وما أنا إلا عالم كلَّ عالم

وما أنا إلا عالم كلَّ عالم

ففي الشعر حسّان وفي الفقه مالك

ففي الشعر حسّان وفي الفقه مالك

I am but a scholar versed in every realm.

I am but a scholar, learned in every field

For in poetry I am Hassan, and in jurisprudence, Malik.

In poetry, Hassân; in jurisprudence, Mâlik

ومملكة الآداب عندي كلها

ومملكة الآداب عندي كلها

وما تستوي عند الملوك الممالك

وما تستوي عند الملوك الممالك

The kingdom of letters is entirely in my keeping.

The kingdom of literature is entirely mine

And kingdoms are not equal in the eyes of kings.

Yet kingdoms are not equal in the eyes of kings

أنخل أشعاري بمنخل حكمتي

أنخل أشعاري بمنخل حكمتي

وأعجنها بالنظم وهي درامك

وأعجنها بالنظم وهي درامك

I sift my verses through the sieve of my wisdom.

I sift my verses through the sieve of my wisdom

And knead them with versecraft, fine white flour that they are.

And knead them into poetry while they are dough

ويسرقها غيري ويأكل حرّها

ويسرقها غيري ويأكل حرّها

ويرمى به في الأرض وهي مراوك

ويرمى به في الأرض وهي مراوك

Another steals them and eats their choicest part.

Others will steal them and enjoy their freedom

And he is flung to the ground, while they are grinding stones.

Tossing them on the ground though they are jewels