1. Shall I excuse my people, though spears blame them,
When great events are happening in our time?

2. Sa'd ibn Zayd was made happy that Sa'd an-Nubata
Went unparalleled, while you are Tamim.

3. The roses of death are sweet, no blame to you,
And death is better if a loved one is blamed.

4. I called on the Banu Sasan openly,
To plunder my wealth, for the noble are noble.

5. That was not out of love for them, but so
I can show how I act toward those I hate.

6. Oh, how many a day have I turned their steeds
To face the live fire of the bold lancer!

7. With the excitement of battle, as we shared out
Loot like dogs that do not last the night.

8. By evening Kesra, if he sought his desire,
Would be bound in shackles, disgraced.

9. So which era that passed would you want back?
And which life do you not blame?

10. Oh, I wonder, did I spend a night
With no worries to trouble my evening?

11. If fate gave me my wish for an evening,
And the night of cares was tranquil,

12. I made the white of the sword a harm to the white shiny blades
Though I am enamored of the white forearms.

13. I roam the horizons as if I were
The leader of what events will unfold.

14. If I do not raid the Orient,
I sleep despite its terrors and slumber.

15. When she claims me as kin, the mention of it
Dismisses anxiety that I am vile.

16. Among a people who see injustice as a greater sin,
And regard disaster as trifling.

17. I curb them when they trespass,
And my swords check the armored.

18. How can I fear events when through them
Are loving friends whose like is not found?

19. My hands, my sword, a short coat of mail,
And foresight for joining affairs closely.

20. The hardship of dwelling reminds me of days
When night was dawn, and winds were zephyr.

21. I will set sword points above it
Whirling through the insides of fighters.