أَبديتI began غنيto sing وَافرجand ease الهمthe worry عَنيfrom me
أَبديت غني وَافرج الهم عَني
عالليabout the one who شَضانيshattered me بِالغَرامwith love وَمكنيand held me fast
عاللي شَضاني بِالغَرام وَمكني
I began to sing and ease the worry within me,
I pretended to be wealthy and relieved my worries,
Of the one who shattered me with love and held me fast.
My passion overwhelmed me, leading me astray,
مِنfrom كبرthe greatness of هميmy worry ياO لربعthe companions فارboiled دَميmy blood
مِن كبر همي يا لربع فار دَمي
وَالشيبand gray hair لَمىgathered قبلbefore حينيmy time وَسنيand my age
وَالشيب لَمى قبل حيني وَسني
So great is my worry, companions, that my blood boils.
Oh how my great worries have flown away!
Gray hair gathered before my time and age.
Gray hairs appeared before their time.
مِنfrom بَعدafter ذاthis شَديتI saddled هجناriding camels مَحاريبbattle-hardened
مِن بَعد ذا شَديت هجنا مَحاريب
متذرياتtrained for speed عَلىfor السَرىnight travel وَالمَطاليبand long pursuits
متذريات عَلى السَرى وَالمَطاليب
Then I saddled battle-hardened riding camels,
After that, I prepared ten fine horses,
Trained for night journeys and long pursuits.
Galloping freely, seeking plunder and spoils,
منfrom خاصthe choicest عالthe finest الهجنriding camels عشرةten سَراحيبrangy, swift mounts
من خاص عال الهجن عشرة سَراحيب
ماnot شدهمsaddled them شدادa saddler منfrom قبلbefore منيme
ما شدهم شداد من قبل مني
Ten rangy mounts, chosen from the finest riding camels.
Ten special steeds, unmatched and peerless,
No saddler had saddled them before me.
That no one had broken in before me.
هجناriding camels عَلىin قَطعcrossing الفَلاthe wilderness دارياتيexperienced
هجنا عَلى قَطع الفَلا دارياتي
وَمُذand fleet- (fragment) رياتا-footed ones (fragment) مثلlike سربa herd of المهاتيoryx
وَمُذ رياتا مثل سرب المهاتي
Riding camels well versed in crossing the wilderness;
We raided the divided tribes,
And the fleet ones are like a herd of oryx.
Like a flock of swooping eagles,
يشدنthey resemble حَماماتٌdoves بغينseeking المباتيa roost
يشدن حَماماتٌ بغين المباتي
والاor else سفاينships بِالبَحرupon the sea لجلجنيthey toss
والا سفاين بِالبَحر لجلجني
They resemble doves seeking their roost,
Raiding dovecotes and homes,
Or ships tossing upon the sea.
Or ships raging in the sea that made waves tremble.
الاthe first (fragment) ولهone (fragment) شقحاًruddy-white بوضاحاwith bright whiteness سَمينهplump
الا وله شقحاً بوضاحا سَمينه
بِالبرon land عداrunning بِالبُحورupon the seas السَفينةthe ship
بِالبر عدا بِالبُحور السَفينة
The first is ruddy-white, bright and plump;
The first is elegant and stoutly built,
On land she runs as a ship does upon the seas.
Swifter by land than ships by sea,
منfrom قسطمونيKastamonu لاwhen مشتshe sets out راجيينهthey await her (uncertain form)
من قسطموني لا مشت راجيينه
تهشلshe reaches دمشقDamascus وَسرجهاand her saddle gear معلقنيhanging loose
تهشل دمشق وَسرجها معلقني
When she sets out from Kastamonu, they await her;
None from Qastamuni could outrun it,
She reaches Damascus with her saddle gear hanging loose.
It takes Damascus and its suburbs in a flash.
وَالثانيدand the second وضحاwhite منamong الهجنriding camels عيرهa mount
وَالثانيد وضحا من الهجن عيره
ماnot باعَهاsold her ركابهاher rider بِألفfor a thousand ليرةliras
ما باعَها ركابها بِألف ليرة
And the second is a white riding camel,
The second, shining white among the steeds,
Whom her rider would not sell for a thousand liras.
Would not sell for a thousand liras,
مثلlike النَداويthe falcon لاwhen توازنsteadies مطيرهits flight
مثل النَداوي لا توازن مطيره
منfrom خلفbehind برقاspeckled prey بالهوازin the air ريعنيthey take fright
من خلف برقا بالهواز ريعني
Like a falcon when its flight steadies,
Like lightning, none can match its downpour,
Pursuing speckled prey that scatter in the air.
Following thunder claps from behind clouds.
وَالثالثةand the third ملحاsalt-gray مناهاher desire المَطاليبlong pursuits
وَالثالثة ملحا مناها المَطاليب
سرlong- (fragment) حوبة-limbed (fragment) بالضرحin striding اعجلfaster منthan الذيبthe wolf
سر حوبة بالضرح اعجل من الذيب
And the third is salt-gray; long pursuits are her delight.
The third is salty, full of spirit,
Long-limbed, in her stride she is faster than a wolf.
A mare quicker than a wolf in attack,
منfrom قسطمونيKastamonu لاif بغيتyou wish المَغاريبthe sunset hours
من قسطموني لا بغيت المَغاريب
منfrom دُونshort of جلقJilliq حروتيmy noble mount ماnot تدنيslackens
من دُون جلق حروتي ما تدني
From Kastamonu, if you wish to set out at sunset,
None from Qastamuni could catch it,
My noble mount will not slacken short of Jilliq.
Without spurs, my horse wouldn’t even approach it.
وَالرابعةand the fourth سوداblack سمارthe darkness of الغرابيthe raven
وَالرابعة سودا سمار الغرابي
رعبوبةa graceful, slender one تشداكseems to you like هفthe shimmer of السَرابيthe mirage
رعبوبة تشداك هف السَرابي
And the fourth is black, dark as a raven;
The fourth is black as a raven’s wing,
A graceful one, she seems to you like a shimmering mirage.
Terrifying, scattering the bedouins,
لاwhen ذوملتshe trots بالدوحacross open country خفthe lightness of العقابيthe eagle
لا ذوملت بالدوح خف العقابي
حارمforbidden عَلىto ركابهاher riders ماnot يونيthey groan
حارم عَلى ركابها ما يوني
When she trots across open country, she has an eagle's lightness.
Never carrying riders unwillingly,
Her riders are spared all groaning.
Forbidden for any to mount against its will.
وَالخامسةand the fifth شعلاflame-colored شناحاher limbs طويلةlong
وَالخامسة شعلا شناحا طويلة
تهيةproud and fleet (uncertain) تسبقshe outstrips عنودan aloof gazelle الجَميلةthe beautiful one
تهية تسبق عنود الجَميلة
And the fifth is flame-colored, long in limb;
The fifth has a long, flaming tail,
A proud one, she outstrips the beautiful, aloof gazelle.
A mare faster than a perfect steed,
محاريكan untiring traveler لَوif جتshe comes منfrom نجدNajd مستحيلةsetting out
محاريك لَو جت من نجد مستحيلة
تلفيshe reaches دمشقDamascus بوابهاits gates ماnot غلقنيhave closed
تلفي دمشق بوابها ما غلقني
An untiring traveler: if she sets out from Najd,
However far it comes from Nejd,
She reaches Damascus before its gates have closed.
It circles Damascus before the gates shut.
وَالسادسةand the sixth صفراyellow صفراًa yellow ذهوبيgolden
وَالسادسة صفرا صفراً ذهوبي
علميتاas I know her تسبقshe outstrips نَسيمthe breeze of الهَبوبيthe blowing wind
علميتا تسبق نَسيم الهَبوبي
And the sixth is yellow, a golden yellow;
The sixth is yellow, bright yellow,
As I know her, she outstrips the blowing breeze.
My knowledge, outrunning the blowing wind,
ركابهاher rider منfrom قسطمونيKastamonu الغروبيat sunset
ركابها من قسطموني الغروبي
تصبحshe reaches by morning دمشقDamascus وريتهاand her onward drive (uncertain) ماnot تثنيfalters
تصبح دمشق وريتها ما تثني
Her rider leaves Kastamonu at sunset;
Its riders are from the Qastamuni sunset,
She reaches Damascus by morning, her onward drive unflagging.
Reaching Damascus by dawn without tiring.
وَالسابعةand the seventh زرقاblue زرقةa blueness سماويheavenly
وَالسابعة زرقا زرقة سماوي
تشداكseems to you like شاموراa shamur bird معwith الريحthe wind تاويcoming along
تشداك شامورا مع الريح تاوي
And the seventh is blue, a heavenly blue;
The seventh is bright blue, like the sky,
She seems to you a shamur bird borne along with the wind.
A mare galloping with the wind howling,
ركابهاher rider لاif صارhe is ماnot هوhe شفاويan experienced desert rider (uncertain)
ركابها لا صار ما هو شفاوي
الياwhen وقعhe falls يكووهthey brand him كيthe branding of المسنىa water-drawing beast
اليا وقع يكووه كي المسنى
If her rider is not an experienced desert rider,
Its riders become euphoric and enraptured,
Should he fall, they brand him like a water-drawing beast.
However much it hurts, it takes away my grief.
وَالثامنةand the eighth حمرةred مثلlike جمرةan ember of النارfire
وَالثامنة حمرة مثل جمرة النار
تشداshe resembles الظَليمthe male ostrich الليthat عنfrom الزولa human shape فرارflees
تشدا الظَليم اللي عن الزول فرار
And the eighth is red, like an ember of fire;
The eighth is red like embers,
She resembles a male ostrich fleeing a human shape.
Chasing away the darkness people flee from,
مقيضهاher summer range منfrom نمرةNamra الحيصal-Hays للطارto al-Tar
مقيضها من نمرة الحيص للطار
وميرادهاand her watering place بالفيضin the floodplain ميةwater عفنيstagnant
وميرادها بالفيض مية عفني
Her summer range runs from Namra al-Hays to al-Tar;
Led by Nimr’s valley unto the peak,
She waters in the floodplain, at stagnant water.
And watered from my river’s abundance.
وَالتاسعةand the ninth خضراdusky-green مثلlike وبرةthe coat of الذيبthe wolf
وَالتاسعة خضرا مثل وبرة الذيب
حرهpurebred زعاعnimble وتقطعand she crosses الدوthe open desert تهذيبgracefully
حره زعاع وتقطع الدو تهذيب
And the ninth is dusky-green, like a wolf's coat;
The ninth is green like the wolf’s fur,
Purebred and nimble, she crosses the open desert gracefully.
Hot-tempered, cutting through the lands, taming them,
منsince خلقتهher birth ماnot ثنيتshe was bent للتضاريبto repeated blows
من خلقته ما ثنيت للتضاريب
ترعيshe startles عفالاa male ostrich ماnot عضامهhis bones وفنيhave fully grown
ترعي عفالا ما عضامه وفني
Since birth she has never been bent under repeated blows.
Since it was created, it never turned away from raids,
She startles a young ostrich whose bones are not yet fully grown.
Grazing lambs whose bones were not yet hard.
وَالعاشرةand the tenth عرماسةa powerful camel الهجنof the riding camels تشداكseems to you like
وَالعاشرة عرماسة الهجن تشداك
بابورa steam engine دخنsmoking يقطعcrosses البرthe land دهاكpounding
بابور دخن يقطع البر دهاك
And the tenth, a powerful riding camel, seems to you
The tenth is the lead mare of the steeds,
A smoking engine pounding its way across the land.
A steamship cutting through the land violently,
تبعدshe puts far away فطوركyour breakfast عنfrom محاريthe place of عَشاكyour supper
تبعد فطورك عن محاري عَشاك
أَسرعfaster منthan الدولابthe wheel يومنwhen يفنيit spins
أَسرع من الدولاب يومن يفني
She sets your breakfast far from the place of your supper,
Taking your breakfasts away from your nests,
Faster than a wheel when it spins.
Faster than a spinning wheel the day it breaks.
عشرةten كملنare complete مردوماتsolid-built معاييرfinely proportioned
عشرة كملن مردومات معايير
منfrom تَحتbeneath عشرةten منof ربوعيmy companions معاطيرperfumed men
من تَحت عشرة من ربوعي معاطير
The ten are complete: solid-built and finely proportioned,
Ten mares fully measured and appraised,
Beneath ten perfumed men from among my companions.
From my ten meadows with fragrant winds,
قومواrise عليهنupon them ياO حماةprotectors of الغَناديرthe lovely women
قوموا عليهن يا حماة الغَنادير
ماnot فوقهنupon them غَيرexcept النَشاماthe gallant men وَفنيmade up the full number
ما فوقهن غَير النَشاما وَفني
Mount them, protectors of the lovely women;
Protect them, O guardians of the virgins!
None but gallant men ride them, the full number.
None surpass them but the noble steeds.
جيتI came to البِلادthe lands الليwhere بهاin them عقيل'Uqayl وَشريتand I bought
جيت البِلاد اللي بها عقيل وَشريت
عشرةten شدايدsaddles منوتكyour heart's desire لاwhen تمنيتyou wish
عشرة شدايد منوتك لا تمنيت
I came to the lands where 'Uqayl dwell and bought
I came to the land where my dear one dwells and bought
Ten saddles, just what you desire when you wish,
Ten firmares beyond your dreams,
وَمطرزاتand embroidered حبوكهنtheir braided straps وَالتَصاميتand the solid fittings
وَمطرزات حبوكهن وَالتَصاميت
وَسوارهنand their bands مثلlike الذهبgold يرهجنيthey glint
وَسوارهن مثل الذهب يرهجني
Their braided straps and solid fittings embroidered,
And embroidered textiles woven so finely,
And their bands glinting like gold.
With bracelets like glittering gold dazzling me.
وَجيتand I came to البِلادthe lands الليwhere بهاin them الرُومthe Rum بِالرنكin uniform (uncertain)
وَجيت البِلاد اللي بها الرُوم بِالرنك
وَشريتand I bought مِنهاfrom there عشرةten فرودpistols وَتفنكand a rifle
وَشريت مِنها عشرة فرود وَتفنك
And I came to the lands where the Rum are in uniform,
And I came to the land of Rum with its soldiers,
And bought there ten pistols and a rifle,
And bought ten horses there prancing so proudly,
وَعَشرةand ten حِرابlances بروسهمat their heads يلمعوسنكtheir points gleam
وَعَشرة حِراب بروسهم يلمعوسنك
وَتقلدواand gird yourselves ياO هلpeople of الركايبthe riding camels بهنيwith them
وَتقلدوا يا هل الركايب بهني
And ten lances with gleaming points upon their heads.
And ten swords with handles that shine,
Gird yourselves with them, riders of the camels.
Wear them, O riders, I present them to you!
عشرةten قديمياتdaggers مثلlike الحَناياbows
عشرة قديميات مثل الحَنايا
تحزمواbelt yourselves بهwith them ياO ذيابwolves of السَراياthe war-bands
تحزموا به يا ذياب السَرايا
Ten daggers curved like bows:
Ten old horses like wrathful lions,
Belt yourselves with them, wolves of the war-bands.
Gird yourselves with them, O courageous heroes!
لاmay not عاشlive مِنكُمamong you مَنwhoever يَهابfears المَناياdeath
لا عاش مِنكُم مَن يَهاب المَنايا
عَفييbravo to عيالاlads يفرجواwho ease الهَمthe worry عَنيfrom me
عَفيي عيالا يفرجوا الهَم عَني
May none of you who fears death live!
May none of you live who fears death,
Bravo to lads who lift the worry from me.
Make my children happy and relieve my worries!
خُذواtake زَهابprovisions of الشهدhoney ياO طروشcouriers سيلونstream onward
خُذوا زَهاب الشهد يا طروش سيلون
مِنfrom فَوقupon هجناriding camels مثلlike ربداgray ostriches يفيلونthey bound
مِن فَوق هجنا مثل ربدا يفيلون
Take honey provisions, couriers, and stream onward,
Take the tripped arrows, O nimble quivers,
On camels bounding like gray ostriches.
Above our mares like hail pouring down,
منapart from غيرanything except قُوتfood for رِقابكمyour own necks لاdo not تشيلونcarry
من غير قُوت رِقابكم لا تشيلون
وَشخصand the forms of النَجايبthe fine riding camels مثلlike ربداgray ostriches يفيلونthey bound
وَشخص النَجايب مثل ربدا يفيلون
Carry nothing but food for yourselves.
Without strong necks you cannot carry them,
And the fine camels' forms bound like gray ostriches.
And the starlings fly like hail pouring down,
منapart from غيرanything except قُوتfood for رقابكمyour own necks لاdo not تشيلونcarry
من غير قُوت رقابكم لا تشيلون
وَشحصand the forms of النَجايبthe fine riding camels بِالخَلاin the open country يسرحنيthey roam
وَشحص النَجايب بِالخَلا يسرحني
Carry nothing but food for yourselves.
Without strong necks you cannot carry them,
And the fine camels' forms roam in the open country.
And the starlings in the meadows set me free.
ياO طروشcouriers يالليyou who فوقupon عوصthe hardy ones among النَجايبthe noble riding camels
يا طروش ياللي فوق عوص النَجايب
الدَربthe road ياoh مابوhow much it holds هوالterrors وَعجايبand wonders
الدَرب يا مابو هوال وَعجايب
Couriers, you who ride the hardy, noble mounts,
O quivers above the steeds’ croups,
Oh, how the road holds terrors and wonders!
The road, oh lord, has perils and wonders,
وَديI wish أَوصيكُمto counsel you تَرىyou see صُرتI have become شايبgray-haired
وَدي أَوصيكُم تَرى صُرت شايب
قَبلformerly النَصايحadvice بِالثَمَنfor a price ينشرنيwas bought
قَبل النَصايح بِالثَمَن ينشرني
I would counsel you; you see, I have grown old.
And here I advise you, for I have grown old,
In former days, advice was bought for a price.
Before advice, the price makes me despondent.
أَولthe first نَهارday أصحواkeep watch عَليهُمover them مَشاويحstretching out in stride
أَول نَهار أصحوا عَليهُم مَشاويح
وَثانيand the second نَهارday ترشدواguide them طَلعةthe rise of الربحgain or good fortune
وَثاني نَهار ترشدوا طَلعة الربح
On the first day, watch them as they stretch out in stride.
On the first day, wake them at dawn,
On the second day, guide them toward the rise of good fortune.
On the second day, set out to profit,
وَثالثand the third نَهارday توقعواlook out لِلمَصابيحfor the lights
وَثالث نَهار توقعوا لِلمَصابيح
مِنfrom عقبهمafter them عوصاتكمyour hardy mounts يضرحنيthey stride swiftly
مِن عقبهم عوصاتكم يضرحني
On the third day, look out for the lights.
On the third day, expect the torches,
After that, your hardy mounts will stride swiftly.
Behind them, your steeds startle me.
بالليلat night سيرواtravel ياضناO sons of الجُودgenerosity وَامشونand press onward
بالليل سيروا ياضنا الجُود وَامشون
غجraise the clamor of (uncertain) اللغاtalk لاwhen حندسgrows pitch-black الليلthe night نامونsleep
غج اللغا لا حندس الليل نامون
Travel at night, sons of generosity, and press on.
At night, travel, O people of generosity, and walk,
Raise your voices in talk; when night grows pitch-black, sleep.
Lest the darkness of night catches you sleeping,
أَماbut عنconcerning المدراجthe track اصحواbeware تنيهونyou go astray
أَما عن المدراج اصحوا تنيهون
أَرضthe land of التراكthe Turks جبالهاits mountains يرعبنيthey inspire fear
أَرض التراك جبالها يرعبني
But watch the track lest you go astray.
But wake at the watering place, rouse yourselves,
In the Turks' land, the mountains inspire fear.
The land of Turks, its mountains terrify me.
تولمواprepare yourselves ياO أَهلriders of النَضاthe lean mounts الجافلاتيthe skittish ones
تولموا يا أَهل النَضا الجافلاتي
مِنfrom فُوقupon عجلاتthe swift ones in الخُطاtheir steps للسيراتيfor the journeys
مِن فُوق عجلات الخُطا للسيراتي
Prepare yourselves, riders of the skittish, lean mounts,
Prepare, O people of hooves pounding the earth,
On the swift-stepping ones, for the journeys.
Atop your wheeled carts for traveling,
دركتكمyour catching up لسيرwith the movement of الكايناتيthe machines
دركتكم لسير الكايناتي
الليwhose نواروtheir lights بِالدُجىin the darkness شعشعنيglitter
اللي نوارو بِالدُجى شعشعني
Catch up with the machines on their journey,
If you are overtaken on the road of destiny,
Whose lights glitter in the darkness.
It doesn’t matter if its edges scrape me.
مِنfrom عندناour place عشواgive evening feed عليهُمto them وَشيلونand set out
مِن عندنا عشوا عليهُم وَشيلون
ياO هلpeople of الركابthe riding camels الدَربthe road مَضمونassured مَبخونfavorable (uncertain)
يا هل الركاب الدَرب مَضمون مَبخون
From our place, give them their evening feed and set out.
From there unto Kythrea, O people of the steeds,
Riders, the road is assured and favorable.
Come closer after ten requests,
منfrom قسطونيKastamonu غيبةthe disappearance of الشَمسthe sun مادونset out
من قسطوني غيبة الشَمس مادون
الصُبحin the morning منfrom عِندnear انقرهAnkara يروحنيthey depart
الصُبح من عِند انقره يروحني
Leave Kastamonu as the sun disappears;
You are atop the battle steeds,
By morning they will be moving on from Ankara.
Your camels have become so thin to me.
ريضواslow down عَلىwith شَخصthe forms of النَضاthe lean mounts ونعشوهنand restore their strength
ريضوا عَلى شَخص النَضا ونعشوهن
منfrom أَرضthe land of شاهرShahir لاwhen ظلمةit grows dark سهجوهنdrive them onward
من أَرض شاهر لا ظلمة سهجوهن
Slow the lean mounts and restore their strength.
From Marash you must take the road,
From Shahir's land, drive them on when darkness falls.
And from Mardin's plain journey on, O friend,
مِنfrom دُونbefore قيصرQaysar قطعpass through لاdo not تعوقوهنdelay them
مِن دُون قيصر قطع لا تعوقوهن
لاno بأسharm لَوif بطرافهاon its outskirts يمكننيthey linger
لا بأس لَو بطرافها يمكنني
Pass Qaysar without delaying them;
In Diyarbakır expect the banner and yearn,
No harm if they linger on its outskirts.
By day its river Euphrates waters me.
مِنهاfrom there عَلىto كيسومKaysum ياO هلriders of النَجايبthe noble camels
مِنها عَلى كيسوم يا هل النَجايب
عاto ادناAdana منfrom عقبafter عشرةten طَلايبdemanding stages
عا ادنا من عقب عشرة طَلايب
From there to Kaysum, riders of the noble mounts;
From there unto Aleppo, O people of the steeds,
Then to Adana, after ten demanding stages.
Hama and Homs, mount the hot-blooded steeds!
أَنتُمyou عَلىupon شَخصthe forms of الحَناياthe bow-curved ones الهَرايبthe fleet ones
أَنتُم عَلى شَخص الحَنايا الهَرايب
عيراتكمyour mounts صارواhave become صراصيعlittle darting creatures جنيjinn
عيراتكم صاروا صراصيع جني
You are mounted on those fleet, bow-curved forms;
You have reached it, O courageous faces,
Your mounts have become little darting jinn.
Without spurs, your driving hardly suffices me.
منfrom عندnear مرعشMarash لازمyou must الدَربthe road تجدونfind
من عند مرعش لازم الدَرب تجدون
وَعاand to ماردينMardin بسهلover easy ground ياO صاحfriend تمشونyou travel
وَعا ماردين بسهل يا صاح تمشون
From Marash, you must find the road;
Behold, Goliath’s spring bids you peace,
Then to Mardin over easy ground, my friend.
O people of the steeds, I have no blame for you,
بديارat Diyar بكرBakr توقعواawait العلمthe news وارجونand wait
بديار بكر توقعوا العلم وارجون
بِنهارهنwithin their day شطthe bank of الفَراthe Euphrates يوردنيthey reach to water
بِنهارهن شط الفَرا يوردني
At Diyar Bakr, await news and wait;
Just if you wish, send me your railings,
That very day, they will reach the bank of the Euphrates.
And rest, leaving your mares to graze me.
مِنهاfrom there عَلىto الشَهباal-Shahba وهكthe hardships of (uncertain) النَوابيthe successive stages
مِنها عَلى الشَهبا وهك النَوابي
حماهHama وَحمصand Homs انخواurge onward الحرارthe purebred ones الركابيthe riding camels
حماه وَحمص انخوا الحرار الركابي
From there to al-Shahba, through the hardships of the stages;
Your steeds have stayed with generosity in Damascus,
Through Hama and Homs, urge the purebred riding camels.
Reviving the spirit of springtime hospitality,
تَرىyou see وَصلتواyou have arrived ياO وجوهfaces of الذِيابيwolves
تَرى وَصلتوا يا وجوه الذِيابي
مِنfrom دُونshort of جلقJilliq حثكمyour urging لاlet not يكنىslacken
مِن دُون جلق حثكم لا يكنى
You have arrived, you wolf-faced men!
They betrayed us, O brother, though we believed in them,
Short of Jilliq, let your urging never slacken.
His eyes must shed tears of blood for me.
عاto جلقJilliq الفَيحاthe spacious لفتthey arrived بِالسَلاميin safety
عا جلق الفَيحا لفت بِالسَلامي
ياO أَهلpeople of الرَكايبthe riding camels ماno عَلَيكُمupon you مَلاميblame
يا أَهل الرَكايب ما عَلَيكُم مَلامي
They have reached spacious Jilliq in safety.
Spread the perfumes, let generosity fragrance,
Riders, no blame falls on you.
Abu Hassan customers of the virgins,
بَسonly انthat ودواdeliver ليfor me صَحايفthe pages of كَلاميmy words
بَس ان ودوا لي صَحايف كَلامي
وَريحواand rest وَخلواand let هجنكمyour riding camels يَرتعنيgraze
وَريحوا وَخلوا هجنكم يَرتعني
Only deliver the pages of my words for me,
Intoxicated, like an intoxicating perfume,
Then rest and let your camels graze.
I am aflame, so throw me on the fire!
مَلفاthe destination of ىكايبكنyour mounts ضناthe sons of الجُودgenerosity بِالشامin al-Sham
مَلفا ىكايبكن ضنا الجُود بِالشام
يحييYahya (likely name) رَبيعthe springtime of الضَيفthe guest لاwhen جاهhe comes to him معتامdistressed
يحيي رَبيع الضَيف لا جاه معتام
Your mounts' destination in al-Sham is the sons of generosity:
O brother, since the day the betrayers abandoned you,
Yahya, the guest's springtime when he comes in distress.
My heart burns with embers of sorrow,
خانواthey betrayed بِناus ياO خويmy brother منwhoever آمنfeels safe from الغامhidden traps or mines
خانوا بِنا يا خوي من آمن الغام
لازمinevitably عيونوhis eyes بالدماwith blood يذرفنيthey weep
لازم عيونو بالدما يذرفني
They betrayed us, brother; whoever feels safe from hidden traps
But my wish, if it would bring you back to me,
Must have eyes that shed blood.
My heart would find peace from the sciences that preoccupied me.
انطواgive المعطرthe perfumed message لاضناto the sons of الجُودgenerosity تَعطيرfragrant greetings
انطوا المعطر لاضنا الجُود تَعطير
لابوto Abu حسنHasan زبنrefuge of البَناتthe girls الغَناديرthe lovely ones
لابو حسن زبن البَنات الغَنادير
Give the perfumed message, with fragrant greetings, to the sons of generosity,
I would find peace if I saw you, even from afar,
To Abu Hasan, refuge of the lovely women.
None but you, O pillar of my clan,
مَشبوبablaze وَجديmy longing مثلlike مَشبوبةthe blaze of الكيرthe forge
مَشبوب وَجدي مثل مَشبوبة الكير
منfrom واهِجيmy burning كنيas though I am عَلىon النارthe fire كنيas though I am
من واهِجي كني عَلى النار كني
My longing burns like the blaze of the forge;
But fate did not allow what I wished for today,
From my burning, I feel as though I am on the fire—as though I am.
Who believes in destiny visits the afflicted.
ياO خويmy brother منsince يُومthe day المبغضينthe haters خانوكbetrayed you
يا خوي من يُوم المبغضين خانوك
قَلبيmy heart عَلىupon جَمرthe embers of الغَضاghada wood بصاجin a metal pan مَسبوكcast
قَلبي عَلى جَمر الغَضا بصاج مَسبوك
Brother, since the day the haters betrayed you,
Let not grief remain, leave it and cast it away,
My heart lies over ghada embers in a cast-metal pan.
None but the Lord of the Throne deserves your hopes,
لَكنbut مراديmy wish يمناto us لَوif only يجيبوكthey bring you
لَكن مرادي يمنا لَو يجيبوك
يَرتاحwould rest باليmy mind منfrom علوماnews لفنيthat reached me
يَرتاح بالي من علوما لفني
But my wish is that they might bring you to us;
If your star in the sky has a blessed course,
Then my mind would rest from the news that reached me.
Days of fortune must come to me.
اِرتاحI would rest لَوif شُفتكI saw you لَوthough أَنيI am بعيديfar away
اِرتاح لَو شُفتك لَو أَني بعيدي
ماnone غيرexcept شَخصكyour person ياوزO pride of (unclear spelling) بنيmy kin عضيديmy support
ما غير شَخصك ياوز بني عضيدي
I would find rest if I saw you, though I am far away.
Nothing but the decree of our Exalted Lord
None but you, O pride of my kin, is my support.
Can bring you what is behind barriers and seas,
لَكنbut جزتit has passed ماnot هيit تَرىyou see اليَومtoday بيديin my hands
لَكن جزت ما هي تَرى اليَوم بيدي
مَنwhoever آمنtrusts النادوسthe treacherous one (uncertain) زارvisits المجنيthe stricken (uncertain)
مَن آمن النادوس زار المجني
But it has passed beyond me; today it is not in my hands.
Be strong, my beloved, and restrain the fire,
Whoever trusts the treacherous visits the stricken [uncertain reading].
After the day of sorrow, song must come to me.
ماwhatever رانَتweighs upon you هونtake lightly وَاتركand leave الهَمthe worry وَاسلاهand forget it
ما رانَت هون وَاترك الهَم وَاسلاه
ماnone غيرexcept رَبthe Lord of العَرشthe Throne حياliving تَرجاهyou place hope in Him
ما غير رَب العَرش حيا تَرجاه
Whatever weighs upon you, take it lightly; leave worry and forget it.
I conclude my words with the prophet Lot and Shuaib,
There is none but the living Lord of the Throne to place your hope in.
Interceding for us against its heat and horrors,
إِنif كانَis نجمكyour star بِالسَماin heaven طابfavorable مَسراهits course
إِن كانَ نجمك بِالسَما طاب مَسراه
لاnot بُدavoidable أَيامthe days of السَعدhappiness يقبلنيwill come
لا بُد أَيام السَعد يقبلني
If your star in heaven has a favorable course,
Saving us from a fate those who know no shame do not comprehend,
Days of happiness must surely come.
Muttering, snarling, the words and meter trouble me.
ماnothing دُونstands before مَقسومwhat is allotted by العليthe Most High سيدناour Lord البارthe righteous
ما دُون مَقسوم العلي سيدنا البار
يَأتيكit reaches you لنكthough you are (uncertain contraction) منfrom وراbeyond لجdeep waters وَبحارand seas
يَأتيك لنك من ورا لج وَبحار
There is no barrier to what the Most High, our righteous Lord, has allotted;
It will reach you, though you are beyond deep waters and seas.
قويstrengthen جَنانكyour heart عالبلاagainst affliction واكظمand contain النارthe fire
قوي جَنانك عالبلا واكظم النار
لاnot بُدavoidable منthat يُومa day comes الحزينةthe grieving woman تغنيsings
لا بُد من يُوم الحزينة تغني
Strengthen your heart against affliction and contain the fire.
A day must come when the grieving woman sings.
وَاختمand I close كَلاميmy words بالنبيwith the prophet لوطLot وَشعيبand Shu'ayb
وَاختم كَلامي بالنبي لوط وَشعيب
يَشفعmay he intercede لَناfor us منagainst حرهاits heat وَاللواهيبand the flames
يَشفع لَنا من حرها وَاللواهيب
And I close my words with the prophets Lot and Shu'ayb:
May they intercede for us against its heat and flames,
وَيفكناand free us منfrom ربعfolk ماnot يعرفواthey recognize العيبshame
وَيفكنا من ربع ما يعرفوا العيب
نشحينmiserly شنعينfoul اللغاin speech وَالرطنيand gibberish
نشحين شنعين اللغا وَالرطني
And free us from folk who know no shame,
Miserly and vile in their speech and babble.
Partial English translation: 134 of 142 Arabic lines translated.