أبى ليليَ أن يذهَب

ونيطَ الطرفُ بالكَوكَب

My night refused to leave

And the starry gaze was bound

ونجمٍ دونَهُ الأهوا

لُ بين الدلو والعقرَب

By a star with allure below it

Between the bucket and Scorpio

وهذا الصبحُ لا يُأتى

ولا يدنو ولا يقرُب

And this morning won't come

Nor approach nor draw near

بعقرِ عشيرةٍ منّا

كرامِ الخيمِ والمنصب

With the wrath of our people

The generous tents and high office

أحالَ علَيهمُ دهرٌ

حديدُ النابِ والمِخلَب

Time has turned against them

With iron claws and talons

فحَلَّ بهم وقد أمِنوا

ولم يُقصِر ولم يشطُب

So it befell them while they felt safe

Without falling short or cutting back

وما عنهُ إذا ما ح

لَّ من منجىً ولا مهرَب

And from it, when it swooped down

There was no escape or refuge

ألا يا عينُ فابكيهم

بدَمعٍ منكِ مُستَغرب

Oh eye, weep for them

With unexpected tears from you

فإن أبكي فهُم عزّي

وهُم رُكني وهُم منكِب

For if I weep, they are my pride

They are my pillar and shoulder

وهم أصلي وهُم فرعي

وهم نسبي إذا أُنسَب

They are my origin and branch

My lineage if it is traced

وهم مجدي وهُم شرفي

وهم حصني إذا أُنسَب

They are my glory and honor

My fortress if lineage is traced

وهُم رمحي وهُم تُرسي

وهُم سيفي إذا أغضَب

They are my spear and shield

My sword if it is unsheathed

فكَم من قائلٍ منهُم

إذا ما قالَ لم يُكذب

So many speakers among them

Who when they spoke were not doubted

وكم من ناطقٍ فيهم

خطيبٍ مصقَعٍ مُعرِب

And so many eloquent ones

Orators, pure and articulate

وكم من فارسٍ منهُم

كمِيٍّ معلَمٍ محرَب

And so many horsemen among them

Valiant, seasoned, tested in war

وكم من مدرَهٍ فيهم

أريبٍ حولَه مغلب

And so many polished ones

Cunning, victorious around him

وكم من جحفلٍ فيهِم

عظيمِ النارِ والمَوكِب

And so many regiments among them

With mighty fire and procession

وكم من خضرَمٍ فيهِم

نجيبٍ ماجدٍ مُنجِب

And so many elderly among them

Noble, glorious, begetting glory