طَغَتْrebelled أُمَّةa nation الجَبَلِthe Mountain الأَسْوَدِthe Black
طَغَتْ أُمَّة الجَبَلِ الأَسْوَدِ
عَلَىagainst حُكْمِthe rule of فَاتِحِهَاits conqueror الأَيِّدِthe mighty
عَلَى حُكْمِ فَاتِحِهَا الأَيِّدِ
The nation of the Black Mountain rebelled
The nation of the black mountain prevailed
against its mighty conqueror's rule.
Over its conqueror’s rule
وَهَبَّتand sprang up مُنِيخَاتُthe crouching ones أَطْوَادِهَاof its great mountains
وَهَبَّت مُنِيخَاتُ أَطْوَادِهَا
نَوَاشِزَrising rebelliously كَالإِبِلِlike camels الشُّرَّدِthe runaway ones
نَوَاشِزَ كَالإِبِلِ الشُّرَّدِ
And its crouching mountains sprang up,
And its towering pillars roared
rearing like camels running wild.
Like scattered camel herds
وَأَبْلَىand fought valiantly النِّساءُthe women بَلاَءَthe valor الرِّجَof men (first part)
وَأَبْلَى النِّساءُ بَلاَءَ الرِّجَ
لِend of 'men' لَدَىin كُلِّevery مُعْتَرَكٍbattlefield أَرْبَدِdark and grim
لِ لَدَى كُلِّ مُعْتَرَكٍ أَرْبَدِ
The women fought with the valor of men
And the women endured the ordeals of men
in every dark and grim battlefield.
At every battlefield and fray
نِسَاءٌwomen لِدَانُsupple القُدُودِof figure لَهَاfor them
نِسَاءٌ لِدَانُ القُدُودِ لَهَا
خُدُودُcheeks كَزَهْرِlike flowers of الرِّيَاضِthe gardens النَّدِيdewy
خُدُودُ كَزَهْرِ الرِّيَاضِ النَّدِي
Women with supple figures, whose
Women with slender waists
cheeks were like dew-fresh garden flowers.
And cheeks like flowers in a verdant garden
تَنَظَّمwas formed مِنْfrom حُسْنِهَاtheir beauty جَنَّةٌa paradise
تَنَظَّم مِنْ حُسْنِهَا جَنَّةٌ
عَلَىupon ذَلِكَthat الجَبَلِthe mountain الأَجْرَدِthe barren
عَلَى ذَلِكَ الجَبَلِ الأَجْرَدِ
From their beauty a paradise took shape
A paradise is formed of their beauty
upon that barren mountain.
On that barren mountain
وَيَوْمٍand on a day كَأَنَّas though شُعَاعَrays of الصَّباthe morning (first part)
وَيَوْمٍ كَأَنَّ شُعَاعَ الصَّبا
حِend of 'morning' كَسَاهُclothed it مَطَارِفَfine mantles مِنْof عَسْجَدِgold
حِ كَسَاهُ مَطَارِفَ مِنْ عَسْجَدِ
And on a day when the morning's rays seemed
And a day when the rays of morning
to clothe it in mantles of gold,
Covered it with robes of silk
تَفَرَّقَتِdispersed التُّرْكُthe Turks فِيهِduring it عَصَاbands (first part)
تَفَرَّقَتِ التُّرْكُ فِيهِ عَصَا
ئِبَend of 'bands' كُلُّeach فَرِيقٍcompany عَلَىat مَرْصَدِa watchpost
ئِبَ كُلُّ فَرِيقٍ عَلَى مَرْصَدِ
the Turks dispersed that day in bands,
The Turks scattered in it like
each company at a watchpost,
Predatory packs, each on its watch
يَسُدُّونَthey block كُلَّall شِعَابِpasses of الجِبَاthe mountains (first part)
يَسُدُّونَ كُلَّ شِعَابِ الجِبَا
لِend of 'mountains' عَلَىagainst النَّازِلينَthose descending أَوْor الصُّعدِthose ascending
لِ عَلَى النَّازِلينَ أَوْ الصُّعدِ
blocking every mountain pass
Blocking every mountain pass
against those descending or climbing up.
Against climbers or descenders
أُسُودٌlions تُرَاقِبُwatch أَمْثَالَهَاtheir counterparts
أُسُودٌ تُرَاقِبُ أَمْثَالَهَا
وَلاَand not يَلْتَقُونَthey meet عَلَىat مَوْعِدِan appointed time
وَلاَ يَلْتَقُونَ عَلَى مَوْعِدِ
Lions watching for their counterparts,
Like lurking lions not meeting
yet meeting at no appointed time.
At any given rendezvous
وَكَانَand were عِدَاهُمْtheir enemies عَلَىdespite بُؤْسِهِمْtheir misery
وَكَانَ عِدَاهُمْ عَلَى بُؤْسِهِمْ
وَطُولِand the length of جِهَادِهِمُtheir struggle المُجْهِدِthe exhausting
وَطُولِ جِهَادِهِمُ المُجْهِدِ
Their enemies, despite their misery
And their enemies in their misery
and their long, exhausting struggle,
And lengthy, draining jihad
يُوَافُونَهُمْthey assail them بَغَتَاتِsudden raids of اللُّصُوthe thieves (first part)
يُوَافُونَهُمْ بَغَتَاتِ اللُّصُو
صِend of 'thieves' وَيَرْمُونَand they pelt بِالنَّارِwith fire وَالْجَلْمَدِand boulders
صِ وَيَرْمُونَ بِالنَّارِ وَالْجَلْمَدِ
would assail them in sudden raids like thieves
Would ambush them suddenly like thieves
and pelt them with fire and boulders.
Pelting them with fire and stones
وَيَفْتَرِقونَand they scatter تِجَاهَbefore الصفوthe ranks (first part)
وَيَفْتَرِقونَ تِجَاهَ الصفو
فِend of 'ranks' وَيَجْتَمِعُونَand they gather عَلَىagainst المُفْرَدِthe lone man
فِ وَيَجْتَمِعُونَ عَلَى المُفْرَدِ
They scattered before the ranks
And they would disperse left and right
and gathered against a lone man.
And regroup in solitude
وَيَمْتَنِعُونَand they take refuge بِكُلِّin every خَفِيٍّhidden place
وَيَمْتَنِعُونَ بِكُلِّ خَفِيٍّ
عَصِيٍّinaccessible عَلَىto أَمْهَرِthe most skillful الرُّوَّدِscouts
عَصِيٍّ عَلَى أَمْهَرِ الرُّوَّدِ
They took refuge in every hidden place
Taking refuge on inaccessible
beyond the reach of the most skillful scouts.
And disobedient peaks
وَأَيُّand whoever رَأَىsaw شَارِداًa straggler يَقْتَنِصْcaptures
وَأَيُّ رَأَى شَارِداً يَقْتَنِصْ
هُhim وَأَيٌّand whoever رَأَىsaw وَارِداًone approaching يَصْطَدِhunts down
هُ وَأَيٌّ رَأَى وَارِداً يَصْطَدِ
Whoever saw a straggler seized him,
Impregnable to the most skilled warriors
and whoever saw one approaching hunted him down.
And who saw a wanderer would hunt him
وَيَلْتَقِمُونَand they devour جَنَاحَthe flank of الْخَمِيthe army (first part)
وَيَلْتَقِمُونَ جَنَاحَ الْخَمِي
سِend of 'army' إِذَاwhen الْعَوْنَhelp أَعْيَىproved too difficult عَلَىfor المُنْجِدthe rescuer
سِ إِذَا الْعَوْنَ أَعْيَى عَلَى المُنْجِد
They devoured the army's flank
And who saw a visitor would trap him
when help lay beyond the rescuer's power.
And they would bite on the tail of fate
مَنَامُهُمُtheir sleep جَاثِمِينَcrouching وَقُوstanding (first part)
مَنَامُهُمُ جَاثِمِينَ وَقُو
فاًend of 'standing' وَلاَand not يَهْجَعُونَthey slumber عَلَىon مَرْقَدa bed
فاً وَلاَ يَهْجَعُونَ عَلَى مَرْقَد
Their sleep was crouching, upright,
When help failed the helper
and they never slumbered on a bed.
Their sleep crouching, never
وَمَاand no مِنْهُمُamong them لِلْعِدَىfor the enemies مُرْشدٌguide
وَمَا مِنْهُمُ لِلْعِدَى مُرْشدٌ
سِوَىexcept غَادِرٍa treacherous one سَاءَwas bad مِنْas مُرْشدa guide
سِوَى غَادِرٍ سَاءَ مِنْ مُرْشد
None of them was a guide for the enemy,
Resting on a bed
save a treacherous one—an evil guide indeed.
And none of them led the enemy
إَذَاif لَمْdid not يَقُدْهُمْhe led them إِلىto مَهْلِكٍa place of death
إَذَا لَمْ يَقُدْهُمْ إِلى مَهْلِكٍ
أَضَلَّled astray بِحِيلَتهِby his cunning المُهْتَديthe well-guided
أَضَلَّ بِحِيلَتهِ المُهْتَدي
If he did not lead them to their doom,
Except a treacherous, evil guide
his cunning led even the well-guided astray.
Who, failing to lead them to ruin
وَيَعْتَسِفُand wander blindly التُّرْكُthe Turks فِيin كُلِّevery صَوْdirection (first part)
وَيَعْتَسِفُ التُّرْكُ فِي كُلِّ صَوْ
بٍend of 'direction' فَهَذَاso this one يَرُوحُgoes in the evening وَذَاand that one يَغْتَدِيgoes at dawn
بٍ فَهَذَا يَرُوحُ وَذَا يَغْتَدِي
The Turks wandered blindly in every direction:
Misguided the guided with his tricks
one went at evening, another at dawn.
And the Turks would pillage every
وَمَاand not الترْكُthe Turks إِلاَّexcept شُيُوخُmasters of الحُرُوwars (first part)
وَمَا الترْكُ إِلاَّ شُيُوخُ الحُرُو
بِend of 'wars' وَمُرْتَضِعُوهَاand those suckled on them مِنَfrom المَوْلِدِbirth
بِ وَمُرْتَضِعُوهَا مِنَ المَوْلِدِ
Yet the Turks were none but masters of war,
Valley, one going and one returning
suckled on it from birth.
For the Turks are but elders of wars
إِذَاwhen أَلْقَحُوهاthey impregnated them الدِّمَاءَwith blood فَلاَthen no
إِذَا أَلْقَحُوها الدِّمَاءَ فَلاَ
نِتَاجَoffspring سِوَىexcept الفَخْرِpride وَالسًّؤْدُدِand preeminence
نِتَاجَ سِوَى الفَخْرِ وَالسًّؤْدُدِ
When they seeded it with blood, there was
And those who suckled it from birth
no offspring but pride and preeminence.
When they fed it blood, it yielded
سَوَاءٌall the same عَلَىfor المَجْدِglory أَيّاًwhatever تَكُنْmay be
سَوَاءٌ عَلَى المَجْدِ أَيّاً تَكُنْ
عَوَاقِبُoutcomes of إِقْدَامِهِمْtheir daring تَمْجُدِwin glory
عَوَاقِبُ إِقْدَامِهِمْ تَمْجُدِ
To glory it was all the same: whatever
Naught but pride and misery
the outcome of their daring, it brought renown.
Indifferent to the consequences
وَلَكِنَّbut قَوْماًa people يَذُودُونَthey defend عَنْon behalf of
وَلَكِنَّ قَوْماً يَذُودُونَ عَنْ
حَقِيقَتِهِمْtheir honor مِنْfrom يَدِthe hand of المُعْتَدِيthe aggressor
حَقِيقَتِهِمْ مِنْ يَدِ المُعْتَدِي
But a people who defend
Of their daring, be it glorious or condemnable
their honor from an aggressor's hand,
But a people who defend their
وَتَعْصِمُهُمْand protect them شَامِخَاتُtowering heights of الجِبَاthe mountains (first part)
وَتَعْصِمُهُمْ شَامِخَاتُ الجِبَا
لِend of 'mountains' وَكُلُّand every مَضِيقٍpass بِهَاwithin them مُوصَدِsealed shut
لِ وَكُلُّ مَضِيقٍ بِهَا مُوصَدِ
protected by the towering mountains
Truth from the transgressor's hand
and every tightly closed pass within them,
The lofty mountains protect them
وَيَدْفَعُهُمْand drives them حُبُّlove of أَوْطَانِهِمْtheir homelands
وَيَدْفَعُهُمْ حُبُّ أَوْطَانِهِمْ
وَيَجْمَعُهُمْand unites them شَرَفُnobility of المَقْصِدِthe aim
وَيَجْمَعُهُمْ شَرَفُ المَقْصِدِ
driven by love of their homelands,
And every narrow pass is blocked by them
united by the nobility of their aim—
Their love of homeland drives them
لَوِif المَوْتُDeath مَدَّstretched إِلَيْهِمْtoward them يَداًa hand
لَوِ المَوْتُ مَدَّ إِلَيْهِمْ يَداً
لَرَدوهُthey would surely repel it عَنْهُمْaway from them كَلِيلَwearied اليَدِof hand
لَرَدوهُ عَنْهُمْ كَلِيلَ اليَدِ
if Death stretched a hand toward them,
And the nobility of their purpose unites them
they would drive it away, its hand exhausted.
If death extended its hand to them
وَكَانَand there was مِنَamong التُّرْكِthe Turks جَمْعُa band القَلِيthe few (first part)
وَكَانَ مِنَ التُّرْكِ جَمْعُ القَلِي
لِend of 'few' عَلَىat رَأْسِthe top of مُنْحدَرٍa slope أَصْلَدِhard and rocky
لِ عَلَى رَأْسِ مُنْحدَرٍ أَصْلَدِ
A small band of Turks stood
They would drive it away, weakened
at the top of a hard, rocky slope,
And of the Turks was a band at the
كَثِيرِfull of الثُّلومِnotches كَأَنَّas though الفَتَىthe young man
كَثِيرِ الثُّلومِ كَأَنَّ الفَتَى
إِذَاif زَلَّhe slipped يَهْوِيhe falls عَلَىupon مِبْرَدِa rasp
إِذَا زَلَّ يَهْوِي عَلَى مِبْرَدِ
so jagged that a young man,
Head of a slippery slope, treacherous
if he slipped, would fall upon a rasp.
With a cannon mounted atop
وَقَدْand already نَصَبُواthey set up فَوْقَهُabove it مِدْفَعاًa cannon
وَقَدْ نَصَبُوا فَوْقَهُ مِدْفَعاً
يَهُزُّshakes الرَّوَاسِخَthe firm-set heights إِنْif يَرْعَدِit thunders
يَهُزُّ الرَّوَاسِخَ إِنْ يَرْعَدِ
They had set a cannon above it,
Thundering if it roared
shaking the firm-set heights whenever it thundered.
They surrounded it like lion cubs
وَحَفُّواand they gathered كَأَشْبَالِlike cubs of لَيْثٍa lion بِهِaround it
وَحَفُّوا كَأَشْبَالِ لَيْثٍ بِهِ
وَهُمْand they فِيin دِعَابٍjesting وَهُمْand they فِيin دَدِplay
وَهُمْ فِي دِعَابٍ وَهُمْ فِي دَدِ
They clustered around it like a lion's cubs,
Jesting and playing
joking and making merry.
When a descendant pounced on them
فَفَاجَأَهُمْthen surprised them هَابِطٌone descending كَالْقَضَاlike doom (first part)
فَفَاجَأَهُمْ هَابِطٌ كَالْقَضَا
ءِend of 'doom' فِيin شَكْلِthe form of غَضِّtender الصَّبيthe boy أَمْرَدِbeardless
ءِ فِي شَكْلِ غَضِّ الصَّبي أَمْرَدِ
Then one descending like doom surprised them,
In the form of a teen, beardless
in the form of a tender, beardless boy.
A lad like the sunrise in its brilliance
فَتىًa youth كَالصَّباحِlike morning بِإِشْرَاقِهِin his radiance
فَتىً كَالصَّباحِ بِإِشْرَاقِهِ
لَهُhe has لَفْتَةُthe turning glance of الرَّشَإِthe young gazelle الأَغْيَدِthe supple-necked
لَهُ لَفْتَةُ الرَّشَإِ الأَغْيَدِ
A youth radiant as the morning,
With the allure of a slender branch
with the turning glance of a supple young gazelle.
His teeth and features
يَدُلُّindicates سَنَاهُhis radiance وَسِيمَاؤُهُand his bearing
يَدُلُّ سَنَاهُ وَسِيمَاؤُهُ
عَلَىof شَرَفِnobility of الجَاهِrank وَالمَحْتَدِand ancestry
عَلَى شَرَفِ الجَاهِ وَالمَحْتَدِ
His radiance and bearing spoke
Reflect noble lineage and virtue
of noble rank and ancestry.
The rays of his light reflect
تَرُدُّturn سَوَاطِعُdazzling flashes of أَنوَارِهِhis lights
تَرُدُّ سَوَاطِعُ أَنوَارِهِ
سَلِيمَone sound in النَّوَاظِرِthe eyes كالأَرْمَدِlike the sore-eyed
سَلِيمَ النَّوَاظِرِ كالأَرْمَدِ
The dazzling flashes of his light
Serene gazes like mirrors
left the clear-eyed like one with inflamed eyes.
The most valiant of knights, slender
أَقَبُّslender التَّرائِبِof chest غَضُّsoft الرَّوَاof haunch (first part)
أَقَبُّ التَّرائِبِ غَضُّ الرَّوَا
دِفِend of 'haunch' يَخْتَالُstruts proudly عَنْbeyond غُصْنٍa bough أَمْيَدِswaying
دِفِ يَخْتَالُ عَنْ غُصْنٍ أَمْيَدِ
Slender of chest, soft of haunch,
Strutting about a flexing branch
he swayed more proudly than a bending bough.
The fervor of war on his cheeks
لَهِيبُthe blaze of الحُرُوبِwars عَلَىupon وَجْنَتَيْthe two cheeks
لَهِيبُ الحُرُوبِ عَلَى وَجْنَتَيْ
هِhis وَالنَّقعُand battle-dust فِيin شَعْرَهِhis hair الأَسْوَدِblack
هِ وَالنَّقعُ فِي شَعْرَهِ الأَسْوَدِ
The blaze of battle lay upon his cheeks,
And vigor in his black hair
and battle-dust in his black hair.
In his brows, the gleam of swords
وَفِيand in مِحْجَرَيْهِhis two eye sockets بَرِيقُthe gleam of السُّيوthe swords (first part)
وَفِي مِحْجَرَيْهِ بَرِيقُ السُّيو
فِend of 'swords' وَظِلُّand the shadow of المَنِيَّةdeath فِيin الأُثْمُدِthe antimony kohl
فِ وَظِلُّ المَنِيَّة فِي الأُثْمُدِ
In his eye sockets was the gleam of swords,
And in his lashes, the shadow of death
and death's shadow in the kohl.
They were amazed that he
فَأَكْبَرَthen marveled كُلُّهُمُall of them أَنَّهُthat he
فَأَكْبَرَ كُلُّهُمُ أَنَّهُ
رَآهُsaw him تَجَلَّىrevealed in splendor وَلَمْand did not يَسْجُدِbow down
رَآهُ تَجَلَّى وَلَمْ يَسْجُدِ
Each of them marveled that he
Appeared before them but did not bow
had seen him in his splendor without bowing down.
And thought him a frightened fugitive
وَظَنُّوهُand they thought him مُسْتَنْفَراًstartled هَارِباًfleeing
وَظَنُّوهُ مُسْتَنْفَراً هَارِباً
أَتَاهُمْhe came to them بِذلَّةin the humility of مُسْتَنْجِدِone seeking help
أَتَاهُمْ بِذلَّة مُسْتَنْجِدِ
They thought him a startled fugitive
Who came to them seeking help
who had come humbly seeking help.
And did not imagine one so bold
وَلَمْand did not يَحْسَبُواthey imagine أَنَّthat ذَاone possessed of جُرْأَةٍdaring
وَلَمْ يَحْسَبُوا أَنَّ ذَا جُرْأَةٍ
يُهَاجِمُattacks جَمْعاًa company بِلاَwithout مُسْعِدِan ally
يُهَاجِمُ جَمْعاً بِلاَ مُسْعِدِ
They had not imagined that one so daring
Would attack a group without reinforcements
would attack a company without an ally.
He saw destruction but did not fear it
تَبَيَّنsaw clearly هُلْكاًdestruction فَلَمْyet did not يَخْشَهُfear it
تَبَيَّن هُلْكاً فَلَمْ يَخْشَهُ
وَأَقْدَمَand advanced إَِقْدَامَwith the daring of مُسْتَأْسِدِone acting like a lion
وَأَقْدَمَ إَِقْدَامَ مُسْتَأْسِدِ
He saw destruction clearly but did not fear it,
And acted with utmost courage
and advanced with the ferocity of a lion.
He emptied his pistol's fire
فَأَفْرَغَthen emptied نَارَthe fire of سُدَاسِيَّهِhis six-shooter
فَأَفْرَغَ نَارَ سُدَاسِيَّهِ
عَلَىupon القَوْمِthe men أَيَّاwhomever تُصِبْit strikes تُقْصِدit kills outright
عَلَى القَوْمِ أَيَّا تُصِبْ تُقْصِد
He emptied the fire of his six-shooter
Upon the people, raining his shots
upon the men; whoever it struck, it killed outright.
And struck left and right with his sword
وَضَارَبَand struck بِالسَّيفِwith the sword يُمْنَىto the right وَيُسْand left (first part)
وَضَارَبَ بِالسَّيفِ يُمْنَى وَيُسْ
رَىend of 'left' فَأَيْنَand wherever يُصِبْhe finds مَغْمَداًa sheath يُغْمِدِhe sheathes
رَى فَأَيْنَ يُصِبْ مَغْمَداً يُغْمِدِ
He struck with his sword to right and left;
Where could a sheath contain it?
wherever he found a sheath, he drove it home.
He quenched the rock with their blood
سَقَىwatered الصَّخرِthe rock مِنْwith دَمِهِمْtheir blood فَارْتَوَىso it drank its fill
سَقَى الصَّخرِ مِنْ دَمِهِمْ فَارْتَوَى
وَلَمْand did not يَشْفِslake مِنْهُwith it الفُؤَادَthe heart الصَّديthe parched
وَلَمْ يَشْفِ مِنْهُ الفُؤَادَ الصَّدي
He watered the rocks with their blood until they drank their fill,
But his heart was not satisfied
yet it did not slake his parched heart.
Soon they surrounded him
فَمَاso not لَبِثُواthey delayed أَنْbefore أَحَاطُواthey surrounded بِهhim
فَمَا لَبِثُوا أَنْ أَحَاطُوا بِه
فَدَانَso he yielded لِكَثْرَتِهِمْto their greater numbers عَنْunder يَدِpower
فَدَانَ لِكَثْرَتِهِمْ عَنْ يَدِ
Soon they surrounded him,
So he retreated before their numbers
and he yielded by force to their superior numbers.
And were it not for fear of treason
وَلَوْلاَand were it not for اتِّقاءُguarding against الخِيَانَةtreachery فِيin
وَلَوْلاَ اتِّقاءُ الخِيَانَة فِي
هhim لَكَانwould surely have الأَلَدُّthe bitterest foe لهُfor him يَفْتَديpaid ransom
ه لَكَان الأَلَدُّ لهُ يَفْتَدي
Had they not feared treachery
The bravest would have ransomed him
in him, his bitterest foe would have ransomed him.
When the prince's abode confined him
فَلَمَّاthen when احْتَوَاهُcontained him مَقَرُّthe quarters of الأَمِيthe prince (first part)
فَلَمَّا احْتَوَاهُ مَقَرُّ الأَمِي
يرِend of 'prince' مَقُوداًled in وَمَاand not هُوَhe بِالْقَيِّدbound
يرِ مَقُوداً وَمَا هُوَ بِالْقَيِّد
When the prince's quarters received him,
Led in but not bound
led in, yet not in bonds,
He motioned, about to order
أَشَارَsignaled وَمَاand not كَادَnearly يَرْنُوlooked إِلَيْtoward
أَشَارَ وَمَا كَادَ يَرْنُو إِلَيْ
هhim بِأَنْthat يَقْتُلُوهُthey kill him غَدَاةَon the morning of الغَدِthe next day
ه بِأَنْ يَقْتُلُوهُ غَدَاةَ الغَدِ
the prince signaled, scarcely having glanced at him,
That they kill him at dawn
that they should kill him the next morning.
But the lad evaded his guards
فَأَقْصَيthen pushed away الفَتَىthe youth عَنْهُfrom himself حُرَّاسَهُhis guards
فَأَقْصَي الفَتَى عَنْهُ حُرَّاسَهُ
وَشَقَّand tore open عَنِover الصَّدْرِthe chest مَاwhat يَرْتَديhe wore
وَشَقَّ عَنِ الصَّدْرِ مَا يَرْتَدي
Then the youth pushed his guards away
And tore open what he wore
and tore open what he wore across his chest,
Revealing the breasts of a maiden
وَأَبْرَزَand revealed نَهْدَيْthe two breasts of فَتَاةٍa maiden كِعَاfull-bosomed (first part)
وَأَبْرَزَ نَهْدَيْ فَتَاةٍ كِعَا
بٍend of 'full-bosomed' بِطَرْفٍwith a gaze حَيِيٍّmodest وَوَجْهٍand a face نَدِيdewy
بٍ بِطَرْفٍ حَيِيٍّ وَوَجْهٍ نَدِي
revealing the two breasts of a full-bosomed maiden,
With a flirtatious gaze and radiant face
with a bashful gaze and a dewy face.
Like the knobs of a sealed flask
كَحُقَّيlike two caskets of لُجَيْنٍsilver بِقُفْلَيْwith two clasps of عَقِيagate (first part)
كَحُقَّي لُجَيْنٍ بِقُفْلَيْ عَقِي
يقٍend of 'agate' وَكَنْزَيْنِand two treasures فِيunder رَصَدٍa watch مُرْصَدِkept vigilant
يقٍ وَكَنْزَيْنِ فِي رَصَدٍ مُرْصَدِ
Like two silver caskets with two agate clasps,
And two treasures in an ambush
and two treasures under a watchful guard.
The prince exalted at the sight
فَكَبَّرَthen proclaimed God's greatness مِمَّاat what رَآهُhe saw الأَمِيthe prince (first part)
فَكَبَّرَ مِمَّا رَآهُ الأَمِي
رُend of 'prince' وَهَلَّلَand proclaimed God's oneness أَشْهَادُthose present in ذَاكَthat النَّدِيassembly
رُ وَهَلَّلَ أَشْهَادُ ذَاكَ النَّدِي
The prince cried, 'God is great!' at what he saw,
And the witnesses of that beauty rejoiced
and those in that assembly cried, 'There is no god but God!'
They were captivated by the two
وَرَاعَهُمُand awed them ذَلِكَthose التَّوْأَمَاthe twins (first part)
وَرَاعَهُمُ ذَلِكَ التَّوْأَمَا
نِend of 'twins' وَطَوْقَاهُمَاand their two circlets مِنْof دَمِblood of الأَكْبُدِthe livers
نِ وَطَوْقَاهُمَا مِنْ دَمِ الأَكْبُدِ
Those twins struck them with awe,
And draped them in blood of liver
and their two circlets of liver-blood,
Their leap when released
وَوَثْبُهُمَاand their leap عِنْدَمَاwhen أُطْلِقَاthey were released
وَوَثْبُهُمَا عِنْدَمَا أُطْلِقَا
بِعَزْمٍwith vigor إِلىto ظَاهِرِthe outside of المِجْسَدthe bodice
بِعَزْمٍ إِلى ظَاهِرِ المِجْسَد
and their leap when they were released,
With resolve to the exterior of the enclosure
with vigor beyond the bodice,
Was like the jump of thirsty doe fawns
كَوَثْبِlike the leap of صِغَارِthe young of المَهَاthe oryxes الظَّامِئَاthe thirsty (first part)
كَوَثْبِ صِغَارِ المَهَا الظَّامِئَا
تِend of 'thirsty' نَفَرْنَthey bounded خِفَافاًlightly إِلىtoward مَوْرِدa watering place
تِ نَفَرْنَ خِفَافاً إِلى مَوْرِد
like the leap of thirsty young oryxes,
Bolting lightly to the watering hole
bounding lightly toward a watering place.
She let down her braids and they fell
وَأَرْخَتْand she loosened ضَفَائِرَهَاher braids فَارْتَمَتْso they fell
وَأَرْخَتْ ضَفَائِرَهَا فَارْتَمَتْ
إِلىonto مَنْكِبَيْهَاher two shoulders مِنَfrom المَعْقدِthe knot
إِلى مَنْكِبَيْهَا مِنَ المَعْقدِ
She loosened her braids, and they fell
To her shoulders from her bun
from their knot onto her shoulders.
Her luminous sun-like aura enveloping her
تُحِيطُsurrounds دُجَاهَاtheir darkness بِشَمْسٍaround a sun عَرَاafflicted
تُحِيطُ دُجَاهَا بِشَمْسٍ عَرَا
هَاit سَقَامٌillness فَحَالَتْso it changed إِلىinto فَرْقَدِFarqad, a star
هَا سَقَامٌ فَحَالَتْ إِلى فَرْقَدِ
Their darkness encircled a sun touched
Then illness befell her and she slipped into sleep
by illness, which had dwindled into the star Farqad.
Umm Hamza the female said, extracting
وَقَالَتْand she said أَمُهْجَةُdoes the lifeblood of أُنْثَىa woman تَفِيsuffice
وَقَالَتْ أَمُهْجَةُ أُنْثَى تَفِي
بِثَارَاتِfor avenging صَرْعَاكُمُyour slain الهُمَّدِthe lifeless
بِثَارَاتِ صَرْعَاكُمُ الهُمَّدِ
She said, 'Does a woman's lifeblood suffice
Vengeance for your death struggle
to avenge your fallen, lifeless men?
They perished but in no battle
تَفَانَوْاthey perished فَمَاand not خَاسَbetrayed his duty فِيin وَقْعَةٍa battle
تَفَانَوْا فَمَا خَاسَ فِي وَقْعَةٍ
فَتىًa young man مِنْamong مَسُودٍa subject وَلاَnor سَيِّدِa lord
فَتىً مِنْ مَسُودٍ وَلاَ سَيِّدِ
They perished; no man proved faithless in battle,
Did a warrior of Masood or nobleman wane
whether subject or lord,
Who sees glory in defending his sultan
يَرَىhe sees العِزَّhonor فِيin نَصْرِvictory for سُلْطَانِهِhis sultan
يَرَى العِزَّ فِي نَصْرِ سُلْطَانِهِ
وَإِلاَّor else فَفِيthen in مَوْتِthe death of مُسْتَشْهَدِa martyr
وَإِلاَّ فَفِي مَوْتِ مُسْتَشْهَدِ
seeing honor in victory for his sultan,
Or else in the death of one dying defending
or else in a martyr's death.
From the ways of the Turks, to stab
وَمِنْand among خُلُقِthe customs of التُّرْكِthe Turks أَنْto يُوْرِدُواthey bring to drink
وَمِنْ خُلُقِ التُّرْكِ أَنْ يُوْرِدُوا
سُيُوفَهُمُtheir swords مُهَجَthe lifeblood of الخُرَّدِmodest maidens
سُيُوفَهُمُ مُهَجَ الخُرَّدِ
It is the Turks' custom to bring
With their swords the chests of children
their swords to drink the lifeblood of modest maidens.
Before you are victims made licit
فَدُونَكُمُso here you have قِتْلَةًa killing حُلِّلَتْmade lawful
فَدُونَكُمُ قِتْلَةً حُلِّلَتْ
تَدِيit pays blood-debt مِنْfor دِمَائِكُمُyour blood مَاwhatever تَدِيit pays
تَدِي مِنْ دِمَائِكُمُ مَا تَدِي
So here is a killing made lawful for you,
To avenge with your blood what was licit
repaying what it may of your blood-debt.'
The prince listened to her words
فَأَصْغَىthen listened الأَمِيرُthe prince إِلىto قَوْلِهَاher words
فَأَصْغَى الأَمِيرُ إِلى قَوْلِهَا
وَلَمْand was not يُسْتَفَزْprovoked وَلَمْand did not يَحْقِدِresent
وَلَمْ يُسْتَفَزْ وَلَمْ يَحْقِدِ
The prince listened to her words,
But was not provoked or resentful
neither provoked nor resentful.
And esteemed the soul of the maiden
وَأَعْظَمَand revered نَفْسَthe spirit of الفَتَاةِthe maiden وَبَأْand valor (first part)
وَأَعْظَمَ نَفْسَ الفَتَاةِ وَبَأْ
ساًend of 'valor' بِهَاin her فِيamong الصَّنَادِيدِthe mighty warriors لَمْnot يَعْهَدِhe had known
ساً بِهَا فِي الصَّنَادِيدِ لَمْ يَعْهَدِ
He revered the maiden's spirit and a valor
Bemoaning her among the lions known and unknown
in her he had never seen among mighty warriors,
And pardoned a partner in beauty
وَحُسْناًand beauty بِمُشْرِكَةٍin a pagan woman دَاعِياًcalling
وَحُسْناً بِمُشْرِكَةٍ دَاعِياً
إِلىto الشِّرْكِidolatry مَنْwhoever يَرَهُsees it يَعْبُدِworships
إِلى الشِّرْكِ مَنْ يَرَهُ يَعْبُدِ
and a beauty in a pagan woman that called
Inviting to partnership one who sees and worships
to idolatry: whoever saw it would worship.
Refusing to kill a female defending
أَبَىhe refused عِزَّةًout of honor قَتْلَto kill أُنَثَىa woman تَذُوdefending (first part)
أَبَى عِزَّةً قَتْلَ أُنَثَى تَذُو
دُend of 'defending' ذِيَادَwith the resistance of المُدَافِعِthe defender لاَnot المُعْتَدِيthe aggressor
دُ ذِيَادَ المُدَافِعِ لاَ المُعْتَدِي
Out of honor he refused to kill a woman who fought
Not transgressing
in defense, not as an aggressor.
He said, “Take her to safety
فَقَالَso he said انْقُلُوهَاtake her إِلىto مَأْمَنٍa safe place
فَقَالَ انْقُلُوهَا إِلى مَأْمَنٍ
وَأَوْصُواand give instructions بِهَاfor her care نُطُسَthe skilled العُوَّدِattendants of the sick
وَأَوْصُوا بِهَا نُطُسَ العُوَّدِ
He said, 'Take her to a place of safety,
And instruct her in weaving of wool”
and entrust her to skilled attendants of the sick,
“Let it be known that with our morals
لِتعْلَمَso she may know أَنَّاthat we بِأَخْلاَقِنَاthrough our conduct
لِتعْلَمَ أَنَّا بِأَخْلاَقِنَا
نُنَزَّهُare held above عَنْfrom تُهَمِthe accusations of الحُسَّدِthe envious
نُنَزَّهُ عَنْ تُهَمِ الحُسَّدِ
so she may know that through our conduct
We are absolved of envy’s accusations”
we stand above the accusations of the envious.'
When she was escorted out he said to those remaining,
فَإِذْthen when أُخْرِجَتْshe was taken out قَالَhe said لِلْمَاكِثِيto those remaining (first part)
فَإِذْ أُخْرِجَتْ قَالَ لِلْمَاكِثِي
نَend of 'remaining' وَهُمْwhile they فِيin ذُهُولِهُمُtheir astonishment المُجْمَدِfrozen
نَ وَهُمْ فِي ذُهُولِهُمُ المُجْمَدِ
When she was taken out, he told those remaining,
Frozen in their shock:
still frozen in their astonishment:
“God grant her, in valor, a warrior maid
لَهَاfor her اللهُGod فِيamong الغِيدِgraceful maidens مِنْwhat a غَادَةٍbeauty
لَهَا اللهُ فِي الغِيدِ مِنْ غَادَةٍ
وَفِيand among الصِّيدِthe proud مِنْwhat a بَطَلٍhero أَصْيَدِproud and noble
وَفِي الصِّيدِ مِنْ بَطَلٍ أَصْيَدِ
'God bless her—a beauty among graceful maidens,
And, in the hunt, a valiant hunter
and among proud warriors, a proud champion!
Shall we perish a people whose land
أَنُهْلِكُshall we destroy شَعْباًa people غَزَتْinvaded دَارَهُits home
أَنُهْلِكُ شَعْباً غَزَتْ دَارَهُ
ثِقَالُthe heavy masses of الجُيُوشِarmies فَلَمْyet did not يَخْلُدِyield
ثِقَالُ الجُيُوشِ فَلَمْ يَخْلُدِ
Shall we destroy a people whose home was invaded
Was flooded by the masses of armies but did not last?
by massive armies, yet who did not yield?
It befits us to parry the spears
خَلِيقٌfitting بِنَاfor us أَنْto نَرُدَّturn الْقِلىَhatred
خَلِيقٌ بِنَا أَنْ نَرُدَّ الْقِلىَ
وِlove (first part) اداًend of 'love' وَمَنْand whoever يَصْطَنِعْdoes kindness يَوْدَدِis loved
وِ اداً وَمَنْ يَصْطَنِعْ يَوْدَدِ
It is fitting for us to turn hatred
And whoever acts with goodness will be rewarded
to love; whoever does kindness wins affection.
What country did women ransom
فَمَاfor no بَلَدٌcountry تَفْتَدِيهِredeem it النِّساthe women (first part)
فَمَا بَلَدٌ تَفْتَدِيهِ النِّسا
ءُend of 'women' كَهَذَاlike this الْفِدَاءِsacrifice بِمُسْتَعْبَدِable to be enslaved
ءُ كَهَذَا الْفِدَاءِ بِمُسْتَعْبَدِ
For no country whose women redeem it
With this sacrifice of the enslaved?”
with such a sacrifice can be enslaved.'
Partial English translation: 145 of 146 Arabic lines translated.