1. The forgiving one from Umm Amr's tribe became desolate, so they both changed.
And time changed it after me, so they both altered.

2. Its people were replaced by others and it was substituted
With a substitution for it other than it, though once populated.

3. Until an era when their renown persisted
Due to circumstances beyond your own soul's capacity.

4. The gathering of the living was brief until they separated,
And it was better for them to separate.

5. But the occasional visitor revived by yearning after an absence,
And much praise, his fervor was stirred and he was reminded.

6. An apparition set out from Umm Amr's abode, and beneath it
Were rising dunes, smoothly flowing.

7. As if they were the settings of stars coming one after another
Towards water that became turbulent.

8. So I said: Oh how youth has eluded us,
And the freshness of youth gave notice of its departure.

9. Events came between us after your time,
And enmity went beyond recreation, so it was cut short.

10. Matters, children, and a state that changed for us;
Inward and outward, O Umm Amr, they altered.

11. We were struck with what - had it struck those pleased -
Would have smoothed what became rough of its pillars.

12. So how often did you find one who felt secure, and now is apprehensive?
And one with a known bounty, then he denied it?

13. With the white-faced one, whose face is begged to bring rain,
When chosen, they say no less could have been chosen.

14. An orphan's rags that heal wounds when touched,
And a gallant who - when rags of dishonor clothe him - denies it.

15. One patient with hated things that would vex a young man,
And bitter - when bitterness is sought - he admits it.

16. Among those who raise glory and ascendancy through mention,
When none persists except the generous in order to be mentioned.

17. And a comrade - when pretenders inquire -
Where goodness remains, in order to be affected by it.

18. We searched but did not stumble due to what befell us,
And had he been alive like us, he would have stumbled upon it.

19. Our time never failed to burden us,
But we were stoic in order to be patient.

20. So he passed away while we were attending to him, but did not find
One late in coming to ward off destiny.

21. As if he had never been one of us and we did not seek aid through him
Against the strokes of fate, except by remembering him.

22. We buttressed the stalks of our lives against the hints of death
And your seriousness to protect its branches from being severed

23. By a handful in a crevice, we prevented
The floods of enemies from fear of being ripped to shreds.

24. The dispraise of us refused - when our people
Speak of our reputations, they praise in embellished terms.

25. And we - when the tribes of people come -
Bring forth a tribe that makes the people blossom.

26. You see every tribe fear it out of dread,
As non-Arabs fear the mighty adorned king.

27. And a dilemma none can resolve is presented,
So when mentioned it brings renown and pride.

28. I repelled when men despaired of repelling it,
And the tribe's refuge from its distress became enervated.

29. We took it into our own hands, and its repulsiveness returned
Submissively, and we had responded to defend an ally

30. Without his assistance or wronging by an oppressor;
We supported him when he stood supported.

31. So if we survive the horrors our people feared upon us,
Then God has facilitated what He willed.

32. And if time overcomes us, it had overcome before us
Kings of Bani Nasr, Kisra, and Caesar.

33. Our forefathers - we are but their sons -
We will meet what they met, a destined annihilation.

34. And covering the defects of a kinsman's words,
Even if he did wrong and shunned relations.

35. Honoring a comrade out of zeal and patronage
For one brought low - our time has grown deceitful.

36. And one of small gifts who blamed me to reach me
So I made his extent fall short of my capacity.

37. And he denied the flaws of the criticizers, my tolerance,
And my patience when the matter was frustrating and vexing.

38. I - when death is not beyond the span of a hand - protect my self-respect lest I delay.
And a matter I seized like the hilt of a sword, I held to it

39. When the affair wearied the course of affairs as a source.
If time treats me with enmity and strikes me

40. With doubt, affairs do not equate people.
So I am neither downcast by calamity nor

41. Swayed if the turns of fate change.
And days have preserved in me a recollection

42. Of all I endured and a remembered glory.
So I am not - when woes come - desperate,

43. Nor dejected if time grew estranged.