`

'ANTARA the BLACK KNIGHT


Make war on me, O ye vicissitudes of the night,
Now on my left hand, now on my right.

And strive to oppose me. At every step thwart me.
By God, you have never captured my attention.

For I have an aspiration harder and more firm
Than that which anchors the mountain ranges;

And a sword blade which, whenever I swing it,
The useless spear-tips fall away before it;

And a spear-point which, when I am lost in the night,
Guides me and returns me from straying;

And a spirited stead which never gallops without
Lightning trailing behind its striking horseshoes.

Deep dark is the horse's color as it cracks the gloom
With its white blaze between the eyes like the moon.

It sacrifices its life for my life – and I for its -
On the day of battle, losing my possessions.

Whenever they set up the market of spiritual war,
When the square flashes with stone-whetted blades,

Then I am the market's broker, my spear a merchant
Snatching up precious souls when they are unaware.

O ye beasts of the wilderness, run and follow
Me out from these barren empty wastes.

Follow me and you will see the blood of our enemies
Streaming down from between the hills and dunes.

Then come back here after, and thank me.
And remember what you observed of my actions.

And take sustenance from the skulls of the people,
For your little ones, and those in your care.


Translated from the Arabic by John Paul Maynard

Note: 'Antara lived some 90 years before Muhammad. An Abyssinian, he reportedly lived in a castle.