أوهانيَ الواهي الضَّعيفُ

والفَتكُ من طَرفٍ طَريفُ

The weak coward has wronged me,

And the lethal blow comes from a gentle hand.

ما بالُهُم خافوا عَليه

من الضَّنى وهو المُخيفُ

Why did they fear for him,

From affection, yet he is frightening?

بخِلُوا فشَرُّ الناسِ عِن

دَهُم الطروقُ المُستَضيفُ

They were stingy, and among people the worst stingy,

Is he whose guest halls are frequented.

وولائدٍ لمعَت قَلا

ئِدُهن درٌّ والشنوفُ

And damsels whose jewelry shone,

Their necklaces were pearls and chrysolite.

وثغورُهنَّ لَها عَلى الد

دُرَّينِ إذ لمعا شُفوفُ

And their lips over ivory teeth,

When they smiled were ruby red.

هيَّفنَ عاشِقهنَّ فه

وَ وهُنَّ كَالأَغصانِ هيفُ

They entertained their lover,

While they were like tender branches.

وجمَعنَ مِن حَولي أُلو

فاً كلُّهُم صبُّ ألوفُ

And gathered around me thousands,

All of them pouring love.

فكأنَّها بِجَميعِ ما

تَهوى نقيبٌ أَو عَريفُ

It was as if with all she loves,

She was a leader or officer.

إِن كانَ أَقعَدَني الزَّما

نُ فَإنَّ أَخباري تَطوفُ

If time has made me stay put,

Still my tales roam about.

ويَحثُّني عَدمٌ عَلى

طلبٍ فيَمنَعُني العُزوفُ

And nothingness urges me,

To seek, but laziness prevents me.

ما كلُّ مَن يُدعى إِلى

شَرفٍ أَبو الفَضلِ الشَّريفُ

Not everyone called to nobility,

Abu Al Fadl the noble one,

يَلقَى الزَّمانَ مزاجُه

مثلُ الزمانِ لَه صُروفُ

Meets time with his own disposition,

Just as time has its own changes.

تَستَجلبُ العافي فإن لَم

يأتِها جعلَت تَسوفُ

It tries to bring good health, so if,

It does not come, it lingers.

ولِصاحِبِ البَيتِ المُني

فِ عَلَى العُلى خُلقٌ منيفُ

And the owner of the excellent home,

Has a noble character.

والناسُ في طُرقاتِهِ

من خَلفِه أبَداً خُلوفُ

And people in his avenues,

Follow behind him always.

حتَّى كأنَّ السالِكي

نَ وراءهُ فيها وقوفُ

As if those walking behind him

Just stand still.

جارٍ عَلى جَورِ الحكو

مَةِ في مكارِمِه عَسوفُ

Oppressing the oppression of the government,

In his magnanimity he is quick to help.

فكأنَّما عدَلَت أنا

مِلُه بِأَن صارَت تحيفُ

It is as if its injustices,

Have become, through him, virtuous.

أصبحتُ والدُّنيا صدودٌ

عَن مُواصَلتي صدوفُ

I woke up while the world,

Was aloof from my companionship.

ومَعي إليكَ هَدِيَّةٌ

ثقُلَت ومحملُها خَفيفُ

And I have for you a gift,

That was heavy, yet its carrier is light.

سَيارةٌ يَتغَيَّرُ ال

مَشتا عَلَيها والمصيفُ

A car that changes its pace,

When you drive it, and it is summer.