لَمّا بَدا الثَعلَبُ في سَفحِ الجَبَل

صِحتُ بِكَلبي ها فَهاجَ كَالبَطَل

When the fox appeared on the mountain's slope

When the fox appeared at the mountain's foot,

I called to my dog, come! He charged like a hero

I shouted to my dog, and he roused like a hero,

كَلبٌ جَريءُ القَلبِ مَحمودُ العَمَل

مُؤَدَّبُ كُلِّ الخِصالِ قَد كَمُل

A brave-hearted dog, praiseworthy in his deeds

A hound of bold heart, praiseworthy in deed,

Well-mannered in all traits, fully mature

Well-disciplined, in whom every virtue is complete.

فَجاذَبَ المِقوَدَ كَفّي وَحَمَل

وَطَرَدَ الثَعلَبَ طَرداً ما بَطَل

He tugged at the leash in my hands and bore on

He tugged the leash from my hand and charged,

Driving the fox away without fail

Driving the fox with a pursuit that never faltered,

وَمَرَّ كَالصَقرِ عَلى الصَيدِ اِشتَمَل

فَلَفَّهُ لَفّاً سَريعاً ما قَتَل

He passed by his prey like a swooping falcon

Passing like a falcon swooping down upon its prey,

Spinning around swiftly but not to kill

He ensnared him swiftly, yet he did not slay,

يا لَكَ مِن كَلبٍ إِذا صادَ عَدَل

What a dog you are when hunting, upright and just

Oh, what a dog! Who deals justly when he hunts.