مَلكْنا فكان العَفْو منَّا سَجيَّةً

فلمَّا ملكْتُمْ سالَ بالدَّمِ أبْطَحُ

We ruled, so forgiving was our nature,

But when you ruled, the land was soaked in blood.

وحَلَّلْتُمُ قتلَ الأسارى وطالَما

غَدوْنا عن الأسْرى نَعفُّ ونصفَح

You made it lawful to kill prisoners, though

We always pardoned prisoners and turned away.

فحسْبُكُمُ هذا التَّفاوتُ بيْنَنا

وكلُّ إِناءٍ بالذي فيهِ يَنْضَحُ

So let this difference between us suffice,

For each vessel pours out what is in it.