وقائل لي وهوَ موفورُ الأسف

أجهدك الفقر وعنّي وعسف

And a speaker said to me, abundant in sorrow:

Poverty has exhausted you, and denied me, and was unjust,

فصرت تمشي مشية فيها حنف

قلّ غناء الشعر عنك والسرف

So you came to walk in a way that is bent.

Say little of singing poetry and extravagance,

فقلت والدمع من العين يكف

أعلّني الضرّ وإعوازُ اللطف

So I said, and tears flowed from the eye:

Adversity has taught me, and scarcity of kindness,

وقلّة النوم إذا الليل اعتكف

ما الرجل تمشي إنّما يمشي العلف

And lack of sleep when the night comes.

A man does not walk, rather it is sustenance that walks.