ولقد بليت بمعشر

نوكى أخفّهم ثقيل

I have wearied of the company of a people

Whose slightest are too heavy

لا يفهموني قولهم

ويدقّ عنهم ما أقول

They do not understand what I say

And what I say escapes them

قوم إذا جالستهم

صدئت بقربهم العقول

A people when I sit with them

Minds are rusted by their nearness

فهم كثيرٌ بي وأع

لم أنّني بهم قليل

Many though they be with me

I do not count myself among them