تأخر عن كتبي الجواب وإنّما

تأخر برد الماء عن كبدٍ حرَّى

The reply to my letters was delayed, yet

The delay was but as water's chill to a fevered liver.

فلا تفسدن عشرين ألفاً وهبتها

بعشرين حرفاً كلامك تُستمرى

So do not spoil the twenty thousand you have granted

With twenty words for which your speech continues.