1. Had you been free when eyes could not sleep,
And your enemies sought you while peace was upon your vengeance,

2. You would sleep while the bows of the night visitors
Were taut against the midnights and your enemies subdued.

3. But the growing lad will not attain midnights he misses,
The sleeper in the dust, the dormant, the slumberer.

4. Why then, unlike Muzaini bin Ukhdhar,
Act not, when the oppressors belie your gift of rest?