1. What reminds you of the ruins early in the morning,
Of dwellings whose traces time has effaced?

2. The region has become desolate and unfamiliar,
With no landmarks, like the dens of foreign tribes.

3. My eyes see nothing around but solitude.
No voice stirs except the howl of wolves.

4. At daybreak, my tears, O friend,
Preceded the stirring of my lids.

5. Rise and look, for your sight is keener than mine.
Can you see any beauty behind the clouds?

6. Judges riding she-camels from Muna,
Circling the Kaaba and pausing on hillsides,

7. Bearing, like Jews, trimmed scrolls of the Torah,
Tied up in bundles ready for sale.

8. They headed for Usfan, then left in haste
At night like gazelles wary of hunters.

9. They crossed the valley, heavily burdened,
Each wadi filled with their packs.

10. Keeping close order, they headed straight on,
Like couriers not stopping to rest.

11. When the camel-litter was slanted to the right
And the couch borne to the left,

12. They descended the winding valley cautiously,
Following its curves with care.

13. Ubayla was on their left flank
While Aqiq marched with drawn swords.

14. They passed Ghamees after crossing Abbud
And traversed Khoyi after crossing Amlal.

15. They skirted Qatanah from both sides
And traveled south of Hima and Nidal.

16. May God water the resting place of Umm ‘Amr,
Where the camel-litters came to a halt.

17. You can hear thunder in the clouds above
Like the clash of arms amid war-cries.

18. Lightning flashes and flickers brightly,
Dazzling like the sparks from striking flint.

19. Or like the lanterns of a monk in a cell,
Their wicks soaked in fragrant oil.

20. How I love those maidens of Labanah
And the freshness of youth in new attire!

21. Many a day I visited them all
At Bayda’s, dressed at ease.

22. But I am a man who has donned forbearance,
Detesting ignorance and wild youth.

23. And the forbearing are blamed if someday
They revert to ignorance after grey hairs.