1. The weeping of elders over ruins,
And my question - will you answer my question?

2. A barren wasteland buffeted by winds
From the east and from the north.

3. No memories here of Jubayrah or those
Who came from it bearing awful burdens.

4. My people settled in the belly of darkness and perished
For me, while lofty dwellings fell into ruin.

5. It grazes the slopes, then the hills, then wanders
Among the meadows where young gazelles play.

6. Many are the mountain passes that make the traveler silent
And the slopes that lead to more slopes.

7. A waterskin lamenting the filling of skins,
Travels and wells and twisting paths.

8. Routes taken after sleep, wandering, stopping,
And moving on, and hills of sand.

9. A kettle blackened as if spears
Had pierced its edges from all directions.

10. So if the shrine has revived me, I was
Little troubled, living softly.

11. For it is my preoccupation and my discourse,
And if the prince calls me, a man of words,

12. A gazelle of gazelles and spotted fawns
Who kick up dust beneath the shrubs,

13. A free mare, nimble, barely restrained
By the bridle, a mother of a young gazelle.

14. Her withers, it seems, caressed by a soft palm,
The gentle hand of a doe, mother of a fawn.

15. And the old wine seems mixed
With pure water from Isfahan.

16. Wild cows bred her in a rainy year
So she flows between sharp thorns.

17. So go - dreams have come upon me.
My work has distracted me from remembering you.

18. A camel loud in breathing, gloomy, wearing a neck shade,
Bellowing, fleet footed, shaggy neck hair.

19. The drought has shriveled her; she was not pitied
By companions or served by slaves.

20. I blamed her for the hardness of the earth,
Though her shining metal parts have worn out.

21. She wanders the wasteland aimlessly
Except for fate and appointed terms.

22. And when the darkness recedes and they hope
The rain will come after nights,

23. And the changers of camp are roused among the tribe,
While the weavers are secluded in their tents,

24. A mare runs like a fleet ostrich,
Separating the bundle on the saddle.

25. She overtakes the wild goats and mountain ridges
With a quickness to plunge into ravines.

26. Antar's horse who, when spurred, runs
Like the trotting of a lively, prancing steed,

27. Whose flanks the summer heat and hooves have smoothed
On the mountain path like an archer's bow.

28. Dazzling the heart unto madness, distracting it
From her - evil is such a distraction,

29. Malicious toward the tribe, evil of soul,
Who casts his ropes with throwing sticks.

30. He startled the mare in the dust and chased
Her insistently to the drummer's call.

31. I likened my she-camel as she veered
Right of pasture after weariness and exertion.

32. And she complains to me, moaning piteously,
Her chest galled like the soles of sandals.

33. The saddle has dug into her back
So you see the vertebrae of one hour then departure.

34. She limped in the fetlocks as if
Crippled, swaying above a lame leg.

35. Do not complain to me of the pain of travel,
Nor of the saddle-cloth nor of exhaustion.

36. Do not complain but seek the black hill,
Home of dew and home of action.

37. A fresh branch that quivers on the bough
Of glory, pouring copious dew, firm stepping.

38. There lies honor and piety, and the quarrel
Of the guest, and the bearing of heavy loads.

39. And keeping ties of kin - mankind knows -
And freeing prisoners from shackles.

40. And humility of the dear soul toward
Remembrance when breasts of people meet.

41. Giving, when asked, though blame be forthcoming,
For he does not care.

42. Loyalty, when you promise, your ropes never breaking
As you tie rope to rope.

43. Comfortable, your people rest in your shade
Rising for you as the crescent rises.

44. Whether he punishes, it is affection,
And if he gives copiously, he cares not.

45. He bestows bounty on the crowd like an orchard
Swaying before children.

46. And girls run beneath the ancient willow,
And the knight in trailing garb.

47. Horses as if they were shafts of lightning,
Galloping with the speed of heroes.

48. Tambourines and silver platters
And girls swaying beneath the men.

49. How many tribes were given to drink
At dusk from his pool and were content?

50. Battles blazed but were not extinguished
When he reduced them beneath his rule.

51. Behold, again and again, each was given
Sandals studded with examples.

52. Thus I see those who obey your staff
Exalted, while the heels of your obedient rise high.

53. You are better than ten thousand thousand
Of men when faces touch the ground.

54. And for one such as you who has gathered
An army, the death blow is refused.

55. Your ancient, veteran army of noblemen
Lords of domed tents and feasts.

56. No deviation in battle, no discord,
No reserves, no foster sons.

57. Shields woven by David for war
Borne on camel back.

58. Raiment like ashes to guard
Against dew and shade.

59. No ease allowed for the friend
But to fight the enemy in battle.

60. For one who makes destiny
His adversary, without refuge or ally.

61. Every year leading horses to horses
Openly, the morning after polishing swords.

62. He subdued the giddy when they disliked religion,
With a raid and assault.

63. Then he quenched them at the watering pace
And sated the sins of the filled valley.

64. A spacious tent the guest retreats to
And tent ropes linked to ropes.

65. It casts out the elder from his sons
And turns away the white haired recluse.

66. Then the giddy complained as if suffering
The punishment of words.

67. For yearning, long imprisonment, and gathering
Scattered ones, and travel, and endurance

68. From the ostrich chicks when they disliked adversity,
And deer, and writhing snakes.

69. Then you brought together with a spring
When you directed a condition away from a condition.

70. How many valleys did you drain that day,
And captives from the tribe of killers!

71. And elderly champions on the cushions of the litter,
And women as if they were the pleasers.

72. And two partners in much wealth
Who had pledged to reduce it.

73. They divided the fresh plunder -
Both were men of property.

74. You will remain thus, then never change,
Remaining for them eternal as mountains.