1. Alas for him who tells this tale, what will he witness?
Alas for him, from an occurrence not to be praised!

2. O clans of Tha'labah, what is with you
That lions are thus castrated while docile?

3. It is cowardice and the morals of cattle
Who think war an easy matter easily enflamed

4. They lost ferocity so they crept stealthily
And slaughtered souls that cannot be ransomed

5. O you wounded for truth, did you die or did
The matter end and the tryst is kept?

6. The people rejoiced and said, 'We are enriched!'
To seriousness they were led and a vision made ripe

7. They stripped the knight of his garments
Would that I knew, which sword did they unsheathe?

8. A youth of his clan knew the sword
He clamoured to recover what he witnessed

9. O corpse, move though fear not
The redeemer has come and relief is at hand

10. Blessed is the carrier, how excellent
From a known hand that cannot be denied

11. O Messenger of Allah, glad tidings, they are
Favours poured and good comes to ripen

12. As well as mail borne by Tha'labah's clan
And dependents with spearheads like hail

13. They made the sword rule over them
So for it is their skulls for reaping

14. Would that they were men and refused
When their tryst drew near, that they withdraw

15. The rabble left and none looked
Except at favours poured and sheep to be herded

16. He led them not made for his care
His care those scattered souls

17. Who stir up evil, so if evil gusts
The evil shifts and starts to dwindle

18. Evil what their whims introduce to them
From a bitter cistern, no good flows from it

19. The temptation of idolatry, and no temptation
Like it in the wilds is to be found

20. None but Allah has sovereignty
A god to be feared or worshipped

21. Owner of the kingdom, exalted, for Him
No partner in His loftiness can be found