سلِ اللهَ الغَنِيَّ تَسْأَلْ جَوادا

أمِنتَ على خزائِنِه النَّفادا

Ask God the Rich, do not ask any man

Have you trusted in His endless treasures?

وإن أصفاكَ سُلطانٌ بقُرب

فلا تُغْفِلْ تَرقُّبَكَ البِعادا

Though a ruler draws you near in intimacy

Be not neglectful, beware the distance!

فقدْ تدني المُلوكُ لدى رضاها

وتُبعِدُ حين تَحتَقِدُ احتِقادا

Kings approach when they are pleased with you

And spurn you when they bear you hatred

كَما المِرِّيخ بالتَّثليثِ يُعطي

وبالتَّربيعِ يَسلُبُ ماأفادا

Like Mars in trine, he grants you gifts

In square, withdraws all he once gave.