Sol 5.6

  1. Tell our grammarian, Abu Hasan:

    Whenever I strike with my sword, it cleaves straight through;

  2. and whenever I resolve to shoot

    my arrows, I tip them with embers of ghada wood.

  3. Do not suppose that invective pays heed to

    raising, or to an abaser's lowering.

  4. Nor imagine that my second assault will resemble my first;

    I shall dose him through the nose with poison from the stalks of bitter colocynth.

  5. How well the wretches know me as a man

    who never stops until his foe becomes his target!

  6. He shows me the face of goodwill and—

    peace, while concealing malice in his heart.

  7. He spoke, so we answered; then he begged release, and we—

    pardoned him. Then he changed course and broke his word.

  8. He is one of those who, if a fool challenges me,

    by morning finds himself already conscripted into his ranks.

  9. He drags his spear between the battle lines,

    though he deserves to be seen wasted nearly to death,

  10. since no extra grant was awarded him there

    that might compensate him for his very life.

  11. The troops have collected their pay, but the conscript has not—

    been paid, though he had presented himself for muster.

  12. Alas for him—what a young man, and what bitter regret

    if his soul is taken while he has taken no pay!

  13. He grew furious with me because the wrath of—

    God fell upon him, while I attained His favor.

  14. You two, tell him: let him butt the wall whenever

    he is thwarted, and solid rock whenever he is incensed.

  15. Let no man whose strength is frail undertake

    my war: no one like him has proved equal to it.

  16. My warning will avail him nothing

    if God has decreed his hour and issued the judgment.

  17. I can already see our “dear brother” making excuses

    when my verses make him taste their anguish.

  18. That day he will appeal to me by the covenant—and a—

    covenant is dye: wear makes it fade away.

  19. Let the fool never feel safe from my sudden onslaught,

    for I confront whoever confronts me.

  20. I have the whip for him if he dawdles on the—

    march, and I have the bridle if he bolts.

  21. Let a man pursue a middle course,

    for no one is charged with what he cannot bear.

  22. I have sounded my bowstring's twang, Abu Hasan;

    and counsel, beyond doubt, is counsel sincerely given.

  23. He is spared all sleeplessness; so let him not

    act foolishly and buy sharp gravel for his bed.

  24. Who, do you suppose, will shield him tomorrow?

    Indeed, my bowstring and I have sprung into action with piercing shafts.

  25. By God, I swear I will never forgive him

    while even a single one of his veins still pulses.

Sol 5.6