سأجمل نفسي عنك فعل مخفف

سأجمل نفسي عنك فعل مخفف

وابقي على ودي وشكر لساني

وابقي على ودي وشكر لساني

I shall graciously hold myself back from you, as one easing your burden,

I will adorn my soul with a gentle act

And preserve my affection and my tongue’s gratitude.

And keep my affection and my tongue’s thanks

تماطلني في حاجة لو بذلتها

تماطلني في حاجة لو بذلتها

وأكرمتني أكرمت غير مهان

وأكرمتني أكرمت غير مهان

You put me off over a request; had you granted it

Though you make excuses when asked a favor

And honored me, you would have honored one not abased.

Had you obliged me, you would have obliged one unhumiliated

وما أضيع المعروف إلا صنيعة

وما أضيع المعروف إلا صنيعة

يؤرخها شكري وفضل بياني

يؤرخها شكري وفضل بياني

And how kindness goes to waste—save for a favor

I never waste a good turn

That my gratitude and the excellence of my eloquence commemorate!

Except it be recorded in my thanks and my words' merit