1. Tell me, my two friends, about a certain man and a certain woman,
Perhaps I will find those who remain eternal.

2. And about lands whose people adorned them beautifully,
Yet time's vicissitudes are not everlasting.

3. And about how my two pyramids of Egypt entertained me
At dawn with the bloom of youth or are they now decrepit?

4. And about the two palm trees of Hulwan, how they leaned towards each other,
Without covering enmity with friendship.

5. And the joy of the two turtle doves lasted blissfully,
As if they didn't know they would eventually part.

6. And time, the changer, came between the two poets,
Relentless and unstopping.

7. If the departure of the Pleiades eclipsed their glory,
The Gemini constellation remains eternally radiant.

8. Suhail fell madly in love with Thurayya,
But how did it lead them to meet?

9. Alas, from the injustice and justice of fate,
A Shamiyya tribe embraced the religion of Yaman.

10. So it collected salvation from the end of time
Upon hopes it left to pass away.

11. And the vicissitudes of time revealed clearly to the two sons of Nuwairah
A day of glorious praise unmatched by any coyness.

12. They were like the ostriches of Judhaymah for a period of time
As if the appointed time had not yet passed.

13. So bloodshed occurred between clans slashing with swords and stabbing with spears
And none worthy of praise but the two horsemen.

14. The Spring passed while dogs howled,
Without affectionate friends beyond Oman.

15. It bent the branches of misery upon the two sons of Wael
Saplings of calamity upon tender youth.

16. Kulaib attacked with a mortal stab
Where the heroes held a market of spears.

17. Uday spent the nights in sins, burning
With a fire devoid of smoke.

18. So necks of honored men bowed down
Accustomed to the utmost glory everywhere.

19. They rushed to meet the swords and the spears
With every shining forehead and brilliant face.

20. No cheek but imprinted with the indentations of swords,
No chest but pinned with the tips of spears.

21. It filtered to the valleys among the people, then recoiled
With plunder and Morganatic wives.

22. And it executed its rule upon the clan of Qailah
Upon a colt they had tamed and trained.

23. Had the injustice of time wished and not wished,
The life of Udhair would have been saved from harm.

24. Which tribe did it not utterly shatter,
With the early death of their excellent youth or their helpers?

25. My friend, I saw and heard of the calamity,
So if you two doubt, just ask me.

26. Take from my mouth the facts, soon they will show
What I see of them, not what you two see.

27. Do not promise me I will live until tomorrow,
Perhaps death will come before what you promise.

28. And awaken me, Caregiver, with the dawn whenever
I neglect it, spur me on and drive me forward.

29. I close my eyelids as if I'm asleep
While my heart flutters within anxiously.

30. O Abu Hassan, your brother has passed away.
Oh, how my soul yearns! Brothers have not reunited!

31. O Abu Hassan, one of your hands was crippled.
Do you have the patience and grace of two hands?

32. O Abu Hassan, hand over the goblets that evoke
Every temptation to overwhelming passion.

33. O Abu Hassan, lay down your weapons, for they
Are death, even if fools call them safety.

34. O Abu Hassan, can one ward off his fate
With the hands of the brave or the plots of the cowardly?

35. O Abu Hassan, when death's time comes,
It will not be delayed if guaranteed.

36. I speak as if I don't care but my tears flow,
Revealing the madness within me.

37. O Abu Hassan, if Muhammad has passed away
Never, my enemy! For you are not like me.

38. I find you did not witness when they stared at him
And he cried loudly, "O So-and-so!"

39. They prevented him a little, then turned away scowling
In the looseness of their garments' hems.

40. My brother Azeem, his resolves continue
With the support of firm determination and strong will.

41. He saw everything people consider beyond him
Yet turned away from it, rich without it, indifferent to it.

42. A man who frightened me with deserts and darkness,
Lands of tents or saddlebags.

43. The verses of Bakr bin Wael appealed to him
But did not make him repeat any of them twice.

44. He speaks little of what disturbs him
Though he does not stop suspecting.

45. A father who, if he follows his approval, is affectionate,
Yet if you seek his friendship, he is distant.

46. May Allah reward you! You frightened the enemies and secured them,
So you tasted calamity and safety.

47. When you frightened men, fear them,
For you will not be rewarded with love for abasing yourself.

48. Winds blew at you tempestuously,
So how did the pillar of Aban bend or soften?

49. Yes, Lord of the famous calamity, the mourned
Slain with the spearhead piercing his heart.

50. The coat of mail of Aasim was removed for Bistam
So he fell just as the grinding stones of oil fell.

51. By my life, O Badr of Dujannah,
Six months passed without you in it or eight.

52. And which father did the she-camels not stand for
Whose resolve fell short of intention the second time?

53. And which young man, had he come to you armed,
When were hands without construction ever fit?

54. What deluded you but fate in Bāsil
That you clicked your tongues announcing him?

55. They say, "Do not go far," by Allah it suits him,
Yet the camel caravan and travel provisions have been cut off.

56. And they refuse anything but "if only" or "perhaps"
While whence do the winged obtain flight?

57. Gently with wishes! Muhammad's visitation
Crossed the highest sphere, beyond all return.

58. It is enough for death to succeed in taking the like of him.
It suffices me, even if it missed him, two would suffice me.

59. May showers irrigate you plentifully, like my tears,
Or like your generosity, a downpour

60. Between the plain and the sand dunes,
The remnants of rain ever dripping

61. Upon your grave until the two earthen flasks meet.
O Abu Hassan, fulfill the rightful expectation,

62. For you were both nurtured on affection.
Hold yourself together a little. You are not the first afflicted

63. By separation from a loved one or the betrayal of time.
They criticize you while the criticizers altogether

64. Are suspect if they were to follow the people's ways.
Be forbearing, protective, patient, composed,

65. And take only what you call for.
And return to the remaining loved ones among you

66. With abundant affection and tenderness from you.
Take him, draw him into your two wings,

67. For they both nestle glory.
In vain, he doesn't know what is joy or sorrow.

68. Reliant on two weak hands and a tongue.
Perhaps if you shade him under your shadow

69. Tomorrow - for this life alternates.
Solace for you, Muhammad

70. Dwells amorously with the nymphs in Paradise.