وما أنا إلا عالم كلَّ عالم

ففي الشعر حسّان وفي الفقه مالك

I am but a scholar, learned in every field

In poetry, Hassân; in jurisprudence, Mâlik

ومملكة الآداب عندي كلها

وما تستوي عند الملوك الممالك

The kingdom of literature is entirely mine

Yet kingdoms are not equal in the eyes of kings

أنخل أشعاري بمنخل حكمتي

وأعجنها بالنظم وهي درامك

I sift my verses through the sieve of my wisdom

And knead them into poetry while they are dough

ويسرقها غيري ويأكل حرّها

ويرمى به في الأرض وهي مراوك

Others will steal them and enjoy their freedom

Tossing them on the ground though they are jewels