1. The friendship of the eminent is honorable and withering,
And abundant rain pouring down and barren land.

2. A stab when hostile warriors attack,
Their blades piercing them while they vie with each other.

3. A strike when prey is startled and hesitant,
And the knights who do not retreat flee.

4. The necks of the horses arch as if they were
Ostriches at the top of a sand dune folding over.

5. Galloping through the desert each young warrior
Hastening to gain supremacy and excel.

6. His night and day are the same to him
As are his migration and departing at dawn and dusk.

7. So you who court highborn ladies, do not assume
Their maidenly discourse was aroused by flirtation.

8. Withdraw and leave her be, not humiliated,
By a majestic king whose desires she evokes are given.

9. The whitest-eyed whose forehead is like
The polished blade of a pure sword.

10. He was raised to eminence by excellence and grace,
Ahmad, Al-Qaram, the awe-inspiring and firm.

11. He is the fresh sweet water whose springs
Became muddy for the drinkers.

12. Strong protector, abundant rain, repeller of enemies,
Far-reaching, lofty to him who contends.

13. Through him the tribes of Hinb took pride
And Luqayz and the family of ‘Abd Qays and Wail exalted.

14. To him belongs the pinnacle of glorious renown
When the tribes’ branches spread out on the day of boasting.

15. Praiseworthy of manner, his vengeance will not subside,
Until their leaders and warriors make peace.

16. He enforces the edge of his sword upon his enemies
When the coats of mail on the warriors are crushed.

17. When an onlooker sees him he thinks
He is a shooting star descending upon the horizon.

18. Those with ulterior motives seek to attain his stature
Yet how far are the small streams from the vast ocean!

19. But the lote trees are unattainable even if one climbed
atop the towering heights grasping and reaching.

20. He is the sea but his extent does not flood,
He is the moon but he is perfect forever.

21. He is the sun in the sky and its light
Encompasses all above the earth.

22. He is fair fortune but he rises above the swimmer
And rain from him spreads over every land.

23. He is the lion but the wild beasts are his wedding party
And his prey are the kings, humbled and abased.

24. He is a sharp blade but its stabbing pain is not felt
By fingers, while hands can feel the knives.

25. When his banners appear over an enemy’s abode
Their orphans and widows proliferate.

26. And if his steeds are tied between encampments
They are livers of kings, morsels to be consumed.

27. So say to the enemy, halt for a short while, for he
Is lethal to those who desire enmity.

28. It is as if you do not know his overwhelming assaults
When war flares up from its intense heat.

29. Ask and you will be informed, not in ignorance, of his deeds
The family of Malik will speak truthfully.

30. Did he not bring captive horses with their forelocks braided,
From the enemy, followed by corresponsive messengers,

31. Until they halted at Al-Dahnā after
Traversing the lands while the eyes could see them.

32. So they arrived safe and sound, their safety never
Attained before, nor sought by armies.

33. So how many notches of a people left humiliated
Their gashes bleeding from the merciless swords.

34. And how much wealth of singers was taken
From the clan all of it and the families distributed by force.

35. And how many shoulders did not leave the captives for a moment,
Their hands turning them over as they lamented.

36. Crying such that their tears were like
Scattered pearls fallen from a necklace.

37. Your tenderness, O son of the most generous, so you left
No hope for us that hands could cling to.

38. And at Liynah he scattered the forces of Tayyi’
Publicly, though dust obscured the atmosphere.

39. One evening he does not restrain his steed
Zealously, while the habit of maidens is to exchange glances.

40. The next morning he comes rushing just as
The night had urged him on, dark and pouring rain.

41. If he survives his swords, then he has survived
But with confusion in his heart from tremendous fear.

42. By their rationality they had a hazardous day,
When those tribes had mobilized for war.

43. ‘Anayn and the family of Al-Fadl from the family of Barmak,
Each of them with a nose and shoulder of pride.

44. And Zubayd came like locusts and Tayyi’,
Each of them hoping for what he aspires to.

45. They thought the prince was in his abode
Remaining, but messages came to them.

46. So the valleys of Qays grew narrow from fear
And the springs closed up on them.

47. Messengers came to inform him
Of the awful events when matters were grim.

48. So he set out from Al-Ahsa, the horses carrying him across the desert,
The freed and accustomed steeds, ever ready.

49. They passed by the Amber Fort but had no concern
Except the houses of enemies to busy themselves with.

50. They were not aware until they were suddenly beset
By great numbers, like heavy rain pouring down.

51. Assailants piercing through them like scorpions atop
Lions, though their stings were absent.

52. They arose stabbing the masses while they
Thrust into its surges vying with each other,

53. Until a group of Al-Fadl appeared, in front of them
The towering seem insignificant and small.

54. The brother of generosity, Mujaddid, leads their reins,
And Fadl when the ambitious one retreats.

55. And the sublime Ahmad, great, all of them
Brothers of a trusted ally rising above the contentious.

56. So the charge of the knights increased after
Mashrifi and Dhabil were crushed among them.

57. And the lion of the thicket—I mean Muhammad—attacked
Searching for his cubs and inquiring about them.

58. He was told, “It is their habit to stab the enemy beneath the cover,”
So he made them drink the horses’ chests, as if

59. Undertaking to take the souls of the people by the sword.
They fled away, some captive and some escaping,

60. And some dead with weeping mourners.
None remained except a fearful onlooker

61. Awaiting a swift dove or guest making camp.
After this honor their kings

62. Became humbled and insignificant before him.
It is no shame if they sought refuge in the care of a master

63. Whose shadow they hoped would extend so no misfortunes reach.
Likewise before this the family of Mundhir took refuge

64. In the care of Han'i when calamities befell them.
So say to ‘Uqayl, rally them and fatten them

65. When the assemblies gather them in pastures.
Know that the deeds of Prince Muhammad

66. Are to revive what the earlier forefathers established.
They warded the enemies from you at Khazazah

67. That day which taught the taste of misfortune.
So give thanks without ingratitude for the efforts of Rabi’ah,

68. For no sensible person among people is ungrateful for a blessing.
To you, O son of the horsemen’s splitter, is an ode

69. At which your envious foes’ shoulders will bow.
It came to you like a string of pearls from one related

70. To revive affection, not seeking wealth.