أَحسَنُ ما يُخضَبُ الحَديدُ بِهِ

وَخاضِبَيهِ النَجيعُ وَالغَضَبُ

The best with which iron is dyed

The finest dye with which the steel is stained,

Are its dyers rage and sorrow

And its true stainers, are the blood and wrath.

فَلا تَشينَنهُ بِالنُضارِ فَما

يَجتَمِعُ الماءُ فيهِ وَالذَهَبُ

So do not disgrace it with weakness, for

So do not tarnish it with ornaments of gold,

Water and gold do not mix in it

For the water of the blade and gold do not unite.