1. How dreadful, if people in hostility strove,
Debating which of them were eviler long ago,
١. أَباهِلَ لَو أَنَّ الأَنامَ تَنافَروا
عَلى أَيِّهِم شَرٌّ قَديماً وَأَلأَمُ
2. You two would win them a vile arrow
Even if folly and foolishness were in them.
٢. لَفازَ لَكُم سَهماً لَئيمٍ عَلَيهِمُ
وَلَو كانَتِ العَجلانُ فيهِم وَجُرهُمُ
3. So which of you, O sons of smoke, when called
To vileness by a summoner preceding you,
٣. فَأَيُّكُما يا اِبنَي دُخانٍ إِذا دَعا
إِلى اللُؤمِ داعٍ عَنكُما يَتَقَدَّمُ
4. Would not proceed, with his pledge already lost
Through the pain of any who walks or speaks?
٤. فَما مِنكُمُ إِلّا وَفِيٌّ رِهانَهُ
بِأَلأَمِ مِن يَمشي وَمَن يَتَكَلَّمُ