نَحنُ في جيلٍ لِئامٍ

نَحنُ في جيلٍ لِئامٍ

كُلُّهُم سُخنَةُ عَينِ

كُلُّهُم سُخنَةُ عَينِ

We are among a generation of scoundrels;

We are in an ignoble generation

All of them a torment to the eye.

Their eyes are all inflamed

هَجوُهُم أَحسَنُ صِدقٍ

هَجوُهُم أَحسَنُ صِدقٍ

مَدحُهُم أَقبَحُ مَينِ

مَدحُهُم أَقبَحُ مَينِ

Satirizing them is the finest truth;

Rebuking them is the best honesty

Praising them is the foulest lie.

Praising them is the ugliest flattery

ما لِمَن يَمدَحُهُم مِن

ما لِمَن يَمدَحُهُم مِن

هُم سِوى خُفَّي حُنَينِ

هُم سِوى خُفَّي حُنَينِ

Whoever praises them gets nothing from

What is there for one who praises them

Them but Hunayn’s two slippers.

Except hidden regret

فَاِهجُهُم تَلقَ الأَماني

فَاِهجُهُم تَلقَ الأَماني

مِنهُمُ كَاِبنِ عُنَينِ

مِنهُمُ كَاِبنِ عُنَينِ

So satirize them, and you will attain your wishes

Their mouths meet wishes

From them, like Ibn ʿUnayn.

Among them are the sons of disgrace