1. When I sent my weary patience off
To Asma and to waiting stand,

2. I thought of sitting with you, dear -
Far from your camel-horde's expanse.

3. To you my pent-up love outpour
With thoughts of you my spirit fills.

4. She smiled, her lovely teeth displayed
Like hailstones dropped in flowing rills,

5. Or sparkling rain when lightning flashed -
Then called her sister, “Omar, look!

6. He woos me for a tryst, as though
He thinks I will not him forsook.”

7. So to her sister Hind she said,
“Go tell him this before consent -

8. By God he will not act this way,
By God this thing he will repent!

9. And fix the meeting at Malik’s
Or Ruba’s tents - no place between.

10. If he should come, then let him ride
A mare, lest stallions intervene.

11. When we met, Hind with courtesy
Greeted and said with humor’s tongue,

12. “She turned from an insistent wooer
Who would not cease his praises sung.

13. With lies to her he sent a message,
And people who bear lies are cursed.”