1. Al-Farazdaq has been disgraced by his own misdeeds,
A daytime slave, by night an adulterous prowler.

2. Do not satirize the Banu Qais, but if you thank them,
The base-born man insults the lofty branch.

3. Qais are fault-finders; do not satirize their horsemen,
For Hajib and Abul-Qa'qa are their lords.

4. After the swords had cut into him, they set free
Amr ibn Amr, though in fetters were his legs.

5. They gave Usaydah a cloak to wear over her shift
By force; thus for her a coat of mail and cloak.

6. Shameless in their youth, restraint they do not know,
No wisdom comes to them when their hair turns white.

7. The worst milk-camel in her owner's eyes
Is one with teats that drip, whose udder sags.

8. Do not give up questioning about Layla, for you
Are suspicious about Layla and the milk-camel.

9. Ask Ghammah about the horses that witnessed it,
As though they were the lost camels of Taim.

10. But if Ghammah called our horsemen on the day
Of al-Waqit, they would not flee or run away.

11. They admit every disgrace, finding no fault at all;
Indeed, the fault is theirs, they sport and play.

12. The Quraysh said, after you wore out the land,
"You, Banu Raghwan, have no sound judgement."

13. Why did you not defend your neighbor with the bows
On the day the Sa'di met the foe amid ruins?

14. Make it short, for you gave no help against terror
When the ostrich-chick croaked at the wattled crane.

15. Ask your tribe if mine did not smite
The confederates' army on the day of the packed squadron,

16. Smashing armies on the day of Dhi Qar,
Where there were coats of mail, white blades, and warriors.

17. Of us is Utaybah, so consider whom you will count as his equal,
And al-Harithan; and of us are the terrible lancers.

18. Of us are the horsemen on the day of Samad; theirs were
The slain, the captives, the plunder, and the booty.

19. Ask Tamim who it was that breached their stronghold,
And the decisive horsemen when the door was battered.