ليت شعرِي من ناكه بِهجائي

من هَجاني له من الشعراءِ

Would that I knew who with satire assailed me,

Who provoked me, though he be of the poets the meanest.

مَنْ عَذيرِي يا قومِ من أَشْبهِ الأُمـ

ـمَة بابن الكَرّاعة القَطْعاءِ

My excuse, O folk, who resembles of all the peoples

The son of Karra` with his cutting satire?

يشتري باسته هجائي لقد قا

متْ عليه عداوتي بالغلاءِ

He buys my satire at a price, indeed against him

My enmity is strong however high the cost.

مَهْرُه كُفْءُ عُقْرِه بل كثيرٌ

ذلك المهرُ لاسْتِه البَخراءِ

His fine the like of his wound, nay more;

Such a price befits his cheapness of soul.