1. If you, o Amr, have done wrong, then I have
Seen in you an enemy driven to refuge

2. In an hour, had he seen you in his hand,
The cruelest foe would have shown mercy or compassion

3. You were killed with humiliation and wrong, not
A merciful killing when blood flows

4. If you live awhile, you are with what
You were pelted, a dead man who finds no rest

5. And if you survive death, then no
Death is the wish of one who suffers illness

6. You will not escape it as you know, and one who
Chance delivers is not delivered

7. The hands of one who shot were paralyzed, so the
Shot did not strike you as he did not know how to shoot

8. In their breasts is festering hatred
Whose wounds will not heal or be stitched

9. They plotted but did not act due to an obstacle
And the doer of deeds is one who is resolute

10. It was painful harm though incomplete, and how
Its claws sank in and did not diminish

11. So fear its return, for its pouring rain
Is blindness that does not know regret

12. Indeed, the one whom you are prey for his tyranny
His palm has not triumphed or gained spoils

13. And God has decreed that He remove from us
The blessing of one who does not thank blessings

14. No people you were cast among doubted
That madness in time or blemish struck you

15. You frightened me, then did not feel safe, so no
One who fails or regrets feels safe from me

16. So say to a people who were roused by his chaos
That I tanned a hide, patience

17. You thought it would illuminate for you
But it increased darkness upon darkness for you

18. And if you insist on worshipping it
Then we have seen those who worship idols

19. And you said he is a brother of generosity
But we did not see in you any generosity for him

20. And some said he gave, so I said to you
If he gave, long has he deprived

21. Time has ruined what it built for you
And turned from what it gathered and stole

22. So do not seek the like of one
Who was, for youth has picked and left

23. With effort I attained what I attained, and hands
And feet did not work toward it

24. And no foundation for what you built, so we do not
Reject its fading and collapse

25. For we are tired of you, and the road is rugged
And whoever dwells in the countryside turns away in boredom

26. And if you are struck by abasement, you will not see
A tear from an eye shedding for you

27. And if you are absent, one in anguish from you
Says no foot has stepped

28. So may God not water a valley made muddy by the
Evils you made muddy with shame

29. Neither will He be there as He was, nor
Did you feel safe in what you reaped of blame

30. And the water of a people you muddied among them
Was neither fresh for them nor brackish

31. So threats do not alarm me, for I have not
Ceased to turn a deaf ear to them

32. And whoever sees I fear harm
Is one dreaming dreams

33. Ask the rocks I used to strike
And the warrior I used to confront

34. For I was no fat for the chewing of the scorner
No, nor a morsel for the one who chews

35. I was a flood and you were debris
And I was fire and you were embers

36. By God, I saw a people before you hovering
Above the Throne, courage their mark

37. They were on a path, if amidst the fray of battle
A vicious lion dominated, they would break him

38. Among them was no one, and none had
Anyone free of blame for vile deeds

39. All were cavaliers who when battle raged
Drew white swords and reddened spears

40. They did not in war shed blood except of
Bodies and skulls

41. So if hints deserted me, then suggestion
Is like clear statement if understood

42. Sometimes the tongue volunteers and I do not
Restrain a tongue from speaking and mouth

43. For often men did not fear swords
Or words and cautious speech

44. Take this, and after it its like,
For I am not to truth with you discreet

45. So the most ignorant of all people is a man
With reckless tongue or roused pen