كلُّ امرىءٍ مدح امرأً لنواله

فأطال فيه فقد أراد هجاءَهُ

Every man praises a man for his generosity,

So if he exaggerates, he intends to insult him.

لو لم يقدِّر فيه بُعْدَ المُسْتقَى

عند الورود لَمَا أطال رشاءَهُ

If he did not appreciate the remoteness of the goal

When bestowing gifts, he would not exaggerate his praise.

غيري فإني لا أطيل مدائحي

إلا لأوفي من مدحتُ ثناءَهُ

But I do not exaggerate my eulogies

Except to give the one I praise his due.

وأَعُدُّ ظلماً أن أُقِلَّ مديحَهُ

عمداً وأَسخطُ أنْ يُقِلَّ عطاءَهُ

And I would consider it an injustice to intentionally minimize his praise,

And be angry if he were to minimize his gifts.