1. إلى كَم أُعَنَّى بالسُّرى والسّباسِبِ

    ويُصدَعُ شَملي بالنَّوَى والنّوائِبِ

    How long must I be wearied by night journeys and barren plains?

    And my fellowship be shattered by separation and calamities?

  2. فمَن لاقَهُ يوماً من الدّهرِ منزِلٌ

    فما مَنزلي إلا ظهورُ النَجائِبِ

    If ever a dwelling has suited anyone in his lifetime,

    My dwelling is nothing but the backs of fine-bred camels.

  3. ومن رَاقَه خِلٌّ يُسَرُّ بِقُربِهِ

    فيا ويحَ قلبي من فِراق الأقَارِبِ

    And if anyone delights in a dear friend, glad to be near him,

    Then alas for my heart at parting from kin!

  4. فلي كلَّ يومٍ من جَوى الهمِّ صاحبٌ

    يُجدِّدُ أحزاني على فَقدِ صاحبِ

    So each day, sorrow's burning anguish is my companion,

    Renewing my sorrows over the loss of a friend.

  5. ولي منزلٌ مَا مَسَّ جلدِي تُرَابهُ

    ولا فيه أتْرابي ومَلْهَى مَلاعبي

    And I have a dwelling whose dust has never touched my skin,

    Nor are my peers there, nor a place for my games.