كريمٌ أتاه أنني قلتُ مُنكراً

فظن ولم يوقن وما حك بالنفسِ

A generous man was told that I spoke ill of him,

So he suspected though not certain, and judged not by himself.

فعاقبني والحلمُ بيني وبينهُ

عقاباً بلا ضرب أليمٍ ولا حَبس

He punished me, though forbearance was between us,

With punishment without blows or painful imprisonment,

ولكن بشمِّ المسك والبان ذُوِّفا

فلا يكن الحساد من ذاك في لَبِس

But with musk and ambergris wafted around me,

So that enviers have no doubts about that.

ولا يأملوا إظلام جانب مثلِهِ

عليَّ فلا إظلام في جانب الشمس

Nor should they hope to darken a side like his

Against me - no darkening the sun's side!