1. Wearing robes is not like
wearing knights' armor

2. Nor is the tumult of battle
like the hearts of councils

3. Strumming the strings is not
like beating drums

4. And the appearance of steeds not
like insects swarming

5. Those who practice war
are not like those sitting idle

6. By my father who cultivated
noble youth

7. Youth from the tribe of Mughira
with nostrils for war's stench

8. Who feed the sword in
every raging darkness

9. With eyelids like those
of gentle brides

10. And who plunge into seas of blood
with banners unfurled

11. Then walk with the gait
of leopards on the prowl

12. We are the best of all people
by any measure