أَتَيتُ بِمَنطِقِ العَرَبِ الأَصيلِ

وَكانَ بِقَدرِ ما عايَنتُ قيلي

I came with the authentic eloquence of the Arab tongue,

And my speech was measured by the sights I moved among.

فَعارَضَهُ كَلامٌ كانَ مِنهُ

بِمَنزِلَةِ النِساءِ مِنَ البُعولِ

Yet it was countered by words that stood in such degree,

As women stand to husbands in their disparity.

وَهَذا الدُرُّ مَأمونُ التَشَظّي

وَأَنتَ السَيفُ مَأمونُ الفُلولِ

This pearl is safe from shattering, secure in its design,

And you are the sword, safe from notches, distinct and fine.

وَلَيسَ يَصِحُّ في الأَفهامِ شَيءٌ

إِذا اِحتاجَ النَهارُ إِلى دَليلِ

For not a single thing is sound within the mind,

If the day itself needs proof for one to find.