1. On the sand dunes of al-‘Aqīq is a tent
Stocked by one who cured all sickness

2. We do not hope to meet again
Except in dreams of cheeks so soft

3. I love and though we have some fault
A specter comes to me, a faithful envoy

4. Who after being stingy gives generously
And my drowsy self makes excuses and persuades

5. Dawn broke and darkness was our code
With fresh dates had it been morn they’d be forbidden

6. I found in her a safe loved one
And a visit that removes all worries

7. Whenever I loved her I found
A presence akin to nonexistence

8. My soul knows not why it was loved
Nor who was so generous to it

9. I wondered, O reddish dark one, at hair
Spreading through my temples with a smile

10. If I had an order obeyed
I’d protect my hair and head from turning white

11. You are unfair to the whiteness on my head
And to the dawn in the dark tresses

12. You called it an injustice—its color
Like embers, though the color you want tells of coal

13. The dye of darkness is far from ugly
Yet the dye of darkness remains accused

14. One who lives is not marred by time
His temples turned white or he grew old

15. Don’t you see the flashing lightning
Its gleam comes to me from fever

16. Jaundiced eyelids, walking proudly
Covered in either blood or red dye

17. If not for my disappearance in the dark its flash
Would show a shameful state

18. I know not what its use is but
Its bridle reminds me of one who owned the banner

19. I wondered at an arrow that aimed for me
Yet no blood was shed for me by it

20. And I'm amazed at one whom love destroyed
His heart, surprising one who was saved

21. Tell the clan of Harith to leave my grace be
You are not ones who share grace

22. Grace is shared by every cross lad
Bold on a day of fighting if he but believed

23. You see him if ruin was feared, wandering
Pouring the causes of ruin, with collar charms

24. You hid your hatred of us for years
But now what you concealed spreads

25. You left us like discarded fat
That anyone who wanted could pick at

26. Had you kept your riffraff away
From withered grounds they wouldn’t have caught fire

27. Oft were we and you but laggards
Fleeing either slave or battered

28. You blamed us ignorant when
You blamed one who was more ignorant among you

29. As for what you asked for that we own
We didn't leave it with us well-lodged

30. So what you connected and asked for
Came back broken, torn down or collapsed

31. What fed you though you did not deserve
Ambitions, hopes, food or drink?

32. You left your own honor given away
Yet protected your coins and dirham

33. You said leatherwork is all the same
While more hides surpass red hide in merit

34. Daily you have someone befriend me
His affection shining then darkening

35. He'd swear always to favor me but
Broke it, an oath I heard him give

36. Crooked he is, whenever he flatters me
I find a friend who makes straight

37. If you take pride in prosperous peace
Our people knew no luxury

38. They stayed up nights in the dark, and you
Were only fasting amid plenty's frustration

39. Don't feel safe from a lion in its den
A lion can pounce if it but intended

40. And beware a people's champion if
He missed his chance—one who did intend

41. How long will you pain me so
Swelling an illness that refuses swelling?

42. The wishes you harbor—have you gained them
Besides drink or food?

43. We live in an abode of humiliation
Given bitter drinks daily

44. Good deeds go unrewarded
And the criminal fears no crime

45. Rise to dignity—so one who dislikes trouble
If he won't hand out gifts finds no solace

46. I see the captives' backs being thrashed
Weary of either family or tombs

47. And atop them every dreadful lion
When it pounces ties or increases bonds

48. A people, if they fight or defeat
They know no tiredness or boredom

49. The leaders of assemblies, and lions, whenever
Fighting with lances is most heated among them

50. They repelled horses from their lands
And poured gifts on cameleers

51. Leave the lowland trees to whoever can take them—
Either gatherers or peacemakers

52. A man—not every man—but a man
Who reined in the passions of love or rage

53. Sustenance comes to you without your reaching
Neither palms nor steps make effort

54. Sustenance does not alight on one seeking it
Always sheltering from abandoned camps

55. Nor does wealth settle on one who denies guests
When will tight fists be split with something wedged?

56. God does not shepherd a severed bond
Widening it after a loss with regret