أَصُدُّ صُدودَ اِمرِئٍ مُجمِلٍ

إِذا حالَ ذو الوُدِّ عَن حالِهِ

I block the way of the one who turns from me,

When my close friend changes his attitude.

وَلَستُ بِمُستَعتِبٍ صاحِباً

إِذا جَعَلَ الهَجرَ مِن بالِهِ

And I do not reproach a companion,

When he makes estrangement his mindset.

وَلَكِنَّني صارِمٌ حَبلَهُ

وَذَلِكَ فِعلي بِأَمثالِهِ

But I do sever ties with him,

That is my way with the likes of him.

وَمَهما أَدَلَّ بِحَقٍّ لَهُ

عَرَفتُ لَهُ حَقَّ إِدلالِهِ

And however much he argues his right,

I recognize for him the right to argue.

وَإِنّي عَلى كُلِّ حالٍ لَهُ

مِنِ اِدبارِ وُدٍّ وَإِقبالِهِ

Yet in any case for him,

Whether affection cools or is rekindled,

لَراعٍ لِأَحسَنِ ما بَينَنا

بِحِفظِ الإِخاءِ وَإِجلالِهِ

I am careful for the best between us,

By preserving brotherhood and its dignity.