1. I've avoided while the ardent cannot avoid
Being faithful, and the heart refuses to waver

2. Oh, for the passion of one whose inner self is enthralled by you!
When you're distant, won't you come closer?

3. My resolve is overpowered by passion’s command
And the lover, foremost, is to softly languish, overruled

4. How many a proud one has been humbled before his beloved!
And how the edicts of passion make the defiant yield!

5. Though after severity you see me, I'll show
Fingertips yellowed by the flames of tribulation

6. Shall they dub the hoary-headed one youthful
While age in an elder is but meet when he frosts?

7. The living throng a meadow where gazelles grazed
And a herdsman snared the bush-raised young

8. It wards me off with hot-tempered rough ones
Ruddy, roseate and white-templed I've grown

9. With the youths I sally to hunt for delight
Till the grove, when daybreak flows through it, trills

10. The zephyrs knit it assorted aged garb
And for it molded bracelets on the hill

11. So there is red interlaced with white gleaming
Mocking in the branches, gilded yellow

12. And lemon-yellow, pure brocade untainted
Save when lips touch it, so it smolders

13. The vine tendrils circle it as though a star
Spun among cup-companions seated in a ring

14. When a hand seizes it, the tendrils in the cup
Bear what drips from it, all red-dyed

15. Have you not seen me in a dream-state try
To wrest some joy whereby my troubled heart is soothed?

16. Else, does the eye espy wherein it may delight?
Can hearing settle the mind into tranquil response?

17. Is there but a lifetime giving you no sweetness
Devoid of bitterness, no draft wholesome?

18. I've followed comrades only for amusement
And in them I see no genteel and cultured soul

19. So many a friend's misstep unimagined by me
Is a shocking breach of manners in my view

20. I've borne the hurt, overlooking the offense
And who is there, if you found flaw, would also condemn?

21. If only there were a brother of sincerity and intuition
We've tested the world and traveled it through

22. My princely lords of Qahtan's line
And the Amir's sons who inherited their father

23. A father who exemplified honor's path
And his sons emulate his fair practice

24. As did Amr son of Amer beget of Azd
From captives of 'Uyun al-Qudamis taken in raids

25. They routed the kings’ Arabs and non-Arabs alike
And won sovereignty over the land, east and west

26. When summoned in dire straits, you see them
Staunch lions, triumph embodied in their might

27. The day of panic needs keen Huroub with bared blades
White and swart, fiery yellow like flames

28. The tribe’s stalwart fortifies him with flexible mail
And he wears black iron armor link by link

29. They hold the routes between Qusayy and Qana
When their steeds dart into the thick of fray

30. To exact vengeance or rescue a victim that cried
And to protect a neighbor or attain their want

31. You may chance on them gathered in their courts
Sitting proud, adorning splendor and grace

32. Elders and youths, you see each honored chief
Revered, obeyed, like the jurist in holy war

33. Bands pay visit from every side
If any kin of theirs should pitch camp and settle

34. Only greetings and welcome are heard
Where their clan resides by travelers going by

35. Else the croaking groan of laden camels
And yells of herders amid vipers and lizards

36. And boiling pots of stew set firm
With seasoned goat meat displaying the feast

37. Those leading lords, as though I see them still
When grief and dejection beset me so

38. These two have followed in their footsteps
And inherited their traits without reserve

39. No excellence or merit they overlook
Or neglect amid acts of glory and fame

40. O Father of Hasan! And O sheikh of Arabs!
In place of them my eye and heart find none

41. God established the prominence of your family
Like a mansion raised up to the stars’ domain

42. Granting you bounty, patience and honesty
And fame made lovely to all souls

43. Neither guest halted at your abodes neglected
Nor bands bound for you left without gifts sent

44. Neither the fearful refugee seeking you finds loss
Nor the hopeful petitioner despairing of relief

45. Nor the praising eulogist in your favor
Considering other than that splendor truer or better

46. So you live out your lives honored lords
Enjoying the finest existence in these times

47. With feast and offerings on holy days you obtained
What you wished in prosperity, steady as stars