1. The traces of encampments excite you in the desert,
Though every fool has obliterated them.

2. The she-camels have dragged their trains over them,
Leaving nothing but a disheveled ruin.

3. The abodes whose charm delighted my heart,
And which were too proud to be generous to us.

4. They have an eye like the tearful gaze of a doe
That grazes ostriches in the thickets.

5. The abodes which, when we were hopeful,
Were about to be honored by our coming, had not fate intervened.

6. O you who strive to regain our glory,
Come to us; we will meet your demands.

7. Can brackish stagnant water be compared
To a fresh and copious stream?

8. Who can make the tails equal to the heads, or chaff to grain?
Right and wrong are clearly distinguished.

9. Take Suhail in the sky, for if you obtain it
You will overtake us though we flee.

10. Are we not the defenders of our foe's land,
Ask the tribes if we tarried a little.

11. You will find we surpassed in deeds and gifts,
And in lofty enterprises in early days.

12. We surpassed men in glory and generosity,
Anciently and recently, unceasingly.

13. We have a mountain that dominates mountains, sublime,
And we are on its loftiest peak.

14. Our old men are noted for kindness amid our tents,
And our youths are stingier with evil than a miser.

15. As for the finest tribe, when a questioner asks,
You know them to have chastity and a pact bound by chains.

16. And the finest of tribes, you know to be for their neighbor,
If chosen, in time of security or deadly adversity,

17. And among us, when war is kindled, are leaders,
Elders and young men with long spears.

18. We gave victory and shelter to the Prophet, and
Our earliest ones confirmed the truth when first proclaimed.

19. And whenever the Prophet raided a clan,
We joined his two flanks with the bow and the arrows.

20. And the day the Quraysh came against us with their multitude,
We trod the foe with the tread of a heavily-laden camel.

21. And at Uhud, a day of humiliation for them,
Our thrusts with the swords were like lightning bolts.

22. And the day we came to the districts of Thaqif
In companies, marching around them with sharp swords.

23. So they fled, and God strengthened His Prophet’s position
With every hero, steadfastly defending the truth.

24. So they fled to the fortress of castles and bolted it,
And you would see, from one who fears, none to help.

25. They gave their wrists in surrender – and followed;
So you are more justified, O reddened swords.

26. Truly, I am easy on a friend, and truly I
Rectify the bent head of the swaying drunkard.

27. And I make my wealth a protection, not exposing my honor,
Veiling it so it will not be good to a devourer.

28. What new thing will not age destroy?
What bliss will not one day cease?