قُل لِلوَزيرِ وَقَد قَطَعتُ بِمَدحِهِ

زَمَني فَكانَ السِجنُ مِنهُ ثَوابي

Say to the minister, though I spent my time

Praising him, and prison was my reward,

لا تَخشَ في حَقّي بِما أَمضَيتَهُ

مِن ذاكَ فِيَّ وَلا تَوَقَّ عِتابي

"Fear not my right, nor cease to reprove

What you did to me; blame not yourself."

لَم تُخطِ في أَمري الصَوابَ مُوَفَّقاً

هَذا جَزاءُ الشاعِرِ الكَذّابِ

You did not miss the course of right, well-guided;

Such is the poet's payment when he lies.