أَخي يُسِرُّ لِيَ الشَحناءَ يُضمرُها

حَتّى وَرى جَوفَهُ مِن غِمرِهِ الداءُ

My brother, hardship makes me grow lean with grief

Until illness shows in my inmost parts

حَرّانُ ذو غَصَّةٍ جَزَّعتُ غَصَّتَهُ

وَقَد تَعَرَّضَ دونَ الغَصَّةِ الماءُ

Scorching me, I tear open my heart's anguish

While before my pain the water lies exposed

حَتّى إِذا ما أَساغَ الريقَ أَنزَلَني

مِنهُ كَما يُنزِلُ الأَعداءَ أَعداءُ

Until when my spittle is drained away

He casts me down as enemies cast their foes

أَسعى فَيَكفُرُ سَعيِي ما سَعَيتُ لَهُ

إِنّي كَذاكَ مِنَ الإِخوانِ لَقّاءُ

I strive but my striving brings no gain

Such am I among brothers when we meet

وَكَم يَدٍ وَيَدٍ لي عِندَهُ وَيَدٍ

يَعُدُّهُنَّ تِراتٍ وَهيَ آلاءُ

How many a hand I have extended to him

Which he counts as favors though gifts they be