1. The camp of Sa'ada has set forth singing,
Though you did not keep the tryst at the appointed time.

2. It departed though parting from you gripped it tomorrow,
And you did not provide yourself with provisions ere the separation.

3. You still, after it appeared, have a brother sorrow
Who revives cares with weeping and sighing,

4. And it inclines, whenever it warbles and tightens
Its tent ropes, under the moonlight in the valley.

5. And it still, whenever I say, startles it
The voice of the raven—its song saddens the guide.

6. Until its soul has grown accustomed to anxiety
And habituated what was unaccustomed before.

7. Not like what its intimates knew of it before
Of laughter that came, while serious on the righteous.

8. When I would drag my train in the pasture of comfort
And among the leaves of saplings my carpet.

9. And when I came near, dawn would shine for love
Suns unguided in setting upon the horizon.

10. I would sport with every gazelle whose face was a moon
On a figure like a sapling of acacia, supple.

11. It would slacken from one of setting in its inclination
The unhealthy would recover and the sufferer of colic be healed.

12. It would revive the bedridden with gentle sides
Scented with pure musk and aromatic root.

13. I shared with them for a time cups of diversion
Near boon companions, tall, of long, flowing hair.

14. Then I refrained, and white hair prevented my vigor,
And maturity darkened my blackness and gave me wisdom.

15. And I say, when the south wind blows,
With scents from the struggle of rain or the clouds' procession:

16. "O rain of yesterday and this morn in our dwellings,
With abundant downpour amidst the encampment and then the valley,

17. The sweet singer in the thicket of aromatic herbs,
Of glory, from the Bani Nubhan, of renowned deeds,

18. Noble ones, each day who grant us
Of their benevolence, increase and supply.

19. They ruled, especially Dhuhl and Ya'rub, amidst
Situations inspiring awe, or in the scene of the assembly,

20. The glory of the two steadfast ones, their eminence
Increased, and their pride in their fathers and forefathers.

21. The Yamanites built for them in the branch of the Exalted
A house without pegs or tent poles.

22. The people of distinction, and kings of men in Cordoba
In the land, between soft ground and hard.

23. The trusted one, clever, active, when
The slaps of fate having clasps come down.

24. The protectors of the reins of the one taking refuge in them,
The repellers of the passersby of the common road.

25. The riders of the carriage horses, every well-bred
And excellent steed of noble descent.

26. The plungers into the thick of war, whom
Battle horses carry, swooping under the clamor.

27. The wearers of coats of mail, each interlinked,
Perfectly constructed by the hand of Dawood.

28. The bearers of spears for thrusting in haste
Between armor and breasts and livers.

29. The polishers of Yemeni swords
Sheathed amidst skulls and shoulders.

30. The responders to the call of the helpless,
The repellers—and they were the best at repelling.

31. The companions of captives in their homes
Of kings, in shackles and chains.

32. The subduers of all the kings of earth
With might, of whoever is present or absent among men.

33. The obtainers of pure water despite exhaustion,
Never turbid one day, disposed to clearing.

34. The avengers from oppressors of their vengeance,
Not sleeping, while angry and resentful.

35. They are the viceroys of the Exalted and kings in Yemen,
And they are the protectors of the rightly guided community.

36. They gave protection and refuge to the Messenger of God when
Quraish broke faith with him and drove him away.

37. They established the religion the Messenger brought
Until it stood straight, without bending.

38. So let them boast, and make others boast over their enemies,
That they have no equals.

39. And let Dhuhl and Ya'rub boast—do you see
Increase over this for the boastful?

40. Except by her enhanced beauty
And the surpassing merit known and hidden.

41. And by spending wealth and bestowal overflowing
On neighbors, and honor and corruption.

42. You see delegations of wealth and power with them
Pasturing amidst gardens among landmarks.

43. O my lords of Qahtan's great ones, O Dhuhl
And Ya'rub, the clouds I hope for.

44. This praise I have enumerated, how much for you,
I cannot enumerate, so many to count.

45. For you are the two lofty enduring ones,
On power and strength of causes and pillars.

46. And for the hostile envier, O Abu Hassan,
And O Father of the Arabs, your protector against enmity,

47. You remain, and may God prolong your power,
Enjoying wealth and children,

48. Until you take pride together in your assemblies—
My praise and acclaim increase your joy.

49. And may thanks to you and your righteousness for me
Endure, and may your envier sleep resentful of me.

50. And endure for a fast and breakfast that make you happy
In Yemen during Ramadans and holidays.