أَمِنَIs it from المَنونِdeath وَريبِهاand its uncertainties تَتَوَجَّعُthat you ache
أَمِنَ المَنونِ وَريبِها تَتَوَجَّعُ
وَالدَهرُand time لَيسَdoes not بِمُعتِبٍsatisfy مِنone who يَجزَعُgrieves
وَالدَهرُ لَيسَ بِمُعتِبٍ مِن يَجزَعُ
Is it death and its uncertainties that make you ache?
Time gives no satisfaction to one who grieves.
قالَتshe said أُمَيمَةُUmaymah ماwhy لِجِسمِكَis your body شاحِباًpale
قالَت أُمَيمَةُ ما لِجِسمِكَ شاحِباً
مُنذُsince اِبتَذَلتَyou grew worn وَمِثلُthough one like مالِكَyour wealth يَنفَعُis useful
مُنذُ اِبتَذَلتَ وَمِثلُ مالِكَ يَنفَعُ
Umaymah said, “Why is your body so pale
since you have grown worn, though one with your wealth may prosper?
أَمor why ماwhat لِجَنبِكَis wrong with your side لاdoes not يُلائِمُfit مَضجَعاًa bed
أَم ما لِجَنبِكَ لا يُلائِمُ مَضجَعاً
إِلّاexcept that أَقَضَّdisturbs عَلَيكَyou ذاكَthat المَضجَعُbed
إِلّا أَقَضَّ عَلَيكَ ذاكَ المَضجَعُ
And why can your side find no resting place
without that bed making you restless?”
فَأَجَبتُهاso I answered her أَنthat ماwhat لِجِسمِيَails my body أَنَّهُis that
فَأَجَبتُها أَن ما لِجِسمِيَ أَنَّهُ
أَودىhas taken بَنِيَّmy sons مِنَfrom البِلادِthe land فَوَدَّعواand they departed
أَودى بَنِيَّ مِنَ البِلادِ فَوَدَّعوا
I answered her: “What has happened to my body is that
my sons have perished and departed from this land.
أَودىhas taken بَنِيَّmy sons وَأَعقَبونيand left me غُصَّةًa choking grief
أَودى بَنِيَّ وَأَعقَبوني غُصَّةً
بَعدَafter الرُقادِsleep وَعَبرَةًand a tear لاdoes not تُقلِعُcease
بَعدَ الرُقادِ وَعَبرَةً لا تُقلِعُ
My sons have perished, leaving me a choking grief
after sleep, and tears that never cease.
سَبَقواthey preceded هَوَىَّmy wish وَأَعنَقواand hastened لِهَواهُمُafter their desires
سَبَقوا هَوَىَّ وَأَعنَقوا لِهَواهُمُ
فَتُخُرِّمواso they were taken وَلِكُلِّand for every جَنبٍside مَصرَعُa place of falling
فَتُخُرِّموا وَلِكُلِّ جَنبٍ مَصرَعُ
They went before my wishes and hastened after their own desires;
then they were taken, and every side has its place of falling.
فَغَبَرتُso I remained بَعدَهُمُafter them بِعَيشٍin a life ناصِبٍweary
فَغَبَرتُ بَعدَهُمُ بِعَيشٍ ناصِبٍ
وَإَخالُand I think أَنّيthat I لاحِقٌwill follow مُستَتبَعُcalled after
وَإَخالُ أَنّي لاحِقٌ مُستَتبَعُ
I remained after them in a weary life,
and I think I shall follow, summoned after them.
وَلَقَدand indeed حَرِصتُI strove بِأَنto أُدافِعَward off عَنهُمُfrom them
وَلَقَد حَرِصتُ بِأَن أُدافِعَ عَنهُمُ
فَإِذاbut when المَنِيِّةُdeath أَقبَلَتcame لاcannot تُدفَعُbe repelled
فَإِذا المَنِيِّةُ أَقبَلَت لا تُدفَعُ
I was eager to ward death away from them,
but when death comes, it cannot be repelled.
وَإِذاand when المَنِيَّةُdeath أَنشَبَتsank in أَظفارَهاits claws
وَإِذا المَنِيَّةُ أَنشَبَت أَظفارَها
أَلفَيتَyou found كُلَّevery تَميمَةٍamulet لاdoes not تَنفَعُhelp
أَلفَيتَ كُلَّ تَميمَةٍ لا تَنفَعُ
When death sinks in its claws,
you find that every amulet is useless.
فَالعَينُso the eye بَعدَهُمُafter them كَأَنَّas though حِداقَهاits pupils
فَالعَينُ بَعدَهُمُ كَأَنَّ حِداقَها
سُمِلَتwere pierced بشَوكٍwith thorns فَهِيَso it is عورٌwounded تَدمَعُweeping
سُمِلَت بشَوكٍ فَهِيَ عورٌ تَدمَعُ
Since they died, my eyes are as though their pupils
had been pierced by thorns: wounded eyes that weep.
حَتّىuntil كَأَنّيas though I لِلحَوادِثِto calamities مَروَةٌam a hard stone
حَتّى كَأَنّي لِلحَوادِثِ مَروَةٌ
بِصَفاagainst the rock المُشَرَّقِof al-Musharraq كُلَّevery يَومٍday تُقرَعُis struck
بِصَفا المُشَرَّقِ كُلَّ يَومٍ تُقرَعُ
I am like a hard stone under the blows of calamity,
struck each day against the rock of al-Musharraq.
لاinevitably بُدَّthere is مِنof تَلَفٍdestruction مُقيمٍawaiting فَاِنتَظِرso wait
لا بُدَّ مِن تَلَفٍ مُقيمٍ فَاِنتَظِر
أَبِأَرضِis it in the land of قَومِكَyour people أَمor بِأُخرىin another المَصرَعُthe place of falling
أَبِأَرضِ قَومِكَ أَم بِأُخرى المَصرَعُ
Destruction surely awaits; wait and see
whether your fall comes in your people's land or another.
وَلَقَدand indeed أَرىI think أَنَّthat البُكاءَweeping سَفاهَةٌis foolishness
وَلَقَد أَرى أَنَّ البُكاءَ سَفاهَةٌ
وَلَسَوفَand surely يولَعُwill be given بِالبُكاto weeping مِنone who يَفجَعُis bereaved
وَلَسَوفَ يولَعُ بِالبُكا مِن يَفجَعُ
I used to think weeping was foolishness,
but one who is bereaved will surely be given to tears.
وَليَأتِيَنَّand surely will come عَلَيكَupon you يَومٌa day مَرَّةًonce
وَليَأتِيَنَّ عَلَيكَ يَومٌ مَرَّةً
يُبكىpeople will weep عَلَيكَover you مُقَنَّعاًshrouded لاyou do not تَسمَعُhear
يُبكى عَلَيكَ مُقَنَّعاً لا تَسمَعُ
A day will surely come for you, once,
when people weep over you, shrouded and unable to hear.
وَتَجَلُّديand my endurance لِلشامِتينَfor the gloaters أُريهِمُI show them
وَتَجَلُّدي لِلشامِتينَ أُريهِمُ
أَنّيthat I لَرَيبِbefore the uncertainty of الدَهرِtime لاdo not أَتَضَعضَعُfalter
أَنّي لَرَيبِ الدَهرِ لا أَتَضَعضَعُ
I show endurance to those who gloat,
so they see that the reversals of time do not make me falter.
وَالنَفسُand the soul راغِبِةٌis desirous إِذاwhen رَغَّبتَهاyou stir its desires
وَالنَفسُ راغِبِةٌ إِذا رَغَّبتَها
فَإِذاbut when تُرَدُّit is brought back إِلىto قَليلٍa little تَقنَعُit is content
فَإِذا تُرَدُّ إِلى قَليلٍ تَقنَعُ
The soul longs for more when you encourage its longing;
when brought back to little, it is content.
كَمhow many مِنof جَميعِa united الشَملِhousehold مُلتَئِمُjoined in الهَوىaffection
كَم مِن جَميعِ الشَملِ مُلتَئِمُ الهَوى
باتواspent the night بِعَيشٍin a life ناعِمٍcomfortable فَتَصَدَّعواthen they scattered
باتوا بِعَيشٍ ناعِمٍ فَتَصَدَّعوا
How many a united household, joined in affection,
spent the night in ease and then was scattered.
فَلَئِنand even if بِهِمwith them فَجَعَafflicted الزَمانُtime وَرَيبُهُand its uncertainties
فَلَئِن بِهِم فَجَعَ الزَمانُ وَرَيبُهُ
إِنّيindeed I بِأَهلِof my loved ones مَوَدَّتيmy affection لَمُفَجَّعُam surely bereaved
إِنّي بِأَهلِ مَوَدَّتي لَمُفَجَّعُ
If time and its uncertainties have struck them with loss,
I too have been bereaved of those I love.
وَالدَهرُand time لاdoes not يَبقىspare عَلىamid حَدَثانِهِits changes
وَالدَهرُ لا يَبقى عَلى حَدَثانِهِ
فيon رَأسِthe summit of شاهِقَةٍa high peak أَعَزُّthe mightiest مُمَنَّعُsheltered one
في رَأسِ شاهِقَةٍ أَعَزُّ مُمَنَّعُ
Time, amid its changes, does not spare
even the strongest creature sheltered atop a high peak.
وَالدَهرُand time لاdoes not يَبقىspare عَلىamid حَدَثانِهِits changes
وَالدَهرُ لا يَبقى عَلى حَدَثانِهِ
جَونُa dark one السَراةِof the back لَهُhaving جَدائِدُpale markings أَربَعُfour
جَونُ السَراةِ لَهُ جَدائِدُ أَربَعُ
Time, amid its changes, does not spare
a dark backed creature with four pale markings,
صَخِبُnoisy الشَوارِبِat the muzzle لاdoes not يَزالُcease كَأَنَّهُas though it
صَخِبُ الشَوارِبِ لا يَزالُ كَأَنَّهُ
عَبدٌwere a servant لِآلِof the family of أَبيAbu رَبيعَةَRabiʿah مُسبَعُcharged with feeding beasts
عَبدٌ لِآلِ أَبي رَبيعَةَ مُسبَعُ
loud at the muzzle, as though it were always
a servant of Abu Rabiʿah's family charged with feeding beasts.
أَكَلَit ate الجَميمَthe fresh grass وَطاوَعَتهُand followed it سَمحَجٌa lean female
أَكَلَ الجَميمَ وَطاوَعَتهُ سَمحَجٌ
مِثلُlike القَناةِa spear shaft وَأَزعَلَتهُand stirred it الأَمرُعُُthe lush pastures
مِثلُ القَناةِ وَأَزعَلَتهُ الأَمرُعُُ
It ate the fresh grass, while a lean female followed it,
straight as a spear shaft, and the lush pastures stirred it.
بِقَرارِin the bottoms of قيعانٍhollows سَقاهاwatered them وابِلٌheavy rain
بِقَرارِ قيعانٍ سَقاها وابِلٌ
واهٍpouring فَأَثجَمَand it poured بُرهَةًfor a while لاdid not يُقلِعُcease
واهٍ فَأَثجَمَ بُرهَةً لا يُقلِعُ
In the bottoms of hollows drenched by heavy rain,
the rain poured for a time without stopping.
فَلَبِثنَso they stayed حيناًa while يَعتَلِجنَjostling بِرَوضَةٍin a meadow
فَلَبِثنَ حيناً يَعتَلِجنَ بِرَوضَةٍ
فَيَجِدُّand he strove حيناًat times فيin the struggle العِلاجِand frisked about وَيَشمَعُat other times
فَيَجِدُّ حيناً في العِلاجِ وَيَشمَعُ
The females lingered awhile, jostling in a meadow,
while he now strove among them, now frisked.
حَتّىuntil إِذاwhen جَزَرَتreceded مِياهُthe waters of رُزونِهِits pools
حَتّى إِذا جَزَرَت مِياهُ رُزونِهِ
وَبِأَيِّand by whatever حينِtime of مِلاوَةٍa span تَتَقَطَّعُis cut short
وَبِأَيِّ حينِ مِلاوَةٍ تَتَقَطَّعُ
Then, when the water in its pools receded
and the span of their stay was drawing to an end,
ذَكَرَhe remembered الوُرودَgoing to water بِهاthere وَشاقىand troubled أَمرَهُhis purpose
ذَكَرَ الوُرودَ بِها وَشاقى أَمرَهُ
شُؤمٌan ill omen وَأَقبَلَand approached حَينُهُhis death يَتَتَبَّعُfollowing him
شُؤمٌ وَأَقبَلَ حَينُهُ يَتَتَبَّعُ
he thought of leading them to water, but an ill omen
troubled his purpose, and his death drew near.
فَاِفتَنَّهُنَّso he drove them مِنfrom السَواءِthe open ground وَماؤُهُand its water
فَاِفتَنَّهُنَّ مِن السَواءِ وَماؤُهُ
بِثرٌwas scant وَعانَدَهُand crossed him طَريقٌa road مَهيَعُbroad
بِثرٌ وَعانَدَهُ طَريقٌ مَهيَعُ
He drove them from the open ground, though its water
was scant and a broad road lay across his way.
فَكَأَنَّهاso they seemed بِالجِزعِin the valley بَينَbetween يُنابِعٍYunabiʿ
فَكَأَنَّها بِالجِزعِ بَينَ يُنابِعٍ
وَأولاتِand Awlat ذيDhi العَرجاءِal-ʿArjaʾ نَهبٌbooty مُجمَعُgathered
وَأولاتِ ذي العَرجاءِ نَهبٌ مُجمَعُ
In the valley between Yunabiʿ
and Awlat Dhi al-ʿArjaʾ, they looked like booty gathered together.
وَكَأَنَّهُنَّand they seemed رَبابَةٌa bundle of gaming arrows وَكَأَنَّهُand he seemed
وَكَأَنَّهُنَّ رَبابَةٌ وَكَأَنَّهُ
يَسَرٌa lot player يُفيضُcasting عَلىover القِداحِthe arrows وَيَصدَعُand calling out
يَسَرٌ يُفيضُ عَلى القِداحِ وَيَصدَعُ
The females seemed a bundle of gaming arrows, and he
a player casting the lots and calling them out.
وَكَأَنَّماand as though هُوَhe مِدوَسٌwere a pestle مُتَقَلِّبٌturning
وَكَأَنَّما هُوَ مِدوَسٌ مُتَقَلِّبٌ
فيin الكَفِّthe hand إِلّاexcept أَنَّهُthat he هُوَhe أَضلَعُis broader in the ribs
في الكَفِّ إِلّا أَنَّهُ هُوَ أَضلَعُ
He seemed a pestle turning
in the hand, only broader in the ribs.
فَوَرَدنَso they came to water وَالعَيّوقُwhile al-ʿAyyuq مَقعَدَwas at the station of رابِىءِa watcher of الضthe beginning of ‘scree’
فَوَرَدنَ وَالعَيّوقُ مَقعَدَ رابِىءِ الض
ضُرَباءِthe scree فَوقَabove النَظمِal-Nazm لاdoes not يَتَتَلَّعُrise higher
ضُرَباءِ فَوقَ النَظمِ لا يَتَتَلَّعُ
They came to water when al-ʿAyyuq stood at the watcher's station on the scree
above al-Nazm, without rising higher.
فَشَرَعنَso they entered فيinto حَجَراتِpockets of عَذبٍsweet بارِدٍcold water
فَشَرَعنَ في حَجَراتِ عَذبٍ بارِدٍ
حَصِبِstony البِطاحِstreambeds تَغيبُdisappear فيهِin it الأَكرُعُthe legs
حَصِبِ البِطاحِ تَغيبُ فيهِ الأَكرُعُ
They entered pockets of sweet, cold water,
where the stony streambeds hid their legs.
فَشَرِبنَso they drank ثُمَّthen سَمِعنَthey heard حِسّاًa sound دونَهُbeyond it
فَشَرِبنَ ثُمَّ سَمِعنَ حِسّاً دونَهُ
شَرَفُthe height of الحِجابِthe barrier وَرَيبَand the uncertainty of قَرعٍa knock يُقرَعُbeing struck
شَرَفُ الحِجابِ وَرَيبَ قَرعٍ يُقرَعُ
They drank, then heard a sound beyond
the high barrier, and the uncertain beat of a knocking.
وَنَميمَةًand a faint sound مِنfrom قانِصٍa hunter مُتَلَبِّبٍgirded for action
وَنَميمَةً مِن قانِصٍ مُتَلَبِّبٍ
فيin كَفِّهِhis hand جَشءٌa bow أَجَشُّrough وَأَقطُعُand blunt
في كَفِّهِ جَشءٌ أَجَشُّ وَأَقطُعُ
They heard the faint sound of a hunter girded for action,
with a rough, blunt bow in his hand.
فَنَكِرنَهُso they sensed him فَنَفَرنَand fled وَاِمتَرَسَتand grappled بِهِwith him
فَنَكِرنَهُ فَنَفَرنَ وَاِمتَرَسَت بِهِ
سَطعاءُa broad headed female هادِيَةٌleading وَهادٍand a guide جُرشُعُgaunt
سَطعاءُ هادِيَةٌ وَهادٍ جُرشُعُ
They sensed him and fled; a broad headed leader
and a gaunt guide struggled against him.
فَرَمىso he shot فَأَنفَذَand pierced through مِنfrom نَجودٍa mature female عائِطٍfull grown
فَرَمى فَأَنفَذَ مِن نَجودٍ عائِطٍ
سَهماًan arrow فَخَرَّthen it fell وَريشُهُand its feathers مُتَصَمِّعُcrumpled
سَهماً فَخَرَّ وَريشُهُ مُتَصَمِّعُ
He shot an arrow through a mature female,
and it fell, its feathers crumpled.
فَبَداthen appeared لَهُto him أَقرابُthe flanks of هذاthis one رائِغاًveering
فَبَدا لَهُ أَقرابُ هذا رائِغاً
عَجِلاًin haste فَعَيَّثَso he rummaged فيin الكِنانَةِthe quiver يُرجِعُseeking again
عَجِلاً فَعَيَّثَ في الكِنانَةِ يُرجِعُ
Then another creature's flank showed to him, veering
in haste; he rummaged through his quiver for another arrow.
فَرَمىso he shot فَأَلحَقَand lodged صاعِدِيّاًa long arrow مِطحَراًdriven forcefully
فَرَمى فَأَلحَقَ صاعِدِيّاً مِطحَراً
بِالكَشحِin the flank فَاِشتَمَّلَتand closed عَلَيهِaround it الأَضلُعُthe ribs
بِالكَشحِ فَاِشتَمَّلَت عَلَيهِ الأَضلُعُ
He shot and lodged a long, forceful arrow
in its flank, where the ribs closed around it.
فَأَبَدَّهُنَّso he scattered them حُتوفَهُنَّtoward their deaths فَهارِبٌand one fleeing
فَأَبَدَّهُنَّ حُتوفَهُنَّ فَهارِبٌ
بِذَمائِهِwith its remaining life أَوor بارِكٌone crouching مُتَجَعجِعُwrithing
بِذَمائِهِ أَو بارِكٌ مُتَجَعجِعُ
He scattered them toward their deaths: one fled
with the last of its life, another crouched in agony.
يَعثُرنَthey stumble فيagainst حَدِّthe edges of الظُباتِthe blades كَأَنَّماas though
يَعثُرنَ في حَدِّ الظُباتِ كَأَنَّما
كُسِيَتwere clothed بُرودَin patterned cloaks بَنيof Banu يَزيدَYazid الأَذرُعُthe forelegs
كُسِيَت بُرودَ بَني يَزيدَ الأَذرُعُ
They stumbled against the sharp blades, as though
their forelegs wore the patterned cloaks of Banu Yazid.
وَالدَهرُand time لاdoes not يَبقىspare عَلىamid حَدَثانِهِits changes
وَالدَهرُ لا يَبقى عَلى حَدَثانِهِ
شَبَبٌa young gazelle أَفَزَّتهُstartled it الكِلابُthe dogs مُرَوَّعُterrified
شَبَبٌ أَفَزَّتهُ الكِلابُ مُرَوَّعُ
Time, amid its changes, does not spare
a frightened young gazelle startled by dogs.
شَعَفَseized with fear الكِلابُthe dogs الضارِياتُfierce فُؤادَهُits heart
شَعَفَ الكِلابُ الضارِياتُ فُؤادَهُ
فَإِذاand when يَرىit sees الصُبحَthe dawn المُصَدَّقَunmistakable يَفزَعُit panics
فَإِذا يَرى الصُبحَ المُصَدَّقَ يَفزَعُ
The fierce dogs seized its heart with fear;
at the sight of the unmistakable dawn, it panicked.
وَيَعوذُand it seeks refuge بِالأَرطىin the arta shrubs إِذاwhen ماindeed شَفَّهُwears it down
وَيَعوذُ بِالأَرطى إِذا ما شَفَّهُ
قَطرٌrain وَراحَتهُand its wind بَلِيلٌwet زَعزَعُshaking
قَطرٌ وَراحَتهُ بَلِيلٌ زَعزَعُ
It sought shelter among the arta shrubs whenever
rain exhausted it and a wet, shaking wind blew.
يَرميit searches بِعَينَيهِwith its eyes الغُيوبَthe unseen distances وَطَرفُهُwhile its gaze
يَرمي بِعَينَيهِ الغُيوبَ وَطَرفُهُ
مُغضٍis lowered يُصَدِّقُconfirms طَرفُهُits sight ماwhat يَسمَعُit hears
مُغضٍ يُصَدِّقُ طَرفُهُ ما يَسمَعُ
It searched the unseen distance with its eyes, while its gaze
was lowered, and its sight confirmed what it heard.
فَغَداso it went at dawn يُشَرِّقُturning eastward مَتنَهُits back فَبَداand appeared لَهُto it
فَغَدا يُشَرِّقُ مَتنَهُ فَبَدا لَهُ
أَولىthe foremost سَوابِقَهاof their leaders قَريباًnearby توزَعُbeing urged on
أَولى سَوابِقَها قَريباً توزَعُ
At morning it turned its back toward the east and saw
the foremost of the pursuing pack close by, being urged on.
فَاِهتاجَso it leapt up مِنfrom فَزَعٍfear وَسَدَّand closed فُروجَهُits gaps
فَاِهتاجَ مِن فَزَعٍ وَسَدَّ فُروجَهُ
غُبرٌdust colored ones ضَوارٍfierce وافِيانِtwo full grown وَأَجدَعُand a cropped one
غُبرٌ ضَوارٍ وافِيانِ وَأَجدَعُ
It sprang up in fright, while its gaps were closed by
dust colored, fierce dogs, two full grown and one cropped.
يَنهَشنَهُthey snap at it وَيَذُبُّهُنَّand it wards them off وَيَحتَميand defends itself
يَنهَشنَهُ وَيَذُبُّهُنَّ وَيَحتَمي
عَبلُstout الشَوىof leg بِالطُرَّتَينِon both sides of the face مُوَلَّعُmarked
عَبلُ الشَوى بِالطُرَّتَينِ مُوَلَّعُ
They snapped at it; it drove them off and defended itself,
stout of leg and marked on both sides of its face.
فَنَحاso it turned لَهاtoward them بِمُذَلَّقَينِwith two sharp horns كَأَنَّماas though
فَنَحا لَها بِمُذَلَّقَينِ كَأَنَّما
بِهِماon both of them مِنَfrom النَضحِspattered drops المُجَدَّحِmixed أَيدَعُwere red dye
بِهِما مِنَ النَضحِ المُجَدَّحِ أَيدَعُ
It turned on them with two sharp horns, as though
their tips bore red dye spattered in drops.
فَكَأَنَّso as though سَفّودَينِtwo roasting spits لَمّاnot yet يُقتَراhad been set over fire
فَكَأَنَّ سَفّودَينِ لَمّا يُقتَرا
عَجِلاwere hurried لَهُfor it بِشَواءِwith roast meat شَربٍof a drinking party يُنزَعُbeing drawn out
عَجِلا لَهُ بِشَواءِ شَربٍ يُنزَعُ
They seemed two roasting spits, not yet set over the fire,
hurriedly withdrawn from a feast's roast meat.
فَصَرَعنَهُso they brought it down تَحتَbeneath الغُبارِthe dust وَجَنبُهُand its side
فَصَرَعنَهُ تَحتَ الغُبارِ وَجَنبُهُ
مُتَتَرِّبٌcovered with earth وَلِكُلِّand for every جَنبٍside مَصرَعُa place of falling
مُتَتَرِّبٌ وَلِكُلِّ جَنبٍ مَصرَعُ
The dogs brought it down beneath the dust, its side
covered with earth; every side has its place of falling.
حَتّىuntil إِذاwhen اِرتَدَّتit turned back وَأَقصَدَand struck عُصبَةًa group
حَتّى إِذا اِرتَدَّت وَأَقصَدَ عُصبَةً
مِنهاof them وَقامَand rose شَريدُهاtheir straggler يَتَضَرَّعُwhimpering
مِنها وَقامَ شَريدُها يَتَضَرَّعُ
When the pack turned back and he struck a group
of them, the straggler rose whimpering.
فَبَداthen appeared لَهُto it رَبُّthe master of الكِلابِthe dogs بِكَفِّهِin his hand
فَبَدا لَهُ رَبُّ الكِلابِ بِكَفِّهِ
بيضٌwhite arrows رِهافٌslender ريشُهُنَّtheir feathers مُقَزَّعُragged
بيضٌ رِهافٌ ريشُهُنَّ مُقَزَّعُ
The dogs' master appeared to him, holding
slender white arrows with ragged fletching.
فَرَمىso he shot لِيُنقِذَto save فَرَّهاtheir flight فَهَوىand flew لَهُtoward it
فَرَمى لِيُنقِذَ فَرَّها فَهَوى لَهُ
سَهمٌan arrow فَأَنفَذَand pierced طُرَّتَيهِboth sides of its neck المِنزَعُthe drawn shot
سَهمٌ فَأَنفَذَ طُرَّتَيهِ المِنزَعُ
He shot to save his fleeing dogs; an arrow flew at the gazelle
and passed through both sides of its neck.
فَكَباso it stumbled كَماas يَكبوstumbles فِنيقٌa stallion تارِزٌlean
فَكَبا كَما يَكبو فِنيقٌ تارِزٌ
بِالخُبتِon the open plain إِلّاexcept أَنَّهُthat it هُوَit أَبرَعُis more fleet
بِالخُبتِ إِلّا أَنَّهُ هُوَ أَبرَعُ
It stumbled like a lean, exhausted stallion
on the open plain, though it was more fleet than he.
وَالدَهرُand time لاdoes not يَبقىspare عَلىamid حَدَثانِهِits changes
وَالدَهرُ لا يَبقى عَلى حَدَثانِهِ
مُستَشعِرٌone wearing close حَلَقَlinks of الحَديدِiron مُقَنَّعُhelmeted
مُستَشعِرٌ حَلَقَ الحَديدِ مُقَنَّعُ
Time, amid its changes, does not spare
a warrior clad in linked iron and a helmet.
حَمِيَتgrew hot عَلَيهِupon him الدِرعُthe armor حَتّىuntil وَجهُهُhis face
حَمِيَت عَلَيهِ الدِرعُ حَتّى وَجهُهُ
مِنfrom حَرِّهاits heat يَومَon the day of الكَريهَةِbattle أَسفَعُwas darkened
مِن حَرِّها يَومَ الكَريهَةِ أَسفَعُ
His armor grew hot upon him until his face
was darkened by its heat on the day of battle.
تَعدوraces بِهِbeneath him خَوصاءُa hollow flanked mount يَفصِمُbreaks جَريُهاits running
تَعدو بِهِ خَوصاءُ يَفصِمُ جَريُها
حَلَقَthe rings of الرِحالَةِthe saddle فَهِيَwhile it رِخوٌwith loose reins تَمزَعُsurges onward
حَلَقَ الرِحالَةِ فَهِيَ رِخوٌ تَمزَعُ
A hollow flanked mount raced beneath him, its running breaking
the saddle's rings, while it surged on with loose reins.
قَصَرَhe withheld الصَبوحَthe morning drink لَهاfrom it فَشَرَّجَso he drew tight لَحمَهاits flesh
قَصَرَ الصَبوحَ لَها فَشَرَّجَ لَحمَها
بِالنَيِّagainst the sinews فَهِيَso it تَثوخُsinks in فيهاinto it الإِصبَعُthe finger
بِالنَيِّ فَهِيَ تَثوخُ فيها الإِصبَعُ
He withheld its morning drink, and hunger drew its flesh tight
against the sinews, so that a finger sank into it.
مُتَفَلِّقٌstanding out أَنساؤُهاits sinews عَنfrom قانِيٍsomething blood red
مُتَفَلِّقٌ أَنساؤُها عَن قانِيٍ
كَالقُرطِlike an earring صاوٍwithered غُبرُهُits udder لاdoes not يُرضَعُgive milk
كَالقُرطِ صاوٍ غُبرُهُ لا يُرضَعُ
Its sinews stood out around something blood red,
like an earring; its withered udder gave no milk.
تَأبىit refuses بِدُرَّتِهاits milk إِذاwhen ماindeed اِستُكرِهَتpressed
تَأبى بِدُرَّتِها إِذا ما اِستُكرِهَت
إِلّاexcept الحَميمَa little milk فَإِنَّهُfor it يَتَبَضَّعُcomes out in drops
إِلّا الحَميمَ فَإِنَّهُ يَتَبَضَّعُ
It refused to yield its milk when pressed,
except for a little that came out in drops.
بَينَناamid تَعَنُّقِهِhis grappling with الكُماةَwarriors وَرَوغِهِand his darting aside
بَينَنا تَعَنُّقِهِ الكُماةَ وَرَوغِهِ
يَوماًone day أُتيحَwas brought against لَهُhim جَرىءٌa bold man سَلفَعُimpetuous
يَوماً أُتيحَ لَهُ جَرىءٌ سَلفَعُ
Amid his grappling with warriors and darting aside,
one day a bold, impetuous opponent confronted him.
يَعدوruns بِهِbeneath him نَهِشُgaunt of المُشاشِbone ends كَأَنّهُas though it
يَعدو بِهِ نَهِشُ المُشاشِ كَأَنّهُ
صَدَعٌa mountain goat سَليمٌsound رَجعُهُits gait لاdoes not يَظلَعُlimp
صَدَعٌ سَليمٌ رَجعُهُ لا يَظلَعُ
A gaunt mount ran beneath that man, as though it were
a sound mountain goat whose gait never limped.
فَتَنادَياso the two called out وَتَواقَفَتand faced each other خَيلاهُماtheir two horses
فَتَنادَيا وَتَواقَفَت خَيلاهُما
وَكِلاهُماand each of them بَطَلُa champion of اللِقاءِcombat مُخَدَّعُbattle hardened
وَكِلاهُما بَطَلُ اللِقاءِ مُخَدَّعُ
The two called out, and their horses halted face to face;
each was a battle hardened champion.
مُتَحامِيَينِboth defending المَجدَhonor كُلٌّeach واثِقٌconfident
مُتَحامِيَينِ المَجدَ كُلٌّ واثِقٌ
بِبَلائِهِin his prowess وَاليَومُand the day يَومٌis a day أَشنَعُmost dreadful
بِبَلائِهِ وَاليَومُ يَومٌ أَشنَعُ
Both defended their honor, each confident
in his prowess, on a day of dreadful combat.
وَعَلَيهِماand upon them both مَسرودَتانِtwo linked mail coats قَضاهُماwrought them
وَعَلَيهِما مَسرودَتانِ قَضاهُما
داودٌDavid أَوor صَنَعُthe maker of السَوابِغِample armor تُبَّعُTubbaʿ
داودٌ أَو صَنَعُ السَوابِغِ تُبَّعُ
They wore two coats of mail, wrought
by David, or by Tubbaʿ, maker of ample armor.
وَكِلاهُماand each of them فيin كَفِّهِhis hand يَزَنِيَّةٌa Yazan spear
وَكِلاهُما في كَفِّهِ يَزَنِيَّةٌ
فيهاin it سِنانٌa spear point كَالمَنارَةِlike a beacon أَصلَعُbare and gleaming
فيها سِنانٌ كَالمَنارَةِ أَصلَعُ
Each held in his hand a spear from Yazan,
with a bare, gleaming point like a beacon.
وَكِلاهُماand each of them مُتَوَشِّحٌwearing at his side ذاone with رَونَقٍa gleam
وَكِلاهُما مُتَوَشِّحٌ ذا رَونَقٍ
عَضباًa sharp sword إِذاwhen مَسَّit touches الضَريبَةَthe struck object يَقطَعُit cuts
عَضباً إِذا مَسَّ الضَريبَةَ يَقطَعُ
Each wore at his side a shining
sharp sword that cut whatever it struck.
فَتَخالَساso the two struck at نَفسَيهِماeach other's lives بِنَوافِذٍwith piercing blows
فَتَخالَسا نَفسَيهِما بِنَوافِذٍ
كَنَوافِذِlike wounds of العُبُطِfresh flesh الَّتيwhich لاcannot تُرقَعُbe sewn shut
كَنَوافِذِ العُبُطِ الَّتي لا تُرقَعُ
They struck at each other's lives with piercing blows,
like wounds in unhealed flesh that cannot be sewn shut.
وَكِلاهُماand each of them قَدindeed عاشَhad lived عيشَةَthe life of ماجِدٍa noble man
وَكِلاهُما قَد عاشَ عيشَةَ ماجِدٍ
وَجَنىand won العَلاءَdistinction لَوif أَنَّindeed شَيئاًanything يَنفَعُcould help
وَجَنى العَلاءَ لَو أَنَّ شَيئاً يَنفَعُ
Both had lived as noble men
and won distinction, if anything could have helped them.
Translation model: Sol 6