1. Oh, Umm Awes drew near us under the veil of night,
Her raven deep, we slept as if between sweet musk,

2. Or a perfume shop, with its fragrance rife.
You watch o’er unveiled damsels in fearful plight,

3. Lest rakes assail, while modesty is their ward.
How can you trust them when the tribe of Asad

4. Surrounds on every side, old men and youths for fight?
When morn salutes, greet it again at night,

5. Ye sons of Asad, though you rage and despise,
And Quraish afterward make peace, and smite Joheina’s spite.

6. Meantime your weakest clan, Temim, for you fights,
And when enraged can match your angry zoo.

7. I care not though they spread the slanderer’s lies,
Nor heed the buzzing of the circling flies.

8. Ye sons of Asad, befriend the abject train
That bow their necks and serve in lowly pain.

9. Were jinn in conflict we would not disdain
To draw our sabres forth till jackals flee.

10. And did all Qais with one accord maintain,
And swear by God the One, we would not be

11. Bereft of empire save what Quraish claims
By right of kin; else would we bring their pride full low.

12. And if Quraish against us aught proclaims,
Then say to them I will not be their foe,

13. But apt at answers, and I love to blame,
And censure much that passes to and fro.

14. Shall I then fear the keeper of the fold,
The ostrich with her learnt and memorized rules?

15. For ‘gainst the hate of Qais we can enroll
A host of Asad when the lion bares his fangs.

16. Still does Qais lead on from shame to shame,
Yet thrive on foul abuse in times that smile.

17. More firmly based than tribes who trust the claim
Of brethren when the storm bursts o’er their heads.

18. When Qais turns in wrath thy hand is lame,
While from thy feet all power of motion fled.