شَيئآن قَد حارَ الوَرى فيهُما

بِاَصبَهان الفيل وَالقاضي

Two things have puzzled people endlessly—

The elephant in Asbahan, and the judge.

لَيسَ يُرى هَذا وَلا ذا فَكَم

مِن ساخط مِنا وَمِن راضي

One is nowhere to be seen, nor the other.

Yet many are displeased, and many satisfied!

الفيل يُرشى عِندَ سنديه

فَأَين سنديّكِ يا قاضي

The elephant gets sprinkled at its stand.

So where is your stand, O Judge?