1. The viceroy of Allah, why is it that whenever
I extend my soul with hope, deprivation eats away at my aspirations?

2. And whenever my means increase, my condition bears witness,
My state signals to me its paucity.

3. As if I never sensed the lightning of Ibn Munjibah
Who brought all noble deeds together for the sake of goodwill and generosity

4. The most resolute caliphs at the time of tribulation
And the bravest men in times of terror

5. Turning away from vainglory with lowered ambitions
And descending from the peaks of glory with submission

6. And I have praised without leaving any eloquent words
That do not have a speaker mentioning them in every gathering

7. And I have set foot with my eyes on the day of your battle
In Al-Qasimiya among the brows of heroes

8. And you did not refrain from invading so I would stay behind
Due to bad luck or inadequacy at the time

9. So quench the thirst of a loving man apart from your glory
Struggling between a trickster and a peddler

10. And make the money easy in preserving your praise
For praise for the purchaser is more lasting than money