1. I plead, verily tribulation is like Ibn Malik
And the likes of Zuhair and Ibn Nadla's peers,

2. And like the two Sa'ds, Sa'd and Dhubdhab,
Men of Hijaz, from Masud and Sa'id.

3. Two shaven old men, both white,
Like Khaali'at al-Khati and I see decrepit ones.

4. I plead, I leave blame for blame's sake
When my confidant leaves me for good.

5. So they said: we left him unstable
Whether supported or not supported.

6. And my daughters stood insolently
And tied the lashes of Saturday under necklaces.

7. They wish they could ransom me with their souls
And pairs of sandals and the cups, protectors.

8. And they sent their undertaker so he pretended
A fool like the sitting slave-girls.

9. Bent over, they didn't straighten her, and yet
Their undertaker would be pleased with her as one mother.

10. They did what they did of her litter, then came
To me slowly, dust on their wrists,

11. Saying: when the well was dug, they made me enter.
And there was no water at all for one entering.

12. So I was the sins of the well when it yawned open
And I donned my shrouds and stuffed my arms.

13. I plead, my money's destruction didn't hurt me,
Nor my heir, if the money becomes dormant.