1. And she asks, why do you not satirize the one who satirized you?
So I said to her, "Ignoring the vile one leaves him be."

2. Indeed, his satire's fire illuminates him more
Than my satirizing him illuminates me.

3. It bleeds my soul and tests my true mettle.
The coin knows not its worth sans the furnace.

4. And I emulate Al-Hashimi when he was satirized
For his asceticism in news and devotion.

5. I keep my poetry free of the baseness of his worth,
And purify my faith from the filth of his doubts.

6. And my people know, O Buthaina, and her people,
My truthfulness in this discourse and its precision.

7. As for the slanderer wandering confusedly in calumny,
And the glory of the envious in my tough circumstances,

8. And the outstretched arm of the proud one, as if
Gesturing disdainfully at my exposure.

9. And the hurling of shooting stars from Kanaan's stars
At one eavesdropping, to bring about his ruin.

10. And the casting of enemy crowds, one after another,
With resolve that bloodies the fates with their havoc.

11. And your love that I've woven from my heart, O passionately obsessed,
Languishing with love, worn down in yearning for you.

12. It wrestles however much your necklace sheds tears,
And ends up emaciated, with longing like wire.

13. If I were one who approves of blameworthy traits,
And desires to slap the lowly and obey them,

14. I would have gained favors from them unmatched,
When the new moon of misfortune waxed at its peak.

15. But I have the forbearance of Ibn Qais and his shrewdness,
And the wisdom of Solomon and the pride of his kingdom.