1. We halted at his abode at night to ask of him the traces,
While we were mounted on the backs of swift she-camels.

2. So he observed a fast - but night-fasting is unlawful;
And even if lawful with immoral rascals and profligates,

3. He allowed night-fasting only when provoked
By the approach of a guest in the gloom of night.

4. So we spent the night, traversing the wilderness,
As though we were crossing the back of a dusty, grimy lizard.

5. And when at dawn we set off from the darkness,
He fed us with bowls that stick in no feeder's gullet -

6. Rounded, blackened pots that looked as if
They were scrotums of a Zanji under the penis of a led horse.

7. Their tops told of scorpion stings
Their bottoms reminded of buzzing flies.