كَمْhow many بَطَلٍa hero أَمْسىreached evening وَلَمْand did not يَسْمُرِconverse at night
كَمْ بَطَلٍ أَمْسى وَلَمْ يَسْمُرِ
تَحْتَbeneath هِلالِthe crescent of الرَّحْمةِmercy الأَحّمَرِthe red
تَحْتَ هِلالِ الرَّحْمةِ الأَحّمَرِ
How many a hero has met evening without evening converse,
Beneath the red crescent of mercy.
هَوَىfell صَرِيعاًstricken لَمْdid not تَنَلْهُtouch him يَدٌa hand
هَوَى صَرِيعاً لَمْ تَنَلْهُ يَدٌ
فِيon مِعْصَمٍa wrist مِنْهُof his وَلاnor مُنْحَرِa throat
فِي مِعْصَمٍ مِنْهُ وَلا مُنْحَرِ
He fell stricken, untouched by any hand
Upon his wrist or at his throat.
وَلَوْand if تغَشَّاهُoverwhelmed him العِدَىthe enemies لانْثَنَوْاthey would have recoiled
وَلَوْ تغَشَّاهُ العِدَى لانْثَنَوْا
مُقْبِلُهُمْtheir advancing man يَعْثرُstumbles بِالْمُدبِرِover the retreating one
مُقْبِلُهُمْ يَعْثرُ بِالْمُدبِرِ
Had enemies overwhelmed him, they would have recoiled,
Their advancing men stumbling over those in retreat.
لَكِنْbut دهَتْهُstruck him مِنْfrom عَلٍabove كُتْلَةٌa mass
لَكِنْ دهَتْهُ مِنْ عَلٍ كُتْلَةٌ
مُرْسلَةٌdispatched مِنْfrom قَاذِفٍa launcher مُبْحِرِat sea
مُرْسلَةٌ مِنْ قَاذِفٍ مُبْحِرِ
But a mass from on high struck him down,
Dispatched from a launcher at sea.
هَبتْsurged up وَقدْand already مَدّتْhad spread شَظَايَاsplinters لَظىًflame
هَبتْ وَقدْ مَدّتْ شَظَايَا لَظىً
نَاشِبَةًpiercing فِيin الْجَوِّthe air كَالْمِنْسَرِlike a raptor's beak
نَاشِبَةً فِي الْجَوِّ كَالْمِنْسَرِ
It surged up, having spread splinters of flame,
Piercing the air like a raptor's beak.
ثُمَّthen ارْتَمَتْhurled itself down تَصْدَعُcleaving مَنْwhoever صَادَفَتْit met
ثُمَّ ارْتَمَتْ تَصْدَعُ مَنْ صَادَفَتْ
فِيat المُرْتَمَىthe impact-site مِنْfrom حيْثُwhere لَمْdid not يَنْظُرِlook
فِي المُرْتَمَى مِنْ حيْثُ لَمْ يَنْظُرِ
Then hurled itself down, cleaving whoever it met
Where it fell, from a direction he had not watched.
لَهْفِيmy grief عَلىfor الْعَانِيthe sufferer وَمَاand does not يَشْتَكِيcomplain
لَهْفِي عَلى الْعَانِي وَمَا يَشْتَكِي
وَلَيْسَand is not فِيabout عُقْبَاهُhis ultimate fate بِالْمُمْتَرِيin doubt
وَلَيْسَ فِي عُقْبَاهُ بِالْمُمْتَرِي
My grief for the sufferer, who never complains,
And has no doubt about his ultimate fate.
أَوْهَتْweakened رُجُومُthe bombardments of الْغَيْبِthe unseen أَضْلاعُهُhis ribs
أَوْهَتْ رُجُومُ الْغَيْبِ أَضْلاعُهُ
لَكِنْbut نَبَتْglanced off عنْfrom نَفْسِthe soul of مُسْتَكْبِرِa proud man
لَكِنْ نَبَتْ عنْ نَفْسِ مُسْتَكْبِرِ
Unseen bombardments have weakened his ribs,
But glanced off a proud soul.
فِيwhile حِينِindeed أَنَّthe lion اللَّيْثَif إِنْbloodies him firmly يُدْمهِin wisdom
فِي حِينِ أَنَّ اللَّيْثَ إِنْ يُدْمهِ
رَاجِمُهُthe one pelting him مِنْfrom أَلَمٍpain يَزْأَرِroars
رَاجِمُهُ مِنْ أَلَمٍ يَزْأَرِ
Whereas the lion, if bloodied
By the one pelting him, roars in pain;
وَالسَّيْفَand the sword إِنْif يُثْلَمْis notched لهُit has صَلَّةٌa clang
وَالسَّيْفَ إِنْ يُثْلَمْ لهُ صَلَّةٌ
وَصَلَّةٌand a clang أَنْكَرُmore dreadful إِنْif يُكْسَرِis broken
وَصَلَّةٌ أَنْكَرُ إِنْ يُكْسَرِ
And the sword, if notched, gives a clang,
And a more dreadful clang if broken;
وَكَهْرَبَاءَand the electricity of الغَيْمِthe clouds إِنْif تَصْطَدِمُcollides
وَكَهْرَبَاءَ الغَيْمِ إِنْ تَصْطَدِمُ
بِذَاتِwith one bearing بَرْقٍlightning مِثْلِهَاlike itself تَجْأَرِroars
بِذَاتِ بَرْقٍ مِثْلِهَا تَجْأَرِ
And the clouds' electricity, if it collides
With another bearer of lightning like itself, roars.
أَمَّاas for صَرِيعُthe fallen man of الحَرْبِwar مِنْfrom جُنْدناour soldiers
أَمَّا صَرِيعُ الحَرْبِ مِنْ جُنْدنا
فَرَابِطٌso he is steadfast مَهْماwhatever يُسَمْhe is made to suffer يَصْبِرِhe endures
فَرَابِطٌ مَهْما يُسَمْ يَصْبِرِ
But the soldier of ours laid low in war
Is steadfast, enduring whatever he is made to suffer.
لَوْif ضَارَعَتْequaled قُوَّتُهُhis strength عَزْمَهُhis resolve
لَوْ ضَارَعَتْ قُوَّتُهُ عَزْمَهُ
لاقىwould face الْمُبِيدَاتِthe annihilators وَلَمْand not يُدْحَرِbe driven back
لاقى الْمُبِيدَاتِ وَلَمْ يُدْحَرِ
Had his strength equaled his resolve,
He would have faced annihilating forces without being driven back,
مُنْتَفِياًnullified بَأْسُthe might of الْعَوَادِيthe assailants بِهby him
مُنْتَفِياً بَأْسُ الْعَوَادِي بِه
كَمَاas انْتفىwas nullified الْعُنْصُرُthe element بِالْعُنْصُرِby the element
كَمَا انْتفى الْعُنْصُرُ بِالْعُنْصُرِ
The assailants' might nullified by him,
As one element is nullified by another.
أُنْظُرْlook إِلىat الآسِيthe healer مُلِمّاًattending بِهto him
أُنْظُرْ إِلى الآسِي مُلِمّاً بِه
يُجِيلُturns فِيهupon him طَرفَthe gaze of مُسْتَعْبِرِone moved to tears
يُجِيلُ فِيه طَرفَ مُسْتَعْبِرِ
Look at the healer attending him,
Turning upon him the gaze of one moved to tears,
حُزْناًin grief عَلىfor ذَاكَthat الجَرِيحِwounded man الَّذيwho
حُزْناً عَلى ذَاكَ الجَرِيحِ الَّذي
يَجِفُّwithers سُقْماًfrom sickness فِيin الصبَاyouth الأَنْضَرِthe freshest
يَجِفُّ سُقْماً فِي الصبَا الأَنْضَرِ
Grieving for that wounded man who
Withers with sickness in youth's freshest bloom,
وذِلكَand that المجدِglory طَرِيحاًlying prostrate عَلىupon
وذِلكَ المجدِ طَرِيحاً عَلى
مَهْدthe cradle of الضَّنَىwasting illness فِيin سَبْسَبٍa wilderness مُقْفِرِdesolate
مَهْد الضَّنَى فِي سَبْسَبٍ مُقْفِرِ
And for that glory laid prostrate upon
A cradle of wasting illness in a desolate wilderness,
تحتbeneath سِرَاجٍa lamp حَائِلٍfading رَاجِفٍtrembling
تحت سِرَاجٍ حَائِلٍ رَاجِفٍ
أَنَّىwherever تُخَطِّرْهُmakes it sway الصَّباthe east wind يَخْطُرِit sways
أَنَّى تُخَطِّرْهُ الصَّبا يَخْطُرِ
Beneath a dim and trembling lamp,
Swaying wherever the east wind makes it sway.
يُضِيءُgives light شُحّاًsparingly ودِماءَand the blood of الفَتَىthe youth
يُضِيءُ شُحّاً ودِماءَ الفَتَى
تَفِيضُflows مِنfrom يَاقُوتِهَاits ruby الأَحْمَرِthe red
تَفِيضُ مِن يَاقُوتِهَا الأَحْمَرِ
It gives its light sparingly, while the young man's blood
Flows from its crimson ruby.
فِيin النَّطْفَةِthe drop الْحَمْراَءthe red مِنْfrom نَضْحِهاits oozing
فِي النَّطْفَةِ الْحَمْراَء مِنْ نَضْحِها
وقْدٌa blaze كَوقْدِlike the blaze of الحَوْمةِthe battlefield المُسْعَرِkindled
وقْدٌ كَوقْدِ الحَوْمةِ المُسْعَرِ
In the red drop of its oozing
Is a blaze like the kindled blaze of battle.
لَوْif لَمْnot يَكُنْthere were حَرٌّheat كَفَىwould suffice حَرُّهَاits heat
لَوْ لَمْ يَكُنْ حَرٌّ كَفَى حَرُّهَا
أَوْor لَمْnot يَكُنْthere were ضوْءٌlight كَفَىwould suffice مَاwhat ترِيit reveals
أَوْ لَمْ يَكُنْ ضوْءٌ كَفَى مَا ترِي
Were there no heat, its heat would suffice;
Or were there no light, what it reveals would suffice.
ياO أَيُّهَاyou الصَّرْعَىthe fallen جُعِلْنَاmay we be made فِدَىa ransom for
يا أَيُّهَا الصَّرْعَى جُعِلْنَا فِدَى
كُلِّevery شُجَاعٍbrave man مِنْكُمُamong you عَبْقَرِيpeerless
كُلِّ شُجَاعٍ مِنْكُمُ عَبْقَرِي
O you fallen, may we be the ransom
Of every brave and peerless man among you!
هَيْهَاتَfar from it يُغْنِيcan suffice نَاعِمٌa pampered man خَامِلٌidle
هَيْهَاتَ يُغْنِي نَاعِمٌ خَامِلٌ
مِنْin place of خَشِنٍa hardy man يوْمَon the day of التنَادِيthe summons سَرِيnoble
مِنْ خَشِنٍ يوْمَ التنَادِي سَرِي
Far be it that a pampered idler should suffice
In place of a hardy, noble man on the day of the summons.
أثرْتُمُyou chose الْمُثْلىthe best لَكُمْfor yourselves خُطَّةًa course
أثرْتُمُ الْمُثْلى لَكُمْ خُطَّةً
وَمَنْand whoever يُخَيَّرْis given a choice فِيamong الْمُنَىwishes يَخْتَرِchooses
وَمَنْ يُخَيَّرْ فِي الْمُنَى يَخْتَرِ
You chose for yourselves the noblest course,
And whoever is offered a choice of wishes chooses.
فَكَانso it was أَسْمَىthe loftiest الفَخْرِglory مَاwhat ابْتَعْتُمُyou bought
فَكَان أَسْمَى الفَخْرِ مَا ابْتَعْتُمُ
وَكَانَand it was أَدْنَىthe lowest العَيْشِlivelihood مَاwhat نَشْتَريwe buy
وَكَانَ أَدْنَى العَيْشِ مَا نَشْتَري
So the loftiest glory was what you bought,
While the lowliest livelihood is what we buy.
أَجْراًa reward وِفاقاًfitting وَالعُلىand greatness فِدْيَةٌa ransom
أَجْراً وِفاقاً وَالعُلى فِدْيَةٌ
وَلاand no عُلىgreatness فِيin خِدْعَةِthe trickery of المَيْسَرِgambling
وَلا عُلى فِي خِدْعَةِ المَيْسَرِ
A fitting reward; greatness comes at a ransom,
And no greatness lies in the trickery of gambling.
مَنْwhoever تَسْتَطِلْoutlast آثَارُهُhis deeds عُمْرَهُhis lifespan
مَنْ تَسْتَطِلْ آثَارُهُ عُمْرَهُ
يَطُلْlives long فَإِنْthen if تَقْصُرْfall short بِهof it يَقْصُرِis short-lived
يَطُلْ فَإِنْ تَقْصُرْ بِه يَقْصُرِ
He whose deeds outlast his lifespan
Lives long; if they fall short of it, he is short-lived.
هَلْcan يَسْتَوِيbe equal مُسْتَبْسِلٌa fearless fighter مُنْجِدٌa rescuer
هَلْ يَسْتَوِي مُسْتَبْسِلٌ مُنْجِدٌ
وَآمِنٌand one secure يَقْمِرُgambles فِيin مَقْمِرِa gaming house
وَآمِنٌ يَقْمِرُ فِي مَقْمِرِ
Can a fearless fighter who comes to aid be equal
To one secure, gambling in a gaming house?
يَاO مَعْشَرَcompany of الْعُرْبِthe Arabs الْكِرَامِthe noble الأُولىthose who
يَا مَعْشَرَ الْعُرْبِ الْكِرَامِ الأُولى
بِهِمْthrough them أُباهِيI vie in pride with كُلَّevery ذِيpossessor of معْشَرِa people
بِهِمْ أُباهِي كُلَّ ذِي معْشَرِ
O company of noble Arabs, those
In whom I take pride before all who have a people!
يَاO أُمَّةًa nation أَنْكَرْتُI condemned تَفْرِيطَهَاher negligence
يَا أُمَّةً أَنْكَرْتُ تَفْرِيطَهَا
إِنْكَارَthe condemnation of لاnot قَالٍa hater وَلاnor مُزْدَرِa scorner
إِنْكَارَ لا قَالٍ وَلا مُزْدَرِ
O nation whose negligence I have condemned,
Not with the condemnation of a hater or a scorner,
بِصِدْقِwith the sincerity of مَنْone who يُوِقظُawakens حِبّاًa beloved لَهُof his
بِصِدْقِ مَنْ يُوِقظُ حِبّاً لَهُ
وَقَدْand already غَفَاhas dozed عَنunaware of طارِيءٍan unexpected arrival مُنْذرِominous
وَقَدْ غَفَا عَن طارِيءٍ مُنْذرِ
But with the sincerity of one waking someone he loves,
Who has slept, unaware of an ominous arrival.
كمْhow often بِتَّI spent the night أَسْتَشْفِعُseeking intercession مِنْهَاfrom her لَهَاfor her
كمْ بِتَّ أَسْتَشْفِعُ مِنْهَا لَهَا
وَنوْمُهَاand her sleep مِنْbecause of رَيْبِهِits uncertainty مُسْهِرِيkeeps me awake
وَنوْمُهَا مِنْ رَيْبِهِ مُسْهِرِي
How often I spent the night seeking her intercession for herself,
Her sleep, with all its uncertainty, keeping me awake.
أَقُولُI say هَلْhas مِنْany رَقْدَةٍslumber قَبْلَهاbefore it
أَقُولُ هَلْ مِنْ رَقْدَةٍ قَبْلَها
بِغَيْرِكِin anyone but you امْتَدَّتlasted إِلىfor أَعصُرِages
بِغَيْرِكِ امْتَدَّت إِلى أَعصُرِ
I ask: has any slumber before this
In anyone but you stretched through ages?
أَلَمْhave you not تَرَيْseen أَنَّthat قَرَارَresting through الضُّحَىthe morning
أَلَمْ تَرَيْ أَنَّ قَرَارَ الضُّحَى
غُرْمٌloss وَأَنَّand that الغنْمgain لِلْمُبْكِرِbelongs to the early riser
غُرْمٌ وَأَنَّ الغنْم لِلْمُبْكِرِ
Have you not seen that resting through the morning
Is loss, and that gain belongs to the early riser?
يَاO أُمَّةًa nation تَارِيخُهَاher history حَافِلٌis full
يَا أُمَّةً تَارِيخُهَا حَافِلٌ
بِالآيof wonders مِنْfrom مُبْتَدَإِthe beginning of الأَدْهُرِthe ages
بِالآي مِنْ مُبْتَدَإِ الأَدْهُرِ
O nation whose history is filled
With wonders from the beginning of ages,
مِنْfrom عَهْدِthe era of قحْطَانَQahtan تِبَاعاًin succession إِلىto
مِنْ عَهْدِ قحْطَانَ تِبَاعاً إِلى
قَيْسِQays بْنِson of شيْبَانَShayban إِلىto عَنْترِAntar
قَيْسِ بْنِ شيْبَانَ إِلى عَنْترِ
From the age of Qahtan, in succession, to
Qays ibn Shayban, and to Antar,
إِلىto اليَتِيمِthe orphan القرَشِيِّthe Qurayshi الَّذِيwho
إِلى اليَتِيمِ القرَشِيِّ الَّذِي
أَعْجَزَoutmatched بِالرَّأْيthrough counsel وَبِالأَبْتَرِand with the short sword
أَعْجَزَ بِالرَّأْي وَبِالأَبْتَرِ
To the Qurayshi orphan who
Outmatched all through counsel and the short sword,
إِلىto العَمِيدِthe leader المُجتبَىchosen بَعْدَهُafter him
إِلى العَمِيدِ المُجتبَى بَعْدَهُ
وَشَيْخِهَاand her elder بِالعَقْلِin wisdom وَالمَخْبَرِand proven character
وَشَيْخِهَا بِالعَقْلِ وَالمَخْبَرِ
To the leader chosen after him,
And her elder in wisdom and proven character,
إِلىto الَّذِيthe one who لمْnot يُلْفَwas found نِدٌّan equal لَهُto him
إِلى الَّذِي لمْ يُلْفَ نِدٌّ لَهُ
فِيamong مَالِكٍa ruler بِالعَدْلِthrough justice مُسْتْعمِرٍcultivating his realm
فِي مَالِكٍ بِالعَدْلِ مُسْتْعمِرٍ
To him for whom no peer was found
Among rulers cultivating their realms through justice,
إِلىto ابْنِson of عفَّانَAffan وَفِيمَاand in what تَلاhe recited
إِلى ابْنِ عفَّانَ وَفِيمَا تَلا
دِمَاؤُهُhis blood تَجْرِيflows عَلىalong الأَسْطُرِthe lines
دِمَاؤُهُ تَجْرِي عَلى الأَسْطُرِ
To Ibn Affan, while over what he recited
His blood runs along the lines,
إِلىto عَلِيٍّAli سيْفِهاher sword فِيin الوَغَىbattle
إِلى عَلِيٍّ سيْفِها فِي الوَغَى
وَصَوتِهَاand her voice المَسْمُوعِheard فِيat المِنْبَرِthe pulpit
وَصَوتِهَا المَسْمُوعِ فِي المِنْبَرِ
To Ali, her sword in battle,
And her voice heard from the pulpit,
إِلىto نُجُومٍstars عَزَّproved difficult إِحْصَاؤُهَاtheir enumeration
إِلى نُجُومٍ عَزَّ إِحْصَاؤُهَا
مِنْamong قَادَةٍleaders غُرٍillustrious وَمِنْand among عَسْكَرِthe soldiery
مِنْ قَادَةٍ غُرٍ وَمِنْ عَسْكَرِ
To stars too numerous to count,
Among illustrious leaders and soldiers,
وَمِنْand among أُولِيmen of حَزْمٍresolve أَدَارُواthey turned بِهِwith it
وَمِنْ أُولِي حَزْمٍ أَدَارُوا بِهِ
مَرَافِقَthe affairs of الدُّنْيَاthe world عَلىupon مِحْوَرِa pivot
مَرَافِقَ الدُّنْيَا عَلى مِحْوَرِ
And men of resolve who, through it, set
The world's affairs turning upon a pivot,
وَمِنْand among أُولِيmen of عِلْمٍknowledge أَفَاضُواpoured forth هُدىguidance
وَمِنْ أُولِي عِلْمٍ أَفَاضُوا هُدى
عَلىupon النُّهىminds مِنْfrom نُورِهِits light الأَزْهَرِradiant
عَلى النُّهى مِنْ نُورِهِ الأَزْهَرِ
And men of knowledge who poured guidance
Upon minds from its radiant light.
ذِلكَthat مَاwhat كُنْتُI used to عَلىinto سَمْعِهَاher hearing
ذِلكَ مَا كُنْتُ عَلى سَمْعِهَا
أُلقِيهِutter it إِنْif أُسْرِرْI speak privately وَإِنْand if أَجْهَرِI speak aloud
أُلقِيهِ إِنْ أُسْرِرْ وَإِنْ أَجْهَرِ
That is what I would, within her hearing,
Utter, whether softly or aloud.
وَطَالَمَاand often عُدْتُI returned وَبِيand within me حُزْنُthe grief of مَنْone who
وَطَالَمَا عُدْتُ وَبِي حُزْنُ مَنْ
حَاوَلَtried إِحْسَاناًto do good فَلَمْbut did not يَقْدِرِmanage
حَاوَلَ إِحْسَاناً فَلَمْ يَقْدِرِ
And often I returned bearing the grief of one
Who tried to do good but could not,
سَهْرَانُsleepless لَكِنَّbut رَجَائِيmy hope بِهَاin her
سَهْرَانُ لَكِنَّ رَجَائِي بِهَا
يُؤنِسُنِيcomforts me فِيin لَيْلِيَmy night الأَعْكَرِthe darkest
يُؤنِسُنِي فِي لَيْلِيَ الأَعْكَرِ
Sleepless, yet my hope in her
Keeps me company in my darkest night.
كَالْكَوْكَبِlike the star الثَّابِتِfixed فِيat قُطْبِهِits pole
كَالْكَوْكَبِ الثَّابِتِ فِي قُطْبِهِ
يَسْطَعُshines فِيin فِكْرِيmy thoughts وَفِيand in مَنْظَرِيmy sight
يَسْطَعُ فِي فِكْرِي وَفِي مَنْظَرِي
Like a star fixed at its pole,
It shines within my thoughts and in my sight.
عَاتَبْتُهَاI reproached her حَتَّىuntil إِذَاwhen رُوِّعَتْshe was frightened
عَاتَبْتُهَا حَتَّى إِذَا رُوِّعَتْ
بِطَيْفِby a specter of شَرٍevil أَشْعَثٍdisheveled أَغْبَرِdust-covered
بِطَيْفِ شَرٍ أَشْعَثٍ أَغْبَرِ
I reproached her until, when she was terrified
By a specter of evil, disheveled and dust-covered,
مُعَفَّرِdust-covered الْهَامِheads خَئُونِtreacherous الخُطَىfootsteps
مُعَفَّرِ الْهَامِ خَئُونِ الخُطَى
جَمٍabundant مِنَin العُدَّةٍequipment مُسْتَكْثِرِever amassing more
جَمٍ مِنَ العُدَّةٍ مُسْتَكْثِرِ
Dust-covered of head, treacherous of step,
Abundantly supplied with arms, ever gathering more,
مُنْطَادِan airship جَوٍّof the air فَارِسٍa horseman رَاجِلٍa foot soldier
مُنْطَادِ جَوٍّ فَارِسٍ رَاجِلٍ
خَوَّاضِplunging through بَحْرٍthe sea فِيin الدُّجَىdarkness مُبْصِرِseeing
خَوَّاضِ بَحْرٍ فِي الدُّجَى مُبْصِرِ
A skyborne airship, a horseman, a foot soldier,
A plunger through the sea, seeing in the dark,
قُلْتُI said لَقَدْindeed حَلَّhas arrived المُصَابُthe calamity الَّذِيthat
قُلْتُ لَقَدْ حَلَّ المُصَابُ الَّذِي
يُوِقظُهَاawakens her يَاO نَفْسُmy soul فَاسْتَبْشِريso rejoice
يُوِقظُهَا يَا نَفْسُ فَاسْتَبْشِري
I said: the calamity has truly come that
Will awaken her; rejoice, my soul!
مَاno لِشُعُوبٍfor peoples جَمَدَتْhave stagnated بَاعِثٌawakener
مَا لِشُعُوبٍ جَمَدَتْ بَاعِثٌ
كَالخَطْبِlike calamity مَهْمَاhowever يَطْوِهاit folds them تُنْشَرِthey are unfolded
كَالخَطْبِ مَهْمَا يَطْوِها تُنْشَرِ
For peoples frozen still, there is no awakener
Like calamity: however it folds them, they unfold.
يَاO أُمَّتِيmy nation أَرْضَيْتِyou have pleased عَنْكِwith you العُلىgreatness
يَا أُمَّتِي أَرْضَيْتِ عَنْكِ العُلى
وَاثِبَةًleaping بِالطَّارِقِat the intruder المُنْكَرِthe dreadful
وَاثِبَةً بِالطَّارِقِ المُنْكَرِ
O my nation, you have won greatness's approval,
Leaping upon the dreadful intruder,
كَوَثْبِكِlike your leap المَعْهُودِaccustomed مِنْfrom سَالِفٍthe past
كَوَثْبِكِ المَعْهُودِ مِنْ سَالِفٍ
أَيَّامَin days when يَأْبَىrefuses العَزْمُresolve أَنْthat تَصْبُرِيyou endure patiently
أَيَّامَ يَأْبَى العَزْمُ أَنْ تَصْبُرِي
As in your accustomed leaps of old,
In days when resolve would not let you endure patiently.
جَافَيْتِyou shunned مَهْدَthe cradle of الذُّلِّhumiliation مُعْتَزَّةًproudly
جَافَيْتِ مَهْدَ الذُّلِّ مُعْتَزَّةً
فَطاوِلِيso vie with الدُّنْيَاthe world ولاand do not تُقْصِرِيfall short
فَطاوِلِي الدُّنْيَا ولا تُقْصِرِي
Proudly, you have shunned the cradle of humiliation;
So vie with the world, and do not fall short.
عُودِيreturn إِلىto مَجْدِكِyour glory مَحْسُودَةًenvied
عُودِي إِلى مَجْدِكِ مَحْسُودَةً
وَفَاخِرِيand vie in glory مَحْمُودَةًpraised وَافْخَرِيand take pride
وَفَاخِرِي مَحْمُودَةً وَافْخَرِي
Return to your glory, envied,
And, praised, vie in glory and take pride.
سُودِيrule كمَاas سُدْتِyou ruled قَدِيماًlong ago بِلاwithout
سُودِي كمَا سُدْتِ قَدِيماً بِلا
حَدٍa boundary مِنَof الشُّمِّlofty mountains ولاnor الأَبحُرِseas
حَدٍ مِنَ الشُّمِّ ولا الأَبحُرِ
Rule as you ruled of old, without
Boundaries of lofty mountains or seas.
مَاnot بِكِamong you صُعْلُوكٌa pauper فأَيٌّthen whoever بدَاappears
مَا بِكِ صُعْلُوكٌ فأَيٌّ بدَا
أَمْرٌauthority لهُfor him فيamong النَّاسِthe people فَلْيأْمُرِso let him command
أَمْرٌ لهُ في النَّاسِ فَلْيأْمُرِ
There is no pauper among you; whoever gains
Authority among the people, let him command.
وَكُلand every قَدْمٍbold man فيكِamong you أَوْor عَالِمٍscholar
وَكُل قَدْمٍ فيكِ أَوْ عَالِمٍ
مَاhowever much شَاءَhe wishes أَنْto يَكْبُرَbecome great فَلْيكْبُرِso let him become great
مَا شَاءَ أَنْ يَكْبُرَ فَلْيكْبُرِ
And every bold man or scholar among you,
However great he wishes to become, let him grow great.
اللّهُGod فِيamong أَبْطاِلكِyour heroes الصَّيدِthe noble مِنْamong
اللّهُ فِي أَبْطاِلكِ الصَّيدِ مِنْ
دُهاةِmasters of حْربٍwar غُيَّبٍthe absent حُضَّرِthe present
دُهاةِ حْربٍ غُيَّبٍ حُضَّرِ
God be with your noble heroes, among
Masters of war, absent and present.
إِذاwhen عدَاcharges فاِرسُهُمtheir horseman أَسْفرَتْreveals
إِذا عدَا فاِرسُهُم أَسْفرَتْ
عَنْof مِلكٍa dominion عَاصِفةُthe storm of العِثْيَرِdust
عَنْ مِلكٍ عَاصِفةُ العِثْيَرِ
When their horseman charges, there is revealed
A dominion by the storm of dust.
يُهَاجِمُattacks المِدْفعَthe cannon فِيin غِيلِهِits lair
يُهَاجِمُ المِدْفعَ فِي غِيلِهِ
كَالْقَشْعَمِlike a great eagle السَّاطِيswooping عَلىupon قسْوَرِa lion
كَالْقَشْعَمِ السَّاطِي عَلى قسْوَرِ
He attacks the cannon in its lair,
Like a great eagle swooping upon a lion.
فَماso did not درَىknow المُطْلِقُthe gunner إِلاَّuntil وَقَدْand already
فَما درَى المُطْلِقُ إِلاَّ وَقَدْ
أَصْبَحَhe has become فِيin أَصْفَادِthe fetters of مُسْتَأْسِرِa captor
أَصْبَحَ فِي أَصْفَادِ مُسْتَأْسِرِ
The gunner realizes nothing until he
Finds himself in a captor's fetters,
وَاللَّيْثُand the lion غُنْمٌis booty فِيin يَدَيْthe two hands of غَانِمٍa victor
وَاللَّيْثُ غُنْمٌ فِي يَدَيْ غَانِمٍ
يُحْمَلُis carried كَالشيْءِlike a thing الْخَفِيفِlight الزَّرِيpaltry
يُحْمَلُ كَالشيْءِ الْخَفِيفِ الزَّرِي
And the lion is booty in the hands of a victor,
Carried like a light and paltry thing.
فَإِنْso if مَشىwalks راجِلهُمْtheir foot soldier طَاوِياًfolding
فَإِنْ مَشى راجِلهُمْ طَاوِياً
مِئْزَرَهُhis waistcloth فالْحَتْفُthen death فِيin المِئْزَرِthe waistcloth
مِئْزَرَهُ فالْحَتْفُ فِي المِئْزَرِ
And if their foot soldier walks, folding
His waistcloth, death is in that cloth,
كالفَهْدِlike a cheetah إِنْif يَقْفِزْhe leaps وَكَالْهِرِّand like a cat إِنْif
كالفَهْدِ إِنْ يَقْفِزْ وَكَالْهِرِّ إِنْ
يَهْبِطْhe lands وَشِبْهُand like الْحُوتِthe whale إِنْif يَعْبُرِhe crosses
يَهْبِطْ وَشِبْهُ الْحُوتِ إِنْ يَعْبُرِ
Like a cheetah when he leaps, and like a cat when
He lands, and like a whale when he crosses.
وَحَيْثُand wherever يُلْفَىis found رَاقِباًwatching صَيْدهُhis prey
وَحَيْثُ يُلْفَى رَاقِباً صَيْدهُ
غَابَis hidden عَلىfrom الصَّيْدِthe prey فلَمْso did not يَنْفُرِbolt
غَابَ عَلى الصَّيْدِ فلَمْ يَنْفُرِ
And wherever he is found watching his prey,
He is hidden from the prey, so it does not bolt.
يَكْتُمُهُconceals him مَوْضِعُهُhis position فَهْوَso he is فِيin
يَكْتُمُهُ مَوْضِعُهُ فَهْوَ فِي
حَشَاهُits breast كَالذمَّةِlike a covenant لَمْnot تُخْفَرِwas violated
حَشَاهُ كَالذمَّةِ لَمْ تُخْفَرِ
His hiding place conceals him; he is within
Its breast like a covenant never broken.
وَلاand not يَرُوعُterrifies الْقوْمَthe people مِنْfrom بَطْشِهِhis assault
وَلا يَرُوعُ الْقوْمَ مِنْ بَطْشِهِ
أَدْهَىmore fearsome مِنَthan الْبَغْتَةِsurprise إِذْwhen يَنْبَرِيhe springs forth
أَدْهَى مِنَ الْبَغْتَةِ إِذْ يَنْبَرِي
And nothing in his assault terrifies the enemy
More fearfully than surprise, when he springs forth,
حَيْثُwhere الثَّرَىthe ground مَاwhat عَهِدُواthey have known ظَاهِراًoutwardly
حَيْثُ الثَّرَى مَا عَهِدُوا ظَاهِراً
لكِنَّهُbut it ذُوpossesses خَطَرٍdanger مُضْمَرِhidden
لكِنَّهُ ذُو خَطَرٍ مُضْمَرِ
Where the ground is outwardly as they know it,
Yet it holds a hidden danger.
والغَوْرُand the hollow صَاغِيlistening الأذْنِof ear والغَارُand the cave ذوpossesses
والغَوْرُ صَاغِي الأذْنِ والغَارُ ذو
إِنْسَانِa pupil عَيْنٍof an eye دَارَturned فِيin مَحْجِرِan eye socket
إِنْسَانِ عَيْنٍ دَارَ فِي مَحْجِرِ
The hollow has a listening ear, and the cave has
A pupil turning in an eye socket.
فَبَيْنَمَاso while هُمthey فِيin ضَلالٍbewilderment وَقَدْand already
فَبَيْنَمَا هُم فِي ضَلالٍ وَقَدْ
تَهَادَتِswayed gently الأَظْهُرُthe backs بِالأَظْهُرِagainst backs
تَهَادَتِ الأَظْهُرُ بِالأَظْهُرِ
And while they are bewildered, with
Backs swaying against backs,
إِذْsuddenly أَخَذَتْهُمْseized them صَيْحَةٌa cry مِنْfrom عَلٍabove
إِذْ أَخَذَتْهُمْ صَيْحَةٌ مِنْ عَلٍ
تَنْقَضُّswoops down أَوْor تَطْفِرُleaps مِنْfrom مَطْفِرِa launching-place
تَنْقَضُّ أَوْ تَطْفِرُ مِنْ مَطْفِرِ
Suddenly a cry seizes them from above,
Swooping down or springing from a launching-place.
فَافْترَقُواso they scattered وَاسْتبْقُواand they raced شُزباًlean steeds
فَافْترَقُوا وَاسْتبْقُوا شُزباً
ناجِينَescaping مِنfrom قَارِعَةِthe thunderstroke of المَحْشَرِthe Gathering
ناجِينَ مِن قَارِعَةِ المَحْشَرِ
Then they scatter and race their lean steeds,
Escaping the thunderstroke of the Gathering.
لَكِنَّمَاbut تَسْبِقُoutstrip أَبْصَارَهُمْtheir eyes
لَكِنَّمَا تَسْبِقُ أَبْصَارَهُمْ
أَيْدٍhands تُقرُّsteady الْجأْشَthe heart فِيamong الخوَّرِthe fainthearted
أَيْدٍ تُقرُّ الْجأْشَ فِي الخوَّرِ
But their eyes are outstripped
By hands that still the hearts of the fainthearted,
نِفْطِيَّةُoil-like الْوَهْجِin blaze يَرِيsparks حَلْيُهَاtheir adornment
نِفْطِيَّةُ الْوَهْجِ يَرِي حَلْيُهَا
مِنfrom دَمِهِمْtheir blood وَالجَوُّand the air كَالعنْبِرlike ambergris
مِن دَمِهِمْ وَالجَوُّ كَالعنْبِر
Oil-bright in their blaze, their adornments spark
From their blood, while the air is like ambergris.
لاnot تُطْلِقُrelease الشُّذَّاذَthe stragglers إلاَّexcept علىupon
لا تُطْلِقُ الشُّذَّاذَ إلاَّ على
تزْكِيةِthe vindication of الْمَخْبَرِthe reported facts لِلْمُخَبِرِof the teller
تزْكِيةِ الْمَخْبَرِ لِلْمُخَبِرِ
They release no stragglers except upon
The facts' vindication of the teller,
وَأَنْand that يَسْبُّواthey curse سائِقِيهِمْthose who drove them إلىinto
وَأَنْ يَسْبُّوا سائِقِيهِمْ إلى
مَاwhat حَضَرُواthey attended مِنof رَائِعِthe terror of الْمَحْضَرِthe scene
مَا حَضَرُوا مِن رَائِعِ الْمَحْضَرِ
And their cursing those who drove them into
The terrifying scene they have witnessed.
يَاO أُمتِيmy nation مِثْلُthe like of الدِّفَاعِthe defense الَّذِيthat
يَا أُمتِي مِثْلُ الدِّفَاعِ الَّذِي
دَافَعْتِهِyou carried it out فِيin الدَّهْرِall time لَمْnot يُذْكَرِwas mentioned
دَافَعْتِهِ فِي الدَّهْرِ لَمْ يُذْكَرِ
O my nation, the like of the defense
You have mounted has never been spoken of in all time.
مِنْهُfrom it اعْلَمِيlearn أَنَّكِthat you إِنْif تَجْمَعِيunite
مِنْهُ اعْلَمِي أَنَّكِ إِنْ تَجْمَعِي
وَنَاوَأَتْكِand opposed you الجِنُّthe jinn لمnot تُقْهرِيyou are conquered
وَنَاوَأَتْكِ الجِنُّ لم تُقْهرِي
Learn from it that, if you unite,
Even if the jinn oppose you, you will not be conquered.
ثُمَّthen اعْلمِيlearn أَنَّكِthat you إِنْif تُجْمِعِيresolve firmly
ثُمَّ اعْلمِي أَنَّكِ إِنْ تُجْمِعِي
طَالِبَةًseeking أَقْصىthe utmost of المُنىwishes تَظْفَرِيyou prevail
طَالِبَةً أَقْصى المُنى تَظْفَرِي
Then learn that, if you resolve,
Seeking the utmost of your wishes, you will prevail.
حُبّاًin love لِجَرْحاكِfor your wounded وَبِرّاًand in kindness بِهِمtoward them
حُبّاً لِجَرْحاكِ وَبِرّاً بِهِم
مَاnot المالُmoney غَيْرُother than الثَّمَنِthe price الأَيْسَرِthe easiest
مَا المالُ غَيْرُ الثَّمَنِ الأَيْسَرِ
In love for your wounded and kindness toward them,
Money is but the least demanding price.
ظِلُّthe shade of هِلالِthe crescent of الْخَيرِgoodness مِنfrom فَوْقِهِمْabove them
ظِلُّ هِلالِ الْخَيرِ مِن فَوْقِهِمْ
وَيَدُand the hand of ذَاتِthe woman possessing الشَّرَفِhonor الأَطْهَرِthe purest
وَيَدُ ذَاتِ الشَّرَفِ الأَطْهَرِ
Above them is the shade of the crescent of goodness,
And the hand of the woman of purest honor.
Translation model: Sol 6.1