تَرَكْتُمْ جَارَكُمْ لِبَنِي سُلَيْمٍ

مَخَافَةَ حَرْبِهِمْ عَجْزاً وَهُونَا

You left your neighbor to the sons of Sulaym

Fearing their war, out of weakness and disgrace

فَلَوْ حَبْلاً تَنَاوَلَ من عُقيلٍ

لَمَدَّ بِحَبْلِهَا حَبْلاً مَتِينَا

If only a rope were extended from ‘Uqayl

It would extend a strong rope

أوِ القُرَطاءِ ما إِنْ أَسْلَمُوهُ

وقِدْماً ما وَفَوْا إذْ لا تَفُونَا

The Qurtaa’ - they would not submit him

Nor fulfill a promise, for they have no fidelity