1. If you were in my state, you would not blame me,
Reproaching the estrangement of one whose estrangement is my death.

2. Leave off blaming me, for blame comes from you; never
Was this youthfulness from me, nor my constitution.

3. In the caravans are those who, had they wished, could have excused me
The day we departed in haste.

4. With a pause they did not want me then,
Which would have healed what I complain of in my illness.

5. Had we passed through Wadi Al-Udhayb, he would have known
Who cured my passion while I was busy with you.

6. How many slain damsels spending the night without a grave-shroud,
And blood spilt from anguished hearts on the traces of encampments,

7. And hearts, when their riders were led off,
Tamely submitted to the driving along of the camels.

8. The smooth gait lulls him to sleep, while the bright smiles
Of the gently pacing camels awaken desire.

9. A band at Mina whose mouths, as they gape,
Reach the holes of the slender nose-rein.

10. At al-Muhassab the camel-litters penetrate the throng
With banners from plain and mountain.

11. Those who camp at a body, and the riders—their mounts
Were exhausted there from load and haulage

12. And those who lodged at Arafat, gazing toward
The rising of the sun nearing the rocky hill.

13. The pride of this kingdom has indeed attained
A lofty eminence too high for hands to pluck.

14. Smooth it seems to men, as if held in possession,
While in fact it rests with a man.

15. O you who have deprived me by separation from him in my land,
My country, my family, and my dear companions,

16. And left me after his visit had been
A necklace round my neck, filled out with leisure,

17. I can bear all horrors entirely
And in my parting from you am no weakling.

18. You whom I attained while he was loath to be reached,
Above him to whom my hopes had mounted before.

19. Remaining from the dangling strands of the pride of Samawah
That change of nights has dyed, which it has not dissolved.

20. And from a saying, when the transmitters repeat it,
It is as if in early time it had not been uttered.

21. How many steps I had in your noble presence,
And halts where I feared no stumbling!

22. I would move about trailing the hem of the proud robe
While the proud one forgot the wearer of robes.

23. What glory and pride were mine in your presence!
What good fortune and bounty in your palm!

24. What honor in your noble precinct,
And thronging in your populated abode aforetime!

25. What a one with storehouses has poured them out
At the remotest end of your house, not counted as stingy!

26. Iraq yearns for your presence
With the yearning of the zealot for the rushing cloud.

27. He whom fear of you has rendered reasonable
Has either hesitated or barely escaped from reason.

28. When they sensed treachery, as you grew distant, and when
Through your nearness they ignored it with disdain,

29. I said to the folk made glad by your affability,
“Do not drive him to a desolate wilderness,

30. “So as to turn him from safety to alarm.”
Peace from one who knows the encompassing harm,

31. With no defense, is better than gains
For one who enters in haste.

32. You were warned, but refused the advice
Of one compassionate, and the wilful or insolent is blamed.

33. I gave you free rein, and you thought you had no bridle,
While the holder of the halter does not differentiate loss.

34. Repeatedly you resorted to punishing him,
Though sometimes the offender stumbles and is not corrected.

35. “Yield to us the pride of this kingdom, and leave
The passage of time with an unchanging shadow.”

36. The month of fasting has passed and gone from you,
Commending you with the best words and deeds.

37. Rejoice in this Feast, and accept the good things
God has brought you, whatever you wish, without stinting.

38. Free from all blame,
Sovereign over the ages and reprieves.