مدحتكمُ مدحاً لو مدحتُ بمثله

مدحتكمُ مدحاً لو مدحتُ بمثله

حماراً لجازاني الحمار برحله

حماراً لجازاني الحمار برحله

I praised you so highly that, had I praised as highly

I praised you with praise, if I had praised

A donkey, the donkey would have rewarded me with its saddle.

A donkey with the like, the donkey would deserve its saddlecloth

ولكنّني أخطاتُ فيما فعلتهُ

ولكنّني أخطاتُ فيما فعلتهُ

وأسديتُ معروفاً إلى غير أهله

وأسديتُ معروفاً إلى غير أهله

But I erred in what I did,

But I have erred in what I did

And bestowed a kindness upon those unworthy of it.

And done a favor for one not worthy of it