خَليلَيَّmy two friends إِنif أُمُّmother of الحَكيمِal-Hakim تَحَمَّلَتdeparted
خَليلَيَّ إِن أُمُّ الحَكيمِ تَحَمَّلَت
وَأَخلَتand vacated لِخَيماتِfor the little tents of العُذَيبِal-Udhayb ظِلالَهاtheir shade
وَأَخلَت لِخَيماتِ العُذَيبِ ظِلالَها
My two friends, if Umm al-Hakim has departed
My friend, Umm Al-Hakim endured
and left the shade of al-Udhayb's little tents empty,
And pitched her tents in the shade of Ukadh
فَلاthen do not تَسقِيانيyou two give me drink مِنfrom تِهامَةَTihamah بَعدَهاafter her departure
فَلا تَسقِياني مِن تِهامَةَ بَعدَها
بِلالاًa sip وَإِنand even if صَوبُthe downpour of الرَبيعِspring أَسالَهاmade it flow
بِلالاً وَإِن صَوبُ الرَبيعِ أَسالَها
then give me no drink from Tihamah after her departure,
So do not water me after her
not a sip, even if spring's downpour floods it.
With freshest drops though spring rains pour them
وَكُنتُمand you were تَزينونَadorning البَلاطَal-Balat فَفارَقَتso it parted from
وَكُنتُم تَزينونَ البَلاطَ فَفارَقَت
عَشِيَّةَon the evening بِنتُمyou departed زَينَهاits adornment وَجَمالَهاand its beauty
عَشِيَّةَ بِنتُم زَينَها وَجَمالَها
You used to adorn al-Balat; it then lost,
You graced the palace, but at dusk one day
the evening you departed, its grace and beauty.
Departed, leaving your beauty behind
وَقَدand now أَصبَحَbecame الراضونَthose content إِذwhen أَنتُمyou بِهاin it
وَقَد أَصبَحَ الراضونَ إِذ أَنتُم بِها
مَسوسُthe brackish water of البِلادِthe land يَشتَكونَcomplain of وَبالَهاits misery
مَسوسُ البِلادِ يَشتَكونَ وَبالَها
Those content, when you were there, with
And in the morn the happy ones who lodged with you
the land's brackish water now complain of its misery.
Complain, and speak of nothing but your loss
فَقَدso now أَصبَحَتit has become شَتّىdivided تَبُثُّكَconfides in you ماwhat بِهاis within it
فَقَد أَصبَحَت شَتّى تَبُثُّكَ ما بِها
وَلاnor الأَرضَthe earth ماnot يَشكوcomplains إِلَيكَto you اِحتِلالَهاinhabiting it
وَلا الأَرضَ ما يَشكو إِلَيكَ اِحتِلالَها
It now lies divided, confiding its woes to you,
Now you are scattered, with no thought of reunion
nor does the earth complain to you of being inhabited.
And earth itself makes no lament for your usurpation
إِذاwhenever شاءَhe wishes أَبكَتهُmade him weep مَنازِلُdwellings قَدalready خَلَتhave emptied
إِذا شاءَ أَبكَتهُ مَنازِلُ قَد خَلَت
لِعَزَّةَof Azza يَوماًone day أَوor مَناسبُlove verses قالَهاhe recited them
لِعَزَّةَ يَوماً أَو مَناسبُ قالَها
Whenever he wishes, deserted dwellings make him weep—
When you desire, the deserted dwellings
Azza's, on some day—or love verses he recited.
Will weep for your pride one day, or reminisce your habitation
فَهَلthen will يُصبِحَنever wake ياO عَزُّAzz مَنhe who قَدalready قَتَلتِهِyou have slain him
فَهَل يُصبِحَن يا عَزُّ مَن قَد قَتَلتِهِ
مِنَof الهَمِّgrief خِلواًfree نَفسُهُhis soul لاno هَوىًdesire لَهاfor it
مِنَ الهَمِّ خِلواً نَفسُهُ لا هَوىً لَها
Will he whom you have slain, O Azz, ever wake
Will he whom love destroyed, and endless care,
free of grief, his soul without desire?
Awake one morn, his passion turned to loathing?
وَماand whatever أَنسَI forget مِنَof الأَشياءِthings لاnot أَنسَI forget رَدَّهاher turning back
وَما أَنسَ مِنَ الأَشياءِ لا أَنسَ رَدَّها
غَداةَon the morning of الشَباal-Shaba أَجمالَهاher camels وَاِحتِمالَهاand her departure
غَداةَ الشَبا أَجمالَها وَاِحتِمالَها
Whatever things I forget, I shall not forget her turning back
What joys in things, when joys those things denied
her camels on the morning at al-Shaba, and her departure.
Return no more for all a man's beholding?
وَقَدand once لَفَّناenfolded us فيin أَوَّلِthe beginning of الدَهرِtime نِعمَةٌa blessing
وَقَد لَفَّنا في أَوَّلِ الدَهرِ نِعمَةٌ
فَعِشناso we lived زَماناًfor a time آمِنينَfeeling safe from اِنفِتالَهاits slipping away
فَعِشنا زَماناً آمِنينَ اِنفِتالَها
A blessing once enfolded us in the earliest days,
Though life began for us in happiness
and we lived awhile, secure against its slipping away.
Secure those blessings, we now fear their fleeting
كَآلِفَةٍlike a devoted female إِلفاًa mate إِذاwhen صَدَّhe turns away وِجهَةًin a direction
كَآلِفَةٍ إِلفاً إِذا صَدَّ وِجهَةً
سِوىother than وَجهِهِhis direction حَنَّتshe yearned لَهُfor him فَاِرعَوىso he returned لَهاto her
سِوى وَجهِهِ حَنَّت لَهُ فَاِرعَوى لَها
Like a female devoted to her mate: when he turns away,
A loved one, if estrangement change her heart
taking another course, she yearns for him, and he returns to her.
Will pine until she finds her love completing
فَلَستُso I am not بِناسيهاforgetting her وَلَستُand I am not بِتارِكٍabandoning
فَلَستُ بِناسيها وَلَستُ بِتارِكٍ
إِذاwhen أَعرَضَappear الأُدمُthe tawny gazelles الجَوازيthe grazers سُؤالَهاquestioning them
إِذا أَعرَضَ الأُدمُ الجَوازي سُؤالَها
I shall not forget her, nor shall I cease,
Nor will forget the grace young woman showed
when the grazing tawny gazelles appear, questioning them.
Bearing the cold, wrapped in her cloak, repeating
أَأُدرِكُshall I attain مِنfrom أُمِّmother of الحكيِّمِal-Hakim غبطَةًjoy
أَأُدرِكُ مِن أُمِّ الحكيِّمِ غبطَةً
بِهاof it خَبَّرَتنيtold me الطَيرُthe birds أَمor قَدalready أَنىthe time has come لَهاfor it
بِها خَبَّرَتني الطَيرُ أَم قَد أَنى لَها
Shall I gain from Umm al-Hakim the joy
The sandals that I wore to shield her feet
the birds foretold for me, or has its time already come?
Had I but law, not love, for my entreaty
أَقولُI say إِذاwhen ماever الطَيرُthe birds مَرَّتpassed سَحيقَةًfar away
أَقولُ إِذا ما الطَيرُ مَرَّت سَحيقَةً
لَعَلَّكَperhaps you يَوماًone day فَاِنتَظِرso wait أَنto تَنالَهاattain her
لَعَلَّكَ يَوماً فَاِنتَظِر أَن تَنالَها
When birds pass far away, I say:
When, climbing the steep pass, she tired and slipped
"Perhaps one day—so wait—you will win her."
My stave kept close the herd that lagged in greeting
فَإِنso if تَكُshe is فيin مِصرٍEgypt بِدارِin a home of إِقامَةٍsettlement
فَإِن تَكُ في مِصرٍ بِدارِ إِقامَةٍ
مُجاوِرَةًdwelling فيamong الساكِنينَthose inhabiting رِمالَهاits sands
مُجاوِرَةً في الساكِنينَ رِمالَها
If she is in Egypt, in a settled dwelling,
I grieved like a bereft gazelle to see
living among those who inhabit its sands,
A litter passing, carrying her from me
سَتَأتيكَwill come to you بِالرُكبانِwith the riders خوصٌnarrow-eyed camels عَوامِدٌgoing straight
سَتَأتيكَ بِالرُكبانِ خوصٌ عَوامِدٌ
يُعارِضنَrun alongside مُبراةًa nose-ringed camel شَدَدتُI tightened حِبالَهاher ropes
يُعارِضنَ مُبراةً شَدَدتُ حِبالَها
narrow-eyed camels, making straight for you, will bring riders,
I thought of you; my heart its ardour proved
running beside a nose-ringed camel whose ropes I tightened.
Nor stilled its love for you, nor wished reprieve
عَلَيهِنَّupon them مُعتَمّونَturbaned men قَدalready وَجَّهواhave sent لَهاtoward her
عَلَيهِنَّ مُعتَمّونَ قَد وَجَّهوا لَها
صَحابَتُهُمtheir companions حَتّىuntil تَجِذَّshe severs وِصالَهاher ties
صَحابَتُهُم حَتّى تَجِذَّ وِصالَها
On them are turbaned men who have sent toward her
The bowl came round to me in time's rotation
their companions, until she severs her ties.
And you took it when thirst and cold might grieve
مَتىwhenever أَخشَI fear عَدوىremoteness of الدارthe dwelling بَينيbetween me وَبَينَهاand her
مَتى أَخشَ عَدوى الدار بَيني وَبَينَها
أَصِلI join بِنواصيwith the forelocks of الناجِياتِswift she-camels حِبالَهاher cords
أَصِل بِنواصي الناجِياتِ حِبالَها
Whenever I fear the dwelling's remoteness between me and her,
A host that filled the valley slopes, their tents
I join her cords to the forelocks of swift she-camels.
Seemed browsing gazelles, their lances trees
عَلىupon ظَهرِthe back of عادِيٍّancient ground تَلوحُshow مُتونُهُits ridges
عَلى ظَهرِ عادِيٍّ تَلوحُ مُتونُهُ
إِذاwhen العيسُthe pale camels عالَتهُmounted it اِسبَطَرَّتstretched out فَعالَهاtheir movement
إِذا العيسُ عالَتهُ اِسبَطَرَّت فَعالَها
Over the back of ancient ground, its ridges showing,
Their circle met at dusk and dawn's first ray
when pale camels mount it, their strides stretch out.
Hope's goal, which earnest souls desire and seize
وَحافِيَةٍand a barefoot beast مَنكوبَةٍstone-bruised قَدalready وَقيتُهاI protected her
وَحافِيَةٍ مَنكوبَةٍ قَد وَقيتُها
بِنَعليwith my sandal وَلَمand did not أَعقِدI fasten عَلَيهاon her قِبالَهاits toe-strap
بِنَعلي وَلَم أَعقِد عَلَيها قِبالَها
And many a barefoot, stone-bruised beast I have protected
As lamps within some hermit's mansion, lit
with my sandal, without fastening its toe-strap upon her.
With wicks trimmed bright and cups filled full of ghee
لَهُنَّfor them مِنَin النَعلِthe sandal الَّتيwhich قَدalready حَذَوتُهاI fitted her with
لَهُنَّ مِنَ النَعلِ الَّتي قَد حَذَوتُها
مِنَas الحَقِّa right لَوif دافَعتُهاI withheld it مِثلُequal to ماwhat لَهاshe has
مِنَ الحَقِّ لَو دافَعتُها مِثلُ ما لَها
For the others, in the sandal I have fitted her,
Treading the skirt of Abqar's platform there
is a right equal to hers, even if I withheld it.
Or brushing hems so shoes just graze and flea
إِذاwhen هَبَطَتshe descended وَعثاًrough ground مِنَon الخَطِّthe track دافَعَتpressed
إِذا هَبَطَت وَعثاً مِنَ الخَطِّ دافَعَت
عَلَيهاupon her رَذاياworn-out beasts قَدalready كَلَلنَgrew weary كِلالَهاas weary as her
عَلَيها رَذايا قَد كَلَلنَ كِلالَها
When she descends into rough ground along the track, there press
The lords of divans, favours yet unused,
upon her exhausted beasts, as weary as she is.
Choice gifts for backs and left hands too to please
إِذاwhen رَحَلَتdeparted مِنهاfrom among them قَلوصٌa young she-camel تَبَغَّمَتshe moaned
إِذا رَحَلَت مِنها قَلوصٌ تَبَغَّمَت
تَبَغُّمَthe moaning of أُمِّthe mother of الخِشفِthe fawn تَبغيseeking غَزالَهاher young gazelle
تَبَغُّمَ أُمِّ الخِشفِ تَبغي غَزالَها
When a young she-camel departs from them, she moans
They hail Buhlul whose Lord gave back to him
like a fawn's mother seeking her young gazelle.
Glory and beauty when he sought release
تَذَكَّرتُI remembered أَنَّthat النَفسَthe soul لَمhas not تَسلُfound solace عَنكُمُaway from you
تَذَكَّرتُ أَنَّ النَفسَ لَم تَسلُ عَنكُمُ
وَلَمand has not تَقضِfulfilled مِنin حُبّيmy love for أُمَيَّةَUmayyah بالَهاits desire
وَلَم تَقضِ مِن حُبّي أُمَيَّةَ بالَها
I remembered that my soul had found no solace away from you,
With musk his braided locks are dressed; thereby
nor fulfilled its longing in my love for Umayyah.
The scent flows down through his viceregal sleeves
وَإَنّىand I بِذيat Dhu دَورانَDawran تَلَقَىcasts بِكyou away النَوىseparation
وَإَنّى بِذي دَورانَ تَلَقَى بِك النَوى
عَلىalong بَرَديBarada تَظعانَهاher journeying فَاِحتِمالَهاthen her departure
عَلى بَرَدي تَظعانَها فَاِحتِمالَها
And I am at Dhu Dawran, while separation carries you
Succession his when others hoped to steal
along Barada, with her journeying and departure.
By force of arms the Caliphate and seize
أَصاريمَbands حَلَّتsettled مِنهُمُfrom among them سَفحَat the foot of راهِطٍRahit
أَصاريمَ حَلَّت مِنهُمُ سَفحَ راهِطٍ
فَأَكنافَthen the surroundings of تُبنىTubna مَرجَهاits meadow فَتِلالَهاthen its hills
فَأَكنافَ تُبنى مَرجَها فَتِلالَها
Bands of them settled at the foot of Rahit,
No love, no favour made them leave their task,
then around Tubna, in its meadow and its hills.
But honour, which they knew to recognize
كَأَنَّas though القِيانَthe singing girls الغُرَّthe radiant وَسطَamid بُيوتِهِمtheir dwellings
كَأَنَّ القِيانَ الغُرَّ وَسطَ بُيوتِهِم
نِعاجٌantelope does بِجَوٍّin a hollow مِنof رُماحٍRumah خَلاlay empty لَهاfor them
نِعاجٌ بِجَوٍّ مِن رُماحٍ خَلا لَها
As though the radiant singing girls amid their dwellings
This is the man who good for good repays
were antelope does in a hollow of Rumah, empty but for them.
And ties his sandals, having sought advice
لَهُمthey have أُندِياتٌassemblies بِالعَشِيِّin the evening وَبِالضُحىand at morning light
لَهُم أُندِياتٌ بِالعَشِيِّ وَبِالضُحى
بَهاليلُnoble, generous men يَرجوhope for الراغِبونَthe petitioners نَوالَهاtheir bounty
بَهاليلُ يَرجو الراغِبونَ نَوالَها
They have assemblies in the evening and at morning light,
They tested him, and trusted him as Regent
noble men whose bounty petitioners hope for.
After his discipline had filled the land
كَأَنَّهُمُas though they قَصراًat day's end مَصابيحُlamps of راهِبٍa monk
كَأَنَّهُمُ قَصراً مَصابيحُ راهِبٍ
بِمَوزَنَat Mawzan رَوّىsoaked بِالسَليطِwith oil ذُبالَهاtheir wicks
بِمَوزَنَ رَوّى بِالسَليطِ ذُبالَها
They seem, at day's end, like a monk's lamps
Horse troops still covering it, day after day
at Mawzan, whose wicks he has drenched with oil.
Opposing arms, the hollows and the height
يَجوسونَthey pass through عَرضَthe breadth of العَبقَرِيَّةِthe rich carpets نَحوَهاtoward it
يَجوسونَ عَرضَ العَبقَرِيَّةِ نَحوَها
تَمَسُّtouch الحَواشيthe edges أَوor تُلِمُّbrush نِعالَهاtheir sandals
تَمَسُّ الحَواشي أَو تُلِمُّ نِعالَها
They pass across the breadth of the rich carpets toward it,
Now driving back the foe in Rauha's plain
their sandals touching or brushing the edges.
Now Wadi Rida's pasture-ground in fight
هُمُthey أَهلُthe people of أَلواحِthe boards of السَريرِthe throne وَيُمنَةٌand on the right
هُمُ أَهلُ أَلواحِ السَريرِ وَيُمنَةٌ
قَرابينُclose attendants أَردافاًrank upon rank لَهاbeside it وَشِمالَهاand on its left
قَرابينُ أَردافاً لَها وَشِمالَها
They are the people of the throne's boards; on its right
They camp at Bazwa, motionless the troops
stand close attendants, rank upon rank, and on its left.
While camels lift their loads and wander free
يُحَيّونَthey greet بُهلولاًa noble lord بِهِthrough him رَدَّrestored رَبُّهُhis Lord
يُحَيّونَ بُهلولاً بِهِ رَدَّ رَبُّهُ
إِلىto عَبدِAbd شَمسٍShams عِزَّهاits might وَجَمالَهاand its beauty
إِلى عَبدِ شَمسٍ عِزَّها وَجَمالَها
They greet a noble lord through whom his Lord restored
And earth meets treading hooves that imprint deep
to Abd Shams its might and beauty.
At forenoon by the water-pools and lea
مَسائِحُthe flowing locks of فَوديboth sides of رَأسِهِhis head مُسبَغِلَّةٌluxuriantly long
مَسائِحُ فَودي رَأسِهِ مُسبَغِلَّةٌ
جَرىflowed مِسكُmusk of دارينَDarin الأَحَمُّthe dark خِلالَهاthrough them
جَرى مِسكُ دارينَ الأَحَمُّ خِلالَها
The flowing locks on both sides of his head are luxuriantly long,
They charge with sturdy, long-necked breed
dark musk of Darin running through them.
None can repel, however hard they try
أَحاطَتembraced يَداهُhis two hands بِالخِلافَةِthe caliphate بَعدَماafter
أَحاطَت يَداهُ بِالخِلافَةِ بَعدَما
أَرادsought رِجالٌmen آخَرونَothers اِغتِيالَهاits treacherous seizure
أَراد رِجالٌ آخَرونَ اِغتِيالَها
His hands embraced the caliphate after
Obeying when you said "Mount, in God's name"
other men had sought to seize it treacherously.
Content to grasp an Ardoni's stirrup-tie
فَماso not تَرَكوهاthey relinquished it عَنوَةًunder compulsion عَنout of مَوَدَّةٍaffection
فَما تَرَكوها عَنوَةً عَن مَوَدَّةٍ
وَلَكِنbut بِحَدِّwith the edge of المَشرِفِيّthe Mashrafi sword اِستَقالَهاhe won it back
وَلَكِن بِحَدِّ المَشرِفِيّ اِستَقالَها
They did not yield it out of affection, but under compulsion;
If the foe bring armoured horses, flames that lick
he recovered it instead with the edge of a Mashrafi sword.
Swords bared and raised, their lightning flashing nigh
هُوَhe المَرءُthe man يَجزيrepays بِالمَوَدَّةِwith affection أَهلَهاthose worthy of it
هُوَ المَرءُ يَجزي بِالمَوَدَّةِ أَهلَها
وَيَحذوand fits بِنَعلِto the sandal of المُستَثيبِthe reward-seeker قِبالَهاits toe-strap
وَيَحذو بِنَعلِ المُستَثيبِ قِبالَها
He is the man who repays affection to those who show it,
You charge the infidels' wild surging throng
and fits the reward-seeker's sandal with its toe-strap.
That march in step with shields that terrify
بَلَوهُthey tested him فَأَعطَوهُso they gave him المَقادَةَthe reins بَعدَماafter
بَلَوهُ فَأَعطَوهُ المَقادَةَ بَعدَما
أَدَبَّhe sent coursing through البِلادَthe lands سَهلَهاtheir plains وَجِبالَهاand their mountains
أَدَبَّ البِلادَ سَهلَها وَجِبالَها
They tested him, then yielded him the reins, after
As lions guarding the Hijaz troops, as though
he sent coursing through the land, its plains and mountains,
Their threatening growls would keep all help defy
مَقانِبَtroops of خَيلٍhorse ماnot تَزالُcease مُظَلَّةًlooming
مَقانِبَ خَيلٍ ما تَزالُ مُظَلَّةً
عَلَيهِمover them فَمَلّواso they wearied of كُلَّevery يَومٍday قِتالَهاfighting them
عَلَيهِم فَمَلّوا كُلَّ يَومٍ قِتالَها
troops of horse that never ceased looming
In their dread coats of mail the warriors clasp
over them, till they wearied of fighting them every day.
Their victim and allow no place to fly
دَوافِعَsurging بِالرَوحاءِthrough al-Rawha طَوراًsometimes وَتارَةًand at other times
دَوافِعَ بِالرَوحاءِ طَوراً وَتارَةً
مَخارِمَthe passes of رَضوىRadwa مَرجَهاits meadows فَرِمالَهاthen its sands
مَخارِمَ رَضوى مَرجَها فَرِمالَها
Sometimes surging through al-Rawha, at other times through
You saw death harvesting, so be resigned
the passes of Radwa, its meadows and sands.
Set not your mind against it, heed its cry
يُقَيِّلنَthey rest at midday بِالبَزواءِat al-Bazwa وَالجَيشُwhile the army واقِفٌstands
يُقَيِّلنَ بِالبَزواءِ وَالجَيشُ واقِفٌ
مَزادَthe water-skins of الرَواياwater-bearing camels يَصطَبِبنَdraw water for themselves فِضالَهاtheir remnants
مَزادَ الرَوايا يَصطَبِبنَ فِضالَها
They rest at midday at al-Bazwa, while the army stands,
In war, when foes rouse battle's dangerous mood
drawing the remnants from the skins of the water-bearing camels.
And changeful chance makes brave men fall and die
وَقَدand already قابَلَتthey faced مِنهاfrom there ثَرىًThara مُستَجيزَةًpassing onward
وَقَد قابَلَت مِنها ثَرىً مُستَجيزَةً
مَباضِعَMabadi فيat وَجهِthe beginning of الضُحىmorning فَثُعالَهاthen its Thual
مَباضِعَ في وَجهِ الضُحى فَثُعالَها
They have faced Thara, passing onward from there
You reached their shrouds and overwhelmed the embalmers
through Mabadi at morning's onset, then its Thual.
With mortal blows and blood to terrify
يُعانِدنَthey strain past فيin الأَرسانِthe halters أَجوازَthe middle stretches of بُرزَةٍBurzah
يُعانِدنَ في الأَرسانِ أَجوازَ بُرزَةٍ
عِتاقَthe noblest of المَطاياthe mounts مُسنِفاتٍpulling forward حِبالَهاtheir ropes
عِتاقَ المَطايا مُسنِفاتٍ حِبالَها
They traverse the heart of Burzah, straining at their halters,
The day of glory that no night outlasts
fine-bred mounts, pulling their ropes forward.
Whose dawning makes the nursing mothers fly
فَغادَرنَso they left behind عَسبَthe progeny of الوالِقِيِّal-Waliqi وَناصِحٍand Nasih
فَغادَرنَ عَسبَ الوالِقِيِّ وَناصِحٍ
تَخُصُّreserves بِهِit for أُمُّthe mother of الطَريقِthe road عِيالَهاher young
تَخُصُّ بِهِ أُمُّ الطَريقِ عِيالَها
They left behind the progeny of al-Waliqi and Nasih,
The russet horse a lightning flash, his back
which the 'mother of the road' reserves for her young.
Marked bright, though eyes may weary and wish to deny
عَلىon كُلِّevery خِنذيذِpowerful steed of الضُحىmorning مُتَمَطِّرٍgalloping
عَلى كُلِّ خِنذيذِ الضُحى مُتَمَطِّرٍ
وَخَيفانَةٍand a slender mare قَدalready هَذَّبَrefined الجَريُrunning آلَهاher frame
وَخَيفانَةٍ قَد هَذَّبَ الجَريُ آلَها
On every powerful steed galloping through the morning,
You raced him on until you met the foe,
and every slender mare whose frame running has refined.
Then Sibri's blade shore through their ranks, laid low
وَخَيلٍand horses بِعاناتٍat Anat فَسِنَّthen Sinn سُمَيرَةٍSumayrah
وَخَيلٍ بِعاناتٍ فَسِنَّ سُمَيرَةٍ
لَهُhis لاnot يُرَدُّturn away الذائِدونَthe warders نِهالَهاtheir thirsty ones
لَهُ لا يُرَدُّ الذائِدونَ نِهالَها
And horses at Anat, then Sinn Sumayrah,
And when some headstrong tribe attacked, you loosed
belonging to him, whose thirsty ones no warder turns away.
Abu-1-Walid's arrows on the flying row
إِذاwhen قيلَit is said خَيلَcavalry of اللَهِGod يَوماًone day أَلاcome now اِركَبيride
إِذا قيلَ خَيلَ اللَهِ يَوماً أَلا اِركَبي
رَضيتَyou welcomed بِكَفِّunder the hand of الأُردُنِيِّthe Jordanian اِنسِحالَهاtheir streaming forward
رَضيتَ بِكَفِّ الأُردُنِيِّ اِنسِحالَها
Whenever the cry goes up, 'Cavalry of God, ride!'
You rose ambitious to the highest goal
you welcome their streaming forward under the Jordanian's hand.
While only noble spirits may climb so high
إِذاwhen عَرَضَتappeared شَهباءُa gray host خَطّارَةُswaying القَناthe lances
إِذا عَرَضَت شَهباءُ خَطّارَةُ القَنا
تُريكَshows you السُيوفَthe swords هَزَّهاtheir brandishing وَاِستِلالَهاand their drawing
تُريكَ السُيوفَ هَزَّها وَاِستِلالَها
When a gray host appears, its lances swaying,
Your hand grasped glory completely, though before
showing you swords, their brandishing and drawing,
Men's hands fell short, and could not satisfy
رَمَيتَyou hurled بِأَبناءِthe sons of العُقَيمِيَّةِal-Uqaymiyyah الوَغىinto battle
رَمَيتَ بِأَبناءِ العُقَيمِيَّةِ الوَغى
يَؤُمّونَthey head toward مِشيَwith the gait of المُشبِلاتِlionesses with cubs ظِلالَهاits shadows
يَؤُمّونَ مِشيَ المُشبِلاتِ ظِلالَها
you fling the sons of al-Uqaymiyyah into battle;
An impregnable fortress of Ibn al-'Asi
they head toward its shadows with the gait of lionesses with cubs.
Which al Mufaddal has described in his own style
كَأَنَّهُمُas though they آسادُlions of حَليَةَHalyah أَصبَحَتhave become
كَأَنَّهُمُ آسادُ حَليَةَ أَصبَحَت
خَوادِرَlair-dwellers تَحميguarding الخَيلَthe horses مِمَّنfrom whoever دَناapproaches لَهاthem
خَوادِرَ تَحمي الخَيلَ مِمَّن دَنا لَها
As if they were the lions of Halyah, now
The weak man staggers beneath his comrade's load
lair-dwellers guarding the horses from whoever comes near.
While the most piercing sight endures denial
إذاwhen أَخَذواthey took أَدراعَهُhis coats of mail فَتَسَربَلواand clothed themselves
إذا أَخَذوا أَدراعَهُ فَتَسَربَلوا
مُقَلَّصَthe shortened مَسروداتِهاof their linked coats وَمُذالَهاand their trailing ones
مُقَلَّصَ مَسروداتِها وَمُذالَها
When they take up his coats of mail and clothe themselves
A blackened griddle, safe within the tents
in their linked coats, both shortened and trailing,
If strangers neared, would meet them with denial
رَأَيتَyou saw المَناياdeaths شارِعاتٍadvancing فَلاso do not تَكُنbe
رَأَيتَ المَنايا شارِعاتٍ فَلا تَكُن
لَهاin their path سَنَناًdirectly نَصباًa target وَخَلِّand leave clear مَجالَهاtheir field
لَها سَنَناً نَصباً وَخَلِّ مَجالَها
you see deaths advancing; do not become
I stilled my tongue, content with what her ears
an exposed target in their path; leave their field clear.
Could follow, though she first showed shy denial
وَحَربٍand many a war إِذاwhen الأَعداءُthe enemies أَنشَتset up حِياضَهاits basins
وَحَربٍ إِذا الأَعداءُ أَنشَت حِياضَها
وَقَلَّبَand turned أَمراسُthe ropes of السَوانيwell-drawing camels مَحالَهاits pulleys
وَقَلَّبَ أَمراسُ السَواني مَحالَها
And many a war, when enemies have set up its basins
I blew on her softly, eloquently, till
and the well-camels' ropes have turned its pulleys,
She understood that breath meant no denial
وَرَدتَyou came عَلىupon فُرّاطِهِمtheir advance water-men فَدَهَمتَهُمand overwhelmed them
وَرَدتَ عَلى فُرّاطِهِم فَدَهَمتَهُم
بِأَخطارِwith perils of مَوتٍdeath يَلتَهِمنَdevouring سِجالَهاits water-filled buckets
بِأَخطارِ مَوتٍ يَلتَهِمنَ سِجالَها
you come upon their advance water-men, overwhelming them
I stole her, where honour guided, to my hand
with perils of death that devour its brimming buckets.
When she was reconciled and put off denial
وَقارِيَةٍand a raiding band أَحواضَthe basins of مَجدِكَyour glory دونَهاbefore them
وَقارِيَةٍ أَحواضَ مَجدِكَ دونَها
ذِياداًa repulse يُبيلُmaking miscarry الحاضِناتِnursing mothers سَخالَهاtheir young
ذِياداً يُبيلُ الحاضِناتِ سَخالَها
And many a raiding band finds, before your glory's basins,
I was a man who did great favours once
a repulse that makes nursing mothers miscarry their young.
And others have their generous deeds, longtime
وَشَهباءَand a gray host تَرديcharges بِالسَلوقِيِّin Saluqi mail فَوقَهاabove it
وَشَهباءَ تَردي بِالسَلوقِيِّ فَوقَها
سَناthe radiance of بارِقاتٍflashing blades تَكرَهُabhors العَينُthe eye خالَهاtheir glare
سَنا بارِقاتٍ تَكرَهُ العَينُ خالَها
And many a gray host charges in Saluqi mail, above it
I swear no special group of men I know
the flash of gleaming blades whose glare the eye abhors.
But you surpass the choice of their design
قَصَدتَyou made straight لَهاfor it حَتّىuntil إِذاwhen ماindeed لَقيتَهاyou met it
قَصَدتَ لَها حَتّى إِذا ما لَقيتَها
ضَرَبتَyou struck بِبُصرِيِّwith a Busra-made الصَفيحِblade قَذالَهاthe back of its head
ضَرَبتَ بِبُصرِيِّ الصَفيحِ قَذالَها
You make straight for it, until, when you meet it,
No thought of them disturbs me now, though they
you strike the back of its head with a Busra-made blade.
Were prospered once, before misfortune's sign
وَكُنتَand you were إذاwhen نابَتكَbefell you يَوماًone day مُلِمَّةٌa calamity
وَكُنتَ إذا نابَتكَ يَوماً مُلِمَّةٌ
نَبَلتَyou shot arrows لَهاat it أَباO father of الوَليدِal-Walid نِبالَهاits arrows
نَبَلتَ لَها أَبا الوَليدِ نِبالَها
Whenever some calamity befalls you,
Ungrateful be not for Marwan's lavished gifts
you shoot its arrows at it, Abu al-Walid.
'Abd Shams' descendants; bless their high design
سَمَوتَyou rose فَأَدرَكتَand attained العَلاءَeminence وَإِنَّماand only
سَمَوتَ فَأَدرَكتَ العَلاءَ وَإِنَّما
يُلَقّىis granted عَلِيّاتِthe highest levels of العُلاeminence مَنwhoever سَماrose لَهاtoward them
يُلَقّى عَلِيّاتِ العُلا مَن سَما لَها
You rose and reached eminence; only
Your father saved the dome of power, when men
those who rise toward them are granted the highest heights.
Had lost their footing and affairs declined
وَصلتَyou reached فَنالَتso attained كَفُّكَyour hand المَجدَglory كُلَّهُall of it
وَصلتَ فَنالَت كَفُّكَ المَجدَ كُلَّهُ
وَلَمand did not تَبلُغِreach الأَيديthe hands السَواميthe aspiring مَصالَهاits reach
وَلَم تَبلُغِ الأَيدي السَوامي مَصالَها
You reached, and your hand grasped all glory,
This death in life brings sorrow; death itself were better.
while other aspiring hands never attained its reach.
Is death not sweet, that finds no life resign?
عَلىupon اِبنِthe son of العاصيal-Asi دِلاصٌsmooth mail حَصينَةٌimpregnable
عَلى اِبنِ العاصي دِلاصٌ حَصينَةٌ
أِجادَperfected المُسَدّيthe maker سَردَهاits linked weave وَأَذالَهاand lengthened it
أِجادَ المُسَدّي سَردَها وَأَذالَها
Upon Ibn al-Asi is a smooth, impregnable coat of mail,
God grant no highborn drink this cup. They are swords
whose maker perfected its links and made it long.
The smith, in days gone by, has hammered fine.
يَؤودُburdens ضَعيفَthe weak man of القَومِthe people حَملُthe carrying of قَتيرِهاits rings
يَؤودُ ضَعيفَ القَومِ حَملُ قَتيرِها
وَيَستَضلِعُand has strength for الطَرفُthe noble steed الأَشَمُّthe high-nosed اِحتَمالَهاcarrying it
وَيَستَضلِعُ الطَرفُ الأَشَمُّ اِحتَمالَها
The weight of its rings burdens a weak man,
God guard the eye that watches over a band
while the high-nosed, noble steed has strength to carry it.
Who for their people's rights fight and outshine.
وَسَوداءُand a black serpent مِطراقٍhead bowed إِلىbeside آمِنِa safe place of الصَفاrock
وَسَوداءُ مِطراقٍ إِلى آمِنِ الصَفا
أَبِيٍّunyielding إِذاwhen الحاويthe snake-charmer دَناdraws near فَصَداand chants لَهاto her
أَبِيٍّ إِذا الحاوي دَنا فَصَدا لَها
And a black serpent, head bowed, seeking a safe rock,
The Caliph it was raided the allies
unyielding when the charmer draws near and chants to her,
Hidden in my advice, and made them mine
كَفَفتُI withheld يَداًa hand عَنهاfrom her وَأَرضَيتُand pleased سَمعَهاher hearing
كَفَفتُ يَداً عَنها وَأَرضَيتُ سَمعَها
مِنَwith القَولِspeech حَتّىuntil صَدَّقَتshe believed ماwhat وَعىit took in لَهاfor her
مِنَ القَولِ حَتّى صَدَّقَت ما وَعى لَها
I held my hand back from her and pleased her hearing
I make a claim; I say companionship
with words, until she trusted what it took in for her.
And binding pledges have not ceased their sign
وَأَشعَرتُهاand I made her feel نَفثاًa breath-charm بَليغاًpotent فَلَوif only تَرىyou could see
وَأَشعَرتُها نَفثاً بَليغاً فَلَو تَرى
وَقَدand already جُعِلَتshe was made أَنto تَرعِيَgive attention النَفثَto the breath-charm بالَهاher mind
وَقَد جُعِلَت أَن تَرعِيَ النَفثَ بالَها
And I made her feel a potent breath-charm—if only you could see
Do not proclaim me now rebellious, if
how she was made to give the charm her attention!
I shun the faction whose caprice incline
تَسَلَّلتُهاI drew her gently out مِنfrom حَيثُwhere أَدرَكَهاreached her الرُقىthe spells
تَسَلَّلتُها مِن حَيثُ أَدرَكَها الرُقى
إِلىinto الكَفِّthe palm لَمّاwhen سالَمَتshe became peaceable وَاِنسِلالَهاand her slipping out
إِلى الكَفِّ لَمّا سالَمَت وَاِنسِلالَها
I drew her gently from where the spells had reached her
No enemy, no friend whose counsel halts,
into my palm, when she grew peaceable and slid forth.
And where truth beckons, shows a life supine
وَإِنيand I اِمرؤٌam a man قَدindeed كُنتُhad أَحسَنتُdone good مَرَّةًonce
وَإِني اِمرؤٌ قَد كُنتُ أَحسَنتُ مَرَّةً
وَلِلمَرءِand a man has آلاءٌfavors عَلَيَّover me اِستَطالَهاhe deemed them great
وَلِلمَرءِ آلاءٌ عَلَيَّ اِستَطالَها
And I am a man who once did good,
He shone with joy to greet me when I came,
and a man has bestowed on me favors he deems great.
His limbs gained youth, his scented wood entwine
فَأُقسِمُso I swear ماnot مِنany خُلَّةٍfriendship قَدever خَبِرتُهاI experienced it
فَأُقسِمُ ما مِن خُلَّةٍ قَد خَبِرتُها
مِنَamong الناسِpeople إِلّاexcept قَدindeed فَضَلتَyou surpassed خَلالَهاits qualities
مِنَ الناسِ إِلّا قَد فَضَلتَ خَلالَها
I swear, no friendship I have known
The freshest droplets of spring rain renewed their connection
among people has qualities you have not surpassed.
Through the branches that bring those prized pearls to the vine
وَماand no ظَنَّةٌsuspicion فيon جَنبِكَyour account اليَومَtoday مِنهُمfrom them
وَما ظَنَّةٌ في جَنبِكَ اليَومَ مِنهُم
أُزَنُّI am accused بِهاof it إِلّاexcept that اِضطَلَعتُI shouldered اِحتِمالَهاits burden
أُزَنُّ بِها إِلّا اِضطَلَعتُ اِحتِمالَها
And no suspicion from them, today on your account,
is attached to me without my shouldering its burden.
وَكانواand they were ذَويpossessors of نُعمىfavor فَقَدbut now حالَintervened دونَهاbefore it
وَكانوا ذَوي نُعمى فَقَد حالَ دونَها
ذَووpossessors of أَنعُمٍblessings فيماin what مَضىhas passed فَاِستَحالَهاand transformed them
ذَوو أَنعُمٍ فيما مَضى فَاِستَحالَها
They once bestowed favors, but between me and those favors came
men of earlier bounty, who transformed them.
فَلاso do not تَكفُرواdeny مَروانَMarwan آلاءَthe favors of أَهلِهِhis people
فَلا تَكفُروا مَروانَ آلاءَ أَهلِهِ
بَنيsons of عَبدُAbd شَمسٍShams وَاِشكُروهُand thank him فِعالَهاtheir deeds
بَني عَبدُ شَمسٍ وَاِشكُروهُ فِعالَها
Do not deny Marwan the favors of his people,
sons of Abd Shams; thank him for their deeds.
أَبوكُمyour father تَلافىsaved قُبَّةَthe dome of المُلكِkingship بِعدَماafter
أَبوكُم تَلافى قُبَّةَ المُلكِ بِعدَما
هَوىfell سَمكَهاits roof وَغَيَّرَand changed الناسُthe people حالَهاits condition
هَوى سَمكَها وَغَيَّرَ الناسُ حالَها
Your father saved the dome of kingship after
its roof had fallen and people had changed its condition.
إِذاwhen الناسُthe people ساموهاoffered it حَيَاةًa life زِهيدَةًpaltry
إِذا الناسُ ساموها حَيَاةً زِهيدَةً
هِيَit is القَتلُkilling وَالقَتلُand killing الَّذيthat لاnot شَوىa mere flesh wound لَهاfor it
هِيَ القَتلُ وَالقَتلُ الَّذي لا شَوى لَها
When people offered it a paltry life,
that was killing—a killing that was no mere flesh wound to it.
أَبىrefused اللَهُGod لِلشُمِّfor the high-nosed men الأُلاءِthose كَأَنَّهُمas though they
أَبى اللَهُ لِلشُمِّ الأُلاءِ كَأَنَّهُم
سُيوفٌswords أَجادَperfected القَينُthe smith يَوماًone day صِقالَهاtheir polish
سُيوفٌ أَجادَ القَينُ يَوماً صِقالَها
God refused that fate for those proud, high-nosed men, who seem
like swords whose polish a smith once perfected.
فَلِلَّهِso blessed by God عَيناthe two eyes of مَنwhoever رَأىsaw مِنa عِصابَةٍband
فَلِلَّهِ عَينا مَن رَأى مِن عِصابَةٍ
تُناضِلُdefending عَنon behalf of أَحسابِthe ancestral honor of قَومٍa people نِضالَهاas it fights
تُناضِلُ عَن أَحسابِ قَومٍ نِضالَها
God bless the two eyes of whoever saw a band
defending a people's ancestral honor as it does.
وَإِنَّand indeed أَميرَcommander of المُؤمِنينَthe faithful هُوَhe الَّذيwho
وَإِنَّ أَميرَ المُؤمِنينَ هُوَ الَّذي
غَزاraided كامِناتِthe hidden reserves of النُصحِloyal counsel مِنّيwithin me فَنالَهاand won them
غَزا كامِناتِ النُصحِ مِنّي فَنالَها
And the Commander of the Faithful is indeed the one
who raided the hidden stores of my loyalty and won them.
وَإِنّيand I مُدِلٌّconfident in favor أَدَّعيclaim أَنَّthat صُحبَةًa companionship
وَإِنّي مُدِلٌّ أَدَّعي أَنَّ صُحبَةً
وَأَسبابَand bonds of عَهدٍa covenant لَمhave not أُقَطَّعI severed وِصالَهاits ties
وَأَسبابَ عَهدٍ لَم أُقَطَّع وِصالَها
And I, confident in favor, claim a companionship
and bonds of a covenant whose ties I have not severed.
فَلاso do not تَجعَلَنّيmake me فيin الأُمورِaffairs كَعُصبَةٍlike a faction
فَلا تَجعَلَنّي في الأُمورِ كَعُصبَةٍ
تَبَرَّأَتُI disowned مِنهاit إِذاwhen رَأَيتُI saw ضلالَهاits error
تَبَرَّأَتُ مِنها إِذا رَأَيتُ ضلالَها
So do not, in these affairs, count me like a faction
I disowned when I saw its error,
عَدُوٍّhostile وَلاnor أُخرىanother صَديقٍfriendly وَنصحُهاand its counsel
عَدُوٍّ وَلا أُخرى صَديقٍ وَنصحُها
ضَعيفٌweak وَبَثُّand proclaiming الحَقِّthe truth لَمّاwhen بَداappeared لَهاto it
ضَعيفٌ وَبَثُّ الحَقِّ لَمّا بَدا لَها
hostile, nor another, friendly, whose counsel
is weak, as is its proclaiming the truth once it becomes clear.
تَبَلَّجَhe shone with joy لَمّاwhen جِئتُI came وَاِخضَرَّand grew green عودُهُhis bough
تَبَلَّجَ لَمّا جِئتُ وَاِخضَرَّ عودُهُ
وَبَلَّand moistened وَسيلاتيmy means of approach إِلَيهِto him بِلالَهاtheir moisture
وَبَلَّ وَسيلاتي إِلَيهِ بِلالَها
He shone with joy when I came, and his bough grew green;
and gave my approaches to him their refreshing moisture.
Partial English translation: 132 of 156 Arabic lines translated.
Sol 6.1