1. O you who sit atop the Suhwah of 'Ubayyan
With a dark complexion and Yemeni horse gear

2. You conceal your swift gallop across the universe as though it were nothing
Hiding from the meetings of fate since my time

3. Take my letter to the chief of Jabal Huran
Of Arab and Armenian positions, the notables all

4. Incline to the abode of Shibli Bey in his bureau
Greet him alive and mighty through my tongue

5. Tell them were Shibli to die, the pillar of civilization's abode destroyed
My love for the Bey would hold dear the place

6. A position rivaling the Emirate of Banu Nabhan
Safer than the melodies sung by the aged poets

7. Greet the horsemen, men of intellect, riders of distinction
White turbans and banners of Isfahan

8. Their slaps bewilder doctor Luqman
Lions cower should they unsheathe blades

9. Their stabs constantly sting snakes
Breastplates split by their strikes and teeth

10. They invaded 'Anazi, Shammar, and Ibn Sha'lan
Reached the feats of Antar and Hani

11. Their arrival startled the shepherd boys
Shibli, Abu Mahmud, pillar of Yemen

12. Before the Kharas were united by rulers
Since the year evil deeds became clear to me

13. I saw the lion cut off in the woods plain as day
The wolves descended on him, first and again

14. I saw a star fall as dawn broke with clouds
Trembling mountains, hearing the news from Samhadani

15. The pillar of Sweden collapsed, the towers in ruins
The home of the great one and his heroic in-law

16. The lion's den became devastated in the east
The cubs scattered into the thickets

17. Oh what a loss, the beasts of the valley disappeared from sight
Protector of sanctuaries, walking every path

18. The regiment of the honored Ma'ruf, pillar of Houran
Whose hearts had been filled with me

19. In the east no women were raised like the Bedouin girls
Nor the girls of Karj or the Turkmen

20. A position and spring quenching all who thirst
In the abode of Tarshan, founder and builder

21. Oh house, how much glory and ministers visited you
And what processions humiliated came to you

22. Oh house, you were home to the chiefs and rulers
Shading all criminals and sinners

23. You receive the letters of the morning, though civilization's abode is ruined
Some congratulate while others request aid

24. Depicting Salakhid and the fortress of Dhardukhan
Shaken, the pillar of civilization - was it ever civilized?

25. Zainab weeps for you, O Hasan son of Sarhan
Patron of the aristocracy, mother of purpose

26. O builder of the hall upon ten pillars
Surpassing the fortress of 'Ali and Trashani

27. Its furnishings woven by the skilled of Khurasan
Its carpets expensive, of Isfahan

28. Its curtains embroidered with shapes and colors
Of the finest brocade and purple silk

29. Its furnishings, one would think a sultan's abode
Diwan of Kisra owner of the curved sword

30. Its mill never ceases grinding night and day
Four measures of coffee and spices mixed

31. Ambergris and aloewood never lacking in it
Grape molasses and perfumes fill the jars

32. The morning star spills hundreds of cups
The foreign-born servants of the peaceable people

33. Its guests honored with lamb meat
And pure rice and saffron

34. Servants offer drinks of diverse shapes and colors
How many cups shattered in its hall

35. It's balcony overlooks a garden paradise
A heaven, Eden, and the Eternal Garden

36. Its trees are grapes, figs, and pomegranate
Peaches, apples, and apricots

37. Bushes of myrtle, roses, lilies, and jasmine
Carnation blooms with fragrant basil

38. Birds of all kinds and colors sing
Turtledoves, shrikes, and partridges

39. Ducks, peacocks, and guinea fowl
Under Shibli they frolicked without fear

40. Protector of sanctuaries with the curved Yemeni sword
Today carrion crows take what was theirs

41. Swooping to the place of the Pleiades
Today they head towards Paradise

42. The eternal abode, haven of the peaceful
O Bey, ponder the explanation and meanings

43. Before the cupbearer serves your drink
After you, O Bey, the people of the house will despair

44. The nights' rotations do not favor the place
I warn you of fate - fate is a traitor

45. It has toppled so many buildings and rebuilt them
Your world, so long as it remained for you, was like Kisra's and Canaan's

46. It betrayed Dhul Qarnayn who turned back time
Whoever hopes in it is always disappointed

47. It does not submit to the home of misery and wishes
Master of the Ghazals, without doubt you have triumphed

48. Fame and reputation lasting, not fleeting
Your friend who misses you, Abu Khalid al-Halabi