وَلَولا أَن يَنالَ أَبا طَريفٍ

وَلَولا أَن يَنالَ أَبا طَريفٍ

عَذابٌ مِن مَليكٍ أَو نَكالُ

عَذابٌ مِن مَليكٍ أَو نَكالُ

And were it not that Abu Tarif might suffer

And were it not for fear that Abu Tarif

Torment from a king, or exemplary punishment,

Would suffer punishment from a king or chastisement dire,

لَما أَسمَعتُكُم قَذَعاً وَلَكِن

لَما أَسمَعتُكُم قَذَعاً وَلَكِن

لِكُلِّ مَقامِ ذي عانٍ مَقالُ

لِكُلِّ مَقامِ ذي عانٍ مَقالُ

I would not have made you hear abuse; but

Never would you have heard from me aught but seemly speech;

Every situation involving a captive has its fitting words.

But for each occasion words there are that fit it well.

عَلى ما تَحبِسونَ أَبا طَريفٍ

عَلى ما تَحبِسونَ أَبا طَريفٍ

أَلا في كُلِّ ما شَيءٍ طَوالُ

أَلا في كُلِّ ما شَيءٍ طَوالُ

Why do you hold Abu Tarif captive?

Concerning him whom you imprison, this Abu Tarif,

Surely there is leeway in every matter.

Be sure that everything will soon change and turn about.