ولقد نظمت الشعر شيمة معشر

ولقد نظمت الشعر شيمة معشر

قالوا فصانوا فيه عز حجابه

قالوا فصانوا فيه عز حجابه

And indeed I have composed poetry in the tradition of a people

I composed poetry, an attribute of my companions,

Who spoke and thus preserved within it the honor of its veil.

They spoke elegantly, their dignity veiled.

ما قلته إلا فكاهة ناطق

ما قلته إلا فكاهة ناطق

يهدي بلاغة منطق بخطابه

يهدي بلاغة منطق بخطابه

I uttered it only as a speaker’s pleasantry,

I said nothing but amusing words,

Who offers eloquence of expression through his speech.

His eloquence guides meaningful speech.

ما ضرني أدبي وحسن تعلمي

ما ضرني أدبي وحسن تعلمي

إلا بكوني زهر لب لبابه

إلا بكوني زهر لب لبابه

My refinement and the excellence of my learning have not harmed me,

My education and learning did not harm me,

Except in my being the blossom of the core of its essence.

Except that I am a flower plucked in its prime.

بل صولتي في راحتي وتفرسي

بل صولتي في راحتي وتفرسي

في حسن ما أسعى لخير مآبه

في حسن ما أسعى لخير مآبه

Rather, my prowess lies in my palm, and my discernment

Rather my wanderings at ease and my perception

In the goodness of that for whose best outcome I strive.

Of the beauty I strive for in good pursuits.