أَلاAh! حَيِّgreet رَهبىRahba ثُمَّthen حَيِّgreet المَطالِياal-Matali
أَلا حَيِّ رَهبى ثُمَّ حَيِّ المَطالِيا
فَقَدfor indeed كانَwas مَأنوساًinhabited فَأَصبَحَthen became خالِياdeserted
فَقَد كانَ مَأنوساً فَأَصبَحَ خالِيا
Ah, greet Rahba, then greet al-Matali.
Awake, awake! Behold my Lord then my companions,
For once it was inhabited, but now it stands deserted.
Once familiar, now forsaken and deserted,
فَلاso no عَهدَtrace إِلّاexcept أَنthat تَذَكَّرَyou remember أَوor تَرىyou see
فَلا عَهدَ إِلّا أَن تَذَكَّرَ أَو تَرى
ثُماماًthumam grass حَواليaround مَنصَبِthe pitching-place of الخَيمِthe tents بالِياwithered
ثُماماً حَوالي مَنصَبِ الخَيمِ بالِيا
No trace remains, except what you recall or see:
I have no pact but to remember or behold
withered thumam grass around the place where tents were pitched.
The ruined encampments with their rags scattered about.
أَلاAh! أَيُّهاO الواديvalley الَّذيwhose ضَمَّjoined سَيلُهُits flood
أَلا أَيُّها الوادي الَّذي ضَمَّ سَيلُهُ
إِلَيناto us نَوىthe distant dwelling of ظَمياءَZamya حُيِّيتَmay you be greeted وادِياO valley
إِلَينا نَوى ظَمياءَ حُيِّيتَ وادِيا
O valley whose flood joined
O valley that embraced its flooding torrents
Zamya's distant dwelling to ours—hail, valley!
That carried to us the intention of a land now hailed;
إِذاwhen ماemphatic particle أَرادَwished الحَيُّthe tribe أَنto يَتَزايَلواpart from one another
إِذا ما أَرادَ الحَيُّ أَن يَتَزايَلوا
وَحَنَّتand moaned longingly جِمالُthe camels of الحَيِّthe tribe حَنَّتmoaned longingly جِمالِياmy camels
وَحَنَّت جِمالُ الحَيِّ حَنَّت جِمالِيا
Whenever the tribe wished to disperse,
When the tribe intends to depart,
and the tribe's camels moaned, my camels moaned too.
My heart departs with the heart of the tribe.
فَياso oh لَيتَif only أَنَّthat الحَيَّthe tribe لَمdid not يَتَفَرَّقواscatter
فَيا لَيتَ أَنَّ الحَيَّ لَم يَتَفَرَّقوا
وَأَمسىand became at evening جَميعاًall together جيرَةًneighbors مُتَدانِياdwelling close
وَأَمسى جَميعاً جيرَةً مُتَدانِيا
If only the tribe had never scattered,
Would that the tribe had not scattered
and evening found them together, neighbors dwelling close.
And remained neighbours, closely gathered!
إِذاwhen نَحنُwe فيin دارِthe dwelling of الجَميعِeveryone كَأَنَّماas though
إِذا نَحنُ في دارِ الجَميعِ كَأَنَّما
يَكونُwould be عَلَيناfor us نِصفُhalf حَولٍa year لَيالِياnights
يَكونُ عَلَينا نِصفُ حَولٍ لَيالِيا
When we were in the camp of all our people, it was as though
For, while we are in the abode of all
half a year passed for us as mere nights.
It is as though half a year of nights rests upon us.
إِلىto اللَهِGod أَشكوI complain أَنَّthat بِالغَورِin al-Ghawr حاجَةًa longing
إِلى اللَهِ أَشكو أَنَّ بِالغَورِ حاجَةً
وَأُخرىand another إِذاwhen أَبصَرتُI see نَجداًNajd بَداappeared لِياto me
وَأُخرى إِذا أَبصَرتُ نَجداً بَدا لِيا
To God I complain that in al-Ghawr I have one longing,
I complain to the Lord, Master of Muhammad
and another whenever Najd appears before me.
That I have need for Ghawr then another
نَظَرتُI gazed بِرَهبىat Rahba وَالظَعائِنُwhile the women in litters بِاللِوىat al-Liwa
نَظَرتُ بِرَهبى وَالظَعائِنُ بِاللِوى
فَطارَتthen flew away بِرَهبىat Rahba شُعبَةٌa portion مِنof فُؤادِياmy heart
فَطارَت بِرَهبى شُعبَةٌ مِن فُؤادِيا
I gazed at Rahba while the women in their litters were at al-Liwa;
When I behold Nejd; it seems
and at Rahba a piece of my heart flew away.
A portion of my heart takes flight.
وَماand not أَبصَرَsaw الناسُthe people الَّتيher who وَضَحَتshone لَهُfor him
وَما أَبصَرَ الناسُ الَّتي وَضَحَت لَهُ
وَراءَbeyond خُفافِthe swift ones of الطَيرِthe birds إِلّاexcept تَمادِياreceding farther
وَراءَ خُفافِ الطَيرِ إِلّا تَمادِيا
The people saw her who shone before him
Men did not see what was apparent to him
beyond the swift birds only as she receded farther.
Behind the hovering birds save ruin.
وَكائِنand how many تَرىyou see فيamong الحَيِّthe tribe مِنof ذيone possessing صَداقَةٍfriendship
وَكائِن تَرى في الحَيِّ مِن ذي صَداقَةٍ
وَغَيرانَand a jealous man يَدعوcries out وَيلَهُhis woe مِنfrom حِذارِياdread of me
وَغَيرانَ يَدعو وَيلَهُ مِن حِذارِيا
How many a friend you see among the tribe,
A kinsman you see among the tribe
and a jealous man crying woe in dread of me!
And others calling woe to me from caution.
إِذاwhen ذُكِرَتis mentioned لَيلىLayla أُتيحَis allotted لِيَto me الهَوىpassion
إِذا ذُكِرَت لَيلى أُتيحَ لِيَ الهَوى
عَلىdespite ماwhat تَرىyou see مِنof هِجرَتيmy estrangement وَاجتِنابِياand my avoidance
عَلى ما تَرى مِن هِجرَتي وَاجتِنابِيا
Whenever Layla is mentioned, passion is allotted to me,
When Layla is remembered, passion is facilitated for me
despite the estrangement and avoidance you see in me.
Over what you see of my estrangement and avoidance.
خَليلَيَّmy two companions لَولاwere it not أَنthat تَظُنّاyou both suspect بِيَin me الهَوىlove
خَليلَيَّ لَولا أَن تَظُنّا بِيَ الهَوى
لَقُلتُI would say سَمِعناwe heard مِنfrom عَقيلَةَAqila داعِياa caller
لَقُلتُ سَمِعنا مِن عَقيلَةَ داعِيا
My two companions, were you not to suspect me of love,
My two friends, were it not that you suspect me of passion
I would say, 'We heard a caller from Aqila.'
I would say we heard the call of Aqilah
قِفاhalt, both of you فَاِسمَعاthen listen, both of you صَوتَthe voice of المُناديthe caller لَعَلَّهُperhaps he
قِفا فَاِسمَعا صَوتَ المُنادي لَعَلَّهُ
قَريبٌnear وَماand I have not drawn close دانَيتُin affection بِالوُدِّone nearby دانِياnearby
قَريبٌ وَما دانَيتُ بِالوُدِّ دانِيا
Both of you, halt and hear the caller's voice; perhaps he
Stop, listen to the voice of the caller; perhaps
is near, though I have not drawn close in love to anyone nearby.
He is near though I have not drawn company near.
إِذاwhen ماemphatic particle جَعَلتُI placed السِيَّal-Siyy بَينيbetween me وَبَينَهاand between her
إِذا ما جَعَلتُ السِيَّ بَيني وَبَينَها
وَحَرَّةَand Harrat Layla لَيلىLayla وَالعَقيقَand al-Aqiq اليَمانِياthe Yemeni
وَحَرَّةَ لَيلى وَالعَقيقَ اليَمانِيا
When I have set al-Siyy between myself and her,
When I placed Si’ between her and I
and Harrat Layla and the Yemeni al-Aqiq,
And the necklace of Layla and reddish Yemeni carnelians,
رَغِبتُI implored إِلىto ذيthe possessor of العَرشِthe Throne مَولىthe protector of مُحَمَّدٍMuhammad
رَغِبتُ إِلى ذي العَرشِ مَولى مُحَمَّدٍ
لِيَجمَعَto reunite شَعباًa scattered company أَوor يُقَرِّبَbring near نائِياa distant one
لِيَجمَعَ شَعباً أَو يُقَرِّبَ نائِيا
I implore the Lord of the Throne, Muhammad's protector,
I hoped to the Lord, Master of Muhammad
to reunite the scattered, or bring the distant near.
To gather a tribe or draw a distant one nearer.
أَذاO possessor of العَرشِthe Throne إِنّيindeed I لَستُam not ماas long as عِشتُI live تارِكاًforsaking
أَذا العَرشِ إِنّي لَستُ ما عِشتُ تارِكاً
طِلابَthe pursuit of سُلَيمىSulayma فَاِقضِso decree ماwhatever كُنتَyou were قاضِياdecreeing
طِلابَ سُلَيمى فَاِقضِ ما كُنتَ قاضِيا
O Lord of the Throne, as long as I live, I will not forsake
Praise God! I shall not, while I live, cease
my quest for Sulayma: decree whatever you will decree.
Seeking Sulayma so decide what you have judged.
وَلَوand if أَنَّهاshe شاءَتwished شَفَتنيshe would cure me بِهَيِّنٍwith something slight
وَلَو أَنَّها شاءَت شَفَتني بِهَيِّنٍ
وَإِنeven though كانَit was قَدalready أَعياbaffled الطَبيبَthe physician المُداوِياwho treats
وَإِن كانَ قَد أَعيا الطَبيبَ المُداوِيا
If she wished, she could cure me with something slight,
Had she desired to heal me with gentle words though the doctor has wearied with healing,
though it has baffled the physician treating me.
I shall leave India to the visitors and seek
سَأَترُكُI shall leave لِلزُوّارِto the visitors هِنداًHind وَأَبتَغيand seek
سَأَترُكُ لِلزُوّارِ هِنداً وَأَبتَغي
طَبيباًa physician فَيَبغينيwho will seek for me شِفاءًa cure لِماfor what بِياails me
طَبيباً فَيَبغيني شِفاءً لِما بِيا
I will leave Hind to the visitors and seek
A doctor who will seek from me a cure for my ills.
a physician who will seek a cure for what ails me.
For, if you give little, often have you prevented
فَإِنَّكِfor indeed you إِنif تُعطَيyou are given قَليلاًa little فَطالَماhow often
فَإِنَّكِ إِن تُعطَي قَليلاً فَطالَما
مَنَعتِyou withheld وَحَلَّأتِand drove away القُلوبَthe hearts الصَوادِياthe thirsty
مَنَعتِ وَحَلَّأتِ القُلوبَ الصَوادِيا
For if you are given little, how often
And tested Men’s ardent hearts.
have you withheld and driven away thirsty hearts,
Approach, to curb them, the horses’ halters, after
دُنُوَّdrawing near عِتاقِthe thoroughbreds of الخَيلِthe horses لِلزَجرِat a rebuke بَعدَماafter
دُنُوَّ عِتاقِ الخَيلِ لِلزَجرِ بَعدَما
شَمَسنَthey balked وَوَلَّينَand turned away الخُدودَthe cheeks العَواصِياthe rebellious
شَمَسنَ وَوَلَّينَ الخُدودَ العَواصِيا
drawing near like thoroughbred horses at a rebuke, after
The sun has thawed and softened their hard cheeks.
they have balked and turned away their rebellious cheeks.
When my eyes line with yours, I was touched
إِذاwhen اكتَحَلَتwas kohled عَينيmy eye بِعَينِكِwith your eye مَسَّنيit touched me
إِذا اكتَحَلَت عَيني بِعَينِكِ مَسَّني
بِخَيرٍwith good وَجَلّىand dispelled غَمرَةًan engulfing sorrow عَنfrom فُؤادِياmy heart
بِخَيرٍ وَجَلّى غَمرَةً عَن فُؤادِيا
When my eye is kohled with yours, it touches me
With good, clearing the gloom from my heart.
with good, and clears an engulfing sorrow from my heart.
The censurers bid me to conquer passion
وَيَأمُرُنيand command me العُذّالُthe reproachers أَنto أَغلُبَmaster الهَوىpassion
وَيَأمُرُني العُذّالُ أَن أَغلُبَ الهَوى
وَأَنand to أَكتُمَconceal الوَجدَardent love الَّذيwhich لَيسَis not خافِياhidden
وَأَن أَكتُمَ الوَجدَ الَّذي لَيسَ خافِيا
The reproachers command me to master love,
And to conceal the ardor that is not hidden.
and conceal the passion that is no secret.
Alas for the heartache in the wake of one who seems
فَياso oh حَسَراتِthe regrets of القَلبِthe heart فيin إِثرِthe pursuit of مَنone who يُرىis seen
فَيا حَسَراتِ القَلبِ في إِثرِ مَن يُرى
قَريباًnear وَيُلفىand is found خَيرُهُhis kindness مِنكَfrom you نائِياfar away
قَريباً وَيُلفى خَيرُهُ مِنكَ نائِيا
Ah, the heart's regrets in pursuit of one who seems
Near, his excellence found absent from you.
near, yet whose kindness is found far from you!
Layla rebukes me for disloyalty and preferred
تُعَيِّرُنيreproaches me for الإِخلافَbroken promises لَيلىLayla وَأَفضَلَتand remained
تُعَيِّرُني الإِخلافَ لَيلى وَأَفضَلَت
عَلىfor وَصلِunion with لَيلىLayla قُوَّةٌa strand مِنof حِبالِياmy cords
عَلى وَصلِ لَيلى قُوَّةٌ مِن حِبالِيا
Layla reproaches me for broken promises, yet there remains
Over intimacy with Layla, a bond from my ropes
a strand of my cords to keep me joined to Layla.
Say to her valley in which she descended.
فَقولاso say, both of you لِواديهاto her valley الَّذيwhich نَزَلَتshe settled بِهِin it
فَقولا لِواديها الَّذي نَزَلَت بِهِ
أَوادِيَO valley of ذيDhu القَيصومِal-Qaysum أَمرَعتَyou grew lush وادِياas a valley
أَوادِيَ ذي القَيصومِ أَمرَعتَ وادِيا
Say, both of you, to her valley where she has settled:
Valleys of Qaysum, do you remain desolate?
'O valley of Dhu al-Qaysum, how lush a valley you are!'
I fear that the house will not unite us
فَقَدfor indeed خِفتُI feared أَلّاthat not تَجمَعَwould unite الدارُthe dwelling بَينَناus together
فَقَد خِفتُ أَلّا تَجمَعَ الدارُ بَينَنا
وَلاnor الدَهرُtime إِلّاexcept أَنthat تُجِدَّyou renew الأَمانِياthe hopes
وَلا الدَهرُ إِلّا أَن تُجِدَّ الأَمانِيا
For I feared that no dwelling would unite us,
Nor fate, save that you discover wishes.
nor time itself, unless you renewed our hopes.
Behold Shu'tha' arrived, the night obscured,
أَلاAh! طَرَقَتvisited by night شَعثاءُSha'tha وَاللَيلُwhile the night مُظلِمٌwas dark
أَلا طَرَقَت شَعثاءُ وَاللَيلُ مُظلِمٌ
أَحَمَّa dusky one عُمانِيّاًOmani وَأَشعَثَand a disheveled one ماضِياpressing onward
أَحَمَّ عُمانِيّاً وَأَشعَثَ ماضِيا
Ah, Sha'tha visited by night, while the night was dark,
Covering an Umani, disheveling a passing one.
a dusky Omani camel and a disheveled traveler pressing on,
Her phantom crossed over to us from afar
لَدىamong قَطَرِيّاتٍQatari she-camels إِذاwhen ماemphatic particle تَغَوَّلَتwaylaid
لَدى قَطَرِيّاتٍ إِذا ما تَغَوَّلَت
بِناus البيدُthe deserts غاوَلنَthey contended with الحُزونَrugged ground القَياقِياstony wastes
بِنا البيدُ غاوَلنَ الحُزونَ القَياقِيا
among Qatari she-camels which, whenever
Plunging through the darkness of night, hastily
the deserts waylaid us, contended with the rugged, stony wastes.
You were greeted by an advisor feigning weakness,
تَخَطّىcrossed إِلَيناto us مِنfrom بَعيدٍfar away خَيالُهاher phantom
تَخَطّى إِلَينا مِن بَعيدٍ خَيالُها
يَخوضُwading through خُدارِيّاًpitch-black darkness مِنَof اللَيلِthe night داجِياdeeply dark
يَخوضُ خُدارِيّاً مِنَ اللَيلِ داجِيا
Her phantom crossed to us from far away,
Visiting one in need dismissively
wading through a pitch-black, dark expanse of night.
My companions say “Are you chasing
فَحُيِّيتَso may you be greeted مِنas سارٍa night traveler تَكَلَّفَundertook مَوهِناًlate at night
فَحُيِّيتَ مِن سارٍ تَكَلَّفَ مَوهِناً
مَزاراًa visit عَلىto ذيone possessing حاجَةٍa need مُتَراخِياfar off
مَزاراً عَلى ذي حاجَةٍ مُتَراخِيا
So greetings, night traveler who undertook, late at night,
Your people? For Zahiriya is no place to wander!”
a far-off visit to one in need.
I chased them with friends over every rise
يَقولُsay لِيَto me الأَصحابُthe companions هَلare أَنتَyou لاحِقٌcatching up
يَقولُ لِيَ الأَصحابُ هَل أَنتَ لاحِقٌ
بِأَهلِكَwith your people إِنَّindeed الزاهِرِيَّةَal-Zahiriyya لاnot هِياshe
بِأَهلِكَ إِنَّ الزاهِرِيَّةَ لا هِيا
My companions say to me, 'Are you catching up
And cheek competing with Abyssinian astronomers.
with your people? Surely al-Zahiriyya is not she.'
We pelt each other with poems in every valley.
لَحِقتُI caught up وَأَصحابيand my companions عَلىon كُلِّevery حُرَّةٍnoble she-camel
لَحِقتُ وَأَصحابي عَلى كُلِّ حُرَّةٍ
وَخودٍswift-footed تَبارىraces الأَحبَشِيَّthe Abyssinian المَكارِياthe muleteer
وَخودٍ تَبارى الأَحبَشِيَّ المَكارِيا
I caught up, my companions mounted on every noble
We approach the depths of desolate sands.
swift she-camel, racing the Abyssinian muleteer.
When my departure is announced to the caravan
تَرامَينَthey hurled themselves بِالأَجوازِwith their midsections فيacross كُلِّevery صَفصَفٍlevel plain
تَرامَينَ بِالأَجوازِ في كُلِّ صَفصَفٍ
وَأَدنَينَand brought close مِنfrom خَلجِthe tugging of البُرينِthe nose-rings الذَفارِياthe ridges behind their ears
وَأَدنَينَ مِن خَلجِ البُرينِ الذَفارِيا
They hurled their midsections across every level plain,
My descent at Al-Mawma then my departure,
and drew the ridges behind their ears close at the tug of their nose-rings.
Brandishing swords as their riders hasten
إِذاwhen بَلَّغَتcarried onward رَحليmy saddle رَجيعٌa journey-worn camel أَمَلَّهاwearied her
إِذا بَلَّغَت رَحلي رَجيعٌ أَمَلَّها
نُزولِيَmy halting بِالمَوماةِin the waste ثُمَّthen اِرتِحالِياmy departure
نُزولِيَ بِالمَوماةِ ثُمَّ اِرتِحالِيا
When a journey-worn camel carries my saddle, wearied by
Not seeing their succession.
my halting in a waste and then departing again,
The dead man is impersonated as though
مُخَفِّقَةٌdesolate يَجريrace عَلىamid الهَولِterror رَكبُهاits riders
مُخَفِّقَةٌ يَجري عَلى الهَولِ رَكبُها
عِجالاًhurrying بِهاthrough it ماnot يَنظُرونَthey wait for التَوالِياthose behind
عِجالاً بِها ما يَنظُرونَ التَوالِيا
a desolate waste, whose riders race amid terror,
He were a vein whose water burst forth violently.
hurrying through it, not waiting for those behind,
It was difficult for the forbearing man to pursue passion
يُخالُis imagined بِهاin it مَيتُlifeless الشِخاصِthe shapes كَأَنَّهُas though it
يُخالُ بِها مَيتُ الشِخاصِ كَأَنَّهُ
قَذىflotsam عَرَقٍa channel يَضحىbecomes by day بِهِin it الماءُthe water طامِياrising high
قَذى عَرَقٍ يَضحى بِهِ الماءُ طامِيا
the lifeless shapes there appear as though they were
And desire the most distant that cannot be attained.
flotsam in a channel whose waters rise high.
Yet I am noble in poverty, sharing in riches,
لَشَقَّhard indeed عَلىfor ذيone possessing الحِلمِjudgment أَنto يَتبَعَfollow الهَوىpassion
لَشَقَّ عَلى ذي الحِلمِ أَن يَتبَعَ الهَوى
وَيَرجوand hopes مِنَfrom الأَقصىthe far-off one الَّذيthat which لَيسَis not لاقِياfinding
وَيَرجو مِنَ الأَقصى الَّذي لَيسَ لاقِيا
It is hard indeed for a man of judgment to follow passion,
Swift when my house will not bear my burdens.
and expect from the far-off one what he will never find.
Bold, I do not fear abasement
وَإِنّيand indeed I لَعَفُّrestrained in الفَقرِpoverty مُشتَرَكُsharing الغِنىwealth
وَإِنّي لَعَفُّ الفَقرِ مُشتَرَكُ الغِنى
سَريعٌswift إِذاwhen لَمnot أَرضَI am content with داريmy dwelling اِحتِمالِياmy departure
سَريعٌ إِذا لَم أَرضَ داري اِحتِمالِيا
I am dignified in poverty, my wealth shared with others,
When I place the sword in my left hand.
quick to leave whenever I dislike my abode.
Yet I am ashamed of you though the distance separates us,
جَريءُbold of الجَنانِheart لاnot أُهالُI am frightened مِنَby الرَدىdeath
جَريءُ الجَنانِ لا أُهالُ مِنَ الرَدى
إِذاwhen ماemphatic particle جَعَلتُI placed السَيفَthe sword مِنfrom عَنbeside شِمالِياmy left side
إِذا ما جَعَلتُ السَيفَ مِن عَن شِمالِيا
Bold of heart, I am not frightened by death
That the earth meets a kinsman of mine in a wretched state
when I set the sword beside my left side.
And a woman whose tear flowed down her kohl
وَإِنّيand indeed I لَأَستَحيِيكَsurely feel ashamed before you وَالخَرقُwhile the vast expanse بَينَناbetween us
وَإِنّي لَأَستَحيِيكَ وَالخَرقُ بَينَنا
مِنَof الأَرضِthe land أَنthat تَلقىyou meet أَخاًa brother لِيَof mine قالِياhostile
مِنَ الأَرضِ أَن تَلقى أَخاً لِيَ قالِيا
And I am ashamed before you—with a vast expanse between us
“Do you honour the clients after Jarir?”
of land—that you should meet a brother of mine who is hostile.
Return the grace of one far removed, then bear it
وَقائِلَةٍand a woman saying وَالدَمعُwhile the tears يَحدِرُwash down كُحلَهاher kohl
وَقائِلَةٍ وَالدَمعُ يَحدِرُ كُحلَها
أَبَعدَis it after جَريرٍJarir تُكرِمونَyou honor المَوالِياthe clients
أَبَعدَ جَريرٍ تُكرِمونَ المَوالِيا
And many a woman said, as tears washed down her kohl:
For I have no station with them nor do you.
'Will you honor the clients after Jarir?'
I imposed myself so you persisted without need.
فَرُدّيso bring back جِمالَthe camels of البَينِseparation ثُمَّthen تَحَمَّليdepart
فَرُدّي جِمالَ البَينِ ثُمَّ تَحَمَّلي
فَماfor no لَكِfor you فيهِمamong them مِنany مَقامٍplace to stay وَلاnor لِياfor me
فَما لَكِ فيهِم مِن مَقامٍ وَلا لِيا
Bring back the camels of separation, then depart;
Your state—I persist to a perished one.
for neither you nor I have a place among them.
I was deluded, justifying myself with wishes,
تَعَرَّضتُI came forward فَاِستَمرَرتَbut you passed on مِنshort of دونِmeeting حاجَتيmy need
تَعَرَّضتُ فَاِستَمرَرتَ مِن دونِ حاجَتي
فَحالَكَso go your way إِنّيindeed I مُستَمِرٌّpersist لِحاِياin my reproach
فَحالَكَ إِنّي مُستَمِرٌّ لِحاِيا
I came forward, but you passed on, leaving my need unmet;
Nights I hope your possessions are mine.
so go your way: I will persist in my reproach.
So you are a father while I have no need
وَإِنّيand indeed I لَمَغرورٌtruly deceived أُعَلَّلُam soothed بِالمُنىwith wishes
وَإِنّي لَمَغرورٌ أُعَلَّلُ بِالمُنى
لَيالِيَon nights أَرجوI hope أَنَّthat مالَكَyour wealth مالِياmy wealth
لَيالِيَ أَرجو أَنَّ مالَكَ مالِيا
I am truly deceived, soothed with wishes,
But if one arises I ascertain I have no father.
on nights when I hope your wealth is mine.
With what swordbelt do you carry the sword after
فَأَنتَso you أَبيmy father ماas long as لَمnot تَكُنthere is لِيَfor me حاجَةٌa need
فَأَنتَ أَبي ما لَم تَكُن لِيَ حاجَةٌ
فَإِنbut if عَرَضَتit arises أَيقَنتُI know for certain أَنthat لاno أَباfather لِياfor me
فَإِن عَرَضَت أَيقَنتُ أَن لا أَبا لِيا
You are my father so long as I have no need;
You cut the strength of the belts that remained?
but when one arises, I know I have no father.
With what blade do you stab the people after
بِأَيِّwith what نِجادٍbaldric تَحمِلُyou carry السَيفَthe sword بَعدَماafter
بِأَيِّ نِجادٍ تَحمِلُ السَيفَ بَعدَما
قَطَعتَyou cut القُوىthe strands مِنfrom مِحمَلٍa sword-sling كانَthat was باقِياremaining
قَطَعتَ القُوى مِن مِحمَلٍ كانَ باقِيا
With what baldric will you carry the sword, after
You removed a blade from your scabbard completely?
you have cut the strands of the sling that remained?
Was I not a fire lit against your enemy
بِأَيِّwith what سِنانٍspearhead تَطعُنُyou stab القَومَthe people بَعدَماafter
بِأَيِّ سِنانٍ تَطعُنُ القَومَ بَعدَما
نَزَعتَyou removed سِناناًa spearhead مِنfrom قَناتِكَyour spear ماضِياkeen
نَزَعتَ سِناناً مِن قَناتِكَ ماضِيا
With what spearhead will you stab the people, after
And a refuge for what you retreat behind me?
removing the keen point from your spear?
Extending good among you with my right hand
أَلَمwas I not أَكُI was ناراًa fire يَصطَليهاhe warms himself at it عَدُوُّكُمyour enemy
أَلَم أَكُ ناراً يَصطَليها عَدُوُّكُم
وَحِرزاًand a refuge لِماfor what أَلجَأتُمُyou sheltered مِنfrom وَرائِياbehind me
وَحِرزاً لِما أَلجَأتُمُ مِن وَرائِيا
Was I not a fire at which your enemy warmed himself,
And holding back evil from you with my left?
and a refuge for whatever you sheltered behind me,
If you wish to stroke the face of a leading
وَباسِطَand one spreading خَيرٍgood فيكُمُamong you بِيَمينِهِwith his right hand
وَباسِطَ خَيرٍ فيكُمُ بِيَمينِهِ
وَقابِضَand one holding back شَرٍّevil عَنكُمُfrom you بِشَمالِياwith my left hand
وَقابِضَ شَرٍّ عَنكُمُ بِشَمالِيا
and one who spread good among you with his right hand,
Steed, then extend and stretch out my reins!
and held evil back from you with my left?
Fear not that my nobility diminishes in battle!
إِذاif سَرَّكُمit pleases you أَنto تَمسَحواstroke وَجهَthe face of سابِقٍa winning horse
إِذا سَرَّكُم أَن تَمسَحوا وَجهَ سابِقٍ
جَوادٍa thoroughbred فَمُدّواthen lengthen وَاِبسُطواand loosen مِنsome of عِنانِياmy reins
جَوادٍ فَمُدّوا وَاِبسُطوا مِن عِنانِيا
If you delight in stroking the face of a winning
And fear death lest she eludes you both!
thoroughbred, then lengthen and loosen my reins.
I am the son of Sarha and Khindif, no stranger
أَلاAh! لاdo not تَخافاfear, both of you نَبوَتيmy failing فيin مُلِمَّةٍa calamity
أَلا لا تَخافا نَبوَتي في مُلِمَّةٍ
وَخافاand fear, both of you المَناياdeath's fates أَنthat تَفوتَكُماthey deprive you both بِياof me
وَخافا المَنايا أَن تَفوتَكُما بِيا
Ah, you two, do not fear my failing in a calamity;
My heart’s place becomes their place.
fear that death may rob you both of me.
My sword leaves no bone intact
أَناI اِبنُthe son of صَريحَيtwo pure-blooded members of خِندِفٍKhindif غَيرَwithout دِعوَةٍa false lineage claim
أَنا اِبنُ صَريحَي خِندِفٍ غَيرَ دِعوَةٍ
يَكونُis مَكانُthe place of القَلبِthe heart مِنهاwithin her مَكانِياmy place
يَكونُ مَكانُ القَلبِ مِنها مَكانِيا
I am the son of two true-born Khindif parents, with no false claim;
And for the sword I yearn for a strike sharper than my tongue.
my place within her is the heart's own place.
Do varieties of cowards make me fear death?
وَلَيسَand there is not لِسَيفيfor my sword فيamong العِظامِthe bones بَقِيَّةٌa remnant
وَلَيسَ لِسَيفي في العِظامِ بَقِيَّةٌ
وَلِلسَيفِand the sword has أَشوىa less deadly وَقعَةًstroke مِنthan لِسانِياmy tongue
وَلِلسَيفِ أَشوى وَقعَةً مِن لِسانِيا
My sword leaves no remnant among bones,
While I remain actively hostile and hostilely active?
yet a sword strikes less mortally than my tongue.
Have cowards ever wiped the faces of the virtuous
أَبِالمَوتِwith death? خَشَّتنيfrightened me قُيونُthe smiths of مُجاشِعٍMujashi
أَبِالمَوتِ خَشَّتني قُيونُ مُجاشِعٍ
وَماand not زِلتُI have ceased مَجنِيّاًwronged عَلَيَّagainst me وَجانِياand wronging
وَما زِلتُ مَجنِيّاً عَلَيَّ وَجانِيا
Would Mujashi's smiths frighten me with death,
Or the peaks of glory as an intimate?
when I have always been both wronged and wronging?
Leave glory unless you lead your armies
وَماand not مَسَحَتtouched عِندَat الحِفاظِthe defense of honor مُجاشِعٌMujashi
وَما مَسَحَت عِندَ الحِفاظِ مُجاشِعٌ
كَريماًa noble one وَلاnor مِنto غايَةِthe goal of المَجدِglory دانِياnear
كَريماً وَلا مِن غايَةِ المَجدِ دانِيا
In the defense of honor, Mujashi has never touched
And Kaini Iraqis and Kaini Yemenis.
a noble one, nor anyone near glory's goal.
You were chaotic at the day of Zubayr as though
دَعواleave alone المَجدَglory إِلّاexcept أَنto تَسوقواdrive كَزومَكُمyour Kazum
دَعوا المَجدَ إِلّا أَن تَسوقوا كَزومَكُم
وَقَيناًand a smith عِراقِيّاًIraqi وَقَيناًand a smith يَمانِياYemeni
وَقَيناً عِراقِيّاً وَقَيناً يَمانِيا
Leave glory alone, unless you would drive your Kazum,
You were hyenas at Zhi Qar desiring wishes.
and an Iraqi smith and a Yemeni smith.
The son of Zayyal triumphed with war spoils from your neighbour
تَراغَيتُمُyou bellowed to one another يَومَon the day of الزُبَيرِal-Zubayr كَأَنَّكُمas though you
تَراغَيتُمُ يَومَ الزُبَيرِ كَأَنَّكُم
ضِباعٌhyenas بِذيat Dhu قارٍQar تَمَنّىwishing الأَمانِياwishes
ضِباعٌ بِذي قارٍ تَمَنّى الأَمانِيا
You bellowed to one another on al-Zubayr's day, as though you were
So you were named “adulterers” after Zubayr!
hyenas at Dhu Qar, nursing idle hopes.
وَآبَand returned اِبنُthe son of ذَيّالٍDhayyal بِأَسلابِwith the spoils of جارِكُمyour neighbor
وَآبَ اِبنُ ذَيّالٍ بِأَسلابِ جارِكُم
فَسُمّيتُمُso you were named بَعدَafter الزُبَيرِal-Zubayr الزَوانِياthe whores
فَسُمّيتُمُ بَعدَ الزُبَيرِ الزَوانِيا
Ibn Dhayyal returned with your neighbor's spoils,
so after al-Zubayr you were named the whores.
Partial English translation: 113 of 116 Arabic lines translated.