1. I am blamed, for man is hostage to misfortune,
Laid low by the health of birds, or else decayed.

2. So accept no wrong, fearing a shameful death,
And die free though your skin be smooth and unflawed.

3. Men are but what they see and speak,
And weakness but to huddle and sit.

4. He who sought glory gashed his nose,
Falling short, and met his death by the sword's stab.

5. When foes laid low his tribe, the ostrich
Saw how to dress in their clothes.

6. See you not that the torrent lies quiet
While days drift over it, subsiding?

7. Thamud's bane in Tubba's days when the villages perished
Clings to the barren flats, encrusted.

8.
Come thither, its crops have been stirred up,

9. And wild geese flocked and heaped there.
That is the time for visiting it, while its flies

10. Swarm, and green lizards dart.
If they come with affection we'll meet them likewise,

11. If not, we refuse them and guard what we possess.
Muster the Banu Qurran and set forth to them;

12. If they accept that we tender we'll acquiesce.
A wood behind will protect me from them,

13. A Jullayy and Ahmas my refuge.