1. ولابس لون واحد وهو طائر

    ملولة ابراده وهو واقعُ

    He wears a single color while in flight,

    but his robes are many-colored when at rest.

  2. أغر محشى الطلسان مدبج

    وسود المنايا في حشاه دوائع

    Radiant, in a padded, brocaded mantle,

    with black deaths stored within his belly.

  3. إذا حك أعلى راسه فكأنما

    بسالفتيه من يديه جوامع

    When he scratches the top of his head, it is as though

    his hands were shackles at the sides of his neck.

  4. يخاف أذاً ولا يؤمن مقبلا

    ويخفي على الأقران ما هو صانع

    He fears harm, yet cannot be trusted when approaching,

    and conceals from his peers what he means to do.

  5. بدا فارسي الزي يعقد خصره

    عليه قباء زينته الوشائع

    He appeared in Persian dress, his waist girded,

    wearing a tunic adorned with patterned threads.

  6. فمعجره الوردي أحمر ناصع

    ومئزره التبري أصفر قاقع

    His rose-hued headwrap is a brilliant red,

    and his golden waist-wrap a vivid yellow;

  7. يرجع الحان الغريض ومعبد

    he trills the melodies of al-Gharid and Ma'bad.