ماnot العُمرُlife ماطالَتwhat is prolonged بِهِby it الدُهورُthe ages
ما العُمرُ ماطالَت بِهِ الدُهورُ
العُمرُlife ماتَمَّwhat is complete بِهِin it السُرورُjoy
العُمرُ ماتَمَّ بِهِ السُرورُ
Life is not what the ages prolong;
The life that lasts with lengthening ages,
Life is that in which joy is complete.
The life that elates with sheer joy,
أَيّامُthe days عِزّيof my glory وَنَفاذِand the fulfillment أَمريof my command
أَيّامُ عِزّي وَنَفاذِ أَمري
هِيَthey الَّتيare those that أَحسِبُهاI count them مِنas part of عُمريmy life
هِيَ الَّتي أَحسِبُها مِن عُمري
The days of my glory and my command's fulfillment
My days of glory and command unceasing,
Are those I count as part of my life.
Those are the days I count my life's employ.
ماhow أَجوَرَunjust الدَهرَTime عَلىtoward بَنيهِits children
ما أَجوَرَ الدَهرَ عَلى بَنيهِ
وَأَغدَرَand how treacherous الدَهرَTime بِمَنto whoever يُصفيهِis devoted to it
وَأَغدَرَ الدَهرَ بِمَن يُصفيهِ
How unjust Time is to its children,
How prosperity has wronged its people!
And how treacherous to those devoted to it!
How time has favoured whom it specifies!
لَوif شِئتُI wished مِمّاbecause of how قَدindeed قَلَلنَthey became few جِدّاًvery much
لَو شِئتُ مِمّا قَد قَلَلنَ جِدّاً
عَدَدتُI could count أَيّامَthe days السُرورِof joy عَدّاone by one
عَدَدتُ أَيّامَ السُرورِ عَدّا
If I wished, so very few have they become,
Had I the wish from little I've diminished
I could count the days of joy one by one.
I could count up bright days of joy that rise
أَنعَمتُI enjoyed يَوماًa day مَرَّthat passed ليfor me بِالشامِin al-Sham
أَنعَمتُ يَوماً مَرَّ لي بِالشامِ
أَلَذَّthe sweetest ماof what مَرَّpassed مِنَamong الأَيّامِthe days
أَلَذَّ ما مَرَّ مِنَ الأَيّامِ
I enjoyed a day that passed for me in al-Sham,
One day I lived in Syria rapturous,
The sweetest of all the days that passed.
Of all my days the most delicious prize
دَعَوتُI summoned بِالصَقّارِthe falconer ذاتَone يَومِday
دَعَوتُ بِالصَقّارِ ذاتَ يَومِ
عِندَupon اِنتِباهيmy waking سَحَراًbefore dawn مِنfrom نَوميmy sleep
عِندَ اِنتِباهي سَحَراً مِن نَومي
One day I summoned the falconer
At dawn I summoned up my fowler boldly
Upon waking from sleep before dawn.
To choose from his large stock the best supplies
قُلتُI said لَهُto him اِختَرchoose سَبعَةًseven كِباراlarge ones
قُلتُ لَهُ اِختَر سَبعَةً كِبارا
كُلٌّeach نَجيبٌfine-bred يَرِدُenters الغُباراthe dust
كُلٌّ نَجيبٌ يَرِدُ الغُبارا
I told him, 'Choose seven large ones,
Choose seven fully-grown and noble hawks, I said,
Each fine-bred, plunging into the dust.
Let two for hares and small game suffice,
يَكونُshall be لِلأَرنَبِfor the hare مِنهاof them اِثنانِtwo
يَكونُ لِلأَرنَبِ مِنها اِثنانِ
وَخَمسَةٌand five تُفرَدُare set apart لِلغِزلانِfor gazelles
وَخَمسَةٌ تُفرَدُ لِلغِزلانِ
Let two of them be for the hare,
The other five release in pairs alternate
And five be set apart for gazelles.
To course the gazelle over plains and rise
وَاِجعَلand divide كِلابَthe hounds الصَيدِof the hunt نَوبَتَينِinto two shifts
وَاِجعَل كِلابَ الصَيدِ نَوبَتَينِ
تُرسِلُyou release مِنهاof them اِثنَينِtwo بَعدَafter اِثنَينِtwo
تُرسِلُ مِنها اِثنَينِ بَعدَ اِثنَينِ
Divide the hunting hounds into two shifts,
Send not too soon my hounds that hunt fox slyly
Releasing them two after two.
They are death's heralds to the antelopes' demise.
وَلاand do not تُؤَخِّرleave behind أَكلُبَthe hounds العِراضِof al-Irad
وَلا تُؤَخِّر أَكلُبَ العِراضِ
فَهُنَّfor they حَتفٌare doom لِلظِباءِfor gazelles قاضِdecisive
فَهُنَّ حَتفٌ لِلظِباءِ قاضِ
Do not leave the hounds of al-Irad behind:
Then to my cooks I went inspecting gladly
They are a decisive doom for gazelles.'
My Greyhound sniffed, attendants girt their thighs
ثُمَّthen تَقَدَّمتُI gave instructions إِلىto الفَهّادِthe cheetah keeper
ثُمَّ تَقَدَّمتُ إِلى الفَهّادِ
وَالبازِيارينَand the hawk handlers بِالاِستِعدادِto prepare
وَالبازِيارينَ بِالاِستِعدادِ
Then I instructed the cheetah keeper
Five birds, I said, will sate expected clusters
And the hawk handlers to prepare.
So save the surplus and curtail supplies
وَقُلتُand I said إِنَّindeed خَمسَةًfive لَتُقنِعُwill surely suffice
وَقُلتُ إِنَّ خَمسَةً لَتُقنِعُ
وَالزُرَّقانِand the two zurraq hawks الفَرخُthe young one وَالمُلَمَّعُand the mottled one
وَالزُرَّقانِ الفَرخُ وَالمُلَمَّعُ
I said, 'Five will surely suffice,
Make haste with sauce and soups and serving swiftly,
With the two zurraq hawks, the young one and the mottled.
Offering a feast that will not agonize
وَأَنتَand you ياطَبّاخُO cook لاتَباطاdo not delay
وَأَنتَ ياطَبّاخُ لاتَباطا
عَجِّلhurry لَناfor us اللَبّاتِthe breasts وَالأَوساطاand the midsections
عَجِّل لَنا اللَبّاتِ وَالأَوساطا
And you, cook, do not delay:
You makers of sherbets with scent enticing!
Hurry the breasts and midsections to us.
Prepare refreshments easy to devise
وَياand O شَرابِيَّmy cupbearer المُصَفَّياتِthe clear vessels
وَيا شَرابِيَّ المُصَفَّياتِ
تَكونُshall be بِالراحِwith wine مُيَسَّراتِready
تَكونُ بِالراحِ مُيَسَّراتِ
And, my cupbearer, have the clear vessels
I charge you load no heavy victuals on us
Ready with wine.
Avoid excess, leave nothing to despise
بِاللَهِby God لاdo not تَستَصحِبواtake along ثَقيلاًa tiresome person
بِاللَهِ لا تَستَصحِبوا ثَقيلاً
وَاِجتَنِبواand avoid الكَثرَةَexcessive numbers وَالفُضولاand superfluous company
وَاِجتَنِبوا الكَثرَةَ وَالفُضولا
By God, bring no tiresome companion,
Leave such a man behind and take another,
And avoid excessive numbers and superfluous company.
But let your catch be surety for your prize
رُدّواsend back فُلاناًso-and-so وَخُذواand take فُلاناso-and-so
رُدّوا فُلاناً وَخُذوا فُلانا
وَضَمِّنونيand make me guarantor صَيدَكُمof your catch ضَماناas a guarantee
وَضَمِّنوني صَيدَكُم ضَمانا
Send so-and-so back, and bring so-and-so;
At length I chose, what time they stood expectant,
Let me stand surety for your catch.'
Some twenty men or somewhat less suffice
فَاِختَرتُso I chose لَمّاwhen وَقَفواthey stood طَويلاًa long while
فَاِختَرتُ لَمّا وَقَفوا طَويلاً
عِشرينَtwenty أَوor فَوَيقَهاa little above that قَليلاslightly
عِشرينَ أَو فَوَيقَها قَليلا
When they had stood waiting a long while, I chose
A band I honoured for their grace and breeding
Twenty, or a little more.
Known for desert and noble enterprise.
عِصابَةٌa company أَكرِمhow noble بِهاit is عِصابَهas a company
عِصابَةٌ أَكرِم بِها عِصابَه
مَعروفَةٌknown بِالفَضلِfor excellence وَالنَجابَهand fine breeding
مَعروفَةٌ بِالفَضلِ وَالنَجابَه
A company—what a noble company!—
Then to `Ayn Qasir's pool, famed hunting waters,
Known for excellence and fine breeding.
Haunt of all beasts the knowing recognize
ثُمَّthen قَصَدناwe sought صَيدَthe game عَينِof Ayn قاصِرِQasir
ثُمَّ قَصَدنا صَيدَ عَينِ قاصِرِ
مَظِنَّةَa likely haunt الصَيدِof game لِكُلِّfor every خابِرِknowledgeable person
مَظِنَّةَ الصَيدِ لِكُلِّ خابِرِ
Then we sought the game of Ayn Qasir,
We came what time the sun slanted to westward
A likely hunting ground to anyone who knew.
In gorgeous raiment gold embroideries,
جِئناهُwe reached it وَالشَمسُand the sun قُبَيلَshortly before المَغرِبِsunset
جِئناهُ وَالشَمسُ قُبَيلَ المَغرِبِ
تَختالُstruts فيin ثَوبِthe robe الأَصيلِof late afternoon المُذهَبِgilded
تَختالُ في ثَوبِ الأَصيلِ المُذهَبِ
We reached it shortly before sunset, with the sun
The francolins were calling one another
Strutting in the gilded robe of late afternoon.
And sand grouse nestled under sheltering guise
وَأَخَذَand began الدُرّاجُthe francolins فيto engage in الصِياحِcalling
وَأَخَذَ الدُرّاجُ في الصِياحِ
مُكتَنِفاًsurrounding مِنfrom سائِرِall النَواحيthe directions
مُكتَنِفاً مِن سائِرِ النَواحي
The francolins began calling,
All heedless of our band they cried unguarded
Surrounding us on every side,
While we had destined them for sacrifice
فيin غَفلَةٍunawareness عَنّاof us وَفيand in ضَلالِdelusion
في غَفلَةٍ عَنّا وَفي ضَلالِ
وَنَحنُwhile we قَدhad زُرناهُvisited them بِالآجالِwith appointed deaths
وَنَحنُ قَد زُرناهُ بِالآجالِ
Unaware of us and deluded,
That game-bird warbling to the dawn was turning
Though we had visited them bearing their appointed deaths.
Not witting death's approach with day's sunrise
يَطرَبُrejoices لِلصُبحِat morning وَلَيسَand does not يَدريknow
يَطرَبُ لِلصُبحِ وَلَيسَ يَدري
أَنَّthat المَناياdeaths فيare in طُلوعِthe rising الفَجرِof dawn
أَنَّ المَنايا في طُلوعِ الفَجرِ
They rejoice at morning, not knowing
When I sensed morning drawing to full light
That death comes with the rising dawn.
I roused the men: Bestir! the time to rise!
حَتّىuntil إِذاwhen أَحسَستُI sensed بِالصَباحِthe morning
حَتّى إِذا أَحسَستُ بِالصَباحِ
نادَيتُهُمI called to them حَيَّcome عَلىto الفَلاحِsuccess
نادَيتُهُم حَيَّ عَلى الفَلاحِ
When I sensed the morning's arrival,
I called to them, 'Come to success!'
To prayers, and let our chargers be caparisoned
نَحنُwe نُصَلّيpray وَالبُزاةُwhile the hawks تُخرَجُare brought out
نَحنُ نُصَلّي وَالبُزاةُ تُخرَجُ
مُجَرَّداتٍunhooded وَالخُيولُand the horses تُسرَجُare saddled
مُجَرَّداتٍ وَالخُيولُ تُسرَجُ
We prayed while the hawks were brought out
And all our hounds and dogs equipped likewise!
Unhooded, and the horses were saddled.
I told my fowler: On ahead! Seek lonely
فَقُلتُso I said لِلفَهّادِto the cheetah keeper فَاِمضِgo ahead وَاِنفَرِدand go alone
فَقُلتُ لِلفَهّادِ فَاِمضِ وَاِنفَرِد
وَصِحand call بِناto us إِنif عَنَّappears ظَبيٌa gazelle وَاِجتَهِدand strive
وَصِح بِنا إِن عَنَّ ظَبيٌ وَاِجتَهِد
I told the cheetah keeper, 'Go ahead alone;
Shout if you start some gazelles for our enterprise
Call to us if a gazelle appears, and do your utmost.'
He ranged not distant, following as we cantered
فَلَمand did not يَزَلcease to be غَيرَnot بَعيدٍfar عَنّاfrom us
فَلَم يَزَل غَيرَ بَعيدٍ عَنّا
إِلَيهِtoward him يَمضيgoes ماwhatever يَفِرُّflees مِنّاfrom us
إِلَيهِ يَمضي ما يَفِرُّ مِنّا
He remained not far from us;
Whatever fled before us, he made his prize
Whatever fled from us went toward him.
I rode amidst our horsemen close irankéd
وَسِرتُand I advanced فيin صَفٍّa line مِنَof الرِجالِmen
وَسِرتُ في صَفٍّ مِنَ الرِجالِ
كَأَنَّماas though نَزحَفُwe advance لِلقِتالِinto battle
كَأَنَّما نَزحَفُ لِلقِتالِ
I advanced in a line of men,
As we advanced in order for the fight.
As though we were marching into battle.
We had not long descended to the hollows
فَماand not yet اِستَوَيناhad we formed a line كُلُّناall of us حَتّىwhen وَقَفstopped
فَما اِستَوَينا كُلُّنا حَتّى وَقَف
غُلَيِّمٌa young lad كانَwho was قَريباًnear مِنto شَرَفa rise
غُلَيِّمٌ كانَ قَريباً مِن شَرَف
Before we had all drawn into line, there stopped
When a francolin rose from neighbouring height
A young lad who was near a rise.
Back came my scout reporting he had started it,
ثُمَّthen أَتانيhe came to me عَجِلاًhurriedly قالَhe said السَبَقthe prize
ثُمَّ أَتاني عَجِلاً قالَ السَبَق
فَقُلتُso I said إِنif كانَwas العِيانُthe eyewitness sight قَدindeed صَدَقtruthful
فَقُلتُ إِن كانَ العِيانُ قَد صَدَق
Then he hurried to me, saying, 'The prize!'
If what he saw is true, I said, that's right.
I answered, 'If your eyes have told the truth.'
I rode up to the spot, and there lay crouching
سِرتُI went إِلَيهِto him فَأَرانيand he showed me جاثِمَهone crouching
سِرتُ إِلَيهِ فَأَراني جاثِمَه
ظَنَنتُهاI thought her يَقظىawake وَكانَتbut she was نائِمَهsleeping
ظَنَنتُها يَقظى وَكانَت نائِمَه
I went to him, and he showed me one crouching;
What seemed awake, yet sleeping was from fright.
I thought her awake, but she was sleeping.
Then arrows chose I from my quiver handily
ثُمَّthen أَخَذتُI took نَبلَةًan arrow كانَتthat was مَعيwith me
ثُمَّ أَخَذتُ نَبلَةً كانَت مَعي
وَدُرتُand I circled دَورَينِtwice وَلَمand did not أُوَسَّعِmove farther away
وَدُرتُ دَورَينِ وَلَم أُوَسَّعِ
Then I took an arrow I had with me
And circled it twice round nor spent them quite
And circled twice, keeping close,
Until I made my kill and missed no merit
حَتّىuntil تَمَكَّنتُI gained a sure position فَلَمand did not أُخطِmiss الطَلَبthe target
حَتّى تَمَكَّنتُ فَلَم أُخطِ الطَلَب
لِكُلِّfor every حَتفٍdeath سَبَبٌthere is a cause مِنَamong السَبَبcauses
لِكُلِّ حَتفٍ سَبَبٌ مِنَ السَبَب
Until I had a sure position; I did not miss my target.
For each event has causes for the slight.
Every death has some cause among causes.
وَضَجَّتِand clamored الكِلابُthe hounds فيon المَقاوِدِthe leads
وَضَجَّتِ الكِلابُ في المَقاوِدِ
تَطلُبُهاseeking her وَهيَwhile they بِجُهدٍwith exertion جاهِدِstrenuous
تَطلُبُها وَهيَ بِجُهدٍ جاهِدِ
The hounds clamored on their leads,
Loosed were my hounds with cries the cliffs repeating
Seeking her with strenuous exertion.
To course their quarry relentlessly in flight
وَصِحتُand I called بِالأُسودِfor the black one كَالخُطّافِlike a swallow
وَصِحتُ بِالأُسودِ كَالخُطّافِ
لَيسَnot بِأَبيَضٍa white one وَلاnor غِطرافِa ghitraf hawk
لَيسَ بِأَبيَضٍ وَلا غِطرافِ
I called for the black one, swallow-like,
I cheered the black dogs on like swooping eagles
Neither a white hawk nor a ghitraf.
No white dog these, nor brindled ones, for might,
ثُمَّthen دَعَوتُI called القَومَthe company هَذاthis بازيis my hawk
ثُمَّ دَعَوتُ القَومَ هَذا بازي
فَأَيُّكُمso which of you يَنشَطُis eager لِلبِرازِfor a contest
فَأَيُّكُم يَنشَطُ لِلبِرازِ
Then I called to the company, 'Here is my hawk:
Who'll try a contest with this airy wrestler?
Which of you is eager for a contest?'
I asked, and from the band stepped forth a wight
فَقالَand said مِنهُمamong them رَشَأٌa gazelle-like youth أَناI أَناI
فَقالَ مِنهُم رَشَأٌ أَنا أَنا
وَلَوand if دَرىhe knew مابِيَديwhat is in my hand لَأَذعَناhe would have conceded
وَلَو دَرى مابِيَدي لَأَذعَنا
A gazelle-like youth among them said, 'I am! I am!'
I'll show you sport, he said, if you've the power for 't!
Had he known what was in my hand, he would have conceded.
Then go, I said, and take the left, I'll right.
فَقُلتُso I said قابِلنيmeet me وَراءَbeyond النَهرِthe river
فَقُلتُ قابِلني وَراءَ النَهرِ
أَنتَyou لِشَطرٍon one side وَأَناand I لِشَطرِon one side
أَنتَ لِشَطرٍ وَأَنا لِشَطرِ
I said, 'Meet me beyond the river:
They freed a crane, each loosed his bird competing,
You take one side, and I the other.'
The hawks struck true and grappled them in flight
طارَتflew up لَهُfor him دُراجَةٌa francolin فَأَرسَلاso he released
طارَت لَهُ دُراجَةٌ فَأَرسَلا
أَحسَنَdid well فيهاwith her بازُهُhis hawk وَأَجمَلاand performed beautifully
أَحسَنَ فيها بازُهُ وَأَجمَلا
A francolin flew up for him, and he released his hawk;
Clutched fast, they fluttered, weapons interlacing,
His hawk performed beautifully upon it.
The cranes and hawks contested in fair fight
عَلَّقَهاit caught her فَعَطعَطواso they shouted وَصاحواand cried out
عَلَّقَها فَعَطعَطوا وَصاحوا
وَالصَيدُand the hunt مِنamong آلَتِهِits tools الصِياحُis shouting
وَالصَيدُ مِن آلَتِهِ الصِياحُ
It caught her; they shouted and cried out—
Till by main force the hawks had pinned them under
Shouting is among the tools of the hunt.
Three green, one piebald crane, an equal sight.
فَقُلتُso I said ماهَذاwhat is this الصِياحُshouting وَالقَلَقand agitation
فَقُلتُ ماهَذا الصِياحُ وَالقَلَق
أَكُلُّis all هَذاthis فَرَحٌdelight بِذاover this الطَلَقrelease
أَكُلُّ هَذا فَرَحٌ بِذا الطَلَق
I said, 'What is this shouting and agitation?
We slaughtered them, and both the hawks unhampered
Is all this delight over that release?'
On easy quarry loosed afresh in flight
فَقالَso he said إِنَّindeed الكَلبَthe dog يُشويmakes paltry البازاthe hawk
فَقالَ إِنَّ الكَلبَ يُشوي البازا
قَدhas حَرَزَscored الكَلبُthe dog فَجُزso cross over وَجازاand he crossed
قَد حَرَزَ الكَلبُ فَجُز وَجازا
He said, 'The dog makes the hawk look paltry!
Now circulating high, now swooping downward,
The dog has scored—cross over!' And he crossed.
Like horsemen who encounter and alight
فَلَمand did not يَزَلcease يَزعَقُshouting يامَولائيO my lord
فَلَم يَزَل يَزعَقُ يامَولائي
وَهوَwhile he كَمِثلِwas like النارِfire فيin الحَلفاءِesparto grass
وَهوَ كَمِثلِ النارِ في الحَلفاءِ
He kept crying, 'My lord!'
They brought down two more cranes, then came another
Like fire in esparto grass.
That honking fled them with alarmed affright
طارَتone flew up فَأَرسَلتُso I released فَكانَتand it was سَلوىa quail
طارَت فَأَرسَلتُ فَكانَت سَلوى
حَلَّتbefell بِهاher قَبلَbefore العُلوِّrising high البَلوىdisaster
حَلَّت بِها قَبلَ العُلوِّ البَلوى
One flew up; I released mine, and it proved a quail.
I cried the hawks have struck, by God who reigneth
Disaster overtook her before she rose high.
Over His House! and we couched in hollows tight
فَماand not yet رَفَعتُhad I lifted البازَthe hawk حَتّىwhen طاراflew
فَما رَفَعتُ البازَ حَتّى طارا
آخَرُanother عوداًfull-grown يُحسِنُskilled in الفِراراescape
آخَرُ عوداً يُحسِنُ الفِرارا
Before I had lifted the hawk, another flew:
The falcon struck, but rose again unequal
A full-grown one, skilled in escape,
While the cranes honked and wheeled in scornful flight
أَسوَدُblack صَيّاحٌloud-voiced كَريمٌfine كُرَّزُstocky
أَسوَدُ صَيّاحٌ كَريمٌ كُرَّزُ
مُطَرَّزٌembroidered مُكَحَّلٌkohl-rimmed مُلَزَّزُcompact
مُطَرَّزٌ مُكَحَّلٌ مُلَزَّزُ
Black, loud-voiced, fine and stocky,
What, said I, is this hubbub and confusion?
Embroidered, kohl-rimmed, compact,
Call they such sport as this unlucky plight?
عَلَيهِupon it أَلوانٌare colors مِنَof الثِيابِgarments
عَلَيهِ أَلوانٌ مِنَ الثِيابِ
مِنfrom حُلَلِrobes الديباجِof brocade وَالعُنّابيand jujube-red
مِن حُلَلِ الديباجِ وَالعُنّابي
Wearing garments of many colors,
Nothing abroad, the falconer said, stops her flight
Robes of brocade and jujube-red.
Except she's gripped, wing-weary from the fight
فَلَمand did not يَزَلcease يَعلوrising وَبازيwhile my hawk يَسفُلُflew low
فَلَم يَزَل يَعلو وَبازي يَسفُلُ
يُحرِزُsecuring فَضلَthe advantage السَبقِof the chase لَيسَnot يَغفُلُheedless
يُحرِزُ فَضلَ السَبقِ لَيسَ يَغفُلُ
It kept rising while my hawk flew low,
The dog has foiled your hawk, dub him fair champion!
Securing the advantage of the chase, never heedless.
He cried, while she flames hotter than a fire-brand
يَرقُبُهُhe watches it مِنfrom تَحتِهِbeneath it بِعَينِهِwith his eye
يَرقُبُهُ مِن تَحتِهِ بِعَينِهِ
وَإِنَّماand only يَرقُبُهُhe watches it لِحينِهِfor its appointed death
وَإِنَّما يَرقُبُهُ لِحينِهِ
He watched it from below with his eye,
Crane after crane the hawks brought in among us
Watching it only for its appointed death,
Till all were keen to loose and lief to fly
حَتّىuntil إِذاwhen قارَبَit approached فيماas يَحسَبُit supposed
حَتّى إِذا قارَبَ فيما يَحسَبُ
مَعقِلَهُits refuge وَالمَوتُwhile death مِنهُto it أَقرَبُwas nearer
مَعقِلَهُ وَالمَوتُ مِنهُ أَقرَبُ
Until it approached, as it supposed,
Then to the knacker: Since your work's accomplished
Its refuge—though death was nearer to it.
Dismount and bring what ready dishes lie!
أَرخىhe stretched down لَهُtoward it بِنَبجِهِat its thicket رِجلَيهِhis two feet
أَرخى لَهُ بِنَبجِهِ رِجلَيهِ
وَالمَوتُand death قَدhad سابَقَهُraced it إِلَيهِto it
وَالمَوتُ قَد سابَقَهُ إِلَيهِ
He stretched his feet toward it at its thicket,
He brought roast birds and birds yet hotly hissing
And death had raced it there.
Francolin, sand grouse, crammed in savoury pie.
صِحتُI shouted وَصاحَand shouted القَومُthe company بِالتَكبيرِwith 'God is greatest'
صِحتُ وَصاحَ القَومُ بِالتَكبيرِ
وَغَيرُناwhile others besides us يُضمِرُconcealed فيin الصُدورِtheir breasts
وَغَيرُنا يُضمِرُ في الصُدورِ
I shouted, and the company cried, 'God is greatest!'
We ate without dismounting, loath to light down,
While others concealed their feelings in their breasts.
Lest appetite be quenched before supply.
ثُمَّthen تَصايَحناwe called out together فَطارَتand flew up واحِدَهone
ثُمَّ تَصايَحنا فَطارَت واحِدَه
شَيطانَةٌa she-devil مِنَamong الطُيورِbirds مارِدَهrebellious
شَيطانَةٌ مِنَ الطُيورِ مارِدَه
Then we called out together, and one flew up,
Goblets were filled and cups of wine appearing,
A rebellious she-devil among birds.
Then serve it round, I said, to each ally!
مِنfrom قُرُبٍnearby فَأَرسَلواso they released إِلَيهاtoward her
مِن قُرُبٍ فَأَرسَلوا إِلَيها
وَلَمand did not تَزَلcease to be أَعيُنُهُمtheir eyes عَلَيهاupon her
وَلَم تَزَل أَعيُنُهُم عَلَيها
She was close, and they released their hawk toward her;
Their eyes never left her.
This day contents and joy suffuse among us,
فَلَمand did not يُعَلِّقcatch بازُهُhis hawk وَأَدّىand returned
فَلَم يُعَلِّق بازُهُ وَأَدّى
مِنfrom بَعدِafter ماقارَبَهاit had approached her وَشَدّاand charged
مِن بَعدِ ماقارَبَها وَشَدّا
His hawk failed to catch her and returned,
Enough's my portion though I drink or die!
After drawing close and charging.
Thereon we turned and sought the open desert,
صِحتُI shouted أَهَذاis this البازُa hawk أَمor دَجاجَهa hen
صِحتُ أَهَذا البازُ أَم دَجاجَه
لَيتَwould that جَناحَيهِits two wings عَلىwere on دُرّاجَهa francolin
لَيتَ جَناحَيهِ عَلى دُرّاجَه
I shouted, 'Is this a hawk or a hen?
Scouring the hills and dales for game to ply.
Would that its wings were on a francolin!'
A passing herd before us down the valley
فَاِحمَرَّتِthen reddened الأَوجُهُthe faces وَالعُيونُand the eyes
فَاِحمَرَّتِ الأَوجُهُ وَالعُيونُ
وَقالَand he said هَذاthis مَوضُعٌis a place مَلعونُaccursed
وَقالَ هَذا مَوضُعٌ مَلعونُ
Faces and eyes reddened,
A herd that browsed about the tufted rill
And he said, 'This is a cursed place.
Fresh from a spring whose rain incessant watered
إِنif لَزَّهاpresses her البازُthe hawk أَصابَتshe reaches نَبجاًa thicket
إِن لَزَّها البازُ أَصابَت نَبجاً
أَوor سَقَطَتshe drops لَمnot تَلقَdoes she find إِلّاexcept مَدرَجاa sheltered run
أَو سَقَطَت لَم تَلقَ إِلّا مَدرَجا
If the hawk presses her, she reaches a thicket;
Hill-pasturage with lavish drink its fill.
Or, if she drops, she finds nothing but a sheltered run.
No shepherd there, no protector hovered o'er them
أَعدِلturn بِناwith us لِلنَبَّجِtoward the thickets الخَفيفِsparse
أَعدِل بِنا لِلنَبَّجِ الخَفيفِ
وَالمَوضِعِand the place المُنفَرِدِisolated المَكشوفِopen
وَالمَوضِعِ المُنفَرِدِ المَكشوفِ
Take us toward sparse thickets
They cropped at will the meadows green distil
And an isolated, open place.'
A raincloud visiting had newly bathed them
فَقُلتُso I said هَذيthis حُجَّةٌis an argument ضَعيفَهweak
فَقُلتُ هَذي حُجَّةٌ ضَعيفَه
وَغِرَّةٌand a folly ظاهِرَةٌobvious مَعروفَهfamiliar
وَغِرَّةٌ ظاهِرَةٌ مَعروفَه
I said, 'That is a weak argument,
With copious showers and drenched them at its will.
And an obvious, familiar folly.
Seeing us draw near they turned their heads unheeding
نَحنُwe جَميعاًall فيare in مَكانٍa place واحِدِone
نَحنُ جَميعاً في مَكانٍ واحِدِ
فَلاso do not تُعَلِّلmake excuses بِالكَلامِwith talk البارِدِfeeble
فَلا تُعَلِّل بِالكَلامِ البارِدِ
We are all in the same place:
With necks at stretch unhasting and secure
Do not make excuses with feeble talk.
Nor left their easy quiet life to spur them,
قُصَّclip جَناحَيهِits two wings يَكُنlet it be فيin الدارِthe house
قُصَّ جَناحَيهِ يَكُن في الدارِ
مَعَwith الدَباسيthe dusky doves وَمَعَand with القَماريthe turtle-doves
مَعَ الدَباسي وَمَعَ القَماري
Clip its wings and let it stay at home
Until our evil fortune brought them lure.
With the dusky doves and the turtle-doves.
My falconers and hounds outwent and turned them
وَاِعمَدand turn إِلىto جُلجُلِهِits bell البَديعِsplendid
وَاِعمَد إِلى جُلجُلِهِ البَديعِ
فَاِجعَلهُand put it فيon عَنزٍa goat مِنَfrom القَطيعِthe flock
فَاِجعَلهُ في عَنزٍ مِنَ القَطيعِ
Take its splendid bell
To their ill-omened goal by destiny sure.
And put it on a goat from the flock.'
The hounds pulled down the big horned stag selecting
حَتّىuntil إِذاwhen أَبصَرتُهُI saw him وَقَدand had خَجِلbecome ashamed
حَتّى إِذا أَبصَرتُهُ وَقَد خَجِل
قُلتُI said أَراهُI consider it فارِهاًexcellent عَلىagainst الحَجَلpartridges
قُلتُ أَراهُ فارِهاً عَلى الحَجَل
When I saw that he was ashamed,
And pinned him while he bellowed death's presage obscure.
I said, 'I think it is excellent with partridges.
Another brought to bay a wild cow driving
دَعهُleave it وَهَذاand here is this البازُhawk فَاِطَّرِدso hunt بِهِwith it
دَعهُ وَهَذا البازُ فَاِطَّرِد بِهِ
تَفادِياًto spare him مِنfrom غَمِّهِhis grief وَعَتبِهِand his reproach
تَفادِياً مِن غَمِّهِ وَعَتبِهِ
Leave it; here is this hawk—hunt with it,'
Who cropped around the pool her life's sequel
To spare him grief and reproach.
Then with our birds we charged the herd and bundled them
وَقُلتُand I said لِلخَيلِto the horsemen الَّتيwho were حَولَيناaround us
وَقُلتُ لِلخَيلِ الَّتي حَولَينا
تَشاهَدواbear witness كُلُّكُمُall of you عَلَيناbetween us
تَشاهَدوا كُلُّكُمُ عَلَينا
I told the horsemen around us,
Driving them where the dogs leapt at their heels
'All of you bear witness between us
Till of the cows we culled a scanty dozen
بِأَنَّهُthat it عارِيَةٌis a loan مَضمونَهguaranteed
بِأَنَّهُ عارِيَةٌ مَضمونَه
يُقيمُhe upholds فيهاin it جاهَهُhis standing وَدينَهand his faith
يُقيمُ فيها جاهَهُ وَدينَه
That it is a loan whose return is guaranteed,
And all the rest fled to the further hills.
In which he must uphold his standing and his faith.'
Thereon we travelled to the mountain country,
جِئتُI brought بِبازٍa hawk حَسَنٍhandsome مُبَهرَجِsplendidly adorned
جِئتُ بِبازٍ حَسَنٍ مُبَهرَجِ
دونَsmaller than العُقابِthe eagle وَفُوَيقَand a little larger than الزُمَّجِthe zummāj hawk
دونَ العُقابِ وَفُوَيقَ الزُمَّجِ
I brought a handsome, splendidly adorned hawk,
Seeking the mountain goats and zebras still.
Smaller than an eagle, a little larger than a zummāj,
My hounds, my horses never left pursuing
زَينٍbeautiful لِرائيهِto its beholder وَفَوقَand beyond الزَينِbeauty
زَينٍ لِرائيهِ وَفَوقَ الزَينِ
يَنظُرُit looks مِنfrom نارَينِtwo fires فيin غارَينِtwo caves
يَنظُرُ مِن نارَينِ في غارَينِ
Beautiful to its beholder, and beyond beauty,
Till the last remnants fled beyond our will.
Looking from two fires set in two caves.
Homeward our heavily laden camels fared
كَأَنَّas though فَوقَupon صَدرِهِits breast وَالهاديand the neck
كَأَنَّ فَوقَ صَدرِهِ وَالهادي
آثارَwere traces مَشيِof the walking الذَرِّof tiny ants فيin الرَمادِashes
آثارَ مَشيِ الذَرِّ في الرَمادِ
Upon its breast and neck were, as it seemed,
While daybreak through the murk shone soft distil
Traces of tiny ants walking through ashes.
Reached we our camp by night, the horses foremost,
ذيhaving مِنسَرٍa beak فَخمٍmassive وَعَينٍand an eye غائِرَهdeep-set
ذي مِنسَرٍ فَخمٍ وَعَينٍ غائِرَه
وَفَخِذٍand a thigh مِلءَfilling اليَمينِthe right hand وافِرَهfull
وَفَخِذٍ مِلءَ اليَمينِ وافِرَه
It had a massive beak and a deep-set eye,
There cast our catch and found them ninety kill.
And a full thigh that filled the right hand;
We cooked and grilled them, searching all the pans there,
ضَخمٍhuge قَريبِclose to الدَستَبانِthe gauntlet جِدّاvery
ضَخمٍ قَريبِ الدَستَبانِ جِدّا
يَلقىexperiences الَّذيthe one who يَحمِلُcarries مِنهُfrom it كَدّاweariness
يَلقى الَّذي يَحمِلُ مِنهُ كَدّا
Huge, sitting very close to the gauntlet,
Yet woke no taste, for sport had banked the grill.
It wearied whoever carried it.
Unreckoned draughts we drank with wine competing
وَراحَةٍand a foot تَغمُرُcovering كَفّيmy palm سَبطَهsupple
وَراحَةٍ تَغمُرُ كَفّي سَبطَه
زادَit exceeded عَلىbeyond قَدرِthe measure البُزاةِof hawks بَسطَهin span
زادَ عَلى قَدرِ البُزاةِ بَسطَه
Its supple foot spread over my palm;
From jars lovesick and jugs of limpid rill
Its span exceeded the measure of other hawks.
In seven nights of halting there we feasted,
سُرَّhe rejoiced وَقالَand said هاتِgive it here قُلتُI said مَهلاwait
سُرَّ وَقالَ هاتِ قُلتُ مَهلا
اِحلِفswear عَلىto الرَدِّthe return فَقالَand he said كَلّاno
اِحلِف عَلى الرَدِّ فَقالَ كَلّا
He rejoiced and said, 'Give it here!' I said, 'Wait:
Then off and away as fortune led, to fulfil!
Swear to return it.' He answered, 'No.
أَمّاas for يَمينيmy oath فَهيَit is عِنديto me غالِيَهprecious
أَمّا يَميني فَهيَ عِندي غالِيَه
وَكَلمَتيand my word مِثلُlike يَمينيmy oath وافِيَهis trustworthy
وَكَلمَتي مِثلُ يَميني وافِيَه
My oath is precious to me,
And my word is as trustworthy as my oath.'
قُلتُI said فَخُذهُthen take it هِبَةًas a gift بِقُبلَهfor a kiss
قُلتُ فَخُذهُ هِبَةً بِقُبلَه
فَصَدَّso he turned away عَنّيfrom me وَعَلَتهُand overcame him خَجلَهshame
فَصَدَّ عَنّي وَعَلَتهُ خَجلَه
I said, 'Then take it as a gift for a kiss.'
He turned away from me, overcome with shame.
فَلَمand did not أَزَلcease أَمسَحُهُsoothing him حَتّىuntil اِنبَسَطhe relaxed
فَلَم أَزَل أَمسَحُهُ حَتّى اِنبَسَط
وَهَشَّand brightened لِلصَيدِfor the hunt قَليلاًa little وَنَشَطand became eager
وَهَشَّ لِلصَيدِ قَليلاً وَنَشَط
I kept soothing him until he relaxed
And brightened a little, eager for the hunt.
صِحتُI called بِهِto him اِركَبmount فَاِستَقَلَّso he sprang clear عَنfrom يَديmy hand
صِحتُ بِهِ اِركَب فَاِستَقَلَّ عَن يَدي
مُبادِراًhastening أَسرَعَfaster مِنthan قَولِsaying قَدِ'already'
مُبادِراً أَسرَعَ مِن قَولِ قَدِ
I called, 'Mount!' He sprang clear of my hand,
Hastening, faster than saying 'already.'
وَضَمَّand he pressed together ساقَيهِhis two shins وَقالَand said قَدnow حَصَلit is secured
وَضَمَّ ساقَيهِ وَقالَ قَد حَصَل
قُلتُI said لَهُto him الغَدرَةُtreachery مِنis among شَرِّthe worst العَملdeeds
قُلتُ لَهُ الغَدرَةُ مِن شَرِّ العَمل
He pressed his shins together and said, 'Now I have it!'
I told him, 'Treachery is among the worst deeds.'
سِرتُI rode on وَسارَand rode on الغادِرُthe traitor العَيّارُcrafty
سِرتُ وَسارَ الغادِرُ العَيّارُ
لَيسَthere is no لِطَيرٍfor a bird مَعَناwith us مَطارُway of escape
لَيسَ لِطَيرٍ مَعَنا مَطارُ
I rode on, and the crafty traitor rode on;
No bird could find an escape with us there.
ثُمَّthen عَدَلناwe turned نَحوَtoward نَهرِthe river الواديof the valley
ثُمَّ عَدَلنا نَحوَ نَهرِ الوادي
وَالطَيرُand the birds فيهِin it عَدَدُwere as numerous as الجَرادِlocusts
وَالطَيرُ فيهِ عَدَدُ الجَرادِ
Then we turned toward the valley's river,
Where the birds were as numerous as locusts.
أَدَرتُI set circling شاهينَينِtwo peregrines فيin مَكانِone place
أَدَرتُ شاهينَينِ في مَكانِ
لِكَثرَةِbecause of the abundance الصَيدِof game مَعَwith الإِمكانِopportunity
لِكَثرَةِ الصَيدِ مَعَ الإِمكانِ
I set two peregrines circling in one place,
With game abundant and the opportunity at hand.
داراthey both circled عَلَيناabove us دَورَةًone circuit وَحَلَّقاand soared
دارا عَلَينا دَورَةً وَحَلَّقا
كِلاهُماboth of them حَتّىuntil إِذاwhen تَعَلَّقاthey hung aloft
كِلاهُما حَتّى إِذا تَعَلَّقا
They circled once above us and soared,
Both of them, until they hung aloft;
تَوازَياthey drew level وَاِطَّرَداand pursued اِطِّراداin full flight
تَوازَيا وَاِطَّرَدا اِطِّرادا
كَالفارِسَينِlike two horsemen اِلتَقَياwho met أَوor كاداnearly did
كَالفارِسَينِ اِلتَقَيا أَو كادا
They drew level and pursued in full flight,
Like two horsemen meeting, or nearly meeting.
ثَمَّتَthen شَدّاthey charged فَأَصاباand struck أَربَعاfour
ثَمَّتَ شَدّا فَأَصابا أَربَعا
ثَلاثَةًthree خُضراًgreen ones وَطَيراًand a bird أَبقَعاpied
ثَلاثَةً خُضراً وَطَيراً أَبقَعا
Then they charged and struck four:
Three green birds and one pied bird.
ثُمَّthen ذَبَحناهاwe slaughtered them وَخَلَّصناهُماand freed the two
ثُمَّ ذَبَحناها وَخَلَّصناهُما
وَأَمكَنَand became available الصَيدُthe game فَأَرسَلناهُماso we released the two
وَأَمكَنَ الصَيدُ فَأَرسَلناهُما
We slaughtered them and freed the two hawks;
More game offered itself, and we released them.
فَجَدَّلاand they brought down خَمساًfive مِنَof الطُيورِthe birds
فَجَدَّلا خَمساً مِنَ الطُيورِ
فَزادَنيand increased me الرَحمَنُthe Merciful فيin سُروريmy joy
فَزادَني الرَحمَنُ في سُروري
They brought down five birds,
And the Merciful increased my joy:
أَربَعَةٌfour مِنهاof them أَنيسِيّانِAnisiyyan birds
أَربَعَةٌ مِنها أَنيسِيّانِ
وَطائِراًand a bird يُعرَفُknown بِالبَيضانيas the Baydani
وَطائِراً يُعرَفُ بِالبَيضاني
Four of them were Anisiyyan birds,
And one bird known as the Baydani.
خَيلٌsteeds نُناجيهِنَّwe commune with them كَيفَhowever شيناwe wish
خَيلٌ نُناجيهِنَّ كَيفَ شينا
طَيِّعَةٌobedient وَلَجمُهاand their bridles أَيديناare our hands
طَيِّعَةٌ وَلَجمُها أَيدينا
Steeds we commune with however we wish,
Obedient, with our hands their bridles;
وَهيَand they إِذاwhen ماever اِستَصعَبَتprove unruly لِلقادَهfor their handlers
وَهيَ إِذا ما اِستَصعَبَت لِلقادَه
صَرَّفَهاdirects them الجوعُhunger عَلىaccording to الإِرادَهthe will
صَرَّفَها الجوعُ عَلى الإِرادَه
Whenever they prove unruly for their handlers,
Hunger directs them according to our will.
وَكُلَّماand whenever شُدَّa charge is pressed عَلَيهاagainst them فيin طَلَقa pursuit
وَكُلَّما شُدَّ عَلَيها في طَلَق
تَساقَطَتthey tumble مابَينَناamong us مِنَfrom الفَرَقfear
تَساقَطَت مابَينَنا مِنَ الفَرَق
Whenever a charge is pressed against them,
They tumble among us out of fear,
حَتّىuntil أَخَذناwe took ماwhat أَرَدناwe wanted مِنهاof them
حَتّى أَخَذنا ما أَرَدنا مِنها
ثُمَّthen اِنصَرَفناwe turned away راغِبينَno longer seeking عَنهاthem
ثُمَّ اِنصَرَفنا راغِبينَ عَنها
Until we have taken what we wanted of them.
Then we turned away, seeking them no longer,
إِلىtoward كَراكِيَّcranes بِقُربِnear النَهرِthe river
إِلى كَراكِيَّ بِقُربِ النَهرِ
عَشراًten نَراهاwe saw them أَوor فُوَيقَa little above العَشرِten
عَشراً نَراها أَو فُوَيقَ العَشرِ
Toward cranes near the river:
We saw ten, or a little more than ten.
لَمّاwhen رَآهاit saw them البازُthe hawk مِنfrom بُعدٍafar لَصَقit crouched low
لَمّا رَآها البازُ مِن بُعدٍ لَصَق
وَحَدَّدَand fixed الطَرفَits gaze إِلَيهاupon them وَذَرَقand voided droppings
وَحَدَّدَ الطَرفَ إِلَيها وَذَرَق
When the hawk saw them from afar, it crouched low,
Fixed its gaze upon them, and voided its droppings.
فَقُلتُso I said قَدindeed صادَhe has caught وَرَبِّby the Lord الكَعبَهof the Kaaba
فَقُلتُ قَد صادَ وَرَبِّ الكَعبَه
وَنَحنُand we فيwere in وادٍa valley بِقُربِnear جَنبَهits side
وَنَحنُ في وادٍ بِقُربِ جَنبَه
I said, 'He has caught them, by the Lord of the Kaaba!'
We were in a valley near its edge.
فَدارَso he circled حَتّىuntil أَمكَنَتthey were within reach ثُمَّthen نَزَلdescended
فَدارَ حَتّى أَمكَنَت ثُمَّ نَزَل
فَحَطَّand brought down مِنهاof them أَفرُعاًa tall one مِثلَlike الجَمَلa camel
فَحَطَّ مِنها أَفرُعاً مِثلَ الجَمَل
He circled until they were within reach, then descended
And brought down a tall one, like a camel.
ماnot اِنحَطَّhad he descended إِلّاexcept وَأَناI was already إِلَيهِbeside him
ما اِنحَطَّ إِلّا وَأَنا إِلَيهِ
مُمَكِّناًfirmly setting رِجلَيَّmy two feet مِنagainst رِجلَيهِhis two feet
مُمَكِّناً رِجلَيَّ مِن رِجلَيهِ
No sooner had he descended than I was beside him,
Setting my feet firmly against his feet.
جَلَستُI sat كَيto أُشبِعَهُfeed him fully إِذاwhen suddenly هِيَهit
جَلَستُ كَي أُشبِعَهُ إِذا هِيَه
قَدhad سَقَطَتalighted مِنfrom عَنon يَمينِthe right الرابِيَهof the hill
قَد سَقَطَت مِن عَن يَمينِ الرابِيَه
I sat to feed him fully, when suddenly it
Had alighted to the right of the hill.
فَشَلتُهُso I lifted him أَرغَبُlonging فيfor الزِيادَهmore
فَشَلتُهُ أَرغَبُ في الزِيادَه
وَتِلكَand that لِلطَرادِfor hunting شَرُّis the worst عادَهhabit
وَتِلكَ لِلطَرادِ شَرُّ عادَه
I lifted him, longing for more:
That is the hunter's worst habit.
لَمnot أَجزِهِdid I reward him بِأَحسَنِfor the finest البَلاءِperformance
لَم أَجزِهِ بِأَحسَنِ البَلاءِ
أَطَعتُI obeyed حِرصيmy greed وَعَصَيتُand defied دائيmy ailment
أَطَعتُ حِرصي وَعَصَيتُ دائي
I did not reward him for his excellent performance;
I obeyed my greed and defied my ailment.
فَلَمand did not أَزَلcease أَختِلُهاstalking it وَتُختَتَلand it was stalked
فَلَم أَزَل أَختِلُها وَتُختَتَل
وَإِنَّماand only نَختِلُهاwe stalk it إِلىtoward أَجَلan appointed end
وَإِنَّما نَختِلُها إِلى أَجَل
I kept stalking it, and it was stalked;
We were only stalking it toward an appointed end.
عَمَدتُI singled out مِنهاof them لِكَبيرٍa large one مُفرَدِsolitary
عَمَدتُ مِنها لِكَبيرٍ مُفرَدِ
يَمشيwalking بِعُنقٍwith a neck كَالرَشاءِlike a well-rope المُحصَدِtightly twisted
يَمشي بِعُنقٍ كَالرَشاءِ المُحصَدِ
I singled out a large, solitary one,
Walking with a neck like a tightly twisted well-rope.
طارَit flew وَماand scarcely طارَflew لِيَأتيهِfor it to be overtaken by القَدَرdestiny
طارَ وَما طارَ لِيَأتيهِ القَدَر
وَهَلand has لِماone whose hour قَدindeed حانَhas come سَمعٌhearing أَوor بَصَرsight
وَهَل لِما قَد حانَ سَمعٌ أَو بَصَر
It flew, only for destiny to overtake it.
Has one whose hour has come any hearing or sight?
حَتّىuntil إِذاwhen جَدَّلَهُhe brought it down كَالعَندَلِlike a great camel
حَتّى إِذا جَدَّلَهُ كَالعَندَلِ
أَيقَنتُI knew certainly أَنَّthat العَظمَbulk غَيرُwas not الفَصلِthe deciding factor
أَيقَنتُ أَنَّ العَظمَ غَيرُ الفَصلِ
When he brought it down like a great camel,
I knew that bulk was not the deciding factor.
ذاكَthat عَلىdespite ماwhat نِلتُI gained مِنهُfrom it أَمرُwas a deed
ذاكَ عَلى ما نِلتُ مِنهُ أَمرُ
عَثَرتُI stumbled فيهِin it وَأَقالَand pardoned the stumble الدَهرُTime
عَثَرتُ فيهِ وَأَقالَ الدَهرُ
Despite what I gained from it, that was a deed
In which I stumbled, and Time pardoned the stumble.
خَيرٌbetter مِنَthan النَجاحِsuccess لِلإِنسانِfor a person
خَيرٌ مِنَ النَجاحِ لِلإِنسانِ
إِصابَةُsoundness الرَأيِof judgment مَعَwith الحِرمانِdeprivation
إِصابَةُ الرَأيِ مَعَ الحِرمانِ
Better for a person than success
Is sound judgment, even with deprivation.
صِحتُI called إِلىto الطَبّاخِthe cook ماذاwhat تَنتَظِرare you waiting for
صِحتُ إِلى الطَبّاخِ ماذا تَنتَظِر
إِنزِلdismount عَنِfrom المَهرِthe colt وَهاتِand bring ماwhat حَضَرis ready
إِنزِل عَنِ المَهرِ وَهاتِ ما حَضَر
I called to the cook, 'What are you waiting for?
Dismount from the colt and bring what is ready.'
جاءَhe came بِأَوساطٍwith midsections وَجُردِand bare تاجِcrowns
جاءَ بِأَوساطٍ وَجُردِ تاجِ
مِنfrom حَجَلِpartridges الصَيدِof the hunt وَمِنand from دُرّاجِfrancolins
مِن حَجَلِ الصَيدِ وَمِن دُرّاجِ
He brought midsections and bare-crowned birds,
From hunted partridges and francolins.
فَماand not تَنازَلناdid we dismount عَنِfrom الخُيولِthe horses
فَما تَنازَلنا عَنِ الخُيولِ
يَمنَعُناkeeps us الحِرصُeagerness عَنِfrom النُزولِdismounting
يَمنَعُنا الحِرصُ عَنِ النُزولِ
We did not dismount from our horses:
Eagerness kept us from getting down.
وَجيءَand was brought بِالكَأسِthe cup وَبِالشَرابِand the wine
وَجيءَ بِالكَأسِ وَبِالشَرابِ
فَقُلتُso I said وَفِّرهاsave it عَلىfor أَصحابيmy companions
فَقُلتُ وَفِّرها عَلى أَصحابي
The cup and wine were brought,
And I said, 'Keep it for my companions.
أَشبَعَنيhas fed me اليَومَtoday وَرَوّانيand quenched my thirst الفَرَحjoy
أَشبَعَني اليَومَ وَرَوّاني الفَرَح
فَقَدfor indeed كَفانيhas sufficed me فيهِin it قِسطٌa measure وَقَدَحand a cup
فَقَد كَفاني فيهِ قِسطٌ وَقَدَح
Joy has fed me and quenched my thirst today;
A measure and a cup have sufficed me.'
ثُمَّthen عَدَلناwe turned نَطلُبُseeking الصَحراءَthe desert
ثُمَّ عَدَلنا نَطلُبُ الصَحراءَ
نَلتَمِسُlooking for الوُحوشَwild beasts وَالظِباءَand gazelles
نَلتَمِسُ الوُحوشَ وَالظِباءَ
Then we turned, seeking the open desert,
Looking for wild beasts and gazelles.
عَنَّappeared لَناto us سِربٌa herd بِبَطنِon the floor الواديof the valley
عَنَّ لَنا سِربٌ بِبَطنِ الوادي
يَقدُمُهُleading it أَقرَنُa horned male عَبلُthick الهاديof neck
يَقدُمُهُ أَقرَنُ عَبلُ الهادي
A herd appeared to us on the valley floor,
Led by a horned male with a thick neck.
قَدhad صَدَرَتdeparted عَنfrom مَنهَلٍa watering place رَوِيِّplentiful
قَد صَدَرَت عَن مَنهَلٍ رَوِيِّ
مِنfrom غُبَرِthe remnants الوَسمِيِّof the first seasonal rains وَالوَلِيِّand the following rains
مِن غُبَرِ الوَسمِيِّ وَالوَلِيِّ
They had left a plentiful watering place,
Filled by the remnants of the first rains and those that followed,
لَيسَnot بِمَطروقٍfrequented وَلاnor بَكِيِّscant of water
لَيسَ بِمَطروقٍ وَلا بَكِيِّ
وَمَرتَعٍand a pasture مُقتَبِلٍfresh جَنِيِّlush
وَمَرتَعٍ مُقتَبِلٍ جَنِيِّ
Neither frequented nor scant of water,
And a pasture fresh and lush.
رَعَينَthey grazed فيهِin it غَيرَnot مَذعوراتِfrightened
رَعَينَ فيهِ غَيرَ مَذعوراتِ
لُعاعَthe tender growth وادٍof a valley وافِرِabundant النَباتِin vegetation
لُعاعَ وادٍ وافِرِ النَباتِ
There they had grazed, unfrightened,
On the tender growth of a valley rich in vegetation.
مَرَّpassed عَلَيهِover it غَدِقُthe rain-laden abundance السَحابِof clouds
مَرَّ عَلَيهِ غَدِقُ السَحابِ
بِواكِفٍwith pouring rain مُتَّصِلِunbroken الرَبابِcloud cover
بِواكِفٍ مُتَّصِلِ الرَبابِ
Rain-laden clouds had passed over it,
Pouring from an unbroken stretch of clouds.
لَمّاwhen رَآناit saw us مالَit turned بِالأَعناقِits necks
لَمّا رَآنا مالَ بِالأَعناقِ
نَظرَةَwith the look لاصَبٍّof no lover وَلاnor مُشتاقِone longing
نَظرَةَ لاصَبٍّ وَلا مُشتاقِ
When it saw us, it turned its necks toward us,
With a look neither loving nor longing.
مازالَit remained فيin خَفضٍease وَحُسنِand good حالِcondition
مازالَ في خَفضٍ وَحُسنِ حالِ
حَتّىuntil أَصابَتهُafflicted it بِناthrough us اللَياليthe nights
حَتّى أَصابَتهُ بِنا اللَيالي
It had remained in ease and good condition
Until the nights afflicted it through us.
سِربٌa herd حَماهُprotected it الدَهرُTime ماas long as حَماهُit protected it
سِربٌ حَماهُ الدَهرُ ما حَماهُ
لَمّاwhen رَآناit saw us اِرتَدَّwas withdrawn ماwhat أَعطاهُit had given it
لَمّا رَآنا اِرتَدَّ ما أَعطاهُ
A herd that Time had guarded while it would:
When it saw us, Time withdrew what it had given.
بادَرتُI hurried forward بِالصَقّارِwith the falconer وَالفَهّادِand the cheetah keeper
بادَرتُ بِالصَقّارِ وَالفَهّادِ
حَتّىuntil سَبَقناهُwe preceded it إِلىto الميعادِthe appointed place
حَتّى سَبَقناهُ إِلى الميعادِ
I hurried forward with the falconer and cheetah keeper
Until we reached the appointed place ahead of it.
فَجَدَّلَand brought down الفَهدُthe cheetah الكَبيرَthe large one الأَقرَناhorned
فَجَدَّلَ الفَهدُ الكَبيرَ الأَقرَنا
شَدَّit seized عَلىat مَذبَحِهِits throat وَاِستَبطَناand got beneath it
شَدَّ عَلى مَذبَحِهِ وَاِستَبطَنا
The cheetah brought down the large horned male,
Seized its throat, and got beneath it.
وَجَدَّلَand brought down الآخَرُthe other عَنزاًa female حائِلاًbarren
وَجَدَّلَ الآخَرُ عَنزاً حائِلاً
رَعَتthat grazed حِمىthe protected lands الغَورَينِof al-Ghawrayn حَولاًa year كامِلاcomplete
رَعَت حِمى الغَورَينِ حَولاً كامِلا
The other brought down a barren female
That had grazed the protected lands of al-Ghawrayn for a full year.
ثُمَّthen رَمَيناهُنَّwe assailed them بِالصُقورِwith falcons
ثُمَّ رَمَيناهُنَّ بِالصُقورِ
فَجِئنَهاand they brought them بِالقَدَرِthe destiny المَقدورِdecreed
فَجِئنَها بِالقَدَرِ المَقدورِ
Then we sent the falcons against them,
And they brought them their decreed destiny.
أَفرَدنَthey isolated مِنهاof them فيin القَراحِthe open ground واحِدَهone
أَفرَدنَ مِنها في القَراحِ واحِدَه
قَدhad ثَقُلَتbecome heavy بِالخَصرِfrom cold وَهيَwhile she جاهِدَهwas spent
قَد ثَقُلَت بِالخَصرِ وَهيَ جاهِدَه
They isolated one in the open ground,
Weighed down by cold and utterly spent.
مَرَّتshe passed بِناby us وَالصَقرُwith the falcon فيon قَذالِهاthe back of her head
مَرَّت بِنا وَالصَقرُ في قَذالِها
يُؤذِنُهاforetelling to her بِسَيِّئٍsomething ill مِنin حالِهاher condition
يُؤذِنُها بِسَيِّئٍ مِن حالِها
She passed us with the falcon on the back of her head,
Foretelling a worsening of her condition.
ثُمَّthen ثَناهاit turned her back وَأَتاهاand reached her الكَلبُthe hound
ثُمَّ ثَناها وَأَتاها الكَلبُ
هُماthe two عَلَيهاwere against her وَالزَمانُand Time إِلبُwas a confederate
هُما عَلَيها وَالزَمانُ إِلبُ
Then it turned her back, and the hound reached her:
Both were against her, and Time their confederate.
فَلَمand did not نَزَلcease نَصيدُهاhunting them وَنَصرَعُand bringing down
فَلَم نَزَل نَصيدُها وَنَصرَعُ
حَتّىuntil تَبَقّىremained فيin القَطيعِthe herd أَربَعُfour
حَتّى تَبَقّى في القَطيعِ أَربَعُ
We kept hunting and bringing them down
Until four remained in the herd.
ثُمَّthen عَدَلناwe turned عَدلَةًa turn إِلىtoward الجَبَلthe mountain
ثُمَّ عَدَلنا عَدلَةً إِلى الجَبَل
إِلىtoward الأَراويmountain goats وَالكِباشِand rams وَالحَجَلand partridges
إِلى الأَراوي وَالكِباشِ وَالحَجَل
Then we made a turn toward the mountain,
Toward mountain goats, rams, and partridges.
فَلَمand did not نَزَلcease بِالخَيلِwith horses وَالكِلابِand hounds
فَلَم نَزَل بِالخَيلِ وَالكِلابِ
نَجزُرُهاslaughtering them جَزراًa thorough slaughter إِلىup to الأَغبابِthe dewlaps
نَجزُرُها جَزراً إِلى الأَغبابِ
We continued with horses and hounds,
Slaughtering them, up to their dewlaps.
ثُمَّthen اِنصَرَفناwe returned وَالبِغالُand the mules موقَرَهwere heavily laden
ثُمَّ اِنصَرَفنا وَالبِغالُ موقَرَه
فيon لَيلَةٍa night مِثلِlike الصَباحِmorning مُسفِرَهradiant
في لَيلَةٍ مِثلِ الصَباحِ مُسفِرَه
Then we turned home, the mules heavily laden,
On a night as radiant as morning,
حَتّىuntil أَتَيناwe reached رَحَلناour camp بِلَيلٍat night
حَتّى أَتَينا رَحَلنا بِلَيلٍ
وَقَدand had سُبِقناwe been preceded بِجِيادِby the fine steeds الخَيلِamong the horses
وَقَد سُبِقنا بِجِيادِ الخَيلِ
Until we reached our camp after dark;
The fine horses had preceded us.
ثُمَّthen نَزَلناwe dismounted وَطَرَحناand laid out الصَيداthe game
ثُمَّ نَزَلنا وَطَرَحنا الصَيدا
حَتّىuntil عَدَدناwe counted مِئَةًa hundred وَزَيداand more
حَتّى عَدَدنا مِئَةً وَزَيدا
Then we dismounted and laid out the game
Until we counted a hundred and more.
فَلَمand did not نَزَلcease نَقليfrying وَنَشويand roasting وَنَصُبand pouring
فَلَم نَزَل نَقلي وَنَشوي وَنَصُب
حَتّىuntil طَلَبناwe sought صاحِياًa sober person فَلَمand did not نُصِبfind one
حَتّى طَلَبنا صاحِياً فَلَم نُصِب
We kept frying, roasting, and pouring
Until we sought a sober man and found none.
شُرباًdrinking كَماwhatever عَنَّhappened to come مِنَfrom الزِقاقِthe wineskins
شُرباً كَما عَنَّ مِنَ الزِقاقِ
بِغَيرِwithout تَرتيبٍorder وَغَيرِand without ساقِa cupbearer
بِغَيرِ تَرتيبٍ وَغَيرِ ساقِ
Drinking whatever came from the wineskins,
Without order and without a cupbearer.
فَلَمand did not نَزَلcease سَبعَfor seven لَيالٍnights عَدَداin all
فَلَم نَزَل سَبعَ لَيالٍ عَدَدا
أَسعَدَthe happiest مَنof those who راحَdeparted at evening وَأَحظىand the most fortunate مَنof those who غَداset out at dawn
أَسعَدَ مَن راحَ وَأَحظى مَن غَدا
Thus we remained for seven nights in all,
The happiest to depart at evening, the most fortunate to set out at dawn.
Partial English translation: 144 of 272 Arabic lines translated.