عنا لي من زماني ما اريج

عنا لي من زماني ما اريج

واسعدني بجدواه سعيد

واسعدني بجدواه سعيد

What I desired appeared to me from my time [final word uncertain].

Long have I lived without fragrance or scent,

And Sa‘id gladdened me with his bounty.

yet your friendship has made me joyful and content.

بعيد الصيت داني العرف ما ان

بعيد الصيت داني العرف ما ان

بريم الدهر بجدي او يجيد

بريم الدهر بجدي او يجيد

Far-famed, with kindness close at hand, he never

My reputation is far and wide, though I am unknown,

ceases, throughout time, to help or give generously [wording uncertain].

I have not achieved glory through effort or study.

درى حالي فوافاني بآس

درى حالي فوافاني بآس

نطاسي كما طبّ الودود

نطاسي كما طبّ الودود

He knew my condition and came to me with a healer,

You know my state, so comfort me in my sorrow,

an expert physician, healing as a loving friend does.

heal my wounds as a loving friend would.

ساشكر ما حييت يدا حباني

ساشكر ما حييت يدا حباني

بها فبمدحها يحيي القصيد

بها فبمدحها يحيي القصيد

As long as I live, I shall thank the hand he favored me

As long as I live, I will thank the hand that blessed me,

with; for its praise brings poetry to life.

and praise it so that poetry comes alive.

كذلك صنع آباء كرام

كذلك صنع آباء كرام

له من قبله وكذا الجدود

له من قبله وكذا الجدود

Thus acted noble fathers

So too did noble fathers before me,

of his before him, and likewise his forefathers.

and their forefathers from long ago.

اذا كان الصديق كريم اصل

اذا كان الصديق كريم اصل

وفي لك وهو دان او بعيد

وفي لك وهو دان او بعيد

If a friend is of noble stock,

If a friend is generous by nature,

he keeps faith with you, whether near or far.

be loyal though he is close or far.