1. Whether settled or a wanderer
And travelling has what's passed as respite

2. God has kept faith and justice for Himself
And man is left with blame

3. The earth bears what He loaded it with
And nothing can change what He has done

4. One day you see it like a worn out cloak
The next its hide is tanned

5. He gave it horses’ hooves, camels’ pads
Donkeys' hooves and palms made hard with work

6. And people everywhere with their riding beasts
Barefoot, shod, or wearing sandals

7. And I have ridden off on my mount
Jolting, jangling, with little provision

8. I jolt along like a bow of wild olive wood
That knocks together the striker’s wrist guards

9. Riding a mountain goat and a she-camel
Slow but sure over the long empty terrain

10. Dribbling urine and dust on its thighs
Like a sprinkling of saffron rice

11. Traveling like one who crosses vast deserts
To settle with camels as reward

12. And a young she-camel, a boy slave,
A maid—gifts for the absent friend

13. Honoring whatever she has earned
And recompensing her for her labour

14. Dawn has come to generous Salama
Yet his heart is anxious and fearful

15. He is fair, fears not emaciation
Breaks no family tie, betrays no secret

16. O best of riders, who drinks no cup
Save from an open-handed giver

17. I have given you these verses, generous Salama
The thing belongs where it is placed

18. Poetry brings down the noble man
As rain brings down the pouring clouds

19. If you were a collected pool of water
The tribe could drink when they arrive

20. The days of your parents gave birth to you
When they obtained you, what a fine gain!

21. A knight, a donkey, and a nomad alike
Know each other on the flat land

22. Do you remember when you were my cloak
And I made you my paradigm?

23. A lion in battle, though fate bows to him
He spurned kings’ ways and their works