1. Awake, awake! Behold my Lord then my companions,
Once familiar, now forsaken and deserted,

2. I have no pact but to remember or behold
The ruined encampments with their rags scattered about.

3. O valley that embraced its flooding torrents
That carried to us the intention of a land now hailed;

4. When the tribe intends to depart,
My heart departs with the heart of the tribe.

5. Would that the tribe had not scattered
And remained neighbours, closely gathered!

6. For, while we are in the abode of all
It is as though half a year of nights rests upon us.

7. I complain to the Lord, Master of Muhammad
That I have need for Ghawr then another

8. When I behold Nejd; it seems
A portion of my heart takes flight.

9. Men did not see what was apparent to him
Behind the hovering birds save ruin.

10. A kinsman you see among the tribe
And others calling woe to me from caution.

11. When Layla is remembered, passion is facilitated for me
Over what you see of my estrangement and avoidance.

12. My two friends, were it not that you suspect me of passion
I would say we heard the call of Aqilah

13. Stop, listen to the voice of the caller; perhaps
He is near though I have not drawn company near.

14. When I placed Si’ between her and I
And the necklace of Layla and reddish Yemeni carnelians,

15. I hoped to the Lord, Master of Muhammad
To gather a tribe or draw a distant one nearer.

16. Praise God! I shall not, while I live, cease
Seeking Sulayma so decide what you have judged.

17. Had she desired to heal me with gentle words though the doctor has wearied with healing,
I shall leave India to the visitors and seek

18. A doctor who will seek from me a cure for my ills.
For, if you give little, often have you prevented

19. And tested Men’s ardent hearts.
Approach, to curb them, the horses’ halters, after

20. The sun has thawed and softened their hard cheeks.
When my eyes line with yours, I was touched

21. With good, clearing the gloom from my heart.
The censurers bid me to conquer passion

22. And to conceal the ardor that is not hidden.
Alas for the heartache in the wake of one who seems

23. Near, his excellence found absent from you.
Layla rebukes me for disloyalty and preferred

24. Over intimacy with Layla, a bond from my ropes
Say to her valley in which she descended.

25. Valleys of Qaysum, do you remain desolate?
I fear that the house will not unite us

26. Nor fate, save that you discover wishes.
Behold Shu'tha' arrived, the night obscured,

27. Covering an Umani, disheveling a passing one.
Her phantom crossed over to us from afar

28. Plunging through the darkness of night, hastily
You were greeted by an advisor feigning weakness,

29. Visiting one in need dismissively
My companions say “Are you chasing

30. Your people? For Zahiriya is no place to wander!”
I chased them with friends over every rise

31. And cheek competing with Abyssinian astronomers.
We pelt each other with poems in every valley.

32. We approach the depths of desolate sands.
When my departure is announced to the caravan

33. My descent at Al-Mawma then my departure,
Brandishing swords as their riders hasten

34. Not seeing their succession.
The dead man is impersonated as though

35. He were a vein whose water burst forth violently.
It was difficult for the forbearing man to pursue passion

36. And desire the most distant that cannot be attained.
Yet I am noble in poverty, sharing in riches,

37. Swift when my house will not bear my burdens.
Bold, I do not fear abasement

38. When I place the sword in my left hand.
Yet I am ashamed of you though the distance separates us,

39. That the earth meets a kinsman of mine in a wretched state
And a woman whose tear flowed down her kohl

40. “Do you honour the clients after Jarir?”
Return the grace of one far removed, then bear it

41. For I have no station with them nor do you.
I imposed myself so you persisted without need.

42. Your state—I persist to a perished one.
I was deluded, justifying myself with wishes,

43. Nights I hope your possessions are mine.
So you are a father while I have no need

44. But if one arises I ascertain I have no father.
With what swordbelt do you carry the sword after

45. You cut the strength of the belts that remained?
With what blade do you stab the people after

46. You removed a blade from your scabbard completely?
Was I not a fire lit against your enemy

47. And a refuge for what you retreat behind me?
Extending good among you with my right hand

48. And holding back evil from you with my left?
If you wish to stroke the face of a leading

49. Steed, then extend and stretch out my reins!
Fear not that my nobility diminishes in battle!

50. And fear death lest she eludes you both!
I am the son of Sarha and Khindif, no stranger

51. My heart’s place becomes their place.
My sword leaves no bone intact

52. And for the sword I yearn for a strike sharper than my tongue.
Do varieties of cowards make me fear death?

53. While I remain actively hostile and hostilely active?
Have cowards ever wiped the faces of the virtuous

54. Or the peaks of glory as an intimate?
Leave glory unless you lead your armies

55. And Kaini Iraqis and Kaini Yemenis.
You were chaotic at the day of Zubayr as though

56. You were hyenas at Zhi Qar desiring wishes.
The son of Zayyal triumphed with war spoils from your neighbour

57. So you were named “adulterers” after Zubayr!