1. The virgins were told by a herald
Of a poet visiting the living quarters

2. So they went to see him, making light
Of the warnings of the chaste matrons

3. To see the temptation he exudes
That seduces the virtuous free women

4. And they found him a handsome man
With a beautiful exterior

5. Nothing indecent shows in him
As the talebearers had claimed

6. Perhaps in his poems are signs
Of magic that captivates minds

7. So they asked him to recite something
Of his outstanding compositions

8. And he obeyed them, for who
Disobeys beautiful commanding women

9. They made a rare necklace around him
Of precious jewels and pearls

10. And the man took the rebeck
His thoughts gazing into the unseen

11. And plucked on the strings a trilling
As if the instrument took flight

12. Then he began to tell his tale
And fancies followed one another

13. The prince Muhannad was
A renowned hero among the tribes

14. Of the valiant clan of Badr
The magnanimous people of repute

15. A thousand lion warriors
Joined under his banner

16. A man made as wishes desire
His nature and character manifest

17. With a famous assault
Among the deserts and settled areas

18. And a bravery in his heart
Veiled by gentleness in his gaze

19. Lions fear encountering him
And cowards long to see him

20. He loved a girl from the noble
Clan of Hamdan, people of glory

21. But between her father and him
Was a blood feud with a blood avenger

22. So he sought to propose under
A truce but returned unsuccessful

23. His zeal carried him away
Let alone an impulsive young man

24. So he attacked them with his men
And all who shared his grievance

25. They fought for two days with
No victory appearing for either army

26. Until that fray was like
A massacre, some body parts scattered

27. So Muhannad called for single combat
And challenged everyone present

28. No sooner did he call than a
Prowling lion answered his call

29. Until a masked young man came forth
Wrapped in an abundant turban

30. So they exchanged blows, both
Plunging in like vicious falcons

31. Soon they smashed their spears and put
Their keen swords to work

32. And they struggled violently
Both unrelenting hides

33. Both bloodstained
But neither one careful

34. The masked man did not refrain
From killing his contender

35. Rather he sought to exhaust him
To overcome him when weakened

36. Waiting for the chance
Of the cunning ambusher

37. So he took him by surprise
And surprise grants victory to the ambusher

38. He overpowered him and he was terrified
Like a sheep under the knife of a butcher

39. The prince said: “You have defeated me
Will you not pardon with the power to pardon?”

40. He replied promptly:
“Rejoice! For you are the victor.”

41. And he removed the turban, and a
Sun shone whose tresses flowed

42. She was his beloved, for whom
He had plunged into peril

43. So they made a pact, pledging
With their blood, not with bracelets

44. And the two tribes reconciled
In a wedding where secrets were joined

45. Their fortunes passed, but
After them came misfortunes

46. And the girls revolved in
A cycle of thoughts spinning

47. And they witnessed those events
As if their past was present

48. And as if with their eyes they saw
What sights had seen

49. Then they asked for more, and more
Of the wondrous tales that enthral minds

50. Until when night fell like
The alighting of a traveler

51. He ended his speech with her whose
Story set his passion roaming in tales

52. More perceptive and eloquent than a
Jinniya provoked by passionate desire

53. Better that the lovers establish
Rites to worship her

54. Like Qays and whoever is his equal
Among the ancients and contemporaries

55. And he freely described the one adored
As passions wish to describe the beloved

56. While he wandered at night distraught
Eyes wandering lost

57. Burdened and spurned, with no
Comforter or supporter or aide

58. Except when raiders passed by him
And he found their company when shunning company

59. He wept and made weep with poetry
Pure tears pouring forth

60. And taught sadness to the wilderness
And softened the stones of graves

61. Until in despair he died
A grieving emaciated death, unresigned

62. His eyes slept but his heart
In the grave stayed awake

63. So they wept for Qays in pity
And loved him with all their thoughts

64. And saw him in the form of one
Who laments what he recalls of him

65. Then turned back sniffling
Wiping their tears from their lids

66. Glancing toward one who
Is like him, a charmer and poet

67. Each saying with her glance:
“O Qays, I am the daughter of Aamer

68. By God, the confidantes were fair
This one is no less than a sorcerer”