1. We descended upon the poet of the two towns
Like the famished upon the destitute
١. نزلنا على شاعر البلدتين
نزول الجياع على المعدمِ
2. His hands were unskilled in giving
Nor was his palate refined in taste
٢. فلا باليدين أجادَ القرى
ولا المذق أحسنهُ بالفم
3. He proceeded to insult the people of Syria
Had he not been a fool, he would not have insulted
٣. وأقبل يشتم أهل الشآم
ولولا الحماقة لم يشتم
4. And he spent the night denouncing the light and heavy verse
Light of mind, heavy of blood
٤. وبات يذمُّ الخفيف الثقيل
خفيفُ الدماغ ثقيل الدم