وَقَد أُلاقي بَأسَ العُداةِ عَلى

وَقَد أُلاقي بَأسَ العُداةِ عَلى

طِرفٍ بِقُضبٍ كَالنارِ تَتَّقِدُ

طِرفٍ بِقُضبٍ كَالنارِ تَتَّقِدُ

And at times I face the foes’ might upon

I meet the might of enemies with

A noble steed, with swords like blazing fire,

A spear like blazing fire kindled,

أَو عاسِلٍ كَالشُجاعِ هاجَ لِيَ ال

أَو عاسِلٍ كَالشُجاعِ هاجَ لِيَ ال

نَفسَ وَدِرعٍ كَأَنَّها الزَبَدُ

نَفسَ وَدِرعٍ كَأَنَّها الزَبَدُ

Or a swaying spear, like a serpent, that roused my

Or a gallant steed whose spirit for the fray

Spirit, and a coat of mail as though it were foam,

Is roused, and mail like foam congealed,

وَنَبعَةٍ لا يَفوتُ هارِبُها

وَنَبعَةٍ لا يَفوتُ هارِبُها

وَقارِحٍ بَعدَ شِدَّةٍ يَعِدُ

وَقارِحٍ بَعدَ شِدَّةٍ يَعِدُ

And a nabʿ-wood bow no fugitive can elude,

A blade that never fails to reach its mark,

And a mature steed that, after a charge, promises more;

And, after fiercest onslaughts, threats renewed -

تَحُثُّهُ نَفسُهُ إِذا حُثَّتِ ال

تَحُثُّهُ نَفسُهُ إِذا حُثَّتِ ال

خَيلُ وَطارَت بِهِ رِجلٌ وَيَدُ

خَيلُ وَطارَت بِهِ رِجلٌ وَيَدُ

Its own spirit urges it on when the

Urged by his soul when battle lifts its voice,

Horses are spurred, and hindleg and foreleg fly with it.

His feet and hands keep pace among the brave.