وَلَقد بَعَثتُ مِن الكَلامِ قَوافياً
تَحوِي مِن السحرِ الحلالِ بَدائِعا
Indeed, I have sent forth verses wrought of speech,
containing marvels of enchantment, innocent and lawful.
نادَت عَصِيّاً لِلمَقالَةِ صَعبَها
فَأَجابَها سَهلُ المَقادَةِ طائِعا
They summoned what was stubborn and difficult to express,
and what was tractable answered them obediently—
جَوابَةً يَعنى الرُواةُ بِحفظِها
فَتهزُّ ذا إِنشادِها وَالسامِعا
far-ranging verses that transmitters take care to preserve,
stirring both the one who recites them and the listener.
وَتَوَدُّ الحاظٌ للذَّةِ سَمعِها
مِن غيرَةٍ أَن لَو خُلِقنَ مَسامِعا
Even glances wish, for the delight of hearing them—
out of jealousy—if only they had been created ears.
نَقَر البِلادَ فَيَستَوي في سَمعِها
ما كانَ مِنها دانياً أَو شاسِعا
They roam the lands, so that in hearing them are equal
all places, whether near or far.
Sol 5.6