وَمُنتَصِحٍ يُكَرِّرُ ذِكرَ نَشوى

عَلَى عَمدٍ لِيَبعَثَ لي اِكتِئابا

And an advisor who repeats the mention of anguish

Deliberately to instill in me depression

فَقُلتُ وَعدَّ ما كانَت تُساوي

سَيَحسُبُ ذاكَ مَن خَلَقَ الحِسابا

So I said, he counted not what it was worth

That will be reckoned by Him who reckons all things

عَطِيَّتُهُ إِذا أَعطى سُرورٌ

وَإِن أَخَذَ الَّذي أَعطى أَثابا

His gift when he gives is joy

And when He takes back what He gave, it is a reward

فَأَيُّ النِعمَتَينِ أَعَمُّ فَضلاً

وَأَحمَدُ في عَواقِبِها إِيابا

So which of the two blessings is greater grace

And in its sequel more praised as requital?

أَنِعمَتُهُ الَّتي أَهدَت سُروراً

أَم الأُخرى الَّتي أَهدَت ثَوابا

Is it his gift that brought joy?

Or the other that brought reward?

بَلِ الأُخرى وَإِن نَزَلَت بِكُرهٍ

أَحَقُّ بِشُكرِ مَن شَكَرَ اِحتِسابا

Nay, the other, though it was received with dislike

Is more deserving of thanks from one who gives thanks in hope of reward