1. The Pleiades showed at their setting a bright
Mask whose luminosity the darkness intensified

2. As if through rifts in the clouds flashed the sparks
Of a kindler who strikes flint violently to light a fire

3. If at dusk the zephyr was still dozing
Secluded amidst the brush, the gazelles gathered

4. It would not stop watering the clouds with rain
That pours on a meadow whose flowers it covers

5. When it rouses the spirits of the beasts languidly
The little twisted branches, the loose hair, and tender sprouts beckon

6. It is the season where there is no bending my bow
At the drinking-place of the zephyrs, nor hurling my arrows

7. I have known it to be the place where a long-necked gazelle
Tosses about on the ground pitch-black young branches that pierce deep in the heart

8. When she glances or prances about I say a calf
Has seen a leopard so it startled, or a gazelle that mounted a height

9. And a white one who quenches her thirst with blood
And how many souls the fate harvests that are sown by chance!

10. She smiles with gap-toothed mouth that is adorned
By a beauty spot on her cheek that intensifies her radiance

11. The darkness frequented it until it was as though
Abyssinian cloth that is not genuine when touched

12. And it drapes the smooth surface of the meadow, all dewy,
Balsam being secreted from its foliage like a fine-toothed comb

13. When the night brings her closer to me, dawn takes her away
As the stitch comes loose when the hem is grabbed forcefully

14. And I returned walking cautiously fearing enemies
On steps that muffle the sounds of their places

15. Though we stipulated union, unless three intervene
Who plot evil, violating the terms we set forth

16. A deterrent to the women who flirt, and a dissuader
Jealous ones who judge by suspicions and exceed proper bounds

17. They robbed the chaste women of the quarter, for no reason, their faces
That shone with tears that drip behind the veils

18. As if the gardens of splendor were being shaken above them
Anemones wherein tears of the beauties drip

19. By a night whose double darkness enveloped me, a spacious
Howdah sways with our hopes riding high

20. I say to her, “The cheek has wasted away as if
She were the briskly stepping she-oryx, treading sturdily with us”

21. “My friend, may God watch over you, before us looms
One boastful at every event, we rise above”

22. “So walk toward him and abandon the greedy guardian
Who guzzles blood not milk, and vain ostentation, not honor”

23. To one independent in tempests and skirmishes
Whose gray hairs the buffets make fall out

24. And who charges from his unripe intellect poor arguments,
Yet presents them as logical cogent ones

25. A brother of Mu’qat, if he disputes regarding honor, I strike his nape,
And if he rivals the hero I make his cause founder

26. In response to him the hacking coughs gather
But they in eloquent Arabic splutter forth

27. And he folds his arms resentfully like a charger
Overstepping a gap to reach the envy of others

28. He struggles to accomplish his lowly task so persistent
He is in his weakness, like the peg that has lost its head

29. To you, the safe keepers of glory, not betraying trusts,
Grown are the fangs of the old and the claws of the cubs

30. His cloak relishes the mouths of kings, and has almost
Worn out from the kisses and hugs

31. Of his tribe they counted the houses, convinced
The stars belong to them, a strong unyielding band

32. Valiant warriors, and wrathful lions throwing off their cover,
Victorious campaigners stripping bare the famine

33. They have allotments that in manner shine brilliant
Whereby the night sky from its dawn tears open its veil

34. In consent, they are like water stored for the herd in winter
And like fire when fury seizes hold

35. If they rage from the affliction of power, they are forbearing
If they are able, they pardon, if asked, they give

36. And O Adnan, how many favors I owe you still
As ample as the reach of its menders has restored the outspread cloak

37. And it has grown accustomed to the deserving one, so it flourished
Neither ingratitude appeals to it, nor withholding

38. He who hates you sees me fully with his eyes
As a chip or splinter that cannot be pulled out

39. It contains the evil from an inveterate grudge
And by my life, that is the worst evil that the bosom hides

40. So speak a Tamimi whose passion defends him. Does he have
A father like Tamim or his descendant chiefs?

41. Your rhymes extend the wings of meter upon me
As they are pliant spears that ward off the enemies’ horses

42. Scattered jewels of poetry, when dispersed
Are only gathered by your encampment

43. As if I share the pride in what you have built
Of glory, or I have a portion of your virtues

44. Shall I seek heights that rise to which the climber ascends
A sleeping companion whose nature always descends?

45. And how can the meeting happen at the peak
When you have preceded at daybreak, ascending, while he descends

46. He remains tightly buckled though the enemy dislikes
It is you who decide to annul or fulfill, withhold or award