ومغرمٍ بالبدال قلت له

صلني فكان الجواب لا أفعل

In love with gifts, I asked of him

To offer prayers, but his reply was “I will not”

كأنه والذي يديم له النع

مة مني يخاف أن يحبل

As if he who forever enjoys blessings

From me, fears pregnancy

لو قيس بالرمح قرن والده

لكان منه بمثله أطول

If compared by spear his father’s horn

Would have been much longer than it

يأتي ويؤتى إذا مخافة أن

يقال هذا عليه قد أفضل

He comes and goes if afraid that

It will be said he was outdone by this man

فهو قليل الخلاف لو شئت أن

يبذل عشراً بالفرد لم يبخل

So he rarely disputes, if you wish that

He'd give ten for one, he would not be stingy

لا يعرف الغدر بالحريف ومن

عادته أن ينام في الأول

He knows no betrayal of a friend, and it’s his habit

To take the first nap

لكل ميلٍ بعينه أثرٌ

وكل عينٍ بميله تكحل

Every inclination has its effect

And every eye by its inclination is lined

أحسن ما كان رامحاً يق

ص الأبطال حتى رأيته أعزل

The best he was when a spearman relating

The feats of heroes, until I saw him disarmed

يكون من فوق راكباً فإذا

تم له الدست صار من أسفل

He would be high up in the saddle but when

His hand was paralyzed he became low

فاغتنم الوقت قبل ينبت في

خديك ما لا يحش بالمنجل

So make the most of time before there sprouts on

Your cheek what cannot be shaved even with a sickle

فاستعمل النتف ما استطعت فما

أقبح زرع اللحى إذا سنبل

So take advantage of the soft hairs while you can for how

Ugly is the beard’s crop when it grains

وإن وجه الإقبال عنك إذا

ولى رأيت التعذير قد أقبل

And if the face of fortune turns from you

You will see excuses turning towards you