رأيت قوما في ذرى مسجد

خصّوا بأموال وإقبال

I saw some people in the lofty reaches of a mosque,

Favored with riches and good fortune.

سلمت كالرسم فما سلوا

فأوضعتني رقّة الحال

I offered the customary greeting, but they did not inquire;

Thus my straitened circumstances brought me low.

وجاء بعدي رجلٌ موسر

فسلّم المال على المال

And after me came a wealthy man,

So wealth greeted wealth.