وذي شطاط كصدر الرمح معتقلٍ

وذي شطاط كصدر الرمح معتقلٍ

بمثلِه غير هيّابٍ ولا وَجِلِ

بمثلِه غير هيّابٍ ولا وَجِلِ

And one of tall stature, like a spear’s forepart, armed

With a valley like the neck of a spear, detained

with its like, neither timid nor afraid.

By its likeness, neither awed nor apprehensive,

أحمى بعسّاله الممشوق جانبه

أحمى بعسّاله الممشوق جانبه

فلو حُني مثل ضلعي تمَّ لي عملي

فلو حُني مثل ضلعي تمَّ لي عملي

He guarded his flank with his slender, swaying spear;

Protected by its polished sword blades on its side,

were it bent like my rib, my purpose would be fulfilled.

If it were bent like my ribs, my task would be complete