وقالوا فضوليٌّ تعدَّى وما دروا

وقالوا فضوليٌّ تعدَّى وما دروا

بأن الفضوليَّ الدخيل غريمُ

بأن الفضوليَّ الدخيل غريمُ

And they said, “A meddler has overstepped,” not knowing

They said he was intrusive and overstepped, though they did not realize

that the meddling outsider is an adversary.

That an intruder who barges in is an enemy.

يرى حقه سلطانه وهو مدعٍ

يرى حقه سلطانه وهو مدعٍ

ويقضي بما يرضيه وهو ظلوم

ويقضي بما يرضيه وهو ظلوم

He deems his power his right, though he is a claimant,

He sees his right as his rule though he makes unjust claims,

and passes judgment as he pleases, though he is deeply unjust.

And he rules however he wants, for he is unjust.

ولولا عيوب القوم لم يلق حجة

ولولا عيوب القوم لم يلق حجة

على القوم يرميهم بها ويضيم

على القوم يرميهم بها ويضيم

Were it not for the people's faults, he would find no pretext

If not for the people's faults, he'd have no argument

against them with which to assail and oppress them.

Against them to pelt them with and oppress them.

وهم حكّموه بينهم وهو مشتفٍ

وهم حكّموه بينهم وهو مشتفٍ

وهم شيعٌ في دارهم وخصوم

وهم شيعٌ في دارهم وخصوم

And they made him arbiter among them, though he is taking revenge,

They appointed him arbiter among them while he bore grudges,

while they are factions and foes within their own home.

And they were his followers in their abode and adversaries.

أيلتمس الحكم الرجال وكلهم

أيلتمس الحكم الرجال وكلهم

بشرِّ مداه والمآل عليم

بشرِّ مداه والمآل عليم

Do men seek rule, when every one of them

Men seek judgment from other men, all of whom

knows the evil of its reach and its outcome?

Have a lifespan, while the outcome is known to the All-Knowing.

وما كان حمل العبء فيه شجاعة

وما كان حمل العبء فيه شجاعة

ولكنه ذل لهم وهموم

ولكنه ذل لهم وهموم

Nor was bearing its burden an act of courage,

It was not courage that made him bear the burden,

but humiliation and cares for them.

But humiliation for them as he worried.

سئمت مقامي بينهم وهو علة

سئمت مقامي بينهم وهو علة

فيا ليتني بين السباع مقيم

فيا ليتني بين السباع مقيم

I am weary of my stay among them, for it is an affliction;

I grew weary of staying among them for it is an affliction,

oh, if only I dwelt among the beasts of prey!

So I wish I could live among predators.