إِنّي لَمَيمونٌ جِواراً وَإِنَّني

إِذا زَجَرَ الطَيرَ العِدا لَمشومُ

I am but a neighbour, protecting those near,

And when the predator threatens a bird, I pounce.

وَإِنّي لمَلآنُ العِنانِ مُناقِلٌ

إِذا ما وَنى يَوماً أَلَفُّ سئومُ

With loosened reins am I, riding here and there,

When a woeful day makes me seek out new friends.

فَوَدَّ رِجالٌ أَنَّ أُمّي تَقَنَّعَت

بِشَيبٍ يُغَشِّي الرأسَ وَهيَ عَقيمُ

If only my barren mother would be content

With a head turned grey that she did not bear.