1. Tents were pitched in Al-Ghawair for Zainab,
So peace be upon Al-Ghawair and its inhabitants.

2. Those square tents can slay lions
In mere moments during their days.

3. How many a band was severed there
That even its belt wept in sorrow over it.

4. Are they gazelle's eyelids or the eyelids of its hunter
That yearn - so each of their glances is a sword?

5. Are those eyebrows or arrows that were unleashed
From their glances against them as arrows?

6. The eyes of each fair-faced one whose locks are showing
Betray sickness though there is no sickness.

7. Water in her mouth for one who kisses her juicy lips -
The love of clouds regulated and continual.

8. I yearn for the lost one of Al-Udhayb and its shaded
Guest-house, hospitable and fragrant with perfumes.

9. How can I get there when the judge of love
Has decreed my death while my adversary lives?

10. Nights have passed and days gone by -
Good were those nights and days!

11. With each fair-faced one whose veil reveals her mouth,
My mouth was veiled by hers in embracing hugs.

12. The beloved came by for a visit when
No one reproached him for his boldness.

13. At night, on foot, he came from Hajir,
Walking as darkness compounded darkness.

14. He strode over wildcat burrows and trod on
The nesting places of ostriches while they were right before him.

15. Woe to him! How did he find his way to me
When he traveled from Hajir to my abode in Damascus?

16. He came to me in a dream addressing me - he whose
Waking speech I never heard.

17. How could I forget - no, I never forget - my beloved and his words:
"The departure draws near tomorrow, so the stay has become difficult."

18. They saddled their camels, and each fine lady
Had the reins of separation in her hand the next morning.

19. They said: "Tomorrow is the day of departure," but I replied:
"No, rather tears will flow at the parting."

20. They departed from before me - faces and places -
So dawn and darkness embraced.

21. They are the beloveds who pierce our hearts
With glances from hostile eyes like arrows.

22. Were it not for fear of Allah, their beautiful idols
Would have led me to the paganism of ignorance.

23. The Bedouins who prize zeal and do not neglect reins
Have gone, while I remain among fools like cattle

24. In an era where they are ostriches when we meet.
I will surely strike my tents and head out, seeking

25. The abode of bliss and its generous shade.
It is Baalbek, famed for glory and religion -

26. An exalted royal court for the great Bahram.
Its soldiers are fierce lions whose only

27. Weapons are sharp blades on the day of battle.
Its armies are like spears, and Bahram is their point,

28. Not hesitating to plunge into the heart of an army.
Its bows are messengers of death to the enemies,

29. Striking souls so bodies fall down lifeless.
In his right hand, the sword is shining bright,

30. Shedding blood while the clouds are darkness.
The eyes of polytheists weep from its lethal blows

31. Against the idolaters while Islam smiles.
Upon him is a coat of mail made from the weaving

32. Of David - perfectly constructed by him.
His steed is a sea, surging with its saddle,

33. A sea over which the neighing of a stallion echoes.
He did not desire any lofty affair

34. Except to find it achieved, unmatched.
Neither far nor near do his enemies feel safe

35. Awake or asleep, out of fear of him.
He is like an angry lion, leaping up

36. To pounce on the spines of heroes - such is his habit.
O you of generous hands and favors that give life

37. To the poor and the orphans!
Pray to Allah sincerely, sacrifice willingly -

38. For your critics are humiliation and subjugation.
By your hand is the pen to which east and west

39. Have submitted in their highest pursuits.
How remarkable is the cleft-tongued critic with his inscription -

40. No wonder, grammar, eloquence, or illiteracy!
It is as if he apportioned sustenance and lifespans -

41. Dividing them with his right hand that decides fates.
If he but writes a line, momentous affairs ensue, for in

42. Your right hand, O writer, is the numbering pen.
Lofty ambitions have been raised for you in battle

43. As a banner beneath which other banners bow down.
Victory and support are tied to your sweetness,

44. As are annulment and confirmation.
You hold a position none in our time desired

45. Except for the one who is the imam of the age.
For you is eternal life throughout the ages, and for the one

46. You have left behind, greetings and peace.
The trees of your lineage among the Ayyubids, O excellent

47. Fruits adorned with colorful sleeves.
So speak out boldly, for among kings you have no rival

48. When fathers and uncles are remembered.
You are the one in whose every hair follicle

49. Is a vigilant, protecting lion.
This is a position in which every pretentious babbler before you

50. Is an utterly confused stammerer.
You have a dynasty that surpasses all kingdoms,

51. With servants for every noble deed.
Its parts are proportionate in the heights,

52. Like pearls arranged in an ornamental string.
May the granter of might keep mighty support

53. For the religion - the enemy is thereby restrained through you.
You have lofty mansions, each of which

54. Contains marvels the highest banners seek.
Abodes filled with blessings within blessings -

55. With you, the generous gifts flow freely.
You have honorable, noble sons - no surprise

56. That the generous beget the generous.
They have not abandoned the garments of good fortune, wearing

57. Robes that turtledoves have not touched.
They are the crescent moons growing, or do you see

58. Among them the full moons of kingship?
So greet in peace what was once familiar

59. With the name now customary since past days.
And delight in the holidays after independence from

60. Familiar friends in Arabizing their names.