1. My heart recovered from Salma though it had almost perished
And the meadows were desolate without Salma's company

2. For eight years I remained with Salma
In a state where bitterness and sweetness intermingled

3. And whenever I came to her for a need
One need would be fulfilled while the next remained

4. Every lover whom separation visited
Found solace in nothing but your love

5. Memories of loved ones kept me awake after
I lay down to rest, with little grief as my bedfellow

6. I swore solemnly by the stopping places at Minā
Where pilgrims’ feet and litters ground down the pebbles

7. That at dawn I would depart and continue my journey
Through the night, unless distracted by a charming child

8. To a people not accustomed to baseness since their forebears,
Who did not bequeath wretchedness to their descendants,

9. And whose warriors, one and all, sired heroes.
I will discover if their pastures are verdant,

10. And if their settlements are not verdant, then only palm trees.
If they and their abodes prove verdant

11. Among them are caves and dry riverbeds rarely lacking
A land where I conversed with its people and knew them;

12. If they and it prove verdant, then they are a happy omen.
When alarmed they flock to their defender,

13. Lofty with long spears, not weaklings to be scorned,
With horses covered with coats of mail, highbred,

14. Worthy one day to attack and gain the upper hand.
And if they are slain, their blood will be avenged,

15. As in days of old they met their death in combat.
Upon them are fierce lions in coats of mail,

16. Impenetrable white garments pierced by no arrows,
Whenever war, a helper to wrongdoing, is kindled,

17. Baring its fangs and terrifying the people.
They are a Quda‘i or his brother Mudari

18. In whose battlegrounds logs and faggots blaze.
You will find them, when war imagines engaging them,

19. As it fancies, though wealth’s corruption sows discord.
They man her with Mashrafi and Qana

20. And sincere youths, not weaklings or cowards.
They are Najdis, ingenious in deceit and stratagems

21. Against any people, as their exploits have chronicled.
They struck about her with a detachment

22. Of white guards, men posted throughout her districts.
When a people's dignitaries quarrel, they say:

23. “Among us are consent and justice.”
They have renewed the laws of every misguided

24. Custom for which no solution can be found.
With the resolve of one obedient who commands

25. And one commanding who obeys, unmatched resolve.
I am no resident pilgrim in the Hejaz

26. Without a pact of protection binding me to them.
A land where they gave refuge to Ma‘add and others,

27. Its waters are fresh and its banners fruitful.
They are the best living tribe of Ma‘add I have known;

28. For them are attainment among their people and merit.
I was glad when told about your two lords,

29. Each of whom perfectly managed his affairs.
God saw the kindness they did you

30. And so tested them with the finest trial.
You resuscitated alliances fallen into ruin

31. And pillars shaken and slipped from their sandal-straps.
Thus you came to dwell in the best abode,

32. Your course easy though they were saddened.
When bald-faced scarcity treats people unjustly

33. And the covetous attain the honor of wealth,
I have seen the needy encamped around their houses

34. Silently, until the greens began to grow.
At such times, if they are met with kindness they reciprocate;

35. If asked they give; if able they are lavish.
Among them are refined gatherings, their faces radiant,

36. And clubs where words and deeds intermingle.
Sustenance comes to most of those who visit them,

37. While the less well-off are generous and hospitable.
If you join them you will find around their homes

38. Gatherings whose dreams dispel ignorance.
And if one of them addresses a crowd, a sedentary man says:

39. “You have chosen rightly; no obligation or blame.”
After them came a people trying to catch up with them

40. But they did not achieve, exhaust, or cease.
Any good they attained was merely

41. Inherited from their forefathers before.
Does a date palm bear fruit except from its shoot?