لَمْ تَرَنِي قَطُّ بَارِيَاً قَلَماً

لَمْ تَرَنِي قَطُّ بَارِيَاً قَلَماً

فِي بِرْيِهِ مِهْنَةٌ مَعَاً وَضَعَهْ

فِي بِرْيِهِ مِهْنَةٌ مَعَاً وَضَعَهْ

You have never seen me trimming a pen;

You've never seen me brandish a pen

In trimming it lie both menial toil and abasement.

To make of my profession a living

مَا كُلُّ مَنْ يَحْمِلُ الحُسَامَ لِكَيْ

مَا كُلُّ مَنْ يَحْمِلُ الحُسَامَ لِكَيْ

يَعْصِي بِهِ سَنَّهُ وَلا طَبَعَهْ

يَعْصِي بِهِ سَنَّهُ وَلا طَبَعَهْ

Not everyone who carries a keen sword in order to

Not all who bear the sword thereby

Rebel with it has sharpened it or forged it.

Defy what nature and law are giving