1. O most excellent of the age in every art
And leader of prose in every era

2. A shooting star, not like the seven stars
In the height of glory and honor

3. Towards your right side I have turned
Not for the sake of Zayd or Amr, by my life

4. And except for poetry, I see no craft for myself
I wonder, will it be beneficial? If only I knew!

5. So bestow upon me, my Master, either wealth
Or good health, for poverty has burnt my back

6. It is no shame for the literary man if he
Exchanges verse for prose

7. But it is shameful to sell the like for the like
And even more to sell poetry for poetry

8. My Lord, for my lateness today, here is an excuse
Passion, I cannot bear it, and that is my excuse

9. That it came in its beauty to rival the full moon
I have not forgotten your memory among mankind

10. Do not be forgetful of your right over my memory
And if you bestow favor upon me

11. Then it is fitting, if I bestow my gratitude upon you
So remain an ocean, abundant in generosity, whose pearls

12. Are guided to every throat
No equivalent has adorned the excellent

13. Or brought its perfume to the finest scattering