1. وَمُستَنبِحٌ نَبَّهتُ كَلبي لِصَوتِهِ

    وَقُلتُ لَهُ قُم في اليَفاعِ فَجاوِبِ

    And a traveler seeking a dog's answering bark—I roused my dog at his call.

    And I told him, "Stand on the high ground, and answer."

  2. فَجاءَ خَفيَّ الصَوتِ قَد مَسَّهُ الضَوى

    بِضَربَةِ مَسنونِ الغَرارَينِ قاضِبِ

    So he came, faint of voice; wasting had struck him

    with the blow of a cleaving sword sharpened on both edges.

  3. فَرَحَّبتُ واستَبشَرتُ حَتّى بَسَطتُهُ

    وَتِلكَ الَّتي أَلقى بِها كُلَّ آئِبِ

    So I welcomed him and rejoiced, until I put him at ease.

    And that is how I greet every returning traveler.