1. Why do you sleep so soundly in bed
If only your heart could fly away

2. And when you stand at the abodes of Luwa
Their features stir you to haughtiness

3. Give life to the abodes, yet the abodes
After the companion are but barren wastes

4. The singing girls have all withdrawn their love
When to them your heart was but borrowed wares

5. After coquetry and amorous play
They pass by your discourse their eyes averted

6. Or do you wish them to nurse rancour for you
Rather than you fall short in passionate love?

7. And they see you, while the neck is still erect
And fate brings round to the lad varying days

8. Your kith and kin in all have had their turn
Ruling Qays, then passing away transitory

9. The tents of Judāma moved against Rasāfa
On two days, to destroy that cult

10. And when you camped in a land at an encampment
Evil omens were shunned and rains held off

11. The day grew long at Berberūs, and we see
Our days there dependent on two water-skins

12. Never, O Farazdaq, did you camp but you left
For your people therein shame and disgrace

13. When you meet the sons of Khadhāf then say to them
The day of Zubayr mantled the faces with dust

14. Accursed are the abodes, O defiled Qays
Among the people their disgrace and cowardice lower

15. They duped Zubayr with their pact, but he found
No constancy in your pact or shelter thereby

16. Never did your enemy in wars try out against you
A fang to bite with or claws to scratch

17. So ask the nobles of Quraysh, they are folk
Who in their rule found guidance and beacons

18. And when the pilgrims rush to the Holy Places
Then ask the Kināna, ask the Helpers

19. Ask the Yemenite tribes when you meet them
And ask Kuda'a entirely and the family of Nizār

20. Who has been firmest in holding the marches
And who most mighty when he grants protection?

21. We are the defenders on the morrow of Juwf Tulay'
And the strikers of the tyrant with polished sword

22. Know you on the slope of Aquarn
A troop you routed when you turned your backs?

23. And Ghāmida cried at Wāqit and tugged
The rope of humiliation on 'Athjal and Dhirār

24. Would that your women had summoned my horsemen
And their breasts pressed on the pommels of the saddles!

25. But I glory in horsemen, so glory you
In the vilest creatures, miscreants and carpenters!

26. And when bounties and highnesses depart
The hands of the vile come back empty

27. Count the sons of Khadhāf when warriors are begot
And the riff-raff and rabble of low-living folk

28. And when you vaunt the maternal uncles of the vile
Then vaunt Qabqab and mention the fart that sticks!

29. Your clans are ten, whereas your habit was not
A spring of fresh flowing water or branch ever verdant

30. The vaunting of the vile was in vain, for they cannot
Attain realities when the moment of trial is there

31. Indeed you camped, and were the vilest camper
Not a poltroon, but a malicious rogue

32. The Farazdaq, O vile one, did not find
In you two caitiffs any call to forbid wrong

33. Why does it perturb you, that you seek refuge
From me with Taghlib, while the tears pour from your eye?

34. A ruined village of summer, whose bushes
A miscreant blear-eyed has examined in early spring

35. Disgrace will cleave to you, O Farazdaq, and spite
Things shameful to your disgraceful eye

36. The foreigners took side against Zubayr, and the talebearers
Ceaselessly insulted you and accused you openly

37. And you know the station of the vile man, but you found
Only hankering, then surrender and admission

38. Quickly they prepared for you, O Farazdaq, a robe
Of shame, and you sought the night they jostled you

39. And Jī'an says to Farazdaq: I do not see
Any house like your wicked house, no house!

40. And Tayba, when she saw you wrapped up, says
'You are a wicked man, in turban and waist-cloth!'

41. Had your family before that verified
And asked about the folly of the wicked man

42. 'The basin of the donkey is Abū Farazdaq's father' - so recognise
Him, branded, wearing shackles and mule-saddle!

43. Than you, O Farazdaq, no viler man spends
By night the night, by day the viler day

44. Your hands fell short of the sky, and you found
For the wicked tree no rest in your palms

45. What of your boasts - and you betrayed no trust
On the day of Zubayr, nor guarded covenant!

46. Have you forgot the anguish for your father those days at Ṣiffīn
The slain, the captives seized and made prisoner?

47. And the horses when Ja'far charged against you
You swung about wildly before them in circles

48. You said at Burqa: 'Swing around for Ma'bad!
Do not leave us, but wait for what is fated!'

49. He left his women defenseless at Ma'bad
While bugs swarmed on the legs of the water-troughs

50. And the people already know places of yours
That shame faces and block travelling

51. The deputations kept coming to the kings, and succeeded,
So they left deputing and sought only favour