إِذا نَحنُ صَدَقناكَ

فَضَرَّ عِندَكَ الصِدقُ

If we are truthful with you

Then truthfulness is harmful to you

طَلَبنا النَفعَ بِالباطِ

لِ إِذ لَم يَنفَعِ الحَقُّ

We sought benefit through falsehood

Since truth did not benefit

فَلَو قَدَّمَ صَبّاً في

هَواهُ الصَبرُ وَالرِفقُ

Had patience and gentleness preceded

His passion, it would have sufficed

لَقُدِّمتُ عَلى الناسِ

وَلَكِنَّ الهَوى رِزقُ

I would have put people first

But passion is sustenance