1. The camel stride of Layla's tribe departed while the guide
Lightened the loads on the backs of the she-camels.

2. A parchment was tied atop a flower as though it were
The plumage of an ostrich shunned by people.

3. And my heart returned from its youth
So blame it not, nor keep it busy with reproach.

4. It stirred my passion while the darkness leaned
Like doves in the branches of Arak trees cooing.

5. I composed poetry but my tears
Poured down copiously from the heat of separation.

6. The dawn’s travellers except for you
My yearning falls short of their forgetfulness.

7. As though after the separation I possessed
A sword that swayed under the sheathed blades.

8. I say to my patience the day Malik turned away
After I had surrendered it to passionate love:

9. "Away from all the living and leaving behind
Can patience benefit the grieved and departing?"

10. When the people embarked in the darkness of night
The dawns’ suns in their orbits gave them light.

11. And if they journeyed between rugged terrain
In a similar plight to the lame and inactive,

12. I wondered at the softness of their resting place
And the light of the slopes and eyes of their maidens.

13. Their rubbing of necks after shedding their shirts
While among them were flirts and cajolers.

14. I have not stopped crying while the rain poured
And the dawn called as darkness spread.

15. With tears, when sadness subsided,
Sorrow saw it and swallows drew it out.

16. Until they disappeared behind the sand dunes
And stooped the short and the tall.

17. In coquetry the killer of glances, when soft,
To me, her glance and wink are equal.

18. The wine of her cheek shows magic of eyes
As though its mark on the cheeks were Babylon.

19. As for her love it is severing
Unkept promises and procrastination.

20. I clung to it while the insanity of youth
Was frivolity and my right to playfulness was invalid.

21. And I have not stopped disobeying my confidants in his love
Until their advice to me grew distant.

22. And how often have I visited the peace of meeting him
But in beauty he doubts the adequacy of weapons.

23. When he walks proudly he is one who thrusts with a lance
And when he frowns with his glances he is one who shoots arrows.

24. My promise to him while the separator settled in the house
Was continuance, while the cutter of ties was connection.

25. The nights of the slanderous gazes slept
While for us the shaper of events was inattentive.

26. If only I knew – though wishes mislead –
Against the self and days being stingy and ungenerous,

27. Will the house draw near with loved ones after
A group dispersed and inhabitants emptied?

28. I lost my patience while determination was reassured
So how can I endure patience while the living departed?

29. If I was described as weak in passionate love
Then I am brave when fears are proclaimed.

30. I am the son of chivalry from the Tamim clan
Where its glorious ones and virtues have met.

31. They excel while the nights’ words are deceptive,
And they fulfill while the days are tempting tricksters.

32. They undertake passion even if mydark character
Shook mountains that litters demolished.

33. When they celebrate with rich coarse cloth their hatred
Increases along with their malice and water-holes.

34. Their chests are masked with armor when the spears collide
And their sharp swords in the fights are unleashed.

35. They make the well-bred horses messy when they stampede
Adorning them are saddle bags and equipments.

36. They took residence in the glory’s courtyard with pride
So hopes became attainable and youthful.

37. They pitched their traveling saddlebags
With no fear of death or might of evils.

38. I matched my old with the new, though I
Cannot equal what the early ones attained.

39. For the dawn I have a colorful fine garment
Whose embroidery by accomplished hands was made.

40. Steeds like noble hawks brought up for raiding
And camels like water-drawing buckets from wells pulling.

41. By the sharpness of the faith’s sword when its sharpness is unleashed Fierce, when the swords for execution are unsheathed.
Sating thirst with spears while today his bow is thirsty

42. And raining generosity while the year is arid and fruitless.
He defends the helpless from the unjust ruler

43. Though soon, if given over to the tribes.
The compensations for blood-money are suspended by his generosity

44. When the sensible shrink from carrying blood-money.
Blows, when the clamor of war wraps around him,

45. And attacks when adversities befall him.
He almost perceives things before they occur

46. And informs of knowledge what the unseen will do.
He is cautious of the fool’s criticism

47. And the impudent are wary of him.
His arrow, when determination accompanies it, is unfailing

48. And his wrath, when tremors accompany it, is resolute.
A man who does not care whom his violence kills

49. But with justice he commits violence.
He does not desire justice in his happy times

50. But with anger, he is just.
His terrible tyranny does not ride his capability

51. But degradation is disdained by him.
The days do not soften his wooden disposition

52. But he is free from wrongdoing and forbearing.
He comforts the guest and does not complain of meager provisions

53. If the cooking pots of the raiders are delayed.
And driven by travels tosses them about

54. Ambitions, and letters exchanged between them.
Their dawn was darkened by their fortune and they saw

55. Their hopes and transfers pulling them.
The dust of the hills, as though their vigilance

56. Above the riders were unyielding sentinels.
They set out against the fog and doubted it

57. While the morning star had passage of traversal.
They continued the lively night journey until

58. Its pleasures were shared by the terrain’s valleys.
When the fearful rider insisted on a journey

59. Where Death demanded the forfeit of Bazil.
They pitched camp prosperously so their palms poured

60. When the rain withheld the torrential downpour.
I am not pleased to limit its pride to a day

61. Of spears while brave exploits are few.
And many a day of fearful tumult abundant in perils

62. For it, death is a refuge and fear a coast.
It spent the night amongst corpses, their blood pouring

63. Until the wolves had their fill.
As though its steeds in its enclosure

64. Were wild predators roused by meals.
When the blood there boiled, it was deemed

65. To be the overflowing of a torrent on waterways.
And if the tongues bit sharply there

66. It dyed it while the she-camels were bereaved.
You weakened and separated the large army with one attack,

67. Though you are prudent and composed.