Sol 5.6

  1. We are content with whatever ʿAlī approves for us herein,

    even if what follows is this—the mutilation of noses.

  2. He is the Messenger of God’s legatee, to the exclusion of his kin,

    and his heir after the eminent paternal uncles.

  3. We accepted Ibn Makhdūj and said: “Consent—

    your consent; consent suffices us where the tribes are concerned.”

  4. Al-Ashʿath the Kindite, too, has his distinction among men,

    inherited from one great forebear after another—

  5. crowned by noble and mighty forefathers,

    from days when kingship dwelt among the sons of ʿAmr ibn ʿĀmir.

  6. Were it not for the Commander of the Faithful and his right

    over us, we would surely have caused Ḥurayth ibn Jābir grief.

  7. There is no defect in Ibn Makhdūj ibn Dhuhl,

    nor are our people among Wāʾil objects of reproach.

  8. We have no choice but to accept a freeborn woman’s son,

    high-nosed, long in both forearms—an Emigrant—

  9. though in those souls a rankling resentment lingers,

    and a fracture the hands of bone-setters labor to mend.

Sol 5.6