يا مَن يصيدُ جوارحاً وكواسراً

يا مَن يصيدُ جوارحاً وكواسراً

بسِهامهِ وبكلُّ عن أَن يَنحَرا

بسِهامهِ وبكلُّ عن أَن يَنحَرا

O you who hunt birds and beasts of prey,

O you who hunt birds of prey and fierce beasts,

with your arrows, yet flag when they must be slaughtered—

with your arrows, yet falter at slaughtering them.

ما رِدفُ قول مُناصحٍ عن خِفَّةِ

ما رِدفُ قول مُناصحٍ عن خِفَّةِ

إِشحَذ مُداكَ فكم قنيصٍ قد سَرى

إِشحَذ مُداكَ فكم قنيصٍ قد سَرى

what follows is a counselor’s word, born of friendship:

What follows a sincere adviser's words on swiftness?

sharpen your blades—for many a quarry has slipped away by night.

Sharpen your knives, for many a quarry has departed by night.