno أَبالَكَfather for you أَنthat يُعاباhe be disparaged
وَضَبَّةُ لا أَبالَكَ أَن يُعابا
It is fitting that one surrounded by Numayr
It is the right of those protected by Numair
And Dabba—may you have no father!—should be disparaged.
To be blamed; I do not care if you object.
فَلَولاwere it not for الغُرُّthe illustrious مِنamong سَلَفيmy in-laws كِلابٍKilab
فَلَولا الغُرُّ مِن سَلَفي كِلابٍ
وَكَعبٍand Ka'b لَاِغتَصَبتُكُمُI would surely seize you اِغتِصاباutterly by force
وَكَعبٍ لَاِغتَصَبتُكُمُ اِغتِصابا
Were it not for the illustrious men of Kilab, my in-laws,
Were it not for the shame of my vicious hounds
And Ka'b, I would seize you utterly by force.
And Ka'b, I would have overcome you forcefully.
فَإِنَّكُمُfor indeed you قَطينُthe dependents of بَنيthe sons of سُلَيمٍSulaym
فَإِنَّكُمُ قَطينُ بَني سُلَيمٍ
تُرىare seen بُرقُthe pied pieces of العَباءِwoolen cloaks لَكُمfor you ثِياباas clothing
تُرى بُرقُ العَباءِ لَكُم ثِيابا
You are the dependents of Banu Sulaym;
You are only the puppies of Bani Suleym;
Pied woolen cloaks are seen to be your clothing.
You think the lightning of the gown is clothing!
إِذاًin that case لَنَفَيتُI would surely drive out عَبدَthe slave of بَنيthe sons of نُمَيرٍNumayr
إِذاً لَنَفَيتُ عَبدَ بَني نُمَيرٍ
وَعَلَيَّand I am bound أَنto أَزيدَهُمُincrease them اِرتِياباin misgivings
وَعَلَيَّ أَن أَزيدَهُمُ اِرتِيابا
Then I would surely drive out the slave of Banu Numayr,
Then I would have banished the slaves of Bani Numair
And I am bound to increase their misgivings.
And it is up to me to increase their suspicion.
فَياoh عَجَبيmy astonishment أَتوعِدُنيdoes it threaten me نُمَيرٌNumayr
فَيا عَجَبي أَتوعِدُني نُمَيرٌ
بِراعيwith a herdsman of الإِبلِcamels يَحتَرِشُhunting الضِباباthe desert lizards
بِراعي الإِبلِ يَحتَرِشُ الضِبابا
How astonishing! Does Numayr threaten me
I am amazed - does Numair threaten me
With a camel-herd who hunts desert lizards?
With a shepherd who stirs up the haze?
لَعَلَّكَperhaps you ياO عُبَيدُUbayd حَسِبتَthought حَربيwarring against me
لَعَلَّكَ يا عُبَيدُ حَسِبتَ حَربي
تَقَلُّدَكَyour hanging around your neck الأَصِرَّةَudder-ties وَالعِلاباand milking bowls
تَقَلُّدَكَ الأَصِرَّةَ وَالعِلابا
Perhaps, Ubayd, you thought warring against me
Perhaps you thought, O Ubaid, my war
Was like hanging udder-ties and milking bowls around your neck.
Only arms you with shackles and chains.
إِذاwhen نَهَضَrise الكِرامُthe noble men إِلىtoward المَعاليlofty deeds
إِذا نَهَضَ الكِرامُ إِلى المَعالي
نَهَضتَyou rose بِعُلبَةٍwith a milking bowl وَأَثَرتَand you roused ناباan old she-camel
نَهَضتَ بِعُلبَةٍ وَأَثَرتَ نابا
When noble men rise toward lofty deeds,
When the generous stand for noble deeds,
You rise with a milking bowl and rouse an old she-camel.
You rise with a waterskin, bleating!
يَحِنُّyearns لَهُfor him العِفاسُal-'Ifas إِذاwhen أَفاقَتher milk replenishes
يَحِنُّ لَهُ العِفاسُ إِذا أَفاقَت
وَتَعرِفُهُand recognize him الفِصالُthe weaned camel calves إِذاwhen أَهاباhe calls out
وَتَعرِفُهُ الفِصالُ إِذا أَهابا
Al-'Ifas yearns for him when her milk returns,
The camel saddles yearn for him when he stirs,
And the weaned calves recognize him when he calls.
And the noble mares recognize him when he appears.
فَأَولِعso make crave بِالعِفاسِal-'Ifas بنيthe sons of نُمَيرٍNumayr
فَأَولِع بِالعِفاسِ بني نُمَيرٍ
كَماas أولَعتَyou made crave بِالدَبَرِsaddle-sores الغُراباthe crow
كَما أولَعتَ بِالدَبَرِ الغُرابا
Make the sons of Numayr crave al-'Ifas,
So set the hounds, O Bani Numair,
As you made the crow crave saddle-sores.
As you have set up others for the hyena.
وَبِئسَand wretched القَرضُthe verse قَرضُكَyour verse عِندَin the eyes of قَيسٍQays
وَبِئسَ القَرضُ قَرضُكَ عِندَ قَيسٍ
تُهَيِّجُهُمyou stir them up وَتَمتَدِحُand praise الوِطاباthe milk-skins
تُهَيِّجُهُم وَتَمتَدِحُ الوِطابا
Wretched is your verse in the eyes of Qays:
Evil is the pact you have made with Qais!
You stir them up while praising milk-skins.
You provoke them and praise the scoundrels.
وَتَدعوand you call for خَمشَthe clawing of أُمِّكَyour mother أَنwhen تَراناyou see us
وَتَدعو خَمشَ أُمِّكَ أَن تَرانا
نُجوماًas stars لاnot تَرومُyou seek لَهاfor them طِلاباpursuit
نُجوماً لا تَرومُ لَها طِلابا
You call for your mother to claw her face when you see us
You call Khamish, your mother's brother, to see us
As stars you cannot hope to pursue.
As stars whose rising cannot be desired.
فَلَنso never تَسطيعَyou can overcome حَنظَلَتىmy Hanzala وَسُعدىand my Sa'd
فَلَن تَسطيعَ حَنظَلَتى وَسُعدى
وَلاnor عَمرىmy Amr بَلَغتَyou attained وَلاnor الرِباباal-Rabab
وَلا عَمرى بَلَغتَ وَلا الرِبابا
You shall never overcome my Hanzala and my Sa'd,
Never will you, O Hannazlah and Su’dah, prevail,
Nor have you reached my Amr or al-Rabab.
Nor will you, by my life, attain glory or the viol.
قُرومٌgreat sire-camels تَحمِلُbearing الأَعباءَthe burdens عَنكُمon your behalf
قُرومٌ تَحمِلُ الأَعباءَ عَنكُم
إِذاwhen ماever الأَمرُthe crisis فيamid الحَدَثانِtime's calamities ناباbefalls
إِذا ما الأَمرُ في الحَدَثانِ نابا
Great sire-camels who bear burdens on your behalf,
Stalwarts who bear burdens for you
Whenever a crisis strikes amid time's calamities.
When affairs have gone wrong and changed.
هُمُthey مَلَكواmastered المُلوكَthe kings بِذاتِat Dhat كَهفٍKahf
هُمُ مَلَكوا المُلوكَ بِذاتِ كَهفٍ
وَهُمand they مَنَعواprotected مِنَfrom اليَمَنِYemen الكُلاباal-Kulab
وَهُم مَنَعوا مِنَ اليَمَنِ الكُلابا
They mastered kings at Dhat Kahf,
They possessed kings at Dhatu Kaheef
And kept al-Kulab safe from Yemen.
And prevented the dogs from Yemen.
يَرىsee المُتَعَيِّدونَthose making threats عَلَيَّagainst me دونيbefore me
يَرى المُتَعَيِّدونَ عَلَيَّ دوني
أُسودَthe lions of خَفِيَّةِKhafiyya الغُلبِthick الرِقاباin necks
أُسودَ خَفِيَّةِ الغُلبِ الرِقابا
Those who threaten me see before me
Those who seek to defy me see below me
Khafiyya's lions, thick of neck.
Lions whose necks are fettered.
إِذاwhen غَضِبَتare angry عَلَيكَwith you بَنوthe sons of تَميمٍTamim
إِذا غَضِبَت عَلَيكَ بَنو تَميمٍ
حَسِبتَyou think الناسَthe people كُلُّهُمُall of them غِضاباangry
حَسِبتَ الناسَ كُلُّهُمُ غِضابا
When Banu Tamim are angry with you,
When Bani Tameem become angry with you,
You think all people are angry.
You think all people are angry.
أَلَسناare we not أَكثَرَthe most numerous of الثَقَلَينِthe two races, humans and jinn رَجلاًin men
أَلَسنا أَكثَرَ الثَقَلَينِ رَجلاً
بِبَطنِin the valley of مِنىًMina وَأَعظَمُهُand the greatest of them قِباباin tents
بِبَطنِ مِنىً وَأَعظَمُهُ قِبابا
Are we not the most numerous of the two races in men,
Are we not more numerous in both groups of men
In Mina's valley, and the greatest in tents?
At Mina, and its canopy vaster?
وَأَجدَرَand most deserving إِنif تَجاسَرَone dares ثُمَّthen نادىcalls
وَأَجدَرَ إِن تَجاسَرَ ثُمَّ نادى
بِدَعوىwith the cry يالَO people of خِندِفَKhindif أَنto يُجاباbe answered
بِدَعوى يالَ خِندِفَ أَن يُجابا
And most deserving, should one dare and then call
And more deserving, if you dare then call out:
With the cry “O Khindif!” to have it answered?
“Answer me, O Khindif!” to be answered?
لَناours is البَطحاءُal-Batha تُفعِمُهاfill it السَواقيthe flowing channels
لَنا البَطحاءُ تُفعِمُها السَواقي
وَلَمand not يَكُwas سَيلُthe flood of أَودِيَتيmy valleys شِعاباravine-flow
وَلَم يَكُ سَيلُ أَودِيَتي شِعابا
Ours is al-Batha, filled by flowing channels;
For us are the plains of Al-Batha', gushing with rivers,
My valleys' flood was no mere ravine-flow.
While no floods poured through the valleys of my torrents.
فَماthen what أَنتُمare you إِذاwhen عَدَلَتturn aside قُروميmy great sire-camels
فَما أَنتُم إِذا عَدَلَت قُرومي
شَقاشِقَهاtheir throat-pouches وَهافَتَتِand scatter اللُعاباthe spittle
شَقاشِقَها وَهافَتَتِ اللُعابا
What are you when my great sire-camels turn
What are you when my stalwarts straighten up,
Their throat-pouches aside and scatter spittle?
Baring their teeth as their spittle flows?
تَنَحَّstand aside فَإِنَّfor indeed بَحريmy sea خِندِفِيٌّis Khindifi
تَنَحَّ فَإِنَّ بَحري خِندِفِيٌّ
تَرىyou see فيin مَوجِthe waves of جِريَتِهِits flowing عُباباsurging billows
تَرى في مَوجِ جِريَتِهِ عُبابا
Stand aside: my sea is Khindifi;
Keep aside! My sea is that of Khindif;
You see surging billows in its flowing waves.
You can see foam in the waves of its billows.
بِمَوجٍwith waves كَالجِبالِlike mountains فَإِنso if تَرُمهُyou venture upon it
بِمَوجٍ كَالجِبالِ فَإِن تَرُمهُ
تُغَرَّقyou will drown ثُمَّthen يَرمِit casts بِكَyou away الجَناباto the shore
تُغَرَّق ثُمَّ يَرمِ بِكَ الجَنابا
Its waves are like mountains; if you venture upon it,
With waves like mountains - if you dare attack,
You will drown, and then it will cast you ashore.
You will drown, then be cast upon the shore.
فَماso not تَلقىyou find مَحَلِّيَmy standing فيin تَميمٍTamim
فَما تَلقى مَحَلِّيَ في تَميمٍ
بِذيhaving زَلَلٍinstability وَلاnor نَسَبيmy lineage اِئتِشاباintermingling
بِذي زَلَلٍ وَلا نَسَبي اِئتِشابا
You will not find my standing in Tamim
You will not find my encampment in Tameem
Unsteady, nor my lineage tangled.
At Dhi Zalal, nor my lineage lacking glory.
عَلَوتُI rose عَلَيكَabove you ذِروَةَto the summit of خِندِفِيٍّa Khindifi
عَلَوتُ عَلَيكَ ذِروَةَ خِندِفِيٍّ
تَرىyou see مِنfrom دونِهاbelow it رُتَباًsteps صِعاباsteep
تَرى مِن دونِها رُتَباً صِعابا
I rose above you to a Khindifi summit;
I rose above you to the peak of Khindif;
Below it you see steep steps.
Below it you can see difficult steps.
لَهُto him belong حَوضُthe pool of النَبِيِّthe Prophet وَساقِياهُand its two water-bearers
لَهُ حَوضُ النَبِيِّ وَساقِياهُ
وَمَنand he who وَرِثَinherited النُبُوَّةَprophethood وَالكِتاباand the Book
وَمَن وَرِثَ النُبُوَّةَ وَالكِتابا
To him belong the Prophet's pool and its two water-bearers,
For it is the pond of the Prophet and its cupbearers,
And he who inherited prophethood and the Book.
And those who inherited prophethood and the Book.
وَمِنّاand among us مَنis one who يُجيزُsends onward حَجيجَthe pilgrims of جَمعٍJam'
وَمِنّا مَن يُجيزُ حَجيجَ جَمعٍ
وَإِنand if خاطَبتَyou address him عَزَّكُمُhe bests you خِطاباin speech
وَإِن خاطَبتَ عَزَّكُمُ خِطابا
Among us is he who sends the pilgrims onward from Jam',
Among us is one who authorizes the pilgrims of an assembled crowd,
And if you address him, he bests you in speech.
Even were you to address their honor with a speech.
سَتَعلَمُyou shall learn مَنwho أُعِزُّis mightiest حِمىًin sanctuary بِنَجدٍin Najd
سَتَعلَمُ مَن أُعِزُّ حِمىً بِنَجدٍ
وَأَعظَمُناand the greatest of us بِغائِرَةٍin low-lying country هِضاباin hills
وَأَعظَمُنا بِغائِرَةٍ هِضابا
You shall learn whose sanctuary in Najd is strongest,
You will know who is most honored protecting the sanctuaries of Najd
And which of us has the greatest hills in the lowlands.
And greatest among us in the towering cliffs.
أُعُزُّكَI overpower you بِالحِجازِin the Hijaz وَإِنand if تَسَهَّلyou descend
أُعُزُّكَ بِالحِجازِ وَإِن تَسَهَّل
بِغَورِto the low country of الأَرضِthe land تُنتَهَبُyou will be plundered اِنتِهاباutterly
بِغَورِ الأَرضِ تُنتَهَبُ اِنتِهابا
I overpower you in the Hijaz; and if you descend
I will honor you in the Hijaz, but if you condescend
To the low country, you will be thoroughly plundered.
To the depths of the land, you will be plundered.
أَتَيعَرُdo you bleat ياO اِبنَson of بَروَعَBarwa' مِنfrom بَعيدٍafar
أَتَيعَرُ يا اِبنَ بَروَعَ مِن بَعيدٍ
فَقَدfor already أَسمَعتَyou made yourself heard فَاِستَمِعِso listen to الجَواباthe reply
فَقَد أَسمَعتَ فَاِستَمِعِ الجَوابا
Do you bleat from afar, son of Barwa'?
Do you, O son of Barwa’, flee from afar?
You have made yourself heard; now listen to the reply.
For you have heard - so listen to the answer!
فَلاso do not تَجزَعpanic فَإِنَّfor indeed بَنيthe sons of نُمَيرٍNumayr
فَلا تَجزَع فَإِنَّ بَني نُمَيرٍ
كَأَقوامٍare like peoples نَفَحتَyou swished لَهُمat them ذِناباa tail
كَأَقوامٍ نَفَحتَ لَهُم ذِنابا
Do not panic, for the sons of Numayr
Do not despair, for Bani Numair
Are like peoples at whom you swished your tail.
Are like a people breathed on by flies.
شَياطينُthe demons of البِلادِthe land يَخَفنَfear زَأريmy roar
شَياطينُ البِلادِ يَخَفنَ زَأري
وَحَيَّةُand the serpent of أَريَحاءَAriha ليto me اِستَجاباanswered
وَحَيَّةُ أَريَحاءَ لي اِستَجابا
The demons of the land fear my roar,
They are devils of the lands who fear my roar,
And the serpent of Ariha has answered me.
And the serpent of Ariha is obedient to me.
تَرَكتُI left مُجاشِعاًMujashi' وَبَنيand the sons of نُمَيرٍNumayr
تَرَكتُ مُجاشِعاً وَبَني نُمَيرٍ
كَدارِlike a house of السوءِill fortune أَسرَعَتِhastening toward الخَراباruin
كَدارِ السوءِ أَسرَعَتِ الخَرابا
I left Mujashi' and Banu Numayr
I left Mujashie’ and Bani Numair
Like an ill-fated house hastening to ruin.
Like an evil abode, swiftly decaying.
أَلَمhave not تَرَنيyou seen me وَسَمتُI branded بَنيthe sons of نُمَيرٍNumayr
أَلَم تَرَني وَسَمتُ بَني نُمَيرٍ
وَزِدتُand I added عَلىupon أُنوفِهِمُtheir noses العِلاباthe scars
وَزِدتُ عَلى أُنوفِهِمُ العِلابا
Have you not seen me brand Banu Numayr,
Did you not see me branding Bani Numair
And add more scars upon their noses?
And heaping more humiliation on their noses?
إِلَيكَaway with you إِلَيكَaway with you عَبدَslave of بَنيthe sons of نُمَيرٍNumayr
إِلَيكَ إِلَيكَ عَبدَ بَني نُمَيرٍ
وَلَمّاand not yet تَقتَدِحyou struck مِنّيfrom me شِهاباa firebrand
وَلَمّا تَقتَدِح مِنّي شِهابا
Away, away, slave of Banu Numayr!
To you, to you, O slaves of Bani Numair!
You have not yet struck a firebrand from me.
And do not strike sparks against me!
Sol 6.1