كَأَنَّ دِمَاءَ الْهَادِيَاتِ بِنَحْرِهِ
عُصَارَةُ حِنَّاءٍ بِشَيْبٍ مُرَجَّلِ
“The blood of the leading quarry on its throat resembles the juice of henna upon neatly combed grey hair.”
Al-hādiyāt are the animals leading the quarry, and naḥrihi is the horse’s throat or front of the neck.
The simile relies on the contrast between red blood and grey-white hair. The mark of the hunt becomes visually striking while linking the horse’s speed with its success in overtaking prey.
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Imruʾ al-Qays: The Horse’s Form, Similes, and Wild Quarry (Verses 59–64)
كَأَنَّ دِمَاءَ الْهَادِيَاتِ بِنَحْرِهِ
عُصَارَةُ حِنَّاءٍ بِشَيْبٍ مُرَجَّلِ
“The blood of the leading quarry on its throat resembles the juice of henna upon neatly combed grey hair.”
Al-hādiyāt are the animals leading the quarry, and naḥrihi is the horse’s throat or front of the neck.
The simile relies on the contrast between red blood and grey-white hair. The mark of the hunt becomes visually striking while linking the horse’s speed with its success in overtaking prey.