The Marwat's Raid into Isakhel:

This ballad, of which a fragment only remains, was composed about one hundred and twenty years ago, to celebrate a sucessful foray of the Marwats into Tarna (IsaKhel) against the Niazis, whose chief settlements at the mouth of the Kuram they burnt:

"The Marwats and Niazis are at war,"
A boy called out beside me.

"On the west of the Tanga fine dust has risen,"
A Marwat shouts - a long deep hallo.
The Marwats had strength - they heeded not the drum.
Before early afternoon prayers they had prepared their army;
Before late afternoon prayers fires blazed at Tarna.
"The Marwats swords are flashing, come forth from your shelter. é
Begu, son of Hathi Khan, is upon you."
Isakki brought home a white beard and a red sword;
In the field he swooped like a falcon.
Amongst the Dilkhozais was Atal, a brave warrior:
He brought back a spear broken in the enemy's breast
Kalandar, son of Mamut, is the star of the morning;
With one thrust he made such havoc with his spear
That the Adamzais were sacrifices to it.

The fire of the Niazis blazed like burning faggots;
The Marwats rushed into it like blind men.

For a man self praise is unlawful,
But the clothes of Sheikhi, my brother °, were reddened with Blood. Who was looking?

é The women of the Isakhels are the speakers. They are supposed to be trying to rouse their men to fight.
° The poet is the speaker