1. O my people, for the misfortunes that attack by night,
And for the events that come through the mountain passes,

2. And for the death of the two pillars who were our support,
Among the first defenders, the truthful and loyal,

3. I heard the cornerstone cry out from the shrieking,
And the first star was eclipsed in the revolving sky.

4. With the captivity of Hums, oh what a tragedy,
When war bares its teeth against the fair maidens.

5. And the death of Mirdas on his face in the heat of battle,
And his companions beneath the glittering swords.

6. Two groups - this the dried-up branch of all,
And this the fresh shoots from the family of Barak.

7. I am in despair at the loss of those I hoped to benefit from,
When the generous among us are destroyed.

8. And death's caller continued to call death upon us,
As the millstone of war turned at Al-Qusayr.

9. There the women raised their hands like lamps in the night,
Or the glittering shine of carnelians.

10. Our houses and the army revolved madly in the tumult,
As children play wildly with their toy windmills.

11. There neither life will be prolonged for its benefit,
Nor is averting disasters hoped for.

12. So weep, O eye, for the people of virtue and wisdom,
The poison of the enemy, and weep for the defenders of truth.

13. Weep in despair, O knight of war, and mourn
Their protection amidst the frenzied attacks at every pass.

14. The people of Azd in Iraq and Syria are grieved,
As are the Azd in Oman, by the towering calamities.

15. It left our valley desolate and frightened its people away,
And replaced its horsemen with ostriches.

16. My soul has thus become saddened by it all,
And my separation from them has turned my hair gray.

17. I have no more desire for life now they are gone,
Now they have vanished for all time.

18. Would that death's arrows had struck me down,
And avoided Abu Bakr with his piercing enemies,

19. And had not left me in the chaos of vile rabble,
Fleeing in panic the morning after the night attack,

20. When men's fortitudes take wing, and the brother of death
Throws himself beneath the flashing blades.

21. When the protector protected his father, and people of rank
Drew themselves up proudly in their lofty homes.

22. And the youths in turbans fled in their fear,
While the protectors of the army shielded its founder from harm.

23. Though I am distraught, mournful and rent with grief,
Restless from the specters of misfortune attacking by night,

24. I am neither weak, nor lacking in strength,
Nor a feeble man fearing those accompanying me.

25. I am no foolish slanderer insulting my cousin,
Nor on any day am I an inarticulate stammerer.