أَتَجْحَدُdoes she deny قَتْلِيkilling me رَبَّةُthe lady of الشَّنْفِthe pendant earring والخرْصِand the hoop earring
أَتَجْحَدُ قَتْلِي رَبَّةُ الشَّنْفِ والخرْصِ
وذَاكَand that is نَجِيعِيmy blood فِيon مُخَضَّبِهَاher hennaed hand الرّخْصِsoft
وذَاكَ نَجِيعِي فِي مُخَضَّبِهَا الرّخْصِ
Does the lady of pendant and hoop deny killing me,
Do you deny slaying me, O mistress of coquetry and forwardness?
when this is my blood upon her soft, hennaed hand?
That was my close companion stained with the blood of permissiveness.
تَوَرّسَbecame saffron-colored مَاwhat تَعْطُوshe reaches out بِهِwith it مِنْfrom عَبِيطِهِits fresh blood
تَوَرّسَ مَا تَعْطُو بِهِ مِنْ عَبِيطِهِ
كَمَاas طَلَعَemerged السّوسَانُthe lilies فِيin صِبْغَةِthe hue of الحُصِّsaffron
كَمَا طَلَعَ السّوسَانُ فِي صِبْغَةِ الحُصِّ
What she reaches with is saffron-stained by its fresh blood,
You lay in ambush with the weapon you attacked me with,
as lilies emerge in a saffron hue.
As the lily appears with the dye of purple.
وَتَسْفِكُهُand she sheds it وَهوَthough it is المُحَرَّمُforbidden سَفْكُهُits shedding
وَتَسْفِكُهُ وَهوَ المُحَرَّمُ سَفْكُهُ
حَلالاًas lawful كَأَنَّas though الظُّلْمَwrongdoing لَيْسَdoes not have لَهُfor it مُحْصِa reckoner
حَلالاً كَأَنَّ الظُّلْمَ لَيْسَ لَهُ مُحْصِ
She sheds it, though its shedding is forbidden,
You shed it while it was forbidden to spill it,
as though lawful, as though wrong had no reckoner.
Making lawful what injustice has no share in.
أمَاhas she not عَلِمَتْknown أَنَّthat القِصَاصَretribution أَمَامَهَاlies before her
أمَا عَلِمَتْ أَنَّ القِصَاصَ أَمَامَهَا
فَكَيْفَhow then أَرَاقَتْهُhas she poured it عَلَىover النَّحْرِthe throat والقَصِّand the breastbone
فَكَيْفَ أَرَاقَتْهُ عَلَى النَّحْرِ والقَصِّ
Does she not know that retribution lies before her?
Don't you know that retaliation stands before you?
How, then, has she poured it over throat and breastbone?
So how did you shed it through slaughter and butchery?
فَيَاoh لدَمٍfor blood قَدْindeed أَهْدَرَتْهُshe shed it unavenged ثديُّهَاher breasts
فَيَا لدَمٍ قَدْ أَهْدَرَتْهُ ثديُّهَا
وأَلحَاظُهَاand her glances بالهَبْرِby hacking عَمْداًdeliberately وبالْقَعْصِand by killing outright
وأَلحَاظُهَا بالهَبْرِ عَمْداً وبالْقَعْصِ
Ah, for blood her breasts have shed with impunity,
O blood that her breast spilled
and her glances, deliberately hacking and killing outright!
And her glances intentionally with confusion and ignorance!
وَلَسْنَand they are not صِفَاحاًblades أَوْor رِمَاحاًspears وَإِنَّماbut rather
وَلَسْنَ صِفَاحاً أَوْ رِمَاحاً وَإِنَّما
غَنِينَthey have no need عَنof الحَدِّthe edge المُذَلَّقِsharpened والخِرْصِand the spearpoint
غَنِينَ عَن الحَدِّ المُذَلَّقِ والخِرْصِ
Yet they are neither blades nor spears; rather,
Not with thin swords or spears but rather
they have no need of sharpened edges or spearpoints.
Without need for a sharpened blade or knife.
عَلَىwithout غَيْرِany ثَارٍblood-debt آثَرَتْshe preferred فَوْتَthe loss مُهْجَتِيof my life's blood
عَلَى غَيْرِ ثَارٍ آثَرَتْ فَوْتَ مُهْجَتِي
قَنِيصاًas hunted prey وَمَازَالَتْand she has always تُراعُbeen frightened مِنَby القَنْصِhunting
قَنِيصاً وَمَازَالَتْ تُراعُ مِنَ القَنْصِ
Without a blood-debt, she chose the loss of my life's blood,
You preferred loss of my passion over vengeance
as hunted prey, though she has always feared the hunt.
A shirt, while you still fear the hunt.
عَرِينٌa lion's den وَلَيْثٌand a lion لاnot كِنَاسٌa gazelle's covert وَظَبْيَةٌand a doe
عَرِينٌ وَلَيْثٌ لا كِنَاسٌ وَظَبْيَةٌ
لإتْلافِهَاbecause she destroys العُشَّاقَlovers بالفَرْسنِwith the paw والْفَرْصِand rending
لإتْلافِهَا العُشَّاقَ بالفَرْسنِ والْفَرْصِ
A lion's den and lion, not a covert and a doe,
A she-lion, not a doe or gazelle,
for she destroys lovers with paw and rending.
Destroying lovers with separation and abandonment.
لَقَدْindeed قَلَبَتْshe turned لِلْقَلْبِupon the heart ظَهْرَthe back مِجَنِّهَاof her shield
لَقَدْ قَلَبَتْ لِلْقَلْبِ ظَهْرَ مِجَنِّهَا
وَلاand no ذَنْبَfault إلاexcept أنْthat أطَاعَit obeyed فَمَاand does not يَعْصِيrebel
وَلا ذَنْبَ إلا أنْ أطَاعَ فَمَا يَعْصِي
She has turned her shield's back upon my heart,
You turned your heart against its shelter
whose only fault was obedience: it never rebels.
With no fault but that it obeyed, so it cannot disobey.
وَفَيْتُI remained faithful لِحِرْصٍto ardent desire فيin هَوَاهاlove of her فَخَانَنِيbut it betrayed me
وَفَيْتُ لِحِرْصٍ في هَوَاها فَخَانَنِي
وَقِدْماًand long ago أُصِيبَwere afflicted النَّاسُpeople مِنْfrom قِبَلِthe agency of الحِرْصِgreed
وَقِدْماً أُصِيبَ النَّاسُ مِنْ قِبَلِ الحِرْصِ
I remained faithful to ardent desire in loving her, but it betrayed me;
It was loyal out of greed for your love, so it betrayed me,
from of old, people have suffered through greed.
And often people are afflicted by greed before it.
عُمُومٌuniversality مِنَof البَلْوَىaffliction بِهَاthrough her عَامِرِيَّةًan Amirite woman
عُمُومٌ مِنَ البَلْوَى بِهَا عَامِرِيَّةً
أَبَىrefused الْحُسْنُbeauty أَنْthat أُلْفَىI be found بِهاthrough her غَيْرnot مُخْتَصِّsingled out
أَبَى الْحُسْنُ أَنْ أُلْفَى بِها غَيْر مُخْتَصِّ
Affliction through her, an Amirite woman, is universal;
It has spread misery among the dwellers of your abode,
yet beauty insists that I be singled out by her.
Beauty refused that I be singled out other than it.
لَهَاfor her اللَّهُGod مَاذاwhat فِيin القَلائِدِthe necklaces مِنْof حُلىًornaments
لَهَا اللَّهُ مَاذا فِي القَلائِدِ مِنْ حُلىً
تَشِفُّshine through وَماذاand what فيin الشُّفُوفِsheer fabrics وفِيand in القُمْصِgowns
تَشِفُّ وَماذا في الشُّفُوفِ وفِي القُمْصِ
God bless her! What adornments those necklaces hold,
What jewelry is in necklaces and gowns and chemises!
shining through—and what lies in the sheer fabrics and gowns!
It captivates while the sun hides in the presence of clouds and chemises.
نَهَارdaylight مُحَيّاًof a face تَحْتَbeneath لَيْلِa night ذَوَائِبٍof tresses
نَهَار مُحَيّاً تَحْتَ لَيْلِ ذَوَائِبٍ
تُرِيهِshe reveals it وَتُخَفِيهِand conceals it مَعَwith النَّقْضِunbraiding وَالعَقْصِand braiding
تُرِيهِ وَتُخَفِيهِ مَعَ النَّقْضِ وَالعَقْصِ
Daylight of a face beneath a night of tresses,
A day smiling beneath the night of long twisting tresses,
she reveals and conceals it as she unbraids and braids them.
She shows and hides it with binding and unbinding.
وَذاتُand one with ابْتِسَامٍa smile عَنْrevealing بُرُوقِflashes لآلِئof pearls
وَذاتُ ابْتِسَامٍ عَنْ بُرُوقِ لآلِئ
مُؤَشَّرةٍfinely notched لَيْسَتْthey are not برُوقٍprotruding ولاnor عُقْصِcrooked
مُؤَشَّرةٍ لَيْسَتْ برُوقٍ ولا عُقْصِ
And she has a smile revealing flashes of pearls,
A smiling visage, not mere scintillation of pearls,
finely notched, neither protruding nor crooked.
Decorated, neither mere light nor chemise.
تَلوثُshe winds عَلىover بَدْرِthe moon التَّمامِof fullness لِثامَهاher veil
تَلوثُ عَلى بَدْرِ التَّمامِ لِثامَها
إِذاwhen الوَشْيَthe brocade زَرّتْهُshe buttons it علىover الغُصْنِthe branch والدَّعُصِand the sand dune
إِذا الوَشْيَ زَرّتْهُ على الغُصْنِ والدَّعُصِ
She winds her veil over a full moon,
Covering her full moon were her wrappings
when she buttons brocade over branch and dune.
When she donned them over the branch and the broom plant.
مِنَamong اللائِيthose women whom يَهْوَىdesires القَصْرُthe palace لَوْif قُصِرَتْshe were confined بِهِwithin it
مِنَ اللائِي يَهْوَى القَصْرُ لَوْ قُصِرَتْ بِهِ
فَتَأْبَاهُbut she rejects it لِلْبَيْتِfor the tent المُطَنَّبِrope-stayed والخُصِّand the reed hut
فَتَأْبَاهُ لِلْبَيْتِ المُطَنَّبِ والخُصِّ
Among those a palace would desire, were she confined within it,
She whom the palace desires to confine within it
yet she rejects it for a rope-stayed tent and a reed hut.
Yet she refuses it for the perfumed chamber and bedroom.
ويَدْعوand calls بِهاfor her اليَنْبوعُthe spring لِلعَبِّto drink deeply وَسْطَهُin its midst
ويَدْعو بِها اليَنْبوعُ لِلعَبِّ وَسْطَهُ
فَتَهْجُرُهُso she forsakes it لِلْحَسْوِfor sipping مُؤْثِرَةَpreferring الْمَصِّsucking
فَتَهْجُرُهُ لِلْحَسْوِ مُؤْثِرَةَ الْمَصِّ
The spring calls for her to drink deeply in its midst,
The spring invites her to frolic in its midst
but she forsakes it for sipping, preferring to suck.
Yet she spurns it for the courtyard, preferring the mosque.
شَمائِلُtraits أعْرَابِيَّةٌBedouin فيin اعْتِياصِهَاtheir intractability
شَمائِلُ أعْرَابِيَّةٌ في اعْتِياصِهَا
أمَطْنَthey kept apart عَنfrom الحُبِّlove المبرِّحِtormenting والمَحْصِand unalloyed
أمَطْنَ عَن الحُبِّ المبرِّحِ والمَحْصِ
Bedouin ways, in their intractability,
Manners of a Bedouin woman in her natural disposition,
have kept apart from tormenting, unalloyed love.
Sheltered from playful love and flirtation.
سَقَىmay water اللَّهُGod دَارَDar, abode المُزْنِal-Muzn, rain clouds داراًan abode قَصِيةًfar away
سَقَى اللَّهُ دَارَ المُزْنِ داراً قَصِيةً
عَلىeven with الشَّدِّfast running والتَّقْرِيبِand cantering والوَخْدand swift striding والنَّصِّand full-speed travel
عَلى الشَّدِّ والتَّقْرِيبِ والوَخْد والنَّصِّ
May God water Dar al-Muzn, a distant abode,
May God water the Dar al-Murrabi’s abode,
far even at a run, a canter, a swift stride, or full speed.
With firmness, drawing near, love, and aid.
يُسائِلُquestion عَنْabout نَجْدٍNajd صَباهاits east wind مَعَاشِرٌgroups of people
يُسائِلُ عَنْ نَجْدٍ صَباها مَعَاشِرٌ
وأَسْأَلُand I ask عَنْabout حِمصHims النُّعامَىthe south wind وأَسْتَقْصِيand inquire closely
وأَسْأَلُ عَنْ حِمص النُّعامَى وأَسْتَقْصِي
Some people question its east wind about Najd,
They ask about Najd, her peers,
while I ask the south wind about Hims, and inquire closely.
While I ask about Homs, the ostriches, inquiring.
ولَوْand if كُنْتُI were مَوْفُورwhole الجَناحِof wing لَطَارَit would fly بيwith me
ولَوْ كُنْتُ مَوْفُور الجَناحِ لَطَارَ بي
إِلَيْهَاto her ولَكِنْbut حَصَّهstripped it البَيْنseparation بِالْقَصِّby clipping
إِلَيْهَا ولَكِنْ حَصَّه البَيْن بِالْقَصِّ
Had my wing been whole, it would have borne me
If I had wings to fly, they would carry me
to her, but separation has stripped it by clipping.
To her, but separation severed me with cutting off.
فَشَتَّانَhow far apart ماindeed أيَّامِيَmy days السُّودُblack أوْجُهاًin their faces
فَشَتَّانَ ما أيَّامِيَ السُّودُ أوْجُهاً
بِحسْمَىin Hisma ومَاand indeed لَيْلاتِيَmy nights البِيضُwhite فيin حِمْصِHims
بِحسْمَى ومَا لَيْلاتِيَ البِيضُ في حِمْصِ
How far apart are my black-faced days
So different are my gloomy days in Homs
in Hisma and my white nights in Hims!
And my white nights in Damascus!
بِحَيثُwhere ألِفْتُI grew accustomed to الوُرْقَgray doves لِلشَّدْوِto sing تَنْبَرِيcoming forth
بِحَيثُ ألِفْتُ الوُرْقَ لِلشَّدْوِ تَنْبَرِي
عَلَىbeside نَهْرِهَاher river والقُضْبُand the branches تَهْتَاجُstir لِلرَّقْصِto dance
عَلَى نَهْرِهَا والقُضْبُ تَهْتَاجُ لِلرَّقْصِ
Where I grew familiar with gray doves coming forth to sing
Where I was accustomed the leaves rustling to poetry
beside her river, while branches stirred to dance.
By its streams, and reeds swaying to dance.
وَفيand in يَدِthe hand تَشْبِيبيof my love poetry قِيَادُthe reins شَبِيبَتِيof my youth
وَفي يَدِ تَشْبِيبي قِيَادُ شَبِيبَتِي
وَخِلِّيand my beloved وَحِلْميand my self-restraint مُسْتَقِيدyielding ومُسْتَعْصِيand rebellious
وَخِلِّي وَحِلْمي مُسْتَقِيد ومُسْتَعْصِي
The reins of my youth lay in the hand of my love poetry,
In my youthful hand, leadership of my beloved,
my beloved yielding, my self-restraint rebellious.
And my reason and forbearance, led yet defiant.
كِلاَنَاboth of us عَلَىat أقْصَىthe utmost الهَوَادَةِof gentleness والهَوَىand love
كِلاَنَا عَلَى أقْصَى الهَوَادَةِ والهَوَى
فَلاso no عَذَلٌrebuke يُقْصِيdrives apart ولاand no غَزَلٌcourtship يُفْصِيsets free
فَلا عَذَلٌ يُقْصِي ولا غَزَلٌ يُفْصِي
Both of us at the utmost of gentleness and love,
We are both at the utmost intimacy and love,
with no rebuke driving us apart, no courtship setting us free.
So no humiliation excludes, nor does any twisting reveal.
كَأَنَّas though جَنَاهَاher harvest مِنْfrom جَنَيthe harvest العَيْشِof life بَعْدَهَاafter her
كَأَنَّ جَنَاهَا مِنْ جَنَي العَيْشِ بَعْدَهَا
لِيَحْيَىfor Yahya بْنِson of عَبْدِAbd, servant of الوَاحِدِal-Wahid, the One بنِson of أبِيAbi, father of حَفْصِHafs
لِيَحْيَى بْنِ عَبْدِ الوَاحِدِ بنِ أبِي حَفْصِ
As though her harvest came from life's harvest after her,
As if her heavens after her were for
with Yahya ibn Abd al-Wahid ibn Abi Hafs.
Imam Yahya ibn Abd al-Wahid ibn Abi Hafs.
إمَامٌan imam أجَارَgave refuge to الْحَقَّTruth لَمَّاwhen اسْتَجَارَهُit sought his protection
إمَامٌ أجَارَ الْحَقَّ لَمَّا اسْتَجَارَهُ
وقَدْwhen already رَسَخَhad taken root الإذْعَانُsubmission لِلْغَمْطِto contempt والغَمْصِand scorn
وقَدْ رَسَخَ الإذْعَانُ لِلْغَمْطِ والغَمْصِ
An imam who sheltered Truth when it sought his shelter,
An imam who protected truth when it sought refuge through him,
when submission to contempt and scorn had already taken root.
And submission to tyranny and oppression took root.
وهَبَّand he sprang up هُبُوبَthe springing of المَشْرَفِيِّa Mashrafi sword مُصَمِّماًunflinching
وهَبَّ هُبُوبَ المَشْرَفِيِّ مُصَمِّماً
لِتَأمِينِto make safe ماwhat يَخْشَىfears مِنَfrom الوَقْمِsubjugation والوَقْصِand neck-breaking
لِتَأمِينِ ما يَخْشَى مِنَ الوَقْمِ والوَقْصِ
He sprang up like a Mashrafi sword, unflinching,
The blowing winds of Mashrafi awakened his determination
to secure it against subjugation and a broken neck.
To secure what is feared from harm and injury.
رَجَاهُit hoped in him وكَمْand how often يُرْجَىhe is hoped for نُهُوداًrising لِنَصْرِهِto aid it
رَجَاهُ وكَمْ يُرْجَى نُهُوداً لِنَصْرِهِ
ومَاand whatever شاءَit wished مِنof قَصْلٍsevering شَفَاهُhe satisfied it ومِنْand of قَلْصِcurtailment
ومَا شاءَ مِن قَصْلٍ شَفَاهُ ومِنْ قَلْصِ
It hoped in him—how often he is looked to, rising to its aid!
He had hope in his aides for victory,
Whatever severing or curtailment it desired, he satisfied.
And whatever severing or binding he desired healed him.
وطائِفَةٌand a band فيin الحَرْبِwar طائِفَةٌcircling بِهِaround him
وطائِفَةٌ في الحَرْبِ طائِفَةٌ بِهِ
عَلَىon واضِحِthe clear المِنْهَاجِpath فيamong الخَوْصِsunken-eyed mounts وَالخَرْصِand spearpoints
عَلَى واضِحِ المِنْهَاجِ في الخَوْصِ وَالخَرْصِ
A band in war, ever circling about him,
A group in war, a division through him
along the clear path, amid sunken-eyed mounts and spearpoints.
Upon the clear method in roughness and coarseness.
عَدَاهاturned them away عَنِfrom الإتْرافِluxury خَوْفُfear مَعَادِهَاof their final return
عَدَاها عَنِ الإتْرافِ خَوْفُ مَعَادِهَا
فَلاso not البُرْدُthe cloak مِنof قَسٍّQass silk وَلاand not البَيْتُthe dwelling مِنْof قَصِّplaster
فَلا البُرْدُ مِن قَسٍّ وَلا البَيْتُ مِنْ قَصِّ
Fear of their final return has turned them from luxury:
Fear of his requital barred them from excess,
neither their cloaks of silk nor their dwellings of plaster.
So neither the cold of winter, nor a house without a shelter.
نَصِيَّةُthe chosen elite أنْصارِof champions الهِدايَةِof guidance تَنْتَقِيselect
نَصِيَّةُ أنْصارِ الهِدايَةِ تَنْتَقِي
صَوارِمُهَاits sharp swords هَامَthe heads المُلوكِof kings وَتَسْتَنْصِيand seize forelocks
صَوارِمُهَا هَامَ المُلوكِ وَتَسْتَنْصِي
The choicest champions of guidance: their
The supporters of guidance carefully select
sharp swords select kings' heads and seize their forelocks.
Its well-honed swords that behead kings and choose them.
لِرَايَتِهِhis banner has الحَمْرَاءred حَيْثُwherever أَدَارَهَاhe turns it
لِرَايَتِهِ الحَمْرَاء حَيْثُ أَدَارَهَا
عَلَىupon المِلَّةِthe faith البَيْضَاءِwhite مِنَّةُa favor مُقتَصِّfrom an avenger
عَلَى المِلَّةِ البَيْضَاءِ مِنَّةُ مُقتَصِّ
His red banner, wherever he turns it,
For its red banner wherever he unfurled it
bestows an avenger's favor upon the white faith.
Over the white nation, a favor of the chosen.
ألَمhas he not يُورِدِbrought الأَعداءthe enemies مُستَفظَعa dreadful الرَّدىdeath
ألَم يُورِدِ الأَعداء مُستَفظَع الرَّدى
لِعِيشَةِfor the life مُغتَمٍّof a sorrowing man بِمِيتَةِthrough the death مُغتَصِّof one choking
لِعِيشَةِ مُغتَمٍّ بِمِيتَةِ مُغتَصِّ
Has he not brought his enemies to a dreadful death,
Did he not drive the formidable enemy to desolation
for a sorrowing man's life, through a choking man's death?
For the life of a grieving man at the death of the chosen?
ويَصْمُدُهُمْand he assails them بالعَقْرِwith slaughter فيin عَقْرِthe heart دارِهِمْof their home
ويَصْمُدُهُمْ بالعَقْرِ في عَقْرِ دارِهِمْ
لِيُحْيِيَto revive فيهِمْamong them سُنَّةthe practice الحسِّof slaying والْحَصِّand eradication
لِيُحْيِيَ فيهِمْ سُنَّة الحسِّ والْحَصِّ
He assails them with slaughter in the heart of their home,
He subdues them through killing the cores of their homes
reviving among them the practice of slaying and eradication.
To revive through them the law of reckoning and counting.
تَشَكَّىcomplained الهُدَىguidance هَدَّthe demolition by الضَّلالِerror بِناءهof its building
تَشَكَّى الهُدَى هَدَّ الضَّلالِ بِناءه
فَأَعْقَبَهُso he followed it مِنafter ذَلِكَthat الهَدِّdemolition بِالرَّصِّwith firm rebuilding
فَأَعْقَبَهُ مِن ذَلِكَ الهَدِّ بِالرَّصِّ
Guidance complained that error had demolished its building;
Guidance complained, so he guided misguidance's building,
he followed that demolition with firm rebuilding.
Then reciprocated that guidance with firmness.
ودَوَّخَand he subdued أَصْقاعَthe regions الشِّقاقِof rebellion وَسَكْنَهَاand their inhabitants
ودَوَّخَ أَصْقاعَ الشِّقاقِ وَسَكْنَهَا
بِصُيَّابَةٍwith chosen warriors قُعْسٍunyielding وعَسَّالَةٍand quivering spears قُعْصِinstantly deadly
بِصُيَّابَةٍ قُعْسٍ وعَسَّالَةٍ قُعْصِ
He subdued rebellion's regions and their inhabitants,
He quashed the regions of conflict and silenced them
with steadfast chosen warriors and quivering, deadly spears.
With clamor of drums and cymbals clashing.
إِلىfor الفَصِّdismantling والتَّكْسِيرِand breaking ماwhat جَمَعُواthey amassed لَهُagainst him
إِلى الفَصِّ والتَّكْسِيرِ ما جَمَعُوا لَهُ
ومَنْand who لِمُصَابِfor the damage of الْفَتِّcrushing والفَصِّand sundering بالرَّمْصِwith repair
ومَنْ لِمُصَابِ الْفَتِّ والفَصِّ بالرَّمْصِ
All they amassed against him is for dismantling and breaking;
To breaking and smashing what they collected against him,
who can repair the damage of crushing and sundering?
And what remains after smashing and crushing?
ولِلهَضِّand for demolition والتَّتْبيرِand destruction مَاwhat اعْتَصَمُواthey took refuge بِهِin it
ولِلهَضِّ والتَّتْبيرِ مَا اعْتَصَمُوا بِهِ
وَماذَاand what الذِيthat which يَبْقَىsurvives علَىunder الْهَضِّcrushing والعَصِّand pounding
وَماذَا الذِي يَبْقَى علَى الْهَضِّ والعَصِّ
All they took refuge in is for demolition and destruction;
You see them pass as war booty due to his vengeance,
what can survive crushing and pounding?
And how much bitter life they endured patiently!
تَمُرُّyou pass بِهِمْby them صَرْعَىlaid low لِعَطْفِby the sweep انْتِقَامِهِof his vengeance
تَمُرُّ بِهِمْ صَرْعَى لِعَطْفِ انْتِقَامِهِ
وكَمْand how often صَابَرواthey endured عَيْشاًa life أمَرَّmore bitter مِنَthan العَفْصِgallnuts
وكَمْ صَابَروا عَيْشاً أمَرَّ مِنَ العَفْصِ
You pass them, laid low by the sweep of his vengeance;
Eyes squint at them until as if at them
how long they endured a life more bitter than gallnuts!
Is something glistening, though not a speck touched the dim eyes.
وتَنْبُوand recoil لَهاfrom them الأَبْصارُeyes حتَّىuntil كأَنَّهاas though they
وتَنْبُو لَها الأَبْصارُ حتَّى كأَنَّها
بِهاbecause of them وَهْيthough they لَمdid not تَرْمَصْbecome bleary قَذَىthe grit الأَعْيُنِof eyes الرَّمْصِcrusted with discharge
بِها وَهْي لَم تَرْمَصْ قَذَى الأَعْيُنِ الرَّمْصِ
Eyes recoil from them, until it seems
Tall, seeing the hills test its midst,
they hold the grit of bleary eyes, though they are clear:
Because it tested, oh tester and field of testing!
طُلولاًas ruins تَرىyou see الأَطْلاءَgazelle fawns تَمْحَصُscamper وَسْطَهَاamid them
طُلولاً تَرى الأَطْلاءَ تَمْحَصُ وَسْطَهَا
لأنْbecause مَصَحَتْthey have vanished ياalas لَلْمصُوحِfor the vanishing وَلِلْمَحْصِand for the flight
لأنْ مَصَحَتْ يا لَلْمصُوحِ وَلِلْمَحْصِ
ruins where you see gazelle fawns scampering,
It is unaffected by what afflicts the disobedient,
since they have vanished—alas for vanishing and flight!
Neither collapsing nor disintegrating.
أَلَطَّclung بِهاto them ماwhat بِالْعُصاةِafflicts rebels مِنَof البِلَىdecay
أَلَطَّ بِها ما بِالْعُصاةِ مِنَ البِلَى
فَلَيْسَand it is not بِمُنْفَضٍّdispersing وَلَيْسَand is not بِمُنْفَصِّbreaking away
فَلَيْسَ بِمُنْفَضٍّ وَلَيْسَ بِمُنْفَصِّ
The decay that afflicts rebels has clung to them,
The gray sunna did not reap its plants,
never to disperse, never to break away.
But noble steeds, neither barren nor harvested.
وَماand not السَّنةُthe year الشَّهْبَاءُash-gray حَصّتْstripped نَبَاتَهَاtheir vegetation
وَما السَّنةُ الشَّهْبَاءُ حَصّتْ نَبَاتَهَا
ولَكِنْbut جِيادٌfine steeds غَيْرُnot عُزْلٍcrooked-tailed وَلاnor حُصِّscant-haired
ولَكِنْ جِيادٌ غَيْرُ عُزْلٍ وَلا حُصِّ
Not the ash-gray year stripped their vegetation,
Brandishing amid the blood-drenched meadows,
but fine steeds, neither crooked-tailed nor scant-haired.
No sun to peer through fog or chemise.
تَخَايَلُthey strut فِيin قُمْصِshirts الدِّمَاءof blood مَوَاضِياًpressing onward
تَخَايَلُ فِي قُمْصِ الدِّمَاء مَوَاضِياً
وَلَيْسَتْand they are not بشمْسٍrestive عِنْدَduring كَرٍّa charge ولاnor قُمْصِbucking
وَلَيْسَتْ بشمْسٍ عِنْدَ كَرٍّ ولا قُمْصِ
They strut in shirts of blood, pressing onward,
Successive kinsmen of the trustee's family enwrap
neither restive in a charge nor given to bucking.
Under their red pennyroyal fragrance.
لَوَاحِقُswift steeds مِنfrom آلِthe line الوَصِيِّof al-Wasi ولاحِقٍand Lahiq
لَوَاحِقُ مِن آلِ الوَصِيِّ ولاحِقٍ
تَمَطَّرُthey gallop خُمْصاًlean-bellied تَحْتَbeneath فُرْسانِهاtheir riders الخُمْصِlean-bellied
تَمَطَّرُ خُمْصاً تَحْتَ فُرْسانِها الخُمْصِ
Swift steeds of the line of al-Wasi and Lahiq,
For it among Suleym and Zanatah alike,
galloping, lean-bellied, beneath their lean-bellied riders.
As well as Hawwara of conversation's weapons and shaking off.
لَهَاthey have فِيamong سُلَيْمٍSulaym مَاwhat لَهَاthey have فيamong زَنَاتَةٍZanata
لَهَا فِي سُلَيْمٍ مَا لَهَا في زَنَاتَةٍ
وَهُوّارَةand Hawwara مِنْof عُدّةِthe means الهَصِّof crushing والرّهْصِand trampling
وَهُوّارَة مِنْ عُدّةِ الهَصِّ والرّهْصِ
They have among Sulaym what they have among Zanata
Ask his enemies, wolves and lionesses,
and Hawwara: the means of crushing and trampling.
To inform you of what they faced of wildness and wasteland,
سَلُواask عَنabout أَعَادِيهِhis enemies ذِئاباًwolves وأَنْسُراًand eagles
سَلُوا عَن أَعَادِيهِ ذِئاباً وأَنْسُراً
تُخَبِّرْthey will tell بِماof what لاقَتْthey encountered مِنَof الوَحْشِhunger والوَحْصِand scurrying
تُخَبِّرْ بِما لاقَتْ مِنَ الوَحْشِ والوَحْصِ
Ask wolves and eagles about his enemies:
With the theft of she-wolves or the claws of lionesses!
they will tell what hunger and scurrying they knew,
What claws, moisture-filled and thieving!
بِلُصِّwith close-set نُيُوبٍfangs أوْor بِحُجْنِwith hooked مَخَالِبٍclaws
بِلُصِّ نُيُوبٍ أوْ بِحُجْنِ مَخَالِبٍ
فَيَاoh لَكfor you مِنْwhat حُجْنٍhooked claws رِوَاءٍsated وَمِنْand what لُصِّclose-set fangs
فَيَا لَك مِنْ حُجْنٍ رِوَاءٍ وَمِنْ لُصِّ
with close-set fangs or hooked claws—
He blinded them with the heels of their thickets
ah, what sated hooked claws and close-set fangs!
And their eyes with oxen coupled with young camels.
قَراهاhe fed them بِأَعْقَابِafter القِرَاعِthe clash كُبُودهُمtheir livers
قَراها بِأَعْقَابِ القِرَاعِ كُبُودهُم
وأَعْيُنهُمْand their eyes بِالبَقْرِwith splitting يُشْفَعُis followed بالبَخْصِby gouging
وأَعْيُنهُمْ بِالبَقْرِ يُشْفَعُ بالبَخْصِ
After the clash, he served them his enemies' livers,
When the pure new moons veil their light
and their eyes, slit open and then gouged out.
With clouds of swaying branches, shaking and stirring,
إذَاwhen الإِضْحِيانُthe bright moon الطَّلْقُclear حَجَّبَveiled نُورَهُits light
إذَا الإِضْحِيانُ الطَّلْقُ حَجَّبَ نُورَهُ
سَحَابُa cloud مُثَارِof stirred-up النَّقْعِdust بالدَّحْضِfrom slipping والدّحْصِand stamping
سَحَابُ مُثَارِ النَّقْعِ بالدَّحْضِ والدّحْصِ
When the bright, clear moon has its light veiled
The twilights lurking therein with evasion
by a cloud of dust raised by slipping and stamping,
In the time of bitter fortune sweeter than fruits.
وأَضْمَرَتِand concealed الأذْمَارُthe brave warriors فِيهِin it تَمَلُّصاًan escape
وأَضْمَرَتِ الأذْمَارُ فِيهِ تَمَلُّصاً
عَلَىat حينِa time مُرّthe bitterness الحَيْنِof death أحْلَىsweeter مِنَthan اللمْصِa taste
عَلَى حينِ مُرّ الحَيْنِ أحْلَى مِنَ اللمْصِ
and brave warriors conceal thoughts of slipping away,
The white reverberation shone, the veils fluttered,
when death's bitterness is sweeter than a mere taste,
For it to echo as in vessels of whey.
ولاحَand scorched الصَّدَىthirst البِيضَthe white blades الرِّقاقslender فَرَنَّقَتْso they hovered
ولاحَ الصَّدَى البِيضَ الرِّقاق فَرَنَّقَتْ
لِتَكْرَعَto drink deeply فيfrom مِثْلِthe likeness الأَضَاةِof a pool مِنَof الدُّلْصِsmooth armor
لِتَكْرَعَ في مِثْلِ الأَضَاةِ مِنَ الدُّلْصِ
and thirst scorches the slender white blades, which hover
Its brilliant face gives guidance, so whoever sees it is guided
to drink from gleaming armor as from a pool,
By its lights, and the sun hides at forenoon.
هَدَىguided وَجْهُهُhis face الوَضَّاحُradiant مَنْwhoever حاصَswerved فَاهْتَدىso he found the way
هَدَى وَجْهُهُ الوَضَّاحُ مَنْ حاصَ فَاهْتَدى
بِأَنْوارِهِby its lights والشَّمْسُwhile the sun خَافِيَةُhidden العَرْصِin radiance
بِأَنْوارِهِ والشَّمْسُ خَافِيَةُ العَرْصِ
his radiant face guided whoever swerved, and he found his way
He who stands victorious in religion and life
by its lights, while the sun's radiance was hidden.
And their essence among his elite folk of sincerity.
هُوَhe القائِمُthe upholder المَنْصُورُvictorious بِالدِّينِin religion والدُّنَىand worldly realms
هُوَ القائِمُ المَنْصُورُ بِالدِّينِ والدُّنَى
وَصافِيهِماand their devoted guardian فيamong قَوْمِهِhis people الصَّفْوَةِthe elect الخُلْصِpure
وَصافِيهِما في قَوْمِهِ الصَّفْوَةِ الخُلْصِ
He is the upholder, victorious in faith and worldly affairs,
The sons of valor and audacity grew up with them,
their devoted guardian among his people, the pure elect.
And youths from lions and leaping Hafs.
بَنُوsons الكَرِّof charging والإِقْدَامِand daring شَبُّواthey grew up عَلَيْهِمَاin both
بَنُو الكَرِّ والإِقْدَامِ شَبُّوا عَلَيْهِمَا
وَشَابُواand grew gray فَمِنْsome are لَيْثٍlions هَصُورٍrending ومِنْand some are حَفْصِlion cubs
وَشَابُوا فَمِنْ لَيْثٍ هَصُورٍ ومِنْ حَفْصِ
Sons of charging and daring, raised in both,
Tame steeds, tamed riders armored
grown gray in them—each a rending lion or a lion cub.
Seeing great disgrace in fleeing the small retreat.
مَطاعِيمُgenerous feeders أَجْوَادٌopenhanded مَطاعينُspear-thrusters بُسَّلٌvaliant
مَطاعِيمُ أَجْوَادٌ مَطاعينُ بُسَّلٌ
يَرَوْنَthey deem عَظيمَgreat النَّقْصِdisgrace فيin هَيِّنِthe slightest النَّكْصِretreat
يَرَوْنَ عَظيمَ النَّقْصِ في هَيِّنِ النَّكْصِ
Generous feeders, valiant spear-thrusters,
They advanced high prices when they underestimated their resolve,
who deem the slightest retreat a great disgrace.
And most reasons for high prices are from low prices!
غَلَوْاthey rose قِيَماًin worth إذْwhen أرْخَصُواthey held cheap مُهَجَاتِهمْtheir lives
غَلَوْا قِيَماً إذْ أرْخَصُوا مُهَجَاتِهمْ
وأكْثَرُand most أسْبَابِcauses الغَلاءِof high worth مِنcome from الرُّخْصِcheapness
وأكْثَرُ أسْبَابِ الغَلاءِ مِن الرُّخْصِ
Their worth rose when they held their lives cheap;
They did not neglect the command of the Desired Imam,
most causes of high worth spring from cheapness.
So excellent is the one who commanded, and the success of the commanded!
وَصَاياthe counsels الإِمامِof the imam المُرْتَضَىthe chosen ماare what تَقَيَّلُواthey followed
وَصَايا الإِمامِ المُرْتَضَى ما تَقَيَّلُوا
فَيَاoh رُشْدَright guidance مَنْof him who وَصَّىcounseled ويَاand oh فَوْزَsuccess مَنْof him who وُصِّيwas counseled
فَيَا رُشْدَ مَنْ وَصَّى ويَا فَوْزَ مَنْ وُصِّي
They followed the counsels of the chosen imam:
The lamp of guidance, the flaming torch, cast its rays
how rightly guided the counselor, how fortunate the counseled!
Upon one who grew, and the branch is of the origin's clay.
سِرَاجُthe lamp الهُدَىof guidance الوهَّاجُblazing أَلْقَىcast شُعَاعَهits ray
سِرَاجُ الهُدَى الوهَّاجُ أَلْقَى شُعَاعَه
عَلَىupon مَنْthose whom نَمَىhe begot والفَرْعُand the branch مِنْfrom طِينَةِthe clay الأَصِّof the root
عَلَى مَنْ نَمَى والفَرْعُ مِنْ طِينَةِ الأَصِّ
The blazing lamp of guidance cast its ray
And the facilitator of the doors of success, how much
upon his offspring; the branch is of the root's clay.
Did it bolster, while the closing of doors was solid!
وفَتَّاحُand the opener أَبْوابِof the doors النَّجاحِof success وَكَمْand how long ثَوَتْthey remained
وفَتَّاحُ أَبْوابِ النَّجاحِ وَكَمْ ثَوَتْ
وَإِطْبَاقُهَاwith their closure مُسْتَحْكَمُfirmly secured الرصِّin joining وَالنَّصِّand fastening
وَإِطْبَاقُهَا مُسْتَحْكَمُ الرصِّ وَالنَّصِّ
And the opener of the doors of success—how long they stood
Through it the darkness of misguidance was dispelled and removed,
with their closure tightly joined and firmly fastened!
For truth is a blazing light, the darkness of blindness.
بِهِthrough him انْجَابَwas rent دَيْجُورُthe pitch-darkness الغَوَايَةِof error وانْجَلَىand cleared
بِهِ انْجَابَ دَيْجُورُ الغَوَايَةِ وانْجَلَى
وللحَقِّand Truth has نورٌa light صَادِعٌcleaving ظُلْمَةَthe darkness الخَرْصِof false conjecture
وللحَقِّ نورٌ صَادِعٌ ظُلْمَةَ الخَرْصِ
Through him the pitch-darkness of error was rent and cleared,
His caliphate surpassed every caliphate,
and Truth has a light that cleaves the darkness of false conjecture.
Such is the falsehood of analogy with the definitive text.
خِلافَتُهُhis caliphate أَلْوَتْswept away بِكُلِّevery خِلافَةٍcaliphate
خِلافَتُهُ أَلْوَتْ بِكُلِّ خِلافَةٍ
كَذَلِكَlikewise بُطْلانُthe invalidity القِيَاسِof analogy مَعَin the presence of النَّصِّan explicit text
كَذَلِكَ بُطْلانُ القِيَاسِ مَعَ النَّصِّ
His caliphate has swept every other caliphate away:
Through him the caliphate settled in proper place,
so analogy is null in the presence of an explicit text.
And the nobility of essence suffices, no need to refine.
لَدَيْهِwith him اسْتَقَرَّتْit settled فيin نِصَابٍa proper foundation ونَصْبَةٍand station
لَدَيْهِ اسْتَقَرَّتْ في نِصَابٍ ونَصْبَةٍ
وَلِلشَّرَفِand nobility has المَحْضِpure اكْتِفَاءٌno need عَنfor المَحْصِtesting
وَلِلشَّرَفِ المَحْضِ اكْتِفَاءٌ عَن المَحْصِ
With him it settled in its proper foundation and station,
Knowledge and wisdom inclined it toward him, so it inclined,
and pure nobility has no need of testing.
Eulogizing his sublimity with praises that cannot be counted.
ثَنَاهاturned it إِلَيهِtoward him العِلمُknowledge وَالحِلْمُand forbearance فَانْثَنَتْso it turned
ثَنَاها إِلَيهِ العِلمُ وَالحِلْمُ فَانْثَنَتْ
تُشيدُextolling بِعَلْيَاهُhis eminence ثَنَاءًin praise وَلاand not تُحْصِيenumerating
تُشيدُ بِعَلْيَاهُ ثَنَاءً وَلا تُحْصِي
Knowledge and forbearance turned it toward him, and it turned,
The state of kings was not conflated with his state.
extolling his eminence in praise, unable to count it all.
Do you not see that merit is not of diminution?
وَماand not اشْتَبَهَتْwere confused حَالُthe condition المُلُوكِof kings وَحالُهُand his condition
وَما اشْتَبَهَتْ حَالُ المُلُوكِ وَحالُهُ
ألَمْhave you not تَرَseen أنَّthat الفَضْلَexcellence لَيْسَis not مِنَof النَّقْصِdeficiency
ألَمْ تَرَ أنَّ الفَضْلَ لَيْسَ مِنَ النَّقْصِ
The condition of kings is not confused with his;
More foolish than the owls in the ruins
do you not see that excellence is not deficiency?
Are his merits, difficult to quantify or limit!
أَغَرُّresplendent مِنamong الغُرِّthe radiant الجَحَاجِيحِgreat chiefs فيon الذُّرَىthe heights
أَغَرُّ مِن الغُرِّ الجَحَاجِيحِ في الذُّرَى
مَنَاقِبُهُhis virtues بُسْلٌunassailable عَلىby الحَصْرِenumeration والخَرْصِand estimation
مَنَاقِبُهُ بُسْلٌ عَلى الحَصْرِ والخَرْصِ
Resplendent among the radiant great chiefs upon the heights,
He possessed individually all nobility and loftiness,
his virtues defy enumeration and estimation.
And did not leave in them a portion for ownership.
تَمَلَّكَhe possessed أَفْرَادَthe peerless examples المَكَارِمِof noble virtues والعُلَىand eminence
تَمَلَّكَ أَفْرَادَ المَكَارِمِ والعُلَى
وَلَمْand did not يُبْقِleave لِلأَمْلاكِfor kings فِيهِنَّin them منْany شِقْصِshare
وَلَمْ يُبْقِ لِلأَمْلاكِ فِيهِنَّ منْ شِقْصِ
He possessed every peerless virtue and height,
Supported executor and annulment, blessed
leaving kings no share in them.
Is he, victory a sincere gift, excellent the sincere victory!
مُؤَيّدُsupported إِبْرَامٍin binding وَنَقْضٍand unbinding مُبَارَكٌblessed
مُؤَيّدُ إِبْرَامٍ وَنَقْضٍ مُبَارَكٌ
لَهُhe has النَّصْرُvictory خِلْصٌas a devoted friend حَبَّذَاhow excellent النَّصْرُvictory مِنas خِلْصِa devoted friend
لَهُ النَّصْرُ خِلْصٌ حَبَّذَا النَّصْرُ مِن خِلْصِ
Blessed, supported in binding and unbinding,
The rulings of destinies assist his judgment,
victory is his devoted friend—what a fine friend victory is!
So it debases whom it debases, and excludes whom it excludes.
تُسَاعِدُassist أَحْكَامُthe decrees المَقَادِيرِof destiny حُكْمَهُhis rule
تُسَاعِدُ أَحْكَامُ المَقَادِيرِ حُكْمَهُ
فَتُدْنِيso they bring near الذِيwhomever يُدْنِيhe brings near وَتُقْصِيand banish الذِيwhomever يُقْصِيhe banishes
فَتُدْنِي الذِي يُدْنِي وَتُقْصِي الذِي يُقْصِي
The decrees of destiny assist his rule,
O Lord of an awe-inspiring compeller whom his assault frightens
bringing near those he brings near and banishing those he banishes.
So he refrains intimidated from advancing and assaulting.
ويَاand oh رُبَّmany a جَبَّارٍtyrant يهَابُfears هُجُومَهُhis assault
ويَا رُبَّ جَبَّارٍ يهَابُ هُجُومَهُ
فَيُمْسِكُand holds back إِرْهَاباًin terror عَنِfrom النَّبْسِspeaking والنَّبْصِand squeaking
فَيُمْسِكُ إِرْهَاباً عَنِ النَّبْسِ والنَّبْصِ
How many a tyrant fears his assault,
In war and worship, departing and returning,
and, terror-struck, refrains from speech or the slightest squeak!
Going for the fifth prayer and coming at the afternoon.
عَلَىtoward الحَرْبِwar والمِحْرَابِand the prayer niche غَادٍgoing at dawn ورائِحٌand returning at evening
عَلَى الحَرْبِ والمِحْرَابِ غَادٍ ورائِحٌ
يَرُوحُhe goes at evening إلىto خَمْسٍfive prayers ويَغْدُوand goes at dawn علَىon خَمْصِan empty stomach
يَرُوحُ إلى خَمْسٍ ويَغْدُو علَى خَمْصِ
To war and to the prayer niche, he goes morning and evening,
Tributes of the penetrating armies with his pact
at evening to the five prayers, at morning on an empty stomach.
Are advantages of the alluring openings present at the text.
هَدَايَاthe gifts الفُيوجِof couriers النَافِذَاتِsent out بِعَقْدِهِby his commission
هَدَايَا الفُيوجِ النَافِذَاتِ بِعَقْدِهِ
مَزَايَاthe wonders الفُتوحِof conquests الفَاتِنَاتِenchanting لَدَىwhen النَّصِّrecounted
مَزَايَا الفُتوحِ الفَاتِنَاتِ لَدَى النَّصِّ
The gifts of couriers sent out by his command
The yellow silk spells the dye of his distinction,
are wonders of conquest, enchanting when recounted.
Relieving the patterned damask and velvet.
تَخُطُّwrite اليَرَاعُthe reed pens الصُّفْرُyellow إمْلاءَthe dictation سُمْرِهِof his brown spears
تَخُطُّ اليَرَاعُ الصُّفْرُ إمْلاءَ سُمْرِهِ
فَتُسْلِيthus making one forget عَنِabout الوَشْيِbrocade المُرَقَّشِpatterned والنَّمْصِand fine ornamentation
فَتُسْلِي عَنِ الوَشْيِ المُرَقَّشِ والنَّمْصِ
Yellow reed pens write the dictation of his brown spears,
In it the poetry of valor is composed to gentleness,
making one forget patterned brocade and fine ornamentation.
As rubies are strung next to each other.
ويَنْظُمُand strings فيهِin him الشِّعْرُpoetry بَأساًvalor إلَىbeside النَّدىbounty
ويَنْظُمُ فيهِ الشِّعْرُ بَأساً إلَى النَّدى
كَماas يُنْظَمُare strung الياقُوتُrubies فَصَّاًa gem إلَىbeside فَصِّa gem
كَما يُنْظَمُ الياقُوتُ فَصَّاً إلَى فَصِّ
Poetry strings valor beside bounty in him,
Hopes turn their faces toward his generosity,
as rubies are strung, gem beside gem.
And whoever exceeds grasping empties into clutching.
إلَىtoward جُودِهِhis generosity تَثنِيturn الأَمانِيhopes وُجُوهَهاtheir faces
إلَى جُودِهِ تَثنِي الأَمانِي وُجُوهَها
ومَنْand whoever يَتَعَدَّpasses beyond القَبْضَa handful أَفْضَىcomes إلَىto القَبْصِa pinch
ومَنْ يَتَعَدَّ القَبْضَ أَفْضَى إلَى القَبْصِ
Hopes turn their faces toward his generosity;
So no thirsty person but him hopes for his drink,
whoever passes beyond a handful ends up with a mere pinch.
Impossible is the generosity of shadow in the absence of a person!
فَلاso let not يَرْجُhope ظَمْآنٌa thirsty man سِوَاهُin anyone but him لِرِيِّهِfor his quenching
فَلا يَرْجُ ظَمْآنٌ سِوَاهُ لِرِيِّهِ
مُحالٌimpossible وُجُودُthe existence الظِّلِّof a shadow فيin عَدَمِthe absence الشَّخْصِof a body
مُحالٌ وُجُودُ الظِّلِّ في عَدَمِ الشَّخْصِ
Let no thirsty man hope in another for his quenching:
a shadow cannot exist without a body.
Partial English translation: 152 of 154 Arabic lines translated.