وكم غَداةَ اللَّقا

وكم غَداةَ اللَّقا

من طفلةٍ غفلهْ

من طفلةٍ غفلهْ

And how many, on the morning of battle,

How many a morning of meeting,

were the unsuspecting maidens

From a young woman I neglected,

منعتُها بالمُهَنَّدِ

منعتُها بالمُهَنَّدِ

في ظهرِ جَفله

في ظهرِ جَفله

I protected with the Indian-steel sword

I prevented her with disdain,

at the rear of a fleeing throng!

On the back of her camel.

كم ثائر ماجِدٍ

كم ثائر ماجِدٍ

في الناسِ توقف لهْ

في الناسِ توقف لهْ

How many a noble avenger,

How many a glorious rebel,

among men, before whom others would halt—

Among the people stopped for her.

بغَيْتُ رأسهُ فطا

بغَيْتُ رأسهُ فطا

حَ السيفُ في كفِلهْ

حَ السيفُ في كفِلهْ

I sought his head, and down

I wanted his head so it fell,

fell the sword upon his rump.

The sword slashed his shoulder.