1. My torment, oh how numerous are its passages
And my youth’s vigor is wasted by ordeals

2. Something has happened to me, time does not heal
My state is desperate, fate determined my loss

3. Since then, my sadness multiplied tenfold
Like mountain goats seen wandering

4. Its cold pierced the depths of youthful folly
With the shining rays of Aldebaran

5. Urging the doves in flight to swiftly return
To the nest where neither eagle nor vulture comes near

6. We raced the sand grouse that fears no one
Staying beneath the starling never abandoning

7. Like the oryx that doesn’t see anyone blocking its path
If you were in my sight, you’d be as dear to me as my neck

8. The first at speed disappears from view
You’d know her not from her attributes

9. Faster than a spinning wheel her steps proceeded
Before she’s slowed for pregnancy or stopped for rest

10. And the second, a special ride for galloping steeds
A gift sent empty to the sands

11. She doesn’t walk, she flies over the dunes
As if a demon pushed her from behind

12. The third from the mountain cleft forms two lines
A doe crossing the flat valley floor

13. Her bindings and locks are strong
Outracing a gazelle who hears hunting dogs

14. The fourth, you’d know, is Ibn Bessam’s
He who rides it, leads it away from danger by the reins

15. I’ve not seen its equal in Najd or Greater Syria
It floats over the salt flats fearing nothing

16. The fifth clearly stands out among the others
A gift mare seen trotting far off

17. The wounds on her body are always still fresh
She cuts through the plateaus going this way and that

18. The sixth is Shael’s roan turned brown
Her ride fears no desert beast

19. Once she marched from Qasabah to Najd to Kaf
She startled Damascus and none shut their gates

20. The seventh was dragged off for Al-Thaygami
You’d know her as having no sire or dam

21. Those who bought her for gold weight and measured her price
No riders can withstand her wrath

22. The eighth is Ibn Shaalan’s bay
He says if you ride her you’ll see a black serpent

23. Her stride expands between horizons
Her pace overtakes a herd of ostriches

24. The ninth particularly fit for excellence
Not one whit lazy, she says, descended from rivers

25. Her rider doesn’t carry water or food
Traveling ten days before disappearing from sight

26. The tenth, a free mare, very quick
Tall, impossible to slow down

27. None would sell her for hundreds of gold coins
Even if desperate times pushed her to nomads

28. Ten beauties outfitted in our finery
Ten superior gifts they purchased

29. Carved wood frames gilded pure yellow
Adorned with unblemished pearls and jewels

30. With silk brocade gowns of striking colors
Golden headdresses shining bright

31. Embroidered fabrics captivating to behold
Feathered like the singing birds amid trees

32. Our saddles rival lions’ haunches
Bearing riders on mounts fleet as wolves

33. Our prized birds bear feathers rivaling ebony crows
They charm faces as radiant as the full moon

34. Their tribute dazzles like gold dinars
Bought by one who counts no expense

35. Numbered on them all kinds of images
Worthy of their docile, smooth-gaitedness

36. Their leather harnesses, straps, cruppers and breastplates
Flanks covered in oil and silk and feathers

37. Glistening like doves below hennaed wings
O excellent steeds seen above the salt plains

38. Like wild cows raised on the heights
Beware girls, soft-bodied, beautiful

39. Of foul-mouthed evil speakers
I’ve armed myself against treachery and deceit

40. And ten Indian blades, polished swords
Girt with courage born of ancient valor

41. You, guardians of the tents against disgrace
Our heritage is the long-ranging lands

42. Your spirit always dutiful and obedient
O people of the caravan, my wish and will

43. Is to join you to Sumeyya one day
Without it, I’ve no other aim or good intention

44. My books are guides leading rightly
Take care at the resting places, don’t abandon them

45. Before the fourth hour, don’t reprimand them
Afterwards, no harm to strongly whip them

46. They spring up friskier than desert mirages
Halt at Sanaub and ready them

47. Beat their right hand if they grab the reins
If by morning they’re listless, it’s no matter

48. I wish you’d stop like erect milestones
From there near Singar, hasten your pace

49. Turn south away from the mountains as you come upon them
At Diyar Bakr, if it fits your path

50. Have those from Mardin rejoin and speak
Thereafter on to the steppe, skirt its waters

51. Hama and Homs, walking its expanse
On to Damascus which all who see her seek

52. Her pleasures always varied and renewed
In the morning, urge on those noble of repute

53. To the road for Kiswah, a mile brought closer
At Deraya, the way bends from sight

54. Draw near the fortress, though it lies in ruins
Circle Mount Huran, precious to circle around

55. Ask any tribesman, goodness is his habit
The best of men, I speak without partiality

56. God’s path and religion and Holy Book
Are your guiding stars, O stewards of righteousness

57. When you pass Singar again, stop for water
From there to Shahhar and Ribhah, lead them

58. At Aqiseriya, rein them in and let them rest
They startle Abu Qasim Hussein the righteous

59. O people of the caravan and all chieftains
Those who lead wear faces of glory

60. As hosts, capped by hospitality’s crown
Binding a pact stronger than iron chains

61. Dismiss the outsider if he cries loudly from the south
Our people, these acts bring you dishonor

62. Leaving helpless women and children is base
Like vacant ruins and a vanishing mirage

63. Sons of Huran, the elders are not at fault here
When we raced from Numayr to Helisa and Mutah

64. God has returned us now by cursed Satan’s tricks
And these, our captives, like begging monks

65. Today there is blame, my friends, and suffering
But innocence does not deter criticism

66. Heads severed without respite or purpose
Who falls behind trying to help is blamed

67. Don’t tell the Turks, masters of scorn
Knock on Istanbul with mail and messages

68. Plead and petition for heavenly reward
And gird yourselves with good counsel, four wise men

69. Known at council meetings dispensing justice
These are positions measuring status in the community

70. Brazen and fierce amid war’s havoc
Stampede the minister’s door and pound on it

71. Board the ship for state council and seize control of it
The abode of happiness, your best should occupy it

72. Its rulers judge rightly as the Prophet’s companions
Do not hesitate, worry not for me

73. In every Anatolian town, we are there
Those from the Maghreb when Tunis was with us

74. Their star still shines after disappearance
The writer turns to his Lord over his servant

75. Leave me be, ordained by fate, confused
My burning tears flow down my cheek

76. My head turned white from too much blame
I’ve seen nothing better matching my state

77. Except destiny places barriers before us
A servant seeks truth from the wise

78. Wounds comforted soothe a hundred sorrows
I conclude by praising the Chosen One

79. May he bless those who lose themselves in his glory
O God whom the soul calls when death comes near

80. Open for us the door to hidden knowledge