معلقة عنترة بن شداد الترجمة: محمود عباس مسعود The Muallaqa (Ode) of Antara Ibn Shaddad Translated by: Mahmoud Abbas Masoud
السلام عليكم ورحمة الله وبركاته أتشرف بوضع هذا الإنتاج الواتاوي بين أيديكم، آمل أن أكون قد وفقت في نقل هذه المعلقة العملاقة إلى الإنكليزية. هذه ليست المرة الأولى التي تُترجم بها معلقة عنترة إلى الإنكليزية، إذ سبقني المستشرقون إلى ذلك، لكنني لم أقع بعد على ترجمة لها من قبل الناطقين بالضاد. لذلك عقدت العزم على ترجمتها وإعطائها حقها بالغوص على معانيها المتوارية في أعماق بحر اللغة العربية. بعد ترجمة بضعة أبيات منها أدركتُ ما أنا مقدم عليه، فنازعتني نفسي بالعدول عن المضي قدماً والقناعة من الغنيمة بالإياب. لكنني أطلقت تحدياً ذاتياً وواصلت العمل، معتمداً على الله وعلى ما لديّ من مراجع لغوية، لبلوغ الشوط.. أو البيت الأخير. لقد اتضح لي من خلال هذه التجربة أنه لا يوجد إجماع على تفسير موحّد لهذه المعلقة التي استقطبت اهتمام أئمة اللغة والشعراء العرب على مدى قرون عديدة. فهناك أكثر من معنى للعديد من المفردات العويصة، وهناك أكثر من رأي حول التعقيد اللغوي البالغ لهذه القصيدة الإستثنائية ومحاولة فهم ما قصده عنترة. فللكوفيين رأي وكذلك للبصريين. ما يراه ابن الأنباري قد يختلف عما يراه ابن الإعرابي، ورأي الأصمعي قد يكون مغايراً لرأي سيبويه، وهكذا دواليك. ولتأكيد هذه الناحية أورد الفقرة التالية من ديوان عنترة، شرح الدكتور عمر فاروق الطباع: (المَشوف: الدينار والدرهم عن الأصمعي، وقال غيره: هو البعير المهنوء، وقيل: هو الكأس، والمعروف ما قال الأصمعي... ثم ألقيت حركة الواو على الشين، فبقيت الوار ساكنة وبعدها واو ساكنة، فحذفت الواو لالتقاء الساكنين، والمحذوفة عند سيبويه الثانية؛ لأنها زائدة، وعند الأخفش الأولى...إلخ). بين هذا الخليط من الآراء المتعددة استعنت بالله وبذلت قصارى جهدي لإخراج ترجمة معقولة ومقبولة لهذه المطولة التي خلّدت ناظمها وقربته من القلوب. هنا نبصر جمال الرجولة ونلمس البطولة والفروسية في أروع مظاهرها.. هنا الوفاء والإباء.. الحب الذي يُبقي الحبيب قريباً من الوجدان.. هنا الجرأة التي لا تعرف الخوف.. والشهامة التي لا يقرب الصَغار من ساحتها.. هنا العفة والمشاعر النبيلة.. هنا صنديد عنيد كان في أيامه قوة عظمى.. يزأر فتردد الآكام زئيره.. يُقدم فيحسب له الأبطال حساباً.. يحتمي به الفرسان لأنه عنترة أبو الفوارس الذي قال عنه النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم ( ما وُصف لي أعرابي قط فأحببت أن أراه إلا عنترة ). فتفضلوا إلى رائعة عنترة.. المعلقة هَلْ غَادَرَ الشُّعَرَاءُ مِنْ مُتَرَدَّمِ = أَمْ هَلْ عَرَفْتَ الدَّارَ بَعْدَ تَوَهُّمِ Have the poets left anything for me to explore and reconstruct; and have you recognized the (beloved's) abode after much guessing and uncertainty أَعْيَاكَ رَسْمُ الدَّارِ لَمْ يَتَكَلَّمِ = حَتَّى تَكَلَّمَ كَالأَصَمِّ الأَعْجَمِ The unspeaking image of the house has bewildered you, and when it spoke, it gestured as the deaf and mute do وَلَقَدْ حَبَسْتُ بِهَا طَوِيلاً نَاقَتِي = أَشْكُو إلى سُفْعٍ رَوَاكِدِ جثَّمِ Long did I keep my she-camel in it, bemoaning my lot, complaining to quietly perching birds يَا دَارَ عَبْلَةَ بِالجَوَاءِ تَكَلَّمِي = وَعِمِّي صَبَاحَاً دَارَ عَبْلَةَ وَاسْلَمِي O Ablah's dwelling in Jawa, do speak to me; may your mornings be blessed, and may you be protected from harm دَارٌ لآنِسَةٍ غَضِيْضٍ طَرْفُهَا = طَوْعَ العِناقِ لذيذةِ المُتَبَسَّمِ Yea, it is the dwelling of the damsel with downcast looks; who welcomes my embraces, with delightful smiles فَوَقَفْتُ فِيهَا نَاقَتِي وَكَأنَّهَا = فَدَنٌ لأَقْضِي حَاجَةَ المُتَلَوِّمِ There I halted my she-camel, felt standing before a magnificent palace, ready to welcome me and address my needs وَتَحُلُّ عَبْلَةُ بِالجَوَاءِ وَأَهْلُنَا = بِالْحَزْنِ فَالصَّمَانِ فَالمُتَثَلَّمِ Lo! Ablah now resides in Jawa; while our folks live in Hazan, Samman and Mutathllam حُيِّيْتَ مِنْ طَلَلٍ تَقادَمَ عَهْدُهُ = أَقْوَى وَأَقْفَرَ بَعْدَ أُمِّ الهَيْثَمِ A heartfelt greeting, O long deserted camp! You now stand empty and desolate, ever since the departure of the beloved one. 1 حَلَّتْ بِأَرْضِ الزَّائِرِينَ فَأَصْبَحَتْ = عَسِرَاً عَلَيَّ طِلاَبُكِ ابْنَةَ مَخْرَمِ You have taken up residence in the land of the enemy, making it hard for me to access you. 2 عُلِّقْتُهَا عَرَضَاً وَاقْتُلُ قَوْمَهَا = زَعْمَاً لَعَمْرُ أَبِيكَ لَيْسَ بِمَزْعَمِ I have accidentally fallen in love with you, while killing your people! No mere declaration, it is the truth وَلَقَدْ نَزَلْتِ فَلا تَظُنِّي غَيْرَهُ = مِنِّي بِمَنْزِلَةِ المُحِبِّ المُكْرَمِ You have occupied the core of my being, so never doubt my love. You are a cherished guest in my heart كَيْفَ المَزَارُ وَقَدْ تَرَبَّعَ أَهْلُهَا = بِعُنَيْزَتَيْنِ وَأَهْلُنَا بِالغَيْلَمِ How may I visit you in your camp in Unaizatain, a place far from our camp in Ghailam إِنْ كُنْتِ أزْمَعْتِ الفِرَاقَ فَإِنَّمَا = زُمَّتْ رِكَابُكُم بِلَيْلٍ مُظْلِمِ Your camels made ready for the journey in the depth of night; you shifted camp and departed in haste مَا رَاعَني إلاَّ حَمُولَةُ أَهْلِهَا = وَسْطَ الدِّيَارِ تَسَفُّ حَبَّ الخِمْخِمِ The camels, leisurely eating parched grains of Khamkham in their habitation, suddenly carried you and sped away; I was sorely alarmed فِيهَا اثْنَتَانِ وَأَرْبَعُونَ حَلُوبَةً = سُودَاً كَخَافِيَةِ الغُرَابِ الأَسْحَمِ Forty-two milk-giving she camels in all; black in color as the raven's feathers إذْ تَسْتَبِيْكَ بِذِي غُرُوبٍ وَاضِحٍ = عَذْبٍ مُقَبَّلُهُ لَذِيذِ المَطْعَمِ O how fascinating those well formed teeth; how sweet the kisses from that mouth وَكَأَنَّمَا نَظَرَتْ بِعَيْنَيْ شَادِنٍ = رَشَأٍ مِنَ الْغِزْلانِ لَيْسَ بِتَوْأَمِ When looking, she gazes with eyes of a strong fawn; healthily born, not part of a litter وَكَأَنَّ فَأْرَةَ تَاجِرٍ بِقَسِيْمَةٍ = سَبَقَتْ عوَارِضَهَا إِلَيْكَ مِنَ الْفَمِ Fragrant like precious musk from a genuine dealer; bottle perfuming the mouth before the cheeks أَوْ رَوْضَةً أُنُفَاً تَضَمَّنَ نَبْتَهَا = غَيْثٌ قَلِيلُ الدِّمْنِ لَيْسَ بِمُعْلَمِ Or like the sweet scent of an isolated flower garden; its sod enlivened by gentle showers جَادَتْ عَلَيْهِ كُلُّ عَيْنٍ ثَرَّةٍ = فَتَرَكْنَ كُلَّ حَدِيقَةٍ كَالدِّرْهَمِ Early spring clouds generously shower it with rain; giving every patch a dirham-like, well-rounded shape سَحَّاً وَتَسْكَابَاً فَكُلُّ عَشِيَّةٍ = يَجْرِي عَلَيْهَا المَاءُ لَمْ يَتَصَرَّمِ Every evening, it is copiously watered, by ceaseless sprinkles that keep it afresh وَخَلاَ الذُّبَابَ بِهَا فَلَيْسَ بِبَارِحٍ = غَرِدَاً كَفِعْلِ الشَّارِبِ المُتَرَنِّمِ Behold the insects abuzz ‘midst its flowers; never leaving it, intoxicated as a drunkard humming a tune هَزِجَاً يَحُكُّ ذِرَاعَهُ بِذِرَاعِهِ = قَدْحَ المُكِبِّ عَلَى الزِّنَادِ الأَجْذَمِ They thrum and drone, rubbing their limbs together; as one trying to generate sparks by striking steel on flint تُمْسِي وَتُصْبِحُ فَوْقَ ظَهْرِ حَشِيَّةٍ = وَأََبِيتُ فَوْقَ سَرَاةِ أدْهَمَ مُلْجَمِ 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 وَحَشِيَّتِي سَرْجٌ عَلَى عَبْلِ الشَّوَى = نَهْدٍ مَرَاكِلُهُ نَبِيلِ المَحْزِمِ As for my bed, it is a saddle, securely placed on a well-built, mighty, muscular steed هَلْ تُبْلِغَنِّي دَارَهَا شَدَنِيَّةٌ = لُعِنَتْ بِمَحْرُومِ الشَّرَابِ مُصَرَّمِ Would a she camel carry me to her abode; a she camel cursed by inability to generate milk; traveling fast خَطَّارَةٌ غِبَّ السُّرَى مَوَّارَةٌٌ = تَطِسُ الإِكَامَ بِذَاتِ خُفٍّ مِيْثَمِ 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 وَكَأَنَّمَا أَقِصَ الإِكَامَ عَشِيَّةً = بِقَرِيبِ بَيْنَ المَنْسِمَيْنِ مُصَلَّمِ Making strides as if not a she-camel, rather an earless male ostrich with hooves, covering the distances with unmatched speed تَأْوِي لَهُ قُلُصُ النَّعَامِ كَمَا أَوَتْ = حِزَقٌ يَمَانِيَةٌ لأَعْجَمَ طِمْطِمِ The ostrich chicks respond to its call, as a she-camel responds to a rider, albeit his words unintelligible to her يَتْبَعْنَ قُلَّةَ رَأْسِهِ وَكَأَنَّهُ = حِدْجٌ عَلَى نَعْشٍ لَهُنَّ مُخَيَّمِ They look at the crown of its head and follow; standing out as a howdah atop a box صَعْلٍ يَعُودُ بِذِي العُشَيرَةِ بَيْضَهُ = كَالعَبْدِ ذِي الفَرْوِ الطَّوِيلِ الأَصْلَمِ Small-headed, slender-necked, ever returning to its eggs, resembling wool attired slave; ears lopped off. 4 شَرِبَتْ بِمَاءِ الدُّحْرُضَيْنِ فَأَصْبَحَتْ = زَوْرَاءَ تَنْفِرُ عَنْ حِيَاضِ الدَّيْلَمِ She refreshingly drank from clean water sources, disdaining other wells. 5 وَكَأَنَّمَا تَنْأَى بِجَانِبِ دَفِّهَا الوَحْشِيِّ مِنْ هَزِجِ العَشِيِّ مُؤَوَّمِ She presses on with unabated speed, as if scratched on the side by sharp feline claws هِرٍّ جَنِيبٍ كُلَّمَا عَطَفَتْ لَهُ = غَضَبْى اتَّقَاهَا بِاليَدَيْنِ وَبِالفَمِ 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 أَبْقَى لَهَا طُولُ السِّفَارِ مُقَرْمَدَاً = سَنَدَاً وَمِثْلَ دَعَائِمِ المُتَخَيِّمِ Her long and incessant travels left her thick-skinned hump hardened, resembling the apex of a pitched pavilion بَرَكَتْ عَلَى مَاءِ الرِّدَاعِ كَأَنَّمَا = بَرَكَتْ عَلَى قَصَبٍ أَجَشَّ مُهَضَّمِ She knelt down to drink at the Ar-Rida'a Well, making snapping sounds as if kneeling on hollow reeds, thickly heaped وَكَأَنَّ رُبَّاً أَوْ كُحَيْلاً مُعْقَدَاً = حَشَّ الوَقُودُ بِهِ جَوَانِبَ قُمْقُمِ Her body like bottle, her sweat like tar, made thick and sticky by fuel applied to the sides of the bottle َنْبَاعُ مِنْ ذِفْرَى غَضُوبٍ جَسْرَةٍ = زَيَّافَةٍ مِثْلَ الفَنِيقِ المُكْدَمِ 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 إِنْ تُغْدِفِي دُونِي القِنَاعَ فإِنَّنِي = طِبٌّ بأخذِ الفَارسِ الْمُسْتَلْئِم If unable to see me due to a mask, know that I am skilled in seizing the armed rider with utmost ease أَثْنِي عَلَيَّ بِمَا عَلِمْتِ فَإِنَّنِي = سَمْحٌ مُخَالَقَتِي إِذَا لَمْ أُظْلَمِ Do praise and credit me for what you know; I am amiable and docile when not wronged فَإِذَا ظُلِمْتُ فَإِنَّ ظُلْمِي بَاسِلٌ = مُرٌّ مَذَاقَتُهُ كَطَعْمِ العَلْقَمِ But when wronged, I inflict severe punishment on my oppressor, unimaginably bitter and harsh وَلَقَدْ شَرِبْتُ مِنَ المُدَامَةِ بَعْدَمَا = رَكَدَ الهَوَاجِرُ بِالمَشُوفِ المُعْلَمِ I had my drink after the sun came to a standstill and everything became motionless; keenly observed بِزُجَاجَةٍ صَفْرَاءَ ذَاتِ أَسِرَّةٍ = قُرِنَتْ بِأَزْهَرَ في الشِّمَالِ مُفَدَّمِ Wine from a nicely-shaped yellow bottle; poured into a pitcher, its mouth wrapped with a piece of cloth فَإِذَا شَرِبْتُ فإِنَّنِي مُسْتَهْلِكٌ = مَالِي وَعِرْضِي وَافِرٌ لَمْ يُكْلَمِ When I drink I squander my money, but keep my honor unwounded, sound وَإِذَا صَحَوْتُ فَمَا أُقَصِّرُ عَنْ نَدَىً = وَكَمَا عَلِمْتِ شَمَائِلِي وَتَكَرُّمِي When sober, I never fail to offer hospitality; my traits and large-heartedness are familiar to you وَحَلِيلِ غَانِيَةٍ تَرَكْتُ مُجَدَّلاً = تَمْكُو فَريصَتُهُ كَشِدْقِ الأَعْلَمِ When smiting an opponent he falls to the ground, twitching and quivering; wide gash in his body سَبَقَتْ يَدايَ لَهُ بِعَاجِلِ طَعْنَةٍ = وَرَشَاشِ نَافِذَةٍ كَلَوْنِ العَنْدَمِ My hands greeted him with a swift stab, blood sputtered like deep-red dye هَلاَّ سَأَلْتِ الخَيْلَ يَا ابْنَةَ مَالِكٍ = إِنْ كُنْتِ جَاهِلَةً بِمَا لَمْ تَعْلَمِي 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 إِذْ لا أَزَالُ عَلَى رِحَالةِ سَابِحٍ = نَهْدٍ تَعَاوَرُهُ الكُمَاةُ مُكَلَّمِ Lo! Securely seated in the saddle, atop my noble, speedy steed; pierced repeatedly by weapons of fully armed horsemen; covered with wounds. 6 طَوْرَاً يُجَرَّدُ لِلطِّعَانِ وَتَارَةً = يَأْوِي إلى حَصِدِ القِسِيِّ عَرَمْرِمِ Alternating between fiercely charging the opponents, and running headlong into the center, where spears thickly fall يُخْبِرْكِ مَنْ شَهِدَ الوَقِيعَةَ أَنَّنِي = أَغْشَى الوَغَى وَأَعِفُّ عِنْدَ المَغْنَمِ Those witnessing the battle will tell you how I fearlessly run into the tumult and fight; how I refrain from sharing the spoils وَلَقَدْ ذَكَرْتُكِ وَالرِّمَاحُ نَوَاهِلٌ = مِنِّي وَبِيضُ الْهِنْدِ تَقْطُرُ مِنْ دَمِي I remembered you when spears dipped into my body, drinking deep; sharp, flashing swords dripping with my blood فَوَدِدْتُ تَقْبِيلَ السُّيُوفِ لأَنَّهَا = لَمَعَتْ كَبَارِقِ ثَغْرِكِ الْمُتَبَسِّمِ How I desired then to kiss the swords, because they sparkled like your smiling mouth وَمُدَّجِجٍ كَرِهَ الكُمَاةُ نِزَالَهُ = لا مُمْعِنٍ هَرَبَاً وَلاَ مُسْتَسْلِمِ Behold a stalwart knight armed to the teeth, brave men cautious to cross swords with him! Neither running away from the battle, nor surrendering جَادَتْ لَهُ كَفِّي بِعَاجِلِ طَعْنَةٍ = بِمُثَقَّفٍ صَدْقِ الكُعُوبِ مُقَوَّم My hand presented him with a swift pierce from my straight, steady lance; firmly held فَشَكَكْتُ بِالرُّمْحِ الأَصَمِّ ثِيَابَهُ = لَيْسَ الكَرِيمُ عَلَى القَنَا بِمُحَرَّمِ I pinned his clothes with my solid spear; a noble man is not exempt from javelin thrusts فَتَرَكْتُهُ جَزَرَ السِّبَاعِ يَنُشْنَهُ = يَقْضِمْنَ حُسْنَ بَنَانِهِ وَالمِعْصَمِ I left him for wild beasts of prey to ravage his body; devouring his wrists and fingers, finely shaped ومِشَكِّ سَابِغَةٍ هَتَكْتُ فُرُوجَهَا = بِالسَّيْفِ عَنْ حَامِي الحَقِيقَةِ مُعْلِمِ I charged the enemy's fortified line of defense, and cracked open the guard's long and heavy armor with my sword رَبِذٍ يَدَاهُ بِالقِدَاحِ إِذَا شَتَا = هَتَّاكِ غَايَاتِ التِّجَارِ مُلَوَّمِ The hands of such guard may be skillful in games of chance; he, efficient in targeting wine dealers to secure their stock لَمَّا رَآنِي قَدْ نَزَلْتُ أُرِيدُهُ = أَبْدَى نَواجِذَهُ لِغَيرِ تَبَسُّمِ When he saw me coming on the scene, advancing toward him, he snarled, unsmilingly exposing his teeth عَهْدِي بِهِ مَدَّ النَّهَارِ كَأَنَّمَا = خُضِبَ البَنَانُ وَرَأُسُهُ بِالعِظْلِمِ I moved on him in broad daylight, leaving his head and fingers carmine red بَطَلٍ كَأَنَّ ثِيَابَهُ في سَرْحَةٍ = يُحْذَى نِعَالَ السِّبْتِ ليْسَ بِتَوْأَمِ So tall he was, his clothes as if covering a tree; wearing stout boots, uniquely strong. 7 يَا شَاةَ قَنَصٍ لِمَنْ حَلَّتْ لَهُ = حَرُمَتْ عَلَيَّ وَلَيْتَهَا لَمْ تَحْرُمِ A Ewe(8) (of mine) has been lawfully taken by another! She has been forbidden me, alas فَبَعَثْتُ جَارِيَتي فَقُلْتُ لَهَا اذْهَبِي = فَتَجَسَّسِي أَخْبَارَهَا لِيَ واعْلَمِي I instructed my female servant to go to her camp; to spy and bring me word about her قَالَتْ : رَأَيْتُ مِنَ الأَعَادِي غِرَّةً = وَالشَّاةُ مُمْكِنَةٌ لِمَنْ هُو مُرْتَمِ She said: I found the enemies oblivious; the Ewe is possible for a chivalric gallant وَكَأَنَّمَا التَفَتَتْ بِجِيدِ جَدَايَةٍ = رَشَأٍٍ مِنَ الغِزْلانِ حُرٍّ أَرْثَمِ She turned her slender neck to look; resembling a fawn with a white spot on the upper lip نُبِّئْتُ عَمْرَاً غَيْرَ شَاكِرِ نِعْمَتِي = وَالكُفْرُ مَخْبَثَةٌ لِنَفْسِ المُنْعِمِ I have been told that her father(9) is ungrateful toward me; ingratitude is poison to the giver's soul. This brings to memory Shakespeare's words: rich gifts wax poor when givers prove unkind وَلَقَدْ حَفِظْتُ وَصَاةَ عَمِّي بِالضُّحَى = إِذْ تَقْلِصُ الشَّفَتَانِ عَنْ وَضَحِ الفَمِ I respected my uncle's injunction in the morning; when lips part to reveal the mouth في حَوْمَةِ الْمَوْتِ التي لا تَشْتَكِي = غَمَرَاتِها الأَبْطَالُ غَيْرَ تَغَمْغُمِ In the thick of battle, where death abounds and heroes complain not, nor moan إِذْ يَتَّقُونَ بِيَ الأَسِنَّةَ لَمْ أَخِمْ = عَنْهَا وَلَكنِّي تَضَايَقَ مُقْدَمي They averted the falling spears, shielding themselves behind me. I valiantly fought on, not avoiding the spears; my advancement slowed, notwithstanding ولقَدْ هَمَمْتُ بِغَارَةٍ في لَيْلَةٍ = سَوْدَاءَ حَالِكَةٍ كَلَوْنِ الأَدْلَمِ Once I conducted a raid; on a jetty night, pitch dark لَمَّا سَمِعْتُ نِدَاءَ مُرَّةَ قَدْ عَلاَ = وَابْنَيْ رَبِيعَةَ في الغُبَارِ الأَقْتَمِ As I heard the loud war cry of Murrah and Rabia's two sons; ‘midst thick, murky clouds of dust وَمُحَلِّمٌ يَسْعَوْنَ تَحْتَ لِوَائِهِمْ = وَالْمَوْتُ تَحْتَ لِوَاءِ آلِ مُحَلِّمِ And saw The Muhallam men gathered under their banner; death lurking beneath the banner of the Muhallams أَيْقَنْتُ أَنْ سَيَكُون عِنْدَ لِقَائِهِمْ = ضَرْبٌ يُطِيرُ عَنِ الفِرَاخِ الجُثَّمِ I realized, when clashing with them, the smiting and striking will scare birds away from their nests; abandoning their young بِرَحِيبَةِ الفَرْغَيْنِ يَهْدِي جَرْسُهَا = باللَّيْلِ مُعْتَسَّ الذِّئَابِ الضُّرَّمِ The sound of blood spurting out of deep gashes attracts the roving wolves at night; hunger driven لَمَّا رَأيْتُ القَوْمَ أقْبَلَ جَمْعُهُمْ = يَتَذَامَرُونَ كَرَرْتُ غَيْرَ مُذَمَّمِ When I saw the advance of the adversaries, and heard them urge one another to fight the good fight; I unhesitatingly charged onward.10 يَدْعُونَ عَنْتَرَ وَالرِّمَاحُ كَأَنَّهَا = أَشْطَانُ بِئْرٍ في لَبَانِ الأَدْهَمِ Repeatedly they cried “Antarah”; spears alternating on Adham's(11) bosom like ropes of a deep well مَا زِلْتُ أَرْمِيهُمْ بِثُغْرَةِ نَحْرِهِ = وَلَبَانِهِ حَتَّى تَسَرْبَلَ بِالدَّمِ I pressed on, pounding them with my horse's neck and chest, until he was completely covered with blood فَازْوَرَّ مِنْ وَقْعِ القَنَا بِلَبَانِهِ = وَشَكَا إِلَيَّ بِعَبْرَةٍ وَتَحَمْحُمِ He turned aside, numerous spears falling on his chest; complaining to me with a tear and a heart-melting neigh لَوْ كَانَ يَدْرِي مَا المُحَاوَرَةُ اشْتَكَى = وَلَكانَ لَوْ عَلِمْ الكَلامَ مُكَلِّمِي Had he been able to dialogue, he would have verbalized his complaint; had he been able to talk, he would have conversed with me وَلَقَدْ شَفَى نَفْسِي وَأَبْرَأَ سُقْمَهَا = قِيْلُ الفَوارِسِ وَيْكَ عَنْتَرَ أَقْدِمِ My soul was healed of its malady when I heard the knights call my name, pleading: charge, Antarah, charge وَالخَيْلُ تَقْتَحِمُ الخَبَارَ عَوَابِسَاً = مِنْ بَيْنِ شَيْظَمَةٍ وَأَجْرَدَ شَيْظَمِ Long-bodied trotters angrily charge the battleground; scowling as they proceed, mares and steeds ذُلَلٌ رِكَابِي حَيْثُ شِئْتُ مُشَايعِي = لُبِّي وَأَحْفِزُهُ بِأَمْرٍ مُبْرَمِ My horse, ever close to my heart, is amiable, obeying my wishes, when urging him to make haste; without delay إِنِّي عَدَاني أَنْ أَزوَركِ فَاعْلَمِي = مَا قَدْ عَلِمْتُ وبَعْضُ مَا لَمْ تَعْلَمِي Visiting you is not an option for me; know that which I know, and some of what you don't know حَالَتْ رِماحُ ابْنَي بغيضٍ دُونَكُمْ = وَزَوَتْ جَوَانِي الحَرْبِ مَنْ لم يُجْرِمِ 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 وَلَقَدْ خَشَيْتُ بِأَنْ أَمُوتَ وَلَمْ تَدُرْ = لِلْحَرْبِ دَائِرَةٌ عَلَى ابْنَي ضَمْضَمِ I was afraid to die before war broke out, before I had a chance to take on the two sons of Dhamdham الشَّاتِمَيْ عِرْضِي وَلَمْ أَشْتِمْهُمَا = وَالنَّاذِرِيْنَ إِذْا لَقَيْتُهُمَا دَمِي The have disgraced my honor, yet I refrained from likewise taunting them; they have vowed to spill my blood when they happen upon me إِنْ يَفْعَلا فَلَقَدْ تَرَكْتُ أَبَاهُمَا = جَزَرَ السِّباعِ وَكُلِّ نَسْرٍ قَشْعَمِ No wonder they seek my blood, for I have killed their father; leaving his body for vultures and animals of prey to feed upon. -------------------------- (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.
