1. When I composed poetry praising
The eminent al-Buhari, exalted by his merit,

2. And made it like a pearl, assembled artfully,
Though my talent cannot equal its like,

3. They said, “You have cast a pearl before one who
Is not deserving of it, nor worthy of it.”

4. So I replied, “This pearl’s origin
Is the sea, and everything returns to its origin.”