Ode CI: If now I complain not to

If now I complain not to any of my pain, and if I cannot direct my steps unless I have one to guide me,

Yet time was when I have brought at dawn upon the pasturing camels of a tribe a host of raiders, far-spreading, one following another, besetting them suddenly from lowland and upland alike ;

And time was that I have taken my part in the arrow-game when the milk-less camels were driven home at evening by the cold, rain joined with chilling wind :

Then was I wont to give of my provision, without reserve, to all the folk of the encampment, whether protected strangers or seekers for bounty.

And time was that I prevented, without causing injury to any, a breach in the tribe — yea, all my equals in age are my witnesses !

Well do my people know how, when their long-continued raid has carried them far, and they have spent all their provision, I have lavished upon them all of mine.

And I do not hide within me qualities for which I shall be reviled — no, not till the son of Mayyad return again from the grave !

Give me praise ! How many a door of noble deeds prepared for you, how many a valley [leading thereto], have I opened to you !