1. يا راكِبَ العَنسِ كَمِرداةِ العَلَم

    أَصلَحَكَ اللَهُ وَأَدنى وَرَحِم

    O rider of the sturdy she-camel, like a boulder from a mountain peak,

    may God prosper you, draw you near, and show you mercy,

  2. إِن أَنتَ أَبلَغتَ وَأَدَّيتَ الكَلِم

    عَنّي عُبَيدَ بنَ يَزيدَ لَو عَلِم

    if you convey and faithfully deliver these words

    from me to ʿUbayd ibn Yazīd—if only he understood!

  3. قَد عَلِم الأَقوامُ أَن سَيَنتَقِم

    مِنكَ وَمِن أُم تَلَقَّتكَ وَعَمّ

    The peoples already know that One will exact vengeance

    upon you, upon the mother who received you, and upon an uncle:

  4. رَبٌّ يُجازي السَيِّئاتِ مِن ظَلَم

    أَنذرتكَ الشِدَّةِ مِن لَيثٍ أَضِم

    a Lord who requites evil deeds, whoever has done wrong.

    I have warned you of the fierce assault of a lion smoldering with rage—

  5. عادٍ أَبي شبلَينِ فَرفارٍ لَحِم

    فَاِرجِع إِلى أُمِّكَ تُفرشكَ وَنَم

    a marauding father of two cubs, ferocious and ravenous for flesh.

    Go back to your mother; let her spread your bed, and sleep—

  6. إِلى عَجوزٍ رَأسُها مِثلُ الإِرَم

    وَاِطعَم فَإِنَّ اللَهَ رَزّاقُ الطُعَم

    back to an old crone whose head is like a standing stone.

    And eat, for God is the Provider of all food.