واني على همي بعصْري وأهْلهِ

وطولِ شَقائي بينهمْ وعَنائي

I bear my concerns in my time and among my people

And the length of my misfortune among them and my troubles

وكونِ مديحي رُشْوةً أحتمي بها

من القوم لا شيْماً لصوْبِ عَطاءِ

And my praise being a bribe with which I protect myself

From people who have no decency or generosity

خزنْتُ لساني سُؤْدداً ورئاسةً

ولو شئتُ فاقَ المُرْهفاتِ هجائي

I disciplined my tongue, stern and dignified

And if I wished, my satire would surpass the eloquent

لمُثْنٍ على نشوانَ بالمجد موجفٍ

إِلى الحمد فَرَّاعٍ لكُلِّ عَلاءِ

In praise of Nishwan, glorious in his glory

Elevating to praise every noble man

تفرَّدَ واسْتثناهُ باهرُ مجْدهِ

فكانَ مَحَلاًّ قابلاً لثَنائي

His magnificent glory singled him out and made exceptional

So he became worthy of my praise

فأضحي رئيس الدين في غير مِريةٍ

وأصبحتُ مَدَّاحاً بغيرِ رياءِ

He became the supreme leader of religion without doubt

And I became a praiser without pretense

وَقورُ الحُبى جمُّ الحجا ذو صرامة

يَسُرُّكَ في يوميْ نَدىً ولِقاءِ

Dignity's refuge, the sanctuary of reverence, strict

Who gladdens you some days with company and visit

هُمامٌ اذا ما قال أو صال فُرِّقتْ

كتائِبُ يوم الرَّوْعِ والفُصحاءِ

A protector, if he speaks or prays, will disperse

The regiments on the day of clamor and the eloquent

هنيئاً له العيدُ الذي جُلُّ فخْرهِ

بطولِ حَياةٍ عندهُ وبَقاءِ

Happy is the feast whose greatest pride is

The length of life for him and survival

أبا تغْلِبٍ صيتي بَعيدٌ وانما

أطَلْتُ بزوْراءِ العِراقِ ثَوائي

Abu Taghlib, my reputation is far-reaching, and yet

I have come to Iraq, the goal of my wanderings