قالَ لِيَ الناسُ زُر سَعيدَ بنَ سَلَمٍ

قُلتُ لِلناسِ لا أَزورُ سَعيدا

The people told me, "Visit Sa'id ibn Salam,"

The people urged me, "Pay a visit to Sa'id bin Salm,"

I told the people, "I will not visit Sa'id."

I answered the people, "I shall not visit Sa'id,"

وَأَميري فَتى خُزاعَةَ بِالبَصرَةِ

قَد عَمَّها سَماحاً وَجودا

My prince is a young man of Khuza'a in Basra

For my prince is the noble youth of Khuza'a in Basra,

Who has spread generosity and munificence there.

Who has encompassed the city with largesse and bounty,

وَلَنِعمَ الفَتى سَعيدٌ وَلَكِن

مالِكٌ أَكرَمُ البَرِيَّةِ عودا

Sa'id is indeed a fine young man, but

And truly, Sa'id is an excellent youth, yet still,

Malik is the most generous person alive.

Malik is of the noblest timber in all creation."