بَينَbetween الظُباsword-edges وَالعَوَاليand lofty spears تُرفَعُare raised الرُّتَبُranks
بَينَ الظُبا وَالعَوَالي تُرفَعُ الرُّتَبُ
ولاand not تُرىis seen رَاحةٌrepose مَالَمْunless يَكُنْthere is تَعَبُtoil
ولا تُرى رَاحةٌ مَالَمْ يَكُنْ تَعَبُ
Between sword-edges and lofty spears, ranks are raised.
Between the antelopes and the tall mountains, ranks are raised
No repose is found unless there has been toil.
And no rest is seen unless there is fatigue
وَمَنand whoever تَسَامَىaspires لأمرٍto an aim عَزَّwas difficult مَطلَبُهُits attainment
وَمَن تَسَامَى لأمرٍ عَزَّ مَطلَبُهُ
وَلَمand did not يَقُمْrise غَازِياًas a warrior لَمnot يُدْنِهbring him near الحَسَبُnoble lineage
وَلَم يَقُمْ غَازِياً لَم يُدْنِه الحَسَبُ
Whoever aspires to an aim whose attainment is difficult,
And he who aspires to a difficult matter, its attainment is difficult
yet does not rise to war, noble lineage will not bring him near it.
And does not set out as a warrior, nobility does not come near him
شَتَّانَhow far apart بَينَbetween ثَقِيلِheavy الجَنْبِthe flank مُنبطِحٍlying prone
شَتَّانَ بَينَ ثَقِيلِ الجَنْبِ مُنبطِحٍ
وضَامِرٍand a lean man فيin لَظَىthe blaze of الأخْطارِdangers يَنتَصِبُstands upright
وضَامِرٍ في لَظَى الأخْطارِ يَنتَصِبُ
How far apart are a heavy-flanked man lying prone
Far apart are the heavily bodied laid down
and a lean man standing amid the blaze of dangers!
And the vigilant in the ferocity of dangers erect
قَدindeed كابَدَendured hardships السَّيِّدُthe lord البَاشَاthe Pasha فَمَاand not قَعَدتْheld back
قَد كابَدَ السَّيِّدُ البَاشَا فَمَا قَعَدتْ
بِهِhim الدَّوَاعِيcircumstances وَلاَnor أزرَىabased بَهَhim النَّصَبُweariness
بِهِ الدَّوَاعِي وَلاَ أزرَى بَهَ النَّصَبُ
The lord, the Pasha, endured hardships; no circumstances held
The master Pasha endured so the incentives did not make him sit still
him back, nor did weariness abase him.
And exhaustion did not diminish his vigor
وَاسْتَسهَلَand he deemed easy الصَّعبَthe difficult فيin تَحصِيلِfulfilling وَاجِبِهِhis duty
وَاسْتَسهَلَ الصَّعبَ في تَحصِيلِ وَاجِبِهِ
حَتَّىuntil قَضَىhe fulfilled فِيin المَعَاليhigh achievements كلَّمَاall that يَجِبُis required
حَتَّى قَضَى فِي المَعَالي كلَّمَا يَجِبُ
He deemed difficulty easy in fulfilling his duty,
And he made the difficult easy in fulfilling his duty
until he fulfilled all that high achievement demands.
Until he accomplished all the lofty goals
يأبَىhe rejects المْكَارِمَnoble deeds إلاَّexcept خَيْرَthe best of أبْعَدهَاtheir farthest-reaching
يأبَى المْكَارِمَ إلاَّ خَيْرَ أبْعَدهَا
وَيَتَّقِيand he shuns نَزْرَهَاtheir meager portion الدانِيthe easily reached ويَجْتَنِبُand avoids
وَيَتَّقِي نَزْرَهَا الدانِي ويَجْتَنِبُ
He accepts no noble deeds save the finest of the farthest-reaching,
The generous refuses anything but the best of it
and shuns their meager, easily reached portion, avoiding it.
And the lowly avoids its measly share and shuns
فأيthen what مَنْزِلَةٍstation فَاتَتهُeluded him صَهوَتُهَاits saddle
فأي مَنْزِلَةٍ فَاتَتهُ صَهوَتُهَا
أوor رُتْبَةٍrank لمnot يَكُنْthere was فِيهَاwithin it لَهُhis خَبَبُtrot
أو رُتْبَةٍ لم يَكُنْ فِيهَا لَهُ خَبَبُ
What station's saddle, then, has eluded him,
What rank was out of his reach?
or what rank has he not trotted toward?
Or what station was he not competent in?
سَلْask طَالِعَthe rising star of الأُفُقِthe horizon عنabout مَرمىthe reach of مَوَاطِئِهِhis footsteps
سَلْ طَالِعَ الأُفُقِ عن مَرمى مَوَاطِئِهِ
تَدْرِيknow مَنَازِلَهُhis stations الآفَاقُthe horizons وَالشُّهُبُand the meteors
تَدْرِي مَنَازِلَهُ الآفَاقُ وَالشُّهُبُ
Ask the horizon's rising star how far his footsteps reach;
Ask the horizon’s rising about the range of his dwellings
the horizons and the meteors know his stations.
The horizons and stars know his abodes
هَزَّتهُstirred him هَمَّامHammam لَمَّاwhen طَالَgrew overbearing قَاصِرُهاits lowliest
هَزَّتهُ هَمَّام لَمَّا طَالَ قَاصِرُها
حَتَّىuntil غَدّاbecame ظَاهِرُthe surface of الْغَبرَاءthe dusty earth يَضطَرِبُtrembling
حَتَّى غَدّا ظَاهِرُ الْغَبرَاء يَضطَرِبُ
Hammam stirred him when its lowliest grew overbearing,
Goads of aspirations shook him when their tether was long
until the face of the dusty earth began to tremble.
Until the dusty dawn became turbulent and restless
شَقُّواthey split العَصَاthe staff وَسَارواand marched مُجمِعِينَresolved عَلىupon
شَقُّوا العَصَا وَسَاروا مُجمِعِينَ عَلى
ماwhat فِيهِin it نَقضundoing الهُدىright guidance ياoh بِئسَevil is ماwhat ارتكبواthey committed
ما فِيهِ نَقض الهُدى يا بِئسَ ما ارتكبوا
They split the staff of unity and marched, resolved upon
The King readied them before that day bridled
what undoes right guidance—how evil was what they committed!
For a day of tribulation crying and wailing
واستَضعَفواand they deemed weak الأمْرَauthority منfrom أقصىthe farthest الجَرِيدِal-Jarid إلىto
واستَضعَفوا الأمْرَ من أقصى الجَرِيدِ إلى
ماwhat دونَshort of صَبرَةَSabra لاَnot يَنْهَاهُمrestrains them رَهَبُfear
ما دونَ صَبرَةَ لاَ يَنْهَاهُم رَهَبُ
They deemed authority weak, from the farthest al-Jarid to
Each lean belly saddle makes them circle around the leanness training them to gallop
the lands short of Sabra, with no fear to restrain them.
Best for them are triumph and the yellow leads them
أعْرَواthey stripped منof الأمنsafety مَنwhoever جازَtraveled الطَّريقَthe road بهاthrough it
أعْرَوا من الأمن مَن جازَ الطَّريقَ بها
فَبَاتَso he became صِفْراًdestitute فَلاَand no أهْلٌfamily ولاَnor نَشَبُproperty
فَبَاتَ صِفْراً فَلاَ أهْلٌ ولاَ نَشَبُ
They stripped of safety whoever traveled its road,
And yellow is a secret of joy pulling them
and he became destitute, without family or possessions.
They crafted from the night flanks for its structure
كَمhow many مِنْof بَرِيءٍan innocent man أبَاحواthey exposed to plunder رَحْلَهُhis baggage فَغَداso he became
كَم مِنْ بَرِيءٍ أبَاحوا رَحْلَهُ فَغَدا
وَهُوَّand he منfrom بَعْدِafter إتْرَابٍwealth لَهُhis تَرِبُimpoverished
وَهُوَّ من بَعْدِ إتْرَابٍ لَهُ تَرِبُ
How many an innocent man's baggage they exposed to plunder, leaving him
And from the sun’s trinkets ornaments when it disappears
poor after wealth had once been his.
They almost melt from the action within them
مَاnot راَقَبُواthey respected فِيin وَلِيa holy man إلَّa bond خَالِقِهِhis Creator
مَا راَقَبُوا فِي وَلِي إلَّ خَالِقِهِ
وَلاَnor اسْتَلانُواwere gentle لِمَنْwith whoever لِلعِلمِto learning يَنتَسبُbelongs
وَلاَ اسْتَلانُوا لِمَنْ لِلعِلمِ يَنتَسبُ
They respected no holy man's bond with his Creator,
If not for the reins managing them or the curb
nor were they gentle with anyone belonging to learning.
To God belongs its valiant knight charging forth
وَاَودَعُواand they placed هَمَّهُمْtheir concern فِيin كُلّevery مَاهِيةٍessence
وَاَودَعُوا هَمَّهُمْ فِي كُلّ مَاهِيةٍ
وَذاكِand that مَاwhat دَلَّindicated عَنabout مَضمونهits meaning اللَّقَبُthe name
وَذاكِ مَا دَلَّ عَن مَضمونه اللَّقَبُ
They lodged their concern in every essence,
When the warriors drank deep from its watering hole
and that is what their name disclosed of its meaning.
The saddle blankets wave from it touching its side
ظَنُّواthey thought الدَّوَارَةَal-Dawwara تَحْميِهمwould protect them وَحُقَّand it was fitting لَهَاfor it
ظَنُّوا الدَّوَارَةَ تَحْميِهم وَحُقَّ لَهَا
لَكِنَّbut بَعْضَsome ظُنونِsuppositions of المُدَّعِيthe claimant كَذِبُfalsehood
لَكِنَّ بَعْضَ ظُنونِ المُدَّعِي كَذِبُ
They thought al-Dawwara would protect them, and it was fit to do so,
And the plaits envy its supple trigs
but some of a claimant's suppositions are false.
How can anyone match its characteristics?
وَغَرَّهُمand deluded them قَولُthe words of مَنone who لَمnot يَدْرِknew عَاقِبَةًan outcome
وَغَرَّهُم قَولُ مَن لَم يَدْرِ عَاقِبَةً
إنَّindeed الهِزَبْرَthe lion أباfather of الأشْبَالِthe cubs لاَnot يَثِبُpounces
إنَّ الهِزَبْرَ أبا الأشْبَالِ لاَ يَثِبُ
They were deluded by the words of one who knew no outcome:
While fortune serves it and the steeds and the noble born
The lion, father of cubs, does not pounce.
It raided Semenja after the pond and in
وَكَذَّبواand they disbelieved مُنذِرِيهمْtheir warners حَرَّthe heat of صَدْمَتِهِhis onslaught
وَكَذَّبوا مُنذِرِيهمْ حَرَّ صَدْمَتِهِ
وَهمand they علىwith الَقطعِcertainty فيin تَكذْيِبهمtheir denial كَذبُواlied
وَهم على الَقطعِ في تَكذْيِبهم كَذبُوا
They disbelieved those warning them of the heat of his onslaught,
The soul of El-Khurayyib from its breath a flame
and, beyond doubt, they lied in their denial.
It camped at El-Jubaybina and for it
فَحَيْثُso when لمnot يُثْنِهِمturned them back رَدْعُthe deterrence of الأمِيِرِthe prince وَلاnor
فَحَيْثُ لم يُثْنِهِم رَدْعُ الأمِيِرِ وَلا
لَوتْbent رُؤُوسَهُمُtheir heads الأرْسلُthe messengers وَالكُتُبُand the letters
لَوتْ رُؤُوسَهُمُ الأرْسلُ وَالكُتُبُ
So, when the prince's deterrence did not turn them back, nor
Dawned a brilliant light heading for its meadow
did messengers and letters bend their heads,
When it spread in El-Batin it contracted
طَارَتْflew بِهِwith him الْخَيلُthe horses مِنْfrom سَيجومَSayjum فَاغِرةًgaping
طَارَتْ بِهِ الْخَيلُ مِنْ سَيجومَ فَاغِرةً
أفوَاهَهَاtheir mouths وَعَلَىand on أشدَاقِهَاtheir jaws الْحبَبُfoam
أفوَاهَهَا وَعَلَى أشدَاقِهَا الْحبَبُ
the horses flew with him from Sayjum, with gaping
Intending El-Sharayshira the plateau and drew near
mouths and foam upon their jaws.
It passed by the white-eyed and did not
تَمُرُّthey pass مَرّlike the passage of سَحَابِclouds الْجَوّthe air فيin دَعَةٍease
تَمُرُّ مَرّ سَحَابِ الْجَوّ في دَعَةٍ
وَالنَّقْعُand the dust مِنfrom فَوقِهَاabove them منfrom خَفْقِهاtheir pounding سُحُبُclouds
وَالنَّقْعُ مِن فَوقِهَا من خَفْقِها سُحُبُ
They passed as clouds pass through the air, effortlessly,
Stop it the eyebrow's fence from the waters forbid
while the dust above them rose in clouds from their pounding.
In El-Fakka the tying rope was undone safely
أعَدَّهَاhe prepared them الْملَكُthe king قَبْلَbefore اليَومِthis day مُسرَجَةًsaddled
أعَدَّهَا الْملَكُ قَبْلَ اليَومِ مُسرَجَةً
لِيَومِfor a day of مُعْضِلَةٍcalamity تَبْكِيweeps وتَنَتْحِبُand wails
لِيَومِ مُعْضِلَةٍ تَبْكِي وتَنَتْحِبُ
The king had readied them, saddled, before this day,
After fulfilling a period of fighting and war
for a day of calamity that weeps and wails.
From El-Hafir to the aromatic Mâjil it surged
تُقِلُّthey carry كُلَّevery خَمِيصِlean البَطنِthe belly مُنجَرِدٍslender
تُقِلُّ كُلَّ خَمِيصِ البَطنِ مُنجَرِدٍ
يَحنُوhe bends علىover الْجُردِthe sleek steeds فيin تأدْيِبِهاtheir training دربskilled
يَحنُو على الْجُردِ في تأدْيِبِها درب
They bear every lean-bellied, slender man,
Heading to El-Qafsa it gallops joyfully
who bends over the sleek steeds, skilled in schooling them.
In El-Aqilah it spread from its vanguards
أوْلىmost worthy بهاof them الظَّفْرُvictory وَالصَّفْرَاءُand the yellow mare تَقْدُمُهَاleads them
أوْلى بها الظَّفْرُ وَالصَّفْرَاءُ تَقْدُمُهَا
وَالصَّفرُand yellow سِرٌّa secret بِهِthrough it الأفْرَاحُjoys تَنْجَذْبُare drawn
وَالصَّفرُ سِرٌّ بِهِ الأفْرَاحُ تَنْجَذْبُ
They are most worthy of victory; the yellow mare leads them,
Those who are adept in news to gather
and yellow holds a secret through which joys are drawn.
It gave them glad tidings of longing that on
صَاغَتْshe fashioned مِنfrom الَّليلِthe night أطرَافاًextremities لِهَيكَلِهَاfor her frame
صَاغَتْ مِن الَّليلِ أطرَافاً لِهَيكَلِهَا
وَمِنand from حُلىthe finery of الشَّمْسِthe sun حَلياًadornments حينwhen تحتَجبُit disappears
وَمِن حُلى الشَّمْسِ حَلياً حين تحتَجبُ
She fashioned the extremities of her frame from night,
The back of Ed-Dawwara a people prone to ruin approached
and adornments from the sun's finery when it disappears.
It dealt with the ravines of El-Shat'h climbing
تَكَادُshe almost تَنْقَدُّbursts apart مِنfrom فِعلِthe effect of النَّشاطِvigor بِهاwithin her
تَكَادُ تَنْقَدُّ مِن فِعلِ النَّشاطِ بِها
لَولاbut for العِنانُthe rein يُعانِيهَاgrapples with her أوِor اللَّبَبُthe breast-strap
لَولا العِنانُ يُعانِيهَا أوِ اللَّبَبُ
She almost bursts apart from the vigor within her,
To confrontation, nothing behind it remains
but for the rein or breast-strap grappling with her.
And after some rugged plains it found
لِلَّهِpraise God for فارِسُهَاher rider المِقدَامُthe valiant مُستَهِلاًbeaming
لِلَّهِ فارِسُهَا المِقدَامُ مُستَهِلاً
إذاwhen بَنُوthe sons of الحَرْبِwar مِنfrom راوُوقِهَاits wine-strainer شَرِبُواthey drink
إذا بَنُو الحَرْبِ مِن راوُوقِهَا شَرِبُوا
God be praised for her fearless rider, beaming
An easy road the trampler crowds it
when the sons of war drink from its wine-strainer!
It spent the night extending at the springs' heads and from
يَستْنَنبِلُdeems noble السَّرجُthe saddle مِنْهَاon her مَسَّthe touch of جَانِبِهِhis flank
يَستْنَنبِلُ السَّرجُ مِنْهَا مَسَّ جَانِبِهِ
وَيَحْسِدُand envy اللَّينَthe suppleness مِنof أعْطَافِهِhis limbs القُضُبُthe boughs
وَيَحْسِدُ اللَّينَ مِن أعْطَافِهِ القُضُبُ
Her saddle deems the touch of his flank an honor,
There the discord disappeared and the riders gathered
and boughs envy the suppleness of his limbs.
And its east side preceded it
يُدبِرُdevise قَومُthe men of الْعِداthe enemy فِيfor دَفْعِrepelling صَوْلَتِهِhis assault
يُدبِرُ قَومُ الْعِدا فِي دَفْعِ صَوْلَتِهِ
رأياًa plan وَيَفْجاَهُمُand he surprises them مِنfrom غَيرِother than ماwhat حَسِبُواthey expected
رأياً وَيَفْجاَهُمُ مِن غَيرِ ما حَسِبُوا
The enemy's men devise, to repel his assault,
And the hollow of it the piercing bullets filled
a plan; but he surprises them in ways they never reckoned.
Batita remained defiantly with the armies
إذاwhen سَقَىhe makes drink الطَّعنَةthe spear-thrust النَّجلاgaping مُبارِزَهُhis opponent
إذا سَقَى الطَّعنَة النَّجلا مُبارِزَهُ
تَوَجَّسُsenses الْعَطبَdestruction مِنهَاfrom it جَارُهُhis neighbor الجُنُبُdistant
تَوَجَّسُ الْعَطبَ مِنهَا جَارُهُ الجُنُبُ
When he makes his opponent drink a gaping spear-wound,
Umm Al-Iqsab then El-Hirshan then An-Naqab
his distant neighbor senses death from it.
Then the mighty fortress ascended to which sought refuge
أنَّىhow could يُحَاكِيِهِresemble him شَخصٌanyone فيin شَمائِلِهِhis qualities
أنَّى يُحَاكِيِهِ شَخصٌ في شَمائِلِهِ
وَالسَّعدُand good fortune يَخدْمُهُserves him والخَيلُand horses والنُّجُبُand noble camels
وَالسَّعدُ يَخدْمُهُ والخَيلُ والنُّجُبُ
How could anyone resemble him in his qualities,
Beforehand an army but they are now gone
when good fortune, horses, and noble camels serve him?
It is the stronghold though its traveler
غَشَتْthey swept over سِمِنجَةَSiminja مِنfrom بَعدِafter الغَدِيرِal-Ghadir وَفيand in
غَشَتْ سِمِنجَةَ مِن بَعدِ الغَدِيرِ وَفي
نَفسِthe heart of الخُرَيرِيبِal-Khurayrib مِنfrom أنفَاسِهَاtheir breaths لَهَبُflame
نَفسِ الخُرَيرِيبِ مِن أنفَاسِهَا لَهَبُ
They swept over Siminja after al-Ghadir, and in
Finds scarce of its protection the weakness
the heart of al-Khurayrib there was flame from their breaths.
So push them O Master with an army
وَبالجُبيَبيِنَةِand at al-Jubaybina استَنَّتْthey galloped ولَاَحَand appeared لَهَاto them
وَبالجُبيَبيِنَةِ استَنَّتْ ولَاَحَ لَهَا
شَاشٌShash فَهِيَّso they إلىtoward مَرآهُthe sight of it تَنسَرِبُstream
شَاشٌ فَهِيَّ إلى مَرآهُ تَنسَرِبُ
At al-Jubaybina they galloped, and there appeared to them
That fries the ribcages and crucifies on the ribs
Shash, toward whose sight they streamed.
You see the knights behind them
وَعِندَمَاand when انبَسَطَتْthey spread out بِالبَاطِنِat al-Batin انْقبَضَتْthey drew together
وَعِندَمَا انبَسَطَتْ بِالبَاطِنِ انْقبَضَتْ
تَنوِيheading for الشَّرَيشرِةَal-Sharayshira السَّودَاthe black وتَقْتَرِبُand draw near
تَنوِي الشَّرَيشرِةَ السَّودَا وتَقْتَرِبُ
When they spread out at al-Batin, they drew together,
On the cliffs and the hills following
heading for black al-Sharayshira and drawing near.
They tried a tunnel fleeing into it
فَجَاوَزَتهَاso they passed beyond it لِبيَضَاءِtoward Bayda الْعُيُونِal-Uyun وَلَمْand did not
فَجَاوَزَتهَا لِبيَضَاءِ الْعُيُونِ وَلَمْ
تصدهاturn them away عنfrom مياهthe waters of الحاجبal-Hajib الحجبthe barriers
تصدها عن مياه الحاجب الحجب
They passed beyond it toward Bayda al-Uyun, and no
If only your grip prevented them from fleeing
barriers turned them from the waters of al-Hajib.
So Solomon descended upon them and what a lad
فيat الفكةal-Fakka انفكcame loose عنهاfrom them الليدrestraint (uncertain reading) سالمةunharmed
في الفكة انفك عنها الليد سالمة
مَنfrom بَعدِafter مَاwhat قَدalready قضَىfulfilled منfrom جِلمةَJilma أرَبُa purpose
مَن بَعدِ مَا قَد قضَى من جِلمةَ أرَبُ
At al-Fakka, the [restraint?] fell away from them, unharmed,
The descent of the blazing wrath kindling while they are fuel
after the purpose at Jilma had been fulfilled.
The star of the Caliphate pure of honor his traits
منَfrom الحَفِيَّal-Hafi لِوِردِto water at الماجلal-Majil اندفعتْthey rushed
منَ الحَفِيَّ لِوِردِ الماجل اندفعتْ
تَؤُمُّthey head toward قَفصَةَGafsa يَحْدوُهَاurges them onward لَهَاtheirs طَرَبُdelight
تَؤُمُّ قَفصَةَ يَحْدوُهَا لَهَا طَرَبُ
From al-Hafi they rushed to drink at al-Majil,
When he appears or shows in the presence of humility
making for Gafsa, their own delight driving them onward.
And at Ar-Rusayfi his knights plunged
وَفِيand at العَقيِلةِal-Aqila بَثَّتْthey sent out مِنfrom طَلائِعِهَاtheir scouts
وَفِي العَقيِلةِ بَثَّتْ مِن طَلائِعِهَا
منone who يُحسِنُis skilled in الخُبْرَreconnaissance لِلأخبَارِfor news يَجتَلِبُgathers
من يُحسِنُ الخُبْرَ لِلأخبَارِ يَجتَلِبُ
At al-Aqila they sent forth from their scouts
Into a sea the ribs and sticks surge
one adept at reconnaissance, to gather reports.
And their grip took the right side and indeed
فَبَشَّرتهَاso they brought them tidings عَلىwith شَوقٍeagerness بِأنَّthat عَلىon
فَبَشَّرتهَا عَلى شَوقٍ بِأنَّ عَلى
ظَهرِthe back of الدَّوَارةِal-Dawwara خَلقاًpeople لِلرَّدَىto death قَربُواwere brought near
ظَهرِ الدَّوَارةِ خَلقاً لِلرَّدَى قَربُوا
They brought them eager tidings that upon
Bared swords with which all the blood dried
the heights of al-Dawwara were people brought close to death.
He trampled them in the waves and in
وَعَالَجَتْand they struggled فِيin فُجُوجِthe gaps of الشَّطحِal-Shath صَاعِدَةًascending
وَعَالَجَتْ فِي فُجُوجِ الشَّطحِ صَاعِدَةً
إلَىtoward التَّلاقِيthe encounter عِقَاباًsteep passes مَالَهَاthey have no عُقُبُend
إلَى التَّلاقِي عِقَاباً مَالَهَا عُقُبُ
They labored upward through the ravines of al-Shath,
The corners of the group where the hearts split
toward the encounter, over steep passes without end.
They saw him at dawn over the night's darkness
وَصَادَفَتْand they encountered بَعْدَafter أينٍweariness صَعبَsevere َضَاحيةَopen country
وَصَادَفَتْ بَعْدَ أينٍ صَعبَ َضَاحيةَ
سَهْلُeasy الطَّرائقِthe paths فِيهَاwithin it الدَّاهِسُsoft sand الحَزِبُrough ground
سَهْلُ الطَّرائقِ فِيهَا الدَّاهِسُ الحَزِبُ
After harsh fatigue they reached open country,
And gloom for victory a key if they rode
where soft sand and rough ground alike were easy to traverse.
That is his habit when he embarks on
بَاتَتْthey spent the night تُسدَيpressing onward عَلَىat رَأسِRas العُيُونِal-Uyun وَمِنْand from
بَاتَتْ تُسدَي عَلَى رَأسِ العُيُونِ وَمِنْ
هُناكِthere زَالَceased الحَفاhoof-soreness واحْتَكَّتِand rubbed together الرُكُبُthe knees
هُناكِ زَالَ الحَفا واحْتَكَّتِ الرُكُبُ
They spent the night pressing on through Ras al-Uyun, and from
A matter he desires its demand
there hoof-soreness ceased, and knees rubbed together.
They despaired when he raised his banner
ولجهاentered it الجانبthe side الشرقيeastern سابقهاtheir forerunner
ولجها الجانب الشرقي سابقها
وسددand aimed straight الجوفthe interior منهfrom there الثاقبthe piercing point الذربkeen
وسدد الجوف منه الثاقب الذرب
Their forerunner entered it from the eastern side,
That escaping his claws is a wonder
and from there the keen, piercing point aimed straight into its heart.
So they appealed to him to restore their booty
ظَلَّتremained بَتِيتَةُBatita بِالأجنَادِwith troops شَاحِنَةًcrowded
ظَلَّت بَتِيتَةُ بِالأجنَادِ شَاحِنَةً
فَأُمُّthen Umm الاقْصَابal-Aqsab فَالحِرشَانُthen al-Hirshan فالنَّقَبُthen al-Naqab
فَأُمُّ الاقْصَاب فَالحِرشَانُ فالنَّقَبُ
Batita remained crowded with troops,
If depriving them of it satisfied his plunder
then Umm al-Aqsab, then al-Hirshan, then al-Naqab,
And they shared with him willingly a share
فَالقَلعَةُthen the fortress الصَّعبَةُdifficult المَرقَىto ascend التيwhich اقتَصَمَتْshattered
فَالقَلعَةُ الصَّعبَةُ المَرقَى التي اقتَصَمَتْ
فِيهَاwithin it القَواضِبُthe cutting swords جَيشاًan army قَبلُformerly قَدalready ذَهَبُواthey had gone
فِيهَا القَواضِبُ جَيشاً قَبلُ قَد ذَهَبُوا
then the fortress hard to ascend, where
The successful knows in it who has the upper hand
sharp swords once shattered an army whose men are gone.
Thus the steeds and mounts were his fortune
هِيَthey are العَوَاصِمُthe refuges إلاَّexcept أنَّthat سَالكَهَاwhoever traverses them
هِيَ العَوَاصِمُ إلاَّ أنَّ سَالكَهَا
أقَلُّthe least مَاthat يَلتَقيhe encounters مِنfrom عُصمِهَاtheir defenses العَطَبُdestruction
أقَلُّ مَا يَلتَقي مِن عُصمِهَا العَطَبُ
These are strongholds of refuge, yet anyone traversing them
As was what the saddle and saddlebags contained
finds destruction the least their defenses offer.
So the inks and pens catalogued them
فَدُستَهُمso you trampled them أيُّهَاO المَولَىlord بِحَامِيةٍwith a blazing force
فَدُستَهُم أيُّهَا المَولَى بِحَامِيةٍ
تَشوِيscorches الصَّلَّىthe loins وَعَلىand upon الأصلابِthe backbones تَنصَلبُplants itself firmly
تَشوِي الصَّلَّى وَعَلى الأصلابِ تَنصَلبُ
So you trampled them, my lord, with a blazing force
And the branding stamped all they had earned
that scorches the loins and plants itself upon backbones.
You stripped them of the clothes of tyranny they wore
تَرىyou see الفَوَارِسَthe horsemen كَالعِقبَانlike eagles إثرَهُمُon their trail
تَرى الفَوَارِسَ كَالعِقبَان إثرَهُمُ
علىالشَّنَاخيِبِupon the crags والآكَامِand the hills تَعتَقِبُfollow in succession
علىالشَّنَاخيِبِ والآكَامِ تَعتَقِبُ
You see the horsemen, like eagles, on their trail,
When they took shade in a house no poles support
following in succession over crags and hills.
And they thanked you for what you granted them
وَحَاوَلُواand they sought نَفَقاًa tunnel يَغشَاهُenters it هَارِبُهُمtheir fugitive
وَحَاوَلُوا نَفَقاً يَغشَاهُ هَارِبُهُم
لَوif كَانَcould يَمنَعُهُمprotect them مِنfrom بَطشِكَyour might الهَرَبُflight
لَو كَانَ يَمنَعُهُم مِن بَطشِكَ الهَرَبُ
They sought a tunnel for their fugitives to enter,
And restoring them was most precious of what they were given
if flight could save them from your might.
And the Arab hordes entirely wilted
فَحَلَّthen descended فِيهِمupon them سُليمَانُSulayman وأيُّand what a فَتىًyoung man
فَحَلَّ فِيهِم سُليمَانُ وأيُّ فَتىً
حُلُولَlike the descent of نَارِfire الغَضَاghada wood شَبّثْblazed وَهُمwhile they حَطَبُfirewood
حُلُولَ نَارِ الغَضَا شَبّثْ وَهُم حَطَبُ
Then Sulayman descended upon them—what a youth!—
Falling before you under the night creeping away
like a blazing fire of ghada wood, while they were firewood.
And the hand of terror tore them apart so they dispersed
نَجمُthe star of الخِلافَةِthe caliphate صَافيpure العِرضِin honor شِيَمتُهhis disposition
نَجمُ الخِلافَةِ صَافي العِرضِ شِيَمتُه
إذاwhen جَلاhe shines forth أوor بَداappears فيin الحَضرَةِthe court الأدَبِcourtesy
إذا جَلا أو بَدا في الحَضرَةِ الأدَبِ
A star of the caliphate, pure in honor, whose manner,
The head cannot rejoin its limbs
when he shines forth or appears at court, is courtesy.
So afterwards the mountain folk must beware and those
وفيand at الرُّصَيفيal-Rusayfi قَدindeed خاضَتْplunged فَوَارِسُهُhis horsemen
وفي الرُّصَيفي قَد خاضَتْ فَوَارِسُهُ
بَحراًa sea تَمُوجُsurge بِهِin it الأصلاَبُthe backbones والحُصُبُand stones
بَحراً تَمُوجُ بِهِ الأصلاَبُ والحُصُبُ
At al-Rusayfi his horsemen plunged
Who showed defiance and whoever trouble is in his head
into a sea surging with backbones and stones.
And if they avoid jihad security is outstretched
وَحَازَand he seized حَوزَتُهُمtheir domain ذاتَtoward اليَمينِthe right وَقَدhaving already
وَحَازَ حَوزَتُهُم ذاتَ اليَمينِ وَقَد
نَضَاhe drew سُيُوفاًswords بِهَاin them كُلُّall الدِّمَاblood كَلَبُravenous thirst
نَضَا سُيُوفاً بِهَا كُلُّ الدِّمَا كَلَبُ
He seized their domain on the right, having
Or they plot thus the carpet of pardon turns
drawn swords ravenous for all blood.
The spear is held back and the gaze pulled away
وَبَاتَand he spent the night يَكبِسُهُمraiding them فيin الثَّالِجاتِal-Thalijat وفيand in
وَبَاتَ يَكبِسُهُم في الثَّالِجاتِ وفي
أنحَاءِthe reaches of زَمرةَZamra حَيثُwhere القَلبُthe heart ينشعِبُsplits apart
أنحَاءِ زَمرةَ حَيثُ القَلبُ ينشعِبُ
He spent the night raiding them in al-Thalijat and in
The sword erected and the hero called
the reaches of Zamra, where hearts split apart.
They saw how you plunged the cave as an avenger
وَعَايَنُواand they saw مِنهُfrom him صُبحاa dawn فوقabove لَيلِa night دُجىdeep darkness
وَعَايَنُوا مِنهُ صُبحا فوق لَيلِ دُجى
وَالدُّهمُand the black steeds لِلنَّصرِto victory مِفتَاحٌa key إذاwhen رُكِبُواthey are ridden
وَالدُّهمُ لِلنَّصرِ مِفتَاحٌ إذا رُكِبُوا
They saw in him a dawn above a pitch-dark night,
And how your fangs arise ready to pounce
and black steeds are a key to victory when ridden.
A care you singled out apart from kings though
وَتِلكَand that عَادَتُهُhis habit إذَاwhenever تَوَجَّهَhe sets out فيon
وَتِلكَ عَادَتُهُ إذَا تَوَجَّهَ في
أمرٍan enterprise تَسَنَّىbecame attainable لَهُfor him مِنthrough يُمنِهِhis good fortune الطَّلَبُthe aim
أمرٍ تَسَنَّى لَهُ مِن يُمنِهِ الطَّلَبُ
Such is his habit: whenever he sets out on
They praised you and know not what the reason is
an enterprise, his good fortune brings his aim within reach.
And that is true of your dream which preceded
وَأيقنُواand they became certain عِندمَاwhen أبدَىhe showed himself بِرايَتِهِwith his banner
وَأيقنُوا عِندمَا أبدَى بِرايَتِهِ
إنَّthat التَّخَلُّصَescape مِنfrom أظفارِهِhis claws عَجَبُa marvel
إنَّ التَّخَلُّصَ مِن أظفارِهِ عَجَبُ
They became certain when he came forth with his banner
For your Master does not disappoint when He bestows
that escaping his claws would be a marvel.
You live on for this kingdom supporting it
فَلاطَفوهُso they entreated him بِأنْto يُحييkeep alive سَليبَهُمُtheir plundered men
فَلاطَفوهُ بِأنْ يُحيي سَليبَهُمُ
إنْif كَانَwould يُرضِيهِsatisfy him فِيin مَطلُوبِهِhis quest السَّلَبُplunder
إنْ كَانَ يُرضِيهِ فِي مَطلُوبِهِ السَّلَبُ
So they entreated him to spare their plundered men,
For God you do what pleases and avoid what angers Him
if booty would satisfy him in his quest.
You remain with this kingdom boon companions
وَقاَسَمُوهُand they divided with him عَلَىin وَجهِa manner of الرّضَىconsent قِسمَاًa division
وَقاَسَمُوهُ عَلَى وَجهِ الرّضَى قِسمَاً
يَدْرِيknows المُوفَّقُthe favored man فِيهاin it مَنْwho لهhas الغَلَبُthe victory
يَدْرِي المُوفَّقُ فِيها مَنْ له الغَلَبُ
They agreed with him, willingly, to a division
With your praise poetry and sermons are sweetened
in which the favored man knows who has the upper hand.
فَكَانَتِso became الخَيلُthe horses وَالآبَالُand the camels حِصَّتَهُhis share
فَكَانَتِ الخَيلُ وَالآبَالُ حِصَّتَهُ
وَكَانَand there was فيمَاamong what حَوَوْهُthey retained السَّرْجُthe saddle والقَتَبُand the pack-saddle
وَكَانَ فيمَا حَوَوْهُ السَّرْجُ والقَتَبُ
The horses and camels became his share,
while what they retained were saddles and pack-saddles.
فَأصبَحَthen began الحِبرُthe ink والأقلاَمُand the pens تَرقُمُهَاto record them
فَأصبَحَ الحِبرُ والأقلاَمُ تَرقُمُهَا
وَالوَسْمُand branding يُعْجِمُadds dots منهاof them كُلَّevery ماwhat كَسَبواthey acquired
وَالوَسْمُ يُعْجِمُ منها كُلَّ ما كَسَبوا
Then ink and pens began to record them,
and branding dotted every one of them they had acquired.
أعرَيْتَهمْyou stripped them منof ثِيابِthe garments of البَغيِrebellion ماwhat سَتَرواthey concealed
أعرَيْتَهمْ من ثِيابِ البَغيِ ما سَتَروا
حِينَwhen استَظَلُّواthey sheltered بِبَيتٍunder a tent مَاnot لَهُit has طُنُبُropes
حِينَ استَظَلُّوا بِبَيتٍ مَا لَهُ طُنُبُ
You stripped them of rebellion's garments, baring what they had concealed,
when they took shelter beneath a tent that had no ropes.
وَأحْمَدوُكَand they praised you علىfor ماwhat قَدindeed وَهَبْتَyou bestowed لَهمْon them
وَأحْمَدوُكَ على ما قَد وَهَبْتَ لَهمْ
وَكَانَand was إحْيَاؤهُمْsparing their lives أعَزَّthe dearest مَاthat which وُهِبُواthey were given
وَكَانَ إحْيَاؤهُمْ أعَزَّ مَا وُهِبُوا
They praised you for what you had granted them,
and sparing their lives was the dearest gift they received.
وأجفَلَتْand fled in alarm زُمَرُthe bands of الأعْرَابِthe Bedouins قَاطِبَةًall together
وأجفَلَتْ زُمَرُ الأعْرَابِ قَاطِبَةً
تَهوِيrush headlong أمَامَكَbefore you تَحتَunder اللَّيلِthe night تَنسَحِبُwithdraw
تَهوِي أمَامَكَ تَحتَ اللَّيلِ تَنسَحِبُ
All the bands of Bedouins fled in alarm,
rushing before you, withdrawing under cover of night.
وَمَزقّتْهَاand tore them apart يَدُthe hand of الإرهَابِterror فافتَرَقَتْso they scattered
وَمَزقّتْهَا يَدُ الإرهَابِ فافتَرَقَتْ
لايَلحَقُcannot catch الَّرأسَthe head منof أحيَائِهَاtheir clans الذنَبُthe tail
لايَلحَقُ الَّرأسَ من أحيَائِهَا الذنَبُ
The hand of terror tore them apart, and they scattered,
the tail of their clans unable to catch the head.
فَلْيحذَرَنْso let beware بَعدَهاafter it أهلُthe people of الجِبالِthe mountains وَمَنand whoever
فَلْيحذَرَنْ بَعدَها أهلُ الجِبالِ وَمَن
أبدَىshows التَّجَنِّيwrongful hostility ومنand whoever فيin رأسهِhis head شَغَبُrebellion
أبدَى التَّجَنِّي ومن في رأسهِ شَغَبُ
Let the mountain people beware after this, and whoever
displays wrongful hostility, and whoever carries rebellion in his head.
وإنand if جَلَواthey come forth الجِهادَholy war الأمنُsafety منبسِطٌspread wide
وإن جَلَوا الجِهادَ الأمنُ منبسِطٌ
أوor يُدْبِرواthey turn away فَبِسَاطُthen the carpet of العَفوِpardon منقَلِبُoverturned
أو يُدْبِروا فَبِسَاطُ العَفوِ منقَلِبُ
If they come forth for holy war, safety is spread wide;
but if they turn away, the carpet of pardon is overturned.
والرَّمحٌand the spear مُرتَجِزٌchanting والطَّرفُand the steed مُنْحَفِزٌpoised
والرَّمحٌ مُرتَجِزٌ والطَّرفُ مُنْحَفِزٌ
وَالسَّيفُand the sword منتَصِبٌraised وَالبَطْلُand the champion منْتَدِبُstepping forward
وَالسَّيفُ منتَصِبٌ وَالبَطْلُ منْتَدِبُ
The spear chants, the steed is poised,
the sword stands raised, and the champion steps forward.
همُthey رأوْاhave seen كَيْفَhow دسْتَyou trampled الغَورَthe lowland منْتَقِماًin vengeance
همُ رأوْا كَيْفَ دسْتَ الغَورَ منْتَقِماً
وَكَيفَand how تَنْصَبُpour forth مِنfrom أنيَابِكَyour fangs النُّوبُcalamities
وَكَيفَ تَنْصَبُ مِن أنيَابِكَ النُّوبُ
They have seen how you trampled the lowland in vengeance,
and how calamities pour from your fangs.
عِنايَةٌa favor حزتَهَاyou gained it دُونَbeyond المْلوكِthe kings وَقَدalthough
عِنايَةٌ حزتَهَا دُونَ المْلوكِ وَقَد
أثْنَواthey praised عَلَيْكَyou وَمَاand not يَدرُونَthey know مَاwhat السَّبَبُthe cause
أثْنَوا عَلَيْكَ وَمَا يَدرُونَ مَا السَّبَبُ
A favor you gained beyond kings, though
they praised you without knowing its cause.
وَذاكَand that صَادِقُthe truth of رؤيْاكَyour dream التيwhich سَلَفَتْcame before
وَذاكَ صَادِقُ رؤيْاكَ التي سَلَفَتْ
فَإنَّfor indeed مَولاكَyour Lord لاَnot يُكدِيstints إذاwhen يَهَبُHe gives
فَإنَّ مَولاكَ لاَ يُكدِي إذا يَهَبُ
That is the truth of the dream you had before;
for your Lord never stints when He gives.
لاَزِلتَmay you ever remain حَيَّاًalive لِهَذاfor this الملكِkingdom تَنصُرُهُsupporting it
لاَزِلتَ حَيَّاً لِهَذا الملكِ تَنصُرُهُ
لِلهِfor God تَفعَلُyou do مَاwhat يُرضِيpleases وَتَجْتنِبُand you shun
لِلهِ تَفعَلُ مَا يُرضِي وَتَجْتنِبُ
May you live on, supporting this kingdom,
doing for God what pleases Him and shunning what does not.
ولابِرحْتُمand may you always remain بِهَذاin this المُلكِkingdom أنديِةًassemblies
ولابِرحْتُم بِهَذا المُلكِ أنديِةً
تَحلوgrow sweet بِمدْحِكُمwith your praise الأشعَارُpoems وَالخُطَبُand orations
تَحلو بِمدْحِكُم الأشعَارُ وَالخُطَبُ
And may you ever be this kingdom's assemblies,
with whose praise poems and orations grow sweet.
Partial English translation: 117 of 146 Arabic lines translated.