أَنّىwhere? شَبابُكَyour youth قَدalready مَضىhas passed مَحموداpraised
أَنّى شَبابُكَ قَد مَضى مَحمودا
وَدَعِand leave الغَوانِيَthe beautiful women إِنif أَرَدنَthey desire صُدوداestrangement
وَدَعِ الغَوانِيَ إِن أَرَدنَ صُدودا
Where is your youth? It has passed, held in praise.
How your youth has passed praiseworthily,
Leave the beautiful women if they desire estrangement,
Leave empty talk if you want barriers.
وَصَرَمنَand they severed حَبلَكَyour bond بَعدَafter أَوَّلِthe first نَظرَةٍglance
وَصَرَمنَ حَبلَكَ بَعدَ أَوَّلِ نَظرَةٍ
وَبِماand in that يَكُنَّthey are إِلىtoward حَديثِكِyour talk صيداaloof
وَبِما يَكُنَّ إِلى حَديثِكِ صيدا
And have severed your bond after the first glance,
And she captivated you at first sight,
And in this they are aloof toward your talk.
And whatever leads to her talk is game.
أَيّامَdays when يَنبَعِثُsprings forth القَريضُpoetry بِمَجلِسٍin a gathering
أَيّامَ يَنبَعِثُ القَريضُ بِمَجلِسٍ
شافٍhealing لِدائِكَfor your ailment أَوor تَبيتُyou spend the night عَميداlovesick
شافٍ لِدائِكَ أَو تَبيتُ عَميدا
Those days when poetry sprang forth in a gathering,
Days when poetry sprouts in a session
Healing your ailment—or you spent the night lovesick.
That heals your affliction or you spend sleepless.
تَصطادُyou hunt مِنfrom among بَقرِwild cows الأَنيسِhuman company وَتَصطَفيand you select
تَصطادُ مِن بَقرِ الأَنيسِ وَتَصطَفي
كَأسَa cup المُدامَةِof wine عِندَهُنَّamong them رَكوداresting still
كَأسَ المُدامَةِ عِندَهُنَّ رَكودا
You hunted among the wild cows of human company, and chose
You hunt from the cattle of a companion and choose
A cup of wine resting still among them.
A cup of wine by them stagnant.
وَلَقَدand indeed شَرِبتُI drank رُضابَهُنَّtheir sweet saliva عَلىin الصَداthirst
وَلَقَد شَرِبتُ رُضابَهُنَّ عَلى الصَدا
وَعَلىand in الصَبابَةِardent longing وُدَّهُنَّtheir affection بَروداcooling
وَعَلى الصَبابَةِ وُدَّهُنَّ بَرودا
Indeed, I drank their sweet saliva in my thirst,
And indeed I have drunk their goodwill with amiability
And, in ardent longing, their cooling affection.
And their youthful spirit with coolness.
مِنfrom كُلِّevery مُقبِلَةِone entering الشَبابِyouth كَأَنَّهاas though she
مِن كُلِّ مُقبِلَةِ الشَبابِ كَأَنَّها
صَنَمٌan idol لِأَعجَمَfor a non-Arab لاnot يَنيceases مَعبوداworshipped
صَنَمٌ لِأَعجَمَ لا يَني مَعبودا
From every girl entering youth, as though she were
From every youthful woman it is as if she is
An idol for a non-Arab, worshipped without end.
An idol of non-Arabs not worshipped.
تُدنيshe lowers القِناعَthe veil عَلىover مَحاسِنِthe beauties مُشرِقٍa radiant face
تُدني القِناعَ عَلى مَحاسِنِ مُشرِقٍ
كَالبَدرِlike the full moon يَحفِلُis richly adorned عُصفُراًsafflower dye وَعُقوداand necklaces
كَالبَدرِ يَحفِلُ عُصفُراً وَعُقودا
She lowers her veil over the beauties of a radiant face,
She brings down the veil on glowing beauty
Like the full moon, richly adorned with safflower dye and necklaces.
Like the full moon swarming with braids and necklaces.
وَكَأَنَّماand as though نَظَرَتshe looked بِعَينَيwith the two eyes شادِنٍof a fawn
وَكَأَنَّما نَظَرَت بِعَينَي شادِنٍ
حَيرانَbewildered أَبصَرَsaw شادِناًa fawn مَطروداdriven away
حَيرانَ أَبصَرَ شادِناً مَطرودا
As though she looked with the eyes of a fawn,
And it is as if she looked with two languishing eyes
Bewildered, seeing another fawn driven away.
Bewildered he saw a languishing one expelled.
وَيَشُكُّand wonder فيهاabout her الناظِرونَthe onlookers إِذاwhen مَشَتshe walks
وَيَشُكُّ فيها الناظِرونَ إِذا مَشَت
أَتسيلُdoes she flow? أَمor تَمشيshe walks لَهُمbefore them تَأويداswaying
أَتسيلُ أَم تَمشي لَهُم تَأويدا
Those watching her wonder when she walks:
And onlookers doubt when she walks
Does she flow, or walk before them with a swaying gait?
Does she slip or walk to them in perseverance.
أَرخَتshe relaxed عَلىupon قَصَبِthe slender bones الرَوادِفِof the haunches فَاِنثَنَتthen she swayed
أَرخَت عَلى قَصَبِ الرَوادِفِ فَاِنثَنَت
كَالخَيزُرانَةِlike a bamboo cane لَدنَةًsupple أَملوداpliant
كَالخَيزُرانَةِ لَدنَةً أَملودا
She relaxed upon the slender bones beneath her haunches, then swayed,
She leaned on the litter poles so she bent
Like a bamboo cane, soft and pliant.
Like a tender, gentle willow.
وَكَأَنَّهاand as though she شَرِبَتdrank سُلافَةَthe choicest wine بابِلٍof Babylon
وَكَأَنَّها شَرِبَت سُلافَةَ بابِلٍ
بِالساهِرِيَّةِin the Sahiriyya خالَطَتmingled قِنديداspiced wine
بِالساهِرِيَّةِ خالَطَت قِنديدا
As though she had drunk Babylon's choicest wine,
And it is as if she drank the wine of Babylon
In the Sahiriyya, mingled with spiced wine.
Having mixed it with pure wine.
فِتَنٌtemptresses مُبَتَّلَةٌperfectly formed تَميلُincline إِلىtoward الصِبىyouthful passion
فِتَنٌ مُبَتَّلَةٌ تَميلُ إِلى الصِبى
وَلِمَنand for whoever تَصَيَّدَهاhunts her تَكونُshe becomes صَيوداa huntress
وَلِمَن تَصَيَّدَها تَكونُ صَيودا
Temptresses, perfectly formed, inclining toward youthful passion,
Temptations inclined to the youth
And for whoever hunts her, she becomes a huntress.
And for whoever hunted her she would be prey.
وَصَفَتoutlined مَجاسِدُهاher dyed garments رَوادِفَhaunches فَعمَةًfull
وَصَفَت مَجاسِدُها رَوادِفَ فَعمَةً
وَمُهَفهَفاًand a slender waist قَلِقَloose الوِشاحِthe sash خَضيداpliant
وَمُهَفهَفاً قَلِقَ الوِشاحِ خَضيدا
Her dyed garments outlined full haunches,
Her hips swayed stirring up her cloak
And a slender, supple waist where the sash sat loose.
Billowing and her sash restless.
وَعَلىand upon التَرائِبِthe upper chest زَينَهُنَّtheir adornment كَأَنَّهُas though it
وَعَلى التَرائِبِ زَينَهُنَّ كَأَنَّهُ
وَسنانُa drowsy sleeper جاذَبَtugged at مَضجَعاًa couch لِيَؤوداto make it bend
وَسنانُ جاذَبَ مَضجَعاً لِيَؤودا
Upon their upper chests their adornment seemed
And on the couches her adornment made it seem as if it
A drowsy sleeper tugging at a couch to make it bend.
Was fangs attracting a resting place to bite.
وَإِذاand when بَداappears لَكَto you وَجهُهاher face أَكبَرتَهُyou hold it in awe
وَإِذا بَدا لَكَ وَجهُها أَكبَرتَهُ
عَجَباًin wonder وَياand oh لَكَfor you فيamid القَلائِدِthe necklaces جيداa neck
عَجَباً وَيا لَكَ في القَلائِدِ جيدا
When her face appears to you, you hold it in awe,
And when her face appeared you are amazed by it
In wonder—and what a neck amid those necklaces!
For you are excellent in necklaces indeed.
وَكَفىand enough بِمُضطَرِبِwith the swaying-place العُقودِof the necklaces فَإِنَّهُfor it
وَكَفى بِمُضطَرِبِ العُقودِ فَإِنَّهُ
نَحرٌa throat يَزينُbeautifies زَبَرجَداًchrysolite وَفَريداand choice pearls
نَحرٌ يَزينُ زَبَرجَداً وَفَريدا
The place where necklaces sway is enough, for it is
And enough the disturbance of necklaces for it is
A throat that beautifies chrysolite and choice pearls.
A throat adorned with unmatched pearls.
وَلَئِنand even if صَدَدنَthey turn away لَقَدindeed قَضَيتُI fulfilled لُبانَةًa longing
وَلَئِن صَدَدنَ لَقَد قَضَيتُ لُبانَةً
وَغَنيتُand I lived دَهراًfor an age ناعِماًin comfort غِرّيداsinging merrily
وَغَنيتُ دَهراً ناعِماً غِرّيدا
Even if they turn away, I have fulfilled a longing,
And if they turn away I have spent a pleasant time
And lived an age in comfort, singing merrily.
And sang a lifetime gentle warbling.
وَدُمىًand statue-like beauties أَوانِسُsociable مِنfrom among بَناتِthe daughters مُحَرِّقٍof Muharriq
وَدُمىً أَوانِسُ مِن بَناتِ مُحَرِّقٍ
حورٌdark-eyed نَواعِمُsoft أَوجُهاًin faces وَجُلوداand skins
حورٌ نَواعِمُ أَوجُهاً وَجُلودا
And doll-like, sociable beauties among Muharriq's daughters,
And companions of the daughters of a burning
Dark-eyed, tender in face and skin,
Houries, gentle faced and smooth skinned.
أَرسَلنَthey sent فيwith لُطفٍgentleness إِلَيَّto me أَنِsaying اِئتِناcome to us
أَرسَلنَ في لُطفٍ إِلَيَّ أَنِ اِئتِنا
غابَis absent الرَقيبُthe watcher وَماand not تَخافُyou fear وَعيداa threat
غابَ الرَقيبُ وَما تَخافُ وَعيدا
Sent me a gentle message: “Come to us;
They sent gently to me come to us
The watcher is absent, and you need fear no threat.”
The guardian is absent so do not fear the threat.
فَأَتَيتُهُنَّso I came to them مَعَwith الجَرِيِّthe messenger يَقودُنيleading me
فَأَتَيتُهُنَّ مَعَ الجَرِيِّ يَقودُني
طَرِباًjoyful وَياand oh لَكَfor you قائِداًa guide وَمَقوداand one guided
طَرِباً وَيا لَكَ قائِداً وَمَقودا
So I came to them with the messenger leading me,
So I came to them the peddler leading me
Joyful—and what a guide and guided one!
Agitated - and how excellent a guide and guided!
لَمّاwhen اِلتَقَيناwe met قُلنَthey said هاتِgive us something فَقَدfor already مَضَتhas passed
لَمّا اِلتَقَينا قُلنَ هاتِ فَقَد مَضَت
سَنَةٌa year نُؤَمِّلُwe hoped أَنto نَراكَsee you قَعيداseated beside us
سَنَةٌ نُؤَمِّلُ أَن نَراكَ قَعيدا
When we met, they said: “Speak, for there has passed
When we met they said speak for a year has passed
A year of hoping to see you seated beside us.
We hope to see you sitting.
حَدِّثspeak فَقَدfor indeed رَقَدَhave slept الوُشاةُthe tale-bearers وَلَيتَهُمand would that they
حَدِّث فَقَد رَقَدَ الوُشاةُ وَلَيتَهُم
حَتّىuntil القَيامَةِthe Resurrection يَلبَثونَthey remain رُقوداasleep
حَتّى القَيامَةِ يَلبَثونَ رُقودا
Speak—the tale-bearers have fallen asleep; would that they
Speak for the guards have slept would that they
Might remain asleep until the Resurrection!”
Stay sleeping till resurrection sluggish.
قُلتُI said اِقتَرِحنَmake requests مِنَof الهَوىlove فَسَأَلنَنيso they asked me
قُلتُ اِقتَرِحنَ مِنَ الهَوى فَسَأَلنَني
طُرَفَchoice parts الحَديثِof conversation فُكاهَةًfor amusement وَنَشيداand verse-recitation
طُرَفَ الحَديثِ فُكاهَةً وَنَشيدا
I said, “Make requests about love”; they asked me for
I said propose from love so they asked me
Choice tales for amusement, and recited verse.
For a witty and poetic snippet of talk
حَتّىuntil إِذاwhen بَعَثَprompted الأَذينُthe prayer-caller فِراقَناour parting
حَتّى إِذا بَعَثَ الأَذينُ فِراقَنا
وَرَأَيتُand I saw مِنin وَجهِthe face الصَباحِof morning خُدوداcheeks
وَرَأَيتُ مِن وَجهِ الصَباحِ خُدودا
Until, when the prayer-caller prompted our parting,
Until when the dawn separated us
And I saw cheeks in the face of morning,
And I saw the cheeks of morning blushing.
جَرَتِflowed الدُموعُthe tears وَقُلنَand they said فيكَin you جَلادَةٌfortitude
جَرَتِ الدُموعُ وَقُلنَ فيكَ جَلادَةٌ
عَنّاaway from us وَنكرَهُand we dislike أَنto نَراكَsee you جَليداunmoved
عَنّا وَنكرَهُ أَن نَراكَ جَليدا
Tears flowed, and they said: “You have fortitude
Tears flowed and they said you are hardhearted
To do without us; we hate to see you so unmoved.”
To us and we dislike seeing you stoic.
فَالآنَso now حينَwhen صَحَوتَyou have sobered إِنِّيindeed I إِنif أُرىI am seen
فَالآنَ حينَ صَحَوتَ إِنِّي إِن أُرى
كَلِفاًenamored فَيَرجَعُthen returns وُدُّهُنَّtheir affection جَديداrenewed
كَلِفاً فَيَرجَعُ وُدُّهُنَّ جَديدا
So now that you have sobered—indeed, if I am seen
So now when you are awake if I see
Enamored, their affection will return anew.
You sullen then their love will renew.
لاdo not تَعصِdisobey ذاone possessing رَشَدٍsound judgment وَيُمنِand auspiciousness مَشورَةٍof counsel
لا تَعصِ ذا رَشَدٍ وَيُمنِ مَشورَةٍ
وَمِنَand part of السَعادَةِgood fortune أَنis to تَكونَbe رَشيداrightly guided
وَمِنَ السَعادَةِ أَن تَكونَ رَشيدا
Do not disobey one of sound judgment and auspicious counsel,
Do not disobey one of wisdom and prosperity of counsel
And good fortune lies in being rightly guided.
And of fortune is that you be rightly-guided.
مَتِّعgrant enjoyment to صَديقَكَyour friend غَيرَwithout مُخلِقِwearing out وَجهِهِhis face
مَتِّع صَديقَكَ غَيرَ مُخلِقِ وَجهِهِ
وَإِذاand when سُئِلتَyou are asked فَلاthen do not تَكُنbe جُلموداa boulder
وَإِذا سُئِلتَ فَلا تَكُن جُلمودا
Give pleasure to your friend without wearing down his face,
Entertain your friend regardless of his mood
And when you are asked, do not be a boulder.
And if asked then do not be unresponsive.
وَفَتىًand a young man يَذُبُّdefends عَنِon behalf of المَتاعِthe possessions وَيَبتَغيand seeks
وَفَتىً يَذُبُّ عَنِ المَتاعِ وَيَبتَغي
ماwhat فيis in يَدَيكَyour two hands إِذاwhen رَآكَhe sees you مُفيداgiving
ما في يَدَيكَ إِذا رَآكَ مُفيدا
And a young man who guards his possessions yet covets
And a man who protects belongings and seeks
What is in your hands when he sees you giving:
What is in your hands when he sees you beneficial.
شَيَّعتُهُI encouraged him لِيُهينَto hold cheap بَعضَsome مَتاعِهِof his possessions
شَيَّعتُهُ لِيُهينَ بَعضَ مَتاعِهِ
يَوماًone day وَيُكرِمَand honor نَفسَهُhimself فَيَسوداso he becomes chief
يَوماً وَيُكرِمَ نَفسَهُ فَيَسودا
I urged him to hold some of his possessions cheap
I escorted him to demean some of his goods
One day, and honor himself, so he might become a chief.
One day and to honor himself so he prevailed.
فَدَناso he drew near فَأَشرَقَthen he brightened ثُمَّthen أَظلَمَgrew dark وَجهُهُhis face
فَدَنا فَأَشرَقَ ثُمَّ أَظلَمَ وَجهُهُ
عَرَفَhe recognized الوَلاءَthe bond of loyalty فَزادَهُso it increased his تَربيداgloom
عَرَفَ الوَلاءَ فَزادَهُ تَربيدا
He drew near and brightened; then his face grew dark.
So he came near glowing then his face darkened
He recognized the bond of loyalty, and it deepened his gloom.
He knew loyalty so it increased his chill.
أَبلِغtell سُراةَthe chiefs بَنيof the sons الحُصَينِof al-Ḥuṣayn بِأَنَّنيthat I
أَبلِغ سُراةَ بَني الحُصَينِ بِأَنَّني
قَلَّدتُهُمI garlanded them مِدَحيmy praises وكُنتُand I was وَدوداaffectionate
قَلَّدتُهُم مِدَحي وكُنتُ وَدودا
Tell the chiefs of Banu al-Ḥuṣayn that I
Inform the horsemen of Bani Husain that I
Have garlanded them with my praises and been affectionate.
Entrusted them with my praise and was affectionate.
حَمَّلتُI loaded قَرمَهُمُtheir noble camel الفَنيقَthe pampered one قَصائِديmy poems
حَمَّلتُ قَرمَهُمُ الفَنيقَ قَصائِدي
حُذّاًswift-running يَلَذُّtake delight بِهاin them الرُواةُthe reciters نَشيداin chanting
حُذّاً يَلَذُّ بِها الرُواةُ نَشيدا
I loaded their lordly, pampered camel with my poems,
I loaded their ships with my Phoenician poems
Swift-running ones, whose chanting delights the reciters.
Yearned for by reciters as songs.
وَإِذاand when ذَكَرتُI mention بَنيthe sons قُتَيبَةَof Qutayba أَصبَحَتbegins
وَإِذا ذَكَرتُ بَني قُتَيبَةَ أَصبَحَت
نَفسيmy soul تُنازِعُنيurges me toward القَريضَpoetry جَديداanew
نَفسي تُنازِعُني القَريضَ جَديدا
And when I mention Banu Qutayba,
And when I mention Bani Qutaiba I become
My soul begins urging me toward fresh poetry.
My soul disputing with me composing anew.
الذائِدينَthe defenders عَنِof الحَريمِthe protected household بِجَدِّهِمwith their vigor
الذائِدينَ عَنِ الحَريمِ بِجَدِّهِم
وَالمُنعِمينَand the benefactors أُبُوَّةًas fathers وَجُدوداand grandfathers
وَالمُنعِمينَ أُبُوَّةً وَجُدودا
Those who defend their protected households with their vigor,
The repellers of harm with their seriousness
And benefactors, fathers and grandfathers alike.
And benefactors paternal and generous.
قَومٌa people لَهُمthey possess كَرَمُnobility الإِخاءِof brotherhood وَعِزَّةٌand might
قَومٌ لَهُم كَرَمُ الإِخاءِ وَعِزَّةٌ
لاnot يُمكِنونَthey allow بِهاthrough it الظَلامَةَinjustice صيداprey
لا يُمكِنونَ بِها الظَلامَةَ صيدا
A people of noble brotherhood and might,
A people having the bounty of brotherhood and honor
Through which they never yield as prey to injustice.
With which they make injustice unable to hunt.
تَأبىreject قُلوبُهُمُtheir hearts المَذَلَّةَabasement وَالخَناand baseness
تَأبى قُلوبُهُمُ المَذَلَّةَ وَالخَنا
وَأَبَتand refused أَكُفُّهُمُtheir hands البُحورُthe seas جُموداto freeze
وَأَبَت أَكُفُّهُمُ البُحورُ جُمودا
Their hearts reject abasement and baseness,
Their hearts refuse humiliation and lowliness
And their hands, those seas, have refused to freeze.
And their palms refused the seas frozen.
فُطُنٌperceptive لِمَعروفٍin kindness وَإِنand though لَمnot يَفطُنواthey perceive
فُطُنٌ لِمَعروفٍ وَإِن لَم يَفطُنوا
لِلغَيِّin wrongdoing يَعرِفُهُknows it الخَليلُthe close friend مُعيداrepeating
لِلغَيِّ يَعرِفُهُ الخَليلُ مُعيدا
Perceptive in kindness, though not perceptive
Clever regarding good deed even if they don’t notice
In wrongdoing; a friend knows their kindness comes again.
Evil which a friend notices repeating.
وَتَرىand you see عَلَيهِمupon them نَضرَةًfreshness وَمَهابَةًand dignity
وَتَرى عَلَيهِم نَضرَةً وَمَهابَةً
شَرَفاًnobility وَإِنand if مَلَكواthey rule أَمِنتَyou are safe from وَعيداthreats
شَرَفاً وَإِن مَلَكوا أَمِنتَ وَعيدا
You see upon them freshness and dignity,
And you see upon them brilliance and awe
Nobility—and if they rule, you are safe from threats.
Nobility, and if they possess you feel assured of threat.
مُتَوازِرونَsupporting one another عَلىin pursuit of المَحامِدِpraiseworthy deeds وَالنَدىand generosity
مُتَوازِرونَ عَلى المَحامِدِ وَالنَدى
لاnot يَحسَبونَthey suppose غِنىًwealth يُديمُperpetuates خُلوداeverlasting life
لا يَحسَبونَ غِنىً يُديمُ خُلودا
Supporting one another in praiseworthy deeds and generosity,
Cooperative upon praise and softness
They do not suppose wealth grants everlasting life.
Not considering wealth lasting eternity.
وَكَأَنَّهُمand as though they فيat نَحرِthe forefront كُلِّof every مَخوفَةٍperil
وَكَأَنَّهُم في نَحرِ كُلِّ مَخوفَةٍ
أُسُدٌlions جَعَلنَmade لَهاfor themselves المَلاحِمَbattles عيداa festival
أُسُدٌ جَعَلنَ لَها المَلاحِمَ عيدا
As though, at the forefront of every peril, they were
And it is as if they are in the throat of every feared thing
Lions that made battles their festival.
A lion who made for it feasts a celebration.
يَغدونَthey go forth at morning فيamid حَلَقِcircles النَعيمِof pleasure وَتارَةًand sometimes
يَغدونَ في حَلَقِ النَعيمِ وَتارَةً
فيin المِسكِmusk يُصبِحُbecomes لِلجُلودِfor the skins جُلوداskins
في المِسكِ يُصبِحُ لِلجُلودِ جُلودا
They go forth amid circles of pleasure, and sometimes
They spend the morn in luxury and sometimes
In musk that becomes another skin upon their skins.
In musk the skins in the morning are skins.
وَمُرَفَّلينَand robed in honor عَلىabove العَشيرَةِthe clan أَصبَحواthey became
وَمُرَفَّلينَ عَلى العَشيرَةِ أَصبَحوا
سَبقاًahead مَرازِبَةَthe marzbans العِراقِof Iraq قُعوداseated
سَبقاً مَرازِبَةَ العِراقِ قُعودا
And, robed in honor above their clan, they became
Adorned with fancy clothes they surpassed
Front-runners, while Iraq's marzbans remained seated.
The stayers behind in Iraq sitting.
وَبَنىand built لَهُمfor them مُلكاًa kingdom أَطالَraised high عِمادَهُits supporting pillar
وَبَنى لَهُم مُلكاً أَطالَ عِمادَهُ
سَلَفٌa forebear يَرَىsees بِمَجَرَّةٍin the Milky Way أُخدوداa furrow
سَلَفٌ يَرَى بِمَجَرَّةٍ أُخدودا
A kingdom was built for them, its supporting pillar raised high,
And a predecessor built a kingdom prolonging its pillars
By a forebear who saw the Milky Way as a furrow.
An ancestor who sees with guidance trenches.
غَيرانُjealous for honor وَقَّرَdeafened سَمعَهُhis hearing وَضَميرَهُand his heart
غَيرانُ وَقَّرَ سَمعَهُ وَضَميرَهُ
وَقعُthe clang الحَديدِof iron بِهِwith it يَشُقُّhe cleaves حَديداiron
وَقعُ الحَديدِ بِهِ يَشُقُّ حَديدا
Zealous, his hearing and heart were deafened
Ghayaan whose hearing and conscience were calmed
By the clang of iron with which he cleaves iron.
By the impact of iron - it splits iron.
تَنشَقُّpart رَوعاتُthe terrors الوَغىof battle عَنfrom رَأسِهِhis head
تَنشَقُّ رَوعاتُ الوَغى عَن رَأسِهِ
صَلَتانَa fierce warrior يَفتِكُstrikes ruthlessly بِالأُمورِat affairs وَحيداalone
صَلَتانَ يَفتِكُ بِالأُمورِ وَحيدا
The terrors of battle part around his head,
The crashes of turmoil split above his head
A fierce warrior, striking at affairs alone.
Two lightning bolts who handle matters alone.
كَمhow many مِنof عُفارِيَةٍa demon أَبَلَّcunning مُتَوَّجٍcrowned
كَم مِن عُفارِيَةٍ أَبَلَّ مُتَوَّجٍ
قَتَلَkilled الإِلَهُGod بِهِthrough him وَكانَand was مَريداrebellious
قَتَلَ الإِلَهُ بِهِ وَكانَ مَريدا
How many a cunning, crowned demon
How many infidels wearing crowns he made
God has slain through him, each one rebellious!
Killed by God and he was a devotee.
قادَhe led الجُنودَthe armies مِنfrom البُصَيرَةِal-Busayra لِلعِدىagainst the foes
قادَ الجُنودَ مِن البُصَيرَةِ لِلعِدى
حَتّىuntil وَقَعنَthey reached بِصينِin China ثَغرٍa frontier قوداlong-necked
حَتّى وَقَعنَ بِصينِ ثَغرٍ قودا
He led armies from al-Busayra against the foes,
He led the armies from Basra to enemies
Until they reached a frontier in China, long-necked steeds:
Until they landed at the coast of a land.
خَيلاًhorses مُخَفَّفَةًlightly equipped وَخَيلاًand horses حُسَّراًunarmored
خَيلاً مُخَفَّفَةً وَخَيلاً حُسَّراً
لاnot يَعتَلِجنَthey struggle مَعَwith الشَكائِمِthe bits عوداmature steeds
لا يَعتَلِجنَ مَعَ الشَكائِمِ عودا
Horses lightly equipped, and horses unarmored,
Horses outfitted and horses armored
Seasoned steeds that do not struggle against their bits.
Who do not resist with the fiery when prodded.
أَنزَلنَthey brought down غَوزَكَGhawzak مِنfrom صَياصيthe strongholds عِزِّهِof his might
أَنزَلنَ غَوزَكَ مِن صَياصي عِزِّهِ
ظَهراًat noon وَكانَand was غِزِيُّهُhis assailant مَجدوداfortunate
ظَهراً وَكانَ غِزِيُّهُ مَجدودا
They brought Ghawzak down from the strongholds of his might,
They brought down Ghazak from his power’s stronghold
At noon, and his assailant was favored by fortune.
A back and his raiding was renewable.
وَأَفَأنَand took as spoils نِسوَةَthe women نَيزَكٍof Nayzak وَتَرَكنَهُand left him
وَأَفَأنَ نِسوَةَ نَيزَكٍ وَتَرَكنَهُ
جَزَراًcarrion وَرَهطَand the band بَنيof the sons الأَشَلِّof al-Ashall حَصيداmown down
جَزَراً وَرَهطَ بَني الأَشَلِّ حَصيدا
They took Nayzak's women as spoils and left him
And they spent the women of Nayzak leaving him
Carrion, and the band of Banu al-Ashall mown down.
As booty and the people of Al-Ashlah harvested.
وَحَمَلنَand they carried رَبَّهُمُtheir lord الأَجَلَّthe most august هَدِيَّةًas a gift
وَحَمَلنَ رَبَّهُمُ الأَجَلَّ هَدِيَّةً
فيamong الشاكِرَيَّةِthe Shakiriyya عانِياًcaptive مَصفوداfettered
في الشاكِرَيَّةِ عانِياً مَصفودا
They carried their most august lord as a gift,
And they carried their lord the glorious as a gift
Among the Shakiriyya, a captive bound in chains.
In chains writhing in prison.
وَمَنَعنَand denied خاقانَKhaqan المَسارِحَthe grazing-grounds فَاِنثَنىso he turned back
وَمَنَعنَ خاقانَ المَسارِحَ فَاِنثَنى
عَجِلاًhastily يَشُلُّdriving سَوامَهُhis grazing livestock مَزؤوداterrified
عَجِلاً يَشُلُّ سَوامَهُ مَزؤودا
They denied Khaqan the grazing-grounds, and he turned back,
And they prevented Khagan from resting so he turned
Hastily driving his grazing livestock, terrified.
A calf whose reigns are suffering frequent prodding.
وَأَقَمنَand made قَتلىthe slain لِلمَقانِبِfor cavalry bands وَالقَناand spears
وَأَقَمنَ قَتلى لِلمَقانِبِ وَالقَنا
بَعدَafter الحَصانَةِfortified safety مَنهَلاًa watering-place مَوروداfrequented
بَعدَ الحَصانَةِ مَنهَلاً مَورودا
They made the slain, for cavalry bands and spears,
And they established the slain for the lances and spears
After their fortified safety, a frequented watering-place.
After security a watering place gushing.
تِلكَthose المَكارِمُnoble deeds لاnot مَقامَthe stand مُعَذِّرٍof a shirker
تِلكَ المَكارِمُ لا مَقامَ مُعَذِّرٍ
بَرَقَflashed lightning الحَبِيُّthe banked cloud لَهُfor him فَحادَso he turned aside مَجيداskillfully
بَرَقَ الحَبِيُّ لَهُ فَحادَ مَجيدا
Those are noble deeds, not the stand of a shirker
Those are virtues no place for an apologist
For whom a banked cloud flashed, so he deftly turned aside.
Flashed for him so the beloved veered gloriously.
وَأَبوand Abu قُتَيبَةَQutayba فيin الكَريهَةِthe ordeal of battle مِثلُهُis like him
وَأَبو قُتَيبَةَ في الكَريهَةِ مِثلُهُ
يُعطيhe gives الجَزيلَlavishly وَيَقتُلُand kills الصِنديداthe mighty champion
يُعطي الجَزيلَ وَيَقتُلُ الصِنديدا
Abu Qutayba is like him in battle's ordeal:
And Abu Qutaiba is his equivalent in ordeals
He gives lavishly and kills the mighty champion.
Giving generously and killing the formidable.
مَلِكٌa king عَلىto مَضَضِthe anguish العَدُوِّof the enemy مَحَلُّهُhis station
مَلِكٌ عَلى مَضَضِ العَدُوِّ مَحَلُّهُ
يُعطيhe gives الجَزيلَlavishly وَيَقتُلُand kills الصِنديداthe mighty champion
يُعطي الجَزيلَ وَيَقتُلُ الصِنديدا
A king whose station grieves the enemy,
A king whose place is the annoyance of enemies
He gives lavishly and kills the mighty champion.
Giving generously and killing the formidable.
تُهدىare offered لَهto him فِلقُfragments الرُؤوسِof heads إِذاwhen غَداhe goes out at morning
تُهدى لَه فِلقُ الرُؤوسِ إِذا غَدا
وَإِذاand when تَرَوَّحَhe returns at evening حادِياًas a spur لِيَجوداso he may give generously
وَإِذا تَرَوَّحَ حادِياً لِيَجودا
Fragments of heads are brought to him when he goes out at dawn,
Severed heads are gifted to him when he raids
And when he returns at evening, a spur to his giving.
And when he goes out raiding to give.
وَلَقَدand indeed أَقولُI say لِقافِلينَto returning travelers رَأَيتُهُمI saw them
وَلَقَد أَقولُ لِقافِلينَ رَأَيتُهُم
بِقَفاbehind المَسالِحِthe frontier outposts يَقسِمونَthey share out قَصيداverse
بِقَفا المَسالِحِ يَقسِمونَ قَصيدا
Indeed, I say to returning travelers whom I saw
And indeed I say to caravans I have seen them
Behind the frontier outposts, sharing verses:
Divide poetry at the rear of battle gear.
كَيفَhow الأَميرُthe emir لِزائِرٍtoward a visitor مُتَخَيِّرٍdiscerning
كَيفَ الأَميرُ لِزائِرٍ مُتَخَيِّرٍ
تَرَكَleft الأَقارِبَthe kinsmen وَالبَعيدَand the stranger بَعيداfar away
تَرَكَ الأَقارِبَ وَالبَعيدَ بَعيدا
How is the emir toward a discerning visitor
How is the prince for a choosy visitor
Who left his kin and the stranger far away,
Who abandoned relatives and strangers stranger.
وُدّاًout of affection وَمُختَبِطاًand seeking bounty وَدائِمَand constant in عِشرَةٍcompanionship
وُدّاً وَمُختَبِطاً وَدائِمَ عِشرَةٍ
يَسعىhe strives لِجارِيَةٍfor a girl تُريدُwho wants نُقوداready money
يَسعى لِجارِيَةٍ تُريدُ نُقودا
Out of affection, seeking bounty, and constant in companionship,
Affectionate, joking, and constantly gathering
Striving for a girl who wants ready money?
Seeking a slave girl who wants cash.
تَأبىrefuse صَواحِبُهاher companions وَيَأبىand refuse أَهلُهاher family
تَأبى صَواحِبُها وَيَأبى أَهلُها
إِلّاanything but العَلاءَthe highest فَكَلَّفوهُso they burdened him كَؤوداwith an arduous ascent
إِلّا العَلاءَ فَكَلَّفوهُ كَؤودا
Her companions refuse, and her family refuse,
Her companions and his family refuse
Anything but the highest; they have set him an arduous climb.
Except with burden so they tasked him.
Claude 2 is inferred from the historical translator configuration. The original record does not identify its model.