غَنىsang الَّذيhe who منfrom واهجthe blaze of الضَيمoppression وَالنَوىand separation
غَنى الَّذي من واهج الضَيم وَالنَوى
بضداbegan (unclear form) يَنظمcomposes القافاتthe verses لليفهمونهاfor those who understand them
بضدا يَنظم القافات لليفهمونها
He sang from the blaze of oppression and separation,
The one who sang with the wounds of injustice and malice
Beginning to compose verses for those who understand them.
Arranged rhymes for those who understand to comprehend
بَداbegan وَاِبتَداand commenced ينظمarranging مَعانيmeanings منضدهwell-ordered
بَدا وَاِبتَدا ينظم مَعاني منضده
مثلlike عقدa necklace درpearls بجيدupon the neck of غيدهa graceful maiden يَرونهاthey see it
مثل عقد در بجيد غيده يَرونها
He began arranging well-ordered meanings,
He began and started composing arranged meanings
Like a pearl necklace seen upon a graceful maiden's neck.
Like a pearl necklace that they see
يَروهاthey recount it الَّذيthose who يَرواperceive مَعانيthe meanings of حَديثهاits discourse
يَروها الَّذي يَروا مَعاني حَديثها
أَهلpeople of الذكاdiscernment مثلlike الذَهبgold يَنقدونهاthey assay it
أَهل الذكا مثل الذَهب يَنقدونها
Those who perceive the meanings of its discourse recount it;
Those who see meanings observe its talk
Discerning minds assay it as they assay gold.
The wise are like gold appraising it
أَهلpeople of الذَكاdiscernment يوعواgrasp مضمنthe substance of كَلامهاits words
أَهل الذَكا يوعوا مضمن كَلامها
أَماas for رعاعthe rabble of الناسpeople بِالعُرفin understanding دونهاbelow it
أَما رعاع الناس بِالعُرف دونها
Discerning minds grasp the substance of its words,
The wise realize the implied meaning of its words
While the rabble fall short of understanding them.
As for the riffraff, according to their norm, they fall short of it
وَلاand not هماجuncouth in الطَبعdisposition مانيI am not بحالهمconcerned with them
وَلا هماج الطَبع ماني بحالهم
وَلوand even if يَسمعواthey hear القافاتthe verses ماnot يَفهمونهاthey understand them
وَلو يَسمعوا القافات ما يَفهمونها
As for the uncouth, I am not concerned with them;
Neither their impassioned nature with its state
Even if they hear the verses, they do not understand them.
If they heard rhymes, they wouldn't understand them
لَوif يَسمَعواthey hear القَولthe speech ماnot يميزواthey distinguish الكلمthe words
لَو يَسمَعوا القَول ما يميزوا الكلم
همجعriffraff وَالقَوافيand the rhymes غامضاتobscure فنونهاtheir arts
همجع وَالقَوافي غامضات فنونها
If they hear the speech, they cannot distinguish its words:
If they heard the words, they wouldn't distinguish speech
Riffraff, to whom the arts of rhyme remain obscure.
They are a group and the rhymes are vague arts to them
وَلاand not يعرفواthey recognize غشthe counterfeit of المحاكيsayings وَجيدهاand their fine quality
وَلا يعرفوا غش المحاكي وَجيدها
وَلاand not مَيزواthey discerned المَضمونthe substance لَماwhen قرونهاthey read them
وَلا مَيزوا المَضمون لَما قرونها
They cannot distinguish counterfeit sayings from fine ones,
They don't recognize the inferior and superior imitation
Nor discern the substance when they read them.
Nor distinguish meaning after eras have passed
لَوif مَيزواthey discerned المَضمونthe substance ماnot يَعرفواthey understand اللغاthe language
لَو مَيزوا المَضمون ما يَعرفوا اللغا
مثلlike النعمlivestock عَلىupon العُشبthe grass سرحونهاthey let them graze
مثل النعم عَلى العُشب سرحونها
Even if they discern the substance, they do not understand the language,
If they recognized meaning, they wouldn't know language
Like livestock turned loose upon the grass.
Like cattle turned out to graze, they roam it
هذولاكthose people مرتاحينat ease مِنfrom داعيthe summons of الهَوىpassion
هذولاك مرتاحين مِن داعي الهَوى
هَنيئاًblessed لِنَفسa soul غامضاتclosed عُيونهاits eyes
هَنيئاً لِنَفس غامضات عُيونها
Those people rest free of passion's summons.
They are content away from the caller of passions
Blessed is a soul whose eyes are closed;
Congratulations to the soul with ambiguous eyes
هَنيئاًblessed لِنَفسa soul ماnothing عَلَيهاowed by it وَلاand nothing لَهاowed to it
هَنيئاً لِنَفس ما عَلَيها وَلا لَها
أَيضاًalso عَلىdespite كثرthe abundance of الحَكيtalk ماnot وزونهاthey weighed it
أَيضاً عَلى كثر الحَكي ما وزونها
Blessed is a soul with nothing owed by it or to it,
Congratulations to the soul with no possessions or belongings
Whose plentiful talk they do not weigh,
Also, with excessive talk, it does not weigh them
وَلاand not سارquarreled (split form) موهاwith it (split form) الليthose whose قَليلةscant بخوتهمtheir fortunes
وَلا سار موها اللي قَليلة بخوتهم
وَلاand not دَواعيthe impulses of السُوءevil يُومنwhen دَعونهاthey summoned it
وَلا دَواعي السُوء يُومن دَعونها
Nor do the unfortunate quarrel with it,
Nor do the little egos of the arrogant affect it
Nor evil impulses, when they summon it.
Nor evil suggestions they try to lure it with
تَرتاحit rests منfrom شيلcarrying البَواهظcrushing burdens وَغيرهاand others
تَرتاح من شيل البَواهظ وَغيرها
وَلَكنbut محالimpossible أنthat الوَرىpeople يَتركونهاleave it alone
وَلَكن محال أن الوَرى يَتركونها
It rests from carrying crushing burdens and others,
It rests from carrying worries and more
Yet it is impossible for people to leave it alone.
But it’s impossible the people will abandon it
لِأَنbecause عَوامthe ordinary الناسpeople يَضنيexhausts مَراسهمdealing with them
لِأَن عَوام الناس يَضني مَراسهم
إِذاif ماnot حداهمdrives them خَوفfear ماnot ورعونهاthey restrain themselves
إِذا ما حداهم خَوف ما ورعونها
For dealing with ordinary people is exhausting;
Because commoners are stingy in their livelihood
Unless fear drives them, they do not restrain themselves.
When fear seizes them, they don't hold back from it
إِذاif ماnot حداهمdrives them خَوفfear ماnot يَنظرsees العَماthe blind
إِذا ما حداهم خَوف ما يَنظر العَما
مثلlike شاربa drinker of الصَهباwine غَشاهمveiled them جُنونهاits madness
مثل شارب الصَهبا غَشاهم جُنونها
Unless fear drives them, the blind do not see,
When fear seizes them, the blind don’t watch out
Like a wine-drinker veiled by its madness.
Like one drunk on raisin liquor, madness possesses them
مثلlike شاربa drinker of الصَهباwine يَفوشوthey rage بِلاwithout حَياshame
مثل شارب الصَهبا يَفوشو بِلا حَيا
وَخانتand betrayed بِناus الأَيّامthe days مطمحthe aim of عُيونهاtheir eyes
وَخانت بِنا الأَيّام مطمح عُيونها
Like wine-drinkers, they rage without shame.
Like one drunk on raisin liquor, they sin without shame
The days betrayed us in what their eyes sought.
And time has betrayed us, frustrating its eyes
وَخانَتand betrayed بِناus الأَيامthe days ماhow خبثfoul عمالهاtheir deeds
وَخانَت بِنا الأَيام ما خبث عمالها
وَخانواand betrayed اللَياليthe nights بَعدafter ممكنsecure سنونهاtheir years
وَخانوا اللَيالي بَعد ممكن سنونها
The days betrayed us—how foul their deeds!
And time has betrayed us, how wicked are its deeds
And the nights betrayed us after years of security.
And the nights betrayed after enabling years
الأَيامthe days لاwhen مالواthey turn عَلىagainst طودa mountain عاليlofty
الأَيام لا مالوا عَلى طود عالي
يَدعوهthey leave it سهليlevel وَصخرهand its rocks يمهدونهاthey smooth them
يَدعوه سهلي وَصخره يمهدونها
When the days turn against a lofty mountain,
Time doesn't come down from a high summit
They leave it level and smooth its rocks.
Some call it easy and others pave it
الأَيامthe days مِنهاsome of them تشربyou drink الشَهدhoneycomb وَالعَسَلand honey
الأَيام مِنها تشرب الشَهد وَالعَسَل
وَالأَيامand the days مِنهاsome of them صبرbitter aloe لاwhen انقعونهاthey steep it
وَالأَيام مِنها صبر لا انقعونها
Some days offer honeycomb and honey to drink,
Sometimes it drinks honey and nectar
And some offer bitter aloe when they steep it.
Other times, patience that cannot be gulped
وَالأَيامand the days مِنهاsome of them عرسa wedding بِاللهوwith merriment وَالطَرَبand delight
وَالأَيام مِنها عرس بِاللهو وَالطَرَب
وَالأَيامand the days مِنهاsome of them وَلولةwailing يندبونهاthey lament them
وَالأَيام مِنها وَلولة يندبونها
Some days are weddings, with merriment and delight,
Sometimes a wedding with joy and cheer
And some are wailing, lamented aloud.
And other times, only wailing and lamenting for it
وَالأَيامand the days مِنهاsome of them رَغدplenty وَالعَيشand living بِالصَفاin serenity
وَالأَيام مِنها رَغد وَالعَيش بِالصَفا
وَالأَيامand the days مِنهاsome of them قَومpeople ماhow أَكثرnumerous غبونهاtheir disappointments
وَالأَيام مِنها قَوم ما أَكثر غبونها
Some days bring plenty and an untroubled life,
Sometimes luxury and living in clarity
And some bring people countless disappointments.
Other times, many foolish groups
وَالأَيامand the days بِالسَيفwith swords وَالقَناand spears
وَالأَيام بِالسَيف وَالقَنا
وَالأَيامand the days مِنهاsome of them ذلhumiliation لَوif تبخنونهاyou examine them
وَالأَيام مِنها ذل لَو تبخنونها
And there are days of swords and spears,
Sometimes with swords and spears
And days of humiliation, if you examine them.
And other times, humiliation, if you investigate it
وَالأَيامand the days مِنهاsome of them بِالملذاتwith pleasures وَالصَفاand serenity
وَالأَيام مِنها بِالملذات وَالصَفا
وَالأَيامand the days مِنهاsome of them بِالكَدرwith distress مزجونهاthey mixed them
وَالأَيام مِنها بِالكَدر مزجونها
Some days are filled with pleasures and serenity,
Sometimes with pleasures and cheer
And some are mixed with distress.
Other times, troubled and agitated
وَالأَيامand the days مِنهاsome of them أَمنsecurity ماnot خالطهmingled with it رهبdread
وَالأَيام مِنها أَمن ما خالطه رهب
وَالأَيامand the days مِنهاsome of them خَوفfear تَهميpour down مزونهاits clouds
وَالأَيام مِنها خَوف تَهمي مزونها
Some days bring security unmixed with dread,
Sometimes secure without any confusion
And some bring fear whose clouds pour down.
Other times, fear covers its homes
وَالأَياand the days مِنهاsome of them بيضwhite أَبيضwhiter منthan اللبنmilk
وَالأَيا مِنها بيض أَبيض من اللبن
وَالأَيامand the days مِنهاsome of them سُودblack حالكpitch-dark ركونهاtheir corners
وَالأَيام مِنها سُود حالك ركونها
Some days are white, whiter than milk,
Sometimes white like milk
And some are black, their corners pitch-dark.
Other times, gloomy, darkening its pillars
وَالأَيامand the days قلاباتever-changing يكفيكmay He spare you شرهاtheir evil
وَالأَيام قلابات يكفيك شرها
ياماhow many مُلوكkings متوجهcrowned ضيعونهاthey ruined them
ياما مُلوك متوجه ضيعونها
The days keep turning—may their evil be kept from you!
Time constantly shifts
How many crowned kings they have ruined!
How many kings exalted then lost it
ماas long as دامcontinues هاذيthis بالرفاقtoward companions فعالهاtheir conduct
ما دام هاذي بالرفاق فعالها
ماwhat حيلةrecourse الليthose who مثلناlike us عاشرونهاlived alongside them
ما حيلة اللي مثلنا عاشرونها
Since this is how they treat their companions,
As long as it continues like this
What recourse have people like us who lived alongside them?
No solution for those who experience it like us
ماwhat حيلةrecourse الليthose who مثلناlike us ذاقtasted طعمهاtheir flavor
ما حيلة اللي مثلنا ذاق طعمها
بَعدafter الصَفاserenity الأَيامthe days حَنظلbitter colocynth سقونهاthey served it
بَعد الصَفا الأَيام حَنظل سقونها
What recourse have people like us who tasted them?
No solution for those who tasted it like us
After serenity, the days served bitter colocynth.
After ease, we'll keep getting its bitterness
صَبراًpatience جَميلgraceful الصَبرpatience أَحلىsweeter منthan العَسَلhoney
صَبراً جَميل الصَبر أَحلى من العَسَل
عَسىmay اللَهGod أَهلthe perpetrators of الظُلمoppression يَخلفdisappoint ظنونهاtheir expectations
عَسى اللَه أَهل الظُلم يَخلف ظنونها
Bear it with graceful patience; patience is sweeter than honey.
Patience is beautiful, patience is sweeter than honey
May God disappoint the expectations of the oppressors.
Hopefully God will foil the hopes of the unjust
عَسىmay اللَهGod أَهلthe perpetrators of الظُلمoppression يَخلفfrustrate شوارهمtheir plans
عَسى اللَه أَهل الظُلم يَخلف شوارهم
وَيَأمرand command بِجَمعthe gathering of الشَملthe scattered company ماno شيءthing دونَهاbarring it
وَيَأمر بِجَمع الشَمل ما شيء دونَها
May God frustrate the plans of the oppressors,
Hopefully God will foil their evil
And command our reunion, with nothing standing in its way.
And order the gathering of kin—nothing can stop it
مِنfrom بضعدafter (unclear form) ذاthis راودتI urged نَفسيmy soul عَلىto endure الجَفاestrangement
مِن بضعد ذا راودت نَفسي عَلى الجَفا
وَصارand began القَلمthe pen يَرسمtracing مَعانيmeanings قُرونهاthey read them
وَصار القَلم يَرسم مَعاني قُرونها
After this, I urged my soul to endure estrangement,
When my soul insisted on abandonment after loyalty
And the pen began tracing meanings for them to read.
And the pen began to draw meanings of eras
سارproceeded القَلمthe pen يَرسمtracing مَعانيthe meanings of كَلامهاits words
سار القَلم يَرسم مَعاني كَلامها
عَلىupon كاغدpaper أَهلpeople of الذكاdiscernment يَطربونهاthey delight in it
عَلى كاغد أَهل الذكا يَطربونها
The pen proceeded to trace the meanings of its words
The pen went on depicting meanings of its words
Upon paper, delighting discerning minds.
On paper where the wise are thrilled by it
أَياO راكباًrider منfrom عندناour place هيزعيةa swift she-camel
أَيا راكباً من عندنا هيزعية
منfrom ساسthe stock of هجناour riding camels للسرىfor night travel قفلونهاthey prepared her
من ساس هجنا للسرى قفلونها
O rider departing from us upon a swift she-camel,
Oh you who ride from our dwelling place
From the stock of our riding camels, prepared for night travel:
From the saddlebags of our camels, unload them
حرةpurebred عماليةhardworking طَويلةtall مذيرةlong-striding (uncertain)
حرة عمالية طَويلة مذيرة
مثلlike هيجa male ostrich (unclear form) سارحroaming بِالخَلاin the wilderness جفلونهاthey startled it
مثل هيج سارح بِالخَلا جفلونها
Purebred, hardworking, tall and long-striding,
A free female servant, tall and noble
Like a startled male ostrich roaming the wilderness.
Like an aroused oryx in the meadows leaping with vigor
إِذاwhen هازهاroused her الركابthe rider وَتخمشand scratches العَصاthe stick
إِذا هازها الركاب وَتخمش العَصا
تشداكresembles to you شاهينa falcon of القنصthe hunt لارخونهاwhen they release it
تشداك شاهين القنص لارخونها
When the rider rouses her and the stick scratches her,
If the riders stir her and the whip strikes
She resembles a hunting falcon when they release it.
She bolts like a falcon trained for the hunt
تسهيglides swiftly كَماlike الخَطافthe swallow لاwhen هوجرmidday heat overtakes الفَلاthe wilderness
تسهي كَما الخَطاف لا هوجر الفَلا
مثلlike السَرابa mirage بِناظرin the eyes of الليthose who يرونهاsee her
مثل السَراب بِناظر اللي يرونها
She glides like a swallow in the desert's midday heat,
She runs as if weightless, not heavy in her gallop
Like a mirage in the eyes of those who see her.
Like a mirage to those who see her
وَلاand not هيshe منfrom الليلthe night جهدهاher exertion يقصرshortens الخَطاthe stride
وَلا هي من الليل جهدها يقصر الخَطا
وَلاand not هيshe منamong الليthose that عالعناthrough hardship نفهونهاthey goad them
وَلا هي من اللي عالعنا نفهونها
She is not one whose nighttime exertion shortens her stride,
She tires neither from the distance shortening her gallop
Nor one they must goad through hardship.
Nor from what we are accustomed to understanding from her
حايلbarren ثَلاثthree عوامyears ماnot شقهاstrained her الضَناoffspring
حايل ثَلاث عوام ما شقها الضَنا
وَبيامand in days of ريthe lushness of العُشبthe grass ماnot عفتونهاthey neglected her
وَبيام ري العُشب ما عفتونها
Barren for three years, never strained by offspring,
For three days without weariness splitting her
They did not neglect her when the grass was lush.
Drinking rainwater, the pastures haven't satisfied her
تَرعىshe grazes الخَميسal-Khamis بسهوةin Sahwat الخضرal-Khidr عالنقاupon the rise
تَرعى الخَميس بسهوة الخضر عالنقا
وَبِالقيظand in summer سيلthe stream of القنطرةal-Qantara وردونهاthey watered her
وَبِالقيظ سيل القنطرة وردونها
She grazes at al-Khamis, in Sahwat al-Khidr, upon the rise,
She grazes calmly with the green vegetation
And in summer they water her at al-Qantara's stream,
And in the summer heat, the canal’s current returns her
لاwhen ماemphatic particle نباrose مِنهاof her الموسطthe middle منfrom العَفاabundant flesh
لا ما نبا مِنها الموسط من العَفا
وَصارَتand became مثلlike بختيةa Bactrian camel جلبونهاthey imported her
وَصارَت مثل بختية جلبونها
Until her middle rises with abundant flesh
She doesn't stop at the midpoint of rest
And she becomes like an imported Bactrian camel.
And becomes like a prize camel when they request her presence
ياO رسلmessenger حطplace الكُورthe saddle مِنupon فَوقthe top of متنهاher back
يا رسل حط الكُور مِن فَوق متنها
عَلىupon التيتليةthe taytaliyya saddlepiece (uncertain) بِالذهبwith gold رصعونهاthey inlaid it
عَلى التيتلية بِالذهب رصعونها
O messenger, place the saddle upon her back,
Oh messengers, descend from her back
Upon the taytaliyya saddlepiece they inlaid with gold:
Onto the rug adorned with gold they laid out
مَنسوفspread out عادلevenly arranged منof الخزsilk غاليcostly
مَنسوف عادل من الخز غالي
وَماand not هودa cover (uncertain) منof غَيرother than الغلبthe finest (uncertain) طرفونهاthey trimmed it
وَما هود من غَير الغلب طرفونها
A well-laid covering of costly silk,
A high quality cloak made of silk
And a cover trimmed only with the finest.
Like a pillow, embroidered
وَالميركةand the riding cushion مثلlike الوسادةthe pillow مشربشةfringed
وَالميركة مثل الوسادة مشربشة
وَبِالريشand with feathers منfor شانthe purpose of الغَواطورونهاbeauty—they fashioned it (joined form)
وَبِالريش من شان الغَواطورونها
The riding cushion is like a fringed pillow,
When she is dressed in silk and feathers
Fashioned with feathers for its beauty.
She is like the bridal sedan they ask for
لاwhen ماemphatic particle غدتshe became بِالخزwith silk وَالريشand feathers وَالودعand cowries
لا ما غدت بِالخز وَالريش وَالودع
مثلlike هودجthe howdah of الغيداa graceful maiden إِذاwhen طلبونهاthey came for her
مثل هودج الغيدا إِذا طلبونها
When she is dressed in silk, feathers, and cowries,
Your saddlebags from a divorced women
She resembles a maiden's howdah when they come for her.
If smoke rose from it, they would stuff it
ياO راكباًrider منfrom فوقatop نابيthe high part of شدادهاher saddle
يا راكباً من فوق نابي شدادها
كربtighten حزامهاher girth وَامتطيليand mount for me متونهاher back
كرب حزامها وَامتطيلي متونها
O rider upon her high saddle,
Your decorated saddle pads from an expert workshop
Tighten her girth and mount her back for me.
Where gold threads are sewn when they sew them
زهبmake ready تَرىknow that لاno بُدescape يبعدextends far مجالهاher journey
زهب تَرى لا بُد يبعد مجالها
ضيفthe guest of التركthe Turks إِنif ماتhe dies ماnot يطمعونهاthey feed him
ضيف الترك إِن مات ما يطمعونها
Make ready: her journey must stretch far.
May God guide you, oh horseman.
The Turks' guest, even if he dies, is not fed.
To the commotion her hooves stir up
وَتحزمand gird yourself بحدباwith a curved blade عريضةbroad مخضرةgreen-hued
وَتحزم بحدبا عريضة مخضرة
قَديمةold شلاليShalali بِالذهبwith gold طوسونهاthey adorned it
قَديمة شلالي بِالذهب طوسونها
Gird yourself with a broad, green-hued curved blade,
Heed my advice and go, oh Haydar, into the horizon
An old Shalali blade adorned with gold.
Before they buy advice at a price
وَتقلدand wear بهندan Indian blade حويزةHuwayza إِذاwhen هَوىit falls
وَتقلد بهند حويزة إِذا هَوى
عَالعَظمupon bone يَبرit cuts through كثرso much ماemphatic particle شطرونهاthey honed it
عَالعَظم يَبر كثر ما شطرونها
Wear an Indian Huwayza blade; when it falls
Beware of the treachery of the Turks, don't trust their promises
Upon bone, it cuts through, so keenly have they honed it.
You’ll find them to be God's gift—they won't break them
رَدينتكyour rifle منof أُمone having ستsix طلاقهاits shots
رَدينتك من أُم ست طلاقها
لَوif ثورrises الدُخانthe smoke منهاfrom it حشونهاthey loaded it
لَو ثور الدُخان منها حشونها
Let your rifle be one that fires six shots;
And stay away from those near settlements
If smoke rises, it comes from the charge they packed into it.
The officials, if given a chance, will defeat her
وَتفنكتكand your gun منfrom معملthe factory of كروبKrupp طرزهاits manufacture
وَتفنكتك من معمل كروب طرزها
تَرميit strikes الذَرايبthe barricades عِندَماwhen ثورونهاthey fire it
تَرمي الذَرايب عِندَما ثورونها
And let your gun be of Krupp's manufacture,
Apart from them, do not have any motives
Smashing barricades when they fire it.
Remain chaste and long for her virgins
وَلمand make ready هداكmay He guide you اللَهGod ياO طارشmessenger of النَواseparation
وَلم هداك اللَه يا طارش النَوا
عاupon هفهوفةa fleet she-camel طراشهاher couriers حيلونهاthey urge her onward (uncertain)
عا هفهوفة طراشها حيلونها
Make ready—God guide you—messenger of separation,
Beyond what is divinely decreed of affliction for you
Upon a fleet she-camel whose couriers urge her onward.
And patience towards the raisin liquor and other suspicions
احفظremember وصاتيmy counsel وَسيرand travel ياO حيدرHaidar of الفَلاthe wilderness
احفظ وصاتي وَسير يا حيدر الفَلا
قَبلaccept النَصايحadvice بِالثَمَنfor a price يَشترونهاthey buy it
قَبل النَصايح بِالثَمَن يَشترونها
Remember my counsel and travel, O Haidar of the wilderness.
Dawn rises from Sina`s bull, hurry your departure
Accept advice; people buy it for a price.
I wish they would demolish her minarets
حذراكbeware غجthe rabble of (uncertain) التركthe Turks تَأَمنyou trust بجالهمtheir company
حذراك غج الترك تَأَمن بجالهم
تَراهُمyou see them عَطاويthe gifts of اللَهGod ماnot يَقضبونهاthey hold them
تَراهُم عَطاوي اللَه ما يَقضبونها
Beware the Turks' rabble: do not trust their company.
Attack the images so the guards don't sacrifice
They do not hold fast to God's gifts.
The guards at the gates, if distracted, will chew her
وَابعدand keep away عَنfrom الليthose that are مَراكزadministrative posts منamong القرىthe villages
وَابعد عَن اللي مَراكز من القرى
أَهلpeople of الوَظائفofficial positions لاwhen عرضتyou encounter them يقهرونهاthey oppress them
أَهل الوَظائف لا عرضت يقهرونها
Avoid villages that serve as administrative posts;
Abuyut yammam fills his pocket
The officials oppress those who come their way.
From the tax collector who ruins those who build her
وَمِنand from غَيرهمothers besides them مالكyou have no دَواعيneed منof المَلاpeople
وَمِن غَيرهم مالك دَواعي من المَلا
خَليكkeep yourself فَرزapart وَشَوقand the beloved of غيدهa graceful maiden زبونهاher champion
خَليك فَرز وَشَوق غيده زبونها
Apart from them, you need nothing from other people.
The passing wind reached you, oh horseman of the horizon
Keep apart, a graceful maiden's beloved and champion.
Muddy your face, they have to paint it
ماnothing دُونbarring مَقسومthe allotment of العليthe Most High لكfor you مِنof البَلاaffliction
ما دُون مَقسوم العلي لك مِن البَلا
وَكربand tighten عَلىupon الشَهباthe gray she-camel وَغَيرand change ظنونهاtheir expectations
وَكرب عَلى الشَهبا وَغَير ظنونها
Nothing bars the affliction the Most High has allotted you.
Your supplies are from Abu Ali, without any necessary provisions
Tighten the girth on the gray she-camel and confound their expectations.
Melting fat and countryside rides amuse her
الصُبحin the morning منfrom سينابSinab ثَورset moving مطيتكyour mount
الصُبح من سيناب ثَور مطيتك
ياO ريتwould that منfrom ساساتهاits foundations يهدمونهاthey demolished it
يا ريت من ساساتها يهدمونها
In the morning, set your mount moving from Sinab—
Hot food that pleases the guest when he finds
Would that they demolished it from its foundations!
Generous hospitality, not heaviness in serving it
اجمحleap عَليهاupon her الصُورthe wall لاdo not تنحرhead toward الحَرسthe guards
اجمح عَليها الصُور لا تنحر الحَرس
عَلىat البابthe gate حُراسguards إِنif لفتshe arrives ينكعونهاthey beat her back
عَلى الباب حُراس إِن لفت ينكعونها
Take her over the wall; do not head toward the guards.
Goodness of a generous soul does not burden with gifts
There are guards at the gate; if she arrives, they beat her back.
A reasonable and polite man, his guests don't disparage him
عابيواطtoward Abiwat يممهاdirect her عصمسونtoward Samsun جيبهاbring her
عابيواط يممها عصمسون جيبها
عَلىtoward قسطمونيKastamonu يخيبmay fail الليthose who بنونهاbuilt it
عَلى قسطموني يخيب اللي بنونها
Head her toward Abiwat; bring her to Samsun,
Courage of lions who don't fear enemies
Then toward Kastamonu—may its builders fail!
On the day of battle, their years are fruitful
عجارومat Jarum ريحrest وَصلتyou arrived ياO طارشmessenger of النَواseparation
عجاروم ريح وَصلت يا طارش النَوا
نوخmake kneel ذلولكyour riding camel لازمsurely يخضبونهاthey stain her
نوخ ذلولك لازم يخضبونها
Rest when you reach Jarum, O messenger of separation.
Deliver my words and convey the saying to Mustafa
Make your riding camel kneel; they will surely stain her.
And meaning of the rhyming couplets—let them critique it
مَلفاكyour host منbefore دُونRafafa الرفافةAbu أَبوAli (name) — not: ali (high) / ali (elevated) / ali (lofty) / ali (sublime) / ali (exalted) / ali (noble) / ali (glorious) / ali (illustrious) / ali (eminent) / ali (distinguished) / ali (superior) / ali (supreme) / ali (great) / ali (mighty) / ali (powerful) / ali (strong) / ali (potent) / ali (majestic) / ali (magnificent) / ali (splendid) / ali (resplendent) / ali (radiant) / ali (brilliant) / ali (dazzling) / ali (luminous) / ali (shining) / ali (gleaming) / ali (glittering) / ali (sparkling) / ali (twinkling) / ali (flashing) / ali (scintillating) / ali (effulgent) / ali (fulgent) / ali (refulgent) / ali (lustrous) / ali (glossy) / ali (polished) / ali (smooth) / ali (sleek) / ali (silky) / ali (velvety) / ali (soft) / ali (tender) / ali (gentle) / ali (mild) / ali (meek) / ali (humble) / ali (modest) / ali (unassuming) / ali (unpretentious) / ali (simple) / ali (plain) / ali (ordinary) / ali (common) / ali (usual) / ali (normal) / ali (regular) / ali (standard) / ali (typical) / ali (average) / ali (mediocre) / ali (middling) / ali (fair) / ali (adequate) / ali (sufficient) / ali (enough) / ali (ample) / ali (plentiful) / ali (abundant) / ali (copious) / ali (profuse) / ali (lavish) / ali (luxuriant) / ali (lush) / ali (rich) / ali (opulent) / ali (sumptuous) / ali (splendid) / ali (magnificent) / ali (grand) / ali (imposing) / ali (impressive) / ali (awe-inspiring) / ali (formidable) / ali (daunting) / ali (intimidating) / ali (frightening) / ali (terrifying) / ali (horrifying) / ali (appalling) / ali (shocking) / ali (startling) / ali (astonishing) / ali (astounding) / ali (amazing) / ali (incredible) / ali (unbelievable) / ali (extraordinary) / ali (remarkable) / ali (exceptional) / ali (outstanding) / ali (excellent) / ali (superb) / ali (superlative) / ali (first-rate) / ali (top-notch) / ali (top-class) / ali (world-class) / ali (best) / ali (finest) / ali (greatest) / ali (highest) / ali (topmost) / ali (uppermost) / ali (upper) / ali (overhead) / ali ( عليa
مَلفاك من دُون الرفافة أَبو علي
ذيبa wolf of الشَلاياtorn flesh وَريفand a refuge for ركبriders لفونهاwho arrived
ذيب الشَلايا وَريف ركب لفونها
Your host, before Rafafa, is Abu Ali:
Lessen the wondrous things, oh cousin, which have occurred
A wolf of torn flesh, a refuge for arriving riders.
To us, hopefully the Master will relieve its sorrows
حرa noble falcon كبيديKabidi يُطربdelights الضَيفthe guest لاwhen لفىhe arrives
حر كبيدي يُطرب الضَيف لا لفى
مِنfrom طَرحthe brood of نامرNamir للعلفfor feeding جذبونهاthey drew it in
مِن طَرح نامر للعلف جذبونها
A noble Kabidi falcon, delighting the guest when he arrives,
And make our happiness reappear after its absence and concealment
From Namir's brood, drawn in to be fed.
And have mercy on the weak, their limit is in His grasp
خَيرgood كَريمgenerous in النَفسspirit ماnot يَثقلوburdens him العَطاgiving
خَير كَريم النَفس ما يَثقلو العَطا
عاقلsensible مهذبcourteous لاwhen بخنتوyou examine him زبونهاtheir champion
عاقل مهذب لا بخنتو زبونها
Good and generous-hearted, never burdened by giving,
He has compassion on us, Creator of earth and sky
Sensible and courteous: examine him, and you find a champion.
For the sanctity of the Shrine, the House, and pilgrims enroute to it
ترثةan heir to سباعlions ماnot يهابواthey fear منfrom العِداenemies
ترثة سباع ما يهابوا من العِدا
يَومon the day القَناthe spears يرعفbleed مشطرserrated سنونهاtheir teeth
يَوم القَنا يرعف مشطر سنونها
An heir to lions who do not fear enemies
And foil the hopes of the unbelieving heretics
On the day the spears' serrated teeth bleed.
And have mercy on the weak wrongfully exiled from it
أَوصلdeliver كَلاميmy words وَبلغand convey القَولthe speech مصطفىMustafa
أَوصل كَلامي وَبلغ القَول مصطفى
وَمَضمونand the substance of قافيmy verse حروتيmy burning sorrow ينقدونهاthey assess it
وَمَضمون قافي حروتي ينقدونها
Deliver my words and convey my speech to Mustafa,
With the Chosen One, the Elect One, and the Four
And let them assess my verse's substance and burning sorrow.
Through them, the world is ennobled by its four pillars
قللوtell him العَجايبthe astonishing things ياO اِبنson of عَميmy paternal uncle الَّتيthat جَرَتhappened
قللو العَجايب يا اِبن عَمي الَّتي جَرَت
عَلَيناto us عَسىmay المَولىthe Lord يُفرجrelieve شجونهاtheir sorrows
عَلَينا عَسى المَولى يُفرج شجونها
Tell him, O cousin, the astonishing things that happened
With the Pure Ones, all of them
To us; may the Lord relieve their sorrows,
The best of creations, relieve their distress
وَيَظهرand reveal سعدناour good fortune بعدماafter غابit vanished وَاِختَفىand hid
وَيَظهر سعدنا بعدما غاب وَاِختَفى
وَيَرحمand pity ضعافاًthe weak علمهاtheir knowledge فيwithin حدونهاtheir bounds
وَيَرحم ضعافاً علمها في حدونها
And reveal our good fortune after it vanished and hid,
And conclude for us with goodness, oh Hearer of Supplications
And show mercy to the weak, whose knowledge has its limits.
For You are Bountiful, and they seek Your mercy
يُشفقmay He pity عَليناus خالقthe Creator of الأَرضthe earth وَالسَماand heaven
يُشفق عَلينا خالق الأَرض وَالسَما
بِجاهfor the sake of الحَرَمthe Sanctuary وَالبَيتand the House وَاليقصدونهاand those who seek it
بِجاه الحَرَم وَالبَيت وَاليقصدونها
May the Creator of earth and heaven pity us,
After we have sinned, we pray upon the Prophet
For the sake of the Sanctuary, the House, and those who seek it,
The Chosen One, the best of creations, their pillar
وَيحسنand make good خلاصthe deliverance of الكُلeveryone منfrom البَلاaffliction
وَيحسن خلاص الكُل من البَلا
حَيثsince الخَلايقthe creatures رحمتهHis mercy يرتجونهاthey hope for it
حَيث الخَلايق رحمته يرتجونها
And grant everyone a good deliverance from affliction,
For all creatures hope for His mercy.
أَماas for الَّذيthat which غَطىovershadowed السَوالفthe earlier tales جَميعهاall of them
أَما الَّذي غَطى السَوالف جَميعها
وَدَعاand left الجيدthe best مِناamong us حسنتوhis goodness يجحدونهاthey deny it
وَدَعا الجيد مِنا حسنتو يجحدونها
As for what overshadowed all the earlier tales,
And left our best people with their goodness denied,
وَدَعاناand left us عوارdisgraced بديرةin the land of التركthe Turks وَالخزرand the Khazars
وَدَعانا عوار بديرة الترك وَالخزر
وَخلىand made حرايرناour freeborn women قَطايعscattered bands بهونهاin their humiliation
وَخلى حرايرنا قَطايع بهونها
And left us disgraced in the land of the Turks and Khazars,
And reduced our freeborn women to scattered, humiliated bands:
العاميةal-Amiyya وَالزغاباand the Zaghaba وَغَيرهمand others
العامية وَالزغابا وَغَيرهم
وَشُيوخand the sheikhs of الدِيانةreligion منfrom الغَضبanger تبلونهاwere afflicted by it
وَشُيوخ الدِيانة من الغَضب تبلونها
Al-Amiyya, the Zaghaba, and others,
And the religious sheikhs were afflicted by anger.
وَصارواand became سبايبناour causes عَلىin الغيظanger وَالرضىand acquiescence
وَصاروا سبايبنا عَلى الغيظ وَالرضى
يَومon the day القَراياthe villages للنهبfor plunder فرشونهاthey laid them open
يَوم القَرايا للنهب فرشونها
They became the causes of our anger and acquiescence
When they laid the villages open to plunder.
وَصارواand began عَلىagainst الجيرةthe neighbors يَغارواraiding وَيَكسبواand taking booty
وَصاروا عَلى الجيرة يَغاروا وَيَكسبوا
وَعيالand the sons of ضيغمDaygham ثورواrose وانتخونهاand rallied to honor
وَعيال ضيغم ثوروا وانتخونها
They began raiding their neighbors and taking booty,
And the sons of Daygham rose and rallied to honor.
وَشاخواand became chiefs بِهاthere الفسالthe worthless لاwhen ماemphatic particle دعونهاthey left it
وَشاخوا بِها الفسال لا ما دعونها
جيفةa carcass وَحوامand circling birds of الضحىthe morning ينهشونهاthey gnaw it
جيفة وَحوام الضحى ينهشونها
The worthless became its chiefs when they left it
A carcass, gnawed by the circling birds of morning.
وَشاخواand became chiefs الشَبابthe young men وَلبسوهمand they clothed them عَلىin الرَداruin
وَشاخوا الشَباب وَلبسوهم عَلى الرَدا
وَصارواand became مثلlike كَدشworkhorses of الجَلبthe market لارخونهاwhen they release them
وَصاروا مثل كَدش الجَلب لارخونها
Young men became chiefs, and they clothed them in ruin,
Becoming like market workhorses when they release them.
وَكثرand multiplied الفَسادcorruption بنقطةin the place of العزglory وَالصَفاand serenity
وَكثر الفَساد بنقطة العز وَالصَفا
وَمِنand from كُلevery جيهةdirection الشرevil غاشيcovering ركونهاits corners
وَمِن كُل جيهة الشر غاشي ركونها
Corruption multiplied in the place of glory and serenity,
And evil covered its corners from every direction,
لاwhen ماemphatic particle غَدَتit became لَجهturmoil وَظلمهand darkness منfrom البَلاaffliction
لا ما غَدَت لَجه وَظلمه من البَلا
وَعجزand was unable المداويthe healer عَنto cure بَلاويthe calamities of شيونهاits blemishes
وَعجز المداوي عَن بَلاوي شيونها
Until it became turmoil and darkness through affliction,
And the healer could not cure its calamities and blemishes.
وَضاعand was lost الجبلthe Mountain عنbefore دُونall كُلthe Bedouin tribes البَواديempty token not present
وَضاع الجبل عن دُون كُل البَوادي
وَفلتواand unleashed النذالthe base men الليwho بقواremained يهجرونهاthey revile it
وَفلتوا النذال اللي بقوا يهجرونها
The Mountain was lost before all the Bedouin tribes,
And they unleashed the base men who remained to revile it.
قامواthey rose عَلىagainst الجيرةthe neighbors وَصارواand began يغورواraiding
قاموا عَلى الجيرة وَصاروا يغوروا
وَجُملةand many قَراياvillages أَهلهاtheir inhabitants رحلونهاdeparted from them
وَجُملة قَرايا أَهلها رحلونها
They rose against their neighbors and began raiding,
And the inhabitants of many villages departed.
وَزياتand an oil-seller معwith بياعa trader مالوhad no سَلاميsafe passage
وَزيات مع بياع مالو سَلامي
وَطراشand couriers معwith جمالcamel drivers ماnot يتركونهاthey leave them alone
وَطراش مع جمال ما يتركونها
No oil-seller or trader had safe passage,
And they spared neither couriers nor camel drivers.
يَومon the day انتلاswelled مدthe tide of السَفاهاfoolishness منfrom البَلاaffliction
يَوم انتلا مد السَفاها من البَلا
وَاللَهand God غضبgrew angry منat قبحthe ugliness of أَشياthings جرونهاthey did
وَاللَه غضب من قبح أَشيا جرونها
When the tide of foolishness swelled with affliction,
God grew angry at the ugliness of what they did.
صالواthey attacked عَلىagainst حُورانHauran منfrom سايرthroughout الجبلthe Mountain
صالوا عَلى حُوران من ساير الجبل
وَحُمرand red البَيارقbanners عَالسكنover the dwellings نشرونهاthey spread them
وَحُمر البَيارق عَالسكن نشرونها
They attacked Hauran from throughout the Mountain,
And spread red banners over the dwellings.
مِنfrom ركنناour quarter القبليsouthern الزَغاباthe Zaghaba يزعزعواsurge forward
مِن ركننا القبلي الزَغابا يزعزعوا
عَلىagainst كَحيلKahil هدوthey demolished أدورهاits houses وَعفشونهاand plundered them
عَلى كَحيل هدو أدورها وَعفشونها
From our southern quarter, the Zaghaba surged forward;
At Kahil they demolished its houses and plundered them.
وَركنand the quarter الشماليnorthern منfrom جَميعall القَراياthe villages
وَركن الشمالي من جَميع القَرايا
عَالحراكagainst al-Hirak صالواthey attacked بيومهمon their day حاصرونهاthey besieged it
عَالحراك صالوا بيومهم حاصرونها
And from the northern quarter, from all the villages,
They attacked al-Hirak and besieged it that day.
فَقَدناwe lost شبابyoung men بيومهاthat day منfrom شبالناour lion cubs
فَقَدنا شباب بيومها من شبالنا
فتشيعواso they performed an unclear action فيهمamong them مَهاملneglected عفونهاthey abandoned them
فتشيعوا فيهم مَهامل عفونها
That day we lost young men from among our lion cubs;
They performed an unclear action among them, leaving them neglected.
وَنهبواand plundered الحراكal-Hirak وَيغموهاand stripped it جَميعهاall of it
وَنهبوا الحراك وَيغموها جَميعها
وَهدواand demolished مَنازلthe dwellings of دورهاits houses واحرقونهاand burned them
وَهدوا مَنازل دورها واحرقونها
They plundered al-Hirak and stripped it entirely,
Demolished its dwellings, and burned them.
وَنهبواand plundered الحريكal-Hureik وَالمَليحةand al-Maliha وَشرقواand headed east
وَنهبوا الحريك وَالمَليحة وَشرقوا
أَكليa meal هنيةpleasant يلعنmay He curse هليthose who كلونهاate it
أَكلي هنية يلعن هلي كلونها
They plundered al-Hureik and al-Maliha, then headed east.
A pleasant meal—accursed be those who ate it!
وَجابواand brought البَقَرthe cattle وَالخَيلand horses وَالكُدشand workhorses وَالمعزand goats
وَجابوا البَقَر وَالخَيل وَالكُدش وَالمعز
وَجَمالهمand their camels منfrom دورهمtheir houses حَملونهاthey loaded them
وَجَمالهم من دورهم حَملونها
They brought cattle, horses, workhorses, and goats,
And loaded their camels with goods from the houses.
ضجتcried out أَهلthe people of حُورانHauran وَالشامand Damascus وَالعربand the Arabs
ضجت أَهل حُوران وَالشام وَالعرب
وَكُلand all الطَوايفthe communities فعلناour deeds ماnot رضونهاthey approved of them
وَكُل الطَوايف فعلنا ما رضونها
The people of Hauran, Damascus, and the Arabs cried out;
None of the communities approved of our deeds.
وَنزلتand came down حَريمthe women of اَهلthe people of العَبيطةal-Abita وَشكبواand wept
وَنزلت حَريم اَهل العَبيطة وَشكبوا
عَلىtoward الشامDamascus شقواthey tore الجَيبthe garment opening لَماwhen لفونهاthey reached it
عَلى الشام شقوا الجَيب لَما لفونها
The women of al-Abita came down, weeping;
When they reached Damascus, they tore their garments.
وَاستصرand sought protection خَوافيthe sheltering wings of دَولةthe state of التُركthe Turks وَاحتمواand took refuge
وَاستصر خَوافي دَولة التُرك وَاحتموا
وَقالواand said لوحاlook هالقومthese people زايدincreasing جنونهاtheir madness
وَقالوا لوحا هالقوم زايد جنونها
They sought the sheltering wings of the Turkish state and took refuge,
Saying, 'Look! These people's madness is growing.'
حينئذthen هاجتrose in fury جَميعall الأَكابرthe grandees
حينئذ هاجت جَميع الأَكابر
عَليناagainst us وَقالواand said وَارميand fire وَكبرونهاand magnified it
عَلينا وَقالوا وَارمي وَكبرونها
Then all the grandees rose
Against us, crying, 'Fire!' and magnifying the affair.
وَتَشاورواand consulted together أَهلthe members of المَجالسthe councils جَميعهمall of them
وَتَشاوروا أَهل المَجالس جَميعهم
وَنوواand resolved عَلىagainst هالطايفةthis community وَشهرونهاand proclaimed it
وَنووا عَلى هالطايفة وَشهرونها
All the council members consulted together,
Resolved against this community, and proclaimed it.
وَقراand settled القَرارthe decision الحَربwar وَالسَيفand swords وَالقَناand spears
وَقرا القَرار الحَرب وَالسَيف وَالقَنا
وَبانَتand appeared إِماراتthe signs of الغَضبanger وَشهرونهاand publicized them
وَبانَت إِمارات الغَضب وَشهرونها
The decision settled upon war, swords, and spears;
Signs of anger appeared, and they made them public.
وَدَقواand wired عَلىto استنبولIstanbul بِالنيلby wire (unclear form) بالعجلurgently
وَدَقوا عَلى استنبول بِالنيل بالعجل
وَدارand the Abode of السَعادةFelicity بِالحكيwith talk جوagitated (split, uncertain) ضونهاit (split, uncertain)
وَدار السَعادة بِالحكي جو ضونها
They urgently wired Istanbul,
And stirred Dar al-Sa'ada with their talk.
وَاسترخصواand sought permission منfrom صاحبthe holder of الأَمرcommand وَالوَلاand authority
وَاسترخصوا من صاحب الأَمر وَالوَلا
عَلىfor جذcutting out شرشthe root of الطايفةthe community معwith غصونهاits branches
عَلى جذ شرش الطايفة مع غصونها
They sought permission from the holder of command and authority
To cut out the community's root, together with its branches.
ظهرتappeared إِرادةthe decree of سَيدناour lord وارثheir to المَلاthe realm
ظهرت إِرادة سَيدنا وارث المَلا
حورانHauran تخضعmust submit كرهby force ماشيnothing دونَهاshort of it
حوران تخضع كره ماشي دونَها
The decree of our lord, heir to the realm, appeared:
Hauran must submit by force; there was no alternative.
جَرواthey brought عراضيtroops تدهكtrampling الرملthe sand وَالحَصاand gravel
جَروا عراضي تدهك الرمل وَالحَصا
كَماlike القيقjays فيin وَسَطthe middle of الجَبلthe Mountain خيمونهاthey camped them
كَما القيق في وَسَط الجَبل خيمونها
They brought troops trampling sand and gravel,
And camped them like jays in the Mountain's midst.
شوامDamascenes مَعwith كرادKurds وسركسand Circassians وَغَيرهاand others
شوام مَع كراد وسركس وَغَيرها
وَعربانand Bedouins منfrom كُلall المَلاpeoples جردونهاthey mobilized them
وَعربان من كُل المَلا جردونها
Damascenes, Kurds, Circassians, and others,
And Bedouins from every people, were mobilized.
مِنfrom مَعانMa'an لاto غزةGaza وَيافاand Jaffa وَحيفاand Haifa
مِن مَعان لا غزة وَيافا وَحيفا
لاto حلبAleppo الشَهباal-Shahba جَميعall أَحضرونهاthey summoned them
لا حلب الشَهبا جَميع أَحضرونها
From Ma'an to Gaza, Jaffa, and Haifa,
To Aleppo al-Shahba, they summoned them all.
وَصالواand attacked عَلىagainst حُورانHauran بِالسَيفwith swords وَالقَناand spears
وَصالوا عَلى حُوران بِالسَيف وَالقَنا
بِثاراتfor vengeance عِندَagainst أَهلthe people of الجَبلthe Mountain يَطلبونهاthey seek it
بِثارات عِندَ أَهل الجَبل يَطلبونها
They attacked Hauran with swords and spears,
Seeking vengeance against the Mountain's people.
يُومنwhen لَفواthey reached حُورانHauran ثاريbehold بحمهاin its defense
يُومن لَفوا حُوران ثاري بحمها
صَوارمsharp swords قَواطعcutting يصفطواthey offer الرُوحthe soul دونَهاin its defense
صَوارم قَواطع يصفطوا الرُوح دونَها
When they reached Hauran, behold, defending it were
Keen, cutting blades, offering their souls in its defense.
وَصارَتand occurred وَقايعencounters of دمblood شنعةmonstrous مهولةterrifying
وَصارَت وَقايع دم شنعة مهولة
تَشيبturn gray طفالاinfants بِالمَهدin the cradle يَرضعونهاthey suckle from her
تَشيب طفالا بِالمَهد يَرضعونها
There were monstrous, terrifying encounters of blood,
Turning gray the infants still nursing in their cradles.
وَأَظلمand darkened بَياضthe brightness of الجَوthe air بِالعَجwith dust وَاِمتَلاand filled up
وَأَظلم بَياض الجَو بِالعَج وَاِمتَلا
وَداسواand plunged into المَعامعthe battles وَالنُفوسand lives ارخصونهاthey held them cheap
وَداسوا المَعامع وَالنُفوس ارخصونها
The bright air darkened and filled with dust,
And they plunged into battle, holding their lives cheap.
كَمhow many خفرةa modest maiden باتَتspent the night وَحيدةalone منbereft of أَهلهاher family
كَم خفرة باتَت وَحيدة من أَهلها
وَكَمand how many لَيثa lion جارحfierce عالوَطاupon the ground جندلونهاthey felled him
وَكَم لَيث جارح عالوَطا جندلونها
How many a modest maiden spent the night alone, bereft of her family!
How many a fierce lion they felled upon the ground!
وَكَملand how many (unclear form) كهلa mature man ذاقtasted المَوتdeath بِالسَيفby swords وَالقَناand spears
وَكَمل كهل ذاق المَوت بِالسَيف وَالقَنا
عَلىupon جثتوhis corpse خَيلthe horses of الأَعاديthe enemies وطنونهاthey trampled it
عَلى جثتو خَيل الأَعادي وطنونها
How many a mature man tasted death by sword and spear,
His corpse trampled by the enemies' horses!
وَكَمand how many شبa youth أَمردbeardless يَكسرbreaks الخَيلthe cavalry لاwhen لَفىhe arrives
وَكَم شب أَمرد يَكسر الخَيل لا لَفى
عَلىagainst الفومthe foe (unclear form) مثلlike الزيرal-Zir يَخلفconfounds ظنونهاtheir expectations
عَلى الفوم مثل الزير يَخلف ظنونها
How many a beardless youth, who broke the cavalry when he came
Against the foe like al-Zir, confounding their expectations,
داسوهthey trampled him خيلthe horses of الضدthe enemy فيin معمعthe turmoil of الوَغىbattle
داسوه خيل الضد في معمع الوَغى
تَبكيweep عَلَيهِfor him البيضfair women تذرفshed tears عُيونهاtheir eyes
تَبكي عَلَيهِ البيض تذرف عُيونها
Was trampled by enemy horses in the turmoil of battle!
Fair women weep for him, their eyes shedding tears.
وَكسرتand were broken بيBani (unclear form) مَعروفMa'ruf منfrom بَعدafter عزهاtheir glory
وَكسرت بي مَعروف من بَعد عزها
مِنfrom قلةthe shortage of الشوارcounsel وَالينصحونهاand those advising them
مِن قلة الشوار وَالينصحونها
Bani Ma'ruf were broken after their glory,
Through a shortage of counsel and those who offered it.
وَشوبشand gloated عَلَيهاover them صفوقSafuq عقبafter المَذلةhumiliation
وَشوبش عَلَيها صفوق عقب المَذلة
مِنbecause of فعلthe deeds of غَيروsomeone else بشالحيلthrough cunning schemes دبرونهاthey managed them
مِن فعل غَيرو بشالحيل دبرونها
Safuq gloated over them after their humiliation,
For another's deeds, managed through cunning schemes.
وَاستدand sought redress (uncertain) عَنfor حاجةكحيلةa Kuhayla mare (joined, unclear) مبرشمةwith a studded bridle
وَاستد عَن حاجةكحيلة مبرشمة
وَعَنand for هَرمan old man عاجزhelpless أَلفa thousand لحيةbeards خذونهاthey took them
وَعَن هَرم عاجز أَلف لحية خذونها
They sought redress for a Kuhayla mare with a studded bridle,
And for one helpless old man, they took a thousand beards.
وَزارواand visited جبلthe Mountain of حُورانHauran بِالسَيفwith swords وَالقَناand spears
وَزاروا جبل حُوران بِالسَيف وَالقَنا
وَخلواand emptied القَراياthe villages أَهلهاtheir inhabitants وَدشرونهاand abandoned them
وَخلوا القَرايا أَهلها وَدشرونها
They visited the Mountain of Hauran with swords and spears,
And the villagers emptied their villages and abandoned them.
عَنfrom ناحَتيNahati وَكَحيلand Kahil ملاunclear سداunclear وهمand they (unclear context)
عَن ناحَتي وَكَحيل ملا سدا وهم
كُلall الفَراياthe villages (unclear form) بِالجبلin the Mountain دمرونهاthey destroyed them
كُل الفَرايا بِالجبل دمرونها
From Nahati and Kahil—the remaining wording is unclear—
They destroyed all the villages in the Mountain.
أَخذواthey took البَقرthe cattle وَالخَيلand horses وَالابلand camels وَالغَنَمand sheep
أَخذوا البَقر وَالخَيل وَالابل وَالغَنَم
مِنfrom عاهرهAhira لاto خازمهKhazima يغمونهاthey strip them
مِن عاهره لا خازمه يغمونها
They took cattle, horses, camels, and sheep;
From Ahira to Khazima, they stripped them.
وَعاثواand ravaged بحورانin Hauran العذيةfertile وَشنعواand committed atrocities
وَعاثوا بحوران العذية وَشنعوا
وَداسواand trampled مَنازلthe dwellings of دورَهاits houses وَهدمونهاand demolished them
وَداسوا مَنازل دورَها وَهدمونها
They ravaged fertile Hauran and committed atrocities,
Trampling its dwellings and demolishing them.
وَعَنand from فرنan oven دخنsmoke بالمليحاat al-Maliha وَناحتهand Nahta
وَعَن فرن دخن بالمليحا وَناحته
قاعاتhalls فيin دُورthe houses of الجبلthe Mountain شعلونهاthey set them alight
قاعات في دُور الجبل شعلونها
And smoke from an oven at al-Maliha and Nahta;
They set fire to halls in the Mountain's houses.
قاعاتhalls شبواthey kindled النارfire فيهاin them عَلىat القَناspearpoint
قاعات شبوا النار فيها عَلى القَنا
وَلعنواand cursed سَناthe splendor of يَدthe handiwork of أَهلهاtheir people وَالبنونهاand their builders
وَلعنوا سَنا يَد أَهلها وَالبنونها
Halls where they kindled fire at spearpoint,
Cursing the splendid handiwork of their people and builders.
وَصارَتand became ديارthe abodes of العزglory ميدانa field للعدىfor enemies
وَصارَت ديار العز ميدان للعدى
مِنfrom عُقبafter ماwhen هيَthey were مانعاتimpregnable حصونهاtheir fortresses
مِن عُقب ما هيَ مانعات حصونها
The abodes of glory became a field for enemies,
After their fortresses had once been impregnable.
وَمِنand from عُقبهاafterward خارتit weakened وَارحلتand departed
وَمِن عُقبها خارت وَارحلت
وَصارَتand became بَعدafter ماwhen هِيَit was عفوinviolate يَركبونهاthey ride it
وَصارَت بَعد ما هِيَ عفو يَركبونها
Afterward it faltered and departed,
And, once inviolate, it became something they could ride.
ناخَتit knelt وَشالَتand carried رغمunwillingly بهظcrushing حمالهاits burdens
ناخَت وَشالَت رغم بهظ حمالها
وَحظواand piled الظَلايمthe injustices فَوقَهاupon it وَشيلونهاand made it carry them
وَحظوا الظَلايم فَوقَها وَشيلونها
It knelt and bore its crushing burdens unwillingly;
They piled injustices upon it and made it carry them.
الخونthe traitors صارواbecame نكسmay lower اللَهGod علامهمtheir banner
الخون صاروا نكس اللَه علامهم
وَساساتهمand their foundations عَالعيبupon shame مبطيlong ago بنونهاthey built them
وَساساتهم عَالعيب مبطي بنونها
The traitors rose—may God lower their banner!
Long ago they built their foundations upon shame.
وَتوازنand weighed equally الخَنزيرthe pig وَالضانand sheep عِندهمin their eyes
وَتوازن الخَنزير وَالضان عِندهم
وَساقواand drove الجَميعeveryone بفردalong one دربroad وَخذونهاand took them away
وَساقوا الجَميع بفرد درب وَخذونها
Pig and sheep weighed alike in their eyes,
And they drove everyone along one road and took them away.
ساساتهمtheir foundations عالعيبupon shame وَالبُوقand treachery وَالخَناand obscenity
ساساتهم عالعيب وَالبُوق وَالخَنا
مبطيlong ago بنيthe sons of عثمانUthman ابنواestablished ركوبهاtheir sway over it
مبطي بني عثمان ابنوا ركوبها
Their foundations rest upon shame, treachery, and obscenity;
Long ago the sons of Uthman established their sway.
أَياO للعجبhow astonishing كَيفَhow البَراياpeople تعاقبواare punished
أَيا للعجب كَيفَ البَرايا تعاقبوا
وَأَهلand the perpetrators of القَبايحvile deeds منfrom غضبهمtheir anger عفونهاthey spared them
وَأَهل القَبايح من غضبهم عفونها
How astonishing that ordinary people are punished,
While the perpetrators of vile deeds are spared their anger!
أَهلthe perpetrators of الخيانةtreachery منwhoever يؤامنtrusts عهودهمtheir pledges
أَهل الخيانة من يؤامن عهودهم
لاno بُدescape يندمhe regrets عِندَماwhen يخلفونهاthey break them
لا بُد يندم عِندَما يخلفونها
Whoever trusts the pledges of treacherous people
Must regret it when they break them.
مَنwhoever آمنtrusted الأَفعىthe viper القَديمةancient المُزمنةenduring
مَن آمن الأَفعى القَديمة المُزمنة
لاno بُدescape دموhis blood ماemphatic particle يخالطmingles with سنونهاits fangs
لا بُد دمو ما يخالط سنونها
Whoever trusts the ancient, enduring viper
Must have his blood mingle with its fangs.
قَوماًa people بِلاwithout ناموسhonor يَلعنmay He curse طوارهمtheir ways
قَوماً بِلا ناموس يَلعن طوارهم
مبطيlong ago الشآمةnobility وَالحميهand zeal عزونهاthey forsook them (uncertain)
مبطي الشآمة وَالحميه عزونها
A people without honor—accursed be their ways!
Long ago they forsook nobility and zeal.
أَينwhere الشَرَفhonor أَينwhere الدِيانةreligion مقرهاits dwelling
أَين الشَرَف أَين الدِيانة مقرها
أَينwhere الأَمانةtrustworthiness بِالهَوىthrough whims ضيعونهاthey squandered it
أَين الأَمانة بِالهَوى ضيعونها
Where is honor? Where does religion dwell?
Where is trustworthiness? They squandered it through their whims.
صادواthey snared كبارthe leaders of القَومthe people بِالبُوقthrough treachery وَالخَناand baseness
صادوا كبار القَوم بِالبُوق وَالخَنا
عَلىfor غَيرno جاديfault بالحيلthrough tricks قضبونهاthey seized them
عَلى غَير جادي بالحيل قضبونها
They snared the people's leaders through treachery and baseness,
Seizing them through tricks, without any fault.
وزجواand threw الجَميحeveryone (unclear form) بسجنinto a prison واحدone وبشعواand acted monstrously
وزجوا الجَميح بسجن واحد وبشعوا
وَذاقواand tasted العَذابtorment الناسthe people لَماwhen وَلونهاthey assumed authority over them
وَذاقوا العَذاب الناس لَما وَلونها
They threw everyone into one prison and acted monstrously;
People tasted torment when they assumed authority.
لَماwhen بردsubsided حرthe heat of البِلادthe country وَلهيبهاand its blaze
لَما برد حر البِلاد وَلهيبها
مثلlike الغَنَمsheep برقابهاaround their necks ربقونهاthey looped ropes around them
مثل الغَنَم برقابها ربقونها
When the country's heat and blaze subsided,
They looped ropes around their necks like sheep.
وَاقفواand took away بناus منfrom مسقطthe birthplace of الروسheads والوَطَنand the homeland
وَاقفوا بنا من مسقط الروس والوَطَن
عَلىwith غَيرno حَقright عيالناour children شتتونهاthey scattered them
عَلى غَير حَق عيالنا شتتونها
They took us away from our birthplace and homeland,
And unjustly scattered our children.
البَعضsome مناof us يمtoward رودسRhodes مؤبدfor life
البَعض منا يم رودس مؤبد
وَالبعضand some منهاof them يمtoward تُونسTunis مضونهاthey sent them
وَالبعض منها يم تُونس مضونها
Some of us were sent toward Rhodes for life,
And others were sent toward Tunis.
وَالبضعضand some فيin اكريتCrete قالواthey said ترابهمtheir soil
وَالبضعض في اكريت قالوا ترابهم
وَالبَعضand some فيin برthe land of التركthe Turks طششونهاthey scattered them
وَالبَعض في بر الترك طششونها
And some in Crete—they spoke of their soil—
And others they scattered across Turkish lands.
وَللحينand until now حناwe بديرةin the land of التركthe Turks كلناall of us
وَللحين حنا بديرة الترك كلنا
غَيرexcept الَّذيthose who دربthe road of الهَزيمةescape مشونهاthey traveled it
غَير الَّذي درب الهَزيمة مشونها
To this day, we are all in the land of the Turks,
Except those who took the road of escape.
ياO اللَهGod ياO مَعبودworshipped One ياO رافعraiser of السَماheaven
يا اللَه يا مَعبود يا رافع السَما
ياO باسطspreader of الدُنياthe world وَمجرىand giver of flow to عيونهاits springs
يا باسط الدُنيا وَمجرى عيونها
O God, O worshipped One, O raiser of heaven,
O spreader of the world and giver of flow to its springs,
ياO منتههىultimate end of الغاباتaspirations (unclear form) ياO ضابطmaster of المَلاcreation
يا منتههى الغابات يا ضابط المَلا
يأمنO You whose (joined form) مرادكYour will بينbetween كافkaf وَنونهاand its nun
يأمن مرادك بين كاف وَنونها
O ultimate end of all aspirations, O master of all creation,
Whose will is fulfilled between kaf and nun:
أَياO قاهرconqueror of الأَضدادfoes ياO سامعhearer of الدُعاprayer
أَيا قاهر الأَضداد يا سامع الدُعا
تفرجgrant relief لقومto a people بالخيلby cavalry غربونهاthey exiled them
تفرج لقوم بالخيل غربونها
O conqueror of foes, O hearer of prayer,
Relieve a people whom horsemen sent into exile.
وَتلمand reunite جَمعthe gathered الشَملcompany ياO جامعgatherer of الوَرىhumankind
وَتلم جَمع الشَمل يا جامع الوَرى
لِيَومfor the day جَميعall عمالهمtheir deeds يعرضونهاthey display them
لِيَوم جَميع عمالهم يعرضونها
Reunite us, O gatherer of humankind
For the day when all their deeds are displayed.
وَتخلفand disappoint ظنونthe expectations of أَهلthe perpetrators of الجحودdenial النَواكثthe oath-breakers
وَتخلف ظنون أَهل الجحود النَواكث
وَتَرحمand pity ضعافthe weak بغيرwithout جاديfault نفونهاthey exiled them
وَتَرحم ضعاف بغير جادي نفونها
Disappoint the expectations of the deniers and oath-breakers,
And pity the weak whom they exiled without fault.
بالمُصطَفىby al-Mustafa المُختارthe chosen one وَالأَربعاand the four الَّذيwho
بالمُصطَفى المُختار وَالأَربعا الَّذي
بهمthrough them شرفwas honored الدُنياthe world بِأَربَعin four ركونهاits corners
بهم شرف الدُنيا بِأَربَع ركونها
By al-Mustafa, the chosen one, and the four
Through whom the world was honored in its four corners,
بِالعدةby the company الأَطهارthe pure جملةcollectively جَميعهمall of them
بِالعدة الأَطهار جملة جَميعهم
خَيرthe best of الوَرىcreation تفرجgrant relief بَواقيthe remaining غبونهاits sorrows
خَير الوَرى تفرج بَواقي غبونها
By the whole company of the pure, all of them,
The best of creation: relieve its remaining sorrows.
وَتَختمand conclude لناfor us بِالخَيرwith goodness ياO سامعhearer of الدُعاprayer
وَتَختم لنا بِالخَير يا سامع الدُعا
لِأَنكbecause You كَريمgenerous وَرحمتكand Your mercy يرتجونهاthey hope for it
لِأَنك كَريم وَرحمتك يرتجونها
Grant us a good ending, O hearer of prayer,
For You are generous, and they hope for Your mercy.
منfrom بَعدafter ماwhat خطيناwe wrote نصليwe send blessings عَلىupon النَبيthe Prophet
من بَعد ما خطينا نصلي عَلى النَبي
المُصطَفىal-Mustafa خَيرthe best of البَراياcreation وَعونهاand its helper
المُصطَفى خَير البَرايا وَعونها
After what we have written, we send blessings upon the Prophet,
Al-Mustafa, the best of creation and its helper.
Partial English translation: 134 of 288 Arabic lines translated.