كَم قَد تَجَهَّمَني السُرى وَأَزالَني

لَيلٌ يَنوءُ بِصَدرِهِ مُتَطاوِلُ

How the night journeys have wearied me, and displaced me,

A night leaning with its breast outstretched.

وَهَزَزتُ أَعناقَ المَطِيِّ أَسومُها

قَصداً وَيَحجُبُها السَوادُ الشامِلُ

And I have prodded the necks of the riding-camels, urging them on,

While the all-encompassing darkness obscures them.

حَتّى تَوَلّى اللَيلُ ثانِيَ عِطفِهِ

وَكَأَنَّ آخِرَهُ خِضابٌ ناصِلُ

Until the night turned its second shoulder,

As if its latter part were dark dye.

وَخَرَجتُ مِن أَعجازِهِ وَكَأَنَّما

يَهتَزُّ في بُردَيَّ رُمحٌ ذابِلُ

And I emerged from its rear, as though

A weak spear quivered in my cloak.

وَرَأَيتُ أَغباشَ الدُجى وَكَأَنَّها

حِزَقُ النَعامِ ذُعِرنَ فَهيَ جَوافِلُ

And I saw the gloom's motes, as if they were

The frightened ostriches' scattered plumage.

وَحَميتُ أَصحابي الكَرى وَكَأَنَّهُم

فَوقَ القِلاصِ اليَعمَلاتِ أَجادِلُ

And I drove my companions' cavalry on, as though they were

Arguing camel-riders atop working camels.