1. When death strips a man of loved ones dear,
No anxious father, and no children near;

2. I do not fear the howling of the wolf,
Nor dread the roaring of the lion bold.

3. The crash of thunder and the lightning's glare
Made me a knight that dreadful day of war,

4. The conqueror who crushed the foe whene'er
He came with vengeance, though he swore and swore

5. To wreak his wrath and tyrannize no more.
He pardoned hardship and importunate pleas,

6. As gentle rain descends from cloudy skies.
No eye has gained its utmost craving on

7. The night when steeds like pillars propped stand by.
Death comes to all of Banu Hurra's sons,

8. Be they a meagre or a mighty host.
Though they be envied, they are cast down low,

9. And if exalted, doomed to ruin and woe.
O eye, why did you not lament Arbad

10. When we arose and rivals turned in hate?
And eye, why did you not lament Arbad

11. When winter winds brought desolation's weight?
At dawn, only weeping, stripped, remained,

12. When the clouds of calamity were dispersed.
If they make mischief, little heeds he them,

13. Or if they aim for power, he aims for justice.
Sweet is he, generous, though in his sweetness

14. Is subtle bitterness that hurts the liver and gut.
He who brings grief to mourning chambers