فلمَّا خَبَّراني أي

نَ وَقعُ الغَيثِ في المَحلِ

When they informed me where the rain was falling,

And directed me to be generous in giving,

ودُلاني عَلى بَذلِ الن

نَدى في زَمنِ البُخلِ

I hastened though my reason did not hasten with me,

If only man would strive to seek excellence, O excellent one.

فَسارَعتُ ولَم يُسرِع

مَعي من عَجَلي عَقلِي

The stance of your doorkeepers appeared narrow to me,

So judge me to a steep path,

وَليتَ المَرءَ يَسعى طَ

لَبَ الفَضلِ أبا الفَضلِ

By which you judge with justice.

You have spoken well,

بدَت وقفَةُ بوَّابكَ

لي في أضيَقِ السُّبلِ

As you do well in action.

It is not proper for the likes of you

فَحاكِمني إِلى نَجرٍ

بِه تَحكمُ بِالعَدلِ

To be veiled from the likes of me.

فَما أحسَنتَ في القَولِ

كَما تُحسِنُ في الفِعلِ

فَما الواجِبُ من مثلِكَ

أن يُحجَبَ عن مِثلِي