1. The ships are clad in their armor
As if they were bare Abyssinians

2. As if in their racing ground
Horses parading for the arena

3. As if they and the sea their battlefield
Hawks swooping in the air

4. You see the oars in their rib cages
As if throwing flames

5. That is why they walk proudly
Had they sped, they'd resemble gazelles

6. Their oars like the eyes of houris
Fringed by lashes all around

7. As if their towers in the fray
Spewed naphtha from volcanoes