كُبَيشَةُ حَلَّت بَعدَ عَهدِكَ عاقِلاً

كُبَيشَةُ حَلَّت بَعدَ عَهدِكَ عاقِلاً

وَكانَت لَهُ خَبلاً عَلى النَأيِ خابِلا

وَكانَت لَهُ خَبلاً عَلى النَأيِ خابِلا

Kubaysha settled at 'Aqil after you last knew her,

Kubaysha regained her sense after you left,

and, despite the distance, she was a maddening affliction to him.

And her madness for being away became wisdom.

تَرَبَّعَتِ الأَشرافَ ثُمَّ تَصَيَّفَت

تَرَبَّعَتِ الأَشرافَ ثُمَّ تَصَيَّفَت

حَساءَ البُطاحِ وَاِنتَجَعنَ المَسايِلا

حَساءَ البُطاحِ وَاِنتَجَعنَ المَسايِلا

She spent spring in the uplands, then summered

She took to the highlands, then spent the summer

at the seepage pools of the flats, and they sought pasture in the watercourses.

At al-Buttah, while the flowing streams irrigated al-Musayyil.

تَخَيَّرُ ما بَينَ الرِجامِ وَواسِطٍ

تَخَيَّرُ ما بَينَ الرِجامِ وَواسِطٍ

إِلى سِدرَةِ الرَسَّينِ تَرعى السَوابِلا

إِلى سِدرَةِ الرَسَّينِ تَرعى السَوابِلا

She chooses what lies between al-Rijam and Wasit,

She roams between al-Rijam and Wasit

as far as the lote-tree of al-Rassayn, grazing the ear-bearing grasses.

To the lotus tree of al-Rassayn, where the gazelles graze.

يُغَنّي الحَمامُ فَوقَها كُلَّ شارِقٍ

يُغَنّي الحَمامُ فَوقَها كُلَّ شارِقٍ

عَلى الطَلحِ يَصدَحنَ الضُحى وَالأَصائِلا

عَلى الطَلحِ يَصدَحنَ الضُحى وَالأَصائِلا

Doves sing above her at every sunrise,

The pigeons coo over it every dawn

in the acacias, singing at forenoon and late afternoon.

Over the terebinth the mornings and twilights echo.

فَكَلَّفتُها وَهماً كَأَنَّ نَحيزَهُ

فَكَلَّفتُها وَهماً كَأَنَّ نَحيزَهُ

شَقائِقُ نَسّاجٍ يَؤُمُّ المَناهِلا

شَقائِقُ نَسّاجٍ يَؤُمُّ المَناهِلا

So I set her upon a vast track, whose course seemed

I assigned her a worry as though its localization

like a weaver's lengths, leading toward watering places.

Were flax flowers that frequent the waters.

فَعَدَّيتُها فيهِ تُباري زِمامَها

فَعَدَّيتُها فيهِ تُباري زِمامَها

تُنازِعُ أَطرافَ الإِكامِ النَقائِلا

تُنازِعُ أَطرافَ الإِكامِ النَقائِلا

I drove her onward through it, racing her rein,

So I let her compete with its reins in it,

her worn soles wrestling with the edges of the knolls.

Rivaling the edges of the thickets' entanglements.

مُنيفاً كَسَحلِ الهاجِرِيِّ تَضُمُّهُ

مُنيفاً كَسَحلِ الهاجِرِيِّ تَضُمُّهُ

إِكامٌ وَيَعرَوري النِجادَ الغَوائِلا

إِكامٌ وَيَعرَوري النِجادَ الغَوائِلا

A rising track, like Hajari linen, enclosed

Sheltering like an emigrant's cloak containing

by knolls, and riding bareback over perilous ridges.

Thickets wherein the mares rear their tails.

فَسافَت قَديماً عَهدُهُ بِأَنيسِهِ

فَسافَت قَديماً عَهدُهُ بِأَنيسِهِ

كَما خالَطَ الخَلُّ العَتيقُ التَوابِلا

كَما خالَطَ الخَلُّ العَتيقُ التَوابِلا

She scented a place long estranged from human company,

She frequented it when its old compact with her companion

as old vinegar mingled with spices.

Had deteriorated, as vinegar does the spices.

سَلَبتُ بِها هَجراً بُيوتَ نِعاجِهِ

سَلَبتُ بِها هَجراً بُيوتَ نِعاجِهِ

وَرُعتُ قَطاهُ في المَبيتِ وَقائِلا

وَرُعتُ قَطاهُ في المَبيتِ وَقائِلا

With her I robbed Hajr's wild cows of their lairs,

I stole with her the estrangement from her sheep's homes

and frightened its sandgrouse at night and at midday.

And shepherded its herd at night while spending the night.

بِحَرفٍ بَراها الرَحلُ إِلّا شَظِيَّةً

بِحَرفٍ بَراها الرَحلُ إِلّا شَظِيَّةً

تَرى صُلبَها تَحتَ الوَلِيَّةِ ناحِلا

تَرى صُلبَها تَحتَ الوَلِيَّةِ ناحِلا

On a lean she-camel whom the saddle had worn to a sliver,

With an enclosure he perceived her, except for a portion

you see her spine wasted beneath the saddlecloth.

Whose poles under the tent pegs bend.

عَلى أَنَّ أَلواحاً تُرى في جَديلِها

عَلى أَنَّ أَلواحاً تُرى في جَديلِها

إِذا عاوَدَت جَنانَها وَالأَفاكِلا

إِذا عاوَدَت جَنانَها وَالأَفاكِلا

Yet broad bones can be seen at her braided halter

So that panels appear in her bosom

when she resumes her frenzy and shudders.

When she returns to her burrows and nests.

وَغادَرتُ مَرهوباً كَأَنَّ سِباعَهُ

وَغادَرتُ مَرهوباً كَأَنَّ سِباعَهُ

لُصوصٌ تَصَدّى لِلكَسوبِ المَحاوِلا

لُصوصٌ تَصَدّى لِلكَسوبِ المَحاوِلا

I left Marhub, whose predators seemed

I left it frightened as though its beasts

robbers waylaying an enterprising seeker of gain.

Were thieves deterred from undertakings and attempts.

كَأَنَّ قَتودي فَوقَ جَأبٍ مُطَرَّدٍ

كَأَنَّ قَتودي فَوقَ جَأبٍ مُطَرَّدٍ

يُفِزُّ نَحوصاً بِالبَراعيمِ حائِلا

يُفِزُّ نَحوصاً بِالبَراعيمِ حائِلا

As though my saddle-frames rested on a sturdy wild ass driven onward,

As though my sturdy she-camel atop a saddle

rousing a plump, barren she-ass at al-Bara'im.

Bolts toward the watering places, hindered.

رَعاها مَصابَ المُزنِ حَتّى تَصَيَّفا

رَعاها مَصابَ المُزنِ حَتّى تَصَيَّفا

نِعافَ القَنانِ ساكِناً فَالأَجاوِلا

نِعافَ القَنانِ ساكِناً فَالأَجاوِلا

He grazed her where the rain-clouds fell, until the two summered

The downpour's disaster shepherded it until it spent the summer

on the sandy slopes of al-Qanan, Sakin, then al-Ajawil.

At the Euphrates banks, residing in thickets.

فَكانَ لَهُ بَردُ السِماكِ وَغَيمُهُ

فَكانَ لَهُ بَردُ السِماكِ وَغَيمُهُ

خَليطاً غَدا صُبحَ الحَرامِ مُزايِلا

خَليطاً غَدا صُبحَ الحَرامِ مُزايِلا

The coolness of al-Simak and its clouds had been for him

For it the cool of late spring and its clouds

a companion departing on the sacred month's morning.

Became a mixture that tomorrow's noon sun takes away.

فَلَمّا اِعتَقاهُ الصَيفُ ماءَ ثِمادِهِ

فَلَمّا اِعتَقاهُ الصَيفُ ماءَ ثِمادِهِ

وَقَد زايَلَ البُهمى سَفا العِربِ ناصِلا

وَقَد زايَلَ البُهمى سَفا العِربِ ناصِلا

But when summer barred him from his shallow pools' water,

So when summer released the water of its reservoir,

and the awns of 'irb-grass had come away from the buhma, falling loose,

And the haze had removed the camel hair tents' pegs,

وَلَم يَتَذَكَّر مِن بَقِيَّةِ عَهدِهِ

وَلَم يَتَذَكَّر مِن بَقِيَّةِ عَهدِهِ

مِنَ الحَوضِ وَالسُؤبانِ إِلّا صَلاصِلا

مِنَ الحَوضِ وَالسُؤبانِ إِلّا صَلاصِلا

and from what remained of his old acquaintance he recalled

And it remembered of its days' remainder

of al-Hawd and al-Su'ban only scant remnants of water,

Naught of the basin and drinking troughs except traces,

فَأَجمادَ ذي رَقدٍ فَأَكنافَ ثادِقٍ

فَأَجمادَ ذي رَقدٍ فَأَكنافَ ثادِقٍ

فَصارَةَ يوفي فَوقَها فَالأَعابِلا

فَصارَةَ يوفي فَوقَها فَالأَعابِلا

then the hard heights of Dhu Raqd, then the outskirts of Thadiq,

It harbored a deep sleep and the confines of a shelter,

then Sarah, whose summit he climbs, then al-A'abil.

Above which the tent ropes dangle.

وَزالَ النَسيلُ عَن زَحاليفِ مَتنِهِ

وَزالَ النَسيلُ عَن زَحاليفِ مَتنِهِ

فَأَصبَحَ مُمتَدَّ الطَريقَةِ قافِلا

فَأَصبَحَ مُمتَدَّ الطَريقَةِ قافِلا

The shedding hair fell from the sloping ridges of his back,

The gentle breeze disappeared from its back's plains

and he became long-striped and shriveled lean.

So it straightened its course like a caravan.

يُقَلِّبُ أَطرافَ الأُمورِ تَخالُهُ

يُقَلِّبُ أَطرافَ الأُمورِ تَخالُهُ

بِأَحناءِ ساقٍ آخَرَ اللَيلِ ماثِلا

بِأَحناءِ ساقٍ آخَرَ اللَيلِ ماثِلا

Turning over every side of things, you would imagine him

Its imagination turns affairs' edges

standing late at night in the bends of Saq.

With another part of the night standing crooked.

فَهَيَّجَها بَعدَ الخِلاجِ فَسامَحَت

فَهَيَّجَها بَعدَ الخِلاجِ فَسامَحَت

وَأَنشَأَ جَوناً كَالضَبابَةِ جائِلا

وَأَنشَأَ جَوناً كَالضَبابَةِ جائِلا

He roused her after some tugging, and she yielded,

So after the calm it provoked her and she yielded,

and raised a dark cloud swirling like mist.

And engendered a cleft like a mist's opening.

يَفُلُّ الصَفيحَ الصُمَّ تَحتَ ظِلالِهِ

يَفُلُّ الصَفيحَ الصُمَّ تَحتَ ظِلالِهِ

مِنَ الوَقعِ لا ضَحلاً وَلا مُتَضائِلا

مِنَ الوَقعِ لا ضَحلاً وَلا مُتَضائِلا

Shattering solid stone slabs beneath his shadow

The deaf tin resounds beneath its shadows

with his hoofbeats, neither weak nor waning.

With a thud - neither hollow nor fading.

فَبَيَّتَ زُرقاً مِن سَرارٍ بِسُحرَةٍ

فَبَيَّتَ زُرقاً مِن سَرارٍ بِسُحرَةٍ

وَمِن دَحلَ لا يَخشى بِهِنَّ الحَبائِلا

وَمِن دَحلَ لا يَخشى بِهِنَّ الحَبائِلا

He came by night to the blue pools of Sarar, near dawn,

He lodged in a land of secrets and witchcraft

and of Dahl, fearing no snares beside them.

And an inky darkness, fearing no entanglements.

فَعاما جُنوحَ الهالِكِيِّ كِلاهُما

فَعاما جُنوحَ الهالِكِيِّ كِلاهُما

وَقَحَّمَ آذِيَّ السَرِيِّ الجَحافِلا

وَقَحَّمَ آذِيَّ السَرِيِّ الجَحافِلا

Both swam, bending like a smith,

Two years it endured the destroyer's madness

and he plunged his lips into the stream's surging water.

And encountered the grim faces of the troops.

أَذَلِكَ أَم نَزرُ المَراتِعِ فادِرٌ

أَذَلِكَ أَم نَزرُ المَراتِعِ فادِرٌ

أَحَسَّ قَنيصاً بِالبَراعيمِ خاتِلا

أَحَسَّ قَنيصاً بِالبَراعيمِ خاتِلا

Was it that, or a solitary wild bull in scant pastures,

They hastened to its vulnerabilities so it was as though

sensing a stealthy hunting party at al-Bara'im?

For their sharp teeth it conceded a tusk.

فَباتَ إِلى أَرطاةِ حِقفٍ تَضُمُّهُ

فَباتَ إِلى أَرطاةِ حِقفٍ تَضُمُّهُ

شَآمِيَةٌ تُزجي الرَبابَ الهَواطِلا

شَآمِيَةٌ تُزجي الرَبابَ الهَواطِلا

He spent the night beside an arta shrub on a dune, enveloped

It left them slain at every army's heels

by a northerly driving rain-pouring clouds.

You see the distance in their necks like caravans.

وَباتَ يُريدُ الكِنَّ لَو يَستَطيعُهُ

وَباتَ يُريدُ الكِنَّ لَو يَستَطيعُهُ

يُعالِجُ رَجّافاً مِنَ التُربِ غائِلا

يُعالِجُ رَجّافاً مِنَ التُربِ غائِلا

He spent the night seeking shelter, could he but gain it,

They chose from a ghoul an ample torment

struggling with a treacherous, quaking mass of earth.

And from a white-blazed camel the carriers of litters.

فَأَصبَحَ وَاِنشَقَّ الضَبابُ وَهاجَهُ

فَأَصبَحَ وَاِنشَقَّ الضَبابُ وَهاجَهُ

أَخو قَفرَةٍ يُشلي رَكاحاً وَسائِلا

أَخو قَفرَةٍ يُشلي رَكاحاً وَسائِلا

Then dawn came, the mist split, and he was startled

We provided against separation in exile a need,

by a wilderness man setting Rakah and Sa'il on him—

And a longing as though longing could be just.

عَوابِسَ كَالنُشّابِ تَدمى نُحورُها

عَوابِسَ كَالنُشّابِ تَدمى نُحورُها

يَرَينَ دِماءَ الهادِياتِ نَوافِلا

يَرَينَ دِماءَ الهادِياتِ نَوافِلا

grim-faced hounds like arrows, their breasts bloodied,

Like the need one day before it from them

regarding the blood of necks as spoils.

When at night they repelled with the dogs the beautiful camels.

فَجالَ وَلَم يَعكِم لِغُضفٍ كَأَنَّها

فَجالَ وَلَم يَعكِم لِغُضفٍ كَأَنَّها

دِقاقُ الشَعيلِ يَبتَدِرنَ الجَعائِلا

دِقاقُ الشَعيلِ يَبتَدِرنَ الجَعائِلا

He wheeled, not flinching from floppy-eared hounds that seemed

They were delighted as though the she-camels called from the meadow

slender kindling-sticks racing for rewards.

Were its meadows and the pregnant ones who bear.

لَصائِدِها في الصَيدِ حَقٌّ وَطُعمَةٌ

لَصائِدِها في الصَيدِ حَقٌّ وَطُعمَةٌ

وَيَخشى العَذابَ أَن يُعَرِّدَ ناكِلا

وَيَخشى العَذابَ أَن يُعَرِّدَ ناكِلا

Their hunter has a due share and a portion of the kill,

Bearing Shafib-branded she-camels when they took upon themselves

and he fears torment if he turns aside in retreat.

And the branding spurs goaded the pregnant camels along,

قِتالَ كَمِيٍّ غابَ أَنصارُ ظَهرِهِ

قِتالَ كَمِيٍّ غابَ أَنصارُ ظَهرِهِ

وَلاقى الوُجوهَ المُنكَراتِ البَواسِلا

وَلاقى الوُجوهَ المُنكَراتِ البَواسِلا

Fighting like an armored champion with no allies at his back,

Bearing Musayyib-branded and Manchurian she-camels when they took upon themselves

facing dreadful, fierce faces.

A lineage and lofty camels with abundant burdens,

يَسُرنَ إِلى عَوراتِهِ فَكَأَنَّما

يَسُرنَ إِلى عَوراتِهِ فَكَأَنَّما

لِلَبّاتِها يُنحي سِناناً وَعامِلا

لِلَبّاتِها يُنحي سِناناً وَعامِلا

They advance upon his vulnerable places, as though

As though they were she-camels by a bard's melodies

he directed spearhead and shaft at their throat-hollows.

Charmed while the drinking companion leads gently.

فَغادَرَها صَرعى لَدى كُلِّ مَزحَفٍ

فَغادَرَها صَرعى لَدى كُلِّ مَزحَفٍ

تَرى القَدَّ في أَعناقِهِنَّ قَوافِلا

تَرى القَدَّ في أَعناقِهِنَّ قَوافِلا

He left them fallen at every place of attack;

Does and young she-camels, their necks compliant

you see their leather neck-straps dried stiff.

With the yoke, even if their necks were not long.

تَخَيَّرنَ مِن غَولٍ عِذاباً رَوِيَّةً

تَخَيَّرنَ مِن غَولٍ عِذاباً رَوِيَّةً

وَمِن مَنعِجٍ بيضَ الجِمامِ عَدامِلا

وَمِن مَنعِجٍ بيضَ الجِمامِ عَدامِلا

They chose sweet, quenching waters from Ghawl,

Chaste young brides over whom is diffidence

and abundant, white-surfaced pools from Man'ij.

And noble helpers wearing garments.

وَقَد زَوَّدَت مِنّا عَلى النَأيِ حاجَةً

وَقَد زَوَّدَت مِنّا عَلى النَأيِ حاجَةً

وَشَوقاً لَوَ أَنَّ الشَوقَ أَصبَحَ عادِلا

وَشَوقاً لَوَ أَنَّ الشَوقَ أَصبَحَ عادِلا

She has taken from us, despite the distance, a yearning need,

As though perfectly ripened fruits mixed in her talk

and longing—if only longing would turn away!

Sweet and dried from the exquisite sealed wine of Babylon

كَحاجَةِ يَومٍ قَبلَ ذَلِكَ مِنهُمُ

كَحاجَةِ يَومٍ قَبلَ ذَلِكَ مِنهُمُ

عَشِيَّةَ رَدّوا بِالكُلابِ الجَمائِلا

عَشِيَّةَ رَدّوا بِالكُلابِ الجَمائِلا

Like the desire for them on a day before that,

Which is poured over it from the radiance of lightning

the evening they turned the camel herds back at al-Kulab.

That in the depth of night travels asking.

فَرُحنَ كَأَنَّ النادِياتِ مِنَ الصَفا

فَرُحنَ كَأَنَّ النادِياتِ مِنَ الصَفا

مَذارِعَها وَالكارِعاتِ الحَوامِلا

مَذارِعَها وَالكارِعاتِ الحَوامِلا

They departed at evening, as though moist slabs of rock

Their livers white like goose eggs when they straighten their necks

were their leading ranks and their laden, drinking camels.

And their joints.

بِذي شَطَبٍ أَحداجُها إِذ تَحَمَّلوا

بِذي شَطَبٍ أَحداجُها إِذ تَحَمَّلوا

وَحَثَّ الحُداةُ الناعِجاتِ الذَوامِلا

وَحَثَّ الحُداةُ الناعِجاتِ الذَوامِلا

Their litters were at Dhu Shatab when they departed,

They have anklets of Raqi and agate

and the camel-drivers urged on the white, trotting mounts.

On the oaths of Persian caretakers who make fair judgments.

بِذي الرِمثِ وَالطَرفاءِ لَمّا تَحَمَّلوا

بِذي الرِمثِ وَالطَرفاءِ لَمّا تَحَمَّلوا

أَصيلاً وَعالَينَ الحُمولَ الجَوافِلا

أَصيلاً وَعالَينَ الحُمولَ الجَوافِلا

In the land of rimth shrubs and tamarisks, when they departed

When they are brought out one day for their Lord

at evening and mounted the swiftly moving laden camels,

You would hear from an ecstatic musician a wailing song.

كَأَنَّ نِعاجاً مِن هَجائِنِ عازِفٍ

كَأَنَّ نِعاجاً مِن هَجائِنِ عازِفٍ

عَلَيها وَآرامَ السُلِيِّ الخَواذِلا

عَلَيها وَآرامَ السُلِيِّ الخَواذِلا

it was as though purebred wild cows of 'Azif were

So if an abode becomes remote or a kinsman's time grows long

upon them, and gazelles of al-Suli keeping apart.

With consequences or old age becomes inclusive,

جَعَلنَ حِراجَ القُرنَتَينِ وَناعِتاً

جَعَلنَ حِراجَ القُرنَتَينِ وَناعِتاً

يَميناً وَنَكَّبنَ البَدِيَّ شَمائِلا

يَميناً وَنَكَّبنَ البَدِيَّ شَمائِلا

They put the thickets of al-Qurnatayn and Na'it

Then we might pasture one morning, and we are not neighbors

to their right, leaving al-Badi on their left.

To the kings' realm, the coinage and the wash houses.

وَعالَينَ مَضعوفاً وَفَرداً سُموطُهُ

وَعالَينَ مَضعوفاً وَفَرداً سُموطُهُ

جُمانٌ وَمَرجانٌ يَشُدُّ المَفاصِلا

جُمانٌ وَمَرجانٌ يَشُدُّ المَفاصِلا

They wore doubled and single strands, whose strings were

Nights beneath the tent walls, a summer residence

pearls and coral linking the joints.

Of leather, frequents the midwives' huts.

يَرُضنَ صِعابَ الدُرِّ في كُلِّ حِجَّةٍ

يَرُضنَ صِعابَ الدُرِّ في كُلِّ حِجَّةٍ

وَلَو لَم تَكُن أَعناقُهُنَّ عَواطِلا

وَلَو لَم تَكُن أَعناقُهُنَّ عَواطِلا

They tame stubborn pearls in every year,

The rheum of tender glances slept, its coverlets cheap,

even when their necks are not unadorned.

In Suwaylim, from Duhayshah, the quarrelsome.

غَرائِرُ أَبكارٌ عَلَيها مَهابَةٌ

غَرائِرُ أَبكارٌ عَلَيها مَهابَةٌ

وَعونٌ كِرامٌ يَرتَدَينَ الوَصائِلا

وَعونٌ كِرامٌ يَرتَدَينَ الوَصائِلا

Innocent maidens, with dignity upon them,

The range of vision from it to keep an eye on with vigilance

and noble matrons wearing striped wraps.

Is like the measure for the brave of what the struggling endures.

كَأَنَّ الشَمولَ خالَطَت في كَلامِها

كَأَنَّ الشَمولَ خالَطَت في كَلامِها

جَنِيّاً مِنَ الرُمّانِ لَدناً وَذابِلا

جَنِيّاً مِنَ الرُمّانِ لَدناً وَذابِلا

As though wine had mingled in her speech

So she returned to visit between us and was altered

with freshly gathered pomegranate, tender and dried,

And said, "Enough - old age is lethal for a man."

لَذيذاً وَمَنقوفاً بِصافي مَخيلَةٍ

لَذيذاً وَمَنقوفاً بِصافي مَخيلَةٍ

مِنَ الناصِعِ المَختومِ مِن خَمرِ بابِلا

مِنَ الناصِعِ المَختومِ مِن خَمرِ بابِلا

delicious and broken open, with clear, heady wine

She blames destruction without being misguided

from the pure, sealed wine of Babylon.

And do I possess what I held back, if I were stingy?

يُشَنُّ عَلَيها مِن سُلافَةِ بارِقٍ

يُشَنُّ عَلَيها مِن سُلافَةِ بارِقٍ

سَناً رَصَفاً مِن آخِرِ اللَيلِ سائِلا

سَناً رَصَفاً مِن آخِرِ اللَيلِ سائِلا

Over it is sprinkled the pure first fall of a flashing cloud,

I saw piety and praise as the best commerce -

gleaming water gathered among stones, flowing in the night's last hours.

Profit, when a man becomes heavy

تُضَمَّنُ بيضاً كَالإِوَزِّ ظُروفُها

تُضَمَّنُ بيضاً كَالإِوَزِّ ظُروفُها

إِذا أَتأَقوا أَعناقَها وَالحَواصِلا

إِذا أَتأَقوا أَعناقَها وَالحَواصِلا

It is held in white vessels like geese,

And is it not but what he built in his life

when they have filled their necks and crops to the brim.

When they hurl over the tomb dirt and spades

لَها غَلَلٌ مِن رازِقِيٍّ وَكُرسُفٍ

لَها غَلَلٌ مِن رازِقِيٍّ وَكُرسُفٍ

بِأَيمانِ عُجمٍ يَنصُفونَ المَقاوِلا

بِأَيمانِ عُجمٍ يَنصُفونَ المَقاوِلا

They have coverings of fine linen and cotton,

And praise him for what he had

in the right hands of foreigners serving princes.

As the fingernails bite into him.

إِذا صُفِّقَت يَوماً لِأَربابِ رَبِّها

إِذا صُفِّقَت يَوماً لِأَربابِ رَبِّها

سَمِعتَ لَها مِن واكِفِ العُطبِ واشِلا

سَمِعتَ لَها مِن واكِفِ العُطبِ واشِلا

When it is strained one day for its keeper's masters,

So leave off this - it has passed away

you hear its trickle from the dripping cotton.

Andbusy the deliverer of worries if you travel

فَإِن تَنأَ دارٌ أَو يَطُل عَهدُ خُلَّةٍ

فَإِن تَنأَ دارٌ أَو يَطُل عَهدُ خُلَّةٍ

بِعاقِبَةٍ أَو يُصبِحِ الشَيبُ شامِلا

بِعاقِبَةٍ أَو يُصبِحِ الشَيبُ شامِلا

If a home grows distant, or friendship's time stretches long

Requesting the hospitality of a journey laid bare after exhaustion

at last, or gray hair becomes all-encompassing,

A spring and summer in the resting places complete

فَقَد نَرتَعي سَبتاً وَلَسنا بِجيرَةٍ

فَقَد نَرتَعي سَبتاً وَلَسنا بِجيرَةٍ

مَحَلَّ المُلوكِ نُقدَةً فَالمَغاسِلا

مَحَلَّ المُلوكِ نُقدَةً فَالمَغاسِلا

we once enjoyed abundance for a while, though not neighbors,

So I rewarded her for what was laid bare and became eternal

in kings' camping grounds—Nuqdah, then al-Maghasil.

For she would compete with the beautiful camels.

لَيالِيَ تَحتَ الخِدرِ ثِنيُ مُصيفَةٍ

لَيالِيَ تَحتَ الخِدرِ ثِنيُ مُصيفَةٍ

مِنَ الأُدمِ تَرتادُ الشُروجَ القَوابِلا

مِنَ الأُدمِ تَرتادُ الشُروجَ القَوابِلا

On nights when beneath the curtain was a young cow with a summer calf,

It turned like the bending of the sword, its blade gleaming

of the white wild cattle, seeking the facing passes.

Over every brave one who splits skulls.

أَنامَت غَضيضَ الطَرفِ رَخصاً ظُلوفُهُ

أَنامَت غَضيضَ الطَرفِ رَخصاً ظُلوفُهُ

بِذاتِ السُلَيمِ مِن دُحَيضَةَ جادِلا

بِذاتِ السُلَيمِ مِن دُحَيضَةَ جادِلا

She lulled a downcast-eyed calf with tender hooves

So it turned away my basin, heedless of its roses,

at Dhat al-Sulaym in Duhayda, a sturdy youngster.

Inclining in the gardens of reeds, covered in mange.

مَدى العَينِ مِنها أَن يُراعَ بِنَجوَةٍ

مَدى العَينِ مِنها أَن يُراعَ بِنَجوَةٍ

كَقَدرِ النَجيثِ ما يَبُذُّ المُناضِلا

كَقَدرِ النَجيثِ ما يَبُذُّ المُناضِلا

He was within her sight, lest he be startled on high ground,

With that I console a need, if I attain it

at a target's distance, not beyond the archer's reach.

And relieve a worry that was inside my chest

فَعادَت عَوادٍ بَينَنا وَتَنَكَّرَت

فَعادَت عَوادٍ بَينَنا وَتَنَكَّرَت

وَقالَت كَفى بِالشَيبِ لِلمَرءِ قاتِلا

وَقالَت كَفى بِالشَيبِ لِلمَرءِ قاتِلا

Then hindrances came between us, and she turned unfriendly,

I repay and grant this guide his judgment

saying, 'Gray hair is enough to kill a man.'

If he is worthy of honor and connection

تَلومُ عَلى الإِهلاكِ في غَيرِ ضَلَّةٍ

تَلومُ عَلى الإِهلاكِ في غَيرِ ضَلَّةٍ

وَهَل لِيَ ما أَمسَكتُ إِن كُنتُ باخِلا

وَهَل لِيَ ما أَمسَكتُ إِن كُنتُ باخِلا

She blames my spending freely, though it is no folly;

And if I bring it to him I shall divert it if I fear betrayal

but is what I hoard mine, if I am miserly?

And restrain the fist of stinginess if he is stingy.

رَأَيتُ التُقى وَالحَمدَ خَيرَ تِجارَةٍ

رَأَيتُ التُقى وَالحَمدَ خَيرَ تِجارَةٍ

رَباحاً إِذا ما المَرءُ أَصبَحَ ثاقِلا

رَباحاً إِذا ما المَرءُ أَصبَحَ ثاقِلا

I have found piety and praise the best commerce,

The clan of 'Amir are the best of tribes I knew

yielding profit when a man lies heavy with death.

Even if enemies falsely spoke lies and falsehood

وَهَل هُوَ إِلّا ما اِبتَنى في حَياتِهِ

وَهَل هُوَ إِلّا ما اِبتَنى في حَياتِهِ

إِذا قَذَفوا فَوقَ الضَريحِ الجَنادِلا

إِذا قَذَفوا فَوقَ الضَريحِ الجَنادِلا

Is he anything but what he built during his life,

For them are endless councils of dew

when they throw stones over the grave,

Nor does the ignorance of the ignorant harm them

وَأَثنَوا عَلَيهِ بِالَّذي كانَ عِندَهُ

وَأَثنَوا عَلَيهِ بِالَّذي كانَ عِندَهُ

وَعَضَّ عَلَيهِ العائِداتُ الأَنامِلا

وَعَضَّ عَلَيهِ العائِداتُ الأَنامِلا

and praise him for what he possessed,

Whites over the fires in times of chill

and the visiting women bite their fingertips for him?

Nights of supper, deterring the mischievous

فَدَع عَنكَ هَذا قَد مَضى لِسَبيلِهِ

فَدَع عَنكَ هَذا قَد مَضى لِسَبيلِهِ

وَكَلِّف نَجِيَّ الهَمِّ إِن كُنتَ راحِلا

وَكَلِّف نَجِيَّ الهَمِّ إِن كُنتَ راحِلا

Leave that aside: it has gone its way.

They established rights, made them hereditary

And burden care's confidant, if you are setting out—

Bones of effort and fasting in abundance

طَليحَ سَفارٍ عُرِّيَت بَعدَ بَذلَةٍ

طَليحَ سَفارٍ عُرِّيَت بَعدَ بَذلَةٍ

رَبيعاً وَصَيفاً بِالمَضاجِعِ كامِلا

رَبيعاً وَصَيفاً بِالمَضاجِعِ كامِلا

a travel-worn she-camel, left unsaddled after hard use,

Their north wind distributes its bones

through spring and a full summer at al-Madaji'.

When Najd drives away the mirages.

فَجازَيتُها ما عُرِّيَت وَتَأَبَّدَت

فَجازَيتُها ما عُرِّيَت وَتَأَبَّدَت

وَكانَت تُسامي بِالغَريفِ الجَمائِلا

وَكانَت تُسامي بِالغَريفِ الجَمائِلا

I repaid her for being left bare and growing wild,

Nobles, if the caravans come it is delightful

when she vied with the camel herds at al-Gharif.

Vats - they do not desire in wine a defect

وَوَلّى كَنَصلِ السَيفِ يَبرُقُ مَتنُهُ

وَوَلّى كَنَصلِ السَيفِ يَبرُقُ مَتنُهُ

عَلى كُلِّ إِجرَيّا يَشُقُّ الخَمائِلا

عَلى كُلِّ إِجرَيّا يَشُقُّ الخَمائِلا

And he turned away, his back flashing like a sword's blade,

If they drink, they deter intrigues from themselves

at every gait, cleaving through thickets.

For of old they would silence intrigues

فَنَكَّبَ حَوضى ما يَهُمُّ بِوِردِها

فَنَكَّبَ حَوضى ما يَهُمُّ بِوِردِها

يَميلُ بِصَحراءِ القَنانَينِ جاذِلا

يَميلُ بِصَحراءِ القَنانَينِ جاذِلا

He avoided Hawda, with no thought of watering there,

So do not ask us and ask about our afflictions

swaying joyfully across the desert of al-Qananayn.

Iyad, Kalb, Ma'add, and Qays

بِتِلكَ أُسَلّي حاجَةً إِن ضَمِنتُها

بِتِلكَ أُسَلّي حاجَةً إِن ضَمِنتُها

وَأُبرِئُ هَمّاً كانَ في الصَدرِ داخِلا

وَأُبرِئُ هَمّاً كانَ في الصَدرِ داخِلا

With that mount I soothe a need when I undertake it,

And Tamim whom Kinadah toured

and cure a care that has entered the breast.

And when the settlements came upon you

أُجازي وَأُعطي ذا الدِلالِ بِحُكمِهِ

أُجازي وَأُعطي ذا الدِلالِ بِحُكمِهِ

إِذا كانَ أَهلاً لِلكَرامَةِ واصِلا

إِذا كانَ أَهلاً لِلكَرامَةِ واصِلا

I repay and give the man of familiar claims what he deems his due,

In them, for our accounts, are affliction and bounty

if he deserves honor and maintains our ties.

And our endeavor for glory was not neglectful

وَإِن آتِهِ أَصرِف إِذا خِفتُ نَبوَةً

وَإِن آتِهِ أَصرِف إِذا خِفتُ نَبوَةً

وَأَحبِس قَلوصَ الشُحِّ إِن كانَ باخِلا

وَأَحبِس قَلوصَ الشُحِّ إِن كانَ باخِلا

If I visit him, I turn away when I fear a rebuff,

They are my people, if you meet their elite

and hold back the young she-camel of avarice if he is miserly.

You will find them practicing glory and nobility

بَنو عامِرٍ مِن خَيرِ حَيٍّ عَلِمتُهُم

بَنو عامِرٍ مِن خَيرِ حَيٍّ عَلِمتُهُم

وَلَو نَطَقَ الأَعداءُ زوراً وَباطِلا

وَلَو نَطَقَ الأَعداءُ زوراً وَباطِلا

The Banu 'Amir are among the best tribes I have known,

They will never lack in war a seasoned lion

though enemies speak falsehood and lies.

Or one equal when disaster strikes, ready to sacrifice

لَهُم مَجلِسٌ لا يُحصَرونَ عَنِ النَدى

لَهُم مَجلِسٌ لا يُحصَرونَ عَنِ النَدى

وَلا يَزدَهيهِم جَهلُ مَن كانَ جاهِلا

وَلا يَزدَهيهِم جَهلُ مَن كانَ جاهِلا

They have an assembly where nothing restrains their generosity,

And a fluent one who dons his armor for the fray

nor does a fool's folly provoke them.

An orator, when the throngs gather, judicious

وَبيضٌ عَلى النيرانِ في كُلِّ شَتوَةٍ

وَبيضٌ عَلى النيرانِ في كُلِّ شَتوَةٍ

سَراةَ العِشاءِ يَزجُرونَ المَسابِلا

سَراةَ العِشاءِ يَزجُرونَ المَسابِلا

And bright-faced men beside the fires in every winter,

And one we trained without his bridle

urging on the lot-arrows in the height of evening.

Who walks in the township restrained

وَأَعطَوا حُقوقاً ضُمِّنوها وِراثَةً

وَأَعطَوا حُقوقاً ضُمِّنوها وِراثَةً

عِظامَ الجِفانِ وَالصِيامَ الحَوافِلا

عِظامَ الجِفانِ وَالصِيامَ الحَوافِلا

They discharged obligations entrusted to them by inheritance,

And Mashi'ala, a she-camel made for racing, as though her steeds

men of great bowls and standing, milk-heavy she-camels.

Are pigeons competing at dusk with the lowly

تُوَزِّعُ صُرّادَ الشَمالِ جِفانُهُم

تُوَزِّعُ صُرّادَ الشَمالِ جِفانُهُم

إِذا أَصبَحَت نَجدٌ تَسوقُ الأَفائِلا

إِذا أَصبَحَت نَجدٌ تَسوقُ الأَفائِلا

Their bowls fend off the north wind's bitter blasts

They have a loftiness wherein the iron is dense

when Najd's wind begins driving the young camels.

You see the distance in their necks and their litter panniers

كِرامٌ إِذا نابَ التِجارُ أَلِذَّةٌ

كِرامٌ إِذا نابَ التِجارُ أَلِذَّةٌ

مَخاريقُ لا يَرجونَ لِلخَمرِ واغِلا

مَخاريقُ لا يَرجونَ لِلخَمرِ واغِلا

Generous when merchants come round, delight-loving,

We struck the people's elites until they hastily went

lavish men who fear no unbidden drinker at their wine.

With bundles while the young camels carried the burdens

إِذا شَرِبوا صَدّوا العَواذِلَ عَنهُمُ

إِذا شَرِبوا صَدّوا العَواذِلَ عَنهُمُ

وَكانوا قَديماً يُسكِتونَ العَواذِلا

وَكانوا قَديماً يُسكِتونَ العَواذِلا

When they drink, they fend the reproaching women off;

We fulfill glory for the neighbor and we were raised

they have long silenced reproaching women.

In action, and we defeat the disputant adversary

فَلا تَسأَلينا وَاِسأَلي عَن بَلائِنا

فَلا تَسأَلينا وَاِسأَلي عَن بَلائِنا

إِياداً وَكَلباً مِن مَعَدٍّ وَوائِلا

إِياداً وَكَلباً مِن مَعَدٍّ وَوائِلا

Do not ask us: ask about our prowess

We have an exemplary Sunnah we follow

Iyad, Kalb of Ma'add, and Wa'il,

And it legislated loyalty for our descendants

وَقَيساً وَمَن لَفَّت تَميمٌ وَمَذحِجاً

وَقَيساً وَمَن لَفَّت تَميمٌ وَمَذحِجاً

وَكِندَةَ إِذ وافَت عَلَيكِ المَنازِلا

وَكِندَةَ إِذ وافَت عَلَيكِ المَنازِلا

and Qays, those whom Tamim gathered, and Madhhij,

Something that a people desiring to destroy it

and Kindah, when they reached your encampments.

Vacillate - extensive treason vacillating

لِأَحسابِنا فيهِم بَلاءٌ وَنِعمَةٌ

لِأَحسابِنا فيهِم بَلاءٌ وَنِعمَةٌ

وَلَم يَكُ ساعينا عَنِ المَجدِ غافِلا

وَلَم يَكُ ساعينا عَنِ المَجدِ غافِلا

Our ancestral honor has among them deeds of valor and beneficence;

We were patient with them in every significant day

our striver was never heedless of glory.

With our swords until we surmounted the inheritances

أولَئِكَ قَومي إِن تُلاقِ سَراتَهُم

أولَئِكَ قَومي إِن تُلاقِ سَراتَهُم

تَجِدهُم يَأُمّونَ العُلا وَالفَواضِلا

تَجِدهُم يَأُمّونَ العُلا وَالفَواضِلا

Those are my people: if you meet their chiefs,

And if you ask about them in every raid

you find them seeking loftiness and noble deeds.

Then perhaps the reports will inform one who asks

وَلَن يَعدَموا في الحَربِ لَيثاً مُجَرَّباً

وَلَن يَعدَموا في الحَربِ لَيثاً مُجَرَّباً

وَذا نَزَلٍ عِندَ الرَزِيَّةِ باذِلا

وَذا نَزَلٍ عِندَ الرَزِيَّةِ باذِلا

They will never lack a battle-tested lion in war,

They are my people, if you inquire about their tents

or a hospitable giver when calamity comes,

Then the news will inform the ignorant one

وَأَبيَضَ يَجتابُ الخُروقَ عَلى الوَجى

وَأَبيَضَ يَجتابُ الخُروقَ عَلى الوَجى

خَطيباً إِذا اِلتَفَّ المَجامِعُ فاصِلا

خَطيباً إِذا اِلتَفَّ المَجامِعُ فاصِلا

or a bright-faced man crossing wastes despite sore hooves,

an eloquent, decisive speaker when assemblies gather.

وَعانٍ فَكَكناهُ بِغَيرِ سِوامِهِ

وَعانٍ فَكَكناهُ بِغَيرِ سِوامِهِ

فَأَصبَحَ يَمشي في المَحَلَّةِ جاذِلا

فَأَصبَحَ يَمشي في المَحَلَّةِ جاذِلا

And a captive we freed with livestock not his own

went walking joyfully through the encampment.

وَمُشعِلَةً رَهواً كَأَنَّ جِيادَها

وَمُشعِلَةً رَهواً كَأَنَّ جِيادَها

حَمامٌ تُباري بِالعَشِيِّ سَوافِلا

حَمامٌ تُباري بِالعَشِيِّ سَوافِلا

And a far-spreading army in even ranks, whose chargers seemed

doves racing low at evening.

لَهُم فَخمَةٌ فيها الحَديدُ كَثيفَةٌ

لَهُم فَخمَةٌ فيها الحَديدُ كَثيفَةٌ

تَرى البيضَ في أَعناقِهِم وَالمَعابِلا

تَرى البيضَ في أَعناقِهِم وَالمَعابِلا

They have a massive, dense host filled with iron;

you see bright blades and broad arrowheads in their necks.

ضَرَبنا سَراةَ القَومِ حَتّى تَوَجَّهوا

ضَرَبنا سَراةَ القَومِ حَتّى تَوَجَّهوا

سِراعاً وَقَد بَلَّ النَجيعُ المَحامِلا

سِراعاً وَقَد بَلَّ النَجيعُ المَحامِلا

We struck the people's chiefs until they turned away

in haste, fresh blood having soaked the saddle-straps.

نُؤَدّي العَظيمَ لِلجِوارِ وَنَبتَني

نُؤَدّي العَظيمَ لِلجِوارِ وَنَبتَني

فَعالاً وَقَد نُنكي العَدُوَّ المُساجِلا

فَعالاً وَقَد نُنكي العَدُوَّ المُساجِلا

We fulfill the greatest obligations of neighborly protection, and build

noble deeds, and wound the enemy who vies with us.

لَنا سُنَّةٌ عادِيَّةٌ نَقتَدي بِها

لَنا سُنَّةٌ عادِيَّةٌ نَقتَدي بِها

وَسَنَّت لِأُخرانا وَفاءً وَنائِلا

وَسَنَّت لِأُخرانا وَفاءً وَنائِلا

We have an ancient tradition that we follow;

it has prescribed loyalty and bounty for our descendants.

يُذَبذِبُ أَقواماً يُريدونَ هَدمَها

يُذَبذِبُ أَقواماً يُريدونَ هَدمَها

نِيافٌ يَبُذُّ الواسِعُ المُتَطاوِلا

نِيافٌ يَبُذُّ الواسِعُ المُتَطاوِلا

It shakes off peoples who seek to tear it down—

a towering, spacious eminence surpassing every aspiring rival.

صَبَرنا لَهُم في كُلِّ يَومِ عَظيمَةٍ

صَبَرنا لَهُم في كُلِّ يَومِ عَظيمَةٍ

بِأَسيافِنا حَتّى عَلَونا المَناقِلا

بِأَسيافِنا حَتّى عَلَونا المَناقِلا

We stood firm against them on every day of great trial,

with our swords, until we gained the passes.

وَإِن تَسأَلوا عَنهُم لَدى كُلِّ غارَةٍ

وَإِن تَسأَلوا عَنهُم لَدى كُلِّ غارَةٍ

فَقَد يُنبَأُ الأَخبارَ مَن كانَ سائِلا

فَقَد يُنبَأُ الأَخبارَ مَن كانَ سائِلا

If you ask about them at every raid,

the questioner may indeed be told the accounts.

أولَئِكَ قَومي إِن سَأَلتَ بِخيمِهِم

أولَئِكَ قَومي إِن سَأَلتَ بِخيمِهِم

وَقَد يُخبَرُ الأَنباءَ مَن كانَ جاهِلا

وَقَد يُخبَرُ الأَنباءَ مَن كانَ جاهِلا

Those are my people, if you ask about their character;

one who does not know may indeed be told the tidings.