أمعمرا عمر النسور إلى متى

أمعمرا عمر النسور إلى متى

تبقى وأنت الميت في الاحياء

تبقى وأنت الميت في الاحياء

O long-lived one, aged as the vultures—how long

O you, long-lived as vultures, how long

Long-lived, with the lifespan of eagles, until when

will you remain, though you are the dead among the living?

will you remain, dead among the living?

Will you remain, while you are dead amongst the living?

حدث فلا حرج حديث جذيمة

حدث فلا حرج حديث جذيمة

ما كان قصته مع الزباء

ما كان قصته مع الزباء

Tell, without reserve, the tale of Jadhima:

Tell freely the tale of Jadhima:

Speak, no shame, of the tale of Judhaymah

what was his story with al-Zabbāʾ?

what was his story with al-Zabba?

Of what was between him and fleas

وعن البسوس وماضيات حروبها

وعن البسوس وماضيات حروبها

حدث فانك حاضر الهيجاء

حدث فانك حاضر الهيجاء

And tell of al-Basūs and the bygone events of her wars;

And of al-Basus and her bygone wars,

And of lice, and wars of times past

tell—for you are present amid the fray.

speak, for you were present at the fray.

Speak, for you are present at the madness