1. The rope of Ma'bad's mother has worn out with fateful consequence,
And failed every promise.

2. She appeared but I hoped not for her gifts,
Nor did she intend to return to us tomorrow or the next day.

3. When she goes out unveiled, her veil does not slip,
Nor does the fettered break loose.

4. You find all the stratagems of the lover
Except that I have not cast myself into the observatory.

5. And that I have not stealthily died nor stealthily perished,
While all supposed me accustomed.

6. As if the camels’ loads in the brightness of dawn
Accuse us, a group of dejected weepers.

7. Or the toothless old man with limping gait
Of youth untouched and unworn.

8. Delay, reproach me awhile and aim right,
If the knowledge of the unseen is with you, then guide me.

9. Every man excuses himself, even the son of his mother –
Goods are like the traveler’s provisions.

10. I make excuses - fate lies with the likes of Khalid
While no fate in what a man has destroyed by his own hand.

11. And I said to the critic and the critic's companions
And the clan of Bani Sawda and they are my witnesses,

12. Openly they supposed me clad in double mail
While their secrets in the Persian style are concealed.

13. And I said to them the rumors in the morning
Have become pregnant between the veil, so they faded.

14. They did not stop until they saw them changing
Like the leg of a hyena in every land and valley.

15. And when I saw the horses facing as if they were
Locusts competing with the wind’s direction.

16. I ordered them at the winding valley
But they understood the advice only at dawn the next day.

17. When they disobeyed me, I knew
Their misguidance, and that I was not guided.

18. What am I but one of an invading troop? If they go astray, I go astray,
And if the troop is guided, I am guided.

19. My brother called me and the horses were between me and him
When he called me he did not find me sitting still.

20. My brother, his mother suckled me at her breast
With pure milk, no rancor between us.

21. So I came to him while the spears pierced him
Like the beat of rain on outspread leather.

22. And I was like a she-camel aroused, so she came
To a skin of musk whose ties were cut.

23. So I warded the horses off him until they were done in
And until the wounds on me became black.

24. I did not throw until their spears rent me
And I was immersed wounded in the intended valley.

25. A man fighting grieved his brother with himself
And knows man is not immortal.

26. They called out and said: Do you want the horses, O rider?
So I said: I worship God, that guides me.

27. If God's servant moves from his place
Then he was neither wavering nor reckless.

28. Nor deviant, when the winds contend
With the juicy, green branches.

29. And bring out from it the people's package of courage
And length of travel, offspring of fierce determinedness.

30. Like the skirts of his loincloth coming out, half his leg exposed,
Patient in condolence, early riser.

31. He seldom complains of misfortunes, protective
From the day of consequences of events tomorrow.

32. The youth passed until grey hair raised his head
So when it raised it, he said to falsehood: Begone!

33. You see him girt, provisions present,
Ready, setting out with cut loincloth.

34. If exhaustion and effort befall him, it increases
His generosity and squandering of what was in his hand.

35. When he descends upon the open land, it adorns itself
For seeing him like a scattered mourning assembly.

36. May God not distance you alive or dead
For who makes him a pillar of earth is distanced.

37. Leader of wars, he remains forever wakeful
Walking proudly with erected, firm spear.

38. And a raid between yesterday and today, an unexpected calamity
I met it galloping with a noble, honored steed.

39. Safe from fragments, ready for flames, bending spears,
Long necked, long legged, with dangling ornament.

40. He overtakes the tall ones, the knot of his head rope undone,
Fine, like the trunk of a palm stripped bare.

41. So I was as if confident in an escort
Walking with the sides of the beloved openly.

42. To him, whoever he meets of people is one,
And if he meets two, he rejoices and is gladdened.

43. And it eased my suffering that I did not say to him
“You lie,” and did not begrudge what my hands possessed.

44. If days bring requital and fate, you will know
O clan of Qarib, that we are wrathful at Ma'bad.