وَلَم أَرَ مِثلَ صَفّارٍ تَصَدّى

كَما صَدئَ الصَقيلُ مِنَ السُيوفِ

I have not seen the like of anvil that withstands

As the polished sword wears down from striking

غَدا يَعطو بِأَنملَتَي حَديدٍ

عُيونَ القِطرِ كَالذَهَبِ المَشوفِ

Tomorrow it will give with two iron fingers

Eyes of droplets like uncovered gold

إِذا ما النارُ مَجَّتها إِلَيهِ

كَمِثلِ الجَمرِ رائِعَةَ الخفوفِ

Whenever fire is brought near to it

Like glowing embers nimble and slight

تَلَألَأَ نورُهُ فَخَبا سَناها

كَما ظَهرَ القَوِيُّ عَلى الضَعيفِ

Its light shines and dims its blade

As the strong prevails over the weak

وَإِلّا ما لَها تَربدُّ سَودا

كَأَنَّ شموسَها قِطَعُ الكُسوفِ

Otherwise it would not cool to blackness

As if its suns suffered an eclipse