1. لو تبصرُ الخلجان حيث

    الريح مطلقة الجنائب

    If you could see the channels, where

    the wind lets loose the led steeds,

  2. وترى العشاريات في تلك

    الجداول والقوارب

    and see the small riverboats in those

    streams, and the skiffs,

  3. والموجُ بينهما كسرب

    الخيل ما بين الكتائب

    and the waves between them like a troop

    of horses amid the battalions,

  4. وقلوعها راياتها

    في الجوّ خافقه الذوائب

    and their sails their banners,

    their streamers fluttering in the air,

  5. لرأيتَ حرباً أججت

    بين الأراقم والعقارب

    you would see a battle kindled

    between the speckled serpents and the scorpions.