رأيت فتى شكا ألماً قوياً

بمعصمه إلى آسٍ رشيدِ

I saw a young man complaining of great pain

In his wrist, leaning on a wise cane

فقلت له أداء أم جراح

وما أسباب ذا الكرب الشديدِ

I said to him, is it debt or wounds

And what is the cause of this severe distress

فقال لقيت ذا عهد ودوداً

فصافحني كجبار عنيد

He said I met a cordial friend

Who shook my hand like a stubborn giant

وهز يدي شديد الضغط حتى

حسبت بنانه قِطَعَ الحديد

And squeezed my hand with such force

I thought his fingers were made of iron

مصافحة أراها شر ذكرى

لملقاه ولست بمستعيد

A handshake I see as an ill memory

Of meeting him, I won't do it again

ولم يقصد بها غيظي ولكن

جرى فيها على النمط الجديد

He didn't intend to anger me but

He followed the newest custom and trend