خَليليَّ عُوجا اليَومَ واِنتظراني

خَليليَّ عُوجا اليَومَ واِنتظراني

فَإِنَّ الهَوى وَالهَمَّ أمُّ أَبانِ

فَإِنَّ الهَوى وَالهَمَّ أمُّ أَبانِ

My two friends, turn aside today and wait for me;

My friend, turn away today and wait for me,

For Umm Aban is my love and my sorrow.

For passion and anxiety are pervasive and obstinate.

هيَ الشَّمسُ تَدنو لي قَريباً بعيدُها

هيَ الشَّمسُ تَدنو لي قَريباً بعيدُها

أَرى الشَّمسَ ما أسطيعُها وَتَراني

أَرى الشَّمسَ ما أسطيعُها وَتَراني

She is the sun: far away though she is, she draws near to me.

She is the sun approaching me closely though she is far,

I see the sun but cannot reach her, and she sees me.

I see the sun though I cannot reach it and it sees me.

نأت بَعدَ قُربٍ دارُها وَتَبدَّلَت

نأت بَعدَ قُربٍ دارُها وَتَبدَّلَت

بِنا بَدَلاً وَالدَهرُ ذو حَدَثانِ

بِنا بَدَلاً وَالدَهرُ ذو حَدَثانِ

Her home grew distant after being near, and she chose

After nearness, her abode became far and changed for us,

Another in our stead; time is full of upheavals.

In turn, as time brings constant change.

فَهاجَ الهَوى وَالشوقُ لي ذِكرَ حُرَّةٍ

فَهاجَ الهَوى وَالشوقُ لي ذِكرَ حُرَّةٍ

مِن المُرجَحِنّاتِ الثِّقالِ حَصانِ

مِن المُرجَحِنّاتِ الثِّقالِ حَصانِ

So love and longing stirred in me the memory of a noblewoman,

Passion and yearning stirred in me memories of

Chaste, among the heavy-bodied women who sway.

Slender swaying palm trees of heavy clusters.

شَموسٌ وشاحاها إِذا اِبتُزَّ ثَوبُها

شَموسٌ وشاحاها إِذا اِبتُزَّ ثَوبُها

عَلى مَتنِ خُمصانِيَةٍ سَلِسانِ

عَلى مَتنِ خُمصانِيَةٍ سَلِسانِ

She is unapproachable; when her robe is stripped off, her two sashes

Suns and moons when their clothes are folded back

Lie loose across her slender-waisted back.

Over the withers of smooth-gaited she-camels.

رَقودُ الضُّحى رَيّا العِظامِ كَأَنَّها

رَقودُ الضُّحى رَيّا العِظامِ كَأَنَّها

مَهاةُ كِناسٍ مِن نِعاجِ قِطانِ

مَهاةُ كِناسٍ مِن نِعاجِ قِطانِ

She sleeps through the forenoon, full-fleshed, as though she were

The siesta is the bending of bones that seem to be

An oryx in its covert, one of the does of Qitan.

The bellowing of ewe lambs from the Qitani sheep.

شَديدَةُ إِشراقِ التَّراقي أسيلَةٌ

شَديدَةُ إِشراقِ التَّراقي أسيلَةٌ

عَلَيها رَقيباً مَربإٍ حَذِرانِ

عَلَيها رَقيباً مَربإٍ حَذِرانِ

Her collarbones gleam brightly; she is smooth-cheeked,

Dazzling radiance of the brilliant one, a torrent

With two vigilant sentries watching over her from a lookout.

Rushing down over which a vigilant watcher keeps guard.

ومن دونِها صَعبُ المَراقي مَشَيَّدٌ

ومن دونِها صَعبُ المَراقي مَشَيَّدٌ

نِيافٌ وَصَرّارانِ مؤتلفانِ

نِيافٌ وَصَرّارانِ مؤتلفانِ

And before her stands a strongly built dwelling, hard to climb,

And below it a lofty smooth ascent built

Soaring high, with two creaking gate-leaves fitted together.

Of steps and terraces, adjoining companions.

خَليليَّ ما لامَ امرأً مِثلُ نَفسِه

خَليليَّ ما لامَ امرأً مِثلُ نَفسِه

إِذا هيَ لاقَت فاِربَعا وَذَراني

إِذا هيَ لاقَت فاِربَعا وَذَراني

My two friends, no one reproaches a man like his own soul

My friend, do not blame a man for being like himself

When it meets hardship; so both desist and leave me alone.

If she meets him and he recoils and leaves me.

سَبَتني بِجيدٍ لَم يُعَطَّل ولبَّةٍ

سَبَتني بِجيدٍ لَم يُعَطَّل ولبَّةٍ

عَلَيها رِدافا لؤلؤٍ وَجُمانِ

عَلَيها رِدافا لؤلؤٍ وَجُمانِ

She captivated me with a neck not left unadorned, and a breast

She captivated me with a supple neck that was not limp

Bearing twin strands of pearls and pearl-like silver beads.

And a soft skin on which pearls and gems were strung.

وَأَسحَم مَجّاجِ الدهانِ كَأَنَّهُ

وَأَسحَم مَجّاجِ الدهانِ كَأَنَّهُ

بِأَيدي النِّساءِ الماشِطاتِ مَثاني

بِأَيدي النِّساءِ الماشِطاتِ مَثاني

And jet-black hair, dripping with oils, as though it were

And sorrel dye whose gloss was as though

Coiled plaits in the hands of women combing it.

It was polished by the combs of handmaidens.

جَرى ليَ طَيرٌ أَنَّني لَن أَنالَها

جَرى ليَ طَيرٌ أَنَّني لَن أَنالَها

وَإِنَّ الهَوى وَالنَّجرَ مختَلِفانِ

وَإِنَّ الهَوى وَالنَّجرَ مختَلِفانِ

A bird-omen told me I would never attain her;

I was fated that I would never attain her

And indeed love and lineage are at odds.

Though passion and rejection are at variance.

فعزَّيتُ قَلباً كان صَبّاً إِلى الصبا

فعزَّيتُ قَلباً كان صَبّاً إِلى الصبا

وَعدَّيتُ وَالعَينانِ تَبتَدِرانِ

وَعدَّيتُ وَالعَينانِ تَبتَدِرانِ

So I consoled a heart passionately drawn to youthful folly,

So I comforted a heart that had inclined to youth

And turned it away, while both eyes raced to pour

And reckoned, while my eyes kept watch.

بأَربَعَةٍ في فَضلِ بُردي ومِحمَلي

بأَربَعَةٍ في فَضلِ بُردي ومِحمَلي

كَما انهَلَّ غَربا شَنَّةٍ خَضِلانِ

كَما انهَلَّ غَربا شَنَّةٍ خَضِلانِ

Four streams into the loose folds of my cloak and sword-belt,

With four, though my cloak and mount were superior,

Like two dripping spouts of an old waterskin pouring out.

As the western rain poured down in torrents.

خَليليَّ غُضّا اللومَ عَنّي إِنَّني

خَليليَّ غُضّا اللومَ عَنّي إِنَّني

عَلى العَهدِ لا مُخنٍ وَلا مُتَوانِ

عَلى العَهدِ لا مُخنٍ وَلا مُتَوانِ

My two friends, spare me your blame; I am

My friend, absolve me of blame, I am true

True to the pledge, neither foul-spoken nor remiss.

To the pact, no traitor or procrastinator.

سَتَعلَمُ قَومي أَنَّني كُنتُ سورَةً

سَتَعلَمُ قَومي أَنَّني كُنتُ سورَةً

مِن العِزِّ إِن داعي المَنون دَعاني

مِن العِزِّ إِن داعي المَنون دَعاني

My people will know that I was a pinnacle

My people will know I was a bastion of honor

Of glory, if death's summoner calls me.

If the caller to death calls me.

أَلا رُبَّ مَسرورٍ بِمَوتيَ لَو أَتى

أَلا رُبَّ مَسرورٍ بِمَوتيَ لَو أَتى

وآخرَ لَو أنعَى لَه لَبَكاني

وآخرَ لَو أنعَى لَه لَبَكاني

Many a man would rejoice if my death came,

Would that the happy at my death might come

And another would weep for me if my death were announced to him.

Or another might eulogize me and weep!

نَدِمتُ عَلى شَتمِ العَشيرَةِ بَعدَما

نَدِمتُ عَلى شَتمِ العَشيرَةِ بَعدَما

تَغَنّى عراقيٌّ بِهِم وَيَماني

تَغَنّى عراقيٌّ بِهِم وَيَماني

I regretted reviling the clan after

I regret insulting the clan, after

An Iraqi and a Yemeni had sung of them.

An Iraqi and a Yemeni sang their praises.

قلبتُ لهم ظَهرَ المِجَنِّ وَلَيتَني

قلبتُ لهم ظَهرَ المِجَنِّ وَلَيتَني

عَفَوتُ بِفَضلٍ مِن يَدي وَلِساني

عَفَوتُ بِفَضلٍ مِن يَدي وَلِساني

I turned my shield's back toward them; if only I

I turned my back on them, would that I

Had pardoned them with the generosity of my hand and tongue.

Had forgiven with graciousness of hand and tongue!

بني عَمِّنا إِنّا كَما قَد عَلِمتُم

بني عَمِّنا إِنّا كَما قَد عَلِمتُم

أُولو خُشنَةٍ مَخشِيَّةٍ وَزِبانِ

أُولو خُشنَةٍ مَخشِيَّةٍ وَزِبانِ

Sons of our uncle, as you well know, we

O sons of Wahb, we know full well

Possess a feared harshness and a sting.

You are rough-tongued and quarrelsome louts.

عَلى أَنَّني لَم أَرمِ في الشِّعرِ مسلما

عَلى أَنَّني لَم أَرمِ في الشِّعرِ مسلما

وَلَم أَهجُ إِلا مَن رَمى وهَجاني

وَلَم أَهجُ إِلا مَن رَمى وهَجاني

Yet I never attacked a Muslim in verse,

I forbade your brother from satirizing me, and a

Nor satirized anyone except those who attacked and satirized me.

Full year, nay two, have passed since then.

هُمُ بَطروا الحلمَ الَّذي من سَجِيَّتي

هُمُ بَطروا الحلمَ الَّذي من سَجِيَّتي

فَبدَّلتُ قَومي شِدَّةً بِليانِ

فَبدَّلتُ قَومي شِدَّةً بِليانِ

They scorned the forbearance that is my nature,

They obliged, and obliged me, men I saw

So I gave my people harshness in place of gentleness.

Who when they contended disliked my company.

فَلَو شِئتُم أَولادَ وَهبٍ نَزَعتُم

فَلَو شِئتُم أَولادَ وَهبٍ نَزَعتُم

وَنَحنُ جَميعاً شَملُنا أَخوانِ

وَنَحنُ جَميعاً شَملُنا أَخوانِ

So if you wished, sons of Wahb, you would desist,

Yet I was a man who disdained wrongs, because

And we would all be united as two brothers.

I was audacious when grave matters roused me.

نَهَيتُ أَخاكُم عَن هِجائي وَقَد مَضى

نَهَيتُ أَخاكُم عَن هِجائي وَقَد مَضى

لَهُ بَعدَ حَولٍ كامِلٍ سنتانِ

لَهُ بَعدَ حَولٍ كامِلٍ سنتانِ

I forbade your brother to satirize me; already there have passed

I am daring and audacious, I say not to the retreater

For him, after one full year, two more years.

“Come!” when he attacks me and defies me.

فَمَنَّ وَمنّاهُم رِجالٌ رأَيتُهُم

فَمَنَّ وَمنّاهُم رِجالٌ رأَيتُهُم

إِذا ضارسوني يكرهونَ قِراني

إِذا ضارسوني يكرهونَ قِراني

So he nursed hopes, and men I saw raised their hopes—

My friend, had I been a man defective in himself

When they grappled with me, they loathed facing me.

Or my steps slipped, I would have wavered.

وَكُنتُ امرءاً يأبى لي الضيمَ أَنَّني

وَكُنتُ امرءاً يأبى لي الضيمَ أَنَّني

صَرومٌ إِذا الأَمرُ المُهِمُّ عَناني

صَرومٌ إِذا الأَمرُ المُهِمُّ عَناني

And I was a man who would not bear injustice, for I was

But I live despising the hatred of foes

Resolute whenever a weighty matter concerned me.

And attain what I love in spite of enmity.

وَصولٌ صَرومٌ لا أَقولُ لمدبِرٍ

وَصولٌ صَرومٌ لا أَقولُ لمدبِرٍ

هَلُمَّ إِذا ما اِغتَشَّني وَعَصاني

هَلُمَّ إِذا ما اِغتَشَّني وَعَصاني

I keep ties and sever them; I do not tell one who turns away,

I am resolute, determined when my mettle calls

"Come to me," if he mistrusts me and disobeys me.

I restrain myself though my reins are slack.

خَليليَّ لَو كُنتُ امرءاً فيَّ سقطَةٌ

خَليليَّ لَو كُنتُ امرءاً فيَّ سقطَةٌ

تَضَعضَعتُ أَو زَلَّت بيَ القَدَمانِ

تَضَعضَعتُ أَو زَلَّت بيَ القَدَمانِ

My two friends, had I been a man with a failing,

My friend, how many a slanderer have I repelled

I would have crumbled, or both my feet would have slipped.

With a famed ode, though he slandered me!

أَعيشُ عَلى بغي العُداةِ ورغمِهم

أَعيشُ عَلى بغي العُداةِ ورغمِهم

وَآتي الَّذي أَهوى عَلى الشَّنآنِ

وَآتي الَّذي أَهوى عَلى الشَّنآنِ

I live despite my enemies' aggression, to their chagrin,

He was left like a menstruating woman whose water

And do what I desire despite their hatred.

Was not retained nor was she purified in time.

وَلَكِنَّني ثَبتُ المَريرَةِ حازِمٌ

وَلَكِنَّني ثَبتُ المَريرَةِ حازِمٌ

إِذا صاحَ حُلابي ملأتُ عِناني

إِذا صاحَ حُلابي ملأتُ عِناني

But I am steadfast in resolve and prudent;

I exulted before enemies when there appeared

When my milkers cry out, I ride at the full stretch of my rein.

To them in me piercing harm of terrible flames.

خَليليَّ كَم مِن كاشِحٍ قَد رَميتُهُ

خَليليَّ كَم مِن كاشِحٍ قَد رَميتُهُ

بقافيةٍ مَشهورَةٍ وَرَماني

بقافيةٍ مَشهورَةٍ وَرَماني

My two friends, how many a secret enemy I have struck

So they shunned my arena like one who shuns in fear

With a renowned verse, and he has struck at me.

The insult of the living, his steps halted.

فَكانَ كَذاتِ الحَيضِ لَم تُبقِ ماءَها

فَكانَ كَذاتِ الحَيضِ لَم تُبقِ ماءَها

وَلَم تُنقِ عَنها غُسلَها لأوانِ

وَلَم تُنقِ عَنها غُسلَها لأوانِ

So he was like a menstruating woman who did not retain her water,

When taken unawares, his eyes resemble

Nor cleanse herself by washing at the proper time.

Two lamps in a dark niche burning.

تَشَمَّتُ للأعداءِ حينَ بَدا لَهُم

تَشَمَّتُ للأعداءِ حينَ بَدا لَهُم

مِن الشَرِّ داني الوَبلِ ذو نَفَيانِ

مِن الشَرِّ داني الوَبلِ ذو نَفَيانِ

I gloated over my enemies when there appeared to them

His arms and the hollow of his neck seem

A storm of evil, its downpour near, its spray flying.

Dyed with henna, soft, not timid.

فَهابوا وِقاعي كالَّذي هابَ حاذِراً

فَهابوا وِقاعي كالَّذي هابَ حاذِراً

شتيمَ المُحَيّا خَطوُهُ مُتَداني

شتيمَ المُحَيّا خَطوُهُ مُتَداني

So they feared my assaults as a wary man fears

A collection of burrs, gathering together the horn in his fist

A grim-faced beast whose steps fall close together.

To the bare shoulder, smooth-skinned.

تُشَبِّهُ عينيهِ إِذا ما فَجِئتَهُ

تُشَبِّهُ عينيهِ إِذا ما فَجِئتَهُ

سِراجَينِ في دَيجورَةٍ تَقِدانِ

سِراجَينِ في دَيجورَةٍ تَقِدانِ

You would liken his eyes, when you surprise him,

Fleshy of cheek, a pink that is as though

To two lamps burning in pitch darkness.

Its heights are daubed with paint.

كَأَنَّ ذِراعَيهِ وَبَلدَةَ نَحرِهِ

كَأَنَّ ذِراعَيهِ وَبَلدَةَ نَحرِهِ

خُضِبنَ بِحنّاءٍ فَهُنَّ قَواني

خُضِبنَ بِحنّاءٍ فَهُنَّ قَواني

As though his forelegs and the expanse of his chest

The hue of the two arms is doubled, dark

Were dyed with henna, so deep red are they.

Like the gloom of darkness, though brave.

عَفَرناً يَضُمُّ القرنَ مِنهُ بِساعِدٍ

عَفَرناً يَضُمُّ القرنَ مِنهُ بِساعِدٍ

إِلى كاهِلٍ عاري القَرا وَلَبانِ

إِلى كاهِلٍ عاري القَرا وَلَبانِ

A mighty lion, clasping his adversary with a foreleg

My Abu Khalid, my mare yearned for you

Against his shoulders and chest, his back bare.

From afar, across fearful wastes.

أَزَبُّ هَريتُ الشّدقِ وَردٌ كَأَنَّما

أَزَبُّ هَريتُ الشّدقِ وَردٌ كَأَنَّما

يُعَلَّى أَعالي لَونِهِ بدِهانِ

يُعَلَّى أَعالي لَونِهِ بدِهانِ

Shaggy, wide-mouthed, tawny, as though

Her two forelegs when she flexes them

His coat's surface were overlaid with oil.

Appear like an expert swimmer plunging in water.

مُضاعفُ لَونُ الساعِدَينِ مُضَبَّرٌ

مُضاعفُ لَونُ الساعِدَينِ مُضَبَّرٌ

هَموسُ دُجى الظَّلماءِ غَيرُ جَبانِ

هَموسُ دُجى الظَّلماءِ غَيرُ جَبانِ

Deep-colored on the forelegs, compactly muscled,

If I pasture her on an expedition or send her forth,

Prowling stealthily through night's darkness, no coward.

She returns to me snorting, her braids swinging.

أَبا خالِدٍ حَنَّت إِلَيكَ مَطيَّتي

أَبا خالِدٍ حَنَّت إِلَيكَ مَطيَّتي

عَلى بُعدِ مُنتابٍ وَهَولِ جَنانِ

عَلى بُعدِ مُنتابٍ وَهَولِ جَنانِ

Abu Khalid, my riding-camel longed for you,

A beauty like a Phoenician, as though

Despite the remote destination and the terrors of night.

Two fish were splashing on either side of her head.

كَأَنَّ ذِراعَيها إِذا ما تَذَيَّلَت

كَأَنَّ ذِراعَيها إِذا ما تَذَيَّلَت

بَدا ماهِرٍ في الماءِ يَغتَليانِ

بَدا ماهِرٍ في الماءِ يَغتَليانِ

As though her forelegs, when she trails her tail,

My Abu Khalid, in the land are remoteness and open space

Were a skilled swimmer's arms, churning in the water.

For one who is cast with pearls and topazes.

إِذا رُعتُها في سَيرَةٍ أَو بَعثتُها

إِذا رُعتُها في سَيرَةٍ أَو بَعثتُها

عَدَت بي ونِسعا ضَفرِها قَلِقانِ

عَدَت بي ونِسعا ضَفرِها قَلِقانِ

When I startle her on a journey or urge her on,

How can a free man sleep at night whose gifts

She runs with me, her two plaited girth-straps shaking.

Are three hundred for the year’s beginning or two hundred?

جماليةٌ مِثلُ الفَنيقِ كَأَنَّما

جماليةٌ مِثلُ الفَنيقِ كَأَنَّما

يَصيحُ بِفَلقَي رأسِها صَديانِ

يَصيحُ بِفَلقَي رأسِها صَديانِ

A sturdy she-camel, like a prized camel-stallion, as though

My horses carried me after I enriched the intimate friends

Two owls cried, one on either side of her head.

To a king abundant in gift-giving, glorious.

أَبا خالِدٍ في الأَرضِ نأيٌ وَمَفسَحٌ

أَبا خالِدٍ في الأَرضِ نأيٌ وَمَفسَحٌ

لِذي مِرَّةٍ يُرمى بِهِ الرجَوانِ

لِذي مِرَّةٍ يُرمى بِهِ الرجَوانِ

Abu Khalid, the earth has distant lands and open room

You see people in throngs frequenting his door

For a strong man, tossed between its two edges.

In early morning seeking needs or help.

فَكَيفَ يَنامُ الليلَ حُرٌّ عَطاؤُهُ

فَكَيفَ يَنامُ الليلَ حُرٌّ عَطاؤُهُ

ثَلاثٌ لِرأسِ الحَولِ أَو مِئَتانِ

ثَلاثٌ لِرأسِ الحَولِ أَو مِئَتانِ

So how can a freeborn man sleep at night when his allowance is

Three hundred at the year's turn, or two hundred?

تَناهَت قَلوصي بَعد إِسآديَ السُّرى

تَناهَت قَلوصي بَعد إِسآديَ السُّرى

إِلى مَلِكٍ جَزل العَطاءِ هِجانِ

إِلى مَلِكٍ جَزل العَطاءِ هِجانِ

My young she-camel at last came, after my swift night marches,

To a king, lavish in gifts and noble-bred.

تَرى الناسَ أَفواجاً يَنوبونَ بابَهُ

تَرى الناسَ أَفواجاً يَنوبونَ بابَهُ

لِبِكرٍ مِن الحاجاتِ أَو لِعَوانِ

لِبِكرٍ مِن الحاجاتِ أَو لِعَوانِ

You see people in crowds returning to his door,

For a maiden need, or one already tried.