1. أَعاذِلُ إِنَّما أَفنى شَبابي

    رُكوبِيَ في الصَريخِ إِلى المُنادي

    O reproacher, nothing wore away my youth but

    My riding out at the cry for help toward the caller,

  2. مَعَ الفِتيانِ حَتّى كَلَّ جِسمي

    وَأَقرَحَ عاتِقي حَملُ النِجادِ

    With the young men, until my body grew weary,

    And bearing the sword-belt rubbed my shoulder raw.

  3. أَعاذِلُ إِنَّهُ مالٌ طَريفٌ

    أَحَبُّ إِلَيَّ مِن مالٍ تِلادِ

    O reproacher, it is indeed newly acquired wealth,

    Dearer to me than inherited wealth.

  4. أَعاذِلُ عُدَّتي بَدَني وَرُمحي

    وَكُلُّ مُقَلِّصٍ شَكِسِ القِيادِ

    O reproacher, my equipment is my coat of mail and my spear,

    And every lean, long-legged steed, unruly at the rein.

  5. وَيَبقى بَعدَ حِلمِ القَومِ حِلمي

    وَيَفنى قَبلَ زادَ القَومِ زادي

    And my forbearance outlasts the people's forbearance,

    And my provisions run out before the people's do.