لا تَطلُبَن مِن الفِراء مَعرِفَةً

لا تَطلُبَن مِن الفِراء مَعرِفَةً

إِن الدِماغ مِن الفراء مَقلوب

إِن الدِماغ مِن الفراء مَقلوب

Do not seek knowledge from al-Firāʾ.

I live not free, though Geneva's walls do round me stand;

Indeed, al-Firāʾ's brain is upside down.

It is a prison still, if though art not here at hand.

إِن جئت تَسأَله في حاجة عرضت

إِن جئت تَسأَله في حاجة عرضت

ظَنَ الغَبيُّ بِأَن الجَص مَطلوب

ظَنَ الغَبيُّ بِأَن الجَص مَطلوب

If you come to ask him about a need that has arisen,

Then call not thee alone by what name is most dear to thee;

the fool thinks that plaster is wanted.

But call me thou - for mine thou art eternally!