عامِلُ دِمياطَ فَتىً قَلَّما

يَحصُلُ مِن وَفدٍ عَلى شاكِرِ

The worker of Damietta is seldom a youth

Who receives gratitude from a delegation.

فِعالُهُ تُسخِطُ بَعدَ الرِضا

وَيُفسِدُ الأَوَّلَ بِالآخِرِ

His actions cause displeasure after acceptance

And the first spoils the last.

وَإِن وَفىً عادَ إِلى غَدرِهِ

لِضَعفِ رَأيٍ وَعَمى خاطِرِ

If he was loyal, he returns to his betrayal

Due to the weakness of his opinion and blindness of perception.

لا خَيرَ في المَرءِ إِذا لَم يَكُن

باطِنُهُ خَيراً مِنَ الظاهِرِ

There is no good in a man when

His essence is not better than his appearance.