1. We prevail, then the nights prevail over us,
And how much does the archer remain upon the arrows?

2. We aspire that an obstinate litigant may grow weary of litigation,
One who does not grow bored of postponing.

3. Do you see how our nights drag us by the forelocks
And stumble upon the mountains?

4. The torrent brings down the crest of every lofty dune
As collateral for the valleys and sands.

5. These are the tyrannical days of destinies
And the sequels matched to the beginnings.

6. They drive the flowers away, so if we approach,
They strike the springs with ropes.

7. We furnish dwellings for the stay,
And impending death spurs us on to travel.

8. We roam secure, though death lurks
Among the anklets and sandals.

9. And while one dons ease like a garment,
It abandons him, fleeing after the shadows.

10. Plague laments the thousands in the long-columned house
Of the chaste maidens, the family of Ma`add;

11. It laments a herd of white-faced noble ladies
Of refined manners and burnished temples.

12. In it lies the handiwork of al-Qayn's sword
Raised upon the blades.

13. When the stallion sires his progeny,
He guarantees nobility for the foals.

14. The valleys of al-Muzayn were fertile only because
They were irrigated by the flowing waters.

15. Short women in the houses of glory
Have their compatibility with long glory augmented.

16. Every chaste woman inclines at dusk
To the riverbank of generosity.

17. As if their bedrooms were seashells
Fortified, clasped unto adornments.

18. They excelled in chastity and altogether surpassed
In their place beyond count.

19. They conquered the beauty of creation until
They left creation oblivious of beauty.

20. Theirs is the lineage of highborn ladies,
Pursued unto the heights in days of strife.

21. The pedigree ascribes the mares as noble
If they trace their line to the majestic courser.

22. They were brought down by Death, their bridles handed over
To the halters.

23. Their glory was but a borrowed splendor
Like a loan in the right hand from the left.

24. A people like yours, Time does not bring back,
Nor do nights beget one like your father.

25. In their tombs lies spilled the drink
Of the rainclouds' udders from the rain-laden sky.

26. Indeed, their graves altogether
Lie atop the summit of glories and grandeur.

27. Water those graves, for in them lie
The water-bearers for the powerless.

28. With hands that withhold the meadows as honor
And secure from the striking of swords.

29. Thunderclouds wherein is the rumbling of thunder,
The neighing of the courser, the clanging of swords.

30. They came galloping like the rush of steeds
On nights of glory, tilting valiantly.

31. The era of their house watered its life
And gave life with ostriches and swords.

32. When their women undertake endeavors,
What then is my surmise and yours of the men?