1. From the family of Wail and the end of night a visitor
Below us the valley of Al-Awair, and palm-trees,

2. He came over the side of Mount Haif, with horseshoes
Striking sparks, yet how could Mount Haif have horseshoes striking sparks?

3. The doors of Howarin turn away from us
The hopeless turning, disturbed by arguments,

4. So I said to them, “My booty!” - for my friends
Are my weapons, and the tendons of my arms can still draw the bowstring.

5. With anxiety that saddened my heart, then it left
Like a companion of travel, and the young she-camels stride fast.

6. None can achieve their wants save by daring
Against the son of Abu Sufyan, only the venturesome.

7. For we have a neighbor whose ropes we have bound
Like rain refreshing life, which no neighbor can ever wear out,

8. And a mother who surpassed mothers in her care for us,
Truthful in praise, of high and noble descent.

9. No mother but ‘Atiyyah, whom God gave a son, and he
Is thankful - she is the sun, and the new moon is like her son.

10. They are stars in the heavens, shining together,
She reminds him of kindness, being full of life,

11. And one of mature mind is at times mindful and grateful,
As the gentle south wind welcomed a soft rain,

12. And the showers of the clouds poured down abundant rain,
It encountered the bright face of Wadah, as if it were

13. A lamp in the darkness, towards which the lost wanderers throng.
So excellent was the praise of a sincere brother

14. Whose requests on the morrow will succeed, and his face is joyous,
Imagination sports in the darkness with him,

15. A thing of beauty from which all veils are lifted,
Rosebuds on slender stalks whose buds reach as high

16. As the ostrich, unafraid of any claw or talon,
And eyes like the water of springs, shaded by

17. Eyelashes like the shutter-panels of the litter,
From the plumpness of the cheeks, bones like

18. Eagles in the desert of As-Sumainah breaking bones,
Sighing with languor beneath their shade

19. Like stones heated by burning logs in the dark,
As a fire-stick blew on the darkness of night

20. Its sparks flying upward from glowing embers,
So when she stood, her anklets jingling,

21. The listening women were captivated by her call,
Slender garments at the edge of her skirts, as though

22. They were ostriches’ feet, with abundant feathers,
Racing camels spent the night at Sahab, and dawn

23. Found them at Dhi Qur, the desert waste behind them,
Tall, long-armed, as though fearing, and on his guard,

24. Hurling the empty wastes with his spear, when the weaklings slept,
Look, my friend, can you see any gazelles

25. With delicate legs whom the does have left behind?
He called them from between two saddles, a pregnant she-camel,

26. Tents at Ukkash, with enclosures,
Bearing their burdens until I said they were not

27. Human limbs, where the shameless man slept.
They climbed the high Najdi saddlecloth, as though it were

28. Blood flowing from the inside of the slaughtered beast.
So when they left the abode I said, she is like

29. Wild cows with tall humps departing.
Or does, does on the bend above Wasit,

30. Fat of haunch, or a Danite she-camel, ripe with milk.
So the driver hastened on the beautiful creatures,

31. And sent them into the night, a herd hastening early,
They could only say at evening: “Our people have gone on,”

32. “Rise, for we are dependent on you.”
Then they turned aside in the Wadi of the Commander,

33. When the glaring heat was still, and the sirocco winds joined forces,
Gazelles, innocent virgins, hiding their necks

34. Like sheep that slept while only the brave stood guard.
They bent their heads away after they saw

35. The does, the does of Ghena, neighbors who have come near,
And Ziyad said, when their caravan was hidden from sight:

36. “I see the living ones have departed; will you too depart?”
“If any tinkle of bells reaches us from the family

37. We will lift up our spear-shafts and proceed in order,
Galloping on lively Mashoof mounts that race until

38. The hot wind has withered them and the caves stand empty.”
Then she came with camphor and aloes-wood

39. Of Shami, fanned over embers to kindle its perfume,