1. Is there a journey every day, and exile,
And a painful striving to attain livelihood?

2. Souls overflowing in their ignorance hastened
To evil, their desires and prejudice impelled them.

3. What was my crime in their eyes but that
I went where none but I would go?

4. If triumph of knowledge be a crime punished,
Then, by God, I admit guilt.

5. How often, when one of them was present
His manner courteous. But when you were absent

6. He showed his true self, fearing your power face to face
His secret self he would not show, the hypocrite.

7. They accused me of heresy because
My words and writings disagreed with them.

8. Had I echoed their ignorance
I would have been credited with goodness and wisdom.

9. They said I lied but I replied, "The real liar
Is he who urges illusions, nearer lying."

10. If he who agrees with truth be called a liar,
Then he who disagrees with truth is a greater liar.

11. God forbid that I forget dear meadows
Where I spent the bright days of my youth.

12. The abode that bound my heart with ties of love
That drag at my sad heart and pull it along.

13. God guard the covenant I made at Rusafa
Though it has passed, from my mind it fades not.

14. Ah, would that I knew! Shall I e'er go back
And drink again of the water of Dijla?