1. My body complains of my spear and bow
And every smooth-running knight

2. My body complains; indeed, my youth is spent
And the heavy armor chafes my shoulder

3. He wished he had met me, the obstinate one
And I too, wherever my love was

4. Had you met me with my weapons
The fat around your heart would be exposed

5. He wants my love, and wants me dead
Your excuse from your friend, from what he desires

6. He wished for me, while my coat of mail is impenetrable
As if its rings were locusts’ eyes

7. My sword has been, since the days of Ibn Didd
Chosen by the young warrior from the people of ‘Aad

8. My spear of amber, in which
Appear blades like the blacksmith’s pincers

9. And a mare whose smooth flank
Shows wheals where the straps of warriors have rubbed

10. When struck, it gives a buzzing sound
Like the patter of rain on the tanned leather

11. So you would have found your maternal uncle quite different
From one who has slain the solitary camels

12. Making confused tracks
With claws that scratch like a blacksmith’s