1. If Fatima had witnessed in a desolate valley
Your brother encounter the lion

2. You would have seen a lion intending a lion
A hissing lion seeking a hissing lion

3. He was jubilant when my protector recoiled from him
Cautiously, so I said, "You have harmed the protector."

4. I placed my feet on the back of the ground saying,
"I found the ground firmer than your back."

5. And I said to him as he bared sharpened blades
And an angry face:

6. He pounces with claws and the edge of fangs
And with glances you'd think were embers.

7. With my right, the edge of the sword remains
The impacts of war drum beats.

8.
Didn't you hear what he did to the gazelles

9. One morning when I met Amr?
My heart is like your heart, I'm not afraid

10. Of battle, nor do I fear panic.
While you crave food for the cubs

11. My goal is the bride price for the uncle's daughter.
So why would one like me retreat

12. And leave you empowered against my will?
I advise you lion, seek other than me

13. For food, my flesh has been bitter.
When he thought my advice was deceit

14. And defied me as if I'd said "avoidance"
We walked, two lions with the same goal

15. When they sought it, a difficult goal.
Brandishing his paw, one of his hands

16. And extending the other to pounce on me.
I shook the sword at him, emptied that I

17. Had split the darkness with it at dawn.

18. I found for him a reckless strike he saw
From one who his betrayal hadn't favoured.

19. With a separating blow I left him cloven
As if he were solid rock.

20. He fell drenched in blood as if
I'd demolished a towering structure.

21. And I said to him, "It pains me that
I killed my peer in strength and valor."

22. But you attempted something none but you
Had tried, so I could not endure, O lion.

23. You try to teach me retreat
By my father's life, you have tried the unthinkable!