حكى لي صديق صادقٌ حال ظالم

حكى لي صديق صادقٌ حال ظالم

بسيرته الأيام تصبح مظلمه

بسيرته الأيام تصبح مظلمه

A truthful friend told me of a tyrant's condition:

A true friend told me of an oppressive time,

Through his conduct, the days grow dark.

when his life's path grew dark.

وقال بني بالجوى لا الجور قاعة

وقال بني بالجوى لا الجور قاعة

فقلت تراها عن قليلٍ مرخمه

فقلت تراها عن قليلٍ مرخمه

And he said, "He built a hall with anguish, not oppression."

He said, "My son, do not dwell in injustice,

So I said, "You will soon see it clad in marble."

for soon it shall fade away."