1. أَعاذِلُ إِنَّما أَفنى شَبابي

    رُكوبِيَ في الصَريخِ إِلى المُنادي

    O reproacher, my youth was worn away only

    by my riding at the cry for help toward the caller,

  2. مَعَ الفِتيانِ حَتّى كَلَّ جِسمي

    وَأَقرَحَ عاتِقي حَملُ النِجادِ

    with the young men, until my body grew weary

    and bearing the sword-belt rubbed my shoulder raw.

  3. أَعاذِلُ إِنَّهُ مالٌ طَريفٌ

    أَحَبُّ إِلَيَّ مِن مالٍ تِلادِ

    O reproacher, it is newly acquired wealth,

    dearer to me than inherited wealth.

  4. أَعاذِلُ عُدَّتي بَدَني وَرُمحي

    وَكُلُّ مُقَلِّصٍ شَكِسِ القِيادِ

    O reproacher, my equipment is my body and my spear,

    and every long-legged steed stubborn at the rein.

  5. وَيَبقى بَعدَ حِلمِ القَومِ حِلمي

    وَيَفنى قَبلَ زادَ القَومِ زادي

    And my forbearance outlasts the people's forbearance,

    and my provisions run out before the people's provisions.