1. When were the tents in Thu-al-Huj
Watered, O tents, by the rain?

2. Their poles have changed and leaned over,
And their ropes have worn out.

3. The black desert-lark warbled
In the light, and the clouds gathered.

4. A halt of eight days has passed -
Twenty - the halt is prolonged.

5. I say to my companions when we departed
While tears pour profusely from my eyes:

6. "Will you forget the encampments, and not bid them
Farewell? Then your words to me are forbidden.

7. Stay but a day - one day like any other -
But the companion, alas, is departing.

8. My soul to ransom yours from a bedfellow
Who turns over when slumber descends.

9. Do you forget, Sulayma, when you bade us farewell
At the branch of Bisham where showers were poured?

10. You left behind two hearts that saw their cure
In you, then went away uncured back and forth.

11. Had the dove known our love as we knew it
Among the Sullamis, even doves would grieve.

12. Never did we find love like yours the day we said,
At Rabiat ul-Salam, "Peace be upon you!"

13. Will you not repay me and save my soul
With talk of you and total absorption?

14. Will you task me to follow the course of a star
In the fifth night? By it I will steer.

15. The pebbles of Ma'azza chafed us
Until the litters and the servants were torn.

16. As if the baggage were atop a lofty dune
With the belongings of the noble chief.

17. Some poets blamed others regarding me
And were struck down by vengeance.

18. They are like foxes, when in their lair
They find a jealous rival, and are enraged.

19. When I unleash a thunderbolt upon them,
They see another blazing still, and persist.

20. One is deafened, the other a eunuch,
Another a ruined hulk of bone.

21. When they wish, I draw swords near them
And make the blades clash right next to them.

22. The Akhthal has lied about me - a strange lie -
When warriors mount for the attack.

23. Rulers do not enforce justice,
And none condemn being wronged.

24. If the Banu Jusham, descendants of Bakr,
Are blamed for the incident at Rahab, they are pained.

25. The wounds of war hold no aftermath for the victor,
No bitter dispute or contention.

26. I am destined to pray towards Khindif,
And Asab whose thorns pierce at the end.

27. When Khindif and Qays thrive,
Then my mountains of glory cannot be desired.

28. They rallied around me and empowered me
With everlasting authority never transferred.

29. I did not blame the allies or did they condemn me
When the throng pressed upon us.

30. When they extended their rope, we extended
A rope whose strands do not unravel.

31. The horsemen of Musad, always prepared,
Whose bones are solid pillars.

32. They are seasoned in every frontier,
And if roused to alarm, they stand firm.

33. The women ransom us when we meet in battle,
And the noble king awards us judgment.

34. No noble man allies with Taghlib,
Nor kinfolk of those born noble.

35. When they gather over wine in an empty cup,
It is shared, and passed hand to hand.

36. They name the pauper, while neither servant
Of Abdulmalik nor Hisham are named.

37. You did not act wisely the day you provoked Qays
And troops poured out helter-skelter.

38. I have protected you - do not wager property
Which breaks in squabbles and strife.