بانَتdeparted سُعادُSuad وَأَمسىand by evening حَبلُهاher bond اِنقَطَعاhad snapped
بانَت سُعادُ وَأَمسى حَبلُها اِنقَطَعا
وَاِحتَلَّتِand she settled الغَمرَal-Ghamr فَالجُدَّينِthen al-Juddayn فَالفَرعاthen al-Far'
وَاِحتَلَّتِ الغَمرَ فَالجُدَّينِ فَالفَرعا
Suad departed, and by evening her bond had snapped.
Her happiness has faded and its rope is now cut,
She settled at al-Ghamr, then al-Juddayn, then al-Far'.
My youth gave way to old age then to senility.
وَأَنكَرَتنيand she disowned me وَماand not كانَwas الَّذيwhat نَكِرَتshe found unfamiliar
وَأَنكَرَتني وَما كانَ الَّذي نَكِرَت
مِنَof الحَوادِثِlife's changes إِلّاexcept الشَيبَgray hair وَالصَلَعاand baldness
مِنَ الحَوادِثِ إِلّا الشَيبَ وَالصَلَعا
She disowned me, though what she found unfamiliar
She did not recognize me, but what made her unrecognizable,
among life's changes was only gray hair and baldness.
Was nothing but the grey hair and baldness.
قَدmay يَترُكُleave الدَهرُTime فيin خَلقاءَa smooth rock راسِيَةٍfirmly rooted
قَد يَترُكُ الدَهرُ في خَلقاءَ راسِيَةٍ
وَهياًa fissure وَيُنزِلُand brings down مِنهاfrom it الأَعصَمَthe white-footed الصَدَعاyoung ibex
وَهياً وَيُنزِلُ مِنها الأَعصَمَ الصَدَعا
Time may leave in a smooth, firmly rooted rock
Time may leave sturdy youths as frail wrecks,
a fissure, and bring down its white-footed young ibex.
And bring down the strongest from the heights of glory.
بانَتshe departed وَقَدand already أَسأَرَتshe left behind فيin النَفسِthe soul حاجَتَهاlonging for her
بانَت وَقَد أَسأَرَت في النَفسِ حاجَتَها
بَعدَafter اِئتِلافٍintimacy وَخَيرُand the best الوُدِّaffection ماwhat نَفَعاbenefited
بَعدَ اِئتِلافٍ وَخَيرُ الوُدِّ ما نَفَعا
She departed, leaving longing for her in my soul
She has faded after achieving her heart’s desire,
after intimacy; the best affection is that which benefits.
After a harmonious union and the best affection too.
وَقَدand once أَراناI recall us طِلاباًseeking هَمَّthe desire صاحِبِهِof his companion
وَقَد أَرانا طِلاباً هَمَّ صاحِبِهِ
لَوif only أَنَّthat شَيئاًsomething إِذاwhen ماever فاتَناescaped us رَجَعاwould return
لَو أَنَّ شَيئاً إِذا ما فاتَنا رَجَعا
I remember us seeking each other's heart's desire—
We saw life's seekers whose companions
if only something, once lost to us, would return.
Wished the past would come back if it slipped away!
تَعصيshe defies الوُشاةَthe slanderers وَكانَand was الحُبُّlove آوِنَةًat times
تَعصي الوُشاةَ وَكانَ الحُبُّ آوِنَةً
مِمّاamong what يُزَيِّنُmakes fair لِلمَشغوفِto the lovestruck ماwhat صَنَعاhe did
مِمّا يُزَيِّنُ لِلمَشغوفِ ما صَنَعا
She defied the slanderers; love was sometimes
She resisted tyrants and affection was just,
among the things that make his deeds seem fair to the lovestruck.
Adorning all the lover did and had made.
وَكانَand was شَيءٌone thing إِلىjoined to شَيءٍanother thing فَفَرَّقَهُthen sundered it
وَكانَ شَيءٌ إِلى شَيءٍ فَفَرَّقَهُ
دَهرٌTime يَعودُreturns عَلىto تَشتيتِscattering ماwhat جَمَعاit gathered
دَهرٌ يَعودُ عَلى تَشتيتِ ما جَمَعا
One thing was joined to another, then sundered
When life disjoined what it once brought together,
by Time, returning to scatter what it gathered.
Scattering what it once united and gathered.
وَماand what use is طِلابُكَyour pursuit شَيئاًof something لَستَyou are not مُدرِكَهُable to attain it
وَما طِلابُكَ شَيئاً لَستَ مُدرِكَهُ
إِنif كانَhas عَنكَfrom you غُرابُthe raven الجَهلِfolly قَدalready وَقَعاdeparted
إِن كانَ عَنكَ غُرابُ الجَهلِ قَد وَقَعا
What use is pursuing something you cannot attain,
You cannot attain what you seek,
if the raven of folly has already departed from you?
If the ignorance of youth has departed from you.
تَقولُsays بِنتيmy daughter وَقَدand already قَرَّبتُI brought near مُرتَحَلاًa saddled mount
تَقولُ بِنتي وَقَد قَرَّبتُ مُرتَحَلاً
ياO رَبِّmy Lord جَنِّبspare أَبيmy father الأَوصابَillnesses وَالوَجَعاand pain
يا رَبِّ جَنِّب أَبي الأَوصابَ وَالوَجَعا
My daughter says, as I ready a saddled mount,
“Father”, my daughter pleads, “Spare my dad all harm and agony”.
'My Lord, spare my father illnesses and pain!'
She sought the intercession of noble ladies of proud descent,
وَاِستَشفَعَتand she sought intercession مِنfrom سَراةَthe chiefs الحَيِّthe tribe ذاpossessed of شَرَفٍdistinction
وَاِستَشفَعَت مِن سَراةَ الحَيِّ ذا شَرَفٍ
فَقَدbut already عَصاهاdisobeyed her أَبوهاher father وَالَّذيand the one who شَفَعاinterceded
فَقَد عَصاها أَبوها وَالَّذي شَفَعا
She sought a man of distinction among the tribe's chiefs to intercede,
But her father refused and rejected their intercession.
but her father refused her and the man who pleaded.
Gently, my daughter. Ambition
مَهلاًgently بُنَيَّmy little one فَإِنَّfor indeed المَرءَa man يَبعَثُهُrouses him
مَهلاً بُنَيَّ فَإِنَّ المَرءَ يَبعَثُهُ
هَمٌّcare إِذاwhen خالَطَmingles with الحَيزومَthe breast وَالضِلَعاand the ribs
هَمٌّ إِذا خالَطَ الحَيزومَ وَالضِلَعا
Gently, my little one: a man is driven
Stirs a man when it touches his mind and ribs.
by care when it mingles with his breast and ribs.
On yourself, the same as you prayed, so be patient
عَلَيكِupon you مِثلُthe like الَّذيof what صَلَّيتِyou prayed فَاِغتَمِضيso close your eyes
عَلَيكِ مِثلُ الَّذي صَلَّيتِ فَاِغتَمِضي
يَوماًa day فَإِنَّfor indeed لِجَنبِfor the side المَرءِof a man مُضطَجَعاa resting place
يَوماً فَإِنَّ لِجَنبِ المَرءِ مُضطَجَعا
May the same blessing you prayed for be yours; close your eyes
A day, for the bereaved to rest at home.
for a day, for a man has a place to lay his side.
Ask the leaders of the caravans and await
وَاِستَخبِريand ask for news قافِلَthe returning الرُكبانِriders وَاِنتَظِريand wait
وَاِستَخبِري قافِلَ الرُكبانِ وَاِنتَظِري
أَوبَreturn المُسافِرِthe traveler إِنwhether رَيثاًslowly وَإِنor whether سَرعاswiftly
أَوبَ المُسافِرِ إِن رَيثاً وَإِن سَرعا
Ask the returning riders for news, and await
The return of the traveler, be it soon or late.
the traveler's return, whether slow or swift.
Be like she who when her visitor was absent,
كونيbe كَمِثلِlike الَّتيthe woman who إِذwhen غابَwas absent وافِدُهاher envoy
كوني كَمِثلِ الَّتي إِذ غابَ وافِدُها
أَهدَتshe sent لَهُto him مِنfrom بَعيدٍafar نَظرَةًa glance جَزَعاin anxiety
أَهدَت لَهُ مِن بَعيدٍ نَظرَةً جَزَعا
Be like the woman who, when her envoy was absent,
Gazed at him from afar, suffering distress.
sent him an anxious glance from afar.
Do not be like one who expects no return
وَلاand do not تَكونيbe كَمَنlike one who لاnot يَرتَجيexpects أَوبَةًa return
وَلا تَكوني كَمَن لا يَرتَجي أَوبَةً
لِذيfor one in اِغتِرابٍabsence abroad وَلاand does not يَرجوhope لَهُfor him رِجَعاa homecoming
لِذي اِغتِرابٍ وَلا يَرجو لَهُ رِجَعا
Do not be like one who expects no return
Of the distant exile, and no homecoming.
for someone abroad, and hopes for no homecoming.
No glance of languid eyes truly resembles hers,
ماnot نَظَرَتgazed ذاتُone possessing أَشفارٍeyelashes كَنَظرَتِهاlike her glance
ما نَظَرَت ذاتُ أَشفارٍ كَنَظرَتِها
حَقّاًtruly كَماas صَدَقَspoke truth الذِئبِيُّal-Dhi'bi إِذwhen سَجَعاspoke in rhyme
حَقّاً كَما صَدَقَ الذِئبِيُّ إِذ سَجَعا
No eye with lashes ever gazed as hers did,
As the wolf proclaimed when it howled out loud.
truly, as al-Dhi'bi spoke truth when he spoke in rhyme.
When she gave an honest look, not deceptive,
إِذwhen نَظَرَتshe looked نَظرَةًa glance لَيسَتnot بِكاذِبَةٍfalse
إِذ نَظَرَت نَظرَةً لَيسَت بِكاذِبَةٍ
إِذwhen يَرفَعُraises الآلُthe mirage رَأسَthe head الكَلبِthe dog فَاِرتَفَعاso it rose
إِذ يَرفَعُ الآلُ رَأسَ الكَلبِ فَاِرتَفَعا
She cast a glance that was not false,
As the family of wolves collectively raised their heads.
when the mirage lifted a dog's head, and it rose.
She tossed her smooth neck, no deceiver,
وَقَلَّبَتand she turned مُقلَةًan eyeball لَيسَتnot بِمُقرِفَةٍblemished
وَقَلَّبَت مُقلَةً لَيسَت بِمُقرِفَةٍ
إِنسانَpupil عَينِan eye وَمُؤقاًand an inner corner لَمnot يَكُنwas قَمعاdiseased
إِنسانَ عَينِ وَمُؤقاً لَم يَكُن قَمعا
She turned an unblemished eye,
A human, weak, not one to oppress.
its pupil and an inner corner free of disease.
“I see”, she said, “a man holding a shoulder,
قالَتshe said أَرىI see رَجُلاًa man فيin كَفِّهِhis palm كَتِفٌa shoulder-blade
قالَت أَرى رَجُلاً في كَفِّهِ كَتِفٌ
أَوor يَخصِفُhe stitches النَعلَthe sandal لَهفيalas for me أَيَّةًwhichever صَنَعاhe did
أَو يَخصِفُ النَعلَ لَهفي أَيَّةً صَنَعا
She said, 'I see a man with a shoulder-blade in his palm,
Or cobbling shoes, longing for any task”.
or stitching a sandal—alas, whichever he was doing!'
They called her a liar for what she said, then at dawn
فَكَذَّبوهاso they disbelieved her بِماabout what قالَتshe said فَصَبَّحَهُمthen came upon them at dawn
فَكَذَّبوها بِما قالَت فَصَبَّحَهُم
ذوone of آلِthe house of حَسّانَHassan يُزجيdriving المَوتَdeath وَالشِرَعاand leveled spears
ذو آلِ حَسّانَ يُزجي المَوتَ وَالشِرَعا
They disbelieved her account; then dawn brought upon them
The tribe of Hassan's hounds brought death and havoc.
a man of Hassan's house, driving death and leveled spears.
The lofty houses of the carefree were demolished,
فَاِستَنزَلواthen they drove out أَهلَthe people جَوٍّJaww مِنfrom مَساكِنِهِمtheir dwellings
فَاِستَنزَلوا أَهلَ جَوٍّ مِن مَساكِنِهِم
وَهَدَّمواand they demolished شاخِصَthe towering part البُنيانِthe buildings فَاِتَّضَعاso it became low
وَهَدَّموا شاخِصَ البُنيانِ فَاِتَّضَعا
They drove the people of Jaww from their dwellings
Those towering buildings were razed down.
and demolished their towering buildings, laying them low.
A village where fear silenced its shelters,
وَبَلدَةٍand many a land يَرهَبُdreads الجَوّابُthe wayfarer دُلجَتَهاits night-crossing
وَبَلدَةٍ يَرهَبُ الجَوّابُ دُلجَتَها
حَتّىuntil تَراهُyou see him عَلَيهاfor it يَبتَغيseeking الشِيَعاcompanions
حَتّى تَراهُ عَلَيها يَبتَغي الشِيَعا
And many a land whose night-crossing the wayfarer dreads,
Until you see death roaming about seeking victims.
until you see him seeking companions for it:
You hear nothing in its stillness to comfort you
لاnot يَسمَعُhears المَرءُa man فيهاin it ماwhat يُؤَنِّسُهُcomforts him
لا يَسمَعُ المَرءُ فيها ما يُؤَنِّسُهُ
بِاللَيلِat night إِلّاexcept نَئيمَthe hooting البومِowls وَالضُوَعاand screech-owls
بِاللَيلِ إِلّا نَئيمَ البومِ وَالضُوَعا
a man hears nothing there to comfort him
Except the hooting owls and howling jackals.
at night except the hooting of owls and screech-owls.
I ventured there driven by ambition
كَلَّفتُI tasked مَجهولَهاits unknown expanse نَفسيmyself وَشايَعَنيand accompanied me
كَلَّفتُ مَجهولَها نَفسي وَشايَعَني
هَمّيmy care عَلَيهاacross it إِذاwhen ماever آلُهاits mirage لَمَعاgleamed
هَمّي عَلَيها إِذا ما آلُها لَمَعا
I tasked myself with its unknown expanse; accompanying me
When its roaming beasts glimmered at night.
was my care across it, when its mirage glittered.
A foul lascivious one who, when she stumbled,
بِذاتِon one possessing لَوثٍstrength عَفَرناةٍa powerful she-camel إِذاif عَثَرَتshe stumbled
بِذاتِ لَوثٍ عَفَرناةٍ إِذا عَثَرَت
فَالتَعسُthen downfall أَدنىnearer لَهاto her مِنthan أَنthat أَقولَI say لَعاrecover!
فَالتَعسُ أَدنى لَها مِن أَن أَقولَ لَعا
I rode a robust, powerful she-camel; if she stumbled,
Curse her! Revilement suited her more than praise.
'Down with you!' came sooner than my saying, 'Recover!'
She sways with the stalk of tattoo on her thigh
تَلويshe swings بِعِذقِa cluster خِصابٍof Khisab dates كُلَّماwhenever خَطَرَتshe flicks it
تَلوي بِعِذقِ خِصابٍ كُلَّما خَطَرَت
عَنaway from فَرجِthe vulva مَعقومَةٍa barren she-camel لَمnot تَتَّبِعhad following her رُبَعاa spring-born calf
عَن فَرجِ مَعقومَةٍ لَم تَتَّبِع رُبَعا
She swings a Khisab date-cluster whenever she flicks it,
Over a vulva that never followed virginity.
away from the vulva of a barren camel no spring calf has followed.
She pretends to be untouched whenever she blinks
تَخالُshe deems حَتماًbinding عَلَيهاon her كُلَّماwhenever ضَمَرَتshe grows lean
تَخالُ حَتماً عَلَيها كُلَّما ضَمَرَت
مِنَfrom الكَلالِexhaustion بِأَنthat تَستَوفِيَshe stretch fully النِسعاthe girth-straps
مِنَ الكَلالِ بِأَن تَستَوفِيَ النِسعا
She deems it binding on her, whenever she grows lean
As if to preserve her virginity unspoiled!
from exhaustion, to stretch the girth-straps to their utmost.
As if after the billy-goats had their fill of her,
كَأَنَّهاas though she بَعدَماafter أَفضىbrought out النَجادُthe uplands بِهاher onward
كَأَنَّها بَعدَما أَفضى النَجادُ بِها
بِالشَيَّطَينِat al-Shayyatayn مَهاةٌan oryx cow تَبتَغيseeking ذَرَعاa calf
بِالشَيَّطَينِ مَهاةٌ تَبتَغي ذَرَعا
As though, after the uplands had brought her out
She was a lustful devil seeking mere pleasure.
at al-Shayyatayn, she were an oryx cow seeking a calf.
A prowling wolf desired her in the land
أَهوىmade for لَهاher ضابِئٌa lurking beast فيin الأَرضِthe earth مُفتَحِصٌnestled in a hollow
أَهوى لَها ضابِئٌ في الأَرضِ مُفتَحِصٌ
لِلحَمِfor flesh قِدماًlong since خَفِيُّhidden الشَخصِin form قَدalready خَشَعاcrouched low
لِلحَمِ قِدماً خَفِيُّ الشَخصِ قَد خَشَعا
A lurking beast made for her, nestled in the earth,
Walking softly, hidden in form but timid.
long intent on flesh, his form concealed, crouching low.
He kept deceiving her to enjoy her alone
فَظَلَّso he kept يَخدَعُهاdeceiving her عَنaway from نَفسِthe life واحِدِهاof her only young
فَظَلَّ يَخدَعُها عَن نَفسِ واحِدِها
فيin أَرضِland فَيءٍshade بِفِعلٍby a stratagem مِثلُهُits like خَدَعاdeceived
في أَرضِ فَيءٍ بِفِعلٍ مِثلُهُ خَدَعا
He kept tricking her out of her only young one's life,
In an unclaimed wilderness, repeating his deceit.
on shaded ground, by a stratagem whose like had deceived before.
She came in heat to give birth to a son and nourish him
حانَتher doom came لِيَفجَعَهاthat he bereave her بِاِبنٍof a son وَتُطعِمَهُand she feed him
حانَت لِيَفجَعَها بِاِبنٍ وَتُطعِمَهُ
لَحماًflesh فَقَدindeed أَطعَمَتshe fed لَحماًflesh وَقَدand indeed فَجَعاhe bereaved
لَحماً فَقَد أَطعَمَت لَحماً وَقَد فَجَعا
It was her doom that he rob her of a son and she feed him
With meat! She fed meat as she mourned!
flesh; she did feed him flesh, and he did bereave her.
He kept eating her as she grazed
فَظَلَّso he kept يَأكُلُeating مِنهاfrom her وَهيَwhile she راتِعَةٌwas grazing
فَظَلَّ يَأكُلُ مِنها وَهيَ راتِعَةٌ
حَدَّthe height النَهارِthe day تُراعيwatching ثيرَةًbulls رُتُعاgrazing
حَدَّ النَهارِ تُراعي ثيرَةً رُتُعا
He kept eating what was hers while she grazed,
From dawn to dusk, watching over the flock.
at the height of day, watching grazing bulls.
Until when her udder was full, she came
حَتّىuntil إِذاwhen فيقَةٌfresh milk فيin ضَرعِهاher udder اِجتَمَعَتgathered
حَتّى إِذا فيقَةٌ في ضَرعِها اِجتَمَعَت
جاءَتshe came لِتُرضِعَto suckle شِقِّhalf النَفسِthe soul لَوif only رَضَعاhe could suckle
جاءَت لِتُرضِعَ شِقِّ النَفسِ لَو رَضَعا
Until, when fresh milk had gathered in her udder,
To suckle, to nourish, if only he would suck!
she came to suckle half her soul—if only he could suckle!
In haste she went to the nearest place, but a group
عَجلاًin haste إِلىto المَعهَدِthe familiar haunt الأَدنىthe nearest فَفاجَأَهاthen surprised her
عَجلاً إِلى المَعهَدِ الأَدنى فَفاجَأَها
أَقطاعُscraps مَسكٍhide وَسافَتand she sniffed مِنof دَمٍblood دُفَعاgushes
أَقطاعُ مَسكٍ وَسافَت مِن دَمٍ دُفَعا
Hurrying to the nearest familiar haunt, she was startled
Of fearless Meccan knights suddenly took her by surprise.
by scraps of hide, and sniffed gushes of blood.
So she left, bereaved, in sorrow,
فَاِنصَرَفَتso she turned away فاقِداًbereft ثَكلىchildless عَلىin حَزَنٍgrief
فَاِنصَرَفَت فاقِداً ثَكلى عَلى حَزَنٍ
كُلٌّeach دَهاهاassailed her وَكُلٌّand each عِندَهاupon her اِجتَمَعاgathered
كُلٌّ دَهاها وَكُلٌّ عِندَها اِجتَمَعا
She turned away, bereft, childless, in grief;
While each one there had gathered around her.
each woe struck her, and all gathered upon her.
She was heedless of him and did not feel
وَذاكَand that أَنbecause غَفَلَتshe neglected عَنهُhim وَماand not شَعَرَتrealized
وَذاكَ أَن غَفَلَت عَنهُ وَما شَعَرَت
أَنَّthat المَنِيَّةَdeath يَوماًone day أَرسَلَتsent سَبُعاa beast of prey
أَنَّ المَنِيَّةَ يَوماً أَرسَلَت سَبُعا
All this because she had neglected him, unaware
That death had one day sent forth a lion.
that death one day had sent a beast of prey.
Until the rays of the sun shone on her,
حَتّىuntil إِذاwhen ذَرَّemerged قَرنُthe horn الشَمسِthe sun صَبَّحَهاcame upon her at dawn
حَتّى إِذا ذَرَّ قَرنُ الشَمسِ صَبَّحَها
ذُؤالُDhu'al نَبهانَNabhan يَبغيseeking for صَحبَهُhis companions المُتَعاprovisions
ذُؤالُ نَبهانَ يَبغي صَحبَهُ المُتَعا
Then, when the sun's horn emerged, there came upon her at dawn
A caller to hunting sought his companions' pleasure.
Dhu'al of Nabhan, seeking provisions for his companions,
With hounds swift as arrows, baring
بِأَكلُبٍwith hounds كَسِراعِlike the swift ones النَبلِarrows ضارِيَةٍtrained to hunt
بِأَكلُبٍ كَسِراعِ النَبلِ ضارِيَةٍ
تَرىyou see مِنَof القِدِّrawhide فيaround أَعناقِهاtheir necks قِطَعاstrips
تَرى مِنَ القِدِّ في أَعناقِها قِطَعا
with hunting hounds swift as arrows;
Necks clad with leather thongs in place of pearls.
you see strips of rawhide around their necks.
She left behind her nothing but vertebrae, ribs,
فَتِلكَso that one لَمnot تَتَّرِكleft مِنfrom خَلفِهاbehind her شَبَهاًa visible trace
فَتِلكَ لَم تَتَّرِك مِن خَلفِها شَبَهاً
إِلّاexcept الدَوابِرَhoof-heels وَالأَظلافَand cloven hooves وَالزَمَعاand dewclaws
إِلّا الدَوابِرَ وَالأَظلافَ وَالزَمَعا
She left no visible trace behind her
Bones and front legs, all gnawed away.
except hoof-heels, cloven hooves, and dewclaws.
I consoled her after the youths had enjoyed her,
أَنضَيتُهاI wore her out بَعدَماafter طالَlasted long الهِبابُthe bounding بِهاwith her
أَنضَيتُها بَعدَما طالَ الهِبابُ بِها
تَأُمَّheading for هَوذَةَHawdha لاno نِكساًweakling وَلاnor وَرَعاtimid man
تَأُمَّ هَوذَةَ لا نِكساً وَلا وَرَعا
I wore her out after her long bounding course,
She fears not, and seeks no refuge in caves.
heading for Hawdha, no weakling and no timid man.
"Fear not, for you are from honored stock
ياO هَوذَHawdha إِنَّكَindeed you مِنfrom قَومٍa people ذَويpossessed of حَسَبٍnoble standing
يا هَوذَ إِنَّكَ مِن قَومٍ ذَوي حَسَبٍ
لاnot يَفشَلونَlose heart إِذاwhen ماever آنَسواthey perceive فَزَعاalarm
لا يَفشَلونَ إِذا ما آنَسوا فَزَعا
O Hawdha, you belong to a people of noble standing,
Who fail not when facing perils, afraid."
who do not lose heart when they perceive alarm.
They are the Khadramites! When absent or present,
هُمُthey الخَضارِمُthe great-hearted إِنwhether غابواthey are absent وَإِنor whether شَهِدواthey are present
هُمُ الخَضارِمُ إِن غابوا وَإِن شَهِدوا
وَلاand not يُرَونَare seen إِلىtoward جاراتِهِمtheir women-neighbors خُنعاfawning
وَلا يُرَونَ إِلى جاراتِهِم خُنعا
They are the great-hearted, whether absent or present,
They bow to none of their neighbors in humility.
and are not seen fawning upon their women-neighbors.
Their homes secure their neighbors
قَومٌa people بُيوتُهُمُtheir homes أَمنٌsafety لِجارِهِمُfor their neighbor
قَومٌ بُيوتُهُمُ أَمنٌ لِجارِهِمُ
يَوماًon a day إِذاwhen ضَمَّتِembraces المَحضورَةُthe settlement الفَزَعاfear
يَوماً إِذا ضَمَّتِ المَحضورَةُ الفَزَعا
A people whose homes are safety for their neighbor
One day when terror fills the heart with fear.
on a day when fear fills the settlement.
In war, when it bares its claws, they are
وَهُمand they إِذاwhen الحَربُwar أَبدَتbares عَنfrom نَواجِذِهاits back teeth
وَهُم إِذا الحَربُ أَبدَت عَن نَواجِذِها
مِثلُlike اللُيوثِlions وَسُمٍّand venom عاتِقٍaged نَقَعاsteeped
مِثلُ اللُيوثِ وَسُمٍّ عاتِقٍ نَقَعا
And when war bares its back teeth, they are
Like ferocious lions baring canine teeth.
like lions and long-steeped, aged venom.
A rain for widows and orphans everywhere,
غَيثُrain الأَرامِلِwidows وَالأَيتامِand orphans كُلِّهِمُall of them
غَيثُ الأَرامِلِ وَالأَيتامِ كُلِّهِمُ
لَمnot تَطلُعِhas risen الشَمسُthe sun إِلّاexcept ضِرَّhe harmed أَوor نَفَعاhelped
لَم تَطلُعِ الشَمسُ إِلّا ضِرَّ أَو نَفَعا
Rain for all widows and orphans:
The sun never rose but bringing harm or benefit.
no sun rises without his harming or helping.
Whoever encounters fear submits without pretense
مَنwhoever يَلقَmeets هَوذَةَHawdha يَسجُدbows down غَيرَwithout being مُتَّئبٍashamed
مَن يَلقَ هَوذَةَ يَسجُد غَيرَ مُتَّئبٍ
إِذاwhen تَعَصَّبَhe binds his headband فَوقَabove التاجِthe crown أَوor وَضَعاsets it aside
إِذا تَعَصَّبَ فَوقَ التاجِ أَو وَضَعا
Whoever meets Hawdha bows down without shame,
Whether wearing a crown or removing headgear.
when he binds a band above his crown or lays it aside.
For him are garlands of rubies embellished
لَهُhe has أَكاليلُdiadems بِالياقوتِwith rubies زَيَّنَهاadorned them
لَهُ أَكاليلُ بِالياقوتِ زَيَّنَها
صُوّاغُهاtheir goldsmiths لاnot تَرىyou see عَيباًa flaw وَلاnor طَبَعاtarnish
صُوّاغُها لا تَرى عَيباً وَلا طَبَعا
He has diadems adorned with rubies
By artisans without defects in their workmanship.
by their goldsmiths; you see no flaw or tarnish.
Finest Yemeni brocade he wears
وَكُلُّand every زَوجٍpair مِنَof الديباجِbrocade يَلبَسُهُhe wears it
وَكُلُّ زَوجٍ مِنَ الديباجِ يَلبَسُهُ
أَبوfather of قُدامَةَQudama مَحبوّاًendowed بِذاكَwith that مَعاtogether
أَبو قُدامَةَ مَحبوّاً بِذاكَ مَعا
And every matching pair of brocade garments is worn
A gift from Abu Qudamah with affection.
by Abu Qudama, endowed with all these things together.
Grey hair did not detract from his standing
لَمnot يَنقُصِdiminished الشَيبُgray hair مِنهُin him ماwhat يُقالُis said لَهُin his honor
لَم يَنقُصِ الشَيبُ مِنهُ ما يُقالُ لَهُ
وَقَدand already تَجاوَزَpassed away عَنهُfrom him الجَهلُfolly فَاِنقَشَعاso it cleared
وَقَد تَجاوَزَ عَنهُ الجَهلُ فَاِنقَشَعا
Gray hair has not diminished the praise spoken in his honor,
As ignorance was lifted from him entirely.
and folly has passed away from him and cleared.
Brightest, whitest, from whom rain is implored,
أَغَرُّbright-faced أَبلَجُclear-browed يُستَسقىrain is sought الغَمامُthe clouds بِهِthrough him
أَغَرُّ أَبلَجُ يُستَسقى الغَمامُ بِهِ
لَوif صارَعَhe wrestled الناسَpeople عَنover أَحلامِهِمtheir wisdom صَرعاhe would throw them
لَو صارَعَ الناسَ عَن أَحلامِهِم صَرعا
Bright-faced, clear-browed, through him rain is sought from the clouds;
He would battle people to achieve his dreams.
were he to wrestle men in wisdom, he would throw them down.
The elders burdened this youth with responsibilities
قَدalready حَمَّلوهُthey burdened him فَتِيَّyoung السِنِّin years ماwith what حَمَلَتbore
قَد حَمَّلوهُ فَتِيَّ السِنِّ ما حَمَلَت
ساداتُهُمtheir chiefs فَأَطاقَso he could bear الحِملَthe load وَاِضطَلَعاand shouldered it
ساداتُهُم فَأَطاقَ الحِملَ وَاِضطَلَعا
They burdened him, young in years, with what
Borne by their noble predecessors, and he shouldered them.
their chiefs had borne; he endured the load and shouldered it.
Their testing only increased Abu Qudama's
وَجَرَّبوهُand they tested him فَماbut not زادَتincreased تَجارِبُهُمtheir trials
وَجَرَّبوهُ فَما زادَت تَجارِبُهُم
أَباfather of قُدامَةَQudama إِلّاexcept الحَزمَprudence وَالفَنَعاand bounty
أَبا قُدامَةَ إِلّا الحَزمَ وَالفَنَعا
They tested him, and their trials increased
Wisdom, composure, virtue and excellence.
Abu Qudama only in prudence and bounty.
Whoever sees Hauza or enters his domain
مَنwhoever يَرَsees هَوذَةَHawdha أَوor يَحلُلalights بِساحَتِهِin his courtyard
مَن يَرَ هَوذَةَ أَو يَحلُل بِساحَتِهِ
يَكُنbecomes لِهَوذَةَto Hawdha فيماin whatever نابَهُbefell him تَبَعاa follower
يَكُن لِهَوذَةَ فيما نابَهُ تَبَعا
Whoever sees Hawdha or alights in his courtyard
Becomes a loyal follower of Hauza in all affairs.
becomes Hawdha's follower in whatever befalls him.
The leaders of men are his entourage
تَلقىyou find لَهُto him سادَةَchiefs الأَقوامِthe peoples تابِعَةًfollowing
تَلقى لَهُ سادَةَ الأَقوامِ تابِعَةً
كُلٌّeach سَيَرضىwill be content بِأَنthat يُرعىbe protected لَهُfor him تَبعاas a follower
كُلٌّ سَيَرضى بِأَن يُرعى لَهُ تَبعا
You find the peoples' chiefs following him;
Each satisfied to be considered his follower.
each will be content to be protected as his follower.
O Hauza! The best of men who walks with dignity,
ياO هَوذُHawdha ياO خَيرَbest of مَنthose who يَمشيwalk عَلىon قَدَمٍa foot
يا هَوذُ يا خَيرَ مَن يَمشي عَلى قَدَمٍ
بَحرَsea المَواهِبِgifts لِلوُرّادِfor those coming to water وَالشَرَعاand those wading in
بَحرَ المَواهِبِ لِلوُرّادِ وَالشَرَعا
O Hawdha, best of all who walk on foot,
An ocean of bounty for visitors and poets.
sea of gifts for those coming to drink and those wading in!
He abides by the counsel of the eminent
يَرعىhe listens إِلىto قَولِthe words ساداتِchiefs الرِجالِmen إِذاwhen
يَرعى إِلى قَولِ ساداتِ الرِجالِ إِذا
أَبدَواthey offer لَهُto him الحَزمَsound counsel أَوor ماwhat شاءَهُhe wishes اِبتَدَعاdevises
أَبدَوا لَهُ الحَزمَ أَو ما شاءَهُ اِبتَدَعا
He heeds the words of the chiefs among men when
When showing wisdom or whatever he wills to initiate.
they offer him sound counsel, or devises whatever he chooses.
The dweller of Hait, when you approach him,
وَماand not مُجاوِرُthe one neighboring هيتٍHit إِنif عَرَضتَyou encounter لَهُit
وَما مُجاوِرُ هيتٍ إِن عَرَضتَ لَهُ
قَدalready كانَwas يَسموrising إِلىtoward الجُرفَينِboth banks وَاِطَّلَعاand towered high
قَد كانَ يَسمو إِلى الجُرفَينِ وَاِطَّلَعا
Nor is the river neighboring Hit, should you encounter it—
His massive flood seems to rise over the Dual Heights.
rising toward both banks and towering high,
His battalions march when he travels in state,
يَجيشُsurges طوفانُهُits flood إِذwhen عَبَّswelled مُحتَفِلاًbrimming
يَجيشُ طوفانُهُ إِذ عَبَّ مُحتَفِلاً
يَكادُalmost يَعلوrises above رُبىheights الجُرفَينِboth banks مُطَّلِعاtowering
يَكادُ يَعلو رُبى الجُرفَينِ مُطَّلِعا
its flood surging as it swells, brimming,
Nearly reaching the peak of Dual Heights in ascent.
almost overtopping the heights along both banks,
The winds blow in his favor, so his ships extend
طابَتfavored لَهُit الريحُthe wind فَاِمتَدَّتso stretched out غَوارِبُهُits wave-crests
طابَت لَهُ الريحُ فَاِمتَدَّت غَوارِبُهُ
تَرىyou see حَوالِبَهُits channels مِنwith مَوجِهِits waves تَرَعاbrimming
تَرى حَوالِبَهُ مِن مَوجِهِ تَرَعا
the wind favoring it and its wave-crests stretching out,
As far as the eye can see amidst the waves.
its channels visibly brimming with its waves—
None is more generous when asked to give,
يَوماًever بِأَجوَدَmore generous مِنهُthan him حينَwhen تَسأَلُهُyou ask him
يَوماً بِأَجوَدَ مِنهُ حينَ تَسأَلُهُ
إِذwhen ضَنَّwithheld ذوpossessor of المالِwealth بِالإِعطاءِgiving أَوor خَدَعاdeceived
إِذ ضَنَّ ذو المالِ بِالإِعطاءِ أَو خَدَعا
ever more generous than he when you ask him,
Than Hauza, except the miserly who deceive.
when a wealthy man begrudges giving or deceives.
Asking Tameem about his days of captivity
سائِلask تَميماًTamim بِهِabout him أَيّامَthe days صَفقَتِهِمtheir bargain
سائِل تَميماً بِهِ أَيّامَ صَفقَتِهِم
لَمّاwhen أَتَوهُthey came to him أَسارىcaptives كُلَّهُمall of them ضَرَعاhumbled
لَمّا أَتَوهُ أَسارى كُلَّهُم ضَرَعا
Ask Tamim about him at the time of their bargain,
When they were all brought to him in chains.
when they came to him as captives, all humbled,
In the stifling darkness of `Aita, where they could find
وَسطَwithin المُشَقَّرِal-Mushaqqar فيin عَيطاءَa lofty stronghold مُظلِمَةٍdark
وَسطَ المُشَقَّرِ في عَيطاءَ مُظلِمَةٍ
لاnot يَستَطيعونَthey can find فيهاin it ثَمَّthere مُمتَنَعاmeans of resistance
لا يَستَطيعونَ فيها ثَمَّ مُمتَنَعا
within al-Mushaqqar, in a lofty, dark stronghold,
No refuge or means of escape.
where they could find no means of resistance.
Had they been fed manna and quails,
لَوif أُطعِمواthey were fed المَنَّmanna وَالسَلوىand quails مَكانَهُمُin their place
لَو أُطعِموا المَنَّ وَالسَلوى مَكانَهُمُ
ماnot أَبصَرَsaw الناسُpeople طُعماًfood فيهِمُin them نَجَعاdid good
ما أَبصَرَ الناسُ طُعماً فيهِمُ نَجَعا
Had they been fed manna and quails in that place,
People would not see any benefit reach them.
no one would have seen food do them any good.
Oppressed in the darkness by neglect of the king,
بِظُلمِهِمfor their wronging بِنِطاعِat Nita' المَلكَthe king ضاحِيَةًopenly
بِظُلمِهِم بِنِطاعِ المَلكَ ضاحِيَةً
فَقَدand indeed حَسَواthey gulped بَعدُafterward مِنfrom أَنفاسِهِمtheir breaths جُرَعاdraughts
فَقَد حَسَوا بَعدُ مِن أَنفاسِهِم جُرَعا
For openly wronging the king at Nita',
Afterwards they tasted the bitter draught of captivity.
they afterward gulped draughts of their own breath.
The king's punishment befell them all,
أَصابَهُمstruck them مِنfrom عِقابِthe punishment المَلكِthe king طائِفَةٌa portion
أَصابَهُم مِن عِقابِ المَلكِ طائِفَةٌ
كُلُّall تَميمٍTamim بِماin what فيin نَفسِهِhis heart جُدِعاwas cut down
كُلُّ تَميمٍ بِما في نَفسِهِ جُدِعا
A portion of the king's punishment struck them;
Every Tameemite's heart bled with grief.
all Tamim were cut down in their innermost hopes.
He said to the king: “Set a hundred free
فَقالَso he said لِلمَلكِto the king سَرِّحrelease مِنهُمُof them مِئَةًa hundred
فَقالَ لِلمَلكِ سَرِّح مِنهُمُ مِئَةً
رِسلاًgently مِنَof القَولِspeech مَخفوضاًlowered وَماand not رَفَعاraised
رِسلاً مِنَ القَولِ مَخفوضاً وَما رَفَعا
Then he said to the king, 'Release a hundred of them,'
As envoys, with softened then defiant speech.”
speaking gently, in a lowered voice, not raising it.
So the king freed a hundred from their fetters,
فَفَكَّso he loosened عَنfor مِئَةٍa hundred مِنهُمof them وِثاقَهُمُtheir bonds
فَفَكَّ عَن مِئَةٍ مِنهُم وِثاقَهُمُ
فَأَصبَحواso they became كُلَّهُمall of them مِنfrom غُلَّةِburning anguish خُلِعاfreed
فَأَصبَحوا كُلَّهُم مِن غُلَّةِ خُلِعا
So he loosened the bonds of a hundred of them,
And they all gained booty from the raid.
and all of them were freed from burning anguish.
With them Dhahiyah on the Easter feast drew near
بِهِمthrough them تَقَرَّبَsought nearness يَومَon the day الفِصحِEaster ضاحِيَةًopenly
بِهِم تَقَرَّبَ يَومَ الفِصحِ ضاحِيَةً
يَرجوhoping in الإِلَهَGod بِماfor what سَدّىhe bestowed وَماand what صَنَعاhe did
يَرجو الإِلَهَ بِما سَدّى وَما صَنَعا
By their release he sought God's favor openly on Easter Day,
To God through charity, with righteousness and good deeds.
hoping in God for what he had bestowed and done.
He did not intend, by this charity,
وَماand not أَرادَhe wanted بِهاthrough it نُعمىa favor يُثابُhe would be rewarded بِهاwith it
وَما أَرادَ بِها نُعمى يُثابُ بِها
إِنwhen قالَhe spoke كَلمَةَa word مَعروفٍkindness بِهاthrough it نَفَعاhe benefited
إِن قالَ كَلمَةَ مَعروفٍ بِها نَفَعا
He wanted no favor in return for it,
Reward, if he simply spoke a good word.
when he spoke a kindly word that brought benefit.
They see no previous favor in this,
فَلاso not يَرَونَthey see بِذاكُمin that نِعمَةًa favor سَبَقَتsurpassed
فَلا يَرَونَ بِذاكُم نِعمَةً سَبَقَت
إِنif قالَspoke قائِلُهاits teller حَقّاًtruly بِهاof it وَسَعىand strove
إِن قالَ قائِلُها حَقّاً بِها وَسَعى
They see no favor surpassing that one,
If the speaker strives rightly in what he says.
if its teller speaks truly of it and presses its claim.
Men cannot mend what is decrepit though they try
لاnot يَرقَعُmend الناسُpeople ماwhat أَوهىhe weakened وَإِنeven if جَهَدواthey strive
لا يَرقَعُ الناسُ ما أَوهى وَإِن جَهَدوا
طولَthroughout الحَياةِlife وَلاand not يوهونَthey weaken ماwhat رَقَعاhe mended
طولَ الحَياةِ وَلا يوهونَ ما رَقَعا
People cannot mend what he has weakened, however they strive
All their lives, nor restore what is beyond repair.
throughout their lives, nor weaken what he has mended.
What God wills to divide He will divide,
لَمّاwhenever يُرِدhe desires مِنof جَميعٍa united company بَعدُafterward فَرَّقَهُhe divided it
لَمّا يُرِد مِن جَميعٍ بَعدُ فَرَّقَهُ
وَماand whatever يُرِدhe desires بَعدُafterward مِنof ذيone possessing فُرقَةٍseparation جَمَعاhe gathered
وَما يُرِد بَعدُ مِن ذي فُرقَةٍ جَمَعا
Whatever united company he chooses, he then divides,
And no longer unite what He once brought together.
and whatever scattered company he chooses, he then gathers.
The people of Shibam won the favor of Saudad
قَدalready نالَreached أَهلَthe people شَبامٍShabam فَضلُthe bounty سُؤدَدِهِof his lordship
قَد نالَ أَهلَ شَبامٍ فَضلُ سُؤدَدِهِ
إِلىas far as المَدائِنِal-Mada'in خاضَwaded into المَوتَdeath وَاِدَّرَعاand donned armor
إِلى المَدائِنِ خاضَ المَوتَ وَاِدَّرَعا
The bounty of his lordship reached the people of Shabam,
Who plunged into death on his way to the cities.
as far as al-Mada'in; he waded into death and donned armor.
Partial English translation: 145 of 146 Arabic lines translated.