بانَت سُعادُ فَقَلبي اليَومَ مَتبولُ

بانَت سُعادُ فَقَلبي اليَومَ مَتبولُ

مُتَيَّمٌ إِثرَها لَم يُجزَ مَكبولُ

مُتَيَّمٌ إِثرَها لَم يُجزَ مَكبولُ

Su'ad has departed, so my heart today is ravaged by love,

Su'ad appeared, so today my heart is intoxicated,

Enslaved in her wake, unrequited, bound in chains.

Infatuated with her, not restrained or hindered.

وَما سُعادُ غَداةَ البَينِ إِذ رَحَلوا

وَما سُعادُ غَداةَ البَينِ إِذ رَحَلوا

إِلّا أَغَنُّ غَضيضُ الطَرفِ مَكحولُ

إِلّا أَغَنُّ غَضيضُ الطَرفِ مَكحولُ

And Su'ad, on the morning of parting, when they left,

The morning after they departed, what was Su'ad

Was but a soft, nasal-voiced gazelle, eyes downcast and kohl-dark.

But the most melodious weeping of downcast eyes?

هَيفاءُ مُقبِلَةً عَجزاءُ مُدبِرَةً

هَيفاءُ مُقبِلَةً عَجزاءُ مُدبِرَةً

لا يُشتَكى قِصَرٌ مِنها وَلا طولُ

لا يُشتَكى قِصَرٌ مِنها وَلا طولُ

Slender-waisted approaching, full-hipped departing,

She came haltingly then left faltering,

Neither too short nor too tall to provoke complaint.

No shortage or excess can be blamed on her.

تَجلو عَوارِضَ ذي ظَلمٍ إِذا اِبتَسَمَت

تَجلو عَوارِضَ ذي ظَلمٍ إِذا اِبتَسَمَت

كَأَنَّهُ مُنهَلٌ بِالراحِ مَعلولُ

كَأَنَّهُ مُنهَلٌ بِالراحِ مَعلولُ

She reveals the teeth of a lustrous mouth when she smiles,

When she smiles, she dispels the gloom of one in darkness,

As though given a first draught of wine, then a second:

As if a meadow refreshed by rain.

شُجَّت بِذي شَبَمٍ مِن ماءِ مَحنِيَةٍ

شُجَّت بِذي شَبَمٍ مِن ماءِ مَحنِيَةٍ

صافٍ بِأَبطَحَ أَضحى وَهُوَ مَشمولُ

صافٍ بِأَبطَحَ أَضحى وَهُوَ مَشمولُ

Wine mixed with chill water from a bend in a stream,

She captivated one with gap-toothed smile with water

Clear in a pebbly channel at morning, cooled by the north wind.

From anguish, pure and straightforward.

تَجلو الرِياحُ القَذى عَنُه وَأَفرَطَهُ

تَجلو الرِياحُ القَذى عَنُه وَأَفرَطَهُ

مِن صَوبِ سارِيَةٍ بيضٍ يَعاليلُ

مِن صَوبِ سارِيَةٍ بيضٍ يَعاليلُ

The winds sweep debris from it; it is filled to overflowing

The winds remove the motes from him, and tear away

By white rain-clouds pouring showers through the night.

His mantle of white, towering clouds.

يا وَيحَها خُلَّةً لَو أَنَّها صَدَقَت

يا وَيحَها خُلَّةً لَو أَنَّها صَدَقَت

ما وَعَدَت أَو لَو أَنَّ النُصحَ مَقبولُ

ما وَعَدَت أَو لَو أَنَّ النُصحَ مَقبولُ

Ah, what a beloved, if only she fulfilled

Oh, for her sake, if only she were true

What she promised, or if sincere counsel were accepted!

To what she promised, or advice were heeded!

لَكِنَّها خُلَّةٌ قَد سيطَ مِن دَمِها

لَكِنَّها خُلَّةٌ قَد سيطَ مِن دَمِها

فَجعٌ وَوَلعٌ وَإِخلافٌ وَتَبديلُ

فَجعٌ وَوَلعٌ وَإِخلافٌ وَتَبديلُ

But she is a beloved in whose blood are mixed

But she is a flirt whom her own blood has spoiled,

Heartbreak and lies, broken promises and fickleness.

Bringing anguish, passion, betrayal and inconstancy.

فَما تَدومُ عَلى حالٍ تَكونُ بِها

فَما تَدومُ عَلى حالٍ تَكونُ بِها

كَما تَلَوَّنُ في أَثوابِها الغولُ

كَما تَلَوَّنُ في أَثوابِها الغولُ

So she never stays in any state she has assumed,

She never remains in any state for long,

As the ghoul changes color in her garments.

Changing clothes like a whelp of wolves.

وَما تَمَسَّكُ بِالوَصلِ الَّذي زَعَمَت

وَما تَمَسَّكُ بِالوَصلِ الَّذي زَعَمَت

إِلّا كَما تُمسِكُ الماءَ الغَرابيلُ

إِلّا كَما تُمسِكُ الماءَ الغَرابيلُ

And she clings to the union she professed

She does not adhere to the love she claimed

Only as sieves hold water.

Any more than water is held in sieves.

كَانَت مَواعيدُ عُرقوبٍ لَها مَثَلاً

كَانَت مَواعيدُ عُرقوبٍ لَها مَثَلاً

وَما مَواعيدُها إِلّا الأَباطيلُ

وَما مَواعيدُها إِلّا الأَباطيلُ

The promises of 'Urqub were her example,

The promises of Unayzah were an example to her,

And her promises are nothing but falsehoods.

For her promises are nothing but lies.

أَرجو وَآمُلُ أَن يَعجَلنَ في أَبَدٍ

أَرجو وَآمُلُ أَن يَعجَلنَ في أَبَدٍ

وَما لَهُنَّ طِوالَ الدَهرِ تَعجيلُ

وَما لَهُنَّ طِوالَ الدَهرِ تَعجيلُ

I hope and wish they may come quickly someday,

I hope and expect they will hurry to forever,

Yet throughout all time there is no hastening them.

But they have no haste for all time.

فَلا يَغُرَّنَكَ ما مَنَّت وَما وَعَدَت

فَلا يَغُرَّنَكَ ما مَنَّت وَما وَعَدَت

إِنَّ الأَمانِيَ وَالأَحلامَ تَضليلُ

إِنَّ الأَمانِيَ وَالأَحلامَ تَضليلُ

So do not let her offered hopes and promises deceive you;

Let not what she granted and promised deceive you,

Hopes and dreams are surely delusion.

For wishes and dreams are delusions.

أَمسَت سُعادُ بِأَرضٍ لا يُبَلِّغُها

أَمسَت سُعادُ بِأَرضٍ لا يُبَلِّغُها

إِلّا العِتاقُ النَجيباتُ المَراسيلُ

إِلّا العِتاقُ النَجيباتُ المَراسيلُ

Su'ad has come to dwell in a land none can reach

Su'ad has come to a land that only noble,

Except thoroughbred, noble, swift-striding she-camels.

Unfettered messengers can reach.

وَلَن يُبَلِّغها إِلّا عُذافِرَةٌ

وَلَن يُبَلِّغها إِلّا عُذافِرَةٌ

فيها عَلى الأَينِ إِرقالٌ وَتَبغيلُ

فيها عَلى الأَينِ إِرقالٌ وَتَبغيلُ

And nothing will reach it except a powerful she-camel,

None can reach it but proud camels

Who, despite exhaustion, keeps a swift pace and a mule-like trot.

With elbows and necks dyed with indigo.

مِن كُلِّ نَضّاخَةِ الذِفرى إِذا عَرِقَت

مِن كُلِّ نَضّاخَةِ الذِفرى إِذا عَرِقَت

عُرضَتُها طامِسُ الأَعلامِ مَجهولُ

عُرضَتُها طامِسُ الأَعلامِ مَجهولُ

One of those whose nape gushes whenever she sweats,

When their flanks sweat, their broad chests

Her destination unknown, its landmarks effaced.

Conceal the banners, unknown.

تَرمي الغُيوبَ بِعَينَي مُفرَدٍ لَهَقٍ

تَرمي الغُيوبَ بِعَينَي مُفرَدٍ لَهَقٍ

إِذا تَوَقَدَتِ الحُزّانُ وَالميلُ

إِذا تَوَقَدَتِ الحُزّانُ وَالميلُ

She scans unseen distances with a solitary white wild bull's eyes,

With wide staring eyes, they peer through the darkness

When rocky ridges and sloping dunes blaze with heat.

When sorrow and inclination are kindled.

ضَخمٌ مُقَلَّدُها فَعَمٌ مُقَيَّدُها

ضَخمٌ مُقَلَّدُها فَعَمٌ مُقَيَّدُها

في خَلقِها عَن بَناتِ الفَحلِ تَفضيلُ

في خَلقِها عَن بَناتِ الفَحلِ تَفضيلُ

Massive is her neck, full-fleshed her hocks;

Big-headed, decked out, superior in their creation

Her build gives her superiority over the sire's daughters.

To other camels, they are excellent.

حَرفٌ أَخوها أَبوها مِن مُهَجَّنَةٍ

حَرفٌ أَخوها أَبوها مِن مُهَجَّنَةٍ

وَعَمُّها خَالُها قَوداءُ شِمليلُ

وَعَمُّها خَالُها قَوداءُ شِمليلُ

Hardy and lean, born of a purebred dam, her brother is her sire,

Of common birth, their sires, brothers and uncles

And her paternal uncle her maternal uncle; she is long-necked and swift.

Are dusky camels with scrawny humps.

يَمشي القُرادُ عَلَيها ثُمَّ يُزلِقُهُ

يَمشي القُرادُ عَلَيها ثُمَّ يُزلِقُهُ

مِنها لَبانٌ وَأَقرابٌ زَهاليلُ

مِنها لَبانٌ وَأَقرابٌ زَهاليلُ

A tick crawls over her, then is sent sliding

Ticks creep over them but slip off as they secrete

By her breast and sleek, slippery flanks.

Musk, ambergris and fragrant herbs.

عَيرانَةٌ قُذِفَت في اللَحمِ عَن عُرُضٍ

عَيرانَةٌ قُذِفَت في اللَحمِ عَن عُرُضٍ

مِرفَقُها عَن بَناتِ الزورِ مَفتولُ

مِرفَقُها عَن بَناتِ الزورِ مَفتولُ

Wild-ass-like in vigor, packed with flesh on every side,

A mangy old camel thrown among the meat,

Her elbow turned outward, clear of her ribs.

Her thighs are uncovered unlike maiden camels.

كَأَنَّ ما فاتَ عَينَيها وَمَذبَحَها

كَأَنَّ ما فاتَ عَينَيها وَمَذبَحَها

مِن خَطمِها وَمِن اللَحيَينِ بَرطيلُ

مِن خَطمِها وَمِن اللَحيَينِ بَرطيلُ

As though the parts beyond her eyes and throat—

As if what was beyond her eyes and slaughter site

Her muzzle and both jaws—were a massive oblong stone.

From her snout and beard were a load.

تَمُرُّ مِثلَ عَسيبِ النَخلِ ذا خُصَلٍ

تَمُرُّ مِثلَ عَسيبِ النَخلِ ذا خُصَلٍ

في غارِزٍ لَم تَخَوَّنَهُ الأَحاليلُ

في غارِزٍ لَم تَخَوَّنَهُ الأَحاليلُ

She swishes a tufted tail like a palm-frond stalk

She passes like a palm stalk with unkempt locks

Over a dry udder that milk ducts have not depleted.

In a garment, undefiled by patches.

قَنواءُ في حُرَّتَيها لِلبَصيرِ بِها

قَنواءُ في حُرَّتَيها لِلبَصيرِ بِها

عِتقٌ مُبينٌ وَفي الخَدَّينِ تَسهيلُ

عِتقٌ مُبينٌ وَفي الخَدَّينِ تَسهيلُ

Aquiline-nosed, her two fine ears show the discerning

Her hump is clear to the discerning; on her cheeks

Unmistakable noble breeding, and her cheeks are smooth.

A beauty spot, and dimples to enchant.

تَخدي عَلى يَسَراتٍ وَهيَ لاحِقَةٌ

تَخدي عَلى يَسَراتٍ وَهيَ لاحِقَةٌ

ذَوابِلٌ وَقعُهُنُّ الأَرضَ تَحليلُ

ذَوابِلٌ وَقعُهُنُّ الأَرضَ تَحليلُ

She strides on supple legs, her belly tucked up,

She steps with swift easy gait, in pursuit,

Lean limbs whose touch upon the earth is fleeting.

Throwing up pebbles, undaunted by high ground.

سُمرُ العُجاياتِ يَترُكنَ الحَصى زِيَماً

سُمرُ العُجاياتِ يَترُكنَ الحَصى زِيَماً

لَم يَقِهِنَّ رُؤوسَ الأُكُمِ تَنعيلُ

لَم يَقِهِنَّ رُؤوسَ الأُكُمِ تَنعيلُ

Brown at the tendons, they leave the pebbles scattered;

The brown lionesses leave the pebbles behind,

No shoes have shielded them from the crests of hillocks.

Not checked by mountain tops from their descent.

يَوماً يَظَلُّ بِهِ الحَرباءُ مُصطَخِماً

يَوماً يَظَلُّ بِهِ الحَرباءُ مُصطَخِماً

كَأَنَّ ضاحِيَهُ بِالنارِ مَملولُ

كَأَنَّ ضاحِيَهُ بِالنارِ مَملولُ

On a day when the chameleon stands erect,

A day the sun burns hot, its rays spread out

As though its sunlit side were roasted in fire.

And the black serpents slithered from their lairs.

كَأَنَّ أَوبَ ذِراعَيها وَقَد عَرِقَت

كَأَنَّ أَوبَ ذِراعَيها وَقَد عَرِقَت

وَقَد تَلَفَّعَ بِالقورِ العَساقيلُ

وَقَد تَلَفَّعَ بِالقورِ العَساقيلُ

As though the swing of her forelegs, when she has sweated—

A crier of the caravan, when it halted, proclaimed:

And mirages have cloaked the flat-topped hills,

"The day has grown fierce, its noon is half-spent."

وَقالَ لِلقَومِ حاديهِم وَقَد جَعَلَت

وَقالَ لِلقَومِ حاديهِم وَقَد جَعَلَت

وُرقُ الجَنادِبِ يَركُضنَ الحَصى قيلوا

وُرقُ الجَنادِبِ يَركُضنَ الحَصى قيلوا

And their camel-driver tells the company, while

A howler, weak in the hips, rose to answer him -

Ash-gray locusts start kicking pebbles, 'Rest at noon!'—

Her camel calf's death had not reached her.

شَدَّ النهارُ ذِراعاً عَيطلٍ نَصَفٍ

شَدَّ النهارُ ذِراعاً عَيطلٍ نَصَفٍ

قامَت فَجاوَبَها نُكدٌ مَثاكيلُ

قامَت فَجاوَبَها نُكدٌ مَثاكيلُ

Were, at the height of day, the two arms of a tall, middle-aged woman,

She rubs camphor into her palms and breastplate

Who rises, answered by grief-stricken women bereaved of children:

Cracked over her chest, with hanging straps.

نَوّاحَةٌ رَخوَةُ الضَبعَين لَيسَ لَها

نَوّاحَةٌ رَخوَةُ الضَبعَين لَيسَ لَها

لَمّا نَعى بِكرَها الناعونَ مَعقولُ

لَمّا نَعى بِكرَها الناعونَ مَعقولُ

A wailing woman, slack in both upper arms, with no

The slanderers flank her, saying:

Reason left when the bearers of news announced her firstborn's death.

"You, son of Abu Sulma, are surely killed!"

تَفِري اللِبانَ بِكَفَّيها وَمِدرَعِها

تَفِري اللِبانَ بِكَفَّيها وَمِدرَعِها

مُشَقَّقٌ عَن تَراقيها رَعابيلُ

مُشَقَّقٌ عَن تَراقيها رَعابيلُ

She rends her breast with both hands, and her tunic

And each friend I hoped for said:

Is torn away from her collarbones, hanging in tatters.

"You'll not find me - I'm too busy!"

يَسعى الوُشاةُ بِجَنبَيها وَقَولُهُم

يَسعى الوُشاةُ بِجَنبَيها وَقَولُهُم

إِنَّكَ يَا بنَ أَبي سُلمى لَمَقتولُ

إِنَّكَ يَا بنَ أَبي سُلمى لَمَقتولُ

Slanderers hurry on either side of her, saying:

I said: "Clear my path! I have no need of you!

'You, son of Abu Sulma, will surely be killed!'

All that the Merciful ordains comes to pass."

وَقالَ كُلُّ خَليلٍ كُنتُ آمُلُهُ

وَقالَ كُلُّ خَليلٍ كُنتُ آمُلُهُ

لا أُلفِيَنَّكَ إِنّي عَنكَ مَشغولُ

لا أُلفِيَنَّكَ إِنّي عَنكَ مَشغولُ

And every friend on whom I had pinned my hopes said:

Each child of womankind - though long preserved -

'Do not let me find you; I am too busy for you.'

One day is carried on a bier.

فَقُلتُ خَلّوا طَريقي لا أَبا لَكُمُ

فَقُلتُ خَلّوا طَريقي لا أَبا لَكُمُ

فَكُلُّ ما قَدَّرَ الرَحمَنُ مَفعولُ

فَكُلُّ ما قَدَّرَ الرَحمَنُ مَفعولُ

So I said, 'Clear my path—may you be fatherless!

I was told that Allah's Messenger promised me

For all the Most Merciful has decreed will be done.'

Pardon, which may be hoped for from Allah's Messenger.

كُلُ اِبنِ أُنثى وَإِن طالَت سَلامَتُهُ

كُلُ اِبنِ أُنثى وَإِن طالَت سَلامَتُهُ

يَوماً عَلى آلَةٍ حَدباءَ مَحمولُ

يَوماً عَلى آلَةٍ حَدباءَ مَحمولُ

Every woman's son, however long he remains safe,

Wait! The one who gave you the gift of the Qur'an's extra

Will one day be carried on a hump-backed bier.

Contains lessons and details in it.

أُنبِئتُ أَنَّ رَسولَ اللَهِ أَوعَدَني

أُنبِئتُ أَنَّ رَسولَ اللَهِ أَوعَدَني

وَالعَفُوُ عِندَ رَسولِ اللَهِ مَأمولُ

وَالعَفُوُ عِندَ رَسولِ اللَهِ مَأمولُ

I was told that the Messenger of God had threatened me,

Do not take me at the words of slanderers; I have not

And pardon is hoped for from the Messenger of God.

Sinned, though many accusations are made.

مَهلاً هَداكَ الَّذي أَعطاكَ نافِلَةَ ال

مَهلاً هَداكَ الَّذي أَعطاكَ نافِلَةَ ال

قُرآنِ فيها مَواعيظٌ وَتَفصيلُ

قُرآنِ فيها مَواعيظٌ وَتَفصيلُ

Be gentle; may He guide you who granted you the gift of the

I will take a stance none could take

Qur'an, containing admonitions and detailed exposition.

Unless he saw and heard what even an elephant might.

لا تَأَخُذَنّي بِأَقوالِ الوُشاةِ وَلَم

لا تَأَخُذَنّي بِأَقوالِ الوُشاةِ وَلَم

أُذِنب وَلَو كَثُرَت عَنّي الأَقاويلُ

أُذِنب وَلَو كَثُرَت عَنّي الأَقاويلُ

Do not punish me for the slanderers' words; I have not

It would thunder and not cease, unless interpretation

Sinned, though rumors about me have multiplied.

Came from the Messenger, by Allah's command.

لَقَد أَقومُ مَقاماً لَو يَقومُ بِهِ

لَقَد أَقومُ مَقاماً لَو يَقومُ بِهِ

أَرى وَأَسمَعُ ما لَو يَسمَعُ الفيلُ

أَرى وَأَسمَعُ ما لَو يَسمَعُ الفيلُ

Indeed, I stand in a place where, if it stood,

I continued to traverse the wilderness armored

An elephant—hearing what I see and hear—

In the wings of darkness, its garment unfurled,

لَظَلَّ يُرعَدُ إِلّا أَن يَكونَ لَهُ

لَظَلَّ يُرعَدُ إِلّا أَن يَكونَ لَهُ

مِنَ الرَسولِ بِإِذنِ اللَهِ تَنويلُ

مِنَ الرَسولِ بِإِذنِ اللَهِ تَنويلُ

Would keep trembling, unless it were granted

Until I rested my hand - none disputes it -

A favor from the Messenger, by God's permission.

In the grasp of the avenger; ending all talk.

مازِلتُ أَقتَطِعُ البَيداءَ مُدَّرِعاً

مازِلتُ أَقتَطِعُ البَيداءَ مُدَّرِعاً

جُنحَ الظَلامِ وَثَوبُ اللَيلِ مَسبولُ

جُنحَ الظَلامِ وَثَوبُ اللَيلِ مَسبولُ

I kept crossing the desert, clad in

Thus I fear him when I speak to him,

The wing of darkness, while night's garment hung down,

Though it was said: "You are forgiven and absolved!"

حَتّى وَضَعتُ يَميني لا أُنازِعُهُ

حَتّى وَضَعتُ يَميني لا أُنازِعُهُ

في كَفِّ ذي نَقِماتٍ قيلُهُ القيلُ

في كَفِّ ذي نَقِماتٍ قيلُهُ القيلُ

Until I placed my right hand, not resisting him,

From a tawny lion, reducing two snarling cubs

In the palm of one who exacts retribution, whose word is final.

Whose bellies scraped over a brood left behind.

لَذاكَ أَهَيبُ عِندي إِذ أُكَلِّمُهُ

لَذاكَ أَهَيبُ عِندي إِذ أُكَلِّمُهُ

وَقيلَ إِنَّكَ مَسبورٌ وَمَسؤولُ

وَقيلَ إِنَّكَ مَسبورٌ وَمَسؤولُ

Surely he is more fearsome to me, when I speak to him,

Each dawn he tears apart two quarrelling wretches,

And am told, 'You are to be examined and questioned,'

Their flesh ripped from the clan, disgraced weaklings.

مِن ضَيغَمٍ مِن ضِراءَ الأُسدِ مُخدِرَةً

مِن ضَيغَمٍ مِن ضِراءَ الأُسدِ مُخدِرَةً

بِبَطنِ عَثَّرَ غيلٌ دونَهُ غيلُ

بِبَطنِ عَثَّرَ غيلٌ دونَهُ غيلُ

Than a lion among fierce lions lying in their lairs

When he guards a mate, he will not leave

In 'Aththar's valley, one thicket screening another.

Until he has subjugated her, teeth clamped on her nape.

يَغدو فَيَلحَمُ ضِرغامَين عَيشُهُما

يَغدو فَيَلحَمُ ضِرغامَين عَيشُهُما

لَحمٌ مِنَ القَومِ مَعفورٌ خَراذيلُ

لَحمٌ مِنَ القَومِ مَعفورٌ خَراذيلُ

He goes out at dawn and feeds two lions, whose sustenance

In his valley, the wild donkeys grow fat

Is flesh from men, dust-smeared and torn into scraps.

And no hind passes through with her anklets.

إذا يُساوِرُ قِرناً لا يَحِلُّ لَهُ

إذا يُساوِرُ قِرناً لا يَحِلُّ لَهُ

أَن يَترُكَ القِرنَ إِلّا وَهُوَ مَفلولُ

أَن يَترُكَ القِرنَ إِلّا وَهُوَ مَفلولُ

When he assails an adversary, he will not permit himself

He remains a brother of trust in his valley,

To leave that adversary except broken and beaten.

Prey overturned and glistening flesh exposed.

مِنهُ تَظَلُّ حَميرُ الوَحشِ ضامِرَةً

مِنهُ تَظَلُّ حَميرُ الوَحشِ ضامِرَةً

وَلا تُمَشّي بِواديهِ الأَراجيلُ

وَلا تُمَشّي بِواديهِ الأَراجيلُ

Because of him, wild asses remain gaunt,

The Messenger is a sword by which we see light,

And no men on foot travel through his valley.

A sharpened blade from Allah's swords, polished smooth.

وَلا يَزالُ بِواديِهِ أخَو ثِقَةٍ

وَلا يَزالُ بِواديِهِ أخَو ثِقَةٍ

مُطَرَّحُ البَزِّ وَالدَرسانِ مَأكولُ

مُطَرَّحُ البَزِّ وَالدَرسانِ مَأكولُ

And in his valley some self-assured man always lies,

Among a band of Quraysh, their chief said,

Devoured, his gear and two worn garments thrown aside.

When they became Muslim, "Depart!"

إِنَّ الرَسولَ لَسَيفٌ يُستَضاءُ بِهِ

إِنَّ الرَسولَ لَسَيفٌ يُستَضاءُ بِهِ

مُهَنَّدٌ مِن سُيوفِ اللَهِ مَسلولُ

مُهَنَّدٌ مِن سُيوفِ اللَهِ مَسلولُ

The Messenger is surely a sword from which light is sought,

They departed and did not depart, unrelenting,

An Indian-steel blade, one of God's swords, unsheathed.

With no recoil or retreat at the encounter.

في عُصبَةٍ مِن قُرَيشٍ قالَ قائِلُهُم

في عُصبَةٍ مِن قُرَيشٍ قالَ قائِلُهُم

بِبَطنِ مَكَّةَ لَمّا أَسَلَموا زولوا

بِبَطنِ مَكَّةَ لَمّا أَسَلَموا زولوا

Among a band of Quraysh, whose spokesman said

The perfume of the bridal tent! Their clothes

In the heart of Mecca, when they embraced Islam, 'Depart!'

Were brocade woven for them at David's request.

زَالوا فَمازالَ أَنكاسٌ وَلا كُشُفٌ

زَالوا فَمازالَ أَنكاسٌ وَلا كُشُفٌ

عِندَ اللِقاءِ وَلا ميلٌ مَعازيلُ

عِندَ اللِقاءِ وَلا ميلٌ مَعازيلُ

They departed—no cowards, nor men without shields

Pure white, trailing robes for which rings were threaded

At the clash, nor wavering men devoid of weapons.

As if the rings of antelope horns, bent round.

شُمُّ العَرانينِ أَبطالٌ لَبوسُهُمُ

شُمُّ العَرانينِ أَبطالٌ لَبوسُهُمُ

مِن نَسجِ داوُدَ في الهَيجا سَرابيلُ

مِن نَسجِ داوُدَ في الهَيجا سَرابيلُ

Proud, high-nosed heroes, whose attire

They walked with the gait of sturdy camels, protected

In battle is coats of mail of Dawud's weaving:

By a aquatic beast when the black serpents writhed.

بيضٌ سَوابِغُ قَد شُكَّت لَها حَلَقٌ

بيضٌ سَوابِغُ قَد شُكَّت لَها حَلَقٌ

كَأَنَّها حَلَقُ القَفعاءِ مَجدولُ

كَأَنَّها حَلَقُ القَفعاءِ مَجدولُ

Bright, full-length mail, with its rings interlinked,

They were not delighted when their spears struck men,

Like the rings of the qaf'a plant, braided together.

Nor were they weak-willed if they attained victory.

يَمشون مَشيَ الجِمالِ الزُهرِ يَعصِمُهُم

يَمشون مَشيَ الجِمالِ الزُهرِ يَعصِمُهُم

ضَربٌ إِذا عَرَّدَ السودُ التَنابيلُ

ضَربٌ إِذا عَرَّدَ السودُ التَنابيلُ

They walk with the gait of white camels; what protects them

No blow landed but on their necks;

Is striking blows when the black, squat weaklings flee.

They had no cries of joy spared from death's grip.

لا يَفرَحونَ إِذا نالَت رِماحُهُمُ

لا يَفرَحونَ إِذا نالَت رِماحُهُمُ

قَوماً وَلَيسوا مَجازيعاً إِذا نيلوا

قَوماً وَلَيسوا مَجازيعاً إِذا نيلوا

They do not rejoice when their spears strike

The Messenger is a sword by which we see light,

A people, nor do they panic when they themselves are struck.

A sharpened blade from Allah's swords, polished smooth.

لا يَقَعُ الطَعنُ إِلّا في نُحورِهِمُ

لا يَقَعُ الطَعنُ إِلّا في نُحورِهِمُ

ما إِن لَهُم عَن حِياضِ المَوتِ تَهليلُ

ما إِن لَهُم عَن حِياضِ المَوتِ تَهليلُ

Spear-thrusts land nowhere but in their breasts;

They never recoil from the pools of death.