قام إلى كلبٍ له مثله

فلم يزل يعلوه بالسيفِ

He set upon a dog—the very image of himself,

and kept raining blows on it with his sword.

فقلت ما ذنب أخيك الذي

يقنع من زادك بالطيفِ

I said, “What sin has your brother committed—

he who is content with the mere shadow of your fare?”

فقال لي لا عفو عن ذنبه

حاف علينا أيما حيف

He told me, “His offense cannot be forgiven:

he has wronged us—what monstrous wrong!

صانعه الضيف بعظمٍ له

فنحن في ريب من الضيف

The guest bought him off with a bone,

so now we harbor doubts about the guest.”