لم تغن عن هفوات النفس آداب

مهما سمت فلها سلب وإيجاب

Good manners have not warded off the soul's lapses;

however lofty it grows, it still has faults and merits.

كل ابن آدم خطاء وخيرهم

التائبون ورب العرش تواب

Every son of Adam is prone to error, and the best of them

are those who repent; the Lord of the Throne ever accepts repentance.

إن كان ساءك منا هفوة بدرت

فإن صدرك يا ذا الحلم مرحاب

If a lapse that slipped from us has offended you,

then your breast, O man of forbearance, is broad and welcoming.

فلا تؤاخذ محبا ما تعمد في

لفظ يسيء وللزلات أسباب

So do not reproach one who loves you, who intended no harm in

a hurtful word; lapses have their causes.

قد بات والهم يطويه وينشره

وما استقرت له بالنوم أهداب

He has spent the night with worry folding and unfolding him,

and his lashes have found no rest in sleep.

لنا حقيقة نفس من خلائقه

صفو الضمير وفيها الشهد والصاب

We have an inner nature, among whose traits

is purity of conscience; within it are honey and bitter sap.

وأننا فوق هذا كله بشر

ننسى ونخطئ والناجون من تابوا

And above all this, we are human:

we forget and err, and those who repent are saved.

أبا محمد يا شهما نكن له

محض الوداد كماء النهر ينساب

O Abu Muhammad, noble man for whom we cherish

pure affection, flowing like the river's water.

ويا أعز صديق لا نظير له

في ناظري ولا أهل وأحباب

And O dearest friend, who has no equal

in my eyes, not even among kin and loved ones.

ملء القلوب لكم أسمى مودتن

وما إخالك في ذا الود ترتاب

Our hearts brim with the noblest affection for you,

and I do not think you doubt this affection.

فاغفر عليك سلام الله هفوتن

ففي الضمير لكم روض وأطياب

So forgive our lapse—may God's peace be upon you—

for in our hearts are a garden and sweet fragrances for you.