لا تهجُ يشكر يا زياد ولا تكُن

غَرَضاً وأنتَ عن الأذى في مَعزلِ

Do not complain, O Ziyad, and do not

Be a target while you are protected from harm

وأعلم بأنهم إذا ما حصّلوا

خيرٌ وأكرمُ من أبيك الأعزل

Know that if they gain something

It is better and more generous than your unarmed father

لولا زعيمُ بني المعلّى لم نَبُت

حتى نُصبِّحكم بجيشٍ جحفل

If it were not for the Bani Al Ma'alla chief we would not

Live to face you in the morning with a massive army

تمشي الضراءَ رجالهم وكأنهم

أسدُ العرين بكلّ عَضب مُنصَل

His men walk with adversity as if they were

A fierce lion from its lair, teeth bared

فأحذر زيادُ ولا تكُن ذا تُدراءٍ

عند الرجالِ ونُهزةً للخُتَّل

So beware, O Ziyad, and do not be foolhardy

Among men, and a mockery for the weak