يقولون الموظف ذو يسارٍ

وأن الشح في رجل التجارة

They say the employee is so generous

And that the merchant is so stingy

لقد ظلموهما فإذا رأينا

الموظف في التقميش فالظهارة

They have wronged them both, for when we see

The employee in patched-up clothes in public

ضرورة مظهر حتم عليه

وباطنه تصليه الحرارة

It's a facade he's compelled to keep up

While poverty gnaws at him inside

وذلك إن يسر قذراً رأينا

خيال المال قد غطى القذارة

And that's because if he acts rich, we see

His fantasies have obscured the squalor

وقد عرف الموظف رزق شهرٍ

لشهرٍ لا يزيد عليه بارة

The employee knows the wage of a month

Doesn't increase, not even by a toenail

وذاق العلم والتمدين صرفاً

غنى النفس مصقول العبارة

And he has savored education and civilization

His soul refined, eloquent his speech

فهذا لو يجود فعن كفافٍ

وذاك يشح من خوف الخسارة

So if he gives, it's from his basic needs

While the other holds back, fearing loss