1. I saw a fallen raven above a palm tree
Plucking its top feathers and shaking them off
١. رَأيتُ غُراباً ساقِطاً فَوقَ بانَةٍ
يُنَتِّفُ أَعلى ريشِهِ وَيُطايِرُه
2. I said, if I wanted, I would shoo it away
With my own breath, would I drive it away?
٢. فَقُلتُ وَلَو أَنّي أَشاءُ زَجَرتُهُ
بِنَفسي لِلنَهدِيِّ هَل أَنتَ زاجِرُه
3. A raven said to one estranged from its nest
In the palm tree lies a dear one with whom it dwells
٣. فَقالَ غُرابٌ لِاِغتِرابٍ مِنَ النَوى
وَفي البانِ بَينٌ مِن حَبيبٍ تُجاوِرُه
4. So the palm tree did not sway or shed its fruit
And I did not shoo it for the sake of the bird, powerless to help it
٤. فَما أَعيفَ النَهدِيَّ لا دَرَّ دَرُّهُ
وَأَزجُرَهُ لِلطَيرِ لا عَزَّ ناصِرُه