1. The lightning flashed, and night drew near
Tossing about, writhing in agony.

2. It shone like a bird in flight
Yet weakness allowed no rest.

3. The forlorn one leaned on his arms
Cheeks pressing till his joints pained.

4. He yearned for the softness of union,
For the valley of love and its curves.

5. Can one who shares a brother’s torment
Find solace if his lament is stifled?

6. So it wandered like that flickering glow,
Where once was its radiance in Nejd?

7. Beyond it stretched a distant respite
Which, when eyes met, was too weak to soothe.

8. Was there one to help in its misery
With a falcon’s sight and sought purpose?

9. It flew in pursuit till it mounted
The steeds of a polished, bright day.

10. Now it remembers what filled its heart -
A time now gone, fled youth.

11. And a square shaded by love and companionship
Where it once cast its staff’s shadow.

12. There the happy band smiled in comfort,
Veils guarding them from repute’s eyes.

13. And seekers of guidance frequented its shade,
Sheltered there, their wants fulfilled.

14. Will my eyes now see on a steed
The friend, towards whom the camel yearns?

15. Will my heart regain its bloom
As my sore eyelids welcome their balm?

16. None like me remains in this world,
Except perhaps one whose repute excels,

17. Surpassing me in the blows of fate,
Purer than the words my lips have uttered,

18. Nobler than the faults that have stained
The glory built by my people,

19. Folding adversities in my ribs
When the seas of dishonor flood me,

20. Fearing no command, though its consequences
Are bound to death’s nakedness.

21. And if an enemy divides what my people
Have built, its fragments will spread like dust.

22. I have the ambition of the stars,
The excellence that has clothed my days.

23. The power of one firmware in danger,
Mixed from the dripping of swords in battle,

24. Defines a victory that wards off death
When the vultures descend in their darkest youth.

25. It kindles a glare by which the knight
Lights his way though the night is blinding.

26. Ask my breastplate and coat of mail, girl,
What secrets they hide.

27. For in them lies a desert that covers disgrace,
And in them a defender, though flawed.

28. I trail them like a river
When the breeze stirs its undulation.

29. My upright sword holds sweet fragrance
As ointment drips from its blade.

30. Beneath it lies a roan of spacious might,
A steady, elegant, grayish steed.

31. Dawn has clothed its flanks in light
While night has given its darkness.

32. Time will tell how it ransacked
And which threadbare clothes it stole,

33. Which lad it carried high
Without asking glory for its price -

34. More daring than the swooping eagle,
Though not known for its striking beauty,

35. Neither thunderous in trials
Nor timid when the calamities clash.

36. I fear its snarling wolves
And the eagles complain of its harshness.

37. Had it not fiercely defended honors
Its forehead would not be bare of forelocks.

38. For children it surpasses its rivals
With ties honor alone can knot.

39. It quenches the thirst of its swords
With the crimson juice of youth.

40. And those denied its wealth’s shade
Have property and status in villas.

41. So why should the disgraced persist
And fear doom though protected by God?