1. The longing, when the stages stirred you,
Where the valleys met between two slopes,

2. You remembered, so a tear flowed
Freely from your eye, pouring down.

3. Nights of a life made pleasant by his face,
Once, and Sa'da was a friend who stayed by me.

4. Leave Sa'da now, desires help love
Join once, then are inconstant.

5. To you, Ibn Layla mounts his smooth-gaited camel,
We two race, carried by a relay of camels.

6. Threading through the thickets of his loved one,
Like a wild cat counting the water-holes.

7. A mare freed from the rein's control when
Her guide gave her her head at the halter.

8. She plays, darting ahead of Ibn Layla, the braided
Tether and the charming ankle-brace distracting her.

9. Old Dilath, I never dropped his rein,
My guide holds him back when the clay-pit lies ahead.

10. You, Ibn Layla, grace your tribe when
Business trips show what men are made of.

11. Beautiful, bright-faced, open,
Mild when disasters shake his composure.

12. His lineage is noble among honored houses,
Their glory is his banner.

13. Who can accuse me of being miserly
Or of refusing his request? For you are generous.

14. The camels of bounty knelt all before you
And you gave freely, your abundance was enough.

15. You welcomed two guests: you were of use
To one with prompt friendliness, soon gone.

16. Another hopes from you what the first obtained,
His brother whom you equipped when he departed.

17. You brought together such fine qualities
All who gained the like bore heavy loads.

18. You made them into a herd, you sufficed for all,
Preserving them well though you carried the burden.

19. In you, Ibn Layla, are honor and courage,
Wisdom weighty and deliberate.

20. You mended what you were entrusted with
Till it was repaired, loving kin and dear friend.

21. You refuse injustice everywhere,
Defending the weak, brandishing your sword.

22. When men had need in any crisis
You helped them, giving your all, or standing aside.

23. You were a thorn, striking deep in the flanks
Of horses the young braves ride out on.

24. You were a blade that the burnishers made shine,
Your flashing taking souls like lamps leaping up

25. Or lightning dazzling sight.
When the enemy wore armor, their greaves

26. Clashed, but only the slit-eared camels remained.
Else death takes me, and death is sure,

27. Its cords wound round me, its knots pulled tight.
I ready words for it, reciting poetry

28. When the tribes meet between the hills.
I venture out through mountain and valley

29. When they are empty of one who pitches camp.
The traveling clans of Yahsub recite them,

30. Basra's tribes, and Tamim, and Wail's.
May he who is not my friend or critic

31. Of my poor praise be far from me.