1. Escape, escape to the land of Najd
Before the heart becomes attached with passion

2. That soil surely grows longing
In the desolate, lifeless pastures

3. How many nights it became a goal and morning
Found him raving about a she-camel or mule

4. And gazelles in which the confidantes meet
And the estranged - of camels in troops

5. With some scattered smiles it entices
And some frowns of eyebrows it wards off

6. And teeth that if not for grace would be thought
Like the fangs of a lion tearing apart prey

7. And talk - when we hear it we cannot tell
If it intoxicated us or infused us with honey

8. Cheeks averse to the veils of ornament and splendor
Which they have veiled with roses

9. They have refrained from their gatherings since they shrouded
Themselves from their lovers with distance and rejection

10. Neither dwelling at ease, nor riding about proudly
Flanks that girths rub sore traveling far and wide

11. After you neither camp nor water of longing
If you desert it with rejection and avoidance

12. And the heart that you knew to be passionate
Its long injustice and transgression have calmed

13. You want no other signs of my longing
Besides what I moan and make obvious

14. A liver - whenever I place my hand on it
It is said: "You are striking hot iron"

15. And eyelids - my tears flow continuously and the
Waters of the sea rest between ebb and flow

16. O sons of Murrah ibn Zuhl! Your father
Is not your father - and your grandfather of any lineage

17. Stallions with the faces of virgins, and virgins
With a mark that has spread over the heads of the noble

18. Of youths with the forbearance of elders
And elders with the vitality of colts

19. I am one of you when we come to know
Each other - we huddle together like a circle of ants

20. There is no difference in lineage between us
Except my life of civilization and luxury

21. For you are the spears, the swords, and I have
What you love of eloquence and glory

22. Deliver me from your captivity or I will call out
To the One who saves prisoners and ransoms

23. By my father al-Qasim who planted the roots
Of praise and gratitude in the soil of my composition

24. Whenever the breeze blows with questioning
Above his branches, pearls are scattered

25. In his presence are two clouds of shade
And rain without lightning or thunder

26. Mankind has allowed the wicked power over him
Since the saint called them with mercy

27. He has chosen the most noble until we said:
"Is it lightning that created them or a necklace of pearls?"

28. The difference between him and others
Is the difference between a sea inlet and a watering hole

29. What plant is in that smooth plain, what water
For pasture and flowers?

30. You do not see it except on the shoulder of honor
Driving the highborn with seriousness and effort

31. How many enemies has he killed with threats?
And fugitives has he revived with promises?

32. You cannot tell if the Adorner fashioned it
From the embellishments of a garden or strung its pearls

33. And through good deeds people attribute
Themselves to glory, not maternal or paternal lineage

34. A rising sun in the gloom of tribulations
Except shadows - from his opinions stars of fortune

35. Resolute determinations that do not respond
To a slanderer, and forbearance not stirred to anger by malice

36. And a brilliance - if it belonged to a sword
It would not have yearned in its sheath for the battle

37. We saw in him wondrous qualities
Fruits harvested from Indian teak trees

38. He captivated people with his noble deeds and virtues
He was bounteous to the free man like date wine from a jar

39. He is not pleased with clothes
Except what praise illuminates and grants immunity

40. Eyes always wonder about him
"Has he dressed in gratitude or fine linen?"

41. Secure whatever fortresses and citadels you want
For his sublime qualities cannot be numbered

42. And if the eyes of enviers look at him
It is with aspects of blame and condemnation

43. O you who hate him - if you were counted like locusts
Swarms of you are defeated by his plots

44. And it is the same if in his lifetime
He acted with ethics or with mere whims

45. A swift horse the hawks do not compete with
Except with great difficulty and exertion

46. May God increase you - the downpour of winter
Its flood does not stop at any limit

47. In a spring the peer of the Gardens of Eden
And lands all being the Abode of Eternity

48. If I am absent from you then my tongue in gratitude
Does not tire, nor my heart in praise

49. And they are the youngest - if not for them
The wilderness would be like a barren plain

50. I inform people - deliver them or bring them together
Can a gold coin be attained except with the like?