1. شُخوصُ وِلايَةٍ كَشُخوصِ عَزلِ

    عَلى دَهشٍ وَعِزٍّ مِثلَ ذُلِّ

    Setting out for office is like departing upon dismissal,

    Amid bewilderment and honor akin to disgrace.

  2. وَمَجنونٌ يُخَلَّصُ بَعدَ حَبسٍ

    وَأَقيادٍ وَسِلسِلَةٍ وَفُلِّ

    And a madman is set free after confinement,

    And shackles, a chain, and fetters.

  3. وَلَم تُقضَ الحُقوقُ وَلا اِقتَضاها

    بِتَسليمٍ وَتَوديعٍ لِخِلِّ

    And no dues were paid, nor did he claim them

    With a greeting and a farewell to a friend.

  4. وَلَم أَرَ قَبلَهُ ريحاً عَصوفاً

    مُجَسَّمَةً وَطوماراً بِرَحلِ

    And before him I had never seen a raging wind

    Made flesh, or a scroll upon a saddle.

  5. وَأَحسَبُها سَيَسلوها سَريعاً

    وَيَرجَعُ خائِباً يَرغو وَيَغلي

    And I think he will soon forget it,

    And return disappointed, bellowing and seething.

  6. وَوَجهُ العَزلِ يَضحَكُ كُلَّ يَومٍ

    وَيَطبِزُ في قَفا الوالي المُدِلِّ

    And the face of dismissal laughs each day,

    And jabs the haughty governor in the nape.