كَأَنَّ اِندِفاعَ البَرقِ بَينَ رعوده

تطاير نارٍ لاصطكاك جنادِلِ

As if the lightning's flash mid crashing thunder

Were sparks struck out by clashing bright scimitars,

أَو أسدُ الشَّرى في مذهبات سَلاسلٍ

إِذا هِيَ دارَت نُهنِهَت في السَّلاسِلِ

Or lion of the wastes enchained, yet surely

Roaring his wrath through links of solid bars,

كَأَنَّ بَناتَ الزَّنج فيها مُشِيرَةٌ

إِلى الأَرضِ عَن أَكمامِ حُمرِ الغَلائِلِ

As if the sable girls were there exulting

O'er earth, their loose locks streaming o'er their shoulders.