Ode LXXXVIII: Tarry, ye twain, and listen

Tarry, ye twain, and listen : I will tell you, since ye ask : [I am] a man who wages war against his cousin, while [the King is] a man bereaved, repentant sore !

And I swear that had it not been for those who stood in the way, this keen sword, bright in its steel, had mingled the blood of both together.

Thou thoughtest, O Abu Qabus, that thou wast safe ; and thou hadst not yet met with abasement, thy nose pressed down to the dust.

And if there be a few parcels of camels seized, and a few boys — here is the son of Salma ! his head is a notable thing, not to be made light of.

I assailed with my serpent-sword the top of his head — and do any but noble men take on themselves desperate deeds ?

I burst upon him as I burst upon Khalid : and my weapons are greatly loathed by the heads of men !

Thou limb of an ass that has spent the night cropping the short grass ! Shalt thou eat up my clients, and thy client be safe ?

I began with that one : then I make a second with this : as for the third, men's temples shall whiten with the horror of that deed !