هجوت أبا العشائر لا لأني

هجوت أبا العشائر لا لأني

مددت يدي فلم تلحق جناه

مددت يدي فلم تلحق جناه

I lampooned Abu al-Asha'ir, not because

I did not mock the leader of the tribes

I stretched out my hand but it failed to reach his fruit.

Because I extended my hand but could not reach his wing

ولم أك بارعا في الهو لكن

ولم أك بارعا في الهو لكن

تعلمت الحجامة في قفاه

تعلمت الحجامة في قفاه

Nor was I skilled in [satire], but

Nor was I skilled in passion

I learned cupping on the back of his neck.

But I learned bloodletting on his nape