ومن الحبائب في الركائب هاتكٌ

بجبينه ظلم الليالي الجون

And among the marvels, amid the mounted company, is one who rends—

With his brow—the darkness of the sable nights.

ما شام صارم جفنه وجفونه

إلا لسفك دمي وماء جفوني

He never draws the keen blade of his eyelid from its sheaths

Except to spill my blood and the water of my lids.

هتك الظلام وسار من أترابه

في الركب بين أهلةٍ وغصون

He rent the darkness and journeyed among his peers

In the caravan, amid crescents and boughs.

يبرين أفئدة الرجال بما حوت

أعطافهن وليس من يبرين

They wear away men’s hearts with what is held

Within their graceful forms—and there is none they heal.

ولقد بلوت خلاله فوجدته

لدن المهزة شامخ العرنين

I have indeed tested his qualities and found him

Supple in his swaying, proud of nose.

ينبيك عن وثباته وثباته

ما عنده من يقظةٍ وسكون

Of his leaps and his steadfastness, you are told

By the wakefulness and repose within him.