لنا خليل له خلال

لنا خليل له خلال

تعرب عن أصله الأخس

تعرب عن أصله الأخس

We have a close friend with traits

We have a friend of dubious character

that reveal his most ignoble origin.

Whose lowly roots are plain to see

أضحت له مثل حيث كف

أضحت له مثل حيث كف

وددت لو أنها كأمس

وددت لو أنها كأمس

His hand has become like ḥaythu (“where”);

Now he's become your equal though

I wish it were like ams (“yesterday”).

I wish he were the same as yesterday