عَلام الدر يا غَواص غالي

فَبعه بِما يُسام وَلا تُبالي

Why pearl diver persist, though gems cost dear?

Sell at good price nor feel the least fear.

لَقَد جادَ الاِلهُ لَنا بِبَحر

يَجودُ بدره قَبلَ السُؤال

God has endowed us with a sea that pours

Its pearls unasked, aye, and before the prayer.

يَميناً بِالسيراعِ لَقَد غَنينا

بِمَنطِقَة الشَهى عَنِ اللآلي

We've filled our mouths with the words that please,

And left mere prating to the prattlers there.

أَرانا مِن بَدائِعِهِ عُقوداً

وَأَطلَعنا عَلى السِحر الحَلال

Strange forms and subtleties God gave us free,

And lawful magic all, beyond compare.

لَهُ قَصب السِباق اِذا تَجارى

مَعَ البَلغاءِ في هذا المَجال

None can contend with us in eloquent art

If we in this domain our minds apply.

لَعُمري ما الفُرسانِ القَوافي

لَحاق اِن ذاكَ مِنَ المُحال

Though racers strive, no steeds could keep our pace

In genius - ours a thing impossible.

يَرى المَجدَ الَّذي عَزاقَتناء

فَيوقِن أَنَّهُ سَهل المَنال

He sees the glory which our minds have won

And knows ours is the royal road and goal.

ثَننى عَنِ الهَوى نياه عَنانا

وَمال بِعَزمِهِ نَحوَ المَعالي

He turns his rein away from passion's course

And rides toward the heights - the highest soul.

يَجل مَقامَهُ الاِسمى وَيَأبى

عَلاهُ أَن يُحيطَ بِهِ مَقالي

Too high his rank for my poor words' poor reach.

His glory mocks the utmost of my toll.