1. Stand contemplating and do not pass by,
Circle around the hills of Banu Qafiza.

2. And if you both seek victory, then go around
The sides of its blessed pond and you will win.

3. For its treasures have been revealed by its Lord,
And its meadows have shown the treasures openly.

4. And Tarbasun has sewn for it a shirt,
You see it but no pearls are seen in it.

5. It is faced by soft, delicate meadows,
That you imagine, when spread out, to be the softest carpets.

6. So take the reins of the one you love,
For you will never take the reins of the one you love like this.

7. With a flashing lightning against clouds,
It snatches their rain, cup after cup.

8. With the daughter of generous Karima, however glorious she is,
For us the cupbearer made glorious the old wineskin.

9. I established Al-Qatramiz as great as a ratl,
For I made my ratl Al-Qatramiz.

10. The basil of spring, and it is not bad,
What excellent fortune you have, oh life!

11. Yes, if the vinegar of the basil is scarce,
Then the wind equally deserves to be scarce.

12. They are morals, some white and some black,
As you both saw ivory and ebony.

13. So do not be fooled by the beauty of gifts,
But always test and examine.

14. For the crack of a spear though cured remains,
No matter how high its heel is raised.

15. And take refuge in contentment, for indeed in it
Is a guarded preservation of our dignity.

16. Let us live our lives generously,
For if we die, we die a noble death.

17. If I have not grasped a sound opinion,
That I originate, nor an eloquent saying,

18. And the passage of fate has not drawn from me
A deep measure, when it draws a shallow one,

19. Then I am not in figurative speech but
An impossible one, gaining no reward for it.

20. I will show the face of my patience to the nights,
Does the dawn ever avoid appearing?

21. And I will wrap myself in resignation,
Indifferent to my hopes, wearing my old slippers.

22. And I will not set sail upon the seas in disgrace,
I will drain the poison or take the ropes.

23. So no noble person has appeared upon a sinking ship,
And refused, except to steer it.