1. What virtues and nobility have I not attained?
Or what virtuous promise have I not fulfilled?

2. Triumphs are mine to command with certainty
Whether consoled by them or my glory made proud

3. People sleep, heedless of excellence, if only I
Had attained of it a desire's fill

4. Is there in the wilderness one who denies my merits
Or criticizes my entrenched glorious fame?

5. I have surpassed the eloquent in eloquence and sometimes
Given respite to the excellent to shine bright

6. He goes forth and spends the night outstripping the lightning
His neighing and perhaps he was not spurred

7. I have led rhymes in disorder or humbled
They cringe to me and to those hostile, haughty

8. So I, when prolix, am more prolific than the prolix
And I, when concise, am more effective than the concise

9. My mind inspires for the patron with inducement
And for the foe my mind stonewalls and rebuffs

10. Sometimes I impoverish the land with my gifts as alms
And sometimes I reward the extended arms with bracelets

11. I flaunt my wonders in the face of time
And drag the train of precedence unparalleled

12. O you who watch me with a disapproving glance
Can the light of dawn be considered unmiraculous?

13. Oh my sorrow for a poem I sent
To the sage with every magical miracle

14. I sent it scorning his foolishness
Seeking from him a promise unlike unfulfilled

15. I seek an apology and I know it is
The entertainment of the resident and laughter of the provocateur

16. Then over him appeared the pride of arrogance
Alas a morrow the pride of arrogance

17. O blamer, does the lamb suffice against the deadly lion?
Have you become content, Yahya, with your shortfall?

18. So I have become endowed with eloquence where
He has become in it the feeblest weakling

19. Eh Abu Bakr a provocative call
Ready your weapons, quibbler, and come forth

20. And if you see the inadequacy of your seller in the heights
Toss the reins to the brilliant, fiery one

21. And know that poetry is not about empty words
And the bragging prater is not composed

22. O is the pitch black darkness of night
And its obscuring gloom equal to a pinpoint?