1. إِنَّ اِمرَأَ القَيسِ أَضحى مِن صَنيعَتِكُم

    وَعَبدَ شَمسٍ أَبَيتَ اللَعنِ فَاِصطَنِعِ

    Indeed, Imru’ al-Qays has become one of your protégés;

    And ‘Abd Shams—may you be above reproach—take him under your patronage.

  2. إِنَّ عَدِيّاً إِذا مَلَّكتَ جانِبَها

    مِن أَمرِ غَوثٍ عَلى مَرأىً وَمُستَمَعِ

    Indeed, ‘Adiyy, if you grant its side authority

    In Ghawth’s affairs, is within sight and hearing.

  3. أَتبِع بَني عَبدِ شَمسٍ أَمرَ صاحِبِهِم

    أَهلي فِداؤُكَ إِن ضَرّوا وَإِن نَفَعوا

    Let the sons of ‘Abd Shams share their companion’s lot;

    May my family ransom you, whether they harm or help.

  4. لا تَجعَلَنّا أَبَيتَ اللَعنَ ضاحِكَةً

    كَمَعشَرٍ صُلِموا الآذانَ أَو جُدِعوا

    Do not make us—may you be above reproach—a laughingstock,

    Like folk whose ears were severed or whose noses were cut off,

  5. أَو كَالجَناحِ إِذا سُلَّت قَوادِمُهُ

    صارَ الجَناحُ لِفَضلِ الريشِ يَتَّبِعُ

    Or like a wing, when its primary feathers are plucked out:

    The wing is left following the feathers that remain.