1. يا رُبَّ كَلبٍ أهلُهُ في كسبِهِ

    يَقوتُهُم بسَعيهِ وَذأبِهِ

    Ah, many a dog whose household lives on his earnings!

    He sustains them through his efforts and his pursuit.

  2. يظُنُّهُ الناظِرُ رَبَّ ربِّهِ

    يراهُ أَدنى مِن سُوَيدا قَلبِهِ

    The onlooker takes him for his master's master.

    His master holds him nearer than the very core of his heart.

  3. يُؤثِرُهُ عَلى كَريمِ صحبهِ

    يعدو بكشحٍ لاحِقٍ بجَنبِهِ

    He favors him over the noblest of his companions.

    He runs with a flank drawn tight against his side,

  4. وَمُقلَةٍ مُبينَةٍ عَن إربِهِ

    أَجيَدَ كالريمِ نأى عَن سِربِهِ

    And an eye revealing his cunning.

    Long-necked, like a gazelle far from his herd,

  5. مُملَّكٌ في العَدوِ قُطري سَهبهِ

    يُلحقُ شدّاً شَرقَهُ بغَربِهِ

    Made master, in running, of both ends of his open plain,

    At a sprint, he joins its east to its west.