1. I complain to God of what I have suffered from gloom
And from my ill luck in the darkness when it envelops

2. Stretching a porch, while the stars are as though
Nails in a roof for it that have come unstuck

3. My anxiety grows long when I have kept company
With a group who indeed have taken the path of blame as a course

4. And kindled a fire in the thickets, unlike their promise,
So from this or that I have not met one weaker or more feverish

5. No garden of wishes has blossomed from their virtue
And the wall of hope has been demolished by their virtues

6. So, eye, do not weep, and be shorter in sorrow
And heart, do not grieve, so you lack prudence,

7. And my friend, I have met only brutes,
So do not blame me if I go slaughtering them angrily

8. Nor restrain my verse from pursuing their angry abuse
For the word of truth has always been most upright and direct

9. And curb a tongue that has flowed in praising them
Even if that praise has always been most flowing and streaming

10. And never hope for their door to open when it opens
Even if that door has never ceased creaking

11. And let them not boast in the joy of their singing
For I have seen truth more wonderful and joyous

12. No shortcoming in them but their excessive stinginess
For they do not stint the generous deeds at all

13. And of what has pained me is that I have come to be among them
Remaining while I meet no relief from the constriction

14. I will gather in censuring the time and censuring them
As my father Abu Jad gathered up the letters for his ink

15. And I have a right that, if time were favorable
I would avoid them, finding the paths of deliverance,

16. And travel, but my steed is the darkness,
Which I mount, but made of its thickets a litter

17. I am not lacking in resolve or purpose,
So, O Lord, fulfill for me the hope in Your mercy,

18. And bless the best of creation, whatever mortal may complain
Of a loyal friend with the fire of meanness in enmity or heat