1. نام الخليُ وما أغمض حار

    من سيئ النبأ الجليل الساري

    The carefree one slept; the anguished one did not close an eye,

    Because of the grievous, momentous news borne through the night.

  2. من مثله تمسي النساء حواسراً

    وتقوم معولة مع الأسمارِ

    At news like this, women spend the evening bareheaded,

    And rise wailing amid the nightly gatherings.

  3. مَن كان مسروراً بمقتل مالك

    فليأت نسوتنا بنصف نهارِ

    Whoever rejoices at Malik's slaying,

    Let him come to our women at midday.

  4. قد كنَّ يخبأن الوجوه تستراً

    واليوم حين بدونَ للنظارِ

    They used to hide their faces, keeping themselves veiled;

    And today, when they appear before onlookers,

  5. يجد النساء حواسراً يندبنه

    يضربنَ أوجههن بالأحجارِ

    He will find the women bareheaded, lamenting him,

    Striking their faces with stones.

  6. يخمشن حرات الوجوه على امرئٍ

    سهلِ الخليقة طيب الأخبارِ

    They claw their cheeks in mourning for a man

    Gentle in disposition, good in repute.

  7. أفبعد مقتل مالك بن زهيرٍ

    ترجو النساء عواقب الأطهارِ

    Is it then, after the slaying of Malik ibn Zuhayr,

    That women hope for the fruits of their periods of purity?

  8. ما إن أرى في قتله لذوي الحجا

    إلا المطيَّ تشدُّ بالأكوارِ

    In his slaying I see, for men of judgment, nothing

    But riding camels being strapped with saddles,

  9. ومجنبات ما يذقن عُذوفةً

    يقذفن بالمُهرات والأمهارِ

    And mares led alongside, tasting no morsel of feed,

    Casting forth their fillies and colts,

  10. ومساعرا صدأ الحديد عليهم

    فكأنما طلي الوجوه بقارِ

    And kindlers of war with iron's rust upon them,

    As though their faces had been coated with pitch.

  11. يا رب مسرورٍ بمقتلِ مالكٍ

    ولسوف يصرفه لشر محارِ

    Ah, many a man rejoices at Malik's slaying,

    And it will surely bring him to the worst of ends.