إذا ما الصديق نبا ودُّه

إذا ما الصديق نبا ودُّه

فلا يكُ ودُّك بالمنقلب

فلا يكُ ودُّك بالمنقلب

If a friend's affection turns cold,

When a friend changes in his affection,

then do not let your affection turn away.

Do not change yours as prosperity doth change;

وعاتِبه لكن رويداً كما

وعاتِبه لكن رويداً كما

تعضُّ على الطفلِ عند اللعب

تعضُّ على الطفلِ عند اللعب

And reproach him, but gently, as

Reprove him gently, as one doth in play Beat a dear child, being disobeyed.

you would bite a child in play.