1. We hoped Abu Al-Hayja' would live when Harith died,
But since they both passed away, glory has no heir.

2. Indeed, Quraym of Wael spent the night of Al-Surrah
Standing guard, though the running steeds stirred up the dust.

3. They were two gallant heroes who took turns
Bearing the burden of glory when it overwhelmed the toiler.

4. Two friends whom glory did not favor with a companion,
Two boon companions whom glory did not take as a third.

5. Two swords - if you searched every battleground,
You would find their traces ancient and recent.

6. A remnant of blades forged with steel
That came and went while the calamities came roaming.

7. They deserved that glory lowered its flag,
And that the tall heroes who craved it withdrew.

8. Hands so generous when the time of magnanimity came,
Yet firm when gripping spears at the clash of battle.

9. A flock whose guardian at night
Were the wolves of long dark nights prowling.

10. Where are the defenders of the country in every crisis,
And where are their aides that bring rescue?

11. Where are the steeds rushing into the fray
When the highland was flooded by the overrunning hordes?

12. Where are the heights overlooking harm
When a contentious fool stirs up ruin?

13. When the criers call for war and strife,
Generosity is inaccessible and aid is scarce.

14. Forbearance and dignity attend their gatherings
If a prattling blabbermouth babbles among the people.

15. Those who sustain glory with their bright swords and spears
Fill the dwelling places while the Arabs fill the wastes.

16. When they cast off their cloaks, the path was lit for them,
By noble deeds not bound by the censure of critics.

17. They were mourned by the breasts of the soft-bodied ladies,
And the smooth-cheeked youths and the steeds were gladdened.

18. Burial mounds from the glory they diffused,
With no wavering or procrastination among them.

19. Every meadow they entered was vacated for them,
While the withering autumn leaves fluttered around them.

20. They roamed the plains of glory for a while and paused
Where its blemishes and defects began.

21. When they rode forth, the smooth spearheads began to drip
And their swaying steeds were grieved.

22. It was as if the swooping birds of prey were enraged
At the prey, and the kites submitted to them.

23. They went forth with hands not falling short,
Nor did the blows of the sublime among them fall gently.

24. Nor did the luxury of life make them less resolute
When the elder's arms tenderly embraced them.

25. You stabbed the breast of Hassas ibn Murrah
And the valiant one saw in it shame and disgrace.

26. You left the members of Bakr tribe scattered about
In dishonor, with no birds of prey circling above them.

27. Kulaib owed a debt that weighed upon him,
A prolonged burden of debts overwhelming the debtor.

28. Events of days when their drops of blood
Were the handmaidens stirring the cooking pot.

29. You return from them with blood dripping from your mouths
While the blood of Bakr's mouth drips back to you.

30. You tied them up securely, then the breaking of power and fate
Betrayed them, after vowing and promising.

31. You broke your vows of vengeance while others unlike you -
Many are the regrets of one who promises then breaches.

32. Wars decreed by fate - their struggle
Befell a war in which even the cautious did not escape.

33. Sinan's tongue inflicted wounds that were incurable,
And his hand knew well those it washed with blood.

34. With the morals of forefathers, harm recoils upon the harmful,
A disability upon the enemies - and it rends them violently.

35. I say to the one who laments his death and high station -
The deceived shooter died while the archer inherited.

36. It was as if the darkness in his heart flew off
To the hills, where the twisting serpent sheds its old skin.

37. He flung among the hearts coal that kindled their passion,
The burning coal made more blaze by the ploughmen.

38. I insist you spend the night traveling afar,
Though you are gentle and cling to close friendship.

39. I cannot brush the dust off you with ease
Even if the hovering calamities snatch you away.

40. If the earth covers you, it will cover
The water of the pure spring and heavy rain.

41. It quenched the thirst of Najd's upland meeting the remains
Of those who cried for help from among you.

42. In it two selves of dignity and loftiness
Are your bones and those firmly anchored.

43. And it never ceased being bound by the knots of its soil
To the outpourings the rains abundantly outpoured.

44. It has etchings by tombs as if they were
The work of hands rending the white plain.

45. The manliness of glory overflowed in its waters
And returned to it, parched with thirst.

46. The heights of glory's sand dunes billowed,
With nothing between them and the neighboring dunes.

47. I feared nothing but them in the days of old,
Calamities lost their bitterness after them.