تَأَبَّدَتgrew desolate بُرقَةُthe stony tract of الرَوحاءِal-Rawha' فَاللَبَبُand al-Labab
تَأَبَّدَت بُرقَةُ الرَوحاءِ فَاللَبَبُ
فَالمُحدِثاتُand al-Muhdithat بِحَوضىat Hawda أَهلُهاtheir inhabitants ذَهَبواdeparted
فَالمُحدِثاتُ بِحَوضى أَهلُها ذَهَبوا
The stony tract of al-Rawha' has grown desolate, and al-Labab,
The dawn light perpetually graced Rawħāʾ, so the tents
and al-Muhdithat at Hawda—their inhabitants have gone.
stood vacant while their dwellers went to my basin.
فَأَصبَحَتand became رَوضَةُthe meadow of المَكّاءِal-Makka' خالِيَةًempty
فَأَصبَحَت رَوضَةُ المَكّاءِ خالِيَةً
فَماخِرُand Makhir الفَرعِal-Far' فَالغَرّافُand al-Gharraf فَالكُثُبُand al-Kuthub
فَماخِرُ الفَرعِ فَالغَرّافُ فَالكُثُبُ
The meadow of al-Makka' has become empty,
The garden of Makkah was left empty.
and Makhir al-Far', al-Gharraf, and al-Kuthub,
Its brushwood, its sand-dunes, and its twisted shrubs remained.
فَأَجرَعُand the sandy flat of الضَوعِal-Daw' لاnot تُرعىare grazed مَسارِحُهُits pastures
فَأَجرَعُ الضَوعِ لا تُرعى مَسارِحُهُ
كُلُّall المَنازِلِthe dwelling places مَبثوثٌscattered بِهاin them الكَأَبُsorrow
كُلُّ المَنازِلِ مَبثوثٌ بِها الكَأَبُ
and the sandy flat of al-Daw': its pastures are no longer grazed.
Pastures, untended, their haunts cannot be roamed.
Sorrow is scattered throughout all the dwelling places.
Every dwelling-place strewn with dry herbage.
كَأَنَّهاas though they بَعدَafter ماonce جَرَّdragged العَفاءُobliteration بِهاacross them
كَأَنَّها بَعدَ ما جَرَّ العَفاءُ بِها
ذَيلاًa trailing skirt مِنَof الصَيفِsummer لَمnot يُمدَدwas stretched لَهُfor it طُنُبُa tent-rope
ذَيلاً مِنَ الصَيفِ لَم يُمدَد لَهُ طُنُبُ
As though, after obliteration dragged across them
As though, after the spring had dragged its train behind,
a skirt of summer, no tent-rope had ever been stretched there.
no summer tails were left outspread for it.
كانَتthey were مَعاياhaunts (reading uncertain) مِنَof الأَحبابِthe loved ones فَاِنقَلَبَتthen changed
كانَت مَعايا مِنَ الأَحبابِ فَاِنقَلَبَت
عَنfrom عَهدِهاtheir former bond بِهِمُwith them الأَيّامُthe days فَاِنقَلَبواso they departed
عَن عَهدِها بِهِمُ الأَيّامُ فَاِنقَلَبوا
They were haunts of loved ones; then changed
My companions of loved ones turned from their vows.
the days from their old bond with them, and they departed.
With them the days reversed themselves. They turned about.
أَقولُI say إِذwhen وَدَّعواthey bade farewell to نَجداًNajd وَساكِنَهُand its inhabitants
أَقولُ إِذ وَدَّعوا نَجداً وَساكِنَهُ
وَحالَفواand they allied themselves with غُربَةًestrangement بِالدارِfrom home فَاِغتَرَبواso they became exiles
وَحالَفوا غُربَةً بِالدارِ فَاِغتَرَبوا
I say, when they bade farewell to Najd and its inhabitants,
I said, when they bade farewell to Najd and its dwellers,
and embraced estrangement from home, becoming exiles:
pledged their troth to exile and went far away:
لاno غَروَwonder إِلّاexcept حَمامٌdoves فيin مَساكِنِهِمtheir dwellings
لا غَروَ إِلّا حَمامٌ في مَساكِنِهِم
تَدعوcalling هَديلاًa coo فَيَستَغريand is stirred بِهِby it الطَرَبُyearning
تَدعو هَديلاً فَيَستَغري بِهِ الطَرَبُ
No wonder—only doves remain in their dwellings,
"No voice is left save a dove's amongst their dwellings,
calling a coo that stirs yearning.
who sadly moans, and with her moaning troubles the heart:
سَقياًmay rain bless لِمَنthose whom ضَمَّsheltered بَطنُthe hollow of الخَيفِal-Khayf إِنَّهُمُindeed they
سَقياً لِمَن ضَمَّ بَطنُ الخَيفِ إِنَّهُمُ
بانواdeparted بِأَسماءَwith Asma' تِلكَthat woman الهَمُّthe care وَالأَرَبُand the desire
بانوا بِأَسماءَ تِلكَ الهَمُّ وَالأَرَبُ
May rain bless those sheltered by the hollow of al-Khayf! They
water-drawers for him whose belly cleaves to his spine.
departed with Asma', she who is my care and desire.
They've vanished, gone, those names - care and want."
أَئِنُّI moan مِنهاabout her إِلىto الأَدنىthe nearest person إِذاwhen ذُكِرَتshe is mentioned
أَئِنُّ مِنها إِلى الأَدنى إِذا ذُكِرَت
كَماas يَئِنُّmoans إِلىto عُوّادِهِhis visitors الوَصِبُthe sick man
كَما يَئِنُّ إِلى عُوّادِهِ الوَصِبُ
When she is mentioned, I moan about her to whoever is nearest,
I sigh for them, if they're recalled, as sighs for its tenders
as the sick man moans to those visiting him.
a wounded camel-calf with cut hamstrings.
بِجارَةِfor the female neighbor of البَيتِthe house عِمُّanguish (reading uncertain) النَفسِthe soul مُحتَضَرٌpresent
بِجارَةِ البَيتِ عِمُّ النَفسِ مُحتَضَرٌ
إِذاwhen خَلَوتُI am alone وَماءُand the water of العَينِthe eye يَنسَكِبُpours down
إِذا خَلَوتُ وَماءُ العَينِ يَنسَكِبُ
For the house's neighbor, my soul's anguish is present
At my house an uncle of my soul lies dying
when I am alone and tears pour from my eyes.
when I'm alone, and tears of the eyes spill over.
أَنسىI forget عَزائيmy consolation وَلاand not أَنسىI forget تَذَكُّرَهاremembering her
أَنسى عَزائي وَلا أَنسى تَذَكُّرَها
كَأَنَّنيas though I مِنof فُؤاديmy heart بَعدَهاafter her departure حَرِبُrobbed
كَأَنَّني مِن فُؤادي بَعدَها حَرِبُ
I forget my consolation, but never forget to remember her,
I forget my consolation but remember longing
as though, after her departure, I had been robbed of my heart.
as though, without them, battle raged inside me.
لاdo not تَسقِنيgive me to drink الكَأسَthe cup إِنif لَمnot أَبغِI seek رُؤيَتَهاseeing her
لا تَسقِني الكَأسَ إِن لَم أَبغِ رُؤيَتَها
بِالذاعِرِيَّةِon the Dha'iriyya mount أَثنيهاI turn her وَتَنسَلِبُand she darts away
بِالذاعِرِيَّةِ أَثنيها وَتَنسَلِبُ
Do not pour me the cup if I do not seek to see her,
Pour me no wine-cup unless I see them
riding the Dha'iriyya mount: I turn her, and she darts away.
come strapping their mounts, with streaming bridles.
تَطويtraverses الفَلاةَthe wilderness بِتَبغيلٍwith a mule-like trot إِذاwhen جَعَلَتbegan
تَطوي الفَلاةَ بِتَبغيلٍ إِذا جَعَلَت
رُؤوسُthe heads of أَعلامِهاits landmarks بِالآلِwith mirage تَعتَصِبُwrap themselves
رُؤوسُ أَعلامِها بِالآلِ تَعتَصِبُ
She traverses the wilderness with a mule-like trot when
She winds the bare plain with her litter's wrappings
the heads of its landmarks wrap themselves in mirage.
when with its poles she binds the banners round her neck.
كَمhow many دونَbefore reaching أَسماءَAsma' مِنof تيهٍwastes مُلَمِّعَةٍgleaming
كَم دونَ أَسماءَ مِن تيهٍ مُلَمِّعَةٍ
وَمِنand of صَفاصِفَbarren plains مِنهاamong them القَهبُthe dusky ostrich وَالخَرِبُand the male bustard
وَمِن صَفاصِفَ مِنها القَهبُ وَالخَرِبُ
How many gleaming wastes lie between me and Asma',
How many a ruined camp there is, made brilliant,
and barren plains with dusky ostriches and male bustards!
amongst which are left only dry herbage and decay!
يَمشيwalk النَعامُthe ostriches بِهاthere مَثنىin pairs وَمُجتَمِعاًand gathered together
يَمشي النَعامُ بِها مَثنى وَمُجتَمِعاً
كَأَنَّهاas though they عُصَبٌbands تَحدوdrive onward بِهاthem عُصَبُbands
كَأَنَّها عُصَبٌ تَحدو بِها عُصَبُ
Ostriches walk there in pairs and gathered flocks,
Ostriches walk about them in pairs or herds
as though bands were driving other bands onward.
as though they were a tribe inspirited by their riders.
لاnot يَغفَلُforgets القَلبُthe heart عَنabout لَيلىLayla وَقَدalthough غَفَلَتshe has forgotten
لا يَغفَلُ القَلبُ عَن لَيلى وَقَد غَفَلَت
عَمّاwhat يُلاقيendures شَجٍa sorrowing man بِالحُبِّthrough love مُغتَرِبُexiled
عَمّا يُلاقي شَجٍ بِالحُبِّ مُغتَرِبُ
My heart does not forget Layla, though she has forgotten
My heart forgets not Laylā though she's forgotten
what a sorrowing exile in love endures.
what bitter yearning meets the lover far from home.
فيin كُلِّevery يَومٍday لَهُhe has هَمٌّa care يُطالِبُهُpressing him
في كُلِّ يَومٍ لَهُ هَمٌّ يُطالِبُهُ
عِندَbefore المُلوكِthe kings فَلاyet not يُزريdebases بِهِhim الطَلَبُthe seeking
عِندَ المُلوكِ فَلا يُزري بِهِ الطَلَبُ
Every day he has a care that presses him
Each day it has a care that asks fulfilment
before kings, yet seeking does not debase him.
from kings - but no request of it takes any heed.
ياO سُعدَSu'd إِنّيindeed I عَدانيkept me away عَنfrom زِيارَتِكُمvisiting you
يا سُعدَ إِنّي عَداني عَن زِيارَتِكُم
تَقاذُفُthe tossing of الهَمِّcare وَالمَهرِيَّةُand the Mahri camels النُجُبُthe noble ones
تَقاذُفُ الهَمِّ وَالمَهرِيَّةُ النُجُبُ
O Su'd, what kept me from visiting you
Sa'd, my affairs have kept me from visiting you,
was the tossing of care and the noble Mahri camels,
jostled by brooding cares and stringing rhymes.
فيin كُلِّevery هَنّاقَةِswallowing (uncertain) الأَضواءِthe lights موحِشَةٍdesolate waste
في كُلِّ هَنّاقَةِ الأَضواءِ موحِشَةٍ
يَستَركِضُmakes gallop الآلَthe mirage فيin مَجهولِهاits unknown reaches الحَدَبُthe rising ground
يَستَركِضُ الآلَ في مَجهولِها الحَدَبُ
through every desolate waste that swallows light,
In every shining pool of rainwater
where rising ground makes the mirage gallop through its unknown reaches.
a stallion churns unknown depths with his hooves.
كَأَنَّas though فيalong جانِبَيهاits two sides مِنfrom تَغَوُّلِهاits shifting guises
كَأَنَّ في جانِبَيها مِن تَغَوُّلِها
بَيضاءُa fair woman تَحسِرُbares her face أَحياناًsometimes وَتَنتَقِبُand veils herself
بَيضاءُ تَحسِرُ أَحياناً وَتَنتَقِبُ
As though along its two sides, through its shifting guises,
On either side of it, because of its windings,
a fair woman sometimes bares her face and sometimes veils it.
are whites that periodically veil and unveil.
جَرداءُbare حَرّاءُscorching مَخشِيٌّfeared مَتالِفُهاits deadly places
جَرداءُ حَرّاءُ مَخشِيٌّ مَتالِفُها
جَشَّمتُهاI made them brave it العيسَthe pale camels وَالحِرباءُwhile the chameleon مُنتَصِبُstood erect
جَشَّمتُها العيسَ وَالحِرباءُ مُنتَصِبُ
A bare, scorching land, whose deadly places are feared:
Its smooth parts are nude, seared, and flinty.
I made the pale camels brave it while the chameleon stood erect.
The tamarisk and the wormwood branch upon it stand erect.
عَشراًten وَعَشراًand ten إِلىup to عِشرينَtwenty يَرقَبُهاwatches over them
عَشراً وَعَشراً إِلى عِشرينَ يَرقَبُها
ظَهرٌupland وَيَخفِضُهاand lowers them فيinto بَطنِهِits hollow صَبَبُa slope
ظَهرٌ وَيَخفِضُها في بَطنِهِ صَبَبُ
Ten, and ten more, up to twenty, watched over
Ten after ten, up to twenty, the eye awaits.
by upland, while a slope lowers them into its hollow.
A back one moment sinks and the next upheaves.
لَمnot يَبقَremained مِنهاof them عَلىunder التَأويبِdaylong travel ضائِعَةًwasting away
لَم يَبقَ مِنها عَلى التَأويبِ ضائِعَةً
وَرِحلَةِand the journey of اللَيلِthe night إِلّاexcept الآلُthe bodily frames وَالعَصَبُand the sinews
وَرِحلَةِ اللَيلِ إِلّا الآلُ وَالعَصَبُ
Nothing remained of them, wasted by daylong travel
Of it only the tent-pegs and gear of night's travel remain
and night marches, except their frames and sinews.
when it is folded, and the smooth stones and tent-ropes.
وَرّادَةٌfrequently visiting water كُلَّevery طامِيbrimming الجَمِّthe pool عَرمَضُهُits algae
وَرّادَةٌ كُلَّ طامِي الجَمِّ عَرمَضُهُ
فيin ظِلِّthe shade of عِقبانِهِits crags مُستَأسِدٌgrowing rank نَشِبُtangled
في ظِلِّ عِقبانِهِ مُستَأسِدٌ نَشِبُ
She often drinks at every brimming pool whose algae
A she-goat bleats every time she bears twins.
grow rank and tangled in the shade of its crags.
Under the shade of his armpit her mate lies stretched at ease.
وَسَبعَةٌand seven مِنof بَنيthe sons of البَطّالِal-Battal قَيِّمُهُمtheir leader
وَسَبعَةٌ مِن بَني البَطّالِ قَيِّمُهُم
رِداؤُهُhis cloak اليَومَtoday فَوقَabove الرِجلِthe leg يَضطَرِبُflutters
رِداؤُهُ اليَومَ فَوقَ الرِجلِ يَضطَرِبُ
And seven men of Banu al-Battal—their leader's
And seven sons of cowherds who tend it.
cloak flutters today above his leg.
Today their only clothes are those that flap round their legs.
جَلَّيتُI cleared عَنfrom عَينِهِhis eye بِالشِعرِwith poetry أُنشِدُهُI recite to him
جَلَّيتُ عَن عَينِهِ بِالشِعرِ أُنشِدُهُ
حَتّىuntil اِستَجابَhe responded بِهاwith it وَالصُبحُwhile dawn مُقتَرِبُwas approaching
حَتّى اِستَجابَ بِها وَالصُبحُ مُقتَرِبُ
I cleared his eyes by reciting poetry to him,
I made it hear some verses that I recited
until he answered with it, as dawn drew near.
till it responded, as daylight drew nearer.
قالَsaid النُعَيمِيُّal-Nu'aymi لَمّاwhen زاحَvanished باطِلُهُhis illusion
قالَ النُعَيمِيُّ لَمّا زاحَ باطِلُهُ
وَاِفتَضَّand broke open خاتَمَthe seal of ماwhat يَجنيgathers بِهِthrough it التَعَبُweariness
وَاِفتَضَّ خاتَمَ ما يَجني بِهِ التَعَبُ
Al-Nu'aymi said, when his idle dreams had vanished
When the Nūʿaymī's false coin was rejected
and he broke the seal of what weariness brings:
and he bit the seal of his counterfeit wares,
ماwhat أَنتَare you إِنif لَمnot تَكُنyou are أَيماًa serpent فَقَدfor indeed عَجِبَتhave marveled
ما أَنتَ إِن لَم تَكُن أَيماً فَقَد عَجِبَت
مِنكَat you الرِفاقُthe companions وَليand I have فيin فِعلِكِyour deed العَجَبُwonder
مِنكَ الرِفاقُ وَلي في فِعلِكِ العَجَبُ
What are you, if not a serpent? The companions have marveled
I said: "You're amazing, even if you're no augur.
at you, and I marvel at what you do.
Your friends are filled with wonder at your deed."
تَهفوyou rush إِلىtoward الصَيدِthe game إِنif مَرَّتpassed سَوانِحُهُits left-to-right crossers
تَهفو إِلى الصَيدِ إِن مَرَّت سَوانِحُهُ
بِساقِطِwith one lacking الريشِthe feathers لَمnot يُخلِفgrew back لَهُfor it الزَغَبُthe down
بِساقِطِ الريشِ لَم يُخلِف لَهُ الزَغَبُ
You rush toward the hunt when its game crosses favorably,
He hankers greedily for the chase if herons with trailing plumes
with a featherless bird whose down has not regrown.
alight, though no booty's left that he can hunt.
إِنif كُنتَyou have أَصبَحتَbecome صَقراًa falcon لاno جَناحَwing لَهُfor it
إِن كُنتَ أَصبَحتَ صَقراً لا جَناحَ لَهُ
فَقَدthen indeed تُهانُmay be humbled بِكَby you الكَروانُthe curlews وَالخَرَبُand the male bustards
فَقَد تُهانُ بِكَ الكَروانُ وَالخَرَبُ
If you have become a falcon with no wing,
If you have become a falcon without wings,
curlews and male bustards may yet be humbled by you.
then carts and ruins bring you only shame.
لِلَّهِto God belongs دَرُّكَyour excellence لَمnot تَسموyou soared بِقادِمَةٍon a flight-feather
لِلَّهِ دَرُّكَ لَم تَسمو بِقادِمَةٍ
أَوor يُنصِفُdeals fairly الدَهرُtime مَنwith one who يَلويturns aside فَيَعتَقِبُthen returns
أَو يُنصِفُ الدَهرُ مَن يَلوي فَيَعتَقِبُ
How admirable you are! You have not soared on a flight-feather.
God curse you! You never mounted a fine riding-camel.
Or does time give justice to one who turns aside and returns?
Does Time ever favour one who twists and turns?
إِلىto سُلَيمانَSulayman راحَتthey went تَغتَديsetting out at morning حِزَقاًin bands
إِلى سُلَيمانَ راحَت تَغتَدي حِزَقاً
وَالخَيرُand goodness مُتَّبَعٌpursued وَالشَرُّand evil مُجتَنَبُavoided
وَالخَيرُ مُتَّبَعٌ وَالشَرُّ مُجتَنَبُ
To Sulayman they went, setting out each morning in bands;
To Solomon it came to plunder. Plunder avoided,
good is pursued, and evil avoided.
right conduct followed - that is the difference.
تَزورُهُvisit him مِنamong ذَويthose possessing الأَحسابِnoble lineages آوِنَةًfrom time to time
تَزورُهُ مِن ذَوي الأَحسابِ آوِنَةً
وَخَيرُand the best مَنof those whom زُرتَyou visited سُلطانٌa ruler لَهُhe has حَسَبُnoble ancestry
وَخَيرُ مَن زُرتَ سُلطانٌ لَهُ حَسَبُ
Men of noble lineage visit him from time to time,
It visits him for a moment, that man of reckoning,
and the best man you visit is a ruler of noble ancestry.
the best of those you visited, a sultan of lineage.
أَغَرُّradiant أَبلَجُclear-browed تَكفيناsuffice us مَشاهِدُهُhis appearances
أَغَرُّ أَبلَجُ تَكفينا مَشاهِدُهُ
فيamong القاعِدينَthose sitting وَفيand in الهَيجاbattle إِذاwhen رَكِبواthey mounted
في القاعِدينَ وَفي الهَيجا إِذا رَكِبوا
Radiant, clear-browed: his presence suffices us
Dazzling white, rain-washed, it will suffice us
among those at rest, and in battle when they mount.
among those sitting and among the riders when they mount.
أَمسىhas become سُلَيمانُSulayman مَرؤوماًbeloved نُطيفُwe circle بِهِaround him
أَمسى سُلَيمانُ مَرؤوماً نُطيفُ بِهِ
كَماas تُطيفُcircle بِبَيتِaround the House of القِبلَةِthe prayer direction العَرَبُthe Arabs
كَما تُطيفُ بِبَيتِ القِبلَةِ العَرَبُ
Sulayman has become beloved; we circle him
Solomon has been blessed with it as his familiar;
as the Arabs circle the House toward which they pray.
as pilgrims bless the Holy House, so Arabs bless it.
تَرىyou see عَلَيهِupon him جَلالاًmajesty مِنfrom أُبُوَّتِهِhis forefathers
تَرى عَلَيهِ جَلالاً مِن أُبُوَّتِهِ
وَنُصرَةًand succor مِنfrom يَدٍa hand تَندىflows with bounty وَتُنتَهَبُand is plundered
وَنُصرَةً مِن يَدٍ تَندى وَتُنتَهَبُ
You see upon him a majesty inherited from his fathers,
On it you see a majesty born of his fatherhood
and succor from a hand that flows with bounty and is plundered.
and aid from a hand that gives and takes at will.
يَبدوappears لَكَto you الخَيرُgoodness فيهِin him حينَwhen تُبصِرُهُyou behold him
يَبدو لَكَ الخَيرُ فيهِ حينَ تُبصِرُهُ
كَماas بَداappeared فيin ثَناياthe front teeth of الكاعِبِthe budding maiden الشَنَبُfreshness
كَما بَدا في ثَنايا الكاعِبِ الشَنَبُ
Goodness shows itself to you in him when you behold him,
Goodness appears in it when you look upon it,
as freshness gleams in the front teeth of a budding maiden.
As moisture appeared in the twisted fibres of the loofah-sponge.
فيin هامَةٍa chief مِنof قُرَيشٍQuraysh يُحدِقونَthey surround بِهاhim
في هامَةٍ مِن قُرَيشٍ يُحدِقونَ بِها
تُجبىtribute is gathered وَيُجبىand is brought إِلَيهاto him المِسكُmusk وَالذَهَبُand gold
تُجبى وَيُجبى إِلَيها المِسكُ وَالذَهَبُ
In a chief of Quraysh, whom they surround,
In a swarm of Quraysh who gaze at it
tribute is gathered, and musk and gold are brought to him.
pure musk and gold are brought to it and taken from it.
عالىrose high سُلَيمانُSulayman فيon عَلياءَan exalted height مُشرِفَةٍcommanding
عالى سُلَيمانُ في عَلياءَ مُشرِفَةٍ
سَيفٌa sword وَرُمحٌand a spear وَآباءٌand forefathers لَهُhe has نُجُبُnoble
سَيفٌ وَرُمحٌ وَآباءٌ لَهُ نُجُبُ
Sulayman towers on an exalted, commanding height,
High is Solomon in an exalted and lofty dwelling.
with sword and spear, and noble forefathers.
Swords and spears and noble fathers has he.
ياO نِعمَexcellent is مَنone who كانَwas مِنهُمamong them فيin مَحَلَّتِهِhis dwelling
يا نِعمَ مَن كانَ مِنهُم في مَحَلَّتِهِ
وَكانَand was يَشرَبُdrinking بِالماءِthe water الَّذيwhich شَرِبواthey drank
وَكانَ يَشرَبُ بِالماءِ الَّذي شَرِبوا
How excellent is one of them in his dwelling,
Happy he who had rank among them and his station,
who drinks the water that they drank!
and used to drink the water that they drank!
كانواthey were وَلاand no دينَlaw إِلّاexcept السَيفُthe sword مُلكُهُمُtheir kingship
كانوا وَلا دينَ إِلّا السَيفُ مُلكُهُمُ
راسٍfirmly rooted وَأَيّامُهُمand their days عادِيَّةٌassailing غُلُبُvictorious
راسٍ وَأَيّامُهُم عادِيَّةٌ غُلُبُ
They lived when no law existed but the sword; their kingship
They whose only religion was the sword - their rule
stood firm, and their days were forceful and victorious.
was might, and their days overcoming days.
تَطولُgrow long أَعمارُthe lives of قَومٍpeople فيin أَكُفِّهِمُtheir hands
تَطولُ أَعمارُ قَومٍ في أَكُفِّهِمُ
حيناًat a time وَتَقصُرُand grow short أَحياناًat other times إِذاwhen غَضِبواthey become angry
حيناً وَتَقصُرُ أَحياناً إِذا غَضِبوا
The lives of people grow long in their hands
The lives of a people will at times in their grasp
at times, and at other times grow short when they are angry.
be lengthened, at others shortened when they show anger.
العاقِدينَthose binding المَناياdeaths فيin مُسَوَّمَةٍmarked steeds
العاقِدينَ المَنايا في مُسَوَّمَةٍ
تُزجىare driven أَوائِلُهاtheir foremost ranks الاِيجافُcantering وَالخَبَبُand trotting
تُزجى أَوائِلُها الاِيجافُ وَالخَبَبُ
Those who bind deaths into marked steeds,
They who knot up the fates in a covenant
whose foremost ranks are driven at a canter and a trot:
whose first fruits are barrenness and decay.
بيضٌwhite blades حِدادٌsharp وَأَشرافٌand nobles زَبانِيَةٌfierce warders
بيضٌ حِدادٌ وَأَشرافٌ زَبانِيَةٌ
يَغدوdescend عَلىupon مَنone who يُعاديis hostile الوَيلُwoe وَالحَرَبُand despoilment
يَغدو عَلى مَن يُعادي الوَيلُ وَالحَرَبُ
white, sharp blades, and nobles fierce as warders—
Whites like mourners and chiefs fluttering,
woe and despoilment descend upon whoever is hostile.
on whom descend ill-fortune and war's woes.
أَقولُI say لِلمُشتَكيto one complaining of دَهراًan age أَضَرَّthat harmed بِهِhim
أَقولُ لِلمُشتَكي دَهراً أَضَرَّ بِهِ
فيهِin it اِبتِذالٌdegradation وَفيand in أَنيابِهِits fangs شُعَبُforks
فيهِ اِبتِذالٌ وَفي أَنيابِهِ شُعَبُ
I say to one complaining of an age that has harmed him,
I say to him complaining of Time's injuries:
with degradation in it and forks in its fangs:
"In it there's frustration. Between its fangs are clefts."
لاno جارَprotector إِلّاexcept سُلَيمانٌSulayman وَأُسرَتُهُand his family
لا جارَ إِلّا سُلَيمانٌ وَأُسرَتُهُ
مِنَagainst العَدُوِّthe enemy وَمِنand against دَهرٍan age بِهِin it نَكَبُcalamities
مِنَ العَدُوِّ وَمِن دَهرٍ بِهِ نَكَبُ
There is no protector but Sulayman and his family
No neighbors but Solomon and his household
against the enemy and an age filled with calamities.
can save from an enemy and from a time of blows."
إِذاif لَقيتَyou meet أَباAbu أَيّوبَAyyub فيin قَعَدٍrepose
إِذا لَقيتَ أَبا أَيّوبَ في قَعَدٍ
أَوor غازِياًcampaigning فَوقَهُabove him الراياتُthe banners تَضطَرِبُflutter
أَو غازِياً فَوقَهُ الراياتُ تَضطَرِبُ
If you meet Abu Ayyub at rest,
When you meet Abū Ayyūb in an assembly
or campaigning with banners fluttering above him,
or campaigning with waving banners overhead,
لاقَيتَyou meet دُفّاعَthe surging flood of بَحرٍan ocean لاnot يُضَعضِعُهُdiminishes it
لاقَيتَ دُفّاعَ بَحرٍ لا يُضَعضِعُهُ
لِلمُشرِعينَof those drawing water عَلىat أَرجائِهِits shores شُرُبُdrinking
لِلمُشرِعينَ عَلى أَرجائِهِ شُرُبُ
you meet an ocean's surging flood, undiminished
you meet a sea's tide no launching of hosts
by the drinking of those who draw at its shores.
can shake, with those who launch on its coasts.
فَاِشرَبso drink هَنيئاًcontentedly وَذَيِّلand trail your robe فيamid صَنائِعِهِhis favors
فَاِشرَب هَنيئاً وَذَيِّل في صَنائِعِهِ
وَاِنعَمand enjoy ease فَإِنَّfor indeed قُعودَthe repose of الناعِمِthe prosperous man اللَعِبُplay
وَاِنعَم فَإِنَّ قُعودَ الناعِمِ اللَعِبُ
Drink contentedly, and trail your robe amid his favors;
So drink at ease, follow his lead in all things,
enjoy ease, for the prosperous man's repose is play.
for the repose of the noble is play.
الهاشِمِيُّthe Hashimite اِبنُson of داودٍDawud تَدارَكَناcame to our rescue
الهاشِمِيُّ اِبنُ داودٍ تَدارَكَنا
وَماand not لَناwe have عِندَهُwith him نُعمىa prior favor وَلاnor نَسَبُkinship
وَما لَنا عِندَهُ نُعمى وَلا نَسَبُ
The Hashimite, son of Dawud, came to our rescue,
Al-Hāshimī, son of Dāwūd, has succored us.
though we had no claim on him through favor or kinship.
From him we look for no bounty or lineage.
أَحياrevived لَناfor us العَيشَlivelihood حَتّىuntil اِهتَزَّstirred ناضِرُهُits fresh growth
أَحيا لَنا العَيشَ حَتّى اِهتَزَّ ناضِرُهُ
وَجارَناand protected us فَاِنجَلَتso cleared away عَنّاfrom us بِهِthrough him الكُرَبُthe troubles
وَجارَنا فَاِنجَلَت عَنّا بِهِ الكُرَبُ
He revived our livelihood until its fresh growth stirred,
He revived life for us until its freshness shook
and protected us, so that through him our troubles cleared.
and he drove troubles far away from us.
لَيثٌa lion لَدىin الحَربِwar يُذكيهاhe kindles it وَيُخمِدُهاand quenches it
لَيثٌ لَدى الحَربِ يُذكيها وَيُخمِدُها
وَلاand not تَرىyou see مِثلَthe like of ماwhat يُعطيhe gives وَماand what يَهَبُhe bestows
وَلا تَرى مِثلَ ما يُعطي وَما يَهَبُ
A lion in war, he kindles it and quenches it;
A lion in war who rouses it and quiets it,
you see nothing like what he gives and bestows.
and the like of his giving and granting is not seen.
صَعباًstern مِراراًmany times وَتاراتٍand at other times نُوافِقُهُwe find him
صَعباً مِراراً وَتاراتٍ نُوافِقُهُ
سَهلاًgentle عَلَيهِover him رِواقُthe canopy of المُلكِkingship وَاللَجِبُand the clamor
سَهلاً عَلَيهِ رِواقُ المُلكِ وَاللَجِبُ
Stern many times, and at other times we find him
Harsh and bitter - and daunting when we meet him -
gentle, beneath kingship's canopy and the clamor.
smooth and easy the road to rulers and court.
رَكّابُa frequent rider of هَولٍterror وَأَعوادٍand wooden seats لِمَملَكَةٍfor kingship
رَكّابُ هَولٍ وَأَعوادٍ لِمَملَكَةٍ
ضَرّابُa mighty striker of أَسبابِthe cords of هَمٍّcare حينَwhen يَلتَهِبُit flares
ضَرّابُ أَسبابِ هَمٍّ حينَ يَلتَهِبُ
He mounts terrors and the wooden seats of kingship,
Horsemen of fear and lofty pillars of a kingdom,
striking at the cords of care when it flares.
striking the causes of grief when it blazes up.
ساقيwater-giver to الحَجيجِthe pilgrims أَبوهُhis father or forefather الخَيرُthe good قَدindeed عَلِمَتhave known
ساقي الحَجيجِ أَبوهُ الخَيرُ قَد عَلِمَت
عُلياthe foremost of قُرَيشٍQuraysh لَهُhis are الغاياتُthe finishing posts وَالقَصَبُand the prize-reeds
عُليا قُرَيشٍ لَهُ الغاياتُ وَالقَصَبُ
His good forefather gave pilgrims water; the foremost
The pilgrims' cupbearer - good his father -
of Quraysh know that the finishing posts and prize-reeds are his.
Quraysh knew well: to him belong the highest aims.
وافىcame to حُنَيناًHunayn بِأَسيافٍwith swords وَمُقرَبَةٍand cherished steeds
وافى حُنَيناً بِأَسيافٍ وَمُقرَبَةٍ
شُعثِdisheveled النَواصيthe forelocks بَراهاwore them lean القَودُleading وَالخَبَبُand trotting
شُعثِ النَواصي بَراها القَودُ وَالخَبَبُ
He came to Hunayn with swords and cherished steeds,
He brought Ḥunain swords and polished blades,
their forelocks disheveled, worn lean by leading and trotting.
the forelocks' dishevelment bared by cruelty and force.
يُعطيhe offers العِدىthe foes عَنin defense of رَسولِthe Messenger of اللَهِGod مُهجَتَهُhis lifeblood
يُعطي العِدى عَن رَسولِ اللَهِ مُهجَتَهُ
حَتّىuntil اِرتَدىhe wore زَينَهاits splendor وَالسَيفُwhile the sword مُختَضِبُwas stained
حَتّى اِرتَدى زَينَها وَالسَيفُ مُختَضِبُ
He offered his lifeblood to the foes in defense of God's Messenger,
He shields God's Messenger from harm with his blood
until he wore its splendor, his sword dyed with blood.
till its ornament clothes him and the sword is bloodied.
وَكانَand was داودُDawud طَوداًa mountain يُستَظَلُّshelter is sought بِهِbeneath it
وَكانَ داودُ طَوداً يُستَظَلُّ بِهِ
وَفيand in عَلِيٍّAli لِأَعداءِfor the enemies of الهُدىguidance هَرَبُflight
وَفي عَلِيٍّ لِأَعداءِ الهُدى هَرَبُ
Dawud was a mountain beneath which one sought shelter,
Dāwūd was a buttress to take shelter by.
and in Ali lay cause for the enemies of guidance to flee.
In ʿAlī is terror for enemies of right guidance.
وَالفَضلُand distinction عِندَwith اِبنِIbn عَبّاسٍAbbas تُعَدُّare counted لَهُto his credit
وَالفَضلُ عِندَ اِبنِ عَبّاسٍ تُعَدُّ لَهُ
فيin دَعوَةِthe call of الدينِreligion آثارٌdeeds وَمُحتَسَبُand merit reckoned
في دَعوَةِ الدينِ آثارٌ وَمُحتَسَبُ
Distinction rests with Ibn Abbas; to his credit are counted
With Ibn ʿAbbās bounty is accounted:
deeds in the call of religion and merit reckoned.
for him marks are chalked in religion's path.
قُلsay لِلمُباهيto one boasting against سُلَيماناًSulayman وَأُسرَتَهُand his family
قُل لِلمُباهي سُلَيماناً وَأُسرَتَهُ
هَيهاتَfar from it لَيسَis not كَعودِlike a stave of النَبعَةِthe nab' bow-wood tree الغَرَبُwillow
هَيهاتَ لَيسَ كَعودِ النَبعَةِ الغَرَبُ
Tell one who boasts in rivalry with Sulayman and his family:
Say to the boaster of Solomon and his household:
Far from it! Willow is not like a stave of nab' bow-wood.
"Bah! A sapling of the valley is not like Lebanon."
رَشِّحput forward أَباكَyour father لِأُخرىfor another مِنof صَنائِعِهِhis favors
رَشِّح أَباكَ لِأُخرى مِن صَنائِعِهِ
وَاِعرِفand acknowledge لِقَومٍa people بِرَأسٍon a summit دونَهُbelow it أَشَبُtangled growth
وَاِعرِف لِقَومٍ بِرَأسٍ دونَهُ أَشَبُ
Put your father forward for another of his favors,
Present your father for another of his offices.
and acknowledge a people on a summit with tangled growth below it.
Recognize a folk whose heads are lower than his.
أَبناءُsons of أَملاكِthe kings of مَنthose who صَلّىprayed لِقِبلَتِناtoward our qibla
أَبناءُ أَملاكِ مَن صَلّى لِقِبلَتِنا
فَكُلُّهُمso each of them مَلِكٌa king بِالتاجِwith the crown مُعتَصِبُwrapped around his head
فَكُلُّهُم مَلِكٌ بِالتاجِ مُعتَصِبُ
Sons of the kings of those who pray toward our qibla:
Sons of kings who prayed facing our qibla -
each of them is a king with a crown wrapped around his head.
all are kings whose crowned heads the turban clasps;
دَمُthe blood of النَبِيِّthe Prophet مَشوبٌmingled فيin دِمائِهِمُtheir blood
دَمُ النَبِيِّ مَشوبٌ في دِمائِهِمُ
كَماas يُخالِطُmingles with ماءَthe water of المُزنَةِthe rain cloud الضَرَبُwhite honey
كَما يُخالِطُ ماءَ المُزنَةِ الضَرَبُ
The Prophet's blood is mingled in their blood,
in whose blood the Prophet's blood is mingled
as white honey mingles with rain-cloud water.
as fresh water mingles with the Pleiades.
لَوif مُلِّكَwere granted الشَمسَthe sun قَومٌa people قَبلَهُمbefore them مَلَكواthey would possess
لَو مُلِّكَ الشَمسَ قَومٌ قَبلَهُم مَلَكوا
شَمسَthe sun of النَهارِday وَبَدرَand the full moon of اللَيلِnight لاno كَذِبُlie
شَمسَ النَهارِ وَبَدرَ اللَيلِ لا كَذِبُ
Had any people before them been granted the sun, these would have owned
Had a people been given kingship before them, they would rule
the daylight sun and the full moon of night—no lie.
the sun of daytime and the full moon of nightfall - no lie!
أَعطاهُمُgave them اللَهُGod ماwhat لَمnot يُعطِHe gave غَيرَهُمُothers
أَعطاهُمُ اللَهُ ما لَم يُعطِ غَيرَهُمُ
فَهُمso they مُلوكٌkings لِأَعداءِagainst the enemies of النُهىreason رُكَبُriders
فَهُم مُلوكٌ لِأَعداءِ النُهى رُكَبُ
God gave them what He gave no others;
God gave them what He gave none other;
they are kings, riders against the enemies of reason.
so over foes of religion they are kings on horseback.
لاnot يَحدَبونَguard protectively عَلىover مالٍwealth بِمَبخَلَةٍout of miserliness
لا يَحدَبونَ عَلى مالٍ بِمَبخَلَةٍ
إِذاwhen اللِئامُthe ignoble عَلىover أَموالِهِمtheir wealth حَدَبواhover protectively
إِذا اللِئامُ عَلى أَموالِهِم حَدَبوا
They do not guard wealth out of miserliness
They do not look askance at wealth out of meanness
when the ignoble hover protectively over their money.
when the lowly look to their wealth with longing.
لَولاwere it not for فُضولُthe abundant generosity of سُلَيمانٍSulayman وَنائِلُهُand his gifts
لَولا فُضولُ سُلَيمانٍ وَنائِلُهُ
لَمnot يَدرِwould know طالِبُa seeker of عُرفٍkindness أَينَwhere يَنشَعِبُto turn
لَم يَدرِ طالِبُ عُرفٍ أَينَ يَنشَعِبُ
Were it not for Sulayman's abundant generosity and gifts,
But for Solomon's immoderation and his portion
a seeker of kindness would not know which way to turn.
no seeker of bounty would know which pass to climb.
يَنتابُهُvisits him الأَقرَبُthe nearest kinsman الساعيthe seeker بِذِمَّتِهِunder his protection
يَنتابُهُ الأَقرَبُ الساعي بِذِمَّتِهِ
إِذاwhen الزَمانُtime كَباstumbled وَالخابِطُand the one groping along الجُنُبُthe distant stranger
إِذا الزَمانُ كَبا وَالخابِطُ الجُنُبُ
The nearest kinsman seeking his protection comes to him
In his debt is the nearest kin, begging his favor,
when time stumbles, as does the distant stranger groping his way.
when times worsen and the threadbare turns shameless.
كَمhow many مِنof يَتيمٍan orphan ضَعيفِweak of الطَرفِgaze لَيسَnot لَهُhe has
كَم مِن يَتيمٍ ضَعيفِ الطَرفِ لَيسَ لَهُ
إِلّاexcept تَناوُلُreaching toward كَفَّيthe two hands of ذيone possessing الغِنىwealth أَشَبُa sheltering thicket
إِلّا تَناوُلُ كَفَّي ذي الغِنى أَشَبُ
How many an orphan, weak of gaze, who has
How many a helpless orphan with downcast eyes
no sheltering thicket but reaching toward a wealthy man's hands!
has none but the palms of the wealthy to fill!
آخىmade a brother لَهُfor him عَروُهُhis approach الأَثرىthe wealthier man فَنالَso he gained بِهِthrough him
آخى لَهُ عَروُهُ الأَثرى فَنالَ بِهِ
رَواحَrespite آخَرَanother مَعقودٍsecured لَهُfor him سَبَبُa cord of support
رَواحَ آخَرَ مَعقودٍ لَهُ سَبَبُ
His approach made the wealthier man a brother to him; through him he gained
His naked arm has adopted him, and so he has attained
another respite, a cord of support secured for him,
the pasturage of another time knotted for him.
بِنائِلٍthrough bounty سَبِطٍfreely flowing لاno مَنَّreproach يُردِفُهُfollows it
بِنائِلٍ سَبِطٍ لا مَنَّ يُردِفُهُ
إِذاwhen مَعاشِرُother groups مَنّواreproach with الفَضلَthe favor وَاِحتَسَبواand reckon it up
إِذا مَعاشِرُ مَنّوا الفَضلَ وَاِحتَسَبوا
through freely flowing bounty, followed by no reproach,
An ample portion undiminshed by meanness
when other folk remind men of their favors and reckon them up.
when the virtuous have granted bounty and acted righteously!
ياO اِبنَson of الأَكارِمِthe noblest آباءًin ancestry وَمَأثَرَةًand glorious deeds
يا اِبنَ الأَكارِمِ آباءً وَمَأثَرَةً
مِنكَfrom you الوَفاءُfidelity وَمِنكَand from you النائِلُthe bounty الرَغَبُample
مِنكَ الوَفاءُ وَمِنكَ النائِلُ الرَغَبُ
O son of men noble in ancestry and glorious deeds,
O best of the generous, in fathers and in pride,
from you come fidelity and ample gifts.
loyalty is yours, and yours is the seeker's portion!
فيin الحَيِّthe tribe ليI have دَردَقٌlittle children شُعثٌragged شَقيتُI have suffered بِهِمbecause of them
في الحَيِّ لي دَردَقٌ شُعثٌ شَقيتُ بِهِم
لاnot يَكسِبونَthey earn وَماand not عِنديI have لَهُمfor them نَشَبُproperty
لا يَكسِبونَ وَما عِندي لَهُم نَشَبُ
In the tribe I have little ragged children whose burden has worn me down;
Though I live on in abject clothes and misery,
they earn nothing, and I have no property for them.
with sons who bring no profit and have no food but roots -
عَزَّbecame scarce المَضاعُfurther food (reading uncertain) عَلَيهِمfor them بَعدَafter وَجبَتِهِمtheir single daily meal
عَزَّ المَضاعُ عَلَيهِم بَعدَ وَجبَتِهِم
فَماso what تَرىdo you think فيof أُناسٍpeople عَيشُهُمwhose livelihood وَجَبُone meal a day
فَما تَرى في أُناسٍ عَيشُهُم وَجَبُ
Further food is scarce for them after their single meal;
to them, after their allotted shares, sustenance
what do you think of people who live on one meal a day?
is hard, for you never see men whose living's roots!"
Claude 2 is inferred from the historical translator configuration. The original record does not identify its model.