Sol 6.1

  1. The homeland had called him, seeking his protection

    Against the foes in battle; he answered as its defender.

  2. A soldier whose heart a beauty had captured

    Had become renowned for his love of her.

  3. So he went far away willingly, though he was not accustomed

    To remaining patient far from Sulayma.

  4. Yet the young man deemed the defense of homelands

    A momentous triumph in the beauty's eyes.

  5. He entered battle, while love awakened courage

    In his heart, so he lunged in attack.

  6. Swimming in blood, he found difficult

    Tasks easy in the thick of combat.

  7. Charging, he struck necks with a sword,

    Ranging with spears, he split open chests.

  8. While the soldier roared like a lion,

    Roaring in the faces of his enemies,

  9. His eye fell upon a graceful maiden

    Carrying a small banner in her hand.

  10. So he drew near her and discerned in her

    A strong resemblance to Salma's beauty.

  11. Then she called out to him and gave him

    An admonition whose effect was welcome:

  12. "How many foes you kill! Is there not among them

    A lover like you, burning in a blaze for someone like me?"

  13. So he collapsed, drained of strength, submissive,

    Though before that he had been bold.

  14. "O Sulayma, you have startled me! Why have you come

    Now, into a situation grown perilous?"

  15. "I have come to beg you to cease striking

    And have mercy on the broken foe."

  16. So the soldier left the thick of battle,

    Answering her plea and fulfilling it.

  17. Thus the sway of beauties over man

    Has the power to humble the mighty.

Sol 6.1