1. I thrilled and yearned when lightning lit Yemen’s sky,
Recalling homes and songs of love gone by.

2. It sparked a blaze within my heart’s deep core,
As blows my sword, a flaming torch spun high.

3. By God, no coward spears in ambush lie
When warriors of Baghdad charge and vie!

4. Their blades flash bright when bold meets craven heart,
As each is known - the brave, the coward's cry.

5. With stunning force they smash the enemy,
While vultures shun the plain and turn to fly.

6. They brave the jaws of death when battle calls,
As war drums sound the charge, the horse's neigh.

7. Ask of my lance, Ablah, and it relates
In tongue unbridled, while you stand close by

8. How we marched on Teym's abodes one day,
Each knight peerless, each steed fierce and spry.

9. We stirred the dust as horses reared on high,
My sword and spear two stakes I dare not fly.

10. If drink beguiles some men till sense has fled
And wine of casks has dulled the drunkard's eye,

11. No draft makes my reason slip away;
No sip makes me heed the reveler's cry.

12. Prone lies Badr we left as clay-hued corse,
As cloaked in purple dyed a prince laid by.

13. I pierced his breast with aged spear right through
When he abandoned the fray and turned to fly.

14. He fell stretched out on earth's bare floor, dust-smirched,
Cheek gashed, side bleeding crimson from sword ply.

15. We turned away; our glory raiment fair
Which we don o'er all people of this time.