وكم من أخ يستغرق الودّ لفظه

وكم من أخ يستغرق الودّ لفظه

مكاشرة يختصّ بي وأجاملُه

مكاشرة يختصّ بي وأجاملُه

And many a friend whose words brim with affection

How many a brother whose affectionate words

Singles me out for a show of smiles, while I treat him courteously.

Engross me, associating with me, and I oblige him,

لبست له ثوب الوداد خلابة

لبست له ثوب الوداد خلابة

تواصلني ألفاظُه وأواصلُه

تواصلني ألفاظُه وأواصلُه

I donned the robe of affection for him, in pretense;

I wore for him the robe of affection wittily,

His words keep ties with me, and I keep ties with him.

His words keep contact with me and I keep contact with him,

وما ضرّ كاسي وجهه زعفرانة

وما ضرّ كاسي وجهه زعفرانة

إذا سلمت أعضاؤه ومفاضله

إذا سلمت أعضاؤه ومفاضله

And saffron does not harm the man who cloaks his face in it,

And no harm from one who dyes his face with saffron,

If his limbs and his virtues remain sound.

If his limbs are safe and his virtues excel.