لو سرتَ في عرض البسيطة طالباً

رجلاً خبيراً بالحروب مجرّبا

Were you to travel across the breadth of the earth, seeking

a man versed in warfare, seasoned and tested,

عانى الحروب مجاهراً ومخاتلاً

طفلاً إلى ان عاد همّاً أشيبا

who endured wars, fighting openly and by guile,

from childhood until he became a careworn, gray-haired elder;

قتل الأسود ونازل الأبطال في ال

هيجاء واقتاد الكميّ المحربا

who slew lions and faced champions in the—

fray, and led away the battle-seasoned warrior captive,

لم تلقَ مثلي من يكاد يريه حس

ن الرأي ما قد كان عنه مغيّبا

you would find none like me, a man whom sound—

judgment nearly shows what had been hidden from him.

وأرى مسير الألف تطلب وترها

ضمن الغرائر فرية وتكذّبا

And I deem the march of a thousand seeking its blood-revenge,

enclosed inside sacks, a fabrication and a lie.