1. Last night has passed, taking with it
The worst of dreams, thankfully gone.

2. I dreamed of al-Mutanabbi
Becoming a judge in Egypt's halls.

3. They asked him to move to Tanta,
A city he loved more than all.

4. I knew the right thing was to
Forsake verse and rhymes, once and for all.

5. For the poet is now dead,
How can another poet face him at all?

6. I recalled al-Hutay'a's fate,
When together they sat to judge and appall.

7. He took Ka'ab's seat vainly,
Would an equal take his seat at all?

8. My friend said: Calamity!
You were far from calamity's call!

9. I said: From the overseeing judge, may he
Be banished, exiled far from all.

10. For in it there is a poet who'll
Be keen to defend himself from your squall.

11. Order him partially transformed,
Even if just half a verse, that is all.

12. Dawn came; Ziyad spoke true, and they said:
Nasif returned a judge, after all.