بين المقطم والمقطم نسبة

في الثقل لا تخفى العقلاء

There is a clear relation between matter and spirit

In weight, not hidden from the wise

فصخور ذا وسطور ذا وكلاهما

متألف من صخرة صماء

For this has rocks, and that lines, yet both

Are made of deaf rock

لكن بينهما اختلافا بَيِّناً

كتباين الأفعال والأسماء

But between them a clear difference

Like that between verbs and nouns

هذا حجارته إذا ما قُطِّعت

صلحت بجملتها لكل بناء

The rocks of this, if fragmented

Would serve any building

لكن ذاك سطوره ما سُطرت

إلا لهدم فضائل العقلاء

But the lines of that, if inscribed

Would only destroy the virtues of the wise