عَفَتِwere effaced الدِيارُthe dwellings مَحَلُّهاtheir camping-place فَمُقامُهاand their abiding-place
عَفَتِ الدِيارُ مَحَلُّها فَمُقامُها
بِمَنىًat Minā تَأَبَّدَbecame desolate غَولُهاits Ghawl فَرِجامُهاand its Rijām
بِمَنىً تَأَبَّدَ غَولُها فَرِجامُها
The dwellings are effaced, their camping-place and abiding-place,
The dwellings are deserted, though their place remains;
at Minā; its Ghawl and Rijām have grown desolate.
At Mina their tyranny has come to stay forever.
فَمَدافِعُand the runoff channels of الرَيّانِal-Rayyān عُرِّيَwas laid bare رَسمُهاtheir trace
فَمَدافِعُ الرَيّانِ عُرِّيَ رَسمُها
خَلَقاًworn كَماas ضَمِنَheld الوُحِيَّinscriptions سِلامُهاtheir stones
خَلَقاً كَما ضَمِنَ الوُحِيَّ سِلامُها
The runoff channels of al-Rayyān have laid bare their trace,
The guardians of the rain clouds uncovered its form,
worn, like inscriptions preserved by their stones.
Created as promised in the Revelation's security.
دِمَنٌcampsite traces تَجَرَّمَelapsed بَعدَsince عَهدِthe time of أَنيسِهاtheir familiar inhabitants
دِمَنٌ تَجَرَّمَ بَعدَ عَهدِ أَنيسِها
حِجَجٌyears خَلَونَpassed حَلالُهاtheir ordinary months وَحَرامُهاand their sacred months
حِجَجٌ خَلَونَ حَلالُها وَحَرامُها
Campsite traces, since the time of their familiar inhabitants,
After the loving era, a criminal time arrived
have seen years pass, their ordinary and sacred months.
When the pilgrimage's lawful and unlawful were confused.
رُزِقَتwere blessed with مَرابيعَspring rains of النُجومِthe stars وَصابَهاand struck them
رُزِقَت مَرابيعَ النُجومِ وَصابَها
وَدقُrain of الرَواعِدِthunderclouds جَودُهاtheir downpours فَرِهامُهاthen their light showers
وَدقُ الرَواعِدِ جَودُها فَرِهامُها
They were blessed with the stars' spring rains, and struck by
It was given the stars of the constellations and struck
thunderclouds' rain, its downpours and its light showers,
By its pouring rain, its generosity and torrents.
مِنfrom كُلِّevery سارِيَةٍnight raincloud وَغادٍand a morning cloud مُدجِنٍovercast
مِن كُلِّ سارِيَةٍ وَغادٍ مُدجِنٍ
وَعَشيَّةٍand an evening cloud مُتَجاوِبٍanswering itself إِرزامُهاits thunder
وَعَشيَّةٍ مُتَجاوِبٍ إِرزامُها
from every night raincloud and overcast morning cloud,
From every lofty minaret and every singing night,
and evening clouds whose thunder answers itself.
Whose evening shadows answer each other.
فَعَلاthen rose high فُروعُshoots of الأَيهُقانِwild rocket وَأَطفَلَتand gave birth
فَعَلا فُروعُ الأَيهُقانِ وَأَطفَلَت
بِالجَهلَتَينِat al-Jahlatayn ظِبائُهاtheir gazelles وَنَعامُهاand their ostriches
بِالجَهلَتَينِ ظِبائُها وَنَعامُها
Then the shoots of wild rocket rose high, and gave birth
The tree branches are high, and the ostrich and deer
at al-Jahlatayn their gazelles and ostriches.
Graze there with the hyenas, at home.
وَالعَينُand the wide-eyed wild cows ساكِنَةٌresting عَلىbeside أَطلائِهاtheir calves
وَالعَينُ ساكِنَةٌ عَلى أَطلائِها
عوذاًas new mothers تَأَجَّلُgather into herds بِالفَضاءِin the open plain بِهامُهاtheir young
عوذاً تَأَجَّلُ بِالفَضاءِ بِهامُها
The wide-eyed wild cows rested beside their calves,
While the eye rests on its heights, seeking refuge,
new mothers, their young gathering in herds on the open plain.
Bewildered, in the sky where its desires roam.
وَجَلاand laid bare السُيولُthe floods عَنِfrom الطُلولِthe ruins كَأَنَّهاas though they were
وَجَلا السُيولُ عَنِ الطُلولِ كَأَنَّها
زُبُرٌwritten pages تُجِدُّrenew مُتونَهاtheir texts أَقلامُهاtheir pens
زُبُرٌ تُجِدُّ مُتونَها أَقلامُها
The floods laid the ruins bare, as though they were
The torrents recede from the hills as if they are
written pages whose pens renew their texts,
Scrolls, their texts written by its surging waves.
أَوor رَجعُthe repeated work of واشِمَةٍa tattooing woman أُسِفَّwas rubbed in نُؤورُهاher soot
أَو رَجعُ واشِمَةٍ أُسِفَّ نُؤورُها
كِفَفاًin rings تَعَرَّضَspread across فَوقَهِنَّover them وِشامُهاher tattoo marks
كِفَفاً تَعَرَّضَ فَوقَهِنَّ وِشامُها
or a tattooer's repeated work, her soot rubbed in
Or like the returning cavalry of Washima
in rings, with her tattoo marks spread across them.
Covering them with its brave horses above.
فَوَقَفتُso I stopped أَسأَلُهاquestioning them وَكَيفَand how سُؤالُناcan we question
فَوَقَفتُ أَسأَلُها وَكَيفَ سُؤالُنا
صُمّاًdeaf things خَوالِدَenduring ماnot يُبينُreveals كَلامُهاtheir speech
صُمّاً خَوالِدَ ما يُبينُ كَلامُها
So I stopped to question them—yet how can we question
I stood and asked about it - but how can I ask
deaf, enduring things whose speech reveals nothing?
When its eternal buildings cannot speak?
عَرِيَتlay bare وَكانَand had been بِهاin them الجَميعُthe whole tribe فَأَبكَرواthen they left at dawn
عَرِيَت وَكانَ بِها الجَميعُ فَأَبكَروا
مِنهاfrom them وَغودِرَand was left نُؤيُهاtheir encircling trench وَثُمامُهاand their thumām grass
مِنها وَغودِرَ نُؤيُها وَثُمامُها
They lay bare, though once the whole tribe was there; they left at dawn
It was abandoned, and all departed from it,
from them, leaving their encircling trench and thumām grass.
Fleeing its hardship when the living things left.
شاقَتكَstirred your longing ظُعنُdeparting women of الحَيِّthe tribe حينَwhen تَحَمَّلواthey loaded up
شاقَتكَ ظُعنُ الحَيِّ حينَ تَحَمَّلوا
فَتَكَنَّسواthen entered their shelters قُطُناًhowdahs تَصِرُّcreak خِيامُهاtheir coverings
فَتَكَنَّسوا قُطُناً تَصِرُّ خِيامُها
The tribe's departing women stirred your longing as they loaded up,
You were split by the stab of life when they resolved to
then sheltered in howdahs, their coverings creaking,
Gather as cotton, pitching their tents.
مِنfrom كُلِّevery مَحفوفٍenclosed litter يُظِلُّshades عَصِيَّهُits poles
مِن كُلِّ مَحفوفٍ يُظِلُّ عَصِيَّهُ
زَوجٌa coverlet عَلَيهِupon it كِلَّةٌa fine curtain وَقِرامُهاand its patterned drape
زَوجٌ عَلَيهِ كِلَّةٌ وَقِرامُها
each enclosed litter, its poles shaded by
Married couples in every covered litter,
a coverlet, bearing a fine curtain and its patterned drape,
Its pole shared by an old woman and her youth.
زُجَلاًraised high كَأَنَّas though نِعاجَwild cows of توضِحَTawḍiḥ فَوقَهاwere upon them
زُجَلاً كَأَنَّ نِعاجَ توضِحَ فَوقَها
وَظِباءَand gazelles of وَجرَةَWajrah عُطَّفاًturning toward one another آرامُهاits white does
وَظِباءَ وَجرَةَ عُطَّفاً آرامُها
raised high, as though the wild cows of Tawḍiḥ were upon them,
Men who seem like sheep scattering on it
and Wajrah's gazelles, its white does turning toward one another.
And deer and cattle walking calmly.
حُفِزَتwere urged onward وَزايَلَهاand parted from them السَرابُthe mirage كَأَنَّهاas though they were
حُفِزَت وَزايَلَها السَرابُ كَأَنَّها
أَجزاعُvalley bends of بيشَةَBīshah أَثلُهاits tamarisks وَرُضامُهاand its rock heaps
أَجزاعُ بيشَةَ أَثلُها وَرُضامُها
They were urged onward, and the mirage parted from them, as though they were
They were roused and the mirage seemed to move them
Bīshah's valley bends, its tamarisks and heaps of rock.
Like tree trunks, their roots torn, and their bodies tossed.
بَلbut ماwhat تَذَكَّرُdo you recall مِنof نَوارَNawār وَقَدwhen already نَأَتshe has gone far
بَل ما تَذَكَّرُ مِن نَوارَ وَقَد نَأَت
وَتَقَطَّعَتand were severed أَسبابُهاher ties وَرِمامُهاand her frayed bonds
وَتَقَطَّعَت أَسبابُها وَرِمامُها
But what do you recall of Nawār, now she has gone far,
Rather, it does not remember anything of Noor*
and her ties and frayed bonds are severed?
Its links are severed and its landmarks gone.
مُرِّيَّةٌa woman of Murrah حَلَّتshe settled بِفَيدِat Fayd وَجاوَرَتand became neighbor to
مُرِّيَّةٌ حَلَّت بِفَيدِ وَجاوَرَت
أَهلَthe people of الحِجازِal-Ḥijāz فَأَينَthen where مِنكَfrom you مَرامُهاis her sought abode
أَهلَ الحِجازِ فَأَينَ مِنكَ مَرامُها
A woman of Murrah, she settled at Fayd and became neighbor to
An ill-omened woman camped at Fayd*
the people of al-Ḥijāz—how far from you is her sought abode!
And lodged with the people of Hejaz - where are your goals?
بِمَشارِقِon the eastern sides of الجَبَلَينِthe Two Mountains أَوor بِمُحَجَّرٍat Muḥajjar
بِمَشارِقِ الجَبَلَينِ أَو بِمُحَجَّرٍ
فَتَضَمَّنَتهاthen took her in فَردَةٌFardah فَرُخامُهاand its Rukhām
فَتَضَمَّنَتها فَردَةٌ فَرُخامُها
On the eastern sides of the Two Mountains, or at Muḥajjar,
At Mashariq ul-Jabalain* or at Muhaggar*,
then Fardah sheltered her, and its Rukhām.
Sheltering them while its forts crumble.
فَصُوائِقٌthen Ṣuwāʾiq إِنif أَيمَنَتshe headed toward Yemen فَمَظِنَّةٌthen a likely haunt
فَصُوائِقٌ إِن أَيمَنَت فَمَظِنَّةٌ
فيهاthere وِحافُlow grounds of القَهرِal-Qahr أَوor طِلخامُهاits Ṭilkhām
فيها وِحافُ القَهرِ أَو طِلخامُها
Then Ṣuwāʾiq; if she headed toward Yemen, her likely haunt
If they prosper, they're suspected; if ruined, they meet
is there, in al-Qahr's lowlands or its Ṭilkhām.
The doom of fate or a tyrant's injustice.
فَاِقطَعso cut off لُبانَةَdesire for مَنone whose تَعَرَّضَturned aside وَصلُهُhis bond
فَاِقطَع لُبانَةَ مَن تَعَرَّضَ وَصلُهُ
وَلَشَرُّand surely the worst واصِلِkeeper of خُلَّةٍfriendship صَرّامُهاis one who severs it
وَلَشَرُّ واصِلِ خُلَّةٍ صَرّامُها
So cut off your desire for one whose bond turns aside,
So break off from one who shows you his ties then betrays you
for surely the worst keeper of friendship is one who severs it.
And the evil of one who befriends you plotfully.
وَاِحبُand reward المُجامِلَthe courteous friend بِالجَزيلِwith abundance وَصَرمُهُand severance from him
وَاِحبُ المُجامِلَ بِالجَزيلِ وَصَرمُهُ
باقٍremains possible إِذاwhen ضَلَعَتit grows crooked وَزاغَand swerves قِوامُهاits straightness
باقٍ إِذا ضَلَعَت وَزاغَ قِوامُها
Reward the courteous friend generously; the chance to sever his bond
Love those who are generous even if their bodies betray them
remains, if friendship bends and its straightness swerves.
When their physique declines and their bodies grow thin.
بِطَليحِon a worn-out she-camel أَسفارٍjourneys تَرَكنَthey left بَقِيَّةًa remnant
بِطَليحِ أَسفارٍ تَرَكنَ بَقِيَّةً
مِنهاof her فَأَحنَقَso grew lean صُلبُهاher backbone وَسَنامُهاand her hump
مِنها فَأَحنَقَ صُلبُها وَسَنامُها
On a she-camel worn by journeys that left only a remnant
With the hardships of travel some vigor remains
of her, so her backbone and hump grew lean.
While others are worn out, backs bent and weak.
وَإِذاand when تَغالىwastes away لَحمُهاher flesh وَتَحَسَّرَتand she is stripped bare
وَإِذا تَغالى لَحمُها وَتَحَسَّرَت
وَتَقَطَّعَتand were broken بَعدَafter الكَلالِexhaustion خِدامُهاher fetlock-bands
وَتَقَطَّعَت بَعدَ الكَلالِ خِدامُها
And when her flesh has wasted and she has been stripped bare,
When its flesh is depleted and its bones show through
and after exhaustion her fetlock-bands have snapped,
And its servants are severed after being together.
فَلَهاthen she has هِبابٌa springing rush فيagainst الزِمامِthe rein كَأَنَّهاas though she were
فَلَها هِبابٌ في الزِمامِ كَأَنَّها
صَهباءُa tawny cloud خَفَّsped lightly مَعَwith الجَنوبِthe south wind جَهامُهاits rainless bulk
صَهباءُ خَفَّ مَعَ الجَنوبِ جَهامُها
she still springs against the rein, as though she were
It has friskiness in its reins as if it is
a tawny cloud whose rainless bulk speeds with the south wind,
A gray mare veering with the south winds.
أَوor مُلمِعٌa pregnant wild she-ass وَسَقَتshe conceived لِأَحقَبَby a white-bellied male لاحَهُwore him thin
أَو مُلمِعٌ وَسَقَت لِأَحقَبَ لاحَهُ
طَردُpursuit by الفُحولِthe stallions وَضَربُهاand their blows وَكِدامُهاand their bites
طَردُ الفُحولِ وَضَربُها وَكِدامُها
or a pregnant wild she-ass carrying for a white-bellied male worn thin by
Or like a polished sword, unsheathed for war,
the stallions' pursuit, their blows and their bites.
Struck by warriors, clashing, combat, bleeding.
يَعلوclimbs بِهاwith her حُدبَrounded tops of الإِكامِthe hills مُسَحَّجٌa scarred wild ass
يَعلو بِها حُدبَ الإِكامِ مُسَحَّجٌ
قَدalready رابَهُtroubled him عِصيانُهاher resistance وَوِحامُهاand her pregnancy cravings
قَد رابَهُ عِصيانُها وَوِحامُها
A scarred male takes her over the rounded hilltops,
It climbs the hillocks of Ikam* with mettle
troubled by her resistance and her pregnancy cravings.
Though its disobedience and uncertainty exhaust it.
بِأَحِزَّةِamong the ridges of الثَلَبوتِThalabūt يَربَأُkeeps watch فَوقَهاabove her
بِأَحِزَّةِ الثَلَبوتِ يَربَأُ فَوقَها
قَفرَdeserted المَراقِبِlookout places خَوفُهاher fear آرامُهاtheir cairns
قَفرَ المَراقِبِ خَوفُها آرامُها
Among the ridges of Thalabūt he keeps watch above her,
It fears war at Haziba's* slope, so it calms
over deserted lookout-places, whose cairns are her terror.
When the thought of conflict makes its soul recoil.
حَتّىuntil إِذاwhen سَلَخاthey two passed جُمادىJumādā سِتَّةًsix months
حَتّى إِذا سَلَخا جُمادى سِتَّةً
جَزءًliving on herbage alone فَطالَso grew long صِيامُهُhis abstinence from water وَصِيامُهاand hers
جَزءً فَطالَ صِيامُهُ وَصِيامُها
Until, when they had passed six months of Jumādā,
Until the six months of Jumada* have passed
living on herbage alone, his abstinence from water and hers grew long,
Its fasting and abstinence continue for so long.
رَجَعاthey two returned بِأَمرِهِماwith their purpose إِلىto ذيpossessing مِرَّةٍstrength
رَجَعا بِأَمرِهِما إِلى ذي مِرَّةٍ
حَصِدٍtightly woven وَنُجحُand success of صَريمَةٍa resolve إِبرامُهاis binding it firmly
حَصِدٍ وَنُجحُ صَريمَةٍ إِبرامُها
they brought their purpose back to a strong resolve,
By their command they returned to Dhi Mirra*
tightly woven; a decision succeeds through binding it firm.
At harvest, the rope-binding successful.
وَرَمىand struck دَوابِرَهاher hind hooves السَفاthe awns وَتَهَيَّجَتand began raging
وَرَمى دَوابِرَها السَفا وَتَهَيَّجَت
ريحُwind of المَصايِفِsummer سَومُهاits blasts وَسِهامُهاand its scorching heat
ريحُ المَصايِفِ سَومُها وَسِهامُها
Awns struck her hind hooves, and began to rage
The winds of summer blew over it while it shook
the summer wind, with its blasts and scorching heat.
Off its covers and its arrows scattered.
فَتَنازَعاthen they raced together سَبِطاًfine loose dust يَطيرُfly up ظِلالُهُits veils
فَتَنازَعا سَبِطاً يَطيرُ ظِلالُهُ
كَدُخانِlike smoke from مُشعَلَةٍa kindled fire يُشَبُّis stoked ضِرامُهاits blaze
كَدُخانِ مُشعَلَةٍ يُشَبُّ ضِرامُها
Then they raced through fine dust whose veils flew up
They competed under the towering clouds
like smoke from a kindled fire whose blaze is stoked,
Whose shadows flowed like smoke from a torch.
مَشمولَةٍnorth-wind-blown غُلِثَتwas mixed بِنابِتِwith green growth of عَرفَجٍʿarfaj
مَشمولَةٍ غُلِثَت بِنابِتِ عَرفَجٍ
كَدُخانِlike smoke from نارٍa fire ساطِعٍrising high أَسنامُهاits crests
كَدُخانِ نارٍ ساطِعٍ أَسنامُها
north-wind-blown and mixed with green ʿarfaj,
Engulfed by the growth of Arafaj*,
like smoke from a fire whose crests rise high.
Like smoke from a bright kindling fire.
فَمَضىthen he went on وَقَدَّمَهاand put her ahead وَكانَتand it was عادَةًa habit
فَمَضى وَقَدَّمَها وَكانَت عادَةً
مِنهُof his إِذاwhen هِيَshe عَرَّدَتhung back إِقدامُهاmaking her go first
مِنهُ إِذا هِيَ عَرَّدَت إِقدامُها
He went on, putting her ahead; it was his habit
He led the way, as was his habit
to make her go first whenever she hung back.
When it was restless and stamped its hooves.
فَتَوَسَّطاthen they entered the middle of عُرضَthe breadth of السَرِيِّthe stream وَصَدَّعاand broke through
فَتَوَسَّطا عُرضَ السَرِيِّ وَصَدَّعا
مَسجورَةًa brimming pool مُتَجاوِراًgrowing close together قُلّامُهاits saltwort
مَسجورَةً مُتَجاوِراً قُلّامُها
They reached the stream's middle and broke through
They marched between the slopes of Sarri*
a brimming pool, its saltwort thickly clustered,
Past ruined dwellings, their walls adjacent.
مَحفوفَةًringed about وَسطَamid اليَراعِthe reeds يُظِلُّهاshade it
مَحفوفَةً وَسطَ اليَراعِ يُظِلُّها
مِنهُof them مُصَرَّعُfallen stems of غابَةٍa thicket وَقِيامُهاand its standing stems
مِنهُ مُصَرَّعُ غابَةٍ وَقِيامُها
ringed among reeds, shaded by
Sheltered amidst the trees, shaded
their thicket's fallen stems and those still standing.
By the wildlife and its guarding vegetation.
أَفَتِلكَis it that one أَمor وَحشِيَّةٌa wild cow مَسبوعَةٌbereaved by predators
أَفَتِلكَ أَم وَحشِيَّةٌ مَسبوعَةٌ
خَذَلَتshe left the herd وَهادِيَةُthough the guide of الصِوارِthe herd قِوامُهاits mainstay
خَذَلَت وَهادِيَةُ الصِوارِ قِوامُها
Is it that one, or a wild cow whose calf was taken by beasts,
Is it a wild animal left behind
who left the herd, though she was its guide and mainstay?
When the guides of the caravan neglected their duty?
خَنساءُsnub-nosed ضَيَّعَتِshe lost الفَريرَthe calf فَلَمand did not يَرِمcease
خَنساءُ ضَيَّعَتِ الفَريرَ فَلَم يَرِم
عُرضَacross الشَقائِقِthe sandy hollows طَوفُهاher circling وَبُغامُهاand her lowing
عُرضَ الشَقائِقِ طَوفُها وَبُغامُها
A snub-nosed cow who lost her calf; never ceased
A lost Khensa* who missed the parade of virtues;
her circling and lowing across the sandy hollows,
The face of the meadow, its bloom and light lost?
لِمُعَفَّرٍfor a dust-covered calf قَهدٍwhite تَنازَعَfought over شِلوَهُhis torn body
لِمُعَفَّرٍ قَهدٍ تَنازَعَ شِلوَهُ
غُبسٌdusky predators كَواسِبُhunters لاnot يُمَنُّis bestowed as a gift طَعامُهاtheir food
غُبسٌ كَواسِبُ لا يُمَنُّ طَعامُها
for a dust-covered, white calf whose torn body was fought over by
Taken by a blue-eyed blond whose charm deceived it,
dusky predators, hunters whose food is no gift.
Whose visage soured, refusing any food.
صادَفنَthey found مِنهاher in غِرَّةًheedlessness فَأَصَبنَهاthen struck her
صادَفنَ مِنها غِرَّةً فَأَصَبنَها
إِنَّindeed المَناياdeaths لاnever تَطيشُmiss سِهامُهاtheir arrows
إِنَّ المَنايا لا تَطيشُ سِهامُها
They found her off guard and struck her;
It encountered a trick from him so death found it -
death's arrows never miss their mark.
The arrows of death do not miss their mark.
باتَتshe spent the night وَأَسبَلَand poured down واكِفٌdripping rain مِنfrom ديمَةٍa steady raincloud
باتَت وَأَسبَلَ واكِفٌ مِن ديمَةٍ
يُرويwaters الخَمائِلَthe thickets دائِماًunceasingly تَسجامُهاits rainfall
يُروي الخَمائِلَ دائِماً تَسجامُها
She spent the night while dripping rain from a steady raincloud poured down,
It remained while the rain's escort settled around it
its ceaseless flow watering the thickets.
Watering the meadows, incessantly grazing.
يَعلوrises over طَريقَةَridge of مَتنِهاher back مُتَواتِرٌcontinuous rain
يَعلو طَريقَةَ مَتنِها مُتَواتِرٌ
فيon لَيلَةٍa night كَفَرَhid النُجومَthe stars غَمامُهاits clouds
في لَيلَةٍ كَفَرَ النُجومَ غَمامُها
Unbroken rain rose along the ridge of her back
It climbs the road of its valley continuously
on a night whose clouds hid the stars.
On a night when the stars are veiled by clouds.
تَجتافُshe shelters in the hollow of أَصلاًa tree-root قالِصاًexposed and raised مُتَنَبِّذاًstanding apart
تَجتافُ أَصلاً قالِصاً مُتَنَبِّذاً
بِعُجوبِamid the bases of أَنقاءٍsand dunes يَميلُslopes هُيامُهاtheir loose sand
بِعُجوبِ أَنقاءٍ يَميلُ هُيامُها
She sheltered in the hollow of an exposed, isolated tree-root,
It passes a barren winter land, abandoned,
at the bases of dunes whose loose sand slopes down.
Toppled by the wind on its bending boughs.
وَتُضيءُand she shines فيin وَجهِthe face of الظَلامُdarkness مُنيرَةًluminous
وَتُضيءُ في وَجهِ الظَلامُ مُنيرَةً
كَجُمانَةِlike a pearl of البَحرِيِّthe sea-diver سُلَّwas drawn out نِظامُهاits string
كَجُمانَةِ البَحرِيِّ سُلَّ نِظامُها
She gleams, luminous against the face of darkness,
It lights the darkness, shining bright,
like a sea-diver's pearl freed from its string.
Like the lamp of a sailor - ordered is its system.
حَتّىuntil إِذاwhen اِنحَسَرَdrew away الظَلامُthe darkness وَأَسفَرَتand dawn shone
حَتّى إِذا اِنحَسَرَ الظَلامُ وَأَسفَرَت
بَكَرَتshe set out early تَزُلُّglide عَنِover الثَرىmoist earth أَزلامُهاher arrow-like legs
بَكَرَت تَزُلُّ عَنِ الثَرى أَزلامُها
Until, when the darkness drew away and dawn shone,
Until the darkness recedes and the dawn rises,
she set out early, her arrow-like legs gliding over moist earth.
The earth is stripped of its heavy dress.
عَلِهَتshe was distraught تَرَدَّدُwandering back and forth فيamong نِهاءِpools of صَعائِدٍṢuʿāʾid
عَلِهَت تَرَدَّدُ في نِهاءِ صَعائِدٍ
سَبعاًseven تُؤاماًpaired nights and days كامِلاًcomplete أَيّامُهاtheir days
سَبعاً تُؤاماً كامِلاً أَيّامُها
Distraught, she wandered among Ṣuʿāʾid's pools
It followed prey in the remains of hunted feast sites
for seven paired nights and days, all their days complete.
For seven complete days of its course.
حَتّىuntil إِذاwhen يَئِسَتshe despaired وَأَسحَقَand dried up حالِقٌa full udder
حَتّى إِذا يَئِسَت وَأَسحَقَ حالِقٌ
لَمhad not يُبلِهِworn it down إِرضاعُهاher suckling وَفِطامُهاand her weaning
لَم يُبلِهِ إِرضاعُها وَفِطامُها
Until, when she despaired and her full udder dried up,
Until the hunter despaired and sent
though neither her suckling nor her weaning had worn it down,
The farewell pigeons, their wings clipped.
وَتَوَجَّسَتand she sensed رِزَّthe faint sound of الأَنيسِhumans فَراعَهاthen startled her
وَتَوَجَّسَت رِزَّ الأَنيسِ فَراعَها
عَنfrom ظَهرِbeyond غَيبٍsight وَالأَنيسُand humans سَقامُهاare her affliction
عَن ظَهرِ غَيبٍ وَالأَنيسُ سَقامُها
and she heard the faint sound of men, which startled her
So they met and a guide from Mudarriya* reprimanded them -
from somewhere unseen—men are her affliction—
As far as Samhra*, define it and complete it!
فَغَدَتthen she moved on كِلاeach of الفَرجَينِthe two openings تَحسَبُbelieving أَنَّهُthat it was
فَغَدَت كِلا الفَرجَينِ تَحسَبُ أَنَّهُ
مَولىa haunt of المَخافَةِfear خَلفُهاbehind her وَأَمامُهاand before her
مَولى المَخافَةِ خَلفُها وَأَمامُها
she moved on, deeming each of the two openings
To drive them back, and it knew if it did not drive them
a haunt of fear, behind her and before her.
They would mingle with the doves and pigeons.
حَتّىuntil إِذاwhen يَئِسَdespaired الرُماةُthe archers وَأَرسَلواand released
حَتّى إِذا يَئِسَ الرُماةُ وَأَرسَلوا
غُضفاًdroop-eared hounds دَواجِنَtrained قافِلاًdried stiff أَعصامُهاtheir collar-thongs
غُضفاً دَواجِنَ قافِلاً أَعصامُها
Until, when the archers despaired and released
So it boldly encountered Kasab and blood dripped
droop-eared, trained hounds, their collar-thongs dried stiff,
While it plotted deceitfully in the valleys.
فَلَحِقنَthen they caught up وَاِعتَكَرَتand swung back لَهاfor her مَدرِيَّةٌa pointed horn
فَلَحِقنَ وَاِعتَكَرَت لَها مَدرِيَّةٌ
كَالسَمهَرِيَّةِlike a Samharī spear حَدُّهاits point وَتَمامُهاand its full length
كَالسَمهَرِيَّةِ حَدُّها وَتَمامُها
they caught up, and she swung back with her pointed horn,
Thus with the dawn the lightning danced and the mirage of Sirab
like a Samharī spear in sharpness and full length,
Was stripped bare; complete my duty without doubt.
لِتَذودَهُنَّto drive them off وَأَيقَنَتand she knew for certain إِنif لَمdid not تَذُدdrive off
لِتَذودَهُنَّ وَأَيقَنَت إِن لَم تَذُد
أَنthat قَدalready أَحَمَّhad drawn near مَعَamid الحُتوفِdeaths حِمامُهاher death
أَن قَد أَحَمَّ مَعَ الحُتوفِ حِمامُها
to drive them off; she knew, if she did not,
Or blame that some soul still craves
that amid death's hazards her own death had drawn near.
Or that a coveter criticizes its needs.
فَتَقَصَّدَتthen she singled out مِنهاamong them كَسابِKasāb فَضُرِّجَتand it was drenched
فَتَقَصَّدَت مِنها كَسابِ فَضُرِّجَت
بِدَمٍwith blood وَغودِرَand was left فيat المَكَرِّthe charging-place سُخامُهاtheir Sukhām
بِدَمٍ وَغودِرَ في المَكَرِّ سُخامُها
She singled out Kasāb among them, which was drenched
Or didn't you know, Noor, that I
in blood; their Sukhām lay abandoned where she charged.
Will keep the knot of loving ties bound?
فَبِتِلكَso on that mount إِذwhen رَقَصَdanced اللَوامِعُthe shimmering lights بِالضُحىat forenoon
فَبِتِلكَ إِذ رَقَصَ اللَوامِعُ بِالضُحى
وَاِجتابَand donned أَردِيَةَmantles of السَرابِthe mirage إِكامُهاits hills
وَاِجتابَ أَردِيَةَ السَرابِ إِكامُها
On such a mount, when the shimmering lights dance at forenoon,
I see you are ungrateful when I'm not pleased
and the hills don mantles of mirage,
Or some hearts hang upon you, obsessed.
أَقضيI fulfill اللُبانَةَthe desire لاnot أُفَرِّطُdo I abandon ريبَةًthrough apprehension
أَقضي اللُبانَةَ لا أُفَرِّطُ ريبَةً
أَوor أَنthat يَلومَshould blame بِحاجَةٍover a need لُوّامُهاits faultfinders
أَو أَن يَلومَ بِحاجَةٍ لُوّامُها
I fulfill my desire, not abandoning it through fear,
Rather you don't know how many a sweet night of joy -
or because its faultfinders might reproach my purpose.
Our play and blameless passions spent.
أَوَلَمand did not? تَكُنwas تَدريknow نَوارُNawār بِأَنَّنيthat I
أَوَلَم تَكُن تَدري نَوارُ بِأَنَّني
وَصّالُone who firmly joins عَقدِknots of حَبائِلٍcords جَذّامُهاone who cuts them clean
وَصّالُ عَقدِ حَبائِلٍ جَذّامُها
And did Nawār not know that I am
I visited it at night while the goal of all merchants
one who binds the knots of cords and cuts them clean,
Is the tavern from which only ruin comes.
تَرّاكُone who abandons أَمكِنَةٍplaces إِذاwhen لَمdo not أَرضَهاI approve them
تَرّاكُ أَمكِنَةٍ إِذا لَم أَرضَها
أَوunless يَعتَلِقseizes بَعضَsome of النُفوسِthe souls حِمامُهاtheir death
أَو يَعتَلِق بَعضَ النُفوسِ حِمامُها
one who quits places when they do not please me,
I made wine of all the darkest necks
unless their death takes hold of some souls?
And cups poured out until the seal broke.
بَلbut أَنتِyou لاnot تَدرينَyou know كَمhow many مِنof لَيلَةٍa night
بَل أَنتِ لا تَدرينَ كَم مِن لَيلَةٍ
طَلقٍmild لَذيذٍdelightful لَهوُهاits amusement وَنِدامُهاand its drinking companions
طَلقٍ لَذيذٍ لَهوُها وَنِدامُها
But you do not know how many a night,
The clear dawn, pulling the well-rope persistently
mild, with delightful amusement and drinking companions,
With groping fingers stroking its handle.
قَدindeed بِتُّI spent the night سامِرَهاas its evening companion وَغايَةُand a flag of تاجِرٍa wine-merchant
قَد بِتُّ سامِرَها وَغايَةُ تاجِرٍ
وافَيتُI came to إِذwhen رُفِعَتit was raised وَعَزَّand grew scarce مُدامُهاits wine
وافَيتُ إِذ رُفِعَت وَعَزَّ مُدامُها
I have spent as its night companion; and a wine-merchant's flag
I satisfied its needs, slaughtering chickens at dawn
I approached when it was raised and its wine was scarce.
To announce it when slumber had departed.
أُغليI pay dearly for السِباءَpurchased wine بِكُلِّfrom every أَدكَنَdark wineskin عاتِقٍaged
أُغلي السِباءَ بِكُلِّ أَدكَنَ عاتِقٍ
أَوor جَونَةٍa black wine-jar قُدِحَتwas tapped وَفُضَّand was broken خِتامُهاits seal
أَو جَونَةٍ قُدِحَت وَفُضَّ خِتامُها
I pay dearly for wine from every dark, aged wineskin,
And after a windy morning and a day of comfort
or a black jar, tapped and its seal broken.
When it fell into the hands of the north wind.
وَصَبوحِand a morning draught of صافِيَةٍclear wine وَجَذبِand the plucking of كَرينَةٍa singing girl
وَصَبوحِ صافِيَةٍ وَجَذبِ كَرينَةٍ
بِمُوَتَّرٍon a stringed lute تَأتالُهُplies it إِبهامُهاher thumb
بِمُوَتَّرٍ تَأتالُهُ إِبهامُها
And a morning draught of clear wine, and a singing girl's plucking
I even warmed the neighborhood, bearing my complaint -
upon a stringed lute which her thumb deftly plies,
Excess and my cheeks flaming as I wandered to meet it.
بادَرتُI hastened before حاجَتَهاthe desire for it الدَجاجَthe cocks بِسُحرَةٍbefore dawn
بادَرتُ حاجَتَها الدَجاجَ بِسُحرَةٍ
لِأُعَلَّto drink a second draught مِنهاfrom it حينَwhen هَبَّawoke نِيامُهاits sleepers
لِأُعَلَّ مِنها حينَ هَبَّ نِيامُها
I sought before the cocks, in the hour before dawn,
I climbed up a rocky hill on its heights, anxious,
to drink again from it when its sleepers awoke.
To the flags guiding me to its camping grounds.
وَغَداةِand on a morning of ريحٍwind قَدindeed وَزَعتُI held my mount in check وَقَرَّةٍand cold
وَغَداةِ ريحٍ قَد وَزَعتُ وَقَرَّةٍ
إِذwhen أَصبَحَتcame to be بِيَدِin the hand of الشَمالِthe north wind زِمامُهاits reins
إِذ أَصبَحَت بِيَدِ الشَمالِ زِمامُها
And on many a morning of wind and cold I held my mount in check,
Until it wandered into an infidel land
when the north wind held its reins in its hand.
And the darkness exposed the vulnerability of the ruins.
وَلَقَدand indeed حَمَيتُI defended الحَيَّthe tribe تَحمُلُcarries شِكَّتيmy weapons
وَلَقَد حَمَيتُ الحَيَّ تَحمُلُ شِكَّتي
فُرُطٌa swift mare وَشاحِيَmy shoulder-belt إِذwhen غَدَوتُI rode out at dawn لِجامُهاher bridle
فُرُطٌ وَشاحِيَ إِذ غَدَوتُ لِجامُها
Indeed I defended the tribe, my weapons carried by
I raided it while it stood like a palm tree trunk
a swift mare, her bridle my shoulder-belt when I rode at dawn.
Bare, with only its fruit stalks remaining.
فَعَلَوتُthen I climbed مُرتَقِباًkeeping watch عَلىupon ذيa place of هَبوَةٍdust
فَعَلَوتُ مُرتَقِباً عَلى ذي هَبوَةٍ
حَرِجٍrugged and confined إِلىup to أَعلامِهِنَّtheir hilltops قَتامُهاits dust
حَرِجٍ إِلى أَعلامِهِنَّ قَتامُها
I climbed to keep watch above dust-shrouded terrain,
I lifted it while herding the ostriches and paralyzing them
rugged, its dust rising to the hilltops.
Until its bones were hot and its body gaunt.
حَتّىuntil إِذاwhen أَلقَتshe cast يَداًa hand فيinto كافِرٍdarkness
حَتّى إِذا أَلقَت يَداً في كافِرٍ
وَأَجَنَّand concealed عَوراتِvulnerable gaps of الثُغورِthe borders ظَلامُهاits gloom
وَأَجَنَّ عَوراتِ الثُغورِ ظَلامُها
Until, when the sun cast a hand into darkness,
Its saddle-bags shook and its shoulders dripped
and its gloom hid the borders' vulnerable gaps,
With the spittle of saliva soaking its straps.
أَسهَلتُI descended to level ground وَاِنتَصَبَتand she stood tall كَجَذعِlike the trunk of مُنيفَةٍa towering palm
أَسهَلتُ وَاِنتَصَبَت كَجَذعِ مُنيفَةٍ
جَرداءَbare يَحصَرُfall short دونَهاof reaching it جُرّامُهاits fruit-gatherers
جَرداءَ يَحصَرُ دونَها جُرّامُها
I descended to level ground; she stood like the trunk of a towering palm,
It climbs up and digs in the reins, then settles down,
bare, beyond the reach of its fruit-gatherers.
Returning to the dovecote when it coos.
رَفَّعتُهاI urged her faster طَرَدَlike the pursuit of النِعامِostriches وَشَلَّهُand scattering them
رَفَّعتُها طَرَدَ النِعامِ وَشَلَّهُ
حَتّىuntil إِذاwhen سَخِنَتshe warmed وَخَفَّand grew light عِظامُهاher bones
حَتّى إِذا سَخِنَت وَخَفَّ عِظامُها
I urged her on like ostriches chased and scattered,
Its strangers are many, unknown,
until she warmed and her bones grew light.
Their voluntary extras hoped for, their harm feared.
قَلِقَتrocked رِحالَتُهاher saddle وَأَسبَلَand poured sweat نَحرُهاher breast
قَلِقَت رِحالَتُها وَأَسبَلَ نَحرُها
وَاِبتَلَّand grew wet مِنwith زَبَدِfroth of الحَميمِhot sweat حِزامُهاher girth
وَاِبتَلَّ مِن زَبَدِ الحَميمِ حِزامُها
Her saddle rocked, and her breast streamed sweat,
An overpowering force dispersed in the valleys as if
and her girth grew wet with the froth of hot sweat.
They are jinn of the waste, their feet implanted.
تَرقىshe rises وَتَطعَنُand lunges فيagainst العِنانِthe rein وَتَنتَحيand veers
تَرقى وَتَطعَنُ في العِنانِ وَتَنتَحي
وِردَlike the watering-flight of الحَمامَةِa dove إِذwhen أَجَدَّsped earnestly حَمامُهاher fellow doves
وِردَ الحَمامَةِ إِذ أَجَدَّ حَمامُها
She rises, lunges against the rein, and veers
I denied its falsehood and recognized its truth;
like a dove seeking water when its flock flies hard.
It did not boast to me though it had prestige.
وَكَثيرَةٍand a crowded assembly غُرَبائُهاits strangers مَجهولَةٍunfamiliar
وَكَثيرَةٍ غُرَبائُها مَجهولَةٍ
تُرجىare hoped for نَوافِلُهاits gifts وَيُخشىand is feared ذامُهاits blame
تُرجى نَوافِلُها وَيُخشى ذامُها
And many an unfamiliar gathering, crowded with strangers,
Short, equal troops I called against it
whose gifts are hoped for and whose blame is feared,
With bodies similar, their appearance uniform.
غُلبٌthick-necked men تَشَذَّرُswagger threateningly بِالذُحولِover blood-feuds كَأَنَّهاas though they were
غُلبٌ تَشَذَّرُ بِالذُحولِ كَأَنَّها
جِنُّjinn of البَدِيِّal-Badī رَواسِياًfirmly planted أَقدامُهاtheir feet
جِنُّ البَدِيِّ رَواسِياً أَقدامُها
thick-necked men swaggering over blood-feuds, as though they were
I summon them for a barren or nursing woman -
the jinn of al-Badī, their feet firmly planted,
Their meat served indiscriminately to all neighbors.
أَنكَرتُI repudiated باطِلَهاits falsehood وَبُؤتُand acknowledged بِحَقِّهاits rightful claim
أَنكَرتُ باطِلَها وَبُؤتُ بِحَقِّها
عِنديagainst me وَلَمand did not يَفخَرoutboast عَلَيَّme كِرامُهاits noble men
عِندي وَلَم يَفخَر عَلَيَّ كِرامُها
I repudiated its falsehood and acknowledged its rightful claim
The guest and the good neighbor next door are as though
against me; its noble men did not outboast me.
They descended upon the plants, their roots nurturing.
وَجَزورِand a slaughter-camel of أَيسارٍgamesters دَعَوتُI summoned لِحَتفِهاto its death
وَجَزورِ أَيسارٍ دَعَوتُ لِحَتفِها
بِمَغالِقٍwith gaming arrows مُتَشابِهٍalike أَجسامُهاtheir shapes
بِمَغالِقٍ مُتَشابِهٍ أَجسامُها
And many a gamesters' camel I summoned to slaughter
Every outcast comes to rest there
with gaming arrows alike in shape.
Like a shriveled branch, their structures toppled.
أَدعوI call بِهِنَّwith them لِعاقِرٍfor a barren she-camel أَوor مُطفِلٍone with a calf
أَدعو بِهِنَّ لِعاقِرٍ أَو مُطفِلٍ
بُذِلَتwere freely given لِجِيرانِto the neighbors of الجَميعِthe whole camp لِحامُهاits meat
بُذِلَت لِجِيرانِ الجَميعِ لِحامُها
I call with them for a barren she-camel or one with young,
When the winds contend they are girded
its meat freely given to all the camp's neighbors.
With alleys spreading out, their homes now orphaned.
فَالضَيفُso the guest وَالجارُand the neighbor الجَنيبُunrelated كَأَنَّماare as though
فَالضَيفُ وَالجارُ الجَنيبُ كَأَنَّما
هَبَطاthey two descended into تَبالَةَTabālah مُخصِباًfertile أَهضامُهاits hollows
هَبَطا تَبالَةَ مُخصِباً أَهضامُها
The guest and unrelated neighbor seem as though
When our groups come together, there remains among us
they had descended into Tabālah, its hollows fertile.
A persistent provision of great resolution.
تَأويtakes shelter إِلىbeside الأَطنابِthe tent-ropes كُلُّevery رَذِيَّةٍdestitute woman
تَأوي إِلى الأَطنابِ كُلُّ رَذِيَّةٍ
مِثلُlike البَلِيَّةِa camel abandoned to die قالِصٌdrawn short أَهدامُهاher rags
مِثلُ البَلِيَّةِ قالِصٌ أَهدامُها
Every destitute woman shelters beside the tent-ropes,
And a just divider who gives rights to the clan
like a camel abandoned to die, her rags drawn short.
And forgives its obligations, erasing its debts.
وَيُكَلِّلونَand they crown with meat إِذاwhen الرِياحُthe winds تَناوَحَتwail against each other
وَيُكَلِّلونَ إِذا الرِياحُ تَناوَحَت
خُلُجاًdeep bowls تُمَدُّare extended شَوارِعاًreaching forth أَيتامُهاtheir orphans
خُلُجاً تُمَدُّ شَوارِعاً أَيتامُها
They crown with meat, when the winds wail against each other,
So be satisfied with what the King has ordained;
deep bowls toward which their orphans reach.
He who divided creation among us knows all.
إِنّاindeed we إِذاwhen اِلتَقَتِmeet المَجامِعُthe assemblies لَمnever يَزَلceases to be
إِنّا إِذا اِلتَقَتِ المَجامِعُ لَم يَزَل
مِنّاamong us لِزازُone who grapples with عَظيمَةٍa grave affair جَشّامُهاone who bears its burden
مِنّا لِزازُ عَظيمَةٍ جَشّامُها
When the assemblies meet, we always have
And if a trust was divided among the clan,
among us one who grapples with a great affair and bears its burden,
The One who divided fulfilled our largest share.
وَمُقَسِّمٌand an apportioner يُعطيgives العَشيرَةَthe tribe حَقَّهاits due
وَمُقَسِّمٌ يُعطي العَشيرَةَ حَقَّها
وَمُغَذمِرٌand a stern arbiter لِحُقوقِهاof its rights هَضّامُهاone who yields them
وَمُغَذمِرٌ لِحُقوقِها هَضّامُها
and an apportioner who gives the tribe its due,
He built for us a lofty house, its ceiling so high
and a stern arbiter of its rights who yields them
Their elders and youths ascended to it equally.
فَضلاًas generosity وَذوand one possessing كَرَمٍnobility يُعينُhelps عَلىin النَدىgiving
فَضلاً وَذو كَرَمٍ يُعينُ عَلى النَدى
سَمحٌopen-handed كَسوبُan eager acquirer of رَغائِبٍprecious things غَنّامُهاone who wins them as spoils
سَمحٌ كَسوبُ رَغائِبٍ غَنّامُها
in generosity; and a noble man who helps in giving,
They are the runners when the clan is terrified
open-handed, acquiring precious things and winning them as spoils,
And they are its horsemen and they are its rulers.
مِنfrom مَعشَرٍa people سَنَّتlaid down a custom لَهُمfor them آبائُهُمtheir fathers
مِن مَعشَرٍ سَنَّت لَهُم آبائُهُم
وَلِكُلِّand for every قَومٍpeople سُنَّةٌa custom وَإِمامُهاand its leader
وَلِكُلِّ قَومٍ سُنَّةٌ وَإِمامُها
from a people whose fathers laid down a way for them—
They are the spring rain for neighbor and alien;
every people has a custom and its leader.
They are refuge when the year stretches its length.
لاnot يَطبَعونَbecome base وَلاand not يَبورُperish فَعالُهُمtheir deeds
لا يَطبَعونَ وَلا يَبورُ فَعالُهُم
إِذfor لاnot يَميلُbend مَعَwith الهَوىdesire أَحلامُهاits judgments
إِذ لا يَميلُ مَعَ الهَوى أَحلامُها
They do not sink to baseness, nor do their deeds perish,
They are the clan, no matter if a jealous one delays
for their judgments do not bend with desire.
Or if a coward leans towards the enemy.
فَاِقنَعso be content بِماwith what قَسَمَallotted المَليكُthe Sovereign فَإِنَّماfor only
فَاِقنَع بِما قَسَمَ المَليكُ فَإِنَّما
قَسَمَapportioned الخَلائِقَthe natures بَينَناamong us عَلّامُهاthe One who knows them
قَسَمَ الخَلائِقَ بَينَنا عَلّامُها
Be content with what the Sovereign allotted; for only
*Words in italics are names of places related to Mecca and Medina.
the One who knows them apportioned our natures among us.
وَإِذاand when الأَمانَةُtrustworthiness قُسِّمَتwas apportioned فيamong مَعشَرٍa people
وَإِذا الأَمانَةُ قُسِّمَت في مَعشَرٍ
أَوفىbestowed fully بِأَوفَرِthe most abundant حَظِّناour share قَسّامُهاits apportioner
أَوفى بِأَوفَرِ حَظِّنا قَسّامُها
And when trustworthiness was apportioned among a people,
its apportioner bestowed on us the fullest share.
فَبَنىso he built لَناfor us بَيتاًa house رَفيعاًlofty سَمكُهُits height
فَبَنى لَنا بَيتاً رَفيعاً سَمكُهُ
فَسَماthen rose إِلَيهِtoward it كَهلُهاits mature men وَغُلامُهاand its youths
فَسَما إِلَيهِ كَهلُها وَغُلامُها
He built for us a house whose roof stands high,
and its mature men and youths rose toward it.
وَهُمُand they السُعاةُare the doers إِذاwhen العَشيرَةُthe tribe أَفظِعَتwas stricken with fear
وَهُمُ السُعاةُ إِذا العَشيرَةُ أَفظِعَت
وَهُمُand they فَوارِسُهاare its horsemen وَهُمand they حُكّامُهاare its judges
وَهُمُ فَوارِسُها وَهُم حُكّامُها
They are the doers when the tribe is stricken with fear;
they are its horsemen and its judges.
وَهُمُand they رَبيعٌare springtime لِلمُجاوِرِto the neighbor فيهُمُamong them
وَهُمُ رَبيعٌ لِلمُجاوِرِ فيهُمُ
وَالمُرمِلاتِand to destitute women إِذاwhen تَطاوَلَdrags on عامُهاtheir year
وَالمُرمِلاتِ إِذا تَطاوَلَ عامُها
They are springtime to the neighbor dwelling among them,
and to destitute women when the year drags long.
وَهُمُand they العَشيرَةُare the tribe أَنshould يُبَطِّئَhang back حاسِدٌan envier
وَهُمُ العَشيرَةُ أَن يُبَطِّئَ حاسِدٌ
أَوor أَنshould يَميلَside مَعَwith العَدُوِّthe enemy لِئامُهاits base men
أَو أَن يَميلَ مَعَ العَدُوِّ لِئامُها
They are the tribe, should an envier hang back,
or its base men side with the enemy.
Partial English translation: 165 of 176 Arabic lines translated.