1. Youth has passed and perhaps I blamed it
On the singing girls and the yellow wine.

2. Indeed I drank wine in its tavern
And played with the glasses, a reckless game.

3. I was entrusted with the embroidered robe
Its collar guarded by the sword, like a mangy hyena.

4. He charges at me with his armor and weapon
Walking with his bow like a limping camel.

5. And I used to attack the merchants with a whip
Their camels scattering like howling dogs.

6. A pleasure kissed by luxury as if
Its clothes were washed with scented water.

7. Wearing the cloak of kings pleases him
In the eyes of every watcher, a stupid crow.

8. They peek through the curtains when he appears
The gaze of the runt at the robust Phoenician.

9. The wine bearer, when he moves gracefully, his
Promises are not like flashes of dry thunder.

10. And if the bottle is cracked, it is not
At drinking a gross frowner.

11. The swords, their marching and returning
Left the Hawazin like the horn of a one-eyed goat,

12. And left your uncle, though once wealthy,
Next to a ragged hole like a fox’s burrow.

13. They left the Bani Sulaym followers
Of the Bani Dhubyanah like following a fox’s cubs.

14. Cast off the mail coats, O Bani Sulaym,
They are disgraced and their edges did not vanish.

15. I knew when the brand of humiliation was hung
On every angry snout.

16. The horses gallop with the brave warriors as if
They are lions of battle from the knights of Taghlib.