1. Her sharp sword she unsheathed, making fierce in single combat
The cry of Ibn Ruwahah, dreaded when drawn

2. An Arabian mare is she; her stature
From her Nejd homeland, her blade from Indian steel

3. scion of the glorious tribe whose rule embraced the world
with the trenchant sword of Khalid and the arm of Dacd's son.

4. So from my kinship to them comes my jealous soul,
and on the ruins of their glory my glory is built.

5. An Arab can feel secure though it lies bared
while Rome dreads its edge even sheathed.

6. I lower my veil over my cheeks, so my grey hair
lies hid, nor youth shows, swart though it be.

7. Ever I guard jealousy of beauty, though I am called
its worshipper, a loyal worshipper.

8. What claim has Spring on gardens, compared
to your flowers that bloom not from its breath?

9. The rose borrows hue from your cheeks,
the bee takes sweetness for its honey from your lips.

10. O girl-child with excellent neck, herself a girl-child
who stole her collar's pearls to make her necklace,

11. What did you — mounted on a noble steed
and charging with your band by your captain hailed —