1. So who will dwell in the abodes of those who halted,
Asking ruins there that give no reply?

2. The dwellings of Banu Hittan son of Qais,
Like lines traced by a writer on parchment.

3. The ostriches walk round them as though they were
Beautiful maidens, courted in the evening.

4. I stopped and wept there, feeling deep grief,
As a lovelorn man did at ruined Khaybar.

5. My two friends, press on from Najaa Shamila,
Over which stands a knight like a gleaming sword.

6. My two friends, swerve away from Najaa Shamila,
A rough ground no companion can endure.

7. Long have I lived while free spirits were my friends,
Those were my true ones I would accompany.

8. The mate of him who grieved and donned the rope of death,
And shunned the pull of a kinsman's tie.

9. So I discharged on my own part what I borrowed from youth,
And now for wealth I have a guardian and earner.

10. For every people of Ma'add there are dwellings
To which they repair at times for refuge.

11. Al-Hirah has the two seas but the sword below it,
And should Indians come to it in flight.

12. Birds take wing from the backs of a courtyard as though they were
A rushing torrent whose flow was cut off.

13. And Bakr whose land is the expanse of Iraq will not fear
Any harm befalling it as far as al-Yamama.

14. Tamim lies between ridges and sandy plains.
It has mountains, remote and far extending.

15. And Kalb whose war-trained men's succor is the sandy plain of `Alij
Against the noble fighters where war is waged.

16. And Ghassan, alive is their glory among their neighbors,
Husayn and armies fight on their behalf.

17. And the Bahraa, alive we knew well their abode,
Partners they have round al-Rusafah, ever binding treaties.

18. Iyad swooped down into the black lands, and below them
Are the armies of `Ujman seeking those they would fight.

19. While we are a people without Hijaz in our land.
When clouds gather, we are not encountered, and who will conquer?

20. You can see the raiding parties around our houses
Like the she-goats of Hijaz, their udders gone dry.

21. They go about the water-holes bleating like them
And end up being plundered, easy prey.

22. Their horsemen are from Taghlib, the daughter of Wail,
Young, vigorous men among whom are no greying old ones.

23. They strike the ram whose sperm glistens
White on his face from the spurt of blood.

24. And if our swords prove short, their slashing
Traces toward our foes patterns for us to follow.

25. By God, what people like my people, a band
When assembled before kings are high and haughty!

26. I see that every nation that approached their might
And we have slipped our bonds so remain unbridled.