الدِّرعُ قَد صارَت شِعاري فَما

أَبسُطُ حاشاها لِتَهجاعِ

My coat of mail has become my banner, so I

Never unfold it for boasting.

وَالسَّيفُ إِن قَصَّرَهُ صانِعٌ

طَوَّلَهُ يَومَ الوَغى باعي

If the swordmaker shortened the sword,

It becomes longer on the day of battle when the caller calls.

وَما كُمَيتي لي بِمُستَقصَرٍ

إِذا دَعاني لِلِّقا داعِ

My ambition is not too short

When the caller calls me to the encounter.

هَذا الَّذي أَسعى لَهُ جاهِداً

كُلُّ اِمرِئٍ في شَأنِهِ ساعِ

This is what I strive for, exerting myself,

While every man is engrossed in his own pursuit.