Sol 5.6

  1. The rising lights of my hopes have illumined my fortunes,

    and, through their grace, distinguished me above all my peers.

  2. Glad tidings are mine: I have been made a lord, though never lord before,

    and pride is mine, for I have attained the utmost of my hopes.

  3. That was when the minister, brother to bounty, generously bestowed

    upon me, among the abundant favors he had granted,

  4. a noble, fleet mare whose running outstrips the eye.

    Not even the wind can match her, swift as a far-ranging gray dove.

  5. Lean, lion-bold, her ear set askew, vaulted in

    the flanks, most tractable, with a precious nature.

  6. People’s eyes are bewildered by her beauty,

    and her sublime splendor carries their sight away.

  7. Well accustomed to passing beneath spearheads and sword blades,

    whetted and steel-blue like the fangs of ghouls;

  8. one of the dawn-going mares that prevail amid battle—

    rather, one of the chargers that gallop snorting as they surge forward.

  9. When I pursue, she answers my aim; and when I am pursued, she races away,

    and she knows no urging of the heel, whatever the circumstance.

  10. If she races, she is the winner, and her master

    wins all her praise—not the runner-up, nor the horse behind.

  11. A powerfully built black mare—all her qualities

    are beautiful; she needs neither my description nor my comparisons.

  12. She has no fault except how much she eats;

    and if this state continues—alas, what a sorry state!

  13. As though her belly, melting the barley, were

    a blazing fire, with all that straw burning deep in its pit.

  14. So thanks be to him who gave me Sakab; indeed she,

    coming from Badr, is more precious in my eyes and more fittingly mine.

  15. You raised my station when you safeguarded my livelihood,

    and improved my fortunes with noble gifts and wealth.

  16. You crowned me with glory, so glory is my turban,

    and adorned me with bounty, so bounty is my robe.

  17. You spread my renown among Arabs and non-Arabs,

    and granted me pride above every one of my peers.

  18. May you ever remain, Pillar of the Faith, a refuge for its people,

    and ever remain encompassed by victory and prosperity.

Sol 5.6