1. سَأَغدو مِنهُ مَحمولاً

    عَلى أَدهَم هِملاج

    I shall set out from him, borne

    Upon a black, smooth-gaited steed,

  2. بِلَون آبنوسيٍّ

    وَوَجه كسنا العاج

    With an ebony hue

    And a face like the gleam of ivory.

  3. وَثيق خَلقه لَم يُؤت

    مِن طَيٍّ وَاِدماج

    Sturdy in build, not found wanting

    In compactness and close-knit form,

  4. قَصير الظَهر مَحبوك

    عَظيم الرَدف رَجراج

    Short-backed and firmly knit,

    Massive of rump, swaying,

  5. كَمَنشور الميادين

    بِهِ سُرعة إِدراج

    Like one let loose on the racecourses,

    He has swiftness of stride.

  6. وَيَسبي السَمعَ مِنهُ عِندَ

    اِلجامٍ وَاِسراج

    And from him, what captivates the ear at

    Bridling and saddling

  7. صَهيلٍ في لجام

    علكه اِيقاع صناج

    Is neighing through the bridle—

    His chewing a cymbal-player’s beat.

  8. لَهُ مِنهُ عَلى إِيقاعِهِ

    أَلحانُ اِهزاج

    From it he has, in time with its rhythm,

    Melodies of lilting song.

  9. عَلَيهِ أَبَداً مِن صبغه

    سربال ديباج

    Always upon him, from his own coloring,

    Is a robe of brocade.

  10. أَزح عَنّي بِهِ الهَمَّ

    وَلا تولع بِاِحراجي

    Lift worry from me with him,

    And do not delight in distressing me;

  11. فَلَم اِقتضك المَركب

    إِلا بَعدَ اِحراج

    For I did not ask you for the mount

    Except after being hard pressed.