1. Though the pavilions overlooking the fevered grounds,
And whoever pitched his tent in those grounds encamped,

2. And though I was wont the love of the Bani Asad,
And lived the life of ease in their Najd,

3. Their languid eyelids increased my sickness upon sickness,
And I fell not sick, but that they might fall sick as well.

4. Their litters jostled my limbs when we parted,
So in their wrap I had but wind, while in my heart a blaze raged.

5. The pace of their mounts was snatched by fate,
Making you see a rain cloud in thin air followed by pitch darkness,

6. Their hair pouring down, their faces Sabaean,
Radiant in the morning, sharp of glance,

7. Lighting a face for us, their tresses flowing freely,
For beauty is naught but that which illuminates or shades.

8. And when we shot glances at the hardness of their eyes,
We ransomed the hand that shot arrows at us, though it shot naught.

9. Protect me, disregard not what has passed between us,
Nor deny the affection that was presented aforetime,

10. And heed not the slanderer, though he whisper in your ear,
Man imagines nothing but phantoms of his own making.

11. Lo, I sculpt words and saddle obscurity,
Unsheathing the sword in battle, drowned in my own blood.

12. And I praise the generous only for their generosity,
And I serve the mighty only that I might serve.

13. Why would I seek the inadequate gifts of the vulgar
When the sea of Al-Saifi is at flood if I visit it?

14. Ever shall the song of Rashid remain unsullied,
A song for the destitute, and plunder shared.

15. Shall I seek rest in every land from all its evils,
And leave a raincloud when it promises rain?

16. Shall I court another besides the son of Muzaffar,
When not all of God's creation can be like a torrent of bounty?

17. His gifts filled the horizons from end to end,
And his good name rang out in Hijaz accused or praised.

18. The father of El-Muhdi strained his generosity,
Bestowing gifts like the rain cloud, bountiful and proud.

19. And he built up the position of Sinan ibn Imru El-Qais,
To heights which God has made too lofty to destroy.

20. Swift to answer the supplicant, swift to war,
A piercing blade if you wished, a feast if you wished.

21. Leave the boasting Umawis, those who went before,
For all are but dust, while you are the sky.

22. And marvel not at the mention of Ka'b ibn Zuhayr,
For my palm is more generous and noble than his.

23. If I walk in their footsteps, Muhammad
Though last of the prophets, was also the first.

24. The fates take turns, and you will yet see,
I have borne grave tidings and great pain.

25. I sought no man's aid but yours in my strait,
Shall I seek less than nobility from the noble?

26. Who asks a physician to cure his ills,
When the face of Jesus son of Mary has appeared to me?

27. You brought the world beauty, the faith relief,
To the terrified, a bold lion who defends.