Ode LXX: Say to the Son of Kulthum

Say to the Son of Kulthum, the stalwart in defence of his own — ' Greet joyfully a War that shall choke the [experienced] old man with his spittle ! '

And [the like] to his two companions : may their morning not be pleasant, when War bares her long fangs for all men to see !

He sends not forth his caravan except after certain proof of the way to glorious deeds : and some folk are scattered hither and thither !

Nay, but seest thou ladies camel-borne, led along in a string, one following another, with some lagging behind, and a driver not outstripped by any ?

They take a side way [between mountains] from the main road, with evenly-coloured [coverings to their litters], [ruddy] like the upper sides of ripening clusters of dates, smooth.

[They are disobedient therein to Ma'add, and fortify themselves therein, since faith has become a faith not to be depended on.]