تضاحَكَ مِنّا دهرُنا لعتابنا

وعلَّمَنا التمويهَ لو نَتَعَلَّمُ

Our time mocks us for blaming it

Time laughed at us for our reproach and blame,

And taught us deceit though we don't need to learn

And taught us false disguise, if we would only learn:

شريفٌ زُغاوِيٌّ وزانٍ مُذَكَّرٌ

وأعمَشُ كحّالٌ وأعمى مُنَجِّمُ

A noble, eloquent, masculine prophet

A Zaghawi claiming noble rank, a catamite called male,

A one-eyed kohl seller, a blind astrologer

A bleary-eyed physician, and a blind astrologer.