غلامٌ جاءني وأراد منّي

غلامٌ جاءني وأراد منّي

أعلّمهُ الكتابة والشطوار

أعلّمهُ الكتابة والشطوار

A boy came to me, asking me

A young man came to me and wanted me

to teach him writing and calligraphic scripts.

to teach him writing and al-shaṭwār [unclear term].

ووافقني على أجرٍ يسير

ووافقني على أجرٍ يسير

أبيع به مع العقل الكثيرا

أبيع به مع العقل الكثيرا

He agreed with me on a paltry fee,

And he agreed with me on a small fee,

for which I would sell my abundant intellect as well.

for which I sell much, along with my intellect.

فقلت وما معاشك قال إني

فقلت وما معاشك قال إني

أحوك فقلت تبليني عذيرا

أحوك فقلت تبليني عذيرا

I asked, “And what is your trade?” He said, “I

I said, “And what is your livelihood?” He said, “I

weave.” I said, “You will find me excused:

weave.” I said, “You wear me out—who will excuse me?

أعلّم حائكا وأبيع عقلي

أعلّم حائكا وأبيع عقلي

وأخذ نائلا نزرا يسيرا

وأخذ نائلا نزرا يسيرا

am I to teach him—a weaver—and sell my mind,

Am I to teach a weaver and sell my intellect,

and take a reward so scant and small?”

and take a scant, paltry payment?”