لقد كان لي بغل به رتبتي تعلو

فاصبحت امشي لا حمار ولا بغل

I once had a mule, by him my rank rose high

Now I walk with no donkey or mule close by

وقد كان حرا طاهر الذيل ماشيا

له باختبار يشهد العقل والنقل

He was free and pure of tail, walking with pride

Reason and tradition both him testify

وكان على حملي وحملي مرابطاً

ويحمل بعض الكل عني بل الكل

He would bear my weight, standing firm in place

Carrying some or all with no sign of haste

وكان سليل الاصل من عربية

نتيجة فحل نعم ما ينتج الفحل

A true Arabian was his noble line

Sire a fine stallion, as stallions sire the best

وكان برجليه يخط اذا مشى

على الرمل شكلا حبذا ذلك الشكل

His feet on the sand shaped patterns so fine

Were the sand marks left, a sight so divine

وكان له صدر وسيع ومنكب

فلا بعد ذا بعد ولا قبل ذا قبل

With chest full and shoulders broad and wide

No behind him or front, or either side

فعاندني فيه من الجن سارقٌ

كأن لديه العقد قد كان والحلل

But a demon, a thief, fought with me for him

As if the contract and terms were agreed in full

ومد اليه في ظلام الدجا يداً

بها كان يمشي حين تنقطع الرجل

Reaching in the dark night hands so dim

By which it walked when hooves were pulled

فاصبح والاوتاد منه فواصل

وضاقت بي الاسباب وانقطع الحبل

And so the pegs between us were pried apart

The ropes grew slack and rope was unbound from heart

واصبحت لا بغلي ولا وصله ارى

وقد ذهب المركوب واستغرق الرحل

Now no mule have I, nor any hope of tracks

The steed is gone, vanished is its noble pack

ولم ار لصا صيرفيا نظيره

فليس عليه ينكر الحرج والدخل

No thief have I seen who could replace his worth

Blame and shame touch him not, no, not a smert

متى نحو دار الضرب يأتي لسبكه

ويقتص من ذا الخارج الناقد العدل

When to the court of justice he comes to stand

May the judge mete out justice with an impartial hand