1. O riders of swift camels traveling by night
Urging on the necks of clouds to hasten their pace

2. Urging frightened, darting wild cats
Fleeing the strikes of gallant warriors and their blows

3. I too flee like them, a coward in the dark
Fleeing the smoke of the kindling wicks I lit

4. Bounding, leaping, heedless in their haste
The gazelles flee, their fawns unable to keep pace

5. Like the visions of a dream, though their visitors
Are real as the echo resounding from a valley

6. Necks writhing, twisting, compliant
Like the necks of gazelles it seems they are

7. And their eyes contend with the shades of night
As the kohl on their heavy lids can attest

8. Their arms like pillars, their ankles fine
Like bangles – and the bracelets on their wrists

9. Their thighs like folded scrolls, ripe and full
As if sculpted by the hand of a master of ninety perfect nights

10. Beautiful brides like pearls from oyster shells
In silks and satins have they been adorned

11. With veils of thin Brussa silk
Above them wave plumes of the ostrich’s feathers

12. Their jewelry – the artisans of Iraq exhaust their skill
Twisting gold wire and setting precious stones

13. Were it not for the dust their guides whip up
The crows would swoop down and drink their blood

14. Men of dignity, set out provisions of purest honey
And grape syrup as sweet as the kiss of a houri

15. Arm yourselves with full battle gear
Mount your steeds, drivers, and spare no whip

16. No coward who spouts excuses will live
Only stalwart men can meet the challenge

17. Attack this honorable company
And rouse the nobles before the light of dawn can expose them

18. The old adage says, O riders of fine camels
Heed good advice before misfortune befalls your beasts

19. Head west under cover of night
Let your camels graze while darkness hides your march

20. The Turks cannot see in the black of night
None among them can find his way in the dark

21. When you reach the Bedouin at the mountain pass
And the open plain where the winds blow wild

22. Fear not for your party if it flees
The enemy cannot track them once scattered

23. Your camels and their riders –
Entrust them to the Lord of Majesty who protects all

24. Follow the path of kindness eastward
Let your faith guide you straight as arrows

25. From Qoshtamtinyyeh when she departed
Would that her lowliest part become her highest

26. Four days from now at the bugle’s call
Your caravan must resume its march

27. From there turn from Siwas and avoid it
Skirting Acisarayia where the road bends

28. Twenty days after your departure
When you hear the bugle, halt and rest

29. From there take the clear road to Mardeen
Ancient towns and ruins all tumbled down

30. When next the new moon rises into view
You will reach Aleppo and all its environs

31. Hamah, Homs and Antioch the Blessed
The abode of song where musicians play their lutes

32. In Damascus rest, O brave warriors!
God protect the lands of the Turks from harm

33. Then proceed in safety through fertile plains
And greet the dawn as your road bends south

34. From Birak along the verdant valley
To Slim, where the caravan road winds

35. My destination, Swedia, where none would host
A house that gives shelter to strange tongues tomorrow

36. Your splendid manor rises tall and proud
God forbid it be touched by any hand but yours

37. In Latakia lodge your fine steeds
Where mighty lions sharpen their claws

38. Dismount and rest, O valiant warriors,
Among the dens of the fierce lionesses they’ve sired

39. Take refuge in the island’s rugged caves
Where the lion of dignity made his abode

40. O you whose friendship is treaty and troth
O you who dons the necklace of commitment

41. O exemplar of munificence, master of bounty
O Antar of knights in valor and chivalry

42. O protector, savior, valiant lion in war
O vanquisher, ever gaining the advantage

43. O man of high and noble qualities
The trumpet of glory never sounds its note in vain

44. O just arbiter judging true like Kisra himself
Guiding all with honesty as his tradition

45. O bearer of the name made famous for its nobility
The banner of the Prophet, known for those who carry it

46. O victor, Abu Muhammad, master
Of horse and rider together as one

47. O tireless bearer of heavy burdens
O pillar, stronghold, place of sanctuary

48. O master, Emir of the Mount, absent but never forgotten
O towering mountain peak, its slopes and cliffs

49. O provider of fine steeds for worthy men
But none when the miser comes begging

50. O lord of the great and spacious manor
Who raises the orphan child with kindness and love

51. O cloak of the naked, O pillar of strength
Support of the fallen during times of affliction

52. O fierce, valiant lion in combat
Ruthless to the foe who never feared his blows

53. Bountiful Giver, Bestower of gifts, glorious, magnanimous
Steadfast - though the buckets fill the trough to overflowing

54. If others depend on you despite their wealth
You care for your neighbor though needy and destitute

55. For you are kind and virtuous, noble and free
Keeper of trusts, loyal to every oath

56. Elders of the mountain, your command we obey
Wherever justice dictates, we will follow your way

57. Having traversed the distances, blessings on the Prophet
The Chosen, whose fragrance spread near and far

58. Intercede for us on the momentous day to come
When a man’s deeds, laid bare, he will hope are excused