1. The unjust judges say that we were just
I said: far from justice and truthfulness
١. يقول القُضاةُ الجائرونَ بأَنَّنا
عَدَلنا فقلت عن العَدالةِ والصِدقِ
2. And they said: we desired the truth, you spoke the truth
In considering, I meant you strayed from the truth
٢. وقالوا رَغِبنا الحقَّ قلتُ صَدَقتُمُ
بتقديرِ عن أَعنِي رَغِبتم عن الحقِّ
3. And they said: we shepherded with governance and judgment
So I said: yes, but the flock with money
٣. وقالوا رَعَينا بالحُكومةِ والقَضا
فقلتُ نعم مالَ الرعيَّة بالملقِ
4. And they said: we grew weary of every complainant
So I said: with judgment, not with kindness
٤. وقالوا لقد مِلنا إلى كُلِّ مشتكٍ
فقلتُ عليهِ بالقَضا ليس بالرِفقِ
5. And they said: we tightened the foundations of our law
So I said: on the basis of corruption that makes miserable
٥. وقالوا لقد شُدنا قواعدَ شرعنا
فقلتُ على أُسّ الفَساد الذي يُشقِي
6. And they said: did we not legislate and hasten with our rulings?
So I said: yes, but with the injustice of people
٦. وقالوا أَلَم نشرَع ونَسرُع بحُكمِنا
فقلتُ بَلى لكن بَمظلِمةِ الخَلقِ
7. And they said: we did not differentiate in any governance
So I said: yes, to the truth from any rightful person
٧. وقالوا لم نَفصِل بكل حُكومةٍ
فقلتُ بَلَى للحقّ عن كل ذي حقِّ
8. And they said: does not the sweetness of our satire quench you?
So I said: and is one quenched from bitter water?
٨. وقالوا الا يرويك عَذبُ هِجائِنا
فقلتُ وهل يروَى من الماءِ مستسقِ