وعدتَ فلما أن أردتُ نجاحَه

وعدتَ فلما أن أردتُ نجاحَه

رأيتُ مكانَ النجم ن ذاكَ أقربا

رأيتُ مكانَ النجم ن ذاكَ أقربا

You promised; then, when I sought its fulfillment,

You promised, but when I wanted its success

I found the star’s place nearer [than] that.

I saw in place of the star something closer

فلو كنتَ حراً ما مَطلتَ بموعدٍ

فلو كنتَ حراً ما مَطلتَ بموعدٍ

زهيدٍ ولو أنجزتَ كنت المهذبا

زهيدٍ ولو أنجزتَ كنت المهذبا

For had you been noble, you would not have stalled over a promise

If you were free, you would not be late with a

So trifling; and had you fulfilled it, you would have been well-bred.

Modest appointment, and if you fulfilled it, you would be the polished one