1. I fancied in the dark a wondrous shape
That lofty 'Azzah's keen eyes recognise

2. The echo's voice was changed in the ravines
And the dove lamented with a plaintive cry

3. When shall I see, as I was wont to see
Loftiest 'Azzah by fate one day laid low?

4. On the hill-slopes of Naqi' and fort Himá
Vapours in pride the written lines outgo

5. Have we bent the necks of the centuries? Nay,
Like camel's nose-ring we have bent them low

6. As though I checked her, yet to Samahat
The glooms of eve she westwards headlong flew

7. No mother-ostrich is there who will guard
An 'Arak-tree leafless, a lonely palm

8. And if she rose, none like her ever breathed
The morning breeze, so nobly panting, calm

9. Fairer than she, though she turn back in scorn
The sand grouse in the valley gladly camp

10. The litter wanders with her kith and kin
But her anklets refuse all wandering

11. And the wild cows as they draw nigh do pace
As the flooded torrents a hillside rend

12. Now smoothly flowing and now turning back
Lest they should burst their banks as they descend

13. As the white warrior of tried prowess reeled
At dawn by Sarakhid with brimming cup

14. Then if you told him truly, you would say
I found you by the wadi-side entrapped

15. From the evening-potions that hollow out
The rocks, nor seek they the smooth easy paths

16. You proved my troth before the wise and learnt
Or else you shunned or played the elephant