1. Su'ad appeared, so today my heart is intoxicated,
Infatuated with her, not restrained or hindered.

2. The morning after they departed, what was Su'ad
But the most melodious weeping of downcast eyes?

3. She came haltingly then left faltering,
No shortage or excess can be blamed on her.

4. When she smiles, she dispels the gloom of one in darkness,
As if a meadow refreshed by rain.

5. She captivated one with gap-toothed smile with water
From anguish, pure and straightforward.

6. The winds remove the motes from him, and tear away
His mantle of white, towering clouds.

7. Oh, for her sake, if only she were true
To what she promised, or advice were heeded!

8. But she is a flirt whom her own blood has spoiled,
Bringing anguish, passion, betrayal and inconstancy.

9. She never remains in any state for long,
Changing clothes like a whelp of wolves.

10. She does not adhere to the love she claimed
Any more than water is held in sieves.

11. The promises of Unayzah were an example to her,
For her promises are nothing but lies.

12. I hope and expect they will hurry to forever,
But they have no haste for all time.

13. Let not what she granted and promised deceive you,
For wishes and dreams are delusions.

14. Su'ad has come to a land that only noble,
Unfettered messengers can reach.

15. None can reach it but proud camels
With elbows and necks dyed with indigo.

16. When their flanks sweat, their broad chests
Conceal the banners, unknown.

17. With wide staring eyes, they peer through the darkness
When sorrow and inclination are kindled.

18. Big-headed, decked out, superior in their creation
To other camels, they are excellent.

19. Of common birth, their sires, brothers and uncles
Are dusky camels with scrawny humps.

20. Ticks creep over them but slip off as they secrete
Musk, ambergris and fragrant herbs.

21. A mangy old camel thrown among the meat,
Her thighs are uncovered unlike maiden camels.

22. As if what was beyond her eyes and slaughter site
From her snout and beard were a load.

23. She passes like a palm stalk with unkempt locks
In a garment, undefiled by patches.

24. Her hump is clear to the discerning; on her cheeks
A beauty spot, and dimples to enchant.

25. She steps with swift easy gait, in pursuit,
Throwing up pebbles, undaunted by high ground.

26. The brown lionesses leave the pebbles behind,
Not checked by mountain tops from their descent.

27. A day the sun burns hot, its rays spread out
And the black serpents slithered from their lairs.

28. A crier of the caravan, when it halted, proclaimed:
"The day has grown fierce, its noon is half-spent."

29. A howler, weak in the hips, rose to answer him -
Her camel calf's death had not reached her.

30. She rubs camphor into her palms and breastplate
Cracked over her chest, with hanging straps.

31. The slanderers flank her, saying:
"You, son of Abu Sulma, are surely killed!"

32. And each friend I hoped for said:
"You'll not find me - I'm too busy!"

33. I said: "Clear my path! I have no need of you!
All that the Merciful ordains comes to pass."

34. Each child of womankind - though long preserved -
One day is carried on a bier.

35. I was told that Allah's Messenger promised me
Pardon, which may be hoped for from Allah's Messenger.

36. Wait! The one who gave you the gift of the Qur'an's extra
Contains lessons and details in it.

37. Do not take me at the words of slanderers; I have not
Sinned, though many accusations are made.

38. I will take a stance none could take
Unless he saw and heard what even an elephant might.

39. It would thunder and not cease, unless interpretation
Came from the Messenger, by Allah's command.

40. I continued to traverse the wilderness armored
In the wings of darkness, its garment unfurled,

41. Until I rested my hand - none disputes it -
In the grasp of the avenger; ending all talk.

42. Thus I fear him when I speak to him,
Though it was said: "You are forgiven and absolved!"

43. From a tawny lion, reducing two snarling cubs
Whose bellies scraped over a brood left behind.

44. Each dawn he tears apart two quarrelling wretches,
Their flesh ripped from the clan, disgraced weaklings.

45. When he guards a mate, he will not leave
Until he has subjugated her, teeth clamped on her nape.

46. In his valley, the wild donkeys grow fat
And no hind passes through with her anklets.

47. He remains a brother of trust in his valley,
Prey overturned and glistening flesh exposed.

48. The Messenger is a sword by which we see light,
A sharpened blade from Allah's swords, polished smooth.

49. Among a band of Quraysh, their chief said,
When they became Muslim, "Depart!"

50. They departed and did not depart, unrelenting,
With no recoil or retreat at the encounter.

51. The perfume of the bridal tent! Their clothes
Were brocade woven for them at David's request.

52. Pure white, trailing robes for which rings were threaded
As if the rings of antelope horns, bent round.

53. They walked with the gait of sturdy camels, protected
By a aquatic beast when the black serpents writhed.

54. They were not delighted when their spears struck men,
Nor were they weak-willed if they attained victory.

55. No blow landed but on their necks;
They had no cries of joy spared from death's grip.

56. The Messenger is a sword by which we see light,
A sharpened blade from Allah's swords, polished smooth.