1. I swear by Him in whose abode the Quraysh sought refuge
And circumambulated on the day of circumambulation and exalted

2. By the pebbles that are cast in Mina
As he made his way to the glowing pillar

3. And the valley where pigeons savor their water
Where nothing remains but the consecrated unkempt camel

4. And the throng to which bald eagles flocked
Their young bleating as the yearlings bleat

5. The tent-curtains sway over them in the morning
Like ships on a sea of kin that seethe

6. And the day the pilgrims stand on the ground
Stumbling over them as their sins are forgiven

7. They came to him, captives of atrocities, to bid farewell
Among them only the untrammeled and liberated

8. Verily the faith was ruptured on the day of Karbala
Like pottery that cannot be consoled or repaired

9. Either taken captive by spears or slain
Sprawled in the dust, sprinkled with earth

10. And the wounded, as chosen by spears and blades
And the dead, as determined by predators and eagles

11. Their faces in the dark night like lamps that shine
Anointed with basil, spirit, and mercy

12. And perfumed by the fragrances of Heaven and rain
Say to the people of war, in whose hearts

13. Are latent treasures soon to appear
You supposed, though some assumption is frailty and neglect

14. That what I gave would not be mentioned
Never! Horses, camel litters, spears abjure

15. Streams of Fatimid blood spilled
You are not equal, though you conquered those

16. But destiny ordains among the people
If you gained an arrogant kingdom

17. You got what Chosroes and Caesar got
After your betrayal of one who never

18. Through time betrayed
You will have only censures that consume your flesh

19. Or scandal propagated through the lands
A connection between us is severed

20. And a kinship that bends and straightens
Does it help that your roots divided us

21. When we have roots that shelter and console us?
The youth's limb, if paralyzed, is no longer his limb

22. Nor are scattered flocks the shepherd's flock
There must come a day when the sky is dust

23. And the ground red from the plenty of blood
You are like debris in torrents

24. Tossed by the hands of storms
Heads will fall from you like stars in the sky

25. And that fiery blaze will hide from you
A vengeful one long disappointed will have vengeance

26. And time may favor one who does not prevail