1. With autocracy, seeing none but himself
As grand, listening to no companion's words,
١. وَذِي جَبَرُوتٍ لا يَرَى غَيْرَ نَفْسِهِ
عَظِيماً وَلا يُصْغِي إِلى قَوْل مُصْحِبِ
2. I looked at him, and his roughness
Softened, and he yielded after aloofness.
٢. نَظَرْتُ إِلَيْهِ نَظْرَةً فَتَطامَنَتْ
غَوارِبُهُ وانْقادَ بَعْدَ التَّجَنُّبِ
3. Had I not seen his haughtiness,
I'd not have welcomed him, lacking kin and friends,
٣. وَمَا كُنْتُ لَوْلا أَنْ رَأَى كِبْرَ شَأْنِهِ
لأُصْدِرَهُ إِلَّا بِأَهْلٍ وَمَرْحَبِ
4. But I'm easy with who seeks my company,
And hard on the arrogant prisoner of pride.
٤. وَلَكِنَّنِي سَهْلٌ لِمَنْ رَامَ خُلَّتِي
وَصَعْبٌ عَلَى ذِي الْكِبْرِياءِ الْمُغَلَّبِ
5. Had ill fortune overpowered him,
He'd have wildly fled the people in the Maghrib,
٥. وَلَوْ أَنَّهُ اسْتَوْلَى عَلَيْهِ شَقَاؤُهُ
لَطَارَتْ بِهِ في الناسِ عَنْقَاءُ مُغْرِبِ
6. But he handed me his reins,
So I led him like a meek and refined steed.
٦. وَلَكِنَّهُ أَلْقَى إِلَيَّ زِمَامَهُ
فَسِرْتُ بِهِ سَيْرَ الذَّلُولِ الْمُهَذَّبِ
7. None rules but by his wisdom
Over his people, and forgiving each sinner.
٧. وَلَيْسَ يَسُودُ المَرْءُ إِلَّا بِحِلْمِهِ
عَلَى قَوْمِهِ وَالصَّفْحِ عَنْ كُلِّ مُذْنِبِ