LessonsImruʾ al-Qays: Dialogue in ʿUnayzah’s Litter, Boasting, and an Oath (Verses 13–18)Quiz

فَقُلْتُ لَهَا سِيرِي وَأَرْخِي زِمَامَهُ
وَلَا تُبْعِدِينِي مِنْ جَنَاكِ الْمُعَلَّلِ
I said to her: “Keep going and loosen its rein; do not keep me away from the sweetness of your repeatedly bestowed affection.”

Sīrī and arkhī are both feminine singular imperatives. The poet urges her to continue the ride and slacken the reins, then joins the practical request to his desire for closeness.

In janāki al-muʿallal, janā originally denotes fruit that has been gathered. The image treats the beloved’s affection and delight as a kind of fruit, establishing the metaphor that shapes the second half-line.

Opening interactive controls...

Verse 15: the poet’s reply and the loosened rein

Imruʾ al-Qays: Dialogue in ʿUnayzah’s Litter, Boasting, and an Oath (Verses 13–18)

فَقُلْتُ لَهَا سِيرِي وَأَرْخِي زِمَامَهُ
وَلَا تُبْعِدِينِي مِنْ جَنَاكِ الْمُعَلَّلِ
I said to her: “Keep going and loosen its rein; do not keep me away from the sweetness of your repeatedly bestowed affection.”

Sīrī and arkhī are both feminine singular imperatives. The poet urges her to continue the ride and slacken the reins, then joins the practical request to his desire for closeness.

In janāki al-muʿallal, janā originally denotes fruit that has been gathered. The image treats the beloved’s affection and delight as a kind of fruit, establishing the metaphor that shapes the second half-line.