أُنْظُرْlook إلىat ذَاكَthat الْجِدَارِthe wall الحَاجِبِscreening
أُنْظُرْ إلى ذَاكَ الْجِدَارِ الحَاجِبِ
مَاwhat السَّدُّthe dam فِيمَاin what حَدَّثُواthey related عَنْabout مَأْرِبِMa'rib
مَا السَّدُّ فِيمَا حَدَّثُوا عَنْ مَأْرِبِ
Look at that screening wall.
What is the dam in the tales they told of Ma'rib?
هُوَit فِيamong الْحَدِثِthe modern مِنَof الْبِنَاءِconstruction غَرِيبُةٌa marvel
هُوَ فِي الْحَدِثِ مِنَ الْبِنَاءِ غَرِيبُةٌ
زَانَadorned الْقَدِيمُancient works جِوَارَهَاits surroundings بِغَرَائِبِwith wonders
زَانَ الْقَدِيمُ جِوَارَهَا بِغَرَائِبِ
Among modern buildings it is a marvel;
Ancient works have adorned its surroundings with wonders.
إِحْدَىone of الْعَجَائِبِthe wonders فِيin بِلاَدٍa land لَمْnot تَزَلْhas ceased
إِحْدَى الْعَجَائِبِ فِي بِلاَدٍ لَمْ تَزَلْ
مِنْsince مَبْدَإِthe beginning of الدُّنْيَاthe world بِلاَدَa land of عَجَائِبِwonders
مِنْ مَبْدَإِ الدُّنْيَا بِلاَدَ عَجَائِبِ
One of the wonders in a land that has remained,
Since the world's beginning, a land of wonders.
حُسْنُthe beauty of الطَّبيَعَةِnature أَكْمَلَتْهُperfected it صِنَاعَةٌcraftsmanship
حُسْنُ الطَّبيَعَةِ أَكْمَلَتْهُ صِنَاعَةٌ
لِلنَّفعِfor benefit فِيهَاwithin it بَيِّناتُevident مَآرِبِpurposes
لِلنَّفعِ فِيهَا بَيِّناتُ مَآرِبِ
Craftsmanship has perfected nature's beauty;
Its useful purposes are plain to see.
شُطِرَwas divided الْعَقِيقُthe watercourse فَفَائِضٌso overflowing فِيon جَانِبٍone side
شُطِرَ الْعَقِيقُ فَفَائِضٌ فِي جَانِبٍ
مَجْرَىthe course of الْحَيَاةِlife وَغَائِضٌand ebbing فِيon جَانِبِone side
مَجْرَى الْحَيَاةِ وَغَائِضٌ فِي جَانِبِ
The watercourse is split: overflowing on one side,
A channel of life, and ebbing on the other.
أَلنِّيلُthe Nile خَلْفَbehind السَّدِّthe dam بَحْرٌa sea غامِرٌengulfing
أَلنِّيلُ خَلْفَ السَّدِّ بَحْرٌ غامِرٌ
لاَnot تُسْتَقَلُّare used for travel بِهِupon it صِغَارُsmall مَرَاكِبِboats
لاَ تُسْتَقَلُّ بِهِ صِغَارُ مَرَاكِبِ
Behind the dam the Nile is an engulfing sea,
Upon which one does not travel in small boats.
بَلَغَreached السَّوَامِقَthe loftiest فِيamong النَّخِيلِthe palms فَزَيَّنَتْand adorned
بَلَغَ السَّوَامِقَ فِي النَّخِيلِ فَزَيَّنَتْ
تِيجَانُهَاtheir crowns صَفَحَاتِهِits surfaces بِرَوَاكِبِas riders afloat
تِيجَانُهَا صَفَحَاتِهِ بِرَوَاكِبِ
It reached the loftiest palms, and then
Their crowns adorned its surface like riders afloat.
وَالْغَوْرُand the hollow بَيْنَbetween يَدِيْهِits two hands مَرْمىًa landing place شَاسِعٌvast
وَالْغَوْرُ بَيْنَ يَدِيْهِ مَرْمىً شَاسِعٌ
لِلْمَاءِfor water فِيin قَاعٍa basin كَثِيرِabundant in جَنَادِبِgrasshoppers
لِلْمَاءِ فِي قَاعٍ كَثِيرِ جَنَادِبِ
Before it the hollow is a vast landing place
For water, in a basin thick with grasshoppers.
لاَnot تَنْتَهِيends صَفْوَاؤُهُits smooth rock إِلاَّexcept
لاَ تَنْتَهِي صَفْوَاؤُهُ إِلاَّ
نِيلٍa Nile تَجَدَّدَformed anew مِنْfrom شَتِيتِscattered مَسَارِبِchannels
نِيلٍ تَجَدَّدَ مِنْ شَتِيتِ مَسَارِبِ
Its smooth rock ends only at
A Nile formed anew from scattered channels.
لَمْnot يَحْتَبَسْwas restrained نَهْرٌa river بِسَدٍّby a dam قَبْلَهُbefore it
لَمْ يَحْتَبَسْ نَهْرٌ بِسَدٍّ قَبْلَهُ
ضَخْمٍmassive ضَخَامَتَهُits massiveness عَرِيضbroad الْغَارِبِthe crest
ضَخْمٍ ضَخَامَتَهُ عَرِيض الْغَارِبِ
No river before had been restrained by a dam
So massive as this, so broad at the crest.
يَجْتَازُcrosses مَنْwhoever يَعْلُوهُmounts it نَهْجاًa roadway نَائِياًfar-reaching
يَجْتَازُ مَنْ يَعْلُوهُ نَهْجاً نَائِياً
طَرَفَاهُits two ends تَحْمِلُهُbear it ضِخَامُmassive مَنَاكِبِshoulders
طَرَفَاهُ تَحْمِلُهُ ضِخَامُ مَنَاكِبِ
Whoever mounts it crosses a far-stretching roadway,
From end to end, upheld by massive shoulders.
أَتَرَىdo you see هُنَالِكَthere فِيin ثِيَابٍclothes رَثَّةٍragged
أَتَرَى هُنَالِكَ فِي ثِيَابٍ رَثَّةٍ
أَشْتَاتَfragments of حُسْنٍbeauty جُمِّعتْwere gathered فِيin قَالَبِa mold
أَشْتَاتَ حُسْنٍ جُمِّعتْ فِي قَالَبِ
Do you see there, in ragged clothes,
Fragments of beauty gathered in one form:
فَلاَّحَةًa peasant woman جَثَمَتْcrouched بِأَدْنَىin the nearest مَوْقِعٍplace
فَلاَّحَةً جَثَمَتْ بِأَدْنَى مَوْقِعٍ
لِلظِّلfor shade مِنْfrom الطَّرِيقِthe road اللاَّحِبِbroad and well-trodden
لِلظِّل مِنْ الطَّرِيقِ اللاَّحِبِ
A peasant woman crouched in the nearest patch
Of shade beside the broad, well-trodden road?
لاَنَتْwere supple مَعَاطِفُهُاher curves وَصَالَتْand charged عِزَّةٌproud dignity
لاَنَتْ مَعَاطِفُهُا وَصَالَتْ عِزَّةٌ
قَعْسَاءُunyielding مِنْfrom أَجْفَانِهَاher eyelids بِقَوَاضِبِwith cutting swords
قَعْسَاءُ مِنْ أَجْفَانِهَا بِقَوَاضِبِ
Her curves were supple, yet proud dignity charged
Unyielding, from her eyelids with keen-edged swords.
أَدْمَاءُbrown-skinned إِلاَّexcept أَنَّthat كُدْرَةَthe hardship of عَيْشِهَاher life
أَدْمَاءُ إِلاَّ أَنَّ كُدْرَةَ عَيْشِهَا
شَابَتْtainted وَضَاءَةُthe radiance of لَوْنِهَاher complexion بِشَوَائِبِwith blemishes
شَابَتْ وَضَاءَةُ لَوْنِهَا بِشَوَائِبِ
Brown-skinned, yet the hardship of her life
Had tainted her complexion's radiance with blemishes.
هِيَshe أُمُّthe mother of طِفْلٍa child شُقَّwas split عَنْهُfrom him طَوْقُهُhis collar
هِيَ أُمُّ طِفْلٍ شُقَّ عَنْهُ طَوْقُهُ
وَتَرَىand you see نَضَارَتَهَاher freshness نَضَارَةَthe freshness of كَاعِبِa budding maiden
وَتَرَى نَضَارَتَهَا نَضَارَةَ كَاعِبِ
She mothers a child who has outgrown his collar,
Yet her freshness is the freshness of a maiden.
طَالَgrew long المَسِيرُthe journey بِهَاfor her فَأَعْيَتْso she tired فَاسْتَوَتْthen she settled
طَالَ المَسِيرُ بِهَا فَأَعْيَتْ فَاسْتَوَتْ
تَبْغِيseeking الْجَمَامَrest مِنَfrom المَسِيرِthe journey النَّاصِبِexhausting
تَبْغِي الْجَمَامَ مِنَ المَسِيرِ النَّاصِبِ
Her journey had been long; exhausted, she settled,
Seeking rest from the wearisome journey.
أَلْوَتْslumped كَمَاas يُلْقِيcasts down الضَّعِيفُthe frail person بِحِمْلِهِhis burden
أَلْوَتْ كَمَا يُلْقِي الضَّعِيفُ بِحِمْلِهِ
وَسْنَىdrowsy وَقَدْand indeed يَغْفُوmay doze ضَمِيرُthe awareness of اللاَّغِبِthe weary person
وَسْنَى وَقَدْ يَغْفُو ضَمِيرُ اللاَّغِبِ
She slumped like a frail person laying down his load,
Drowsy—for a weary person's awareness may fall asleep.
وَثَوَىand stayed ابْنُهَاher son ويَدَاهُand his two hands مِلْؤُهُمَاtheir fill حصىًpebbles
وَثَوَى ابْنُهَا ويَدَاهُ مِلْؤُهُمَا حصىً
مَلْسَاءُsmooth يَلْعَبُhe plays فِيin مَكَانٍa place صَاقِبٍnearby
مَلْسَاءُ يَلْعَبُ فِي مَكَانٍ صَاقِبٍ
Her son stayed there, both hands full of pebbles,
Smooth pebbles, as he played close at hand.
أَمِنَتْshe felt safe عَلَيْهِfor him وَالحَدِيدُand the iron حِيَالَهُbefore him
أَمِنَتْ عَلَيْهِ وَالحَدِيدُ حِيَالَهُ
كَأَضَالِعٍlike ribs مَشْبُوكَةٍinterlaced وَرَوَاجِبِand knuckles
كَأَضَالِعٍ مَشْبُوكَةٍ وَرَوَاجِبِ
She felt him safe, with iron before him
Like interlaced ribs and knuckles.
وَالجِسْرُand the bridge مَمْتَدٍّextended قَوِيمٌstraight لاَnot تَرَىyou see
وَالجِسْرُ مَمْتَدٍّ قَوِيمٌ لاَ تَرَى
فِيهِin it مَظِنَّةa likely place for خَاطِفٍa snatcher أَوْor سَالِبِa robber
فِيهِ مَظِنَّة خَاطِفٍ أَوْ سَالِبِ
The bridge stretched straight and firm; you could see
No likely place for a snatcher or robber in it.
لَكِنَّbut أَبْنَاءَthe children of الجَمَاهِيرِthe masses ابْتُلُواwere afflicted
لَكِنَّ أَبْنَاءَ الجَمَاهِيرِ ابْتُلُوا
فِيin الشَّرْقِthe East مِنْsince قِدَمancient times بِخَطْبٍwith an ordeal حَازِبٍoverwhelming
فِي الشَّرْقِ مِنْ قِدَم بِخَطْبٍ حَازِبٍ
But the children of the masses have been afflicted
In the East, since ancient times, by a crushing ordeal:
لِلْجَهْلِfor ignorance فِيهِمْamong them سُلْطَةٌauthority أَمَّارَةٌcommanding
لِلْجَهْلِ فِيهِمْ سُلْطَةٌ أَمَّارَةٌ
بِالسُّوءِevil غَيْرُnot بَصِيرَةٍaware بَعَوَاقِبِof consequences
بِالسُّوءِ غَيْرُ بَصِيرَةٍ بَعَوَاقِبِ
Ignorance wields among them an authority that commands
Evil, blind to its consequences.
أَوْدَتْbrought ruin بِجِيلٍto a generation بَعْدَafter جِيلٍa generation مِنْهُمُof them
أَوْدَتْ بِجِيلٍ بَعْدَ جِيلٍ مِنْهُمُ
لاَno بِدْعَwonder إِنْif أَوْدَتْbrought ruin بِطِفْلٍto a child لاَعِبِplaying
لاَ بِدْعَ إِنْ أَوْدَتْ بِطِفْلٍ لاَعِبِ
It has destroyed generation after generation of them;
No wonder if it destroys a child at play.
خَدَعَتْهُdeceived him أَصْوَاتُthe sounds of الهَدِيرthe roar وَشَاقَهُand enchanted him
خَدَعَتْهُ أَصْوَاتُ الهَدِير وَشَاقَهُ
قَرْعُthe beating of الطُّبولِthe drums بِهَاwithin them وَنَفْخُand the blowing of القَاصِبِthe reed-player
قَرْعُ الطُّبولِ بِهَا وَنَفْخُ القَاصِبِ
The sounds of the roar deceived him, and he was charmed
By the beating of drums within them and the reed-player's blowing.
فَاسْتَدْرَجَتْهُso lured him وَحَرَّكَتْand moved أَقْدَامَهُhis feet
فَاسْتَدْرَجَتْهُ وَحَرَّكَتْ أَقْدَامَهُ
نَحْوَtoward الفَرَاغِthe void ويَاand oh لَهُfor it مِنْof جَاذِبِa lure
نَحْوَ الفَرَاغِ ويَا لَهُ مِنْ جَاذِبِ
They lured him on and set his feet in motion
Toward the void—what a lure it was!
فَأَطَلَّso leaned out والمَهْوَىand the abyss سَحِيقٌdeep دُونَهُbeneath him
فَأَطَلَّ والمَهْوَى سَحِيقٌ دُونَهُ
وَالعُمْقُand depth لِلأَبْصَارِfor the eyes أَقْوَىthe strongest جَالِبِlure
وَالعُمْقُ لِلأَبْصَارِ أَقْوَى جَالِبِ
He leaned out, with the abyss deep beneath him,
And depth is the strongest lure for the eyes.
حَتَّىuntil إِذَاwhen فَعَلَacted الدُّوَارُdizziness بِرَأْسِهِupon his head
حَتَّى إِذَا فَعَلَ الدُّوَارُ بِرَأْسِهِ
فِعْلَthe effect of الطِّلاَwine دَارَتْspun بِرَأْسِin the head of الشَّارِبthe drinker
فِعْلَ الطِّلاَ دَارَتْ بِرَأْسِ الشَّارِب
Until, when dizziness worked upon his head
As wine does when it turns a drinker's head,
زَلَّتْslipped بِهِwith him قَدَمٌa foot إلىinto مُتَحَدَّرٍa descending chute
زَلَّتْ بِهِ قَدَمٌ إلى مُتَحَدَّرٍ
لِلْمَاءِof water مُبْيَضِّwhitened الجَوَانِبِthe sides صَاخِبِroaring
لِلْمَاءِ مُبْيَضِّ الجَوَانِبِ صَاخِبِ
A foot slipped, casting him into a chute
Of roaring water, white along its sides.
فَدَعَاso he called بِيَاwith 'O' أُمَّاهُmy mother حِينَat سُقُوطِهِhis fall
فَدَعَا بِيَا أُمَّاهُ حِينَ سُقُوطِهِ
وَطَوَاهُand engulfed him دُرْدُورُthe whirlpool of الأَتِيِّthe torrent السَّارِبِflowing
وَطَوَاهُ دُرْدُورُ الأَتِيِّ السَّارِبِ
He cried, 'O Mother!' as he fell,
And the flowing torrent's whirlpool swallowed him.
هَبَّتsprang up لِتَلْبِيَةِto answer ابْنِهَاher son وَتَرَاكَضتْand ran about
هَبَّت لِتَلْبِيَةِ ابْنِهَا وَتَرَاكَضتْ
مِنْfrom كلِّevery نَاحِيَةٍdirection بِقَلْبٍwith a heart وَاجِبِthrobbing
مِنْ كلِّ نَاحِيَةٍ بِقَلْبٍ وَاجِبِ
She sprang to answer her son and rushed about
In every direction, with a pounding heart.
مَرَّتْshe went وَكَرَّتْand turned back لاَnot تَعِيaware وَتَعَثَّرَتْand stumbled
مَرَّتْ وَكَرَّتْ لاَ تَعِي وَتَعَثَّرَتْ
يُمْنَىright وَيُسْرَىand left بِالرَّجَاءِwith hope الخَائِبِdisappointed
يُمْنَى وَيُسْرَى بِالرَّجَاءِ الخَائِبِ
She went and turned back, unaware, and stumbled
Right and left, with hope deceived.
فَتَدَافَعَتْso she rushed نَحْوَtoward الشَّفِيرِthe edge وَمَاand not لَهَاfor her
فَتَدَافَعَتْ نَحْوَ الشَّفِيرِ وَمَا لَهَا
لَوْنٌa color سِوَىexcept لَوْنِthe color of القُنُوطِdespair الشَّاحِبِpale
لَوْنٌ سِوَى لَوْنِ القُنُوطِ الشَّاحِبِ
Then she rushed toward the edge, with no
Color but the pallor of despair.
تَرْنُوshe gazes بِعَيْنٍwith an eye أُفْرِغَتْwas emptied مِنْof نُورِهَاits light
تَرْنُو بِعَيْنٍ أُفْرِغَتْ مِنْ نُورِهَا
وَتَمَدَّدَتْand widened أَرَأَيْتَhave you seen عَينَthe eye of الهَائِبِthe frightened person
وَتَمَدَّدَتْ أَرَأَيْتَ عَينَ الهَائِبِ
She gazed with an eye emptied of its light
And stretched wide—have you seen the eye of terror?
فَإِذَاand behold شِعَابُthe branches of النّهْرِthe river تَذْهَبُcarry away بِابْنِهَاher son
فَإِذَا شِعَابُ النّهْرِ تَذْهَبُ بِابْنِهَا
فِيin فَجْوَةِthe hollow of الَوادِيthe valley ضُرُوبَvarieties of مَذَاهِبِroutes
فِي فَجْوَةِ الَوادِي ضُرُوبَ مَذَاهِبِ
And behold, the river's branches carried off her son
By many routes through the valley's hollow.
فَاظْنُنْthen imagine بِرَوْعَتِهَاher terror وَسُرْعَةِand the speed of عَدْوِهَاher running
فَاظْنُنْ بِرَوْعَتِهَا وَسُرْعَةِ عَدْوِهَا
نحْوَtoward العَقِيقِthe watercourse وَدَمْعِهَاand her tears المُتَسَاكِبِpouring down
نحْوَ العَقِيقِ وَدَمْعِهَا المُتَسَاكِبِ
Imagine her terror and the speed of her running
Toward the watercourse, her tears pouring down.
فِيat ذلِكَthat المِيقَاتِmoment أَقْبَلَcame forward يَافِعٌa youth
فِي ذلِكَ المِيقَاتِ أَقْبَلَ يَافِعٌ
بِوِسَامِwith a badge of كَشَّافٍa scout وَبِزَّةِand the uniform of طَالبِa student
بِوِسَامِ كَشَّافٍ وَبِزَّةِ طَالبِ
At that moment a youth came forward,
With a scout's badge and a student's uniform:
قَبَلٌa match لِلِينِin suppleness to الأَسْمَرِthe brown spear الخَطِّيKhatti فِيin
قَبَلٌ لِلِينِ الأَسْمَرِ الخَطِّي فِي
لَوْنٍa hue إلىtoward صَدَإِthe rust of المُهَنَدِthe Indian sword ضَارِبِtending
لَوْنٍ إلى صَدَإِ المُهَنَدِ ضَارِبِ
A match in suppleness for the brown Khatti spear, in
A hue tending toward the rust of an Indian sword.
مِنْamong فِتْيَةِthe young men of الزَّمَنِthe age الَّذِينَwho سَمَاrose high بِهِمْwith them
مِنْ فِتْيَةِ الزَّمَنِ الَّذِينَ سَمَا بِهِمْ
مَوْفُورُabundant آدَابٍrefinement وَيُمْنُand the blessing of نَقَائِبِvirtues
مَوْفُورُ آدَابٍ وَيُمْنُ نَقَائِبِ
One of this age's young men, raised high by
Abundant refinement and the blessing of noble traits.
وَتَنَزَّهَتْand were purified أَخْلاَقُهُمْtheir characters عَنْfrom وَصْمَةٍa stain
وَتَنَزَّهَتْ أَخْلاَقُهُمْ عَنْ وَصْمَةٍ
بِتَرَدُّدٍof hesitation مُزْرٍdisgraceful وَجُبْنٍand cowardice عَائِبِshameful
بِتَرَدُّدٍ مُزْرٍ وَجُبْنٍ عَائِبِ
Their characters were free of the stain
Of disgraceful hesitation and shameful cowardice.
قَدْindeed رَاضَtrained مِنْهُمْamong them كُلُّevery شِبْلٍcub بَأْسَهُhis courage
قَدْ رَاضَ مِنْهُمْ كُلُّ شِبْلٍ بَأْسَهُ
فَغَدَاso became كَلَيْثٍlike a lion فِيin الكَرِيهَةِbattle دَارِبِseasoned
فَغَدَا كَلَيْثٍ فِي الكَرِيهَةِ دَارِبِ
Each cub among them had trained his courage,
Becoming a lion seasoned in battle.
صَدَقَتْproved true مَوَاقِفُهُhis deeds لَدَىduring الجُلَّىthe great ordeal فَمَاso not
صَدَقَتْ مَوَاقِفُهُ لَدَى الجُلَّى فَمَا
دَعْوَىa claim to الشَّجاعَةِcourage مِنْهُfrom him دَعْوَىa claim of كَاذِبِa liar
دَعْوَى الشَّجاعَةِ مِنْهُ دَعْوَى كَاذِبِ
His deeds proved true in the gravest trials, so
His claim to courage was no liar's boast.
ذَاكَthat الفَتَىthe youth وَافَىcame لِيَروِيto quench غُلَّةًa thirst
ذَاكَ الفَتَى وَافَى لِيَروِي غُلَّةً
بِالنَّفسِwithin the soul مِنْfrom عَجَبٍa marvel هُنَالِكَthere عَاجِبِastonishing
بِالنَّفسِ مِنْ عَجَبٍ هُنَالِكَ عَاجِبِ
That youth had come to quench a thirst
Within his soul for the astonishing marvel there:
مِنْfrom رَوْعَةthe majesty of النَّهْرِthe river الحَبِيسِcaptive جَرَتْflowed بِهِwith it
مِنْ رَوْعَة النَّهْرِ الحَبِيسِ جَرَتْ بِهِ
مِنْfrom مَهْبطٍa descent عَالٍhigh عِرَاضُbroad مَذَانِبِchannels
مِنْ مَهْبطٍ عَالٍ عِرَاضُ مَذَانِبِ
The majesty of the captive river, carried
Through broad channels from a lofty descent,
وَجَمَالِand the beauty of مَاwhat يَبْدُوappears لَهُto him مِنْof جَنَّةٍa garden
وَجَمَالِ مَا يَبْدُو لَهُ مِنْ جَنَّةٍ
غَنَّاءَlush فِيin ذَاكَthat المَكَانِthe place العَاشِبِgrassy
غَنَّاءَ فِي ذَاكَ المَكَانِ العَاشِبِ
And the beauty of the garden he could see,
Lush in that grassy place.
فَرَأَىthen he saw ولِيداًa child دَامِياًbleeding مُتَخَبِّطاًfloundering
فَرَأَى ولِيداً دَامِياً مُتَخَبِّطاً
بَيْنَbetween المَسِيلِthe watercourse وَصَخْرِهِand its rocks المُتَكَالِبِsnarling
بَيْنَ المَسِيلِ وَصَخْرِهِ المُتَكَالِبِ
Then he saw a child, bleeding and floundering,
Between the rushing stream and its snarling rocks.
وَشَجَاهُand grieved him مِنْfrom أُمِّthe mother of الغَرِيقِthe drowning child تَفَجُّعٌanguished cries
وَشَجَاهُ مِنْ أُمِّ الغَرِيقِ تَفَجُّعٌ
مُتَدَارِكٌrepeated مِنْfrom مَوْضِعٍa spot مُتَقَارِبِnearby
مُتَدَارِكٌ مِنْ مَوْضِعٍ مُتَقَارِبِ
The drowning child's mother's anguished cries grieved him,
Following one another from a nearby spot.
نَاهِيكَenough for you بِالْيَأْسِwith despair الشَّدِيدintense وَقَدْand indeed غَدَاbecame
نَاهِيكَ بِالْيَأْسِ الشَّدِيد وَقَدْ غَدَا
كَالنَّبحِlike barking مِنْfrom جَرَّاهُits doing نَحْبُthe sobbing of النَّاحِبِthe mourner
كَالنَّبحِ مِنْ جَرَّاهُ نَحْبُ النَّاحِبِ
Such was the fierce despair that it had made
The mourner's sobbing sound like barking.
أَوْحَىinspired إِلَيهِto him قَلْبُهُhis heart مِنْfrom فَوْرِهِhis first impulse
أَوْحَى إِلَيهِ قَلْبُهُ مِنْ فَوْرِهِ
أَنَّthat انْتِقَاذَrescuing الطِّفلِthe child ضَرْبَةُa stroke لاَزِبِinescapable
أَنَّ انْتِقَاذَ الطِّفلِ ضَرْبَةُ لاَزِبِ
His heart told him at once
That rescuing the child was an inescapable duty.
سُرْعَانَhow swiftly مَاindeed أَلْقَىcast off بِوِقْرِthe burden of ثِيَابِهِhis clothes
سُرْعَانَ مَا أَلْقَى بِوِقْرِ ثِيَابِهِ
عَنْهُoff him وَخَفَّand sprang بِعَزْمِwith the resolve of فَهْدٍa cheetah وَاثِبِleaping
عَنْهُ وَخَفَّ بِعَزْمِ فَهْدٍ وَاثِبِ
How swiftly he cast off the burden of his clothes
And sprang free, with the resolve of a leaping cheetah,
مُتَوَغَّلاًplunging deep فيinto الْغَمْرِthe deep water غَيْرَnot مُحَاذِرٍcautious
مُتَوَغَّلاً في الْغَمْرِ غَيْرَ مُحَاذِرٍ
يَحِدُdefies الرَّدَىdeath أَمَماًhead-on وَلَيْسَand is not بِنَاكِبِturning aside
يَحِدُ الرَّدَى أَمَماً وَلَيْسَ بِنَاكِبِ
Plunging deep into the water without caution,
Facing death head-on, never turning aside.
مَاnot زَالَceased حَتَّىuntil اسْتُنْفِدَتْwere exhausted مِنْهُfrom him الْقُوَىthe strength
مَا زَالَ حَتَّى اسْتُنْفِدَتْ مِنْهُ الْقُوَى
هَلْis there مِنْany مَرَدٍّa turning back لِلْقَضَاءِfor fate الْغَالِبِoverpowering
هَلْ مِنْ مَرَدٍّ لِلْقَضَاءِ الْغَالِبِ
He persisted until his strength was spent—
Can overpowering fate be turned back?
أَبْلَىperformed بَلاَءَheroic deeds of الأَبْسَلِينَthe bravest فَلَمْand did not يَقَعْencounter
أَبْلَى بَلاَءَ الأَبْسَلِينَ فَلَمْ يَقَعْ
إِلاَّexcept عَلَىupon شَجَبٍruin هُنَالِكَthere شَاجِبِdeadly
إِلاَّ عَلَى شَجَبٍ هُنَالِكَ شَاجِبِ
He fought with the prowess of the bravest, yet met
Nothing but a deadly doom there.
ذَهَبَتْcarried off مُرُوءَتُهُhis chivalry بِهِhim غَضَّtender الصِّباyouth
ذَهَبَتْ مُرُوءَتُهُ بِهِ غَضَّ الصِّبا
للهِto God دَرُّكَyour excellence فِيin الْعُلَىthe heights مِنْas ذَاهِبْone departing
للهِ دَرُّكَ فِي الْعُلَى مِنْ ذَاهِبْ
His chivalry carried him off in the freshness of youth;
God bless you, departing into the heights of glory!
إِنِّيtruly I أَسِيتُgrieved عَلَىfor الغُلاَمِthe boy وَأُمِّهِand his mother
إِنِّي أَسِيتُ عَلَى الغُلاَمِ وَأُمِّهِ
لَكِنْbut أَسَىthe grief of مُتَبَرِّمٍone resentful أَوْor غَاضِبِone angry
لَكِنْ أَسَى مُتَبَرِّمٍ أَوْ غَاضِبِ
I grieved for the boy and his mother,
But with the grief of one resentful or angry,
جَزِعٍone distressed عَلَىfor الأَوْطَانِthe homelands مِنْbecause of عِلَلٍailments بِهَاin them
جَزِعٍ عَلَى الأَوْطَانِ مِنْ عِلَلٍ بِهَا
وَعَلَىand toward وَلاَةِthe holders of الأَمْرِauthority فِيهَاin them عَاتِبِreproachful
وَعَلَى وَلاَةِ الأَمْرِ فِيهَا عَاتِبِ
Distressed for the homelands by their ailments,
And reproachful toward those who govern them.
لَوْif عُدَّwere counted مَاwhat فَعَلَتْdid جَهَالَتُنَاour ignorance بِنَاto us
لَوْ عُدَّ مَا فَعَلَتْ جَهَالَتُنَا بِنَا
لَمْnot يُحْصِcould enumerate أَكْثَرَهُmost of it حِسَابُthe calculation of الْحَاسِبِthe reckoner
لَمْ يُحْصِ أَكْثَرَهُ حِسَابُ الْحَاسِبِ
If all our ignorance has done to us were counted,
No reckoner's calculations could enumerate the greater part.
أَمَّاas for الَّذِيthe one أَبْكِيI weep for رَدَاهُhis death بِحُرْقَةٍwith anguish
أَمَّا الَّذِي أَبْكِي رَدَاهُ بِحُرْقَةٍ
وَبِمَدْمَعٍand with tears مَاas long as عِشْتُI live لَيْسَnot بِنَاضِبِdrying up
وَبِمَدْمَعٍ مَا عِشْتُ لَيْسَ بِنَاضِبِ
But the one whose death I mourn in anguish,
With tears that will not dry as long as I live,
فَهْوَthen he الَّذِيthe one دَعَتِcalled الْحِمِيَّةُprotective zeal فَانْبَرَىso he rose
فَهْوَ الَّذِي دَعَتِ الْحِمِيَّةُ فَانْبَرَى
مُتَطَوِّعاًvolunteering لِفِدَىto ransom غَريبٍa stranger شَاذِبِfar removed
مُتَطَوِّعاً لِفِدَى غَريبٍ شَاذِبِ
Is he who answered when protective zeal called,
Volunteering to ransom a stranger, an outsider,
وَشَرَىand bought الْحَيَاةَlife لِغَيْرِهِfor another بِحَيَاتِهِwith his life
وَشَرَى الْحَيَاةَ لِغَيْرِهِ بِحَيَاتِهِ
وَالْعَصْرُand the age عَصْرُthe age of المُسْتَفِيدِthe beneficiary الْكَاسِبِthe profit-seeker
وَالْعَصْرُ عَصْرُ المُسْتَفِيدِ الْكَاسِبِ
And bought another's life with his own,
While the age is an age of gain and profit.
هَذَاthis هُوَis he الْكَشَّافُthe scout أَبْدَعَmost marvelous مَاwhat يُرَىis seen
هَذَا هُوَ الْكَشَّافُ أَبْدَعَ مَا يُرَى
فِيin صُورَةٍa portrayal مِنْby شَاعِرٍa poet أَوْor كَاتِبِa writer
فِي صُورَةٍ مِنْ شَاعِرٍ أَوْ كَاتِبِ
This is the scout, the finest one can see
In a portrayal by poet or writer.
وَهَلِand is الْفَتَىthe youth الْكَشَّافُthe scout إِلاَّother than مَنْwhoever رَمَىaimed
وَهَلِ الْفَتَى الْكَشَّافُ إِلاَّ مَنْ رَمَى
مَرْمَىًa target وَلَمْand did not يَخْشَfear اعْتَرِاضَthe obstruction of مَصَاعِبhardships
مَرْمَىً وَلَمْ يَخْشَ اعْتَرِاضَ مَصَاعِب
And what is a young scout but one who aims
At a goal, unafraid of obstructing hardships,
وَمَضَىand proceeded لَطِيفاًtactfully فِيin ابْتِغَاءٍseeking مَرَامِهِhis purpose
وَمَضَى لَطِيفاً فِي ابْتِغَاءٍ مَرَامِهِ
أَوْor غَيْرَnot مُلْوٍturning aside دُونَهُshort of it بِمَعَاطِبِbecause of perils
أَوْ غَيْرَ مُلْوٍ دُونَهُ بِمَعَاطِبِ
And proceeds with tact in seeking his purpose,
Or refuses to turn aside before its perils?
لاnot يَسْتَهِينُslights بِعِرْضِthe honor of غَانِيَةٍa beautiful woman وَلاَand not
لا يَسْتَهِينُ بِعِرْضِ غَانِيَةٍ وَلاَ
يَنْسَىforgets أَوَانَthe time of الضَّيمِoppression حَقَّthe right of الشَّائِبِthe gray-haired man
يَنْسَى أَوَانَ الضَّيمِ حَقَّ الشَّائِبِ
He does not slight a beautiful woman's honor,
Nor forget an elder's rights in a time of oppression.
وَيَكَونُand is يَوْمَon the day of السِّلمِpeace خَيْرَthe best مَسَالِمٍpeacemaker
وَيَكَونُ يَوْمَ السِّلمِ خَيْرَ مَسَالِمٍ
ويَكُونُand is يَوْمَon the day of الْحَرْبِwar خَيْرَthe best مُحَارِبِwarrior
ويَكُونُ يَوْمَ الْحَرْبِ خَيْرَ مُحَارِبِ
In peace he is the best of peacemakers,
And in war the best of warriors.
فإِذَاand when دَعَاcalled دَاعِيthe caller to الْفِدَاءِsacrifice فَإِنَّهُthen he
فإِذَا دَعَا دَاعِي الْفِدَاءِ فَإِنَّهُ
يَقْضِيهِfulfills it أَوْor يَقْضِيdies شَهِيدَa martyr to الْوَاجِبِduty
يَقْضِيهِ أَوْ يَقْضِي شَهِيدَ الْوَاجِبِ
When the call to sacrifice is sounded,
He fulfills it, or dies a martyr to duty.
فِيin ذِمَّةthe protection of المَوْلَىthe Lord شِهَابٌa meteor عَاثِرٌfallen
فِي ذِمَّة المَوْلَى شِهَابٌ عَاثِرٌ
تَبْكِيهِmourns him أُمَّتهُhis nation بِقَلْبٍwith a heart ذَائِبِmelting
تَبْكِيهِ أُمَّتهُ بِقَلْبٍ ذَائِبِ
A fallen meteor is in the Lord's keeping;
His nation mourns him with a melting heart.
بَاقٍremaining وإِنْand although هُوَhe غَابَvanished سَاطِعُradiant نُورِهِhis light
بَاقٍ وإِنْ هُوَ غَابَ سَاطِعُ نُورِهِ
حَتَّىso that يُكَادَalmost يَخَالُone thinks لَيْسَis not بِغَائِبِabsent
حَتَّى يُكَادَ يَخَالُ لَيْسَ بِغَائِبِ
His radiant light remains, though he is gone,
So that one almost thinks he has not vanished.
مِصْرٌEgypt تُتَوِّجُهُcrowns him بِتَاجِwith a crown خَالِدٍeverlasting
مِصْرٌ تُتَوِّجُهُ بِتَاجِ خَالِدٍ
يَزْهُوshines سَنَاهُits brilliance عَلَىthrough المَدَىthe span of time المُتَعَاقِبِsuccessive
يَزْهُو سَنَاهُ عَلَى المَدَى المُتَعَاقِبِ
Egypt crowns him with an everlasting crown,
Whose brilliance shines through succeeding ages.
وَتَقُولُand says قَدْindeed ثَكِلَتْhas been bereaved سَمَائِيmy sky كَوْكَباًa star
وَتَقُولُ قَدْ ثَكِلَتْ سَمَائِي كَوْكَباً
لَكِنَّbut قُدْوَتَهُhis example وَلُودُgiving birth to كَوَاكِبِstars
لَكِنَّ قُدْوَتَهُ وَلُودُ كَوَاكِبِ
And says, 'My sky has been bereaved of a star,
But his example gives birth to stars.'
Sol 6.1