1. I denigrated merit for a long time though it was with me
A slanderer, as the questioner claimed
١. هَجَوتُ الفَضلَ دَهراً وَهوَ عِندي
رَقاشِيٌّ كَما زَعَمَ المَسولُ
2. So when merit was asked about the slanderer
To know what she says and what he says
٢. فَلَمّا سوئِلَت عَنهُ رَقاشٌ
لِنَعلَمَ ما تَقولُ وَما يَقولُ
3. And when we referred her to him
So she knows what is said and what we say
٣. وَلَمّا أَن نَصَصناهُ إِلَيها
لِتَعلَمَ ما يُقالُ وَما نَقولُ
4. We found merit more generous than the slanderer
Because merit's master is the Messenger
٤. وَجَدنا الفَضلَ أَكرَمَ مِن رَقاشٍ
لِأَنَّ الفَضلَ مَولاهُ الرَسولُ