1. Had I an ally against the days
To ward off harm and pain,

2. I would prevent misfortune's hand from gaining victory
And quell the might of heroes vain.

3. O Time, no more your sins beguile
With weak excuses and pretense,

4. You snatch away all hope of joy
Yet mock my dreams - how insolent!

5. Far off the caravan bells chime
While here my people wield their blades.

6. You constantly unfold and fold
Were you creator or destroyer made!

7. And I behold these locks of mine
Turn hoary-grey with months and years.

8. My joints grow stiff, my face is lined,
Frail youth precedes frail age it nears.

9. How brief the time between my prime
Of life and sadly, its decline!

10. Sulayma spoke: “Forbear thy fight,
Against the blows of fate resign.”

11. But I have long defied my sires
And scorned the bonds of destiny.

12. My spear's point split the ranks of foes
While rage and slaughter frothed within me.

13. The phantom host I led was drawn
From Nejd's heart to scenes of strife,

14. With warriors who would fearless ride
O'er meadows soaked in blood-red life.

15. Their traces by the camping-grounds
Were like the prints of hooves impaled.

16. The heaped up corpses that they left
Were by the death-shawls greyly veiled.

17. No throat amid that carnage cried
For mercy, pity or remorse.

18. Only the lifeblood of young boys
Still pulsed in neck and reddened corse.

19. I roused each knight with falcon's glare
To pierce the enemy's rearguard line,

20. Hurling their javelins at the foe
Then drawing swords in battle fine,

21. Until he circled back with spoils
Like the full moon in radiant might.

22. Say to Abu Hassan I'm still true
And thankful for thy noble fight,

23. No sin have I against thee wrought
Nor sought to stain thy fair repute.

24. From weak excuses I have turned
Though bards delight in boastful flute.

25. Whenever you descend to fight
Curb your rash temper I implore!

26. Think not I cannot bear our parting;
Though pained, my hands still grip the oar.

27. Prove you can master passion's flood,
For I am stern and strong of will,

28. Since I have shed all callow ways
And gained the wit to plan and kill,

29. Since I have sought the best in raiding
And the long spear-thrusts multiplied,

30. Since I have probed that workman's artful,
Enchanting rhymes and rhythms tried,

31. One day deep drink and song inspiring,
Another, racing steeds about,

32. Plucking the vines of mirth and laughter
Till joy comes flooding from the spout,

33. As though it were a phantom's dream
Come knocking softly at my door.

34. What valiant knights Kab was among
When qualities of men were sure!

35. Who filled their saddles as they charged,
Mouths gaping, breathing winds of war,

36. And poured across the east in squadrons -
Najd's high hills and rocks that soar!

37. They ruled all people, and were ruled
By those exalted o'er them all -

38. Proud scions of Jawtha, for they are
The sum of highborn virtues tall!

39. No legacy to heirs remained
Except their glory and renown.

40. They came to Iraq with their bright banners
While people watched them from the town,

41. With regiments whose blades sent lightning
To cleave the thick of milling foes,

42. They conquered lands along the Tigris
And palace towers that o'er it rose,

43. Imposing annual tax on those
Who by the river sowed and reaped -

44. Oh noblest of all Arabs then!
Your memory stirs though long you've slept.