ما اِبنُ سُلَيمٍ سائِراً بِجِيادِهِ

إِلى غارَةٍ إِلّا أَفادَكَ مَغنَما

The son of Sulaym never rode off with his steeds

To make a raid without enriching you with spoils -

إِذا ما تَرَدّى عابِساً فادَ سَيفُهُ

دِماءً وَيُعطي مالَهُ إِن تَبَسَّما

When he grimly bares his sword it sheds

Blood, and when he smiles he gives his wealth.

يَكُرُّ بِأَسلابِ المُلوكِ وَبِالمَها

وَبِالخَيلِ لا يَصهُلنَ إِلّا تَحَمحُما

He returns robed with the garments of kings and driving

Herds of camels and horses neighing loudly.

أَلا رُبَّ يَومٍ داجِنِ اللَيلِ كاسِفٍ

تَراهُ مِنَ التَأجيجِ وَالرَهجِ مُظلِما

Oh, many a night black with darkness

You see filled with fires and echoing with cries,

لَهُ رَهَجٌ عالي الزُهاءَ كَأَنَّهُ

غَيابَةُ دَجنٍ ذي طَخاءٍ تَغَيَّما

With tall leaping flames as if it were

A black stormy night with flashing lightning,

تَرى حَدَقَ الأَبطالِ فيهِ كَأَنَّما

تُكَحَّلُ جادِيّاً مَدوفاً وَعَندَما

Where the eyes of heroes shine as though

Lined with kohl, frowning, piercing.