قد غنينا وما يفرعنا الدهر

قد غنينا وما يفرعنا الدهر

فأضحت بالرأس منه علاما

فأضحت بالرأس منه علاما

We once lived at ease, and Time did not overpower us;

We have sung, though fate did not favor us,

then marks of it appeared upon the head,

So that over our heads it made a sign.

مكلحات كأنهن عصاب

مكلحات كأنهن عصاب

مرصدات بعد الرضا بالسلامه

مرصدات بعد الرضا بالسلامه

scowling, as though they were bands

Like scratches, as though they were a headband,

lying in wait, after contentment in safety.

Posted after being pleased with well-being.

فتشددت ساعةً ثم أذعنـ

فتشددت ساعةً ثم أذعنـ

ـت كما تركب المسيء الندامه

ـت كما تركب المسيء الندامه

So I stood firm a while, then yielded,

So I hardened for a while, then yielded,

as remorse overtakes the wrongdoer.

As the evildoer mounts repentance.

إن أكن قد رزئت أسود كالفحـ

إن أكن قد رزئت أسود كالفحـ

ـم فأعقبت منه مثل الثغامه

ـم فأعقبت منه مثل الثغامه

If I have been bereft of hair black as coal,

If I have been blamed, black as soot,

and been given in its stead the likeness of white thughāmah,

I was followed by the likes of darkness.

فلقد أشغف الحسان وأحبو

فلقد أشغف الحسان وأحبو

بالندى أهله وآتى الظلمه

بالندى أهله وآتى الظلمه

I still enrapture beautiful women and bestow

For the beautiful sang and loved

bounty upon those worthy of it, and venture into darkness.

Those people, though injustice came.