حَدِّثوني بَني الشَقيقَةِ ما يَمـ

،نَعُ فَقعاً بِقَرقَرٍ أَن يَزولا

Tell me, my dear brothers, what can prevent

A bubble from bursting with a sudden pop?

قَبَّحَ اللَهُ ثُمَّ ثَنّى بِلَعنٍ

وارِثَ الصائِغِ الجَبانَ الجَهولا

May Allah curse and re-curse the cowardly, ignorant heir

Of a weak goldsmith who does no good.

مَن يَضُرَّ الأَدنى وَيَعجَزُ عَن ضَر

رِ الأَقاصي وَمَن يَخونُ الخَليلا

One who harms those near him yet can't match the harm

Of those afar, one who betrays a friend.

يَجمَعُ الجَيشَ ذا الأُلوفَ وَيَغزو

ثُمَّ لا يَرزَأُ العَدُوَّ فَتيلا

He gathers an army of thousands to invade

Yet won't confront a foe, even a wick.