Sol 5.6

  1. If the sons of Qurad deny a kindness,

    and the sons of Ziyad repay it with vileness,

  2. then they are the lords of ʿAbs wherever they settle,

    as they claim—and the horsemen of the land.

  3. No fault attaches to me, nor any blame,

    if I set my fortunes right through devastation.

  4. For fire is kindled in lifeless stone

    when rock strikes against the firesteel.

  5. And union sometimes returns after estrangement,

    as nearness may be hoped for after distance.

  6. I showed forbearance, but you did not acknowledge its due,

    nor did your clan remember my affection.

  7. After such forbearance I shall rage, until

    I spill the blood of town-dwellers and desert folk;

  8. until the sword complains of weariness in my hand,

    and my shoulder tires of carrying the sword-belt.

  9. You witnessed, on the battle-day of Ṭayyiʾ,

    my deeds with sharp, well-tempered Indian blades.

  10. I drove the cavalry back, riderless and bewildered,

    and herded away their fine steeds, the sword my drover.

  11. Had the spearpoint possessed a tongue,

    it would tell how many coats of mail it pierced through to the heart.

  12. How many a challenger called my name in battle

    and summoned me—then I plunged into the caller’s vitals.

  13. You have indeed beheld, cousin, a lion—

    a valiant one who never tires of the chase,

  14. who gives his answer in word and deed,

    with India’s white blades and tall brown spears.

  15. So, ʿAmr, beware of him,

    and do not fill your eyelids with sleep.

  16. Were it not for a chief among us, obeyed,

    great in rank, his tent-pole raised high,

  17. I would uphold justice with an Indian blade, by force,

    and make error plain apart from right guidance.

Sol 5.6