“Hey you who pretend to ride the eternal greatness !
At first, learn your b and y and then you’ll ride the horse !
Mef’ûlu fa’îlatun, mef’ûlu fa’îltun !
The measure is easily nice with the muddari ehzeb.
Granada is hinar and cherry gilyaz and fig hejîr.
Cucumber is xiyar and onion pîbaz and garlic sîr.
Apple is sêv and sesam kuncî, and quince bih.
Marrow, zucchini, pumpkin are* kundir, cheese is penîr.
* As in other sections I gave English words without pretending to an exact translation of Arab terms.
Poxîn is porridge, curdled milk cheese keshk, socks is curab.
Girr is tanned skins ; full is tejî, empty is vala and milk is shîr.
Clouds are ewr.
Sea and ocean are behr, lion is shêr.
Plain, desert land are desht.
Source and spring are kehnî, the well is bîr.
The Road’s son is* rêwî, the compagnon is hevrî.
Un peu : hindik, et pur : beaucoup, très, abondant.
* A nice riddle for non Arab speakers.
Servant and slave : kole, art is pîshe.
The ignorant is nezan, the scholar, the educated one is zana.
Bow is kevan, its string kêshik,
Arrow is tîr.
Troops, army, soldiers are eshker, travel by night is bi shev li rê bir.
Generosity is cuwamêrî, robbers are nijde, the prince is mîr.”
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