أَتى ثَعالَةَ يَوماً

مِنَ الضَواحي حِمارُ

The donkey came to Tha'labah one day

From the outskirts, and said: "If you are

وَقالَ إِن كُنتَ جاري

حَقّاً وَنِعمَ الجارُ

Truly my neighbor, and a good neighbor,

Tell me, for I am gloomy, worried, confused -

قُل لي فَإِنّي كَئيبٌ

مُفَكِّرٌ مُحتارُ

Yesterday in the procession, when we

Walked on, and the elders passed,

في مَوكِبِ الأَمسِ لَمّا

سِرنا وَسارَ الكِبارُ

Did I let down my master? Was it shameful?

Did I commit a serious wrong?"

طَرَحتُ مَولايَ أَرضاً

فَهَل بِذَلِكَ عارُ

Tha'labah said: "No, donkey, no."

وَهَل أَتَيتُ عَظيماً

فَقالَ لا يا حِمارُ