وما زلت متبوعا بكل ضغينةٍ

وما زلت محسوداً بكل لسان

I am still followed by every grudge,

I am still envied by every tongue.

رأوا رجلاً لا يسلكون طريقه

ولا لهم بالسبق منه يدان

They saw a man who does not walk their path,

Nor do they have any power to outpace him.

فعابوا ورابو بالكلام وأكثروا

واخطوا طريق الحق بعد بيان

So they blamed and doubted with words aplenty,

And missed the path of truth after it was made clear.

ولو لم يكن فضل لنفسي أعدّه

سوى أن قحطانا أبي لكفاني

If I had no virtues to count for myself

Other than that Qahtan is my father, that would suffice me.

قوارص ما تنفك منهم كناية

وإن كنتُ صعباً لا ينال عناني

Relentless mockers never cease their taunts against me,

Though I am unassailable and cannot be restrained.

ولو أن واشٍ باليمامة داروُه

وداري باعلا حضرموت أتاني

If a resident of Washsh in Yamamah were brought to me,

Or if I came to a native of the High Hazramut,

وإني لا ستحييك والبعد بيننا

كما كنتُ استحييك حين تراني

I would not be shy of you despite the distance between us,

As I used to be shy when I met your gaze.

كأن رقيباً منك يَرقب خاطري

وآخر يرعى ناظري ولساني

It is as if a watcher from you keeps watch over my inner thoughts

While another attends to my eyes and tongue.