إذا ما العكبريّ دنا وأدنى

إليك من المروءة ما تريد

When the crafty one draws near and approaches you

Seeking to obtain what he desires from your nobility

وما حضك النصيحة والتواني

وليس على مودته مزيد

And advice and hesitation do not deter him

Nor does more of your friendship suffice him

هناك توقّه بل خفه واحذر

أذاه فإنّه أفعى زرود

Beware there, do not come close, be cautious

Of his harm, he is a cunning, deceitful snake

إذا طالبته جداوه ألوى

وكيف بنيلك الجدوى الحسود

If you seek earnestness from him, he will twist and writhe

And how will you gain good from an envious one

يلين إلى السرور ويشتهيه

إذا ما الخير أبصره جديد

He inclines towards happiness and desires it

Whenever he sees some new good