1. He who his tribe abandoned when fever's flame
Became his mate, no sister have I, bond or free,

2. Who for his sake will tend the mounting years
That o'er my hoary brow their burdens heap,

3. Or in the night of absence soothe my needs
Like kinswomen of Sa'd's high-minded seed.

4. Whene'er she deemed her honor tarnished, she
With sticks of burning teak would pound and beat.

5. Though fever smoke not in her hearth, she will not stoop
To seek her weal from other folk or treat

6. With lofty mountains whose high heads are hills,
And in the heat low wisps of water greet.

7. Waters of level plain whose torrents flow
Before the loom, cloaked in its mantle green.

8. The daughters of 'Ilandea march erect
As though the wet-nurse honoured him with red

9. And yellow robes. Yet, when the herdsman dared
To lift his crook above them, how they sped!

10. The envious gnash their teeth at them, but fail
To hurt them, having neither wealth nor need.

11. Men do not curse the hospitable camp
Where the guest halted for a night and fed.

12. But if no welcome greeted him, they bared
The sword that glittered dazzling bright and keen.

13. I fear no leg that can be made to flee
When the mares charging scatter the array.

14. Enough, if when the guest departs he bears
No complaint, like one who's drained the pot away.