قالوا هجاك أبو حفصٍ فقلت لهم

قالوا هجاك أبو حفصٍ فقلت لهم

استبطأتْ هامةُ الصَّفْعان عادتَها

استبطأتْ هامةُ الصَّفْعان عادتَها

They said, “Abu Hafs has lampooned you.” I told them:

They said, “Abu Hafs has lampooned you,” so I told them:

“That slap-target’s pate has found its usual treatment overdue.

The oft-slapped man's pate has grown impatient for its usual treatment.

فأبلغوها سلامي لا عدمتُكُمُ

فأبلغوها سلامي لا عدمتُكُمُ

واستنظِروها سأعطيها إرادتَها

واستنظِروها سأعطيها إرادتَها

Convey my greetings to it—may I never lose you—

So convey my greetings to it—may I never lose you—

and bid it wait; I shall give it what it wants.

And ask it for time; I shall give it what it wants.

لو لا النبيذ وأشغالٌ شُغلتُ بها

لو لا النبيذ وأشغالٌ شُغلتُ بها

إذن لمَا أغفلتْ كفِّي عيادتها

إذن لمَا أغفلتْ كفِّي عيادتها

Were it not for wine and the cares that keep me occupied,

Were it not for wine and tasks that kept me busy,

I would not have let my palm neglect visiting it.

Then my palm would not have neglected to visit it.

إني أرى خُوذة الصفعان قد صَدئت

إني أرى خُوذة الصفعان قد صَدئت

ترفَّقوا سوف أعطيكُمْ جُرادتها

ترفَّقوا سوف أعطيكُمْ جُرادتها

I see the slap-target’s helmet has grown rusty.

Indeed, I see the oft-slapped man's helmet has already rusted.

Easy now—I’ll soon give you its scrapings.”

Have patience; I shall give you its scrapings.