تَنَكَّرَ تَنْكِزٌ بدمشقَ خلقاً

تَنَكَّرَ تَنْكِزٌ بدمشقَ خلقاً

فقاسوا منهُ أنواعَ العذابِ

فقاسوا منهُ أنواعَ العذابِ

Tankiz grew ill-natured in Damascus,

A tyrant in Damascus donned disguise

so they suffered various torments at his hands.

And inflicted every kind of agony

وقالوا للضفادعِ ألفُ بشرى

وقالوا للضفادعِ ألفُ بشرى

بميتتِهِ فقلتُ وللكلابِ

بميتتِهِ فقلتُ وللكلابِ

And they said, “A thousand glad tidings to the frogs

The frogs were told: 'Rejoice, for he is dead!'

at his death!” So I said, “And to the dogs!”

But I said: 'No, rejoice rather, O dogs!'