إِنَّindeed الاَحِبّةَthe beloved آذَنُواthey announced بِتَرَحُّلِof departing
إِنَّ الاَحِبّةَ آذَنُوا بِتَرَحُّلِ
وَبصُرمِand of severing حَبلِكَyour bond بَاكِراًearly فَتَحَمّلso depart
وَبصُرمِ حَبلِكَ بَاكِراً فَتَحَمّل
The beloved have announced their departure,
and the severing of your bond at dawn; so take your leave.
وأَرَنَّand rang out حَادِيهِمtheir camel-driver عَلَىover أُخرَاهُمُthe last of them
وأَرَنَّ حَادِيهِم عَلَى أُخرَاهُمُ
بِصُلاَصِلٍwith clanging sounds خَلفَbehind الرِّكَابِthe riding camels وَأزملِand clamor
بِصُلاَصِلٍ خَلفَ الرِّكَابِ وَأزملِ
Their camel-driver raised his ringing call over the last of them,
with clanging sounds and clamor behind the riding camels.
ذُلُلاُdocile حُمُولَتُهَاher baggage-camels بِبَينٍfor a parting عَاجِلٍswift
ذُلُلاُ حُمُولَتُهَا بِبَينٍ عَاجِلٍ
خُضُعاًbowed سَوَالِفُهَاtheir necks تَعُومُswim along وَتَعتلِىand rise
خُضُعاً سَوَالِفُهَا تَعُومُ وَتَعتلِى
Her burden-bearing camels are docile for a hurried parting,
their necks bowed as they swim along and rise.
يَمشِىwalks وَيُوجِفُand trots خِدرُهَاher curtained litter بِغَمامَةٍwith a cloud
يَمشِى وَيُوجِفُ خِدرُهَا بِغَمامَةٍ
صَيفِيَّةٍsummery فِىin عَارِضٍa cloud-bank مُتَهَلِّلِradiant
صَيفِيَّةٍ فِى عَارِضٍ مُتَهَلِّلِ
Her curtained litter walks and trots, bearing a cloud,
a summer cloud in a radiant cloud-bank.
رَابٍswelling رَوَادِفُهَاher haunches يَنُوءُweighs heavily بخَصرِهَاupon her waist
رَابٍ رَوَادِفُهَا يَنُوءُ بخَصرِهَا
كَفَلٌa rump لَهَاhers مِثلُlike النَّقَاa sand dune المُتَهَيِّلِloosely piled
كَفَلٌ لَهَا مِثلُ النَّقَا المُتَهَيِّلِ
Her haunches swell; her waist is weighed down
by a rump like a dune of loose-piled sand.
أَيّامَin the days تَبسِمُshe smiles عَنrevealing نَقِىٍّpure لونُهُits color
أَيّامَ تَبسِمُ عَن نَقِىٍّ لونُهُ
صَافٍclear يُزَيِّنُهُadorns it سِوَاكُa tooth-stick الإِسحِلِthe ishil tree
صَافٍ يُزَيِّنُهُ سِوَاكُ الإِسحِلِ
In the days when she smiled, revealing teeth pure in color,
clear, adorned by an ishil-wood tooth-stick.
ومُعَلَّقُand the hanging-place الحَلِىthe jewelry البَهِىِّthe splendid بِمُشرِقٍupon something radiant
ومُعَلَّقُ الحَلِى البَهِىِّ بِمُشرِقٍ
رُؤدٍtender كَسَالِفَةِlike the neck of الغَزَالِthe gazelle الأكحَلِdark-eyed
رُؤدٍ كَسَالِفَةِ الغَزَالِ الأكحَلِ
Her splendid jewelry hangs upon a radiant,
delicate neck, like a dark-eyed gazelle's.
ذَهَبَتshe carried away بِقَلبِكَyour heart فِىamong الأَنَامِhumankind وَمِثلُهَاand one like her
ذَهَبَت بِقَلبِكَ فِى الأَنَامِ وَمِثلُهَا
شَعَفَenthralled الفُؤَادَthe heart وسَرَّعَينَand delighted the eye of المُجتَلىthe beholder
شَعَفَ الفُؤَادَ وسَرَّعَينَ المُجتَلى
Among all people she stole your heart; one like her
enthralls the heart and delights the beholder's eye.
وَكَأَنَّهَاand as though she فِىin الدَّارِthe dwelling يَومَon the day رَأَيتُهاI saw her
وَكَأَنَّهَا فِى الدَّارِ يَومَ رَأَيتُها
شَمسٌa sun يَظَلُّkeeps شُعَاعُهَاher radiance فِىin أَفكَلِa tremor
شَمسٌ يَظَلُّ شُعَاعُهَا فِى أَفكَلِ
As though, in the dwelling on the day I saw her,
she were a sun whose rays kept trembling.
تُعشِىdazzles البَصِيرَthe clear-sighted إِذاwhen تَأَمَّلَhe studies وَجهَهَأher face
تُعشِى البَصِيرَ إِذا تَأَمَّلَ وَجهَهَأ
مِنbecause of حُسنِهاher beauty وَتُقِيمُand straightens عَينَthe eye of الأحوَلِthe cross-eyed man
مِن حُسنِها وَتُقِيمُ عَينَ الأحوَلِ
She dazzles the clear-sighted man who studies her face
with her beauty, and straightens the cross-eyed man's eye.
أَوor دُرَّةُa pearl مِمَّاfrom what تَنَقَّىselected carefully غَائِصٌa diver
أَو دُرَّةُ مِمَّا تَنَقَّى غَائِصٌ
فَأَسَرَّهَاthen he concealed it لِلتَّاجِرِfor the merchant المُتَنَخَّلdiscerning
فَأَسَرَّهَا لِلتَّاجِرِ المُتَنَخَّل
Or a pearl among those a diver carefully selected,
then kept hidden for a discerning merchant.
فَأَصَابَthen he attained حَاجَتَهُhis desire وَقَالَand said لِنَفسِهِto himself
فَأَصَابَ حَاجَتَهُ وَقَالَ لِنَفسِهِ
هَلcould يَخفَيَنَّever be hidden بَيَاضُهَاits whiteness فِىin مدخلِa recess
هَل يَخفَيَنَّ بَيَاضُهَا فِى مدخلِ
He obtained what he sought and said to himself,
'Could its whiteness ever be hidden in a recess?'
أوor بكرُthe first egg of أُدحِىِّan ostrich's nest بِجَانِبِbeside رَملَةٍa sand dune
أو بكرُ أُدحِىِّ بِجَانِبِ رَملَةٍ
عَرَبضَتspread wide لَهfor it دَوِّيَّةٌa trackless wilderness لَمnot تُحلَلِbe inhabited
عَرَبضَت لَه دَوِّيَّةٌ لَم تُحلَلِ
Or the first egg of an ostrich's nest beside a dune,
with an uninhabited wilderness sprawling around it.
تِلكَthat is she الَّتِيwho شَقَّتcaused anguish عَلَىَّto me فَلاَso not أَرَىI see
تِلكَ الَّتِي شَقَّت عَلَىَّ فَلاَ أَرَى
أَمثَالَهَاher equals فَأرحَلso depart وَلاand do not تَستقتِلِcourt death
أَمثَالَهَا فَأرحَل وَلا تَستقتِلِ
She is the one who tormented me; I see
none like her—so depart, and do not court death.
وَاعلَمand know بِأَنَّكَthat you لاَdo not تَنَاسَىforget deliberately ذِكرَهَاher memory
وَاعلَم بِأَنَّكَ لاَ تَنَاسَى ذِكرَهَا
وَتَذَكَّرِand remember اللَّذَّاتِthe pleasures إنif لَمnot تَذهَلِyou become distracted
وَتَذَكَّرِ اللَّذَّاتِ إن لَم تَذهَلِ
Know that you cannot forget her memory;
recall the pleasures, unless you are distracted.
لَوif كُنتُI were مُنتَهِكاviolating يَمِيناًan oath بَرَّةًsacred
لَو كُنتُ مُنتَهِكا يَمِيناً بَرَّةً
لَحَلَفتُI would surely swear حِلفَةَan oath صَادِقٍa truthful man مُتَبَهِّلِinvoking God
لَحَلَفتُ حِلفَةَ صَادِقٍ مُتَبَهِّلِ
Were I one to violate a sacred oath,
I would swear like a truthful man invoking God:
أَبِّىmy intent بِهَاtoward her عَفٌّchaste وَلَستُand I am not بِآثِمٍa sinner
أَبِّى بِهَا عَفٌّ وَلَستُ بِآثِمٍ
وَإِذاand when حَلَفتَyou swear تَنَجُّدَاin bravado فَتَحَلَّلِthen absolve yourself
وَإِذا حَلَفتَ تَنَجُّدَا فَتَحَلَّلِ
'My intent toward her is chaste, and I am no sinner.'
When you swear in bravado, absolve yourself.
مَاnot زَادَexceeded مِنin وَجدٍpassion عَلَىbeyond وَجدِىmy passion بهَأfor her
مَا زَادَ مِن وَجدٍ عَلَى وَجدِى بهَأ
إِلاَّexcept ابنُa son of عَمِّa paternal uncle يَومَon the day of دَارَةِDarat جُلجُلِJuljul
إِلاَّ ابنُ عَمِّ يَومَ دَارَةِ جُلجُلِ
No one exceeded my passion for her
except a cousin on the day at Darat Juljul.
عَقَرَhe slaughtered المَطِيَّةَthe riding-camel إِذwhen عَرَضنَthey proposed لِعَقرِهَاits slaughter
عَقَرَ المَطِيَّةَ إِذ عَرَضنَ لِعَقرِهَا
إِنَّindeed الكَريمَthe noble man إِذَاwhen يُهَيَّجhe is roused يَختَلِis beguiled
إِنَّ الكَريمَ إِذَا يُهَيَّج يَختَلِ
He slaughtered his riding-camel when the women proposed its slaughter;
a noble man, when roused, can be beguiled.
وَافترَّand he grinned يَضحَكُlaughing مُعجَباًpleased مِنat عَقرِهَاits slaughter
وَافترَّ يَضحَكُ مُعجَباً مِن عَقرِهَا
وَتَعَجُّباًand in amazement مِنat رَحلِهَاits saddle المُتَحَمَّلِbeing carried
وَتَعَجُّباً مِن رَحلِهَا المُتَحَمَّلِ
He broke into laughter, pleased at its slaughter,
and marveling at its saddle being carried away.
وَرَكِبنَand they mounted أفوَاجاًin groups وَقُلنَand they said فُكَاهَةًin jest
وَرَكِبنَ أفوَاجاً وَقُلنَ فُكَاهَةً
مَاwhatever كُنتَyou were مُحتالاًdevising لِنِفسِكَfor yourself فَاحتَلِthen devise a way
مَا كُنتَ مُحتالاً لِنِفسِكَ فَاحتَلِ
They rode in groups and said in jest,
'Whatever means you can devise for yourself, devise them!'
فَثَوَىthen he stayed مَعَwith ابنَةِthe daughter of خَيرِهِمtheir best man فِىin خِدرِهَاher curtained litter
فَثَوَى مَعَ ابنَةِ خَيرِهِم فِى خِدرِهَا
وَاشتَقَّand branched off عَنfrom مَلكِthe middle of الطَّرِيقِthe road المُعمَلِwell-traveled
وَاشتَقَّ عَن مَلكِ الطَّرِيقِ المُعمَلِ
He stayed with the daughter of their noblest man in her curtained litter,
and turned aside from the middle of the well-traveled road.
جَارُواthey veered بِهنَّwith them وَلَوand if يَشَاءُhe wished أَقَامَهُwould steady him
جَارُوا بِهنَّ وَلَو يَشَاءُ أَقَامَهُ
قَلبٌa heart يَعُزُّoutmatches قَطَاthe sandgrouse of الفَلاَةِthe wilderness المَجهلِtrackless
قَلبٌ يَعُزُّ قَطَا الفَلاَةِ المَجهلِ
They veered away with the women; had he wished, he would have been steadied
by a heart that outmatches the sandgrouse of the trackless waste.
وَتَقُولُand she says لَمَّاwhen مَالَtilted جَانِبُthe side of خِدرِهَاher curtained litter
وَتَقُولُ لَمَّا مَالَ جَانِبُ خِدرِهَا
انزِلget down لَكَupon you الوَيلاتُwoes إِنَّكَindeed you مُرجِلِىmaking me walk
انزِل لَكَ الوَيلاتُ إِنَّكَ مُرجِلِى
When the side of her litter tilted, she said,
'Get down! Woe to you—you will make me walk!'
وَأًرَىand I see مشنَof (text unclear) الرَّأىِjudgment المُصِيبِsound ثَباتُهits steadfastness
وَأًرَى مشنَ الرَّأىِ المُصِيبِ ثَباتُه
أَنthat لاَnot تَصِلyou join حَبلاًa bond إِذَاwhen لَمnot تُوصلِbe joined in return
أَن لاَ تَصِل حَبلاً إِذَا لَم تُوصلِ
I see steadfastness as part of sound judgment:
do not join a bond when yours is not reciprocated.
وَاستَبقِand preserve وُدِّكَyour affection لِلصَّدِيقِfor the friend وَلاَand do not تَقلsay
وَاستَبقِ وُدِّكَ لِلصَّدِيقِ وَلاَ تَقل
أَبَدَاever لِذِto one with ضِغنٍa grudge مُبِينٍplain أَقبِلِcome near
أَبَدَا لِذِ ضِغنٍ مُبِينٍ أَقبِلِ
Keep your affection for a friend, and never say
'Come near' to one whose grudge is plain.
وَدَعِand leave الفَوَاحِشِfoul deeds مَاas far as استَطَعتَyou can لأَهِلهَاto their people
وَدَعِ الفَوَاحِشِ مَا استَطَعتَ لأَهِلهَا
وَإِذَاand when هَمَمتَyou resolve بِأَمرِupon a deed صِدقٍof truth فَافعَلِthen do it
وَإِذَا هَمَمتَ بِأَمرِ صِدقٍ فَافعَلِ
Leave foul deeds to their people, as far as you can;
when you resolve upon an honest deed, do it.
وَإِذَand when غَضِبتَyou become angry فَلاَthen do not تَكُنbe أُنشُوطَةa slipknot
وَإِذَ غَضِبتَ فَلاَ تَكُن أُنشُوطَة
مُستَعتِداًready لَفَحَاشَةٍfor foulness وَتَبَسُّلِand ferocity
مُستَعتِداً لَفَحَاشَةٍ وَتَبَسُّلِ
When angry, do not be a slipknot,
ready for foulness and ferocity.
وَإِنِand if افتَقَرتَyou become poor فَلاَthen do not تَكُنbe مُتَخَشِّعاًself-abasing
وَإِنِ افتَقَرتَ فَلاَ تَكُن مُتَخَشِّعاً
تَرجُوhoping for الفَوَاضِلَbounties عِندَغَيرِfrom someone other than المُفضِلِthe generous giver
تَرجُو الفَوَاضِلَ عِندَغَيرِ المُفضِلِ
If you grow poor, do not abase yourself,
hoping for bounty from one who is not generous.
وَإِذَاand when كُفِيتَyour needs are met فَكُنthen be لِعَرضِكَof your honor صَائِناًa guardian
وَإِذَا كُفِيتَ فَكُن لِعَرضِكَ صَائِناً
وَإِذَاand when أُجِئتَyou are compelled لِبَذلِهِto yield it فَتَبَذَّلِthen yield freely
وَإِذَا أُجِئتَ لِبَذلِهِ فَتَبَذَّلِ
When your needs are met, guard your honor;
when forced to surrender it, yield it freely.
وَامنَعand prevent هَضِيمَتَكَyour being wronged الذَّلِيلَthe base man وَلاَand let not يُرَىbe seen
وَامنَع هَضِيمَتَكَ الذَّلِيلَ وَلاَ يُرَى
مَولاَكَyour ally مُهتَضَماًoppressed وَأنتَبِمَعزِلِwhile you stand apart
مَولاَكَ مُهتَضَماً وَأنتَبِمَعزِلِ
Do not let the base man wrong you, nor let it be seen
that your ally is oppressed while you stand apart.
وَإِذاand when تَنُوزِعَتِare disputed الأمُورُaffairs فَلاَthen do not تَكُنbe
وَإِذا تَنُوزِعَتِ الأمُورُ فَلاَ تَكُن
مِمَّنamong those who يُطَأطِىءُlowers خَدِّهُhis cheek للأَسفَلِto the lowest
مِمَّن يُطَأطِىءُ خَدِّهُ للأَسفَلِ
When affairs are disputed, do not be
among those who lower their cheeks to the lowest.
وَاعمِدand aim لأَعلاَهَاfor their highest فَإِنَّكَfor you وَاجِدٌwill find
وَاعمِد لأَعلاَهَا فَإِنَّكَ وَاجِدٌ
أَحسَابَthe ancestral honors of قَومِكَyour people بِاليَفَاعِon the high ground الأطوَلِloftiest
أَحسَابَ قَومِكَ بِاليَفَاعِ الأطوَلِ
Aim for the highest; you will find
your people's ancestral honors on the loftiest height.
قَومِىmy people شَنُوءَةُShanu'a إِنif سَألتَyou ask بِمَجدِهِمabout their glory
قَومِى شَنُوءَةُ إِن سَألتَ بِمَجدِهِم
فِىamong صَالِحِthe worthy of الأقوَامِthe peoples أَوor لَمnot تَسألِyou ask
فِى صَالِحِ الأقوَامِ أَو لَم تَسألِ
My people are Shanu'a: whether you ask about their glory
among worthy peoples or do not ask,
أُخبِرتَyou are told عَنabout قَومِىmy people بِعِزٍّof might حَاضِرٍpresent
أُخبِرتَ عَن قَومِى بِعِزٍّ حَاضِرٍ
وَقِيَامِand the establishment of مَجدٍglory فِىin الزَّمَانِthe time الأَوَّلِearliest
وَقِيَامِ مَجدٍ فِى الزَّمَانِ الأَوَّلِ
you are told of my people's present might,
and glory established in earliest times,
وَمآثِرٍand exploits كَانَتwere لَهُمtheirs مَعلُومَةٍwell-known
وَمآثِرٍ كَانَت لَهُم مَعلُومَةٍ
فِىamong الصَّالِحِينَthe worthy وَسُؤدُدٍand lordship لَمnot يُنحَلِbe falsely ascribed
فِى الصَّالِحِينَ وَسُؤدُدٍ لَم يُنحَلِ
and renowned exploits that were theirs,
among the worthy, and lordship not falsely ascribed.
الدَّافِعِينَthose who repel الذَّمَّblame عَنfrom أَحسَابِهِمtheir ancestral honors
الدَّافِعِينَ الذَّمَّ عَن أَحسَابِهِم
وَالمُكرِمِينَand those who honor ثَوِيَّهُمtheir guest فِىin المَنزِلِthe dwelling
وَالمُكرِمِينَ ثَوِيَّهُم فِى المَنزِلِ
They ward off blame from their ancestral honor,
and honor their guest within their dwelling.
وَالمُطعِمِينَand those who feed إِذَاwhen الرِّيَاحُthe winds تنَاوَحَتwail together
وَالمُطعِمِينَ إِذَا الرِّيَاحُ تنَاوَحَت
بِقَتَامِهَاwith their dust فِىin كُلِّevery عَامٍyear مُمحِلِdrought-stricken
بِقَتَامِهَا فِى كُلِّ عَامٍ مُمحِلِ
They feed others when the winds wail
with their dust in every drought-stricken year,
وَتَغَيَّرَتand changed آفَاقُهَاtheir horizons مِنfrom بردِهَاtheir cold
وَتَغَيَّرَت آفَاقُهَا مِن بردِهَا
وَغدَتand came at morning بِصُرَّادٍwith rainless clouds يَزيفُdrifting وَأشمُلِand northerly winds
وَغدَت بِصُرَّادٍ يَزيفُ وَأشمُلِ
and their horizons change with their cold,
and bring drifting, rainless clouds and northerly winds.
المَانِعِينَthose who protect مِنَfrom الظُّلاَمَةِinjustice جَارَهُمtheir neighbor
المَانِعِينَ مِنَ الظُّلاَمَةِ جَارَهُم
حَتَّىuntil يَبِينَhe departs كَسيِّدٍlike a lord لَمnot يُتبَلِbe harmed
حَتَّى يَبِينَ كَسيِّدٍ لَم يُتبَلِ
They shield their neighbor from injustice,
until he departs like a lord untouched by harm.
وَالخَالِطينَand those who mingle دَخِيلَهُمtheir protected newcomer بِنُفُوسِهِمwith themselves
وَالخَالِطينَ دَخِيلَهُم بِنُفُوسِهِم
وَذَوِىand possessors of بَقِيّةِthe remainder of مَالِهِمtheir wealth فِىamong العُيَّلِthe needy
وَذَوِى بَقِيّةِ مَالِهِم فِى العُيَّلِ
They mingle their protected newcomer with themselves,
and are men with wealth to spare among the needy.
وَتَرَىand you see غَنِيَّهُمُtheir rich man غَزيراًabundant رِفدُهُhis gifts
وَتَرَى غَنِيَّهُمُ غَزيراً رِفدُهُ
وَفَقِيرَهُمand their poor man مِثلُlike الغَنِىِّthe rich man المُفضِلِgenerous
وَفَقِيرَهُم مِثلُ الغَنِىِّ المُفضِلِ
You see their rich man lavish in his gifts,
and their poor man like a generous rich man.
وَترَىand you see لَهُمupon them سِيمَىa distinguishing mark مُبِيناًmanifest مَجدُهَاits glory
وَترَى لَهُم سِيمَى مُبِيناً مَجدُهَا
غَلَبُواthey surpassed عَلَيهَاin it النَّاسَthe people عِندَat المَحفِلِthe assembly
غَلَبُوا عَلَيهَا النَّاسَ عِندَ المَحفِلِ
You see upon them a mark whose glory is plain;
in it they outdo others at the assembly.
وَتَرَاهُمُand you see them يَمشُونَmarching تَحتَbeneath لِوَائِهِمtheir banner
وَتَرَاهُمُ يَمشُونَ تَحتَ لِوَائِهِم
بِالسَّمهَرِيَّاتِwith Samhari spears الطِّوَالِlong الذُّبلِslender
بِالسَّمهَرِيَّاتِ الطِّوَالِ الذُّبلِ
You see them march beneath their banner,
with long, slender Samhari spears,
فِىamid سَاطِعٍrising battle-dust يَسقِىgives to drink الكُمَاةَthe armored warriors نَجِيعَهُits fresh blood
فِى سَاطِعٍ يَسقِى الكُمَاةَ نَجِيعَهُ
صَعبٍharsh مَذَاقَتُهُits taste رَظِينِweighty الكَلكَلِof breast
صَعبٍ مَذَاقَتُهُ رَظِينِ الكَلكَلِ
amid rising battle-dust that gives warriors its blood to drink,
harsh in taste and ponderous of breast.
كَمhow many فِىin شَنُوءَةَShanu'a مِنan خَطِيبٍorator مِصقعٍeloquent
كَم فِى شَنُوءَةَ مِن خَطِيبٍ مِصقعٍ
وَسطَamid النَّدِىِّthe council إِذَاwhen تَكَلَّمَhe speaks مِفصَلِclear-spoken
وَسطَ النَّدِىِّ إِذَا تَكَلَّمَ مِفصَلِ
How many an eloquent orator Shanu'a has,
clear-spoken when he addresses the council,
جَزلlavish المَوَاهِبِin gifts يُستَضَاءُlight is sought بِوَجهِهِfrom his face
جَزل المَوَاهِبِ يُستَضَاءُ بِوَجهِهِ
كَالبَدرِlike the full moon لاَحappeared مِنَfrom السَّحَابِthe clouds المُنجَلِىclearing
كَالبَدرِ لاَح مِنَ السَّحَابِ المُنجَلِى
lavish in gifts, his face a source of light,
like a full moon appearing from clearing clouds.
نَابtaking charge بِكُلِّof every عَظِيمَةٍgrave affair تَغشَاهُمُthat befalls them
نَاب بِكُلِّ عَظِيمَةٍ تَغشَاهُمُ
فَمَتَىso whenever تُحَمِّلهُburdens him العَشِيرَةُthe clan يَحمِلِhe bears it
فَمَتَى تُحَمِّلهُ العَشِيرَةُ يَحمِلِ
He takes charge of every grave affair that overtakes them;
whenever the clan burdens him, he bears it,
مِنwhether خُطَّةٍa predicament لاَnot يُستَطَاعُcan be managed كِفَاؤُهَاmeeting its demands
مِن خُطَّةٍ لاَ يُستَطَاعُ كِفَاؤُهَا
أَوor غُرمِthe ransom of عَانٍa captive مِنamong صَدِيقa friend مُثقَلِburdened
أَو غُرمِ عَانٍ مِن صَدِيق مُثقَلِ
whether a predicament none can meet,
or the ransom of a captive, a burdened friend.
إنِّىindeed I مِنَfrom الأَزدِthe Azd الَّذينَwho أنُوفُهُمtheir noses
إنِّى مِنَ الأَزدِ الَّذينَ أنُوفُهُم
عِندَby السَّمَاءِthe sky وَجَارُهُمand their neighbor فِىin مَعقِلِa stronghold
عِندَ السَّمَاءِ وَجَارُهُم فِى مَعقِلِ
I am of the Azd, whose noses
reach the sky, while their neighbor is in a stronghold.
رَامَتsought تَمِيمٌTamim أنto تنَاوَلَreach مَجدَنَاour glory
رَامَت تَمِيمٌ أن تنَاوَلَ مَجدَنَا
وَرَمَواand they shot بِسَهمٍan arrow فِىin النِّضَالِthe archery contest مُعَضِّلِgoing awry
وَرَمَوا بِسَهمٍ فِى النِّضَالِ مُعَضِّلِ
Tamim sought to reach our glory,
and shot an arrow that went awry in the contest.
وَسَعَواand they strove بِكَفٍّwith a hand مَاnot تَنُوءُrises إِلىtoward العًلاَthe heights
وَسَعَوا بِكَفٍّ مَا تَنُوءُ إِلى العًلاَ
مَقبُوضةٍclenched فتَذَبذَبَتthen it wavered فِىin المَهبِلِthe chasm
مَقبُوضةٍ فتَذَبذَبَت فِى المَهبِلِ
They strove with a hand that could not rise toward the heights,
clenched, then floundering in the chasm,
حَسَداًout of envy عَلَىfor المَجدِthe glory الَّذِىwhich لَمnot يأَخُذُواthey obtained
حَسَداً عَلَى المَجدِ الَّذِى لَم يأَخُذُوا
فِيمَاin what مَضَىhas passed مِنهُof it بِحِبِّهِeven a grain of it خَردَلِmustard
فِيمَا مَضَى مِنهُ بِحِبِّهِ خَردَلِ
out of envy for the glory of which they had not taken,
in bygone days, even a mustard seed.
وَأَنَاand I الَّذِىam he whom نَبَحَتbarked at مَعَدٌّMa'add كُلُّهَاall of them
وَأَنَا الَّذِى نَبَحَت مَعَدٌّ كُلُّهَا
أسَدٌa lion لَدَىat الغَايَاتِthe finish lines غيرُnot مُخَذَّلِforsaken
أسَدٌ لَدَى الغَايَاتِ غيرُ مُخَذَّلِ
I am he at whom all Ma'add barked,
a lion at the finish lines, never forsaken.
قٌلsay لِلثَّعالِبِto the foxes هَلdoes يَضُرُّharm ضُبَاحُهَاtheir yapping
قٌل لِلثَّعالِبِ هَل يَضُرُّ ضُبَاحُهَا
أَسَداًa lion تَفَرَّسَهاthat tears them بِنَابwith a fang مِقصَلٍِsevering
أَسَداً تَفَرَّسَها بِنَاب مِقصَلٍِ
Ask the foxes: does their yapping harm
a lion that tears them with a severing fang?
وَلَقَدand indeed أَصَبتُI found مِنَin القَرِيضِpoetry طَرِيقَةًa path
وَلَقَد أَصَبتُ مِنَ القَرِيضِ طَرِيقَةً
أَعيَتbaffled مَصَادِرُهَاits wellsprings قَرِينَthe companion of مُهَلهِلِMuhalhil
أَعيَت مَصَادِرُهَا قَرِينَ مُهَلهِلِ
I have found a path in poetry
whose wellsprings baffled Muhalhil's companion,
بَعدَafter امرِىءِImru' القيسِal-Qays المُنَوَّهِacclaimed بِاسمِهِby his name
بَعدَ امرِىءِ القيسِ المُنَوَّهِ بِاسمِهِ
أيَّامَin the days when يَهذِىhe raved بِالدَّخُولِof al-Dakhul فَحَومَلِthen Hawmal
أيَّامَ يَهذِى بِالدَّخُولِ فَحَومَلِ
after Imru' al-Qays, whose name was acclaimed,
when he raved of al-Dakhul, then Hawmal.
وَأبُوand Abu دُوَادٍDuwad كَانَwas شَاعِرَthe poet of أُمَّةٍa generation
وَأبُو دُوَادٍ كَانَ شَاعِرَ أُمَّةٍ
أَفلَتset نُجُومُهُمُtheir stars وَلَمَّاwhile not yet يَأفِلِhe set
أَفلَت نُجُومُهُمُ وَلَمَّا يَأفِلِ
Abu Duwad was the poet of a generation:
their stars had set, while he had not yet set.
وأبُوand Abu ذُؤَيبDhu'ayb قَدalready اَذَلَّsubdued صِعابَهُits unruly beasts
وأبُو ذُؤَيب قَد اَذَلَّ صِعابَهُ
لاdo not let يُنصِبَنَّكَweary you رَابِضٌa crouching beast لَمnot يُذلَلِbe tamed
لا يُنصِبَنَّكَ رَابِضٌ لَم يُذلَلِ
Abu Dhu'ayb subdued its unruly beasts;
let no crouching, untamed beast wear you out.
وَأرَادَهَاand he sought her حَسَّانُHassan يَومَon the day تَعَرَّضَتshe presented herself
وَأرَادَهَا حَسَّانُ يَومَ تَعَرَّضَت
بَرَدىBarada يُصَفَّقُis mixed بِالرَّحِيقِwith pure wine السَّلسَلِsmooth-flowing
بَرَدى يُصَفَّقُ بِالرَّحِيقِ السَّلسَلِ
Hassan sought her when she presented herself:
'Barada mingled with pure, smooth-flowing wine.'
ثُمَّthen ابنُهُhis son مِنfrom بَعدِهِafter him فَتَمَنَّعَتbut she resisted
ثُمَّ ابنُهُ مِن بَعدِهِ فَتَمَنَّعَت
وَإِخَالُand I think أَنَّthat قَرِينَهُhis companion لَمnot يَخذُلِdesert him
وَإِخَالُ أَنَّ قَرِينَهُ لَم يَخذُلِ
Then his son after him—but she resisted;
I think his companion did not desert him.
وَبَنُوand the sons of أَبِىAbi سُلمَىSulma يُقَصِّرُfalls short سَعيُهُمtheir striving
وَبَنُو أَبِى سُلمَى يُقَصِّرُ سَعيُهُم
عَنَّاof us كَمَاjust as كَمَاjust as قَصُرَتfell short ذِراعَاthe two arms of جَروَلِJarwal
عَنَّا كَمَا كَمَا قَصُرَت ذِراعَا جَروَلِ
The sons of Abi Sulma fall short in their striving
of us, just as—just as Jarwal's arms fell short.
وَأبُوand Abu بَصيرٍBasir ثَمَّthere لَمnot يَبصُرdiscern بِهَاof her
وَأبُو بَصيرٍ ثَمَّ لَم يَبصُر بِهَا
إِذwhen حَلّhe settled مِنin وَادِىthe valley of القَرِيضِpoetry بِمَحفِلِat a gathering
إِذ حَلّ مِن وَادِى القَرِيضِ بِمَحفِلِ
Abu Basir, there, failed to discern her
when he settled at a gathering in poetry's valley.
وَاذكُرand mention لَبِيداًLabid فِىamong الفُحُولِthe master poets وَحَاتِماًand Hatim
وَاذكُر لَبِيداً فِى الفُحُولِ وَحَاتِماً
سَيَلُومُكَwill blame you الشُّعَرَاءُthe poets إِنif لَمnot تَفعَلِyou do so
سَيَلُومُكَ الشُّعَرَاءُ إِن لَم تَفعَلِ
Mention Labid among the master poets, and Hatim;
the poets will blame you if you do not.
وَمُعَقِّراًand Mu'aqqir فَاذكُرthen mention وَإِنeven though أَلوَىswept away بِهِhim
وَمُعَقِّراً فَاذكُر وَإِن أَلوَى بِهِ
رَيبُthe vicissitudes of المَنُونِdeath وَطَائرٌand a bird
رَيبُ المَنُونِ وَطَائرٌ
Mention Mu'aqqir too, though he was swept away by
the vicissitudes of death, and a bird...
وَأمَيَّةَand Umayya البَحرَthe sea الَّذِىwho فِىin شِعرِهِhis poetry
وَأمَيَّةَ البَحرَ الَّذِى فِى شِعرِهِ
حِكمٌmaxims كَوَحىٍlike revelation فِىin الزَّبُورِthe Psalter مُفَصَّلِset forth distinctly
حِكمٌ كَوَحىٍ فِى الزَّبُورِ مُفَصَّلِ
And Umayya, the sea, whose poetry holds
wisdom like revelation set forth in the Psalter.
وَاليَذمُرِىَّand al-Yadhmuri عَلَىdespite تَقَادُمِthe remoteness of عَهدِهِhis era
وَاليَذمُرِىَّ عَلَى تَقَادُمِ عَهدِهِ
مِمّنamong those whom قَضَيتُI judged لَهُin his favor قَضَاءَa judgment الفَيصَلِdecisive
مِمّن قَضَيتُ لَهُ قَضَاءَ الفَيصَلِ
And al-Yadhmuri, despite the remoteness of his time,
among those for whom I pronounced a decisive verdict.
وَاقذِفand cast أَبَاAbu الطَّمَحَانِal-Tamahan وَسطَamid خُوانِهِمtheir dining table
وَاقذِف أَبَا الطَّمَحَانِ وَسطَ خُوانِهِم
وابنُand Ibn الطَّرَامَةِal-Tarama شَاعِرٌa poet لَمnot يُجهَلِbe unknown
وابنُ الطَّرَامَةِ شَاعِرٌ لَم يُجهَلِ
Cast Abu al-Tamahan into the midst of their dining table;
Ibn al-Tarama is a poet not unknown.
لاَno وَالَّذِىby Him who حَجَّتmade pilgrimage to قُرَيشٌQuraysh بَيتَهُHis House
لاَ وَالَّذِى حَجَّت قُرَيشٌ بَيتَهُ
لَوif شِئتُI wished إذwhen حَدَّثتُكُمI spoke to you لَمnot آتَلِhold back
لَو شِئتُ إذ حَدَّثتُكُم لَم آتَلِ
No, by Him to whose House Quraysh made pilgrimage:
had I wished, when I spoke to you, I would not have held back.
مَاnot نَالَreached بَحرِىmy sea مِنهُمُamong them منany شَاعِرٍpoet
مَا نَالَ بَحرِى مِنهُمُ من شَاعِرٍ
مِمّنamong those whom سَمِعتَyou have heard بِهِof him وَلاًَnor مُستَعجِلِa hasty newcomer
مِمّن سَمِعتَ بِهِ وَلاًَ مُستَعجِلِ
No poet among them has reached my sea,
none you have heard of, nor any hasty newcomer.
إنِّىindeed I فَتًىa young man أَدرَكتُI reached أَقصَىthe utmost of سعيهِمtheir striving
إنِّى فَتًى أَدرَكتُ أَقصَى سعيهِم
وَغَرَفتُand I drew مِنfrom بَحرٍa sea وَلَيسَand it is not بجَدوَلِa stream
وَغَرَفتُ مِن بَحرٍ وَلَيسَ بجَدوَلِ
I am a young man who has reached their furthest striving,
and drawn from a sea, not from a stream.
وَغَرَفتُand I drew بَحراًa sea مَاnot تُسَدُّare blocked عُيُونُهُits springs
وَغَرَفتُ بَحراً مَا تُسَدُّ عُيُونُهُ
أَربَىsurpassed عَلَىbeyond كَعبٍKa'b وبَحرِand the sea of الأَخطَلِal-Akhtal
أَربَى عَلَى كَعبٍ وبَحرِ الأَخطَلِ
I have drawn a sea whose springs cannot be stopped,
surpassing Ka'b and the sea of al-Akhtal,
وَعَلَىand beyond ابنِIbn مَحكانَMahkan الَّذِىwhom أَحكَمتُهُI subdued him
وَعَلَى ابنِ مَحكانَ الَّذِى أَحكَمتُهُ
فَتَرَكتُهُso I left him مِثلَlike الخَصِىِّthe eunuch المُرسَلِlet loose
فَتَرَكتُهُ مِثلَ الخَصِىِّ المُرسَلِ
and Ibn Mahkan, whom I subdued,
leaving him like a eunuch let loose,
وَحَلَيفِand the ally of إِبلِيسَIblis الَّذِىwho هُوَhe جَارُهُhis neighbor
وَحَلَيفِ إِبلِيسَ الَّذِى هُوَ جَارُهُ
وَبِهِand through him يُغَيَّرُis altered كُلُّevery أَمرٍaffair مُعضِلِdifficult
وَبِهِ يُغَيَّرُ كُلُّ أَمرٍ مُعضِلِ
and Iblis's ally, who is his neighbor,
through whom every difficult affair is altered,
وَهُدَيبَةَand Hudayba العُذرِىِّal-'Udhri زَيَّنadorned شِعرَهُhis poetry
وَهُدَيبَةَ العُذرِىِّ زَيَّن شِعرَهُ
مَاwhat قَالَhe said فِىin سِجنprison وقَيدٍand a fetter مُثقِلِheavy
مَا قَالَ فِى سِجن وقَيدٍ مُثقِلِ
and Hudayba al-'Udhri, whose poetry was adorned
by what he said in prison and heavy fetters.
فَإِذاso if تَقَبَّلَaccepts رَبُّنَاour Lord مِنfrom شَاعِرٍa poet
فَإِذا تَقَبَّلَ رَبُّنَا مِن شَاعِرٍ
لقىmeets الفَرَزدِقُal-Farazdaq لَعنَةَthe curse of المُتَبَهِّلِthe suppliant
لقى الفَرَزدِقُ لَعنَةَ المُتَبَهِّلِ
If our Lord accepts a poet's plea,
al-Farazdaq will meet the suppliant's curse.
عَمدَاdeliberately جَعَلتُI made ابنَIbn الزَّبِيرِal-Zubayr لِذَنبِهِfor his fault
عَمدَا جَعَلتُ ابنَ الزَّبِيرِ لِذَنبِهِ
يَعدُوrun وَرَاهُمُbehind them كَعَدوِlike the running of الثَّيتَلِthe wild goat
يَعدُو وَرَاهُمُ كَعَدوِ الثَّيتَلِ
Deliberately, for his fault, I made Ibn al-Zubayr
run behind them like a wild goat.
ذَهَبwent off السّوَابِقُthe front-runners غُدوَةًat dawn وَتَرَكنَهُand they left him
ذَهَب السّوَابِقُ غُدوَةً وَتَرَكنَهُ
إِنِّىindeed I كَذَلِكَthus مَنwhoever أُنَاضِلI compete with يُنضَلِis outshot
إِنِّى كَذَلِكَ مَن أُنَاضِل يُنضَلِ
The front-runners went off at dawn and left him;
thus whoever competes with me is outshot.
مَنwhoever شَاءَwished عَاقَبَنِىretaliated against me فَلَمand did not أَغِفرI forgive لَهُhim
مَن شَاءَ عَاقَبَنِى فَلَم أَغِفر لَهُ
أَوor صَدَّعَنِىsplit me بَعدَafter جَدعٍa mutilation مُؤصِلِcutting to the root
أَو صَدَّعَنِى بَعدَ جَدعٍ مُؤصِلِ
Whoever wished to retaliate against me, I did not pardon him,
or split me after a mutilation to the root.
Sol 6.1