لِمَنِwhose الدِيارُthe dwellings رُسومُهُنَّtheir traces خَواليdesolate
لِمَنِ الدِيارُ رُسومُهُنَّ خَوالي
أَقَفَرنَthey became deserted بَعدَafter تَأَنُّسٍcompanionship وَحِلالِand habitation
أَقَفَرنَ بَعدَ تَأَنُّسٍ وَحِلالِ
Whose are these dwellings, their traces desolate?
For whom are their dwellings now deserted?
They stand deserted after companionship and habitation.
They lie vacant after habitation and lawful intimacies.
عَفّىeffaced المَنازِلَthe dwellings بَعدَafter مَنزِلِناour stay بِهاin them
عَفّى المَنازِلَ بَعدَ مَنزِلِنا بِها
مَطَرٌrain وَعاصِفُand a gale of نَيرَجٍa fierce wind مِجفالِsweeping
مَطَرٌ وَعاصِفُ نَيرَجٍ مِجفالِ
The dwellings, after our stay there, were effaced by
The rains and the howling south wind have weathered the abodes,
rain and a fierce, sweeping blast of wind.
After we dwelt in them.
عادَتturned تُقايَmy piety عَلىagainst هَوايَmy desire وَرُبَّماand often
عادَت تُقايَ عَلى هَوايَ وَرُبَّما
حَنَّتyearned إِذاwhen ظَعَنَdeparted الخَليطُthe companions جِماليmy camels
حَنَّت إِذا ظَعَنَ الخَليطُ جِمالي
My piety has turned against my desire, and often
My she-camel yearns for the life we knew there,
my camels yearned when the companions departed.
And bleats plaintively when the drivers raise their song.
وَلَقَدand indeed أَرىI see المُتَجاوِرينَthe neighboring people تَزايَلواhave parted
وَلَقَد أَرى المُتَجاوِرينَ تَزايَلوا
مِنwith غَيرِno ماemphatic particle تِرَةٍgrievance وَغَيرِand no تَقاليmutual hatred
مِن غَيرِ ما تِرَةٍ وَغَيرِ تَقالي
Indeed, I see the neighboring people have parted
Truly, I see the encampments are folded up,
without grievance and without mutual hatred.
With neither reluctance nor leave-taking.
إِنّيindeed I إِذاwhen بَسَطَarrayed الرُماةَthe archers لِغَلوِهِمfor their long-range shots
إِنّي إِذا بَسَطَ الرُماةَ لِغَلوِهِم
عِندَin الحِفاظِdefense of honor غَلَوتُI outshot كُلَّevery مَغاليlong-range archer
عِندَ الحِفاظِ غَلَوتُ كُلَّ مَغالي
I, when the archers are arrayed for their long-range shots,
When the archers enjoyed shooting I excelled
in defense of honor, outshoot every far-shooting archer.
All other horsemen in wildness and skill.
رُفِعَwere sped المَطِيُّthe riding-camels بِماwith what وَسَمتُI branded مُجاشِعاًMujashi‘
رُفِعَ المَطِيُّ بِما وَسَمتُ مُجاشِعاً
وَالزَنبَرِيُّand the zunbari vessel يَعومُswims ذوwith الأَجلالِcloth coverings
وَالزَنبَرِيُّ يَعومُ ذو الأَجلالِ
The riding-camels were sped by the brands I set on Mujashi‘,
My steed bore me forward, marked as I drove him on,
and the cloth-clad zunbari vessel swims onward.
While the cob tossed his head aloft.
فيin لَيلَتَينِtwo nights إِذاwhen حَدَوتُI chanted قَصيدَةًa poem
في لَيلَتَينِ إِذا حَدَوتُ قَصيدَةً
بَلَغَتit reached عُمانَOman وَطَيِّئَand Tayy الأَجبالِthe mountains
بَلَغَت عُمانَ وَطَيِّئَ الأَجبالِ
In two nights, whenever I chant a poem,
In two nights, when I intone a poem,
it reaches Oman and Tayy of the mountains.
It will reach Oman and Mount Tayyi'.
هَذاthis تَقَدُّمُناour precedence وَزَجرَيand my rebuke of مالِكاًMalik
هَذا تَقَدُّمُنا وَزَجرَي مالِكاً
لاdo not يُردِيَنَّكَlet it destroy you حَينُthe doom of قَينِكَyour smith مالِMalik, shortened address
لا يُردِيَنَّكَ حَينُ قَينِكَ مالِ
This is our precedence, and my rebuke of Malik:
Such is our vanguard that protects Malik
Do not let your smith's doom destroy you, Malik.
Against any onslaught in your absence.
لَمّاwhen رَأواthey saw جَمَّabundant العَذابِtorment يُصيبُهُمbefalling them
لَمّا رَأوا جَمَّ العَذابِ يُصيبُهُم
صارَbecame القُيونُthe smiths كَساقَةِlike the drivers of الأَفيالِelephants
صارَ القُيونُ كَساقَةِ الأَفيالِ
When they saw abundant torment befalling them,
When they saw the torment smiting them
the smiths became like elephant drivers.
The tribesmen became like elephants' mahouts.
ياO قُرطُQurt إِنَّكُمُindeed you are قَرينَةُcompanions in خِزيَةٍdisgrace
يا قُرطُ إِنَّكُمُ قَرينَةُ خِزيَةٍ
وَاللُؤمُand baseness مُعتَقِلٌfetters قُيونَthe smiths of عِقالِ‘Iqal
وَاللُؤمُ مُعتَقِلٌ قُيونَ عِقالِ
O Qurt, you are companions in disgrace,
You filthy louts! You are partners in shame!
and baseness has fettered the smiths of ‘Iqal.
While the vilest control the asses' leading ropes!
أَمسىhas become الفَرَزدَقُal-Farazdaq لِلبَعيثِfor al-Ba‘ith جَنيبَةًa led mount
أَمسى الفَرَزدَقُ لِلبَعيثِ جَنيبَةً
كَاِبنِlike a two-year-old male calf of اللَبونِa milk-bearing she-camel قَرينَةَpaired with المُشتالِthe tail-raising bull camel
كَاِبنِ اللَبونِ قَرينَةَ المُشتالِ
Farazdaq has become a led mount for al-Ba‘ith,
In the evening the Farazdaq is a partner
like a two-year-old camel paired with the tail-raising bull.
To Bu'ayth like a foal to a roan stallion,
أَرداكَdestroyed you حَينُكَyour doom ياO فَرَزدَقُFarazdaq مُحلِباًas a helper
أَرداكَ حَينُكَ يا فَرَزدَقُ مُحلِباً
ماnot زادَadded to قَومَكَyour people ذاكَthat غَيرَanything but خَبالِruin
ما زادَ قَومَكَ ذاكَ غَيرَ خَبالِ
Your doom destroyed you, Farazdaq, as you joined forces;
Seeking you out, Farazdaq, when you wipe the milking pail,
that brought your people nothing but ruin.
But that has not increased your people save in shame.
وَلَقَدand indeed وَسَمتُI branded مُجاشِعاًMujashi‘ بِأُنوفِهاon its noses
وَلَقَد وَسَمتُ مُجاشِعاً بِأُنوفِها
وَلَقَدand indeed كَفَيتُكَI spared you مِدحَةَthe praise of اِبنِson of جِعالِJi‘al
وَلَقَد كَفَيتُكَ مِدحَةَ اِبنِ جِعالِ
Indeed, I have branded Mujashi‘ upon their noses,
Truly I have marked the she-camels with their split noses
and spared you the task of praising Ibn Ji‘al.
And I have sufficiently praised Ibn Jissaal's poem to you.
فَاِنفُخso blow بِكيرِكَinto your bellows ياO فَرَزدَقُFarazdaq إِنَّنيindeed I
فَاِنفُخ بِكيرِكَ يا فَرَزدَقُ إِنَّني
فيin باذِخٍa lofty height لِمَحَلِّabove the station of بَيتِكَyour house عاليtowering
في باذِخٍ لِمَحَلِّ بَيتِكَ عالي
Blow into your bellows, Farazdaq; indeed, I
So blow your udder, Farazdaq! I am pouring forth
stand on a lofty height above your house's station.
A camel's urine on the site of your exalted abode.
لَمّاwhen وَليتَyou took charge لِثَغرِat the frontier of قَوميmy people مَشهَداًa battle post
لَمّا وَليتَ لِثَغرِ قَومي مَشهَداً
آثَرتُI preferred ذاكَthat عَلىover بَنِيِّmy sons وَماليand my wealth
آثَرتُ ذاكَ عَلى بَنِيِّ وَمالي
When you took a stand at my people's frontier,
When you turned to face my people's battle
I preferred that to my sons and wealth.
I preferred that to my sons and wealth.
إِنّيindeed I نَدَبتُinvoked فَوارِسيmy horsemen وَفَعالَهُمand their deeds
إِنّي نَدَبتُ فَوارِسي وَفَعالَهُم
وَنَدَبتُand I invoked شَرَّthe worst of فَوارِسٍhorsemen وَفَعالِand deeds
وَنَدَبتُ شَرَّ فَوارِسٍ وَفَعالِ
I have invoked my horsemen and their deeds,
I urged on my horsemen and their valorous deeds,
and invoked the worst of horsemen and deeds.
And urged on the worst horsemen and their deeds.
نَحنُwe الوُلاةُthe commanders لِكُلِّof every حَربٍwar تُتَّقىthat is feared
نَحنُ الوُلاةُ لِكُلِّ حَربٍ تُتَّقى
إِذwhile أَنتَyou مُحتَضِرٌattending لِكيرِكَat your bellows صاليscorched by fire
إِذ أَنتَ مُحتَضِرٌ لِكيرِكَ صالي
We are the commanders of every dreaded war,
We are the governors against any feared warfare
while you attend your bellows, scorched by fire.
While you make ready to milk your udder.
مَنwho مِثلُequals فارِسِthe rider of ذيDhu الخِمارِal-Khimar وَقَعنَبٍand Qa‘nab
مَن مِثلُ فارِسِ ذي الخِمارِ وَقَعنَبٍ
وَالحَنتَفَينِand the two Hantafs لِلَيلَةِfor a night of البَلبالِturmoil
وَالحَنتَفَينِ لِلَيلَةِ البَلبالِ
Who equals the rider of Dhu al-Khimar and Qa‘nab,
Who is the horseman with the striped cloak, wielding a straight spear
and the two Hantafs on a night of turmoil,
With its two glorying banners, on that pitch-black night?
وَالرِدفِand al-Ridf إِذwhen مَلَكَhe mastered المُلوكَthe kings وَمَنand one who لَهُhe has
وَالرِدفِ إِذ مَلَكَ المُلوكَ وَمَن لَهُ
عِظَمُthe greatness of الدَسائِعِlavish gifts كُلَّevery يَومِday of فِضالِgenerosity
عِظَمُ الدَسائِعِ كُلَّ يَومِ فِضالِ
and al-Ridf when he mastered kings, and the man whose
Who controls the kings when he charges,
gifts are immense on every day of generosity?
And whose great piercing raids occur each day?
الذائِدونَthose who repel إِذاwhen النِساءُthe women تُبُذِّلَتwere left exposed
الذائِدونَ إِذا النِساءُ تُبُذِّلَت
شَهباءَa gray host ذاتَwith قَوانِسٍhelmets وَرِعالِand companies
شَهباءَ ذاتَ قَوانِسٍ وَرِعالِ
Those who, when women are left exposed, repel
They repel attacks when the women are exposed,
a gray host with helmets and ranked companies.
Adorned with anklets and costly garments.
قَومٌa people هُمُthey غَمّواgrieved أَباكَyour father وَفيهِمُand among them
قَومٌ هُمُ غَمّوا أَباكَ وَفيهِمُ
حَسَبٌancestral honor يَفوتُsurpasses بَنيthe sons of قُفَيرَةَQufayra عاليlofty
حَسَبٌ يَفوتُ بَني قُفَيرَةَ عالي
They are a people who grieved your father, and among them
A people who orphaned your father, yet among them
is lofty ancestral honor surpassing the sons of Qufayra.
Are lineages that surpass the sons of Qufayrah in nobility.
إِنّيindeed I لَتَستَلِبُsurely seize المُلوكَthe kings فَوارِسيmy horsemen
إِنّي لَتَستَلِبُ المُلوكَ فَوارِسي
وَيُنازِلونَand they duel إِذاwhen يُقالُit is called نَزالُcome down and fight
وَيُنازِلونَ إِذا يُقالُ نَزالُ
Indeed, my horsemen seize kings,
My horsemen can wrest sovereignty from kings,
and duel when the cry goes up: 'Come down and fight!'
And challenge them when the challenge is issued.
مِنfrom كُلِّeach أَبيَضَa fair-faced man يُستَضاءُlight is sought بِوَجهِهِfrom his face
مِن كُلِّ أَبيَضَ يُستَضاءُ بِوَجهِهِ
نَظَرَthe gaze of الحَجيجِthe pilgrims إِلىtoward خُروجِthe rising of هِلالِa crescent
نَظَرَ الحَجيجِ إِلى خُروجِ هِلالِ
Each a fair-faced man to whose face men look for light,
The bright faced one, by whose face is illuminated
as pilgrims look for the rising crescent.
The Hajjaj's sight of the new moon at its rising.
تَمضيdrive through أَسِنَّتُناour spearheads وَتَعلَمُand knows مالِكٌMalik
تَمضي أَسِنَّتُنا وَتَعلَمُ مالِكٌ
أَنthat قَدindeed مَنَعتُI defended حُزونَتيmy rugged ground وَرِماليand my sands
أَن قَد مَنَعتُ حُزونَتي وَرِمالي
Our spearheads drive through, and Malik knows
Our tongues flash, and Malik knows
that I have defended my rugged ground and my sands.
That I have restrained my bitterness and pungent satire.
فَاِسأَلso ask بِذيat Dhu نَجَبٍNajab فَوارِسَthe horsemen of عامِرٍ‘Amir
فَاِسأَل بِذي نَجَبٍ فَوارِسَ عامِرٍ
وَاِسأَلand ask عُيَينَةَ‘Uyayna يَومَon the day of جَزعِthe valley-bend of ظِلالِZilal
وَاِسأَل عُيَينَةَ يَومَ جَزعِ ظِلالِ
Ask ‘Amir's horsemen at Dhu Najab,
Ask the nobility of 'Amir's horsemen about Thi Nu'ab,
and ask ‘Uyayna on the day at the valley-bend of Zilal.
And ask 'Uyaynah about the day of grievous shades.
ياO رُبَّmany a مُعضِلَةٍdifficulty دَفَعناwe warded off بَعدَماafter
يا رُبَّ مُعضِلَةٍ دَفَعنا بَعدَما
عَيَّwere baffled القُيونُthe smiths بِحيلَةِat the stratagem of المُحتالِthe resourceful man
عَيَّ القُيونُ بِحيلَةِ المُحتالِ
How many a difficulty we have warded off, after
O Lord of the mighty feat, after we undid the knot
the smiths failed to find a resourceful man's remedy.
Which the tribes had cunningly tied!
إِنَّindeed الجِيادَthe noble horses يَبِتنَspend the night حَولَaround قِبابِناour tents
إِنَّ الجِيادَ يَبِتنَ حَولَ قِبابِنا
مِنfrom آلِthe stock of أَعوَجَA‘waj أَوor لِذيbelonging to Dhu العُقّالِal-‘Uqqal
مِن آلِ أَعوَجَ أَو لِذي العُقّالِ
The noble horses spend the night around our tents,
Around our encampment the steeds of
from A‘waj's stock or that of Dhu al-‘Uqqal.
A'war and Tha'laba's line will spend the night.
مِنfrom كُلِّevery مُشتَرِفٍhigh-headed horse وَإِنeven if بَعُدَis far المَدىthe course
مِن كُلِّ مُشتَرِفٍ وَإِن بَعُدَ المَدى
ضَرِمِfiery over الرَقاقِlevel ground مُناقِلِsure-footed over الأَجرالِstony tracts
ضَرِمِ الرَقاقِ مُناقِلِ الأَجرالِ
Each high-headed, even when the course is long,
From each outlying camp, though the range is far,
blazing over level ground, sure-footed over stony tracts.
Came the kindlers of flame, the couriers between nobles,
مُتَقاذِفٍleaping forward تَلِعٍlong-necked كَأَنَّas if عِنانَهُits rein
مُتَقاذِفٍ تَلِعٍ كَأَنَّ عِنانَهُ
عَلِقٌfastened بِأَجرَدَto a bare trunk مِنamong جُذوعِtree-trunks of أَوالِAwal
عَلِقٌ بِأَجرَدَ مِن جُذوعِ أَوالِ
Leaping forward, long-necked, as though its rein
Racing headlong as if his rein were attached
were fastened to one of Awal's bare tree-trunks.
To the creeping stalks of the lithe ora trees,
صافيsmooth الأَديمِof skin إِذاwhen وَضَعتَyou remove جِلالَهُits blankets
صافي الأَديمِ إِذا وَضَعتَ جِلالَهُ
ضافيflowing السَبيبِmane and tail يَبيتُit spends the night غَيرَnot مُذالِput to menial use
ضافي السَبيبِ يَبيتُ غَيرَ مُذالِ
Smooth of skin when you remove its blankets,
Pure of hide, which when you drape his saddle-cloth, spends the night
with flowing mane and tail, spending the night spared menial work.
Unsullied by dust, a censor of faults.
وَالمُقرَباتُand the cherished mares نُقودُهُنَّwe lead them عَلىdespite الوَجىsore hooves
وَالمُقرَباتُ نُقودُهُنَّ عَلى الوَجى
بَحثَthe digging of السِباعِbeasts of prey مَدامِعَpools of الأَوشالِseeping water
بَحثَ السِباعِ مَدامِعَ الأَوشالِ
And the cherished mares—we lead them despite sore hooves,
The favorite wives' anklets as they walk delicately
as beasts of prey dig at pools of seeping water.
Rival the digging of beasts of prey in the sand dunes.
تِلكَthose المَكارِمُnoble deeds ياO فَرَزدَقُFarazdaq فَاِعتَرِفso acknowledge
تِلكَ المَكارِمُ يا فَرَزدَقُ فَاِعتَرِف
لاnot سَوقُdriving بِكرِكَyour young camel يَومَon the day of جَوفِthe hollow of أُبالِUbal
لا سَوقُ بِكرِكَ يَومَ جَوفِ أُبالِ
Those are noble deeds, Farazdaq; acknowledge them,
These gifts of honor, Farazdaq, you must admit—
not driving your young camel that day in Ubal's hollow.
No market for your udder on the day your she-camel calves!
أَبَنيO sons of قُفَيرَةَQufayra مَنwho يُوَرِّعُcan turn back وِردَناour watering herd
أَبَني قُفَيرَةَ مَن يُوَرِّعُ وِردَنا
أَمor مَنwho يَقودُleads لِشِدَّةِunder the weight of الأَحمالِthe burdens
أَم مَن يَقودُ لِشِدَّةِ الأَحمالِ
O sons of Qufayra, who can turn back our watering herd,
O men of Qufayrah, who will restrain our onslaught,
or who can lead when burdens grow heavy?
Or match the heavy burdens on our steeds?
أَحَسِبتَdid you think يَومَكَyour day بِالوَقيطِat al-Waqit كَيَومِناlike our day
أَحَسِبتَ يَومَكَ بِالوَقيطِ كَيَومِنا
يَومَthe day of الغَبيطِal-Ghabit بِقُلَّةِat the summit of الأَدحالِal-Adhal
يَومَ الغَبيطِ بِقُلَّةِ الأَدحالِ
Did you think your day at al-Waqit was like our day,
Did you reckon your day at Al-Waqeet like ours
the day of al-Ghabit at the summit of al-Adhal?
On the day of Al-Ghabeet with so few camels?
لاlet not يَخفَيَنَّbe hidden عَلَيكَfrom you أَنَّthat مُجاشِعاًMujashi‘
لا يَخفَيَنَّ عَلَيكَ أَنَّ مُجاشِعاً
شَبَهُthe likeness of الرِجالَmen وَماbut not هُمُthey بِرِجالِmen at all
شَبَهُ الرِجالَ وَما هُمُ بِرِجالِ
Let it not escape you that Mujashi‘
It cannot be hidden from you that Mujashi'
have the likeness of men, but are not men.
Though similar to men, are not men!
أَمّاas for سِبابيmy invective فَالعَذابُthen torment عَلَيهِمُupon them
أَمّا سِبابي فَالعَذابُ عَلَيهِمُ
وَالمَوتُand death لِلنَخَباتِfor the fainthearted عِندَat قِتاليmy fighting
وَالمَوتُ لِلنَخَباتِ عِندَ قِتالي
As for my invective, it is torment upon them,
As for those who revile me, may God's wrath fall upon them!
and death for the fainthearted when I fight.
And death on the elite at my hands in battle!
كَالنيبِlike old she-camels خَرَّمَهاtore holes in them الغَمائِمُthe nosebags بَعدَماafter
كَالنيبِ خَرَّمَها الغَمائِمُ بَعدَما
ثَلَّطنَthey voided dung عَنfrom حُرُضٍsaltwort بِجَوفِin the hollow of أُثالِUthal
ثَلَّطنَ عَن حُرُضٍ بِجَوفِ أُثالِ
Like old she-camels whose nosebags have torn them, after
They were saturated clouds that poured down abundantly
they voided dung from saltwort in Uthal's hollow.
After having gathered over ancient traces and ruins,
جوفٌhollow-bellied مَجارِفُshovels لِلخَزيرِfor gruel وَقَدand already أَوىhas found shelter
جوفٌ مَجارِفُ لِلخَزيرِ وَقَد أَوى
سَلَبُthe spoils of الزُبَيرِal-Zubayr إِلىwith بَنيthe sons of الذَيّالِal-Dhayyal
سَلَبُ الزُبَيرِ إِلى بَني الذَيّالِ
Hollow bellies, shovels for gruel—and already
An empty expanse for the boars, where now lodges
al-Zubayr's spoils have found shelter with the sons of al-Dhayyal.
The booty the Zubayr took to the sons of Tha'labah.
لاقَيتَyou met أَعيَنَA‘yan وَالزُبَيرَand al-Zubayr وَجِعثِناًand Ji‘thin
لاقَيتَ أَعيَنَ وَالزُبَيرَ وَجِعثِناً
أَعدالَloads of مُخزِيَةٍdisgrace عَلَيكَupon you ثِقالِheavy
أَعدالَ مُخزِيَةٍ عَلَيكَ ثِقالِ
You met A‘yan, al-Zubayr, and Ji‘thin,
You have met the eyes of 'Ayan and Zubayr and Jee's,
heavy burdens of disgrace upon you.
An unflinching company, heavy upon you.
وَدَعاand called الزُبَيرُal-Zubayr مُجاشِعاًMujashi‘ فَتَرَمَّزَتthen stirred
وَدَعا الزُبَيرُ مُجاشِعاً فَتَرَمَّزَت
لِلغَدرِtoward treachery أَلأَمُthe vilest آنُفٍnoses وَسِبالِand moustaches
لِلغَدرِ أَلأَمُ آنُفٍ وَسِبالِ
Al-Zubayr called on Mujashi‘, and there stirred
And Zubayr summoned Mujashi', who then showed scorn
the vilest noses and moustaches, bent on treachery.
At his treachery, with curled lips and dripping mustache.
ياO لَيتَwould that جارَكُمُyour neighbor الزُبَيرَal-Zubayr وَضَيفَكُمand your guest
يا لَيتَ جارَكُمُ الزُبَيرَ وَضَيفَكُم
إِيّايَme, rather than you لَبَّسَhe entwined حَبلَهُhis rope بِحِباليwith my ropes
إِيّايَ لَبَّسَ حَبلَهُ بِحِبالي
Would that your neighbor and guest, al-Zubayr,
Would that your neighbor Zubayr and your guest
had entwined his rope with my ropes instead.
Had clothed me in his garb instead of mine!
اللَهُGod يَعلَمُknows لَوif تَناوَلَhe took ذِمَّةًa pledge of protection
اللَهُ يَعلَمُ لَو تَناوَلَ ذِمَّةً
مِنّاfrom us لَجُزِّعَwould surely have been blood-streaked فيin النُحورِthe throats عَواليtall spears
مِنّا لَجُزِّعَ في النُحورِ عَوالي
God knows, had he taken a pledge of protection
God knows that had he sought protection from us
from us, tall spears would have been blood-streaked in throats.
He would have cowered in fright at our plunging attack.
وَتَقولُand says جِعثِنُJi‘thin إِذwhen رَأَتكَshe saw you مُنَقَّباًface-veiled
وَتَقولُ جِعثِنُ إِذ رَأَتكَ مُنَقَّباً
قُبِّحتَmay you be disgraced مِنas a أَسَدٍlion أَبيfather of أَشبالِcubs
قُبِّحتَ مِن أَسَدٍ أَبي أَشبالِ
Ji‘thin says, when she sees you masked:
And Jee's says when she saw you veiled,
'Shame on you, lion, father of cubs!'
"You are disgraced by an uncut-eared lion!"
لاقىfaced الفَرَزدَقُal-Farazdaq ضَيعَةًa loss لَمdid not يُغنِهاremedy it
لاقى الفَرَزدَقُ ضَيعَةً لَم يُغنِها
إِنَّindeed الفَرَزدَقَal-Farazdaq عَنكِaway from you, female فيin أَشغالِpreoccupations
إِنَّ الفَرَزدَقَ عَنكِ في أَشغالِ
Farazdaq faced a loss he did not remedy;
The Farazdaq has come upon loss—it does not profit him—
indeed, Farazdaq is too occupied to attend to you.
Indeed, Farazdaq is occupied by other concerns.
ماwhat بالُis the matter with أُمِّكَyour mother إِذwhen تَسَربَلُshe dons دِرعَهاher gown
ما بالُ أُمِّكَ إِذ تَسَربَلُ دِرعَها
وَمِنَand of الحَديدَiron مُفاضَةٌa flowing coat of mail سِرباليmy tunic
وَمِنَ الحَديدَ مُفاضَةٌ سِربالي
What is with your mother when she puts on her gown,
Why does your mother don a coat of mail
while my tunic is a flowing coat of iron mail?
With rings of steel dangling from her shirt?
حَمَّمتَyou blackened وَجهَكَyour face فَوقَabove كيرِكَyour bellows قائِماًstanding
حَمَّمتَ وَجهَكَ فَوقَ كيرِكَ قائِماً
وَسَقَيتَand you gave to drink أُمَّكَyour mother فَضلَةَthe leftovers of الجِريالِred wine
وَسَقَيتَ أُمَّكَ فَضلَةَ الجِريالِ
You blackened your face, standing above your bellows,
You smeared your face above your udder as you stood
and gave your mother the leftover red wine to drink.
And gave your mother the dregs to drink.
شابَتgrew gray قُفَيرَةُQufayra وَهيَwhile she is فائِرَةُswelling النَساthe sciatic vein
شابَت قُفَيرَةُ وَهيَ فائِرَةُ النَسا
فيamong الشَولِdry she-camels بَوَّa stuffed calf-skin أَصِرَّةٍudder-ties وَفِصالِand weanlings
في الشَولِ بَوَّ أَصِرَّةٍ وَفِصالِ
Qufayra grew gray, her thigh-vein still swelling,
Qufayrah has grown senile, though their women still conceive,
among the dry she-camels, a calf-dummy for tied udders and weanlings.
Sporting in the litter, in shifts and gowns.
قَبَحَmay he disgrace الإِلَهُGod بَنيthe sons of خَضافَKhadaf وَنِسوَةًand women
قَبَحَ الإِلَهُ بَني خَضافَ وَنِسوَةً
باتَlay overnight الخَزيرُgruel لَهُنَّfor them كَالأَحقالِlike belly-swelling ailments
باتَ الخَزيرُ لَهُنَّ كَالأَحقالِ
May God disgrace the sons of Khadaf and women
May God make hideous the clan of Kadhaaf and the women
for whom gruel lay overnight like belly-swelling sickness.
Whose beds the swine frequent like pastures!
وَلَدَbore الفَرَزدَقَal-Farazdaq وَالصَعاصِعَand the Sa‘sa‘as كُلَّهُمall of them
وَلَدَ الفَرَزدَقَ وَالصَعاصِعَ كُلَّهُم
عِلَجٌcoarse foreign women كَأَنَّas though وُجوهَهُنَّtheir faces مَقاليfrying pans
عِلَجٌ كَأَنَّ وُجوهَهُنَّ مَقالي
Farazdaq and all the Sa‘sa‘as were borne
The Farazdaq engendered all the slatterns,
by coarse foreign women whose faces are like frying pans.
Their faces are like blackened skillet-bread.
ياO ضَبُّDabb قَدnow فَرِغَتis free يَمينيmy right hand فَاِعلَمواso know, all of you
يا ضَبُّ قَد فَرِغَت يَميني فَاِعلَموا
طُلُقاًunfettered وَماand not شَغَلَoccupied القُيونُthe smiths شِماليmy left hand
طُلُقاً وَما شَغَلَ القُيونُ شِمالي
O Dabb, my right hand is now free—know this—
O hyenas, my right hand is free, so note
unfettered, and the smiths have not occupied my left.
I roam unfettered, and the tribes have not occupied my left.
ياO ضَبُّDabb عَلّيI hope أَنthat تُصيبَmay strike مَواسِميmy branding irons
يا ضَبُّ عَلّي أَن تُصيبَ مَواسِمي
كوزاًKuz عَلىin حَنَقٍwrath وَرَهطَand the clan of بِلالِBilal
كوزاً عَلى حَنَقٍ وَرَهطَ بِلالِ
O Dabb, I hope my branding irons strike
O hyenas, would that you might attain my seasons
Kuz in wrath, and the clan of Bilal.
With a leather bucket at Hanqa', and a group at Bilal!
ياO ضَبُّDabb إِنّيindeed I قَدalready طَبَختُcooked مُجاشِعاًMujashi‘
يا ضَبُّ إِنّي قَد طَبَختُ مُجاشِعاً
طَبخاًa cooking يُزيلُthat separates مَجامِعَthe joins of الأَوصالِthe limbs
طَبخاً يُزيلُ مَجامِعَ الأَوصالِ
O Dabb, I have cooked Mujashi‘
O hyenas, I have cooked Mujashi' well,
with a cooking that separates the joins of the limbs.
A boiling that will disjoint their limbs!
ياO ضَبُّDabb لَولاbut for حَينُكُمyour doom ماnot كُنتُمُyou would have been
يا ضَبُّ لَولا حَينُكُم ما كُنتُمُ
عَرَضاًa target لِنَبليfor my arrows حينَwhen جَدَّgrew earnest نِضاليmy archery
عَرَضاً لِنَبلي حينَ جَدَّ نِضالي
O Dabb, but for your doom, you would not have been
O hyenas, were it not for your presence, you would not be
a target for my arrows when my shooting grew earnest.
A buttress against my arrows when war grew intense.
ياO ضَبُّDabb إِنَّكُمُindeed you are البِكارُyoung she-camels وَإِنَّنيwhile indeed I am
يا ضَبُّ إِنَّكُمُ البِكارُ وَإِنَّني
مُتَخَمِّطٌa raging bull camel قَطِمٌin rut يُخافُis feared صِياليmy charge
مُتَخَمِّطٌ قَطِمٌ يُخافُ صِيالي
O Dabb, you are young she-camels, while I am
O hyenas, you are all purity while I
a raging bull camel in rut—my charge is feared.
Am disheveled, fragmentary, with a fearsome howl.
ياO ضَبُّDabb غَيرُكُمُothers than you الصَميمُthe pure stock وَأَنتُمُand you are
يا ضَبُّ غَيرُكُمُ الصَميمُ وَأَنتُمُ
تَبَعٌfollowers إِذاwhen عُدَّis reckoned الصَميمُthe pure stock مَواليclients
تَبَعٌ إِذا عُدَّ الصَميمُ مَوالي
O Dabb, others are the pure stock, and you are
O hyenas, without you the resolute, while you
followers, clients when the pure stock is reckoned.
Are clients if the resolute are named my allies.
ياO ضَبُّDabb إِنَّكُمindeed you are لَسَعدٍfor Sa‘d حِشوَةٌmere padding
يا ضَبُّ إِنَّكُم لَسَعدٍ حِشوَةٌ
مِثلُlike البِكارِyoung she-camels ضَمَّمتَهاyou bunched them together الأَغفالِunbranded
مِثلُ البِكارِ ضَمَّمتَها الأَغفالِ
O Dabb, you are mere padding for Sa‘d,
O hyenas, you are but the stuffing for Sa'd,
like the unbranded young she-camels you bunched together.
Like pure camels that the ignoramus has stuffed.
ياO ضَبُّDabb إِنَّindeed هَوىaffection for القُيونِthe smiths أَضَلَّكُمhas led you astray
يا ضَبُّ إِنَّ هَوى القُيونِ أَضَلَّكُم
كَضَلالِlike the straying of شيعَةِthe followers of أَعوَرَthe one-eyed الدَجّالِal-Dajjal
كَضَلالِ شيعَةِ أَعوَرَ الدَجّالِ
O Dabb, affection for the smiths has led you astray,
O hyenas, the tribes' passion has misled you,
like the straying of the one-eyed Dajjal's followers.
Like the straying of adherents of the Antichrist, one-eyed liar.
فَاِنفُخso blow بِكيرِكَinto your bellows ياO فَرَزدَقُFarazdaq وَاِنتَظِرand wait
فَاِنفُخ بِكيرِكَ يا فَرَزدَقُ وَاِنتَظِر
فيin كَرنَباءَKarnaba هَدِيَّةَthe gift of القُفّالِreturning travelers
في كَرنَباءَ هَدِيَّةَ القُفّالِ
Blow into your bellows, Farazdaq, and wait
So blow your udder, Farazdaq, and wait
in Karnaba for the returning travelers' gift.
In Karneba for the gift of the wine-skinner!
فَضَحَdisgraced الكَتيبَةَthe battalion يَومَwhen يَضرِطُhe farts قائِماًstanding
فَضَحَ الكَتيبَةَ يَومَ يَضرِطُ قائِماً
سَلحُdung of النَعامَةِthe ostrich شَبَّةُShabba بنُson of عِقالِ‘Iqal
سَلحُ النَعامَةِ شَبَّةُ بنُ عِقالِ
He disgraced the battalion when he farted standing up—
It shames the battalion when you spray excrement standing,
Ostrich-dung, Shabba ibn ‘Iqal.
The weapons of ostrich chicks, Shibah of Ibn 'Iqal.
ماnot السيدُal-Sid حينَwhen نَدَبتَyou invoked خالَكَyour maternal uncle مِنهُمُfrom among them
ما السيدُ حينَ نَدَبتَ خالَكَ مِنهُمُ
كَبَنيlike the sons of الأَشَدِّal-Ashadd وَلاnor بَنيthe sons of النَزّالِal-Nazzal
كَبَني الأَشَدِّ وَلا بَني النَزّالِ
Al-Sid are not, when you invoked your maternal uncle among them,
What noble man, when you summoned your uncle from among them,
like the sons of al-Ashadd, nor the sons of al-Nazzal.
Were they—neither men of valor nor men of trial?
خاليmy maternal uncle الَّذيthe one who اِعتَسَرَsubdued الهُذَيلَal-Hudhayl وَخَيلُهُand his cavalry
خالي الَّذي اِعتَسَرَ الهُذَيلَ وَخَيلُهُ
فيin ضيقِthe narrowness of مُعتَرَكٍa battleground لَهاfor them وَمَجالِand room to maneuver
في ضيقِ مُعتَرَكٍ لَها وَمَجالِ
My maternal uncle is he who subdued al-Hudhayl, while his horses
My uncle who routed Hudhayl and their steeds
were in a cramped fighting ground, with room to maneuver.
In the straitness of the contested ground allowed them space.
جِئنيbring me بِخالِكَyour maternal uncle ياO فَرَزدَقُFarazdaq وَاِعلَمَنand know for certain
جِئني بِخالِكَ يا فَرَزدَقُ وَاِعلَمَن
أَنthat لَيسَis not خالُكَyour maternal uncle بالِغاًa match for أَخواليmy maternal uncles
أَن لَيسَ خالُكَ بالِغاً أَخوالي
Bring me your maternal uncle, Farazdaq, and know
Bring me your uncle, Farazdaq, and let me know
that your maternal uncle does not measure up to my maternal uncles.
That your uncle cannot match my uncles!
Sol 6.1