إِنْ قَيَّدَتْهُ يَدٌ مَشى ومَتى خَلا

إِنْ قَيَّدَتْهُ يَدٌ مَشى ومَتى خَلا

مِنْ قَيْدِهِ ظَلَّ الحَسيرَ المُثْقَلا

مِنْ قَيْدِهِ ظَلَّ الحَسيرَ المُثْقَلا

If a hand confines him, he moves; but whenever he is freed

If a hand binds it, it walks; and whenever it is free

If a hand binds it, it walks though burdened,

from his bonds, he remains weary and weighed down.

Of its restraint, it remains weary and weighed down.

And if free of bondage, it stays though saddened,

يَمْشي بِمَفْرِقِهِ ويَعْلَمُ ما انْطَوى

يَمْشي بِمَفْرِقِهِ ويَعْلَمُ ما انْطَوى

في قَلْبِ صاحِبِهِ إِذا ما أَعْمَلا

في قَلْبِ صاحِبِهِ إِذا ما أَعْمَلا

He moves upon his head, knowing what lies concealed

It walks on its crown and knows what lies hidden

It walks according to its owner's will,

within his master's heart whenever he sets him to work.

In its owner's heart, when he puts it to work.

Knowing what lies in its master's heart, be it good or bad.