رَأَيتُ الفَضلَ مُكتَإِباً

يُناغي الخُبزَ وَالسَمَكا

I saw Al-Fadl despondent

I saw Al-Fadl deep in gloomy spirits,

harassing bread and fish.

Cooing fondly to the bread and fish.

فَقَطَّبَ حينَ أَبصَرَني

وَنَكَّسَ رَأسَهُ وَبَكى

He frowned when he saw me,

He scowled the moment that he caught my eye,

bowed his head and wept.

Then hung his head and started to weep.

فَلَمّا أَن حَلَفتُ لَهُ

بِأَنّي صائِمٌ ضَحِكا

But when I swore to him

But when I swore to him a solemn oath

that I was fasting, he laughed.

That I was fasting, he broke out in laughter.