Ode XCIV: Goodly, in sooth, were the young

Goodly, in sooth, were the young warriors of the morning raid whom ye met, what time the women with heads bare were [pale with fright] like the white root of the papyrus —

One of them casting off her veil, and her sister running with her girdle slipped down to the place of the izar :

While we drove the foremost of their men back upon those behind, as the strange camel is driven back from mixing with the throng of camels at the watering-place.

Three kinds were they : first, he that swam with the spear piercing his body, stumbling in the red gore that poured from his wound ;

Then, the captive in chains, to be ransomed by payment of the best of his wealth, whether he was owner of a herd of a hundred camels, or only of a cloth for holding grass ;

And, lastly, he to whom and his people mercy was shown, whether he was thankful therefor or thankless.

And whole tribes come to pitch behind our tents for protection against the morning raid, while we ourselves abide in the open unsheltered plain.