1. O progeny of Christians, you soon gained power
Yet you were unfit to rule the sons of Egil.
١. سَليلَ النَصارى سُدتَ عِجلاً وَلَم تَكُن
لِذَلِكَ أَهلاً أَن تَسودَ بَني عِجلِ
2. But they were good-for-nothings so you seized power over them -
The likes of you who rule fools lack all reason.
٢. وَلَكِنَّهُم كانوا لِئاماً فَسدتَهم
وَمِثلُكَ مَن سادَ اللِئامَ بِلا عَقلِ
3. What will Egil do if the eloquent come close
And the sons of Egil attack you and your cauldron boils?
٣. وَكَيفَ بِعِجلٍ إِن دَنا الفِصحُ واعتدَت
عَلَيكَ بَنو عِجلٍ وَمِرجَلُكُم يَغلي
4. With you are the priests of Christians and their crosses
And a gray-haired church like a swarm of bees.
٤. وَعِندَكَ قِسّيسُ النَصارى وَصُلبُها
وَعانيَةٌ صَهباءُ مِثلُ جَنى النَحلِ