نُبِّئتُI was informed كلبَthe dog of كُلَيبٍKulayb قَدalready عَوىhowled جَزَعاin panic
نُبِّئتُ كلبَ كُلَيبٍ قَد عَوى جَزَعا
وَكُلُّand every عاوٍhowler بِفيهِin his mouth التربُdust وَالحَجَرُand stones
وَكُلُّ عاوٍ بِفيهِ التربُ وَالحَجَرُ
I was told that Kulayb's dog had howled in panic.
I was told a dog of Kulayb howled in grief
Every howler has dust and stones in his mouth.
And every howler, dust and stone fill his mouth
أَعياhe failed فَعَقَّبَthen returned يَهجونيlampooning me بِهِwith it ضَجَراin exasperation
أَعيا فَعَقَّبَ يَهجوني بِهِ ضَجَرا
وَلَنand never يُغَيِّرَwill remove عَنهُfrom him السَؤَةَdisgrace الضَجرُexasperation
وَلَن يُغَيِّرَ عَنهُ السَؤَةَ الضَجرُ
He failed, then returned to lampoon me in exasperation.
He wailed and then complained, castigating me in displeasure
But exasperation will never remove his disgrace.
But his condition will not be changed by displeasure
يَلومُنيhe blames me ظالِماًunjustly فيfor سُنَّةٍa custom سَبَقَتpreviously established
يَلومُني ظالِماً في سُنَّةٍ سَبَقَت
إِنَّindeed الكُلَيبيَّthe Kulaybi لَمnot يُكتَبwas decreed لَهُfor him ظَفَرُvictory
إِنَّ الكُلَيبيَّ لَم يُكتَب لَهُ ظَفَرُ
He unjustly blames me for an established custom.
He blames me unjustly for a precedent that preceded
Victory was never decreed for the Kulaybi.
Indeed, Kulayb was not destined for victory
وَماand not خَلَقتُكَI created you عَبداًa slave لاno نِصابَlineage لَهُfor him
وَما خَلَقتُكَ عَبداً لا نِصابَ لَهُ
بَلrather هُوhe خَليقُthe creature of الَّذيthe one who يَقضيdecrees وَيأتَمِرُand decides
بَل هُو خَليقُ الَّذي يَقضي وَيأتَمِرُ
I did not create you a slave without lineage.
And I did not create you a servant without means
Rather, he is the creature of the one who decrees and decides.
Rather, he is suited to obey and follow commands
كلفتنيyou charged me with مالِكاًMalik إِنif مالِكٌMalik زَخَرَتsurged
كلفتني مالِكاً إِن مالِكٌ زَخَرَت
ياO بنَson of المُراغَةِal-Muragha قَدalready جاءَتcame بِكَwith you النُصَرُthe reinforcements
يا بنَ المُراغَةِ قَد جاءَت بِكَ النُصَرُ
You charged me with Malik; if Malik's tide swelled,
You tasked me as an owner, though an owner is enriched
O son of al-Muragha, reinforcements have brought you.
O son of Muragha, victory has come to you
وَإِنand if تَجَرَّدَemerged أَمثالٌsayings خَدعتَyou were deceived بِهاby them
وَإِن تَجَرَّدَ أَمثالٌ خَدعتَ بِها
مِنَfrom الفَرَزدَقِal-Farazdaq يَمضيhe proceeds ماas long as مَضىcontinued السَفَرُthe journey
مِنَ الفَرَزدَقِ يَمضي ما مَضى السَفَرُ
And if sayings emerge by which you were deceived,
And though the like of Farazdaq has stripped off
from al-Farazdaq, he proceeds as long as the journey lasts.
What is passed of Farazdaq's departure, once he bit the dust
لَمّاwhen رَأَيتyou saw ابنَthe son of لَيلىLayla عِندَbeside غانيَةٍa beautiful woman
لَمّا رَأَيت ابنَ لَيلى عِندَ غانيَةٍ
فيin كَفِّهِhis hand قَصَباتُthe reeds of السابِقِthe victor الخِيَرُthe choice ones
في كَفِّهِ قَصَباتُ السابِقِ الخِيَرُ
When you saw Ibn Layla beside a beautiful woman,
When I saw the son of Layla with a singing girl
the victor's choice reeds were in his hand.
In his grasp, the reed pipes of the excellent predecessor
هِبتَyou feared الفَرَزدَقَal-Farazdaq فاِستَعفَيتَنيso you begged me for release جَزَعاin panic
هِبتَ الفَرَزدَقَ فاِستَعفَيتَني جَزَعا
لِلمَوتِtoward death يَعمُدُhe heads وَالمَوتُand death الَّذيthat which تَذَرُyou shun
لِلمَوتِ يَعمُدُ وَالمَوتُ الَّذي تَذَرُ
You feared al-Farazdaq and begged me for release in panic.
You roused Farazdaq so I resigned myself to death in grief
He heads toward death, and death is what you shun.
To the death that you avoid and death that abandons
فاِخسأso get back لَعَلَّكَperhaps you تَرجوhope أَنthat يَحُلَّwill descend بِناupon us
فاِخسأ لَعَلَّكَ تَرجو أَن يَحُلَّ بِنا
رَحلُthe saddle of الفَرَزدَقِal-Farazdaq لَمّاwhen عَضَّكَbit you الدَبَرُsaddle-sores
رَحلُ الفَرَزدَقِ لَمّا عَضَّكَ الدَبَرُ
Get back! Perhaps you hope there will descend upon us
So withdraw, perhaps you hope the departure of Farazdaq will befall us
al-Farazdaq's saddle, after saddle-sores have bitten you.
When his backside bit the dust from beneath him
تَهجوyou lampoon بَنيthe sons of لَجأٍLaja لَمّاwhen اِنهَزَمَتyou were routed لَهُbefore him
تَهجو بَني لَجأٍ لَمّا اِنهَزَمَت لَهُ
رُعباin terror وَأَنفُكَand your nose مِمّاby what قالَhe said مُختَصَرُclipped short
رُعبا وَأَنفُكَ مِمّا قالَ مُختَصَرُ
You lampoon the sons of Laja after fleeing before him
You insult the Banu Lajam when they were defeated
in terror, your nose clipped short by what he said.
Frightened, while your snout from what was said, summarized
إِنّيindeed I أَناI البَحرُthe sea غَمراًdeep and vast لَستَyou are not جاسِرَهُits crosser
إِنّي أَنا البَحرُ غَمراً لَستَ جاسِرَهُ
وَسَبّيَand my abuse النارَfire دونَbefore البَحرِthe sea تَستَعِرُblazes
وَسَبّيَ النارَ دونَ البَحرِ تَستَعِرُ
I am the deep sea, which you cannot cross.
I am the sea, vast, no brave one dares cross me
My abuse is fire, blazing before the sea.
And I ignite fire, beyond the sea blazing
ماnot زِلتَyou ceased تَنتَجِعُseeking out الأَصواتَthe voices مُعتَرِضاintercepting
ما زِلتَ تَنتَجِعُ الأَصواتَ مُعتَرِضا
تَروحُyou go at evening فيin اللؤُمِbaseness مشتَقّاًcutting your way وَتَبتَكِرُand set out early
تَروحُ في اللؤُمِ مشتَقّاً وَتَبتَكِرُ
You have kept seeking voices, intercepting them,
You have not ceased to collect voices, interrupting,
going out at evening through baseness and setting out early.
Roaming in villainy, longing and waking early
حَتّىuntil اِستَثَرتَyou roused أَباthe father of شِبلينtwo cubs ذاpossessing لِبَدٍa thick mane
حَتّى اِستَثَرتَ أَبا شِبلين ذا لِبَدٍ
وَزَبرَةٍand a mane لَمnot تواطيmatched خَلقَهاits form الزُبَرُother manes
وَزَبرَةٍ لَم تواطي خَلقَها الزُبَرُ
Until you roused the father of two cubs, thick-maned,
Until you provoked Abu Shibl, a man of valor
with a mane whose like no other manes could match.
And coarseness, whose nature rugged rocks did not smooth
وردَtawny القَرىin the back كَصَفاةِlike the rock of الهَضبِthe plateau جَبهَتُهُhis forehead
وردَ القَرى كَصَفاةِ الهَضبِ جَبهَتُهُ
يَموتُdies مِنfrom زَأرِهِhis roar فيin الغابَةِthe thicket النَمِرُthe leopard
يَموتُ مِن زَأرِهِ في الغابَةِ النَمِرُ
Tawny-backed, his forehead is like a plateau's rock.
His blow returns the villages like a plateau's ridge
The leopard dies in the thicket from his roar.
A lion dies in the jungle from his roar
يَعدوhe charges فَتَنفَرِجُso parts الغُمّىthe overwhelming darkness إِذاwhen اِنفَرَجَتit opens
يَعدو فَتَنفَرِجُ الغُمّى إِذا اِنفَرَجَت
وَالقِرنُand the opponent تَحتَbeneath يَدَيهِhis two paws حينَwhen يَهتَصِرُhe crushes
وَالقِرنُ تَحتَ يَدَيهِ حينَ يَهتَصِرُ
He charges, and the overwhelming darkness parts as it opens,
He runs and the mist separates when it separates
his opponent beneath his paws when he crushes him.
And the spear beneath his hand when he brandishes
شَكَّتpierced أَنابيبُهُhis shafts صُدغَيكَyour two temples مُقتَدِراwith power
شَكَّت أَنابيبُهُ صُدغَيكَ مُقتَدِرا
شَكَّthe piercing of المَساميرِthe nails عُوداwood جَوفُهُits core نَخِرُrotten
شَكَّ المَساميرِ عُودا جَوفُهُ نَخِرُ
His shafts pierced your temples with power,
His tusks gashed your cheeks, prevailing
as nails pierce wood whose core is rotten.
The nails of his hollow interior pierced and tore
ماwhat بالُis the matter with قَولِthe words of جَريرٍJarir يَومَthe day أَحبِسُهُI bar him
ما بالُ قَولِ جَريرٍ يَومَ أَحبِسُهُ
عَنِfrom المَشاربthe watering places إِنَّindeed الماءَthe water يُحتَضَرُis thronged
عَنِ المَشارب إِنَّ الماءَ يُحتَضَرُ
What of Jarir's words, the day I barred him
What ails the saying of Jarir when I detain him
from the watering places: 'The water is thronged!'
From drinks, indeed the water is hoarded
خَلِّclear الطَريقَthe road لَناfor us نَشرَبlet us drink فَقُلتُso I said لَهُto him
خَلِّ الطَريقَ لَنا نَشرَب فَقُلتُ لَهُ
سَيفٌa sword وَراءَكَbehind you حَتّىuntil تَفضُلَremain السُؤَرُthe leftovers
سَيفٌ وَراءَكَ حَتّى تَفضُلَ السُؤَرُ
'Clear the way for us to drink!' I told him:
Make way for us to drink, so I said to him
'A sword is behind you until the leftovers remain.'
A sword behind you until the walls collapse
إِنَّindeed الطَريقَthe road طَريقُthe road of الوارِدينَthose coming to water لَناis ours
إِنَّ الطَريقَ طَريقُ الوارِدينَ لَنا
ياO بنَson of الأَتانِthe she-ass وَأَحواضِand the basins of الجِبىcollected water الكُبَرُthe great ones
يا بنَ الأَتانِ وَأَحواضِ الجِبى الكُبَرُ
The road—the road of those coming to water—is ours,
Indeed the road is for those arriving to us
O son of a she-ass, and ours are the great collecting basins.
O son of the donkey and basin of the elderly's burial
إِنَّindeed الحِياضَthe pools الَّتيthat تَبنيbuild بَنوthe sons of الخَطَفىal-Khatafa
إِنَّ الحِياضَ الَّتي تَبني بَنو الخَطَفى
تُبنىare built بِلؤمٍwith baseness فَماso not تَنفَكُّcease تَنفَجِرُbursting
تُبنى بِلؤمٍ فَما تَنفَكُّ تَنفَجِرُ
The pools that the sons of al-Khatafa build
Indeed the basin which the Banu Khatfa built
are built with baseness, so they never stop bursting.
Is built with villainy, never ceasing to collapse
كانَتwere غَوائِلُهاtheir ruinous parts السُفلىthe lower ones أَعاليَهاtheir upper parts
كانَت غَوائِلُها السُفلى أَعاليَها
فَكَيفَso how تُبنىare built عَلَيهاupon them وَهيَwhile they تَنكَسِرُbreak
فَكَيفَ تُبنى عَلَيها وَهيَ تَنكَسِرُ
Their ruinous foundations were their summits.
Its lower supports were its highest
How can anything be built upon them while they break?
So how can it be built on when it crumbles
ابنواbuild المَنارَthe landmarks فإِنَّfor indeed العَبدَthe slave يَنضُدُهُstacks them
ابنوا المَنارَ فإِنَّ العَبدَ يَنضُدُهُ
فَوقَabove الصوىthe cairns وَعَلىand upon خَرطومِهِhis snout المَدَرُclods
فَوقَ الصوى وَعَلى خَرطومِهِ المَدَرُ
Build the landmarks: the slave stacks them
Build the minaret, for the servant will support it
above the cairns, with clods upon his snout.
Above the sublime, on its trunk the circle
إِنif كُنتَyou are تَبكيweeping عَلىover المَوتىthe dead لِتَنكِحَهُمto copulate with them
إِن كُنتَ تَبكي عَلى المَوتى لِتَنكِحَهُم
فابركthen kneel جَريرُJarir فَهَذاfor this is ناكِحٌa copulator ذَكَرُmale
فابرك جَريرُ فَهَذا ناكِحٌ ذَكَرُ
If you weep over the dead to copulate with them,
If you weep for the dead to marry them
kneel, Jarir: here is a male copulator.
Then weep, Jarir, for here is a wedding match
لَقَدcertainly كَذَبتَyou lied وَشَرُand the worst of القَولِspeech أَكذَبهُits falsest
لَقَد كَذَبتَ وَشَرُ القَولِ أَكذَبهُ
ماnot خاطَرَتstaked بِكَyou عَنin defense of أَحسابِهاits ancestries مُضِرُMudar
ما خاطَرَت بِكَ عَن أَحسابِها مُضِرُ
You have lied; the worst speech is the most false.
You have lied, and the worst of speech is the most lying
Mudar did not stake you in defense of its ancestry.
She did not consider you apart from her reckoning, Mudar
بَلrather أَنتَyou نَزوَةُa mounting by خَوّارٍa weakling عَلىupon أمَةٍa slave-woman
بَل أَنتَ نَزوَةُ خَوّارٍ عَلى أمَةٍ
لَنnever يَسبِقَwill win الحَلباتِthe races اللؤمُbaseness وَالخَورُand weakness
لَن يَسبِقَ الحَلباتِ اللؤمُ وَالخَورُ
Rather, you are a weakling's mounting of a slave-woman.
Rather, you are the fancy of a debaucher with a slave girl
Baseness and weakness will never win the races.
Whom villainy and vileness did not precede
ياO بنَson of المُراغَةِal-Muragha شَرَّthe worst of العالَمينَall people أَباin father
يا بنَ المُراغَةِ شَرَّ العالَمينَ أَبا
زُعrestrain بِالمراغَةِal-Muragha حيثُwherever اضطركَforced you القَدرُfate
زُع بِالمراغَةِ حيثُ اضطركَ القَدرُ
O son of al-Muragha, with the world's worst father,
O son of Muragha, the worst of two people, Abu
restrain al-Muragha wherever fate has forced you.
Za'a with Muragha, wherever fate cast you
ماwhat بالُis the matter with أُمكَyour mother بِالمنحاةِat the water-drawing place إِذwhen كَشَفَتshe uncovered
ما بالُ أُمكَ بِالمنحاةِ إِذ كَشَفَت
عَنof عَضرَطٍan anus واِرمٍswollen قَدalready غَمَّهُcovered it الشَعَرُhair
عَن عَضرَطٍ واِرمٍ قَد غَمَّهُ الشَعَرُ
What of your mother at the water-drawing place, when she uncovered
What is with your mother by elopement when she unveiled
a swollen anus that hair had covered,
An old camel, its hair tangled, which she covered
لِبَربريٍّfor a Berber خَبيثِfoul in الريحِsmell أَبرَكَهاwho made her kneel
لِبَربريٍّ خَبيثِ الريحِ أَبرَكَها
هَلاwhy not هُنالِكَthere ياO بنَson of اللؤمِbaseness تَنتَصِرُprevail
هَلا هُنالِكَ يا بنَ اللؤمِ تَنتَصِرُ
for a foul-smelling Berber who made her kneel?
To a wicked Berberi whose stench is foul
Why did you not prevail there, O son of baseness?
Better she be defended there, O son of villainy
كأَنas though عُنبُلَهاher clitoris وَالعَبدُwhile the slave يُنسِفُهاtosses her about
كأَن عُنبُلَها وَالعَبدُ يُنسِفُها
حِبنٌa boil عَلىon رَكَبِthe pubic mound of البَظراءِthe uncut woman يَنبَتِرُbreaks off
حِبنٌ عَلى رَكَبِ البَظراءِ يَنبَتِرُ
Her clitoris, as the slave tosses her about, seems
As if her genitals and the slave plowing her
a boil on the uncut woman's pubic mound, breaking off.
Were a scab on the vulva of an old she-camel sprouting
كَأَنَّas though جَفرَa hollow in صَراةٍa watercourse مطرمٍfull هَدِمٍcrumbling
كَأَنَّ جَفرَ صَراةٍ مطرمٍ هَدِمٍ
مَشغَرُthe crotch of أُمِّthe mother of جَريرٍJarir حينَwhen تَشتَغِرُshe spreads her legs
مَشغَرُ أُمِّ جَريرٍ حينَ تَشتَغِرُ
As though a full, crumbling hollow in a watercourse
As if the upper arm of a villainous, black
were Jarir's mother's crotch when she spreads her legs.
Mother of Jarir, when she is enraged
رَحبُwide in المَشَقِّthe opening عَلَيهِupon it اللَيفُfiber ذوpossessing زَبَدٍfoam
رَحبُ المَشَقِّ عَلَيهِ اللَيفُ ذو زَبَدٍ
مُعَتّصِلٌclotted قَبقَبيُّgurgling in الصَوتِsound مُنهَمِرُstreaming
مُعَتّصِلٌ قَبقَبيُّ الصَوتِ مُنهَمِرُ
Wide in its opening, covered with fiber and foam,
Ample and vile, the froth on it thickened
clotted, gurgling, streaming.
Bleating, shrill voiced, pouring
اللُؤمُbaseness أَنكَحَهاmarried her وَاللُؤمُand baseness أَلقَحَهاimpregnated her
اللُؤمُ أَنكَحَها وَاللُؤمُ أَلقَحَها
وَكُلُand every فَحلٍstud لَهُhas مِنof ضَربِهِhis coupling قَدَرُan allotted measure
وَكُلُ فَحلٍ لَهُ مِن ضَربِهِ قَدَرُ
Baseness married her, and baseness impregnated her.
Villainy impregnated her and villainy sired her
Every stud has his allotted measure of coupling.
And every stallion has his share of begetting
ماwhatever قُلتَyou said فيin مِرَّةٍa twist إِلّاbut سَأنقُضُهاI shall unravel it
ما قُلتَ في مِرَّةٍ إِلّا سَأنقُضُها
ياO بنَson of الأَتانِthe she-ass بِمِثليby one like me تُنقَضُare untwisted المِرَرُthe cords
يا بنَ الأَتانِ بِمِثلي تُنقَضُ المِرَرُ
Whatever you say in a twist, I shall unravel it.
I have not said at all except I will refute it
O son of a she-ass, one like me untwists the cords.
O son of the donkey, with my like, verse is refuted
جاءَتshe came بِأَنفِwith the nose of جَريرٍJarir شَعرُهاher hair مَعهُwith it
جاءَت بِأَنفِ جَريرٍ شَعرُها مَعهُ
إِنَّindeed الثَنيَّةَthe mountain pass ذاتَpossessing الفَرعِthe crest تُبتَدَرُis rushed toward
إِنَّ الثَنيَّةَ ذاتَ الفَرعِ تُبتَدَرُ
She brought forth Jarir's nose, her hair accompanying it.
Her pubic hair came with Jarir's nose entangled
A mountain pass with a crest is eagerly rushed toward.
Indeed the curvature, branching, is snatched
جاءَتshe came بِأَرضَعَwith the basest عَبدٍslave مِنfrom بَنيthe sons of الخَطَفىal-Khatafa
جاءَت بِأَرضَعَ عَبدٍ مِن بَني الخَطَفى
فيin أَخدَعيهِhis two neck-veins إِذاwhen اِستَقبَلتَهُyou face him صَعَرُcrookedness
في أَخدَعيهِ إِذا اِستَقبَلتَهُ صَعَرُ
She brought forth the basest slave of al-Khatafa's sons.
She came with a slave of Banu Khatfa suckling
His neck-veins are crooked when you face him.
In her armpits, bristling if you face him
لَوif كُنتَyou were بَرّاًdutiful بِأُمٍto a mother غَيرِnot مُنجِبَةٍbearing worthy children
لَو كُنتَ بَرّاً بِأُمٍ غَيرِ مُنجِبَةٍ
سَرَمتَyou would have slit جولَthe rim of اِستِهاher anus لَمnot يَهجُهاwould lampoon her عُمَرُUmar
سَرَمتَ جولَ اِستِها لَم يَهجُها عُمَرُ
Had you been dutiful to a mother who bore no worthy child,
Had you been virtuously born of a mother not birthing
you would have slit her anus's rim; Umar would not have lampooned her.
You would have shackled a mare never impregnated by lifespan
أَأَنis it because تَمَثَلتَyou quoted بَيتاًa verse ياO أَباfather of خُرُطٍKhurut
أَأَن تَمَثَلتَ بَيتاً يا أَبا خُرُطٍ
ناسٍforgetful لُعابَكَyour drool بَعدَafter الشَيبِgray hair يَنتَثِرُscatters
ناسٍ لُعابَكَ بَعدَ الشَيبِ يَنتَثِرُ
Is it because you quoted a verse, O Abu Khurut,
Do you mimic a verse, O Abu Khurut
forgetful, while your drool scatters after your hair has grayed?
Of people whose saliva after old age is scattered
فارهِزthen thrust sexually into أَباكَyour father بُنيَّlittle son of الخَيطَفىal-Khaytafa طَلَقاfreely
فارهِز أَباكَ بُنيَّ الخَيطَفى طَلَقا
هَذاthis إِلَيكَto you بُنيَّlittle son of الخَيطفىal-Khaytafa العِذَرُthe warning
هَذا إِلَيكَ بُنيَّ الخَيطفى العِذَرُ
Then thrust into your father freely, little son of al-Khaytafa.
So unleash your father, O Banu Khatfa, freely
Here is the warning to you, little son of al-Khaytafa.
This, to you, O Banu Khatfa, is the excuse
وَملأand filled صِماخَكَyour ear-canal مِنwith عَوراءَa foul utterance مُخزيَةٍshameful
وَملأ صِماخَكَ مِن عَوراءَ مُخزيَةٍ
إِنif كانhas هاجَكَstirred you قَولٌspeech ماnot بِهِin it عَوَرُa flaw
إِن كان هاجَكَ قَولٌ ما بِهِ عَوَرُ
And it filled your ear with a shameful, foul utterance,
And fill your quiver from the back of a disgraced woman
if words without flaw have stirred you.
If speech has provoked you with no dishonor in it
فَإِنso if أُهِنكَI dishonor you فَهَذاthen this العَبدُslave أَخسأَهُI drive away
فَإِن أُهِنكَ فَهَذا العَبدُ أَخسأَهُ
وَإِنand if حُقِرتَyou are despised فأَنتَthen you العَبدُthe slave تُحتَقَرُare held in contempt
وَإِن حُقِرتَ فأَنتَ العَبدُ تُحتَقَرُ
If I dishonor you, this is a slave I drive away.
If you are humiliated, then this slave has debased him
If you are despised, you are the slave held in contempt.
And if you are scorned, then you, slave, are scorned
وَماand not ختَلتُI deceived جَريراJarir حينَwhen أَقصدَهُstruck him dead
وَما ختَلتُ جَريرا حينَ أَقصدَهُ
سَهميmy arrow وَماand not كُنتُI was مِنَّنamong those from whom يُخَبأُis hidden القَمَرُthe moon
سَهمي وَما كُنتُ مِنَّن يُخَبأُ القَمَرُ
I did not deceive Jarir when it struck him dead—
I did not refrain from Jarir when I aimed at him
my arrow; I was not one from whom the moon is hidden.
My arrow, and I was not one from which the moon is concealed
جازَpassed العِقابُpunishment بِهِby him حَتّىuntil قَصَدتُI took aim لَهُat him
جازَ العِقابُ بِهِ حَتّى قَصَدتُ لَهُ
واِعتَرَّand exposed himself حَتّىuntil أَفادَتyielded up وَحشَهُhis wild beasts الغَرَرُrisks
واِعتَرَّ حَتّى أَفادَت وَحشَهُ الغَرَرُ
Punishment had passed him by until I took aim at him.
The eagle passed by him until I aimed for him
He exposed himself until risks yielded up his wild beasts.
And the wild animal was wary until desolation guided it
وَمُنجَنيقُكَand your catapult خَرَّتcollapsed إِذwhen رَمَيتَyou fired بِهاwith it
وَمُنجَنيقُكَ خَرَّت إِذ رَمَيتَ بِها
عِنaway from استِthe anus of أُمكَyour mother لَمnot يَبلِغreached لَهاit حَجَرُa stone
عِن استِ أُمكَ لَم يَبلِغ لَها حَجَرُ
Your catapult collapsed when you fired it,
Your mangonels failed when you shot them
away from your mother's anus; no stone reached it.
From your mother's vagina, no rock reached her
تَرميyou shoot عَلىat كَزَّةٍa hard mass بادٍvisible قَوادِحُهاits spark-strikers
تَرمي عَلى كَزَّةٍ بادٍ قَوادِحُها
فاِحذَرso beware فَوادِحَهاits crushing blows لاnot يُنجِكَwill save you الحَذَرُcaution
فاِحذَر فَوادِحَها لا يُنجِكَ الحَذَرُ
You shoot at a hard mass whose sparks are visible.
You shoot feeble arrows, their penetrators dissipating
Beware its crushing blows: caution will not save you.
So beware her penetrations, caution will not save you
إِنَّindeed اللَئيمَthe vile جَريراJarir يَومَthe day فَرَّغَهُdischarged him
إِنَّ اللَئيمَ جَريرا يَومَ فَرَّغَهُ
فيinto قُرنَةِthe corner of السَوءِevil عَبدٌa slave ماؤُهُhis semen كَدِرُmuddy
في قُرنَةِ السَوءِ عَبدٌ ماؤُهُ كَدِرُ
Vile Jarir, on the day he was discharged
Indeed the despicable Jarir, when a slave emptied him
into evil's corner by a slave whose semen was muddy,
In the corner of evil, his water turbid
وَفيand in المَشيمَةِthe placenta لؤمٌbaseness فيin مقَرَّتِهاits resting place
وَفي المَشيمَةِ لؤمٌ في مقَرَّتِها
حَتّىuntil شَوىscorched صُدُغَيهhis two temples اللؤمُbaseness وَالكِبَرُand old age
حَتّى شَوى صُدُغَيه اللؤمُ وَالكِبَرُ
had baseness in the placenta, in its resting place,
And in the womb, villainy, in its pit
until baseness and old age scorched his temples.
Until villainy and old age seared his cheeks
عَبدٌa slave إِذاwhen ناءَhe rises laboriously لِلعَلياtoward lofty rank تَكاءَدَهُburdens him
عَبدٌ إِذا ناءَ لِلعَليا تَكاءَدَهُ
سدٌّa wall مِنَof اللؤمِbaseness لاnot يَجتازُهُcrosses it البَصَرُsight
سدٌّ مِنَ اللؤمِ لا يَجتازُهُ البَصَرُ
A slave: whenever he rises toward lofty rank, he is burdened by
A slave, if he intends for the most high, his ambitiousness
a wall of baseness that sight cannot cross.
Blocks him, from villainy, which no sight penetrates
أَلقِthrow down العَصاthe staff صاغِراabased لَيسَnot القيامُstanding لَكُمfor you
أَلقِ العَصا صاغِرا لَيسَ القيامُ لَكُم
واقعُدand sit down جَريرُJarir فَأَنتَfor you الأَعقَدُthe twisted one الزَمِرُthe puny one
واقعُد جَريرُ فَأَنتَ الأَعقَدُ الزَمِرُ
Throw down your staff in abasement; standing is not for you.
Look, you see villainy between his beard
Sit down, Jarir: you are twisted and puny.
And his eyebrows, when aiming is possible
لَقَدcertainly وَجَدتُمyou found جَريراJarir ياO بَنيِsons of الخَطفىal-Khatafa
لَقَد وَجَدتُم جَريرا يا بَنيِ الخَطفى
بِئسَwretched is المُراهِنُthe contestant حَتىّuntil ابتُلَّتِgrew wet العُذَرُthe bridle-straps
بِئسَ المُراهِنُ حَتىّ ابتُلَّتِ العُذَرُ
You have found Jarir, O sons of al-Khatafa,
O villainy of the Kulaybi tribe with their women
a wretched contestant, until the bridle-straps grew wet.
They did not fight the people when taken captive, nor thanked
سُدَّتwere blocked عَلَيكَagainst you الثَناياthe passes واِستَدرَتَand you turned about لَهاbefore them
سُدَّت عَلَيكَ الثَنايا واِستَدرَتَ لَها
كَماas تَحيَّرَwas bewildered تَحتَbeneath الظُلمَةِdarkness الحيَرُthe confused one
كَما تَحيَّرَ تَحتَ الظُلمَةِ الحيَرُ
The passes were blocked against you, and you turned about before them,
They pursued the women who birthed them
like a bewildered man confused beneath darkness.
Behind the donkeys, wine in their necks mixed
دَقَّتshattered ثَنيَّتَهُhis incisor الثرَماءَthe broken one حينَwhen جَرىhe ran
دَقَّت ثَنيَّتَهُ الثرَماءَ حينَ جَرى
طولُthe tall ones of العِشارthe pregnant she-camels وَأَدمىand bloodied باستهِhis anus الثَفَرُthe crupper
طولُ العِشار وَأَدمى باستهِ الثَفَرُ
His broken incisor was shattered as he ran
They did not overtake them, and their composures distracted them
by tall pregnant she-camels; the crupper bloodied his anus.
Until Salman came before them or another
إِنif كانَhas قالَsaid جَريرٌJarir إِنَّindeed ليI have نَفَراa company
إِن كانَ قالَ جَريرٌ إِنَّ لي نَفَرا
مِنof صالِحِworthy الناسِpeople فاِسأَلهُthen ask him مَنwho النَفَرُthe company is
مِن صالِحِ الناسِ فاِسأَلهُ مَن النَفَرُ
If Jarir has said, 'I have a company
So they became armed among the Banu Shayban
of worthy people,' ask him who that company is.
Some of them taunting others, hostility boiling
أَمُعرِضٌis it Mu'rid أَمor مُعيدٌMu'id أَمor بَنوthe sons of الخَطَفىal-Khatafa
أَمُعرِضٌ أَم مُعيدٌ أَم بَنو الخَطَفى
تِلكَthose الأَخابِثُvile ones ماnot طابواwere good وَماand not كَثرواwere numerous
تِلكَ الأَخابِثُ ما طابوا وَما كَثروا
Is it Mu'rid, or Mu'id, or the sons of al-Khatafa?
Until the purest of their women came to you afterward
Those vile ones were neither good nor numerous.
After the protrusions, their ropes extending
خِزيٌdisgrace حياتُهُمtheir life رِجسٌpollution وَفاتُهُمtheir death
خِزيٌ حياتُهُم رِجسٌ وَفاتُهُم
لاnot تَقبَلُaccepts الأَرضُthe earth مَوتاهُمtheir dead إِذاwhen قُبِرواthey are buried
لا تَقبَلُ الأَرضُ مَوتاهُم إِذا قُبِروا
Their life is disgrace; their death is pollution.
Their white forelocks, from Wail, implying Numay destroyed them
The earth does not accept their dead when they are buried.
Bakr and Taghlib subjugated you, who made
أُندُبsummon بَنيthe sons of الخَطَفىal-Khatafa إِنif كُنتَyou can تُعلِمهُمmake them known
أُندُب بَني الخَطَفى إِن كُنتَ تُعلِمهُم
شَيئاًat all وَإِلّاand otherwise فَلَمthen not يَشعُرnoticed بِهِمthem بَشَرُa mortal
شَيئاً وَإِلّا فَلَم يَشعُر بِهِم بَشَرُ
Summon the sons of al-Khatafa, if you can make them known
The color of dust upon your cheek, O blasphemy
at all; otherwise no mortal has noticed them.
The granters to you of the chastity of your women
تَنتَحِلُyou falsely claim المَجدَglory لَمnot يَعلَمknew أَبوكَyour father بِهِof it
تَنتَحِلُ المَجدَ لَم يَعلَم أَبوكَ بِهِ
هَيهاتَfar from it جارَled astray بِكَyou الإِيرادُcoming to water وَالصَدَرُand departing
هَيهاتَ جارَ بِكَ الإِيرادُ وَالصَدَرُ
You claim glory your father never knew.
Numayy did not restrict them from you, nor trace
Far from it! Coming to water and departing led you astray.
O son of Muragha, do not boast with pride
أُندُبsummon خَنازيرَswine of لُؤمٍbaseness أُلحِقواwere affiliated بِهِمwith them
أُندُب خَنازيرَ لُؤمٍ أُلحِقوا بِهِم
وَاِترُكand abandon جَريرُJarir ذَهاباgoing حَيثُwhere تَقتَفِرُyou follow tracks
وَاِترُك جَريرُ ذَهابا حَيثُ تَقتَفِرُ
Summon swine of baseness who were affiliated with them.
After retrieving from the captives the lame
Stop, Jarir, going where you follow tracks.
I am the son of Julhum, O son of two wicked ones, Abu
هَلare أَنتَyou إِلّاanything but حِمارٌa donkey مِنfrom بَنيthe sons of الخَطَفىal-Khatafa
هَل أَنتَ إِلّا حِمارٌ مِن بَني الخَطَفى
فَصَوِّبso lower الطَرفَthe gaze لَمnot يُفسَحwas granted room لَكَto you النَظَرُto look
فَصَوِّب الطَرفَ لَم يُفسَح لَكَ النَظَرُ
Are you anything but a donkey of al-Khatafa's sons?
And the son of Jisaas and Taim when I pride myself
Lower your gaze: you have not been granted room to look.
The directors, their directions are exhausted
بَيتُa house of المَدَقَّةِabasement لَمnot يَشعُرnoticed بِهِمthem أَحَدٌanyone
بَيتُ المَدَقَّةِ لَم يَشعُر بِهِم أَحَدٌ
إِذاwhen هُمُthey فيin مَراغِthe rolling-place of الأَرنَبِthe hare اِنجَحَرواburrowed
إِذا هُمُ في مَراغِ الأَرنَبِ اِنجَحَروا
A house of abasement, noticed by no one,
And the feeders of fat until the rain is released
when they burrowed into a hare's rolling-place.
And the leaders of Yemen and the courageous, their influence
لَقَدcertainly عَلِمتُI have learned عَلىdespite أَنّيmy أَسبُّهُمُreviling them
لَقَد عَلِمتُ عَلى أَنّي أَسبُّهُمُ
ماnot فيamong بَنيthe sons of الخَطَفىal-Khatafa مِنfrom والِديmy father ثُؤَرُblood-debts
ما في بَني الخَطَفى مِن والِدي ثُؤَرُ
I have learned, although I revile them,
The day of ordeal, and the slain when they exhibit courage
that my father has no blood-debt among al-Khatafa's sons.
And the parents, kings, you used to worship them
وَإِنَّand indeed كُلَّevery كَريمٍnoble man قامَwho stands ذاpossessing حَسَبٍancestry
وَإِنَّ كُلَّ كَريمٍ قامَ ذا حَسَبٍ
يَهجوlampoons جَريراJarir يَسُبُّcurses العَبدَthe slave أَوor يَذَرُleaves him
يَهجو جَريرا يَسُبُّ العَبدَ أَو يَذَرُ
Every noble man who stands possessed of ancestry
Before prostrating in your supremacy ridiculed
lampoons Jarir, whether he curses the slave or leaves him.
And the preventers by God's permission, protected
يَدعوhe calls upon عُتَيبَةَUtayba إِذwhen دَقَّتwere crushed بَنوthe sons of الخَطَفىal-Khatafa
يَدعو عُتَيبَةَ إِذ دَقَّت بَنو الخَطَفى
حَتّىuntil رَمىstruck وَجهَهُhis face مِنbefore him دونِهِa refuge وَزَرُa shelter
حَتّى رَمى وَجهَهُ مِن دونِهِ وَزَرُ
He calls upon Utayba when al-Khatafa's sons are crushed,
The tribe of Taim, and war's fire kindled
until a refuge before him strikes his face.
We preceded Taim the days of dogs together
وَقَعنَبٌand Qa'nab ياO بنَson of لاno شَيءٍthing هَتَفتَyou called بِهِupon him
وَقَعنَبٌ يا بنَ لا شَيءٍ هَتَفتَ بِهِ
إِذwhen مالَfailed رجلُكَyour leg واِنهاضَتand broke بِكَbeneath you الأُسَرُthe bonds
إِذ مالَ رجلُكَ واِنهاضَت بِكَ الأُسَرُ
And Qa'nab, O son of nothing, you called upon
So they became crippled, though tribes did not limp
when your footing failed and your bonds broke beneath you.
And the day we favored them, we the slaughterers of it
أَنthat تَلبَسِyou wear الخَزَّsilk-and-wool cloth تَظلِمهُyou wrong it أَباfather of خُرُطٍKhurut
أَن تَلبَسِ الخَزَّ تَظلِمهُ أَبا خُرُطٍ
وَأَنتَwhile you بِاللؤمِin baseness معتَمٌّturbaned وَمُؤتَزِرُand waist-wrapped
وَأَنتَ بِاللؤمِ معتَمٌّ وَمُؤتَزِرُ
You wrong silk-and-wool cloth by wearing it, Abu Khurut,
For the people, their command disseminated
while baseness is your turban and waist-wrapper.
And the day of the Tigris, formations made to drink
وَيَنزِلُand occupies الخَزُّsilk-and-wool cloth مِنكَon you اليَومَtoday مَنزِلَةًa place
وَيَنزِلُ الخَزُّ مِنكَ اليَومَ مَنزِلَةً
ماnot كانَthere was لِلخَزِّfor the cloth فيماin what قَبلَهاpreceded it الأَثَرُa trace
ما كانَ لِلخَزِّ فيما قَبلَها الأَثَرُ
Today silk-and-wool cloth occupies on you a place
A cup of violence in it, morning drink and evening
where no such cloth had ever left its mark before.
And the day of Sa'd and Sahn, so horsemen of ours pursued
فَأَصبَحَso began الخَزُّsilk-and-wool cloth يَبكيto weep مِنbecause of بَنيthe sons of الخَطَفىal-Khatafa
فَأَصبَحَ الخَزُّ يَبكي مِن بَني الخَطَفى
ياO خَزَّcloth of كِرمانَKirman صَبراpatience إِنَّهاindeed these are الهِتَرُoutrages
يا خَزَّ كِرمانَ صَبرا إِنَّها الهِتَرُ
So silk-and-wool cloth began to weep because of al-Khatafa's sons.
Without wavering or boredom
O cloth of Kirman, patience! These are outrages.
And the day we embraced Suwaid and Al-Qannas, intending
وَكانَand was خَزُّthe cloth of جَريرٍJarir كُلَّevery مُمتَزِقٍtorn scrap
وَكانَ خَزُّ جَريرٍ كُلَّ مُمتَزِقٍ
مِنof صوفِthe wool of ماهرَّأتwhat had frayed مِنfrom ضَأنِهاits sheep القِرَرُcold spells
مِن صوفِ ماهرَّأت مِن ضَأنِها القِرَرُ
Jarir's silk-and-wool cloth used to be every torn scrap
And the horses galloping over them, hordes muddy
of wool from sheep that cold spells had frayed.
And our women remained as the position of a star
فَأُمُّهُso his mother فيin قَبيلَيthe two halves of بُردَةٍa cloak خَلَقٍworn out
فَأُمُّهُ في قَبيلَي بُردَةٍ خَلَقٍ
وَالخَيطَفىand al-Khaytafa فيin شِمالِthe cloak of اللؤمِbaseness مُعتَجِرُhead-wrapped
وَالخَيطَفى في شِمالِ اللؤمِ مُعتَجِرُ
His mother wears the two halves of a worn-out cloak,
While your violated women are taken captive, without bride-price
and al-Khaytafa wraps his head in baseness's cloak.
We raid and capture while our women are not taken captive
أَماas for قَبائِلُthe tribes of يَربوعٍYarbu' فَلَيسَthen not لَهاfor them
أَما قَبائِلُ يَربوعٍ فَلَيسَ لَها
فيماamong what يَعُدُّreckon ذَووthose possessing الأَحسابِancestries مُفتَخَرُa source of pride
فيما يَعُدُّ ذَوو الأَحسابِ مُفتَخَرُ
As for the tribes of Yarbu', they have nothing
Indeed, fighting for Taim are matters destined
to boast of among what men of ancestry reckon.
We are from the womb of an undiminished horse
لاnot يُفقَدونَare missed إِذاwhen غابواthey are absent وَإِنand if شَهِدواthey are present
لا يُفقَدونَ إِذا غابوا وَإِن شَهِدوا
لَمnot تَستَشِرُهُمconsults them تَميمٌTamim حينَwhen تَأتَمِرُtaking counsel
لَم تَستَشِرُهُم تَميمٌ حينَ تَأتَمِرُ
They are not missed when absent; when present,
O son of she who carried him while startled
Tamim does not consult them when taking counsel.
No stance diminished us which we took
تُقضىare settled الأَمورُaffairs وَيَربوعٌwhile Yarbu' مُخَلَّفَةٌis left behind
تُقضى الأَمورُ وَيَربوعٌ مُخَلَّفَةٌ
حَتّىuntil يَقولواthey say غداةَon the morning of الغِبِّthe following day ماwhat الخَبَرُis the news
حَتّى يَقولوا غداةَ الغِبِّ ما الخَبَرُ
Affairs are settled while Yarbu' is left behind,
Nor does vengeance for us by another give sanctuary
until the following morning they ask, 'What is the news?'
We have not been oppressed, we are a people like suns
تُشارِبُdrinks alongside الذُلَhumiliation يَربوعٌYarbu' إِذاwhen وَرَدواthey come to water
تُشارِبُ الذُلَ يَربوعٌ إِذا وَرَدوا
وَالذُلُّand humiliation يَصدُرُdeparts فيهِمamong them أَينَماwherever صَدَرواthey depart
وَالذُلُّ يَصدُرُ فيهِم أَينَما صَدَروا
Yarbu' drinks alongside humiliation when they come to water.
Apart from our reputations, and death is present
Humiliation departs among them wherever they depart.
Our roots are hardened, their fragments
إِنif جارُهُمtheir protected neighbor طرَقتُهُvisited him by night غولُthe ghoul of غَيرِهِمothers
إِن جارُهُم طرَقتُهُ غولُ غَيرِهِم
طارَspread الحَديثُthe tale وَماand not أَوفواthey kept faith وَماand not صَبَرواthey stood firm
طارَ الحَديثُ وَما أَوفوا وَما صَبَروا
If another's ghoul visits their protected neighbor by night,
So we do not sink when the bases erode
the tale spreads, but they neither keep faith nor stand firm.
Perils of truth, when we stand by them
وَجامعَand coupled with اللؤمُbaseness يَربوعاYarbu' وَحالَفهاand allied with her
وَجامعَ اللؤمُ يَربوعا وَحالَفها
ماas long as دامَremains أَسفَلَbelow مِنthan ماويَةَMawiya الحَفَرُal-Hafar
ما دامَ أَسفَلَ مِن ماويَةَ الحَفَرُ
Baseness coupled with Yarbu' and allied itself with her,
While the son of the donkey, Jarir, has no peril
as long as al-Hafar lies below Mawiya.
Leave the plaisance and Sa'da, you will not attain them
الأَبعَدونَthe farthest مِنfrom الأَحسابِnoble ancestries مَنزِلَةًin station
الأَبعَدونَ مِن الأَحسابِ مَنزِلَةً
وَالأَخبَثونَand the foulest عُصاراتٍin juices إِذاwhen اِعتُصِرواthey are pressed
وَالأَخبَثونَ عُصاراتٍ إِذا اِعتُصِروا
The farthest in station from noble ancestries,
Far, very far from you, are the sun and moon
the foulest in their juices when pressed.
They are the quickest people in seeking when they pursue
الأَالأَمونَthe basest فلوَّاa colt شَبَّgrew up فيamong غَنَمٍsheep
الأَالأَمونَ فلوَّا شَبَّ في غَنَمٍ
وَفيand among الحَميرِdonkeys أَبوهُhis father الأَشمَطُthe grizzled one القَمِرُthe whitish one
وَفي الحَميرِ أَبوهُ الأَشمَطُ القَمِرُ
The basest: a colt that grew up among sheep,
And the greatest of people in aspirations when they intend
his grizzled, whitish father among donkeys.
Continuous with a coming torrent you cannot detain
قِردانُticks of ملأمَةٍshame فيamong الشاءِsheep جَدُهُمtheir grandfather
قِردانُ ملأمَةٍ في الشاءِ جَدُهُم
ميلٌbent عَواتِقُهُمtheir shoulders مِنfrom طولِthe length of ماwhat زَفَرواthey carried
ميلٌ عَواتِقُهُم مِن طولِ ما زَفَروا
Ticks of shame, their grandfather among sheep,
And their torrent is not cast when they overflow
their shoulders bent from long carrying of burdens.
The Banu Khatfa knew on that day
فَهُمso they لآباءِto fathers of سَوءٍevil أُلحِقواwere affiliated بِهِمwith them
فَهُم لآباءِ سَوءٍ أُلحِقوا بِهِم
زُلاsmooth حِناكاin jaws وَلاand not يدرونَthey know ماwhat السُوَرُhigh stations are
زُلا حِناكا وَلا يدرونَ ما السُوَرُ
They were affiliated with fathers of evil,
My disputation is beyond what they estimated
smooth-jawed, knowing nothing of high stations.
They will know when it is said which of the two
خِزيُthe disgrace of البُعولَةِhusbands وَالأَفواهُand the mouths مُرِوحَةٌstinking
خِزيُ البُعولَةِ وَالأَفواهُ مُرِوحَةٌ
إِذاwhen تَفَتَّلَtwists فيin أَستاهِهاtheir anuses الشَعَرُhair
إِذا تَفَتَّلَ في أَستاهِها الشَعَرُ
A disgrace to husbands, with stinking mouths,
O son of Muragha, I will surely be victorious
when hair twists in their anuses.
And the matter is clarified by shining white
سُودٌblack ones مَدارينُfilthy ones تَلقىyou find فيin بُيوتِهِمtheir houses
سُودٌ مَدارينُ تَلقى في بُيوتِهِم
قُدَّامَbefore أَخبيَةِthe tents of اللؤمbaseness الَّذيwhich اِحتَجَرواthey enclosed
قُدَّامَ أَخبيَةِ اللؤم الَّذي اِحتَجَروا
Black, filthy ones you find in their houses,
From me the preceders, on their necks the good news
before the tents of baseness they enclosed.
Of victory, and God did not grant victory to Banu Khatfa
وَإِنand if حَبالاهُمُtheir pregnant women نَتَجنَgive birth بشَّرهُمُheralds to them
وَإِن حَبالاهُمُ نَتَجنَ بشَّرهُمُ
صَوتُthe voice of الصَبيِّthe infant بِلؤمٍbaseness حينَwhen يَعتَقِرُit cries out
صَوتُ الصَبيِّ بِلؤمٍ حينَ يَعتَقِرُ
If their pregnant women give birth, they are heralded by
And the believers, when they ask for help, are helped
the infant's voice announcing baseness as it cries out.
The stance of Jarir did not cease from Banu Khatfa
إِنّيindeed I سَبَبتُهمُreviled them سَبّاwith abuse سيورِثُهُمthat will bequeath them
إِنّي سَبَبتُهمُ سَبّا سيورِثُهُم
خِزياdisgrace وَمنقَصةًand diminished standing فيamong الناسِpeople ماas long as عَمِرواthey live
خِزيا وَمنقَصةً في الناسِ ما عَمِروا
I have reviled them with abuse that will bequeath them
A wave covers Banu Khatfa and they did not hasten
disgrace and diminished standing among people as long as they live.
Until the current's coast met above them
لَقَدcertainly ذَعَرناwe spread terror قَديماlong ago فيamong نِسائِكُمُyour women
لَقَد ذَعَرنا قَديما في نِسائِكُمُ
فَلَمbut not تَغارواyou showed jealousy وَلَمand not تُستَنكَرِwas denounced الذُعَرُthe terror
فَلَم تَغاروا وَلَم تُستَنكَرِ الذُعَرُ
Long ago we spread terror among your women,
No sea except for the submerger its wave obliterates
but you showed no jealousy, nor was the terror denounced.
He ended like Pharaoh, when he leads his faction
أَزمانَin the days when وَصّىcharged بيَربوعٍconcerning Yarbu' فَحَضَّهُمُthen urged them
أَزمانَ وَصّى بيَربوعٍ فَحَضَّهُمُ
عِندَat الوَفاةِdeath تَميمٌTamim وَهوَwhile he مُحتَضَرُwas dying
عِندَ الوَفاةِ تَميمٌ وَهوَ مُحتَضَرُ
In the days when he charged Yarbu' and urged them,
Hoping for bridges, though they neither feared nor dared
Tamim, at his death, as he lay dying:
So the marrier of the dead did not protect Banu Khatfa
أَنَّthat الفُحولَthe studs لَكُمfor you تَيمٌare Taym وَأَنَكُمُand that you
أَنَّ الفُحولَ لَكُم تَيمٌ وَأَنَكُمُ
حَلائِلُare the wives of التيمTaym فاِستَوصواso heed بِماwhat أَمَرواthey commanded
حَلائِلُ التيم فاِستَوصوا بِما أَمَروا
'Your studs are Taym, and you
Until I unleash them from what they cautioned against
are Taym's wives; heed what they command.'
Suhaym has indeed prevented you from disputing me
أَماas for كُلَيبٌKulayb فَإِنَّindeed اللَهَGod زادَincreased لهاfor her
أَما كُلَيبٌ فَإِنَّ اللَهَ زادَ لها
لُؤماbaseness عَلىbeyond كُلِّevery شَيءٍthing زادَهُthat it increased الكِبَرُold age
لُؤما عَلى كُلِّ شَيءٍ زادَهُ الكِبَرُ
As for Kulayb, God has added to her
The people of action, and the youths of glory, honorable
baseness beyond everything that old age increased.
Had the Banu Khatfa been from Bistam's clan
لاneither السِنُّage يَنهاهُrestrains him عَنfrom لُؤمٍbaseness وَلاnor طَبَعٍfilth
لا السِنُّ يَنهاهُ عَن لُؤمٍ وَلا طَبَعٍ
وَلَيسَand not مانِعُهُpreventing him مِنfrom لُؤمِهِhis baseness الصِغَرُyouth
وَلَيسَ مانِعُهُ مِن لُؤمِهِ الصِغَرُ
Neither age restrains him from baseness or filth,
Or from Hanifa, they would not have pounded or deluged
nor does youth prevent his baseness.
O son of Muragha, if you wake miserable by it
أُنظُرlook تَرَyou will see اللُؤمَbaseness فيماin what lies بَينَbetween لحيَتِهِhis beard
أُنظُر تَرَ اللُؤمَ فيما بَينَ لحيَتِهِ
وَحاجِبَيهِand his eyebrows إِذاwhen ماever أَمكَنَis possible النَظَرُlooking
وَحاجِبَيهِ إِذا ما أَمكَنَ النَظَرُ
Look: you will see baseness between his beard
Then Muragha is only wickedness, filthy
and his eyebrows, whenever looking is possible.
You insult the transmitters though others have pained you
ياO لُؤمَthe baseness of رَهطِthe clan of كُلَيبٍKulayb فيconcerning نِسائِهِمtheir women
يا لُؤمَ رَهطِ كُلَيبٍ في نِسائِهِم
ماnot قاتَلواthey fought القَومَthe men إِذwhen تُسبىthe women were captured وَلاand not شَكَرواthey gave thanks
ما قاتَلوا القَومَ إِذ تُسبى وَلا شَكَروا
What baseness Kulayb's clan showed concerning their women!
And apportioned you into arrows when you are carved up
They did not fight the men when the women were captured, nor give thanks.
The transmitters are not the evil Banu Lu'um to you
فاِستَردَفواso they took as pillion riders النِسوَةَthe women اللاتيwho وَلَدنَهُمُbore them
فاِستَردَفوا النِسوَةَ اللاتي وَلَدنَهُمُ
خَلفَbehind العَضاريطِbase attendants فيaround أَعناقِهاtheir necks الخمُرُveils
خَلفَ العَضاريطِ في أَعناقِها الخمُرُ
They set the women who had borne them to ride behind
O son of the donkey, impatience does not agitate you
base attendants, with veils about their necks.
Indeed, do not rush to insult the transmitters
لَمnot يُدرِكوهاthey caught her وَأَلهَتهُمُand distracted them أَناتُهمُtheir delays
لَم يُدرِكوها وَأَلهَتهُمُ أَناتُهمُ
حَتّىuntil أَتىcame دونَهاbetween them and her سَلمانُSalman أَوor أُقَرُUqar
حَتّى أَتى دونَها سَلمانُ أَو أُقَرُ
They did not catch them; their delays distracted them,
They circulated poems in the horizons and disseminated
until Salman or Uqar lay between them and her.
فَأَصبَحتso she became فيamong بَنيthe sons of شيبانَShayban مُسلَحَةًarmed
فَأَصبَحت في بَني شيبانَ مُسلَحَةً
يُعيرهمlend them بَعضُهُمsome of them بَعضاto others وَتؤتَجَرُand she is hired out
يُعيرهم بَعضُهُم بَعضا وَتؤتَجَرُ
Thus she came among the sons of Shayban, armed,
some lending them to others, while she was hired out.
حَتّىuntil أَتينَكُمthey came to you مِنfrom بَعدِafter مُخلَفِهاher being left behind
حَتّى أَتينَكُم مِن بَعدِ مُخلَفِها
بَعدَafter السِفادِmating وَحُبلاهنand their pregnant ones تَنتَظِرُwait
بَعدَ السِفادِ وَحُبلاهن تَنتَظِرُ
Until they came to you after her being left behind,
after mating, while their pregnant ones waited.
جَزَّتsheared نواصيهاtheir forelocks بيضٌfair men غَطارِفَةٌnoble men
جَزَّت نواصيها بيضٌ غَطارِفَةٌ
مِنfrom وائِلٍWa'il أَنَّfor نُعمىthe beneficence of سيبَهُمtheir gifts دِرَرُflows abundantly
مِن وائِلٍ أَنَّ نُعمى سيبَهُم دِرَرُ
Fair, noble men sheared their forelocks,
men of Wa'il whose bountiful gifts flow abundantly.
بَكرٌBakr وَتغلِبُand Taghlib ساموكَimposed upon you الَّتيthat which جَعَلَتmade
بَكرٌ وَتغلِبُ ساموكَ الَّتي جَعَلَت
لَونَthe color of التُرابِdust عَلىupon خَدَّيكَyour two cheeks ياO كُفَرُingrate
لَونَ التُرابِ عَلى خَدَّيكَ يا كُفَرُ
Bakr and Taghlib imposed upon you what made
your cheeks the color of dust, O ingrate.
الواهِبونَthose bestowing لَكُمupon you أَطهارَthe periods of purity of نِسوَتِكُمyour women
الواهِبونَ لَكُم أَطهارَ نِسوَتِكُم
لَمnot يَجزِهاrepaid it مِنكُمfrom you نُعمىa favor وَلاnor أَثَرُa deed
لَم يَجزِها مِنكُم نُعمى وَلا أَثَرُ
They bestowed on you your women's periods of purity,
which no favor or deed from you repaid.
ياO بنَson of المَراغَةِal-Maragha لَمnot تَفخَرyou boasted بِمَفخرَةٍof a glory
يا بنَ المَراغَةِ لَم تَفخَر بِمَفخرَةٍ
بَعدَafter الرِدافِpillion-riding مِنَof المَسبيَّةِthe captive women العُقُرُthe barren ones
بَعدَ الرِدافِ مِنَ المَسبيَّةِ العُقُرُ
O son of al-Maragha, you never boasted of any glory
after the captive, barren women rode pillion.
أَناI ابنُam the son of جُلهمَJulhum ياO بنَson of الأَخبَثينَthe foulest ones أَباin father
أَنا ابنُ جُلهمَ يا بنَ الأَخبَثينَ أَبا
وابنُand the son of جِساسٍJisas وَتَيمٍand Taym حينَwhen أَفتَخِرُI boast
وابنُ جِساسٍ وَتَيمٍ حينَ أَفتَخِرُ
I am Julhum's son, O son of the foulest fathers,
and the son of Jisas and Taym when I boast:
المُصدريthose resolving الأَمرَthe affair قَدalready أَعيَتproved impossible مَصادِرُهُits resolutions
المُصدري الأَمرَ قَد أَعيَت مَصادِرُهُ
وَالمَطعَميand those feeding الشَحمَfat حَتّىuntil يُرسَلَis sent المَطَرُrain
وَالمَطعَمي الشَحمَ حَتّى يُرسَلَ المَطَرُ
those who resolve affairs whose resolutions have proved impossible,
those who feed people fat until rain is sent,
وَقادَةُand leaders of اليُمنِgood fortune وَالمَجسورِand boldly followed أَثرُهمُtheir tracks
وَقادَةُ اليُمنِ وَالمَجسورِ أَثرُهمُ
يَومَon the day of المُهمَّةِhardship وَالجُلىَّand great calamity إِذاwhen جَسَرواthey ventured
يَومَ المُهمَّةِ وَالجُلىَّ إِذا جَسَروا
leaders of good fortune, whose tracks are boldly followed,
on the day of hardship and great calamity, when they venture,
وَالوالِدينَand those fathering مُلوكاkings كُنتَyou used to تَعبُدُهُمserve them
وَالوالِدينَ مُلوكا كُنتَ تَعبُدُهُم
مِنfrom قَبلِbefore سَجحَةَSajha فيin عَليائِكَyour lofty claims السُخَرُmockery
مِن قَبلِ سَجحَةَ في عَليائِكَ السُخَرُ
those who fathered kings whom you once served
before Sajha; mockery lies in your lofty claims,
وَالمانِعينَand those protecting بإِذنِby permission of اللَهِGod مَحميَّةًthe honor of
وَالمانِعينَ بإِذنِ اللَهِ مَحميَّةً
بَنيthe sons of تَميمٍTamim ونارُwhile the fire of الحَربِwar تَستَعِرُblazes
بَني تَميمٍ ونارُ الحَربِ تَستَعِرُ
those who, by God's permission, protect the honor
of the sons of Tamim while war's fire blazes.
قُدناwe led تَميماًTamim لأَيامfor the days of الكُلابِal-Kulab مَعاًtogether
قُدنا تَميماً لأَيام الكُلابِ مَعاً
فاِستَعثَرواso they made stumble جَدَّthe fortune of أَقوامٍother peoples وَماand not عَثَرواthey stumbled
فاِستَعثَروا جَدَّ أَقوامٍ وَما عَثَروا
We led Tamim together for the days of al-Kulab.
They made other peoples' fortune stumble, without stumbling themselves.
وَيَومَand on the day of تَيمَنَTayman نَحنُwe الناحِرونَthe slaughterers بِهاthere
وَيَومَ تَيمَنَ نَحنُ الناحِرونَ بِها
جَبّارَthe tyrant of مَذحِجَMadhhij وَالجَبّارُwhile the tyrant يَنتَحِرُgoes to his slaughter
جَبّارَ مَذحِجَ وَالجَبّارُ يَنتَحِرُ
On the day of Tayman, we were the slaughterers there
of Madhhij's tyrant, as the tyrant went to his slaughter.
هَلّاwhy not سَأَلتَyou asked بِناabout us حَسّانَHassan يَومَthe day كَباhe fell
هَلّا سَأَلتَ بِنا حَسّانَ يَومَ كَبا
وَالرمحُwhile the spear يُخلِجُهُjerks him وَالخَدُّand the cheek مُنعَفِرُdust-covered
وَالرمحُ يُخلِجُهُ وَالخَدُّ مُنعَفِرُ
Why did you not ask Hassan about us on the day he fell,
the spear jerking him, his cheek covered with dust?
وَإِذand when أَغارَraided شُمَيطٌShumayt نَحوَtoward نِسوَتِناour women
وَإِذ أَغارَ شُمَيطٌ نَحوَ نِسوَتِنا
غِرناwe jealously guarded عَلَيهنَّthem إِنّاindeed we مَعشَرٌare a people غُيُرُjealous
غِرنا عَلَيهنَّ إِنّا مَعشَرٌ غُيُرُ
When Shumayt raided toward our women,
we jealously guarded them: we are a jealous people.
ذُدناwe repelled الخَميسَthe army وَلَمand not نَفعَلwe acted كَفِعلِكُمُlike your action
ذُدنا الخَميسَ وَلَم نَفعَل كَفِعلِكُمُ
بِالضَربِwith blows شُذِّبتِwere lopped off الهاماتُheads وَالقَصَرُand necks
بِالضَربِ شُذِّبتِ الهاماتُ وَالقَصَرُ
We repelled the army, unlike what you did.
Our blows lopped off heads and necks.
فَأَصبَحواso they became بَينَbetween مَقتولٍslain وَمؤتَسَرٍand captive
فَأَصبَحوا بَينَ مَقتولٍ وَمؤتَسَرٍ
شُدَّتwere bound يَداهُhis two hands إِلىto اللِيتينِthe two sides of the neck تؤتَسَرُheld captive
شُدَّت يَداهُ إِلى اللِيتينِ تؤتَسَرُ
They ended up either slain or captive,
hands bound to the sides of their necks in captivity.
وَيَومَand on the day of سَخبانَSakhban أَبرَمناwe settled بِواحِدَةٍwith a single act
وَيَومَ سَخبانَ أَبرَمنا بِواحِدَةٍ
لِلناسfor people أَمرَهُمُtheir affair وَالأَمرُwhile the affair مُنتَشِرُwas scattered
لِلناس أَمرَهُمُ وَالأَمرُ مُنتَشِرُ
On the day of Sakhban, with a single act we settled
people's affairs while affairs lay scattered.
وَيَومَand on the day of دَجلَةَthe Tigris أَكداسٌheaps يُجَرِّعُهاhe makes them swallow
وَيَومَ دَجلَةَ أَكداسٌ يُجَرِّعُها
كأسَthe cup of الفَطيمَةِweaning فيهاin it الصابُbitter sap وَالمَقِرُand aloe
كأسَ الفَطيمَةِ فيها الصابُ وَالمَقِرُ
On the day of the Tigris, heaps were made to swallow
the weaning-cup, with bitter sap and aloe in it.
وَيَومَand on the day of سَعدٍSa'd وَصَحنىand Sahna فَرfled قَرىbacks لَحِقَتcaught up
وَيَومَ سَعدٍ وَصَحنى فَر قَرى لَحِقَت
مِنّاfrom us فَوارِسُhorsemen لاneither مَيلٌwavering وَلاnor ضُجُرُimpatient
مِنّا فَوارِسُ لا مَيلٌ وَلا ضُجُرُ
On the day of Sa'd and Sahna, fleeing backs were caught
by horsemen of ours, neither wavering nor impatient.
يَومَthe day اِعتَنَقناwe grappled with سُوَيداSuwayd والقَناwhile the spears قِصَدٌwere fragments
يَومَ اِعتَنَقنا سُوَيدا والقَنا قِصَدٌ
وَالخَيلُand the horses تَعدوgalloped عَلَيهاover them عِثيَرٌdust كَدِرُmurky
وَالخَيلُ تَعدو عَلَيها عِثيَرٌ كَدِرُ
The day we grappled with Suwayd, the spears were fragments,
and horses galloped beneath murky dust.
وَلَمand not تَزَلceased كَمَكانِlike the position of النجمِthe stars نِسوَتُناour women
وَلَم تَزَل كَمَكانِ النجمِ نِسوَتُنا
إِذwhile مؤدفاتُكyour bedded women تُسبىwere captured ماnot لَهاfor them مَهَرُa bride-price
إِذ مؤدفاتُك تُسبى ما لَها مَهَرُ
Our women remained as high as the stars,
while your bedded women were captured, receiving no bride-price.
نَغزوwe raid فَنَسبيthen take captives وَلاand not تُسبىare captured حَلائِلُناour wives
نَغزو فَنَسبي وَلا تُسبى حَلائِلُنا
إِنَّindeed القِتالَfighting لتَيمٍfor Taym طائِرٌis an omen أَمِرُmighty
إِنَّ القِتالَ لتَيمٍ طائِرٌ أَمِرُ
We raid and take captives; our wives are not captured.
For Taym, fighting is a mighty omen.
إِنّاindeed we لِبَطنِare from the womb of حَصانٍa chaste woman غَيرِnot ضائِعَةٍabandoned
إِنّا لِبَطنِ حَصانٍ غَيرِ ضائِعَةٍ
ياO بنَson of الَّتيthe woman who حَمَلَتهُcarried him وَهيَwhile she تَمتَذِرُdischarges filth
يا بنَ الَّتي حَمَلَتهُ وَهيَ تَمتَذِرُ
We come from the womb of a chaste woman, not abandoned,
O son of her who carried him while discharging filth.
لَمnot يُخزِناdisgraced us مَوقِفٌa position كُنّاwe used to نَقومُtake بِهِin it
لَم يُخزِنا مَوقِفٌ كُنّا نَقومُ بِهِ
ولاand not يُجيرُgives protection عَلَيناagainst us ثأرَناour blood-revenge الغِيَرُchanging fortunes
ولا يُجيرُ عَلَينا ثأرَنا الغِيَرُ
No position we took ever disgraced us.
Changing fortunes do not shield anyone from our vengeance.
ماnot نالَناreached us الضيمُoppression إِنّاindeed we مَعشَرٌare a people شُمُسٌunyielding
ما نالَنا الضيمُ إِنّا مَعشَرٌ شُمُسٌ
مِنin دونِdefense of أَحسابِناour ancestries وَالمَوتُwhile death مُحتَضَرُis present
مِن دونِ أَحسابِنا وَالمَوتُ مُحتَضَرُ
Oppression never reached us: we are an unyielding people
defending our ancestry while death is present.
وَإِنَّand indeed نَبعَتَناour bow-wood صُلبٌhard مَكاسِرُهاits breaking-points
وَإِنَّ نَبعَتَنا صُلبٌ مَكاسِرُها
فَلاso not نَخورُwe groan إِذاwhen ماever خارَتِgroan العُشَرُthe milkweed trees
فَلا نَخورُ إِذا ما خارَتِ العُشَرُ
Our bow-wood is hard at its breaking-points.
We do not groan when the milkweed trees groan.
أَخطارُdistinctions of صِدقٍtruth إِذاwhen قُمناwe stand نَقومُwe stand بِهاby them
أَخطارُ صِدقٍ إِذا قُمنا نَقومُ بِها
وابنُand the son of الأَتانِthe she-ass جَريرٌJarir ماnot لَهُfor him خَطَرُstanding
وابنُ الأَتانِ جَريرٌ ما لَهُ خَطَرُ
True distinctions: when we stand, we uphold them.
Jarir, the she-ass's son, has no standing.
دَعِleave الرِبابَal-Ribab وَسَعداand Sa'd لَستَyou are not نائِلَهاreaching them
دَعِ الرِبابَ وَسَعدا لَستَ نائِلَها
هَيهاتَfar away هَيهاتَfar away مِنكَfrom you الشَمسُthe sun وَالقَمَرُand the moon
هَيهاتَ هَيهاتَ مِنكَ الشَمسُ وَالقَمَرُ
Leave al-Ribab and Sa'd alone: you cannot reach them.
Far, far beyond you are the sun and moon.
هُمthey أَسرَعُare the quickest of الناسpeople إِدراكاin overtaking إِذاwhen طَلَبواthey pursue
هُم أَسرَعُ الناس إِدراكا إِذا طَلَبوا
وَأَعظَمُand the greatest of الناسِpeople أَحلاماin forbearance إِذاwhen قَدَرواthey have power
وَأَعظَمُ الناسِ أَحلاما إِذا قَدَروا
They are quickest to overtake others when pursuing,
and greatest in forbearance when they have power.
مُدوّاwere reinforced بِسَيلٍby a flood أَتيٍّonrushing لَستَyou are not حابِسَهُstopping it
مُدوّا بِسَيلٍ أَتيٍّ لَستَ حابِسَهُ
وَلَيسَand not سيلُهمُtheir torrent يُلقىcan be faced إِذاwhen زَخَرواthey surge
وَلَيسَ سيلُهمُ يُلقى إِذا زَخَروا
They were reinforced by an onrushing flood you cannot stop.
Their torrent cannot be faced when they surge.
كانواthey were قَديماًlong ago أَشَدَّthe strongest of الناسِpeople مُعتَمَداto rely upon
كانوا قَديماً أَشَدَّ الناسِ مُعتَمَدا
فيamong الأَوَلينَthe ancients وَفيand in الحِلفِthe alliance الَّذيin which غَبَرواthey remained
في الأَوَلينَ وَفي الحِلفِ الَّذي غَبَروا
Long ago they were the strongest people to rely upon,
among the ancients and in the alliance in which they remained.
وَلَوand if يَشاؤونَthey wished ماتَتwould die مِنfrom مَخافَتِهِمfear of them
وَلَو يَشاؤونَ ماتَت مِن مَخافَتِهِم
أَدنىthe nearest of الأَسوَدِthe lions وَأَقصاهُمand their farthest إِذاwhen زَأَرواthey roared
أَدنى الأَسوَدِ وَأَقصاهُم إِذا زَأَروا
If they wished, there would die from fear of them
the nearest and farthest lions whenever they roared.
كانواthey were إِذاwhen الأَمرُthe affair أَعيَتكُمbaffled you مَصادرُهُits resolutions
كانوا إِذا الأَمرُ أَعيَتكُم مَصادرُهُ
يَكفونَهُhandling it وَإِذاand when ماever هِبتُمyou feared جَسَرواthey ventured
يَكفونَهُ وَإِذا ما هِبتُم جَسَروا
When an affair's resolutions baffled you,
they handled it; when you feared, they ventured.
قَدalready عَلِمَتhave learned يَومَهاon its day هَذاthis بَنوthe sons of الخَطَفىal-Khatafa
قَد عَلِمَت يَومَها هَذا بَنو الخَطَفى
إِنيthat I مرافَعَتيmy contest فَوقَis above الَّذيwhat قَدَرواthey could attain
إِني مرافَعَتي فَوقَ الَّذي قَدَروا
The sons of al-Khatafa have learned on this very day
that my contest lies beyond what they can attain.
سَيَعلَمونَthey will know إِذاwhen ماever قيلَit is asked أَيُهُماwhich of the two
سَيَعلَمونَ إِذا ما قيلَ أَيُهُما
ياO بنَson of المَراغَةِal-Maragha إِنيindeed I سَوفَshall أَنتَصِرُprevail
يا بنَ المَراغَةِ إِني سَوفَ أَنتَصِرُ
They will know when it is asked, 'Which of the two?'
O son of al-Maragha, I shall prevail.
وَصَرَّحَand revealed الأَمرُthe affair عَنconcerning بيضٍbright ones مُشَهَّرَةٍcelebrated
وَصَرَّحَ الأَمرُ عَن بيضٍ مُشَهَّرَةٍ
مِنيfrom me سَوابِقَforerunners فيaround أَعناقِهاtheir necks البُشرُglad tidings
مِني سَوابِقَ في أَعناقِها البُشرُ
The affair revealed bright, celebrated ones,
forerunners from me, with tidings about their necks
بِالنَصرِof victory واللَهُand God لَمnot يَنصرaided بَنيthe sons of الخَطَفىal-Khatafa
بِالنَصرِ واللَهُ لَم يَنصر بَني الخَطَفى
وَالمؤمِنونَand believers إِذاwhen ماever اِستَنصَرواthey sought aid نُصِرواwere aided
وَالمؤمِنونَ إِذا ما اِستَنصَروا نُصِروا
of victory; God did not aid al-Khatafa's sons.
Believers are aided when they seek aid.
ماnot زالَdeparted حينُthe doom of جَريرٍJarir عَنfrom بَنيthe sons of الخَطفىal-Khatafa
ما زالَ حينُ جَريرٍ عَن بَني الخَطفى
يَغشىengulfs بَنيthe sons of الخَطَفىal-Khatafa مَوجٌa wave وَماand not مَهَرواthey became adept
يَغشى بَني الخَطَفى مَوجٌ وَما مَهَروا
Jarir's doom never left the sons of al-Khatafa.
A wave engulfs al-Khatafa's sons, who cannot swim,
حَتّىuntil التَقىconverged ساحِلُthe shore of التيارِthe torrent فَوقَهُمُabove them
حَتّى التَقى ساحِلُ التيارِ فَوقَهُمُ
لاno بَحرَsea إِلّاbut لِغاشيfor one entering موجهِits waves جَزَرُan ebb
لا بَحرَ إِلّا لِغاشي موجهِ جَزَرُ
until the torrent's banks converge above them.
No sea but has an ebb for whoever enters its waves.
أَمسىhe became كَفِرعَونَlike Pharaoh إِذwhen يَقتادُleading شيعَتَهُhis followers
أَمسى كَفِرعَونَ إِذ يَقتادُ شيعَتَهُ
يَرجوhoping for الجُسورَa bold crossing فَماbut not كَرّواthey charged back وماand not جَسَرواthey ventured
يَرجو الجُسورَ فَما كَرّوا وما جَسَروا
He became like Pharaoh leading his followers,
hoping for a crossing; they neither charged back nor ventured.
فَماso not حَمىprotected ناكِحُthe copulator with المَوتىthe dead بَنيthe sons of الخَطَفىal-Khatafa
فَما حَمى ناكِحُ المَوتى بَني الخَطَفى
حَتّىuntil يفرِّعَهُمoverwhelmed them مِنيfrom me الَّذيwhat حَذَرواthey feared
حَتّى يفرِّعَهُم مِني الَّذي حَذَروا
The copulator with the dead did not protect al-Khatafa's sons
until what they feared from me overwhelmed them.
لَقَدcertainly نَهَتكَwarned you سُحَيمٌSuhaym عَنagainst مُرافَعَتيcontesting me
لَقَد نَهَتكَ سُحَيمٌ عَن مُرافَعَتي
أَهلmen of الفَعالِdeeds وَفِتيانُand youths of النَدىgenerosity غُيُرُguarding their honor
أَهل الفَعالِ وَفِتيانُ النَدى غُيُرُ
Suhaym warned you against contesting me.
Men of deeds and youths of generosity guard their honor.
لَوif كانَwere مِنfrom رَهطِthe clan of بِسطامٍBistam بَنوthe sons of الخَطَفىal-Khatafa
لَو كانَ مِن رَهطِ بِسطامٍ بَنو الخَطَفى
أَوor مِنfrom حَنيفَةَHanifa ماnot دَقّواwere crushed وَماand not غَمَرواwere overwhelmed
أَو مِن حَنيفَةَ ما دَقّوا وَما غَمَروا
If al-Khatafa's sons belonged to Bistam's clan,
or to Hanifa, they would neither be crushed nor overwhelmed.
ياO بنَson of المَراغَةِal-Maragha إِنif تُصبِحyou become لَهاto her نَكَداa burden
يا بنَ المَراغَةِ إِن تُصبِح لَها نَكَدا
فَماthen not المُراغَةُal-Muragha إِلّاanything but خُبثَةٌfoul stuff قَذَرُfilthy
فَما المُراغَةُ إِلّا خُبثَةٌ قَذَرُ
O son of al-Maragha, if you become a burden to her,
al-Muragha is nothing but foul, filthy stuff.
تَهجوyou lampoon الرواةَthe transmitters وَقَدalthough already ذَكّاكَslaughtered you غَيرُهُمothers
تَهجو الرواةَ وَقَد ذَكّاكَ غَيرُهُم
وَجزَّأوكَand divided you سِهاماinto shares حينَwhen تُجتَزَرُyou are butchered
وَجزَّأوكَ سِهاما حينَ تُجتَزَرُ
You lampoon the transmitters, though others have slaughtered you
and divided you into allotted shares as you were butchered.
وَماand not الرواةُthe transmitters بَنوsons of اللؤمbaseness الفَعالthe deeds لَكُمfor you
وَما الرواةُ بَنو اللؤم الفَعال لَكُم
ياO بنَson of الأَتانِthe she-ass فَلاso not يَعجَلlet hurry بِكَyou الضَجَرُexasperation
يا بنَ الأَتانِ فَلا يَعجَل بِكَ الضَجَرُ
The transmitters, sons of baseness, do not act at your bidding.
O son of a she-ass, let exasperation not hurry you.
إِنَّindeed الرواةَthe transmitters فَلاso not تَعجَلhasten بِسَبِّهِمto abuse them
إِنَّ الرواةَ فَلا تَعجَل بِسَبِّهِم
بَثواthey spread القَصائِدَthe poems فيacross الآفاقِthe horizons واِنتَشَرواand traveled far
بَثوا القَصائِدَ في الآفاقِ واِنتَشَروا
As for the transmitters, do not hasten to abuse them:
they spread poems across the horizons and traveled far.
Partial English translation: 181 of 278 Arabic lines translated.
Sol 6.1