هوَit is الطّيفُthe phantom تُهديهِbring it إِلىto الصَّبِّthe lovesick lover أشجانُsorrows
هوَ الطّيفُ تُهديهِ إِلى الصَّبِّ أشجانُ
ولَيسَand there is no لسِرٍّfor a secret فيكَin you ياO لَيلُnight كِتْمانُconcealment
ولَيسَ لسِرٍّ فيكَ يا لَيلُ كِتْمانُ
It is the phantom that sorrows bring to the lovesick lover.
He is the specter led to passion’s flood by yearnings,
No secret in you, O night, can remain concealed.
And you, O night, conceal no secret, O obscurer!
يُحدِّثُtells عنْof مَسراهُits nightly journey فجرٌdawn وبارِقٌand a lightning flash
يُحدِّثُ عنْ مَسراهُ فجرٌ وبارِقٌ
أفَجْرُكَis your dawn غَدّارٌtreacherous وبَرقُكَand your lightning خَوّانُfaithless
أفَجْرُكَ غَدّارٌ وبَرقُكَ خَوّانُ
Dawn and a lightning flash tell of its nightly journey.
The dawn speaks of its revels, and the lightning
Is your dawn treacherous, and your lightning faithless?
Betrays you—wanton dawn, betraying lightning!
إذاwhen ادَّرَعَdons الظَّلْماءَthe darkness نمَّbetrayed سَناهُماtheir radiance
إذا ادَّرَعَ الظَّلْماءَ نمَّ سَناهُما
عَليهِagainst it فلَمْso not يُؤْمَنْis trusted رَقيبٌa watcher وغَيْرانُand a jealous rival
عَليهِ فلَمْ يُؤْمَنْ رَقيبٌ وغَيْرانُ
When it dons the darkness, their radiance betrays
When darkness donned its blackest raiments and slept,
it; neither watcher nor jealous rival can be trusted.
No watcher stood secure, no neighbor free from fright.
ولَيلةِand a night at نَعمانٍNa'man وَشىbetrayed البَرقُthe lightning بالهَوىlove
ولَيلةِ نَعمانٍ وَشى البَرقُ بالهَوى
ألاah! بِأبيwith my father as ransom بَرْقٌlightning يَمانٍYemeni ونَعْمانُand Na'man
ألا بِأبي بَرْقٌ يَمانٍ ونَعْمانُ
And on a night at Na'man, lightning betrayed love.
The night of Nu‘mān when the lightning flashed with love—
Ah, may my father ransom that Yemeni lightning and Na'man!
Yes, by my father, flashing Yamanite lightning!
سَرىcoursed by night والدُّجىwhile darkness مُرْخىًlowered عَليناover us رِواقُهاits canopy
سَرى والدُّجى مُرْخىً عَلينا رِواقُها
يُلَوِّيcoils المَطاthe back وَهْناًlate at night كَماas مارَwrithed ثُعْبانُa serpent
يُلَوِّي المَطا وَهْناً كَما مارَ ثُعْبانُ
It coursed by night, darkness's canopy lowered over us,
Sirius crept softly down her cloak of darkness on us,
coiling its back in the deep night as a serpent writhes.
Winding its folds close round us like a gliding snake.
ونَحنُand we بحَيثُwhere المُزْنُthe rain cloud حَلَّloosened نِطاقَهُits girdle
ونَحنُ بحَيثُ المُزْنُ حَلَّ نِطاقَهُ
ورَفَّand swayed بحِضْنَيْهِat its two flanks عَرارٌoxeye daisies وحَوْذانُand buttercups
ورَفَّ بحِضْنَيْهِ عَرارٌ وحَوْذانُ
We were where the rain cloud had loosened its girdle,
We halted where the howdah’s litter had been spread,
and oxeye daisies and buttercups swayed at its two flanks.
While thunder groaned, wind shrieked, rain pattered, branches bent,
ولِلرَّعْدِand for thunder إعْوالٌwailing ولِلرّيحِand for the wind ضَجّةٌclamor
ولِلرَّعْدِ إعْوالٌ ولِلرّيحِ ضَجّةٌ
وللدَّوْحِand for the great trees تَصْفيقٌclapping وللوُرْقِand for gray doves إرْنانُringing cries
وللدَّوْحِ تَصْفيقٌ وللوُرْقِ إرْنانُ
Thunder had its wailing, and the wind its clamor;
Leaves rustled—so the night made merry till daybreak.
the great trees their clapping, and gray doves their ringing cries.
When dawn unveiled her glades, the stars in heaven paled
فللّهِso, praise God for حُزْوىHuzwa حينَwhen أيقَظَawakened رَوْضَهاits meadow
فللّهِ حُزْوى حينَ أيقَظَ رَوْضَها
رَشاشُthe spray of الحَياrain والنَّجْمُwhile the star فيin الأفْقِthe horizon وَسْنانُdrowsy
رَشاشُ الحَيا والنَّجْمُ في الأفْقِ وَسْنانُ
God be praised for Huzwa, when its meadow was awakened
Like flowers whose peddles at a zephyr’s touch decay.
by rain spray, while the star dozed on the horizon.
Had clouds not canopied the hilltops with their tents,
إذاwhen ماemphatic particle النّسيمُthe breeze الطَّلْقُthe fresh غازَلَwooed بانَهَاits ban trees
إذا ما النّسيمُ الطَّلْقُ غازَلَ بانَهَا
أمالَbent إليهِtoward it عِطْفَهُits side وهْوَwhile it was نَشوانُintoxicated
أمالَ إليهِ عِطْفَهُ وهْوَ نَشوانُ
Whenever the fresh breeze wooed its ban trees,
The vines had not grown drunken, languid at midday.
they bent their sides toward it, intoxicated.
How many slender stems were swayed throughout that copse
ولَوand if لمْnot يكُنْwere صَوْبُthe downpour of الغَمامِthe clouds مُدامَةًwine
ولَو لمْ يكُنْ صَوْبُ الغَمامِ مُدامَةً
تُعَلُّis given repeated draughts بِهاwith it حُزْوىHuzwa لَماwould not سَكِرbecome drunk البانُthe ban trees
تُعَلُّ بِها حُزْوى لَما سَكِر البانُ
Were the clouds' downpour not wine
By the soft shadows of the twisting branches’ flight!
with which Huzwa is plied repeatedly, the ban trees would not grow drunk.
Graceful when rising, disobedient when they stoop,
وكَمْand how many فيin مَحانيthe bends of ذلكthat الجِزْعِvalley مِنْof مَهاًoryxes
وكَمْ في مَحاني ذلك الجِزْعِ مِنْ مَهاً
تُجاذِبُهاvie with them for ظِلَّthe shade of الأراكَةِthe arak tree غِزْلانُgazelles
تُجاذِبُها ظِلَّ الأراكَةِ غِزْلانُ
How many oryxes were in the bends of that valley,
Hips serried close, then widely spaced in willful slight.
with gazelles vying with them for the arak tree's shade!
They shame the boughs, while swaying coyly, and they flout
يَلُذْنَthey seek support إذاwhen رُمْنَthey wish القِيامَto rise بطاعَةٍin obedience
يَلُذْنَ إذا رُمْنَ القِيامَ بطاعَةٍ
مِنfrom الخَصْرِthe waist يَتلوهاfollows it منَfrom الرِّدْفِthe buttocks عِصْيانُrebellion
مِن الخَصْرِ يَتلوها منَ الرِّدْفِ عِصْيانُ
When they wish to rise, they seek support in obedience
The sand-dunes—though themselves are sand-dunes like the rest.
from the waist, followed by rebellion from the hips.
God watered one late afternoon, till shadows shrank,
ويُخْجِلنَand they put to shame بالأغصانِwith their branches أغصانَthe branches of بانَةٍa ban tree
ويُخْجِلنَ بالأغصانِ أغصانَ بانَةٍ
وتَهزَأُand mock بالكُثبانِthe dunes منهُنَّof theirs كُثبانُdunes
وتَهزَأُ بالكُثبانِ منهُنَّ كُثبانُ
Their branches put a ban tree's branches to shame,
Shortening our sport, but bringing youthful zest
and their dunes mock the sand dunes.
At memory my heart exults, my passion’s stirred,
سَقىmay water اللهGod عَصْراًan age قصَّرَshortened اللّهْوُpleasure طُولَهُits length
سَقى الله عَصْراً قصَّرَ اللّهْوُ طُولَهُ
بِهاthere وعلَيناwhile upon us للشَّبيبةِof youth رَيعانُthe first bloom
بِها وعلَينا للشَّبيبةِ رَيعانُ
May God water an age whose length pleasure shortened
Though Sulwā pays no heed to this or holds apart.
there, while youth's first bloom was upon us.
They turn back to that time now past, that was so sweet,
يَهَشُّrejoices لذِكراهُat its memory الفُؤادُthe heart ولِلهَوىand love has
يَهَشُّ لذِكراهُ الفُؤادُ ولِلهَوى
تَباريحُtorments لاnot يُصْغيlistens إليهِنَّto them سُلْوانُforgetfulness
تَباريحُ لا يُصْغي إليهِنَّ سُلْوانُ
The heart rejoices at its memory, and love has
Later maligned when days had changed and turned perverse.
torments to which forgetfulness will not listen.
Life was still verdant then, I plucked its fruits at will,
وتَصْبوand it yearns إِلىfor ذاكَthat الزّمانِtime فقَدfor already مَضىhas passed
وتَصْبو إِلى ذاكَ الزّمانِ فقَد مَضى
حَميداًpraiseworthy وذُمَّتْand were condemned بعْدَafter رامَةَRama أزمانُtimes
حَميداً وذُمَّتْ بعْدَ رامَةَ أزمانُ
It yearns for that time, for it has passed
My person decked; gazelles were leashed to take their share.
with praise, while times after Rama were condemned.
I lived in union, rose again to union’s arms,
إذِwhen العَيشlife غَضٌّfresh ذُلِّلتْwere made accessible ليto me قُطوفُهُits fruit clusters
إذِ العَيش غَضٌّ ذُلِّلتْ لي قُطوفُهُ
وفوقَand above نِجاديmy sword-belt للذَّوائِبِof tresses قِنْوانُdate-clusters
وفوقَ نِجادي للذَّوائِبِ قِنْوانُ
When life was fresh, its fruit clusters brought within my reach,
No estrangement ever soured affection’s intercourse.
and above my sword-belt hung date-clusters of tresses.
My friends seemed—seeing them squat close on their heels—
أروحُI go at evening علىin وَصْلٍunion وأغدوand I go at morning بمِثْلِهِwith its like
أروحُ على وَصْلٍ وأغدو بمِثْلِهِ
وَوِرْدُand the watering place of التّصابيyouthful dalliance لمْnot يُكَدِّرْهُmuddied it هِجرانُestrangement
وَوِرْدُ التّصابي لمْ يُكَدِّرْهُ هِجرانُ
I passed my evenings in union, and my mornings likewise;
Like wise old men, yet they were callow as gazelles.
estrangement had not muddied youthful dalliance's watering place.
They failed us in each right, each wrong—deceitful they,
وأصْحَبُand I befriend فِتياناًyoung men تَراهُمْyou see them منَin respect of الحِجىwisdom
وأصْحَبُ فِتياناً تَراهُمْ منَ الحِجى
كُهولاًmature men وهُمْyet they فيin المأْزقِthe predicament الضَّنْكِthe tight شُبَّانُyouths
كُهولاً وهُمْ في المأْزقِ الضَّنْكِ شُبَّانُ
I kept company with young men whom, in wisdom, you saw as
Audacious this one, that one impudent and rude.
mature men, yet in the tightest straits they were youths.
I fancied them beside me, seated on the dune slopes,
يَخُبُّtrot بِناwith us فيthrough كُلِّevery حَقٍّright وباطِلٍand wrong
يَخُبُّ بِنا في كُلِّ حَقٍّ وباطِلٍ
أغَرُّa white-blazed steed وَجيهيٌّWajihi-bred ووَجناءُand a stout-cheeked she-camel مِذْعانُdocile
أغَرُّ وَجيهيٌّ ووَجناءُ مِذْعانُ
Bearing us at a trot through every right and wrong were
My friend the star, and Muzayn’s son, reproaching me;
a white-blazed Wajihi steed and a docile, stout-cheeked she-camel.
A goblet that the sun had swathed within its cloak,
كأنيas though I بِهمْwith them فوْقَabove المَجَرّةِthe Milky Way جالِسٌwere sitting
كأني بِهمْ فوْقَ المَجَرّةِ جالِسٌ
ليَfor me النّجْمُthe star خِدْنٌan intimate وابنُand the son of مُزنَةَa rain cloud ندْمانُa drinking companion
ليَ النّجْمُ خِدْنٌ وابنُ مُزنَةَ ندْمانُ
With them, I seemed seated above the Milky Way,
Its sparks seeming like paired or single stars.
a star my intimate, and the cloud's son my drinking companion.
If it were passed from hand to hand, there dripped from it
وكأسٍand a cup كأنّas though الشّمسَthe sun ألقَتْcast رِداءَهاher mantle
وكأسٍ كأنّ الشّمسَ ألقَتْ رِداءَها
علَيهاupon it بحَيثُwhere الشُّهْبُthe bright stars مَثْنىin pairs ووحدانُand singly
علَيها بحَيثُ الشُّهْبُ مَثْنى ووحدانُ
And many a cup, as though the sun had cast her mantle
Pearl-drops like clustered berries oozing down the bowl.
upon it, where bright stars appeared in pairs and singly.
How pure the taste!—they drank it while both singing, glad—
إذاwhen اسْتَرْقَصَmade dance السّاقيthe cupbearer بمَزْجٍby mixing حَبابَهاits bubbles
إذا اسْتَرْقَصَ السّاقي بمَزْجٍ حَبابَها
تَرَدّىdraped itself بمِثْلِin the likeness of اللُّؤلُوِpearls الرَّطْبِmoist عِقْيانُpure gold
تَرَدّى بمِثْلِ اللُّؤلُوِ الرَّطْبِ عِقْيانُ
When the cupbearer made its bubbles dance by mixing,
It lightened hands but weighed the eyelids down with sleep.
pure gold draped itself in the likeness of moist pearls.
Majīd of Khazīmah enticed me—he who dons
فياoh, how طِيبَهاdelightful it is والشَّرْبُwhile the drinkers صاحٍsober ومُنْتَشٍand tipsy
فيا طِيبَها والشَّرْبُ صاحٍ ومُنْتَشٍ
تَخِفُّgrow light بهاwith it أيْدٍhands وتَثْقُلُand grow heavy أجْفانُeyelids
تَخِفُّ بها أيْدٍ وتَثْقُلُ أجْفانُ
How delightful it was, with drinkers sober and tipsy!
The ample coats of ‘Adnān when the chill strikes home—
Hands grew light with it, and eyelids heavy.
Foremost when glory is at stake, yet few to match
دَعانيinvited me إليهاto it مِنْfrom خُزَيمَةَKhuzayma ماجِدٌa noble man
دَعاني إليها مِنْ خُزَيمَةَ ماجِدٌ
يَزُرُّfastens علىaround ابنِthe son of الغابِthe forest بُرْدَيْهِhis two mantles عَدنانُAdnan
يَزُرُّ على ابنِ الغابِ بُرْدَيْهِ عَدنانُ
To it a noble man of Khuzayma invited me;
When the arena is filled for fatal single combat.
Adnan fastens his two mantles about a son of the forest.
He holds the reins of self-control, never unsettled
كَثيرٌmany إليهِtoward him النّاظِرونَthose looking إذاwhen بَداhe appears
كَثيرٌ إليهِ النّاظِرونَ إذا بَدا
قَليلٌfew لهُhe has فيin حَوْمَةِthe thick of الحَربِwar أقرانُequals
قَليلٌ لهُ في حَوْمَةِ الحَربِ أقرانُ
Many are those who look toward him when he appears;
By wine’s long draughts or tunes that tempt the soul to sin.
few are his equals in the thick of war.
If praise should shake him, verdant becomes his visage,
رَزينُsteady حَصاةِthe core of الحِلْمِjudgment لاnot يَسْتَزِلُّهُmakes him falter
رَزينُ حَصاةِ الحِلْمِ لا يَسْتَزِلُّهُ
مُدامٌwine ولاnor تُفْشيdivulge لهُfor him السِّرَّthe secret ألحانُmelodies
مُدامٌ ولا تُفْشي لهُ السِّرَّ ألحانُ
Steady in judgment, he is not led astray
Receiving payment doubled over for his modesty.
by wine, nor do melodies divulge his secret.
His hand will moisten famished lips when steeds are reined
إذاwhen رنَّحَتْهُswayed him هِزَّةُthe thrill of المَدْحِpraise أخْضَلَتْdrenched
إذا رنَّحَتْهُ هِزَّةُ المَدْحِ أخْضَلَتْ
سِجالُthe brimming buckets of أيادِيهِhis gifts وللحَمْدِand praise has أثْمانُprices
سِجالُ أيادِيهِ وللحَمْدِ أثْمانُ
When the thrill of praise sways him, there comes a drenching
Amid the press, the troop all scrambling to attain the pool.
from the brimming buckets of his gifts; praise has its price.
His coursers, stoked by whip to a white-heat, seem
تُرَوِّيquenches غَليلَthe thirst of المُرْهَفاتِthe sharp swords يَمينُهُhis right hand
تُرَوِّي غَليلَ المُرْهَفاتِ يَمينُهُ
إذاwhen التَثَمَتْveiled themselves فيin الرَّوْعِbattle's terror بالنَّقْعِwith dust فُرسانُhorsemen
إذا التَثَمَتْ في الرَّوْعِ بالنَّقْعِ فُرسانُ
His right hand quenches the thirst of sharp swords
Battalions raining down on them like fiery stars.
when horsemen veil themselves with dust amid battle's terror.
They home in on the does till it appears they are,
ومُلتَهِباتٍand blazing spears بالوَميضِwith flashes يُزيرُهاhe brings them to visit
ومُلتَهِباتٍ بالوَميضِ يُزيرُها
مَوارِدَwatering places يهديهاguide them إلَيهنَّto them خِرْصانُspearheads
مَوارِدَ يهديها إلَيهنَّ خِرْصانُ
And flashing, fiery spears he brings to visit
When loosed to charge, long lances piercing haunches through.
watering places to which spearheads guide them.
On days you’ll see the banners writhing like serpents
تَحومُthey hover علىover اللَّبّاتِthroat hollows حتىuntil كأنّهاas though they
تَحومُ على اللَّبّاتِ حتى كأنّها
إذاwhen أُشْرِعَتْwere leveled للطَّعْنِfor thrusting فيهنَّinto them أشْطانُwell ropes
إذا أُشْرِعَتْ للطَّعْنِ فيهنَّ أشْطانُ
They hover over the hollows of throats until they seem,
That rear and hiss when ruffled by the winds of chance.
when leveled to pierce them, like well ropes.
If they unfurl, the pages leap up to the saddles
بيوْمٍon a day تَرىyou see الرّاياتِthe banners فيهِin it كأنَّهاas though they
بيوْمٍ تَرى الرّاياتِ فيهِ كأنَّها
إذاwhen ساوَرَتْهاassailed them خَطْرةُa sudden gust of الرّيحwind عِقبانُeagles
إذا ساوَرَتْها خَطْرةُ الرّيح عِقبانُ
On a day when you see the banners as though,
Whose natural gifts are courage and intelligence.
when a gust of wind assails them, they were eagles.
I asked who might surpass Sa‘d ibn Mālik’s line,
إذاwhen ماemphatic particle اعْتَزىproclaimed his lineage طارَتْflew إِلىto الجُرْدِthe sleek horses غِلْمَةٌyoung men
إذا ما اعْتَزى طارَتْ إِلى الجُرْدِ غِلْمَةٌ
نَماهُمْraised them إِلىto العَلياءِthe heights جِلْدٌJild ورَيَّانُand Rayyan
نَماهُمْ إِلى العَلياءِ جِلْدٌ ورَيَّانُ
When he proclaims his lineage, youths fly to the sleek horses;
When the tribes vied in boasting of their noblest stock:
Jild and Rayyan raised them to the heights.
“By the Sword of the State,” they said, “Ibn Bahā’s scion,
سأَلتُهُمُI asked them مَنْwho خَيرُthe best of سَعدِSa'd بنِson of مالِكٍMalik
سأَلتُهُمُ مَنْ خَيرُ سَعدِ بنِ مالِكٍ
إذاwhen افْتَخَرَتْboasted فيin نَدْوةِthe assembly of الحَيِّthe tribe دُودانُDudan
إذا افْتَخَرَتْ في نَدْوةِ الحَيِّ دُودانُ
I asked them, 'Who is best among Sa'd ibn Malik's kin,
‘Adnān’s, whenever Qahtān’s arise in wrath.”
when Dudan boasts in the tribe's assembly?'
Two lions snarling when the war is refractory,
فَقالواso they said بسَيفِwith the Sword of الدَّولةِthe State ابنِson of بَهائِهاits Splendor
فَقالوا بسَيفِ الدَّولةِ ابنِ بَهائِها
تُناضِحُfights back عَدنانٌAdnan إذاwhen جاشَsurged قَحطانُQahtan
تُناضِحُ عَدنانٌ إذا جاشَ قَحطانُ
They said, 'Through Sayf al-Dawla, son of Baha al-Dawla,
Their faces in the fray like mirror-torches gleam.
Adnan fights back when Qahtan surges.'
In their sheltering shade the hopes of mankind hide
قَريعَاthe two chiefs of نِزارٍNizar فيamid الخُطوبِcalamities إذاwhen دَجَتْgrew dark
قَريعَا نِزارٍ في الخُطوبِ إذا دَجَتْ
أضاءَتْshone وُجوهٌfaces كالأهِلَّةِlike crescent moons غُرَّانُradiant
أضاءَتْ وُجوهٌ كالأهِلَّةِ غُرَّانُ
Nizar's two chiefs amid calamities—when darkness gathers,
When secretaries’ ink and parchments fail to save them.
radiant faces shine like crescent moons.
Blessed rain are they, new life when drought is done,
يَلوذُseek refuge بَنوsons of الآمالِhopes فيin كَنَفَيْهِماthe protection of both
يَلوذُ بَنو الآمالِ في كَنَفَيْهِما
علىat حِينِa time when لاnot تَفْديransom العَراقِيبَthe hamstrings ألْبانُmilk
على حِينِ لا تَفْدي العَراقِيبَ ألْبانُ
The sons of hope seek refuge under their protection
In peace, a feast; in war, a piercing blade, a lance.
in a time when milk cannot ransom the hamstrings.
Each is a blow that shakes the assailant’s very soul,
بلَيْثَيْwith two lions of وَغىًbattle غَيثَيْtwo rainstorms of ندىًbounty فكِلاهُماfor each of them
بلَيْثَيْ وَغىً غَيثَيْ ندىً فكِلاهُما
لَدىduring المَحْلِdrought مِطْعامٌa lavish feeder وفيand in الحَرْبِwar مِطْعانُa fierce striker
لَدى المَحْلِ مِطْعامٌ وفي الحَرْبِ مِطْعانُ
With two lions of battle, two rainstorms of bounty: each
Where anguished cries will pierce his couch’s canopy.
feeds lavishly in drought and strikes fiercely in war.
They came full-armed from loins made strong by war,
هُماthe two of them نَزَلاhave settled منْwithin قَلبِthe heart of كُلِّevery مُكاشِحٍsecret foe
هُما نَزَلا منْ قَلبِ كُلِّ مُكاشِحٍ
بحَيثُwhere تُناجيwhisper to سَوْرَةَthe surge of الهَمِّanguish أضْعانُgrudges
بحَيثُ تُناجي سَوْرَةَ الهَمِّ أضْعانُ
The two dwell in the heart of every secret foe,
Their kinfolk rest assured of life and hearth secure.
where grudges whisper to the surge of anguish.
A shaded verandah where the thronging guests appear,
منَof المَزْيَدِيّينَthe Mazyadids الإِلىthose who فيin جَنابِهمْtheir domains
منَ المَزْيَدِيّينَ الإِلى في جَنابِهمْ
لمُلتَمِسيfor seekers of المَعْروفِgenerosity أهلٌkin وأوطانُand homelands
لمُلتَمِسي المَعْروفِ أهلٌ وأوطانُ
Of the Mazyadids, those in whose domains
Question on question voiced by those who gather round.
seekers of bounty find kin and homelands.
White-cheeked they lounge, the sky eclipsed by spears,
نَماهُمْbegot them أبوAbu المِظْفارِal-Mizfar وهْوَand he الذيthe one who احتَمىsought refuge
نَماهُمْ أبو المِظْفارِ وهْوَ الذي احتَمى
بهِwith him حاتِمٌHatim إذْwhen شُلَّwere driven off للحَيِّof the tribe أظْعانُcamel caravans
بهِ حاتِمٌ إذْ شُلَّ للحَيِّ أظْعانُ
Abu al-Mizfar was their forebear; he was the one
Bare blades, wine flowing and the wine-skins overthrown.
with whom Hatim sought refuge when the tribe's caravans were driven off.
Scarlet their tents, the beasts they love to hunt,
لَهُمْthey have سَطَواتٌonslaughts يَلمَعُflashes المَوْتُdeath خَلفَهاbehind them
لَهُمْ سَطَواتٌ يَلمَعُ المَوْتُ خَلفَها
وظِلٌّand shade حَباcrept مِنْfrom دُونِهِbeneath it الأمْنُsafety فَينانُample
وظِلٌّ حَبا مِنْ دُونِهِ الأمْنُ فَينانُ
They have onslaughts behind which death flashes,
theirs alone the power, theirs the pens that rule.
and ample shade beneath which safety creeps.
Horses they mount, brisk youths, eyes revelling
وأفْنِيَةٌand courtyards مُخضَرَّةٌverdant عَرَصاتُهاtheir open spaces
وأفْنِيَةٌ مُخضَرَّةٌ عَرَصاتُها
تَزاحَمَcrowded together سُؤَّالٌpetitioners عَلَيهاat them وضِيفانُand guests
تَزاحَمَ سُؤَّالٌ عَلَيها وضِيفانُ
And courtyards, verdant in their open spaces,
In vanguard feats, ears pricked to catch their name.
where petitioners and guests crowd together.
They filled the Iraqi field with steeds and men,
ذَوُوpossessors of القَسَماتِcountenances البِيضِbright والأُفْقُwhile the horizon حالِكٌblack
ذَوُو القَسَماتِ البِيضِ والأُفْقُ حالِكٌ
منَwith النّقْعِbattle dust كاسٍclothed والمُهَنَّدُand the Indian-steel sword عُريانُbare
منَ النّقْعِ كاسٍ والمُهَنَّدُ عُريانُ
Bright-faced men, while the horizon is black,
As though a herd of mountain goats, a flock of cranes.
clothed in battle dust, and the Indian-steel sword is bare.
Their warriors plunge into the waves of death—
وأهلُand masters of القِبابِthe pavilions الحُمْرِred والنَّعَمِand the livestock التيwhich
وأهلُ القِبابِ الحُمْرِ والنَّعَمِ التي
لَهاfor which العِزُّglory مَرْعىًpasture والأسِنَّةُand spearheads رُعْيانُherdsmen
لَها العِزُّ مَرْعىً والأسِنَّةُ رُعْيانُ
And masters of red pavilions and livestock
Stout-hearted when the white swords glitter—valiant, brave!
whose pasture is glory and whose herdsmen are spearheads.
On each fighter’s chest, between the coat of mail,
وخَيلٍand horses علَيهاupon them فِتْيَةٌyoung men ناشِرِيَّةٌNashiri
وخَيلٍ علَيها فِتْيَةٌ ناشِرِيَّةٌ
طَلائِعُهُمْtheir scouts مِنْهاfrom among them عُيونٌeyes وآذانُand ears
طَلائِعُهُمْ مِنْها عُيونٌ وآذانُ
And horses mounted by Nashiri youths;
His prowess shines; upon his brow, the zeal to strike.
their scouts among them are eyes and ears.
He trails the skirts of his linked armor like
هُمُthey مَلَؤواfilled صَحْنَthe broad plain of العِراقِIraq فَوارِساًas horsemen
هُمُ مَلَؤوا صَحْنَ العِراقِ فَوارِساً
كأنّهُمُas though they الآسادُthe lions والنَّبْلُand the arrows خَفَّانُKhaffan
كأنّهُمُ الآسادُ والنَّبْلُ خَفَّانُ
They filled Iraq's broad plain as horsemen,
A hero who, when spared, is mild and gentle.
as though they were lions and the arrows were Khaffan.
He ransoms with his lifeblood, if Dishonor points
يَخوضُplunge into غِمارَthe depths of الموْتِdeath منْهُمْamong them غَطارِفٌnoble chiefs
يَخوضُ غِمارَ الموْتِ منْهُمْ غَطارِفٌ
رِزانٌsteadfast لَدىbefore البيضِbright swords المَباتيرِkeen-cutting شُجْعانُbrave
رِزانٌ لَدى البيضِ المَباتيرِ شُجْعانُ
Noble chiefs among them plunge into death's depths,
Her finger, even when athirst the sacrifice is made.
steadfast and brave before bright, keen-cutting swords.
He has a fiery, noble lineage that scorns
بكُلِّwith every فَتىًyoung man مُرْخَىlet loose الذُّؤابَةِthe tress باسِلٍvaliant
بكُلِّ فَتىً مُرْخَى الذُّؤابَةِ باسِلٍ
عَلىon صَفْحَتَيْهِhis two cheeks للنَّجابَةof nobility عُنوانُa sign
عَلى صَفْحَتَيْهِ للنَّجابَة عُنوانُ
With every valiant youth whose tress hangs free,
Restraint, as the high-bred colt disdains the rein.
on whose two cheeks nobility bears its sign.
When against him the gibe of kings is raised,
يُجَرِّرُtrails أذْيالَthe hems of الدُّروعِarmor كأنّهُas though he
يُجَرِّرُ أذْيالَ الدُّروعِ كأنّهُ
غَداةَon the morning of الوَغىbattle صِلٌّa viper تُواريهِconceal him غُدْرانُpools
غَداةَ الوَغى صِلٌّ تُواريهِ غُدْرانُ
He trails the hems of armor as though he were,
They slink away like shadows shot by morning light.
on the morning of battle, a viper concealed by pools.
Glorious his visage when he smiles, as though the sun
ويُكْرِمُand he honors نَفْساًa soul إنْif أُهينَتْit is dishonored أراقَهاhe spills it
ويُكْرِمُ نَفْساً إنْ أُهينَتْ أراقَها
بمُعتَرَكٍin a melee يُرويquenches القَناthe spears وهْوwhile he ظَمآنُis thirsty
بمُعتَرَكٍ يُروي القَنا وهْو ظَمآنُ
He honors his soul; if disgraced, he pours it out
At daybreak strips the veil of night in haste away.
in a melee, quenching the spears while he remains thirsty.
Impregnable his guard, no wolf can pick it off,
لَهُhe has عِمَّةٌa turban لَوْثاءُmany-folded تَفْتَرُّopens عنْto reveal نُهىًwisdom
لَهُ عِمَّةٌ لَوْثاءُ تَفْتَرُّ عنْ نُهىً
عَلِمْناwe learned بِهاthrough it أنَّthat العَمائِمَturbans تيجانُcrowns
عَلِمْنا بِها أنَّ العَمائِمَ تيجانُ
His many-folded turban opens to reveal wisdom;
Unlike the vile hyena’s ways of treachery.
through it we learned that turbans are crowns.
He awes as though white hairs were mingled on his youthful brow—
إذاwhen ماemphatic particle رمَىhurled تاجُthe Crown of المُلوكِKings بهِwith him العِداthe foes
إذا ما رمَى تاجُ المُلوكِ بهِ العِدا
تَوَلَّوْاthey fled كَماas يَنْصاعُscatter بالقاعِacross the plain ظِلْمانُostriches
تَوَلَّوْا كَما يَنْصاعُ بالقاعِ ظِلْمانُ
When Taj al-Muluk hurls him against the foes,
Water blended with the wine’s pure beauty.
they flee as ostriches scatter across the plain.
His house is one round which glory hovers,
أغَرُّradiant إذاwhen لاحَتْappeared أسِرَّةُthe lines of وجْههِhis face
أغَرُّ إذا لاحَتْ أسِرَّةُ وجْههِ
تبَلَّجْنَthey shone forth عنْrevealing صُبْحٍdawn ولِلَّيْلِwhile night has إجْنانُa covering
تبَلَّجْنَ عنْ صُبْحٍ ولِلَّيْلِ إجْنانُ
Radiant—when the lines of his face appear,
His neighbors are the radiant celestial orbs.
they shine forth as dawn, while night still casts its veil.
His fort is built of sharpened blades, pillars hewn
مَنيعُimpregnable الحِمَىin his protected domain لاnot يَخْتِلُsteals up on الذِئبُthe wolf سَرْحَهُhis grazing herd
مَنيعُ الحِمَى لا يَخْتِلُ الذِئبُ سَرْحَهُ
ومنْand among شِيَمِthe traits of السِّرْحانِthe wolf خَتْلٌstealth وعُدْوانُand aggression
ومنْ شِيَمِ السِّرْحانِ خَتْلٌ وعُدْوانُ
His domain is impregnable; no wolf steals up on his herd,
From Indian scimitars now scoured of each stain.
though stealth and aggression are among the wolf's traits.
Had he in bygone times possessed Man’s Elbow, then
لهُhe has هَيبَةٌawe شِيبتْmingled بِبشْرٍwith cheerfulness كَماjust as التَقَتْmet
لهُ هَيبَةٌ شِيبتْ بِبشْرٍ كَما التَقَتْ
مِياهٌwaters بمَتْنِon the blade of المَشْرَفيِّthe Mashrafi sword ونيرانُand fires
مِياهٌ بمَتْنِ المَشْرَفيِّ ونيرانُ
He has awe mingled with cheerfulness, just as there meet
The lion had not fled the hounds in ignominy.
waters and fires on the blade of a Mashrafi sword.
O best of those who follow him in his campaigns,
وبَيْتٌand a house يَميسُstruts المَجْدُglory حولَaround فِنائِهِits courtyard
وبَيْتٌ يَميسُ المَجْدُ حولَ فِنائِهِ
وجيرانُهُand its neighbors للأنْجُمِof the stars الزُّهْرِthe radiant جيرانُneighbors
وجيرانُهُ للأنْجُمِ الزُّهْرِ جيرانُ
And a house about whose courtyard glory struts,
Trusting, when sated, in the vulture and the wolf!
whose neighbors are neighbors of the shining stars.
I called you to accede—and you reined in its darkness,
فأطْنابُهُso, its tent ropes أسيافُهُits swords وعِمادُهُand its supporting poles
فأطْنابُهُ أسيافُهُ وعِمادُهُ
رُدَيْنِيَّةٌRudayni spears مُلْسُsmooth الأنابيبِat the shaft-joints مُرّانُsupple spear-shafts
رُدَيْنِيَّةٌ مُلْسُ الأنابيبِ مُرّانُ
Its tent ropes are its swords, and its supporting poles
Your helping hands placed firmly on the course of Time.
are Rudayni spears, smooth-jointed and supple.
You raised my friends up to the glow of an ancient fire
ولَوand had كانَhe lived فيin عهْدِthe age of الأحاليفِthe allied tribes أعْصَمَتْwould have sought refuge
ولَو كانَ في عهْدِ الأحاليفِ أعْصَمَتْ
بهِin him أسَدٌAsad يومَon the day of النِّسارِal-Nisar وذُبْيانُand Dhubyan
بهِ أسَدٌ يومَ النِّسارِ وذُبْيانُ
Had he lived in the days of the allied tribes, they would have sought refuge
That travellers see by night, and by it guide their course.
with him—Asad and Dhubyan, on the day of al-Nisar.
Over them loyalty’s shade from your dark orchard spread,
أياO خَيرَbest of مَنْthose whom يَتلوهُfollow him فيon غَزَواتِهِhis raids
أيا خَيرَ مَنْ يَتلوهُ في غَزَواتِهِ
علىin ثِقَةٍconfidence بالشَّبْعِof their fill نَسْرٌa vulture وسِرْحانُand a wolf
على ثِقَةٍ بالشَّبْعِ نَسْرٌ وسِرْحانُ
O best of those followed on their raids
Whose branches intertwine, whose boughs stretch out.
by a vulture and a wolf, assured of their fill!
They did not think of home, though it was sweet,
دَعَوْتُكَI called upon you للجُلَّىagainst a great calamity فكَفْكَفَand checked غَرْبَهاits sharp edge
دَعَوْتُكَ للجُلَّى فكَفْكَفَ غَرْبَها
هُمامٌa noble hero أيادِيهِhis gifts علىagainst الدَّهْرِTime أعْوانُhelpers
هُمامٌ أيادِيهِ على الدَّهْرِ أعْوانُ
I called upon you against a great calamity, and its sharp edge was checked
Nor were their saddlebags too small to bear away their spoils.
by a noble hero whose gifts are allies against Time.
Glory is but a pool filled from the spring of Khindif,
رَفَعْتَyou raised صَحْبيmy companions ضَوءَthe light of نارٍa fire عَتيقةٍage-old
رَفَعْتَ صَحْبي ضَوءَ نارٍ عَتيقةٍ
بِهاby it يَهتَديfind their way السّارونَnight travelers والنَّجْمُwhile the star حَيرانُbewildered
بِها يَهتَدي السّارونَ والنَّجْمُ حَيرانُ
You held aloft for my companions the light of an age-old fire,
Pure and refreshing, ringed about by loving friends.
by which night travelers find their way while the star is bewildered.
وَفاءَand spread back عَلَيْهِمْover them ظِلُّthe shade of دَوْحَتِكَyour great tree الَّتيwhich
وَفاءَ عَلَيْهِمْ ظِلُّ دَوْحَتِكَ الَّتي
تُناصيvie with السُّهاal-Suha مِنهاfrom it فُروعٌbranches وأفْنانُand boughs
تُناصي السُّها مِنها فُروعٌ وأفْنانُ
And over them spread the shade of your great tree,
whose branches and boughs rival al-Suha in height.
فلَمْso not يَذْكُرواthey recalled الأوطانَthe homelands وهْيthough they are حَبيبَةٌdear
فلَمْ يَذْكُروا الأوطانَ وهْي حَبيبَةٌ
إلَيْهمْto them ولاnor ضاقَتْgrew cramped علىfor العِيسِthe pale camels أعطانُwatering grounds
إلَيْهمْ ولا ضاقَتْ على العِيسِ أعطانُ
They did not think of their homelands, though dear
to them, nor were the watering grounds cramped for the pale camels.
وماand nothing is المَجْدُglory إلاbut نَبْعَةٌa nab' tree خِنْدِفِيَّةٌof Khindif
وما المَجْدُ إلا نَبْعَةٌ خِنْدِفِيَّةٌ
لهَاfor it العُرْبُthe Arabs جِيرانٌneighbors ودودانُand Dudan أغْصانُbranches
لهَا العُرْبُ جِيرانٌ ودودانُ أغْصانُ
Glory is nothing but a nab' tree of Khindif,
the Arabs its neighbors, and Dudan its branches.
Partial English translation: 123 of 130 Arabic lines translated.