ومعرِّضٍ بأبي المحاسنِ بعدَ ما

عثرَ الزمانُ به وغيَّرَ حالَهُ

After excelling, being lauded, and having

Time overthrow and change his state,

حسَدَ الفتَى لما تقاعسَ دونَهُ

وأبَى له قِصَرُ الزمانِ منالَهُ

The youth envied him when he fell behind

And time denied him what he sought.

قد قلتُ لمَّا سَلَّ فيه لسانَهُ

سَفَهاً وعارضَ بالمصونِ مُذالَهُ

When his tongue erred and spoke foolishly

And he opposed and slandered his protector,

مهلاً فقد أُوتيتَ بسطةَ جاههِ

وأجلَّ منه فما عشرتَ خِصالَهُ

I said: “Wait! You were given his broad generosity

And he is far nobler. You have not his traits-

هل عِبتَ إِن أنصفَت إِلّا أنه

طلبَ العَلاءَ وجدَّ فيه فنالَهُ

Do you blame him if you judge fairly, except that

He sought highness and attained it fully?

هلّا ذكرتَ له كرائمَ خِيمهِ

ونشرتَ عنه فعالَهُ ومقالَهُ

Why not recall his tent’s nobilities,

Proclaim his deeds and words, thereby extol him?

حذفَ الزمانُ فضولَ عيشٍ شاغلٍ

عنهُ وخلَّدَ مجدَهُ وفَعالَهُ

Time has removed the excess of a busy life

And perpetuated his glory and his acts,

فأبانَ عنه بُخلَهُ ونَوالَهُ

وأشاع فيه هَدْيَهُ وضلالَهُ

Exposing his stinginess and sensuality,

Spreading his guidance and his misguidance.

ما الدهرُ إِلّا عاطلٌ من بعدِه

ضاحي المُحَيَّا مذ أزاحَ ظِلالَهُ

After him time is but an idler, though

It was radiant when his shade gave shelter.”

ولعلَّهُ يوماً يُحِسُّ بقبْحِه

من بعدِه فيُعيدُ فيه جَمالَهُ

Perhaps one day it will rue its vileness

And give back to him his former beauty.