وَلَقَد عجبتُ لضاربٍ عوداً بلا

ذَنبٍ وَقارصِ أُذنهِ مجّانا

I was amazed by one striking a lute undeservedly,

And deafening his ear for nothing.

فكانما يَبغي بذلك حثَّهُ

لإِجادَةٍ من قبل أَن يَتوانى

It was as if he meant by that to urge it

To compose well before it fell slack,

وكانما يَبغي بذا إِفهامهُ

بالرمز أَنَّك تُطرِب الآذان

And as if he meant by that to inform it

By symbol that you ravish ears.