إذا خطب الفقير إلى فقير

إذا خطب الفقير إلى فقير

وصاحبه على وجه الإباحه

وصاحبه على وجه الإباحه

If a poor man makes overtures to another poor man,

If a poor man woos a poor woman

and befriends him on terms of unrestricted sharing,

And her companion permits it

وطالبه بإسقاط التكافي

وطالبه بإسقاط التكافي

فقد لبس الخبيث له سلاحه

فقد لبس الخبيث له سلاحه

and asks him to waive reciprocity,

And asks her to let go of formality

then the scoundrel has armed himself against him,

Then the wicked has clothed himself in arms

وقد طلب البوار بكل وجه

وقد طلب البوار بكل وجه

ولا سيما إذا بذل السماحه

ولا سيما إذا بذل السماحه

and has sought ruin by every means,

And has asked for ruin in every way

especially if he gives generously.

Especially if he shows generosity

وكيف يتمّ للمسكين فضل

وكيف يتمّ للمسكين فضل

ومطلبه التذلل والمناحه

ومطلبه التذلل والمناحه

And how can the poor wretch's merit be complete,

How can the destitute gain virtue

while his aim is abasement and lamentation?

When his request is for humility and pleading

فإن ضجرا لخلف أو لبؤس

فإن ضجرا لخلف أو لبؤس

فبين الضجرتين ترى الوقاحه

فبين الضجرتين ترى الوقاحه

If the two grow vexed over a broken promise or hardship,

If he's bothered by need or misery

then between the two vexations you see impudence.

Then between the two vexations you see shamelessness

وإن عقدا المودّة والتكافي

وإن عقدا المودّة والتكافي

وبالإنصاف كانت تلك راحه

وبالإنصاف كانت تلك راحه

But if the two pledge affection and reciprocity,

But if they make a pact of affection and reciprocity

and do so with fairness, that would bring ease.

And there is fairness, that would be comfort

وإلا فالتفرد والتداني

وإلا فالتفرد والتداني

إذا التقيا وينعمه صباحه

إذا التقيا وينعمه صباحه

Otherwise, let each keep to himself, drawing near

Otherwise, isolation and coming together

when they meet, and wishing the other a pleasant morning.

When they meet, may a morning bless them