تَقولُ لِيَ الرُكبانُ ما لَكَ راجِلاً

وَكُنتُ رَكوباً عَصرَ نَحنُ رِجالُ

The riders ask me, “Why do you walk on foot

The riders ask me, "What brings you to walk on foot,

When once you rode at the time we were men?”

When you were a horseman in the days we were men?"

فَقُلتُ عَداني عَن رُكوبٍ وَمَلبَسٍ

ذَوّ رَحِمٍ آثَرتُهُم وَعِيالُ

I said, “Kinship turned me from riding and fine clothes -

I said, "I have been kept from riding and fine robes

I preferred my kin and children.”

By kinsfolk and dependents I preferred above myself.

فَمَن يَكُ بَغلاً أَو حِماراً رُكوبُهُ

فَإِنَّ رُكوبي نَعلَةٌ وَقِبالُ

Whoever rides a mule or donkey as his mount,

So let whoever wishes ride a mule or donkey's back;

My riding beasts are slippers and sandals.

For my own mount is but a sandal and a strap."