لاAh! ياعَذابيO my torment آهah ماhow أكثرnumerous حوابيmy griefs
لا ياعَذابي آه ما أكثر حوابي
وَصحand blazed [uncertain] شهابيmy flame مِنfrom الأُمورthe matters الصِعابdifficult
وَصح شهابي مِن الأُمور الصِعاب
Ah, my torment! How many are my griefs!
My torment, oh how numerous are its passages
My flame has blazed from grievous trials.
And my youth’s vigor is wasted by ordeals
شَيءsomething جَرىhappened ليto me ماnot تشيلوcould bear it العَواليthe lofty spears
شَيء جَرى لي ما تشيلو العَوالي
وَاضيمalas for the affliction حاليmy condition الدَهرtime عمقdeepened صَوابيmy wounds
وَاضيم حالي الدَهر عمق صَوابي
Something befell me that lofty spears could not bear.
Something has happened to me, time does not heal
Alas for my plight! Time has deepened my wounds.
My state is desperate, fate determined my loss
مِنfrom عقبafter ذاthis شديتI saddled عَشرةten حناياarched-backed mounts
مِن عقب ذا شديت عَشرة حنايا
مثلlike الضباgazelles وَضحwhite الذَرىthe crests وَالحماياand the flanks
مثل الضبا وَضح الذَرى وَالحمايا
After that, I saddled ten arched-backed mounts,
Since then, my sadness multiplied tenfold
Like gazelles, white of crest and flank,
Like mountain goats seen wandering
ربداًdun ostriches تجازنevading عَنaway from مَهاويthe ambushes of الشباياhunters [uncertain]
ربداً تجازن عَن مَهاوي الشبايا
مِنfrom لَمعةthe flash of الشاقوصthe gunlock تبنthey appear مخاريعpanic-stricken
مِن لَمعة الشاقوص تبن مخاريع
Like dun ostriches evading the hunters' ambushes,
Its cold pierced the depths of youthful folly
Seeming panic-stricken at the gunlock's flash.
With the shining rays of Aldebaran
يشدنthey resemble إِلىto سربa flock of الحَمامdoves المَواريعskittish
يشدن إِلى سرب الحَمام المَواريع
لاwhen ناشهمswooped upon them فيin البرthe wilderness فَرخa young العقابيeagle
لا ناشهم في البر فَرخ العقابي
They resemble flocks of skittish doves
Urging the doves in flight to swiftly return
When a young eagle swoops upon them in the wilderness.
To the nest where neither eagle nor vulture comes near
هجناriding-camels الياطابwhen pleasant السَرىnight travel ماnot يهابنthey fear
هجنا الياطاب السَرى ما يهابن
لازوملنwhen saddled تَحتَbeneath النشاماthe gallant men وَرابنand they spring away
لازوملن تَحتَ النشاما وَرابن
Riding-camels that fear nothing when night travel grows pleasant;
We raced the sand grouse that fears no one
Once saddled beneath gallant riders, they spring away.
Staying beneath the starling never abandoning
مثلlike المَهاoryx لاwhen طالعواthey see الزولthe human figure غابنthey vanish
مثل المَها لا طالعوا الزول غابن
عَلىbefore ناظركyour eyes لَوeven if هنthey are بجالكbeside you قرابيnearby
عَلى ناظرك لَو هن بجالك قرابي
Like oryx that vanish upon seeing a human figure,
Like the oryx that doesn’t see anyone blocking its path
They disappear before your eyes, even close beside you.
If you were in my sight, you’d be as dear to me as my neck
الأَولهthe first عِندَamong التياهاthe Tiyaha غياهاtheir choice mount
الأَوله عِندَ التياها غياها
عَلميتاI know her لاah ياهناhow fortunate مِنwhoever قناهاowns her
عَلميتا لا ياهنا مِن قناها
The first is a choice mount among the Tiyaha;
The first at speed disappears from view
I know her—how fortunate whoever owns her!
You’d know her not from her attributes
أَسرعfaster مِنthan الدُولابthe turning wheel مدتshe stretched خُطاهاher strides
أَسرع مِن الدُولاب مدت خُطاها
ماnot عقلوهاthey hobbled her للحملfor burdens وَالضرابيand breeding
ما عقلوها للحمل وَالضرابي
Faster than a turning wheel, she stretches out her stride;
Faster than a spinning wheel her steps proceeded
They have not hobbled her for burdens and breeding.
Before she’s slowed for pregnancy or stopped for rest
وَالثانيةand the second مَنfrom خاصthe choicest رَكبmounts of اللحاويal-Lahawi
وَالثانية مَن خاص رَكب اللحاوي
منوةthe desire of غلاماa youth بالفيافيin the wilderness خلاويat home in solitude
منوة غلاما بالفيافي خلاوي
The second comes from al-Lahawi's choicest mounts,
And the second, a special ride for galloping steeds
The desire of a youth at home in the wilderness.
A gift sent empty to the sands
لاذوwhen she ملتturns بالدوحinto a run خفthe lightness of النداويthe hunting falcon
لاذو ملت بالدوح خف النداوي
مِنfrom خَلفbehind وَرَفاits quarry [uncertain] يَومwhen هَدوهthey released him رابيaloft
مِن خَلف وَرَفا يَوم هَدوه رابي
When she turns into a run, she is light as a falcon
She doesn’t walk, she flies over the dunes
Pursuing its quarry, released from a height.
As if a demon pushed her from behind
وَالثالثةand the third مِنfrom هوجimpetuous mounts شوحtall الضباعينal-Duba'in
وَالثالثة مِن هوج شوح الضباعين
سرlong- حوبةbodied تَجزيoutstrips خطاةthe strides of الشياهينperegrine falcons
سر حوبة تَجزي خطاة الشياهين
The third is one of al-Duba'in's tall, impetuous mounts,
The third from the mountain cleft forms two lines
Long-bodied, outstripping the peregrines' strides.
A doe crossing the flat valley floor
وَالياand when حزمهاrestrains her القفلthe caravan عقبafter الميادينthe galloping grounds
وَاليا حزمها القفل عقب الميادين
تسبقshe outruns غَزالاًa gazelle سمعthat heard صَوتthe sound of المنابيthe callers
تسبق غَزالاً سمع صَوت المنابي
When the caravan restrains her after open gallops,
Her bindings and locks are strong
She outruns a gazelle that has heard the hunters' cries.
Outracing a gazelle who hears hunting dogs
وَالرابعةand the fourth علميتاas I know her لابنbelongs to Ibn بسامBassam
وَالرابعة علميتا لابن بسام
ياO راكبهher rider زَمهrein her in عَنfrom الغرheadlong rushing [uncertain] بزمامwith a rein
يا راكبه زَمه عَن الغر بزمام
The fourth, as I know her, belongs to Ibn Bassam.
The fourth, you’d know, is Ibn Bessam’s
O rider, check her headlong rush with the rein.
He who rides it, leads it away from danger by the reins
ماضنتيI do not think مثلهher like ربيwas raised بنجدin Najd وَالشامor Syria
ماضنتي مثله ربي بنجد وَالشام
طراشهاher couriers بِأَرضin the land of الخلاthe wilderness ماnot يهابيfear
طراشها بِأَرض الخلا ما يهابي
I doubt her like was raised in Najd or Syria;
I’ve not seen its equal in Najd or Greater Syria
Her couriers fear nothing in the empty wilderness.
It floats over the salt flats fearing nothing
وَالخامسدand the fifth وضحاWadha, the white one غياًa choice mount للطرابينof the Tarabin
وَالخامسد وضحا غياً للطرابين
سهواجةwide-striding مَنوةthe desire of طروشاcouriers بعيدينbound far away
سهواجة مَنوة طروشا بعيدين
The fifth is white Wadha, a choice Tarabin mount,
The fifth clearly stands out among the others
Wide-striding, coveted by couriers bound far away.
A gift mare seen trotting far off
بِالضرحin striking the ground ديهاher forelegs دايمalways الدومcontinually عجلينswift
بِالضرح ديها دايم الدوم عجلين
تقطعshe crosses مَعاطيشthe waterless stretches of البراريthe wilderness هذابيat a gallop
تقطع مَعاطيش البراري هذابي
Her forelegs strike the ground, forever swift;
The wounds on her body are always still fresh
She crosses the waterless wilderness at a gallop.
She cuts through the plateaus going this way and that
وَالسادسةand the sixth شعلاSha'la, the blaze-faced one هجينthe riding-camel of بنIbn نَوافNawwaf
وَالسادسة شعلا هجين بن نَواف
ركابهاher rider مِنfrom وَحشةthe desolation of البرthe wilderness ماnot خافfeared
ركابها مِن وَحشة البر ما خاف
The sixth is blaze-faced Sha'la, Ibn Nawwaf's riding-camel;
The sixth is Shael’s roan turned brown
Her rider has never feared the wilderness's desolation.
Her ride fears no desert beast
الياwhen مشتshe sets out مِنfrom قاصباQasiba نَجدNajd مِنfrom كافKaf
اليا مشت مِن قاصبا نَجد مِن كاف
تَهشلshe reaches دمشقDamascus وَماand not غلقنhave closed البوابيthe gates
تَهشل دمشق وَما غلقن البوابي
When she sets out from Qasiba in Najd, from Kaf,
Once she marched from Qasabah to Najd to Kaf
She reaches Damascus before its gates are closed.
She startled Damascus and none shut their gates
وَالسابعةand the seventh للضيغميfor al-Dayghami جذبوهاthey selected her
وَالسابعة للضيغمي جذبوها
علميتاI know her منبوتbreeding أَماher mother وَأَبوهاand her father
علميتا منبوت أَما وَأَبوها
The seventh they selected for al-Dayghami;
The seventh was dragged off for Al-Thaygami
I know her breeding, both her mother and her father.
You’d know her as having no sire or dam
الليthose who شروهاbought her بالذهبin gold وَزنوهاweighed her worth
اللي شروها بالذهب وَزنوها
لاهزَهاwhen it nudges her الركابthe stirrup قامَتshe begins تشابيto leap
لاهزَها الركاب قامَت تشابي
Those who bought her weighed out her worth in gold;
Those who bought her for gold weight and measured her price
When the stirrup nudges her, she begins to leap.
No riders can withstand her wrath
وَالثامندand the eighth عرماسةa powerful riding-camel لابنbelongs to Ibn شعلانSha'lan
وَالثامند عرماسة لابن شعلان
تقولyou would say ربدهa dun ostrich إِنif طالعتshe catches شوفsight of زيلانhuman shapes [uncertain]
تقول ربده إِن طالعت شوف زيلان
The eighth is a powerful mount belonging to Ibn Sha'lan;
The eighth is Ibn Shaalan’s bay
You would think her a dun ostrich sighting human shapes.
He says if you ride her you’ll see a black serpent
مرباعهاher spring pasture ماnot منfrom بعايدfar away بحورانin Hauran
مرباعها ما من بعايد بحوران
مقيضهاher summer pasture معamong روسthe summits of هكthose النَوابيridges
مقيضها مع روس هك النَوابي
Her spring pasture lies nearby in Hauran;
Her stride expands between horizons
Her summer pasture is upon those lofty ridges.
Her pace overtakes a herd of ostriches
وَالتاسعةand the ninth مخصوصreserved للزينfor handsome طرادTarrad
وَالتاسعة مخصوص للزين طراد
ماnot هيshe ذلولa riding-camel تقولyou would say منone of ربدthe dun ostriches الأَنهادhigh-breasted
ما هي ذلول تقول من ربد الأَنهاد
The ninth is reserved for handsome Tarrad;
The ninth particularly fit for excellence
No mere riding-camel—you would call her a high-breasted dun ostrich.
Not one whit lazy, she says, descended from rivers
ركابهاher rider ماnot ينقلcarries الميwater وَالزادand provisions
ركابها ما ينقل المي وَالزاد
مشيthe travel of العشرten أَيامdays قبلbefore الغيابيsundown
مشي العشر أَيام قبل الغيابي
Her rider carries neither water nor provisions;
Her rider doesn’t carry water or food
She covers ten days' travel before sundown.
Traveling ten days before disappearing from sight
وَالعاشرةand the tenth حرةa thoroughbred غياsuperb بنتdaughter of حرهa thoroughbred
وَالعاشرة حرة غيا بنت حره
سرحوبةlong-bodied بالدوحin running عجلاswift مفرهfleeing
سرحوبة بالدوح عجلا مفره
The tenth is a superb thoroughbred, daughter of a thoroughbred,
The tenth, a free mare, very quick
Long-bodied, swift and fleeing in her run.
Tall, impossible to slow down
ركابهاher rider ماnot باعهاwould sell her بميتfor a hundred صرةpurses
ركابها ما باعها بميت صرة
وَلَوeven if ملولوthey filled for him خرجهاher saddlebags للقطابيup to the saddle bows
وَلَو ملولو خرجها للقطابي
Her rider would not sell her for a hundred purses,
None would sell her for hundreds of gold coins
Even if they filled her saddlebags up to the saddle bows.
Even if desperate times pushed her to nomads
عشرةten كملنcompleted the number ركابناour riders لبسوهنdecked them out
عشرة كملن ركابنا لبسوهن
عشرةten شدايدsaddles منوةthe desire of الليthose who شروهنbought them
عشرة شدايد منوة اللي شروهن
Ten in all—our riders have decked them out
Ten beauties outfitted in our finery
With ten saddles, coveted by those who bought them.
Ten superior gifts they purchased
مِنfrom عودwood of ميسhackberry حطامهنtheir saddle frames رصعوهنthey inlaid them
مِن عود ميس حطامهن رصعوهن
بالماسwith diamonds يرهجflashing فوقabove صفرyellow القتابيsaddle frames
بالماس يرهج فوق صفر القتابي
Their frames are hackberry wood, which they have inlaid
Carved wood frames gilded pure yellow
With diamonds flashing above the yellow saddle frames.
Adorned with unblemished pearls and jewels
وَمنسفاتand saddle cloths فوقabove ديباجbrocade بنيbrown
وَمنسفات فوق ديباج بني
وَمشربشاتand tasseled بالذهبwith gold يرهجنيthey gleam
وَمشربشات بالذهب يرهجني
Saddle cloths lie over brown brocade,
With silk brocade gowns of striking colors
Tasseled with gold that gleams,
Golden headdresses shining bright
وَمطرزاتand embroidered حبوكهنtheir stitching يعجبنيdelights me
وَمطرزات حبوكهن يعجبني
وَمغلباتand covered بريشwith plumes مثلlike الذوابيflowing tails
وَمغلبات بريش مثل الذوابي
And embroidered with stitching that delights me,
Embroidered fabrics captivating to behold
And covered with plumes like flowing tails.
Feathered like the singing birds amid trees
وسدthe cushions of المياركthe saddle seats مثلlike وسدthe pillows of الرعابيبtender maidens
وسد الميارك مثل وسد الرعابيب
فوقupon المتونthe backs الليwhich مثلlike رَبضةthe crouching of الذيبthe wolf
فوق المتون اللي مثل رَبضة الذيب
The saddle-seat cushions are like tender maidens' pillows,
Our saddles rival lions’ haunches
Upon backs shaped like a crouching wolf.
Bearing riders on mounts fleet as wolves
ومشربشاتand tasseled بريشwith feathers مثلlike الدباديبhanging tufts
ومشربشات بريش مثل الدباديب
تثنواsettle yourselves عليهمupon them ياO وجوهfaces of الذيابيwolves
تثنوا عليهم يا وجوه الذيابي
They are tasseled with feathers like hanging tufts.
Our prized birds bear feathers rivaling ebony crows
Settle yourselves upon them, you wolf-faced men!
They charm faces as radiant as the full moon
وَخراجهنand their saddlebags بالرهجin gleaming مثلlike الدنانيرgold dinars
وَخراجهن بالرهج مثل الدنانير
الليwhoever شَراهنbought them ماnot حسبreckoned للمخاسيرthe expenses
اللي شَراهن ما حسب للمخاسير
Their saddlebags gleam like gold dinars;
Their tribute dazzles like gold dinars
Whoever bought them did not reckon the expense.
Bought by one who counts no expense
مرقومpatterned بيهمupon them مِنwith جَميعall التصاويرthe images
مرقوم بيهم مِن جَميع التصاوير
يستاهلوهنthey deserve them طايعاتobedient الرقابيof neck
يستاهلوهن طايعات الرقابي
They are patterned with every kind of image;
Numbered on them all kinds of images
Those obedient-necked mounts deserve them.
Worthy of their docile, smooth-gaitedness
وسمارهنand their girths ورسانهنand their halters وَالعكاريشand the tassels
وسمارهن ورسانهن وَالعكاريش
وَجنابهنand their side coverings بالدلwith finery وَالخزand silk وَالريشand feathers
وَجنابهن بالدل وَالخز وَالريش
Their girths, halters, and tassels,
Their leather harnesses, straps, cruppers and breastplates
And their side coverings, with finery, silk, and feathers,
Flanks covered in oil and silk and feathers
منfrom كلevery جهةside ناشرينspreading الشرابيشthe fringes
من كل جهة ناشرين الشرابيش
مثلlike الهَوادجhowdahs تحتَbeneath حُمرred الخضابيhenna-dyed hands
مثل الهَوادج تحتَ حُمر الخضابي
Spread their fringes on every side,
Glistening like doves below hennaed wings
Like howdahs beneath henna-handed women.
O excellent steeds seen above the salt plains
ياO طروشcouriers يالليyou who فوقupon عشرةten مَعاييرoutstanding mounts
يا طروش ياللي فوق عشرة مَعايير
مثلlike المهاةoryx الليwhich ربواwere raised بالدواويرamong the encampments
مثل المهاة اللي ربوا بالدواوير
O couriers riding ten outstanding mounts,
Like wild cows raised on the heights
Like oryx raised among the encampments,
Beware girls, soft-bodied, beautiful
حاذرواbeware ياO شوقdarlings of البناتthe girls الغناديرcoquettish
حاذروا يا شوق البنات الغنادير
مِنof قومpeople شنعينfoul اللغاin speech وَالخطابيand address
مِن قوم شنعين اللغا وَالخطابي
Beware, you darlings of coquettish girls,
Of foul-mouthed evil speakers
Of people foul in speech and address.
I’ve armed myself against treachery and deceit
مِنfrom لندرLondon اجبتI brought الفشكcartridges وَالفروديand pistols
مِن لندر اجبت الفشك وَالفرودي
وَمِنand from العَجمPersia عشرةten صَوارمkeen swords هُنوديIndian
وَمِن العَجم عشرة صَوارم هُنودي
From London I brought cartridges and pistols,
And ten Indian blades, polished swords
And from Persia ten keen Indian swords.
Girt with courage born of ancient valor
وَتجندواand arm yourselves سمرdark الشَواربof moustache فهوديmy leopards
وَتجندوا سمر الشَوارب فهودي
مثلlike الشبالlion cubs الليwhich ربواwere raised بالغوابيin the forests
مثل الشبال اللي ربوا بالغوابي
Arm yourselves, dark-moustached men, my leopards,
You, guardians of the tents against disgrace
Like lion cubs raised in the forests.
Our heritage is the long-ranging lands
عشرةten قديماتold firearms مِنof شغلthe workmanship of جايلJa'il
عشرة قديمات مِن شغل جايل
تحزمواgird yourselves بهِwith it ياO حماةprotectors of الدبايلbraided maidens
تحزموا بهِ يا حماة الدبايل
Ten old firearms, made by Ja'il—
Your spirit always dutiful and obedient
Gird yourselves with them, protectors of braided maidens.
O people of the caravan, my wish and will
أنتمyou مَواريثare heirs to الرُبوعthe ancestral homes الطوايلlofty
أنتم مَواريث الرُبوع الطوايل
وَطوعاتكمand your obedient mounts منfrom خاصthe choicest خاصof the choicest الركابيriding-camels
وَطوعاتكم من خاص خاص الركابي
You are heirs to lofty ancestral homes,
Is to join you to Sumeyya one day
And your obedient mounts are the choicest of the choice.
Without it, I’ve no other aim or good intention
ياهلO people of الركايبthe riding-camels نيَتيmy intention وَالطويةand inward wish
ياهل الركايب نيَتي وَالطوية
وديI wish تودواyou to carry كاغديmy letter للسميةto al-Samiyya
ودي تودوا كاغدي للسمية
O camel riders, my intent and inward wish
My books are guides leading rightly
Is that you carry my letter to al-Samiyya.
Take care at the resting places, don’t abandon them
وِمنand apart from غَيرِهاthat ماليI have no غَرضpurpose جَيدserious نيهintention
وِمن غَيرِها مالي غَرض جَيد نيه
ياO مرافقينcompanions of الرُشدsound judgment دونكمhere is for you كتابيmy letter
يا مرافقين الرُشد دونكم كتابي
Beyond that, I have no other serious purpose or intention.
Before the fourth hour, don’t reprimand them
Companions of sound judgment, here is my letter.
Afterwards, no harm to strongly whip them
وَتولمواand prepare yourselves ياO هلpeople of الركايبthe riding-camels المراويحjourneying
وَتولموا يا هل الركايب المراويح
مِنfrom فوقupon عجلاتswift الخطاof foot للمصابيحfor the dawn stages
مِن فوق عجلات الخطا للمصابيح
Prepare yourselves, riders of journeying camels,
They spring up friskier than desert mirages
Upon mounts swift of foot for the dawn stages.
Halt at Sanaub and ready them
الدَربto the road ياO شوقdarlings of البناتthe girls المطاميحfar-gazing
الدَرب يا شوق البنات المطاميح
تركleaving الوَطنthe homeland مِنfrom مخلفينthose left behind الجَوابيthe replies
ترك الوَطن مِن مخلفين الجَوابي
To the road, you darlings of far-gazing girls!
Beat their right hand if they grab the reins
Leave home and those left behind awaiting replies.
If by morning they’re listless, it’s no matter
الدَربto the road ياoh مابوhow many it holds وجوهاfaces شنايعhideous
الدَرب يا مابو وجوها شنايع
الدَربto the road ياoh مابوhow many it holds هوالterrors وروايعand frights
الدَرب يا مابو هوال وروايع
To the road—how many hideous faces it holds!
I wish you’d stop like erect milestones
To the road—how many terrors and frights it holds!
From there near Singar, hasten your pace
دركتُكمyour protection للماto Him who never يخيبfails الودايعentrusted things
دركتُكم للما يخيب الودايع
وَخلفتكمand I commend you للمصطفىto the Chosen One وَالقطابيand the spiritual poles
وَخلفتكم للمصطفى وَالقطابي
I entrust your safety to Him who never fails a trust,
Turn south away from the mountains as you come upon them
And commend you to the Chosen One and the spiritual poles.
At Diyar Bakr, if it fits your path
سيرواtravel عَلىunder مدthe bounty of الكَريمthe Generous One اسهجوهنurge them onward
سيروا عَلى مد الكَريم اسهجوهن
قبلbefore أربعاًfour days حاذرواtake care لاnot to تنهروهنscold them
قبل أربعاً حاذروا لا تنهروهن
Travel under the Generous One's bounty; urge them onward.
Have those from Mardin rejoin and speak
For the first four days, take care not to scold them;
Thereafter on to the steppe, skirt its waters
منfrom عقبهاafter that لاno باسharm لَوif تنهموهنyou urge them with cries
من عقبها لا باس لَو تنهموهن
قامنthey begin يزازنto spring along مثلlike قَطعpatches of السَرابيthe mirage
قامن يزازن مثل قَطع السَرابي
After that, there is no harm in urging them with cries.
Hama and Homs, walking its expanse
They will spring along like patches of shimmering mirage.
On to Damascus which all who see her seek
العَصرin the afternoon مِنfrom سينابSinab قومواmount عليهنupon them
العَصر مِن سيناب قوموا عليهن
بيواطBiwat باليمنةon the right مخبطthe striking-place of يديهنtheir forefeet
بيواط باليمنة مخبط يديهن
In the afternoon, mount them and leave Sinab;
Her pleasures always varied and renewed
Biwat lies to the right of where their forefeet strike.
In the morning, urge on those noble of repute
إِنif أَصبَحواthey reach morning صمصونSamsun لَوeven if ماnothing عَليهنis upon them
إِن أَصبَحوا صمصون لَو ما عَليهن
أَودI want تقفواyou to cross روسthe crests of هكthose الرَوابيhills
أَود تقفوا روس هك الرَوابي
If they reach Samsun by morning, even carrying nothing,
To the road for Kiswah, a mile brought closer
I want you to cross the crests of those hills.
At Deraya, the way bends from sight
مِنهاfrom there عَلىtoward سنواسSinwas حثواurge نضاكمyour lean mounts
مِنها عَلى سنواس حثوا نضاكم
عاقسطمونيtoward Kastamonu الظهرat noon حينَat the time of مَغداكُمyour midday meal
عاقسطموني الظهر حينَ مَغداكُم
From there toward Sinwas, urge your lean mounts;
Draw near the fortress, though it lies in ruins
Reach Kastamonu at noon, when you take your meal.
Circle Mount Huran, precious to circle around
عَلىtoward أَنقرَهAnkara حروتpress on [uncertain] موقعthe place of عشاكُمyour supper
عَلى أَنقرَه حروت موقع عشاكُم
ضيفواbe guests of أَبوAbu فارسFaris محاريone awaiting الغيابيthe absent
ضيفوا أَبو فارس محاري الغيابي
Press on to Ankara, the place for your supper;
Ask any tribesman, goodness is his habit
Be guests of Abu Faris, who awaits those far away.
The best of men, I speak without partiality
لاwhen نَفسbreathes الضوthe light الحمرred ثَوروهنrouse them
لا نَفس الضو الحمر ثَوروهن
مِنfrom عِندat شاهرShahir وَربهةand Rabha سهجوهنdrive them onward
مِن عِند شاهر وَربهة سهجوهن
When the red light breathes, rouse them;
God’s path and religion and Holy Book
From Shahir and Rabha, drive them onward.
Are your guiding stars, O stewards of righteousness
عاقيسريةtoward Kayseri هونواgo gently وَريحوهنand rest them
عاقيسرية هونوا وَريحوهن
يهشلنthey reach أَبوAbu قاسمQasim حسانexcellent in الصَوابيstriking blows [uncertain]
يهشلن أَبو قاسم حسان الصَوابي
Toward Kayseri, go gently and rest them;
When you pass Singar again, stop for water
They will reach Abu Qasim, whose blows strike true.
From there to Shahhar and Ribhah, lead them
عاtoward أَدناAdana ياO هلpeople of الرَكايبthe riding-camels وَكيسومand Kaysum
عا أَدنا يا هل الرَكايب وَكيسوم
وَديارand Diyar بَكرBakir إِنif كانَthere is بركابكمin your mounts زومstrength
وَديار بَكر إِن كانَ بركابكم زوم
Toward Adana, camel riders, and Kaysum,
At Aqiseriya, rein them in and let them rest
And Diyarbakir, if your mounts still have strength.
They startle Abu Qasim Hussein the righteous
عاtoward ماردينMardin وَفارَقواand leave ديرةthe land of الرُومRum
عا ماردين وَفارَقوا ديرة الرُوم
مِنfrom عقبهاafter that ردواresume اللغاspeech وَالجَوابيand replies
مِن عقبها ردوا اللغا وَالجَوابي
Toward Mardin, and leave the land of Rum;
O people of the caravan and all chieftains
After that, resume your speech and replies.
Those who lead wear faces of glory
وَمِنهاand from there عَلىtoward الشهباAleppo وَأَردواand go down to مياهاits waters
وَمِنها عَلى الشهبا وَأَردوا مياها
حماةHama وَحمصand Homs أَمشواtravel ببرهاthrough their countryside وَفَضاهاand open spaces
حماة وَحمص أَمشوا ببرها وَفَضاها
From there to Aleppo, and water at its waters;
As hosts, capped by hospitality’s crown
Through Hama and Homs, cross their countryside and open spaces.
Binding a pact stronger than iron chains
عَالشامto Damascus كُلeveryone مَنwho شافَهاsaw her ماnot عزاهاdisparaged her [uncertain]
عَالشام كُل مَن شافَها ما عزاها
ريضانهاher meadows متخالفاتvaried in العشابيgrasses
ريضانها متخالفات العشابي
On to Damascus—none who sees her speaks ill of her;
Dismiss the outsider if he cries loudly from the south
Her meadows bear many different grasses.
Our people, these acts bring you dishonor
الصُبحin the morning مِنهاfrom her ياO ضناdescendants of الجُودgenerosity شيلونset off
الصُبح مِنها يا ضنا الجُود شيلون
الدَربthe road عالكسوةtoward al-Kiswa مشيtravel ميلturn دنونDannun
الدَرب عالكسوة مشي ميل دنون
Leave her in the morning, descendants of generosity;
Leaving helpless women and children is base
Take the road toward al-Kiswa, then turn toward Dannun.
Like vacant ruins and a vanishing mirage
عالديرواديtoward Dayr Wadi اللواal-Liwa الدَربthe road مَبخونwell trodden [uncertain]
عالديروادي اللوا الدَرب مَبخون
ميلواturn aside عَنfrom القَلعةthe fortress عَساهاmay it be خَرابيruins
ميلوا عَن القَلعة عَساها خَرابي
Toward Dayr Wadi al-Liwa, the road is well trodden;
Sons of Huran, the elders are not at fault here
Turn aside from the fortress—may it lie in ruins!
When we raced from Numayr to Helisa and Mutah
تلفواyou reach جبلJabal حُورانHauran ياoh عزsplendid مَلفاهits refuge
تلفوا جبل حُوران يا عز مَلفاه
مَنوةthe hope of رَغيفاًa loaf of bread طالبواits seeker دُومalways بدعاهinvoking it in prayer
مَنوة رَغيفاً طالبوا دُوم بدعاه
You will reach Jabal Hauran—what a splendid refuge!
God has returned us now by cursed Satan’s tricks
The bread-seeker's hope, remembered always in his prayers.
And these, our captives, like begging monks
خيرthe finest العَشايرtribes ماnot كَلاميmy words محاباةfavoritism
خير العَشاير ما كَلامي محاباة
اللَهby God وَدينand by the faith of اللَهGod وَحياةand by the life of الكتابيthe Book
اللَه وَدين اللَه وَحياة الكتابي
The finest tribes—my words are no favoritism,
Today there is blame, my friends, and suffering
By God, God's faith, and the life of the Book!
But innocence does not deter criticism
ملفاthe destination of رَكايبكمyour riding-camels وُجوهthe notables of السَميةal-Samiyya
ملفا رَكايبكم وُجوه السَمية
كُلeach منone براسوin his head شومتاa valor عَنتريةworthy of Antara
كُل من براسو شومتا عَنترية
Your mounts' destination is the notables of al-Samiyya,
Heads severed without respite or purpose
Each bearing in his head a valor worthy of Antara.
Who falls behind trying to help is blamed
أَهلthe people of المَضايفguesthouses بِالكَرَمin generosity حاتميةlike Hatim
أَهل المَضايف بِالكَرَم حاتمية
يشدواthey form عويرضa battle line [uncertain] يَومwhen كتthe scattering of الشطابيgunfire [uncertain]
يشدوا عويرض يَوم كت الشطابي
People of guesthouses, Hatim-like in generosity,
Don’t tell the Turks, masters of scorn
They form a battle line when the gunfire scatters.
Knock on Istanbul with mail and messages
انطواhand over المعطرthe perfumed message يالوجوهO faces الفَلايحfortunate
انطوا المعطر يالوجوه الفَلايح
عَنon behalf of الدَخيلthe suppliant إِنif جاhe comes منfrom اليمthat direction صايحcrying out
عَن الدَخيل إِن جا من اليم صايح
Hand over the perfumed message, you fortunate faces,
Plead and petition for heavenly reward
On behalf of the suppliant, should he come crying from afar.
And gird yourselves with good counsel, four wise men
ياO ربعناour people هذهthis عَلَيكُمupon you فَضايحis a disgrace
يا ربعنا هذه عَلَيكُم فَضايح
تَركleaving الحَرايرnoble women فيin ديارthe lands of الجنابيstrangers
تَرك الحَراير في ديار الجنابي
Our people, this is a disgrace upon you:
Known at council meetings dispensing justice
Leaving noble women in strangers' lands.
These are positions measuring status in the community
غارواrise in defense عَلىof عرضthe honor of النساthe women وَالبَناتيand the girls
غاروا عَلى عرض النسا وَالبَناتي
ياO هلpeople of الرباعthe homes الواسعةspacious الفاضياتيempty
يا هل الرباع الواسعة الفاضياتي
Rise to defend the honor of the women and girls,
Brazen and fierce amid war’s havoc
You people of spacious, empty homes!
Stampede the minister’s door and pound on it
ياO جَوادnoble one ماnot ودهاit needs مَلامةblame وَشماتيand gloating
يا جَواد ما ودها مَلامة وَشماتي
اليَومtoday صارhas reached الجَرحthe wound عِندَat النصابيthe hilt
اليَوم صار الجَرح عِندَ النصابي
O noble men, this is no time for blame and gloating;
Board the ship for state council and seize control of it
Today the wound has reached the hilt.
The abode of happiness, your best should occupy it
غارواrise in defense عَلىof الخفراتthe modest women ماnot هوit is عَلَيناabout us
غاروا عَلى الخفرات ما هو عَلَينا
حناwe الرِجالthe men الذَبحslaughter وَالقَتلand killing فيناfall to us
حنا الرِجال الذَبح وَالقَتل فينا
Defend the modest women—it is not about us;
Its rulers judge rightly as the Prophet’s companions
We are men: slaughter and killing fall to us.
Do not hesitate, worry not for me
النَفيexile ماnot هوَit is للحريمfor women الضعيناthe weak
النَفي ما هوَ للحريم الضعينا
مَعwith وَلدهنtheir offspring صارواthey became شبيهlike السَرابيthe mirage
مَع وَلدهن صاروا شبيه السَرابي
Exile is not for weak women;
In every Anatolian town, we are there
With their children, they have become like a mirage.
Those from the Maghreb when Tunis was with us
ماwhat مدخلinvolvement had الخوانthe brothers بأمورin the affairs of حورانHauran
ما مدخل الخوان بأمور حوران
يَومthe day رَكضتI ran مِنfrom نمرةNimra الحيصin panic لمتانto Mitan
يَوم رَكضت مِن نمرة الحيص لمتان
What drew the brothers into Hauran's affairs,
Their star still shines after disappearance
The day I ran in panic from Nimra to Mitan?
The writer turns to his Lord over his servant
اللَهGod قردناafflicted us بِأَمرthrough a command مَلعونcursed شَيطانa devil
اللَه قردنا بِأَمر مَلعون شَيطان
وَصارَتand became سبايبناthe causes of our plight هذيكthose الطلابيclaims
وَصارَت سبايبنا هذيك الطلابي
God afflicted us through the command of a cursed devil,
Leave me be, ordained by fate, confused
And those claims became the cause of our plight.
My burning tears flow down my cheek
اليَومtoday الملامةreproach ياO رفاقاcomrades مصايبcalamities
اليَوم الملامة يا رفاقا مصايب
وَرَأساًand a head بِلاwithout شُومةhonor مِنfrom الساسthe root عايبflawed
وَرَأساً بِلا شُومة مِن الساس عايب
Today, comrades, reproach brings calamities;
My head turned white from too much blame
A head without honor is flawed at its very root.
I’ve seen nothing better matching my state
يَقطَعlet it be cut off بلاwithout عدreckoning وَمحاكيand argument وَطلايبand claims
يَقطَع بلا عد وَمحاكي وَطلايب
وَالليand whoever يُؤخرwithholds جهدeffort عَناfrom us يعابيdeserves reproach
وَاللي يُؤخر جهد عَنا يعابي
Let it be cut off without reckoning, argument, or claims;
Except destiny places barriers before us
Whoever withholds his effort from us deserves reproach.
A servant seeks truth from the wise
ماdo you not تخبرونknow التركthe Turks دَولةa state of بَراطيلbribes
ما تخبرون الترك دَولة بَراطيل
لمواgather دراهمmoney لاdo not تساوواmake تماطيلdelays
لموا دراهم لا تساووا تماطيل
Do you not know the Turks are a state of bribes?
Wounds comforted soothe a hundred sorrows
Gather money; do not delay.
I conclude by praising the Chosen One
دقواsend word عَلىto اسطنبولIstanbul بِالبَرقby telegraph وَالتيلand wire
دقوا عَلى اسطنبول بِالبَرق وَالتيل
وَتوسلواand intercede وَتوقعواand hope للثَوابيfor rewards
وَتوسلوا وَتوقعوا للثَوابي
Send word to Istanbul by telegraph and wire;
May he bless those who lose themselves in his glory
Intercede and hope for rewards.
O God whom the soul calls when death comes near
وَتحزمواand gird yourselves بِالشوفwith the Shuf أَربعfour حزاماتbelts of support
وَتحزموا بِالشوف أَربع حزامات
ياماhow often لَهُمthey have بِالناشمةin gallant aid دُومalways عاداتcustoms
ياما لَهُم بِالناشمة دُوم عادات
Gird yourselves with four strong belts from the Shuf;
Open for us the door to hidden knowledge
How often gallant aid has been their constant custom!
ذوليthose مَناصبthe chieftains of قيسQays عَالناسover people ساداتlords
ذولي مَناصب قيس عَالناس سادات
صلفينformidable يَومon the day of الكُونbattle يَومon the day of الحرابيwar
صلفين يَوم الكُون يَوم الحرابي
Those are the chieftains of Qays, lords over men,
Formidable in battle, on the day of war.
طخواknock عَلىupon بوابthe doors of الوزرthe ministers وَاقرعوهاand beat upon them
طخوا عَلى بواب الوزر وَاقرعوها
سجواproceed عَلىonto فلكa vessel للججfor the deep seas وَاركبوهاand board her
سجوا عَلى فلك للجج وَاركبوها
Knock upon the ministers' doors and beat upon them;
Go to a vessel for the deep seas, and board her.
دارthe Abode of السَعادةFelicity خياركمyour best men يوصلوهاshould reach it
دار السَعادة خياركم يوصلوها
وَملوكهاand its rulers بِالحُكمin judgment مثلlike الصحابيthe Companions
وَملوكها بِالحُكم مثل الصحابي
Let your best men reach the Abode of Felicity;
Its rulers are like the Companions in judgment.
ماnot ضنI think مِنكُمamong you خاليuntroubled البالin mind مناabout us
ما ضن مِنكُم خالي البال منا
مِنfrom كُلevery قَريةvillage بِالأَناضولin Anatolia عَناsuffering
مِن كُل قَرية بِالأَناضول عَنا
I do not think any of you is unconcerned about us.
In every village of Anatolia, we suffer;
وَالليand those who مغربare far west يَومtoward [uncertain] تونسTunis معناwith us
وَاللي مغرب يَوم تونس معنا
وَالليand those برودسin Rhodes نجمهمtheir star بَعدstill غابيset
وَاللي برودس نجمهم بَعد غابي
Those far west, toward Tunis, share our lot,
And those in Rhodes—their star is still set.
وَالكاتبوand what He has written ربكyour Lord عَلىfor العَبدthe servant صايرwill happen
وَالكاتبو ربك عَلى العَبد صاير
دَعنيleave me أَناI مَقضوبheld captive ياO لربعcomrades حايرbewildered
دَعني أَنا مَقضوب يا لربع حاير
What your Lord has written for His servant will happen.
Leave me; I am captive, comrades, bewildered.
مِنfrom وَهجيmy burning anguish دَمعيmy tears عَلىupon الخَدthe cheek فايرboiling
مِن وَهجي دَمعي عَلى الخَد فاير
وَالراسand the head مِنfrom زودthe excess of المَلاماتreproaches شابيhas turned gray
وَالراس مِن زود المَلامات شابي
From my burning anguish, tears boil upon my cheek;
My head has turned gray from so much reproach.
ماnot غَيرexcept هذاthis شَيءa thing شفتوI saw it مُوافقfitting
ما غَير هذا شَيء شفتو مُوافق
غَيرyet القَدرfate يَنطيcasts عَلَيناupon us عَوايقobstacles
غَير القَدر يَنطي عَلَينا عَوايق
I have seen nothing else fitting but this,
Yet fate casts obstacles upon us.
العَبدthe servant يَسعىstrives عِندَamong أَهلthe people of الحَقايقtruth
العَبد يَسعى عِندَ أَهل الحَقايق
وَالرضبand the Lord [uncertain reading] يفرجهاbrings relief from it عَلىthrough مَيتa hundred بابيdoors
وَالرضب يفرجها عَلى مَيت بابي
A man must strive among those who know the truth,
And the Lord brings relief through a hundred doors.
بِالمُصطَفىwith the Chosen One أَختمI close كَلاماًwords بَدَيناهwe began them
بِالمُصطَفى أَختم كَلاماً بَدَيناه
يَرحمmay He have mercy لِمَنon whoever أَضاعَتhave wasted ثَناياthe winding paths عَناهhis toil
يَرحم لِمَن أَضاعَت ثَنايا عَناه
With the Chosen One I close the words we began.
May He pity one whose toil is lost among winding paths.
ياO اللَهGod يالليO You whom زاهقdeparting النَفسthe soul يدعاهcalls upon Him
يا اللَه ياللي زاهق النَفس يدعاه
تَفتحopen لَناfor us مِنfrom غامضthe hidden mysteries of العلمknowledge بابيa door
تَفتح لَنا مِن غامض العلم بابي
O God, whom the dying soul calls upon,
Open for us a door into knowledge's hidden mysteries.
Partial English translation: 159 of 182 Arabic lines translated.