1. For how many years have homes stood, and what times
Have passed for houses called Al-Quffayn and Al-Rukn!

2. For houses my heart was inflamed with love
Once, when they were unadorned and unbuilt.

3. Whenever we had to leave a home, we would fold
Our sadness like a cloak upon our sorrow.

4. I used to say: “The prince’s disposition makes homes
Joyful at times for whoever is full of yearning.”

5. I said to my two companions, when the day left us:
“Will you cheer me with your company in the thick air?”

6. The water of Sharj turned away from its channels,
And the atmosphere of Salma hung over its soft dunes.

7. They cross miles of the empty quarter’s expanses
As clouds cover the stars with their dense fog.

8. The camels lower them at times then raise them up
Like the cubic blocks set down or lifted to heights.

9. Have you not seen Ibn Sinan, how excellent
Are the things his money buys, people’s praise his price,

10. How he keeps himself in every valued place
The cowardly and tight-fisted find confined and narrow,

11. Where you see the horses snarling with the heroes
Charging with the slender Indian swords unsheathed,

12. Until the two assemblies meet and do battle,
Striking like palm trunks clashing with the ships at sea,

13. The spear makes its wrist wither and turn yellow,
Inclining in the spear-shaft like the bending branch.

14. By God, Qays knew well when the wintry blast
Pelted the tribe’s houses with burning hot coal

15. That the welcome fray for the hungry tribe occurred
When the envoy despaired and the pauper’s stomach clenched,

16. When no fat from the rich man’s share would be melted
For him if winter came and food prices were dear,

17. When he seeks men by night and finds them,
While enemies cannot be found by blood-price during day.

18. And he who is fought will be found not downtrodden,
Nurtured in enmity for enemies openly.

19. There, your Lord did not give you any goodness
Wherever a proper matter was, be involved.

20. If you give him advice, you will find he does not waste it,
With trust he will not betray, or be disloyal.