وكنتُ كبازيٍّ من الطَّير أشهبٍ

يُهابُ تجلِّيهٍ وتُخشى مَخالبُهْ

I was like a falcon among the birds, grayish brown,

Feared for its glorious appearance, its talons dreaded,

اذا انقضَّ في اِثر البُغاث تفرقتْ

شَعاعاً ومنْ لم ينجُ حلَّت معاطبهْ

When it swooped down after the quails they would scatter

In all directions, and those not quick enough met their end.

فأصبحتُ فَلاًّ بعد رائعِ نجْدتي

لصِرْدانِها والدهرُ جَمٌّ عَجائبهْ

But now after my former glory I have become

A worthless wagtail, while time works its many wonders.