أَنا عَينُ المُسَوَّدِ الجَحجاحِ

هَيَّجَتني كِلابُكُم بِالنُباحِ

I am the eye of the blackened, unlucky one

I am the very essence of the honored, noble chief,

Your dogs have provoked me with their barking

Though your dogs have roused me with their barking.

أَيَكونُ الهِجانُ غَيرَ هِجانٍ

أَم يَكونُ الصُراحُ غَيرَ صُراحِ

Can a howl be other than a howl

Can the noble-born be aught but noble?

Or can a quiver be other than a quiver

Or can the pure strain be aught but pure?

جَهِلوني وَإِن عَمَرتُ قَليلاً

نَسَبَتني لَهُم رُؤوسُ الرِماحِ

They disparage me, even if I live for a short while

They feigned ignorance of me, yet if I live a while,

The heads of their spears attribute me to them

The heads of spears shall trace my lineage for them.