1. No harm in feeding you, though I find it distasteful,
When at home I have stores of grain piled up.

2. Had one who was starving and on the verge of death
Come to me, from a wretched life debarred from good,

3. He would have found me niggardly and stinting,
Urging my mount by night towards the highlands,

4. Until the night patrol and gloom enfolded us
And the brushwood tore my feet and legs to shreds.

5. Thorns have come between me and my camp site,
A shuddering lion with legs splayed to rip the ground.

6. Between my beard and temples, from the bitterness of hunger,
Is a long-drawn wheeze and rasping hiss.

7. He has the same exhaustion as Hajjaj and his brothers
From our exertions, unless for him some indulgence and sweetmeats.

8. Would that my share of victuals from both of you
Were enough to keep my greed away from you!

9. Truly, no man will gainsay you,
As though it showed white against the skin, the brand.

10. Would I knew why man's dreams raise him to hope
When man has no security at all in life.

11. Shall I ever reward you for your loan
When a loan is requited by a loan agreed beforehand?