ثُعْبانُ نهْرٍ راعَنا قَدُّهُ

لمّا أتى ينْسابُ منْ جُحْرِهِ

A serpent, lengthy, glided from his lair

As he flowed out, smooth-sliding without care.

فاهْتزّتِ الأغْصانُ منْ فوقِهِ

وصاحَتِ الأطْيارُ في إثْرِهِ

The boughs above him jerked, in fine surprise;

Behind him birds sent up their sharp cries.