لَعَلَّperhaps خَيالَphantom العامِرِيَّةِof the Amiriyya زائِرُvisiting
لَعَلَّ خَيالَ العامِرِيَّةِ زائِرُ
فَيُسعَدَso is gladdened مَهجورٌone abandoned وَيُسعَدَand is gladdened هاجِرُone abandoning
فَيُسعَدَ مَهجورٌ وَيُسعَدَ هاجِرُ
Perhaps the Amiriyya's phantom will visit,
The phantom of al-ʿĀmiriyya may visit
bringing happiness to the abandoned and the abandoning alike.
So a forsaken one finds joy, and a wanderer finds bliss
وَقَدand indeed كُنتُI was لاnot أَرضىsatisfied مِنَwith الوَصلِunion بِالرِضاwith consent
وَقَد كُنتُ لا أَرضى مِنَ الوَصلِ بِالرِضا
لَيالِيَduring nights ماwhat بَينيbetween me وَبَينَكَand you عامِرُflourishing
لَيالِيَ ما بَيني وَبَينَكَ عامِرُ
Once I would not settle for mere consent in union,
Long were the nights between you and I, blissful
in nights when the bond between us flourished.
Though with contentment from union I would not suffice
وَإِنّيand I indeed عَلىdespite طولِthe length of الشِماسِshying away عَنِfrom الصِباyouthful passion
وَإِنّي عَلى طولِ الشِماسِ عَنِ الصِبا
أَحِنُّI yearn وَتُصبينيand entice me إِلَيكِtoward you الجَآذِرُgazelle calves
أَحِنُّ وَتُصبيني إِلَيكِ الجَآذِرُ
Though I have long shied away from youthful passion,
At dusk I yearn for you, led by enduring passion
I yearn, and gazelle calves draw my heart toward you.
While the Pleiades their beauty to me entice
وَإِنّيand I indeed إِذاwhen لَمnot أَرجُhope يَقظانَawake وَصلَهاfor union with her
وَإِنّي إِذا لَم أَرجُ يَقظانَ وَصلَها
لَيُقنِعُنيindeed satisfies me مِنهاfrom her الخَيالُthe phantom المُزاوِرُthat visits
لَيُقنِعُني مِنها الخَيالُ المُزاوِرُ
When, awake, I cannot hope for union with her,
If in wakefulness our meeting I cannot find
her visiting phantom indeed suffices me.
A visiting phantom shall give comfort to my eyes
وَفيand within كِلَّتَيthe two curtains of ذاكَthat الخِباءِtent خَريدَةٌa secluded maiden
وَفي كِلَّتَي ذاكَ الخِباءِ خَريدَةٌ
لَهاfor her مِنfrom طِعانِspear-thrusts of الدارِعينَarmored men سَتائِرُscreens
لَها مِن طِعانِ الدارِعينَ سَتائِرُ
Within the two curtains of that tent is a secluded maiden,
In both abodes of Khiḍr some maiden resides
screened by the spear-thrusts of armored men.
Veiled from the spears of warriors by curtains precise
تَقولُshe says إِذاwhen ماجِئتُهاI come to her مُتَدَرِّعاًwearing armor
تَقولُ إِذا ماجِئتُها مُتَدَرِّعاً
أَزائِرُa visitor of شَوقٍlonging أَنتَare you أَمor أَنتَare you ثائِرُan avenger
أَزائِرُ شَوقٍ أَنتَ أَم أَنتَ ثائِرُ
When I come to her wearing armor, she asks:
She says, when armored I come to her, a visitor
"Are you a visitor of longing, or an avenger?"
"Of passion or revenge - which brings you here in guise?"
فَقُلتُso I said لَهاto her كَلّاno وَلَكِنbut زِيارَةٌa visit
فَقُلتُ لَها كَلّا وَلَكِن زِيارَةٌ
تُخاضُare braved الحُتوفُdeaths دونَهاfor its sake وَالمَحاذِرُand dangers
تُخاضُ الحُتوفُ دونَها وَالمَحاذِرُ
I tell her: "Neither—but this is a visit
I said, "Nay, neither, but a visit I pay
for which death and dangers must be braved."
That dares dangers, with motives pure and wise"
تَثَنَّتshe swayed فَغُصنٌso a branch ناعِمٌtender أَمor شَمائِلٌgraceful motions
تَثَنَّت فَغُصنٌ ناعِمٌ أَم شَمائِلٌ
وَوَلَّتand she turned away فَلَيلٌso a night فاحِمٌcoal-black أَمor غَدائِرُtresses
وَوَلَّت فَلَيلٌ فاحِمٌ أَم غَدائِرُ
She swayed—was that a tender branch, or her graceful motions?
Did a delicate branch sway, or her figure dance?
She turned away—was that coal-black night, or her tresses?
Did a gloomy night pass, or shining locks arise?
فَأَمّاbut now وَقَدsince طالَhas lasted الصُدودُrejection فَإِنَّهُindeed it
فَأَمّا وَقَد طالَ الصُدودُ فَإِنَّهُ
يَقَرُّcomforts بِعَينَيَّmy eyes الخَيالُthe phantom المُزاوِرُthat visits
يَقَرُّ بِعَينَيَّ الخَيالُ المُزاوِرُ
Now, since her rejection has lasted so long,
As estrangement prolongs, the phantom visiting
the visiting phantom brings comfort to my eyes.
Shall please my eyes, when union from me is prised
تَنامُsleeps فَتاةُthe maiden of الحَيِّthe tribe عَنّيunmindful of me خَلِيَّةًcarefree
تَنامُ فَتاةُ الحَيِّ عَنّي خَلِيَّةً
وَقَدand indeed كَثُرَتhave multiplied حَوليaround me البَواكيthe weeping women السَواهِرُthe sleepless
وَقَد كَثُرَت حَولي البَواكي السَواهِرُ
The tribe's maiden sleeps, her heart free of me,
The maiden of the clan sleeps, careless of me
while sleepless mourners have multiplied around me.
While around I the vigils of dusk synergize
وَتُسعِدُنيand console me غُبرُdust-brown dwellers of البَواديthe deserts لِأَجلِهاfor her sake
وَتُسعِدُني غُبرُ البَوادي لِأَجلِها
وَإِنeven if رَغِمَتresent it بَينَamong البُيوتِthe houses الحَواضِرُthe town-dwellers
وَإِن رَغِمَت بَينَ البُيوتِ الحَواضِرُ
The dust-brown desert dwellers console me for her,
The dust of the wilds brings me joy for her sake
though the town-dwellers among their houses resent it.
Though it vexes the homes and mansioned prides
وَماand not هِيَit إِلّاexcept نَظرَةٌa glance ماnot اِحتَسَبتُهاI reckoned on it
وَما هِيَ إِلّا نَظرَةٌ ما اِحتَسَبتُها
بِعَدّانَat Addan صارَتbrought بيme إِلَيهاto her المَصايِرُfates
بِعَدّانَ صارَت بي إِلَيها المَصايِرُ
It was only a glance I had not reckoned on,
For by her glance - which I never expected -
at Addan, where fate brought me to her.
My fate to her, irresistibly, allies
طَلَعتُI arrived بِهاthere وَالرَكبُand the caravan وَالحَيُّand the tribe كُلُّهُall of it
طَلَعتُ بِها وَالرَكبُ وَالحَيُّ كُلُّهُ
حَيارىbewildered إِلىbefore وَجهٍa face بِهِin which الحُسنُbeauty حائِرُis bewildered
حَيارى إِلى وَجهٍ بِهِ الحُسنُ حائِرُ
I arrived there, with the caravan and the entire tribe
With her I rose, and the caravan and tribe
bewildered before a face that bewildered beauty itself.
Bewildered, facing beauty that tantalizes
وَماand not سَفَرَتshe unveiled عَنfrom رَيِّقِthe choicest of الحُسنِbeauty إِنَّماonly
وَما سَفَرَت عَن رَيِّقِ الحُسنِ إِنَّما
نَمَمنَbetrayed عَلىabout ماwhat تَحتَهُنَّwas beneath them المَعاجِرُthe head-wraps
نَمَمنَ عَلى ما تَحتَهُنَّ المَعاجِرُ
She did not unveil beauty's choicest freshness;
Never from the garden of beauty did she travel
her head-wraps merely betrayed what lay beneath them.
But to whisper over homes that tranquilize
فَياso O نَفسُsoul مالاقَيتِwhat you suffered مِنfrom لاعِجِthe burning of الهَوىlove
فَيا نَفسُ مالاقَيتِ مِن لاعِجِ الهَوى
وَياقَلبُand O heart ماجَرَّتwhat brought عَلَيكَupon you النَواظِرُthe gazing eyes
وَياقَلبُ ماجَرَّت عَلَيكَ النَواظِرُ
O soul, what you have suffered from love's burning!
My soul, after madness of passion's renewal
O heart, what those eyes have brought upon you!
My heart, after roving sights did chasten eyes
وَياand O عِفَّتيmy chastity ماليwhat have I وَماand what لَكَhave you كُلَّماwhenever
وَيا عِفَّتي مالي وَما لَكَ كُلَّما
هَمَمتُI intended بِأَمرٍa matter هَمَّrose ليagainst me مِنكَfrom you زاجِرُa restrainer
هَمَمتُ بِأَمرٍ هَمَّ لي مِنكَ زاجِرُ
O my chastity, what is between us? Whenever
My virtue, why do you and I, whenever
I intend something, a restrainer from you rises against me.
I desire a thing, dissuade with warning cries?
كَأَنَّas though الحِجاunderstanding وَالصَونُand restraint وَالعَقلُand reason وَالتُقىand piety
كَأَنَّ الحِجا وَالصَونُ وَالعَقلُ وَالتُقى
لَدَيَّin my heart لِرَبّاتِto the ladies of الخُدورِsecluded chambers ضَرائِرُrival wives
لَدَيَّ لِرَبّاتِ الخُدورِ ضَرائِرُ
It is as though understanding, restraint, reason, and piety
As if honor, chastity, reason and piety
were rivals in my heart to the ladies behind curtains.
For the ladies veiled, were but trivial lies
وَهُنَّand they وَإِنalthough جانَبتُI avoided ماwhat يَشتَهينَهُthey desired
وَهُنَّ وَإِن جانَبتُ ما يَشتَهينَهُ
حَبائِبُbeloved عِنديto me مُنذُsince كُنَّthey became أَثائِرُfavorites
حَبائِبُ عِندي مُنذُ كُنَّ أَثائِرُ
Yet they, though I avoid what they desire,
They, though I avoided what they craved of me
have been dear to me since they became my favorites.
Were to me, since young, the dearest of ties
وَكَمand how many لَيلَةٍa night خُضتُI plunged through الأَسِنَّةَspearheads نَحوَهاtoward her
وَكَم لَيلَةٍ خُضتُ الأَسِنَّةَ نَحوَها
وَماwhile not هَدَأَتrested عَينٌan eye وَلاnor نامَslept سامِرُa night-talker
وَما هَدَأَت عَينٌ وَلا نامَ سامِرُ
How many nights I plunged through spearheads toward her,
How many nights did I spend, praising them
while no eye rested and no night-talker slept!
While no eyes rested, nor sentinels comprised
فَلَمّاand when خَلَوناwe were alone يَعلَمُknows اللَهُGod وَحدُهُhe alone
فَلَمّا خَلَونا يَعلَمُ اللَهُ وَحدُهُ
لَقَدindeed كَرُمَتwas noble نَجوىprivate conversation وَعَفَّتand were chaste سَرائِرُsecret thoughts
لَقَد كَرُمَت نَجوى وَعَفَّت سَرائِرُ
When we were alone—God alone knows—
When alone we were - God alone knows -
our private conversation was noble, our secret thoughts chaste.
Noble was the discourse, secrets safe inside
وَبِتُّand I spent the night يَظُنُّsuspecting الناسُthe people فِيَّabout me ظُنونَهُمtheir suspicions
وَبِتُّ يَظُنُّ الناسُ فِيَّ ظُنونَهُم
وَثَوبِيَand my garment مِمّاof what يَرجُمُconjecture الناسُthe people طاهِرُwas clean
وَثَوبِيَ مِمّا يَرجُمُ الناسُ طاهِرُ
I passed the night while people harbored their suspicions,
I remain, while people think of me their thoughts
but my garment was clean of what they conjectured.
My robe is clean, though people vilify
وَكَمand how many لَيلَةٍa night ماشَيتُI walked beside بَدرَthe moon of تَمامِهاits fullness
وَكَم لَيلَةٍ ماشَيتُ بَدرَ تَمامِها
إِلىuntil الصُبحِdawn لَمnot يَشعُرperceived بِأَمرِيَmy affair شاعِرُany perceiver
إِلى الصُبحِ لَم يَشعُر بِأَمرِيَ شاعِرُ
How many nights I walked beside their full moon
How many nights, til dawn, in secrecy
until dawn, with no one aware of my affair!
I walked, no poet knew, none testified
وَلاand no رَيبَةٌsuspicion إِلّاexcept الحَديثُconversation كَأَنَّهُas though it
وَلا رَيبَةٌ إِلّا الحَديثُ كَأَنَّهُ
جُمانٌpearls وَهىcame unstrung أَوor لُؤلُؤٌpearls مُتَناثِرُscattered
جُمانٌ وَهى أَو لُؤلُؤٌ مُتَناثِرُ
There was nothing suspicious but conversation, as though it were
No doubt, but our talk was like strung pearls
pearls whose string had broken, or scattered gems.
Scattered, shining, though hushed, dignified
أَقولُI say وَقَدwhen already ضَجَّclamored الحُلِيُّthe jewelry وَأَشرَفَتand appeared
أَقولُ وَقَد ضَجَّ الحُلِيُّ وَأَشرَفَت
وَلَمwhile not أُروَI drank my fill مِنهاof her لِلصَباحِof morning بَشائِرُheralds
وَلَم أُروَ مِنها لِلصَباحِ بَشائِرُ
I said, as the jewelry clamored and there appeared—
I say this as the adornments sound, and dawn
before I had drunk my fill of her—the heralds of morning:
No sign appears, that morning will revive
أَياO رَبِّmy Lord حَتّىeven الحَليُjewelry مِمّاamong what نَخافُهُwe fear
أَيا رَبِّ حَتّى الحَليُ مِمّا نَخافُهُ
وَحَتّىand even بَياضُthe whiteness of الصُبحِdawn مِمّاamong what نُحاذِرُwe dread
وَحَتّى بَياضُ الصُبحِ مِمّا نُحاذِرُ
"O Lord, even jewelry is among the things we fear,
"O Lord, even antimony we fear, and dread
and even dawn's whiteness is among the things we dread!"
The whiteness of dawn - omens we decry"
وَليand I have فيكِtoward you مِنfrom فَرطِexcessive الصَبابَةِlonging آمِرٌa commander
وَلي فيكِ مِن فَرطِ الصَبابَةِ آمِرٌ
وَدونَكِand before you مِنfrom حُسنِthe excellence of الصَيانَةِrestraint زاجِرُa restrainer
وَدونَكِ مِن حُسنِ الصَيانَةِ زاجِرُ
Excessive longing gives me a commander urging me toward you,
For me, you stir madness with your youth
while honorable restraint sets a restrainer between us.
And chasten me, virtue's strictness implied
عَفافُكَyour abstinence غَيٌّis folly إِنَّماonly عِفَّةُthe chastity of الفَتىa young man
عَفافُكَ غَيٌّ إِنَّما عِفَّةُ الفَتى
إِذاwhen عَفَّhe abstains عَنfrom لَذّاتِهِhis pleasures وَهْوَwhile he قادِرُis able
إِذا عَفَّ عَن لَذّاتِهِ وَهْوَ قادِرُ
Your abstinence is folly; a young man's true chastity
But man's virtue is to conquer his desires
is to abstain from his pleasures when he has the power.
Not veil his eyes, when able to descry
نَفىdrove away الهَمَّanxiety عَنّيfrom me هِمَّةٌa resolve عَدَوِيَّةٌAdawi
نَفى الهَمَّ عَنّي هِمَّةٌ عَدَوِيَّةٌ
وَقَلبٌand a heart عَلىfor ماشِئتُwhatever I wished مِنهُof it مُظاهِرُsupporting
وَقَلبٌ عَلى ماشِئتُ مِنهُ مُظاهِرُ
An Adawi resolve drove anxiety away from me,
Grief is dispelled by my will to fight villains
and a heart supporting whatever I wished of it;
My heart obeys my every thought and cry
وَأَسمَرُand a brown spear مِمّاfrom what يُنبِتُproduces الخَطُّal-Khatt ذابِلٌsupple
وَأَسمَرُ مِمّا يُنبِتُ الخَطُّ ذابِلٌ
وَأَبيَضُand a white blade مِمّاfrom what تَطبَعُforges الهِندُIndia باتِرُcutting
وَأَبيَضُ مِمّا تَطبَعُ الهِندُ باتِرُ
a supple brown spear from what al-Khatt produces,
My skin is darker than can be drawn by pens
and a cutting white blade forged in India;
And whiter than what Indian swords imply
وَنَفسٌand a soul لَهاthat has فيin كُلِّevery أَرضٍland لُبانةٌa desire
وَنَفسٌ لَها في كُلِّ أَرضٍ لُبانةٌ
وَفيand in كُلِّevery حَيٍّtribe أُسرَةٌa family وَمَعاشِرُand companions
وَفي كُلِّ حَيٍّ أُسرَةٌ وَمَعاشِرُ
a soul with a desire in every land,
A soul that finds family in every land
and family and companions in every tribe;
And in every clan, hearths to fraternize
وَقَلبٌand a heart يُقِرُّstills الحَربَwar وَهْوَwhile it مُحارِبٌis fighting
وَقَلبٌ يُقِرُّ الحَربَ وَهْوَ مُحارِبٌ
وَعَزمٌand resolve يُقيمُsteadies الجِسمَthe body وَهوَwhile it مُسافِرُis traveling
وَعَزمٌ يُقيمُ الجِسمَ وَهوَ مُسافِرُ
a heart that stills war while itself fighting,
A heart that welcomes war while making war
and resolve that steadies the body while it travels.
A spirit that strengthens the frame when allies
إِذاif لَمnot أَجِدI find فيin كُلِّevery فَجٍّmountain pass عَشيرَةًa clan
إِذا لَم أَجِد في كُلِّ فَجٍّ عَشيرَةً
فَإِنَّthen indeed الكِرامَthe noble لِلكِرامِto the noble عَشائِرُare clansmen
فَإِنَّ الكِرامَ لِلكِرامِ عَشائِرُ
If I find no clan in every mountain pass,
If I find no kinsmen in each valley and ridge
the noble are clansmen to the noble.
Yet the noble find noble ancestry
وَلاحِقَةِand a slender mare of الإِطلَينِthe two flanks مِنfrom نَسلِthe offspring of لاحِقٍLahiq
وَلاحِقَةِ الإِطلَينِ مِن نَسلِ لاحِقٍ
أَمينَةَsure-footed ماwherever نِطَتleapt إِلَيهِtoward it الحَوافِرُthe hooves
أَمينَةَ ما نِطَت إِلَيهِ الحَوافِرُ
And a slender-flanked mare descended from Lahiq,
The protected children of Laḥiq we are
sure-footed wherever her hooves leap;
Trustworthy, where the feet of mares relied
مِنَamong اللاءِthose that تَأبىrefuse أَنto تُعانِدَdisobey رَبَّهاtheir master
مِنَ اللاءِ تَأبى أَن تُعانِدَ رَبَّها
إِذاwhen حُسِرَتare lifted عِندَat المُغارِthe raid المَآزِرُthe garments
إِذا حُسِرَت عِندَ المُغارِ المَآزِرُ
one of those that refuse to disobey their master
From La'la refuses obstinacy, when
when garments are lifted at the onset of a raid.
At holy Muzdalifa, faces prostrate lie
وَخَرقاءُand a headlong camel وَرقاءُgray بَطيءٌslow كَلالُهاher fatigue
وَخَرقاءُ وَرقاءُ بَطيءٌ كَلالُها
تَكَلَّفُundertakes بيcarrying me ماwhat لاnot تُطيقُcan endure الأَباعِرُother camels
تَكَلَّفُ بي ما لا تُطيقُ الأَباعِرُ
And a headlong gray she-camel, slow to tire,
Slow Kharija, though her calves fatigue me
bearing me through what other camels cannot endure;
I take on what racers could not survive
غُرَيرِيَّةٌa Ghurayriyya صافَتsummered شَقائِقَin the valleys of دابِقٍDabiq
غُرَيرِيَّةٌ صافَت شَقائِقَ دابِقٍ
مَدىthroughout قَيظَهاher summer heat حَتّىuntil تَصَرَّمَended ناجِرُNajir
مَدى قَيظَها حَتّى تَصَرَّمَ ناجِرُ
a Ghurayriyya that summered in Dabiq's valleys
My Ghuraibiyya mare, having outlasted
throughout the heat, until Najir ended.
The noonday heat, till the water-skin was dry
وَحَمَّضَهاand grazed her on salt plants الراعيthe shepherd بِمَيثاءِon soft ground بُرهَةًawhile
وَحَمَّضَها الراعي بِمَيثاءِ بُرهَةً
تَناوَلَtook مِنsome of خِذرافِهِits khidhraf forage وَتُغادِرُand she leaves
تَناوَلَ مِن خِذرافِهِ وَتُغادِرُ
The shepherd grazed her on salt plants on soft ground awhile,
Which the herder soured with whey of Burha's milk
taking some of its khidhraf forage and leaving some.
Sipping from his goatskin as she drank deep by
أَقامَتshe stayed بِهاthere شَيبانَthrough Shayban ثُمَّthen تَضَمَّنَتundertook
أَقامَت بِها شَيبانَ ثُمَّ تَضَمَّنَت
بَقِيَّةَthe remainder of صَفوانٍSafwan قِراهاher provision المَناظِرُal-Manazir
بَقِيَّةَ صَفوانٍ قِراها المَناظِرُ
She stayed there through Shayban; then al-Manazir
She stayed with Shayban, then took refuge
provided her grazing for the remainder of Safwan.
In remnants of Ṣafwan, where views tranquilize
وَخَوَّضَهاand made her wade بَطنَthrough the hollow of السَلَوطَحِal-Salawtah رَيثَماwhile
وَخَوَّضَها بَطنَ السَلَوطَحِ رَيثَما
أُديرَتwere turned بِمِلحانَthrough Milhan الشُهورُthe months الدَوائِرُrevolving
أُديرَت بِمِلحانَ الشُهورُ الدَوائِرُ
He made her wade through the hollow of al-Salawtah while
She raced at Samawah, her tail whipping the ground
the revolving months turned through Milhan.
Till the months in their rounds completed a cycle
فَجاءَso he returned بِكَوماءٍwith a high-humped camel إِذاwhen هِيَshe أَقبَلَتapproached
فَجاءَ بِكَوماءٍ إِذا هِيَ أَقبَلَت
حَسِبتَyou supposed عَلَيهاupon her رَحلَهاher saddle وَهيَwhile she حاسِرُwas bare-backed
حَسِبتَ عَلَيها رَحلَها وَهيَ حاسِرُ
He returned with a high-humped camel: when she approached,
Then she came to Kawma’ bearing her saddle
you would think her saddled, though she was bare-backed.
You'd think her gear was packed and ready to ride
فَياso how بُعدَdistant نابَينَthe two fangs of الكَلالِfatigue وَبَينَهاfrom her
فَيا بُعدَ نابَينَ الكَلالِ وَبَينَها
وَياقُربَand how near مايَرجوwhat hopes for عَلَيهاupon her المُسافِرُthe traveler
وَياقُربَ مايَرجو عَلَيها المُسافِرُ
How far fatigue's two fangs are from her!
How far are the soft sands of Kalb from her!
How near what the traveler hopes to reach upon her!
How near is the goal the rider hopes to descry!
دَعِleave الوَطَنَthe homeland المَألوفَfamiliar رابَكَtroubled you أَهلُهُits people
دَعِ الوَطَنَ المَألوفَ رابَكَ أَهلُهُ
وَعُدَّand turn away عَنِfrom الأَهلِkinsmen الَّذينَwho تَكاثَرواboasted of numbers
وَعُدَّ عَنِ الأَهلِ الَّذينَ تَكاثَروا
Leave your familiar homeland if its people trouble you,
Leave the homeland whose people irk you
and turn away from kinsmen who boast of their numbers.
And forget those abundant kin ties imply
فَأَهلُكَfor your kin مَنare those who أَصفىwere sincerely devoted وَوُدُّكَand your affection ماصَفاis what stayed pure
فَأَهلُكَ مَن أَصفى وَوُدُّكَ ماصَفا
وَإِنeven if نَزَحَتwas distant دارٌa home وَقَلَّتand were few عَشائِرُclansmen
وَإِن نَزَحَت دارٌ وَقَلَّت عَشائِرُ
Your kin are those sincerely devoted; your affection is what stays pure,
Your family are the sincere, loving ones
even when homes are distant and clansmen few.
Though buildings fall, tribes disband, bonds untie
تَبَوَّأتُI gained مِنfrom قَرمَيthe two chiefs of مَعَدٍّMaadd كِلَيهِماboth of them
تَبَوَّأتُ مِن قَرمَي مَعَدٍّ كِلَيهِما
مَكاناًa position أَرانيthat showed me كَيفَhow تُبنىare built المَفاخِرُglories
مَكاناً أَراني كَيفَ تُبنى المَفاخِرُ
From both of Maadd's two great chiefs I gained
We took over Mayadhin, though it lacked protectors
a position that showed me how glories are built.
A place to build glories that edify
لَئِنthough كانَwas أَصليmy origin مِنfrom سَعيدٍSaid نِجارُهُits stock
لَئِن كانَ أَصلي مِن سَعيدٍ نِجارُهُ
فَفَرعيthen my branch لِسَيفِfor Sayf الدَولَةِal-Dawla القَرمِthe great chief ناصِرُis a supporter
فَفَرعي لِسَيفِ الدَولَةِ القَرمِ ناصِرُ
Though my ancestral stock springs from Said,
My ancestry - if Saʿīd was its root
my branch supports the noble Sayf al-Dawla.
Its branch serves Sayf al-Dawla, that lion ally
وَماand not كانَwould be لَولاهُwithout him لِيَنفَعَof benefit أَوَّلٌan earlier glory
وَما كانَ لَولاهُ لِيَنفَعَ أَوَّلٌ
إِذاif لَمnot يُزَيِّنadorned أَوَّلَthe first of المَجدِglory آخِرُa later one
إِذا لَم يُزَيِّن أَوَّلَ المَجدِ آخِرُ
Without him, an earlier glory would have been no use,
The first cannot benefit without the last
unless a later glory adorned the first.
Crowning glory needs founding deeds justified
لَعَمرُكَby your life ماnot الأَبصارُeyesight تَنفَعُbenefits أَهلَهاits possessors
لَعَمرُكَ ما الأَبصارُ تَنفَعُ أَهلَها
إِذاif لَمnot يَكُنthere are لِلمُبصِرينَfor those seeing بَصائِرُinsights
إِذا لَم يَكُن لِلمُبصِرينَ بَصائِرُ
By your life, eyesight does not benefit its possessors
By your life! Vision helps not the seeing man
if those who see possess no insight.
If insight within him is lacking, no eye
وَهَلand does يَنفَعُbenefit الخَطِّيُّthe Khatti spear غَيرَwithout being مُثَقَّفٍstraightened
وَهَل يَنفَعُ الخَطِّيُّ غَيرَ مُثَقَّفٍ
وَتَظهَرُand shine إِلّاexcept بِالصَقالِthrough polishing الجَواهِرُjewels
وَتَظهَرُ إِلّا بِالصَقالِ الجَواهِرُ
Does a Khatti spear help unless it is straightened?
Can the writer do good, if not well-read?
And do jewels shine except through polishing?
Do gems shine, if not polished and purified?
أُناضِلُI defend عَنon behalf of أَحسابِthe ancestral honors of قَوميmy people بِفَضلِهِthrough his excellence
أُناضِلُ عَن أَحسابِ قَومي بِفَضلِهِ
وَأَفخَرُand I boast حَتّىuntil لاnot أَرىI see مَنanyone who يُفاخِرُrivals in boasting
وَأَفخَرُ حَتّى لا أَرى مَن يُفاخِرُ
Through his excellence I defend my people's ancestral honor,
With his merit, I defend my people's honor
and boast until I see none who can rival me.
Boasting, till no peer I see, glorified
وَأَسعىand I strive لِأَمرٍfor a goal عُدَّتيmy equipment لِمَنالِهِfor attaining it
وَأَسعى لِأَمرٍ عُدَّتي لِمَنالِهِ
أَواخَيَّtethering pegs مِنfrom آرائِهِhis counsels وَأَواصِرُand bonds
أَواخَيَّ مِن آرائِهِ وَأَواصِرُ
I strive for a goal, my equipment for attaining it
I seek things, girded, driving his vision
being anchoring pegs and bonds drawn from his counsels.
Reliant on his guidance, hopes fortified
أَياO راكِباًrider تُحدىare driven بِأَعوادِbeneath the timbers of رَحلِهِhis saddle
أَيا راكِباً تُحدى بِأَعوادِ رَحلِهِ
عُذافِرَةٌa mighty she-camel عَيرانَةٌwild-ass-like وَعُذافِرُand a mighty male
عُذافِرَةٌ عَيرانَةٌ وَعُذافِرُ
O rider, beneath whose saddle-wood are driven
Say to the rider challenging with spear shafts -
a mighty she-camel, a wild-ass-like mount, and a mighty male:
Stop! Tiwal's racers you'll never defy
أَلِكنيcarry from me إِلىto أَفناءِthe branches of بَكرٍBakr رِسالَةًa message
أَلِكني إِلى أَفناءِ بَكرٍ رِسالَةً
عَلىdespite نَأيِهاtheir distance وَهيَand it is القَوافيthe rhymes السَوائِرُtraveling
عَلى نَأيِها وَهيَ القَوافي السَوائِرُ
carry a message from me to Bakr's various branches,
Send, if you please, to Bakr's clans my verses
despite their distance—these traveling rhymes.
Traveling to them through spacious sands far and wide
لَئِنthough باعَدَتكُمseparated you نِيَّةٌa journey طالَwas long شَحطُهاits remoteness
لَئِن باعَدَتكُم نِيَّةٌ طالَ شَحطُها
لَقَدindeed قَرَّبَتكُمbrought you close نِيَّةٌpurpose وَضَمائِرُand inward feelings
لَقَد قَرَّبَتكُم نِيَّةٌ وَضَمائِرُ
Though a journey of prolonged remoteness has separated you,
If one place estranges, our love stays true
purpose and inward feelings have indeed brought you close;
No pact fades, bonds remain tied
وَنَشرُand spreading ثَناءٍpraise لايَغِبُّunceasing كَأَنَّماas though
وَنَشرُ ثَناءٍ لايَغِبُّ كَأَنَّما
بِهِthrough it نَشَرَunfolded العَصبَthe striped cloth اليَمانِيَّYemeni ناشِرُone unfolding
بِهِ نَشَرَ العَصبَ اليَمانِيَّ ناشِرُ
and the spreading of ceaseless praise, as though
It spreads your praise, that shall not fade, like
someone were unfolding Yemeni striped cloth through it.
Yaman's lineages, broadcasting far and wide
وَيَجمَعُناand unites us فيin وائِلٍWail عَشَرِيَّةٌa tribal bond
وَيَجمَعُنا في وائِلٍ عَشَرِيَّةٌ
وَوِدٌّand affection وَأَرحامٌand kinship ties هُناكَthere شَواجِرُinterwoven
وَوِدٌّ وَأَرحامٌ هُناكَ شَواجِرُ
A tribal bond in Wail unites us,
Through us, God's faith has might and protection
and affection and interwoven ties of kinship there.
Through us, God's faith has sword and fortified
فَقُلso tell لِبَنيthe sons of وَرقاءَWarqa إِنif شَطَّlies far away مَنزِلٌa dwelling
فَقُل لِبَني وَرقاءَ إِن شَطَّ مَنزِلٌ
فَلاthen not العَهدُthe covenant مَنسِيٌّforgotten وَلاnor الوِدُّaffection داثِرُeffaced
فَلا العَهدُ مَنسِيٌّ وَلا الوِدُّ داثِرُ
Tell the sons of Warqa: though a dwelling lies far away,
They gave refuge to the displaced Caliph
neither the covenant is forgotten nor affection effaced.
When no friend offered aid, none by his side
وَكَيفَand how يَرِثُّfrays الحَبلُthe rope أَوor تَضعُفُweaken القِوىthe strands
وَكَيفَ يَرِثُّ الحَبلُ أَو تَضعُفُ القِوى
وَقَدwhen indeed قَرُبَتdrew close قُربىkinship وَشُدَّتand were tightened أَواصِرُbonds
وَقَد قَرُبَت قُربى وَشُدَّت أَواصِرُ
How could the rope fray, or its strands weaken,
They restored him until he ruled from his throne
when kinship has drawn close and bonds been tightened?
Though around it, twenty thousand deaths vied
أَباAbu أَحمَدٍAhmad مَهلاًgently إِذاif الفَرعُthe branch لَمnot يَطِبwas good
أَبا أَحمَدٍ مَهلاً إِذا الفَرعُ لَم يَطِب
فَلاthen may not طِبنَprosper يَومَon the day of الإِفتِخارِboasting العَناصِرُthe roots
فَلا طِبنَ يَومَ الإِفتِخارِ العَناصِرُ
Abu Ahmad, gently! If the branch is not good,
They managed the Muslims' affairs so wise
may its roots not prosper on the day of boasting.
God, Islam and Faith gratified
أَتَسموdo you rise بِماthrough what شادَتbuilt أَوائِلُthe forefathers of وائِلٍWail
أَتَسمو بِما شادَت أَوائِلُ وائِلٍ
وَقَدwhen indeed غَمَرَتeclipsed تِلكَthose الأَواليearlier generations الأَواخِرُlater generations
وَقَد غَمَرَت تِلكَ الأَوالي الأَواخِرُ
Do you rise through what Wail's forefathers built,
When ʿAlaja of Iraq, Ibn Rā’iq’s scourge swelled
when later generations have eclipsed those earlier ones?
They cured the insolence none could rectify
أَيَشغَلُكُمdoes occupy you وَصفُdescribing القَديمِthe past وَدونَهُwhile nearer than it
أَيَشغَلُكُم وَصفُ القَديمِ وَدونَهُ
مَفاخِرُglories فيهاin them شاغِلٌenough to occupy وَمَآثِرُand achievements
مَفاخِرُ فيها شاغِلٌ وَمَآثِرُ
Does describing the past occupy you, when nearer lie
Arabs of pedigree built his edifice
glories enough to occupy you, and great achievements?
Among them, scourging vengeance personified
لَناwe have أَوَّلٌan earlier share فيin المَكرُماتِnoble deeds وَآخِرٌand a later share
لَنا أَوَّلٌ في المَكرُماتِ وَآخِرٌ
وَباطِنُand inward مَجدٍglory تَغلَبِيٍّTaghlibi وَظاهِرُand outward
وَباطِنُ مَجدٍ تَغلَبِيٍّ وَظاهِرُ
We have both an earlier and a later share in noble deeds,
He made Al-ʿAlā’ taste his evil fruits
and Taghlibi glory, inward and outward.
Foul treasons beget consequences denied
وَهَلand should يُطلَبُbe sought العِزُّgreatness الَّذيwhich هُوَis غائِبٌabsent
وَهَل يُطلَبُ العِزُّ الَّذي هُوَ غائِبٌ
وَيُترَكُand be abandoned ذاthis العِزُّgreatness الَّذيwhich هُوَis حاضِرُpresent
وَيُترَكُ ذا العِزُّ الَّذي هُوَ حاضِرُ
Should absent greatness be sought,
He crushed the Turks when Munʿim was shamed
while this present greatness is abandoned?
His gifts could not make base betrayal hide
عَلَيَّI possess لِأَبكارِfor the virgin forms of الكَلامِspeech وَعَونِهِand its seasoned forms
عَلَيَّ لِأَبكارِ الكَلامِ وَعَونِهِ
مَفاخِرُglories تُفنيهِthat exhaust it وَتَبقىand remain مَفاخِرُglories
مَفاخِرُ تُفنيهِ وَتَبقى مَفاخِرُ
For speech's virgin forms and its seasoned forms, I possess
He pierced Homs with the sword for sixty nights
glories that exhaust it, while other glories remain.
Besieging the Romans' king, undented pride
أَناI am الحارِثُal-Harith المُختارُthe chosen مِنfrom نَسلِthe descendants of حارِثٍHarith
أَنا الحارِثُ المُختارُ مِن نَسلِ حارِثٍ
إِذاwhen لَمnot يَسُدrules فيamong القَومِthe people إِلّاexcept الأَخايِرُthe best
إِذا لَم يَسُد في القَومِ إِلّا الأَخايِرُ
I am al-Harith, chosen from Harith's descendants,
Those citadels now bow to us in worship
when none but the best rule among the people.
Surrendering their womenfolk, terrified
فَجَدّيfor my grandfather الَّذيis the one whose لَمَّgathered العَشيرَةَthe clan جودُهُgenerosity
فَجَدّي الَّذي لَمَّ العَشيرَةَ جودُهُ
وَقَدwhen indeed طارَflew فيهاamong them بِالتَفَرُّقِwith division طائِرُan omen
وَقَد طارَ فيها بِالتَفَرُّقِ طائِرُ
My grandfather's generosity gathered the clan together
Still our kin raid Sharshana unrelenting
when an omen of division had flown among them.
Assailing at night, pillaging far and wide
تَحَمَّلَhe assumed responsibility for قَتلاهاtheir slain وَساقَand paid دِياتِهاtheir blood-money
تَحَمَّلَ قَتلاها وَساقَ دِياتِها
حَمولٌbearing لِماwhat جَرَّتbrought عَلَيهِupon him الجَرائِرُoffenses
حَمولٌ لِما جَرَّت عَلَيهِ الجَرائِرُ
He assumed responsibility for their slain and paid their blood-money,
When at the pass, blocked by Roman forces
bearing what their offenses laid upon him.
Qustanṭīn thought our advance would be denied
وَذِيْand paid blood-money for ماءَةًa hundred لَولاهُwithout him جَرَّتwould have led دِمائُهُمtheir blood
وَذِيْ ماءَةً لَولاهُ جَرَّت دِمائُهُم
مَوارِدَto watering places of مَوتٍdeath مالَهُنَّwith no مَصادِرُways out
مَوارِدَ مَوتٍ مالَهُنَّ مَصادِرُ
He paid blood-money for a hundred; without him their blood would have led
We marched along the Euphrates banks as though
to watering places of death from which none return.
Ships sailed below, sails billowing with the tide
وَمِنّاand among us الَّذيthe one who ضافَhosted الإِمامَthe imam وَجَيشِهِand his army
وَمِنّا الَّذي ضافَ الإِمامَ وَجَيشِهِ
وَلاand no جودَgenerosity إِلّاexcept أَنthat تَضيفَyou entertain العَساكِرُarmies
وَلا جودَ إِلّا أَن تَضيفَ العَساكِرُ
Among us is the man who hosted the imam and his army;
We came to Arqnayn, driving their women
there is no generosity like entertaining armies.
Their heels bleeding, the sheltered terrified
وَجَدّيand my grandfather الَّذيis the one who اِنتاشَrescued الدِيارَthe lands وَأَهلَهاand their people
وَجَدّي الَّذي اِنتاشَ الدِيارَ وَأَهلَها
وَلِلدَهرِwhile time has نابٌa fang فيهِمُin them وَأَظافِرُand claws
وَلِلدَهرِ نابٌ فيهِمُ وَأَظافِرُ
My grandfather rescued the lands and their people
At Yarmouk, we turned south to Marj Rahith
while time sank its fang and claws into them.
A fighter continuously God glorified
ثَلاثَةُthree أَعوامٍyears يُكابِدُhe struggles against مَحلَهاtheir drought
ثَلاثَةُ أَعوامٍ يُكابِدُ مَحلَها
أَشَمُّproud طَويلُlong الساعِدَينِin the forearms عُراعِرُa mighty chief
أَشَمُّ طَويلُ الساعِدَينِ عُراعِرُ
For three years he struggled against their drought:
When the Romans saw the Dhul-Qarnayn host retreat
a proud, long-armed, mighty chief.
Their resolves returned, sights clarified
فَآبواso they returned بِجَدواهُwith his bounty وَآبَand he returned بِشُكرِهِمwith their gratitude
فَآبوا بِجَدواهُ وَآبَ بِشُكرِهِم
وَماand none مِنهُمُamong them فيin صَفقَةِthe bargain of المَجدِglory خاسِرُwas a loser
وَما مِنهُمُ في صَفقَةِ المَجدِ خاسِرُ
They returned with his bounty, and he with their gratitude;
Never relenting, they chargéd till bloodied
none lost in that bargain of glory.
Horses and men in the fray terrorized
وَكَيفَand how يُنالُis attained المَجدُglory وَالجِسمُwhile the body وادِعٌrests
وَكَيفَ يُنالُ المَجدُ وَالجِسمُ وادِعٌ
وَكَيفَand how يُحازُis won الحَمدُpraise وَالوَفرُwhile wealth وافِرُremains abundant
وَكَيفَ يُحازُ الحَمدُ وَالوَفرُ وافِرُ
How can glory be attained while the body rests?
Half our army made Jawlan plunder
How can praise be won while wealth remains abundant?
The noble rewarding, threatening those who vied
أَساداءَO masters of ثَغرٍa frontier كانَthat had أَعياbaffled دَوائُهُits cure
أَساداءَ ثَغرٍ كانَ أَعيا دَوائُهُ
وَفيwhile in قَلبِthe heart of مَلكِthe king of الرومِthe Romans داءٌa sickness مُخامِرُlingering
وَفي قَلبِ مَلكِ الرومِ داءٌ مُخامِرُ
O masters of a frontier whose cure once baffled,
From Abi Wā’il, the Caliph's death we prevented
while a lingering sickness dwelt in the Roman king's heart:
Though time humbles all mortals, fate unified
بَنىhe built ثَغرَهاits frontier الباقيenduring عَلىthrough الدَهرِtime ذِكرُهُhis memory
بَنى ثَغرَها الباقي عَلى الدَهرِ ذِكرُهُ
نَتائِجُoffspring فيهاamong them السابِقاتُthe foremost racers الضَوامِرُthe lean
نَتائِجُ فيها السابِقاتُ الضَوامِرُ
he built its frontier, his memory enduring through time;
The Qarmaṭī came, his head high, defiant
among its offspring are the lean, foremost racers.
A piercing spear embedded in his chest, bloodied
وَسَوفَand he will عَلىdespite رَغمِthe displeasure of العَدُوِّthe enemy يُعيدُهاrestore it
وَسَوفَ عَلى رَغمِ العَدُوِّ يُعيدُها
مُعَوَّدُaccustomed to رَدِّrestoring الثَغرِthe frontier وَالثَغرُwhile the frontier دائِرُturns
مُعَوَّدُ رَدِّ الثَغرِ وَالثَغرُ دائِرُ
Despite the enemy, he will restore it:
We bought and sold their lives with our swords
one accustomed to restoring the frontier as fortune turns.
For we are people who with swords trade
وَلَمّاand when أَلَمَّتdescended بِالدِيارَينِupon the two lands أَزمَةٌa crisis
وَلَمّا أَلَمَّت بِالدِيارَينِ أَزمَةٌ
جَلاهاhe dispelled it وَنابَand the fang of المَوتِdeath بِالمَوتِagainst death كاشِرُbaring
جَلاها وَنابَ المَوتِ بِالمَوتِ كاشِرُ
When a crisis descended upon the two lands,
We protected their women - we have the right
he dispelled it, baring death's fang against death.
They returned untouched, veils unified
كَفَتsufficed instead of غَدَواتِthe morning visits of الغَيثِrain دِرّاتُthe showers of كَفِّهِhis hand
كَفَت غَدَواتِ الغَيثِ دِرّاتُ كَفِّهِ
فَأَمرَعَso found pasture بادٍa desert dweller وَاِجتَنىand harvested العَيشَlivelihood حاضِرُa townsman
فَأَمرَعَ بادٍ وَاِجتَنى العَيشَ حاضِرُ
The showers of his hand sufficed instead of morning rain;
They called him, wailing, while led in fetters
the desert dweller found pasture, the townsman harvested livelihood.
Like palms upon Roman balconies splayed
أَناخواthey halted بِوَهّابِbefore a giver of النَفائيسِprecious things ماجِدٍnoble
أَناخوا بِوَهّابِ النَفائيسِ ماجِدٍ
يُقاسِمُهُمhe divides with them أَموالَهُhis wealth وَيُشاطِرُand shares
يُقاسِمُهُم أَموالَهُ وَيُشاطِرُ
They halted before a noble giver of precious things,
We left you these slaves, O worthy Munʿim!
who divides his wealth with them and shares it.
Doves in a cage who for freedom chide
وَعَمّيand my uncle الَّذيis the one who أَردىbrought down الوَزيرَthe vizier وَفاتِكاًand Fatik
وَعَمّي الَّذي أَردى الوَزيرَ وَفاتِكاً
وَماand not الفارِسُthe horseman الفَتّاكُdeadly إِلّاexcept المُجاهِرُthe open fighter
وَما الفارِسُ الفَتّاكُ إِلّا المُجاهِرُ
My uncle brought down the vizier and Fatik;
So treat us with kindness, fearing your might
the truly deadly horseman is the one who fights openly.
For you are fierce, and you are tyrant side
أَذاقَهُماmade both taste كَأسَthe cup of الحِمامِdeath مُشَيَّعٌa courageous man
أَذاقَهُما كَأسَ الحِمامِ مُشَيَّعٌ
مُثَوِرُrousing غاراتِthe raids of الزَمانِtime مُساوِرُassaulting
مُثَوِرُ غاراتِ الزَمانِ مُساوِرُ
A courageous man made both drink death's cup,
He roasted Samāwa’s core with flames enraged
rousing time's raids, assaulting his foes.
The sparks of spears over the horizon glide
يُطيعُهُمُhe obeys them ماas long as أَصبَحَremains العَدلُjustice فيهِمُamong them
يُطيعُهُمُ ما أَصبَحَ العَدلُ فيهِمُ
وَلاand no طاعَةٌobedience لِلمَرءِto a man وَالمَرءُwhile the man جائِرُis unjust
وَلا طاعَةٌ لِلمَرءِ وَالمَرءُ جائِرُ
He obeys them so long as justice remains among them;
He hounded Kaʿb where no water flows
no obedience is owed a man when he is unjust.
To teach Kaʿb how the vines do override
لَناwe have فيin خِلافِthe opposition of الناسِthe people to عُثمانَUthman أُسوَةٌan example
لَنا في خِلافِ الناسِ عُثمانَ أُسوَةٌ
وَقَدwhen indeed جَرَّتِbrought البَلوىaffliction عَلَيهِupon him الجَرائِرُoffenses
وَقَد جَرَّتِ البَلوى عَلَيهِ الجَرائِرُ
We have an example in the people's opposition to Uthman,
He sought Kaʿb where no track marks the way
when offenses brought affliction upon him.
To teach Kaʿb how some fires deride
وَسارَand he marched إِلىto دارِthe seat of الخِلافَةِthe caliphate عَنوَةًby force
وَسارَ إِلى دارِ الخِلافَةِ عَنوَةً
فَحَرَّقَهاso he burned it وَالجَيشُwhile the army بِالدارِaround the palace دائِرُwas surrounding
فَحَرَّقَها وَالجَيشُ بِالدارِ دائِرُ
He marched by force to the seat of the caliphate
We made Jawna plunder without remorse
and burned it, the army surrounding the palace.
And Jarrāḥ fled, bested when allies vied
أَذَلَّhe humbled تَميماًTamim بَعدَafter عِزٍّmight وَطالَماand how often
أَذَلَّ تَميماً بَعدَ عِزٍّ وَطالَما
أُذِلَّwas humbled بِناthrough us الباغيthe aggressor وَعَزَّand was honored المُجاوِرُthe protected neighbor
أُذِلَّ بِنا الباغي وَعَزَّ المُجاوِرُ
He humbled Tamim after its might; how often
Abū ‘l-Fayḍ, how the people around him suffered!
through us has the aggressor been humbled and the protected neighbor honored!
Though his ancestors were blest, dignified
وَصَدَّقَand he fulfilled فيconcerning بَكرٍBakr مَواعيدَthe promises of ضَيفِهِhis guest
وَصَدَّقَ في بَكرٍ مَواعيدَ ضَيفِهِ
وَثَوَّرَand rose against بِاِبنِIbn الغَمرِal-Ghamr وَالنَقعُwhile the dust ثائِرُwas rising
وَثَوَّرَ بِاِبنِ الغَمرِ وَالنَقعُ ثائِرُ
He fulfilled his guest's promises concerning Bakr,
You and us both ruled them, ruled their zeal
and rose against Ibn al-Ghamr as the dust rose.
For people are but necks and servile
وَأَقبَلَand he brought بِالشاريal-Shari يُقادُbeing led أَمامَهُbefore him
وَأَقبَلَ بِالشاري يُقادُ أَمامَهُ
وَلِلقَيدِand the fetters have فيupon كِلتاboth يَدَيهِhis hands ضَفائِرُbraids
وَلِلقَيدِ في كِلتا يَدَيهِ ضَفائِرُ
He brought al-Shari, led before him,
You and us both ruled them, ruled their zeal
with braided fetters upon both his hands.
For people are but necks for each reviled
وَشَنَّand he unleashed عَلىagainst ذيDhu الخالِal-Khal خَيلاًhorsemen تَناهَبَتthat divided
وَشَنَّ عَلى ذي الخالِ خَيلاً تَناهَبَت
سَماوَةُSamawat كَلبٍKalb بَينَهاamong themselves وَعُراعِرُand Urarir
سَماوَةُ كَلبٍ بَينَها وَعُراعِرُ
He unleashed horsemen against Dhu al-Khal, who divided
Which of my kinsmen, think you, that you met?
Samawat Kalb and Urarir among their rushing bands.
With a glaive unsheathed, and slaughter sanctified?
أَضَقنَthey cramped عَلَيهِaround him البيدَthe deserts وَهيَwhile they فَضافِضٌwere vast
أَضَقنَ عَلَيهِ البيدَ وَهيَ فَضافِضٌ
وَأَضلَلنَهُand they lost him عَنfrom سُبلِهِhis paths وَهوَwhile he خابِرُknew them
وَأَضلَلنَهُ عَن سُبلِهِ وَهوَ خابِرُ
They cramped the desert around him, though it was vast,
My brother strove for honor, heedless of fear
and lost him from his paths, though he knew them well.
No weakness in him, no failings espied
أَماطَhe removed عَنِfrom الأَعرابِthe Bedouins ذُلُّthe humiliation of إِتاوَةٍtribute
أَماطَ عَنِ الأَعرابِ ذُلُّ إِتاوَةٍ
تَساوىwere equal البَواديthe deserts عِندَهاunder it وَالحَواضِرُand the towns
تَساوى البَوادي عِندَها وَالحَواضِرُ
He removed from the Bedouins the humiliation of tribute,
My brother sought glory, heedless of death
which weighed equally upon deserts and towns.
No poison daunted, no demise terrified
وَأَجلَتand cleared لَهُfor him عَنto reveal فَتحِthe conquest of مِصرَEgypt سَحائِبٌclouds
وَأَجلَت لَهُ عَن فَتحِ مِصرَ سَحائِبٌ
مِنَof الطَعنِspear-thrusts سُقياهاtheir watering المَناياdeaths الحَواضِرُclose at hand
مِنَ الطَعنِ سُقياها المَنايا الحَواضِرُ
Clouds cleared for him to reveal Egypt's conquest:
Resolve his trait, twisting fate in his grip
clouds of spear-thrusts, watered by deaths close at hand.
Say he severs hopes, and he hope fortified
تَخالَطَmingled فيهاwithin them الجَحفَلانِthe two great armies كِلاهُماboth of them
تَخالَطَ فيها الجَحفَلانِ كِلاهُما
فَغِبنَso disappeared القَناthe spears عَنّاfrom us وَنُبنَand substituted البَواتِرُthe cutting swords
فَغِبنَ القَنا عَنّا وَنُبنَ البَواتِرُ
Both great armies mingled within them;
At Urdabil, with one battle, enemies were thwarted
spears disappeared from our use, and cutting swords replaced them.
Two felled, struggling, by his glaive unified
وَقادَand he led إِلىto أَرضِthe land of السَبَكرِيِّal-Sabakri جَحفَلاًa great host
وَقادَ إِلى أَرضِ السَبَكرِيِّ جَحفَلاً
يُسافِرُtravels فيهِthrough it الطَرفُthe gaze حينَwhen يُسافِرُit travels
يُسافِرُ فيهِ الطَرفُ حينَ يُسافِرُ
He led into al-Sabakri's land a vast host
Through Azerbaijan's plains his steed strode
through which the eye must travel whenever it travels.
To a land where leopards prowl, lonely-eyed
تَناسىforgot بِهِamid it القَتّالُal-Qattal فيin القَدِّthe hewing قَتلَهُhis killing
تَناسى بِهِ القَتّالُ في القَدِّ قَتلَهُ
وَدارَتand turned بِرَبِّupon the lord of الجَيشِthe army فيهِwithin it الدَوائِرُcalamities
وَدارَت بِرَبِّ الجَيشِ فيهِ الدَوائِرُ
Amid its hewing, al-Qattal forgot his own killing,
From Rawqatayn he emerged, waging fierce war
and calamities turned upon the army's lord.
Strong-armed, subduing the horizon far and wide
وَعَمّيand my uncle الَّذيis the one whose سُلَّتwere drawn بِنَجدٍin Najd سُيوفُهُswords
وَعَمّي الَّذي سُلَّت بِنَجدٍ سُيوفُهُ
فَرَوَّعَso he terrified بِالغَورَينِin the two lowlands مَنwhoever هُوَwas غائرُdwelling deep
فَرَوَّعَ بِالغَورَينِ مَن هُوَ غائرُ
My uncle's swords were drawn in Najd,
When his steed settled in Jazirah, terror filled
terrifying those dwelling deep in the two lowlands.
The lands of Shām, homes there petrified
تَناصَرَتِsupported one another الأَحياءُthe tribes مِنfrom كُلِّevery وِجهَةٍdirection
تَناصَرَتِ الأَحياءُ مِن كُلِّ وِجهَةٍ
وَلَيسَand there is not لَهُfor him إِلّاexcept مِنَfrom اللَهِGod ناصِرُa supporter
وَلَيسَ لَهُ إِلّا مِنَ اللَهِ ناصِرُ
Tribes supported one another from every direction,
We made our white swords the kings of its domains
while he had no supporter but God.
And their women slaves, though queens glorified
فَلَمso not يُبقِleft غَمراًan untried warrior طَعنُهُhis thrusting الغَمرُoverwhelming فيهِمُamong them
فَلَم يُبقِ غَمراً طَعنُهُ الغَمرُ فيهِمُ
وَلَمand not يُبقِleft وِتراًan unavenged grievance ضَربُهُhis striking المُتَواتِرُrepeated
وَلَم يُبقِ وِتراً ضَربُهُ المُتَواتِرُ
His overwhelming thrusts left no untried warrior among them;
He captured Baliyyā, placed his host in its plains
his repeated blows left no vengeance unfulfilled.
Ḥarrān too - its ruler terrified
وَساقَand he drove إِلىtoward اِبنِIbn الدَيدَواذِal-Daydawadh كَتيبَةًa battalion
وَساقَ إِلى اِبنِ الدَيدَواذِ كَتيبَةً
لَهاit has لَجَبٌuproar مِنin دونِهاfront of it وَزَماجِرُand roars
لَها لَجَبٌ مِن دونِها وَزَماجِرُ
He drove toward Ibn al-Daydawadh a battalion
A day of justice his, many triumphs stand out
preceded by uproar and roaring.
Honor restored, nourishing our dignified pride
جَلاهاhe cleared it وَقَدwhen indeed ضاقَtightened الخِناقُthe noose بِضَربَةٍwith a blow
جَلاها وَقَد ضاقَ الخِناقُ بِضَربَةٍ
لَهاthat has مِنfrom يَدَيهِhis hands فيamong المُلوكِkings نَظائِرُparallels
لَها مِن يَدَيهِ في المُلوكِ نَظائِرُ
When the noose tightened, he cleared the crisis with a blow
Next morn, hordes attacked from every side
like others his hands had dealt among kings.
Skilled he struck steed and horde terrorized
بِحَيثُwhere الحُسامُthe sword الهِندُوانِيُّIndian خاطِبٌis a preacher
بِحَيثُ الحُسامُ الهِندُوانِيُّ خاطِبٌ
بَليغٌeloquent وَهاماتُand the heads of المُلوكِkings مَنابِرُare pulpits
بَليغٌ وَهاماتُ المُلوكِ مَنابِرُ
There the Indian sword was a preacher,
Every hardened spear-tip aflame in his hands
eloquent, and kings' heads were its pulpits.
Every page's armor, by blows calcified
وَعَمّيand my uncle الَّذيis the one whom سَمَّتهُcalled قَيسٌQays مُزَرنَفاًMuzarnaf
وَعَمّي الَّذي سَمَّتهُ قَيسٌ مُزَرنَفاً
وَقَدwhen indeed شَجَرَتintertwined فيهِwithin him الرِماحُthe spears الشَواجِرُentangling
وَقَد شَجَرَت فيهِ الرِماحُ الشَواجِرُ
My uncle was called Muzarnaf by Qays,
His lions in flight seemed like mountains crumbling down
when entangling spears crossed within him.
Boulders crashing, peaks collapsing, rock-face slide
وَرَدَّand he sent back اِبنَIbn مَزروعٍMazru يَنوءُstruggling بِصَدرِهِunder his chest
وَرَدَّ اِبنَ مَزروعٍ يَنوءُ بِصَدرِهِ
وَفيand within صَدرِهِhis chest مالاتَنالُwhat cannot reach المَسابِرُprobes
وَفي صَدرِهِ مالاتَنالُ المَسابِرُ
He sent Ibn Mazru back, struggling under his chest's burden,
We are the heights, when Wa’il's glories recounted
with something in his chest that probes could not reach.
We are the throngs, heroes fortified
وَعَمّيand my uncle الَّذيis the one who أَفنىdestroyed الشُراةَthe Shurat بِوَقعَةٍin a battle
وَعَمّي الَّذي أَفنى الشُراةَ بِوَقعَةٍ
شَهيدانِtwo slain men فيهاin it الرائِبانِthe two Raibs وَجازِرُand Jazir
شَهيدانِ فيها الرائِبانِ وَجازِرُ
My uncle destroyed the Shurat in a battle
Among us Jaḥḥāf's bold lion Yahyá
where the two Raibs were slain, and Jazir.
Among us, his brother, the warring dignified
أَصَبنَthey struck وَراءَbeyond السِنِّal-Sinn صالِحَSalih وَاِبنَهُand his son
أَصَبنَ وَراءَ السِنِّ صالِحَ وَاِبنَهُ
وَمِنهُنَّand among them نَوءٌa rainstorm بِالبَوازيجِat al-Bawazij ماطِرُraining
وَمِنهُنَّ نَوءٌ بِالبَوازيجِ ماطِرُ
The blades struck Salih and his son beyond al-Sinn;
Their skill and courage at valor none dispute
among their storms was one raining at al-Bawazij.
Vision and hearing of honor unified
كَفاهُsufficed him أَخيmy brother وَالخَيلُwhile the horses فَوضىwere confused كَأَنَّهاas though they
كَفاهُ أَخي وَالخَيلُ فَوضى كَأَنَّها
وَقَدwhen indeed غَصَّتِchoked الحَربُwar النِعامُthe ostriches النَوافِرُstartled
وَقَد غَصَّتِ الحَربُ النِعامُ النَوافِرُ
My brother sufficed him, while the horses ran confusedly, like—
Son of the veteran horse-vanquisher has fury
as war choked the field—startled ostriches.
When men confront Ibn Muʿammar's fortified pride
غَداةَthat morning وَأَحزابُwhile the factions of الشُراةِthe Shurat بِمَنزِلٍwere in a dwelling
غَداةَ وَأَحزابُ الشُراةِ بِمَنزِلٍ
يُعاشِرُkeeps company فيهِthere المَرءُa man مَنwith those لايُعاشِرُhe does not befriend
يُعاشِرُ فيهِ المَرءُ مَن لايُعاشِرُ
That morning the Shurat's factions occupied a dwelling
A lad like an Indian sword, flawless and gleaming
where a man keeps company with those he would not befriend.
Though his soft cheeks scarce sprout hair undyed
وَعَمّيand my uncle الَّذيis the one to whom ذَلَّتwas humbled حَبيبٌHabib لِسَيفِهِby his sword
وَعَمّي الَّذي ذَلَّت حَبيبٌ لِسَيفِهِ
وَكانَتand it was وَمَرعاهاwhile its pasture مِنَwith العِزِّmight ناضِرُwas flourishing
وَكانَت وَمَرعاها مِنَ العِزِّ ناضِرُ
My uncle's sword humbled Habib,
A boy endowed with all traits of nobility
whose pasture had flourished with might.
Though his damask cheeks still bloom, fresh-hued
وَعَمّيand my uncle الحَرونُthe unyielding عِندَbefore كُلِّevery كَتيبَةٍbattalion
وَعَمّي الحَرونُ عِندَ كُلِّ كَتيبَةٍ
تَخِفُّgrow light جِبالٌmountains وَهوَwhile he لِلمَوتِbefore death صابِرُis steadfast
تَخِفُّ جِبالٌ وَهوَ لِلمَوتِ صابِرُ
My uncle stands unyielding before every battalion:
Abū ʿAdnān, chief of his clan, is among us
mountains grow light, while he endures facing death.
Among us too, bulwark Jibril unified
أولَئِكَthose أَعماميare my uncles وَوالِدِيَand my father الَّذيis the one who
أولَئِكَ أَعمامي وَوالِدِيَ الَّذي
حَمىdefended جَنَباتِthe borders of المُلكِthe kingdom وَالمُلكُwhile the kingdom شاغِرُwas vacant
حَمى جَنَباتِ المُلكِ وَالمُلكُ شاغِرُ
Those are my uncles, and my father is the man
This one whose struggle the crown's rights reclaimed
who defended the kingdom's borders while its throne stood vacant;
That one who breached the invincible fortified
بِحَيثُwhere نِساءُthe wives of الغادِرينَtraitors طَوالِقٌare divorced
بِحَيثُ نِساءُ الغادِرينَ طَوالِقٌ
وَحَيثُand where إِماءُthe bondwomen of الناكِثينَoath-breakers حَرائِرُare free
وَحَيثُ إِماءُ الناكِثينَ حَرائِرُ
where the traitors' wives are divorced,
The Aghar Agharr, like his sire ennobled
and the oath-breakers' bondwomen are free.
My friend, though the friend by his peers derided
لَهُhe has بِسُلَيمٍagainst Sulaym وَقعَةٌa battle جاهِلِيَّةٌof pagan savagery
لَهُ بِسُلَيمٍ وَقعَةٌ جاهِلِيَّةٌ
تُقِرُّacknowledges بِهاit فَيدٌFayd وَتَشهَدُand bears witness حاجِرُHajir
تُقِرُّ بِها فَيدٌ وَتَشهَدُ حاجِرُ
Against Sulaym he fought a battle of ancient savagery,
If I seek combat, he battles without relent
acknowledged by Fayd and witnessed by Hajir.
If I rise up, he aids me dignified
وَأَذكَتand kindled مَذاكيهِhis mature steeds بِسَرحٍat Sarh وَأَرضِهاand its lands
وَأَذكَت مَذاكيهِ بِسَرحٍ وَأَرضِها
مِنَfrom الضَربِstriking ناراًa fire جَمرُهاits embers مُتَطايِرُflying
مِنَ الضَربِ ناراً جَمرُها مُتَطايِرُ
At Sarh and its lands his mature steeds kindled
When fear encircled Rabīʿah’s abode
a fire of blows whose embers flew.
Naught left but pits that shadows hide
شَفَتhealed مِنagainst عُقَيلٍUqayl أَنفُساًsouls شَفَّهاwore thin السُرىnight travel
شَفَت مِن عُقَيلٍ أَنفُساً شَفَّها السُرى
فَهَوَّمَso dozed عَجلانٌa hurried man وَنَوَّمَand slept ساهِرُa sleepless man
فَهَوَّمَ عَجلانٌ وَنَوَّمَ ساهِرُ
Against Uqayl they healed souls worn thin by night travel;
From the Umayyah, a battle saved them
the hurried dozed, and the sleepless slept.
Ancestors of Shaybān fell unified
وَأَوَّلُand the first مَنwhom شَدَّhe charged المَجيدُthe noble steed بِعَينِهِitself
وَأَوَّلُ مَن شَدَّ المَجيدُ بِعَينِهِ
وَأَوَّلُand the first مَنwhom قَدَّhe cleft الكَمِيُّthe armored warrior المُظاهِرُin layered armor
وَأَوَّلُ مَن قَدَّ الكَمِيُّ المُظاهِرُ
The first his charge met was the noble steed itself;
Among us ʿAlī, the stallion's valiant knight
the first he cleft was the warrior in layered armor.
Among us Ibn Naṣr, best of all who vied
غَزاhe raided الرومَthe Romans لَمnot يَقصِدseeking جَوانِبَquarters of غِرَّةٍunpreparedness
غَزا الرومَ لَم يَقصِد جَوانِبَ غِرَّةٍ
وَلاnor سَبَقَتهُpreceded him بِالمُرادِto the intended goal النَذائِرُwarnings
وَلا سَبَقَتهُ بِالمُرادِ النَذائِرُ
He raided the Romans without seeking unsuspecting quarters,
The Qaramita Ḥusayn, resembling his grandfather
nor did warnings reach his intended goal before him.
Defending himself and host unified
فَلَمso not تَرَyou saw إِلّاexcept فالِقاًone cleaving هامَthe heads of فَيلَقٍan army
فَلَم تَرَ إِلّا فالِقاً هامَ فَيلَقٍ
وَبَحراًand a sea لَهُthat has تَحتَbeneath العَجاجَةِthe dust cloud ماخِرُa plowing vessel
وَبَحراً لَهُ تَحتَ العَجاجَةِ ماخِرُ
You saw only a cleaver of an army's heads,
Among my cousins and uncles' sons are peaks
and a sea with vessels plowing beneath the dust;
Where glory's flames rise high and bright
وَمُستَردَفاتٍand those carried behind riders مِنof نِساءٍwomen وَصِبيَةٍand children
وَمُستَردَفاتٍ مِن نِساءٍ وَصِبيَةٍ
تَثَنّىcurl عَلىover أَكتافِهِنَّtheir shoulders الضَفائِرُthe braids
تَثَنّى عَلى أَكتافِهِنَّ الضَفائِرُ
women and children carried behind riders,
They are lords, they are heroes for which I boast
their braids curling over their shoulders.
To vex my foe, and make him burn with envy's blight
بُنَيّاتُlittle daughters of أَملاكٍkings أُتينَwere overtaken فُجاءَةًsuddenly
بُنَيّاتُ أَملاكٍ أُتينَ فُجاءَةً
قُهِرنَthey were subdued وَفيwhile upon أَعناقِهِنَّtheir necks الجَواهِرُwere jewels
قُهِرنَ وَفي أَعناقِهِنَّ الجَواهِرُ
Little daughters of kings, overtaken suddenly,
But for my shunning reproach from the unjust
were subdued with jewels still upon their necks.
No words would vex me, no thoughts would me override
فَإِنso if تَمضِpass away أَشياخيmy elders فَلَمthen not يَمضِpassed away مَجدَهاtheir glory
فَإِن تَمضِ أَشياخي فَلَم يَمضِ مَجدَها
وَلاnor دَثَرَتfaded تِلكَthose العُلىheights وَالمَآثِرُand achievements
وَلا دَثَرَت تِلكَ العُلى وَالمَآثِرُ
Though my elders pass away, their glory has not passed,
In past or future feats, I seek no reward
nor have those heights and achievements faded.
My rank is clear, though merits glorified
نَشيدُwe raise كَماas شادواthey raised وَنَبنيand we build كَماas بَنَواthey built
نَشيدُ كَما شادوا وَنَبني كَما بَنَوا
لَناwe have شَرَفٌhonor ماضٍpast وَآخَرُand another حاضِرُpresent
لَنا شَرَفٌ ماضٍ وَآخَرُ حاضِرُ
We raise as they raised, and build as they built;
Deeds that leave poets' minds bemused, when told
we possess past honor and present honor.
Thoughts that would destroy minds that tried
فَفيناso among us لِدينِfor the religion of اللَهِGod عِزٌّmight وَمَنعَةٌand protection
فَفينا لِدينِ اللَهِ عِزٌّ وَمَنعَةٌ
وَفيناand among us لِدينِfor the religion of اللَهِGod سَيفٌa sword وَناصِرُand a defender
وَفينا لِدينِ اللَهِ سَيفٌ وَناصِرُ
Among us God's religion has might and protection;
He built them, builder of bastions, which now crumble
among us God's religion has a sword and a defender.
God's champion, but creed is vilified
هُماthose two وَأَميرُwhile the Commander of المُؤمِنينَthe Faithful مُشَرَّدٌwas driven out
هُما وَأَميرُ المُؤمِنينَ مُشَرَّدٌ
أَجاراهُboth sheltered him لَمّاwhen لَمnot يَجِدhe found مَنanyone who يُجاوِرُoffered refuge
أَجاراهُ لَمّا لَم يَجِد مَن يُجاوِرُ
Those two, when the Commander of the Faithful was driven out,
He confronted the Roman at Azarnaq
sheltered him when he found no one to offer refuge.
Obstinate, hardened, resolve unified
وَرَدّاهُand both returned him حَتّىuntil مَلَّكاهُboth restored him to سَريرَهُhis throne
وَرَدّاهُ حَتّى مَلَّكاهُ سَريرَهُ
بِعِشرينَwith twenty أَلفاًthousand بَينَهاamong them المَوتُdeath سافِرُunveiled
بِعِشرينَ أَلفاً بَينَها المَوتُ سافِرُ
They returned him and restored his possession of his throne
He skewered the Roman host at Jiluqaniyyah
with twenty thousand men, among whom death stood unveiled.
Rampart, tower and trench blood-drenched, horrified
وَساساand both governed أُمورَthe affairs of المُسلِمينَthe Muslims سِياسَةًwith a governance
وَساسا أُمورَ المُسلِمينَ سِياسَةً
لَهاfor it اللَهُGod وَالإِسلامُand Islam وَالدينُand the faith شاكِرُare thankful
لَها اللَهُ وَالإِسلامُ وَالدينُ شاكِرُ
They governed the Muslims' affairs with a governance
He captured Constantine in fetters
for which God, Islam, and the faith give thanks.
Patriarchs crowning him dignified
وَلَمّاand when طَغىbecame oppressive عِلجُthe lout of العِراقِIraq اِبنُIbn رائِقٍRaiq
وَلَمّا طَغى عِلجُ العِراقِ اِبنُ رائِقٍ
شَفىtook redress مِنهُfrom him لاطاغٍone not oppressive وَلاnor مُتَكاثِرُboasting of numbers
شَفى مِنهُ لاطاغٍ وَلا مُتَكاثِرُ
When Iraq's lout, Ibn Raiq, became oppressive,
The Dhul-Qarnayn fled, though excused
one neither oppressive nor boastful of numbers took redress from him;
Fleeing the sword, his face terrified
إِذِwhile العَرَبُthe Arabs العَرباءُpure-blooded تَبنيwere building عِمادَهُhis pillars
إِذِ العَرَبُ العَرباءُ تَبني عِمادَهُ
وَمِنّاand among us لَهُagainst him طاوٍone harboring عَلىwithin himself الثَأرِvengeance ذاكِرُremembering
وَمِنّا لَهُ طاوٍ عَلى الثَأرِ ذاكِرُ
while the pure-blooded Arabs were raising his pillars,
His son for himself he traded that dire day
one of us harbored and remembered vengeance against him.
When woes strike, treasures are nullified
أَذاقَhe made taste العَلاءَal-Ala التَغلِبِيَّal-Taghlibi وَرَهطَهُand his kin
أَذاقَ العَلاءَ التَغلِبِيَّ وَرَهطَهُ
عَواقِبَthe consequences of ماجَرَّتwhat brought عَلَيهِupon him الجَرائِرُoffenses
عَواقِبَ ماجَرَّت عَلَيهِ الجَرائِرُ
He made al-Ala al-Taghlibi and his kin taste
But for the two left - his son in law and grandson
the consequences of what their offenses brought upon him.
The rest made the dust, by the sword calcified
وَأَوطَأَand made tread حِصنَيthe two fortresses of وَرتَنيسَWartanis خُيولُهُhis horses
وَأَوطَأَ حِصنَي وَرتَنيسَ خُيولُهُ
وَقَبلَهُماand before those two لَمnot يَقرَعِhad struck النَجمَthe stars حافِرُa hoof
وَقَبلَهُما لَم يَقرَعِ النَجمَ حافِرُ
He made his horses tread Wartanis's two fortresses,
He drove out the Ṭayyi’ and Kalb, debased
before which no hoof had struck the stars.
Leaving Jabal Ghūr deserted, horrified
فَآبَso he returned بِأَسراهاwith their captives تُغَنّيsinging كُبولَهاtheir shackles
فَآبَ بِأَسراها تُغَنّي كُبولَها
وَتِلكَand those غَوانٍare singers مالَهُنَّwith no مَزاهِرُlutes
وَتِلكَ غَوانٍ مالَهُنَّ مَزاهِرُ
He returned with their captives, their shackles singing:
He saved Abī Wā’il from the sword's disgrace
singers these, possessing no lutes.
Though all mankind bows down mortified
وَأَطلَقَهاand he released them فَوضىin a mass عَلىupon مَرجِthe meadow of قِلِّزٍQilliz
وَأَطلَقَها فَوضى عَلى مَرجِ قِلِّزٍ
حَوادِرَfull-bodied فيwithin أَشباحِهِنَّtheir forms المَحاذِرُdangers
حَوادِرَ في أَشباحِهِنَّ المَحاذِرُ
He released them in a mass upon Marj Qilliz,
The Qarmatī marched ahead, undaunted
full-bodied, with dangers lodged within their forms.
A piercing spear embedded in his neck, bloodied
وَصَبَّand he poured عَلىupon الأَتراكِthe Turks نِقمَةَthe vengeance of مُنعِمٍa benefactor
وَصَبَّ عَلى الأَتراكِ نِقمَةَ مُنعِمٍ
رَماهُassailed him بِكُفرانِwith ingratitude for الصَنيعَةِkindness غادِرُa betrayer
رَماهُ بِكُفرانِ الصَنيعَةِ غادِرُ
Upon the Turks he poured a benefactor's vengeance,
Among them Yaḥyá and his equal
betrayed by one who repaid his kindness with ingratitude.
Vision and hearing of glory unified
وَإِنَّand indeed مَعاليهِhis lofty deeds لَكُثرٌare indeed many غَوالِبٌoverwhelming
وَإِنَّ مَعاليهِ لَكُثرٌ غَوالِبٌ
وَإِنَّand indeed أَياديهِhis benefactions لَغُرٌّare indeed radiant غَرائِرُnoble
وَإِنَّ أَياديهِ لَغُرٌّ غَرائِرُ
His lofty deeds are indeed many and overwhelming;
At Khālidiyya, he saved a soul near doom
his benefactions are indeed radiant and noble.
Swords and spears relinquishing spoils unified
وَلَكِنَّbut قَوليmy speech لَيسَdoes not يَفضُلُhave surplus عَنفَتىًabout a youth
وَلَكِنَّ قَولي لَيسَ يَفضُلُ عَنفَتىً
عَلىfor كُلِّevery قَولٍutterance مِنfrom مَعاليهِhis lofty deeds خاطِرُa thought arising
عَلى كُلِّ قَولٍ مِن مَعاليهِ خاطِرُ
Yet my speech cannot do justice to a youth
Among us Abū ‘l-Yaqẓān, Jaḥḥāf's heir
for whose every description a lofty deed comes to mind.
Among us, his brother, warring dignified
أَلاindeed قُلtell لِسَيفِSayf الدَولَةِal-Dawla القَرمِthe great chief إِنَّنيthat I
أَلا قُل لِسَيفِ الدَولَةِ القَرمِ إِنَّني
عَلىof كُلِّevery شَيءٍthing غَيرِexcept وَصفِكَdescribing you قادِرُam capable
عَلى كُلِّ شَيءٍ غَيرِ وَصفِكَ قادِرُ
Tell the noble Sayf al-Dawla that I
Among us Ibn Qannās - veteran horse-knight
am capable of everything except describing you.
A boy whose hands clutch gleaming Indian-forged side
فَلاso do not تُلزَمَنّيimpose upon me خِطَّةًa task لاnot أُطيقُهاI can bear it
فَلا تُلزَمَنّي خِطَّةً لا أُطيقُها
فَمَجدُكَfor your glory غَلّابٌis overwhelming وَفَضلُكَand your excellence باهِرُis dazzling
فَمَجدُكَ غَلّابٌ وَفَضلُكَ باهِرُ
Do not impose upon me a task I cannot bear:
When called to defend Rabīʿah's honor
your glory overwhelms, and your excellence dazzles.
These lords rushed forth, deaths unified
وَلَوand if لَمnot يَكُنwere فَخريmy pride وَفَخرُكَand your pride واحِداًone
وَلَو لَم يَكُن فَخري وَفَخرُكَ واحِداً
لَماthen not سارَwould travel عَنّيfrom me بِالمَدائِحِwith praises سائِرُa traveler
لَما سارَ عَنّي بِالمَدائِحِ سائِرُ
Had my pride and yours not been one,
And ʿAlī - cavalry's accomplished knight
no traveler would have carried praises from me.
And Ibn Naṣr - best of all who vied
وَلَكِنَّنيbut I لاdo not أُغفِلُneglect القَولَspeech عَنabout فَتىًa youth
وَلَكِنَّني لا أُغفِلُ القَولَ عَن فَتىً
أُساهِمُI hold a share فيin عَليائِهِhis eminence وَأُشاطِرُand partake
أُساهِمُ في عَليائِهِ وَأُشاطِرُ
But I do not neglect speaking of a youth
The Qaramita Ḥusayn, resembling his grandfather
in whose eminence I hold a share and partake;
Defending himself and host unified
وَعَنnor ذِكرِrecalling أَيّامٍdays مَضَتgone by وَمَواقِفٍand encounters
وَعَن ذِكرِ أَيّامٍ مَضَت وَمَواقِفٍ
مَكانِيَmy place مِنهاin them بَيِّنُplain in الفَضلِdistinction ظاهِرُmanifest
مَكانِيَ مِنها بَيِّنُ الفَضلِ ظاهِرُ
nor recalling days gone by and encounters
Among my cousins are peaks and summits
in which my place is plainly distinguished and manifest.
Where glory's flames rise high and bright
مَساعٍachievements يَضِلُّloses its way القَولُspeech فيهِنَّwithin them جَهدُهُits utmost effort
مَساعٍ يَضِلُّ القَولُ فيهِنَّ جَهدُهُ
وَتُهلِكُand perish فيin أَوصافِهِنَّtheir descriptions الخَواطِرُthoughts
وَتُهلِكُ في أَوصافِهِنَّ الخَواطِرُ
Achievements in which speech loses its utmost effort,
They are lords, they are the prized gems I boast of
and thoughts perish while describing them.
To spite my foe and envy's blight
بَناهُنَّhe built them بانيthe builder of الثَغرِthe frontier وَالثَغرُwhile the frontier دارِسٌwas ruined
بَناهُنَّ باني الثَغرِ وَالثَغرُ دارِسٌ
وَعامِرُand the restorer of دينِthe religion of اللَهِGod وَالدينُwhile the religion داثِرُwas fading
وَعامِرُ دينِ اللَهِ وَالدينُ داثِرُ
They were built by the frontier's builder when it lay ruined,
But for my avoidance of the unjust's rebukes
and the restorer of God's religion when it was fading.
No words would vex me, no thoughts override
وَنازَلَand confronted مِنهُfrom him الدَيلَمِيَّthe Daylami بِأَرزَنٍat Arzan
وَنازَلَ مِنهُ الدَيلَمِيَّ بِأَرزَنٍ
لَجوجٌpersistent إِذاwhen ناوىhe opposed مَطولٌlong-enduring مُصابِرُsteadfast
لَجوجٌ إِذا ناوى مَطولٌ مُصابِرُ
At Arzan, one from him confronted the Daylami:
I spoke of my merit, praised my tribe
persistent when opposing, long-enduring and steadfast.
No flatterer am I, nor versifier tied
وَذَلَّتand were humbled لَهُbefore him بِالسَيفِby the sword بَعدَafter إِبائِهاtheir refusal
وَذَلَّت لَهُ بِالسَيفِ بَعدَ إِبائِها
مُلوكُthe kings of بَنيBanu الجَحّافِal-Jahhaf تِلكَthose المَساعِرُkindlers of war
مُلوكُ بَني الجَحّافِ تِلكَ المَساعِرُ
After their refusal, his sword humbled
Does the bright sun conceal its brilliant light?
the kings of Banu al-Jahhaf, those kindlers of war.
Does the full moon hide its face dignified?
وَشَقَّand pierced through إِلىto نَفسِthe person of الدُمُستُقِthe Domestikos جَيشُهُhis army
وَشَقَّ إِلى نَفسِ الدُمُستُقِ جَيشُهُ
بِأَرضِin the land of سُلامٍSulam وَالقَناwhile the spears مُتَشاجِرُwere intertwined
بِأَرضِ سُلامٍ وَالقَنا مُتَشاجِرُ
His army pierced through to the Domestikos himself
My friend's joy is that I am mostly blamed
in Sulam's land, while spears intertwined.
Though he dislikes these boasts glorified
سَقىmade drink أَسَناساًAsnas مِثلَهُone like him مِنof دِمائِهِمtheir blood
سَقى أَسَناساً مِثلَهُ مِن دِمائِهِم
عَشِيَّةَthat evening غَصَّتwere choked بِالقُلوبِwith hearts الحَناجِرُthroats
عَشِيَّةَ غَصَّت بِالقُلوبِ الحَناجِرُ
He made Asnas and another like him drink of their blood
I spoke of my excellence, my tribe's virtues
that evening when hearts choked throats.
No reward I seek, past or forthcoming stride
وَباتَand spent the night يُديرُturning over الرَأيَcounsel مِنfrom كُلِّevery وِجهَةٍdirection
وَباتَ يُديرُ الرَأيَ مِن كُلِّ وِجهَةٍ
وَذوand the possessor of الحَزمِprudence ناهيهِrestrained him وَذوand the possessor of العَزمِresolve آمِرُurged
وَذو الحَزمِ ناهيهِ وَذو العَزمِ آمِرُ
He spent the night turning counsel over from every direction:
How can the strong rope fray, or might weaken?
prudence's possessor restrained him; resolve's possessor urged him.
Bonds tightened, kinship unified
وَأَورَدَهاand brought them to أَعلىupper قَلونِيَّةَQaluniya اِمرُؤٌa man
وَأَورَدَها أَعلى قَلونِيَّةَ اِمرُؤٌ
بَعيدُfar-ranging مُغارِin the raids of الجَيشِthe army أَلوىfierce مُخاطِرُdaring
بَعيدُ مُغارِ الجَيشِ أَلوى مُخاطِرُ
A man brought the horses to upper Qaluniya,
O Abū Aḥmad! Pause if the branch bears no fruit
far-ranging in his army's raids, fierce and daring.
No shoots prosper on separation's morning-tide
وَساقَand he drove نُمَيراًNumayr أَعنَفَwith the harshest السَوقِdriving بِالقَناwith spears
وَساقَ نُمَيراً أَعنَفَ السَوقِ بِالقَنا
فَلَمso none يُمسِpassed evening شامِيٌّin Syria وَلَمnor يُضحِpassed morning حادِرُa lowland-dweller
فَلَم يُمسِ شامِيٌّ وَلَم يُضحِ حادِرُ
With spears he drove Numayr with the harshest driving:
Will you take pride in towering former glories?
none passed evening in Syria, or morning in the lowlands.
While present majesty makes futures dignified?
وَناهَضَand rose against أَهلَthe people of الشامِSyria مِنهُfrom him مُشَيَّعٌa courageous man
وَناهَضَ أَهلَ الشامِ مِنهُ مُشَيَّعٌ
يُسايِرُهُmarches with him الإِقبالُgood fortune فيمَنamong those who يُسايِرُmarch with him
يُسايِرُهُ الإِقبالُ فيمَن يُسايِرُ
A courageous man from him rose against Syria's people,
Does the absent glory, when replacements shine
good fortune marching among his companions.
Distract you from honors present, fortified?
لَهُfor him وَعَلَيهِand against him وَقعَةٌa battle بَعدَafter وَقعَةٍa battle
لَهُ وَعَلَيهِ وَقعَةٌ بَعدَ وَقعَةٍ
وَلودٌprolific بِأَطرافِat the tips of الأَسِنَّةِspearheads عاقِرُbarren
وَلودٌ بِأَطرافِ الأَسِنَّةِ عاقِرُ
Battle followed battle, for him and against him:
In us, the past has triumphs, and more to come
prolific, yet made barren by spearheads.
We build as they built, praise as they prided
فَلاso not هُوَhe فيماover what سَرَّهُpleased him مُتَطاوِلٌarrogant
فَلا هُوَ فيما سَرَّهُ مُتَطاوِلٌ
وَلاnor هُوَhe فيماover what سائَهُdistressed him مُتَقاصِرُdiminished
وَلا هُوَ فيما سائَهُ مُتَقاصِرُ
He was not arrogant over what pleased him,
In us God's faith has might and protection
nor diminished by what distressed him.
In us God's faith has sword and fortified
فَلَمّاand when رَأىsaw الإِخشيدُal-Ikhshid ماقَدwhat had أَظَلَّهُovershadowed him
فَلَمّا رَأى الإِخشيدُ ماقَد أَظَلَّهُ
تَلافاهُhe forestalled it يَثنيturning aside غَربَهُits edge وَيُكاشِرُand smiling
تَلافاهُ يَثني غَربَهُ وَيُكاشِرُ
When al-Ikhshid saw what had overshadowed him,
he forestalled it, turning aside its edge and smiling.
رَأىhe saw الصِهرَthe marriage alliance وَالرُسلَand the embassies الَّذيwhich هُوَhe عاقِدٌwas arranging
رَأى الصِهرَ وَالرُسلَ الَّذي هُوَ عاقِدٌ
يُنالُis attained بِهِthrough it ماwhat لاتَنالُcannot attain العَساكِرُarmies
يُنالُ بِهِ ما لاتَنالُ العَساكِرُ
He saw that the marriage alliance and embassies he arranged
could attain what armies could not.
وَأَوقَعَand he inflicted فيat Julbat جُلباطَupon the Romans بِالرومِa battle's defeat upon them وَقعَةًa battle
وَأَوقَعَ في جُلباطَ بِالرومِ وَقعَةً
بِهاof it العَمقُal-Amq وَاللُكّامُand al-Lukkam وَالبُرجُand al-Burj فاخِرُare proud
بِها العَمقُ وَاللُكّامُ وَالبُرجُ فاخِرُ
At Julbat he struck the Romans in a battle
of which al-Amq, al-Lukkam, and al-Burj are proud.
وَأَوطَأَهاand made them tread بَطنَthe hollow of اللُقانِal-Luqan وَظَهرَهُand its heights
وَأَوطَأَها بَطنَ اللُقانِ وَظَهرَهُ
يَطَأنَthey tread بِهِthere القَتلىthe slain خِفافٌswift mounts خَوادِرُlion-like
يَطَأنَ بِهِ القَتلى خِفافٌ خَوادِرُ
He made the horses tread al-Luqan's hollow and heights,
where swift, lion-like mounts trod upon the slain.
أَخَذنَthey seized بِأَنفاسِthe breaths of الدُمُستُقِthe Domestikos وَاِبنِهِand his son
أَخَذنَ بِأَنفاسِ الدُمُستُقِ وَاِبنِهِ
وَعَبَّرنَand gave a warning بِالتيجانِthrough crowned heads مَنto whoever هُوَis عابِرُone taking heed
وَعَبَّرنَ بِالتيجانِ مَن هُوَ عابِرُ
They seized the breaths of the Domestikos and his son,
and through crowned heads taught a lesson to those who heed.
وَجُبنَand they traversed بِلادَthe lands of الرومِthe Romans سِتّينَsixty لَيلَةًnights
وَجُبنَ بِلادَ الرومِ سِتّينَ لَيلَةً
تُغاوِرُraiding مَلكَthe king of الرومِthe Romans فيمَنamong those تُغاوِرُthey raid
تُغاوِرُ مَلكَ الرومِ فيمَن تُغاوِرُ
They traversed Roman lands for sixty nights,
raiding the Roman king among those they raided.
تَخِرَّfall لَناbefore us تِلكَthose المَعاقِلُstrongholds سُجَّداًprostrate
تَخِرَّ لَنا تِلكَ المَعاقِلُ سُجَّداً
وَتَرميand cast out لَناto us بِالأَهلِtheir people تِلكَthose المَطامِرُunderground refuges
وَتَرمي لَنا بِالأَهلِ تِلكَ المَطامِرُ
Those strongholds fell prostrate before us,
and those underground refuges cast their people out to us.
وَماand did not زالَcease مِنّاamong us جارَa neighbor of شَرشَنَةَSharshana اِمرُؤٌa man
وَما زالَ مِنّا جارَ شَرشَنَةَ اِمرُؤٌ
يُراوِحُهاhe visits it in evenings فيin غارَةٍa raid وَيُباكِرُand comes in mornings
يُراوِحُها في غارَةٍ وَيُباكِرُ
One of us remained a neighbor to Sharshana,
raiding it in the evening and returning in the morning.
وَلَمّاand when وَرَدناwe entered الدَربَthe pass وَالرومُwhile the Romans فَوقَهُwere above it
وَلَمّا وَرَدنا الدَربَ وَالرومُ فَوقَهُ
وَقَدَّرَand reckoned قُسطَنطينُConstantine أَنthat لَيسَthere was no صادِرُone emerging
وَقَدَّرَ قُسطَنطينُ أَن لَيسَ صادِرُ
When we entered the pass, with the Romans above it,
Constantine reckoned that none would emerge.
ضَرَبناwe drove بِهاthem عُرضَacross the breadth of الفُراتِthe Euphrates كَأَنَّماas though
ضَرَبنا بِها عُرضَ الفُراتِ كَأَنَّما
تَسيرُtravel بِناcarrying us تَحتَbeneath السُروجِthe saddles جَزائِرُislands
تَسيرُ بِنا تَحتَ السُروجِ جَزائِرُ
We drove the horses across the Euphrates's breadth, as though
islands beneath the saddles were carrying us.
إِلىuntil أَنthat وَرَدناwe reached أَرقَنينَArqanin نَسوقُهاdriving them
إِلى أَن وَرَدنا أَرقَنينَ نَسوقُها
وَقَدwhen already نَكَلَتfaltered أَعقابُهاtheir hindlegs وَالمَحاضِرُand galloping strides
وَقَد نَكَلَت أَعقابُها وَالمَحاضِرُ
We drove them until we reached Arqanin,
their hindlegs and galloping strides already faltering.
وَمالَand turned بِهاthem ذاتَtoward اليَمينِthe right لِمَرعَشٍfor Marash
وَمالَ بِها ذاتَ اليَمينِ لِمَرعَشٍ
مَجاهيدُexhausted riders يَتلوfollows الصابِرَthe steadfast man المُتَصابِرُthe man forcing endurance
مَجاهيدُ يَتلو الصابِرَ المُتَصابِرُ
Exhausted riders turned them right toward Marash,
the man forcing endurance following the steadfast man.
فَلَمّاand when رَأَتthey saw جَيشَthe army of الدُمُستُقِthe Domestikos راجَعَتthey recovered
فَلَمّا رَأَت جَيشَ الدُمُستُقِ راجَعَت
عَزائِمَهاtheir resolves وَاِستَنهَضَتهاand roused them البَصائِرُclear perceptions
عَزائِمَها وَاِستَنهَضَتها البَصائِرُ
When the horses saw the Domestikos's army, they recovered
their resolve, and clear perceptions roused them.
وَماand not زِلنَthey ceased يَحمِلنَcarrying النُفوسَsouls عَلىdespite الوَجىsore hooves
وَما زِلنَ يَحمِلنَ النُفوسَ عَلى الوَجى
إِلىuntil أَنthat خُضِبنَwere dyed بِالدِماءِwith blood الأَشاعِرُthe hoof-hairs
إِلى أَن خُضِبنَ بِالدِماءِ الأَشاعِرُ
They continued carrying souls despite sore hooves,
until the hair about their hooves was dyed with blood.
وَأُبنَand they returned بِقُسطَنطينَwith Constantine وَهوَwhile he مُكَبَّلٌwas fettered
وَأُبنَ بِقُسطَنطينَ وَهوَ مُكَبَّلٌ
تَحُفُّsurround بَطاريقٌpatricians بِهِhim وَزَراوِرُand grandees
تَحُفُّ بَطاريقٌ بِهِ وَزَراوِرُ
They returned with Constantine in fetters,
surrounded by patricians and grandees.
وَوَلّىand turned away عَلىaccording to الرَسمِcustom الدُمُستُقُthe Domestikos هارِباًfleeing
وَوَلّى عَلى الرَسمِ الدُمُستُقُ هارِباً
وَفيand upon وَجهِهِhis face عُذرٌan excuse مِنَfrom السَيفِthe sword عاذِرُexcusing
وَفي وَجهِهِ عُذرٌ مِنَ السَيفِ عاذِرُ
As usual, the Domestikos turned and fled,
a sword-given excuse upon his face excusing him.
فَدىhe ransomed نَفسَهُhimself بِاِبنٍwith a son عَلَيهِto him كَنَفسِهِlike himself
فَدى نَفسَهُ بِاِبنٍ عَلَيهِ كَنَفسِهِ
وَلِلشِدَّةِand for adversity الصَمّاءِrelentless تُقنىare kept الذَخائِرُtreasures
وَلِلشِدَّةِ الصَمّاءِ تُقنى الذَخائِرُ
He ransomed himself with a son as dear as himself;
treasures are kept for relentless adversity.
وَقَدand sometimes يُقطَعُis severed العُضوُa limb النَفيسُprecious لِغَيرِهِfor another
وَقَد يُقطَعُ العُضوُ النَفيسُ لِغَيرِهِ
وَتُدفَعُand are averted بِالأَمرِby a matter الكَبيرِgreat الكَبائِرُgreat calamities
وَتُدفَعُ بِالأَمرِ الكَبيرِ الكَبائِرُ
A precious limb may be severed to save another,
and great calamities averted by a great sacrifice.
وَحَسبيand sufficient for me بِهاthrough them يَومَon the day of الأَحَيدِبِal-Ahaydib وَقعَةًa battle
وَحَسبي بِها يَومَ الأَحَيدِبِ وَقعَةً
عَلىfor مِثلِهاits like فيin العِزِّglory تُثنىare folded الخَناصِرُlittle fingers
عَلى مِثلِها في العِزِّ تُثنى الخَناصِرُ
Their battle on al-Ahaydib's day suffices me:
for such glory little fingers are folded in counting.
عَدَلناwe were equitable بِهاthrough them فيin قِسمَةِthe distribution of المَوتِdeath بَينَهُمamong them
عَدَلنا بِها في قِسمَةِ المَوتِ بَينَهُم
وَلِلسَيفِand the sword has حُكمٌa judgment فيwithin الكَتيبَةِthe battalion جائِرُunjust
وَلِلسَيفِ حُكمٌ في الكَتيبَةِ جائِرُ
Through them we dealt death equally among the enemy,
though the sword's judgment within a battalion is unjust.
إِذِwhen الشَيخُthe old man لاnot يَلويturns back وَنَقفورُand Naqfur مُجحِرٌis hiding
إِذِ الشَيخُ لا يَلوي وَنَقفورُ مُجحِرٌ
وَفيand in القَيدِfetters أَلفٌa thousand كَاللُيوثِlike lions قَساوِرُfierce
وَفي القَيدِ أَلفٌ كَاللُيوثِ قَساوِرُ
The old man fled without turning; Naqfur hid;
a thousand fierce men, like lions, were in chains.
وَلَمand not يَبقَremained إِلّاexcept صِهرُهُhis son-in-law وَاِبنُand the son of بِنتِهِhis daughter
وَلَم يَبقَ إِلّا صِهرُهُ وَاِبنُ بِنتِهِ
وَثَوَّرَand rose against بِالباقينَthe remaining مَنone who هُوَis ثائِرُan avenger
وَثَوَّرَ بِالباقينَ مَن هُوَ ثائِرُ
Only his son-in-law and his daughter's son remained,
and an avenger rose against those remaining.
وَأَجلىand drove out إِلىto الجَولانِal-Jawlan كَلباًKalb وَطَيِّئًand Tayy
وَأَجلى إِلى الجَولانِ كَلباً وَطَيِّئً
وَأَقفَرَand was emptied عَجبٌAjb مِنهُمُof them وَأَشاعِرُand Ashair
وَأَقفَرَ عَجبٌ مِنهُمُ وَأَشاعِرُ
He drove Kalb and Tayy into al-Jawlan;
Ajb and Ashair were emptied of them.
وَباتَتand passed the night نِزارٌNizar يُقسِمُdividing الشامَSyria بَينَهاamong its branches
وَباتَت نِزارٌ يُقسِمُ الشامَ بَينَها
كَريمُnoble المُحَيّاof face لَوذَعِيُّkeen-witted مُغاوِرُa raider
كَريمُ المُحَيّا لَوذَعِيُّ مُغاوِرُ
Nizar passed the night while Syria was divided among its branches
by a noble-faced, keen-witted raider.
عَلاءَةُthe high ground of كَلبٍKalb لِلضَبابِfor al-Dabab عَلاءَةٌhigh ground
عَلاءَةُ كَلبٍ لِلضَبابِ عَلاءَةٌ
وَحاضِرُand the settlement of طَيءٍTayy لِلجَعافِرِfor al-Jaafir حاضِرُa settlement
وَحاضِرُ طَيءٍ لِلجَعافِرِ حاضِرُ
Kalb's high ground became high ground for al-Dabab;
Tayy's settlement became a settlement for al-Jaafir.
وَأَنقَذَand rescued مِنfrom مَسِّthe touch of الحَديدِiron وَثِقلِهِand its weight
وَأَنقَذَ مِن مَسِّ الحَديدِ وَثِقلِهِ
أَباAbu وائِلٍWail وَالدَهرُwhile time أَجدَعُwas nose-severed صاغِرُhumbled
أَبا وائِلٍ وَالدَهرُ أَجدَعُ صاغِرُ
He rescued from iron's touch and weight
Abu Wail, while time stood mutilated and humbled.
وَآبَand he returned وَرَأسُwith the head of القَرمَطِيُّthe Qarmati أَمامَهُbefore him
وَآبَ وَرَأسُ القَرمَطِيُّ أَمامَهُ
لَهُit has جَسَدٌa body مِنfrom أَكعُبِthe joints of الرِمحِthe spear ضامِرُlean
لَهُ جَسَدٌ مِن أَكعُبِ الرِمحِ ضامِرُ
He returned with the Qarmati's head before him,
its lean body made from the joints of a spear.
وَقَدand sometimes يَكبُرُgrows great الخَطبُthe affair اليَسيرُsmall وَتَجتَنيand reap
وَقَد يَكبُرُ الخَطبُ اليَسيرُ وَتَجتَني
أَكابِرُthe great men of قَومٍa people ماجَناهُwhat committed الأَصاغِرُthe lesser men
أَكابِرُ قَومٍ ماجَناهُ الأَصاغِرُ
A small affair may grow great, and
a people's great men reap what its lesser men have sown;
كَماas أَهلَكَتdestroyed كَلباًKalb غُواةُthe erring ones of جُناتِهاits offenders
كَما أَهلَكَت كَلباً غُواةُ جُناتِها
وَعَمَّand engulfed كِلاباًKilab ماwhat جَنَتهُcommitted الجَعافِرُal-Jaafir
وَعَمَّ كِلاباً ما جَنَتهُ الجَعافِرُ
as Kalb was destroyed by its erring offenders,
and Kilab was engulfed by what al-Jaafir committed.
شَرَيناwe bought وَبِعناand sold بِالسُيوفِwith swords نُفوسَهُمtheir lives
شَرَينا وَبِعنا بِالسُيوفِ نُفوسَهُم
وَنَحنُand we أُناسٌare people بِالسُيوفِwith swords نُتاجِرُwho trade
وَنَحنُ أُناسٌ بِالسُيوفِ نُتاجِرُ
We bought and sold their lives with swords;
we are a people who trade with swords.
وَصُنّاand we protected نِساءًwomen نَحنَwe أَولىmore entitled بِصَونِهاto their protection
وَصُنّا نِساءً نَحنَ أَولى بِصَونِها
رَجَعنَthey returned وَلَمand not تُكشَفwere lifted لَهُنَّfor them سَتائِرُcurtains
رَجَعنَ وَلَم تُكشَف لَهُنَّ سَتائِرُ
We protected women whose protection most rightly belonged to us;
they returned with none of their curtains lifted.
يُنادينَهُthey call to him وَالعيسُwhile the pale camels تُزجىare driven كَأَنَّهاas though they
يُنادينَهُ وَالعيسُ تُزجى كَأَنَّها
عَلىupon شُرُفاتِthe heights of الرومِthe Romans نَخلٌpalms مُواقِرُladen
عَلى شُرُفاتِ الرومِ نَخلٌ مُواقِرُ
They called to him as the pale camels were driven, resembling
laden palms upon the Romans' heights:
أَلاindeed إِنَّtruly مَنthose whom أَبقَيتَyou spared ياخَيرَO best مُنعِمٍbenefactor
أَلا إِنَّ مَن أَبقَيتَ ياخَيرَ مُنعِمٍ
عَبيدُكَare your servants ماناحَas long as lament الحَمامُthe doves السَواجِرُyearning
عَبيدُكَ ماناحَ الحَمامُ السَواجِرُ
"Those you have spared, O best of benefactors,
are your servants as long as yearning doves lament.
فَنَرجوكَso we hope from you إِحساناًkindness وَنَخشاكَand fear you صَولَةًin assault
فَنَرجوكَ إِحساناً وَنَخشاكَ صَولَةً
لِأَنَّكَbecause you جَبّارٌoverpower وَأَنَّكَand because you جابِرُrestore
لِأَنَّكَ جَبّارٌ وَأَنَّكَ جابِرُ
We hope for your kindness and fear your assault,
for you overpower, and you restore."
وَجَشَّمَهاand forced them through بَطنَthe hollow of السَماوَةِal-Samawa قائِظاًin summer heat
وَجَشَّمَها بَطنَ السَماوَةِ قائِظاً
وَقَدwhen already أوقِدَتhad kindled نارَthe fire of السُمومِscorching winds الهَواجِرُnoonday heats
وَقَد أوقِدَت نارَ السُمومِ الهَواجِرُ
He forced the horses through al-Samawa's hollow in summer,
when noonday heats had kindled the scorching wind's fire.
فَيَطرُدُso he pursues كَعباًKab حَيثُwhere لاماءَno water يُرتَجىcan be hoped for
فَيَطرُدُ كَعباً حَيثُ لاماءَ يُرتَجى
لِتَعلَمَso would know كَعبٌKab أَيُّwhat قَرمٍgreat chief تُصابِرُit faces in endurance
لِتَعلَمَ كَعبٌ أَيُّ قَرمٍ تُصابِرُ
He pursued Kab where no water could be hoped for,
so Kab would know what great chief it faced in endurance.
وَيَطلُبُand he seeks كَعباًKab حَيثُwhere لاnot الإِثرُthe track يُقتَفىcan be followed
وَيَطلُبُ كَعباً حَيثُ لا الإِثرُ يُقتَفى
لِتَعلَمَso would know كَعبٌKab أَيَّwhat عودٍseasoned strength تُكاسِرُit tries to break
لِتَعلَمَ كَعبٌ أَيَّ عودٍ تُكاسِرُ
He sought Kab where no track could be followed,
so Kab would know what seasoned strength it tried to break.
فَجَعناwe bereaved بِنِصفِwith half الجَيشِthe army جَونَةَJawna كُلَّهاall of it
فَجَعنا بِنِصفِ الجَيشِ جَونَةَ كُلَّها
وَأَرهَقَand was hard pressed جَرّاحٌJarrah وَوَلّىand fled مُغاوِرُMughawir
وَأَرهَقَ جَرّاحٌ وَوَلّى مُغاوِرُ
With half the army we bereaved all of Jawna;
Jarrah was hard pressed, and Mughawir fled.
أَبوAbu الفَيضِal-Fayd مارىcontested الناسَthe people حَولاًa year مُجَرَّماًcomplete
أَبو الفَيضِ مارى الناسَ حَولاً مُجَرَّماً
وَكانَand there was لَهُfor him جَدٌّfortune مِنَfrom القَومِthe people مائِرُflowing
وَكانَ لَهُ جَدٌّ مِنَ القَومِ مائِرُ
Abu al-Fayd contested the people for a full year,
with fortune flowing to him from the people.
فَإِنّاfor we وَإِيّاكُمand you ذُراهاare its summits وَهامُهاand its heads
فَإِنّا وَإِيّاكُم ذُراها وَهامُها
إِذِwhile الناسُthe people أَعناقٌare necks لَهاto it وَكَراكِرُand calloused knees
إِذِ الناسُ أَعناقٌ لَها وَكَراكِرُ
We and you are its summits and its heads,
while other people are its necks and calloused knees.
فَإِنّاfor we وَإِيّاكُمand you ذُراهاare its summits وَهامُهاand its heads
فَإِنّا وَإِيّاكُم ذُراها وَهامُها
إِذِwhile الناسُthe people أَعناقٌare necks لَهاto it وَكَراكِرُand calloused knees
إِذِ الناسُ أَعناقٌ لَها وَكَراكِرُ
We and you are its summits and its heads,
while other people are its necks and calloused knees.
تَرىyou see أَيَّناwhichever of us لاقَيتَهُyou meet مِنof بَنيthe sons of أَبيmy father
تَرى أَيَّنا لاقَيتَهُ مِن بَني أَبي
لَهُhe has حالِبٌa milker لايَستَفيقُwho never pauses وَجازِرُand a slaughterer
لَهُ حالِبٌ لايَستَفيقُ وَجازِرُ
Whichever of my father's sons you meet, you will find
a milker who never pauses, and a slaughterer, serving him.
وَكانَand was أَخيmy brother إِنif رامَhe sought أَمراًa matter بِنَفسِهِfor himself
وَكانَ أَخي إِن رامَ أَمراً بِنَفسِهِ
فَلاthen neither الخَوفُfear مَوجودٌexisted وَلاnor العَجزُincapacity حاضِرُwas present
فَلا الخَوفُ مَوجودٌ وَلا العَجزُ حاضِرُ
When my brother sought something for himself,
neither fear existed nor incapacity was present.
وَكانَand was أَخيmy brother إِنif يَسعَstrove ساعٍa rival بِمَجدِهِagainst his glory
وَكانَ أَخي إِن يَسعَ ساعٍ بِمَجدِهِ
فَلاthen neither المَوتُdeath مَحذورٌwas feared وَلاnor السُمُّpoison ضائِرُwas harmful
فَلا المَوتُ مَحذورٌ وَلا السُمُّ ضائِرُ
When a rival strove against my brother's glory,
death was not feared, nor poison harmful.
فَإِنso if جَدَّhe exerted himself أَوor لَفَّgathered الأُمورَaffairs بِعَزمِهِwithin his resolve
فَإِن جَدَّ أَو لَفَّ الأُمورَ بِعَزمِهِ
فَقُلthen say هُوَhe مَوتورُis wronged in الحَشىthe heart وَهوَand he واتِرُexacts vengeance
فَقُل هُوَ مَوتورُ الحَشى وَهوَ واتِرُ
When he exerted himself or gathered affairs within his resolve,
say: his heart has been wronged, and he exacts vengeance.
أَزالَhe removed العِدىthe enemies عَنfrom أَردَبيلَArdabil بِوَقعَةٍin a battle
أَزالَ العِدى عَن أَردَبيلَ بِوَقعَةٍ
صَريعانِtwo slain men فيهاin it عاذِلٌAdhil وَمُساوِرُand Musawir
صَريعانِ فيها عاذِلٌ وَمُساوِرُ
He removed the enemies from Ardabil in a battle
where Adhil and Musawir lay slain.
وَجازَand he crossed أَراضيthe lands of أَذرَبَيجانَAzerbaijan بِالقَناwith spears
وَجازَ أَراضي أَذرَبَيجانَ بِالقَنا
لِوادٍtoward a valley إِلَيهِto which المَرزُبانَthe Marzuban مُسافِرُwas traveling
لِوادٍ إِلَيهِ المَرزُبانَ مُسافِرُ
He crossed Azerbaijan's lands with spears
toward a valley to which the Marzuban was traveling.
وَناهَضَand rose against مِنهُfrom him الرَقَّتَينِthe two Raqqas مُشَيَّعٌa courageous man
وَناهَضَ مِنهُ الرَقَّتَينِ مُشَيَّعٌ
بَعيدُfar المَدىin reach عَبلُthick الذِراعَينِin the arms قاهِرُoverpowering
بَعيدُ المَدى عَبلُ الذِراعَينِ قاهِرُ
A courageous man from him rose against the two Raqqas:
far-reaching, thick-armed, overpowering.
فَلَمّاand when اِستَقَرَّتsettled بِالجَزيرَةِin al-Jazira خَيلُهُhis horses
فَلَمّا اِستَقَرَّت بِالجَزيرَةِ خَيلُهُ
تَضَعضَعَtrembled بادٍa desert dweller بِالشَآمِin Syria وَحاضِرُand a townsman
تَضَعضَعَ بادٍ بِالشَآمِ وَحاضِرُ
When his horses settled in al-Jazira,
desert dweller and townsman alike trembled in Syria.
مَمالِكُهاits kingdoms لِلبيضِbefore the white blades بيضِthe white blades of سُيوفِناour swords
مَمالِكُها لِلبيضِ بيضِ سُيوفِنا
سَباياcaptives وَهُنَّthough they لِلمُلوكِfor kings مَهابِرُwere rich prizes
سَبايا وَهُنَّ لِلمُلوكِ مَهابِرُ
Its kingdoms, before the white blades of our swords,
were captives, though rich prizes for kings.
وَحَلَّand he loosened بِبالِيّاat Baliyya عُرىthe bonds of الجَيشِthe army كُلَّهُall of it
وَحَلَّ بِبالِيّا عُرى الجَيشِ كُلَّهُ
وَحُكَّمَand was made master of حَرّانَHarran وَمولاهُwhile its lord داغِرُrushed headlong
وَحُكَّمَ حَرّانَ وَمولاهُ داغِرُ
At Baliyya he loosened all the army's bonds,
and was made master of Harran, its lord rushing headlong.
لَهُhe has يَومَon the day of عَدلٍAdl مَوقِفٌa stand بَلindeed مَواقِفٌmany stands
لَهُ يَومَ عَدلٍ مَوقِفٌ بَل مَواقِفٌ
رَدَدناwe returned إِلَيناto ourselves العِزَّhonor وَالعِزُّwhile honor نافِرُwas fleeing
رَدَدنا إِلَينا العِزَّ وَالعِزُّ نافِرُ
On Adl's day he had a stand—indeed, many stands;
we brought honor back to us when honor was fleeing.
غَداةَthat morning يُصَبُّwas poured الجَيشَthe army مِنfrom كُلِّevery جانِبٍside
غَداةَ يُصَبُّ الجَيشَ مِن كُلِّ جانِبٍ
بَصيرٌexpert بِضَربِin striking with الخَيلِhorsemen وَالجَيشِand the army ماهِرُskilled
بَصيرٌ بِضَربِ الخَيلِ وَالجَيشِ ماهِرُ
That morning the army poured from every side, directed by
one expert in striking with horsemen and skilled with armies;
بِكُلِّwith every حُسامٍsharp sword بَينَbetween حَدَّيهِits two edges شُعلَةٌa flame
بِكُلِّ حُسامٍ بَينَ حَدَّيهِ شُعلَةٌ
بِكَفِّin the hand of غُلامٍa youth حَشوُfilling دِرعَيهِhis two coats of mail خادِرُa lurking lion
بِكَفِّ غُلامٍ حَشوُ دِرعَيهِ خادِرُ
with every sharp sword, a flame between its edges,
in a youth's hand, a lurking lion filling his two coats of mail;
عَلىupon كُلِّevery طَيّارِswift-flying in الضُلوعِthe ribs كَأَنَّهُas though it
عَلى كُلِّ طَيّارِ الضُلوعِ كَأَنَّهُ
إِذاwhen اِنقَضَّit swooped مِنfrom عَلياءَa height فَتخاءُa broad-winged bird كاسِرُa predator
إِذا اِنقَضَّ مِن عَلياءَ فَتخاءُ كاسِرُ
upon every swift-ribbed steed, as though it were,
when swooping from a height, a broad-winged bird of prey.
إِذاwhenever ذُكِرَتare mentioned يَوماًone day غَطاريفُthe noble chiefs of وائِلٍWail
إِذا ذُكِرَت يَوماً غَطاريفُ وائِلٍ
فَنَحنُthen we أَعاليهاare their highest وَنَحنُand we الجَماهِرُare the great assemblies
فَنَحنُ أَعاليها وَنَحنُ الجَماهِرُ
Whenever Wail's noble chiefs are mentioned,
we are their highest, and we their great assemblies.
وَمِنّاand among us الفَتىthe youth يَحيىYahya وَمِنّاand among us اِبنُthe son of عَمِّهِhis uncle
وَمِنّا الفَتى يَحيى وَمِنّا اِبنُ عَمِّهِ
هُماthose two ماهُماwhat men they are لِلعِزِّfor glory سَمعٌhearing وَناظِرُand sight
هُما ماهُما لِلعِزِّ سَمعٌ وَناظِرُ
Among us is the youth Yahya, and his cousin among us:
those two—what men they are!—are glory's hearing and sight.
لَهُhe has بِالهُمامِagainst the valiant اِبنِIbn المُعَمَّرِal-Muammar فَتكَةٌa deadly stroke
لَهُ بِالهُمامِ اِبنِ المُعَمَّرِ فَتكَةٌ
وَفيwas faithful السَيفُthe sword فيهاin it وَالرِماحُwhile the spears غَوادِرُwere betraying
وَفي السَيفُ فيها وَالرِماحُ غَوادِرُ
He dealt a deadly stroke to the valiant Ibn al-Muammar;
the sword was faithful there, while the spears betrayed.
وَمِنّاand among us أَبوAbu اليَقظانِal-Yaqzan مُنتاشَthe rescuer of خالِدٍKhalid
وَمِنّا أَبو اليَقظانِ مُنتاشَ خالِدٍ
وَمِنّاand among us أَخوهُhis brother الأُفعُوانُthe great serpent المُساوِرُattacking
وَمِنّا أَخوهُ الأُفعُوانُ المُساوِرُ
Among us is Abu al-Yaqzan, Khalid's rescuer,
and among us his brother, the attacking great serpent.
شَفىhe healed النَفسَthe soul يَومَon the day of الخالِدِيَّةِal-Khalidiyya بَعدَماafter
شَفى النَفسَ يَومَ الخالِدِيَّةِ بَعدَما
حَلَلنَhad landed بِإِحدىupon one of جانِبَيهِhis two sides البَواتِرُthe cutting blades
حَلَلنَ بِإِحدى جانِبَيهِ البَواتِرُ
He healed the soul on al-Khalidiyya's day, after
cutting blades had landed upon one of his sides.
وَمِنّاand among us اِبنُthe son of قَنّاصِthe hunter of الفَوارِسِhorsemen أَحمَدٌAhmad
وَمِنّا اِبنُ قَنّاصِ الفَوارِسِ أَحمَدٌ
غُلامٌa youth كَمِثلِlike السَيفِthe sword أَبلَجُradiant زاهِرُshining
غُلامٌ كَمِثلِ السَيفِ أَبلَجُ زاهِرُ
Among us is Ahmad, son of the hunter of horsemen:
a youth like a sword, radiant and shining;
فَتىًa youth حازَwho attained أَسبابَthe means of المَكارِمِnoble deeds كُلَّهاall of them
فَتىً حازَ أَسبابَ المَكارِمِ كُلَّها
وَماwhile not شَعِرَتhad grown hair مِنهُon him الخُدودُthe cheeks النَواضِرُfresh
وَما شَعِرَت مِنهُ الخُدودُ النَواضِرُ
a youth who attained every means of noble deeds,
though his fresh cheeks had not yet grown hair.
وَمِنّاand among us أَبوAbu عَدنانَAdnan سَيِّدُthe chief of قَومِهِhis people
وَمِنّا أَبو عَدنانَ سَيِّدُ قَومِهِ
وَمِنّاand among us قَريعاthe two champions of العِزِّglory جَبرٌJabr وَجابِرُand Jabir
وَمِنّا قَريعا العِزِّ جَبرٌ وَجابِرُ
Among us is Abu Adnan, chief of his people,
and among us glory's two champions, Jabr and Jabir.
فَهَذاso this one الَّذيis the one who التاجَthe crown المُعَصَّبَturbaned قاتِلٌslew
فَهَذا الَّذي التاجَ المُعَصَّبَ قاتِلٌ
وَهَذاand this one الَّذيis the one who البَيتَthe house المُمَنَّعَwell-defended آسِرُcaptured
وَهَذا الَّذي البَيتَ المُمَنَّعَ آسِرُ
This one slew the turbaned crown;
that one captured the well-defended house.
وَمِنّاand among us الأَغَرَّthe radiant اِبنُson of الأَغَرَّthe radiant مُهَلهَلٌMuhalhal
وَمِنّا الأَغَرَّ اِبنُ الأَغَرَّ مُهَلهَلٌ
خَليلِيَmy friend إِنif ذُمَّis blamed الخَليلُthe companion المُعاشِرُfamiliar
خَليلِيَ إِن ذُمَّ الخَليلُ المُعاشِرُ
Among us is the radiant son of the radiant, Muhalhal:
my friend when a familiar companion is blamed.
فَإِنso if أَدعُI call فيin اللَأواءِhardship فَهوَthen he مُحارِبٌis a fighter
فَإِن أَدعُ في اللَأواءِ فَهوَ مُحارِبٌ
وَإِنand if أَسعَI strive لِلعَلياءِfor eminence فَهوَthen he مُظاهِرُis a supporter
وَإِن أَسعَ لِلعَلياءِ فَهوَ مُظاهِرُ
If I call in hardship, he is a fighter;
if I strive for eminence, he is a supporter.
وَلَمّاand when أَظَلَّovershadowed الخَوفُfear دارَthe land of رَبيعَةٍRabia
وَلَمّا أَظَلَّ الخَوفُ دارَ رَبيعَةٍ
وَلَمand not يَبقَremained إِلّاexcept ماحَوَتهُwhat contained الحَفائِرُthe pits
وَلَم يَبقَ إِلّا ماحَوَتهُ الحَفائِرُ
When fear overshadowed Rabia's land,
and nothing remained but what the pits contained,
شَفىhe healed دائَهاits sickness يَومَon the day of الشُراةِthe Shurat بِوَقعَةٍin a battle
شَفى دائَها يَومَ الشُراةِ بِوَقعَةٍ
جُدودُthe fortunes of بَنيBanu شَيبانَShayban فيهاin it العَواثِرُstumbling
جُدودُ بَني شَيبانَ فيها العَواثِرُ
he healed its sickness in a battle on the Shurat's day,
where the fortunes of Banu Shayban stumbled.
وَمِنّاand among us عَلَيَّAli فارِسُthe knight of الخَيلِthe horses صِنوُهُhis peer
وَمِنّا عَلَيَّ فارِسُ الخَيلِ صِنوُهُ
عَلَيَّAli اِبنُibn نَصرٍNasr خَيرُthe best of مَنthose whom زارَvisited زائِرُa visitor
عَلَيَّ اِبنُ نَصرٍ خَيرُ مَن زارَ زائِرُ
Among us is Ali, knight of the horses; his peer is
Ali ibn Nasr, the best man a visitor ever visited.
وَمِنّاand among us الحُسَينُal-Husayn القَرمُthe great chief مُشبِهُresembling جَدِّهِhis grandfather
وَمِنّا الحُسَينُ القَرمُ مُشبِهُ جَدِّهِ
حَمىhe defended نَفسَهُhimself وَالجَيشُwhile the army لِلجَيشِthe other army غامِرُwas engulfing
حَمى نَفسَهُ وَالجَيشُ لِلجَيشِ غامِرُ
Among us is al-Husayn, the great chief resembling his grandfather;
he defended himself as one army engulfed the other.
لَناwe have فيin بَنيthe sons of عَمّيmy uncle وَأَحياءِand the clans of إِخوَتيmy brothers
لَنا في بَني عَمّي وَأَحياءِ إِخوَتي
عُلىًeminences حَيثُwherever سارَtravel النَيِّرانِthe two lights سَوائِرُtraveling
عُلىً حَيثُ سارَ النَيِّرانِ سَوائِرُ
In my cousins and the clans of my brothers we possess
eminences traveling wherever the two lights travel.
إِنَّهُمُindeed they الساداتُare the chiefs وَالغُرَرُand the radiant foremost ones الَّتيthrough whom
إِنَّهُمُ الساداتُ وَالغُرَرُ الَّتي
أَطولُI surpass عَلىagainst خَصميmy opponent بِهاthrough them وَأُكاثِرُand outnumber
أَطولُ عَلى خَصمي بِها وَأُكاثِرُ
They are the chiefs and the radiant foremost ones
through whom I surpass and outnumber my opponent.
وَلَولاand were it not for اِجتِنابيmy avoidance of العَتبَblame مِنfrom غَيرِone not مُنصِفٍfair
وَلَولا اِجتِنابي العَتبَ مِن غَيرِ مُنصِفٍ
لَماthen not عَزَّنيwould defeat me قَولٌexpression وَلاnor خانَbetray خاطِرُa thought
لَما عَزَّني قَولٌ وَلا خانَ خاطِرُ
Were I not avoiding blame from one who is unfair,
no expression would defeat me, nor thought betray me.
وَلاnor أَناam I فيماfor what قَدhas تَقَدَّمَgone before طالِبٌseeking
وَلا أَنا فيما قَد تَقَدَّمَ طالِبٌ
جَزاءَreward وَلاnor فيماfor what تَأَخَّرَcomes later وازِرُbearing guilt
جَزاءَ وَلا فيما تَأَخَّرَ وازِرُ
For what has gone before, I seek
no reward; for what comes later, I bear no guilt.
يُسَرُّrejoices صَديقيmy friend أَنَّthat أَكثَرَmost of واصِفيthose describing me
يُسَرُّ صَديقي أَنَّ أَكثَرَ واصِفي
عَدُوّيare my enemy وَإِنalthough ساءَتهُdistressed him تِلكَthose المَفاخِرُglories
عَدُوّي وَإِن ساءَتهُ تِلكَ المَفاخِرُ
My friend rejoices that most who describe me
are my enemies, though these glories distress them.
نَطَقتُI spoke بِفَضليof my excellence وَاِمتَدَحتُand praised عَشيرَتيmy clan
نَطَقتُ بِفَضلي وَاِمتَدَحتُ عَشيرَتي
وَماand not أَناam I مَدّاحٌa panegyrist وَلاnor أَناam I شاعِرُa poet
وَما أَنا مَدّاحٌ وَلا أَنا شاعِرُ
I spoke of my excellence and praised my clan;
I am neither a panegyrist nor a poet.
وَهَلand can تَجحَدُbe denied الشَمسُthe sun المُنيرَةُshining ضَوءُهاits light
وَهَل تَجحَدُ الشَمسُ المُنيرَةُ ضَوءُها
وَيُستَرُand be hidden نورُthe radiance of البَدرِthe full moon وَالبَدرُwhile the full moon زاهِرُis shining
وَيُستَرُ نورُ البَدرِ وَالبَدرُ زاهِرُ
Can the shining sun be denied its light,
or the full moon's radiance hidden while it shines?
Partial English translation: 298 of 452 Arabic lines translated.