1. I will not pay an imposed award out of any weakness of lineage,

    nor am I averse to the daughters of the Hanzalis.

  2. I see them as rain-cloud water, by which thirst is cured,

    while all other sources of drink were brackish.

  3. You were indeed deserving, when you drove your blood-money

    to Ziq's clan, of a fault-finder's reproach.

  4. The woman bearing the cross did not equal a lady in her litter,

    from whom came Utaybah, the two royal deputies, and Hajib.

  5. Indeed, many a time we refused Ziq the payment he decreed,

    and he paid us the adjudged sum, the neck-shackle clinging fast.

  6. We captured Ziq's father, Ziq, and his uncle;

    and Ziq's grandmother was captured by the cavalry bands.

  7. Did you not recognize, O clan of Ziq, my horsemen,

    when brows grew dusty from repeated charges in mounted combat?

  8. Our horses captured Hani on the day of al-Ghabitayn,

    and overtook Bistam, lean as they were.

  9. We assailed them at dawn on sleek steeds, as though their dust were

    summer showers swept about by a stone-flinging wind,

  10. with every Rudayni spear, its shaft swaying to and fro,

    like a weary wolf trotting at al-Maradayn.

  11. May God requite Ziq and Ziq's son with reproach,

    although I desire Shayban's friendship.

  12. Did you give, O Ziq son of Ziq, a bride from afar

    to the worst of those to whom such brides are given?

  13. So the best thing about your son-in-law is that your son-in-law

    is skilled at twisting leather straps for you, and at mending bowls.

  14. We knew you were born of adultery from the rim of a donkey's glans;

    and Ghalib was born of the smith's embraces.

  15. Sons of Malik, pay the smith his due,

    and the smith has a binding claim upon al-Farazdaq.

  16. Will Hadra avenge the man dragged at the sand dune,

    and is there among Hadra's sons anyone seeking blood-vengeance?

  17. You mentioned the sun's daughters, yet the sun has never given birth;

    and how far the stars are from the rim of a donkey's glans!

  18. Had you been freeborn, ten camels would have been driven

    to Ziq's clan, along with a slave-boy of middling worth.

Sol 6.1