ÃäÓ ÌÈÇÑÉ
03-15-2010, 08:39 AM
åóáú ÛóÇÏóÑó ÇáÔøõÚóÑóÇÁõ ãöäú ãõÊóÜÑóÏøóãö = Ãóãú åóáú ÚóÑóÝúÊó ÇáÏøóÇÑó ÈóÚúÏó Êóæóåøõãö
Have the poets left anything for me to explore and reconstruct; and have you recognized the (beloved’s) abode after much guessing and uncertainty
ÃóÚúíóÇßó ÑóÓúãõ ÇáÏøóÇÑö áóãú íóÊóßóáøóÜãö = ÍóÊøóì Êóßóáøóãó ßóÇáÃóÕóÜãøö ÇáÃóÚúÌóÜãö
The unspeaking image of the house has bewildered you, and when it spoke, it gestured as the deaf and mute do
æóáóÞóÏú ÍóÈóÓúÊõ ÈöåóÇ ØóæöíáÇð äóÇÞóÊöí = ÃóÔúßõæ Åáì ÓõÝúÚò ÑóæóÇßöÏö ÌËøóÜãö
Long did I keep my she-camel in it, bemoaning my lot, complaining to quietly perching birds
íóÇ ÏóÇÑó ÚóÈúáóÜÉó ÈöÇáÌóæóÇÁö Êóßóáøóãöí = æóÚöãøöí ÕóÈóÇÍóÇð ÏóÇÑó ÚóÈúáóÉó æóÇÓúáóãöí
O Ablah’s dwelling in Jawa, do speak to me; may your mornings be blessed, and may you be protected from harm
ÏóÇÑñ áÂäöÓóÉò ÛóÖöíúÖò ØóÑúÝõÜåóÇ = ØóæúÚó ÇáÚöäÇÞö áÐíÜÐÉö ÇáãõÊóÈóÓøóÜãö
Yea, it is the dwelling of the damsel with downcast looks; who welcomes my embraces, with delightful smiles
ÝóæóÞóÝúÊõ ÝöíåóÇ äóÇÞóÊöí æóßóÃäøóÜåóÇ = ÝóÏóäñ áÃóÞúÖöí ÍóÇÌóÜÉó ÇáãõÊóáóÜæøöãö
There I halted my she-camel, felt standing before a magnificent palace, ready to welcome me and address my needs
æóÊóÍõáøõ ÚóÈúáóÜÉõ ÈöÇáÌóÜæóÇÁö æóÃóåúáõäóÜÇ = ÈöÇáúÍóÜÒúäö ÝóÇáÕøóãóÜÇäö ÝóÇáãõÊóËóáøóÜãö
Lo! Ablah now resides in Jawa; while our folks live in Hazan, Samman and Mutathllam
ÍõíøöíúÊó ãöäú Øóáóáò ÊóÞÇÏóãó ÚóåúÏõåõ = ÃóÞúæóì æóÃóÞúÝóÜÑó ÈóÚúÏó Ãõãøö ÇáåóíúËóÜãö
A heartfelt greeting, O long deserted camp! You now stand empty and desolate, ever since the departure of the beloved one. 1
ÍóáøóÊú ÈöÃóÑúÖö ÇáÒøóÇÆöÑöíäó ÝóÃóÕúÈóÍóÊú = ÚóÓöÑóÇð Úóáóíøó ØöáÇóÈõßö ÇÈúäóÜÉó ãóÎúÑóãö
You have taken up residence in the land of the enemy, making it hard for me to access you. 2
ÚõáøöÞúÊõåóÇ ÚóÑóÖóÇð æóÇÞúÊõÜáõ ÞóæúãóåóÇ = ÒóÚúãóÇð áóÚóãúÑõ ÃóÈöíßó áóíúÓó ÈöãóÒúÚóÜãö
I have accidentally fallen in love with you, while killing your people! No mere declaration, it is the truth
æóáóÞóÏú äóÒóáúÊö ÝóáÇ ÊóÙõäøöÜí ÛóíúÑóåõ = ãöäøöí ÈöãóäúÒöáóÜÉö ÇáãõÍöÈøö ÇáãõßúÜÑóãö
You have occupied the core of my being, so never doubt my love. You are a cherished guest in my heart
ßóíúÝó ÇáãóÒóÇÑõ æóÞóÏú ÊóÑóÈøóÚó ÃóåúáõåóÜÇ = ÈöÚõäóíúÜÒóÊóíúÜäö æóÃóåúáõäóÜÇ ÈöÇáÛóíúáóÜãö
How may I visit you in your camp in Unaizatain, a place far from our camp in Ghailam
Åöäú ßõäúÊö ÃÒúãóÚúÊö ÇáÝöÑóÇÞó ÝóÅöäøóãóÇ = ÒõãøóÊú ÑößóÇÈõßõã ÈöáóíúÜáò ãõÙúáöÜãö
Your camels made ready for the journey in the depth of night; you shifted camp and departed in haste
ãóÇ ÑóÇÚóäí ÅáÇøó ÍóãõæáóÜÉõ ÃóåúáöåóÜÇ = æóÓúØó ÇáÏøöíóÇÑö ÊóÓóÝøõ ÍóÈøó ÇáÎöãúÎöãö
The camels, leisurely eating parched grains of Khamkham in their habitation, suddenly carried you and sped away; I was sorely alarmed
ÝöíåóÇ ÇËúäóÊóÇäö æóÃóÑúÈóÚõÜæäó ÍóáõæÈóÜÉð = ÓõæÏóÇð ßóÎóÇÝöíóÜÉö ÇáÛõÑóÇÈö ÇáÃóÓúÍóãö
Forty-two milk-giving she camels in all; black in color as the raven’s feathers
ÅÐú ÊóÓúÊóÈöíúßó ÈöÐöí ÛõÑõæÈò æóÇÖöÍò = ÚóÐúÈò ãõÞóÈøóáõÜåõ áóÐöíÜÐö ÇáãóØúÚóÜãö
O how fascinating those well formed teeth; how sweet the kisses from that mouth
æóßóÃóäøóãóÇ äóÙóÑóÊú ÈöÚóíúäóíú ÔóÜÇÏöäò = ÑóÔóÜÃò ãöäó ÇáúÛöÒúáÇäö áóíúÓó ÈöÊóÜæúÃóãö
When looking, she gazes with eyes of a strong fawn; healthily born, not part of a litter
æóßóÃóäøó ÝóÃúÑóÉó ÊóÇÌöÜÑò ÈöÞóÓöíúãóÜÉò = ÓóÈóÞóÊú ÚæóÇÑöÖóåóÇ Åöáóíúßó ãöäó ÇáúÝóÜãö
Fragrant like precious musk from a genuine dealer; bottle perfuming the mouth before the cheeks
Ãóæú ÑóæúÖóÉð ÃõäõÝóÇð ÊóÖóãøóäó äóÈúÊóåóÜÇ = ÛóíúËñ Þóáöíáõ ÇáÏøöãúäö áóíúÓó ÈöãõÚúáóÜãö
Or like the sweet scent of an isolated flower garden; its sod enlivened by gentle showers
ÌóÇÏóÊú ÚóáóíúÜåö ßõáøõ ÚóíúÜäò ËóÜÑøóÉò = ÝóÊóÑóßúäó ßõÜáøó ÍóÏöíÞóÉò ßóÇáÏøöÑúåóÜãö
Early spring clouds generously shower it with rain; giving every patch a dirham-like, well-rounded shape
ÓóÍøóÇð æóÊóÓúßóÇÈóÇð Ýóßõáøõ ÚóÔöíøóÜÉò = íóÌúÑöí ÚóáóíúåóÇ ÇáãóÇÁõ áóãú íóÊóÕóÜÑøóãö
Every evening, it is copiously watered, by ceaseless sprinkles that keep it afresh
æóÎóáÇó ÇáÐøõÈóÇÈó ÈöÜåóÇ ÝóáóíúÓó ÈöÈóÇÑöÍò = ÛóÑöÏóÇð ßóÝöÚúáö ÇáÔøóÜÇÑöÈö ÇáãõÊóÑóäøöÜãö
Behold the insects abuzz ‘midst its flowers; never leaving it, intoxicated as a drunkard humming a tune
åóÒöÌóÇð íóÍõßøõ ÐöÑóÇÚóÜåõ ÈöÐöÑóÇÚöÜåö = ÞóÏúÍó ÇáãõßöÈøö Úóáóì ÇáÒøöäóÇÏö ÇáÃóÌúÜÐóãö
They thrum and drone, rubbing their limbs together; as one trying to generate sparks by striking steel on flint
ÊõãúÓöí æóÊõÕúÈöÍõ ÝóæúÞó ÙóåúÑö ÍóÔöíøóÉò = æóÃóóÈöíÊõ ÝóæúÞó ÓóÑóÇÉö ÃÏúåóãó ãõáúÌóÜãö
You spend your nights and days on soft beds and comfortable cushions, while I pass my nights on the back of my bridled horse. 3
æóÍóÔöíøóÊöí ÓóÑúÌñ Úóáóì ÚóÈúáö ÇáÔøóæóì = äóåúÏò ãóÑóÇßöáõÜåõ äóÈöíÜáö ÇáãóÍúÜÒöãö
As for my bed, it is a saddle, securely placed on a well-built, mighty, muscular steed
åóáú ÊõÈúáöÛóäøöí ÏóÇÑóåóÜÇ ÔóÏóäöíøóÜÉñ = áõÚöäóÊú ÈöãóÍúÑõæãö ÇáÔøóÑóÇÈö ãõÕóÜÑøóãö
Would a she camel carry me to her abode; a she camel cursed by inability to generate milk; traveling fast
ÎóØøóÇÑóÉñ ÛöÈøó ÇáÓøõÜÑóì ãóÜæøóÇÑóÉññ = ÊóØöÓõ ÇáÅößóÇãó ÈöÐóÇÊö ÎõÜÝøò ãöíúËóÜãö
Sprightly, tossing her tail from side to side when set on a journey in early morning; advancing swiftly, stamping the tracts with her nimble hooves
æóßóÃóäøóãóÇ ÃóÞöÕó ÇáÅößóÇãó ÚóÔöíøóÜÉð = ÈöÞóÑöíÈö Èóíúäó ÇáãóäúÓöãóíúÜäö ãõÕóáøóÜãö
Making strides as if not a she-camel, rather an earless male ostrich with hooves, covering the distances with unmatched speed
ÊóÃúæöí áóÜåõ ÞõáõÕõ ÇáäøóÚóÇãö ßóãóÇ ÃóæóÊú = ÍöÒóÞñ íóãóÇäöíóÜÉñ áÃóÚúÌóãó ØöãúØöÜãö
The ostrich chicks respond to its call, as a she-camel responds to a rider, albeit his words unintelligible to her
íóÊúÈóÚúäó ÞõáøóÜÉó ÑóÃúÓöÜåö æóßóÃóäøóÜåõ = ÍöÏúÌñ Úóáóì äóÚúÔò áóåõäøó ãõÎóíøóÜãö
They look at the crown of its head and follow; standing out as a howdah atop a box
ÕóÚúáò íóÚõæÏõ ÈöÐöí ÇáÚõÔóíÑóÉö ÈóíúÖóåõ = ßóÇáÚóÈúÏö Ðöí ÇáÝóÑúæö ÇáØøóæöíáö ÇáÃóÕúáóãö
Small-headed, slender-necked, ever returning to its eggs, resembling wool attired slave; ears lopped off. 4
ÔóÑöÈóÊú ÈöãóÇÁö ÇáÏøõÍúÑõÖóíúäö ÝóÃóÕúÈóÍóÊú = ÒóæúÑóÇÁó ÊóäúÝöÑõ Úóäú ÍöíóÇÖö ÇáÏøóíúáóÜãö
She refreshingly drank from clean water sources, disdaining other wells. 5
æóßóÃóäøóãóÇ ÊóäúÃóì ÈöÌóÇäöÈö ÏóÝøöåóÇ ÇáÜæóÍúÔöíøö ãöäú åóÒöÌö ÇáÚóÔöíøö ãõÜÄóæøóãö
She presses on with unabated speed, as if scratched on the side by sharp feline claws
åöÑøò ÌóäöíÈò ßõáøóãóÇ ÚóØóÝóÊú áóÜåõ = ÛóÖóÈúì ÇÊøóÞóÇåóÇ ÈöÇáíóÏóíúÜäö æóÈöÇáÝóÜãö
The claws of a cat by her side; the more she angrily tries to ward it off, the deeper it pierces her skin with sharp teeth and pointed talons
ÃóÈúÞóì áóåóÇ Øõæáõ ÇáÓøöÝóÇÑö ãõÞóÑúãóÏóÇð = ÓóäóÜÏóÇð æóãöËúáó ÏóÚóÇÆöÜãö ÇáãõÊóÎóíøöÜãö
Her long and incessant travels left her thick-skinned hump hardened, resembling the apex of a pitched pavilion
ÈóÑóßóÊú Úóáóì ãóÇÁö ÇáÑøöÏóÇÚö ßóÃóäøóãóÇ = ÈóÑóßóÊú Úóáóì ÞóÕóÈò ÃóÌóÔøó ãõåóÖøóãö
She knelt down to drink at the Ar-Rida’a Well, making snapping sounds as if kneeling on hollow reeds, thickly heaped
æóßóÃóäøó ÑõÈøóÜÇð Ãóæú ßõÍóíúáÇð ãõÚúÞóÏóÇð = ÍóÔøó ÇáæóÞõÜæÏõ ÈöÜåö ÌóæóÇäöÈó ÞõãúÞõãö
Her body like bottle, her sweat like tar, made thick and sticky by fuel applied to the sides of the bottle
óäúÈóÇÚõ ãöäú ÐöÝúÑóì ÛóÖõæÈò ÌóÓúÑóÉò = ÒóíøóÇÝóÜÉò ãöËúáó ÇáÝóäöíÜÞö ÇáãõßúÜÏóãö
Oozing out profusely from the sweat points near the ears, while the angry she-camel makes rapid strides, like a raging, powerful camel, rumbling with wide-open mouth
Åöäú ÊõÛúÏöÝöí Ïõæäöí ÇáÞöäóÇÚó ÝÅöäøóäöí = ØöÈøñ ÈÃÎÐö ÇáÝóÜÇÑÓö ÇáúãõÓúÊóáúÆöÜã
If unable to see me due to a mask, know that I am skilled in seizing the armed rider with utmost ease
ÃóËúäöí Úóáóíøó ÈöãóÇ ÚóáöãúÊö ÝóÅöäøóäöÜí = ÓóãúÍñ ãõÎóÇáóÞóÊöí ÅöÐóÇ áóãú ÃõÙúáóÜãö
Do praise and credit me for what you know; I am amiable and docile when not wronged
ÝóÅöÐóÇ ÙõáöãúÊõ ÝóÅöäøó Ùõáúãöí ÈóÇÓöÜáñ = ãõÜÑøñ ãóÐóÇÞóÊõÜåõ ßóØóÚúãö ÇáÚóáúÞóÜãö
But when wronged, I inflict severe punishment on my oppressor, unimaginably bitter and harsh
æóáóÞóÏú ÔóÑöÈúÊõ ãöäó ÇáãõÏóÇãóÉö ÈóÚúÏóãóÜÇ = ÑóßóÏó ÇáåóæóÇÌöÑõ ÈöÇáãóÔõæÝö ÇáãõÚúáóÜãö
I had my drink after the sun came to a standstill and everything became motionless; keenly observed
ÈöÒõÌóÇÌóÉò ÕóÝúÑóÇÁó ÐóÇÊö ÃóÓöÜÑøóÉò = ÞõÑöäóÊú ÈöÃóÒúåóÑó Ýí ÇáÔøöãóÇáö ãõÝóÜÏøóãö
Wine from a nicely-shaped yellow bottle; poured into a pitcher, its mouth wrapped with a piece of cloth
ÝóÅöÐóÇ ÔóÑöÈúÊõ ÝÅöäøóäöÜí ãõÓúÊóåúáöÜßñ = ãóÇáöí æóÚöÑúÖöí æóÇÝöÑñ áóãú íõßúáóãö
When I drink I squander my money, but keep my honor unwounded, sound
æóÅöÐóÇ ÕóÍóæúÊõ ÝóãóÇ ÃõÞóÕøöÑõ Úóäú äóÏóìð = æóßóãóÇ ÚóáöãúÊö ÔóãóÇÆöáöí æóÊóßóÑøõãöÜí
When sober, I never fail to offer hospitality; my traits and large-heartedness are familiar to you
æóÍóáöíáö ÛóÇäöíóÉò ÊóÑóßúÊõ ãõÌóÏøóáÇð = Êóãúßõæ ÝóÑíÕóÊõåõ ßóÔöÏúÞö ÇáÃóÚúáóÜãö
When smiting an opponent he falls to the ground, twitching and quivering; wide gash in his body
ÓóÈóÞóÊú íóÏÇíó áóÜåõ ÈöÚóÇÌöáö ØóÚúäóÜÉò = æóÑóÔóÇÔö äóÇÝöÜÐóÉò ßóáóæúäö ÇáÚóäúÜÏóãö
My hands greeted him with a swift stab, blood sputtered like deep-red dye
åóáÇøó ÓóÃóáúÊö ÇáÎóíúáó íóÇ ÇÈúäóÉó ãóÇáößò = Åöäú ßõäúÊö ÌóÇåöáóÜÉð ÈöãóÇ áóãú ÊóÚúáóãöí
O Malik’s Daughter, if ignorant of things not known to you (about me), why not ask horses of combat zone, and get answers to your questions
ÅöÐú áÇ ÃóÒóÇáõ Úóáóì ÑöÍóÇáÉö ÓóÇÈöÍò = äóåúÜÏò ÊóÚóÇæóÑõåõ ÇáßõãóÇÉõ ãõßóáøóÜãö
Lo! Securely seated in the saddle, atop my noble, speedy steed; pierced repeatedly by weapons of fully armed horsemen; covered with wounds. 6
ØóæúÑóÇð íõÌóÜÑøóÏõ áöáØøöÚóÇäö æóÊóÜÇÑóÉð = íóÃúæöí Åáì ÍóÕöÏö ÇáÞöÓöíøö ÚóÑóãúÑöãö
Alternating between fiercely charging the opponents, and running headlong into the center, where spears thickly fall
íõÎúÈöÑúßö ãóäú ÔóåöÏó ÇáæóÞöíÚóÉó ÃóäøóäöÜí = ÃóÛúÔóì ÇáæóÛóì æóÃóÚöÝøõ ÚöäúÏó ÇáãóÛúäóãö
Those witnessing the battle will tell you how I fearlessly run into the tumult and fight; how I refrain from sharing the spoils
æóáóÞóÏú ÐóßóÑúÊõßö æóÇáÑøöãóÇÍõ äóæóÇåöáñ = ãöäøöí æóÈöíÖõ ÇáúåöäúÏö ÊóÞúØõÑõ ãöäú Ïóãöí
I remembered you when spears dipped into my body, drinking deep; sharp, flashing swords dripping with my blood
ÝóæóÏöÏúÊõ ÊóÞúÈöíáó ÇáÓøõíõÜæÝö áÃóäøóåóÇ = áóãóÚóÊú ßóÈóÇÑöÞö ËóÛúÑößö ÇáúãõÊóÈóÓøöÜãö
How I desired then to kiss the swords, because they sparkled like your smiling mouth
æóãõÏøóÌöÜÌò ßóÑöåó ÇáßõãóÇÉõ äöÒóÇáóÜåõ = áÇ ãõãúÚöäò åóÑóÈóÇð æóáÇó ãõÓúÊóÓúáöÜãö
Behold a stalwart knight armed to the teeth, brave men cautious to cross swords with him! Neither running away from the battle, nor surrendering
ÌóÇÏóÊú áóÜåõ ßóÝøöí ÈöÚóÇÌöáö ØóÚúäóÜÉò = ÈöãõËóÞøóÝò ÕóÏúÞö ÇáßõÚõæÈö ãõÞóÜæøóã
My hand presented him with a swift pierce from my straight, steady lance; firmly held
ÝóÔóßóßúÊõ ÈöÇáÑøõãúÍö ÇáÃóÕóãøö ËöíóÇÈóÜåõ = áóíúÓó ÇáßóÑöíãõ Úóáóì ÇáÞóäóÇ ÈöãõÍóÜÑøóãö
I pinned his clothes with my solid spear; a noble man is not exempt from javelin thrusts
ÝóÊóÑóßúÊõÜåõ ÌóÒóÑó ÇáÓøöÈóÇÚö íóäõÔúäóÜåõ = íóÞúÖöãúäó ÍõÓúäó ÈóäóÇäöÜåö æóÇáãöÚúÕóÜãö
I left him for wild beasts of prey to ravage his body; devouring his wrists and fingers, finely shaped
æãöÔóßøö ÓóÇÈöÛóÉò åóÊóßúÊõ ÝõÑõæÌóåóÇ = ÈöÇáÓøóíúÝö Úóäú ÍóÇãöí ÇáÍóÞöíÞóÉö ãõÚúáöãö
I charged the enemy’s fortified line of defense, and cracked open the guard’s long and heavy armor with my sword
ÑóÈöÐò íóÏóÇåõ ÈöÇáÞöÜÏóÇÍö ÅöÐóÇ ÔóÊóÜÇ = åóÊøóÜÇßö ÛóÇíóÇÊö ÇáÊøöÌóÜÇÑö ãõáóÜæøóãö
The hands of such guard may be skillful in games of chance; he, efficient in targeting wine dealers to secure their stock
áóãøóÇ ÑóÂäöí ÞóÜÏú äóÒóáúÊõ ÃõÑöíÜÏõåõ = ÃóÈúÏóì äóæÇÌöÜÐóåõ áöÛóíÑö ÊóÈóÓøõÜãö
When he saw me coming on the scene, advancing toward him, he snarled, unsmilingly exposing his teeth
ÚóåúÏöí ÈöÜåö ãóÜÏøó ÇáäøóåóÇÑö ßóÃóäøóãóÇ = ÎõÖöÈó ÇáÈóäóÇäõ æóÑóÃõÓõÜåõ ÈöÇáÚöÙúáöÜãö
I moved on him in broad daylight, leaving his head and fingers carmine red
ÈóØóáò ßóÃóäøó ËöíóÇÈóÜåõ Ýí ÓóÑúÍóÜÉò = íõÍúÐóì äöÚóÇáó ÇáÓøöÈúÊö áíúÓó ÈöÊóæúÃóãö
So tall he was, his clothes as if covering a tree; wearing stout boots, uniquely strong. 7
íóÇ ÔóÇÉó ÞóäóÕò áöãóäú ÍóáøóÊú áóÜåõ = ÍóÑõãóÊú Úóáóíøó æóáóíúÊóåóÇ áóãú ÊóÍúÜÑõãö
A Ewe(8) (of mine) has been lawfully taken by another! She has been forbidden me, alas
ÝóÈóÚóËúÊõ ÌóÇÑöíóÊí ÝóÞõáúÊõ áóåóÇ ÇÐúåóÈöí = ÝóÊóÌóÓøóÓöí ÃóÎúÈóÇÑóåóÇ áöíó æÇÚúáóãöí
I instructed my female servant to go to her camp; to spy and bring me word about her
ÞóÇáóÊú : ÑóÃóíúÊõ ãöäó ÇáÃóÚóÇÏöí ÛöÑøóÉð = æóÇáÔøóÇÉõ ãõãúßöäóÜÉñ áöãóäú åõæ ãõÑúÊóãö
She said: I found the enemies oblivious; the Ewe is possible for a chivalric gallant
æóßóÃóäøóãóÇ ÇáÊóÝóÊóÊú ÈöÌöíÏö ÌóÏóÇíóÜÉò = ÑóÔóÃòò ãöäó ÇáÛöÒúáÇäö ÍõÜÑøò ÃóÑúËóÜãö
She turned her slender neck to look; resembling a fawn with a white spot on the upper lip
äõÈøöÆúÊõ ÚóãúÑóÇð ÛóíúÑó ÔóÇßöÑö äöÚúãóÊöí = æóÇáßõÝúÑõ ãóÎúÈóËóÜÉñ áöäóÝúÓö ÇáãõäúÚöÜãö
I have been told that her father(9) is ungrateful toward me; ingratitude is poison to the giver’s soul.
æóáóÞóÏú ÍóÝöÙúÊõ æóÕóÇÉó Úóãøöí ÈöÇáÖøõÍóì = ÅöÐú ÊóÞúáöÕõ ÇáÔøóÝóÊóÇäö Úóäú æóÖóÍö ÇáÝóãö
I respected my uncle’s injunction in the morning; when lips part to reveal the mouth
Ýí ÍóæúãóÉö ÇáúãóæúÊö ÇáÊí áÇ ÊóÔúÊóßöí = ÛóãóÑóÇÊöåÇ ÇáÃóÈúØóÇáõ ÛóíúÑó ÊóÛóãúÛõÜãö
In the thick of battle, where death abounds and heroes complain not, nor moan
ÅöÐú íóÊøóÞõæäó Èöíó ÇáÃóÓöäøóÉó áóãú ÃóÎöÜãú = ÚóäúåóÇ æóáóßäøöí ÊóÖóÇíóÜÞó ãõÞúÏóãí
They averted the falling spears, shielding themselves behind me. I valiantly fought on, not avoiding the spears; my advancement slowed, notwithstanding
æáÞóÏú åóãóãúÊõ ÈöÛóÇÑóÉò Ýí áóíúáóÜÉò = ÓóæúÏóÇÁó ÍóÇáößóÜÉò ßóáóæúäö ÇáÃóÏúáóÜãö
Once I conducted a raid; on a jetty night, pitch dark
áóãøóÇ ÓóãöÚúÊõ äöÏóÇÁó ãõÜÑøóÉó ÞóÏú ÚóáÇó = æóÇÈúäóíú ÑóÈöíÚóÉó Ýí ÇáÛõÈóÇÑö ÇáÃóÞúÊóÜãö
As I heard the loud war cry of Murrah and Rabia’s two sons; ‘midst thick, murky clouds of dust
æóãõÍóáøöãñ íóÓúÚóÜæúäó ÊóÍúÊó áöæóÇÆöåöãú = æóÇáúãóæúÊõ ÊóÍúÊó áöæóÇÁö Âáö ãõÍóáøöãö
And saw The Muhallam men gathered under their banner; death lurking beneath the banner of the Muhallams
ÃóíúÞóäúÊõ Ãóäú Óóíóßõæä ÚöäúÏó áöÞóÇÆöåöãú = ÖóÑúÈñ íõØöíÑõ Úóäö ÇáÝöÑóÇÎö ÇáÌõËøóÜãö
I realized, when clashing with them, the smiting and striking will scare birds away from their nests; abandoning their young
ÈöÑóÍöíÈóÉö ÇáÝóÑúÛóíúäö íóåúÏöí ÌóÑúÓõåóÜÇ = ÈÇááøóíúáö ãõÚúÊóÓøó ÇáÐøöÆóÜÇÈö ÇáÖøõÜÑøóãö
The sound of blood spurting out of deep gashes attracts the roving wolves at night; hunger driven
áóãøóÇ ÑóÃíúÊõ ÇáÞóæúãó ÃÞúÈóáó ÌóãúÚõåõÜãú = íóÊóÐóÇãóÑõæäó ßóÑóÑúÊõ ÛóíúÑó ãõÐóãøóÜãö
When I saw the advance of the adversaries, and heard them urge one another to fight the good fight; I unhesitatingly charged onward.10
íóÏúÚõæäó ÚóäúÊóÑó æóÇáÑøöãóÇÍõ ßóÃóäøóÜåóÇ = ÃóÔúØóÇäõ ÈöÆúÜÑò Ýí áóÈóÇäö ÇáÃóÏúåóÜãö
Repeatedly they cried “Antarah”; spears alternating on Adham’s(11) bosom like ropes of a deep well
ãóÇ ÒöáúÊõ ÃóÑúãöíåõãú ÈöËõÛúÑóÉö äóÍúÜÑöåö = æóáóÈóÇäöÜåö ÍóÊøóì ÊóÓóÑúÈóÜáó ÈöÇáÜÏøóãö
I pressed on, pounding them with my horse’s neck and chest, until he was completely covered with blood
ÝóÇÒúæóÑøó ãöäú æóÞúÜÚö ÇáÞóäóÇ ÈöáóÈóÇäöÜåö = æóÔóßóÇ Åöáóíøó ÈöÚóÈúÜÑóÉò æóÊóÍóãúÍõÜãö
He turned aside, numerous spears falling on his chest; complaining to me
with a tear and a heart-melting neigh
áóæú ßóÇäó íóÏúÑöí ãóÇ ÇáãõÍóÇæóÑóÉõ ÇÔúÊóßóì = æóáóßÇäó áóæú Úóáöãú ÇáßóáÇãó ãõßóáøöãöÜí
Had he been able to dialogue, he would have verbalized his complaint; had he been able to talk, he would have conversed with me
æóáóÞóÏú ÔóÝóì äóÝúÓöí æóÃóÈúÑóÃó ÓõÞúãóåóÇ = Þöíúáõ ÇáÝóæÇÑöÓö æóíúßó ÚóäúÊóÑó ÃóÞúÜÏöãö
My soul was healed of its malady when I heard the knights call my name, pleading: charge, Antarah, charge
æóÇáÎóíúáõ ÊóÞúÊóÍöãõ ÇáÎóÈóÇÑó ÚóæóÇÈöÜÓóÇð = ãöäú Èóíúäö ÔóíúÙóãóÜÉò æóÃóÌúÑóÏó ÔóíúÙóãö
Long-bodied trotters angrily charge the battleground; scowling as they proceed, mares and steeds
Ðõáóáñ ÑößóÇÈöí ÍóíúËõ ÔöÆúÊõ ãõÔóÇíÚöí = áõÈøöÜí æóÃóÍúÝöÜÒõåõ ÈöÃóãúÜÑò ãõÈúÜÑóãö
My horse, ever close to my heart, is amiable, obeying my wishes, when urging him to make haste; without delay
Åöäøöí ÚóÏóÇäí Ãóäú ÃóÒæóÑßö ÝóÇÚúáóãöí = ãóÇ ÞóÏú ÚóáöãúÊõ æÈóÚúÖõ ãóÇ áóãú ÊóÚúáóãöí
Visiting you is not an option for me; know that which I know, and some of what you don’t know
ÍóÇáóÊú ÑöãÇÍõ ÇÈúäóí ÈÛíÖò Ïõæäóßõãú = æóÒóæóÊú ÌóæóÇäöí ÇáÍóÑúÈö ãóäú áã íõÌúÑöãö
The spears of the sons of the hateful one have stood between you and me; the perpetrators of war inflicting harm on innocent ones.12
æóáóÞóÏú ÎóÔóíúÊõ ÈöÃóäú ÃóãõæÊó æóáóãú ÊóÏõÑú = áöáúÍóÑúÈö ÏóÇÆöÑóÉñ Úóáóì ÇÈúäóí ÖóãúÖóãö
I was afraid to die before war broke out, before I had a chance to take on the two sons of Dhamdham
ÇáÔøóÇÊöãóíú ÚöÑúÖöí æóáóãú ÃóÔúÊöãúåõãóÇ = æóÇáäøóÇÐöÑöíúäó ÅöÐúÇ áóÞóíúÊõåõãóÜÇ ÏóãÜöí
The have disgraced my honor, yet I refrained from likewise taunting them; they have vowed to spill my blood when they happen upon me
Åöäú íóÝúÚóáÇ ÝóáóÞóÏú ÊóÑóßúÊõ ÃóÈóÇåõãóÜÇ = ÌóÒóÑó ÇáÓøöÈÇÚö æóßõáøö äóÓúÑò ÞóÔúÚóÜãö
No wonder they seek my blood, for I have killed their father; leaving his body for vultures and animals of prey to feed upon.
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(1) In the original : Umul-Haitham, meaning Ablah
(2) In the original: O Makhram’s daughter, meaning Ablah
(3) Adham is the name of Antarah’s horse.
(4) Returning to its eggs in Dul-Ashira.
(5) A mention is given to two sources of water: Dahradhain and Dailam.
(6) The steed, not Antarah, is pierced.
(7) The word “twins” is also mentioned and interpreted by some scholars as “strong because not born as a twin.” The uniquely strong is the opponent, not the boots.
(8) A reference to Ablah.
(9) He actually says “Amr” instead of “her father”, which also means so and so. However, from the context I concluded that by Amr he actually meant Abla’s father.
(10) It may also be interpreted as “I blamelessly charged on.”
(11) He likened the unabatedly falling spears to rapid movement of ropes used in pulling water out of a deep well.
(12) I am not quite certain of the precise meaning of this line, I find the words (Zawat Jawani) to be illusive.
ÃÊãäì Ãä ÊÓÊÝíÏæÇ ãä åÐå ÇáÊÑÌãÉ áÃÓÊÇÐ ÇáÊÑÌãÉ ÇáÈÇÑÒ ãÍãæÏ ÚÈÇÓ ãÓÚæÏ
;)ÃäÓ ÃÈæ ÒíÜÜÏ
Have the poets left anything for me to explore and reconstruct; and have you recognized the (beloved’s) abode after much guessing and uncertainty
ÃóÚúíóÇßó ÑóÓúãõ ÇáÏøóÇÑö áóãú íóÊóßóáøóÜãö = ÍóÊøóì Êóßóáøóãó ßóÇáÃóÕóÜãøö ÇáÃóÚúÌóÜãö
The unspeaking image of the house has bewildered you, and when it spoke, it gestured as the deaf and mute do
æóáóÞóÏú ÍóÈóÓúÊõ ÈöåóÇ ØóæöíáÇð äóÇÞóÊöí = ÃóÔúßõæ Åáì ÓõÝúÚò ÑóæóÇßöÏö ÌËøóÜãö
Long did I keep my she-camel in it, bemoaning my lot, complaining to quietly perching birds
íóÇ ÏóÇÑó ÚóÈúáóÜÉó ÈöÇáÌóæóÇÁö Êóßóáøóãöí = æóÚöãøöí ÕóÈóÇÍóÇð ÏóÇÑó ÚóÈúáóÉó æóÇÓúáóãöí
O Ablah’s dwelling in Jawa, do speak to me; may your mornings be blessed, and may you be protected from harm
ÏóÇÑñ áÂäöÓóÉò ÛóÖöíúÖò ØóÑúÝõÜåóÇ = ØóæúÚó ÇáÚöäÇÞö áÐíÜÐÉö ÇáãõÊóÈóÓøóÜãö
Yea, it is the dwelling of the damsel with downcast looks; who welcomes my embraces, with delightful smiles
ÝóæóÞóÝúÊõ ÝöíåóÇ äóÇÞóÊöí æóßóÃäøóÜåóÇ = ÝóÏóäñ áÃóÞúÖöí ÍóÇÌóÜÉó ÇáãõÊóáóÜæøöãö
There I halted my she-camel, felt standing before a magnificent palace, ready to welcome me and address my needs
æóÊóÍõáøõ ÚóÈúáóÜÉõ ÈöÇáÌóÜæóÇÁö æóÃóåúáõäóÜÇ = ÈöÇáúÍóÜÒúäö ÝóÇáÕøóãóÜÇäö ÝóÇáãõÊóËóáøóÜãö
Lo! Ablah now resides in Jawa; while our folks live in Hazan, Samman and Mutathllam
ÍõíøöíúÊó ãöäú Øóáóáò ÊóÞÇÏóãó ÚóåúÏõåõ = ÃóÞúæóì æóÃóÞúÝóÜÑó ÈóÚúÏó Ãõãøö ÇáåóíúËóÜãö
A heartfelt greeting, O long deserted camp! You now stand empty and desolate, ever since the departure of the beloved one. 1
ÍóáøóÊú ÈöÃóÑúÖö ÇáÒøóÇÆöÑöíäó ÝóÃóÕúÈóÍóÊú = ÚóÓöÑóÇð Úóáóíøó ØöáÇóÈõßö ÇÈúäóÜÉó ãóÎúÑóãö
You have taken up residence in the land of the enemy, making it hard for me to access you. 2
ÚõáøöÞúÊõåóÇ ÚóÑóÖóÇð æóÇÞúÊõÜáõ ÞóæúãóåóÇ = ÒóÚúãóÇð áóÚóãúÑõ ÃóÈöíßó áóíúÓó ÈöãóÒúÚóÜãö
I have accidentally fallen in love with you, while killing your people! No mere declaration, it is the truth
æóáóÞóÏú äóÒóáúÊö ÝóáÇ ÊóÙõäøöÜí ÛóíúÑóåõ = ãöäøöí ÈöãóäúÒöáóÜÉö ÇáãõÍöÈøö ÇáãõßúÜÑóãö
You have occupied the core of my being, so never doubt my love. You are a cherished guest in my heart
ßóíúÝó ÇáãóÒóÇÑõ æóÞóÏú ÊóÑóÈøóÚó ÃóåúáõåóÜÇ = ÈöÚõäóíúÜÒóÊóíúÜäö æóÃóåúáõäóÜÇ ÈöÇáÛóíúáóÜãö
How may I visit you in your camp in Unaizatain, a place far from our camp in Ghailam
Åöäú ßõäúÊö ÃÒúãóÚúÊö ÇáÝöÑóÇÞó ÝóÅöäøóãóÇ = ÒõãøóÊú ÑößóÇÈõßõã ÈöáóíúÜáò ãõÙúáöÜãö
Your camels made ready for the journey in the depth of night; you shifted camp and departed in haste
ãóÇ ÑóÇÚóäí ÅáÇøó ÍóãõæáóÜÉõ ÃóåúáöåóÜÇ = æóÓúØó ÇáÏøöíóÇÑö ÊóÓóÝøõ ÍóÈøó ÇáÎöãúÎöãö
The camels, leisurely eating parched grains of Khamkham in their habitation, suddenly carried you and sped away; I was sorely alarmed
ÝöíåóÇ ÇËúäóÊóÇäö æóÃóÑúÈóÚõÜæäó ÍóáõæÈóÜÉð = ÓõæÏóÇð ßóÎóÇÝöíóÜÉö ÇáÛõÑóÇÈö ÇáÃóÓúÍóãö
Forty-two milk-giving she camels in all; black in color as the raven’s feathers
ÅÐú ÊóÓúÊóÈöíúßó ÈöÐöí ÛõÑõæÈò æóÇÖöÍò = ÚóÐúÈò ãõÞóÈøóáõÜåõ áóÐöíÜÐö ÇáãóØúÚóÜãö
O how fascinating those well formed teeth; how sweet the kisses from that mouth
æóßóÃóäøóãóÇ äóÙóÑóÊú ÈöÚóíúäóíú ÔóÜÇÏöäò = ÑóÔóÜÃò ãöäó ÇáúÛöÒúáÇäö áóíúÓó ÈöÊóÜæúÃóãö
When looking, she gazes with eyes of a strong fawn; healthily born, not part of a litter
æóßóÃóäøó ÝóÃúÑóÉó ÊóÇÌöÜÑò ÈöÞóÓöíúãóÜÉò = ÓóÈóÞóÊú ÚæóÇÑöÖóåóÇ Åöáóíúßó ãöäó ÇáúÝóÜãö
Fragrant like precious musk from a genuine dealer; bottle perfuming the mouth before the cheeks
Ãóæú ÑóæúÖóÉð ÃõäõÝóÇð ÊóÖóãøóäó äóÈúÊóåóÜÇ = ÛóíúËñ Þóáöíáõ ÇáÏøöãúäö áóíúÓó ÈöãõÚúáóÜãö
Or like the sweet scent of an isolated flower garden; its sod enlivened by gentle showers
ÌóÇÏóÊú ÚóáóíúÜåö ßõáøõ ÚóíúÜäò ËóÜÑøóÉò = ÝóÊóÑóßúäó ßõÜáøó ÍóÏöíÞóÉò ßóÇáÏøöÑúåóÜãö
Early spring clouds generously shower it with rain; giving every patch a dirham-like, well-rounded shape
ÓóÍøóÇð æóÊóÓúßóÇÈóÇð Ýóßõáøõ ÚóÔöíøóÜÉò = íóÌúÑöí ÚóáóíúåóÇ ÇáãóÇÁõ áóãú íóÊóÕóÜÑøóãö
Every evening, it is copiously watered, by ceaseless sprinkles that keep it afresh
æóÎóáÇó ÇáÐøõÈóÇÈó ÈöÜåóÇ ÝóáóíúÓó ÈöÈóÇÑöÍò = ÛóÑöÏóÇð ßóÝöÚúáö ÇáÔøóÜÇÑöÈö ÇáãõÊóÑóäøöÜãö
Behold the insects abuzz ‘midst its flowers; never leaving it, intoxicated as a drunkard humming a tune
åóÒöÌóÇð íóÍõßøõ ÐöÑóÇÚóÜåõ ÈöÐöÑóÇÚöÜåö = ÞóÏúÍó ÇáãõßöÈøö Úóáóì ÇáÒøöäóÇÏö ÇáÃóÌúÜÐóãö
They thrum and drone, rubbing their limbs together; as one trying to generate sparks by striking steel on flint
ÊõãúÓöí æóÊõÕúÈöÍõ ÝóæúÞó ÙóåúÑö ÍóÔöíøóÉò = æóÃóóÈöíÊõ ÝóæúÞó ÓóÑóÇÉö ÃÏúåóãó ãõáúÌóÜãö
You spend your nights and days on soft beds and comfortable cushions, while I pass my nights on the back of my bridled horse. 3
æóÍóÔöíøóÊöí ÓóÑúÌñ Úóáóì ÚóÈúáö ÇáÔøóæóì = äóåúÏò ãóÑóÇßöáõÜåõ äóÈöíÜáö ÇáãóÍúÜÒöãö
As for my bed, it is a saddle, securely placed on a well-built, mighty, muscular steed
åóáú ÊõÈúáöÛóäøöí ÏóÇÑóåóÜÇ ÔóÏóäöíøóÜÉñ = áõÚöäóÊú ÈöãóÍúÑõæãö ÇáÔøóÑóÇÈö ãõÕóÜÑøóãö
Would a she camel carry me to her abode; a she camel cursed by inability to generate milk; traveling fast
ÎóØøóÇÑóÉñ ÛöÈøó ÇáÓøõÜÑóì ãóÜæøóÇÑóÉññ = ÊóØöÓõ ÇáÅößóÇãó ÈöÐóÇÊö ÎõÜÝøò ãöíúËóÜãö
Sprightly, tossing her tail from side to side when set on a journey in early morning; advancing swiftly, stamping the tracts with her nimble hooves
æóßóÃóäøóãóÇ ÃóÞöÕó ÇáÅößóÇãó ÚóÔöíøóÜÉð = ÈöÞóÑöíÈö Èóíúäó ÇáãóäúÓöãóíúÜäö ãõÕóáøóÜãö
Making strides as if not a she-camel, rather an earless male ostrich with hooves, covering the distances with unmatched speed
ÊóÃúæöí áóÜåõ ÞõáõÕõ ÇáäøóÚóÇãö ßóãóÇ ÃóæóÊú = ÍöÒóÞñ íóãóÇäöíóÜÉñ áÃóÚúÌóãó ØöãúØöÜãö
The ostrich chicks respond to its call, as a she-camel responds to a rider, albeit his words unintelligible to her
íóÊúÈóÚúäó ÞõáøóÜÉó ÑóÃúÓöÜåö æóßóÃóäøóÜåõ = ÍöÏúÌñ Úóáóì äóÚúÔò áóåõäøó ãõÎóíøóÜãö
They look at the crown of its head and follow; standing out as a howdah atop a box
ÕóÚúáò íóÚõæÏõ ÈöÐöí ÇáÚõÔóíÑóÉö ÈóíúÖóåõ = ßóÇáÚóÈúÏö Ðöí ÇáÝóÑúæö ÇáØøóæöíáö ÇáÃóÕúáóãö
Small-headed, slender-necked, ever returning to its eggs, resembling wool attired slave; ears lopped off. 4
ÔóÑöÈóÊú ÈöãóÇÁö ÇáÏøõÍúÑõÖóíúäö ÝóÃóÕúÈóÍóÊú = ÒóæúÑóÇÁó ÊóäúÝöÑõ Úóäú ÍöíóÇÖö ÇáÏøóíúáóÜãö
She refreshingly drank from clean water sources, disdaining other wells. 5
æóßóÃóäøóãóÇ ÊóäúÃóì ÈöÌóÇäöÈö ÏóÝøöåóÇ ÇáÜæóÍúÔöíøö ãöäú åóÒöÌö ÇáÚóÔöíøö ãõÜÄóæøóãö
She presses on with unabated speed, as if scratched on the side by sharp feline claws
åöÑøò ÌóäöíÈò ßõáøóãóÇ ÚóØóÝóÊú áóÜåõ = ÛóÖóÈúì ÇÊøóÞóÇåóÇ ÈöÇáíóÏóíúÜäö æóÈöÇáÝóÜãö
The claws of a cat by her side; the more she angrily tries to ward it off, the deeper it pierces her skin with sharp teeth and pointed talons
ÃóÈúÞóì áóåóÇ Øõæáõ ÇáÓøöÝóÇÑö ãõÞóÑúãóÏóÇð = ÓóäóÜÏóÇð æóãöËúáó ÏóÚóÇÆöÜãö ÇáãõÊóÎóíøöÜãö
Her long and incessant travels left her thick-skinned hump hardened, resembling the apex of a pitched pavilion
ÈóÑóßóÊú Úóáóì ãóÇÁö ÇáÑøöÏóÇÚö ßóÃóäøóãóÇ = ÈóÑóßóÊú Úóáóì ÞóÕóÈò ÃóÌóÔøó ãõåóÖøóãö
She knelt down to drink at the Ar-Rida’a Well, making snapping sounds as if kneeling on hollow reeds, thickly heaped
æóßóÃóäøó ÑõÈøóÜÇð Ãóæú ßõÍóíúáÇð ãõÚúÞóÏóÇð = ÍóÔøó ÇáæóÞõÜæÏõ ÈöÜåö ÌóæóÇäöÈó ÞõãúÞõãö
Her body like bottle, her sweat like tar, made thick and sticky by fuel applied to the sides of the bottle
óäúÈóÇÚõ ãöäú ÐöÝúÑóì ÛóÖõæÈò ÌóÓúÑóÉò = ÒóíøóÇÝóÜÉò ãöËúáó ÇáÝóäöíÜÞö ÇáãõßúÜÏóãö
Oozing out profusely from the sweat points near the ears, while the angry she-camel makes rapid strides, like a raging, powerful camel, rumbling with wide-open mouth
Åöäú ÊõÛúÏöÝöí Ïõæäöí ÇáÞöäóÇÚó ÝÅöäøóäöí = ØöÈøñ ÈÃÎÐö ÇáÝóÜÇÑÓö ÇáúãõÓúÊóáúÆöÜã
If unable to see me due to a mask, know that I am skilled in seizing the armed rider with utmost ease
ÃóËúäöí Úóáóíøó ÈöãóÇ ÚóáöãúÊö ÝóÅöäøóäöÜí = ÓóãúÍñ ãõÎóÇáóÞóÊöí ÅöÐóÇ áóãú ÃõÙúáóÜãö
Do praise and credit me for what you know; I am amiable and docile when not wronged
ÝóÅöÐóÇ ÙõáöãúÊõ ÝóÅöäøó Ùõáúãöí ÈóÇÓöÜáñ = ãõÜÑøñ ãóÐóÇÞóÊõÜåõ ßóØóÚúãö ÇáÚóáúÞóÜãö
But when wronged, I inflict severe punishment on my oppressor, unimaginably bitter and harsh
æóáóÞóÏú ÔóÑöÈúÊõ ãöäó ÇáãõÏóÇãóÉö ÈóÚúÏóãóÜÇ = ÑóßóÏó ÇáåóæóÇÌöÑõ ÈöÇáãóÔõæÝö ÇáãõÚúáóÜãö
I had my drink after the sun came to a standstill and everything became motionless; keenly observed
ÈöÒõÌóÇÌóÉò ÕóÝúÑóÇÁó ÐóÇÊö ÃóÓöÜÑøóÉò = ÞõÑöäóÊú ÈöÃóÒúåóÑó Ýí ÇáÔøöãóÇáö ãõÝóÜÏøóãö
Wine from a nicely-shaped yellow bottle; poured into a pitcher, its mouth wrapped with a piece of cloth
ÝóÅöÐóÇ ÔóÑöÈúÊõ ÝÅöäøóäöÜí ãõÓúÊóåúáöÜßñ = ãóÇáöí æóÚöÑúÖöí æóÇÝöÑñ áóãú íõßúáóãö
When I drink I squander my money, but keep my honor unwounded, sound
æóÅöÐóÇ ÕóÍóæúÊõ ÝóãóÇ ÃõÞóÕøöÑõ Úóäú äóÏóìð = æóßóãóÇ ÚóáöãúÊö ÔóãóÇÆöáöí æóÊóßóÑøõãöÜí
When sober, I never fail to offer hospitality; my traits and large-heartedness are familiar to you
æóÍóáöíáö ÛóÇäöíóÉò ÊóÑóßúÊõ ãõÌóÏøóáÇð = Êóãúßõæ ÝóÑíÕóÊõåõ ßóÔöÏúÞö ÇáÃóÚúáóÜãö
When smiting an opponent he falls to the ground, twitching and quivering; wide gash in his body
ÓóÈóÞóÊú íóÏÇíó áóÜåõ ÈöÚóÇÌöáö ØóÚúäóÜÉò = æóÑóÔóÇÔö äóÇÝöÜÐóÉò ßóáóæúäö ÇáÚóäúÜÏóãö
My hands greeted him with a swift stab, blood sputtered like deep-red dye
åóáÇøó ÓóÃóáúÊö ÇáÎóíúáó íóÇ ÇÈúäóÉó ãóÇáößò = Åöäú ßõäúÊö ÌóÇåöáóÜÉð ÈöãóÇ áóãú ÊóÚúáóãöí
O Malik’s Daughter, if ignorant of things not known to you (about me), why not ask horses of combat zone, and get answers to your questions
ÅöÐú áÇ ÃóÒóÇáõ Úóáóì ÑöÍóÇáÉö ÓóÇÈöÍò = äóåúÜÏò ÊóÚóÇæóÑõåõ ÇáßõãóÇÉõ ãõßóáøóÜãö
Lo! Securely seated in the saddle, atop my noble, speedy steed; pierced repeatedly by weapons of fully armed horsemen; covered with wounds. 6
ØóæúÑóÇð íõÌóÜÑøóÏõ áöáØøöÚóÇäö æóÊóÜÇÑóÉð = íóÃúæöí Åáì ÍóÕöÏö ÇáÞöÓöíøö ÚóÑóãúÑöãö
Alternating between fiercely charging the opponents, and running headlong into the center, where spears thickly fall
íõÎúÈöÑúßö ãóäú ÔóåöÏó ÇáæóÞöíÚóÉó ÃóäøóäöÜí = ÃóÛúÔóì ÇáæóÛóì æóÃóÚöÝøõ ÚöäúÏó ÇáãóÛúäóãö
Those witnessing the battle will tell you how I fearlessly run into the tumult and fight; how I refrain from sharing the spoils
æóáóÞóÏú ÐóßóÑúÊõßö æóÇáÑøöãóÇÍõ äóæóÇåöáñ = ãöäøöí æóÈöíÖõ ÇáúåöäúÏö ÊóÞúØõÑõ ãöäú Ïóãöí
I remembered you when spears dipped into my body, drinking deep; sharp, flashing swords dripping with my blood
ÝóæóÏöÏúÊõ ÊóÞúÈöíáó ÇáÓøõíõÜæÝö áÃóäøóåóÇ = áóãóÚóÊú ßóÈóÇÑöÞö ËóÛúÑößö ÇáúãõÊóÈóÓøöÜãö
How I desired then to kiss the swords, because they sparkled like your smiling mouth
æóãõÏøóÌöÜÌò ßóÑöåó ÇáßõãóÇÉõ äöÒóÇáóÜåõ = áÇ ãõãúÚöäò åóÑóÈóÇð æóáÇó ãõÓúÊóÓúáöÜãö
Behold a stalwart knight armed to the teeth, brave men cautious to cross swords with him! Neither running away from the battle, nor surrendering
ÌóÇÏóÊú áóÜåõ ßóÝøöí ÈöÚóÇÌöáö ØóÚúäóÜÉò = ÈöãõËóÞøóÝò ÕóÏúÞö ÇáßõÚõæÈö ãõÞóÜæøóã
My hand presented him with a swift pierce from my straight, steady lance; firmly held
ÝóÔóßóßúÊõ ÈöÇáÑøõãúÍö ÇáÃóÕóãøö ËöíóÇÈóÜåõ = áóíúÓó ÇáßóÑöíãõ Úóáóì ÇáÞóäóÇ ÈöãõÍóÜÑøóãö
I pinned his clothes with my solid spear; a noble man is not exempt from javelin thrusts
ÝóÊóÑóßúÊõÜåõ ÌóÒóÑó ÇáÓøöÈóÇÚö íóäõÔúäóÜåõ = íóÞúÖöãúäó ÍõÓúäó ÈóäóÇäöÜåö æóÇáãöÚúÕóÜãö
I left him for wild beasts of prey to ravage his body; devouring his wrists and fingers, finely shaped
æãöÔóßøö ÓóÇÈöÛóÉò åóÊóßúÊõ ÝõÑõæÌóåóÇ = ÈöÇáÓøóíúÝö Úóäú ÍóÇãöí ÇáÍóÞöíÞóÉö ãõÚúáöãö
I charged the enemy’s fortified line of defense, and cracked open the guard’s long and heavy armor with my sword
ÑóÈöÐò íóÏóÇåõ ÈöÇáÞöÜÏóÇÍö ÅöÐóÇ ÔóÊóÜÇ = åóÊøóÜÇßö ÛóÇíóÇÊö ÇáÊøöÌóÜÇÑö ãõáóÜæøóãö
The hands of such guard may be skillful in games of chance; he, efficient in targeting wine dealers to secure their stock
áóãøóÇ ÑóÂäöí ÞóÜÏú äóÒóáúÊõ ÃõÑöíÜÏõåõ = ÃóÈúÏóì äóæÇÌöÜÐóåõ áöÛóíÑö ÊóÈóÓøõÜãö
When he saw me coming on the scene, advancing toward him, he snarled, unsmilingly exposing his teeth
ÚóåúÏöí ÈöÜåö ãóÜÏøó ÇáäøóåóÇÑö ßóÃóäøóãóÇ = ÎõÖöÈó ÇáÈóäóÇäõ æóÑóÃõÓõÜåõ ÈöÇáÚöÙúáöÜãö
I moved on him in broad daylight, leaving his head and fingers carmine red
ÈóØóáò ßóÃóäøó ËöíóÇÈóÜåõ Ýí ÓóÑúÍóÜÉò = íõÍúÐóì äöÚóÇáó ÇáÓøöÈúÊö áíúÓó ÈöÊóæúÃóãö
So tall he was, his clothes as if covering a tree; wearing stout boots, uniquely strong. 7
íóÇ ÔóÇÉó ÞóäóÕò áöãóäú ÍóáøóÊú áóÜåõ = ÍóÑõãóÊú Úóáóíøó æóáóíúÊóåóÇ áóãú ÊóÍúÜÑõãö
A Ewe(8) (of mine) has been lawfully taken by another! She has been forbidden me, alas
ÝóÈóÚóËúÊõ ÌóÇÑöíóÊí ÝóÞõáúÊõ áóåóÇ ÇÐúåóÈöí = ÝóÊóÌóÓøóÓöí ÃóÎúÈóÇÑóåóÇ áöíó æÇÚúáóãöí
I instructed my female servant to go to her camp; to spy and bring me word about her
ÞóÇáóÊú : ÑóÃóíúÊõ ãöäó ÇáÃóÚóÇÏöí ÛöÑøóÉð = æóÇáÔøóÇÉõ ãõãúßöäóÜÉñ áöãóäú åõæ ãõÑúÊóãö
She said: I found the enemies oblivious; the Ewe is possible for a chivalric gallant
æóßóÃóäøóãóÇ ÇáÊóÝóÊóÊú ÈöÌöíÏö ÌóÏóÇíóÜÉò = ÑóÔóÃòò ãöäó ÇáÛöÒúáÇäö ÍõÜÑøò ÃóÑúËóÜãö
She turned her slender neck to look; resembling a fawn with a white spot on the upper lip
äõÈøöÆúÊõ ÚóãúÑóÇð ÛóíúÑó ÔóÇßöÑö äöÚúãóÊöí = æóÇáßõÝúÑõ ãóÎúÈóËóÜÉñ áöäóÝúÓö ÇáãõäúÚöÜãö
I have been told that her father(9) is ungrateful toward me; ingratitude is poison to the giver’s soul.
æóáóÞóÏú ÍóÝöÙúÊõ æóÕóÇÉó Úóãøöí ÈöÇáÖøõÍóì = ÅöÐú ÊóÞúáöÕõ ÇáÔøóÝóÊóÇäö Úóäú æóÖóÍö ÇáÝóãö
I respected my uncle’s injunction in the morning; when lips part to reveal the mouth
Ýí ÍóæúãóÉö ÇáúãóæúÊö ÇáÊí áÇ ÊóÔúÊóßöí = ÛóãóÑóÇÊöåÇ ÇáÃóÈúØóÇáõ ÛóíúÑó ÊóÛóãúÛõÜãö
In the thick of battle, where death abounds and heroes complain not, nor moan
ÅöÐú íóÊøóÞõæäó Èöíó ÇáÃóÓöäøóÉó áóãú ÃóÎöÜãú = ÚóäúåóÇ æóáóßäøöí ÊóÖóÇíóÜÞó ãõÞúÏóãí
They averted the falling spears, shielding themselves behind me. I valiantly fought on, not avoiding the spears; my advancement slowed, notwithstanding
æáÞóÏú åóãóãúÊõ ÈöÛóÇÑóÉò Ýí áóíúáóÜÉò = ÓóæúÏóÇÁó ÍóÇáößóÜÉò ßóáóæúäö ÇáÃóÏúáóÜãö
Once I conducted a raid; on a jetty night, pitch dark
áóãøóÇ ÓóãöÚúÊõ äöÏóÇÁó ãõÜÑøóÉó ÞóÏú ÚóáÇó = æóÇÈúäóíú ÑóÈöíÚóÉó Ýí ÇáÛõÈóÇÑö ÇáÃóÞúÊóÜãö
As I heard the loud war cry of Murrah and Rabia’s two sons; ‘midst thick, murky clouds of dust
æóãõÍóáøöãñ íóÓúÚóÜæúäó ÊóÍúÊó áöæóÇÆöåöãú = æóÇáúãóæúÊõ ÊóÍúÊó áöæóÇÁö Âáö ãõÍóáøöãö
And saw The Muhallam men gathered under their banner; death lurking beneath the banner of the Muhallams
ÃóíúÞóäúÊõ Ãóäú Óóíóßõæä ÚöäúÏó áöÞóÇÆöåöãú = ÖóÑúÈñ íõØöíÑõ Úóäö ÇáÝöÑóÇÎö ÇáÌõËøóÜãö
I realized, when clashing with them, the smiting and striking will scare birds away from their nests; abandoning their young
ÈöÑóÍöíÈóÉö ÇáÝóÑúÛóíúäö íóåúÏöí ÌóÑúÓõåóÜÇ = ÈÇááøóíúáö ãõÚúÊóÓøó ÇáÐøöÆóÜÇÈö ÇáÖøõÜÑøóãö
The sound of blood spurting out of deep gashes attracts the roving wolves at night; hunger driven
áóãøóÇ ÑóÃíúÊõ ÇáÞóæúãó ÃÞúÈóáó ÌóãúÚõåõÜãú = íóÊóÐóÇãóÑõæäó ßóÑóÑúÊõ ÛóíúÑó ãõÐóãøóÜãö
When I saw the advance of the adversaries, and heard them urge one another to fight the good fight; I unhesitatingly charged onward.10
íóÏúÚõæäó ÚóäúÊóÑó æóÇáÑøöãóÇÍõ ßóÃóäøóÜåóÇ = ÃóÔúØóÇäõ ÈöÆúÜÑò Ýí áóÈóÇäö ÇáÃóÏúåóÜãö
Repeatedly they cried “Antarah”; spears alternating on Adham’s(11) bosom like ropes of a deep well
ãóÇ ÒöáúÊõ ÃóÑúãöíåõãú ÈöËõÛúÑóÉö äóÍúÜÑöåö = æóáóÈóÇäöÜåö ÍóÊøóì ÊóÓóÑúÈóÜáó ÈöÇáÜÏøóãö
I pressed on, pounding them with my horse’s neck and chest, until he was completely covered with blood
ÝóÇÒúæóÑøó ãöäú æóÞúÜÚö ÇáÞóäóÇ ÈöáóÈóÇäöÜåö = æóÔóßóÇ Åöáóíøó ÈöÚóÈúÜÑóÉò æóÊóÍóãúÍõÜãö
He turned aside, numerous spears falling on his chest; complaining to me
with a tear and a heart-melting neigh
áóæú ßóÇäó íóÏúÑöí ãóÇ ÇáãõÍóÇæóÑóÉõ ÇÔúÊóßóì = æóáóßÇäó áóæú Úóáöãú ÇáßóáÇãó ãõßóáøöãöÜí
Had he been able to dialogue, he would have verbalized his complaint; had he been able to talk, he would have conversed with me
æóáóÞóÏú ÔóÝóì äóÝúÓöí æóÃóÈúÑóÃó ÓõÞúãóåóÇ = Þöíúáõ ÇáÝóæÇÑöÓö æóíúßó ÚóäúÊóÑó ÃóÞúÜÏöãö
My soul was healed of its malady when I heard the knights call my name, pleading: charge, Antarah, charge
æóÇáÎóíúáõ ÊóÞúÊóÍöãõ ÇáÎóÈóÇÑó ÚóæóÇÈöÜÓóÇð = ãöäú Èóíúäö ÔóíúÙóãóÜÉò æóÃóÌúÑóÏó ÔóíúÙóãö
Long-bodied trotters angrily charge the battleground; scowling as they proceed, mares and steeds
Ðõáóáñ ÑößóÇÈöí ÍóíúËõ ÔöÆúÊõ ãõÔóÇíÚöí = áõÈøöÜí æóÃóÍúÝöÜÒõåõ ÈöÃóãúÜÑò ãõÈúÜÑóãö
My horse, ever close to my heart, is amiable, obeying my wishes, when urging him to make haste; without delay
Åöäøöí ÚóÏóÇäí Ãóäú ÃóÒæóÑßö ÝóÇÚúáóãöí = ãóÇ ÞóÏú ÚóáöãúÊõ æÈóÚúÖõ ãóÇ áóãú ÊóÚúáóãöí
Visiting you is not an option for me; know that which I know, and some of what you don’t know
ÍóÇáóÊú ÑöãÇÍõ ÇÈúäóí ÈÛíÖò Ïõæäóßõãú = æóÒóæóÊú ÌóæóÇäöí ÇáÍóÑúÈö ãóäú áã íõÌúÑöãö
The spears of the sons of the hateful one have stood between you and me; the perpetrators of war inflicting harm on innocent ones.12
æóáóÞóÏú ÎóÔóíúÊõ ÈöÃóäú ÃóãõæÊó æóáóãú ÊóÏõÑú = áöáúÍóÑúÈö ÏóÇÆöÑóÉñ Úóáóì ÇÈúäóí ÖóãúÖóãö
I was afraid to die before war broke out, before I had a chance to take on the two sons of Dhamdham
ÇáÔøóÇÊöãóíú ÚöÑúÖöí æóáóãú ÃóÔúÊöãúåõãóÇ = æóÇáäøóÇÐöÑöíúäó ÅöÐúÇ áóÞóíúÊõåõãóÜÇ ÏóãÜöí
The have disgraced my honor, yet I refrained from likewise taunting them; they have vowed to spill my blood when they happen upon me
Åöäú íóÝúÚóáÇ ÝóáóÞóÏú ÊóÑóßúÊõ ÃóÈóÇåõãóÜÇ = ÌóÒóÑó ÇáÓøöÈÇÚö æóßõáøö äóÓúÑò ÞóÔúÚóÜãö
No wonder they seek my blood, for I have killed their father; leaving his body for vultures and animals of prey to feed upon.
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(1) In the original : Umul-Haitham, meaning Ablah
(2) In the original: O Makhram’s daughter, meaning Ablah
(3) Adham is the name of Antarah’s horse.
(4) Returning to its eggs in Dul-Ashira.
(5) A mention is given to two sources of water: Dahradhain and Dailam.
(6) The steed, not Antarah, is pierced.
(7) The word “twins” is also mentioned and interpreted by some scholars as “strong because not born as a twin.” The uniquely strong is the opponent, not the boots.
(8) A reference to Ablah.
(9) He actually says “Amr” instead of “her father”, which also means so and so. However, from the context I concluded that by Amr he actually meant Abla’s father.
(10) It may also be interpreted as “I blamelessly charged on.”
(11) He likened the unabatedly falling spears to rapid movement of ropes used in pulling water out of a deep well.
(12) I am not quite certain of the precise meaning of this line, I find the words (Zawat Jawani) to be illusive.
ÃÊãäì Ãä ÊÓÊÝíÏæÇ ãä åÐå ÇáÊÑÌãÉ áÃÓÊÇÐ ÇáÊÑÌãÉ ÇáÈÇÑÒ ãÍãæÏ ÚÈÇÓ ãÓÚæÏ
;)ÃäÓ ÃÈæ ÒíÜÜÏ