[Bryn-gwlad] another equestrian poem, 13th century

[Garrison Martt]

WHITE STALLION WITH BLACK MARKINGS ON HIS HOOVES

Can that be a horse
passing in front of my eyes
or a shooting star
swift as a lightning bolt
set off by a storm?

Dawn lent him her first rays
as a veil and raced
along with him in admiration. 

Now he flees when Dawn comes
to reclaim her veil
and she cannot catch him. 

When he charges the enemy
stars grow too tired to follow
and clouds lose track of him. 

Oh, what a prodigy!
But if he belongs to the order
of planets, how did he get
dust on his feet?

Look at him.
No wonder he is massive. 
His coat is of molten gold.

Musk powder has outlined in black
each of his four hooves. 


    - Ibn Abi I-Haytham

      (d. 1232), Sevilla