إن كنت تعجب من تفاوت ما ترى

في الناس من خلق وعقل فاسد

If you are surprised at the differences you see

Among people in nature and corrupt minds,

فاعجب فقيه لمن تأمّل عبرة

ما بين ناقصهم وبين الزائد

Then be amazed, O learned one, at the lesson

Between their deficiencies and excesses.

والناس مثل البقل إسم جامع

معناه مختلف المذاق الرائد

For people are like onions, a collective name

With different tastes, though picked by one hand.

فالبقل واحده بمعنى جمعه

والجمع معناه باسم الواحد

The onion is one in meaning with its plurality,

And its plurality means one in name.