1. Neither Kufa is my mother nor Basra my father,
And no indolence can make me shirk from travel.

2. Think me not like the tribesman Naa'is,
Who, if he rests, takes to slumber, or told: "Saddle up!" is slow.

3. If you behold not my steeds descending as predators
With horsemen round me, then I am not the hero.

4. If the raids come not at you from all sides
Swiftly to your regret, O man,

5. Then have I laid my mare's cheek-strap aside;
Deceive me not with hopes and pretexts.

6. For if you give me tax of a horseman's wage
And land, all equal, with mountain villages,

7. You will not find me accept it or come to terms
Pleasing you; so give up hope of my return, O fool!

8. Nay, but time will bring you raiding steeds
With braids swinging, bearing destruction and captivity,

9. With truehearted youths between whom no rancor lurks,
Who aid the helpless and give to him who asks.

10. Came there not on you the day of al-‘Udhayb, when my adherents
Quartered the allies of al-Mukhtar with blunt skewers?

11. By the palace you proved me, and I did not waver
Or miss the mark, confused, to fail.

12. I engaged war-bands in the palace of the warrior
And took on horsemen, grappling with any who came forth.