لِخَولَةَKhawla has أَطلالٌdeserted traces بِبُرقَةِat the stony tract of ثَهمَدِThahmad
لِخَولَةَ أَطلالٌ بِبُرقَةِ ثَهمَدِ
تَلوحُthey glimmer كَباقيlike the remnant of الوَشمِthe tattoo فيon ظاهِرِthe back of اليَدِthe hand
تَلوحُ كَباقي الوَشمِ في ظاهِرِ اليَدِ
Khawla has deserted traces at the stony tract of Thahmad,
Glimmering like the remnant of a tattoo on the back of a hand.
وُقوفاًhalting بِهاby them صَحبيmy companions عَلَيَّbeside me مَطيَّهُمtheir mounts
وُقوفاً بِها صَحبي عَلَيَّ مَطيَّهُم
يَقولونَthey say لاdo not تَهلِكperish أَسىًfrom grief وَتَجَلَّدِand endure
يَقولونَ لا تَهلِك أَسىً وَتَجَلَّدِ
There my companions halted their mounts beside me,
Saying, “Do not perish from grief; endure.”
كَأَنَّas though حُدوجَthe covered litters of المالِكيَّةِthe Malikite woman غُدوَةًat dawn
كَأَنَّ حُدوجَ المالِكيَّةِ غُدوَةً
خَلاياgreat ships سَفينٍof vessels بِالنَواصِفِin the broad channels of مِنfrom دَدِDada
خَلايا سَفينٍ بِالنَواصِفِ مِن دَدِ
The Malikite woman’s covered litters at dawn seemed
Like great ships in the broad channels of Dada,
عَدَوليَّةٌof ʿAdawli أَوor مِنfrom سَفينِthe ships of اِبنِIbn يامِنٍYamin
عَدَوليَّةٌ أَو مِن سَفينِ اِبنِ يامِنٍ
يَجورُhe veers off course بِهاwith them المَلّاحُthe sailor طَوراًat times وَيَهتَديand finds the way
يَجورُ بِها المَلّاحُ طَوراً وَيَهتَدي
Ships of ʿAdawli, or vessels of Ibn Yamin,
Which the sailor now veers off course, now guides aright.
يَشُقُّcleaves حَبابَthe water’s foam الماءِof the water حَيزومُهاits prow بِهاwith it
يَشُقُّ حَبابَ الماءِ حَيزومُها بِها
كَماjust as قَسَمَdivided التُربَthe earth المُفايِلُthe lot-player بِاليَدِwith the hand
كَما قَسَمَ التُربَ المُفايِلُ بِاليَدِ
Their prows cleave the water’s rippling foam,
As a player dividing earth into piles with his hand.
وَفيand among الحَيِّthe tribe أَحوىa dark-lipped one يَنفُضُshakes off المَردَthe arak fruit شادِنٌa young gazelle
وَفي الحَيِّ أَحوى يَنفُضُ المَردَ شادِنٌ
مُظاهِرُwearing together سِمطَيtwo necklaces of لُؤلُؤٍpearls وَزَبَرجَدِand chrysolite
مُظاهِرُ سِمطَي لُؤلُؤٍ وَزَبَرجَدِ
Among the tribe is a dark-lipped young gazelle, shaking off the arak fruit,
Wearing two necklaces of pearls and chrysolite,
خَذولٌa solitary doe تُراعيtends رَبرَباًa herd of does بِخَميلَةٍin a thicket
خَذولٌ تُراعي رَبرَباً بِخَميلَةٍ
تَناوَلُshe reaches أَطرافَthe tips of البَريرِthe arak fruit وَتَرتَديand wraps herself
تَناوَلُ أَطرافَ البَريرِ وَتَرتَدي
A solitary doe tending a herd in a thicket,
Reaching for the arak’s tips and wrapping herself in them.
وَتَبسِمُand she smiles عَنrevealing أَلمىdark gums كَأَنَّas though مُنَوِّراًa luminous thing
وَتَبسِمُ عَن أَلمى كَأَنَّ مُنَوِّراً
تَخَلَّلَpierced حُرَّthe pure الرَملِsand دِعصٌa sand-hill لَهُfor it نَديdew
تَخَلَّلَ حُرَّ الرَملِ دِعصٌ لَهُ نَدي
She smiles, revealing dark gums, as though a luminous
Sand-hill had pierced the pure sand, moist with dew.
سَقَتهُwatered it إِياةُthe sun’s radiance الشَمسِof the sun إِلّاexcept لِثاتِهِits gums
سَقَتهُ إِياةُ الشَمسِ إِلّا لِثاتِهِ
أُسِفَّwas darkened وَلَمand was not تَكدِمmarred عَلَيهِupon it بِإِثمِدِwith antimony
أُسِفَّ وَلَم تَكدِم عَلَيهِ بِإِثمِدِ
The sun’s radiance watered it, except for its gums,
Which were darkened—but not marred—with antimony.
وَوَجهٌand a face كَأَنَّas though الشَمسَthe sun حَلَّتcast رِدائَهاits mantle
وَوَجهٌ كَأَنَّ الشَمسَ حَلَّت رِدائَها
عَلَيهِupon it نَقِيُّpure اللَونِin color لَمnot يَتَخَدَّدِwrinkled
عَلَيهِ نَقِيُّ اللَونِ لَم يَتَخَدَّدِ
And a face on which the sun seems to have cast its mantle,
Pure in color, never wrinkled.
وَإِنّيand indeed I لَأَمضيsurely dispel الهَمَّanxiety عِندَat اِحتِضارِهِits closing in
وَإِنّي لَأَمضي الهَمَّ عِندَ اِحتِضارِهِ
بِعَوجاءَwith a crooked-necked she-camel مِرقالٍswift-trotting تَروحُshe goes forth at evening وَتَغتَديand goes forth at dawn
بِعَوجاءَ مِرقالٍ تَروحُ وَتَغتَدي
I dispel anxiety when it closes in
With a crooked-necked, swift-trotting she-camel, going forth morning and evening—
أَمونٍtrusty كَأَلواحِlike the planks of الأَرانِa bier نَصَأتُهاI raised and urged her
أَمونٍ كَأَلواحِ الأَرانِ نَصَأتُها
عَلىalong لاحِبٍa broad road كَأَنَّهُas though it ظَهرُthe back of بُرجُدِa striped cloak
عَلى لاحِبٍ كَأَنَّهُ ظَهرُ بُرجُدِ
A trusty mount whose frame is like the planks of a bier; I urged her
Along a broad road like the back of a striped cloak,
جَماليَّةٍa Jamali camel وَجناءَthick-cheeked تَرديshe races كَأَنَّهاas though she
جَماليَّةٍ وَجناءَ تَردي كَأَنَّها
سَفَنَّجَةٌan ostrich تَبريruns toward لِأَزعَرَa shaggy male أَربَدِash-gray
سَفَنَّجَةٌ تَبري لِأَزعَرَ أَربَدِ
A powerful, thick-cheeked Jamali camel, racing as though
An ostrich were running to a shaggy, ash-gray male.
تُباريshe vies with عِتاقاًnoble camels ناجِياتٍswift ones وَأَتبَعَتand she followed
تُباري عِتاقاً ناجِياتٍ وَأَتبَعَت
وَظيفاًa shin وَظيفاًafter a shin فَوقَover مَورٍa wavering track مُعَبَّدِwell-trodden
وَظيفاً وَظيفاً فَوقَ مَورٍ مُعَبَّدِ
She vies with noble, swift she-camels, placing
Shin after shin over a well-trodden, wavering track.
تَرَبَّعَتِshe spent spring at القُفَّينِal-Quffayn فيamong الشَولِdwindling herds تَرتَعيgrazing
تَرَبَّعَتِ القُفَّينِ في الشَولِ تَرتَعي
حَدائِقَgardens مَوليِّrain-fed الأَسِرَّةِof valley beds أَغيَدِsoft-boughed
حَدائِقَ مَوليِّ الأَسِرَّةِ أَغيَدِ
She spent spring on al-Quffayn among dwindling herds, grazing
The rain-fed gardens of a soft-boughed valley.
تَريعُshe startles إِلىat صَوتِthe voice of المُهيبِthe caller وَتَتَّقيand guards herself
تَريعُ إِلى صَوتِ المُهيبِ وَتَتَّقي
بِذيwith one possessing خُصَلٍlocks of hair رَوعاتِthe frights of أَكلَفَa dark-mottled one مُلبِدِthick-maned
بِذي خُصَلٍ رَوعاتِ أَكلَفَ مُلبِدِ
She startles at the herdsman’s cry and guards herself
With the tail-swishes of a dark, thick-maned, mottled stallion.
كَأَنَّas though جَناحَيtwo wings of مَضرَحيٍّan eagle تَكَنَّفاenfolded
كَأَنَّ جَناحَي مَضرَحيٍّ تَكَنَّفا
حِفافَيهِits two sides شُكّاwere stitched فيinto العَسيبِthe tailbone بِمَسرَدِwith an awl
حِفافَيهِ شُكّا في العَسيبِ بِمَسرَدِ
It is as though an eagle’s two wings enfolded
The sides of her tail, stitched to its bone with an awl.
فَطَوراًthen at times بِهِwith it خَلفَbehind الزَميلِthe fellow rider وَتارَةًand at another time
فَطَوراً بِهِ خَلفَ الزَميلِ وَتارَةً
عَلىupon حَشَفٍa shriveled udder كَالشَنِّlike an old skin ذاوٍwithered مُجَدَّدِrenewed
عَلى حَشَفٍ كَالشَنِّ ذاوٍ مُجَدَّدِ
At times she strikes behind the rider’s companion, and at others
Upon a withered udder, shriveled like an old waterskin.
لَهاshe has فَخِذانِtwo thighs أُكمِلَwas completed النَحضُthe flesh فيهِماin them
لَها فَخِذانِ أُكمِلَ النَحضُ فيهِما
كَأَنَّهُماas though they باباtwo doors of مُنيفٍa lofty palace مُمَرَّدِplastered
كَأَنَّهُما بابا مُنيفٍ مُمَرَّدِ
She has two thighs filled out with flesh,
Like the two doors of a lofty, plastered palace.
وَطَيُّand the folding of مَحالٍvertebrae كَالحَنيِّlike a bow خُلوفُهُits rear joints
وَطَيُّ مَحالٍ كَالحَنيِّ خُلوفُهُ
وَأَجرِنَةٌand ribs لُزَّتwere joined tightly بِدَأيٍto a backbone مُنَضَّدِlayered
وَأَجرِنَةٌ لُزَّت بِدَأيٍ مُنَضَّدِ
The folded vertebrae of her spine curve like a bow,
And firm ribs are joined to a closely layered backbone.
كَأَنَّas though كِناسَيtwo shelters of ضالَةٍa wild-lotus tree يُكنِفانِهاenclose her
كَأَنَّ كِناسَي ضالَةٍ يُكنِفانِها
وَأَطرَand bent arcs of قِسيٍّbows تَحتَbeneath صُلبٍa back مُؤَيَّدِstrengthened
وَأَطرَ قِسيٍّ تَحتَ صُلبٍ مُؤَيَّدِ
It is as though two wild-lotus shelters enclosed her,
And the bent arcs of bows lay beneath a strengthened back.
لَهاshe has مِرفَقانِtwo elbows أَفتَلانِfleshy and twisted كَأَنَّهاas though she
لَها مِرفَقانِ أَفتَلانِ كَأَنَّها
تَمُرُّpasses بِسَلمَيwith two buckets of دالِجٍa night traveler مُتَشَدَّدِresolute
تَمُرُّ بِسَلمَي دالِجٍ مُتَشَدَّدِ
She has two fleshy, twisted elbows, as though she
Passes bearing the two buckets of a resolute night traveler.
كَقَنطَرَةِlike the bridge of الروميِّthe Roman أَقسَمَswore رَبُّهاits master
كَقَنطَرَةِ الروميِّ أَقسَمَ رَبُّها
لَتُكتَنَفَنsurely it would be flanked حَتّىuntil تُشادَit is raised بِقَرمَدِwith brick
لَتُكتَنَفَن حَتّى تُشادَ بِقَرمَدِ
Like a Roman’s bridge whose master swore
It would be flanked until raised high with bricks.
صُهابيَّةُtawny العُثنونِunder the chin موجَدَةُpowerful القَراin the back
صُهابيَّةُ العُثنونِ موجَدَةُ القَرا
بَعيدَةُlong وَخدِin the stride of الرِجلِthe leg مَوّارَةُswinging اليَدِthe foreleg
بَعيدَةُ وَخدِ الرِجلِ مَوّارَةُ اليَدِ
Tawny beneath the chin and powerfully backed,
Long-striding in the legs, her forelegs swinging.
أُمِرَّتwere twisted يَداهاher forelegs فَتلَthe twisting of شَزرٍa contrary rope وَأُجنِحَتand were winged
أُمِرَّت يَداها فَتلَ شَزرٍ وَأُجنِحَت
لَهاfor her عَضُداهاher upper arms فيin سَقيفٍa rooflike frame مُسَنَّدِbraced
لَها عَضُداها في سَقيفٍ مُسَنَّدِ
Her forelegs were twisted like a contrary-twined rope, and her upper arms
Were given a braced, rooflike frame.
جُنوحٌbroad-leaning دِفاقٌsurging عَندَلٌlong-necked ثُمَّthen أُفرِعَتwere raised
جُنوحٌ دِفاقٌ عَندَلٌ ثُمَّ أُفرِعَت
لَهاfor her كَتِفاهاher shoulders فيin مُعالىًa lofty place مُصَعَّدِascending
لَها كَتِفاها في مُعالىً مُصَعَّدِ
Broad-leaning, surging, long-necked; then her shoulders
Were raised for her upon a lofty, ascending build.
كَأَنَّas though عُلوبَthe marks of النِسعِthe girth فيon دَأَياتِهاher ribs
كَأَنَّ عُلوبَ النِسعِ في دَأَياتِها
مَوارِدُwatering places مِنfrom خَلقاءَbarren rock فيon ظَهرِthe back of قَردَدِa level upland
مَوارِدُ مِن خَلقاءَ في ظَهرِ قَردَدِ
The marks of the girth upon her ribs resemble
Watering places in barren rock on a level upland.
تَلاقىthey meet وَأَحياناًand sometimes تَبينُthey appear كَأَنَّهاas though they
تَلاقى وَأَحياناً تَبينُ كَأَنَّها
بَنائِقُgussets غُرٌّwhite فيin قَميصٍa shirt مُقَدَّدِtorn
بَنائِقُ غُرٌّ في قَميصٍ مُقَدَّدِ
They meet, and sometimes show apart, like
White gussets in a torn shirt.
وَأَتلَعُand long-necked نَهّاضٌrising إِذاwhen صَعَّدَتshe raises بِهِwith it
وَأَتلَعُ نَهّاضٌ إِذا صَعَّدَت بِهِ
كَسُكّانِlike the rudder of بوصيٍّa boat بِدِجلَةَon the Tigris مُصعِدِascending
كَسُكّانِ بوصيٍّ بِدِجلَةَ مُصعِدِ
Long-necked and rising when she lifts it,
Like the rudder of a boat ascending the Tigris.
وَجُمجُمَةٌand a skull مِثلُlike العَلاةِthe anvil كَأَنَّماas though
وَجُمجُمَةٌ مِثلُ العَلاةِ كَأَنَّما
وَعىfused المُلتَقىthe joint مِنهاfrom it إِلىto حَرفِthe edge of مِبرَدِa file
وَعى المُلتَقى مِنها إِلى حَرفِ مِبرَدِ
Her skull is like an anvil, as though
Its joints, up to the file-sharp edge, were fused.
وَخَدٌّand a cheek كَقِرطاسِlike the parchment of الشَآميthe Syrian وَمِشفَرٌand a lip
وَخَدٌّ كَقِرطاسِ الشَآمي وَمِشفَرٌ
كَسِبتِlike the edge of اليَمانيthe Yemeni hide قَدُّهُits border لَمnot يُجَرَّدِtrimmed
كَسِبتِ اليَماني قَدُّهُ لَم يُجَرَّدِ
A cheek like Syrian parchment, and a lip
Like the edge of a Yemeni hide, whose border remains untrimmed.
وَعَينانِand two eyes كَالماوَيَّتَينِlike two mirrors اِستَكَنَّتاlie sheltered
وَعَينانِ كَالماوَيَّتَينِ اِستَكَنَّتا
بِكَهفَيin two caves of حِجاجَيtwo brow bones of صَخرَةٍa rock قَلتِholding مَورِدِa watering place
بِكَهفَي حِجاجَي صَخرَةٍ قَلتِ مَورِدِ
Two eyes, like twin mirrors, lie sheltered
In two caves beneath the brow bones of a water-holding rock.
طَحورانِtwo expellers of عُوّارَthe affliction of القَذىthe mote فَتَراهُماso you see them
طَحورانِ عُوّارَ القَذى فَتَراهُما
كَمَكحولَتَيlike two kohl-lined eyes of مَذعورَةٍa frightened one أُمِّmother of فَرقَدِa calf
كَمَكحولَتَي مَذعورَةٍ أُمِّ فَرقَدِ
They cast out the mote that troubles them, so you see them
Like the kohl-lined eyes of a frightened wild cow with a calf.
وَصادِقَتاand two truthful سَمعِorgans of hearing التَوَجُّسِalertness لِلسُرىfor night travel
وَصادِقَتا سَمعِ التَوَجُّسِ لِلسُرى
لِهَجسٍto a whisper خَفِيٍّhidden أَوor لِصَوتٍto a sound مُنَدَّدِraised
لِهَجسٍ خَفِيٍّ أَو لِصَوتٍ مُنَدَّدِ
Her two ears hear truly, alert during night travel
To a hidden whisper or a raised sound.
مُؤَلَّلَتانِtwo sharp-tipped ones تَعرِفُyou recognize العِتقَnobility فيهِماin them
مُؤَلَّلَتانِ تَعرِفُ العِتقَ فيهِما
كَسامِعَتَيlike the two ears of شاةٍa ewe بِحَومَلَat Hawmal مُفرَدِalone
كَسامِعَتَي شاةٍ بِحَومَلَ مُفرَدِ
Sharp-tipped: you recognize nobility in them,
Like the ears of a lone ewe at Hawmal.
وَأَروَعُand splendid نَبّاضٌpulsing أَحَذُّlean مُلَملَمٌcompact
وَأَروَعُ نَبّاضٌ أَحَذُّ مُلَملَمٌ
كَمِرداةِlike a pestle of صَخرٍrock فيin صَفيحٍa slab مُصَمَّدِsolid
كَمِرداةِ صَخرٍ في صَفيحٍ مُصَمَّدِ
A splendid, pulsing, lean, compact heart,
Like a rock-pestle set in a solid slab.
وَأَعلَمُand marked مَخروتٌtapering مِنَfrom الأَنفِthe nose مارِنٌa pliant tip
وَأَعلَمُ مَخروتٌ مِنَ الأَنفِ مارِنٌ
عَتيقٌnoble مَتىwhenever تَرجُمyou strike بِهِwith it الأَرضَthe earth تَزدَدِshe gains
عَتيقٌ مَتى تَرجُم بِهِ الأَرضَ تَزدَدِ
Her nose is marked, tapering, with a pliant tip,
Noble: whenever you strike the earth with it, she gains speed.
وَإِنand if شِئتُI wished لَمshe did not trot تُرقِلand if وَإِنI wished شِئتُshe trotted swiftly while being urged off course at times and guided straight at others. أَرقَلَتtrotted swiftly
وَإِن شِئتُ لَم تُرقِل وَإِن شِئتُ أَرقَلَت
مَخافَةَfor fear of مَلويٍّa twisted thing مِنَfrom القَدِّhide مُحصَدِtightly cut
مَخافَةَ مَلويٍّ مِنَ القَدِّ مُحصَدِ
If I wish, she does not trot; and if I wish, she trots swiftly,
Fearing a tightly twisted lash cut from hide.
وَإِنand if شِئتُI wished سامىrose above واسِطَthe middle of الكورِthe saddle رَأسُهاher head
وَإِن شِئتُ سامى واسِطَ الكورِ رَأسُها
وَعامَتand she swam بِضَبعَيهاwith her two forelegs نَجاءَthe fleet pace of الخَفَيدَدِthe khafaydad gait
وَعامَت بِضَبعَيها نَجاءَ الخَفَيدَدِ
If I wish, her head rises above the saddle’s center,
And she swims with her forelegs in the fleet pace of the khafaydad.
عَلىon مِثلِهاone like her أَمضيI press onward إِذاwhen قالَsaid صاحِبيmy companion
عَلى مِثلِها أَمضي إِذا قالَ صاحِبي
أَلاbehold لَيتَنيwould that I أَفديكَransom you مِنهاfrom her وَأَفتَديand ransom myself
أَلا لَيتَني أَفديكَ مِنها وَأَفتَدي
On such a mount I press onward when my companion says,
“Would that I could ransom you from her—and ransom myself!”
وَجاشَتand surged إِلَيهِtoward him النَفسُthe soul خَوفاًin fear وَخالَهُand he imagined him
وَجاشَت إِلَيهِ النَفسُ خَوفاً وَخالَهُ
مُصاباًstricken وَلَوeven though أَمسىhe spent the night عَلىbeyond غَيرِother than مَرصَدِan ambush
مُصاباً وَلَو أَمسى عَلى غَيرِ مَرصَدِ
His soul surged toward him in fear, imagining him
Stricken, though he had spent the night beyond any ambush.
إِذاwhen القَومُthe people قالواsaid مَنwho فَتىًa brave man خِلتُI supposed أَنَّنيthat I
إِذا القَومُ قالوا مَن فَتىً خِلتُ أَنَّني
عُنيتُwas meant فَلَمso I did not lag أَكسَلand I was not bewildered وَلَمand I was not stupefied with confusion. أَتَبَلَّدِstood bewildered
عُنيتُ فَلَم أَكسَل وَلَم أَتَبَلَّدِ
When the people ask, “Who is the brave man?” I suppose that I
Am meant, so I neither lag nor stand bewildered.
أَحَلتُI turned عَلَيهاher toward it بِالقَطيعِwith the whip فَأَجذَمَتso she sped away
أَحَلتُ عَلَيها بِالقَطيعِ فَأَجذَمَت
وَقَدwhile خَبَّshimmered آلُthe mirage of الأَمعَزِthe stony ground المُتَوَقِّدِblazing
وَقَد خَبَّ آلُ الأَمعَزِ المُتَوَقِّدِ
I turned her toward them with the whip, and she sped away,
While the mirage shimmered over the blazing stony ground.
فَذالَتso she swept along كَماas ذالَتswept along وَليدَةُa young servant girl of مَجلِسٍa gathering
فَذالَت كَما ذالَت وَليدَةُ مَجلِسٍ
تُريshe shows رَبَّهاher master أَذيالَthe trains of سَحلٍa white robe مُمَدَّدِextended
تُري رَبَّها أَذيالَ سَحلٍ مُمَدَّدِ
She swept along like a young servant at a gathering,
Showing her master the train of a trailing white robe.
وَلَستُand I am not بِحَلّالِone settling in التِلاعِthe ravines مَخافَةًfrom fear
وَلَستُ بِحَلّالِ التِلاعِ مَخافَةً
وَلَكِنbut مَتىwhenever يَستَرفِدِseeks aid القَومُthe people أَرفِدِI give aid
وَلَكِن مَتى يَستَرفِدِ القَومُ أَرفِدِ
I do not settle timidly in the ravines,
But whenever the people seek aid, I give it.
فَإِنso if تَبغِنيyou seek me فيin حَلقَةِthe circle of القَومِthe people تَلقَنيyou find me
فَإِن تَبغِني في حَلقَةِ القَومِ تَلقَني
وَإِنand if تَقتَنِصنيyou hunt me فيin الحَوانيتِthe wine shops تَصطَدِyou catch me
وَإِن تَقتَنِصني في الحَوانيتِ تَصطَدِ
If you seek me in the people’s council, you will find me;
And if you hunt me in the wine shops, you will catch me.
مَتىwhenever تَأتِنيyou come to me أُصبِحكَI give you at dawn كَأساًa cup رَويَّةًbrimming
مَتى تَأتِني أُصبِحكَ كَأساً رَويَّةً
وَإِنand if كُنتَyou are عَنهاwithout it ذاpossessing غِنىًindependence فَاِغنَthen abstain وَاِزدَدِand increase
وَإِن كُنتَ عَنها ذا غِنىً فَاِغنَ وَاِزدَدِ
Whenever you come, I will give you a brimming cup,
But if you can do without it, abstain and increase your wealth.
وَإِنand if يَلتَقِmeets الحَيُّthe tribe الجَميعُall together تُلاقِنيyou meet me
وَإِن يَلتَقِ الحَيُّ الجَميعُ تُلاقِني
إِلىat ذِروَةِthe summit of البَيتِthe house الرَفيعِlofty المُصَمَّدِfirmly established
إِلى ذِروَةِ البَيتِ الرَفيعِ المُصَمَّدِ
When the whole tribe assembles, you will find me
At the summit of the lofty, firmly established house.
نَدامايَmy drinking companions بيضٌbright كَالنُجومِlike the stars وَقَينَةٌand a singing girl
نَدامايَ بيضٌ كَالنُجومِ وَقَينَةٌ
تَروحُcomes at evening عَلَيناto us بَينَbetween بُردٍa striped cloak وَمَجسَدِand a saffron gown
تَروحُ عَلَينا بَينَ بُردٍ وَمَجسَدِ
My drinking companions are bright as stars, and a singing girl
Comes to us in a striped cloak and saffron-dyed gown.
رَحيبٌwide قِطابُthe opening of الجَيبِthe neckline مِنهاof her رَقيقَةٌdelicate
رَحيبٌ قِطابُ الجَيبِ مِنها رَقيقَةٌ
بِجَسِّto the touch of النَدامىthe companions بَضَّةُplump المُتَجَرَّدِwhen unclothed
بِجَسِّ النَدامى بَضَّةُ المُتَجَرَّدِ
The opening of her neckline is wide; she is delicate,
Soft to the companions’ touch, her uncovered skin plump.
إِذاwhen نَحنُwe قُلناsaid أَسمِعيناsing to us اِنبَرَتshe rose لَناfor us
إِذا نَحنُ قُلنا أَسمِعينا اِنبَرَت لَنا
عَلىat رِسلِهاher ease مَطروقَةًresponsive لَمnot تَشَدَّدِconstrained
عَلى رِسلِها مَطروقَةً لَم تَشَدَّدِ
When we say, “Sing to us,” she rises for us
At ease, lightly responsive, without constraint.
إِذاwhen رَجَّعَتshe repeated فيin صَوتِهاher voice خِلتَyou imagined صَوتَهاher voice
إِذا رَجَّعَت في صَوتِها خِلتَ صَوتَها
تَجاوُبَthe answering cries of أَظآرٍbereaved she-camels عَلىover رُبَعٍa young camel رَديdead
تَجاوُبَ أَظآرٍ عَلى رُبَعٍ رَدي
When she repeats the melody, you would think her voice
The answering cries of bereaved she-camels over a dead young camel.
وَماand never زالَceased تَشرابيmy drinking of الخُمورَwines وَلَذَّتيand my pleasure
وَما زالَ تَشرابي الخُمورَ وَلَذَّتي
وَبَيعيand my selling وَإِنفاقيand my spending طَريفيmy newly gained wealth وَمُتلَديand my inherited wealth
وَبَيعي وَإِنفاقي طَريفي وَمُتلَدي
My drinking of wine and my pleasure never ceased,
Nor my selling and spending of both new wealth and inherited goods,
إِلىuntil أَنthat تَحامَتنيshunned me العَشيرَةُthe clan كُلُّهاall of it
إِلى أَن تَحامَتني العَشيرَةُ كُلُّها
وَأُفرِدتُand I was isolated إِفرادَlike the isolation of البَعيرِthe camel المُعَبَّدِtar-smeared
وَأُفرِدتُ إِفرادَ البَعيرِ المُعَبَّدِ
Until my whole clan shunned me
And I was isolated like a tar-smeared camel.
رَأَيتُI saw بَنيthe sons of غَبراءَthe dusty earth لاnot يُنكِرونَنيrejecting me
رَأَيتُ بَني غَبراءَ لا يُنكِرونَني
وَلاnor أَهلُthe people of هَذاكَthat الطِرافِleather tent المُمَدَّدِextended
وَلا أَهلُ هَذاكَ الطِرافِ المُمَدَّدِ
I found the sons of the dusty earth did not reject me,
Nor did the people of that far-spread leather tent.
أَلاbehold أَيُّهَذاO you there اللائِميmy blamer أَحضُرَthat I attend الوَغىthe battle
أَلا أَيُّهَذا اللائِمي أَحضُرَ الوَغى
وَأَنand that أَشهَدَI witness اللَذّاتِpleasures هَلcan أَنتَyou مُخلِديmake me immortal
وَأَن أَشهَدَ اللَذّاتِ هَل أَنتَ مُخلِدي
O you who blame me for attending battle
And for witnessing pleasures—can you make me immortal?
فَإِنso if كُنتَyou are لاnot تَسطيعُable دَفعَto repel مَنيَّتيmy destined death
فَإِن كُنتَ لا تَسطيعُ دَفعَ مَنيَّتي
فَدَعنيthen leave me أُبادِرهاmeet it first بِماwith what مَلَكَتpossessed يَديmy hand
فَدَعني أُبادِرها بِما مَلَكَت يَدي
If you cannot repel my destined death,
Then let me meet it first with what my hand possesses.
وَلَولاand were it not for ثَلاثٌthree هُنَّthey are مِنfrom عيشَةِthe life of الفَتىthe young man
وَلَولا ثَلاثٌ هُنَّ مِن عيشَةِ الفَتى
وَجَدِّكَby your grandsire لَمnot أَحفِلI would care مَتىwhen قامَrose عُوَّديmy visitors
وَجَدِّكَ لَم أَحفِل مَتى قامَ عُوَّدي
Were it not for three things that belong to a young man’s life,
By your grandsire, I would not care when my visitors rose to mourn me:
فَمِنهُنَّthen among them سَبقيmy outstripping العاذِلاتِthe censuring women بِشَربَةٍwith a drink
فَمِنهُنَّ سَبقي العاذِلاتِ بِشَربَةٍ
كُمَيتٍdark-red مَتىwhenever ماever تُعلَit is topped بِالماءِwith water تُزبِدِit foams
كُمَيتٍ مَتى ما تُعلَ بِالماءِ تُزبِدِ
First, outstripping the censuring women with a drink
Of dark-red wine that foams whenever water rises over it;
وَكَرّيand my charge إِذاwhen نادىcalled المُضافُthe distressed man مُحَنَّباًbent in fear
وَكَرّي إِذا نادى المُضافُ مُحَنَّباً
كَسيدِlike the lord of الغَضاthe ghada thicket نَبَّهتَهُyou awakened him المُتَوَرِّدِcoming to water
كَسيدِ الغَضا نَبَّهتَهُ المُتَوَرِّدِ
And my charge when the distressed man calls, bent in fear,
Like the lord of the ghada thicket whom you awaken as he comes to water;
وَتَقصيرُand shortening يَومَthe day of الدَجنِclouds وَالدَجنُwhile the clouds مُعجِبٌare delightful
وَتَقصيرُ يَومَ الدَجنِ وَالدَجنُ مُعجِبٌ
بِبَهكَنَةٍwith a full-bodied woman تَحتَbeneath الطِرافِthe tent المُعَمَّدِpole-supported
بِبَهكَنَةٍ تَحتَ الطِرافِ المُعَمَّدِ
And shortening a cloudy day—how delightful the clouds—
With a full-bodied woman beneath a tent held up by poles.
كَأَنَّas though البُرينَthe rings وَالدَماليجَand the bracelets عُلِّقَتwere hung
كَأَنَّ البُرينَ وَالدَماليجَ عُلِّقَت
عَلىupon عُشَرٍan ʿushar tree أَوor خِروَعٍa castor-oil tree لَمnot يُخَضَّدِtopped
عَلى عُشَرٍ أَو خِروَعٍ لَم يُخَضَّدِ
It is as though rings and bracelets were hung
Upon an untopped ʿushar or castor-oil tree.
كَريمٌa noble man يُرَوّيfully quenches نَفسَهُhimself فيduring حَياتِهِhis life
كَريمٌ يُرَوّي نَفسَهُ في حَياتِهِ
سَتَعلَمُyou will know إِنif مُتناwe die غَداًtomorrow أَيُّناwhich of us الصَديis parched
سَتَعلَمُ إِن مُتنا غَداً أَيُّنا الصَدي
A noble man quenches himself fully during his life;
If we die tomorrow, you will learn which of us is parched.
أَرىI see قَبرَthe grave of نَحّامٍa groaning miser بَخيلٍstingy بِمالِهِwith his wealth
أَرى قَبرَ نَحّامٍ بَخيلٍ بِمالِهِ
كَقَبرِlike the grave of غَويٍّa wayward man فيin البَطالَةِidleness مُفسِدِcorrupt
كَقَبرِ غَويٍّ في البَطالَةِ مُفسِدِ
I see the grave of a groaning miser, stingy with his wealth,
Like the grave of a wastrel corrupt in idleness.
تَرىyou see جُثوَتَينِtwo heaps مِنof تُرابٍearth عَلَيهِماupon them
تَرى جُثوَتَينِ مِن تُرابٍ عَلَيهِما
صَفائِحُslabs صُمٌّdeaf مِنof صَفيحٍstone مُنَضَّدِclose-laid
صَفائِحُ صُمٌّ مِن صَفيحٍ مُنَضَّدِ
You see two heaps of earth, upon them
Deaf slabs of close-laid stone.
أَرىI see المَوتَdeath يَعتامُchoosing الكِرامَthe noble وَيَصطَفيand selecting
أَرى المَوتَ يَعتامُ الكِرامَ وَيَصطَفي
عَقيلَةَthe choicest of مالِthe wealth of الفاحِشِthe gross man المُتَشَدِّدِtightfisted
عَقيلَةَ مالِ الفاحِشِ المُتَشَدِّدِ
I see death choosing the noble and selecting
The choicest wealth of the gross, tightfisted man.
أَرىI see العَيشَlife كَنزاًas a treasure ناقِصاًdiminishing كُلَّevery لَيلَةٍnight
أَرى العَيشَ كَنزاً ناقِصاً كُلَّ لَيلَةٍ
وَماand what تَنقُصِdiminish الأَيّامُthe days وَالدَهرُand time يَنفَدِruns out
وَما تَنقُصِ الأَيّامُ وَالدَهرُ يَنفَدِ
I see life as a treasure diminishing every night,
And what days and time diminish must run out.
لَعَمرُكَby your life إِنَّindeed المَوتَdeath ماnever أَخطَأَmissed الفَتىthe young man
لَعَمرُكَ إِنَّ المَوتَ ما أَخطَأَ الفَتى
لَكَالطِوَلِsurely like the tether المُرخىloosened وَثِنياهُwhile its doubled end بِاليَدِis in the hand
لَكَالطِوَلِ المُرخى وَثِنياهُ بِاليَدِ
By your life, death never misses a young man:
It is like a loosened tether whose doubled end remains in the hand.
فَماso what is wrong with me ليI see myself أَرانيand وَاِبنَmy cousin عَمِّيَMalik together often. مالِكاًMalik
فَما لي أَراني وَاِبنَ عَمِّيَ مالِكاً
مَتىwhenever أَدنُI draw near مِنهُto him يَنأَhe withdraws عَنّيfrom me وَيَبعُدِand goes far
مَتى أَدنُ مِنهُ يَنأَ عَنّي وَيَبعُدِ
What is wrong with me that I see my cousin Malik—
Whenever I draw near, he withdraws and goes farther away?
يَلومُhe blames وَماwhile not أَدريI know عَلامَfor what يَلومُنيhe blames me
يَلومُ وَما أَدري عَلامَ يَلومُني
كَماas لامَنيblamed me فيamong الحَيِّthe tribe قُرطُQurt بنُson of مَعبَدِMaʿbad
كَما لامَني في الحَيِّ قُرطُ بنُ مَعبَدِ
He blames me, though I do not know for what he blames me,
As Qurt ibn Maʿbad blamed me among the tribe.
وَأَيأَسَنيand he made me despair مِنof كُلِّevery خَيرٍgood طَلَبتُهُI sought it
وَأَيأَسَني مِن كُلِّ خَيرٍ طَلَبتُهُ
كَأَنّاas though we وَضَعناهُlaid it إِلىbeside رَمسِa grave مُلحَدِwith a side niche
كَأَنّا وَضَعناهُ إِلى رَمسِ مُلحَدِ
He has made me despair of every good thing I sought,
As though we had laid it beside the niche of a grave.
عَلىfor غَيرِno ذَنبٍoffense قُلتُهُI committed it غَيرَexcept أَنَّنيthat I
عَلى غَيرِ ذَنبٍ قُلتُهُ غَيرَ أَنَّني
نَشَدتُappealed فَلَمand did not أُغفِلneglect حَمولَةَthe camel herd of مَعبَدِMaʿbad
نَشَدتُ فَلَم أُغفِل حَمولَةَ مَعبَدِ
For no offense I committed, except that I
Appealed for justice and did not neglect Maʿbad’s camels.
وَقَرَّبتُand I drew near بِالقُربىthrough kinship وَجَدِّكَby your grandsire إِنَّنيindeed I
وَقَرَّبتُ بِالقُربى وَجَدِّكَ إِنَّني
مَتىwhenever يَكُthere is أَمرٌa matter لِلنَكيثَةِfor stern resolve أَشهَدِI attend
مَتى يَكُ أَمرٌ لِلنَكيثَةِ أَشهَدِ
I upheld the bond of kinship; by your grandsire, I
Attend whenever a matter calls for stern resolve.
وَإِنand if أُدعَI am summoned لِلجُلّىto the great crisis أَكُنI am مِنamong حُماتِهاits defenders
وَإِن أُدعَ لِلجُلّى أَكُن مِن حُماتِها
وَإِنand if يَأتِكَcome to you الأَعداءُthe enemies بِالجَهدِwith utmost force أَجهَدِI strive my utmost
وَإِن يَأتِكَ الأَعداءُ بِالجَهدِ أَجهَدِ
If summoned to a great crisis, I am among its defenders;
And if enemies come against you with force, I strive my utmost.
وَإِنand if يَقذِفواthey assail بِالقَذعِwith obscenity عِرضَكَyour honor أَسقِهِمI give them drink
وَإِن يَقذِفوا بِالقَذعِ عِرضَكَ أَسقِهِم
بِكَأسِfrom a cup of حِياضِthe pools of المَوتِdeath قَبلَbefore التَهَدُّدِthe threatening
بِكَأسِ حِياضِ المَوتِ قَبلَ التَهَدُّدِ
If they assail your honor with obscenity, I give them drink
From the cup of death’s pools before threats are uttered.
بِلاwithout حَدَثٍan offense أَحدَثتُهُI committed it وَكَمُحدِثٍand how like an offender
بِلا حَدَثٍ أَحدَثتُهُ وَكَمُحدِثٍ
هِجائيmy being satirized وَقَذفيand my being accused بِالشَكاةِwith complaint وَمُطرَديand my banishment
هِجائي وَقَذفي بِالشَكاةِ وَمُطرَدي
Though I committed no offense—and how like an offender
Are the satire, accusation, complaint, and banishment laid on me!
فَلَوso if كانَwere مَولايَmy patron اِمرَأًa man هُوَhe غَيرَهُother than him
فَلَو كانَ مَولايَ اِمرَأً هُوَ غَيرَهُ
لَفَرَّجَhe surely would relieve كَربيmy anguish أَوor لَأَنظَرَنيsurely would delay me غَديmy tomorrow
لَفَرَّجَ كَربي أَو لَأَنظَرَني غَدي
Had my patron been another man than he,
He would have relieved my anguish or delayed my tomorrow.
وَلَكِنَّbut مَولايَmy patron اِمرُؤٌa man هُوَhe خانِقيmy strangler
وَلَكِنَّ مَولايَ اِمرُؤٌ هُوَ خانِقي
عَلىdespite الشُكرِgratitude وَالتَسآلِand entreaty أَوor أَناI مُفتَدِransomed
عَلى الشُكرِ وَالتَسآلِ أَو أَنا مُفتَدِ
But my patron is a man who strangles me
Despite my gratitude and entreaty—unless I ransom myself.
وَظُلمُand the injustice of ذَويthose of القُربىkinship أَشَدُّis more severe مَضاضَةًin painfulness
وَظُلمُ ذَوي القُربى أَشَدُّ مَضاضَةً
عَلىupon المَرءِthe man مِنthan وَقعِthe stroke of الحُسامِthe cutting sword المُهَنَّدِIndian-forged
عَلى المَرءِ مِن وَقعِ الحُسامِ المُهَنَّدِ
The injustice of close kin is more bitter
To a man than the stroke of an Indian-forged sword.
فَذَرنيso leave me وَخُلقيand my nature إِنَّنيindeed I لَكَto you شاكِرٌam grateful
فَذَرني وَخُلقي إِنَّني لَكَ شاكِرٌ
وَلَوeven if حَلَّsettled بَيتيmy house نائِياًfar away عِندَnear ضَرغَدِDarghad
وَلَو حَلَّ بَيتي نائِياً عِندَ ضَرغَدِ
So leave me to my nature; I shall remain grateful to you,
Even if my home settles far away at Darghad.
فَلَوso if شاءَwilled رَبّيmy Lord كُنتُI would be قَيسَQays بنَson of خالِدٍKhalid
فَلَو شاءَ رَبّي كُنتُ قَيسَ بنَ خالِدٍ
وَلَوand if شاءَwilled رَبّيmy Lord كُنتُI would be عَمروَʿAmr بنَson of مَرثَدِMarthad
وَلَو شاءَ رَبّي كُنتُ عَمروَ بنَ مَرثَدِ
Had my Lord willed, I would have been Qays ibn Khalid;
Had my Lord willed, I would have been ʿAmr ibn Marthad.
فَأَصبَحتُthen I would become ذاpossessing مالٍwealth كَثيرٍabundant وَزارَنيand visited me
فَأَصبَحتُ ذا مالٍ كَثيرٍ وَزارَني
بَنونَsons كِرامٌnoble سادَةٌmasters لِمُسَوَّدِof one obeyed
بَنونَ كِرامٌ سادَةٌ لِمُسَوَّدِ
Then I would have possessed abundant wealth, and been visited by
Noble sons, masters born to one obeyed.
أَناI الرَجُلُthe man الضَربُhardened الَّذيwhom تَعرِفونَهُyou know
أَنا الرَجُلُ الضَربُ الَّذي تَعرِفونَهُ
خَشاشٌquick and fierce كَرَأسِlike the head of الحَيَّةِthe serpent المُتَوَقِّدِblazing-eyed
خَشاشٌ كَرَأسِ الحَيَّةِ المُتَوَقِّدِ
I am the hardened man whom you know,
Quick and fierce as the head of a blazing-eyed serpent.
فَآلَيتُso I swore لاnot يَنفَكُّwould cease كَشحيmy flank بِطانَةًas lining
فَآلَيتُ لا يَنفَكُّ كَشحي بِطانَةً
لِعَضبٍfor a sharp sword رَقيقِthin الشَفرَتَينِof the two edges مُهَنَّدِIndian-forged
لِعَضبٍ رَقيقِ الشَفرَتَينِ مُهَنَّدِ
I swore that my flank would never cease to be the lining
For a sharp, thin-edged Indian-forged sword—
حُسامٍa cutting sword إِذاwhen ماever قُمتُI rose مُنتَصِراًavenging myself بِهِwith it
حُسامٍ إِذا ما قُمتُ مُنتَصِراً بِهِ
كَفىsufficed العَودَthe second stroke مِنهُfrom it البَدءُthe first stroke لَيسَnot بِمِعضَدِa chopping blade
كَفى العَودَ مِنهُ البَدءُ لَيسَ بِمِعضَدِ
A cutting blade which, when I rise to avenge myself with it,
Needs no second stroke after the first; it is no chopping blade.
أَخيmy brother ثِقَةٍof trust لاdoes not يَنثَنيturn aside عَنfrom ضَريبَةٍa blow
أَخي ثِقَةٍ لا يَنثَني عَن ضَريبَةٍ
إِذاwhen قيلَit was said مَهلاًgently قالَsaid حاجِزُهُits restrainer قَدّيenough for me
إِذا قيلَ مَهلاً قالَ حاجِزُهُ قَدّي
A trustworthy brother that never turns aside from a blow;
When told, “Gently,” its restrainer says, “Enough—my stroke has sufficed.”
إِذاwhen اِبتَدَرَraced القَومُthe people السِلاحَfor weapons وَجَدتَنيyou found me
إِذا اِبتَدَرَ القَومُ السِلاحَ وَجَدتَني
مَنيعاًwell defended إِذاwhen بَلَّتwas moistened بِقائِمِهِby its hilt يَديmy hand
مَنيعاً إِذا بَلَّت بِقائِمِهِ يَدي
When men race for their weapons, you find me
Well defended once my hand wets the sword’s hilt.
وَبَركٍand many a herd هُجودٍsleeping قَدindeed أَثارَتstirred مَخافَتيmy menace
وَبَركٍ هُجودٍ قَد أَثارَت مَخافَتي
بَوادِيَهاits outlying beasts أَمشيI walk بِعَضبٍwith a sharp sword مُجَرَّدِunsheathed
بَوادِيَها أَمشي بِعَضبٍ مُجَرَّدِ
Many a sleeping herd, whose outlying beasts my menace stirred,
Have I walked among with a naked, keen-edged sword.
فَمَرَّتthen passed كَهاةٌa soft-footed she-camel ذاتُpossessing خَيفٍbroad stripes جُلالَةٌhuge
فَمَرَّت كَهاةٌ ذاتُ خَيفٍ جُلالَةٌ
عَقيلَةُthe prized possession of شَيخٍan old chief كَالوَبيلِlike a plague يَلَندَدِformidable
عَقيلَةُ شَيخٍ كَالوَبيلِ يَلَندَدِ
Then a huge, soft-footed, broad-striped she-camel passed,
The prized possession of a stern, formidable old chief.
يَقولُhe says وَقَدwhen already تَرَّwas severed الوَظيفُthe shank وَساقُهاand her leg
يَقولُ وَقَد تَرَّ الوَظيفُ وَساقُها
أَلَستَdo you not تَرىsee أَنthat قَدindeed أَتَيتَyou have done بِمُؤيِدِa mighty thing
أَلَستَ تَرى أَن قَد أَتَيتَ بِمُؤيِدِ
He said, when her shank and leg had been severed,
“Do you not see that you have done a mighty thing?”
وَقالَand he said أَلاbehold ماذاwhat تَرَونَdo you think بِشارِبٍof a drinker
وَقالَ أَلا ماذا تَرَونَ بِشارِبٍ
شَديدٍsevere عَلَيناagainst us بَغيُهُhis aggression مُتَعَمِّدِdeliberate
شَديدٍ عَلَينا بَغيُهُ مُتَعَمِّدِ
And he said, “What do you think of a drinker
Whose deliberate aggression against us is severe?”
وَقالَand he said ذَروهُleave him إِنَّماonly نَفعُهاits benefit لَهُis for him
وَقالَ ذَروهُ إِنَّما نَفعُها لَهُ
وَإِلّاand otherwise تَكُفّواyou restrain قاصِيَthe farthest البَركِof the herd يَزدَدِhe adds
وَإِلّا تَكُفّوا قاصِيَ البَركِ يَزدَدِ
Another said, “Leave him; its benefit is his alone;
Otherwise, unless you hold him back, he will add the herd’s farthest beast.”
فَظَلَّso all day الإِماءُthe slave girls يَمتَلِلنَroasted حُوارَهاher young camel
فَظَلَّ الإِماءُ يَمتَلِلنَ حُوارَها
وَيُسعىand is brought عَلَيناto us بِالسَديفِwith hump-fat المُسَرهَدِwell-stretched
وَيُسعى عَلَينا بِالسَديفِ المُسَرهَدِ
All day the slave girls roasted strips from her young camel,
And slices of fat, well-stretched hump-meat were brought to us.
فَإِنso if مُتُّI die فَاِنعينيthen mourn me بِماwith what أَناI أَهلُهُdeserve
فَإِن مُتُّ فَاِنعيني بِما أَنا أَهلُهُ
وَشُقّيand tear عَلَيَّfor me الجَيبَthe neckline ياO اِبنَةَdaughter of مَعبَدِMaʿbad
وَشُقّي عَلَيَّ الجَيبَ يا اِبنَةَ مَعبَدِ
If I die, mourn me with the praise I deserve,
And tear your neckline for me, daughter of Maʿbad.
وَلاand do not تَجعَلينيmake me كَاِمرِئٍlike a man لَيسَnot هَمُّهُhis concern
وَلا تَجعَليني كَاِمرِئٍ لَيسَ هَمُّهُ
كَهَمّيlike my concern وَلاnor يُغنيequals غَنائيmy achievement وَمَشهَديand my presence
كَهَمّي وَلا يُغني غَنائي وَمَشهَدي
Do not make me like a man whose concern is not
Like mine, whose deeds and presence do not avail as mine do—
بَطيءٍslow عَنِfrom الجُلّىthe great crisis سَريعٍquick إِلىtoward الخَنىindecency
بَطيءٍ عَنِ الجُلّى سَريعٍ إِلى الخَنى
ذَلولٍsubmissive بِأَجماعِby the concert of الرِجالِmen مُلَهَّدِstruck down
ذَلولٍ بِأَجماعِ الرِجالِ مُلَهَّدِ
Slow in a grave crisis, quick to indecency,
Humbled and struck down by the concerted will of men.
فَلَوso if كُنتُI were وَغلاًan intruder فيamong الرِجالِmen لَضَرَّنيsurely would harm me
فَلَو كُنتُ وَغلاً في الرِجالِ لَضَرَّني
عَداوَةُthe enmity of ذيone possessing الأَصحابِcompanions وَالمُتَوَحِّدِand the solitary
عَداوَةُ ذي الأَصحابِ وَالمُتَوَحِّدِ
Had I been an intruder among men, I would have been harmed
By the enmity of the well-supported and the solitary alike.
وَلَكِنbut نَفىdrove away عَنّيfrom me الرِجالَthe men جَراءَتيmy boldness
وَلَكِن نَفى عَنّي الرِجالَ جَراءَتي
عَلَيهِمtoward them وَإِقداميand my initiative وَصِدقيand my truthfulness وَمَحتِديand my lineage
عَلَيهِم وَإِقدامي وَصِدقي وَمَحتِدي
But my boldness toward men, my initiative,
My truthfulness, and my noble stock drove them from me.
لَعَمرُكَby your life ماnot أَمريmy affair عَلَيَّto me بِغُمَّةٍin obscurity
لَعَمرُكَ ما أَمري عَلَيَّ بِغُمَّةٍ
نَهاريmy day وَلاnor لَيليmy night عَلَيَّto me بِسَرمَدِeverlasting
نَهاري وَلا لَيلي عَلَيَّ بِسَرمَدِ
By your life, my affair is no obscurity to me;
Neither my day nor my night is everlasting darkness.
وَيَومٍand many a day حَبَستُI held firm النَفسَthe soul عِندَduring عِراكِهِits combat
وَيَومٍ حَبَستُ النَفسَ عِندَ عِراكِهِ
حِفاظاًin defense عَلىof عَوراتِهِits vulnerable places وَالتَهَدُّدِand against menace
حِفاظاً عَلى عَوراتِهِ وَالتَهَدُّدِ
And many a day I held my soul firm amid its combat,
Guarding its vulnerable places against menace,
عَلىat مَوطِنٍa station يَخشىfears الفَتىthe young man عِندَهُthere الرَدىdestruction
عَلى مَوطِنٍ يَخشى الفَتى عِندَهُ الرَدى
مَتىwhenever تَعتَرِكclash فيهِin it الفَرائِصُthe hearts تُرعَدِthey tremble
مَتى تَعتَرِك فيهِ الفَرائِصُ تُرعَدِ
In a station where a young man fears destruction,
Where, when hearts clash, they tremble.
وَأَصفَرَand many a yellow arrow مَضبوحٍfire-singed نَظَرتُI watched حِوارَهُits paired arrow
وَأَصفَرَ مَضبوحٍ نَظَرتُ حِوارَهُ
عَلىupon النارِthe fire وَاِستَودَعتُهُand I entrusted it كَفَّto the hand of مُجمِدِone stiff with cold
عَلى النارِ وَاِستَودَعتُهُ كَفَّ مُجمِدِ
And many a yellow, fire-singed gaming arrow: I watched its companion
Upon the fire, then entrusted it to the hand of a man stiff with cold.
سَتُبديwill disclose لَكَto you الأَيّامُthe days ماwhat كُنتَyou were جاهِلاًignorant of
سَتُبدي لَكَ الأَيّامُ ما كُنتَ جاهِلاً
وَيَأتيكَand will bring you بِالأَخبارِwith the news مَنone whom لَمnot تُزَوِّدِyou provisioned
وَيَأتيكَ بِالأَخبارِ مَن لَم تُزَوِّدِ
The days will disclose to you what you did not know,
And one whom you gave no provisions will bring you news.
وَيَأتيكَand will bring you بِالأَخبارِwith the news مَنone whom لَمnot تَبِعyou purchased لَهُfor him
وَيَأتيكَ بِالأَخبارِ مَن لَم تَبِع لَهُ
بَتاتاًtravel provisions وَلَمand not تَضرِبyou appointed لَهُfor him وَقتَa time of مَوعِدِmeeting
بَتاتاً وَلَم تَضرِب لَهُ وَقتَ مَوعِدِ
One whom you did not purchase travel supplies for will bring you news,
Though you arranged no compact with him and appointed no meeting time.
gpt-5.6-sol