كثرت تواليفي وما من قادرٍ

I have written prolifically, yet none is capable

Of my wakefulness, refinement, or production,

سهري وتنقيحي ولا إخراجي

Except a youth like me, though of what use is he

As long as he follows my path?

إلا فتى مثلي وما الجدوى به

The hands loathe to extend to him, though

If given, would lead to ascension.

ما دام سياراً على منهاجي

Literature whose wellspring produces useful waters—

The thirsty arts are sated by its gushing fount.

كره الأيادي أن تمد له على

If I had pursued my methods elsewhere

I’d have filled my coffers with ransoms of gold.

من ولو أدته للمعراج

A land in which the man of letters lives destitute—

His production from wealth and taxes.

أدب تفجر منه نبع نافعٌ

If one buys my book with a word

Of thanks, I say my harvest was honest.

عطشى الفنون بمائه الثجاج

لو في سوى مصر اتخذت مذاهبي

لملأت من ذهب الفدى أخراجي

بلد به يحيا الأديب مضيعاً

إنتاجه من ثروة وخراج

من يشتري مني الكتاب بلفظة

من شكره فأقول صح نتاجي