1. The riding camels are playing truant from gathering their bounty,
The dates have been distracted for a day while lost,

2. And Allah knows that had they ripened,
The strong-ankled would not have passed them by,

3. Until one gathers a shred of them with halting ankles
-All night long- any tall-legged would have done.

4. The inferior, base byways did not disturb him, frail as he was,
Nor was he led by the bare-armed smiting with axes.