1. O dwellings of 'Uqayq, may you be greeted
With the affection of a yearning, passionate lover

2. I stood by them weeping for so long
Yet my crying brought no mercy, nor my sobbing

3. Dwellings that still stir my ardour
With the flashes of lightning striking them

4. And better than my standing is singing songs
Is the standing of a lovely one by a lovely youth

5. And a scene more splendid in a house's image
Are dwellings amidst the sand of a graceful palace

6. And more enchanting than whispering endearments
Is the drumming of slave girls on leather skins

7. And more delicious than embracing a companion
Is the embracing of a lover by her beloved

8. And easier than accosting enemies at dawn
Is the accosting of the lover at daybreak

9. And lighter than a camel litter's creaking
Is the morning cup after the night clouds' breaking

10. And more poignant than drum's exquisite tune
Is the yearning of strings with a melodious croon

11. And more soothing than horses chased at a run
Is your chasing away every screaming one

12. And sweeter than taking turns in battle
Is taking turns sipping from the wine ladle

13. So drums' beating in revelry's clamour
Please me more than a swaying standard

14. And huri's apple-throwing toward me
Beats foe's pelting me with the mangonel

15. And a pleasure gathering's listening to jokes
Is nicer than sitting on the highway

16. And cupbearer's gait in her sky-blue dress
With wine spilling on her smooth elbows

17. Is nicer than attacking with lofty poems
And moving from one group to another

18. So this view, and no other view,
Grasp it tightly, keep this creed true