أَبا جَعفَرٍ هَلّا اقتَطَعتَ مَوَدَّتي

أَبا جَعفَرٍ هَلّا اقتَطَعتَ مَوَدَّتي

فَكُنتَ مُصيباً فِيَّ أَجراً وَمَصنَعا

فَكُنتَ مُصيباً فِيَّ أَجراً وَمَصنَعا

O Abu Jaʿfar, if only you had taken my friendship for your own—

you would have gained through me both a reward and the merit of a kindness.

فَكَم صاحِبٍ قَد جَلَّ عَن قَدرِ صاحِبٍ

فَكَم صاحِبٍ قَد جَلَّ عَن قَدرِ صاحِبٍ

فَأَلقى لَهُ الأَسبابَ فَارتَفَعا مَعا

فَأَلقى لَهُ الأَسبابَ فَارتَفَعا مَعا

How many a companion has towered above his fellow’s station,

then afforded him the means, so that both rose together.