وما كنا نؤمل من أمير

كما كنا نؤمل من يزيد

We had not hoped for such a prince

As we had hoped of Yazid,

فاخطأ ظننا فيه وقدما

زهدنا في معاشرة الزهيد

So our hopes in him were disappointed,

And we grew weary of the ascetic's company,

إذا لم يعطنا نصفا أمير

مشينا نحوه مثل الأسود

If a prince would not give us half.

We strode towards him like lions,

فمهلا يا يزيد أنب الينا

ودعنا من معاشرة العبيد

So wait, O Yazid, and turn to us,

And leave us not with slaves' company.

نجىء فلا نرى إلا صدودا

على أنا نسلم من بعيد

We come but find naught but rejection,

Though we greet from afar,

ونرجع خائبين بلا نوال

فما بال التجهم والصدود

And return disappointed, with no gain.

Why then the frowning and rejection?