1. They said, “We want a wise brother,
Skilled in analogies and their secrets.
١. وقالوا نريد أخا فطنة
بعلم القياس وأسراره
2. Every intelligent person is my wise brother.
All ask about explaining his news.
٢. وكل لبيب أخي فطنة
يسائل عن شرح أخباره
3. Why does the little one love
And be cautious in all his states?”
٣. لأيّة حال يحبّ الصغير
ويحتاط سائر أوطاره
4. I said, since they went on at length
With long speech and brevity,
٤. فقلت وقد أكثروا في المرا
بطول الخطاب وإقصاره
5. “The little one loves for his rising status,
And the elder is shunned for his fading away.”
٥. يحبّ الصغير لإقباله
ويقصى الكبير لإدباره