1. You bore worry though were not perturbed,
Spent the night sleepless though were not disturbed,

2. And Suleima said, I see his head
Like the blond forelock of a horse with speckled legs.

3. That is but fate’s caprice,
So welcome me back and do not be amazed.

4. Seven of my brothers have passed away
And my closest kin have passed away.

5. The chiefs of my clan are gone until
I remain alone like a branch stripped bare.

6. If only a messenger came for him
To Falaj, to Aushub then to Daskarah,

7. Whose doors sound like keys in locks
I got ahead of the neighing horses

8. And bells not yet rung.
A coffee pot of the purest fragrance

9. Brewed at dawn before the cock’s crow,
A thoroughbred shedding flowers of spring

10. From a neck adorned with a crossbelt.
Riders set out on a night raid

11. A thousand strong, helmeted and armored.
As if the dust their departure raised

12. Were ashes from hearths in the morning.
I raced them without a slow poke

13. Or straggler to impede my pace.
With the smooth legs of a bare mount

14. Faster than a rabbit over hard ground.
It carries him as if on its back

15. Were studs of engraved gold.
As if saffron and ginger grace

16. Its spittle with the sweetest taste.
So the strongest armed rider brought them out

17. A lion in might and victory.
When they camped under oak

18. And myrtle trees in a blessed land
On either side of a confused ruin

19. They made their abode on rich pasture,
And said, Allah brought down the wings

20. Of mischief to be trampled underhoof.
A tribe pitched its tents with lofty poles

21. And took over the meadows.
They are like mountains, firmly anchored,

22. Valiant and unassailable.
When faced with harm they are undaunted

23. And facing good are not conceited.
So Allah brought you to Paradise

24. Generous entrance through a blessed gate.
Death overtook them and then demise

25. Ripped them with claw and talon.
They left ahead of us but did not

26. Return, O what a noble train!
Succor for those in need though rain failed,

27. For when rain lies, you do not lie.
Noble hosts for guest and kin

28. In drought and famine's barren days.
When people's dreams and hopes recede

29. You cheer the disconsolate.
I found that when my friend grew cold

30. His love and heart strayed from me.
Mine alone though that's not best,

31. For I can withstand his estrangement
If we keep our bond intact,

32. But if he betrays I too betray.
Some friends when tested turn

33. More cunning than a fox.
How keep ties when his loyalty

34. Is like Abu Marhab's treachery?
He saw you suffering yet paid no heed,

35. Saying that is his way and wont.
We are not like the ostrich unaware

36. When the stones of trial are cast.
Troubles do not daunt me

37. For when truths are clear I do not doubt.
I shun not the inveterate liar and sinner

38. Whose enmity is like a serpent's.
Who claims good counsel yet in counsel

39. Conceals a scorpion's sting.
When one of you climbs he says

40. To the next, give him a leg up,
To weaken your resolve for the fight

41. And if you lose, he wins the bout.
The wily disputants, let them make peace

42. Before their defiance leads to mayhem.
A petitioner seeking favour

43. I granted it though he was barred,
He achieved his goal through rectitude

44. So I said enter, welcome within.
No fleeting mirage am I, or quack

45. Who peddles cures from star anise and fenugreek.
A people who debase their own honor

46. Like dogs lapping up their vomit.
A day whose edges were like the iris

47. With the blow of a matchless blue celestial.
It was bordered by a well-built canal

48. Charity of a generous noble.
Look behind them and you will see

49. Orphans wander howling like wolves.
If they have no defender,

50. No compassion or conscience to hold them back,
And death is within your grasp,

51. Who can escape his destined end?
For in death there is no refuge

52. And punishment awaits the sinner.
Far from the horsemen on the day of battle,

53. Alas, and distant from the Benou Ashebs.
Far from their father and far from the herd

54. We left behind to be devoured by dogs.
When the fight inflamed me I cast off

55. My burdens into the jaws of a snarling wolf
Who scatters horses with his attack

56. Then seeks shelter on a burning plain.
Brown in hue as if draped

57. With plaques of engraved gold.
Pebbles ring as if his hooves

58. Were shod with mother of pearl.
Bracelets which when he gallops

59. Seem the fetters of a captive unfettered.
Plunging his forearms in the pool

60. To his ox-like shoulder joints.
He was checked and reined away

61. From the tribe like a tamed camel.
His gait lofty yet back not swayed,

62. As if the ends of his belly band
And cinches reached from flank

63. To hock then down the shin.
His armor rang from the blows

64. Of a mace of unpierced walnut wood.
He neighs with the resonance

65. Of a flute, understood by nomads.
Beyond this, a huntsman seeking

66. Prey like a falcon after a rabbit.
As if at dawn flocks of gazelle

67. Yearlings grazed about knee-deep.
They were told the valley streams

68. And then the pools would run dry.
So we moved from Marie’s pasture

69. To Khanaqayn then to Kharuba.
The heavens rained two months

70. Of a bountiful summer down upon it.
Wild goats, young and old, wandered

71. Among acacias and lotus trees.
When my friend was cold I would chide him

72. Then he would not take offense.
His passion was for me and me alone

73. Though that was not the proper course.
I withstand his rejection

74. If he keeps faith I'll keep the bond.
But if he betrays then I betray

75. And do not cloak lies in deceit.
Some false friends in time of trial

76. Are more cunning than a fox.
How keep faith with one whose loyalty

77. Is like Abu Marhab's infidelity?
He saw you suffering yet paid no heed

78. And said that is just his way.
We are not like the ostrich unaware

79. When pelted with stones of affliction.
Hardship does not daunt me

80. And when facts are clear I do not doubt.
So do not find me with a liar and sinner

81. Whose hatred is like a serpent's.
Who tells you he's a friend but his counsel