مَتى تَغمِز ذِراعَ مُجاشِعِيٍّ

تَجِد لَحماً وَلَيسَ عَلى عِظامِ

When you pinch an emaciated one's arm

You find flesh, not just skin and bone.

فَما صَدَقَ اللِقاءَ مُجاشِعِيٌّ

وَما جَمَعَ القَناةَ مَعَ اللِجامِ

That emaciated one did not speak true-

He did not restrain his gullet with a halter.

تُوَلّونَ الظُهورَ إِذا لُقيتُم

وَتُدنونَ الصُدورَ مِنَ الطَعامِ

You turn your backs when you meet me,

Yet thrust your chests at food.