أَلَيسَ مِنَ العَجائِبِ أَنَّ مِثلي

يُقامُ لِأَحمَدَ بنِ أَبي العَلاءِ

Is it not wondrous that one such as I

should, through his glory, be accorded honor among the people of eminence?

وَلي نَفسٌ أَبَت إِلّا اِرتِفاعاً

فَأَضحَت كَالسَماءِ عَلى السَماءِ

I have a soul that refused all but ascent;

and, sky-like, it aspired above the sky.

لَقَد غَضِبَ الزَمانُ عَلى أُناسٍ

فأَبلاهُم بِأَولادِ الزِناءِ

Time has indeed grown angry with certain people

and afflicted them with children born of fornication.