لَكُمyou have the right أَنto تَجورواbe unjust مُعرِضينَturning away وَتَغضَبواand grow angry
لَكُم أَن تَجوروا مُعرِضينَ وَتَغضَبوا
وَعادَتُكُمand your habit أَنto تَزهَدواbe indifferent حينَwhen نَرغَبُwe yearn
وَعادَتُكُم أَن تَزهَدوا حينَ نَرغَبُ
You may be unjust, turn away, and grow angry;
your habit is to be indifferent when we yearn.
جَنَيتُمyou wronged عَلَيناus وَاِعتَذَرناand we apologized إِلَيكُمُto you
جَنَيتُم عَلَينا وَاِعتَذَرنا إِلَيكُمُ
وَلَولاand were it not for الهَوىlove لَمnot يُسأَلِbe asked الصَفحَpardon مُذنِبُa wrongdoer
وَلَولا الهَوى لَم يُسأَلِ الصَفحَ مُذنِبُ
You wronged us, yet we apologized to you;
but for love, no wrongdoer would be asked to forgive.
وَمَوَّهتُمُand you dissembled يَومَon the day of الفِراقِparting بِأَدمُعٍwith tears
وَمَوَّهتُمُ يَومَ الفِراقِ بِأَدمُعٍ
تُخَبِّرُproclaim عَنabout صِدقِthe sincerity of الوِدادِaffection فَتَكذِبُyet lie
تُخَبِّرُ عَن صِدقِ الوِدادِ فَتَكذِبُ
On the day of parting you dissembled with tears
that proclaimed sincere affection, yet lied.
وَكَمand how often غَرَّdeceived ظَمآناًa thirsty man سَرابٌa mirage بِقَفرَةٍin a wasteland
وَكَم غَرَّ ظَمآناً سَرابٌ بِقَفرَةٍ
وَخَبَّرَand announced بَرقٌlightning بِالحَياrain وَهوَthough it was خُلَّبُrainless
وَخَبَّرَ بَرقٌ بِالحَيا وَهوَ خُلَّبُ
How often a mirage in a wasteland has deceived a thirsty man,
and lightning announced rain, though it brought none.
وَمَاand not بَلَغَتreached مِنّيme نَوىًseparation بِسِهامِهاwith its arrows
وَمَا بَلَغَت مِنّي نَوىً بِسِهامِها
رَمانيshot me التَجَنّيunjust blame قَبلَهاbefore it وَالتَجَنُّبُand avoidance
رَماني التَجَنّي قَبلَها وَالتَجَنُّبُ
Separation's arrows never reached me:
unjust blame and avoidance had struck me before it.
وَلَمand not يَبقَremained مِماَّof what كانَwas إِلّاexcept بَقِيَّةٌa remnant
وَلَم يَبقَ مِماَّ كانَ إِلّا بَقِيَّةٌ
تَجيءُcomes كَماas جاءَcame الجَهامُa rainless cloud وَتَذهَبُand goes
تَجيءُ كَما جاءَ الجَهامُ وَتَذهَبُ
Nothing remains of what once was but a remnant
that comes and goes like a rainless cloud.
يُكَلَّفُis charged طَرفيmy gaze رَعيَهاwith tending it وَهوَthough it is طامِحٌroving
يُكَلَّفُ طَرفي رَعيَها وَهوَ طامِحٌ
وَيُسأَلُand is asked قَلبيmy heart حِفظَهاto preserve it وَهوَthough it is قُلَّبُfickle
وَيُسأَلُ قَلبي حِفظَها وَهوَ قُلَّبُ
My gaze is charged with tending it, though it wanders;
my heart is asked to preserve it, though it is fickle.
صُبابَةُa last trickle شَوقٍof longing مِنfrom بَقاياthe remnants of صَبابَةٍpassion
صُبابَةُ شَوقٍ مِن بَقايا صَبابَةٍ
إِذاwhen ذَلَّhumbles himself فيهاfor it طالِبٌa seeker عَزَّgrows elusive مَطلَبُa goal
إِذا ذَلَّ فيها طالِبٌ عَزَّ مَطلَبُ
A last trickle of longing, a remnant of passion:
when its seeker humbles himself, its goal grows elusive.
وَماand not زادَexceeded ذاكَthat الوَصلُunion أَياّمَin the days of عَطفِكُمyour kindness
وَما زادَ ذاكَ الوَصلُ أَياّمَ عَطفِكُم
عَلىbeyond ماwhat أَنالَbestowed الطارِقُthe night visitor المُتَأَوِّبُreturning at night
عَلى ما أَنالَ الطارِقُ المُتَأَوِّبُ
That union, in the days of your kindness, gave no more
than the returning night visitor bestowed.
مُواصَلَةٌa union كانَتwas كَأَحلامِlike the dreams of نائِمٍa sleeper
مُواصَلَةٌ كانَت كَأَحلامِ نائِمٍ
وَإِنeven though لامَblamed فيهاfor it عاذِلٌa reprover وَمُؤَنِّبُand a rebuker
وَإِن لامَ فيها عاذِلٌ وَمُؤَنِّبُ
A union that was like a sleeper's dreams,
though reprovers and rebukers blamed me for it.
دَناdrew near بُعدُهاits distance مِنto قُربِهاits nearness فَكَأَنَّهاso it was as though it
دَنا بُعدُها مِن قُربِها فَكَأَنَّها
مِنَfrom الصَدِّrejection تُسبىis taken captive أَوor مِنَfrom الهَجرِestrangement تُسلَبُis snatched
مِنَ الصَدِّ تُسبى أَو مِنَ الهَجرِ تُسلَبُ
Its distance came so close to its nearness that it seemed
captured from rejection or snatched from estrangement.
وَقَدand indeed رُمتُI sought أَنto أَلقىmeet الصُدودَaversion بِمِثلِهِwith its like
وَقَد رُمتُ أَن أَلقى الصُدودَ بِمِثلِهِ
مُقابَلَةًin requital لَكِنَّنيbut I أَتَهَيَّبُshrink from it
مُقابَلَةً لَكِنَّني أَتَهَيَّبُ
I have sought to meet aversion with its like
in requital, but I shrink from it.
سَأَصبِرُI shall endure صَبرَwith the endurance of الضَبِّthe desert lizard وَالماءُwhile the water ذوcontains قَذىًfilth
سَأَصبِرُ صَبرَ الضَبِّ وَالماءُ ذو قَذىً
وَأَمشيand I shall walk عَلىupon السَعدانِsa'dan thorns وَالذُلُّwhile humiliation مَركَبُis a mount
وَأَمشي عَلى السَعدانِ وَالذُلُّ مَركَبُ
I shall endure like the desert lizard when the water is foul,
and walk on sa'dan thorns when humiliation is the mount.
وَأَقفوand I shall follow بِعَزميwith my resolve أُسرَةًa family تَغلَبِيَّةًof Taghlib
وَأَقفو بِعَزمي أُسرَةً تَغلَبِيَّةً
إِلىto المَوتِdeath مِماّfrom what يُكسِبُbrings العارَdisgrace تَهرُبُit flees
إِلى المَوتِ مِماّ يُكسِبُ العارَ تَهرُبُ
With my resolve I shall follow a family of Taghlib
that flees to death from whatever brings disgrace,
وَكُلَّand every فَتىًyoung man كَالخَيزُرانَةِlike a bamboo cane دِقَّةًin slenderness
وَكُلَّ فَتىً كَالخَيزُرانَةِ دِقَّةً
يُراعُis terrified بِهِby him لَيثُthe lion of الشَرىal-Shara وَهوَthough it is أَغلَبُthick-necked
يُراعُ بِهِ لَيثُ الشَرى وَهوَ أَغلَبُ
and every youth slender as a bamboo cane,
who terrifies the thick-necked lion of al-Shara.
إِذاwhen رَكِبواthey ride out أَلوَواthey carry off بِعِزِّthe pride of عَدُوِّهِمtheir enemy
إِذا رَكِبوا أَلوَوا بِعِزِّ عَدُوِّهِم
وَإِنand if وَهَبواthey give جادواthey lavish بِماwhat لَيسَis not يوهَبُgiven
وَإِن وَهَبوا جادوا بِما لَيسَ يوهَبُ
When they ride out, they sweep away their enemy's pride;
when they give, they lavish what others never give.
تَظَلُّremain المَعاليhigh honors مِنamong ثَوابِthe rewards of عُفاتِهِمtheir petitioners
تَظَلُّ المَعالي مِن ثَوابِ عُفاتِهِم
وَداعيهِمُand their summoner يومَon the day of الوَغىbattle لاdoes not يُثَوِّبُrepeat his call
وَداعيهِمُ يومَ الوَغى لا يُثَوِّبُ
High honors are among their petitioners' rewards;
their summoner on battle day need not call twice.
وَلَستُand I am not كَمَنlike someone أَنحىassailed عَلَيهِagainst him زَمانُهُhis time
وَلَستُ كَمَن أَنحى عَلَيهِ زَمانُهُ
فَظَلَّso he kept عَلىat أَحداثِهِits calamities يَتَعَتَّبُgrumbling
فَظَلَّ عَلى أَحداثِهِ يَتَعَتَّبُ
I am not like one assailed by his own time,
who keeps complaining of its calamities.
تَلَذُّis sweet لَهُto him الشَكوىcomplaint وَإِنeven if لَمnot يُفِدبِهاgain through it
تَلَذُّ لَهُ الشَكوى وَإِن لَم يُفِدبِها
صَلاحاًany improvement كَماjust as يَلتَذُّtakes pleasure بِالحَكِّin scratching أَجرَبُa scabby man
صَلاحاً كَما يَلتَذُّ بِالحَكِّ أَجرَبُ
Complaint is sweet to him, though it brings him
no improvement, as scratching pleases a scabby man.
وَلَكِنَّنيbut I أَحميdefend ذِماريmy honor بِعَزمَةٍwith a resolve
وَلَكِنَّني أَحمي ذِماري بِعَزمَةٍ
تَنوبُserves مَنابَin place of السَيفِthe sword وَالسَيفُthough the sword مِقضَبُis keen-edged
تَنوبُ مَنابَ السَيفِ وَالسَيفُ مِقضَبُ
But I defend my honor with a resolve
that serves in a sword's place, though the sword is keen.
لَقَدindeed كَذَّبَتit proved wrong بِالأَمسِyesterday مَنwhoever ظَنَّthought أَنَّنيthat I
لَقَد كَذَّبَت بِالأَمسِ مَن ظَنَّ أَنَّني
عَنِfrom الحزمِfirm resolve أُزوىcould be turned aside أَوor عَلىin الرَأيِjudgment أُغلَبُcould be overcome
عَنِ الحزمِ أُزوى أَو عَلى الرَأيِ أُغلَبُ
Yesterday it proved wrong whoever thought that I
could be turned from firmness or overcome in judgment.
وَداويَّةٍand many a desert بِكرٍvirgin جَعَلتُI made نِكاحَهاits consummation
وَداويَّةٍ بِكرٍ جَعَلتُ نِكاحَها
سُرىnight travel of ضُمَّرٍlean mounts فارَقتُهاI left it وَهيَwhile it was ثَيِّبُdeflowered
سُرى ضُمَّرٍ فارَقتُها وَهيَ ثَيِّبُ
Many a virgin desert: I made its consummation
a night ride on lean mounts, and left it deflowered.
تُضِلُّleads astray فَلَوso if بَعضُone of النُجومِthe stars سَرىtraveled by night بِهاthrough it
تُضِلُّ فَلَو بَعضُ النُجومِ سَرى بِها
وَرامَand sought نَجاةًescape ماnot دَرىwould know كَيفَhow يَذهَبُto go
وَرامَ نَجاةً ما دَرى كَيفَ يَذهَبُ
It leads astray: if even a star traveled through it
and sought escape, it would not know which way to go.
دَليلايَmy two guides فيهاthrough it حُسنُthe goodness of ظَنّيmy expectations وَبارِقٌand lightning
دَليلايَ فيها حُسنُ ظَنّي وَبارِقٌ
يُبَشِّرُannouncing good news بِالتَهطالِof heavy rain وَالعامُthough the year مُجدِبُis drought-stricken
يُبَشِّرُ بِالتَهطالِ وَالعامُ مُجدِبُ
My two guides through it were my good expectations and lightning
announcing heavy rain, though the year was drought-stricken.
وَمُذand since أَرَيانيthe two showed me ناصِرَNasir الدَولَةِal-Dawla اِنجَلىwas dispelled
وَمُذ أَرَياني ناصِرَ الدَولَةِ اِنجَلى
بِرُؤياهُat the sight of him ماwhat أَخشىI fear وَماand what أَتَرَقَّبُI dread
بِرُؤياهُ ما أَخشى وَما أَتَرَقَّبُ
Since those two showed me Nasir al-Dawla,
the sight of him has dispelled all I fear and dread.
رَغِبتُI deemed too precious بِنَفسيmyself أَنto أَكونَbe مُصاحِباًa companion to
رَغِبتُ بِنَفسي أَن أَكونَ مُصاحِباً
أُناساًpeople إِذاwhen قيدواthey are led إِلىto الضَيمِoppression أَصحَبواthey submit
أُناساً إِذا قيدوا إِلى الضَيمِ أَصحَبوا
I held myself too dear to keep company
with people who submit when led to oppression.
فَجاوَرتُso I settled beside مَلكاًa king تَستَهِلُّpours forth يَمينُهُhis right hand
فَجاوَرتُ مَلكاً تَستَهِلُّ يَمينُهُ
نَدىًbounty حينَwhen يَرضىhe is pleased أَوor رَدىًdeath حينَwhen يَنضَبُruns dry
نَدىً حينَ يَرضى أَو رَدىً حينَ يَنضَبُ
So I dwelt beside a king whose right hand pours forth
bounty when pleased, or death when his bounty runs dry.
تَدورُcirculate كُؤوسُthe cups of الحَمدِpraise حيناًat times فَيَنتَشيand he grows elated
تَدورُ كُؤوسُ الحَمدِ حيناً فَيَنتَشي
وَطَوراًand at other times تَصِلُّring out المُرهَفاتُthe keen blades فَيَطرَبُand he rejoices
وَطَوراً تَصِلُّ المُرهَفاتُ فَيَطرَبُ
At times the cups of praise circulate, and he grows elated;
at others keen blades ring, and he rejoices.
إِذاwhen ماever اِرتَبىhe sits with knees drawn up غِبَّafter الوَغىbattle خِلتَyou would think أَجدَلاًa falcon
إِذا ما اِرتَبى غِبَّ الوَغى خِلتَ أَجدَلاً
لَهُhe has أَبَداًalways فَوقَabove المَجَرَّةِthe Milky Way مَرقَبُa lookout
لَهُ أَبَداً فَوقَ المَجَرَّةِ مَرقَبُ
When he sits with knees drawn up after battle, you would think him a falcon
whose lookout is forever above the Milky Way.
وَإِنand if أَعمَلَhe exercises الأَفكارَhis thoughts عِندَat مُلِمَّةٍa calamity
وَإِن أَعمَلَ الأَفكارَ عِندَ مُلِمَّةٍ
تُلِمُّthat befalls أَرَتهُthey show him ماwhat يُسِرُّconceals المُغَيَّبُthe unseen
تُلِمُّ أَرَتهُ ما يُسِرُّ المُغَيَّبُ
If he sets his thoughts to work when a calamity
befalls, they show him what the unseen conceals.
وَرُبَّand many نُصولٍblades لاnot تُنَصَّلُare absolved إِنif جَنَتthey do harm
وَرُبَّ نُصولٍ لا تُنَصَّلُ إِن جَنَت
وَتَنصُلُand lose their stain مِنof قَانيcrimson النَجيعِfresh blood فَتُخضَبُthen are dyed anew
وَتَنصُلُ مِن قَاني النَجيعِ فَتُخضَبُ
Many are the blades not absolved when they do harm;
they lose their crimson bloodstain, only to be dyed again.
إِذاwhen البيضُbright swords كَلَّتgrow blunt يَومَon a day of حَربٍwar فَإِنَّهاthen they are
إِذا البيضُ كَلَّت يَومَ حَربٍ فَإِنَّها
مَواضٍkeen قَواضٍdecreeing أَنَّthat تَغلِبَTaghlib تَغلِبُshall prevail
مَواضٍ قَواضٍ أَنَّ تَغلِبَ تَغلِبُ
When bright swords grow blunt on a day of war, these
remain keen and decisive, decreeing that Taghlib shall prevail.
فَإِحكامُهُfor his mastery of الأَيّامَthe days غَضَّcurbed جِماحَهاtheir unruliness
فَإِحكامُهُ الأَيّامَ غَضَّ جِماحَها
وَأَحكامُهُand his judgments فيover الدَهرِTime لاare not تُتَعَقَّبُreviewed
وَأَحكامُهُ في الدَهرِ لا تُتَعَقَّبُ
His mastery of the days has curbed their unruliness;
his judgments over Time cannot be reviewed.
وَلَوand if حِدتُI turned aside عَنهُfrom him دَلَّةًpresuming on favor وَاِستَمالَنيand won me over
وَلَو حِدتُ عَنهُ دَلَّةً وَاِستَمالَني
كَريمٌa generous man مُرَجّىًof great promise أَوor هُمامٌa great lord مُحَجَّبُkept behind curtains
كَريمٌ مُرَجّىً أَو هُمامٌ مُحَجَّبُ
If I turned from him, presuming on his favor, and were wooed
by a generous man of promise, or a lord behind curtains,
لَأَغنىhe would suffice كَماas أَغنىsufficed عَنِin place of الصُبحِdawn حِندِسٌpitch darkness
لَأَغنى كَما أَغنى عَنِ الصُبحِ حِندِسٌ
دَجالاgrown dark—not كَماas أَغنىsufficed عَنِin place of البَدرِthe full moon كَوكَبُa star
دَجالا كَما أَغنى عَنِ البَدرِ كَوكَبُ
he would serve as dense darkness serves in place of dawn—
darkness grown deep, not as a star serves in place of the full moon.
فَذاكَfor that one مِنَis among الأَسواءِequals كُلُّevery مُمَلَّكٍenthroned ruler
فَذاكَ مِنَ الأَسواءِ كُلُّ مُمَلَّكٍ
عَلىtoward الجودِgenerosity يُحدىis urged أَوor إِلىinto الرَوعِbattle's terror يُجدَبُis dragged
عَلى الجودِ يُحدى أَو إِلى الرَوعِ يُجدَبُ
Such a man is one among equals: any enthroned ruler
who must be urged to generosity or dragged into danger.
تَخِذتَyou took اِقتِضابَspontaneous performance of المَكرُماتِnoble deeds سَجِيَّةًas your nature
تَخِذتَ اِقتِضابَ المَكرُماتِ سَجِيَّةً
فَخالَفتَthus you differed from قَوماًpeople بِالمَواعيدِof promises شَبَّبواwho sang
فَخالَفتَ قَوماً بِالمَواعيدِ شَبَّبوا
You made spontaneous noble deeds your nature,
unlike people who merely sang of promises.
أَصَختَyou listened إِلىto داعيthe caller of الوَغىbattle وَتَصامُمواwhile they feigned deafness
أَصَختَ إِلى داعي الوَغى وَتَصامُموا
وَصَدَّقتَand you fulfilled آمالَthe hopes of العُفاةِpetitioners وَكَذَّبواwhile they belied them
وَصَدَّقتَ آمالَ العُفاةِ وَكَذَّبوا
You listened to battle's caller while they feigned deafness;
you fulfilled petitioners' hopes while they belied them.
تَبيتُspend the night النِياقُthe she-camels عِندَهُمwith them مُطمَئِنَّةًundisturbed
تَبيتُ النِياقُ عِندَهُم مُطمَئِنَّةً
وَلَمّاthough not yet يَدُرhas circulated قَعبٌa wooden bowl وَلَمand not يُدنَbeen brought near مِحلَبُa milking pail
وَلَمّا يَدُر قَعبٌ وَلَم يُدنَ مِحلَبُ
The she-camels spend the night undisturbed among them,
though no bowl has yet gone round, nor milking pail been brought near.
إِذاwhen حارَدَتrun dry أَخلافُهاtheir teats عُطِّلَis suspended القِرىhospitality
إِذا حارَدَت أَخلافُها عُطِّلَ القِرى
وَعِندَكَbut with you مِنfrom أَوداجِهاtheir jugular veins الدَمُblood يُحلَبُis milked
وَعِندَكَ مِن أَوداجِها الدَمُ يُحلَبُ
When their teats run dry, hospitality is suspended;
with you, blood is milked from their jugular veins.
مَساعٍnoble deeds بِهاwith which وَصّىcharged رَبيعَةُRabi'a وائِلاًWa'il
مَساعٍ بِها وَصّى رَبيعَةُ وائِلاً
وَلَمّاand never yet يَحُلhave departed عَنهاfrom them عَدِيٌّ'Adi وَتَغلِبُand Taghlib
وَلَمّا يَحُل عَنها عَدِيٌّ وَتَغلِبُ
Exploits that Rabi'a enjoined upon Wa'il,
which 'Adi and Taghlib have never forsaken.
وَمِنهُand from him إِلىto حَمدانَHamdan كُلُّevery مُمَلَّكٍenthroned lord
وَمِنهُ إِلى حَمدانَ كُلُّ مُمَلَّكٍ
لَهُfor him الجودُgenerosity وَكدٌis a pursuit وَالمَحامِدُand praise مَكسَبُis a gain
لَهُ الجودُ وَكدٌ وَالمَحامِدُ مَكسَبُ
And from him down to Hamdan, every enthroned lord
has generosity for his concern, and praise for his gain.
مَصاعِبُformidable men نالواthey attained بَعضَsome of ماwhat نِلتَyou attained مِنof عُلىًheights
مَصاعِبُ نالوا بَعضَ ما نِلتَ مِن عُلىً
مُؤَمِّلُهاone aspiring to them ماas long as عاشَhe lives يُكديstrives fruitlessly وَيَتعَبُand toils
مُؤَمِّلُها ما عاشَ يُكدي وَيَتعَبُ
Formidable men who won some of the heights you won—
heights whose aspirant spends his life in fruitless toil.
سِواكَsomeone other than you بَغاهاsought them وَالشَبابُwhile youth رِداؤُهُwas his cloak
سِواكَ بَغاها وَالشَبابُ رِداؤُهُ
فَعَزَّتyet they proved elusive وَزادَتand increased عِزَّةًin elusiveness وَهوَwhile he was أَشيَبُgray-haired
فَعَزَّت وَزادَت عِزَّةً وَهوَ أَشيَبُ
Another sought them with youth for his cloak;
they eluded him, and grew more elusive when he turned gray.
فَأَحرَزتَهاbut you won them طِفلاًas a child فَمَهدُكَso your cradle كَعبَةٌis a Kaaba
فَأَحرَزتَها طِفلاً فَمَهدُكَ كَعبَةٌ
يَلوذُseeks refuge بِهاat it الراجيthe hopeful petitioner وَناديكَand your assembly مَكتَبُis a schoolroom
يَلوذُ بِها الراجي وَناديكَ مَكتَبُ
But you won them as a child: your cradle was a Kaaba
where the hopeful sought refuge, and your assembly a schoolroom.
خَلائِقُqualities كَالماءِlike water الزُلالِclear and sweet وَتَحتَهاand beneath them
خَلائِقُ كَالماءِ الزُلالِ وَتَحتَها
مِنَof العَزمِresolve وَالإِقدامِand boldness نارٌa fire تَلَهَّبُblazes
مِنَ العَزمِ وَالإِقدامِ نارٌ تَلَهَّبُ
Qualities like clear, sweet water, beneath which
a fire of resolve and boldness blazes.
وَضَحنَthey shone forth فَأَعلَمنَand showed المُعَلِّمَthe teacher أَنَّهُthat he
وَضَحنَ فَأَعلَمنَ المُعَلِّمَ أَنَّهُ
يُؤَدَّبُreceives instruction فيamid أَثنائِهاtheir folds لاnot يُؤَدَّبُgives instruction
يُؤَدَّبُ في أَثنائِها لا يُؤَدَّبُ
They shone forth, showing the teacher that he
was receiving instruction among them, not giving it.
يُقِرُّacknowledge لَكَin you الأَعداءُthe enemies بِالبَأسِvalor عَنوَةًunder compulsion
يُقِرُّ لَكَ الأَعداءُ بِالبَأسِ عَنوَةً
وَكُلُّand every عَدُوٍّenemy مَدحُهُhis praise لاis not يُكَذَّبُdisbelieved
وَكُلُّ عَدُوٍّ مَدحُهُ لا يُكَذَّبُ
Your enemies are forced to acknowledge your valor;
an enemy's praise is never disbelieved.
وَحَسبُهُمُand enough for them يَومٌis a day ثَبَتَّyou stood firm لِشَرِّهِagainst its evil
وَحَسبُهُمُ يَومٌ ثَبَتَّ لِشَرِّهِ
وَقَدwhen already عَرَّدَhad fled الحامونَthe defenders عَنكَfrom you وَنَكَّبواand turned aside
وَقَد عَرَّدَ الحامونَ عَنكَ وَنَكَّبوا
Enough for them is a day whose evil you faced steadfastly,
when your defenders had fled from you and turned aside.
مَضَواthey departed وَلِكُلٍّand for each فيin النَجاةِescape مَذاهِبٌwere routes
مَضَوا وَلِكُلٍّ في النَجاةِ مَذاهِبٌ
وَماand not لَكَfor you إِلاexcept نُصرَةَchampioning الحَقِّwhat is right مَذهَبُa path
وَما لَكَ إِلا نُصرَةَ الحَقِّ مَذهَبُ
They departed, each with his own routes to safety;
you had no path but championing what is right.
وَلَوand had شِئتَهاyou wished for them كانَتthere were لَدَيكَat your disposal سَوابِقٌswift steeds
وَلَو شِئتَها كانَت لَدَيكَ سَوابِقٌ
لِلَحقِfor overtaking العِدىthe foes لاnot لِلفِرارِfor flight تُقَرَّبُthey are brought near
لِلَحقِ العِدى لا لِلفِرارِ تُقَرَّبُ
Had you wished for them, swift steeds were at hand,
brought near to pursue enemies, not to flee.
تَطيحُthey fly إِلىto the point أَنthat تَدَّعيthey claim غَيرَother than أَصلِهاtheir lineage
تَطيحُ إِلى أَن تَدَّعي غَيرَ أَصلِها
وَتُعرِبُand reveal عَنabout أَحسابِهاtheir pedigrees حينَwhen تُجنَبُthey are led alongside
وَتُعرِبُ عَن أَحسابِها حينَ تُجنَبُ
They fly so fast they claim a lineage not their own,
but declare their pedigrees when led alongside.
إِلىto الريحِthe wind تُعزىthey are attributed حينَwhen تَجريthey run فَإِنbut if مَشَتthey walk
إِلى الريحِ تُعزى حينَ تَجري فَإِن مَشَت
رُوَيداًslowly فَجَدّاهاthen their two grandsires الوَجيهُal-Wajih وَمُذهَبُand Mudhhab
رُوَيداً فَجَدّاها الوَجيهُ وَمُذهَبُ
They are ascribed to the wind when they run; but if they walk
slowly, their two grandsires are al-Wajih and Mudhhab.
وَبَعدَand after سُلَيمانٍSolomon إِلىuntil أَنthat رَكِبتَهاyou rode them
وَبَعدَ سُلَيمانٍ إِلى أَن رَكِبتَها
وَذَلَّلتَهاand tamed them ماnot كانَتِhad been الريحُthe wind تُركَبُridden
وَذَلَّلتَها ما كانَتِ الريحُ تُركَبُ
Since Solomon, until you rode them
and tamed them, the wind had never been ridden.
تَخالَفنَthey differed أَلواناًin colors وَخُضنَand plunged through عَجاجَةًa cloud of dust
تَخالَفنَ أَلواناً وَخُضنَ عَجاجَةً
فَلَمso not يَختَلِفdiffer فيin اللَونِcolor جَونٌa black horse وَأَشهَبُand a gray
فَلَم يَختَلِف في اللَونِ جَونٌ وَأَشهَبُ
They differed in color and plunged through a dust cloud;
then black and gray no longer differed in hue.
ثَبَتَّyou stood firm ثَباتاًwith a steadfastness لَمnot يَكُنwas لِابنِfor Ibn مُسلِمٍMuslim
ثَبَتَّ ثَباتاً لَم يَكُن لِابنِ مُسلِمٍ
وَأوتيتَand you were granted صَبراًa patience لَمnot يَنَلهُattained it المُهَلَّبُal-Muhallab
وَأوتيتَ صَبراً لَم يَنَلهُ المُهَلَّبُ
You stood with a steadfastness Ibn Muslim never had,
and were granted a patience al-Muhallab never attained.
هُوَit is اليَومُthe day لَوhad آلُthe house of الزُبَيرِal-Zubayr مُنواbeen tried بِهِby it
هُوَ اليَومُ لَو آلُ الزُبَيرِ مُنوا بِهِ
لَقَهقَرَwould have retreated عَبدُ'Abd اللَهِAllah عَنهُfrom it وَمُصعَبُand Mus'ab
لَقَهقَرَ عَبدُ اللَهِ عَنهُ وَمُصعَبُ
It was a day that, had the house of al-Zubayr been tried by it,
'Abd Allah and Mus'ab would have retreated from it.
يُخَبَّرُit will be told عَنهُof it ماas long as تَلاfollows الغَسَقَnightfall الضُحىthe morning light
يُخَبَّرُ عَنهُ ما تَلا الغَسَقَ الضُحى
وَيُروىand recounted إِلىuntil يَومِthe Day of المَعادِResurrection وَيُكتَبُand written down
وَيُروى إِلى يَومِ المَعادِ وَيُكتَبُ
It will be told of as long as daylight follows dusk,
recounted and written down until the Day of Resurrection.
أَبىrefused لَكَfor you طيبُthe nobility of النَجرِlineage إِلّاanything but عَزيمَةًa resolve
أَبى لَكَ طيبُ النَجرِ إِلّا عَزيمَةً
عَلىover الحَزمِcaution فيon يَومِthe day of النِزالِcombat تُغَلَّبُis given precedence
عَلى الحَزمِ في يَومِ النِزالِ تُغَلَّبُ
Your noble stock would permit you only a resolve
set above caution on the day of combat.
وَجُدتَand you gave freely بِنَفسٍof a life لاnot يَجودُwould give freely بِمِثلِهاone like it
وَجُدتَ بِنَفسٍ لا يَجودُ بِمِثلِها
مَعَdespite العِلمِknowledge بِالعُقبىof the hereafter نَبِيٌّa prophet مُقَرَّبُfavored
مَعَ العِلمِ بِالعُقبى نَبِيٌّ مُقَرَّبُ
You offered a life whose like would not be offered
even by a favored prophet who knows the hereafter.
وَلَيسَand is not الفَتىthe true man مَنone whose لَمnot تَسِمhave marked جِلدَهُhis skin الظُباthe sword edges
وَلَيسَ الفَتى مَن لَم تَسِم جِلدَهُ الظُبا
وَتُحطَمُand are shattered فيهِagainst him مِنof قَناthe spears of الخَطِّal-Khatt أَكعُبُshaft-joints
وَتُحطَمُ فيهِ مِن قَنا الخَطِّ أَكعُبُ
No true man is he whose skin sword edges have not marked,
and against whom no joints of al-Khatt spears have shattered.
وَكَمand how many زُرتَyou visited أَحياءًtribal encampments فَلَمyet not يُغنِavailed عَنهُمُthem
وَكَم زُرتَ أَحياءً فَلَم يُغنِ عَنهُمُ
طِعانٌspear-fighting وَلاnor نَجّاهُمُsaved them مِنكَfrom you مَهرَبُa refuge
طِعانٌ وَلا نَجّاهُمُ مِنكَ مَهرَبُ
How many encampments you visited, whose people neither
spear-fighting could help, nor any refuge save from you.
يَوَدّونَthey wish مُذever since صارَbecame الصَباحُdawn طَليعَةًa vanguard
يَوَدّونَ مُذ صارَ الصَباحُ طَليعَةً
لِجَيشِكَfor your army أَنَّthat الدَهرَtime أَجمَعَall of it غَيهَبُwere pitch darkness
لِجَيشِكَ أَنَّ الدَهرَ أَجمَعَ غَيهَبُ
Ever since dawn became the vanguard
of your army, they wish all time were pitch darkness.
عُرِفتَyou are known فَصارَso has become الإِنتِسابُnaming your lineage زِيادَةًsuperfluous
عُرِفتَ فَصارَ الإِنتِسابُ زِيادَةً
وَغَيرُكَand another besides you يُخفيهِconceals him الخُمولُobscurity فَيُنسَبُso his lineage is given
وَغَيرُكَ يُخفيهِ الخُمولُ فَيُنسَبُ
You are known, so naming your lineage is superfluous;
another is concealed by obscurity, so his lineage is given.
وَفيand in بَعضِsome of ذاthis المَجدِglory الَّذيwhich ظَفِرَتhave won بِهِit
وَفي بَعضِ ذا المَجدِ الَّذي ظَفِرَت بِهِ
يَداكَyour two hands غِنىًsufficiency عَماbeyond what بَنىbuilt الجَدُّthe grandfather وَالأَبُand the father
يَداكَ غِنىً عَما بَنى الجَدُّ وَالأَبُ
Even some of this glory, which
your hands have won, dispenses with what grandfather and father built.
قَضىit decreed لَكَfor you أَنthat يَزدادَshould increase بَيتُكَyour house رِفعَةًin elevation
قَضى لَكَ أَن يَزدادَ بَيتُكَ رِفعَةً
عَلىdespite أَنَّهُits being فَوقَabove السِماكِal-Simak مُطَنَّبُpitched with tent ropes
عَلى أَنَّهُ فَوقَ السِماكِ مُطَنَّبُ
It decreed that your house should rise still higher,
though its tent ropes are pitched above al-Simak.
أَلَمhave you not تَرَseen قِرواشاًQirwash بَنَتbuilt مَكرُماتُهُhis noble deeds
أَلَم تَرَ قِرواشاً بَنَت مَكرُماتُهُ
لِأُسرَتِهِfor his family البَيتَthe house الَّذيwhich لَيسَdoes not يَخرَبُfall into ruin
لِأُسرَتِهِ البَيتَ الَّذي لَيسَ يَخرَبُ
Have you not seen Qirwash, whose noble deeds built
for his family a house that never falls to ruin?
مَكارِمُnoble deeds لَمnever يَطمَحaspired إِلَيهاto them مُقَلَّدٌMuqallad
مَكارِمُ لَم يَطمَح إِلَيها مُقَلَّدٌ
لَعَمريby my life وَلاnor أَقضىattained إِلَيهاto them مُسَيَّبُMusayyab
لَعَمري وَلا أَقضى إِلَيها مُسَيَّبُ
Noble deeds to which Muqallad never aspired,
by my life, nor Musayyab ever attained.
وَبَينَand between اللُهىgifts وَالواهِبيهاand their givers تَناسُبٌis a likeness
وَبَينَ اللُهى وَالواهِبيها تَناسُبٌ
فَمِنso for أَجلِthe sake of ذاthis فيهاamong them خَبيثٌare base ones وَطَيِّبُand good ones
فَمِن أَجلِ ذا فيها خَبيثٌ وَطَيِّبُ
Gifts bear a likeness to those who bestow them;
hence some are base and some are good.
كَذاlikewise البَأسُvalor فيamong أَهلِmen of الغَناءِprowess مُقَسَّمٌis apportioned
كَذا البَأسُ في أَهلِ الغَناءِ مُقَسَّمٌ
وَماand not يَستَويare equal فيهاin it عَلِيٌّ'Ali وَمِرحَبُand Marhab
وَما يَستَوي فيها عَلِيٌّ وَمِرحَبُ
So valor is apportioned among men of prowess;
'Ali and Marhab are not equal in it.
وَقَبلَكَand before you ماnot خِلتُI imagined البُدورَthe full moons لِنائِلٍfor a gift
وَقَبلَكَ ما خِلتُ البُدورَ لِنائِلٍ
تُرَجّىare hoped in وَلاnor زُهرَthe bright ones of الكَواكِبِthe stars تُصهَبُare befriended
تُرَجّى وَلا زُهرَ الكَواكِبِ تُصهَبُ
Before you, I never thought one could hope for gifts from full moons,
or take the bright stars as companions.
فَإِنand if طابَتِare pleasant الأَوطانُhomelands ليto me وَذَكَرتُهاand I remember them
فَإِن طابَتِ الأَوطانُ لي وَذَكَرتُها
فَإِنَّthen indeed مُقاميmy dwelling فيin جَنابِكَyour precinct أَطيَبُis more pleasant
فَإِنَّ مُقامي في جَنابِكَ أَطيَبُ
If homelands please me and I remember them,
my dwelling in your precinct is more pleasant still.
عَدَلتُI turned إِلَيكَto you وَالبِلادُthough the lands رَحيبَةٌare spacious
عَدَلتُ إِلَيكَ وَالبِلادُ رَحيبَةٌ
لِمُرتادِهاfor their seeker لَكِنَّbut صَدرَكَyour breast أَرحَبُis more spacious
لِمُرتادِها لَكِنَّ صَدرَكَ أَرحَبُ
I turned to you, though the lands are spacious
for those who seek them; but your breast is more spacious.
فَهَلso would لَكَyou have فيan interest in مَنsomeone لاnot يَشينُكَdisgraces you قُربُهُhis nearness
فَهَل لَكَ في مَن لا يَشينُكَ قُربُهُ
وَيُعرِبُand speaks eloquently إِنif أَثنىhe praises عَلَيكَyou وَيُغرِبُand offers marvels
وَيُعرِبُ إِن أَثنى عَلَيكَ وَيُغرِبُ
Would you have someone whose nearness does not shame you,
who speaks eloquently and wondrously when he praises you?
إِذاwhen صاغَhe fashions مَدحاًpraise خِلتَهُyou would think him مِنof مُزَينَةٍMuzayna
إِذا صاغَ مَدحاً خِلتَهُ مِن مُزَينَةٍ
وَتَحسَبُهُand you would reckon him مِنof عُذرَةٍ'Udhra حينَwhen يَنسُبُhe sings of love
وَتَحسَبُهُ مِن عُذرَةٍ حينَ يَنسُبُ
When he fashions praise, you would think him of Muzayna,
and reckon him of 'Udhra when he sings of love.
قَوافٍrhymes هِيَthey are الخَمرُwine الحَلالُlawful وَكَأسُهاand its cup
قَوافٍ هِيَ الخَمرُ الحَلالُ وَكَأسُها
لِسانيmy tongue وَلَكِنbut بِالمَسامِعِthrough ears تُشرَبُit is drunk
لِساني وَلَكِن بِالمَسامِعِ تُشرَبُ
Rhymes that are lawful wine, whose cup
is my tongue—yet through the ears it is drunk.
يُحَلِّيsweetens بِهاwith them أَلحانَهُhis melodies كُلُّeveryone مَنwho شَداsings
يُحَلِّي بِها أَلحانَهُ كُلُّ مَن شَدا
وَتَحلوand grow sweet بِأَفواهِon the lips of الرُواةِreciters وَتَعذُبُand become delightful
وَتَحلو بِأَفواهِ الرُواةِ وَتَعذُبُ
Every singer sweetens his melodies with them;
they grow sweet and delightful on reciters' lips.
إِذاwhen أُنشِدَتthey are recited ظَلَّremains الحَسودُthe envious man كَأَنَّهُas though he
إِذا أُنشِدَت ظَلَّ الحَسودُ كَأَنَّهُ
بِماby what ضُمِّنَتthey contain مِنof بارِعِsplendid الحَمدِpraise يُثلَبُis reviled
بِما ضُمِّنَت مِن بارِعِ الحَمدِ يُثلَبُ
When they are recited, the envious man is left as though
their splendid praise were an insult aimed at him.
عَلىupon ظَهرِهِhis back وِقرٌa burden وَفيand in عَينِهِhis eye قَذىًa mote
عَلى ظَهرِهِ وِقرٌ وَفي عَينِهِ قَذىً
وَفيand in سَمعِهِhis hearing وَقرٌdeafness وَفيand in فِيهِhis mouth إِثلِبُgravel
وَفي سَمعِهِ وَقرٌ وَفي فِيهِ إِثلِبُ
On his back a burden, in his eye a mote,
in his hearing deafness, and in his mouth gravel.
أَخَفتَyou frightened الزَمانَTime وَهوَwhile it was راضٍcontent مُسَلِّمٌsubmissive
أَخَفتَ الزَمانَ وَهوَ راضٍ مُسَلِّمٌ
وَأَمَّنَهُand made it feel safe قَومٌpeople مَضَواwho passed away وَهوَwhile it was مُغضَبُangered
وَأَمَّنَهُ قَومٌ مَضَوا وَهوَ مُغضَبُ
You frightened Time while it was content and submissive;
men now gone made it feel safe while it was enraged.
وَإِنَّكَand indeed you أَهدىare best guided of الناسِpeople فيon طُرُقِthe paths of العُلىeminence
وَإِنَّكَ أَهدى الناسِ في طُرُقِ العُلى
سَماrose high بِكَthrough you دَستٌa throne أَوor عَلاrose بِكَthrough you مَوكِبُa procession
سَما بِكَ دَستٌ أَو عَلا بِكَ مَوكِبُ
You are the best guided of men on the paths of eminence,
whether a throne or a procession rises high through you.
وَأَقرَبُand nearer مِنthan إِدراكِattaining ماwhat تَعِدُpromise المُنىhopes
وَأَقرَبُ مِن إِدراكِ ما تَعِدُ المُنى
عِداكَyour enemies طُلوعُis the rising of الشَمسِthe sun مِنfrom حَيثُwhere تَغرُبُit sets
عِداكَ طُلوعُ الشَمسِ مِن حَيثُ تَغرُبُ
And nearer than the attainment of what hopes promise
your enemies is the sun's rising from where it sets.
Translation model: Sol 6.1