رَأيتُ حُسَاماً فِي ذَرَى عَامِر وَقَد

رَأيتُ حُسَاماً فِي ذَرَى عَامِر وَقَد

كَسَاهُ بَيَاضاً خَوفَ أن يَتَغَيَّرَا

كَسَاهُ بَيَاضاً خَوفَ أن يَتَغَيَّرَا

I saw Husam in ʿĀmir’s shelter, and he had

I saw a sword amidst the homes of 'Amir

Clothed him in white, fearing that he might change.

And fear had clothed it in whiteness, lest it turn red.

فقلتُ لَبِستَ الذُّعرَ يا سَيفُ أبيضَا

فقلتُ لَبِستَ الذُّعرَ يا سَيفُ أبيضَا

وَعَهدِي بِثَوبش الذُّعرِ يُلبَسُ أصفَرَا

وَعَهدِي بِثَوبش الذُّعرِ يُلبَسُ أصفَرَا

So I said: You have donned fear in white, O sword,

So I said: "O white sword, you have worn terror!

And I have known fear’s garment to be worn yellow.

Yet I know that terror's garb is worn as yellow."

أرَى مِنكَ قَوساً لَو تَغَمَّدَك المَدَى

أرَى مِنكَ قَوساً لَو تَغَمَّدَك المَدَى

بناب وباز لو صحبت غضنفرا

بناب وباز لو صحبت غضنفرا

I see in you a bow, if the distance were to enfold you,

I see in you a bow, which if range clothed,

With a fang, and a falcon if you accompanied a lion.

The claws and talons would accompany Ghudhnafar.