دعوت أبا ليلى إلى السلم كي يرى

دعوت أبا ليلى إلى السلم كي يرى

برأي أصيل أو يؤول إلى حِلمِ

برأي أصيل أو يؤول إلى حِلمِ

I called Abu Layla to peace, so that he might see

I called Abu Layla to make peace so he may see

with sound judgment, or turn to forbearance.

With sincere opinion or be inclined to dream

دعاني اشُبُّ الحربَ بيني وبينه

دعاني اشُبُّ الحربَ بيني وبينه

فقلت له مهلا هَلُمَّ إلى السلم

فقلت له مهلا هَلُمَّ إلى السلم

He called on me to kindle war between me and him;

He provoked me to war between me and him

so I said to him, "Hold back; come to peace."

So I said to him, wait, come to peace

فلما أبى أرسلتُ فضلة ثوبه

فلما أبى أرسلتُ فضلة ثوبه

إليه فلم يرجع بحزم ولا عزم

إليه فلم يرجع بحزم ولا عزم

So when he refused, I released the loose end of his garment

But when he refused, I sent his coat

to him, but he did not return with prudence or resolve.

To him but he did not return with resolve and determination

وحين رمانيها رميت سواده

وحين رمانيها رميت سواده

ولا بُدَّ أن يرمى سَوَادُ الذي يرمي

ولا بُدَّ أن يرمى سَوَادُ الذي يرمي

And when he hurled it at me, I aimed my throw at his dark form;

And when he threw it back at me, I threw his darkness

and the dark form of whoever throws must itself be targeted.

And the darkness of one who throws must be thrown

فكان صريعَ الخيل أول وهلة

فكان صريعَ الخيل أول وهلة

فبعداً له مختار عجز على علم

فبعداً له مختار عجز على علم

So he was felled by the horses at the very first instant;

So he was the first victim of the horses

so away with him, who knowingly chose weakness!

Woe to him, unable with knowledge though determined

إذا أنت حَرَّكت الوغَى وشهدتها

إذا أنت حَرَّكت الوغَى وشهدتها

وافلتَّ من قتل فلا بد من كَلمِ

وافلتَّ من قتل فلا بد من كَلمِ

If you stir up battle and take part in it,

When you stir up turmoil and witness it

and escape being killed, a wound is unavoidable.

And escape from killing, you will not escape blame