1. I aspired to ride the steeds of youth seeking my desire
And I searched the high ridges looking out

2. And I marched with resolve to pierce the dark night
To smooth the path for traveling the milky way

3. So I came to a howdah upon a howdah
And I entered into a litter upon a litter

4. And I said when the meeting of the pleasant aroma
And the cool north wind had distressed me:

5. "My friend, speak of the young she-camels
O brother of old age, about the nights of youth."

6. And renew tales of love's anguish
In the breast of a generous man - how he loved in his youth!

7. "Do not cease your tales until the early dawn light breaks
And do not stop until you plainly refuse."

8. And the cooing of a dove moaned over the high dwelling places,
Repulsing the orator who had come to propose.

9. So it reminded us of a night at the encampment
And the days of youth - how joyous!

10. And water in the valley of Al-Ghadha flowing
And resting at Al-Hima well-vegetated.

11. The nights of my era were youths
And my era with my friends was tender."

12. There was no more fragrant than that youth
No softer raiment than those pastures.

13. The fairest of gardens was that pasture
And the purest drink from that preserve.

14. So one settled stirred up charming conversation
That would occupy a troubled soul.

15. He would not recognize me as a quick wit
And he would deny knowing me as a grey hair.

16. I almost shed - despite youth - white hair
There I would shed the marks of old age.

17. And I said, "the sin of loving souls
O God forgive what sins I have committed!"

18. And I uttered from it a moan
That nearly set my breast aflame.

19. More wondrous than any agony is a teary eye
When true agony bubbles forth tears.

20. I pulled back the reins and my cloak slipped
So I let flow with tears what had slipped.

21. And I toasted its back with the she-camel's saddlebags
A drink I would sip and relish.

22. And I lamented, crying for a past era
Too short for the son of sixty years to cry over.

23. And I grew tender, enraptured not for love -
Does a man grow tender if he does not become youthful?

24. Goodness to you, I have aged beyond any saying
Of a noble one who takes away what is frivolous.

25. So he reminds me of what pleases me
Speech, when it flows, enraptures.

26. Speech that titillates the heart of a youth
Vanishing when it wishes to flirt.

27. It carries whatever gentleness it desires
So greetings from east to west.

28. And it nearly marks the page with its eloquence
That the parchment may become verdant.

29. By God my words have not lied
By God my diction is not unsweet.

30. By God the worth of my brother Sudad
Is a pleasing elevated plateau and a wandering star.

31. The sky takes aim when he is loved
And he represents approval when embraced.

32. The guests flock to his fire
And there find a hearty welcome!

33. And valor carries him into the fray
The sword in his grasp thrusts and strikes.

34. The swords are pleased with him as a brother
And the heights thank him as a father.

35. Concord has sealed the lion of nobility
And the steeds circle, charging and returning.

36. They see nothing but carnage flowing
And a spear shattered and a side pierced.

37. A dynasty knew his worth, ransoming him
With the most generous and perfect.

38. The elite of the devout and the reverent
For good and changing fortune esteem him.

39. Taxation is paltry in his case
And position falls short of his merit.

40. The sky is prolonged through his forefathers
And counts them star by star.

41. The vanity of pomp bows before him
So he leads it step by step.

42. At daybreak he seizes the assets of eminence and beauty
While hands were outstretched in the morning for spoils.

43. And his promise is enough to attain what is desired
A guarantor for fulfilling what is sought.

44. Your messages came in succession, so my thanks
Go out to them in procession, procession.

45. Others fooled by a promise
Proceed with it glittering and playful.

46. So take them to yourself, they gladden the youth!
The nature of the gentle breeze is to enrapture.

47. I singled out the closest with them especially
And greeted the sweetest of all with the sweetest.

48. I characterized excellence to withdraw
While the clumsiness of vulgarity is to write.

49. And I let flow a dark sacrificial camel
And kept back a lead-colored old she-camel.

50. I left hearts bound to it
And the breast of the beloved playing with it.