1. Tomorrow Wael's sons will come to reproach me,
Though more glorious than reproach lies between us,

2. Matters that allow no sleep on their thorns,
Tormenting those of bitter disposition with drink,

3. They thrived among the date palms and made us wait awhile
For the blood of your nobles on the day of dogs,

4. Miserable are those who the morning after tents
Were folded on the stopping places, and the tents struck,

5. The girls of Hallab wander among them,
And we drive them off amid threats and fear,

6. When the dust rises they come out of it
With the yellowness of a serpent's back,

7. And Abdu'l-Qais has turned ashen his cheek,
As if the hems of their gowns were shreds of mist.

8. They neither led the stallions nor hamstrung them,
Nor mounted the saddles with cruppers high,

9. Following the asses with them haltered
While their dogs surround them,

10. Abu Ghassan, you did not humiliate me,
But you did humiliate the clan of Shihab,

11. I came to you asking and you denied my request,
And gave me nothing but dust,

12. If after you I choose Jahdar
Qais will not be saddened by my choice.