عَدِمتُ رياسة قومٍ شقُوا

شباباً ونالُوا الغِنى حينَ شابوا

I lost leadership of a people who grew up spoiled,

And gained wealth when they were young.

حديثٌ بنعمتِهم عهدُهُم

فليس لهم في المعالي نِصابُ

They are newly endowed with blessings -

Yet have no share in glory.

يَرَوْنَ التكبّرَ مُستصوباً

من الكبر والرأْيُ لا يُستَطابُ

They see arrogance as appropriate,

Yet arrogance and opinion are not to be desired.

فإن كاتَبُوا صادقُوا في الدُّعاءِ

كأنَّ دعاءَهُمُ مُسْتَجَابُ

If they write, they are sincere in prayer,

As if their prayers are sure to be answered.