1. Alas, would that I knew if my she-camel might fail me
In a land of elevated sand-dunes and open plain;

2. More delicious to me her grazing the ground, and pleasing to me
Are the edges of a fertile meadow watered by the rain-pools.

3. But for yearnings of love for Ramla I'd not have said,
If I visited her pasture when it drank in the rain:

4. "Blessed the place of al-ʿUqayq, blessed who dwells there,
And though she departs may none bless al-ʾAthl!"

5. The weakness of the effect of her speech lies in the wantonness of youth.
She has a glance that makes you forget what the buds are doing.

6. And she has secretly sent me her messenger
That I may abandon her - but to abandon is the mark of him who is voided of good sense!

7. They fear for me from her people now they have vowed my blood shed -
I shall ransom it amongst them though the ransom be exorbitant.

8. Can fear of evil events keep me from paying her a visit
And solace myself for her estrangement, though death be the price!

9. When she is appeased with me, there is no night
I lie down in anger - save my household and my family!