![ﻤﻌﻠﻘﺔ ﺍﻤﺭﺅ ﺍﻟﻘﻴﺱ Mu'allaqat Imru'ul Qays [1] 1- ﺒِﺴ ﻘﹾﻁِ ﺍﻟﻠﱢﻭﻯ ﺒﻴ](http://data.docslib.org/img/fcc2a7a01872173884aff1346f85c024-1.webp)
ﻤﻌﻠﻘﺔ ﺍﻤﺭﺅ ﺍﻟﻘﻴﺱ Mu’allaqat Imru’ul Qays [1]
إﻋﺪاد: اﻟﺪآﺘﻮر اﺑﺮاهﻴﻢ اﻟﻤﻤﻴﺰ
1- ﻗﹶﻔﺎ ﻨ ﺒ ﻙِ ﻤﻥ ﺫﻜﺭﻯ ﺤﺒﻴﺏٍ ﻭﻤﻨﺯل ِ ﺒِ ﺴ ﻘﹾ ﻁِ ﺍﻟﻠﱢﻭﻯ ﺒﻴﻥ ﺍﻟﺩﺨﻭل ﻓﺤﻭﻤل ِ 1- Let’s halt! And on th’ abode of loved ones weep Where ‘tween “Dukhool” and “Hawmal” sands pile deep.
2- ﻓﹶ ﺘ ﻭ ﻀِ ﺢ ﻓﺎﻟﻤِﻘﺭﺍﺓِ ﻟﻡ ﻴ ﻌ ـ ﻑﹸ ﺭ ﺴ ﻤﻬﺎ ﻟﻤﺎ ﻨﺴﺠﺘـْﻬﺎ ﻤﻥ ﺠ ﻨ ﻭ ﺏٍ ﻭﺸﹶﻤﺄل ِ 2- “Towdah” and “al-Miqrat” e’er there will lay Sands “Kibla” winds pile; “Meccan” blow away.1
3- ﺘﹶﺭﻯ ﺒ ﻌ ﺭ ﺍﻷﺭﺁﻡ ﻓﻲ ﻋ ﺭ ﺼ ﺎ ﺘِ ﻬ ﺎ ﻭﻗﻴﻌﺎﻨﻬﺎ ﻜﺄﻨﹼﻪ ﺤ ﺏ ﻓـُﻠـْـﻔـُـل ِ 3- There, oryx droppings are life’s only trace As if they’re pepper seeds in open space
4- ﻜﺄﻨﻲ ﻏﹶ ﺩ ﺍ ﺓﹶ ﺍﻟﺒﻴﻥِ ﻴ ﻭ ﻡ ﺘﹶﺤﻤﻠﻭﺍ ﻟﺩﻯ ﺴ ﻤ ﺭ ﺍ ﺕِ ﺍ ﻟ ﺤ ﻲ ﻨ ﺎ ﻗِ ﻑﹸ ﺤﻨﹾﻅﹶل ِ 4- They’d gone. Alone I felt that I will lead The life of pickers of bitter-apple seed2
5- ﻭﻗﻭﻓﺎﹰ ﺒﻬﺎ ﺼﺤﺒﻲ ﻋﻠﻰ ﻤ ﻁِ ﻴ ﻬ ﻡ ﻴﻘﻭﻟﻭﻥ ﻻ ﺘﻬﻠﻙ ﺃ ﺴ ﻰ ﻭﺘﹶﺠﻤل ِ 5- My mounted friends call out, in cheer, to me “Die not of grief! Well armed with patience be”.
6- ﻭ ﺇ ﻥ ﺸِﻔﺎﺌﻲ ﻋ ﺒ ﺭ ﺓﹲ ﻤﻬﺭﺍﻗﹶﺔ ٌ ﻓ ﻬ لْ ﻋﻨﺩ ﺭ ﺴ ﻡٍ ﺩ ﺍ ﺭِ ﺱٍ ﻤﻥ ﻤﻐﻭل ِ 6- At ruins, I’m relieved when falls my tear
1 The locations “Towdah” and “al-Miqrat” are subjected to conflicting winds. “Kibla” winds bury the two locations in sand which “Meccan” winds blow away again, revealing traces of the deserted dwellings; distressing, says the poet, for him to observe. It would have been more comforting, he implies, if all traces of these habitations were obliterated, saving him the distress of viewing the ruins and the memories they still hold. 2 “Bitter-apple” or “handhal” is a poisonously bitter desert apple-like growth whose seed is picked out by professional pickers for medicinal and incense use. Slicing bitter-apple causes - like onions - tear-flow. He, like the pickers, will suffer an endless flow of tears. The bitterness of handhal reflects his own bitterness at the departure of loved ones. The seed, he hopes, would provide medicine for his ailment and incense for his sorrows. For none are there my sorrows for to cheer.3
7- ﻜ ﺩ ﺃ ﺒ ﻙ ﻤﻥ ﺃﻡ ﺍ ﻟ ﺤ ﻭ ﻴ ﺭِ ﺙِ ﻗﺒﻠﻬﺎ ﻭﺠﺎﺭﺘﻬﺎ ﺍ ﻡ ﺍﻟﺭﺒﺎﺏِ ﺒﻤﺄﺴـل ِ 7- Your love for her who here in yore did dwell Lacked luck; as when in former love you fell4
8- ﺇﺫﺍ ﻗﺎﻤﺘﺎ ﺘﹶ ﻀ ﻭ ﻉ ﺍ ﻟ ﻤِ ﺴ ﻙ ﻤﻨﻬﻤﺎ ﻨﹶ ﺴ ﻴ ﻡ ﺍﻟﺼﺒﺎ ﺠﺎﺀﺕ ﺒﺭﻴﺎ ﺍﻟﻘﹶﺭﻨـْـﻔـُل ِ 8- When belles arise, their musk so sweet and true like carnations o’er which morn breezes blew.
9- ﻓ ﻔ ﺎ ﻀ ﺕﹾ ﺩ ﻤ ﻭ ﻉ ﺍ ﻟ ﻌ ﻴ ﻥِ ﻤﻨﻲ ﺼ ﺒ ﺎ ﺒ ﺔﹰ ﻋﻠﻰ ﺍ ﻟ ﻨ ﺤ ﺭِ ﺤﺘﻰ ﺒ لّ ﺩﻤﻌﻲ ﻤﺤﻤﻠﻲ 9- My streaming tears the pangs of love had felt Their streams bedrenched me full, e’en my sword-belt.
10- ﺃﻻ ﺭ ﺏ ﻴ ﻭ ﻡٍ ﻟ ﻙ ﻤ ﻨﹾ ﻬ ﻥ ﺼ ﺎ ﻟِ ﺢٍ ﻭﻻ ﺴﻴﻤﺎ ﻴ ﻭ ﻡٍ ﺒ ﺩ ﺍ ﺭ ﺓِ ﺠﻠﹾﺠل ِ 10- O for a day as that I once had spent When maids to “Juljul” for an outing went.
11- ﻭ ﻴ ﻭ ﻡ ﻋ ﻘﹶ ﺭ ﺕﹸ ﻟﻠﻌﺫﺍﺭﻯ ﻤ ﻁِ ﻴ ﺘ ﻲ ﻓﻴﺎ ﻋ ﺠ ﺒ ﺎﹰ ﻤﻥ ﻜﻭﺭﻫﺎ ﺍﻟﻤﺘﹶﺤﻤل ِ 11- That day I slew my mount for th’virgins’ sake They each some things of mine back home did take5
12- ﻓﹶ ﻅﹶ لﱠ ﺍﻟﻌﺫﺍﺭﻯ ﻴﺭﺘﻤﻴﻥ ﺒِ ﻠﹶ ﺤ ﻤِ ﻬ ﺎ ﻭ ﺸﹶ ﺤ ﻡٍ ﻜﹶ ﻬ ﺩ ﺍ ﺏِ ﺍ ﻟ ﺩ ﻤ ﻘ ﺱِ ﺍﻟﻤﻔﹶﺘﹼل ِ 12- Each claimed the mount was slain for her alone It’s white o’er flesh like silks that on them shone6
13- ﻭ ﻴ ﻭ ﻡ ﺩ ﺨ ﻠ ﺕﹸ ﺍ ﻟ ﺨِ ﺩ ﺭ ﺨِﺩﺭ ﻋﻨﹶﻴﺯ ﺓٍ ﻓﻘﺎﻟﺕ ﻟﹶ ﻙ ﺍﻟﻭﻴﻼﺕ ﺍ ﻨﹼ ﻙ ﻤﺭﺠﻠﻲ 13- I slipped in “Unaiza’s” hawdah. She cried: “you’ll harm my mount and make me walk ‘longside”7
3 He could shed a tear in privacy without the embarrassment of consoling company. 4 The verse identifies the loved one as “Umm al-Huwayrith”. “The former love” is “Umm al- Rabab” - both, apparently, married women. 5 Having sacrificed his mount to feed them, and having no mount to return home on, each of the girls offered to carry some of his belongings home with her, as a gesture of gratitude and to keep as a momento. 6 The verse identifies “silks” as “twisted silk braid”.
2
14- ﺘﻘﻭل ﻭﻗﺩ ﻤ ﺎ لَ ﺍﻟﻐﺒﻴﻁ ﺒﻨﺎ ﻤ ﻌ ﺎﹰ ﻋ ﻘ ﺭ ﺕﹶ ﺒﻌﻴﺭﻱ ﻴﺎ ﺍﻤﺭﺃ ﺍﻟﻘﻴﺱ ﻓﺎﻨﺯِل ِ 14- Her howdah, with my weight, tilted aside. “Imru’ul Qays! Get you down quick” she cried.
15- ﻓ ﻘﹸ ﻠﹾ ﺕﹸ ﻟﻬﺎ ﺴﻴﺭﻱ ﻭﺃﺭﺨﻲ ﺯ ﻤ ﺎ ﻤ ﻪ ﻭﻻ ﺘﹸﺒﻌﺩﻴﻨﻲ ﻤﻥ ﺠ ﻨ ﺎ ﻙِ ﺍﻟﻤﻌﻠﱠل ِ 15- “Let go the reins” said I “Be calm and still Let me of your kisses have what I will”
16- ﻓ ﻤ ﺜ ﻠِ ﻙِ ﺤﺒﻠﻰ ﻗﺩ ﻁﹶ ﺭ ﻗﹾ ﺕﹸ ﻭ ﻤ ﺭ ﻀ ﻊٍ ﻓﺄﻟﻬﻴﺘﹸﻬﺎ ﻋﻥ ﺫﻱ ﺘ ﻤ ﺎ ﺌ ﻡ ﻤﺤﻭِل ِ 16- Pregnant, nursing mothers I’ve loved, through tact. And did, through wiles, from their own babes, distract.
17- ﺍﺫﺍ ﻤﺎ ﺒﻜﻰ ﻤِ ﻥ ﺨﹶﻠﹾﻔِﻬﺎ ﺍ ﻨﹾ ﺼ ﺭ ﻓﹶ ﺕﹾ ﻟﻪ ﺒِ ﺸِ ﻕﱟ ﻭﺤﺘﻰ ﺸِﻘﱡﻬﺎ ﻟﻡ ﻴﺤﻭل ِ 17- When, from behind, wailed loud her tiny tot She nursed it, yet forgot to love me not.
18- ﻭ ﻴ ﻭ ﻤ ﺎﹰ ﻋﻠﻰ ﻅﹶ ﻬ ﺭِ ﺍﻟﻜﹶﺜﻴﺏِ ﺘﹶ ﻌ ﺫ ﺭ ﺕﹾ ﻋ ﻠ ﻲ ﻭﺁﻟﹶﺕﹾ ﺤ ﻠﹾ ﻔﹶ ﺔﹰ ﻟﻡ ﺘﹶﺤﻠﹶل ِ 18- Over a dune, me she once resisted. In vowing loudest oaths, she persisted.
19- ﺃ ﻓ ﺎ ﻁِ ﻡ ﻤ ﻬ ﻼﹰ ﺒ ﻌ ﺽ ﻫﺫﺍ ﺍ ﻟ ﺘﹼ ﺩ ﻟﱡ لِ ﻭﺇﻥ ﻜﹸ ﻨﹾ ﺕِ ﻗﺩ ﺃﺯﻤﻌﺕِ ﺼﺭﻤﻲ ﻓﺄﺠﻤﻠﻲ 19- “Do from you coyness, Fatima, desist8 or leave me, and on being coy, insist”.
20- ﺃ ﻏﹶ ﺭ ﻙِ ﻤﻨﻲ ﺃﻥ ﺤ ﺒ ﻙِ ﻗﺎﺘﻠﻲ ﻭ ﺃ ﻨﹼ ﻙِ ﻤﻬﻤﺎ ﺘﺄﻤﺭﻱ ﺍ ﻟ ﻘﹶ ﻠﹾ ﺏ ﻴﻔﹾﻌل ِ 20- You’ve turned vain, now that by you’re love I’m slain.
7 “ al-Firazdaq” narrating of his grandfather, reported that Imru’ul Qays loved his cousin ‘Unaiza. He asked for her hand but her family declined, due to his reputation as a womanizing libertine. A group of girls, including ‘Unaiza, went on a day’s outing to “Juljul” springs. Having dismissed their servants, they were bathing in the spring when Imru’ul Qays came upon them. He collected their clothes, refusing to hand them over till each girl emerged from the spring to collect her clothes herself. The last one to do so was ‘Unaiza”. Later that day the girls complained of hunger. Imru’ul Qays killed his mount to feed them grilled meat. Late in the evening he mounted with ‘Unaiza on her camel, and delivered her safely home. This line of verse describes how he got in her howdah. “Mohammad Abu al-Fadhl Ibrahim- “Diwan Imru’ul Qays” Cairo (1958 ed.) p. 10. 8 Fatima: the name of the nursing mother. `Unaiza’s proper name was also Fatima; ‘Unaiza-kid- was nickname.
3
Command my heart. Servant it shall remain.
21- ﻭﺇﻥ ﺘﹶ ﻙ ﻗﺩ ﺴ ﺎ ﺀ ﺘ ﻙ ﻤﻨﻲ ﺨﹶ ﻠ ﻴ ﻘﹶ ﺔﹲ ﻓﹶﺴﻠﹼﻲ ﺜﻴﺎﺒﻲ ﻤﻥ ﺜﻴﺎﺒﻙِ ﺘﹶﻨﹾﺴل ِ 21- If you I offended, then do depart You I’ll obey; though it may break my heart.9
22- ﻭﻤﺎ ﺫﹶ ﺭ ﻓﹶ ﺕﹾ ﻋ ﻴ ﻨ ﺎ ﻙِ ﺇﻻ ﻟﺘﹶﻀﺭِﺒﻲ ﺒﺴﻬﻤﻴﻙِ ﻓﻲ ﺃﻋﺸﺎﺭ ﻗﹶ ﻠﹾ ﺏٍ ﻤﻘﹶﺘل ِ 22- You weep well, not to comfort your sorrows But at my broken heart, to shoot arrows.
23- ﻭ ﺒ ﻴ ﻀ ﺔِ ﺨﹶ ﺩ ﺭٍ ﻻ ﻴ ﺭ ﺍ ﻡ ﺨِﺒﺎﺅﻫﺎ ﺘﹶ ﻤ ﺘﱠ ﻌ ﺕﹸ ﻤﻥ ﻟﹶ ﻬ ﻭٍ ﺒﻬﺎ ﻏﹶ ﻴ ﺭ ﻤﻌﺠل ٍ 23- She was an egg; unbroken, white, unsoiled. In howdah’s nest. I broke and it enjoyed.
24- ﺘ ﺠ ﺎ ﻭ ﺯ ﺕﹸ ﺃ ﺤ ﺭ ﺍ ﺴ ﺎﹰ ﺇﻟﻴﻬﺎ ﻭﻤﻌﺸﹶﺭﺍﹰ ﻋ ﻠ ﻲ ﺤِ ﺭ ﺍ ﺼ ﺎﹰ ﻟﹶ ﻭ ﻴ ﺴ ﺭ ﻭ ﻥ ﻤﻘﹾﺘﹶﻠﻲ 24- To visit her, her guards in stealth I braved If me they’d caught, they’d gladly me have slayed.
25- ﺇﺫﺍ ﻤﺎ ﺍﻟﺜﺭﻴﺎ ﻓﻲ ﺍﻟﺴﻤﺎﺀِ ﺘﹶ ﻌ ﺭ ﻀ ﺕﹾ ﺘﹶ ﻌ ﺭ ﺽ ﺍﺜﻨﺎﺀ ﺍﻟﻭﺸﺎﺡ ﺍﻟﻤﻔﹶﺼل ِ 25- To her I went, when night o’er stars unfurled As dark nightgown is broidered and impearled
26- ﻓﹶ ﺠِ ﺌْ ﺕﹸ ﻭ ﻗﹶ ﺩ ﻨﹶ ﻀ ﺕﹾ ﻟ ﻨﹶ ﻭ ﻡٍ ﺜﻴﺎﺒﻬﺎ ﻟﺩﻯ ﺍ ﻟ ﺴ ﺘ ﺭِ ﺇﻻ ﻟِ ﺒ ﺴ ﺔﹶ ﺍﻟﻤﺘﹶﻔﹶﻀل ِ 26- Behind a curtain, lightly clad, in wait She stood as I came at an hour so late.
27- ﻓﹶﻘﺎﻟﹶﺕﹾ ﻴﻤﻴﻥ ﺍﷲ ﻤﺎﻟﻙ ﺤ ﻴ ﻠﹶ ﺔﹲ ﻭﻤﺎ ﺇﻥ ﺍﺭﻯ ﻋ ﻨﹾ ﻙ ﺍ ﻟ ﻐ ﻭ ﺍ ﻴ ﺔﹶ ﺘﹶﻨﹾﺠﻠﻲ 27- “By God” said she “your scandal comes so late. No means have I your passions to abate”.
28- ﺨﹶ ﺭ ﺠ ﺕﹸ ﺒﻬﺎ ﺃﻤﺸﻲ ﺘﹶ ﺠ ﺭ ﻭ ﺭ ﺍ ﺀ ﻨﺎ ﻋﻠﻰ ﺃﺜﹶﺭﻴﻨﺎ ﺫﹶ ﻴ لَ ﻤِ ﺭ ﻁٍ ﻤﺭﺤل ِ
9 The verse here refers to clothes to mean the heart. The verse implies that if I have offended you, then take my clothes (my heart) from your clothes(your heart), you’ll find the removal to be easy, for you, but it will cause me great pain and a traumatic heart break.
4
28- With her I walked, and she, without delay With her gown’s train, our footprints wiped away
29- ﻓﹶﻠﻤﺎ ﺃﺠﺯﻨﺎ ﺴ ﺎ ﺤ ﺔﹶ ﺍ ﻟ ﺤ ﻲ ﻭﺍﻨﺘﺤﻰ ﺒﻨﺎ ﺒ ﻁﹾ ﻥ ﺨﹶ ﺒ ﺕٍ ﺫﻱ ﺤِ ﻘ ﺎ ﻑٍ ﻋﻘﹶﻨﻘﹶل ِ 29- The still compound, at last, was far behind. Quiet we stood, in pleasure to unwind.
30- ﻫ ﺼ ﺭ ﺕﹾ ﺒ ﻔ ﻭ ﺩ ﻱ ﺭﺃﺴﻬﺎ ﻓﹶ ﺘﹶ ﻤ ﺎ ﻴ ﻠﹶ ﺕﹾ ﻋ ﻠ ﻲ ﻫ ﻀ ﻴ ﻡ ﺍ ﻟ ﻜﹶ ﺸﹾ ﺢِ ﺭﻴﺎ ﺍﻟﻤﺨﹶﻠﹾﺨﹶل ِ 30- To me I drew her temples, then she swayed With ankles fine, full thighs, slim waist - she laid.
31- ﻤ ﻬ ﻔﹾ ﻬ ﻔﹶ ﺔﹲ ﺒ ﻴ ﻀ ﺎ ﺀ ﻏ ﻴ ﺭ ﻤ ﻔ ﺎ ﻀ ﺔٍ ﺘﺭﺍﺌِﺒﻬﺎ ﻤ ﺼ ﻘ ﻭ ﻟﹶ ﺔﹲ ﻜﺎﻟﺴﺠﻨﹾﺠل ِ 31- Her waist and belly; smooth they were and tight. Her chest a glittering mirror abright.
32- ﻜﹶ ﺒِ ﻜﹾ ﺭِ ﺍﻟﻤﻘﺎﻨﺎﺓِ ﺍ ﻟ ﺒ ﻴ ﺎ ﺽِ ﺒ ﺼ ﻔ ﺭ ﺓٍ ﻏﹶﺫﺍﻫﺎ ﻨﹶ ﻤ ﻴ ﺭ ﺍﻟﻤﺎﺀ ﻏ ﻴ ﺭ ﺍﻟﻤﺤﻠﱠل ِ 32- In depths of seas, lie yell’wish-white pearls. In love’s fluids, my pearl from clam unfurls.
33- ﺘﹶ ﺼ ﺩ ﻭﺘﹸﺒﺩﻱ ﻋﻥ ﺃﺴﻴلٍ ﻭ ﺘﹶ ﺘﹶ ﻘ ﻲ ﺒِ ﻨ ﺎ ﻁ ﺭ ﺓٍ ﻤﻥ ﻭﺤﺵ ﻭ ﺠ ﺭ ﺓﹶ ﻤﻁﹾﻔﹶل ِ 33- When shying off, she turns the softest cheek. Like hind with fawn, her welc’ming eyes are meek.
34- ﻭ ﺠ ﻴ ﺩٍ ﻜﹶ ﺠ ﻴ ﺩِ ﺍﻟﺭﺌﻡ ﻟﹶ ﻴ ﺱ ﺒ ﻔ ﺎ ﺤ ﺵٍ ﺍﺫﺍ ﻫﻲ ﻨ ﺼ ﺘﹾ ﻪ ﻭﻻ ﺒﻤﻌﻁﱠل ِ 34- Her slender neck: no jewels does it wear Is oryx-like; its beauty white and bare.
35- ﻭ ﻓﹶ ﺭ ﻉٍ ﻴ ﺯ ﻴ ﻥ ﺍ ﻟ ﻤ ﺘ ﻥ ﺃ ﺴ ﻭ ﺩ ﻓ ﺎ ﺤِ ﻡٍ ﺍﺜﻴﺙٍ ﻜﹶ ﻘِ ﻨﹾ ﻭِ ﺍ ﻟ ﻨﹶ ﺨﹾ ﻠﹶ ﺔِ ﺍﻟﻤﺘﹶﻌﺘﻜِل ِ 35- Her back is cov’red with coal-black hair well-dressed Her plaits, like palmy shoots, are wound and pressed.
36- ﻏﹶﺩﺍﺌﺭﻫﺎ ﻤ ﺴ ﺘ ﺸ ﺯ ﺭ ﺍ ﺕﹲ ﺍﻟﻰ ﺍﻟﻌﻼ ﺘﹶ ﻀِ لﱡ ﺍﻟﻌِﻘﺎﺹ ﻓﻲ ﻤﺜﻨﻰ ﻭﻤﺭﺴل ِ 36- Her locks, her plaits; with care they all are dressed. Straight down some flow, some on her crown do rest.
5
37- ﻭ ﻜﹶ ﺸﹾ ﺢِ ﻟﹶ ﻁ ﻴ ﻑٍ ﻜﺎﻟﺠﺩﻴلِ ﻤ ﺨﹶ ﺼ ﺭٍ ﻭﺴﺎﻕٍ ﻜﺄﻨﺒﻭﺏ ﺍ ﻟ ﺴ ﻘ ﻲ ﺍﻟﻤﺫﹶﻟﹼل ِ 37- That waist! Those legs as if by craft well made Luscious as reeds in laden palms cool shade.
38- ﻭﺘﹸﻀﺤﻲ ﻓﹶﺘﻴﺕﹸ ﺍ ﻟ ﻤِ ﺴ ﻙِ ﻓﹶ ﻭ ﻕﹶ ﻓﺭﺍﺸﻬﺎ ﻨﺅﻭﻡ ﺍ ﻟ ﻀﺤﻰ ﻟﻡ ﺘﹶ ﻨﹾ ﺘ ﻁِ ﻕِ ﻋﻥ ﺘﹶﻔﹶﻀل ِ 38- She rises late from bed scented with musk Pampered, well-served is she, from dawn to dusk.
39- ﻭﺘﹶﻌﻁﻭﺍ ﺒِ ﺭ ﺨﹾ ﺹٍ ﻏﹶ ﻴ ﺭِ ﺸﹶ ﺜﹾ ﻥٍ ﻜﺄﻨﻪ ﺍ ﺴ ﺎ ﺭ ﻴ ﻊ ﻅﺒﻲ ﺍﻭ ﻤِ ﺴِ ﺎ ﻭ ﻴ ﻙ ﺃﺴﺤل ِ 39- She picks with fingers, slender long and soft, Like straightsome shoots on ’As-hal” trees aloft.10
40- ﺘﻀﻲﺀ ﺍﻟﻅﹶﻼﻡ ﺒﺎﻟﻌِﺸﺎﺀِ ﻜﺄﻨﱠﻬﺎ ﻤ ﻨ ﺎ ﺭ ﺓﹸ ﻤﻤﺴﻲ ﺭ ﺍ ﻫِ ﺏٍ ﻤ ﺘﹶ ﺒ ﺘﱢ لِ 40- In darkest nights, aglow’s her face with light A praying monk’s lit lantern, burning bright
41- ﺇﻟﻰ ﻤﺜﹾﻠِﻬﺎ ﻴﺭﻨﻭ ﺍ ﻟ ﺤ ﻠ ﻴ ﻡ ﺼﺒﺎﺒﺔﹰ ﺇﺫﺍ ﻤﺎ ﺍ ﺴ ﺒ ﻜﹶ ﺭ ﺕﹾ ﺒﻴﻥ ﺩ ﺭ ﻉِ ﻭ ﻤِ ﺠ ﻭِ لِ 41- To her wise hearts gallantly have behaved . Her clothes are those ‘tween that of child and maid.
42- ﺘﹶ ﺴ ﻠﹼ ﺕﹾ ﻋﻤﺎﻴﺎﺕﹸ ﺍﻟﺭﺠﺎلِ ﻋ ﻥ ﺍﻟﺼﺒﺎ ﻭﻟﻴﺱ ﻓﺅﺍﺩﻱ ﻋﻥ ﻫ ﻭ ﺍ ﻙِ ﺒِ ﻤ ﻨ ﺴ لِ 42- Gallants’ attentions fore’er do not last. My love for her, in spite of time, stands fast.
43- ﺃﻻ ﺭ ﺏ ﺨﹶ ﺼ ﻡٍ ﻓ ﻴ ﻙِ ﺃﻟﻭﻯ ﺭ ﺩ ﺩ ﺘﹸ ﻪ ﻨ ﺼ ﻴ ﺢِ ﻋﻠﻰ ﺘِﻌﺫﺍﻟﻪ ﻏﻴﺭ ﻤﺅﺘﹶل ِ 43- My bitter foes my love have so reviled. Yet I persist, spite whom my love defiled.
44- ﻭﻟﹶﻴلٍ ﻜ ﻤ ﻭ ﺝِ ﺍ ﻟ ﺒ ﺤ ﺭِ ﺃﺭﺨﻰ ﺴ ﺩ ﻭ ﻟﹶ ﻪ ﻋ ﻠ ﻲ ﺒ ﺄ ﻨ ﻭ ﺍ ﻉِ ﺍ ﻟ ﻬ ﻤ ﻭ ﻡِ ﻟﻴﺒﺘﹶﻠﻲ 44- Like heavy waves, long nights ‘pon me descend. Am weighed with cares yet longer nights extend.
45- ﻓ ﻘﹸ ﻠﹾ ﺕﹸ ﻟﻪ ﻤﺎ ﺘﹶﻤﻁﻰ ﺒِ ﺼ ﻠﹾ ﺒِ ﻪِ ﻭ ﺃ ﺭ ﺩ ﻑﹶ ﺃ ﻋ ﺠ ﺎ ﺯ ﺍﹰ ﻭ ﻨﹶ ﺎ ﺀ ﺒِﻜﹶﻠﹾﻜﹶل ِ
10 “Ashal”: a species of tree known for its dead-straight shoots that grow higher up the tree.
6
45- I, to the darkness of the night complained. The carefree find it brief; the care-worn, strained.
46- ﺃﻻ ﺃﻴﻬﺎ ﺍﻟﹼﻠﻴلُ ﺍﻟﻁﹼﻭﻴلُ ﺃﻻ ﺍﻨﺠﻠﻲ ﺒِ ﺼ ﺒ ﺢٍ ﻭﻤﺎ ﺍ ﻹ ﺼ ﺒ ﺎ ﺡ ﻋ ﻨ ﻙ ﺒﺄﻤﺜﹶل ِ 46- O longest night! I so await your morn, Yet from my cares I’ll not by morn be shorn.
47- ﻓﻴﺎ ﻟﹶ ﻙ ﻤﻥ ﻟﹶ ﻴ لٍ ﻜ ﺄ ﻥ ﻨﹸ ﺠ ﻭ ﻤ ﻪ ﺒﺄﻤﺭﺍﺱ ﻜ ﺘﹼ ﺎ ﻥٍ ﺍﻟﻰ ﺼ ﻡ ﺠﻨﹾﺩل ِ 47- O night! Your stars have darkness long endured. As if to hardest rocks they’ve been secured.
48- ﻭ ﻗِ ﺭ ﺒ ﺔِ ﺃ ﻗ ﻭ ﺍ ﻡٍ ﺠ ﻌ ﻠﹾ ﺕﹸ ﻋِﺼﺎﻤﻬﺎ ﻋﻠﻰ ﻜ ﺎ ﻫِ لٍ ﻤﻨﻲ ﺫ ﻟ ﻭ لٍ ﻤﺭﺤل ِ 48- Gen’rous am I, who bears of time its worst. My camels’ water-skins for those who thirst.
49- ﻭ ﻭ ﺍ ﺩٍ ﻜ ﺠ ﻭ ﻑِ ﺍ ﻟ ﻌ ﻴ ﺭِ ﻗﹶ ﻔﹾ ﺭٍ ﻗﹶ ﻁﹶ ﻌ ﺘﹸ ﻪ ﺒِ ﻪِ ﺍ ﻟ ﺫ ﺌ ﺏ ﻴﻌﻭﻱ ﻜﺎﻟﺨﹶﻠﻴﻊِ ﺍﻟﻤﻌﻴل ِ 49- I’ve crossed arid valleys where starved wolves prowl Like gamblers’ famished young, with hunger howl.
50- ﻓ ﻘ ﻠﹾ ﺕﹸ ﻟﻪ ﻟﻤﺎ ﻋﻭﻯ: ﺇﻥ ﺸﺄﻨﻨﺎ ﻗﻠﻴلُ ﺍﻟﻐِﻨﻰ ﺇﻥ ﻜ ﻨ ﺕﹶ ﻟﻤﺎ ﺘﹶﻤﻭل ِ 50- To howling wolf I said: “we’re of one kind We seek but what is sought we never find”.
51- ﻜﻼﻨﺎ ﺇﺫﺍ ﻤﺎ ﻨﹶ ﺎ لَ ﺸﹶﻴﺌﺎﹰ ﺃ ﻓ ﺎ ﺘﹶ ﻪ ﻭﻤﻥ ﻴﺤﺘﺭﺙ ﺤﺭﺜﻲ ﻭ ﺤ ﺭ ﺜ ﻙ ﺘﻬﺯل ِ 51- Each looks for what he in hunger devours Wretches are lean whose living is like ours11
52- ﻭ ﻗﹶ ﺩ ﺃﻏﹾﺘﹶﺩﻱ ﻭﺍﻟﻁﹼﻴﺭ ﻓﻲ ﻭﻜﹸﻨﹶﺎﺘِﻬﺎ ﺒ ﻤ ﻨﹾ ﺠ ﺭِ ﺩٍ ﻗﹶ ﻴ ﺩِ ﺍ ﻵ ﻭ ﺍ ﺒ ﺩِ ﻫﻴﻜﹶل ِ 52- I rise before the birds in nests awake To mount a steed who all can overtake.
53- ﻤِ ﻜﹶ ﺭٍ ﻤِ ﻔ ﺭٍ ﻤﻘﺒلٍ ﻤ ﺩ ﺒِ ﺭٍ ﻤ ﻌ ﺎﹰ ﻜﺠﻠﻤﻭﺩ ﺼ ﺨ ﺭٍ ﺤ ﻁﱠ ﻪ ﺍﻟﺴﻴل ﻤﻥ ﻋل ِ
11 I have based the translation of this line on that of R.A. Nicholson “Literary History of the Arabs” (New Delhi e. 1994) p. 107.
7
53- To charge, and wheel, the steed at once will try. So like a boulder cast by floods from high.
54- ﻜﹸ ﻤ ﻴ ﺕٍ ﻴ ﺯ لﱡ ﺍﻟﻠﹼﺒﺩ ﻋﻥ ﺤ ﺎ لِ ﻤ ﺘﹾ ﻨِ ﻪِ ﻜﻤﺎ ﺯ ﻟﱠ ﺕﹾ ﺍﻟﺼﻔﹾﻭﺍﺀ ﺒﺎﻟﻤﺘﹶﻨﹶﺯل ِ 54- Who’s on its slipp’ry back, it over throws A polished stone on which rain overflows.
55- ﻋﻠﻰ ﺍ ﻟ ﺫﱠ ﺒ لِ ﺤ ﻴ ﺎ ﺵٍ ﻜﺄﻥ ﺍ ﻫ ﺘ ﺯ ﺍ ﻤ ﻪ ﺍﺫﺍ ﺠﺎﺵ ﻓﻴﻪ ﺤﻤﻴﻪ ﻏﹶ ﻠ ﻲ ﻤِﺭﺠل ِ 55- Though lean, its working pow’r e’er is at toil. It’s neighs so like a cauldron brought to boil.
56- ﻤِ ﺴ ﺢ ﺇﺫﺍ ﻤﺎ ﺍﻟﺴﺎﺒﺤﺎﺕﹸ ﻋﻠﻰ ﺍﻟﻭﻨﻰ ﺃ ﺜﹶ ﺭ ﻥ ﺍﻟﻐﹸﺒﺎﺭ ﺒﺎﻟﻜﺩﻴﺭ ﺍﻟﻤﺭﻜـﱠـل ِ 56- Onward it speeds, when swiftest steeds do tire They, heavy-hoofed, bedusted they retire
57- ﻴ ﺯِ لﱡ ﺍ ﻟ ﻐﹸ ﻼ ﻡ ﺍ ﻟ ﺨِ ﻑﱠ ﻋﻥ ﺼ ﻬ ﻭ ﺍ ﺘِ ﻪِ ﻭﻴﻠﻭﻱ ﺒ ﺄ ﺜ ﻭ ﺍ ﺏِ ﺍﻟﻌﻨﻴﻑِ ﺍﻟﻤﺜﹶﻘﱠل ِ 57- Unweighty boys for long can’t on it stay. At speed, its’ rider’s clothes are blown away.
58- ﺩ ﺭ ﻴ ﺭٍ ﻜﹶ ﺨﹸ ﺫﹾ ﺭ ﻭ ﻑِ ﺍ ﻟ ﻭ ﻟ ﻴ ﺩِ ﺃ ﻗ ﺭ ﻩ ﺘ ﺘ ﺎ ﺒ ﻊ ﻜﹶ ﻔﹼ ﻴ ﻪِ ﺒِ ﺨﹶ ﻴ ﻁٍ ﻤﻭﺼل ِ 58- Like “stone-and-string” that boys o’er head entwirl12, My steed, it’s stone-hard frame fast forward hurls.
59- ﻟﹶ ﻪ ﺃﻴﻁﻼ ﻅﹶ ﺒ ﻲٍ ﻭﺴﺎﻗﺎ ﻨﹶ ﻌ ﺎ ﻤ ﺔٍ ﻭ ﺇ ﺭ ﺨ ﺎ ﺀ ﺴِ ﺭ ﺤ ﺎ ﻥٍ ﻭ ﺘ ﻘ ﺭ ﻴ ﺏ ﺘﹶﺘﹾﻔﹸل ِ 59- With waist of deer; ostrich pace; wolfish core, And fox-cub’s hind legs o’er leaping the fore.
60- ﻀﻠﻴ ﻊٍ ﺍﺫﺍ ﺍﺴﺘﹶﺩﺒﺭﺘﹶﻪ ﺴ ﺩ ﻓﹶ ﺭ ﺠ ﻪ ﺒِ ﻀ ﺎ ﻑٍ ﻓﹸﻭﻴﻕ ﺍﻻﺭﺽ ﻟﻴﺱ ﺒﺄﻋﺯل ِ 60- It’s ribs and flanks well-curved; its rear will shew How ground-length tail its’ hind legs shields from view.
61- ﻜﺄﻥ ﻋﻠﻰ ﺍﻟﻤﺘﹾﻨﹶﻴﻥِ ﻤﻨﻪ ﺍﺫﺍ ﺍﻨﹾﺘﺤﻰ ﻤ ﺩ ﺍ ﻙ ﻋ ﺭ ﻭ ﺱٍ ﺍﻭ ﺼ ﻼ ﺒ ﺔﹶ ﺤﻨﹾﻅﹶل ِ
12 Stone-and-string (Khudhroof) is a flat circular stone pierced in the middle and a length of string tied to it through the hole. Young boys twirl it above their head for sport.
8
61- It’s withers are like grind-stones, hard and sound Where bride’s incense and bitter-seed are ground.13
62- ﻜﺄﻥ ﺩِ ﻤ ﺎ ﺀ ﺍ ﻟ ﻐ ﺎ ﺩ ﻴ ﺎ ﺕِ ﺒِ ﻨﹶ ﺤ ﺭِ ﻩِ ﻋ ﺼ ﺎ ﺭ ﺓﹸ ﺤِ ﻨﹼ ﺎ ﺀٍ ﺒ ﺸﹶ ﻴ ﺏٍ ﻤﺭﺠل ِ 62- It’s neck is smeared with blood of hunted prey. So like “Henna” that over grey hairs lay14.
63- ﻓﹶ ﻌ ﻥ ﻟﻨﺎ ﺴِ ﺭ ﺏ ﻜﺄﻥ ﻨِ ﻌ ﺎ ﺠ ﻪ ﻋﺫﺍﺭﻯ ﺩ ﻭ ﺍ ﺭٍ ﻓﻲ ﻤ ﻼ ﺀٍ ﻤﺫﹶﻴل ِ 63- A herd whose ewes far ahead appeared15. So like virgins unsunned; by sin unsmeared.
64- ﻓ ﺄ ﺩ ﺒ ﺭ ﻥ ﻜ ﺎ ﻟ ﺠِ ﺯ ﻉِ ﺍ ﻟ ﻤ ﻔﹶ ﺼ لِ ﺒ ﻴ ﻨﹶ ﻪ ﺒِ ﺠِ ﻴ ﺩِ ﻤ ﻌ ﻡ ﻓﻲ ﺍ ﻟ ﻌ ﺸ ﻴ ﺭ ﺓِ ﻤﻨﹾﺨﻭل ِ 64- They’re like Yemeni beads, well-born boys wear. Their necks and cheeks are black; their bodies fair.
65- ﻓﺄﻟﺤﻘﹶﻨﺎ ﺒ ﺎ ﻟ ﻬ ﺎ ﺩِ ﻴ ﺎ ﺕِ ﻭ ﺩ ﻭ ﻨﹶ ﻪ ﺠﻭﺍﺤِﺭﻫﺎ ﻓﻲ ﺼ ﺭ ﺓٍ ﻟﻡ ﺘﹸﺯﻴل ِ 65- The herd’s vanguard my steed did soon o’er take. The slow were left their slow way on to make16.
66- ﻓﹶﻌﺎﺩﻯ ﻋﺩ ﺍ ﺀ ﺒ ﻴ ﻥ ﺜﹶ ﻭ ﺭٍ ﻭ ﻨﹶ ﻌ ﺠ ﺔٍ ﺩِ ﺭ ﺍ ﻜ ﺎﹰ ﻭﻟﻡ ﻴ ﻨﹾ ﻀ ﺢ ﺒِ ﻤ ﺎ ﺀٍ ﻓﻴﻐﺴل ِ 66- A ram and an ewe were felled in chase. Sweatless the steed was through the hectic race.
67- ﻓﹶ ﻅﹶ لﱠ ﻁﹸ ﻬ ﺎ ﺓﹸ ﺍﻟﻠﺤﻡِ ﻤﻥ ﺒﻴﻥ ﻤ ﻨﹾ ﻀِ ﺞٍ ﺼ ﻔ ﻴ ﻑﹶ ﺸِ ﻭ ﺍ ﺀٍ ﺃﻭ ﻗﹶ ﺩ ﻴ ﺭٍ ﻤﻌﺠل ِ 67- The copious hunt the cooks set to prepare, Some boiled, some on hot stones, roasted the fare.
68- ﻭﺭﺤﻨﺎ ﻴ ﻜ ﺎ ﺩ ﺍﻟﻁﱠﺭﻑﹸ ﻴ ﻘ ﺼ ﺭ ﺩ ﻭ ﻨﹶ ﻪ ﻤﺘﻰ ﻤﺎ ﺘﹶ ﺭ ﻕﱠ ﺍ ﻟ ﻌ ﻴ ﻥ ﻓ ﻴ ﻪِ ﺘﹶﺴﻔﱠل ِ 68- In perfect form was this my splendid steed. Upon its perfection, eyes greed’ly feed.
13 Bitter-seed: seed of the bitter-apple (handhal), see above. 14 Henna: a dark-red hair dye. 15 Herd: refers to a herd of oryx. The female oryx lead the herd. 16 The swift steed soon overtakes the swiftest of the herd, leaving the slower ones behind.
9
69- ﻓﹶ ﺒ ﺎ ﺕﹶ ﻋ ﻠﹶ ﻴ ﻪِ ﺴ ﺭ ﺠ ﻪ ﻭ ﻟِ ﺠ ﺎ ﻤ ﻪ ﻭ ﺒ ﺎ ﺕﹶ ﺒِﻌﻴﻨﻲ ﻗ ﺎ ﺌ ﻤ ﺎﹰ ﻏﻴﺭ ﻤﺭﺴل ِ 69- It, saddled and bridled, I e’er keep, And ne’er to pasture let it happ’ly leap.
70- ﺃ ﺼ ﺎ ﺡ ﺘﹶﺭﻯ ﺒ ﺭ ﻗ ﺎﹰ ﺃُ ﺭ ﻴ ﻙ ﻭ ﻤ ﻴ ﻀ ﻪ ﻜﹶ ﻠﹶ ﻤ ﻊِ ﺍﻟﻴﺩﻴﻥِ ﻓﻲ ﺤ ﺒ ﻲ ﻤﻜﻠﹼل ِ 70- Look up, my friend, I’ll show you lightning’s streaks, So like the wildly waving arms of freaks.
71- ﻴﻀﻲﺀ ﺴ ﻨ ﺎ ﻩ ﺃﻭ ﻤﺼﺎﺒﻴﺢ ﺭ ﺍ ﻫِ ﺏٍ ﺃﻤﺎل ﺍ ﻟ ﺴ ﻠ ﻴ ﻁﹶ ﺒﺎﻟﺫﱡﺒﺎلِ ﺍﻟﻤﻔﹶﺘﱠل ِ 71- It’s flash lights all, like monk’s lantern; well built, As oil rushes to soak its wick at tilt.
72- ﻗﹶﻌﺩﺕ ﻟﹶ ﻪ ﻭﺼﺤﺒﺘﻲ ﺒ ﻴ ﻥ ﻀ ﺎ ﺭ ﺝٍ ﻭ ﺒ ﻴ ﻥ ﺍ ﻟ ﻌ ﺫﹶ ﻴ ﺏِ ﺒ ﻌ ﺩ ﻤﺎ ﻤﺘﺄﻤﻠﻲ 72- ‘Tween “Dharj” and “Uthayb” t’watch the clouds sat we Amazed was I how far my eyes could see.
73- ﻋﻠﻰ ﻗﹶ ﻁﹶ ﻥٍ ﺒ ﺎ ﻟ ﺸﱠ ﻴ ﻡِ ﺃ ﻴ ﻤ ﻥ ﺼ ﻭ ﺒ ﻪِ ﻭ ﺃ ﻴ ﺴ ﺭ ﻩ ﻋﻠﻰ ﺍﻟﺴﺘﺎﺭِ ﻓﹶﻴﺫﹾﺒل ِ 73- Cloud-topp’d mount “Qatan” was there on our right, To left, cloud-topp’d “Sitar” and “Yethbel”, in sight.
74- ﻓﺄﻀﺤﻰ ﻴ ﺴ ﺢ ﺍﻟﻤﺎﺀ ﺤ ﻭ لَ ﻜﹸﺘﹶﻴﻔﹶﺔٍ ﻴ ﻜﹸ ﺏ ﻋﻠﻰ ﺍ ﻻ ﺫ ﻗ ﺎ ﻥِ ﺩ ﻭ ﺡ ﺍﻟﻜﹶﻨﹶﻬﺒل ِ 74- Torrential rain over “Kutaifa” poured, Uprooting trees that once up high had soared.
75- ﻭ ﻤ ﺭ ﻋﻠﻰ ﺍﻟﻘﹶﻨﺎﻥِ ﻤ ﻥ ﻨﹶ ﻔﹾ ﻴ ﺎ ﻨِ ﻪِ ﻓ ﺄ ﻨ ﺯ لَ ﻤﻨﻪ ﺍ ﻟ ﻌ ﺼ ﻡ ﻤﻥ ﻜﹸ لﱢ ﻤﻨﹾﺯِل ِ 75- “Qinan’s” high mount was struck by that deluge, It’s frightened elk hurried for safe refuge.
76- ﻭ ﺘﹶ ﻴ ﻤ ﺎ ﺀ ﻟﻡ ﻴ ﺘ ﺭ ﻙ ﺒﻬﺎ ﺠِ ﺫﹾ ﻉ ﻨﹶ ﺨﹾ ﻠﹶ ﺔٍ ﻭﻻ ﺃ ﻁﹸ ﻤ ﺎﹰ ﺇﻻ ﻤ ﺸ ﻴ ﺩ ﺍﹰ ﺒِﺠﻨﹾﺩل ِ 76- “Taymaa`”s date palms were swiftly over thrown The floods swept all but mansions built of stone.
77- ﻜ ﺄ ﻥ ﺜﹶﺒﻴﺭﺍﹰ ﻓﻲ ﻋﺭﺍﻨﻴﻥ ﻭ ﺒ ﻠِ ﻪِ ﻜﹶﺒﻴﺭ ﺃ ﻨ ﺎ ﺱٍ ﻓﻲ ﺒِ ﺠ ﺎ ﺩٍ ﻤﺯﻤل ِ 77- “Thebeer’s” high mount was braced for that onslaught,
10
As the cloaked lord, storm shelter once had sought.
78- ﻜﺄﻥ ﺫﹸﺭﻯ ﺭ ﺃ ﺱِ ﺍ ﻟ ﻤ ﺠ ﻴ ﻤِ ﺭِ ﻏﹸ ﺩ ﻭ ﺓﹰ ﻤِﻥ ﺍﻟﺴﻴلِ ﻭ ﺍ ﻷ ﻋ ﺜ ﺎ ﺀِ ﻓﹶ ﻠﹾ ﻜﹶ ﺔﹸ ﻤِﻐﹾﺯل ِ 78- The loaded floods around “Mujaymir” swirled, And spun as swiftly as a spindle twirled.17
79- ﻭﺃﻟﻘﻰ ﺒِ ﺼ ﺤ ﺭ ﺍ ﺀِ ﺍﻟﻐﹶﺒﻴﻁِ ﺒ ﻌ ﺎ ﻋ ﻪ ﻨﹸ ﺯ ﻭ لَ ﺍﻟﻴﻤﺎﻨﻲ ﺫﻱ ﺍ ﻟ ﻌ ﻴ ﺎ ﺏِ ﺍﻟﻤﺤﻤل ِ 79- “Ghabeet” desert was then with colour laid, Like Yem’ni wares merchants in full displayed.
80- ﻜ ﺄ ﻥ ﻤ ﻜﹶ ﺎ ﻜ ﻲ ﺍﻟﺠِﻭﺍﺀ ﻏﹸ ﺩ ﻴ ﺔﹰ ﺼ ﺒِ ﺤ ﻥ ﺴ ﻼ ﻓ ﺎﹰ ﻤِﻥ ﺭ ﺤ ﻴ ﻕٍ ﻤﻔﹶﻠﹾﻔﹶل ِ 80- “Mikaak” birds’ song throughout the valley rang. ‘s if peppered wine had drunk, they happ’ly sang.
81- ﻜﺄﻥ ﺍﻟﺴﺒﺎﻉ ﻓﻴﻪ ﻏﹶﺭﻗﻰ ﻋ ﺸ ﻴ ﺔﹰ ﺒﺄﺭﺠ ﺎ ﺌِ ﻪِ ﺍﻟﻘﺼﻭﻯ ﺃﻨﺎﺒﻴﺵﹸ ﻋﻨﹾﺼل ِ 81- The beasts that were in floods beswept and drowned, Like flooded crops, in mud were deeply bound.
[2] ﺨﻠﻴﻠﻲ ﻤﺭﺍ ﺒﻲ ﻋﻠﻰ ﺃﻡ ﺠ ﻨ ﺩ ﺏِ “At Umm Jundub, on me, my friends, do call”
Imru’ul Qays had married a woman of the Tayy tribe called ‘Umm Jundub. One ‘Alqama b. ‘Abda al–Temimi came while Imru’ul Qays was sitting in a tent with Umm Jundub behind him. The two men exchanged verses, each claiming to be more of a poet than the other. They each recited a poem, with Umm Jundub as a referee. Imru’ul Qays recited:
1- ﺨﹶﻠﻴﻠﻲ ﻤﺭﺍ ﺒﻲ ﻋﻠﻰ ﺃﻡ ﺠ ﻨ ﺩ ﺏِ ﻨﹸ ﻘﹶ ﺽ ﻟﹸﺒﺎﻨﺎﺕﹶ ﺍﻟﻔﺅﺍﺩ ﺍ ﻟ ﻤ ﻌ ﺫﱠ ﺏِ 1- At Umm Jundub, on me, my friends do call, To meet such wants that do my heart befall.
2- ﻓﺄﻨﻜﹸﻤﺎ ﺇ ﻥ ﺘﻨﻅﺭﺍﻨﻲ ﺴ ﺎ ﻋ ﺔﹰً ﻤﻥ ﺍ ﻟ ﺩ ﻫ ﺭ ﺘﹶ ﻨﹾ ﻔﹶ ﻌ ﻨ ﻲ ﻟﺩﻯ ﺃﻡ ﺠ ﻨﹾ ﺩ ﺏِ
17 The flood-waters were heavily loaded with debris.
11
2- Should you, with me, awhile in verse debate That would with Umm Jundub my worth elate.
3- ﺃﻟﻡ ﺘﹶﺭﻴﺎﻨﻲ ﻜﹸﻠﹼﻤﺎ ﺠِ ﺌ ﺕﹸ ﻁ ﺎ ﺭ ﻗ ﺎﹰ ﻭﺠﺩﺕ ﺒﻬﺎ ﻁﻴﺒﺎﹰ ﻭﺇﻥ ﻟﻡ ﺘ ﻁﹶ ﻴ ﺏِ 3- When e’er, to her, I come, I am besot. Perfumed she is, though perfume she wears not.
4- ﻋ ﻘ ﻴ ﻠﹶ ﺔﹸ ﺃ ﺘﹾ ﺭ ﺍ ﺏٍ ﻟﻬﺎ ، ﻻ ﺫﻤﻴﻤﺔ ﻭﻻ ﺫﺍﺕ ﺨﹶ ﻠﹾ ﻕٍ ﺇﻥ ﺘ ﺄ ﻤ ﻠ ﺕﹶ ﺠﺄﻨﺏ ِ 4- Paragon ‘mongst her peers: for she’s not plain, No plainnesses, observe, her fine form stain.
5- ﺃﻻ ﻟ ﻴ ﺕﹶ ﺸِﻌﺭﻱ ﻜﹶﻴﻑ ﺤﺎﺩﺙ ﻭﺼﻠِﻬﺎ ﻭﻜﹶﻴﻑ ﺘﹸﺭﺍﻋﻲ ﻭ ﺼ ﻠﹶ ﺔﹶَ ﺍ ﻟ ﻤ ﺘﹶ ﻐﹶ ﻴ ﺏِ 5- In truth, how are her ‘ffections to be won? Would she retain them for the absent one?
6- ﺃ ﻗﹶ ﺎ ﻤ ﺕﹾ ﻋﻠﻰ ﻤﺎ ﺒﻴﻨﻨﺎ ﻤﻥ ﻤ ﻭ ﺩ ﺓٍ ﺃ ﻤ ﻴ ﻤ ﺔﹸ ﺃ ﻡ ﺼ ﺎ ﺭ ﺕﹾ ﻟِ ﻘﹶ ﻭ لِ ﺍ ﻟ ﻤ ﺨﹶ ﺒ ﺏِ 6- Keep she th’ affections that us both have shrived, Or has she on the rogues’ falsehoods thrived?
7- ﻓﺈﻥ ﺘﹶ ﻨﹾ ﺄَ ﻋﻨﻬﺎ ﺤِ ﻘﹾ ﺒ ﺔﹰ ﻻ ﺘﹸﻼﻗِﻬﺎ ﻓﺄﻨﻙ ﻤِﻤﺎ ﺃﺤﺩﺜﹶﺕ ﺒ ﺎ ﻟ ﻤ ﺠ ﺭ ﺏِ 7- Absent yourself awhile from her, you’ll find Her not; for well you know her mind and kind.
8- ﻭﻗﺎﻟﺕ ﻤﺘﻰ ﻴ ﺒ ﺨﹶ لْ ﻋ ﻠ ﻴ ﻙ ﻭ ﻴ ﻌ ﺘﹶ ﻠ لْ ﻴ ﺴ ﺅ ﻙ ﻭ ﺇ ﻥ ﻴ ﻜﹾ ﺸﹶ ﻑﹾ ﻏﹶ ﺭ ﺍ ﻤ ﻙ ﺘﹶ ﺩ ﺭ ﺏِ 8- Her favours short:- your surging passions wane Her favours full:- your passions surge again
9- ﺘﹶ ﺒ ﺼ ﺭ ﺨﹶﻠﻴﻠﻲ ﻫل ﺘﺭﻯ ﻤِﻥ ﻅ ﻌ ﺎ ﺌ ﻥٍ ﺴ ﺅ ﺍ ﻟِ ﻙ ﻨﹶ ﻘﹾ ﺒ ﺎﹰ ﺒ ﻴ ﻥ ﺤﺯﻤﻲ ﺸﹶ ﻌ ﺒ ﻌ ﺏِ 9- Look there, my friend, and see the howdahs sway Through trails that by “Shacab cab” water lay.
10- ﻋ ﻠﹶ ﻭ ﻥ ﺒﺄﻨﻁﺎﻜﻴﺔٍ ﻓﹶ ﻭ ﻕﹶ ﻋِ ﻘﹾ ﻤ ﺔٍ ﻜﹶ ﺠِ ﺭ ﻤ ﺔِ ﻨﹶ ﺨﹾ لٍ ﺃﻭ ﻜﹶ ﺠ ﻨﹼ ﺔِ ﻴ ﺜﹾ ﺭِ ﺏِ 10- In howdahs, belles in colours rich and soft, Like yellow-red fruit palms hold up aloft.
11- ﻭﻟﻠﹼﻪِ ﻋﻴﻨﺎ ﻤ ﻥ ﺭﺃﻯ ﻤﻥ ﺘﹶ ﻔﹶ ﺭ ﻕٍ ﺃ ﺸﹶ ﺙﹸ ﻭﺃﻨﺄﻯ ﻤﻥ ﻓِﺭﺍﻕِ ﺍ ﻟ ﻤ ﺤ ﺼّ ﺏِ
12
11- The eye be bless’t that sees them all dispersed As those who stoned “Muhasab” idol, and cursed.18
12- ﻓﺭﻴﻘﺎﻥ ﻤﻨﻬﻡ ﺠ ﺎ ﺯ ﻉ ﺒ ﻁﹾ ﻥ ﻨﹶ ﺨﹾ ﻠﹶ ﺔٍ ﻭﺁﺨﺭ ﻤﻨﻬﻡ ﻗﺎﻁِﻊ ﻨﹶ ﺠ ﺩ ﻜﹶ ﺒ ﻜﹶ ﺏِ 12- Some howdahs to some verdant palm groves head Some cross o’er mount “Kebkab”; so bleak, so dead,19
13- ﻓﹶﻌﻴﻨﺎﻙ ﻏﹶ ﺭ ﺒ ﺎﹰ ﺠ ﺩ ﻭ لٍ ﻓﻲ ﻤ ﻔﹶ ﺎ ﻀ ﺔٍ ﻜﹶ ﻤ ﺭ ﺍ ﻟ ﺨﹶ ﻠ ﻴ ﺞِ ﻓﻲ ﺼ ﻔ ﻴ ﺢٍ ﻤ ﺼ ﻭ ﺏِ 13- A stream of tears at their departure flows Like stone-banked channel water, swiftly goes20.
14- ﻭ ﺇ ﻨﹼ ﻙ ﻟﻡ ﻴ ﻔﹾ ﺨﹶ ﺭ ﻋ ﻠ ﻴ ﻙ ﻜﹶ ﻔ ﺎ ﺨِ ﺭٍ ﻀ ﻌ ﻴ ﻑٍ ﻭ ﻟﹶ ﻡ ﻴ ﻐﹾ ﻠِ ﺒ ﻙ ﻤﺜلُ ﻤ ﻐﹶ ﻠﱠ ﺏِ 14- Vicious is th’ triumph of the proud, but weak. Vicious the triumph over you they seek.
15- ﻭ ﺇ ﻨﹼ ﻙ ﻟ ﻡ ﺘﹶ ﻘﹾ ﻁﹶ ﻊ ﻟﹸ ﺒ ﺎ ﻨﹶ ﺔﹶ ﻋ ﺎ ﺸِ ﻕٍ ﺒِ ﻤِ ﺜﹾ لِ ﻏﹸ ﺩ ﻭ ﺃﻭ ﺭ ﻭ ﺍ ﺡٍ ﻤﺅﻭﺏِ 15- The experienced, of what is true, would tell, who can, from knowledge of truth’s ways, foretell.
16- ﺒﺄﺩﻤﺎﺀ ﺤ ﺭ ﺠ ﻭ ﺝٍ ﻜﹶ ﺄ ﻥ ﻗﹸﺘﹸﻭﺩﻫﺎ ﻋﻠﻰ ﺃﺒﻠـَﻕ ِﺍﻟﻜﹶﺸﹾﺤﻴﻥ ﻟﻴﺱ ﺒ ﻤ ﻐ ﺭِ ﺏِ 16- White she-camels, small waisted, tall and lean, So like wild-ass, at vig’rous canter keen.
17- ﻴ ﻐﹶ ﺭ ﺩ ﺒ ﺎ ﻷ ﺴ ﺤ ﺎ ﺭِ ﻓﻲ ﻜﹸ لّ ﺴ ﺩ ﻓ ﺔٍ ﺘﹶ ﻐﹶ ﺭ ﺩ ﻤ ﻴ ﺎ ﺡِ ﺍﻟﻨﱠﺩﺍﻤﻰ ﺍ ﻟ ﻤ ﻁﹶ ﺭ ﺏِ 17- Wild-ass, at darkness, braying loud and long Like drunken singer, drunk with drunken song.
18- ﺃ ﻗﹶ ﺏ ﺭ ﺒ ﺎ ﻉٍ ﻤِ ﻥ ﺤ ﻤ ﻴ ﺭِ ﻋ ﻤ ﺎ ﻴ ﺔٍ ﻴ ﻤ ﺞ ﻟﹸ ﻌ ﺎ ﻉ ﺍ ﻟ ﺒ ﻘﹾ لِ ﻓﻲ ﻜ لّ ﻤ ﺸ ﺭ ﺏِ 18- Full-fed, the wild-ass bull at water’s brink. It’s mouth with grazing drips while at its drink.
18 Al- “Muhasab” (The stoned one) is the idol of Satan at the Pilgrimage site at “Mina”. Stoning the Devil is still one of the Pilgrimage rites at Mecca . He is saying that the howdah caravan disperses in all directions, as the ritual stone-throwers do after that ceremony is over. 19 Mount Kebkab, is bleak and bare, lies behind Mount Arafat; the pilgrimage mountain near Mecca. 20 Channelled water was kept still during the night, and released into palm groves at daybreak.
13
19- ﺒِ ﻤ ﺤ ﻨِ ﻴ ﺔٍ ﻗﹶ ﺩ ﺁ ﺯ ﺭ ﺍ ﻟ ﻀ ﺎ لُ ﻨﹶ ﺒ ﺘﹶ ﻬ ﺎ ﻤ ﺠ ﺭ ﺠ ﻴ ﻭ ﺵٍ ﻏ ﺎ ﻨِ ﻤ ﻴ ﻥ ﻭ ﺨﹸ ﻴ ﺏِ 19- The ass feeds well at valley’s verdant bend. Where armies clash, on pasture `t can depend21
20- ﻭﻗﹶﺩ ﺍﻏﺘﺩﻱ ﻭﺍﻟﻁﹶﻴﺭ ﻓﻲ ﻭﻜﹸﻨﹶﺎﺘِﻬﺎ ﻭﻤﺎﺀ ﺍﻟﻨﹶﺩﻯ ﻴﺠﺭﻱ ﻋﻠﻰ ﻜل ﻤِ ﺫﹾ ﻨﹶ ﺏِ 20- I might arise when birds are still at nest And grove-water no longer is at rest
21- ﺒِ ﻤ ﻨﹾ ﺠ ﺭِ ﺩٍ ﻗﹶ ﻴ ﺩِ ﺍ ﻷ ﻭ ﺍ ﺒِ ﺩِ ﻻ ﺤ ﻪ ﻁِ ﺭ ﺍ ﺩ ﺍ ﻟ ﻬ ﻭ ﺍ ﺩِ ﻱ ﻜﹸ لﱠ ﺸﹶ ﺄ ﻭٍ ﻤ ﻐﹶ ﺭ ﺏِ 21- The steed’s gallop keeps cant’ring beasts at bay. with gallop, lean and hard it will e’er stay.
22- ﻋﻠﻰ ﺍ ﻷ ﻴ ﻥِ ﺠ ﻴ ﺎ ﺵٍ ﻜﺄﻥ ﺴ ﺭ ﺍ ﺘ ـَ ﻪ ﻋﻠﻰ ﺍ ﻟ ﻀ ﻤ ﺭِ ﻭﺍﻟﺘِﻌﺩﺍﺀِ ﺴﺭﺤﺔ ٌ ﻤ ﺭ ﻗ ﺏِ 22- Ov’rcomes fatigue, its back so sleek and lean Hard– fixed as desert tree in distance seen.
23- ﻴﺒﺎﺭﻱ ﺍ ﻟ ﺨﹶ ﻨ ﻭ ﻑﹶ ﺍ ﻟ ﻤ ﺴ ﺘﹶ ﻘِ لﱠ ﺯِ ﻤ ﺎ ﻤ ﻪ ﺘﹶﺭﻯ ﺸﺨﺼﻪ ﻜﺄﻨﻪ ﻋ ﻭ ﺩ ﻤِ ﺸﹾ ﺠ ﺏِ 23- It’s fore–legs, like wild–ass,vigour defy. It’s mettle clean as clothes hung out to dry
24- ﻟﹶ ﻪ ﺍ ﻴ ﻁﹶ ﻼﹶ ﻅﹶ ﺒ ﻲٍ ﻭﺴﺎﻗﺎ ﻨﹶ ﻌ ﺎ ﻤ ﺔٍ ﻭ ﺼ ﻬ ﻭ ﺓﹸ ﻋ ﻴ ﺭٍ ﻗ ﺎ ﺌ ﻡٍ ﻓﹶ ﻭ ﻕﹶ ﻤ ﺭ ﻗﹶ ﺏِ 24- As ostrich, legged; as oryx, waisted lean; Wild– ass saddle; straight, high, and keen.
25- ﻭﻴﺨﹾﻁﹸﻭ ﻋﻠﻰ ﺼ ﻡ ﺼِ ﻼ ﺏٍ ﻜﹶﺄﻨﹼﻬﺎ ﺤِ ﺠ ﺎ ﺭ ﺓﹸ ﻏﹶ ﻴ لٍ ﻭ ﺍ ﺭ ﺜ ﺎ ﺕﹲ ﺒِ ﻁﹸ ﺤ ﻠِ ﺏِ 25- It walks on hoofs, stone–hard, yellowish-grey Like stones that did, long–whiles, in still ponds stay
26- ﻟﻪ ﻜﹶ ﻔﹶ لٌ ﻜ ﺎ ﻟ ﺩِ ﻋ ﺹِ ﻟﹶ ﺒ ﺩ ﻩ ﺍﻟﻨﹶﺩﻯ ﺇﻟﻰ ﺤ ﺎ ﺭِ ﻙٍ ﻤِ ﺜﹾ لِ ﺍﻟﻐﹶﺒﻴﻁِ ﺍﺍﻟﻤﺫﹶﺃﺏِ 26- It’s frame well–wrought, is welded firmly fast As dunes by wet– heat; high as howdah’s mast.
21 Armies, victorious or defeated, clash at the bend of the valley, thus herdsmen avoid grazing their animals there; leaving lush pasture for the wild-ass.
14
27- ﻭ ﻋ ﻴ ﻥ ﻜ ﻤِ ﺭ ﺁ ﺓِ ﺍ ﻟ ﺼ ﻨﹶ ﺎ ﻉِ ﺘﹸﺩﻴﺭﻫﺎ ﻟِ ﻤ ﺤ ﺠ ﺭِﻫﺎ ﻤِ ﻥ ﺍ ﻟ ﻨﹼ ﺼ ﻴ ﻑِ ﺍ ﻟ ﻤ ﻨﹶ ﻘﱠ ﺏِ 27- Clear eyes! Like woman mirroring her face, To see if veil exactly fits in place.
28- ﻟﹶ ﻪ ﺃُ ﺫﹸ ﻨ ﺎ ﻥِ ﺘﹶﻌﺭِﻑ ﺍ ﻟ ﻌِ ﺘﹾ ﻕﹸ ﻓﻴﻬِﻤﺎ ﻜﺴﺎﻤﻌﺘﻲ ﻤ ﺫ ﻋ ﻭ ﺭ ﺓٍ ﻭ ﺴ ﻁﹶ ﺭ ﺒ ﺭ ﺏِ 28- It’s sharp ear-points show grand pedigree clear As startled deer when ‘pending danger hear.
29- ﻭ ﻤ ﺴ ﺘﹶ ﻔ ﻠِ ﻙ ﺍﻟﺯِﻓﹾﺭﻯ ﻜﺄﻥ ﻋِ ﻨ ﺎ ﻨﹶ ﻪ ﻭﻤﺜﻨﺎﺘﹶﻪ ﻓﻲ ﺭ ﺃ ﺱِ ﺠِِ ﺫﹾ ﻉٍ ﻤ ﺸﹶ ﺫﱠ ﺏِ 29- Round head; high neck with fine harness betopped is like palm tree with lower branches lopped.
30- ﻭ ﺃ ﺴ ﺤ ﻡ ﺭ ﻴ ﺎ ﻥ ﺍ ﻟ ﻌ ﻴ ﺏِ ﻜﹶ ﺄ ﻨﹼ ﻪ ﻋﺜﺎﻜﻴلُ ﻗِ ﻨﹾ ﻭٍ ﻤﻥ ﺴ ﻤ ﻴ ﺤ ﺔِ ﻤ ﺭ ﻁِ ﺏِ 30- Of th’tail’s rich weight one could forever tell. As heavy dates hang by “Sumayha’s” well.22
31- ﺇﺫﺍ ﻤﺎ ﺠﺭﻯ ﺸﺄﻭﻴﻥ ﻭ ﺃ ﺒ ﺘﹶ لﱠ ﻋِ ﻁﹾ ﻔﹸ ﻪ ﺘﻘﻭل ﻫ ﺯ ﻴ ﺭ ﺍﻟﺭﻴﺢ ﻤ ﺭ ﺕﹾ ﺒﺄﺜﺄﺏِ 31- At gallop, when strong wind accosts its flank Gives sound like wind ablow through “Ath’ab’s” bank23
32- ﻭ ﻴ ﺨﹾ ﻀِ ﺩ ﻓﻲ ﺍﻵﺭِﻱ، ﺤﺘﻰ ﻜﺄﻨﹼﻪ ﺒ ﻪِ ﻋ ﺭ ﺓﹲ ﻤﻥ ﻁﺎﺌﻑٍ، ﻏﻴﺭ ﻤ ﻌ ﻘِ ﺏِ 32- It tears at foliage with brutal intent as if by mad spirits, to feed, was sent.
33- ﻴ ﺩ ﻴ ﺭ ﻗﹶﻁﹶﺎﺓﹰ ﻜﹶﺎﻟﻤﺤﺎﻟﺔِ ﺃ ﺸﹾ ﺭ ﻓﹶ ﺕﹾ ﺇﻟﻰ ﺴ ﻨﹶ ﺩٍ ﻤِ ﺜﹾ لِ ﺍﻟﻐﺒﻴﻁِ ﺍ ﻟ ﻤ ﺫ ﺃّ ﺏِ 33- A second-rider on its back-end twirls, As howdah’s climbing mast-pole sways and swirls.24
34- ﻓ ﻴ ﻭ ﻤ ﺎﹰ ﻋﻠﻰ ﺴِ ﺭ ﺏٍ ﻨﹶ ﻘِ ﻲ ﺠ ﻠﹸ ﻭ ﺩ ﻩ ﻭ ﻴ ﻭ ﻤ ﺎﹰ ﻋﻠﻰ ﺒ ﻴ ﺩ ﺍ ﻨﹶ ﺔٍ ﺃُﻡ ﺜﹶ ﻭ ﻟﹶ ﺏِ
22 Sumayha’s well: a well at a location at Medina (then called Yethrib) known for its profuse water. Medina dates, even today are known for their large size and high quality. 23 ‘Ath’ab: a species of tree amplifying the sound of wind blowing through it. Such trees rising on a bank amplify the sound of wind even more effectively. 24 Howdah’s mast-pole: howdahs. womens tent-like housing placed on camels, is supported – like tents– by a central pole, which sways and swirls with the animal’s movements.
15
34- A day, is aft’r pure-white oryx in chase, An’ther, it runs with wild-ass foal in race
35- ﻓﹶﺒﻴﻨﺎ ﻨِ ﻌ ﺎ ﺝ ﻴ ﺭ ﺘﹶ ﻌ ﻥ ﺨﹶ ﻤ ﻴ ﻠﹶ ﺔﹰ ﻜ ﻤ ﺸ ﻲِ ﺍﻟﻌﺫﺍﺭﻯ ﻓﻲ ﺍ ﻟ ﻤ ﻼ ﺀِ ﺍ ﻟ ﻤ ﻬ ﺩ ﺏِ 35- Oryx ewes ‘neath bowers graze away, Like virgins dressed in white, in softness sway.
36- ﻓﹶﻁﹶﺎلَ ﺘﹶ ﻨﹶ ﺎ ﺩ ﻴ ﻨ ﺎ ﻭ ﻋ ﻘﹾ ﺩ ﻋِ ﺫ ﺍ ﺭِ ﻩِ ﻭ ﻗ ﺎ لَ ﺼِﺤﺎﺒﻲ ﻗﹶ ﺩ ﺸ ﺄ ﻭ ﻨﹶ ﻙ ﻓ ﺎﹾ ﻁﹾ ﻠﹸ ﺏِ 36- We called to one an’ther the hunt to start. “They’re fled!” my friends called back “After them!Depart!”
37- ﻓﹶﻸﻴﺎ ﺒِ ﻸ ﻱٍ ﻤﺎ ﺤ ﻤ ﻠﹾ ﻨ ﺎ ﻏﹸﻼﻤﻨﺎ ﻋﻠﻰ ﻅﻬﺭ ﻤ ﺤ ﺒ ﻭ ﻙِ ﺍﻟﺴﺭﺍﺓِ ﻤ ﺤ ﻨﹼ ﺏِ 37- With much ado our lad did mount the steed Whose hard, curved back did driv’n pow’r wield.
38- ﻭﻭﻟﹼﻰ ﻜﺸﺅﺒﻭﺏِ ﺍ ﻟ ﻌ ﺸِ ﻲ ﺒِﻭﺍﺒلٍ ﻭ ﻴ ﺤ ﺭ ﺠ ﻥ ﻤﻥ ﺠ ﻌ ﺩٍ ﺜﺭﺍﻩ ﻤ ﻨﹶ ﺼ ﺏِ 38- It drives ahead like lashing evening rain to o’er take the ewes across the dusty plain.
39- ﻓﹶﻠﻠﺴﺎﻕِ ﺃُ ﻟ ﻬ ﻭ ﺏ ﻭﻟﻠﺴﻭﻁِ ﺩِ ﺭ ﺓﹲ ﻭﻟﻠﺯﺠﺭِ ﻤِ ﻨ ﻪ ﻭ ﻗﹾ ﻊ ﺃ ﺨﹾ ﺭ ﺝ ﻤِ ﻨﹾ ﻌ ﺏِ 39- When spurred; inflamed. When lashed, gallops away. Rebuked; goes mad with charges of delay.
40- ﻓ ﺄ ﺩ ﺭ ﻙ ﻟﹶ ﻡ ﻴ ﺠ ﻬ ﺩ ﻭﻟﻡ ﻴ ﺜﹾ ﻥِ ﺸﹶ ﺄ ﻭ ﻩ ﻴ ﻤ ﺭ ﻜﹶ ﺨﹸ ﺫﹾ ﺭ ﻭ ﻑِ ﺍ ﻟ ﻭ ﻟ ﻴ ﺩِ ﺍ ﻟ ﻤ ﺜﹶ ﻘﱠ ﺏِ 40- With ease the steed draws round the herd a ring Like “stone– and– string” children in circles swing.25
41- ﺘﹶﺭﻯ ﺍ ﻟ ﻔﹶ ﺄ ﺭ ﻓﻲ ﻤ ﺴ ﺘﹶ ﻨﹾﻘﹶﻊ ﺍ ﻟ ﻘﹶ ﺎ ﻉِ ﻻ ﺤِ ﺒ ﺎﹰ ﻋﻠﻰ ﺠ ﺩ ﺩِ ﺍ ﻟ ﺼ ﺤ ﺭ ﺍ ﺀِ ﻤﻥ ﺸﹶ ﺩ ﻤ ﻠﹾ ﻬِ ﺏِ 41- It’s pounding hoofs drives out from sub–terrain rats that mistake them for hard–pounding rain.
42- ﺨﹶ ﻔ ﺎ ﻫ ﻥ ﻤِ ﻥ ﺍ ﻨ ﻔ ﺎ ﻗِ ﻬِ ﻥ ﻜﹶﺄﻨﹶﻤـﺎ ﺨﹶ ﻔ ﺎ ﻫ ﻥ ﻭ ﺩ ﻕﹲ ﻤﻥ ﻋ ﺸِ ﻲ ﻤ ﺠ ﻠﱢ ﺏِ
25 “Stone– and– string”: (Khudroof a children’s toy. A flat circular pebble, or smaller stone is tied to twine through a hole in its middle, and swung round.(vide supra n.12).
16
42- Driv’n out, the scurrying rats, in abject fear that their holes be flooded by th’rain they hear.
43- ﻓﹶﻌﺎﺩﻯ ﻋِ ﺩ ﺍ ﺀ ﺒ ﻴ ﻥ ﺜﹶ ﻭ ﺭٍ ﻭ ﻨﹶ ﻌ ﺠ ﺔٍ ﻭ ﺒ ﻴ ﻥ ﺸﹶ ﺒ ﻭ ﺏٍ ﻜ ﺎ ﻟ ﻘ ﻀ ﻴ ﻤ ﺔِ ﻗﹶ ﺭ ﻫ ﺏِ 43- The bulls and cows the steed does so enfold, Of bulls both big and small, both young and old.26
44- ﻭ ﻅﹶ لﱠ ﻟﺜﻴ ﺭ ﺍ ﻥِ ﺍﻟﺼﺭﻴﻡ ﻏ ﻤ ﺎ ﻏِ ﻡ ﻴﺩﺍﻋِﺴﻬﺎ ﺒ ﺎ ﻟ ﺴ ﻤ ﻬ ﺭِ ﻱ ﺍ ﻟ ﻤ ﻌ ﻠﱠ ﺏِ 44- O’er dunes some bulls entwist in deathly dance, enpained when struck by th’hard, well–pointed lance
45- ﻓﹶ ﻜ ﺎ ﺏٍ ﻋﻠﻰ ﺤ ﺭ ﺍﻟﺠﺒﻴﻥ ﻭ ﻤ ﺘ ﻕٍ ﺒ ﻤِ ﺩ ﺭِ ﻴ ﺔٍ ﻜﹶﺄﻨﻬﺎ ﺫﹶ ﻟﹾ ﻕﹸ ﻤِ ﺸﹾ ﻌ ﺏِ 45- Struck down; stumbling, upon their brows some fall, While some ward off with horn as sharp as awl.
46- ﻭﻗﹸﻠﹾﻨﹶـﺎ ﻟِ ﻔِ ﺘ ﻴ ﺎ ﻥٍ ﻜِ ﺭ ﺍ ﻡٍ ﺃﻻ ﺍﻨﹾﺯِﻟﻭﺍ ﻓﹶﻌﺎﻟﹸﻭﺍ ﻋﻠﻴﻨﹶﺎ ﻓ ﻀ لَ ﺜﹶ ﻭ ﺏٍ ﻤ ﻁ ﻨﱠ ﺏِ 46- We asked fine youths when kills were fin’lly made, a tent to make from ropes and clothes; for shade.
47- ﻭ ﺃ ﻭ ﺘﹶ ﺎ ﺩ ﻩ ﻤ ﺎ ﺫِ ﻴ ﺔﹲ ﻭ ﻋِ ﻤ ﺎ ﺩ ﻩ ﺭﺩﻴﻨﻴﺔٍ ﻓﻴﻬﺎ ﺃ ﺴِ ﻨﹼ ﺔﹸ ﻗﹶ ﻌ ﻀ ﺏِ 47- Make-shift it was, from cloaks and harness made. It’s poles “Rudayna” spears with “Qaadhab’s” blade.27
48- ﻭﺃَﻁﹾﻨﹶﺎﺒﻪ ﺃﺸﹶﻁﺎﻥ ﺨ ﻭ ﺽٍ ﻨﹶ ﺠ ﺎ ﺌِ ﺏٍ ﻭ ﺼ ﻬ ﻭ ﺘﹸ ﻪ ﻤﻥ ﺃ ﺜ ﺤ ﻤ ﻲ ﻤ ﺸﹶ ﺭ ﻋ ﺏِ 48- It ropes were camel harness, to uphold its roof of fine garments that Yemen sold.
49- ﻓﹶﻠﹶﻤﺎ ﺩ ﺨﹶ ﻠﹾ ﻨ ﺎ ﻩ ﺃﻀﻔﹾﻨﹶﺎ ﻅﹸﻬﻭﺭﻨﺎ ﺇﻟﻰ ﻜﹸ لّ ﺤ ﺎ ﺭِ ﻱ ﺠ ﺩ ﻴ ﺩٍ ﻤ ﺸﹶ ﻁﱠ ﺏٍ 49- Into our tent we crept and lay, leaning `pon our well–made, well–striped “Hirite” saddling.28
26 Bulls and cows refer to males and females in the herd of oryx. 27 “Rudayna” high-quality spears made by one ‘Qaadhab’ of the Beni Qashir, husband of one Rudayna. His spears were named after her. 28 Hira- The town in southern ‘Al-Iraq famed then for its quality saddling.
17
50- ﻜﹶﺄﻥ ﻋ ﻴ ﻭ ﻥ ﺍ ﻟ ﻭ ﺤ ﺵِ ﺤ ﻭ لَ ﺨِﺒﺎﺌِﻨﹶﺎ ﻭﺃﺭﺤﻠِﻨﺎ ﺍ ﻟ ﺠ ﺯ ﻉ ﺍﻟﺫﻱ ﻟﻡ ﻴ ﺜﹾ ﻘﹶ ﺏِ 50- As if th’oryx eyes round our tent and gear were beads; jet–black, milk–white, unholed, full clear.
51- ﻨﹶ ﻤ ﺵﱡ ﺒﺄﻋﺭﺍﻑِ ﺍ ﻟ ﺠِ ﻴ ﺎ ﺩِ ﺃﻜﹸﻔﹼﻨﹶـﺎ ﺍﺫﺍ ﻨﹶ ﺤ ﻥ ﻗﹸ ﻤ ﻥ ﻋﻥ ﺸِ ﻭ ﺍ ﺀٍ ﻤ ﻀ ﻬ ﺏِ 51- On horses manes we wiped our hands, well–greased, rising from our half– roasted oryx feast.
52- ﻭﺭﺤﻨﺎ ﻜﺄﻨﺎ ﻤﻥ ﺠﺅﺍﺜﻰ ﻋ ﺸِ ﻴ ﺔﹰ ﻨﹸﻌﺎﻟﻲ ﺍ ﻟ ﻨِ ﻌ ﺎ ﺝ ﺒﻴﻥ ﻋِ ﺩ لٍ ﻭ ﻤ ﺤ ﻘﹶ ﺏِ 52- We left, ‘s if from “Ju’atha” way we dragged th’ oryx we had o’er saddles and embagged.29
53- ﻭ ﺭ ﺍ ﺡ ﻜﹶ ﺘﹶ ﻴ ﺱِ ﺍ ﻟ ﺭ ﺒ لِ ﻴ ﻨﹾ ﻔﹸ ﺽ ﺭ ﺃ ﺴ ﻪ ﺃ ﺫ ﺍ ﺓﹰ ﺒ ﻪِ ﻤِ ﻥ ﺼ ﺎ ﺌِ ﻙٍ ﻤ ﺘﹶ ﺤ ﻠﱢ ﺏِ 53- My burdened mount, that on the “Rabl” had grazed Sweats free and is by its own sweat dismayed30
54- ﺤﺒﻴﺏ ﺇﻟﻰ ﺍ ﻷ ﺼ ﺤ ﺎ ﺏِ ﻏﹶ ﻴ ﺭ ﻤﻠﹶﻌﻥ ٍ ﻴ ﻔﹶ ﺩ ﻭ ﻨﹶ ﻪ ﺒ ﺎ ﻷ ﻤ ﻬ ﺎ ﺕِ ﻭ ﺒ ﺎ ﻷ ﺏِ 54- Ne’er cursed, this steed to friends is very dear. More than parental love for it they bear.
55- ﻓﹶ ﻴ ﻭ ﻤ ﺎﹰ ﻋﻠﻰ ﺒ ﻘﹾ ﻊٍ ﺩِﻗﹶﺎﻕﹶ ﺼ ﺩ ﻭ ﺭ ﻩ ﻭ ﻴ ﻭ ﻤ ﺎﹰ ﻋﻠﻰ ﺴ ﻔﹾ ﻊِ ﺍ ﻟ ﻤ ﺩ ﺍ ﻤ ﻊِ ﺭ ﺒ ﺭ ﺏِ 55- A day to hunt fine-breast’d, hued birds is sent. Another, after black-eyed oryx went.
56- ﻜﺄﻥ ﺩﻤﺎﺀ ﺍ ﻟ ﻌ ﺎ ﺩِ ﻴ ﺎ ﺕِ ﺒ ﻨﹶ ﺤ ﺭِ ﻩِ ﻋ ﺼ ﺎ ﺭ ﻩ ﺤِ ﻨﹶ ﺎ ﺀٍ ﺒ ﺸ ﻴ ﺏٍ ﻤ ﺨﹶ ﻀ ﺏِ 56- As if prey’s blood that lay thick ‘pon its neck was Hennas that graying, white hair bedeck31
57- ﻭ ﺃ ﻨ ﺕﹶ ﺇﺫﺍ ﺍﺴﺘﺩﺒﺭﺘﹶﻪ ﺴ ﺩ ﻤ ﺯ ﺠ ﻪ ﺒ ﻀ ﺎ ﻑٍ ﻓﹸ ﻭ ﻴ ﻕﹶ ﺍﻷﺭﺽ ﻟﻴﺱ ﺒ ﺄ ﺼ ﻬ ﺏِ
29 Ju’atha: a market town in Bahrain famed for its merchandize. They have left, laden with oryx as if they had returned from Ju’athas’ markets, laden with purchases. 30 Rabl: desert grass growing on moist air rather than rain at winter, giving the horse added vigour. 31 Henna: a dark reddish-brown hair dye still used today; it is also used to decorate hands and feet on ceremonial occasions, such as feasts, marriages etc.
18
57- When viewed from rear, nothing of th’steed is seen Save its ground-length tail’s blackest glowing sheen.
[3] ﺃﺒﻌﺩ ﺍﻟﺤﺎﺭﺙ ﺍﻟﻤﻠﻙ ﺒﻥ ﻋﻤﺭﻭ Will there a king after al-Harith be
1- ﺃﺭﺍﻨﺎ ﻤ ﻭ ﻀِ ﻌ ﻴ ﻥ ﻷ ﻤ ﺭِ ﻏﹶ ﻴ ﺏٍ ﻭ ﻨ ﺴ ﺤ ﺭ ﺒﺎﻟﻁﱠﻌﺎﻡِ ﻭﺒﺎﻟﺸﹶﺭﺍﺏِ 1- We seem to head towards th ‘Unknowns’ dark brink. While we beguile our nights with food and drink.
2- ﻋﺼﺎﻓﻴﺭ، ﻭﺫﹸﺒﺎﻥ، ﻭﺩﻭﺩ، ﻭ ﺃ ﺠ ﺭ ﺃُ ﻤِ ﻥ ﻤ ﺠ ﻠﱢ ﺤ ﺔِ ﺍ ﻟ ﺫﱢ ﺌ ﺎ ﺏِ 2- We’re weaker than sparrows; than worms and flies. As bold as wolves; to hunt are swift to rise.
3- ﻭ ﻜﹸ لﱡ ﻤ ﻜ ﺎ ﺭِ ﻡ ﺍ ﻷ ﺨ ﻼ ﻕِ ﺼ ﺎ ﺭ ﺕﹾ ﺇ ﻟ ﻴ ﻪِ ﻫِﻤﺘﻲ، ﻭﺒﻪ ﺇﻜﺘﺴﺎﺒﻲ 3- To all fine manners I intend t’aspire. Through manners fine, what I seek most, acquire.
4- ﻓﹶ ﺒ ﻌ ﺽ ﺍﻟﻠﱠﻭﻡِ ﻋﺎﺫِﻟﹶﺘﻲ، ﻓﺈﻨﹼﻲ ﺴﺘﹶﻜﻔﻴﻨﻲ ﺍﻟﺘﱠﺠﺎﺭِﺏ، ﻭﺍﻨﺘﺴﺎﺒﻲ 4- So blame me less, by ‘xperience I’ve been taught. Birth-pride I’ve shunned, for fatal ‘tis if sought.32
5- ﺇﻟﻰ ﻋِ ﺭ ﻕِ ﺍﻟﺜﺭﻯ ﻭ ﺸﹶ ﺠ ﺕﹾ ﻋﺭﻭﻗﻲ، ﻭﻫﺫﺍ ﺍ ﻟ ﻤ ﻭ ﺕﹸ ﻴﺴﻠﹸﺒﻨﻲ ﺸﺒﺎﺒﻲ 5- My roots entwined with roots in earthen deeps. And looming death my youthful prime bereaps.33
32 Here he is addressing a woman, asking her to blame him less for being a fun-loving libertine; for experience had taught him all he needs to know. Birth-Pride, Pride in ancestry, is useless to him. The conventional wisdom of the time held that, if one is inexperienced, one should emulate the ways of one’s illustrious ancestors. Imru’ul Qays refutes this, saying that his ancestors are dead, and so will he be, so there’s no point, indeed it is fatal for him, to take pride as a source of inspiration and experience. 33 “earthen deeps” refers to Adam; that his roots go down deep to Adam, and he need’nt take pride in his own direct ancestry. Pride in ancestry is essentially a privilege of youth which looming death will rob him of soon.
19
6- ﻭﻨﹶﻔﹾﺴﻲ، ﺴ ﻭ ﻑﹶ ﻴﺴﻠﹸﺒﻬﺎ، ﻭ ﺠِ ﺭ ﻤ ﻲ ، ﻓﹶﻴﻠﺤِﻘﹸﻨﻲ، ﻭﺸﻴﻜﺎﹰ، ﺒﺎﻟﺘﱡﺭﺍﺏِ 6- Death will my frame, of breath of life, deprive. To send me down to dust, death will e’er strive.
7- ﺃَ ﻟﹶ ﻡ ﺃُ ﻨﹾ ﺽِ ﺍ ﻟ ﻤ ﻁ ﻲ ﺒِ ﻜﹸ لﱢ ﺨﹶ ﺭ ﻕٍ ﺃ ﻤ ﻕﱢ ﺍﻟﻁﱡﻭلِ، ﻟﹶ ﻤ ﺎ ﻉِ ﺍ ﻟ ﺴ ﺭ ﺍ ﺏِ 7- Have I not wearied mounts with long, hard rides; ‘n urge, through shimm’ring mirage, their plodding strides.
8- ﻭ ﺃ ﺭ ﻜﹶ ﺏ ﻓﻲ ﺍﻟﻠﱡﻬﺎﻡِ ﺍﻟﻤﺠﺭِ، ﺤﺘـﻰ ﺃ ﻨ ﺎ لَ ﻤ ﺂ ﻜِ لَ ﺍ ﻟ ﻘﹸ ﺤ ﻡِ ﺍ ﻟ ﺭِ ﻏﹶ ﺎ ﺏِ 8- And rode with hosts that all before devour, And broke to spoils in glory’s greatest hour.
9- ﻭ ﻗﹶ ﺩ ﻁ ﻭ ﻓ ﺕﹸ ﻓﻲ ﺍﻵﻓﺎﻕِ، ﺤﺘﻰ ﺭﻀﻴﺕﹸ، ﻤِ ﻥ ﺍﻟﻐﹶﻨﻴﻤﺔِ، ﺒ ﺎ ﻹ ﻴ ﺎ ﺏِ 9- I’ve roamed the world; so hard, so far, so wide. Wearied, sans gain, at home yearned to abide
10- ﺃ ﺒ ﻌ ﺩ ﺍﻟﺤﺎﺭﺙِ، ﺍﻟﻤﻠِﻙِ، ﺒﻥ ﻋ ﻤ ﺭٍ ﻭ ﺒ ﻌ ﺩ ﺍ ﻟ ﺨ ﻴ ﺭِ ﺤﺠﺭٍ، ﺫﻱ ﺍ ﻟ ﻘِ ﺒ ﺎ ﺏِ 10- No king like king “Harith bin ‘Amr” e’er comes, Nor good after “The Hujr of Many Domes”.34
11- ﺃُﺭﺠﻲ، ﻤِ ﻥ ﺼ ﺭ ﻭ ﻑِ ﺍﻟﺩﻫﺭِ، ﻟﻴﻨﺎﹰ، ﻭﻟﻡ ﺘﹶﻐﹾﻔﹶل ﻋﻥ ﺍ ﻟ ﺼ ﻡ ﺍ ﻟ ﻬِ ﻀ ﺎ ﺏِ 11- Shall I, of Turns of Time, soft times expect? To strike the mighty, Time ne’er did neglect.
12- ﻭﺍﻋﻠﹶــﻡ ﺃﻨﱠﻨـﻲ، ﻋﻤـﺎ ﻗﹶ ﺭ ﻴ ـ ﺏٍ ﺴ ﺄ ﻨ ﺸﹶ ﺏ ﻓﻲ ﺸﺒﺎ ﻅﹸ ﻔﹾ ﺭٍ ﻭ ﻨ ﺎ ﺏِ 12- I know, that I, before much time goes by, By sharpest fangs and claws, I’ll mangled lie.
13- ﻜﻤﺎ ﻻﻗﻰ ﺃﺒﻲ ﺤﺠﺭ، ﻭﺠﺩﻱ ﻭﻻ ﺃﻨﺴﻰ ﻗﹶﺘﻴﻼﹰ ﺒﺎﻟﻜِﻼﺏِ 13- As “Hujr” my sire, and grandsire, were slain, Those at “Kilab”, in mem’ry will remain.35
34 Harith bin ‘Amr, his grand father; Hujr, his father.
20
[4] ﺃﻴﺎ ﻫِﻨﹾﺩ ﻻ ﺘﹶﻨﹾﻜﺤﻲ ﺒ ﻭ ﻫ ﺔﹰ “O Hind, do not an owl, a weakling, wed.”
Pleading with his daughter Hind not to marry an incompetent weakling.
1- ﺃﻴﺎ ﻫِﻨﺩ، ﻻ ﺘﻨﻜﺤﻲ ﺒ ﻭ ﻫ ﺔﹰ ﻋ ﻠﹶ ﻴ ﻪِ ﻋﻘﻴﻘﹶﺘﹸﻪ، ﺃﺤﺴﺒـﺎ 1- O Hind, do not an owl, a weakling, wed. His hair, child’s fuzz; his skin sickly white’n ’red.36
2- ﻤ ﺭ ﺴ ﻌ ﺔﹲ ﺒﻴﻥ ﺃﺭﺴﺎﻏِﻪِ، ﺒ ﻪِ ﻋﺴﻡ، ﻴﺒﺘﹶﻐﻲ ﺃﺭﻨﹶﺒــﺎ 2- A charm he wears around his stiffened wrist. On catching hares he ever does insist37
3- ﻟ ﻴ ﺠ ﻌ لَ ﻓﻲ ﻜﹶ ﻔﱢ ﻪِ ﻜﹶﻌﺒﻬﺎ، ﺤِ ﺫ ﺍ ﺭ ﺍ ﻟ ﻤ ﻨِ ﻴ ﺔِ ﺃﻥ ﻴﻌﻁﹶﺒﺎ 3- To tie hare feet to his crook’d stiff’nd hand, he thinks that would ‘gainst death and danger stand.
4- ﻭ ﻟﹶ ﺴ ﺕﹸ ﺒِ ﺨﹸ ﺫ ﺭ ﺍ ﻓﹶ ﺔٍ ﻓﻲ ﻗﹸ ﻌ ﻭ ﺩٍ ﻭ ﻟﹶ ﺴ ﺕﹸ ﺒِﻁﹶﻴﺎﺨﹶﺔٍ، ﺃﺨﺩﺒﺎ 4- For I’m not giv’n to chat; to idly sit. Nor am a blith’ring fool sans sense and wit38
5- ﻭ ﻟﹶ ﺴ ﺕﹸ ﺒِﺫِﻱ ﺭﺜﹾﻴﺔٍ، ﺇﻤﺭٍ، ﺇﺫﺍ ﻗِ ﻴ ﺩ ﻤﺴﺘﻜﺭﻫﺎﹰ ﺃﺼﺤﺒﺎ 5- From weakness, and stiff joints,I suffer not. To lead, and not be led, e’er is my lot.
6- ﻭﻗﺎﻟﹶﺕﹾ: ﺒﻨﹶﻔﹾﺴﻲ ﺸﹶ ﺒ ﺎ ﺏ ﻟﹶ ﻪ ﻭ ﻟﹼ ﻤ ﺘﹸ ﻪ ﻗﹶ ﺒ لَ ﺃﻥ ﻴﺸﹾﺠﺒﺎ 6- “ I have enough youth him to give” she cries. “And shoulder-long hair t’give before he dies”.
35 He addresses his father Hujr, and his grandfather ‘al-Harith as “sizes” as both were kings. “Kilab” is the location where his uncle Shurahbil also fell. 36 In contrast to western lore which holds up the owl as a symbol of sagacity and wisdom, the Arabs call a useless, brainless weakling; an owl. 37 Hare feet were used as charms to allay ailments, and ward off hostile or envious eyes. 38 He stresses the seriousness of his advice; that it is not idle, mindless chatter. It also implies that she can rely on his strength rather than wed a fool and weakling.
21
7- ﻭ ﺇ ﺫﹾ ﻫﻲ ﺴ ﻭ ﺩ ﺍ ﺀ ﻤِ ﺜﹾ لُ ﺍﻟﻔﹸﺤﻡ، ﻨﹸﻐﹶﺸﹼﻲ ﺍ ﻟ ﻤ ﻁ ﺎ ﻨِ ﺏ ﻭ ﺍ ﻟ ﻤ ﻨﹾ ﻜِ ﺒ ﺎ 7- Coal-black hair down neck’n’ shoulders ’ndeed she had, that had with brightest gleam her shoulders clad.
[5] ﺃﺒﺴﺕ ﺒﻪ ﺭﻴﺢ ﻓﹶ ﺘﹶ ﺤ ﻠﱠ ﺏِ “Morning breeze called” Describing rain
1- ﺴﻘﹶﻰ ﻭﺍﺭﺩﺍﺕٍ، ﻭﺍﻟﻘﹶﻠﻴﺏِ، ﻭﻟﹶﻌﻠﹶﻌﺎ ﻤ ﻠِ ﺙﹲ ﺴ ﻤ ﺎ ﻜ ﻲ ﻓﹶﻬﻀﺒﺔ َﺃﻴﻬﺒﺎ 1- On “Waridat”, “Qalib”, “Lala” rain fell, Thenn“Ayhab”;whilst “Simak” stars did in brightness dwell39
2- ﻓ ﻤ ﺭ ﻋﻠﻰ ﺍﻟﺨﹶﺒﺜﹾﻴﻥ: ﺨﹶ ﺒ ﺘﹶ ﻲ ﻋ ﻨﹶ ﻴ ﺯ ﺓٍ ﻓﹶ ﺫﹼ ﺍ ﺕِ ﺍﻟﻨِﻘﺎﻉِ، ﻓﺄﻨﺘﺤﻰ ﻭﺘﹶﺼﻭﺒﺎ 2- It passed over cUnaiza, and from there to “Dhat ‘al-Niqaca”, then veered elsewhere40
3- ﻓﹶﻠﹶﻤﺎ ﺘﹶﺩﻟﹼﻰ ﻤِ ﻥ ﺃﻋﺎﻟﻲ ﻁﹶ ﻤِ ﻴ ﺔٍ ﺃ ﺒ ﺴ ﺕﹾ ﺒ ﻪِ ﺭ ﻴ ﺢ ﺍﻟﺼﺒﺎ، ﻓﺘﺤﻠﱠﺒﺎ 3- When it over “Tumaiyyah” heights hanged low, morn breezes called, and made its’ downpours flow.41
[6] ﺍ ﻟ ﺨﹶ ﻴ لُ ﻤ ﻌ ﻘﹸ ﻭ ﺩ ﺒﻨﻭﺍﺼﻴﻬﺎ ﺍ ﻟ ﺨﹶ ﻴ ﺭ “Whats’ good is tied to horses manes”42
1- ﺍﻟﺨﻴﺭ ﻤﺎ ﻁﹶ ﻠﹶ ﻌ ﺕﹾ ﺸﹶ ﻤ ﺱ ﻭﻤﺎ ﻏﹶ ﺭ ﺒ ﺕﹾ ﻤ ﻁﹶ ﻠﱠ ﺏ ﺒِﻨﹶﻭﺍﺼِﻲ ﺍ ﻟ ﺨﹶ ﻴ لِ ﻤ ﻌ ﺼ ﻭ ﺏ
39 “Waridat, “Qalib”, “Lala” are locations. The verse mentions “Ayhab” as a plateau. Two bright “Simak”stars were known: ‘al-Simak al-Kamih (The Spearing Simak) and ‘al-Simak al-‘Aazal (the learned simak). The rain here is describe as “Mulith”- lasting several days. The verse highlights, amazingly, the simak stars shining brightly while rain fell for days on several locations. 40 In Imru’ul Qays’s rain poetry, locations under rainfall are meticulously identified, the reason being that such locations having been especially blessed with rain, their reputation would thus rise for being providentially chosen. cUnaiza, is the well known tribe which still prospers in modern c times. “Dhat al Niqa a” means “The place of many marshes”. 41 “Tumaiyyah”: a mountain over which the rain clouds passed. 42 Mohammad al-Fadhl Ibrahim incorporates these verses with the poem that follows. He mentions that hearsay attribute it to Ibrahim b. Bashir ‘al-Ansari. I have followed Dar Sadir’s edition which gives the following fragment as being separate from the poem that follows
22
1- The good that rising’n’ setting suns bequeathed. To horses manes is closely bound and weaved.43
2- ﺼ ﺒَ ﺕﹾ ﻋ ﻠﹶ ﻴ ﻪِ ﻭﻤﺎ ﺘ ﻨ ﺼ ﺏ ﻤِﻥ ﺃَ ﻤ ﻡٍ ﺇﻥ ﺍ ﻟ ﺒ ﻼ ﺀ ﻋﻠﻰ ﺍﻷﺸﻘﹶﻴﻥ ﻤ ﺼ ﺒ ﻭ ﺏ 2- It’s pow’r ‘pon foes distant, not near, descends. And it, more hardship ‘pon wretched, foes sends.44
[7] ﻗﺩ ﺃ ﺸﹾ ﻬ ﺩ ﺍ ﻟ ﻐ ﺎ ﺭ ﺓﹶ ﺍ ﻟ ﺸ ﻌ ﻭ ﺍ ﺀ “A widespread raid would soon I see”
1- ﻗﹶ ﺩ ﺃ ﺸﹾ ﻬ ﺩ ﺍﻟﻐﺎﺭﺓﹶ ﺍﻟﺸﹼﻌﻭﺍﺀ ﺘﹶﺤﻤِﻠﹸﻨﻲ ﺠ ﺭ ﺩ ﺍ ﺀ ﻤ ﻌ ﺭ ﻭ ﻗﹶ ﺔﹸ ﺍﻟﻠﹼﺤﻴﻴﻥِ ﺴ ﺭ ﺤ ﻭ ﺏ 1- A widespread raid would soon I see, while borne on ‘a steed lean– cheecked, her body hair well– shorn.45
2- ﻜﹶ ﺄ ﻥ ﺼﺎﺤﺒﻬﺎ، ﺇ ﺫﹾ ﻗﺎﻡ ﻴﻠﺠِﻤﻬﺎ، ﻤ ﻐﹾ ﺩ ﻋﻠﻰ ﺒ ﻜﹾ ﺭ ﺓٍ ﺯﻭﺭﺍﺀ، ﻤ ﻨﹾ ﺼ ﻭ ﺏ 2- Her owner, rising t’ place in mouth the bit, ‘s if climbing camels neck, tree– high, to sit.
3- ﺇﺫﺍ ﺘﹶ ﺒ ﺼ ﺭ ﻫ ﺎ ﺍﻟﺭّﺍﺅﻭﻥ ، ﻤ ﻘﹾ ﺒِ ﻠﹶ ﺔﹰ ﻻ ﺤ ﺕﹾ ﻟﻬﻡ ﻏﹸ ﺭ ﺓﹲ ﻤﻨﻬﺎ، ﻭ ﺘﹶ ﺠ ﺒ ﻴ ﺏِ 3- At her approach, onlookers would behold Her highest outline ‘n high relief and bold.
4- ﻭِﻗﺎﻓﹸﻬﺎ ﻀﺭِﻡ، ﻭﺠﺭﻴﻬﺎ ﺠﺫِﻡ، ﻭﻟﹶﺤﻤﻬﺎ ﺯِﻴﻡ، ﻭﺍﻟﺒﻁﹾﻥ ﻤ ﻘﹾ ﺒ ﻭ ﺏ 4- Hawk-like, upright, she stands; her gallop swift. Her flesh hard-wrought; her belly lean in lift.
5- ﻭﺍﻟﻴﺩ ﺴﺎﺒﺤﺔﹲ، ﻭﺍﻟﺭﺠلُ ﻀ ﺎ ﺭِ ﺤ ﺔﹲ ﻭﺍﻟﻌﻴﻥ ﻗﺎﺭِﺤﺔﹲ، ﻭﺍﻟﻤﺘﹾﻥ ﻤ ﻠﹾ ﺤ ﻭ ﺏ 5- The fore-legs swim; the hind– legs hard at kick The eyes bespark; the back sloping and slick.
43 An equestrian exuberant exultation: Nothing comes from horses except good. 44 “ It” in these lines refers to horse-power. 45 A hirsute horse was considered unprepared, and unsuitable. Hair collects sweat which, when cool after the animal is resting, may affect its health adversely. A horse was also more alert and vigorous if its body hair was razed. The horse here is a mare, and is referred to in the feminine pronoun. The term “steed” refers to a fine horse in general, irrespective of gender.
23
6- ﻭﺍﻟﻤﺎﺀ ﻤﻨﹾﻬﻤِﺭ، ﻭﺍﻟﻨﹼﺸﺩ ﻤ ﻨﹾ ﺤ ﺩِ ﺭ ﻭﺍﻟﻘﹸﺼﺏ ﻤﻀﻁﹶﻤِﺭ، ﻭﺍﻟﻠﹼﻭﻥ ﻏِﺭﺒِﻴﺏ 6- The sweat flows free, the need for spur she lacks.46 Her bowels sound, her hue th’blackest of blacks
7- ﻜﺄﻨﹼﻬﺎ ﺤِ ﻴ ﻥ ﻓ ﺎ ﺽ ﺍﻟﻤﺎﺀ ﻭ ﺍ ﺤ ﺘﹶ ﻔﹶ ﻠ ﺕﹾ ﺼﻘﹾﻌﺎﺀ، ﻻ ﺡ ﻟﻬﺎ ﻓﻲ ﺍ ﻟ ﻤ ﺭ ﻗﹶ ﺏِ ﺍ ﻟ ﺫﱢ ﻴ ﺏ 7- To water galloping with all her might, as an eagle who of a wolf caught sight.47
8- ﻓ ﺄ ﺒ ﺼ ﺭ ﺕﹾ ﺸ ﺨﹾ ﺼ ﻪ ﻤﻥ ﻓﻭﻕ ﻤ ﺭ ﻗﹶ ﺒ ﺔٍ ﻭ ﺩ ﻭ ﻥ ﻤ ﻭ ﻗِ ﻌِ ﻬ ﺎ ﻤِ ﻨﹾ ﻪ ﺸﹶﻨﺎﺨِﻴﺏ 8- Th’Eagle espied the wolf from peaks up high, those highest peaks that lesser ones o’erlie.
9- ﻓ ﺄ ﻗﹾ ﺒ ﻠﹶ ﺕﹾ ﻨﹶ ﺤ ﻭ ﻩ ﻓﻲ ﺍ ﻟ ﺠ ﻭ ﻜ ﺎ ﺴِ ﺭ ﺓﹰ ﻴﺤﺜﱡﻬﺎ ﻤﻥ ﻫ ﻭ ﻱ ﺍ ﻟ ﺭ ﻴ ﺢِ ﺘﹶ ﺼ ﻭ ﻴ ﺏ 9- With wings indrawn, upon him down she dived, with tail-winds her towards her target t’guide.
10- ﺼ ﺒ ﺕﹾ ﻋ ﻠ ﻴ ﻪِ ﻭﻤﺎ ﺘﹶ ﻨﹾ ﺼ ﺏ ﻤِ ﻥ ﺃ ﻤ ﻡٍ ﺇﻥ ﺍﻟﺸﹼﻘﺎﺀ ﻋﻠﻰ ﺍ ﻷ ﺸﹾ ﻘﹶ ﻴ ﻥ ﻤ ﺼ ﺒ ﻭ ﺏ 10- Power ’pon foes distant, not near, descends.48 And it more hardship’ pon foes wretched, sends
11- ﻜﺎﻟﺩﻟﻭِ ﺜﹶ ﺒ ﺕﹲ ﻋﺭﺍﻫﺎ ﻭﻫﻲ ﻤ ﺜﹾ ﻘﹶ ﻠﹶ ﺔﹲ ﺇﺫ ﺨﹶﺎﻨﹶﻬﺎ ﻭ ﺫﹾ ﻡ ﻤِﻨﹾﻬﺎ ﻭ ﺘﹶ ﻜﹾ ﺭ ﻴ ﺏ 11- As bucket full, whose fast’ning fell, Whose rope had snapped, falls straightly down a well.
12- ﻻ ﻜﺎﻟﱠﺘﻲ ﻓﻲ ﻫ ﻭ ﺍ ﺀِ ﺍ ﻟ ﺠ ﻭ ﻁ ﺎ ﻟِ ﺒ ﺔﹰ ﻭﻻ ﻜﹶﻬﺫﺍ ﺍﻟﹼﺫﻱ ﻓﻲ ﺍﻷﺭﺽ ﻤﻁﻠﻭﺏ 12- None’s like the Eagle in her air-bourne assault.49 Nor grounded wolf such dire assault had sought.
13- ﻜﺎﻟﺒﺭﻕِ ﻭﺍﻟﺭﻴﺢِ ﺸﹶ ﺩ ﺍﹰ ﻤِﻨﹾﻬﻤﺎ ﻋ ﺠ ﺒ ﺎﹰ ﻤﺎ ﻓﻲ ﺍ ﺠ ﺘ ﻬ ﺎ ﺩٍ ﻋﻠﻰ ﺍ ﻹ ﺼ ﺭ ﺍ ﺭِ ﺘﹶﻐﹾﺒﻴﺏ
46 She never needs to be spurred on. She is naturally swift. 47 These lines exemplify the molecular nature of Pre-Islamic Arabic Poetry. The poem from now on moves away from describing a fiery steed to a predatory eagle pouncing on a wolf. 48 These lines are repeated here from the previous poem “What’s good is tied to horses manes”. 49 The verse refers to the Eagle, as “white-fronted”, with a white spot on its head, in the feminine gender.
24
13- As fast as wind were both; and lightnings’ flash. That neither could be quicker more in dash.
14- ﻓﺄﺩﺭﻜﹶﺘﹾــﻪ ﻓﹶﻨﺎﻟﹶﺘﹾـﻪ ﻤﺨﺎﻟِﺒـُﻬـﺎ ﻓ ﺎ ﻨ ﺴ لﱠ ﻤﻥ ﺘﺤﺘﻬﺎ ﻭﺍﻟﺩﻑﱡ ﻤ ﻨﹾ ﻘﹸ ﻭ ﺏ 14- She caught him,and her claws through him took hold. Yet und’r her broke he free. His side was holed.
15- ﻴ ﻠ ﻭ ﺫﹸ ﺒﺎﻟﺼﺨﹾﺭِ ﻤِﻨﻬﺎ ﺒ ﻌ ﺩ ﻤﺎ ﻓﹶ ﺘﹶ ﺭ ﺕﹾ ﻤِﻨﹾﻬﺎ ﻭ ﻤِ ﻨﹾ ﻪ ﻋﻠﻰ ﺍ ﻟ ﺼ ﺨﹾ ﺭِ ﺍﻟﺘﺸﺄﺒﻴﺏ 15- Between the rocks t’protect himself he went. While both their energies, and rain, were spent.50
16- ﺜﹸ ﻡ ﺃ ﺴ ﺘﹶ ﻐﹶ ﺎ ﺜﹸ ﺕﹾ ﺒِ ﻤ ﺘﹾ ﻥِ ﺍ ﻷ ﺭ ﺽِ ﺜﹶ ﻌ ﻔِ ﺭ ﻩ ﻭﺒﺎﻟﻠﱢﺴﺎﻥِ ﻭﺒﺎﻟﺸﺩﻗﹶﻴﻥِ ﺘﹶﺜﹾﺭِﻴﺏ 16- So hard she clawed at ground, in ire she cried. Her tongue and beak bedust’d; of prey deprived.
17- ﻓﺄﺨﻁﹶﺄﺘﹾﻪ ﺍﻟﻤﻨﹶﺎﻴﺎ ﻗِ ﻴ ﺱ ﺃ ﻨ ﻤ ﻠﹸ ﺔٍ ﻭﻻ ﺘﹶ ﺤ ﺭ ﺯ ﺇ ﻻﱠ ﻭ ﻫ ﻭ ﻤ ﻜﹾ ﺘﹸ ﻭ ﺏ 17- By less than a finger he was missed by death. Was snatched alive from death by none than stealth.
18- ﻓﹶ ﻅﹶ لﱠ ﻤﻨﹾﺤﺠِﺭﺍﹰ ﻤِﻨﻬﺎ ﻴﺭﺍﻗٍﺒﻬﺎ ﻭ ﻴ ﺭ ﻗﹸ ﺏ ﺍ ﻟ ﻌِ ﻴ ﺵﹶ ﺇﻥ ﺍ ﻟ ﻌ ﻴ ﺵﹶ ﻤ ﺤ ﺒ ﻭ ﺏ 18- Inside his hole he watched her close and clear. And watch’d for life, for life is ever dear.
[8] ﺃﺠﺎﺭﺘﹶﻨـــﺎ O Neigbour!
On his way back from Constantinople, and passing Ankyra, Imru’ul Qays was dying. At the slopes of Mount cAseeb, he saw the grave of a woman, apparently of royal birth, and recited:
1- ﺃﺠﺎﺭﺘﹶﻨﺎ ﺇ ﻥ ﺍﻟﻤﺯﺍﺭ ﻗ ﺭ ﻴ ﺏ ﻭﺇﻨﻲ ﻤ ﻘِ ﻴ ﻡ ﻤﺎ ﺃ ﻗ ﺎ ﻡ ﻋ ﺴ ﻴ ﺏ 1- Neighbour! My shrine to yours will rise so near,
50 The verse uses the term “Sha’abeeb” (bursts of rain) in the sense that their energies, the eagles, and the wolf,had petered out, as rain had ceased.
25
Close by I’ll stay, s’long as “cAseeb” stands here.
2- ﺃﺠﺎﺭﺘﹶﻨﺎ ﺇﻨﹼﺎ ﻏﹶﺭﻴﺒﺎﻥِ ﻫﻬﻨــﺎ ﻭ ﻜﹸ لﱡ ﻏﹶ ﺭِ ﻴ ﺏٍ ﻟ ﻠ ﻐﹶ ﺭ ﻴ ﺏِ ﻨﹶ ﺴ ﻴ ﺏ 2- Neigbour! We both o’er here full strangers are And strangers to strangers are rel’tives dear.51
3- ﻓﺄﻥ ﺘﹶﺼِﻠﻴﻨﺎ ﻓﺎﻟﻘﹶﺭﺍﺒﺔﹸ ﺒﻴﻨﹶﻨﺎ ﻭﺇﻥ ﺘﹶﺼﺭِﻤﻴﻨﹶﺎ ﻓﺎﻟﻐﺭﻴﺏ ﻏﹶ ﺭِ ﻴ ﺏ 3- Rel’tives we’ll be, if you feel close to me If not, a stranger e’er will a stranger be.
4- ﺃ ﺠ ﺎ ﺭ ﺘﹶﻨﺎ ﻤﺎ ﻓﹶ ﺎ ﺕﹶ ﻟﹶ ﻴ ﺱ ﻴﺅﻭﺏ ﻭﻤﺎ ﻫ ﻭ ﺁ ﺕٍ ﻓﻲ ﺍ ﻟ ﺯ ﻤ ﺎ ﻥِ ﻗﹶ ﺭ ﻴ ﺏ 4- Neighbour! What’s passed will ne’er again appear. And what by Time be brought, though far, is near.
5- ﻭ ﻟ ﻴ ﺱ ﻏﺭﻴﺒﺎﹰ ﻤ ﻥ ﺜﹶ ﻨ ﺎ ﺀ ﺕﹾ ﺩ ﻴ ﺎ ﺭ ﻩ ﻭ ﻟ ﻜ ﻥ ﻤﻥ ﻭﺍﺭﻯ ﺍﻟﺘﱡﺭﺍﺏ ﻏﹶ ﺭ ﻴ ﺏ 5- A stranger’s not one whose home ‘s far away. But one who’s dead, and deep in dust must lay.
[9] ﻴﺎ ﺒﺅﺱ ﻟﻠﻘﹶﻠﹾﺏ O Miserable heart
1- ﻴﺎ ﺒﺅﺱ ﻟ ﻠ ﻘﹶ ﻠﹾ ﺏِ ﺒ ﻌ ﺩ ﺍ ﻟ ﻴ ﻭ ﻡِ ﻤﺎ ﺁ ﺒ ﻪ ﺫِﻜﺭﻯ ﺤﺒﻴﺏٍ ﺒ ﺒ ﻌ ﺽِ ﺍ ﻷ ﺭ ﺽِ ﻗﺩ َ ﺭ ﺍ ﺒ ﻪ 1- What mis’ry struck the heart, as from today. When loves’ mem’ries to’t came, with care, to fray.
2- ﻗﺎﻟﺕﹾ ﺴﻠﹶﻴﻤﻰ ﺃ ﺭ ﺍ ﻙ ﺍﻟﻴﻭﻡ ﻤﻜﺘﺌﺒﺎﹰ ﻭﺍﻟﺭﺃﺱ ﺒﻌﺩﻱ ﺭ ﺃ ﻴ ﺕﹸ ﺍﻟﺸﻴﺏ ﻗﺩ ﻋ ﺎ ﺒ ﻪ 2- Sulaima said “I see today you’re sad to see a head with grey hair now is clad”.
3- ﻭ ﺤ ﺎ ﺭ ﺒ ﻌ ﺩ ﺴ ﻭ ﺍ ﺩِ ﺍ ﻟ ﺭ ﺃ ﺱِ ﺠ ﻤ ﺘﹶ ﻪ ﻜﹸ ﻤِ ﻌ ﻘﹶ ﺏِ ﺍ ﻟ ﺭ ﻴ ﻁِ ﺇﺫ ﻨ ﺸﱠ ﺭ ﺕﹶ ﻫ ﺩ ﺍ ﺒ ﻪ 3- Once raven hair did now to greyness fade,
51 See Introduction (II)- “Imru’ul Qays and the Emperor Justinian I- The last years” p. 10.
26
Like garment fine that’s thread barenow and frayed.
4- ﻭ ﻤ ﺭ ﻗﹶ ﺏٍ ﺘﹶ ﺴ ﻜﹸ ﻥ ﺍ ﻟ ﻌِ ﻘ ﺒ ﺎ ﻥ ﻗﹸ ﻠﱠ ﺘﹸ ﻪ ﺃ ﺸ ﺭ ﻓﹾ ﺘﹸ ﻪ ﻤ ﺴ ﻔِ ﺭ ﺍﹰ ﻤِ ﻨﹾ ﻪ ﻭ ﻋ ﺯ ﺍ ﺒ ﻪ 4- A height, where eagles dwell upon its crest I climbed, my soul with deepest awe impressed.
5- ﻋ ﻤ ﺩ ﺍﹰ ﻷ ﺭ ﻗﹸ ﺏ ﻤﺎ ﻟ ﻠﹾ ﺠ ﻭ ﻤﻥ ﻨﹶ ﻌ ﻡٍ ﻓﹶﻨﹶﺎﻅِﺭ ﺭ ﺍ ﺌ ﺤ ﺎﹰ ﻤِﻨﹾﻪ، ﻭ ﻋ ﺯ ﺍ ﺒ ﻪ 5- Intent to see the valley, bright and gay and watch who go, and pastures far away.
6- ﻭ ﻗﹶ ﺩ ﻨﹶ ﺯ ﻟﹾ ﺕﹸ ﺍﻟﻰ ﺭ ﻜﹾ ﺏٍ ﻤ ﻌ ﻘﱠ ﻠﹶ ﺔٍ ﺸﹸ ﻌ ﺙِ ﺍﻟﺭﺅﻭﺱِ ﻜﹶﺄﻥ ﻓﹶﻭﻗﹶﻬﻡ ﻏﺎﹶﺒﻪ 6- With riders down below I hitched my hike. Their dusty, shaggy hair was forest-like.
7- ﻟﹶﻤﺎ ﺭﻜﺒﻨﺎ ﺭ ﻓ ﻌ ﻨ ﺎ ﻫ ﻥ ﺯ ﻓﹾ ﺯ ﻓﹶ ﺔﹰ ﺤﺘﻰ ﺍﺤﺘﹶﻭﻴﻨﹶﺎ ﺴ ﻭ ﺍ ﻗﹶ ﺎﹰ ﺜ ﻡ ﺃ ﺭ ﺒ ﺎ ﺒ ﻪ 7- We soon our mounts to brisky canter raised Past camelmen whose herds quietly grazed.
[10] ﻋ ﺸِ ﻴ ﺕﹸ ﺩ ﻴ ﺎ ﺭ ﺍ ﻟ ﺤ ﻲ ﺒ ﺎ ﻟ ﺒ ﻜﹶ ﺭ ﺍ ﺕِ “I came ‘pon homes where ‘Bakarat’ hills stand”
1- ﻏﹶ ﺸِ ﻴ ﺕﹸ ﺩ ﻴ ﺎ ﺭ ﺍ ﻟ ﺤ ﻲ ﺒﺎﻟﺒﻜﹶﺭﺍﺕِ ﻓ ﻌ ﺎ ﺭِ ﻤ ﺔٍ ﻓﹶ ﺒ ﺭ ﻗﹶ ﺔِ ﺍ ﻟ ﻌ ﻴ ﺭ ﺍ ﺕِ 1- I came ‘pon homes where “Bakarat” hills stand, Then cArima”; ‘n “cAyrat” –of stone and sand52
2- ﻓﹶ ﻐﹶ ﻭ لٍ ﻓﹶ ﺤِ ﻠﱢ ﻴ ﺕٍ ﻓ ﺄ ﻜ ﻨﹶ ﺎ ﻑِ ﻤ ﻨﹾ ﻌِ ﺞٍ ﺍﻟﻰ ﻋ ﺎ ﻗِ لٍ ﻓ ﺎ ﻟ ﺠ ﺏ ﺫﻱ ﺍ ﻷ ﻤ ﺭ ﺍ ﺕِ 2- Then “Ghawl”, “Hilleet”, ‘n “Mincaj” were on my way To cAqil”, then to where well-marked “Jubb” lay.53
3- ﻅﹶﻠِﻠﹾﺕﹸ، ﺭﺩﺍﺌﻲ ﻓﹶ ﻭ ﻕﹶ ﺭﺃﺴﻲ، ﻗ ﺎ ﻋ ﺩ ﺍﹰ ﺃ ﻋ ﺩ ﺍﻟﺤﺼﻰ ﻤﺎ ﺘﹶ ﻨﹾ ﻘﹶ ﻀ ﻲ ﻋ ﺒ ﺭ ﺍﺘﻲ
52 The “Bakarat” hills lie on the Mecca road. “cArima” is a hill of the Beni ‘Amir in Nejd. “cAyrat” is an unidentified location. The verse mentions cAyrat” as “Burqat ‘al ‘Ayrat”- Burqat being stony sandlands. 53 “Ghawl”; “Hileet”, “Mincaj” and “ cAqil” are unidentified locations. Only “Jubb” is identified as being well marked. The verse mentions “Jubb al – Imarat” – Jubb of the road – marks.
27
3- My cloak to shade my head, I sat with fears to count pebbles; unstopp’d poured down my tears
4- ﺃﻋﻨﹼﻲ ﻋﻠﻰ ﺍﻟﺘﱠﻬﻤﺎﻡِ ﻭﺍﻟﺫﱢﻜﹶﺭﺍﺕِ ﻴﺒِﺘﻥ ﻋﻠﻰ ﺫﻱ ﺍ ﻟ ﻬ ﻡ ﻤﻌﺘﹶﻜِﺭﺍﺕِ 4- Help me in my sustained and gnawing care that fastens hard, laying the care-worn bare.
5- ﺒﻠﹶﻴلِ ﺍ ﻟ ﺘﹼ ﻤ ﺎ ﻡِ ﺃ ﻭ ﻭ ﺼِ ﻠﹾ ﻥ ﺒ ﻤ ﺜﹾ ﻠِ ﻪِ ﻤ ﻘﹶ ﺎ ﻴ ﺴ ﺔﹰ ﺃﻴﺎﻤﻬﺎ ﻨﹶ ﻜِ ﺭ ﺍ ﺕِ 5- Mem’ries of care, as long as longest night. As long as days when care had peaked its height.
6- ﻜﺄﻨﻲ ﻭﺩﻓﻲ ﻭﺍﻟﻘِﺭﺍﺏ ﻭﻨﹸﻤﺭﻗﻲ ﻋﻠﻰ ﻅﹶ ﻬ ﺭِ ﻋ ﻴ ﺭٍ ﻭ ﺍ ﺭِ ﺩِ ﺍ ﻟ ﺨﹶ ﺒ ﺭ ﺍ ﺕِ 6- As if my co-rider, scabb’rd; pillow Were on wild-ass gall’ping t’wat’ry hollow.54
7- ﺃ ﺭ ﻥ ﻋﻠﻰ ﺤ ﻘﹾ ﺏٍ ﺤِ ﻴ ﺎ لٍ ﻁ ﺭ ﻭ ﻗﹶ ﺔٍ ﻜﹶ ﺫﹶ ﻭ ﺩِ ﺍ ﻷ ﺠ ﻴ ﺭِ ﺍﻷﺭﺒﻊ ﺍ ﻷ ﺸِ ﺭ ﺍ ﺕِ 7- It brayed loud, like male inflamed with lust kicks at young females to do what he must.55
8- ﻋﻨﻴﻑٍ ﺒﺘﹶﺠﻤﻴﻊِ ﺍﻟﻀﺭ ﺍ ﺌ ﺭِ ﻓ ﺎ ﺤِ ﺵٍ ﺴﺘﻴﻡٍ ﻜﺫﻟﻕ ِ ﺍ ﻟ ﺯ ﺝ ﺫﻱ ﺫ َ ﻤ ﺭ ﺍ ﺕِ 8- Vicious bigamist, lusty, unrestrained Scurr’lous, foul-mouthed, bad-tempered and untamed.56
9- ﻭ ﻴ ﺄ ﻜﹸ ﻠ ﻥ ﺒﻬﻤﻰ ﺠ ﻌ ﺩ ﺓﹰ ﺤ ﺒ ﺸ ﻴ ﺔﹰ ﻭ ﻴ ﺸﹾ ﺭ ﺒ ﻥ ﺒ ﺭ ﺩ ﺍﻟﻤﺎﺀِ ﻓﻲ ﺍ ﻟ ﺴ ﺒ ﺭ ﺍ ﺕِ 9- They graze th’ “Buhma”, of verdant, softest stuff, and can the very coldest water, quaff.57
10- ﻓ ﺄ ﻭ ﺭ ﺩ ﻫ ﺎ ﻤ ﺎ ﺀ ﻗﹶ ﻠ ﻴ ﻼﹰ ﺃ ﻨ ﻴ ﺴ ﻪ ﻴ ﺤ ﺎ ﺫِ ﺭ ﻥ ﻋ ﻤ ﺭ ﺍﹰ ﺼ ﺎ ﺤِ ﺏ ﺍ ﻟ ﻘﹸ ﺘﹶ ﺭ ﺍ ﺕِ 10- He waters them where few other beasts go near.
54 Describing the hectic speed and vigour of his camel. His baggage, including scabbard, pillow, etc… signify the added weight his mount takes in its stride. 55 His mount has the brimming energy of a male camel when courting young females. 56 He likens his over-energetic camel to a vicious bigamist who vigourously and unabashedly abuses his four wives. 57 He praises the health and hardihood of his camels, both male and female. They feed on dark-green succulent “Buhma” and can drink the coldest of water, which less hardy camels cannot drink.
28
Being of “cAmr-of-the-hunting-hut”, in fear.58
11- ﺘﹶ ﻠِ ﺙﱡ ﺍﻟﺤﺼﻰ ﻟﹶ ﺜ ﺎﹰ ﺒ ﺴ ﻤ ﺭٍ ﺭﺯﻴﻨﹶ ﺔٍ ﻤ ﻭ ﺍ ﺯِ ﻥ ﻻ ﻜﹸ ﺯ ﻡٍ ﻭﻻ ﻤ ﻌِ ﺭ ﺍ ﺕِ 11- Beneath their hard hoofs, pebbles t’dust are done Hoofs short yet heavy, th’hair around them gone.59
12- ﻭ ﻴ ﺭ ﺨﹶ ﻴ ﻥ ﺃﺫﹾﻨﺎﺒﺎﹰ ﻜ ﺄ ﻥ ﻓﹸﺭﻭﻋﻬﺎ ﻋﺭﻯ ﺨِ ﻠﹶ لٍ ﻤ ﺸ ﻬ ﻭ ﺭ ﺓٍ ﻀ ﻔِ ﺭ ﺍ ﺕِ 12- As if their tails high parts, in thickness bold, were braided, plaited belts that scabbards hold.
13- ﻭﻋﻨﹾﺱ ٍﻜﺄﻟﻭﺍﺡ ِ ﺍﻹﺭﺍﻥ ِ ﻨِﺴﺄﺘـُﻬﺎ ﻋﻠﻰ ﻻﺤِﺏ ﻜﺎﻟﺒﺭﺩِ ﺫﻱ ﺍ ﻟ ﺤ ﺒ ﺭ ﺍ ﺕِ 13- To drive a camel, hard as death-bed’s wood, o’er scenic roads, like coloured cloaks; I would. 60
14- ﻓﹶ ﻐﹶ ﺎ ﺩ ﺭ ﺘ ﻬ ﺎ ﻤﻥ ﺒ ﻌ ﺩِ ﺒ ﺩﻥ ِ ﺭ ﺯ ﻴ ﺔٍ ﺘـُﻐﺎﻟﻰ ﻋﻠﻰ ﻋﻭﺝ ٍﻟﻬﺎ ﻜﹶ ﺩِ ﻨﹶ ﺎ ﺕِ 14- I left her-once healthy-weakened and spent. Yet she plods on, on weary legs and bent.61
15- ﻭ ﺃ ﺒ ﻴ ﺽ ﻜﺎﻟﻤِﺨﹾﺭﺍﻕِ ﺒ ـ ﻠ ﻴ ﺕﹸ ﺤ ـَ ﺩ ﻩ ﻭ ﻫ ﺒ ﺘﹶ ﻪ ﻓﻲ ﺍﻟﺴﺎﻕ ِ ﻭﺍﻟﻘﹶﺼﺭﺍﺕِ
15- A whetted sword, as white as kerchief’s white At necks and legs is blunt’d by strikes of night.62
[11] ﻨﺎﻡ ﺍ ﻟ ﺨﹶ ﻠِ ﻲ ﻭ ﻟﹶ ﻡ ﺘﹶ ﺭ ﻗﹸ ﺩِ “the carefree sleep, the careworn sleepless stay”. Threatening the Beni Assad, his father’s slayers
58 “`Amr-of-the-hunting-hut”: a famous hunter, identified as cAmr of the Beni Thcal, of the Tayy tribe. Hunters put together a tiny hut at watering place to hide in while stalking game, especially wild-ass. So deadly a shot was cAmr that wild-ass were afraid of approaching watering places. Such fear spread even to domesticated animals such as camels. 59 Refers to hard– worn wild– ass hoofs, their pastems are hairless. 60 Death-bed: Among Christians was a stretcher-like bed made of hardest wood for durability and maximum usage, on which the dead were laid out prior to burial. The road is likened to a coloured cloak in its scenic diversity. 61 The she-camel, once stout and healthy, had been exhausted by arduous long-distance journeys, and yet plods bravely on. 62 White as kerchief: long white kerchiefs were twisted and used to chastise young erring children.
29
1- ﺘﹶﻁﹶﺎﻭلَ ﻟﹶ ﻴ ﻠﹸ ﻙ ﺒﺎﻹﺜﻤِﺩِ، ﻭﻨﺎﻡ ﺍ ﻟ ﺨﹶ ﻠ ﻲ ﻭﻟﻡ ﺘﹶ ﺭ ﻗﹸ ﺩِ 1- Your nights at “Ithmid” slowly drag their way 63 The carefree sleep; you, careworn , sleepless stay.
2- ﻭ ﺒ ﺎ ﺕﹶ ﻭ ﺒ ﺎ ﺘﹶ ﺕﹾ ﻟﹶ ﻪ ﻟﹶ ﻴ ﻠﹶ ﺔﹲ ﻜﹶ ﻠﹶ ﻴ ﻠﹶ ﺔِ ﺫﻱ ﺍﻟﻌﺎﺌِﺩِ، ﺍ ﻷ ﺭ ﻤ ﺩِ 2- The night slept well; his sleep was wreaked with pain. As sickly eyes in painful sleep had lain.64
3- ﻭ ﺫﹶ ﻟِ ﻙ ﻤ ﻥ ﻨﹶ ﺒ ﺎ ﺀٍ ﺠﺎﺀﻨﻲ، ﻭ ﺨﹸ ﺒ ﺭ ﺘﹸ ﻪ ﻋ ﻥ ﺍﺒﻲ ﺍ ﻷ ﺴ ﻭ ﺩِ 3- And that was due to news to me that came Of what he, Abul Aswad, did declaim.65
4- ﻭ ﻟﹶ ﻭ ﻋ ﻥ ﻨﹶﺜﹶﺎ ﻏﹶﻴﺭِﻩ ﺠﺎﺀﻨﻲ ﻭ ﺠ ﺭ ﺡ ﺍﻟﻠﱢﺴﺎﻥِ ﻜﹶ ﺠ ﺭ ﺡِ ﺍ ﻟ ﻴ ﺩِ 4- I wish other news through my ears had bored. Since cut of tongue cuts deep as cut of sword.
5- ﻟﹶﻘﹸﻠﹾﺕﹸ، ﻤﻥ ﺍﻟﻘﹶﻭلِ، ﻤﺎ ﻻ ﻴ ﺯ ﺍ لُ ﻴ ﺅْ ﺜﹶ ﺭ ﻋﻨﹼﻲ، ﻴ ﺩ ﺍﻟﻤﺴﻨﹶـــــﺩِ 5- For what I’d say for ever more will stay. And time e’er will recite what I shall say.
6- ﺒﺄﻱ ﻋﻼﻗﹶﺘِﻨﺎ، ﺘﹶ ﺭ ﻏﹶ ﺒ ﻭ ﻥ ، ﺃ ﻋ ﻥ ﺩ ﻡِ ﻋ ﻤ ﺭ ﻭٍ ﻋﻠﻰ ﻤ ﺭ ﺘﹶ ﺩِ 6- Whose blood, for whose, do you desire be shed. The blood of cAmr” for “Murthid” who’s now dead?66
7- ﻓﺈﻥ ﺘﹶﺩﻓِﻨﻭﺍ ﺍ ﻟ ﺩ ﺍ ﺀ ﻻ ﻨﹸ ﺨﹾ ﻔِ ﻪِ ﻭﺃﻥ ﺘﹶﺒﻌﺜﻭﺍ ﺍ ﻟ ﺤ ﺭ ﺏ ﻻ ﻨﹶ ﻘﹾ ﻌ ﺩِ 7- Th’ailment interr, and it we’ll not exhume. Raise war; and we’ll sit not in fear of doom.
63 “Ithmid”: a location. 64 The verse specifies the eye-sickness as “Ramad”- Trachoma. 65 ‘Abul ‘Aswad was one of the Beni Kinana, the clan Imru’ul Qays raided, mistaking them for his fathers’ slayers. ‘Abul ‘Aswad lampooned him, effectively it seems, so as to cost him sleepless nights. 66 c Amr was a relative. Murthid was one of the Beni Assad. The blood feud goes on..
30
8- ﻓﺈﻥ ﺜﹶﻘﹾﺘﹸﻠﹸﻭﻨﺎ ﻨﹸـﻘﺘـَﻠﻜﹸﻡ، ﻭ ﺇ ﻥ ﺘﻘﺼِﺩﻭﺍ ﻟِﺩﻡ ﻨﹶ ﻘﹾ ﺼِ ﺩِ 8- Kill one of us, many of you we’ll kill. Should you spare blood of ours, spare yours we will.
9- ﻤﺘﻰ ﻋﻬﺩﻨﺎ ﺒﻁِﻌِﺎﻥِ ﺍ ﻟ ﻜﹸ ﻤ ﺎ ﺓِ ﻭﺍﻟﺤﻤﺩِ ﻭ ﺍ ﻟ ﻤ ﺠ ﺩِ ﻭﺍﻟﺴﺅَﺩﺩِ 9- We had, and still have thrusting champions brave. For glory ’n honour, thanks they ever gave.
10- ﻭ ﺒ ﻨﹾ ﻲِ ﺍﻟﻘِﺒﺎﺏِ، ﻭ ﻤ لْ ﺀِ ﺍ ﻟ ﺠِ ﻔﹶ ﺎ ﻥِ ﻭﺍﻟﻨﹼﺎﺭِ ﻭ ﺍ ﻟ ﺤ ﻁﹶ ﺏِ ﺍ ﻟ ﻤ ﻔﹾ ﺄ ﺩِ 10- Who domes did build; and whats’ empty did fill. And home fires stoked to blaze when low and still.
11- ﻭﺃﻋﺩﺩﺕﹸ، ﻟِﻠﹾﺤﺭﺏِ، ﻭ ﺜﱠ ﺎ ﺒ ﺔﹰ ﺠ ﻭ ﺍ ﺩ ﺍ ﻟ ﻤ ﺤ ﺜﹼ ﺔِ ﻭ ﺍ ﻟ ﻤِ ﺭ ﻭ ﺩِ 11- For war I prepared a steed of pounce and pace. When reigned halts quick; when spurred is quick to race
12- ﺴﺒﻭﺤﺎﹰ، ﺠﻤﻭﺤﺎﹰ، ﻭﺇﺤﻀﺎﺭﻫﺎ ﻜﹶ ﻤ ﻌ ﻤ ﻌ ﺔِ ﺍ ﻟ ﺴ ﻌ ﻑِ ﺍ ﻟ ﻤ ﻭ ﻗﹶَ ﺩِ 12- Her fore legs swim, she bolts in vig’rous craze. Her hoof-beat: crackling bonfires ablaze.
13- ﻭ ﻤ ﺸﹾ ﺩ ﻭ ﺓٍ ﺍﻟﺴﻙ، ﻤ ﻭ ﻀ ﻭ ﻨ ﺔﹰ ﺘ ﻀ ﺎ ﺀ لُ ﻓﻲ ﺍ ﻟ ﻁﱠ ﻲ ﻜ ﺎ ﻟ ﻤِ ﺒ ﺭ ﺩِ 13- Chain mail! Whose weave is close, and firm in style When folded, ‘comes as sharp as sharpest file.
14- ﺘﹶ ﻔ ﻴ ﺽ ﻋﻠﻰ ﺍ ﻟ ﻤ ﺭ ﺀِ ﺃﺭﺩﺍﻨﹸﻬﺎ ﻜﹶ ﻔﹶ ﻴ ﺽِ ﺍ ﻷ ﺘ ﻲ ﻋﻠﻰ ﺍ ﻟ ﺠ ﺩ ﺠ ﺩِ 14- It’s lengthy sleeves leaves one in cover bound. As flash floods sweep o’er solid level gound.
15- ﻭ ﻤ ﻁﹾ ﺭِ ﺩ ﺍﹰ ﻜﹶ ﺭِ ﺸ ﺎ ﺀِ ﺍﻟﺠﺭﻭﺭ ﻤ ﻥ ﺨﹸ ﻠﹸ ﺏِ ﺍ ﻟ ﻨﱠ ﺨﹾ ﻠﹶ ﺔِ ﺍ ﻷ ﺠ ﺭ ﺩِ 15- A lance! Goes straight as well-made, well-rope should Rope made from smooth and firm date-palm pulpwood.
16- ﻭﺫﺍ ﺸﹸﻁﹶﺏٍ، ﻏ ﺎ ﻤِ ﻀ ﺎﹰ ﻜﹶ ﻠﹾ ﻤ ﻪ ﺍﺫﺍ ﺼ ﺎ ﺏ ﺒ ﺎ ﻟ ﻌ ﻅﹾ ﻡِ ﻟﻡ ﻴ ﻨﹾ ﺄ ﺩِ 16- A fluted sword that cuts to deepest ends.
31
When hits the bone, it fractures not nor bends.
[12] ﻭ ﻟ ﻭ ﺃﻨﱢﻲ ﻫ ﻠﹶ ﻜﹾ ﺕﹸ ﺒ ﺄ ﺭ ﺽِ ﻗﹶﻭﻤﻲ "if only I in my own land would die"
Recited at his death. Having received Justinian’s poisoned cloak, Imru’ul Qays bathed, anointed himself, and wore it. His skin broke into sores which he tried to cure till he reached Ankyra. His health deteriorated rapidly and he was close to death when he recited these lines.67 1- ﺃﻻ ﺃ ﺒ ﻠِ ﻎﹾ ﺒﻨﻲ ﺤ ﺠ ﺭِ ﺒﻥ ﻋ ﻤ ﺭ ﻭٍ ﻭ ﺃ ﺒ ﻠِ ﻎﹾ ﺫﻟﻙ ﺍ ﻟ ﺤ ﻲ ﺍﻟﺤﺭِﻴﺩﺍ 1- Do tell the sons of “Hujr bin cAmr”, and tell the lonesome folk in lonely land who dwell.
2- ﺒﺄﻨﻲ ﻗﹶ ﺩ ﺒ ﻘﹶ ﻴ ﺕﹸ ﺒ ﻘﹶ ﺎ ﺀ ﻨﻔﹾﺱ ٍ ﻭﻟﻡ ﺃُ ﺨﹾ ﻠﹶ ﻕﹾ ﺴِ ﻼ ﻤ ﺎﹰ ﺍﻭ ﺤﺩﻴﺩﺍ 2- That I as mortal mere have lived and gone And was created not from iron or stone.
3- ﻓﹶ ﻠ ﻭ ﺍﻨﻲ ﻫ ﻠﹶ ﻜﹾ ﺕﹸ ﺒﺩﺍﺭ ﻗﹶﻭﻤﻲ ﻟﹶ ﻘﹸ ﻠﹾ ﺕﹸ ﺍ ﻟ ﻤ ﻭ ﺕﹸ ﺤ ﻕﹲ ﻻ ﺨﹸﻠﻭﺩﺍ 3- If only I, in my own land would die. I’d say that death was right, immortal not am I.68
4- ﻭ ﻟﹶ ﻜِ ﻨ ﻲ ﻫ ﻠﹶ ﻜﹾ ﺕﹸ ﺒﺄﺭﺽ ﻗﹶ ﻭ ﻡٍ ﺒ ﻌ ﻴ ﺩٍ ﻋﻥ ﺩ ﻴ ﺎ ﺭِ ﻜﹸ ﻡ ﺒﻌﻴﺩﺍ 4- But will perish, estranged in alien land. So far from yours, so very far, I stand.
5- ﺃﻋﺎﻟِﺞ ﻤ ﻠﹾ ﻙ ﻗﹶ ﻴ ﺼ ﺭ ﻜﹸ لﱠ ﻴ ﻭ ﻡٍ ﻭﺃﺠﺩِﺭ ﺒﺎﻟﻤﻨﻴﺔ ﺃﻥ ﺘﻌﻭﺩﺍ 5- Each day, I, caesar’s realm t’endure must learn. With pleas to death to hasten death’s return.69
67 Here, I have used Mohammad ‘al-Fadhl Ibrahim’s version of this poem. (p.213). 68 He yearns to die in bed among his own people, not as a stranger wandering in foreign lands in quest of immortal fame. The way he is dying now is not the death that is his birthright– to die at home. 69 His days are living death; he pleads with death to return to him from the living death he has to endure.
32
6- ﺒ ﺄ ﺭ ﺽِ ﺍ ﻟ ﺭ ﻭ ﻡِ ﻻ ﻨﹶ ﺴ ﺏ ﻗﹶ ﺭ ﻴ ﺏ ﻭﻻ ﺸ ﺎ ﻑٍ ﻴ ﺴ ﻨِ ﺩ ﺃﻭ ﻴﻌﻭﺩﺍ 6- In Roman land, no kith nor kin are there. No curer there to cure, comfort, or care.
7- ﻭ ﻟ ﻭ ﻭ ﺍ ﻓﹶ ﻘﹾ ﺘﹸ ﻬ ﻥ ﻋﻠﻰ ﺃﺴِﺱ ٍ ﻀﺤﻴﺎ ﺍﻭ ﻭ ﺭ ﺩ ﻥ ﺒﻨﺎ ﺯ ِﺭﻭﺩﺍ 7- I’d plead with death t’let me in “Asays” die. Or take me on to “Zirwad” there to lie.70
8- ﻋﻠﻰ ﻗﹸ ﻠﹸ ﺹٍ ﺘﹶ ﻅﹶ لﱡ ﻤ ﻘﹶ ﻠﱠ ﺩ ﺍ ﺕٍ ﺃ ﺯِ ﻤ ﺘﹸ ﻬ ﻥ ﻤﺎ ﻴ ﻌ ﺩِ ﻓﹾ ﻥ ﻋﻭﺩﺍ 8- On young she-camels, like necklaces, are their reins Who have no time to graze on for their pains.71
[13] ﺘﹶ ﺫﹶ ﻜﱠ ﺭ ﺕ ﻫِ ﻨ ﺩ ﺍﹰ ﻭﺃﺘﺭﺍﺒِﻬﺎ “Remember Hind and her cronies Recalling his daughter Hind when he was at Justinian’s court.
1- ﺃ ﺃ ﺫ ﻜﹶ ﺭ ﺕﹶ ﻨﹶ ﻔﹾ ﺴ ﻙ ﻤﺎ ﻟﻥ ﻴﻌﻭﺩﺍ ﻓﹶ ﻬ ﺎ ﺝ ﺍ ﻟ ﺘﹼ ﺫ ﻜﱡ ﺭ ﻗﹶ ﻠﹾ ﺒ ﺎﹰ ﻋﻤﻴﺩﺍ 1- In recalling what will nev’r again return. You’ve let a grieving heart with mem’ries burn.
2- ﺘ ﺫ ﻜﱠ ﺭ ﺕﹸ ﻫ ﻨ ﺩ ﺍﹰ ﻭﺃﺘﺭﺍﺒِﻬــــــﺎ ﻭ ﺍ ﺯ ﻤ ﺎ ﻥ ﻜ ﻨ ﺕﹶ ﻟﻬﺎ ﻤﺴﺘﹶﻘِﻴﺩﺍ 2- For I did Hind and cronies ‘f hers recall. And times when, you t’her whims, yourself let fall.
3- ﻭﺍﻴﺎﻡ ﻜﹸ ﻨﹾ ﺕﹶ ﺒﻬﺎ ﻤ ﻌ ﺠ ﺒ ﺎﹰ ﺘﹸ ﻁ ﻴ ﻊ ﺍ ﻟ ﻐﹶ ﻭِ ﻱ ﻭﺘﻌﺼﻲ ﺍﻟﺭﺸﻴﺩﺍ 3- Days about her state you wond’ring fell: T’obey th’vile, against the wise rebel.
4- ﻭﺘﹶﻐﹾﺩﻭ ﻋﻠﻰ ﺍ ﻟ ﻭ ﺤ ﺵﹶ ﺘﹶ ﺼ ﻁﹶ ﺎ ﺩ ﻫ ﺎ ﻭﺘﹸﺭﻭﻱ ﺍ ﻟ ﻨﱠ ﺩ ﻴ ﻡ ﻭﺘﹸﺼﺒﻲ ﺍﻟﺨﹶﺭِﻴﺩﺍ 4- In morrow’s hunt, beasts she pursues in chase. T’fellows serves drink, and does shy girls embrace.72
70 “Asays “ and “Zirwad” are locations he prefers to die in. 71 he dreams of young she-camels that would bear him away so swiftly as not to have time to graze.
33
5- ﻭ ﻴ ﻌ ﺠِ ﺒ ﻙ ﺍﻟﻠﱠﻬﻭ ﻭﺍﻟﻤﺴﻤِﻌﺎﺕِ ﻓ ﺄ ﺼ ﺒ ﺤ ﺕﹶ ﺃ ﺯ ﻤ ﻌ ﺕﹶ ﻤِﻨﻬﺎ ﺼﺩﻭﺩﺍ 5- Amazed at her gossip and love of fun You wonder if her you had better shun.
6- ﻓﺄﻥ ﻴ ﻙ ﺩ ﻫ ﺭ ﺃﺘﻰ ﺩﻭﻨﹶﻪ ﺤﻭﺍﺩﺙ ﺘﹸ ﻨﹾﺴِﻲ ﺍ ﻟ ﺤ ﻴ ﺎ ﺀ ﺍﻟﺠﻠﻴﺩﺍ 6- For there are times when dire events do let the studious their correct brav’ry, forget.
7- ﻓﻘﺩ ﻜﹸ ﻨﹾ ﺕﹸ ﻓﻴﻤﺎ ﻤﻀﻰ ﻤ ﺼ ﻌ ﺒ ﺎﹶ ﺃ ﺒ ﻲ ﺍﻟﺨِﻁﺎﻡِ ﻋﺯﻴﺯﺍﹰ ﻤﺭِﻴﺩﺍ 7- So tough and forbidding in th’past was I. Untamed, unreigned; my ‘ntentions hard and high.
8- ﻭ ﻨﹶ ﺎ ﺩ ﻤ ﺕﹸ ﻗﹶ ﻴ ﺼ ﺭ ﻓﻲ ﻤ ﻠﹾ ﻜِ ﻪِ ﻓ ﺄ ﻭ ﺠ ﻬ ﻨ ﻲ ﻭ ﺭ ﻜِ ﺒ ﺕﹸ ﺍﻟﺒﺭﻴﺩﺍ 8- As Caesar’s boon fellow, I did reside in hon’r; and giv’n dispatch pacers to ride73
9- ﺇﺫﺍ ﻤﺎ ﺍﺯﺩﺤﻤﻨﺎ ﻋﻠﹶﻰ ﺴِ ﻜﱠ ﺔٍ ﺴ ﺒ ﻘﹾ ﺕﹸ ﺍﻟﻔﹸﺭﺍﻨِﻕﹶ ﺴِ ﺒ ﻘ ﺎﹰ ﺒﻌﻴﺩﺍ 9- If jostling, crowding lions ‘round me I find on th’way; I speed and leave them far behind.
10- ﻭ ﻗﹶ ﺩ ﺃﺘﹶﻤﻨﹼﻰ ﻓﹶﺄﻟﹾﻘﻰ ﺍﻟﻤﻨﹶﻰ ﻭ ﻗﹶ ﺩ ﻴ ﺼ ﺒِ ﺢ ﺍﻟﻠﻴلُ ﻋِﻨﹾﺩﻱ ﺤ ﻤِ ﻴ ﺩ ﺍ 10- I may wish; I, my wishes may fulfil. My nights may yet with grateful grace lie still.
11- ﻭﺃﻟﹾﺒﺱ ﻟﻠﺤ ﺭ ﺏِ ﺃﺜﻭﺍﺒﻬـــﺎ ﻭ ﺃ ﺭ ﻜﹶ ﺏ ﻟ ﻠ ﺭ ﻭ ﻉِ ﻁ ﺭ ﻓ ﺎﹰ ﻋﺘﻴﺩﺍ 11- For war, warlike armour I yet may wear. And mount warlike steeds fearsome fray to dare.
12- ﺃ ﺼ ﺎ ﺡِ ﺘﹶﺭﻯ ﺍ ﻟ ﺒ ﺭ ﻕﹶ ﺒﻌﺩ ﺍﻟﻌِﺸﹶﺎﺀ ﻜﹶﻤﺎ ﺃ ﺸﹾ ﻌ لَ ﺍ ﻟ ﺒ ﺎ ﺠِ ﺴ ﺎ ﻥ ﺍﻟﹾﻭﻗﹸﻭﺩﺍ 12- Behold lightning, my friend, past fall of night. Lighting all as fire–lighters set fuel alight.
72 The verse mentions the girls as “Khareed”- attractive, house bound slave girls who shy away from leaving the house. 73 The verse mentions “bareed”, swift horses that can gallop long distances non-stop and were used by dispatch riders carrying urgent messages.
34
13- ﻴﻀﻲﺀ ﺴ ﻨﹶ ﺎ ﻩ ﺇﺫﺍ ﻤﺎ ﻋﻼ ﺭ ﺒ ﺎ ﺒ ﺎﹰ ﺜِ ﻘﹶ ﺎ ﻻﹰ ﻭ ﻤ ﺯ ﻨ ﺎﹰ ﻨﹶﻀﻴﺩﺍ 13- It’s flashing light, when streaking up on high, lights up clouds upon heavier clouds that lie.
14- ﻓﹶﻠﻤﺎ ﺘﻨﺯل ﻤﻥ ﻜﹶ ﻭ ﻜﹶ ﺒ ﻲ ﻭﻜﺎﺩ ﻤﻥ ﺍ ﻟ ﻘﹸ ﺭ ﺏِ ﻴﻐﺸﻲ ﺍ ﻟ ﺼ ﻌِ ﻴ ﺩ ﺍ 14- As clouds from mount “Kawkab” so low were bound It seemed that they were bound to soon touch ground.
15- ﺃ ﺒ ﺴ ﺕﹾ ﺒﻪ ﺍ ﻟ ﺭ ﻴ ﺢ ﻓﺎﺴﺘﺎﻗﹶﻬﺎ ﻭ ﺤ ﻠﱠ ﺕﹾ ﻋ ﺯ ﺍ ﻟ ﻴ ﻪ ﻭﺍﻟﺠﻠﻭﺩﺍ 15- Becalmed clouds called out to the wind for aid. It blew, and, stoppers pulled, the wat’ry load was laid.
16- ﺴ ﻘﹶ ﻴ ﺕﹸ ﺒ ﻪِ ﺠ ﺒ ﻠ ﻰ ﻁﹶﻲﺀ ﻭﺤﻴﺎ ﺒ ﻨﹶ ﺨﹾ ﻠ ﺔﹶ ﻤِﻨﹼﺎ ﺤﺭﻴﺩﺍ 16- The two mounts’f “Tayy”; may th’rain clouds water well. And those palm orchards ‘n which we choose to dwell.74
17- ﻓﹶ ﺄ ﻭ ﺼ ﻴ ﻜﹸ ﻡ ﺒِ ﻁِ ﻌ ﺎ ﻥ ﺍﻟﻜﹸﻤﺎﺓِ ﺇﺫﺍ ﻤﺎ ﻤ ﻌ ﺩ ﺃ ﺭ ﺍ ﺩ ﺕﹾ ﻤ ﺭِ ﻴ ﺩ ﺍ 17- For champions’ thrusts to you I’ll recommend. When lively thrusting champions so intend.
18- ﻓﹶ ﻨِ ﻌ ﻡ ﺍ ﻟ ﻔ ﻭ ﺍ ﺭِ ﺱ ﺘﹶ ﺤ ﺕﹶ ﺍ ﻟ ﻌ ﺠ ﺎ ﺝ ِ ﺇﺫﺍ ﻤﺎ ﺍ ﻟ ﺤ ﺩ ﻴ ﺩ ﺍ ﺼ لﱠ ﺍﻟﺤﺩﻴﺩﺍ 18- Praised be the knights midst swirling clouds of dust clanging steel ‘pon steel in heat of thrust.
19- ﻭ ﻨِ ﻌ ﻡ ﺍﻟﻤﻌﺎﻗِلُ ﻟ ﻠﹾ ﺨﹶ ﺎ ﺌِ ﻔِ ﻴ ﻥ ﺍﺫﺍ ﺨِ ﻴ ﻑﹶ ﻤﻥ ﺫ ﺍ ﺌِ ﺩٍ ﺍﻥ ﺘﺠﻴﺩﺍ 19- Praised be mountain strongholds t’those in fear of hot pursuit, when hot pursuit is near.
20- ﻜ ﺭ ﺍ ﻡ ﺇﺫﺍ ﺍﻟﻀﻴﻑ ﻋِ ﻨﹾ ﺩ ﺍ ﻟ ﺸِ ﺘﹶ ﺎ ﺀِ ﺍﺫﺍ ﻤﺎ ﺍﻟﺸﺎﺭِﻉ ﺃﻀﺤﺕ ﺠﻠِﻴﺩﺍ 20- Gen’rous to guests in winter’s cold are they. When wat’ring ducts are froz’n at break of day.75
74 The two mounts of Tayy are identified as “Mount Aja, and mount Selma. 75 Watering ducts: from which animals drink.
35
[14] ﷲ ﺯﺒﺩﺍﻥ O for Zabdan A fragment. 1- ﷲ ﺯ ﺒ ﺩ ﺍ ﻥ ﺃﻤﺴﻰ ﻗﹶ ﺭ ﻗﹶ ﺭ ﺍﹰ ﺠ ﻠﹶ ﺩ ﺍﹰ ﻭ ﻜ ﺎ ﻥ ﻤﻥ ﺠ ﻨﹾ ﺩ لٍ ﺃ ﺼ ﻡ ﻤﻨﹾﻀﻭﺩﺍ 1- O for “Zabdan”, leveled to hardest ground76 That once was built with hardest stone hard bound.
2- ﻻ ﻴ ﻔﹾ ﻘﹶ ﻪ ﺍ ﻟ ﻘﹶ ﻭ ﻡ ﻓِ ﻴ ﻪِ ﻜ لﱠ ﻤﻨﹾﻁِﻘِﻬﻡ ﺇﻻ ﺴِﺭﺍﺭﺍ ً ﺘﹶ ﺨ ﺎ لَ ﺍ ﻟ ﺼ ﻭ ﺕﹶ ﻤﺭﺩﻭﺩﺍ 2- Folk there absorb not their own speech and sound In secret talk, you’d think the sound rebounds 77
[15] ﺃﺭﻯ ﺍﺒﻠﻲ My Camels: (A fragment) In praise of Qays and Shamr, sons of Zuhair, a son of Salaman b. Thcal. 1- ﺃﺭﻯ ﺇﺒِﻠﻲ، ﻭﺍﻟﺤﻤﺩ ﻟﻠﹼﻪ، ﺃ ﺼ ﺒ ﺤ ﺕﹾ ﺜ ﻘ ﺎ ﻻﹰ ﺍﺫﺍ ﻤﺎ ﺍﺴﺘﹶﻘﹾﺒﻠﹶﺘﻬﺎ ﺼﻌﻭﺩﻫﺎ 1- My Camels, God be Praised, are well in weight. That’s seen when they struggle up on a height.
2- ﺭﻋﺕ ﺒِ ﺤِ ﻴ ﺎ لِ ﺍ ﺒ ﻨﹶ ﻲ ﺯ ﻫ ﻴ ﺭٍ ﻜِﻠِﻴﻬِﻤﺎ ﻤﻌﺎ ﺘ ﺤ ﺴ ﻴ ﺏ ﺤﺘﻰ ﻀ ﺎ ﻕﹶ ﻋﻨﻬﺎ ﺠ ﻠ ﻭ ﺩ ﻫ ﺎ 2- With “Zuhair’s” sons, herds they grazed; weight they gained. Until their hides with weight were sorely strained.
[16] ﻋ ﻠ ﻴ ﻙ ﺒَِ ﺴ ﻌ ﺩ Turn upon Sacad.
1- ﻟﻘﺩ ﺭ ﺤ ﻠﹾ ﺕﹸ ﺍ ﻟ ﻌِ ﻴ ﺱ ﺜﹸ ﻡ ﺯﺠﺭﺘﹸﻬــــﺎ ﻭﻫﻨﺎ ً ﻭ ﻗ ﻠﹾ ﺕﹸ ﻋ ﻠﹶ ﻴ ﻙِ ﺨﹶ ﻴ ﺭ ﻤ ﻌ ﺩ 1- I drove th’reddish she-camels; them I assailed. For on them rides he who from th’best lines hailed78
76 “Zobdan” probably once a fort, now laid waste. 77 The atmosphere is intensely secretive and conspiratorial. People cant even hear themselves talk. Sounds echo across then rebound to the source. He is imagining the days when zobdan was populated.
36
2- ﻭﻋﻠﻴﻙ ﺴ ﻌ ﺩ ﺒﻥ ﺍﻟﻀﺒﺎﺏ ﻓﺄﺴﺭِﻋﻲ ﺴ ﻴ ﺭ ﺍﹰ ﺇﻟﻰ ﺴﻌﺩٍ، ﻋ ﻠ ﻴ ﻙِ ﺒِﺴﻌــــﺩِ 2- To “Sacad bin ‘al-Dhabab” be on your way. To Sacad! Reach Sacad you must, so pace away.
3- ﺴ ﻌ ﺩ ﻴ ﺠِ ﻴ ﺭ ﺍﻟﺨﺎﺌِﻔﻴﻥ ﻭﺘﹶﻨﹾـــﺩﻯ ﻴﺩﻩ ﻋﻁﺎﺀ ﻤﻥ ﻁﺎﺭﻓﺎﺕ ﻭﺘـُﻠﹾـﺩ ِ 3- The safest refuge “Sacad” gave those in fear. His hands free with largess that he held dear.
4- ﻓﹶ ﺭ ﻉ ﺘﹶ ﻔﹶ ﺭ ﻉ ﻤﻥ ﺇﻴــــﺎﺩٍ ﺒﻴﻥ ﺍﻟﻨﱠﺒﻴﺙِ ﺍﻷﻜﺭﻤﻴﻥ ﻭ ﺒ ﺭ ﺩِ 4- His line a branch from “’Ayad’s” House descends. T’noble “Nabeet” and “Burd” his blood line tends.79
[17] ﺃ ﺫ ﻭ ﺩ ﺍ ﻟ ﻘﹶ ﻭ ﺍ ﻓﹶ ﻲ “from me much verse I ward away”
1- ﺃ ﺫ ﻭ ﺩ ﺍ ﻟ ﻘﹶ ﻭ ﺍ ﻓِ ﻲ ﻋﻨﱢﻲ ﺫِﻴﺎﺩﺍ ﺫِ ﻴ ﺎ ﺩ ﻏﹸ ﻼ ﻡٍ ﺠ ﺭِ ﻱ ﺀٍ ﺠﺭﺍﺩﺍ 1- From me much verse I ward, with vig’r, away As a brave boy keeps a locust swarm at bay
2- ﻓﹶﻠﹶﻤـــــﺎ ﻜﹶﺜــــُﺭﻥ ﻭﻋﻨﱠﻴﻨﹶـــــــــﻪ ﺘﹶﺨﹶﻴــــﺭ ﻤِﻨﹾﻬـــــﻥ ﺸﹶﺘﹼـــﻰ ﺠِﻴــﺎﺩﺍ 2- Wearied; the swarm growing so dense and deep. The choicest ones he felled, he chose to keep.
3- ﻓﹶ ﺄَ ﻋ ﺯِ لُ ﻤﺭﺠﺎﻨﹶﻬــــﺎ ﺠﺎﻨِﺒــــﺎﹰ ﻭﺁﺨﹸـــﺫﹸ ﻤــﻥ ﺩﺭﻫــﺎ ﺍﻟﻤﺴﺘﹶﺠــﺎﺩﺍ 3- So I, coral among verses I laid aside.
78 Reddish-brown camels were considered superior. He assails them with rebuke for their tardiness at night, reminding them of the rider’s brilliant lineage, and that they should show more respect for their rider and hasten their paces. 79 ‘Ayad, one of the most ancient of Arab tribal Patriarchs. “Nabeet” and “Burd” descend from The House of ‘Ayad.
37
And those jewels I find `mongst them, I prized.
[18] ﺴﻤﺎ ﻟﹶ ﻙ ﺸﹶ ﻭ ﻕﹲ “My longings for you rise”
Recited when heading for Constantinople to appeal to the Emperor Justinian for support against his foes, the Beni Assad:
1- ﺴﻤﺎ ﻟﹶ ﻙ ﺸ ﻭ ﻕﹲ ﺒ ﻌ ﺩ ﻤﺎ ﻜ ﺎ ﻥ ﺃﻗﹾﺼﺭﺍ ﻭ ﺤ ﻠﹼ ﺕﹾ ﺴﻠﹶﻴﻤﻰ ﺒ ﻁﹾ ﻥ ﻗﹶ ﻭ ﻓﹶ ﻌ ﺭ ﻋ ﺭ ﺍ 1- My Longing for you rise, after idling low. Sulayma’s now at “ Ar ‘ar;” after “Qaww”.
2- ﻜِ ﻨﹶ ﺎ ﻨِ ﻴ ﺔﹲ ﺒ ﺎ ﻨﹶ ﺕﹾ ﻭﻓﻲ ﺍﻟﺼﺩﺭ ﻭﺩﻫـﺎ ﻤ ﺠ ﺎ ﻭِ ﺭ ﺓﹲ ﻏﹶ ﺴ ﺎ ﻥ ﻭﺍﻟﺤﻲ ﻴﻌﻤـﺭﺍ 2- Kinanite is she; her love my bos’m swells, Betimes at “Ycamur”, and “Ghassan”, she dwells80
3- ﺒِ ﻌ ﻴ ﻨﹶ ﻲ ﻅﹶ ﻌ ﻥ ﺍ ﻟ ﺤ ﻲ ﻟﹶﻤﺎ ﺘﹶﺤﻤﻠﻭﺍ ﻟﹶﺩﻯ ﺠ ﺎ ﻨ ﺏِ ﺍ ﻷ ﻓ ﻼ ﺝِ ﻤِﻥ ﺠ ﻨﹾ ﺏِ ﺘﻴﻤﺭﺍ 3- I watched in pain as howdah delivers them to banks of “Taymar’s” num’ rous rivers.
4- ﻓﹶ ﺸﹶ ﺒ ﻬ ﺘﹸ ﻬ ﻡ ﻓﻲ ﺍ ﻵ لِ ﻟﹶﻤﺎ ﺘﹶﻜﹶﻤﺸﻭﺍ ﺤ ﺩ ﺍ ﺌ ـ ﻕﹶ ﺩ ﻭ ﻡٍ ﺃﻭ ﺴ ﻔ ﻴ ﻨ ـ ﺎﹰ ﻤﻘﹶﺒــﱠﺭﺍ 4- So high, well-lad’n were their howdahs, and fair. Like “Dom” trees, or, tar-keeled ships rich with ware81
5- ﺃﻭ ﺍﻟﻤﻜﹾﺭﻋﺎﺕِ ﻤﻥ ﻨﹶﺨﻴلِ ﺍﺒﻥ ﻴ ﺎ ﻤِ ﻥٍ ﺩﻭﻴـﻥ ﺍﻟﺼﻔـﺎ ﺍﻟﻼﺌـﻲ ﻴﻠﻴــﻥ 5- Like well-watered date palms rise as high as “Yamin’s” ships; that past “Mushaqqar” lie82
80 Kinanite: She hails from Beni Kinana, a cousin-clan of the Poet. “Ycamur” and “Ghassan” are a Yemeni location, and a tribe, respectively. He implies that she moves about and dwells in remote lands, thereby inflaming his longings for her. 81 Dom trees: a species of tree rising to great heights, flourishing in ‘Al-Yemen.
38
6- ﺴ ﻭ ﺍ ﻤِ ﻕﹶ ﺤ ﺒ ﺎ ﺭٍ ﺃﺜﻴﺕٍ ﻓﹸ ﺭ ﻭ ﻋ ﻪ ﻭ ﻋ ﺎ ﻟﹶ ﻴ ﻥ ﻗِ ﻨﹾ ﻭ ﺍ ﻨ ﺎﹰ ﻤﻥ ﺍﻟﺒﺴﺭ ِﺃﺤﻤﺭﺍ 6- Tall palms; with dates and lush foliage unckeched. Tall howdahs; with yellow-red wool bedecked.
7- ﺤ ﻤ ﺘﹾ ﻪ ﺒﻨﻭ ﺍ ﻟ ﺭ ﺒ ﺩ ﺍ ﺀِ ﻤِ ﻥ ﺁل ﻴ ﺎ ﻤِ ﻥٍ ﺒ ﺄ ﺴ ﻴ ﺎ ﻓِ ﻬِ ﻡ ﺤﺘﻰ ﺃ ﻗﹶ ﺭ ﻭﺃﻭﻗﹶـــﺭﺍ 7- “Rabdaa`” their palms from “Yamin” with sword protect. Lest they its mell`wing fruit from far detect.83
8- ﻭﺃﺭﻀﻰ ﺒﻨﹶﻲ ﺍ ﻟ ﺭ ﺒ ﺩ ﺍ ﺀِ ﻭ ﺍﹾ ﻋ ﺜﹶ ﻡ ﺯ ﻫ ﺭ ﻩ ﻭ ﺍ ﻜ ﻤ ﺎ ﻤ ﻪ ﺤﺘﹼﻰ ﺇﺫﺍ ﻤﺎ ﺘﹶﻬﺼـﺭﺍ 8- Proud were “Rabdaa`” of their produce mellow; That hangs, in red enclustered, and yellow.
9- ﺃﻁﺎﻓﹶﺕﹾ ﺒِ ﻪِ ﺤ ﻴ ﻼ ﻥ ﻋِ ﻨﹾ ﺩ ﻗ ﻁ ﺎ ﻋِ ﻪِ ﺘﹶ ﺭ ﺩ ﺩ ﻓ ﻴ ﻪِ ﺍ ﻟ ﻌ ﻴ ﻥ ﺤﺘﻰ ﺘﹶﺤﻴﺭﺍ 9- “Gilan” to prune and water th`palms, were hired. Viewing the palms` perfection, eyes grow tired.84
10- ﻜﹶ ﺄ ﻥ ﺩﻤﻰ ﺸﹶ ﻔﹾ ﻊٍ ﻋﻠﻰ ﻅﹶ ﻬ ﺭِ ﻤ ﺭ ﻤ ﺭٍ ﻜﹶﺴﺎ ﻤِ ﺯ ﺒ ﺩ ﺍﻟﺴﺎﺠﻭﻡ ﻭ ﺸ ﻴ ﺎﹰ ﻤﺼﻭﺭﺍ 10- Howdahs, `mbellished, through white mirage they sway Like marble icons down the “Sajoom” way.85
11- ﻏﹶ ﺭ ﺍ ﺌِ ﺭ ﻓﻲ ﻜﹶ ﻥ ﻭ ﺼ ﻭ ﻥٍ ﻭ ﻨِ ﻌ ﻤ ﺔٍ ﻴ ﺤ ﻠﱠ ﻴ ﻥ ﻴ ﺎ ﻗ ﻭ ﺘ ﺎﹶ ﻭ ﺸﹶ ﺫﹾ ﺭ ﺍﹰ ﻤ ﻔﹶ ﻘﹶﱠ ـ ﺭ ﺍ 11- Women, brought up in lavish love and care. In wealth and grace; finely-wrought jewels, wear.
12- ﻭ ﺭِ ﻴ ﺢ ﺴ ﻨ ﺎﹰ ﻓﻲ ﺤ ﻘﱠ ﺔٍ ﺤِ ﻤ ﻴ ﺭِ ﻴ ﺔٍ ﺘﹸ ﺨﹶ ﺹ ﺒِ ﻤ ﻔﹾ ﺭ ﻭ ﻙٍ ﻤﻥ ﺍ ﻟ ﻤِ ﺴ ﻙِ ﺃّﺫﹾﻓﹶﺭﺍ 12- With choicest musk they are so well perfumed. Their wafting scent, across a distance, bloom’d.
82 Ibn Yamin was a famous shipmaster in Bahrain, whose tall ships plied the seas. The verse mentions “Safa” and “Mushaqqar”; two mansions in Yamama, famed for their tall date palms. 83 The “Rabdaa`” are identified as an Ethiopic clan famed for their lush palm orchards. The “Yamin” a clan of shipmasters and date growers. “They” in the second line refers to the Yamin clan. 84 “Gilan” refers to workmen from the Gilan province of Persia, hired by the Persian emperor Xerxes to prune and water the palm groves in the vicinity of Bahrain. 85 He compares howdahs swaying through whitish mirage to icons topping white marble idols in “Sajoom” valley, known for its marble. These wayside icons were intended for travelers to offer prayers to. The whiteness of the icons, marble pedestals is akin to the mirage’s whitish shimmer.
39
13- ﻭ ﺒ ﺎ ﻨ ﺎﹰ ﻭ ﺃُ ﻟ ﻭِ ﻴ ﺎﹰ ﻤﻥ ﺍ ﻟ ﻬِ ﻨﹾ ﺩِ ﺫ ﺍ ﻜِ ﻴ ﺎﹰ ﻭ ﺭ ﻨﹾ ﺩ ﺍﹰ ﻭﻟﹸﺒﻨﻰ ﻭ ﺍ ﻟ ﻜِ ﺒ ﺎ ﺀ ، ﺍﻟﻤﻘﹶﺘﱠــﺭﺍ 13- Their fine perfume was in fine ingredients fixed. Of “Ban”, “Alwi”; of “Rend” , “Lubna”- well-mixed.86
14- ﻏﹶ ﻠِ ﻘﹾ ﻥ ﺒ ﺭ ﻫ ﻥٍ ﻤﻥ ﺤﺒﻴﺏٍ ﺒﻪ ﺇ ﺩ ﻋ ﺕﹾ ﺴﻠِﻴﻤﻰ ﻓﺄﻤﺴﻰ ﺤﺒﻠﹸﻬﺎ ﻗﺩ ﺜﹶﺒﺜﹾﺭﺍ 14- Mortgaged their hearts and left their hearts unpaid . Sulayma broke what I’ve in mortgage laid87.
15- ﻭﻜﺎﻥ ﻟﻬﺎ ﻓﻲ ﺴ ﺎ ﻟِ ﻑِ ﺍﻟﺩﻫﺭ ﺨﹸ ﻠﱠ ﺔﹲ ﻴ ﺴ ﺎ ﺭِ ﻕﹸ ﺒﺎﻟﻁﺭﻑِ ﺍ ﻟ ﺨِ ﺒ ﺎ ﺀ ﺍﻟﻤﺴﺘﱠﺭﺍ 15- Before, as vis`ting friend, to her I went in stealth; well-guarded was her honoured tent.
16- ﺇﺫﺍ ﻨﺎل ﻤﻨﻬﺎ ﻨﹶ ﻅﹾ ﺭ ﺓﹰ ﺭِ ﻴ ﻊ ﻗﹶ ﻠﹾ ﺒ ﻪ ﻜﻤﺎ ﺫﹶ ﻋ ﺭ ﺕﹶ ﻜﺄﺱ ﺍﻟﺼﺒﻭﺡ ﺍﻟﻤﺨﻤﺭﺍ 16- Her, I surprised, but my courage expired. As wine-addict fears wine he so desired.
17- ﻨﹶ ﺯِ ﻴ ﻑﹲ ﺇﺫﺍ ﻗ ﺎ ﻤ ﺕﹾ ﻟﹶ ﻭ ﺠ ﻪٍ ﺘ ﻤ ﺎ ﻴ ﻠﹶ ﺕﹾ ﺘﹸﺭﺍﺸِﻲ ﺍﻟﻔﺅﺍﺩ ﺍ ﻟ ﺭّ ﺨﹾ ﺹ ﺃ ﻻﹼ ﺘﹶ ﺨﹶ ﺜﱠ ﺭ ﺍ 17- Languid and lax, like drunkard she appeared. She strained to stand upright, yet swayed and veered.
18- ﺃَﺃَﺴﻤﺎﺀ ﺃَﻤﺴﻰ ﻭﺩﻫﺎ ﻗﺩ ﺘﹶﻐﹶﻴـﺭﺍ ﺴﻨﹸﺒﺩِل ﺇﻥ ﺃ ﺒ ﺩ ﻟﹾ ﺕِ ﺒﺎﻟﻭﺩ ﺁﺨﹶﺭﺍ 18- Asmaa`! should you my love for oth’r exchange, I shall, also, to other conquests range.
19- ﺘﹶ ﺫﹶ ﻜﱠ ﺭ ﺕﹸ ﺃﻫﻠﻲ ﺍﻟﺼﺎﻟِﺤﻴﻥ ﻭﻗﺩ ﺃ ﺘﹶ ﺕﹾ ﻋﻠﻰ ﺨﹶﻤﻠﻰ ﺨﹸ ﻭ ﺹ ﺍﻟﺭﻜﺎﺏِ ﻭﺃﻭﺠﺭﺍ 19- “Khamla” and “Awjar”, having left behind, mem`ries of their good folk e’er bore in mind.88
20-ﻓﻠﻤﺎ ﺒ ﺩ ﺕﹾ ﺤ ﻭ ﺭ ﺍ ﻥ ﻓﻲ ﺍ ﻵ لِ ﺩﻭﻨﹶﻬﺎ ﻨﹶ ﻅﹶ ﺭ ﺕﹶ ﻓﹶﻠﹶﻡ ﺘﹶ ﻨﹾ ﻅ ﺭ ﺒﻌﻴﻨﻴﻙ ﻤﻨﹾﻅﺭﺍ
86 “Ban” and “Rend” species of tree emitting fragrance. “`Alwi”, a brand of incense, considered the finest. “Lubna”: a species of tree whose milky sap was used in perfume-making. The verse also includes “Kibaa`”, a brand of incense. 87 The fine women in howdahs had chosen ones to love, mortgaging out their hearts to those they had favoured. He had mortgaged his heart to Sulayma, who broke away from him, taking away with her his mortgaged heart. 88 Khanla” and “Awjar”- locations in Syria.
40
20- And when “Hawran” at last I left behind89, none like “Asmaa`s” loveliness could I find.
21- ﺘﹶ ﻘﹶ ﻁﹼ ﻊ ﺃ ﺴ ﺒ ﺎ ﺏ ﺍﻟﻠﱡﺒﺎﻨﹶﺔِ ﻭﺍﻟﻬﻭﻯ ﻋ ﺸ ﻴ ﺔﹶ ﺠﺎﻭﺯﻨﹶﺎ ﺤ ﻤ ﺎ ﺓﹶ ﻭﺸﹶﻴﺯﺭﺍ 21- And when “Hamat” and “Shayzar” I had crossed all hopes of seeing th’beloved again, were lost
22- ﺒِ ﺴ ﻴ ﺭٍ ﻴ ﻀِ ﺞ ﺍ ﻟ ﻌ ﻭ ﺩ ﻤِ ﻨﹾ ﻪ ﻴ ﻤ ﻨﱡ ﻪ ﺃﺨﹸﻭ ﺍ ﻟ ﺠ ﻬ ﺩِ ﻻ ﻴﻠﹾﻭﻯ ﻋﻠﻰ ﻤ ﻥ ﺘﹶﻌﺫﱠﺭﺍ 22- Our way forward we in haste had trod. Those straggling, should their own way onward, plod.
23- ﻭ ﻟﹶ ﻡ ﻴﻨﹾﺴِﻨﻲ ﻤﺎ ﻗ ﺩ ﻟﹶ ﻘِ ﻴ ﺕﹸ ﻅﹶﻌﺎﺌِﻨﺎﹰ ﻭ ﺨﹶ ﻤ ﻼﹰ ﻟﻬﺎ ﻜﺎﻟﻘﹶﺭ ﻴ ﻭ ﻤ ﺎﹰ ﻤﺨﹶﺩﺭﺍ 23- Forget I not, `spite travels hardest toil, round howdahs that velvet cushions encoil.
24- ﻜ ﺄَ ﺜﹾ لٍ ﻤِ ﻥ ﺍﻷﻋﺭﺍﺽ ﻤِ ﻥ ﺩﻭﻥ ﺒ ﻴ ﺸﹶ ﺔٍ ﻭ ﺩ ﻭ ﻥِ ﺍ ﻟ ﻐﹸ ﻤ ﻴ ﺭِ ﻋ ﺎ ﻤِ ﺩ ﺍ ﺕٍ ﻟِﻐﹶﻀﻭﺭﺍ 24- The tall, well-laden howdahs, richly green. Like trees that are at wat`ry valleys seen.90
25- ﻓﹶ ﺩ ﻉ ﺫﺍ ﻭ ﺴ لﱢ ﺍ ﻟ ﻬ ﻡ ﻋ ﻨﹾ ﻙ ﺒِ ﺤ ﺴ ـ ـْ ﺭ ﺓٍ ﺫﹶ ﻤ ﻭ لٍ ﺇﺫﺍ ﺼ ﺎ ﻡ ﺍ ﻟ ﻨﱠ ﻬ ـ ﺎ ﺭ ﻭ ﻫ ﺠ ﺭ ﺍ 25- Forget howdahs! And do yourself console. With swift camels that `cross hot desert roll.
26- ﺘﹸ ﻘﹶ ﻁﱢ ﻊ ﻏِ ﻴ ﻁ ﺎ ﻨ ﺎﹰ ﻜ ﺄَ ﻥ ﻤﺜﹸﻭﻨﹶﻬــــﺎ ﺇﺫﺍ ﺃ ﻅ ﻬ ﺭ ﺕﹾ ﺘﹸﻜﹾﺴﻰ ﻤ ﻼ ﺀ ﻤﻨﹶﺸﱢـــــﺭﺍ 26- High ground and rocks it can with ease go `cross. Mirage enshrouds it with a whitish gloss.
27- ﺒ ﻌ ﻴ ﺩ ﺓﹸ ﺒ ﻴ ﻥ ﺍ ﻟ ﻤِ ﻨﹾ ﻜِ ﺒ ﻴ ﻥِ ﻜﺄﻨﱠﻬـــــﺎ ﺘﺭﻯ ﻋِ ﻨﹾ ﺩ ﻤﺠﺭﻯ ﺍ ﻟ ﻀ ﻔ ﺭِ ﻫِ ﺭ ﺍﹰ ﻤﺸﹶﺠﺭﺍ 27- Great power moves its withers, stout and wide. As if a scratching cat t`its flank was tied91.
89 “Hawran”- the same modern “Hawran” province in Syria. 90 The verse mentions “Bisha”,”Ghameer” and “Ghudoor” as well-watered locations. The trees there are of the “Athel” species, tall and verdant, growing profusely in the watery sites. The green howdahs are likened to “Athel”trees.
41
28- ﺘﹸﻁﹶﺎﻴِﺭ ﻅﹸ ﺭ ﺍ ﻥ ﺍﻟﺤﺼﻰ ﺒ ﻤ ﻨ ﺎ ﺴِ ﻡٍ ﺼِ ﻼ ﺏِ ﺍﻟﻌﺠﻰ ﻤﻠﺜﻭﻤﻬﺎ ﻏﹶ ﻴ ﺭ ﺃﻤﻌﺭﺍ 28- From its hard pads, sharp pebbles fly away at its taut flanks, but don’t its firm hide fray.
29- ﻜ ﺄَ ﻥ ﺍﻟﺤﺼﻰ ﻤِ ﻥ ﺨﹶﻠﹾﻔِﻬﺎ ﻭﺃﻤﺎﻤِﻬﺎ ﺇﺫﺍ ﻨﹶ ﺠ ﻠﹶ ﺘﹾ ﻪ ﺭِ ﺠﻠﹸﻬﺎ ﺤ ﺫﹾ ﻑﹸ ﺃﻋﺴﺭﺍ 29- The shooting pebbles in all directions hiss. As left-handed misaimed shots, widely miss.
30- ﻜ ﺄَ ﻥ ﺼﻠﻴلَ ﺍ ﻟ ﻤ ﺭ ﻭِ ﺤِ ﻴ ﻥ ﺘ ﻁِ ﻴ ﺭ ﻩ ﺼﻠﻴلُ ﺯ ﻴ ﻭ ﻑٍ ﻴ ﻨﹾ ﺘﹶ ﻘﹶ ﺩ ﻥ ﺒِﻌﺒﻘﹶﺭﺍ 30- The pebble-fall rings loudly from afar. As copper coins, debased, fall at “Abqar”92.
31- ﻋﻠﹶﻴﻬﺎ ﻓﹶ ﺘ ﻰ ﻟﹶ ﻡ ﺘﹶﺤﻤِل ﺍ ﻷ ﺭ ﺽ ﻤِﺜﹾﻠﹶﻪ ﺃ ﺒ ﺭ ﺒﻤﻴﺜﺎﻕٍ ﻭﺃﻭﻓﹶﻰ ﻭﺃﺼﺒﺭﺍ 31- `Pon it mounts one whose peers earth never bore. To vows enfaithed, to patience true e’er more.93
32- ﻫﻭ ﺍ ﻟ ﻤ ﻨﹾ ﺯِ لُ ﺍ ﻷ ﻻ ﻑِ ﻤﻥ ﺠ ﻭ ﻨ ﺎ ﻋِ ﻁٍ ﺒﻨﻲ ﺃ ﺴ ﺩٍ ﺤ ﺯ ﻨ ﺎﹰ ﻤﻥ ﺍ ﻷ ﺭ ﺽِ ﺃﻭﻋﺭﺍ 32- He, from “Na`it’s” fort thousands down have brought. “Beni Assad” high’r ground had better sought.94
33- ﻭ ﻟﹶ ﻭ ﺸ ﺎ ﺀ ﻜ ﺎ ﻥ ﺍ ﻟ ﻐﹶ ﺯ ﻭ ﻤِ ﻥ ﺃ ﺭ ﺽِ ﺤ ﻤ ﻴ ﺭٍ ﻭﻟﻜﻨﹼﻪ ﻋ ﻤ ﺩ ﺍﹰ ﺇﻟﻰ ﺍ ﻟ ﺭ ﻭ ﻡِ ﺃﻨﹾﻔﹶﺭﺍ 33- Beni Assad he’d raid from “Himyar”`s land But Roman pact will much more honour stand.95
34- ﺒﻜﻰ ﺼﺎﺤِﺒﻲ ﻟﻤﺎ ﺭﺃﻯ ﺍ ﻟ ﺩ ﺭ ﺏ ﺩﻭﻨﹶﻪ ﻭﺃﻴﻘﹶﻥ ﺍﻨﱠﺎ ﻻ ﺤ ﻘ ﺎ ﻥِ ﺒِﻘﹶﻴﺼـــــﺭﺍ
91 Cats were completely unknown to desert Camels who would have been terrified if such a creature was tied to its flanks, and thus would run on with crazed and terrified speed. 92 “Abqar”: a location in Yemen notorious for its debased coinage, heavy in copper content. The loud fall of pebbles flying off from the swift camel’s hard pads is likened to the loud coppery sound of debased coinage falling on hard ground. 93 “One” refers to himself. He recounts what he considers his prime virtues to be. 94 “Nacit”’s fort: A fort in Hamadan, in Persia. His bringing down thousands from this mountain fort to lower ground is obscure. He is challenging his enemies, the Beni Assad, to leave hard, level ground and entrench themselves higher up in mountain fastness. He, refers to himself. 95 He is exculpating himself from not raiding the Beni Assad from his ancestral lands of Himyar, in the Yemen where he could have rallied his people there to his aid . He says that his appeal to the Roman Caesar, (Justinian) for aid against his foes will stand him in much more honour, and would be far more effective.
42
34- My friend, seeing the road that lay ahead led to Caesar, hot tears of dread did shed96.
35- ﻓﹶ ﻘﹸ ﻠﹾ ﺕﹸ ﻟﹶ ﻪ ﻻ ﺘﹶ ﺒ ﻙِ ﻋ ﻴ ﻨﹸ ﻙ ﺇِﻨﹼﻤــﺎ ﻨﹸ ﺤ ﺎ ﻭِ لُ ﻤ ﻠﹾ ﻜ ﺎﹰ ﺃﻭ ﻨﹶ ﻤ ﻭ ﺕﹶ ﻓﹶﻨﹸﻌﺫﺭﺍ 35- Said I “weep not. To win a realm we’ll try Or be forgiven should we fail and die.
36- ﻭﺇِﻨﹼﻲ ﺯ ﻋ ﻴ ﻡ ﺇ ﻥ ﺭ ﺠ ﻌ ﺕﹸ ﻤﻤﻠﱠﻜﺎﹰ ﺒِ ﺴ ﻴ ﺭٍ ﺘﺭﻯ ﻤﻨﻪ ﺍﻟﻔﹸﺭﺍﻨِﻕﹶ ﺃﺯﻭﺭﺍ 36- I’m sure to win a kingdom, `n royal fame through hard travel’s that would th’strongest lions lame.
37- ﻋﻠﻰ ﻻ ﺤِ ﺏٍ ﻻ ﻴﻬﺘﹶﺩﻯ ﺒ ﻤ ﻨﹶ ﺎ ﺭِ ﻩِ ﺍﺫﺍ ﺴ ﺎ ﻓﹶ ﻪ ﺍ ﻟ ﻌ ﻭ ﺩ ﺍﻟﻨﱠﺒﺎﻁِﻲ ﺠ ﺭ ﺠ ﺭ ﺍ 37- O’er th’longest, hardest, deep-pocked way that makes a “Nabt” camel in protest bray.97
38- ﻋﻠﻰ ﻜ لّ ﻤ ﻘ ﺼ ﻭ ﺹِ ﺍﻟﺫﱡﻨﺎﺒﻲ ﻤ ﻌ ﺎ ﻭِ ﺩٍ ﺒ ﺭ ﻴ ﺩ ﺍﻟﺴﺭﻯ ﺒﺎﻟﻠﱠﻴل ﻤﻥ ﺨﹶ ﻴ لِ ﺒﺭﺒﺭﺍ 38- Mounting tail-less dispatch steeds through the night, So like Berber horses, sleekish and light.98
39- ﺃَ ﻗﹶ ﺏ ﻜ ﺴِ ﺭ ﺤ ﺎ ﻥِ ﺍﻟﻐﹶﻀــــــــــﺎ ﺘﹶﺭﻯ ﺍﻟﻤﺎﺀ ﻤِ ﻥ ﺍ ﻋ ﻁ ﺎ ﻓِ ﻪِ ﻗﺩ ﺘﹶﺤﺩﺭﺍ 39- As lean as rain-drenched tree-wolf racing dank99. You’d see the water dripping down its flank.
40- ﺇﺫﺍ ﺯ ﻋ ﺘﹸ ﻪ ﻤِ ﻥ ﺠ ﺎ ﻨِ ﺒ ﻴ ﻪِ ﻜِﻠﹶﻴﻬِﻤـﺎ ﻤﺸﻰ ﺍﻟﻬﻴﺩﺒﻲ ﻓﻲ ﺩ ﻓﱢ ﻪِ ﺜﻡ ﻓﹶ ﺭ ﻓﹶ ﺭ ﺍ 40- You spur its flank, and rein it; t’will turn gay. It’ll swagger on, and with its bit will play.
41- ﺇﺫﺍ ﻗ ـُ ﻠ ـْ ﺕﹸ ﺭﻭﺤﻨﺎ ﺃ ﺭ ﻥ ﻓﹸ ﺭ ﺍ ﻨِ ﻕﹲ ﻋﻠﻰ ﺠ ﻠﹾ ﻌ ﺩٍ ﻭﺍﻫِﻲ ﺍﻷﺒﺎﺠِل ﺃﺒﺘﹶﺭﺍ
96 The friend is cAmr bin Qumaiy’a `al-Yashkuri. The poet had passed through the Beni Yashkur clan on his way to Constantinople. He chose cAmr, a fellow poet, as his traveling companion, but did not tell him of his destination. The ‘road’ here is that connecting the Syrian port city of Tarsus c to Byzantium. Amr wept in bewildered anguish when he realized where they were heading. 97 Nabt: The toughest, most enduring of camels. 98 Tail-less Berber horses were used by dispatch riders to deliver mail. 99 Tree-wolves, living amongst trees, were considered to be most cunning and vicious.
43
41- Say “comfort us”, when th`way grows hard; it`ll neigh. Supple its veins`n joints, short its tail doth lay.
42- ﻟﻘﺩ ﺃ ﻨﹾ ﻜﹶ ﺭ ﺘﹾ ﻨ ﻲ ﺒ ﻌ ﻠﹶ ﺒ ﻙ ﻭﺃَﻫﻠﹸﻬـﺎ ﻭﻻﺒﻥ ﺠﺭﻴﺞ ﻓﻲ ﻗﹸﺭﻯ ﺤِ ﻤ ﺹ ﺃﻨﹾﻜﹶﺭﺍ 42- Baalbeck, its folk, denied me; were untrue. And “Ibn Juraij” at Hims’s vill`ges, too.100
43- ﻨﹶ ﺸ ﻴ ﻡ ﺒ ﺭ ﻭ ﻕﹶ ﺍ ﻟ ﻤ ﺯ ﻥِ ﺃ ﻴ ﻥ ﻤ ﺼ ﺎ ﺒ ﻪ ﻭﻻ ﺸ ﻲ ﺀ ﻴﺸﹾﻔِﻲ ﻤِ ﻨﹾ ﻙ ﻴﺎ ﺒ ﻨﹶ ﺔﹶَ ﻋ ﻔﹾ ﺭ ﺯ ﺍ 43- I see that showers distant lands may drench. No rain would love for “Afraz’s”`s daught’r quench.101
44- ﻤﻥ ﺍﻟﻘﺎﺼِﺭﺍﺕِ ﺍﻟﻁﱠﺭﻑِ ﻟﻭ ﺩ ﺏ ﻤ ﺤ ﻭِ لٌ ﻤﻥ ﺍ ﻟ ﺫﱠ ﺭ ﻓﹶ ﻭ ﻕﹶ ﺍ ﻹ ﺜﹾ ﺏِ ﻤِﻨﻬﺎ ﻷﺜﱠﺭﺍ 44- Should air-blown specks on her light gown alight. her delightful soft-smooth skin so would slight.
45- ﻟﻪ ﺍ ﻟ ﻭ ﻴ لُ ﺇﻥ ﺃﻤﺴﻰ ﻭﻻ ﺃُ ﻡ ﻫ ﺎ ﺸِ ﻡٍ ﻗ ﺭ ﻴ ﺏ ﻭﻻ ﺍ ﻟ ﺒ ﺴ ﺒ ﺎ ﺸ ﺔﹸ ﺃﺒﻨﺔﹸ ﻴﺸﻜﹸﺭﺍ 45- Woe to nights with “Umm Hashim” nowhere near. Nor with “Bisbasa”, “Yashkur’s” daughter dear.
46- ﺃﺭﻯ ﺃ ﻡ ﻋﻤﺭٍﻭ ﺩﻤﻌﻬﺎ ﻗﺩ ﺘﹶﺤﺩﺭﺍ ﺒ ﻜ ﺎ ﺀ ﻋﻠﻰ ﻋ ﻤ ﺭ ﻭٍ ﻭﻤﺎ ﻜﺎﻥ ﺃﺼﺒﺭﺍ 46- I see “`Umm `Amr,” her tears with grief aflow for cAmr; yet once with patience was aglow.102
47- ﺇﺫﺍ ﻨﹶ ﺤ ﻥ ﺴِﺭﻨﺎ ﺨﹶ ﻤ ﺱ ﻋ ﺸﹾ ﺭ ﺓﹶ ﻟﹶ ﻴ ﻠﹶ ﺔﹰ ﻭﺭﺍﺀ ﺍ ﻟ ﺤِ ﺴ ﺎ ﺀِ ﻤﻥ ﻤ ﺩ ﺍ ﻓِ ﻊِ ﻗﹶﻴﺼﺭﺍ 47- For fifteen nights we crossed o’er wetland sands. Across what Caesar built t`defend his lands.
48- ﺇﺫﺍ ﻗﹸ ﻠﹾ ﺕﹸ ﻫﺫﺍ ﺼ ﺎ ﺤِ ﺏ ﻗﺩ ﺭﻀﻴﺘﹸﻪ ﻭ ﻤ ﺭ ﺕﹾ ﺒِ ﻪِ ﺍ ﻟ ﻌ ﻴ ﻨ ﺎ ﻥِ ﺒ ﺩ ﻟ ﺕﹸ ﺁﺨﹶﺭﺍ 48- If th’companion I thought of suit’ble kind
100 Baalbeck: a town in Syria (now in the Lebanon) between Damascus and Hims (Emessa). Ibn Juraij, a former friend of the poet, residing in a village near Hims, had also denied him. 101 `Afraz`s daughter: A woman whom Imru’ul Qays had loved. 102 “`Umm cAmr”: mother of cAmr b. Qumaia, Imru’ul Qays’s travelling companion. The mother, once so patient, had broken into tears at her son’s accompanying the poet to Constantinople.
44
unsuit’ble turns, I must another find.
49- ﻜ ﺫﹶ ﻟِ ﻙ ﺠﺩﻱ، ﻤﺎ ﺃُ ﺼ ﺎ ﺤِ ﺏ ﺼ ﺎ ﺤِ ﺒ ﺎﹶ ﻤِ ﻥ ﺍﻟﻨﹼﺎﺱ ﺇﻻ ﺨﺎﻨﹶﻨﻲ ﻭﺘﹶﻐﹶﻴﺭﺍ 49- E’er when a sincere friend in one I see. Fickle and treach’rous he turns out to be.
50- ﻭﻜﻨﹼﺎ ﺃُ ﻨ ﺎ ﺴ ﺎﹰ ﻗﹶ ﺒ لَ ﻏﹶ ﺯ ﻭ ﺓِ ﻗﹶ ﺭ ﻤ لٍ ﻭﺭِﺜﹾﻨﹶﺎ ﺍﻟﻐِﻨﹶﻰ ﻭ ﺍ ﻟ ﻤ ﺠ ﺩ ﺃ ﻜﹾ ﺒ ﺭ ﺃﻜﺒﺭﺍ 50- Well before “Qarmal”`s raid well-born were we. Inher`ting th’great glory’f our ancestral tree.
51- ﻭﻤﺎ ﺠ ﺒ ﻨﹶ ﺕﹾ ﺨﹶﻴﻠﻲ ﻭﻟﻜﻥ ﺘ ﺫ ﻜﱠ ﺭ ﺕﹾ ﻤﺭﺍﺒِﻁﹶﻬﺎ ﻤِﻥ ﺒ ﺭ ﺒ ﻌ ﻴ ﺹ ﻭﻤﻴﺴﺭﺍ 51- My horsemen did not through cowardice fail But had recalled “Barba`ees” and “Maysar’s” vale103
52- ﺃﻻ ﺭ ﺏ ﻴ ﻭ ﻡٍ ﺼ ﺎ ﻟِ ﺢٍ ﻗﺩ ﺸﹶ ﻬِ ﺩ ﺘﹸ ﻪ ﺒ ﻨ ﺎ ﺫِ ﻑﹶ ﺫﺍﺕ ﺍ ﻟ ﺘﱠ لﱢ ﻤﻥ ﻓﹶ ﻭ ﻕِ ﻁﹶ ﺭ ﻁﹶ ﺭ ﺍ 52- O for that good war-day which I did face. That at “Tadhif`” hill, oer “Tartar”, took place.104
53- ﻭﻻ ﻤِ ﺜﹾ لَ ﻴ ﻭ ﻡٍ ﻓﻲ ﻗﹸ ﺫ ﺍ ﺭ ﺍ ﻥ ﻅِ ﻠﹾ ﺘﹸ ﻪ ﻜﹶﺄَﻨﹼﻲ ﻭﺃَﺼﺤﺎﺒﻲ ﻋﻠﻰ ﻗـَﺭﻥ ِ ﺃﻋﻔﹶﺭﺍ 53- No day was like the one at “Qatharan” we won, ‘t was as if oryx horns we were upon.105
54- ﻭ ﻨﹶ ﺸﹾ ﺭ ﺏ ﺤﺘﻰ ﺘﹶ ﺤ ﺴِ ﺏ ﺍ ﻟ ﺨﹶ ﻴ لَ ﺤﻭﻟﻨﺎ ﻨِﻘـــَ ﺎ ﺩ ﺍﹰ ﻭﺤﺘــﻰ ﻨﹶ ﺤ ﺴِ ـ ﺏ ﺍ ﻟ ﺠ ﻭ ﻥ ﺃﺸﹾﻘﹶﺭﺍ 54- We drink till steeds to our drunken eyes look like lambs. Black manes for fair we drunk’ly took.
55- ﻓﹶ ﻬ لْ ﺃﻨﺎ ﻤ ﺎ ﺵٍ ﺒ ﻴ ﻥ ﺸﹶ ﺭ ﻁٍ ﻭ ﺤ ﻴ ﺔٍ ﻭﻫل ﺃﻨﺎ ﻻﻕ ٍ ﺤ ﻲ ﻗﻴﺱ ِ ﺒﻥ ِ ﺸﹶﻤﺭﺍ
103 “Qarmal”, a king of Yemen, haid raided Imru’ul Qays’s tribe in their original Yemen homelands and defeated them. The poet here extenuates this defeat by saying that his folk were not defeated through weakness or cowardice, but yearned for their emmigrating kinsmen, and had disengaged from Qarmals` host to catch up with their kith and kin who had settled in two valleys “Barba`ees”. And “Maysar”. 104 He is nostalgically recalling battles he had won to make up for his tribes earlier defeat by “Qarmal”. 105 This victory at “Qatharan” was all the more splendid, since, after initial caution and hesitation, the day, at the very last moment, tilted in their favour, as if they were balanced on oryx horns.
45
55- Am I to walk, midst direst dangers, doomed? Have “Qays bin Shammars` homes e’en closer loomed?106
56- ﺘﹶ ﺒ ﺼ ﺭ ﺨﹶﻠﻴﻠﻰ ﻫل ﺘﺭﻯ ﻀ ﻭ ﺀ ﺒﺎﺭ ِﻕ ٍ ﻴﻀﻲﺀ ﺍﻻﱡﺠﻰ ﺒﺎﻟﻠﱠﻴلِ ﻋﻥ ﺴـِﺭﻭ ِ ﺤِ ﻤ ﻴ ﺭ ﺍ 56- See you, my friend, at night, a flashing light? That lights, from high, the land of Himyar bright?
57- ﺃ ﺠ ﺎ ﺭ ﻗﹸﺴﻴﺴﺎﹰ ﻓﺎﻟﻁـُﻬﺎﺀ ﻓﹶﻤِﺴﻁـَﺤﺎ ﻭ ﺠ ﻭ ﺍﹰ ﻓﹶﺭﻭﻯ ﻨﹶ ﺨﹾ لَ ﻗﹶ ﻴ ﺱ ﺒﻥ ﺸﹶﻤﺭﺍ 57- So near to sev’ral oth’r places, it bathes “bin Shammar’s” palms with glorious light ablaze.107
58- ﻭ ﻋ ﻤ ﺭ ﻭ ﺒ ﻥ ﺩ ﺭ ﻤ ﺎ ﺀ ﺍ ﻟ ﻬ ﻤ ﺎ ﻡ ﺇﺫﺍ ﻏﹶﺩﺍ ﺒﺫِﻱ ﺸﹶ ﻁﹶ ﺏٍ ﻋ ﺼ ﺏٍ ﻜﹶﻤﺸﻴﺔ ﻗﹶ ﺴ ﻭﺭﺍ 58- And “cAmr b. Darmaa”, of fluted sword, who walks as sure-foot’d lion in fearsome steps bestalks.
59- ﻭ ﻜﹸ ﻨﹾ ﺕﹸ ﺇﺫﺍ ﻤﺎ ﺨِ ﻔﹾ ﺕﹸ ﻴ ﻭ ﻤ ﺎﹰ ﻅ ﻼ ﻤ ﺔﹰ ﻓ ﺈِ ﻥ ﻟﻬﺎ ﺸِ ﻌ ﺒ ﺎﹰ ﺒِﺒﻠﹾﻁﹶــﺔﹶ ﺭﻴﻤــﺭﺍ 59- If I, one day, injustice gross should fear. The trail to “Bulta”, at “Zaymor”, is near.108
60- ﻨِ ﻴ ﺎ ﻓ ﺎﹰ ﺘﹶ ﺯِ لﱡ ﺍﻟﻁﱠﻴﺭ ﻋ ﻥ ﻗﹶ ﺫﹶ ﻓ ﺎ ﺘِ ﻪِ ﻴ ﻁﹶ لّ ﺍﻟﻀﺒﺎﺏ ﻓ ﻭ ﻗﹶ ﻪ ﻗﺩ ﺘﹶﻌﺼﺭﺍ 60- From its sheer peaks perching birds down do slip. And thick o’er topping mists in drizzles drip.109
[19] ﻟﻌﻤﺭﻙ ﻤﺎ ﻗﻠﺒﻲ ﺇﻟﻰ ﺃﻫﻠﻪ ﺒِ ﺤ ﺭ My heart is not on patience set
1- ﻟﻌﻤﺭﻙ ﻤﺎ ﻗﻠﺒﻲ ﺇﻟﻰ ﺃﻫﻠﻪ ﺒِﺤــﺭ ﻭﻻ ﻤ ﻘﹾ ﺼِ ﺭٍ ﻴ ﻭ ﻤ ﺎﹰ ﻓﻴﺄﺘﻴﻨﻲ ﺒِ ﻘﹸ ﺭْ
106 He wonders if he will ever reach the dwellings of one “Qays bin Shammar”, an unidentified person he is seeking for unknown reasons. 107 The “Sev’ral oth’r places” are identified in this line as “Qassis”, “Tuha”, “Mistah”, and “Jaww”. Bin Shammar here is the aforementioned “Qays bin Shammar”, who probably offered the poet lavish hospitality for which he is here grateful. 108 A mountain trail leads to “Balta” the house of cAmr b. Darmaa on “Zaymar”, a mountain in the Tayy tribal home lands. 109 Describing the mountain of Zaymar,
46
1- By life! My heart is not on patience set. No peace it holds, but is e’er set to fret.
2- ﺃﻻ ﺇﻨﹼﻤﺎ ﺍ ﻟ ﺩ ﻫ ﺭ ﻟﹶ ﻴ ﺎ لٍ ﻭ ﺃ ﻋ ﺼ ﺭ ﻭ ﻟﹶ ﻴ ﺱ ﻋﻠﻰ ﺸﹶ ﻲ ﺀٍ ﻗﹶ ﻭِ ﻴ ﻡٍ ﺒِ ﻤ ﺴ ﺘﹶ ﻤِ ﺭ 2- For time is but ages and endless night. And ne’er on steady course proceeds aright.
3- ﻟ ﻴ ﺎ لٍ ﺒِ ﺫﹶ ﺍ ﺕِ ﺍﻟﻁﱠﻠﹾﺢِ ﻋِﻨـْﺩ َ ﻤ ﺤ ﺠ ﺭٍ ﺃ ﺤ ﺏ ﺇﻟﹶﻴﻨﺎ ﻤﻥ ﻟ ﻴ ﺎ لٍ ﻋﻠﻰ ﺃُﻗـُـﺭ 3- Those nights! The “Talh” trees! At “Muhajjar’s Tayy”. More pleasant than those spent down “cUqur’s” way.110
4- ﺃّﻏﺎﺩﻱ ﺍ ﻟ ﺼ ﺒ ﻭ ﺡ ﻋِ ﻨ ﺩ ﻫِ ﺭ ﻭ ﻓﹶ ﺭ ﺘﹶ ﻨ ﻰ ﻭ ﻟ ﻴ ﺩ ﺍﹰ ﻭﻫل ﺃﻓﹾﻨﻰ ﺸﹶ ﺒ ﺎ ﺒ ﻲ ﻏ ﻴ ﺭ ﻫِــﺭ 4- With “Fartana” and “Hirr” morn-cups I gained. Who else but “Hirr” my youth away had drained?111
5- ﺇﺫﺍ ﺫﹸ ﻗﹾ ﺕﹶ ﻓﹶﺎﻫﺎ ﻗﹸ ﻠﹾ ﺕﹶ ﻁﹶ ﻌ ﻡ ﻤ ﺩ ﺍ ﻤ ﺔٍ ﻤ ﻌ ﺘ ـﱠ ـ ﻘ ـَﺔ ٍ ﻤِﻤﺎ ﺘﹶ ﺠ ﻲ ﺀ ﺒﻪ ﺍ ﻟ ﺘﱡ ﺠ ﺭ 5- If you should taste her mouth you straight would say tis aged wine that merchants brought your way.
6- ﻫﻤﺎ ﻨﹶ ﻌ ﺠ ﺘﹶ ﺎ ﻥِ ﻤﻥ ﻨﹶ ﻌ ﺎ ﺝِ ﺜﹶﺒﺎﻟﹶﺔٍ ﻟﹶﺩﻯ ﺠﺅﺫﺭﻴﻥ ﺍﻭ ﻜﺒﻌﺽ ﻫ ﻜِ ﺭ 6- Loving, as ewes for their young do care Pretty, as pictures displayed at “Hakir” fair.112
7- ﺇﺫﺍ ﻗﺎﻤﺘﺎ ﺘﹶ ﻀ ﻭ ﻉ ﺍ ﻟ ﻤِ ﺴ ﻙ ﻤِﻨﹾﻬﻤﺎ ﻨِﺴﻴﻡ ﺍﻟﺼﺒﺎ ﺠﺎﺀﺕ ﺒ ﺭ ﻴ ﺢٍ ﻤﻥ ﺍﻟﻔـُﻁـُﺭ 7- When passing by, musk from them wafts away. Like incense born by breeze at morn of day.113
8- ﻜ ﺄ ﻥ ﺍ ﻟ ﺘﱢ ﺠ ﺎ ﺭ ﺃﺼﻌﺩﻭﺍ ﺒِﺴﺒﻴﺌَﺔٍ ﻤﻥ ﺍ ﻟ ﺨﹶ ﺹ ﺤﺘﻰ ﺃﻨﺯﻟﻭﻫﺎ ﻋﻠﻰ ﻴ ﺴ ﺭ 8- As if wine merchants perfumed wines had sent. Their wafting jars from “Khass” to “Yusur” went.114
110 c Muhajjar: a location in the Tayy tribal homelands. Uqur: an unidentified location. 111 “Fartana and Hirr” were two women he had known. Morning drinking with “Hirr” had aged him prematurely. 112 “Furtana” and “Hirr” are as tender, loving and caring as oryx ewes to their young at “Tibala”; a location where oryx congregate in large numbers. 113 “Them” refers to both “Hirr” and “Fartana”.
47
9- ﻓﻠﻤﺎ ﺍﺴﺘﹶﻁﺎﺒﻭﺍ ﺼ ﺏ ﻓﻲ ﺍﻟﺼﺤﻥ ﻨ ﺼ ﻔﹸ ﻪ ﻭ ﺸﹸ ﺠ ﺕﹾ ﺒ ﻤ ﺎ ﺀٍ ﻏ ﻴ ﺭِ ﻁﹶﺭﻕ ٍ ﻭﻻ ﻜﹶ ﺩِ ﺭ 9- A cup, half-filled with clear water pure. In it the potent perfumed drink they pour.
10- ﻤ ﺎ ﺀٍ ﺴ ﺤ ﺎ ﺏٍ ﺯ لّ ﻋ ﻥ ﻤ ﺘﹾ ﻥِ ﺼ ﺨﹶ ﺭ ﺓٍ ﺇﻟﻰ ﺒﻁﻥ ﺃﺨﹾﺭﻯ ﻁﻴﺏ ﻤﺎﺅﻫﺎ ﺨﹶ ﺼِ ﺭ 10- Rain water from wide boulders downward flows. And into cold-clean mountain streamlets goes.
11- ﻟﹶﻌﻤﺭﻙ ﻤﺎ ﺇﻥ ﻀﺭﻨﻲ ﻭِ ﺴ ﻁﹶ ﺤِ ﻤ ﻴ ﺭٍ ﻭﺃﻗﻭﺍﻟِﻬﺎ ﺇﻻ ﺍ ﻟ ﻤ ﺨ ﻴ ﻠﹶ ﺔﹸ ﻭ ﺍ ﻟ ﺴ ﻜﹾ ﺭ 11- What harmed me most with Himyar, and its kings was th’harm that pride, and drink, and boasting, brings.
12- ﻭ ﻏﹶ ﻴ ﺭ ﺍ ﻟ ﺸﱠ ﻘﹶ ﺎ ﺀِ ﺍﻟﻤﺴﺘﹶﺒﻴﻥ ِ ﻓﹶ ﻠﹶ ﻴ ﺘﹶ ﻨ ﻲ ﺃ ﺠ ﺭ ﻟﺴﺎﻨﻲ ﻴ ﻭ ﻡ ﺫ ﻟِ ﻜﹸ ﻡ ﻤ ﺠِ ﺭ 12- Them I offended, with my long, wagging tongue. I wish I had it drawn, quartered, and hung.
13- ﻟﹶ ﻌ ﻤ ﺭ ﻙ ﻤﺎ ﺴ ﻌ ﺩ ﺒِ ﺨﹸ ﻠﹼ ﺔِ ﺁﺜِﻡ ٍ ﻭﻻ ﻨﺄﻨﺄ ﻴ ﻭ ﻡ ﺍﻟﺤِﻔﺎﻅِ ﻭﻻ ﺤ ﺼِ ﺭ 13- In truth, ne’er have the “Sacad their friends betrayed. Nor weak in battle were, nor were dismayed.115
14- ﻟﹶﻌﻤﺭﻱ ﻟﹶ ﻘﹶ ﻭ ﻡ ﻗﺩ ﻨﹶ ﺭﻯ ﺃ ﻤ ﺱِ ﻓ ﻴ ﻬِ ﻡ ﻤ ﺭ ﺍ ﺒِ ﻁﹶ ﻟ ﻸ ﻤ ﻬ ﺎ ﺭِ ﻭ ﺍ ﻟ ﻌ ﻜﹶ ﺭِ ﺍ ﻟ ﺩ ﺜِ ﺭ 14- Of camels they own some ten and three-score. Their wealth in horse and foal counts even more.
15- ﺃ ﺤ ﺏ ﺇﻟﻴﻨﹶﺎ ﻤﻥ ﺃُ ﻨ ﺎ ﺱٍ ﺒِ ﻘ ـُ ﻨ ـﱠ ﺔٍ ﻴ ﺭ ﻭ ﺡ ﻋﻠﻰ ﺁﺜﹶﺎﺭ ِ ﺸ ﺎ ﺌِ ﻬ ـِ ﻡ ﺍ ﻟ ﻨ ﻤ ﺭ 15- To us they’re dearer than those weaklings meek. Who with their sheep, up peaks, protection seek.
16- ﻴﻔﹶﺎﻜِﻬﻨﹶﺎ ﺴ ﻌ ﺩ ﻭﻴﻐﺩﻭ ﻟِ ﺠ ﻤ ﻌِ ﻨ ﺎ ﺒِ ﻤ ﺜﹾ ﻨ ﻰ ﺍﻟﺯﻗﺎﻕ ِ ﺍ ﻟ ﻤ ﺘﹾ ﺭ ﻋ ﺎ ﺕِ ﻭ ﺒ ﺎ ﻟ ﺠ ﺯ ﺭ 16- Fine boon companions and soci’ble, “Sacad” make. Their roasts plenty; their wine flows free to take.
114 “Khass” and “Yusur” two locations in Syria known for making and selling of perfumed Syrian wines. 115 c The “Sa ad” are the Beni Sa’ad, the Poet’s allies.
48
17- ﻟـَﻌﻤﺭﻱ ﻟﹶ ﺴ ﻌ ﺩ ﺤﻴﺙ ﺤﻠﹼﺕ ﺩِﻴﺎﺭﻩ ﺃ ﺤ ﺏ ﺇﻟﻴﻨﺎ ﻤِ ﻨ ﻙ ﻓﺎﻓﹶﺭﺱ ٍ ﺤ ﻤِ ﺭ 17- In truth let Sa’ad, whether he stay or stir. A foul-breathed horse to him we do prefer.116
18- ﻭ ﺘﹶ ﻌ ﺭِ ﻑﹸ ﻓِﻴﻪ ﻤﻥ ﺃﺒﻴﻪِ ﺸﹶﻤﺎﺌﻼ ً ﻭﻤﻥ ﺨﺎﻟِﻪ ﻭﻤِﻥ ﻴ ﺯ ﻴ ﺩ ﻭﻤِﻥ ﺤ ﺠ ﺭ 18- And yet, fine traits, from him may soon be known; traits that father, uncle, and Hujr have shown.117
19- ﺴ ﻤ ﺎ ﺤ ﺔﹶ ﺫﺍ ﻭ ﺒِ ﺭ ﻭﻭﻓﺎﺀ ﺫﺍ ﻭﻨﺎﺌل ﺫﺍ، ﺇﺫﺍ ﺼﺤﺎ ﻭﺇﺫﺍ ﺴ ﻜِ ﺭ 19- Such traits as forbearance, loy’lty, order. All clearly seen when drunk or when sober.
[20] ﺭ ﺏ ﺭﺍﻡ ﻤﻥ ﺒﻨﻲ ﺜﹸﻌل “the archer from Beni Thucal”
As Imru’ul Qays was on his way to al-Samaw`al, the Jewish poet, he came across the carcass of an oryx recently shot, and his companions dismounted to claim it. Two hunters of the Beni Thucal appeared and asked who they were. Imru’ul Qays’s party replied that they were related to them by blood. As the hunters were neighbours of ‘al-Samaw’al, they all rode together and headed for the Jewish poet. Imru’ul Qays recited:
ﺭ ﺏ ﺭ ﺍ ﻡٍ ﻤ ﻥ ﺒﻨﻲ ﺜﹸ ﻌ لٍ ﻤ ﺜﹾ ﻠِ ﺞٍ ﻜ ـَ ﻔ ـﱠ ـ ﻴ ﻪِ ﻓﻲ ﻗﹸ ﺘﹶ ﺭِ ﻩ 1- Beni Thucal hunter, stalking his pray. In his hunters’ hide-out well-hid he lay.
2- ﻋﺎﺭِﺽ ٍ ﺯ ﻭ ﺭ ﺍ ﺀ ﻤِ ﻥ ﻨﹶﺸﹶﻡ ٍ ﻏﹶ ﻴ ﺭ ﺒ ﺎ ﻨﹶ ﺎ ﺓٍ ﻋﻠﻰ ﻭﺘﹶﺭﻩ 2- Straight-backed, he aims and draws his “Nashmite” bow
116 Whereas the previous Sacad refers to the Beni Sacad clan, the poet’s friends and supporters, the Sacad here is his nephew. Imru’ul Qays’s father, Hujr, had married Sacad’s mother, but divorced her. Dhabab, the poet’s brother then married her. Sacad was born to Dhabab, and was thus the poet’s nephew, who is lampooned here for his foul-breath. The verse here compares him with a horse overfed on barley which gives him bad breath. 117 “father” refers to Sacad’s father, Dhabab. “Uncle” refers to the poet himself as Sacad’s uncle. Hujr, the poet’s father, is Sacad’s grandfather. The verse also mentions “Yazeed”, who could not be identified.
49
Unbending o’er bow-string to free th’arrow.118
3- ﻗﹶ ﺩ ﺃ ﺘﹶ ﺘﹾ ﻪ ﺍ ﻟ ﻭ ﺤ ﺵﹸ ﻭﺍﺭِﺩﺓ ً ﻓﹶﺘﹶﻨﹶﺤﻰ ﺍ ﻟ ﻨﱠ ﺯ ﻉ ﻓﻲ ﻴﺴﺭِﻩ 3- Heading for th’drink, oryx towards him race. His bow in alignment to brow and face.
4-ﻓﹶﺭﻤﺎﻫﺎ ﻓﻲ ﻓﺭﺍﺌِﺼﻬﺎ ﺒﺈﺯﺍﺀِ ﺍ ﻟ ﺤ ﻭ ﺽِ ﺃ ﻭ ﻋ ﻘﹶ ﺭِ ﻩ 4- At its shoulders, lets off a shot; clean’n fine, as th’oryx bends to drink at th’water-line.
5- ﺒِ ﺭ ﻫِ ﻴ ﺵٍ ﻤِﻥ ﻜِ ﻨﹶ ﺎ ﻨﹶ ﺘِ ﻪِ ﻜﹶﺘﹶﻠﹶﻅﹼﻲ ﺍ ﻟ ﺠ ﻤ ﺭِ ﻓﻲ ﺸﹶ ﺭ ﺭِ ﻩ 5- His quiver well-filled, the sleekest arrows shows. His arrow-head in flight like ember glows.
6- ﺭ ﺍ ﺸﹶ ﻪ ﻤِ ﻥ ﺭِ ﻴ ﺵِ ﻨﹶ ﺎ ﻫِ ﻀ ﺔٍ ﺜﹸ ﻡ ﺃ ﻤ ﻬ ﺎ ﻩ ﻋﻠﻰ ﺤﺠﺭِﻩ 6- His shafts with eagle chick’s plumes were feathered . Plumage well-trimmed, and to the shaft, well-tethered.
7- ﻓﹶ ﻬ ﻭ ﻻ ﺘﹶﻨﹾﻤﻲ ﺭ ﻤ ﻴ ﺘﹸ ﻪ ﻤﺎ ﻟﹶ ﻪ ﻻ ﻋ ﺩ ﻤﻥ ﻨﹶﻔِﺭِﻩ 7- His shaft e’er reaches th’mark, has never strayed. Becursed be its e’er sharp, ne’er missing blade.119
8- ﻤ ﻁﹶ ﻌ ﻡ ﻟ ﻠ ﺼ ﻴ ﺩِ ﻟﹶ ﻴ ﺱ ﻟﹶ ﻪ ﻏﹶﻴﺭﻫﺎ ﻜِ ﺴ ﺏ ﻋﻠﻰ ﻜِ ﺒ ﺭ ﻩ 8- His hunting skills, well-praised; his kills, well-laid. A vet’ran hunter with no other trade.
9- ﻭﺨﹶﻠﻴلٍ ﻗﹶ ﺩ ﺃ ﻓﹶ ﺎ ﺭ ﻗﹸ ﻪ ﺜﻡ ﻻ ﺃﺒﻜﻲ ﻋﻠﻰ ﺃ ﺜﹶ ﺭِ ﻩ 9- A friend who from me does abruptly part. For him I never shall shed tears of th’heart.
10- ﻭ ﺍ ﺒ ﻥِ ﻋ ﻡ ﻗﹶ ﺩ ﺘﹶ ﺭ ﻜﹾ ﺕﹸ ﻟﹶ ﻪ ﺼ ﻔﹾ ﻭ ﻤ ﺎ ﺀِ ﺍ ﻟ ﺨﹶ ﻭ ﺽِ ﻋ ﻥ ﻜﹶﺩﺭِﻩ 10- Courteous am I to offending cousin dear.
118 “Nashmite” bow: “Nashm” a tree from whose wood fine bows are made. 119 “becursed” here is in the way of grudging admiration for the hunter’s archery.
50
Letting him drink first from first waters clear.
11- ﻭ ﺤ ﺩ ﻴ ﺙﹸ ﺍ ﻟ ﺭ ﻜﹾ ﺏِ ﻴ ﻭ ﻡ ﻫ ﻨ ﺎﹰ ﻭ ﺤ ﺩ ﻴِ ﺙﹲ ﻤﺎ ﻋﻠﻰ ﻗِﺼﺭِﻩ 11- With cousin, short is th’day of clear joy’n song. But days of drinking muddied wat’r, are long.120
12- ﻭ ﺍ ﺒ ﻥ ﻋ ﻡ ﻗﹶ ﺩ ﻓﹸ ﺠِ ﻌ ﺕﹸ ﺒِ ﻪِ ﻤِ ﺜﹾ لِ ﻀ ﻭ ﺀِ ﺍ ﻟ ﺒ ﺩ ﺭِ ﻓﻲ ﻏﹸﺭﺭﻩ 12- Cousin! Struck down! and I to grief endoomed. Crescent! That could to fullest moon have bloomed.
[21] ﺍ ﻟ ﺤ ﺴ ﺏ ﺍﻟﻀﺎﺌﻊ “lost lineage”
when Hujr, the poet’s father, was slain, his daughter, Hind took refuge with ‘Uwayr b. Shijna; and his Beni ‘Awf tribe, who told ‘Uwayr: “Have their wealth, for it will soon be taken by others”. He declined, offering Hind his full protection. At night, leading Hind’s camel he crossed over the dune hills with her all the way to Najran, near the Yemen border. There he said to Hind “There are your people. I have done my duty in protecting you”. cUwayr was praised by Imru’ul Qays in several poems, this being the most prominent.
1- ﺇ ﻥ ﺒﻨﻲ ﻋ ﻭ ﻑٍ ﺍ ﺒ ﺘﹶ ﻨﹶ ﻭ ﺍ ﺤ ﺴ ﺒ ﺎﹰ ﻀ ﻴ ﻌ ﻪ ﺍﻟﺩﺨﹾﻠﹸﻠﹸﻭﻥ ﺇﺫ ﻏﹶﺩﺭﻭﺍ 1- Their own lineage the Beni cAwf had built. But vile treach’ry made it wither and wilt.
2- ﺃﺩﻭﺍ ﺇﻟﻰ ﺠ ﺎ ﺭِ ﻫِ ﻡ ﺨﹸ ﻔﹶ ﺎ ﺭ ﺘﹶ ﻪ ﻭﻟﻡ ﻴ ﻀِ ﻊ ﺒ ﺎ ﻟ ﻤ ﻐ ﻴ ﺏِ ﻤ ﻥ ﻨﹶﺼﺭﻭﺍ 2- For sure they will for needy neighbour stand when absent kin give not a helping hand.
3- ﻟﻡ ﻴﻔﻌﻠﻭﺍ ﻓﹶ ﻌ لَ ﺁل ﺤ ﻨﹾ ﻅﹶ ﻠﹶ ﺔٍ ﺇ ﻨﹼ ﻬ ﻡ ﺠ ﻴ ﺭِ ﺒ ـِ ﺌ ـْ ﺱ ﻤﺎ ﺍﺌﺘﹶﻤﺭﻭﺍ 3- They’ve not, as “Handhal”; done th’treach’rous deed. T’hand o’er refuge-seekers. Treach’ry indeed!121
120 In Arabic poetry, generally, clear water signifies good times, and muddied water, hard ones.
51
4- ﻻ ﺤِ ﻤ ﻴ ﺭ ﻱ ﻭﻓـَﻰ ﻭﻻ ﻋ ﺩ ﺱ ﻭﻻ ﺃ ﺴ ﺕﹸ ﻋ ﻴ ﺭٍ ﻴﺤﻜـﱡﻬﺎ ﺍ ﻟ ﺜ ـ ﻔﹶ ـ ﺭ 4- Of “Handhal”; “Himyar”, “cAdas”, “Ast”–rogues all Bestrapped burden-beasts; low in worth and small.122
5- ﻟﹶ ﻜِ ﻥ ﻋ ﻭ ﻴ ﺭ ﻭﻓﹶﻰ ﺒِ ﺫِ ﻤ ﺘِ ﻪِ ﻻ ﻋ ﻭ ﺭ ﺸﹶ ﺎ ﻨﹶ ﻪ ﻭﻻ ﻗِ ﺼ ﺭ 5- But fine cUwayr has nobly cleared his debts. No slur beslimes him, and no charge besets.
[22] ﺩ ﻴ ﻤ ﺔﹲ ﻫ ﻁﹾ ﻼ ﺀ “A long and heavy downpour”
‘al-Asmcai was asked “who among the poets described rainfall best? “Imru’ul Qays” he replied, and went on reciting this poem of Imru’ul Qays. 1- ﺩِ ﻴ ﻤ ﺔﹲ ﻫ ﻁﹾ ﻼ ﺀ ﻓﻴﻬﺎ ﻭ ﻁﹶ ﻑﹲ ﻁﹶ ﺒ ﻕﹶ ﺍ ﻷ ﺭ ﺽ ﺘﹶﺤﺭﻯ ﻭ ﺘﹶ ﺩِ ﺭ 1- A long, heavy downpour, its rain-lines tall. Earth-wide its range, gushing its water-fall.
2- ﺘﹸ ﺨﹾ ﺭِ ﺝ ﺍ ﻟ ﻭ ﺩ ﺇﺫﺍ ﻤﺎ ﺃ ﺸﹾ ﺠ ﺩ ﺕﹾ ﻭ ﺘﹸ ﻭ ﺍ ﺭِ ﻴ ﻪِ ﺍﺫﺍ ﻤﺎ ﺘﹶ ﺸﹾ ﺘﹶ ﻜِ ﺭ 2- The tent-pole appears as the down pour recedes. But vanishes when festive rain proceeds.
121 He lauds Beni ‘Awf’s chivalry, while reviling Beni Handhal’s treachery. Beni Handhal had handed the poet’s uncle, Shurahbil to his enemy ‘Abu Hanash ‘al-Taghlibi who slaw him immediately. 122 Himyar: means Himyarite. “cAdas” and “Ast” were of the Beni Handhal whom the Poet reviles as treacherous. He reserves especial loathing for “Ast”, whom he calls a lowly beast of burden; bestrapped, and led by a strap.
52
3- ﻭﺘﺭﻯ ﺍ ﻟ ﻀ ﺏ ﺨﻔﻴﻔﺎﹶ ﻗ ﺎ ﻫِ ﺭ ﺍﹶ ﺜﺎﻨﻴﺎﹶ ﺒ ﺭ ﺜ ـُ ﻨ ـُ ﻪ ﻤﺎ ﻴ ﻨﹾ ﻌ ﻔِ ﺭ 3- The desert rodent shows his swimming pluck. It’s paws outstretched, so not to mud be stuck.
4- ﻭﺘﹶﺭﻯ ﺍ ﻟ ﺸﹼ ﺠ ﺭ ﺍ ﺀ ﻓﻲ ﺭ ﻴ ﻘِ ﻪِ ﻜﹶﺭﺅﻭﺱٍ ﻗﹸ ﻁِ ﻌ ﺕﹾ ﻓﻴﻬﺎ ﺍ ﻟ ﺨﹸ ﻤ ﺭ 4- Only th’topmost of flooded trees are seen. Like sev’rd heads that, shrouded in veils, have been.
5- ﺴ ﺎ ﻋ ﺔﹰ ﺜﹸ ﻡ ﺍﻨﺘﹶﺤﺎﻫﺎ ﻭ ﺍ ﺒِ لٌ ﺴِ ﺎ ﻗِ ﻁﹸ ﺍ ﻻ ﻜ ﻨﹶ ﺎ ﻑِ ﻭ ﺍ ﻩٍ ﻤ ﻨ ﻬ ﻤِ ﺭ 5- The downpour did but for a short hour last. Then, torrentials fell; hard, heavy and fast.
6- ﺭ ﺍ ﺡ ﺘﹶ ﻤ ﺭِ ﻴ ﻪِ ﺍﻟﺼﺒﺎ ﺜﹸ ﻡ ﺍﻨﺘﹶﺤﻰ ﻓﻴﻪ ﺸﹸ ﺅ ﺒ ﻭ ﺏ ﺠ ﻨ ﻭ ﺏٍ ﻤ ﻨﹾ ﻔﹶ ﺠِ ﺭ 6- Fair winds release cloud-bursts, then recede. Fierce southern winds, t’exploding torrents, lead.
7- ﺜﹶ ﺞ ﺤﺘﻰ ﻀﺎﻕﹶ ﻋ ﻥ ﺁ ﺫِ ﻴ ﻪِ ﻋ ﺭ ﺽ ﺨ ﻴ ﻡٍ ﻓ ـَ ﺨﹸ ﻔ ـَ ﺎ ﺀٍ ﻓﹶ ﻴ ﺴ ﺭ 7- The pouring rain had swelled floods rising high. “Khufaa”, “Yusur” and “Khaim” submerged did lie.123
8- ﻗﺩ ﻏﺩﺍ ﻴ ﺤ ﻤِ ﻠﹸ ﻨ ﻲ ﻓﻲ ﺃ ﻨﹾ ﻔِ ﻪِ ﻻ ﺤِ ﻕﹸ ﺍﻹﻁﻠﹶﻴﻥِ ﻤ ﺤ ﺒ ﻭ ﻙ ﻤ ﻤِ ﺭ 8- Upon its nose the floods swept me away. As if, helpless, on dashing steed I lay.
[23] ﻨِ ﻌ ﻡ ﺍﻟﻔﺘـﻰ Fine Youth
Praising Tarif b. Mal’, of Tayy:
1- ﻟﹶ ﻨِ ﻌ ﻡ ﺍﻟﻔﹶﺘﻰ ﺘﹶﻌﺸﹸﻭ ﺍﻟﻰ ﻀ ﻭ ﺀِ ﻨ ﺎ ﺭِ ﻩِ ﻁﹶ ﺭِ ﻴ ﻑﹸ ﺒﻥ ﻤ ل ﺀٍ ﻟ ﻴ ﻠ ﺔﹶ ﺍﻟﺠﻭﻉ ﻭﺍﻟﺨﹶﺼﺭ 1- Fine Youth! Weakn’d eyes the blazing fires behold of Tarif b. Mal’, on hungry nights and cold.
123 “Khufaa”, “Yusur”, Khaim”: locations overwhelmed by the floods.
53
2- ﺇﺫﺍ ﺍ ﻟ ﺒ ﺎ ﺯِ لُ ﺍﻟﻜﹶﻭﻤﺎﺀ ﺭ ﺍ ﺤ ﺕﹾ ﻋ ﺸِ ﻴ ﺔﹶ ﺘـُﻼﻭﺫ ُ ﻤﻥ ﺼ ﻭ ﺕِ ﺍﻟﻤﺒِﺴﻴﻥ ﺒﺎﻟﺸﹶﺠﺭ 2- They’re like great-humped, tooth-worn camels, that stop at tallest trees for leafage green, to crop.124
[24] ﺍﻤﺭﺅ ﺍﻟﻘﻴﺱ ﻭﺍﻟﺘﻭﺃﻡ Imru’ul Qays and ‘al-Taw’am:
‘al-Asmcai relates that Imru’ul Qays was always challenging other poets. Here he challenges ‘al-Taw’am ‘al Yashkuri to a poetry contest whereby Imru’ul Qays recites the first hemistich of a line of verse, and ‘al Yashkuri completes the second. Al-Yashkuri took up the challenge.125
1- ﻗﺎل ﺍﻤﺭﻯﺀ ﺍﻟﻘﻴﺱ: ﺃ ﺤ ﺎ ﺭِ ﺘﹶﺭﻯ ﺒ ﺭ ﻴ ﻘ ﺎﹰ ﻫ ﺏ ﻭ ﻫ ﻨ ﺎﹰ 1- Imru’ul Qays:See you,past nightfall,glowing,flashing light126 ﻗﺎل ﺍﻟﺘﻭﺃﻡ: ﻜﹶ ﻨﹶ ﺎ ﺭ ﻴ ﻤ ﻭ ﺱ ﻨﹶ ﺴ ﺘﹶ ﻌِ ﺭ ﺍ ﺴ ﺘِ ﻌ ﺎ ﺭ ﺍ Al-Taw’am: Like furious Magian fire that blazes bright127
2- ﻗﺎل ﺍﻤﺭﻯﺀ ﺍﻟﻘﹶﻴﺱ: ﺃ ﺭِ ﻗﹾ ﺕﹸ ﻟﹶ ﻪ ﻭ ﻨﹶ ﺎ ﻡ ﺃﺒﻭ ﺸﹸ ﺭﻴﺢ ٍ 2- Imru’ul Qays: He kept me, wake. Abu Shurayh had slept. ﻗﺎل ﺍﻟﺘﻭﺃﻡ: ﺇﺫﺍ ﻤﺎ ﻗﹸ ﻠﹾ ﺕﹸ ﻗﹶ ﺩ ﻫﺩﺃ ﺍ ﺴ ﺘﹶ ﻁﹶ ﺎ ﺭ ﺍ Al- Taw’am: t’is calm, I thought, but it in rage re-leapt.
124 A tooth-worn camel cannot graze on harder desert thorns comfortably. For it to find lush leafage, easily masticated, is a godsend. So it is with Tarifs’ hungry callers on cold rights. His lavish hospitality is such a godsend. 125 In this contest, Imru’ul Qays’s first hemistiches are unrhymed, whilst al-Taw’ams’ second hemistiches are all rhymed. However, I have rhymed the first with the second hemistiches in this translation. 126 Light: lightning. 127 Magian: “Majus”, pre-Islamic Persian fire-worshippers.
54
3- ﻗﺎل ﺍﻤﺭﺉ ﺍﻟﻘﻴﺱ: ﻜﹶ ﺄ ﻥ ﻫ ﺯ ﻴ ﺯ ﻩ ﺒِ ﻭ ﺭ ﺍ ﺀ ِ ﻏﹶ ﻴ ﺏٍ 3- Imru’ul Qays: As though its thunder from past th’unknown came. ﻗﺎل ﺍﻟﺘﻭﺃﻡ: ﻋِ ﺸﹶ ﺎ ﺭ ﻭ ﻟﹼ ﻪ ﻻﹶ ﻗﹶ ﺕﹾ ﻋِﺸﹶﺎﺭﺍ Al-Taw’am: As aborting camels wails of pain declaim.
4- ﻗﺎل ﺍﻤﺭﺉ ﺍﻟﻘﻴﺱ: ﻓﹶﻠﹶﻤﺎ ﺃﻥ ﺩﻨﹶﺎ ﻟِﻘﹶﻔﹶﺎ ﺃ ﻀ ﺎ ﺥٍ Imru’ul Qays: as full rainclouds beyond “Adakh” oe’rpassed. ﻗﺎل ﺍﻟﺘﻭﺃﻡ: ﻭ ﻫ ﺕﹾ ﺃ ﻋ ﺠ ﺎ ﺯ ﺭ ﻴ ﻘِ ﻪِ ﻓﹶﺤﺎﺭﺍ Al-Taw’am: They paused, then, th’wat’ry load released at last.
5- ﻗﺎل ﺍﻤﺭﺉ ﺍﻟﻘﻴﺱ: ﻓﹶ ﻠﹶ ﻡ ﻴ ﺘﹾ ﺭ ﻙ ﺒِ ﺫ ﺍ ﺕِ ﺍ ﻟ ﺴ ﺭ ﻅﹶﺒﻴﺎﹰ Imru’ul Qays: at “Dhat al-Sirr”, no oryx left undrowed. ﺍﻟﺘﻭﺃﻡ: ﻭﻟﻡ ﻴ ﺘﹾ ﺭ ﻙ ﺒِﺠﻠﹾﻬﺘِﻬﺎ ﺤِ ﻤ ﺎ ﺭ ﺍ Al-Taw’am: The valley’s wild-ass all bedrowned were found.
[25] ﻭﻤﺎﺫﺍ ﻋﻠﻴﻙ ﺒﺄﻥ ﺘﹶ ﻨﹾ ﺘﹶ ﻅِ ﺭ “what if you should wait” Describing his steed, and a hunt.
1- ﺃ ﺤ ﺎ ﺭِ ﺒ ﻥ ﻋﻤﺭٍﻭ ﻜﹶﺄﻨﻲ ﺨﹶ ﻤِ ﺭ ﻭ ﻴ ﻌ ﺩ ﻭ ﻋﻠﻰ ﺍ ﻟ ﻤ ﺭ ﺀِ ﻤﺎ ﻴ ﺄ ﺘﹶ ﻤِ ﺭ 1- By love, or ailment, am I so beset. One’s beset by with what one’s obsessed.
2- ﻓﹶﻼ ﻭ ﺃ ﺒ ﻴ ﻙِ ﺍ ﺒ ﻨ ﺔﹶ ﺍ ﻟ ﻌ ﺎ ﻤِ ﺭِ ﻱ ﻻ ﻴﺩﻋﻲ ﺍ ﻟ ﻘﹶ ﻭ ﻡ ﺃﻨﻲ ﺃ ﻓِ ﺭ 2- Amirites daughter! by your fathers’ life!128 Let not folk say that I flee free from strife.
3- ﺘﹶ ﻤ ﻴ ﻡ ﺒ ﻥ ﻤ ﺭ ﻭﺃﺸﹾﻴﺎﻋﻬﺎ ﻭ ﻜِ ﻨﹾ ﺩ ﺓﹸ ﺤﻭﻟﻲ ﺠﻤﻴﻌﺎﹰ ﺼ ﺒ ﺭ 3- Let not that charge by “Temim b. Murr” be cast. With “Kinda” all around me standing fast.
128 Amirite’s daughter: is “Hirr”, previously mentioned; daughter of Salama b. Abd. one of the women he wrote verses to in his early youth when his father banished him for his lechery. Hirr was of the Kalb tribe where the poet spent this early period of banishment.
55
4- ﺇﺫﺍ ﺭﻜِﺒﻭﺍ ﺍ ﻟ ﺨﹶ ﻴ لَ ﻭﺍﺴﺘﹶﻸﻤﻭﺍ ﺘ ﺤ ﺭ ﻗﹶ ﺕِ ﺍ ﻷ ﺭ ﺽ ﻭﺍﻟﻴﻭﻡ ﻗ ـُ ﺭ 4- When armed, armoured and mounted, the bold at gallop would turn ground hot when its cold.
5- ﺘﹶ ﺭ ﻭ ﺡ ﻤﻥ ﺍ ﻟ ﺤ ﻲ ﺃﻡ ﺘﹶ ﺒ ﺘﹶ ﻜِ ﺭ ﻭﻤﺎﺫﺍ ﻋ ﻠ ﻴ ﻙ ﺒﺄﻥ ﺘﹶ ﻨﹾ ﺘﹶ ﻅِ ﺭ 5- Why leave th’homeland so early or so late? What would ail you should you stand by, and wait.?
6- ﺃ ﻤ ﺭ ﺥﹲ ﺨﻴﺎﻤﻬﻡ ﺃﻡ ﻋ ﺸﹶ ﺭ ﺃ ﻡِ ﺍ ﻟ ﻘﹶ ﻠ ﺏ ﻓﻲ ﺇ ﺜ ﺭ ﻫ ﻡ ﻤ ﻨ ﺤ ﺩِ ﺭ 6- Where e’r they go, `f what tree their tent-poles be. The yearning heart shall track them with its plea.
7- ﻭ ﻓ ﻴ ﻤ ﻥ ﺃ ﻗ ﺎ ﻡ ﻤﻥ ﺍ ﻟ ﺤ ﻲ ﻫِ ﺭ ﺃﻡ ﺍﻟﻅﹼﺎﻋﻨﹸﻭﻥ ﺒِﻬﺎ ﻓﻲ ﺍ ﻟ ﺸﱡ ﻁﹸ ﺭ 7- Is “Hirr” among those who in th’homeland stay? Or, in howdah, to strange lands far away?
8- ﻭ ﻫِ ﺭ ﺘﹶ ﺼ ﻴ ﺩ ﻗ ﻠ ﻭ ﺏ ﺍ ﻟ ﺭ ﺠ ﺎ لِ ﻭ ﺃ ﻓﹾ ﻠﹶ ﺕﹶ ﻤﻨﻬﺎ ﺍ ﺒ ﻥ ﻋﻤﺭﻭ ﺤ ﺠ ﺭ 8- So bent is “Hirr” on snaring manly hearts But “Hujr” bin ‘Amr from th’snares in safety parts.129
9- ﺭ ﻤ ﺘﹾ ﻨ ﻲ ﺒ ﺴ ﻬ ﻡٍ ﺃ ﺼ ﺎ ﺏ ﺍﻟﻔﺅﺍﺩ ﻏﺩﺍﺓ ﺍﻟﺭﺤﻴلِ ﻓﻠﻡ ﺃ ﻨﹾ ﺘﹶ ﺼِ ﺭ 9- Her eye-shafts pierced my loving heart; so I, On departure day, vanquished I did lie.
10- ﻓ ﺄ ﺴ ﺒ لَ ﺩﻤﻌِﻲ ﻜﹶ ﻔﹶ ﺽ ﺍﻟﺠﻤﺎﻥ ِ ﺍﻭ ﺍ ﻟ ﺩ ﺭ ﺭ ﻗﹾ ﺭ ﺍ ﻗِ ﻪِ ﺍ ﻟ ﻤ ﻨﹾ ﺤ ﺩِ ﺭ 10- My precious tears, as unstrung pearls, flowed free. As gems that’re bought and sold; as th’case may be.
11- ﻭ ﺇ ﺫﹾ ﻫﻲ ﺘﹶﻤﺸﻲ ﻜﹶ ﻤ ﺸﹾ ﻲِ ﺍ ﻟ ﻨﱠ ﺯ ﻴ ﻑِ ﻴ ﺼ ﺭ ﻋ ﻪ ﺒﺎﻟﻜﹶﺜﻴﺏِ ﺍ ﻟ ﺒ ﻬ ﺭ 11- Like one with wine who’s full, in walk, she sways o’er th’dunes; enfeebled and slow, in languid daze.
129 His father, Hujr, by banishing him to her tribe, had escaped Hirr’s snares, whilst he, the one banished, was caught by her.
56
12- ﺒِﺭﻫﺭﻫﺔ ٌ ﺭ ﻭ ﺩ ﻩ ﺭ ﺨﹾ ﺼ ﺔﹲ ﻜﹶﺨﹸﺭﻋﻭﺒﺔ ﺃ ﻟ ﺒ ﺎ ﻨﹶ ﺔِ ﺍ ﻟ ﻤ ﻨﹾ ﻔﹶ ﻁِ ﺭ 12- Soft skin, fine manners and form, to her all cling. A tender branch that splits to leaf in spring.
13- ﻗ ـَ ﺘ ـُ ﻭ ﺭ ﺍﻟﻘِﻴﺎﻡ ِ ﻗﹶ ﻁ ﻴ ﻊ ﺍ ﻟ ﻜ ـَﻼﻡ ِ ﺘ ـَ ﻔ ـْ ـ ﺘ ـَ ﺭ ﻋ ﻥ ﺫﻱ ﻏﹸ ﺭ ﻭ ﺏٍ ﺨﹶ ﺼِ ﺭ 13- She rises slowly, speaks short words and few. Her brightsome, well-formed teeth, when smiling, shew.
14- ﻜﹶ ﺄ ﻥ ﺍ ﻟ ﻤ ﺩ ﺍ ﻡ ﻭ ﺼ ﻭ ﺏ ﺍﻟﻐﹶﻤﺎﻡ ِ ﻭ ﺭ ﻴ ﺢ ﺍﻟﺨﹸﺯﺍﻤﻰ ﻭ ﻨﹶ ﺸﹾ ﺭ ﺍ ﻟ ﻘﹸ ﻁﹸ ﺭ 14- Fine wine, a show’ring cloud, flowr’s fragrance free; Incense awaft; all those in one is she.
15- ﻴ ﻌ لﱡ ﺒِ ﻪِ ﺒ ﺭ ﺩ ﺃ ﻨ ﻴ ﺎ ﺒِ ـِ ﻬ ﺎ ﺍﺫﺍ ﻁﹶ ﺭ ﺏ ﺍﻟﻁﺎﺌِﺭ ﺍ ﻟ ﻤ ﺴ ﺘﹶ ﺤِ ﺭ 15- Her teeth so bright, though oft of wine partakes. While ears are pleased when night-time cock awakes.
16- ﻓﹶ ﺒ ﺙﱡ ﺃُﻜﺎﺒِﺩ ﻟﹶﻴـل ﺍﻟﺘﱢﻤﺎﻡ ِ ﻭﺍ ﻟ ﻘﹶ ﻠﹾ ﺏ ﻤﻥ ﺨِ ﺸﹾ ﻴ ﺔٍ ﻤ ﻘﹾ ﺸﹶ ﻌ ﺭ 16- In longest winter nights, sleepless I lay In abject fear of what may come my way.
17- ﻓﹶﻠﹶﻤﺎ ﺩ ﻨﹶ ﻭ ﺕﹸ ﺘﹶﺴﺩﻴﺘﹸﻬﺎ ﻓﺜﻭﺒﺎﹰ ﻨﹶ ﺴ ﻴ ﺕﹸ ﻭﺜﻭﺒﺎﹰ ﺃ ﺠ ﺭ 17- When I moved close, upon her I did lay. A robe forgott’n, I dragged anoth’r my way130
18- ﻭ ﻟﹶ ﻡ ﻴ ﺭ ﻨ ﺎ ﻜﺎﻟﺊٌ ﻜ ﺎ ﺸ ﺢ ﻭﻟﻡ ﻴ ﻔﹾ ﺵﹸ ﻤِﻨﹼﺎ ﻟﺩﻯ ﺍﻟﺒﻴﺕ ﺴِ ﺭْ 18- None did upon our privacy peep. We both our secret did from our houses keep.
19- ﻭ ﻗﹾ ﺩ ﺭﺍﺒﻨﻲ ﻗﻭﻟـُﻬﺎ: ﻴﺎ ﻫ ﻨ ﺎ ﻩ ﻭ ﻴ ﺤ ﻙ ﺃ ﻟﹾ ﺤ ﻘﹾ ﺕﹶ ﺸﹶﺭﺍ ﺒ ـِ ﺸﹶ ﺭ 19- “Of our affair” she said “we’ve been accused; your evil’s follow’d by anoth’r by what’s ensued”.
20- ﻭ ﻗﹶ ﺩ ﺃَ ﻏﹾ ﺘﹶ ﺩ ﻱ ﻭ ﻤ ﻌ ﻲ ﺍ ﻟ ﻘﹶ ﺎ ﻨِ ﺼ ﺎ ﻥ ِ ﻭ ﻜﹸ لﱞ ﺒ ﻤ ﺭ ﺒ ﺄ ﺓٍ ﻤ ﻘﹾ ﺘﹶ ﻔِ ﺭ
130 He drags another robe behind him to wipe away the traces of the love scene from the ground.
57
20- By morn, I with two hunters, out for th’day upon hillocks to scan the tracks of prey.
21- ﻓﹶﻴﺩﺭِﻜﹸﻨﹶﺎ ﻓﹶ ﻐِ ﻡ ﺩ ﺍ ﺠِ ﻥ ﺴ ﻤ ﻴ ﻊ ﺒ ﺼ ﻴ ﺭ ﻁ ﻠ ﻭ ﺏ ﻨﹶ ﻜِ ﺭ 21- An ugly hound follows, to hunt e’er keen; sharp eyed, sharp eared, relentless, hard and lean.
22- ﺃ ﻟﹶ ﺹ ﺍﻟﻀﺭﻭﺱ ﺤ ﻨِ ﻲ ﺍ ﻟ ﻀ ﻠﹸ ﻭ ﻉِ ﺘﹶ ﺒ ﻭ ﻉ ﻁ ﻠ ﻭ ﺏ ﻨﹶ ﺸ ﻴ ﻁﹲ ﺃ ﺸِ ﺭ 22- It’s fangs close-packed, its ribs well-curved and wrought, Empow’red, vig’rous; its prey is hotly sought.
23- ﻓ ﺄ ﻨ ﺸﹶ ﺏ ﺃﻅﻔﺎﺭﻩ ﻓﻲ ﺍﻟﻨﱠﺴﺎ ﻓﹶ ﻘﹸ ﻠﹾ ﺕﹸ ﻫ ﺒِ ﻠﹾ ﺕﹶ ﺃ ﻻﹶ ﺘﹶ ﻨﹾ ﺘﹶ ﺼِ ﺭ 23- His fangs went deep in th’oryx bull’s thigh vein. Said I t’myself “close in and have it slain”.
24- ﻓﹶ ﻜﹶ ﺭً ﺇ ﻟ ﻴ ﻪِ ﺒِ ﻤِ ﺒ ﺭ ﺍ ﺘِ ﻪِ ﻜﻤﺎ ﺨ لﱠ ﻅ ﻬ ﺭ ﺍﻟﻠﱢﺴِﺎﻥِ ﺍ ﻟ ﻤ ﺠِ ﺭْ 24- The hound, impaled by th’bull’s long horn and keen Like sucking calf’s tongue split for it to wean.131
25- ﻓﹶ ﻅﹶ لﱠ ﻴ ﺭ ﻨﱢ ﺢ ﻓﻲ ﻏﹶ ﻴ ﻁﹶ لٍ ﻜﻤﺎ ﻴ ﺴ ﺘﹶ ﺩ ﻴ ﺭ ﺍﻟﺤِﻤﺎﺭ ﺍ ﻟ ﻨﱠ ﻌِ ﺭ 25- Th’stricken hound, in agony, reeled and surged. Like flies that in ass’s nostrils emerged.
26- ﻭ ﺃ ﺭ ﻜ ﺏ ﻓﻲ ﺍ ﻟ ﺭ ﻭ ﻉِ ﺨﹶ ﻴ ﻔ ﺎ ﻨﹶ ﺔﹰ ﻜﹶﺴﺎ ﻭﺠﻬﻬﺎ ﺴ ﻌ ﻑﹲ ﻤ ﻨﹾ ﺘﹶ ﺸِ ﺭ 26- My lightest, swiftest mare that fright did seize, flutt’rd, like palm leaves stirred by brisky breeze.
27- ﻟﻬﺎ ﺤ ﺎ ﻓِ ﺭ ﻤِ ﺜﹾ لَ ﻗﹶ ﻌ ﺏِ ﺍ ﻟ ﻭ ﻟ ﻴ ﺩِ ﺭ ﻜﹼ ﺏ ﻓ ﻴ ﻪِ ﻭ ﻅ ﻴ ﻑﹲ ﻋ ﺠِ ﺯ 27- Her hoofs, like young boys cups, were firm and small. With stout shins that; on ground would, gripping, fall.132
131 The bull’s sharp horns cutting through the hound are likened to a sucking calf’s tongue being split to stop it sucking at the cow’s udders. 132 Small hoots at end of stout shins would give greater grip, in contrast to large hoots; heavy, awkward, and ungripping.
58
28- ﻟﻬﺎ ﺜ ـَ ﻨ ـَ ﻥ ﻜﺨﻭﺍﻓﻲ ﺍﻟﻌﻘﺎﺏِ ﺴ ﻭ ﺩ ﻴ ﻔِ ﺌ ـْ ﻥ ﺍﺫﺍ ﺘﹶﺯﺒﺌﺭْ 28- Like eagles plumes black hairs its pasterns loop. The mare, when tense, they rise; with ease, they droop.
29- ﻭ ﺴ ﺎ ﻗﹶ ﺎ ﻥِ ﻜﹶﻌﺒﺎﻫﻤﺎ ﺃﺼﻤﻌﺎﻥِ ﻟﹶ ﺤ ﻡ ﺤﻤﺎﺘﹶﻴﻬِﻤﺎ ﻤ ﻨﹾ ﺒ ﺜِ ﺭ 29- Hard flesh around her stout shanks seemed tied. As if twas from elsewhere to it applied.
30- ﻟﹶﻬﺎ ﻋ ﺠ ﺭ ﻜﹶ ﺼِ ﻔ ﺎ ﺓِ ﺍﻟﻤﺴِﻴلِ ﺃﺒﺭﺯ ﻋﻨﻬﺎ ﺠ ﺤ ﺎ ﻑﹲ ﻤ ﻀِ ﺭ 30- Her hind; a rock that floods emburnished kept. Whilst all that lay before, away they swept.
31- ﻟﻬﺎ ﻤﺜﹾﻨﹶﺘﹶﺎﻥِ ﺨﹶﻅﹶﺎﺘﺎ ﻜﹶﻤﺎ ﺃ ﻜﹶ ﺏ ﻋﻠﻰ ﺴ ﺎ ﻋ ﺩ ﻴ ﻪِ ﺍ ﻟ ﻨﱠ ﻤِ ﺭ 31- Her withers, with solid muscle packed hard. Like the well-wrought sinews of the leopard.
32- ﻟﻬﺎ ﻋﺫ َ ﺭ ﻜﻘﺭﻭﻥ ِ ﺍ ﻟ ﻨﱢ ﺴ ﺎ ﺀِ ﺭ ﻜﱢ ﺒ ﻥ ﻓﻲ ﻴﻭﻡ ﺭﻴﺢ ٍ ﻭ ﺼ ﺭ 32- Her profuse mane at high speed freely flows. Like woman’s wild-free hair a cold gust blows.
33- ﻭﺴﺎﻟﻔﹶﺔﹲ ﻜﺴﺤﻭﻕ ﺍﻟﻠﱡﺒﺎﻥ ﺃﻀﺭﻡ ﻓ ﻴ ﻪِ ﺍ ﻟ ﻐﹶ ﻭ ﻱ ﺍ ﻟ ﺴ ﻌ ﺭ 33- Her long fair neck, high as palm tree is tall. Like spoilers setting th’tree aflame in gall.133
34- ﻟﻬﺎ ﺠ ﺒ ﻬ ﺔﹲ ﻜﹶ ﺴ ﺭ ﺍ ﺓِ ﺍ ﻟ ﻤِ ﺠ ﻥ ﺤ ﺫﱠ ﻗﹶ ﻪ ﺍ ﻟ ﺼ ﺎ ﻨ ﻊ ﺍ ﻟ ﻤ ﻘﹾ ﺘﹶ ﺩِ ﺭ 34- Her burnished brow, a fine and glowing sight. A shield by craftsman fashioned, gleaming bright.
35- ﻟﻬﺎ ﻤ ﻨﹾ ﺨ ﺭ ﻜ ﻭِ ﺠ ﺎ ﺭ ﺍﻟﻀﺒﺎﻉ ِ ﻓﹶ ﻤِ ﻨ ﻪ ﺘﹸ ﺭ ﻴ ﺢ ﺇﺫﺍ ﺘﹶ ﻨﹾ ﺒ ﻬِ ﺭ 35- Her nostrils wide; wide as hyenas lairs They ease out breath that ‘gainst her lungs so tears.
133 The mare’s long neck is likened to a date-palm set afire by angry spoilers, in that the fair colour of the neck is akin to the fair yellowish colour of flame.
59
36- ﻭ ﻋ ﻴ ﻥ ﻟﻬﺎ ﺤ ﺩ ﺭ ﺓﹲ ﺒ ﺩ ﺭ ﺓﹲ ﺸﹸﻘﱠﺕ ﻤﺂﻗﻴﻬﻤﺎ ﻤِ ﻥ ﺃ ﺨﹶ ﺭ 36- Full-mooned and large are her protruding eyes. ‘tween top and low’r eyelids, a furrow lies..
37- ﺇﺫﺍ ﺃ ﻗﹾ ﺒ ﻠﹶ ﺕﹾ ﻗﹸ ﻠﹾ ﺕﹶ: ﺩ ﺒ ﺎ ﺀ ﺓﹲ ﻤﻥ ﺍﻟﺨﹸﻀﺭ ِ ﻤﻐﻤﻭﺴﺔﹲ ﻓﻲ ﺍ ﻟ ﻐ ـُ ﺩ ﺭ 37- You’d say, should she, head on, towards you charge “she’s like marrow! Small-tipped, her round rear large”
38- ﻭﺇﻥ ﺃ ﺩ ﺒ ﺭ ﺕﹾ ﻗﹸ ﻠﹾ ﺕﹶ ﺃُ ﺜﹾ ﻔِ ﺘﱠ ﺔﹲ ﻤ ﻠﹶ ﻤ ﻠﹶ ﻤ ﺔﹲ ﻟﹶ ﻴ ﺱ ﻓﻴﻬﺎ ﺃُ ﺜﹸ ﺭ 38- You’d say, should she, away from you, discharge: “She’s like a boulder! Smoothly round and large”.
39- ﻭﺃﻥ ﺃ ﻋ ﺭ ﻀ ﺕﹾ ﻗ ـُ ﻠ ـْ ﺕﹶ ﺴ ﺭ ﻋ ﻭ ﻓﹶ ﺔﹲ ﻟﻬﺎ ﺫﹶ ﻨﹶ ﺏ ﺨﹶ ﻠﹾ ﻔﹶ ﻬ ﺎ ﻤ ﺴ ﺒ ﻁِ ﺭْ 39- Should she gallop past you, you’d look and say: “A locust she! To flight she leaps away”.
40- ﻭﻟﻠﺴﻭﻁ ﻓﻴﻬﺎ ﻤ ﺠ ﺎ ل ﻜﹶﻤﺎ ﺘ ﻨ ﺯ لَ ﺫﻭ ﺒ ﺭ ﺩٍ ﻤ ﻨﹾ ﻬ ﻤِ ﺭ 40- If whipped, she into angered gallop falls. Like overladen clouds releasing hail-balls.
41- ﻟﻬﺎ ﻭ ﺜﹶ ﺒ ﺎ ﺕﹲ ﻜ ﻭ ﺜﹾ ﺏِ ﺍﻟﻅﱢﺒﺎﺀ ﻓ ﻭ ﺍ ﺩٍ ﺨِﻁﺎﺀ ﻭ ﻭ ﺍ ﺩٍ ﻤ ﻁِ ﺭ 41- Deer-like are her fine-arched and bounding leaps. She canters here; while there to slow walk keeps
[26] ﻤﻨﻌﺕ ﺍﻟﻠﱠﻴﺙ “ you allayed the lion” In praise of Sa’ad bin `al-Dhabab, who gave him refuge:
1- ﻤ ﻨﹶ ﻌ ﺕﹶ ﺍﻟﻠﹼﻴﺙﹶ ﻤﻥ ﺃﻜل ﺍ ﺒ ﻥِ ﺤ ﺠ ﺭِ ﻭ ﻜ ﺎ ﺩ ﺍﻟﻠﹼﻴﺙﹸ ﻴﻭﺩِﻱ ﺒ ﺎ ﺒ ﻥِ ﺤﺠﺭ ِ 1- Th’lion, devouring Ibn Hujr, you’d allay,134 With Ibn Hujr, th’lion had almost done away.
134 Ibn Hujr: himself, the son of Hujr; his father.
60
2- ﻤ ﻨﹶ ﻌ ﺕﹶ ﻓﹶ ﺄ ﻨﹾ ﺕﹶ ﺫﻭ ﻤ ﻥ ﻭﻨﹸﻌﻤﻰ ﻋ ﻠﹶ ﻲ ﺍ ﺒ ﻥ ﺍﻟ ﻀ ﺒ ﺎ ﺏِ ﺒِ ﺤ ﻴ ﺙﹸ ﻨﹶﺩﺭﻱ 2- Th’lion stopped; to your favour a debt I owe Indebted I am; and that you well should know.
3- ﺴ ﺄ ﺸﹾ ﻜﹸ ﺭ ﻙ ﺍﻟﹼﺫِﻱ ﺩ ﺍ ﻓﹶ ﻌ ﺕﹶ ﻋﻨﻲ ﻭﻤﺎ ﻴ ﺠ ﺯِ ﻴ ﻙ ﻤﻨﻲ ﻏ ﻴ ﺭ ﺸﹸﻜﹾﺭِﻱ 3- For your defence I give my thanks to you. Nought can I give but sincere thanks and true.
4- ﻓﹶﻤﺎ ﺠ ﺎ ﺭ ﺒ ﺄ ﻭ ﺜﹶ ﻕﹶ ﻤِ ﻨﹾ ﻙ ﺠ ﺎ ﺭ ﺍﹰ ﻭ ﻨﹶ ﺼ ﺭ ﻙ ﻟ ﻠ ﻔﹶ ﺭِ ﻴ ﺩِ ﺃ ﻋ ﺯ ﻨﹶ ﺼ ﺭِ 4- No neighbour’s trust as well as yours can fare To your vict’ry, no fine aid, can compare.135
[27] ﺃ ﺒ ﻠ ﻎﹾ ﺒﻨﻲ ﺯﻴﺩ “Tell the Beni Zayd” Lampooning the Beni Handhal and their affiliated clans.
1- ﺃ ﺒ ﻠِ ﻎﹾ ﺒﻨﻲ ﺯ ﻴ ﺩٍ ﺇﺫﺍ ﻤﺎ ﻟﹶﻘﻴﺘﹶﻬﻡ ﻭ ﺃ ﺒ ﻠ ﻎﹾ ﺒﻨﻲ ﻟﹸﺒﻨﻰ ﻭ ﺃ ﺒ ﻠ ﻎﹾ ﺘـُﻤﺎﻀِﺭﺍ 1- Should you meet “Beni Zayd”, them, in truth, should tell, ‘nd “Beni Lubna”, and “Tamadhur”, as well.
2- ﻭ ﺃ ﺒ ﻠِ ﻎﹾ ﻭﻻ ﺘﹶ ﺘﹾ ﺭ ﻙ ﺒﻨﻲ ﺍ ﺒ ﻨﹶ ﺔِ ﻤِ ﻨﹾ ﻘﹶ ﺭٍ ﺃُﻓﹶﻘﱢﺭﻫﻡ، ﺇﻨﻲ ﺃُ ﻓﹶ ﻘﱢ ﺭ ﻨﺎﺒِﺭﺍ 2- Tell! Let the sons of “Minqars” daughte’r take136 my wrath; for I a sland’rer’s back will break.
3- ﺃَ ﺤ ﻨﹾ ﻅﹶ لَ ﻟﹶ ﻭ ﻜﹸ ﻨﹾ ﺘﹸ ﻡ ﻜﹶ ﺭ ﺍ ﻤ ﺎﹰ ﺼ ﺒ ﺭ ﺘﹸ ﻡ ﻭ ﺤ ﻁﹾ ﺘﹸ ﻡ ﻭﻻ ﻴﻠﻘﹶﻰ ﺍ ﻟ ﺘﹼ ﻤ ﻴ ﻤ ﻲ ﺼﺎﺒِﺭﺍ 3- “Handhal!” were you noble, you’d have stood fast. You’ll not before “Temim”s fast-standers last.
[28] ﺃﻤﺎﻭﻱ! ﻫ لْ ﻤﻥ ﻤﻌﺭﺱ “Mawi! Might a weary traveler stay?”
135 The victory here refers to Ibn Dhabab’s victorious support for Imru’ul Qays. 136 Minqar’s daughter: The Beni Handhal he is lampooning descend, from the maternal side, from the daughter of one “Minqar”.
61
1- ﺃ ﻤ ﺎ ﻭ ﻱ ﻫ لْ ﻟﻲ ﻋِ ﻨﹾ ﺩ ﻜﹸ ﻡ ﻤﻥ ﻤ ﻌ ﺭ ﺱِ ﺍﻡ ﺍﻟﺼﺭﻡ ﺘﹶﺨﹾﺘﺎﺭﻴﻥ ﺒ ﺎ ﻟ ﻭ ﺼ لِ ﻨﻴﺌَﺱ ِ 1- Mawi! might I, a trav’ller, oernight stay? Or must I, with, such hopes do away?
2- ﺃﺒﻴﻨﻲ ﻟﻨﺎ، ﺇﻥ ﺍ ﻟ ﺼ ﺭِ ﻴ ﻤ ﺔﹶ ﺭ ﺍ ﺤ ﺔﹲ ﻤﻥ ﺍ ﻟ ﺸﱠ ﻙ ﺫﻱ ﺍ ﻟ ﻤ ﺨﹾ ﻠ ﻭ ﺠ ﺔِ ﺍﻟﻤﺘﹶﻠﹶﺒﺱ ِ 2- Be frank! For comfort lies in plainest truth. Distressful doubt is void of comfort’s ruth.
3- ﻜﹶﺄﻨﻲ ﻭﺭﺤﻠﻲ ﻓﹶ ﻭ ﻕﹶ ﺃ ﺤ ﻘﹶ ﺏ ﻗ ﺎ ﺭِ ﺡٍ ﺒِ ﺸﹶ ﺭ ﺒ ﺔﹶ ﺃﻭ ﻁﺎﻑ ٍ ﺒِﻌﺭﻨﺎﻥ ﻤ ﻭ ﺠ ـِﺱ ِ 3- My mount, so like those “Sherba” wild asses Alert! It swiftly through “Irnan” passes137
4- ﺘﹶﻐﹶﺸﱠﻰ ﻗﹶ ﻠ ﻴ ﻼﹰ ﺜﹸ ﻡ ﺃﻨﺤﻰ ﻅﹸ ﻠﹸ ﻭ ﻓﹶ ﻪ ﻴﺜﻴﺭ ﺍﻟﺘﱡﺭﺍﺏ ﻋ ﻥ ﻤﺒﻴﺕٍ ﻭﻤﻜﹾﻨﹶﺱ ِ 4- At night the ass’s hoofs pound the ground and beat for cooler soil to find from baking heat.
5- ﻴﻬِﻴلُ ﻭﻴﺫﹾﺭﻱ ﺘﹸﺭﺒﻬﺎ ﻭﻴﺜﻴﺭﻩ ﺇ ﺜ ﺎ ﺭ ﺓﹶ ﻨﹶ ﺒ ﺎ ﺙِ ﺍ ﻟ ﻬ ﻭ ﺍ ﺠ ﺭِ ﻤﺨﹾﻤِﺱ ِ 5- The dust swirls up, as hoofs are hard at toil. To seek cool soil the baking heat to foil.
6- ﻓﹶ ﺒ ﺎ ﺕﹶ ﻋﻠﻰ ﺨ ﺩ ﺃ ﺤ ﻡ ﻭ ﻤ ﻨﹾ ﻜ ـِ ﺏٍ ﻭ ﻀ ﺠ ﻌ ـُ ـ ﺘ ـُ ﻪ ﻤ ﺜ ـ لُ ﺍﻷﺴﻴﺭ ِ ﺍﻟﻤﻜﹶﺭﺩﺱ ِ 6- The shelt’ring beast, out stretched, lays on its side It’s cheek on ground, like captive thrown and tied.
7- ﻭ ﺒ ﺎ ﺕﹶ ﺇﻟﻰ ﺃ ﺭ ﻁ ـَ ﺎ ﺓِ ﺤِ ﻘﹾ ﻑٍ ﻜ ـَ ﺄَ ﻨﱠ ﻬ ﺎ ﺇﺫﺍ ﺃﻟﺜـﻘﺘﻬﺎ ﻏﹶﺒﻴﺔﹲ ﺒ ﻴ ﺕﹸ ﻤﻌﺭﺱ 7- The bush, by th’dug-out, was by moisture fed. The beast rejoiced, like groom at marriage bed.
8- ﻓﹶ ﺼ ﺒ ﺤ ﻪ ﻋ ﻨ ـْ ﺩ ﺍﻟﺸﱡﺭﻭﻕ ِ ﻏﹸ ﺩ ﻴ ﺔﹰ ﻜِﻼﹶﺏ ﺍ ﺒ ﻥِ ﻤ ﺭ ﺍﻭ ﻜِ ﻼ ﺏ ﺍ ﺒ ﻥِ ﺴِﻨـْﺒِﺱ ِ 8- At dawn the hunt-hounds of “Ibn Murr”, and those
137 “Sherba”: a location where herds of wild ass congregate and pass through “Irnan” a gulch flanked by high hills, favoured by hunters. He says his mount darts forth as swiftly as Sherba wild asses darting through Irnan to escape lurking hunters.
62
of “Sinbiss” upon the basking bull did close138
9- ﻤ ﻐﹶ ﺭ ﺜﱠ ﺔﹰ ﺯ ﺭ ﻗ ﺎﹰ ﻜ ﺄ ﻥ ﻋﻴﻭﻨﹶﻬﺎ ﻤ ﻥ ﺍ ﻟ ﺫﱠ ﻤ ﺭِ ﻭﺍﻹ ﻴ ﺤ ﺎ ﺀِ ﻨﹸ ﻭ ﺍ ﺭ ﻋﻀﺭﺱ ِ 9- Th’enhungered hunt hounds, joyous at th’prey, Their bright red eyes agleam at that which lay.
10- ﻓ ﺄَ ﺩ ﺒ ﺭ ﻴﻜﹾﺴﻭﻫﺎ ﺍ ﻟ ﺭ ﻏﹶ ﺎ ﻡ ﻜ ﺄ ﻨﱠ ﻪ ﻋﻠﻰ ﺍ ﻟ ﺼ ﻤ ﺩِ ﻭﺍﻵﻜﺎﻡ ﺠﺩﻭﺓ ٌ ﻤﻘﹾﺒِﺱ ِ 10- The dusted bull rose, like white flame, to pound away in gallop o’er hard, rocky ground.
11- ﻭ ﺃ ﻴ ﻘﹶ ﻥ ﺇﻥ ﻻﻗﻴﻨﹶﻪ ﺃ ﻥ ﻴ ﻭ ﻤ ﻪ ﺒِﺫِﻱ ﺍ ﻟ ﺭ ﻤ ﺙِ ﺇﻥ ﻤﺎﻭﺜﻨﻪ ُ ﻴ ﻭ ﻡ ﺃﻨﹾﻔﹶﺱ ِ 11- The bull knew that that was to be the day at “Rimth”; to slay, or slain be in the fray.
12- ﻓﹶ ﺄَ ﺩ ﺭ ﻜﹾ ﺘﹶ ﻪ ﻴ ﺄ ﺨﹸ ﺫﹾ ﻥ ﺒﺎﻟﺴﺎﻕ ﻭﺍﻟﻨﱠﺴﺎ ﻜﹶﻤﺎ ﺸﹶ ﺒ ﺭ ﻕﹶ ﺍﻟ ﻭِ ﻟﹾ ﺩ ﺍ ﻥ ﺜﹶ ﻭ ﺏ ﺍﻟﻤﻘﹶﺩﺱ ِ 12- The pouncing hounds, its shanks and thighs did tear. Like boys tear patches off habits monks wear.139
13- ﻭ ﻏﹶ ﻭ ﺭ ﻥ ﻓﻲ ﻁِ لﱢ ﺍﻟﻐﹶﻀﺎ ﻭ ﺘﹶ ﺭ ﻜﹾ ﻨﹶَ ﻪ ﻜﹶﻘﹶﺭﻡ ِﺍﻟﻬِﺠﺎﻥ ِﺍﻟﻔﺎﺩِﺭ ِ ﺍ ﻟ ﻤ ﺘﹶ ﺸﹶ ﻤ ﺱ ِ 13- The hounds, their long chase failed, to tree’s shade fleed The bull, still proud though cut, at length was freed.
[29] ﺃﻟﻤﺎ ﻋﻠﻰ ﺍﻟﺭﺒﻊ ﺍﻟﻘﺩﻴﻡ “Call at the old folk” On his return from Constantinope, Imru’ul Qays’s skin broke into sores. Here he is addressing his two companions, asking them for help.
1- ﺃﻟﻤﺎ ﻋﻠﻰ ﺍﻟﺭﺒﻊ ﺍ ﻟ ﻘﹶ ﺩ ﻴ ﻡِ ﺒِﻌﺴﻌﺴﺎ ﻜﺄﻨﻲ ﺃُﻨﺎﺩﻱ ﺃﻭ ﺃ ﻜﹶ ﻠﱢ ﻡ ﺃَﺨﹾﺭﺴﺎ 1- At “cAscas” call, where th`old folk are installed, They’ve responded not, `s if to mutes I called.140
138 “Ibn Murr” and “Ibn Sinbis” were two famous hunters of the Beni Tayy. 139 Devout Christian boys tear patches off monks, habits to treasure as sacred relics.
63
2- ﻓﻠﻭ ﺃﻥ ﺃﻫل ﺍﻟﺩﺍﺭ ﻓﻴﻬﺎ ﻜﹶ ﻌ ﻬ ﺩِ ﻨ ﺎ ﻭ ﺠ ﺩ ﺕﹸ ﻤ ﻘِ ﻴ ﻼﹰ ﻋِ ﻨﹾ ﺩ ﻫ ﻡ ﻭﻤﻌﺭﺴﺎ 2- It their welcome is, as once `t was, the best, I would with them have found some hours of rest.
3- ﻓﹶﻼ ﺘﹸﻨﹾﻜِﺭﻭﻨﻲ ﺇﻨﹼﻨﻲ ﺃﻨﺎ ﺫ ﺍ ﻜﹸ ﻡ ﻟﹶﻴﺎﻟﻲ ﺤ لﱠ ﺍ ﻟ ﺤ ﻲ ﻏﹶ ﻭ ﻻﹰ ﻓﹶﺄﻟﻌﺴﺎ 3- Deny me not, for him am I the same to “Ghawl” `n “cAscas” spring pastures with you came.
4- ﻓﺈﻤﺎ ﺘﹶﺭﻴﻨﻲ ﻻ ﺃَﻏﻤﺽ ﺴ ﺎ ﻋ ﺔﹰ ﻤﻥ ﺍﻟﻠﱠﻴل ﺇﻻ ﺃﻥ ﺃُ ﻜِ ﺏ ﻓﺄﻨﹾﻌﺴﺎ 4- For I have not a good full hour of sleep But doze, after I to swirling thought keep
5- ﺘﺄﻭﺒﻨﻲ ﺩﺍﺌﻲ ﺍ ﻟ ﻘ ﺩ ﻴ ﻡ ﻓﹶﻐﹶﻠﱠﺴﺎ ﺃﺤﺎﺫﺭ ﺃﻥ ﻴ ﺭ ﺘﹶ ﺩ ﺩﺍﺌﻲ ﻓﺄُﻨﻜﹶﺴﺎ 5- My old ailment `pon me descends at night. I plunge, with darkness, back into my plight.
6- ﻓﹶﻴﺎ ﺭ ﺏ ﻤ ﻜ ﺭ ﻭ ﺏٍ ﻜﺭﺭﺕﹸ ﻭ ﺭ ﺍ ﺀ ﻩ ﻭﻁﺎﻋﻨﹾﺕﹸ ﻋ ﻨ ﻪ ﺍﻟﺨﻴلَ ﺤﺘﻰ ﺘﹶﻨﹶﻔﹼﺴﺎ 6- Where’s th’one, distressed, for whom I rode and fought. Whom I’ve relieved until his breath he caught.
7- ﻭﻴﺎ ﺭ ﺏ ﻴ ﻭ ﻡٍ ﻗﹶ ﺩ ﺃَ ﺭ ﻭ ﺡ ﻤ ﺭ ﺠ ﻼﹰ ﺤﺒﻴﺒﺎﹰ ﺍﻟﻰ ﺍ ﻟ ﺒِ ﻴ ﺽِ ﺍ ﻟ ﻜ ﻭ ﺍ ﻋِ ﺏِ ﺃﻤﻠﹶﺴﺎ 7- When`s th`day when I return, my hair well-dressed. To loving belles with softest beauty blessed.
8- ﻴ ﺭِ ﻋ ﻥ ﺇﻟﻰ ﺼﻭﺘﻲ ﺍﺫﺍ ﺴ ﻤِ ﻌ ﻨﹶ ﻪ ﻜﻤﺎ ﺘﹶﺭﻋﻭﻱ ﻋ ﻴ ﻁﹲ ﺍﻟﻰ ﺼ ﻭ ﺕِ ﺃﻋﻴﺴﺎ 8- Lured by my voice, amrous, to me they draw, Like fine she-camels that a fine male saw.
9- ﺃ ﺭ ﺍ ﻫ ﻥ ﻻ ﻴ ﺤ ﺒِ ﺒ ﻥ ﻤ ﻥ ﻗﹶ لﱠ ﻤﺎﻟﹸﻪ ﻭﻻ ﻤ ﻥ ﺭ ﺃ ﻴ ﻥ ﺍ ﻟ ﺸﱠ ﻴ ﺏ ﻓ ﻴ ﻪِ ﻭﻗﹶﻭﺴﺎ 9- They love not those who of much wealth are short. Nor let th`bow-bent aged to them pay court.
140 He asks his companions to call at the folk at `As `as, a mountain homeland of the Beni `Amir; as if he had already done so but without response.
64
10- ﻭﻤﺎ ﺨِ ﻔﹾ ﺕﹸ ﺘﹶ ﺒ ﺭِ ﻴ ﺢ ﺍ ﻟ ﺤ ﻴ ﺎ ﺓِ ﻜﹶﻤﺎ ﺃﺭﻯ ﺘﹶ ﻀ ﻴ ﻕﹸ ﺫِﺭﺍﻋﻲ ﺃﻥ ﺃ ﻗ ﻭ ﻡ ﻓﺄﻟﺒﺴﺎ 10- Fearless am I of ailment, and its woes that me so drains, I fail to wear my clothes.
11- ﻓﹶ ﻠﹶ ﻭ ﺃﻨﹼﻬﺎ ﻨ ﻔ ﺱ ﺘ ﻤ ﻭ ﺕﹸ ﺠ ﻤِ ﻴ ﻌ ﺔﹰ ﻭﻟﻜﻨﹼﻬﺎ ﻨﹶ ﻔﹾ ﺱ ﺘ ﺴ ﺎ ﻗﹶ ﻁﹸ ﺃﻨﹾﻔﹸﺴﺎ 11- I wish my sick breath would at once expire so not my ill-frame with slow death, to tire.
12- ﻭ ﺒ ﺩ ﻟﹾ ﺕﹸ ﻗﹶ ﺭ ﺤ ﺎﹰ ﺩ ﺍ ﻤ ﻴ ﺎﹰ ﺒ ﻌ ﺩ ﺼِ ﺤ ﺔٍ ﻟﹶ ﻌ لﱠ ﻤﻨﹶﺎﻴﺎﻨﺎ ﺘﹶ ﺤ ﻭ ﻟﹾ ﻥ ﺃﺒﺅﺴﺎ 12- From health I’ve lapsed; by bleeding sores abused. My deaths to lasting mis`ry’s been reduced.141
13- ﻟﹶ ﻘﹶ ﺩ ﻁﹶ ﻤ ﺢ ﺍﻟﻁﱠﻤﺎﺡ ﻤِ ﻥ ﺒ ﻌ ﺩِ ﺃ ﺭ ﻀِ ﻪِ ﻟِ ﻴ ﻠﹾ ﺒِ ﺴ ﻨ ﻲ ﻤﻥ ﺩ ﺍ ﺌِ ﻪِ ﻤﺎ ﺘﹶﻠﹶﺒﺴﺎ 13- `Al-Tammah, far from home, to slander swore to clothe me with what he in sickness wore.142
14- ﺃﻻ ﺇ ﻥ ﺒ ﻌ ﺩ ﺍﻟﻌﺩﻡ ﻟ ﻠ ﻤ ﺭ ﺀِ ﻗِ ﻨﹾ ﻭ ﺓﹶ ﻭ ﺒ ﻌ ﺩ ﺍﻟﻤﺸِﻴﺏ ﻁﹸ ﻭ لَ ﻋ ﻤ ﺭٍ ﻭﻤﻠﹾﺒﺴﺎ 14- Ruined, one could vast possessions acquire. Aged, one could to longer years aspire.
[30] ﺍﻤﺭﺅ ﺍﻟﻘﹶﻴﺱ ﻭﻋﺒﻴﺩ ﺒﻥ ﺍﻷﺒﺭﺹ “Imru’ul Qays and cUbayd b. al-`Abras”.
1- ﻋﺒﻴﺩ: ﻤﺎ ﺤ ﻴ ﺔﹲ ﻤ ﻴ ﺘﹶ ﺔﹲ ﻗ ﺎ ﻤ ﺕﹾ ﺒ ﻤ ﻴِ ﺘﹶ ﺘِ ﻬ ﺎ ﺩ ﺭ ﺩ ﺍ ﺀ ﻤﺎ ﺃ ﻨﹾ ﺒ ﺘﹶ ﺕﹾ ﺴِ ﻨﱠ ﺎﹰ ﻭﺃﻀﺭﺍﺴﺎ 1- cUbayd: A dead serpent will ne’er from death arise, but fangless, toothless, it forever lies.
2- ﺍﻤﺭﺅ ﺍﻟﻘﹶﻴﺱ: ﺘِ ﻠﹾ ﻙ ﺍ ﻟ ﺸﹶ ﻌِ ﻴ ﺭ ﺓﹸ ﺘﹸﺴﻘﻰ ﻓﻲ ﺴﻨﹶﺎﺒِﻠِﻬﺎ ﻓ ﺄ ﺨ ﺭ ﺠ ﺕﹾ ﺒﻌﺩ ﻁﻭل ﺍ ﻟ ﻤ ﻜﹾ ﺙِ ﺃﻜﺩﺍﺴﺎ
141 He refers to his death in the plural, as each of his recurrent pains is a death in itself.
142 `Al-Tammah, of the Beni Assad, was involved in a blood feud with Imru’ul Qays, whom he followed to Constantinople to slander him at Justinian’s court so as to prevent any forthcoming support to Imru’ul Qays. `Al-Tammah appears to have succeeded, as the poisoned cloak episode indicates. In saying al-Tammah sought “to clothe me what he in sickness wore” refers both to the poisoned cloak and the sick malice of `al-Tammah himself.
65
2- Imru’ul Qays: A well-watered seed, under soil, will live. Long dormant, it, heaps `pon heaps, will give.
3- ﻋﺒﻴﺩ: ﻤﺎ ﺍ ﻟ ﺴ ﻭ ﺩ ﻭﺍﻟﺒـِﻴﺽ ﻭﺍﻷﺴﻤﺎﺀ ﻭ ﺍ ﺤِ ﺩ ﺓﹲ ﻻ ﻴ ﺴ ﺘﹶ ﻁ ﻴ ﻊ ﻟﹶ ﻬ ﻥ ﺍﻟﻨﱠﺎﺱ ﺘِﻤﺴﺎﺴﺎ 3- cUbayd: The black, the white, all names–all are as such. Those bent on change, their changelessness, can’t touch.
4- ﺍﻤﺭﺅ ﺍﻟﻘﹶﻴﺱ: ﺘِ ﻠﹾ ﻙ ﺍ ﻟ ﺴ ﺤ ﺎ ﺏ ﺇﺫﺍ ﺍﻟﺭﺤﻤﺎﻥ ﺃﺭﺴﻠﹶﻬﺎ ﺭﻭﻯ ﺒِﻬﺎ ﻤﻥ ﻤِ ﺤ ﻭ لِ ﺍﻷﺭﺽ ﺃﻴﺒﺎﺴﺎ 4- Imru’ul Qays: Those clouds the Compassionate on had sent to water parched lands; `pon his order, went.
5- ﻋﺒﻴﺩ: ﻤﺎ ﻤ ﺭ ﺘِ ﺤ ﺎ ﺕﹲ ﻋﻠﻰ ﻫ ﻭ لٍ ﻤﺭﺍﻜِﺒﻬﺎ ﻴ ﻘﹾ ﻁﹶ ﻌ ﻥ ﻁﻭل ﺍﻟﻤﺩﻯ ﺴ ﻴ ﺭ ﺍﹰ ﻭﺇﻤﺭﺍﺴﺎ 5- cUbayd: The planets round the wide heavens unwind. But are to their orbital paths confined.
6- ﺍﻤﺭﺅ ﺍﻟﻘﹶﻴﺱ: ﺘِ ﻠﹾ ﻙ ﺍ ﻟ ﻨﹼ ﺠ ﻭ ﻡ ﺇﺫﺍ ﺤ ﺎ ﻨﹶ ﺕﹾ ﻤﻁﹶﺎﻟِﻌﻬﺎ ﺸﹶ ﺒ ﻬ ﺘﹶ ﻬ ﺎ ﻓﻲ ﺴﻭﺍﺩ ﺍﻟﻠﻴل ﺃﻗـْﺒﺎﺴﺎ 6- Imru’ul Qays: The stars that in the darkest night arise. You’d liken t’beacons that the lost will guide.
7- ﻋﺒﻴﺩ: ﻤﺎ ﺍﻟﻘﺎﻁِﻌﺎﺕﹸ ﻷ ﺭ ﺽٍ ﻻ ﺃﻨِﻴﺱ ﺒِﻬﺎ ﺘﺄﺘﻲ ﺴِ ﺭ ﺍ ﻋ ﺎﹰ ﻭﻤﺎ ﻴ ﺭ ﺠِ ﻌ ﻥ ﺃﻨﻜﺎﺴﺎ 7- cUbayd:The winds `cross lonesome, friendless lands that blow, come fast, and reverse not back home to go.
8- ﺍﻤﺭﺅ ﺍﻟﻘﹶﻴﺱ: ﺘِ ﻠ ﻙ ﺍ ﻟ ﺭ ﻴ ﺎ ﺡ ﺇﺫﺍ ﻫ ﺒ ﺕﹾ ﻋﻭﺍﺼِﻔﹸﻬﺎ ﻜﹶﻔﻰ ﺒﺄﺫﻴﺎﻟﹶﻬﺎ ﻟ ﻠ ﺘﹸ ﺭ ﺏِ ﻜﹸﻨﺎﺴﺎ 8- Imru’ul Qays: Those winds when, into raging storms do break. Tis `nough that dust is swept off by their wake.
9- ﻋﺒﻴﺩ: ﻤﺎ ﺍﻟﻔﺎﺠِﻌﺎﺕﹸ ﺠ ﻬ ﺎ ﺭ ﺍﹰ ﻓﻲ ﻋ ﻼ ﻨِ ﻴ ﺔٍ ﺃ ﺸﹶ ﺩ ﻤ ﻥ ﻓﹶ ﻴ ﻠﹶ ﻕٍ ﻤ ﻤ ﻠﹸ ﻭ ﺀ ﺓٍ ﺒﺎﺴﺎ 9- cUbayd: Dire public grief that one may so befall `s no less than what a hostile host may haul.
10- ﺍﻤﺭﺅ ﺍﻟﻘﹶﻴﺱ: ﺘِ ﻠﹾ ﻙ ﺍﻟﻤﻨﺎﻴﺎ ﻓﹶﻤﺎ ﻴ ﺒ ﻘ ﻴ ﻥ ﻤِ ﻥ ﺃ ﺤ ﺩٍ ﻴ ﻜِ ﻔ ﺘ ﻥ ﺤﻤﻘﻰ ﻭﻤﺎ ﻴﺒﻘﻴﻥ ﺃﻜﻴﺎﺴﺎ 10- Imru’ul Qays:Those scything strokes of time that none do spare Both strong and foolish down they mow and tear.
66
11- ﻋﺒﻴﺩ: ﻤﺎ ﺍﻟﺴﺎﺒﻘﺎﺕ ﺴِ ﺭ ﺍ ﻉ ﺍﻟﻁﹼﻴﺭِ ﻓﻲ ﻤ ﻬ لٍ ﻻ ﻴ ﺴ ﺘﹶ ﻜ ﻴ ﻥ ﻭﻟﻭ ﺃﻟﺠﻤﺘﹶﻬﺎ ﻓﺎﺴﺎ 11- cUbayd: Those racing steeds, with birds in flight do vie. By bit unreined, but like bit-less birds, fly.
12- ﺍﻤﺭﺅ ﺍﻟﻘﹶﻴﺱ: ﺘِ ﻠﹾ ﻙ ﺍﻟﺠِﻴﺎﺩ ﻋﻠﹶﻴﻬﺎ ﺍ ﻟ ﻘﹶ ﻭ ﻡ ﻗﺩ ﺴﺒﺤﻭﺍ ﻜﺎﻨﻭﺍ ﻟﹶ ﻬ ﻥ ﻏﹶ ﺩ ﺍ ﺓﹶ ﺍﻟﺭﻭﻉ ﺃﺤﻼﺴﺎ 12- Imru’ul Qays: the warrior host on steeds that onward chased. With cloth for saddle, on to th’fray had raced.
13- ﻋﺒﻴﺩ: ﻤﺎ ﺍ ﻟ ﻘﹶ ﺎ ﻁِ ﻌ ﺎ ﺕﹸ ﻷ ﺭ ﺽِ ﺍ ﻟ ﺠ ﻭ ﻓﻲ ﻁﹶ ﻠﹶ ﻕٍ ﻗﹶ ﺒ لَ ﺍﻟﺼﺒﺎﺡِ ﻭﻤﺎ ﻴ ﺴ ﺭِ ﻴ ﻥ ﻗﺭﻁﺎﺴﺎ 13- cUbayd:steeds, through wide open land, dash forth ‘fore morn Making walking white camels look forlorn.
14- ﺍﻤﺭﺅ ﺍﻟﻘﹶﻴﺱ: ﺘِ ﻠﹾ ﻙ ﺍﻷﻤﺎﻨﻲ ﻴ ﺘﹾ ﺭ ﻜﹾ ﻥ ﺍﻟﻔﹶﺘﻰ ﻤ ﻠِ ﻜ ﺎﹰ ﺩﻭﻥ ﺍ ﻟ ﺴ ﻤ ﺎ ﺀِ ﻭﻟﻡ ﺘﺭﻓﻊ ﻟﻪ ﺭﺍﺴﺎ 14- Imru’ul Qays: Wishing leaves one a king of make-believe Th’heavens will not his head up to it heave.
15- ﻋﺒﻴﺩ: ﻤﺎ ﺍﻟﺤﺎﻜِﻤﻭﻥ ﺒﻼ ﺴ ﻤ ﻊٍ ﻭﻻ ﺒ ﺼ ﺭٍ ﻭﻻ ﻟِ ﺴ ﺎ ﻥٍ ﻓﹶ ﺼ ﻴ ﺢٍ ﻴ ﻌ ﺠِ ﺏ ﺍﻟﻨﺎﺴﺎ 15- cUbayd: No rulers are without hearing and sight, and tongue el’quent their people to delight.
16- ﺍﻤﺭﺅ ﺍﻟﻘﻴﺱ: ﺘﹶ ﻠﹾ ﻙ ﺍ ﻟ ﻤ ﻭ ﺍ ﺯ ﻴ ﻥ ﻭﺍﻟﺭﺤﻤﺎﻥ ﺃﻨﹾﺯﻟﹶﻬﺎ ﺭ ﺏ ﺍ ﻟ ﺒ ﺭ ﻴ ﺔِ ﺒ ﻴ ﻥ ﺍﻟﻨﺎﺱِ ﻤِﻘﹾﻴﺎﺴﺎ 16- Imru’ul Qays:The scales th’Compassionate for Man had laid. So Man, by divinely made scales, be weighed.
[31] ﻟِﻤﻥ ﻁﹶﻠﹶل “ Whose is this ruined abode?” Recited at Ankyra, describing his ailment
1- ﻟِ ﻤ ﻥ ﻁﹶ ﻠﹶ لٌ ﺩ ﺍ ﺜِ ﺭ ﺁ ﻴ ﻪ ﺘﹶﻘﹶﺎﺩﻡ ﻓﻲ ﺴ ﺎ ﻟِ ﻑِ ﺍﻷﺤﺭﺱ ِ 1- Whose was th’abode that, ruined, lies so low. Bestruck by Time and ages long ago.
2- ﻓﹶﺈﻤﺎ ﺘﹶﺭﻴﻨﻲ ﺒﻲ ﻋ ﺭ ﺓﹲ ﻜﹶﺄﻨﻲ ﻨﹶ ﻜِ ﻴ ﺏ ﻤ ﻥ ﺍﻟﻨـَﻘـْﺭﺱ ِ 2- See, how all o’er me, mange has broken out.
67
As if I have, all o’er, been struck by gout.
3- ﻭﺼﻴﺭﻨﻲ ﺍ ﻟ ﻘﹸ ﺭ ﺡ ﻓﻲ ﺠ ﺒ ﺔٍ ﺘﹸ ﺨﹶ ﺎ لُ ﻟﺒﻴ ﺴ ﺎﹰ ﻭﻟﻡ ﺘﹸـﻠـْﺒﺱ ِ 3- The sickly gown of sores that I now wear. To wear it none before did ever dare.
4- ﺘﺭﻯ ﺃ ﺜﹶ ﺭ ﺍ ﻟ ﻘﹶ ﺭ ﺡِ ﻓﻲ ﺠِ ﻠﹾ ﺩِ ﻩِ ﻜﹶ ﻨﹶ ﻘﹾ ﺵِ ﺍ ﻟ ﺨ ﻭ ﺍ ﺘِ ﻡِ ﻓﻲ ﺍﻟﺠِﺭﺠﺱ ِ 4- On th’skin, the sores leave scars that are descried as seal-rings that to wax had been applied.
[32] ﺃﺘﻨﹸﻭﺹ ﻤِ ﻥ ﺫِ ﻜﹾ ﺭِ ﺴﻠﹾﻤﻰ “ Will you, in recounting Selma’s annals, delay?”
1- ﺃ ﻤِ ﻥ ﺫِ ﻜﹾ ﺭِ ﺴﻠﹾﻤﻰ ﺃ ﻥ ﻨ ﺄ ﺘﹾ ﻙ ﺘ ﻨﹸ ﻭ ﺹ ﻓﹶ ﺘﹶ ﻘﹾ ﺼِ ﺭ ﻋﻨﹾﻬﺎ ﺨﹸ ﻁﹾ ﻭ ﺓﹶ ﺃﻭ ﺘﹶ ﺒ ﻭ ﺹ 1- When Selma’s gone far, with her will you break? A foot forward put, an’ther backward take?
2- ﻭﻜﻡ ﺩﻭﻨﹶﻬﺎ ﻤِ ﻥ ﻤ ﻬ ﻤ ﻪٍ ﻭ ﻤ ﻔﹶ ﺎ ﺯ ﺓٍ ﻭ ﻜﹶ ﻡ ﺃ ﺭ ﺽِ ﺠ ﺩ ﺏٍ ﺩﻭﻨﹶﻬﺎ ﻭ ﻟ ـُ ﺼ ﻭ ﺹ 2- For she’s beyond waste lands; dry, vast and bare. Deserts thick with bandits who none will spare.
3- ﺘﺭﺍﺀﺕ ﻟﻨﺎ ﻴ ﻭ ﻤ ﺎﹰ ﺒِ ﺠ ﻨﹾ ﺏِ ﻋ ﻨﹶ ﻴ ﺯ ﺓٍ ﻭﻗﺩ ﺤ ﺎ ﻥ ﻤِﻨﹾﻬﺎ ﺭِ ﺤ ﻠﹶ ﺔﹲ ﻓ ـ ﻘﹸ ـ ﻠ ﻭ ﺹ 3- Her vision at “`Unaiza” t’me appeared,143 while on her way onward her mount she steered.
4- ﺒ ﺄ ﺴ ﻭ ﺩ ﻤ ﻠﹾ ﺘﹶ ﻑﱢ ﺍ ﻟ ﻐﹶ ﺩ ﺍ ﺌِ ﺭِ ﻭ ﺍ ﺭِ ﺩٍ ﻭﺫﻯ ﺃُ ﺸﹸ ﺭٍ ﺘﹶ ﺸﹸ ﻭ ﻓﹸ ﻪ ﻭ ﺘ ﺸﹸ ﻭ ﺹ 4- Her flowing black hair wreathed in plaits encoiled. Her fine white teeth, enbrighted and unsoiled.
5- ﻤﻨﺎﺒِﺘـُﻪ ﻤِ ﺜﹾ لُ ﺍ ﻟ ﺴ ﺩ ﻭ ﺱِ ﻭ ﻟﹶ ﻭ ﻨﹸ ﻪ ﻜﹶ ﺸﹶ ﻭ ﻙِ ﺍﻟﺴﻴﺎل ﻓﻬﻭ ﻋ ﺫﹾ ﺏ ﻴ ﻔ ﻴ ﺽ 5- Her teeth were of the brightest whiteness born
143 `Unaiza: a location, probably a mountain. `Unaiza’ was also the poet’s cousin.
68
Agleam with milk of the “Sayyal” tree’s thorn.144
6- ﻓﹶﺩﻋﻬﺎ ﻭ ﺴ لْ ﺍ ﻟ ﺼ ﻡ ﻋ ﻨﹾ ﻙ ﺒِ ﺠ ﺴ ﺭ ﺓٍ ﻤ ﺩ ﺍ ﺨﹶ ﻠﹶ ﺔﹰ ﺼ ﻡ ﺍﻟﻌِﻅﺎﻡ ﺃ ﺼ ﻭ ﺹ 6- Leave her and drive your gnawing cares away, on hard-boned she-camel, e’er mounted; stay.
7- ﺘﹶ ﻅﹶ ﺎ ﻫ ﺭ ﻓﻴﻬﺎ ﺍ ﻟ ﻨﱠ ﻲ ﻻِﻫﻲ ﺒ ﻜﹶ ﺭ ﺓﹲ ﻭﻻ ﺫ ﺍ ﺕﹶ ﻀِ ﻐﹾ ﻥٍ ﻓﻲ ﺍﻟﺯﻤﺎﻡ ﻗﹶ ﻤ ﻭ ﺹ 7- Full-fleshed is she, not young, nor does she yearn for home pastures; nor slow to guide or learn.145
8- ﺃﺅﻭﺏ ﻨﹶ ﻌ ﻭ ﺏ ﻻ ﻴ ﻭ ﺍ ﻜِ لُ ﻨﹶﻬﺯﻫﺎ ﺇﺫﺍ ﻗﹶﻴلَ ﺴﻴﺭ ﺍ ﻟ ﻤ ﺩ ﻟﹶ ﺠ ﻴ ﻥ ﻨﹶ ﺼ ﻴ ﺹ 8- Her legs at canter are e’er brisk and light Although, ‘tis said, cant’ ring is best at night.
9- ﻜﺄﻨﻲ ﻭﺭﺤﻠﻲ ﻭﺍﻟﻘِﺭﺍﺏ ﻭﻨﹸﻤﺭﻭﻗﻲ ﺇﺫﺍ ﺸﹸ ﺏ ﻟ ﻠ ﻤ ﺭ ﻭِ ﺍﻟﺼﻐﺎﺭ ﻭﺒﻴﺽ 9- As if my gear will soon be set alight. When small flints break out `n flames that blaze alight.146
10- ﻋﻠﻰ ﻨِ ﻘﹾ ﻨِ ﻕٍ ﻫ ﻴ ﻕٍ ﻟﻪ ﻭ ﻟِ ﻌ ﺭ ﺴِ ﻪِ ﺒﻤﻨﻌﺭﺝِ ﺍﻟﻭﻋﺴﺎﺀِ ﺒ ﻴ ﺽ ﺭ ﺼ ﻴ ﺹِ 10- The long-necked ostrich, and its mate; pacing. And then, o’er white, firm sandy lands; racing.
11- ﺇﺫﺍ ﺭ ﺍ ﺡ ﻟ ﻸ ﺩ ﺤِ ﻲ ﺃَ ﻭ ﺒ ﺎﹰ ﻴ ﻔﹸﻨﱡﻬﺎ ﺘ ـُ ﺤ ﺎ ﺫِ ﺭ ﻤِﻥ ﺇ ﺩ ﺭ ﺍ ﻜِ ﻪِ ﻭ ﺘﹶ ﺤِ ﻴ ﺹ 11- Both to their nest return at end of day. For skulking predators to chase away.
12- ﺃ ﺫﹶ ﻟِ ﻙ ﺃ ﻡ ﺠ ﻭ ﻥ ﻴﻁﺎﺭِﺩ ﺁﺜِﻨﺎﹰ ﺤ ﻤ ﻠﹾ ﻥ ﻓﺄﺭﺒﻰ ﺤ ﻤ ﻠِ ﻬ ﻥ ﺩ ﺭ ﻭ ﺹ 12- Does th’ ostrich with my swift camel compare? Or with th’wild-ass stallion chasing th’mare?
144 Sayyal tree’s thorn: Sayyal-flowing liquid- was a species of tree whose thorns produce a milky fluid used for dental hygiene. 145 She: refers to the she-camel. 146 “My gear” refers specifically in this line to his scabbard, his camel saddle, and his pillow. He means that the camel is so fleet that it is likely to spark off the small flints underfoot into a blaze that would consume those items of his gear.
69
13- ﻁ ﻭ ﺍ ﻩ ﺍﻀﻁﻤﺎﺭ ﺍ ﻟ ﺸ ﺩ ﻭ ﺍ ﻟ ﺒ ﻁﹾ ﻥ ﺸ ﺎ ﺯِ ﺏ ﻤﻌﺎﻟﻰ ﻋﻠﻰ ﺍﻟﻤﺘﻨﻴﻥِ ﻓﻬﻭ ﺨﹶ ﻤ ﻴ ﺹ 13- Th’wild-ass’s belly, in hard leanness bewrought. It’s withers high, through chase of what it sought.
14- ﺒ ﺤ ﺎ ﺠِ ﺒِ ﻪِ ﻜﹶ ﺩ ﺡ ﻤﻥ ﺍ ﻟ ﻀ ﺭ ﺏِ ﺠﺎﻟﺏ ﻭ ﺤ ﺎ ﺭ ﻜﹸ ﻪ ﻤِﻥ ﺍﻟﻜِﺩﺍﻡ ﺤ ﺼ ﻴ ﺹ 14- A hard hunt-scar upon its forelock shows. It’s flank, from bite-marks, all its hair did lose.
15- ﻜﺄﻥ ﺴ ﺭ ﺍ ﺘﹶ ﻪ ﻭ ﺠ ﺩ ﺓﹶ ﻅﹶ ﻬ ﺭِ ﻩِ ﻜﻨﺎﺌﻥ ﻴﺠﺭﻱ ﺒ ﻴ ﻨﹶ ﻬ ﻥ ﺩ ﻟ ﻴ ﺹ 15- On its’ straight back a line lies bright and bold. Like a fine quiver that’s lined with streaks of gold.
16- ﻭ ﻴ ﺄ ﻜﹸ ﻠﹾ ﻥ ﻤﻥ ﻗﹶ ﻭ ﻟﹸ ﻌ ﺎ ﻋ ﺎﹰ ﻭ ﺭِ ﺒ ﺔﹰ ﺘﹶ ﺠ ﺒ ﺭ ﺒ ﻌ ﺩ ﺍ ﻷ ﻜﹾ لِ ﻓﹶ ﻬ ﻭ ﻨ ﻤ ﻴ ﺹ 16- At “Qaww”, on young tender herbage they chew. Herbage cropped, but sprouted yet anew.
17- ﺘ ـُ ﻁ ﻴ ﺭ ﻋِ ﻔ ﺎ ﺀ ﻤﻥ ﻨﹶﺴِﻴلٍ ﻜﹶ ﺄ ﻨﱠ ﻪ ﺴ ﺩ ﻭ ﺱ ﺃﻁﺎﺭﺘﹾﻪ ﺍ ﻟ ﺭ ﻴ ﺎ ﺡ ﻭ ﺨﹸ ﻭ ﺹ 17- From th’ Ostrich plumes; soft, tender down enfrays, In profusion falls, or is blown away.147
18- ﺘﹶﺼﻴﻔﹶﻬﺎ ﺤﺘﻰ ﺇﺫﺍ ﻟﹶ ﻡ ﻴ ﺴ ﻎﹸ ﻟﻬﺎ ﺤ ﻠِ ﻲ ﺒﺄﻋﻠﻰ ﺤ ﺎ ﺌِ لٍ ﻭ ﻗﹶ ﺼ ﻴ ﺹ 18- In summer, on such herbage th’ wild-ass feeds. When “Ha`il” grazing it likes not or needs.148
19- ﺘﹶﻐﺎﻟﹶﺒﻥ ﻓﹶ ﻴ ﻪِ ﺍ ﻟ ﺠ ﺯ ﺀ ﻟﻭﻻ ﻫ ﻭ ﺍ ﺠِ ﺭ ﺠﻨﹶﺎﺩِﺒﻬﺎ ﺼﺭﻋﻰ ﻟﹶ ﻬ ﻥ ﻓﹶ ﺼ ﻴ ﺹ 19- On wat’ry spring grazing the ass had fed, t’allay summ’r heat that leaves the locust dead.
20- ﺃ ﺭ ﻥ ﻋﻠﻴﻬﺎ ﻗﹶ ﺎ ﺭِ ﺒ ﺎﹰ ﻭ ﺍ ﻨﹾ ﺘﹶ ﺤ ﺕﹾ ﻟﹶ ﻪ ﻁﹸ ﻭ ﺍ ﻟﹶ ﺔﹸ ﺃ ﺭ ﺴ ﺎ ﻍِ ﺍﻟﻴﺩﻴﻥ ﻨﹶ ﺤ ﻭ ﺹ 20- Loud th’ wild-ass brays when finding water that lean camels seek, straining at th’ halter.
147 He likens the tender herbage the wild ass grazes on, with down; young feathers that fall off, or is blown away from the Ostrich’s plumage. 148 “Ha`il” , a location, probably the modem town of Ha`il in Saudi Arabia.
70
21- ﻓﺄﻭﺭﺩﻫﺎ ﻤِ ﻥ ﺁﺨﺭ ﺍﻟﻠﻴلِ ﻤ ﺸﹾ ﺭ ﺒ ﺎﹰ ﺒ ﻼ ﺜِ ﻕﹶ ﺨﹸ ﻀ ﺭ ﺍﹶ ﻤ ﺎ ﺅ ﻫ ﻥ ﻗ ﻠِ ﻴ ﺹ 21- It drinks at well-watered pools, late at night. Water planty and high, a quenching sight.
22- ﻓ ﻴ ﺸ ﺭ ﺒ ﻥ ﺃ ﻨ ﻔ ﺎ ﺴ ﺎﹰ ﻭ ﻫ ﻥ ﺨ ﻭ ﺍ ﺌِ ﻑﹸ ﻭ ﺘﹸ ﺭ ﻋ ﺩ ﻤِ ﻨﹾ ﻬ ﻥ ﺍﻟﻜﹸﻠﹶﻰ ﻭ ﺍ ﻟ ﻔ ﺭ ﻴ ﺹِ 22- So short of breath, th’ asses their drink partake. While their shanks, with terror, quiver and quake.149
23- ﻓ ﺄ ﺼ ﺩ ﺭ ﻫ ﺎ ﺘﹶﻌﻠﻭ ﺍ ﻟ ﻨِ ﺠ ﺎ ﺩ ﻋ ﺸ ﻴ ﺔﹰ ﺃ ﻗﹶ ﺏ ﻜﹶ ﻤِ ﻘﹾ ﻼ ﺀِ ﺍ ﻟ ﻭ ﻟ ﻴ ﺩِ ﺸﹶ ﺨِ ﻴ ﺹ 23- After drink, ass ‘n camel t’ high ground find way So lean and light as pots with which boys play.150
24- ﻓﹶ ﺠ ﺤ ﺵﹲ ﻋﻠﻰ ﺃ ﺩ ﺒ ﺎ ﺭِ ﻫِ ﻥ ﻤ ﺨﹶ ﻠﱠ ﻑﹲ ﻭ ﺠ ﺤ ﺵﹲ ﻟﺩﻯ ﻤ ﻜﹾ ﺭِ ﻫِ ﻥ ﻭ ﻗﹶ ﻴ ﺹ 24- A stallion follows the herd’s upward trek, another leads them down, falls, ‘n breaks its neck.151
25- ﻭ ﺃ ﺼ ﺩ ﺭ ﻫ ﺎ ﺒﺎﺩﻱ ﺍ ﻟ ﻨﱠ ﻭ ﺍ ﺠِ ﺫِ ﻗﹶ ﺎ ﺭِ ﺡ ﺃ ﻗ ﺏ ﻜﹶ ﻜﹸ ﺭ ﺍﻷﻨﹾﺩِﺭﻱ ﻤ ﺤ ﻴ ﺹ 25- From mouth agape, their leader’s molars show. Like “Andar” ‘s ropes, their hard-twist bodies go.152
[33] ﺃﻋِﻨﹼﻲ ﻋﻠﻰ ﺒ ﺭ ﻕٍ “ Help me behold lightning flashing bright ”
1- ﺃﻋِﻨﹼﻲ ﻋﻠﻰ ﺒ ﺭ ﻕٍ ﺃ ﺭ ﺍ ﻩ ﻭﻤﻴﺽ ِ ﻴﻀﺊ ﺤﺒِﻴﺎﹰ ﻓﻲ ﺸﹶﻤﺎ ﺭ ﻴ ﺦﹶ ﺒِﻴﺽ ِ 1- Help me behold lightning flashing hard’n bright.
149 The beasts are terrified of hunters that might be lurking for them at the water pool. 150 Young boys play a game using light well-wrought pots. He likens the light playful movements of ass and camel frolicking together, after drinking, and on their way to higher safer ground, with boys playing pots. Camels, of course, are not game as wild-ass are, but seem to absorb the asses fear when drinking at pools. 151 The wild ass herd, having watered, treks up to higher ground, followed by a slow-paced, protecting stallion. When thirsty, the herd races down to the pool, led by a galloping stallion, who stumbles, falls, and breaks its neck. 152 The lean rounded hardness of the wild ass is likened to the strongest best-made rope, made by one “Andar”.
71
Lighting up clouds o’er high peaks shimm’ring white.
2- ﻭﻴﻬﺩﺃ ﺘﹶﺎﺭﺍﺕٍ ﺴ ﻨ ﺎ ﻩ ﻭﺘﹶﺎﺭﺓً ﻜﹶﺘِﻌﺘﹶﺎﺏِ ﺍ ﻟ ﻜﹶ ﺴِ ﻴ ﺭِ ﺃﻟﻤﻬِﻴﺽ ِ 2- It’s flash, at times, appears with tardy glow. Like leg-stricken camel, on three, walks slow.
3- ﻭ ﺘﹶ ﺨﹾ ﺭ ﺝ ﻤِ ﻨﹾ ﻪ ﻻ ﻤِ ﻌ ﺎ ﺕﹲ ﻜﺄﻨﱠﻬـــﺎ ﺃ ﻜﹸ ﻑﱞ ﺘﹶﻠﹶﻘﱠﻰ ﺍ ﻟ ﻔﹶ ﻭ ﺯ ﻋ ﻨ ﺩ ﺍﻟﻤﻔِﻴﺽ ِ 3- From clouds, instant lightning streaklets break out. Swift! As joyous winning gamblers, clap’n shout.
4- ﻗﹶ ﻌ ﺩ ﺕﹸ ﻟ ﻪ ﻭﺼﺤﺒﺘﻲ ﺒ ﻴ ﻥ ﻀﺎﺭِﺝ ٍ ﻭ ﺒ ﻴ ﻥ ﺘِﻼﻉ ِ ﻴ ـ ﺜ ـْ ـ ﻠ ـُ ﺙﹶ ﻓﺎﻟﻌﺭﻴﺽ ِ 4- I sat, and watched the lightning flash, with friends `Tween “Dharij”, n’ “Aridh”; “Yathluth”, that wat’r sends153
5- ﺃ ﺼ ﺎ ﺏ ﻗﹶﻁﹶﺎﺘﹶﻴﻥِ ﻓﹶ ﺴ ﺎ لَ ﻟِﻭﺍﻫﻤﺎ ﻓﹶﻭﺍﺩﻯ ﺍ ﻟ ﺒ ﺩِ ﻱ ﻓﺎﻨﺘﺤﻰ ﻟﻸﺭِﻴﺽ ِ 5- Rain fell at “Qatatayn”, flooding its sand. Then at “Bedii”; that prom’sing fertile land.154
6- ﺒِ ﻼ ﺩ ﻋ ﺭ ﻴ ﻀ ﺔﹲ ﻭ ﺃ ﺭ ﺽ ﺃ ﺭِ ﻴ ﻀ ﺔﹲ ﻤ ﺩ ﺍ ﻓِ ﻊ ﻏﹶ ﻴ ﺙٍ ﻓﻲ ﻓﹶ ﻀ ﺎ ﺀٍ ﻋﺭﻴﺽ ِ 6- A country wide, whose soil is rich and soft. ‘pon which gushing torrents fall from aloft.
7- ﻭﺃﻀﺤﻰ ﻴ ﺴ ﺢ ﺍﻟﻤﺎﺀ ﻋﻥ ﻜ لّ ﻓِ ﻴ ﻘﹶ ﺔٍ ﻴ ﺤ ﻭ ﺯ ﺍﻟﻀﺒ ﺎ ﺏ ﻓﻲ ﺼ ﻔ ﺎ ﺼِ ﻑﹶ ﺒﻴﺽ ِ 7- The falling torrents flood the lower land. On high’r ground, stranded desert rodents stand.
8- ﻓﺄﺴﻘﻲ ﺒﻬﺎ ﺃﺨﹾﺘِﻲ ﻀﻌﻴﻔﺔ ﺇ ﺫﹾ ﻨﹶ ﺄ ﺕﹾ ﻭﺇﺫ ﺒ ﻌ ﺩ ﺍﻟﻤﺯﺍﺭ ﻏ ﻴ ﺭ ﺍ ﻟ ﻘ ـََََََ ﺭ ﻴ ﺽ ِ 8- On my far sister, may rain’s blessings fall. I reach her not; in verse to her I call.
9- ﻭ ﻤ ﺭ ﻗﹶ ﺒ ﺔٍ ﻜ ﺎ ﻟ ﺯ ﺝ ﺃ ﺸﹾ ﺭ ﻓﹶ ﺕﹾ ﻓﹶ ﻭ ﻗﹶ ﻬ ﺎ ﺃُ ﻗﹶ ﻠﱢ ﺏ ﻁﹶﺭﻓﻲ ﻓﻲ ﻓﹶ ﻀ ﺎ ﺀٍ ﻋﺭﻴﺽ ِ
153 He and his companions sat between three locations “Dharij”, “Aridh” and “Yathluth”. The last location is a network of irrigation ditches that sends water to the groves. They sat to watch lightning and ascertain the location of rainfall. 154 The “Bedii” valley is identified as a homeland of the Beni `Amir in Nejd; known for its fertility.
72
9- I stand alert on mountain peaks, to watch. And coming n’going strangers sight to catch.
10- ﻓﹶ ﻁِ ﻠﹾ ﺕﹸ ﻭ ﻅﹶ لﱠ ﺍ ﻟ ﺠ ﻭ ﻥ ﻋِﻨﹾﺩﻱ ﺒِ ﻠﹶ ﺒ ﺩِ ﻩِ ﻜﺄﻨﹼﻲ ﺃُﻋﺩﻱ ﻋ ﻥ ﺠ ﻨﹶ ﺎ ﺡٍ ﻤ ﻬِ ﻴ ﺽ ِ 10- I waited, with my dark unsaddled mare, My wing broke, support ‘n her I find; and care.155
11- ﻓﹶﻠﹶﻤﺎ ﺃ ﺠ ﻥ ﺍ ﻟ ﺸﱠ ﻤ ﺱ ﻋﻨﱢﻲ ﻏِﻴﺎﺭﻫﺎ ﻨﹶ ﺯ ﻟﹾ ﺕﹸ ﺇﻟﻴﻪ ﻗ ﺎ ﺌ ﻤ ﺎﹰ ﺒﺎﻟﺤﻀﻴﺽ ِ 11- I watched at th’ peak for friends throughout the day. At dusk, down t’ my steed went, and rode away.
12- ﻴﺒﺎﺭِﻱ ﺸﹶ ﺒ ﺎ ﺓﹶ ﺍ ﻟ ﺭ ﻤ ﺢِ ﺨﹶ ﺩ ﻤ ﺫﹶ ﻟﱠ ﻕﹲ ﻜﹶ ﺼ ﻔﹾ ﺢِ ﺍﻟﺴِﻨﹶﺎﻥ ﺍ ﻟ ﺼ ﻠﹾ ﺒِ ﻲ ﺍﻟﻨﹶﺤِﻴﺽ ِ 12- The steed, long ‘n lightly built, well wrought and lean. Like straight lance whose stone-whetted point, is keen.
13- ﺃُ ﺨﹶ ﻔﱢ ﻀ ﻪ ﺒﺎﻟﻨﱠﻘﹾﺭِ ﻟﹶﻤﺎ ﻋ ﻠﹶ ﻭ ﺘﹸ ﻪ ﻭ ﻴ ﺭ ﻓﹶ ﻊ ﻁﹶ ﺭ ﻓ ﺎﹰ ﻏ ﻴ ﺭ ﺠ ﺎ ﻑٍ ﻏﹶﻀﻴﺽ ِ 13- At mounting, th’ steed with latent power seethed. I had to calm it; it to calmly lead.
14- ﻭ ﻗﹶ ﺩ ﺃﻏﹾﺘﹶﺩﻱ ﻭﺍﻟﻁﹶﻴﺭ ﻓﻲ ﻭﻜﹸﺭﺍﺘِﻬﺎ ﺒ ﻤ ﻨﹾ ﺠ ﺭِ ﺩٍ ﻋ ﺒ لِ ﺍ ﻟ ﻴ ﺩ ﻴ ﻥِ ﻗﹶﺒﻴﺽ ِ 14- I rise, ‘fore dawn, when birds are still at nest. To mount a steed, that of its breed, is best156
15- ﻟﹶ ﻪ ﻗﹸﺼﺭﻴﺎ ﻋ ﻴ ﺭٍ ﻭ ﺴ ﺎ ﻗﹶ ﺎ ﻨﹶ ﻌ ﺎ ﻤ ﺔٍ ﻜﹶ ﻔﹶ ﺤ لِ ﺍ ﻟ ﻬِ ﺠ ﺎ ﻥِ ﻴﻨﹾﺘﹶﺤِﻲ ﻟِﻠﹾﻌﻀﻴﺽ ِ 15- Like wild-ass ribbed; Ostrich legs that rise ‘n height Vig’rous as ped’gree,ired camels, that bite.157
16- ﻴ ﺠ ﻡ ﻋﻠﻰ ﺍﻟﺴﺎﻗﻴﻥ ﺒ ﻌ ﺩ ﻜﹶ ﻼ ﻟِ ﻪِ ﺠ ﻤ ﻭ ﻡ ﻋ ﻴ ﻭ ﻥ ﺍﻟﺤِﺴﻰ ﺒ ﻌ ﺩ ﺍﻟﻤﺨﻴﺽ ِ
155 The verse reports his dark mare as being covered only by a saddle cloth. He describes himself as wing-broken, like a mountain eagle with broken wing. He leans on his fiery mare for support. 156 The verse describes the qualities of such a steed: it is short haired, with stout, firm shanks and pastems, is hard-built and swift at gallop. The gender of the steed is unclear. The verse uses a masculine pronoun when referring to it. Mohammad al-Fadhl Ibrahim, in his commentary, refers to it as a mare. 157 Fine pedigree white camels, brimming with aggressive energy were known to bite when displeased.
73
16- E’en when ‘tis tired, faster forward flies. Like well-water; drawn, will e’er upward rise
17- ﺫﹶ ﻋ ﺭ ﺕﹸ ﺒﻪ ﺴ ﺭ ﺒ ﺎﹰ ﻨﹶ ﻘِ ﻴ ﺎﹰ ﺠ ﻠﹸ ﻭ ﺩ ﻩ ﻜﻤﺎ ﺫﹶ ﻋ ﺭ ﺍ ﻟ ﺴ ﺭ ﺤ ﺎ ﻥ ﺠ ﻨﹾ ﺏ ﺍﻟﺭﺒﻴﺽ ِ 17- ‘pon it, an oryx herd, I thrilled with fear, As ‘a sheepfold’s set afright when wolf comes near.
18- ﻭﻭﺍﻟﻰ ﺜ ﻼ ﺜ ﺎﹰ ﻭ ﺍ ﺜ ﻨﹶ ﺘﹶ ﻴ ﻥِ ﻭ ﺃ ﺭ ﺒ ﻌ ﺎﹰ ﻭ ﻏﹶ ﺎ ﺩ ﺭ ﺃﺨﺭﻯ ﻓﻲ ﻗ ﻨ ﺎ ﺓِ ﺭﻓﻴﺽ ِ 18- First, three it hunted down; then two, then four. And left a fifth that broken lance did bore.158
19- ﻓ ﺂ ﺏ ﺇﻴﺎﺒﺎﹰ ﻏﹶ ﻴ ﺭ ﻨﹶ ﻜﹾ ﺩٍ ﻤ ﻭ ﺍ ﻜِ لٍ ﻭ ﺃ ﺨﹾ ﻠﹶ ﻑﹶ ﻤ ﺎ ﺀ ﺒﻌﺩ ﻤ ﺎ ﺀٍ ﻓﹶﻀﻴﺽ ِ 19- It wheeled; it turned; it raced in d’rections all; till pouring sweat, in streams, did from it fall.
20- ﻭ ﺴِ ﻥ ﻜﺴﻨﱢﻴﻕٍ ﺴ ﻨﹶ ﺎ ﺀ ﻭ ﺴ ﻨﱠ ﻤ ﺎﹰ ﺫﹶ ﻋ ﺭ ﺕﹸ ﺒِ ﻤِ ﺩ ﻻ ﺝِ ﺍ ﻟ ﻬ ﺠ ﻴ ﺭِ ﻨﹸﻬﻭﺽ ِ 20- A hefty bull; rock-like, hard and massive. In heat is stalked, while oth’r beasts are passive.159
21- ﺃﺭﻯ ﺍ ﻟ ﻤ ﺭ ﺀ ﺫﺍ ﺍﻷﺫﻭﺍﺩ ﻴ ﺼ ﺒِ ﺢ ﻤ ﺤ ﺭ ﻀ ﺎﹰ ﻜﺎﺤﺭﺍﺽ ِ ﺒ ﻜﹾ ﺭٍ ﻓﻲ ﺍ ﻟ ﺩ ﻴ ﺎ ﺭِ ﻤﺭﻴﺽ ِ 21- Behold a fine young man of untold wealth. Whose wealth is useless if stricken in health.
22- ﻜﺄﻥ ﺍﻟﻔﺘﻰ ﻟﹶ ﻡ ﻴ ﻐﹾ ﻥِ ﻓﻲ ﺍﻟﻨ ﺎ ﺱِ ﺴ ﺎ ﻋ ﺔﹰ ﺇﺫﺍ ﺍ ﺨ ﺘﹶ ﻠﹶ ﻑﹶ ﺍﻟﻠﱠﺤﻴﺎﻥِ ﻋ ﻨﹾ ﺩ ﺍﻟﺠﺭﻴﺽ ِ 22- ‘Tis as if one had never lived ones life. when death-gasps through one’s jaws are rife.
[34] ﺠ ﺯ ﻋ ﺕﹸ ﻭ ﻟﹶ ﻡ ﺃَ ﺠ ﺯ ﻉ ﻤﻥ ﺍ ﻟ ﺒ ﻴ ﻥِ “ I’ve grieved, but from remoteness have grieved not ”
1- ﺠ ﺯ ﻋ ﺕﹸ ﻭ ﻟﹶ ﻡ ﺃ ﺠ ﺯ ﻉ ﻤ ﻥ ﺍ ﻟ ﺒ ﻴ ﻥِ ﻤ ﺠ ﺯ ﻋ ﺎ ﻭ ﻋ ﺯ ﻴ ﺕﹸ ﻗﹶ ﻠﹾ ﺒ ﺎﹰ ﺒﺎﻟﻜﹶﻭﺍﻋِﺏِ ﻤﻭﻟﹶﻌﺎ
158 “It” refers to the horse – and its rider- as the hunter. 159 The massive oryx bull is stalked by a hunter on a steed during baking heat when other beasts lie down passively, enervated by the climate.
74
1- I’ve grieved, but from remoteness have grieved not. Consoled a heart with lovely belles besot.
2- ﻭ ﺃ ﺼ ﺒ ﺤ ﺕﹸ ﻭ ﺩ ﻋ ﺕﹸ ﺍﻟﺼﺒﺎ ﻏﹶ ﻴ ﺭ ﺃﻨﱠﻨﻲ ﺃُ ﺭ ﺍ ﻗِ ﺏ ﺨﹶ ﻼﱠ ﺕٍ ﻤﻥ ﺍ ﻟ ﻌ ﻴ ﺵِ ﺃﺭﺒﻌﺎ 2- Though I to bygone youth have bid farewell, yet four, ‘f what life offers, still watch full well:-
3- ﻓﹶ ﻤِ ﻨﹾ ﻬ ﻥ ﻗﹶﻭﻟﻲ ﻟﻠﻨﹶﺩﺍﻤﻰ ﺘﹶﺭﻓﹼﻌﻭﺍ ﻴ ﺩ ﺍ ﺠ ﻭ ﻥ ﻨﹶ ﺸﱠ ﺎ ﺤ ﺎﹰ ﻤﻥ ﺍ ﻟ ﺨﹶ ﻤ ﺭِ ﻤﺘﹾﺭﻋﺎ 3- I watch hearty boon companions at drink, close to wine tuns flowing at the brink.
4- ﻭ ﻤِ ﻨﹾ ﻬ ﻥ ﺭ ﻜﹾ ﺽ ﺍ ﻟ ﺨﹶ ﻴ لِ ﺘﹶ ﺭ ﺠ ﻡ ﺒﺎﻟﻘﹶﻨﹶﺎ ﻴ ﺒ ﺎ ﺩِ ﺭ ﻥ ﺴِ ﺭ ﺒ ﺎﹰ ﺁ ﻤِ ﻨ ﺎﹰ ﺃﻥ ﻴﻔﹶﺯﻋﺎ 4- I watch gall’ping hunters pounding away, startling peaceful game fleeing from the fray.
5- ﻭ ﻤِ ﻨﹾ ﻬ ﻥ ﻨﹶ ﺹ ﺍ ﻟ ﻌِ ﻴ ﺱِ ﻭﺍﻟﻠﱠﻴلُ ﺸ ﺎ ﻤِ لٌ ﺘﹶ ﻴ ﻤ ﻡ ﻤ ﺠ ﻬ ﻭ ﻻﹰ ﻤﻥ ﺍ ﻷ ﺭ ﺽِ ﺒﻠﹾﻘﹶﻌﺎ 5- I watch pure white camels, bright at night, towards unknown lands, heading out of sight.
6- ﺨﹶ ﻭ ﺍ ﺭِ ﺝ ﻤِ ﻥ ﺒ ﺭ ﻴ ﺔٍ ﻨﺤﻭ ﻗ ﺭ ﻴ ﺔٍ ﻴ ﺠ ﺩ ﺩ ﻥ ﻭ ﺼ ﻼﹰ ﺃﻭ ﻴ ﻘﹶ ﺭ ﺒ ﻥ ﻤﻁﹾﻤﻌﺎ 6- Out of the wilds, towards a village, head to meet loved ones, or t’covet gain, are led.
7- ﻭ ﻤ ﻨﹾ ﻬ ﻥ ﺴِ ﻭ ﻓ ﻲِ ﺍ ﻟ ﺨﹸ ﻭ ﺩ ﻗﹶ ﺩ ﺒﻠﱠﻬﺎ ﺍﻟﻨﹶﺩﻯ ﺘﹸ ﺭ ﺍ ﻗِ ﺏ ﻤ ﻨﹾ ﻅ ﻭ ﻡ ﺍ ﻟ ﺘﹶ ﻤ ﺎ ﺌِ ﻡِ ﻤﺭﻀﻌﺎ 7- I watch a perfumed, soft-dewed belle; alert. Who guards well her fine-necklaced child, ‘gainst hurt.
8- ﻴ ﻌِ ﺯ ﻋﻠﹶﻴﻬﺎ ﺭِﻴﺒﺘﻲ ﻭ ﻴ ﺴ ﻭ ﺀ ﻫ ﺎ ﺒ ﻜ ﺎ ﻩ ﻓﹶ ﺘﹶ ﺜﹾ ﻨ ﻲ ﺍ ﻟ ﺠِ ﻴ ﺩ ﺃ ﻥ ﻴ ﺘﹶ ﻀ ﻭ ﻋ ﺎ 8- She bears my care for her; th’child’s cries distress. To quiet it, it to her neck does press.
9- ﺒ ﻌ ﺜﹾ ﺕﹸ ﺇﻟﻴﻬﺎ ﻭﺍﻟﻨﹸﺠﻭﻡ ﺴﻭﺍﻁِﻊ ﺤِ ﺫ ﺍ ﺭ ﺍﹰ ﻋﻠﻴﻬﺎ ﺃﻥ ﺘﹶ ﻘﹸ ﻭ ﻡ ﻓﹶﺘﺴﻤﻌﺎ 9- I sent her word when stars through night emerged. “Beware of coming lest you should be heard”.
75
10- ﻓﹶ ﺠ ﺎ ﺀ ﺕﹾ ﻗﹶ ﻁ ﻭ ﻑﹶ ﺍ ﻟ ﻤ ﺸ ﻲِ ﻫﺎﺌﺒﺔ ﺍﻟﺴﺭﻯ ﻴﺩﺍﻓﻊ ﺭﻜﹾﻨﹶﺎﻫﺎ ﻜﹶ ﻭ ﺍ ﻋ ﺏ ﺃﺭﺒﻌﺎ 10- In slow tiptoe she came, so coy ‘n demure. With four full-breast’d belles onward her to lure.
11- ﻴﺯﺠﻴﻨﹶﻬﺎ ﻤِ ﺸﹾ ﻲ ﺍ ﻟ ﻨﱠ ﺯ ﻴ ﻑِ ﻭ ﻗﹶ ﺩ ﺠﺭﻯ ﺼ ﺒ ﺎ ﺏ ﺍﻟﻜﹶﺭﻯ ﻓﻲ ﻤ ﺨﱢ ﻪِ ﻓﹶﺘﹶﻘﹶﻁﱠﻌﺎ 11- Gently, they help her on. She lightly swayed. As one needing aid when by much drink is dazed.
12- ﺘﹶ ﻘ ﻭ لُ ﻭ ﻗﹶ ﺩ ﺠﺭﺩﺘﹸﻬﺎ ﻤِ ﻥ ﺜﹶﻴﺎﺒِﻬﺎ ﻜﹶﻤﺎ ﺭ ﻋ ﺕﹸ ﻤ ﻜﹾ ﺤ ﻭ لَ ﺍ ﻟﹾ ﻤ ﺩ ﺍ ﻤِ ﻊِ ﺃﺘﹾﻠﹶﻌﺎ 12- I took her clothes, and there she was undressed. Wide-eyed, long-necked like oryx calf. She said:
13- ﺃ ﺠ ﺩ ﻙ ﻟﹶ ﻭ ﺸ ﺊٌ ﺃﺘﺎﻨﹶﺎ ﺭِ ﺴ ﻭ ﻟﹸ ﻪ ﺴِﻭﺍﻙ، ﻭ ﻟ ﻜِ ﻥ ﻟﻡ ﻨﹶ ﺠِ ﺩ ﻟﹶ ﻙ ﻤﺩﻓﹶﻌﺎ 13- “To no messenger will we now reply. Nor will I, what you want of me, deny”.
14- ﻓﹶﺒﺘﹾﻨﹶﺎ ﻴ ﺼ ﺩ ﺍ ﻟ ﻭ ﺤ ﺵﹸ ﻋﻨﱠﺎ ﻜﺄﻨﱠﻨﹶﺎ ﻗﹶﺘﻴﻼﻥ ﻟﹶ ﻡ ﻴ ﻌ ﻠﹶ ﻡ ﻟﹶﻨﹶﺎ ﺍ ﻟ ﻨﱠ ﺎ ﺱ ﻤﺼﺭﻋﺎ 14- O’er night, wild beasts away from us had stayed. We both were slain; none knew when we were slayed.
15- ﺘﹶﺠﺎﻓﻲ ﻋ ﻥ ﺍﻟﻤﺄﺜﻭﺭ ﺒﻴﻨﻲ ﻭﺒﻴﻨﹶﻬﺎ ﻭﺘﹸﺩﻨﻲ ﻋﻠﹶﻴﻬﺎ ﺍ ﻟ ﺴ ﺎ ﺒِ ﺭِ ﻱ ﺍﻟﻤﻀﻠﱠﻌﺎ 15- She, from th’ sword that lay by us, draws away. And on me draws a cloak that close by lay
16- ﺇﺫﺍ ﺃ ﺨﹶ ﺫﹶ ﺘﹾ ﻬ ﺎ ﻫِ ﺯ ﺓﹲ ﺍ ﻟ ﺭ ﻭ ﻉِ ﺃ ﻤ ﺴ ﻜﹶ ﺕﹾ ﺒِ ﻤ ﻨﹾ ﻜِ ﺏِ ﻤِﻘﹾﺩﺍﻡ ﻋﻠﻰ ﺍ ﻟ ﻬ ﻭ لِ ﺃﺭﻭﻋﺎ 16- When thrilled with fear, a pleading hand she laid on ‘shoulder stout that through hard times had stayed.
[35] ﺭ ﺍ ﻋ ﺕﹾ ﺒ ﺎ ﻟ ﻔِ ﺭ ﺍ ﻕِ ﻤ ﺭ ﻭﻋﺎ “ Her sudden flight ”
1- ﻟﹶﻌﻤﺭﻱ ﻟﹶ ﻘﹶ ﺩ ﺒ ﺎ ﻨﹶ ﺕﹾ ﺒ ﺤ ﺎ ﺠ ﺔﹶ ﺫﻱ ﺍﻟﻬﻭﻯ ﺴ ﻌ ﺎ ﺩ ﻭ ﺭ ﺍ ﻋ ﺕﹾ ﺒﺎﻟﻔِﺭﺍﻕِ ﻤﺭﻭﻋﺎ 1- With lovers need, Su cad fled out of sight.
76
Her sudden flight so thrilled love with fright.160
2- ﻭ ﻗﹶ ﺩ ﻋ ﻤ ﺭ ﺍ ﻟ ﺭ ﻭ ﻀ ﺎ ﺕِ ﺤ ﻭ لَ ﻤ ﺨﹶ ﻁﹶ ﻁٍ ﺇﻟﻰ ﺍﻟﻠﱡﺞ ﻤﺭﺃﻯ ﻤِﻥ ﺴ ﻌ ﺎ ﺩ ﻭﻤِﺴﻤﻌﺎ 2- Gardens round “Mukhatat” and “Lujj” will stay within eye and earshot ‘f where “Sucad” lay.
3- ﻤﺘﻰ ﺘﹶ ﺭ ﺩ ﺍ ﺭ ﺍﹰ ﻤِ ﻥ ﺴ ﻌ ﺎ ﺩ ﺘﹶ ﻘِ ﻑﹾ ﺒِﻬﺎ ﻭ ﺘﹶ ﺴ ﺘﹶ ﺠ ﺭِ ﻋ ﻴ ﻨ ﺎ ﻙ ﺍ ﻟ ﺩ ﻤ ﻭ ﻉ ﻓﺘﹶﺩﻤﻌﺎ 3- Should I behold where’er Sucad may dwell. My tears would of re-kindled anguish tell.
[36] ﺜﹶﻭﻯ ﺃﺒﻭ ﺍﻷﻴﺘﺎﻡ “ The orphans’ father is at rest ”
An elegy on ‘al-Harith b. Habib al-Salmi who accompanied him to Syria:
1- ﺜﻭﻯ ﻋِ ﻨﹾ ﺩ ﺍ ﻟ ﻭ ﺩِ ﻴ ﺔِ ﺠ ﻭ ﻑﹶ ﺒﺼﺭﻯ ﺃﺒﻭ ﺍﻷﻴﺘﹶﺎﻡ ﻭﺍﻟﻜﹶلﱢ ﺍ ﻟ ﻌِ ﺠ ﺎ ﻑِ 1- By palms at “Jawf Busra” now lies, at rest;161 of fathers of orphans ‘n striplings; the best.
2- ﻓﹶ ﻤ ﻥ ﻴﺤﻤِﻲ ﺍ ﻟ ﻤ ﻀ ﺎ ﻑﹶ ﺇﺫﺍ ﺩ ﻋ ﺎ ﻩ ﻭ ﻴ ﺤ ﻤِ لُ ﺨﹸ ﻁﹼ ﺔﹶ ﺍ ﻷ ﻨﹶ ﺱِ ﺍ ﻟ ﻀ ﻌِ ﺎ ﻑِ 2- Who now, will, to protect the dest’tute, seek? And bear the burden of the meek and weak?
[37] ﻋِ ﻡ ﺼﺒﺎﺤ ﺎﹰ ﺃﻴﻬﺎ ﺍ ﻟ ﺭ ﺒ ﻊ ﻭ ﺍ ﻨﹾ ﻁِ ﻕِ “ Good morn, Folk ”
1- ﺃﻻ ﺍﻨﹾﻌﻡ ﺼ ﺒ ﺎ ﺤ ﺎﹰ ﺃﻴﻬﺎ ﺍ ﻟ ﺭ ﺒ ﻊ ﻭﺍﻨﹾﻁـِﻕ ِ ﻭ ﺤ ﺩ ﺙﹾ ﺤ ﺩ ﻴ ﺙﹶ ﺍ ﻟ ﺭ ﻜﹾ ﺏِ ﺇﻥ ﺸِ ﺌ ﺕﹶ ﻓﺎﺼﺩِﻕ ِ
160 With lover’s needs: she has fled away with what he needs of her as a lover; thus terrifying him. 161 Jawf Busra: a location in Syria.
77
1- Good morn to you, friends, and let us speak162 as those riding togeth’r the truth do seek.
2- ﻭ ﺤ ﺩ ﺙﹾ ﺒﺄﻥ ﺯﺍﻟﹶﺕﹾ ﺒِﻠﹶﻴ لٍ ﺤ ﻤ ﻭ ﻟﹸ ﻬ ﻡ ﻜﹶ ﻨﹾ ﺨ لٍ ﻤﻥ ﺍﻷﻋﺭﺍﺽ ِ ﻏﹶ ﻴ ﺭ ﻤﻨﹶﺒﻕ ِ 2- And tell how, o`ernight, their camels vanished.163 Leaving them like palms whose fruit had perished.
3- ﺠ ﻌ ﻠﹾ ﻥ ﺤﻭﺍﻴﺎ ﻭ ﺍ ﻗﹾ ﺘﹶ ﻌ ﺩ ﻥ ﻗﹶ ﻌ ﺎ ﺌِ ﺩ ﺍﹰ ﻭ ﺤ ﻔﹼ ﻔﹾ ﻥ ﻤِ ﻥ ﺤ ﻭ ﻙِ ﺍﻟﻌـِﺭﺍﻕ ِ ﺍﻟﻤﻨﻤﻕ ِ 3- Sitting at the camel frames they’d retrieved, they set to work, `Iraq’s bright cloth they weaved.164
4- ﻭ ﻓﹶ ﻭ ﻕﹶ ﺍ ﻟ ﺤ ﻭ ﺍ ﻴ ﺎ ﻏِ ﺯ ﻟﹶ ﺔﹲ ﻭ ﺠ ﺂ ﺫ ﺭ ﺘﹶ ﻀ ﻤ ﺨﹾ ﻥ ﻤِ ﻥ ﻤِ ﺴ ﻙٍ ﺫ ﻜ ﻲ ﻭﺯﻨﹾﺒﻕ ِ 4- On pads, young maids sat to their craft. Perfumed, with scent of musk and tulip awaft.
5- ﻓﺄﺘﺒﻌﺘﹸﻡ ﻁﹶﺭﻓﻲ ﻭ ﻗﹶ ﺩ ﺤ ﺎ لَ ﺩ ﻭ ﻨﹶ ﻬ ﻡ ﻏ ﻭ ﺍ ﺭِ ﺏ ﺭ ﻤ لٍ ﺫﻱ ﺃ ﻻ ﺀٍ ﻭﺸِﺒﺭِﻕ ِ 5- My eyes followed, till of them lost sight behind trees rising on a sandy height.165
6- ﻋﻠﻰ ﺇ ﺜﹾ ﺭِ ﺤ ﻲ ﻋ ﺎ ﻤِ ﺩ ﻴ ﻥ ﻟِﻨﻴﺔٍ ﻓﹶﺤﻠﹼﻭﺍ ﺍ ﻟ ﻌ ﻘ ﻴ ﻕﹶ ﺍﻭ ﺜﹶﻨﻴﺔﹶ ﻤﻁﹾﺭِﻕ ِ 6- I followed tracks of folk, bent on their way. Who at “cAqiq” or “Mutraq” plan to stay.
7- ﻓﹶ ﻌ ﺯ ﻴ ﺕﹸ ﻨﹶﻔﹾﺴﻲ ﺤِ ﻴ ﻥ ﺒﺎﻨﻭﺍ ﺒِ ﺠ ﺴ ﺭ ﺓٍ ﺃ ﻤ ﻭ ﻥٍ ﻜﺒﻨﻴﺎﻥ ﺍ ﻟ ﻴ ﻬ ﻭ ﺩ ﻱ ﺨﹶﻴﻔﹶﻕ ِ 7- Consoled I was when their cam’l came in sight. So tall it was, as Jew’s house rises ‘n height.166
162 “Good morn” was a standard salutation of the pre-Islamic Arabs. He urges candid conversation with his friends as they set out for the hunt. Those riding together, he says- for mutual protection and gain- are truthful in their conversation. 163 He tells a story to his companions as they ride out together. 164 Their camels having been driven away while at pasture they sat to the camel’s saddling frames, which they turned to looms, and set about weaving `Iraqs’ bright, ornamented cloth; sitting on sacks used for padding the saddle-frames around the animals’, humps. 165 The verse identifies the species of trees as “Alaa`” and “Shabraq”, that flourish on sandy heights. 166 “Jew’s house”: refer’s to `al-Ablaq”, the mansion of the Jewish poet ‘al-Samaw’al, known for his loyalty and devotion to those who seek his aid, as Imru’ul Qays did.
78
8- ﺇﺫﺍ ﺯ ﺠِ ﺭ ﺕﹾ ﺃﻟﻔﹶﻴﺘﹸﻬﺎ ﻤ ﺸﹶ ﻤ ﻌِ ﻠﹶ ﺔﹰ ﺘﹸﻨﻴﻑﹸ ﺒِ ﻌِ ﺫﹾ ﻕٍ ﻤ ﻥ ﻏﹶﺭﺍﺱ ِﺍﺒﻥ ﻤﻌﻨِﻕ ِ 8- Prodded, see how she briskly breaks t’canter. Her ample tail hangs rich; dates in cluster.167
9- ﺘﹶ ﺭ ﻭ ﺡ ﺇﺫﺍ ﺭ ﺍ ﺤ ﺕﹾ ﺭ ﻭ ﺍ ﺡ ﺠ ﻬ ﺎ ﻤ ﺔٍ ﺒ ﺈ ﺜ ﺭِ ﺠﻬﺎﻡ ٍ ﺭﺍﺌِﺢ ٍ ﻤﺘﹶﻔﹶﺭﻕ ِ 9- So fast she goes, like cloud whose rain was shed. And, after oth’r such clouds, had swiftly fled.
10- ﻜ ﺄ ﻥ ﻫِ ﺭ ﺍﹰ ﺠﻨِﻴﺒﺎﹰ ﺘﹶﺠﺭﻩ ﺒِ ﻜﹸ لﱢ ﻁﹶﺭﻴﻕ ٍ ﺼ ﺎ ﺩ ﻓﹶ ﺘ ـ ﻪ ﻭﻤﺄْﺯِﻕ ِ 10- She canters wild, as if upon her side a furious scratching cat to her is tied.168
11- ﻜﺄﻨﻲ ﻭﺭﺤﻠﻲ ﻭﺍﻟﻘِﺭﺍﺏ ﻭﻨﹸﻤﺭﻗﻲ ﻋﻠﻰ ﻴ ﺭ ﻓﹶ ﺌ ﻲ ﺫﻱ ﺯ ﻭ ﺍ ﺌِ ﺩ ﻨِﻘﹾﻨِﻕ ِ 11- On her; with my saddle, cushions, and sheath; as if I had an ostrich underneath.169
12- ﺘﹶ ﺭ ﻭ ﺡ ﻤِ ﻥ ﺃﺭﺽ ٍ ﻷﺭﺽ ٍ ﻨﹶ ﻁِ ﻴ ﺔٍ ﻟ ﺫِ ﻜﹾ ﺭ ﺓِ ﻗﹶﺒﺽ ٍ ﺤ ﻭ لَ ﺒﻴﺽ ٍ ﻤﻔﹶﻠﱠﻕ ِ 12- Such ostrich that paces with great dispatch, in care for eggs that in far lands will hatch.
13- ﻴ ﺠ ﻭ لُ ﺒِﺂﻓﺎﻕِ ﺍ ﻟ ﺒِ ﻼ ﺩِ ﻤ ﻐ ﺭ ﺒ ﺎﹰ ﻭ ﺘﹶ ﺴ ﺤ ﻘﹸ ﻪ ﺍﻟﺼﺒﺎ ﻜﹸ لﱠ ﻤﺴﺤﻕ ِ 13- Westward it roams; across lands far and near. With brisk breezes for tail wind at its rear.
14- ﻭ ﺒ ﻴ ﺕِ ﻴ ﻔﹸ ﻭ ﺡ ﺍ ﻟ ﻤِ ﺴ ﻙ ﻓﻲ ﺤ ﺠ ﺭ ﺍ ﺘِ ﻪِ ﺒ ﻌ ﻴ ﺩٍ ﻤﻥ ﺍ ﻵ ﻓ ﺎ ﺕِ ﻏ ﻴ ﺭِ ﻤ ﺭﻭﻕ ِ 14- A house where musk wafts ‘cross its rooms and floors. From sickness free, without dark corridors.170
15- ﺩ ﺨﹶ ﻠﹾ ﺕﹸ ﻋﻠﻰ ﺒﻴﻀﺎﺀ ﺠ ﻡٍ ﻋِﻅﹶﺎﻤﻬﺎ ﺘﺤﻔﻲ ﺒﺫﻴل ِ ﺍﻟﺩِﺭﻉ ِ ﺍﺫ ﺠِ ﺌ ﺕﹸ ﻤ ﻭ ﺩِ ﻗ ﻲ 15- With one fair, full-fleshed belle I laid me down,
167 The richly clustered dates specifically refer to the choice date palms planted by one Ibn Mu`annaq. 168 The verse mentions the camel, with a scratching cat tied to its flank, passing through narrow gorges. 169 With all his baggage on her, she is as fleeting as an ostrich. 170 The house here is probably `al-Ablaq, the mansion of the poet `al-Samaw`al.
79
who then wiped my footprints off with her gown.
16- ﻭ ﻗﹶ ﺩ ﺭ ﻜﹶ ﺩ ﺕﹾ ﻭ ﺴ ﻁﹶ ﺍﻟﺴﻤﺎﺀِ ﻨﹸﺠﻭﻤﻬﺎ ﺭ ﻜ ﻭ ﺩ ﻨﻭﺍﺩِﻯ ﺍ ﻟ ﺭ ﺒ ﺭ ﺏِ ﺍﻟﻤﺜﻭﺭﻕ ِ 16- The stars, midst heavens held quiet and still. Like oryx herd, at night, cropping its fill
17- ﻭ ﻗﹶ ﺩ ﺃﻏﹾﺘﹶﺩﻱ ﻗﺒل ﺍﻟﻌﻁﹶﺎﺱ ِ ﺒِ ﻬ ﻴ ـ ﻜﹶ لٍ ﺸﹶ ﺩ ﻴ ﺩِ ﻤ ﺸﹶ ﻙ ﺍ ﻟ ﺠ ﻨﹾ ﺏِ ﻓﹶ ﻌِ ﻡِ ﺍﻟﻤﻨﻁﱠﻕ ِ 17- ‘fore dawn, when all’s quiet, I rise to deed to mount a temple of a stone-flanked steed171
18- ﺒ ﻌ ﺜﹾ ﻨ ﺎ ﺭﺒِﻴﺌﺎﹰ ﻗﹶ ﺒ لَ ﺫﹶ ﻟِ ﻙ ﻤ ﺨ ﻤِ ﻼﹰ ﻜﹶ ﺫِ ﺌ ﺏِ ﺍﻟﻐﹶﻀﺎ ﻴﻤﺸﻲ ﺍ ﻟ ﻀ ﺭ ﺍ ﺀ ﻭﻴﺘﱠﻘﻲ 18- The scout we sent by hill-top trees abides, like stealthy wolf that in a spinney hides.172
19- ﻓﹶ ﻅﹶ لﱠ ﻜﹶ ﻤِ ﺜ ـْ لِ ﺍ ﻟ ﺨِ ﺸﹾ ﻑِ ﻴ ﺭ ﻓﹶ ﻊ ﺭ ﺃ ﺴ ﻪ ﻭﺴﺎﺌﺭﻩ ﻤِ ﺜ لُ ﺍ ﻟ ﺘ ـُ ﺭ ﺍ ﺏِ ﺍﻟﻤﺩﻗﱠﻕ ِ 19- Flat down, on ground, the lurking scout did lay Like born calf; so’s not him to prey betray.173
20- ﻭ ﺠ ﺎ ﺀ ﺨﹶ ﻔِ ﻴ ﺎﹰ ﻴ ﺴ ﻔِ ﻥ ﺍ ﻷ ﺭ ﺽ ﺒﻁﹾﻨﹸﻪ ﺘﹶﺭﻯ ﺍﻟﺘﱡﺭ ﺏ ﻤِ ﻨﹾ ﻪ ﻻ ﺼ ﻘ ﺎﹰ ﻜﹸ لﱠ ﻤ ﻠﹾ ﺼ ﻕِ 20- On ground he moves in slowest belly crawl, To him dust sticks, ‘nd till end of crawl, won’t fall. 21- ﻓﹶ ﻘ ﺎ لَ ﺃ ﻻﹶ ﻫﺫﺍ ﺼِ ﻭ ﺍ ﺭ ﻭ ﻋ ﺎ ﻨﹶ ﺔﹲ ﻭ ﺨِ ﻴ ﻁﹸ ﻨﹶ ﻌ ﺎ ﻡٍ ﻴﺭﺘﹶﻌِﻲ ﻤ ﺘ ﻔ ﺭ ﻕِ 21- Said he “are’nt those oryx herds and wild-ass; and scattered ostrich grazing on the grass?”.
22- ﻓﹶﻘﹸﻤﻨﺎ ﺒ ﺄ ﺸﹾ ﻼ ﺀِ ﺍﻟﻠﱢﺠﺎﻡ ﻭﻟﻡ ﻨﹸ ﻘﹸ ﺩ ﺇﻟﻰ ﻏ ﺼ ﻥِ ﺒﺎﻥ ٍ ﻨﹶﺎﻀِﺭ ٍ ﻟﹶ ﻡ ﻴﺤﺭﻕ ِ 22- I, with bit-strap, arose the horse to rein. In spirits high, it at the rein did strain.174
171 the steed is likened to a temple in its height and solid masonry. 172 The scout was sent to reconnoiter the prey before the poet rose at dawn “to deed”, i.e the hunt. The wolf also hides, in stealth, for its prey. 173 “Like born calf”: Like a newly-born oryx calf lying heavily on the ground. So with the scout; with only slight movements of his head to observe prey.
80
23- ﻨﹸﺯﺍﻭﻟﹸﻪ ﺤﺘﻰ ﺤﻤﻠﹾﻨﹶﺎ ﻏﹸﻼﻤﻨﹶﺎ ﻋﻠﻰ ﻅﹶ ﻬ ﺭِ ﺴ ﺎ ﻁٍ ﻜﺎﻟﺼﻠﻴﻑِ ﺍﻟﻤﻌﺭﻕ ِ 23- We all tried hard to place our boy on horse whose frame’s well-turned, and races through its course.175
24- ﻜ ﺄ ﻥ ﻏﹸﻼﻤﻲ ﺇﺫ ﻋﻼ ﺤ ﺎ لَ ﻤ ﺘﹾ ﻨِ ﻪِ ﻋﻠﻰ ﻅﹶ ﻬ ﺭِ ﺒ ﺎ ﺯٍ ﻓﻲ ﺍ ﻟ ﺴ ﻤ ﺎ ﺀِ ﻤﺤﻠﱢﻕ ِ 24- My boy, at length on horse was mounted high. Like ‘pon a hawk that way up high does fly.
25- ﺭﺃﻯ ﺃ ﺭ ﻨﹶ ﺒ ﺎﹰ ﻓ ﺎ ﻨﹾ ﻘﹶ ﺽ ﻴﻬﻭﻱ ﺃ ﻤ ﺎ ﻤ ﻪ ﺇﻟﻴﻬﺎ ﻭ ﺠ ﻼﹼ ﻫ ﺎ ﺒِ ﻁﹶ ﺭ ﻕٍ ﻤﻠﹶﻘﹾﻠﹶﻕ ِ 25- A hawk, spying a hare from way up high, zoomed down ‘pon that it did from high espy.
26- ﻓﹶ ﻘﹸ ﻠﹾ ﺕﹸ ﻟﹶ ﻪ ﺼﻭﺏ ﻭﻻ ﺘﹸ ﺠ ﻬِ ﺩ ﻨﱠ ﻪ ﻓﹶ ﻴ ﺫِ ﺭ ﻙ ﻤ ﻥ ﺃﻋﻠﻰ ﺍﻟﻘﹶﻁﺎﺓِ ﻓﹶﺘﹶﺯﻟﹶﻕ ِ 26- To boy said I:“spur not! Steer’t so with stealth. Or else its pow’r would throw you down to death”.
27- ﻭ ﺃ ﺩ ﺒ ﺭ ﻥ ﻜ ﺎ ﻟ ﺠ ﺯ ﻉِ ﺍﻟﻤﻔﺼل ﺒ ﻴ ﻨﹶ ﻪ ﺒِ ﺠِ ﻴ ﺩِ ﺍﻟﻐﹸﻼﻡ ﺫﻱ ﺍ ﻟ ﻘﹶ ﻤِ ﻴ ﺹِ ﺍﻟﻤﻁﹶﻭﻕ ِ 27- So rich and bright colours th’ oryx bedeck, like richest beads round a well-born boy’s neck.
28- ﻭ ﺃ ﺩ ﺭ ﻜﹶ ﻬ ﻥ ﺜﺎﻨﻴﺎﹰ ﻤِ ﻥ ﻋ ﻨﹶ ﺎ ﻨِ ﻪِ ﻜﹶ ﻐﹶ ﻴ ﺙِ ﺍ ﻟ ﻌ ﺸ ﻲ ﺍ ﻷ ﻗﹾ ﻬ ﺏ ﺍﻟﻤﺘﻭﺩِﻕ ِ 28- The steed soon caught the herd upon the plain. Like land caught by the heavy pour of rain.
29- ﻓﹶ ﺼ ﺎ ﺩ ﻟﹶﻨﹶﺎ ﺜ ﻭ ﺭ ﺍﹰ ﻭ ﻋ ﻴ ﺭ ﺍﹰ ﻭ ﺨ ﺎ ﻀِ ﺒ ﺎﹰ ﻋِ ﺩ ﺍ ﺀ ﻭﻟﻡ ﻴ ﻨﹾ ﻀ ﺢ ﺒِ ﻤ ﺎ ﺀٍ ﻓﹶﻴﻌﺭﻕ ِ 29- A bull, an ass, an ostrich f’r us it caught. Yet dry it stayed, with sweaty stress unfraught.
30- ﻭ ﻅﹶ لﱠ ﻏﹸﻼﻤﻲ ﻴ ﻀ ﺠِ ﻊ ﺍ ﻟ ﺭ ﻤ ﺢ ﺤ ﻭ ﻟﹶ ﻪ ﻟِ ﻜﹸ لﱢ ﻤ ﻬ ﺎ ﺓٍ ﺃﻭ ﻷَ ﺤ ﻘﹶ ﺏ ﺴﻬﻭﻕ ِ
174 The verse likens the horse’s supple, finely arched neck to a “ban” tree branch. The horse, enthusiastic about the coming hunt, and in high spirits, does not hold still for the bit to be placed in its mouth. 175 The boy could not mount the horse of alacrity, by himself and had to be helped on. “well-turned refers to wood work supporting the camel saddle. The horse was as “well-turned” as the camel saddle’s wood work.
81
30- My lad with ease his lance on beasts let fall on oryx, ‘nd asses with fine necks and tall.
31- ﻭ ﻗ ﺎ ﻡ ﻁﹸﻭﺍل ﺍﻟﺸﺨﺹ ﺇﺫ ﻴ ﺨ ﻀ ﺒ ﻭ ﻨﹶ ﻪ ﻗﻴﺎﻡ ﺍﻟﻌﺯﻴﺯ ﺍ ﻟ ﻔ ﺎ ﺭ ﺴِ ﻲ ﺍﻟﻤﻨﹶﻁﱠﻕ ِ 31- The hunting steed, with prey’s spilt blood is smeared. A sashed Persian grandee; awesome, and feared.
32- ﻓﹶﻘﹸﻠﹾﻨﹶﺎ ﺃﻻ ﻗﹶ ﺩ ﻜﹶ ﺎ ﻥ ﺼ ﻴ ﺩ ﻟﹶﻘﺎﻨِﺹ ٍ ﻓﹶ ﺨﹶﺒﻭﺍ ﻋﻠﻴﻨﺎ ﻜﹸ لﱠ ﺜﹶ ﻭ ﺏٍ ﻤ ﺭ ﻭ ﻕِ ِ 32- Said we: “Fine hunt did th’finer hunter pluck. So let fine tent for us to rest, be struck”
33- ﻭ ﻅﹶ لﱠ ﺼِ ﺤ ﺎ ﺒِ ﻲ ﻴ ﺸ ﺘﹶ ﻭ ﻭ ﻥ ﺒ ﻨﹾ ﻌ ﻤ ﺔٍ ﻴ ﺼ ﻔﱡ ﻭ ﻥ ﻏﹶ ﺎ ﺭ ﺍﹰ ﺒﺎﻟﻠﻜﻴﻙِ ﺍﻟﻤﻭﺸﱠﻕ ِ 33- Prime meat my friends had cut and boiled in brine. Then in a cave they hung th’ boiled in line.
34- ﻭﺭﺤﻨﹶﺎ ﻜﺄﻨﺎ ﻤ ﻥ ﺠﺅﺍﺜﻰ ﻋ ﺸﱠ ﻴ ﺔِ ﻨﹸﻌﺎﻟﻲ ﺍﻟﻨﱢﻌﺎﺝ ﺒ ﻴ ﻥ ﻋ ﺩ لٍ ﻭﻤﺸﹾﻨﹶﻕ ِ 34- Like “Ju`atha” kings back from hunting feat we left; our bags and mounts heavy with meat.176
35- ﻭﺭﺤﻨﹶﺎ ﺒِ ﻜﹶ ﺎ ﺒِ ﻥ ﺍ ﻟ ﻤ ﺎ ﺀِ ﻴ ﺠ ﻨﹶ ﺏ ﻭﺴﻁﹶﻨﹶﺎ ﺘﹶ ﺼ ﻭ ﺏ ﻓ ﻴ ﻪِ ﺍ ﻟ ﻌ ﻴ ﻥ ﻁﹶ ﻭ ﺭ ﺍﹰ ﻭ ﺘﹶ ﺭ ﺘﹶ ﻘ ﻲ 35- We left on streamlined steeds, speedy and free. Like sightly birds eyes ever yearn to see.
36- ﻭ ﺃ ﺼ ﺒ ﺢ ﺯ ﻫ ﻠﹸ ﻭ ﻻﹰ ﻴ ﺯِ لﱡ ﻏﹸﻼﻤﻨﺎ ﻜﹶﻘِﺩﺡ ﺍ ﻟ ﻨﱠ ﻀ ﻲ ﺒ ﺎ ﻟ ﻴ ﺩ ﻴ ﻥِ ﺍﻟﻤﻔﹶﻭﻕ ِ 36- The smooth-backed steed could well the lad o’er throw. ‘t was light; as an unpoint’d, unfeath’rd arrow.
37- ﻜ ﺄ ﻥ ﺩِ ﻤ ﺎ ﺀِ ﺍ ﻟ ﻬ ﺎ ﺩِ ﻴ ﺎ ﺕِ ﺒِ ﻨﹶ ﺤ ﺭِ ﻩِ ﻋ ﺼ ﺎ ﺭ ﺓﹸ ﺤ ﻨﱠ ﺎ ﺀٍ ﺒِ ﺸﹶ ﻴ ﺏٍ ﻤﻔﹶﺭﻕ ِ 37- Besmeared with blood of th’ wild-asses it slayed like “henna” with which graying hair is laid.177
176 “Ju`atha”: a prosperous city in Bahrain, known for its thriving markets. 177 Wild ass blood on its neck is likened to henna, the blood-coloured hair dye still in use now. Henna was, and is still used as a cosmetic to dye women’s’ hands and feet on festive occasions.
82
[38] ﻻ ﻴﺫﹾﻫﺏ ﺸﹶﻴﺨﻲ ﺒﺎﻁِﻼ “ M’sire’s blood shall not in vain be shed ”
`al-Hyatham b. cUdey relates that Imru’ul Qays, when still a boy, was staying with his relatives, the Beni Handhal when news of his father’s murder came in, with details of the bloody episode. Given the horrendous news, he cried out:
1- ﻴﺎ ﻟﹶ ﻬ ﻑﹶ ﻫِ ﻨﹾ ﺩٍ ﺍﺫ ﺨﹶ ﻁِ ﺌ ﻥ ﻜﺎﻫِﻼ ﺍ ﻟ ﻘﹶ ﺎ ﺘِ ﻠ ﻴ ﻥ ﺍ ﻟ ﻤ ﻠِ ﻙ ﺍ ﻟ ﺤ ﻼ ﺤِ ﻼﹶ 1- Hind! Th’strike at “Kahil” of the mark shot wide. Where slayers of the noble king still hide.178
2- ﺨﹶ ﻴ ﺭ ﻤ ﻌ ﺩ ﺤ ﺴ ﺒ ﺎﹰ ﻭ ﻨﹶ ﺎ ﺌِ ﻼﹰ ﻭ ﺨﹶ ﻴ ﺭ ﻫ ﻡ ﻗﹶ ﺩ ﻋ ﻠِ ﻤ ﻭ ﺍ ﺸﹶﻤﺎﺌِﻼ 2- To end “Macads” blood line I am intent. The last of them shall know on what I’m bent.179
3- ﻨﹶ ﺤ ﻥ ﺠﻠﹶﺒﻨﹶﺎ ﺍ ﻟ ﻘﹸ ﺭ ﺡ ﺍﻟﻘﹶﻭﺍﻓِﻼ ﺘﺎﻟﻠﹼﻪ ﻻ ﻴ ﺫﹾ ﻫ ﺏ ﺸﻴﺨﻲ ﺒﺎﻁِﻼ 3- On hard and lean war-steeds to war we sped. By God! M’sire’s blood shall not in vain be shed.
4- ﻴ ﺤ ﻤِ ﻠﹾ ﻨﹶ ﻨ ﺎ ﻭ ﺍ ﻷ ﺴ لَ ﺍﻟﻨﱠﻭﺍﻫِﻼ ﻭ ﺤ ﻲ ﺼ ﻌ ﺏٍ ﻭ ﺍ ﻟ ﻭ ﺸ ﻴ ﺞ ﺍﻟﺫﺍﺒِﻼ 4- Us, and thirsty lances, our steeds will bear. To thrust at “Sa`ab”, ‘n his flimsy harness tear.180
5- ﻤ ﺴ ﺘﹶ ﺸ ﻔِ ﺭ ﺍ ﺕٍ ﺒﺎﻟﺤﺼﻰ ﺠ ﻭ ﺍ ﻓِ ﻼﹰ ﻴﺴﺘﹶﺸﺭِﻑﹸ ﺍ ﻷ ﻭ ﺍ ﺨِ ﺭ ﺍﻷﻭﺍﺌِﻼ 5- At their strappings, their hoofs fast pebbles shoot Last steeds o’er take first; all with surest foot.181
178 Hind is variously named by commentators as the poet’s sister, or daughter. Here he cries out to her in pain. Kahil was an encampment of the Beni Assad, his father’s slayers. Building on what the courier told him, he relates how his clan’s horsemen, aiming at Kahil, missed it and struck elsewhere. 179 “Ma`ad” is the ancestor of the Beni Assad, his father’s slayers. 180 Thirsty: blood thirsty. Sa`ab is identified as Sa`ab b. `Ali b. Bekr b. Wa`il- implicated in his father’s murder.
83
ﺤﺘﻰ ﺃُﺒﻴﺩ ﻤﺎﻟِﻜﺎﹰ ﻭﻜﺎﻫِﻼ ً 6- 6- Til I with “Malik” ‘n “Kahil” do away.182
[39] ﻓﹶﻼ ﺘﹸ ﺴ ﻠِ ﻤ ﻨ ﻲ ﻴﺎ ﺭﺒﻴﻊ “ Deliv’r me not, Rabci ”
It was related that Imru’ul Qays had grossly offended his father by his cutting verse, so much so that his father ordered one of his retainers, Rabica, to take him away, have him slain and bring back his eyes. The retainer took the young offending poet to a mountain, left him there, and brought back the gouged eyes of an oryx. The father, deeply grieved by his hasty, angry decision, sank into deepest gloom. The retainer comforted him, cheering him up with the news that the offending son was alive and well. Rabica returned to bring young Imru’ul Qays back, as the remorse-ful father ordered. As the retainer met him, the young poet recited these lines:
1- ﻓﹶﻼ ﺘﹸﺴﻠِﻤﻨﱢﻲ ﻴﺎ ﺭﺒِﻴﻊ ﻟِ ﻬ ﺫِ ﻩِ ﻭ ﻜﹸ ﻨﹾ ﺕﹸ ﺃﺭﺍﻨﻲ ﻗﹶ ﺒ ﻠﹶ ﻬ ﺎ ﺒِ ﻙ ﻭﺍﺜﻘﺎ 1- Deliv’r me not, Rabci, to this dire fate. In you I had full trust till this dire date.
2- ﻤﺨﹶﺎﻟِﻔﹶﺔﹲ ﻨﹶﻭﻯ ﺃ ﺴِ ﻴ ﺭٍ ﺒِ ﻘﹶ ﺭ ﻴ ﺔٍ ﺜــُﺭﻯ ﻋﺭﺒِﻴﺎﻥٍ ﻴ ﺸِ ﻤ ﻥ ﺍﻟﺒﻭﺍﺭِﻗﺎ 2- Captive I’m not who far from home had sate to watch, where lightning’s bless’d rain falls, and wait.
3- ﻓﺄﻤﺎ ﺘﹶﺭِﻴﻨﻲ ﺍﻟﻴﻭﻡ ﻓﻲ ﺭ ﺃْ ﺱِ ﺸ ﺎ ﻫِ ﻕٍ ﻓﻘﺩ ﺃﻏﺘﺩﻱ ﺃ ﻗﹸ ﻭ ﺩ ﺃ ﺠ ﺭ ﺩ ﺘﺎﺌِﻘﺎ 3- I’m seen today, atop a mountain, cast. T’morrow, hunt-bound on stoutest steed and fast.
4- ﻭ ﻗﹶ ﺩ ﺃ ﺫﹾ ﻋ ﺭ ﺍ ﻟ ﻭ ﺤ ﺵﹶ ﺍﻟﺭِﺘﺎﻉ ﺒِ ﻘﹶ ﻔﹾ ﺭ ﺓٍ ﻭ ﻗﹶ ﺩ ﺃﺠﺘﻠﻲ ﺒِ ﻴ ﺽ ﺍ ﻟ ﺨﹸ ﺩ ﻭ ﺩِ ﺍﻟﺭﻭﺍﺌِﻘﺎ 4- I may startle qu’et prey, grazing away.
181 “Strappings”; Saddle-straps. 182 Line 6 consists of one concluding hemistich.
84
And may my eyes on lovely women lay.
5- ﻨﹶﻭﺍﻋِﻡ ﺘﹶﺠﻠﻭ ﻋ ﻥ ﻤ ﺘﹸ ﻭ ﻥٍ ﻨﹶ ﻘِ ﻴ ﺔٍ ﻋ ﺒِ ﻴ ﺭ ﺍﹰ ﻭ ﺭ ﻴ ﻁ ﺎﹰ ﺠ ﺎ ﺴِ ﺩ ﺍﹰ ﻭ ﺸﹶ ﻘ ﺎ ﺌِ ﻘ ﺎ 5- Lovely women, their backs so clear and bare, Perfumed; who gowns, red’n saffron yellow, wear.
[40] ﺃﻻ ﻋِ ﻡ ﺼ ﺒ ﺎ ﺤ ﺎﹰ “ ‘Good Morn’ to you ”
1- ﺃﻻ ﻋ ﻡ ﺼ ﺒ ﺎ ﺤ ﺎﹰ ﺃﻴﻬﺎ ﺍﻟﻁﱠﻠﹶلُ ﺍﻟﺒﺎﻟﻲ ﻭ ﻫ لْ ﻴ ﻌ ﻤِ ﻥ ﻤ ﻥ ﻜ ﺎ ﻥ ﻓﻲ ﺍ ﻟ ﻌ ﺼ ﺭ ﺍﻟﺨﹶﺎﻟﻲ 1- Good morn to you, o ruined abode of yore. Do folk prosper who lived here long before?
2- ﻭ ﻫ لْ ﻴ ﻌِ ﻤ ﻥ ﺇﻻ ﺴ ﻌِ ﻴ ﺩ ﻤ ﺨﹶ ﻠﱠ ﺩ ﻗﹶﻠﻴلَ ﺍﻟﻬﻤﻭﻡِ ﻤﺎ ﻴﺒﻴﺕﹸ ﺒﺄﻭﺠﺎل ِ 2- Who prospers but one who lives in cheer. Whose cares are few and ne’er spends nights in fear.
3- ﻭ ﻫ لْ ﻴ ﻌِ ﻤ ﻥ ﻤ ﻥ ﻜ ﺎ ﻥ ﺃ ﺤ ﺩ ﺙﹸ ﻋ ﻬ ﺩِ ﻩِ ﺜﻼﺜﻴﻥ ﺸﹶ ﻬ ﺭ ﺍﹰ ﻓﻲ ﺜﹶ ﻼ ﺜﹶ ﺔﹸ ﺃﺤﻭﺍل ِ 3- The closest t’prospering I had ever been was thirty months in space of score ‘n sixteen.183
4- ﺩِ ﻴ ﺎ ﺭ ﻟِ ﺴ ﻠﹾ ﻤ ﻰ ﻋﺎ ﻨِ ﻴ ﺎ ﺕﹲ ﺒِﺫﻱ ﺨﹶ ﺎ لِ ﺃَ ﻟﹶ ﺢ ﻋﻠﻴﻬﺎ ﻜﹸ لﱡ ﺃ ﺴ ﺤ ﻡ ﻫﻁﱠﺎل ِ 4- “Dhi Khal”, Selma’s home, is no longer there t’rrential rain reduced it to ruins bare.
5- ﻭ ﺘﹶ ﺤ ﺴ ﺏ ﺴﻠﹾﻤﻰ ﻻ ﺘﹶ ﺯ ﺍ لُ ﺘﹶﺭﻯ ﻁﹶ ﻼ ﻤِ ﻥ ﺍﻟﻭﺤﺵ ِ ﺍﻭ ﺒ ﻴ ﻀ ﺎﹰ ﺒِﻤﻴﺜﺎﺀ ِ ﻤﺤﻼل ِ 5- Selma’s vision, at th’vale, appears among ostrich nest eggs, and oryx with their young.184
6- ﻭ ﺘﹶ ﺤ ﺴِ ﺏ ﺴﻠﹾﻤﻰ ﻻ ﺘ ﺯ ﺍ لُ ﻜﹶ ﻌ ﻬ ﺩِ ﻨ ﺎ ﺒِﻭﺍﺩﻱ ﺍﻟﺨﹸﺯﺍﻤﻰ ﺍﻭ ﻋﻠﻰ ﺭ ﺱ ﺃﻭﻋﺎل ِ 6- Selma appears where together once were we;
183 The closest he came to prosperity and good forture was a period of thirty months in the space of three years. 184 He so imagines Selma after her home is inundated by torrential rain.
85
where rams drink by th’ well in the flow’ry lea.
7- ﻟﹶﻴﺎﻟﻲ ﺴﻠﻤﻰ ﺇ ﺫﹾ ﺘﹸ ﺭ ﻴ ﻙ ﻤ ﻨﹶ ﺼ ﺒ ﺎﹰ ﻭ ﺠِ ﻴ ﺩ ﺍﹰ ﻜﹶ ﺠ ﻴ ﺩِ ﺍﻟﺭﺌﻡ ِ ﻟ ﻴ ﺱ ﺒـِﻤﻌﻁﺎل ِ 7- O for Selma’s nights! Pearl teeth set aright. Her bare neck, like a hind’s, was fine and white.
8- ﺃ ﻻﹶ ﺯ ﻋ ﻤ ﺕﹾ ﺒِ ﺴ ﺒ ﺎ ﺴ ﺔﹸ ﺍ ﻟ ﻴ ﻭ ﻡ ﺃَﻨﻨﻲ ﻜﹶﺒِﺭﺕ ﻭﺃﻥ ﻻ ﻴ ﺤ ﺴِ ﻥ ﺍﻟﻠﹶﻬﻭ ﺃﻤﺜﺎﻟﻲ 8- “Bisbasa” claims, for love I’m old and done; that my sort know not how t’play games of fun.185
9- ﻜﹶ ﺫِ ﺒ ﺕﹾ ﻟﻘﺩ ﺃُﺼﺒﻲ ﻋﻠﻰ ﺍ ﻟ ﻤ ﺭ ﺀِ ﻋِ ﺭ ﺴ ﻪ ﻭ ﺃَ ﻤ ﻨﹶ ﻊ ﻋِﺭﺴِﻲ ﺍﻥ ﻴ ﺯ ﻥ ﺒِﻬﺎ ﺍﻟﺨﺎﻟﻲ 9- She lies! Women on to me do firmly hold; and they I hold from wifeless bucks and bold. 10- ﻭﻴﺎ ﺭ ﺏ ﻴ ﻭ ﻡٍ ﻗﹶ ﺩ ﻟﹶ ﻬ ﻭ ﺕﹸ ﻭ ﻟﹶ ﻴ ﻠﹶ ﺔٍ ﺒ ﺂ ﻨِ ﺴ ﺔٍ ﻜﺄﻨﻬﺎ ﺨﹶ ﻁﱡ ﺘِﻤﺜﹶﺎل ِ 10- O for those merry days, and nights till dawn. With maid pretty as picture is well-drawn.
11- ﻴ ﻀ ﺊُ ﺍ ﻟ ﻔِ ﺭ ﺍ ﺵﹶ ﻭﺠﻬﻬﺎ ﻟِ ﻀ ﺠ ﻴ ﻌِ ﻬ ﺎ ﻜﹶ ﻤِ ﺼ ﺒ ﺎ ﺡِ ﺯ ﻴ ﺕٍ ﻓﻲ ﻗﹶﻨﺎﺩﻴلُ ﺫﺒﺎل ِ 11- At night her face lights up her bed-mate’s bed. Like lanterns’ wicks that light ‘pon darkness shed.
12- ﻜﺄﻥ ﻋﻠﻰ ﻟﹶﺒﺎﺘِﻬﺎ ﺠ ﻤ ﺭ ﻤ ﺼ ﻁﹶ لٍ ﺃ ﺼ ﺎ ﺏ ﻏﹶ ﻀ ﻰ ﺠ ﺯ ﻻﹰ ﻭ ﻜﹸ ﻑﱠ ﺒﺄﺠﺫﹶﺍل ِ 12- Jewels ‘pon her chest, like live embers, glow. Like the embers warmth-seekers poke and blow.
13- ﻭ ﻫ ﺒ ﺕﹾ ﻟﹶ ﻪ ﺭِ ﻴ ﺢ ﺒِ ﻤ ﺨﹾ ﺘﹶ ﻠِ ﻑِ ﺍﻟﺼﻭﻯ ﺼ ﺒ ﺎﹰ ﻭ ﺸﹶ ﻤ ﺎ لٌ ﻓﻲ ﻤ ﻨﹶ ﺎ ﺯِ لِ ﻗﹶﻔﱠﺎل ِ 13- Embers from fires glowing on wind-blown heights Beacons to trav’llers on dark, chilly nights.186
14- ﻭ ﻤِ ﺜﹾ ﻠِ ﻙِ ﺒ ﻴ ﻀ ﺎ ﺀِ ﺍ ﻟ ﻌ ﻭ ﺍ ﺭِ ﺽِ ﻁﹶ ﻔﹾ ﻠﹶ ﺔٍ ﻟﹶ ﻌ ﻭ ﺏٍ ﺘﹸﻨﹶﺴﻴﻨﻲ ﺇﺫﺍ ﻗﹸ ﻤ ﺕﹸ ﺴِـﺭﺒﺎﻟﻲ 14- The soft, white-cheeked, pearl-teethed, tender young maid
185 “Bisbasa”: a woman he knew in later years. 186 The jewels glowing on her bare chest guide him to her warmth, as long-lasting hardwood fires, and their embers on wind-bloom heights guide chilled travelers seeking warmth.
86
so struck me dumb that I my shirt mislaid!!
15- ﻜﹶ ﺤِ ﻘﹾ ﻑِ ﺍﻟﻨﱠﻘﺎ ﻴﻤﺸﻲ ﺍﻟﻭﻟﻴﺩﺍﻥ ﻓﹶ ﻭ ﻗﹶ ﻪ ﺒﻤﺎ ﺍﺤﺘﹶﺴﺒﺎ ﻤﻥ ﺒ ﻴ ﻥِ ﻤ ﺱ ﻭﺘﹶﺴﻬﺎل ِ 15- Her body’s curves in firm roundness stand. Firm as two boys play on firm dunes of sand
16- ﻟﹶ ﻁ ﻴ ﻔﹶ ﺔٍ ﻁﹶ ﻲ ﺍ ﻟ ﻜﹶ ﺸ ﺢِ ﻏﹶ ﻴ ﺭ ﻤ ﻔ ﺎ ﻀ ﺔٍ ﺍﺫﺍ ﺍ ﻨﹾ ﻔﹶ ﻠﹶ ﺘﹶ ﺕﹾ ﻤ ﺭ ﺘﹶ ﺠ ﺔﹰ ﻏﹶ ﻴ ﺭ ﻤِﺜـْـﻔﺎل ِ 16- Unswelled in waist, her sides and belly tight. Not unperfumed, swaying in her delight.
17- ﺇﺫﺍ ﻤﺎ ﺍ ﻟ ﻀ ﺠِ ﻴ ﻊ ﺍﺒﺘﹶﺯﻫﺎ ﻤﻥ ﺜِ ﻴ ﺎ ﺒِ ﻬ ﺎ ﺘﹶﻤﻴلُ ﻋ ﻠ ﻴ ﻪِ ﻫ ﻭ ﻨﹶ ﺔﹰ ﻏ ﻴ ﺭ ﻤِ ﺠ ﺒﺎل ِ 17- After her man, in bed, had her undressed, ever so gently on to him she pressed.
18- ﺘﹶﻨﹶﻭﺭﺘﹸﻬﺎ ﻤِ ﻥ ﺃ ﺫﹾ ﺭِ ﻋ ﺎ ﺕٍ ﻭﺃَﻫﻠﹸﻬﺎ ﺒِ ﻴ ﺜ ﺭ ﺏ ﺃﺩﻨﻰ ﺩﺍﺭﻫﺎ ﻨﹶ ﻅﹾ ﺭ ﻋﺎل ِ 18- Visions of her at “Atharat” had I. She in “Yethrib”, her house stands far and high.187
19- ﻨﹶ ﻅﹶ ﺭ ﺕﹸ ﺇﻟﻴﻬﺎ ﻭﺍﻟﻨﹸﺠﻭﻡ ﻜﺄﻨﻬﺎ ﻤﺼﺎﺒﻴﺢ ﺭ ﻫ ﺒ ﺎ ﻥِ ﺘ ـُ ﺸﹶ ﺏ ﻟِﻘـُﻔـﱠﺎل ِ 19- Visions I had when bright shone th’starlit dome. Like monks’ lanterns, guiding travelers home188
20- ﺴ ﻤ ﻭ ﺕﹸ ﺇﻟِﻴﻬﺎ ﺒ ﻌ ﺩ ﻤﺎ ﻨﹶ ﺎ ﻡ ﺃﻫﻠﹸﻬﺎ ﺴ ﻤ ﻭ ﺤ ﺒ ﺎ ﺏ ﺍﻟﻤﺎﺀِ ﺤ ﺎ ﻻﹰ ﻋﻠﻰ ﺤﺎل ِ 20- To her I went when her folk were asleep. Like water through soil, I to her did seep.
21- ﻓﹶﻘﺎﻟﹶﺕﹾ ﺴ ﺒ ﺎ ﻙ ﺍﻟﻠﹼﻪ ﺇ ﻨﹼ ﻙ ﻓﺎﻀِﺤِﻲ ﺃ ﻟﹶ ﺴ ﺕﹶ ﺘﹶﺭﻯ ﺍ ﻟ ﺴ ﻤ ﺎ ﺭ ﻭﺍﻟﻨﺎﺱ ﺃﺤﻭﺍﻟﻲ 21- “Curse you!” she cried “In shame you’ll have me bound,. Folk are awake and chatting all around”.
22- ﻓﹶ ﻘﹸ ﻠﹾ ﺕﹸ ﻴ ﻤ ﻴ ﻥ ﺍ ﷲِ ﺃ ﺒ ﺭ ﺡ ﻗ ﺎ ﻋِ ﺩ ﺍﹰ ﻭﻟﻭ ﻗﹶﻁﱠﻌﻭﺍ ﺭﺃﺴِﻲ ﻟﹶ ﺩ ﻴ ﻙِ ﻭﺃﻭﺼﺎﻟﻲ
187 “Atharat”: a location in Syria. “Yethrib” is the Pre-Islamic name of the Islamic city of Medina. 188 Both stars, and monks’ lanterns guide travelers home. He hopes that both stars, and lanterns will one day guide him back to her.
87
22- “I swear” said I “that here is where I’ll sit though caught and torn apart, bit after bit”.
23- ﺤ ﻠﹶ ﻔﹾ ﺕﹸ ﻟﹶﻬﺎ ﺒ ﺎ ﷲِ ﺤ ﻠﹾ ﻔﹶ ﺔﹶ ﻓ ﺎ ﺠِ ﺭٍ ﻟﹶ ﻨﹶ ﺎ ﻤ ﺎ ﻓﹶﻤﺎ ﺇ ﻥ ﻤِ ﻥ ﺤ ﺩ ﻴ ﺙٍ ﻭﻻ ﺼﺎل ِ 23- My oath was false when she of folk took fright. For I had swore that all were sleeping tight.
24- ﻓﹶﻠﹶﻤﺎ ﺘﹶﻨﺎﺯﻋﻨﹶﺎ ﺍ ﻟ ﺤ ﺩ ﻴ ﺙﹶ ﻭ ﺃَ ﺴ ﻤ ﺤ ﺕﹾ ﻫ ﺼ ﺭ ﺕﹸ ﺒِ ﻐﹸ ﺼ ﻥٍ ﺫﻱ ﺸﹶ ﻤ ﺎ ﺭ ﻴ ﺦﹶ ﻤﻴﺎل ِ 24- We talked, and when at length her fears were few. her curls and tender limbs to me I drew.
25- ﻭ ﺼِ ﺭ ﻨ ﺎ ﺇﻟﻰ ﺍﻟﺤﺴﻨﻰ ﻭ ﺭ ﻕﱠ ﻜﹶﻼﻤﻨﺎ ﻭ ﺭ ﻀ ﺕﹸ ﻓﹶ ﺫﹶ ﻟﱠ ﺕﹾ ﺼﻌﺒﺔ ﺃ ﻱ ﺇﺫﻻل ِ 25- Our pleasure came, our talk was sweet and shy. Fall tamed she was, and ready to comply.
26- ﻓﹶ ﺄ ﺼ ﺒ ﺤ ﺕﹸ ﻤ ﻌ ﺸﹸ ﻭ ﻗ ﺎﹰ ﻭ ﺃ ﺼ ﺒ ﺢ ﺒﻌﻠﹸﻬﺎ ﻋ ﻠ ﻴ ﻪِ ﺍ ﻟ ﻘﹶ ﺘﹶ ﺎ ﻡ ﺴ ﻴ ﺊَ ﺍ ﻟ ﻅﱠ ﻥ ﻭﺍﻟﺒﺎل ِ 26- Her sire then knew that I her beau became He was engloomed in dire, withering shame.
27- ﻴ ﻐﹸ ﻁﱡ ﻏﹶ ﻁ ﻴ ﻁﹶ ﺍ ﻟ ﺒ ﻜﹾ ﺭِ ﺸﹸ ﺩ ﺨِ ﻨﹶ ﺎ ﻗﹸ ﻪ ﻟِ ﻴ ﻘﹾ ﺘﹸ ﻠﹶ ﻨ ﻲ ﻭﺍﻟﻤﺭﺀ ﻟﹶ ﻴ ﺱ ﺒِﻘﹶﺘﱠﺎل ِ 27- His angry words were like a camel’s snort.189 Me he sought to slay, but was not the slaying sort.
28- ﺃَ ﻴ ﻘﹾ ﺘﹸﻠﹸﻨﻲ ﻭﺍﻟﻤِﺸﹾﺭﻓﻲ ﻤﻀﺎﺠـِﻌِﻲ ﻭ ﻤ ﺴ ﻨ ﻭ ﻨﹶ ﺔﹲ ﺯ ﺭ ﻕﹲ ﻜﹶﺄﻨﹾﻴﺎﺏِ ﺃﻏﹾﻭﺍل ِ 28- Slay me? While sword lies by me while I sleep, and shafts, like devils’ fangs,close by I keep?
29- ﻭ ﻟﹶ ﻴ ﺱ ﺒِﺫﻱ ﺭ ﻤ ﺢٍ ﻓﹶﻴﻁﹾﻌﻨﻨﻲ ﺒِ ﻪِ ﻭ ﻟﹶ ﻴ ﺱ ﺒِﺫِﻱ ﺴ ﻴ ﻑِ ﻭ ﻟﹶ ﻴ ﺱ ﺒِﻨﹶﺒﺎل ِ 29- Spearman he’s not; no spear at me could throw. Swordsman he’s not; nor archer skilled with bow.
30- ﺃ ﻴ ﻘﹾ ﺘﹸ ﻠﹸ ﻨ ﻲ ﻭ ﻗﹶ ﺩ ﺸﹶ ﻐﹶ ﻔﹾ ﺕﹸ ﻓﺅﺍﺩﻫﺎ ﻜﹶﻤﺎ ﺸﹶ ﻐﹶ ﻑﹶ ﺍ ﻟ ﻤ ﻬ ﻨﹸ ﻭ ﺀ ﺓﹸ ﺍ ﻟ ﺭ ﺠ لُ ﺍﻟﻁﹶﺎﻟﻲ
189 A knotted rope was tied round the neck of a rogue camel to tame it, making the beast snort loudly in protest.
88
30- Will he slay me ‘cause I her heart had won. As the camel’s heart is won when th’ rubbing’s done?190
31- ﻭ ﻗﹶ ﺩ ﻋ ﻠِ ﻤ ﺕﹾ ﺴﻠﹾﻤﻰ ﻭﺇﻥ ﻜﹶ ﺎ ﻥ ﺒﻌﻠﹶﻬﺎ ﺒﺄﻥ ﺍﻟﻔﹶﺘﻰ ﻴﻬﺫﻱ ﻭ ﻟﹶ ﻴ ﺱ ﺒِﻔﹶﻌﺎل ِ 31- Though he’s her sire, yet Selma knows indeed that he but raves and cannot do the deed.
32- ﻭﻤﺎﺫﺍ ﻋ ﻠ ﻴ ﻪِ ﺇ ﻥ ﺫﹶ ﻜﹶ ﺭ ﺕﹸ ﺃ ﻭ ﺍ ﻨِ ﺴ ﺎﹰ ﻜﹶﻐِﺯﻻﻥ ﺭ ﻤ لٍ ﻓﻲ ﻤ ﺤ ﺎ ﺭ ﻴ ﺏ ﺃﻗﻴﺎل ِ 32- “I’ve known such lovely maids”, him I could tell. “Gazelles of grace by roy’lty raised so well”.
33- ﻭ ﺒ ﻴ ﺕﹶ ﻋﺫﹶﺍﺭﻯ ﻴ ﻭ ﻡ ﺩ ﺠ ﻥِ ﻭ ﻟﹶ ﺠ ﺘﹸ ﻪ ﻴ ﻁِ ﻔﹾ ﻥ ﺒِ ﺠ ﻤ ﺎ ﺀِ ﺍ ﻟ ﻤ ﺭ ﺍ ﻓِ ﻕِ ﻤِﻜﹾﺴﺎل ِ 33- Into a house I went one dusky day, where full-fleshed dames did saunter by and sway
34- ﺴِﺒﺎﻁﹶ ﺍ ﻟ ﺒ ﻨ ﺎ ﻥ ﻭﺍﻟﻌﺭﺍﻨﻴﻥ ﻭﺍﻟﻘﹶﻨﺎ ﻟِﻁﺎﻑِ ﺍ ﻟ ﺨﹸ ﺼ ﻭ ﺭِ ﻓﻲ ﺘﹶ ﻤ ﺎ ﻡٍ ﻭﺇﻜﻤﺎل ِ 34- Soft were they in manner and in form. Slim waists! Perfection far above the norm.
35- ﻨﹶ ﻭ ﺍ ﻋِ ﻡ ﻴﺘﹾﺒﻌﻥ ﺍﻟﻬﻭﻯ ﺴ ﺒ لُ ﺍﻟﺭﺩﻯ ﻴ ﻘﹸ ﻠﹾ ﻥ ﻷ ﻫ لِ ﺍ ﻟ ﺤ ﻠﹾ ﻡِ ﻀ ﻼ ﺒِﺘﻀﻼل ِ 35- To paths of death through those of love they lead. They lure the good through every dastard deed.
36- ﺼ ﺭ ﻓﹾ ﺕﹸ ﺍﻟﻬﻭﻯ ﻋ ﻨﹾ ﻬ ﻥ ﻤﻥ ﺨ ﺸ ﻴ ﺔِ ﺍﻟﺭﺩﻯ ﻭ ﻟ ﺴ ﺕﹸ ﺒ ﻤ ﻘ ﻠ ﻲ ﺍﻟﺨِﻼل ِ ﻭﻻ ﻗﺎل ِ 36- From them, fear of scandal turned me away Though we no mutual loathing did betray.191
37- ﻜﹶﺄﻨﹼﻲ ﻟﻡ ﺃ ﺭ ﻜﹶ ﺏ ﺠ ﻭ ﺍ ﺩ ﺍﹰ ﻟِ ﻠ ﺫﱠ ﺓٍ ﻭ ﻟﹶ ﻡ ﺃ ﺘﹶ ﺒ ﻁﱠ ﻥ ﻜ ﺎ ﻋِ ﺒ ﺎﹰ ﺫ ﺍ ﺕﹶ ﺨِﻠﹾﺨﺎل ِ 37- As if I’ve nev’r mounted with joy a steed.
190 She- camels, when stricken with ailment, usually mange, are rubbed down with a tar-solution. He says Selma was love sick and I cured her, winning her heart, as the rubber wins the heart of the ailing camel he treats. 191 The verse uses “death” to mean “scandal”, in the sense that scandal is so notorious that it does away with him as death does. He turns away from such women though there is nothing loathsome in his, or their, manner or appearance. Only the depraved character of such women turns him away. He is describing a brothel.
89
Nor anklet-wearing wench to bed did lead.192
38- ﻭ ﻟﹶ ﻡ ﺃﺴﺒﺄ ﺍ ﻟ ﺯ ﻕﱠ ﺍ ﻟ ﺭ ﻭ ﻱ ﻭ ﻟﹶ ﻡ ﺃَ ﻗﹸ لْ ﻟِﺨﹶﻴﻠﻲ ﻜﹸﺭﻱ ﻜﹶ ﺭ ﺓﹰ ﺒ ﻌ ﺩ ﺇﺠﻔﺎل ِ 38- ‘Tis as if I’ve nev’r had full wine-skins bought, nor steed spurred on that back by fright was brought.193
39- ﻭ ﻟﹶ ﻡ ﺃ ﺸﹾ ﻬ ﺩ ﺍ ﻟ ﺨﹶ ﻴ لَ ﺍ ﻟ ﻤ ﻐ ﻴ ﺭ ﺓﹶ ﺒﺎﻟﻀﺤﺎ ﻋﻠﻰ ﻫ ﻴ ﻜﹶ لٍ ﻋﺒـل ٍ ﺍ ﻟ ﺠ ﺯ ﺍ ﺭ ﺓ ﺠﻭﺍل ِ 39- As if I’ve nev’r seen horsemen raid at morn on stout steeds that on stouter shanks are born.
40- ﺴ ﻠ ﻴ ﻡ ﺍﻟﺸﱠﻅﹶﻲ ﻋ ﺒ لِ ﺍﻟﺸﱠﻭﻯ ﺸﹶﻨِﺞ ِ ﺍﻟﻨﹼﺴﺎ ﻟﹶ ﻪ ﺤ ﺤِ ﺒِ ﺎ ﺕﹲ ﻤ ﺸﹾ ﺭِ ﻓ ﺎ ﺕﹲ ﻋﻠﻰ ﺍﻟﻔﺎﻟﻲ ِ 40- Whose firm sinews their hardy shanks propel. Whose stout hind bones their hinds with power swell.
41- ﻭ ﺼ ﻡ ﺼِ ﻼ ﺏ ﻤﺎ ﻴ ﻘ ﻴ ﻥ ﻤِﻥ ﺍﻟﻭﺠﻰ ﻜﺄﻥ ﻤ ﻜ ﺎ ﻥ ﺍ ﻟ ﺭﺩﻑ ﻤِ ﻨ ـْ ﻪ ﻋﻠﻰ ﺭﺍل ِ 41- Hardest hoofs, fearless of being unshod. ‘s if on ostrich a rider’s way had trod.194
42- ﻭ ﻗﹶ ﺩ ﺃَ ﻏﹾ ﺘﹶ ﺩ ﻱ ﻭﺍﻟﻁﹶﻴﺭ ﻓﻲ ﻭ ﻜﹶ ﻨ ﺎ ﺘِ ﻬ ﺎ ﻟﹶ ﻐﹶ ﻴ ﺙﹲ ﻤﻥ ﺍﻟﻭﺴﻤِﻲ ﺭ ﺍ ﺌِ ﺩ ﻩ ﺨﺎل ِ 42- I rise early while bird is still at nest to leas where warring clans nev’r are at rest.195
43- ﺘﹶ ﺤ ﺎ ﻤ ﺎ ﻩ ﺃ ﻁ ﺭ ﺍ ﻑِ ﺍ ﻟ ﺭِ ﻤ ﺎ ﺡِ ﺘﹶ ﺤ ﺎ ﻤِ ﻴ ﺎﹰ ﻭ ﺠ ﺎ ﺩ ﻋﻠﻴﻪ ﻜﹸ لﱠ ﺃ ﺴ ﺤ ﻡ ﻫﻁﱠﺎل ِ 43- This lea, to arms is closed from ev’ry side. To heav’ly laden clouds, is open wide.
44- ﺒِ ﻌ ﺠ ﻠﹶ ﺯ ﺓٍ ﻗﹶ ﺩ ﺃ ﺘ ﺭ ﺯ ﺍ ﻟ ﺠ ﺭ ﻱ ﻟﹶﺤﻤﻬﺎ ﻜﹸ ﻤ ﻴ ﺕٍ ﻜﺄﻨﱠﻬﺎ ﻫ ﺭ ﺍ ﻭ ﺓ ُ ﻤِﻨﹾﻭﺍل ِ 44- Hard-tempered mare, whose legs still harder kick.
192 He laments the passing of his youth. Ageing makes him feel as if the pleasures of youth might just as well not have taken place. 193 Spurring onward a frightened horse was considered one of the pleasures enjoyed by a rider. 194 “rider” refers to a second rider. So light of movement is the horse, that the second rider feels as if he’s mounted on an ostrich. 195 The leas, lush pastures, are fought over by warring clans. At length the clans stay away from it, leaving a neutral outsider to enjoy it. The verse mentions heavy clouds for the lea; heavy rainfall making it unusually lush.
90
Reddish-black, lean and straight as weaver’s stick.
45- ﺫﹶ ﻋ ﺭ ﺕﹸ ﺒِﻬﺎ ﺴِ ﺭ ﺒ ﺎﹰ ﻨﹶ ﻘ ﻴ ﺎﹰ ﺠ ﻠ ﻭ ﺩ ﻩ ﻭ ﺃَ ﻜﹾ ﺭ ﻋ ﻪ ﻭ ﺸﹾ ﻲ ﺍ ﻟ ﺒ ﺭ ﻭ ﺩِ ﻤِﻥ ﺍﻟﺨﹶﺎل ِ 45- By it, pure-white oryx were tak’n aback.196 Their legs, like Yem’ni cloaks, speckled in black.
46- ﻜﹶ ﺄ ﻥ ﺍ ﻟ ﺼ ﻭ ﺍ ﺭ ﺇﺫ ﺘﹶ ﺠ ﻬ ﺩ ﻋ ﺩ ﻭ ﻩ ﻋﻠﻰ ﺠﻤﺯﻱ ﺨﹶ ﻴ لٌ ﺘﹶ ﺠ ﻭ لُ ﺒﺄﺠﻼﹶل ِ 46- The oryx herd, galloping on in fright were like horses covered in blankets white.197
47- ﻓﹶ ﺠ ﺎ لَ ﺍ ﻟ ﺼ ﻭ ﺍ ﺭ ﻭ ﺍ ﺜﹶ ﻘﹶ ﻴ ﻥ ﺒِ ﻘﹶ ﺭ ﻫ ﺏٍ ﻁﹶﻭﻴلِ ﺍﻟﻘﹶﺭﺍ ﻭﺍﻟﺭﻭﻕِ ﺃ ﺨﹾ ﻨﹶ ﺱ ﺫﹶﻴﺎل ِ 47- At th’herd’s rear was a huge and ageing bull. Wide-backed, long-horned, short-nosed; tail thick and full.
48- ﻓﹶﻌﺎﺩﻯ ﻋ ﺩ ﺍ ﺀ ﺒ ﻴ ﻥ ﺜﹶ ﻭ ﺭِ ﻭ ﻨﹶ ﻌ ﺠ ﺔٍ ﻭ ﻜ ﺎ ﻥ ﻋ ﺩ ﺍ ﺀ ﺍ ﻟ ﻭ ﺤ ﺵِ ﻤﻨﱠﻲ ﻋﻠﻰ ﺒﺎل ِ 48- Both cows and bulls the hardy hunter slew while I took count, and kept the herd in view.
49- ﻜﺄﻨﱢﻲ ﺒِ ﻔﹶ ﺘﹾ ﺨ ﺎ ﺀِ ﺍﻟﺠﻨﹶﺎﺤﻴﻥ ﻟﹶ ﻘ ﻭ ﺓٍ ﺼﻴﻭﺩ ﻤِﻥ ﺍ ﻟ ﻌ ﻘﹾ ﺒ ﺎ ﻥِ ﻁﺄﻁﺄﺕ ﺸِ ﻤ ﻼ ﻟ ﻲِ 49- When I, forward, did this swift steed bespur, I’m on a zooming eagle-hawk awhirr.
50- ﺘﹶ ﺨﹶ ﻁﱠ ﻑﹸ ﺨِ ﺯ ﺍ ﻥ ﺍ ﻟ ﺸﹶ ﺭ ﺒ ﺔِ ﺒﺎﻟﻀﺤﺎ ﻭ ﻗﹶ ﺩ ﺤ ﺠ ﺭ ﺕﹾ ﻤِﻨﻬﺎ ﺜﹶﻌﺎ ﻟ ﺏ ﺃﻭﺭﺍل ِ 50- An eagle that zooms down on “Sherba” hares . From it, “Awral” foxes fled to their lairs.
51- ﻜ ﺄ ﻥ ﻗﹸ ﻠﹸ ﻭ ﺏ ﺍ ﻟ ﻁﱠ ﻴ ﺭِ ﺭ ﻁﹾ ﺒ ﺎﹰ ﻭ ﻴ ﺎ ﺒ ﺴ ﺎﹰ ﻟﺩﻯ ﻭﻜﹾﺭِﻫﺎ ﺍ ﻟ ﻌ ﻨﹼ ﺎ ﺏ ﻭ ﺍ ﻟ ﺤ ﺸﹶ ﻑﹸ ﺍﻟﺒﺎﻟﻲ 51- Th’eaglet, to feed on heart of bird, awaits Fresh hearts−like grapes; dry ones−like dry, bad dates.
52- ﻓﹶ ﻠﹶ ﻭ ﺃ ﻥ ﻤﺎ ﺃﺴﻌﻰ ﻷَﺩﻨﹶﻰ ﻤ ﻌِ ﻴ ﺸ ﺔٍ ﻜﹶﻔﹶﺎﻨِﻲ، ﻭ ﻟﹶ ﻡ ﺃ ﻁﹾ ﻠﹸ ﺏ ﻗﹶﻠﻴلٌ ﻤﻥ ﺍﻟﻤﺎل ِ 52- Should I go for a modest life and meek.
196 “By it”: The mare. 197 The verse mentions a location, “Jemza” where such horses are bred.
91
A pittance (not a kingdom) would I seek.
53- ﻭﻟﻜﻨﹼﻤﺎ ﺃﺴﻌﻰ ﻟِ ﻤ ﺠ ﺩٍ ﻤ ﺅَ ﺜﱠ لٍ ﻭ ﻗﹶ ﺩ ﻴ ﺩ ﺭِ ﻙ ﺍ ﻟ ﻤ ﺠ ﺩ ﺍ ﻟ ﻤ ﺅ ﺜﱠ لَ ﺃﻤﺜﹶﺎﻟﻲ 53- But for greater glory I seek to claim. My sort may well attain glory and fame.
54- ﻭﻤﺎ ﺍ ﻟ ﻤ ﺭ ﺀ ﻤﺎ ﺩ ﺍ ﻤ ﺕﹾ ﺤ ﺸﹶ ﺎ ﺸﹶ ﺔﹸ ﻨ ﻔ ﺴِ ﻪِ ﺒِ ﻤ ﺩ ﺭِ ﻙِ ﺃﻁﺭﺍﻑِ ﺍ ﻟ ﺨﹸ ﻁ ﻭ ﺏِ ﻭﻻ ﺁﻟﻲ 54- For one, as long as he remains alive, braves all, and for what’s wanted will e’er strive.
[41] ﺩ ﻉ ﻋ ﻨﹾ ﻙ ﻨﹶ ﻬ ﺒ ﺎﹰ “Leave talk of plunder ”
Imru’ul Qays, while at refuge with Khalid b. ’Asm ca al-Nabhani, was raided by the Jabila clan who drove away the poet’s camels. He complained to his host, Khalid, who offered to retrieve his camels for him. Catching up with the raiders, Khalid hailed them “you’ve raided my neighbour!”. “You’re neighbour he’s not” they retorted. They then manhandled Khalid, pulled him down from his horse, and drove away the rest of his animals. Imru’ul Qays, disconsolate and deeply disappointed with Khalid, sought refuge with the Beni Tha’al clan. Here, he praises his new hosts:
1- ﺩ ﻉ ﻋ ﻨ ﻙ ﻨﹶ ﻬ ﺒ ﺎﹰ ﺼِ ﻴ ﺢ ﻓﻲ ﺤﺠﺭﺍﺘِﻪ ﻭ ﻟ ﻜ ﻥ ﺤﺩﻴﺜﺎﹰ ﻤﺎ ﺤ ﺩ ﻴ ﺙﹸ ﺍﻟﺭﻭﺍﺠِل ِ 1- Leave talk of plunder; there’s much to talk about,
92
And tell of how the mounts were driven out.198
2- ﻜﺄﻥ ﺩِﺜﹶﺎﺭﺍ ً ﺤ ﻠﱠ ﻘﹶ ﺕﹾ ﺒِ ﻠﹶ ﺒ ﻭ ﻨِ ﻪِ ﻋ ـُ ﻘ ﺎ ﺏ ﺘﹶ ﻨﹸ ﻭ ﻓ ﻲ ﻻ ﻋ ﻘ ﺎ ﺏ ﺍﻟﻘـَﻭﺍﻋِﺩ ِ 2- As if “Dithars” camels while giving suck, by mountain, not hill eagles, were bestruck199
3- ﺘﹶ ﻠﹶ ﻌ ﺏ ﺒ ﺎ ﻋِ ﺙﹲ ﺒِ ﺫِ ﻤ ﺔِ ﺨﹶ ﺎ ﻟِ ﺩٍ ﻭﺃﻭﺩﻯ ﻋِ ﺼ ﺎ ﻡ ﻓﻲ ﺍ ﻟ ﺨﹸ ﻁ ﻭ ﺏِ ﺍﻷﻭﺍﺌِل ِ 3- For “Bacith” had on “Khalid’s” honour played, as he “cIsam” had, earlier on, waylaid.200
4- ﻭ ﺃ ﻋ ﺠ ﺒ ﺘﹾ ﻨ ﻲ ﻤ ﺸﹾ ﻲ ﺍ ﻟ ﺤ ﺯ ﻗﱠ ﺔِ ﺨ ﺎ ﻟِ ﺩٍ ﻜﹶ ﻤ ﺸﹾ ﻲِ ﺃﺘﺎﻥ ﺤـﻠـّـﺌَﺕﹾ ﺒﺎﻟﻤﻨﺎﻫِل ِ 4- I like how short, pot-bellied Khalid walks. Like beast, from drinking stopp’d, th’ water hole stalks201
5- ﺃ ﺒ ﺕﹾ ﺃﺠﺄ ﺃﻥ ﺘﹸ ﺴ ﻠِ ﻡ ﺍ ﻟ ﻌ ﺎ ﻡ ﺠﺎﺭﻫﺎ ﻓﹶ ﻤ ﻥ ﺸﹶ ﺎ ﺀ ﻓﹶ ﻠﹾ ﻴ ﻨﹾ ﻬ ﺽ ﻟﻬﺎ ﻤِ ﻥ ﻤﻘﺎﺘِل ِ 5- “`Aja” gave not whom refuge with them took. Let warriors come who could’nt denial, brook.202
6- ﺘﹶﺒﻴﺕﹸ ﻟﹶﺒﻭﻨﻲ ِ ﺒ ﺎ ﻟ ﻘﹸ ﺭ ﻴ ﺔِ ﺁ ﻤ ﻨ ﺎﹰ ﻭﺃﺴﺭﺤﻬﺎ ﻏِ ﺒ ﺎﹰ ﺒ ﺄ ﻜﹾ ﻨﹶ ﺎ ﻑِ ﺤﺎﺌِل ِ 6- My milch camels safely at th’hamlet stay. Near “Ha’il” they graze every other day.203
7- ﺒﻨﻭ ﺜﹶ ﻌ لٍ ﺠِﻴﺭﺍﻨﹸﻬﺎ ﻭﺤﻤﺎﺘﹸﻬﺎ ﻭ ﺘﹸ ﻤ ﻨﹶ ﻊ ﻤِ ﻥ ﺭ ﻤ ﺎ ﺓِ ﺴ ﻌ ﺩٍ ﻭﻨﹶﺎﺌِل ِ
198 This refers to Khalid’s ignominious attempt to retrieve Imru’ul Qays’s camels for him. In lampooning Khalid for his ineptitude, he is highlighting the disgrace of Khalid’s own mounts being taken away from him. 199 “Dithar” was Imru’ul Qays camel herdsman. Khalid’s inept attempt he implies, was like Dithar being unwary enough when a powerful mountain eagle, as opposed to a smaller hill top one, struck a milch camel while suckling a foal. 200 “Bacith” was one of the “Jadila” clan who plundered Imru’ul Qays’s camels. Khalid, the poet’s host, in pursuit of the Jadila to retrieve the stolen animals, was accosted by Bacith, and others, who dismounted him and his men and drove away their mounts. The poet describes how Ba`ith had deceived Khalid, taking away his mounts along with the poet’s plundered camels. It is not clear who cIsam was, but the verse says that cIsam had entrapped Khalid in earlier incidents. 201 He is deriding Khalid, likening him to a beast that prevented from drinking, stalks around the water-hole disconsolate and sulking. 202 “`Aja” is the mountain homeland of the Thacal clan who gave the poet refuge earlier on. 203 Ha`il: probably the modern town of Ha`il in Saudi Arabia.
93
7- The herd is guarded by “Benu Thucal, close by. Should “Sacad “and “Na`il”s’ archers let arrows fly.204
8- ﺘﹸ ﻼ ﻋِ ﺏ ﺃَ ﻭ ﻻ ﺩ ﺍ ﻟ ﻭ ﻋ ﻭ ل ِ ﺭِﺒﺎﻋﻬﺎ ﺩ ﻭ ﻴ ﻥ ﺍ ﻟ ﺴ ﻤ ﺎ ﺀِ ﻓﻲ ﺭ ﺀ ﻭ ﺱِ ﺍﻟﻤﺠﺎﺩِل ِ 8- The herd, by tow’ring mountains, safely lay. While young camel, with young antelope, play.
9- ﻤ ﻜﹶ ﻠﱠ ﻠﹶ ﺔﹰ ﺤ ﻤ ﺭ ﺍ ﺀ ﺫﹶ ﺍ ﺕﹶ ﺃ ﺴِ ﺭ ﺓﹾ ﻟﹶﻬﺎ ﺤ ﺒ ﻙ ﻜﺄﻨﱠﻬﺎ ﻤِ ﻥ ﻭ ﺼ ﺎ ﺌِ لِ 9- Tow’ring mountains, that reddish clouds betop. Like coloured gowns, down t’flow’ry slopes, they drop.
[42] ﻴﺎ ﺩ ﺍ ﺭ ﻤﺎﻭﻴﻪ “O Mawiyah’s house ”
1- ﻴﺎ ﺩ ﺍ ﺭ ﻤ ﺎ ﻭ ﻴ ﺔﹶ ﺒﺎﻟﺤﺎﺌِلِ ﻓﺎﻟﺴﻬﺏِ ﻓﺎﻟﺨﹶﺒﺜﻴﻥِ ﻤِ ﻥ ﻋﺎﻗﹶل ِ 1- O Mawiyahs house, silent at “Ha`il” stands before plains; Mount “cAqil”; and verdant lands205
2- ﺼ ﻡ ﺼﺩﺍﻫﺎ ﻭﻋﻔﹶﺎ ﺭِﺴﻤﻬﺎ ﻭ ﺍ ﺴ ﺘﹶ ﻌ ﺠ ﻤ ﺕﹾ ﻋ ﻥ ﻤﻨﹾﻁِﻕ ِ ﺍﻟﺴﺎﺌِل ِ 2- Mountain echoes rebound throughout its halls, Is mute and deaf to one that to it calls.
3- ﻗﻭﻻ ﻟِ ﺩ ﻭ ﺩ ﺍ ﻥِ ﻋﺒِﻴﺩ ﺍﻟﻌﺼﺎ ﻤﺎ ﻏﹶ ﺭ ﻜﹸ ﻡ ﺒ ﺎ ﻷَ ﺴ ﺩِ ﺍﻟﺒﺎﺴِل ِ 3- Ask “Dawdan”; slaves stick-driv’n with angry cries “What made you ‘gainst the valiant lion rise”?206
4- ﻗﹶ ﺩ ﻗﹶ ﺭ ﺕﹾ ﺍﻟﻌﻴﻨﺎﻥِ ﻤِ ﻥ ﻤ ﺎ ﻟِ ﻙِ ﻭ ﻤِ ﻥ ﺒﻨﻲ ﻋﻤﺭﻭ، ﻭ ﻤِ ﻥ ﻜﺎﻫِل ِ
204 The Benu Thacal were the poet’s allies and protectors, “Sa`ad” and “Na`il” were of the Beni Nabhan; the previously mentioned “Khalid’s” clan. 205 Mount “cAqil”: at Yamama. 206 Dawdan: A clan of the Beni Assad who revolted against the authority of the Poet’s father, Hujr.
94
4- In joy my eyes rest with vengeance sweet. “Malik cAmr”; “Kahil” did their dire end meet.207
5- ﻭ ﻤِ ﻥ ﺒﻨﻲ ﻏﹶ ﻨﹾ ﻡِ ﺒ ﻥِ ﺩ ﻭ ﺩ ﺍ ﻥ ﺇ ﺫﹾ ﻨﹶﻘﹾﺫِﻑ ﺃ ﻋ ﻼ ﻫ ﻡ ﻋﻠﻰ ﺍ ﻟ ﺴ ﺎ ﻓِ لِ 5- Sons of “Ghanm’” bin “Dawdan” in ire we slew. Their highest ‘pon their lowest down we threw.
6- ﻨﹶ ﻁﹾ ﻌ ﻨﹸ ﻬ ﻡ ﺴﻠﹾﻜﻰ ﻭ ﻤ ﺨﹾ ﻠ ﻭ ﺠ ﺔﹰ ﻟِ ﻔﹶ ﺘﹾ ﻙ ﻷْ ﻤ ﻴ ﻥِ ﻋﻠﻰ ﻨ ﺎ ﺒِ لِ 6- We struck them straight, parried left and right With shafts returned for shafts, when archers fight.
7- ﺍﺫ ﻫ ﻥ ﺍﻗﹾﺴﺎﻁﹲ ﻜﹶﺭِﺠل ﺍ ﻟ ﺩ ﺒ ﻲِ ﺃﻭ ﻜﹶﻘﹶﻁﺎ ﻜﺎﻅِﻤﺔﹶ ﺍ ﻟ ﻨﱠ ﺎ ﻫِ لِ 7- Like locust swarms, steeds were thick ‘pon the fray, as thirsty birds to water wing their way.
8- ﺤﺘﻰ ﺘ ﺭ ﻜﹾ ﻨ ﺎ ﻫ ﻡ ﻟﹶﺩﻯ ﻤ ﻌ ﺭ ﻙٍ ﺃ ﺭ ﺠ ﻠﹸ ﻬ ﻡ ﻜ ﺎ ﻟ ﺨﹶ ﺸﹶ ﺏِ ﺍ ﻟ ﺸﹶ ﺎ ﺌِ لِ 8- We heaped their dead whose legs, after a while, Looked like a steadily rising woodpile.
9- ﺤ ﻠﱠ ﺕﹾ ﻟﹶﻲ ﺍ ﻟ ﺨﹶ ﻤ ﺭ ﻭ ﻜﹸ ﻨﹾ ﺕﹸ ﺃ ﻤ ﺭ ﺃً ﻋ ﻥ ﺸﹸﺭﺒِﻬﺎ ﻓﻲ ﺸﹸ ﻐﹾ لٍ ﺸﹶﺎﻏِل ٍ 9- To wine! Now that I have the battle won, I’d abstained till my deadly deed was done.208
10- ﻓﺎﻟﻴﻭﻡ ﺃﺴﻘﻰ ﻏﹶ ﻴ ﺭ ﻤ ﺴ ﺘﹶ ﺤ ﻘِ ﺏٍ ﺇ ﺜﹾ ﻤ ﺎﹰ ﻤِ ﻥ ﺍ ﷲِ ﻭ ﻻﹶ ﻭﺍﻏِل ِ 10- Now guiltless, I alone of drink partake. And ne’er into others’ drink-sessions, break.209
[43] ﺤ ﻲ ﺍ ﻟ ﺤ ﻤ ﻭ لَ ﺒِ ﺠ ﺎ ﻨ ﺏِ ﺍ ﻟ ﻌ ﺯ لِ
207 “Malik”, “cAmr”, “Kahil”- Beni Assad clans the Poet wreaked vengeance on for his father’s murder. 208 When told of his father’s murder, he vowed never to take wine till he wreaked vengeance on the Beni Assad, his father’s slayers. 209 Now that he had had his vengeance, he feels absolved of his guilt, his guilt being his vengeance left unfulfilled. His passions for vengeance now satisfied, he wishes to drink alone; and is disinclined to intrude into others’ drinking circles.
95
“Howdah and pack camels at cAzl ”210 Describing his camel at an early stage, when still a boy.
1- ﺤ ﻲ ﺍﻟﺤﻤﻭلَ، ﺒ ﺠ ﺎ ﻨِ ﺏِ ﺍ ﻟ ﻌ ﺯ لِ ﺇﺫ ﻻ ﻴ ﻼ ﺌِ ﻡ ﺸﹶﻜﹾﻠﹸﻬﺎ ﺸﹶﻜﹾﻠِﻲ 1- Howdah and pack camels, by cAzl, recline. So incongruous is their state from nine.
2- ﻤﺎﺫﺍ ﻴ ﺸﹸ ﻕﹼ ﻋ ﻠﹶ ﻴ ﻙ ﻤِ ﻥ ﻅﹸﻌﻥ ٍ ﺇ ﻻﹼ ﺼِﺒﺎﻙ، ﻭ ﻗِ ﻠﱠ ﺔﹶ ﺍﻟﻌﻘـْـل ِ 2- What, from travelling with them, holds you back? Except what you in maturity, lack.?211
3- ﻤﻨﻴﺘﻨﺎ ﺒِﻐﹶﺩٍ، ﻭ ﺒ ﻌ ﺩ ﻏﹶ ﺩٍ ﺤﺘﹼﻰ ﺒﺨِﻠﹾﺕِ، ﻜﺄﺴﻭﺃ ﺍ ﻟ ﺒ ﺨﹾ لِ 3- For t’ morrow, and a day, you’ve made me yearn But worst of misers all, in th’end, you’ve turned.212
4- ﻴﺎ ﺭ ﺏ ﻏ ﺎ ﻨِ ﻴ ﺔٍ ﺼ ﺭ ﻤ ﺕﹸ ﺤِﺒﺎﻟﹶﻬﺎ، ﻭ ﻤ ﺸﹶ ﻴ ﺕﹸ ﻤ ﺘﹼ ﺌ ﺩ ﺍﹰ ﻋﻠﻰ ﺭِﺴـﻠﻲ ِ 4- O for a belle who from oth’rs turned away. In slow’st steps I would towards her sway.
5- ﻻ ﺃﺴﺘﹶﻘِﻴﺩ، ﻟِ ﻤ ﻥ ﺩﻋﺎ ﻟِ ﺼِ ﺒ ﺎﹰ ، ﻗِﺴﺭﺍﹰ، ﻭ ﻻﹶ ﺃﺼﻁﺎﺩ ﺒﺎﻟﺨِﺘﹾل ِ 5- For I will not, through force, to love be wed. Nor through deceit to hunt e’er will be led.
6- ﻭﺘﹶﻨﹸﻭﻓﹶﺔﹾ ﺠﺭﺩﺍﺀ ﻤ ﻬ ﻠﹶ ﻜﹶ ﺔٍ ﺠﺎﻭﺯﺘﹸﻬﺎ ﺒِ ﻨﹶ ﺠ ﺎ ﺌِ ﺏٍ ﻗـُـﺘـْـل ِ 6- Distant barren waste lands, fatal to all I’ve crossed on ped’gree camels, stout and tall.
7- ﻓﹶ ﻴ ﺒِ ﺘﹾ ﻥ ﻴ ﻨﹾ ﻬ ﺴ ﻥ ﺍ ﻟ ﺠ ﺒ ﻭ ﺏ ﺒِﻬﺎ ﻭﺃﺒِﻴﺕﹸ ﻤﺭﺘﹶﻔِﻘﺎﹰ ﻋﻠﻰ ﺭ ﺤ ﻠ ﻲِ 7- O’er night they crop whate’er they find the best . While I, on th’ saddle- frame, my elbows rest.
210 cAzl: a location, a caravan station. 211 The verse identifies his own immatuirity as: his boyhood, and “his small” (inexperienced) mind. 212 He is addressing the camel station, expressing his yearning for travel which the camel station has denied him.
96
8- ﻤ ﺘ ﻭ ﺴِ ﺩ ﺍﹰ ﻋ ﻀ ﺒ ﺎﹰ ﻤ ﻀ ﺎ ﺭِ ﺒ ﻪ ﻓﻲ ﻤ ﺘﹾ ﻨِ ﻪِ ﻜﹶ ﻤ ﺩ ﺒ ﺔِ ﺍﻟﻨﱠﻤل ِ 8- A sword for pillow, sharp- edged; wide its blade, It’s grooves like trails that crawling ants had made.
9- ﻴ ﺩﻋﻰ ﺼ ﻘ ﻴ ﻼﹰ ﻭ ﻫ ﻭ ﻟﹶ ﻴ ﺱ ﻟﹶ ﻪ ﻋ ﻬ ﺩ ﺒ ﺘﹶ ﻤ ﻭ ﻴ ﻪٍ ﻭﻻ ﺼﻘﹾل ِ 9- They call swords “burnished” ! But this sword of mine of “burnishing” has never shown a sign.
10- ﻋ ﻔﹶ ﺕﹾ ﺍﻟﺩِﻴﺎﺭ ﻓﻤﺎ ﺒِﻬﺎ ﺃﻫﻠﻲ ﻭ ﻟﹶ ﻭ ﺕﹾ ﺸﹸ ﻤ ﻭ ﺱ ﺒ ﺸﹶ ﺎ ﺸﹶ ﺔِ ﺍﻟﺒﺫل ِ 10- Ruined home! my folk there no longer live. And gloom rebuffs what they no longer give.
11- ﻨﹶﻅﹶﺭﺕ ﺇ ﻟ ﻴ ﻙ ﺒِ ﻌ ﻴ ﻥٍ ﺠ ﺎ ﺯِ ﺌَ ﺔٍ ﺤ ﻭ ﺭ ﺍ ﺀ ﺤﺎﻨﻴﺔﹾ ﻋﻠﻰ ﻁِﻔﹾل ِ 11- And I looked upon the abode, now gone with the full loving eye of hind for faun.
12- ﻓﻠﻬﺎ ﻤﻘﹶﻠـﺩﻫﺎ ﻭ ﻤ ﻘﹾ ﻠﹶ ﺘﹶ ﻬ ﺎ ﻭﻟﹶﻬﺎ ﻋ ﻠ ﻴ ﻪِ ﺴ ﺭ ﺍ ﻭ ﺓﹸ ﺍﻟﻔﹶﻀل ِ 12- I, like hind, with fullest throat and eye show such loving care; that none can deny.
13- ﺃ ﻗﹾ ﺒ ﻠﹾ ﺕﹸ ﻤ ﻘﹾ ﺘﹶ ﺼِ ﺭ ﺍﹰ ﻭ ﺭ ﺍ ﺠ ﻌ ﻨ ﻲ ﺤﻠـْﻤِﻲ ﻭ ﺴ ﺩ ﺩ ﻟﻠﺘﻘﺭﺍﺭ ﻓَِﻌـﻠﻲ 13- Amorous ways of pleasure I forsook My mind awak’d, so paths of wisdom took.
14- ﺍﷲ ﺃ ﻨﹾ ﺠ ﺢ ﻤﺎ ﻁﹶ ﻠﹶ ﺒ ﺕﹸ ﺒِ ﻪِ ﻭﺍﻟﺒِﺭ ﺨﹶ ﻴ ﺭ ﺤﻘِﻴﺒﺔِ ﺍﻟﺭﺤـل ِ 14- With what I need, ‘tis God who best equips. Good deeds are th’best supplies in saddle-scrips.
15- ﻭﻤﻥ ﺍﻟﻁﺭﻴﻘﺔِ ﺠ ﺎ ﺌِ ﺭ ﻭ ﻫ ﺩ ﻯ ﻗﹶ ﺼ ﺩ ﺍﻟﺴﺒﻴلِ ﻭ ﻤِ ﻨﹾ ﻪ ﺫﹸﻭ ﺩ ﺨﹾ لِ 15- One; keeps to Right’s straightest and narrow road. Another; falls, weighted with deprav’ty’s load.
16- ﺇﻨﻲ ﻷ ﺼ ﺭِ ﻡ ﻤ ﻥ ﻴ ﺼ ﺎ ﺭ ﻤ ﻨ ﻲ ﻭ ﺃُ ﺠِ ﺩ ﻭ ﺼ لَ ﻤ ﻥ ﺃﺒﺘﹶﻐﻰ ﻭﺼﻠﻲ 16- I forsake those who shy from me and spurn
97
And turn to those whose ‘ffections to me turn.
17- ﻭﺃﺨِﻲ ﺇ ﺨﹶ ﺎ ﺀٍ ﺫﻱ ﻤ ﺤ ﺎ ﻓﹶ ﻅﹶ ﺔٍ ﺴ ﻬ لِ ﺍﻟﺨﹶﻠﻴﻘﺔِ ﻤ ﺎ ﺠِ ﺩٍ ﺍﻷﺼل ِ 17- A broth’r is one who’ll stand for the forlorn. One who’s well-natured, well-mannered, well-born.
18- ﺤﻠﹾﻭٍ، ﺇﺫﺍ ﻤﺎ ﺠِ ﺌ ﺕﹶ ﻗ ﺎ لَ ﺃﻻ ﻓﻲ ﺍ ﻟ ﺭ ﺤ ﺏِ ﺃ ﻨﹾ ﺕﹶ ﻭﻤﻨﹾﺯِل ِ ﺍﻟﺴﻬل ِ 18- Who’s sweet; who if to his house you e’er come He’ll cry out: “you’re most and truly welcome”
19- ﻨ ﺎ ﺯ ﻋ ﺘﹸ ﻪ ﻜ ﺄ ﺱ ﺍﻟﺼﺒﻭﺡ ﻭ ﻟﹶ ﻡ ﺃ ﺠ ﻬ ـ لْ ﻤ ﺠِ ﺩ ﺓﹶ ﻋِ ﺫ ﺭ ﺓِ ﺍﻟﺭﺠـل ِ 19- With him at drink, and he with drink high-blown, him I excuse; his surfeit I’ll condone.
20- ﺇﻨﻲ ﺒِ ﺤ ﺒ ـْ ـ ﻠﹶ ﻙ ﻭ ﺍ ﺼِ لٌ ﺤﺒﻠِﻲ ﻭ ﺒِ ﺭ ﻴ ﺵِ ﻨﹶ ﺒ ﻠِ ﻙ ﺭ ﺍ ﺌ ﺵﹲ ﻨﹶﺒﻠﻲ 20- With your twine, mine I will so entwine, With your arrows’ feathers, I’ll feather mine.
21- ﻤﺎ ﻟﹶ ﻡ ﺃَ ﺠِ ﺩ ﻙ ﻋﻠﻰ ﻫﺩﻯ ﺃ ﺜﹶ ﺭٍ ﻴﻘﺭﻭ ﻤ ﻘﹶ ﺼ ﻙ ﻗ ﺎ ﺌِ ﻑﹲ ﻗﹶﺒﻠﻲ 21- Your footprints I’ll in best of faith follow Unless o’ertak’n by some other fellow.
22- ﻭ ﺸﹶ ﻤ ﺎ ﺌِ ﻠ ﻲ ﻤﺎ ﻗﹶ ﺩ ﻋ ﻠِ ﻤ ﺕﹸ ﻭﻤﺎ ﻨﹶ ﺒ ﺤ ﺕﹾ ﻜِ ﻼ ﺒ ﻙ ﻁﹶ ﺎ ﺭ ﻗ ﺎﹰ ﻤِﺜﹾﻠﻲ 22- What’s good in me you have well-known, and marked At night call’r like me, your dogs have nev’r barked.
[44] ﻭ ﺍ ﺜﹸ ﻌ ﻼﹰ “O Thucal ” In praise of Beni Tha`al
1- ﻭﺍ ﺜ ـُ ﻌ ﻼﹰ ﺇ ﻭ ﺃ ﻴ ﻥ ﻤِﻨﹼﻲ ﺒﻨﻭ ﺜ ـُ ﻌ لْ ﺃﻻ ﺤ ﺒﺫﺍ ﻗ ﻭ ﻡ ﻴ ﺤ ﻠﱡ ﻭ ﻥ ﺒ ﺎ ﻟ ﺠ ﺒ لْ 1- O Thucal! and where, so far from me, are they.
98
I wish to these their mounts they’d come and stay.213
2- ﻨﹶ ﺯ ﻟﹾ ﺕﹸ ﻋﻠﻰ ﻋﻤﺭﻭ ﺒ ﻥِ ﺩ ﺭ ﻤ ﺎ ﺀ ﺒ ﻠﹾ ﻁﹶ ﺔﹰ ﻓﹶﻴﺎ ﻜﹶ ﺭ ﻡ ﻤﺎ ﺠﺎﺭ ٍ ﻭﻴﺎ ﺤ ﺴ ﻥ ﻤﺎ ﻓ ـَ ﻌ ـَ لْ 2- At “cAmr Dermaa’s” fine house I once had stayed . So generous! So fine the fare he laid.
3- ﺘﹶ ﻅ لﱡ ﻟﹶﺒﻭﻨﻲ ﺒ ﻴ ﻥ ﺠ ﻭ ٍ ﻭﻤِﺴﻁـَﺢ ٍ ﺘﹸﺭﺍﻋِﻲ ﺍ ﻟ ﻔِ ﺭ ﺍ ﺥﹶ ﺍ ﻟ ﺩ ﺍ ﺭِ ﺠ ﺎ ﺕِ ﻤِ ﻥ ﺍ ﻟ ﺤ ﺠ لْ 3- My milch camels ‘tween “Jaww” and “Mistah” raise their young, who with land-fowl, together graze .
4- ﻤﺎ ﺯ ﺍ لَ ﻋﻨﹾﻬﺎ ﻤ ﻌ ﺸﹶ ﺭ ﺒ ﻘ ﺴ ﻴ ﻬ ـِ ﻡ ﻴﺫﻭﺩﻭﻨﻬﺎ ﺤﺘﹼﻰ ﺃَ ﻗﹸ ﻭ لَ ﻟﻬﻡ ﺒِ ﺠ لْ 4- Herdsmen I have who for the herd do care so much, that I tell them their care to spare214
5- ﻓ ﺄ ﺒ ﻠِ ﻎﹾ ﻤ ﻌ ﺩ ﺍﹰ ﻭﺍﻟﻌِﺒﺎﺩ ﻭﻁـَﻴﺌﺎ ً ﻭ ﻜِ ﻨﹾ ﺩ ﺓﹶ ﺃَﻨﱢﻲ ﺸﹶ ﺎ ﻜِ ﺭ ﻟِ ﺒ ﻨ ﻲ ﺜـُﻌـل ِ 5- To “Macad”; “cIbad”; “Kinda”, and Tayy proclaim: That I to “Thucal” e’er thankfull shall remain215
[45] ﺍ ﻟ ﻜﹶ ﺭ ﻴ ﻡ ﻟ ﻠ ﻜﹶ ﺭ ﻴ ﻡِ ﻤ ﺤ لْ “As honoured guest with honoured host I stayed ”
1- ﺃ ﺤ ﻠﹶ ﻠﹾ ﺕﹸ ﺭﺤﻠﻲ ﻓﻲ ﺒﻨﻲ ﺜﹸ ﻌ لٍ ﺇﻥ ﺍ ﻟ ﻜ ﺭ ﻴ ﻡ ﻟ ﻠ ﻜﹶ ﺭ ﻴ ﻡِ ﻤ ﺤ لْ 1- As guest my gear at “Tha`als” abobe I laid. As honoured guest with honoured hosts I stayed.
2- ﻭ ﺠ ﺩ ﺕﹸ ﺨﹶ ﻴ ﺭ ﺍﻟﻨﹶﺎﺱ ِ ﻜـُـﻠـّﻬِﻡ ِ ﺠ ﺎ ﺭ ﺍﹰ ﻭﺃﻭﻓﹶﺎﻫﻡ ﺃﺒﺎ ﺤ ﻨﹾ ﺒ لْ 2- Of all good folk and neighbours true and fine “Abu Hanbal” did his fine peers outshine.
3- ﻭ ﺃ ﻗﹾ ﺭ ﺒ ﻬ ﻡ ﺨﹶ ﻴ ﺭ ﺍﹰ ﻭ ﺃَ ﺒ ﻌ ﺩ ﻫ ﻡ ﺸﹶ ﺭ ﺍﹰ ﻭ ﺃ ﺴ ﺨﹶ ﺎ ﻫ ﻡ ﻓﻼ ﻴ ﺒ ﺨﹶ لْ
213 “their mounts” refers to mounts “Aja” and “Sulma” in the Tayy homelands. 214 His over-zealous herdsmen drive, tend and keep the herd; driving away anyone anywhere near the animals. They are so conscientious that he has to tell them “Enough! Do not over do it”. 215 “Macad”: A clan of the Beni Assad. “cIbad”: a clan of Beni Temim.
99
3- To good so close, so far from being mean. Gen’rous when folk and times are hard and lean.
[46] ﻤ ﻥ ﻜﺎﻥ ﻴ ﺄ ﻤ لْ “Who hopes” 1- ﻤﻥ ﻜ ﺎ ﻥ ﻴ ﺄ ﻤ لُ ﻋ ﻘﹾ ﺭ ﺩﺍﺭﻱ ﻤِ ﻥ ﺃ ﻫ لِ ﺍﻷﻭﺩ، ﺒِﻬﺎ، ﻭﺫﻱ ﺍﻟﺫﺤـل ِ 1- Who hopes, in my domain, himself to show. Once was fast friend, now fierce and fighting foe.
2- ﻓﹶﻠﹾﻴﺄﺕِ ﻭ ﺴ ﻁﹶ ﻗِ ﺒ ﺎ ﺒِ ﻪِ ﺨﹶﻴﻠﻲ ﻭﻟﹾﻴﺄﺕِ ﻭ ﺴ ﻁﹶ ﺨﹶ ﻤ ﻴ ﺴِ ﻪِ ﺭﺠﻠﻲ 2- My cavalry he’ll face round his domed tent. Let his host come; it will by mine be rent.
3- ﻴﺎ ﻫ لْ ﺃ ﺘ ﺎ ﻙ ﻭ ﻗﹶ ﺩ ﻴ ﺤ ﺩ ﺙﹸ ﺫﻭ ﺍ ﻟ ﻭ ﺩ ﺍ ﻟ ﻘﹶ ﺩ ﻴ ﻡِ ﻤ ﺴ ﻤ ﺔﹶ ﺍﻟﺩﺨﹾل ِ 3- Will he approach? Yet one cannot deny that friendship stirs what deep in man does lie.216
4- ﺃﻨﹼﻲ ﻟﹶﻌﻤﺭﻱ ﻤﺎ ﺍﻨﺘﹶﻤﻴﺕﹸ ﻓﹶ ﻠﹶ ﻡ ﺃ ﻋ ﺩِ لْ ﺇﻟﻰ ﺒﺩل ٍ ﻭﻻ ﻤِﺜـْـل ِ 4- I’ve never with others threw in my lot. Nor am, with appeasing others, besot.
5- ﻷﺥ ٍ ﺭ ﻀ ﻴ ﺕﹸ ﺒ ـِ ﻪِ ﻭ ﺸﹶ ﺎ ﺭ ﻙ ﻓﻲ ﺍ ﻷ ﻨ ﺴ ﺎ ﺏِ ﻭ ﺍ ﻷ ﺼ ﻬ ﺎ ﺭِ ﻭﺍﻟﻔﹶﻀل ِ 5- Except brothers with whom I’m quite content. Who with me share, good birth, deed, and intent.
6- ﻭ ﻟِ ﻤِ ﺜﹾ لُ ﺃ ﺴ ﺒ ﺎ ﺏٍ ﻋ ﻠِ ﻘﹾ ﺕﹸ ﺒِﻬﺎ ﻴ ﻤ ﻨﹶ ﻌ ﻥ ﻤِ ﻥ ﻗﹶ ﻠﹶ ﻕٍ ﻭ ﻤِ ﻥ ﺃَﺯل ِ 6- To such, in faith am I so closely tied. Faith that wards off hardship from ev’ry side.
7- ﻟﹶﻤﺎ ﺴﻤﺎ ﻤِ ﻥ ﺒﻴﻥ ِ ﺃ ﻗ ﺭ ﻥ ﻓـﺎﻟـ ﺃ ﺠ ﺒ ﺎ لِ ﻗﹸ ﻠﹾ ﺕﹸ: ﻓِ ﺩ ﺍ ﺅ ﻩ ﺃﻫﻠﻲ ِ 7- Faith rose ‘tween “Aqrun” and “’Ajbal”. Said I: “For such fine faith I’d let my fam’ly die”217
216 He implies that the foe attacking him today may well have been his friend of yesterday; and that one cannot predict how one will conduct oneself in such a situation.
100
8- ﻫ ﻡ ﺴ ﻴ ﺒ ﻠﹸ ﻐﹸ ﻪ ﺍﻟﺘﱠﻤﺎﻡ ﻓﹶﺫﹶﺍ ﻅﹶﻨﹼﻲ ﺒِ ﻪِ ﺴ ﻴ ﻨ ﺎ لُ ﺃﻭ ﻴﺒﻠِﻲ 8- Care would, to its, foregone conclusion come. I fear it would away with me have done.
9- ﻭﺃﺘﻰ ﻋﻠﻰ ﻏﹶﻁﹶﻔﺎﻥ، ﻓﹶ ﺎ ﺨﹾ ﺘﹶ ﻠﹶ ﻠ ﻭ ﺍ ، ﺩ ﻴ ﻥ ﻴ ﺠ ﺊُ ﻭ ﻫ ﺎ ﺭِ ﺏ ﻤﺠـِل ِ 9- On “Ghatafan” fell this worrisome curse. It’s folk, from home did in anguish disperse.
10- ﻭ ﻴ ﺤ ﺵﱡ ﺘﹶ ﺤ ﺕﹶ ﺍ ﻟ ﻘِ ﺩ ﺭِ ﻴﻭﻗِﺩﻫﺎ ﺒِﻐﹶﻀﺎ ﺍ ﻟ ﻐﹶ ﺭ ﻴ ﻑِ ﻓ ﺄ ﺠ ﻤ ﻌ ﺕﹾ ﺜﹶﻐﹾﻠِﻲ 10- Cauldron!, kindled below with ire and toil With hardwood stoked, the pot was brought to boil.
[47] ﻜﹶ ﺄَ ﻥ ﺍﻟﻤﺩﺍﻡ “Drinking”
1- ﻜﺄﻥ ﺍ ﻟ ﻤ ﺩ ﺍ ﻡ ﻭ ﺼ ﻭ ﺏ ﺍﻟﻐﹶﻤﺎﻡِ ﻭ ﺭ ﻴ ﺢ ﺍﻟﺨﹸﺯﺍﻤﻰ ﻭ ﺫﹶ ﻭ ﺏ ﺍ ﻟ ﻌ ﺴ لْ 1- As if fine wine; and rain pouring down in haste. And scent of flow’r, and honey’s dulcet taste,
2- ﻴ ﻌ لﱡ ﺒِ ﻪِ ﺒ ﺭ ﺩ ﺃﻨﹾﻴﺎﺒِﻬﺎ ﺇﺫﺍ ﺍ ﻟ ﻨﱠ ﺠ ﻡ ﻭ ﺴ ﻁﹶ ﺍﻟﺴﻤﺎﺀِ ﺍ ﺴ ﺘﹶ ﻘﹶ لْ 2- All on the cool pearl of her teeth were sent. When stars up to th’ heavens made their ascent.
[48] ﺼﻤﻲ ﺍ ﺒ ﻨﹶ ﺔﹶ ﺍ ﻟ ﺠ ﺒ لِ “List’n not, echoes” Recited when he grudgingly asked for the Beni cAdwan for refuge after his fathers’ murder.
217 A fast and lasting friendship was struck between these two locations.
101
1- ﺒ ﺩ ﻟﹶ ﺕﹾ ﻤِ ﻥ ﻭ ﺍ ﺌِ لٍ ﻭ ﻜِ ﻨﹾ ﺩ ﺓﹶ ﻋ ﺩ ﻭ ﺍ ﻥ ﻭﻓﹶﻬﻤﺎﹰ، ﺼﻤﻲ ﺍ ﺒ ﻨﹶ ﺔﹶ ﺍ ﻟ ﺠ ﺒ لِ 1- “Adwan”s “Fahm’s favours ask I’d rather not. List’n not, echoes, “Wa’il’n Kinda are the top.218
2- ﻗﹶ ﻭ ﻡ ﻴ ﺤ ﺎ ﺠ ﻭ ﻥ ﺒﺎﻟﺒِﻬﺎﻡِ ﻭ ﻨِ ﺴ ﺭ ﺍ ﻥ ﻗِ ﺼ ﺎ ﺭ ﻜﹶﻬﻴﺌَﺔِ ﺍ ﻟ ﺤ ﺠ لِ 2- To el’quence they reply with snort and growl Small eagles they, their stature that of fowl
[49] ﺃَ ﺒ ﻠِ ﻎﹾ ﺸﹶ ﻬ ﺎ ﺒ ﺎﹰ ﻭﻋﺎﺼِﻤﺎ “Tell Shihab and cAsim” Addressing Shihab b. Shaddad b. Thcalaba; and cAsim b. cUbayd b. Thcalaba.
1- ﺃَ ﺒ ﻠِ ﻎﹾ ﺸِ ﻬ ﺎ ﺒ ﺎﹰ ﻭ ﺃ ﺒ ﻠ ﻎﹾ ﻋﺎﺼِﻤﺎ ﻭﻤﺎﻟِﻜﺎﹰ ﻫل ﺃﺘﺎﻙ ﺍ ﻟ ﺨﹶ ﺒ ﺭ ﻤﺎل ِ؟ 1- Tell “Shihab”, “cAsim” and “Malik” as well. Have they been told of what had them befell?
2- ﺇﻨﺎ ﺘﹶﺭﻜﹾﻨﹶﺎ ﻤِﻨﻜﹸﻡ ﻗﹶﺘﹾﻠﻰ ﺒِﺨﹶﻭﻋﻰ ﻭﺴﺒﻴﺎﹰ ﻜﺎﻟﺴﻌﺎﻟﻲِ 2- At “Khawca” we left your injured and dead. As ghastly ghouls your captives we had led.
3- ﻴ ﻤ ﺸ ﻴ ﻥ ﺤﻭل ﺭِﺤﺎﻟِﻨﹶﺎ ﻤﻌﺘﹶﺭِﻓﺎﺕ ٍ ﻤﺎ ﺒِﺠﻭﻉ ٍ ﻭﻫﺯﺍل ِ 3- Around our saddling, wretch’dly do they walk So hungry, lean,’n mis`rable; they sulk and gawk.
“Shihab” replied to this lampoon as follows:
1- ﻟِ ﻡ ﺘﹶﺴﺒﻨﺎ ﻴﺎ ﺍﻤﺭﺃ ﺍﻟﻘﹶﻴﺱ ﺤﺘﹼﻰ ﺍ ﺴ ﺘﹶ ﻔﹶ ﺄ ﻨﹶ ﺎ ﻙ ﻤِ ﻥ ﺃﻫل ﻭﻤﺎل ِ 1- O Imru’ul Qays! Why slander us so? Your folk and wealth we took in whiles ago.
218 He resents asking the inferior “cAdwan” and “Fahm” clans for hospitality. He addresses the mountain echoes to stop their ears as he calls out to the two clans requesting their assistance; as he holds them to be far below his own tribe of Kinda in birth.
102
2- ﺫ ﺍ ﻙ ﻭ ﻜﹶ ﻡ ﺴ ﻭ ﺩ ﺍ ﺀ ﻜِﻨﹾﺩِﻴﺔﹰ ﺘﹶ ﺴ ﺘﹶ ﻘﹾ ﺒِ لُ ﺍ ﻟ ﻘﹶ ﻭ ﻡ ﺒِ ﻭ ﺠ ﻪٍ ﻜ ﺎ ﻟ ﺠِ ﻌ ﺎ ل ِ 2- That; and many a blackened Kindite hag. Meets people with face like soiled’n tatt’red rag.
3- ﻗﺎﻴﻅﹾﻨﹶﻨﺎ ﻴ ﺄْ ﻜﹸ ﻠﹾ ﻥ ﻓِﻴﻨﺎ ﻗِ ﺩ ﺍﹰ ﻭ ﻤ ﺤ ﺭ ﻭ ﺙﹶ ﺍﻟﺨﹸﻤﺎل ِ 3- With us they’ve stayed for spells long, dry and hot. With us shared dried meat ’n roots; else we had not.
4- ﺃﻴﺎﻡ ﺼﺒﺤﻨﹶﺎﻜﹸﻡ ﻤ ﻠﹾ ﻤ ﻭ ﻤ ﺔﹰ ﻜﺄَﻨﱠﻤﺎ ﻨﹸ ﻁﱢ ﻘﹶ ﺕﹾ ﻓﻲ ﺤ ﺯ ﻡِ ﺁ لِ 4- You we’ve attacked in but one morning raid, With host close-packed as hardest ground is laid.219
5- ﻤ ﻥ ﻜﹸ لﱢ ﻗﺒﺎﺀ ﺘﹶﻌﺩﻭ ﺍﻟﻭﻜﹶﺭﻯ ﺇﺫ ﻭ ﻨﹶ ﺕِ ﺍ ﻟ ﺨ ﻴ لُ ﺒﺎﻟﻘﹶﻭﻡِ ﺍ ﻟ ﺜِ ﻘ ﺎ لِ 5- Our doughty steeds, at charge so swift and straight. That pant under their heavy armoured weight.
[50] ﺍ ﻟ ﺩ ﻫ ﺭ ﻏﹸﻭلٌ “Time is but a ghoul” In reproach of Time
1- ﺃ ﻟﹶ ﻡ ﺃُ ﺨﹾ ﺒِ ﺭ ﻙ ﺃﻥ ﺍ ﻟ ﺩ ﻫ ﺭ ﻏﹸ ﻭ لٌ ﺨﹶ ﺘﹸ ﻭ ﺭ ﺍ ﻟ ﻌ ﻬ ﺩِ ﻴ ﻠﹾ ﺘﹶ ﻬِ ﻡ ﺍ ﻟ ﺭ ﺠ ﺎ ﻻﹶ 1- Have I not said that Time is mean and dour. A ghoul that does good men and true devour.
2- ﺃَ ﺯ ﺍ لَ ﻤِ ﻥ ﺍﻟﻤﺼﺎﻨِﻊ ِ ﺫﺍ ﺭِﻴﺎﺵ ٍ ﻭ ﻗﹶ ﺩ ﻤ ﻠﹶ ﻙ ﺍ ﻟ ﺴ ﻬ ﻭ ﻟ ـَ ﺔﹶ ﻭ ﺍ ﻟ ﺠِ ﺒ ﺎ ﻻ َ 2- It, “Dhil Riyash”, from his domains had swept220 Both mountains and plains were in his kingdom kept.
219 Hardest ground refers to a specific location; the hard rocky ground round Mount “’Al”. 220 “It”, throughout these lines, refers to Time. “Dhil Riyash” an ancient King of Yemen.
103
3- ﻫ ﻤ ﺎ ﻡ ﻁﹶ ﺤ ﻁﹶ ﺢ ﺍﻵﻓﺎﻕﹶ ﻭ ﺤ ﻴ ﺎﹰ ﻭﺴﺎﻕﹶ ﺍﻟﻰ ﻤ ﺸﹶ ﺎ ﺭ ﻗِ ﻬ ﺎ ﺍﻟﺭﻋﺎﻻﹶ 3- It’s inspired will into th’horizons strives. To eastern ends, it, conq’ring vanguards drives.
4- ﻭ ﺴ ﺩ ﺒ ﺤ ﻴ ﺙﹸ ﺘﹶﺭﻗﻰ ﺍ ﻟ ﺸﹶ ﻤ ﺱ ﺴ ﺩ ﺍﹰ ﻟِ ﻴ ﺎ ﺠ ﻭ ﺝٍ ﻭ ﻤ ﺎ ﺠ ﻭ ﺝ ﺍ ﻟ ﺠِ ﺒ ﺎ ﻻﹶ 4- Up to the sun it rises as a wall. Up th’mountains, it “Gog”, “Magog” hords did forestall.221
5- ﻓ ﺈ ﻥ ﺘﹶﻬﻠِﻙ ﺸﹶ ﻨﹸ ﻭ ﺀ ﺓﹸ ﺃﻭ ﺘﹶ ﺒ ﺩ لْ ﻓﹶﺴِﻴﺭِﻱ ﺇ ﻥ ﻓﻲ ﻏﹶ ﺴ ﺎ ﻥ ﺨﹶ ﺎ ﻻﹶ 5- Time may “Shanu`a” fell, or may displace. It’ll show “Ghassan” as th’avuncular race222
6- ﺒ ﻌ ﺯ ﻫِ ﻡِ ﻋ ﺯ ﺯ ﺕﹶ ﻓﹶ ﺈ ﻥ ﻴﺫِﻟـّﻭﺍ ﻓﹶ ـ ﺫ ﻟ ـّ ـ ﻜ ـُ ﻡ ﺃﻨﹶﺎﻟﹶﻙ ﻤﺎ ﺃﻨﹶﺎﻻ 6- Their glory, Time, is yours. If they’re in shame, the shame is yours; you’ll have yourself to blame.
[51] ﻋﻴﻨﹶﺎﻙ ﺩﻤﻌﻬﻤﺎ ﺴِﺠﺎ لُ “Free-flowing are your tears”
1- ﻋﻴﻨﹶﺎﻙ ﺩﻤﻌﻬﻤﺎ ﺴِ ﺠ ﺎ لُ ﻜﹶ ﺄ ﻥ ﺸﹶﺄﻨﹶﻴﻬِﻤﺎ ﺃ ﻭ ﺸﹶ ﺎ لُ 1- Free-flowing are your tears, as though your eyes were tear-ducts that with channels vie in size.
2- ﺍﻭ ﺠ ﺩ ﻭ لٌ ﻓﻲ ﻅِ ﻼ لِ ﻨﹶ ﺨﹾ لٍ ﻟ ﻠ ﻤ ﺎ ﺀِ ﻤِ ﻥ ﺘﹶ ﺤ ﺘِ ﻪِ ﻤ ﺠ ﺎ لُ 2- As though your eyes were streams by palmy shade whose flowing courses wide and deep are made.
3- ﻤِ ﻥ ﺫِ ﻜﹾ ﺭِ ﻟﹶﻴﻠﻰ، ﻭ ﺃ ﻴ ﻥ ﻟﹶﻴﻠﻰ ﻭ ﺨﹶ ﻴ ﺭ ﻤﺎ ﺭ ﻤ ﺕﹶ ﻤﺎ ﻴ ﻨﹶ ﺎ لُ 3- O Layla’s folk! And where might Layla be? So very far out of your reach is she.
221 Time rises like a mountain-wall up to the Sun, blocking the advance of the devastating hords of “Gog”, “Magog”; a legendary race who indulged in orgies of sweeping destruction. 222 Time may do away with the “Shanu`a”, a tribe of Yemini origins and show “Ghassan” as the paternal uncle of other tribal peoples.
104
4- ﻗﹶ ﺩ ﺃ ﻗﹾ ﻁﹶ ﻊ ﺍ ﻷ ﺭ ﺽ ﻭﻫﻲ ﻗﹶ ﻔﹾ ﺭ ﻭﺼﺎﺤِﺒﻲ ﺒ ﺎ ﺯِ لٌ ﺸِ ﻤ ﻼ لُ 4- O’er lifeless barren ground I range alone on camel that to th’age of nine had grown.
5- ﻨﹶ ﺎ ﻋِ ﻤ ﺔﹲ ﻨﹶ ﺎ ﺌِ ﻡ ﺃَﺒﺠـﻠـُﻬﺎ ﻜﹶ ﺄ ﻥ ﺤﺎﺭِﻜﹶﻬﺎ ﺃُ ﺜﹶ ﺎ لُ 5- ’Tis swift and smooth, its veins in deep flesh lie. It’s shoulder blades, as mount “Uthal”, rise high.
6- ﻜﺄﻨﹼﻬﺎ ﻤ ﻔﹾ ﺭ ﺩ ﺸﹶ ﺒ ﻭ ﺏ ﺘﹶ ﻠﹸ ﻔﱡ ﻪ ﺍ ﻟ ﺭ ﻴ ﺢ ﻭﺍﻟﻅـﱢﻼلُ 6- A loner, like an ag’d rogue bull, unkept. By howling wind, and drizzle, is beswept.
7- ﻜﺄﻨﱠﻬﺎ ﻋ ﻨﹾ ﺯ ﺒ ﻁﹾ ﻥِ ﻭ ﺍ ﺩٍ ﺘﹶﻌﺩﻭ ﻭ ﻗﹶ ﺩ ﺃُ ﻓ ﺭِ ﺩ ﺍﻟﻐﹶﺯﺍلُ 7- As swift as distressed hind that’s lost its young; that darts about, in nervous speed upstrung.
8- ﻋﺩﻭﺍﹰ، ﺘﹶﺭﻯ ﺒ ﻴ ﻨﹶ ﻪ ﺃﺒﻭﺍﻋﺎ ﺘﹶ ﺤ ﻔِ ﺯ ﻩ ﺃ ﻜﹾ ﺭ ﻉ ﻋِ ﺠ ﺎ لُ 8- A pace-setter; its strides are widely spaced. Propelled by legs that fast forwardly race.
9- ﻭ ﻏﹶ ﺎ ﺌ ﻁٍ ﻗﹶ ﺩ ﻫ ﺒ ﻁﹶ ﺕﹸ ﻭﺤﺩِﻱ ﻟ ﻠ ﻘﹶ ﻠﹾ ﺏِ ﻤِ ﻥ ﺨ ﻭ ﻓِ ﻪِ ﺃَ ﺠ ﺌِ ﻼﹶ لُ 9- Alone, through wide, low lying land, I crossed. My heart, with awesome fears, was shak’n and tossed.
10- ﺼ ﺎ ﺏ ﻋ ﻠﹶ ﻴ ﻪِ ﺭﺒِﻴﻊ ﺼ ﻴ ﻑﹲ ﻜﹶ ﺄ ﻥ ﻗﹸ ﺭ ﻴ ﺎ ﻨِ ﻪ ﺍ ﻟ ﺭ ﺤ ﺎ لُ 10- Down ‘pon this land poured summer rains in floods. It’s streamlets coloured rich, as “Hira’s” goods.223
11- ﺘﹶ ﻘﹾ ﺩ ﻤ ﻨ ﻲ ﻨﹶ ﻬ ﺩ ﺓﹲ ﺴ ﺒ ﻭ ﺡ ﺼـﻠـﱠﺒﻬﺎ ﺍ ﻟ ﻌ ﺽ ﻭﺍﻟﺤِﻴﺎلُ 11- I proceed upon a fine, pedigree mare unfoaled. She’s hard; dry grass her only fare.
12- ﻜﹶ ﺄَ ﻨﱠ ﻬ ﺎ ﻟِ ﻘﹾ ﻭ ﺓﹲ ﻁﹶ ﻠﹸ ﻭ ﺏ ﻜﹶ ﺄ ﻥ ﺨﹸﺭﻁﹸﻭﻤﻬﺎ ﻤِ ﻨﹾ ﺸﹶ ﺎ لُ
223 The Lakhmite capital, Hira, was known for its richly coloured artifacts and wares.
105
12- Bird-like is she, her head a magpie’s beak that picks like tweezers, ‘s does a hectic freak.
13- ﺘﹸ ﻁﹾ ﻌِ ﻡ ﻓﹶ ﺭ ﺨ ﺎﹰ ﻟﻬﺎ ﺼ ﻐ ﻴ ﺭ ﺍﹰ ﺃَﺯﺭﻯ ﺒِ ﻪِ ﺍ ﻟ ﺠ ﻭ ﻉ ﻭﺍﻹﺤﺜﹶﺎلُ 13- She’s like those birds their hectic lives that lead. So hard at work their famished chicks to feed.
14- ﻗﹸ ﻠﹸ ﻭ ﺏ ﺨِ ﺯ ﺍ ﻥِ ﺫﻱ ﺃ ﻭ ﺭ ﺍ لٍ ﻗﹸ ﻭ ﺘ ﺎﹰ ﻜﻤﺎ ﻴ ﺭ ﺯ ﻕﹸ ﺍ ﻟ ﻌِ ﻴ ﺎ لُ 14- Such birds their chicks do spoil with choicest fare:- The succulant hearts of prime “Awral” hare.224
15- ﻭ ﻏﹶ ﺎ ﺭ ﺓٍ ﺫ ﺍ ﺕِ ﻗﹶ ﻴ ﺭ ﻭ ﺍ ﻥٍ ﻜﹶ ﺄَ ﻥ ﺃﺴﺭﺍﺒﻬﺎ ﺭِ ﻋ ﺎ لُ 15- I raided with whole battalions of horse. It’s squads were vanguards leading on th’ main force
16- ﻜﹶ ﺄَ ﻨﱠ ﻬ ﻡ ﺤ ﺭ ﺸﹶ ﻑﹲ ﻤﺒﺜﹸﻭﺙﹲ ﺒِﺎﻟﺠﻭ ﺇﺫ ﺘﹶ ﺒ ﺭ ﻕﹸ ﺍ ﻟ ﻨﹼ ﻌ ﺎ لُ 16- With th’ raiding horsemen tense I was and tight Shoed hoofs shone bright; ‘s locust wings in sunlight.
17- ﺼﺒﺤﺘﹶﻬﺎ ﺍ ﻟ ﺤ ﻲ ﺫﺍ ﺼ ﺒ ﺎ ﺡٍ ﻓﹶ ﻜﹶ ﺎ ﻥ ﺃ ﺸﹾ ﻘﹶ ﺎ ﻫ ﻡ ﺍﻟﺭﺠﺎلُ 17- Their camps we struck hard, on a bright day’s morn For men, death. Th’ rest were, ’way as captives borne.
[52] ﺍ ﻟ ﺤ ﺭ ﺏ ﺃﻭل ﻤﺎ ﺘﻜﻭﻥ “War is, at first” Describing war and its dire sequels:
1- ﺍ ﻟ ﺤ ﺭ ﺏ ﺃ ﻭ لَ ﻤﺎ ﺘﹶ ﻜ ﻭ ﻥ ﻓﹸ ﺘﹶ ﻴ ﺔٍ ﺘﹶﺒﺩﻭ ﺒِﺯِﻴﻨﹶﺘِﻬﺎ ﻟِ ﻜﹸ لّ ﺠ ﻬ ﻭ ل ِ 1- War is, at first, so like a pretty girl. Whose luring charms to simple minds unfurl.
224 “Awral”: plateau, higher ground. The comparison between his mare and predatory birds serves to show the horse as an over-energetic hunter.
106
2- ﺤ ﻲ ﺇﺫﺍ ﺤ ﻤِ ﻴ ﺕﹾ ﻭ ﺸﹶ ﺏ ﻀﺭﺍﻤﻬﺎ ﻋ ﺎ ﺩ ﺕﹾ ﻋ ﺠ ﻭ ﺯ ﺍﹰ ﻏﹶ ﻴ ﺭ ﺫﺍﺕ ﺤﻠﻴل ِ 2- But as it grinds away, its fires at rage, it turns to a manless hag bent with age.
3- ﺸﹶﻤﻁﹶﺎﺀ ﺠﺯﺕ ﺭﺃﺴﻬﺎ ﻭ ﺘﹶ ﻨﹶ ﻜﹼ ﺭ ﺕﹾ ﻤ ﻜﹾ ﺭ ﻭ ﻫ ﺔﹰ ﻟِﻠﹾﺸﱠﻡ ِ ﻭﺍﻟﺘﹶﻘﹾﺒﻴل ِ 3- Her hair turned white. How she has grown so old. Hideous; loathsome is she to kiss and hold.
[53] ﻭ ﻤ ﺴ ﺘ ﻠﹾ ﺌِ ﻡٍ “An armoured knight”
1- ﻭ ﻤ ﺴ ﺘﹶ ﻠﹾ ﺌِ ﻡٍ ﻜﹶ ﺸﱠ ﻔﹾ ﺕﹸ ﺒﺎﻟﺭﻤﺢِ ﺼ ﺩ ﺭ ﻩ ﺃ ﻗﹶ ﻤ ﺕﹸ ﺒِ ﻌ ﻀ ﺏٍ ﺴ ﻔ ﺎ ﺴِ ﻕﹶ ﺫﻱ ﻤ ﻴ ﻠﹶ ﻪ 1- An armoured knight my lance his chest laid bare. My fluted sword his stature down did tear.
2- ﻓﹶ ﺠ ﻌ ﺕﹸ ﺒِ ﻪِ ﻓﻲ ﻤﻠﺘﹶﻘﹶﻰ ﺍ ﻟ ﺤ ﻲ ﺨﹶ ﻴ ﻠﹶ ﻪ ﺘﹶ ﺭ ﻜﹾ ﺕﹸ ﻋﻨﺎﻕ ﺍﻟﻁﱠﻴﺭِ ﺘﹶ ﺤ ﺠِ لُ ﺤ ﻭ ﻟﹶ ﻪ 2- In th’ lists his grieved horsemen I left to weep. Vultures were left about their fare to leap.
[54] ﻟﹶ ﻤ ﻥ ﺍﻟﺩِﻴﺎﺭ “To whom do these homelands belong” Here he lampoons Subacy b. cAwf. b. Malik b. Handhala; one of the Beni Tuhya. Imru’ul Qays had approached him with a request which was declined. Subacy then recited derogatory verses vilifying him, and Imru’ul Qays retorted as follows:
1- ﻟِ ﻤ ﻥ ﺍﻟﺩﻴﺎﺭ ﻏﹶﺸﹶﻴﺘﹸﻬﺎ ﺒِ ﺴ ﺤ ﺎ ﻡ ِ ﻓﹶ ﻌ ﻤ ﺎ ﻴ ﺘ ﻴ ﻥِ ﻓﹶ ﻬ ﻀ ﺏٍ ﺫﻱ ﺃﻗﹾﺩﺍﻡ ِ 1- To whom had these “Siham” home lands belonged?
107
With which “cAmya”`s, the heights; “`Iqdam” are thronged?225
2- ﻓﹶﺼﻔﺎ ﺍ ﻷَ ﻁِ ﻴ ﻁِ ﻓﹶﺼﺎﺤﺘﹶﻴﻥِ ﻓﹶ ﻐ ﺎ ﻀِ ﺭٍ ﺘﹶﻤﺸﻲ ﺍ ﻟ ﻨِ ﻌ ﺎ ﺝ ﺒﻬﺎ ﻤﻊ ﺍﻵﺭﺍﻡ ِ 2- “Safa”; “’Atit”; “Sahatayn”; “Ghadere”, Ewes ‘n white deer once walked together there
3- ﺩ ﺍ ﺭ ﻟِ ﻬِ ﻨﹾ ﺩٍ ﻭﺍﻟﺭﺒﺎﺏِ ﻭ ﻓﹶ ﺭ ﺘﹶ ﻨ ﻲ ﻭ ﻟﹶ ﻤِ ﻴ ﺱ ﻗﹶ ﺒ لَ ﺤ ﻭ ﺍ ﺩِ ﺙِ ﺍ ﻷَﻴﺎﻡ ِ 3- There “Hind”; “Rabab”; ”Fertna”; “Lamees” lived once. Before time’s turns’s us all did cru’lly trounce226
4- ﻋﻭﺠﺎ ﻋﻠﻰ ﺍﻟﻁﱠﻠﹶل ﺍ ﻟ ﻤ ﺤِ ﻴ لِ ﻷﻨﹼﻨﹶﺎ ﻨﹶﺒﻜِﻲ ﺍﻟﺩﻴﺎﺭ ﻜﹶﻤﺎ ﺒﻜﹶﻰ ﺍ ﺒ ﻥ ﺨِﺫﺍﻡ ِ 4- Steer your mounts t’wards these ruin’d abodes of yore To weep there ‘s “Ibn Khitham” did long before.227
5- ﺃﻭ ﻤﺎ ﺘﹶﺭﻯ ﺃ ﻅ ﻌ ﺎ ﻨﹶ ﻬ ﻥ ﺒ ﻭ ﺍ ﻜِ ﺭ ﺍﹰ ﻜﺎﻟﻨﹼﺨﹾلِ ﻤِﻥ ﺸ ﻭ ﻜ ﺎ ﻥ ﺤ ﻴ ﻥ ﺼِﺩﺍﻡ ِ 5- Their swaying howdahs, early to be seen Hued, ‘s “Shawkan” dates that ready t’pick have been.228
6- ﺤ ﻭ ﺭ ﺍﹰ ﺘﹸ ﻌ ﻠﱠ لُ ﺒﺎﻟﻌﺒﻴﺭِ ﺠﻠﻭﺩﻫﺎ ﺒِ ﻴ ﺽ ﺍﻟﻭﺠﻭ ﻩِ ﻨ ﻭ ﺍ ﻋِ ﻡ ﺍﻷﺠﺴﺎﻡ ِ 6- With perfume, houries well their skins o’ersooth. Their faces fair; their bodies soft and smooth229.
7- ﻓﹶ ﻅﹶ ﻠﹶ ﻠﹾ ﺕﹸ ﻓﻲ ﺩِﻤﻥ ِ ﺍﻟﺩﻴﺎﺭِ ﻜﺄﻨﹼﻨﻲ ﻨﹶ ﺸﹶ ﻭ ﺍ ﻥ ﺒ ﺎ ﻜﹶ ﺭ ﻩ ﺼ ﺒ ﻭ ﺡ ﻤﺩﺍﻡ ِ 7- For long whiles at th’ ruins I lingered on. Bedazed, as if, in drink quite high I’d gone.
8- ﺃُ ﻨﹸ ﻑٍ ﻜﹶ ﻠﹶ ﻭ ﻥِ ﺩ ﻡِ ﺍﻟﻐﹶﺯﺍلِ ﻤ ﻌ ﺘﱠ ﻕٍ ﻤ ﻥ ﺨﹶ ﻤ ﺭِ ﻋ ﺎ ﻨﹶ ﺔﹰ ﺍﻭ ﻜﹸ ﺭ ﻭ ﻡِ ﺸﹶﺒﺎﻡ ِ
225 “Siham”; the two “cAmyas”, “Iqdam” are mountainous heights. He sees that these homelands have changed hands. They are now occupied by the Beni Tuhya. Formerly they were the abode of several women he loved. 226 “Hind” et al….. women he once loved who now have been brutally scattered by events. 227 Ibn Khitham: The one who preceded Imru’ul Qays in lamenting the ruined abodes of loved ones. 228 Shawkan: a location in ‘al-Yemen known for its fine palms. The howdahs are tall as palms, and as highly coloured. The green palms are also red and yellow in their dates at harvest time. 229 Houri: the ultimate in female beauty. The beauty of a houri lies in her eyes: the pure whiteness of the eye’s white co-existing with a jet-black pupil. The houries here refer to the women who once lived in the abodes described here, now in ruins.
108
8- As if I’d drunk wine, red as blood of deer, from “cAna” ‘n “Shabam”, strong, ‘n full of cheer230
9- ﻭ ﻜﹶ ﺄَ ﻥ ﺸﹶ ﺎ ﺭِ ﺒ ﻬ ﺎ ﺃ ﺼ ﺎ ﺏ ﻟِ ﺴ ﺎ ﻨﹶ ﻪ ﻤ ﻭ ﻡ ﻴ ﺨﹶ ﺎ ﻟِ ﻁﹸ ﺠِ ﺴ ﻤ ﻪ ﺒِﺴﻘﺎﻡ ِ 9- Such potent wine, loos’ning a drinkers’ tongue As if with fever one was highly strung.
10- ﻭ ﻤ ﺠِ ﺩ ﺓﹲ ﻨﹶﺴﺄَﺘﹸﻬﺎ ﻓﹶ ﺘﹶ ﻜﹶ ﻤ ﺸﹶ ﺕﹾ ﺭ ﺘﹾ ﻙ ﺍ ﻟ ﻨﱠ ﻌ ﺎ ﻤ ﺔﹶ ﻓﻲ ﻁ ﺭ ﻴ ﻕٍ ﺤﺎﻡ ِ 10- Swift-paced camel! I prod, it hurries on, as ostrich flees hot sand, quite soon is gone.
11- ﺘـَـﻨـْﺤﺩِﻱ ﻋﻠﻰ ﺍ ﻟ ﻌِ ﻼﹼ ﺕِ ﺴ ﺎ ﻡٍ ﺭﺃْﺴﻬﺎ ﺭ ﻭ ﻋ ﺎ ﺀ ﻤ ﻨﹾ ﺴِ ﻤ ﻬ ﺎ ﺭﺜِﻴﻡ ﺩﺍﻡ ِ 11- With head held high, she hardships takes in stride. Although the cut in bleeding pad be wide.231
12- ﺠﺎﻟﹶﺕﹾ ﻟِ ﺘﹶ ﺼ ﺭ ﻋ ﻨ ﻲ ﻓﹶ ﻘﹸ ﻠﹾ ﺕﹸ ﻟﹶﻬﺎ: ﺍﻗﺼِﺭﻱ ﺇﻨﻲ ﺍ ﻤ ﺭ ﺅٌ ﺼﺭﻋﻲ ﻋ ﻠﹶ ﻴ ﻙِ ﺤ ﺭ ﺍ ﻡ 12- To have me slain, her efforts were in vain. Said I: “`nough! Slay’ng me, wrongful will remain”.
13- ﻓﹶ ﺠ ﺯ ﻴِ ﺕِ ﺨﹶ ﻴ ﺭ ﺠ ﺯ ﺍ ﺀِ ﻨﹶ ﺎ ﻗﹶ ﺔِ ﻭ ﺍ ﺤِ ﺩٍ ﻭ ﺭ ﺠ ﻌ ﺕِ ﺴ ﺎ ﻟِ ﻤ ﺔﹶ ﺍﻟﻘﹶﺭﺍ ﺒِ ﺴ ﻼ ﻡِ 13- Yet her I thanked for her vigorous speed And wished she’d e’er her way in safety lead.
14- ﻭﻜﹶﺄﻨﱠﻤﺎ ﺒ ﺩ ﺭ ﻭﺼِﻴلُ ﻜﹸ ﺘﹶ ﻴ ﻔﹶ ﺔٍ ﻭﻜﹶﺄﻨﱠﻤﺎ ﻤِ ﻥ ﻋ ﺎ ﻗِ لٍ ﺃ ﺭ ﻤ ﺎ ﻡ 14- “Badr”; “Kutayfa” “cAgil”; “’Armam”; I fear are far apart, yet they she brings so near.
15- ﺃ ﺒ ﻠِ ﻎﹾ ﺴ ﺒ ﻴ ﻌ ﺎﹰ ﺇ ﻥ ﻋ ﺭ ﻀ ﺕﹶ ﺭِ ﺴ ﺎ ﻟﹶ ﺔﹰ ﺇﻨﻲ ﻜﹶ ﻬ ﻤ ﻙ ﺇﻥ ﻋ ﺸﹶ ﻭ ﺕﹶ ﺃﻤﺎﻤﻲ 15- If you t’ “Subacy” a verse message recite, tell him: “Should you ‘nother ‘gainst me incite…”
16- ﺃ ﻗﹾ ﺼِ ﺭ ﺇ ﻟﹶ ﻴ ﻙ ﻤِﻥ ﺍ ﻟ ﻭ ﻋ ﻴ ﺩِ ﻓﺈﻨﹼﻨﻲ ﻤﻤﺎ ﺃُﻻﻗﻲ ﻷ ﺸﹸ ﺩ ﺤﺯﺍﻤﻲ
230 `Ana: a town on the upper Euphrates in `al-`Iraq. “Shabam” an unidentified location, famed for its wine. 231 The pad to a camel is what a hoof is to a horse.
109
16- “From threat’ning me you had better desist. For I’m well-tried and ready to resist”.
17- ﻭﺃﻨﺎ ﺍ ﻟ ﻤ ﻨﹶ ﺒ ﻪ ﺒ ﻌﺩﻤﺎ ﻗﹶ ﺩ ﻨﹶﻭﻤﻭﺍ ﻭﺃﻨﺎ ﺍﻟﻤﻌﺎﻟﻲ ﺼ ﻔﹾ ﺤ ﺔﹶ ﺍﻟﻨﱡﻭﺍﻡ ِ 17- Awake am I when all are fast asleep. The riser I, when heads to pillows keep.
18- ﻭﺃﻨﺎ ﺍﻟﺫﻱ ﻋ ﺭ ﻓﹶ ﺕﹾ ﻤ ﻌ ﺩ ﻓﹶ ﻀ ﻠﹶ ﻪ ﻭ ﻨﹸ ﺸِ ﺩ ﺕﹸ ﻋﻥ ﺤ ﺠ ﺭٍ ﺍﺒﻥ ﺃُ ﻡ ﻗﹶ ﻁﹶ ﺎ ﻡ ِ 18- My free-flowing favours “Ma`ad” had praised. And “Hujr’s” name to glorious heights I’ve raised.
19- ﻭﺃُﻨﹶﺎﺯِلُ ﺍ ﻟ ﺒ ﻁﹶ لَ ﺍ ﻟ ﻜﹶ ﺭِ ﻴ ﻪ ﻨِ ﺯ ﻟﹸ ﻪ ﻭﺇﺫ ﺃُ ﻨﹶ ﺎ ﻀ لُ ﻻ ﺘﹶ ﻁِ ﻴ ﺵﹸ ﺴِﻬﺎﻤﻲ 19- I challenge th’ awesome champion, sans delay. In war my arrows never go astray.
20- ﺨﹶﺎﻟﻲ ﺍ ﺒ ﻥ ﻜﹶ ﺒ ﺸﹶ ﺔﹶ ﻗﹶ ﺩ ﻋ ﻠِ ﻤ ﺕﹸ ﻤ ﻜﹶ ﺎ ﻨﹶ ﻪ ﻭﺃﺒﻭ ﻴﺯﻴﺩ ﻭ ﺭ ﻫ ﻁﹸ ﻪ ﺃﻋﻤﺎﻤِﻲ 20- My uncle “Ibn Kabsha”’s standing I’ve well-known. And “Abu Yazid” ‘n his men of renown.232
21- ﻭﺇﺫﺍ ﺃُ ﺫ ﻴِ ﺕﹸ ﺒِ ﺒ ﻠﹾ ﺩ ﺓٍ ﻭﺩﻋﺘﹸﻬﺎ ﻭﻻ ﺃُ ﻗِ ﻴ ﻡ ﺒِ ﻐﹶ ﻴ ﺭِ ﺩ ﺍ ﺭِ ﻤﻘﹶﺎﻡ ِ 21- A town in which I’m harmed, I will forsake. And ne’er a home, `xcept home, will I e’er take
[55] ﺃﻻ ﻗﹶ ﺒ ﺢ ﺍﷲ ﺃ ﻟ ﺒ ﺭ ﺍ ﺠِ ﻡ “May God uglify the “Barajim”” Recited at the slaying of Shurahbil b. cAmr b. Hujr, Imru’ul Qays’s uncle.
1- ﺃﻻ ﻗﹶ ﺒ ﺢ ﺍ ﷲُ ﺍ ﻟ ﺒ ﺭ ﺍ ﺠِ ﻡ ﻜﹸﻠﱠﻬﺎ ﻭ ﺠ ﺩ ﻉ ﻴ ﺭ ﺒ ﻭ ﻋ ﺎﹰ ﻭ ﻋ ﻔﹼ ﺭ ﺩﺍﺭِﻤﺎ 1- May God uglify th’ “Barajim”, one ‘n all Cut “Yarbu`u’s” nose, and “Darim” t’dust let fall.233
232 The verse specifies Ibn Kabsha as his maternal uncle, and Abu Yazid as his paternal uncle. “Men of renown” refers to Abu Yazid’s retainers who follow him faithfully and are known widely for their loyalty.
110
2- ﻭ ﺁ ﺜﹶ ﺭ ﺒ ﺎ ﻟ ﻤ ﻠﹾ ﺤ ﺎ ﺓِ ﺁل ﻤ ﺠ ﺎ ﺸِ ﻊٍ ﺭِ ﻗﹶ ﺎ ﺏ ﺇ ﻤ ﺎ ﺀٍ ﻴ ﻘﹾ ﺘﹶ ﻨﹶ ﻴ ﻥ ﺍﻟﻤﻔﺎﺭِﻤﺎ 2- May he send down on “Mujashci’s” house a curse. They’re rags that women their menstru`al periods nurse.234
3- ﻓﻤﺎ ﻗﺎﺘﹶﻠﻭﺍ ﻋ ﻥ ﺭﺒﻬِﻡ ﻭ ﺭ ﺒ ﻴ ﺒِ ﻬِ ﻡ ﻭﻻ ﺁﺫﻨﻭﺍ ﺠ ﺎ ﺭ ﺍﹰ ﻓ ﻴ ﻅ ﻔﹶ ﺭ ﺴﺎﻟِﻤﺎﹰ 3- They’d fought not for their lord, and so defend. Nor him have warned and out to safety send.
4- ﻭﻤﺎ ﻓﹶﻌﻠﻭﺍ ﻓﹶ ﻌ لَ ﺍ ﻟ ﻌ ﻭ ﻴ ﺭِ ﺒِ ﺠ ﺎ ﺭِ ﻩِ ﻟﺩﻯ ﺒ ﺎ ﺏِ ﻫ ﻨ ﺩٍ ﺇﺫ ﺘ ﺠ ﺭ ﺩ ﻗﺎﺌِﻤﺎ 4- They failed their neighbour; so unlike “cUwayr”235 Who stood for “Hind” and challenged all to dare.
[56] ﻜﹶﺄَﻨﹼﻲ ﺇﺫ ﻨﹶ ﺯ ﻟﹾ ﺕﹸ ﻋﻠﻰ ﺍﻟﻤﻌﻠﱠﻰ “When I al-Mucalla for refuge asked” Praising “al-Mucalla” , one of the Beni Taym, a clan of the Tayy tribe who gave him refuge when `al-Munthir, king of Hira was pursuing him `al-Mu’alla had stood up for the poet, successfully warding off his pursuer.236
1- ﻜﺄﻨﻲ ﺇﺫ ﻨﹶ ﺯ ﻟﹾ ﺕﹸ ﻋﻠﻰ ﺍﻟﻤﻌﻠﹼﻰ ﻨﹶ ﺯ ﻟﹾ ﺕﹸ ﻋﻠﻰ ﺍ ﻟ ﺒ ﻭ ﺍ ﺫِ ﺥِ ﻤِ ﻥ ﺸﹶﻤﺎﻡ ِ 1- When I “`al-Mu`alla” for refuge asked, twas as if in safe mountain fastness I basked.
2- ﻓﹶﻤﺎ ﻤ ﻠِ ﻙ ﺍﻟﻌِﺭﺍﻕِ ﻋﻠﻰ ﺍﻟﻤﻌﻠﹼﻰ ﺒِﻤﻘﹾﺘﹶﺩِﺭ ﻭﻻ ﻤ ﻠِ ﻙ ﺍﻟﺸﺎﻡ ِ 2- `Iraq’s king could not’ “ Mu`alla” o’erwhelm. Nor could so do the king of Syria’s realm.
233 The Barajim, Yarb`u, and Darim are all clans of the Beni Temim tribe, involved in slaying his uncle Shurahbil. 234 Mujashi : another clan of the Beni Temim involved in slaying Shurahbil. 235 “cUwayr”: is cUwayr b. Shajna `al-cUtaridi, who gave Imru’ul Qays refuge when foes were thick upon him. cUwayr had stood at Hind’s (the poet’s sister) door and dared anyone to harm her. 236 Al-Munthir king of the pro-Persian Lakhmid state with Hira as its capital, saw in Imru’ul Qays a potential danger on two counts: First, his pro-Byzantine propensities and second, his attempts to re- establish the Kingdom of Kinda, which, would it come to pass, would constitute, as a client state of Constantinople, a direct threat to the Lakhmid kingdom of Hira.
111
3- ﺃ ﺼ ﺩ ﻨﹶ ﺸﹶ ﺎ ﺹ ﺫﻱ ﺍ ﻟ ﻘﹶ ﺭ ﻨﹶ ﻴ ﻥِ ﺤﺘﻰ ﺘﹶﻭﻟﹼﻰ ﻋ ﺎ ﺭِ ﺽ ﺍ ﻟ ﻤ ﻠِ ﻙِ ﺍﻟﻬﻤﺎﻡ ِ 3- For he “Two-Plaits’s” high host from me repelled 237. And safely had the king’s dire threat dispelled.
4- ﺃ ﻗﹶ ﺭ ﺤﺸﹶﺎ ﺍﻤﺭﺉ ﺍ ﻟ ﻘﹶ ﻴ ﺱ ﺒ ﻥِ ﺤ ﺠ ﺭٍ ﺒﻨﻭ ﺘﹶﻴﻡ ٍ ﻤﺼﺎﺒِﻴﺢ ﺍﻟﻅﹼﻼﻡ ِ 4- Imru’ul Qays bin Hujr ne’er will take fright, when Beni Taym’s lamps turn darkness to light.
[57] ﻋﻠﻰ ﺭ ﺃ ﺱِ ﺼ ﻴ ﻠﹶ ﻊ “On mount “Saylca” Imru’ul Qays was in “Dammoon”, in Hadhramaut, when news came in of his father’s murder. He recited:
1- ﺃﺘﺎﻨﻲ ﻭﺃﺼﺤﺎﺒﻲ ﻋﻠﻰ ﺭ ﺃ ﺱِ ﺼ ﻴ ﻠﹶ ﻊٍ ﺤ ﺩ ﻴ ﺙﹲ ﺃﻁﺎﺭ ﺍﻟﻨﻭﻡ ﻋﻨﻲ ﻓﺄﻨﹾﻌﻤﺎ 1- Whilst I, and friends on “Mount Sayla`” were high. He came with news that sleep from eyes let fly.
2- ﻓﹶ ﻘﹸ ﻠﹾ ﺕﹸ ﻟِ ﻌِ ﺠ ﻠ ﻲ ﺒ ﻌ ﻴ ﺩٍ ﻤ ﺂ ﺒ ﻪ ﺃ ﺒِ ﻥ ﻟﻲ ﻭ ﺒ ﻴ ﻥ ﻟﻲ ﺍ ﻟ ﺤ ﺩ ﻴ ﺙﹶ ﺍ ﻟ ﻤ ﺠ ﻤ ﺠ ﻤ ﺎ 2- Said I to th’ rider who from far did hail: “Coherent be, ‘n make clear your garbled wail”.
3- ﻓﹶ ﻘ ﺎ لَ ﺃ ﺒ ﻴ ﺕﹶ ﺍ ﻟ ﻠﹼ ﻌ ﻥ ﻋ ﻤ ﺭ ﻭ ﻜﹶ ﺎ ﻫِ لٌ ﺃﺒﺎﺤﺎ ﺤِﻤﻰ ﺤ ﺠ ﺭٍ ﻓ ﺄ ﺼ ﺒ ﺢ ﻤﺴﻠﹶﻤﺎ 3- Said he “Let curses “cAmr” ‘n “Kahil” enfold, They’ve ravaged “Hujr” and left him lying cold”.
[58] ﻻ ﻴﺠﻤﻌﻨﹶﺎ ﺸﹶ ﺊٌ “Nothing binds us” Rebuking those reproaching him in the aftermath of his father’s murder.
237 Two-Plaits: King al-Harith of Hira; who had two long plaits on either side of his head. Al- Mu`alla had stood up firmly for Imru’ul Qays against at Munthir’s host which the verse describes as “cloud-high”.
112
1- ﺃﻨﻰ ﻋ ﻠﹶ ﻲ ﺍﺴﺘﺘﺏ ﻟﹶﻭﻤﻜﹸﻤﺎ ﻭ ﻟﹶ ﻡ ﺘﹶﻠﹸﻭﻤﺎ ﺤ ﺠ ﺭ ﺍﹰ ﻭﻻ ﻋﺼﻤﺎ 1- Why’re you with me so rife with your reproach? And did not “Hujr” and “`Usm” with blame approach238
2- ﻜﹶ ﻼﹼ ﻴ ﻤ ﻴ ﻥ ﺍ ﻹ ﻟﹶ ﻪِ ﻴﺠﻤﻌﻨﹶﺎ ﺸﹶ ﺊٌ ﻭﺃﺨﹶﻭﺍﻟﹶﻨﹶﺎ ﺒﻨﻲ ﺠﺸﹸﻤﺎ 2- No, by God’s oath, we by nought are bound. Till th’ “Jeshm” paying courtesy calls, are found.239
3- ﺤﺘﹼﻰ ﺘﹶ ﺯ ﻭ ﺭ ﺍﻟﻀِﺒﺎﻉ ﻤ ﻠ ﺤ ﻤ ﺔﹰ ﻜﹶﺄﻨﹼﻬﺎ ﻤﻥ ﺜﹶ ﻤ ﻭ ﺩ ﺃﻭ ﺇﺭﻤﺎ 3- Till jackals prowl war grounds bethick’nd with gore Where th’dead are dead ‘s “Thamood” and “Iram of yore.240
[59] ﺘﹶ ﻴ ﻤ ﻤ ﺕِ ﺍ ﻟ ﻌ ﻴ ﻥ “Wild Asses at the water-pool”. It is said that these verses guided a delegation, stricken with thirst, sent from `al-Yemen to the Prophet Mohammad, almost a century after Imru’ul Qays recited these two lines of verse. The delegation had lost it’s way, but knew, from these verses, that water was somewhere near. A rider passed them by, and a member of the delegation recited the verses to him, hoping he would guide them to water. “who spoke these lines?” the rider asked. “Imru’ul Qays” was the reply. “He spoke well” the rider replied.” There is “Dharij”, over there”. The delegation proceeded to the pool, fringed with vegetation, and filled their water-skins for the remainder of their journey.
1- ﻭﻟﹶﻤﺎ ﺭﺃﺕ ﺇ ﻥ ﺍ ﻟ ﺸﱠ ﺭ ﻴ ﻌ ﺔﹶ ﻫﻤﻬﺎ ﻭﺇﻥ ﺍﻟﺒﻴﺎﺽ ﻤِ ﻥ ﻓﺭﺍﺌِﺼِﻬﺎ ﺩﺍﻤِﻲ 1- And seeing th’ water they were so in need
238 He is rebuking those who blame him for his father’s murder. Hujr himself, he says, should be blamed for his own fate. `Usm was probably one of his fathers closest retainers. 239 The verse refers to the poet’s uncles as the “Beni Jashm”; a euphamism for lions. He affirms his insistence on vengeance for his father’s murder and there being no possibility of reconciliation whatsoever with the culprits. The verse refers to the poet’s clan as being like lions-Beni Jashm- that do not pay courtesy calls on their adversaries. 240 He foresees corpse-strewn battlegrounds with his adversaries. “Thamood” a legendary Arabian tribe annihilatd for its iniquity by a devastating wind, Sarsar, that swept through them for seven days and eight nights. “Iram”, also an extinct legendary city famed for its gardens and numerous, high pillars.
113
Yet feared their quaking white stripes yet may bleed241
2- ﺘﹶ ﻴ ﻤ ﻤ ﺕِ ﺍ ﻟ ﻌ ﻴ ﻥ ﺍﻟﺘﻲ ﻋِ ﻨﹾ ﺩ ﻀ ﺎ ﺭ ﺝٍ ﻴﻔﺊ ﻋﻠﻴﻬﺎ ﺍ ﻟ ﻅﱢ لﱡ ﻋﺭﻤﻀﻬﺎ ﻁﹶﺎﻤﻲ 2- And so they sought the spring by “Dharij” near, enfringed with greensome shade, rising thick’n sheer.
[60] ﻋ ﻭ ﻴ ﺭ ﻭ ﻤ ﻥ ﻤِ ﺜﹾ لُ ﻋﻭﻴﺭ “cUwayr and the likes of cUwayr” Praising cUwayr b. Shejna of Beni Temim, who gave refuge to Hind, Imru’ul Qays’s sister after their father’s death. He also praises the Beni `Awf.
1- ﺃ ﺤ ﻨﹾ ﻅﹶ لَ ﻟﹶ ﻭ ﺤ ﺎ ﻤ ﻴ ﺘﹸ ﻡ ﻭ ﺼ ﺒ ﺭ ﺘﹸ ﻡ ﻷﺜﻨﹶﻴﺕﹸ ﺨﹶ ﻴ ﺭ ﺍﹰ ﺼﺎﻟِﺤﺎﹰ ﻭﻷَﺭﻀﺎﻨﻲ 1- Handhal! Had you stood up in our defence, my pleasured praise for you would’ve been intense.
2- ﺃ ﻻﹶ ﺇ ﻥ ﻗﹶ ﻭ ﻤ ﺎﹰ ﻜﹸﻨﹾﺘﹸﻡ ﺃ ﻤ ﺱِ ﺩ ﻭ ﻨﹶ ﻬ ﻡ ﻫ ﻡ ﻤﻨﹶﻌﻭﺍ ﺠ ﺎ ﺭ ﺍﹰ ﻟﹶ ﻜﹸ ﻡ ﺁ لَ ﻏﹸ ﺩ ﺭ ﺍ ﻥِ 2- To ask base folk for refuge once I tried. A treach’rous clan asylum me denied.
3- ﻋ ﻭ ﻴ ﺭ ﻭ ﻤ ﻥ ﻤِﺜلُ ﺍ ﻟ ﻌ ﻭ ﻴ ﺭِ ﻭ ﺭ ﻫ ﻁِ ﻪِ ﻭ ﺃ ﺴ ﻌ ﺩ ﻓﻲ ﻟﹶ ﻴ لِ ﺍ ﻟ ﺒ ﻼ ﺒِ لِ ﺼ ﻔ ﻭ ﺍ ﻥِ 3- Not so “`Uwayr”; his likes; his goodly band. For th’care worn in black nights; “Safwan” will e’er stand.242
4- ﺜِ ﻴ ﺎ ﺏ ﺒﻨﻲ ﻋ ﻭ ﻑٍ ﻁﹶﻬﺎﺭﻯ ﻨﹶ ﻘِ ﻴ ﺔﹲ ﻭ ﺃ ﻭ ﺠ ﻬ ﻬ ﻡ ﻋ ﻨﹾ ﺩ ﺍ ﻟ ﻤ ﺸﹶ ﺎ ﻫِ ﺩِ ﻏﹸ ﺭ ﺍ ﻥِ 4- The hearts of “Beni `Awf”! so pure and bright. In times of trial, their faces glowing white.243
5- ﻫ ﻡ ﺃﺒﻠﹶﻐﹸﻭﺍ ﺍﻟ ﺤ ﻲ ﺍ ﻟ ﻤ ﻀ ﻠﱠ لَ ﺃ ﻫ ﻠﹶ ﻬ ﻡ ﻭﺴﺎﺭﻭﺍ ﺒِ ﻬِ ﻡ ﺒ ﻴ ﻥ ﺍﻟﻌِﺭﺍﻕِ ﻭ ﻨﹶ ﺠ ﺭ ﺍ ﻥِ 5- They gave their distressed kin comfort and aid. Th’trip ‘tween cIraq ‘n Najran, togeth’r they made244
241 Thirsty wild-ass are glad to find water, yet quake with fear of lurking hunters. 242 “`Uwayr” and “Safwan” were of the Beni Temim who gave refuge to Imru’ul Qays’s sister. 243 “white face” signifies a reflection of good deeds, clear conscience, and righteous conduct.
114
6- ﻓﹶ ﻘﹶ ﺩ ﺃَﺼﺒﺤﻭﺍ، ﻭ ﺍ ﷲُ ﺃَ ﺼ ﻔ ﺎ ﻫ ﻡ ﺒِ ﻪِ ﺃَ ﺒ ﺭ ﺒِﻤﻴﺜﹶﺎﻕِ ﻭﺃﻭﻓﹶﻰ ﺒ ﺠِ ﻴ ﺭ ﺍ ﻥِ 6- For they’re Gods’ chos’n; and He them had well-blessed. True to their word; to neighbours give their best.
[61] ﻟﹶ ﻤ ﻥ ﻁﹶ ﻠﹶ لٌ “Ruined abodes”
1- ﻟِ ﻤ ﻥ ﻁﹶ ﻠﹶ لٌ ﺃَ ﺒ ﺼ ﺭ ﺘﹸ ﻪ ﻓﹶ ﺸﹶ ﺠ ﺎ ﻨ ﻲ ﻜﹶ ﺨﹶ ﻁﹼ ﺯ ﺒ ﻭ ﺭٍ ﻓﻲ ﻋِ ﺴِ ﻴ ﺏِ ﻴ ﻤ ﺎ ﻥِ 1- Ruined abodes! I, down with grief am weighed. You’re scripts on palm with time away did fade245
2- ﺩِ ﻴ ﺎ ﺭ ﻟِ ﻬِ ﻨﹾ ﺩٍ ﻭﺍﻟﺭﺒﺎﺏِ ﻭ ﻓﹶ ﺭ ﺘﹶ ﻨ ﻰ ﻟﹶﻴﺎﻟﻴﻨﺎ ﺒﺎﻟﻨﹶﻌﻑِ ﻤِ ﻥ ﺒ ﺩ ﻻ ﻥ ِ 2- Abodes of “Hind”; “Rabab”, ‘n “Fartan”; so fair. O for those “Bidlan” nights of joy so rare246
3- ﻟﹶﻴﺎﻟﻲ ﻴﺩﻋﻭﻨﻲ ﺍﻟﻬﻭﻯ ﻓ ﺄُ ﺠِ ﻴ ﺒ ﻪ ﻭ ﺃ ﻋ ﻴ ﻥ ﻤ ﻥ ﺃﻫﻭﻯ ﺇ ﻟ ﻲ ﺭﻭﺍﻨﻲ 3- Love calls at nights, and I to it respond. At me rest eyes of those of whom I’m fond.
4- ﻓﹶ ﺈ ﻥ ﺃُ ﻤ ﺱِ ﻤِ ﻜﹾ ﺭ ﻭ ﺒ ﺎﹰ ﻓﹶﻴﺎ ﺭ ﺏ ﻗﹶﻴﻨﺔٍ ﻜﹶ ﺸﹶ ﻔ ﺕﹸ ﺇﺫﺍ ﻤﺎ ﺍ ﺴ ﻭ ﺩ ﻭ ﺠ ﻪ ﺍﻟﺠﺒﺎﻥ ِ 4- When deep in thought in nights of gloom and care. I know what fools,to know, would never dare.
5- ﻭﺇﻥ ﺃ ﻤ ﺱِ ﻤ ﻜﹾ ﺭ ﻭ ﺒ ﺎﹰ ﻓﹶﻴﺎ ﺭ ﺏ ﻗﹶﻴﻨﹶﺔٍ ﻤ ﻨﹶ ﻌ ﻤ ﺔٍ ﺃ ﻋ ﻤ ﻠﹾ ﺘﹸ ﻬ ﺎ ﺒِﻜﹶﺭﺍﻥ ِ 5- When deep in thought in nights of gloom and care I dream of maid whose songs and strums are fair247
244 The Beni cAwf, so well praised here for their chivalry, hurried to comfort “ their kin”, the family of the poet’s slain uncle Shurahbil, and accompanied them, for their safety, all the way from `al- cIraq to Najran, in the Yemen, delivering them to Shurahbil’s (and the poet’s) Kinda tribe. 245 “Scripts on palms”; Palm branches, stripped of leaves, were used as writing material, especially in `al-Yemen. Inscriptions on such material, with time, became illegible. The abodes had faded away from their former pride and glory, to ruins, as inscriptions on palm pulp fade away with time. 246 “Bidlan”: a high land town in `al-Yemen. 247 The verse specifies her strumming on the lute.
115
6- ﻟﹶﻬﺎ ﻤِ ﺯ ﻫ ﺭ ﻴﻌﻠﻭ ﺍ ﻟ ﺨﹶ ﻤِ ﻴ ﺱ ﺒِ ﺼ ﻭ ﺘِ ﻪِ ﺃَ ﺠ ﺵﱡ ﺇﺫﺍ ﻤﺎ ﺤ ﺭ ﻜﹶ ﺘﹾ ﻪ ﺍ ﻟ ﻴ ﺩ ﺍ ﻥ ِ 6- Lute’s tunes; more vibrant than hosts’ din and drum. It’s tenor rich when hands upon it strum.
7- ﻭﺇﻥ ﺃ ﻤ ﺱِ ﻤ ﻜﹾ ﺭ ﻭ ﺒ ﺎﹰ ﻓﹶﻴﺎ ﺭ ﺏ ﻏﹶ ﺎ ﺭ ﺓٍ ﺸﹶ ﻬِ ﺩ ﺕﹸ ﻋﻠﹶﻰ ﺃ ﻗﹶ ﺏ ﺭِ ﺨﹾ ﻭِ ﺍﻟﻠﱠﺒﺎﻥ ِ 7- When deep in thought in nights of gloom and care, I long to charge on supple steed and spare.
8- ﻋﻠﻰ ﺭ ﺒ ﺫٍ ﻴ ﺯ ﺩ ﺍ ﺩ ﻋ ﻔﹾ ﻭ ﺍﹰ ﺇﺫﺍ ﺠﺭﻯ ﻤِ ﺴ ﺢ ﺤﺜﻴﺙِ ﺍﻟﺭﻜﹾﺽ ﻭﺍﻟﺫﱠﺃَﻻﻥ ِ 8- Swift-shanked; at canter cool and at its ease. At gallop full; yet faster forward flees.
9- ﻭ ﻴ ﺨﹾ ﺩ ﻱ ﻋﻠﻰ ﺼ ﻡ ﺼِ ﻼ ﺏٍ ﻤ ﻼﹶ ﻁِ ﺱٍ ﺸﹶ ﺩ ﻴ ﺩ ﺍ ﺕِ ﻋ ﻘﹾ ﺩٍ ﻟﹶ ﻴ ﻨ ﺎ ﺕٍ ﻤِﺜﺎﻥ ِ 9- It pounds on hoofs that hardest stone can break. It’s supple pastems all in stride can take.
10- ﻭ ﻏﹶ ﻴ ﺙٍ ﻤِﻥ ﺍ ﻟ ﻭ ﺴ ﻤِ ﻲ ﺤ ﻭ ﺘﹶ ﻼﹶ ﻋ ﻪ ﺘﹶ ﺒ ﻁﹼ ﻨﹾ ﺘﹸ ﻪ ﺒ ﺸ ﻴ ﻅﹶ ﻡٍ ﺍﻟﺼﻠﹶﺘﺎﻥ ِ 10- Through grazing dark and green; luscious and high. On `long short-haired steed mounted, I let fly.
11- ﻤِ ﻜﹸ ﺭ ﻤِ ﻔﹶ ﺭ ﻤ ﻘﹾ ﺒِ لٍ ﻤ ﺩ ﺒِ ﺭٍ ﻤ ﻌ ﺎﹰ ﻜﹶ ﺘﹶ ﻴ ﺱِ ﻅﹶ ﺒ ﺎ ﺀِ ﺍ ﻟ ﺤ ﻠﱠ ﺏِ ﺍﻟﻌﺩﻭﺍﻥ ِ 11- It reels; it charges; veers, retreats- at once Like oryx ram it feeds and has it’s bounce.
12- ﺇﺫﺍ ﻤﺎ ﺠﻨﺒﻨﺎﻩ ﺘﹶ ﺄَ ﻭ ﺩ ﻤ ﺘﹾ ﻨﹸ ﻪ ﻜﹶ ﻌِ ﺭ ﻕِ ﺍﻟﺭﺨﺎﻤﻰ ﺍ ﻫ ﺘﹶ ﺯ ﻓﻲ ﺍﻟﻬﻁﹶﻼﹶﻥ ِ 12- It’s back is supple, t’right, or left when led Like “Rukhama” roots when by rain are fed248
13- ﺘﹶ ﻤ ﺘﱠ ﻊ ﻤ ﻥ ﺍﻟﺩﻨﹾﻴﺎ ﻓ ﺈ ﻨﱠ ﻙ ﻓﹶ ﺎ ﻥِ ﻤﻥ ﺍ ﻟ ﻨﱠ ﺸﹶ ﻭ ﺍ ﺕِ ﻭﺍﻟﻨِﺴﺎﺀِ ﺍﻟﺤِﺴﺎﻥ ِ 13- Enjoy your days; they do with joys abound Where pleasures ‘nd fine women are to be found.
248 “Rukhama”: surface roots, normally brittle. Rain-fed, they turn rope-like in flexibility. The horse is as flexible.
116
14- ﻤِ ﻥ ﺍﻟﺒِﻴﺽِ ﻜ ﺎ ﻵ ﺭ ﺍ ﻡِ ﻭ ﺍ ﻷُ ﺩ ﻡِْ ِ ﻜﺎﻟﺩﻤﻰ ﺤﻭﺍﺼِﻨﹸﻬﺎ ﻭﺍﻟﻤﺒﺭِﻗﺎﺕ ﺍﻟﺭﻭﺍﻨِﻲ 14- The fair is deer-like; th’ dark like pretty doll Th’ virtuous ’s coy; the gaudy’s long looks lull.
15- ﺃَ ﻤِ ﻥ ﺫِ ﻜﹾ ﺭِ ﻨﹶﺒﻬﺎﻨﻴﺔٍ ﺤ لﱠ ﺃَﻫﻠﹸﻬﺎ ﺒِﺠﺯﻉ ﺍ ﻟ ﻤ ﻼﹶ ﻋ ﻴ ﻨ ﺎ ﻙ ﺘﹶﺒﺘﹶﺩِﺭﺍﻥ ِ 15- Recall th’ “Nabhan” woman, alone she cries Her folk had left; she tearful left my eyes.249
16- ﻓﹶﺩﻤﻌﻬﻤﺎ ﺴ ﻜﹾ ﺏ ﻭ ﺴ ﺢ ﻭ ﺩِ ﻴ ﻤ ﺔﹲ ﻭ ﺭ ﺵﱞ ﻭ ﺘﹶ ﻭ ﻜ ﺎ ﻑﹲ ﻭ ﺘﹶ ﻨﹾ ﻬ ﻤِ ﻼ ﻥ ِ 16- Drizzle; shower; downpour, is my tear-flow. From spray t’ torrents, down th’ tears do go.
17- ﻜﹶ ﺄَ ﻨﱠ ﻬ ﻤ ﺎ ﻤﺯﺍﺩﺘﺎ ﻤﺘـَﺤﺠـﱢلٍ ﻓﹶ ﺭِ ﻴ ﺎ ﻥِ ﻟﹶﻤﺎ ﺘﹸﺴﻠﹶﻘﺎ ﺒِﺩِﻫﺎﻥ ِ 17- They ‘re now like hurried men’s wat’r skins; o’er- toiled250 O’er-used, worn-out, and never have been oiled.
[62] ﻗِﻔﺎ ﻨ ﺒ ﻙِ ﻤِ ﻥ ﺫِﻜﹾﺭﻯ ﺤ ﺒ ﻴ ﺏٍ ﻭ ﻋِ ﺭ ﻓﹶ ﺎ ﻥِ “On ruined abodes of love, lets stand to mourn” Recited on his way to Constantinople
1- ﻗِﻔﺎ ﻨﹶ ﺒ ﻙِ ﻤِ ﻥ ﺫﻜﺭﻯ ﺤﺒﻴﺏٍ ﻭ ﻋِ ﺭ ﻓ ﺎ ﻥِ ﻭ ﺭ ﺴ ﻡٍ ﻋ ﻔﹶ ﺕﹾ ﺁ ﻴ ﺎ ﺘﹸ ﻪ ﻤ ﻨﹾ ﺫﹸ ﺃﺯﻤﺎﻥ ِ 1- On ruined abodes of love lets stand to mourn. On outlines faded of past times forlorn.
2- ﺃَ ﺘﹶ ﺕﹾ ﺤِ ﺠ ﺞ ﺒﻌﺩِﻱ ﻋﻠﻴﻬﺎ ﻓﹶ ﺄ ﺼ ﺒ ﺤ ﺕﹾ ﻜﹶ ﺨﹶ ﻁﱢ ﺯ ﺒ ﻭ ﺭٍ ﻓﻲ ﻤ ﺼ ﺎ ﺤِ ﻑِ ﺭﻫﺒﺎﻥ ِ 2- It’s now become, after long years have passed, like monks old scripts whose lines no longer last.
3- ﺫﹶ ﻜﹶ ﺭ ﺕﹸ ﺒﻬﺎ ﺍ ﻟ ﺤ ﻲ ﺍ ﻟ ﺠ ﻤ ﻴ ﻊ ﻓﹶ ﻬ ﻴ ﺠ ﺕﹾ ﻋﻘﺎﺒﻴلَ ﺴ ﻘﹾ ﻡٍ ﻤِ ﻥ ﻀ ﻤ ﻴ ﺭٍ ﻭﺃَﺸﹾﺠﺎﻥ ِ 3- It, folks’ sorrows stirred, when it I recalled,
249 “Nabhan”: a clan of the Tayy tribe. The poet had stayed with them for a while. He appears to have been impressed with the lonely sad charm of this woman. 250 They: his eyes, worn out from weeping.
117
and stirred past aches that once my soul begalled.
4- ﻓﹶ ﺴ ﺨﹶ ﺕﹾ ﺩﻤﻭﻋﻲ ﻓﻲ ﺍﻟﺭﺩﺍﺀِ ﻜﺄﻨﹼﻬﺎ ﻜ ـُ ﻠ ﻰ ﻤِﻥ ﺸﹶ ﻌِ ﻴ ﺏٍ ﺫ ﺍ ﺕﹶ ﺴ ﺢ ﻭﺘﹶﻬﺘﺎﻥ ِ 4- My tears soon drenched my cloak; as if they spilled from holed water-skins with water that were filled.
5- ﺇﺫﺍ ﺍ ﻟ ﻤ ﺭ ﺀ ﻟﻡ ﻴ ﺨﹾ ﺯ ﻥ ﻋ ﻠ ﻴ ﻪِ ﻟِ ﺴ ﺎ ﻨﹶ ﻪ ﻓﹶ ﻠﹶ ﻴ ﺱ ﻋﻠﻰ ﺸﹶ ﻲ ﺀٍ ﺴِ ﻭ ﺍ ﻩ ﺒِﺨﹶﺯﺍﻥ ِ 5- If one’s secrets from one’s tongue fails to keep, secrets entrusted t’ him, from him, will seep.
6- ﻓﹶﺈﻤﺎ ﺘﹶﺭﻴﻨﻲ ﻓﻲ ﺭِ ﺤ ﺎ ﻟﹶ ﺔﹶ ﺠ ﺎ ﺒِ ﺭٍ ﻋﻠﻰ ﺤ ﺭ ﺝٍ ﻜﺎﻟﻘﹶﺭ ﺘﹶ ﺨﹾ ﻔِ ﻕﹸ ﺃﻜﹾﻔﺎﻨﻲ 6- See me on Jaber’s litter, ill, I lay; my clothes, my death-sheets; ‘n wind flapping away.
7- ﻓﹶﻴﺎ ﺭ ﺏ ﻤ ﻜﹾ ﺭ ﻭ ﺏٍ ﻜﹶ ﺭ ﺭ ﺕﹸ ﻭ ﺭ ﺍ ﺀ ﻩ ﻭ ﻋ ﺎ ﻥٍ ﻓﹶ ﻜﹶ ﻜﹾ ﺕﹸ ﺍ ﻟ ﻐﹸ لﱠ ﻋ ﻨﹾ ﻪ ﻓﹶ ﻔﹶ ﺩ ﺍ ﻨ ﻲ 7- O for wretches whose foes in grave I’ve laid. O for captives whose ransoms I have paid.
8- ﻭ ﻓِ ﺘﹶ ﻴ ﺎ ﻥِ ﺼِ ﺩ ﻕٍ ﻗﹶ ﺩ ﺒ ﻌ ﺜﹾ ﺕﹸ ﺒِ ﺴ ﺤ ﺭ ﺓٍ ﻓﹶ ﻘﹶ ﺎ ﻤ ﻭ ﺍ ﺠ ﻤ ﻴ ﻌ ﺎﹰ ﺒ ﻴ ﻥ ﻋ ﺎ ﺙﹾ ﻭ ﻨﹶ ﺸﹾ ﻭ ﺍ ﻥ ِ 8- I woke fine lads who were with sleep haggard, Like th’ blind, they stumb’ld; like tott’ring drunks, staggered.
9- ﻭ ﺨﹶ ﺭ ﻕٍ ﺒ ﻌ ﻴ ﺩٍ ﻗﹶ ﺩ ﻗﹶ ﻁﹶ ﻌ ﺕﹸ ﻨِﻴﺎﻁﹶﻪ ﻋﻠﻰ ﺫ ﺍ ﺕِ ﻟﹶ ﻭ ﺙٍ ﺴ ﻬ ﻭ ﺓِ ﺍﻟﻤﺸﹾﻲ ﻤِﺫﻋﺎﻥ ِ 9- Vast lands I’ve crossed, that windswept were and wide, on swifty camel, supple in its stride.
10- ﻭ ﻏﹶ ﻴ ﺙٍ ﻜﹶﺄﻟﹾﻭﺍﻥِ ﺍﻟﻔﹶﻨﹶﺎ ﻗﺩ ﻫ ﺒ ﻁﹾ ﺘﹸ ﻪ ﺘﹶ ﻌ ﺎ ﻭ ﺭ ﻓِ ﻴ ﻪِ ﻜ لﱡ ﺃ ﻭ ﻁﹶ ﻑﹶ ﺤﻨﹼﺎﻥ ِ 10- To the foxgrape, to graze, my mount I sent. O’er head; low thund’ry clouds oft came, and went.
11- ﻋﻠﻰ ﻫ ﻴ ﻜﹶ لٍ ﻴ ﻌ ﻁِ ﻴ ﻙ ﻗﹶ ﺒ لَ ﺴ ﺅ ﺍ ﻟِ ﻪِ ﺃَﻓﹶﺎﻨِﻴﻥ ﺠ ﺭ ﻱٍ ﻏﹶ ﻴ ﺭ ﻜﹶ ﺯ ﻭﻻ ﻭﺍﻥ ِ 11- My mount, a massive temple of a steed. Such speed it gives before you ask for speed.
12- ﻜﹶ ﺘﹶ ﻴ ﺱِ ﺍ ﻟ ﻅِ ﺒ ﺎ ﺀِ ﺍ ﻷ ﻋ ﻔﹶ ﺭِ ﺍ ﻨﹾ ﻀ ﺭ ﺠ ﺕﹾ ﻟ ﻪ ﻋ ﻘ ﺎ ﺏ ﺘﹶ ﺩ ﻟﱠ ﺕﹾ ﻤِ ﻥ ﺸﹶ ﻤ ﺎ ﺭ ﻴ ﺦِ ﺜﹶﻬﻼﻥ ِ
118
12- In speed ’tis like harts that dart and slip, When “Thahlan” vultures swoop to fasten grip.251
13- ﻭ ﺨﹶ ﺭ ﻕٍ ﻜﹶ ﺠ ﻭ ﻑِ ﺍﻟﻌﻴﺭ ﻗﹶ ﻔﹾ ﺭٍ ﻤ ﻀِ ﻠﱠ ﺔٍ ﻗﹶ ﻁﹶ ﻌ ﺕﹸ ﺒِ ﺴ ﺎ ﻡٍ ﺴ ﺎ ﻫِ ﻡِ ﺍ ﻟ ﻭ ﺠ ﻪِ ﺤﺴﺎﻥ ِ 13- Expanses; useless as guts of wild-ass. On high, lean-waisted steed, straight through, I pass252
14- ﻴ ﺩ ﺍ ﻓِ ﻊ ﺃ ﻋ ﻁﹶ ﺎ ﻑﹶ ﺍﻟﻤﻁﹶﺎﻴﺎ ﺒِ ﺭ ﻜﹾ ﻨِ ﻪِ ﻜﹶﻤﺎ ﻤ ﺎ لَ ﻏﹸ ﺼ ﻥ ﻨﹶ ﺎ ﻋِ ﻡ ﺒ ﻴ ﻥ ﺃَﻏﹾﺼﺎﻥ ِ 14- It jostles beasts of burden, plodding on their ways Like supple branch, ‘gainst stiffer branches sways
15- ﻭ ﻤ ﺠ ﺭٍ ﻜﹶ ﻐﹸ ﻼﱠ ﻥِ ﺍ ﻷُ ﻨﹶ ﻴ ﻌِ ﻡِ ﺒﺎﻟﻎ ٍ ﺩِ ﻴ ﺎ ﺭ ﺍ ﻟ ﻌ ﺩ ﻭ ﺫِﻱ ﺯ ﻫ ﺎ ﺀٍ ﻭ ﺃَ ﺭ ﻜﹶ ﺎ ﻥ ِ 15- An army great; as ‘Unay’im’s wood ‘s dense, To foes moves close, its’ will and pow’r intense.253
16- ﻤ ﻁﹶ ﻭ ﺕﹸ ﺒِ ﻬِ ﻡ ﺤﺘﹼﻰ ﺘﹶ ﻜِ لﱠ ﻤ ﻁِ ﻴ ﻬ ﻡ ﻭﺤﺘﹼﻰ ﺍ ﻟ ﺠِ ﻴ ﺎ ﺩ ﻤﺎ ﻴ ﻘﹶ ﺩ ﻥ ﺒِﺄَﺭﺴﺎﻥ ِ 16- With them I rode; the way was long and strained. Their beasts were tired; their horses trudged unreined.254
17- ﻭﺤﺘﹼﻰ ﺘﹶﺭﻯ ﺍ ﻟ ﺠ ﻭ ﻥ ﺍﻟﺫﻱ ﻜﹶ ﺎ ﻥ ﺒ ﺎ ﺩ ﻨ ﺎﹰ ﻋ ﻠ ﻴ ﻪِ ﻋ ﻭ ﺍ ﻑٍ ﻤِ ﻥ ﻨﹸ ﺴ ﻭ ﺭٍ ﻭ ﻋِ ﻘﹾ ﺒ ﺎ ﻥِ 17- The steeds, now dead, of rest were much in need Were ringed by vultures t’tear at them and feed.
[63] ﻟﹶ ﻪ ﻤ ﻠﹾ ﻙ ﺍ ﻟ ﻌ ﺭ ﺍ ﻕِ ﺍﻟﻰ ﻋ ﻤ ﺎ ﻥِ “His realms from ‘Al-cIraq t’ cOman extend”. In praise of ‘al-Harith, an ancestor of Imru’ul Qays.
1- ﺃَ ﺒ ﻌ ﺩ ﺍ ﻟ ﺤ ﺎ ﺭِ ﺙِ ﺍ ﻟ ﻤ ﻠِ ﻙِ ﺒ ﻥِ ﻋﻤﺭٍﻭ ﻟﹶ ﻪ ﻤ ﻠﹾ ﻙ ﺍﻟﻌِﺭﺍ ﻕِ ﺍﻟﻰ ﻋﻤﺎﻥ ِ 1- Will kings such as ‘al-Harith e’er be sent. Iraq t’ Oman bestretch his realms’ extent.
251 “Thahlan”: a high mountain range in whose peaks rapacious vultures thrive. 252 The wild-ass was inedible. It was hunted purely for sport. 253 Unaycim: a thickly wooded valley. 254 Their pack-camels were exhausted; their horses plodded on wearily without reins.
119
2- ﻤ ﺠ ﺎ ﻭ ﺭ ﺓﹰ ﺒﻨﻲ ﺸﹶﻤﺠﻰ ﺒ ﻥِ ﺠ ﺭ ﻡٍ ﻫ ﻭ ﺍ ﻨ ﺎﹰ ﻤﺎ ﺃُ ﺘِ ﻴ ﺢ ﻤِ ﻥ ﺍﻟﻬﻭﺍﻥ ِ 2- T’live near “Beni Shamaj” is shame indeed. No other shame this shame e’er could exceed.255
3- ﻭ ﻴ ﻤ ﻨﹶ ﻌ ﻬ ﺎ ﺒﻨﹸﻭ ﺸﹶﻤﺠﻰ ﺒ ﻥِ ﺠ ﺭ ﻡٍ ﻤﻌِﻴﺯﻫﻡ، ﺤ ﻨﹶ ﺎ ﻨﹶ ﻙ ﺫﺍ ﺍ ﻟ ﺤ ﻨ ﺎ ﻥِ 3- They offer their ewes, as if they’re alms. O Merc’ful One! Your mercy without qualms!256
[64] ﺃَ ﻓﹾ ﺴ ﺩ ﺕﹶ ﺒﺎﻟﻤﻥ “You’ve ruined your favours” Reproaching one of the Beni Tayy who had reminded the poet of some favours the Tayy man had bestowed on him:
1- ﺃَ ﻓﹾ ﺴ ﺩ ﺕﹶ ﺒﺎﻟﻤﻥ ﻤﺎ ﺃَ ﻭ ﻟﹶ ﻴ ﺕﹶ ﻤِ ﻥ ﻨِ ﻌ ﻡٍ ﻟﹶ ﻴ ﺱ ﺍ ﻟ ﻜﹶ ﺭ ﻴ ﻡ ﺇﺫﺍ ﺃﺴﺩﻯ ﺒِ ﻤ ﻨﱠ ﺎ ﻥِ 1- You’ve ruined what you in favour have bestowed. Th’gen’rous do not remind of favours owed.
[65] ﺃَﻻ ﻴﺎ ﻋ ﻴ ﻥ ﺒﻜﹼﻲ ﻟِﻲ “O eye, for me cry” Lamenting the cruel turns of time.
1- ﺃﻻ ﻴﺎ ﻋ ﻴ ﻥِ ! ﺒﻜﹼﻲ ﻟﻲ ﺸﹶﻨﻴﻨﹶﺎ ﻭﺒﻜﹼﻲ ﻟﻲ ﺍ ﻟ ﻤ ﻠﹸ ﻭ ﻙِ ﺍﻟﺫﺍﻫِﺒﻴﻨﺎ 1- O eye, for me in copious tearflow cry. And cry for kings who’ve long since passed us by257
2- ﻤ ﻠ ﻭ ﻜ ﺎﹰ ﻤِ ﻥ ﺒﻨﻲ ﺤ ﺠ ﺭٍ ﺒ ﻥِ ﻋ ﻤ ﺭ ﻭٍ ﻴ ﺴ ﺎ ﻗﹸ ﻭ ﻥ ﺍ ﻟ ﻌ ﺸِ ﻴ ﺔﹶ ﻴﻘﹾﺘﹶﻠﻭﻨﺎ
255 The verse identifies this clan, loathsome to the poet as “Beni Shamja b. Jarm”. 256 Ewes were loaned to neighbours in need of milk. The animals were returned, with gratitude, when no longer required. He vilifies the Beni Shamaja in that they loan their ewes to neighbours as if they are giving alms to beggars. He cries out to providence for mercy; having been reduced to the deplorable state of asking favours from the likes of the Beni Shamaja. 257 Al-Muthir, King of Hira, was a boon companion of the Kings of Kinda. He envied their chivalry and superior appearance, so much so that he ordered his retainers to follow, and slay them. The assassins caught up with Kinda’s Royal party. There, the Kings of Kinda were slain. Of this bloody deed Imru’ul Qays recited this lament.
120
2- The kings of “Hujr bin ‘Amr’”s line and domain, in one black night driv’n out they were, and slain.
3- ﻓﹶ ﻠﹶ ﻭ ﻓﻲ ﻴ ﻭ ﻡِ ﻤ ﻌ ﺭ ﻜﹶ ﺔٍ ﺃُﺼﻴﺒﻭﺍ ﻭ ﻟﹶ ﻜِ ﻥ ﻓﻲ ﺩ ﻴ ﺎ ﺭِ ﺒﻨﻲ ﻤﺭِﻴﻨﹶﺎ 3- If only they’d fell fighting in honour’s field, not their lives at “Merina” so cheaply yield.
4- ﻓﹶ ﻠﹶ ﻡ ﺘﹸ ﻐﹾ ﺴ لْ ﺠ ﻤ ﺎ ﺠِ ﻤ ﻬ ﻡ ﺒِ ﻐﹸ ﺴ لٍ ﻭ ﻟ ﻜِ ﻥ ﻓﻲ ﺍ ﻟ ﺩِ ﻤ ﺎ ﺀِ ﻤﺭﻤﻠِﻴﻨﺎ 4- Their heads weren’t washed, t’pur’ty to be restored. Uncleansed remained, with blood besmeared and gored.258
5- ﺘﹶ ﻅﹶ لﱡ ﺍﻟﻁﱠ ﻴ ﺭ ﻋ ﺎ ﻜِ ﻔﹶ ﺔﹰ ﻋ ﻠﹶ ﻴ ﻬِ ﻡ ﻭ ﺘﹶ ﻨﹾ ﺘﹶ ﺯِ ﻉ ﺍ ﻟ ﺤ ﻭ ﺍ ﺠِ ﺏ ﻭﺍﻟﻌﻴﻭﻨﺎ 5- O’er their dead bodies hungry vultures fly, then swoop to prize the brow and pluck the eye.
[66] ﺴِ ﻨﹶ ﺎ ﻥ ﻜﺎﻟﻠﱠﻬﺏ ”A Lance-like flameِ“ Describing his lance.
1- ﺠ ﻤ ﻌ ﺕﹸ ﺭ ﺩ ﻴ ﻨِ ﻴ ﺎﹰ ﻜﹶ ﺄَ ﻥ ﺴِ ﻨﹶ ﺎ ﻨﹶ ﻪ ﺴﻨﺎ ﻟﹶ ﻬ ﺏٍ ﻟﹶ ﻡ ﻴ ﺘﱠ ﺼِ لْ ﺒِ ﺩ ﺨﹶ ﺎ ﻥِ 1- I’cquired a lance, whose hotly pointed blade so like a gleaming smokeless flame was made.
[67] ﻴ ﺼ ﺭﱢ ﻓﹸ ﻬ ﺎ ﺸﹶ ﺜﹶ ﻥ “By Course hands dispersed” Lamenting the cruel turns of time.
1- ﻭﻤﺎ ﻫ ﺎ ﺝ ﻫﺫﹶﺍ ﺍ ﻟ ﺸﱠ ﻭ ﻕﹶ ﻏﹶ ﻴ ﺭ ﻤ ﻨﹶ ﺎ ﺯِ لٍ ﺩ ﻭ ﺍ ﺭِ ﺱ ﺒ ﻴ ﻥ ﻴ ﺫ ﺒ لٍ ﻓﹶﺭِﻗﹼﺎﻥ ِ 1- None roused this passion, burning hot and high but ru’ned homes that ‘tween “Yethbul”n ’and “Riqqan” lie259
258 In burial traditions, the dead were thoroughly washed, as they are today, and then sheet-winded before burial. He laments that his murdered ancestors were not given this consecration. 259 “Yethbul” and “Riqqan” are identified as two mountains in the possession of Beni ‘Amr b. Kilab.
121
2- ﻭ ﻏﹶ ﺭ ﺏ ﻋﻠﻰ ﻤ ﻘﹾ ﻁﹸ ﻭ ﺭ ﺓٍ ﺒ ﻜﹶ ﺭ ﺕﹾ ﺒِ ﻪِ ﻏﹶ ﺩ ﺕﹾ ﺒِ ﻪِ ﻓﻲ ﺴ ﻭ ﺍ ﺩِ ﺍﻟﻠﹼﻴلِ ﻗﹶ ﺒ لَ ﺍ ﻟ ﻤ ﺜﹶ ﺎ ﻨ ﻲِ 2- A tarred camel, with water-buckets, strived At night, before th’wat’r-camels arrived.260
3- ﻴﺼﺭﻓﹸﻬﺎ ﺸﹶ ﺜﹾ ﻥ ﻴﺭﻯ ﺒِ ﻠﹶ ﺒ ﺎ ﻨِ ﻪِ ﻭﻟِﺤﻴﺘﻴﻪِ ﻨﹶ ﻀ ﺢ ﻤِ ﻥ ﺍﻟﻨﱠﻔﹶﻴﺎﺕِ 3- A thick-palmed man the loaded camel led The water splashed th’man’s chest, and beard, and head.
[68] ﺃﻻ ﻟﹶ ﻴ ﺕﹶ ﻟﻲ “I wish I had”
1- ﻭﻤﺎ ﻜﹸ ﻨﹾ ﺕﹸ ﺃَﺨﹾﺸﻰ ﺃ ﻥ ﺃ ﺒِ ﻴ ﺕﹶ ﺒِ ﺤِ ﻤ ﻴ ﺭٍ ﻏﹶﺭِﻴﺒﺎﹰ ﻭﻻ ﺃﻏﹾﺩﻭ ﺇﻟﻰ ﺒ ﺎ ﺏِ ﻫ ﻤ ﺩ ﺍ ﻥِ 1- In “Himyar” I, as stranger, fear not t’stay, Nor fear to “Hamadan’s” gate t’make my way.
2- ﻭ ﻻﹶ ﺃَﺜﹶﺜﹶﻨﱠﻰ ﻓﻲ ﻅِ ﻔﹶ ﺎ ﺭٍ ﻭﺃﺠﺘﹶﻨﻲ ﺠﻨﹶﻰ ﺍ ﻟ ﻨﱠ ﺤ لِ ﻏﹶﺭﺜﺎﻨﺎﹰ ﻭﻻ ﻏﹶ ﻴ ﺭ ﻏﹶ ﺭ ﺜﹶ ﺎ ﻥِ 2- Nor in “Dhifar” to totter ‘nd grub my lot. So like a famished wretch I be; or not.
3- ﺃﻻ ﻟﹶ ﻴ ﺕﹶ ﻟﻲ ﺒﺎﻟﻨﱠﺤلِ ﺃ ﺤ ﻴ ﺎ ﺀ ﻋ ﺎ ﻤِ لٍ ﻭﺒﺎﻟﺨﹶﺸﹶﻼﺕِ ﺍ ﻟ ﺒ ﻘﹾ ﻊِ ﺃ ﺭ ﺸﹶ ﺎ ﺩ ﻏِ ﺯ ﻻ ﻥِ 3- ‘Stead ‘f mis’ry, I wish rulers’ role was mine. ‘Stead of on pips, on ven’son I could dine.261
[69] ﺇﻥ ﻻ ﺘﹶ ﻜﹸ ﻥ ﺇ ﺒِ لْ ﻓﹶ ﻤِ ﻌ ﺯ ﻯ “If wealth be not camels, goats let it be”
1- ﺃﻻ ﺇ ﻥ ﻻ ﺘﹶ ﻜﹸ ﻥ ﺇِ ﺒ لٌ ﻓﹶﻤِﻌﺯﻯ ﻜﹶ ﺄ ﻥ ﻗﹸ ﺭ ﻭ ﻥ ﺠِ ﻠﹼ ﺘِ ﻬ ﺎ ﺍ ﻟ ﻌِ ﺼِ ﻲ 1- If wealth be not camels, let goats it be.
260 The mangy camel, smeared with tar, strives on with its load of water-buckets. It’s black coating of tar blending in with night-time darkness; and arrives earlier than other healthier water-loaded camels. 261 Pips here refer to fruit pips of the “Dom” tree. The pips are edible; eaten when no other food is available.
122
For old goats horns, in length, like sticks, grow free.262
2- ﻭ ﺠ ﺎ ﺩ ﻟﹶﻬﺎ ﺍﻟﺭﺒﻴﻊ ﺒﻭﺍﻗﹶﺼﺎﺕٍ، ﻓﺂﺭﺍﻡٍ، ﻭ ﺠ ﺎ ﺩ ﻟﻬﺎ ﺍ ﻟ ﻭ ﻟِ ﻲ 2- At “Waqisat”, for them, pastures were lush. And at “Aram” spring rain for them did gush.
3- ﺇﺫﺍ ﻤ ﺸﱠ ﺕﹾ ﺤﻭﺍﻟِﺒﻬﺎ ﺃ ﺭ ﻨﹼ ﺕﹾ ﻜﹶ ﺄ ﻥ ﺍ ﻟ ﺤ ﻲ ﺼ ﺒ ﺤ ﻬ ﻡ ﻨﹶ ﻌِ ﻲ 3- When milked, they sound a ringing plaintive bleat. Like furn’ral wails that boom across a street.263
4- ﺘﹶ ﺭ ﻭ ﺡ ﻜﹶﺄﻨﱠﻬﺎ ﻤِﻤﺎ ﺃ ﺼ ﺎ ﺒ ﺕﹾ ﻤ ﻌ ﻠﱠ ﻘﹶ ﺔﹲ ﺒ ﺄ ﺤ ﻘِ ﺒ ﻬ ﺎ ﺍ ﻟ ﺩ ﻟِ ﻲ 4- She pours her milk in rich and flowing haste, As if milk pails were tied onto her waist.
5- ﻓﹶ ﺘﹸ ﻭ ﺴِ ﻊ ﺃ ﻫ ﻠﹶﻬﺎ ﺃﻗِﻁﺎﹰ ﻭ ﺴ ﻤ ﻨ ﺎﹰ ﻭ ﺤ ﺴ ﺒ ﻙ ﻤِﻥ ﻏِ ﻨ ﻰ ﺸِ ﺒ ﻊ ﻭ ﺭِ ﻱ 5- So she’ll supply her folk with cheese and oil And what is wealth but food and drink sans toil264
[70] ﺍ ﻟ ﺤ ﺴ ﺏ ﺍﻟﻀﺎﺌِﻊ “Lost Lineage” When Hujr, the poet’s father was slain, his daughter Hind took refuge with cUwayr b. Shijna, and his Beni ‘Awf clan. His folk said to him “Take their wealth, for it will soon be taken by others”. He rebuked them, and instead, at night, he accompanied Hind, leading her camel himself, all the way across the dunes to Najran. There, he said to her “These are your people. I have done my duty in protecting you”. cUwayr was praised by Imru’ul Qays in several poems, such as this.
262 Camels were considered the highest form of wealth. While lamenting his penury in not possessing large herds of pedigree camels, he is content with ageing goats whose horns grow “straight as sticks” with age. 263 The “street” here refers to the street-like open space separating two sides of a community. 264 ‘Al-‘Asmaci doubts whether Imru’ul Qays actually recited these lines. One with regal ambitions could hardly find contentment in the lot of a goatherd. Mohammad ‘al-Fadhl Ibrahim suspects that these lines were recited out of bitterness; the sylvan contentment being concealed protestation against the turns of time making him content with being a goatherd.
123
1- ﺍ ﻥ ﺒﻨﻲ ﻋ ﻭ ﻑٍ ﺍ ﺒ ﺘﹶ ﻨﹶ ﻭ ﺍ ﺤ ﺴ ﺒ ﺎﹰ ﻀ ﻴ ﻌ ﻪ ﺍﻟﺩﺨﻠﹸﻠﹸﻭﻥ ﺇ ﺫﹾ ﻏﹶﺩﺭﻭﺍ 1- Beni Awf had a glorious lineage built. But some of their own let it with’r and wilt.
2- ﺃﺩﻭﺍ ﺍﻟﻰ ﺠ ﺎ ﺭِ ﻫِ ﻡ ﺨﹸ ﻔﹶ ﺎ ﺭ ﺜﹶ ﻪ ﻭ ﻟﹶ ﻡ ﻴ ﻀِ ﻊ ﺒ ﺎ ﻟ ﻤ ﻐ ﻴ ﺏِ ﻤ ﻥ ﻨﹶﺼﺭﻭﺍ 2- For sure they will for needy neighbours stand, When kith and kin decline a helping hand.
3- ﻟﹶ ﻡ ﻴﻔﹾﻌﻠﻭﺍ ﻓِ ﻌ لَ ﺁ لِ ﺤ ﻨﹾ ﻁﹶ ﻠﹶ ﺔٍ ﺇ ﻨﹼ ﻬ ﻡ ﺠ ﻴ ﺭِ ﺒِ ﺌ ﺱ ﻤﺎ ﺍﺌﺘﹶﻤﺭﻭﺍ 3- They’ve not, as “Handhal”, done th’treach’rous deed T’hand o’er refuge–seekers. Treach’ry indeed.265
4- ﻻ ﺤ ﻤ ﻴ ﺭِ ﻱ ﻭﻓﹶﻰ ﻭﻻ ﻋ ﺩ ﺱ ﻭﻻ ﺍ ﺴ ﺕﹸ ﻋ ﻴ ﺭٍ ﻴﺤﻜﱡﻬﺎ ﺍ ﻟ ﺜﱠ ﻔﹶ ﺭ 4- “Handhal”, “Himyar”, “cUdas”, “Ast”– rogues they’re all. Strap-led burden beasts, low in worth and small.266
5- ﻟﻜِﻥ ﻋ ﻭ ﻴ ﺭ ﻭﻓﹶﻰ ﺒِ ﺫِ ﻤ ﺘِ ﻪِ ﻻ ﻋ ﻭ ﺭ ﺸ ﺎ ﻨﹶ ﻪ ﻭﻻ ﻗِ ﺼ ﺭ 5- But fine Uwayr has nobly cleared his debts. For he no slur beslimes, and no charge besets.
[71] ﺃﻻ ﻴﺎ ﻟﹶ ﻬ ﻑﹶ ﻫِﻨﹾﺩ “O for Hind’s heart-pangs”. Imru’ul Qays recited these lines as he was about to raid the Beni Assad in vengeance for his father, whom the Beni Assad killed. He attacked the Beni Kinana, the Beni Assad’s cousins by mistake. Here, he addresses Hind, his sister, (or daughter) complaining to her of his anguish.
1- ﺃﻻ ﻴﺎ ﻟﹶ ﻬ ﻑﹶ ﻫِ ﻨﹾ ﺩٍ ﺇ ﺜﹾ ﺭ ﻗﹶ ﻭ ﻡٍ ﻫ ﻡ ﻜﺎﻨﻭﺍ ﺍﻟﺸﱢﻔﺎﺀ، ﻓﹶ ﻠﹶ ﻡ ﻴﺼﺎﺒﻭﺍ 1- O Hind’s heart pangs! Those I’ve pursued, well-armed;
265 The Beni Handhal had treacherously handed over the poet’s uncle, Shurahbil, to his enemies. Shurahbil was then immediately slain by ‘Abu Hanash ‘al-Taghlibi. 266 “Himyar”, “`Udas” and “Ast” were of the Beni Handhal whom the Poet reviles as treacherous. He reserves especial loathing for “Ast” whom he describes as a lowly beast of burden led by a strap.
124
if caught, your pains would soothe; have ‘scaped unharmed.
2- ﻭﻗﹶﺎﻫﻡ ﺠ ﺩ ﻫ ﻡ ﺒِ ﺒ ﻨ ﻲ ﺃَﺒﻴﻬِﻡ ﻭ ﺒ ﺎ ﻷ ﺸﹾ ﻘﹶ ﻴ ﻥِ ﻤﺎ ﻜﹶ ﺎ ﻥ ﺍ ﻟ ﻌِ ﻘﹶ ﺎ ﺏ 2- From punishment, their brothers had them freed, Yet both, to be punished, shall be decreed.267
3- ﻭ ﺃ ﻓﹾ ﻠﹶ ﺘﹶ ﻬ ﻥ ﻋِ ﻠﹾ ﺒ ﺎ ﺀ ، ﺠ ﺭِ ﻴ ﻀ ﺎﹰ ﻭﻟﹶﻭ ﺃَ ﺩ ﺭ ﻜﹾ ﺘﹶ ﻪ ﺼ ﻔِ ﺭ ﺍﻟﻭﻁﹶﺎﺏِ 3- On “`Ilba’s” tracks set off many a steed. If him they caught, they would have done the deed268
[72] ﻴﺎ ﺩ ﺍ ﺭ ﺴﻠﹾﻤﻰ “O Selma’s home"
1- ﻴﺎ ﺩ ﺍ ﺭ ﺴﻠﹾﻤﻰ ﺩ ﺍ ﺭِ ﺴ ﺎﹰ ﻨﹸﺅﻴﻬﺎ ﺒﺎﻟﺭﻤلِ ﻓ ﺎ ﻟ ﺨﹶ ﺒ ﺜﹶ ﻴ ﻥِ ﻤِ ﻥ ﻋ ﺎ ﻗِ لِ 1- O Selma’s home! Whose sand banks have blown away269 That once at “Aqil’s” gentle slopes did lay
2- ﺼ ﻡ ﺼﺩﺍﻫﺎ ﻭﻋﻔﹶﺎ ﺭﺴﻤﻬﺎ ﻭ ﺍ ﺴ ﺘﹶ ﻌ ﺠ ﻤ ﺕﹾ ﻋﻥ ﻤ ﻨﹾ ﻁِ ﻕِ ﺍ ﻟ ﺴ ﺎ ﺌِ لِ 2- Is mute when called; leveled without a trace. Tongue-tied a caller is at such a place.
3- ﻴﺎ ﺴ ﻠﹾ ﻡ ﻫ لْ ﻋ ﻨﹾ ﺩ ﻜﹸ ﻡ ﻨ ﺎ ﺌِ لٌ ﻟ ﻠ ﻤ ﺭ ﺀِ ﺫﻱ ﺍ ﻷ ﻜ ﺭ ﻭ ﻤ ﺔِ ﺍ ﻟ ﻔ ﺎ ﻀِ لِ 3- O Selm! Have you aught that you can give270 to one who does in gen’rous honour live?
4- ﺍﻟﺤﺎﻓِﻅﹸ ﺍ ﻟ ﺴِ ﺭ ﺍ ﻷ ﻤِ ﻴ ﻥِ ﺍﻟﱠﺫﻱ ﻻ ﺘﹶﺭﻫﺒﻴﻥ، ﺍ ﻟ ﻘ ﺎ ﺌِ لِ ﺍ ﻟ ﻔ ﺎ ﻋِ لِ 4- One who in full faith keeps his secrets deep. One you’ll not fear, who to his word will keep.
267 The Beni Kinana saved their brothers (Their cousins, in fact) from retribution, but paid the price. 268 Ilba b. `al-Harith `al Kahili was the one who killed Imru’ul Qays’s father. 269 A tent’s lower ends were sand–banked for reinforcement. The tent removed, its former site remained identifiable by the sand banks that once surrounded it. Even these sand banks, he says, have blown away. 270 Selm: for Selma.
125
5- ﻟﹶ ﻡ ﺃ ﺭ ﺸِ ﺒ ﻬ ﺎﹰ ﻟِﺴﻠﹶﻴﻤﻰ ﺍﻟﱠﺘﻲ ﻋ ﻠﱠ ﻘﹾ ﺕﹸ ﻏﹶ ﻴ ﺭ ﺍﻟﻅﱠﺒﻴﺔِ ﺍ ﻟ ﺤ ﺎ ﺌِ لِ 5- Sulayma, whom love has so firmly fraught.271 Is like a hind, in hunter’s snares, is caught.
6- ﻟﹶ ﻡ ﺘﹸ ﻐﹾ ﺫﹶ ﺒﺎﻟﺒﺅﺱِ ﺴﻠﹶﻴﻤﻰ ﻭ ﻟﹶ ﻡ ﺘﹸ ﻀ ﺢِ ﻷَ ﻫ لِ ﺍ ﻟ ﺸﱠ ﺎ ﺀِ ﻭﺍﻟ ﺠ ﺎ ﻫِ لِ 6- Sulayma has ne’er by hard times been drained. Ne’er basked in scenic spots; by drab unpained.272
7- ﻗﹸﻭﻻ ﺨﹶﻠﻴﻠﻲ ﻟﺫﺍ ﺍ ﻟ ﻌ ﺎ ﺫِ لِ ﻫ لْ ﻴ ﺠ ﻌ لُ ﺍ ﻟ ﺠ ﺎ ﺌِ ﺭ ﻜﺎﻟﻌﺎﺩِلِ 7- One, friends, is by love struck; one by lust. Is treatment of the just same as th’ unjust?
8- ﻫ لْ ﻤ ﺎ ﺠِ ﺩ ﺃَ ﻅﹾ ﻬ ﺭ ﻓﻲ ﻗﹶﻭﻤِﻪ ﻋ ﺫﹾ ﺭ ﺍﹰ ﻜﹶ ﻤ ﻥ ﺴ ﺎ ﺭ ﻉ ﻓﻲ ﺍ ﻟ ﺒ ﺎ ﻁِ لِ 8- Is honest man, who to his folk speaks true At one with who to what is false speeds through?
9- ﺃَ ﻡ ﻫ لْ ﺫﻭﻭ ﺍ ﻟ ﻐﹶ ﻲ ﻜ ﺄَ ﻫ لِ ﺍﻟﺤِﺠﺎ ﺃَﻡ ﻫ لْ ﺭ ﺸ ﻴ ﺩ ﺍ ﻷ ﻤ ﺭِ ﻜﺎﻟﺠﺎﻫِلِ 9- Are those depraved at one with those who’re wise? Are th’ judicious, and fools, in th’ self-same guise?
10- ﻗﹸﻭﻻ ﻟ ﺒِ ﺭ ﺼ ﺎ ﻥٍ ﻋﺒﻴﺩِ ﺍﻟﻌﺼﺎ ﻤﺎ ﻏﹶ ﺭ ﻜﹸ ﻡ ﺒ ﺎ ﻷ ﺴ ﺩِ ﺍ ﻟ ﺒ ﺎ ﺴِ لِ 10- Ask many a leprous and stick-driv’n slave, “why your upstart attempt on lion so brave?”
11- ﺍ ﻟ ﻤ ﺎ ﺠِ ﺩِ ﺍ ﻷ ﺭ ﻭ ﻉِ ﻤِ ﺜﹾ لِ ﺍ ﻟ ﻬِ ﻼﹶ لِ ﺍ ﻷ ﺭ ﻴ ﺤِ ﻲِ ﺍ ﻟ ﻤ ﻠِ ﻙِ ﺍ ﻟ ﻭ ﺍ ﺼِ لِ 11- As crescent moon in heaven’s high was he. Of bounty, king; whose bounty gave most free.
12- ﺠِﺌْﻨﹶﺎ ﺒِﻬﺎ ﺸﹶ ﻬ ﺒ ﺎ ﺀ ﻤ ﻠ ﻤ ﻭ ﻤ ﺔﹰ ﻤِ ﺜﹾ لَ ﺒ ﺸﹶ ﺎ ﻡِ ﺍ ﻟ ﻘﹸ ﻠﱠ ﺔِ ﺍ ﻟ ﺠ ﺎ ﻓِ لِ 12- So thick our muster of red-russet steed. As thick as forest is, with “Basham” treed.273
271 Sulayma: an affectionate diminutive for Selma. 272 Her attractions are those of primeval virgin innocence; she has not been over-elated by grand beauty, nor has been downcast by misery and ugliness.
126
13- ﻭ ﻫ ﻥ ﺃ ﺭ ﺴ ﺎ لٌ ﻜﹶ ﺭِ ﺠ لِ ﺍ ﻟ ﺩ ﺒ ﻲِ ﺍﻭ ﻜﹶﻘﹶﻁﺎ ﻜﺎﻅﻤﺔﹰ ﺍ ﻟ ﻨ ﺎ ﻫِ لِ 13- As locust swarms are thick, as fowl in flight to “Kazima” t’drink; so keen were steeds to fight.274
14- ﻨﹶ ﻁﹾ ﻌ ﻨﹸ ﻬ ﻡ ﺴﻠﹾﻜﻰ ﻭ ﻤ ﺨﹾ ﻠﹸ ﻭ ﺠ ﺔﹰ ﻜﹶ ﺭ ﻙ ﻷ ﻤِ ﻴ ﻥ ﻋﻠﻰ ﻨ ﺎ ﺒِ لِ 14- At them we struck, head-on ‘nd from either side. As mounted lancer th’ lone bowman defied.
15- ﻭﺍﺒﻥ ﺤ ﺫ ﺍ ﺭٍ ﻅ لﱠ ﻤِ ﻥ ﺨﹶﻭﻓِﻨﺎ ﻴ ﻐ ﻤ ﺭ ﻤﺜل ﺍ ﻟ ﻭ ﻋ لِ ﺍ ﻟ ﻌ ﺎ ﻗِ لِ 15- Those who, by us, were so bestruck with fear. Like th’ mountain elks that keep from hunt’r clear.
16- ﺃ ﺤ ﺯ ﻥ ﻟﻭ ﺃ ﺴ ﻬ لَ ﺃَﺤﺫﹶﻴﺘﹸﻪ ﺒِ ﻌ ﺎ ﻤِ ﻠٍ ﻰ ﻓﻲ ﺨﹸ ﺭ ﺹٍ ﺫ ﺍ ﺒِ لِ 16- To high and roughest ground it flees in fear, In flat of land I’d give the elk my spear.
17- ﻻ ﺘﹶﺴﻘِﻨﻲ ﺍ ﻟ ﺨﹶ ﻤ ﺭ ﺓﹶ ﺇﻥ ﻟﻡ ﻴﺭﻭﺍ ﻗﹶﺘﻠﹶﻰ ﻓِ ﺌ ﺎ ﻤ ﺎﹰ ﺒﺄﺒﻲ ﺍ ﻟ ﻔ ﺎ ﻀِ لِ 17- I’ll not take wine until I behold my father’s foes in scores lie dead and cold.
18- ﺤﺘﻰ ﺃﺒﻴﺭ ﺍ ﻟ ﺤ ﻲ ﻤِ ﻥ ﻤ ﺎ ﻟِ ﻙٍ ﻗﹶ ﺘ ﻼﹰ ﻭ ﻤ ﻥ ﻴ ﺸ ﺭ ﻑﹸ ﻤﻥ ﻜ ﺎ ﻫِ لِ 18- Till I “Malik” in their own homeland slay. and those of “Kahil” that may come my way.275
19- ﻭ ﻤِ ﻥ ﺒﻨﻲ ﻏﹶ ﻨﹾ ﻡٍ ﺒﻥ ﺩ ﻭ ﺩ ﺍ ﻥ ﺍﺫ ﻨﹶ ﻘﹾ ﺫ ﻑﹸ ﺃﻋﻼﹶﻫﻡ ﻋﻠﻰ ﺍ ﻟ ﺴ ﺎ ﻓِ لِ 19- “Beni Ghanm bin Dowdan” must also go Their highest ‘pon their lowest shall we throw.
20- ﺇﺫ ﻴ ﺴ ﺄ لُ ﺍﻟﺴﺎﺌلُ ﻤ ﻥ ﻫﺅﻻﺀ ﺃﻋﻴﺎ ﻋﻠﻰ ﺍ ﻟ ﻤ ﺴ ﺅ لِ ﻭﺍﻟﺴﺎﺌِلِ 20- “Who are these dead”? a questioner may ask. Replies t’ questions will be a tiresome task.
273 “Basham”: a species of tree that grow thickly together, forming dense forests. 274 The horse mustered to fight his foes are thickly packed together as locust swarms, and swift as desert fowl in flight to “Kazima”, near Basra, to drink. 275 “Malik” and “Kalil”: clans of the Beni Assad who slew his father.
127
21- ﻨﹶ ﻌ ﻠﹸ ﻭ ﻫ ﻡ ﺒﺎﻟﺒِﻴﺽِ ﻤ ﺴ ﻨﹸ ﻭ ﻨﹶ ﺔٍ ﺤﺘﹼﻰ ﻴﺭﻭﺍ ﻜ ﺎ ﻟ ﺨﹶ ﺸﹶ ﺏِ ﺍ ﻟ ﺴ ﺎ ﺒِ لِ 21- We’ll rise to them with blades keen-edged and wide And cast them like deadwood along th’ way side.
22- ﻭﺍﻟﺩﻫﺭ ﺫﺍ ﻭﺍﻟﺩﻫﺭ ﻓﻲ ﺼ ﺭ ﻓِ ﻪِ ﻴ ﻤ ﻜِ ﻥ ﺒ ﺎ ﻟ ﻭِ ﺘﹾ ﺭِ ﻤِ ﻥ ﺍ ﻟ ﻘ ﺎ ﺘِ لِ 22- Time goes by turns, and turns of time may lead One to the kill’r who’d done the dastard deed.
23- ﺤ ﻠﱠ ﺕﹾ ﻟﻲ ﺍ ﻟ ﺨﹶ ﻤ ﺭ ﻭ ﻜﹸ ﻨﹾ ﺕﹸ ﺃ ﻤ ﺭ ﺃً ﻋ ﻥ ﺸﹸﺭﺒِﻬﺎ ﻓﻲ ﺸﹸ ﻐ لٍ ﺸﹶ ﺎ ﻏِ لِ 23- And then, I’ll let myself partake of wine Before, engrossed was I ‘n that deed, of mine276
24- ﻓﺎﻟﻴﻭﻡ ﻓ ﺄ ﺸﹾ ﺭ ﺏ ﻏﹶ ﻴ ﺭ ﻤ ﺴ ﺘﹶ ﺤ ﻘِ ﺏٍ ﺇﺜ ﻤ ﺎﹰ ﻤﻥ ﺍﷲ ﻭﻻ ﻭ ﺍ ﻏِ لِ 24- That day, of all guilt free, I’ll drink with glee. From wrong absolved; involved not I shall be.277
25- ﻴﺎ ﺭ ﺍ ﻜِ ﺒ ﺎﹰ ﺒ ﻠﱢ ﻎﹾ ﺇﺨﹾﻭﺍﻨﹶﻨﺎ ﻤ ﻥ ﻜﺎﻥ ﻤِﻥ ﻜِﻨﹾﺩﻩ ﺍﻭ ﻭ ﺍ ﺌِ لِ 25- O rider! Our brethren tell without fail. From Kinda or from Wa`il may they hail.
26- ﻟِﻴﺠﻠِﺴﻭﺍ ﻨﹶ ﺤ ﻥ ﻜﹶ ﻔﹶ ﻴ ﻨ ﺎ ﻫ ﻡ ﻀ ﺭ ﺏ ﺍ ﻟ ﺠ ﺒ ﺎ ﻥ ﺍ ﻟ ﻌ ﺎ ﺠِ ﺯِ ﺍ ﻟ ﺨ ﺎ ﺫِ لِ 26- Let them take rest, for them the task we spared. of striking cowards who, to fight, ne’er dared.
[73] ﺃﻻ ﺤ ﻲﱢ ﺍﺒﻨﺔﹶ ﺍ ﻟ ﻐﹶ ﻨﹶ ﻭِ ﻱ ﻤ ﻴ ﺎﹰ “Great Ghanawi’s daughter “Mayy”.
1- ﺃﻻ ﺤ ﻲ ﺍﺒﻨﺔﹶ ﺍ ﻟ ﻐﹶ ﻨﹶ ﻭ ﻱ ﻤ ﻴ ﺎﹶ ﻭﺇﻥ ﺒ ﻌ ﺩ ﺕﹾ ﻨﻭﺍﻫﺎ ﻤﻥ ﻨﹶﻭﻴﺎ 1- “Ghanawi” ‘s daughter “Mayy”, I warmly greet, though far away she be for me to meet.
276 He will not take wine till he has had his vengeance. 277 The guilt he is burdened with is his father remaining unavenged. With vengeance accomplished, he will be happily free from guilt and all involvement, and could take to wine with glee.
128
2- ﻟﹶ ﻌ ﻤ ﺭ ﻙ ﺇﻨﱠﻨﻲ ﻷُ ﺤِ ﺏ ﻤ ﻴ ﺎﹶ ﻜﹶ ﺤ ﺏ ﻤ ﺤ ﻸٍ ﻅ ﻤ ﺂ ﻥ ﺭِﻴﺎ 2- Upon your life! I’m deep in love with “Mayy” As one who’s parched, from drink is turned away.
3- ﻭﻟﻭ ﺇﻨﱠﻨﻲ ﺃُﺨﹶﻴﺭ ﺒ ﻴ ﻥ ﻤ ﻲ ﻭ ﻟﹶ ﻴ ﻠﹶ ﺔِ ﻨ ﺎ ﻋِ ﻡٍ ﻻﹶ ﺨ ﺘﹶ ﺭ ﺕﹸ ﻤﻴﺎ 3- If I’m to choose ‘tween “Mayy”, and night with soft wom’n spent; ‘tis “Mayy” I’d choose outright.
4- ﺃﻻ ﻴﺎ ﻤ ﻲ ﺇ ﻨﱠ ﻙِ ﺃ ﻨ ﺕِ ﻤﻴﺎ ﺃ ﻋ ﺯ ﺍﻟﻨﺎﺱِ ﻜﹸﻠﱢﻬِﻡ ﻋﻠﹶﻴﺎ 4- O “Mayy”! The only “Mayy” you’ll ever be Of all dear people; you’ll dearest be to me.
[74] ﻋ ﺠِ ﺒ ﺕﹸ ﻟِ ﺒ ﺭ ﻕٍ “I wond’rd at night lightning”.
1- ﻋ ﺠِ ﺒ ﺕﹸ ﻟِ ﺒ ﺭ ﻕٍ ﺒِ ﻠﹶ ﻴ لٍ ﺃ ﻫ لّْ ﻴ ﻀ ﺊُ ﺴ ﻨ ﺎ ﻩ ﺒِﺄﻋﻠﻰ ﺍ ﻟ ﺠ ﺒ لْْ 1- I wond’rd at night lightning’s thundering streak. Whose flash lighted the highest mountain peak.
2- ﺃﺘﺎﻨﻲ ﺤ ﺩ ﻴ ﺙﹲ ﻓﹶ ﻜﹶ ﺫﱠ ﺒ ﺘﹸ ﻪ ﻭ ﺃ ﻤ ﺭ ﺘﹶ ﺯ ﻋ ﺯ ﻉ ﻤِ ﻨ ﻪ ﺍ ﻟ ﻘ ﻠﹶ لْ 2- To me came talk whose truth I could not take: A deed that’d make towering mountains quake.
3- ﻟﻘﺘل ﺒﻨﻲ ﺃَ ﺴ ﺩٍ ﺭﺒﻬﺎ ﺃﻻ ﻜ لﱡ ﺸﹶﺊ ﺴﻭﺍﻩ ﺠ ﻠﹶ لْ 3- Beni Assad murd’ring their lord; foul deed! No oth’r enormity need one ever heed.
4- ﻓﹶ ﺄ ﻴ ﻥ ﺭﺒﻴﻌﺔﹸ ﻋ ﻥ ﺭﺒﻬﻡ ﻭ ﺃ ﻴ ﻥ ﺍﻟﺴﻜﻭﻥ ﻭ ﺃ ﻴ ﻥ ﺍ ﻟ ﺨِ ﻭ لْ 4- Where are “Rabi`a”? when their lord was well. In peace they basked and did in comfort dwell.
5- ﺃﻻ ﻴﺤﻀﺭﻭﻥ ﻟﺩﻯ ﺒ ﺎ ﺒِ ﻪِ ﻜﻤﺎ ﻴﺤﻀﺭﻭﻥ ﺇﺫﺍ ﻤﺎ ﺃ ﻜﹶ لْ 5- Hadn’t they, their way, t’ his door, so read’ly beat? And came to feast when he was at his meat!
129
[75] ﻁ ﺎ لَ ﺍﻟﺯﻤﺎﻥ “I’m tired of time”
1- ﻁ ﺎ لَ ﺍ ﻟ ﺯ ﻤ ﺎ ﻥ ﻭﻤﻠﱠﻨﻲ ﺃﻫﻠﻲ ﻭ ﺸﹶ ﻜﹶ ﻭ ﺕﹸ ﻫﺫﺍ ﺍ ﻟ ﺒ ﻴ ﻥ ﻤﻥ ﺠ ﻤل ِ 1- I’m tired of time; my folk of me have tired. In mires of distance I’ve been mired.
2- ﻫ ﻡ ﺇﺫﺍ ﻤﺎ ﺒ ﺙﱡ ﺃَﺭﻗﻨﻲ ﻭﺍﺫﺍ ﺍ ﻨﹾ ﺘﹶ ﺒ ﻬ ﺕﹸ ﻓﺄﻨﺘﹸﻡ ﺸﹸﻐﹾﻠﻲ 2- At night, awake I lay; by care well-caught. But when alert, tis you who’s in my thought.
3- ﻭ ﺘﹶ ﻘﹸ ﻭ لُ ﺠ ﻤ لٌ ﻗﺩ ﻜﺒﺭﺕ ﻭ ﺸﹶ ﻔﱠ ﻙ ﺍﻟﺤﺩﺜﺎﻥ ﺒﺎﺒﻥ ﺍ ﻟ ﺨﹶ ﻴ ﺭِ ﺒﺎﻷﺯل ِ 3- You’d say hard times had you engriefed and pained. Son of good house whose goodness had been drained.
4- ﻓﹶﻠﺌﻥ ﻫ ﻠﹶ ﻜﹾ ﺕﹸ ﻟﻘﺩ ﻋ ﻠِ ﻤ ﺕِ ﺒﺄﻨﻨﻲ ﺤ ﻠﹾ ﻭ ﺍﻟﺸﹶﻤﺎﺌِل ﻤ ﺎ ﺠِ ﺩ ﺍﻷﺼل ِ 4- When I perish, consoled I then would rest. In my good nature, my lineage of th’ best.
5- ﻭ ﻟ ﺭ ﺏ ﻤ ﺎ ﺠِ ﺩ ﺓِ ﺍﻟﺠﺩﻭﺩ ﻜﹶ ﺭ ﻴ ﻤ ﺔٍ ﻭﺍﺼﻠﹾﺘﹸﻬﺎ ﺒِ ﻤ ﻤ ﺘﱠ ﻊِ ﺍ ﻟ ﻭ ﺼ لِ 5- I yearn for wom’n, of finest lineage born. Who would my time of love with her adorn.
6- ﺭ ﺍ ﻗﹶ ﺕﹾ ﻓﺅﺍﺩﻱ ﺇﺫ ﻋ ﺭ ﻀ ﺕﹸ ﻟﻬﺎ ﺒِﺩﻻﻟِﻬﺎ ﻭﻜﹶﻼﻤِﻬﺎ ﺍﻟﺭﺘ ـْل ِ 6- Who’d please my heart; her sweetness pure delights. Her lovely talk lifts me t’ecstatic heights.
7- ﺒ ﻴ ﻀ ﺎ ﺀ ﻤ ﺭ ﺘﹶ ﺞ ﺭﻭﺍﺩِﻓﹸﻬﺎ ﻓﻲ ﺭِﻴﻘِﻬﺎ ﻜﹶ ﺴ ﻼ ﻓﹶ ﺔِ ﺍﻟﻨﺤل ِ 7- So fair of skin; at walk her thighs swing free. 130
Her mouth’s moisture: nectar of honey-bee.
8- ﻴﺠﻠﻭ ﺘﹶﺒﺴﻤﻬﺎ ﺍﻟﻅﻼﻡ ﺭِ ﺒ ﺤ ﻠﹶ ﺔﹲ ﻏﹶ ﺭ ﺍ ﺀ ﻜﺎﻟﻤِﺼﺒﺎﺡِ ﻓﻲ ﺍﻟﺫ ﱡﺒل ِ 8- Her widest smiles turn darkness t’brightest light. As wide-wicked lamps a night’s dark gloom enbright.
9- ﻭﻏﹶﺩﺕ ﻓﹶﺄﺴﻤﻌﻬﺎ ﻭﺃَﻓﹾﻬﻤﻬﺎ ﺇﻤﺎ ﻏﹶﺩﻭﻨﺎ ﻓﺄﻓﻌﻠﻲ ﻓﹶﻌﻠِﻲ 9- On eve of leaving, I with much ado with her I plead to do what I shall do.278
10- ﻭﺩﻋﺘﹸﻬﺎ ﺇﺫ ﺭ ﻤ ﺕﹸ ﻓ ـُ ﺭ ﻗﹶ ﺘﹶ ﻬ ﺎ ﺃﻨﹼﻰ ﻟﻜﻡ ﻴﺎ ﺨﹸﻠﹼﺘﻲ ﻤِﺜﹾﻠﻲ 10- I bid farewell, when we were set to part. “One like me” I said, “you’ll ne’er find, dear heart”.
11- ﺇﻨﹼﻰ ﻟﹶ ﻜﹸ ﻡ ﺤِ ﺼ ﻥ ﻴ ﺴِ ﺭ ﻜﹸ ﻡ ﻭ ﺒِ ﺴ ﺅْ ﻟِ ﻜﹸ ﻡ ﻤﺘ ـَﺒﺫ ﱠل ِ ﺍﻟﺒﺫﹾل ِ 11- To you a fort am I; your secrets here shall live. And it is I who all you ask shall give.
12- ﺭ ﻜﹶ ﺏ ﺍﻟﻌﺫﺍﺭﻯ ﻜ لّ ﻤﻨﹾﺘﹶﻔِﺦ ٍ ﻓﹶ ﻭ ﻕﹶ ﺍﻟﺜﻨﻰ ﻤﻘﺎﺒل ﺍﻟﺒﺯل ِ 12- The virgins upon mounts with widest side. Big beasts did th’ trav’lling virgins ride.
13- ﻓﹶ ﻠﹶ ﺤ ﻘﹾ ﺘﹸ ﻬ ﻥ ﻋﻠﻰ ﻤ ﺫﹶ ﻜﱠ ﺭ ﺓٍ ﺯ ﻴ ﺎ ﻓﹶ ﺔٍ ﺘﹶ ﺨﹾ ﺘ ﺎ لُ ﺒ ﺎ ﻟ ﺭ ﺤ لِ 13- On cam’l- like horse I followed in their wake. My swagg’ring mount as jaunty as a rake.
14- ﻓﹶ ﻅﹶ ﻠِ ﻠﹾ ﻥ ﻓﻲ ﺭ ﻭ ﻀ ﺎ ﺕِ ﻤﺤﻨِﻴﺔٍ ﺒ ﻴ ﻥ ﺍ ﻟ ﻌِ ﻀ ﺎ ﻩِ ﻭﺴﺎﻤِﻕ ﺍ ﻟ ﺒ ﻘﹾ لِ 14- They rested where the orchard water flows By verdant leas where tallsome produce grows
15- ﻓﹶ ﺴ ﻘﹶ ﻴ ﻨﹶ ﻨ ﻲ ﺼ ﻬ ﺒ ﺎ ﺀ ﺼ ﺎ ﻓِ ﻴ ﺔﹰ ﻭ ﺴ ﺘﹶ ﺭ ﻥ ﺤ ﺩ ﺍ ﻟ ﺸﹶ ﻤ ﺱِ ﺒ ﺎ ﻟ ﻌ ﻘﹾ لِ 15- They served me wine; so clear and finely made
278 When its time to part with her, he asks her, to do what he does, i.e to part happily, each going his own way, full of joyous memories of the delightful affair.
131
From heat of sun we sat in cool of shade
16- ﻭ ﻴ ﻘﹸ ﻠﹾ ﻥ ﺃﻁﻌِﻤﻨﺎ ﻓﹶ ﻘﹶ ﺩ ﺃ ﻀ ﻨﹶ ﻴ ﺘﹶ ﻨ ﺎ ﻭ ﺤ ﺒ ﺴ ﺘﹶ ﻨ ﺎ ﻓﻲ ﻤ ﻬ ﻤ ﻪٍ ﻤ ﺤ لِ 16- “Meat!” they asked “with you we feel so drained, as if you’ve us in barren wastes detained”.
17- ﻓﹶ ﺴ ﻌ ﻴ ﺕﹸ ﻨﹶ ﺤ ﻭ ﻤ ﻁِ ﻴ ﺘ ﻲ ﺒِ ﻤ ﻬ ﻨﱠ ﺩٍ ﻋ ﻀ ﺏِ ﺍ ﻟ ﻜﹶ ﺭ ﻴ ﻬ ﺔِ ﻤ ﻭ ﺸِ ﻙ ﺍﻟﻘﹶﺼل ِ 17- I, to my mount in quick some dart did dash. With sharpest sword, so ready for the slash.
18- ﻓﹶ ﻁﹶ ﻌ ﻨﹾ ﺕﹸ ﻟﹸﺒﺘﹶﻬﺎ ﻋﻠﻰ ﻤﺎ ﺨﹶ ﻴ ﻠﹶ ﺕﹾ ﺇﻥ ﺍﻟﻠﺌﻴﻡ ﺃ ﻗﹶ ﺭ ﺒﺎﻟﺒﺨﹾل ِ 18- I pierced its heart, in th’ state in which it stood. The miser’s mean, and I’m not mean with food.
19- ﻓﹶ ﺤ ﻤِ ﺩ ﻨﹶ ﻨ ﻲ ﻭ ﺫﹶ ﻤ ﻤ ﻥ ﻜﹸ لﱠ ﻤﺯﻨ ـﱠ ﺩٍ ﻋ ﺒ ﺩِ ﺍ ﻟ ﺨﹶ ﻠ ﻴ ﻘﹶ ﺔِ ﻓ ﺎ ﺤ ﺵٍ ﻭﻏﹾل ِ 19- For meat they were with gratitude imbued And cursed those who on people’s fare intrude
20- ﻴﺎ ﻗﹶ ﻴ ﻨﹶ ﺘﹶ ﻲ ﺘﹶﻭﺯﻋﺎ ﺭﺤﻠِﻲ ﺴ ﻴ ﺨِ ﻑﱡ ﻴ ﻭ ﻤ ﺎﹰ ﻋﻨﹾﻜﹸﻤﺎ ﺭﺤﻠﻲ 20- My mount, dear maids, is yours; and in a day. I shall remove myself; be on my way.
21- ﻭ ﻜﹸ ﻼﹶ ﻤﻌِﻲ ﻤِ ﻥ ﻟﹶ ﺤ ﻡ ﺭﺍﺤِﻠﹶﺘﻲ ﻭ ﻤ ﻊ ﺍﻟﻌﺫﹶﺍﺭﻯ ﻓﺎﺘﹾﺭﻜﺎ ﻋﺫ ﻟﻲ 21- On my mount’s meat let us together feast And let my love e’er dwell in maidens’ breast
[76] ﺼﺤﺎ ﺍﻟﻴﻭﻡ ﻗﹶﻠﹾﺒﻲ “My heart no longer rails”
1- ﺼﺤﺎ ﺍﻟﻴﻭﻡ ﻗﹶﻠﹾﺒﻲ ﻤِﻥ ﻟِ ﻤ ﻴ ﺱ ﻭﺃَﻗﹾﺼﺭﺍ ﻭ ﺠ ﻥ ﺒِﻬﺎ ﻤﺎ ﺠ ﻥ ﺜﹸ ﻤ ﺕﹶ ﺃﺒﺼﺭﺍ 1- With love, “Lamees,” my heart no longer rails. Once mad; t’see sense it now no longer fails.
2- ﻭ ﺫﹶ ﺍ ﻙ ﺒﺄﻥ ﺍ ﻟ ﺸﹶ ﻴ ﺏ ﻓﻲ ﺍﻟﺭﺃﺱِ ﺭ ﺍ ﻋ ﻪ ﻭ ﻗﹶ ﺎ لَ ﻓﹶ ﻭ ﺍ ﻟِ ﻴ ﻪِ ﺃﻻ ﻗﺩ ﺘﹶ ﻐﹶ ﻴ ﺭ ﺍ 2- My heart with fear of graying hair ‘s deranged. 132
Those caressing it say: “your hair has changed!”
3- ﻓﹶ ﻭ ﺍ ﻋ ﺠ ﺒ ﺎ ﻤﺎ ﻗﹶ ﺩ ﻋ ﺠِ ﺒ ﺕﹸ ﻤِﻥ ﺍﻟﻔﹶﺘﻰ ﺘﹸ ﺒ ﺩ ﻟﹸ ﻪ ﺍ ﻷ ﻴ ﺎ ﻡ ﻭﺍﻟﺩﻫﺭ ﺃﻋﺼﺭﺍ 3- What I see of the change in youth, is strange, As if ages, not days, that make for change
4- ﻓﺈﻥ ﻴ ﻤ ﺱِ ﻴ ﻭ ﻤ ﺎﹰ ﺫﺍ ﺸﹶ ﺒ ﺎ ﺏٍ ﻓﺈﻨﱠﻬﺎ ﺴ ﺘﹸ ﺨﹾ ﻠِ ﻔﹸ ﻪ ﺸﹶﻴﺒ ﺎﹰ ﻭ ﺨﹶ ﻠﹾ ﻘ ﺎﹰ ﻤﺤﺴﺭﺍ 4- In one evening, a fine youth you may see. In another, so fleshless and greyhaired he’ll be.
5- ﻭﻟﻭ ﺨﹸ ﻴ ﺭ ﺍﻟﻠﱠﻭﻨﹶﻴﻥ ﺃﻴﻬﻤﺎ ﻟﹶ ﻪ ﻟﹶ ﻘﹶ ﺎ لَ ﺴِﻭﻯ ﻫﺫﺍ ﻭﻟﻭ ﻜ ﺎ ﻥ ﺃﺯﻫﺭﺍ 5- If he was giv’n to choose from dark or fair, Though fairest th’fair be, f’r neither would he care.
6- ﻟﹶ ﻘ ﺩ ﺃﺼﺒﺢ ﺍﻟﻔﺘﻴﺎﻥ ﺼ ﻬ ﺒ ﺎ ﺀ ﺼِ ﻔﹾ ﻭ ﺓﹰ ﻤ ﻌ ﺘﱠ ﻘﹶ ﺔﹰ ﺼِ ﺭ ﻓ ﺎﹰ ﺍﺫﺍ ﺍ ﻟ ﺩ ﻴ ﻙ ﺃﺴﺤﺭﺍ 6- I served young men wine; with age well it grew. We quaffed clear wine till cock its call it crew.
7- ﺇﺫﺍ ﻗﹶ ﺎ لَ ﻤِﻨﻬﻡ ﻟﻲ ﺍﻟﹼﺫﻱ ﻟِ ﻴ ﺱ ﺸﹶ ﺎ ﺭِ ﺒ ﺎﹰ ﺃﺭﻯ ﺍ ﻟ ﻤ ﻠِ ﻙ ﺍ ﻟ ﻜِ ﻨ ﺩِ ﻱ ﻟﺫ ﱠ ﻭﺃﺴﻬﺭﺍ 7- One of the group, who drinks not, says to me: “I see the Kindite king ’s merry and free”.
8- ﻭﻏﹶﻴﺙ ﻤ ﺭ ﺜﹾ ﻪ ﺍ ﻟ ﺭ ﻴ ﺢ ﻓﹶ ﺎ ﻋ ﺜﹶ ﻡ ﻨﹶ ﺒ ﺘﹸ ﻪ ﺒ ﻬ ﻲ ﺘﹸﻨﹶﺎﺼﻴﻪ ﺍﻟﻭﺤﻭﺵﹸ ﻗﹶ ﺩ ﺍﺜﹾﻤﺭﺍ 8- Wind-blown pastures; with verdure thick and lush. Up to the height of beasts in growth they gush.
9- ﺇﺫﺍ ﺭ ﺠ ﻔﹶ ﺕﹾ ﻓﻴﻪ ﺭ ﺤ ﺎﹰ ﻤ ﺭ ﺠ ﺤِ ﻨﱠ ﺔﹲ ﺘﹶ ﺒ ﻌ ﺞ ﺒﺎﻟﺭﻋﺩِ ﺍ ﻟ ﺤ ﺒ ﻲ ﻤﺴﻴﺭﺍ 9- And thunder’s groan, like heavy grindstones turns. Low lying clouds it splits, it swirls, it churns.
10- ﻜ ﺄ ﻥ ﺍﻟﻭﻻﻴﺎ ﻨﹸﺸﱢﺭﺕ ﻓﻲ ﺘِ ﻼ ﻋِ ﻪِ ﻭ ﺃَ ﻋ ﻼﹶ ﻕﹶ ﺘﹸ ﺠ ﺎ ﺭٍ ﺇﺫﺍ ﺍ ﻟ ﻴ ﻭ ﻡ ﺃَﻅﹾﻬﺭﺍ 10- The grove’s ditches, with flow’ry hues enriched, ‘re like “Hirite” cushions, with flowers bestiched.
11- ﻫ ﺒ ﻁﹾ ﺕﹸ ﺒِ ﻌ ﺭ ﻴ ﺎ ﻥٍ ﻁﹶﻭﻴلٍ ﻗﹶﺫﺍﻟﻪ ﻴ ﺒ ﺫﱡ ﺍ ﻟ ﺨﹶ ﻤ ﻴ ﺱ ﺒ ﺎ ﺩِ ﻨ ﺎﹰ ﻭﻤﻀﻤﺭﺍ
133
11- To th’field I came, on stoutest straight-formed steed. Against host, sparse or thick, ready for th’deed..
12- ﻗﹶﺼﺭﻨﺎ ﻋ ﻠ ﻴ ﻪِ ﺒ ﺎ ﻟﹾ ﻤ ﻘ ﻴ ﻅِ ﻟﻘﺎﺤﻨﹶﺎ ﻓ ﺄ ﺼ ﺒ ﺢ ﺨ ﻭ ﺍ ﺭ ﺍﻟﻌِﻨﺎﻥ ﻤﺼﺩﺭﺍ 12- The milch-camels it kept in summer’s heat. It brayed like camel; soft in chest and seat.279
13- ﻓ ﺄ ﻨ ﺕﹶ ﺇﺫﺍ ﺍ ﺴ ﺘﹶ ﺩ ﺒ ﺭ ﺘ ﻪ ﺴ ﺩ ﻓﹶ ﺭ ﺠ ﻪ ﺒِ ﻀ ﺎ ﻑٍ ﻓﹸ ﻭ ﻴ ﻕﹶ ﺍ ﻷَ ﺭ ﺽِ ﻟﻴﺱ ﺒﺄﺯﻋﺭﺍ 13- If viewed from rear, his hind is covered well, By fullest tail, just short of ground it fell
14- ﻟﹶ ﻪ ﺃَ ﻴ ﻁﹶ ﻼ ﻥِ ﺠﻨﱢﺒﺎ ﻋ ﻥ ﺸﹶ ﺭ ﺍ ﺴِ ﻑٍ ﻜﹶ ﺤِ ﻨﹾ ﻭِ ﺍ ﻟ ﻘِ ﺴِ ﻲ ﺃُ ﻨﹾ ﻌِ ﻤ ﺕﹾ ﺃﻥ ﺘﹸ ﺅَ ﻁﹶ ﺭ ﺍ 14- It’s ribs proceed, till th’ slender waist they claim. They hold th’belly in firm and tightest frame.
15- ﻟﹶ ﻪ ﺤ ﺎ ﺭِ ﻙ ﻓﹶ ﻌ ﻡ ﺃ ﺸﹶ ﻡ ﻤ ﻼ ﺀ ﻡ ﻜﻤﺎ ﺃ ﻟﹼ ﻑﹶ ﺍ ﻟ ﻘﹶ ﻴ ﻥ ﺍﻟﻐﹶﺒِﻴﻁﹶ ﺍﻟﻤﻀﺒﺭﺍ 15- It’s back, hard-packed; it high and mighty stood . Like woodwork fine a joiner joins from wood.
16- ﻟﹶ ﻪ ﻋ ﻨﹾ ﻕﹲ ﻜﺎ ﻟ ﺠِ ﺫﹾ ﻉِ ﺸﹸ ﺫﹶِ ﺏ ﻟِ ﻴ ﻔﹸ ﻪ ﺇﺫﺍ ﻤﺎ ﺩﻨﹶﺎ ﻗِ ﻨ ﻭ ﺍ ﻨﹸ ﻪ ﺜﹸ ﻡ ﺃَﺒﺴﺭﺍ 16- A neck like palm tree which is shaved and pruned So much, so that its fruit is dry, and ruin’d. 280
17- ﻟﹶ ﻪ ﺃُ ﺫﹸ ﻥ ﺭﻴﺎ ﻜﹶ ﻌ ﻠﱠ ﻴ ﻁِ ﻤ ﺭ ﺨﹶ ﺔٍ ﺇﺫﺍ ﻤﺎ ﺩﻨﺎ ﺍﻟﻤﻜﹾﻨﹸﻭﺯ ﻤِﻨﻬﺎ ﻟِ ﻴ ﻌ ﺼ ﺭ ﺍ 17- It’s ears like wide, succ’lent leaves of “Markh” trees, that pickers climb to pick, the leaves to squeeze.281
18- ﻭﻨﹶﺎﺼﻴﺔﹲ ﻏﹶ ﻤ ﺎ ﺀ ﻜﺎﻟﻔﹶﺭﻉِ ﺭ ﺴ ﻠﹶ ﺔﹲ ﻋﻠﻰ ﺨﹶ ﻁﱢ ﺸِ ﻤ ﺭ ﺍ ﺥٍ ﻟ ﻪ ﻏﹶ ﻴ ﺭِ ﺃَﻤﻌﺭﺍ 18- Hirsute he is; his goodly mane blows free. So does the forelock. Hairless not is he.
279 “It” refers to the horse. The horse was kept to herd milch-camels during summer grazing. It took on the characteristics of the camel. 280 The horse’s long finely-arched neck looks as if it had been formed by excess of labour; such labour as goes in pruning palm trees. 281 The leaves of the “Markh” trees were pressed. The juice was used in perfume and medicinal preparations.
134
19- ﻭ ﺨﹶ ﺩ ﺃَﺴﻴلٌ ﻜ ﺎ ﻟ ﻤِ ﺴ ﻥ ﻭ ﺒِ ﺭ ﻜﹶ ﺔﹲ ﻜﹶ ﺠ ﺅْ ﺠ ﺅِ ﻫ ﻴ ﻕٍ ﺯِ ﻓﱡ ﻪ ﻗﹶ ﺩ ﺘﹶﻤﻭﺭﺍ 19- His cheek that of a fine lad ‘bout to wed. His breast, like ostrich whose plumes had been shed.
20- ﻟﻪ ﻤ ﺤِ ﺼ ﺎ ﺕﹲ ﻓﹶ ﻭ ﻕﹶ ﺨﹶ ﻀ ﺭ ﻤ ﻼﹶ ﻁِ ﺱٍ ﺭ ﻜ ﻭ ﺩ ﻭ ﺨﹶ ﻠﹾ ﻕٍ ﻜﹸ ﻠﱡ ﻪ ﻏﹶ ﻴ ﺭ ﺃَﻋﺴﺭﺍ 20- Has doughty limbs that rise on solid hoof Nothing he has that stands in fault aloof 282
21- ﻭ ﺼ ﻠﹾ ﺏ ﺘﹶ ﻤِ ﻴ ﻡ ﻴ ﺒ ﻬ ﺭ ﺍﻟﻠﱢﺒﺩ ﺠ ﻭ ﺯ ﻩ ﺇﺫﺍ ﻤﺎ ﺘﹶﻤﻁﹼﻰ ﻓﻲ ﺍ ﻟ ﺤِ ﺯ ﺍ ﻡِ ﺘﹶﺒﺘﱠﺭﺍ 21- He bursts with vig’r; throughout his frame it raps. Such vig’r that snaps his tightened saddle-straps.
22- ﺩﻋﺎﻨﻲ ﺍ ﻟ ﺭ ﻗ ﻴ ﺏ ﺩ ﻋ ﻭ ﺓﹰ ﻓ ﺄ ﺠ ﺒ ﺘﹸ ﻪ ﻓ ﻘ ﺎ لَ ﺃﻻ ﺃ ﺭ ﻜﹶ ﺏ ﺇﻥ ﺭ ﻜِ ﺒ ﺕﹶ ﻤﻴﺴﺭﺍ 22- My bodyguard asked me, and I complied. With ease, he said, he, my steed could ride.
23- ﺫﹶ ﻋ ﺭ ﺕﹸ ﺒِ ﻪِ ﻴ ﻭ ﻤ ﺎﹰ ﻓ ﺄ ﺼ ﺒ ﺤ ﺕﹸ ﻗ ﺎ ﻨِ ﺼ ﺎﹰ ﻤﻊ ﺍ ﻟ ﺼ ﺒ ﺢِ ﻤ ﻭ ﺸِ ﻲ ﺍﻟﻘﻭﺍﺌﻡ ﻤﻘﹾﻔِﺭﺍ 23- As mounted hunter, I thrill’d th’ prey with fright At morn, a spotted bull soon came in sight.
24- ﻓﹶﺼﻭﺒﺘﹸﻪ ﻜﺄﻨﻪ ﺼ ﻭ ﺏ ﻏﹶ ﻴ ﺒ ﺔٍ ﻋﻠﻰ ﺍ ﻷ ﻤ ﻌ ﺯِ ﺍﻟﻀﺎﺤِﻲ ﺍﺫﺍ ﺍ ﺸﹾ ﺘ ﺩ ﺃﺤﻀﺭﺍ 24- I fell ‘pon it, as clouds let fall their rain in down pours ‘pon a sunlit, stony plain.
25- ﻓﹶ ﺒ ﻭ ﺃ ﺕﹸ ﺭﻤﺤِﻲ ﻗ ﺎ ﺩ ﺭ ﺍﹰ ﻓﹶ ﺤ ﺒ ﻭ ﺘﹸ ﻪ ﺒِ ﻨﹶ ﺠ ﻼﹶ ﺀ ﻴﻐﹾﺫﻭ ﻓﹶ ﺭ ﻏﹶ ﻬ ﺎ ﻓﹶ ﺘﹶ ﻘﹶ ﻁﹼ ﺭ ﺍ 25- My ready lance a wide gash through it ripped. It fell, and blood from its gashed cut; dripped.
26- ﻓﹶ ﻤ ﻥ ﻴﺄﻤﻥ ﺍﻷﻴﺎﻡ ﺒ ﻌ ﺩ ﺍ ﺒ ﻥِ ﻫ ﺭ ﻤ ﺯٍ ﻨﹶ ﺯ ﻟﹾ ﻥ ﺒِ ﻪِ ﻜﻤﺎ ﻨﹶ ﺯ ﻟﹾ ﻥ ﺒِ ﻘﹶ ﻴ ﺼ ﺭ ﺍ 26- Who can trust th’ days, after “Ibn Hormuz”s day? To him some went; to Caesar some found way. 283
282 The stallion is perfectly formed. Nothing in him stands out as faulty.
135
27- ﻭ ﺒ ﻌ ﺩ ﻤ ﻌ ﺩ ﻴﺒﺘﹶﻐِﻲ ﺤِ ﺭ ﺯ ﻨﹶ ﻔﹾ ﺴِ ﻪِ ﺇﻟﻰ ﻜﹶ ﻬ ﻑِ ﻏ ﺎ ﺭٍ ﻴ ﺤ ﺴِ ﺏ ﺍ ﻟ ﻜﹶ ﻬ ﻑﹶ ﺃﻭﻋﺭﺍ 27- After “Macad”, safety one needs to seek even in caves; though caves of charnel reek. 284
28- ﻓﹶ ﺼ ﺎ ﺩ ﻓﹾ ﻥ ﻤِ ﻨﹾ ﻪ ﺫ ﺍ ﺕﹶ ﻴ ﻭ ﻡٍ ﻭﻟﹶﻡ ﻴ ﻜﹸ ﻥ ﻟِ ﻴ ﺴ ﺒِ ﻕﹶ ﻤﺎ ﻜﹶ ﺎ ﺩ ﺍ ﻟ ﻤ ﻠ ﻴ ﻙ ﻭﻗﹶﺩﺭﺍ 28- The days intercepted him; he could not. get what a king had planned to get; and got.
29- ﻭ ﺒ ﻌ ﺩ ﺃﺒﻲ ﻓﻲ ﺤِ ﺼ ﻥِ ﻜِ ﻨﹾ ﺩ ﺓﹶ ﺴﻴﺩﺍ ﻴ ﺴ ﻭ ﺩ ﺠ ﻤ ﻭ ﻋ ﺎﹰ ﻤِ ﻥ ﺠ ﻴ ﻭ ﺵٍ ﻭ ﺒ ﺭ ﺒ ﺭ ﺍ 29- As my sire, Lord I’ll be of Kinda’s forts. With armies to command and Berber cohorts.
30- ﻭﻴﻐﹾﺯﻭﺍ ﺒﺄﻋﺭﺍﺏ ﺍﻟﻴﻤﺎﻨﻴﻴﻥ ﻜﹸ ﻠﱢ ﻬِ ﻡ ﻟﻪ ﺤﺘﻰ ﻴ ﺤ لﱠ ﺍﻟﻤﺸﹶﻘﱠﺭﺍ 30- With all Yemen’s Arabs to go on raid. All for me, till all swords are fin’lly laid.
[77] ﺒﻨﻲ ﺠﻤﻴﻠﺔ The Beni Jamila Clan
1- ﺒﻨﻲ ﺠ ﻤ ﻴ ﻠﹶ ﺔﹶ ﺃَﻨﱠﻰ ﻤِ ﻨ ﻬ ﻡ ﻏﹶ ﺎ ﺩِ ﺤ ﺎ ﻥ ﺍﻟﺭﺤﻴلُ ﻭﻟﻤﺎ ﻴﻨﹾﺠِﺯﻭﺍ ﺯﺍﺩِﻱ 1- From “Beni Jamila”, where am I to head? I leave, famished; as I they’ve not yet fed.
2- ﺃﻥ ﻗﹶ ﺩ ﻨﹶ ﻅﹶ ﺭ ﺕﹸ ﻭ ﻗﹶ ﺩ ﺃ ﻤ ﻠﹾ ﺕﹸ ﻨﺎﺌِﻠﹶﻬﺎ ﺤﺘﻰ ﻫﻤﻤﺕﹸ ﺒِ ﻬ ﺠ ﺭ ﺍ ﻥٍ ﻭﺇﺠﺩﺍﺩِ 2- Her I behold, and seek what she’d bestow. Yet her I’d leave, and her I would forego.
3- ﺜﹸ ﻡ ﺍ ﺩ ﻜ ﺭ ﺕﹸ ﺒﺄﻥ ﺍ ﻟ ﻘﹶ ﻠﹾ ﺏ ﻤ ﺭ ﺘﹶ ﻬ ﻥ ﻋ ﺎ ﻥٍ ﻟﹶﺩﻴﻬﺎ ﻭﻟﻡ ﻴ ﺭ ﺤ لْ ﻟﻪ ﻓﹶ ﺎ ﺩِ 3- I then recalled; a captive was my heart. And it to ransom, none would e’er depart.
283 Those in need of assistance made their way to the Persian court of Ibn Hormuz’, or to Caesar’s court in Constantinople. Both courts, he complains, were unreliable. 284 “Maad” refers to those who slew his father. He yearns for safety after this traumatic event.
136
4- ﻓ ﺎ ﺭ ﻓﹶ ﺽ ﺒﻌﺩ ﻫﺩﻭﺀ ﺍﻟﻨﺎﺱ ﻤﻥ ﺤ ﺯ ﻥٍ ﺩﻤﻌﻲ ﻭ ﺃَ ﺴ ﻠﹶ ﻤ ﻨ ﻲ ﻟِ ﻠﹾ ﻬ ﻡ ﻋﻭﺍﺩِﻱ 4- With folk at rest, through care my tears flow free. Comforters stir my cares; not comfort me.
5- ﻭ ﻗﹶ ﺭ ﺩ ﺡٍ ﻜﹶ ﺠ ﻨ ﺎ ﺡِ ﺍﻟﻨﱠﺴﺭ ﻴ ﺴ ﻤ ﻜﹸ ﻪ ﻨﹶ ﺒ ﻊ ﺍ ﻟ ﻘِ ﺴِ ﻲ ﻭﻟﹶﻡ ﻴﺸﹾﺩﺩ ﺒِ ﺄَ ﻭ ﺘ ﺎ ﺩِ 5- A tent I’ve raised, so like an eagle’s wings. Unpegged to ground, on “Qissi” shoots it clings285
6- ﺨﺎﻟﻲ ﺍﻟﺭﻭﺍﻕِ ﻤﻥ ﺍ ﻵ ﻓ ﺎ ﺕِ ﻭ ﺍ ﻟِ ﺠ ﻪ ﺴ ﻔﹾ ﺭ ﻭ ﻅ ﺎ ﻫِ ﺭ ﻩ ﺴﻴﻔﻲ ﻭ ﺃَ ﻗﹾ ﺘﹶ ﺎ ﺩِ ﻱ 6- From ev’ry fault, who enters finds it free. In front, my sword and saddling one can see.
7- ﺨﹶ ﺒ ﻴ ﺕﹸ ﺃ ﻭ ﺴ ﻁﹶ ﻪ ﻟﻠﻘﻭﻡ ﺇ ﺫﹾ ﻨﹶﺼﺒﻭﺍ ﻭ ﻅﹶ ﻠﹾ ﺕﹸ ﻓﻲ ﻋ ﻠﹶ ﻡٍ ﻤ ﻭ ﻑٍ ﻋﻠﻰ ﻭ ﺍ ﺩِ 7- I keep it for folk who’d a visit pay. Whilst I, on hills o’er looking valleys, stay.
8- ﺤﺘﻰ ﺃ ﺘﹶ ﻴ ﺘﹶ ﻬ ﻡ ﺃﺴﻌﻰ ﻓﹶ ﻘﹸ ﻠﹾ ﺕﹸ ﻟﹶ ﻬ ﻡ ﺭﻭﺤﻭﺍ ﻓﹶ ﻘﹶ ﺩ ﻜﹶ ﺎ ﻥ ﻤِ ﻥ ﻨ ﻭ ﻡٍ ﻭ ﺇ ﺒ ﺭ ﺍ ﺩِ 8- To them I came running when they’d o’erstayed. “Enough” I said “you’ve had of rest and shade”.
9- ﻓﹶ ﺴ ﺭ ﺫﺍ ﺤ ﺯ ﻤِ ﻬِ ﻡ ﻗﻭﻟﻲ ﻭﻁﹶﺎﻭﻋﻨِﻲ ﻭ ﺴ ﺅْ ﺕﹸ ﻜ لﱠ ﺜﻘﻴل ﺍﻟﺭﺃﺱِ ﻗﹶ ﻌ ﺎ ﺩِ 9- The tactful ‘mongst them saw that I made sense. The stubborn sitters; quick to take offence.
10- ﺭِ ﺨﹾ ﻭِ ﺍﻟﻤﻔﺎﺼِل ﺭ ﺙﱢ ﺍﻟﺤﺎل ﻤﻠ ﺘ ﺒِ ﺱٍ ﻤِ ﻨﹾ ﻪ ﺍﻟﻔﻭﺍﺩ ﺇﺫﺍ ﻤﺎ ﺭ ﻴ ﻊ ﻤﻥ ﻋ ﺎ ﺩِ 10- They’re weak of joint; a tattered, pit’ful sight They’re faint of heart; of ev’ry foe take fright.
11- ﻭ ﻗﹶ ﺩ ﻴ ﺴ ﺭ ﺕﹸ ﺇﺫﺍ ﻤﺎ ﻗﻴلَ ﻤ ﻥ ﻴ ﺴ ﺭ ﻭﻗﹶﺩ ﻫ ﺩ ﻴ ﺕﹸ ﺇﺫﺍ ﻤﺎ ﻗِﻴلَ ﻤ ﻥ ﻫ ﺎ ﺩِ 11- “I’ve gambled”; if asked who th’gamblers are. “`Tis I ”if asked, “who saw the light from far”?.
285 “Qissi”: bamboo-like shoots, hard and straight, used to make tent-pegs. His tent covers the Qissi shoots in full growth, before being cut down for tent-pegs.
137
12- ﻭ ﻗﹶ ﺩ ﻁﹶ ﺭ ﻗﹾ ﺕﹸ ﺒ ﻴ ﻭ ﺕﹶ ﺍ ﻟ ﺤ ﻲ ﻤ ﺸﹾ ﺘﹶ ﻤِ ﻼﹰ ﺒ ﻌ ﺩ ﺍ ﻟ ﻬ ﺩ ﻭ ﺀِ ﺭﻭﻴﺩ ﺨﹶ ﺘﹾ لَ ﻤﺼﻁﹶﺎﺩِ 12- To call at th’homelands houses, I have walked. At night, as stealthy hunt’r his prey had stalked.
13- ﺤﺘﻰ ﺃ ﺨ ﺫ ﺕﹸ ﺒِ ﻜﹶ ﻑﱟ ﺯ ﺍ ﻥٍ ﻤِ ﻌ ﺼ ﻤ ﻬ ﺎ ﺭ ﺠ ﻊ ﺍﻟﻭﺸﹶﻭﻡِ ﻭ ﻟﹶ ﻡ ﺘﹸﺨﹾﻠﹶﻕ ﻟﹶ ﻔ ﺌ ﺎ ﺩِ 13- Until a hand I took. Fine scents adorn its wrists. To cook and roast it was not born.
14- ﺜﹸ ﻡ ﺍ ﻏ ﺘ ﻤ ﺭ ﺕﹸ ﺴ ﺭ ﺍ ﺓﹶ ﺍﻟﻠﻴل ﺘﹸﻠﹾﺒِﺴﻨﻲ ﻭﺍﻟﻨﹶﺠﻡ ﻭﺍﻟﻨﱠﺴﺭ ﻭﺍﻟﺠﻭﺯﺍﺀ ﺸﹸﻬﺎﺩِﻱ 14- Beclothed with nights’ attire, I then walk free. The stars, th’eagle, th’zenith, my witnesses be.
[78] ﺍﻥ ﺍﻟﺨﻠﻴﻁ ﻨ ﺄ ﻭ ﻙ ﺒ ﺎ ﻷ ﻤ ﺱِ “A motley crew left yesterday”
1- ﺍﻥ ﺍ ﻟ ﺨﹶ ﻠ ﻴ ﻁﹶ ﻨ ﺄ ﻭ ﻙ ﺒ ﺎ ﻷ ﻤ ﺱِ ﻭ ﺍ ﺴ ﺘﹶ ﻴ ﻘﹶ ﻨ ﺕﹾ ﺒِ ﻔِ ﺭ ﺍ ﻗِ ﻬِ ﻡ ﻨﹶﻔﹾﺴﻲ 1- A motley crew, left yest’rday; ‘nd I, alone, I, of myself, yet more of it have known.
2- ﻭ ﻏﹶ ﺩ ﻭ ﺍ ﻋﻠﻰ ﺨﹸ ﻭ ﺹِ ﺍ ﻟ ﻌ ﻴ ﻭ ﻥِ ﺴ ﻭ ﺍ ﻫِ ﻡِ ﻤِ ﺜﹾ لِ ﺍﻟﺴﻤﺎﻡِ ﺨﹸ ﻠِ ﻘﹾ ﻥ ﻟﻠﹾﻤﻠﺱ 2- They left on deep–eyed camels, fast of pace. Like swift “samam” that run ahead in race286
3- ﻭ ﺒِ ﻜﹸ لﱢ ﻨﹶﻀﺎﺥ ﺍ ﻟ ﻤ ﻘﹾ ﺫﱢ ﻤ ﺩ ﺍ ﺨﹶ لِ ﺍﻟﺫﹼﻓﹾﺭﻱ ﺃَ ﻗﹶ ﺏ ﻤ ﻀ ﺎ ﻋ ﻑِ ﺍﻟﺤِﻠﹾﺱ ِ 3- The camels’ sweat, from neck, so freely fell on matted hair; their teeth grind hard and well.
4- ﺒﺎﻨﻭﺍ ﻭﻓﻴﻬﻡ ﺤ ﺭ ﺓﹲ ﻤﻴﺎﻟﺔﹲ ﺤ ﻭ ﺭ ﺍ ﺀ ﺁ ﻨ ﺴ ﺔﹲ ﻤِ ﻥ ﺍﻟﻠﱡﻌﺱ ِ 4- With them appeared a swaying, free-born maid. Sloe-eyed; with dark make-up her lips were made.
5- ﻤﻠِﺌَﺕ ﺘﹶﺭﺍﺌِﺒﻬﺎ ﻭ ﺠ ﺎ ﻉ ﻭِﺸﺎﺤﻬﺎ ﻭﺍﻟﺒﻭﺹ ﻴ ﺸﹾ ﺒِ ﻪ ﺭ ﻤ ﻠﹶ ﺔﹶ ﺍﻟﺩﻫﺱ ِ
286 “Samam”: a species of flightless, swift–running bird.
138
5- Her bosom full, her belly tender-tight. Her rear like sand of softest soil and light.
6- ﻭ ﺠ ﺒ ﺎ ﺌِ ﺭ ﻭ ﺩ ﻤ ﺎ ﻟِ ﺞ ﻓﻲ ﻤِ ﻌ ﺼ ﻡٍ ﻏﹶ ﻴ لٍ ﻭ ﻜﹶ ﻑﱟ ﻟﹶ ﻴ ﻨﹶ ﺔِ ﺍﻟﻠﱠﻤﺱ ِ 6- Her wrist well formed, and laid with musk and balm. Her arm is long; when touch’d, is soft her palm.
7- ﻓﻜﺄﻨﻤﺎ ﺍ ﻏﹾ ﺘﹶ ﺒ ﻘﹶ ﺕﹾ ﺸ ﻤ ﻭ ﻻﹰ ﺒ ﺎ ﺭ ﺩ ﺍﹰ ﺍﻭ ﻤ ﺎ ﺌِ ﻌ ﺎﹰ ﻤﻥ ﻤ ﺎ ﺌِ ﻊ ﺍﻟﺠﻠﹾﺱ ِ 7- ‘s if she, at night has wine that North winds chill. Or she of date-honey has had her fill.
8- ﺴ ﻤ ﻘﹶ ﺕﹾ ﺒِ ﻪِ ﺍﻟﺼﻘﹾﺭ ﺍﻟﻌِﺘﺎﻕﹸ ﺒِ ﺸﹶ ﺎ ﻤِ ﺦٍ ﺩ ﻭ ﻥ ﺍ ﻟ ﺴ ﻤ ﺎ ﺀِ ﻤ ﺼ ﻌ ﺩٍ ﺸﻜﹾﺱ ِ 8- The juice of fruit of palms that rise up high, whose high– held dates hold just below the sky.287
9- ﻓﺎﺒﻴﺽ ﻜﺎﻟﻠﱠﺒﻥِ ﺍ ﻟ ﺤ ﻠ ﻴ ﺏِ ﻓﹶﻤﺎ ﻴﺒﺩﻭ ﻟﺫﻱ ﻋ ﻴ ﻥٍ ﻭﻻ ﺸﹶﻤﺱ ِ 9- Translucent dates; as freshest milk, are clear. Beneath their leaves, nor t’eye, nor t’sun, appear.
10- ﺤﺘﻰ ﺃﺘﻴﺢ ﻷ ﺨ ﺫ ﻩِ ﺫﹸﻭ ﺭ ﺠ ﻠﹶ ﺔٍ ﻜﺎﻟﺫﱢﺌﺏِ ﻻ ﻴﺩﻨﻭ ﺍﻟﻰ ﺇﻨﹾﺱ ِ 10- A sure-foot picker picks what th’palms do bear. Like wary wolf that stays from man well clear.
11- ﻓﹶ ﻐﹶ ﺩ ﺍ ﺒِ ﻤ ﻨﹾ ﺠ ﺭِ ﺩِ ﺍﻟﻘﹶﻭﺍﻡ ﻤ ﺤ ﻤ ﻠﹶ ﺞٍ ﻋ ﺒ لِ ﺍﻟﺸﱠﻭﻯ ﻭ ﺒ ﺤ ﻨﹾ ﺒ لٍ ﻀﺒﺱ ِ 11- With juice he fills his pouch that is well–lined. He’s strong of limb. Stout ropes his pouch do bind.
12- ﻤِ ﻥ ﺒﻌﺽ ﻤ ﻥ ﻴﻐﹾﺸﹶﻰ ﺍﻟﺤِﺠﺎﺯ ﺒ ﺄ ﻫ ﻠِ ﻪِ ﺃﻭ ﻤِ ﻥ ﻓﹶ ﺯ ﺍ ﺭ ﺓﹶ ﺍﻭ ﺒﻨﻲ ﻋﺒﺱ ِ 12- With him is one, who works the dates t’gather. Who’s from “Hijaz”, “Fazara” “Abs”- or oth’r.
13- ﻓﹶﺘﻭﺍﺜﻘﺎ ﺒﺎﷲ ﺭ ﺒ ﻬِ ﻤ ﺎ ﻓﻲ ﻗِ ﻠﱠ ﺔِ ﺍﻷَﺨﻼﻑ ﻭﺍﻟﺤﺒﺱ ِ 13- In God their lord they swore to place their trust
287 The higher the date palms rise, it was held, the choicest are its dates.
139
and work the ropes well, as indeed they must.288
14- ﻨﺎﺩﻯ ﺒ ﺄَ ﻥ ﺃ ﻟ ﻕِ ﺍﻟﺤِﺒﺎلَ ﻤ ﻌ ﺎﹰ ﻗﹶ ﺒ لَ ﺍﻟﻅﻼﻡِ ﻭﻗﺒل ﺃﻥ ﻨﹸﻤﺴﻲ 14- He called “togeth’r the ropes lets’ throw and haul. Before our working day ends at night fall”.
15- ﻭ ﺍ ﺨ ﻔﹶ ﺽ ﺒِ ﺼ ﻭ ﺘِ ﻙ ﻻ ﺘ ـَ ﺭ ﻉ ﺃ ﺤ ﺩ ﺍﹰ ﻭﺍﻜﺘﹸﻡ ﻋﻠﻰ ﺍ ﻟ ﻬ ﺠ ﺴ ﺎ ﺕِ ﻭﺍﻟﻭﺠﺱ ِ 15- “Lower your voice, to startle none around. Restrain all sudden movements, and all sound”.
16- ﺃﻟﹾﻘﻰ ﺍ ﻷ ﺯ ﺏ ﺍ ﻟ ﺤ ﺒ لَ ﻓ ﺎ ﻨﹾ ﺸﹶ ﻌ ﺒ ﺕﹾ ﺇﺤﺩﻯ ﺍﻟﻤﻨﺎﻴﺎ ﺤﻴﺙ ﻟﻡ ﻴﺭﺱ ٍ 16- The short-limbed man the rope then upward cast. It, ‘tween the branches flew, and didn’t hold fast.
17- ﻭ ﺘﹶ ﺫﹶ ﺒ ﺫﹶ ﺏ ﺍﻷﻋﻠﻰ ﻓﹶﻤﺎ ﺒ ﻘِ ﻴ ﺕﹾ ﺒ ﻴ ﻀ ﺎ ﺀ ﻤِ ﻥ ﺴِ ﻥ ﻭﻻ ﻀِﺭﺱ ِ 17- The turb’lant skies o’er head, with weather brewed. Her gleaming whitest teeth she had not shewed289.
18- ﻤﺎ ﺫ ﺍ ﻙ ﺃﺸﹾﻬﻰ ﻟﹶ ﻴ ﻠﹶ ﺔﹶ ﻤِ ﻥ ﺭِﻴﻘِﻬﺎ ﻓﻲ ﻟﹶ ﻴ ﻠﹶ ﺔﹶ ﺍﻟﺸﻔﱠﺎﻥِ ﻭﺍﻟﻘﹶﺭﺱ ِ 18- It was not th’most delightful of her nights. A night of windy rain and cold that bites.
19- ﻓﹶﺩﻋِﻲ ﺍ ﻟ ﻤ ﻬ ﺎ ﻟِ ﻙ ﻤﺎ ﺍ ﺴ ﺘ ﻁ ﻌ ﺕِ ﻭ ﺠ ﺎ ﻨِ ﺒ ﻲِ ﻁﹶ ﻤ ﻊ ﺍ ﻟ ﻤ ﻌ ﻴ ﺸﹶ ﺔِ ﻭﺍﺘﹾﺭﻜﻲ ﻀﺭﺴﻲ 19- “Covet not! Safely from hazards retire. Grind not your teeth at me with bitter ire”.290
20- ﻓ ﻠ ﻘﹶ ﺩ ﺃ ﺠ ﻭ ﺯ ﺍ ﻟ ﺨﹶ ﺭ ﻕﹶ ﺘﹶ ﺤ ﻤِ ﻠﹾ ﻨ ﻲ ﻭﺍﻟﻔﹶﻀﻠﹶﺘﹶﻴﻥِ ﻭﻗﹶﻴﻨﺘﻲ ﻋﻨﹾﺴِﻲ 20- I would, on camel, windy wastes pass through. With food and drink and servant good and true.
288 Harvesting choice dates from such high palms required the labour of two men; one on the ground and one at tree- top level. The date pouch was lowered and raised through deft use of rope. 289 He moves to another scene. The woman described gathers herself to herself in that cold weather. 290 The cold night appears to have placed her in a chagrined mood. She reproaches and scolds him. He replies, reproving her for her shrewish talk.
140
21- ﺃُ ﺠ ﺩ ﻤ ﻭ ﺜﱠ ﻘﹶ ﺔﹲ ﻜِ ﻨ ﺎ ﺯ ﻋِ ﺭ ﻤِ ﺱ ﻭ ﺨﱠ ﺎ ﺩ ﺓﹲ ﻓﻲ ﻟﹶ ﻴ ﻠ ﺔِ ﺍﻟﻬﻤﺱ ِ 21- Of temper good; well-fleshed; is quick to race, At night it goes with steady, nightly pace.
[79] ﺃﻟﻡ ﺘ ﺯ ﻉ ﻋﻥ ﺃﻡ ﻋ ﻤ ﺭ ﻭٍ “Wont you of ‘Umm cAmr desist and despair?”
1- ﺃﻟﻤﺎ ﺘﹶ ﺯ ﻉ ﻋﻥ ﺃﻡ ﻋ ﻤ ﺭٍ ﻭ ﺘﹶ ﻴ ﺌَ ﺱِ ﻓﹶﺘﹶﺼﺤﻭﺍ ﻋﻤﺎ ﻗﺩ ﻤﻀﻰ ﻤ ﻨﹾ ﺫﹸ ﺃﺤﺭﺱ ِ 1- Wont you of “Umm cAmr” desist and despair? And wake up from that ages-old affair?
2- ﺃ ﻟ ﻴ ﺱ ﺒ ﻨ ﺎ ﻫ ﻴ ﻙ ﺍ ﻟ ﺠ ﻼ لُ ﻋﻥ ﺍ ﻟ ﺼﺒﺎ ﻭﻤﺎ ﻗﹶﺩ ﻟ ﻘ ﻴ ﺕﹶ ﻤِ ﻥ ﻨﹶﻌﻴﻡ ٍ ﻭﺃﺒﺅُﺱ ِ 2- Had not solemn age forbade youthful ploys. And what you’ve had of youths’ mis’ries, and joys.
3- ﺩ ﻟﹶ ﻔﹾ ﺕﹸ ﻟﻬﺎ ﻤ ﻊ ﺍﻟﻐﹶﻁﺎﻁِ ﺒِﻔﻨ ﻴ ﺔٍ ﺇﻟﻰ ﻤ ﺭ ﻗﹶ ﺏٍ ﻋ ﺎ لٍ ﺭ ﻓ ﻴ ﻊٍ ﻭﻤﺠﻠِﺱ ِ 3- O’erhead, quail flew; to her my, way I found, With fine ladies she sat on higher ground.
4- ﻜ ﺄ ﻥ ﺤِ ﻭ ﺍ ﺀ ﻤﻥ ﻴ ﻤ ﺎ ﻥٍ ﻤ ﻌ ﺼ ﺏٍ ﺒِ ﻤ ﻨﹾ ﻜﹶ ﺒِ ﻬ ﺎ ﻭ ﺍ ﻵ ﺨِ ﻨ ﻲ ﺍﻟﻤﺸﻤﺱ ِ 4- A yemen striped cloak on one should’r, she wore. The other shoulder a sun-lit garment bore.
5- ﻭﻤﺎ ﺀٍ ﺒﻪ ﺭ ﻴ ﺵﹸ ﺍﻟﺤﻤﺎﻡ ﻜ ﺄ ﻨﱠ ﻪ ﻋ ﺼ ﺎ ﺭ ﺓﹸ ﻴﻨﹾﺒﻭﺕٍ ﻤﻥ ﺍ ﻟ ﻐﹶ ﺴ لِ ﻤﺨﹾﻔِﺱ ِ 5- I pass a pool, bestrewn with pidgeons’ plumes Like “Yanbut”s’ essence, it, low-watered, looms.291
6- ﻭ ﺭ ﺩ ﺕﹸ ﺒِﺤﺭﺠﻭﺝٍ ﻜ ﺄ ﻥ ﻤﻨﺎﺨﹶﻬﺎ ﺇﺫﺍ ﻨﹶ ﻬِ ﻠﹶ ﺕﹾ ﺒ ﻌ ﺩ ﺍﻷﺫﻯ ﻭﺍﻟﺘﻤﺭﺱ ِ 6- There, my long-necked she-camel came to drink, o’er stressed and exhausted, at water’s brink
291 “Yanbut”: a plant whose bitter fruit and leaves were used to prepare a shampoo-like hair wash. A small pool of “Yanbut” essence was used for bathing. The pool he passes, low watered and strewn with feathers, looks as if pidgeons have been bathing there.
141
7- ﻤ ﻭ ﺍ ﻗِ ﻊ ﻜﹸ ﺩ ﺭٍ ﻤِ ﻥ ﻗﹶﻁﹶﺎ ﺍ ﻟ ﺴ ﻲ ﺍ ﺭ ﺒ ﻊٍ ﻗﹶﺭﺒﻥ ﺴِ ﻤ ﺎ ﻻﹰ ﺒ ﻌ ﺩ ﻭ ﺭ ﺩٍ ﻤﻐﹶﻠﱢﺱ ِ 7- Four fowl, from “Sayy”, by stagnant waters perched. To quench, at night, at brackish pools their thirst.
[80] ﺇﻨﱢﻲ ﺍ ﻤ ﺭ ﺅٌ ﻤﻥ ﺨﹶ ﻴ ﺭِ ﻜِ ﻨﹾ ﺩ ﺓﹶ “I’m of Kinda’s good ones”
1- ﺇﻨﱢﻲ ﺍ ﻤ ﺭ ﺅٌ ﻤِ ﻥ ﺨﹶ ﻴ ﺭِ ﻜِ ﻨﹾ ﺩ ﺓﹶ ﻟﹶ ﺴ ﺕﹸ ﻤﻥ ﺃﺸﹾﺭﺍﺭﻫﺎ 1- I’m of the good, whom Kinda I adorn. Not of ones evil to it who were born.
2- ﻤِ ﻥ ﺨﹶﻴﺭِﻫﺎ ﻨﹶ ﺴ ﺒ ﺎﹰ ﺇﺫﺍ ﺘﹶﻨﹾﻤِﻲ ﺍﻟﻰ ﺃَﺨﹾﻴﺎﺭِﻫﺎ 2- From its good lineage, mine in goodness grows. And from its ancestral glory, mine glows.
3- ﻤِ ﻥ ﺨﹶﻴﺭِﻫﺎ ﺨ ﺒ ﺭ ﺍﹰ ﺇﺫﺍ ﺼ ﺎ ﺭ ﺕﹾ ﺇﻟﻰ ﺃﺨﺒﺎﺭﻫﺎ 3- The joyous tidings we have ever had. to its annals of joyous good, will add.
4- ﻓﻲ ﺤﺠﺭِﻫﺎ ﻤ ﺘ ﺭ ﺩ ﺩ ﻤِ ﻥ ﻋ ﻤ ﺭِ ﻫ ﺎ ﻭﻤﺭﺍﺭِﻫﺎ 4- To her spacious lap I e’er do return. From its hard times, or good, e’er will I learn. 5- ﺇﻥ ﺘﹶ ﻬ ﺞ ﻜِ ﻨﹾ ﺩ ﺓﹶ ﻅﺎﻟﻤﺎﹰ ﻻ ﺘﹶ ﻨ ﺞ ﻤِ ﻥ ﺃﻅﹾﻔﹶﺎﺭﻫﺎ 5- Should you cut Kinda with lampoons, and scrape, you’d not from Kinda’s cutting claws escape.
6- ﺃﻻ ﺘﹸ ﺼِ ﺒ ﻙ ﺒﺤﺩﻫﺎ ﺘﹸ ﻬ ﻠِ ﻜﹸ ﻙ ﻓﻲ ﺘِ ﻜﹾ ﺭ ﺍ ﺭِ ﻫ ﺎ 6- Her sharp cuts may miss you, and strike astray. Recurrent thrusts ensure that dead you’ll lay.
142
7- ﻗ ﻭ ﻡ ﺇﺫﺍ ﻤﺎ ﺍﻟﺤﺭﺏ ﺸﹶ ﺒ ﺕﹾ ﻴﺼﻁﻠﻭﻥ ﺒِﻨﺎﺭِﻫﺎ 7- They are such, that if war at them should storm, their hands at war’s raging fires they would warm.
8- ﻜ ﺎ ﻷ ﺴ ﺩِ ﻓﻲ ﺤ ﻠﹶ ﻕﹶ ﺍ ﻟ ﺤ ﺩ ﻴ ﺩِ ﻟﺩﻯ ﺍﻨﺒﺜﺎﺙِ ﻏﹸﺒﺎﺭِﻩ 8- Like lions circled by iron, resist they must. In ire they throw up swirling clouds of dust.292
[81] ﺒﺎﻥ ﺍﻟﻤﻠﻭﻙ “The kings appear”
1- ﺒ ﺎ ﻥ ﺍ ﻟ ﻤ ﻠ ﻭ ﻙ ﻓﹶﺄﻤﺴﻰ ﺍ ﻟ ﻘﹶ ﻠﹾ ﺏ ﻤﺭﺘﹶﺎﺒﺎ ﻤِﻥ ﻫﺅﻻ ﺍ ﻟ ﻨﱠ ﺎ ﺱِ ﻋﺎﺸﹸﻭﺍ ﺒ ﻌ ﺩ ﺃﺤﺯﺍﺒﺎ 1- The kings appear; my heart with doubt is rife. Of those who’ve since in sects had lived in strife.
2- ﻤﺎ ﻴ ﻨﹾ ﻜِ ﺭ ﺍﻟﻨﺎﺱ ﻤِﻨﹼﺎ ﺤ ﻴ ﻥ ﻨﹶ ﻤ ﻠِ ﻜﹸ ﻬ ﻡ ﻜﺎﻨﻭﺍ ﻋﺒﻴﺩﺍﹰ ﻭﻜﹸﻨﹼﺎ ﻨﹶ ﺤ ﻥ ﺃﺭﺒﺎﺒﺎ 2- Folk won’t object when we their kings shall be. They were but slaves; their lords ‘nd masters, were we.
3- ﻨﺤﻥ ﺍﻟﻤﻠﻭﻙ ﻭﺍﺒﻨﺎﺀ ﺍ ﻟ ﻤ ﻠ ﻭ ﻙ ﻟﻨﺎ ﻤ ﻠﹾ ﻙ ﺒِ ﻪِ ﻋ ﺎ ﺵﹶ ﻫﺫﺍ ﺍ ﻟ ﻨﱠ ﺎ ﺱ ﺃﺤﻘﹶﺎﺒﺎ 3- For we are kings, and sons of kings, are we. In our realm these folk lived since ages far.
4- ﺇﻨﹼﻲ ﺴ ﺄ ﻤ ﻠِ ﻜﹸ ﻜﹸ ﻡ ﺒﺎﻟﺭﻭﻡِ ﺇﺫ ﻜﹶ ﺭِ ﻫ ﺕﹾ ﻏﹶ ﺴ ﺎ ﻥ ﻨﹶﺼﺭﻱ ﻭ ﻜ ﺎ ﻥ ﺍ ﻟ ﻤ ﻠ ﻙ ﺃﺴﺒﺎﺒﺎ 4- With Roman aid your King I’ll be, if aid “Ghassan” denies. There are ways kings are made293
5- ﺍﻭ ﺘﺭﺠﻌﻭﻥ ﻜﹶﻤﺎ ﻜﹸﻨﹾﺘﻡ ﻟﹶﻨﺎ ﺨﹶ ﻭ ﻻﹰ ﺤﺘﻰ ﺘﹶﺩﻴﻨﹸﻭﺍ ﻟﹶﻨﹶﺎ ﻁﹶ ﻭ ﻋ ﺎﹶ ﻭﺇﺘﹾﻌﺎﺒﺎ
292 The verse refers to lions- the Kindites- “in rings of iron”. It may mean that the lions are actually chained in iron, or that they are encircled by their iron-clad foes out to slay them. 293 The Ghassanids, the traditional allies of the Byzantines (The Romans) were first approached by Imru’ul Qays to intercede for him with Constantinople with the aim of re-establishing him as King of Kinda. In these verses he re-iterates his claims to kingship. If Ghassan’s aid to achieve this end, he threatens, is not forthcoming, he will approach Constantinople directly. The verses here assert his claims to kingship to those subjects once ruled by the bygone Kings of Kinda.
143
5- Our villeins you once were, as such you’ll stay. To us your allegiance in full you’ll pay.
[82] ﺃ ﻨﱠ ﻙ ﺃَ ﻗﹾ ﻠﹶ ﻑﹾ “You are uncircumcised”
when Imru’ul Qays arrived in Constantenople he was warmly and honourably received by the Emperor Justinian, whose hospitality included a visit to the royal baths. In the baths, totally undressed, Imru’ul Qays noticed to his coutempt and horror that the Emperor was uncircumcised, and recited, later, these lines lampooning the emperor for this gross shortcoming.
These ribald, if not offensive, lines contributed to Imru’ul Qays’s downfall. Justinian realized that this fellow cannot be trusted, and the poet’s adversary, al-Tammah, who vilified him in Justinian’s court was- Junstinian realized–quite right in his accusations of this “vagabond princeling” with ambitions to be a future “King of Kinda”. These lurid lines, together with al-Tammah’s charges that Imru’ul Qays had go the Emperor’s daughter with child, finally convinced Justinian that this Arab prince had to go, in more ways than one.
1- ﺇﻨﹼﻲ ﺤ ﻠﹶ ﻔﹾ ﺕﹸ ﻴ ﻤ ﻴ ﻨ ﺎﹰ ﻏﹶ ﻴ ﺭ ﻜ ﺎ ﺫ ﺒ ﺔٍ ﺃ ﻨﱠ ﻙ ﺃ ﻗﹾ ﻠﹶ ﻑﹸ ﺇﻻ ﻤﺎ ﺠﻼ ﺍ ﻟ ﻘﹶ ﻤ ﺭ 1- In fullest truth, I do solemnly swear Uncircumcised you are, I do declare
2- ﺇﺫﺍ ﻁﹶ ﻌ ﻨﹾ ﺕﹶ ﺒ ﻪِ ﻤﺎﻟﹶﺕﹾ ﻋِ ﻤ ﺎ ﻤ ﺘﹸ ﻪ ﻜﻤﺎ ﺘﹶﺠﻤﻊ ﺘﹶ ﺤ ﺕﹶ ﺍ ﻟ ﻔﹶ ﻠﹾ ﻜﹶ ﺔِ ﺍ ﻟ ﻭ ﺒ ﺭ 2- Should you thrust it, its head-dress tilts aside294 As wool ‘neath spindle; thread it fails to guide295
[83]
294 The head –dress here is the foreskin. “It” is the erect male genital. 295 The uncircumcised genital is like a faulty spindle that fails to spin wool, which piles up beneath it.
144
ﻴﺎ ﺼ ﺎ ﺤِ ﺒ ﻲ “My friends”
1- ﻴﺎ ﺼ ﺎ ﺤِ ﺒ ﻲ ﺇﺫﺍ ﻤﺎ ﺨﻔﺘﹸﻤﺎ ﻏﹶﺭﻀﻲ ﻓﹶﻌﻠﱢﻼﻨﻲ ﻓﹶ ﺈ ﻥ ﺍﻟﻠﱠﻴلَ ﻗﺩ ﻁﹶ ﺎ ﻻﹶ 1- My friends, if fears you have of me grow strong. Serve me more drink; the night draws dull and long.
2- ﻫ لْ ﺘﹶ ﺄ ﺭ ﻗ ﺎ ﻥِ ﻟِ ﺒ ﺭ ﻕٍ ﺒِ ﺙﱡ ﺃﺭﻗﹸﺒﻪ ﻜﻤﺎ ﺘ ﻜ ﺸﱠ ﻑﹸ ﻋﻨﻬﺎ ﺍ ﻟ ﺒ ﻠﹾ ﻕﹸ ﺃﺠﻼﻻ 2- Awake are you? For I at lightning stare. Nude clouds alight, as unsaddl’d mares are bare.
3- ﺘﹶﺤﻤﻲ ﺍ ﻟ ﻔِ ﻼ ﺀ ﻭﺘﹶﻨﹾﻔﻲ ﻋ ﻥ ﻤ ﺭ ﺍ ﺒِ ﻁِ ﻬ ﺎ ﺨﹶ ﻴ ﻼﹰ ﺒِﻤﻌﺘﹶﺭﻙٍ ﻴ ﻌ ﺩ ﻥ ﺃَﺭﺴﺎﻻ 3- The steeds protect the wilds, far from home ground. Following each other; to battle bound.
4- ﻭ ﻗﹶ ﺩ ﻨﹶ ﻬ ﻴ ﺘﹸ ﻙ ﺃﻥ ﺘﹶﻐﹾﺸﻰ ﻤﻌﺎﺘﹶﺒﺘﻲ ﺍﻭ ﺘﹶﺠﻤﻌﻲ ﻟﻲ ﻟِ ﺌ ﺎ ﻡ ﺍﻟﻨﺎﺱِ ﺃ ﻤ ﺜ ﺎ ﻻﹶ 4- Be warned! Let your reproach of me abate. Urge not that I the low should emulate.
5- ﺇﺫ ﻻ ﺃﺯﺍل ﻋﻠﻰ ﺃﺭﺠﺎﺀ ﻤ ﻅ ﻠِ ﻤ ﺔٍ ﺃﺒﻐﻴﻙ ﻓﻴﻬﺎ ﺴ ﻨ ﺎ ﺀ ﺍ ﻟ ﺫﱢ ﻜﹾ ﺭِ ﻭﺍﻟﻤﺎﻻ 5- I, still, in darkest corners, lurk in stealth. I, there, for you, wish heights of fame and wealth.
6- ﻭﻗﹶﺩ ﺃ ﻗ ﻭ ﺩ ﺒ ﺄ ﺨ ﺭ ﺍ ﺏٍ ﺇﻟﻰ ﺤ ﺭ ﺽٍ ﺇﻟﻰ ﺠ ﻤ ﺎ ﻫ ﻴ ﺭ ﺭ ﺤ ﺏ ﺍ ﻟ ﺠ ﻭ ﻑِ ﺼﻬﺎﻻ 6- I, from “Ikhrab” t’ Hurrudh” would find my way There, cheering crowds in wait for me would stay.
[84] ﺃ ﺸﹶ ﺎ ﻗﹶ ﻙ ﻤِ ﻥ ﺁل ﻟﹶﻴﻠﻰ ﺍ ﻟ ﻁﱠ ﻠ لْ To Layla your yearnings ranged
145
1- ﺃ ﺸﹶ ﺎ ﻗﹶ ﻙ ﻤ ﻥ ﺁل ﻟﹶﻴﻠﻰ ﺍﻟﻁﱠﻠلْ ﻓﹶ ﻘﹶ ﻠﹾ ﺒ ﻙ ﻤِ ﻥ ﺫِ ﻜﹾ ﺭِ ﻫ ﺎ ﻤ ﺨﹾ ﺘﹶ ﺒ لْ 1- To Layla’s folk’s fine house, your yearnings ranged, It’s mem’ries your poor heart have so deranged.
2- ﻓﹶﻼ ﻫِ ﻲ ﺘﹶ ﻌ ﻁِ ﻑﹸ ﻤِ ﻥ ﻭﺩﻫﺎ ﻭﻻ ﺃ ﻨﹾ ﺕﹶ ﺘ ﻌ ﻘِ لُ ﻓ ﻴ ﻤ ﻥ ﻋ ﻘﹶ لْ 2- For she is not with her affections free. Nor you the light of sense and reason see.
3- ﻭ ﺼ ﺎ ﺩ ﺘﹾ ﻙ ﻏﹶ ﺭ ﺍ ﺀ ﻭ ﻫ ﻨﹶ ﺎ ﻨ ﺔﹲ ﺜﹶ ﻘﹶ ﺎ لُ ﻓﹶﻤﺎ ﺨ ﺎ ﻟﹶ ﻁﹶ ﺕﹾ ﻤ ﻥ ﻋ ﺠ لْ 3- A fair demure woman has you ensnared. On her slow way to you, she well has fared.
4- ﺭ ﻗﹸ ﻭ ﺩ ﺍﻟﻀﺤﺎ ﺴ ﺎ ﺠِ ﻴ ﺎﹰ ﻁﹶﺭﻓﹸﻬﺎ ﻴﻤﻴﻠﹸﻬﺎ ﺤ ﻴ ﻥ ﺘﹶﻤﺸﻲ ﺍ ﻟ ﻜﹶ ﺴ لْ 4- Till morning late, in languid sleep she lays. Awake, at walk, with languid steps she sways.
5- ﻋ ﻅ ﻴ ﻤ ﺔﹸ ﺤِ ﻠﹾ ﻡٍ ﺇﺫﺍ ﺍﺴﺘﻨﻁﻘﺕ ﺘﹸﻁﻴلُ ﺍﻟﺴﻜﻭﺕ ﺇﺫﺍ ﻟﹶ ﻡ ﺘﹸ ﺴ لْ 5- When questioned, great tact her discourse holds. When questioned not, long silence her enfolds.
6- ﻭ ﺒ ﻠﹾ ﻬ ﺎ ﺀ ﻤِ ﻥ ﻏﹶ ﻴ ﺭِ ﻋ ﻲ ﺒﻬﺎ ﻴﺭﻯ ﻟﹸﺒﻬﺎ ﻅ ﺎ ﻫ ﺭ ﺍﹰ ﻤ ﻥ ﻋ ﻘﹶ لْ 6- A witless fool, an idiot her would find. A man of sense would see her glowing mind.
7- ﺃﻻ ﺤ ﻲ ﻨﹸﻌﻤﺎﹰ ﻋﻠﹶﻰ ﻨﺄﻴِﻬﺎ ﺃﻻ ﺤ ﻲ ﻨﹸﻌﻤﺎﹰ ﻭﻋﻨﹾﻬﺎ ﻓﹶ ﺴ لْ 7- If far may she in prosperity bask. How well she prospers ‘nd fares; do always ask.
8- ﻤ ﻨﹶ ﻌ ﻤ ﺔﹶ ﻓﹶ ﻀ ﻠ ﺕﹾ ﺼ ﻭ ﺭ ﺓﹰ ﻤِ ﻥ ﺍ ﻟ ﺤ ﻲ ﻓﻲ ﻤ ﻨ ﺼِ ﺏٍ ﻗﹶ ﺩ ﻜﹶ ﻤ لْ 8- A picture of prosperity is she. With pride of birth, she th’homelands pride shall be.
9- ﻟﻬﺎ ﺍ ﻟ ﻌ ﻴ ﻥ ﻭﺍﻟﺠﻴﺩ ﻤِ ﻥ ﻅﹶﺒﻴﺔٍ ﻭ ﻓ ﺭ ﻉ ﻋﻠﻰ ﻤﺘﹾﻨِﻬﺎ ﻤ ﻨﹾ ﺴ ﺩِ لُ 9- As if a hind gave her her neck and eye.
146
Her plaits flow down, upon her shoulders lie.
10- ﻭ ﺨﹶ ﺩ ﻟﻬﺎ ﻜ ﺤﺴﺎﻡ ٍ ﺼﻘﻴلٍ ﺠﻠ ـَﺘ ـْ ﻪ ﺍ ﻟ ﺼ ﻴ ﺎ ﻗِ لُ ﺤﺘﻰ ﺨﹶ ﻀِ لْ 10- Her cheek as brilliant as a gleaming blade. Whose shine was by diligent whetting made.
11- ﻭ ﻜﹶ ﻑﱞ ﻴ ﺯ ﻴ ﻥ ﺃﻋﻼﻤﻬﺎ ﺒ ﻨﹶ ﺎ ﻥ ﻜﹶ ﻬ ﺩ ﺏِ ﺍ ﻟ ﺩ ﻤ ﻘﹾ ﺱِ ﺍ ﻨﹾ ﻔﹶ ﺘﹶ لْ 11- As if fingers, t’adorn her palm, are made as gamrents are adorned by silver braid.
12- ﻭ ﻤِ ﻌ ﺼ ﻤِ ﻬ ﺎ ﺤ ﺴ ﻥ ﺠ ﺩ ﻟﹸ ﻪ ﺃُ ﺘِ ﻡ ﻓﹶ ﻨﹶ ﺎ ﻅِ ﺭ ﻩ ﻤﺎ ﻴ ﻤ لّْ 12- Her wrist well-turned; it’s roundness is so right that eyes tire not of such a lovely sight.
13- ﺘﹶﻤﻴلُ ﺇﺫﺍ ﻤﺎ ﺍ ﻨﹾ ﺜﹶ ﻨﹶ ﺕﹾ ﻟ ﻠ ﻀ ﺠ ﻴ ﻊِ ﻜ ﻤ ﻴ لِ ﺍ ﻟ ﻜﹶ ﺜ ﻴ ﺏِ ﺇﺫﺍ ﻤﺎ ﺍ ﺴ ﺘﹶ ﻬ لّْ 13- In bed, she pours herself o’er t’either side As streams of sand from shak’n dunes, down ward slide
14- ﻭ ﻤِ ﺜﹾ لُ ﺍ ﻟ ﻤ ﻬ ﺎ ﺓِ ﺇﺫﺍ ﺃَ ﻗﹾ ﺒ ﻠﹶ ﺕﹾ ﻭ ﻤِ ﺜﹾ لُ ﺍﻟﻐﹶﺯﺍل ﺍﺫﺍ ﻤﺎ ﺃَ ﺒ لْ 14- With oryx steps, she lightly steps to you. Gazelle is she, that moistened is by dew.
15- ﻭ ﻫ ﻴ ﻔ ﺎ ﺀ ﻟﹶﻔ ـّ ﺎ ﺀ ﺨﹸ ﻤ ﺼ ﺎ ﻨ ﺔﹲ ﻤ ﺒ ﺘﹶ ﻠﱠ ﺔﹸ ﺍ ﻟ ﺨﹸ ﻠﹾ ﻕِ ﺭﻴﺎ ﺍ ﻟ ﻜﹶ ﻔﹶ لْ 15- Her waist is slim, her belly smooth and tight. Her thighs full, her bottom rounded right.
16- ﺨﹶ ﺩ ﻟﱠ ﺠ ﺔﹲ ﺭ ﺅ ﺩ ﺓﹲ ﺭ ﺨﹾ ﺼ ﺔﹲ ﻜﹶ ﺩ ﺭ ﺓِ ﻟﹸ ﺞ ﺒﺄﻴﺩﻱ ﺍﻟﺨﹶﻭل 16- Her legs well-shaped, in softness she unfurls. As soft, as freshly prized, are oyster pearls. 17- ﺘﹶ ﻁ ﻭ لُ ﺍ ﻟ ﻘِ ﺼ ﺎ ﺭ ﻭ ﺩ ﻭ ﻥ ﺍﻟ ﻁ ـّ ﻭ ﺍ لِ ﻓ ﺨ ﻠﹾ ﻕﹲ ﺴ ﻭ ﻱ ﻨﻤﺎ ﻓ ﺎ ﻋ ﺘﹶ ﺩ لْ 17- She’s taller than the short; is not too tall. Her height and form in th’golden mean do fall.
18- ﻭ ﺜﹶ ﻐﹾ ﺭ ﺃ ﻏﹶ ﺭ ﺸﺘﻴﺕﹶ ﺍﻟﻨﹶﺒﺎﺕِ ﻟﺫﻴﺫ ﺍ ﻟ ﻤ ﺫ ﺍ ﻗﹶ ﺔِ ﻋ ﺫﹾ ﺏ ﺍ ﻟ ﻘﹸ ﺒ لْ 18- Her teeth so white and are arranged so neat.
147
A mouth whose kisses ever are so sweet.
19- ﻜﺄﻥ ﺍﻟﻤﺩﺍﻡ ﺒﺄَﻨﹾﻴﺎﺒﻬﺎ ﻭ ﺼ ﻭ ﺏ ﺍﻟﻐﹶﻤﺎﻡِ ﺒ ﻤ ﺎ ﺀٍ ﻏﹶ ﻠﹶ لْ 19- Her teeth emit the scent of fragrant wine; Are moist as plants that to moistrure incline.
20- ﻭ ﻁﹶ ﻌ ﻡ ﺍﻟﺴﻔﹶﺭﺠل ﺍﻟﺯﻨﺠﺒﻴل ﻋ لﱠ ﺒِ ﻪِ ﻭﺒِﺼﺎﻓﻲ ﺍ ﻟ ﻌ ﺴ لْ 20- Ginger and quince are flavour of her air. Pure honey adds t’what in her air is fair296
21- ﻭﻤﺎ ﺫﹸ ﻗﹾ ﺕﹸ ﻓﺎﻫﺎ ﻭﻟﻜﻨﱠﻨﻲ ﺃﺭﺍﻩ ﻋﻠﻰ ﻜل ﻨﹶ ﻌ ﺕِ ﻓﹶ ﻀ لْ 21- Her mouth I’ve tasted not, though it I’ve seen saying well what well-spoken mouths can mean.
22- ﻓﺄﻤﺴﻲ ﻭ ﺃ ﺼ ﺒ ﺢ ﻤِ ﻥ ﻭ ﺠ ﺩِ ﻫ ﺎ ﺒﻤﺎ ﺍﻟﻘﻠﺏ ﻤﻥ ﺃ ﺸﹾ ﻌ ﺏٍ ﻗﺩ ﻨﹶ ﺯ لْ 22- With love of her, my nights and morns I spend . Such tearing passions ‘pon my heart descend.
23- ﻭ ﻋ ﺎ ﺼ ﻴ ﺕﹸ ﻓﻲ ﺤﺒﻬﺎ ﻤﻥ ﻟﹶﺤـﺎ ﻭ ﻟﹶ ﻡ ﻴ ﺸﹾ ﻑِ ﻗﹶ ﻠﹾ ﺏ ﺍ ﻟ ﺴ ﻘ ﻴ ﻡِ ﺍ ﻟ ﻌ ﺫﹶ لْ 23- For love of her I stood ‘gainst scorn and strife And cured not sick hearts that with ire are rife
24- ﻭ ﺒ ﺩ ﻟﹾ ﺕﹸ ﻤﻨﻬﺎ ﺍﺘﱢﺒﺎﻉ ﺍﻟﻤﻨﻰ ﻟﹶﻌﻤﺭ ﺃﺒﻴﻬﺎ ﻟِ ﺒِ ﺌْ ﺱ ﺍ ﻟ ﺒ ﺩ لْ 24- From her I turned, my wishes to pursue By her sire’s life! So vile of me to do.
[85] ﻫل ﻋﺎ ﺩ ﻗﹶ ﻠﹾ ﺒ ﻙ “Has your heart returned?”
1- ﻫل ﻋ ﺎ ﺩ ﻗﹶ ﻠﹾ ﺒ ﻙ ﻤِﻥ ﻤﺎﻭِﻴﺔ ﺍﻟﻁﱠﺭﺏ ﺒﻌﺩ ﺍ ﻟ ﻬ ﺩ ﻭ ﻓﹶ ﺩ ﻤ ﻊ ﺍ ﻟ ﻌ ﻴ ﻥِ ﻴ ﻨﹾ ﺴ ﻜِ ﺏ 1- Has your heart from “Mawya” returned oppressed,
296 “air” here refers to her breath, well-flavoured with ginger, quince, and honey.
148
to pour its tears when all had gone to rest.
2- ﺃﻡ ﻫ ﻴ ﺠ ﺘﹾ ﻙ ﺩ ﻴ ﺎ ﺭ ﺍ ﻟ ﺤ ﻲ ﺍﺫ ﻅﹶﻌﻨﻭﺍ ﻋﻨﻬﺎ ﻜﺄﻥ ﺒﻌﻤﺎﻴﺎ ﺭ ﺴ ﻤِ ﻬ ﺎ ﻜﹸ ﺘﹸ ﺏ 2- Departing folk your passions long sustain; whose homes are now like books awash with rain.
3- ﺒ لْ ﻁ ﺎ ﺌ ﻑﹲ ﻫ ﺎ ﺝ ﻤﻨﱠﺎ ﺍ ﻟ ﺸﱠ ﻭ ﻕﹶ ﻓ ﺎ ﻨ ﺒ ﺩ ﺭ ﺕﹾ ﻟﻪ ﺍﻟﻤﺩﺍﻤﻊ ﻻ ﻋ ﺎ ﻥِ ﻭﻻ ﺼ ﻘِ ﺏ 3- Visions of love released many a tear, that none had shed for ones who’re held so dear.
4- ﺤ ﻭ ﻻ ﻥِ ﻤﺭﺍ ﺠﻤﻴﻌﺎﹰ ﻤِ ﻨﹾ ﻪ ﻟﻡ ﺃﺭﻫﺎ ﻤ ﺠ ﺭ ﻤ ﺎ ﻥِ ﻤ ﻌ ﺎﹰ ﻴﺤﺩﻭﻫﻤﺎ ﺭ ﺠ ﺏ 4- Two years have passed, and I her not have seen. Two years, that fraught with fear of loss have been.
5- ﻗﹶ ﺩ ﻜﹸ ﻨﹾ ﺕﹸ ﺃﺼﻁﺎﺩ ﻤ ﻥ ﺃَﺭﻤِﻲ ﻓ ﺄ ﻗ ﺼِ ﺩ ﻩ ﻭ ﻟﹶ ﻴ ﺱ ﻴﺼﻁﺎﺩﻨﻲ ﺫﻭ ﺍ ﻟ ﺤِ ﻴ ﻠ ﺔِ ﺍ ﻷ ﺭِ ﺏ 5- For I hunt down whom I to hunt intend. And ‘gainst the shrewd myself can well defend.
6- ﻗﹶﻁﹶﺎﻉ ﻭﺍﺼﻠﺔٍ، ﻭﺼﺎل ﻗﺎﻁﻌﺔٍ ﻭ ﻫ ﺎ ﺏ ﺃﻭ ﻫﺒﺔٍ، ﻟﻠﺨﻴﺭ ﻤ ﺤ ﺘﹶ ﺴِ ﺏ 6- I cut what’s whole; what’s cut I well can fuse. Largesse I give, but what I’m owed ne’er lose.
7- ﻁﹶﻌﺎﻥ ﻤﻘﹾﺘﹶﻠﹶﺔٍ، ﻭ ﻫ ﺎ ﺏ ﻤ ﺜﹾ ﻘﹶ ﻠﹶ ﺔٍ ﺸﹶ ﻌ ﺎ لُ ﻤ ﺸﹾ ﻌ ﻠﹶ ﺔٍ ﺸﹶ ﻌ ﻭ ﺍ ﺀ ﺘﹶ ﻠﹾ ﺘﹶ ﻬِ ﺏ 7- In body-strewn war-grounds I stab and thrust. And bear what oth’rs cannot; yet bear they must.
8- ﺠ ﻭ ﺍ ﺏ ﻁﺎﻤِﺴﺔٍ، ﻁﹶ ﻼﱠ ﺏ ﺁﻨِﺴﺔ ٍ ﻏﹶ ﺭ ﺍ ﺀ ﻤِ ﻥ ﺩﻭﻨﻬِﺎ ﺍ ﻷ ﺴ ﺘ ﺎ ﺭ ﻭ ﺍ ﻟ ﺤ ﺠ ﺏ 8- Flatlands I roam; soft-speaking maids I seek. Who from behind their veils and curtains peek.
9- ﺤ ﻲ ﺍ ﻟ ﺩِ ﻴ ﺎ ﺭ ﺍﻟﺘﻲ ﺃﺒﻠﹶﻰ ﻤ ﻌ ﺎ ﻟِ ﻤ ﻬ ﺎ ﻋ ﻭ ﺍ ﺼ ﻑﹸ ﺍ ﻟ ﺼ ﻴ ﻑِ ﺒﺎﻟﺨﺭﺠﺎﺀِ ﻭﺍﻟﺤِﻘﹶ ـَ ﺏ 9- Salute our folk, their homes now waste are laid
149
by “Kharjaa” storms, and marks that time had made297
10- ﺠ ﺭ ﺍﻟﺯﻤﺎﻥ ﻋﻠﹶﻴﻬﺎ ﺫﹶ ﻴ لَ ﺤ ﻠﱠ ﺘِ ﻪِ ﻭﻓﻲ ﺍﻟﺯﻤﺎﻥِ ﻭﻓﻲ ﺘ ﺼ ﺭ ﻴ ﻔِ ﻪِ ﻋ ﺠ ﺏ 10- O’er them, the long-end train of time did range. For time, and turns of time, e’er will be strange.298
11- ﻜ ﺎ ﻥ ﺍ ﻟ ﺠ ﻤ ﻴ ﻊ ﺒﻬﺎ ﺤﻴﻨﺎﹰ ﻓﹶ ﻔﹶ ﺭ ﻗﹶ ﻬ ﻡ ﺩ ﻫ ﺭ ﻴﺸﹶﺘ ـﱠ ﺕﹸ ﺃ ﻫ لَ ﺍ ﻟ ﻭ ﺩ ﻤ ﻨﹾ ﺸﹶ ﻌِ ﺏ 11- They all had once lived there, but were dispersed. Time makes amiable folk suffer the worst.
12- ﻭﻗﺩ ﺃ ﺯ ﻭ ﺭ ﺒﻬﺎ ﻨﹸﻌﻤﺎﹰ ﻭﺍﺨﺒﺭﻫﺎ ﺃﻨﱢﻲ ﺒﻬﺎ ﻭ ﺍ ﺠ ﺩ ﻤ ﺴ ﺘﹶ ﻬ ﻠﹶ ﻙ ﻨﹶ ﺼِ ﺏ 12- On “Nu’am” I may call; and her I’d tell. Weary am I who in her love have fell.
13- ﺘﹶﻨﹾﺄﻯ ﺒﻬﺎ ﺍ ﻟ ﺩ ﺍ ﺭ ﺤِﻴﻨﺎﹰ ﺜﻡ ﺘﹸﺼﻘِﺒﻬﺎ ﻗ ﺭ ﺍﹰ ﻓﹶ ﻠﹶ ﻴ ﺴ ﺕﹾ ﻟِﻘﹸﺭﺏ ﺍ ﻟ ﺩ ﺍ ﺭِ ﺘﹶ ﻘﹾ ﺘﹶ ﺭِ ﺏ 13- At times she dwells afar; when she is near. She comes not near to whom she is so dear.
14- ﻭ ﺁ ﺠِ ﻥٍ ﻤ ﺎ ﺅُ ﻩ ﺭ ﻴ ﺵﹸ ﺍ ﻟ ﺤ ﻤ ﺎ ﻡ ﺒﻪ ﻜ ﺄ ﻥ ﺃ ﺸ ﺒ ﺎ ﺡ ﺤ ﻭ ﻟِ ﻴ ﺎ ﺘِ ﻪِ ﺍ ﻟ ﻌ ﻁﹸ ﺏ 14- A pool with pidgeons feathers is agleam. ‘s if drinking birds of brighter plumage dream.299
15- ﻓﻴﻪ ﻤ ﻥ ﺍ ﻟ ﻭ ﺤ ﺵِ ﺃ ﻏﹾ ﻔﹶ ﺎ لٌ ﻤ ﻌ ﻁﱠ ﻠﹶ ﺔﹲ ﺴِ ﻴ ﺎ ﻥِ ﻤﺭﺘﹶﻌﻬﺎ ﺍﻟﺘﻭﺜﻴل ﻭ ﺍ ﻟ ﻨﱠ ﺠ ﺏ 15- In there, young beasts to early deaths have dropped. Who once on “Tawthal” and “Junub” had cropped.300
16- ﻭ ﺭ ﺩ ﺘﹸ ﻪ ﻤ ﻭ ﻫِ ﻨ ﺎﹰ ﻭﺍﻟﻨﱠﺴﺭ ﻤ ﺭ ﺘﹶ ﻔِ ﻊ ﻜﺄﻨﻪ ﻨﻴﺭﺍ ﻋ ﻴ ﻥ ﻟﹶﻬﺎ ﺸﹸ ﻬ ﺏ
297 “Kharjaa” storms: The verse menions “summer storms at Kharjaa” The summer storms refer to the devastating “Khamaseen” summer winds.”Kharjaa” is an unidentified location. 298 Times train the long, tail end of Time’s garment had swept over his people’s abodes, leaving them in a deplorable state of ruin. 299 Pidgeons, at the turn of the year, shed some of their plumage. While drinking at the pool, they shed their plumage which gleams on the surface under sunlight. It is as if the birds dream of a yet more brighter plumage than that that was shed. 300 Young animals, surfeited with lush “Tawthal” and “Junub” have slipped into the pool and drowned.
150
16- At night to drink came I. The eagle high. Its’ eyes aglow; a comet shooting by.
17- ﺃ ﺭ ﺴ ﻠ ﺕﹸ ﺩ ﻟﹾ ﻭِ ﻱ ﻓﻲ ﺤ ﺎ ﻓﹶ ﺎ ﺕِ ﻤ ﻅﹾ ﻠِ ﻤ ﺔٍ ﺠ ﻭ ﻓ ﺎ ﺀ ﻴ ﻘﹾ ﺼ ﺭ ﻋﻥ ﻤﺭﺠﻭﻫﺎ ﺍ ﻟ ﺴ ﺒ ﺏ 17- I lower’d my bucket down a darksome well. But water lay below where th’bucket fell.
18- ﻟ ﻴ ﻼﹰ ﻓﹶﺠﺎﺀﺕ ﺒِ ﻤ ﺎ ﺀٍ ﻤﻥ ﻤ ﻌ ﻭ ﺭ ﺓٍ ﻤ ﺭ ﺕﹾ ﻋﻠﻴﻪ ﺤ ﺩ ﻴ ﺩ ﺍ ﻟ ﻨﱠ ﺎ ﺏِ ﻤ ﻌ ﺘﹶ ﺼِ ﺏ 18- At night, to draw water, the bucket toiled. At well’s head, iron-fanged serpents, lay coiled.
19- ﺃﻋﻤﻰ ﺃَ ﺼ ﻡُ ﻟﹶ ﻪ ﺭ ﻗﹾ ﺸﹶ ﺎ ﺀ ﺘﹶ ﺄْ ﻟﹶ ﻔﹸ ﻪ ﻤﺎ ﺇ ﻥ ﻟﹶ ﻪ ﻏﻴﺭ ﺇ ﺯ ﺭ ﺍ ﺀٍ ﺒ ﻪِ ﻨﹶ ﺸﹶ ﺏ 19- Blind-deaf, the male serpents lay still in stealth . Their females close; to comfort dearth of wealth.301
20- ﺭﺃﻯ ﺍ ﻟ ﺨﹶ ﺯ ﺍ ﻴ ﺔﹶ ﺃﻥ ﺘﹸ ﺠ ﺘﹶ ﺭ ﻤ ﻔﹾ ﻌ ﻤ ﺔﹲ ﺩﻟﹾﻭﻱ، ﻓ ﺠ ﺎ ﺀ ﻋﻠﻰ ﺃﻋﻭﺍﺩﻫﺎ ﻴ ﺜِ ﺏ 20- At my full water-bucket, the serpent stared. To strike at bucket it, at last, had dared.
21- ﻏﹶ ﻀ ﺒ ﺎ ﻥ ﻓﻲ ﻨ ﺎ ﺒِ ﻪِ ﺍ ﻟ ﺤ ﻭ ﺒ ﺎ ﺀ ﻋ ﺎ ﺠِ ﻠﹶ ﺔﹰ ﻜﺎﻟﺤﺒل ﺃ ﺴ ﻭ ﺩ ﻴﻌﻠﻭ ﻟ ﻭ ﻨﹶ ﻪ ﺸﹶ ﻬ ﺏ 21- Irate it was, its fangs alive with spite. Twas like a black rope speckled o’er with white.
22- ﺃ ﻫ ﻭ ﻴ ﺕﹸ ﺴﻭﻁﻲ ﻟﹶ ﻪ ﻟﻤﺎ ﺒ ﺭ ﺯ ﺕﹸ ﺒِﻪ ﻓﹶ ﺨﹶ ﺭ ﻓﻭﻕ ﺍﻟﺤﻭﺽ ﻴ ﻀ ﻁﹶ ﺭِ ﺏ 22- To it I stood, and on it cracked my whip. It writhed; and did o’er water, flip.
23- ﻓﻲ ﻨﹶ ﻔﹾ ﻨﹶ ﻑٍ ﻁ ﺎ ﻤِ ﺱِ ﺍ ﻷ ﻋ ﻼ ﻡِ ﻟﹶ ﻴ ﺱ ﺒِ ﻪِ ﺇﻻ ﺫﹸ ﺅ ﺍ ﻟﹶ ﺔﹸ ﻁ ﺎ ﻭٍ ﻜﹶ ﺸﹾ ﺤ ﻪ ﺠ ﻨﹸ ﺏ 23- In featureless desert, with nought to see but leanest wolf; a stranger so is he.
301 The poet was drawing water at night from a badly covered serpent infested well-head. The male serpents, with their females nearby, remind him of those impoverished serpentine men lurking in the shadows whose only possession is their womenfolk.
151
24- ﺒِ ﻴ ﺩ ﻤﺴﻬﺒﺔﹲ، ﻤ ﺭ ﺕﹲ ﻤ ﺨﹶ ﻔﱠ ﻔﹶ ﺔﹲ ﻴﻬﻤﺎﺀ ﺤِﺭﺒﺎﺅﻫﺎ ﻟﻠﺸﻤﺱ ﻤﻨﺘﹶﺼِﺏ 24- Vast deserts, flat, unknown; where winds behowl. And sun-stood creatures ever are at prowl302
25- ﻭﻗﹶﺩ ﻤﺤﺎ ﺍ ﻟ ﺠ ﺩ ﺏ ﻋﻨﹾﻬﺎ ﻜ لّ ﺴﺎﻜﻨِﻬﺎ ﻓﻤﺎ ﺒﺄﺠﻭﺍﺯِﻫﺎ ﻋ ﺠ ﻡ ﻭﻻ ﻋ ﺭ ﺏ 25- For drought had wiped out all from that bare ground. Neither Arabs nor aliens there are found.
26- ﻤﺎ ﻴ ﺄ ﻨﹶ ﺱ ﺍ ﻟ ﻘﹶ ﻭ ﻡ ﻓﻴﻬﺎ ﻤِ ﻥ ﻤ ﺨ ﺎ ﻓﹶ ﺘِ ﻬ ﺎ ﻭﺍﻟﻬﻭلِ ﻓﻴﻬﺎ ﻭﻻ ﺍﻟﻤﻬﺭﻴﺔﹸ ﺍ ﻟ ﻨﱡ ﺠ ﺏ 26- All folk, those hostile grounds avoid in fear. Hardiest camels of its horrors stay clear.
27- ﻗﹶ ﻁﹶ ﻌ ﺘﹸ ﻬ ﺎ ﺒِ ﻌ ﻠ ﻨ ﺩ ﺍ ﺓٍ ﻋ ﺫ ﺍ ﻓ ﺭ ﺓٍ ﻜﺄﻨﻬﺎ ﻓﹶ ﺎ ﺭ ﺩ ﻓﻲ ﻋ ﺎ ﻨﹶ ﺔٍ ﺼ ﺨِ ﺏ 27- Yet I crossed it; on camel swift and tall; Like wild ass braying to its herd to call.
28- ﺠ ﺄ ﺏ ﺃ ﻀ ﺭ ﺒﻪ ﺍ ﻟ ﺜﱠ ﺠ ﺩ ﺍ ﺀ ﺼ ﻴ ﻔﹶ ﺘﹶ ﻪ ﺤﺘﻰ ﺩ ﻋ ﺘﹾ ﻪ ﻋ ﻴ ﻭ ﻥ ﻤﺎﺅﻫﺎ ﺸﹸ ﻌ ﺏ 28- Galloping ass, by hottest summer mauled. At last, by waters streaming far, is called.
29- ﻓﺂل ﻴ ﻀ ﺭِ ﺏ ﺭِ ﺃ ﺱ ﺍ ﻷ ﻤ ﺭِ ﻀ ﺤ ﻭ ﺘﹶ ﻪ ﺒﺎﻟﺴﻔﹾﺢِ ﺃَ ﻴ ﻥ ﺇﺫﺍ ﺃﻤﺴﻰ ﺒِﻬﺎ ﺍﻟﻘ ـَ ﺭ ﺏ 29- At morn, the ass watered by mountain side. Where will it go to drink at eventide?
30- ﻋﻴﻨﺎﹰ ﺒِ ﻌ ﻴ ﻥٍ ﺇﻟﻴﻬﺎ ﻤﺎ ﻴﺤﻭﻟﹸﻬﺎ ﻋﻨﻬﺎ ﻭﻋﻴﻥ ﻏﹸ ﺭ ﻭ ﺏِ ﺍ ﻟ ﺸﹶ ﻤ ﺱِ ﻴ ﺭ ﺘﹶ ﻘِ ﺏ 30- The wild ass sets on water, one full eye. The other eye awaits descent of sun from sky303
31- ﻭﻫﻭ ﺇﺫﺍ ﻟﹶ ﺒِ ﺱ ﺍﻟﻅﻠﻤﺎﺀ ﻗﹶﺭﺒﻬﺎ ﻴﻌﻠﻭ ﺍ ﻟ ﻘ ﺭ ﺍ ﺩ ﻴ ﺩ ﺃﺩﻨﻰ ﺴﻴﺭِﻩ ﺍ ﻟ ﺨﹶ ﺒ ﺏ 31- To him, the night-time rider gathers night. And pads his way on paces firm yet light.304
302 The sun-stood creatures refers to the desert chameleon, an iguana-like reptile; its head, neck and shoulders always upright under the fierce sun. 303 The thirsty animal has its sight on its drink, and yet eagerly awaits sunset. Daylight means constant danger from lurking hunters. Nightfall provides safety.
152
32- ﻴ ﻬ ﻭ ﻴ ﻥ ﻤ ﻨ ﻪ ﺇﺫﺍ ﻤﺎ ﻟﹶ ﺞ ﻓﻲ ﺴ ﻨﹶ ﻥٍ ﻭ ﻟ ﻴ ﺱ ﻤﺎﻨﻌﻬﺎ ﻤِﻥ ﺸ ﺄ ﻭِ ﻩِ ﺍ ﻟ ﻬ ﺭ ﺏ 32- Cantering camels; galloping wild-ass. Each bent on not letting th’other o’erpass.
33- ﺤﺘﹼﻰ ﻁﹶﻭﻴﻥ ﻋ ﻴ ﻭ ﻥ ﺍﻟﻤﺎﺀِ ﺒﺎﺭﺯﺓﹰ ﻜﺄﻨﹼﻤﺎ ﻓﻲ ﻤﺠﺎﺭﻱ ﻤﺎﺌِﻬﺎ ﺍ ﻟ ﺫﹶ ﻫ ﺏ 33- They raced past streams, which soon they left behind. Pure golden waters; th’ purest you could find.
34- ﻭ ﺃ ﺩ ﻋ ﺞ ﺍﻟﻌﻴﻥ ﻓﻴﻬﺎ ﻻ ﻁِ ﺊٌ ﻁﹶ ﻤِ ﺭ ﻤﺎ ﺇﻥ ﻟﹶﻪ ﻏﹶ ﻴ ﺭ ﻤﺎ ﻴ ﺼ ﻁ ﺎ ﺩ ﻤ ﻜﹾ ﺘﹶ ﺴ ﺏ 34- A black-eyed hunter, well hid, close to ground, Who lives but on what in the hunt is found.
35- ﻓﻲ ﻜﹶ ﻔﱢ ﻪِ ﻨﹶ ﺒ ﻌ ﺔﹲ ﺼ ﻔﹾ ﺭ ﺍ ﺀ ﺼ ﺎ ﻓ ﻴ ﺔﹲ ﻭ ﻤ ﺭ ﻫ ﻔ ﺎ ﺕﹲ ﻋﻠﻰ ﺃﺴﻨﹶﺎﺨِﻬﺎ ﺍ ﻟ ﻌ ﻘﹶ ﺏ 35- He holds a bow of pure, yellowish wood. And shafts whose heads fell of prey what they could.
36- ﺃﻫﻭﻯ ﻟﹶﻬﺎ ﺤ ﻴ ﻥ ﻭﻻﹼﻩ ﻤﻴﺎﺴِﺭﻩ ﺴﻬﻤﺎﹰ ﻓﺄﺨﻁﺄﻩ ﻓﻲ ﻤِﺸﹾﻴﻪ ﺍﻟﺫ ﱠﻨ ـَ ﺏ 36- Asses leftside; he let and arrow fly. It missed; o’er an ass’s tail flew too high.
37- ﺃﺫﺍﻙ ﺃﻡ ﺃ ﻗ ﺭ ﻉ ﺼ ﻌ لٌ ﻏﺩﺍ ﻓﹶ ﺯِ ﻋ ﺎﹰ ﻴﻌﻠﻭ ﺍ ﻟ ﻴ ﻔ ﺎ ﻉ ﻫِ ﺠ ﻑﹲ ﺠ ﻭ ﻓِ ﻪِ ﺨﹶﺭِﺏ 37- Is ‘t that? Or that with bald head, small and queer That strides up heights with nought inside but fear.305
38- ﺩﺍﻤﻲ ﺍﻟﻭﻅﻴﻔﺘﻴﻥ ﻓﻲ ﺍﻟﺒﻴﺩﺍﺀ ﺘﹸ ﺒ ﺼ ﺭ ﻩ ﻜﺄﻨﻪ ﺭ ﺠ لٌ ﻟﹶ ﻬ ﻔﹶ ﺎ ﻥ ﻤ ﺴ ﺘﹶ ﻠِ ﺏ 38- Running the desert with bleeding low’r legs. Like one anguished; in pain, for comfort, begs.
39- ﻫ ﻴ ﻕﹲ ﻏﹶﺩﺍ ﻤﻥ ﺠﻨﻭﺏ ﺍ ﻟ ﺠِ ﺯ ﻉِ ﻤ ﻌ ﺘ ﻤ ﺩ ﺍﹰ ﻟ ﻤﺨـﺘ ﻼ ﺕٍ ﻋﻠﻰ ﺍﺜﺒﺎﺠِﻬﺎ ﺯ ﻏﹶ ﺏ 39- From valley’s bend, an ostrich cock made tracks. To find young hens with down still on their backs.
304 The night-time rider, like the wild-ass, prefers night time. The camel rider because it is cooler, more comfortable to travel by night. The ass is safer from hunters at night. 305 Is it that wild ass that vies with my camel in speed; or that bald and queer headed ostrich that flees in fear to high ground?
153
40- ﻓﹶ ﺫ ﺍ ﻙ ﺃﻡ ﻟﹶ ﻬ ﻕﹲ ﻫ ﺎ ﺝ ﺍ ﻟ ﻀ ﺭ ﺍ ﺀ ﺒﻪ ﺫﻭ ﻭ ﺒ ﺭ ﺓٍ ﺁ ﻟِ ﻑﹲ ﻟﻠﻘﹶﻭﺩ ﻤ ﺠ ﺘﹶ ﺫِ ﺏ 40- Or that white oryx bull, by hounds that’s chased. A hunter’s hounds! Aroused to hunt in haste.
41- ﻴﺒﻐﻰ ﺒِ ﻬِ ﻥ ﺃﺨﻭ ﺒ ﻴ ﺩ ﺍ ﺀ ﻋﻭﺩﻫﺎ ﻤ ﺸﹶ ﻤ ﺭ ﻋ ﻥ ﻭ ﻅ ﻴ ﻑِ ﺍ ﻟ ﺴ ﺎ ﻕِ ﻤ ﻨﹾ ﺘﹶ ﻘِ ﺏ 41- The desert hound-master unleashed his packs. Bare-legged, well-hid, he lay behind the tracks.306
42- ﺤﺘﹼﻰ ﺇﺫﺍ ﻗﹶ ﺎ لَ ﻨﺎﻟﹶﺘﻪ ﺴﻭﺍﺒِﻘﹸﻬﺎ ﻏﹸ ﺼ ﻑﹲ ﺠ ﻭ ﺍ ﻫِ لُ ﻓﻲ ﺃﺸﻌﺎﺭِﻫﺎ ﺯ ﺒ ﺏ 42- He feels the first ‘mong hounds, while lying still. Short-haired, ears drooping; pouncing on their kill.
43- ﺃﻨ ﺤﻰ ﻋ ﻠ ﻴ ﻬ ﻥ ﻁﹶ ﻌ ﻨ ﺎﹰ ﻓﻲ ﺠ ﻭ ﺍ ﺸِ ﻨِ ﻬ ﺎ ﺒﻤﺴﺘﻘﻴﻤﻴﻥ ِ ﻓﻲ ﺭﺃﺴﻴﻬﻤﺎ ﺫﹶ ﺭ ﺏ 43- The bull then stabbed th’ attacking hounds, and pressed his straight and sharp horns through th’ attackers’ breasts.
44- ﻓ ﺄ ﻨﹾ ﺼ ﻌ ﻥ ﻋﻨﻪ ﻭ ﻋ ﻥ ﻗﹶﻌﺼﺎﺀ ﺃﺜﹾﺒﺘﹶﻬﺎ ﻤ ﻨ ﻪ ﺒ ﻨ ﺎ ﻓِ ﺫ ﺓٍ ﻨﹶ ﺠ ﻼ ﺀ ﺘﹶﻨﺜﹶﻌِﺏ 44- The hounds withdrew from him, and from the gore. As he, wide bleeding gashes through them tore.
306 The tracks are those left by the hounds when chasing the oryx.
154