لَم يَبقَ مِن خَبَرِ الجُعفِيِّ باقِيَةٌ

إِلّا الأَمائِرُ وَالأَنطاعُ وَالدُرُسُ

Nothing remains of the news of Ju`fi except leadership, obedience, and lessons

Give me back the beauty of the living one, so bear patiently

رُدّي إِلَيك جَمالَ الحَيِّ فَاِحتَمِلي

فَإِنَّهُم مِن نُفوسِ القَومِ قَد يَئِسوا

For they have despaired of their own souls when they saw us walking in their abodes

Like camels walking in the blazing sun

لَمّا رَأَونا نُمَشّي في دِيارِهِمُ

كَما تُمَشّي الجمالُ الجِلَّةُ الشُمُسُ

They were like lions one day at the battleground, but when the encounter occurred and the spears were directed, they fell silent

No sound is heard from us except mumbling

مِثل اللُيوثِ عَدَت يَوماً لِمُعتَرَكٍ

عِندَ اللِقاءِ وَتَقصيدِ القَنا خَرِسوا

With the white swords we strike a blow above which are helmets

As for the protection of the armored coats, they have been generous

لا يُسمَعُ الصَوتُ مِنّا غَيرَ غَمغَمَةٍ

بِالبيضِ نَضرِبُ هاماً فَوقَها القُنُسُ

In action, and did not become polluted as they became polluted

She gave generously when she saw my anguish

أَمّا حَليلَة ُذُبيانٍ فَقَد كَرُمَت

في الفِعلِ مِنها فَلَم تَدنَس كَما دَنَسوا

Above the wailing she glanced in her moments angrily

I gave the breastplate of Ju`fi sharpened

جادَت بِما سُئِلَت لَمّا رَأَت جَزَعي

مِن فَوقِ أَعيَطَ في لَحَظاتِهِ شَوَسُ

As if it were a spark when it passed over his chest

The virtues of Ju`fi continued hovering over it

مَنَحتُ مَشجَعَةَ الجُعفِيَّ مُرهَفَةً

كَأَنَّها حينَ جازَت صَدرَهُ قَبَسُ

Far from its seekers is that which they sought!

ظَلَّت كَرائِمُ جُعفي تَطيفُ بِها

هَيهاتَ مِن طالِبيهِ ذاكَ ما التَمَسوا