ردَدْتَ عليَّ مدحِي بعد مَطْلٍ

وقد دنَّسْتَ ملبسَه الجديدا

You echoed back my praise after a long absence,

Though you had soiled its new garb.

وقلتَ امْدح به من شئتَ غيري

ومن ذا يقبل المدْح الرَّديدا

You said, "Praise with it whoever you wish but me!"

And who would accept insincere praise?

ولا سِيمَا وقد أعمَقْتَ فيه

مخازِيَكَ اللواتي لنْ تَبيدا

Especially when you have plunged into it

Your faults that will never perish.

وما للْحَيِّ في أكْفان مَوْتٍ

لبوسٌ بعدما امتلأتْ صديدا

What use are clothes to the living in the shrouds of death,

Worn after they had filled with maggots?