وكنتُ كبازيٍّ من الطَّير أشهبٍ

وكنتُ كبازيٍّ من الطَّير أشهبٍ

يُهابُ تجلِّيهٍ وتُخشى مَخالبُهْ

يُهابُ تجلِّيهٍ وتُخشى مَخالبُهْ

I was like a gray goshawk among the birds,

I was like a falcon among the birds, grayish brown,

Whose appearance was dreaded and whose talons were feared.

Feared for its glorious appearance, its talons dreaded,

اذا انقضَّ في اِثر البُغاث تفرقتْ

اذا انقضَّ في اِثر البُغاث تفرقتْ

شَعاعاً ومنْ لم ينجُ حلَّت معاطبهْ

شَعاعاً ومنْ لم ينجُ حلَّت معاطبهْ

When it swooped in pursuit of the weak birds, they scattered

When it swooped down after the quails they would scatter

In all directions; and whoever did not escape met his doom.

In all directions, and those not quick enough met their end.

فأصبحتُ فَلاًّ بعد رائعِ نجْدتي

فأصبحتُ فَلاًّ بعد رائعِ نجْدتي

لصِرْدانِها والدهرُ جَمٌّ عَجائبهْ

لصِرْدانِها والدهرُ جَمٌّ عَجائبهْ

Then, after my awe-inspiring valor, I was vanquished

But now after my former glory I have become

By their shrikes—and time's wonders are many.

A worthless wagtail, while time works its many wonders.