أرى منكَ طولَ الدَّهرِ إقبالَ قابِلٍ

أرى منكَ طولَ الدَّهرِ إقبالَ قابِلٍ

ومِن بَعدِها إعراضُ ضّدٍّ مُقابِلِ

ومِن بَعدِها إعراضُ ضّدٍّ مُقابِلِ

Throughout the years, I see you approach in welcome,

I see in you a long life of favor coming towards me

then turn away like an opposing foe.

And after it estrangement of an opposing adversity

وتُظهِرُ وُدِّي ثم تَرمي مقاتِلي

وتُظهِرُ وُدِّي ثم تَرمي مقاتِلي

بسَهمِ اغتيابٍ دوَنهُ سَهمُ نابِلِ

بسَهمِ اغتيابٍ دوَنهُ سَهمُ نابِلِ

You show me affection, then shoot at my vital parts

You show me affection then throw spears at me

with an arrow of backbiting, beside which an archer’s arrow falls short.

With arrows of backbiting, less effective than a skilled archer's

فأقلِلْ مَعابي إنْ أردْتَ مودَّتي

فأقلِلْ مَعابي إنْ أردْتَ مودَّتي

وأنصِفْ ولا تَنصِبْ حِبالَةَ حابِلِ

وأنصِفْ ولا تَنصِبْ حِبالَةَ حابِلِ

So speak less of my faults if you desire my affection,

So reduce my faults if you want my love

and be fair; do not set a trapper’s snare.

And be fair, do not set up the ropes of a blamer

فسِيَّانِ رامٍ قاصِدٌ بالمعابِلِ

فسِيَّانِ رامٍ قاصِدٌ بالمعابِلِ

وآخرَ زارٍ قاصِدٌ بالمعابِ لي

وآخرَ زارٍ قاصِدٌ بالمعابِ لي

For alike are an archer taking aim with broad-headed arrows

One who finds fault, with the intention of retaliation

and another—a detractor—aiming reproaches at me.

And the other who visits me, with the intention of finding my faults