وَأَشْعَثَ مُنْقَدِّ القَميصِ تَلُفُّهُ

إِلى الدِّفءِ هَوْجاءُ الهُبوبِ عَقيمُ

Disheveled, with tattered shirt to find warmth,

He called out while the gusts of wind were barren.

دَعا وَالصَّبا تَثْني إِلى فيهِ صَوْتَهِ

وَيَفْري أَدِيْمَ اللَّيْلِ وَهْوَ بَهيمُ

He called and the breeze folded his voice within,

As the night's leather flowed and he was confused.

فَجَاوَبَهُ مُسْتَشْرِفٌ لِطُروقِهِ

أَلُوفٌ بِتَأْنِيسِ الضُّيُوفِ عَليمُ

So one watching for guests answered his call,

Skilled in comforting visitors, wise.

وَلاحَتْ لَهُ فَرْعاءُ تَهْدِرُ فَوْقها

قُدُورٌ لَهَا تَحتَ الظَّلامِ نَئيمُ

Branches leaned over him, pots rattled above,

Asleep beneath the darkness, emitting steam.

فقلتُ لَهُ أَبْشِرْ بِنارٍ عَتيْقةٍ

لَها مُوقِدٌ مَحْضُ النِّجارِ كَريمٌ

I said to him, "Rejoice in an ancient fire,

With a stoker pure of heart and generous.

لَئِنْ سَفِهَتْ قِدْري عَلَيْكَ بِغلْيها

فَكَلْبي غَضِيضُ النَّاظِرَيْنِ حَليمُ

If my cauldron was foolish towards you in its boiling,

My dog is gentle, though sharp of sight."

وَإِنَّ امْرأً لَمْ يَنْحَرِ الكُومَ لِلْقِرى

وَسادَ مَعَّداً جَدُّهُ لَلئيمُ

A man who does not slaughter the herd for guests,

And aids the enemy - his ancestor was despicable.