1. The son of Mas'ud foolishly wished to meet me,
One day long ago he said, rejecting:

2. When will you meet a group of ours, O son of Khalid,
An unruly army or marching with ease?

3. You would be idle chatter if our spears reached you,
Left in the gloom of dust spilled forth.

4. We hoped you'd meet a group -
A flock of death predetermined for you.

5. On camels crooked-backed as if their chests
Were canals whose waters overflowed.

6. Around them young she-camels in calf bleating,
You'd think, with held halters, pressed together.

7. When they heard the clank of swords they dragged
The fingertips of the warriors, pulling them along.

8. Their leader kept the camels from their males
With their reins, fearing they'd be severed.

9. And each bare-chested knight unsheathed his sword,
Its poison turning the blade an ashen hue.

10. On every long-necked stud of noble breed
He led a dusty roan mare in estrus.

11. The females' loins were hard with sinew,
Glistening when the flies alighted.

12. And how many chiefs have our spears abandoned
Gushing blood from their pierced sides, crimson!

13. By dawn we were the living on the day of Quraqir,
Like the pillars of Yamamah, chopped down.

14. And we were victorious on the day of Dhariya's sorrow,
We were the ones who prevented at the two springs of Minqar.