كُنتُ أَذُمُّ اِبنَ مالِكٍ فَإِذا

ذاكَ سَماءٌ عِندَ اِبنِ نَيسانِ

I used to blame the son of Malik, but then

That one is a sky next to the son of Naysan

قَد قيلَ ما يَحمَدُ المُجَرِّ

بُ لِلأَوَّلِ حَتّى يُجَرِّبَ الثاني

It has been said, do not praise the beginner

Until you have tried the next

قَطَنتُ في آمِدٍ أُؤَمِّلُهُ

وَأَيُّ خَيرٍ في ظِلِّ قَطّانِ

I resided in hope which I wished for

And what good is there in the shadow of cotton