خَليلَيَّ مِن قَيسٍ إِذا ما قَطَعتُما

خَليلَيَّ مِن قَيسٍ إِذا ما قَطَعتُما

حِبالَ سُلَيمى فَاِرقُدا اللَيلَ أَجمَعا

حِبالَ سُلَيمى فَاِرقُدا اللَيلَ أَجمَعا

My two friends from Qays, when you have severed

My two friends from Qays, when you both cut the ropes of Sulaima

the bonds with Sulayma, sleep the whole night through.

Sleep the whole night together

فَإِن خِفتُما بُعدَ البِلادِ فَهَيِّجا

فَإِن خِفتُما بُعدَ البِلادِ فَهَيِّجا

مُمَلِّعَةً أَو ذا هِبابٍ مُمَلِّعا

مُمَلِّعَةً أَو ذا هِبابٍ مُمَلِّعا

But if you fear the lands’ remoteness, then rouse

If you fear the distance of the lands, then set out

a swift she-camel, or a spirited, swift-running male.

With a camel for riding or a swift camel

سَتُخلِفُ ما أَنفَقتُما وَتَعوضُكُم

سَتُخلِفُ ما أَنفَقتُما وَتَعوضُكُم

سُلَيماكُما غُرماً إِذا ما تُمُتِّعا

سُلَيماكُما غُرماً إِذا ما تُمُتِّعا

She will restore what you two have spent and compensate you—

What you spent will be compensated, and Sulaima will reward you

your Sulayma—for your losses, when you are granted enjoyment.

With the fare when you are given hospitality

خَليلَيَّ مِن قَيسٍ سُلَيمايَ عَقَّرَت

خَليلَيَّ مِن قَيسٍ سُلَيمايَ عَقَّرَت

رِكابَكُما فَاِندوا بِها اليَومَ أَودَعا

رِكابَكُما فَاِندوا بِها اليَومَ أَودَعا

My two friends from Qays, my Sulayma has hamstrung

My two friends from Qays, the ropes of your Sulaima have broken

your mounts; so lead them along today, or leave them.

So bid her farewell today as you set out