خَليلَيَّmy two friends مُرّاtake me past بيwith me عَلىby رَسمِthe trace of مَنزِلِa dwelling
خَليلَيَّ مُرّا بي عَلى رَسمِ مَنزِلِ
وَرَبعٍand a campsite لِشَنباءَof Shanba اِبنَةِdaughter of الخَيرِgoodness مُحوِلِdeserted a year
وَرَبعٍ لِشَنباءَ اِبنَةِ الخَيرِ مُحوِلِ
My two friends, take me by the trace of a dwelling,
My friend, pass by the abode of Shunbāʾ, daughter of goodness,
and Shanba's campsite, daughter of goodness, deserted a year.
And a quarter inhabited by gentle doves.
أَتىpassed دونَهُover it عَصرٌa span of time فَأَخنىthen effaced بِرَسمِهِits trace
أَتى دونَهُ عَصرٌ فَأَخنى بِرَسمِهِ
خَلوجانِtwo gusting winds مِنof ريحٍwind جَنوبٍfrom the south وَشَمأَلِand the north
خَلوجانِ مِن ريحٍ جَنوبٍ وَشَمأَلِ
A span of time has passed over it, and its trace was effaced
The evening came and erased its vestiges
by two fierce, gusting winds, from south and north.
With the breath of a southern wind and storms.
سَراstripped جُلَّmost of ضاحيthe exposed part of جِلدِهِits skin مُلتَقاهُماtheir meeting
سَرا جُلَّ ضاحي جِلدِهِ مُلتَقاهُما
وَمَرُّand the passage of صَباًan east wind بِالمورِwith swirling dust هَوجاءَfierce مَحمَلِin its bearing
وَمَرُّ صَباً بِالمورِ هَوجاءَ مَحمَلِ
Their meeting stripped most of its exposed skin,
It moved onward across the bare rocks of its valley,
and so did the rush of a fierce, dust-bearing east wind.
Where storms blew with furniture laden.
وَبُدِّلَand it held instead بَعدَafter الحَيِّthe tribe عَيناًwide-eyed wild cattle سَواكِناًdwelling
وَبُدِّلَ بَعدَ الحَيِّ عَيناً سَواكِناً
وَخَيطَand a flock of نَعامٍostriches بِالأَماعِزِon stony ground هُمَّلِuntended
وَخَيطَ نَعامٍ بِالأَماعِزِ هُمَّلِ
After the tribe, it held instead wide-eyed wild cattle at rest,
After life it became desolate ruins
and a flock of ostriches wandering untended on stony ground.
Where the thread of ostriches mingled with goats wandering freely.
بِماwhere قَدonce أَرىI would see شَنباءَShanba حيناًfor a time تَحِلُّهُdwelling in it
بِما قَد أَرى شَنباءَ حيناً تَحِلُّهُ
وَأَترابَهاand her companions فيamid ناضِرِfresh النَبتِvegetation مُبقِلِsprouting
وَأَترابَها في ناضِرِ النَبتِ مُبقِلِ
Where once I would see Shanba dwelling for a time,
When I see Shunbāʾ sometimes inhabiting it
and her companions amid fresh, sprouting greenery.
And her neighbors amidst luxuriant vegetation.
أَعالِيَhigh-born folk تَصطادُensnare الفُؤادَthe heart نِساؤُهُمtheir women
أَعالِيَ تَصطادُ الفُؤادَ نِساؤُهُم
بِعَينَيwith the two eyes of خَذولٍa doe apart from its herd مونَقِlovely in الجُمِّthe tufts مُطفِلِwith a fawn
بِعَينَي خَذولٍ مونَقِ الجُمِّ مُطفِلِ
High-born folk, whose women ensnare the heart
Their roaming wives hunt hearts
with the eyes of a lovely-tufted doe tending a fawn.
With languid deep black eyes of flexible waists.
وَوَحفٍand thick hair يُثَنّىfolded فيinto العِقاصِbraids كَأَنَّهُas though it were
وَوَحفٍ يُثَنّى في العِقاصِ كَأَنَّهُ
دَوانيlow-hanging قَطوفٍfruit clusters أَوor أَنابيبَstalks of عُنصُلِsquill
دَواني قَطوفٍ أَو أَنابيبَ عُنصُلِ
And thick hair folded into braids, as though it were
They are bent over branches as if they are
low-hanging fruit clusters or stalks of squill.
Bunches of grapes or sessile cymes.
تَضِلُّare lost مَداريهاher combs خِلالَamong فُروعِهاher tresses
تَضِلُّ مَداريها خِلالَ فُروعِها
إِذاwhen أَرسَلَتهاshe lets them loose أَوor كَذاthus غَيرُnot مُرسَلِlet loose
إِذا أَرسَلَتها أَو كَذا غَيرُ مُرسَلِ
Her combs disappear among her tresses,
They wander through its branches
whether she lets them loose or keeps them bound like this.
Whether released or led by a halter.
وَتَنكَلُّand she parts her lips عَنover غُرٍّgleaming teeth شَتيتٍspaced نَباتُهُin their growth
وَتَنكَلُّ عَن غُرٍّ شَتيتٍ نَباتُهُ
عِذابٍsweet ثَناياهُits incisors لَذيذِdelicious المُقَبَّلِto kiss
عِذابٍ ثَناياهُ لَذيذِ المُقَبَّلِ
She parts her lips over gleaming teeth, spaced in their growth,
They avoid a barren rugged land whose vegetation
sweet at the incisors, delicious to kiss.
Is a torment with branches enticingly kissable.
كَمِثلِlike أَقاحيdaisies of الرَملِthe sand يَجلوpolishes مُتونَهُtheir surfaces
كَمِثلِ أَقاحي الرَملِ يَجلو مُتونَهُ
سُقوطُthe falling of نَداًdew مِنfrom أَخِرِthe end of اللَيلِthe night مُخضِلِdrenching
سُقوطُ نَداً مِن أَخِرِ اللَيلِ مُخضِلِ
Like sand-grown daisies whose surfaces are polished
Like the sand dunes gleaming with high peaks
by drenching dew descending at night's end.
Beneath a downpour at the end of night.
إِذاwhen اِبتَسَمَتshe smiles قُلتَyou would say اِنكِلالُthe parting of غَمامَةٍa cloud
إِذا اِبتَسَمَت قُلتَ اِنكِلالُ غَمامَةٍ
خَفىflashed بَرقُهاits lightning فيin عارِضٍa cloudbank مُتَهَلِّلِradiant
خَفى بَرقُها في عارِضٍ مُتَهَلِّلِ
When she smiles, you would say: a cloud has parted,
When she smiles, you say it is the unveiling of a cloud
its lightning flashing in a radiant cloudbank.
Whose lightning is hidden behind a cheek flexing with joy.
كَأَنَّas though سَحيقَpowdered المِسكِmusk خالَطَmingled with طَعمَهُits taste
كَأَنَّ سَحيقَ المِسكِ خالَطَ طَعمَهُ
وَريهَand the fragrance of الخُزامىlavender فيin جَديدِfresh القَرَنفُليcloves
وَريهَ الخُزامى في جَديدِ القَرَنفُلي
As though powdered musk had mingled with its taste,
As if the pulp of musk were mixed with its taste
and lavender's fragrance in fresh cloves,
And the phial of scent sprinkled with cloves newly picked.
بِصَهباءِwith tawny wine دِرياقِan antidote المُدامِof aged wine كَأَنَّهاas though it were
بِصَهباءِ دِرياقِ المُدامِ كَأَنَّها
إِذاwhen ماever صَفاclears راوُوقُهاits filtered liquor ماءُwater مَفصِلِfrom a rocky cleft
إِذا ما صَفا راوُوقُها ماءُ مَفصِلِ
with tawny, antidotal aged wine, as though it were,
With claret of fermented wine as if when undiluted
when its filtered liquor clears, water from a rocky cleft.
Its red sourness were water strained through a filter.
وَتَمشىand she walks عَلىon بَرديَّتينِtwo papyrus reeds غَذاهُماnourished them both
وَتَمشى عَلى بَرديَّتينِ غَذاهُما
يَهاميمُdeep, dark waters of أَنهارٍrivers بِأَبطَحَin a gravelly bed مُسهَلِsmooth
يَهاميمُ أَنهارٍ بِأَبطَحَ مُسهَلِ
She walks on two papyrus reeds nourished
She walks on two gray robes feeding them
by the deep, dark waters of rivers in a smooth, gravelly bed.
Like the bellowing of rivers amidst a smooth plain.
مِنَamong الحورِthe wide-eyed beauties مِخماصٌslender-waisted كَأَنَّas though وِشاحَهاher sash
مِنَ الحورِ مِخماصٌ كَأَنَّ وِشاحَها
بِعُسلوجِon a shoot of غابٍreeds بَينَbetween غيلٍa thicket وَجَدوَلِand a stream
بِعُسلوجِ غابٍ بَينَ غيلٍ وَجَدوَلِ
One of the wide-eyed beauties, slender-waisted, as though her sash
One of the lovely houris whose scarf
were on a reed shoot between a thicket and a stream.
Is like the interlaced sweet basil amid oleander and streams.
قَليلَةُsparing إِزعاجِof agitation الحَديثِin conversation يَروعُهاstartles her
قَليلَةُ إِزعاجِ الحَديثِ يَروعُها
تَعاليthe advancing of الضُحىthe morning لَمnot yet تَنتَطِقshe girdles herself عَنover تَفَضُّلِinformal dress
تَعالي الضُحى لَم تَنتَطِق عَن تَفَضُّلِ
Little given to animated talk, she is startled
Rarely bothered by talk, she is dignified in manner
by the advancing morning, her lounging robe still ungirdled.
Not speaking unless asked with utmost courtesy.
نَؤومُa sleeper through الضُحىlate morning مَمكورَةُrounded الخَلقِin form غادَةٌa tender young woman
نَؤومُ الضُحى مَمكورَةُ الخَلقِ غادَةٌ
هَضيمُslender الحَشاof waist حُسّانَهُits loveliness المُتَجَمَّلِadorned appearance
هَضيمُ الحَشا حُسّانَهُ المُتَجَمَّلِ
A late-morning sleeper, rounded in form, a tender young woman,
Sleepy-eyed, perfect in creation, returning at noon
slender-waisted, beautiful in her adorned appearance.
Her tent pegs firm, her tent ropes tight.
فَأَمسَتso she became أَحاديثَthe musings of الفُؤادِthe heart وَهَمَّهُand its concern
فَأَمسَت أَحاديثَ الفُؤادِ وَهَمَّهُ
وَإِنalthough كانَit was مِنهاfrom her قَدalready غَداgone away لَمnot يُنَوَّلِgranted a favor
وَإِن كانَ مِنها قَد غَدا لَم يُنَوَّلِ
She became the heart's musings and its concern,
She has made the heart’s passions and its thoughts
though it had gone away from her unrewarded.
End at night though they started in early morn.
وَقَدand indeed هاجَنيstirred me مِنهاof her عَلىdespite النَأيِthe distance دِمنَةٌa campsite trace
وَقَد هاجَني مِنها عَلى النَأيِ دِمنَةٌ
لَهاbelonging to her بِقُدَيدٍat Qudayd دونَthis side of نَعفِthe spur of المَشَلَّلal-Mashallal
لَها بِقُدَيدٍ دونَ نَعفِ المَشَلَّل
A remnant of her camp stirred me, despite the distance,
Yearning for her from afar kindles in me
hers at Qudayd, this side of al-Mashallal's spur.
A sickness needing no medicine to be cured.
أَرادَتshe wished فَلَمbut did not تَسطِعmanage كَلاماًspeech فَأَومَأَتso she gestured
أَرادَت فَلَم تَسطِع كَلاماً فَأَومَأَت
إِلَيناtoward us وَنَصَّتand she raised جيدَthe neck of أَحوَرَa dark-eyed gazelle مُغزِلِwith a fawn
إِلَينا وَنَصَّت جيدَ أَحوَرَ مُغزِلِ
She wished to speak but could not, so she gestured
She wanted to but could not speak so she gestured
toward us, raising a neck like a dark-eyed gazelle with a fawn.
To us and nodded her slender soft neck.
فَقُلتُso I said لِأَصحابيto my companions اِربَعواwait بَعضَpart of ساعَةٍan hour
فَقُلتُ لِأَصحابي اِربَعوا بَعضَ ساعَةٍ
عَلَيَّfor me وَعوجواand turn aside مِنsome of سَواهِمَthe lean mounts ذُبَّلِwasted
عَلَيَّ وَعوجوا مِن سَواهِمَ ذُبَّلِ
I told my companions: 'Wait a little while
So I said to my friends wait awhile
for me, and turn aside with some lean, wasted mounts,
And leave me, diverting yourselves elsewhere.
قَليلاًa little فَقالواso they said إِنَّindeed أَمرَكَyour command طاعَةًobedience
قَليلاً فَقالوا إِنَّ أَمرَكَ طاعَةً
لِماto what تَشتَهيyou desire فَاِقضِso fulfill الهَوىthe longing وَتَأَمَّلِand gaze
لِما تَشتَهي فَاِقضِ الهَوى وَتَأَمَّلِ
a little.' They said: 'Your command shall be obeyed
After a little they said, “We obey whatever you desire.
in whatever you desire; fulfill your longing and gaze.
Indulge your passion and take your time.”
لَكَyours اليَومَtoday حَتّىuntil اللَيلِnight إِنif شِئتَyou wish فَأتِهِمthen go to them
لَكَ اليَومَ حَتّى اللَيلِ إِن شِئتَ فَأتِهِم
وَصَدِّرand depart غَداًtomorrow وَكُلُّهُand all of it غَيرُnot مُعجَلِhurried
وَصَدِّر غَداً وَكُلُّهُ غَيرُ مُعجَلِ
The day is yours until night; if you wish, go to them,
Today until night is yours if you wish. Approach them
and depart tomorrow; all this is without haste.
And tomorrow morning you can be off again unhurried.
فَإِنّاfor we عَلىintent on أَنto نُسعِفَindulge النَفسَthe soul بِالهَوىwith desire
فَإِنّا عَلى أَن نُسعِفَ النَفسَ بِالهَوى
حِراصٌare eager فَماso whatever حاوَلتَyou seek مِنof ذاكَthat فَاِفعَلِthen do
حِراصٌ فَما حاوَلتَ مِن ذاكَ فَاِفعَلِ
For we, in indulging the soul's desire,
For we strive to satisfy the soul’s passions
are eager; do whatever of this you seek.
And whatever you attempt in that regard, then do it.
وَنَصُّand urging on المَطاياthe mounts فيfor رِضاكِyour satisfaction وَحَبسُهاand holding them back
وَنَصُّ المَطايا في رِضاكِ وَحَبسُها
لَكَfor you اليَومَtoday مَبذولٌfreely offered وَلَكِنbut تَجَمَّلِkeep your dignity
لَكَ اليَومَ مَبذولٌ وَلَكِن تَجَمَّلِ
Driving the mounts onward to please you, or holding them,
We offered our mounts for your pleasure and held them back.
is freely offered you today; but keep your dignity.'
Today they are at your disposal but take your time.
فَلَمّاso when رَأَيتُI saw الحَبسَlingering فيat رَسمِthe trace of مَنزِلٍa dwelling
فَلَمّا رَأَيتُ الحَبسَ في رَسمِ مَنزِلٍ
سِفاهاًfolly وَجَهلاًand ignorance بِالفُؤادِin the heart المُوَكَّلِbound to love
سِفاهاً وَجَهلاً بِالفُؤادِ المُوَكَّلِ
When I saw that lingering at a dwelling's trace
When I saw it was foolish and ignorant
was folly and unreason for the love-bound heart,
To confine her spirit that entrusted itself to me.
فَقُلتُso I said لَهُمto them سيرواtravel on فَإِنّاfor we لِقاءَهاmeeting with her
فَقُلتُ لَهُم سيروا فَإِنّا لِقاءَها
تَوافيthe arrival of الحَجيجِthe pilgrims بَعدَafter حَولٍa year مُكَمَّلِcompleted
تَوافي الحَجيجِ بَعدَ حَولٍ مُكَمَّلِ
I told them: 'Travel on; our meeting with her
I said, “Go your ways. Meeting her
will be when the pilgrims arrive, after a completed year.'
Is like pilgrims converging after a year’s time.”
فَماso why ذِكرُهُits remembrance of شَنباءَShanba وَالدارُwhile the home غَربَةٌis far away
فَما ذِكرُهُ شَنباءَ وَالدارُ غَربَةٌ
عَنوجٌcoquettish وَإِنeven if يُجمَعit is gripped بِضُرٍّby affliction وَيُنحَلِand grows thin
عَنوجٌ وَإِن يُجمَع بِضُرٍّ وَيُنحَلِ
Why should it remember Shanba, when her home is far away—
To mention Shunbāʾ while so far away
that coquettish one—even if it is gripped by pain and wastes away?
Is folly, even if we come together for awhile.
وَإِنand if تَنأَshe goes far تَحدُثthere arises لِلفُؤادِfor the heart زَمانَةٌa lasting illness
وَإِن تَنأَ تَحدُث لِلفُؤادِ زَمانَةٌ
وَإِنand if تَقتَرِبshe comes near تَعدُassail العَواديhindrances وَتَشغَلِand distract
وَإِن تَقتَرِب تَعدُ العَوادي وَتَشغَلِ
If she stays far away, a lasting sickness comes upon the heart;
If you are distant, it makes the heart anxious
if she comes near, hindrances assail and distract.
And if you draw near, there are obstacles upon obstacles.
وَإِنand if يَحضُرِappears الواشيthe slanderer تُطِعهُshe obeys him وَإِنand if يَقُلspeaks
وَإِن يَحضُرِ الواشي تُطِعهُ وَإِن يَقُل
بِهاof her كاشِحٌa spiteful enemy عِنديbefore me يُجَبis answered ثُمَّthen يُعزَلِis dismissed
بِها كاشِحٌ عِندي يُجَب ثُمَّ يُعزَلِ
If a slanderer appears, she obeys him; but if
If a gossip speaks of her I must answer but then dismiss him
a spiteful man speaks of her before me, he is answered, then dismissed.
And if a slanderer attacks I must ward him off then banish him.
وَإِنand if تَعدُshe promises لاnot تَحفِلshe cares وَإِنand if تَدنُshe draws near لاnot تَصِلshe grants union
وَإِن تَعدُ لا تَحفِل وَإِن تَدنُ لا تَصِل
وَإِنand if تَنأَshe goes far لاnot نَصبِرwe endure وَإِنand if تَدنُshe draws near أَجذَلِI rejoice
وَإِن تَنأَ لا نَصبِر وَإِن تَدنُ أَجذَلِ
If she promises, she pays no heed; if she draws near, she grants no union.
If you are absent I should not care and if you come near I should not join you
If she goes far, we cannot endure it; if she draws near, I rejoice.
And if you distance I cannot be patient and if you approach I would be shackled.
وَإِنand if تَلتَمِسshe seeks مِنّاfrom us المَوَدَّةَaffection نُعطِهاwe give it to her
وَإِن تَلتَمِس مِنّا المَوَدَّةَ نُعطِها
وَإِنand if تَلتَمِسyou seek مِمّاsome of what لَدَيهاshe has تَعَلَّلِshe makes excuses
وَإِن تَلتَمِس مِمّا لَدَيها تَعَلَّلِ
If she seeks affection from us, we give it to her;
If you seek affection from me I would grant it
if you seek any of what she has, she makes excuses.
But if you wanted what was already yours I would pretend not to notice.
فَقَدfor indeed طالَhas lasted long لَوif only تَبكيyou weep إِلىto مُتَجَوَّدٍa generous giver
فَقَد طالَ لَو تَبكي إِلى مُتَجَوَّدٍ
بُكاكَyour weeping إِلىto شَنباءَShanba ياO قَلبُheart فَاِحتَلِso contrive a way
بُكاكَ إِلى شَنباءَ يا قَلبُ فَاِحتَلِ
Long has it lasted—if only you wept to one who gives freely—
Enough! If you were to weep my overflowing heart,
your weeping to Shanba, O heart; contrive a way.
Weep for Shunbāʾ, O heart, and exert yourself!
أَفِقwake up إِنَّماonly تَبكيyou weep إِلىto مُتَمَنِّعٍone holding aloof
أَفِق إِنَّما تَبكي إِلى مُتَمَنِّعٍ
مِنَout of البُخلِmiserliness مَألوسِdisordered الخَليقَةِin disposition حوَّلِwily
مِنَ البُخلِ مَألوسِ الخَليقَةِ حوَّلِ
Awake! You only weep to one who holds herself aloof,
Awaken! You are weeping for one who refuses you
through miserliness, disordered in nature and wily.
Out of miserliness, so change your nature!
فَقَدfor indeed كادَalmost يَسلوceases longing القَلبُthe heart عَنهاfor her وَمَنand whoever يَطُلlasts long
فَقَد كادَ يَسلو القَلبُ عَنها وَمَن يَطُل
عَلَيهِupon him التَنائِيestrangement وَالتَباعُدُand separation يَذهَلِgrows forgetful
عَلَيهِ التَنائِي وَالتَباعُدُ يَذهَلِ
The heart has almost ceased longing for her; whoever long endures
My heart had almost given up hope of her, and whoever
estrangement and distance grows forgetful.
Is distanced and estranged for long becomes confused.
عَلىyet أَنَّهُit أَنif يَلقَهاmeets her بَعدَafter غَيبَةٍan absence
عَلى أَنَّهُ أَن يَلقَها بَعدَ غَيبَةٍ
يَعُدreturns لَكَto you داءٌan illness عائِدٌrecurring غَيرُnot مُرسَلِreleased
يَعُد لَكَ داءٌ عائِدٌ غَيرُ مُرسَلِ
Yet if it meets her after an absence,
Yet to meet her again after an absence
a recurring illness returns to you, one that will not relent.
Returns an illness not yet gone.
فَإِنَّكِfor you لَوif تَدرينَknew أَنthat رُبَّmany a فِتيَةٍband of young men
فَإِنَّكِ لَو تَدرينَ أَن رُبَّ فِتيَةٍ
عُجالىhurrying وَلَولاand but for أَنتَyou لَمnot أَتَعَجَّلِI would hurry
عُجالى وَلَولا أَنتَ لَم أَتَعَجَّلِ
For if you knew how many young men,
If only you knew how many lively youths,
hurrying—and but for you I would not have hurried—
I forbade from marrying but for you I hurried.
مَنَعتُهُمُI prevented them التَعريسَnighttime resting حَتّىuntil بَداappeared لَهُمto them
مَنَعتُهُمُ التَعريسَ حَتّى بَدا لَهُم
قَوارِبُapproaching signs مَعروفٍrecognizable مِنَof الصُبحِdawn مُنجَلِbreaking clearly
قَوارِبُ مَعروفٍ مِنَ الصُبحِ مُنجَلِ
I kept from resting at night until there appeared to them
I prevented them all till there appeared to them
the first recognizable signs of the breaking dawn.
Morning visitors of noble lineage at dawn unveiled.
يَنُصّونَthey drive swiftly بِالمَوماةِthrough the wilderness خَوصاًsunken-eyed mounts كَأَنَّهاas though they were
يَنُصّونَ بِالمَوماةِ خَوصاً كَأَنَّها
شَرائِحُslivers of يَنعٍripened wood أَوor سَراءٍsara branches مُعَطَّلِbare
شَرائِحُ يَنعٍ أَو سَراءٍ مُعَطَّلِ
They drive sunken-eyed mounts through the wilderness, as though they were
They lean on staffs as if they are slices
slivers of ripened wood or bare sara branches,
Of sapling or uprooted trunks.
دِقاقاًslender بَراهاpared them السَيرُtravel مِنهاamong them مُنَعَّلُshod الthe
دِقاقاً بَراها السَيرُ مِنها مُنَعَّلُ ال
سَريحِleather hoof-straps وَواقٍand one spared مِنfrom حَفىًhoof-wear لَمnot يُنَعَّلِshod
سَريحِ وَواقٍ مِن حَفىً لَم يُنَعَّلِ
slender, pared by travel; some shod with
So slender the travel made them shoeless
leather hoof-straps, others spared hoof-wear though unshod.
Without sandals or soles not yet strapped.
وَأَضحواand they reached morning جَميعاًall تَعرِفُdiscerns العَينُthe eye فيهِمُin them
وَأَضحوا جَميعاً تَعرِفُ العَينُ فيهِمُ
كَرىthe drowsiness of النَومِsleep مُستَرخيslack العَمائِمِturbans مُيَّلِdrooping
كَرى النَومِ مُستَرخي العَمائِمِ مُيَّلِ
At morning, in them all the eye could discern
And they all became recognizable to the eye
sleep's drowsiness, their turbans slack, themselves drooping,
Drowsy, turbans loosened and twisted.
عَلىover هَدَمٍbroken country جَعدِrough الثَرىin soil ذيof مَسافَةٍgreat extent
عَلى هَدَمٍ جَعدِ الثَرى ذي مَسافَةٍ
مَخوفِfeared for الرَدىdeath عاريbare البَنائِقِin its expanses مُهمَلِdeserted
مَخوفِ الرَدى عاري البَنائِقِ مُهمَلِ
over broken country, rough-soiled, stretching far,
Upon crumbling ruins with distances unsafe,
where death is feared, its expanses bare and deserted.
Exposed to attacks with no defenses readied.
تَرىyou see جِيَفَcarcasses of الحيتانِfish فيهِthere كَأَنَّهاas though they were
تَرى جِيَفَ الحيتانِ فيهِ كَأَنَّها
حِيامٌthirsty camels عَلىat ماءٍwater حَديثٍfresh مُنَهَّلِmade a watering place
حِيامٌ عَلى ماءٍ حَديثٍ مُنَهَّلِ
You see fish carcasses there, as though they were
You see whale carcasses as if they are
thirsty camels at a fresh, newly opened watering place.
Fish newly dead upon fresh flowing water.
إِرادَةَwishing أَنto أَلقاكِmeet you ياO أَثلَAthl وَالهَوىand love
إِرادَةَ أَن أَلقاكِ يا أَثلَ وَالهَوى
كَذَلِكَthus حَمّالُmakes bear الفَتىthe young man كُلَّevery مَحمَلِburden
كَذَلِكَ حَمّالُ الفَتى كُلَّ مَحمَلِ
All from wishing to meet you, Athl; and love
I wanted to meet you, O gentle one, and passion
thus makes a young man carry every burden.
Ever burdens the spirit of youth.
فَبَعضَso lessen البِعادِestrangement ياO أَثيلَAthil فَإِنَّنيfor I
فَبَعضَ البِعادِ يا أَثيلَ فَإِنَّني
تَروكُreadily forsake الهَوىlove عَنِfrom الهَوانِhumiliation بِمَعزِلِfar removed
تَروكُ الهَوى عَنِ الهَوانِ بِمَعزِلِ
Less estrangement, Athil, for I
So distance yourself a little, my gentle one,
readily abandon love and keep far from humiliation.
For I will abandon passion to preserve my honor.
أَبىforbade لِيَfor me عِرضيmy honor أَنthat أُضامَI be wronged وَصارِمٌand a keen sword
أَبى لِيَ عِرضي أَن أُضامَ وَصارِمٌ
حُسامٌa cutting blade وَعِزٌّand glory مِنfrom حَديثٍrecent times وَأَوَّلِand ancient times
حُسامٌ وَعِزٌّ مِن حَديثٍ وَأَوَّلِ
My honor forbids that I be wronged, and a sharp sword—
My honor refused to be violated
a keen blade—and glory both new and ancestral,
And I wield a sharp sword and mighty recent glory.
مُقيمٌabiding بِإِذنِby permission of اللَهِGod لَيسَnot بِبارِحِdeparting at all
مُقيمٌ بِإِذنِ اللَهِ لَيسَ بِبارِحِ
مَكانَthe station of الثُرَيّاthe Pleiades قاهِرٌsurpassing كُلَّevery مَنزِلِstation
مَكانَ الثُرَيّا قاهِرٌ كُلَّ مَنزِلِ
abiding by God's leave, never leaving
Remaining by God’s leave not one to flee
the Pleiades' station, surpassing every station.
A subduer of all places where I settle.
أَقَرَّتacknowledged مَعَدٌّMa'add أَنَّناthat we خَيرُهاare its best جَدّيmy grandfather
أَقَرَّت مَعَدٌّ أَنَّنا خَيرُها جَدّي
لِطالِبِfor a seeker of عُرفٍbounty أَوor لِضَيفٍfor a guest مُحَمَّلِburdened
لِطالِبِ عُرفٍ أَو لِضَيفٍ مُحَمَّلِ
Ma'add acknowledged that we are its best—my grandfather,
The tribes of Maʿadd acknowledged we are their best
for anyone seeking bounty or a burdened guest.
For the seeker of glory or guest heavy laden.
مَقاويلُeloquent speakers بِالمَعروفِof what is right خُرسٌsilent عَنِabout الخَناobscenity
مَقاويلُ بِالمَعروفِ خُرسٌ عَنِ الخَنا
قُضاةٌjudges بِفَصلِwith decisive judgment of الحَقِّtruth فيin كُلِّevery مَحفِلِassembly
قُضاةٌ بِفَصلِ الحَقِّ في كُلِّ مَحفِلِ
Eloquent in what is right, silent about obscenity,
Silent about praising but eloquent against slander
decisive judges of truth in every assembly.
Judges of equitable truth in every gathering.
أَخوهُمtheir brother إِلىto حِصنٍa fortress مَنيعٍimpregnable وَجارُهُمand their neighbor
أَخوهُم إِلى حِصنٍ مَنيعٍ وَجارُهُم
بِعَلياءِon the heights of عِزٍّhonor لَيسَnot بِالمُتَذَلِّلِhumbled
بِعَلياءِ عِزٍّ لَيسَ بِالمُتَذَلِّلِ
Their brother has recourse to an impregnable fortress, and their neighbor
Their ally to an impregnable fortress and their neighbor
stands on honor's heights, never humbled.
With lofty glorious pride not submissive or disgraced.
وَفيناand among us إِذاwhen ماever حادِثُa calamity الدَهرِof time أَجحَفَتdealt grievously
وَفينا إِذا ما حادِثُ الدَهرِ أَجحَفَت
نَوائِبُهُits misfortunes وَالدَهرُand time جَمُّabundant in التَنَقُّلِchange
نَوائِبُهُ وَالدَهرُ جَمُّ التَنَقُّلِ
And among us, when a calamity of time deals crushing
And among us when the blows of fate deal harshly
blows—and time is full of change—
As fortunes shift and time is ever changing.
لِذيfor one burdened with الغُرمِdebt أَعوانٌhelpers وَبِالحَقِّand with truth قائِلٌa speaker
لِذي الغُرمِ أَعوانٌ وَبِالحَقِّ قائِلٌ
وَلِلحَقِّand of truth تَبّاعٌa devoted follower وَلِلحَربِand for war مُصطَلِone who enters its fire
وَلِلحَقِّ تَبّاعٌ وَلِلحَربِ مُصطَلِ
are helpers for the indebted, and a speaker of truth,
For the debtor there are helpers and for truth there is a champion
a devoted follower of truth, and one who braves war's fire,
And for truth there are followers and for war there are ready warriors.
وَلِلخَيرِand of good كَسَّبٌan eager earner وَلِلمَجدِand of glory رافِعٌa raiser
وَلِلخَيرِ كَسَّبٌ وَلِلمَجدِ رافِعٌ
وَلِلحَمدِand for praise أَعوانُhelpers وَلِلخَيلِand for horses مُعتَلِa rider
وَلِلحَمدِ أَعوانُ وَلِلخَيلِ مُعتَلِ
one who earns good, and one who raises glory,
For good there are ample deeds and for glory there is an uplifter
helpers in winning praise, and a rider of horses.
And for praise there are aides and for steeds there are racers.
نُبيحُwe overrun حُصونَthe fortresses of مَنthose نُعاديwe oppose وَحِصنُناand our fortress
نُبيحُ حُصونَ مَن نُعادي وَحِصنُنا
أَشَمُّlofty مَنيعٌimpregnable حَزنُهُits rugged ground لَمnot يُسَهَّلِmade smooth
أَشَمُّ مَنيعٌ حَزنُهُ لَم يُسَهَّلِ
We overrun the fortresses of those we oppose; our fortress
We storm the citadels of those we combat while our citadel
is lofty and impregnable, its rough ground never smoothed.
Is unassailable, its garrison never forced open.
نَقودُwe lead ذَليلاًhumbled مَنthose نُعاديwe oppose وَقَرمُناand our mighty stud-camel
نَقودُ ذَليلاً مَن نُعادي وَقَرمُنا
أَبيُّrefusing القِيادِthe halter مُصعَبٌunbroken لَمnot يُذَلَّلِsubdued
أَبيُّ القِيادِ مُصعَبٌ لَم يُذَلَّلِ
We lead our foes in humiliation; our mighty bull-camel
We subdue those we fight while our kin
refuses the halter, unbroken, never subdued.
Are unyielding leaders never subjugated.
نُفَلِّلُwe blunt أَنيابَthe fangs of العَدوَّthe enemy وَنابُناand our fang
نُفَلِّلُ أَنيابَ العَدوَّ وَنابُنا
حَديدٌsharp شَديدٌstrong رَوقُهُits point لَمnot يُفَلَّلِblunted
حَديدٌ شَديدٌ رَوقُهُ لَم يُفَلَّلِ
We blunt the enemy's fangs, while our fang
We tear out the fangs of the enemy while our own fangs
is sharp and strong, its point never blunted.
Are hardened steel whose sharpness was never blunted.
أولَئِكَthose آبائِيmy forefathers وَعِزّيand my glory وَمَعقِليand my refuge
أولَئِكَ آبائِي وَعِزّي وَمَعقِلي
إِلَيهِمto them أُثَيلَUthayl فَاِسأَليso ask أَيُّwhat a مَعقِلِrefuge
إِلَيهِم أُثَيلَ فَاِسأَلي أَيُّ مَعقِلِ
Those are my forefathers, my glory and my refuge.
They are my forefathers, my glory, and my stronghold
To them, Uthayl—ask what a refuge they are!
To them, O gentle one, I repair so ask which stronghold!
Sol 6.1