1. Behold, Salma has outgrown her infatuation
And severed what was between us, turning away,

2. And were it an ankle ring or a necklace discarded
She threw off her collar with no care for obligation.

3. Nothing was left between us save her bewilderment
When I greet her, at the speech of one enamored.

4. And when she returns my greeting, I say to her
“Greenery be upon you, and may you be well adorned!”

5. Passion has denied me her; each dawn
I ready myself for a two-edged sword’s onset.

6. I ease the accounts of Qahtan's droughts—I am
Of Bani Buhaitha's sons, wherever they alighted.

7. I am a son of Bani Nizar, sons of Qais son of Juhdir,
Sons of every knight when the steeds take flight.

8. We have in Hejazi Ta'i every mighty fortress
When the abode of the downtrodden is dissolved.

9. For every people of Ma'add there is a landmark—
Ours are ruins whose traces have been effaced.

10. We have women war booty has not despoiled,
As when undefiled maids were made lawful.

11. Tribes were never afflicted on a pitch-black night
As we afflicted them, without paying the bride price.

12. In what land after its birth brought low Tamim’s glory
Do you seek glory? Tamim bent in humility!

13. Tamim conceded authority to Dulhamah's son.
And when it lost glory it re-pledged its loyalty.

14. Once Nu'aim stood amidst Qahtan as one flung
Into the sea in darkest night, left adrift.

15. Qahtan's Syrian tribes saved you from Azd Iraq—
When death throes began, they came to your aid.

16. They split, you mended; they purified, you corrupted,
Wherever depravities were made licit.

17. Our rifts will heal while their crevasses split
When towering matters come to pass.

18. With an army of Helpers we could cast them forth
And overturn even Rauda's firm-standing peaks.

19. Whenever the eastern pulpit’s pillar shakes
We buttress its corners `till stability it regains.

20. Through them Allah elevated the Caliphate. Whenever
They saw the slipper of one pure sway and turn askance,

21. Through them Allah gave victory to the Prophet, affirming
The bonds of Truth in Islam till perpetuity it gained.

22. They stained the devils of idolaters in Khalid’s era with blood
Till reassured and tranquility again she obtained.

23. Deluded devils of Qais and Khindif enraged by
What fate had denied them—things ne’er attained.

24. If we rekindle the pyre then we are the ones
Who quenched its flames till they faded away.

25. Kings who took their turn until its rightful owners returned,
With no fixed terms sold when respite was gained.

26. A Tamim-pride emerges when sedition dies down,
And vileness, when the noble station’s regained.

27. Even if the Antichrist came seeking protection,
Tamim would flutter around him—and feel constrained!

28. A dross in Iraq and unscrupulous in treachery
When a death occurs in Quraish, they cry in elation.

29. You fell at Aqra’, east of Babylon, when
Tamim lost courage and battlements regained.

30. You fell one day glory isn’t rightfully yours.
Spears flowed into you as your throngs took flight.

31. Like an Imam scenting prey as night descends
On horseback at the plain of Huduj arrayed.

32. At Aqra’, Tamim's casualties: a wretched lot.
Others: to Egypt their ranks made headway.

33. Never were Tamim’s casualties martyred.
Never did they show valor when war drums beat.

34. Where is Tamim when columns of our men threaten,
Squadrons from us: roaring, vicious, belts fastened tight?

35. Qahtan columns in dust clouds effected many
Great feats there while most splendid feats displayed.

36. Tamim knows the ways of vileness better than a wild cat,
And if it walked the noble path—it would stray!

37. I see night overcome by day, but never see
A gap in Tamim’s shame for the light of day.

38. The Thahji tribe mocks me—and to Tai’i
It was once an ally. Then it slipped away.

39. And Ukal—Tamim's slaves, and Tamim is more enslaved,
If told vacate your courtyard, it slipped away.

40. We crushed Ma'add at Ni'fai's day, until
Tai'i unsheathed swords and joined the fray.

41. Until Qais Ailan took back its women by force
While Tamim submitted to the swords at play.

42. By my life, Sajaah led her tribe on the move
But when Yamamah’s glory arrived, there they stayed.

43. Till the Bakri harried them about, humbled them
So she became their bride bedecked on display.

44. And that Hanthalite prophet then appeared
Soiled in her burrow, cloaked in shade.

45. If Warbo'a is crushed for his musk,
Then Tamim would draw from it and display.

46. If a flea on the back of a louse
Could attack Tamim’s ranks—they would sway.

47. If Tamim gathered its groups one day
Upon one rational being—it would break!

48. If the spider mother wove for them
Her canopy on a dewy day—it would shade!

49. We sacrifice, then distribute the meat. Our sacrifice is valid
While Tamim never sacrifices or distributes.

50. They came to Mecca on hajj and pilgrim garb donned
But once there, hypocrisy and discord displayed.

51. Tamim taught Qais Ailan women their relaxed ways
While Tamim's women fled their protectors in dismay.

52. You left your women for Qahtan, the morn
Al-Mirbad's lightning struck and clouds arrayed.

53. If Syria’s kingdom thrones do not stand firm,
We buttress its corners `till stability it regains.