كَدَرُ الزَمانِ فَلَيسَ فيهِ صَفا

وَرَأى الخِيانَةَ لِلكِرامِ وَفا

The times are troubled, lacking clarity,

And loyalty is seen by the noble as treachery.

مُذ كُنتُ فيهِ أَراهُ يَظلِمُني

فَمَتى تَرى لي مِنهُ مُنتَصِفا

Since I have been in it, I see it oppressing me,

So when will I see it bringing me justice?

ما مِنهُ يَومٌ لا يُجَرِّعُني

فيهِ قَبائِحُ فِعلِهِ أَسَفا

There is no day of it that does not make me drink

The ugliness of its actions bitterly.

فَكَأَنَّما أَنا فيهِ لُؤلُؤَةٌ

بِالرُغمِ مِنها تَسكُنُ الصَدفا

So it is as if I am in it a pearl

That despite it, settles in the oyster shell.