Sol 5.6

  1. I praised Ibn al-Faddagh in my verse,

    But in praising him, the composition failed.

  2. I came to him as daylight withdrew

    And darkness was about to descend.

  3. My arrival then displeased him,

    As though death itself had come to him.

  4. I remained in his house a long while:

    Not a word, not even a greeting.

  5. He deliberately slighted me, turning away—

    Is this how noble men behave?

  6. When we saw him with downcast eyes,

    And no smile appeared from him for me,

  7. I tore up the pages of my poetry as I rose,

    And was glad to rise and leave them.

  8. Whoever wears a scowling face toward me,

    It is forbidden for me to honor him.

  9. I expect no bounty from a miser,

    Even if the rain clouds were held in his palm.

  10. For though he were like the sea, its water is salt:

    No thirsting man would be quenched by its water.

  11. He thought my tongue was blunt, then,

    Not knowing that it was a sword.

  12. I neither flatter nor engage in false dispute,

    And no sins lie upon my conscience.

  13. So do not blame me for what I did;

    The blame for that lies with you.

Sol 5.6