نُطَاعِنُ مَا تَرَاخَى النَّاسُ عَنَّا وَنَضْرِبُ بِالسُّيُوفِ إِذَا غُشِينَا
While the opponents remain at a distance, we fight with spears; when they draw close, we strike with swords.
Nuṭāʿinu is a Form III verb suggesting mutual engagement with spears. Tarākhā expresses keeping a distance; ghushīnā refers to opponents coming upon or close to us.
The verse is organized by range: spears at a distance, swords in close combat. The mā clause can be read with a temporal sense (“for as long as”), giving the two actions a clear sequence.