1. Alas! Would that I had enjoyed the protection of your victory
Since I have neither benefit nor harm with you

2. And going away with my belongings, the weaver of the bow shatters me
The weak, short-legged one, neither big nor firstborn

3. From the pond, many frogs whose croaking
Sprinkles on the banks the drops from their urine

4. Remaining behind the roses, not chasing after them
When the twilight rose, it was said to him, “Disgrace!”

5. I see our two brothers from our father and mother
When asked, they said the matter belongs to others

6. Yes! They have a matter but they were pelted with stones
As stones were pelted from the summit of Dhi al-‘Alaq

7. I single out especially ‘Abd Shams and Nawfal
Both outcast us like embers were discarded

8. That was only an affliction He distinguished us with
The God of servants chose us—pride is ours

9. They winked to the people about their two brothers
So they became the most spiteful of them, bleached white

10. They shared glory with one who has no father
Among the people unless lineage is attributed to him

11. Men who envied and hated
The people of high status—so between them forever is hatred

12. Walid whose father was a slave to our grandfather
To an amulet with blue beads did sorcery transport him

13. Taym, Makhzum and Zuhrah among them
Were more duty-bound to us when aid was sought

14. And Zuhrah who were my allies and helpers
While you, when summoned in your hearing, are deaf

15. Indeed their morals and minds are corrupt
They were like lepers—how evil is what leprosy does!

16. By God! Hostility will not cease from us
Nor from them what has proceeded from our ancestry’s sword