1. I warned Zur'ah though folly is his name
He sends me strange verses and odd lines of verse.

2. So I swore, O Zur'ah son of 'Amr, that I
Am harsh to the foe when battle is averse.

3. Remember the day we met at Okaz fair
When under the pack-saddles you did disperse?

4. We shared two lots between us and I assumed
The better portion while the worst was yours.

5. Expect then verses and an army at your gates
That will surround you on all sides diverse.

6. Kin of Ibn Khuzam will hem you in behind
As will the Banu Rabi'ah take your purse.

7. Banu Harrab and Banu Qadd have surging waves
Of glory - ravens do not prey on hearse.

8. Banu Qu'ain will surely come to you minus
No claws however carefully immersed;

9. Their swords ring like the hive-bees buzz and seem
Wasps 'neath the helmet-domes that never cease.

10. Banu Suw'ah will visit you, their envoy leading,
An army with Abu'l-Mughaffar at its head.

11. Banu Jadhimah, a folk of truth and honour,
Won victory o'er Khabt's men till tithed.

12. Flanking Okaz on this and that side, calling
Their lads to arm, both clans of note well-bred.

13. A tribe who, when the war-cry's raised, are seen
In serried squadrons charging in all haste.

14. The Ghadiri who marched beneath their banner
To pitch their camp-fires by the wells they traced.

15. You see them lead along their sturdy camels
With littersarison their humps bedight.

16. The vales between their ranks like crests enfolding
And noble ladies pure, serene and bright.

17. The slave girls' arms thrust out from every curtain
And mantle-hem, a moon no shame can blight.

18. A throng to shade the plain and leave no hollow.
As though they spread a pebbly wild in sight.

19. No lack of savoury meat and drink denied them
And lavished on you girls are their delight.

20. The tribes of Dudan gird me round nor thwart me.
And so the Baghid - stauncharies are they.

21. Zayd ibn Zayd with warriors of 'Urair
And Malik ibn Himar has Kunayb today.

22. Sukayn holds Rumaythah; whilst at Duthaynah
Encamped are the renowned clan, Bani Sayyar.

23. Among them are the beauties of 'Asjad
And Lahiq - smooth steeds brought out to race;

24. The Ya'zibid snort yellow through their nostrils
And the white marks on thei legs enhance their grace.

25. Their troops of females follow in succession
Like wild beasts ravening without restraint.

26. Rumaythah's sure defence bars all our lances;
No coward clan in arms were e'er there pent.

27. They captured only maids, for they
Made haste, fearing dishonour and dissent.