أَتَجهَلُdo you not know قَدرَthe worth of بِشرٍBishr إِنَّindeed بِشراBishr
أَتَجهَلُ قَدرَ بِشرٍ إِنَّ بِشرا
لَأَرفَعُsurely higher مِنكَthan you فيin الناسوتِhumanity قَدراin worth
لَأَرفَعُ مِنكَ في الناسوتِ قَدرا
Do you not know Bishr's worth? Indeed, Bishr
Do you not know the worth of a man, Bishr,
Is surely higher than you in worth among mortals.
For I regard him higher in humanity
نَماhe grew بَينَamong الأَباعِرِthe camels فيin البَراريthe wilds
نَما بَينَ الأَباعِرِ في البَراري
وَغَيرَand other than الكَهفِthe cave لَمdid not يَعرِفknow مَقَرّاa dwelling
وَغَيرَ الكَهفِ لَم يَعرِف مَقَرّا
He grew among the camels in the wilds,
He dwelled between the dunes in the wild
And knew no dwelling other than a cave.
And knew no home but the cave
ولكِنbut حَلَّdwelt فيin بُردَيهِhis two cloaks وَحيٌinspiration
ولكِن حَلَّ في بُردَيهِ وَحيٌ
كَفاكَsufficed you تَفاخُراًin boasting وَكَفاهُand sufficed him فَخراfor glory
كَفاكَ تَفاخُراً وَكَفاهُ فَخرا
But inspiration dwelt within his two cloaks,
But revelation descended upon him in his cloak
Enough to silence your boasting and give him glory.
Enough of your boasting and his pride
وَهَلand is there فيin بُردَتَيكَyour two cloaks سِوىanything but دَعِييٍّan upstart
وَهَل في بُردَتَيكَ سِوى دَعِييٍّ
تَسَوَّدَbecame chief فيin القَبيلَةِthe tribe حينَwhen أَثرىhe grew rich
تَسَوَّدَ في القَبيلَةِ حينَ أَثرى
And what lies within your two cloaks but an upstart
Is there in your cloak other than Daiyan
Who became the tribe's chief when he grew rich?
Who grew wealthy when he led the tribe
رَأَتsaw بِشراًBishr عَجوزٌan old woman ذاتَone يَومٍday
رَأَت بِشراً عَجوزٌ ذاتَ يَومٍ
وَقَدand had حَزَرَتguessed بِهِin him وَطَراًa desire وَأَمراand a purpose
وَقَد حَزَرَت بِهِ وَطَراً وَأَمرا
An old woman saw Bishr one day,
An old woman saw Bishr one day
Having guessed his longing and his purpose.
And guessed about him, wary and concerned
فَقالَتso she said أَنتَyou تَبحَثُare seeking عَنfor عُروسٍa bride
فَقالَت أَنتَ تَبحَثُ عَن عُروسٍ
وَبِاِبنَةِand with the daughter عَمِّكَof your paternal uncle المِضيافِhospitable أَحرىmore fitting
وَبِاِبنَةِ عَمِّكَ المِضيافِ أَحرى
She said, 'You are seeking a bride,
She said, you seek a bride
And your hospitable uncle's daughter suits you best.'
But your cousin's daughter is more fitting
فَقالَso he said لَهاto her وَهَلand is هِيshe ذاتُpossessed of حُسنٍbeauty
فَقالَ لَها وَهَل هِي ذاتُ حُسنٍ
فَقالَتso she said إِنَّهاindeed she فيin الحُسنِbeauty بُشرىis glad tidings
فَقالَت إِنَّها في الحُسنِ بُشرى
He asked her, 'And is she beautiful?'
He asked, is she beautiful?
She said, 'She is beauty's glad tidings.
She said, in beauty she brings glad tidings
لَهاshe has شَعرٌhair كَأَنَّas though اللَيلَthe night مِنهُwere from it
لَها شَعرٌ كَأَنَّ اللَيلَ مِنهُ
تَمَنّىwished البَدرُthe full moon فيهِthrough it أَنto يَمُرّاpass
تَمَنّى البَدرُ فيهِ أَن يَمُرّا
She has hair as though the night were made from it,
Her hair is like the night
Through which the full moon longed to pass.
The full moon wished to pass through it
كَأَنَّas though ذُؤابَتَيهِits two tresses حِبالُwere ropes of أَسرٍcaptivity
كَأَنَّ ذُؤابَتَيهِ حِبالُ أَسرٍ
تُشَدُّare bound بِهاwith them قُلوبُthe hearts العُربِof the Arabs أَسرىas captives
تُشَدُّ بِها قُلوبُ العُربِ أَسرى
Its two tresses seem like ropes of captivity,
Her braids are like captive ropes
By which Arab hearts are bound as captives.'
With which she takes Arab hearts captive
فَخَفَّso he hurried لِعَمِّهِto his paternal uncle نَشوانَintoxicated جَذلاًjoyful
فَخَفَّ لِعَمِّهِ نَشوانَ جَذلاً
وَكاشَفَهُand spoke frankly to him فَلاقىthen encountered مِنهُfrom him زَجراa rebuke
وَكاشَفَهُ فَلاقى مِنهُ زَجرا
So he hurried to his uncle, drunk with joy,
Bishr hurried to his uncle Nushwan in panic
And spoke frankly, only to meet with his rebuke.
And confronted him, meeting his rebuke
فَقالَso he said لَهُto him أَبَيتَmay you refuse اللَعنَcurses قُلtell ليme
فَقالَ لَهُ أَبَيتَ اللَعنَ قُل لي
أَفاطِمَةٌis Fatimah لِغَيرِfor someone other than دَميmy blood تُسَرّىto become a consort
أَفاطِمَةٌ لِغَيرِ دَمي تُسَرّى
He said to him, 'May you be spared curses! Tell me:
He said to him, do you refuse my curse? Tell me
Must Fatimah become another bloodline's consort?
Will Fatima be married to other than my blood?
أَتَأباهاdo you deny her عَلَيَّto me وَمِنand from ذِراعيmy arm
أَتَأباها عَلَيَّ وَمِن ذِراعي
لِآمالِfor the hopes القَبيلِof the tribe عَمِلتُI made جِسراa bridge
لِآمالِ القَبيلِ عَمِلتُ جِسرا
Do you deny her to me, when from my arm
Do you prevent her from me, though my arm
I have made a bridge for the tribe's hopes?
Built bridges for the hopes of the tribe?
فَمَنso who لَكَdo you have فيamong الرَعِيَّةِthe people غَيرُother than بِشرٍBishr
فَمَن لَكَ في الرَعِيَّةِ غَيرُ بِشرٍ
يَرُدُّrepels غَوائِلَthe ravages الغَزَواتِof raids حُمراblood-red
يَرُدُّ غَوائِلَ الغَزَواتِ حُمرا
Who have you among your people, other than Bishr,
Who else for the public but Bishr
To repel the ravages of blood-red raids?
Repels the calamities of the raids, ruddy?
وَكَمand how many بِكرٍa maiden وَهَبتُكَI gave you مِنfrom دِمائيmy blood
وَكَم بِكرٍ وَهَبتُكَ مِن دِمائي
وَتَأبىand you deny ياO ظَلومُunjust man عَلَيَّto me بِكراa maiden
وَتَأبى يا ظَلومُ عَلَيَّ بِكرا
How many a maiden have I given you from my blood,
How many firstborns have I given you of my blood
Yet you deny me a maiden, O unjust man!'
Yet you unjustly refuse me the firstborn
وَهامَand he wandered مُشَعَّثَdisheveled الأَحلامِin dreams غَيظاًin rage
وَهامَ مُشَعَّثَ الأَحلامِ غَيظاً
يُخَرِّبُwreaking destruction تارَةًat one time وَيَعُجُّand roaring أُخرىat another
يُخَرِّبُ تارَةً وَيَعُجُّ أُخرى
He wandered in rage, his dreams disheveled,
He wandered bareheaded, raving in anger
Wreaking destruction now, and roaring at another time.
Destroying at times, raging at others
وَثارَand he rose عَلىagainst قَبيلَتِهِhis tribe بِضُرٍّwith harm
وَثارَ عَلى قَبيلَتِهِ بِضُرٍّ
فَكانَso he was الذِئبَa wolf فَتكاًin savagery أَوor أَضَرّاmore harmful
فَكانَ الذِئبَ فَتكاً أَو أَضَرّا
He rose against his tribe to do it harm,
He rebelled against his tribe with harm
And was a wolf in savagery, or worse.
Thus becoming a ferocious wolf or more injurious
فَضَجَّso cried out بَنوthe sons الرَعِيَّةِof the community مِنat أَذاهُhis harm
فَضَجَّ بَنو الرَعِيَّةِ مِن أَذاهُ
وَأَوجَسَand felt عَمُّهُhis paternal uncle خَوفاًfear وَذُعراand dread
وَأَوجَسَ عَمُّهُ خَوفاً وَذُعرا
The tribesmen cried out at his harm,
The tribesmen clamored against his harm
And his uncle felt fear and dread.
And his uncle dreaded fear and panic
فَقَرَّبَهُso he drew him close إِلَيهِto himself وَقَدand had تَحَرّىsought
فَقَرَّبَهُ إِلَيهِ وَقَد تَحَرّى
لَهُfor him شَرَكاًa snare لِيوقِعَto catch فيهِin it ذِمراa champion
لَهُ شَرَكاً لِيوقِعَ فيهِ ذِمرا
He drew him close, having sought
So he drew him near, having plotted
A snare in which to catch this champion.
To make him fall into a deadly trap
وَقالَand said لَهُto him إِذاif ماindeed كُنتَyou are شَهماًbrave
وَقالَ لَهُ إِذا ما كُنتَ شَهماً
أَنِلنيgrant me مِنfrom خُزاعَةَKhuza'ah مِنكَfrom you مَهراa bride-price
أَنِلني مِن خُزاعَةَ مِنكَ مَهرا
He said to him, 'If you are truly brave,
He said, if you are valiant
Bring me a bride-price from Khuza'ah, offered by you.'
Get me Fatima's dowry from Khuza'ah
فَدَبَّتso coursed سورَةُthe ardor العَرَبِيِّof the Arab فيهِwithin him
فَدَبَّت سورَةُ العَرَبِيِّ فيهِ
وَأَسرَجَand saddled مُهرَهُhis colt حَتّىso that يَكُرّاhe might charge
وَأَسرَجَ مُهرَهُ حَتّى يَكُرّا
The Arab's ardor coursed within him,
The passion of the Arab coursed through him
And he saddled his colt to charge into battle.
And he saddled his dowry horse to attack
وَجَنَّبَand set at his side فيin حِمالتِهِits baldric جُرازاًa keen sword
وَجَنَّبَ في حِمالتِهِ جُرازاً
لَهيبُthe flame المَوتِof death يَنفُثُbreathes مِنهُfrom it جَمراembers
لَهيبُ المَوتِ يَنفُثُ مِنهُ جَمرا
He set a keen sword at his side in its baldric,
He carried in his saddlebags a sword
From which the flame of death breathed embers.
From which the fire of death spewed embers
وَكانَand were النَجَوُّthe clouds مُربَدّاًdusky رَهيباًforbidding
وَكانَ النَجَوُّ مُربَدّاً رَهيباً
كَاَنَّas though مِنَfrom الجَحيمِHell عَلَيهِover it سِتراa curtain
كَاَنَّ مِنَ الجَحيمِ عَلَيهِ سِترا
The clouds were dusky and forbidding,
The ambush was icy and fearsome
As though a curtain from Hell lay over them.
As if a screen from Hell covered it
فَسامَرَهُso kept him company حَفيفُthe rustling الغابِof the forest حيناًfor a while
فَسامَرَهُ حَفيفُ الغابِ حيناً
وَحيناًand at times سامَرَتهُkept him company طُيوفُphantoms ذِكرىof memory
وَحيناً سامَرَتهُ طُيوفُ ذِكرى
The forest's rustling kept him company awhile,
At times the forest's rustling conversed with him
And at other times, phantoms of memory kept him company.
At others, ghosts of memories conversed with him
وَفيماand while بِشرُBishr يَطويfolds up البيدَthe wastes طَيّاًin folds
وَفيما بِشرُ يَطوي البيدَ طَيّاً
وَيَنشُرُهاand unfolds them عَلىupon الامالِthe hopes نَشراin spreading
وَيَنشُرُها عَلى الامالِ نَشرا
While Bishr folded up the wastes in his passage,
While Bishr was folding and spreading the desert
And unfolded them upon his hopes,
On hopes like a carpet
إِذاsuddenly بِالمُهرِthe colt أَجفَلَshied وَاِعتَراهُand overcame it
إِذا بِالمُهرِ أَجفَلَ وَاِعتَراهُ
جُمودُthe stillness دُمىًof statues وَأَحجَمَand it halted وَاِقشَعَرّاand shuddered
جُمودُ دُمىً وَأَحجَمَ وَاِقشَعَرّا
Suddenly the colt shied and was overcome
Suddenly, his steed shuddered and faltered
By the stillness of statues; it halted and shuddered.
Stiffened by the silence, hesitant and bristling
فَأَغمَدَso he sheathed فيin الدياجيthe deep darkness ناظِرَيهِhis two eyes
فَأَغمَدَ في الدياجي ناظِرَيهِ
فَأَبصَرَthen saw فيin ثَناياهاits recesses هِزَبراa lion
فَأَبصَرَ في ثَناياها هِزَبرا
He sheathed his eyes in the deep darkness,
He sheathed his eyes in the darkness
And saw a lion in its recesses.
And saw in its folds a hissing viper
وَفاضَتand overflowed نَشوَةًin rapture مِنfrom مُقلَتَيهِhis two eyes
وَفاضَت نَشوَةً مِن مُقلَتَيهِ
مُشَعشَعَةٌa sparkling wine فَقالَthen he said عُقِرتَmay you be hamstrung مُهراcolt
مُشَعشَعَةٌ فَقالَ عُقِرتَ مُهرا
From his eyes there poured, in rapture,
Overflowing fury flashed in his eyelids
A sparkling wine; he said, 'Be hamstrung, colt!'
As he said, "My steed is stung!"
وَحينَand when جَذاhe crouched اِنتَضىhe drew السَيفَthe sword المُرَوّىwell-quenched
وَحينَ جَذا اِنتَضى السَيفَ المُرَوّى
وَقالَand said اِنبُتtake root فَإِنَّكَfor you لَنwill not تَفِرّاescape
وَقالَ اِنبُت فَإِنَّكَ لَن تَفِرّا
As he crouched, he drew his well-quenched sword,
When he grabbed it, he unsheathed his polished sword
And said, 'Take root here, for you will not escape.
And said, "Grow, for you will never flee"
فَلَستُfor I am not بِراجِعٍturning back ياO لَيثُlion حَتّىuntil
فَلَستُ بِراجِعٍ يا لَيثُ حَتّى
يَصِرَّbuzz بِكَover you الذبابُthe flies الغثّwretched صَرّاwith a buzzing
يَصِرَّ بِكَ الذبابُ الغثّ صَرّا
I will not turn back, O lion, until
I will not return, O lion, until
The wretched flies buzz loudly over you.'
The flies swarm thickly around you
وَأَقدَمَand advanced مُثبِتَfixing الأَبصارِhis eyes فيهِupon it
وَأَقدَمَ مُثبِتَ الأَبصارِ فيهِ
فَكانَso was كِلاهُماeach of them أَسَداًa lion تَسَرّىprowling at night
فَكانَ كِلاهُما أَسَداً تَسَرّى
He advanced, fixing his eyes upon it,
Bishr unleashed his blade upon it
And each was a lion prowling through the night.
Tearing its ribs, ten in all
وَكانَand was اللَيثُthe lion يَفرَقُafraid مِنهُof him طَوراًat times
وَكانَ اللَيثُ يَفرَقُ مِنهُ طَوراً
وَيَبسُطُand stretches out تارَةًat times لِلوَثبِto leap ظُفراa claw
وَيَبسُطُ تارَةً لِلوَثبِ ظُفرا
The lion sometimes feared him,
The universe exploded in revolt
And sometimes stretched out a claw to leap.
Casting its sword upon the night, bringing dawn
وَفيand in أَلحاظِهِits glances لَهَبٌa flame غَضوبٌangry
وَفي أَلحاظِهِ لَهَبٌ غَضوبٌ
يُراشِقُهُit pelts him بِهِwith it شَفعاًin pairs وَوِتراand singly
يُراشِقُهُ بِهِ شَفعاً وَوِترا
In its glances burned an angry flame,
The bloody scene intoxicated Bishr
Which it hurled at him, in pairs and singly.
How much blood of his slain did he drink like wine
يَنِشُّhisses بِشِدقِهِin its jaws زَبَدٌfoam حَرورٌhot
يَنِشُّ بِشِدقِهِ زَبَدٌ حَرورٌ
وَيَنفُثُand breathes صَدرُهُits chest حُمَماًcoals أَحَرّاhotter
وَيَنفُثُ صَدرُهُ حُمَماً أَحَرّا
Hot foam hissed within its jaws,
He tore off his shirt and dictated on it
And its chest breathed still hotter coals.
With prolonged blood, a poem
وَضَجَّand clamored الغابُthe forest فَالدُنياso the world صِراعٌwas a struggle
وَضَجَّ الغابُ فَالدُنيا صِراعٌ
تُفَجِّرُbursting forth فيin رُواقِthe portico اللَيلِof night حُرّاfree
تُفَجِّرُ في رُواقِ اللَيلِ حُرّا
The forest clamored; the whole world was a struggle,
Fatima, had you witnessed in desolate Khabat
Bursting free within the portico of night.
Your brother meeting the hissing viper
وَحينَand when رَآهُit saw him أَرسَخَfirmer منهُthan itself بَأساًin courage
وَحينَ رَآهُ أَرسَخَ منهُ بَأساً
تَذَأبَit turned wolfish وَالغَضَنفَرُthough the great lion كانَhad been حُرّاnoble
تَذَأبَ وَالغَضَنفَرُ كانَ حُرّا
When it saw him firmer than itself in courage,
He continued his journey filled with it
It turned wolfish, though the great lion had been noble.
To reach Marib, though the road was difficult
وَأَطلَقَand unleashed بِشرُBishr مُنصَلَهُhis blade عَلَيهِupon it
وَأَطلَقَ بِشرُ مُنصَلَهُ عَلَيهِ
فَقَدَّso sliced لَهُfor it مِنَof الأَضلاعِthe ribs عَشراten
فَقَدَّ لَهُ مِنَ الأَضلاعِ عَشرا
Bishr unleashed his blade upon it,
The calls of morning wafted fragrantly
And sliced through ten of its ribs.
Scattered by the breeze, perfumed
وَثارَand surged الكَونُthe universe ثَورَتَهُwith his fury فَأَلقىthen cast
وَثارَ الكَونُ ثَورَتَهُ فَأَلقى
عَلىupon اللَيلِthe night الحُسامَthe sword فَدارَand it wheeled فَجراinto dawn
عَلى اللَيلِ الحُسامَ فَدارَ فَجرا
The universe surged with his fury, then cast
While love was plundering him bare
The sword upon the night, and it wheeled into dawn.
A snake's hiss passed into his ears
وَأَسكَرَand intoxicated مَشهَدُthe sight الضِرغامِof the lion بِشراًBishr
وَأَسكَرَ مَشهَدُ الضِرغامِ بِشراً
وَكَمand how often شَرِبَhe drank الدَمَthe blood المُهراقَspilled خَمراas wine
وَكَم شَرِبَ الدَمَ المُهراقَ خَمرا
The sight of the lion intoxicated Bishr,
He saw a snake rise toward him
And how often had he drunk spilled blood as wine!
From the bushes, colored like ashes
فَقَدَّso he tore قَميصَهُhis shirt عَنهُoff himself وَأَملىand set down
فَقَدَّ قَميصَهُ عَنهُ وَأَملى
عَلَيهِupon it بِالدَمِwith the blood المَطولِshed unavenged شِعراa poem
عَلَيهِ بِالدَمِ المَطولِ شِعرا
He tore his shirt from his body and set down
The dawn poured its wine upon it
Upon it a poem in blood shed unavenged:
It swayed, drunk from the dawn's intoxication
أَفاطِمَO Fatimah لَوif only شَهِدتِyou had witnessed بِبَطنِin the hollow خَبتٍof Khabt
أَفاطِمَ لَو شَهِدتِ بِبَطنِ خَبتٍ
وَقَدand already لاقىhad met الهِزَبرُthe lion أَخاكِyour brother بِشراBishr
وَقَد لاقى الهِزَبرُ أَخاكِ بِشرا
'O Fatimah, had you witnessed, in the hollow of Khabt,
It wound, glittering like glass
The lion confronting your brother Bishr!'
Across the grass, its belly and back
وَوالىand continued سَيرَهُhis journey يَمتَلُّhastening فيهِalong it
وَوالى سَيرَهُ يَمتَلُّ فيهِ
لِيَبلُغَto reach مَأرَباًa goal قَدindeed كانَhad been وَعراdifficult
لِيَبلُغَ مَأرَباً قَد كانَ وَعرا
He continued his journey, hastening along,
He said, your brother was a burden upon me
To reach a goal that had been hard to attain.
But you are heavier than him in burden
وَأَنداءُand the dews الصَباحِof morning تَفوحُbreathe طيباًfragrance
وَأَنداءُ الصَباحِ تَفوحُ طيباً
وَيَسكُبُهاand pours them النَسيمُthe breeze عَلَيهِupon him عِطراas perfume
وَيَسكُبُها النَسيمُ عَلَيهِ عِطرا
The morning dews breathed fragrance,
Was his soul reincarnated
And the breeze poured them upon him as perfume.
In the skin of snakes, seeking revenge?
وَفيماand while الحُبُّlove يَنهَبُهُplunders him عَراهُassailed him
وَفيما الحُبُّ يَنهَبُهُ عَراهُ
فَحيحٌa hiss مَرَّpassed فيthrough أُذُنَيهِhis two ears مَرّاin passing
فَحيحٌ مَرَّ في أُذُنَيهِ مَرّا
While love was plundering him, he was struck by
He met it with a chest resigned in patience
A hiss that passed through both his ears.
And it met him with a chest narrowed in patience
وَأَبصَرَand saw حَيَّةًa snake طَلَعَتemerge عَلَيهِbefore him
وَأَبصَرَ حَيَّةً طَلَعَت عَلَيهِ
مِنَfrom الأَدغالِthe thickets مِثلَlike التُربِthe soil سَمراbrown
مِنَ الأَدغالِ مِثلَ التُربِ سَمرا
He saw a snake emerge before him
It would recoil to ambush him
From the thickets, brown as the soil.
And strike its head at the horse in betrayal
أَذابَmelted الصُبحُmorning خَمرَتَهُits wine عَلَيهاupon it
أَذابَ الصُبحُ خَمرَتَهُ عَلَيها
فَمالَتso it swayed مِنfrom خُمورِthe wines الصُبحِof morning سَكرىdrunk
فَمالَت مِن خُمورِ الصُبحِ سَكرى
Morning melted its wine upon it,
What will happen if we are struck
And it swayed, drunk on morning's wines.
By a calamity, God knows best
وَشَعَّتand shone كَالزُجاجِlike glass وَقَدand already تَلَوَّتwrithed
وَشَعَّت كَالزُجاجِ وَقَد تَلَوَّت
عَلىupon أَعشابِهاits grasses بَطناًon its belly وَظَهراand its back
عَلى أَعشابِها بَطناً وَظَهرا
It shone like glass as it writhed
Bishr, the horsemen’s return in us
Upon its grasses, on belly and on back.
And our defender if times darken
فَقالَso he said أَخوكِyour brother كانَwas عَلَيَّupon me وِقراًa burden
فَقالَ أَخوكِ كانَ عَلَيَّ وِقراً
وَلكِنbut أَنتِyou أَثقَلُare heavier مِنهُthan he وِقراas a burden
وَلكِن أَنتِ أَثقَلُ مِنهُ وِقرا
He said, 'Your brother was a burden upon me,
I have sent him to a miserable death
But you are a heavier burden than he.
As if I dug a grave for the tribe
فَهَلso has بُعِثَتbeen resurrected بِهِin it روحٌa spirit تَرَدَّتthat clothed itself
فَهَل بُعِثَت بِهِ روحٌ تَرَدَّت
بِجِلدِin the skin الأَفعوانِof the serpent تَرومُseeking ثَأراvengeance
بِجِلدِ الأَفعوانِ تَرومُ ثَأرا
Has a spirit risen within it, robed
If he survives the lion son of Datha
In the serpent's skin, seeking vengeance?'
He will not survive the viper, writhing
ولاقاهاand met it بِصَدرٍwith a heart راضَschooled صَبراًin patience
ولاقاها بِصَدرٍ راضَ صَبراً
وَلاقَتهُand it met him بِصَدرٍwith a heart ضاقَshort صَبراof patience
وَلاقَتهُ بِصَدرٍ ضاقَ صَبرا
He met it with a heart schooled in patience,
He prepared to catch up to him, his blood
And it met him with a heart short of patience.
Inciting him while his eyes were thankful
فَكانَتso it would تَنثَنيturn aside عَنهُfrom him اِغتِيالاًfor stealthy attack
فَكانَت تَنثَني عَنهُ اِغتِيالاً
وَتُنشِبُand thrust رَأسَهاits head لِلفَرسِat the horse غَدراtreacherously
وَتُنشِبُ رَأسَها لِلفَرسِ غَدرا
It would turn aside from him for a stealthy attack,
On a horse that seemed like jinn were galloping
And thrust its head at the horse in treachery.
With its legs, disappearing unbridled
تُرىI wonder ماذاwhat يَحُلُّbefalls بِناus إِذاif ماindeed
تُرى ماذا يَحُلُّ بِنا إِذا ما
أُصيبَhe were struck بِنَكبَةٍby a calamity اللَهُGod أَدرىknows best
أُصيبَ بِنَكبَةٍ اللَهُ أَدرى
'I wonder what would befall us if
When he caught up to his living nephew
He suffered a calamity—God knows best!
While the beast recoiled from him, wary and careful
فَبِشرٌfor Bishr مَرجِعُis the recourse الفُرسانِof the horsemen فيناamong us
فَبِشرٌ مَرجِعُ الفُرسانِ فينا
وَحاميناand our protector إِذاwhen الجَوُّthe sky أَكفَهَرّاgrows dark
وَحامينا إِذا الجَوُّ أَكفَهَرّا
For Bishr is our horsemen's recourse,
He said, leave the snake be, for I see you
And our protector when the sky grows dark.
As the most open-chest of Arabs
بَعَثتُI sent بِهِhim إِلىto حَتفٍa death ذَميمٍignominious
بَعَثتُ بِهِ إِلى حَتفٍ ذَميمٍ
كَأَنّيas though I لِلقَبِيلِfor the tribe حَفَرتُdug قَبراa grave
كَأَنّي لِلقَبِيلِ حَفَرتُ قَبرا
I sent him to an ignominious death,
You are more deserving than the chieftains of my people
As though I had dug a grave for the tribe.
Of Fatima, so be to me a son and in-law
فَإِنand if يَسلَمhe survives مِنَfrom الأَسَدِthe lion اِبنِson of داذاDadha
فَإِن يَسلَم مِنَ الأَسَدِ اِبنِ داذا
فَلَنthen he will not يَنجوescape مِنَfrom الأَفعىthe viper طِمِرّاTimirr
فَلَن يَنجو مِنَ الأَفعى طِمِرّا
Even if he survives the lion, Ibn Dadha,
Then passion ignited Bishr’s palm
He will not escape the viper Timirr.'
Sending his drawn sword aflame
وَشَمَّرَand made haste لِلِّحاقِto catch up بِهِwith him وَكانَتand was
وَشَمَّرَ لِلِّحاقِ بِهِ وَكانَت
دِماهُhis blood تُثيرُهُstirring him وَالعَينُand the eye شَكرىbrimming with tears
دِماهُ تُثيرُهُ وَالعَينُ شَكرى
He hastened to catch up with him, while
He fed his opponent the fingers of his left hand
His blood spurred him on and his eye brimmed with tears,
And poured death from his right hand like a river
عَلىon فَرَسٍa horse كَأَنَّas though الجِنَّthe jinn تَعدوwere running
عَلى فَرَسٍ كَأَنَّ الجِنَّ تَعدو
بِرِجلَيهاon its two legs فَتَختَفِيانِso they vanished سِرحاin swift running
بِرِجلَيها فَتَختَفِيانِ سِرحا
On a horse as though the jinn were running
His uncle kissed his hand in love
On its two legs, which vanished in their speed.
And said, I came to seek excuse from you
وَلَمّاand when أَدرَكَhe caught up with اِبنَthe son أَخيهِof his brother حَيّاًalive
وَلَمّا أَدرَكَ اِبنَ أَخيهِ حَيّاً
يَروغُdodging الوَحشُthe beast مِنهُfrom him جَذاhe knelt وَخَرّاand fell down
يَروغُ الوَحشُ مِنهُ جَذا وَخَرّا
When he found his brother's son alive,
Come back with me where the palaces
The beast dodging him, he knelt and fell down.
Stand for your wedding today most splendid
وَقالَand said اِعدِلturn aside عَنِfrom الأَفعىthe viper فَإِنّيfor I
وَقالَ اِعدِل عَنِ الأَفعى فَإِنّي
رَأَيتُكَhave found you أَرحَبَthe broadest الأَعرابِof the Arabs صَدراin heart
رَأَيتُكَ أَرحَبَ الأَعرابِ صَدرا
He said, 'Turn away from the viper, for I
For the rocks of the forest have witnessed, my son
Have found you the most greathearted of the Arabs.
That you are the horseman of the Arabs, soaring
لَأَنتَsurely you أَحَقُّare more entitled مِنthan أُمَراءِthe chiefs قَوميof my people
لَأَنتَ أَحَقُّ مِن أُمَراءِ قَومي
بِفاطِمَةٍto Fatimah فَكُنso be ليto me ابِناًa son وَصِهراًand a son-in-law
بِفاطِمَةٍ فَكُن لي ابِناً وَصِهراً
You are surely more entitled than my people's chiefs
They returned while the branches leaned drunkenly
To Fatimah; be my son and son-in-law.'
As if the witnessing had made them drunk
فَأَلهَبتِso inflamed الحَماسَةُardor كَفَّthe hand بِشرٍof Bishr
فَأَلهَبتِ الحَماسَةُ كَفَّ بِشرٍ
فَصَعَّدَso sent upward سَيفُهُhis sword المَصدورُchest-stricken جَمراembers
فَصَعَّدَ سَيفُهُ المَصدورُ جَمرا
Then ardor set Bishr's hand aflame,
Inclining affectionately on his hands along the way
And his chest-stricken sword sent embers upward.
Kissing each, right and left
وَأَطعَمَand fed خَصمَهُhis foe يُسرىthe left يَدَيهِof his two hands
وَأَطعَمَ خَصمَهُ يُسرى يَدَيهِ
وَأَجرىand made flow المَوتَdeath مِنfrom يُمناهُhis right hand نَهراas a river
وَأَجرى المَوتَ مِن يُمناهُ نَهرا
He fed his foe the left of his two hands,
While they were traversing the wild
And made death flow like a river from his right.
And Bishr was strewing verses of pride
فَقَبَّلَthen kissed عَمُّهُhis paternal uncle يَدَهُhis hand بِحُبٍّwith love
فَقَبَّلَ عَمُّهُ يَدَهُ بِحُبٍّ
وَقالَand said أَتَيتُI came أَطلُبُseeking مِنكَfrom you عُذراpardon
وَقالَ أَتَيتُ أَطلُبُ مِنكَ عُذرا
His uncle kissed his hand with love,
Suddenly, a veiled eyed man from Najd
And said, 'I have come to seek your pardon.
Blocked his path, insistent
أَلاcome عُدreturn بيwith me إِلىto حَيثُwhere السَراياthe troops
أَلا عُد بي إِلى حَيثُ السَرايا
تُقيمُcelebrate لِعُرسِكَfor your wedding اليَومَthe day الأَغَرّاradiant
تُقيمُ لِعُرسِكَ اليَومَ الأَغَرّا
Come, take me back to where the troops
And said, enough of your boasting, O rebel
Will celebrate the radiant day of your wedding.
For your pride has deafened my ears
فَقَدfor indeed شَهِدَتbore witness صُخورُthe rocks الغابِof the forest ياO اِبنيmy son
فَقَد شَهِدَت صُخورُ الغابِ يا اِبني
بِأَنَّكَthat you فارِسُare the champion الأَعرابِof the Arabs طُرّاall
بِأَنَّكَ فارِسُ الأَعرابِ طُرّا
The forest's rocks have borne witness, my son,
You killed an animal and killed a worm
That you are the champion of all the Arabs.'
Filling your jaws with rubbish and filth
وَعاداand the two returned وَالغُصونُand the branches تَميلُswayed تيهاًproudly
وَعادا وَالغُصونُ تَميلُ تيهاً
كَأَنَّas though بِهاin them لِماfrom what شَهِدَتهُthey witnessed سُكراwas intoxication
كَأَنَّ بِها لِما شَهِدَتهُ سُكرا
The two returned, the branches swaying proudly,
Bishr said, who are you? He said, I am
As though what they had witnessed had left them drunk.
The herald of death, I have come to you openly
وَتَعطِفُand bent فيalong الطَريقِthe road عَلىtoward يَدَيهِhis two hands
وَتَعطِفُ في الطَريقِ عَلى يَدَيهِ
تُقَبِّلُkissing مِنهُماof the two يُمنىthe right وَيُسرىand the left
تُقَبِّلُ مِنهُما يُمنى وَيُسرى
They bent along the road toward his hands,
I am time, and my days are blazing
Kissing both his right and his left.
If you face me, you face the epoch
وَإِذand while كاناthe two were يَجوبانِroaming البَراريthe wilds
وَإِذ كانا يَجوبانِ البَراري
وَيَنثُرُand scattered بِشرُBishr آيَverses الفَخرِof pride نَثراfar and wide
وَيَنثُرُ بِشرُ آيَ الفَخرِ نَثرا
While the two were roaming the wilds,
Death appeared wrathfully in both of them
And Bishr was scattering verses of pride,
Thrusting and parrying their swords
إِذاsuddenly بِمُلَثَّمِthere was a veiled man العَينَينِat the two eyes نَجدٍvaliant
إِذا بِمُلَثَّمِ العَينَينِ نَجدٍ
تَعَرَّضَّbarred the way فيon الطَريقِthe road لَهُto him مُصِرّاresolutely
تَعَرَّضَّ في الطَريقِ لَهُ مُصِرّا
Suddenly a valiant man with veiled eyes
The veiled eyed man struck Bishr
Resolutely barred his way upon the road.
So he recoiled from him, failing and breaking
وَقالَand said كَفاكَenough for you تَفَخرُyou boast ياO عِصاماًIsam
وَقالَ كَفاكَ تَفَخرُ يا عِصاماً
فَفَخرُكَfor your boasting مَرَّpassed فيthrough أُذُنَيَّmy two ears فَجراat dawn
فَفَخرُكَ مَرَّ في أُذُنَيَّ فَجرا
He said, 'Enough of your boasting, O Isam!
Bishr shouted at him, do you refuse my curse? Lift
Your boasting passed through my ears at dawn.
Your veil, do not conceal yourself from me
قَتَلتَyou killed بَهيمَةًa beast وَقَتَلتَand you killed سوساًvermin
قَتَلتَ بَهيمَةً وَقَتَلتَ سوساً
وَتَملأُand you fill ماضِغَيكَyour two jaws قَذىًfilth وَنُكراand foulness
وَتَملأُ ماضِغَيكَ قَذىً وَنُكرا
You killed a beast and killed some vermin,
The opponent said, unveiling his face
Yet fill your jaws with filth and foul talk.'
I am your son, so look upon the most righteous son
فَقالَso he said وَمَنand who تَكونُare you فَقالَthen he said إِنّيindeed I
فَقالَ وَمَن تَكونُ فَقالَ إِنّي
نَذيرُam the herald المَوتِof death جِئتُI came إِلَيكَto you جَهراopenly
نَذيرُ المَوتِ جِئتُ إِلَيكَ جَهرا
He said, 'And who are you?' He replied, 'I am
Bishr was reminded of memories of a time
The herald of death; I have come to you openly.
That had aged, leaving yearning in his chest
أَناI am دَهرٌTime وَأَيّاميand my days سَعيرٌare a blaze
أَنا دَهرٌ وَأَيّامي سَعيرٌ
إِذاif نازَلتَنيyou duel with me نازَلتَyou duel with دَهراTime
إِذا نازَلتَني نازَلتَ دَهرا
I am Time, and my days are a blaze;
He kissed him and said, I see you, my son
If you duel with me, you duel with Time.'
As more deserving of Fatima, daughter of the uncles
وَفيand in غَضَبٍa fury تَبَدّىappeared المَوتُdeath فيهِwithin it
وَفي غَضَبٍ تَبَدّى المَوتُ فيهِ
عَلىupon سَيفَيهِماtheir two swords كَرّاًcharging وَفَرّاand retreating
عَلى سَيفَيهِما كَرّاً وَفَرّا
And in a fury, death revealed itself
Upon their two swords, in charge and retreat.
أَصابَwounded مُلَثَّمُthe veiled man العَينَينِat the eyes بِشراًBishr
أَصابَ مُلَثَّمُ العَينَينِ بِشراً
فَأَحجَمَso he recoiled عَنهُfrom him إِخفاقاًin defeat وَقَسراand under compulsion
فَأَحجَمَ عَنهُ إِخفاقاً وَقَسرا
The man with veiled eyes wounded Bishr,
Who recoiled from him, defeated and compelled.
وَصاحَand cried بِهto him أَبَيتَmay you refuse اللَعنَcurses فَاِرفَعso lift
وَصاحَ بِه أَبَيتَ اللَعنَ فَاِرفَع
لِثامَكَyour veil لاdo not تَظَلَّremain عَلَيَّto me سِرّاa mystery
لِثامَكَ لا تَظَلَّ عَلَيَّ سِرّا
He cried to him, 'May you be spared curses! Lift
Your veil; do not remain a mystery to me.'
فَقالَthen said الخَصمُthe opponent وَهوَwhile he يُميطُremoved سِتراًa covering
فَقالَ الخَصمُ وَهوَ يُميطُ سِتراً
أَناI am اِبنُكَyour son فَاِنظُرِso behold الوَلَدَthe child الأَبَرّاmost dutiful
أَنا اِبنُكَ فَاِنظُرِ الوَلَدَ الأَبَرّا
His opponent said, as he removed the covering,
'I am your son; behold your most dutiful child.'
فَعاوَدَthen returned to بِشرَBishr تَذكاراتُmemories عَهدٍof an era
فَعاوَدَ بِشرَ تَذكاراتُ عَهدٍ
تَصَرَّمَthat had passed تارِكاًleaving فيin الصَدرِthe heart ذِكرىa memory
تَصَرَّمَ تارِكاً في الصَدرِ ذِكرى
Memories returned to Bishr of an age
That had passed, leaving a memory in his heart.
وَقَبَّلَهُand kissed him وَقالَand said أَراكَI see you ياO اِبنيmy son
وَقَبَّلَهُ وَقالَ أَراكَ يا اِبني
بِفاطِمَةَfor Fatimah اِبنَةِdaughter الأَعمامِof the paternal uncles أَحرىmore suited
بِفاطِمَةَ اِبنَةِ الأَعمامِ أَحرى
He kissed him and said, 'I see you, my son,
As more worthy of Fatimah, the daughter of our uncles.'
Partial English translation: 144 of 156 Arabic lines translated.