قُلْتُI said وَقَدand already أَقْصَرَabated جَهْلfolly الأَصْوَرِthe wayward man
قُلْتُ وَقَد أَقْصَرَ جَهْل الأَصْوَرِ
لَيْتَwould that الشَبابَyouth يُشْتَرَىcould be bought فَنَشْتَرِيso we might buy
لَيْتَ الشَبابَ يُشْتَرَى فَنَشْتَرِي
I spoke when the wayward man's folly had abated:
I wish youth could be bought so we may buy
Would that youth could be bought, so we might buy
Our first youth with the last. Nor should the days
شَبابَناour youth الأَوَّلthe first بِالمُؤَخَّرِwith the later
شَبابَنا الأَوَّل بِالمُؤَخَّرِ
لاmay not يَبْعدَنْpass away عَهْدُthe days of الشَبابyouth الأَنْضَرِthe freshest
لا يَبْعدَنْ عَهْدُ الشَباب الأَنْضَرِ
Our first youth with the years that followed.
Of green youthfulness and its wantonness in its hiding places,
May the days of freshest youth never pass away,
Be far removed, nor old age which I
وَالخَبْطُand heedless wandering فِيin غَيْسانِهِits luxuriance الغَمَيْدَرِthe abundant
وَالخَبْطُ فِي غَيْسانِهِ الغَمَيْدَرِ
وَالشَيْبُand gray hair عِنْدِيin my view بَيْعُهُits sale بِمِقْصَرِat a dead end
وَالشَيْبُ عِنْدِي بَيْعُهُ بِمِقْصَرِ
And the heedless wandering in its lush abundance!
Consider selling for less. And were old age
As for gray hair, its sale, to my mind, reaches a dead end;
To be sold in the slave market, it would be
وَالشَيْبُand gray hair لَوْif يُبَاعُwere sold فِيthrough التَسَمْسُرِbrokerage
وَالشَيْبُ لَوْ يُبَاعُ فِي التَسَمْسُرِ
لِلتاجِرِfor the merchant المُبْتاعِthe purchaser شَرُّthe worst مَتْجَرِmerchandise
لِلتاجِرِ المُبْتاعِ شَرُّ مَتْجَرِ
And gray hair, if sold through brokerage,
A losing bargain for the buyer.
Would be the worst merchandise for the purchasing merchant.
You have enough disgrace, o censured one,
حَسْبُكَenough for you مِنْof عارِthe disgrace of امْرِىءٍa man مُعَيَّرِreproached
حَسْبُكَ مِنْ عارِ امْرِىءٍ مُعَيَّرِ
رُدَّwas returned إِلَىto أَرْذَلِthe most wretched عُمْرage of العُمَّرِthose who live
رُدَّ إِلَى أَرْذَلِ عُمْر العُمَّرِ
Enough disgrace for a man already reproached:
Reduced to the meanest part of life.
He is returned to the most wretched age of those who live.
Nay, longing drove me, though forbidden the haunts
بَلْrather هاجَstirred لِيin me شَوْقاًlonging بِنَهْيِbeside the pool of المَحْضَرِal-Mahdar
بَلْ هاجَ لِي شَوْقاً بِنَهْيِ المَحْضَرِ
وَلَسْتُand I am not مِنْamong تِلْكَthose الغُواةِmisguided men الزُجَّرِbird-omen readers
وَلَسْتُ مِنْ تِلْكَ الغُواةِ الزُجَّرِ
Rather, longing stirred in me beside the pool of al-Mahdar;
Of pleasure, nor am I of those brutes restrained.
Yet I am not one of those misguided readers of bird omens.
In the house caws the one-eyed raven,
فِيin الدارِthe dwelling تَحْجالُthe hopping tracks of الغُرابthe crow الأَعْوَرِthe one-eyed
فِي الدارِ تَحْجالُ الغُراب الأَعْوَرِ
وَمُوقَدٌand a hearth ضَابٍlow-lying وَباقِيand remnants of مِشْوَرِhousehold furnishings
وَمُوقَدٌ ضَابٍ وَباقِي مِشْوَرِ
In the dwelling are the hopping tracks of a one-eyed crow,
A glowing bonfire and some remains of talk;
A low-lying hearth, and remnants of household furnishings.
I contended with it against all pouring rain,
أَلْوَىswept through بِهاit مِنْfrom كُلِّevery غَيْثٍrainstorm مِهْمَرِpouring
أَلْوَى بِها مِنْ كُلِّ غَيْثٍ مِهْمَرِ
عَواصِفٌgales طَحْطَحْنَshattered كُلevery أَيْصَرِbound bundle
عَواصِفٌ طَحْطَحْنَ كُل أَيْصَرِ
From every pouring rain there swept through it
Tempests that crushed every firm-standing thing,
Gales that shattered every bound bundle,
Scattering pebbles, wildly scattering them,
ذَرْواًscattering بِرَيْعانِwith the rush of الحَصَىpebbles المُصْعَنْفَرِwhirling
ذَرْواً بِرَيْعانِ الحَصَى المُصْعَنْفَرِ
وَكُلُّand every رَجّافٍtrembling cloud لَهَاover it مُقَرْقِرِthundering
وَكُلُّ رَجّافٍ لَهَا مُقَرْقِرِ
Scattering amid the rush of whirling pebbles;
And every shaking thing bombarding them.
And every trembling cloud thundered over it,
The winds puff at them, the lightning in torrents
تَنْفَحُهdrive it الأَرْواحُthe winds وَالبَرْقُand lightning الشَرِيthe fierce
تَنْفَحُه الأَرْواحُ وَالبَرْقُ الشَرِي
مُرْتَجِسٍrumbling فِيwithin راجِسٍa roaring mass كَنَهْوَرِtowering
مُرْتَجِسٍ فِي راجِسٍ كَنَهْوَرِ
Driven by the winds and fierce lightning,
From rushing to rushing like a startled wild beast.
Rumbling within a roaring, towering mass,
The valleys echoing, resounding with rushing,
جَوْنِdark in الرَوَاياthe waterskins هَمِعٍstreaming مُسْتَوْقِرِheavily laden
جَوْنِ الرَوَايا هَمِعٍ مُسْتَوْقِرِ
سَحّاًpouring down يَمُدُّfeeds السَيْلَthe torrent ذاpossessing التَفَجُّرِviolent bursting
سَحّاً يَمُدُّ السَيْلَ ذا التَفَجُّرِ
Dark in its waterskins, streaming and heavily laden,
Spreading, the torrents opening, unleashing.
Pouring down, feeding the bursting torrent.
The torrent an unruly rider of the pathways
فَالسَيْلُso the torrent عَجَّاجٌroaring رَكُوبُriding المَنْجَرِthe descending channel
فَالسَيْلُ عَجَّاجٌ رَكُوبُ المَنْجَرِ
إِذَاwhen انْتَحَىbears toward إِضْرارُهُits onslaught بِالأَضْرَرِthe rocky banks
إِذَا انْتَحَى إِضْرارُهُ بِالأَضْرَرِ
The torrent roars, riding the descending channel;
When its harm passes on to others.
When its onslaught bears upon the rocky banks,
It joins a position with deluging rain
زاحَمَpressed against رُكْناًa buttress بِدِلاظٍwith massive force مِقْعَرِhollowing out
زاحَمَ رُكْناً بِدِلاظٍ مِقْعَرِ
كَأَنَّمَاas though لَمnot يُلْقِهِit had cast it فِيinto المِحْدَرِthe downward slope
كَأَنَّمَا لَم يُلْقِهِ فِي المِحْدَرِ
It presses against a buttress with a massive, hollowing surge,
As though it had not met it on the slope -
As though it had not cast down the slope
The bodies of Sajisi fleeces, yellow,
أَجْرامُclumps of صُوفِwool of الساجِسيِّthe Sijistani الأَصْفَرِthe yellow
أَجْرامُ صُوفِ الساجِسيِّ الأَصْفَرِ
مِنْfrom رَمْيَةٍa throw بِالشَتِّof shatt-grass بَعْدَafter الإِذْخِرِidhkhir-grass
مِنْ رَمْيَةٍ بِالشَتِّ بَعْدَ الإِذْخِرِ
Clumps of the Sijistani's yellow wool,
After being mashed by hail, scattered about
In a toss of shatt-grass after idhkhir-grass,
Like the discarded clothes of a squandering player.
طَرْحاًtossing كَطَرْحِlike the tossing of اللاعِبِthe player المُبَذِّرِthe wasteful
طَرْحاً كَطَرْحِ اللاعِبِ المُبَذِّرِ
ياO ضالَDal قَدْalready خَيَّلْتِyou conjured illusions إِنْif لَمْnot تَسْحَرِyou cast a spell
يا ضالَ قَدْ خَيَّلْتِ إِنْ لَمْ تَسْحَرِ
Tossing like the throws of a wasteful player.
O lost one, you must have imagined, if you have not bewitched me,
O Dal, you have conjured illusions, if not cast a spell;
And added to my confused perplexity,
وَزِدْتِand you increased بِالتَأْفِيكِthrough deception حارthe bewilderment of الأَحْيَرِthe most bewildered
وَزِدْتِ بِالتَأْفِيكِ حار الأَحْيَرِ
حاراًbewilderment وَخَبْطاًand stumbling فِيin الضَلالerror الأَدْجَرِthe grievous
حاراً وَخَبْطاً فِي الضَلال الأَدْجَرِ
With deception you have increased the bewildered one's
Perplexed and bewildered in gloomy misguidance.
Bewilderment and stumbling in grievous error.
O lost one, you have been determined to go too far,
ياO ضالَDal قَدْalready أُزِّرْتِyou were girdled بِالمُؤَزَّرِwith a girdle
يا ضالَ قَدْ أُزِّرْتِ بِالمُؤَزَّرِ
أَرْؤُلَyoung ostriches مِنfrom أَنْقاءِridges of رَمْلٍsand مَرْمَرِfine and loose
أَرْؤُلَ مِن أَنْقاءِ رَمْلٍ مَرْمَرِ
O Dal, you have been girdled with a girdle—
More twisting than the twist of a twisting serpent,
Young ostriches from ridges of fine, loose sand.
Would that you were bleary-eyed in a desolate valley,
لَيْتَكِwould that you were عَيْناءَwide-eyed بِوادٍin a valley مُقْفِرِdeserted
لَيْتَكِ عَيْناءَ بِوادٍ مُقْفِرِ
لَمْnot تَعْقِدِيyou fastened عِقْداًa necklace وَلَمْand not تَسَوَّرِyou wore bracelets
لَمْ تَعْقِدِي عِقْداً وَلَمْ تَسَوَّرِ
Would that you were a wide-eyed gazelle in a deserted valley,
Having neither adorned yourself nor put on necklaces,
Wearing neither a necklace nor bracelets!
Then you would not have acted so scornfully
أَصْبَحْتِyou became لاmay not أَصْبَحْتِyou have become مِمَّنْamong those who يَزْدَرِيscorn
أَصْبَحْتِ لا أَصْبَحْتِ مِمَّنْ يَزْدَرِي
أَمْرَthe affairs of المُعَافَىthe healthy man وَالقَوَارِيand reports تَقْتَرِيyou pursue
أَمْرَ المُعَافَى وَالقَوَارِي تَقْتَرِي
You have become—may you never have become—one who scorns
In your circumstances, begging crumbs.
The well man's affairs and pursues reports.
So blame Umm Salama or leave me be!
فَأُمَّso, mother of سَلّامَةَSallama لُومِيblame أَوْor ذَرِيleave alone
فَأُمَّ سَلّامَةَ لُومِي أَوْ ذَرِي
نِضْواًa wasted man كَنِضْوِlike the slender shaft of السَمْهَرِيِّthe Samhari spear الأَسْمَرِthe dusky
نِضْواً كَنِضْوِ السَمْهَرِيِّ الأَسْمَرِ
So, Umm Sallama, blame or leave alone
With a coming and going like that of a brown snake.
A wasted man like a slender, dusky Samhari spear.
I feared your ignorance would lead you astray.
قَدْindeed خِفْتُI feared مِنْfrom جَهْلِكyour folly أَنْthat تَنَصَّرِيyou become Christian
قَدْ خِفْتُ مِنْ جَهْلِك أَنْ تَنَصَّرِي
ماذاwhat ترِيدِينَdo you want إِذَاif لَمْnot تَصْبِريyou are patient
ماذا ترِيدِينَ إِذَا لَمْ تَصْبِري
I have feared that your folly might make you become Christian.
What do you want if you will not be patient
What do you want, if you will not be patient?
Or fear God or feel some shame
إِنْif لَمْnot تَخافِيyou fear اللَّهَGod أَوْor تَسْتَحْسِرِيyou grow weary
إِنْ لَمْ تَخافِي اللَّهَ أَوْ تَسْتَحْسِرِي
مِمَّاof what تَقُولِينَyou say وَقَوْلُand the speech of المُهْجِرِthe abuser
مِمَّا تَقُولِينَ وَقَوْلُ المُهْجِرِ
If you do not fear God or grow weary
For what you say - and the words of an estranged one
Of what you say—and an abuser's speech
Are sinful and frightful. So beware frightening me,
إِثْمٌsin وَذُعْرٌand terror فَاتَّقِيso beware أَنْlest تُذْعَرِيyou be terrified
إِثْمٌ وَذُعْرٌ فَاتَّقِي أَنْ تُذْعَرِي
وَمَنْand whoever يَكُنْhas فَانْسَيْهِthen forget him أَوْor تَخْفَّرِيshow restraint
وَمَنْ يَكُنْ فَانْسَيْهِ أَوْ تَخْفَّرِي
Is sin and terror—then beware of being terrified.
And whoever is inwardly blind, let him forget me
And whoever has—forget him, or show restraint—
Or keep his distance lest he see me change.
فِيin قَلْبِهِhis heart داءُthe sickness of العَمَىblindness لاnot يُبْصِرِsees
فِي قَلْبِهِ داءُ العَمَى لا يُبْصِرِ
فَدَاوِمِيso maintain عَهْدَكِyour pledge أَوْor تَغَيَّرِيchange
فَدَاوِمِي عَهْدَكِ أَوْ تَغَيَّرِي
The sickness of blindness in his heart cannot see.
You cast glances at me like an eyelid that wipes,
So keep your pledge, or change,
O free woman with saliva in the corners of her mouth,
تَرْمِيyou shoot المَرَامِيَthe shots بَعَيْنَيْwith the two eyes of جُؤْذُرِa wild-ox calf
تَرْمِي المَرَامِيَ بَعَيْنَيْ جُؤْذُرِ
يَاO حُرَّةَlovely of الخَدِّcheek بَرِيقَthe gleam of المَحْجَرِthe eye socket
يَا حُرَّةَ الخَدِّ بَرِيقَ المَحْجَرِ
Shooting your shots with a wild-ox calf's two eyes.
You who resemble the sun when it breaks through.
O you of lovely cheek and gleaming eye socket,
When you see an eagle that journeys worn by the seasons,
يَاO تُشْبِهِينَyou resemble الشَمْسَthe sun ماas long as لَمْnot تُسْفِرِيyou unveil
يَا تُشْبِهِينَ الشَمْسَ ما لَمْ تُسْفِرِي
فَإِنْand if تَرَيْyou see نَسْراًa vulture كَلِيلَweary among الأَنْسُرِthe vultures
فَإِنْ تَرَيْ نَسْراً كَلِيلَ الأَنْسُرِ
O you who resemble the sun while still veiled!
And he whom destiny has decreed will grow old,
If you see a vulture, weary among vultures,
And the lengthening nights repeat themselves
قَدْalready كادَnearly يُفْنِيهِwears him away اخْتِلافthe succession of الأَعْصُرِages
قَدْ كادَ يُفْنِيهِ اخْتِلاف الأَعْصُرِ
وَمَنْand whoever تَخاطاهُpass him over المَنَاياَthe deaths يَكْبرِgrows old
وَمَنْ تَخاطاهُ المَنَاياَ يَكْبرِ
Nearly worn away by the succession of ages—
In their cycles, destroying with their going and return,
For whoever death passes over grows old—
The life of a youth as though it were not lived,
وَطُولُand the length of أَيَّامِthe days of اللَيالِيthe nights المُرُّرِthe passing
وَطُولُ أَيَّامِ اللَيالِي المُرُّرِ
إِذَاwhen اسْتَدَارَتْthey revolve بِاللَيالِيwith the nights الدُوَّرِthe revolving
إِذَا اسْتَدَارَتْ بِاللَيالِي الدُوَّرِ
And the long succession of days and passing nights,
And you see him in his prime, green,
When they revolve with the revolving nights,
Eyes uplifted, polished sword,
أَفْنَيْنَthey exhaust فِيthrough الإِدْبارِdeparture وَالتَكَرُّرِand recurrence
أَفْنَيْنَ فِي الإِدْبارِ وَالتَكَرُّرِ
عُمْرَthe life of الفَتَىthe young man كَأَنْas though لَمْnot يُعْمَرِhe had lived
عُمْرَ الفَتَى كَأَنْ لَمْ يُعْمَرِ
They exhaust, through departure and recurrence,
Before whom the birds from every crag recoil
A young man's life, as though he had never lived.
Offering their necks in the valley’s meadow and trees,
وَقَدْand indeed تَراهُyou see him فِيin الشَبابِyouth الأَسْدَرِthe heedless
وَقَدْ تَراهُ فِي الشَبابِ الأَسْدَرِ
مُرْتَفِعَraised in الطَرْفِgaze حدِيدَkeen in المِخْدَرِthe striking weapon
مُرْتَفِعَ الطَرْفِ حدِيدَ المِخْدَرِ
Yet you may see him in heedless youth,
Having tasted his spilling that cascades,
His gaze raised high, his striking weapon keen;
With the impact of a fall that has for them forgiveness,
تَحْجُرُseek refuge مِنْهُfrom him الطَيْرُthe birds كَلَّevery مِحجَرِrefuge
تَحْجُرُ مِنْهُ الطَيْرُ كَلَّ مِحجَرِ
يُولِجْنthey thrust in أَعْناقاًnecks كَسُوقlike the stalks of الهَيْشَرِhayshar plants
يُولِجْن أَعْناقاً كَسُوق الهَيْشَرِ
Birds seek every refuge from him,
With claws of smooth sharpness unsheathed
Thrusting necks like the stalks of hayshar plants
He lunges and plummets from afar
فِيinto عَوْسَجِthe boxthorn of الوادِيthe valley وَرَضْمِand the piled stones of الحَزْوَرِthe rugged hill
فِي عَوْسَجِ الوادِي وَرَضْمِ الحَزْوَرِ
قَدْalready ذُقْنَthey tasted مِنْof إِفْرائِهِhis rending المُفَرْفَرِthe violent
قَدْ ذُقْنَ مِنْ إِفْرائِهِ المُفَرْفَرِ
Into the valley's boxthorn and the rugged hill's piled stones.
Harmful like the sparks from a hurled firebrand
They have tasted his violent rending,
When they scatter in flight from the mighty.
بِوَقْعِwith the impact of وَقّاعٍa relentless striker لَهُنَّover them مِغْفَرِenveloping
بِوَقْعِ وَقّاعٍ لَهُنَّ مِغْفَرِ
بِمِخْلَبَيْwith the two talons of ذِيone possessing نَحْمَةٍa growl مُصَرْصِرِshrieking
بِمِخْلَبَيْ ذِي نَحْمَةٍ مُصَرْصِرِ
The impact of a relentless striker that envelops them,
He stands over them after having harried them,
With the two talons of a growling, shrieking bird.
A yellow tyrant whose petitions are grants.
يَرْمِيhe strikes فَيَهْوِيthen swoops مِنْfrom بَعِيدِa distant المَنْظَرِfield of sight
يَرْمِي فَيَهْوِي مِنْ بَعِيدِ المَنْظَرِ
ضارٍa fierce hunter كَجُلْمُودِlike a boulder القِذافِhurled from afar المِخْطَرِflung
ضارٍ كَجُلْمُودِ القِذافِ المِخْطَرِ
He strikes, then swoops from far beyond sight,
You see the blades of his claws in the hair
A fierce hunter like a boulder hurled from a height.
Following the lead of a butcher, shedding blood.
إِذَاwhen تَفَرَّقْنَthey scatter فِرارَin the flight of الفُرَّرِfugitives
إِذَا تَفَرَّقْنَ فِرارَ الفُرَّرِ
مِنْwhether مُطْرِقone lowering its head أَوْor طائِرٍa flier فِيamong الطُيَّرِthe fliers
مِنْ مُطْرِق أَوْ طائِرٍ فِي الطُيَّرِ
When they scatter in the flight of fugitives,
Say to that wary asker over there,
Whether one lowers its head or flies among the fliers
I am the piercer, then the rending witness;
عَلَيْهِabove him دَانَاهُنَّhe drew near them بَعْدَbeyond العِثْيَرِthe dust
عَلَيْهِ دَانَاهُنَّ بَعْدَ العِثْيَرِ
أَكْلَفُdark-mottled صَعْصاعٌrestless بِذاتِat Dhat الغضورِal-Ghadur
أَكْلَفُ صَعْصاعٌ بِذاتِ الغضورِ
Above him, he draws near them beyond the dust—
The puller of the far-thrown bow,
A dark-mottled, restless bird at Dhat al-Ghadur.
The pull of a man whose arrow grants no lease;
يَكسُوhe clothes الصُوىthe cairns مِنwith ريشِهاtheir feathers المُبَذَّرscattered
يَكسُو الصُوى مِن ريشِها المُبَذَّر
نَجلاًflinging wide وإِذراءٍand scattering كَلَطمِlike the slap of الأَعسرِthe left-handed man
نَجلاً وإِذراءٍ كَلَطمِ الأَعسرِ
He clothes the cairns with their scattered feathers,
He shoots where all is vulnerable and wounds strike.
Flung wide and scattered like a left-handed man's slap.
My left hand steady, fiercely brandishing,
تَراهُyou see him مِنْin تَعْلِيقِهاhanging them بِالمِنْسَرِfrom the beak
تَراهُ مِنْ تَعْلِيقِها بِالمِنْسَرِ
وَوَشْقِهand his tearing الأَجْوازَthe middles بَعْدَafter القُبَّرِthe larks
وَوَشْقِه الأَجْوازَ بَعْدَ القُبَّرِ
You see him hanging them from his beak
Breaking forth from the coverts’ every burst
And tearing their middles after the larks,
As the interiors boil with the blond torrent.
يَقْلِبُhe turns over خَوّانَthe serving-board of الجَنَاحthe wing الأَغْبَرِthe dust-gray
يَقْلِبُ خَوّانَ الجَنَاح الأَغْبَرِ
قَلْبَlike the turning by الخُرَاسانِيِّthe Khurasani فَرْوَthe pelt of المُفْتَرِيthe fur-wearer
قَلْبَ الخُرَاسانِيِّ فَرْوَ المُفْتَرِي
Turning over the dust-gray wing's serving-board
I am but a man who humbles the proudest.
As the Khurasani turns a fur-wearer's pelt,
So be generous and show me favor.
أَلْقَاهُhe cast it مِنْbecause of نَضْحِthe splashing of النَدَىdew بِالقَرْقَرِonto level ground
أَلْقَاهُ مِنْ نَضْحِ النَدَى بِالقَرْقَرِ
حَتَّىuntil إِذَاwhen رَجَعَresumed نَفْضthe shaking of الزِئْبِرِthe nap
حَتَّى إِذَا رَجَعَ نَفْض الزِئْبِرِ
Having cast it onto level ground because of splashing dew.
And you will not see - though the words pile clear -
Until, when the shaking of the nap resumes,
Among people one whose tongue is more butchering
وَاصْفَرَّand he turned yellow مِنْهَاfrom them فِيin دَمٍblood كَالزَّعْفَرِlike saffron
وَاصْفَرَّ مِنْهَا فِي دَمٍ كَالزَّعْفَرِ
كَالنَصْبِlike an idol رَشُّواthey sprinkled رَأْسَهُits head بِالعُصْفُرِwith safflower
كَالنَصْبِ رَشُّوا رَأْسَهُ بِالعُصْفُرِ
And he turns yellow from them in saffron-like blood,
Or lion terrifying in roar
Like an idol whose head they have sprinkled with safflower,
Fearing a crushing strike, breaking bones,
يَنْزُوhe leaps وَمَثْنَىand the doubled portion of قَيْدِهِhis tether فيat الخِنْصِرِthe little finger
يَنْزُو وَمَثْنَى قَيْدِهِ في الخِنْصِرِ
عَلْهانَravenous يُدْعَىis summoned بِالصِياحِby a shout المِنْهَرِsharp and ringing
عَلْهانَ يُدْعَى بِالصِياحِ المِنْهَرِ
He leaps, the doubled tether held at the little finger,
Galloping to them in a single leap.
Ravenous, summoned by a sharp, ringing shout.
Neck swollen, large-cheeked, gazelles fleeing;
وَشاعِرٍand many a poet لَمْnot يَدْرِrealized فِيwhile التَشَعُّرِcomposing verse
وَشاعِرٍ لَمْ يَدْرِ فِي التَشَعُّرِ
وَالمَوْتُand death ماas يَخْتِلُstalks خَتْلwith the stalking of المُدَّرِيthe concealed hunter
وَالمَوْتُ ما يَخْتِلُ خَتْل المُدَّرِي
And many a poet did not realize, while composing verse—
A leader exulting over all leaders,
While death stalked like a concealed hunter—
As though the bosses of his mighty head
حَتَّىuntil تَجَلَّىthe veil lifted عَنْfrom هِزَبْرٍa lion هِزْبَرِmighty
حَتَّى تَجَلَّى عَنْ هِزَبْرٍ هِزْبَرِ
ذِيpossessing لِبَدٍa mane فِيupon جَلَدٍa hide مُنَمَّرِpatterned
ذِي لِبَدٍ فِي جَلَدٍ مُنَمَّرِ
Until the veil lifted from a lion, a mighty lion,
Were split from the root of all root-tangled lairs,
With a mane upon a patterned hide,
Columns in a strongly-knit pair atop the knoll
كَأَنَّas though عَيْنَيْهِhis two eyes شِهابَاwere two embers of مِجْمَرِa brazier
كَأَنَّ عَيْنَيْهِ شِهابَا مِجْمَرِ
مِنْfrom أُسْدِthe lions of ذِيDhu الخَبْتَيْنِal-Khabtayn أَوْor بِعَثَّرِat Aththar
مِنْ أُسْدِ ذِي الخَبْتَيْنِ أَوْ بِعَثَّرِ
His two eyes like two embers in a brazier,
Before which the heads of mighty beasts bow down,
From the lions of Dhu al-Khabtayn, or those at Aththar,
When they crash between fervor and the throat
أَوْor بِلِوَىat the sand-bend of خَفَّانَKhaffan أَوْor بِالثَرْثَرِat al-Tharthar
أَوْ بِلِوَى خَفَّانَ أَوْ بِالثَرْثَرِ
يُلْقِيhe thrusts forward ذِراعَيْthe two forelegs of شَرْمَحٍa long-limbed beast مُضَبَّرِcompactly built
يُلْقِي ذِراعَيْ شَرْمَحٍ مُضَبَّرِ
Or at the sand-bend of Khaffan, or at al-Tharthar.
In a mantle, broad-sleeved and broad-forearmed
He thrusts forward a long-limbed, compact beast's forelegs;
Severing the flesh with a flint-like fang
تَرَىyou see حِمَىthe domain of أَظْفَارِهِhis claws فِيin الأَشْعُرِthe hairy flesh
تَرَى حِمَى أَظْفَارِهِ فِي الأَشْعُرِ
يَقْتَدُّhe slices قَدَّlike the slicing of الجازِرِthe butcher المُشَرْشِرِwielding a serrated blade
يَقْتَدُّ قَدَّ الجازِرِ المُشَرْشِرِ
You see his claws' domain in the hairy flesh.
That you see on a red winter day
He slices like a butcher wielding a serrated blade.
Studded with hail, undefeated;
فَقُلْso tell لِذَاكَthat الحائِنِdoomed man المُسْتَخْبِرِthe inquirer
فَقُلْ لِذَاكَ الحائِنِ المُسْتَخْبِرِ
إِنِّيindeed I أَنَاam القاضِبُthe cutter ثُمَّthen المُبْتَرِيthe whittler
إِنِّي أَنَا القاضِبُ ثُمَّ المُبْتَرِي
Tell that doomed inquirer:
He walks the walk of one trying to squat -
I am the cutter, then the whittler,
As though the shoulders of his mighty chest
وَالعاقِبُand the sinew-binder of الرِيشthe feathers بِنَصْلٍwith an arrowhead حَشْوَرِkeen
وَالعاقِبُ الرِيش بِنَصْلٍ حَشْوَرِ
وَالجاذِبُand the drawer of القَوْسthe bow الطَرُوحfar-casting المِيطَرِcurving
وَالجاذِبُ القَوْس الطَرُوح المِيطَرِ
The binder of feathers, with a keen arrowhead,
Were a pair of solidified granite rocks -
The drawer of the far-casting, curving bow,
All those about him shook from his tusks.
جَذْبَwith the drawing of امْرِىءٍa man ماnot سَهْمُهُhis arrow بِأَجْوَرِstraying
جَذْبَ امْرِىءٍ ما سَهْمُهُ بِأَجْوَرِ
يَرْمِيhe shoots إِذَاwhen أَوْفَقَhe nocks an arrow كُلَّat every مِنْتَرِtarget
يَرْمِي إِذَا أَوْفَقَ كُلَّ مِنْتَرِ
Drawing like a man whose arrow does not stray.
Leave off this and return to what an elevated one, an enchanter said:
When he nocks an arrow, he shoots at every target,
For my streaming upon you and my face averted,
ثَبْتُsteady in اليَدِthe hand اليُسْرَىthe left حَثِيثُswift with المِسْعَرِthe firebrand
ثَبْتُ اليَدِ اليُسْرَى حَثِيثُ المِسْعَرِ
يَمْرُقُit passes through مِنْfrom جَوْفِthe hollow of الحِجابِthe bodily partition المُجْفَرِthe broad
يَمْرُقُ مِنْ جَوْفِ الحِجابِ المُجْفَرِ
Steady of left hand, swift with the firebrand.
In clear advice and deep disaffection,
It passes through the hollow of the broad bodily partition,
Like the blade in the inflamed eye of an one- eyed man
وَالجَوْفُand the body's cavity يَغْلِيboils بِالنَجِيعِwith blood الأَشْقَرِthe reddish
وَالجَوْفُ يَغْلِي بِالنَجِيعِ الأَشْقَرِ
إِنِّيindeed I امْرُؤٌam a man أَحْقِرُwho despises أَمْرَthe affairs of الأَحْقَرِthe petty man
إِنِّي امْرُؤٌ أَحْقِرُ أَمْرَ الأَحْقَرِ
While the body's cavity boils with reddish blood.
Where its lasting trace has traced,
I am a man who holds the petty man's affairs in contempt,
I compose with cultivated skill and embellishment.
حِلْماًthrough forbearance وَأُكْرُوماًand generous deeds بِهَاby them تَقَدُّرِيmy self-appraisal
حِلْماً وَأُكْرُوماً بِهَا تَقَدُّرِي
وَلاand not تَرَىyou see وَالقَوْلُand speech ماضُّpiercing in المِسْبَرِits probe
وَلا تَرَى وَالقَوْلُ ماضُّ المِسْبَرِ
Through forbearance and generous deeds by which I measure my worth.
How do you see me move into the record
And you will not see—speech has a piercing probe—
On the staff of the disappearing doves,
فِيamong الناسِpeople أَبْقَىmore enduring مِنْthan لِسانٍa tongue مِجْزَرِslaughtering
فِي الناسِ أَبْقَى مِنْ لِسانٍ مِجْزَرِ
بَلْindeed إِنْif رَآنِيsees me هادِرٌa bellowing camel لَمْnot يَهْدِرِit bellows
بَلْ إِنْ رَآنِي هادِرٌ لَمْ يَهْدِرِ
Anything among men more enduring than a slaughtering tongue.
Nor does the grammarian look upon it - my looking -
Indeed, if a bellowing camel sees me, it does not bellow;
And if he frowns his face with discontent
أَوْor أَسَدٌa lion زَأَّارَةٌhabitually roaring لَمْnot يَزْئَرِit roars
أَوْ أَسَدٌ زَأَّارَةٌ لَمْ يَزْئَرِ
يَحْذَرُit fears مِنْfrom نَطَّاحَةٍa butting force مُكَسِّرِshattering
يَحْذَرُ مِنْ نَطَّاحَةٍ مُكَسِّرِ
Nor does a roaring lion roar.
And he is the ignorant one, the expressionist,
It fears a butting force that shatters,
Until I set them straight though the rugged way
يَعْدُوhe rushes عَلَيْهِنَّat them بِهادٍwith a jutting head مِجْسَرِbold
يَعْدُو عَلَيْهِنَّ بِهادٍ مِجْسَرِ
وَعُنُقٍand a neck ضَخْمmassive in الذَفَارَىthe nape أَذْفَرِpungent
وَعُنُقٍ ضَخْم الذَفَارَى أَذْفَرِ
Rushing at them with a boldly jutting head
And should the path cover them in deep darkness
And a neck with a massive, pungent nape:
I humbled them on a pillow I prepared
قَسْوَرَةٍa lion يَعْتَزُّoverpowers كُلَّevery قَسْوَرِmighty lion
قَسْوَرَةٍ يَعْتَزُّ كُلَّ قَسْوَرِ
كَأَنَّas though حَيْدَيthe two projections of رَأْسِهِhis head المُذَكَّرِthe masculine
كَأَنَّ حَيْدَي رَأْسِهِ المُذَكَّرِ
A lion overpowering every mighty lion.
And bared them in the burnishing file.
As though the two projections of his masculine head
So hear the words of an eloquent apologizer
تَشَعَّبَاbranched مِنْfrom مَجْمَعِthe junction of المُذَمَّرِthe area behind the ears
تَشَعَّبَا مِنْ مَجْمَعِ المُذَمَّرِ
صَمْدَانِtwo solid masses فِيin ضَمْزَيْنِtwo thick jaws فَوْقَabove الضَمْزَرِthe burly frame
صَمْدَانِ فِي ضَمْزَيْنِ فَوْقَ الضَمْزَرِ
Branched from the junction behind the ears:
Had not grave affairs preoccupied him, he would not have avoided Your door, staying away though you anticipated his company.
Two solid masses in two thick jaws above the burly frame.
Qasim, you have perceived in your wisdom
تَهْوِيplunge down رُؤُوسُthe heads of القاحِراتِthe hulking beasts القُحَّرِthe massive
تَهْوِي رُؤُوسُ القاحِراتِ القُحَّرِ
إِذَاwhen هَوَتْthey fall بَيْنَbetween اللُهَىthe uvulas وَالحَنْجَرِand the throat
إِذَا هَوَتْ بَيْنَ اللُهَى وَالحَنْجَرِ
The heads of hulking, massive beasts plunge down
An opinion with which you stroked your innermost thoughts
When they fall between the uvulas and the throat,
When you asked God to choose for you,
فِيinto فِيthe mouth of ضُباثِيٍّa huge lion عَرِيضbroad in الأَبْهَرِthe back
فِي فِي ضُباثِيٍّ عَرِيض الأَبْهَرِ
ضَخْمِmassive in الصَبِيَّيْنِthe two jowls عَرِيضِbroad in المِشْجَرِthe jaws
ضَخْمِ الصَبِيَّيْنِ عَرِيضِ المِشْجَرِ
Into the mouth of a huge, broad-backed lion,
I see that you will dig the best dig
Thick-jowled and wide-jawed,
A deep well in the bottom-most bottom of the basin
يَقْتَصِلُhe severs العَضَّwith the bite بِنَابٍwith a fang مِهْصَرِcrushing
يَقْتَصِلُ العَضَّ بِنَابٍ مِهْصَرِ
تَراهُyou see him فِيon يَوْمِa day of الشِتاءِwinter الأَحْمَرِthe red and harsh
تَراهُ فِي يَوْمِ الشِتاءِ الأَحْمَرِ
Severing with his bite and a crushing fang.
Whose floods pour in torrents into the purse,
You see him on a harsh, red winter day,
Filling the bucket’s round receptacle
ذاpossessing حِبَبٍfoam-flecks دِلْهاثَةًvigorous لَمْnot يَخْصَرِhe suffers cold
ذا حِبَبٍ دِلْهاثَةً لَمْ يَخْصَرِ
أَبْلَخَhaughty يَمْشِيhe walks مِشْيَةَwith the gait of التَبَخْتُرِswaggering
أَبْلَخَ يَمْشِي مِشْيَةَ التَبَخْتُرِ
Foam-flecked and vigorous, untouched by the cold,
When its pulley sings in the wheel,
Haughty, walking with a swagger.
It thuds the ground with the dusty sound of a laborer
كَأَنَّas though رُكْنَيْthe two buttresses of صَدْرِهِhis chest المُصَدَّرِthe massive
كَأَنَّ رُكْنَيْ صَدْرِهِ المُصَدَّرِ
رُكْناwere the two buttresses of جِمادَيْthe two rock-masses of إِضَمَIdam المُصَمْصَرِthe solid
رُكْنا جِمادَيْ إِضَمَ المُصَمْصَرِ
As though the two buttresses of his massive chest
Hauling it on planed wood fungus-covered.
Were the buttresses of Idam's two solid rock-masses.
Quickly bringing up draws near the breast
قَدْalready ضَجَّcried out مِنْfrom نابَيْهِhis two fangs كُلُّevery قَهْقَرِmassive beast
قَدْ ضَجَّ مِنْ نابَيْهِ كُلُّ قَهْقَرِ
دَعْleave ذاthat وَراجِعْand return to قَوْلَthe words of عالٍa lofty speaker مُصْحِرِplain-spoken
دَعْ ذا وَراجِعْ قَوْلَ عالٍ مُصْحِرِ
Every massive beast has cried out beneath his two fangs.
He turns it in something round, a churner,
Leave that, and return to a lofty, plainly spoken declaration.
Its posts asses mocked for their height -
إِنِّيindeed I عَلَىdespite ماwhatever كانَthere was مِنْof تَقَطُّرِيmy estrangement
إِنِّي عَلَى ما كانَ مِنْ تَقَطُّرِي
عَنْكَfrom you وَنَأْيِيand my distance عَنْكَfrom you مِنْthrough تَأَسُّرِconstraint
عَنْكَ وَنَأْيِي عَنْكَ مِنْ تَأَسُّرِ
Despite whatever estrangement there has been
Supplicating for you the prayer of one who fasts
From you, and my constrained distance from you,
To give us the Hajj before the day of sacrifice.
فِيin ظَاهِرِoutward النُصْحِgood counsel وَلاand not فِيin المسْرَرِwhat is concealed
فِي ظَاهِرِ النُصْحِ وَلا فِي المسْرَرِ
كَالنَّصْلِlike the blade فِيin جَفْنِthe sheath of اليَمانِيthe Yemeni sword الأَدْثَرِthe old
كَالنَّصْلِ فِي جَفْنِ اليَمانِي الأَدْثَرِ
In outward good counsel, not in what is concealed,
Then you marched out fluid with the departing group
I am like the blade in the sheath of an old Yemeni sword:
Always doing good, advising, gently warning,
قَدْalready دَبَّcrept فِيacross مَتْنَيْهِits two faces أَثْرُthe mark of المَأْثَرِpatterning
قَدْ دَبَّ فِي مَتْنَيْهِ أَثْرُ المَأْثَرِ
وَقُلْتُand I said وَالأَقْوالُand words مِمَّاare among what يَنْبَرِيcomes forth
وَقُلْتُ وَالأَقْوالُ مِمَّا يَنْبَرِي
The patterning mark has crept across its two faces.
Until the evil of a reprehensible era showed itself
And I said—words are things that come forth—
To us and easy Sahl, bright-faced,
مَاnot أَنَاI بِالْفانِيam decrepit وَلاand not المُغَمَّرِinexperienced
مَا أَنَا بِالْفانِي وَلا المُغَمَّرِ
أَنْسِجُI weave نَسْجَwith the weaving of الصَنَعِthe craftsman المُحَبِّرِthe embellisher
أَنْسِجُ نَسْجَ الصَنَعِ المُحَبِّرِ
I am neither decrepit nor inexperienced.
A proud head of a great tribe
I weave as an embellishing craftsman weaves.
In a house of wealth, noble and good,
كَيْفَhow تَرَانِيdo you see me أَنْتَحِيtaking my course فيin الدَفْتَرِthe book
كَيْفَ تَرَانِي أَنْتَحِي في الدَفْتَرِ
عَلَىalong قَضِيبِthe rod of الذَاهِباتِthe far-ranging verses الشُبَّرِthe ample
عَلَى قَضِيبِ الذَاهِباتِ الشُبَّرِ
How do you see me taking my course in the book,
Not domineering in his rule
Along the rod of far-ranging, ample verses?
Though he climbed to the place of the vainglorious.
لايَنْظُرُdoes not examine النَحْوِيُّthe grammarian فِيهَاthem نَظَرِيas I examine
لايَنْظُرُ النَحْوِيُّ فِيهَا نَظَرِي
وَإِنْeven if لَوَىhe twists لَحْيَيْهِhis two jaws بِالتَحَكُّرِwith strained insistence
وَإِنْ لَوَى لَحْيَيْهِ بِالتَحَكُّرِ
The grammarian does not examine them as I do,
Radiant, pure of brow, beaming,
Even if he twists his jaws with strained insistence,
You see him above the pulpit
وَهوَand he دَهِيُّis shrewd in العِلْمِlearning وَالتَعَبُّرِand interpretation
وَهوَ دَهِيُّ العِلْمِ وَالتَعَبُّرِ
حَتَّىuntil اسْتَقَامَتْthey straightened بِيunder my hand عَلَىwith التَيَسُّرِease
حَتَّى اسْتَقَامَتْ بِي عَلَى التَيَسُّرِ
Though he is shrewd in learning and interpretation.
Like the full moon, moon of auspiciousness revealed,
Until they straighten readily under my hand,
Making way the dark green shadows.
وَإِنْeven if تَوَعَّرْهاhe found them rugged نِقَابa keen investigator الأَوْعَرِmost rugged
وَإِنْ تَوَعَّرْها نِقَاب الأَوْعَرِ
ذَلَّتْthey yielded وَإِنْeven if شَازَرْتُهاI approached them obliquely بِالْمِشْزَرِwith an oblique approach
ذَلَّتْ وَإِنْ شَازَرْتُها بِالْمِشْزَرِ
Even if a keen investigator finds them most rugged;
O great in clemency, loud in roar,
They yield, even when I approach them obliquely.
When close associates take too little,
عَرَّيْتُهاI looped them فِيonto مَرَسٍa cord مُحَتَّرِfirmly bound
عَرَّيْتُها فِي مَرَسٍ مُحَتَّرِ
فَاسْمَعْso listen لِقَوْلٍto words مِنْfrom بَلِيغٍan eloquent man مُعْذِرِwith a sound excuse
فَاسْمَعْ لِقَوْلٍ مِنْ بَلِيغٍ مُعْذِرِ
I have looped them onto a firmly bound cord.
You snatch a mouthful with ample hand,
So listen to the words of an eloquent man with a sound excuse:
So if the domination of a thing resisted
لَولَاbut for شَجَاthe impediment of أَشْغَالِهِhis occupations لَمْnot يَهْجُرِhe would forsake
لَولَا شَجَا أَشْغَالِهِ لَمْ يَهْجُرِ
بابَكَyour door مِنْfrom راحٍan evening visitor لَكُمْto you مُسْتَبْشِرِglad
بابَكَ مِنْ راحٍ لَكُمْ مُسْتَبْشِرِ
But for the impediment of his occupations, he would not have forsaken
Prevails over the glory of one never dominated
Your door—an evening visitor glad to come to you.
He grows taller at the sale and stall
قاسِمُQasim قَدْindeed أَبْصَرْتَyou perceived فِيthrough التَبَصُّرِdiscernment
قاسِمُ قَدْ أَبْصَرْتَ فِي التَبَصُّرِ
رَأْياًa plan بِهِwith which ناجَيْتَyou communed with نَفْسَthe self of المُضْمَرِthe hidden one
رَأْياً بِهِ ناجَيْتَ نَفْسَ المُضْمَرِ
Qasim, in your discernment you have perceived
The taller, when the short fall short.
A plan with which you communed with your hidden self.
And if he stakes himself against his allotted fortune
لَمَّاwhen اسْتَخَرْتَyou sought guidance from اللَّهَGod فِيin التَخيُّرِchoosing
لَمَّا اسْتَخَرْتَ اللَّهَ فِي التَخيُّرِ
أَراكَhe showed you أَنْthat تَحْفِرَyou should dig خَيْرَthe finest مَحْفِرِexcavation
أَراكَ أَنْ تَحْفِرَ خَيْرَ مَحْفِرِ
When you sought God's guidance in choosing,
And frequents with persistence the raced course,
He showed you that you should dig the finest excavation:
There passes him a mare swift as an idea flashes,
حَفِيرَةًa well بِالقَاعِin the plain قَاعِthe plain of المَحْجِرِal-Mahjir
حَفِيرَةً بِالقَاعِ قَاعِ المَحْجِرِ
يَهْوىplunges تَرامِيthe streaming of سَيْلِهاits water فِيinto المِطْهَرِthe cleansing basin
يَهْوى تَرامِي سَيْلِها فِي المِطْهَرِ
A well in the plain, the plain of al-Mahjir.
Shaking off the gathered beads of sweat,
Its streaming water plunges into the cleansing basin;
When the standing pool of the slow one warms.
تَمْلأُit fills فَرْغَthe mouth of دَلْوِهاits bucket المُبَرْبِرِthe gurgling
تَمْلأُ فَرْغَ دَلْوِها المُبَرْبِرِ
إِذَاwhen جَرَتْturns بَكرَتُهاits pulley فِيon المِحْوَرِthe axle
إِذَا جَرَتْ بَكرَتُها فِي المِحْوَرِ
It fills the mouth of its gurgling bucket.
Qasim of goodness and son of the best!
When its pulley turns on the axle,
We have not had the like of you, o excellent one,
حَطَّتْit descended حِطاطَwith the lowering of البَرْبَرِيِّthe Berber الأَغْبَرِthe dust-gray
حَطَّتْ حِطاطَ البَرْبَرِيِّ الأَغْبَرِ
يَجْذِبُهاhe pulls it فِيamong الخَشَبِthe timbers المُشَجَّرِthe branching
يَجْذِبُها فِي الخَشَبِ المُشَجَّرِ
It descends as the dust-gray Berber lowers it,
To help us in what troubles us.
Pulling it among the branching timbers
Your judgment splits the dawning light of the discerning.
جَذْباًwith a pull كَخُذْرُوفِlike the spinning top of الغُلامِthe boy المِحْضَرِthe running
جَذْباً كَخُذْرُوفِ الغُلامِ المِحْضَرِ
عاجِلَةَquick in الوِرْدِreaching water دَرُوجَsmooth-moving in المِصْدَرِthe return
عاجِلَةَ الوِرْدِ دَرُوجَ المِصْدَرِ
With a pull like a running boy's spinning top,
Brave, even when you do not forgive,
Quick to reach the water, smoothly rising away from it.
And if you forgive a sin to one who seeks forgiveness,
يُحِيلُhe pours فيinto ذِيa vessel possessing حَدَبٍroundness مُكَرْكِرِrumbling
يُحِيلُ في ذِي حَدَبٍ مُكَرْكِرِ
مَلْمُومَةclose-set أَعْضادُهُits sides مُقَيَّرِpitch-coated
مَلْمُومَة أَعْضادُهُ مُقَيَّرِ
He pours into a rounded, rumbling vessel,
You save him from all things harbored;
Its sides close-set and coated with pitch.
You will see his rescue in the passage
يَدْعُوhe prays to لَكَfor you اللَّهGod دُعاءَwith the prayer of المُفْطِرِone breaking his fast
يَدْعُو لَكَ اللَّه دُعاءَ المُفْطِرِ
لَنَاfor us بِحَجٍّfor a pilgrimage قَبْلَbefore يَوْمِthe Day of المَنْحَرِSacrifice
لَنَا بِحَجٍّ قَبْلَ يَوْمِ المَنْحَرِ
He prays to God for you as one breaking his fast prays,
And a stumbling one you reached from the stumbling,
For a pilgrimage for us before the Day of Sacrifice,
With a cord that holds fast, not a slippery one.
ثُمَّتَthen أَمْسَىat evening became نافِراًdeparting فِيamong النُفَّرِthe departing pilgrims
ثُمَّتَ أَمْسَى نافِراً فِي النُفَّرِ
مازِلْتَyou have continued بِالإِحْسانِwith benevolence وَالتَفَكُّرِand reflection
مازِلْتَ بِالإِحْسانِ وَالتَفَكُّرِ
Then at evening departs among the departing pilgrims.
For some of them were in the pits of testing -
You have continued with benevolence and reflection,
Laid by a mother who did not clean herself -
وَالرِفْقِand kindness وَالتَحْذِيرِand warning وَالتَحَذُّرِand caution
وَالرِفْقِ وَالتَحْذِيرِ وَالتَحَذُّرِ
حَتَّىuntil تَجَلَّىcleared شَرُّthe evil of دَهْرٍan age مُنْكَرِabhorrent
حَتَّى تَجَلَّى شَرُّ دَهْرٍ مُنْكَرِ
With kindness, warning, and caution,
Degraded, content with the work of the completely degraded;
Until the evil of an abhorrent age cleared
To you I complain of the torment of a tormenting era
عَنَّاfrom us وَعَنْand from سَهْلِone gracious in المُحَيَّاface مُسْفِرِbright
عَنَّا وَعَنْ سَهْلِ المُحَيَّا مُسْفِرِ
مَعَتِّبِيٍّa Mu'attibi فِيamong العَدِيدِthe company الأَكْثَرِthe numerous
مَعَتِّبِيٍّ فِي العَدِيدِ الأَكْثَرِ
From us and from a bright, gracious-faced man,
Leaving cheeks like ember flames;
A Mu'attibi among a numerous people,
Evil was unleashed with a reprehensible thing
فِيin بَيْتِa house of أَمْلاكٍkings كَرِيمِnoble in العُنْصُرِorigin
فِي بَيْتِ أَمْلاكٍ كَرِيمِ العُنْصُرِ
لاnot يَأْخُذُhe takes الإِمْرَةَauthority بِالتَجَبُّرِthrough tyranny
لا يَأْخُذُ الإِمْرَةَ بِالتَجَبُّرِ
In a house of kings, noble in origin.
That coils and roils before resurrection day,
He does not take authority through tyranny;
Casting about in its scattering the scattered,
وَإِنْand if تَعالَىhe rises high كانَhe is أَهْلَdeserving of المَفْخَرِhonor
وَإِنْ تَعالَى كانَ أَهْلَ المَفْخَرِ
أَبْيَضَfair وَضَّاحَradiant in الجَبَيْنِthe forehead الأَزْهَرِthe shining
أَبْيَضَ وَضَّاحَ الجَبَيْنِ الأَزْهَرِ
And if he rises high, he deserves the honor.
The dying and the living, venerable humanity,
Fair, radiant, with a shining forehead,
Complaining of poverty, but not being impoverished,
تَرَاهُyou see him فِيamong القَوْمِthe people وَفَوْقَand above المِنْبَرِthe pulpit
تَرَاهُ فِي القَوْمِ وَفَوْقَ المِنْبَرِ
كَالبَدْرِlike the full moon بَدْرِthe full moon of السَعْدَةِgood fortune المُشَهَّرِthe renowned
كَالبَدْرِ بَدْرِ السَعْدَةِ المُشَهَّرِ
You see him among the people and above the pulpit
In tatters, after durable coats turned dusty,
Like the full moon, the renowned moon of good fortune,
Like the tatters on desiccate dead bodies;
صَدَّرَrose forward قُدَّامَin front of الظَلامِthe gloom الأَخْضَرِthe dark-green
صَدَّرَ قُدَّامَ الظَلامِ الأَخْضَرِ
ياO واسِعَbroad in الحِلْمِforbearance جَهِيرَresounding among الأَجْهَرِthe resounding
يا واسِعَ الحِلْمِ جَهِيرَ الأَجْهَرِ
Rising in front of the dark-green gloom.
Many crashed down from thriving and fruitful life
O broad in forbearance, resounding among the resounding!
After chicks like red partridges,
إِذَاwhen الأَدِقّاءُthe petty men اسْتَقَوَاdraw water بِالأَصْغَرِwith the smaller bucket
إِذَا الأَدِقّاءُ اسْتَقَوَا بِالأَصْغَرِ
ناهَبْتَyou vied in غَرْفاًscooping بِالرَغِيبِwith the ample bucket الأَوْفَرِthe fuller
ناهَبْتَ غَرْفاً بِالرَغِيبِ الأَوْفَرِ
When the petty men draw water with the smaller bucket,
They came to evening having roamed perplexed
You vie in scooping with the ample, fuller one.
In the darkness of night after a shining night,
فَإِنْand if بَدَتْappear أَجْلالُthe terrors of أَمْرٍan affair مُعْتَرِapproaching
فَإِنْ بَدَتْ أَجْلالُ أَمْرٍ مُعْتَرِ
قَاهَرْتyou contended عَنْin defense of مَجْدِthe glory of امْرِئٍa man لَمْnot يُقْهَرِconquered
قَاهَرْت عَنْ مَجْدِ امْرِئٍ لَمْ يُقْهَرِ
If the terrors of an approaching affair appear,
Flung down unable to contend with deprivation;
You contend in defense of a man's unconquered glory.
Free woman who never bowed has bowed to necessity.
يَزْدادُhe increases فِيin الباعِreach وَعِنْدَand at المَشْبَرِthe measuring-place
يَزْدادُ فِي الباعِ وَعِنْدَ المَشْبَرِ
طُولاًin length إِذَاwhen قَصَّرَfalls short باعthe reach of الأَقْصَرِthe shorter man
طُولاً إِذَا قَصَّرَ باع الأَقْصَرِ
He grows in reach, and at the measuring-place,
In length, when the shorter man's reach falls short.
وَإِنْand if جَدَىhe gives مِنْfrom مائِهِhis water المُقَدَّرِthe measured
وَإِنْ جَدَى مِنْ مائِهِ المُقَدَّرِ
وَابْتَذَلَand puts to use المِضْمارَthe racecourse كُلُّevery مُضْمِرِhorse-trainer
وَابْتَذَلَ المِضْمارَ كُلُّ مُضْمِرِ
And if he gives from his measured store of water,
And every trainer puts the racecourse to use,
مَرَّpass بِهِalong it ضَبْعَاthe two upper arms of جَوَادٍa steed مِهْمَرِswiftly coursing
مَرَّ بِهِ ضَبْعَا جَوَادٍ مِهْمَرِ
يَنْفُضُhe shakes off ماءَthe moisture of العَرَقِsweat المُسْتَقْطَرِthe streaming
يَنْفُضُ ماءَ العَرَقِ المُسْتَقْطَرِ
The two upper arms of a swiftly coursing steed pass along it,
Shaking off the streaming sweat,
إِذَاwhen كَبَاfails ماءُthe moisture of البَطِيءِthe laggard المِجْمَرِthe hard-hoofed
إِذَا كَبَا ماءُ البَطِيءِ المِجْمَرِ
قاسِمُQasim قَدْindeed هَيَّجْتُI stirred ذِكْراًa remembrance فَاذْكُرِso remember
قاسِمُ قَدْ هَيَّجْتُ ذِكْراً فَاذْكُرِ
When the hard-hoofed laggard's moisture fails.
Qasim, I have stirred a remembrance, so remember
ماwhat فِيlies غَدٍtomorrow إِنِّيindeed I امْرُؤٌam a man مِنْfrom مَعْشَرِa people
ما فِي غَدٍ إِنِّي امْرُؤٌ مِنْ مَعْشَرِ
يَغْدُونَthey go forth أَنْصَارَكَas your supporters يَوْمَon the day of النُصَّرِsupport
يَغْدُونَ أَنْصَارَكَ يَوْمَ النُصَّرِ
What lies tomorrow: I am a man from a people
Who go forth as your supporters on the day of support.
وَهُمْand they عَلَىdespite رَغْمِthe opposition of العُدَاةِthe enemies الزُفَّرِthe panting
وَهُمْ عَلَى رَغْمِ العُدَاةِ الزُفَّرِ
أَخوالُare the maternal uncles of آبائِكَyour fathers فِيin المَجْدِglory الثَرِيthe abundant
أَخوالُ آبائِكَ فِي المَجْدِ الثَرِي
Despite the panting enemies, they are
Your fathers' maternal uncles, rich in glory:
سَعْدُSa'd بْنُson of زَيْدٍZayd فِيin الصَمِيمِthe core الدَوْسَرِthe mighty
سَعْدُ بْنُ زَيْدٍ فِي الصَمِيمِ الدَوْسَرِ
فِيamid ثَرْوَةٍabundance ماnot جَدُّهاits fortune بِجَيْدَرِstunted
فِي ثَرْوَةٍ ما جَدُّها بِجَيْدَرِ
Sa'd ibn Zayd, in the mighty core,
Amid abundance whose fortune is not stunted.
أَثْرَىmultiplied حَصَاهُمْtheir pebbles فِيinto العَدِيدthe multitude الأَغْضَرِthe flourishing
أَثْرَى حَصَاهُمْ فِي العَدِيد الأَغْضَرِ
وَأَنْتَand you مِنْamong سَعْدٍSa'd مَكانَoccupy the place of المِغْفَرِthe helmet
وَأَنْتَ مِنْ سَعْدٍ مَكانَ المِغْفَرِ
Their pebbles have multiplied into a flourishing multitude.
Among Sa'd you occupy the helmet's place;
وَمِنْand from ثَقِيفٍThaqif لَكَyou possess خَيْرُthe finest الجَوْهَرِessence
وَمِنْ ثَقِيفٍ لَكَ خَيْرُ الجَوْهَرِ
تَمَّreached completion إِلَىin عادِيِّancient عِزٍّmight بَهْزَرِcolossal
تَمَّ إِلَى عادِيِّ عِزٍّ بَهْزَرِ
And from Thaqif you possess the finest essence.
It culminates in ancient, colossal might,
مُؤْكِلِbestowing آكالٍportions of sustenance قُدامٍforemost شَهْبَرِmighty
مُؤْكِلِ آكالٍ قُدامٍ شَهْبَرِ
فِيin غَيْضَةٍa thicket شَجْراءَwooded لَمْnot تَمعَّرِstripped bare
فِي غَيْضَةٍ شَجْراءَ لَمْ تَمعَّرِ
Bestowing portions of sustenance, foremost and mighty,
In a wooded thicket that has not been stripped,
مِنْof شَجَرٍtrees عاسٍsturdy وَغابٍand stands مُثْمِرِfruitful
مِنْ شَجَرٍ عاسٍ وَغابٍ مُثْمِرِ
آزَرَbolstered هَضْبَthe hills of القافِزاتِthe leaping beasts الفُدَّرِthe full-grown ibex
آزَرَ هَضْبَ القافِزاتِ الفُدَّرِ
Of sturdy trees and fruitful stands,
Bolstering the hills of leaping, full-grown ibex.
ياO قاسِمَQasim of الخَيْراتِgood gifts وَابْنand son of الأَخْيَرِthe best
يا قاسِمَ الخَيْراتِ وَابْن الأَخْيَرِ
ماnot سَاسَنَاgoverned us مِثْلُكَone like you مِنْamong مُؤَمَّرِappointed rulers
ما سَاسَنَا مِثْلُكَ مِنْ مُؤَمَّرِ
O Qasim of good gifts, son of the best!
No appointed ruler like you has governed us,
أَحْسَنَdoing good like إِحْسانِكَyour beneficence فِيمَاamid what يَعْتَرِيbefalls
أَحْسَنَ إِحْسانِكَ فِيمَا يَعْتَرِي
تَصْدَعُyou open بِالحُكْمِwith judgment طَرِيقَthe road of المُبْصِرِthe discerning man
تَصْدَعُ بِالحُكْمِ طَرِيقَ المُبْصِرِ
Doing good as you do amid whatever befalls.
With judgment you open the discerning man's road,
شَقَّlike the cleaving by السَنَاradiance أَخْدارَthe hidden chambers of لَيْلٍa night مُخْدِرِconcealing
شَقَّ السَنَا أَخْدارَ لَيْلٍ مُخْدِرِ
ثِنْيَيْهِits two folds أَوْor تَعْلُوهُyou rise above it بِالتَشَوُّرِin full display
ثِنْيَيْهِ أَوْ تَعْلُوهُ بِالتَشَوُّرِ
As radiance cleaves the hidden chambers of a concealing night:
Its two folds, or you rise above it in full display.
وَفِيكَand in you إِضْرَارٌis force لِذاكagainst that الأَضْرَرِmost obstinate man
وَفِيكَ إِضْرَارٌ لِذاك الأَضْرَرِ
وَقَدْand indeed يُقِيمُmay straighten اللَهْزُa jab مَيْلthe bend of الأَصْعَرِthe crooked-necked man
وَقَدْ يُقِيمُ اللَهْزُ مَيْل الأَصْعَرِ
In you is force against that most obstinate man;
A jab may straighten the crooked-necked man's bend.
أَشْجَعُa bold lion مِجْذَامٌdecisive إِذَاwhen لَمْnot تَغْفرِyou forgive
أَشْجَعُ مِجْذَامٌ إِذَا لَمْ تَغْفرِ
وَإِنْand if غَفَرْتَyou forgive الذَنْبَthe sin لِلْمُسْتَغْفِرِof one seeking forgiveness
وَإِنْ غَفَرْتَ الذَنْبَ لِلْمُسْتَغْفِرِ
You are a bold, decisive lion when you do not forgive;
But if you forgive the sin of one who seeks forgiveness,
نَجَّيْتَهُyou save him مِنْfrom كُلevery أَمْرٍmatter مُبْطِرcausing reckless pride
نَجَّيْتَهُ مِنْ كُل أَمْرٍ مُبْطِر
حَتَّىuntil تُرىis seen مَنجاتهُhis escape بِمِعبَرِat a crossing
حَتَّى تُرى مَنجاتهُ بِمِعبَرِ
You save him from every matter that drives him to reckless pride,
Until his escape is seen at a crossing.
وَعاثِرٍand many a stumbling man أَدرَكتَهُyou rescued him مِنfrom مَعثَرِa stumbling-place
وَعاثِرٍ أَدرَكتَهُ مِن مَعثَرِ
بِحَبْلِwith a rope وافٍfaithful لاnot بِحَبْلwith the rope of الأَغْدَرِthe treacherous man
بِحَبْلِ وافٍ لا بِحَبْل الأَغْدَرِ
And many a stumbling man you have rescued from a stumbling-place,
With a faithful rope, not the treacherous man's rope,
إِذْwhile بَعْضُهُمْsome of them فِيare in وَرَطاتِthe pitfalls of المَثْبَرِdestruction
إِذْ بَعْضُهُمْ فِي وَرَطاتِ المَثْبَرِ
لاَقَتْmet with بِوُضْعٍa birth أُمُّهُhis mother لَمْnot تَطْهُرِshe was cleansed
لاَقَتْ بِوُضْعٍ أُمُّهُ لَمْ تَطْهُرِ
While some of them are in the pitfalls of destruction.
His mother met with a birth from which she was not cleansed:
مُخَسَّرٍa loser يَرْضَىcontent بِسَعْيwith the endeavor of الأَخْسَرِthe most ruinous
مُخَسَّرٍ يَرْضَى بِسَعْي الأَخْسَرِ
إِلَيْكَto you أَشْكُوI complain of عَضَّthe bite of دَهْرٍan age مِكْسَرِshattering
إِلَيْكَ أَشْكُو عَضَّ دَهْرٍ مِكْسَرِ
A loser content with the most ruinous endeavor.
To you I complain of the bite of a shattering age,
أَبْقَىit left خُدُوداًcheeks كَالَحرِيقِlike a fire المِشْرَرِspark-scattering
أَبْقَى خُدُوداً كَالَحرِيقِ المِشْرَرِ
أُرْسِلَwas unleashed فَاسْتَمْدَىthen continued at length بِأَمْرٍin a course مُنْكَرِabhorrent
أُرْسِلَ فَاسْتَمْدَى بِأَمْرٍ مُنْكَرِ
Which left cheeks like a spark-scattering fire,
Unleashed, then prolonged in an abhorrent course,
يَلْويit twists وَحَشْراًand gathers قَبْلَbefore يَوْمِthe Day of المَحْشَرِGathering
يَلْوي وَحَشْراً قَبْلَ يَوْمِ المَحْشَرِ
طَرَّحَit cast out مِنْin تَفْرِيقِهِits scattering المُبَذَّرِthe wasteful
طَرَّحَ مِنْ تَفْرِيقِهِ المُبَذَّرِ
Writhing, and gathering before the Day of Gathering.
It cast out, in its wasteful scattering,
مَوْتَىdead people وَأَحْياءًand living people بَشَرٍّwith evil مُوقَرِburdened
مَوْتَى وَأَحْياءً بَشَرٍّ مُوقَرِ
يَشْكُونَthey complain of فَقْراًpoverty لَيْسَnot بِالتَفَقُّرِa pretense of poverty
يَشْكُونَ فَقْراً لَيْسَ بِالتَفَقُّرِ
Dead and living, burdened with evil.
They complain of poverty, not a pretense of poverty,
فِيin خِرَقٍrags بَعْدَafter الدُقاعdestitution الأَغْبَرِthe dust-gray
فِي خِرَقٍ بَعْدَ الدُقاع الأَغْبَرِ
كَخِرَقِlike the rags of المَوْتَىthe dead عِجافُemaciated in القِشْبِرِframe
كَخِرَقِ المَوْتَى عِجافُ القِشْبِرِ
In rags, after dust-gray destitution,
Like the dead's rags, emaciated in frame.
كَمْhow many سَاقَطُواthey lost مِنْof ناشِىءٍgrowing youths وَمُعْصِرِand newly mature girls
كَمْ سَاقَطُوا مِنْ ناشِىءٍ وَمُعْصِرِ
بَعْدَafter رَذَاياexhausted creatures كَفِراخlike the chicks of الحُمَّرِredbreasts
بَعْدَ رَذَايا كَفِراخ الحُمَّرِ
How many growing youths and newly mature girls they lost,
After exhausted creatures like redbreast chicks!
أَمْسَوْاthey became كَمَنْlike someone who زاوَلَstruggled فِيin التَحَيُّرِbewilderment
أَمْسَوْا كَمَنْ زاوَلَ فِي التَحَيُّرِ
ظَلْماءَthrough the darkness of لَيْلٍa night بَعْدَafter لَيْلٍa night مُقْمِرِmoonlit
ظَلْماءَ لَيْلٍ بَعْدَ لَيْلٍ مُقْمِرِ
They became like someone struggling in bewilderment
Through a pitch-dark night after a moonlit night,
مُلْقَيْنَcast down لاnot يَرْمُونَthey drive away أُمَّthe mother of الهِنْبِرِthe hyena cub
مُلْقَيْنَ لا يَرْمُونَ أُمَّ الهِنْبِرِ
عَنْfrom جَرِّdragging هَزْلَىemaciated bodies أَسْلَمَتْabandoned لَمْnot تُقْبَرِburied
عَنْ جَرِّ هَزْلَى أَسْلَمَتْ لَمْ تُقْبَرِ
Cast down, not driving away the cub's mother, the hyena,
From dragging emaciated bodies abandoned and unburied.
Partial English translation: 182 of 236 Arabic lines translated.