أَيا بنَ سَعيدٍ جُزتَ بي غايَةَ البِرِّ

وَحَمَّلتَني ما لا أُطيقُ مِنَ الشُكرِ

O son of Sa'eed, you have done your utmost in kindness to me

And burdened me with gratitude too heavy for me to bear

وَإِنَّ اِمرَأً أَعطاكَ مَجهودَ شُكرِهِ

وَفُتَّ وَلَم يَبلُغ مَداكَ لَفي عُذرِ

For one who gives as you have given out of kindness

Though he strive to the utmost, will fall short in thanks and find excuse

تُقَلَّبُ حالٌ لِلفَتى بَعدَ حالَةٍ

وَتَبقى أَيادٍ حُرَّةٌ لِفَتىً حُرِّ

Fortune turns for a man after a time

And free hands remain for the free man.