1. Trade has burdened us
With constant travel to Najir
١. لَحَا اللهُ التَّجَارَةَ كَلَّفَتنَا
بإِدمَانِ المَسِيرِ إِلى نَجِيرِ
2. And showing affection to him though
He harbors evil in his conscience
٢. وإظهَارِ الودَادِ لَهُ عَلَى مَا
أجَىَّ مِنَ الخَبَائِثِ في الضَّمِيرِ
3. When we meet him, he greets us with a
Frowning, disgusted, bitter face
٣. نُوَافِيهِ فَليَقَانَا بِوَجهٍ
عَبُوسٍ مُشمَئِزٍّ قَمطَرِيرِ
4. He is steeped in humiliation
Dragging in stance and gait
٤. عَلَيهِ مِنَ المَذَلَّةِ سَابِغَاتٌ
تُجَرَّرُ في المُقَامِ وفي المَسِيرِ
5. His appearance hurts us at first
And his bitter speech wounds us too
٥. فَيُؤذِينا بِمَنظَرِهِ ابتِداءً
وَيُؤذِينا بِمَنطِقِهِ المَريرِ
6. And whenever he opens his mouth
It's as if we're at the edge of hell
٦. ومَهمَا فَاهَ فَاحَ النَّتنُ حتى
كَأنَّا عِندَ حَاشِيَةِ السَّعِيرِ
7. If we state our needs, he turns
To endless, screeching obstinacy
٧. وإن قُلنَا حَوَائِجَنَا تَصَدَّى
إِلَى سَعلاَءَ دَائِمَةِ الهَرِيرِ
8. Honor and dignity are shunned
And impropriety embraced in silk
٨. تَجَلَّلَتِ المَخَازِىَ والمَسَاوي
وَجَنَّبَتِ التَّرَدِّىَ بالحَرِيرِ
9. Cursed is the face of the advisor
And cursed is the face of the seeker
٩. فَقُبِّحَ وَوجَهُهَا مِن مُستَشَارِ
وقًُبَّحَ وَجهُهُ مِن مُستَشِيرِ
10. Who tries to suggest to him
A way to avoid all good and honor
١٠. يُحَاوِلُ أَن تُشِيرَ لَهُ بِرَأيٍِ
يُجَنِّبُ كُلَّ مَكرُمَةٍ وخِيرِ
11. And so he is led to a contemptible view
And how often has the like been led to the like
١١. فَتَحمِلَهُ عَلَآ رَأىٍ حَقِيرٍ
وكَم حُمِلَ النَّظِيرُ عَلَى النَّظِيرِ