بِحضْرَةِ سُلطانِنا عُصْبَةٌ

بِحضْرَةِ سُلطانِنا عُصْبَةٌ

نزلون عن قَصدِ أنحائهِمْ

نزلون عن قَصدِ أنحائهِمْ

In our sultan’s presence is a band,

In the presence of our ruler, a gang

They stray (reading uncertain) from the straight course of their ways;

Who have lost their purpose and direction

كُفاةٌ ولكِنَّهُم يَسرِقونَ

كُفاةٌ ولكِنَّهُم يَسرِقونَ

ثلاثَةَ أرباعِ أسمائِهِمْ

ثلاثَةَ أرباعِ أسمائِهِمْ

Capable men, yet they steal

Skilled, but they steal

Three quarters of their names.

Three quarters of their reputation