دَعاني أَميري كَي أَفوهَ بِحاجَتي

دَعاني أَميري كَي أَفوهَ بِحاجَتي

فَقُلتُ فَما رَدَّ الجَوابَ وَما استَمَع

فَقُلتُ فَما رَدَّ الجَوابَ وَما استَمَع

My emir summoned me to give voice to my need;

My emir summoned me to speak of my need.

I spoke, but he gave no answer and did not listen.

So I spoke, but he gave no answer and did not listen.

فَقُلتُ وَلَم أَحسُس بِشيءٍ وَلَم أَصُن

فَقُلتُ وَلَم أَحسُس بِشيءٍ وَلَم أَصُن

كَلامي وَخيرُ القَولِ ما صينَ أَو نَفع

كَلامي وَخيرُ القَولِ ما صينَ أَو نَفع

I spoke, sensing nothing in response, and did not keep back

So I spoke, yet sensed nothing, and did not guard

my words—yet the best speech is what is withheld or brings benefit.

my words; the best speech is what is kept back or proves useful.

فَأَجمَعتُ يَأساً لا لُبانَةَ بَعده

فَأَجمَعتُ يَأساً لا لُبانَةَ بَعده

وَلَليأسُ أَدنى لِلعَفافِ مِنَ الطَمَع

وَلَليأسُ أَدنى لِلعَفافِ مِنَ الطَمَع

So I resolved on despair, with no desire remaining after it;

So I resolved to abandon hope, with no desire thereafter.

for despair is closer to self-respect than covetous hope.

And indeed, abandoning hope is nearer to self-restraint than greed.