1. Say to Abu al-Naqs and reproaches,
O anguish of the chest and perdition,

2. With what opinion and what understanding,
O pretender of understanding and intelligence,

3. Did you present yourself monopolizing over us
The most despicable worth of nothingness?

4. A foolish foot seen and nurtured
Upon it in scarcity of shame.

5. It has a mouth like a water-skin that throws
Your face from it with a house of water,

6. And God forbid that praise
Would come to you except from the dishonorable,

7. He has according to his claim a praise
Uglier in my view than lampooning,

8. Repeated, the hands of sleepers have left it,
Wearers of the cloak made of tattered cloth.

9. How much has he seen for kings a house
On a feast day and in prosperity,

10. It clothes you from it with clothes of praise
Of little duration and survival,

11. Yesterday it was on men
Whose hands fate had divided,

12. And soon it will strip you of little
Of it and cast you in the bareness,

13. So be content with it satisfied, and my soul
Is content with you with aloofness,

14. And do not join me, for my taking
Your honor is sweeter than bestowal,

15. If my praise has made you needless,
Then lampooning will not save you from me.