1. My inner self roused longing for an alluring maiden
Whose veil concealed her beauty from prying eyes

2. Yet my desire grew more ardent, wishing I could lift
Her garment's hem to glimpse her figure's rise

3.
She glimpsed the weakness of a toothless hag for life

4. While virile men still have their teeth aligned
So she revealed herself from underneath her gown

5. Impatiently, her breaths came fast, inclined

6. To one whose cheeks still flush with youthful bloom
I lustfully sought out, heeding not our faith

7. Until, when night had come, she sated me
With kisses as the veil of darkness wafted safe

8.
Leave her, a whore from Palestine when you have tasted

9. The muddy lips of tavern girls effaced
An enemy, though comely and gentle of speech

10. I wished for, and attained my hearts wish unchased

11. I whipped her back once passion had abated
As blood dripped down her wheals in crimson lines

12. And drank red wine just like the morning dew
When from my sight her camel stallion shined

13.
Her collarbone peeked out atop her breast

14. As ambergris perfumed her skin inclined
I led her to the bank where rushes sprouted high

15. As frogs with voices shrill croaked unrefined

16. By your life! The winds bring fickle tides at dawn
Dark moods and haunting worries flood the mind

17. But evening brings sweet calm and pleasures manifold
With riches plentiful daybreak will find

18.
In wealth and poverty and in between, I've drunk my fill

19. Though dire the state her love will stay entwined
The cupbearer brought her in and propped his wineskin

20. Against a pillar as her knees inclined

21. We drank while seated, with our backs toward
A feared tribe whose milk flowed unconfined

22. Abū Misma', I am a chief of highborn race
Who live and die upholding honor's guide

23.
So we are not averse to rabble who by night

24. Spread out their mounts and make their beds reclined
Don't grasp the snake, intending it to bite

25. But leave it be, disappearing from behind

26. Abū Misma' stop, for when a long poem comes to you
Its many verses will come intertwined

27. You mocked me, though I am content, and each tribe
Relays their stories - none transcend their time

28.
Among us one who drew near his kin in war

29. Though steeds grew frantic, still he stayed aligned
By Ibn Hirr's spear thrust in the dust - blood spewed

30. Forth from his mouth as cries of war entwined

31. Among us, Mujāhid on the day the confederates merged
With clouds of troops whose coming was divined

32. He said to him, what do you want? His rage
Against one hundred foes he'd undermined

33.
Among us one whom in the fray God granted spoils

34. Despite his poverty, though kings declined
The captives of Banū Shaybān on the day of Uwārah

35. Were his, as maidens' faces shone outlined

36. Enough for his people Shaybān, that he attained greatness
Whenever it came, though at first benign

37.
When the herdsman returned the cattle to the fold at dusk