1. Your imagination's delighted ties have left my heart aflame
So it blazes with fervor for the one who appeared then was lost

2. I pine in agony while she is kept from me by estrangement
My heart on leaving her was like a startled deer in flight

3. My friends, I'll ne’er forget you but rather sacrifice myself
Where, where is the winding path that leads up to her home?

4. When I stop at the ponds of Duhurdhayn I speak to the land
The land where, for love of it, I spend my nights sleepless

5. It was a place of lovely maidens, now the four winds
Ravage it while storms rage through and stir up turmoil

6. Tell me, if I disturb it and evict its people now
Will a lovely she-camel guide me to her old abode?

7. Turning to show her shoulder, or her chest if she draws near
With a scarf that fluttering, floating lightly round her sways

8. Ubayla, this string of verse for you I've woven
Its thread and beauty you confer, its splendor you emblaze

9. I came to you, noble lady, quickly with my offer
Beneath me a Mahri camel of finest stock for your bride-price

10. A land where water flows from hilltops downhill
So verdant growth and flowers bloom in vivid, vivid hues

11. There the myrtle, the wild pear, the lavender grow
Chamomile, nisreen, roses, and osage orange too

12. Though its ruins now are desolate hollow shells
As if no happy life flourished there aforetime

13. With you, Ubayla, I used to joke there endlessly
And the long-necked gazelle would jest with me so graceful

14. Lovely, dark eyed, slender, soft cheeked, elegant
Arched brows o’er lids, lips like anemone buds split open

15. Stout hips and undulating waist, blushing cheeks
Smooth legs like the pods of the sabiriyya, soft belly

16. I sported there as night its cover o’er us laid
Till morning's brilliant light began to spread unveiled

17. I watched the stars at night, they were like flasks
With quicksilver in them, restlessly shaking and dancing

18. Beneath shone a wrist with bracelet glittering
Above another with similar glittering amber beads

19. And brothers true, loyal friends, kept me company
When the horses for a raid like this were saddled up

20. Serving wenches came round with goblets of wine
Raising them up so from each drink we quaffed our fill

21. That day in battle their chief’s pomposity irked me not
Those who saffron dyed garments flaunted marched against me

22. Headlong he charged me, drawing alternately near and away
One time closing in, another shying from me in fright

23. But when in range, I cut his vine to pieces
With a sharp sword, polished shining bright

24. His horse's blood poured forth like pure musk scent
Or like a maiden's dress embroidered and decorated

25. Woe to Kisra if I set foot in his land
Woe to the Persian army if I stir up tumult

26. I will unleash a fearsome Antar-like onslaught
Driving their heroes confusedly back o’er the sands

27. I will smash the enemy's ranks and make their chief
Quaff the bitter cup of death, pure undiluted agony

28. I will take revenge for the slain chief of our tribe
Igniting in war a blaze growing ever more fierce

29. I can shoulder any fearsome crisis
At which tall mountains shudder and shake in terror

30. I protect my neighbor against all disgrace
Welcoming the guest staying with joy and delight

31. I defend my people's sanctuary steadfastly
Until they see me wrapped in a shroud interred

32. Dawn sheds on it a pure clear light
Know that of all poems, it is the finest

33. From it clothes and fabrics can be cut and sewn