Ode CVII: Now let Asma ask — for

Now let Asma ask — for she is kind and cares for our fortunes — let her ask her counsellors whether I was driven away or not.

They said to her — 'Yea, we drove away and scattered his horsemen'. The yellow-toothed dogs ! it was not I that was wont to be driven away !

And I will surely proclaim your disgraceful doings at al-Mala and 'Uwarid, and I will bring my horses down upon you at the Lava of Darghad —

The horses that stumble among the broken spear-shafts, looking like kites following one another in the straight way !

And I will surely take vengeance for Malik, and for Malik, and for the man of al-Maraurat whose head was not propped in his grave !

And the man whom Hurrah slew will I surely avenge — truly he was a noble chief : their brother [for whom they slew him] was not killed.

O Asma, thou child of the House of Fazarah, a fighter am I, and no man can hope to live for ever !

Get thee gone to thine own ! No peace can there be between us, after the knights that lie dead in the place of ambush, —

Save by the help of black, tall, swimming steeds, and the comfort that comes from the thrust of a tawny spear !

A child of War am I : I cease not to heighten her blaze by night, and light her up to burn whensoever she is not yet kindled.