1. I blamed my people, so blame me now or leave me be,
For even if you fall short with me, I'm no failure.

2. No, by Allah! There is no peace in pardoning
Even if the miser's soul shows mercy while hoarding wealth.

3. I protect my honor with money, even if blamed, and buy
Praise - for one seeking praise buys praise regardless of cost.

4. And many bought a good name with their money
For their days, wherever they went and stayed.

5. With it I impress peers wherever I dwell
And fulfill the duties of the righteous and give charity.

6. So either you see me today as safe and sound,
For I'm no coward like dogs and monkeys.

7. Nor am I Abu Jaz' and his slave girl Humaymah -
Their killer and the constant wine drinker.

8. Nor the two one-eyed men on successive nights,
Nor the owner of al-Burrad unadorned.

9. Nor am I like Rabi' insulted for borrowing
A bucket - spare me your shame and be patient.

10. Nor Qais ibn Jaz' the day he called his friends
And they came against him from their dwellings.

11. Death took him above the barren hills of Shutbah
Where the blowing winds pour down rain.

12. He spent the night while the people slept their last night,
For he did not stay at a pressing house.

13. And al-Harrab the gallant, Aamir of virtue,
What a bright early morning visitor!

14. And a neighbor settling in his home -
When dogs bark he does not hide.

15. The people of generosity, resolve and high pursuit
Were Ubaydah and al-Haami wherever sought.

16. And Salma, Salma - people of generosity and attainment!
Whenever his Master called him to victory, he was given victory.

17. While the houses of Tufail in al-Junaynah lie empty
And the houses of Suhayl, as you know, in disrepair.

18. Never did I see a day with more weeping
And beauties risen from decorated beds.

19. Every noble lady makes the silent face of
Anwan and Bukr under perfume sad.

20. And a warrior from the east, a protector
Brave, with a necklace, a leader among the people.

21. A flame of wars - his steeds never stop
Charging the enemies at dawn like lions.

22. And the companion of Malhub - his day aggrieved us,
While at al-Rida' another house like abundant rain.

23. Those - weep for them and lament,
Abu Hazim every day you are remembered!

24. Praise escorted them and their graves were fragrant
With the scent of basil in an illuminated resting place.

25. The family of water from the sky and their knights
Are gone - is there anyone left immortal and long-lived?

26. And those of their brothers and sons who followed them -
Elders and youths - like the gardens of Paradise.

27. They passed on, travelers on the path ahead of them
Radiant, not gloomy, like those gone before.

28. Whenever I saw splendor and a spectacular view
And freeing a prisoner in shackles a mercy...

29. Whenever I saw kings, servants, and a camel litter
Tied with embroidered saddles and fringes...

30. The days destroyed the masters of splendor
Without pause beneath the heavens and the view.

31. And al-Harith the warrior on the day he roused his people -
Had he rallied them they would have come armored.

32. He destroyed the Lord of Kinda and his son in a day
And the Lord of Ma'add between Khabt and Ar'ar.

33. He blinded the one-eyed man from his mountain fortress
And brought down the Lord of al-Muhaqqaq with siege engines.

34. He left behind only Quss, if only I had been
Endowed with Luqman's wisdom and reflection!

35. If you ask who we are, we are just
Birds of these enchanted people.

36. Slaves of donkeys if they rule us
And the workers of Chosroes and Caesar oppress us.

37. We and they are property of donkeys by force
For we have no masters but donkeys!

38. Seventy elders from Tubba
Who all ruled rose gardens one after another.

39. We settle every land, all settled before us,
And hope for success after Aad and donkeys!

40. We and our brethren who passed on
Are like the aggressor and the wandering wind.

41. Is not the soul merely borrowed pleasure
Lent and then returning to its Lord in months?