1. I wrote, my lord, a book
That meadow and pond would envy,
١. كتبت يا سَيِّدي كِتاباً
يَحسدهُ الروضُ وَالغَديرُ
2. But in inking it with ink
Its polish was made ugly.
٢. لكِنَّ تحبيرَه بحبرٍ
أَنكَرَه رَقُهُ الحَبيرُ
3. So it turned from it to a pen
Whose little leaves much sway,
٣. فَعَدَّ عَنهُ إِلى دَواةٍ
قَليلُ تَأثيرها كَثيرُ
4. And take my pen without obligation -
Perchance the adviser may pay.
٤. وَخُذ دواتي بِلا اِمتِنانٍ
فَرُبَّما يغرَمُ المشيرُ