1. And short you see it above the mound
So you see it as if in its absence
١. وقصير تراه فوق يَفاعٍ
فتراهُ كأنهُ في غَيَابَهْ
2. Fate's hand did not leave its vessel until
It suppressed its height and youth
٢. لم تدعْ قَفْدَهُ يدُ الدهر حتى
قَمَعَتْ فيه طُولَهُ وشبابَهْ
3. And it smoothed its head nicely so it became
Visible from the palace what covers its cup
٣. وجَلتْ رأسَهُ نِعمّا فأضحى
بارزَ الصرحِ ما يُوارى صُؤابَهْ
4. O Abu Hafs whom fate was aware of the arena of his head so it chose it
The time was graceful in making you a slap
٤. يا أبا حفصٍ الذي فَطِنَ الدهْـ
ـرُ لميدان رأسهِ فاستطابَهْ
5. And I did not leave it graceful in joking
٥. ظَرُف الدهرُ في اتخاذك صَفْعا
ناً وما خلْتُهُ ظريفَ الدُّعابَهْ