Original Poem
أسد علي و في الحرؤب نعامة فتخاء تنفر من صفير الصافر
Translation (English)
A lion against me, but in battles, an ostrich
Cowardly, fleeing from the whistle of the whistler
Historical Context
- Literary Form
- Classical Arabic Poetry
- When Written
- Umayyad period (661–750 CE)
- Background
- This line was written as a satirical criticism of Al-Hajjaj ibn Yusuf, known for his harsh rule. It highlights the contrast between his bravery in speech and cowardice in battle.
Sources: https://www.aleqt.com/2018/09/04/article_1447766.html, https://www.emaratalyoum.com/local-section/2008-09-01-1.233340, https://www.dmi.ae/content/site/aldhadyajmana/ar-ae/programs/197/28762.html, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arabic_poetry
Detailed Explanation
This poem criticizes a person who is brave in speech but cowardly in action. The metaphor of a lion suggests strength and courage, while the ostrich represents cowardice. The imagery of fleeing from a mere whistle emphasizes the extent of the cowardice. This line is often attributed to a poet who criticized Al-Hajjaj ibn Yusuf, a historical figure known for his harshness and tyranny, yet perceived as cowardly in actual combat. The poem uses irony and contrast to highlight the hypocrisy of those who boast of their bravery but fail to act courageously when it matters.
Themes
Literary Devices
Word Dictionary
| Word | Meaning | Translation | Transliteration |
|---|---|---|---|
| أسد | حيوان قوي | lion | asad |
| علي | ضدي | against | 'alay |
| و | و | and | wa |
| في | داخل | in | fi |
| الحرؤب | المعارك | battles | al-huroob |
| نعامة | طائر كبير جبان | ostrich | na'aamah |
| فتخاء | جبانة | cowardly | fatkhaa' |
| تنفر | تهرب | flee | tanfur |
| من | من | from | min |
| صفير | صوت | whistle | safeer |
| الصافر | الذي يصفر | the whistler | al-saafir |
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