Sol 6.1

  1. راح الَّذي يبدي عَلى ما قَد جَرى

    في بُيوت يطربن الحُضور خطابها

    He set out to tell of what had happened,

    In verses whose words delight those present.

  2. ماج الغَرام وفاض مثل النوفرا

    وَارزم دَليلي وَانعطف بقرابها

    Love surged and overflowed like a fountain,

    And my heart moaned and inclined toward her nearness.

  3. خضيتها ولجيتها لا ما سَرى

    فكري وَطرسي وَالقَلم بكتابها

    I plunged into it and found it, when there flowed

    My thought, my page, and the pen in its writing.

  4. من بَحر هايج لا دفق سيل الفَرا

    يرسم مَعاني من ضَميري جابها

    From a raging sea, when al-Fara's torrent burst forth,

    It traced meanings brought from my heart.

  5. طاعَت لَنا مِنغير عسر وَقهقري

    راعي مَعانيها وَرَشيق اشنابها

    It yielded to us without hardship or retreat.

    Behold its meanings and its delicate teeth,

  6. بفنون محبوكات عقد الجوهرا

    في جيد غيد مِن المَها يَغوى بِها

    With interwoven arts, a necklace of jewels,

    On the neck of a slender, oryx-like beauty who captivates.

  7. يعسر عَلى الشعار قافي لانقرا

    وَمَنقود عن أَهل الذَكا وَاربابها

    Its rhyme is difficult for poets when read,

    And critically weighed by discerning people and its masters.

  8. سار القلم يطبع كَلامي باسطرا

    مِن فُوق طَلحيه بَدا يملى بِها

    The pen went on imprinting my words in lines;

    Upon a talhiyya writing sheet, it began filling it.

  9. يَشرَح قَوافي في حُروف مفسرا

    يَفهَم مَعانيها الكَليل وَما بِها

    It expounds rhymes in clearly explained letters;

    Even the dull-witted understand its meanings and contents.

  10. عَيني عَلى طَيف المدلل ساهِرَة

    لا جن لَيلي صابَني سرسابها

    My eye stays awake over the pampered beloved's image.

    When my night darkened, her shiver struck me.

  11. أَرعى الثريا وَالنُجوم السامرا

    لا ما يبيح من الظَلام حجابها

    I watch the Pleiades and the night-waking stars,

    Until their veil is lifted from the darkness.

  12. اندب وَنوح الدَمع من عَيني جَرى

    مِن فَوق مصفر الوجان سطابها

    I lament and wail; tears flowed from my eye,

    Pouring down over my yellowed cheeks.

  13. يا محنتي مالي شَفاعة وَمَغفِرَة

    دائي دَفين وَعلَتي أَدرى بِها

    O my ordeal! I have neither intercession nor forgiveness.

    My sickness is hidden, and I know my affliction best.

  14. مَهبول ناري بالضماير مسعرا

    من واهجاً تَلا الضَمير حوابها

    Crazed, my fire blazes within hearts,

    From a blaze whose flames pursued the heart.

  15. لَو قرطياني صرف جيد مذرذرا

    من تون قَلباً ما بطل حطابها

    If my qirtiyani [unclear term] were pure, fine, and scattered,

    From the furnace of a heart whose fueling never ceased.

  16. يا لايمي يبليك رَبي باكبرا

    مِن بَلوَتي بسر النَبي وَصحابها

    O you who blame me, may my Lord afflict you with something greater

    Than my affliction, by the Prophet's sacred mystery and his companions.

  17. من عقب ذا شديت فَوق مشمرا

    علميتا توو مشوك نابها

    After this, I saddled a swift mount,

    An ʿAlmiyya [uncertain breed term], her canine tooth newly sharp,

  18. تَهيتا حره زعاع مضمرا

    تسبق نَسيم الريح في مطلابها

    A Tihiyya, purebred, fleet, and lean,

    Outrunning the wind's breeze in her pursuit.

  19. مَن ساس هجنا ذاريات عَلى السَرى

    عِندَ التياها قَصَها وَنسابها

    Of racing-camel stock, raising dust on night journeys;

    Among the Tiyaha lie her story and pedigree.

  20. سميتها عليا الرديني اشكرا

    طبت عَلى النايف بختهم جابها

    I openly named her ʿAliya al-Rudayni.

    She came to al-Nayif; their good fortune brought her.

  21. مَفتولة الذرعان نابية الذَرا

    مثل الريال خفوفها وَركابها

    Well-muscled in the forelegs, high at the withers,

    Her footpads and tracks are like riyal coins.

  22. وَفخاذها مثل الضروف مبترا

    وَزوره عَلى حوف المجيدي دابها

    And her thighs are like tapered leather pouches,

    Her breast shaped along the rim of a Majidi coin.

  23. شعلا شَبيه الظَبي جيدها وَانحرا

    عَينه كَما المقباس سود هدابها

    Tawny, her neck and breast resemble a gazelle's;

    Her eye is like a torch, her lashes black.

  24. ما هي جوادان قلت شامورا جَرى

    لجلج وَطاب الريح مع ركابها

    She is no steed; I said, 'Shamur [unclear term] ran.'

    She bounded, and the breeze was sweet beside her riders.

  25. وَلا مثل هيج الظَليم الأعفَرا

    ثور عَلَيهِ وَمَن رَماه اخطابها

    Nor is she like a startled, dust-colored ostrich:

    Someone startled it, and whoever shot at it missed.

  26. تشداك خطاف السَحاب الياجرى

    مِن فَوق متن الريح مثل هبابها

    She seems to you a cloud-snatcher when it races,

    Above the wind's back, like its gusts.

  27. وَشداد من شغل القَصيم موسرا

    مِن عود ميس مرصعات قتابها

    And a richly fashioned saddle, made in al-Qasim,

    Of hackberry wood, its saddle-frame inlaid.

  28. مَنسوف عادل ثَمين محررا

    يرهج وَريش الهيج فَوق جَنابها

    A mansuf saddle-cloth, balanced, costly, and finely worked,

    Billows, with ostrich feathers above her flanks.

  29. وَالميركة مثل الوسادة مطورا

    بِالريش كل من شافها يَغوى بِها

    And the saddle cushion, like a pillow, is decorated

    With feathers; whoever sees it is captivated.

  30. وَخرج العَقيلي باثمن ما ينشرا

    عمل الطَموح اليا اسخرت لحبابها

    And an ʿAqili saddlebag, of the costliest kind bought,

    Made by the eager one when she worked for her loved ones.

  31. لا ما غَدَت اللي تريدو لك قَرا

    برني لَذيذ وَتَمر خاص زَهابها

    When she sets out, whatever you want is there for your meal:

    Delicious Barni dates and choice dates are her provisions.

  32. وَتحزم بحدبة عَريضة مخضرا

    وَتفنكتك دم العِدى خضابها

    And gird yourself with a broad, curved, greenish blade,

    And your rifle, its dye the blood of foes;

  33. فَرداً مسدس تَحتَ سَيف مُجَوهَرا

    وَصُفوف مِن صَرف الفشك يَحشى بِها

    A six-shot pistol beneath a jeweled sword,

    And rows of genuine cartridges to load it with.

  34. وَلم هداك اللَه فَوق مضمرا

    تَسبق هبوب الريح في مطلابها

    And get ready—may God guide you—upon a lean mount,

    Outrunning the blowing wind in her pursuit.

  35. أَنتَ ابن قَوم جَواد شَوق مخدرا

    احفظ وَصاتي وَسير يا ركابها

    You are a son of generous people, a secluded maiden's beloved.

    Remember my counsel and travel on, her rider.

  36. الأَوله بِأَرض التراك الفَجرا

    أَمشي إِذا سدل الظَلام حجابها

    First, in the land of the wicked Turks,

    Travel when darkness lets down its veil.

  37. الترك لا ضب الظَلام الأَسمَرا

    نامَت سَكارى مِن لَذيذ شَرابَها

    The Turks, when dusky darkness closes in,

    Sleep drunkenly from their delicious drink.

  38. بِأَرض العَرب خليك فَرز محذرا

    البَدو ليل نَهار مثل ذيابها

    In the Arabs' land, stay alert and wary;

    The Bedouin, night and day, are like its wolves.

  39. مِن دون مَقسوم المهيمن ما جَرى

    قَوي جَنانك وَاِمتَطى مرقابها

    Nothing happens outside the Guardian's decree.

    Steady your heart and ascend its lookout.

  40. أَما أَنت قبل القفل هون وَاقهَرا

    وَعقب الثَلاثة هوزَها بمشعابها

    Before the caravan, go gently and drive her on;

    And after the three, urge her with her goad.

  41. دركتها للمصطَفى خَير الوَرى

    يَحفَظ من أَولاد الزِنا رِكابها

    I entrust her to al-Mustafa, the best of humankind,

    To protect her riders from sons of adultery.

  42. العَصر مِن سيناب ثور وَانهرا

    اجمح عَليها السُور وَاترك بابها

    In the afternoon, rise from Sinop and drive onward.

    Make her leap the wall and leave its gate.

  43. الدَرب عا بيواط يَلعَن منظَرا

    كروستاً ما ينزعج قضابها

    The road toward Biwat is a cursed sight;

    A carriage's driver is not troubled there.

  44. مِنها عَلى صمصون دربك نَحرا

    مينا عَلى شَط البَحر يَرسى بِها

    From there, aim your road straight toward Samsun,

    A port upon the seashore where one anchors.

  45. جَنب وَطخ النَضو يا ذيب الشَرا

    مَع كُل دار وَدار لا تَعني بِها

    Turn south and urge the mount, O wolf of al-Shara;

    Pass every dwelling without concerning yourself with it.

  46. مِن عقب ست أَيام تَلفي لنقرا

    ضَيف الرُبوع المثلنا غيابها

    After six days you will reach Ankara,

    A guest of companions who, like us, are away.

  47. مَلفاك أَبو فارس رَئيس المشورا

    قرم عَنيد من الشُيوخ نصابها

    Your host is Abu Faris, head of the council,

    A resolute chief, a pillar among the sheikhs.

  48. سلم عَلى رَبعو الجَميع مبادرا

    وَاللي يريد يخط شيل كتابها

    Greet all his companions promptly,

    And whoever wishes to write, carry their letter.

  49. وَمنها عَلي ربع لنا بشاهر قَرا

    سلم عليهم يا رسل وَامرح بها

    And from there, to companions of ours in Shahr Qara;

    Greet them, O messenger, and spend the night there.

  50. ملفاك أَبو نجم الحسام الأَبترا

    الجُود وَالتَقوى كسبها وَجابها

    Your host is Abu Najm, the cleaving sword;

    Generosity and piety—he has earned and brought them.

  51. ردد سَلامي عالجَميع مكررا

    وَاللي يريد يخط شيل كتابها

    Repeat my greetings to everyone again,

    And whoever wishes to write, carry their letter.

  52. عَلى يوزغاد بها سباع مجنزرا

    السَيف وَالتَقوى الجَميع أَربابها

    On to Yozgat, where there are lions in chains,

    All masters of the sword and piety.

  53. تَلفي عَلى إِبراهيم حر الكاسرا

    مع آل عساف الجَميع أَنجابها

    You will reach Ibrahim, a noble hunting falcon,

    With all the noble sons of the House of ʿAssaf.

  54. سلم عَلى اللي بيوزغار مقررا

    وَاللي يريد يخط شيل كتابها

    Convey greetings faithfully to those in Yozghar,

    And whoever wishes to write, carry their letter.

  55. وَيوم الشَمس يبدي صفاراً أَحمَرا

    زوع وَحث النَضو يا ركابها

    And when the sun shows a reddish yellow,

    Set off and urge the mount, O her rider.

  56. عا قيسرية الدَرب بين أَشكرا

    يا حيف عاشيوخ الجبل يغدوبها

    Toward Kayseri, the road is plain and clear.

    Alas for the mountain's sheikhs who pass their days there!

  57. مَلفاك أَبو قاسم عويرض لاجرا

    وَخَلفه هَزيمة حيي لَيثاً جابَها

    Your host is Abu Qasim ʿUwayrid, when you arrive;

    And Khalaf Hazima—greet the lion who came there.

  58. أَهدي الجَميع أَزكَى السَلام مُمطِرا

    وَاللي يُريد يَخط شيل كتابها

    Offer everyone a shower of the purest greetings,

    And whoever wishes to write, carry their letter.

  59. وَمِنها عَلى مَد الكَريم تيسرا

    طخ الهَجينة وسير يا ركابها

    And from there, with the Generous One's aid, go easily onward;

    Urge the she-camel and travel on, her rider.

  60. عا أَدنا ما به مفاجي ومشورا

    وَعَلى حَلب أَما عَلى عنتابها

    Toward Adana, with no side routes or detours [wording uncertain],

    And to Aleppo, or else to its ʿAyntab.

  61. وَمنها عَلى حُمص وَحَماه تحدرا

    تَلفي دمشق وَما غلقن بوابها

    And from there, descend toward Homs and Hama;

    You will reach Damascus while its gates are not yet shut.

  62. حيي دمشق الشام باهي مَنظَرا

    يُنعش فُؤاد المُستَهام شَرابَها

    Salute Damascus of al-Sham, splendid to behold;

    Its drink revives the heart of the lovesick.

  63. وَفيها بَعد النا رُبوع يَأسرا

    مِن كُل جيهة قاضيين صحابها

    There too we have companions held captive,

    Companions from every region, serving their time.

  64. سلم عَلى يحيى الشجاع الحَيدرا

    وَعيال أَبو صالح اسودة غابها

    Greet Yahya, the brave lion,

    And Abu Salih's sons, lions of its forest.

  65. وَاللي بحبس الشام من كل القرى

    اللي يريد يخط شيل كتابها

    And those in al-Sham's prison, from every village:

    Whoever wishes to write, carry their letter.

  66. الصُبح يَوم الضو يُبدي أَحمَرا

    اجلس كضما الشاهين بين قنابها

    At dawn, when the light appears red,

    Sit like a peregrine tucked within its wings.

  67. من الشام عانجها تَرى طاب السَرى

    عبراق دَرب الهجن ياركابها

    From Damascus, rein her onward: the night journey is pleasant.

    Toward Buraq, along the camels' road, O her rider.

  68. يبديك حُوران العَذية الأَنوَرا

    تراعي هَضابه مثل رَكم سحابها

    Rain-watered, radiant Hauran will appear before you;

    You will behold its hills like heaps of its clouds.

  69. كَيفَ ما وَصلت بِخَير ما هِيَ معذرا

    عَن مهجتك مثل ركم سحابها

    Once you arrive safely, there is no excuse,

    Concerning your soul—like heaps of its clouds [wording unclear].

  70. وَاِرتاح من عقب التَعب وَالقهقرى

    وَسرح ذَلولك في لَذيذ عشابها

    And rest after fatigue and retreat;

    Let your riding camel graze its sweet grasses.

  71. ملفا هجينتك النجيبا الضامرا

    من بُراق سند لا ملح وَجنابها

    The destination of your noble, lean she-camel:

    From Buraq, head uphill toward Milh and its surroundings,

  72. لمتان لا ذيبين لرساس وَعرا

    لا دامَت العَليا المجيع أَولى بِها

    To Imtan, to Dhibin, to al-Rasas and ʿAra.

    As long as high honor endures, al-Mujiʿ [uncertain name] is worthiest of it.

  73. ما طب حُوران الكرم وَالغندرا

    سلم عَلى شبانها وَشيابها

    Once you enter Hauran, land of generosity and gallantry,

    Greet its young men and its old men.

  74. ذولي بَني مَعروف أَهل العَنتَرا

    لاجوا الصَوافن يَنطَحوا ركابها

    These are Bani Maʿruf, men of ʿAntara-like valor.

    When the steeds arrive, they charge their riders.

  75. فُرسان في اليَوم الثَقيل الأَكبَرا

    يَوم الفرنجي مثل رَشق سحابها

    Horsemen on the greatest, hardest day,

    On the day of the Frank, with volleys like rain from its clouds.

  76. ياما عراضي ذوقوها المرمرا

    من فعل أسود كشرون نيابها

    How many opponents they made taste bitter gall,

    Through the deeds of lions baring their fangs.

  77. وَباتوا كمد قوادها بالقهقرى

    وَخنت عَلَيهُم وَالعَليم أَدرى بِها

    Their commanders spent the night grieving in retreat,

    And it betrayed them; the All-Knowing knows it best.

  78. أَهل المُروءة وَالشَهامة معبرا

    أَهل الكَرم جر المَناسف دابها

    People of manliness and gallantry, plainly shown;

    People of generosity, bringing mansaf platters as their custom.

  79. ياما بمضايفهم قَهاوي مبهرا

    وَياما عَرايا جددون ثِيابها

    How much spiced coffee there is in their guesthouses,

    And how many naked people whose clothes they renewed!

  80. وَيا ما عطوا سَرد السَلايل نومرا

    جُود وَكَرم بلبوسها وَركابها

    And how many purebred mounts they gave—numra [unclear term],

    In generosity and bounty, with their gear and riders.

  81. أَهل الشيم صلفين عَن دُون الوَرى

    خاص العَشاير يحسبون حسابها

    People of noble qualities, proud above other men;

    The foremost tribes reckon with them.

  82. من آل مَعروف الثقات الطهرا

    في سلسلة ما شركون نسابها

    Of the trustworthy, pure House of Maʿruf,

    Within a lineage whose ancestry they did not mingle.

  83. وَلا خالطوا غج العَشاير وَالقَرى

    وَلا ناسبوا من غيرهم طلابها

    Nor did they mingle with the rabble of tribes and villages,

    Nor intermarry with outsiders seeking them.

  84. وَلا ساوموا العبدات في بَيع وَشَرا

    وَلا السَراري يكتبون كتابها

    Nor bargain over female slaves, buying and selling,

    Nor draw up marriage contracts for concubines.

  85. وَلا استمتعوا الخفرات هذا ما جَرى

    مثل العتالي لا بغاما جابها

    Nor take their pleasure with modest maidens—this is what occurred—

    Like the ʿAtali [uncertain reference], when a brute brought her.

  86. وَلا جحشوها بالزتا وَصارَت مَرا

    وَحلت عُقب ثاني رجل لصحابها

    Nor give her a 'legalizing' husband through zata [unclear], making her a wife,

    So that, after a second man, she became lawful to her husband.

  87. القَصد من أَعلا الطَوايف وَالذرا

    شوص المعامع مع ليوثة غابها

    The point is: they are among the highest communities and summits,

    Fierce men of battle, with the lions of its forest.

  88. اللَه يَعز بلادنا وَيوقرا

    من شَر حاسود يريد خَرابَها

    May God strengthen and honor our land,

    Against the evil of an envious man who seeks its ruin.

  89. مني هدوجتكم عَروس معطرا

    من فَوق سَبع بُحور من سينابها

    From me, I sent you a perfumed bride, swaying along,

    Across seven seas, from her Sinop.

  90. تَهدي لَكُم زاهي جَميلا مَنظَرا

    من قيما زَفه وَزان خضابها

    She offers you a radiant, beautiful sight,

    From her attendant, who led her procession and adorned her henna.

  91. أَلف الصَلاة عَلى النَبي مكررا

    عَلى عَدد قطر النَدى وَسحابها

    A thousand blessings upon the Prophet, repeated,

    As numerous as the drops of dew and its clouds.

  92. يَشفَع لَنا يَوم الحَشر بِالمَغفرا

    وَيفكنا من وَحشها وَذيابها

    May he intercede for our forgiveness on the Day of Gathering,

    And free us from its beasts and wolves.