1. A mother of mankind wished to see me in joy,
While Numayr desired other than that, and Aklub,

2. Quda'iyya on which our spears bore down,
Deserts wherein the sly foxes gambol,

3. And how many a playground and wilderness beneath it,
Wherein the light leaves flutter and turn.

4. When the summer rains of El-Qata drew near to him,
Because of the heat, he brought them the Sura, and it was confused,

5. When it took what the howdahs take, and it emptied
The waters of its cisterns, the buckets pulled up.

6. With ample intervening plains its depths were not pierced,
And its waters mouths drank not, nor were they aimed straight.

7. By bleak Uensa my companions passed the night, so it seemed
As if from confinement in settled regions and wadis, distracted.

8. Though it guides the rider, when wandering at night,
With arms outstretched, confused.