أسرفت في بخسك حظ صاحب

أخف من ريحانة وأذكا

You went too far in denying a friend his due,

Lighter than a sprig of basil, and more fragrant.

يأنف أن يقبل من صاحبه

صنيعة أو يستفيد ملكا

He disdains to accept from his friend

A favor, or to acquire property.

أنكرت حراً بات طول ليله

يكثر في العيب الجدال عنكما

You slighted a noble man who spent his whole night

Arguing at length against reproach in defense of you both,

ورد عنك حاسدا بغيظه

حمية لا للجزاء منكا

And drove an envious man away from you, still in his rage,

Out of protective zeal, not for reward from you.

ناداك للتسليم وهو في غنا

فاخترت في رد السلام التركا

He called to greet you, though he needed nothing;

So you chose not to return the greeting.

ما هذه والله في موضعها

فيها عليك العار حين تحكى

This, by God, is not fitting;

It brings shame upon you when it is recounted.

ما كان لي سوى السلام حاجة

لا والذي أضحك ثم أبكى

I wanted nothing but a greeting—

No, by Him who caused laughter, then weeping.