1. I do not weep for the abode which virtue has deserted,
Nor for the places thereof which the winds and rains have effaced;

2. Nor for which of its graceful and delicate damsels I should mourn;
Its vestiges have been swept by the winds and showers around it.

3. Neither do we prolong our laments when the intention has wandered,
And thought turns away from what has passed of it.

4. But we are lords of bounty and Sa'na'a is ours,
As is musk from its combatant youths.

5. And our ruler was al-Dhahhak, whom the horsemen and wild beasts
Served, coming from every remote path to him.

6. Our power subdued the desert tribes, greedy and begging for favors
And gifts until we gave them a kingdom whose splendor dazzles the sight.

7. Thus Qabus remained a prisoner in our bonds for seven years
While his realm waited for one who should take charge of it.

8. Without any crime on our part except that maidens
Of their noble families complained of those who had seized them.

9. Whenever a captive tripped she cried "Shame!" and "Lack of pleasure
On him who brought this upon me!"

10. Woe to him who violates holy things, who fears not
Swooping calamity on a day of disaster!

11. Who flees from the spears though he be accused;
Who finds death coming towards him with gripping fingers!

12. Take then pride in Qahtan without gloom, for Hatem is bounteous;
Nor do you see a knight like his knights

13. When thoughts have ceased crowding on his mind.
There were 'Amr and Qais and the two Ash'ars,

14. And Zaid was a lion of steeds, playing with them.
They turned away to chase wild beasts with scraggy hair

15. And noble hawks in the thickets captured them.
The living Ghassan and 'Iyla' were endowed with kingship and gained

16. Fortune's gifts even from those who envy them.
And Khimyar, whose decisions the nobles cause to be carried out;

17. They love the most honored position through their glory.
Love Quraish because of the love of Ahmad;

18. Acknowledge their abundance of gifts!
When Quraish traced their lineage

19. The half (of glory) belonged to them as their share.
The mother of the rightly guided one, al Mahdi,

20. (She is) the mother of Musa - the best part of us,
So boast of her relationship!

21. If she contends with us we have naught to boast of
Except our traffic from our trade that profits us.

22. Attack (the tribe of) Niz?r and quench their ardor!
And rend the curtain veiling their shameful deeds!

23. As for (the tribe of) Tamim, they are not to be blamed
If a slave stammers in their idiom!

24. The first and the last glory belongs to them,
If glory be mentioned - they bent its bow!

25. And wretched is the noble's pride in a thin, yellow reed
Of Samha that casts no shade in barren lands!

26. And Qais 'Ail?n! I wish for them nothing
Save their battle days and the striking of the spears!

27. And verily foul conduct will ruin them,
And loose tongues will release their venom against them!

28. The tribe of Aasad did not keep back their hounds from devouring
The slaves of 'Irn?nah taken captive from them on costly camels.

29. Bakr Ibn Wa'il have no protection
Except lies and foolish men!

30. The tribe of Taghlib laments past days but does not take blood revenge
For their slain one though he fills their valleys.

31. They gained their sister (in marriage) for the lowest bridal gift under duress
While no sense of honor resides in her suitor (to make him object).