1. Um'aymeh's tent before the folding of the tent-house,
Whether with reunion or with departure hastened,

2. Um'aymeh, though charged with what killed a coward,
In parting there's kindness if not dragged out.

3. In memory I and mother Hayyan are like a youth
Tasting wine for the first time, confused.

4. I looked as the darkness unveiled dawn's brilliance
With lightning, and the sun's horns had not stooped down.

5. Towards sand-dunes between honorable, judicious chief,
Pillars of a love-lorn that did not bend down.

6. Would that those abodes and their people were mine,
If only my torment in the city would disappear.

7. I went out from Marwan's prison one morning,
I imagined it, when bearing, not to have borne.

8. And I imagined, beautiful, perfect,
Torrents poured between shepherd and neglecter,

9. And rebel upon ruggedness traveling to a majlis,
Of generous men, their lights haven't declined.

10. I cried my good-bye on a noble steed unchecked,
On a lofty, when its forelock leaned,

11. Hard to lead, unyielding, untamed,
New-born, its enclosures for water evident.

12. A fire was kindled for us for Layla's visitors
It smelled of its embers and cloves.

13. I say to my friends, "Warm yourselves
At Layla's fire, in Ukubayn, let's warm up."

14. Its brightness lights up Layla's face as if
It lights up the faces of young girls spinning.

15. Her bones grew big and she hurried from her baby fat
And grew up while still a baby.

16. She appeared from behind curtains one evening,
Surrounded by southern winds and north winds.

17. Its embers could almost light up with flint
When its cover did not screen.

18. Without saddle-bags, Hudba and Shaba ignited
And every long-necked, slender Ostrich-hen.

19. The pigeons coo, the flowers twit their beaks
And each turtle-dove hides its eggs.

20. When I saw the door barred against me
And feared an impending, deferred writ,

21. I turned back a rebellious soul
That, if accustomed, does not deign to plead.

22. The prison's gatekeeper is unrelenting
And my escape from it is not final.

23. If I say "Let me out of prison awhile
To regain my joys and increase them,"

24. He shackles me scowling and makes me yield
To rings on a pillar fully chained.

25. I say to him while the sword belts his neck:
"I'm the son of Abu Asma, no trifler am I.

26. My voice I know from his voice and my boldness
And a wind that helps me when debate intensifies."

27. I left the birds' plumage gathering around him
On armor like fully armed soldiers.