1. Oh! Every long night when I could not sleep
And every tiresome companion whom I do not like

2. And every union that was not between kindred
Its affections from the rope of passion will wane

3. And the sweetest passion is that which doubted its link
When it strove and the bashful withdrew

4. And the fewness of boon companions is not because of a man’s absence
But rather because true loyalty is so little

5. When we visited while still in the stupor of sleep
And it was time for youth to pass and decline

6. Ulayya visited us but modesty of youth prevented her
Obstacles that were fanciful dreams of adolescence

7. We entertained her with lighthearted talk but there was no
Way to anything else between jest and acceptance

8. If only you had visited us in the throes of passion
We would have drawn you near with tenderness and acceptance

9. You are the flirt of the eye, the seducer of youth
As if you are the kohl of the eyelids, so languid

10. Your figure sways and your cheeks glow
Wherever the necklace falls on you it flows

11. Your mouth gleams, its moisture
With saliva is the lips’ whiteness, clear

12. Your cheek with the rose of modesty is blushing
Your glance with the magic of Babel is tempting

13. But youth is gone and the counsel of elders has come
Even if an ignoramus would wake up from counsel

14. So my friend, what is with me when unemployment comes after
In the blackness of my brows determination appeared

15. And what is with me and addiction to staying when I
Am thus weak in resolve like one who is ill

16. If I set out to travel then the earth has scope
And in livelihood there is earning and in me there is departure

17. I will leave from me the west of every shelter
In which are remnants of temporary dwellings

18. And I will sharpen the blade of rhyming couplets
Against the dispositions of villains there is clashing

19. And the hardship of every important matter is unveiled for me
A night's stay on horseback and departure by camel

20. As if every weak-armed man when he exerts himself
In battle is a warrior

21. I imagine him the gait of a racer, sometimes galloping, sometimes trotting
Not every route on earth is narrow

22. Nor is every wealthy man stingy toward me
Perhaps I will come upon a pony so I find

23. A generous one which to the destitute is a comfort
The generosity of the people of Nabhan toward me and their merit

24. Over the merit of the pony riders is proof
The people of Umar, hunters who are as if

25. They are lions spawn in the dens of Bisha
Muhammad the wise, Nabhan of high resolve

26. And Ahmed of benevolence when he aims his arrows
Three eminent lords, all of them

27. Stalwart heroes, excellent and generous
They urge the generous one of noble descent Samida

28. I smell the width of the two elbows, so long
If asked, he stirs with pleasure toward the call

29. As the honed spear point stirs when polished
So their hoped for support never fails

30. And their neighbor in tribulations is not disgraced
When the family of Nabhan grew great through their father

31. In every people there is precision and sluggishness
O people of Umar, you have come upon the house of your glory

32. With lineage among the most generous that is peerless
You have found and defended your eminence with what is yours

33. Whenever difficulty and aggression befell
He who is generous is praiseworthy so whatever he spends

34. On scarce resources is plentiful
While others have attained wealth and are content with it

35. Yet have no way to noble deeds
He who has nothing but wealth for his honor

36. It protects him with an heir and so is great through him
Great when affluence is held in esteem

37. But on the day of pride it is paltry
As for you, O people of Nabhan, your carpentering

38. Is excellent, and your effort is beautiful
Lights have shone for you in every east and west

39. Of the excellence of nobility that will never decline
I have found for my poetry a purpose in your praise

40. And truthfulness has allowed me to say what I will
So may the people of Nabhan live, people of bounty

41. While misfortune has claimed others with aggression and injustice
Never ceasing to be in the right hand of Muhammad

42. And Nabhan of good fortune and Ahmed of long life