1. I stood at the abode of Rayya, at its afflicted ruins,
To greet the house of Rayya with peace,

2. And to shed tears of sorrow in it,
Even if I could not quell the passion within.

3. Does anyone weep for ruins except a lovesick poet,
Preoccupied with memories, impassioned?

4. I stood one day at the abode of Rayya,
Addressing it, but it was sparing of speech.

5. How can the echo of words come back
From the ruined abode of Rayya that we frequent?

6. It had changed from a home of beautiful women
To owls in place of fair gazelles.

7. And every dark-cheeked one, whose eyes were inflamed,
Became an outcast driven by hot winds.

8. As for Rayya, it had been like candles,
A soft carpet, bones wrapped up.

9. Luxurious, forbidden, a place of repose,
Where caravans alight during their journey.

10. As though its forehead were a radiant dawn,
From which the cloak of darkness was torn.

11. Smiling with gleaming white teeth
Adorned in their places with kohl.

12. As though its cheeks were pure honey
Sweetened with pure, flowing wine.

13. It would welcome me, pleased with my visit,
Never inclined there towards blame.

14. Until the ultimate separation came between us,
Scattering our union after it had coalesced.

15. Preparations were made for farewell,
Tokens flung about in commotion.

16. Maidens of the family of Ghurayr,
Passing in succession like nascent clouds.

17. Many a camel, torn saddle blankets,
Was loaded in haste with provisions.

18. I rode an unruly, intractable camel,
Its saddle blanket clinging to its spine.

19. A refractory she-camel, twisting the road,
Pulling the reins now this way, now that.

20. As though when it grew obstinate in madness
The bridges of its nose emitted sparks.

21. And bitter, stinking water
For which I donned the garb of darkness.

22. A watering place where wolves howl
At a repulsive watering hole.

23. And I rode a piebald camel, ungainly in its pace,
With no rhythm to its trotting.

24. Snorting, kneeling, galloping fast,
I make it pass through one desert after another.

25. Sometimes I plunge the echo of a voice into my heart
With a spear, or a sword.

26. I am the hero of kings – is there any to rival
My power, or glory, or loftiness?

27. I am the falcon of kings – is there any like me
In might, or encounter, or throwing a lance?

28. I am the lion of lions, when the swords
Pass over bodies and souls.

29. I am the protector when war flares up
And the gazelle is mottled with blood.

30. I am death, which is inevitable,
So question me, predicting the baths.

31. Noble, and son of a generous man, noble,
Descendant of virtuous, generous, honorable men.

32. I risk my life for the guilt of a lord
With my pardon, and death with my vengeance.

33. If the kings of earth join in covenant,
Then I am the mediator of order.

34. Or if kings boast of a glorious day,
Then I am the hero of great kingdoms.

35. And if kings are remembered after fearsome events,
Then I am excellent at plunging into the fray.

36. And if kings praise a man of generosity,
Then I am excellent at rending the clouds.

37. And if kings sleep heedless of great deeds,
I remain awake, never falling into slumber.

38. I spend all I possess to earn praise,
And do not fret over loss of possessions.

39. Look into every crowned head and throne,
And all who loudly boast.

40. Is there a master or brave hero,
Who can take my stand on a perilous day?

41. A knight who repels swords while erect
And gives drink to the thirsty sword while fasting?

42. Gently, O gathering of kings! I am
The one who will host you with cups of wine.

43. Leave my fortified dwellings be, no matter how high,
For their pinnacle is destined for ruin.

44. I lead the horses in successive charges,
Thrusting with strong, brave warriors.

45. Atop them, all noble Arab steeds
Awesome in battle, breaking apart the fray.

46. Many a arched-neck piebald horse,
experienced in war, long-necked.

47. I play host to birds upon it
Competing over it to feed.

48. And on the day of victory, the hardest of days,
The generous were known from the worthless.

49. Oman had come leading an army
To my war, like surging waves.

50. The champions hesitated, from the tribes
Of Nizar, Qahtan, the lions of the thicket.

51. stripped for battle, I called out then, sword in hand:
Where is the warrior of ferocious courage?

52. When the enemies saw me,
As death crept with my sword’s flames,

53. Atop a snorting charger, galloping, ferocious,
My black sword girt with blood,

54. They saw death beckoning with the hand of death
Upon a vat opened over the people.

55. And when they found naught but annihilation
Or flight, the most bitter refuge,

56. They turned and fled from the terror of my force
As ostriches flee in panic.

57. And when the glory of the people was humbled,
And their wrists clamped shut after burning,

58. I forgave, for pardon is my nature,
And that is the conduct of protective heroes.

59. I am the son of those foremost in greatness,
The elite of the virtuous and generous.

60. I spend wealth so I may gain praise
And illuminate every dark ravine.

61. I give horses, rarities, and gifts,
Never inclining there towards blame.

62. I was certain that praise endures,
But possessions do not endure.

63. Nothing contains gratitude like a generous man
With wealth made everlasting by constancy.