أباع زياد سود اللَه وجهه

أباع زياد سود اللَه وجهه

عقيلة قوم سادة بالدراهم

عقيلة قوم سادة بالدراهم

Did Ziyad sell—may God blacken his face—

Ziyad sold the noble lady for coins

a noblewoman of a people of chiefs for dirhams?

Though she was no match for Qais ibn Aasim's equals

وما كان حسان بن سعد ولا ابنه

وما كان حسان بن سعد ولا ابنه

أبو المسك من أكفاء قيس بن عاصم

أبو المسك من أكفاء قيس بن عاصم

And neither Hassan ibn Sa'd nor his son

Neither Hassaan ibn Sa'd nor his son

Abu al-Misk was a peer of Qays ibn Asim.

Abu Musk were her peers

ولكنه رد الزمان على استه

ولكنه رد الزمان على استه

وضيع امر المحصنات الكرائم

وضيع امر المحصنات الكرائم

But he turned time onto its arse,

But time brought her low

and neglected the affairs of chaste, noble women.

And ruined the affairs of chaste ladies

له ريقة بخراء تصرع من دنا

له ريقة بخراء تصرع من دنا

وتقطع خيشوم الضجيع الملازم

وتقطع خيشوم الضجيع الملازم

He has foul-smelling spittle that fells whoever draws near,

She has a deadly glance that fells those who draw near

and cuts through the nose of his constant bedfellow.

And splits the lips of those who sit too close

خذي دية منه تكن لك عدة

خذي دية منه تكن لك عدة

وجيئي إلى باب الأمير فخاصمي

وجيئي إلى باب الأمير فخاصمي

Take blood money from him; it will be a reserve for you,

Take the blood money from him as your provision

and come to the emir's door, then plead your case.

And come to the prince's court to contend

فلو كنت في روح لما قلت خاصمي

فلو كنت في روح لما قلت خاصمي

ولكنما ألقيت في سجن عارم

ولكنما ألقيت في سجن عارم

For had you been at ease, I would not have said, 'Plead your case';

Had I been free, I would not have said "contend"

but you have been cast into the prison of Arim.

But I am cast into a raging prison