قويقُ إذا شمَّ ريحَ الشتاءِ

قويقُ إذا شمَّ ريحَ الشتاءِ

تُشَمُّ الخلافةُ من جَيْبِهِ

تُشَمُّ الخلافةُ من جَيْبِهِ

When Quwayq smells the winter wind,

The rider when scenting the wind of winter

the caliphate can be smelled from his bosom.

Smells the caliphate from his pocket

وفي الصيفِ وغدٌ متى عِبْتَهُ

وفي الصيفِ وغدٌ متى عِبْتَهُ

فلستَ ملوماً على عيبه

فلستَ ملوماً على عيبه

And in summer he is a scoundrel; whenever you fault him,

And in summer, tomorrow when you blame him

you are not to blame for finding fault with him.

You cannot be blamed for his fault