وَرَدَ العُفَاة ُ المُعْطِشُونَ، وأَصْدَرُوا

وَرَدَ العُفَاة ُ المُعْطِشُونَ، وأَصْدَرُوا

رِيّاً، وطَابَ لَهُمْ لَدَيْكَ المَكْرَعُ

رِيّاً، وطَابَ لَهُمْ لَدَيْكَ المَكْرَعُ

The thirsty petitioners came to drink and departed,

The thirsty camels arrived, pouring out

Their thirst quenched; your drinking-place was sweet to them.

A stream, and your overflowing trough was good for them.

ووَرَدْتُ حَوْضاً طامِياً حَافَاتُهُ

ووَرَدْتُ حَوْضاً طامِياً حَافَاتُهُ

فرددتُ دلوي شنُّها يتقعقعُ

فرددتُ دلوي شنُّها يتقعقعُ

And I came to a pool overflowing at its edges,

I came upon a brimming basin whose banks

Yet drew back my bucket, its worn leather rattling.

I hit with my bucket, making it clatter.

وأَرَاكَ تُمْطِرُ جَانِباً عَنْ جَانِبٍ

وأَرَاكَ تُمْطِرُ جَانِباً عَنْ جَانِبٍ

وجَنَابُ أَرْضي مِنْ سَمَائِكَ بَلْقَعُ

وجَنَابُ أَرْضي مِنْ سَمَائِكَ بَلْقَعُ

And I see you rain on one side rather than another,

I see you rain down on one side then another

While my land's expanse lies barren, with no rain from your sky.

While the hem of my garment from your skies is speckled.

أَلْحُسْنِ مَنْزِلَتي تُؤَخِّرُ حَاجَتِي

أَلْحُسْنِ مَنْزِلَتي تُؤَخِّرُ حَاجَتِي

أمْ ليسَ عندكَ لي بخيرٍ مطمعُ

أمْ ليسَ عندكَ لي بخيرٍ مطمعُ

Is it because of my high standing that you delay my request,

Does my good station delay my need,

Or have I no hope of any bounty from you?

Or is there with you no good hope for me?