أرقصوه بقولهم فيلسوف

حين غنت على قفاه الكفوف

They danced him with their saying he's a philosopher

When the palms clapped upon his nape

كاتب الشرق ماله من جزاء

غير صفع السقاة حين تطوف

The writer of the East, he has no reward

Except the slaps of the water-carriers as they circle round

وله السبك حين ينشى وما يسـ

ـبك مما يخط إلا الحروف

And his is the pouring forth when he composes but he pours not forth

Except the letters of what he writes

كذبت في باينه كل دعوى

هو في الناس سارق معروف

Every claim against him is a lie

Among the people he's a known thief