1. The sheath still gleams though the sword be gone,
A little lacking sometimes leads to gain.

2. If the sublime is reached, its strength is safe;
No sorrow if the system suffers loss!

3. More lightly are the shoulders burdened on
The day our foremost and our banners remain.

4. The water springs complain not when at eve
They flow confined, so long as clouds remain.

5. But for a noble band, left by thy hand,
High fortune, blessings in fair troops had lain!

6. Whene'er the stithy spatters sparks about,
Is't loss, when at the forge the hammers remain?

7. Awake, O fortune of our present day,
The saddle pads and bridles still remain,

8. A horse that spurned each rider, charging forth
Unequalled, loosed from every restraining rein,

9. As guileful as the sidelong glance thou gav'st-
While still, like it, thy treachery doth remain.

10. Of men whose glory reared its height amidst
Their spears; when they are gone 'tis low again!

11. They proffer peace, then hath the land repose;
Or war, and ruin falls on all the plain.

12. Heroes, when friendly or when stern they prove,
Deckt either war or banquet with their train.

13. Pure lineage, ancient as their noble race,
That once led freeman, now leads freeman's reign!

14. They ride the steed alternate days, while swords
And racers daily change from hand to hand.

15. The lofty souls of chiefs; the best of men;
With glory every turban binding round.

16. As 'twere the sword's own twin, that from his sheath
Came flashing terror on the hostile clan,

17. To fright the shyest steed; till welcome seemed
Captivity to all the hostile Van!

18. The foe found refuge from their falchions' rage
Amongst the women, in the sacred reign!

19. As the fair mistresses of princely halls
Oppressed with gems and silk, scarce walk or stand,

20. So moved they, bent by spoils; yet when they sought
The foemen's tents, then lightly leapt they on!

21. I blame not, though a fortress succour lend,
If unseen the maid and matron train remain;

22. But towering high on noble steeds they rode,
White closing round them, not one spot or stain;

23. The hills shrunk back before their coursers' tread,
And the long lances glare'd against the plain.

24. Dark grew the sun at morn, by reason of
The lightnings flashing from their arms' bright blade,

25. Clear shone the night because their banners gleam
So brilliant, that they paled the moon's soft reign.

26. On others, not like thee, of hostile mood,
Their ladies o'er the battle pour'd their rain

27. Of tent poles, till around the leeward tribes
In eddies rolled the blast, confusion's bane!

28. Wearied with launching plank and heavy stone,
At length the warriors' strategies were vain.

29. Ah! soon a day of battle shall arrive,
Whose morrow shall bring ruin, yet remain.

30. Think not of Rabi'a's castled walls alone,
Though reaching clouds, the lightnings rend in twain

31. A brood of nobles died to save their land!
The vultures and the kites above them plain.

32. Enough the mischief and the death they bore!
While the survivors immediate vengeance ta'en!

33. Say to the crafty plotter, vaunting loud,
"Thy frauds and slanders nought avail to gain."

34. Knowest thou against whom thy words are aimed?
Ignobly wilt thou perish through disdain!

35. A torrent's course, that cannot be withstood,
Is forced to wind aft many a crook and drain.

36. Sufficed not Nahawand's swamps to stay their march?
Before their conq'ring march how shrinks the plain!

37. Their mighty host the clouds' vast army met,
Scattered their edges, paled their gloomy reign,

38. Till in Zainab's halls they poured their strength,
And the high chambers bowed beneath their train

39. Stumbling with spoils; as when in prince's bowers
Sink down the jewel'd dames, with gold o'erlain.

40. And when they marr'd the foemen's pleasing face
They sought the tents again, and sought not vain.

41. We every morn have noble spirits here
Who never flinch from aught, or rest refrain,

42. Bright glancing pearls, to guard them swords are drawn;
Bared blades, whose lightning slays not, but makes plain.

43. They heed no suppliant voice; they stand serene
Gazed at by Beauty, impervious to Pain!