شكوت لله من نسلي وكثرته

وقلت في ذاك والتوحيد معتقدي

I complained to Allah about my many children

And I said to Him, though I firmly believe in His Oneness,

لا تنقضى سنة إلاّ ولى ولد

وأنت يا ربّ من ألفين لم تلد

Every year I gain a new child,

While You, my Lord, have not begotten a son in two thousand years.

ولو وهبتَ لعيسى منك ألف أخ

ما ضقت ذرعا ولا ضاقوا إلى الأبد

Had You granted Jesus a thousand brothers from Yourself,

There would be ample room for them and more forever.

ولا ووجهك لم أكره تعدّدهم

فأغنهم ثم هبهم لي بلا عدد

It is not the multitude of my children I abhor,

But only the hardship for them. So enrich them and grant them to me without count.