وليتَ قضاءً ولم تَعدِلِ

سَفاهاً وقلت فلم تفعلِ

If only you had been just and had not been unfair,

And had not acted foolishly when you said you would act wisely.

هجرتَ فأشمتَ بي الحاسدي

ن وأشفقت من عَذَل العُدَّل

You shunned me and gloated at my misfortune with the envious,

Yet I pitied the injustice of the judges.

لئن لم أباكر غداً قهوةً

تُصفَّق بالبارد السلسل

If I do not wake early tomorrow for coffee

That is cooled with ice chains,

مداماً إذا جار بي حكمها

ركبتُ على السَنَن الأعدل

And if, when its rule persists,

I do not ride the most just paths.

إذا ما انتشى الحُرُّ من كأسها

دعته إلى الخُلُق الأفضل

When the freeman tastes from her cup,

It calls him to the most virtuous nature.

ترى آخر القوم قد ألحقت

ه أيدي نداماه بالأوَّل

You see that she has joined

The hands of the last of the people in regret with the first.

يراح إلى الخير مُعتادها

فيعطي الجزيل ولم يُسأل

The accustomed of the people go to do good through her,

So he gives generously without being asked.

أديرا المدام ولا بدَّ لي

من السكر منها ولا عذر لي

Turn the wine-skin, O maid, and I have no choice

But to drink it and have no excuse.

وقد آذنونا بوقت الرحيل

فإن كنت تهوينني فارحلي

And we have been called to the time of departure,

So if you love me, depart.