أَلا هيّما مِمّا لَقيتُ وَهيّما

أَلا هيّما مِمّا لَقيتُ وَهيّما

وَويحاً لِمَن لَم أَلقَ مِنهُن وَيحَما

وَويحاً لِمَن لَم أَلقَ مِنهُن وَيحَما

Ah, anguish for what I have suffered—anguish!

Alas! How many girls have I met, and alas, how many

And pity for those among them I have not met—pity!

I have not met, and what a pity!

أَأَسماءُ ما أَسماءُ لَيلَةَ أَدلَجَت

أَأَسماءُ ما أَسماءُ لَيلَةَ أَدلَجَت

إِليَّ وأَصحابي بأَيٍّ وأيَّما

إِليَّ وأَصحابي بأَيٍّ وأيَّما

Asma—what an Asma, the night she journeyed

What are the names—on the night when it darkened—

to me and my companions—how remarkable, how very remarkable!

Of the girls who came to me and my friends? Which and when?

سَل الرّبع أَنّى يَمَّمَت أُمُّ سالِمٍ

سَل الرّبع أَنّى يَمَّمَت أُمُّ سالِمٍ

وَهَل عادَةٌ لِلرّبعِ أَن يَتَكَلَّما

وَهَل عادَةٌ لِلرّبعِ أَن يَتَكَلَّما

Ask the abandoned dwelling where Umm Salim headed;

The wind asked about Umm Salim: Where did she go?

but is it a dwelling's custom to speak?

Is it customary for the wind to speak?

وَقَولاً لَها يا حَبذا أَنت هَل بَدا

وَقَولاً لَها يا حَبذا أَنت هَل بَدا

لَها أَو أَرادَت بعدنا أَن تأَيَّما

لَها أَو أَرادَت بعدنا أَن تأَيَّما

And a word for her: “How dear you are!” Has a thought arisen

Saying, “How good you are! Has the time come for you

in her, or has she wished, since us, to remain unwed?

After us to become a widow?”

وَلَو أَنَّ ربعاً رَدَّ رَجعاً لِسائِلٍ

وَلَو أَنَّ ربعاً رَدَّ رَجعاً لِسائِلٍ

أَشارَ إِليَّ الرّبعُ أَو لَتفهَّما

أَشارَ إِليَّ الرّبعُ أَو لَتفهَّما

If a dwelling could return an answer to a questioner,

If the wind had answered a questioner,

the dwelling would have signaled to me, or made itself understood.

It would have hinted to me or made itself understood.

أَرى بَصري قَد رابَني بَعدَ حِدَّةٍ

أَرى بَصري قَد رابَني بَعدَ حِدَّةٍ

وَحَسبُك داء أَن تصحَّ وَتَسلَما

وَحَسبُك داء أَن تصحَّ وَتَسلَما

I find my sight troubling me after its sharpness;

My eyesight fails me after sharpness,

remaining healthy and safe is illness enough for you.

And it’s enough of a sickness that you recover and are safe.

وَلا يَلبَثُ العَصرانِ يَوماً وَلَيلَةً

وَلا يَلبَثُ العَصرانِ يَوماً وَلَيلَةً

إِذا طَلبا أَن يُدرِكا ما تَيمَّما

إِذا طَلبا أَن يُدرِكا ما تَيمَّما

The two alternations—a day and a night—do not delay

Scarcely do the two times of afternoon prayer pass one day and night

in catching what they pursue, once they seek it.

If they seek to overtake what they covet.

وَصَوتٍ عَلى فَوتٍ سَمِعتُ وَنَظرَةٍ

وَصَوتٍ عَلى فَوتٍ سَمِعتُ وَنَظرَةٍ

تَلافَيتها واللَّيلُ قَد صارَ أَبهَما

تَلافَيتها واللَّيلُ قَد صارَ أَبهَما

A sound I heard from afar, and a glance

I heard a voice calling and saw a glimpse

I caught, when the night had grown impenetrable,

That I almost grasped as the night grew dark.

بِجِدّةِ عَصرٍ مِن شَبابٍ كأَنَّهُ

بِجِدّةِ عَصرٍ مِن شَبابٍ كأَنَّهُ

إِذا قُمتُ يَكسوني رِداءً مسهَّما

إِذا قُمتُ يَكسوني رِداءً مسهَّما

in the freshness of a youthful season, which seemed,

With a group of youths whose vigor was like

when I rose, to clothe me in an arrow-patterned mantle.

A garment they clothe me with when I stand up.

أَجدك شاقَتكَ الحُمولُ تَيمَّمَت

أَجدك شاقَتكَ الحُمولُ تَيمَّمَت

هَدانَينِ واجتابَت يَميناً يَرَمرَما

هَدانَينِ واجتابَت يَميناً يَرَمرَما

In earnest, did the laden caravans stir your longing as they headed

I found you—the burdens wore you out—

toward Hadanayn, passing Yaramram on the right?

Turning aside your camels to the right and left.

عَلى كُلِّ مَنسوجٍ بِيبريَن كُلِّفت

عَلى كُلِّ مَنسوجٍ بِيبريَن كُلِّفت

قُوى نِسعَتَيهِ محزِماً غَيرَ أَهضَما

قُوى نِسعَتَيهِ محزِماً غَيرَ أَهضَما

On every tightly built camel from Yabrin, strain was laid upon

You tasked them, on each woven saddlecloth,

the strands of its two girths, encircling a belly far from slender.

To tighten its bindings, unbroken.

رعينَ المُرار الجونَ مِن كُل مِذنَبٍ

رعينَ المُرار الجونَ مِن كُل مِذنَبٍ

شَهورَ جُمادى كلّها والمُحَرَّما

شَهورَ جُمادى كلّها والمُحَرَّما

They grazed dark bitter herbage in every valley-bottom

You pastured them the bitter colocynth from every thorn-plant

through all the months of Jumada and through Muharram,

Through all of Jumada and Muharram.

إِلى النِّيرِ فاللعباءِ حَتّى تَبَدَّلَت

إِلى النِّيرِ فاللعباءِ حَتّى تَبَدَّلَت

مَكانَ رَواغيها الصريفَ المُسَدَّما

مَكانَ رَواغيها الصريفَ المُسَدَّما

to al-Nir, then al-La'ba, until they exchanged

Until their resting-places changed into

their bellowing for muffled tooth-grinding.

A late summer’s lodging-place, obstructed.

وَعادَ مُدمَّاها كُميتاً وأَشبَهَت

وَعادَ مُدمَّاها كُميتاً وأَشبَهَت

كلومَ الكُلى منها وِجاراً مهدَّما

كلومَ الكُلى منها وِجاراً مهدَّما

Their bloodstained patches turned chestnut, and

Their milking-place returned as an arid wasteland

the wounds at their loins resembled a ruined den.

Resembling the dry gulches, demolished.

وَخاضَت بأَيديها النِّطافَ وَدَعدَعَت

وَخاضَت بأَيديها النِّطافَ وَدَعدَعَت

بأَقتادِها إِلا سَريحاً مُخَدَّما

بأَقتادِها إِلا سَريحاً مُخَدَّما

They waded through pools with their forelegs and shook

They waded into the ponds and stirred up

their saddle-frames, save for an anklet-like strap.

The shallows, except a few that were worn down.

وَقَد عادَ فيها ذو الشَّقاشِق واضِحاً

وَقَد عادَ فيها ذو الشَّقاشِق واضِحاً

هِجاناً كَلون القُلبِ والجَونُ أَصحَما

هِجاناً كَلون القُلبِ والجَونُ أَصحَما

The bull with the throat-pouches had become bright,

The buck came back, conspicuous in them—

white as silver bracelets, and the dark one dusky.

How the heart and skin took on its color!

تَناولُ أَطرافَ الحِمى فَتنالُهُ

تَناولُ أَطرافَ الحِمى فَتنالُهُ

وَتَقصرُ عَن أَوساطِهِ أَن تَقَدَّما

وَتَقصرُ عَن أَوساطِهِ أَن تَقَدَّما

They reached for the edges of the protected pasture and attained them,

It takes the sides of the preserve, but cannot

but fell short of advancing into its middle.

Reach its middle, advancing.

وَجاءَ بِها الرُّوَّادُ يحجزُ بَينَها

وَجاءَ بِها الرُّوَّادُ يحجزُ بَينَها

سُدىً بَينَ قَرقارِ الهَديرِ وأَعجَما

سُدىً بَينَ قَرقارِ الهَديرِ وأَعجَما

The scouts brought them, with one parting them,

The visitors brought it, holding it back

loose among the loudly rumbling and the voiceless.

With futility between the foreign unintelligible sounds.

فَقامَت إِلَيهنَّ العَذارى فأقدعَت

فَقامَت إِلَيهنَّ العَذارى فأقدعَت

أَكُفَّ العَذارى عِزَّةً أَن تُخَطّما

أَكُفَّ العَذارى عِزَّةً أَن تُخَطّما

The maidens approached them, but they repelled

So the virgins stood up and clapped

the maidens' hands, too proud to be bridled.

Their palms, too proud to be defiled.

فَقربن مَوضوناً كأَنَّ وَضينَهُ

فَقربن مَوضوناً كأَنَّ وَضينَهُ

بِنيقٍ إِذا ما رامَه الغُفرُ أَحجَما

بِنيقٍ إِذا ما رامَه الغُفرُ أَحجَما

They brought near a girth-strapped camel, its girth seeming

They brought a quilted garment near, which appeared

on a peak that even a mountain kid would shrink from attempting.

Plump, when a hyena aims to attack it.

صِلَخداً كأَن الجنَّ تَعزفُ حَولَهُ

صِلَخداً كأَن الجنَّ تَعزفُ حَولَهُ

وَصَوتُ المُغَنّى والصَّدى ما تَرنَّما

وَصَوتُ المُغَنّى والصَّدى ما تَرنَّما

A rugged beast, as though jinn made music around him,

Smooth-cheeked, as if jinn are making music around it,

with a singer's voice and echo whenever he warbled.

And the voice of the singer and the echo murmuring.

بِغيرِ حَياً جاءَت بِهِ أَرحبيَّةٌ

بِغيرِ حَياً جاءَت بِهِ أَرحبيَّةٌ

أَطالَ بِها عامَ النِتاجِ وأَعظَما

أَطالَ بِها عامَ النِتاجِ وأَعظَما

An Arhab-bred dam bore him without rain;

Without shame, the well-armed virgins brought it,

her foaling year brought height and mighty size.

Prolonging by it the year of new births, magnified.

تَراهُ إِذا استَدبَرتَهُ مدمجَ القَرا

تَراهُ إِذا استَدبَرتَهُ مدمجَ القَرا

وَفَعماً إِذا أَقبلته العينَ سَلجَما

وَفَعماً إِذا أَقبلته العينَ سَلجَما

Seen from behind, his back is tightly knit;

You’d see it, when you walk behind it, hump-backed,

seen face-on, he is massive and long-bodied.

And bleary-eyed, when you look at it face-on.

ضُباراً مَريَط الحاجِبَينِ إِذا خدى

ضُباراً مَريَط الحاجِبَينِ إِذا خدى

عَلى الأُكم وَلاها حِذاء عَثَمثَما

عَلى الأُكم وَلاها حِذاء عَثَمثَما

Powerfully built, with sparse eyebrows, when he strides

Gray, frowning when it walks proud

over hills he gives them a broad, massive sandal.

On sandals, feet spread wide apart.

رَعى السُّرَّةَ المِحلالَ ما بَينَ زابِنٍ

رَعى السُّرَّةَ المِحلالَ ما بَينَ زابِنٍ

إِلى الخَورِ وَسمِيَّ البقولِ المُديَّما

إِلى الخَورِ وَسمِيَّ البقولِ المُديَّما

He grazed the hospitable heartland between Zabin

It pastured on acacias between Zābin and the Khar,

and al-Khawr, on herbs nourished by autumn rain and drizzle.

And the cultivated lowlands, accustomed.

فَجِئنَ بِهِ غَوجَ الملاطينِ لَم يَبِن

فَجِئنَ بِهِ غَوجَ الملاطينِ لَم يَبِن

حِداجَ الرِّعاءِ ذا عثانينَ مُسنِما

حِداجَ الرِّعاءِ ذا عثانينَ مُسنِما

They brought him, broad-flanked, unmarked by

So the young shepherds brought it, who did not appear to be

the herdsmen's saddles, shaggy-bearded and high-humped.

Youthful shepherds with two looped locks.

فَلمّا أَتَتهُ أَنشبَت في خِشاشِهِ

فَلمّا أَتَتهُ أَنشبَت في خِشاشِهِ

زِماماً كَثُعبانِ الحَماطَةِ مُحكَما

زِماماً كَثُعبانِ الحَماطَةِ مُحكَما

When she came to him, she fastened into his nose-peg

When the virgins came to it, they fixed

a firm rein like a serpent of the wild fig-tree.

Into its croup a firm noseband.

شَديداً توقّيه الزِّمامَ كأَنَّما

شَديداً توقّيه الزِّمامَ كأَنَّما

بُراها أَعَضَّت بِالخَشاشَةِ أَرقَما

بُراها أَعَضَّت بِالخَشاشَةِ أَرقَما

Powerful, he guarded against the rein, as though

So tight, securing the noseband, as if

her nose-ring had made a speckled serpent bite the nose-peg.

Their hands had knotted it into its thick neck skin.

فَلَمّا ارعوى لِلزَّجرِ كُلُّ مُلَبَّثٍ

فَلَمّا ارعوى لِلزَّجرِ كُلُّ مُلَبَّثٍ

كَجيدِ الصَّفا يَتلو حِزاماً مُقَدَّما

كَجيدِ الصَّفا يَتلو حِزاماً مُقَدَّما

When that wholly massive beast submitted to rebuke,

When it resisted their rebuke, shaking its neck,

like a rocky ridge, following a girth set forward,

Like the smooth trunk of a palm tree swaying side to side,

إِذا عِزةُ النفسِ الَّتي ظَلَّ يَتَّقي

إِذا عِزةُ النفسِ الَّتي ظَلَّ يَتَّقي

بِها حيلَةٌ لَم تُنسِهِ ما تَعلَّما

بِها حيلَةٌ لَم تُنسِهِ ما تَعلَّما

lo, the pride of spirit with which he kept shielding himself

Scarcely had it, when she mounted its back, tossed

was a ploy: it had not made him forget his training.

Its head to throw her down, before it slipped and was caught fast.

كأَنَّ وَحى الصِّردانِ في كُل ضالَةٍ

كأَنَّ وَحى الصِّردانِ في كُل ضالَةٍ

تَلَهجُمُ لِحيَيهِ إِذا ما تَلَهجَما

تَلَهجُمُ لِحيَيهِ إِذا ما تَلَهجَما

As though the cries of shrikes in every wild lote-tree

Until the straps of its saddle came apart

were the rattling of his jaws whenever they rattled.

And the girths were about to split.

وَقالَت لأُختَيها الرواحَ وَقَدَّمَت

وَقالَت لأُختَيها الرواحَ وَقَدَّمَت

غَبيطاً خُثيميّاً تَراهُ وأَسحَما

غَبيطاً خُثيميّاً تَراهُ وأَسحَما

She told her two sisters, “Time to leave!” and brought forward

It left its mark in the Syrian oak and intended,

a Khuthaymi palanquin, visibly dark.

When it recovered, to persist.

فَجاءَت بِهِ لا جاسِئاً ظَلِفاؤُه

فَجاءَت بِهِ لا جاسِئاً ظَلِفاؤُه

وَلا سَلِساً فيهِ المَساميرُ أَكزَما

وَلا سَلِساً فيهِ المَساميرُ أَكزَما

She brought it, neither rigid in its sidepieces

So they praised and hailed when they saw it,

nor loose-nailed or stubby.

Carrying her as an unsteady swing, staggering.

فَزَيَّنَّهُ بِالعِهنِ حَتّى لَو أَنَّهُ

فَزَيَّنَّهُ بِالعِهنِ حَتّى لَو أَنَّهُ

يُقالُ لَهُ هابٍ هلمَّ لأَقدَما

يُقالُ لَهُ هابٍ هلمَّ لأَقدَما

They adorned it with colored wool, until, if

When they examined it behind, how they had stuffed it

it were told, “Come here, drifter!” it would advance.

With her upon its insecure saddle, askew.

فَلَمّا كَشَفنَ اللِّبسَ عَنهُ مَسحنَهُ

فَلَمّا كَشَفنَ اللِّبسَ عَنهُ مَسحنَهُ

بِأَطرافِ طفلٍ زانَ غَيلاً موشَّما

بِأَطرافِ طفلٍ زانَ غَيلاً موشَّما

When they uncovered its wrapping, they stroked it

When it settled beneath her, it found for her

with soft fingertips adorning plump, tattooed forearms.

No costs but toil and wear itself out.

لَهُ ذِئَبٌ للريحِ بَينَ فُروجِهِ

لَهُ ذِئَبٌ للريحِ بَينَ فُروجِهِ

مَزاميرُ يَنفُخنَ الكسير المهزَّما

مَزاميرُ يَنفُخنَ الكسير المهزَّما

It has tufts, with wind amid its openings,

When the tribe took comfort at dawn’s beauty,

like flutes blowing broken, shattering notes.

They interpreted the covenant and obscure conversation.

مُدمّىً يَلوحُ الوَدعُ فَوقَ سَراتِهِ

مُدمّىً يَلوحُ الوَدعُ فَوقَ سَراتِهِ

إِذا أَرزَمت في جَوفِهِ الرِّيحُ أَرزَما

إِذا أَرزَمت في جَوفِهِ الرِّيحُ أَرزَما

Painted red, with cowries gleaming along its top,

A buck, dusty white speckled with darkness, feared

it rumbled when the wind rumbled within it.

The sun when the sun was branding.

كأَنَّ هَزيزَ الرِّيحَ بَينَ فُروجِهِ

كأَنَّ هَزيزَ الرِّيحَ بَينَ فُروجِهِ

عَوازِفُ جِنٍّ زُرنَ حيّاً بِعَيهَما

عَوازِفُ جِنٍّ زُرنَ حيّاً بِعَيهَما

As though the wind's trembling between its openings

They departed, having abandoned every

were jinn musicians visiting a tribe at Ayham.

Profession of theirs, and took up the patterned brocade.

تَباهى عَليهِ الصانِعاتُ وَشاكَلَت

تَباهى عَليهِ الصانِعاتُ وَشاكَلَت

بِهِ الخَيلُ حَتّى هَمَّ أَن يَتَحمحَما

بِهِ الخَيلُ حَتّى هَمَّ أَن يَتَحمحَما

Its makers took pride in it, and horses found

I called out hastily and was overtaken by youth

their likeness in it, until it nearly neighed.

As the bright stars of Najd rose.

يطفنَ بِهِ يَحلونَ حَولَ غبيطِها

يطفنَ بِهِ يَحلونَ حَولَ غبيطِها

ربابَ الثُّريّا صابَ نَجداً فأَوسَما

ربابَ الثُّريّا صابَ نَجداً فأَوسَما

They circled it, seeming about her palanquin like

They came with a scrubby camel, which appeared to have

the Pleiades' cloud, raining on Najd and bringing autumn growth.

Scars from the milking-buckets, one next to another.

فَلَو أَنَّ عَوداً كانَ مِن حُسنِ صورَةٍ

فَلَو أَنَّ عَوداً كانَ مِن حُسنِ صورَةٍ

يُسَلِّمُ أَو يَمشي مَشى أَو لَسلَّما

يُسَلِّمُ أَو يَمشي مَشى أَو لَسلَّما

If wood could, through beauty of form,

I saw its two boys—the second one weaned—

give greetings or walk, it would have walked or greeted.

As scrawny, not having nursed any blood.

تَخالُ خِلالَ الرَّقم لَمّا سَدلنَه

تَخالُ خِلالَ الرَّقم لَمّا سَدلنَه

حصاناً تهادى ساميَ الطَّرفِ مُلحِما

حصاناً تهادى ساميَ الطَّرفِ مُلحِما

Through the embroidery, when they let it hang, you would imagine

For some reason, someone deceived them and obliged them

a horse pacing stately, high-eyed and well-fleshed.

To take the two nosebands of yellow rope.

سَراةَ الضُّحى ما رمن حَتّى تَحدَّرَت

سَراةَ الضُّحى ما رمن حَتّى تَحدَّرَت

جِباهُ العَذارى زَعفَراناً وَعِندَما

جِباهُ العَذارى زَعفَراناً وَعِندَما

Through the height of morning they did not move, until

And she gave them away in return for hobbles, and hid

the maidens' brows streamed saffron and crimson resin.

Thongs in place of their voices, obscure.

فَقُلنَ لَها قومي فَديناكِ فاركَبي

فَقُلنَ لَها قومي فَديناكِ فاركَبي

فَقالَت أَلا لا غَيرَ أَمّا تَكَلّما

فَقالَت أَلا لا غَيرَ أَمّا تَكَلّما

They said to her, “Rise—we would ransom you—and mount!”

She came resolving to cut their sandals but left

She said, “Oh, no!”—nothing more than words.

Only worn-out remains.

فَهادَينَها حَتّى ارتَقَت مُرجَحنّةً

فَهادَينَها حَتّى ارتَقَت مُرجَحنّةً

تَميلُ كَما مالَ النَّقا فَتَهيَّما

تَميلُ كَما مالَ النَّقا فَتَهيَّما

They supported her between them until she climbed, heavy-bodied,

You’d think the pebbles show from between

swaying as a sand-dune sways and then crumbles.

The straps of its shoes, crushed small.

وَجاءَت يَهزُّ الميسَنانيَّ مَشيُها

وَجاءَت يَهزُّ الميسَنانيَّ مَشيُها

كَهَزِّ الصَّبا غصَن الكَثيبِ المُرَهَّما

كَهَزِّ الصَّبا غصَن الكَثيبِ المُرَهَّما

She came, her gait swaying the Maysan cloth

The old she-hyenas passed by it warily and tasked

as the east wind sways a dune's rain-moistened branch.

My two young camels with the hobbling, which they did.

مِنَ البيضِ عاشَت بَينَ أُمِّ عَزيزَةٍ

مِنَ البيضِ عاشَت بَينَ أُمِّ عَزيزَةٍ

وَبينَ أبٍ بَرٍّ أَطاعَ وأَكرَما

وَبينَ أبٍ بَرٍّ أَطاعَ وأَكرَما

One of the fair women, she lived between a cherished mother

When we caught up to them, no one with a complaint

and a loving father who indulged and honored her.

Or need spoke a word to them.

مُنعمةٌ لَو يُصبِحُ الذرُّ سارياً

مُنعمةٌ لَو يُصبِحُ الذرُّ سارياً

عَلى جِلدِها بَضّت مَدارِجُهُ دَما

عَلى جِلدِها بَضّت مَدارِجُهُ دَما

So pampered that, were ants to creep

For a while, they avoided eyes

across her skin, their tracks would ooze blood.

Out of fear of enemies and caution.

مِنَ البيضِ مِكسالٌ إِذا ما تَلَبَّسَت

مِنَ البيضِ مِكسالٌ إِذا ما تَلَبَّسَت

بِعَقلِ امرئٍ لَم يَنجُ منها مسلَّما

بِعَقلِ امرئٍ لَم يَنجُ منها مسلَّما

One of the fair women, languorous, who, if she entangled

They walked a little and then mounted up, and the virgins

a man's mind, would not let him escape unharmed.

Spread out at us the tents, completely covered.

رَقودُ الضُّحى لا تَقربُ الجيرة القُصى

رَقودُ الضُّحى لا تَقربُ الجيرة القُصى

وَلا الجيرةَ الأَدنين إِلا تَجَشُّما

وَلا الجيرةَ الأَدنين إِلا تَجَشُّما

She sleeps through morning, visiting neither distant neighbors

So we said, “Come, turn aside with us, O Umm Tariq,

nor the nearest neighbors except with effort.

And talk aside—that would heal our sickness.”

بَهيرٌ تَرى نضَح العَبيرِ بِجيبِها

بَهيرٌ تَرى نضَح العَبيرِ بِجيبِها

كَما ضَرَّحَ الضاري النزيفَ المُكلَّما

كَما ضَرَّحَ الضاري النزيفَ المُكلَّما

A dazzling beauty: you see perfume spattered at her neckline

But she shied away from us into a depression, when

as a beast of prey spatters its wounded, blood-drained victim.

The brocade train trailed from her forearms, rippling.

وَلَيسَت مِنَ اللائي يَكونُ حَديثُها

وَلَيسَت مِنَ اللائي يَكونُ حَديثُها

أَمامَ بُيوت الحي إِنَّ وإِنَّما

أَمامَ بُيوت الحي إِنَّ وإِنَّما

She is not one of those whose talk consists,

This passion was stirred up only by a dove

before the tribe's houses, of “Indeed” and “It is only”—

Cooing amorously in the twistings of a wadi.

أَحاديثُ لَم يعقبنَ شَيئاً وإِنَّما

أَحاديثُ لَم يعقبنَ شَيئاً وإِنَّما

فَرَت كَذِباً بِالأَمسِ قيلاً مرجّما

فَرَت كَذِباً بِالأَمسِ قيلاً مرجّما

tales that brought nothing about, merely

A turtle-dove the color of leaves cried out at dawn

yesterday's fabricated lies, words flung out in guesswork.

To a love-sick lover at sunrise, raucously.

فَما رَكِبت حَتّى تَطاولَ يَومُها

فَما رَكِبت حَتّى تَطاولَ يَومُها

وَكانَت لَها الأَيدي إِلى الخَدبِ سُلّما

وَكانَت لَها الأَيدي إِلى الخَدبِ سُلّما

She did not mount until her day had grown long;

When the wind shakes it or plays with it,

hands became her ladder into the broad litter.

It moans over it, swaying and bending.

وَما دَخَلت في الخَدبِ حَتّى تَنَقَّضَت

وَما دَخَلت في الخَدبِ حَتّى تَنَقَّضَت

تآسيرُ أَعلى قِدّهِ وَتَحَطَّما

تآسيرُ أَعلى قِدّهِ وَتَحَطَّما

She did not enter the litter before

It vies with the ringdoves of Gilhat

the bindings atop its leatherwork cracked and broke.

And warbles to “the son of three” between two rods.

فَجرجرَ لما صارَ في الخدرِ نِصفُها

فَجرجرَ لما صارَ في الخدرِ نِصفُها

وَنِصفٌ عَلى دأياتهِ ما تَجَزَّما

وَنِصفٌ عَلى دأياتهِ ما تَجَزَّما

He gurgled when half of her was within the curtained seat,

It wears a collar unlike any made

and half upon his back-ridges, not yet settled.

By Tamiimah or beaten by a goldsmith’s hands.

وَما رِمنَها حَتّى لَوَت بِزِمامِهِ

وَما رِمنَها حَتّى لَوَت بِزِمامِهِ

بَناناً كهُدَّابِ الدِّمقسِ ومِعصَما

بَناناً كهُدَّابِ الدِّمقسِ ومِعصَما

They did not leave her until she curled around his rein

The scruffy female built her nest, and it’s her companion

fingers like silk fringes, and a wrist.

Between rods in a lofty place, conspicuous.

وَما كادَ لَما أَن علتهُ يقِلُّها

وَما كادَ لَما أَن علتهُ يقِلُّها

بِنَهضَتِهِ حَتّى اكلأَزَّ وأَعصَما

بِنَهضَتِهِ حَتّى اكلأَزَّ وأَعصَما

Once she mounted him, he could scarcely lift her

You’d see it dripping, like the quick feathers’

as he rose, until he drew himself tight and braced himself,

Pipes, a dim light when it stretches its neck to feed.

وَحتّى تَداعَت بِالنَّقيضِ حبالُهُ

وَحتّى تَداعَت بِالنَّقيضِ حبالُهُ

وَهمت بِواني زَورِهِ أَن تَحطَّما

وَهمت بِواني زَورِهِ أَن تَحطَّما

until his ropes answered one another with creaking,

As if the brightness of delight were on its cheeks

and the beams of his chest nearly broke.

When it extends its neck, to swallow.

وأَثر في صمِّ الصَّفا ثَفِناتُهُ

وأَثر في صمِّ الصَّفا ثَفِناتُهُ

وَرامَ بِلَمّا أَمره ثُمَ صَمَّما

وَرامَ بِلَمّا أَمره ثُمَ صَمَّما

His calluses left their mark on solid rock;

So when it grew full feathers and found with her

he attempted his task with difficulty, then held firm.

No place for it in the yard of the nest, cramped,

فَسَبَّحنَّ واستَهلَلن لَمّا رأَينَهُ

فَسَبَّحنَّ واستَهلَلن لَمّا رأَينَهُ

بِها رَبِذاً سَهلَ الأَراجيحِ مِرجَما

بِها رَبِذاً سَهلَ الأَراجيحِ مِرجَما

They glorified God and raised their voices when they saw him

A preying falcon was let loose, and it left

swift beneath her, easy-swaying and fleet.

Of its young only a runt and weaker ones.

فَلمّا سَما استَدبَرنَهُ كَيفَ سَدوه

فَلمّا سَما استَدبَرنَهُ كَيفَ سَدوه

بِها ناهضَ الدَّأياتِ فَعماً مُلَملَما

بِها ناهضَ الدَّأياتِ فَعماً مُلَملَما

When he rose, they watched him from behind—his gait,

It perched on a branch at dawn, leaving

his back-ridges rising beneath her, full and rounded.

No lamenting mourner in her grief,

وَلمّا استَقَلَّت فَوقَهُ لَم تَجِد لَهُ

وَلمّا استَقَلَّت فَوقَهُ لَم تَجِد لَهُ

تَكاليفَ إِلا أَن تَعيلَ وَتَعسَما

تَكاليفَ إِلا أَن تَعيلَ وَتَعسَما

When she was settled above him, she found no demands

Collared, the eloquent ones whose speech rings out

except to sway and bend.

Whenever summer draws near and spring startles.

وَلَمّا استَقلَّ الحَيُّ في رَونَقِ الضُّحى

وَلَمّا استَقلَّ الحَيُّ في رَونَقِ الضُّحى

قَبَصنَ الوصايا والحديثَ المُجَمجَما

قَبَصنَ الوصايا والحديثَ المُجَمجَما

When the tribe set out in the morning's brightness,

They competed with the warp-threads of the loom, so she turned back

they gathered instructions and murmured talk,

To meet their blows with a gentle bending.

دموجَ الظِّباءِ العُفر بِالنَّفسِ أَشفَقَت

دموجَ الظِّباءِ العُفر بِالنَّفسِ أَشفَقَت

مِنَ الشَّمسِ لَما كانَت الشَّمسُ ميسَما

مِنَ الشَّمسِ لَما كانَت الشَّمسُ ميسَما

slipping away like pale gazelles, fearful for themselves

They came and fulfilled for me no need

of the sun, when the sun became a branding iron.

Or accomplished any matter decisively.

وَرُحنَ وَقَد زايلن كُلَّ صَنيعَةٍ

وَرُحنَ وَقَد زايلن كُلَّ صَنيعَةٍ

لَهُنَّ وَباشَرنَ السَّديلَ المُرقَّما

لَهُنَّ وَباشَرنَ السَّديلَ المُرقَّما

They departed, having left every attendant

They have no messengers for a need

of theirs, and pressed against the embroidered curtain.

Who travel from distant lands, impoverished.

دَعَوتُ بِعَجلَى واعتَرتَني صَبابَةٌ

دَعَوتُ بِعَجلَى واعتَرتَني صَبابَةٌ

وَقَد طَلَعَ النَّجدينِ أَحداجُ مَريما

وَقَد طَلَعَ النَّجدينِ أَحداجُ مَريما

I called for Ajla, and longing seized me,

Don’t you know I’m afflicted? Recall

while Maryam's howdahs had crested the two ridges.

My trial, when a people's shelter lies demolished!

فَجاءَ بِشَوشاةٍ مِزاقٍ تَرى لَها

فَجاءَ بِشَوشاةٍ مِزاقٍ تَرى لَها

نُدوباً مِنَ الأَنساعِ فَذّاً وَتوأما

نُدوباً مِنَ الأَنساعِ فَذّاً وَتوأما

He brought a lively, swift she-camel, bearing

Does Umm al-Walid echo my voice

scars from girths, single and paired.

When I moan, even if I become hoarse and feeble?

أَراها غُلاماها الخَلى وَتَشَذَّرَت

أَراها غُلاماها الخَلى وَتَشَذَّرَت

مِراحاً وَلَم تَقرأ جَنيناً وَلا دَما

مِراحاً وَلَم تَقرأ جَنيناً وَلا دَما

Her two grooms showed her fresh fodder, and she pranced

The iron blades laid it bare, so it unleashed

in high spirits, carrying neither fetus nor blood.

The torrents—there was generosity in its sound.

فَلأياً بِلأيٍ خادَعاها فأَلزَما

فَلأياً بِلأيٍ خادَعاها فأَلزَما

زِمامَيهِما مِن حَلقَةِ الصُّفر مُلزَما

زِمامَيهِما مِن حَلقَةِ الصُّفر مُلزَما

With hardship upon hardship, they coaxed her and secured

The virgins fondle it at dawn, and bounce it

their two reins firmly to the brass ring.

With hands in which, you'd see, tattoos are indistinguishable.

وأَعطَت لِعرفانِ الخِطام وأَضمَرَت

وأَعطَت لِعرفانِ الخِطام وأَضمَرَت

مَكانَ خفيِّ الصَّوتِ وَجداً مُجَمجَما

مَكانَ خفيِّ الصَّوتِ وَجداً مُجَمجَما

She yielded, recognizing the bridle, and concealed,

They picked either crimson brocade

in place of a faint cry, a stifled resentment.

Or imported Chinese silk, sealed.

وَجاءَت تبذ القائِدين وَلَم تَدَع

وَجاءَت تبذ القائِدين وَلَم تَدَع

نِعالَهُما إِلا سَريحاً مُجَذَّما

نِعالَهُما إِلا سَريحاً مُجَذَّما

She came outstripping her two leaders, leaving

‘Amir tasted from us on the day of clanging—

their sandals nothing but severed straps.

Swords, that if brandished by the hand, persist.

يُخالُ الحَصى مِن بَينِ مَنسِرِ خُفِّها

يُخالُ الحَصى مِن بَينِ مَنسِرِ خُفِّها

رُفاضَ الحَصى والبَهرمانَ المُقَصَّما

رُفاضَ الحَصى والبَهرمانَ المُقَصَّما

The pebbles from beneath the pointed front of her hoof seemed

On each snarling foretooth you'd see it has

scattered stones and splintered safflower.

Swords that ambush the sternums, venomous.

وَمارَ بِها الضَّبعانِ مَوراً وَكَلَّفَت

وَمارَ بِها الضَّبعانِ مَوراً وَكَلَّفَت

بعيري غُلاميَّ الرسيمَ فأَرسَما

بعيري غُلاميَّ الرسيمَ فأَرسَما

Her two upper forelegs swung vigorously, and she forced

Whips discarded by the cowherds, neglected,

my two grooms' camels into a swift trot, and they trotted.

That befriend a battered, coarse quirt.

فَلَمّا لَحِقنا لَم يَقُل ذو لُبانَةٍ

فَلَمّا لَحِقنا لَم يَقُل ذو لُبانَةٍ

لَهُنَّ وَلا ذو حاجَةٍ ما تَيَمَّما

لَهُنَّ وَلا ذو حاجَةٍ ما تَيَمَّما

When we caught up, no man with a longing could tell

On a giant whose body can scarcely

the women, nor any man with a need, what he sought.

Stretch its two arms over the poisoned sternums.

فَكانَ لِماحاً مِن خَصاصٍ ورِقبَة

فَكانَ لِماحاً مِن خَصاصٍ ورِقبَة

مَخافَةَ أَعداءٍ وَطَرفاً مُقسّما

مَخافَةَ أَعداءٍ وَطَرفاً مُقسّما

There were only glimpses through gaps and watchfulness,

Light, darting like a bird, and soft, as if

fear of enemies, and divided glances—

It's a lamp, when the night grows dark.

قَليلاً وَرَفَّعنَ المَطيَّ وَشَمَّرَت

قَليلاً وَرَفَّعنَ المَطيَّ وَشَمَّرَت

بِنا العيسُ يَنشُرنَ اللغامَ المُغَمَّما

بِنا العيسُ يَنشُرنَ اللغامَ المُغَمَّما

few of them; the women urged their mounts onward, and

Trustworthy, pleasing all people, though different in youth—

our pale camels hastened, scattering cloudlike foam.

Al-Mumarri says, “How long he was cherished!”

فَقُلنا أَلا عوجي بِنا أُمَّ طارِقٍ

فَقُلنا أَلا عوجي بِنا أُمَّ طارِقٍ

تُناجي وَنَجواها شَفاءٌ لأَهيَما

تُناجي وَنَجواها شَفاءٌ لأَهيَما

We said, “Oh, turn toward us, Umm Tariq!”

She confides, and her confidences heal the love-crazed.

فَعاجَت عَلينا مِن خِدَبٍّ إِذا سَرى

فَعاجَت عَلينا مِن خِدَبٍّ إِذا سَرى

سَرى عَن ذِراعيهِ السّديلُ المُنَمنَما

سَرى عَن ذِراعيهِ السّديلُ المُنَمنَما

She turned toward us from a massive camel which, when it traveled,

had its embroidered curtain slip away from its forelegs.

وَما هاجَ هَذا الشَّوقَ إِلا حَمامَةٌ

وَما هاجَ هَذا الشَّوقَ إِلا حَمامَةٌ

دَعَت ساقَ حرّ تَرحَةً وَتَرَنُّما

دَعَت ساقَ حرّ تَرحَةً وَتَرَنُّما

Nothing stirred this longing but a dove

calling to Saq Harr in sorrow and song.

مِنَ الوُرقِ حَمّاءُ العِلاطَين باكَرَت

مِنَ الوُرقِ حَمّاءُ العِلاطَين باكَرَت

عَسيبَ أَشاءٍ مَطلعَ الشَّمسِ أَسحَما

عَسيبَ أَشاءٍ مَطلعَ الشَّمسِ أَسحَما

A gray dove, black on both sides of the neck, she sought at dawn

a dark frond of a young palm, at sunrise.

إِذا هزهزتهُ الريحُ أَو لَعِبَت بِهِ

إِذا هزهزتهُ الريحُ أَو لَعِبَت بِهِ

أَرَنَّت عَليهِ ماثِلاً وَمُقَوَّماً

أَرَنَّت عَليهِ ماثِلاً وَمُقَوَّماً

When the wind shook it or played with it,

she trilled upon it, standing erect and upright.

تُباري حَمامَ الجَلهَتينِ وَتَرعَوي

تُباري حَمامَ الجَلهَتينِ وَتَرعَوي

إِلى ابنِ ثَلاثٍ بَينَ عودَينِ أَعجَما

إِلى ابنِ ثَلاثٍ بَينَ عودَينِ أَعجَما

She matched the doves of both valley-banks, then returned

to a mute three-day chick between two sticks.

تَطوَّقَ طوقاً لَم يَكُن عَن تَميمَةٍ

تَطوَّقَ طوقاً لَم يَكُن عَن تَميمَةٍ

وَلا ضربَ صَوّاغٍ بِكَفَّيهِ دِرهَماً

وَلا ضربَ صَوّاغٍ بِكَفَّيهِ دِرهَماً

He wore a collar not bestowed by an amulet,

nor by a goldsmith hammering a dirham with his hands.

بَنَت بَيتَهُ الخَرقاءُ وَهيَ رَفيقَةٌ

بَنَت بَيتَهُ الخَرقاءُ وَهيَ رَفيقَةٌ

بِهِ بَينَ أَعوادٍ بِعلياءَ مُعلَما

بِهِ بَينَ أَعوادٍ بِعلياءَ مُعلَما

The clumsy one built his home, though gentle

with him, among sticks, conspicuous on a height.

تُرَشِّحُ أَحوى مُزلَغِبّا تَرى لَهُ

تُرَشِّحُ أَحوى مُزلَغِبّا تَرى لَهُ

أَنابيبَ مِن مُستَعجِلِ الرِّيشِ حَمحَما

أَنابيبَ مِن مُستَعجِلِ الرِّيشِ حَمحَما

She nurtured a dusky, downy chick; you could see on him

tubes of swiftly sprouting, blackish feathers.

كأَنَّ عَلى أَشداقِهِ نَورَ حَنوَةٍ

كأَنَّ عَلى أَشداقِهِ نَورَ حَنوَةٍ

إِذا هوَ مدَّ الجيدَ مِنهُ لِيَطعَما

إِذا هوَ مدَّ الجيدَ مِنهُ لِيَطعَما

As though hanwa blossoms lay upon his mouth's corners

when he stretched out his neck to be fed.

فَلمّا اكتَسى ريشاً سُخاماً وَلَم يَجِد

فَلمّا اكتَسى ريشاً سُخاماً وَلَم يَجِد

لَهُ مَعها في باحةِ العُشِّ مَجثما

لَهُ مَعها في باحةِ العُشِّ مَجثما

When he clothed himself in soft feathers and could find

no perch beside her in the nest's open space,

أُتيحَ لَهُ صَقرٌ مُسِفٌ فَلَم يَدَع

أُتيحَ لَهُ صَقرٌ مُسِفٌ فَلَم يَدَع

لَها وَلَداً إِلا رَميماً وأَعظَما

لَها وَلَداً إِلا رَميماً وأَعظَما

a low-swooping hawk was sent upon him, leaving

her no child but decaying remains and bones.

فأَوفَت عَلى غُصنٍ ضُحَيّاً فَلَم تَدَع

فأَوفَت عَلى غُصنٍ ضُحَيّاً فَلَم تَدَع

لِباكيَةٍ في شَجوِها متلوّما

لِباكيَةٍ في شَجوِها متلوّما

She climbed onto a branch in the morning, leaving

no mourner any respite in her sorrow.

مُطَوَّقَةٌ خَطباءُ تَصدَحُ كُلَمّا

مُطَوَّقَةٌ خَطباءُ تَصدَحُ كُلَمّا

دَنا الصَّيفُ وانجالَ الرَّبيعُ فأَنجَما

دَنا الصَّيفُ وانجالَ الرَّبيعُ فأَنجَما

Collared and dark-marked, she sings whenever

summer draws near and spring withdraws and ceases.

وَنازَعنَ خيطان الأَراكِ فَراجَعت

وَنازَعنَ خيطان الأَراكِ فَراجَعت

لِهادِفِها مِنهُنَّ لَدناً مُقَوَّما

لِهادِفِها مِنهُنَّ لَدناً مُقَوَّما

They tugged at slender arak twigs, and she reached back

to the woman facing her among them, for a supple, straight twig.

فَماحَت بِهِ غُرَّ الثَّنايا كَأَنَّما

فَماحَت بِهِ غُرَّ الثَّنايا كَأَنَّما

جَلَت بِنَضيرِ الخوطِ دُرّاً مُنَظَّما

جَلَت بِنَضيرِ الخوطِ دُرّاً مُنَظَّما

She rubbed her gleaming front teeth with it, as though

polishing strung pearls with the fresh twig.

إِذا شِئتُ غَنَّتني بأَجزاعِ بيشَةٍ

إِذا شِئتُ غَنَّتني بأَجزاعِ بيشَةٍ

أَو النَّخلِ من تَثليث أَو من يَبَنبَما

أَو النَّخلِ من تَثليث أَو من يَبَنبَما

When I wished, she sang to me in Bisha's valley-bends,

or the palms of Tathlith, or of Yabanbam.

عَجِبتُ لَها أَنّى يَكونَ غِناؤُها

عَجِبتُ لَها أَنّى يَكونَ غِناؤُها

فَصيحاً وَلَم تَفغَر بِمَنطِقِها فَما

فَصيحاً وَلَم تَفغَر بِمَنطِقِها فَما

I marveled at her: how could her song be

eloquent when she did not open a mouth to utter it?

فَلَم أَر مَحزوناً لَهُ مِثلُ صَوتِها

فَلَم أَر مَحزوناً لَهُ مِثلُ صَوتِها

وَلا عَربيّا شاقَهُ صَوتُ أَعجَما

وَلا عَربيّا شاقَهُ صَوتُ أَعجَما

I have seen no grieving creature with a voice like hers,

nor an Arab stirred by a speechless creature's voice

كَمِثلي إِذا غَنَّت وَلَكِنَّ صَوتَها

كَمِثلي إِذا غَنَّت وَلَكِنَّ صَوتَها

لَهُ عَولَةٌ لَو يَفهَمُ العَودُ أَرزَما

لَهُ عَولَةٌ لَو يَفهَمُ العَودُ أَرزَما

as I am when she sings; but her voice

has a lament that would make an old camel groan, could he understand.

خَليليَّ هُبا عَلّلاني وانظُرا

خَليليَّ هُبا عَلّلاني وانظُرا

إِلى البَرقِ إِذ يَفري سَنىً وَتَبَسُّما

إِلى البَرقِ إِذ يَفري سَنىً وَتَبَسُّما

My two friends, rise, console me, and look

at the lightning as it rends the sky with radiance and smiles.

عُروضاً تَعَدَّت مِن تِهامَة أُهدِيَت

عُروضاً تَعَدَّت مِن تِهامَة أُهدِيَت

لِنَجدٍ فَساحَ البَرقُ نَجداً وأَتهَما

لِنَجدٍ فَساحَ البَرقُ نَجداً وأَتهَما

A crossing cloud passed from Tihama, sent

to Najd; the lightning roamed Najd and Tihama.

كَأَن رياحاً أَطلَعتهُ مَريضَةً

كَأَن رياحاً أَطلَعتهُ مَريضَةً

مِنَ الغَورِ يَسعَرنَ الأَباءَ المُضَرَّما

مِنَ الغَورِ يَسعَرنَ الأَباءَ المُضَرَّما

As though faint winds had brought it forth

from the lowlands, setting the burning reeds ablaze,

كَنَفضِ عِتاقِ الخَيلِ حينَ تَوَجَّهَت

كَنَفضِ عِتاقِ الخَيلِ حينَ تَوَجَّهَت

إِلَيهنَّ أَبصارٌ وأَيقَظنَ نُوَّما

إِلَيهنَّ أَبصارٌ وأَيقَظنَ نُوَّما

like the shaking of noble horses when

eyes turn toward them, and they awaken sleepers.

خَليلي إِنّي مُشتَكٍ ما أَصابَني

خَليلي إِنّي مُشتَكٍ ما أَصابَني

لِتَستيقِنا ما قَد لَقيتُ وَتعلَما

لِتَستيقِنا ما قَد لَقيتُ وَتعلَما

My two friends, I complain of what has struck me,

that you may know for certain what I have endured.

أُملِّيكُما إِنَّ الأَمانَةَ مَن يَخُن

أُملِّيكُما إِنَّ الأَمانَةَ مَن يَخُن

بِها يَحتَمِل يَوماً مِنَ اللَّهِ مأثَما

بِها يَحتَمِل يَوماً مِنَ اللَّهِ مأثَما

I charge you both: whoever betrays a trust

will one day bear a sin before God for it.

فَلا تَفشِيا سِرّي وَلا تَخذُلا أَخاً

فَلا تَفشِيا سِرّي وَلا تَخذُلا أَخاً

أَبثَّكُما مِنهُ الحَديثَ المُكتَّما

أَبثَّكُما مِنهُ الحَديثَ المُكتَّما

Do not divulge my secret, nor abandon a brother

who has shared his hidden story with you.

لِتَتخِذا لي باركَ اللَّهُ فيكُما

لِتَتخِذا لي باركَ اللَّهُ فيكُما

إِلى آلِ لَيلى العامِرِيَّةِ سُلَّما

إِلى آلِ لَيلى العامِرِيَّةِ سُلَّما

Make for me—God bless you both—

a ladder to the household of Layla al-Amiriyya.

وَقَولا إِذا جاوَزتُما آلَ عامرٍ

وَقَولا إِذا جاوَزتُما آلَ عامرٍ

وَجاوَزتُما الحيّين نَهداً وَخثعَما

وَجاوَزتُما الحيّين نَهداً وَخثعَما

And say, when you have passed the household of Amir

and passed the two tribes, Nahd and Khath'am,

نَزيعانِ مِن جُرمِ بن رَبَّانَ إِنَّهُم

نَزيعانِ مِن جُرمِ بن رَبَّانَ إِنَّهُم

أَبوا أَن يُميروا في الهَزاهِز مِحجَما

أَبوا أَن يُميروا في الهَزاهِز مِحجَما

“We are two exiles from Jurm ibn Rabban; they

refused, amid turmoil, to supply even a cupping-cup's worth.”

وَسيرا عَلى نِضوَين مُكتَنِفيهِما

وَسيرا عَلى نِضوَين مُكتَنِفيهِما

وَلا تحملا إِلا زِناداً وأَسهُما

وَلا تحملا إِلا زِناداً وأَسهُما

Travel on two lean mounts, straddling them;

carry nothing but fire-strikers and arrows,

وَزاداً غَريضاً خَفِّفاهُ عَليكُما

وَزاداً غَريضاً خَفِّفاهُ عَليكُما

وَلا تَفشيا سِرّاً وَلا تَحمِلا دَما

وَلا تَفشيا سِرّاً وَلا تَحمِلا دَما

and fresh provisions—lighten their burden upon you.

Divulge no secret, and bear no blood-guilt.

وإِن كانَ لَيلاً فالويا نَسَبيكُما

وإِن كانَ لَيلاً فالويا نَسَبيكُما

وإِن خِفتُما أَن تُعرفا فَتَلَثَّما

وإِن خِفتُما أَن تُعرفا فَتَلَثَّما

If it is night, disguise your lineages;

if you fear recognition, veil your faces.

وَقولا خَرَجنا تاجِرين فأَبطأَت

وَقولا خَرَجنا تاجِرين فأَبطأَت

رِكابٌ تَرَكناها بِتَثليث قُيّما

رِكابٌ تَرَكناها بِتَثليث قُيّما

Say, “We set out as merchants, but were delayed by

mounts we left waiting at Tathlith.

وَلَو قَد أَتانا بَزُّنا وَرقيقُنا

وَلَو قَد أَتانا بَزُّنا وَرقيقُنا

تَمَوَّلَ مِنكُم مَن أَتيناهُ مُعدَما

تَمَوَّلَ مِنكُم مَن أَتيناهُ مُعدَما

If our cloth wares and slaves had reached us,

those of you we found penniless would have grown wealthy.

فَما مِنكُم إِلا رأَيناهُ دانِياً

فَما مِنكُم إِلا رأَيناهُ دانِياً

إِلَينا بِحمدِ اللَّهِ في العَينِ مُسلِما

إِلَينا بِحمدِ اللَّهِ في العَينِ مُسلِما

There is none of you whom we have not seen drawing near

to us—praise be to God—visibly offering greetings.”

وَمُدّا لَهُم في السَّومِ حَتّى تَمَكَّنا

وَمُدّا لَهُم في السَّومِ حَتّى تَمَكَّنا

وَلا تَستَلِجّا صَفقَ بَيعٍ فَتُلزَما

وَلا تَستَلِجّا صَفقَ بَيعٍ فَتُلزَما

Prolong the bargaining with them until you are established;

do not press to conclude a sale and so become bound.

فإِن أَنتُما اطمأنَنتُما وأَمِنتُما

فإِن أَنتُما اطمأنَنتُما وأَمِنتُما

وأَجلَبتُما ما شِئتُما فَتَكلَّما

وأَجلَبتُما ما شِئتُما فَتَكلَّما

When you have settled comfortably and feel secure,

and gathered whatever you wished, then speak.

وَقولا لَها ما تأمُرينَ بِصاحِبٍ

وَقولا لَها ما تأمُرينَ بِصاحِبٍ

لَنا قَد تَرَكتِ القَلبَ مِنهُ مُتيَّما

لَنا قَد تَرَكتِ القَلبَ مِنهُ مُتيَّما

Say to her, “What do you command concerning a friend

of ours whose heart you have left enslaved by love?

أَبيني لَنا إِنّا رَحلنا مَطِيَّنا

أَبيني لَنا إِنّا رَحلنا مَطِيَّنا

إِلَيكِ وَما نَرجوهُ إِلا تَلوُّما

إِلَيكِ وَما نَرجوهُ إِلا تَلوُّما

Tell us plainly: we saddled our mounts

to come to you, hoping only for a little time.”

فَجاءا وَلما يَقضيا لي حاجَةً

فَجاءا وَلما يَقضيا لي حاجَةً

إِليَّ وَلما يُبرِما الأَمرَ مُبرَما

إِليَّ وَلما يُبرِما الأَمرَ مُبرَما

They returned without having fulfilled my need,

coming to me without having firmly settled the matter.

فَما لَهُما مِن مُرسَلينِ لحاجَةٍ

فَما لَهُما مِن مُرسَلينِ لحاجَةٍ

أَسافا مِنَ المالِ التّلادِ وأَعدَما

أَسافا مِنَ المالِ التّلادِ وأَعدَما

What a pair of messengers sent upon a task!

They squandered inherited wealth and brought impoverishment.

أَلَم تَعلَما أَني مُصابٌ فَتَذكُرا

أَلَم تَعلَما أَني مُصابٌ فَتَذكُرا

بَلائي إِذا ما جُرفُ قَومٍ تَهَدَّما

بَلائي إِذا ما جُرفُ قَومٍ تَهَدَّما

Did you two not know I was afflicted, and so remember

my suffering when a people's bank crumbles?

أَلا هَل صَدى أُمّ الوَليدِ مُكَلِّمٌ

أَلا هَل صَدى أُمّ الوَليدِ مُكَلِّمٌ

صَدايَ إِذا ما كُنتُ رَمساً وأَعظَما

صَدايَ إِذا ما كُنتُ رَمساً وأَعظَما

Ah, will Umm al-Walid's shade speak

to my shade when I am a grave and bones?

بَرتهُ سَفاسيرُ الحَديدِ فَجَرَّدت

بَرتهُ سَفاسيرُ الحَديدِ فَجَرَّدت

وَقيعَ الأَعالي كانَ في الصَّوتِ مُكرِما

وَقيعَ الأَعالي كانَ في الصَّوتِ مُكرِما

Iron blades pared it down, laying bare

its solid upper parts; its sound had been magnificent.

يُطِفنَ بِهِ رأدَ الضُّحى وَيُنشنَهُ

يُطِفنَ بِهِ رأدَ الضُّحى وَيُنشنَهُ

بأَيدٍ تَرى الأسوار فيهنَّ أَعجَما

بأَيدٍ تَرى الأسوار فيهنَّ أَعجَما

They circled it in early morning and lifted it

with hands on which the bracelets seemed speechless.

تَخَيَّرنَ إِمّا أُرجواناً مُهَذّباً

تَخَيَّرنَ إِمّا أُرجواناً مُهَذّباً

وإِمّا سِجِلاطَ العراقِ المُخَتَّما

وإِمّا سِجِلاطَ العراقِ المُخَتَّما

They chose either fine-trimmed purple cloth

or patterned brocade from Iraq.

لَقَد ذاقَ مِنّا عامِرٌ يَومَ لَعلَعٍ

لَقَد ذاقَ مِنّا عامِرٌ يَومَ لَعلَعٍ

حُساما إِذا ما هُزَّ بِالكَفِّ صَمَّما

حُساما إِذا ما هُزَّ بِالكَفِّ صَمَّما

Amir tasted from us, on the day of La'la',

a cutting sword that struck decisively when shaken in the hand.

عَلى كُلِّ نابي المحزِمين تَرى لَهُ

عَلى كُلِّ نابي المحزِمين تَرى لَهُ

شَراسيفَ تَغتالُ الوضينَ المُسَمَّما

شَراسيفَ تَغتالُ الوضينَ المُسَمَّما

On each mount with jutting girth-places, you see

ribs that wear away the slender woven girth.

جِلادٌ تَخاطَتها الرِّعاءُ فأُهمِلَت

جِلادٌ تَخاطَتها الرِّعاءُ فأُهمِلَت

وآلَفنَ رَجّافاً جُرازاً تَلَهزَما

وآلَفنَ رَجّافاً جُرازاً تَلَهزَما

Hardy beasts the herdsmen had passed over and neglected,

they grew accustomed to a quaking, ravenous, broad-jowled bull.

عَلى مُصلَخِمّ ما يَكادُ جَسيمُهُ

عَلى مُصلَخِمّ ما يَكادُ جَسيمُهُ

يمدُّ بِعِطفَيهِ الوَضينَ المُسمّما

يمدُّ بِعِطفَيهِ الوَضينَ المُسمّما

On a towering beast whose vast frame can scarcely

stretch the slender woven girth across his flanks.

خَفا كاقتِذاء الطَّيرِ وَهناً كأَنَّهُ

خَفا كاقتِذاء الطَّيرِ وَهناً كأَنَّهُ

سِراجٌ إِذا ما يَكشِفُ اللَّيلُ أَظلَما

سِراجٌ إِذا ما يَكشِفُ اللَّيلُ أَظلَما

He appeared like a bird shaking dust from its eyes, late at night, as though

a lamp unveiling the night when darkness falls.

أَمينٌ عَبَنُّ الخَلقِ مُختَلِفُ الشَّبا

أَمينٌ عَبَنُّ الخَلقِ مُختَلِفُ الشَّبا

يَقولُ المماري طالَ ما كانَ مُقرَما

يَقولُ المماري طالَ ما كانَ مُقرَما

Sure-footed, massive of frame, with uneven tooth-points,

the disputant says, “He has long been spared for breeding.”