أَرِقتُI lay awake لِبَرقٍat lightning بِالعِراقِin Iraq وَصُحبَتيand my companions
أَرِقتُ لِبَرقٍ بِالعِراقِ وَصُحبَتي
بِحَجرٍat Hajr وَماand not طَيَّاتُdestinations قَومِيَmy people مِنof حَجرِHajr
بِحَجرٍ وَما طَيَّاتُ قَومِيَ مِن حَجرِ
I lay awake at lightning in Iraq, while my companions were
I was sleepless because of lightning in Iraq, while my companions slept on stone.
At Hajr, though Hajr is no destination of my people.
Flashes as if the clouds in their bowers, when they burst amid deep dark clouds, were flower gardens.
وَميضٌa flash كَأَنَّas though الرَبطَthe tethered horses فيin حَجَراتِهِits reaches
وَميضٌ كَأَنَّ الرَبطَ في حَجَراتِهِ
إِذاwhen اِنشَقَّit split فيthrough غُرٍّbright whiteness غَوارِبُهُits crests زُهرِgleaming
إِذا اِنشَقَّ في غُرٍّ غَوارِبُهُ زُهرِ
A flash, as though tethered horses stood within its reaches,
As the lances of Balqā’ darted, baring their blades, slender-waisted like the dragon.
When it split through whiteness, its crests gleaming.
Suns that horses from every side brought to a meadow on the Euphrates, circling about a stallion.
كَماas رَمَحَتshe kicked بَلقاءُa piebald mare تَحميshe protects فُلُوَّهاher foal
كَما رَمَحَت بَلقاءُ تَحمي فُلُوَّها
دَجوجِيَّةُpitch-dark المَتنَينِthe two back-ridges واضِحَةُbright white الخَصرِthe waist
دَجوجِيَّةُ المَتنَينِ واضِحَةُ الخَصرِ
Like a piebald mare kicking to defend her foal,
If I and my tribe return to them, we will be like him who consults the oracle but gets no answer.
Dark along both ridges of her back, white at the waist.
Would that I had for them in my breast sincere advice and affection that could be twisted to the throat.
شَموسٌrestive أَتَتهاcame to her الخَيلُthe horses مِنfrom كُلِّevery جانِبٍside
شَموسٌ أَتَتها الخَيلُ مِن كُلِّ جانِبٍ
بِمَرجٍin a meadow فُراتِيٍّEuphratean تَحومُshe circles عَلىaround مُهرِa colt
بِمَرجٍ فُراتِيٍّ تَحومُ عَلى مُهرِ
A restive mare, with horses approaching her from every side,
Know, O thou that blamest destiny, that we were unruly before I gained power over the kingdom of the sons of Naṣr.
In an Euphratean meadow, circling her colt.
When we had taken the kingdom we were not to be coerced; we came to them from east and west as givers and receivers of good news.
فَإِنّيso indeed I وَقَوميand my people إِنif رَجِعتُI return إِلَيهِمُto them
فَإِنّي وَقَومي إِن رَجِعتُ إِلَيهِمُ
كَذيlike one possessing العِلقِthe prized possession آلىhe swore لاnot يَنولُhe gives away وَلاand not يَشريhe sells
كَذي العِلقِ آلى لا يَنولُ وَلا يَشري
My people and I, if I return to them,
We held back the son of him of the two horns and his comrades from marching through what lies between east and west.
Are like one with a prized possession, sworn neither to give it away nor sell it.
Our enemies knew that we—the quick helpers whose houses command the mountain-passes—
لَوَيتُI folded لَهُمfor them فيin الصَدرِthe breast مِنّيof mine نَصيحَةًsincere counsel
لَوَيتُ لَهُم في الصَدرِ مِنّي نَصيحَةً
وَوُدّاًand affection كَماas تُلوىare folded اليَدانِboth hands إِلىtoward النَحرِthe upper chest
وَوُدّاً كَما تُلوى اليَدانِ إِلى النَحرِ
I folded sincere counsel for them within my breast,
Establish our dwellings in the abodes of guards; and if it be said they are but huts, yet we pass the night there satisfied.
And affection, as both hands are folded toward the upper chest.
We have a rugged hill, stubborn as Mālik, and a lion of Farā’, not to be awed by threats.
أَلاhear! أَيُّهذاyou there المُؤتَليthe oath-taker إِنَّindeed نَهشَلاًNahshal
أَلا أَيُّهذا المُؤتَلي إِنَّ نَهشَلاً
عَصَواthey defied قَبلَbefore ماthat آلَيتُI swore مُلكَthe rule of بَنيthe sons of نَصرِNasr
عَصَوا قَبلَ ما آلَيتُ مُلكَ بَني نَصرِ
Hear, you who swear: Nahshal
Their habit is not to cast out one of them whom fortune has cast down, or close their eyes to a brother.
Defied the rule of Banu Nasr before I took my oath.
They are the folk who do glorious deeds, and he whom the days have afflicted with grief turns to them for help.
فَلَمّاso when غَلَبناwe overcame المُلكَroyal power لاnot يَقسِرونَناthey compel us
فَلَمّا غَلَبنا المُلكَ لا يَقسِرونَنا
قَسَطناwe broke away فَأَقبَلناthen we advanced مِنَfrom الهَيلِal-Hayl وَالبِشرِand al-Bishr
قَسَطنا فَأَقبَلنا مِنَ الهَيلِ وَالبِشرِ
When we overcame that rule, and they could no longer compel us,
Let him who counts them players reckon his account twice; let him not lie or remain in ignorance.
We broke away, then advanced from al-Hayl and al-Bishr.
By our spears we saved him that called on us in deadly peril, when death was nearer to him than the tip of his finger-nail.
وَصَدَّand turned away اِبنُthe son of ذيpossessor of القَرنَينِthe two horns عَنّاfrom us وَرَهطُهُand his clan
وَصَدَّ اِبنُ ذي القَرنَينِ عَنّا وَرَهطُهُ
نَسيرُwe march بِماthrough what lies بَينَbetween المَشارِقِal-Mashariq وَالقَهرِand al-Qahr
نَسيرُ بِما بَينَ المَشارِقِ وَالقَهرِ
Ibn Dhi al-Qarnayn and his clan turned away from us,
We rescued him from the spite of envious neighbours and from the hatred of those who bear malice. Neighbours, a folk fated to suffer vicissitudes and change.
As we marched between al-Mashariq and al-Qahr.
If thou art neighbour to a man, dread bringing shame upon his honour; verily disgrace at the hands of neighbours is lasting infamy.
وَقَدand indeed عَلِمَتhave learned أَعداؤُناour enemies أَنَّthat نَهشَلاًNahshal
وَقَد عَلِمَت أَعداؤُنا أَنَّ نَهشَلاً
مَصاليتُfearless fighters حَلاّلوpitchers of البُيوتِthe tents عَلىon الثَغرِthe frontier
مَصاليتُ حَلاّلو البُيوتِ عَلى الثَغرِ
Our enemies know well that Nahshal
Repel from him what thou hast covenanted, cover his faults with what covering thou hast, and veil him with thy veil.
Are fearless fighters, pitching their tents upon the frontier.
And, nephew of Juwwās, he strove a glorious striving, fulfilling for the Ḥayy the covenant of the Bakr.
تُقيمُstand عَلىin دارِthe abode of الحِفاظِhonor's defense بُيوتُناour tents
تُقيمُ عَلى دارِ الحِفاظِ بُيوتُنا
وَإِنeven if قيلَit is said مَرحاهاtheir roaming ground نُصَبِّحُwe raid at dawn أَوor تَسريit travels by night
وَإِن قيلَ مَرحاها نُصَبِّحُ أَو تَسري
Our tents stand in the realm of honor's defense,
By my life, the son of Ḍamrah gave his wealth freely to comrades from all regions different in language.
Even when word comes of dawn raids on their roaming ground, or marches by night.
He gave hundreds of high-bred camels with their gear to men whose fires are not kept alive with wood or stones.
لَناwe have هَضبَةٌa crag صَمّاءُunyielding مِنfrom رُكنِthe strength of مالِكٍMalik
لَنا هَضبَةٌ صَمّاءُ مِن رُكنِ مالِكٍ
وَأُسدُand lions كِراءٍKira' لاnot تُوَزَّعُare driven back بِالزَجرِby shouting
وَأُسدُ كِراءٍ لا تُوَزَّعُ بِالزَجرِ
We have an unyielding crag in Malik's strength,
Verily my people brandish their spears between Falaǧ and Medina, warding off dog and Ṭayyi’ and驟�ālib and the lances of Bakr.
And lions of Kira' that no shouting drives back.
Verily my people's abodes are not confined between mountain-pass and valley.
مَداريهُchampions ماwhatever يُلقىis encountered بِهِby him أَوor مَضيعَةٍruin
مَداريهُ ما يُلقى بِهِ أَو مَضيعَةٍ
أَخوهُمtheir brother وَلاand not يُغضونَthey lower عَيناًan eye عَلىto وَترِa blood-debt
أَخوهُم وَلا يُغضونَ عَيناً عَلى وَترِ
Champions against whatever may befall or bring ruin to
We defended our folk by sharing their luck, sons of a fire that blazes aloft ready to burn.
Their brother; they never shut an eye to a blood-debt.
Their countenances by it are illumined, long-necked warriors with piercing weapons and reddish hair.
هُمُthey القَومُthe people يَبنونَbuild الفَعالَnoble deeds وَيَنتَميand turns for refuge
هُمُ القَومُ يَبنونَ الفَعالَ وَيَنتَمي
إِلَيهِمto them مُصابُone stricken in المالِwealth مِنby عَنَتِthe hardship of الدَهرِtime
إِلَيهِم مُصابُ المالِ مِن عَنَتِ الدَهرِ
They are the men who build noble deeds; to them turns
Palfreys tall as palm-trees rough coated, cured by piercing and branding.
The man whose wealth is struck by time's harshness.
We train them to plunge into every deep pool, to charge, firm-limbed with sturdy legs never resting.
وَمَنand whoever عَدَّcounts مَسعاةًa noble endeavor فَلاthen never يَكذِبَنَّهاlet him deny it
وَمَن عَدَّ مَسعاةً فَلا يَكذِبَنَّها
وَلاand not يَكُlet him be كَالأَعمىlike the blind man يَقولُhe speaks وَلاand not يَدريhe knows
وَلا يَكُ كَالأَعمى يَقولُ وَلا يَدري
Whoever counts a noble endeavor must not deny it,
And a day when those who rub down their horses seem as though the gleaming warriors and their steeds were afire.
Nor be like a blind man, speaking without knowledge.
It is as though the spears of our horsemen in their charges were roaring flames in a well.
وَمُستَلحِمٍand a man engulfed in battle قَدindeed أَنقَذَتهُrescued him رِماحُناour spears
وَمُستَلحِمٍ قَد أَنقَذَتهُ رِماحُنا
وَقَدand indeed كانَwas مِنهُfrom him المَوتُdeath أَقرَبَnearer مِنthan شِبرِa handspan
وَقَد كانَ مِنهُ المَوتُ أَقرَبَ مِن شِبرِ
Many a man engulfed in battle our spears have rescued,
We were steadfast till he was respited, for days of woe are made bearable by patience.
When death was less than a handspan away from him.
We broke the head of Ibn Ṭayyi’ on the high ground, with a blade that had left its mark plain to see on many a neck.
دَعاناhe called us فَنَجَّيناهُso we saved him فيamid مُشمَخِرَّةٍa towering host
دَعانا فَنَجَّيناهُ في مُشمَخِرَّةٍ
مَعادَةِa refuge for جيرانٍneighbors تَقَلَّصُsurging بِالغَفرِin mail
مَعادَةِ جيرانٍ تَقَلَّصُ بِالغَفرِ
He called to us, and we saved him amid a towering host,
We dyed the tunic of al-Khaṭīm with blood from a piercing thrust that laid bare his throat.
A refuge for neighbors, surging in mail.
And O Ḥayy of Salīṭ, joyfully we spent the night, though without wine save what flowed from our wounds.
وَجارٍand a neighbor مَنَعناهُwe protected him مِنَfrom الضَيمِoppression وَالخَناand abuse
وَجارٍ مَنَعناهُ مِنَ الضَيمِ وَالخَنا
وَجيرانُand the neighbors of أَقوامٍother peoples بِمَدرَجَةِin the path of الدَهرِtime
وَجيرانُ أَقوامٍ بِمَدرَجَةِ الدَهرِ
And many a neighbor we shielded from oppression and abuse,
And on the night of the raid of Zayd's horse our steeds attained their wish and ample share of booty and vengeance.
While other men's neighbors lay in the path of time's ravages.
We took vengeance on Sumayy and his comrades for the what befell us from him and the tribe of Watar.
إِذاif كُنتَyou are جاراًa neighbor لاِمرِىءٍto a man فَاِرهَبِthen beware of الخَناabuse
إِذا كُنتَ جاراً لاِمرِىءٍ فَاِرهَبِ الخَنا
عَلىagainst عِرضِهِhis honor إِنَّindeed الخَناabuse طَرَفُthe edge of الغَدرِtreachery
عَلى عِرضِهِ إِنَّ الخَنا طَرَفُ الغَدرِ
If you are a man's neighbor, beware of abuse
The son of him of the two Momings quartered amidst our tents, his throat parched, his gullet burning.
Against his honor: abuse is the edge of treachery.
We kept back the horses from gorging themselves on truffles and the steeds were restrained with us.
وَذُدand defend عَنfrom harm to حِماهُhis sanctuary ماas long as عَقَدتَyou bound حِبالَهُhis cords
وَذُد عَن حِماهُ ما عَقَدتَ حِبالَهُ
بِحَبلِكَto your cord وَاِستُرهُand shelter him بِماwith what لَكَyou have مِنof سِترِshelter
بِحَبلِكَ وَاِستُرهُ بِما لَكَ مِن سِترِ
Defend his sanctuary as long as you bind his cords
We held them until they submitted to our judgement and the camels' loads were brought to Sakhra.
To your own, and shelter him with whatever shelter you possess.
You know Abū Fāris of the two mantles; on the day of Khifāf he marched forth alone across the desolate country.
وَخاليand my maternal uncle اِبنُthe son of جَوّاسٍJawwas سَعىstrove سَعيَthe striving of ماجِدٍa noble man
وَخالي اِبنُ جَوّاسٍ سَعى سَعيَ ماجِدٍ
فَأَدّىthen paid إِلىto حَيَّيthe two clans of قُضاعَةَQuda'ah مِنfrom بَكرِBakr
فَأَدّى إِلى حَيَّي قُضاعَةَ مِن بَكرِ
My maternal uncle, Ibn Jawwas, strove like a noble man,
We saw between ‘Amr and Mālik three hundred placaters after the tribe was divided, and the wrongdoer was surrendered and the long-haired man was wearied.
And made payment from Bakr to Quda'ah's two clans.
And when al-Sā’ūn saw an impassable cleft and the mountain-sides closed,
لَعَمريby my life لَقَدindeed أَعطىgave اِبنُthe son of ضَمرَةَDamrah مالَهُhis wealth
لَعَمري لَقَد أَعطى اِبنُ ضَمرَةَ مالَهُ
رِفاقاًto bands مِنfrom الآفاقِfar horizons مُختَلِفيdiffering in النَجرِorigin
رِفاقاً مِن الآفاقِ مُختَلِفي النَجرِ
By my life, Ibn Damrah gave his wealth
We took up the loads of the three hundred, so that our clan was left free of debt and obligation.
To bands from far horizons, of differing origins.
In a meadow whose plants when rubbed give forth the musk-pod's fragrance, and whose young camels returning in the evening are hard-driven.
قَرىhe offered hospitality مِئَةًa hundred أَحمٍdark-colored (uncertain form) لَهاfor them وَنُفوسَهاand their lives
قَرى مِئَةً أَحمٍ لَها وَنُفوسَها
عَلىat حينَa time لاnot يُعطيgives الكَريمُthe generous man وَلاand not يَقريentertains guests
عَلى حينَ لا يُعطي الكَريمُ وَلا يَقري
He offered them a hundred dark camels, their very lives as well [reading uncertain],
And one of us brought down Māzin entire, and rescued it from slaughter and captivity.
At a time when even the generous neither give nor entertain.
With spears round ‘Aniṭ’s dwelling we encompassed Ṭarīf and his paternal uncle Ṭarīf son of ‘Amr.
أَلاhear! إِنَّindeed قَوميmy people واكزونَdriving in رِماحَهُمtheir spears
أَلا إِنَّ قَومي واكزونَ رِماحَهُم
بِماalong what lies بَينَbetween فَلجٍFalj وَالمَدينةِand al-Madinah مِنof ثَغرِfrontier
بِما بَينَ فَلجٍ وَالمَدينةِ مِن ثَغرِ
Hear: my people are driving in their spears
And a freed-man whom we saved when the battle had cast him down in deadly peril, as a swimmer well-nigh drowned is saved by true help and sure.
Along the frontier between Falj and al-Madinah.
We have a rugged hill, stubborn as Mālik, and a lion of Farā’ that may not be scared away by threats.
يَذودونَthey repel كَلباًKalb بِالرِماحِwith spears وَطَيِّئاًand Tayy
يَذودونَ كَلباً بِالرِماحِ وَطَيِّئاً
وَتَغلِبَand Taghlib وَالصيدَand the proud chiefs النَواظِرَthe watchful مِنof بَكرِBakr
وَتَغلِبَ وَالصيدَ النَواظِرَ مِن بَكرِ
They repel Kalb and Tayy with their spears,
If Naḥshal stands by me I have no fear, except of God, of indigence.
And Taghlib, and Bakr's proud, watchful chiefs.
A champion akin to the souls of Ṣhatān repels whatever comes against me from Ḥawrān or Egypt.
أَلاhear! إِنَّindeed قَوميmy people لاnot يَجُنُّshelters بُيوتَهُمtheir tents
أَلا إِنَّ قَومي لا يَجُنُّ بُيوتَهُم
مَضيقٌa narrow pass مِنَfrom الواديthe valley إِلىto جَبَلٍa mountain وَعرِrugged
مَضيقٌ مِنَ الوادي إِلى جَبَلٍ وَعرِ
Hear: no narrow pass shelters my people's tents,
The tribes of Jumḥ know I am he, when I hurl people headlong and smite hoary heads.
From the valley up to a rugged mountain.
With the hurling of terrible lion-like rocks that bring out the whelps from their lair and make the pregnant hyenas miscarry.
وَنَحنُand we مَنَعناprotected بِالتَناضُبِat al-Tanadub قَومَناour people
وَنَحنُ مَنَعنا بِالتَناضُبِ قَومَنا
وَبِتناand we spent the night عَلىbeside نارٍa fire تُحَرَّقُis set ablaze كَالفَجرِlike dawn
وَبِتنا عَلى نارٍ تُحَرَّقُ كَالفَجرِ
We protected our people at al-Tanadub,
We defended Naḥshal, steadfast with me, whenever ghosts advanced from the direction of Ḥawrān or of Egypt.
And spent the night beside a fire blazing like dawn.
The tribes all know that my throwing of javelins procures lamentation for the people and mourning for venerable elders.
تُضيءُit illuminates عَلىupon القَومِthe men الكِرامِnoble وُجوهُهُمtheir faces
تُضيءُ عَلى القَومِ الكِرامِ وُجوهُهُم
طِوالُlong الهَواديthe necks مِنamong وِرادٍdark bays وَمِنand among شُقرِchestnuts
طِوالُ الهَوادي مِن وِرادٍ وَمِن شُقرِ
It lights the men, noble of face,
With the hurling of formidable rocks that drive forth the broods from their burrows and make the pregnant spotted hyenas miscarry.
And long-necked steeds, dark bays and chestnuts:
نَقائِذَrescued steeds أَمثالَlike القَناthe spears أَعوَجِيَّةًof A'waj's breed
نَقائِذَ أَمثالَ القَنا أَعوَجِيَّةً
وَجُرداًand sleek-coated steeds تَداوىare tended بِالغَريضِwith fresh milk وَبِالنَقرِand with selected grain
وَجُرداً تَداوى بِالغَريضِ وَبِالنَقرِ
Rescued horses, straight as spears, of A'waj's breed,
And sleek-coated steeds, tended with fresh milk and selected grain.
نُعَوِّدُهاwe train them الإِقدامَbold advance فيin كُلِّevery غَمرَةٍthick of battle
نُعَوِّدُها الإِقدامَ في كُلِّ غَمرَةٍ
وَكَرّاًand charging again بِأَيدٍwith hands لاnot قِصارٍshort وَلاand not عُسرِleft-handed
وَكَرّاً بِأَيدٍ لا قِصارٍ وَلا عُسرِ
We train them to charge into every thick of battle,
And to charge again under hands neither short nor left-handed.
وَيَومٍand a day كَأَنَّas though المُصطَلينَthose scorched بِحَرِّهِby its heat
وَيَومٍ كَأَنَّ المُصطَلينَ بِحَرِّهِ
وَإِنeven though لَمnot تَكُنthere was نارٌfire قِيامٌstanding عَلىupon الجَمرِlive coals
وَإِن لَم تَكُن نارٌ قِيامٌ عَلى الجَمرِ
And many a day whose scorching heat made those enduring it seem,
Though there was no fire, to stand upon live coals.
كَأَنَّas though رِماحَthe spears of القَومِthe warriors فيamid غَمَراتِهِits turmoil
كَأَنَّ رِماحَ القَومِ في غَمَراتِهِ
نَواشِطُlong bucket-ropes فُرّاطٍwater-scouts نُواضِحُwater-drawing فيin بِئرِa well
نَواشِطُ فُرّاطٍ نُواضِحُ في بِئرِ
As though the warriors' spears amid its turmoil
Were water-scouts' long ropes, hauling water from a well.
صَبَرناwe endured لَهُagainst it حَتّىuntil يُريحَit eases وَإِنَّماand only
صَبَرنا لَهُ حَتّى يُريحَ وَإِنَّما
تُفَرَّجُare relieved أَيّامُthe days of الكَريهَةِbattle بِالصَبرِby patience
تُفَرَّجُ أَيّامُ الكَريهَةِ بِالصَبرِ
We stood firm against it until it eased; only
Patience brings relief from the days of battle.
وَنَحنُand we فَلَيناcombed لِاِبنِfor the son of طيبَةَTaybah رَأسَهُhis head
وَنَحنُ فَلَينا لِاِبنِ طيبَةَ رَأسَهُ
عَلىover مَرِقِthe liquid coating of الغاليcostly perfume بِأَبيَضَwith a bright blade ذيbearing أَثرِa forged pattern
عَلى مَرِقِ الغالي بِأَبيَضَ ذي أَثرِ
We combed Ibn Taybah's head
Through its coating of costly perfume, with a bright, patterned sword.
وَنَحنُand we خَضَبناdyed لِلخَطيمِfor al-Khatim قَميصَهُhis tunic
وَنَحنُ خَضَبنا لِلخَطيمِ قَميصَهُ
بِدامِيَةٍwith a bleeding wound نَجلاءَgaping مِنfrom واضِحِthe white part of النَحرِthe throat
بِدامِيَةٍ نَجلاءَ مِن واضِحِ النَحرِ
We dyed al-Khatim's tunic
With a gaping, bleeding wound from his white throat.
وَحَيَّيand the two clans of سَليطٍSalit قَدindeed صَبَحناwe served at dawn وَوائِلاًand Wa'il
وَحَيَّي سَليطٍ قَد صَبَحنا وَوائِلاً
صَبوحَa morning draught of مَناياdeaths غَيرَnot ماءٍwater وَلاnor خَمرِwine
صَبوحَ مَنايا غَيرَ ماءٍ وَلا خَمرِ
We gave the two clans of Salit, and Wa'il,
A morning draught of deaths, not water or wine.
وَلَيلَةَand on the night of زَيدِZayd الخَيلِal-Khayl (the horses) نالَتattained جِيادُناour fine steeds
وَلَيلَةَ زَيدِ الخَيلِ نالَت جِيادُنا
مُناهاtheir desires وَحَظّاًand a share مِنof أَسارىcaptives وَمِنand of ثَأرِvengeance
مُناها وَحَظّاً مِن أَسارى وَمِن ثَأرِ
On the night of Zayd al-Khayl, our fine steeds won
Their desires, and a share of captives and vengeance.
وَنَحنُand we ثَأَرناtook vengeance مِنon سُمَيِّSumayy وَرَهطِهِand his clan
وَنَحنُ ثَأَرنا مِن سُمَيِّ وَرَهطِهِ
وَظَبيانَand Zabyan ماnot فيamong حَيِّthe clan of ظَبيانَZabyan مِنany وَترِunavenged wrong
وَظَبيانَ ما في حَيِّ ظَبيانَ مِن وَترِ
We took vengeance on Sumayy and his clan,
And on Zabyan: no blood-debt remained among Zabyan's people.
وَقاظَand spent the summer اِبنُthe son of ذيpossessor of الجَدَّينِthe two fortunes وَسطَamid بُيوتِناour tents
وَقاظَ اِبنُ ذي الجَدَّينِ وَسطَ بُيوتِنا
وَكَرشاand Karsha فيin الإِغلالِthe fetters وَالحَلقِand the rings السُمرِdark
وَكَرشا في الإِغلالِ وَالحَلقِ السُمرِ
Ibn Dhi al-Jaddayn spent the summer amid our tents,
And Karsha, in fetters and dark iron rings.
وَنَحنُand we حَبَسناheld back الخَيلَthe cavalry أَنfrom يَتأَوَّبواtheir returning
وَنَحنُ حَبَسنا الخَيلَ أَن يَتأَوَّبوا
عَلىto شَجَعاتٍShaja'at وَالجِيادُwhile the fine steeds بِناcarrying us تَجريrun
عَلى شَجَعاتٍ وَالجِيادُ بِنا تَجري
We held back the cavalry from returning
To Shaja'at, while our steeds ran beneath us.
حَبَسناهُمُwe held them حَتّىuntil أَقَرّواthey assented بُحُكمِناto our judgment
حَبَسناهُمُ حَتّى أَقَرّوا بُحُكمِنا
وَأُدِّيَand were delivered أَثقالُthe loads of الخَميسِthe army إِلىto صَخرِSakhr
وَأُدِّيَ أَثقالُ الخَميسِ إِلى صَخرِ
We held them until they accepted our judgment,
And the army's heavy loads were delivered to Sakhr,
أَبيfather of فارِسِthe rider of الجَونَينِal-Jawnayn (two black steeds) قَدindeed تَعلَمونَهُyou know him
أَبي فارِسِ الجَونَينِ قَد تَعلَمونَهُ
وَيَومَand on the day of خِفافٍKhifaf سارَhe marched فيin لَجَبٍa clamorous host مَجرِvast
وَيَومَ خِفافٍ سارَ في لَجَبٍ مَجرِ
Father of the rider of al-Jawnayn—you know him well—
Who on the day of Khifaf marched in a vast, clamorous host.
وَنَحنُand we رَأَيناdecided بَينَbetween عَمرٍو'Amr وَمالِكٍand Malik
وَنَحنُ رَأَينا بَينَ عَمرٍو وَمالِكٍ
كَماas شُدَّwere bound أَعضادُthe wing-joints of المَهيضَةِthe broken-winged bird بِالجَبرِwith splints
كَما شُدَّ أَعضادُ المَهيضَةِ بِالجَبرِ
We decided between 'Amr and Malik,
As a broken bird's wings are bound with splints,
مِئينَhundreds ثَلاثاًthree بَعدَماafter اِنشَقَّتِsplit العَصاthe staff
مِئينَ ثَلاثاً بَعدَما اِنشَقَّتِ العَصا
وَقَدand indeed أُسلِمَwas forsaken الجانيthe offender وَأُتعِبَand was worn down ذوthe possessor of الوَفرِwealth
وَقَد أُسلِمَ الجاني وَأُتعِبَ ذو الوَفرِ
On three hundred, after the staff of unity had split,
When the offender was forsaken and the wealthy man worn down.
وَلَمّاand when رَأَىsaw الساعونَthe mediators زَلخاًsmooth ground مَزِلَّةًslippery
وَلَمّا رَأَى الساعونَ زَلخاً مَزِلَّةً
وَسُدَّand were blocked الثَناياthe passes غَيرَexcept مُطَّلَعٍan ascent وَعرِrugged
وَسُدَّ الثَنايا غَيرَ مُطَّلَعٍ وَعرِ
When the mediators saw smooth, slippery ground,
And the passes blocked, save one rugged ascent,
نَهَضناwe shouldered بِأَثقالِwith the burdens of المِئينَthe hundreds فَأَصبَحَتso became
نَهَضنا بِأَثقالِ المِئينَ فَأَصبَحَت
عَشيرَتُناour clan ماwithout مِنany خَبالٍdamage وَلاand no كَسرِfracture
عَشيرَتُنا ما مِن خَبالٍ وَلا كَسرِ
We shouldered the burden of those hundreds, and so
Our clan was left with neither damage nor fracture.
بِمَرجٍwith a vast herd يُسِمُّpoisons (uncertain reading) الراعِبَينِthe two fearsome ones جَنينُهُits unborn young
بِمَرجٍ يُسِمُّ الراعِبَينِ جَنينُهُ
وَيَجهَدُand exhausts يَومَon the day of الوِردِwatering ثائِبَةِthe replenished supply of الجَفرِthe broad well
وَيَجهَدُ يَومَ الوِردِ ثائِبَةِ الجَفرِ
With a vast herd whose unborn young poison the two fearsome ones [reading uncertain],
And exhaust the well's replenished supply on watering day.
وَمِنّاand among us الَّذيthe one who أَدّىredeemed مِنَfrom المُلكِroyal power مازِناًMazin
وَمِنّا الَّذي أَدّى مِنَ المُلكِ مازِناً
جَميعاًall together فَنَجّاهاthen saved them مِنَfrom القَتلِkilling وَالأَسرِand captivity
جَميعاً فَنَجّاها مِنَ القَتلِ وَالأَسرِ
Among us is the man who redeemed Mazin from royal power,
All together, saving them from killing and captivity.
وَنَحنُand we حَوَيناcaptured بِالقَناwith spears يَومَon the day of عانِطٍ'Anit
وَنَحنُ حَوَينا بِالقَنا يَومَ عانِطٍ
طَريفاًTarif وَمَولاهاand its protector طَريفَTarif بَنيthe sons of عَمرِو'Amr
طَريفاً وَمَولاها طَريفَ بَني عَمرِو
With our spears, on the day of 'Anit, we captured
Tarif and its protector, Tarif of Banu 'Amr.
وَمَولىًand an ally تَدارَكناهُwe rescued him in time مِنfrom سوءِa grievous صَرعَةٍfall
وَمَولىً تَدارَكناهُ مِن سوءِ صَرعَةٍ
وَقَدand indeed قَذَفَتهُhurled him الحَربُwar فيinto لُجَجٍdepths خُضرِgreen
وَقَد قَذَفَتهُ الحَربُ في لُجَجٍ خُضرِ
And many an ally we rescued from a grievous fall,
When war had hurled him into green depths,
كَماas اِنتاشَsnatched away مَغموراًa submerged man مِنfrom المَوتِdeath سابِحٌa swimmer
كَما اِنتاشَ مَغموراً مِن المَوتِ سابِحٌ
بِأَسبابِwith ropes صِدقٍtrustworthy لاnot ضِعافٍweak وَلاand not بُترِsevered
بِأَسبابِ صِدقٍ لا ضِعافٍ وَلا بُترِ
As a swimmer plucks a drowning man from death,
With trustworthy ropes, neither weak nor severed.
لَناwe have هَضبَةٌa crag صَمّاءُunyielding مِنfrom صُلبِthe loins of مالِكٍMalik
لَنا هَضبَةٌ صَمّاءُ مِن صُلبِ مالِكٍ
وَأُسدُand lions فَراءٍFara' لاnot تُوَزَّعُare driven back بِالزَجرِby shouting
وَأُسدُ فَراءٍ لا تُوَزَّعُ بِالزَجرِ
We have an unyielding crag from Malik's loins,
And lions of Fara' that no shouting drives back.
إِذاwhen نَهشَلٌNahshal ثابَتreturns إِليَّto me فَماthen no بِناwe have
إِذا نَهشَلٌ ثابَت إِليَّ فَما بِنا
إِلىof أَحَدٍanyone إِلاّexcept إِلىof اللَهِGod مِنany فَقرِneed
إِلى أَحَدٍ إِلاّ إِلى اللَهِ مِن فَقرِ
When Nahshal returns to my side, we have no
Need of anyone, save God.
يُعارِضُconfronts أَرواحَthe winds of الشَتآنِthe winters جابِرٌJabir
يُعارِضُ أَرواحَ الشَتآنِ جابِرٌ
إِذاwhen أَقبَلَتthey come مِنfrom نَحوِthe direction of حَورانَHawran أَوor مِصرِEgypt
إِذا أَقبَلَت مِن نَحوِ حَورانَ أَو مِصرِ
Jabir confronts the winds of winter,
When they come from the direction of Hawran or Egypt.
وَقَدand indeed عَلِمَتhave learned جَمخُthe proud القَبائِلِtribes أَنَّنيthat I
وَقَد عَلِمَت جَمخُ القَبائِلِ أَنَّني
إِذاwhen ماfor emphasis رَمَيتُI assail القَومَthe people أُسمِعُI make hear ذاthe one with الوَقرِdeafness
إِذا ما رَمَيتُ القَومَ أُسمِعُ ذا الوَقرِ
The proud tribes know that I,
When I assail a people, make even the deaf hear,
بِرَجمِwith a barrage of قَوافٍrhymes تُخرِجُbring out الخَبءَthe hidden فيwithin الصَفاsolid rock
بِرَجمِ قَوافٍ تُخرِجُ الخَبءَ في الصَفا
وَتُنزِلُand bring down بَيضاتِthe eggs of الأَنوقِthe vulture مِنَfrom الوَكرِthe nest
وَتُنزِلُ بَيضاتِ الأَنوقِ مِنَ الوَكرِ
With a barrage of rhymes that brings hidden things out of solid rock,
And brings down the vulture's eggs from its nest.
Partial English translation: 55 of 112 Arabic lines translated.