ولّما رأيْتُ النَّاسَ إلا أقلَّهُمْ

وأطيَبُ ما مَجُّوا منَ الشُّكْرِ أخبَثُ

When I saw that most people lacked gratitude

And the best of what they offered was tainted thanks

نشَرْتُ ثناءً عَطَّرَ الأُفْقَ طِيبُهُ

كذاكَ ثناءُ الحُرِّ نَدٌّ مَثَلَّتُ

I spread praise whose sweet fragrance filled the horizon

For the freeman's praise is like pure wine

وألَّفتُ ألحاناً لشُكرِكَ لم يُصِبْ

تَناسُبَها زِيرٌ ومَثْنى ومَثْلَتُ

And I composed melodies in thanks to you the likes of which

Were never matched in pairs or trios before