يَاO حُرَّHurr أَمْسَيْتُI have become شَيْخاًan old man قَدْalready وَهَىhas weakened بَصَرِيmy sight
يَا حُرَّ أَمْسَيْتُ شَيْخاً قَدْ وَهَى بَصَرِي
وَالْتَاثَand has grown troubled مَاwhat دُونَbefore يَوْمِthe day الوَعْدِof the promise مِنْof عُمُرِيmy life
وَالْتَاثَ مَا دُونَ يَوْمِ الوَعْدِ مِنْ عُمُرِي
O Hurr, I have grown old, and my sight has weakened.
O Hurr, I have aged, my vision has weakened
What remains of my life before the promised day has grown troubled.
And all that remains of my life is less than the time I still have
يَاO حُرَّHurr مَنْwhoever يَعْتَذِرْseeks exemption مِنْfrom أَنْthat يُلِمَّshould befall بِهِhim
يَا حُرَّ مَنْ يَعْتَذِرْ مِنْ أَنْ يُلِمَّ بِهِ
رَيْبُthe reversals الزَّمَانِof time فَإِنيthen I غَيْرُam not مُعْتَذِرِseeking exemption
رَيْبُ الزَّمَانِ فَإِني غَيْرُ مُعْتَذِرِ
O Hurr, whoever seeks exemption from being visited
O Hurr, who can apologize for the misfortunes of time?
By time's reversals—I seek no exemption.
For I have no excuse against the calamities of fate
يَاO حُرَّHurr أَمْسىhas become سَوادُthe blackness الرَّأْسِof the head خَالَطَهُmingled with it
يَا حُرَّ أَمْسى سَوادُ الرَّأْسِ خَالَطَهُ
شَيْبُgray hair القَذالِof the nape اخْتِلاَطَlike the mingling الصَفْوِof clear water بِالْكَدَرِwith turbid water
شَيْبُ القَذالِ اخْتِلاَطَ الصَفْوِ بِالْكَدَرِ
O Hurr, the blackness of my head is now mingled
O Hurr, the blackness of my hair is now mixed with grey
With gray at the nape, as clear water mingles with turbid.
The purity intermingled with the murkiness
يَاO حُرَّHurr أَمْسَتْhave become تَلِيَّاتُthe last remnants الصِّبَاof youth ذَهَبَتْgone
يَا حُرَّ أَمْسَتْ تَلِيَّاتُ الصِّبَا ذَهَبَتْ
فَلْسْتُso I am not مِنْهَاof them عَلَىin possession of عَيْنٍa visible substance ولاَnor أَثَرِa trace
فَلْسْتُ مِنْهَا عَلَى عَيْنٍ ولاَ أَثَرِ
O Hurr, the last remnants of youth have gone;
O Hurr, the twisting locks of my youth are gone
I have neither their substance nor their trace.
I have no trace or sign of them left
قَدْonce كُنْتُI used to أَهْدِيguide ولاand not أُهْدَىbe guided فَعَلَّمَنِيso taught me
قَدْ كُنْتُ أَهْدِي ولا أُهْدَى فَعَلَّمَنِي
حُسْنَgoodness المَقَادَةِof being led أَنِّيthat I فَاتَنِيhad lost بَصَرِيmy sight
حُسْنَ المَقَادَةِ أَنِّي فَاتَنِي بَصَرِي
I once guided others and was not guided; what taught me
I used to give gifts but receive none, so time
To follow well was the loss of my sight.
Taught me the beauty of restraint as my sight left me
كَانَwas الشَّبَابُyouth لِحَاجَاتٍfor desires وكُنَّand they were لَهُfor it
كَانَ الشَّبَابُ لِحَاجَاتٍ وكُنَّ لَهُ
فَقَدْso already فَرَغْتُI have turned إلَىto حَاجَاتِيmy concerns الأُخَرِthe other ones
فَقَدْ فَرَغْتُ إلَى حَاجَاتِي الأُخَرِ
Youth served certain desires, and those desires served it;
My youth was preoccupied with its own needs, as time
Now I have turned to my other concerns.
Moved me on to my other needs of older age
رَامَيْتُI exchanged shots with شَيْبِيmy gray hair كِلاَنَاboth of us قَائِمٌstanding حِجَجاًfor years
رَامَيْتُ شَيْبِي كِلاَنَا قَائِمٌ حِجَجاً
سِتِّينَsixty ثُمَّthen ارْتَمَيْنَاwe exchanged shots أَقْرَبَat the nearest الفُقَرِvertebrae
سِتِّينَ ثُمَّ ارْتَمَيْنَا أَقْرَبَ الفُقَرِ
I traded arrows with my gray hair, both of us standing, for years—
I cast my grey hair as my riding beast, both of us standing firm
Sixty—then we shot at the nearest vertebrae.
Sixty years since, and then closer to poverty we crept
رَامَيْتُهُI exchanged shots with it مُنْذُsince رَاعَstartled الشَّيْبُgray hair فَالِيَتِيmy louse-picker
رَامَيْتُهُ مُنْذُ رَاعَ الشَّيْبُ فَالِيَتِي
ومِثْلُهُand as much as it قَبْلُهbefore it فيin سَالِفِthe earlier part العُمُرِof life
ومِثْلُهُ قَبْلُه في سَالِفِ العُمُرِ
I fought it since gray hair startled my louse-picker,
I cast it away since grey hairs first sprouted
And as many years before that in my earlier life.
And for as many years again in my past life
أرْمِيI shoot at النُّحُورَthe throats فَأُشْوِيهاbut miss their vital spots وتَثْلِمُنِيand it chips me
أرْمِي النُّحُورَ فَأُشْوِيها وتَثْلِمُنِي
ثَلْمَlike the chipping الإِنَاءِof a vessel فَأَغْدُوso I go forth غَيْرَnot مُنْتَصِرِavenged
ثَلْمَ الإِنَاءِ فَأَغْدُو غَيْرَ مُنْتَصِرِ
I shoot at throats, striking no vital spot, while it chips me
I shoot arrows but grey hairs make me miss
As a vessel is chipped, and I go forth unavenged,
As a cracked vessel, I set forth without victory
فيin الظَّهْرِthe back والرَّأْسِand the head حَتَّىuntil يَسْتَمِرَّgrows taut بِهِupon him
في الظَّهْرِ والرَّأْسِ حَتَّى يَسْتَمِرَّ بِهِ
قَصْرُthe shortness الهِجَارِof the hobble وفيand in السَّاقَيْنِthe two legs كَالفَتَرِlike a finger-span
قَصْرُ الهِجَارِ وفي السَّاقَيْنِ كَالفَتَرِ
In back and head, until the body is held fast
In my back and head, decay grew
By a shortened hobble, with a finger-span between the legs.
And my legs became unsteady like one exhausted
قَالَتْsaid سُلَيْمَىSulayma بِبَطْنِin the hollow القَاعِof the plain مِنْof سُرُحٍSuruh
قَالَتْ سُلَيْمَى بِبَطْنِ القَاعِ مِنْ سُرُحٍ
لاَno خَيْرَgood فيin العَيْشِliving بَعْدَafter الشَّيْبِgray hair والكِبَرِand old age
لاَ خَيْرَ في العَيْشِ بَعْدَ الشَّيْبِ والكِبَرِ
Sulayma said in the hollow plain of Suruh:
Sulaima said from the valley of Suruh
'There is no good in living after gray hair and old age.'
There is no good in life after grey hair and old age
واسْتَهْزَأَتْand mocked تِرْبُهَاher age-mate مِنِّيme فَقُلْتُso I said لَهَاto her
واسْتَهْزَأَتْ تِرْبُهَا مِنِّي فَقُلْتُ لَهَا
مَاذَاwhat تَعِيبَانِdo you two fault مِنِّيin me يَاO بْنَتَيْtwo daughters عَصَرِof ‘Asr
مَاذَا تَعِيبَانِ مِنِّي يَا بْنَتَيْ عَصَرِ
Her companion mocked me, and I said to her:
And the dust of her grave mocked me, so I said
'What do you two fault in me, daughters of ‘Asr?
What do you find ugly in me, my two daughters of my time?
لَوْلاَwere it not for الحَيَاءُmodesty ولَوْلاَand were it not for الدِّينُreligion عِبْتُكُمَاI would fault you both
لَوْلاَ الحَيَاءُ ولَوْلاَ الدِّينُ عِبْتُكُمَا
بِبَعْضِfor some of مَاwhat فِيكُمَاis in you both إِذْsince عِبْتُماyou both faulted عَوَرِيmy defective sight
بِبَعْضِ مَا فِيكُمَا إِذْ عِبْتُما عَوَرِي
Were it not for modesty, and were it not for religion, I would fault you both
If not for shyness and faith, I would have
For some of what is in you, since you faulted my defective sight.
Responded about some of your own shame, when you shamed my flaws
قَدْindeed قُلْتُمَاyou two said لِيَto me قَوْلاًa saying لاَno أَبَاfather لَكُمَاfor you two
قَدْ قُلْتُمَا لِيَ قَوْلاً لاَ أَبَا لَكُمَا
فِيهِin it حَدِيثٌmatter for discussion عَلَىdespite مَاwhat كَانَthere was مِنْof قِصَرِbrevity
فِيهِ حَدِيثٌ عَلَى مَا كَانَ مِنْ قِصَرِ
You have said something to me—may you have no father!—
You both spoke words to me, shameless girls,
That gives much to discuss, short though it was.
About what was due to my diminished strength
مَاnot أَنْتُمَاyou two والَّذِيand what خَالَتْimagined حُلُومُكُمَاyour two minds
مَا أَنْتُمَا والَّذِي خَالَتْ حُلُومُكُمَا
إِلاَّexcept كَحَيْرَانَlike a bewildered person إذْwhen يَسْريhe travels by night بِلاَwithout قَمَرِa moon
إِلاَّ كَحَيْرَانَ إذْ يَسْري بِلاَ قَمَرِ
You two, with what your minds have imagined,
You are but like lost camels with no moon,
Are only like someone bewildered, traveling by night without a moon.
Your forms molded from darkness and night
إنْif يَنْقُضِunravels الدَّهْرُtime مِنِّيfrom me مِرَّةٍstrength لِبِلىًinto decay
إنْ يَنْقُضِ الدَّهْرُ مِنِّي مِرَّةٍ لِبِلىً
فَالدَّهْرُthen time أَرْوَدmoves slowly بِالأَقْوَامِupon peoples ذُوِpossessing غَيرِchanges
فَالدَّهْرُ أَرْوَد بِالأَقْوَامِ ذُوِ غَيرِ
If time unravels my strength into decay,
If time destroys me once with decay
Time moves slowly upon peoples, bringing changes.
Then time brings down nations with its changes
لَقَدْindeed قَضَيْتُI have fulfilled فَلاَso do not تَسْتَهْزِئَاyou two mock سَفَهاًfoolishly
لَقَدْ قَضَيْتُ فَلاَ تَسْتَهْزِئَا سَفَهاً
مِمَّاfrom what تَقَمَّأْتُهُI gathered مِنْof لَذَّةٍpleasure وَطَرِيmy desire
مِمَّا تَقَمَّأْتُهُ مِنْ لَذَّةٍ وَطَرِي
I have satisfied—so do not foolishly mock—
Do not mock foolishly what I have tasted
My desire with the pleasures I gathered.
Of pleasure and fertilty before decay
يَاO جَارَتَيَّmy two neighbors عَلَىtoward ثَاجٍThaj طَرِيقُكُمَاyour two paths
يَا جَارَتَيَّ عَلَى ثَاجٍ طَرِيقُكُمَا
سَيْراًtraveling حَثِيثاًswiftly أَلَّماhave you not yet تَعْلَمَاyou two learned خَبَرِيmy story
سَيْراً حَثِيثاً أَلَّما تَعْلَمَا خَبَرِي
O my two neighbors, your road lies toward Thaj:
O neighbors, your path is upon a rugged road
Travel swiftly—have you not yet learned my story?
Travel gently, do not pretend to know my story!
أَنِّيthat I أُقَيِّدُtether بِالْمَأْثُورِwith the patterned sword رَاحِلَتِيmy riding camel
أَنِّي أُقَيِّدُ بِالْمَأْثُورِ رَاحِلَتِي
ولاَand not أُبَالِيI care ولَوْeven if كُنَّاwe were عَلَىon سَفَرِa journey
ولاَ أُبَالِي ولَوْ كُنَّا عَلَى سَفَرِ
That I tether my riding camel with a patterned sword,
I tie my she-camel with tradition though we travel far
And do not care, even when we are traveling.
And I do not care even if we are on a journey
لاَnot تَأْمَنُfeel safe from السَّيْفَthe sword إذْwhen رَوَّحْتُهَاI brought them home at evening إِبِليmy camels
لاَ تَأْمَنُ السَّيْفَ إذْ رَوَّحْتُهَا إِبِلي
حَتَّىuntil تَرَىyou see نِيبَهَاtheir aged she-camels يَضْمِزْنَchewing with closed jaws بِالْجِرَرِtheir cud
حَتَّى تَرَى نِيبَهَا يَضْمِزْنَ بِالْجِرَرِ
My camels do not feel safe from the sword when I bring them home at evening,
The sword is not safe if I unsheathe it around my camels
Until you see the aged she-camels chewing their cud with closed jaws.
Until you see the flash of its lightning strike
مَاwhichever يُصِبِstrikes السَّيْفُthe sword سَاقَهُits shank فَحُقَّthen it is fitting لَهُfor it
مَا يُصِبِ السَّيْفُ سَاقَهُ فَحُقَّ لَهُ
ومَاand what تَدَعُleaves ضَرْبَتِيmy blow لاَnot يُنْجِهِwill save it حَذَرِيmy caution
ومَا تَدَعُ ضَرْبَتِي لاَ يُنْجِهِ حَذَرِي
Whichever camel's shank the sword strikes deserves its fate;
My sword blow does not miss its target
What my blow leaves, my caution will not save.
And my strike cannot be avoided by caution
ولاَand not أَقُومُI stand عَلَىover حَوْضيmy watering-trough فَأَمْنَعُهُand deny access to it
ولاَ أَقُومُ عَلَى حَوْضي فَأَمْنَعُهُ
بَذْلَstretching out اليَمِينthe right hand بِسَوْطِيwith my whip بَادِياًshowing حُتُرِيmy stinginess
بَذْلَ اليَمِين بِسَوْطِي بَادِياً حُتُرِي
Nor do I stand over my watering-trough to keep others from it,
I do not stand at the water trough and withhold it
Stretching out my right hand with my whip, my stinginess showing.
Showing my arms, striking with my whip
ولاَand not تَهَيَّبُنيfrightens me المَومَاةُthe wilderness أَرْكَبُهَاI cross it
ولاَ تَهَيَّبُني المَومَاةُ أَرْكَبُهَا
إِذَاwhen تَجَاوَبَتِanswer one another الأَصْداءُthe owls بِالسَّحَرِbefore dawn
إِذَا تَجَاوَبَتِ الأَصْداءُ بِالسَّحَرِ
Nor does the wilderness frighten me; I cross it
The owl's hooting does not frighten me as I ride it
When owls answer one another before dawn.
When the echoes respond at dawn
ولاَand not أَقُومُI rise إِلَىagainst الْمَوْلَىthe ally فَأَشْتُمُهُand revile him
ولاَ أَقُومُ إِلَى الْمَوْلَى فَأَشْتُمُهُ
ولاَand not يُخْدِّشُهُscratches him نَابِيmy fang ولاَnor ظُفَرِيmy claw
ولاَ يُخْدِّشُهُ نَابِي ولاَ ظُفَرِي
Nor do I rise against my ally and revile him,
Nor do I rise against the Master and insult him
Nor does my fang scratch him, nor my claw.
My tusks and claws do not touch him
أَبْقَىhave left خُطُوبٌhardships وحَاجاتٌand needs تُضَيِّفُنيthat beset me
أَبْقَى خُطُوبٌ وحَاجاتٌ تُضَيِّفُني
ومَاand what جَنَىyielded الدَّهْرُtime مِنْof صَفْوٍclear fortune ومِنْand of كَدَرِturbid fortune
ومَا جَنَى الدَّهْرُ مِنْ صَفْوٍ ومِنْ كَدَرِ
Hardships and needs that beset me have left me,
I have remaining battles and needs that visit me
And what time has yielded of clear fortune and turbid,
And whatever the days have collected of sweet and bitter
مِثْلَlike الحُسَامِthe keen sword كَرِيماًgenerous عِنْدَin خِلَّتِهِhis poverty
مِثْلَ الحُسَامِ كَرِيماً عِنْدَ خِلَّتِهِ
لِكُلِّfor every إِزْرَةِturn هذاof this الدَّهْرِage ذَاpossessing إِزَرِstrength
لِكُلِّ إِزْرَةِ هذا الدَّهْرِ ذَا إِزَرِ
Like a keen sword, generous in poverty,
Like the noble Indian swords in their status
Strong against every turn of this age.
Meet for every coarse garment of this age
يَاO لَيْتَwould that ليI had سَلْوَةًsolace يُشْفَىis healed الفؤَادُthe heart بِهَاby it
يَا لَيْتَ لي سَلْوَةً يُشْفَى الفؤَادُ بِهَا
مِنْof بَعْضِsome مَاof what يَعْتَرِيassails قَلْبِيmy heart مِنْof الذِّكَرِmemories
مِنْ بَعْضِ مَا يَعْتَرِي قَلْبِي مِنْ الذِّكَرِ
Would that I had a solace by which my heart could be healed
Oh that I had some consolation to comfort my heart
Of some of the memories that assail it.
From some of what saddens my heart from memories
أَوِلَيْتَor would that أَنَّindeed النَّوَىseparation قَبْلَbefore البِلىdecay جَمَعَتْhad united
أَوِلَيْتَ أَنَّ النَّوَى قَبْلَ البِلى جَمَعَتْ
شَعْبَيْthe two branches نَوَىof separation مُصْعِدٍone going uphill مِنَّاof us ومُنْحَدِرِand one going downhill
شَعْبَيْ نَوَى مُصْعِدٍ مِنَّا ومُنْحَدِرِ
Or would that separation, before decay, had brought together
If only the good old days before decay
Our two parted bands, one traveling uphill, the other down.
Had brought our scattered tribes together
عَادreturned الأَذِلَّةُthe lowly فيin دَارٍa dwelling وكانَand there had been بهَاin it
عَاد الأَذِلَّةُ في دَارٍ وكانَ بهَا
هُرْتُbroad الشَّقَاشِقِthroat-sacs ظَلاَّمُونَruthless slayers لِلْجُزُرِof slaughter-camels
هُرْتُ الشَّقَاشِقِ ظَلاَّمُونَ لِلْجُزُرِ
Lowly men have returned to a dwelling where once there were
The weak returned to the house where once
Men with broad, swelling throats, ruthless to slaughter-camels.
I scared away the oppressive villains in the darkness
يَاO عيْنِeye بَكِّيweep for حُنَيْفاًHunayf رَأْسَthe chief حَيِّهِمُof their clan
يَا عيْنِ بَكِّي حُنَيْفاً رَأْسَ حَيِّهِمُ
الكَاسِرِينَthose breaking القَنَاthe spears فيinto عَوْرَةِthe exposed part الدُّبُرِof the rear
الكَاسِرِينَ القَنَا في عَوْرَةِ الدُّبُرِ
O eye, weep for Hunayf, chief of their clan,
Oh eye, weep sincerely for the head of their tribe
Those who break spears into the exposed rear,
That bent the spear in the darkest night
والحَامِلِينَand those bearing burdens إِذَاwhen مَاindeed جَرَّbrought guilt جَارِمُهُمْtheir offender
والحَامِلِينَ إِذَا مَا جَرَّ جَارِمُهُمْ
بِحَامِلٍwith a bearer غَيْرnot خَوَّارٍweak ولاَnor ضَجِرِimpatient
بِحَامِلٍ غَيْر خَوَّارٍ ولاَ ضَجِرِ
And shoulder the burden when their offender brings guilt,
And who, when their wickedness passed all bounds,
With a bearer neither weak nor impatient,
Bore it without dismay or weariness
والضَّارِبِينَand those casting بِأَيْدِيهِمْwith their hands إذَاwhen نَهَدَتْrose
والضَّارِبِينَ بِأَيْدِيهِمْ إذَا نَهَدَتْ
مَثنَىpairs القِدَاحِof gaming arrows وحُبَّتْand was granted فَوْزَةُthe winning الخَطَرِof the stake
مَثنَى القِدَاحِ وحُبَّتْ فَوْزَةُ الخَطَرِ
And cast with their own hands when there rise
Who struck with their hands when the wine cups
The paired gaming arrows and the winning stake is awarded.
Were passed around and the excitement of fortune stirred
أَعْدَاءُfoes كُوِمof lofty الذُّرَىhumps تَرْغُوcry out أجِنَّتُهاtheir unborn calves
أَعْدَاءُ كُوِم الذُّرَى تَرْغُو أجِنَّتُها
عِنْدَat المَجَازِرِthe slaughtering places بَيْنَbetween الحَيِّthe encampment والحُجَرِand the enclosures
عِنْدَ المَجَازِرِ بَيْنَ الحَيِّ والحُجَرِ
Foes of lofty-humped camels, whose unborn calves cry out
Enemies of the horsemen, their tents murmuring
At the slaughtering places between the encampment and the enclosures.
At frontiers between settlements and wilderness
يَمْشيwalk إلَيْهَاtoward them بَنُوthe sons هَيْجَاof battle وإِخْوَتُهَاand its brethren
يَمْشي إلَيْهَا بَنُو هَيْجَا وإِخْوَتُهَا
شُمّاًproud مَخَامِيصَlean-bellied لاَnot يَعْكُونَthey cinch themselves بِالأُزُرِwith waistcloths
شُمّاً مَخَامِيصَ لاَ يَعْكُونَ بِالأُزُرِ
The sons of battle and its brethren walk toward them,
The tribe of Hayjan approached them
Proud and lean of belly, without cinching their waistcloths.
Strong, tearing men who scorned to wear cloaks
فِتيَانُyoung men صِدْقٍof true worth وأَيْسِارٌand gamblers إِذَاwhen افْتَرَشُواthey lay flat
فِتيَانُ صِدْقٍ وأَيْسِارٌ إِذَا افْتَرَشُوا
أقْدَامَهمْtheir feet بَيْنَbetween مَلْحُوفٍone wrapped in clothes ومُنْعَفِرِand one dust-stained
أقْدَامَهمْ بَيْنَ مَلْحُوفٍ ومُنْعَفِرِ
True young men and gamblers, when they lay flat
Trustworthy and noble youths when they spread out
Their feet between one wrapped in clothes and another dust-stained.
Their feet amid softened and hardened earth
شُمُّlofty العَرَانِينof noses يُنْسيهمmakes them forget مَعَاطِفَهُمْtheir cloaks
شُمُّ العَرَانِين يُنْسيهم مَعَاطِفَهُمْ
ضَرْبُthe casting القِدَاحِof gaming arrows وتَأْرِيبٌand coaxing عَلَىof العَسِرِthe reluctant gambler
ضَرْبُ القِدَاحِ وتَأْرِيبٌ عَلَى العَسِرِ
High-nosed men whose cloaks are forgotten amid
They are made heedless of their cloaks by the scent of
The casting of arrows and the coaxing of the reluctant gambler.
Wine passing round, toasting to the hardship of poverty
لاَnot يَفْرَحُونَthey rejoice إِذَاwhen مَاindeed فَازَwins فَائِزُهُمْtheir winner
لاَ يَفْرَحُونَ إِذَا مَا فَازَ فَائِزُهُمْ
ولاَand not تُرَدُّis turned back عَلَيْهِمُupon them أُرْبَةُthe request اليَسَرِof the gambler
ولاَ تُرَدُّ عَلَيْهِمُ أُرْبَةُ اليَسَرِ
They do not rejoice when their winner wins,
They rejoice not when their winner prevails
Nor is a gambler's request refused by them.
And do not flinch when luck goes against them
هُمُthey الخَضَارِمُthe munificent ones والأَيْسَارُand the gamblers إِنْif نُدِبُواthey are summoned
هُمُ الخَضَارِمُ والأَيْسَارُ إِنْ نُدِبُوا
فَلاَthen not تُجِيلُturn about قِدَاحاًgaming arrows رَاحَتاthe two palms بَشرِof a mortal
فَلاَ تُجِيلُ قِدَاحاً رَاحَتا بَشرِ
They are the munificent ones, the gamblers, when summoned;
They are both refined and noble, when called to battle
Then no mortal's two palms can cast the arrows.
Their cups do not cease though their arms rest
قَوْمِيmy people بَنُوthe sons عَامِرٍof ‘Amir فَاخْطِرْso parade proudly بِمِثْلِهِمُmen like them
قَوْمِي بَنُو عَامِرٍ فَاخْطِرْ بِمِثْلِهِمُ
عِنْدَamid الشَّقَاشِقِthe swelling throat-sacs ذَاتِpossessing الجَوْرِexcess وافْتَخِرِand take pride
عِنْدَ الشَّقَاشِقِ ذَاتِ الجَوْرِ وافْتَخِرِ
My people are the sons of ‘Amir: parade men like them,
My people, the sons of Amer - remind them
When throat-sacs swell with unjust boasts, and take pride.
Of this when speaking to the unjust with pride
فِيهِمْamong them تَجَاوَبُanswer one another أَفْلاَءُthe foals الْوَجِيهِof al-Wajih إِذَاwhen
فِيهِمْ تَجَاوَبُ أَفْلاَءُ الْوَجِيهِ إِذَا
صَامَgrew still الضحَىthe morning تَقْدَعُthey repel الذِّبَّانَthe flies بِالنخَرِwith snorts
صَامَ الضحَى تَقْدَعُ الذِّبَّانَ بِالنخَرِ
Among them the foals of al-Wajih answer one another when
Among them the noble flowers of men respond when
The morning stills, repelling flies with snorts.
Fasting in daylight, striking flints to kindle flame
تَعْتَادُهَاvisit them قُرَّحٌfull-grown horses مَلْبُونَةٌmilk-fed خُنُفٌswaying in gait
تَعْتَادُهَا قُرَّحٌ مَلْبُونَةٌ خُنُفٌ
يَنْفُخْنَthey blow فيinto بُرْعُمِthe buds الْحَوْذَانِof buttercups والخَضِرِand green plants
يَنْفُخْنَ في بُرْعُمِ الْحَوْذَانِ والخَضِرِ
Milk-fed, full-grown horses with swaying gaits visit them,
They feed on a mash of aromatic herbs
Blowing into the buds of buttercups and green plants.
Blowing through the perforated nose-bone and greens
جُرْدٌsleek-coated تُبَارِيmatching الشبَاthe spearpoints أُرْقٌslender مَرَاكِلُهَاtheir flanks
جُرْدٌ تُبَارِي الشبَا أُرْقٌ مَرَاكِلُهَا
مِثلُlike السَّرَاحِينِwolves مِنْboth أُنْثَىfemale ومِنْand ذَكَرِmale
مِثلُ السَّرَاحِينِ مِنْ أُنْثَى ومِنْ ذَكَرِ
Sleek-coated, matching spearpoints, slender in their flanks,
Stallions competing with youths, their saddles
Like wolves, both female and male,
Like hill-like camels, females and males
مِنْof كُّلِّevery أَهْوَجَheadlong stallion سِرْدَاحٍtowering ومُقْرَبَةٍand pampered mare
مِنْ كُّلِّ أَهْوَجَ سِرْدَاحٍ ومُقْرَبَةٍ
تُقَاتُis fed يَوْمَon the day لِكَاكِof crowding الوِرْدِat the watering-place بِالْغُمَرِfrom small cups
تُقَاتُ يَوْمَ لِكَاكِ الوِرْدِ بِالْغُمَرِ
Of every headlong, towering stallion and pampered mare,
From every bay-colored and dark-bay steed
Fed from small cups when crowds throng the watering-place.
That grazes one day on the flowering shrub anemone
نَحْنُwe الْمُقِيمُونَthose remaining لَمْnot تَبْرَحْhave departed ظَعَائِنُنَاour women
نَحْنُ الْمُقِيمُونَ لَمْ تَبْرَحْ ظَعَائِنُنَا
لاnot نَسْتَجِيرُwe seek protection ومَنْand whoever يَحْلُلْsettles بِنَاamong us يُجَرِis protected
لا نَسْتَجِيرُ ومَنْ يَحْلُلْ بِنَا يُجَرِ
We are those who remain; our women have not departed.
Wealth of men - were you to see them
We seek no protection, and whoever settles among us is protected.
You would say a flock of wild asses from the mountain
مِنَّاof us بِبَادِيَةِin the wilderness الأَعْرَابِof the Bedouins كِرْكِرْةٌa great host
مِنَّا بِبَادِيَةِ الأَعْرَابِ كِرْكِرْةٌ
إِلَىjoined to كَرَاكِرَgreat hosts بِالأَمْصَارِin the towns والْحَضَرِand settled places
إِلَى كَرَاكِرَ بِالأَمْصَارِ والْحَضَرِ
A great host of ours lives in the Bedouin wilderness,
We quench the thirst of death's long night on its onset
Joined to hosts in the towns and settled places.
And in our misfortune show patience from its trials
فِينَاamong us كَرِاكِرُgreat hosts أَجْوَازٌmassive bodies مُضَبَّرَةٌpacked together
فِينَا كَرِاكِرُ أَجْوَازٌ مُضَبَّرَةٌ
فِيهاin them دُروءٌdefenses إِذَاwhen خِفْنَاwe fear مِنَfrom الزَّوَرِcrooked aggression
فِيها دُروءٌ إِذَا خِفْنَا مِنَ الزَّوَرِ
Among us are great hosts, massive bodies packed together,
We feed the guest dried meat though the winter winds
With defenses whenever we fear crooked aggression.
Howl around the encampment within the courtyard
فِينَاamong us خَنَاذِيذُpeerless chiefs فُرْسَانٍof horsemen وأَلْوِيَةٌand standards
فِينَا خَنَاذِيذُ فُرْسَانٍ وأَلْوِيَةٌ
كُلُّevery سَائِمَةٍgrazing beast مِنْof سَارِحٍa roaming herd عَكَرٍlarge
كُلُّ سَائِمَةٍ مِنْ سَارِحٍ عَكَرٍ
Among us are peerless horsemen and standards,
We heap the fire with logs though the flames rise high
And every grazing beast of great roaming droves.
We do not flinch or shield ourselves from the fire
وثَرْوَةٌand a multitude مِنْof رِجَالٍmen لوْif رَأَيْتَهُمُyou saw them
وثَرْوَةٌ مِنْ رِجَالٍ لوْ رَأَيْتَهُمُ
لقُلْتَyou would say إِحْدَىone حِرَاجِof the thickets الجَرِّof al-Jarr مِنْin أَقُرِAqur
لقُلْتَ إِحْدَى حِرَاجِ الجَرِّ مِنْ أَقُرِ
And a multitude of men whom, if you saw them,
Can you see encampments challenged by opponents
You would call a thicket of al-Jarr in Aqur.
Covering the battlefield between ruins and wineskins
يَسْقِيmakes drink الكُمَاةَthe armored warriors سِجَالَbucketfuls الْمَوْتِof death بَدْأَتُنَاour first attack
يَسْقِي الكُمَاةَ سِجَالَ الْمَوْتِ بَدْأَتُنَا
وعِنْدَand at كَرَّتِنَاour returning charge المُرَّىgreater bitterness مِنَthan الصَّبِرِaloes
وعِنْدَ كَرَّتِنَا المُرَّى مِنَ الصَّبِرِ
Our first attack makes armored warriors drink bucketfuls of death;
They kindled a fire using the branches that were lifted
At our returning charge is bitterness beyond aloes.
From the side of the large cooking pot
ونُطْعِمُand we feed الضَّيْفَthe guest مَعْبُوَطa freshly slaughtered animal السَّنَامِof full hump إِذَاwhen
ونُطْعِمُ الضَّيْفَ مَعْبُوَط السَّنَامِ إِذَا
أَلْوَتْswept away رِيَاحُthe winds الشِّتَاءِof winter الهُوْجُthe wild ones بالحُظُرِthe enclosures
أَلْوَتْ رِيَاحُ الشِّتَاءِ الهُوْجُ بالحُظُرِ
We feed the guest a freshly slaughtered, full-humped camel when
Layla's protectors spent the night seeking for her
Wild winter winds sweep away the enclosures.
Good burning wood, not slight or meager
ونُلْحِفُand we heap upon النَّارَthe fire جَزْلاًthick firewood وَهْيَwhile it بَارِزَةٌis openly displayed
ونُلْحِفُ النَّارَ جَزْلاً وَهْيَ بَارِزَةٌ
ولاَand not نَلُطُّwe conceal ourselves وَرَاءَbehind النّارِthe fire بِالسُّتَرِwith screens
ولاَ نَلُطُّ وَرَاءَ النّارِ بِالسُّتَرِ
We heap thick wood upon the fire, openly displayed,
Then they departed willingly after sacrifice
And do not conceal ourselves behind the fire with screens.
Like the camels of Gilan or Hijaz at dawn
يَاah هَلْdo تَرَىyou see ظُعُناًwomen in howdahs تُحْدَىbeing driven مُقَفِّيَةًdeparting
يَا هَلْ تَرَى ظُعُناً تُحْدَى مُقَفِّيَةً
تغْشَىentering مَخَارِمَpasses بَيْنَbetween الخَبْتِal-Khabt والْخَمَرِand al-Khamar
تغْشَى مَخَارِمَ بَيْنَ الخَبْتِ والْخَمَرِ
Ah, do you see women in howdahs, driven away,
The horses hastened to them until her mount shuddered
Entering passes between al-Khabt and al-Khamar?
A giant, hugely built, uncastrated male
أَوْقَدْنَthey kindled نَاراًa fire بِإِثْبِيتَat Ithbit التيwhich رُفِعَتْwas raised
أَوْقَدْنَ نَاراً بِإِثْبِيتَ التي رُفِعَتْ
مِنْfrom جَانِبِthe side القُفِّof al-Quff ذَاتِpossessing الضَّالِlote-trees والهُبُرِand hollows
مِنْ جَانِبِ القُفِّ ذَاتِ الضَّالِ والهُبُرِ
They kindled a fire at Ithbit, which rises
A stallion swimming powerfully in his creation
From the side of al-Quff, with its lote-trees and hollows.
Fierce, biting his lip, reddening his gray coat
بَاتَتْspent the night حَوَاطِبُthe wood-gatherers لَيْلَىof Layla يَلْتَمِسْنَseeking لَهَاfor her
بَاتَتْ حَوَاطِبُ لَيْلَى يَلْتَمِسْنَ لَهَا
جَزْلَthick pieces الْجِذَاof logs غَيْرَnot خَوَّارٍsoft ولاَnor دَعِرِrotten
جَزْلَ الْجِذَا غَيْرَ خَوَّارٍ ولاَ دَعِرِ
Layla's wood-gatherers spent the night seeking for her
Thick of shoulder, his elbows unscarred
Thick logs, neither soft nor rotten.
Eyes flashing, high-headed and sharp-sighted
ثمَّthen ارْتَحَلْنَthey departed نَيّاًfor Nayy بَعْدafter تَضْحِيَةٍa forenoon halt
ثمَّ ارْتَحَلْنَ نَيّاً بَعْد تَضْحِيَةٍ
مِثْلَlike الْمَخَارِيفِfruiting palms مِنْof جَيْلانَJilan أَوْor هَجَرِHajar
مِثْلَ الْمَخَارِيفِ مِنْ جَيْلانَ أَوْ هَجَرِ
Then they departed for Nayy after a forenoon halt,
I led the wild beasts, keeping back some of her harm
Like fruiting palms of Jilan or Hajar.
Until I was exiled with the baggage camels marching
طَافَتْtended بِهَاthem الفُرْسُthe Persians حَتَّىuntil بَذَّsurpassed نَاهِضَهَاtheir growing shoots
طَافَتْ بِهَا الفُرْسُ حَتَّى بَذَّ نَاهِضَهَا
عُمٌّtall palms لَقِحْنَwere fertilized لِقَاحاًwith fertilization غَيْرَnot مُبْتَسَرِpremature
عُمٌّ لَقِحْنَ لِقَاحاً غَيْرَ مُبْتَسَرِ
Persians tended them until their growing shoots were surpassed
The caravan breathed heavily in the resting places
By tall palms fertilized in season, not prematurely.
While its regiments and fighters snorted loudly
وهَيْكلٍand a great-framed horse سَابِحٍswimming in stride فيin خَلْقِهِhis build طَنَبٌlength
وهَيْكلٍ سَابِحٍ في خَلْقِهِ طَنَبٌ
حَابِيprojecting الشَّراسِيفِin the rib-tips يُرْدِيruns down مَارِدَthe fierce ones الحُمُرِof wild asses
حَابِي الشَّراسِيفِ يُرْدِي مَارِدَ الحُمُرِ
And many a great-framed horse, swimming in his stride, long of build,
In the barren lands the heart quails from it
With projecting rib-tips, runs down fierce wild asses,
The murmuring sounds of the beasts roaring
ضَخْمِmassive الكَرَادِيسِin the joints لَمْnot تُغْمَزْwere found defective أَبَاجِلُهُhis leg-veins
ضَخْمِ الكَرَادِيسِ لَمْ تُغْمَزْ أَبَاجِلُهُ
مهرتwide الشدقof mouth ساميlofty الهمin spirit والنظرand gaze
مهرت الشدق سامي الهم والنظر
Massive-jointed, with unblemished leg-veins,
Among them the moaning unsettled hedgehog
Wide of mouth, lofty in spirit and gaze,
And the tumult like a divorced woman wailing mourning cries
قدindeed قدتI have led للوحشagainst wild beasts أبقيpreserving بعضsome غرتهاof their unawareness
قد قدت للوحش أبقي بعض غرتها
حَتَّىuntil نُبِذْتُI was brought upon بِعَيْرthe ass العَانَةِof the herd النَّعِرِthe braying one
حَتَّى نُبِذْتُ بِعَيْر العَانَةِ النَّعِرِ
I have led against wild beasts, preserving some of their unawareness,
The yellow, blue and gray gazelle stand erect
Until I came upon the herd's braying ass.
Bound to the staff above the flowering shrub
والعَيْرُand the ass يَنْفَحُsnorts فيamong المَكْنَانِthe maknan-herb قَدْalready كَتِنَتْhave become stained
والعَيْرُ يَنْفَحُ في المَكْنَانِ قَدْ كَتِنَتْ
مِنْهُby it جَحَافِلُهُhis lips والعَضْرَسِand by ‘adras-herb الثُّجَرِthick-growing
مِنْهُ جَحَافِلُهُ والعَضْرَسِ الثُّجَرِ
The ass snorts among the maknan-herb; his lips have grown stained
And a raid like the wild cats I ignited
By it and by the thick-growing ‘adras-herb,
I struck it with a spear, sharp-sighted
بِعَازِبِin secluded pasture النَّبْتِof vegetation يَرْتَاعُtakes fright الفُؤَادُthe heart لَهُat it
بِعَازِبِ النَّبْتِ يَرْتَاعُ الفُؤَادُ لَهُ
رَأْدُthe beginning النَّهارِof the day لأَصْوَاتٍat sounds مِنَfrom النُّعَرِgadflies
رَأْدُ النَّهارِ لأَصْوَاتٍ مِنَ النُّعَرِ
In secluded pasture, where the heart takes fright
And my friend pretends to be angry, sullen
At day's first light from the buzzing of gadflies.
Coming between the wild donkey and late afternoon
فِيهِin it مِنَfrom الأَخْرَجِthe mottled one المُرْتَاعِthe startled one قَرْقَرَةٌa rumbling call
فِيهِ مِنَ الأَخْرَجِ المُرْتَاعِ قَرْقَرَةٌ
هَدْرَlike the roaring الدِّيَافِيِّof a Diyafi camel وَسْطَamid الهَجْمَةِthe herd البُحُرِthe vast one
هَدْرَ الدِّيَافِيِّ وَسْطَ الهَجْمَةِ البُحُرِ
There the startled, mottled one makes a rumbling call,
So I rose against him and he reared up
Like a Diyafi camel roaring amid a vast herd.
Bristling, standing on his stirrups unsteadily
والأَزْرَقُand the blue one الأَصْفَرُyellow السِّرْبَالِin covering مُنْتَصِبٌstanding upright
والأَزْرَقُ الأَصْفَرُ السِّرْبَالِ مُنْتَصِبٌ
قِيدَthe length العَصَاof a staff فَوْقَabove ذَيَّالٍa trailing growth مِنَof الزَّهَرِflowers
قِيدَ العَصَا فَوْقَ ذَيَّالٍ مِنَ الزَّهَرِ
And the blue one, yellow-cloaked, stands upright
I unleash my criticism though his tribes are many
A staff's length above a trailing growth of flowers.
Against a handful like the yellow carob pods
وغَارَةًand a raid كقَطَاlike sandgrouse القُرْيَانِof the watercourses مُشْعَلَةٍscattering
وغَارَةً كقَطَا القُرْيَانِ مُشْعَلَةٍ
قَدَعْتُهَاI repelled it بِسَرْندىًwith a powerful steed شَاخِصِkeen البَصَرِof gaze
قَدَعْتُهَا بِسَرْندىً شَاخِصِ البَصَرِ
And a raid, scattering like sandgrouse of the watercourses,
With downcast and silent eyebrows, and slackened cheek
I have repelled on a powerful steed, keen-eyed.
While the eyes peer out beneath the shaggy forelock
وصَاحِبِيand my companion وَهْوَهٌpanting مُسْتَوْهِلٌstartled زَعِلٌfull of ardor
وصَاحِبِي وَهْوَهٌ مُسْتَوْهِلٌ زَعِلٌ
يَحُولُcuts off بَيْنَbetween حِمَارِthe ass الوَحْشِof the wilderness والعَصَرِand refuge
يَحُولُ بَيْنَ حِمَارِ الوَحْشِ والعَصَرِ
My companion pants, startled and full of ardor;
He neighs with both incisors, it removes his bridle
He cuts the wild ass off from refuge.
In the death throes as the jinn witness his end
فَقُمْتُso I rose أَلْجُمُهُto bridle him وقَامَand he rose مُشْتَرِفاًlifting himself
فَقُمْتُ أَلْجُمُهُ وقَامَ مُشْتَرِفاً
عَلَىupon سَنَابِكِهِhis hooves فيwith شَائِلٍa raised tail يَسَرِsupple
عَلَى سَنَابِكِهِ في شَائِلٍ يَسَرِ
I rose to bridle him, and he rose, lifting himself
I say, and the rope is drawn tight around his muzzle
Upon his hooves, lightly raising his tail.
Loosened for him if its handle slips from our grasp
أُرْخِيI loosen العِذَارَthe cheek-strap وإِنْeven though طَالَتْare long قَبَائِلُهُhis skull-plates
أُرْخِي العِذَارَ وإِنْ طَالَتْ قَبَائِلُهُ
عَنْaway from حَشْرَةٍa slender ear مِثْلِlike سِنْفِa pod المَرْخَةِof the markh shrub الصَّفِرِyellow
عَنْ حَشْرَةٍ مِثْلِ سِنْفِ المَرْخَةِ الصَّفِرِ
I loosen the cheek-strap, though his skull-plates are long,
And the heart has a pocket beneath its fold
Away from a slender ear like a yellow markh-pod,
For the blood of Al-Walid behind the back with a stone
فيwith حَاجِبٍa brow خَاشِعٍlowered ومَاضِغٍand a chewing muscle لَهِزٍlean
في حَاجِبٍ خَاشِعٍ ومَاضِغٍ لَهِزٍ
والعَيْنُand the eye تَكْشِفُpushes aside عَنْهَاfrom itself ضَافِيَabundant الشَّعَرِhair
والعَيْنُ تَكْشِفُ عَنْهَا ضَافِيَ الشَّعَرِ
With a lowered brow and a lean chewing muscle.
As if a lizard tightened its belt around
His eye pushes aside the abundant hair covering it.
The insides of the malignant with layer upon layer
يُفَرْفِرُhe shakes الفَأْسَthe axe-shaped bit بِالنَّابَيْنِwith his two canines يَخْلَعُهُwrenching it loose
يُفَرْفِرُ الفَأْسَ بِالنَّابَيْنِ يَخْلَعُهُ
فيin أَفْكَلٍa shudder مِنْfrom شهُودِthe presence الجِنِّof jinn مُحْتَضِرِhaunted
في أَفْكَلٍ مِنْ شهُودِ الجِنِّ مُحْتَضِرِ
He shakes the axe-shaped bit between his canines, wrenching it loose,
Billowing resin yet its amulets unleashed
In a shudder, haunted by the presence of jinn.
Bare of necklace of shells or beads
أَقُولُI say والحَبْلُwhile the rope مَشْدُودٌis fastened بِمِسْحَلِهِto his bit
أَقُولُ والحَبْلُ مَشْدُودٌ بِمِسْحَلِهِ
مُرْخىًslackened لَهُfor him إِنْif يَفُتْنَاescapes us مَسْحُهُhis running يَطِرِhe will fly
مُرْخىً لَهُ إِنْ يَفُتْنَا مَسْحُهُ يَطِرِ
I say, while the rope is fastened to his bit,
He holds back the donkey loosely though it is bridled
Slackened for him: 'If his running escapes us, he will fly.'
Like a compliant branch pleading for rain
ولِلْفُؤَادِand the heart has وجِيبٌa throbbing تَحْتَbeneath أَبْهَرِهِhis great artery
ولِلْفُؤَادِ وجِيبٌ تَحْتَ أَبْهَرِهِ
لدْمَlike the pounding الوَلِيدِof a child وَرَاءbehind الغَيْبِwhat is unseen بِالحَجَرِwith a stone
لدْمَ الوَلِيدِ وَرَاء الغَيْبِ بِالحَجَرِ
His heart throbs beneath his great artery,
Restored when its evil guests left it
Like a child's pounding with a stone, out of sight.
The harmful creatures and scourge of the ridge
كَأَنَّas though دُبَّاءَةًa gourd شُدَّwas tightened الحِزَامُthe girth بِهَاaround it
كَأَنَّ دُبَّاءَةً شُدَّ الحِزَامُ بِهَا
فيinside جَوْفِthe belly أَهْوَجَof a headlong runner بِالتَّقْرِيبِat a canter والحَضَرِand a gallop
في جَوْفِ أَهْوَجَ بِالتَّقْرِيبِ والحَضَرِ
As though a gourd had the girth tightened around it
As if it is the mass of a planet that thickened
Inside a headlong runner at canter and gallop.
By the bending of the north and the bow's jerk with the string
غَوْجُsupple اللَّبَانِin the breast ولَمْand not تُعْقَدْwere tied تَمَائِمُهُhis amulets
غَوْجُ اللَّبَانِ ولَمْ تُعْقَدْ تَمَائِمُهُ
مُعْرَىbare القِلاَدَةِof a collar مِنْagainst رَبْوٍwheezing ولاَnor بُهُرِbreathlessness
مُعْرَى القِلاَدَةِ مِنْ رَبْوٍ ولاَ بُهُرِ
Supple in the breast, with no amulets tied on him,
Its hide almost splits from its shoulders
Bare of a charm-collar against wheezing or breathlessness.
By the stumbling, the moth's flight, and betrayal
يُرْدِيhe runs down الحِمَارَthe ass لِزَاماًrelentlessly وهْوَwhile he مُبْتَرِكٌcharges hard
يُرْدِي الحِمَارَ لِزَاماً وهْوَ مُبْتَرِكٌ
كَالأَشْعَبِlike a split-horned buck الخَاضِعِhead lowered النَّاجِيescaping مِنَfrom المَطَرِthe rain
كَالأَشْعَبِ الخَاضِعِ النَّاجِي مِنَ المَطَرِ
He runs the ass down relentlessly, charging hard,
The fetlock of Al-Walid with a twisted, sturdy thread
Like a split-horned buck, head lowered, escaping the rain,
Between the ties in a straight rod of willow
المُسْتَضَافِdriven toward shelter وَلمّاand not yet تَفْنَhas been spent شِرَّتُهُhis fierce vigor
المُسْتَضَافِ وَلمّا تَفْنَ شِرَّتُهُ
مِنَby الكِلاَبِthe dogs وضيفِand the flank الهَضْبَةِof the hill الضِّرَرِthe rugged one
مِنَ الكِلاَبِ وضيفِ الهَضْبَةِ الضِّرَرِ
Driven toward shelter, though his fierce vigor is not yet spent
By the dogs and the rugged flank of the hill.
كَأَنَّهُas though he مَتْنُthe shaft مِرِّيخٍof a featherless arrow أَمَرَّpropelled بِهِit
كَأَنَّهُ مَتْنُ مِرِّيخٍ أَمَرَّ بِهِ
زَيْغُthe swerve الشِّمَالِof the left hand وحَفْزُand the thrust القَوْسِof the bow بالوَتَرِthrough the string
زَيْغُ الشِّمَالِ وحَفْزُ القَوْسِ بالوَتَرِ
As though he were a featherless arrow's shaft, propelled by
The left hand's swerve and the bow's thrust through its string.
يَكَادُalmost يَنْشَقُّsplits away عَنْهُfrom him سِلْخُthe skin كَاهِلِهِof his withers
يَكَادُ يَنْشَقُّ عَنْهُ سِلْخُ كَاهِلِهِ
زَلُّfree الْعِثَارِof stumbling وَثَبْتُand sure-footed الْوَعْثِon soft sand وَالغَدَرِand stony ground
زَلُّ الْعِثَارِ وَثَبْتُ الْوَعْثِ وَالغَدَرِ
The skin of his withers almost splits away from him;
He never stumbles, sure-footed on soft sand and stony ground,
هَرْجَlike the playing الوَلِيدِof a child بِخَيْطٍwith a thread مُبْرَمٍtwisted خَلَقٍworn
هَرْجَ الوَلِيدِ بِخَيْطٍ مُبْرَمٍ خَلَقٍ
بَيْنَbetween الرَّوَاجِبِthe finger-joints فيaround عُودٍa stick مِنَof العُشَرِthe ‘ushar shrub
بَيْنَ الرَّوَاجِبِ في عُودٍ مِنَ العُشَرِ
Like a child's playing with an old, twisted thread
Between the finger-joints, around a stick of ‘ushar.
Partial English translation: 148 of 156 Arabic lines translated.