1. What but a sword, that starts forth naked and rough,
Polished and keen, and no sword but will rust.
١. وَما الشِعرُ إِلّا السَيفُ يَنبو وَحَدُّهُ
حُسامٌ وَيَمضي وَهوَ لَيسَ بِذي حَدِّ
2. Were poets content with good deeds for their fare,
Those who toil and moil would be better off there.
٢. وَلَو كانَ بِالإِحسانِ يُرزَقُ شاعِرٌ
لَأَجدى الَّذي يُكدي وَأَكدى الَّذي يُجدي