المَجلِسانِ عَلى التَميِيزِ بَينَهُما

مُقابِلانِ وَلَكِن أَحسَنا الأَدَبا

The two councils are unable to distinguish between them

The two seats, though distinct in their degree,

Though opposites, both are well-mannered

Stand face to face, yet show such courtesy.

إِذا صَعِدتَ إِلى ذا مالَ ذا رَهَباً

وَإِن صَعِدتَ إِلى ذا مالَ ذا رَهَبا

If you ascend to one with wealth and awe

If you ascend to this, that leans in awe,

And if you ascend to one with wealth and awe

And if you ascend to that, this leans in awe.

فَلِم يَهابُكَ مالا حِسَّ يَردَعُهُ

إِنّي لَأُنصِرُ مِن شَأنَيهِما عَجَبا

Why would wealth, whose owner it restrains, frighten you?

Why does the senseless fear you, void of sense?

Truly, I am amazed by the state of them both

I see within their states a marvel immense.