1. The mixed-breed stallion promised us he would make clear,
And the two cats left us, so we have no cats.

2. I and the promises are liars,
That the charms of the promisers may delude us.

3. We are bothered by the expectations of the youths,
And what we found became easy for the procrastinators.

4. And we become thirsty while the springs are unresponsive,
So we return frustrated, still thirsty.

5. May Allah curse them, how they got from us,
Souls that were not rational, and were not friendly.

6. They met our hearts with armies of war,
That stab with thin swords and lances.

7. They displayed to us shining pearls,
With which they illuminated the armbands and the anklets.

8. We knew musk to inhabit only the jujube,
So how did the rags change into perfume?

9. The madness of the dawn after gathering,
With what is more deadly than your arrows that we shot.

10. And we did not see eyes shedding tears like swords
That shed blood, while the eyelids were not weeping.

11. Thoughts of the nights of Layla that return to me,
As if they have debts upon my heart.

12. I conceal them, so within my soul,
There remains after the yearning has reached its peak.

13. So O you who lead the years, stop the camels,
For they are on the path of forty.

14. And after you, the head which old age disheveled
With parts of white hair has become wrinkled.

15. Its blackness was the feast of the youths,
Returning the gazes to their horizons.

16. I joke with them, and I profit from the tryst,
And some people reckon me stupid.

17. Old age has degraded what dignified it,
And it was difficult for hearts to become lowly.

18. The madness of youth and the composure of white hair—
Take from me the prohibition and leave the madness.

19. We see the days, and tomorrow they are years,
And with the units they reach the hundreds.

20. Mishaps will inform us of the wonders they showed us,
Of the most amazing things they make us see.

21. I swore by the twisting necks, scheming,
Seeking the safe country, bent.

22. Bearers of honeycombs on their humps,
Beekeepers that sway with a humming sound.

23. They give drink to the dry lands continuously,
And they shoe the hot sands when they are taken to water.

24. As if their whips and the commotion around them
Were turbulent waves that shook the ships.

25. The course of his journey in every smoothed valley
Lengthens the most direct, honest path.

26. The pillar of religion was pleased with us,
Trustees of Allah and the assured religion.

27. He shepherded us with the staff, and we have been,
Like lambs when we are herded.

28. He restored our pursuits until we became upright,
And his light showed the clear morsel.

29. He awoke while the eyes were dozing,
And he stirred though the subjects were calm.

30. He did not neglect the lofty or the lowly,
Not even the ripped clothes or the infant.

31. The eminent people followed the high pursuits,
The near ones follow the companion.

32. They refrained from hunting them by night,
And they avoided their deadly waters.

33. They have raised—as Nuza' raised—
Domes of loftiness on generous pillars.

34. We will live the rest of time through them,
And they will leave the white hand in us.

35. So if we produce for them abundant gratitude,
They were the ones who planted and brought forth fruit.

36. So say to the sorcerers, leave the encampments,
For the lion has come out of his den.

37. Do not gloat over him when he tarries,
For with it he brings upon you hasty wars.

38. In his sheaths is ancient iron
That surpasses the armor of prey in softness.

39. Canoes with which the valleys do not disappear,
So he polishes and oils them.

40. Was not his level yesterday among you
Watering the fibers of the spears, which we did not water?

41. With a fleet creature he turned his elbow for you
Like the circling of the mountain, wounding.

42. He clashed them on the banks until
He returned the roar of your lion.

43. He tore up the armor of the roaming intruder,
His stab awakened one who was sleeping.

44. Disheveled is his hair with white, stained
With flowing blood, because of which it is inked.

45. In vain he protects their necks—they overpowered him,
And the herders were defeated.

46. It clung to the staff, so they jostled with it,
Due to the burning brand on the hands of the washers.

47. Yesterday it walked about chastely, but tonight
It sees with the stab the splitting of its slit.

48. And whoever the spears of God penetrated,
Knows that the pouring ones do not save us.

49. There pitched on the horizons browned banners,
Their attachments are pipes of containers.

50. On their arrows are sons of death,
Destroyers of havoc, masked.

51. Rushing, they strengthened their wings,
Then descended decisively and rose clearly.

52. They attacked suddenly then sought another,
Delaying in place and traveling.

53. It turns this way and that while in the far horizon,
Looking with longing eyes to enemy land.

54. The hunger of the lions misses its prey,
Their fangs and nails stained with blood.

55. It fears standing still in its position,
Even if the enemy takes a long time.

56. If they were forced, not by ravages of war,
The enemy would have thought vain thoughts about them.

57. Have they not witnessed the nights of Sous and
Its mobilizing in the Abode of Adornment?

58. And its deployment on the plateau of Bam,
An encampment against the insolent enemy we bent?

59. When the invader returns crestfallen by them,
They return to stabbing just as we began.

60. They would have caught up with the prey were it not for their staffs,
Else their chasing of the chasers would have been long.

61. They returned with prey in their bags, having met
From the swords what we met.

62. With an archer who hit his mark while
Ropes extended to others were in his hands.

63. Mishaps that cast light on him,
So he took on their burden, though we did not help.

64. The courage of delighted Han' in an early encampment,
And that of Hanthalah who cut through the valley.

65. Would the tall one be pleased, while among the enemies
There are debts to the swords we did not repay?

66. Verily you have rewarded me today the prizes
A generous steed that does not frown or become restive.

67. He was raised by a loving father,
And a mother of noble birth who makes the sons thrive,

68. The tallest of the eminent, towering,
And the most generous when they pour right hand.

69. He carried me to the peaks of loftiness,
And he gave me the choice of citadels and fortresses.

70. So he forced me against my will
To contend and gouged out my eyes.

71. Be prospered at the rise of Nayruz, and convey
Congratulations on the like of it time after time.

72. Sending away every misfortune, residing,
Ever protected at the enemies' rear.

73. You are granted obedient triumphs
And hopeful virgins as helpers.

74. And if anyone deserves more than you to be congratulated
When time extends its years for you.