أَوقَدتُ بَعدَ الهُدُوِّ ناراً

لَها عَلى الطارِقينَ عَينُ

After the stillness, I kindled a fire;

it had an eye upon those who came by night.

شَرارُها إِن عَلا نُضارٌ

لَكِنَّهُ إِن هَوى لُجَينُ

Its sparks, when they rose, were gold;

but when they fell, they were silver.

دَعَتهُم فَاِنثَنى إِلَيها

مُحِبُّهُم قُوَّةٌ وَأَينُ

It called them—then toward it turned

the one who loves them, in strength and weariness—

إِلى كَريمِ الفِعالِ سَمحٍ

عَطاؤُهُ لِلكَريمِ زَينُ

to a man noble in deed, open-handed.

His giving is an adornment to the noble.

يَقضي دُيونَ العُلا بِبَذلٍ

إِذ لَيسَ يُقضى لَهُنَّ دَينُ

He pays the debts of lofty virtues through largesse,

for no debt owed them is repaid.