1. The determination of one who would unravel the secret showed nobility,
From one who awakes to the calls of mounts or to a loud cry,

2. Until when the wind stirred up the dust with blowing,
Across the land the matter became confused and they differed,

3. The right wing of the army dispersed
And every heart was assigned its share of cares,

4. And they drew near each beloved comrade
When warding off his thrusts made him recede.

5. When he yawned, he bared the claws of a lion
That had contended with the upper jaw, and it did not turn away.

6. Until when they took up burdens, their saddlebags
Were the excellent work of Saluqi and the soft leather of Khunf.

7. I do not see any like their rear guard when they took up burdens,
Nor do I see any like the first of their riding company aforetime

8. More quick to cut off the intimate conversation of a companion and his beloved
When they persist in their intimate discourse of longing.

9. A flirtatious glance from the daughter of Maktum when she shone forth
To the two riders to stop at the halt of the mounts.

10. A cheek that adorned itself with myrtle's blossoms over
Pure musk, mixing with it camphor as perfume.

11. She yielded to the belly of Suhayy some of what she had refused
To the authority of her lover. So when he attained it, he turned away,

12. As if a camel-driver who yokes his camels would be friendly with her
If the saddlebags' fringes touched the slightest part of her flank.

13. A aromatic twig that heated up the villages and seldom
Followed his father's inheritance but pursued what was discarded,

14. Then he would be intimate, seeking her for his need,
Whether she despaired him or drew her lap close to him.

15. Why, O flirtatious one, do you stare at me
With a glance, thinking my gray hair has increased my weakness?

16. There follow me some consequences of a censured whiteness,
Some of the habits he was known for aforetime.

17. My experience of those white, shining women of the past
Was neither depravity nor corruptness.

18. He will mourn for my monument among the graves as
The solitary, unfortunate owl mourned when it recognized.

19. I used to be the shepherd of pampered maidens,
But today I have become the shepherd of an aged flock.

20. My assets from needs have gone,
And new needs have changed places with them.

21. And a night I had made its appointment at dawn
At the Pleiades, until it recognizes the cooked meat.

22. Then I prepared my weapons at the place of its cooking,
And a elbow like the hilt of a sword when it flashed.

23. Driving camels that penetrate the midst of struggle with
Quick, bounding, bounding again when the village cock crows.

24. With saddle strap disconnected from it, a firmly fixed wrist strap,
And it bared its forearms and turned its behind.

25. It keeps my travel supplies and my drinking-vessels from its saddlebag
Full of fodder − no chaff and no chopped straw.

26. A unknown horse of the morning pasture until it distributes it
As it distributes its spittle from its cud.

27. In it are resting places when the chestnut turns aside as
The Jew murmurs prayer when he bows down.

28. From its velocity foam flows over its nose
As if there were a frog on its head that leapt off.