جَاءَت بَنو نَمِرٍ كَأَنَّ عُيونَهُم

جَمرُ الغَضا بِتَدَرُّؤٍ وَظِلامِ

The sons of Namir came, their eyes

Were like burning embers veiled in darkness.

لَمّا رَأَيتُ جُموعَهُم قَد أَثعَلَت

أَيقَنتُ أَن لَيسَت بِدارِ مُقامِ

When I saw their large army deployed

I knew this was no place to stay.

فَكَرَرتُ مَحمِيَةً وَراءَ ذِمارِكُم

إِنَّ الكَريمَ عَنِ الذِمارِ مُحامي

So I quickly retreated behind your fortresses,

For the generous defends the coward.

إِذ لا يَذودُ عَنِ الحِمى مُتَوَكِّلٌ

رُمِيَت يَداهُ بِفالِجٍ وَجُذامِ

No guardian can defend the sanctuary

If his hands are paralyzed and diseased.