وَتَخالُهُ يَومَ الرِهانِ غَمامَةٌ

خَطَرَت بِريحٍ في غَمائِمَ فُرَّغِ

He seemed on the day of wager like a cloud

That drifted in the winds amid clouds

وَمُهَنَّداً مِن عَهدِ عادٍ صارِماً

إِن يَطَّلِب إِتلافَ نَفسٍ يَبلُغِ

A resolute descendant of mighty 'Aad

Seeking to end a soul would attain it

يَلقى الضَريبَةَ حَدُّهُ فَيَقُدُّها

قَدَّ الأَديمِ وَمَتنُهُ لَم يُصبَغِ

The edge of his blade guides it straight

Like leather yet to be dyed its blade bare

هَذا إِلى ضافي الذُيولِ مُضاعَفٍ

كَالسَلخِ مِن قُمُصِ الحَديدِ مُسبَغِ

This two edged sword enveloped

In mail like flayed iron sheets

وَقَضيبِ نَبعٍ كَالشُجاعِ مُعَطَّفٍ

لِرَسائِلِ المَوتِ الزُعافِ مُبَلِّغِ

And a spring's rod like a brave knight

Conveying the messages of lethal fate

يَحدو إِلَيَّ قُذاذَةً مَقذوذَةً

قَذَّ الحَواجِبِ بِالدِماءِ مُوَلَّغِ

It comes at me blood dripping from its edges

Dyeing the eyelids with blood profuse