1. Do you know the ruins at daybreak
Covered with gusts of wind and drizzle?

2. The wise man can discern in them
Traces of homesteads like craftsmen's work.

3. He saw them and their people, people of integrity,
Who had no intention of departing.

4. Oh my people, for the misery of Balbal,
And for the killing of the valiant warriors,

5. And for the eye from which tears flowed
For Kulayb when exhaustion overtook him,

6. For Kulayb when the winds blew on him
The dust with their hems.

7. Indeed I will visit the tribes of Bakr,
Among them is Harith who wants to fight me.

8. I have quenched my thirst from the family of Bakr,
The family of Shaiban between uncle and uncle.

9. How can I have patience when you killed Kulayb
And caused me anguish by killing him in seclusion?

10. By my life, because of Kulayb I will kill
Every warrior given that name.

11. By my life, I have trampled the Bani Bakr
With a trampling like that of sandals.

12. I left none but dogs, women,
Young slave girls, old women, and boys.

13. So drink what we have brought you now from us
And depart losing in the evil state.

14. The people claimed we are evil neighbors,
The people lied when speaking about us.

15. The people have not seen the like of us on the day we marched
To plunder kingship with long spears,

16. The day we marched against the tribes of ‘Auf
With armies whose multitude was like mountains,

17. Among them Malik, ‘Amr, ‘Auf,
‘Uqayl and Salih the son of Hilal.

18. The sword of Harith did not rise up to fight,
He surrendered the womenfolk with their belongings.

19. The neighbor spoke the truth, we have indeed killed
The company of men with the tips of sandals.

20. Do not cease fighting, O son of ‘Ubad,
Be steadfast, for I have no weakness.

21. O my friends, today bring close to me
Every bay and chestnut horse with a blaze.

22. Harness for me the saddled horses,
For Kulayb who turned my nights into lengthy vigil.

23. Harness for me the saddled horses,
And ask me, do not prolong my vigil.

24. Harness for me the saddled horses,
The maidens will appear before us,

25. Harness for me the saddled horses,
My words conform to my deeds.

26. Harness for me the saddled horses,
For Kulayb whose morning is my uncle and uncle.

27. Harness for me the saddled horses,
To embrace the valiant warriors.

28. Harness for me the saddled horses,
I will ignite fires upon the family of Bilal.

29. Harness for me the saddled horses,
If their men and my men meet.

30. Harness for me the saddled horses,
My night grew long and my visiting was brief.

31. Harness for me the saddled horses,
Oh Bakr! Where are you from me and my visit?

32. Harness for me the saddled horses,
For fighting whenever they want to fight.

33. Harness for me the saddled horses,
For a slain one blown by the north wind.

34. Harness for me the saddled horses,
With a polished spear and quiver.

35. Harness for them and harness my coat of mail,
Then say to each old and young man

36. Of Bani Bakr: Prepare for battle!
We have conquered you so be slaves,

37. You have no escape from our possession.
Take heed and buckle down and be steadfast,

38. And be patient for battle after battle.
For the bellies of Bakr have become

39. Like ‘Aad when they were ripped into the sands.
Oh Kulayb, answer the call of a caller,

40. Ever anguished and constantly tearful,
For you were uncompromising in misfortune

41. Neither submissive, weak, nor lazy.
We slaughtered the children of Bakr

42. And subjugated their warriors in battle,
We returned against them and wheeled around

43. With swords that pierce into the joints.
They surrendered every married woman

44. And others with pregnant bellies like crescents.
Oh Bakr! So promise what you wanted

45. And were capable of, for it will not change.