1. O house, where are your friendly owls
Whose company I found so sweet

2. Where are the buds on the branches of the nabk tree
Underneath them turtle-doves softly cooing

3. And the carrier pigeons answering them
As their hearts yearn for their promised meeting

4. Like a bough kindled by the sun
Glowing at its touch

5. The blood of the two civets brought me joy
By God I swear it is an abomination

6. O dweller of ruins, how do you see
If paralysis could seize and shake you

7. Praiseworthy is the youth who restores them
Untouched by inertia or lassitude

8. In Egypt there is no trouble for its people
Without clashing and confusion added to it

9. Each day the glitter of drawn swords
In the orchards of some of them has its thrusts

10. Their night signal amongst themselves
Is the creeping of ants when they rest

11. Never leaving his abode
Is a one-eyed prisoner enchained by sorrows

12. O people of Egypt, your fortunes have fallen
After them, your heads are shaven bare