لمّا رأيتُ الذنوبَ جلَّت

عن المُجازاةِ بالعِقابِ

When I saw many sins being committed,

I refrained from punishing,

جعَلتُ فيه العقابَ عفواً

أقسى منَ الضَّربِ للرِّقابِ

And instead of punishment, I forgave,

Which was more difficult than striking necks.