وَكَمْ صَاحَ في الأَبطالِ هَلْ مِن مُبارِزٍ

فَأخرسَ كُلٌّ عن إجبابتهِ أَنَا

How many heroes did he call out, "Is there anyone who will duel?"

Yet each was silenced from answering him, "It is I!"

وَكلَّمَهُمْ بِالسَّمْهرِيَّةِ والظُّبَا

وَمَا كَلَّمَ الأَبطالَ إلاَّ وَبَيَّنَا

He addressed them in poetry and lion imagery,

And did not address the heroes except to make clear,

فَغَنُّوا جَواباً والسَّوابِغُ فَوقَهُمْ

مُجَاوِبةً وَقْعَ الصَّوارِمِ والقَنا

They sang back an answer, with swords raised above them,

Responding to the clashing of blades and spears.

فََأنطَقَ أَفْواهَ الجِراحِ وقد حَكتْ

بِها فَضَلاتٍ مِن مَواضِيهِ السَّنَا

So he gave voice to the mouths of wounds, which had traced

Upon them noble deeds from his sharp blades.