1. When the early morning camels of Sha'tha's clan departed
At dawn, driving the young she-camels away,

2. Sulaima settled in meadows and sand hills
Where none could reach her that day.

3. Long journeys make you anxious about mishaps
And how often have we seen one who does not return from a journey!

4. She cast down her staff and the camels halted,
As the traveler's eye is gladdened by the return journey.

5. In the morning, the kings who watched over her
Attacked with a battalion,

6. Mu'awiyah ibn al-Harith and his army
And Hassaan in the midst of the singing maidens

7. Had gathered an army as if its nobility
Were swarming locusts in a towering, teeming flock.

8. They passed by the edges of the houses but men at the tips of spears
Drove them back.

9. A noble steed, like the grey stallion of the dunes,
Carries us forth from every battle out of fear.

10. Every high-climber in the valley is like
A partridge immersing itself in water—a diver.

11. For her a baby camel rises in the cradle,
Just as the beautiful, barren wife prepared for her husband.

12. He collapsed under the dust for the sake of an eyebrow
As a fledgling with weak wings collapses.

13. They are two champions both stumbling—
Each desires leadership of the sword but the sword is rare.

14. The only merit is to show courage
Despite weak bodies and crushed heads.

15. The shoulders and palms of Zuhaym behind him
Were clawed as if by eagles' talons.

16. They spent the night as our guests and we spent it in prosperity,
With singers and a flute to entertain us.

17. We did not lessen our gifts to them but their stay with us
Ended at dawn when the sun rose with burning heat.

18. They were met before daybreak by battalions
In dense rows, continuously marching.

19. You could see the white of their teeth flashing
As the warriors bit their short spears.

20. The elite troops thought they would not be killed
If the tribes of 'Abs and 'Amir were summoned at the low ground.

21. It was as if the ostriches' eggs were laid upon them
And their eyes were the eggs in the nest.

22. We broke the eggshells in a torrent of dark blood—
None of their boastful warriors survived.

23. No one survived unless he was
A young ostrich fledgling or a persistent, mature, wild cow.