ألا ذهب الغزو المقرب للغنى

ومات الندى والجود بعد المهلب

Alas the imminent conquest for wealth is gone

And generosity and benevolence died after decline

أقاما بمرو الروذ رهني ضريحه

وقد غيبا عن كل شرق ومغرب

They both settled in Merv hostage to its tomb

Having vanished from every East and West

إذا قيل أي الناس أولى بنعمة

على الناس قلناه ولم نتهيب

When asked who is most deserving of people's bounty

We named him without hesitation or fear

أباح لنا سهل البلاد وحزنها

بخيل كأرسال القطا المتسرب

He made the lands and their sorrows accessible

With generosity like the pouring of cleft rain

يعرضها للطعن حتى كأنما

يجللها بالأرجوان المخضب

Exposing himself to blame as if

Adorning himself in blood-red purple

تطيف به قحطان قد عصبت به

وأحلافها من حي بكر وتغلب

Encircled by Qahtan bound to him

And his confederates from Bakr and Taghlib tribes

وحيا معد عوذ بلوائه

يفدونه بالنفس والأم والأب

And the living Ma'ad took refuge in his banners

Ransoming him with their souls, mothers and fathers