أمسى غلامي كسلا قطوفا

أمسى غلامي كسلا قطوفا

موصباً تحسبه مجوفا

موصباً تحسبه مجوفا

By evening my boy was sluggish and slow-footed,

My servant has become lazy in picking fruit,

Ailing—you would think him hollow inside.

You'd think him hollow as he waters Iraq's camels,

يسقي معيدات العراق جوفا

يسقي معيدات العراق جوفا

باتت تبيا حوضها عكوفا

باتت تبيا حوضها عكوفا

He waters Iraq’s hollow-bellied camels, returning to drink.

Their trough illuminated as if circled by stars,

They spent the night settled by their trough, staying close,

Row upon row they faced each other,

مثل الصفوف لاقت الصفوفا

مثل الصفوف لاقت الصفوفا

وأنت لا تغنين عني فؤفا

وأنت لا تغنين عني فؤفا

Like ranks meeting ranks.

And you are no use to me, not one bit,

And you do me not a whit of good,

Then you say "Give me the noble one!"

ثم تقول أعطني الشريفا

ثم تقول أعطني الشريفا

Then you say, “Give me the noble one.”