1. Leave my critics to rail against a man
Who can be reformed after slaughter like a camel colt.
١. خَلّوا مَلامي في هِجاءِ اِمرِىءٍ
يَصلُحُ بَعدَ الذَبحِ لِلخَلِّ
2. Do not hasten, for the hasty one whom
You have prolonged your censure for my sake,
٢. لا تَعجَلوا إِنَّ العُجيلَ الَّذي
أَطَلتُمُ مِن أَجلِهِ عَذلي
3. Is devoid of kindness and goodness, rather
Empty of generosity and merit.
٣. عارٍ مِنَ الإِحسانِ وَالحُسنِ بَل
خالٍ مِنَ الإِفضالِ وَالفَضلِ
4. Say to him, “O most ignorant of men, since
You have indulged in seriousness and in jest,
٤. قولوا لَهُ يا أَجهَلَ الناسِ إِذ
أَفاضَ في جِدٍّ وَفي هَزلِ
5. The calf has now been worshipped, so no wonder
They rely on you hastily.
٥. قَد عُبِدَ العِجلُ فَلا غَروَ أَن
يُعَوِّلوا مِنكَ عَلى عِجلِ
6. A governorship that will lead you astray hereafter through
Power that did not come into action.
٦. وِلايَةٌ تِهتَ بِها بَعدُ في ال
قُوَّةِ لَم تَخرُج إِلى الفِعلِ
7. You were appointed to it the day you were appointed
As a deputy, a sheath without a blade.
٧. قُلِّدتَ مِنها يَومَ قُلِّدتَها
نِيابَةً غِمداً بِلا نَصلِ
8. It and you are not suited for each other
In other lands or with other people.
٨. فَهيَ وَما أَنتَ بِأَهلٍ لَها
في غَيرِ أَوطانٍ وَلا أَهلِ
9. You were not nurtured on her pearls or did
God cast her children away through bereavement.
٩. لَم تَرتَضِع دِرَّتَها أَو رَما
ها اللَهُ في الأَولادِ بِالثُكلِ
10. Since you sprouted there, you have not been guided by
The praise of God, neither in word nor deed.
١٠. مُذ نُبتَ فيها لَم تُوَفَّق بِحَم
دِ اللَهِ في قَولٍ وَلا فِعلِ
11. So do not let it deceive you that the
Handling of her affairs is in your grasp.”
١١. فَلا يَغُرَّنَّكَ أَن لانَ في
كَفِّكَ مِنها مَلمَسُ الصِلِّ