إذاif كنتyou are يوماone day رامياshooting عنfrom حنيّةa curved bow
إذا كنت يوما راميا عن حنيّة
فلاthen do not تجمعنbring together بينbetween الحديدةthe iron arrowhead والعصمand the bindings
فلا تجمعن بين الحديدة والعصم
If ever you shoot from a curved bow,
If you were once an archer lost in thought
do not bring the iron arrowhead and the bow’s bindings together.
Do not combine an iron tip and reckless shot
فياfor, ah ربmany a مستوفone completing نهايةthe utmost extent of كرّةa charge
فيا رب مستوف نهاية كرّة
فعادand so returned عليهupon him السهمthe arrow منbecause of قلةa lack of الحزمprudence
فعاد عليه السهم من قلة الحزم
For many a man has carried a charge to its utmost,
My Lord, fulfiller of every ball's far end
only for the arrow to turn back on him through lack of prudence.
For as the shafts fly back the rash will be distraught
Sol 6.1