1. I grew older, my hair turned white, and pleasures left me,
As if I had not grown old or turned grey.

2. If not for piety and the beauty of patience,
The companions would not find in me anything but nonsense and play.

3. If I satisfy the causes of passion as a youth,
It would carry me and them in the cycle of joy,

4. Until it is said, “The young man is tempted
As if he made the blood of grapes permissible or coveted it.”

5. Where cups of wine are accompanied
By the redness of cheeks, water of darkness and mustache,

6. Facing every slow gait of the swaying one
Whose joints will be bent tomorrow like reeds.

7. She quenches the pain of her companion
With the ardour her fervor holds.

8. Good is the passion of one satisfied at heart and this one too
If it were not for the concordance of the passion of both.

9. Gray hair, even if its form alarmed you,
Cannot prevent the union of the intimate and well-mannered company.

10. In the gray-haired are refined morals
Of manliness, experience, and discipline.

11. The God-fearing gray-haired you see is in piety and prohibition for the Hereafter,
Even if he lived amid weakness and senility.

12. If not for provisioning from the Hereafter,
The free person would have no joy in it.

13. Accompanying the people of this time based on
Deceitful consciences is the worst company.

14. The most devout youth is still told,
“He leaned towards injustice,” or, “He presented some lies.”

15. The generous person of the people remains tolerant
Of blood and no crime, or something without cause.

16. The free person may see in the misery of the lowly
As the eclipse of the sun by the moon.

17. The best life is that whose doctrine is sound
Or whose pursuit is through permitted means.

18. Taking refuge in prolonged idleness,
Even if enjoying comfort, is only the joy of itchiness.

19. The God-fearing, pleased with his conduct
Amidst hardship, hopes for a good change.

20. O you who seek wealth, strive for it, there is no
Sin or shame if you gather it through seeking.

21. Ask the lineage of the Banū Nabhān, Banū ‘Umar,
The long-lived, and seek help from Abū Al-‘Arab.

22. You will find gifts and bounties pouring forth
From the open hand of Ya‘rub of abundant generosity.

23. In a secure quarter, at a pasture of prosperity,
Shaded and called by the clouds.

24. From the generosity of the most magnificent you will find in his virtues,
One similar to him in ancestry and father.

25. Bestow upon the ascetics every honor
And in humility, one prompt to the ranks.

26. He who if called to confrontation does not
Harm, and whoever asks favor is not deprived.

27. If, O Abū Al-‘Arab, you inquire about his traits
And his actions whether pleased or angry.

28. You will find Ya‘rub naturally disposed
To a wisdom sharper than musk or purer than gold.

29. He begins and ends his day in the garb of care and dew,
Adorned with the rectitude of religion and lineage.

30. Whoever’s deeds are good and speech is
Just, like Ya‘rub fulfilled the legitimacy of ancestry.

31. Whoever is absent, striving for his family and children
As he strives for the heights and religion, is not absent.

32. This is Najīb bin Nabhān, his heir,
Abū Al-Mu‘ammar, of noble elite traits.

33. The chiefs of Azd in mighty ‘Atīk, theirs is
A house without pegs or ropes.

34. A house protected by the bare veterans ‘Ādiyya
With swords like lions of the dense jungle.

35. Prey so fierce their souls refuse
To turn away from the battle, even when urged to flee.

36. Conquests, when in battle their attire
Is smooth mail under white garments and armor.

37. When an army sets out for them and they have intended
For a people, preceded by an army of fear.

38. So this is the description of the Azd, who
Are kings of Qahtan, people of honor and conquest.

39. From ‘Atīk the Yamanis, through whom
Azd attained the house of honor among Arabs.

40. And Aus and Khazraj, the Ansar, warded off
From the Messenger and gave him refuge when he fled.

41. They fought with him against the people of misguidance together
Until He who had not answered responded to him.

42. So the religion of God became mighty in the land and
His banners spread and he brought the wondrous miracle.

43. And their pride in Azd altogether
Flowed from a descendant of theirs to a descendant.

44. Until their glory and pride ended with
The Banū Kahlān, for Azd they are like the celestial pole.

45. Congratulations O Ya‘rub, excellent accounts are
Preserved for you in minds and books.

46. In them is the best of what is mentioned and heard
Among witnesses, whether poetry or speeches.

47. Convey, O Abū Al-‘Arab, these all-encompassing well-wishes,
May you have good fortune among family and lineage.

48. Live long, encountering every benefit
From time, protected from afflictions.

49. And may every year the feast returns with blessings,
Your share in them abundant, without toil.

50. And delight in them from a bride in her necklaces
And in her resting places she remains for ages.