ألا هَل عَمِّ في رَأيه مُتَأمِلُ

ألا هَل عَمِّ في رَأيه مُتَأمِلُ

وَهَل مُدبِرٌ بَعدَ الإِسَاءَةِ مُقبِلُ

وَهَل مُدبِرٌ بَعدَ الإِسَاءَةِ مُقبِلُ

Is there one blind in judgment who will reflect?

Does a reflecting person reconsider his opinion?

And will one who turned away turn back after wrongdoing?

Or does a repenting person return after wronging?

وهَل أمةٌ مُستيقظونَ لرشدِهِم

وهَل أمةٌ مُستيقظونَ لرشدِهِم

فيكشِفُ عنه النَّعسَةَ المتُزَمِّلُ

فيكشِفُ عنه النَّعسَةَ المتُزَمِّلُ

Is there a people awakening to their right course,

Or is a nation roused for righteousness,

so that the cloaked sleeper shakes off his drowsiness?

so slumber uncovers him, the enwrapped one?

فَقَد طَالَ هذا النَّومُ واستَخرَج الكَرَى

فَقَد طَالَ هذا النَّومُ واستَخرَج الكَرَى

مَسَاويَهم لو أنَّ ذا المَيلِ يَعدِلُ

مَسَاويَهم لو أنَّ ذا المَيلِ يَعدِلُ

This sleep has lasted long, and slumber has brought out

For long has this slumber lasted and hardship has befallen;

their failings—if only the crooked would straighten.

their conditions would equalize if the biased were just.

وَعَطَّلت الأحكامُ حتى كأنَّنا

وَعَطَّلت الأحكامُ حتى كأنَّنا

على مِلَّةٍ غيرِ التي نَتَنَحَّلُ

على مِلَّةٍ غيرِ التي نَتَنَحَّلُ

The laws have been suspended, until it is as though we

Laws have been suspended as if we profess

follow a faith other than the one we profess.

a faith other than what we have donned.

كلامُ النَّبِيينَ الهُدَاةِ كَلاَمُنا

كلامُ النَّبِيينَ الهُدَاةِ كَلاَمُنا

وأفعالَ أهلش الجاهليَّةِ نَفعَلُ

وأفعالَ أهلش الجاهليَّةِ نَفعَلُ

Our speech is the speech of the guiding prophets,

The speech of the guiding prophets is our speech,

but we perform the deeds of the people of ignorance.

yet we practice the deeds of the ignorant.

رَضِينَا بدُنيا لا نُرِيدُ فِرَاقَها

رَضِينَا بدُنيا لا نُرِيدُ فِرَاقَها

على أنَّنَا فيها نَمُوتُ وَنُقتَلُ

على أنَّنَا فيها نَمُوتُ وَنُقتَلُ

We are content with a world we do not wish to leave,

We are content in this world, not wanting separation,

although in it we die and are killed.

though we will die and be killed in it.

وَنَحنُ بها المُستَمسِكونَ كأنَّها

وَنَحنُ بها المُستَمسِكونَ كأنَّها

لنا جُنَّةٌ مما نَخَافُ وَمَعقِلُ

لنا جُنَّةٌ مما نَخَافُ وَمَعقِلُ

We cling firmly to it, as though it were

And we cling to it as if it were for us

a shield against what we fear, and a fortress.

a paradise, a refuge from what we fear.

أرَانَا على حُبِّ الحَياةِ وطُولِها

أرَانَا على حُبِّ الحَياةِ وطُولِها

يُجَدُّ بِنا في كلِّ يَومٍ وَنهزِل

يُجَدُّ بِنا في كلِّ يَومٍ وَنهزِل

I see us, despite our love of life and its length,

Does it see us zealous for life and its lengthening,

dealt with in earnest every day, while we jest.

struggling weakly with transient living

نَعَالِجُ مُرمَقَّاً من العَيشِ فَانِياً

نَعَالِجُ مُرمَقَّاً من العَيشِ فَانِياً

له حَارِكٌ لا يَحمِلُ العِبءَ أجزَلُ

له حَارِكٌ لا يَحمِلُ العِبءَ أجزَلُ

We struggle for a scant, perishing livelihood,

like an emaciated camel whose saddlebearer

whose broken withers cannot bear a burden.

cannot carry heavy loads?

كَحَالِئَةٍ عن كُوعِها وهي تَبتَغِي

كَحَالِئَةٍ عن كُوعِها وهي تَبتَغِي

صَلاحَ أدِيمٍ ضَيَّعَتهُ وتَغمُلُ

صَلاحَ أدِيمٍ ضَيَّعَتهُ وتَغمُلُ

Like a woman scraping away from her wrist, while seeking

Rather we have wasted patches of life

to restore a hide she has spoiled and leaves to ferment.

until describing it seems like collapsing dwellings,

فَأَصبَحَ باقِي عَيشِنَا وكأنَّه

فَأَصبَحَ باقِي عَيشِنَا وكأنَّه

لواصِفِه هِدمُ الخِبَاءِ المُرَعبَلُ

لواصِفِه هِدمُ الخِبَاءِ المُرَعبَلُ

What remains of our life has become as though it were,

whose side, if taken away,

to one describing it, a tent's tattered cloth.

leaves two coverless sections for the shaded one.

إذا حِيصَ منه جَانِبٌ

إذا حِيصَ منه جَانِبٌ

بِفَتقَينِ يَضحَى فيهما المُتَظَلِّلُ

بِفَتقَينِ يَضحَى فيهما المُتَظَلِّلُ

If one side of it is stitched,

Such are the affairs of the people—as if the affairs

the shade-seeker spends his day amid two rents.

of a waster who preferred sleep to wakefulness.

فَتِلكَ أمورُ النَّاسِ أضحَت كأَنَّها

فَتِلكَ أمورُ النَّاسِ أضحَت كأَنَّها

أُمورُ مُضِيعٍ آثَرَ النَّومَ بُهَّلُ

أُمورُ مُضِيعٍ آثَرَ النَّومَ بُهَّلُ

Such are the people's affairs, now resembling

Their livelihood is cracked, riven—

the untended affairs of a negligent man who preferred sleep.

infants and hoarders of wealth are confused.

تَمَقَّقَ أخلافَ المعيشةِ منهم

تَمَقَّقَ أخلافَ المعيشةِ منهم

رِضَاعاً وأخلافُ المَعِيشَةِ حُفَّلُّ

رِضَاعاً وأخلافُ المَعِيشَةِ حُفَّلُّ

One of them greedily sucked the teats of livelihood,

Censure hits the mark about them when

suckling while those teats were full.

the erring one speaks ill upon alighting.

مُصِّيّبٌ على الأعوَادِ يومَ رُكوبِها

مُصِّيّبٌ على الأعوَادِ يومَ رُكوبِها

لِما قالَ فيها مُخطِيءٌ حينَ يَنزِلُ

لِما قالَ فيها مُخطِيءٌ حينَ يَنزِلُ

Right upon the wooden pulpit on the day he mounts it

He likens them to what befits him:

in what he says there, he is wrong when he descends.

forbidden income and ill-gotten food.

يُشَبِّهُها الأشبَاهَ وهي نَصِيبُه

يُشَبِّهُها الأشبَاهَ وهي نَصِيبُه

له مَشرَبٌ منها حَرامٌ ومَأكَلُ

له مَشرَبٌ منها حَرامٌ ومَأكَلُ

He likens it to its likenesses, though it is his own portion;

Before us none struck examples of tyranny

from it he has an unlawful drink and meal.

like our rulers acting them out.

فيا سَاسَتَا هاتوا لنا من جوابِكم

فيا سَاسَتَا هاتوا لنا من جوابِكم

ففيكم لعَمرِي ذو افانينَ مِقوَلُ

ففيكم لعَمرِي ذو افانينَ مِقوَلُ

O rulers, give us something of your answer:

They intimidate us with the blindness of perdition

among you, by my life, is an eloquent man of many arts.

as they kindled the fires of warzones.

أأهلُ كتابٍ نحنُ فيه وانتمُ

أأهلُ كتابٍ نحنُ فيه وانتمُ

على الحقِّ نَقضِي بالكتاب وَنَعدِلُ

على الحقِّ نَقضِي بالكتاب وَنَعدِلُ

Are we and you people living under a Book,

Each year they initiate heresies

judging truly by the Book and acting justly?

by which they mislead their followers, then mire.

فكيفَ ومِن أنَّى وإذ نحنُ خِلفَةٌ

فكيفَ ومِن أنَّى وإذ نحنُ خِلفَةٌ

فَرِيقانِ شَتَّى تَسمَنُونَ ونَهزِلُ

فَرِيقانِ شَتَّى تَسمَنُونَ ونَهزِلُ

Then how, and from where, when we are at odds—

Shame on the people of religion that after firmness

two separate parties: you grow fat, and we grow lean?

they incline to innovations without change.

لَنَا وتِلاعُ الأرض حُوٌّ مَرِيعَةٌ

لَنَا وتِلاعُ الأرض حُوٌّ مَرِيعَةٌ

سَنَامٌ امالتهُ الخَطَائِطُ أميَلُ

سَنَامٌ امالتهُ الخَطَائِطُ أميَلُ

Ours—though the earth's valleys are dark with lush growth—

As the monks innovated what no scripture

is a drooping hump bent by patches untouched by rain.

or revelation from God ordained:

أم الوَحيُ مَنبُوذٌ وراءَ ظُهُورِنا

أم الوَحيُ مَنبُوذٌ وراءَ ظُهُورِنا

فَيحكُمُ فينا المَرزُبانُ المُرَفَّلُ

فَيحكُمُ فينا المَرزُبانُ المُرَفَّلُ

Or is revelation cast behind our backs,

Deeming Muslims’ blood permissible before them

so that the richly robed marzuban rules us?

while fruits of palm trees are forbidden.

لنا رَاعِيَا سَوءٍ مُضِيعَانِ منهما

لنا رَاعِيَا سَوءٍ مُضِيعَانِ منهما

ابو جَعدَةَ العَادي وعَرفَاءُ جَيأَلُ

ابو جَعدَةَ العَادي وعَرفَاءُ جَيأَلُ

We have two evil, negligent shepherds among them:

Our lifebloods are the tithes to them

the marauding Abu Ja'da and shaggy-maned Ji'al.

while our pasture among them is leanness and deprivation.

أتَت غَنَماً ضَاعَت وغابَ رُعَاؤُها

أتَت غَنَماً ضَاعَت وغابَ رُعَاؤُها

لها فُرعُلٌ فيها شَرِيكٌ وفُرعُلُ

لها فُرعُلٌ فيها شَرِيكٌ وفُرعُلُ

She came upon a lost flock whose shepherds were absent;

We have no share of spoils before them

she has a hyena cub as partner among them, and another cub.

nor equipment on the people's journeys.

أتَصلُحُ دُنياناَ جميعاً ودِينُنا

أتَصلُحُ دُنياناَ جميعاً ودِينُنا

على ما بِه ضَاع السَّوَامُ المُؤَبَّلُ

على ما بِه ضَاع السَّوَامُ المُؤَبَّلُ

Can our worldly life and our religion both prosper

O Lord, do we seek victory over them by other than You?

under that which ruined the grazing herd of camels?

Is there anyone we rely upon but You?

ولو وُلِيَ الهُوجُ الثَّوَائِجُ بالذي

ولو وُلِيَ الهُوجُ الثَّوَائِجُ بالذي

وُلِينَا به ما دَعدَعَ المُتَرَخِّلُ

وُلِينَا به ما دَعدَعَ المُتَرَخِّلُ

Were the foolish, bleating sheep governed as

Strangest of my unattained desires

we are governed, their lamb-keeper would not call them along.

is that their horses are saddle-galled steeds.

ُبُرِينَا كَبَري القِدحِ أوهَنَ مَتنَهُ

ُبُرِينَا كَبَري القِدحِ أوهَنَ مَتنَهُ

من القَومِ لا شَارٍ ولا مُتَنَبِّلُ

من القَومِ لا شَارٍ ولا مُتَنَبِّلُ

We were whittled like an arrow-shaft whose body was weakened

Their pride toward the meek

by a man neither buyer nor archer,

is like the scowls of thorn-bushes stacked up.

وِلاَيةَ سِلَّغدٍ ألَفَّ كأنَّه

وِلاَيةَ سِلَّغدٍ ألَفَّ كأنَّه

من الرَّهَقِ المُخلوطِ بالنَّوكِ أَثوَلُ

من الرَّهَقِ المُخلوطِ بالنَّوكِ أَثوَلُ

under the rule of a tongue-tied glutton, as though

When frightened by nanny-goats they stand up heedlessly,

recklessness mixed with folly had made him addle-headed.

and the goats are succeeded by docile lambs.

هو الأضبَطُ الهَوَّاسُ فينا شَجَاعةً

هو الأضبَطُ الهَوَّاسُ فينا شَجَاعةً

وفِيمَن يُعَادِيهِ الهِجَفُّ المُثَقَّلُ

وفِيمَن يُعَادِيهِ الهِجَفُّ المُثَقَّلُ

Among us, in bravery, he is the strong-gripped prowler,

They menace the Euphrates' sheep and shade—

but against his opponents, a heavy, lumbering ostrich.

but no weapons were brandished against them.

كأَنَّ كِتَابَ الله يُعنَى بأمرِهِ

كأَنَّ كِتَابَ الله يُعنَى بأمرِهِ

وبالنَّهي فِيهِ الكَودَنِيُّ المُرَكَّلُ

وبالنَّهي فِيهِ الكَودَنِيُّ المُرَكَّلُ

As though God's Book, in its commands, addressed

Save for a group among whom a dusty ally gained his wish

and in its prohibitions, a clumsy, much-kicked mule.

while the Kahilis and the enwrapped one were killed.

ألَم يَتَدَبَّر آيةً فَتَدُلُّه

ألَم يَتَدَبَّر آيةً فَتَدُلُّه

على تَركِ ما يأتي أو القَلبُ مُقفَلُ

على تَركِ ما يأتي أو القَلبُ مُقفَلُ

Has he not pondered a verse that might guide him

Abu Shu'atha' became dusty-necked

to abandon what he does—or is his heart locked?

and Abu Hujl died a bloodied corpse.

فَتلك وِلاةُ السَوءِ قد طالَ ملكُهم

فَتلك وِلاةُ السَوءِ قد طالَ ملكُهم

فحَتَّامَ حَتَّامَ العَنَاءُ المُطَوَّلُ

فحَتَّامَ حَتَّامَ العَنَاءُ المُطَوَّلُ

Such are the evil governors; their rule has lasted long.

The Shayda's elder overflowed with blood before them

How long, how long must this prolonged suffering last?

while Abu Musa remains shackled.

رَضُوا بِفِعَالِ السَوءِ في أهلِ دينِهم

رَضُوا بِفِعَالِ السَوءِ في أهلِ دينِهم

فقد أيتَمُوا طَوراً عِدَاءً وأثكَلُوا

فقد أيتَمُوا طَوراً عِدَاءً وأثكَلُوا

They accepted evil deeds against the people of their faith;

As if Husayn and his family were around him

in their aggression they have orphaned children and bereaved parents.

fodder for their swords, devoid of any weapons.

كَما رَضِيتَ بُخلاً وسُوءَ وِلايةٍ

كَما رَضِيتَ بُخلاً وسُوءَ وِلايةٍ

بِكَلبَتِها في أوَّلِ الدَّهرِ حَومَلُ

بِكَلبَتِها في أوَّلِ الدَّهرِ حَومَلُ

Just as stinginess and ill care pleased

With them he dyed the House of Ahmad in battle

Hawmal, toward her bitch, in days of old:

blood whose darkness was like beasts speckled.

نُباحاُ اذا ما اللَّيلُ أظلَمَ دُونَها

نُباحاُ اذا ما اللَّيلُ أظلَمَ دُونَها

وَضَربَاً وتَجوِيعَاً خَبَالٌ مُخَبَّلُ

وَضَربَاً وتَجوِيعَاً خَبَالٌ مُخَبَّلُ

barking when night grew dark around her,

So the Prophet estranged them while missing him

and beating and starvation—a ruinous madness.

is harm upon the people, with none consoling.

وما ضَرَبَ الأَمثَالَ في الجَورِ قَبلَنا

وما ضَرَبَ الأَمثَالَ في الجَورِ قَبلَنا

لأَجوَرَ من حُكَّامِنا المُتَمَثِّلُ

لأَجوَرَ من حُكَّامِنا المُتَمَثِّلُ

No proverb-teller before us ever drew a comparison in oppression

Never have I seen distressed ones afflicted by greater woes,

to anyone more oppressive than our rulers.

or whose plight demanded vengeance more when abandoned.

هُمُ خَوَّفُونَا بالعَمَى هُوَّةَ الرَدَى

هُمُ خَوَّفُونَا بالعَمَى هُوَّةَ الرَدَى

كما شَبَّ نارُ الحَالِفينَ المُهَوِّلُ

كما شَبَّ نارُ الحَالِفينَ المُهَوِّلُ

Through blindness they frightened us with the abyss of destruction,

Hitting thereby archers without their own bows,

as the terror-monger kindled the oath-takers' fire.

O last one he met, to whom the first taste was gall.

لَهُم كُلَّ عَامٍ بِدعَةٌ يُحدِثُونَها

لَهُم كُلَّ عَامٍ بِدعَةٌ يُحدِثُونَها

أزَلَّوا بها أتبَاعَهم ثم أوحَلُوا

أزَلَّوا بها أتبَاعَهم ثم أوحَلُوا

Every year they introduce an innovation,

Two covetous wolves scrambled around him,

making their followers slip through it, then mire them.

distinct groups with arms or unarmed.

وَعَيبٌ لأهلِ الدِين بَعدَ ثَبَاتِه

وَعَيبٌ لأهلِ الدِين بَعدَ ثَبَاتِه

الى مُحدَثَاتٍ ليس عنها التَنَقُّلُ

الى مُحدَثَاتٍ ليس عنها التَنَقُّلُ

It is a disgrace for the people of faith, after its firm establishment,

When tongues assailed him, their calumnies grew,

to turn to innovations from which there is no turning away.

as they whooped in valleys and trilled.

كَمَا ابتَدَعَ الرُّهبَان ما لَم يَجِيء بِهِ

كَمَا ابتَدَعَ الرُّهبَان ما لَم يَجِيء بِهِ

كِتَابٌ ولا وَحيٌ من الله مُنزَلُ

كِتَابٌ ولا وَحيٌ من الله مُنزَلُ

As the monks invented what was brought by neither

But neither did the course grant his head,

a Book nor revelation sent down from God.

nor did the bereaved one wailing console him.

تَحِلُّ دِماءُ المسلمينَ لَدَيهُم

تَحِلُّ دِماءُ المسلمينَ لَدَيهُم

وَيَحرُمُ طَلعُ النَّخلةَِ المُتَهَدِّلُ

وَيَحرُمُ طَلعُ النَّخلةَِ المُتَهَدِّلُ

The blood of Muslims is lawful to them,

Never have I seen people of insight and truth—

while the date palm's drooping fruit-clusters are forbidden.

who have capable hands and feet—when rights were trampled,

وأظمَاؤنا الأَعشَارُ فيها لَدِيهُم

وأظمَاؤنا الأَعشَارُ فيها لَدِيهُم

وَمَرتَعُنا فيهم أَلاءٌ وحَرمَلُ

وَمَرتَعُنا فيهم أَلاءٌ وحَرمَلُ

Our waits for water there, under them, are ten days long,

like his partisans, though war was kindled before them,

and our pasture among them is alā' and harmal.

cooking pots boiling and churning.

وَلَيسَ لَنَا في الفَيءِ حَظٌّ لَدَيهِمُ

وَلَيسَ لَنَا في الفَيءِ حَظٌّ لَدَيهِمُ

وَليسَ لَنا فِي رِحلَةِ النَّاسِ أَرحُلُ

وَليسَ لَنا فِي رِحلَةِ النَّاسِ أَرحُلُ

We have no share in the spoils under them,

Two parties—this mounted with enmity

nor have we saddles when the people journey.

while the other weeps the abandoned truth.

فيا رَبِّ هَل إِلاّ بِكَ النَّصرُ نَبتَغِي

فيا رَبِّ هَل إِلاّ بِكَ النَّصرُ نَبتَغِي

عَلَيهِم وهَل إلاّ عَلَيكَ المُعَوَّلُ

عَلَيهِم وهَل إلاّ عَلَيكَ المُعَوَّلُ

O my Lord, do we seek victory through anyone but You

No use for latecomers to turn back,

over them, and is our reliance upon anyone but You?

or harm upon the early starters to hasten.

وَمِن عِجَبٍ لم أَقضِهِ أنَّ خَيلَهُ

وَمِن عِجَبٍ لم أَقضِهِ أنَّ خَيلَهُ

لأَجوَافها تَحتَ العَجَاجَةِ أزمَلُ

لأَجوَافها تَحتَ العَجَاجَةِ أزمَلُ

Among the wonders I still cannot fathom is that his horses

If God unites hearts and we meet them,

have a rumbling in their bellies beneath the dust-cloud:

we will have downpours without cloudbursts to herald.

هَماهِمُ بالمُستَلئِمِينَ عَوَابِسٌ

هَماهِمُ بالمُستَلئِمِينَ عَوَابِسٌ

كَحِدآنِ يومِ الدَجنِ تَعلُو وتَسفُلُ

كَحِدآنِ يومِ الدَجنِ تَعلُو وتَسفُلُ

low neighs, bearing armored men, grim-faced,

For us are downpours unleashing

like kites on an overcast day, rising and descending.

gallant steeds of high breed.

اذا استَلَبَتهُنَّ الأَمَاعِزُ هَبوَةً

اذا استَلَبَتهُنَّ الأَمَاعِزُ هَبوَةً

وأعقَبَهَا بالأمعَزِ السَهلِ قَسطَلُ

وأعقَبَهَا بالأمعَزِ السَهلِ قَسطَلُ

When the rocky stretches snatched them into a haze,

Our pleated garments in the pasture are white

and dense dust followed it over level, stony ground,

as if flashing lightning stirred them.

يُحَلِّئنَ عنماءِ الفُراتِ وظِلِّه

يُحَلِّئنَ عنماءِ الفُراتِ وظِلِّه

حُسَيناً ولم يُشهَر عَلَيهنَّ مُنصُلُ

حُسَيناً ولم يُشهَر عَلَيهنَّ مُنصُلُ

they kept from the Euphrates' water and shade

For the generous of the prestigious house of Wajih and Laḥiq

Husayn, though no blade had been drawn against them,

they evoke memories when they neigh.

سِوَى عُصبَةٍ فيهم حَبِيبٌ مُعَفَّرٌ

سِوَى عُصبَةٍ فيهم حَبِيبٌ مُعَفَّرٌ

قَضَى نَحبَهُ والكَاهِليُّ المُزَمَّلُ

قَضَى نَحبَهُ والكَاهِليُّ المُزَمَّلُ

save by a band among whom lay Habib, dust-covered,

We repay them in kind: for each sa'a, sa'as,

who had met his death, and the shrouded Kahili.

and for each register, registers.

وَمَالَ أَبُو الشَّعثَاءِ أشعَثَ دَامِياً

وَمَالَ أَبُو الشَّعثَاءِ أشعَثَ دَامِياً

وإنَّ أبَا حَجلٍ قَتِيلٌ مُحَجَّلُ

وإنَّ أبَا حَجلٍ قَتِيلٌ مُحَجَّلُ

Abu al-Sha'tha' fell, disheveled and bloody,

Do not the nations panic because of what has shaded them?

and Abu Hajl lay slain, marked about the limbs.

When we come to them suddenly in the gloomy wasteland,

وَشَيخُ بني الصَّيدَاءِ قد فَاضَ قَبلَهُم

وَشَيخُ بني الصَّيدَاءِ قد فَاضَ قَبلَهُم

وإنَّ ابا مُوسَى أسِيرٌ مُكَبَّلُ

وإنَّ ابا مُوسَى أسِيرٌ مُكَبَّلُ

The elder of Banu al-Sayda' had passed away before them,

with clear proofs that reveal to the learned

and Abu Musa was a fettered prisoner.

their scintillating lightning when it thickens?

كأنَّ حُسَيناً والبَهَالِيلَ حَولَه

كأنَّ حُسَيناً والبَهَالِيلَ حَولَه

لأَسيَافِهِم ما يَختَلِي المُتَبقِّلُ

لأَسيَافِهِم ما يَختَلِي المُتَبقِّلُ

It was as though Husayn and the noble men around him

To a haven that will not bring safety to people from blindness

were, to their swords, herbage cut by a gatherer.

or sedition, except taking refuge in it.

يُخضنَ بِهِم من آلِ أحمَدَ في الوَغَى

يُخضنَ بِهِم من آلِ أحمَدَ في الوَغَى

دَمَاً ظَلَّ مِنهُم كالبَهِيمِ المُحَجَّلُ

دَمَاً ظَلَّ مِنهُم كالبَهِيمِ المُحَجَّلُ

They waded through those of Ahmad's house amid battle,

In the Hashimites, the noble steeds—they

in blood from them, dark like a horse with white-marked feet.

are for the fearful seeker a refuge and haven.

وغَأبَ نَبِيُ اللهِ عَنهُم وَفَقدُهُ

وغَأبَ نَبِيُ اللهِ عَنهُم وَفَقدُهُ

على النَّاسِ رُزءٌ ما هُنَاكَ مُجَلَّلُ

على النَّاسِ رُزءٌ ما هُنَاكَ مُجَلَّلُ

God's Prophet was absent from them, and his loss

By whom can the wandering devastated one hope

was an overwhelming calamity for the people there.

for justice or conduct other than them?

فلَم أرَ مَخذُولاً أَجَلَّ مُصِيبَةُ

فلَم أرَ مَخذُولاً أَجَلَّ مُصِيبَةُ

وَأوجَبَ منه نُصرَةًُ حَينَ يُخذَلُ

وَأوجَبَ منه نُصرَةًُ حَينَ يُخذَلُ

I have never seen anyone abandoned with a greater calamity,

Among them are the guiding stars of people

or a stronger claim than his to aid when left forsaken.

when the night grows dark and envelops people.

يُصيبُ به الرَّامُونَ عن قَوسِ غَيرِهِم

يُصيبُ به الرَّامُونَ عن قَوسِ غَيرِهِم

فَيَا آخِراً سَدَّى له الغَيَّ أوَّلُ

فَيَا آخِراً سَدَّى له الغَيَّ أوَّلُ

The archers strike through him, shooting from others' bows;

When the darkness of your affair thickens, its stars

O later one, for whom an earlier one laid out error!

are mysteries which people cannot traverse in darkness.

تَهَافَتَ ذُئبانُ المَطَامِعَ حَولَهُ

تَهَافَتَ ذُئبانُ المَطَامِعَ حَولَهُ

فَرِيقَانِ شَتَّى ذو سِلاَحٍ وأَعزَلُ

فَرِيقَانِ شَتَّى ذو سِلاَحٍ وأَعزَلُ

The wolves of greed rushed together around him:

And when a cloud of blindness befalls people,

two different parties, armed and unarmed.

they have no insight but through them when matters thicken.

إذا شَرَعَت فيهِ الأَسِنَّةُ كَبَّرَت

إذا شَرَعَت فيهِ الأَسِنَّةُ كَبَّرَت

غُوَاتُهم كلِّ في أَوبٍ وَهلَّلُوا

غُوَاتُهم كلِّ في أَوبٍ وَهلَّلُوا

When spearheads were leveled at him, they cried 'God is greatest'—

For the blind among them is a cure from blindness—

their erring men in every quarter—and proclaimed God's oneness.

if only sincere advice were accepted!

فما ظَفِرَ المُجرَى إليهم بِرَأسِهِ

فما ظَفِرَ المُجرَى إليهم بِرَأسِهِ

ولا عَذَلَ البَاكِي عَليه المُوَلوِلُ

ولا عَذَلَ البَاكِي عَليه المُوَلوِلُ

The man who sent his head to them gained no victory,

For them in the even path of truth is my passionate love,

nor was the wailing mourner over him to be blamed.

my stored poetry and well-parsed verses.

فَلَم أرَ مَوتُورِينَ أهلَ بَصِيرَةٍ

فَلَم أرَ مَوتُورِينَ أهلَ بَصِيرَةٍ

وَحَقٍّ لَهُم أيدٍ صِحَاحٌ وأرجُلُ

وَحَقٍّ لَهُم أيدٍ صِحَاحٌ وأرجُلُ

I have never seen people bereaved and wronged, possessing insight

Not that my inclination to them stems from vanity,

and truth, with sound hands and feet,

nor is my devotion to loving them diminished.

كَشِيعَتِهِ والحَربُ قَد ثُفِّيَت

كَشِيعَتِهِ والحَربُ قَد ثُفِّيَت

لها أمَامَهم قِدرٌ يَجِيشُ وَمِرجَلُ

لها أمَامَهم قِدرٌ يَجِيشُ وَمِرجَلُ

like his followers, while war's hearthstones stood ready,

I am not an innovator introducing heresy,

with a seething pot and cauldron before them.

nor through them have I changed to one who alters.

فَرِيقَانِ هذا رَاكِبٌ في عَدَاوَةٍ

فَرِيقَانِ هذا رَاكِبٌ في عَدَاوَةٍ

وَبَاكٍ على خِذلانِه الحَقَّ مُعوِلُ

وَبَاكٍ على خِذلانِه الحَقَّ مُعوِلُ

Two factions: one riding forth in enmity,

Indeed, in my love and aspiration for their victory,

another weeping and wailing over his failure to uphold the truth.

I endure adversity and unravel difficulties.

فَمَا نَفَعَ المُستأخِرِينَ نَكِيصُهم

فَمَا نَفَعَ المُستأخِرِينَ نَكِيصُهم

ولا ضَرَّ أهلَ السَّابِقَاتِ التَّعَجُّلُ

ولا ضَرَّ أهلَ السَّابِقَاتِ التَّعَجُّلُ

Those who hung back gained nothing from their retreat,

My soul volunteers to relinquish a fleeting life

nor did haste harm those who went first.

to console it time and again, that I may attain my wish,

فإن يَجمَعِ اللهُ القُلُوبَ وَنَلقَهُم

فإن يَجمَعِ اللهُ القُلُوبَ وَنَلقَهُم

لَنَا عَارِضٌ من غَيرِ مُزنٍ مُكَلَّلُ

لَنَا عَارِضٌ من غَيرِ مُزنٍ مُكَلَّلُ

If God unites our hearts and we meet them,

and shed the dregs of doubt through sincere repentance—

we have a looming storm-front, wreathed, but not in rain-clouds.

prolonged favor I have enjoyed.

لَنَا عَارِضٌ ذو وَابِلٍ أطلَقَت لَهُ

لَنَا عَارِضٌ ذو وَابِلٍ أطلَقَت لَهُ

وِكاءَ رَدَى الأَبطَالِ عَزلاَءُ تَسجَلُ

وِكاءَ رَدَى الأَبطَالِ عَزلاَءُ تَسجَلُ

Ours is a storm-front bearing a downpour; for it has been loosed

It pities me with excuses and favor, while destinies

the tie on heroes' death, by a freely pouring spout.

accept wishing excuses when causes are given.

سَرَابِيلُنا في الرَّوعِ بِيضٌ كأنَّها

سَرَابِيلُنا في الرَّوعِ بِيضٌ كأنَّها

أَضَا اللَّوبِ هَزَّتها من الرِيحش شَمأَلُ

أَضَا اللَّوبِ هَزَّتها من الرِيحش شَمأَلُ

Our coats in battle's terror are bright, as though they were

A confidante said, "You have been patient with yourself

pools among lava-fields, stirred by a north wind.

just as they were patient. Which decree will hasten?

على الجُودِ من آلِ الوَجِيهِ ولاحِقٍ

على الجُودِ من آلِ الوَجِيهِ ولاحِقٍ

تُذَّكِرُنا حين تَصهَلُ

تُذَّكِرُنا حين تَصهَلُ

Mounted on noble steeds of the stock of al-Wajih and Lahiq,

Die upholding truth as Abu Ja'far did among them,

they stir our memories when they neigh.

without that which you hoped.

نَكِل لَهُمُ بالصَّاعِ من ذاكَ أصُوعاً

نَكِل لَهُمُ بالصَّاعِ من ذاكَ أصُوعاً

ويَأتِيهُم بالسَّجلِ من َذاكَ أَسجَلُ

ويَأتِيهُم بالسَّجلِ من َذاكَ أَسجَلُ

For their single measure, we measure out many,

Or the utmost goal which if you attained,

and for a bucket of that, a fuller bucket comes to them.

then you would not be you, and patience is more beautiful.

ألا يَفزَعُ الأقوَامُ مما أظَلَّهُم

ألا يَفزَعُ الأقوَامُ مما أظَلَّهُم

ولَمَّا نَجِئهُم ذاتُ وَدقَينِ ضِئبِلُ

ولَمَّا نَجِئهُم ذاتُ وَدقَينِ ضِئبِلُ

Will the peoples not flee from what has overshadowed them,

When one dreadful of speech assails them

though we have not yet brought them the vast calamity with twin downpours,

and you alone rebut him, while eyes keep twitching,

مِن المُصمَئِلاتِ الدَّآلِيلِ قد بَدَا

مِن المُصمَئِلاتِ الدَّآلِيلِ قد بَدَا

لِذِي اللُّبِّ منها بَرقُها المُتَخَيِّلُ

لِذِي اللُّبِّ منها بَرقُها المُتَخَيِّلُ

one of those crushing, staggering calamities, whose lightning

the vilest of an oppressor's words against them

has appeared to the discerning, portending rain,

will not reach you, except to embolden the cravenly!

الى مَفزَعٍ لن يُنجِيَ النَّاسَ من عَمَىً

الى مَفزَعٍ لن يُنجِيَ النَّاسَ من عَمَىً

ولا فِتنَةٍ إلاّ إلَيهِ التَحَوُّلُ

ولا فِتنَةٍ إلاّ إلَيهِ التَحَوُّلُ

to a refuge—nothing will save people from blindness

If this suffices for us, while I am not satisfied

or turmoil except turning to it:

without it, but I care more for myself and neglect.

إلى الهَاشِمِيين البَهَالِيلِ إنَّهُم

إلى الهَاشِمِيين البَهَالِيلِ إنَّهُم

لخَائِفِنا الرَّاجِي مَلاَذٌ وَمُوئِلُ

لخَائِفِنا الرَّاجِي مَلاَذٌ وَمُوئِلُ

to the noble Hashimites, for they

For I have an example in the House of Ahmad

are a refuge and shelter for the fearful and hopeful among us.

and the past days of time are even longer.

إلى أيِّ عَدلٍ أم لأَيَّةِ سِيرَةٍ

إلى أيِّ عَدلٍ أم لأَيَّةِ سِيرَةٍ

سِوَاهم يَؤُمُّ الظَّاعِنُ المُتَرَحِّلُ

سِوَاهم يَؤُمُّ الظَّاعِنُ المُتَرَحِّلُ

Toward what justice, or toward what manner of life

Although I censure whoever casts doubt on their reputation,

besides theirs, would the departing traveler make his way?

however slight, and I count it enormous and carry.

وَفِيهم نُجُومُ النَّاسِ والمُهتَدى بِهِم

وَفِيهم نُجُومُ النَّاسِ والمُهتَدى بِهِم

إِذا اللَّيلُ أمسَى وهو بالنَّاسِ أَليَلُ

إِذا اللَّيلُ أمسَى وهو بالنَّاسِ أَليَلُ

Among them are the people's stars, and through them comes guidance,

And were I to attain the utmost extremes, I would plunge into its depths

when night falls and grows darker over the people;

if the chicken-hearted loathed death."

إذا استَحنَكت ظَلمَاءُ أمرش نُجُومُها

إذا استَحنَكت ظَلمَاءُ أمرش نُجُومُها

غوامضُ لا يَسرِي بِها النَّاسُ أُفَّلُ

غوامضُ لا يَسرِي بِها النَّاسُ أُفَّلُ

when the darkness of an affair closes in, and its stars

I imbued the leather of affection between me and them

are faint and setting, giving travelers no guidance;

with the whip of kinship—if only it would disintegrate!

وأن نَزَلَت بالنَّاسِ عَميَاءُ لم يَكُن

وأن نَزَلَت بالنَّاسِ عَميَاءُ لم يَكُن

لَهُم بَصَرٌ إلاَّ بِهِم حِينَ تُشكِلُ

لَهُم بَصَرٌ إلاَّ بِهِم حِينَ تُشكِلُ

and if a blinding calamity befalls the people, they have

But it only augmented it with dryness. I do not

no sight except through them when matters become confused.

see for them any womb-relations—and praise be to God—that can join.

فيا رَبِّ عَجِّل ما نُؤَمِلُ فِيهُم

فيا رَبِّ عَجِّل ما نُؤَمِلُ فِيهُم

لِيَدفَأَ مَقرُورٌ وَيَشبَعَ مُرمِلُ

لِيَدفَأَ مَقرُورٌ وَيَشبَعَ مُرمِلُ

O my Lord, hasten what we hope for through them,

I transfused it with the lifeblood of their piety

so the chilled may grow warm and the destitute eat their fill,

as medication for the disturbing illness, that I may gain.

وَيَنفَذُ في راضٍ مُقِرٍ بِحُكمِهِ

وَيَنفَذُ في راضٍ مُقِرٍ بِحُكمِهِ

وفي سَاخِطٍ مِنّا الكِتَابُ المُعَطَّلُ

وفي سَاخِطٍ مِنّا الكِتَابُ المُعَطَّلُ

and let its rule take effect on one content to accept its judgment,

Indeed, though I believe precaution demands

and on one displeased among us—the Book left in abeyance.

that I deal with a people hostile to some people.

فإنَّهم للنَّاس فيما يَنُوبُهم

فإنَّهم للنَّاس فيما يَنُوبُهم

غُيُوثُ حَياً يَنفِي به المَحلُ مُمحِلُ

غُيُوثُ حَياً يَنفِي به المَحلُ مُمحِلُ

For the people, in whatever befalls them, they are

Indeed, though I conceal my eyes, I remain still

life-giving rains by which the drought-stricken banish drought.

and patient over harm as it stirs.

وأنَّهُم للنَّاسِ فيما يَنُوبهُم

وأنَّهُم للنَّاسِ فيما يَنُوبهُم

أكُفُّ نَدى تُجدِي عليهم وَتُفضِل

أكُفُّ نَدى تُجدِي عليهم وَتُفضِل

For the people, in whatever befalls them, they are

If it is said I do not care and am not troubled,

generous hands that benefit them and lavish bounty.

I tolerate criticism, not bothered by what I receive.

وإنَّهم للنَّاسِ فيما يَنُوبُهم

وإنَّهم للنَّاسِ فيما يَنُوبُهم

مَصَابِيحُ تَهدِى من ضَلالٍ وَمَنزِلُ

مَصَابِيحُ تَهدِى من ضَلالٍ وَمَنزِلُ

For the people, in whatever befalls them, they are

Conceal it for them, House of Ahmad! She has come

lamps guiding out of error, and a refuge.

minimized, with no deprecator failing to criticize.

لأهلِ العَمَى فِيهِم شِفَاءٌ من العَمَى

لأهلِ العَمَى فِيهِم شِفَاءٌ من العَمَى

مع النُّصحِ لو أنَّ النَّصِيحَةَ تُقبَلُ

مع النُّصحِ لو أنَّ النَّصِيحَةَ تُقبَلُ

For the blind, in them is a cure for blindness,

Refined, of dazzling eloquence

with sincere counsel—if only counsel were accepted.

like the interpretation of one concise.

لَهُم من هَوَاي الصَّفوُ ما عِشتُ خَالِصَاً

لَهُم من هَوَاي الصَّفوُ ما عِشتُ خَالِصَاً

ومن شِعرِيَ المَخزُونُ والمُتَنَخَّلُ

ومن شِعرِيَ المَخزُونُ والمُتَنَخَّلُ

The purest of my affection is theirs, unalloyed, as long as I live,

She came to you terrified, but did not obey

and of my verse, the treasured and carefully sifted.

any chider among those who moan and stagger.

فَلا رَغبَتِي فيهم تَغِيضُ لأهبَةٍ

فَلا رَغبَتِي فيهم تَغِيضُ لأهبَةٍ

ولا عُقدَتِي في حُبِّهِم تَتَحَلَّلُ

ولا عُقدَتِي في حُبِّهِم تَتَحَلَّلُ

No preparations make my longing for them ebb,

It did not harm her that Zuhayr lay in dirt

nor does the knot of my love for them unravel.

and Zul Quruh perished, as well as Jarwal!

ولا أنا عَنهُم مُحدِثٌ أجنَبِيَّةً

ولا أنا عَنهُم مُحدِثٌ أجنَبِيَّةً

وَلاَ أنَا مُعتَاضٌ بِهم مُتَبَدِّلُ

وَلاَ أنَا مُعتَاضٌ بِهم مُتَبَدِّلُ

I will not create estrangement from them,

So here is the English translation of the Arabic poem you provided. Let me know if you need anything else!

nor take others in exchange for them.

وإنّي على حُبِيّهمُ وَتَطَلُّعِي

وإنّي على حُبِيّهمُ وَتَطَلُّعِي

الى نَصرِهم أمشِي الضَراء وأختُلُ

الى نَصرِهم أمشِي الضَراء وأختُلُ

Yet, despite my love for them and my yearning

for their victory, I walk in cover and move by stealth.

تَجُودُ لَهُم نَفسِي بِمَا دَونَ وَثبَةٍ

تَجُودُ لَهُم نَفسِي بِمَا دَونَ وَثبَةٍ

تَظَلُّ لَهَا الغِربَانُ حَولِيَ تَحجُلُ

تَظَلُّ لَهَا الغِربَانُ حَولِيَ تَحجُلُ

My soul gives freely to them in everything short of a leap

for which ravens would keep hopping around me.

ولكنَّني من عِلّةٍ بِرِضَاهُمُ

ولكنَّني من عِلّةٍ بِرِضَاهُمُ

مُقَامِيَ حتى الآنَ بِالنَّفسِ أبخَلُ

مُقَامِيَ حتى الآنَ بِالنَّفسِ أبخَلُ

But for a reason, and with their approval,

I remain until now reluctant to spend my life.

إذا سُمتُ نَفسِي نَصرَهُم وَتَطجَلَّعَت

إذا سُمتُ نَفسِي نَصرَهُم وَتَطجَلَّعَت

الى بَعضِ ما فيه الذُّعَافُ المُثَمَّلُ

الى بَعضِ ما فيه الذُّعَافُ المُثَمَّلُ

When I charged my soul with aiding them and it aspired

toward some deed containing steeped, deadly poison,

وضقُلتُ لَهَا بِيعِي من العَيشِ فَانِياً

وضقُلتُ لَهَا بِيعِي من العَيشِ فَانِياً

بَبَاقٍ أُعَزِّيهَا مِرَاراً وأعذِلُ

بَبَاقٍ أُعَزِّيهَا مِرَاراً وأعذِلُ

and I told it: Sell what is perishable of life

for what abides—repeatedly consoling and reproaching it—

وألقِي فِضَالَ الشَّكِ عَنكِ بِتَوبَةٍ

وألقِي فِضَالَ الشَّكِ عَنكِ بِتَوبَةٍ

حَوَارِيَّةٍ قَد طَالَ هَذَا التَفَضُّلُ

حَوَارِيَّةٍ قَد طَالَ هَذَا التَفَضُّلُ

and cast off the worn garment of doubt through repentance,

pure and white; this lingering in undress has lasted too long,

اتَتنِي بِتَعلِيلٍ وَمَنَّتنِيَ المُنَى

اتَتنِي بِتَعلِيلٍ وَمَنَّتنِيَ المُنَى

وَقَد يَقبَلُ الاُمنِيَّةَ المُتَعَلِّلُ

وَقَد يَقبَلُ الاُمنِيَّةَ المُتَعَلِّلُ

it came to me with excuses and tempted me with hopes;

one who puts himself off may accept a mere wish.

وَقَالَت مُعِدٌّ أنتَ نَفسَكَ صَابِرَاً

وَقَالَت مُعِدٌّ أنتَ نَفسَكَ صَابِرَاً

كما صَبَرُوا أيُّ القَضَاءينِ يَعجَلُ

كما صَبَرُوا أيُّ القَضَاءينِ يَعجَلُ

And it said: You are preparing yourself to be steadfast,

as they were steadfast, whichever of the two decrees comes first:

أمَوتاً على حَقٍّ كَمَا مَاتَ مِنهُمُ

أمَوتاً على حَقٍّ كَمَا مَاتَ مِنهُمُ

أَبُو جَعفَرٍ دُونَ الذي كُنتَ تَأمُلُ

أَبُو جَعفَرٍ دُونَ الذي كُنتَ تَأمُلُ

death upon the truth, as among them died

Abu Ja'far, before what you had hoped for,

أم الغَايَةَ القُصوَى التي إن بَلَغتَها

أم الغَايَةَ القُصوَى التي إن بَلَغتَها

فَأنتَ إذَاً ما أنتَ والصَّبرُ أجمَلُ

فَأنتَ إذَاً ما أنتَ والصَّبرُ أجمَلُ

or the ultimate goal, which, if you reach it,

will make you all you can be—and patience is finer.

إذا نَالَ مِنهُم من نَهَابُ كَلاَمَهُ

إذا نَالَ مِنهُم من نَهَابُ كَلاَمَهُ

وَرَدَّاً عليه ظَلَّتِ العَينُ تَهمُلُ

وَرَدَّاً عليه ظَلَّتِ العَينُ تَهمُلُ

When one whose speech we fear attacks them,

in answer to him, the eye keeps shedding tears.

وَلاَ يَصِلُ الجَبَّارَ أسوأُ قَولِه

وَلاَ يَصِلُ الجَبَّارَ أسوأُ قَولِه

بِعَيبِهُم إلاّ استَقَلَّكَ أفكَلُ

بِعَيبِهُم إلاّ استَقَلَّكَ أفكَلُ

The tyrant never joins the worst of his speech

to disparaging them without a tremor seizing you.

فإن يَك هَذَا كَافِياً عِندَنَا

فإن يَك هَذَا كَافِياً عِندَنَا

وإنّيَ من غَيرِ اكتِفَاءٍ لأوجَلُ

وإنّيَ من غَيرِ اكتِفَاءٍ لأوجَلُ

If this should suffice in our judgment,

I, not deeming it sufficient, am surely afraid.

ولكِنَّ لِي في آلِ أحمَدَ إسوَةً

ولكِنَّ لِي في آلِ أحمَدَ إسوَةً

وَمَا قَد مَضَى في سَالِفِ الدَّهرِ أطوَلُ

وَمَا قَد مَضَى في سَالِفِ الدَّهرِ أطوَلُ

Yet I have an example in Ahmad's house,

and what passed in earlier ages lasted longer.

على أنّنِي فيما يُرِيبُ عَدُوُّهُم

على أنّنِي فيما يُرِيبُ عَدُوُّهُم

من العَرَضِ الأدنَى أَسُمُّ وأسمُلُ

من العَرَضِ الأدنَى أَسُمُّ وأسمُلُ

Yet, in their enemy's dubious dealings

with this lower world's goods, I poison and put out eyes.

وإن أبلُغِ القًصوَى أَخُض غَمَراتِها

وإن أبلُغِ القًصوَى أَخُض غَمَراتِها

اذا كَرهَ الموتَ اليَرَاعُ المُهَلِّلُ

اذا كَرهَ الموتَ اليَرَاعُ المُهَلِّلُ

If I reach the utmost, I shall plunge into its depths,

when the hollow, shrinking coward recoils from death.

نَضَختُ أدِيمَ الوُدِّ بَينِي وَبَينَهُم

نَضَختُ أدِيمَ الوُدِّ بَينِي وَبَينَهُم

بآصِرِةِ الأرحَامِ لَو يَتَبَلَّلُ

بآصِرِةِ الأرحَامِ لَو يَتَبَلَّلُ

I sprinkled the hide of affection between me and them

with the bond of kinship, hoping it would grow moist;

فما زَادَها إلا يُبُوساً وما أرَى

فما زَادَها إلا يُبُوساً وما أرَى

لَهُم رَحِمَاً والحَمدُ لِلَّه تُوصَلُ

لَهُم رَحِمَاً والحَمدُ لِلَّه تُوصَلُ

but it only made it drier, and I see

no kinship with them to maintain—praise be to God.

وَنضخِيَ إِيّاهُ التَقِيَّاتُ مِنهُم

وَنضخِيَ إِيّاهُ التَقِيَّاتُ مِنهُم

أُدَاجِي عَلَى الدَّاءِ المُرِيبِ وأَدمُلُ

أُدَاجِي عَلَى الدَّاءِ المُرِيبِ وأَدمُلُ

My sprinkling it is protective caution against them;

I dissemble over the troubling disease and salve it.

وإنّي على أنِّي أرى في تَقِيَّةٍ

وإنّي على أنِّي أرى في تَقِيَّةٍ

أُخَالِطُ أقوَاماً لِقَومٍ لَمِزيَلُ

أُخَالِطُ أقوَاماً لِقَومٍ لَمِزيَلُ

Though I am seen practicing protective caution,

mingling with peoples, I remain apart from one people.

وإنّي على إغضَاءِ عَينَيَّ مُطرِقٌ

وإنّي على إغضَاءِ عَينَيَّ مُطرِقٌ

وَصَبرِي على الأقذَاءِ وهي تَجَلجَلُ

وَصَبرِي على الأقذَاءِ وهي تَجَلجَلُ

Though I lower my eyes, I bow my head,

and endure the specks in them as they shift about.

وإن قِيلَ لم أحفِل وَليسَ مُبَالِياً

وإن قِيلَ لم أحفِل وَليسَ مُبَالِياً

لَمُحتَمِلٌ ضَبًّا أُبَالِي وأَحفِلُ

لَمُحتَمِلٌ ضَبًّا أُبَالِي وأَحفِلُ

Even if it is said I do not care and am unconcerned

for one harboring rancor, I do care and take heed.

فَدُونَكُمُوها يَالَ أحمَدَ إنَّها

فَدُونَكُمُوها يَالَ أحمَدَ إنَّها

مُقَلَّلَةٌ لم يَألُ فيها المُقَلِّلُ

مُقَلَّلَةٌ لم يَألُ فيها المُقَلِّلُ

Take it, O house of Ahmad: it is

pared down; its maker spared no effort on it.

مُهَذَّبَةٌ غَرَّاءُ في غِبِّ قَولِها

مُهَذَّبَةٌ غَرَّاءُ في غِبِّ قَولِها

غَدَاةَ غَدٍ تَفسِيرُ ما قالَ مُجمِلُ

غَدَاةَ غَدٍ تَفسِيرُ ما قالَ مُجمِلُ

Polished and radiant; in the wake of its utterance,

tomorrow morning will explain what was said in brief.

أتَتكُم على هَولِ الجَنَانِ ولم تُطِع

أتَتكُم على هَولِ الجَنَانِ ولم تُطِع

لَهَا نَاهِيَاً مِمّن يَئِنُ وَيَزحَلُ

لَهَا نَاهِيَاً مِمّن يَئِنُ وَيَزحَلُ

It came to you despite the heart's terror, and did not obey

any who forbade it, among those who groan and draw back.

وما ضَرَّها أن كَانَ في التُربِ ثَاوِياً

وما ضَرَّها أن كَانَ في التُربِ ثَاوِياً

زُهَيرٌ وَأودَى ذو القُرُوحِ وَجَروَلُ

زُهَيرٌ وَأودَى ذو القُرُوحِ وَجَروَلُ

It has not harmed it that there lies in the dust

Zuhayr, and Dhu al-Quruh and Jarwal have perished.