1. Poetry is the glory of man, unless it be
A vehicle for flattery or blame.
١. الشِّعْرُ زَيْنُ الْمَرْءِ مَا لَمْ يَكُنْ
وَسِيلَةً لِلْمَدْحِ وَالذَّامِ
2. Full oft a clan is honored by a verse,
While other times a people it defames.
٢. قَدْ طَالَمَا عَزَّ بِهِ مَعْشَرٌ
وَرُبَّمَا أَزْرَى بِأَقْوَامِ
3. So make of it whate'er you will - be it
Wisdom, counsel, virtues to acclaim,
٣. فَاجْعَلْهُ فِيمَا شِئْتَ مِنْ حِكْمَةٍ
أَوْ عِظَةٍ أَوْ حَسَبٍ نَامِي
4. And aim your words before you loose your tongue,
For arrows bear the marks of whence they came.
٤. وَاهْتِفْ بِهِ مِنْ قَبْلِ إِطْلاقِهِ
فَالسَّهْمُ مَنْسُوبٌ إِلَى الرَّامِي