1. I sought to give thanks for what you did for me,
But fell short, though I am grateful.
١. سَعَيتُ اِبتِغاءَ الشُكرِ فيما صَنَعتَ لي
فَقَصَّرتُ مَغلوباً وَإِنّي لَشاكِرُ
2. For you bestow kindness on me spontaneously,
While I deemed that too much, so paltry.
٢. لأَنًّكَ توليني الجَميلَ بَداهَةً
وَأَنتَ لما اِستَكثُرتُ من ذاكَ حاقِرُ
3. So I return blessed, while you return
With the perfect attributes, first and last.
٣. فَأَرجِعُ مَغبوطاً وَتَرجِعُ بِالتّي
لَها أَوَّلٌ في المَكرُماتِ وَآخِرُ
4. And though I wrote a poem about you,
Your noble traits, glories and prides utter it.
٤. وَقَد قُلتُ شِعراً فيكَ لكِن تَقولُهُ
مَكارِمُ مَمّا تُبتَنى وَمفاخِرُ
5. Beyond the reach of those unable to grasp your attributes,
A different kind of poetry is intended by them.
٥. قَواصِرُ عَنها لَم تَحُط بِصِفاتِها
يُرادُ بِها ضَربٌ مِن الشِعرِ آخِرُ