وَأَخٍ إِن جاءَني في حاجَةٍ

كانَ بِالإِنجازِ مِنّي واثِقا

And a brother, should he come to me in need,

Was certain of fulfillment at my hands,

وَإِذا فاجَأتُهُ في مِثلِها

كانَ بِالرَدِّ بَصيراً حاذِقا

Yet if I surprised him with a like request,

He proved sharp-sighted and skillful in refusal.