1. I spent my morning in the whiteness of dawn,
with the hindquarters of my obedient night mount turned away.

2. My glance competes with me, fixed on the long
neck of a smooth-gaited she-camel of pure lineage.

3. Her gown covers her and flows over
as her shoulders spray droplets when she gallops.

4. Far-striding with slender legs, she runs
through the meadow, fast as an ostrich.

5. High-crouped like a noble antelope doe,
her ribs are wide inside a spacious chest.

6. Steady-paced, no flaw in her, she goes forth
like a trunk with no knots to chafe and disturb.

7. When she’s haltered she digs in and throws
her forelegs out, revealing her zebras' stripes.

8. She bolts between the hands like a Najd mare,
running hot then breaking into confusion.

9. We rode out seeking high ground,
driving her between gusts and squalls.

10. When we reached the two meadows
where the valley narrows into ravines,

11. I saw a group of women unguarded, alone,
with no shelter of tents or people.

12. I watched their condition closely
and my scout made a sign to lie in wait.

13. They gave their horses free rein,
and after hiding they began a tumult.

14. They had let a horseman pass between them
with iron spears, like a ravening wolf.

15. As he approached they charged his back,
and ordered their slave boy to grab the loot.

16. They fenced with him, face-to-face,
on the flat ground. Where could he escape?

17. They sprang away quickly on all sides
like the flowing of a sudden flood.

18. He surrounded them and they surrounded him,
robbing his goods and plundering his possessions.

19. He kept trying to cut them off
and bring them before the chiefs' assembly.

20. But the bold warrior maidens with long arms
were too much for him when tried and tested.

21. The wild beasts gained nothing by fleeing,
nor did their scattering into the hills.

22. He pursued them while they distracted him
as a bow pursues an arrow's path.

23. He brought down his spear on their herd
and snatched away the prizes.

24. I said to them: “Give him clothes,
bind his waist tight, and lower his headdress,

25. and fold his wings, so he may be hooded
for he had learned good manners.”

26. I prepared him for a day of warfare
and terrors of prolonged strife.

27. How often we have driven off enemies
in great roaring armies of many troops,

28. and sincere lads who, when they band together,
rout the foe and seize the spoils!

29. When will my people respond to my call,
horsemen of honor, noble and pure?

30. You see their neighbor safe among them,
moving about, tied by binding oaths.

31. When we grant someone protection
we tighten our belts and fortune favors us.