1. He spurred his swift steed and set out afar
Yet no seeker attained his goal though he tried hard

2. No pearl in people is like the pearl of the moderate
Who takes the sustenance that came near him

3. And leaves singing girls when they are wronged
And defends the weak and the gold

4. Glory to the father who when destitute
His dignity in humility still sprouted

5. The abode of the generous is not in a land
Where shyness and propriety are spent

6. Why do I see noble deeds neglected
And generosity shunned and prevented

7. We are in constant dispersion, and if
A calamity comes near, tribes gather for it

8. Do I have in fate a trusted brother
Who scorns misfortunes and sins?

9. If you rouse him in anger you see
Rage blazing on the platter of his face

10. Many a despised stance I stood in it
Though none but the noble horse leaps over it

11. And a moment that hides flaws
In which I shook off my doubts

12. And in your two-faced state I saw
Shooting stars flaming in it

13. And a plundering raid on meat
In which I stirred its insolent inhabitants

14. And a miser whom time smiled at
I raced ahead of people asking for him

15. And a friend who shows off to me optional acts
Yet does not do what is obligatory for me

16. He is content with my anger at time but if
One day I am pleased with its changes he gets angry

17. As if rancor is in his ribs
Igniting a fire when I speak ill

18. He does not stop til he sees beauty and I
Did not sculpt with my palms any wood for him

19. I was either educating an ignoramus
Or healing his wounds

20. How many rough roads gave me pure
Water that I thought was cloudy from being stirred

21. Do not give me knowledge of time
Once it was tight for me and once spacious

22. Which worries did not give me advice
And which days did I not spend distracted

23. Hours of vanity pass by quickly
Leaving us toil and fatigue

24. The self should not hope to enjoy
What is to come nor regain what is gone

25. Each living one of us contends with the
Days of life as if pulled away

26. How can one who scarcely earns his keep
Hope for life and being kept?

27. I am of a people when attributed to
They were righteous branches and noble roots

28. Blame cannot trespass their fence
Nor can faultfinders wander in it confused

29. If pleased they give generously
Or if angry they give just as widely

30. If they rode perils it was said
He honored us by giving his life

31. Any impudent person if one day
The clamor of war roars at him

32. And extends a muscular arm in it
Repelling the breasts of warriors in armor

33. How long shall I carry worries without
Ever matching the expansiveness of time?

34. Rights evade me indifferent
When will I seek them out and escape?

35. Rising up to them, either I climbed
A lofty riding beast or a humpbacked ship

36. If I do not choose them like the wild cat who knows
Nothing but breeze and ashes

37. Yielding like an ostrich leaving
Its utmost desire while fleeing

38. I called on Hussein to protect for me
The honor of glories on the day of pride

39. A troop when sorrows encircle them
They snatch the taker and give him presents

40. United in purpose amongst themselves and how much
Did they diverge from others' opinions?

41. He refuses and his protector refuses for him
Except to ride a difficult affair

42. Or to accomplish his need he wants
Only gazelle dung or ostrich plume as means

43. How many wondrous traces he has
That amaze whoever is not accustomed to wonders

44. The speech of one who ponders them is not
"It is not glories or attaining them is playing"

45. Virtues that always prevail
Over the abode of pride after overpowering

46. The eloquent describer is not afraid even if
He exaggerates in it, of blame or lies

47. And you in each day's battle
Rain from clouds whose knots loosen

48. Either a forehead dusty with soil
Or cheeks overflowing with tears

49. Or a group whose locks
Poured over the sides of their cheeks

50. Were it not for you they would be barren spots
Whose tracks are wiped out, no milk flows from them

51. And of the wonders of time is that an insolent one claims
Your merits though he did not prepare to lie

52. He did not know, and ignorance is his nature
That you have gained the first place before him

53. And that one cannot lead a people
In which he was a tail among them

54. A blemish upon men is that they tread
Upon the heel of a man who was their heel

55. Or that they follow for an instant one who
For whoever you wish was a follower for ages

56. And if they flowed you were their tumult
Preceding them and the belt was yours

57. Everyone with insight has seen
That you blocked the non-Arabs and Arabs

58. And led them young and old
And sprouted among them as a young man and grew up

59. If they were kindled you were among them a spark
Or if they died out you were among them a flame

60. And if their discord increased
You slipped in gentle words for them

61. Bringing a separation in speech for them
Cutting off that wrangling and pulling

62. Like the piercing of a spear in its thrust
The blind arrow and the sword if they struck

63. You were among them one who tries
An impregnable fortress and an unassailable refuge