لَقَد أَقامَ عَلى بَغدادَ ناعيها

فَليَبكِها لِخَرابِ الدَهرِ باكيها

He who mourns for Baghdad has established over her a lamentation

So let him weep for her, for the ruin of fate's vicissitudes.

كانَت عَلى ما بِها وَالحَربُ موقَدَةٌ

وَالنارُ تُطفِئُ حُسناً في نَواحيها

She was in a blazing war and conflagration

And fire extinguishes the beauty in her environs.

تُرجى لَها عَودَةٌ في الدَهرِ صالِحَةٌ

فَالآنَ أَضمَرَ مِنها اليَأسَ راجيها

A goodly return is hoped for her in fate

But now despair has concealed from her any who would wish it.

مِثلَ العَجوزِ الَّتي وَلَّت شَبيبَتُها

وَبانَ عَنها كَمالٌ كانَ يُحظيها

Like an old woman whose youth has deserted her

And perfection has vanished that once graced her.

لَزَّت بِها ضَرَّةٌ زَهراءُ واضِحَةٌ

كَالشَمسِ أَحسَنُ مِنها عِندَ رائيها

A clear, blossoming harm has adhered to her

That was more beautiful than it, in the eyes of the beholder.