تساءلني أمّ البنين وإنها

لأعلمُ من تحت السماء بأحوالي

The mother of sons asked me, and she

Umm al-Banin questions me, though she is the one most knowledgeable under the heavens regarding my condition.

Knows best under the sky about my state,

Do you not know, O mistress of the secluded tent, that I dispel the people's sorrows on the day of my roaming?

ألم تعلمي يا ربّة الخدرِ أنني

أجلّي همومَ القوم في يوم تجوالي

"Do you not know, O mistress of the tents, that I

I plunge into the straits of death without fear, and I protect the women of the tribe on the day of terror.

Bear the worries of the people on the day I wander,

They place their trust in me wherever I am present, more than the wearer of anklets trusts her own husband.

وأغشى مضيق الموت لا متهيّباً

وأحمي نساء الحي في يوم تهوال

And brave the straits of death without fear

I am a Commander when my army advances, and the one who kindles the fire of war when no one else dares stoke it.

And protect the women of the tribe on the day of panic?

When I encounter the cavalry, I am the first to charge, and if my companions retreat, I am the last to leave.

يثقن النسابي حيثما كنت حاضراً

ولا تثقن في زوجها ذات خلخال

The women trust me wherever I am present

I defend them against the destruction they fear, so all creation offers thanks for my noble deeds.

And do not trust their bangled husbands.

I lead the battle banners into the fray intact, and bring them back, riddled by spears, resembling a sieve.

أميرٌ إذا ما كان جيشيَ مقبلاً

وموقدُ نار الحرب إذ لم يكن صالي

I am a prince when my army approaches

It is the custom of leaders to seek shelter in their armies, yet my army seeks shelter in me, and my heroes are guarded by me.

And the fire of war is blazing when I am not tardy.

Behind me, horsemen shield themselves on the day of the thrust—horsemen you would deem like lion cubs in the heat of war.

إذا ما لقيت الخيل إنّي لأول

وإن جال أصحابي فإني لها تال

When I meet the horses I am the first to advance

When my horses neigh, complaining of their wounds, I tell them: "Have patience, like my own patience and endurance."

And if my companions waver I urge them on.

On the day of panic, I freely offer a noble soul, though in times of peace, it is dearer than the most precious treasure.

أدافع عنهم ما يخافون من ردى

فيشكر كلّ الخلق من حسن أفعالي

I defend them from whatever they fear

Ask the French army about me, and you will learn that their dooms are dealt by my sword and my spear.

So all people thank my good deeds.

Ask the night about me, how often I have pierced its darkness, mounted on a lean-flanked steed, well-balanced and tall.

وأورد رايات الطعان صحيحةً

وأصدرها بالرمى تمثال غربال

And I launch the piercing banners intact

Ask the deserts, the wastelands, and the hills about me, and the plains and rugged grounds—how much I have traversed in my travels.

And return them with arrows like a sieve.

For my ambition lies only in clashing with the enemy, and defeating mighty champions with my own heroes.

ومن عادة السادات بالجيش تحتمي

وبي يحتمي جيشي وتحرسُ أبطالي

The masters seek protection with the army,

So do not mock me, and know that I am the one who is feared, even when I have become dust beneath the soil.

While my army and its heroes seek protection in me.

وبي تتّقي يوم الطعان فوارسٌ

تخالينهم في الحرب أمثال أشبال

Horsemen avoid me in war

Though they pretend to be lion cubs in battle.

إذا ما اشتكت خيلي الجراحَ تحمحماً

أقول لها صبرا كصبري وإجمالي

When my horses neigh from their wounds

I tell them, 'Patience, like mine and keep going.'

وأبذل يوم الروع نفسا كريمة

على أنها في السلم أغلى من الغالي

And on the day of panic I sacrifice a noble soul

That is more precious to me in peace than what is most precious.

وعنّي سلي جيشَ الفرنسيس تعلمي

بأن مناياهم بسيفي وعسّالي

Ask the French army about me, and you will know

That their fate is by my sword and my archers.

سلي الليل عني كم شققت أديمه

على ضامر الجنبين معتدل عال

Ask the night about me, how often I tore its veil

With my waist wrapped and high on the saddle.

سلي البيد عني والمفاوز والربى

وسهلا وحزنا كم طويتُ بترحالي

Ask the expanse about me, the desert, the hills and plains,

And the valleys and sorrows - how often I crossed them wandering.

فما همّتي إلا مقارعة العدا

وهزمي أبطالاً شداداً بأبطالي

My only thought is to battle the enemy

And defeat fierce and mighty warriors with my warriors.

فلا تهزئي بي واعلمي أنني الذي

أهاب ولو أصبحتُ تحت الثرى بالي

So do not mock me, and know that I am the one

Who is feared, even if I lie under the earth wounded."