1. The ranks advancing to the clash of arms,
Before the bombs the horsemen turn and wheel.

2. When bright blades flash among them, these blades
Seem lightning in the battle, swift, concealed.

3. Like flocks of waves the standards flow and surge
As ships the seas disable and make keel.

4. And though its posts and pillars challenge heaven,
Its sovereign is Muhammad, guide and seal.

5. So, on a Tuesday dawning, they awoke
To ride against the hypocrites in zeal.

6. The valley of Sali't echoed with their wails
Of men and boys who played a parlous reel.

7. Their fevered cries called up those men to arms
As calls collect the locusts in their peel.

8. To fright th'emir with war's mad din and clamour
And gleaming blades the dust storms disconseal.

9. He spun and shot them down with some small band:
They fled defeated, broken from the steel.

10. As sparks fly upward from the welding blaze,
So fled they, fallen to his lead and wheel.

11. The dragons of the fray breathed out their fire
When he called up his chargers, rank on rank.

12. Ibn Bilush cried to Moses, as they neared,
"Death's before me, underneath and at my flank!"

13. A thousand dead, a thousand more lie slain,
And thousand upon thousand without count.

14. Save those the hollows hid from sight
Or swallowed in the ridges they would mount.

15. Our preying eagles glutted on their flesh
While wolves made cracks of bones that shattered gaunt

16. The sides of hills clamoured like a hand
Whose swinging blade slices without restraint.