أَلا حَيِّ رَبعَ المَنزِلِ المُتَقادِمِ

أَلا حَيِّ رَبعَ المَنزِلِ المُتَقادِمِ

وَما حَلَّ مُذ حَلَّت بِهِ أُمُّ سالِمِ

وَما حَلَّ مُذ حَلَّت بِهِ أُمُّ سالِمِ

Ah, salute the long-aged dwelling's site,

Alas, greet the quarters of the advancing abode

where none has dwelt since Umm Salim dwelt there.

And what befell since the mother of Salim befell it

تَميمِيَّةٌ حَلَّت بِحَومانَتَي قَسىً

تَميمِيَّةٌ حَلَّت بِحَومانَتَي قَسىً

حِمى الخَيلِ ذادَت عَن قَسىً فَالصَرائِمِ

حِمى الخَيلِ ذادَت عَن قَسىً فَالصَرائِمِ

A Tamimi woman settled on Qasa's two sandy flats,

A Tamimi woman halted at two rugged tracts

a preserve whose horses defended Qasa, then al-Sara'im.

Horses’ preserve warded off from the rugged tracts despite the necklaces

أَبَيتِ فَلا تَقضينَ دَيناً وَطالَما

أَبَيتِ فَلا تَقضينَ دَيناً وَطالَما

بَخِلتِ بِحاجاتِ الصَديقِ المُكارِمِ

بَخِلتِ بِحاجاتِ الصَديقِ المُكارِمِ

You refused and pay no debt, though often

You refused so do not settle a debt though you were stingy

you have begrudged the needs of a generous friend.

With the needs of the generous friend

بِنا كَالجَوى مِمّا يُخافُ وَقَد نَرى

بِنا كَالجَوى مِمّا يُخافُ وَقَد نَرى

شِفاءَ القُلوبِ الصادِياتِ الحَوائِمِ

شِفاءَ القُلوبِ الصادِياتِ الحَوائِمِ

Within us is something like burning grief from what we fear, yet we see

We are like the passionate love from what is feared and we do see

a cure for thirsty, circling hearts.

Healing of hearts, the deviating, perplexed

أَعاذِلَ هيجيني لِبَينٍ مُصارِمٍ

أَعاذِلَ هيجيني لِبَينٍ مُصارِمٍ

غَداً أَو ذَريني مِن عِتابِ المُلاوِمِ

غَداً أَو ذَريني مِن عِتابِ المُلاوِمِ

O reproachful woman, rouse me for a final parting

Reproach me or leave me to the terrible separation

tomorrow, or spare me the fault-finder's reproach.

Tomorrow or spare me from the blame of the constant companion

أَغَرَّكِ مِنّي أَنَّما قادَني الهَوى

أَغَرَّكِ مِنّي أَنَّما قادَني الهَوى

إِلَيكِ وَما عَهدٌ لَكُنَّ بِدائِمِ

إِلَيكِ وَما عَهدٌ لَكُنَّ بِدائِمِ

Has it deluded you about me that passion alone led me

Did the passion that led me to you delude you

to you, though no pledge of you women endures?

And there is no covenant you would have to be lasting?

أَلا رُبَّما هاجَ التَذَكُّرُ وَالهَوى

أَلا رُبَّما هاجَ التَذَكُّرُ وَالهَوى

بِتَلعَةَ إِرشاشَ الدُموعِ السَواجِمِ

بِتَلعَةَ إِرشاشَ الدُموعِ السَواجِمِ

Ah, remembrance and passion have often stirred

Alas, sometimes remembering and passion were aroused

at Tal'a the sprinkling of streaming tears.

With the flow of the pouring, copious tears

عَفَت قَرقَرى وَالوَشمُ حَتّى تَنَكَّرَت

عَفَت قَرقَرى وَالوَشمُ حَتّى تَنَكَّرَت

أَوارِيُّها وَالخَيلُ ميلُ الدَعائِمِ

أَوارِيُّها وَالخَيلُ ميلُ الدَعائِمِ

Qarqara and al-Washm have faded beyond recognition,

The anklets jingled, and the tattoo until its features changed

their tethering-stakes grown strange, the horses' legs slanting.

And the horses tilt the tent poles

وَأَقفَرَ وادي ثَرمَداءَ وَرُبَّما

وَأَقفَرَ وادي ثَرمَداءَ وَرُبَّما

تَدانى بِذي بَهدى حُلولُ الأَصارِمِ

تَدانى بِذي بَهدى حُلولُ الأَصارِمِ

The valley of Tharmada' is deserted, though often

And the valley of Tharmada dried up, and sometimes

the clans' encampments lay close at Dhu Bahda.

The resolutes draw near Thi Al-Bahda with their swords

لَقَد وَلَدَت أُمُّ الفَرَزدَقِ فاجِراً

لَقَد وَلَدَت أُمُّ الفَرَزدَقِ فاجِراً

وَجاءَت بِوَزوازٍ قَصيرِ القَوائِمِ

وَجاءَت بِوَزوازٍ قَصيرِ القَوائِمِ

Al-Farazdaq's mother surely bore a libertine

Indeed, the mother of Al-Farazdaq gave birth to a debaucher

and brought forth a restless, short-legged runt.

And brought an ape with short legs

وَما كانَ جارٌ لِلفَرَزدَقِ مُسلِمٌ

وَما كانَ جارٌ لِلفَرَزدَقِ مُسلِمٌ

لِيَأمَنَ قِرداً لَيلُهُ غَيرُ نائِمِ

لِيَأمَنَ قِرداً لَيلُهُ غَيرُ نائِمِ

No Muslim neighbor of al-Farazdaq

And no neighbor of Al-Farazdaq, a Muslim, felt secure

could feel safe from an ape whose night is sleepless.

From a monkey whose night was not sleepy

يُوَصِّلُ حَبلَيهِ إِذا جَنَّ لَيلُهُ

يُوَصِّلُ حَبلَيهِ إِذا جَنَّ لَيلُهُ

لِيَرقى إِلى جاراتِهِ بِالسَلالِمِ

لِيَرقى إِلى جاراتِهِ بِالسَلالِمِ

He joins his two ropes when his night grows dark

He ties his ropes when his night comes

to climb by ladders to his female neighbors.

To climb to his neighbors with the ladders

أَتَيتَ حُدودَ اللَهِ مُذ أَنتَ يافِعٌ

أَتَيتَ حُدودَ اللَهِ مُذ أَنتَ يافِعٌ

وَشِبتَ فَما يَنهاكَ شيبُ اللَهازِمِ

وَشِبتَ فَما يَنهاكَ شيبُ اللَهازِمِ

You have violated God's bounds since you were a youth,

You have transgressed the limits of Allah since you were a youth

and have grown gray, yet your graying jaws do not restrain you.

And grew old, yet your old age does not forbid you

تَتَبَّعُ في الماخورِ كُلَّ مُريبَةٍ

تَتَبَّعُ في الماخورِ كُلَّ مُريبَةٍ

وَلَستَ بِأَهلِ المُحصَناتِ الكَرائِمِ

وَلَستَ بِأَهلِ المُحصَناتِ الكَرائِمِ

In the brothel you pursue every disreputable woman,

You pursue every crafty one in the tavern

and you are unworthy of chaste, noble women.

And you are not of the people of the virtuous, honorable women

رَأَيتُكَ لا توفي بِجارٍ أَجَرتَهُ

رَأَيتُكَ لا توفي بِجارٍ أَجَرتَهُ

وَلا مُستَعِفّاً عَن لِئامِ المَطاعِمِ

وَلا مُستَعِفّاً عَن لِئامِ المَطاعِمِ

I saw you keeping no faith with a neighbor you had sheltered,

I saw you not fulfilling a covenant with a neighbor you made a pact with

nor abstaining from dishonorable sustenance.

Nor refusing the blame of the hands that outstretch

هُوَ الرِجسُ يا أَهلَ المَدينَةِ فَاِحذَروا

هُوَ الرِجسُ يا أَهلَ المَدينَةِ فَاِحذَروا

مُداخِلَ رِجسٍ بِالخَبيثاتِ عالِمِ

مُداخِلَ رِجسٍ بِالخَبيثاتِ عالِمِ

He is filth, people of Medina; beware

He is impure, O people of Medina, so beware

the intrusions of a filthy man versed in foul deeds.

The approaches of an impurity, knowledgeable of the wicked women

لَقَد كانَ إِخراجُ الفَرَزدَقِ عَنكُمُ

لَقَد كانَ إِخراجُ الفَرَزدَقِ عَنكُمُ

طَهوراً لِما بَينَ المُصَلّى وَواقِمِ

طَهوراً لِما بَينَ المُصَلّى وَواقِمِ

Expelling al-Farazdaq from your midst was indeed

Indeed, expelling Al-Farazdaq from you

a cleansing of all between the prayer ground and Waqim.

Was a purification between the praying place and the frequenter

تَدَلَّيتَ تَزني مِن ثَمانينَ قامَةً

تَدَلَّيتَ تَزني مِن ثَمانينَ قامَةً

وَقَصَّرتَ عَن باعِ العُلى وَالمَكارِمِ

وَقَصَّرتَ عَن باعِ العُلى وَالمَكارِمِ

You lowered yourself to fornicate from eighty body-lengths high,

You have hanged around debauching eighty heights

yet fell short of the reach of loftiness and noble deeds.

And fallen short of the utmost high morals

أَتَمدَحُ يا اِبنَ القَينِ سَعداً وَقَد جَرَت

أَتَمدَحُ يا اِبنَ القَينِ سَعداً وَقَد جَرَت

لِجِعثِنَ فيهِم طَيرُها بِالأَشائِمِ

لِجِعثِنَ فيهِم طَيرُها بِالأَشائِمِ

Do you praise Sa'd, son of the smith, though

How do you, O son of Al-Qayn, praise Sa’d though

Ji'thin's birds among them have brought her ill omens?

The birds of calamity have assailed them with the worst of calamities?

وَإِنَّكَ يا اِبنَ القَينِ سَعداً وَقَد تَرى

وَإِنَّكَ يا اِبنَ القَينِ سَعداً وَقَد تَرى

أَديمَكَ مِنها واهِياً غَيرَ سالِمِ

أَديمَكَ مِنها واهِياً غَيرَ سالِمِ

Yet you, son of the smith, praise Sa'd, though you see

And you, O son of Al-Qayn, Sa’d while you see

your hide weakened by them, far from sound.

Your hide is weak, unsafe from them

وَإِنَّكَ يا اِبنَ القَينِ لَستَ بِنافِخٍ

وَإِنَّكَ يا اِبنَ القَينِ لَستَ بِنافِخٍ

بِكيرِكَ إِلّا قاعِداً غَيرَ قائِمِ

بِكيرِكَ إِلّا قاعِداً غَيرَ قائِمِ

And you, son of the smith, never blow

And you, O son of Al-Qayn, are no blower

your bellows except seated, never standing.

With your bellows unless sitting, not getting up

فَما وَجَدَ الجيرانُ حَبلَ مُجاشِعٍ

فَما وَجَدَ الجيرانُ حَبلَ مُجاشِعٍ

وَفِيّاً وَلا ذا مِرَّةٍ في العَزائِمِ

وَفِيّاً وَلا ذا مِرَّةٍ في العَزائِمِ

The neighbors did not find Mujashi's rope

So the neighbors did not find a sympathetic rope

faithful, nor strong in resolve.

Or one who is gallant, determined in his resolves

وَلامَت قُرَيشٌ في الزُبَيرِ مُجاشِعاً

وَلامَت قُرَيشٌ في الزُبَيرِ مُجاشِعاً

وَلَم يَعذُروا مَن كانَ أَهلَ المَلاوِمِ

وَلَم يَعذُروا مَن كانَ أَهلَ المَلاوِمِ

Quraysh blamed Mujashi' over al-Zubayr,

And Quraysh blamed Al-Zubayr, sympathetic

and did not excuse those deserving blame.

And did not excuse one who was apt to stick around

وَقالَت قُرَيشٌ لَيتَ جارَ مُجاشِعٍ

وَقالَت قُرَيشٌ لَيتَ جارَ مُجاشِعٍ

دَعا شَبَثاً أَو كانَ جارَ اِبنِ خازِمِ

دَعا شَبَثاً أَو كانَ جارَ اِبنِ خازِمِ

Quraysh said, 'Would that Mujashi's neighbor

And Quraysh said, if only a sympathetic neighbor

had called Shabath, or been Ibn Khazim's neighbor.'

Called out Shabth or was a neighbor of the son of Khaazim

وَلَو حَبلَ تَيمِيٍّ تَناوَلَ جارُكُم

وَلَو حَبلَ تَيمِيٍّ تَناوَلَ جارُكُم

لَما كانَ عاراً ذِكرُهُ في المَواسِمِ

لَما كانَ عاراً ذِكرُهُ في المَواسِمِ

Had your neighbor taken hold of a Taymi's rope,

And if the rope of the Taymi had seized your neighbor

his mention at seasonal gatherings would not have been a disgrace.

Its mention would not have been shameful during the seasons

فَغَيرُكَ أَدّى لِلخَليفَةِ عَهدَهُ

فَغَيرُكَ أَدّى لِلخَليفَةِ عَهدَهُ

وَغَيرُكَ جَلّى عَن وُجوهِ الأَهاتِمِ

وَغَيرُكَ جَلّى عَن وُجوهِ الأَهاتِمِ

Someone other than you fulfilled his pledge to the caliph,

While someone else fulfilled his covenant to the Caliph

and someone else cleared shame from the faces of the Ahatim.

And someone else disclosed from faces of the frowning

فَإِنَّ وَكيعاً حينَ خارَت مُجاشِعٌ

فَإِنَّ وَكيعاً حينَ خارَت مُجاشِعٌ

كَفى شَعبَ صَدعِ الفِتنَةِ المُتَفاقِمِ

كَفى شَعبَ صَدعِ الفِتنَةِ المُتَفاقِمِ

For Waki', when Mujashi' faltered,

For when Mujashi’ abandoned, Waqi’

was enough to mend discord's widening breach.

Sufficed to heal the crevasse of the intensifying strife

لَقَد كُنتَ فيها يا فَرَزدَقُ تابِعاً

لَقَد كُنتَ فيها يا فَرَزدَقُ تابِعاً

وَريشُ الذُنابى تابِعٌ لِلقَوادِمِ

وَريشُ الذُنابى تابِعٌ لِلقَوادِمِ

You were only a follower in it, Farazdaq,

You used to be, O Farazdaq, a follower in it

and tail feathers follow the leading wing feathers.

And the feather of the tail follows the leaders

نُدافِعُ عَنكُم كُلَّ يَومِ عَظيمَةٍ

نُدافِعُ عَنكُم كُلَّ يَومِ عَظيمَةٍ

وَأَنتَ قُراحِيٌّ بِسَيفِ الكَواظِمِ

وَأَنتَ قُراحِيٌّ بِسَيفِ الكَواظِمِ

We defend you on every day of grave peril,

We defend you every day of great happenings

while you are a Qurahi on the shore of al-Kawazim.

While you, with the sword of the silent, are a sword holder

أَباهِلَ ما أَحبَبتُ قَتلَ اِبنِ مُسلِمٍ

أَباهِلَ ما أَحبَبتُ قَتلَ اِبنِ مُسلِمٍ

وَلا أَن تَروعوا قَومَكُم بِالمَظالِمِ

وَلا أَن تَروعوا قَومَكُم بِالمَظالِمِ

O Bahila, I did not desire the killing of Ibn Muslim,

I wish I did not love killing the son of Muslim

nor that you terrorize your people with injustice.

Nor that you panic your people with injustices

أَباهِلَ قَد أَوفَيتُمُ مِن دِمائِكُم

أَباهِلَ قَد أَوفَيتُمُ مِن دِمائِكُم

إِذا ما قَتَلتُم رَهطَ قَيسِ بنِ عاصِمِ

إِذا ما قَتَلتُم رَهطَ قَيسِ بنِ عاصِمِ

O Bahila, you have full recompense for your blood

I wish you have paid off from your blood

if you kill the kin of Qays ibn Asim.

When you killed the folk of Qays ibn ‘Aasim

تُحَضِّضُ يا اِبنَ القَينِ قَيساً لِيَجعَلوا

تُحَضِّضُ يا اِبنَ القَينِ قَيساً لِيَجعَلوا

لِقَومِكَ يَوماً مِثلَ يَومِ الأَراقِمِ

لِقَومِكَ يَوماً مِثلَ يَومِ الأَراقِمِ

You urge Qays, son of the smith, to bring

You, O son of Al-Qayn, provoke Qays to make

upon your people a day like the day of the Araqim.

For your folk a day like the day of Arqam

إِذا رَكِبَت قَيسٌ خُيولاً مُغيرَةً

إِذا رَكِبَت قَيسٌ خُيولاً مُغيرَةً

عَلى القَينِ يَقرَع سِنَّ خَزيانَ نادِمِ

عَلى القَينِ يَقرَع سِنَّ خَزيانَ نادِمِ

When Qays mounts raiding horses

When Qays rides prepared horses

against the smith, he gnashes his teeth, disgraced and regretful.

Against Qayn, they will strike the teeth of Khuzaymah the regretful

وَقَبلَكَ ما أَخزى الأُخَيطِلُ قَومَهُ

وَقَبلَكَ ما أَخزى الأُخَيطِلُ قَومَهُ

وَأَسلَمَهُم لِلمَأزِقِ المُتَلاحِمِ

وَأَسلَمَهُم لِلمَأزِقِ المُتَلاحِمِ

Before you, al-Ukhaytil shamed his people

And before you, how Al-Ukhaidhir disgraced his people

and abandoned them to the press of close-fought battle.

And delivered them to the narrow, pressing predicament

رُوَيدَكُمُ مَسحَ الصَليبِ إِذا دَنا

رُوَيدَكُمُ مَسحَ الصَليبِ إِذا دَنا

هِلالُ الجِزى وَاِستَعجِلوا بِالدَراهِمِ

هِلالُ الجِزى وَاِستَعجِلوا بِالدَراهِمِ

Take your time rubbing the cross when there approaches

Hold back your greed when the crescent of Al-Jiza draws near

the tribute crescent, and hurry with the dirhams.

And hasten with the dirhams

وَما زالَ في قَيسٍ فَوارِسُ مَصدَقٍ

وَما زالَ في قَيسٍ فَوارِسُ مَصدَقٍ

حُماةٌ وَحَمّالونَ ثِقلَ المَغارِمِ

حُماةٌ وَحَمّالونَ ثِقلَ المَغارِمِ

Qays has always had true horsemen,

And among Qays there remain horsemen of Musaddaq

defenders who shoulder heavy indemnities.

Protectors and carriers of heavy fines

وَقَيسٌ هُمُ الفَضلُ الَّذي نَستَعِدُّهُ

وَقَيسٌ هُمُ الفَضلُ الَّذي نَستَعِدُّهُ

لِفَضلِ المَساعي وَاِبتِناءِ المَكارِمِ

لِفَضلِ المَساعي وَاِبتِناءِ المَكارِمِ

Qays is the advantage we hold in reserve

And Qays, they are the merit we seek out

for excellence in striving and the building of honor.

For the merit of the efforts and building of morals

إِذا حَدَبَت قَيسٌ عَلَيَّ وَخِندِفٌ

إِذا حَدَبَت قَيسٌ عَلَيَّ وَخِندِفٌ

أَخَذتُ بِفَضلِ الأَكثَرينَ الأَكارِمِ

أَخَذتُ بِفَضلِ الأَكثَرينَ الأَكارِمِ

When Qays and Khindif rally around me,

When Qays inclines toward me and Khandif

I draw on the bounty of the most numerous and noblest.

I take by the merit of the more generous of the generous

أَنا اِبنُ فُروعِ المَجدِ قَيسٍ وَخِندِفٍ

أَنا اِبنُ فُروعِ المَجدِ قَيسٍ وَخِندِفٍ

بَنَوا لِيَ عادِيّاً رَفيعَ الدَعائِمِ

بَنَوا لِيَ عادِيّاً رَفيعَ الدَعائِمِ

I am the son of glory's branches, Qays and Khindif;

I am the son of the heights of glory of Qays and Khandif

they built me an 'Ad-like edifice with lofty pillars.

They built for me an adversary, high in pillars

فَإِن شِئتَ مِن قَيسٍ ذُرى مُتَمَنِّعٍ

فَإِن شِئتَ مِن قَيسٍ ذُرى مُتَمَنِّعٍ

وَإِن شِئتَ طَوداً خِندِفِيَّ المَخارِمِ

وَإِن شِئتَ طَوداً خِندِفِيَّ المَخارِمِ

If you wish, from Qays come an impregnable stronghold's heights;

So if you wish from Qays an impregnable clan

or, if you wish, a mountain with Khindifi passes.

And if you wish a Qhandifi battalion of warriors

أَلَم تَرَني أُردي بِأَركانِ خِندِفٍ

أَلَم تَرَني أُردي بِأَركانِ خِندِفٍ

وَأَركانِ قَيسٍ نِعمَ كَهفُ المُراجِمِ

وَأَركانِ قَيسٍ نِعمَ كَهفُ المُراجِمِ

Have you not seen me strike men down with Khindif's pillars

Do you not see me donned in the pillars of Khandif

and Qays's pillars—a fine refuge for a stone-hurler!

And the pillars of Qays - excellent is the cave of those sought for protection

وَقَيسٌ هُمُ الكَهفُ الَّذي نَستَعِدُّهُ

وَقَيسٌ هُمُ الكَهفُ الَّذي نَستَعِدُّهُ

لِدَفعِ الأَعادي أَو لِحَملِ العَظائِمِ

لِدَفعِ الأَعادي أَو لِحَملِ العَظائِمِ

Qays is the refuge we keep ready

And Qays, they are the cave we seek out

to repel enemies or shoulder grave burdens.

To ward off enemies or carry the greatest of matters

بَنو المَجدِ قَيسٌ وَالعَواتِكُ مِنهُمُ

بَنو المَجدِ قَيسٌ وَالعَواتِكُ مِنهُمُ

وَلَدنَ بُحوراً لِلبُحورِ الخَضارِمِ

وَلَدنَ بُحوراً لِلبُحورِ الخَضارِمِ

Qays are glory's sons, and the 'Atikas are among them;

The sons of glory are Qays, and the bright rising stars among them

they bore oceans to vast, overflowing oceans.

Gave birth to seas for the tumultuous seas

لَقَد حَدَبَت قَيسٌ وَأَفناءُ خِندِفٍ

لَقَد حَدَبَت قَيسٌ وَأَفناءُ خِندِفٍ

عَلى مُرهَبٍ حامٍ ذِمارَ المَحارِمِ

عَلى مُرهَبٍ حامٍ ذِمارَ المَحارِمِ

Qays and the branches of Khindif have indeed rallied

Indeed, Qays inclined along with the foyers of Khandif

around a feared man who guards his sacred kin's honor.

Upon a dreadful lion, biting the forbidden

فَما زادَني بُعدُ المَدى نَقضَ مِرَّةٍ

فَما زادَني بُعدُ المَدى نَقضَ مِرَّةٍ

وَلا رَقَّ عَظمي لِلضُروسِ العَواجِمِ

وَلا رَقَّ عَظمي لِلضُروسِ العَواجِمِ

The long span has never slackened my strength,

Yet the distance of the farthest did not break a pact for me

nor has my bone softened for gnawing molars.

Nor did the bones of my elderly weaken from the most vicious

تَراني إِذا ما الناسُ عَدّوا قَديمَهُم

تَراني إِذا ما الناسُ عَدّوا قَديمَهُم

وَفَضلَ المَساعي مُسفِراً غَيرَ واجِمِ

وَفَضلَ المَساعي مُسفِراً غَيرَ واجِمِ

You see me, when men recount their ancient glories

You see me, when people count their ancient times

and excellent exploits, bright-faced, never downcast.

And the merits of the efforts, uncovered, not sluggish

بِأَيّامِ قَومي ما لِقَومِكَ مِثلُها

بِأَيّامِ قَومي ما لِقَومِكَ مِثلُها

بِها سَهَّلوا عَنّي خَبارَ الجَراثِمِ

بِها سَهَّلوا عَنّي خَبارَ الجَراثِمِ

Through my people's battle-days, unmatched by yours,

By the days of my people not like your people’s days

they smoothed for me the yielding ground of the mounds.

Through them they eased for me news of wickedness

إِذا أَلجَمَت قَيسٌ عَناجيجَ كَالقَنا

إِذا أَلجَمَت قَيسٌ عَناجيجَ كَالقَنا

مَجَجنَ دَماً مِن طولِ عَلكِ الشَكائِمِ

مَجَجنَ دَماً مِن طولِ عَلكِ الشَكائِمِ

When Qays bridles steeds straight as spear-shafts,

When Qays bridle hard bits like canals

they spit blood from long chewing on the bits.

It pours blood from the length of riding the burdens

سَبَوا نِسوَةَ النُعمانِ وَاِبنَي مُحَرِّقٍ

سَبَوا نِسوَةَ النُعمانِ وَاِبنَي مُحَرِّقٍ

وَعِمرانَ قادوا عَنوَةً بِالخَزائِمِ

وَعِمرانَ قادوا عَنوَةً بِالخَزائِمِ

They took al-Nu'man's women and Muharriq's two sons captive,

They captured the women of Nu’man and the sons of Muharib

and led 'Imran by force with nose-rings.

And they forcefully drove along Imran’s family with the spoils

وَهُم أَنزَلوا الجَونَينِ في حَومَةِ الوَغى

وَهُم أَنزَلوا الجَونَينِ في حَومَةِ الوَغى

وَلَم يَمنَعِ الجَونَينِ عَقدُ التَمائِمِ

وَلَم يَمنَعِ الجَونَينِ عَقدُ التَمائِمِ

They brought the two Jawns down in the heart of battle,

And they brought down Al-Jawnayn in the scorching heat of the tumult

and knotted amulets did not protect the two Jawns.

And the Al-Jawnayn; the necklaces did not withhold them

كَأَنَّكَ لَم تَشهَد لَقيطاً وَحاجِباً

كَأَنَّكَ لَم تَشهَد لَقيطاً وَحاجِباً

وَعَمروَ بنَ عَمروٍ إِذ دَعوا يا لَدارِمِ

وَعَمروَ بنَ عَمروٍ إِذ دَعوا يا لَدارِمِ

As though you had not witnessed Laqit and Hajib,

As if you did not witness Laqeet and Haajib

and 'Amr ibn 'Amr, when they cried, 'To our aid, Darim!'

And ‘Amr ibn ‘Amr when they called out, O Darim!

وَلَم تَشهَدِ الجَونَينِ وَالشِعبَ ذا الصَفا

وَلَم تَشهَدِ الجَونَينِ وَالشِعبَ ذا الصَفا

وَشَدّاتِ قَيسٍ يَومَ دَيرِ الجَماجِمِ

وَشَدّاتِ قَيسٍ يَومَ دَيرِ الجَماجِمِ

nor witnessed the two Jawns and the smooth-rock ravine,

And you did not witness Al-Jawnayn and Ash-Shi’b ath-Thafa

and Qays's charges on the day of Dayr al-Jamajim.

And the firm heroes of Qays the Day of Deer Al-Jamajim

أَكَلَّفتَ قَيساً أَن نَبا سَيفُ غالِبٍ

أَكَلَّفتَ قَيساً أَن نَبا سَيفُ غالِبٍ

وَشاعَت لَهُ أُحدوثَةٌ في المَواسِمِ

وَشاعَت لَهُ أُحدوثَةٌ في المَواسِمِ

Have you blamed Qays because Ghalib's sword failed

You tasked Qays to resound with the sword of Ghalib

and a tale about him spread at the seasonal gatherings?

And it gained currency at the seasons

بِسَيفِ أَبي رَغوانَ سَيفِ مُجاشِعٍ

بِسَيفِ أَبي رَغوانَ سَيفِ مُجاشِعٍ

ضَرَبتَ وَلَم تَضرِب بِسَيفِ اِبنِ ظالِمِ

ضَرَبتَ وَلَم تَضرِب بِسَيفِ اِبنِ ظالِمِ

With Abu Raghwan's sword, the sword of Mujashi',

With the sword of Abi Raghwaan, the sword of Mujashi’

you struck, not with Ibn Zalim's sword.

You struck, and did not strike with the sword of the son of Thaalim

ضَرَبتَ بِهِ عِندَ الإِمامِ فَأُرعِشَت

ضَرَبتَ بِهِ عِندَ الإِمامِ فَأُرعِشَت

يَداكَ وَقالوا مُحدَثٌ غَيرُ صارِمِ

يَداكَ وَقالوا مُحدَثٌ غَيرُ صارِمِ

You struck with it before the imam; trembling seized

You struck with it in the presence of the Imam, so

your hands, and they said, 'New-made, not sharp.'

Your hands quaked, and they said, an innovator, not sharp

ضَرَبتَ بِهِ عُرقوبَ نابٍ بِصَوأَرٍ

ضَرَبتَ بِهِ عُرقوبَ نابٍ بِصَوأَرٍ

وَلا تَضرِبونَ البيضَ تَحتَ الغَماغِمِ

وَلا تَضرِبونَ البيضَ تَحتَ الغَماغِمِ

You struck with it an old she-camel's hock at Saw'ar,

You struck with it ‘Urqub, a molar in Saw’ar

but you do not strike helmets beneath battle's rumbling.

And you do not strike the eggs beneath the clouds

عَنيفٌ بِهَزِّ السَيفِ قَينُ مُجاشِعٍ

عَنيفٌ بِهَزِّ السَيفِ قَينُ مُجاشِعٍ

رَفيقٌ بِأَخراتِ الفُؤوسِ الكَرازِمِ

رَفيقٌ بِأَخراتِ الفُؤوسِ الكَرازِمِ

Rough at brandishing a sword is Mujashi's smith,

Violent is Qayn of Mujashi’ in brandishing the sword

but deft with the sockets of heavy axes.

Gentle with the back of the heads of the sturdy

سَتُخبَرُ يا اِبنَ القَينِ أَنَّ رِماحَنا

سَتُخبَرُ يا اِبنَ القَينِ أَنَّ رِماحَنا

أَباحَت لَنا ما بَينَ فَلجٍ وَعائِمِ

أَباحَت لَنا ما بَينَ فَلجٍ وَعائِمِ

You will learn, son of the smith, that our spears

You will be informed, O son of Qayn, that our spears

opened to us all between Falj and 'A'im.

Made lawful for us what is between a creek and tent pegs

أَلا رُبَّ قَومٍ قَد وَفَدنا عَلَيهِمُ

أَلا رُبَّ قَومٍ قَد وَفَدنا عَلَيهِمُ

بِصُمِّ القَنا وَالمُقرَباتِ الصَلادِمِ

بِصُمِّ القَنا وَالمُقرَباتِ الصَلادِمِ

Ah, many a people we have visited

Indeed, how many a people we visited

with solid spears and stout, favored steeds.

With the silence of the spear and the solid striking

لَقَد حَظِيَت يَوماً سُلَيمٌ وَعامِرٌ

لَقَد حَظِيَت يَوماً سُلَيمٌ وَعامِرٌ

وَعَبسٌ بِتَجريدِ السُيوفِ الصَوارِمِ

وَعَبسٌ بِتَجريدِ السُيوفِ الصَوارِمِ

Sulaym and 'Amir once won good fortune,

Indeed, Sulaym, ‘Aamir and ‘Abs attained one day

and 'Abs, by drawing sharp swords.

The drawing of the cutting swords

وَعَبسٌ وَهُم يَومَ الفَروقَينِ طَرَّقوا

وَعَبسٌ وَهُم يَومَ الفَروقَينِ طَرَّقوا

بِأَسيافِهِم قُدموسَ رَأسِ صُلادِمِ

بِأَسيافِهِم قُدموسَ رَأسِ صُلادِمِ

'Abs, on the day of al-Faruqayn, battered

And ‘Abs - and when the two parties met - they

with their swords the massive head of a hulking warrior.

Pounded with their swords the skull of Suladim

وَإِنّي وَقَيساً يا اِبنَ قَينِ مُجاشِعٍ

وَإِنّي وَقَيساً يا اِبنَ قَينِ مُجاشِعٍ

كَريمٌ أُصَفّي مِدحَتي لِلأَكارِمِ

كَريمٌ أُصَفّي مِدحَتي لِلأَكارِمِ

And I, with Qays, O son of Mujashi's smith,

While I and Qays, O son of Qayn Mujashi’

am noble, reserving my praise for the noble.

Are honorable, I flatter my praise for the honorable

إِذا عُدَّتِ الأَيّامُ أَخزَيتَ دارِماً

إِذا عُدَّتِ الأَيّامُ أَخزَيتَ دارِماً

وَتُخزيكَ يا اِبنَ القَينِ أَيّامُ دارِمِ

وَتُخزيكَ يا اِبنَ القَينِ أَيّامُ دارِمِ

When battle-days are counted, you disgrace Darim,

When the days are counted, O son of Darim, you will be disgraced

and Darim's battle-days disgrace you, smith's son.

And the days, O son of Al-Qayn, will disgrace you

أَلَم تُعطِ غَصباً ذا الرُقَيبَةِ حُكمَهُ

أَلَم تُعطِ غَصباً ذا الرُقَيبَةِ حُكمَهُ

وَمُنيَةُ قَيسٍ في نَصيبِ الزَهادِمِ

وَمُنيَةُ قَيسٍ في نَصيبِ الزَهادِمِ

Did you not submit under duress to Dhu al-Ruqayba's judgment,

Did you not wrongfully deprive Tha ar-Ruqaybah of his rule

while Qays's desire lay in the Zahadim's share?

While the death of Qays was in the share of the subduers?

وَأَنتُم فَرَرتُم عَن ضِرارٍ وَعَثجَلٍ

وَأَنتُم فَرَرتُم عَن ضِرارٍ وَعَثجَلٍ

وَأَسلَمَ مَسعودٌ عُداةَ الحَناتِمِ

وَأَسلَمَ مَسعودٌ عُداةَ الحَناتِمِ

You fled, abandoning Dirar and 'Athjal,

While you fled from Thirrar and ‘Athjal

and Mas'ud abandoned the enemies of the Hanatim.

And Mas’ud delivered the enemies of Hanatim

وَفي أَيِّ يَومٍ فاضِحٍ لَم تُقَرَّنوا

وَفي أَيِّ يَومٍ فاضِحٍ لَم تُقَرَّنوا

أُسارى كَتَقرينِ البِكارِ المَقاحِمِ

أُسارى كَتَقرينِ البِكارِ المَقاحِمِ

On what disgraceful day were you not bound together

And on which scandalous day were you not

as captives, like headlong young camels yoked together?

Paired as captives like the pairing of the shameless slanderers?

وَيَومَ الصَفا كُنتُم عَبيداً لِعامِرٍ

وَيَومَ الصَفا كُنتُم عَبيداً لِعامِرٍ

وَبِالحَزنِ أَصبَحتُم عَبيدَ اللَهازِمِ

وَبِالحَزنِ أَصبَحتُم عَبيدَ اللَهازِمِ

On the day of al-Safa you were slaves to 'Amir,

And the day of As-Safa you were slaves to ‘Aamir

and at al-Hazn you became slaves of the Lahazim.

And in sorrow you were slaves to the defeated

وَلَيلَةِ وادي رَحرَحانَ رَفَعتُمُ

وَلَيلَةِ وادي رَحرَحانَ رَفَعتُمُ

فِراراً وَلَم تَلوُوا رَفيفَ النَعائِمِ

فِراراً وَلَم تَلوُوا رَفيفَ النَعائِمِ

On the night in the valley of Rahrahan you sped

And the night of Wadi Rahrahaan, you fled

in flight, never turning back, fluttering like ostriches.

Without twisting the gentle ostriches

تَرَكتُم أَبا القَعقاعِ في الغُلِّ مُبعَداً

تَرَكتُم أَبا القَعقاعِ في الغُلِّ مُبعَداً

وَأَيُّ أَخٍ لَم تُسلِموا لِلأَداهِمِ

وَأَيُّ أَخٍ لَم تُسلِموا لِلأَداهِمِ

You left Abu al-Qa'qa' cast away in fetters,

You left Abu Al-Qa’qa’ distanced in captivity

and what brother have you not surrendered to black shackles?

And which brother did you not deliver to the destroyers?

تَرَكتُم مَزاداً عِندَ عَوفٍ يَقودُهُ

تَرَكتُم مَزاداً عِندَ عَوفٍ يَقودُهُ

بِرُمَّةِ مَخذولٍ عَلى الدَينِ غارِمِ

بِرُمَّةِ مَخذولٍ عَلى الدَينِ غارِمِ

You left Mazad with 'Awf, who led him

You left Mazad with ‘Awf leading him

by the worn rope of a forsaken, debt-burdened man.

In the bond of the abandoned, fined for his religion

وَلامَت قُرَيشٌ في الزُبَيرِ مُجاشِعاً

وَلامَت قُرَيشٌ في الزُبَيرِ مُجاشِعاً

وَلَم يَعذِروا مَن كانَ أَهلَ المَلاوِمِ

وَلَم يَعذِروا مَن كانَ أَهلَ المَلاوِمِ

Quraysh blamed Mujashi' over al-Zubayr,

And Quraysh blamed Al-Zubayr, sympathetic

and did not excuse those deserving blame.

And did not excuse one who was apt to stick around

وَقالَت قُرَيشٌ لَيتَ جارَ مُجاشِعٍ

وَقالَت قُرَيشٌ لَيتَ جارَ مُجاشِعٍ

دَعا شَبَثاً أَو كانَ جارَ اِبنِ خازِمِ

دَعا شَبَثاً أَو كانَ جارَ اِبنِ خازِمِ

Quraysh said, 'Would that Mujashi's neighbor

And Quraysh said, if only a sympathetic neighbor

had called Shabath, or been Ibn Khazim's neighbor.'

Called out Shabth or was a neighbor of the son of Khaazim

إِذا نَزَلوا نَجداً سَمِعتُم مَلامَةً

إِذا نَزَلوا نَجداً سَمِعتُم مَلامَةً

بِجَمعٍ مِنَ الأَعياصِ أَو آلِ هاشِمِ

بِجَمعٍ مِنَ الأَعياصِ أَو آلِ هاشِمِ

When they camp in Najd, you hear reproach

If they descend to Najd, you would hear blame

in a gathering of the A'yas or the house of Hashim:

Against a group of the grocers or the family of Hashim

أَحاديثُ رُكبانِ المَحَجَّةِ كُلَّما

أَحاديثُ رُكبانِ المَحَجَّةِ كُلَّما

تَأَوَّهنَ خوصاً دامِياتِ المَناسِمِ

تَأَوَّهنَ خوصاً دامِياتِ المَناسِمِ

tales of riders on the highroad, whenever

The talk of the riders of pilgrimage, whenever

their sunken-eyed camels groan, their footpads bleeding.

They sigh over Khuws, bloody wounds

وَجارَت عَلَيكُم في الحُكومَةِ مِنقَرٌ

وَجارَت عَلَيكُم في الحُكومَةِ مِنقَرٌ

كَما جارَ عَوفٌ في قَتيلِ الصَماصِمِ

كَما جارَ عَوفٌ في قَتيلِ الصَماصِمِ

Minqar wronged you in arbitration,

And ‘Awf gained mastery over you in governance

as 'Awf was unjust over the man slain by keen swords.

As ‘Awf gained mastery over the slain of As-Samasim

وَأَخزاكُمُ عَوفٌ كَما قَد خَزيتُمُ

وَأَخزاكُمُ عَوفٌ كَما قَد خَزيتُمُ

وَأَدرَكَ عَمّارٌ تِراتِ البَراجِمِ

وَأَدرَكَ عَمّارٌ تِراتِ البَراجِمِ

'Awf disgraced you, as you had already been disgraced,

And ‘Awf disgraced you as you have been disgraced

and 'Ammar avenged the blood-debts of the Barajim.

And ‘Ammar attained the flesh of Al-Barajim

لَقَد ذُقتَ مِنّي طَعمَ حَربٍ مَريرَةٍ

لَقَد ذُقتَ مِنّي طَعمَ حَربٍ مَريرَةٍ

وَما أَنتَ إِن جارَيتَ قَيساً بِسالِمِ

وَما أَنتَ إِن جارَيتَ قَيساً بِسالِمِ

You have tasted from me the flavor of bitter war,

Indeed, you have tasted from me a bitter war

and you will not be safe if you rival Qays.

And you, if you contend with Qays, are not safe

قُفَيرَةُ مِن قِنٍّ لِسَلمى اِبنِ جَندَلٍ

قُفَيرَةُ مِن قِنٍّ لِسَلمى اِبنِ جَندَلٍ

أَبوكَ اِبنُها بَينَ الإِماءِ الخَوادِمِ

أَبوكَ اِبنُها بَينَ الإِماءِ الخَوادِمِ

Qufayra came of a born slave of Salma ibn Jandal;

An ignoble one from the maids of Salma bint Jundal

your father is her son, among the serving slave-women.

Your father was her son among the serving maids

سَيُخبَرُ ما أَبلَت سُيوفُ مُجاشِعٍ

سَيُخبَرُ ما أَبلَت سُيوفُ مُجاشِعٍ

ذَوي الحاجِ وَالمُستَعمَلاتِ الرَواسِمِ

ذَوي الحاجِ وَالمُستَعمَلاتِ الرَواسِمِ

It will be told how Mujashi's swords wore down

It will be related what the swords of Mujashi’ have tested

people in need and hard-worked, swiftly striding mounts.

Possessors of need and hired hands of officials