1. تَشاغَلَ عَنّا صَديقٌ لَنا

    وَصارَت مَوَدَّتُهُ كَزَّه

    A friend of ours has pretended to be too busy for us,

    And his affection has grown grudging.

  2. وَصَرَ إِذا جاءَنا بِالسَلا

    مِ في مَشيِهِ عاجِلَ القَفزَه

    And now, whenever he comes to us with greetings,

    He is quick to leap as he walks.

  3. وَكانَت مَوَدَّتُهُ حُلوَةً

    فَصارَت مَوَدَّتُهُ مُزَّه

    And his affection was once sweet,

    Then his affection turned sour.

  4. وَيَستُرُ مِن خَجَلٍ وَجهَهُ

    وَيَمشي فَيَعثُرُ في الرُزَّه

    And he hides his face out of shame,

    And walks, stumbling over the door-staple.