صِداقُthe dowry of المَعاليhigh glory مَشرفِيٌّa Mashrafi sword وَذابِلُand a slender spear
صِداقُ المَعالي مَشرفِيٌّ وَذابِلُ
وَسابِغَةٌand a full-length coat of mail زَغفٌfine-meshed وَأَجرَدُand a sleek steed صاهِلُneighing
وَسابِغَةٌ زَغفٌ وَأَجرَدُ صاهِلُ
The dowry of high glory is a Mashrafi sword and a slender spear,
The friendship of the eminent is honorable and withering,
And a full-length, fine-meshed coat of mail, and a neighing, sleek steed.
And abundant rain pouring down and barren land.
وَطَعنٌand spear-thrusts إِذاwhen الغُزُّthe Ghuzz المَساعيرُthe battle-kindlers أَقبَلَتadvanced
وَطَعنٌ إِذا الغُزُّ المَساعيرُ أَقبَلَت
تَخُبُّtrot مَذاكيهاtheir seasoned steeds بِهاbearing them وَتُناقِلُand shift their strides
تَخُبُّ مَذاكيها بِها وَتُناقِلُ
And spear-thrusts when the battle-kindling Ghuzz advance,
A stab when hostile warriors attack,
Their seasoned steeds trotting beneath them and swiftly shifting their strides.
Their blades piercing them while they vie with each other.
وَضَربٌand sword-blows إِذاwhen ماemphatic particle الصِيدُthe proud lords هابَتtook fright وَأَحجَمَتand drew back
وَضَربٌ إِذا ما الصِيدُ هابَت وَأَحجَمَت
وَفَرَّand fled مِنَamong الفرسانِthe horsemen مَنwhoever لاnot يُنازِلُfaces combat
وَفَرَّ مِنَ الفرسانِ مَن لا يُنازِلُ
And sword-blows when proud lords take fright and draw back,
A strike when prey is startled and hesitant,
And among the horsemen, whoever does not fight flees.
And the knights who do not retreat flee.
وَنَصّand hard driving القِلاصthe young she-camels القُودِlong-necked تَخديstriding briskly كَأَنَّهاas though they were
وَنَصّ القِلاص القُودِ تَخدي كَأَنَّها
نَعامٌostriches بِأَعلىon the highest قُلَّةِcrest of الدَوِّthe waste جافِلُfleeing
نَعامٌ بِأَعلى قُلَّةِ الدَوِّ جافِلُ
And driving hard the long-necked young she-camels, striding as though they were
The necks of the horses arch as if they were
Fleeing ostriches on the highest crest of the waste.
Ostriches at the top of a sand dune folding over.
يَجُوبُcrosses بِهِwith it البَيداءَthe desert كُلُّevery شَمَردَلٍstalwart man
يَجُوبُ بِهِ البَيداءَ كُلُّ شَمَردَلٍ
يُسارِعُhastens فيin كَسبِwinning العُلىhigh rank وَيُعاجِلُand presses onward
يُسارِعُ في كَسبِ العُلى وَيُعاجِلُ
With this each stalwart man crosses the desert,
Galloping through the desert each young warrior
Hastening to win high rank and pressing onward.
Hastening to gain supremacy and excel.
سَواءٌalike عَلَيهِto him لَيلُهُhis night وَنَهارُهُand his day
سَواءٌ عَلَيهِ لَيلُهُ وَنَهارُهُ
وَتَهجِيرُهُand his midday travel وَقتَat the time of الضُحىforenoon وَالأَصائِلُand late afternoons
وَتَهجِيرُهُ وَقتَ الضُحى وَالأَصائِلُ
His night and his day are alike to him,
His night and day are the same to him
As are his travel in the heat at forenoon and the late afternoons.
As are his migration and departing at dawn and dusk.
فَياso O خاطِبَsuitor of العَلياءِhigh glory لاnot تَحسَبَنَّهاever suppose it
فَيا خاطِبَ العَلياءِ لا تَحسَبَنَّها
حَديثَthe chatter of العَذارىthe maidens أَنشَأَتهُbrought it forth المَغازِلُthe spindles
حَديثَ العَذارى أَنشَأَتهُ المَغازِلُ
O suitor of high glory, never think it is
So you who court highborn ladies, do not assume
Maidens' chatter brought forth by the spindles.
Their maidenly discourse was aroused by flirtation.
تَنَحَّstep aside وَدَعهاand leave it هَكَذاthus غَيرَnot صاغِرٍhumbled
تَنَحَّ وَدَعها هَكَذا غَيرَ صاغِرٍ
لِمَلكٍfor a king هُمامٍvaliant ماwhatever اِشتَهَتit desired فَهوَso he باذِلُgives
لِمَلكٍ هُمامٍ ما اِشتَهَت فَهوَ باذِلُ
Step aside and leave it thus, without disgrace,
Withdraw and leave her be, not humiliated,
For a valiant king: whatever it desires, he gives.
By a majestic king whose desires she evokes are given.
أَغَرُّradiant عُيونِيٌّUyunid كَأَنَّas though جَبينَهُhis brow
أَغَرُّ عُيونِيٌّ كَأَنَّ جَبينَهُ
صَفيحَةُthe flat of سَيفٍa sword أَخلَصَتهُmade it pure الصَياقِلُthe polishers
صَفيحَةُ سَيفٍ أَخلَصَتهُ الصَياقِلُ
A radiant Uyunid, whose brow is like
The whitest-eyed whose forehead is like
The flat of a sword burnished pure by the polishers.
The polished blade of a pure sword.
نَماهُraised him إِلىto العَلياءِhigh glory فَضلٌFadl وَعَبدَلٌand Abdal
نَماهُ إِلى العَلياءِ فَضلٌ وَعَبدَلٌ
وَأَحمَدُand Ahmad وَالقَرمُand the chieftain الهِزَبرُthe lion الحُلاحِلُthe mighty lord
وَأَحمَدُ وَالقَرمُ الهِزَبرُ الحُلاحِلُ
Fadl and Abdal raised him to high glory,
He was raised to eminence by excellence and grace,
And Ahmad, and the chieftain, the lion, the mighty lord.
Ahmad, Al-Qaram, the awe-inspiring and firm.
هُوَhe المَشرَبُthe watering-place العَذبُsweet الَّذيwhich طابَwas pleasant وِردُهُapproaching his water
هُوَ المَشرَبُ العَذبُ الَّذي طابَ وِردُهُ
إِذاwhen خَبُثَتturned foul لِلشّارِبينَfor the drinkers المَناهِلُthe watering-places
إِذا خَبُثَت لِلشّارِبينَ المَناهِلُ
He is the sweet watering-place, delightful to approach,
He is the fresh sweet water whose springs
When watering-places turn foul for drinkers.
Became muddy for the drinkers.
سمامُdeadly poison to العِدىthe foes جَمُّabundant in النَدىbounty دافِعُrepeller of العِدىthe foes
سمامُ العِدى جَمُّ النَدى دافِعُ العِدى
بَعيدُfar المَدىin reach يَعلُوrises بِهِthrough him مَنwhoever يُطاوِلُvies for greatness
بَعيدُ المَدى يَعلُو بِهِ مَن يُطاوِلُ
Poison to foes, lavish in bounty, repeller of foes,
Strong protector, abundant rain, repeller of enemies,
Far in reach: through him the contender for greatness rises.
Far-reaching, lofty to him who contends.
بِهِthrough him اِفتَخَرَتtook pride هِنبٌHinb وَطالَتand rose بِمَجدِهِthrough his glory
بِهِ اِفتَخَرَت هِنبٌ وَطالَت بِمَجدِهِ
لُكَيزٌLukayz وَعَزَّتand gained might عَبدُAbd قَيسٍQays وَوائِلُand Wa'il
لُكَيزٌ وَعَزَّت عَبدُ قَيسٍ وَوائِلُ
Through him Hinb took pride, and through his glory rose
Through him the tribes of Hinb took pride
Lukayz; Abd Qays and Wa'il gained might.
And Luqayz and the family of ‘Abd Qays and Wail exalted.
لَهُhis is ذِروَةُthe summit of المَجدِglory المُؤَثَّلِdeeply rooted وَالعُلىand high rank
لَهُ ذِروَةُ المَجدِ المُؤَثَّلِ وَالعُلى
إِذاwhen اِنشَعَبَتbranched apart يَومَon the day of الفَخارِboasting القَبائِلُthe tribes
إِذا اِنشَعَبَت يَومَ الفَخارِ القَبائِلُ
His is the summit of deeply rooted glory and high rank,
To him belongs the pinnacle of glorious renown
When tribes branch apart on the day of boasting.
When the tribes’ branches spread out on the day of boasting.
حَميدُpraiseworthy السَجاياin character ماnot تَروحُdepart عِداتُهُhis enemies
حَميدُ السَجايا ما تَروحُ عِداتُهُ
مُسالمةًat peace هاماتُهُمtheir heads وَالمَناصِلُand the blades
مُسالمةً هاماتُهُم وَالمَناصِلُ
Praiseworthy in character, his foes never depart
Praiseworthy of manner, his vengeance will not subside,
With their heads and the blades at peace.
Until their leaders and warriors make peace.
يُحكِّمُmakes judge فيover أَعدائِهِhis enemies حدَّthe edge of سَيفِهِhis sword
يُحكِّمُ في أَعدائِهِ حدَّ سَيفِهِ
إِذاwhen حُطِّمَتwere shattered فيagainst الدّارِعينَthe armored warriors العَوامِلُthe spearheads
إِذا حُطِّمَت في الدّارِعينَ العَوامِلُ
He makes his sword's edge the judge over his enemies,
He enforces the edge of his sword upon his enemies
When spearheads shatter against armored warriors.
When the coats of mail on the warriors are crushed.
إِذاwhen ماemphatic particle رَآهُsees him ناظرٌa beholder خالَimagines أَنَّهُthat he is
إِذا ما رَآهُ ناظرٌ خالَ أَنَّهُ
شِهابٌa shooting star عَلىupon جانٍan evildoer مِنَfrom الأُفقِthe horizon نازِلُdescending
شِهابٌ عَلى جانٍ مِنَ الأُفقِ نازِلُ
When a beholder sees him, he imagines that he is
When an onlooker sees him he thinks
A shooting star descending from the horizon upon an evildoer.
He is a shooting star descending upon the horizon.
يَرومُseek ذَووthose possessing الأَغراضِambitions إِدراكَattaining شَأوِهِhis reach
يَرومُ ذَوو الأَغراضِ إِدراكَ شَأوِهِ
وَأَينَand where are مِنَbeside البَحرِthe sea الخِضَمِّvast الجَداوِلُthe streams
وَأَينَ مِنَ البَحرِ الخِضَمِّ الجَداوِلُ
Men of ambition seek to match his reach,
Those with ulterior motives seek to attain his stature
But where are streams beside the vast sea?
Yet how far are the small streams from the vast ocean!
وَهَيهاتَand far beyond reach نَيلُattaining الفَرقَدينِthe two Farqad stars وَلَوeven if رَقىclimbed
وَهَيهاتَ نَيلُ الفَرقَدينِ وَلَو رَقى
عَلىupon مُشمَخِرّاتِtowering الذُرىthe summits المُتَناوِلُthe would-be grasper
عَلى مُشمَخِرّاتِ الذُرى المُتَناوِلُ
And the two Farqad stars are far beyond reach, even if
But the lote trees are unattainable even if one climbed
The would-be grasper climbs the towering summits.
atop the towering heights grasping and reaching.
هُوَhe البَحرُthe sea لَكِنbut مَدُّهُhis rising tide غَيرُnot جازِرٍebbing
هُوَ البَحرُ لَكِن مَدُّهُ غَيرُ جازِرٍ
هُوَhe البَدرُthe full moon إِلّاexcept أَنَّهُthat he is الدَهرَthroughout time كامِلُfull
هُوَ البَدرُ إِلّا أَنَّهُ الدَهرَ كامِلُ
He is the sea, but his rising tide never ebbs.
He is the sea but his extent does not flood,
He is the full moon, save that he is full throughout all time.
He is the moon but he is perfect forever.
هُوَhe الشَمسُthe sun فيin جَوِّthe expanse of السَماءِheaven وَنُورُهاand its light
هُوَ الشَمسُ في جَوِّ السَماءِ وَنُورُها
عَلىover كُلِّall مَنwho فَوقَupon البَسيطَةِthe earth شامِلُencompassing
عَلى كُلِّ مَن فَوقَ البَسيطَةِ شامِلُ
He is the sun in the expanse of heaven, and its light
He is the sun in the sky and its light
Encompasses everyone on the face of the earth.
Encompasses all above the earth.
هُوَhe المُزنُthe rain-cloud إِلّاexcept أَنَّهُthat he is فَوقَabove سابِحٍa galloping steed
هُوَ المُزنُ إِلّا أَنَّهُ فَوقَ سابِحٍ
وَفيand in كُلِّevery أَرضٍland مِنهُfrom him سَحٌّpouring rain وَوابِلُand heavy rain
وَفي كُلِّ أَرضٍ مِنهُ سَحٌّ وَوابِلُ
He is the rain-cloud, save that he rides a galloping steed,
He is fair fortune but he rises above the swimmer
And in every land come pouring showers and heavy rain from him.
And rain from him spreads over every land.
هُوَhe اللَيثُthe lion إِلّاexcept أَنَّthat عِرِّيسَهُhis lair القَناthe spears
هُوَ اللَيثُ إِلّا أَنَّ عِرِّيسَهُ القَنا
وَصيداتِهِand his quarry الصّيدُthe proud المُلوكُthe kings العَباهِلُunfettered
وَصيداتِهِ الصّيدُ المُلوكُ العَباهِلُ
He is the lion, save that his lair is the spears,
He is the lion but the wild beasts are his wedding party
And his quarry are proud, unfettered kings.
And his prey are the kings, humbled and abased.
هُوَhe النَصلُthe blade لَكِنbut لاnot يحُسُّis felt غِرارَهُits edge
هُوَ النَصلُ لَكِن لا يحُسُّ غِرارَهُ
بَنانٌfingertips وَبِالأَيديand with hands تُحَسُّare felt المَناصِلُthe blades
بَنانٌ وَبِالأَيدي تُحَسُّ المَناصِلُ
He is the blade, but its edge is not felt by
He is a sharp blade but its stabbing pain is not felt
Fingertips, though blades are felt with hands.
By fingers, while hands can feel the knives.
إِذاwhen صَبَّحَتattacked at dawn راياتُهُhis banners دارَthe abode of مَعشَرٍa people
إِذا صَبَّحَت راياتُهُ دارَ مَعشَرٍ
عِدىًenemies كَثُرَتmultiplied أَيتامُهاits orphans وَالأَرامِلُand the widows
عِدىً كَثُرَت أَيتامُها وَالأَرامِلُ
When his banners descend at dawn on the home of a people
When his banners appear over an enemy’s abode
Of enemies, its orphans and widows multiply.
Their orphans and widows proliferate.
وَإِنand even if رُبِطَتwere tethered بَينَamong القِبابِthe tents جِيادُهُhis steeds
وَإِن رُبِطَت بَينَ القِبابِ جِيادُهُ
فَهُنَّthen they بِأَكبادِthrough the livers of المُلوكِthe kings جَوائِلُroaming
فَهُنَّ بِأَكبادِ المُلوكِ جَوائِلُ
And even if his steeds are tethered among the tents,
And if his steeds are tied between encampments
They roam through the livers of kings.
They are livers of kings, morsels to be consumed.
فَقُلso say لِلعِدىto the foes مَهلاًwait قَليلاًa little فَإِنَّهُfor he is
فَقُل لِلعِدى مَهلاً قَليلاً فَإِنَّهُ
سِمامٌpoison لِمَنto whoever يَبغيseeks العَداوَةَenmity قاتِلُdeadly
سِمامٌ لِمَن يَبغي العَداوَةَ قاتِلُ
So tell the foes: wait a little, for he is
So say to the enemy, halt for a short while, for he
A deadly poison to whoever seeks enmity.
Is lethal to those who desire enmity.
كَأَنَّكُمas though you لَمdid not تَعرِفُواknow سَطَواتِهِhis assaults
كَأَنَّكُم لَم تَعرِفُوا سَطَواتِهِ
إِذاwhen الحَربُwar فارَتboiled over مِنfrom لَظاهاits blaze مَراجِلُcauldrons
إِذا الحَربُ فارَت مِن لَظاها مَراجِلُ
It is as though you have never known his assaults,
It is as if you do not know his overwhelming assaults
When war's cauldrons boil over with its blaze.
When war flares up from its intense heat.
سَلُواask تُخبَرُواyou will be told مِنfrom غَيرِno جَهلٍignorance لِفِعلِهِof his deeds
سَلُوا تُخبَرُوا مِن غَيرِ جَهلٍ لِفِعلِهِ
بَنيthe sons of مالِكٍMalik فَالحُرُّfor the freeborn man بِالحَقِّtruthfully قائِلُspeaks
بَني مالِكٍ فَالحُرُّ بِالحَقِّ قائِلُ
Ask—and receive an informed account of his deeds—
Ask and you will be informed, not in ignorance, of his deeds
The sons of Malik; a freeborn man speaks the truth.
The family of Malik will speak truthfully.
أَلَمdid he not يَجلِبِbring الجُردَthe sleek horses العِتاقَnoble-bred شَوازِباًlean
أَلَم يَجلِبِ الجُردَ العِتاقَ شَوازِباً
مِنَfrom الخَطِّal-Khatt تَتلُوهاfollowing them المَطاياthe riding-camels المَراسِلُeasy-striding
مِنَ الخَطِّ تَتلُوها المَطايا المَراسِلُ
Did he not bring the sleek, noble-bred horses, lean,
Did he not bring captive horses with their forelocks braided,
From al-Khatt, followed by easy-striding riding-camels,
From the enemy, followed by corresponsive messengers,
إِلىuntil أَنthat أَناخَتthey knelt بِالدَجانيّat al-Dajani بَعدَماafter
إِلى أَن أَناخَت بِالدَجانيّ بَعدَما
بَراهاwasted them السُرىnight travel وَالأَينُand exhaustion فَهيَso they were نَواحِلُgaunt
بَراها السُرى وَالأَينُ فَهيَ نَواحِلُ
Until they knelt at al-Dajani, after
Until they halted at Al-Dahnā after
Night travel and exhaustion had wasted them, leaving them gaunt?
Traversing the lands while the eyes could see them.
فَصَبَّحنَthen they attacked at dawn حَيّاًa tribe لَمnot تُصَبَّحwas attacked at dawn حِلالهُits encampments
فَصَبَّحنَ حَيّاً لَم تُصَبَّح حِلالهُ
قَديماًformerly وَلاnor رامَتsought لِقاهُmeeting it الجَحافِلُthe massed armies
قَديماً وَلا رامَت لِقاهُ الجَحافِلُ
Then at dawn they raided a tribe whose encampments had never been raided
So they arrived safe and sound, their safety never
Before, nor had massed armies sought to face it.
Attained before, nor sought by armies.
فَكُمand how many قَرمِa chieftain of قَومٍa people غادَرَتهُthey left him مُجَدَّلاًfelled
فَكُم قَرمِ قَومٍ غادَرَتهُ مُجَدَّلاً
تَقُطُّsever شَواهُhis limbs الخامِعاتُthe limping beasts العَواسِلُthe loping beasts
تَقُطُّ شَواهُ الخامِعاتُ العَواسِلُ
How many a people's chieftain they left felled,
So how many notches of a people left humiliated
His limbs severed by limping, loping beasts.
Their gashes bleeding from the merciless swords.
وَكَمand how much مالِwealth of نَحّامٍa miser مِنَamong القَومِthe people أَصبَحَتcame to be
وَكَم مالِ نَحّامٍ مِنَ القَومِ أَصبَحَت
تُقَسَّمُdivided غَصباًby force جُلُّهُthe bulk of it وَالعَقائِلُand the choice possessions
تُقَسَّمُ غَصباً جُلُّهُ وَالعَقائِلُ
And how much wealth of a miser among that people came to be
And how much wealth of singers was taken
Divided by force, its bulk and its choicest possessions.
From the clan all of it and the families distributed by force.
وَكَمand how many عاتِقٍa maiden لَمnot تَترُكِhad left الخِدرَthe curtained chamber ساعَةًan hour
وَكَم عاتِقٍ لَم تَترُكِ الخِدرَ ساعَةً
تُقلِّبُturns over كَفَّيهاher two palms لَهُfor him وَهيَwhile she is ثاكِلُbereaved
تُقلِّبُ كَفَّيها لَهُ وَهيَ ثاكِلُ
And how many a maiden who had not left her curtained chamber for an hour
And how many shoulders did not leave the captives for a moment,
Wrings her hands over him, bereaved.
Their hands turning them over as they lamented.
تَقُولُshe says وَدَمعُwhile the tears of العَينِthe eye مِنهاfrom her كَأَنَّهُas though they were
تَقُولُ وَدَمعُ العَينِ مِنها كَأَنَّهُ
جُمانٌpearls هَوىfell مِنfrom سِلكِهِtheir string مُتوابِلُfalling in showers
جُمانٌ هَوى مِن سِلكِهِ مُتوابِلُ
Saying, while the tears from her eyes seem
Crying such that their tears were like
Like pearls fallen from their string in a shower:
Scattered pearls fallen from a necklace.
حَنانيكَyour mercy, again and again ياO اِبنَson of الأَكرَمينَthe noblest فَلَمfor not تَدَعyou leave
حَنانيكَ يا اِبنَ الأَكرَمينَ فَلَم تَدَع
لَناfor us أَملاًany hope تُلوىare curled عَلَيهِaround it الأَنامِلُthe fingertips
لَنا أَملاً تُلوى عَلَيهِ الأَنامِلُ
Mercy, mercy, O son of the noblest! You have not left
Your tenderness, O son of the most generous, so you left
Us any hope around which our fingers might close.
No hope for us that hands could cling to.
وَفيand at لِينَةٍLinah أَردىhe slew شَغاميمَthe hulking warriors of طَيِّئٍTayy
وَفي لِينَةٍ أَردى شَغاميمَ طَيِّئٍ
جِهاراًopenly وَلَونُwhile the color of الجَوِّthe air بِالنَقعِby dust حائِلُchanging
جِهاراً وَلَونُ الجَوِّ بِالنَقعِ حائِلُ
And at Linah he slew the hulking warriors of Tayy,
And at Liynah he scattered the forces of Tayyi’
Openly, while dust changed the color of the air.
Publicly, though dust obscured the atmosphere.
عَشِيَّةَon the evening when لاnot يَلويturns عِنانَthe reins of جَوادِهِhis steed
عَشِيَّةَ لا يَلوي عِنانَ جَوادِهِ
حِمىًHima وَالعَذارىwhile the maidens دَأبُهُنَّtheir constant practice التَعاوُلُmutual wailing
حِمىً وَالعَذارى دَأبُهُنَّ التَعاوُلُ
That evening, his steed's reins were not turned back by
One evening he does not restrain his steed
Hima, while the maidens did nothing but wail together.
Zealously, while the habit of maidens is to exchange glances.
غَداhe went off مِثلَlike ماas راحَwent at dusk الظَليمُthe male ostrich يَحُثُّهُurges him
غَدا مِثلَ ما راحَ الظَليمُ يَحُثُّهُ
عَلىto الجَريِrunning لَيلٌa night قَدalready أَظَلَّclosed in وَوابِلُand a downpour
عَلى الجَريِ لَيلٌ قَد أَظَلَّ وَوابِلُ
He went off like the male ostrich going at dusk, urged
The next morning he comes rushing just as
To run by a night already closing in and a downpour.
The night had urged him on, dark and pouring rain.
فَإِنso if يَنجُhe escapes مِنfrom أَسيافِهِhis swords فَلَقَدthen indeed نَجاhe escaped
فَإِن يَنجُ مِن أَسيافِهِ فَلَقَد نَجا
وَفيand in قَلبهِhis heart خَبلٌderangement مِنfrom الرُعبِterror خابِلُmaddening
وَفي قَلبهِ خَبلٌ مِن الرُعبِ خابِلُ
If he escapes his swords, he has indeed escaped
If he survives his swords, then he has survived
With maddening confusion from terror in his heart.
But with confusion in his heart from tremendous fear.
وَكانَand there was لَهُمfor them بِالحَزمِat al-Hazm يَومٌa day عَصَبصَبٌharsh and calamitous
وَكانَ لَهُم بِالحَزمِ يَومٌ عَصَبصَبٌ
وَقَدand already حَشَدَتhad mustered لِلحَربِfor war تِلكَthose القَبائِلُtribes
وَقَد حَشَدَت لِلحَربِ تِلكَ القَبائِلُ
And at al-Hazm they had a harsh, calamitous day,
By their rationality they had a hazardous day,
When those tribes had mustered for war:
When those tribes had mobilized for war.
عَنينٌAnin وَآلُand the house of الفَضلِal-Fadl مِنfrom آلِthe house of بَرمَكٍBarmak
عَنينٌ وَآلُ الفَضلِ مِن آلِ بَرمَكٍ
وَكُلُّهُمُand all of them لِلعِزِّfor honor أَنفٌa nose وَكاهِلُand a shoulder
وَكُلُّهُمُ لِلعِزِّ أَنفٌ وَكاهِلُ
Anin and the house of al-Fadl, of the house of Barmak,
‘Anayn and the family of Al-Fadl from the family of Barmak,
And all were the nose and shoulder of honor.
Each of them with a nose and shoulder of pride.
وَجاءَتand came زَبيدٌZubayd كَالجَرادِlike locusts وَطَيِّئٌand Tayy
وَجاءَت زَبيدٌ كَالجَرادِ وَطَيِّئٌ
وَكُلٌّand each يُمَنّيfills with hopes نَفسَهُhimself ماwhat يُحاوِلُhe seeks
وَكُلٌّ يُمَنّي نَفسَهُ ما يُحاوِلُ
And Zubayd came like locusts, and Tayy,
And Zubayd came like locusts and Tayyi’,
Each feeding himself hopes of what he sought.
Each of them hoping for what he aspires to.
وَكانُواand they were يَظُنّونَthinking الأَميرَthe emir بِدارِهِin his home
وَكانُوا يَظُنّونَ الأَميرَ بِدارِهِ
مُقيماًremaining وَجاءَتهُمand reached them بِذاكَwith that الرَسائِلُthe letters
مُقيماً وَجاءَتهُم بِذاكَ الرَسائِلُ
They thought the emir was in his home,
They thought the prince was in his abode
Remaining there; letters had reached them saying so.
Remaining, but messages came to them.
فَضاقَتthen grew cramped عَلىfor أَحياءِthe clans of قَيسٍQays رِحابُهاtheir broad spaces
فَضاقَت عَلى أَحياءِ قَيسٍ رِحابُها
مِنَfrom الخَوفِfear وَاِنسَدَّتand were closed عَلَيهاto them المَناهِلُthe watering-places
مِنَ الخَوفِ وَاِنسَدَّت عَلَيها المَناهِلُ
Then the broad spaces of Qays's clans grew cramped
So the valleys of Qays grew narrow from fear
With fear, and their watering-places were closed to them.
And the springs closed up on them.
وَجاءَتand came إِلَيهِto him الرُسلُthe messengers مُخبِرَةًinforming لَهُto him
وَجاءَت إِلَيهِ الرُسلُ مُخبِرَةً لَهُ
بِماof what قَدhad دَهىbefallen وَالأَمرُand the affair إِذat ذاكَthat time هائِلُterrible
بِما قَد دَهى وَالأَمرُ إِذ ذاكَ هائِلُ
And messengers came to him, informing him
Messengers came to inform him
Of what had befallen; the affair was then terrible.
Of the awful events when matters were grim.
فَسارَso he set out مِنَfrom الأَحساءِal-Ahsa تَطويtraversing بِهِwith him الفَلاthe wastes
فَسارَ مِنَ الأَحساءِ تَطوي بِهِ الفَلا
عِتاقُnoble-bred المَذاكيseasoned steeds وَالمَطِيُّand riding-camels الذَوامِلُbriskly trotting
عِتاقُ المَذاكي وَالمَطِيُّ الذَوامِلُ
So he set out from al-Ahsa, borne across the wastes by
So he set out from Al-Ahsa, the horses carrying him across the desert,
Noble-bred, seasoned steeds and briskly trotting riding-camels.
The freed and accustomed steeds, ever ready.
فَمَرَّتthen they passed بِقَصرِby the palace of العَنبَرِيِّal-Anbari وَلَمand not يَكُنthere was
فَمَرَّت بِقَصرِ العَنبَرِيِّ وَلَم يَكُن
لَهاfor them بِسِوىwith anything but دارِthe abode of الأَعاديthe enemies تَشاغُلُpreoccupation
لَها بِسِوى دارِ الأَعادي تَشاغُلُ
They passed al-Anbari's palace, and there was no
They passed by the Amber Fort but had no concern
Concern for them apart from the enemies' abode.
Except the houses of enemies to busy themselves with.
فَماand not شَعَرواthey sensed حَتّىuntil تَداعَتthey rushed together عَلَيهِمُupon them
فَما شَعَروا حَتّى تَداعَت عَلَيهِمُ
كَماas يَتَداعىpours down صَيِّبٌrain مُتَوابِلُfalling in torrents
كَما يَتَداعى صَيِّبٌ مُتَوابِلُ
They sensed nothing until the mounts fell upon them,
They were not aware until they were suddenly beset
As drenching rain pours down in torrents.
By great numbers, like heavy rain pouring down.
شَوائِلُraising their tails تشوالthe tail-raising of العَقارِبِthe scorpions فَوقَهاupon them
شَوائِلُ تشوال العَقارِبِ فَوقَها
لُيُوثٌlions وَلَكِنbut غابُهُنَّtheir thickets القَساطِلُclouds of battle-dust
لُيُوثٌ وَلَكِن غابُهُنَّ القَساطِلُ
Their tails raised as scorpions raise theirs; upon them rode
Assailants piercing through them like scorpions atop
Lions, but their thickets were clouds of battle-dust.
Lions, though their stings were absent.
فَثارُواthen they sprang up يُرِشّونَjabbing الطّرادَthe lances وَكُلُّهُمand each of them
فَثارُوا يُرِشّونَ الطّرادَ وَكُلُّهُم
يُطاعِنُspear-fights فيamid مَوجاتِهاtheir surges وَيُجاوِلُand wheels about
يُطاعِنُ في مَوجاتِها وَيُجاوِلُ
They sprang up, jabbing their lances, each one
They arose stabbing the masses while they
Spear-fighting amid their surges and wheeling about,
Thrust into its surges vying with each other,
إِلىuntil أَنthat بَدَتappeared مِنfrom آلِthe house of فَضلٍFadl عِصابَةٌa band
إِلى أَن بَدَت مِن آلِ فَضلٍ عِصابَةٌ
قَصيرٌshort لَدَيهاbeside them الباذِخُthe lofty one المُتَطاوِلُthe towering one
قَصيرٌ لَدَيها الباذِخُ المُتَطاوِلُ
Until a band of the house of Fadl appeared,
Until a group of Al-Fadl appeared, in front of them
Beside whom the lofty, towering man was short.
The towering seem insignificant and small.
يَقودُleads نَواصِيهاtheir forelocks أَخُوa brother of الجُودِgenerosity ماجِدٌMajid
يَقودُ نَواصِيها أَخُو الجُودِ ماجِدٌ
وَفَضلٌand Fadl إِذاwhen هابَtook fright الكَمِيُّthe armored warrior المُنازِلُthe challenger
وَفَضلٌ إِذا هابَ الكَمِيُّ المُنازِلُ
Majid, brother of generosity, leads their forelocks,
The brother of generosity, Mujaddid, leads their reins,
And Fadl, when the armored challenger takes fright;
And Fadl when the ambitious one retreats.
وَأَحمَدٌand Ahmad الساميlofty عَظيمٌmighty وَكُلُّهُمand each of them
وَأَحمَدٌ السامي عَظيمٌ وَكُلُّهُم
أَخُوa man of ثِقَةٍtrustworthiness يَعلُوrises عَلىabove مَنwhoever يُصاوِلُengages in combat
أَخُو ثِقَةٍ يَعلُو عَلى مَن يُصاوِلُ
And lofty Ahmad is mighty, and each of them
And the sublime Ahmad, great, all of them
Is a man to be trusted, rising above those he battles.
Brothers of a trusted ally rising above the contentious.
فَزادَthen he increased مَقاديمَthe vanguard of الفَوارِسِthe horsemen بَعدَماafter
فَزادَ مَقاديمَ الفَوارِسِ بَعدَما
تَحَطَّمَshattered فيهاamong them مَشرَفِيٌّa Mashrafi sword وَذابِلُand a slender spear
تَحَطَّمَ فيها مَشرَفِيٌّ وَذابِلُ
Then he reinforced the horsemen's vanguard, after
So the charge of the knights increased after
A Mashrafi sword and a slender spear had shattered among them.
Mashrifi and Dhabil were crushed among them.
وَأَقبلَand came forward لَيثُthe lion of الغابِthe thicket أَعنيI mean مُحمّداًMuhammad
وَأَقبلَ لَيثُ الغابِ أَعني مُحمّداً
يُفَتِّشُsearching عَنfor أَشبالِهِhis cubs وَيُسائِلُand asking
يُفَتِّشُ عَن أَشبالِهِ وَيُسائِلُ
Then the lion of the thicket came forward—I mean Muhammad—
And the lion of the thicket—I mean Muhammad—attacked
Searching for his cubs and asking after them.
Searching for his cubs and inquiring about them.
فَقِيلَso it was said لَهُto him تَحتَbeneath العَجاجَةِthe dust-cloud دَأبُهُمtheir occupation
فَقِيلَ لَهُ تَحتَ العَجاجَةِ دَأبُهُم
طِعانُspear-fighting with العِدىthe foes فيin حَيثُwhere تَخفىare hidden المَقاتِلُthe body's vital spots
طِعانُ العِدى في حَيثُ تَخفى المَقاتِلُ
He was told: beneath the dust-cloud their occupation is
He was told, “It is their habit to stab the enemy beneath the cover,”
Thrusting at foes where the body's vital spots are hidden.
So he made them drink the horses’ chests, as if
فَأَورَدَهُمso he brought them to صَدرَthe breast of الحِصانِthe stallion كَأَنَّهُas though he were
فَأَورَدَهُم صَدرَ الحِصانِ كَأَنَّهُ
بِأَخذِto taking نُفوسِthe lives of القَومِthe people بِالسَيفِwith the sword كافِلُpledged
بِأَخذِ نُفوسِ القَومِ بِالسَيفِ كافِلُ
So he made them meet his stallion's breast, as though he were
Undertaking to take the souls of the people by the sword.
Pledged to take the people's lives with the sword.
They fled away, some captive and some escaping,
فَطارُواthen they scattered سِلالاًslipping away مِنsome أَسيرٍa captive وَهارِبٍand a fugitive
فَطارُوا سِلالاً مِن أَسيرٍ وَهارِبٍ
وَمِنand some هالِكٍslain تَبكيweep عَلَيهِover him الثَواكِلُthe bereaved women
وَمِن هالِكٍ تَبكي عَلَيهِ الثَواكِلُ
They scattered, slipping away—some captive, some fleeing,
And some dead with weeping mourners.
And some slain, mourned by bereaved women.
None remained except a fearful onlooker
وَلَمand not يَبقَremained إِلّاexcept خائِفٌa frightened man مُتَرَقِّبٌawaiting
وَلَم يَبقَ إِلّا خائِفٌ مُتَرَقِّبٌ
حِماماًdeath سَريعاًswift أَوor نَزيلٌa sojourner مُنازِلُa combatant
حِماماً سَريعاً أَو نَزيلٌ مُنازِلُ
None remained but a frightened man awaiting
Awaiting a swift dove or guest making camp.
Swift death, or a sojourner facing battle.
After this honor their kings
وَمِنand from بَعدِafter ذاكَthat العِزِّmight أَضحَتbecame مُلُوكُهُمtheir kings
وَمِن بَعدِ ذاكَ العِزِّ أَضحَت مُلُوكُهُم
وَكُلٌّand each لَدَيهِbefore him خاشِعٌhumbled مُتَضائِلُdiminished
وَكُلٌّ لَدَيهِ خاشِعٌ مُتَضائِلُ
After all that might, their kings became
Became humbled and insignificant before him.
Each humbled and diminished in his presence.
It is no shame if they sought refuge in the care of a master
وَلاand no عارَshame لَوif عاذُواthey sought refuge بِأَكنافِunder the protection of سَيِّدٍa lord
وَلا عارَ لَو عاذُوا بِأَكنافِ سَيِّدٍ
يَطُولُtowers above others فَلاso not تُرجىcan be hoped for لَدَيهِin his presence الطَوائِلُacts of vengeance
يَطُولُ فَلا تُرجى لَدَيهِ الطَوائِلُ
There is no shame if they seek shelter under a lord's protection,
Whose shadow they hoped would extend so no misfortunes reach.
Who towers above all, so vengeance cannot be hoped for in his presence.
Likewise before this the family of Mundhir took refuge
فَمِنfor from قَبلِbefore ذاthis عاذَتsought refuge بِأَكنافِunder the protection of هانِئٍHani
فَمِن قَبلِ ذا عاذَت بِأَكنافِ هانِئٍ
بَنُوthe sons of مُنذِرٍMundhir إِذwhen عارَضَتهاconfronted them الغَوائِلُthe calamities
بَنُو مُنذِرٍ إِذ عارَضَتها الغَوائِلُ
Before this, under Hani's protection sought refuge
In the care of Han'i when calamities befell them.
The sons of Mundhir, when calamities confronted them.
So say to ‘Uqayl, rally them and fatten them
فَقُلso say لِعُقَيلٍto Uqayl غَثِّهاits lean ones وَسَمينِهاand its fat ones
فَقُل لِعُقَيلٍ غَثِّها وَسَمينِها
إِذاwhen جَمَعتهاgather it فيat النُجوعِthe pasture-camps المَحافِلُthe assemblies
إِذا جَمَعتها في النُجوعِ المَحافِلُ
So say to Uqayl, its lean and its fat alike,
When the assemblies gather them in pastures.
When assemblies gather it at the pasture-camps:
Know that the deeds of Prince Muhammad
أَلاindeed إِنَّماonly فِعلُthe deed of الأَميرِthe emir مُحَمَّدٍMuhammad
أَلا إِنَّما فِعلُ الأَميرِ مُحَمَّدٍ
لِإحياءِto revive ماwhat سَنَّestablished الجُدودُthe forefathers الأَوائِلُthe earliest
لِإحياءِ ما سَنَّ الجُدودُ الأَوائِلُ
Indeed, the emir Muhammad's deed is only
Are to revive what the earlier forefathers established.
To revive what the earliest forefathers established.
They warded the enemies from you at Khazazah
هُمُthey بِخَزازَىat Khazaza دافَعُواrepelled عَنكُمُfrom you العِدىthe foes
هُمُ بِخَزازَى دافَعُوا عَنكُمُ العِدى
وَذَلِكَand that يَومٌa day مُمقِرُbitter الطَعمِin taste باسِلُgrim and fierce
وَذَلِكَ يَومٌ مُمقِرُ الطَعمِ باسِلُ
At Khazaza they defended you from the foes,
That day which taught the taste of misfortune.
And that was a day bitter to taste, grim and fierce.
So give thanks without ingratitude for the efforts of Rabi’ah,
فَشُكراًso give thanks بِلاwithout كُفرٍingratitude لِسَعيِfor the striving of رَبيعَةٍRabi'a
فَشُكراً بِلا كُفرٍ لِسَعيِ رَبيعَةٍ
فَماfor not يَكفُرُdenies النَعماءَthe blessing فيamong الناسِpeople عاقِلُa sensible person
فَما يَكفُرُ النَعماءَ في الناسِ عاقِلُ
So give thanks, without ingratitude, for Rabi'a's striving;
For no sensible person among people is ungrateful for a blessing.
No sensible person among mankind denies a blessing.
To you, O son of the horsemen’s splitter, is an ode
إِلَيكَto you اِبنَson of شَقّاقِthe cleaver of الفَوارِسِthe horsemen مِدحَةٌa praise-poem
إِلَيكَ اِبنَ شَقّاقِ الفَوارِسِ مِدحَةٌ
تُطَأطَأbow لَهاbefore it مِنamong حاسِديكَyour enviers الكَواهِلُthe shoulders
تُطَأطَأ لَها مِن حاسِديكَ الكَواهِلُ
To you, son of the cleaver of horsemen, comes a praise-poem
At which your envious foes’ shoulders will bow.
Before which your enviers' shoulders bow.
It came to you like a string of pearls from one related
أَتَتكَit came to you كَنَظمِlike a string of الدُرِّpearls مِنfrom ذيone possessing قَرابَةٍkinship
أَتَتكَ كَنَظمِ الدُرِّ مِن ذي قَرابَةٍ
لِإِحياءِto revive وُدٍّaffection لاnot لِمالٍfor wealth يُحاوِلُhe seeks
لِإِحياءِ وُدٍّ لا لِمالٍ يُحاوِلُ
It comes to you like a string of pearls, from a kinsman,
To revive affection, not seeking wealth.
To revive affection, not in pursuit of wealth.
Partial English translation: 139 of 140 Arabic lines translated.