أَساءَكَhas it grieved you تَقويضُthe breaking camp of الخَليطِthe company المُبايِنِdeparting
أَساءَكَ تَقويضُ الخَليطِ المُبايِنِ
نَعَمyes وَالنَوىand separation قَطّاعَةَa severer لِلقَرائِنِof bonds
نَعَم وَالنَوى قَطّاعَةَ لِلقَرائِنِ
Has the departing company’s breaking camp grieved you?
Your ill-treatment undermines the disparate concoction
Yes—and separation severs bonds.
Yes, and the purpose shreds the contexts
وَماand not خِفتُI feared بَينَthe departure of الحَيِّthe tribe حَتّىuntil تَذَأَّبَتit prowled like a wolf
وَما خِفتُ بَينَ الحَيِّ حَتّى تَذَأَّبَت
نَوىًa separation لَمnot أَخَلI thought ماwhat كانَhappened مِنهاfrom it بِكائِنِwould happen
نَوىً لَم أَخَل ما كانَ مِنها بِكائِنِ
I did not fear the tribe’s departure until there prowled upon us
I was not afraid among the living until it became emaciated
a separation whose consequences I had never thought would come.
A purpose from which nothing that will happen departs
فَماso what لِلنَوىails separation لاnot بارَكَmay bless اللَهُGod فيin النَوىseparation
فَما لِلنَوى لا بارَكَ اللَهُ في النَوى
وَهَمَّand anguish لَناfor us مشنها[unclear; perhaps 'from it'] كَهَمِّlike the anguish of المُراهِنِthe gambler
وَهَمَّ لَنا مشنها كَهَمِّ المُراهِنِ
What ails separation? May God not bless separation!
So what good is the purpose - may God not bless the purpose
And our anguish from it is like a gambler’s anguish.
And it conspired evil against us like the conspiracies of gamblers
تُفَرِّقُit separates مِنّاfrom us مَنthose whom نُحِبُّwe love اِجتِماعَهُtheir company
تُفَرِّقُ مِنّا مَن نُحِبُّ اِجتِماعَهُ
وَتَجمَعُand it brings together مِنّاamong us بَينَbetween أَهلَthe people of الظَنائِنِsuspicions
وَتَجمَعُ مِنّا بَينَ أَهلَ الظَنائِنِ
It parts us from those whose company we love,
It separates those whom we love to gather
and brings together among us those who harbour suspicions.
And it assembles those in whom we doubt from among us
كَأَنَّas though العُيونَthe eyes المُرسِلاتِsending forth عَشِيَّةًat evening
كَأَنَّ العُيونَ المُرسِلاتِ عَشِيَّةً
شَآبيبَshowers دَمعِof tears العَبرَةِof weeping المُتَحاتِنِfalling unceasingly
شَآبيبَ دَمعِ العَبرَةِ المُتَحاتِنِ
As though the eyes, sending forth at evening
As if the dispatching eyes in the evening
showers of tears that fall unceasingly,
Were the remains of tears of sadness exchanging kisses
عَواسِفَsweeping through أَوساطَthe midst of الجُفونِthe eyelids يَسُقنَهُthey drive it
عَواسِفَ أَوساطَ الجُفونِ يَسُقنَهُ
بِمُكتَمِنٍby something concealed مِنof لاعِجِthe searing heat of الحُزنِsorrow واتِنِabiding
بِمُكتَمِنٍ مِن لاعِجِ الحُزنِ واتِنِ
sweeping through the eyelids’ midst, driven
The innards of the eyelids lead it
by a hidden, abiding flame of sorrow,
With hidden agonized grief and thick mourning
مَزائِدُwater-skins خَرقاءِof a clumsy woman اليَدَينِin both hands مُسيفَةٍimpoverished
مَزائِدُ خَرقاءِ اليَدَينِ مُسيفَةٍ
يُخِبُّtrots بِهاwith them مُستَخلِفٌa water-fetcher غَيرُnot آيِنِtired
يُخِبُّ بِها مُستَخلِفٌ غَيرُ آيِنِ
were the water-skins of a clumsy-handed, impoverished woman,
The redundant palm of the hand wipes
jolted at a trot by an untiring water-fetcher.
With which the successor wipes without insight
رَوىlashed فَوقَهاover them راوٍa water-carrier عَنيفٌrough وَأُقصِيَتand they were thrust
رَوى فَوقَها راوٍ عَنيفٌ وَأُقصِيَت
إِلىagainst الحِنوِthe saddle-bow مِنfrom ظَهرِthe back of القَعودِthe young camel المُداجِنِthe tame one
إِلى الحِنوِ مِن ظَهرِ القَعودِ المُداجِنِ
A rough water-carrier lashed them from above, and they were thrust
A robust narrator transmitted over it, and it was attributed
against the saddle-bow from the tame young camel’s back.
To tenderness from the back of chronic sitting
فَأَخلَقَand wore out مِنهاof them كُلَّevery بالٍworn part وَعَيِّنٍand faulty one
فَأَخلَقَ مِنها كُلَّ بالٍ وَعَيِّنٍ
وَجيفُthe pounding gait of الرَواياthe water-camels بِالمَلاthrough the desert المُتَباطِنِwith sunken stretches
وَجيفُ الرَوايا بِالمَلا المُتَباطِنِ
Every worn and faulty part of them was rubbed away
So from it every affliction and defect sprang forth
by the water-camels’ pounding through the sunken desert stretches.
And the carcass of narrations with intrinsic falsehood
بِلىًwear وَثَأىًand splitting أَفضىreached إِلىto كُلِّevery كُتبَةٍseam
بِلىً وَثَأىً أَفضى إِلى كُلِّ كُتبَةٍ
بَداappeared سَيرُهاits stitching-thongs مِنon ظاهِرٍthe outside بَعدَafter باطِنِthe inside
بَدا سَيرُها مِن ظاهِرٍ بَعدَ باطِنِ
Wear and splitting reached every seam,
Yes, and remoteness which led to every record
whose stitching showed outside after lying within.
Its travel appeared from the exterior after the interior
وَحَتّىand until أَذاعَتscattered بِالجَوالِقِthe baggage-sacks وَاِنبَرَتand bent to the task
وَحَتّى أَذاعَت بِالجَوالِقِ وَاِنبَرَت
بِواناتِهاtheir tent-poles عيطُtall القِيانِserving-girls المَواهِنِweary
بِواناتِها عيطُ القِيانِ المَواهِنِ
Until the baggage-sacks were scattered, and there bent
And until it circulated among the proven and it became excited
to their tent-poles the tall, weary serving-girls.
With its idiosyncrasies the shrieking of the bendable mavens
وَقامَand rose المَهاthe gazelle-like women يُقفِلنَlocking كُلَّevery مُكَبَّلٍiron-bound chest
وَقامَ المَها يُقفِلنَ كُلَّ مُكَبَّلٍ
كَماas رُصَّwere pressed together أَيقاthe two flanks of مُذهَبِgolden اللَونِin colour صافِنِa standing horse
كَما رُصَّ أَيقا مُذهَبِ اللَونِ صافِنِ
The gazelle-like women rose to lock each iron-bound chest,
And the obstacle stood to shackle everything fettered
like the close-set flanks of a golden-coated, standing horse.
As the gold bracelets of diverse colors were arranged
قَليلاًbriefly تُتَلّيthey lingered over حاجَةًa need ثُمَّthen عولِيَتthey were lifted
قَليلاً تُتَلّي حاجَةً ثُمَّ عولِيَت
عَلىonto كُلِّevery مَعروشِbroadly arched الحَصيرَينِacross both flanks بادِنِlarge camel
عَلى كُلِّ مَعروشِ الحَصيرَينِ بادِنِ
Briefly they lingered over some need, then were raised
It rarely fulfills a need, then it was relied upon
onto each great camel, its two flanks broad and arched.
For every fully spread out prayer mat the close knitter
ظَعائِنُwomen in litters يَستَحِدثنَthey take anew فيin كُلِّevery مَوطِنٍstopping-place
ظَعائِنُ يَستَحِدثنَ في كُلِّ مَوطِنٍ
رَهيناًa captive وَلاand not يُحسِنَّthey know how فَكَّto release الرَهائِنِthe captives
رَهيناً وَلا يُحسِنَّ فَكَّ الرَهائِنِ
Women in litters, taking in every stopping-place
Carriers of burdens that create something new in every place of abode
a new captive, yet knowing nothing of freeing captives.
And they do not know how to untie pledges
يُقَصِّرُdelays مَغداهُنَّtheir morning departure كُلَّevery مُوَلوِلٍwailer
يُقَصِّرُ مَغداهُنَّ كُلَّ مُوَلوِلٍ
عَلَيهِنَّover them تَستَبكيهِdraw tears from him أَيديthe hands of الكَرائِنِthe lute-playing women
عَلَيهِنَّ تَستَبكيهِ أَيدي الكَرائِنِ
Every wailer delays their morning departure,
Each flexible person diminishes their pillow
weeping over them when the lute-women’s hands draw tears from him.
As the hands of laden she-camels weep over them
ثَوانِيَbending لِلأَعناقِtheir necks يَندُبنَthey lament ماwhat خَلاhas passed
ثَوانِيَ لِلأَعناقِ يَندُبنَ ما خَلا
بِيَومِon a day of اِختِلافٍparting مِنbetween مُقيمٍone remaining وَظاعِنِand one departing
بِيَومِ اِختِلافٍ مِن مُقيمٍ وَظاعِنِ
Bending their necks, they lament what has passed,
For an instant to the necks grieving over a day
on a day dividing those who stay from those who leave.
Of difference between resident and roaming
فَلَمّاand when اِدَّرَكناهُنَّwe caught up with them أَبدَينَthey revealed لِلهَوىto desire
فَلَمّا اِدَّرَكناهُنَّ أَبدَينَ لِلهَوى
مَحاسِنَbeauties وِاِستَولَينَand kept to themselves دونَbeyond reach مَحاسِنِother beauties
مَحاسِنَ وِاِستَولَينَ دونَ مَحاسِنِ
When we caught up with them, they revealed to desire
So when we overcame them, they surrendered to passion
some beauties, and kept other beauties beyond reach.
Beauties and seized without equal beauties
وَأَدَّتand conveyed إِلَيَّto me القَولَthe words عَنهُنَّon their behalf زَولَةٌa lovely, clever woman
وَأَدَّت إِلَيَّ القَولَ عَنهُنَّ زَولَةٌ
تُخاضِنُspeaks intimately أَوor تَرنوgazes intently لِقَولِat the words of المُخاضِنِher intimate companion
تُخاضِنُ أَو تَرنو لِقَولِ المُخاضِنِ
A lovely, clever woman conveyed their words to me,
And the saying about them was carried to me by a dodder
speaking intimately, or gazing at her companion’s words.
That debates or aspires to the speech of midwives
وَلَيسَتand she is not بِأَدنىany nearer غَيرَapart from أُنسِthe friendliness of حَديثِهاher conversation
وَلَيسَت بِأَدنى غَيرَ أُنسِ حَديثِها
إِلىto القَومِthe men مِنthan مُصطافِthe summer haunt of عَصماءَa white-legged wild goat هاجِنِa young one
إِلى القَومِ مِن مُصطافِ عَصماءَ هاجِنِ
Yet, apart from the friendliness of her speech, she is no nearer
And it is not of lesser company than the company of her speech
to men than a young, white-legged wild goat’s summer haunt.
To the people than the elite of highborn women, aroused
لَهاshe has كُلَّماwhenever ريعَتshe is startled صَداةٌa high place وَرَكدَةٌand a resting-place
لَها كُلَّما ريعَت صَداةٌ وَرَكدَةٌ
بِمُصدانِon a sheer crag أَعلىthe higher of اِبنَيthe two peaks of شَمامِShamam القَوائِنِthe dark ones
بِمُصدانِ أَعلى اِبنَي شَمامِ القَوائِنِ
Whenever startled, she has a height and a resting-place
Whenever it budded, it had prominence and tranquility
on a sheer crag of the higher of Shamam’s two dark peaks.
With the collision of the upper part of the land of milestones
عَقيلَةُthe choicest cow of إِجلٍa herd تنتميlead طَرِفاتُهاher bouts of browsing
عَقيلَةُ إِجلٍ تنتمي طَرِفاتُها
إِلىto مُؤنِقٍdelightful growth مِنamong جَنبَةِthe shrubs of الذَبلِal-Dhabl راهِنِlasting
إِلى مُؤنِقٍ مِن جَنبَةِ الذَبلِ راهِنِ
The herd’s choicest cow, whose browsing leads
A mature she-camel whose edges incline
to delightful, lasting growth among the shrubs of al-Dhabl.
To withering from the side of the folds of drought
لَهاshe has تَفَراتٌtender shoots تَحتَهاbeneath her وَقَصارُهاand her farthest reach
لَها تَفَراتٌ تَحتَها وَقَصارُها
إِلىto مَشرَةٍlush growth لَمnot تُعتَلَقhas been plucked بِالمَحاجِنِwith hooked sticks
إِلى مَشرَةٍ لَم تُعتَلَق بِالمَحاجِنِ
Beneath her lie tender shoots, and her farthest reach
It has small bells underneath it and its shortness
is lush growth untouched by hooked gathering-sticks.
To the prominence that was not tied with toggles
يُخافِتنَthey muffle بَعضَsome of المَضغِtheir chewing مِنfrom خَشيَةِfear of الرَدىdeath
يُخافِتنَ بَعضَ المَضغِ مِن خَشيَةِ الرَدى
وَيُنصِتنَand they listen لِلسَمعِto hear اِنتِصاتَwith the attentiveness of القَناقِنِwater-diviners
وَيُنصِتنَ لِلسَمعِ اِنتِصاتَ القَناقِنِ
They muffle some of their chewing for fear of death,
They whisper some of the chewing out of fear of rejection
and listen with the attentiveness of water-diviners.
And listen attentively to the hearing of twigs
يَطُفنَthey circle بِحوزِيِّaround the sole lord of المَراتِعِthe pastures لَمnot يُرَعhas been startled
يَطُفنَ بِحوزِيِّ المَراتِعِ لَم يُرَع
بِواديهِin his valley مِنby قَرعِthe striking of القِسِيِّbows الكَنائِنِquivers
بِواديهِ مِن قَرعِ القِسِيِّ الكَنائِنِ
They circle a sole lord of pastures, never startled
They roam around my precincts of pasture that was not grazed
in his valley by bows striking quivers.
In its valley by striking a solid stick
وَشاخَسَand stretched wide فاهُhis mouth الدَهرُtime حَتّىuntil كَأَنَّهُhe seemed
وَشاخَسَ فاهُ الدَهرُ حَتّى كَأَنَّهُ
مُنَمِّسُa herdsman of ثيرانِthe bulls of الكَريصِal-Karis الضَوائِنِthe woolly ones
مُنَمِّسُ ثيرانِ الكَريصِ الضَوائِنِ
Time has stretched his mouth wide, until he seems
And time made its mouth frown until it was as if
a herdsman of the woolly bulls of al-Karis.
It was kissing the cattle of the dirty, scattered cattle
وَصَحماءَand a dusky waste أَشباهِresembling الحَزابِيِّmale bustards ماnot يُرىis seen
وَصَحماءَ أَشباهِ الحَزابِيِّ ما يُرى
بِهاin it سارِبٌany roaming creature غَيرَexcept القَطاthe sandgrouse المُتَراطِنِcalling to one another
بِها سارِبٌ غَيرَ القَطا المُتَراطِنِ
And a dusky waste, the hue of male bustards, where no
And the cheekbones of Shabeer, nothing is seen of them
roaming creature is seen but sandgrouse calling to one another,
Unless it is the caracal cat with contiguous stripes
مُخَصَّفَةُmottled اللَباتِat the breasts لَونُthe colour of جُلودِهاtheir skins
مُخَصَّفَةُ اللَباتِ لَونُ جُلودِها
مِنَfrom المَحلِdrought مُسوَدٌّblackened كَلَونِlike the colour of المَساخِنِleather boots
مِنَ المَحلِ مُسوَدٌّ كَلَونِ المَساخِنِ
mottled about the breast, their skins’ colour
The skin on their shoulders which is blackened in color
blackened by drought like the colour of leather boots;
From (camel's foot) disease like the color of palm fiber
سَباريتَbarren wastes أَخلاقِwith worn-out المَوارِدِwatering-places يائِسٍdespairing
سَباريتَ أَخلاقِ المَوارِدِ يائِسٍ
بِهاthere القَومُthe people مِنof مُستَوضِعاتِwater-holding hollows of الشَواجِنِbranching gullies
بِها القَومُ مِن مُستَوضِعاتِ الشَواجِنِ
barren wastes with worn-out water-holes, where hope is lost
Water points whose morals have despaired
for the people of water in the branching gullies’ hollows.
Through which the tribe despairs of she-water carriers
إِذاwhen اِجتابَهاhe crosses it الخِرّيتُthe expert guide قالَhe says لِنَفسِهِto himself
إِذا اِجتابَها الخِرّيتُ قالَ لِنَفسِهِ
أَتاكَhas come to you بِرِجلَيon the two feet of حائِنٍone doomed كُلُّevery حائِنِdoomed one
أَتاكَ بِرِجلَي حائِنٍ كُلُّ حائِنِ
Whenever an expert guide crosses it, he says to himself,
When the spicy is presented to it, it says to itself
‘Every doomed one has come to you on a doomed one’s feet.’
Every evildoer came to you on two evildoing feet
كَظَهرِlike the back of اللأىa wild cow لَوif تُبتَغىwere sought رِيَّةٌwater to quench thirst بِهاthere
كَظَهرِ اللأى لَو تُبتَغى رِيَّةٌ بِها
نَهاراًby day لَأَعيَتit would defeat the search فيin بُطونِthe depths of الشَواجِنِthe branching gullies
نَهاراً لَأَعيَت في بُطونِ الشَواجِنِ
Like a wild cow’s back: if thirst-quenching water were sought there
Like the back of a she-camel, if a place of descent were sought through it
by day, it would defy the search in the gullies’ depths.
During the day, it would fatigue the bellies of water carriers
أَنَختُI made kneel بِهاthere مُستَبطِناًentering within ذاa place of كَريهَةٍdread
أَنَختُ بِها مُستَبطِناً ذا كَريهَةٍ
عَلىin عَجَلٍhaste وَالنَومُthough sleep بيover me غَيرُnot رائِنِoverpowering
عَلى عَجَلٍ وَالنَومُ بي غَيرُ رائِنِ
Entering that forbidding place, I made kneel there
I sniffed it out harboring one detested
in haste, though sleep had not overpowered me,
In a hurry and sleep does come over one keeping night vigils
بُجاوِيَّةًa Bujawi she-camel لَمnot تَستَدِرhas circled حَولَaround مَثبِرٍa birthing-place
بُجاوِيَّةً لَم تَستَدِر حَولَ مَثبِرٍ
وَلَمand not يَتَخَوَّنhas diminished دَرَّهاher milk-flow ضَبُّthe milking-grip of آفِنِan excessive milker
وَلَم يَتَخَوَّن دَرَّها ضَبُّ آفِنِ
a Bujawi she-camel, never circling a birthing-place,
A she-camel that did not pace around a breeding camel
whose milk no excessive milker’s grip has diminished.
And a stallion did not invest his treasure in it
كَأَنَّas though مُخَوّاهاthe hollow beneath her عَلىon ثِفِناتِهاher calloused pads
كَأَنَّ مُخَوّاها عَلى ثِفِناتِها
مُعَرَّسُthe resting-place of خَمسٍfive birds وَقَّعَتsettled down لِلجَناجِنِon their breasts
مُعَرَّسُ خَمسٍ وَقَّعَت لِلجَناجِنِ
As though the hollow beneath her, resting on her calloused pads,
It was as if its desire over its scapulas
were the resting-place of five birds settled on their breasts,
Was a five night stand that it contracted for the cranes
وَقَعنَthey alighted اِثنَتَينtwo واِثنَتَينِand two وَفَردَةًand one alone
وَقَعنَ اِثنَتَين واِثنَتَينِ وَفَردَةً
يُبادِرنَracing toward تَغليساًat dawn-darkness سِمالَthe dregs of المَداهِنِthe rock-pools
يُبادِرنَ تَغليساً سِمالَ المَداهِنِ
alighting two and two and one alone,
And two landed pair by pair and one spare
racing in dawn-darkness to the rock-pools’ scant dregs.
Hastening adulteration towards the left of the copycats
أَطافَprowled around بِهاit طِملٌa ragged thief حَريصٌeager فَلَمbut not يَجِدhe found
أَطافَ بِها طِملٌ حَريصٌ فَلَم يَجِد
بِهاthere فَيرَexcept [unclear reading] مُلقىthe resting-place of الواسِطِthe saddle-pommel المُتَبايِنِthe wide-set one
بِها فَيرَ مُلقى الواسِطِ المُتَبايِنِ
A ragged, eager thief prowled round it, but found
A greedy fox went around it but did not find through it
there but the mark where the wide-set saddle-pommel had lain,
A gap suitable for the intermediary who distinguishes
وَمَوضِعِand the mark of مَشكوكَينِtwo stitched sandals أَلقَتهُماhe cast them مَعاًtogether
وَمَوضِعِ مَشكوكَينِ أَلقَتهُما مَعاً
كَوَطأَةِlike the footprint of ظَبيِa gazelle of القُلِّthe hilltop بَينَamong الجَعاثِنِthe shrub-roots
كَوَطأَةِ ظَبيِ القُلِّ بَينَ الجَعاثِنِ
and the mark of two stitched sandals he had cast down together,
And it cast two places of doubt together
like a hill-gazelle’s footprint among the shrub-roots;
Like the step of a deer doe between the two small ditches
وَمَخفِقِand the impression of ذيsomething with زِرَّينِtwo knobs فيon الأَرضِthe ground مَتنُهُits shaft
وَمَخفِقِ ذي زِرَّينِ في الأَرضِ مَتنُهُ
وَبِالكَفِّand in the palm مَثناهُits folded end لَطيفِfine in الأَسائِنِthe thongs
وَبِالكَفِّ مَثناهُ لَطيفِ الأَسائِنِ
and the impression of a two-knobbed whip, its shaft on the ground,
And the fluttering of a hand that busied itself with its fingers
its folded end in his palm, its thongs fine,
Over a ground that sufficed it so it lost the water of purifiers
خَفِيٍّfaint كَمُجتازِlike the passing of الشُجاعِa snake وَذُبَّلٍand shrivelled droppings
خَفِيٍّ كَمُجتازِ الشُجاعِ وَذُبَّلٍ
ثَلاثٍthree كَحَبّاتِlike berries of الكَباثِripe arak fruit القَرائِنِclustered together
ثَلاثٍ كَحَبّاتِ الكَباثِ القَرائِنِ
faint as a snake’s passing, and shrivelled droppings,
And support of a man's chest desperately
three, like ripe arak-berries clustered together;
In a hurry from a fearful one, not safe
وَضَبثَةَand the impression of كَفٍّa hand باشَرَتthat touched بِبَنانِهاwith its fingertips
وَضَبثَةَ كَفٍّ باشَرَت بِبَنانِها
صَعيداًdust كَفاهاthat sufficed it against فَقدَthe lack of ماءِthe water of المُصافِنِthe water-sharing companion
صَعيداً كَفاها فَقدَ ماءِ المُصافِنِ
and a hand’s impression, its fingertips having touched
And the place of two knees and a prostration
dust that sufficed when the water-sharing companion’s water was gone;
Through which he took refuge through the right side of the Shatterer
وَمُعتَمَدٍand a pressure-mark مِنfrom صَدرٍthe forepart of رِجلٍa foot مُحالَةٍturned aside
وَمُعتَمَدٍ مِن صَدرٍ رِجلٍ مُحالَةٍ
عَلىin عَجَلٍhaste مِنfrom خائِفٍone afraid غَيرَnot آمِنِsecure
عَلى عَجَلٍ مِن خائِفٍ غَيرَ آمِنِ
and the pressure-mark of the forepart of a turned foot,
Contracting, its pair flew with it
set down in haste by one afraid, not secure;
To a ladder in the proximity of curved prominences
وَمَوضِعِand the marks of مَثنىthe bending of رُكبَتَينِtwo knees وسَجدَةٍand a prostration
وَمَوضِعِ مَثنى رُكبَتَينِ وسَجدَةٍ
تَوَخّىhe aimed at بِهاwith it رُكنَthe corner of الحَطيمِal-Hatim المُيامِنِon the right
تَوَخّى بِها رُكنَ الحَطيمِ المُيامِنِ
and the marks of two bent knees and a prostration,
She whose two front teeth straighten out her canine tooth
with which he aimed at al-Hatim’s right-hand corner.
From the most cunning apart from the evident betrayal
مُقَلِّصَةٍhurried طارَتflew قَرينَتُهاits accompanying spirit بِهاwith it
مُقَلِّصَةٍ طارَت قَرينَتُها بِها
إِلىtoward سُلَّمٍa mounting-ladder فيon دَفِّthe flank of عَوجاءَa crooked she-camel ذاقِنِlong-jawed
إِلى سُلَّمٍ في دَفِّ عَوجاءَ ذاقِنِ
Hurried, its attendant spirit flying with it
She contends her legs with her hands with pebbles
toward a mounting-step on the flank of a crooked, long-jawed she-camel,
With frightened hissing that plunges through horseshoes
سُوَيقِيَّةِmeal-coloured in النابَينِboth tusks تَعدِلُshe balances ضَبعَهاher upper foreleg
سُوَيقِيَّةِ النابَينِ تَعدِلُ ضَبعَها
بِأَفتَلَwith an outward-twisted limb عَنaway from سَعدانَةِthe callus of الزَورِthe breast بائِنِstanding clear
بِأَفتَلَ عَن سَعدانَةِ الزَورِ بائِنِ
with meal-coloured tusks, balancing her upper foreleg
Secrecy enveloped it until he whose three wrapped
with an outward-turned limb, clear of her breast-pad.
To the two canyon branches of the people of prominences
تُناضِلُpelt رِجلاهاher hind feet يَدَيهاher forefeet مِنَwith الحَصىgravel
تُناضِلُ رِجلاها يَدَيها مِنَ الحَصى
بِمُصعَنفِرٍin a flying spray يَهويfalling خِلالَbetween الفَراسِنِthe padded hooves
بِمُصعَنفِرٍ يَهوي خِلالَ الفَراسِنِ
Her hind feet pelt her forefeet with gravel,
It pursues a mirage with a staff as if it were
flying in a spray between her padded hooves.
Hunted down by the cattle of neighboring cattle
طَواهاthinned her السُرىnight travel حَتّىuntil اِنطَوىdrew up ذوthat bearing ثَلاثِهاher three folds
طَواها السُرى حَتّى اِنطَوى ذو ثَلاثِها
إِلىtoward أَبهَرَيthe two back-muscles of دِرماءَa fleshy-backed one شَعبِat the branches of السَناسِنِthe vertebrae
إِلى أَبهَرَي دِرماءَ شَعبِ السَناسِنِ
Night travel thinned her, till her three-fold belly drew up
It became square and the two lame helped descend
to either side of a fleshy back, its vertebral branches concealed.
After it cleared away from the places of hidden things
تُطارِدُshe chases بِالقِيِّacross the wasteland السَرابَthe mirage كَماas قَلاdrove off
تُطارِدُ بِالقِيِّ السَرابَ كَما قَلا
طَريدَتَهُhis quarry ثَورُthe bull of الصَريمِthe thicket المُؤارِنِhaunting its lair
طَريدَتَهُ ثَورُ الصَريمِ المُؤارِنِ
She chases the mirage across the waste, as there drove
So when it turned away its leg from the twist of bend
his quarry the lair-haunting bull of the thicket.
To gravel winter grounds of left barren areas
تَرَبَّعَhe grazed in spring وَعسَthe soft sands of الأَخرَمَينِal-Akhramayn وَأَربَلَتand sprouted afresh
تَرَبَّعَ وَعسَ الأَخرَمَينِ وَأَربَلَت
لَهُfor him بَعدَماafter صافَتhad passed the summer جِواءُthe hollows of المَكامِنِal-Makamin
لَهُ بَعدَما صافَت جِواءُ المَكامِنِ
He grazed in spring on the soft sands of al-Akhramayn, and growth sprang afresh
And the abundance of dusk sheltered it, litter of radiance
for him after the hollows of al-Makamin had passed through summer.
And sprawling branches between two broken prominences
فَلَمّاand when شَتاhe wintered ساقَتهُdrove him مِنfrom طُرَّةِthe edge of اللَوىthe twisting dunes
فَلَمّا شَتا ساقَتهُ مِن طُرَّةِ اللَوى
إِلىinto الرَملِthe sands صِنَّبرُthe bitter cold of شَمالٍa north wind وَداجِنِand a rain-darkened day
إِلى الرَملِ صِنَّبرُ شَمالٍ وَداجِنِ
When winter came, there drove him from the winding dunes’ fringe
So it spent the night suffering throughout a busy night
into the sands a bitter northerly and a rain-darkened day.
And rushing down the peak the differences of helpers
وَآواهُand sheltered him جِنحَat the onset of اللَيلِnight ذَروُthe crown of أَلاءَةٍan alaa shrub
وَآواهُ جِنحَ اللَيلِ ذَروُ أَلاءَةٍ
وَأَرطاةُand an arta tree حِقفٍon a curved dune بَينَbetween كِسرَيthe two flanks of سَنائِنِsand-ridges
وَأَرطاةُ حِقفٍ بَينَ كِسرَي سَنائِنِ
At nightfall he took shelter under the crown of an alaa shrub,
Like the circumambulation of one fulfilling a duty between confusion
and an arta tree on a curved dune between two sand-ridges.
And the stillness of blackened from ritual purification
فَباتَand he spent the night يُقاسيenduring لَيلَthe night of أَنقَدَa hedgehog دائِباًunceasingly
فَباتَ يُقاسي لَيلَ أَنقَدَ دائِباً
وَيَحدُرُand he moves down بِالحِقفِalong the dune اِختِلافَwith the to-and-fro of العُجاهِنِsmall birds
وَيَحدُرُ بِالحِقفِ اِختِلافَ العُجاهِنِ
All night he tirelessly endured a hedgehog’s night,
The predators of fasting enveloped it
pacing down the dune with small birds’ restless darting,
Upon a sheep on the peak of the high sand dune
كَطَوفِlike the circling of مُتَلّيone completing حَجَّةٍa pilgrimage بَينَbetween غَبغَبٍGhabghab
كَطَوفِ مُتَلّي حَجَّةٍ بَينَ غَبغَبٍ
وَقَرَّةَand Qarra مُسوَدٍّdarkened مِنَby النَسكِworship قاتِنِlong resident
وَقَرَّةَ مُسوَدٍّ مِنَ النَسكِ قاتِنِ
like the circling of one completing a pilgrimage, between Ghabghab
To the origin of sprawling branches overlooking a cloud
and Qarra, darkened by worship and long resident.
Over the plateau from elation or from Tuwazin
فَباتَتand through the night أَهاضيبُheavy showers of السُمِيِّthe early rains تَلُفُّهُwrapped him
فَباتَت أَهاضيبُ السُمِيِّ تَلُفُّهُ
عَلىon نَعِجٍa white mound فيat ذِروَةِthe crest of الرَملِthe sand ضائِنِwoolly
عَلى نَعِجٍ في ذِروَةِ الرَملِ ضائِنِ
All night the heavy showers of the early rains wrapped him,
Clarifying and rising over signs behind
on a white, woolly mound at the dune’s summit,
Which bleating answers after the hidden
إِلىat أَصلِthe root of أَرطاةٍan arta tree يَشيمُhe watches سَحابَةًa cloud
إِلى أَصلِ أَرطاةٍ يَشيمُ سَحابَةً
عَلىover الهَضبِthe rocky heights مِنfrom حَيرانَHayran أَوor مِنfrom تُوازِنِTuwazin
عَلى الهَضبِ مِن حَيرانَ أَو مِن تُوازِنِ
at an arta tree’s roots, watching a cloud
So when it became morning, the sweeping of a sand hill was sought for it
above the rocky heights, from Hayran or from Tuwazin.
For two horse mounts, the least recently in contact with beasts
يَبينُit appears وَيَستَعليand rises over ظَواهِرَouter layers خِلفَةًin succession
يَبينُ وَيَستَعلي ظَواهِرَ خِلفَةً
لَهاit has مِنof سَناًbrilliance يَنعَقُّbursting forth بَعدَafter بَطائِنِinner layers
لَها مِن سَناً يَنعَقُّ بَعدَ بَطائِنِ
Its light appears and mounts the outer cloud-folds in succession,
And with washing unless he wipes a residue
a brilliance bursting forth after the inner folds.
Over his head from the extract of a soiled loincloth
فَلَمّاand when غَداmorning came اِستَذرىtook cover لَهُagainst him سِمطُthe fringe of رَملَةٍa dune
فَلَمّا غَدا اِستَذرى لَهُ سِمطُ رَملَةٍ
لِحَولَينِfor two years أَدنىthe nearest عَهدِهِhis acquaintance بِالدَواهِنِwith oils
لِحَولَينِ أَدنى عَهدِهِ بِالدَواهِنِ
At dawn a hunter took cover for him behind a fringe of sand,
A brother of a hunter plunging as if his abdomen
two years since he had last known oils,
And his legs are a ladder between two entwined ropes
وَبَالغِسلِand with washing إِلّاexcept أَنthat يُميرَhe brings عُصارَةًpressed juice
وَبَالغِسلِ إِلّا أَن يُميرَ عُصارَةً
عَلىupon رَأسِهِhis head مِنfrom فَضِّthe crushing of أَليَسَan unyielding beast حائِنِdoomed
عَلى رَأسِهِ مِن فَضِّ أَليَسَ حائِنِ
or washing, unless he brought a little pressed juice
He distributes with coins everything downy
upon his head from a doomed, unyielding beast’s crushed flesh.
Of foods - game not set aside for princely fare
أَخوa man of قَنَصٍhunting يَهويhurrying down كَأَنَّas though سَراتَهُhis backbone
أَخو قَنَصٍ يَهوي كَأَنَّ سَراتَهُ
وَرِجلَيهِand his two legs سَلمٌan acacia بَينَbetween حَبلَيthe two ropes of مُشاطِنِa well-drawer
وَرِجلَيهِ سَلمٌ بَينَ حَبلَي مُشاطِنِ
A hunter hurrying down, his backbone seeming
Repeating the path of footsteps, varying the youth,
and his legs an acacia between a well-drawer’s twin ropes.
Thorny grip of palm, curvature of toes
يُوَزِّعُhe restrains بِالأَمراسِwith cords كُلَّevery عَمَلَّسٍswift, lean hound
يُوَزِّعُ بِالأَمراسِ كُلَّ عَمَلَّسٍ
مِنَamong المُطَعَماتِthose fed الصَيدَgame غَيرِnot الشَواحِنِquarrelsome ones
مِنَ المُطَعَماتِ الصَيدَ غَيرِ الشَواحِنِ
He holds on cords each swift, lean hound
And decrepit old when resolved like a pierced arc
of those fed on game, not given to fighting one another,
Running through the solidity of the bow, burning
مُعيدِexperienced قَمَطرِstout in الرِجلِthe legs مُختَلِفِuneven in الشَباthe claw-points
مُعيدِ قَمَطرِ الرِجلِ مُختَلِفِ الشَبا
شَرَنبَثِthickset شَوكِthorn-sharp in الكَفِّthe paw شَثنِcoarse in البَراثِنِthe claws
شَرَنبَثِ شَوكِ الكَفِّ شَثنِ البَراثِنِ
seasoned, stout-legged, with uneven claw-points,
Aiding him in hunting which her main concern
thickset, thorn-clawed, coarse of paw.
Is to rush through woods of scattered poultry
يَمُرُّhe speeds إِذاwhen حُلَّunleashed مَرَّwith the speed of مُقَزَّعٍa sparsely feathered arrow
يَمُرُّ إِذا حُلَّ مَرَّ مُقَزَّعٍ
عَتيقٍfine-made حَداهُdriven by أَبهَرُthe belly of القَوسِthe bow جارِنِworn smooth
عَتيقٍ حَداهُ أَبهَرُ القَوسِ جارِنِ
Once unleashed, he speeds like a sparsely feathered
So he sent her racing and named her as if
fine-made arrow, driven by the bow’s worn belly.
She were prey-hunting gusts of wind challenging nobles
تُؤازِرُهُsupports him صِيٌّa pack of hounds عَلىtoward الصَيدِthe hunt هَمُّهاits concern
تُؤازِرُهُ صِيٌّ عَلى الصَيدِ هَمُّها
تَفارُطُoutstripping أَحراجِthe packs of الضِراءِthe hunting dogs الدَواجِنِthe trained ones
تَفارُطُ أَحراجِ الضِراءِ الدَواجِنِ
A pack supports him, its concern upon the hunt,
And he turned away like a star of stoning after counting them
racing ahead of the packs of trained hunting dogs.
Entertaining while the delegation of delegates was most intense
فَأَرسَلَهاthen he loosed them رَهواًgently وَسَمّىand invoked God’s name كَأَنَّهاas though they were
فَأَرسَلَها رَهواً وَسَمّى كَأَنَّها
يَعاسيبُdragonflies ريحٍof the wind عارِضاتُturning broadside الجَواشِنِtheir chests
يَعاسيبُ ريحٍ عارِضاتُ الجَواشِنِ
He loosed them gently and invoked God’s name; they seemed
Angrily biased, then spitefulness went into him
dragonflies in the wind, their chests turned broadside.
Over stinginess from one who wards off, not weak
وَوَلّىand he fled كَنَجمِlike a star of الرَجمِmeteoric pelting بَعدَafter عِدادِهِhis pause
وَوَلّى كَنَجمِ الرَجمِ بَعدَ عِدادِهِ
يُضيفُswerving aside وَأَشفىand the surest of النَفرِflights نَفرُis the flight of المُعايِنِone seeing the danger
يُضيفُ وَأَشفى النَفرِ نَفرُ المُعايِنِ
He fled like a shooting star after his pause,
Brandishing a weapon that tire did not make it lose its edge
swerving aside—and the surest flight is that of one who sees the danger—
Through which he verifies from it the gloom of hidden things
مَلاًfor a long while بائِصاًdesperate ثُمَّthen اِعتَرَتهُseized him حَمِيَّةٌfighting pride
مَلاً بائِصاً ثُمَّ اِعتَرَتهُ حَمِيَّةٌ
عَلىwith تُشحَةٍa swerve مِنfrom ذائِدٍa defender غَيرَnot واهِنِfeeble
عَلى تُشحَةٍ مِن ذائِدٍ غَيرَ واهِنِ
for a long, desperate stretch; then fighting pride seized him,
With every sly trick, it fires them consecutively
with a swerve, the pride of a defender unweakened.
Like the stabbing of a skilled horseman awakening soldiers
يَهُزُّhe brandishes سِلاحاًweapons لَمnot يَرِثهُhe inherited it كَلالَةًthrough collateral kin
يَهُزُّ سِلاحاً لَم يَرِثهُ كَلالَةً
يَشُكُّhe pierces بِهِwith it مِنهاamong them غُموضَthe hidden recesses of المَغابِنِthe flank-folds
يَشُكُّ بِهِ مِنها غُموضَ المَغابِنِ
He brandished weapons inherited through no collateral line,
They turned aside with the deviation of despair and there ripped open
piercing with them the dogs’ hidden flank-folds.
Classes from people totally resisting
يُساقِطُهاhe fells them تَترىone after another بِكُلِّin every خَميلَةٍthicket
يُساقِطُها تَترى بِكُلِّ خَميلَةٍ
كَطَعنِlike the lancing of البَيطَرِthe farrier الثَقفِthe skilled one رَهصَhoof-bruises of الكَوادِنِpackhorses
كَطَعنِ البَيطَرِ الثَقفِ رَهصَ الكَوادِنِ
He felled them one after another in every thicket,
So he became downcast, marked by shadows that surpass
like a skilled farrier lancing packhorses’ hoof-bruises.
As hands stretched out in different directions on roads
عَدَلنَthey turned aside عُدولَthe turning of اليَأسِdespair وَاِفتَجَّand he took open ground يَبتَليtesting
عَدَلنَ عُدولَ اليَأسِ وَاِفتَجَّ يَبتَلي
أَفانينَvarieties مِنof أُهلوبِa manner of شَدٍّrunning مُماتِنِhard and enduring
أَفانينَ مِن أُهلوبِ شَدٍّ مُماتِنِ
They turned away in despair, and he took open ground, testing
And he throws the sediment of two gallons with his spit
various modes of a hard, enduring run.
Twisting branches like the tent of hunters
فَأَصبَحَand he came to be مَحبوراًrejoicing تَخُطُّscoring ظُلوفُهُhis cloven hooves
فَأَصبَحَ مَحبوراً تَخُطُّ ظُلوفُهُ
كَماas اِختَلَفَتmove alternately بِالطَرقِin divining by lines أَيديthe hands of الكَواهِنِsoothsayers
كَما اِختَلَفَت بِالطَرقِ أَيدي الكَواهِنِ
He came through rejoicing, his hooves scoring the earth
I am the son of the wrongfully treated family of Malik
like the alternating hands of soothsayers drawing divining-lines.
And Malik's lineage was the generous mines
وَيُلقيand he casts up نَقاat the dune of الحِنّاءَتَينِal-Hinna’atayn بِرَوقِهِwith his horn
وَيُلقي نَقا الحِنّاءَتَينِ بِرَوقِهِ
تَناويطَhanging boughs of أَولاجٍthickets كَخَيمِlike the tents of الصَيادِنِkings
تَناويطَ أَولاجٍ كَخَيمِ الصَيادِنِ
At the dune of al-Hinna’atayn he casts up with his horn
Possessors of the foremost remarkable deeds and divinity
the thickets’ hanging boughs, like the tents of kings.
In olden times and matches for warring enemies
أَناI اِبنُam the son of أُباةِthose who refuse الضَيمِinjustice مِنfrom آلِthe house of مالِكٍMalik
أَنا اِبنُ أُباةِ الضَيمِ مِن آلِ مالِكٍ
وَإِنand indeed مالِكٌMalik كانَتwas كِرامَnoble in المَعادِنِorigins
وَإِن مالِكٌ كانَت كِرامَ المَعادِنِ
I am the son of those who reject injustice, of the house of Malik,
And the people of attacks which in the days of Tubba`
and Malik was indeed noble in its origins:
Were upon each possessor of isolated and tempting wealth
ذَويpossessors of المَأثُراتِglorious deeds الأوَّلِيّاتِthe earliest وَاللُهىand great gifts
ذَوي المَأثُراتِ الأوَّلِيّاتِ وَاللُهى
قَديماًof old وَأَكفاءَand equals of العَدُوِّthe enemy المُزابِنِwho presses hard
قَديماً وَأَكفاءَ العَدُوِّ المُزابِنِ
possessors of the earliest glorious deeds and lavish gifts
And they unlocked them every hateful day
of old, and equals to the hard-pressing enemy;
As the generous poured forth and the cisterns protected
وَأَهلِand those entitled to الأَتىthe tributes اللاتيwhich عَلىduring عَهدِthe reign of تُبَّعٍTubba‘
وَأَهلِ الأَتى اللاتي عَلى عَهدِ تُبَّعٍ
عَلىupon كُلِّevery ذيowner of مالٍwealth عَزيبٍfar away وَعاهِنِand at hand
عَلى كُلِّ ذي مالٍ عَزيبٍ وَعاهِنِ
those entitled to the tributes levied in Tubba‘’s time
And their stabbing the enemies vainly while one who does not stab
on every owner of wealth, far away or at hand.
Is obedient and the pitiless stabs the gut
وَأَفلَجَهُمand made them victorious فيon كُلِّevery يَومِday of كَريهَةٍbattle
وَأَفلَجَهُم في كُلِّ يَومِ كَريهَةٍ
كِرامُnoble الفُحولِsires وَاِعتِيامُand the choosing of الحَواصِنِchaste women
كِرامُ الفُحولِ وَاِعتِيامُ الحَواصِنِ
What made them prevail on every bitter day was
They who prevented Nu'man on the day of Ru'yah
noble sires, the choosing of chaste women,
From water during a star in scorching heat that ripped open
وَطَعنُهُمand their stabbing الأَعداءَthe enemies شَزراًobliquely وَإِنَّماand only
وَطَعنُهُم الأَعداءَ شَزراً وَإِنَّما
يُسامُis made to suffer وَيَقنيand accepts الخَسفَabasement مَنone who لَمnot يُطاعِنِfights with spears
يُسامُ وَيَقني الخَسفَ مَن لَم يُطاعِنِ
and their oblique spear-thrusts at enemies; only
And they left Mas'ud, the bottom of the throne, crouching
one who will not fight is made to suffer and accepts abasement.
Collapsing under the square weight of the carrier
هُمُthey مَنَعواdenied النُعمانَal-Nu‘man يَومَon the day of رُؤَيَّةٍRu’ayya
هُمُ مَنَعوا النُعمانَ يَومَ رُؤَيَّةٍ
مِنَaccess to الماءِthe water فيduring نَجمٍa star-season مِنَof القَيظِsummer heat حاتِنِdeadly
مِنَ الماءِ في نَجمٍ مِنَ القَيظِ حاتِنِ
They denied al-Nu‘man, on the day of Ru’ayya,
And their lot gained when the earth was crossed with lots
water, during a deadly season of summer heat.
Over its extent and spacious crossings
وَهُمand they تَرَكواleft مَسعودَMas‘ud نُشبَةَNushba مُسنَداًpropped up
وَهُم تَرَكوا مَسعودَ نُشبَةَ مُسنَداً
يَنوءُstruggling under بِخَطّارٍa swaying spear مِنَfrom الخَطِّal-Khatt مارِنِpliant
يَنوءُ بِخَطّارٍ مِنَ الخَطِّ مارِنِ
They left Mas‘ud Nushba propped up,
The tribe of Malik, my tribe whose glory
struggling beneath a swaying, pliant spear from al-Khatt.
For those who mixed with them was no match
وَهُمand they فازَwon لَمّاwhen خُطَّتِwas marked out الأَرضُthe land سَهمُهُمtheir lot
وَهُم فازَ لَمّا خُطَّتِ الأَرضُ سَهمُهُم
عَلىover المُستَويthe level ground مِنهاof it وَرَحبِand the spaciousness of المَعاطِنِwatering-grounds
عَلى المُستَوي مِنها وَرَحبِ المَعاطِنِ
When the land was marked into lots, theirs won
The family of war whose tribal zeal ignites their fire
its level stretches and its spacious watering-grounds.
When zeal brings together those with hidden enmities
بَنوthe sons of مالِكٍMalik قَوميmy people اللِيانُgentle عُروضُهُمin their disposition
بَنو مالِكٍ قَومي اللِيانُ عُروضُهُم
لِمَنtoward those whom خالَطواthey deal with إِلّاexcept لِغَيرِtoward one not المُلايِنِgentle
لِمَن خالَطوا إِلّا لِغَيرِ المُلايِنِ
Banu Malik are my people, gentle in their ways
If it is said that they have cooled off during vendettas
toward those they deal with—except the ungentle.
Upon the fangs unlike the acts of the hostile obedient one
بَنوsons of الحَربِwar تُذكيkindles شِدَّةُthe severity of العَصبِfamine نارَهُمtheir fire
بَنو الحَربِ تُذكي شِدَّةُ العَصبِ نارَهُم
إِذاwhen العَصبُfamine دانىdraws close بَينَtogether أَهلِthe bearers of الضَغائِنِgrudges
إِذا العَصبُ دانى بَينَ أَهلِ الضَغائِنِ
Sons of war: famine’s harshness fans their fire,
And what people matched those of their enemy
when famine draws together men who bear old grudges.
In my time - that of the two-horned one - unless we matched?
إِذاwhen قيلَit is said بِالغَمّاءِin dark adversity قَدalready بَرَدواthey have cooled حَمواthey blaze
إِذا قيلَ بِالغَمّاءِ قَد بَرَدوا حَموا
عَلىagainst الضَرسِhardship لاnot فِعلَthe conduct of السَؤومِthe weary one المُداهِنِthe compromiser
عَلى الضَرسِ لا فِعلَ السَؤومِ المُداهِنِ
When men say in dark adversity, ‘They have cooled,’ they blaze
Is glory other than hemlocks, the staff, the passions
against hardship, unlike the weary compromiser.
And mending rifts and patience during ordeals?
وَأَيُّand which أُناسٍpeople وازَنواhave matched مِنamong عَدُوِّهِمtheir enemies
وَأَيُّ أُناسٍ وازَنوا مِن عَدُوِّهِم
عَلىthrough عَهديthe two ages of ذيDhu: possessor of القَرنَينِal-Qarnayn: the two horns ماwhat لَمnot نُوازِنِwe have matched
عَلى عَهدي ذي القَرنَينِ ما لَم نُوازِنِ
What people have ever matched foes
And good people whom matureness has congratulated
in Dhu al-Qarnayn’s two ages whom we have not matched?
And our bounty has passed through them during days
هَلِis المَجدُglory إِلّاanything but السُؤدَدlordship العَودtime-honoured وَاللُهاand generosity
هَلِ المَجدُ إِلّا السُؤدَد العَود وَاللُها
وَرَأبُand mending الثَأىthe breach وَالصَبرُand steadfastness عِندَat المواطِنِthe battlefields
وَرَأبُ الثَأى وَالصَبرُ عِندَ المواطِنِ
Is glory anything but time-honoured lordship, generosity,
It softened, and the course of life through it relaxed
mending breaches, and steadfastness on the battlefield?
And were it not for our heights, none would stand but the subservient
وَحَيٍّand many a clan كِرامٍnoble قَدindeed هَنَأناwe have salved جَرَبَّةٍnumerous
وَحَيٍّ كِرامٍ قَد هَنَأنا جَرَبَّةٍ
وَمَرَّتand passed لَهُمto them نَعماؤُناour bounty بِالأَيامِنِwith good fortune
وَمَرَّت لَهُم نَعماؤُنا بِالأَيامِنِ
Many a numerous, noble clan have we salved,
And I am not pleased with that which others are pleased
and our bounty has passed to them with good fortune.
Nor displaying complaints in some places
تَلَيَّنَit grew pliant وَاِستَرخَتand slackened خُطورُthe stirrings of الحَياthe rain بِهِover it
تَلَيَّنَ وَاِستَرخَت خُطورُ الحَيا بِهِ
وَلَولاand but for عَواليناour lofty spears نَشاit would have grown غَيرَnot لائِنِpliant
وَلَولا عَوالينا نَشا غَيرَ لائِنِ
It grew pliant, and the rain’s stirrings loosened over it;
And I do not recognize favors upon me, and they did not exist
but for our lofty spears, it would have grown unbending.
And I recognize the separation of intricate speech
وَماand not أَناI بِالراضيone content بِماwith what غَيرُهُother than it الرِضاis contentment
وَما أَنا بِالراضي بِما غَيرُهُ الرِضا
وَلاnor المُظهِرِone displaying الشَكوىcomplaint بِبَعضِin some of الأَماكِنِthe places
وَلا المُظهِرِ الشَكوى بِبَعضِ الأَماكِنِ
I am not content with what is not true contentment,
nor one to display complaint in this place or that.
وَلاnor أَعرِفُdo I acknowledge النُعمىa favour عَلَيَّto me وَلَمwhen not تَكُنit existed
وَلا أَعرِفُ النُعمى عَلَيَّ وَلَم تَكُن
وَأَعرِفُand I know فَصلَthe distinction of المَنطِقِspeech المُتَغابِنِof unequal worth
وَأَعرِفُ فَصلَ المَنطِقِ المُتَغابِنِ
Nor do I acknowledge a favour to me when none was done,
and I know the distinction between words of unequal worth.
Partial English translation: 168 of 172 Arabic lines translated.