1. لا ياعَذابي آه ما أكثر حوابي

    وَصح شهابي مِن الأُمور الصِعاب

    Ah, my torment! Alas, how many are my sorrows!

    My flame has flared from grievous affairs.

  2. شَيء جَرى لي ما تشيلو العَوالي

    وَاضيم حالي الدَهر عمق صَوابي

    Something befell me that even lofty spears could not bear.

    Alas for my plight! Time has deepened my wounds.

  3. مِن عقب ذا شديت عَشرة حنايا

    مثل الضبا وَضح الذَرى وَالحمايا

    After this, I saddled ten slender, arched-backed she-camels,

    Like gazelles, white along their crests and flanks,

  4. ربداً تجازن عَن مَهاوي الشبايا

    مِن لَمعة الشاقوص تبن مخاريع

    Dun-colored, leaping clear of the pits of snares.

    At the gun-hammer's flash, they look panic-stricken.

  5. يشدن إِلى سرب الحَمام المَواريع

    لا ناشهم في البر فَرخ العقابي

    They resemble a flock of startled pigeons

    When an eagle's fledgling swoops upon them in the wild.

  6. هجنا الياطاب السَرى ما يهابن

    لازوملن تَحتَ النشاما وَرابن

    Riding she-camels, unafraid when night travel turns pleasant;

    When urged to trot beneath brave riders, they leap.

  7. مثل المَها لا طالعوا الزول غابن

    عَلى ناظرك لَو هن بجالك قرابي

    Like oryx, when they see a figure, they vanish

    From your sight, even when close beside you.

  8. الأَوله عِندَ التياها غياها

    عَلميتا لا ياهنا مِن قناها

    The first is the finest of the Tiyaha's stock.

    I know her—how fortunate whoever owns her!

  9. أَسرع مِن الدُولاب مدت خُطاها

    ما عقلوها للحمل وَالضرابي

    Faster than a turning wheel, she stretches her stride.

    They never hobbled her for burdens or breeding.

  10. وَالثانية مَن خاص رَكب اللحاوي

    منوة غلاما بالفيافي خلاوي

    The second is from al-Lahawi's choicest riding stock,

    The desire of a young man roaming alone through the wastes.

  11. لاذو ملت بالدوح خف النداوي

    مِن خَلف وَرَفا يَوم هَدوه رابي

    When she sweeps across the open land, she has a falcon's lightness,

    Pursuing a flock, soaring when they release him.

  12. وَالثالثة مِن هوج شوح الضباعين

    سر حوبة تَجزي خطاة الشياهين

    The third is of al-Daba'in's swift, long-necked stock,

    A rangy she-camel whose stride rivals the peregrines' flight.

  13. وَاليا حزمها القفل عقب الميادين

    تسبق غَزالاً سمع صَوت المنابي

    When the caravan cinches her after the open stretches,

    She outruns a gazelle that has heard the sound of guns.

  14. وَالرابعة علميتا لابن بسام

    يا راكبه زَمه عَن الغر بزمام

    The fourth, as I know her, belongs to Ibn Bassam.

    O rider, keep her out of danger with the rein.

  15. ماضنتي مثله ربي بنجد وَالشام

    طراشها بِأَرض الخلا ما يهابي

    I doubt her like was reared in Najd or Syria.

    Her messenger-rider fears nothing in the empty wilderness.

  16. وَالخامسد وضحا غياً للطرابين

    سهواجة مَنوة طروشا بعيدين

    The fifth is a choice white she-camel of al-Tarabin,

    Long-striding, desired by messengers bound far away.

  17. بِالضرح ديها دايم الدوم عجلين

    تقطع مَعاطيش البراري هذابي

    At a gallop, her forelegs are forever swift.

    She crosses the waterless deserts at a flying pace.

  18. وَالسادسة شعلا هجين بن نَواف

    ركابها مِن وَحشة البر ما خاف

    The sixth is Sha'la, Ibn Nawwaf's riding she-camel.

    Her rider does not fear the wilderness's loneliness.

  19. اليا مشت مِن قاصبا نَجد مِن كاف

    تَهشل دمشق وَما غلقن البوابي

    When she sets out from Najd's far reaches, from Kaf,

    She reaches Damascus before the gates are closed.

  20. وَالسابعة للضيغمي جذبوها

    علميتا منبوت أَما وَأَبوها

    The seventh they brought from al-Dayghami.

    I know the breeding of both her dam and sire.

  21. اللي شروها بالذهب وَزنوها

    لاهزَها الركاب قامَت تشابي

    Those who bought her weighed her worth in gold.

    When the rider prods her, she rises, bounding.

  22. وَالثامند عرماسة لابن شعلان

    تقول ربده إِن طالعت شوف زيلان

    The eighth is Ibn Sha'lan's sturdy she-camel.

    She seems a dun ostrich when she catches sight of the males.

  23. مرباعها ما من بعايد بحوران

    مقيضها مع روس هك النَوابي

    Her spring pasture is not far away in Hauran.

    Her summer pasture is among the tops of those high hills.

  24. وَالتاسعة مخصوص للزين طراد

    ما هي ذلول تقول من ربد الأَنهاد

    The ninth is reserved for handsome Tarrad.

    She seems no riding camel, but one of the hills' dun ostriches.

  25. ركابها ما ينقل المي وَالزاد

    مشي العشر أَيام قبل الغيابي

    Her rider carries neither water nor provisions.

    She covers ten days' travel before sunset.

  26. وَالعاشرة حرة غيا بنت حره

    سرحوبة بالدوح عجلا مفره

    The tenth is purebred and choice, the daughter of a purebred dam,

    Rangy, swift and fleet across the open land.

  27. ركابها ما باعها بميت صرة

    وَلَو ملولو خرجها للقطابي

    Her rider would not sell her for a hundred purses,

    Even if they filled her saddlebags for him up to the saddle-bows.

  28. عشرة كملن ركابنا لبسوهن

    عشرة شدايد منوة اللي شروهن

    The ten are complete; our riders have outfitted them

    With ten saddles, desired by those who bought them.

  29. مِن عود ميس حطامهن رصعوهن

    بالماس يرهج فوق صفر القتابي

    Their frames are of hackberry wood; they inlaid them

    With diamonds glittering above the yellow saddle-bows.

  30. وَمنسفات فوق ديباج بني

    وَمشربشات بالذهب يرهجني

    And saddle-cloths lie over brown brocade,

    And gold-fringed ornaments glitter.

  31. وَمطرزات حبوكهن يعجبني

    وَمغلبات بريش مثل الذوابي

    And their embroidered patterns please me,

    And they are covered with feathers like flowing tresses.

  32. وسد الميارك مثل وسد الرعابيب

    فوق المتون اللي مثل رَبضة الذيب

    The riding-seat cushions resemble the cushions of graceful beauties,

    Upon backs shaped like a crouching wolf.

  33. ومشربشات بريش مثل الدباديب

    تثنوا عليهم يا وجوه الذيابي

    And they are fringed with feathers like dangling tufts.

    Mount them, O wolf-faced men!

  34. وَخراجهن بالرهج مثل الدنانير

    اللي شَراهن ما حسب للمخاسير

    Their saddlebags glitter like gold dinars.

    Whoever bought them did not reckon the expense.

  35. مرقوم بيهم مِن جَميع التصاوير

    يستاهلوهن طايعات الرقابي

    All manner of images are worked upon them.

    Those obedient-necked she-camels deserve them.

  36. وسمارهن ورسانهن وَالعكاريش

    وَجنابهن بالدل وَالخز وَالريش

    Their girths, their halters, and their braided tassels,

    And their side-pieces, with pendants, silk, and feathers,

  37. من كل جهة ناشرين الشرابيش

    مثل الهَوادج تحتَ حُمر الخضابي

    Spread their fringes out on every side,

    Like litters beneath henna-stained women.

  38. يا طروش ياللي فوق عشرة مَعايير

    مثل المهاة اللي ربوا بالدواوير

    O travelers riding ten exemplary mounts,

    Like oryx raised around the encampments,

  39. حاذروا يا شوق البنات الغنادير

    مِن قوم شنعين اللغا وَالخطابي

    Beware, you darlings of the graceful girls,

    Of men whose speech and addresses are ugly.

  40. مِن لندر اجبت الفشك وَالفرودي

    وَمِن العَجم عشرة صَوارم هُنودي

    From London I brought cartridges and pistols,

    And from the Persians, ten sharp Indian swords.

  41. وَتجندوا سمر الشَوارب فهودي

    مثل الشبال اللي ربوا بالغوابي

    Arm yourselves, dark-moustached men, my leopards,

    Like lion cubs raised in the forests.

  42. عشرة قديمات مِن شغل جايل

    تحزموا بهِ يا حماة الدبايل

    Ten old guns, the work of Jayil—

    Gird yourselves with them, protectors of the daba'il.

  43. أنتم مَواريث الرُبوع الطوايل

    وَطوعاتكم من خاص خاص الركابي

    You are heirs to the lofty dwellings,

    And your obedient mounts are the choicest of riding camels.

  44. ياهل الركايب نيَتي وَالطوية

    ودي تودوا كاغدي للسمية

    O people of the mounts, my intention and inward wish

    Are that you take my letter to al-Samiyya.

  45. وِمن غَيرِها مالي غَرض جَيد نيه

    يا مرافقين الرُشد دونكم كتابي

    Apart from that, I have no purpose or settled intention.

    O companions of right guidance, here is my letter.

  46. وَتولموا يا هل الركايب المراويح

    مِن فوق عجلات الخطا للمصابيح

    Prepare yourselves, people of the far-ranging mounts,

    Upon swift-striding she-camels for the morning journeys.

  47. الدَرب يا شوق البنات المطاميح

    ترك الوَطن مِن مخلفين الجَوابي

    Take the road, you darlings of the proud girls,

    Leaving the homeland of those who hold back replies.

  48. الدَرب يا مابو وجوها شنايع

    الدَرب يا مابو هوال وروايع

    The road—oh, how many ugly faces it holds!

    The road—oh, how many terrors and horrors!

  49. دركتُكم للما يخيب الودايع

    وَخلفتكم للمصطفى وَالقطابي

    I entrust your safety to Him who never fails a trust,

    And leave you in the care of the Chosen One and the saintly guides.

  50. سيروا عَلى مد الكَريم اسهجوهن

    قبل أربعاً حاذروا لا تنهروهن

    Travel by the Generous One's bounty; urge them onward.

    Before four days have passed, beware of scolding them.

  51. من عقبها لا باس لَو تنهموهن

    قامن يزازن مثل قَطع السَرابي

    After that, there is no harm in urging them with cries.

    They begin racing like broken patches of mirage.

  52. العَصر مِن سيناب قوموا عليهن

    بيواط باليمنة مخبط يديهن

    In the afternoon, mount them and depart from Sinab,

    With Biwat to the right of their forefeet's path.

  53. إِن أَصبَحوا صمصون لَو ما عَليهن

    أَود تقفوا روس هك الرَوابي

    If they reach Samsun by morning, even unladen,

    I want you to halt upon the tops of those hills.

  54. مِنها عَلى سنواس حثوا نضاكم

    عاقسطموني الظهر حينَ مَغداكُم

    From there, urge your riding camels toward Sanwas.

    To Kastamonu at noon, when you take your midday meal.

  55. عَلى أَنقرَه حروت موقع عشاكُم

    ضيفوا أَبو فارس محاري الغيابي

    Make Ankara roughly your supper stop.

    Be guests of Abu Faris, who awaits absent travelers.

  56. لا نَفس الضو الحمر ثَوروهن

    مِن عِند شاهر وَربهة سهجوهن

    When the red light breathes, rouse them.

    From Shahir and Rabha's place, drive them onward.

  57. عاقيسرية هونوا وَريحوهن

    يهشلن أَبو قاسم حسان الصَوابي

    Toward Kayseri, go gently and rest them.

    They will reach Abu Qasim, sound in judgment.

  58. عا أَدنا يا هل الرَكايب وَكيسوم

    وَديار بَكر إِن كانَ بركابكم زوم

    Toward Adana, people of the mounts, and Kaysum,

    And Diyarbakir, if your mounts have strength.

  59. عا ماردين وَفارَقوا ديرة الرُوم

    مِن عقبها ردوا اللغا وَالجَوابي

    Toward Mardin, and leave the land of Rum.

    After that, give your words and replies.

  60. وَمِنها عَلى الشهبا وَأَردوا مياها

    حماة وَحمص أَمشوا ببرها وَفَضاها

    From there, to Aleppo; draw from its waters.

    Through Hama and Homs, travel their countryside and open land.

  61. عَالشام كُل مَن شافَها ما عزاها

    ريضانها متخالفات العشابي

    To Damascus—none who sees her finds fault with her.

    Her meadows bear many different grasses.

  62. الصُبح مِنها يا ضنا الجُود شيلون

    الدَرب عالكسوة مشي ميل دنون

    In the morning, leave her, O sons of generosity.

    Take the road toward al-Kiswa; go a mile and draw near.

  63. عالديروادي اللوا الدَرب مَبخون

    ميلوا عَن القَلعة عَساها خَرابي

    Toward al-Dayr and Wadi al-Liwa, take the road at a trot.

    Turn away from the fortress—may it lie in ruins!

  64. تلفوا جبل حُوران يا عز مَلفاه

    مَنوة رَغيفاً طالبوا دُوم بدعاه

    Reach Mount Hauran—what a glorious destination!

    The hope of the bread-seeker, who never ceases praying for it.

  65. خير العَشاير ما كَلامي محاباة

    اللَه وَدين اللَه وَحياة الكتابي

    The finest tribes—my words are no flattery.

    By God, by God's religion, and by the life of the Scripture!

  66. ملفا رَكايبكم وُجوه السَمية

    كُل من براسو شومتا عَنترية

    Your mounts' destination is the leading men of al-Samiyya.

    Each carries the valor of 'Antara in his mind.

  67. أَهل المَضايف بِالكَرَم حاتمية

    يشدوا عويرض يَوم كت الشطابي

    People of guesthouses, Hatim-like in generosity,

    They brace the battle line when the blades strike.

  68. انطوا المعطر يالوجوه الفَلايح

    عَن الدَخيل إِن جا من اليم صايح

    Give forth the fragrant powder, O noble faces,

    For the refuge-seeker, if he comes crying from the sea.

  69. يا ربعنا هذه عَلَيكُم فَضايح

    تَرك الحَراير في ديار الجنابي

    Our people, this brings disgrace upon you:

    Leaving freeborn women in the lands of strangers.

  70. غاروا عَلى عرض النسا وَالبَناتي

    يا هل الرباع الواسعة الفاضياتي

    Defend the honor of the women and girls,

    O people of broad, spacious dwellings!

  71. يا جَواد ما ودها مَلامة وَشماتي

    اليَوم صار الجَرح عِندَ النصابي

    O generous one, this calls for neither blame nor gloating.

    Today the wound has reached the hilt.

  72. غاروا عَلى الخفرات ما هو عَلَينا

    حنا الرِجال الذَبح وَالقَتل فينا

    Defend the modest women, not us.

    We are men; slaughter and killing are our lot.

  73. النَفي ما هوَ للحريم الضعينا

    مَع وَلدهن صاروا شبيه السَرابي

    Exile is not for vulnerable women.

    With their children, they have become like a mirage.

  74. ما مدخل الخوان بأمور حوران

    يَوم رَكضت مِن نمرة الحيص لمتان

    What business have traitors with Hauran's affairs,

    The day the rout swept from Nimra to Imtan?

  75. اللَه قردنا بِأَمر مَلعون شَيطان

    وَصارَت سبايبنا هذيك الطلابي

    God afflicted us with the command of a cursed devil,

    And those demands became the cause of our troubles.

  76. اليَوم الملامة يا رفاقا مصايب

    وَرَأساً بِلا شُومة مِن الساس عايب

    Today, comrades, reproach brings calamities.

    A head without valor is flawed at its foundation.

  77. يَقطَع بلا عد وَمحاكي وَطلايب

    وَاللي يُؤخر جهد عَنا يعابي

    Let it be cut off without reckoning, argument, or claims.

    Whoever withholds effort from us deserves blame.

  78. ما تخبرون الترك دَولة بَراطيل

    لموا دراهم لا تساووا تماطيل

    Do you not know the Turks are a state of bribes?

    Gather money; do not make delays.

  79. دقوا عَلى اسطنبول بِالبَرق وَالتيل

    وَتوسلوا وَتوقعوا للثَوابي

    Send to Istanbul by telegraph and wire.

    Petition, and await the rewards.

  80. وَتحزموا بِالشوف أَربع حزامات

    ياما لَهُم بِالناشمة دُوم عادات

    And gird yourselves in the Shuf with four bands.

    How often they have shown their customary chivalry!

  81. ذولي مَناصب قيس عَالناس سادات

    صلفين يَوم الكُون يَوم الحرابي

    These are the dignitaries of Qays, lords over the people,

    Proud on the day of battle, the day of war.

  82. طخوا عَلى بواب الوزر وَاقرعوها

    سجوا عَلى فلك للجج وَاركبوها

    Knock at the ministries' gates and beat upon them.

    Go aboard a ship for the deep seas and embark.

  83. دار السَعادة خياركم يوصلوها

    وَملوكها بِالحُكم مثل الصحابي

    Let your best men reach the Abode of Felicity.

    Its rulers judge like the Companions.

  84. ما ضن مِنكُم خالي البال منا

    مِن كُل قَرية بِالأَناضول عَنا

    I doubt any of you is unconcerned about us.

    From every village in Anatolia, away from us,

  85. وَاللي مغرب يَوم تونس معنا

    وَاللي برودس نجمهم بَعد غابي

    And those exiled today to Tunis are with us.

    And those in Rhodes—their star is still hidden.

  86. وَالكاتبو ربك عَلى العَبد صاير

    دَعني أَنا مَقضوب يا لربع حاير

    What your Lord has written for His servant will come to pass.

    Leave me; I am captive, O comrades, bewildered.

  87. مِن وَهجي دَمعي عَلى الخَد فاير

    وَالراس مِن زود المَلامات شابي

    From my burning pain, my tears boil upon my cheek.

    My head has turned gray from so much reproach.

  88. ما غَير هذا شَيء شفتو مُوافق

    غَير القَدر يَنطي عَلَينا عَوايق

    I have seen no fitting course other than this,

    Unless fate casts obstacles upon us.

  89. العَبد يَسعى عِندَ أَهل الحَقايق

    وَالرضب يفرجها عَلى مَيت بابي

    The servant strives among the people of truth,

    And the Lord brings relief through a hundred doors.

  90. بِالمُصطَفى أَختم كَلاماً بَدَيناه

    يَرحم لِمَن أَضاعَت ثَنايا عَناه

    With the Chosen One, I close the words we began.

    May He have mercy on one lost in the winding paths of his suffering.

  91. يا اللَه ياللي زاهق النَفس يدعاه

    تَفتح لَنا مِن غامض العلم بابي

    O God, whom the departing soul calls upon,

    Open for us a door into hidden knowledge.