Ode LXXIX: Have the tidings not reached her

Have the tidings not reached her that I have ready the armament of a man of good judgement, and that I have already trained ash-Shamus for war ?

I gave her the training-food, so that in the course of the winter her colour grew darker, as though there were upon her a veil of brocade and a sombre-hued hood ;

We set apart for her support during the summer our milch-camels, those in the seventh year of age, and those of the ninth and eighth year.

And she became finally like the wild-goat fed on the herbage that does not fail in drought ; she springs, when she gallops, on nimble legs that rise high in air, having a large reserve of speed.

We keep ready for the day of alarm a smooth coat of mail, ample, polished and shining, and a keen-edged sword, light and quick in its stroke, evil-natured [to its foes].

[We carry upon her our arms nobly in every fight, when the closely-serried host stands face to face with the [enemy's] line.]

Guard thine oath with a reserve — mayst thou be saved from cursing ! — the word of a sinful man, [which thou didst swear] against our goods, that they should surely be divided [as booty] into fifths !

Whensoever we have traversed one sandy tract and its border, we have an affair in another, quick to put through, into which we plunge.

Turn away from us, ye Sons of an-Nu'man, your breasts: if ye do not so, ye will have to turn away your heads against your will.

Shall every mean man among you, every base-born wretch, count up against us a raid and spoiling ?

Dost thou think and imagine us to be like the Son of al-Mu'alla, sea-faring men, that we should pay dues to the tax-gatherers ?

If ye will send a spy to search us out, he will find around my tents the whole tribe sitting.