لا تَذكُري مُهري وَما أَطعَمتُهُ

فَيَكونَ جِلدِكِ مِثلَ جِلدِ الأَجرَبِ

Do not recall my bridal gift or what I fed it,

Lest your skin becomes like that of mangy camels.

إِنَّ الغَبوقَ لَهُ وَأَنتِ مَسوأَةٌ

فَتَأَوَّهي ما شِئتِ ثُمَّ تَحَوَّبي

Though the beloved camel is yours while you are blameworthy,

Sigh as much as you wish, then crawl on your knees.

كَذَبَ العَتيقُ وَماءُ شَنٍّ بارِدٍ

إِن كُنتِ سائِلَتي غَبوقاً فَاِذهَبي

The loyal camel has lied—there is only cold well water here.

If you ask me for a beloved camel, then begone!

إِنَّ الرِجالَ لَهُم إِلَيكِ وَسيلَةٌ

إِن يَأخُذوكِ تَكَحَّلي وَتَخَضَّبي

Men have their ways of coming to you,

Should they take you, adorn yourself with kohl and henna.

وَيَكونُ مَركَبَكِ القَعودُ وَرَحلُهُ

وَابنُ النَعامَةِ يَومَ ذَلِكَ مَركَبي

Your mount will be sitting, its saddle and gear,

And ostrich chicks on that day will be your transport.

إِنّي أُحاذِرُ أَن تَقولَ ظَعينَتي

هَذا غُبارٌ ساطِعٌ فَتَلَبَّبِ

I fear you might say, “My little she-camel,

This is shining dust,” and then crawl on your knees.

وَأَنا اِمرُؤٌ إِن يَأخُذوني عَنوَةً

أُقرَن إِلى شَرِّ الرِكابِ وَأُجنَبِ

As for me, should they seize me by force,

I would be coupled to the vilest of steeds and estranged.