1. The yearnings of passion carry them along while leaving me silent,
And blame in love chastens them yet encourages me.

2. Had they known even some of what I've endured for them -
Yet they are safe from what distresses me.

3. Leaning on the sand hill reaching to the trees,
I clung to a promise not kept.

4. They didn't let me enjoy the cold water since they prohibited
The chill of night and yearning consumes me.

5. O you who peeled the bark and stripped the branches, from Yemen -
I found in you a gazelle that doesn't enliven me.

6. Will my beloved who I've stuck with for so long
After me appoint another to fulfill me?

7. On the morning after anguish, my friend came to me
Seduced by the conscience of a heart smitten.

8. If it weren't for scheming adulterers, we could have
What would not confuse reason or religion.

9. He almost escaped by resolve and determination
But the glances of a flirtatious eyed one confronted him.

10. The water of Nuqayb, even a mouthful,
Is the cure for my love-sickness, nothing else heals me.

11. A waft from the scent of wet fur that
Wings of the night breeze carried in the sheepfolds.

12. I water my tears when the warbling
Of a housemaid spending the night cheers me.

13. I called upon a friend when anxiety bridled him,
And the porch of night shelters me.

14. He got up, confusion throbbing in his head -
Marching on despite my plea to join me.

15. Blame not your people - how much sleep on top of heartache,
Though cooled by the zephyrs of the West!

16. With their cheeks rubbing bony mounts
Emaciated as camels after rain.

17.
Distance wore them out and they became

18. Somewhere between sane and delusional.
Drowning in adversity, whenever they look

19. A lightning flash lights up their gloom and darkness.
Alas - how remote is Babylon from Nejd!

20. It is too far for that separation.
Ask me of passion - each dawn

21. Passion makes me rise while the days humble me.

22. Who can provide me an undignified living
That will divert me from the woes of life and suffice me?

23. O brother who sold his world and its vanities
By his chastity he was not shortchanged.

24. They said, "Will you be content with the deficient and lowly?"
I was not content with the lowly, but I was made content.

25. When we assume and determine, a preordained fate
Flows to a destination, not imagined or expected.

26. How strange is the tenacity of a soul after
It's been struck with calamities, disasters, and afflictions!

27. On the day when the house fell, as others swooped in,
I did not lack composure that rescued me.

28. I fled like a shooting star, brooding -
As destinies collided beneath me.

29. I was the first to climb its peak,
With harm behind not guaranteed.

30. After the King of Kings had smiled at me
Drawing me near in private counsel.

31.
I've become more merciful than I used to envy -

32. So close between might and abasement!
A sight that in ease made me laugh -

33. How close in distress makes me cry!
Alas - I will not again be fooled by power,

34. The gatekeeper of the rulers has strayed.
Why did the pigeon turn from me today, spurning me,

35. Choosing what it would grant me and shelter me with before?
It loosed upon me the bitternesses of life and its events

36. Passed me by with piercing stabs.
They goad fate against me if its afflictions cower

37. And avoid calling upon me.
When they see it extend a hand toward me, they place

38. Bones of skulls for it to pelt me with.
Relatives whose evil lineage has never ceased -

39. A lineage of villainy infecting them and chasing me.

40. They've become salty toward me as if I'm a fruit picked unripe -
No doubt after some time they will throw me away.

41. They attributed treason to me after shattering me
And pinned a blemish on me after exhausting me.

42. Disown your origins - my origin is with anguish.
What manners are these opposing me?

43. The list gave you the upstream water before the river -
So be content with the bridle of my camel litter and ride me!

44. How much humiliation! Among you I'm a camel
Herded daily by the flock of disgrace.

45. Do not feel safe from a foe whose kinship
Is the potency of amity - the result of that softness!

46. And beware the spark of one whose embers you've extinguished -
For vengeance is hot even if deferred for some time.

47.
How can I fear vipers and follow them

48. When I did not live on with those who won't keep me alive?
They anticipated it, for its lightnings have kindled

49. At a passing cloud like the roar of night, hidden.
When the western horizon grows murky

50. With dust, they think of me and imagine me.
You will surely see me searching in its early stages,

51. My tracks disappear at times, at times show me.
You don't recognize me unless it's with slander, when