تَناثَرَ مِن بَعدِ النّباتِ عِذارُهُ

فَقامَ وَقَد أَبدى لَنا حسنَ أَعذارِ

After it sprouted, the down on his cheeks scattered;

then it rose, having shown us fair excuses.

وَقالَ لَظى خَدَّيهِ لمّا تَسَعَّرت

فَلَم أَستَطِع أَنِّي أُقيمُ عَلى النّارِ

And it said, when the blaze of his cheeks flared:

“For I could not remain upon the fire.”