1. Your night grew long with sleeplessness
While the tent-dweller slept, you did not rest

2. And the night passed, and a night like
The night of one with a spotted camel passed for him

3. And that is from news that came to me
And I was informed of it by Abu Al-Aswad

4. And if news had come to me from another source
And the wound of the tongue is like the wound of the hand

5. I would have said words that are not proper
To be preferred from me, the outstretched hand

6. With what bond do you wish
About the blood of Amr on Marthad

7. If you bury the disease we will not hide it
And if you ignite war we will not sit

8. And if you kill us we will kill you
And if you seek blood we will seek it

9. When did we know submission, praise, glory, and obedience
And domed buildings and filled coffins

10. And fire and harvested firewood
And I prepared for war a quick-walking horse

11. Eager and bringing it is like
The crackling of ignited palm leaves

12. With tightened bridle, straight and tall
Glittering in the sand like a cold night

13. Its forelegs pour upon the man
Like the pouring of the smooth palm tree

14. With obscure marks on its leg
If it strikes the bone it does not withdraw