أزف الرحيل عن الشآم وأهله

أزف الرحيل عن الشآم وأهله

غيظاً من الحال الذي لا يرتضى

غيظاً من الحال الذي لا يرتضى

Departure from al-Sham and its people is at hand,

The time of parting from Damascus drew near,

in anger at a state of affairs that is unacceptable.

In anger at the unacceptable state.

قالوا الزمام فقلتُ تبقى ناقتي

قالوا الزمام فقلتُ تبقى ناقتي

فزمامها بيدِي وما ضاق الفضا

فزمامها بيدِي وما ضاق الفضا

They said, “The rein!” So I said, “My she-camel remains;

They said, “The reins!” I said, “My she-camel remains,

for her rein is in my hand, and the open expanse has not narrowed.”

Her reins are in my hands, the space is not confined.”