لَمّا نُسِبتَ فَكُنتَ اِبناً لِغَيرِ أَبٍ

ثُمَّ اِمتُحِنتَ فَلَم تَرجِع إِلى أَدَبِ

When your lineage was traced, you proved a son to no true father,

And when put to the test, you returned to no wisdom or refinement.

سُمِّيتَ بِالذَهَبِيِّ اليَومَ تَسمِيَةً

مُشتَقَّةً مِن ذَهابِ العَقلِ لا الذَهَبِ

You were named 'Al-Dhahabi'—the Golden—a title bestowed,

Derived from the departure of your wits, not from the precious metal.

مُلَقَّبٌ بِكَ ما لُقِّبتَ وَيكَ بِهِ

يا أَيُّها اللَقَبُ المُلقى عَلى اللَقَبِ

You are defined by a label—woe to you for bearing it—

O you, who are nothing but a title cast upon a title.