كمْ ملكٍ جاءَ وكمْ نائبٍ

يا زينةَ الأسواقِ حتى متى

How many rulers have come and gone, how many deputies

O adornment of the markets! For how long

قد كرروا الزينةَ حتى اللحى

ما بقيتْ تلحقُ أنْ تنبتا

Have they worn you as ornament, even on their beards,

You no longer have enough left in you to sprout