واترٌ ظالمٌ وناقض وتْرٍ

أيُّ هذيْن يستحق الندامَهْ

A tyrannical and unjust aggressor,

Which of these two deserves regret?

أحليمٌ أصابَ منه سفيهٌ

فاستردَّ الحليمُ منه الظُّلامَهْ

A forbearing one who was wronged by a fool,

So the forbearing one took back his injustice,

أم سفيهٌ أصابَ عِرضَ حليم

فأصابَ السفيه طفْر عُرامهْ

Or a fool who dishonored a forbearing one,

So the fool earned humiliation and disgrace,

خالدَ اللُّؤْمِ أنتَ هيَّجْتَ حَرْبي

ولقد كنتَ وادعاً في سلامه

O Khaled, igniter of wars against me,

You were once peaceful and calm,

فاشتريتَ السهاد بالنومِ جَهلاً

ورئمتَ الهوان بعدَ الكرامه

You foolishly bought sleep with oblivion,

And disliked dishonor after honor.