1. O you who tomorrow races towards the finish line
Leave me be, I gift you this riddle
١. أيا من غدا في اللُّغز سبّاقَ غاية
فغادرني أهدي إليه الأحاجيا
2. For it is not a three-letter name of chatting friends
Made of ten and wrapped in eight
٢. فما اسمٌ ثلاثي شرود موانس
تركَّبَ من عشرٍ ويلفي ثمانيا
3. I clung to it until its bells rang
And I became lost in its unique wonders
٣. تعلقْتُه حتى وردت نميره
وأصبحتُ منه بالفرائد حاليا
4. Had I been in the time of Ibn Hamdan alive
I would have left its secret as a bare witness
٤. فلو كنتُ في عهد ابن حمدان ماثلاً
لغادر زندي منه بالحدِّ واريا
5. And went when Ibn Maymun recited saying
I hurry with it towards the skillful abodes
٥. ورحتُ لما قال ابنُ ميمون منشداً
أَحثُّ به نَحْوَ الديارِ المهاريا
6. He called me, brought me near and honored my gathering
Welcoming me, choosing me, and drawing me close
٦. دعاني فأدناني وقرَّبَ مَجْلسي
ورَّحبَ بي وانتاشني واصطفانيا
7. Answer the orphan who died among people without kin
His blood spilled in the valleys of literature, singularly Yemeni
٧. أجب عن يتيمٍ ماتَ في الناس أهلهُ
ودُم في ذُرى الآدابِ فَرْداً يمانيا