1. Ibn Abi al-Riqraq turned his eyes away after
He drew near the heights of Iliya and became downcast.

2. He hoped to see what his tribe could see—
Suhayl. But he found the hills of ‘Afar blocking the view.

3. We used to see the star of the Yemen in our skies
As Suhayl, but now the land of Himyar concealed it.

4. We took comfort in it as though it were
A brother or a comrade changed from what he was before.

5. He wept when above a column a dove sang—
A Syrian who stirred his memory.

6. The songster does not wish her lovers' trysts now,
And while you can see the shadow of evening grow dim.

7. In the dens of love in Humaydah he never ceased
To be ill from love of her when they moved camp.

8. If I had in Syria what Thaqif won
In the towns of Iraq and still more,

9. It would be said to me, “Why have I not visited them,
When a dove above a column sang out so plainly?”

10. I left Banu Harb though they were leaders
And Marwan—I will not visit him, though able.

11. I left your father when al-Walid would have me
Do good or grant safety or pay more money.

12. I was not willing to travel voluntarily
To Syria until you were the one arranging it.

13. When it came to me that it was firmly held
For him with tent pegs from Umayya,

14. I set forth with my wings’ pinions, rising up
To the best of mankind, a branch and pillar.